Happy Birthday, to my Blog AND my Husband

It's hard to believe that I was inducted into the world of blogging 2 whole years ago!

That's when the blogging "addiction" began.

Sure, I've had times over the past two years when my addiction wasn't so strong (like, when I was puking for 4 months prego).

But, for the most part, it has been as regular as brushing my teeth. I love that fresh clean feeling after blogging.

It was only appropriate two years ago to begin blogging on a birthday (Tucker's 33rd).

two years ago


And now, it's just as appropriate to celebrate my blog's 2nd birthday yet again with Tucker's birthday (35th, although I was convinced it was his 36th. But when I did the math, alas, he was right).





This is birthday celebration Part I (with my fam). Because this weekend will be so cool - we get to go to our nephew Jaden's baptism, where we will also get to celebrate with Tucker's fam (on his ACTUAL birthday, the 13th). Woo hoo!

Good Girl - Bad Girl and a Parent Teacher Conference

So, yesterday was my first parent/teacher conference ever. I was looking forward to it. I really like Jordyn's teacher, and I've volunteered each week in her classroom, so I pretty much knew what to expect.

The verdict: Jordyn is a model student! She listens, she's at the highest reading level, she is always on-task, she completes her assignments and she is a pleasant student. I was impressed at the level she has tested at. Especially when I think back to the dr's telling us "many preemie's have learning disabilities...and they may not show up until Kindergarten". I give her lots of credit because, although we do work with her and encourage her learning, she is VERY self motivated and interested all on her own. Every time we do homework, it goes like this.

"Jordyn, let's do your homework, okay?"

"YES!!!!!! Hooray!"

I guess I should consider myself lucky and take the fighting-over-clothes-and-hair tradeoff.

Our more recent behavior adversities have been draining me, and I wanted to make sure it wasn't spilling over into her Kindergarten class. When I briefly explained some of my challenges to her teacher, to say she was shocked would be an understatement.

I think she truly invisioned Jordyn staying THAT attentive and compliant all the live long day.

Oh, heavens NO.

So, I've concluded that (for now) she is still adjusting to school. I theorize that she "holds it together" for the 6 hours of school, and then just lets it ALL HANG OUT for me. Sticking her tongue out, spitting, fighting, hitting, crying, disobeying. Things that feel out of character - at least to the extreme she is doing them. I'll give her a couple more months and if it doesn't stop, I'll have to re-theorize WHY...because it's driving me nutty.

So imagine the perfect timing when I got the phone call from a member of the Stake Presidency asking me to speak at the adult session of Stake Conference in two weeks. WHAT? And the topic: Keeping the Spirit in the Home, from the perspective of a mother with young children.

I guess I can speak about the struggle, but not sure if I've got much of a solution to share! I just sort of wish he would have called me the night before, because two weeks is too long for me to stress, an obsess, about something.

TTFN

I'm a Big Girl

To me, Peyton is still my little tiny newborn baby....but SHE sure thinks otherwise! She knows she's almost 1 and she's been acting like big-stuff lately. Stinker. Not walking yet though, but I wouldn't mind it since she's wearing out her knees on the cement!

Why Do I Bother?

Since Peyton is my third daughter, you'd think I'd have learned by now.

You'd think I'd have learned that it's SO not worth fixing their hair between the ages of 10 months and 2 years. She rips them out in record time. In the car, I often look back at Peyton to see her cute smile....only to find her hair sticking STRAIGHT up. The remnants of cute piggy tails. Bows? Clips? Nowhere to be found.

I just get such satisfaction from fixing the girls' hair all cute. From the time they have enough hair, I love putting in bows and clips and piggies.

I would save myself lots of dissapointment over the next year if I would simply skip this process and just let her have shaggy hair.

But....I'm pretty sure I won't.

The Perfect Day at the Zoo

Yesterday was baby Luke's 1st birthday....which means Peyton is only 2 weeks and 5 days behind. Beth and I cannot believe the babies are 1. We constantly reminisce (that may not be the best word since it connotates thinking back on something fondly...) about the pregnancies as if it was yesterday. Its been fun [and necessary] to experience each stage of pregnancy and babyhood with such great friend.


So, Dane & Beth invited us to an outing at the zoo yesterday to celebrate Luke's birthday.


After a rough morning, and ALMOST following through with threats to the kids of "we won't go to the zoo IF you keep......", we finally made it.


What a great day! 70 degrees and beautiful. I realized my kids haven't been to the zoo for 2 1/2 years, so they didn't even remember it! They were nervous...thinking the snakes and bears could get them.


The zoo had such beautiful scenery for pics! I even snapped lots of scenery pics (of the animals), which is against my own advice....I always tell scenery-happy-Tucker "pics are boring when there are no people in them".

