Happy 6th Birthday, Mieley!

My niece, Mieley, turned 6! Yay for her! I called her the other day and asked what kind of things she likes. These were her answers: Color: Green. TV show: Pink Panther. Things to do: Hike, swim, draw. What she wanted: Roller skates. Kind of cake: sprinkle.

So, having said all of that, the boys and I decided to surprised her with a Pink Panther sprinkle cake. She was surprised and I think she loved it!! The best part? The Pink Panthers were edible!

Valentine's Day

The newspaper interviewed the first graders about Valenitne's Day...here is what they had to say and published in the paper:

Interviewer: What is Valentine's Day?
Daeson: It's a day all about love.
Interviewer: Do you love anyone?
Daeson: I have 32 girlfriends. They like me and I like them. Sometimes I just go walking by and they go "Oh, he's hot".
Interviewer: Does your mom know you're a ladies man?
Daeson: I keep it top secret. She just doesn't want me to have girlfriends.
Interviewer: Will you give the girls you love a Valentine's Day gift?
Daeson: Some cards will say 'I like you.' I like my friends, they're like my pals abd they've always been by my side, so I'm going to give them a present so they will kind of be by my side.

"Keegan"
Interviewer: What does love feel like?
Keegan: It actually feels pretty good. You actually feel something in your heart that makes you feel good.

Good job, Keegan. Well said.

"Jordyn"
Interviewer: What does it mean to be in love?
Jordyn: Uh...a hug?
Interviewer: Dou you love anyone?
Jordyn: Well, a boy in my class loves me. I like him but I don't love him. Love means that you love-love them.

Guess who she is talking about? Yup, Daeson.

"Isabelle"
Interviewer: Do you love anyone?
Isabelle: There's two. I'm going to make them some cards, like five or six.
Interviewer: What does it feel like to love someone?
Isabelle: It feels awkward because I have to sneak up on them and it's hard because they always notice.
Interviewer: Why do you love them?
Isabelle: They are hilarious and funny. I just love them.

Once again, one of the boys mentioned is Daeson.

This was so funny! His teacher said the interview was longer and the reporter had a hard time keeping a straight face. Daeson thinks he loves everyone, but atleast he mentioned that I don't condone it!

Some of the girls he "loves"...Jordyn, Rachel (who allegedly 'broke-up' with him at church on Sunday), Isabelle, Tayla(from Kindergarten), Ashtyn (from kindergarten), Avery, Abby H (from Kindergarten), Aubrey (from kindergarten), and Sherlyn...he will have to finish the list for me!

*so I asked him and he said he doesn't know all their names. I think 32 is a little far fetched! LOL

Our little adventure

We have been cutting back on eating out lately, trying to trim the unnecessary bills out. But, we decided to let the kids pick where we went to eat...and they of course pickedd Chuck-a-Rama. Troy had shrimp, so he was okay with it. The boys love it and Kaebryn loved it, too. Thanks for not making me cook, Troy!

Busy as bees

It's only Tuesday and we feel like we are ready for the weekend! Sunday we went to church, Troy spoke in sacrament meeting on scouting (he holds a calling on the scout committee) and did a great job. My friend was sick, so we took Brady to church with us. Troy was a bit annoyed, I think, but I made him leave the stand to take Kaebryn out for me. Whew! We ran t Rexburg for a yummy dinner with the Grover's and the boys stayed over night. Troy, Kaebryn and I came home and Kb was up until 11:30 or so. We left early Monday morning to go to Rexburg for a funeral. Our friend, and our best man at our wedding, Brian's dad died unexpectedly of a heart attack. It was a lovely service and I sat there aching for Brian and his family. Don was only 58. He was in great shape and a big outdoorsman and mountain man.

