Life's the Pitt's

It's sneeking up on us...

2011-11-27T22:57:00.000-08:00

(I took her pictures today. It was so fun. It sure helps that she is adorable.)

Photo Shoot

2011-11-27T21:49:00.001-08:00

I finished Alexis' baptism dress last night! 25+ hours of MAJOR patience.

Alexis and I ventured out this afternoon and did a little photo shoot in preparation for the big day.

But, before you see the pictures...let me give credit where credit is due.

When I saw this dress 2 years ago there was no going back. Leisel, who made the original dress, said she would try and make up a pattern for it back then. Every few months I'd ask her if she made the pattern. I emailed her a month ago asking her some questions about the dress because I figured there was no way she'd be making the pattern now that the holiday season was approaching. She emailed me back...and had finished the pattern! I can't even tell you how thrilled I was.

She made up the pattern herself and she shares it for FREE on her blog. Amazing, huh? I honestly need to take a picture of the inside too...because if you could see how clean and pretty it is on the inside (with 1 surged seam showing) you will see why it took so long. Pretty much...Leisel is AMAZING!

We went to the Newport Beach Temple to take pictures but as I suspected they lock their gates on Sunday. But, we still managed to get some cute shots from the church grounds across the street.

Alexis woke me up 2 weeks ago and she could hardly contain her excitement.

She apparently woke up early and couldn't fall back asleep and so she decided to lay in bed and read her scriptures.

The excitement (no joke...jumping up and down...while waking me up) was because she's now in 2nd Nephi.

Amazing, right?

Would you believe me if I told I didn't edit this picture above besides cropping the picture a tiny bit?

Then we went back home for some pictures at the beach.

Loved taking her picture on Lifeguard Tower #8 (It was my friend Jillonnie's idea)...but those Lifegaurds were after us on their trucks so fast. So we hopped off before we could get in trouble from them.

Those toe lines forming the 8 are just too cute. And who doesn't love an exclamation point!

What...all the lifegaurds are helping that ambulence by tower 6 help someone?

Certainly, they don't need more people crowding them...

maybe we should just wait here on tower 8. Why not take a few more pictures?

That's staying out of the way right?

She just couldn't help grabbing her $10 fisher price camera to take a picture of the sunset on our way out. So cute!

It was such a fun afternoon. We thoroughly enjoyed our time alone together.

(P.S. In case you were wondering: The lady down by tower 6 seemed to be doing fine when we left.)

Tears of Joy

2011-11-04T21:42:00.000-07:00

Alexis is getting baptized in just over a month. It is so sweet to see the excitement in her eyes and the bright smile that appears every time it gets brought up. She, honestly, astounds me with her love of the gospel...but especially her love for reading the scriptures. I do not remember, nor do I ever think I was as bright and interested in the scriptures at 7 years old like she is. She gets it. We do not tell her she has to read them every night. But she does. On her own. She doesn't just read to say she read them. She reads to understand them. That is what truly amazes both Chad and I.

I decided I needed to have more time with just her to talk about this important decision in her life of being baptized. The time she opens up the most is when she is in bed and wants me to lay next to her. Tonight, I decided the dishes can wait...my hobbies can be pushed aside. Something I should do a lot more often.

I told her I was going to be starting on her baptism dress tomorrow and she asked me how more than one person can feel the spirit at the same time. I explained it with the analogy of the sun being felt by more than one person. Then she asked why doesn't she feel the spirit strongly all the time right now and we discussed the importance of her baptism and her receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost afterwards and that being one of the many blessings. That the Holy Ghost will always be with her to comfort her and help her as long as she is making good choices in her life. The best way to explain that was through a personal story.

So, I told her one of the greatest lessons I learned about the Holy Ghost. This is what I told her. Her eyes were glued to me the entire time.

I was 16 years old. I had just come home from soccer practice and I was really tired. I got out of the car and starting walking to the front door when I had a really strong feeling that I needed to lock my door to my car. I didn't. I kept walking.

I started unlocking the front door of my house and felt the feeling even stronger that I needed to lock my car door. I thought to myself, "I never lock my door. That's crazy. It's an old car and beat up. (The car was $500 if that gives you a better picture.) I don't ever keep anything in it."

I got inside the house and the feeling was so strong. I couldn't hear it with my ears but it was as though someone was telling me inside my head to go back outside and lock my car door. I was tired and I didn't want to walk all the way back to my car.

But that 3rd time, I realized there MUST be a reason I keep feeling this way. So I walked back out to my car and locked my door.

Later that night, before I went to bed I got in a fight with my mom. Over something so silly I don't remember what it was about. She was probably telling me I needed to clean my room like usual and I wasn't nice back and I didn't listen to her. I remembered after fighting with her that I needed to go to my friends house and get some homework. I left really upset. I came home and went straight to my room and went to bed without talking to my Mom or apologizing to her.

The next morning my sister woke me up. She asked me if I left my car doors open yesterday and I told her I didn't.

(Alexis Gasps)

I ran outside to see. Sure enough, my car doors were open. I thought about how after I fought with my mom the night before and went to my friends house I forgot to lock my car door when I came back. And I didn't have that strong feeling to stop me and tell me to go back and lock my door that time.

I checked the car. My change and change holder to my car were gone. I'm sure there was maybe only a couple of dollars total so I really didn't care that much. I really didn't give much thought as to why I would have such strong feelings to lock my door over a few dollars.

I didn't care that much until the next Sunday, when I was looking for my scriptures. The last place I had them was in my car.

(Alexis Gasps even louder)

They were gone. It wasn't just the couple of dollars in change that had been stolen from my car. But, my scriptures too. I was really sad. I realized that the Holy Ghost was trying to warn me to lock my car so my scriptures wouldn't get stolen...not the money. The money really didn't matter. Those scriptures were really important to me. My parents gave me those scriptures on the day I was baptized. And now they were gone.

I asked Alexis why the Holy Ghost didn't tell me to lock my door when I came back from my friends house.

"Because you fought with your Mommy."

She was so sad for me. But she understood the lesson completely. We talked a little more and she asked me some more questions. And then she told me this story.

"A little while ago, I can't remember if it was in September or October, I was saying my prayers in bed. I asked Heavenly Father if he would forgive all of my sins and I started to cry out loud. Daddy walked by my room and heard me crying and opened the door and asked me why I was crying. I told him I didn't know. He kissed me good night and told me he loved me and went to his office. I was too shy to tell him why I was really crying. When I asked Heavenly Father to forgive my sins I felt so happy inside. I started to cry. But it wasn't a sad cry. It was a happy cry. I know it was the spirit making me feel so happy. I just didn't know how to tell Daddy. After he left, I quickly finished and said "in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." But, now that I think about it...I probably should have taken more time to really finish my prayer and not end it."

I giggled at her last sentence but tears filled my eyes as we talked about that feeling she felt. I kissed her goodnight and came out with a confirmation that I needed to do this with my kids more often. Lay by them one at a time and just talk.

Chad came home from school about 15 minutes later. I asked him if he remembered a night when he heard Alexis crying in her room and asking her why she was crying. He said exactly what Alexis said. That she said she didn't know why she was crying and that he remembered going in there kissing her goodnight and telling her he loved her.

I filled him in on the rest of the story but not without tears in my eyes. Tears of joy. He was quiet and amazed and we both just sat there in that quiet, peaceful moment realizing our daughter was on a completely different spiritual level than either of us were at her age. And not because of us. That is Alexis.

400 thousand dollars

2011-10-27T15:11:00.000-07:00

My handicapped sister is on a mission with my parents in Utah. She emailed me this today:

amber

i will give you 4oo thounder dallor

mel

I wrote back:

Melanie,

Sweet. I could use an extra 400 thousand dollars. When will you be sending it?

Love you,
Amber

She makes me laugh because I have no clue where she gets these things from. And when did she start signing "Mel" as her name. She's too funny.

Cleaning Break

2011-10-21T16:21:00.000-07:00

Right now...we are in a mad dash cleaning our house. Just because I want it CLEAN!

Alexis and Carter have been working hard in the playroom for over an hour. I went to throw some dirty clothes in the laundry room and this is what I heard as I passed the playroom.

"Hey, Carter, check and see if I farted."

"Yah...you did."

"Ok, thanks."

End of conversation. Gross? Yes. Hilarious? Absolutely. Had to document it because I can't stop laughing. They don't even know I heard. But I called Chad and we were busting up and we decided...this is why we have kids. Sometimes they just really lighten the mood around here.

Bad Words

2011-08-28T23:46:00.000-07:00

A few months before school got out my sister called me to tell me of an experience she had with her 7 year old daughter.

As my sister was typing her daughter pointed out she wrote a bad word. Mindy looked at the computer and saw where her daughter was pointing and sure enough she had pushed the S key down too long for the word "as."

She was shocked. When did her daughter learn that word? She called to warn me that most likely our daughters were already learning bad words. (They were in the same class at school.)

Not all of 2 days later Alexis comes home from school.

"Mom, Jonathan said the "S" word at school today."

"What? Are you kidding me? That's horrible."

I was kinda freaked out because I had just been warned by Mindy...but amongst my freakout I thought...I better ask her what the "S" word is, right?

"Alexis, what is the "S" word?"

"Mom, you know..."stupid."

Stupid. Phew. Oh no. She saw me freak out. I don't want her to know there is another "S" word. So I told her how sad that was that he used that word and that she needed to always remember when kids aren't talking appropriately to go play with someone else who is.

I thought it was over.

Over a month has passed. School is almost out. Alexis comes home.

"Hey, Mom. You know how I told you Jonathan said the "S" word at school."

"Yes."

"Well, I found out today why he said it."

"Why?"

"Because he's Jewish."

"WHAT? Why does that matter?"

"You know. Jewish."

I shake my head not understanding where she is going.

"Mom...Jewish people don't have to keep the commandments."

And then we had bigger problems to sort out like the following:

-Just because something is strictly enforced in our house doesn't mean it's a commandment!
-Jewish people actually do believe in keeping the commandments.

Lazy Days of Summer

2011-07-26T23:14:00.000-07:00

I love summer. Especially, since I can send the older kids out to swim while Owen naps. They love it.

Friday was my sister's birthday so I invited her kids over to play so she could have some time to do whatever she wanted.

I seriously laughed the whole time watching them play in the back yard. For one...these girls are SPITTING images of my sister and I. The best of friends...but a fight can erupt suddenly. My sister and I were close and we played together a lot. They thought it would be fun to bring the teeter totter in from the side yard and see how well they could teeter totter in the pool.

Seriously, if you are in need of entertainment...you need to watch kids do this. The tiniest shift of weight and one kid would slip off and the kid on the other end would go flying. I seriously haven't laughed that hard in a while.
The best was hearing Chelsea tell Alexis that she needed to stop moving and tipping them over. Alexis claimed she wasn't...and Chelsea exclaimed,

"Well, it's definitely not me...so it has to be you."

(I swear my sister would have said the same thing to me when we were that age.)

Then Chelsea decided to try it by herself. After she had tried Alexis wanted to try it by herself.

Chelsea says, "Yah...let's see you try. Then we'll see whose tipping it."

Alexis' laughed and I was busting up.

Alexis gets on the teeter totter and gets a huge shove out to the middle of pool by Chelsea (with an obvious attempt to throw her off balance.) Alexis flew off and came up exclaiming..."Yah...I'm not very good.)

I died laughing to say the least.

1) Because Alexis was unaware of Chelsea's intent and
2) Because I was reliving my childhood just watching them.

Airplane Watching

2011-07-25T21:35:00.000-07:00

Owen is in love with airplanes right now. He stops whatever he is doing the minute he hears one to find where it is in the sky and points it out to everyone around him. Time stops when an airplane comes by and we all pause whatever we are doing because of Owen's excitement.
One of things on our summer to do list was to go watch airplanes land and take off at the airport. Friday night we were eating dinner and Owen yelled out "Air-pane" three different times while he was eating. We were inside but our windows were open. Chad decided it was a good night to go after that. We grabbed our beach chairs, some waters and popped some popcorn and we were out the door.
All the kids loved it.

Alexis adores her little brothers. Can you tell?
The best part was when the airplanes had landed Owen would turn around and look at us as if to say, "Did you see that?" His finger would stay pointing through the fence at what he had just seen.
There was no time to put on make-up since this was a spur of the moment thing...but I still love this picture anyway. I love being a Mom.
Ryder was a happy camper just chillin' in his cars seat or in my lap.
I highly recommend this activity. It's fun, easy...and FREE!

Swim Team

2011-07-24T22:09:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the kids last swim meet. They ABSOLUTELY love swim team. They never complain about going to practice and they love competing.
Alexis had a great year. She finished off this meet swimming in the official race for freestyle and was the last leg in both relays. Since she was in the 7-8 year old group she will compete in that group again next year.
I'm pretty sure 99% of the girls in her age group are over a foot taller than her. I'll have to find our video of her swimming because this picture below just doesn't do it.
She is such a pretty swimmer, she's fast and she's so close to making it all the way across without breathing. So next year may be the year she gets that "no breather" she's been working so hard to get.

Carter shocked both Chad and I. We thought we'd have to convince him into enjoying the competitive side of swimming but once again his competitive nature came out without any push from us. If you only met him on the soccer field, on the t-ball field or at the swim meets you would HONESTLY think he was a feisty kid because he is so into sports. But outside of those settings he's quiet, kind and mostly reserved.
This was Carter's first year so he had to try out before the season started. They changed the rules this year. The 4 year olds now have to swim the entire length of the pool, unassisted, doing side breathing, never flipping to their backs, never touching the side of the pool or lane lines and never stop kicking or doing "big arms." We practiced with him everyday and he worked so hard. At the try-outs he did all of the above. Both Chad and I watched. We were shocked when the email came saying he didn't make it. Carter was so sad. I asked the coach why and he told me it was because Carter looked tired and didn't think he could go back and forth a few times at practice.

WHAT? Made no sense to us...but we cooperated.

Anyhow, the coaches allowed a few kids that were borderline to practice for a few more weeks and try out again 3 weeks later. By that point I had given birth to Ryder and couldn't get in the water with Carter. So, my sister took him to the pool every morning with her boy and Chad took them every night to practice. Carter worked so hard. He swam the length of the pool six times in a row the morning he tried out. He wanted this so bad and and he knew he only had one more chance. His hard work paid off and he made the team.
He's got his big arms down pat. (He's the one in the second lane from the bottom with his head buried in the water.) He's very consistent on his timing...side breathing every 4 strokes and he's got huge kicks. Next year it will be fun to see if he can get his kicking to propel him faster and pull under water with his hands.

Between their races, they enjoyed playing with their friends, playing with their little brothers...

and relaxing while eating the candy they paid for with their hard earned money doing chores at home.
We were so proud of them. They always gave 100% and it was so fun to watch.

Specialists

2011-07-15T21:55:00.000-07:00

When it rains it pours. We've been dealing with lots of health problems that have required us to go see a few specialists.

Long story short:

Ryder is seeing a gastro-interologist regularly to make sure he's doing ok. We had an appointment today. I found out a lot about reflux. And that it is going to get worse. It should peek at 4 or 5 months. I didn't know that. We are upping his meds again. The ups and downs we've had trying to figure out what works for him is another story in and of itself. If we have to keep increasing the dosage of his medicine that tells us he most likely will have this beyond his 1st birthday.

Owen had surgery on Tuesday. 6 ear infections this year and a resistance to amoxicillin gave us a ticket to see the ENT specialist. We had a choice...surgery within 1 week or 4 months...due to the doctors booked schedule. We choose the 1 week option. So glad we did too...because the Dr. drained fluid out of one ear and sticky pus out of the other.

Owen also has an appointment to see the gastrointerologist due to his "aversion" to food. Hmm...he will eat sweets if they are offered...so that makes me think he's just fine. But other days when he won't consume a bite of anything it makes me wonder. We shall see...in August.

Alexis' stomach is acting up a lot so I'm pretty sure we are going to have to start giving her her medicine regularly now.

Carter, please stay healthy! You are the only one left.

Oh ya...I forgot to mention I had to go see the dermatologist a little over a month ago to have some weird growth on my neck removed. Back in January, I had an itch and the next thing I knew I was bleeding profusely. I was in a meeting so it's not like I was scratching my neck like crazy. Anyhow, it bled like crazy every time a kid touched it. I didn't even have a mole or freckle there before. So they removed it after I had Ryder and all is well now.

