Garrett- 5 months



On December 22nd Garrett turned 5 months old.  Over this past month it seems he has really grown by leaps and bounds.  At the beginning of December, he started grabbing things with his hands.  If you hold something in front of him, he will reach out and try to grab it.  Most of the time he still needs some guidance to actually grab it and hold on, but he's getting better. 

He also found his voice.  Now when he's awake, he is always squawking and screaming, even though most of the time he's happy.

Garrett has a very wide-eyed look that makes him always look like a deer caught in the headlights.

It's absalutely adorable.

We also just started feeding him rice cereal.  He is still trying to figure out how to chew.  But he's getting better at it. 

Also on Christmas eve he rolled over!  A few days before he rolled from his tummy to his back....but he always seemed to forget how to do it, because he'd do it a couple times, and then the next day not at all.  Then on Christmas eve he rolled from his back to his tummy, and now he does it ALL THE TIME!  Whenever I put him on the floor, he just flipps over.  I'm sure we're only weeks away before he is rolling across the room.

I just love his wide smile that greets me every time I take him out of the crib.  He's a very happy baby.  And only cries when he's tired or hungry.  He doesn't really even mind being left on the floor, as long as he's not ignored for too long. :)  At his 4 month doctor's appointment he weighed about 19 pounds.  He was in the 75th percentile for height, 50th percentile for weight, and 90th percentile for head size.  He's a solid baby, and I just love him to pieces!

 

Here's a couple videos of him being his cute little self.  I just love his fat thighs!  He may not be a fat baby, but he's the fattest baby I've ever had....and I absalutely love it.  Whenever I'm holding him I'm just kissing his cheeks.  I just can't get enough of 'em!  I just wanna eat him up!

 



The other day I got him to giggle, and somehow managed to take a video.  Thank goodness, because it's actually pretty hard to get his gut-busting laugh going.  I was so glad I got a video!  It's one of my favorite things to watch.  He's such a joy in my life.

December update

We started the month off getting a Christmas tree.  I got into our tote of Christmas supplies only to find that 3 strands of lights were completely shot.  When I plugged them in, there was NOTHING.  A quick trip to Walmart, and about 3-4 hours of decorating and the tree was finished.  We like to get a tall Christmas tree because it looks so good with our vaulted ceilings.  As a result, it's quite the project to get the thing decorated.  But it looks lovely when it's done.

December seemed to FLY by so fast.  We had parties and activities every weekend it seemed like.  The second weekend in December, my parents came to stay for a visit.  I didn't get any pictures but it is always so nice to see them.  They even babysat the kids for us so Parker and I could get some much-needed Christmas shopping done.

 

We had our ward Christmas party, and the kids got to sit on Santa's lap.  Angie has NEVER been shy around Santa.  Even last year.  As soon as she figured out he was giving out candy, she was more than happy to sit on his lap.  The girl is a blood hound.  She can find snacks and junk food no matter how well you hide it.

This month we also found an early Christmas present.  We've been talking about buying a new TV for MONTHS.  I've never been able to feel good about it though.  We wanted a big one.  We have a 32" flat screen that the bank gave us as a gift when we bought our house.  But in our 8 years of marriage we have NEVER bought a TV.  Anyway.  We had been looking at ones anywhere from 38" to 50".  I just could never justify spending that much when we have other priorities for our money.  Even though we found several good deals.  Then one day I got a call. Walmart had put their display TV's on clearance.  This particular one was 54" Samsung 1080P.  It's like a 1200 dollar TV.  For Black Friday week the price was about 700 dollars.  Then when Parker found it they were asking ony 400 dollars!  It's true it was the display TV, so it had already had hours of viewing time, been touched by customers, and no longer had a box.  BUT, it was still under warranty.  Parker made them plug it in and made sure it still works.  Then he brought it home.

One thing big-screen TV's always do when you get your first one, is make a mockery of your entertainment set.  The TV didn't fit inside.  So we put it on top for a few days.

 

Funny story.  The TV started glitching out on us.  It would shut off, and then turn itself back on seconds later.  At first it only happened once in a while.  Then it started to happen more frequently.  Then it came to the point where it wouldn't even work anymore.  I'm thinking.  There goes our 400 dollars down the drain.  Parker called the samsung support number on the remote.  The warranty covered in-home tech support, parts, and labor.  So.  They called a repair company.  They came and picked it up.  It was gone over the weekend, and then they brought it back fixed.  No charge to us.

 

While the TV was out of comission, Parker fixed the entertainment center.  He basicly chopped it in half.  He dropped the top down about a foot and a half so that it was just the height of my stereo.  And not the TV sits on top, and doesn't look awkward (like the TV outgrew the entertainment center).  I'm so glad he was able to fix it.  Entertainment TV stands are usually about 2-300 bucks.  (for a good one anyway).  Can't beat free!  Here's how it looks now.  Pretty good considering that stupid entertainment center is the one my parents had when I WAS A CHILD! 



