Love Day

Does anyone make homemade Valentines anymore? I think Im done. After hours of 'helping' the girls with their valentines for school, I feel resigned to go the easy route from now on (I say this every year) after seeing all the store bought ones they bring home. Anyway, for the happy, lovey day this year, Ryan got some gorgeous roses for me, and some colorful flowers for the girls. What a nice Hubby and Dad. After spending the day eating half a box of chocolates, we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner on Friday. Ryan did get a new cell phone, since his old one was from 1960, and he is gone so much with his calling, he needed to have a good one. So he should be e-mailing you with his new number, which now has a WI area code. Sorry. The next night we swapped babysitting with our friends so they could have their turn to go out, and we had fun making MORE valentines, and decorating heart cookies. I rented a valentines movie for them to watch, but of course, they chose to watch "Grandma got ran over by a reindeer" instead. Yes, the Christmas spirit is still alive at our house, unfortunately for Grandma. Here are some pictures of the cookie fun and the flowers.

Madison and McKenzie or M&M as Madi calls them.

Katelin, Courtney and Sydney being silly and acting like robots.

Alissa and Brandon, making cookies that look like them.

He said, She said Tag

I thought this was a good tag in time for Valentines day, to see how well you know each other. I think we did pretty good!

Here are Ryan's answers about me: (personal corrections or additions in red)

1. Sitting in front of the TV, what's on the screen? Seinfeld, American Idol yes, and True Beauty lately.
2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does she get on her salad? Ranch preferably on the side
3. What's one food she doesn't like? Seafood
4. You go out to a restaurant, what does she get to drink? Some kind of lemonade, usually strawberry
5. Where did she go to high school? Bingham We're #1!
6. What is one phrase she says all the time? Dont have any
7. If she was to collect anything, what would it be? State Coins almost have them all. Anyone have Hawaii and Alaska?
8. What is her favorite type of sandwich? Red Robin Club actually its called a BLTA croissant, yum!
9. What would this person eat everyday if she could? Ice Cream yum!
10. What is her favorite cereal? Doesnt like cereal breakfast should be warm and filling!
11. What would she never wear? bikini that would be scary!
12. What does she always wear? underwear
13. Who will she vote for? whoever I'm voting for I hate politics. I trust his judgement.
14. Who is her best friend? me
15. How many states has she lived in? 2
16. Does she have any nervous habits? tries to avoid those situations my heart rate rises
17. What could she spend hours doing? playing games: Wii, and board games
18. She is: a wonderful wife and Mom Awww

What I said about Ryan:

1. Sitting in front of the TV, what's on the screen? Some sort of sports or the news
2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on he salad? Thousand Island
3. What's one food he doesn't like? coconut Yuck!!!!
4. You go out to a restaurant, what does he get to drink? water, "drinks are too expensive" They are a rip off at the restaurants!
5. Where did he go to high school? Kearns, and lives to tell about it!
6. What is one phrase he says all the time? Gosh! or Yes. Like Napolean does it pretty much the best thing ever...sweet!
7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? belly button lint That is true I had quite the collection on my mission...also excuses not to do my homework - I have a million of 'em
8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? Roast Beef
9. What would this person eat everyday if he could? Cafe Rio style Pork, since he just stated that last night (That was some great grub last night - I would never turn that away)
10. What is his favorite cereal? total when I am in a health kick it is but if I am going off taste it has to be the sugary ones
11. What would he never wear? a tank top, only wears a coat if I beg
12. What does he always wear? shorts since it never gets cold enough to justify anything else, why not -yah, like 20 below isnt cold enough!
13. Who will he vote for? probably a republican
14. Who is his best friend? Me of course
15. How many states has he lived in? 3
16. Does he have any nervous habits? sucking in his lips, I guess it would be called "pursing" in Twilight
17. What could he spend hours doing? watching BYU play it never gets old, give me the re-runs and it is still awesome
18. He is: a goofball, and a tease...but a really great person and Dad and Hubby too! my face now matches the font

If you can get your hubby to do this with you, then you are tagged!

Better late than never...

So at the beginning of the year, there was a challenge placed to pick one word we were going to live by in 2009. I know we're already finished with a month of the new year, but Ive been reflecting on what my perfect word should be. Im a little slow, but I think I finally figured it out; and the best word I can think of to describe how Im feeling is:

So the reason I pick this word might sound a little corny, but Ive been painfully aware lately of how fast time flies. My oldest child will be in the double digits this year. Another 10, and she will be an adult! Thinking about how quickly the last 10 went, and knowing full well that the next 10 will probably go even faster, Ive decided to re-examine my outlook on life. Im determined to relax about the stupid little things that dont matter, like my kids eating crackers on the couch, or playing with the horribly messy moon sand, or finger paint; or sneaking candy out of the pantry. As strange as it sounds, Im actually trying to let my house be a mess, so that I can focus more on giving my kids the opportunity to have more fun, and giving me more time to spend with them, instead of worrying about how the house looks. No, I haven't totally lost it...I do still clean. Im just trying to not be so obsessed about it.

