Monday, December 23, 2013

Just around the Corner

I have to say this season has not been the traditional this year...for starters, I didn't put up a single Christmas decoration this year-no tree, no lights, just a small fisher price nativity toy for the kids that they received as a family home evening gift from grandma. Don't worry, my kids still helped put up decorations and a Christmas tree with grandma and They are experiencing all the Christmas fun, but I chose not to do ours, for one because I have no room in my basement anymore. Penny's crib is now where we once put our Christmas Tree. Which is fine by me, it only makes me think of how grateful I am to have her sweet spirit here this Christmas... But 'Room' is not the main reason I didn't put mine up...to be honest, I've been a bit of a Christmas Scrooge. I can't believe I'm about to spill my guts here but since we're being honest...I don't like presents for Christmas-there I said it. I enjoy watching my kids and family open presents and I get way more enjoyment from that than from opening my own. Rick asked me what I wanted and my response to that is that he takes care of me every other day of the year. He provides for me and our family and makes it possible for me to buy the new socks for Lincoln, the children's allowance movie, the shirt I finally decided to splurge and buy for myself. I like to buy when I need something not when I'm being forced to spend a bunch of money BECAUSE everyone else is doing it. ....spending large amounts of money makes me sick to my stomach-quite literally. It hasn't always been this way for me. I remember a Christmas where I spent a lot of money on Rick's gifts, but I've also had the opportunity to have some Christmas' where there wasn't money to spend and it humbled me. I saw Christmas with my eyes wide open and I don't want to go back. I still made some Christmas presents this year as I did during our poorer Christmas'. I get more excited about giving them than I do about any that I buy. I was talking to my children the other day and I said to them, lets play a game (while we were waiting in the car), Let's think of our most favorite Christmas gift we've gotten. It  made me happy when Lizzie chose one that was made with love.
I hope I can teach my children the truest meaning of CHRISTMAS and that they may have their eyes opened early on. I am so grateful for my life, my family, all that we have and the blessing of seeing Christmas in the truest sense of the word. I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas! and I pray that we all take a moment or more to remember the Saviors part in all of it. I am so grateful for my Savior, I have come to rely on Him more than ever in the last few years and He has never disappointed. I have a Testimony, my most prized possession, A testimony of my Savior, His birth, His life and the Example He set for all of us.
And taken from the Lyrics of Halelujah
"..I know You came to rescue me.
This baby boy who'd grow to be
a man who'd one day die
for me and you.."
I have a testimony of the Savior's Atoning sacrifice and I Love Him.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Me

I'm posting this on my blog because I can be kind of a private person, and although I loved reading other facts on facebook, I can't bring myself to post this on there...so, for those that read my blog 8 things about me:
1-I'm 28 yrs old and I still don't know how to whistle. On several occasions, Rick has tried to teach me, which always end in chuckling and bursts of laughter. I'm sure I look ridiculous trying
2-I also can't make myself go cross-eyed to save my life. I've tried but it makes my eyes water and hurt
3-I may be the most ticklish person alive and in all the weirdest places
4-I am extremely hard on myself and I care what people think about me-I wish I didn't.
5-I'm not easily offended and therefore think others aren't either. This gets me into trouble. I end up sticking my foot in my mouth much too often.
6-when I was younger, I didn't like babies and obnoxious kids but pretended to like them in hopes it would change my mind because I always wanted a big family. I think my dislike stemmed from a traumatic babysitting incident
7-I used to work at the hospital and I loved it...my job now, I love even more!!!
8-I love learning about the body and the way it works-It's fascinating to me

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Happy Halloween

Halloween 2013
 Penny's costume for the earlier Trunk-or-Treat at my sister's ward- A little ghost


 and Now for the real traditional Trick-or-Treating...



     this is the same costume Lizzie wore for her first Halloween but it seems Penny is our chunky baby and so we had to do some compromising with the costume
 Our Giraffe wearing bunny slippers...It worked for us, she looks cute in anything. In the background, You can kinda see how we decorated the front door-spiderwebs hanging above, carved pumpkins on either side of the pillars and a whole graveyard with our awesome grim reaper standing guard to the right. Unfortunately I didn't get pictures of those or our pumpkin this year-slacker mom!
Yea, I painted this and we made it's eyes out of wax and attached glowing lights to the back so they glowed through. It was Rick's idea to use wax for the eyes and he did a pretty awesome job making the robe and hood. We won first Prize for it! Awesome, right?!


