Andy

Please try your hardest to ignore Dillon's 'smile' Andy looks too cute. Maybe I'll have to edit this picture somehow - for now, just look at Andy :)





Sweet little Anderson has every single person in this family wrapped around his tiny baby toe - not little finger, that's too large to illustrate our level of commitment - thus, his miniaturized, tiny, littlest baby toe.

Halloweeeeeeeeen.

Where else do you find Optimus Prime hanging out with a land loving mermaid and an arm swinging, finger sucking and mostly sleeping teddy bear?

When I Was Young

I guess you could say I was, and still am, a bit close minded as to my path in life. All I've ever wanted as long as I can remember was to be a wife and mother. For a few years I would have been willing to do without the husband part and used to day dream about someone leaving a baby on my doorstep - I daydreamed every imaginable scenario CONSTANTLY. Other girls doodled boys names. I went a step farther writing notes to my imaginary children's teachers excusing them for a myriad of different reasons or notes home from the teachers that I had to sign and of course I would sign my name with the boy of the minute's last name. Little did I know one of the papers sent home for me to sign would be a 'ticket' from my sons teacher saying he'd said a bad word at school. WHAT!?!?!?! The bad word you ask? Sexy. :) He didn't use it in a sentence or direct it to a person (though there is a girl in his class that wouldn't mind in the least if it were to her:) ) Apparently he just repeated it over and over.

A Couponing Post

I know, I know. I haven't posted in ages and then it's a coupon post! Sorry, I couldn't help it!

Safeway
Transaction 1
6 Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Cleaners
Paid: $10.42 OOP
Recieved: $11 in catalinas

Transaction 2
15 Saltine Crackers
4 Popcorn
1 Scooby Doo Mac & Cheese (Kenzie begged and begged... :))
2 V8 juice
3 Disney Princesses Campbells Chicken Noodle Soup
Paid: $5 catalina & 7 cents OOP... Still have $6 in catalinas

Rite Aid $18.06
Paid with +UP rewards from last weeks Johnson & Johnsons soap sale, so basically free diapers. Still have $14 in +UP rewards... PLUS, I will be getting a $10 check in the mail! Oh the happiness of coupons. How could I live without it??? Yes, I 'bought' free diapers today, and I'm gonna do it again!
Oh, the pencil sharpener was free :) I found it in the parking lot outside of Rite Aid (don't worry, I asked a lady near walking away if it was hers first :))

Don't hold your breath but I WILL start blogging again, someday. Anderson is too cute not to :) Maybe I'll start tomorrow, maybe in 10 years when my life gets a little less hectic! Probably my life will always be hectic because I like it that way, but that's why you aren't holding your breath!

Here's What You Missed From Me

This is a very long post. I wouldn't be offended in the least if you chose to only look at pictures :)



Recent thought #1 My son, my baby, my first born, the little boy who melted my heart and changed my life forever - is almost done with Kindergarten, tomorrow is his very last day. In two very short months he'll be 6. Six, SIX, S I X - do you understand what I'm saying? I remember when I was six - very vague random memories, but they are floating in there somewhere. Maybe we could make him repeat it?!?!? I wasn't ready the first time, I have an inkling, however, that I'll never be quite ready as far as this little boy is concerned - will I be ready with any of them? I doubt it.


Recent Thought #2 Kenzie isn't a baby anymore. Doesn't it seem like an almost 4 year old could still be a baby? We've had the "Mommy can call you guys babies because you are my babies and I had you in my tummy so I always get to call you my babies' conversation more times than I can count. Our little lady definitely likes acting like a baby. She'll get in these zones where she'll be a dog or a cat or - most often - a baby, she's going to be a good little actress, she's got it down - won't break character for anything.


Recent Thought #3 It feels so weird to remember someones whole life. Thinking of all the people that fall into that category, there are very few - my brother, but I moved out of the house when he was only 13, nieces, nephews but they've lived far away, the exception: these 2 little people. I have witnessed almost every second of every day of their lives. That's a lot of living.