December has also meant lots of time off for me.  It's been SO nice to be at home with my kids.  

The other day I just HAD to get a picture of Angie's morning hair.  I really don't know why it's so crazy!  I guess because it's so thin and fair.  It is always standing straight up, unless I do something to it.

Just after Christmas we had our first snow-fall.  The kids put on their snow-clothes and ran out into the snow.  It was a light, fluffy, powdery snow.  So it didn't make very good snowmen.  But they honestly just enjoyed watching their own foot-prints and making snow-angels.

Caleb got a new coat just before Christmas.  He had a really nice green coat, but his report to me is that he fell off the monkey bars at school and the entire backside ripped.  He loves his new one, and it's double-layered so he can dress according to how cold it is.

Angie is quickly out-growing her snow clothes.  Her snow pants look like floods, and her 2T coat is getting short in the arms.  But I think it'll last for the rest of the season.  She didn't complain.  She just looks like she's been stretched.

 

My kids are growing so fast!  I hope I'm recording enough on this blog so I won't forget what was like when they were little. 

This month we were going to the bishop's office for tithing settlement.  It was after church was over so we had gone home, and then back to the church.  It was a particularly windy day, and Angie was complaining about the cold as we got out of the car.  I was holding her, and Parker was carrying baby G.  I decided to run across the parking lot in order to get her out of the cold quicker.  As I came to the curb, I tripped and then my other foot caught on my long dress and we both went down.  Hard.  I couldn't even brake my fall because I was holding Angie.  She hit her head on the sidewalk, and all of my weight went onto my right wrist which was my only free hand to brake the fall. It was very painful and emberassing.  Angie was crying, and I almost was myself.  I had bruises on both knees and bloody scrapes through my dress.  Worst of all.  My wrist was sprained.  It took several weeks to heal, and still causes me pain when I torque it just right.  I kept on working and living.  My first day at work after the injury I was dropping things all over the place because pain would shoot through my wrist and I just couldn't keep hold of whatever was in my hand at the time. 

 

Angie won't let me live it down either.  She's always saying things like, "Mom- remember when you dropped me at church?"  and she doesn't like me to run while I'm carrying her anymore.  I can't say that I blame her.  

Released

Last week at mutual, Brother Darrow (counsellor in the Bishopric) asks if he can talk to me.  Oh no.  Can't I just say no?  If he doesn't talk to me, then he can't change anything.  If only.

I sit down and he lets me know that the Young Women's president is being released, and therefore all callings in Young Women's are being released.  What?  I haven't even been doing this for a year!  He tells me that the girls really liked me, and that they've enjoyed having me as an advisor.  (His daughter is one of my Beehives).  He says, the release probably won't happen this coming Sunday, but the one after that. 

After he said that, I started figuring things in my head.  So.  Maybe this coming Sunday they'll come and get me and tell me they're putting me BACK into young women's....maybe in the presidency or something this time, and then the following Sunday they'll release me and sustain me at the same time.  I didn't fret anymore.  I was getting released, but it couldn't possibly be permanent.  I had so many plans.  I'd just scheduled a week off work so I could go to camp this summer. 

Then Sunday came.  We were late to church.  I won't begin to go into the grimey details about how frustrating Sunday mornings are and how no matter how hard I try or how much help I ask for from kids and spouce, we can't seem to make it to church when we should.  We've mastered the art of arriving JUST as the meeting starts.  Last Sunday though, was not the case.  We were LATE.  We walked in after a baby blessing.  We'd missed ward business.There were rumors flying around that we're getting a new bishop.  The entire stake presidency was attending our sacrament meeting, and also an area Seventy.  Eeek. 

When sacrament got over, I went to another member of our Young Women's presidency and asked who was called as the new relief society presidency.  THEN I find out that I HAD been released.  AND they called an entire NEW young women's presidency.  All positions filled today.  And I was not in any of them.  What?!  I was flooded with emotions of frustration.  Why couldn't have we been on time today so that I didn't have to find out this way?  Why didn't they put me back in young women's?  Then sadness.  Not just a little sad.  Pure, terrible, depressing sorrow. Suddenly the relief society president comes up to me and says, "Are you going to be in Relief Society today?"
Still digesting the news, I say, "Apparently I am."
She then asks if I can play the piano for opening exercises.  I've never disliked the fact that I play the piano.  But at that moment, I was NOT happy to get to sit on that bench.  I shouldn't be here.  I should be in the OTHER room with the girls.

I sat through Sunday School and hardly paid attention to the lesson being given.  Tears rolled down my cheeks through the entire meeting. But it wasn't because it was a good lesson (which it was) or because my heart was being touched by the spirit.  I was feeling sorry for myself.  I haven't felt so down in a long time.  I was on the verge of tears for the entire day.  The girls came up to me after church and hugged me.  "I missed you today."  they said to me. 