Lizzie likes to challenge my talents each year by picking a character that requires my not-so-great sewing skills. But it turned out and she was the cutest Toadette of all time. Best costume in her class.
Rick put my artistic skills to use as well with the shirt I painted him in order to tie in his whole costume. It was fun and I was happy to do it especially since Rick doesn't usually dress up.
It was an excellent Halloween and Lizzie tells me to get ready for next Halloween already planning her next costume.
   I also came up with a new oatmeal raisin (or chocolate chip) cookie recipe that I'm particularly proud of. It requires no butter or shortening and has better more nutritious, healthy ingredients. They come out sweet, soft, chewy and delicious. I love feeding my kids healthy treats!!
Happy Halloween Everyone!

8 years going on Eternity

The 29th was my eight year mark of the best eight years of my life. Rick and I were married and sealed to each other 8 years ago in the Salt Lake Temple and I've never looked back since. He is my best friend and the best decision I have ever made. I'm not going to say that it's been easy every step of the way. We've had rough patches like any relationship but we've worked through them and focused on the positive and it's been totally worth it. Three beautiful children later and we are still happy and going strong. I love Rick more now than ever and I'm happy to be his wife.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Catching Up

Wow! I just realized it's the end of October and I haven't posted a single thing. Time is going by way too fast. I can't even remember the things that happen from week to week-it's all a blurr but I've made some memories this month that will mark time for me just a bit.
We got to be a part of my sister-in-laws surprise redneck themed 30th birthday party. My brother asked me to make signs for the party and a happy birthday banner. It turned out to be pretty fun. We dressed for the occasion and everything.

Lizzie in her daisy dukes and tank top


 Um...not sure about these






My mom played in the Senior Games again this year and her 50's team took gold in their bracket. It was a lot of fun to watch and cheer em' on.




 Grandmas best cheer squad!

I was playing in the fall finale that same day but was still able to make it to my moms final games.
Here's a shot from the fall finale

We made a quick trip to Salt Lake a couple of time this month. First, to attend a funeral of a close family friend. Judy Hansen passed away conference weekend from a battle with Cancer. She was loved and will be missed.

I went back up north with my kids and some Family, Angie Farr and three of her kids. Her mother and father, Becca, and Sherrell and grandma Beverly. We made a trip to see sites and hear stories from Grandma's life. It was a lot of fun. I only wish Rick could have gone.




Rick got his first deer! and I butchered his first deer...ok, not all of it, only half. Half was enough though...

I realize these are short explanations for the things that have happened most recently but I'm short on time. I hope to fill in more later.
Halloween post coming soon!...

Thursday, September 26, 2013

September Happenings!

Lizzie has waited, for what seems like forever, to be Queen of the day at school. This was the over-joyed look on her face when it finally happened...



We have a thumb sucker ladies and gentlemen!!
It's hard for me to keep it away from her-it's just so cute
 Pretty Penny!


 Little Family Photo shoot-the kids loved it! Especially Lizzie








Thursday, September 5, 2013

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Just more surviving

I upgraded my phone. I needed something to help me keep it all together. I'm not one of those that has to have the newest and greatest but upgrading my phone was the best decision ever. I looked for one that had an awesome organizer, calendar, to do list, grocery list-the momma needs!.... and what I got wasn't the newest and greatest because I can't stand the idea of holding $600+ dollars in my hand. But it was the cheaper version and still too high tech for me- I'm learning. I'm so glad to have it though, it has been a lifesaver already. It has everything I needed and more. It's amazing what's available at our fingertips these days.
It's sad.... the last couple of sentences I just wrote make me feel unbelievably old. In fact any time I mention "These Days", I feel like an old lady. Speaking of getting old, I'm getting myself some nice skin care products to help prevent wrinkles, sun spots, etc...wish me luck! Too bad they don't have some kind of natural product to prevent gray hairs..I'm sure I'll be needing that soon too.

I bought Lizzie a journal. She has been telling me stories on our rides home from school and every time, she brings a smile to my face. It's so sweet the things she feels are worth telling me. I also think it will help her learn to write, read and maybe even keep a journal regularly. The journal writing goal is one I'm still working on, many years after starting it, I still can't keep one consistently.