After the funeral we ran to pick up the boys from Grovers. We stopped in Rigby to grab a burger from Wendy's and rushed to physical therapy. While I was there, Troy took the kids and ran to Rigby to drop some computers off. He picked me up, we ran to the accountant's office and did our taxes. The boys were pretty good, so we stopped at Geraldine's to get a yummy cinnamon roll. MMMM! Troy had study group last night with Robin. She has a little girl, Avery. and the boys love to play. Robin bought pizza last night and was here until 9:45ish. I finally crashed about 10:30.

Today I had to be at the dentist bright and early. Kaebryn and I were up at 6 and the rest of the family at 7. Troy took Daeson to school and then went to study group. I took Tevan and Kaebryn to the dentist with me to get my crown. We then ran to Sam's to get formula and milk...and some other things. Can you really go to Sam's and just get what you went for?? We then came home and got laundry done and some other things. Troy got home, picked up Daeson and he surprised us with a trip out to eat. Besides our dollar burgers at Wendy's we haven't been out. The boys chose Chuck-A-Rama of course and the loved it. Troy and I thought it was okay. He ate a lot of shrimp...it was tasty and I don't like shrimp! They had a marmalade/horseradish sauce for it. The kids got bathed, and we actually had time for a story or two. Kb went to sleep early, about 7:30. The boys took a little longer, especially Tevan. Every night with him.

Tomorrow I go to the school at 10, have visiting teachers at 11:30 and then physical therapy at 1. Troy has study group and then the rest of the week just as busy. I am tired tonight...I still have two batches of laundry to do. Maybe they can wait?

I used to laugh when people would say that time goes by faster the older you get. It does. It goes by so quickly. It seems just yesterday I was playing with Daeson as a baby, then Tevan. Now the boys are so grown up and turning into little people. Sigh... and Kaebryn, already 8 months old and learning so much. I want to pause life for a little while and soak it all in.

Job hunting, again!

Troy is overwhelmed with school as I have previously mentioned. So, I am biting the bullet and applying for work. I just submitted my application to WinCo to work from 8pm to 2am. I am hoping something comes of it as they are a great company to work for. It will be a busy schedule, but atleast I will be home with my babies and I can work while they are sleeping :)...or I hope they are sleeping. If I do not hear back, I will keep searching. I applied to substitute teach, but Troy's schedule does not work with that. We will see how it goes!

Lincoln Logs

I have always loved Lincoln Logs. I could play with hours. I don't love Legos or Tinkertoys, but give me a bucket of Lincoln Logs! Tevan loves to play with me while Kaebryn is napping. So we decided to take on a project of a little town. I love them and my kids love that I will play with them!

Here is a history of Lincoln Logs pulled from ideafinder.com


In the 1910s, American builders were busy on construction sites in the city and in the playroom. Introduced just after Tinkertoys and the Erector Set, Lincoln Logs were yet another construction toy to make it big during the decade. John Lloyd Wright, son of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, brought out the line of sturdy, interlocking logs in 1916. Wright claimed that the foundation of Tokyo’s earthquake-proof Imperial Hotel, which he saw while it was under construction, inspired the shape of his logs.
Lincoln Logs turned out to be a toymaker’s dream.

The original sets were an instant success, and after World War II, sales of Lincoln Logs got another boost from the baby boom. The sets were popular among postwar parents because they were more sophisticated than plain building blocks but still challenged children’s powers of concentration and eye-hand coordination. Ironically, Lincoln Logs—long a favorite of proponents of educational toys—were among the first toys to be promoted on a television show, 1953’s Pioneer Playhouse. The ads targeted affluent parents, who were most likely to own a television set and to buy educational toys. Sometimes a toy that has had a previous life returns to catch the eyes of children at just the right moment in history.

Sweetie Pie

These are from today. She is so cute! I had to take some pics before we put her helmet back on. She is still adjusting to it again. Tevan wanted a cool picture, too!

Photo update

If you scroll down, you will find some precious pictures of my children! I finally got some loaded.