911

2011-06-24T21:26:00.000-07:00

We had to call 911 at 2am this morning.

We woke up to Ryder choking on thick mucous. It was really scary. He couldn't breathe so Chad grabbed the bulb syringe and started suctioning. By that point goop was coming out his eyes and nose and he was starting to foam at the mouth.

We got him calmed down and breathing again...but then he did it again 5 minutes later. He's had a very dry cough for 2 weeks but inconsistent. Otherwise, no real warning.

We called 911, went by ambulance to the er, the doctor there released us since he is fine between episodes. He had another episode this morning at 8:30. We saw his pediatrician and she wanted him to be monitored at children's hospital. So I am here with Ryder and Chad is home with the other kids.

The doctors all think it's due to his reflux worse than we thought. We find out in the morning if they want to do special tests.

I have always put my babies in another room to sleep by 2 weeks. I have kept Ryder in his car seat next to my bed all along. I'm so grateful because I can honestly say I don't think we would have caught it in time had he not been right next to us.

Update: Ryder had another episode at 1am here at children's hospital. They were able to come in and hear the junk in his nose and mouth. Other doctors haven't been able to hear it because he sounds perfectly fine after an episode. They had to use the wall suction to clear him. The bulb string can't get it. He slept and woke up at 6am coughing not gagging yet. The bulb syringe didn't work again. Used wall syringe. A ton of thick yellow junk came out. He ate much more comfortably with being suctioned first. I'm glad they saw his episode because they saw I wasn't crazy and he is sick on top of an underlying reflux issue. We are both doing good. I'm grateful we can be here. He is going to have an upper GI test to see the extent of his reflux and an EKG for a mild heart murmur. We will for sure be here 1 more night since he's had more episodes here and still relies on the wall suction.

Dear Chad,

2011-06-22T21:00:00.000-07:00

While editing our pictures of your sister's wedding...I came across this one:
Could this have anything to do with the fact that I frequently tell you I rarely spank the kids?

Even though you have this to blackmail me...I feel that spank was warranted. Those refection pools at the temple aren't for swimming.

Love,
Amber

See Mommy.

2011-06-21T21:49:00.000-07:00

See Mommy. She is a good Mommy.
She is a patient Mommy. She is a happy Mommy.

(Just starting to take pictures at the temple for Chad's sister's wedding.)

Now, see Mommy. She is not a good Mommy.
She is not a patient Mommy. She is NOT a Happy Mommy.

(2 Hours Later)

Just be glad you didn't see the scene before this picture where I sprinted to retrieve Owen from running behind the Bride and Groom's picture. It didn't go as smooth as I pictured. I took Owen out and almost face planted in my dress. One of these days I'll realize I'm not as coordinated as I used to be when sprinting. For now, let's just blame it on the baby weight.

Notice anything?

2011-06-21T21:27:00.000-07:00

Anything MISSING, that is?

Woo Hoo. Alexis lost her 2 front teeth.

Ok, fine...I pulled them out.

But the first one was really loose...and all snaggle tooth-y that I couldn't bear the sight of it any longer. And, the next one was loose...I'm sure it could have used another week or so...but loose enough for me to pull it out the night before Chad's sister's wedding...because it's a heck of a lot cuter to have both missing in pictures. I know...it's a sickness. But it's a sickness my kids don't mind I have. And I'm so good...she never felt a THING! Go ahead...ask her?

Health Issues: (Part 1- Alexis' Tummy Aches)

2011-06-21T20:17:00.000-07:00

Back when Alexis started Kindergarten (almost 2 years ago) she started complaining of tummy aches when she went to bed. This occurred frequently. However, Alexis has always been that kid of ours that ALWAYS has an excuse as to why she can't go to sleep. From the time we put her in a big girl bed at 2 we've heard it all.

"I'm thirsty. I'm not tired. Can you sing me a song? I'm scared. I have to go potty. I hate my nose." (Remember, that one! I wrote about it here.)

I'm pretty sure she's thought of everything in the book. As I type this...she just got out of bed to tell me how she is scared her toenail will fall off under her covers...if she puts them over her. BUT..."she's COLD and really wants her covers." (Her toe and our front door had a little run in this weekend.) Don't worry, I assured her if it did fall off we would retrieve the toenail in her bed and wash her covers. I'm a good mom. I know.

Anyhow, I'm proving my point of Alexis' excuses at bedtime.

So, when she started complaining of tummy aches at bedtime 2 years ago Chad and I would get pretty frustrated with her. The tummy aches starting occurring more frequently and started popping up whenever she didn't want to eat her dinner. So, naturally, Chad and I got even more frustrated.

It wasn't until first grade when the tummy aches started occurring at school that I thought, "Maybe, her tummy really does hurt." She frequented the nurses office when school began and her teacher and I had a talk. She felt like her tummy aches were legit since she was a good student and social. When the nurse would call us we'd talk to Alexis and ask her to stay at school. Not sure if that nurse thought we were mean parents or not. But, tummy ache or not...it wasn't going away whether she came home or stayed. So, she stayed.

People asked me if she was constipated. Nope. But we put her on some stool softeners just to make sure nothing was plugging her up. No, relief from the tummy aches.

Her teacher thought it could be stress induced because Alexis is a perfectionist. If she got a math problem wrong...her eyes would well up with tears. Then one day the teacher announced it was library day. Alexis walked up and told her she needed to go to the nurses office because her tummy was hurting. Then she found out Alexis had forgotten her library books and was upset about it. So, the teacher stopped sending her to the nurses office and would distract Alexis by telling her she needed her to stay and read to the class since she was one of the strongest readers. That helped. But, as the teacher and I talked throughout the year...we both knew the tummy aches continued.

I was at the Doctor's office in January during an urgent care appointment for Owen (you'll be able to read about that in Part 3 of our Heath Issues...coming soon.) Alexis was with me and her bout with tummy aches had been pretty bad that week. So I mentioned it to the Doctor. That's when I got asked a few questions...and with each question I felt worse and worse!

They started off by weighing her. She hadn't gained weight in a LONG time, over a year. That concerned the Doctor. Shouldn't I have known that!

Does she tell you she's starving and then take one bite of food and tell you she's not hungry anymore or her tummy hurts?

Yes...and it's frustrating.

Does she sometimes eat a ton of food and then tells you within minutes that she's starving?

Yes....also frustrating.

Has she stopped eating food she used to eat?

Yes...hamburgers and pizza...also frustrating when we want to eat out.

That's about when I caught on to the fact that all these things that frustrate us about Alexis...are ALL TIED TOGETHER!

He told us, "Well, I'm pretty sure she has Gastero-enteritis. But, we have to do some testing to rule out some other bacterial problems first."

What...there is a name for what she has? You can only guess how big I felt in that room. Mom of the year, huh? Or, I should say "Mom of the Year for the Last 2 Years" since I let it go on that long without doing a thing.

So, after 2 years of tummy aches, some testing and a stool sample...(Chad did tell me I deserved an award for that since he didn't think he could EVER do that)...we had a diagnosis for the "tummy aches." Gastero-enteritis. For now, we only give her meds if her tummy is acting up. She hates the medicine and it's not a daily occurrence...but when it hits, it hits hard for about a week or two.

I felt like a horrible Mom for a while. But, then I realized...how was I to ever know everything was tied together? I would have never guessed nor had I known anyone who had a child diagnosed with this problem. And, well, some of the problems just seemed so normal with kids. So, I'm just happy we have a way to control the tummy aches.

Now, I'm off to lay by Alexis in bed. Because she just came in to tell me how scared she is because there is a shadow by her door that's NOT moving. I rest my case!

Ryder's 1st Swim

2011-05-24T21:40:00.000-07:00

I took the kids to swim team practice today. You're going to want to ask me some questions about it...so let me help you.

Ask me why I had to quickly find someone with a swim diaper and borrow it?

Because Owen decided to plunge himself into the pool for a swim in all of his clothes. Then he proceeded to throw a screaming fit because he didn't care that he didn't have a swim diaper on. There was no time to get one out of the car...it was urgent I borrow one right away. There were enough people watching me wrestle my child as it was.

Luckily, Alexis' practice didn't start yet so she played with him on the steps (5 feet from where I was.) Then she took him to the kiddie pool (15 feet from where I was sitting.) I was watching him like a hawk...even though Alexis was next to him.

Now...ask me why my clothes are all wet?

That's because Alexis decided to swim under the 2 feet of water in the kiddie pool to the other side leaving Owen alone. She's under water so I can't scream for her to stop. Owen looses his footing and can't figure out how to stand up...so instinctively I sprint the 15 feet to save him. Only...I slip as I run through the kiddie pool. Picture the classic "slip on a banana" type of fall...only in a kiddie pool. Remember I was in a full out sprint. So I fall on my back in the pool...but gain my footing quickly and grab Owen! Who was perfectly fine because I rescued him right when I saw the problem. Forget not wanting all the attention on me!

Now...you might be wondering "that stories great and all but why did you title this post Ryder's 1st swim?"

I will gladly answer that! Here is where this story really gets interesting.

I was actually nursing Ryder when it all went down:

-Alexis swims to the other side of the kiddie pool
-Owen looses his footing standing in the middle of the kiddie pool
-I sprint from my chair...while still nursing Ryder under a white muslin blanket
-I slip and eat it straight on my back in the kiddie pool while nursing Ryder under a blanket
-Ryder is forced to un-latch by the fall
-Ryder starts screaming under the muslin blanket
-All while I grab Owen from the pool and drag my drenched body, Owen and an un-happy Ryder out from the middle of the kiddie pool.

Are you laughing yet? Don't you wish you could have seen it in person? I'll help you change your mind!

Now, I was wearing a very loose cotton skirt. So you know what happens when a loose cotton skirt with no drawstring gets wet and you don't have any free hands to hold it up because you are holding your almost drowning son in one hand and a nursing infant in the other! Luckily, my sister said my shirt only flipped up in the back about 10 inches and the skirt when down a bit...but not all the way. The 40 adults I don't know at swim team were standing behind me and got that view! I'm just glad I wear the underwear I do because if I wore thong underwear...I'm sure I would have heard loud gasping, hyperventilating or maybe even some people puking. Phew! At least I found something positive to say about this span of events that occurred in 10 minutes! And the front side...luckily I was facing towards all the people I know. They claimed I didn't flash them. Ryder and the blanket somehow stayed put in the "general area."

I'm still not sure whether I should laugh or be embarrassed. But I can't help but wonder if some mom's thought to themselves... "And that's why we don't have as many children as those Mormons!"

I did stay for the remainder of practice which was another hour long. I had to finish feeding Ryder, Alexis was just starting practice...and luckily my clothes weren't see through...as long as they didn't fall down! At least I had a good story to tell Chad when I got home.

Sassy and Sweet

2011-05-14T21:51:00.000-07:00

Oh...how I love my girl! Yes, at times she can be quite a sassy little thing. But those times are managable because they come between the times where she is the sweetest most thoughtful daughter I could ever ask for!

Today, Chad had left to take Carter to his T-ball game. We were joining them when the game started. I asked Alexis to watch Owen downstairs while I fed Ryder upstairs.

She's quite the little mommy and LOVES holding her brothers. I was the same way when I was her age...I always wanted to hold babies and I hated that I didn't have a younger brother or sister.)

I heard a bunch of moving of chairs and such but I knew Owen was in good hands. Just as I was finishing up feeding Ryder I heard the vacuum turn on. I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear when I heard that sound. I went downstairs to find she had cleaned all the toys in the family room, straightened the couch pillows, cleared the dinner table, wiped it down, vacuumed and was putting all the chairs back.

You better believe she got the biggest hug and kiss after a sweet act like that. It made my day.

It's not him...it's me!

2011-04-17T22:49:00.000-07:00

Sure, I can sew and craft. But, photography...not a chance.

Yesterday we tried another photo shoot. This is the best picture I got. Can you tell he was frustrated with me?

I even had him sleeping part of the time and still couldn't get a good picture. I don't have cute pictures of any of my kids as newborns. I get so jealous when people get to have the coolest pictures taken of their newborns. Either I need to win a giveaway on a blog for a photo shoot or I need to run into more money!

Introducing...

2011-04-12T16:54:00.000-07:00

Ryder Edwin Pitt
4/8/11
12:55pm

Weighing in at...8lbs 13 oz! That's 2 lbs heavier than my other kids.

I'll save the birth story for another post. It's taken me longer than usual to get this up because I've been extremely tired. The Doctors were very concerned about my iron level and it's definitely had an effect on me. We are working on getting it back up. But we are all healthy and doing great. And just like the rest of my births...I loved it and wanted to do it again. The birth part...not the pregnancy.

Doesn't he have the best hair ever?

He wasn't up for this photo shoot before leaving the hospital! I'll try again soon since he changes so much every day. The biggest difference are his eyes. They were so swollen the first couple of days. I did get around to making this cute shirt for him Thursday afternoon before he was born. We love him so much.

I scared away the baby.

2011-04-07T21:00:00.000-07:00

I had decided to work this week since I still hadn't had the baby. Tuesday night I was up all night with contractions. Strong ones. But they weren't very close together.

When I woke up Wednesday (my long work day) I felt a lot of pressure and called my sister to let her know I might be calling her to come into work for me if I went into labor at work.

After I called my sister, I told Alexis to get dressed for school so I wouldn't be late for work. I mentioned she had to wear shorts. She has a fetish with skirts and dresses and it drives me crazy because once she starts wearing them more than once a week to school...she refuses to wear anything else.

It's a constant battle.

So when she walked out of her room in a nice white skirt after I had told her to wear shorts I told he she better change into shorts FAST!

Next, she came out in a frilly puffy church dress. I almost lost it...but refrained and told her she had 2 minutes to get shorts and a shirt on or she would be in big trouble.

I went in her room after 2 minutes. She had pink, yellow and orange plaid shorts on. FINALLY. However, she did not have on a shirt.

That's when the complaining of..."that shirt itches me, that shirt is too hot, I don't like that shirt"...all began. I'll let you in on another small detail: We went through her shirts 2 weeks ago because I was so sick of having shirts in her drawer that she NEVER wears. She let me get rid of 2 shirts!

So you can imagine my frustration. I gave her a few options of shirts. She grabbed a completely different shirt...a purple heart shirt! Being the control freak I am I told her she could not wear it because it did NOT match. (AT ALL)

Then she said this in her whiniest voice, "Why does it have to match. You always make me match...match...match!"

AND...I lost it! I threw the shirts at her. Slammed her dresser drawer. Told her (ok, ok...screamed) I would no longer take her to school...and she could sit in her room all day! Then I might have slammed the door on my way out...just to prove a point, of course.

Chad met me at the stairs and asked what was going on and he went up to deal with Alexis. He told me just to go to work and he would get her to school. He ended up taking her to school late because she was a hysterical mess.

Meanwhile, I got in my car and went to work. And that's when I realized something.

I felt normal again. No pressure. No more contractions. I completely scared this baby and I pictured him either crawling back up into my ribs or spreading his arms and legs wide like a star fish...thinking, "There is no way I'm coming out to that lady today. She's crazy!"

And so...here I sit. Still pregnant. 7 days late.

Seriously?

2011-04-04T08:17:00.000-07:00

No baby. I woke up this morning and this is what Carter looked like. I started laughing.

Alexis asked, "What happened to Carter's eye?"
Of course we have no clue.
Then she enthusiastically reminds Carter it's his birthday tomorrow.

He exclaims, "Yea...but I'll still have THIS EYE for my birthday!"

I told him we love him with THAT EYE too.
I don't know if it helped because then he asked if he could please stay in the car when we took Alexis to school.

Perspective & Change

2011-04-02T22:08:00.000-07:00

Isn't it amazing how something can happen within a day and it changes your feelings about something in an instant. Well, that happened to me on Wednesday. I've been so ready to have this baby. For the first time, I never got that nesting phase for my last month of pregnancy. It was awful. Luckily, Chad has started nesting for us. If I listed all the things he's just done without me asking it might bore you...but it's a lot...and it's made me super happy because I've been really frustrated with how tired I am all the time.