Recent Thought #4 Fairly soon I am going to have three children. WHAT?!?!? Yeah. 3. Scary. I've got the other two figured out, they talk, have a routine, eat, sleep and take care of their own bodily fluids... but apparently I thought it would be a good reminder for me if I just started all over again :) And - I can't wait!!! It's not just Brandon & I having a baby now, it's so different. Dillon & Kenzie get to experience this baby thing for the first time (I realize Dillon probably remembers a little bit but he's so much older now and will have so much more responsibility) It seems like this kids are just as excited about the baby as I am! I feel like Brandon & I are creating what both of us most loved about growing up - our families. Sometimes it seems a little daunting...



Side notes of some minor or major importance - depending on who is telling you.

Brandon brought home a salamander. The kids wanted to keep it, so he let them - what a nice Dad he is :) They played with it all day - with me watching them like a hawk and finally making them JUST LOOK!!! Sometime in the middle of the night Optie, short for Optimus Prime, passed away when he escaped from the home we had made for him and had to be flushed down the toilet. I have since been informed that is not the proper way to bury a deceased pet and will result in childhood scars which will never fade. The kids mourn him to this day. Brandon and I have agreed we will eventually get some fish, maybe a frog. No salamanders. Possibly a lizard.

Kenzie started ballet last week. A wonderful friend of ours wanted her daughters in classes but since we are all too poor to pay for actual ballet classes, she asked another wonderful lady in our ward if we could borrow her dance studio and my friend would teach the classes. It was so adorable. Kenzie was born to be a ballerina - or whatever else she wants to be :) She also started speech therapy last week and is doing really well, she is learning about tappers and scrapers (ask her to demonstrate when you see her) and really likes her therapist Carol - all though she did tell me on the way there today that she doesn't like Carol's hair, just her face and her voice, okay. :)

Dillon finished up t-ball and remained unimpressed. He informed me on multiple occasions that he only liked the treats. He did a lot of playing in dirt. Sitting in grass. Putting his glove on his head. Playing with the kids nearby. And HITTING! Our son is an awesome batter. He hit multiple home runs and thought it was really funny to race the people who were on 1st, 2nd or 3rd going to home base, often he would beat them - I think he liked racing more than the game :) He was very impressed by his trophy, didn't care about the pizza party except the cupcakes and the trophy. Now, of course, Kenzie is desperate to get a trophy, the joy of being the younger sibling.

7 Years of Marital ... ummmmm ... Bliss :)

Thank you honey. These years have flown by and it's so fun to be married to you.

You know all those years you spent day dreaming about your wedding and how perfect and wonderful it would be but you know what? 7 years later the only thing out of the whole ordeal that matters is the one you picked! I sure must be a good picker :)

Sweet Baby Three...

This is the little bundle that has been causing so much commotion. I've been having ultrasounds every month because my doctor is concerned about all of my medicines affecting the way he is growing - so far so good however, he's doing great. The upside has definitely been seeing him grow all along the way. Oh man it's so cool. If you ever have the opportunity to get an ultrasound at about 30 weeks - do it! It was so amazing. Every detail is there and perfect! He is 2 lbs 2 oz and 16 inches long. He is cute already but a little too skinny :) My dad says he has my grandpa's nose - poor kid, he should have let Papo keep it :) I keep looking at this picture over and over, I can't wait to compare it to the real deal!!! I keep wondering how accurate it is, is this really my baby? He's in there kicking me day and night and night and night and night - he's a night owl if you aren't catching my drift... and you know, it's this big mystery - who's features he'll have and what he'll be like. I feel like I cheated somehow - seeing him, I feel like I know him already seeing his little face in 3D - it's crazy!

Two more months little guy, then you can meet your brother and sister, who are DYING to meet you (although they are in for BIG disappointment - I think they are under the impression you'll come out ready to play...) and you can meet your big crazy dad - don't worry if he's scared of you at first, babies are kind of like aliens to him, he thinks he'll break you, just wait until you can crawl - then he will be your favorite person in the entire world :) You already know me. I'm the one who keeps patting your bum when you stick it in my rib cage and pushing you when you sit on my bladder. There are so many people that love you and you haven't even stepped out of the amniotic fluid yet :) We can't wait to see the real you little boy - now if you could just tell me what you would like your name to be?!?!?!

Did You Know Some People BUY Worms???

This is my little garden. I miss having a house. It was so fun, while it lasted. Now it'll be years before I can call a place my own. BUT for now I can still have my friends - the pretend garden :)

The biggest pot is my pride and joy, BLUEBERRIES!!! I know they don't look like much but they will. I'll post a picture of them next year - they'll have happy little blue deliciousness attached to them - if I don't kill it :) Then there are some pepper plants, cucumbers, peas and strawberries - well, the strawberries are in a hanging basket so this pic doesn't show them - move to the next one...