Cabin fever

Hot tub time! The kids went in the hot tub with Gramma Blue and Uncle Adam! They had a blast. Daeson kept getting out and running in the snow. Then he got back in the hot tub to warm up. Holy cow, he's crazy! I tried getting Ryker in the picture of all of them, but he didn't want to...he was in there, too. Uncle Adam kept dunking the boys, and they both threw up when they got out...poor kids! The price you pay for fun!

Pajama rama!

Last year and this year I made all the grandkids pajamas for the cabin! This year, due to my leg, I had a hard time sewing. I got them all cut out, and my friend Becky came over and surged them all for me. Then I hemmed them all up and got them washed. I made the shirt numbers with my Cricut and some flocked t-shirt vinyl. The kids all loved it, and I had a great time making them! Even baby Marshal, due in March, got a shirt! I was glad they all fit and it turned out!

Rock-a-bye-baby

Or should I say jump-a-bye-baby? Troy watched Kaebryn for me while Tevan and I went out with some friends. She fell asleep in the jumperoo, the phone rang and she woke up and started jumping. Then she fell back asleep. Troy said it was so funny!

Sick baby

Kaebryn went to the doctor today. She didn't feel well and kept pulling at her ear. She came back and the doctor said that she either was teething or had a UTI. She was fussy all day yesterday and today. Poor baby!! She had a slight fever, after tylenol it was 99.4 degrees!

Physical therapy

I start my physical therapy on Monday. I'm not looking forward to it, but for the next six weeks I will buck up and do it. I know it's going to be uncomfortable, but I also would love to bend my knee again!

Helmet update 2

Kaebryn is at a 4 now. She will see the Dr on March 9 for her official business. DJ, the helmet specialist, thinks she might get it off then! Woohoo! She has done so well with this helmet therapy. In fact, DJ said if she truly gets it off on the 9th, it will be the fastest case he has ever seen. I'm so glad! She will be glad, too. She liked having it off for the small break. Now she has to adjust to it all over again. Today we were rolling the ball back and forth and she tipped over and bonked her head on my leg brace. She hit the metal bar that runs the length of it. She isn't used to things like that hurting! Let's cross our fingers and hope she will be done soon!

8 months and growing!

Look who turned 8 months yesterday!!! My baby girl!

Kaebryn:
*Hates baby food and loves grown up food.
*Tries to crawl by getting up on all fours, but cannot moves once she is up.
*Sleeps through the night, only getting up once in a while to devour a bottle.
*Giggles and laughs at her brothers.
*Wears some 12 month, but mostly 18 month clothes.
*Loves taking baths.
*Loves swimming.
*Rolls and army crawls to where she wants to be.
*Likes to be out and about. She loves to shop and sits in the cart like a big girl.
*Loves her daddy and teases him.
*Loves peek-a-boo, pat-a-cake, and other music.
*Stops whatever she is doing, be it crying or playing, and listens when the Big Bang Theory or Phineas and Ferb theme songs come on.
*Loves to drink from a glass and has for a few months.
*Loves to destroy paper by shredding it or eating it.
*Puts everything in her mouth.
*Loves to hug and snuggle, as long as she is in the mood!
*Claps her hands,
*Goes from laying to sitting.
*Waves.

Jump baby, Jump!

We lent out jumperoo to our neighbor until Kaebryn was ready for it. We borrowed their exersaucer until she grew out if it. She likes it and likes to be in it...but not for very long.

Good Grief!

Wednesday I was able experience my first root canal. Unpleasant! It wasn't the worse thing in the world, but today I got the temporary crown put on...and that wasn't pleasant. In two weeks, I will have the permanent crown.

Friday night I was climbing into bed, twisted wrong and dislocated my knee. Can I tell you how badly that hurts??? Oh it was not fun. My neighbor and friend, Kara, came down, wrapped it and made it better until I could get into the Dr. Today I visited Dr. Huntsman. Very nice guy. The diagnosis? Dislocated knee, stretched ligaments. The treatment? Physical therapy, a big ol' brace for six weeks, and back to see him in four weeks. Sheesh...I wish I had a good story for that, but I do not. Troy has to haul things up and down the stairs for me, including me when I have to get down there.

