Liver Day

Christmas Cards

Gingerbread Houses

Dad's Home

After meeting Allen at Becky's house we headed for home. Mom stayed the night with Becky's family and Sarah came home with us. Allen and I mowed the lawn and tidied up the yard. Then the kids ran through the sprinklers and played with hose spraying each other. Rock became very territorial with the hose and at one part accidently soaked himself. It was actually quite funny, even though he didn't think so.

On Sunday we went to church as a family and Allen taught his class in Elders' Quroum.  After church we all relaxed and rested.  Allen and Rock actually napped together, they both love it!!  Then we had a great Sunday dinner before Allen and Sarah headed back.  We were all tearful as they drove off and are looking forward to seeing him again!!

 

Easter Weekend

Our weekend to visit Allen just happened to fall on Easter.  I got lucky that way, because when I was planning time off, I never even though about Easter.  We left after school on Friday.  Mom drove her car with the girls and picked Sarah up on the way.  I drove separately with Rock and ran a few errands before leaving town.  We drove two vehicles because Mom and the kids stayed the next week since it was Spring Break and I headed home for work.  Mom and I met up at Little Acorn before entering Price Canyon so that we could caravan.  We were trying to get there before dark, but we didn't quite make it.  The kids and I met Allen at Dad's and stayed Friday night there while Mom continued on over to Kris'. 

Dad and Denise had gone camping so invaded Dad's house.  Allen had to work Saturday morning, but the rest of slept in.  That morning Dad called to say they were on their way home because it was so darn windy and cold on the desert.  So we did get to visit with Dad some.  They got a new puppy and the kids had a blast playing with her.  She really is a cute a puppy but she is going to be a BIG dog!!  That evening we left for Kris's like we had planned.  we colored eggs that night and the kids just got to play with all the cousins.  There are always fights, but they always end up making up and having fun!!  Sometimes they fight like siblings instead of cousins. 

On Sunday morning, the kids had to wait for everyone to wake up before they could come out of their rooms and look for their baskets.  At Aunt Sexy's house the Easter Bunny always hides the baskets as well as the eggs.  It was a little new to my kids and Sarah but they had fun looking.  Rock's basket was under the end table, Sarah's under the hide-a-bed, Danni's in the pantry, Sammi's in the dryer, Ashton's in the hall closet and Gage's under a laundry basket in the laundry room.  Once all the baskets were found, we all headed outside to find eggs.  The bigger kids helped the little kids find eggs and it was so cute to watch them all.  It makes me sad that they all have to grow up!!  I can remember when Gage was only as big as Rock is now.

We had a pretty restful day while the kids played.  Allen took Rock for a ride in the Rhino and then Allen and I went for a ride on Shaun's bike.  Allen was in heaven while I really tried to have fun in between all the thoughts of what if's - what if we don't make the turn, what it we fall over, what if we both die on the motorcycle!!!!  That's the worrier in me, but it was pretty fun most of the time.  Allen said he could tell when I got scared because I squeezed him almost in half.  So he would then slow down until I let go a little.  It's a good thing I am such a calm person!!!!

Dad came over that night for dinner and we barbecued steaks and just visited with everyone.  Once the kids were asleep, Allen and I headed back over to Dad's because he had to work early the next morning and I was headed home to Logan so I could work the next day as well.  Mom and the kids will be home next Sunday and Allen will get to see the kids everyday.  He plans on heading over to Kris's every night when he gets off work.  I am actually pretty excited to be home by myself.  I won't have to feel guilty about how much I am working or how much I sleep in between jobs.  I'm sure by the end of the week I'll be missing the kids lots, but for now I'm looking forward to my time all alone!!

My Weekend

This has been such a weird weekend without my kids. I have done things that I haven't been able to for ages!! First of all, I didn't have to work Thursday night, which meant I was able to sleep like a normal person so my Friday was a normal day. I was able to sleep in, which was absolutely dreamy!! Allen worked, which meant I was all to myself.

I left the house about 11 and went Easter shopping, then met Allen for lunch on his lunch break. It was just the two us for lunch, crazy! Then I met some friends for ice cream, went to the mall for some leisurely shopping and then went to the movie by myself!! I have been wanting to see "The Haunting of Connecticut", so I went when I had the chance. Then I met Allen after work and we did some more Easter shopping, and finally the two of us went to another movie!! I felt so young and free to be out and about all day by myself!!

This morning I woke up and went to breakfast with some friends while Allen slept in. Allen and I got some housework done and then went to lunch and went looking at RV's and did some more LEISURELY shopping. I then was able to come home and nap before work tonight and Allen went to ANOTHER movie!! I miss my kids SSSSOOOOO much, but it was so nice to have some time to myself and some alone time with my honey. I can't wait to see my babies tomorrow!!