Anyhow, I'm ready...but my house may not be. Sunday night, Owen had some goop in his eyes...so I immediately called my brother and made him prescribe me pink eye medication. It looked like he could possible be coming down with it and that is the last thing I need with a newborn. Monday morning Carter woke up with it too. By Tuesday, both their eyes where clear. The medicine worked fast and we continued to give it to them to make sure it was gone.

Wednesday, I went to work. When I picked up Owen from Chad's mom's house...he looked terrible. Probably, up there with the sickest I have ever seen one of my kids. His eyes were swollen...with nasty thick yellowish green goop in his eyes, he had a fever, was grumpy, wouldn't eat and looked down right awful. I immediately called to get him into a pediatrician that night. I had to drive over 30 minutes to get him in that night but I didn't care. It was torture. I was due in 2 days. I had worked 9 hours. And now all he wanted was for me to hold him while he cried. Not to mention his fever was making me so hot I wanted to pass out. Unfortunately, he had come down with a quick onset of Bronchiolitis. Every time he coughed more of that nasty goop would come out of his eyes. It was disgusting. He had to get a thick shot in his thigh because he had a bad ear infection too. That needle was so big. I felt bad for him...and that is coming from someone who gives people injections all the time. It looked way too big! He is on oral steroids, eye drops, breathing treatments and of coarse IB profin. Luckily, I was able to choose to have the shot so we didn't have to give him antibiotics every day. He's horrible with taking medication. Oh and...the Dr. warned us...he CAN NOT be around a newborn for 10 days.

So within hours of getting home from work...I went from wanting this baby to come out asap...to wanting him to stay in there for at least a week. It took every ounce of strength I had left in me that day to not start crying. Luckily, for me...the baby decided it's best to stay put...and the due date has passed and he's still not here. I never in a million years thought I'd be happy about that...but I really am.

Typical Carter

2011-03-27T20:44:00.000-07:00

Today started out as a normal Sunday...but that didn't last long. We were finishing up getting ready for church. I got the kids ready first and I knew I was short on time. Chad usually takes his car because he has a meeting right after church. But, today, Chad saw I needed a few more minutes so he said he'd take the kids and I could bring his car. I was about 3 minutes behind him. I was just about to our church building and I see a bunch of cars lined up 1/2 a mile before the building. I thought it was road construction and got over in the far lane. That is, until I noticed a white mini-van pulled over with it's hazards on and my husband and kids getting into a small car with a man from our church.

I knew immediately...he ran out of gas. Whoops.

So, I took the kids into church and Chad went to get a gas can at home since the car needed to be moved asap.

Sacrament meeting with an 18 month old is not super fun when you are due in 5 days. Owen was such a pill...trying to crawl under my legs to run around, spitting out crackers...you name it. And of course, Alexis being the little mommy she is couldn't stay in her seat because she wanted to solve the problem and hold and entertain Owen. She meant well...but it was only making matters worse. Owen was getting more vocal in his frustration so I had to take him out leaving my kids alone. Halfway through the sacrament Alexis comes out because "she needed to go to the bathroom." I told her we try not to leave the room during the sacrament unless it's an emergency and told her she needed to stay and wait till it was over to go back in.

When Owen finally calmed down...which was honestly 15 minutes after the sacrament...I took him back in to sit by my kids. After a few minutes I felt a tap on my shoulder. The girl behind my whispers this in my ear.

"I just thought you should know your boy (Carter) sat so quietly all by himself during the sacrament. Your daughter left to go to the bathroom after the bread and when the water came by Carter quietly whispered to the boy handing him the water that his sister went to the bathroom and he needed to get one for her. So, he grabbed 2 waters. Drank one himself and sat holding the tiny water cup with 2 hands so focused not to spill it for at least 8 minutes. It was so cute."

I was impressed with Carter but not surprised in the least bit...it's so him.

Our home teacher came over to give us a lesson tonight and told Carter they talked about him in Young Men's today. He was confused. Apparently, word spread about Carter's sweet act (not by Chad or I) and they used his example in a lesson on the importance of the sacrament.

Carter was smiling from ear to ear when he heard how impressed people were with him. I love that he really does try to think of other people!

Threats

2011-03-21T20:00:00.000-07:00

You know you have completely brainwashed your kids into being a member of this tooth family when the threats at night become:

"Alexis, if you don't get your pajama's on and teeth brushed in 3 minutes...I am not going to pull out your tooth tonight."

You better believe she started moving really quick! She's been begging for weeks for me to pull it out.

And yes, I completely realized after I said it that if anyone would have overheard my threat they would have thought we were crazy.

Seriously Kidding Me

2011-03-05T21:07:00.000-08:00

The conversation I just had with Alexis 2 minutes ago was too funny not to document. She's supposed to be long asleep and I thought she was when suddenly she pops her little head into the kitchen where I am dishing myself up some ice cream.

Alexis: "Are you seriously kidding me? You said we didn't have ice cream."

Me: "We didn't have ice cream yesterday. Daddy just picked some up. Maybe, if you can get to bed and be good you can have some tomorrow. What are you doing down here anyways?"

Alexis: "I just came to tell you I hate my nose!"

Me: "Really? Should we cut it off?"

Alexis: (as she is walking to the stairs) "No! I just wish Jesus never invented snot."

Me: (from the other room as she goes upstairs) "Well, I guess you can talk to Jesus about that when you get to heaven."

Alexis: (Hollering from the top of the stairs) "Yah...but I'm not going to heaven for a long time!"

That's that. Conversations over. She went to bed. I'm still laughing.

What color will they be?

2011-02-20T21:14:00.000-08:00

I remember when Chad and I got married...well, long before we got married, we always wondered what color eyes our kids would have. Everybody, my parents, all 6 siblings and spouses...have BLUE eyes. So Chad was an outsider coming in with his brown eyes. Which is so funny because you know a Pitt when you see them by their big brown eyes. So, naturally...we wondered with our 2 dominant family genes what we would have. I knew blue eyes were recessive...but being that I have strong genes for blue eyes and Chad's mom has hazel eyes...I figured we might get a blue or hazel eyed child in there with Chad inheriting that recessive trait.

I never would have guessed I'd have all 3:

Alexis=Hazel............Carter=Brown...........Owen=Blue

(Pictures taken by my college roommate, Jamie. She is so talented. I love them!)

The crazy thing is they all had blue eyes up until they were about 1 years old. Alexis' slowly changed but Carter's changed rather quickly to a dark brown like Chad's. I don't anticipate Owen's will change with how crystal blue they are.

So, now that we have all 3 colors the question is....What will this next boy have or what will they turn to around 1?

Flashback

2011-02-14T22:10:00.000-08:00

I was sitting in church on Sunday with Chad, Alexis and Carter in Big Bear. (Owen was napping at Grandma's.) It was nice to have one Sunday where we weren't wrestling Owen and trying to entertain him and keep him quiet.

We were singing the opening hymn and I just sat there for a while singing but, really, listening to my husband's voice. There are a lot of things I love about Chad...and his voice is one of those things I REALLY love. I always have. But there is usually that little 15 month old distraction so I don't hear him singing that often. He used to sing duets on his mission...but he's somewhat shy singing in public especially if all eyes are on him. He does not realize how incredible his voice is. So, basically his voice goes under the radar and not many people know how well he sings and how it just melts my heart.

As he was singing and I was thinking the above...I had a major flashback.

Going way back...

20 years ago, during one of our big stake productions my friend and I would hurry and get ready for our next number so we could sneak into the back of the cultural hall where no on could see us to see our favorite number. We did this every show night since we didn't have to be on stage yet. The number was sung by a Dad I didn't know at all...he sang "In The Jungle" from The Lion King. The song gets super high and this guy was so good at singing it. I remember telling my friend..."wouldn't he be the coolest Dad ever!"

I was 12 years old at the time.

Almost 20 years later...at 31...I am sitting next to that Dad's son in church realizing...I got my wish. "That Dad" that I loved sneaking off and listening to back when I was 12 is now my father-in-law. And my husband inherited that heart melting voice from his Dad. I didn't even know he had sons at the time. I met Chad 3 years later when I was 15 and we started dating at 17. Who would have thought?

Basically, I felt like a pretty lucky girl sitting in church listening to my husband sing yesterday. I love flashbacks like that.

Happy Valentines Day

2011-02-14T21:39:00.000-08:00

So...we just got back from a fun filled weekend in Big Bear. We were going to come home last night but my sister talked us into staying and having Chad and the kids go snow skiing with them today. We went up there and stayed with Chad's Grandma who lives there. My brother-in-laws family has a cabin there too and a bunch of couples from our ward were all going out there for the weekend to hang out. We got to go to hang out with them and spend some time with Big Bear Grandma so it was a good weekend. She spoiled us like no other. Let's just say we came home and loaded our fridge and we didn't even go to the grocery store. Plus, she picked up some toys for our dog from Costco because she knew we'd be bringing her. (Costco is an hour away...down the mountain.) Roxy loved them...and she loved Big Bear.

The kids played in the snow with their cousins and a bunch of other kids in our ward the first day. On Saturday night my sister's older kids watched all of the younger kids (18 little ones to be exact)...so we could all go out on a date. It was super fun. There were so many fun people there...we laughed all night. Sunday we relaxed with Grandma, went to church with our huge clan and made dinner.

And today...we got up bright and early so everyone could get on the slopes. Alexis and Carter have only been snow skiing once a few years ago....and we took them between our legs. This year my sister and Chad got them skiing on their own almost immediately. They loved it. Chad came home a few hours before they closed and said the kids could have kept going but his legs killed from skiing slow next to the kids. I guess Alexis felt pretty independent because she kept sneaking off to get on the lifts on her own.

I, of course, wasn't able to go...not just because I really stink at snow skiing but seeing as I will be having a baby in 6 weeks it wouldn't have been pretty. So, I told the other couples to go have fun and stayed home with all the little ones. It was a pretty smooth day considering for much of the day I had FIVE 1 year olds...then joined later that afternoon by Four 4 year olds who were pooped out on the slopes...oh yeah...and the 3 dogs on the balcony who kept wrestling each other. I changed 5 poopy diapers and picked up 3 dog turds....got the babies down for naps and rotated the dogs in their kennels for naps and lunch. That might sound weird but my sister's dog and my dog are still just puppies. When Chad came to their cabin to meet up with me towards the end of the day he totally cleaned up their kitchen, took their trash out, and drove 4 bags of trash down to the dump downtown before they all got home. I don't know if they will even know it was him. I'm only bragging because I was so impressed. He was tired...and really...none of the mess was ours since we weren't staying there. He just happily did it to be nice. Isn't he the best! All the couples were super appreciative that they got to be out on the slopes and not have to rotate taking care of the babies...but really...if any of the other Mom's were prego they would have done the same thing. I was just impressed I was able to deal with 8 poop turds and be somewhat ok with it....especially when 7 of the them weren't from my own child.

Bottom Line: I'm glad my sister talked us into staying...my kids had so much fun and Chad said it was fun seeing how fast they caught on. The funny thing was Chad resisted doing it because he felt bad I couldn't go...but honestly, I would rather they go have fun together. Sure I'd love to go...but we will go again sometime and I'm looking forward to a healthy baby in a few weeks. That makes it all worth it.

The Book of Mormon

2011-01-29T21:38:00.000-08:00

A few months ago, Alexis asked me if she could take her Book of Mormon to school with her to read during free reading time. She got a lot of questions as to what she was reading by the other first graders in her class at the beginning. Months have passed and she still takes it with her. If she forgets it...which is rare...she will remember in the car and she gets so sad she forgot it. About 2 months ago, she came home from school with an important question:

"Mom, I can't believe Nephi put on Laban's underwear!"

"What!? He didn't! He put on his clothes to look like him so people would think he was Laban."

"Nuh-uh. It's says in the scriptures...he put on "Laban's Garments? (She lets out a loud giggle) Isn't that his underwear?"

Super funny...but definitely needed some explaining on "garments" having 2 meanings.

2 thoughts:

1. My 7 year old daughter reads the Book of Mormon on her own...with NO push from us.

2. My 7 year old daughter really reads it...and pays attention to what she's reading! What?

She amazes me!

Alexis' 7th Birthday

2011-01-29T20:55:00.000-08:00

We woke her up bright and early before school to give her our present on her birthday, December 8th.
A jewelry box she's been begging for. Now...she just needs some jewelry.
I worked on her birthday AGAIN! Alexis was really upset I was working. And to be honest, I was really frustrated too because it seems I always have to work on my kids birthdays. When my sister found out Alexis was so upset...she volunteered to split 1/2 day if I'd split with her the next week. DEAL! It made her so much happier. I picked her up from school and had her 2 cousins, Emily and Chelsea come home with her. They pretty much played in the jacuzzi all afternoon...it was great.

She really wanted to go OUT to dinner on her birthday. She picked Ruby's on the pier. We never go there so we were surprised she thought of that. It was really good. But how can a dinner not be good when it's paired with a shake? Can you tell she was a happy camper? She and Carter were doing some sort of happy dance walking down the pier towards Ruby's. Then, later that weekend we celebrated her birthday with Chad's family. Alexis got a really cool art set from Chad's parents with chalks and all sorts of fun things. Chad's Dad and sister are incredible artists...so they were showing Alexis all sorts of tricks with chalk.
Wait..Look...my, oh, my...Alexis is in a dress up outfit. A daily occurance in this house!
We celebrated both Chad's sister, Katie's birthday and Alexis' together. Alexis told me what ice cream cake she wanted: Yellow cake, Thrifty's Chocolate Malted Crunch Ice Cream and Chocolate frosting. YUM! I think she enjoyed herself. What we love about Alexis:

-She is often found laughing and giggling. She seems to always get that award at school. I even found a note from a boy at school in her backpack the other day that she had no clue about that said, "Dear Alexis, Why are you always laughing? Love, ----" (I can't remember the boy's name.)
-She is a huge help with Owen. When I was pregnant with Owen and we found out we were having a boy...Alexis threw herself under the dinner table crying. Now, we are having another boy...and her response is typical of her these days: "I don't care if it's a boy or girl...It's a baby and I just can't wait to hold him." She begs to be the one to get Owen out of bed...to feed him and ride him on her scooter. It's the best relief a mother could ask for.
-I can really trust her. She's so good with Owen I know I can leave her in charge of him in the playroom while I get dinner on and she will watch and play with him. She's going to be a great babysitter when she's older.
-School's seems to come pretty easy to her. She's self motivated and does most of her weeks homework in the first night.
-When I pick her up from school she is the last one out. The teacher will call her name a few times before her teacher will either apologize to me or she will tell Alexis she doesn't have to keep helping and that she can go home. Pretty much every time...she is getting all the chairs up and on her hands and knees picking up trash when all the other kids have gone. To be honest...I can wait all day if it's for things like that. It's not because she's in trouble and there's never a reward from her teacher. Her and her cousin do it just because.

We LOVE you Lexi-lou! You make our family happy...and always keep us smiling.

The Christmas Tree

2011-01-29T20:46:00.000-08:00

Usually it takes us a little while to pick out a Christmas tree. This year we drove a few miles further where all the trees on the lot are the same price. (Cheaper than Home Depot.) As you can tell by the lack of pictures...it didn't take us long to pick one out. Good thing we have this burly man's backside to document him strapping our tree to our swagger wagon. (Which I LOVE...well, all 3: the car, the tree and the man...not in that order though.)

A Surprise Package

2011-01-23T15:10:00.000-08:00

December was a very busy month...not that November wasn't!

The kids had their OCMCO concert on December 2nd. But after their Dec. 1st dress rehearsal they came home really late at night and found a package on our front door.

It was so fun.
Buddy, our elf would fly home to the North Pole every night while the kids slept to report to Santa Claus on how they did that day. When he came back he would move to a different hiding spot for the kids to find him. We had a super silly elf that tried to trick the kids into thinking he didn't ever leave by hiding in the same spot as he did the night before on numerous occasions. (Not to be confused with anyone's forgetfulness!) Good thing the kids knew he was trying to be tricky.

It really was fun to see the kids excitement about our little elf. I highly recommend it.

Our New Puppy

2011-01-23T14:33:00.000-08:00

Meet Roxy.

