11 days till Christmas

It's Official I'm skipping the Christmas card this year :( Time is just not on my side, neither is energy, or children that will sit nice for a quick photo. So here is my wishing you all a merry and bright holiday season.
This morning Caden, who is learning how to read, looked at the word Christmas and said "mom, it says Christ." We have been trying to make this a Christ centered holiday and I hope the true meaning of Christmas, and the amazing gift of our Savior is sinking in for them, and for me.

October catch-up picture style

A first birthday Samoan style. Lots of food, lots of people, lots of fun.


Halloween with a builder, a fairy princess,
and of course Jack o'lanterns.

Where has the time gone?

Someday I'll update this blog. But right now it is lunch time and mommy duties are calling, literally "Mom I am hungry for lunch right now!"
I'm off before I have a peanut buttered floor.

Flash Back Friday for Luke

October 1, 2009
In my mind I didn't feel like it was time, there were no contractions, no pain, no sense of anything really. Just the simple fact that my outwardly protruding belly kept me from seeing my toes, left a constant ache in my lower back, and threw my equilibrium way off. I had put in the time, I was done, ready for it to be over. Yet I could not shake the gloom of guilt that hung over me for choosing the day my son would enter the world. I had a fear of being induced, even felt like a bad mother for forcing a natural process. I had gone in to labor twice on my own before, I knew my body could do it. Still I agreed to end the pain and discomfort the pregnancy was causing me, praying that my baby would be healthy and strong.
At nine o'clock that morning they started my pitocin. By now my body had started to contract on it's own. They were few and far between and I hardly felt them. With the help of medication they became more frequent but no more painful. At about nine thirtyish the doctor broke my water. Contractions started coming more frequently and with more intensity. I heard a newborn cry from the next room and suddenly I wanted to hold my baby, to hear his cry. I closed my eyes as the contractions began coming much quicker and were now becoming painful. I breathed, I focused, I continued to tell myself I could do this. The nurse began preparing the room and informed the doctor that I was having a baby very soon. My husband paced, talked softly, and would gently move my hair from my face between contractions. Then I hit that place were I think I can not bear it for another minute. I looked at the nurse begging her to tell me there was still time for an epidural even though I knew that window had long since been closed. I asked anyway and as I did the doctor came in. It was time. On October 1st 2009 at 11:05 am Luke was born into our family. I had known he was coming for so long and he was finally here. Mine forever.
Happy Birthday Luke.

My kids fight more then yours! So there!

Sibling rivalry, currently the ache in my head. Why oh why can't they just get along. Who started the I wish you were not part of my family business. I am tired of it, you guys love each other! Yes we are happy Jesus created your little sister. Yes your brother is your friend. No your sister is not weird, well maybe, but that makes her good not bad. Start your prayer over and this time bless your brother/sister (depends on who said the prayer). Say you're sorry and give her/him a hug. Now this time smile and screaming I'm sorry does not count.

Oh the bright side when they do get along they are the best of friends.

The little lady

She started her first year of preschool. I say first year because next year she will do it again. I was hesitant, her dad thought she was ready. I thought for sure she would cling to me. She was not as brave as her big brother, this was my little girl. I walked her in and braced myself for her tears. In my mind I saw myself peeling her off of my leg, hugging her, reassuring her I would be back. Immediately after we enter she gets lost in the scuffle of little kids and clinging parents. I felt out of place, she seemed right at home showing her teacher her Princess and the Frog backpack. Alas no big pealing her off me scene I feared, she hugged and a kissed me and excitedly waved goodbye. She came home thinking she was the stuff because she is a big girl and goes to school.

Day one

He didn't want me to walk him to school this morning. "I'm big you know mom," he informed me. He already knew were his class was, he had already met his teacher, he did not need me. I walked him. He didn't cry, he barely even looked up as I left. Tears welled up in my eyes as I left him. How did he get so old?