Day 4

Yesterday was Day 4 of being home without Allen. The no sleep thing has really been challenging for me, but when my next schedule at work comes out it will be a lot better. So far Allen is liking his job, he is still struggling with being gone and feeling like he is missing out on things at home with the kids. But, he shouldn't worry, the kids count down the seconds until he gets home from work. As soon as I pick them up from school, it begins "how long til dad gets home?" "how much longer does dad have to work?" "how many minutes til we see dad?", obviously he is the fun parent, and me not so much :)

Rock LOVES his baths. He likes to try to drink the water from the faucet and loves to splash his sisters!

I do love being home during the day with Rock, he is such a cutey!! I'm learning so much about him, like how vocal he is-he yells at me when I am not paying attention to him, but if I try to play with him or get too close to him, I get yelled at again!! Also, how much he loves to eat-this kid has a bottomless pit of a stomach!! How much he loves his B's (bottles)-he carries that thing around everywhere, even he doesn't want to drink out of it at the time, he just has to have one! And this kid can POOP - every single diaper of his, I swear, is filled with poop, nasty, stinking poop. I guess all that food has to end up somewhere!! And he loves his Mickey Mouse Playhouse - don't interrupt him while he's watching. He's fun and I love him and right now we are both learning how each other works during the days!!

Rock loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and usually sits in his car to watch it

On Wednesday the poor Rock fell down the stairs and cut his forehead. He was so upset, but I think I felt even worse than him. What kind of mom am I?

Rock's cut forehead after his traumatic fall

This weekend the kids are visiting Grandma Glenna, Aunt Kelly and Katelyn in Rexburg, Idaho. We them in Pocatello last night and did the switcheroo. The girls were very excited about this and have been all week. Hopefully, Rock isn't too much of a handful for them and I hope mom and dad can handle him being gone, too!!

Rock ate chocolate donuts the whole way to Pocatello, he was such a mess!

Allen's New Job

Allen started his new job today with Qwest, it is going to be an adjustment for all of us. One of the best things about it is that I get to cut back on work and be home more with the family! I had last night off, so this morning I was able to get everyone up and going, usually that is Allen's job. After Allen left for work, I had to finish getting the kids ready and get them to school, again this is usually Allen's job. It is really strange to be doing all of this again.

Now it is just Rock and I at home. Normally about this time, I am falling asleep while Allen and Rock are doing their thing, but this morning it is just Rock and I - very strange, but fun. The kids aren't too sure about all this change. The other night at the dinner table we were talking about how I would be home more and Allen would be gone during the day. We asked Sam if she was excited and she said "not so much"!!

Allen is always so laid back and not much bothers him. The girls also have him wrapped around their fingers. But I am pretty anal about things and I guess not as much fun, according to the kids. Like I said, this is going to be an adjustment for all of us. Allen, especially, is having a hard time. He feels like Rock is going to forget all about him. He has been able to spend every day and night with him for the last year and today is his first full day away from him. He has also really enjoyed spending so much time with the girls and making sure they get to dance and activities on time. Before our move to Cache Valley he always worked and didn't get the chance to do any of these things. Now he is back to that and he is struggling with it.

All in all, I think it will be good for all us. I am excited to be home and do some of the stay-at-home mom things, but I still really love my work and am glad I am able to stay working at the hospital. It is also a good thing for Allen to get out of the house and be able to socialize with people his age. We just have to make sure our family time is now spent as quality time, since there won't be as much quantity. I really love my family!

Anniversary

 
March 21 was our 11th wedding anniversary, WOW! Some days it seems much longer than that and others it feels like just yesterday Allen was trying to hit on me and get me to go out with him :)

Actually, I was the pursuer. He was friends with my roommate's boyfriend and I happened to think he was pretty hot. I made Ashley and Corey set us up. He was an entire HOUR late to our first date. We went to "Fools Rush In" and just as I thought I was getting stood up, he walks in and sits next to me. Can you believe I gave him another chance? In reality, after that night we were always together, even though it took several months before we declared it "official".

So much has happened since that night; we have helped each other through so many different circumstances that I believe we can make it through whatever else comes our way. First, we had a baby born with medical problems, in and out of the hospital for years, not knowing if she was going to make it, financial struggles on top of that. Then, me finding out about Allen's drug abuse and dealing with a separation for awhile. Then Allen checked himself into rehab and we were able to work things out. Both of us went back to school at the same time with two kids at home. Then, Allen had to deal with me while I worked through some awful childhood memories that no one should have to endure.