Chad had been bugging me for months to get a dog. I finally agreed to looking online. We were originally looking at black labs...but they were sooo expensive. I've always loved Weimarainers so naturally I was looking at them too not thinking Chad would agree to getting one. They are family/hunting dogs just like labs but can be a little more difficult to train. So, when Chad said, "Let's go see them" I was shocked. I knew 2 things: 1) If Chad liked them...we'd come home with one and 2) If I liked what the parents looked like...we'd come home with one. I've seen some weird looking weimarainers so I wanted to see what the parents looked like. Fortunately, they were on site.

We surprised the kids after school, packed a lunch and told them where we were heading. We wanted a girl dog so out of 3 liters (about 15 puppies total)...there were 4 girls all very different. A red (more like a chestnut color), a black, a charcoal gray and a tradition light gray. They were all beautiful. Alexis wanted the black one. I wanted the runt charcoal gray one initially. As we spent time with them we fell in love with the older light gray one and finally came to the conclusion she was the right one for us! She wasn't frightened of us but not overly playful. We took her home that day...1 week before Thanksgiving. She's been lots of fun but lots of work too. Just in time for the holidays.

I will say this...if you want to get to know the people in the neighborhood better...get a dog. You can walk your kids to the park...and people will say hi. But if you have a dog & kids...people think you are the bomb and stop and talk to you forever. I know A LOT more people around here because of Roxy. It was shocking but in a good way.

I need to take more pictures of her too. She's grown a lot since this one was taken.

Thanksgiving

2011-01-23T14:03:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving was really low key this year. Usually we do a huge extended family get together but not this year. In the morning we walked & rode our bikes down the 'green belt' to my sister's house and played soccer and football.
Actually, Chad and Alexis played. Carter's face was still really swollen so we made him take it easy. Owen and I hung out on the sidelines with our new puppy, Roxy.
I just made myself fatter on the sidelines as I ate my sister's homemade cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate. After that we went home and got ready to go to Chad's parents house to indulge in more food and lounge around. Traditionally, I make homemade rolls but my life got busier than expected so my wonderful sisters pulled through and offered to make me extra batches of rolls while I was at work. How could I decline? I did stay up after we celebrated Chad's birthday the night before and made a Rainbow Jello.
(This isn't my picture...but I thought I'd show you what it looks like if you've never made it. It's time consuming but so yummy and the adults love it just as much as the kids. I always looked forward to having it on Thanksgiving as a kid. The only difference is I do the opposite and put purple on the bottom and red on the top.) Thanksgiving just wouldn't be the same without it.

All I have to show for Thanksgiving are these pictures. Pathetic! I need to be better about taking pictures on the holidays.

Chad's Birthday

2011-01-22T21:52:00.000-08:00

Chad's turned 31 years old two days before Thanksgiving. His brother and sister were coming in town the day after his birthday so he decided he wanted to wait to celebrate it. This was a big undertaking on his part...seeing as I work on Wednesdays (the day he wanted to celebrate). So he made his own birthday dinner and dessert. I planned on helping him out but my help would be limited seeing as Chad was baking from his recipes from his mission to Italy. Unfortunately, for Chad...I was no help since Carter's face swelled up that same morning. (see previous post)

Chad's family came over for an incredible homemade lasagna...it was amazing. Then we got to enjoy Chad's homemade Tiramisu. (But with hot cocoa instead of coffee.) Once again...AMAZING. I should make my husband cook more often. Plus, if you look closely...the kitchen isn't even very messy considering how many different sauces he made from scratch. He's so clean...so opposite from me.
What I love about Chad:

-He is the BEST Dad ever. He's got it down...from playing with them, to helping Alexis with her homework, to cooking, to cleaning, to yard work, to making my things out of wood when I have a project that I don't want to spend a lot money on, to disciplining our kids when they need to be put in line, to making them work out in the yard with him on Saturday's. He's teaching them so many great things that will help them in the future.
-He's a good listener. I guess you'd have to be being married to me. But he doesn't always let me run my mouth...there's always the "Amber, get to the point!" just as I begin. He keeps me in line.
-Owen is absolutely obsessed with him. When I'm not looking he bolts upstairs and bangs on Chad's office door calling "Da-da?" For some reason Owen loves to snuggle up to Chad and watch Dora the Explorer. I keep telling him it's not fair since Owen only wants me when somethings wrong...like in the middle of the night. But Owen has been a Daddy's boy from day 1.
-He's a hard worker. He does yard work every Saturday with no complaints. Not to mention how hard he works trying keep his small business alive in a declining economy.
-He cares about my needs. So often I get so busy...I lose it. Somehow Chad has been able to tap into my needs before I lose it. He's often saying..."Amber, you have to get to bed early tonight!" or he's even handed me the phone..and said "Amber...you need to get out and have a girls night. Go to a movie tonight with your friends! Call them now." You'd think he's say these things as I'm having an emotional outburst or losing my mind...but he has knack for seeing when I'm running myself thin...even before I notice myself.
-He NEVER expects much. Like his birthday for example. For most people that day would have been so frustrating but he never ever complained and was happy with what he got. This is something that attracted me to him in High School. He has always been happy with what he has in life and never complains that he feels jipped.

I could go on but I'll leave it at that. I love him. I love him for his commitment to our family, for the love he shows us, for the example he is to us and for his humble attitude with life.

Carter's Bad Day

2011-01-22T20:32:00.000-08:00

See his swollen face...let's back up 12 hours before this picture was taken.

The day before Thanksgiving I woke up and got ready for work. Carter kept coming in my room complaining about a canker sore. After repeatedly telling him there was nothing I could do about a canker sore...and an extremely sad face on his side...I decided to take a quick peak at it before leaving out the door.

To my surprise...the inside of his cheek was slightly swollen. (Something so minor I'm pretty sure unless you look in peoples mouths everyday...you wouldn't notice.) Being in the dental field...I immediately knew what that meant. But I still checked for a canker sore even though I knew I wouldn't find one. His tooth had absessed and the infection wasn't finding it's way out so it spread into his cheek and was swelling there. Most people get a little zit like pimple by the root of an absessed tooth so it drains. Not Carter. I was so scared his would spread into his neck and turn into something called cellulitis.

I called my brother immediately...he was on his way to work. I felt horrible because being the day before Thanksgiving Matt and I were supposed to get off work early at noon. But he already had a ton of emergencies...and was working until 3pm. In fact...he was overbooked. He didn't even hesitate to tell me to bring him with me. He saw Carter first thing and made all his other paying patients wait...isn't he the best brother ever! Poor Carter was in excruciating pain by then but loves my brother and thinks he's the best person ever for helping him...even during the process. No joke.

As I left work I told my brother I was concerned it would still turn into cellulitis even though he had opened up the tooth and relieved the pressure. He agreed it was something I had to keep my eye on.

After a few hours his swelling in his cheek was getting really bad and spreading down under his jaw. I was so nervous. I took him back to my brother before he left for home and we called the oral surgeons who were all closed. So my only hope was through Kaiser...our medical coverage. Upon seeing them, they told me they wouldn't open up the wound (meaning cut open his face) for 24 hours after the swelling had started. I wasn't sure how I felt about this. I didn't want Carter to have to be cut open...but I didn't want his infection to spread...nor did I want him in pain. Plus, I didn't really want to wait it out till Thanksgiving morning to take him into the ER to be cut open.

So, luckily the Doctor understood my concerns and gave him a high dose antibiotic shot to help jump start the healing process. Plus, he started him on a stronger dose of oral antibiotics.

Thankfully, the swelling didn't get worse...nor did Carter's pain. So we dealt with this swelling for 4 days and it finally went down.

And my brother was the best comfort in the world. He called me 3 times on Thanksgiving to check on Carter even though he had his wife's family in town. Plus, he borrowed stuff from a local Pedodontist to do the pulp cap (a baby tooth root canal) himself to help save us the money.

Definitely, not something I want to go through again. And it REALLY showed me how genetic teeth problems can be. I have no guilt on my part considering...I brush, floss and give my kids fluoride mouth rinse every night. We are not immune to dental problems even if I do everything preventative I can. Such is life.

"Retired"

2011-01-06T21:24:00.000-08:00

While I was cleaning teeth this morning...I was thinking how Thursday afternoons become so crazy. Trying to catch up after working 2 days or trying to sneak in a nap from getting up so early. Either way...the kids never have much fun. So I decided to make a picnic basket the minute I got home so when I picked up Alexis up from school I could surprise the kids with a picnic at the park.

When I got home and told Chad...he said he'd like to join us for the picnic too. Bonus.

The kids had smiles on their faces and it made me wonder why I don't do this more often. It's not like it takes a lot of time or cost anything!

So while we were eating and talking about our day I decided to ask the kids a random question.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Alexis: "You know. What you do...clean teeth."

Carter: "A baseball player. But I wonder what Daddy wants to be when he grows up?"

Laughter from Chad and I. (Because apparently working from a home office...doesn't count as a job in a child's eyes.)

Chad: "Retired! That's what I want to be when I grow up."

Carter: "Huh? What's that?"

Alexis: "It means he's "tired" of doing everything!"

Lots of laughter from Chad and I.

Chad: "I guess that's one definition of RETIRED."

Why don't we do this more often? I love laughing.

All is calm...

2010-12-22T22:08:00.000-08:00

because it wasn't for the past few weeks around here.

I have lots of catching up to do on this blog...but it must wait until after Christmas.

Chad's Birthday
Thanksgiving
Planning and throwing our ward Christmas party
Alexis' Birthday
Chad studying like crazy for the GMAT (that's been going on for months!)
I've been working longer hours
...and of course getting ready for Christmas.

I've tried to stay positive. I've tried to be happy. But I must admit...I'm pregnant and there have been emotional outburst.

-Chad wasn't doing as good on his GMAT practice tests as he would have liked.
-6 days before the ward Christmas party Chad and I overheard people complaining about our plans for our "Polar Express Christmas Party" and the fact that we requested..."wear your pajamas." The words that were expressed very loudly were "this has got to be the lowest of lows for our ward" while reading our flier. That hurt. I'll spare you the details of how I let the Relief Society have it during my announcement and burst out of the room crying! Let's just say when I got in the car after church Chad's jaw dropped when I told him! Then he started busting up laughing. Lots of people commented on it being my pregnancy...but I can hands down say...Chad and I were both hurt. When you put so much time during the holidays into throwing a ward party...you just wish people would be grateful.
-Chad was extremely ill and in bed for 4 days prior...just when I needed him most with getting ready for the ward party.
-I was asked to host the dinner at my house for the Relief Society Progressive dinner. I was excited because I needed an excuse to really clean my house and because they were doing all the work for the dinner. At the appetizer house the cups were labeled...as to who's house was whose. I thought that was weird because usually you don't know who's house you are going to until you have picked your color. Guess how many people picked my color...Yes...labeled..."Amber's house." TWO!....You bet I was holding back the tears! But then they came like a flood when I was alone with my husband that night.
-My Christmas cards didn't come when they were supposed to and the company failed to let me know they were behind. Finally they came 6 days before Christmas...to the wrong house an hour away. You bet your bottom I drove in the horrible rain to get them. (I passed 5 really bad accidents on the freeway if that begins to tell you how bad the rain was.) I literally stuffed and licked 100 envelopes in 12 minutes and put them in the slot at the post office at 4:59pm Monday night!

but guess what...I let that frustration out by doing physical labor around my house...it's never been cleaner!

The the really good news...
-I didn't have snot running down my mask at work today! First time in 2 weeks.
-Chad did AWESOME on his GMAT Monday night. He said it was harder than any practice test he took and considered not finding out his score...thus the score wouldn't be sent to the schools...but thankfully he did. He scored 80 points higher than any test he ever took and is now competitive to get into the top schools he's applying for. Whoo hoo!

*I wrote this back in early December and never posted it. But...it was pretty honest of our life during those weeks...so for documents sake and the fact that I obviously needed to vent...here it is.

Essentials and Extras

2010-11-09T19:51:00.000-08:00

Chad was really sick on Sunday. I was not looking forward to church alone with 3 kids. Especially, since Owen has been a pill in Sacrament Meeting recently. I only had to take Owen out once. I was avoiding that as much as possible out for fear of how my children would act if I left them alone in the pew.

When I came back from taking Owen out...he was still a pill but not screaming.

At one moment, he decided to sit still on my lap...for like 3-5 minutes straight. I was so grateful to be able to zone in on a friend who was bearing her testimony. We never hang out but she has become so important to me. Her baby had the same intolerances as Owen...and without her I don't think I could have survived it all. Now she is my visiting teacher and I love that.

During those few minutes that Owen decided to sit still I had my ah ha moment. She was talking about how complacency is never good. And recently she has felt complacent not realizing it was all that bad. (Seriously, don't we all feel that way!) But she said she realized she should always be challenging herself and trying to improve her life on a daily basis...and that would be the opposite of complacent. She talked about these two words that kept ringing in my ear: Essentials and Extras. When I've thought of those words in the past I've thought of physical belongings. I hadn't really thought about applying those words in my personal life.

It made me wonder...what do I view as ESSENTIAL and what do I view as EXTRA in my life?

She made it clear that she feels she gets these 2 mixed up all the time. (Don't we all?)

Do I make time to watch TV? Yes
Do I make time to read my scriptures everyday? NO

Questions like that were racing through my head. I don't think I'm choosing one over the other in the moment...but really that is what I do when looking back. I was disappointed in myself yet I felt moved to make a change. I realized I need to re-evaluate my priorities more often. They all too easily get jolted and mixed up. And that is not ok. By the end of her testimony...I had tears streaming down my face. Not tears of depression but tears of wanting to change.

This may sound lame but for me it was such a great moment...I never want to forget it. Because I don't know that last time I felt so moved to change by someone's testimony. And the fact that it was the only 5 minutes Owen wasn't being a terror during the 3 hour block says something to me. I was supposed to hear it.

So, here's to making some important changes and sorting through my essentials and my extras.

Halloween 2010

2010-11-08T21:45:00.000-08:00

I was going to make my kids costumes again but really didn't feel it. They both wanted to be something that seemed so time consuming so I talked them into being "The Incredibles" since it's the last year our family would be perfect for it.

We borrowed Alexis and Carter's costume. Alexis' wig is a witches wig...but turned to the side to make it a side part and I cut the hair shorter. I just made the logos out of felt for the red shirts Chad and I wore. Because, heaven help us, you would have fainted at the sight of us in spandex. My wig was a punk rockers wig that my sister cut into a bob minutes before we walked out the door. I think she did a mighty fine job. I just happened to have a red sleeper for Owen in the right size. Random. The kids got way into it and really enjoyed us dressing up as a family. I think they've watched the movie every day since that night. No joke.

We had the movie playing in our car while everyone came by trick or treating. That was Chad's great idea. However, Chad also won two other battles. He insisted we use black face paint for the mask. I wanted to use toll paints since they dry and don't smear. And he would NOT let me paint Owen's face! Next time I will win those battles. But I guess I can't complain too much...he did agree to dressing up and spraying his hair yellow...that is HUGE for him.

These pictures were taken Saturday night at our ward trunk or treat. Being Activities Chair I was in charge of it. Luckily, it was combined with two other wards so we all worked together. It ended up being pretty low stress since they do a trunk or treat every year. They have fun booths...2 from each ward and there were a ton of cars participating in it. Just as candy ran out some couples from our ward came out to the parking lot to the music of thriller and did the dance full out. It was hilarious and so hard to tell who was who! Then...an impromptu kids dance party ensued right there in the parking lot...and the kids loved it.
You better believe my kids were excited to have Chad's family visit us since I couldn't leave our party.

I have to say the kids were super cool about not Trick or Treating on Sunday. We had a dinner here with my sister's and brother's families. I made 24 bread bowls that looked like pumpkins. My sister's made some yummy soups and my brother brought over some sides. After we crushed all the kids candy from the trunk or treat we set up our very own Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory so we could dip our caramel apples in any topping we desired. Sorry, no pictures. I'd like to kick myself for that. But we were enjoying our food and time together!

School Halloween Parties

2010-11-08T20:33:00.000-08:00

On Friday before Halloween...Alexis' got to wear her costume to school. But she really wanted to wear her bride costume one more time.

It barely slides over her hips since I did make it to fit her body 2 years ago.