(can you say engagement pics?)

(check out that tongue)




Congrats on 1 year, Luke.....and thanks for inviting us on such a fun outing!

Flashback Friday

Cousins!

I thought these were fun. Jordyn was 1 and Alyson was 2. Now, over 4 years later, they don't get to see eachother as much as they would like. Not only are Kindergarten and 1st grade keeping their schedules pretty booked.....but they also live in different states now. They love the time they get to spend together and they have a special cousin bond!

Chillin' Out Back

Lexi LOVES to swing....


a LOT....

And Kitty loves to cuddle.....

....a LOT ....
....rubbing all over Peyton...

....sometimes even knocking her over, [dumb cat]... .....Peyton says "I'm all done Mom!"

....I MEAN it Mom!

....and then theres Belle....who is so freakin' scared of the camera she ran into her house and would NOT look at me....

...okay, maybe I'll peek with one eye....

....okay, I'll give you ONE quick glance.

I love this time of year.

Family Dinner Mania

Peyton is beginning the transition from the high-chair to the table (booster). For no other reason than she seems to be happier there with us. Here's sneak peek at last night's dinner.

Mom, I don't like this food......and all I want to do is smash it and throw it everywhere!

And I get ADHD when it's dinner time.....I can't seem to stay at the table. No matter what.

I am watching and learning from my big sister Lexi.

Maybe I'm Allergic to Motherhood?

Does anyone know where I can get some clothes for a 5 year old that fit the following description:

not too short

not too long

not too tight

not too loose

not too old

not too new

not too itchy

not too soft

not too cute

not too ugly

You get the picture. Or maybe I can just get special permission for Jordyn to go to school in her underwear? Because that's about the only thing she can pick out without complete and utter drama.

Maybe its all this drama that is helping my Facial Angioedema to stick around. Today, on the sixth day of this unwanted & unexplainable condition, it has actually gotten worse. I'm feeling slightly crazy. Like I either want to scream, sleep or eat a box of donuts.

In an effort to function as a normal person despite my current facial deformities, I took the kids on a walk after dinner last night. Jordyn was pushing the stroller with Peyton and I was holding Lexi's hand. Soon, we passed some nice looking women with a baby in tow and politely said hi. One of the women was large and noticeably struggling on the walk. I gave her an encouraging smile, and just as I was thinking to myself how difficult that must be, I hear my cute little Lexi interrupt my thought loudly with "Mom, why is that girl so big? Why is she really huge?".

Oh. My. Gosh.

I hate those I-wish-I-could-rewind-time moments. Innocent question, but said undoubtedly loud enough for the lady to hear. I was careful how I reacted to her, and the girls and I spent the rest of the walk talking about it.

Its times like these when I am reminded that I'm responsible to teach these kids EVERYTHING - the task can seem quite daunting!



Daunting, but I'd still want my life no other way. Honestly, I am blessed to have these three spunky girls as my constant companions.

And blessed to be quick-thinking as well. Like yesterday, when I was a nice mom and got my kids a slush at Sonic (they are only $ .60 during happy hours!). After ordering two "pink" slushes (it will soon be three because Peyton is not so passive anymore), we were driving away. I passed back a slush for Jordyn to pass to Lexi who is WAY in the back of the van.

All of a sudden I heard "uh oh!". I knew what had happened.

I stopped the car and ran around to see the whole "pink" slush on the floor of the van. Uuuughhhh. So, after staring for a moment.......a thought occurred to me and I drove fast to the vacuum hoses at the car wash around the corner. Much to my relief, it sucked it up great. It's these [frequent] moments that help curb my impatient thoughts of getting rid of the old run-down mini-van until my kids are just a little older.

OK. I'm off to either scream, sleep [yeah right] or eat a box of donuts.

Half Dome, Yosemite, CA

I am standing on the diving board & the Yosemite Valley is below

(Maren, I know you are jealous of this picture)

Sorry to all of Jamie's faithful followers - but this post is from Tucker.

I have completed a lot of incredible hikes in my life. However, the most difficult hike I have ever accomplished was yesterday; Half Dome, Yosemite. I took of group of scouts and adult leaders (16 total) to Yosemite Friday night. We arose at 4:00 am on Saturday to prepare for the hike. After breaking camp and driving to the starting point, we began the 18.5 mile round trip hike.

This hike is a Stairmasters dream; I have never seen so many stairs & switchbacks on a hike. It was brutal. The first 5 miles although difficult were very beautiful, two magnificent waterfalls, and incredible scenery. All the boys did very well, at first. However, the last 4.2 miles were intense. Upon reaching the base of the Half Dome rock, we had one final set of switchbacks then the long trek up the cables. The cables are drilled into the face of the rock to help you ascend. It took 45 minutes to go up because there were SOOOO many people going up and down the cables.

