Tuesday, December 15, 2009

I try.... I really do!!



I LOVE pictures, love pictures of my children. I have taken the twins to get their pictures taken 1 time. We haven't had a family picture taken in 4 or 5 years. WHY? Do you know how hard it is to get four kids to look at the camera and give a decent smile at the same time- almost impossible. Then throw in 2 adults who are worried about what the 4 kids are doing, and.... it seems like it is no use. I have tried mulitple times, and this is one of the best we've got. I will keep trying.

Merry Christmas!!!

Grandmom told me once that the pathway to hell is paved with good intentions. I am well on my way, because... my life seems to be full of good intentions that just don't seem to evolve much more than that. Like blogging, I have lots of thoughts and moments that I would like to keep a record of, but.... Anyhow- Christmas is upon us, and it is one of my favorite times of year!!! I love the feeling it brings to me and it seems, to humanity. I love the lights, smells, music, stories, etc. etc. I love seeing the excitement in my children- Tyler LOVES decorations and lights too. Tonight he wanted to have all the lights off except our nativity and sing Christmas songs (yes, he did want to put on a performance of all the songs they are learning at school that none of us know, but... whatever). I love that he loves it. Yes, again I fight the battle of giving too much, teaching my children the true purpose, etc. I took the 4 kids to pick out an angel tree, did I teach them anything.... while screaming at them to stop thinking of themselves and pick something out for someon else???? So, I have been thinking that it is a process to teach our children. WE create a "feeling" and if we are stressed too much, or worrying too much- it isn't creating the feeling I want to be associated with this time of year. If I try to do little things and just create the memories and traditions that show true Christlike love and giving- then with time maybe they will pick up on what the reason for this season is. I LOVE this time of year.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Give Away

Alrighty... there is a blog- listed on my sidebar, and if I can figure it out- their button will soon be here too... it is a cute crafty/thrifty blog that I enjoy looking at- really when I want to sit and vedge- it is a blog I check daily. So... they are trying to get their name out there and so they are doing a give away to help do that. Check it out.
http://www.allthingsthrifty.com/

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Happy Birthday....





























to Zachary and Andrew.... Amazing- 2 years!!!! What an amazing adventure we have had so far with these boys. As I was looking through the pictures- trying to find ones of them together and them looking at me (believe me it is a VERY difficult thing to do)- I thought I need to highlight each of them as individuals, but... for now- I will share pics of them together- because that is how they are.... Together. Two boys- now Two years old. And I love them sooo much! We all do- they bring joy, laughter, energy, noise, love, and exhaustion into our home!! Happy Birthday Boys! (The one picture of the boys with the cereal.... I was helping Jessie and Tyler get ready for school and forgot to take the brand new boys of cereal off the table- the boys didn't want to wait to eat- so they poured it on their trays, floor, etc. and proceeded to lay in it, roll in it, stomp in it etc.)







Sunday, September 27, 2009

Who's Napping?... NOBODY.... and First Day of School!







(This is my 2nd attempt at this post- FYI- I hate computers!!) Well, the boys have done it. Last Thursday they learned to climb out of their cribs. I.... am at a loss for words actually. They are not napping, and that is.... Horrible for all of us. I have locked them in their room for a fair amount of time- they NEED to nap! One day I did find Andrew asleep under his crib, and another day Zach fell asleep on the mattresses we took out of their crib. That was after he had assaulted Andrew- when I went in to get him he had bite marks on his face, hands, arms, legs, etc. Poor guy. We are seriously considering investing in some crib tents. My sanity is worth 200$- isn't it?

And... here are some pics from the first day of school. Jessie started 3rd grade this year. Her teacher is Mrs. Cox. She went to a new school, and didn't have any friends in her class, it was nerve racking (and enough tears to make your eyes swell a bit)- but... she has done very well. We decided to have her try to ride the bus the first day instead of me take her and it worked well. Within a few days of school her teacher called to tell me what an amazing girl she is. She said Jessie is responsible, and has integrity, and that we should be proud. WE ARE!!! She also chose Jessie to represent their class in the youth 2000 group. (I'm thinking it is similar to a student council type group). Jessie agreed! She has come a long way!!!

Tyler is in 1st grade this year. His teacher is Mrs. Miller. The first bit was Rough! Tyler is active, and sitting still for a whole day... not fun! But... he is getting more used to it. He enjoys recess (playing b-ball) and is making new friends. His handwriting is improving- even though he hates writing in his journal each day. And he has had school lunch a couple of times (pizza- of course). Oh yes, and his reading is coming right along. I miss the kids, but we are trying to get into a routine. Although the moment they get home- the infamous ???? "Can we play?" Is usually the first thing out of their mouth- Who doesn't love to play?