Not only do they wear their costume to school but they get to walk around the track where all the kids Kindergarten-5th grade are seated taking turns showing off their costume.

1. They take their chairs out to the track. 2. They watch all the kids parade by.

3. They strut their stuff. Hmm...not shy at all. I wonder who she gets that from?

1. Brooke: One of Alexis' many cousins in the parade. 2. Very creative...whoever that lego man is. But I felt so bad for the kid. He took baby steps around the whole track and had to take breaks every 20 feet.

Alexis' 1st Grade Class

Later that day I went back to her class to help out with the Halloween party. The kids had a lot of fun and I loved being in her class with her. I remember my Mom being at all my holiday parties so you bet I signed up for those first.

Yes...Alexis P. Because there is an Alexys D. in her class.

But there's more to the story. After the first few weeks of school Alexis came home telling me she didn't want the class to call her "Alexis P"...it was too close to "Alexis Pee." Like she was 'peeing her pants' she explained to me.

Then the boy next to her had an idea: "Lets call you Alexis Pitt." But she kindly whispered to the boy to NEVER call her that in front of the other kids. "Why?" he asked. "Because then all the kids are going to call me 'arm pit like they did in Kindergarten!"

Then they decided on "Alex." Which is too ironic because Alexis didn't know that is what Chad and I both intended on calling her as a nickname. In fact, that is what we called her throughout my pregnancy. But once her personality started shining through at 6 months "Alexis" seemed more fitting.

But, I can only imagine she NEVER answered to Alex...and so it got changed back to Alexis P. Which she accepts for the time being but isn't thrilled about.

While waiting for the older cousins to get out of school, these girls showed me their new way to swing.

Tiny Baby Shower

2010-11-08T19:30:00.000-08:00

Halloween week was a busy one. The Tuesday before Halloween, my friends and I put on a tiny party at our place for a friend who is having a baby. It was super fun.

The invitations were adorable. They were coin envelope size...and started off by saying "Tiny Belly. Tiny Baby. Tiny Party." Why? Because I look more pregnant than her...and she's due any day now. It's quite ridiculous.

Owen's 1st Birthday

2010-11-03T20:33:00.000-07:00

This little boy had a Birthday last Thursday, October 28th.

And he turned...

Made the shirt myself via freezer stenciling. I love it. Thanks to Dana from Made for the idea and a totally generous blogger who I don't know named Allie from Really Quite Lucky for the stencil she perfected in photoshop. She sure made my life easier. I love people like that!

The Birthday Boy...

These kids just can't get enough of him and neither can we!

The Decorations...

We decorated our family room a bit. I normally decorate their room in streamers and balloons but I really didn't trust it would all stay up and feared Owen would start eating the decorations...so to the family room they went.

Alexis was a big help as usual.

The Guests...

We invited Chad's family over for a low key celebration. (My family was all coming over for Halloween in 3 days.) Somehow I missed getting a picture of Chad's sister, Kelli, and her cute family.

The Cake...

Dairy Free cake mix and frosting. (YUCK!) But the important thing was...I was still able to carry on the tradition of making him a mini 3 tier cake for his 1st birthday. Chad says I'm a want-to-be cake decorator...because my lines are all crooked. You got to love husbands! Sure I enjoy making things, even beyond fabric...but I never claim anything I make to be perfect. Ok...fine. Maybe, to my Husband.

He licked the frosting and it seemed like he ate a few bites. But after a little pushing around it just turned into a fun thing to squeeze and drop on the floor.

I made an Oreo Ice cream cake that, of course, had dairy for the rest of us!

Yah...it was really good. And I ate the last huge piece the other day after I had a really mean lady do my ultrasound. This was my real one...I didn't tell her I had gone to one of those cheap places to find out what sex my baby was. Do you want to know what she did after 45 minutes of not talking to me with the screen turned, taking measurements of my baby. She got my husband and looked to see the sex TWICE in 30 seconds and then said...

"Well, I guess this baby will have to be a surprise...it's' in a horrible position to be able to tell."

"Can't I do some stretches to see if the baby will move?" I say.

"Nope. That won't help! The exit is to your right." And with that she leaves out another door.

GRRR...Chad and I were mad. And I was mad enough to eat the rest of Owen's cake when I got home. There....I'm done with my tangent...now back to Owen.

The Presents...
Lucky Charms from Alexis and Carter; A mini beach ball from Carter (He just picked that out at the office for getting his cavities filled.)

A train from Kelli, Andrew & Conner; and a Dora and Laurie Berkner Band DVD from Grandma and Grandpa Pitt.

We got him this over-sized Tonka Dump Trunk since he pushes anything and everything around the house.

But you gotta love when your child gets all new presents but goes back to getting into things he shouldn't within a matter of MINUTES!

The boy gets up on the fireplace all day. He sits up there. He plays with his toys up there. He bounces to the music up there. But most of all he likes to get up on his tippy toes and reach into the basket and pull out DVD's...and then he drops them one by one and says, "Uh Oh."

What we love about Owen:
-He shows just about anyone how he can flex his huge muscles. Oh, it's so funny if you haven't seen it.
-He laughs just because everyone else is laughing...and then keeps laughing even when everyone is done.
-When he sees a TV he points to it and says, "Dor Dor." (for Dora)
-He will whack at your spoon if he's done eating and you try to feed him another bite. (I don't love it...but it's so Owen.)
-He LOVES his "Da-Da." Since Chad works upstairs anytime I bring him up to take a nap he yells "Da-Da" down that hall and we just have to go see him first.
-He will haul booty down the hall, up the stairs...where ever...if he hears the bathtub on. He could take a bath or go in the Jacuzzi all day and be the happiest kid in the world.
-He's at least out grown his soy problem. Whoo hoo! Next...we conquer dairy.
-He cheers like crazy at Alexis and Carter's soccer games. He claps and yells non-sense...because that's what we do.
-It freaked me out when his canines (the pointy teeth) grew in before any other teeth. That is super rare. But what's even more rare is that they grew in...in the wrong position...Next to the two front teeth! Now that he has his 2 front teeth he doesn't look quite so vampire-ish. It seemed so odd at first but now I'm used to his unique smile that no one else really notices.
-My absolute favorite thing is that he is so expressive. He loves picking Alexis up from school. He loves his Grandparents. And he especially LOVES when I walk in the door from work. His smile is contagious and it makes me so happy to have him in our family.

School Bullies?

2010-10-25T23:53:00.000-07:00

I picked Alexis up from school today. As we were walking to the car she started running in the opposite direction yelling that she needed to talk to some girls. I insisted she come back and tell me why she needed to talk to them.

"Because those girls are really mean to Chelsea and me...and I need to tell their Mom's."

Of course...I didn't let her. So, I wait till we drop her cousins off and I ask her what in the world happened.

"Mom, these mean girls at school keep coming up to us and act all mean telling us we stole their jump rope. But we got it from our classroom. They do it everyday and they keep yelling at us and act all bratty to us."

"Ok. Have you talked with your teacher about this?"

"Yes, we did today. She said to come get her next time they don't stop being mean when we ask. Or ask what their names are and what their classroom number is so we can tell their teacher. But we see them everywhere and I can't stand it. Today we went to the bathroom and they were there. I was so frustrated. Chelsea told me to do my frustrated voice to them like I do when I get mad at her. I just want to be bratty to them because they are so bratty to us."

"Alexis, do you think that's the right thing to do? Think about how Jesus treated all those people who were mean to him. Was he mean back? I don't want people to be mean to you. Nor should you let them. But being mean back is not going to make them stop. I think you should do as your teacher said so they can help stop them from being mean to you."

"Mom I don't want to be mean. I really don't. But I feel so frustrated when they talk all mean and they never say please or use any manners. Today, I just wished Dad could have been there."

"Why would you want Dad to be there?"

"Because you know when I've done something bad...and Dad spanks me? He spanks so hard and it hurts and I just wish he could be there to spank those bratty girls."

This is where I immediately turned my rear view mirror to prevent her from viewing me laughing HYSTERICALLY!

What to do...what to do? Should we send Chad to spank those bratty girls for her?

In case you haven't heard...

2010-10-09T14:58:00.000-07:00

We are expecting another baby on April Fools Day of 2011!

I hadn't blogged about it yet because 1)If you can't tell by the lack of post...I've been super sick and 2) My pregnancy got leaked on darn facebook before I could announce it here or tell my sisters and friends. GRRR!

So the most exciting part is...I waited to post something till I knew what we were having...and it looks as though we are creating a basketball team here. Another BOY! The kids are super excited. No tears this time. Woo hoo!
(And just in case you needed proof...it's quite obvious!)

I just love this picture of our little guy below...He's got his leg all stretched out in his tiny little living space like..."Alright, if I'm going to have to stay here for awhile I might as well make myself comfortable!"

So we are super excited around here. Owen will only be 17 1/2 months when this baby is born so things should get interesting around here.

Now...we just need a name. I like to pick it early enough and call my baby by it's name throughout my pregnancy but...one problem...Chad and I don't agree on any names for once!

And in case you were wondering...Yes it was planned.

Fart Football

2010-09-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

My husband emailed this to me today. How can something so disgusting be so funny to us? I don't know...but it's hilarious.

An old married couple no sooner hit the pillows when the old man passes gas and says, 'Seven points.'

His wife rolls over and says, 'What in the world was that?'

The old man replied, 'It's fart football.'

A few minutes later his wife lets one go and says 'Touchdown, tie score.'

After about five minutes the old man lets another one go and says, 'Aha. I'm ahead 14 to 7.'

Not to be outdone the wife rips out another one and says, 'Touchdown, tie score.' Five seconds go by and she lets out a little squeaker and says, 'Field goal, I lead 17 to 14.'

Now the pressure is on the old man. He refuses to get beaten by a woman, so he strains real hard. Since defeat is totally unacceptable, he gives it everything he's got, and accidentally poops the bed.

The wife says, 'What the heck was that?'

The old man says, 'Half time, switch sides.'

1st Grade

2010-09-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

Alexis started 1st grade 3 weeks ago.
Here she is on her way out the door for 1st day of 1st grade.

She couldn't have been more thrilled to go!
A NEW school. A NEW teacher. NEW friends.

But don't feel too bad for all the NEW-ness...she is in the same class as her cousin, Chelsea.

Remember, back in this post, when I told you about how dangerous these two can be. They are competitive yet the best of friends. When they were in soccer camp last summer together they were slide tackling each other. NO JOKE! At 5 years old. And when Alexis didn't fall down when Chelsea slid tackled her she started doing the bicyle...something her mother (18 months older than me) did to me whenever she was mad at me! Is it genetic of taught? Must be genetic since I don't remember Mindy doing it to me since Middle School. Anyhow, you can imagine Mindy and I considered talking to the teacher about them...but we thought...NO, they need to understand if they mess up they will be split. And they don't want that.

Even worse than being in the same class...look at where they sit!

3 weeks into it...I finally decided to ask the teacher about them at pick-up one day. I figure the kids had to have spilled the beans by now. And according to their teacher: "They are 2 of the most well behaved kids in the class. In fact, they are really good for each other. They keep each other working hard and they pick each other up when they are down."

Mindy and I were a little shocked...but pleased, too.

Okay...but that's not all. In the other 1st grade class next to them is another cousin, our sister, Jillyn's daughter! All 3 in 1st grade! So fun. (Next year we each have a Kindergartner going in too!) So these 3 get to be together at recess and lunch!

Alexis, Emily and Chelsea after their first day of 1st Grade.
Does it really get much better than this?

"Nuts"

2010-08-07T07:26:00.000-07:00

I was reminded the other night of something funny Alexis' said months ago and I totally forgot to write it down.

Carter, Owen and I picked up Alexis from Kindergarten. She had her head hanging low as she walked towards me and kept walking to leave the Kindergarten area. Usually she drops her back pack to run and play with friends and I have to pry her off the playground. Not this day. This had happened before so I knew what was coming. How someone called her "arm PITT," a friend left her out, etc. We've been through it all before and I was expecting tears by the time we got to the car.

As we approach our car, she finally lets it out.

"Mom, I am SOOO sick!"

"What happened?"

"I went to the bathroom at lunch recess and I pooed NUTS."

"Really?"

"Yeah. But, Mom, I didn't even eat NUTS! I'm so sick."

I couldn't hold it in. I just started busting up so hard. She couldn't believe I was laughing at her expense. The thing is: Alexis hates nuts. She didn't eat them. And I knew she didn't poo them either. After I explained how our bodies don't digest corn very well and that it was corn from the corn on the cob she ate the night before she perked up.

"So I'm not sick?"

Nope.

And she turned back to her happy little self just like that.

What we've been up to:

2010-07-16T22:06:00.000-07:00

-I had my sister bring Alexis home from one of the OCMCO concerts and she came running in at 10pm at night screaming, "MOM! MOM! Guess what? Collin Raye KISSED ME!" He came and sang with them for the 4th of July concert and Alexis was more than thrilled to have him twirl her and her cousin, Chelsea, around and kiss them. The sight of my daughter jumping on him is frightening. I'm glad I didn't witness it. Mindy said there was no stopping them. I loved listening to him sing "One boy, one girl." It was on our wedding video and I could listen to that song over and over.

-swim team

-still un-packing (Sounds pathetic, I know. But we have a lot of things going on.)

-taking wallpaper off my parents downstairs bedroom so we can turn it into a playroom. It was necessary. Dark green and maroon wallpaper made it so dark in there. We needed to lighten it up so we don't have to turn the lights on in the middle of the day. However, once we finally got it all off...it unveiled unsightly dry wall. Not just a remove and paint. It was and still is a HUGE undertaking.

-patching up holes in the garage so we can paint it too. (We got our parents permission for all of this in case you were wondering.)

-trying to get Owen to sleep through the night...2 nights he did ok...but then returned to his normal 3 hour wake cycle. I'm not easy either...that kid can scream at the top of his lungs for 2 hours straight. He wears me out.

-completely enjoying this house. The breeze that comes through here is so refreshing. And the pool...even more refreshing. The kids have been swimming every day. Alexis' hair is already a shade of green. At night when I've tucked the kids in bed and it's quiet...I sit in a chair to feed Owen and just look at the beautiful yard and a huge rush of emotion comes over me. I feel blessed and SO grateful to my parents for their sacrifice to serve and even more so to let us move in and take over their home. The kids ride their bikes in the circle and it feels so safe. I have a washer and dryer IN MY HOME. Enough said right there! But really, it doesn't take quarters and no one moves my underwear or cuts in front of me to use the dryer. It's fantastic. My dishwasher is built in. There's tons of cupboard space. And Chad has his man cave. But it's not really a cave. It a ginormous room that he utilizes as an office during the day and a Xbox playing lounge room at night. Man...we feel spoiled. I don't say this to brag...because I definitely know what it feels like to go without...and on some/most days it was REALLY hard. I just feel REALLY REALLY grateful for this opportunity to live here. Almost indebted to my parents...because a HUGE stress lifted from me.

-We got new callings. Just when I thought I had no more meetings on Sunday...boom...like that I have them again and Chad does too! Chad is a ward missionary. He's super excited. A little less time consuming than his last calling. An hour meeting on Sunday and visits one night a week. But the poor guy is dragged into my calling too. Have I mentioned this ward we moved into is a lot bigger than our last ward and a ton more active too. Let's just say that triathlon they put on every Memorial Day...is now in the community magazine and considered more of a community event hosted by the FV 3rd ward. So can you guess? Activity Committee Chair. What?!? I understand they feel this is up my ally but a committee consisting of my husband and one other girl just doesn't seem like it will do. They use their auxiliaries to divide the work of each activity. So, we'll see how that pans out. Oh, and their ward council on Sunday isn't 1 hour like my last ward...it's 2 hours! I am excited. The ideas are taking over my brain...almost in a not so healthy way.

-We leave in a few days for a trip to the river with some friends. Can't wait!

ONE MORE THING: I'd appreciate being able to read the comments. English comments ONLY or else I'm going to have block you or all comments. They may be nice comments...but I have no clue because I can't read anything but English.

Good Things To Come

2010-07-01T23:05:00.001-07:00

I stumbled across this video with quotes from my long time absolute FAVORITE talk. TEARS came streaming down my face.