If it turns out as pretty as it is in my imagination there will be vines of strawberries draping over the edges of the basket, there's a little bud and there have been more but the stupid birds think I am growing them to them to eat...

This is what entertains my children while they play outside... Look closely - not at the green pepper plant but at the dirt at the bottom of the picture... They used to dig up worms and make 'castles' for them - until I told them that worms FAVORITE thing is to be in pots. Every one of my pots is the happy owner of ... hmmmm, I'd estimate 20-100 worms :) Everyday they find a handful more and dump them into their new 'castle.' I love it :)

Isn't that the happiest little face - orange popsicle lips and all! Oh man I love 'em. Dillon does the digging but for some reason he doesn't pick up the worms - that's Kenzie's job. She sits next to him waiting until he says there is a worm then she jumps up and gathers up all the worms he uncovered. Some sort of plan they must have worked out...

Random side note - I switched to Picasa and now my pictures don't rotate when I upload them - solution from my Picasa using friends???

Daddy Time!

Does this happen to your husband? If Brandon settles in for any length of time (the second his body touches the couch!) he is attacked :)

You know all the things that you could have had no idea about when you were initially choosing your spouse? The things like how how he'll be as a father, how he'll treat you when you are pregnant and miserable, how he reacts to massive amounts of stress - you know 'those' type of things, married people things. I'm realizing everyday how lucky I am to have Brandon. I'll tell you strait out, I'm pretty sure my hormones chose him :) I only know that for a few million LDS couples that marry a few months after meeting and rational thinking says that none of us will last the year - inspiration is real, the Lord talks to modern day people and I am so grateful for that! Because He knew that Brandon was patient and mellow enough to let me have my freak-outs now and then and still love me. I know I'm a lot to handle and Brandon makes me feel like he doesn't mind (most of the time!!! hahaha - poor guy!) I love my husband, he works so hard for what - at this time - feels like so little! I feel like I won some sort of husband lottery (on the days I'm not a hormonal roller coaster - lets face it, pregnancy is not pretty on me ladies!) So give your husband his favorite dinner, a (semi) clean home, get dolled up (for me that means taking a shower...) and give your husband a giant hug (or if your husband is like mine - refrain from hugging him because he doesn't like being hugged!:) )

Boredom?

Who knew being done with a (10 credit...) semester of classes could be so BORING! I'm attributing it to a couple of things...

#1 of course is pregnancy - my desire to get up and go is minimized by the pain and fatigue of getting up and going...

#2 I got used to sitting at the computer for 3 hours every morning to do my homework and now I'm in the habit of it but with nothing productive to do on a computer for 3 hours. Facebook and I have been seeing WAY too much of each other...

#3 I also got used to being really busy, I liked it. I feel like I get more done when I'm busy, you know, if you have nothing to do but housework and kids all day there is nothing urgent about it and you can laze around until you feel like doing it??? But when you are really busy you wake up ready to beat the day,"the day only gave me 12 hours of light to accomplish my list of tasks well BOOM BABY I got 'em done Sucka!" Maybe that only makes sense to me... :)

#4 NEVER been a big fan of housework, not really my thing, but at this point it is my only 'thing' along with my kids and husband, I need to find a hobby that doesn't cost anything and is conducive to a soon to be mother of three and wife of a self employed man...

Suggestions???

Two Little Girls...

(Kenzie & Aunt Heidi - Brandon's youngest sister)

Brandon spent all of conference scanning pre-digital pictures. We pulled out the picture above and asked the kids who it was, they both immediately responded that it was Kenzie. Nope. The 80's one is me, they just don't know the difference between 80's pics and megapixels :) It's hard to see my face very clearly but it's very clear to see who the little one in our family resembles!!!
Pretty much the only difference I see is that her little nose has a bit more of a point and mine is a bit flatter... Cloning is REAL!!!! :)

Blowing Out the Candles

Once you get to a certain age it stops mattering how many candles are on there... Dillon was under the impression (and informed the missionaries at our home the other day) that Brandon turned 17. Happy 17th birthday honey :)
I love you!

GRADES!!!