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Catching up is never easy to do!!







I always think of what I am going to blog about, and then think... but I have to recap- chronologically.... what a pain- that is why my scrapbooks never get done either. So... I will post a few pictures of our summer- give a small rundown- then post more later, and more later, and then... maybe I will get caught up. This summer we had lots of fun. We went south for about a week right at the beginning (just me and the kids), we went to various parks, we went swimming a few times (the kids were hoping for more, and I wanted to, but... never got past the idea of taking the twins by myself), we had visits from family (always a GREAT time!!!), Jessie and Tyler did swimming lessons and improved so much- they both went off the diving boards at the aquatic center (Jessie even did the high dive- and made me do it once too- yes, I screamed the whole way). Let's see... we went to Hanna a couple of times, the kids did the reading program at the library, spent many hours playing outside, Grandma Oxborrow came to visit, Tyler had his first birthday party (a whole story in itself)- turned 6, we went to Hyrum Dam and Bear Lake, etc. etc. All in all, I thought it was a good summer. I like to do things and unfortunately my kids got that same "Drive" button in them- it is always on Go. But... we had fun, and made some good memories- hopefully!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Chicken Pox???











Nope!!! Last week my sister and her daughter came to visit. The kids definately take after me and Love having family around- thanks for coming guys!! But... the last night they stayed, the kids decided to sleep on the trampoline ( which I must add that cousins have quite the influence or my kids are just growing up- I was shocked that Jessie would be willing to sleep out there without an adult- ). I thought a few times that I should spray them with bug repellent, but... let the thought go. OOPS!!! The next morning they each came in covered with tiny red dots- like someone had taken a marker to them. Tyler's face, ears, arms were covered. The next day they were swollen almost like mosquito bites. I have no idea what it was, but we did get some cream from the dr to help. It did get them out of church- we decided other parents might be a little upset- at least until they heard the story. It is a week later and the bites are fading nicely. When asked if they will sleep outside again.... what do you think they said.... YES!

* Jessie is going to be thrilled that I posted this picture of her- I am starting every once in a while to see signs of caring what others think-- it's too bad.


Friday, July 17, 2009

Love/ HATE situation

One of the things I have loved about my home this year is the raspberry bush that is at the back of our garden. I can usually go out every few days and pick 2-3 cups full. It reminds me of going to bear lake and picking them when we were young, and sneaking a few into our mouths, so that mom could make raspberry jam. Yummy!! The kids waver with their love of the fruit, but the boys enjoyed picking some.

The kids were enjoying time in the yard- sprinkler/trampoline/pool with their friends when Jessie yells the word that strikes fear in every fiber of my being. "Snake". I have always had a phobia- Always!! Before we moved in (I noted the big field behind, and am not sure I was aware of the canal- can't imagine I was- but I was 7 mos pregnant with twins- anyway) I remember asking if they ever saw snakes. No was the answer. Unfortunately within a month or two of moving in- their lie was unmasked. It has been the undoing of my love of having a home of my own. It is pathetic I know- but... it causes such anxiety in me.... I can't even explain it. I pray 1st for the horrible things to stay away, and 2nd to ... I don't even know what to pray for. I try to do things to keep them away, but... So on this day, I called my mother- fearing that I was having a panic attack- then cried- then looked out to see the kids (good thing we had a brave neighbor here) holding the horrible thing- they even named it Flicky. Yeah!! Don't get me wrong, I am thankful that they were able to do this and that they may, God willing, not have my intense fear, BUT.... it changes nothing for me. As many of the things that I enjoy about this house- this trumps them all. And so.... in the future (due to this wonderful economy)... probably way into the future- I will call somewhere else home. Unless the snakes decided to call somewhere else home first. Let's all pray for that to happen sooner rather than later!











Friday, July 10, 2009

Random photos


Yummy!! Dad washed the car, and the boys..... helped- .... and then got thirsty????



















Great neighbors in our ward hosted a party the last day of school- Jessie did the dunk tank, Tyler threw the ball.













It has been a long time since I posted- I am creatively challenged- and to put it out there for everyone to see is hard for me- but... when you have such cute kids- you want to share a little. And I must add- I love my kids. They are so challenging, but... they are soooo amazing, and I love them with all my heart- so much that it hurts. I love the time I have with them- and wish I cherished every moment more- even when I have locks on every door and drawer possible, and I vacuum my floor more than once a day, and I sweep up broken bowls, cups, etc. (This is easy for me to say at the moment- they are asleep- but.... none the less. It is true!)