I am not tired, sad, depressed or hungry.

They are happy tears.

Happy tears because I whole-heartedly believe every single word spoken in this video. When I've had hard days I've thought of this talk and the advice given and it literally helps me pull myself together and keep going.

T-Ball

2010-06-05T21:32:00.000-07:00

Today, was our last day of T-ball. This was the first year for both Alexis and Carter. And, boy, did they love it!
First, my two favorite photos of the season:
Alexis (UCLA Bruins)

Carter (Colorado State Rams)

And here's a few (or more) things I never want to forget about this first season:

How during one of the games Carter kept adjusting his cup (see below: he's in the pitcher position). I was so embarrassed. Then, when we got home he got undressed and yelled out:"MOM, you put my thing on upside DOWN! Chad came in to see how I had put it on...and was dying to say the least. WHOOPS. I learned my lesson.
How Alexis would make signs to hold up on the side line cheering Carter's team on. Then she started making signs for her own team for Carter to hold up. Too cute..that girl!

How Carter was OBSESSED with his orange bat. At first he gaurded it with his life. Then he adopted his Dad's "neat freakishness" and would line it up on the fence every time. He did the same with his batting helmet, hat and mitt...when he wasn't using them. He'd tuck his mitt into his hat every time without fail. Always, putting it in the same spot. As for Alexis...unfortunately she adopted my style: throw it somewhere...you'll find it when you need it.

How it's really hard not to snap pictures of the kids when they are in "baseball ready" form. Those bums sticking out are just too cute!

How Chad was such a good coach. He had originally signed up to be Carter's manager but the league asked him to manage Alexis' age group. Then after taking that on there was a misunderstanding and he ended up being a coach for Carter's team too. He never complained or tried to iron out the misunderstandings...he just took it on. The kids loved him. He would always do a cheer with the kids after the game. He'd highlight what kid really excelled in that particular game and he'd give them a treat. I overheard the Mom's and they came to tell me numerous times how much they loved Chad. How they hoped he'd coach next year. And how they wished he would have been their kids coach last year because their boys would have loved T-ball then and would have been such better players had they had Chad all along. Pretty nice compliments if you ask me. Well deserved, too.

How Carter's manager was so pumped about the game. Giving them pep talks all the time. He bought snacks and drinks to every practice for the kids.

How Alexis couldn't help coming over to play with Owen between innings. She loves getting those kisses from Owen. And his legs just go crazy when he sees her walking towards him.

Sometimes, those kisses came with a price...but she didn't mind.

How you always slide into home plate...no matter what. And Carter never quite understood how to get that one leg in front of him no matter how hard Chad tried to correct him. He'd scrape up his knees every time.

How Alexis wasn't bothered one bit that she was the only girl on the team. She kept up with the rest of them. Chad really thinks she has a future in softball. Especially, since he asked her what her favorite sport is and she said t-ball. I think he underestimates how smart she is. She must be saying that because he wanted to hear it. Certainly, soccer comes first! Chad will beg to differ.

How Carter "came out of his shell." Even one of the Mom's came up to me today noticing how much he's changed. In the beginning, he'd shy behind Chad or I at practice or games. But now he is so sad it's over. He loves it and loves playing with his friends and giving his coach the biggest hugs after every game. He even won the award of "Best Listener" at his T-ball party today. He really did listen and did whatever was asked of him.
How Owen never lacked attention at the games. If Grandma and Grandpa Pitt, Grandma and Grandpa Miller, Uncle Jacob or Aunt Emily weren't holding him on the sidelines...the other Mom's on the team were more than happy to get their hands on him. Rough life, huh?

How Chad taught these kids some really good form!

That about wraps up my favorites. Life gets crazy running from one thing to the next. Swim team started and today was the first competitive swim meet. We literally ran from swim team (8am-10am: Alexis swam in the first 2 events) Then off to Carter's t-ball game (10-11:15) Luckily, Alexis wasn't swimming in events at that time. Then back to the swim meet for Alexis to finish 3 more events. Then back to t-ball for Alexis' last game. And we test drove a car in between since we sold our 4 runner. PHEW, we're pooped!

But it sure is fun to see these kids play. And even more fun when their Dad is coaching them every step of the way. T-ball was a success.

BUSY!

2010-05-20T23:24:00.000-07:00

Seriously, how does this happen?

-Work in Alexis' classroom
-Pack up our house (We move in 1 week)
-Buy, cut, package and deliver 25 fruit bowls for swim team
-Father and Sons outing
-have a garage sale
-attend Alexis' swim meet
-Chad coach Alexis' T-ball game
-Chad coach Carter's T-ball game
-Church Building clean-up (Who assigns building clean up to a family leaving in 6 days? We are 1 of 4 families assigned this day.)
-Prepare talks (Chad and I were asked to speak our last Sunday in our Ward)
-Prepare my Temple Prep lesson
-label swim team placement ribbons

All within the NEXT 48 Hours!

Busy is an UNDERSTATEMENT! We cut the Father & Sons outing. Chad promised to take Carter camping another time. And building clean-up...we might have asked that to be waived if they wanted us to talk. There is such a thing as being stretched too thin, right?

Recall on Children's Medicine

2010-05-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

Just in case you haven't heard.

A few weeks ago, Children's Tylenol, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl were all recalled. You can read about why on their website. But I thought you should all know so you can get your money back and discard of the medicine you have. It's all the infant and children's syrups of the medications above. Your fine if you buy generic. Those weren't recalled.

Go to this link: CLICK HERE Call the 888 number. I finally got through. Originally, I was told by someone I would receive a coupon to buy more of the same product when they were back on the shelf but when I just gave the guy the numbers off my bottles he said they would be sending me a check in the mail. That's even better. So, before you throw out those bottles...get your money back!

Ashlee...I posted this because I remember seeing your massive stock in these items in your food storage pantry!

Mother's Day

2010-05-09T23:18:00.000-07:00

I think Mother's Day is the most rewarding day of the year. I always feel so special and I couldn't imagine my life without these beautiful kids.

On Thursday, Chad told me he wanted to do something nice for me every day of the week but forgot and wanted to start right then. I told him I didn't mind if he continued it into this week so he gets a full week. He obliged! I think my favorite day so far was Friday. I came home to 3 walls of paper hearts...each telling me something different he loved about me. My favorite might be..."I love you for wiping our kids butts." He changes diapers all the time. But he avoids taking Carter to the bathroom like the plague. It made me feel pretty good.

I tried out some crepe recipes earlier in the week because Owen seemed ok when I cooked with eggs in banana bread. Nope, he struggled for a few days with eggs over the skillet like that. I was really trying to avoid having Chad bring me Rice Chex and Rice Milk in bed on Mother's Day. Luckily, I found a fast cinnamon roll recipe (substituting ingredients I can eat) Saturday night and whipped that up so I could indulge in something.

So, Chad served me cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit and OJ. It was good.

We had dinner at my parents house. Chad was quite impressive. Making some incredible guacamole (everyone was asking who made it), providing the rice, and juggling babies so the Mom's could eat first. He's made this week special for me and I appreciate it so much.

I try every day to be a better mother. Some days I succeed. Some days I fail.

Sometimes I ask myself or others ask me...

How can you find the strength to keep on this diet? How do you go through a 10 hour work day, feed my family and my baby, go teach a temple prep class, then sleep a total of 3.5 hours only to go back to work by 6:30 the next morning?

My answer: I look at the example my Mom has been to me and I know I can make it. I may not look pretty. I might still be in my pajamas with greasy hair and sunglasses on hiding the bags under my eyes when I pick Alexis up from school in the middle of the afternoon when all the other mother's have worked out, showered and look their best.

My Mom is an inspiration to me. I know most kids say that about their Mother's, as they should. But, recently, I've been wondering how my Mom did it. How did she have a handicapped daughter and go through a year of Doctors telling her there was nothing wrong? They prescribed my parents sleeping pills to sleep through her screaming. Even after the diagnosis...she continued on being a great mother. She had 3 more kids after that. Then her 6th baby died 2 days before her due date. TWO DAYS. She made my Dad get off work because she felt something just wasn't right. She had just been to the Doctor a few days earlier and heard the babies heart beat. My dad thought she was nuts. But the Doctor told her to come in any way. The babies cord got wrapped in a knot cutting off nutrition to the baby. Back then, they didn't induce you so she had to wait to go into labor. She went to the grocery store after finding out her baby had died only to have people ask, "When are you due?" She'd answer "two days" even though she wanted to say so much more. Then after getting through that...she still had two more kids. (The last one being me.) And was still an involved, supportive and pleasant mother.

On the hardest of days...like this last Wednesday (mentioned above)...I drive myself over to my Mom's house and literally CRY on her shoulder. She always makes it better.

Today she wrote this in my Mother's Day card:

"Hang in there as problems come your way. Pay day is great when it comes. All my love, Mom."

The thing is, I know I've had a pay day. More pay days' than I can count. They may not come in a monetary form. And I may prefer it that way. I'd much rather, in the end, have my pay days come in the form of feeling and knowing I am blessed more than I will ever realize. I really feel like I won the lottery of life to have such an amazing Mother and to have the chance to raise my incredible children. But it wouldn't be fair not to recognize the fact that I have a supportive husband who is by my side every step of the way! I couldn't do without him either.

Here's to may more pay days. Because, today, was a good one. Happy Mother's Day.

This might just sway us...

2010-05-06T19:08:00.000-07:00

(Chad and I, that is)...from our search for the perfect deal on a used Sequoia. Not because "everyone's doing it" but because I could really see us blasting this song in our car and singing at the top of our lungs. Hilarious.

Owen's First Swim

2010-05-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

I think it's safe to assume he liked it. A lot.

He is honestly such a fun little boy. He smiles and a laughs so easily.

I'm not surprised he loved it. Throughout this whole ordeal with his sensitivities to dairy and soy whenever he was inconsolable...a warm bath could always make him smile. He was bound to love the pool.

He thoroughly enjoyed splashing us while we were taking this picture.

Don't you just want to take him for a dip yourself? Man, his smile brightens my day.

Carter's 4th Birthday

2010-04-29T22:33:00.000-07:00

Carter was thrilled to find out his actual birthday would be when we were at the river. Forget parties. He was counting down the days till we left because, in his eyes, this just so happened to be the prime location for his birthday.

Since it was Carter's special day he got to plan out the day however he wanted.

We went...

Carter caught his first river fish! Whoo hoo, Carter!

Of course, it helped that he had a fantastic pitcher.

We also cruised around on the golf cart and let him drive. No wonder he loves his birthday at the river. There's a ton more activities to choose from.

He loved his presents. Monster trucks "like Nate," swim toys "like Saxon," and legos "like Aaron."

Carter specifically requested a "rainbow cake." I tried to talk him into a cool skateboard or pirate ship but to no avail. So, a rainbow cake he got. I just did the same thing as Alexis' rainbow cupcakes but in a cake form and I saw my friend, Beth, use skittles to make a rainbow on her daughters cake. Carter loved it.

Carter is already requesting the location for his next birthday. The river, of course!

Happy 4th Birthday Carter! We love you! (Now, could you slow down and not grow up so fast!)

10 things we love about Carter:

-He hates disappointing people.
-He tells me on a daily basis "You're the best Mom ever!"
-He takes pride in following the rules. He rarely forgets his manners. There's most always a "please" and/or "thankyou."
-He is an extremely picky eater like me. Whoops.
-He's loving and gives anyone in his family the biggest hugs ever.
-He is well behaved and sits so reverently at church. Seriously, a sunbeam teacher's dream.
-He is still very shy and doesn't like talking to anyone he doesn't know.
-He loves T-ball and gives us a thumbs up when he gets to each base...and holds it up till we give one in return.
-He looks up to Alexis and adores Owen.
-He can be super emotional and cry at the drop of a hat. (Especially, if he is in trouble.)

We just love him to pieces. He is such a great kid and we are so grateful for his sweet & loving personality. When he gets past his shyness and you get to know him...he will have you wrapped around his little finger.

6 3 0

2010-04-27T10:50:00.000-07:00

"Hey, Mom can you hold my drink?"

(It's a water bottle with a home made name tag taped to it.)

"Sure. But, why does it say six, three, zero?"

"Oh, that's not a zero. That's a picture of a quarter because I'm six and three quarters."

"Thank you for your call"

2010-04-27T10:49:00.000-07:00

Whenever someone calls and leaves a message on our answering machine a robotic voice replies, "Thank you for your call" when you finish your message. If we are home...we hear it all. You leaving your message and the robotic voice saying thank you.

We usually answer our phone when we are home but earlier this week Chad was working and I was feeding the baby so we let it go to voice mail.

Chad and I were both in the Owen's room/Office. Carter and Alexis were eating lunch in the kitchen. The person didn't leave a message...but stayed on the line long enough to set off our answering machine.

So, the machine automatically says out loud, "Thank you for your call."

To which Carter yells out, "Thanks for nothing!"

Busy or not...we heard him and we started busting up laughing.

Pictures are worth a thousand words

2010-04-24T21:47:00.000-07:00

So accurate

2010-04-24T21:32:00.000-07:00

A shirt doesn't get more spot on than this... (Gifted from Aunt Jana before he was born.)

FOOD. Forget it! Who needs it?

Owen couldn't be more thrilled with his decision to spit out ANY food forced into his clenched mouth.

Rice cereal? Disgusting.
Oatmeal? Yuck.
Sweet Potatoes? Not a chance.
Banana's? You're not fooling anyone, Mom!

"Mom, if I eat that nasty stuff then I might just sleep through the night. And well, let's be honest...that's NOT gonna happen!"

I've tried. For 2 months. I give up!

Owen and Nathan: Friends for Life

2010-04-24T21:24:00.000-07:00

Because friends let friends touch toes. (Right, Sara?)

Seriously though, how cute is it that they each have toes curling around the other babies toes?

Easter at the River

2010-04-21T21:47:00.000-07:00

I love Conference Weekend. Who doesn't love to stay home in their pajamas for church and soak in a ton of good information? The day was so relaxing we realized by 3pm we hadn't even had our Easter Egg Hunt. We lined the kids up, had a rocking earth quake that was forever long (Chad mentioned he thought he was getting sick during it and he LOVES earthquakes. For real.), and then ran out to collect eggs.

My Dad spent a lot of time studying for his mission.

I saw this idea to fill Easter Eggs with rice krispy treats. They loved them. Plus, they were great snacks in their school lunch the week after. I spray the inside of my eggs with pam so they'd come out easily. But I missed spraying one egg and it's pictured below.

I love this picture of Owen. He is constantly checking to see who is holding him. He doesn't care who it is...he just wants to flash a huge smile at you for showing him some love. He is very social.

Alexis and her cousin, Chelsea. These girls are a big ball of energy together. I said BIG, right! I'm a little scared they will be in the same ward and school soon. They are fun, rambunctious, playful, bossy, and both want to be in charge at all times. Good luck to those teachers!

Chad loves getting his picture taken. :)

We did a lot of swimming.

And a lot of tubing. (Clark, Carter and Sadie)

Chelsea, Emily and Alexis

This picture is CLASSIC. Can you see BOTH of Chelsea's thumbs up to go faster, Emily's thumbs down to go slower...and Alexis busting up?

This was right before they caught air and Chelsea flew in front of the girls catching a handful of hair on the buckle of Alexis' life jacket before flying into the FREEZING river. (That will teach her to hang on with at least one hand.) She was laughing when we turned the boat around to pick her up. PURE ENTERTAINMENT!
Owen in all his cuteness!

If only he could be hanging out in a boat throughout the NIGHT. Then I might not have bags under my eyes.

Owen loves getting kisses. And so do we!

We had lots of fun minus Amber accidentally eating hot cocoa powder and Alexis' run in a with a large white poisonous scorpion!

She was helping my mom clean up the toys in the garage and reached in a kids golf bag and felt a little pinch/scratch on her finger. She didn't know what it was but she quickly pulled her hand out and got my mom. Smart girl! That's when we looked inside the bag and saw...a flaming mad scorpion with it's tail curled up in the air ready to sting the next thing that came near it. So Chad put an end to his life. We think his pincher claws barely got Alexis. Just enough to make her nervous. My mom said, "Wow, Heavenly Father was definitely watching over her!" We think so too.