I ran for the first time a couple of weeks ago but my knees did not agree with it. I'm hopeful, it won't always be like that once I get back into exercising the way I want. I still have my cardio and volleyball though and that's really helped me feel better about getting physically active again.

We blessed Penny on Sunday. It was a beautiful blessing and I got a few pictures but I'll have to post them later when I figure out how to get them off my phone. Until then...


Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Six weeks and Surviving

Penny is Six weeks yesterday. She is beautiful and growing so very fast. She already weighs close to 13 lbs. It feels like she's been with us forever. She fits right in with the rest of us crazies.

I really haven't had a difficult time adjusting to having Penny around. I realize I have help when I need it but I've also had to take em all on myself quite often and I've managed just fine. I think I had a harder adjustment with my second to be honest. But I will admit to feeling like a complete Zombie just going through the motions of everyday life. People have been telling me how great I look and how well I seem to be doing with the changes of a new baby around but what they don't know is that I'm doing it all entirely emotionless. It's like the energizer bunny, he just goes and goes but he doesn't smile, doesn't stop to talk or see how a friend is doing, doesn't have purpose to the actions he's making, just goes and keeps going. That was me.

Just within this last week I have felt like my body is adjusting to the little sleep I get, which is nice. I have been able to put a smile on my face again and understand and respond to a comment made to me. It's coming slowly and I understand it doesn't happen all at once, but really wished it did. With things progressively getting better, I still have my days... I dropped Lizzie off for school the other day and when I got home, I looked down and realized my shirt was inside out. Then, my absent-minded brain decided to be late picking Lizzie up because it chose to think I was supposed to be picking her up at 11:55 instead of 11:45. I obviously got my times mixed up because I drop her off at 8:55. I forget the wipes or put my laundry in the fridge but aside from all that, I'm doing great. Okay, I'm exaggerating greatly when I speak of putting laundry in the fridge, but that's how my day felt yesterday. I felt awful seeing my Lizzie being the last one picked up from school. I thought to myself I can laugh about this or I can cry about all of this, so I chose to do a bit of both. But honestly, most days, I get to several places just fine and in good time as well as the dishes done, the laundry folded and put away, Lizzie's homework, Lincolns playtime, food on the table and anything else that decides to fall in my lap.

This week has been exceptionally busy and I have about a million things running through my head and so during this time when I should be doing dishes, I decided to blog for my own sanity. I'm feeling better already having shared with all of you my imperfections and dumb founded mistakes that come when you've officially become one of those moms that doesn't have time to change out of the puke-stained shirt or curl the now pulled-back every day pony tail...and forget about the mascara you once swiped on your eyelashes for that little extra whatever. I'm not complaining just fascinated with the changes in my life and laughing every step of the way along with some shedding of tears from time to time-- Nothing wrong with that in my opinion.
because with all the crazy hustle and bustle, I feel rewarded, blessed to have the children that I do, the husband that still loves and supports me,(even though he's been put on the back burner more often, unfortunately) and my life in all it's chaotic bliss.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Lizzie's 1st day of Kindergarten

I'm a bit beside myself...I really haven't had much time for anything, so I'll try to fit in all I wanted to share with you guys but we'll see...
Lizzie went to school today...My big girl's first day of school! I'm still not sure it's real. She's been counting down the days, asking me every night if she gets to go and today she got to go. She was so excited and it was darling to see her in her backpack and new school clothes.

Lincoln tried to walk in to school with Lizzie and then the moment we got back to the house he said, "where's izzie? want izzie!" Poor guy was so bummed, we decided to take a trip to see dad at work and then drove around town after finding tractors and BIG construction trucks- what can I say, the kid loves em!

And to add to big events- Rick finally ditched the beard and mustache today-Something I was beginning to think would never happen. Yay! for having my Rick back. I might actually enjoy kissing him now-I don't like the nush nash(mustache)! Give me rugged and scruffy but not a mustache....

LIZZIE
I have some funnies from my kids...they make me laugh all the time...
Lizzie and Lincoln love playing their Pet Shops together and Lizzie pulled a kangaroo out for me and said, here's a Tangaroo for you mom.