As the days go by, I'm slowly adjusting to it.  But I am still losing sleep over it.  Isn't that so dumb?  It's a CALLING!  You serve where the Lord asks you to, not where you WANT to.  But I've never had a release rock my world as bad as that one did.  I lie awake at night thinking about those girls.  About the plans for New Beginnings, Camp, and personal progress that I'll never get to do.  About how they just changed the curriculum for teaching the youth, and I was all prepared and trained on HOW to do it.  And we were supposed to start in January, and now I'm not going to get to. 

They're calling the new relief society presidency next week.  But nobody's said anything to me, which means I'm probably not gonna be a part of that either.  Which means they'll probably make me play the piano for some organization.  Primary or relief society....or worse.  Sacrament meeting.  Our ward needs piano players so bad. There's only 3 or 4 of us who can.  But I'm dreading it.  It's not what I want.  10 years of piano lessons, and here I am for the first time hating it. 

I think more than anything the suspense is killing me.  They may not call me to play the piano either.  I don't know WHAT they're gonna do with me.  Do I sound so self-absorbed or what?.  I suppose I should take a lesson in humility.  And say a few prayers.  I find myself hoping beyond hope that they'll make me camp director.  That's at least SOMETHING to do with Young Women.  But good grief.  You'd think I could take a little taste of humble pie, and say something like, "I'll serve where the Lord wants me to."  I'm slowly getting there.  I know the women that are NOW serving in Young women's are amazing people.  And the girls are gonna love them too. It's just funny that something as silly as a release has caused me to go through some pathetic trial of faith?  Not that I've lost my faith....but apparently I need more. 

I AM ready to do whatever the Lord calls me to do.  Whether it's in young women's or not.  If I say it enough, eventually I'll believe it right?   

Thanksgiving

This year Thanksgiving was with Parker's family.  Parker's work has made some changes lately, and he no longer gets holidays off.  Oh sure, he can take vacation....but HR department has to be open on holidays, because the casino is open on holidays.  Anyway. Parker decided he'd work Thanksgiving day and take off a couple hours early, and then take black friday off so we could spend the entire weekend at his mom and dad's house. 

So on Thanksgiving day, I hung out at home with the kids.  I spent the entire morning and afternoon in the kitchen, since I was in charge of making pies.  My first 2 were pumpkin.  I still have frozen pumpkin from the one my dad gave me from his garden LAST YEAR.  So anyway.  2 down.  2 to go.

For my other pies, I did apple (made with fresh granny smith apples....which was all well and good, except I had to practically beat away the kids with a stick because all those sliced apples were so inviting for a free snack!)  And my second pie was cocoanut cream.  I got the recipe from my sister, Anna.  It's AMAZING!  I will confess that over the thanksgiving weekend, I pretty much ate half of that pie myself.  Which I'm allowed to do because I MADE IT!  :)

We had a late dinner, and stayed up late visiting with parker's parents and Garrett. 

 

On black friday, we went and cut a Christmas tree.  We just went to a tree farm about a mile from Paul and Claudia's house.  The guy charges 20 dollars no matter the size of the tree.  Then I laid down with Angie, while Parker, Paul, and Caleb went on a ride on the four-wheelers. 

 

Then Saturday we relaxed and although we'd planned on doing some shopping, it never really happened.  I got another nap (which truly NEVER happens) and that afternoon Claudia and I took the kids to see, "Wreck It Ralph."  Cute show.  

Garrett and Garrett.  I'm sorry to say this is their first picture together.  At least it's a cute one right?!

Tree Farm

Here are some photos of when we went and got our Christmas tree.  We went to a tree farm just down the road from where Parker's parents live.  10 bucks for any tree.....regardless of size.  Not bad.

Parker and Caleb drove over on the 4-wheelers.  Angie, baby G and I took the cozy car.

Wait till you see how good it looks all decorated and stuff!

200K

Last week our little Hyundai Elantra (which we've had since our first year of marriage....and started with about 50,000 miles) reached 200,000 miles!  It's our commuter-car.  And parker drives it the 50 miles to and from Jackpot every day.  I had the car the day the odometer hit 200K. 

Parker wanted me to take a picture....so when it happened, I pulled over the car on the side of the road and got out my phone.  I was so concentrated on trying to get a good photo that when I finally looked up, there were red and blue flashing lights in my rear-view mirror.  The cop had allready pulled over and was walking towards me.  WHAT?!  How did I miss that?!  Am I in trouble? 

I realized he'd probably pulled over to make sure I was ok.  I had turned on my emergency flashers so that nobody would think I'd just parked the car on the side of the road like that. 

I rolled down the window and stuck my head out.

"Officer- I'm ok....."

"Are you sure?  I thought you might need some help."

"Oh no.  my car just reached 200,000 miles and I wanted to take a picture."

he stares at me.  Then laughs.

"Oh.  I thought you were broke-down and trying to make a phone call."

"No....just getting a picture."

"Well ok....thanks for pulling over."

 

HA!!!  What a great way to remember this moment.  Just so you know.  That little car hasn't had hardly ANY engine troubles.  It's still running strong, and I have no doubt we will drive it into the ground.  We'll never sell it.  I'm sure we'll make the kids drive it when they start driving (if it's still around by then....which it should be.)