OCMCO Concert

2010-04-18T21:48:00.000-07:00

Alexis did a great job in the OCMCO concert a few weeks ago. She practiced for a part that they sang in smaller groups on a chair in our family room. She started getting all pop on us by putting a million runs in one syllable. We had to nip that in the bud...quick. Brett hates that kind of stuff.

{Pictured above: Sunbeam Chorus (4-6 yrs.), Children's Chorus (6-8yrs.), Youth Chorus (8-12yrs) and Concert Choir (12-18 yrs) the orchestra and Brett's tiny little self directing them}

It was a really special concert in particular because it was Brett's Oratorio. Have you ever watched Amadeus? You know when he locks himself in his room writing his masterpiece? That's an Oratorio. He didn't go crazy...although he worked on it day and night. Then when he said he was finished he'd get a vision and leave a family get together to go back home and write some more. It was truly amazing. I still can't believe my brother-in-law wrote the whole thing from scratch. We were all left speechless. The oratorio was written to the words in 2nd Nephi when Jesus Christ visits the America's.

The 1st video are the kids 4-18 singing together. The 2nd video is part of his oratorio (mostly adults).

Hot Lava

2010-04-18T20:50:00.000-07:00

Carter: "Dad, put your seat belt on!"

Dad either ignores Carter or isn't paying attention.

Carter repeats his request at least 3 times. But on the 4th time he changes it up a bit.

Carter: "Dad, put your seat belt on or the police will get you and throw you in the hot lava."

Chad: (Now, interested in the conversation.) "Carter, they are not going to throw me in hot lava. Do you see any hot lava?"

"Um, Dad...it's in the volcanos!" (Duh...dad!)

"Yea and do you see any volcanos around here. They aren't around here so they can't throw me in one."

"Yes they will, Dad. They will drive you there and throw you in."

Chad and I were just cracking up. He was so matter of fact about it and Chad wasn't going to stump him.

We get some food and we are getting back in the car 30 minutes later. Carter was stalling getting in the car.

Chad: "Carter, you better hurry up or I'm going to throw you in the hot lava."

Carter: (completely devastated by Chad's threat.) "What!?. You're just going to kill my wife!" (he pronounces his L's like W's)

"Carter, I'm not going to kill your LIFE!"

"Yep. You're going to kill my wife!"

Chad reassuring Carter says with more emphasis: "Carter, I'm not going to kill your LIFE!"

"Yea! You are going to throw me in the hot lava and kill my wife."

He wouldn't let this go either! He kept acting like Chad could care less about "his wife."
Where did all this talk about hot lava come from anyway?
Too funny that kid!

The Holy Ghost

2010-04-18T20:32:00.000-07:00

Recently, Alexis and I have had numerous conversations about the Holy Ghost. It all started a few weeks ago when Alexis wondered how you can "hear" the Holy Ghost "because she never heard him."

I explained that many times we don't hear the Holy Ghost with our ears. But when we have hard choices the Holy Ghost will help us know what choice is right by giving us a good feeling inside about the right choice.

Over the last 3 weeks she has come home from school so eager to tell me how she felt the Holy Ghost give her a good feeling inside..."to go help this person, or include that person, or help solve an argument between two of her friends."

I love that she is looking for ways to recognize the Holy Ghost guide her in her choices.

Then a few weeks ago at the river when the front door slowly opened on it's own. She looked at me shocked!

"Mom, was that?...(A questioning look turned to an enlightened look.)....THE HOLY GHOST!

I was afraid she'd be let down when I told her it was most likely the wind that blew the door open because someone didn't shut it all the way. But, she actually handled it quite well.

Man, I love kids and their eagerness to learn and soak everything in.

Amanda's Wedding

2010-04-17T21:40:00.000-07:00

A little late...but I'm finally getting around to posting pictures of my friends wedding.Isn't her dress beautiful. So unique...so her. She designed it on paper and had it made. Not that I would think a visual merchandiser for Nordstroms would do any less! But if you really want to see cool pictures of her...go to our other roommates photography blog Jamilia Jean Photography. These are some of my favorite bridal shots. There are so many cool ones. I feel like my pictures were taken by my 4 year old when I compare them to these works of art.
She got married in the Newport Beach Temple. Here she is with my parents outside the temple.
She is the only member in her family so they had a ring ceremony just before the reception. She had my Dad be in charge of the ceremony. He did a really good job. He was so nervous especially since her parents do not support her being a member even though he has a good relationship with them. I'm so proud of Amanda. We spent more time together in the weeks leading up to this wedding than we have in the past 5 years. I loved spending time with her again.

Some of the roommates.
Good thing we had our babies to dance with. Because, honestly, getting on a dance floor for the first time in YEARS...felt a little awkward.
Britney and Jamie are some of my favorite people to dance with. They taught me all my moves in college. They literally can make me laugh for hours. We went to Target to grab Amanda some necessities. Let's just say we were in a very uncomfortable aisle when Britney decided to ask a young dude (looking at the same items as we were) to take a picture of us to send to her husband. (Britney please let Jaren read this...I can hear his laugh now!) Jamie and I were dying laughing the rest of the shopping trip. Britney....I wish we got together more often. Jamie helped a ton with the wedding. She is so talented. I'm still telling people about all of her areas of expertise. Permanent make-up (she did my permanent eyeliner while we were at BYU), hair, photography, photo-shop, etc. The list goes on!
I made the table numbers since it was a formal sit down dinner. They turned out really cute. Amanda gave everyone seed packets of flowers that said, "If I had a flower for every time you made me smile." They were super cute. The night went smoothly. I packed her car with a bunch of her favorite food...because if I learned anything about Amanda all those years we lived together it is that she does not eat when she is stressed. So I knew she'd be starving the minute she left the reception.

Owen and the Doctor's Office

2010-04-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

If you totaled the amount of times we've been to urgent care, our pediatrician's office and talked on the phone with our Pediatrician...I'm sure there would be one for each week since Owen was born.

(Picture taken at the river...not at a Doctor's office)

No Joke. It's been tough. Owen usually has such a happy disposition at the Doctor since he got his hours of screaming in at home. Sometimes it makes me feel like an even more incompetent Mom considering I look like the paranoid Mom who brought in her smiling baby.

This week was no exception to our regularly un-scheduled visits. The Doctor ordered blood work for Owen. Lots of it.

I knew it would be tough. I made sure he was well hydrated before going. The nurses walked me through what would happen and I needed to stay strong and hold him down. What I knew and those nurses didn't know is that Owen would fight even harder than an average 5 month old. It takes both Chad and I holding him down to get ANY medication in Owen's mouth. He's a fighter...that is for sure.

So I was strong. I pinned his legs between mine. Used my left arm to pin his left arm to his side. And used my right arm to pin his right arm fully extended out on the table. I was ready and determined. I had a death grip on him and he wasn't going anywhere.

The nurse talked her baby talk to him as she prepped the area. She was ready too.

She inserted the needle into his arm. I waited. I thought, "It's coming any minute now." I leaned forward to get a better view of Owen's face to see when exactly that ear piercing scream would come. That's when it happened...the shocker of all shockers...

He smiled. Not a little smile...a big cheeky all the gums showing smile.

He looked around the room just taking it all in. Every now and then glancing at each nurse that one by one gathered around watching him...giving them a full blown gummy smile.

"Oh he's perfect!" says one.
"He's so cute!" says another.
"Look at those gorgeous blue eyes!" says yet another.
"Yep, I knew from the moment I saw that Mom bring him in. Just the cutest baby ever. So happy. Adorable. Always smiling." Says the nurse taking his blood.

The needle was in him for a little under 2 minutes. Not a single cry, whine, whimper or sad noise came from him.

I'm not complaining. Who wouldn't want the happy baby that shocks everyone in the lab and smiles the whole time getting his blood drawn.

I'm just saying (and I know he's only 5 months) but does he understand what I say and take pride in making me look like a really looney Mom?

RESULTS: Our Doctor called last night. No allergies. That's good news. This whole dairy/soy thing is temporary, an "intolerance." Hopefully, he will be like most children and outgrow it by the time he's 1. The plan is to stay away from those foods til then. I can do 6 1/2 more months of this, I think!?!

Brotherly Love

2010-04-14T21:50:00.000-07:00

I was folding laundry on the bed next to my cute boys when I saw this out the corner of my eye...
What could top off a good laundry folding session more than seeing your boys holding hands while they watch a show?

Nothing.

A Traumatizing Cat Fight

2010-04-14T01:01:00.000-07:00

For months we have had a grungy stray cat hanging around our apartment complex. A calico cat whose owners left it behind when they moved. It runs in our homes when we open the doors, it poops on our patio furniture and all over the lawn and in the flower pots. It is your typical alley cat and I hate alley cats. To top it all off, we now have a white alley cat who found our apartment complex and is now trying to oust "Scrapy," (this is the name the children in the complex have given to the original Calico cat).

Today was the first day that my children saw two alley cats fight. Well, they actually only heard the cats fight, but it was VERY loud because they were fighting on our porch. All of the sudden we all heard the two cats start screaming and bouncing off all of our patio furniture. I have seen and heard many alley cat fights so it didn't phase me, but I turned to look at my children's faces and it was priceless. They looked at me as if a human being had just been mangled. They were terrified. Alexis ran to the door to see what was happening and Carter cautiously peeked around her only after he felt it was safe to do so.

The neighborhood kids who feed the cats quickly came to the rescue of Scrapy and broke up the scuffle. We went back in our house and I didn't think much more of it until Carter woke up tonight at 12:35 a.m. Here was our conversation:

Me: "Carter what are you doing up? It is the middle of the night. Let me take you back to bed."
Carter: (mumbling and still 95% asleep) "White cat is mean"
Me: "What?... What did you say?... Come on, back to bed."
Carter: "The white cat is mean... he tried to beat up Scrapy today"
Me: "I know"
Carter: "That is why I want to stay inside all tomorrow"

I guess this was a pretty traumatizing cat fight for Carter.

What I was looking for.

2010-04-10T09:16:00.000-07:00

I dropped a baby gift off to a friend this morning before she moved. When I told her I had to sneak out of the house before Chad came over to help them move she said:

"My husband and I were just talking and wondering how many people would show up to help. We thought 3 or 4. We said Chad will probably come. He's the nice one."

I responded, "That's Chad. He's always willing to help everyone."

Then I came home. Chad was getting ready to go, doing some stretches because his back hurt. Finished his stretches, said goodbye and walked out the door with no complaints.

It got me thinking. When I responded to my friend it was like an involuntary response. I had no real feeling behind saying it. It was a matter of fact...that's always how he has been. It made me think back to when my Dad would advise me on what to look for when dating someone. He always stressed "find someone that puts the gospel and church first."

Would you believe I broke up with a guy in college because I wasn't convinced he did that? Because I did. Partly, because I was comparing everyone to Chad. And no one measured up! That's what made it so easy to wait for him for 2 years.

Chad always was "the nice one" from the day I met him when we were 15. (And I was the cranky one...that's what made people so shocked we started dating. But that's besides the point.)

I really wanted what my Dad had told me. I found it young and held onto him. Thank goodness I did. He truly puts our family, the gospel, church...and SERVICE first. I feel so blessed to have him as my husband and father of our children. He sets such a good example for our kids. I hope they recognize it and grow up to be just like him.

I really do love him. He was just what I was looking for.

Family Get Togethers

2010-04-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed spending time with my siblings while they were all in town with their families. My oldest brother lives in Idaho and another brother lives in Washington so we don't get to see them as much as we'd like.

We spent some time at the beach, ate at Ruby's on the pier, played Volleyball, and played in the water. We took family pictures at the Newport Beach Temple. Had some nice family dinners.

It doesn't get more classic than this: playing soccer in the side yard after church...dresses, sandals, church socks...pretty much, anything goes.

And went to The Balboa Fun Zone. We rode on the carrousale.

And went on a tour of Balboa Island. They gave us our own boat because our family was so big.
I was surprised how interesting the tour was...learning all about what TV shows were filmed where and who lived in what houses and how they came to be.

Loved these pictures of the kids.

We got to check out the sea lions too. Definitely the kid favorite.

Sometimes the only way to get in a picture is to have your kids take one.

Carter decided he wanted to learn to ride a bike without training wheels one of the days we were all together. He got it down on the 3rd try! Whoo hoo! He was beaming. He managed to squeeze in learning that while he was still 3 years old...beating out Alexis by a year. I need to get a picture and video still.

Poor Owen!

2010-04-08T21:05:00.000-07:00

I sprinkled what I thought was cinnamon sugar on a tortilla Saturday while on vacation.

It wasn't. It was hot chocolate. Do you know what's in hot chocolate...MILK powder!

6 hours later Owen was spitting up curdy milk. Then came other symptoms and then the one we dread the most...not sleeping. He woke up every hour...inconsolable for 3 nights strait.

Owen started getting sick again yesterday at the river. He's been sick for a month. Mostly a horrible cough and wheezing a ton. He only had six healthy days before this started up again.

Last night we got home late...he did better...he actually had a 2 1/2 hour stretch. Just one though. I was off to work by 6:15am. Got a call by 8am from Chad. Owen was wheezing bad and now had a fever. I was working till 2pm with no break. (Remember...I'm also functioning on no sleep for 3 nights.) Luckily, my 10:40 patient got called into work. I had a 50 minute break to meet Chad at the Doctor.

The doctor was afraid he might have pneumonia. There was a spot on his chest x-ray...possibly the start. So he's now on:

-acid reflux medicine
-tylenol (for the fever)
-breathing treatments every 4 hours
-antibiotics (preventing full blown pneumonia)
-an inhaler because the doctor is afraid he has bad seasonal allergies.

And we have to rinse his mouth out with water after we give him his inhaler twice a day since he is now more prone to fungal infections.

Seriously, how much more can this little...ok...chubby 5 month old take?

It's killing me!

I have a million things I need to do.

catch up on blogging about our family happenings * clean my house * unpack * start working out again * start eating healthier * read more to my kids * start cooking dinner * relieve my husband from cooking every night * start picking up after myself * start packing for our upcoming move

and stop yelling at everyone around me!

No one likes a crabby Amber. Hey, I didn't get the nickname "The CRANK" for no reason in high school. Sad, but true...ask Chad.

First things first. CATCH UP ON SLEEP!

Good night.

Our Chubby Little Owen

2010-04-04T20:02:00.000-07:00

Had to get this picture up. Owen is such a happy baby!

Family Pictures

2010-03-28T21:46:00.000-07:00

My entire family is in town spending a week together one last time before my parents leave on their mission in June. Today my parents got the whole group...yes all 44 of us...together to take family pictures at the temple. My sister snapped a few shots of our family next to the photographer. This is my favorite.

We are smiling. I love that Alexis and Carter decided to hold hands. And upon a closer look...this is why I REALLY love it:
I guess Owen had bigger and better things on his mind...like Alexis' big bow!

Would you believe Alexis' dress was originally a women's blouse before I took it to my sewing machine?

My parents told us we all had to be in solid earth tones. I'll be honest...almost all my clothes and my kids clothes are bright and cheery colors...or they are a print. I looked and looked for a solid colored dress for Alexis. Nothing...or at least nothing I could spend. So I found a women's size 12/14 shirt for $9 at TJ Max and thought...I think I can turn this into a really cute dress without it being too much work. So, last night after the wedding. I seem ripped the shirt apart at 1:00 am. Decided I was too tired to stay up and gave my self 30 minutes this morning to whip it up. Putting the time constraint on myself helped. Normally I would have made a pattern. There was no time for that. I turned it all inside out and pinned it together on her body, carefully slid it over her head and sewed it all together. You might think I'm pretty talented with how cute it turned out. I think I just got lucky.

One last hurrah...

2010-03-27T08:04:00.000-07:00

before the big day. My long time friend and college roommate gets married today. Last night, those of the roommates that made it for the wedding took her out to the melting pot for some dessert.
So fun. I think I laughed for 3 hours straight. I love my old roommates.

Mark my word...

2010-03-18T22:46:00.000-07:00

this quote will grace a wall in my house very soon!

Women are Angels.
And when someone breaks our wings...
We simply continue to fly...on a broomstick.
We are flexible like that.
People really shouldn't mess with Angels.