On Sundays, the kids aren't allowed to play nintendo games so Lizzie says, lets play cardboards! meaning board games

Lizzie was looking at baby pictures in grandma's room and was realizing the babies were all her aunts and uncles and her mom and she turned to grandma and said, "You born A LOT of babies!"

Lizzie wrote her own primary talk the other day. It was on her favorite subject-Prayer. She loves to pray so she had a lot to say about it. It was pretty cute

LINCOLN
At Penny's doctors appointment, she had to have some blood taken and she was pretty upset when they polked her and was crying pretty loudly. Lincoln anxiously says to me, "Give Penny Beeboo!" (Give penny your boob, mom) He was so concerned for her and he knew what to do but couldn't figure out why mom wasn't doing it.

I love to listen in on my kids playing from time to time and the other day, I overheard Lincoln exclaiming "Run Robot, Run....here, over here!!"

Lincoln learned to ride his tricycle the other day as well as climb his bunk bed. He gets so proud of himself and likes to tell me, "All myself, mom. All myself!"

Lincoln's aunt was warning Lincoln to be nice the other day and she said, Linc, stop doing that or else your going to get your sputt banked. He paused, looked at her and questioningly asked, "Sputt Banked??" she laughed when she realized what she said and corrected herself and then Lincoln understood.

BOTH
I heard lizzie yell at Linc-Don't squirt me with that! (while she's sitting on the toilet) followed by If you squirt...Ahhhhh! I'm gonna eat your brains!! I'm gonna eat your brains and then a terrified scream from Lincoln as he runs out of the bathroom....MY kids, ladies and gentlemen!