Hang in there Purple Elantra!

Cheer Camp

A few weeks ago Caleb came home from school and asked me if he could participate in a cheerleading camp.  He was sure that I was going to say no (for some reason), but I told him he could.  I made sure he knew that there was a chance he would be the only boy at the camp.  He said he didn't care, and that he still wanted to do it.  So.  I paid the 30 dollars and he got to spend a Saturday morning learning a cheerleading routine from the Filer High School cheerleaders.

The camp fee included a t-shirt, a water bottle, and 1 adult admission ticket to the girl's basketball game that evening where the kids would be performing the routine they'd learned.

When I dropped him off at the school, the first thing we noticed was that he WAS the only boy.  I was worried for about 5 seconds, until we walked through the door and about 4 girls saw him and squealed, "CALEB!!  HI CALEB!"  Ok.  He's got friends, he'll be fine. 

 

And he was fine.  He had a blast actually.  I have a video of him performing, but it's on Parker's phone.  maybe I'll upload it later.  When it was over, he kept asking me "did I do a good job mom?"  He really did have fun.  And I'm glad.  It's now his favorite t-shirt.

No-Shave November

Behold:  the "Novem-beard."  Apparently November is "prostate cancer awareness month" and all the guys at Parker's work (and apparently all the guys in our ward as well) decided to grow a beard for the cause.  (You must be wondering HOW growing a beard could help spread awareness for prostate cancer.  I'm still trying to figure that out myself.)  However it works......there are lots of men ALL OVER THE PLACE sporting the "novem-beard."  And I just think it's so funny that MOST men would agree that facial hair is "manly" and is to be viewed as some kind of accomplishment rather than the itchy, scruffy nuisance that most WOMEN think it is.  If I HAVE TO tolerate some aspect of facial hair....the beard or goatee is ok with me.  But I HATE the mustache.  Not.  A. Fan.

Parker had to keep the beard "tidy" looking for work.  But I think he enjoyed his 30 days of scruff.  And now it's December.  And I've BEGGED him to shave it off.  So here's the last photo.  Guys.  If you want your girl to think you're manly.....do some chores without her asking first.  She'll be MUCH more impressed with that than she will with your beard.  :)  Happy December!

Chapter Book

Today Caleb was carrying this book around the house.  He can't read at this level yet....but he loves to hold books and just look at them.  Pictures or not. 

I saw the book and recognized the cover.  My mom read that exact copy to me when I was a child.  How old was I?  8?  I couldn't remember.  3rd grade I think.  Not exactly sure.  I told Caleb that my mom had read the book to me when I was little.  He then asked.  "Can you read it to ME mom?"  I looked at him.
"There's no pictures.  You have to use your imagination."
He didn't seem worried.  "That's ok mom.  I don't need pictures."
We've never read a chapter book together.  This was gonna be a new thing.  I wondered if he would have the attention span for it. 

I got the kids ready for bed and we sat on the couch.  I started reading.  The first 2 or 3 pages set-up the story.  And I could tell he was listening, but wasn't sure how interested he was.  Luckily, this book gets good fast.  As I started reading about Lucy wandering through the wardrobe and into a magical land, he was caught.  Hook.  Line.  and Sinker.  He was sitting on his knees.  Staring at my face,  just waiting for every word to come out.  I finished chapter 2.
"It's time for bed."
"What?!  NO!  Mom!  You have to keep reading!"
I laughed.  I won't lie.  I was actually thrilled to hear him say this.  He was into it!
I read one more chapter.  When I finished he started BEGGING.
"Mom.  One more page please?  Just ONE MORE PAGE."
So I read 3 more pages.
Then it really was time to quit. 
"Caleb.  Do you see how big this book is?  You're not going to find out what happens in just one day.  It's going to take a while for us to get through it.  And you're going to have to be patient.  That's what's fun about a chapter book.  We get to read a little more each day."
I promised to read to him every night if he was good.  He was ok with this.
"Mom can I take this book to bed?"
I laughed.  "sure.  Just don't lose it.  We have to read some more tomorrow."

I can't tell you how proud I am that my son is enjoying a chapter book with no pictures at age 6.I hope he will continue to develop a love for reading.  One of my favorite childhood memories was listening to MY mother read to me.  And what a great book to start with?!  I told him as soon as we finish the book that he can watch the movie.  He was thrilled.  He didn't know there was a movie.  Maybe we'll finish the book by Christmas and Santa can get him the movie.  :)  Proud momma right here.

Just a bad day

November 6th was election day.  Also Nov. 6 is the day I got a new phone.  I haven't had a new phone for about 4 years.  I got the iphone 4 cuz it was free with a contract.  And....I'm loving it.  One awesome thing is that I had a patient tell me about this app that I could download that allows you to make ringtones from your own itunes library.  SWEET!  I made like 10 in 5 minutes.  Way too much fun.  Anyway  this is NOT what I'm blogging about actually.