Anyway, the point is, Ive been feeling like a horrible mom, who has been missing out on all the fun opportunities I could be having with my kids, because Im too worried about messes, or money, or what a pain it is to load them all in the car and take them somewhere. Before I know it, they will be grown. The opportunities will be missed. It will be too late to go on that vacation we have been saving our whole life for...too late for that bedtime story. The memories cannot be re-made. So I am vowing to CHERISH the moments, while I can. To make them better. To make my time worthwhile. To make my kids happier. This will be a lifetime goal, not just one ending in 2010. Thanks for the challenge. Wish me luck, and if you come to my house, and its a complete disaster...congratulate me!

Blessing Day

Today was the special day that Brylee received her baby blessing. She sported an all white dress made out of my left-over wedding dress materials, which was also worn by her 3 older sisters. Considering that, I think its held up pretty well, except for one button that came off the back. Im glad it got its use! We were proud of Brylee for making it through the blessing without crying or spitting up on her dress (until it was over)! Some of the things she was blessed with included:

• a knowledge that her Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ loves her.
• to make righteous choices, including getting baptized and married in the Temple.
• to be worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost.
• to learn wisdom in her youth, and abound in good works and faith to overcome challenges and trials.
• To view life with optimism and bring joy to others.
• love and support from her family

Ryan always does such a great job, and we are grateful that he holds his priesthood worthily, and uses it to bless our family. Here she is with us all, except Zack who kept running out of the pictures!

10 things that BUG me tag

I really had to think about this one. In no particular order...

1. Grey Hairs

2. School Fundraisers

3. Tailgaters

4. The house never staying clean for more than 30 minutes.

5. My kids waking up between 4 and 5 am...EVERY MORNING! ( I won't mention any names!)

6. Arrogant people

7. Door to door salesmen

8. Spending an hour shoveling snow, only to have the driveway covered again the next day.

9. Never having enough money, especially when we really need it!

10. Grocery Shopping

and I just have to throw in one more...

11. my kids stomping up the stairs, and slamming the door because they are SOOO picked on!

Thanks for letting me vent Tina! Its good to let it all out! I encourage you all to do the same so, tag...YOU are it! Yes you!

Our Little Cookies

So, I was once told that we have "cookie cutter kids" because they all look alike. People keep asking me who Brylee looks most like, and I never know how to respond, so I thought I would let you be the judge.
First of all, just for fun, here are the main ingredients to our little cookies...

now for the latest concoction...

and finally, cookies to compare!

What do you think?

Someone help me!

So if you havent noticed, Im pretty new at this whole boy thing. Its like Im a first time parent again in a way, because he brings so many new experiences to the table; that I didnt have with the girls. For example this is what I have been dealing with lately...

Can someone tell me why boys insist on running around naked? Now this fascination isnt a new thing, per say. Hes been running from us putting his pants on after diaper changes for a while now, and he figured out how to take his own shirt off a few months ago. It got to the point where he was always running around the house in just his diaper, and I was going to have to accept that. Thats not so bad, right?

Well, right before Brylee was born, he started showing an interest in going on the potty...like daddy does. Great right!? Not so much. Now he has figured out how to take his diaper off every time he goes in it, Yes 1 and 2; and leave it lying there. Even if its just a little wet...off it goes. Then he takes it upon himself to go play...or sit wherever he pleases whether it be on the carpet...or my pillow with his newly contaminated behind; thus requiring extra clean up work for me. This is where I found him today-behind the chair in my room, reading a book. He's hiding because he knows deep down that he shouldnt take his diaper off, since hes been told...once or twice.

Thank goodness it was only wet this time! So we're thinking, he definitely has to learn to go on the potty...SOON! So we have been looking for underwear his size for about a month, and couldnt find any size 2. They only carried sizes 4 and up. Hello! Do most kids in Wisconsin start potty training when they are 4? Finally, yesterday I just bought the 4's. How big can they really be? Okay they drowned him just a little, let alone he is confused about how they are supposed to be worn... So after putting on his cool new over sized underwear, it only took him about 15 minutes to go through 2 of the 3 pairs. And after going through his 2 tantrums for not being able to stay in the tub after cleaning him up...I decided to put the diaper back on. Its not worth it to me right now. After all, he is only 22 months old, and I have a 6 week old baby to take care of. I dont have the time or energy to always drop what Im doing to clean up his messes, or sit with him during a bath every time he has an accident. None of the girls were trained this early, nor did they insist on taking their own diaper off whenever they chose. Is this normal boy behavior, and if so what do I do about it? I heard boys were harder to train, but this is ridiculous! Can he really be ready at 22 months old, or is he just determined to make my life more difficult? Someone tell me how this works, and if there is a secret trick to training boys; because the magic glow in the dark car underwear didnt work in just one day like I was fully expecting!