The End




Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Penny Mae's Birth Story

This pregnancy has gone much different from my previous ones which only made it more difficult in knowing what to expect. I had days with lots of contractions but no results. I had contractions on and off throughout the day and some rough ones started just as I got the kids in bed Sunday night. I was lying in bed and literally had to pull myself up out of bed to work through them. I looked at the clock and the next contraction came ten minutes later. Pulling myself out of bed again the second time, I thought to myself, “There’s no way I’m going to get some sleep in between these.”  I lay back down and ten minutes later, another one hit.  Lincoln knocked on my door and came in; He climbed into bed with me and said “Up here with you?” (as he does when he’s asking if he can cuddle with me).  Of course, I couldn’t resist and lay back down with him. He was snoring seconds later and after twelve minutes this time, I had another contraction.
Pulling myself out of bed and this time, down on my knees, I began to pray and before I knew what I was saying, I spoke the words, “I’m ready”.  I knew in that moment that I was ready, and I felt confirmation from my Heavenly Father that I was ready. I had been carrying this sweet baby. I had felt a connection from the very start, along with the answer that it wasn’t going to be easy but it would be worth it.
Rick was still out in the living room. He had been watching some television with his mom and dad. The next contraction drove me out of the room to be with him at midnight. They were two to three minutes apart then. I sat down and started to put make-up on.  Don’t ask me why- I guess I thought it would be a good distraction. Within the next hour, the intensity of the contractions had increased and I wanted my mom. Rick suggested giving everyone a bit longer to sleep, so I waited.
Rick was keeping track of the time in between contractions when suddenly we both heard a loud thud and realized that Lincoln had fallen out of bed. Rick left to take care of him and then returned shortly after.
A bit after 2 a.m., I made Rick get my mom, wishfully thinking it would just be another hour or two and then this baby would be here. I hoped all along that the labor wouldn’t be a long one but I didn’t know what to expect with this one. I thought I was further along trying to compare the intensity of the contractions, but that wasn’t the case. I leaned on the giant Love Sac we have in our living room and lay my head down in between contractions. I was so tired ALREADY! It had been a long day and had I not taken a four hour nap earlier in the day, I probably would’ve died--not literally, but I was worn out and realizing some things I should have done differently. Why did I go for a walk earlier? What was I thinking when I decided to go on a cleaning spree of the entire upstairs?!...I quickly put these thoughts aside and worked through the next contraction. My body was shaking which made me think that my body was working through transition, but I never knew how far dilated I was. That’s something I would do differently next time.  My mom was there gently rubbing my back while Rick prepped and put together the necessary things for the tub. Having my mom there was comfort enough to make the pain go away just a bit.
The hours dragged on. My mom, mother-in-law Liz, sisters, Shantelle and Jayna, midwife and her apprentice were all there and waiting through the night with me. We had the tub filled and I had gotten in and out of it a couple of times through the gruesome waiting hours, many of which were just a daze to me. The contractions were so intense for such a long period of time; I was falling asleep in between contractions around the seventh or eighth hour… I was so exhausted. I felt my focus slipping and I…. had hit a wall. I looked up at my mom and Shantelle who had been by my side the entire time and I said, “I need to know where I’m at, why isn’t this baby coming yet?”
Soon after, my midwife thought it was a good idea for all of my family to step out of the room for a moment. So after my family had left and it was just Rick and I, He gave me a much needed pep talk. He told me that he was told that I could do this. He knew I could. I knew what he meant having received the same confirmation that morning as I prayed fervently for strength and peace.
My midwife came in the room and asked me if it would help to know where I was – “Yes!”, I said, “I need to know”…. She then felt and said “Shay, the baby’s head is right there.  Put your fingers up there and feel for yourself.”
I felt the baby’s head-she had hair! …That was motivation for me to hang in there but my energy was sapped. My midwife then decided it would be a good idea to do some pushing. I pushed and pushed to try to bring the baby’s head down. I wanted to get back in the tub at this point but never wanted Rick to leave my side so he got in with me. He was my Rock through all of it. I could not have done it without him. He was my cheerleader, my swim partner, my hand hold, my back pusher and in the end, the only thing keeping me afloat, literally.
The lack of sleep, energy and feeling completely exhausted was hard enough as I pushed with everything I had. I looked down at my belly; I felt my body working, all of my energy, every muscle working together to bring this baby into the world. I held a hand to my stomach through these last contractions as if to cradle and help this sweet baby get here. Several times did I whisper to my Heavenly Father to help me through the next and the next-He was my constant companion.
I could feel which pushes made more progress than others. I knew what my body was doing and that was a good feeling. When the baby’s head started to crown I said, “Oh, it burns”, but I was able to keep myself under control. It was with the next push that half of the head was there and I just about jumped out of the tub. Rick was facing me. He had been holding me up during squats and pushes and this push sent me into flight mode. They say it’s either fight or flight. Yep, I was flight. I wanted to run away from the pain and crawling up Rick’s arms was the way to do that. Little did I know that the moment I would start to come up out of the water, I’d be saying to Rick, put me back, put me back!! I heard Rick and my midwife talking to me, but none of what they said. I pulled every urge to run back into myself and forced myself to focus-I had to tell myself, relax, calm down, you can do this, wait it out. I paused and held myself in pain. It seemed as though everyone and everything around me, was not there for a moment-Just me; enduring, waiting until the next contraction.  The next big push brought the baby’s head out.
There was a moment of relief when her head was there but also a lot of squirming on her part which was just kind of annoying. It was taking longer for the next contraction to arrive. In fact, it felt like forever, when in reality it was just a few minutes, but still a few too many for comfort, so my midwife told me to turn over on all fours and she said, you’re going to need to push hard, pull your bum in and curl up to give a good push. The moment I turned over, a contraction came and I pushed harder than ever. I did just as she told me, curling my body up into itself and with every last ounce of energy, I pushed. My face was so close to the water that my nose was touching it and my thoughts were, “Here we go! Were going under, so hold your breath!…. Just then, a feeling of relief as my baby Penny came out. I went limp but somehow managed to flip back over and was leaning against Rick’s chest in seconds.  Rick’s hands still grasped hold of me and with one arm he scooped Penny up out of the water and onto my chest. My baby was here! In a single precious moment, she was finally in my arms.
Mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually-It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life and the most rewarding. I hold my Penny in my arms and everything is right in the world. She has brought a special spirit with her and has blessed our home and family with a love all its own.

I received several blessings throughout this pregnancy, some during difficult times such as illness and physical inabilities, others during times of anxiety or emotional turmoil. Through all, I read back on the blessings given and for every blessing, the Lord saw fit to bless me with the strength needed to pass through the courses of that wine press. I feel the trying times of my pregnancy were preparing me for the exhausting, difficult labor I was to endure in order to bring this sweet spirit into the world. In all of it, I had the example of the Lord and His atoning sacrifice, to relate to, and grow from. I am grateful for this and for all that have expressed their love and supported me and my family through all of it.