I found out the election results that evening.  I must say...I kinda knew it would end up this way.  I think that I always knew Mitt Romney wouldn't win.  Not that he wasn't good enough,  or even that Obama wasn't bad enough.  It's just....I knew.  This world we live in.  We all know the government has its corruptions.....but truly it's the people.  We live in such a great country.  Founded on such great principles, by great men.  But America is not THAT anymore.  Our leaders set aside the constitution in order to accomplish their own purposes.  And the people of this country have bought right into it.  So yeah....I knew Obama would win again.  I was just hoping he wouldn't.  So the news still came as a dissapointment.  Whatever.  I'm going to bed right?

The following morning I was driving to work and listening to news radio.  It was then that I learned a few things that I hadn't really been listening to last night.  3 states have legalized recreational use of marijuana?  Is that right?  Are you kidding me?  I felt sick.  Have we come to that?  Lets just open the doors to more sin!  It's not like people aren't doing it anyway.  Lets just make it legal.  Cuz if people WANT to do something, then it should be ok....even if it's not good for them, or their lives, or their families. I just couldn't believe it.  This is when the depression started to set in.  I started thinking to myself.  "This is it."  things are NOT getting better.  And the scripture came to my mind.  I remembered reading in the Book of Mormon about how Moroni's sons wouldn't take the throne to be king in his stead.  And moroni decided that instead of force one of his sons to be king, that he should instead appoint judges to rule over the people.  And the judges would be chosen by the voice of the people.  Here....I'll just quote the entire passage.

"For behold, he has friends in iniquity, and he keepeth his guards about him; and he teareth up the laws of those who have reigned in reighteousness before him; and he trampleth under his feet the commandments of God;
And he enacteth laws, and sendeth them forth among his people, yea, laws after the manner of his own wickedness; and whosoever doth not obey his laws he causeth to be destroyed; and whosoever doth rebel against him he will send his armies against them to war, and if he can he will destroy them....
...now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law- to do your business by the voice of the people.
AND IF THE TIME COMES THAT THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE DOTH CHOOSE INIQUITY, THEN IS THE TIME THAT THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD WILL COME UPON YOU; YEA, THEN IS THE TIME HE WILL VISIT YOU WITH GREAT DESTRUCTION EVEN AS HE HAS HITHERTO VISITED THIS LAND."
Mosiah 29: 22-27

And after this scripture came to mind....I (first of all realized I could read it word-for-word with my handy-dandy iphone...which I did) started to feel this urgency.  I need to pray.  I need to pray for my family, and fast for my husband.  I need to pray that my children can have faith in this crumbling world.  I need to go to the temple.  And then and there in the car, as I'm driving to work the tears came....and it was hard to explain why....except that I knew I was having a prompting.  Something I honestly can't say I've felt (at least not of this magnitude) in quite some time. 

I got to work and talked to my boss and his wife.  They were feeling the same way as me.  I shared the scriptures that had come to my mind while I was in the car.  And then as I was pulling up my charts for my next patient, the headline came on the computer screen.  Gay marriage was legalized in 3 states.  WHAT?!!  MORE bad news?!  Now I was floored.  And I WAS sick.  I felt so empty and depressed.  America WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!

I had to pray.  I needed peace.  I said a silent prayer in my heart, and almost couldn't wait for an opportunity to kneel beside my bed and pour out my heart. 

2 hours later one of my co-workers pulled me aside and informed me that Sheri (another co-worker in our office, who was gone today) has ovarian cancer.  She's in her early 40's.  A great woman.  The tumor was very large and needed surgery immediately.  I tried to keep a straight face.  As soon as the conversation was over, I went upstairs and cried.  I had a patient waiting, but I couldn't keep it together anymore.  I sat on the steps and buried my face and sobbed.  What a rotten day.  It took me 10 minutes to pull myself together.  I looked like a mess.  So I kept my mask on my face as I called my patient back.  My face was red and blotchy, and swollen from crying.  My patient complained about my tardiness and insisted I needed to work faster to keep with the schedule.  I apolagized and explained that it's not always in my control (even though today....it kinda was). 

I was a mess all day.  Most of my thoughts were worrying about Sheri from that point on.  The news of the election dampened my mood, but having a friend in the hospital with so many things unknown was by far the most difficult part of the day. 

When I got home I fed the kids something frozen and microwaved, and hustled them into bed.  Then I got to kneel.  And I just stayed there until I felt better.  I prayed for my family.  And for this country.  And for Sheri.  And eventually peace DID come. 

I'm grateful for the gift of prayer.  And the influence that the Holy Ghost can have on our lives if we ask for it.  I haven't had a crappy day like that for a long time.  And I'm glad my Savior was there to carry me through it.