Dear Disney,

Would you kindly refrain from plastering your princesses on everything from fruit snacks to shoes. You and I both know that Sleeping Beauty does not make anything taste better, and Cinderella doesn't know anything about comfortable shoes (glass slippers, really?). However I know a certain three year old that believes she must have all things princess. She believes that her life would not be complete without the princess shoes, you know the not so cute but much more expensive ones.
Regards,
MJ

The winds of change

I have never been a fan of change. Almost immediately after I changed the look of this blog I missed the old layout the one I was comfortable with and knew. I have a comfort zone and I hate leaving it. My life is about to change, I am going to have a schedule. My oldest will soon be in kindergarten and my middle child in preschool. No more lazy mornings of we'll get there when we get there. Now we have places to be. Come on wind bring on the change...I think I can manage.

A photo collage by Smilebox

Now is it time?

It seems I am asked everyday if Christmas is tomorrow. Every toy my daughter sees belongs on her list for Santa to buy her...if only. Last night while playing with her doll house that Santa so kindly brought her last Christmas she says, "I can't wait to see Santa so I can tell him thank you for my doll house!" Is it bad that I secretly hope that they discover the truth behind Santa sooner then later? I'd love to take credit for the guy.

Full Flavor

The other day while in line at Subway I noticed they had things broken down nicely for you to make healthy decisions. For sauces it read low fat then listed all the low fat options then below that it read full flavor. That's right full fat= full flavor. I had to laugh. Personally I really enjoy Subways low fat options (not sure how truly healthy they are) their sweet onion sauce is yummy! But why is it that low fat/low cal or healthy options for that matter are just never as good? Does anyone have any good low fat but FULL flavor recipes? We are trying to eat healthier around here, but I love me some full flavor!

My pick me up

He can turn any frown upside down. We have grown attached. He hasn't even been in this world for a year yet and I can not imagine my life without him. The truth is it was love at first sight, life was changed the second I looked at him. He kept me up all night, and this morning I may be tired, but I still smile thinking of his toothy grin. I dare you to look at him and not instantly have a better day!

FIVE

He has very specific requests for his parties. Lately they do not include licensed characters. Last year he wanted a Wipeout party. He still LOVES that show but this year he requested a water party. He has been planning since early May. I showed him a picture of a water park cake and it was over that was to be his cake. It was worth the effort after hearing "Wow mom you did a good job. I am impressed!" And just like that I have a five year old!

Time...

is so fleeting and my memory fails me.
I need to record more before the memories are gone forever into the inaccessible part of my brain. Like how Luke is now crawling, and exploring, and eating EVERYTHING, and doing it all with almost eight teeth (three are still working their way out)! I want to remember how Sophia insists on being called Ariel and that her first crush was on Eric. I had tried to keep The Little Mermaid from her, it just wasen't one of my favorites, but nothing was better then seeing her eyes go big and her mouth falling open letting out a quite "wow" when I placed the movie in her hands for the first time. I will never regret letting her watch it as I hear her dance around and say "oh Eric" and giggle. Not sure how I'll feel when Eric is real and she is sixteen but for now I will remember it is cute! I don't want to forget how inquisitive Caden has become, with such an amazing little imagination. On a recent road trip he asked us as we passed through the town of Green River why there was a large GR on the side of the mountain. Before we could even answer he pipes up with "Oh I know for the bears! Because they live in the mountains and say grrrrr!" Most of all I always want to remember how blessed I feel at the end of the day as I peek in on these sleeping monkeys, and realize I get to be their mom.

The life of a four year old

Today he was on a mission to wear green. This was all he had. I think he looked quite handsome, so naturally I wanted a picture. He was not thrilled, (by his lack of green shirts, or the picture I couldn't tell), but he did try to fake a smile for me.


This I was told is me and Luke, the day Luke came out of my tummy. I personally like how skinny he thinks my legs are!