Kaebryn is still unable to wear her helmet...she has been breaking out in a rash. I cannot figure out why. We will start to adjust her back to it when the rash goes away.

Tevan got sick Saturday. He threw up three times and Troy had to do it all because I was down with my knee. Poor kid! He feels way better now!

So there ya go. We have quite the luck around here lately.

My life is a gift

I just watched a show on Netflix about a handyman who died and those he helped reflected on the ways he helped them. By the end of the show, I was a teary mess. Death has been on my mind, a lot.My Great-Uncle Darold Chambers passed away and was laid to rest last Friday. He was a wonderful man. I enjoyed hearing the many stories about him. His life was so full of meaning and greatness. He was honest, caring, faithful, gentle and had many other wonderful qualities. Listening to the words spoken at the funeral made me want to be a better person!

There is a sister in our ward whom my children call Gramma Craig. She served in the nursery at church and the children loved her, especially Tevan. On holidays she would decorate and make fun treats and crafts. On birthdays, she sent sweet messages in the mail. For Christmas, she made sure no child was left behind and visited each of her kids. When my sister-in-law and I had a combined shower, she made a special hooded towel for her even though Judy had never met Kayla before. In August she fell ill and discovered she had a brain tumor. She underwent treatments and tried to fight it. When the boys and I went to see her, she had no hair left. She just held my kids and loved them. They wondered where her hair went and she proceeded to tell them that she was sick but was going to get better. She wore cute hats to cover her baldness and she had the best attitude. She came to our Relief Society meetings with the strongest spirit. Every time we said prayer, we prayed for Gramma Craig. We wished her better. She passed away Saturday. There are several mourning the death of this sweet sister. Heavenly Father allowed her to fight hard enough so she could spend one last Thanksgiving and one last Christmas with her family. Each of her children were there when she returned to our Heavenly Father. Sister Judy Craig will lay to rest this Saturday after a life filled with love, laughter, service, spirituality, honesty, charity, and friendship. Sister Craig, we love you so very much. What a blessing you have been in my life!

My Uncle Ron's family and friends are mourning the death of his mother. She passed away yesterday. She was very ill. Lucille was a sweet woman. She cared about her family very much. She would come to family events and she would remember my name and ask how I was. She listened to stories I would tell her and engage in conversation. I admired her a lot. She will be very missed, but she will find so much happiness in the reunion in Heaven.

We know that one day we must part from this mortal life. We know there is great work to be done after this life. I look back on my life, my accomplishments, my attitude, my service to others, my children and my husband, the things I do daily, the things I could do better, I pray that one day I will touch someone's life. There are so many people who have made my life greater. So many who have set amazing examples. So many wonderful friends, some who used to be friends and some who will be friends. There are seasons for everything. The Lord knows who to send to us in times of need.

There is life after death. There is a way back to our Heavenly Father. We are not selfish for telling ourselves this. He sent his son to die for us, to give us the gift of eternal life. I am grateful for the knowledge I have. I am grateful to know that we will return to these wonderful people who have set examples for us. What a reunion it will be when we part from this mortal life. God is great. He cares for us and loves us more than we can comprehend. Thanks to everyone who has set an example for me to be a better person.

Helmet hault

Sunday night we noticed a small spot on Kb's head that we were worried about. It did not look too bad, but maybe like an ingrown hair. After taking her helmet to the specialists, they fixed the rivet, put some tape/sticker over the rivet and said not to put it back on her until the spot goes away. She still has it, but it has gone down a lot. We will "break her into" the helmet again slowly and she will continue her progress. Slow, but sure. She loves not having it on, and I's sure her head is a lot cooler!