St. George/Vegas Vacation

Parker was invited to golf with Dr. Pickup in St. George last week.  Since our trip in the spring got cancelled because of work....we kinda jumped on this opportunity to take a family vacation.  We decided we'd drive to Ogden on Tuesday night and stay with Aunt Jo.  Then the following morning we woke up and made the trip to St. George.  It took about 6 hours from Ogden.  Angie has a 2 hour bladder.  So 3 stops and we were there.  It REALLY wasn't that bad. 

We dropped Parker off in St. George and then I drove to Las Vegas with the kids, to spend the rest of the week at Robyn's house.  This was a GOOD time.  I must say I REALLY enjoyed myself.  I did pretty much NOTHING the entire time.  And it was awesome.  At one point John said to Robyn, "You need to make sure you take Heather out to do something tomorrow.  I'm sure she didn't drive all the way from Idaho to just sit at our house."  When I heard this I laughed.  I told Robyn.  "I don't want to pack up the kids and haul them around town....I do that at home.  I really like just relaxing and visiting.  I NEVER get to do this!  I read a book while I was there (perhaps you've heard of it):

Michael Vey.  A great read.  I recommend it for sure. Now I need to read the 2nd book.  The kids had fun playing together, since they really don't get to see much of eachother.

On Thursday night we went to a school carnival.  The kids wore their costumes and played carnival games and of course ate too much candy.  We came back to Robyn's house and had pizza and watched a movie.

The following day we relaxed.  I read my book, or played the Wii, and Showed Robyn how to make flour tortillas.  John was impressed, and incase you don't know homemade tortillas are SO FABULOUS that once you learn how to make them you'll NEVER want to eat the store-bought ones again.  Because they taste like rubber.

Friday night we went to Robyn and John's ward trunk-or-treat activity.  Kids in costumes again, and lots of candy again.  It was a great time. 

That night I got to fall asleep listening to Robyn's drunk neighbors.  1:00 in the morning and they were outside howling like wolves.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!  They even woke up Robyn....which is saying something, because she sleeps like a rock.  And since Robyn lives in a neighborhood of 2-story houses stacked about 10 feet apart.....it echoes like crazy.  Good times.  Welcome to Vegas.

Of course, I'm used to getting hardly any sleep, because I'm up anyway with this little corn-on-the-cob!  Garrett had a blast too.  He even woke up for a few minutes for the ward party.

Saturday we carved pumpkins.  John cooked the seeds, and I decided to try my hand at carving ET.  It turned out FABULOUS! (see next blog post for a picture)

Saturday night I drove back to St. George and stayed with Parker at Dr. Pickup's house. Then Sunday morning we started the drive back home.  Angie's 2 hour bladder turned into a 1 hour bladder towards the end.  And Garrett had HAD it with his car seat.  He fussed from Ogden all the way home.  Finally by the time we got to Burley he was so upset I decided I was going to have to take him out of his car seat and hold him.  No we weren't going to stop  AGAIN!  FRom St George we stopped in Fillmore, Sandy, Tremonton, and Snowville.  So many things to deal with at each stop.  Taking the kids potty, get something to eat, oh yeah, and I'm still breastfeeding so I had to pump in the car.....3 times.  It just took forever.  10 hours to be exact.  Caleb and Angie did quite well....Garrett not so much. 

I loved our little vacation.  I only wish I could have spent time with my husband.  But it was so nice to see Robyn.....they live so far away we just don't get to see eachother that much. 

At one point, John was gone running errands in town.  Robyn and I sat on the couch and played the Wii while the kids gorged themselves with candy.  I looked at Robyn and said, "You know....this is the kind of thing that we complain about MEN doing."  She laughed and agreed.  Can you imagine how funny it'd have been if John came home and said, "So what did YOU do while I was gone?"
"Oh.....played nintendo and ignored the kids while they filled up on candy."

And now I don't want to go on another road trip for a very long time!

Halloween 2012

 Halloween this year was lots of fun.  Grandma and Grandpa Lyons came to our house, along with Jayne and Brogan and their 2 kids (Saije, and Channing).  Grandma and Grandpa were SO fun to watch this year.  They haven't had trick-or-treaters at their house in over 15 years....because they don't really live in a neighborhood anymore.  So they really enjoyed giving out candy to all the kids.

Caleb got his costume from Perron Hansen (our old babysitter's son) before they moved.  A pteradactyl (no Idea how to spell that one by the way).  Caleb was especially excited about this costume after visiting the "dinosaur tracks" museum in St. George last week.

 Angie was a fairy.  She got this green "tinker bell" costume from her cousin Camry just a few weeks ago.  I found the wings at "once upon a child" for like 3 dollars.  Add a few glow-sticks for fun, and she just couldn't stop dancing.

I was glad I didn't have to take the kids trick-or-treating by myself again this year.  Parker's had to work late the past 2 halloweens.  So it was nice to stay home and hand out candy while daddy walked the streets with the kids.

I think Caleb likes handing out candy more than going door-to-door.  He gets so excited every time the doorbell rings. 