Hanna!!! 4th of July!!!

We absolutely Love this place. It is quiet, relaxing, beautiful- we love being with family and the memories we create here. And we are so thankful for the freedoms we enjoy!


Grandpa came through with a box of fireworks for the kids to enjoy. I just love the look on Justin's (nephew) face.






The swing has found a new home. YEAH!!! It brings back so many memories-




I had to add this picture because it is one of the only pictures I can remember of Andrew actually smiling at the camera. He is impossible to photograph.





One of the favorite activities for the kids is riding the 4 wheelers. Their love of the activity starts VERY young. Jessie learned to drive one of them this year so she could take one passenger along with her- nice for everyone!
















Thursday, May 14, 2009

Rough Spectator Sport???





The first game of the soccer season- Andrew is climbing into a camp chair to watch his big brother, but the camp chair falls over, and he cries the rest of the game. We knew he was hurt, but didn't see any signs of bruising or swelling, so... A few days later he has his 18month check up and the dr does an x-ray. He fractured both bones in his right arm, and had to wear a hard splint for 3 weeks. He wasn't too happy about it, and we rewrapped it many times, but once the long sleeve shirt was on- he endured. And now, it is all over. Yeah!!!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Soccer Stars











I'm not bragging or anything, but... Jessie and Tyler both scored the 1st goals for their teams in their first games. Neither of them have played before, but they are really enjoying it. Tyler has had 3 games, and Jessie has had 2- we have enjoyed watching them, and cheering for them- believe it or not- their dad is one of the loudest fans!!




Friday, April 3, 2009

Feels like Dough !?!

The babies have recently taken a liking to my bare stomach- and the great sound effects and jiggles it makes. They like to lift my shirt and let it all hang out. Thanks guys!! But to add to that- I was laying on the floor the other day- the boys were admiring my shape, and Tyler joins in- and quite matter of factly states- "Your stomach feels like dough" - he is 5- brutal honesty right there. THANKS TYLER!! So Jessie has to come check it out also- she concures. Believe me I am quick to point out that each of them has added to that doughy feeling!
Recently I have started to excercise with great friends- and the only time available to do that is 6 in the A! OUCH!!! I have one pair of pants that fit- my tummy is definately doughy- and has given new meaning to the term "hangover" for me! Some women have said that they never had to worry about weight while their kids were young because they were chasing them all the time- alright- am I lazy? or what is going on here?
I must say that I am going to hold true to my argument that having 2 babies in your tummy at one time can do some serious damage to one's body- but I will also own the fact that I love to eat, and I eat to survive. I eat candy, sweets, etc throughout the day to keep me going. HMMM?? Kill myself to get up at 5:30 to go exercise, then come home to eat a bag of candy, or pan of treats all by myself in order to make it until bedtime. What is the end result? A belly that feels like dough! What a vicious cycle!!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Those Eyes


Don't those eyes just make your heart melt? I love the boys eyes- all my kids have beautiful eyes. These pics are of him wrestling Andrew to the ground, he does this, and then just lays on top of him while Andrew screams. The other is of the bite mark on Andrew's cheek from Zach. Andrew tried to get something off of Zach's tray and this was the result- food is no joking matter for Zach.








Things here have been good. Jeremy and I went away for 3 whole days without kids- that is the longest I have ever been away from my kids- the boys were even sick- and I left. Bad mom??? They survived- thanks so much to my mom for offering. We went to IL for his brothers wedding (Nauvoo temple is beautiful)! It was lots of driving- but sooo fun to be free. The kids are good- Jessie and Tyler are doing soccer. Jessie was told by her teammates that she was not any help (I told her that means she isn't being aggressive enough)- that was hard for her- which is hard for me. We'll have to see if we can work on that. Poor Tyler who needs desperately to release energy has had his practices cancelled due to weather. The little ones are... getting bigger- they are busy busy.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

They are only 1 !?!













Our latest adventures with the boys include their love of making/creating disasters. They love to find a bookshelf and destroy. Pulling books off as high as their arms reach, throwing them, then standing on them to be able to reach a little higher, and then even rolling around in the mess. Great fun!!
They have also decided that sitting to eat is not their style. It doesn't matter how tight the belt is- they can wriggle out. Then stand, twist, turn, lunge- whatever. They love to sit in their food- or better yet they like to throw all their food on the floor. For a while hotdogs were the "go to food" the never fail- but even that is seeing it's fair share of floor time. Any ideas? Survival of the fittest- we'll see who wins!