We ended up hiking down the last 4 miles in the dark. My knees felt like they were going to explode! I finally made it home at 2:30am. Both Ryan and Mike came on the hike (my brothers in law) and they did great!!!!! I trained for this hike, however it was not enough, I am sooooo sore right now!! Overall I loved it, but I will wait a long time before doing it again.

One side note...When I woke up this morning and hobbled to the bathroom, Jordyn said, “Daddy why are you walking like an old man?”

My scout Crew on one of the many sets of stairs

Taking a break before the final push to the top. (Half Dome in the background)

Half Dome Cable to the top. (Many people in line)

Me standing on the face . The boards made it easier to walk & wait (45 min to get to the top)

This is looking down from the top.

Flashback Friday

This is an ugly one. And a yucky memory.

December 2002: This is a pic of the first time my face did a mystery swell-up. It was so severe, I could hardly see. We went to the ER for fear of my throat swelling up. They could NOT figure out what the cause was. It lasted a week and was the first time I honestly felt like I wanted to die (okay, second. the first was when I was prego w/#1). Seriously, it was that horrible. I felt like red ants were continuously biting my whole face. I felt suffocated. And there was not a single darn thing to do to fix it.

The second time was March 2005. Same.exact.horrible.thing.

Now, this year, it has happened several times, but LUCKILY it is only my eyes. They are red and burning and swollen and itchy. And there is absolutely no connection I can find to food, lotions, seasons, etc. Maybe its a reaction to stress? Who knows. Really though, zyrtec, benadryl, claritin, steroids.....zip, zilch, nada, no help period.

So, yesterday was the fourth time this year. And it lasts about a week no matter what I do or what I take. When I need to go out, I will cake on the eye make-up to look semi-normal, but it just aggrivates it more. Can you see how red they are?

Can you diagnose me!?

Anyone?

Does anyone else think that 11 months old is a bit too young for sibling/friend rivalry? I'm talking the real hair pulling, screaming, crying kind? Because it has reared its head in Peyton's calm-natured personality for the past two weeks, and I'm afraid it's here to stay for 2 years or so.

My cokes (regular or diet), unfortunately, are solely for taste purposes....because the caffeine content seems to have no effect on my energy level.

My point? Kids take a lot of energy. I think more than I (will ever?) have.

Daddy at the Dentist

Jordyn had another dentist appointment yesterday to get a spacer. Thus far, she has no dentist "phobias". Afterwards, she REALLY wanted Lexi to play 'dentist' with her. But Lexi DOES have dentist phobias, so the answer was NO (but with a little more whining and arguing involved).

Since they know Mommy is no fun by about 6 in the evening, Daddy was the perfect target. And he is such a good sport. Jordyn was the dentist and he was the patient. Her mannerisms were so accurate, I kept thinking I'd hear a drill and suction at any moment.

The cutest part of the evening. After about an hour of the girls playing with Tucker, Jordyn proclaimed "We are having SOOOOO much fun! I bet no one else is having THIS much fun!"

I said, "why not?".

"Because Daddy is the funnest Daddy in the whole world! We are having the MOST fun than anyone!".

And that, my friends, is exactly how I want my girls to feel about their Daddy. For a quick moment, I forgot that I was really tired and had a big smile on my face.

Our Front Lawn

(Tucker 35, Jamie 30, Lexi almost 4, Jordyn 5 1/2, Peyton 11 months)

Not TOO shabby for a spontaneous after-church-pic in our front yard, don't ya think?

Big and Pink

This weekend was a big one for our Lex! She finally got her own BIG bed! She's been in a toddler bed for nearly two years. We figure she must be out-growing it because when we go in her room at night, she's sleeping on the floor!

One word - craigslist! A daybed, trundle bed and mattresses (in great condition) for $75. That felt pretty good - the trundle is a fun bonus.

We went to HomeGoods (ever been there?) with the girls and found some GREAT deals on the bedding. I told Jordyn she could pick out new bedding too, since she's had hers for 3 1/2 years, and I found it strange when she did NOT want to. But she really does like things to stay the same. If I even move a picture onto a different wall in her room, she gets all distraught.

Oh, and the only thing I didn't like the frame is the cheesy gold balls on the ends, so I quickly got creative with some of our princess things and made even more girly cuteness!

AND [obviously I LOVE flashbacks] check out this old pic from when Jordyn got HER own big girl bed back in March 2004. They were such babies!!!!