I am NOT a fan of halloween candy.  Yes I love chocolate.  That's the problem.  I have a very hard time practicing self control.  And the kids are worse.  OH THE SUGAR-HI we had that night.  The kids were WIRED and I could tell Caleb was acting different.  It was like he couldn't hear anything I said to him.  And now every morning, Angie and I have the same fight.  "NO you can't have candy before breakfast!"

Halloween....it's a love-hate relationship.  I think I'll like it a lot better when we can start having parties instead of trick-or-treating.

Pumpkin Carving

 I LOVE carving pumpkins.  This year I did THREE!  The first was Saturday before Halloween at Robyn and John's house.....ET!  This one took me about 2 hours.... I was very pleased at how it turned out.

Then for family night we decided to do some at our house.  I did 2 that night.  I started with "Jack the pumpkin king".  Angie kept saying "it's scary" and so Parker asked her if she wanted a happy face pumpkin.  So they did the happy face pumpkin on the right of Jack.

And after the kids went to bed, I got ambitious and decided to do DARTH VADER.  This one also took me about 2 hours.  Not too shabby huh?  I think I'm getting better at this.   

Deer

 Last week Parker got a deer.  I always have mixed feelings about this.  I've never cared for deer meat.  It tastes like grass......and dirt.  But I've really felt like we need to get a hand-up on our food storage, and a deer would be a great way to do that. 

 Except our freezers are full of breast milk.  With infant formula selling around 20.00 a can, I just can't afford to let my milk dry up.  AND if this post-pardom period is anything like the other two, my milk could dry up by the time the baby is only 4 or 5 months old.  That being said, I've had to store as much breastmilk as I can....so that when the time DOES come that I've got nothing left.....I still won't have to buy formula. 

So with the freezers busting at the seems....what on earth were we to do with all that deer meat?

Well I'll tell you.  We canned it!

Looks pretty gross doesn't it?!  But it's actually my favorite way to prepare deer meat.  It gets rid of the "gamey" flavor quite well.  And in a jar, it's all prepared and ready to go.  Warm it up if you want to...but you certainly don't have to.  You can throw it into a stew, or mix it with some cream of mushroom and serve it over rice.  Anyway.  Best of all, it can sit on the shelf, and not in the freezer.

Parker and I got home from our weekend (I went to Boise, and he went hunting near Pocatello) on Sunday night, and Monday after work, we started butchering that deer.  Parker skinned it in the garage, which actually only took about an hour.  Then he quartered it and cut all the meat into little cube-sized pieces that would fit easily in the jars.  THAT took forever.  We didn't start until 9:00 at night, after the kids were in bed.  I stayed up till midnight with him, helping however I could.  But then I went to bed and he stayed up and finished cutting it up.  He was up till 3:00 AM.  I felt so bad.  The following morning he had orientation at work....which meant he had to go in early, and spend the entire day on his feet.  Poor Parker.  The following day Angie was dealing with extreme constipation.  She work up every  hours saying "I go potty!"  Only when I took her, she'd just sit on the toilet and cry.  Nothing ever came out.  Between that and taking care of baby Garrett in the middle of the night....I had a sleepless night as well.  Oh man we were zombies.  The next morning we decided we were going to have to do something for Angie.  Parker and I went late to work, and he ran to Walgreen's to buy an enema so we could get her to go.  I hope I never have to do that again.  The poor girl.  So much screaming and crying.  About 30 minutes after the enema, she started to go.  It was diahrea, and it was.....bad.  Like.....water.  I could hear her stomach churning like a dishwasher.  I felt so bad.  Another emotional break-down followed about how I shouldn't have to go to work.  Parker's sister, Jayne, was kind enough to take Angie and Garrett for the day, since there was no way I could send her to daycare like that. 

The following day was my day off....thank goodness.  And it was a good thing, because Angie threw up so many times I lost count.  Where is this coming from?  I missed 2 days of work last week too because she was throwing up.  To top it off.....Caleb had a doctor's appointment after school to get his warts removed.  That wasn't too bad, but I decided to have someone look at Angie too.  While we were waiting for Angie's appointment (Caleb moaning and groaning about the new sores on his hands from the cryotherapy), Angie informed me she was going to throw up (AGAIN).  I'd brought a bowl, which she'd already puked into a couple times while at Caleb's appointment.  At the time I had GArrett in his carseat in one arm, my purse and discharge papers in the other hand....AND the bowl.  I dropped everything and she emptied her guts right there in the hallway.  Caleb's appointment card was sitting in the bowl when she lost it.  To top it off....I hadn't eaten anything all day, and I was literally SHAKING because I was so hungry.  I was completely famished.  A gentleman walked by and looked at the 4 of us and said, "can I help you?"  Humiliated, I told him that I just needed someone to stand with my kids while I cleaned out the bowl.  He said, "I'll take that." 
"Oh no.  You REALLY don't have to do that."  he insisted and tooked the bowl full of puke out of my hands.  What a saint.  Another lady was walking by and offered to stand with Caleb and Garrett while I got a new appointment card.  (I was now carrying Angie).  Oh my goodness, sometimes there really are good people in this world. 
When I got back with the appointment card, the lady had some disposable barf-bags for me, and the man had my bowl in a grocery sack.  Wow.  Thank you whoever you are. 
After the doctors appointments, I went to WalMart because Caleb had behaved SO ADMIRABLY at his appointment.  He didn't even cry while his warts were being frozen....although I KNOW he wanted to.  I could see his pouty lip, and his tear-filled eyes.  But he never faltered. And I was so proud, I just had to buy him a little toy.  (This is the boy who screams and goes stiff as a board when you tell him he has to get a shot......yes he deserved a toy).  But first I had to get some food.  We went to the Subway located in the Walmart, and the 3 kids sat there and watched me stuff my face with a sandwich.
Relief.
No longer shaking, we got the kids their toys and a few groceries and headed home.  And to think we had originally planned to go to the temple that evening.  So much for that.  Angie was just too sick.  Once we got home, she went to bed, and didn't have any more incidents.  No more puke.  No more runny poo.  Everybody cross your fingers that she's really over it.  Because on Tuesday night we're going on vacation to Las Vegas, and we're going whether we have sick kids or not...because I am ready for a BREAK!