Okay, so I am feeling a little proud of myself. As a teenager I HATED school. I'm pretty ADD & I am fairly certain I have some minor OCD issues - yeah, like you haven't noticed, and as far as numbers go I think I may have dyslexia... (Brandon thinks I'm just a hypochondriac :) ) But my MAIN problem throughout school is that I was a completely psychotic boy obsessed lunatic! I couldn't focus for longer than two seconds without a stupid boy distracting me. Well now I only have the one 'boy' distracting me - well, I guess 3 boys... And he has mellowed me significantly!!! I'm 100% positive I couldn't have gone back to school without him - he's my rock :) I did pretty well, granted they were rather easy classes and I only took the two and knew I wouldn't be able to take anymore once we found out this new little one was on the way, but I got to dunk my feet in the water for a little while! And my dunk turned out p r e t t y good, if I do say so myself. Final grades were posted and I got a 3.95!!! For a girl who had a little bit on her plate at that time I am very pleased with the end result!!!

And a shout out to my wonderful man - Happy Birthday Babe!!! I'll get to that post tomorrow once we have pictures :)

A 3 Month Catch Up???

Can you post 3+ months worth of life into one blog entry? Nope. Not even going to try... BUT if I actually go back to updating my blog on a regular (let's face reality here - SEMI regular) basis, I might not have to squeeze in so much! Here goes:

This is our baby boy - he will be arriving around the beginning of August - apparently that is the only month we are allowed to have babies in... We don't know his name yet but everyone is really excited - mainly Kenzie - she is seriously attached to the little guy and so far hasn't held it against him that he is not a girl. Dillon is excited that he is a boy - I think he thinks that means he'll come out liking superheros... disappointment is on the way:) Brandon is excited, basically just excited that we aren't having another girl:) The one we have is apparently enough 'girl' for him - she is a tad bit on the 'spicy' side of the sugar and spice - though she does have both THOROUGHLY mastered!

Baby is always being kissed or patted or talked to, I'm pretty sure he is going to come out thinking Kenzie is his mother... He is a VERY squirmy little fellow and I'm a little nervous about what that's going to mean in the future months, I already am awakened by him wiggling to his little hearts content at 3 am! Every ultrasound - he is going non stop... oh dear.

We've been letting his hair grow out a bit and then came crazy hair day at school and it worked! Interestingly enough, now he won't let us cut his hair. He plays with it constantly and is always either running his fingers through it or combing it - even while sleeping!


She's my little partner in crime, it's so weird to be just her and I, lonely but so FUN! There is a lot of nail painting in our home during the day :)


I let her paint my toenails and fingernails and I believe we have a budding manicurist!


This is the only proof I have so far that I was in school, one of my excuses for seriously neglecting my blog and EVERYTHING else :) Yep, we were painting our nails on my art text book... Grades are posted tomorrow and although I'm not literally holding my breath I kind of am... I signed up for classes before I knew we were pregnant and was babysitting part time and being mom and I REALLY wonder how well I did??? I only did 10 credits - I originally signed up for 15 but Brandon talked me into dropping a class THANK YOU BRANDON!!!!! I'll keep you posted - or maybe I won't... it could be that bad!


Brandon's little bro got married. Brandon was able to fly down to SLC for the weekend and see the happy event while the kids and I sat: miserable, sick, nauseous and throwing up (only for me on that one!), lonely and with homework (not Kenzie...), we increased our bond with Phineas & Ferb... I can't tell you how long that weekend was - wow, are we so pathetic we can't go ONE weekend without him??? I can't tell you who was more excited to go to the airport - the kids or me?
Sorry gals - Tyler's off the market... BUT I HAVE A NEW SISTER!!! I'm so excited. I have to say with my brother and my brother in law's I'm a little nervous about letting them choose wives... Do you think they would let me choose? I am perfectly content to ignore a brother in law who is weird or something but how can I bond with a sister in law that's a wacko??? I've been lucky so far in the sister in law department (w/o any assistance from me) but my bro and Brandon's youngest brother are the weird ones - hmmm, is that possibly why they are single??? :) Kidding, kidding... I love 'em! But really, can they PLEASE marry someone normal, and funny, and my same size (not currently...) with really cute clothes that likes passing them on and wants to live by us, and LOVES babysitting, and is addicted to reading, and likes cooking gluten free food? Is that too much to ask???