My three stooges

I bet you didn't know that eleventeen is a number, I know a little girl who never misses it! Or that things are not seen in our house they're sawed. And the word exciting is used to show excitement to do something, for example, on the way to Chuck E. Cheese's same said girl kept exclaiming "I'm so exciting!" I have to give it to her she is that as well. I can't believe how fast they are growing and how fleeting this highly entertaining learning of the English language stage is! Caden is almost completely out of it. I am surprised at how well he speaks now, and how much he knows!

Cute as a button

My mom has been telling me I need to make these buttons. I think they are called buttons because the first person to make them said; "these things are cute as a button!"
As my son calls them "buttons you can eat!"

What you need:
Square pretzels
Hershey kisses
Peanut butter M&M's

How it's done:
Preheat oven to 200
place pretzels on a cookie sheet. Top each with a kiss (Most time consuming part, does anyone know why they do not sell unwrapped kisses?) Put in oven for about 5 minutes, just until the kiss is soft enough to press an M&M in it. Press one M&M in each.
Fun and easy for the kids to make. Pressing the M&M's in was a little tricky for them but we had fun.
Enjoy!

A photographer in the making

This past December my son had his first Christmas program. In the rush to get us all there on time I forgot my camera :( When I realized this I mentioned it aloud. "Oh don't worry mommy! I have mine," my daughter pipes up from the back seat. I turn to look at her holding up her toy camera with the hugest smile, so happy she could save the day. She brought it in and proudly took several pictures, all of which I believe would have been worth sharing had they been on my camera and not her Little Mermaid talking one. Since the camera we got her for her birthday turned out to be junk, here is a photo she took on her own with my camera.

Conversations at the breakfast table

My son loves blueberries, a lot. How much is a lot? He told me this morning.
Son: Mom, can I have more blueberries?
Me: Yes
Son: Mom, can I have a million blueberries?
Me: Well, how much is a million?
Son: Mom, (in a completely serious tone), a million is a lot.

The newbie

Known around here as Lukey, Lukster, or simply the dude. He is slowly turning from newborn to active baby giving us glimpses of his personality. He has discovered that he controls his hands and loves to grab whatever he can reach. He loves watching his older siblings play, and is a big baby babbler. His favorite game is peek-a-boo, and his daddy was the first to make him laugh. The other day I had a discussion about how tiny baby cries are so enduring. I have to admit baby cries (when not at three am) are cute, but baby giggles melt my heart.

A real conversation

Me to daughter: "Can you please come and put your PJ's on."
Daughter: completely ignores me.
Me again: "Um, can you please come and get ready for for bed?" in a slightly irritated tone.
Daughter: singing to her doll, completely oblivious of me.
Me now yelling: "Get over here right now and get ready for bed!"
Daughter looks up shocked: "Please stop yelling at me." in the calmest sweetest voice ever.
Me, realizing I should not have yelled: "Well, you were just not listening to me. I needed to get your attention."
Daughter: "Oh, I wasn't listening?" looking way to innocent, and in same sweet tone, "I'm sorry momma, I'll get ready for bed."

Hello old friend

It seems with the beginning of each new year I vow to prioritize, organize, and just get it together. At the end of each year I'm, well I'm still just me, somewhat prioritized, not very organized, and rarely all together. This year I still vow to prioritize, organize, and get it together, (one day I'll get there, wherever there is!), BUT I also vow to enjoy the ride. I spend so much time and energy chasing the perfect place I hope to get to, I sometimes forget to enjoy my here and now. My resolution this year is to enjoy here and now, even if that means loving no sleep, and still being way to many sizes to count away from fitting my clothes. (Yep I broke down and bought me the fat pants.) In my pursuit to enjoy the journey I want to spend more time actually doing things I enjoy, even though it might be hard to get a minute to myself. One thing I haven't done lately is blog which at one point of time I really enjoyed. So here is a new beginning to my old blog, I've missed you old friend!

Coming Soon

I'm back and ready to do this! As soon as I get a minute I'll be back on the blogging wagon baby! It's coming soon.