Now we are so happy and have grown so much. We have 3 beautiful children, own our home, made some pretty good traditions and our next step? It may take awhile, but I do believe that we will make it to the temple. I love my husband and am proud of what he has accomplished after all that he has been through. I am glad that he has stuck by me through everything and am excited to see what life throws at us next.

Twilight

I took my lunch break at midnight last night to go to Walmart. I wasn't sure how big of a crowd I would run in to, but decided it would still be worth it. I was one of many to buy the new release "Twilight". Back at work, the girls and I watched it! What a great movie, I am so looking forward to it's sequel!!!!

I am very thankful for my own washing machine and dryer!!!

This morning Allen and I took a whole crapload of laundry to the laundramat because we have let it get ridiculously out of hand. We were so backed up and just could not seem to get caught up, I HATE laundry!!!! After 13 loads and $40 worth of quarters (can you believe how much it costs to wash and dry clothes?) we are done. Now we just have to put it all away, a chore all it's own. I've always just taken my washer and dryer for granted, but not anymore - I don't ever want to have to do laundry that way again!!! At least at home I can fold the clothes as I watch T.V.

Catch UP

I have been working a ton these last few weeks and have been too busy to post. I have become quite addicted to this blogging stuff, so I have made it a point to log on and see what everyone else is up to, just have not taken the time to post – I think I am what people call a “blog stalker”. I have had good intentions and have been taking pictures with the thought “I’ll have to post this later”, so here goes.

Two weeks ago, Allen bent down to pick up our “rock” of a baby and did something to his back. I was sleeping because I had worked the night before and was scheduled to work that night. He came gimping into our room and woke me up saying he needed help because he couldn’t pick Rock up. I made him go to Instacare and he did very grudgingly. Nothing major was wrong, just something with the muscle - he just needed some rest and heat to it. So I had to call in for 2 nights to help him take care of the kids. He is rather embarrassed by the whole ordeal but I think if anyone should be embarrassed, it should be Rock – what a chunk!!! The girls had a dance performance the next night that I would have had to miss due to work, but since Allen was still gimping around I got to go! They looked so cute and did a great job!! I’m glad they didn’t inherit my coordination and balance.



Friday the 13th was a Valentine’s Tea at school. Danni came home on Wednesday and was talking all about it. It is a chance where the girls and boys learn etiquette and manners. The kids dress up for school that day and the boys pull out the chairs for the girls as they sit and then ask the girls if they would like anything. Danni was soooo excited that she would get to sit by a boy :) Thursday night they picked out their dresses, made sure their Valentine cards were all together and put the finishing touches on their Valentine Day card holders. Later that night, Danni woke up puking. She woke her Daddy up to help her and puked another time or two. Needless to say, she stayed home sick and had to miss the Valentines Tea. Sammi was able to go and had lots of fun at her Tea and party.
Sammi all ready for her Valentines Tea
Sick bubba in bed the morning of her Valentines Tea

This past week I had to go the dentist and found out that I need two root canals and two fillings. I am not looking forward to the pain involved with the root canals. The only good thing I can think of is maybe I will lose a few pounds.

Finally, on Sunday my baby turned 1!! It seems like just yesterday I was pregnant. It is so sad to see him growing up so fast. We just did a little celebration with our family and will celebrate more with relatives coming from out of town this weekend. What is even more crazy is that Rock just took off walking on his own Saturday night!! We cheered for him so much that he kept doing it just to make his sisters and mom and dad happy. I can't believe how big he is!!!

Our family tradition on birthdays is that the birthday person gets to pick where we eat dinner. Since Rock is too young this year we took a family vote and ate at a Mexican place. This is Rock as the staff sang Happy Birthday to him in Spanish!

Valentines

With Valentines Day coming up and all the school parties, the time has come to make Valentine Day Card holders. When I was little, we actually used to make the boxes at school, but these days elementary kids are too busy preparing for college to do something so frivolous at school! The girls and I went to Wal-mart to pick out the supplies along with their Valentine Day cards. Picking the cards is a very serious matter in the 1st and 4th grades, because you have to make sure not to get ones that the boys are going to think are too girlie.

After homework the other night we began working on their boxes. My controlling self was really trying to help them and tell them what to do, but they didn’t want to listen. Can you believe that they had their own ideas? Since nobody was using my ideas and because it looked like they were having so much fun,



I decided to make my own card-holder. I just hope I get some Valentines in them on Valentines Day!!

I guess I really am happy that my kids are willing to do what they want to do and not just follow another.