Talking

Garrett is 13 weeks old today....he'll be 3 months old tomorrow.  And just like any mom of a new baby, I just don't know where the time has gone.  He's so BIG!  His face lights up when you talk to him, and he has such a unique smile!  Unlike his brother and sister, Garrett has a rather large mough....and as a result a very BIG smile!  I just love it.  He is also quite a bit more rolley than the other two.  I'm sure we can attribute that to the fact that he was so much bigger when he was born.

His eyes are still blue, and his hair is still red......keep your fingers crossed!

 

The boy has found his voice, and it's absalutely adorable!  I've taken a few videos of him talking.  Please excuse the obnoxious "Mario Kart" noises in the background.....

My children never cease to amaze me.  Today Angie counted to thirteen (and I've hardly even heard her count to ten)...then she started saying things like "eleventeen."  Always makes me laugh.  She just started singing the ABC's  even though I'm sure she's known them forever....it wasn't till recently that she started singing them.  And "Annie" is her favorite movie....so I always catch her singing to herself "Tomorrow" or "Hard knock life."  What I didn't expect was how much Caleb likes the movie too.  And HE has been singing just as much....if not MORE.....than Angie.  Just today I heard him singing "Little Girls."  It made me laugh. 

The other day I was trying to get the kids ready for school/daycare before I had to go to work.  I was rushing around the house barking commands and dealing with the constant frustration of my life that Angie NEVER SWALLOWS HER FOOD.  There came a moment where I looked at Angie and said, "Angie!  We HAVE to go! You need to swallow your food!" and she looked at me with this perplexed, innocent face and said, "Mommy.....you happy?"

Augh.

Reality check.  Am I happy?  I'm sure to her, I certainly don't LOOK happy.  Mornings are HARD!  And so frustrating.  And I can never seem to be ready on time, no matter how early I wake up....because lets be honest.  If the baby wakes up (which often he does)....the whole world has to STOP so you can feed him....(although I've recently succombed to the "prop the bottle" technique which EVERY nurse and doctor tells you NOT to do).  Anyway.  I looked at her and took a deep breath.
"Yes, sweetheart, I'm happy.......and I love you.  BUT YOU HAVE TO HURRY, IT'S TIME TO GO!!!" (I said it nicer this time).  My poor children.  I need to practice some patience.  And maybe do a few more things the night before......like shower, and do my make-up, and eat breakfast so that I have more time in the morning.  Hah.  If only.

With Tresa gone, Angie is still adjusting to her new daycare.  We spent plenty of time getting her acclimated to the place....and I really feel like she likes it there.  But she's going through separation anxiety now, every time I drop her off.  After Caleb goes to school she always asks, "Mommy, we going home?"

"No sweetheart, I have to go to work.  You're going to Shasta's house."

"NO!!"  (here come the tears) "I wanna go home!  I don't wanna go to Shasta's house."

Then once we get there, I have to follow a strict routine.  I HAVE to take her potty, and then give her a snack or the rest of her breakfast, and sometimes get her to play with a few toys and of course give her like 20 hugs and kisses before I leave.  It's NOT easy. 

And now, she's starting to have separation anxiety when I drop her off for nursery at church.  That used to NEVER happen.  It's so unfair.  I really am grateful for my job, and my education...but I also HATE the fact that I HAVE to work.  Oh well.  Life goes on.

 

One last thing.  While we were at Lagoon a few weeks ago, Caleb got this little cheap-o ring with a peace sign on it.  He asked me what it was a picture of.  I told him, "It means 'peace.'"  He looked at me a little confused....but then satisfied, he did a little punch into the air, and then said,

"You wanna piece of me?"

Hah.  Not QUITE the same "peace" I was referring to.  Oh well.  He's a boy, I guess he can't help it. ;)