Chad even laughed.

R-E-L-E-A-S-E-D!!

2010-03-14T15:27:00.001-07:00

Yep. I was released from my almost 3 year stretch as Primary President today. When I found out last Sunday...I literally felt a weight lifted off my shoulders.

But, like everything else in life...it's bitter sweet.

The Bishop totally made me cry in ward council this morning with all the nice things he said about me. I will definitely miss the people I've worked so closely with. And the kids...although they wore me down most Sundays...they taught me so much and I will miss them.

I warned Alexis and Carter last night...that this would be my last Sunday with them in Primary and immediately Alexis replied in a completely devastated voice:

"Is it because I keep getting out of my seat when I'm not supposed to?"

Poor thing. She thought my release was a punishment for her not following my rules to a T in primary. She's too funny.

I thought I might escape another calling since we are moving shortly. But not the case. I got a new calling that will keep me busy until we leave. I will tell you when I get sustained...but lets say I feel completely INADEQUATE to do it! When they called me I said, "I'm 30...don't older people usually do that!"

When I grow up..

2010-03-14T15:10:00.000-07:00

Alexis no longer wants to be a rock star when she grows up as mentioned here.

She came home from church today stating:

"Mom, you know those stores we go to...like Costco?"

"Yeah."

"When I grow up I want to work there. You know...the people that take our money when we buy the food...I want to do that. Then everyone buying food will hand all their money to me and I can take all that money home. Then, I'd have lots of money."

After I explained they don't get to take that money home she reconsidered. And after a little talk she has now decided to be a Dental Hygienist like me.

Don't judge me...I was brainwashed too. Just kidding. I love my job.

(But for the record: My grandpa, 2 uncles, my dad, and 2 brothers are dentist. And my mom, 2 aunt's, 1 cousin, and 2 sister's are hygienist.)

The Diagnosis: MSPI

2010-03-04T19:25:00.000-08:00

What is MSPI? Milk Soy Protein Intolerance.

Yep. My baby has it.

Needless to say this last month has not been easy.

Tears. An upset tummy. No sleeping. Tears. Frustration. Did I mention tears?

He had a ton of symptoms...and I was nervous from the beginning he might have MSPI. Only time could tell.

I eliminated practically everything from my diet. He returned to his happy normal self within 2 weeks.

First, I added wheat. He did good.
Five days later, I added soy. NOT SO GOOD. 2 days later he was spitting up mucous-y stringy spit up. Then his stools did the same. I called to see if I should stay on it...maybe he could adjust to it. Nope. The mucous meant his stomach was so irritated and most likely bleeding so it was producing a slim to coat his insides. So sad, huh?

So, it's taken another week off soy for him to return to being happy again.

Frustrating...but we made it. And I've learned a lot.

Milk products and soy are in EVERYTHING.

I would switch to formula but it's more than twice as expensive for the kind I need. And leaving to go to work to pay for formula doesn't sound like fun.

So, I'm sticking it out. Trying to nurse to the end. (A heafty goal considering the longest I've nursed is 8 months.) We won't be re-introducing milk or soy till one year. Most babies grow out of it by then.

So, here's to 8 more months and hopefully an added bonus of a skinny body. (For me, that is. A girl can dream of ONE good benefit from this, right?)

PS: I had to ask where the rice milk was at the store. When they pointed me away from the refrigerated section...my heart stopped beating.

But, wouldn't you know...rice milk actually tastes good after drinking it for 4 weeks. Weird, I know.

Parenting Secrets: How to catch your child in a lie!

2010-02-27T12:49:00.000-08:00

Two nights before Christmas I came home from work. As I walked in the door Chad walked out to run some errands.

Carter: "Mommy, can I leave the table now."

Me: "What did Daddy tell you?"

Carter: "He said eat 4 more bites."

Me: "Well, did you?"

(delayed response)

Carter: "Uh huh."

Me: "Carter, are you sure?"

Carter: "Uh huh."

Me: "Alright, if you ate all 4 bites and you are telling me the truth then you can leave the table."

Carter: "Yep, I did." (As he hops off the chair.)

Me: "Ok, Carter but Jesus was watching you and he knows if you ate four bites."

Carter: "Uh huh. I did." (He starts walking away.)

Me: "And Santa Claus was watching you."

He freezes in his walk, quickly turns around, and walks back to his seat stating:

"Maybe, I should eat a few more bites."

Santa Clause vs. Jesus
Immediate gratification vs. delayed gratification.

I think it's safe to conclude a 3 year old DOES NOT understand the latter.

A better Mother than me.

2010-02-23T15:56:00.000-08:00

The other day we were driving to Target. (Me and the 3 kids.) Out of the blue...

Carter asked: "Mom, how we all gonna get dead?"

Me: (shocked by his question) "How are we all going to die?"

Carter: "Yea."

Me: "Well, we don't know how we are going to die. But hopefully we all just die of really old age."

Alexis: (Quick to chime in as usual.) "Actually,
Carter...we die when we are ready to go live with Heavenly Father again."

Carter: "Oh." (Realizing that was a much better answer than his own Mom gave.)

Alexis: "And you see your skin?"

Carter: "Yea."

Alexis: "That is your physical body and it doesn't go with us."

I seriously just got out-done in the mothering department by my 6 year old daughter. My jaw might have dropped to the floor in shock. Shocked about the whole conversation. When did she learn all that. We haven't had a FHE about that recently. I didn't even know she understood the term "physical body" let alone when we will die.

Not sure why I'm their Mother...maybe it's for my sake to learn from them. Either way, I'm still grateful to have them a part of my life.

Owen

2010-02-19T15:19:00.001-08:00

Isn't he the cutest boy? We think so.

On the dock at the river.
December 29th, 2009

We believe in Christ.

2010-02-15T19:43:00.000-08:00

This morning Alexis volunteered herself to be in charge of Family Home Evening.

First, she passed out papers that she had made for us. All of them where personalized with our names and our theme she picked for the night.

Then she gave us pre-folded papers and told us we needed to fill in each square with something we believe about Christ. I was quite impressed with what she wrote she believed in her squares.
Then we all had to draw a picture of Christ. She even made us all color yellow around him because he is BRIGHT!

That's when Chad said: "Hey Alexis...mine looks just like yours."

And then Carter looked up and Chad said: "And yours looks like ours too Carter...in a sort of "Nightmare before Christmas" way."
I started busting up so hard. The kids kept asking why I was laughing and I couldn't stop.

Another successful FHE prepared solely by Alexis. Once again...we will do this more often.

My parents got their mission call.

2010-02-11T18:23:00.000-08:00

So it's not what you'd think.

In fact it was the LAST place we could see them being sent. (Considering we knew it wasn't somewhere like South Africa since they'd be taking my handicapped sister with them.)

Get ready for the anti-climatic response of: "REALLY!"

My parents will serve as Mission Presidents over the...

Salt Lake City South Mission

HUH? I know. But it is so perfect!

My mom was super worried her parents wouldn't make it through the 3 years while they were gone. Now she is closer to them than she is living here in California. My Mom get's to live just miles from her sister and my Dad just miles from his brother...whose wife just so happens to be Melanie's all time favorite person in the world. If you know Melanie I guarantee you've heard of Aunt Laurel. And to top that off...they are smack dab in the middle of all of us kids now. A central location we can all visit.

Plus, it doesn't hurt all the ski resorts are in their mission. There mission extends from South Salt Lake down to the point of the mountain. All of South Jordan to past Park City. I'm excited because we will actually get to see them more than I ever thought we could.

Oh...and they will live just up the street from Boyd K. Packer.

"Are you kidding me?"

2010-02-10T12:10:00.000-08:00

...was taken to a whole new level this week.

Alexis was playing in our patio when her friend Hattie came running over to her.

Hattie: "Alexis, look! I lost a tooth!"

Alexis: "No way."

Hattie: "I did. Look! There's a hole!"

Alexis: "No way. You're kidding me. You like totally lying to me! Seriously, you're sooo lying to me." (emphasis added with hands on hips)

I love spying on her. She makes me laugh.

What can I eat?

2010-02-02T18:12:00.000-08:00

First, I cut this out:

When Owen was 5 days old I had figured out his sensitivity to me eating chocolate. I couldn't deny the difference in him once I cut it out of my diet.

At 2 months old he would wake up after sleeping 1 hour burping and crying like something was bothering him. We put him on reflux medicine and it seemed to help for a little while. But now after being on reflux medicine for a month and sleeping on an incline he is now only napping 30-45 minutes at a time. And I can't get him to go back to sleep for the life of me. Plus, his poo smells horrible. Like sulfur. It's been getting worse and it's just not normal when I am strictly breast feeding him.

I went into the after hours clinic on Friday wondering if he had an ear infection. Do you know what my $70 got me?

"Oh, he's cute. He look happy. I think he just like to you. That why he waking up."

Really! Is that why he's burping and crying? Don't you think he'd fall back asleep in my arms if "he just like me."

I came home frustrated to say the least. So I started researching some things and I've come to the conclusion that I think my milk doesn't sit well with him. So in an effort to take matters into my own hands...I quit eating all dairy products yesterday.

I'm already miserable. I seriously feel like I can't eat anything. Chad went out and bought me soy milk this morning. I took one bite and dumped the bowl of cereal out and opted to eat nothing for breakfast.

I finally got a chance to talk to his real pediatrician today and she completely agrees with me. She said she's had the complaint of babies poo smelling like sulfur before...and those mom's cut out dairy and it got better. So I'm hoping this takes care of it. If it doesn't work then we just have to move on and cut out other food...like wheat.

Ice Skating Nationals

2010-01-30T21:05:00.000-08:00

I flew to Spokane, Washington to have a girls trip with my sister's, sister in laws and my Mom. Owen came along for the trip. I was a little nervous because I had a lay over in Salt Lake City and I didn't know if I could time his feedings good enough for both take-offs. But it ended up working perfectly and Owen did awesome. I can't believe I haven't been on a plane for 5 years.
Above: Me, Jillyn, Syrene, Mindy, Patrice & Elizabeth
My Mom was taking the picture :)

I got to Spokane Wednesday night, January 20th. My Dad picked me up at the airport and took me straight to the arena to meet up with my family that had arrived already to watch some of the Jr. Ice Dancing. My favorite sports to watch are Gymnastics, Diving and Ice Skating. Chad knows if he sees any of those on TV he better record them. So this trip was so fun for me.

Here is Owen enjoying the show.

We spent the whole weekend watching the Ladies Ice Skating (2 times) and the Ice Dancing (3 times.) Plus some Jr. competitions. We went out to eat. Walked around the mall and enjoyed a few days to ourselves. We also drove 30 minutes out of the city to see my brother's house, ride his horses and see his newly built dental office. The office was huge and so beautiful.

This is his front desk area when you walk in.

When you walk through the door to go through the back office there is big wall separating the front office from the back office. Greg has a huge quote wall with such great quotes. I so want a quote wall in my future house one day.

We rode his horses and then my sister in law pulled out this tiny pony with tons of energy. They attached this cart to him and away we went. Greg told me he goes fast but I didn't believe him till jumped on. So funny. I just kept thinking how I wished my kids were with me because they would have been laughing hysterically.

I had no clue Sasha Cohen was coming back to try-out for the Olympics after taking off 4 years of competitive ice skating. She is my ABSOLUTE favorite ice skater. Seeing her in person was incredible. She got 4th place so she isn't going to the Olympics but she is hand's down still my favorite.

We were on TV. If you watched it or if you watch it on the internet you can see us whenever the ladies skated in their long program. When they finished you could see 3 posters on the first row of the 2nd level. That was us. Our babies were holding the signs. I think they never scanned in on us because it was so dark up there. So unfortunate...we could have really brought up the ratings with how cute our babies are.

I came home Sunday night. We had lots of fun but I came home so tired. I shared a bed at the hotel with my sister. She just got her walking cast on and she didn't wear it at night. So besides getting up with my baby in the middle of the night I'd get up to get hers for her. Then I'd make her a bottle and put her back in bed when Mindy was done feeding her. I guess I love my sister enough to sacrifice my sleep.

The SAD/HAPPY NEWS...

2010-01-17T17:19:00.000-08:00

I'll tell you the news through a little story.

My parents sit down with their grandchildren to tell them the news.

My Dad: "Kids...we have good news and bad new for you."

Katelyn (11 yrs old): "Tell us the bad news first."

My Dad: "Well, we will be leaving again. But this time we will be gone for 3 years!"

Katelyn: "What's the good news?"

My Dad: "Well, Elder Eyring has just asked us to serve as mission presidents."

Tyler (7 yrs old): "What was the good news? I must have missed it."

To the grandkids...this is NOT good news. And many days, it isn't good news for us adults either.

I got a call just before Christmas. At work, no less. My dad wanted to be the one to tell me there was a possibility they would be leaving again.

I was inbetween seeing patients and I started CRYING so hard. But had to quickly wipe away my tears to see another patient.

A little over a week ago my parents sat down via video conference with Elder Eyring. They leave June 23. All we know now is it is English Speaking. We don't know where until mid February. But it could be overseas which would make visiting them difficult.

The good news for Chad and I is that we will be MOVING! My parents have asked if we could live in their house while they are gone. We couldn't be more excited to have access to a washer and dryer, a side yard, an attached garage, a pool, a large house and a cul-de-sac for the kids to ride their bikes in. Not to mention we will now be in both my sister's ward and the kids will all go to the same school. My elementary school. Moving is bitter sweet too because we have loved our ward and I have loved all the parents I've met at Alexis' school.

So, come JUNE...we are out of this joint. No more coin-op laundry, wheeling the dishwasher to the sink, and stray cat poop tracked onto my carpet. I like the sound of it already.

Have I ever told you I get my craftiness from my mom? She has a large laundry room (with a laundry shoot) set up for sewing and tons of counter space.

Friendship

2010-01-08T21:31:00.000-08:00

Today should have been an emotional day...but luckily I had a friend here all day to make it better. I'll explain later.

I love these quotes on friendship. A girl in my ward gave a talk over a year ago and she read these quotes.

If there’s someone you can talk to, someone no one can replace-
If there’s someone you can laugh with, ‘till the tears run down your face-
If there’s someone you can turn to when you need a helping hand-
If there’s someone you can count on to advise and understand-
If there’s someone you can sit with and not need to say a word-
If there’s someone you can trust to keep each confidence she’s heard-
If there’s someone you think more of, as each year comes to an end-
Then you’re a very lucky person for you’ve found an eternal friend.
Author Unknown

“A friend is a person who is willing to take me the way I am but who is willing and able to leave me better than he found me.” Marvin J Ashton

“As you walk the road of life, be careful of your friends. They can make you or break you. Be generous in helping the unfortunate and those in distress. But bind to you friends of your own kind, friends who will encourage you, stand with you, live as you desire to live; who will enjoy the same kind of entertainment; and who will resist the evil that you determine to resist.” President Hinckley

This is definitely an area where I feel blessed. I have such great friends and I always love making new ones too!

How is a good kid a problem?

2010-01-04T00:22:00.000-08:00

Being over the Primary kids at church has brought it's challenges.

Today, I had another challenge. A completely different one.

Carter.

He joined us as a sunbeam, today. I was so busy I didn't even make eye contact with him till 20 minutes into it. He looked and me and smiled. And unfolded one of his arms just enough to wave a few fingers at me and then folded them right away.

When it came time to pick helpers I said what I always say: "I'm looking for kids who are sitting reverently."

I look around and out of the corner of my eye I spot him and couldn't help but look directly at him. Sitting straight up in his seat. Arms folded. Feet on the floor. Smiling. And wide eyes. I swear he batted his eye lashes at me too. The problem...he sat like that the whole time.

So I did it. I called on him. But how the heck do I not call on him next week?

Ready or Not...

2009-12-29T20:15:00.000-08:00

Today: My last day of being 29 on the 29th.
Tomorrow: My first day of being 30 on the 30th.

Some days I feel it. Some days I don't.

I used to HATE having my birthday 5 days after Christmas. But now...I love it because I get to spend it with the people I love the most, my family.

We're enjoying our last night at the river. It sure is relaxing. Wish I didn't have to leave. Darn Disneyland...for making me show up in person to get my discounted pass on my birthday. I know...rough, huh? The problem is we can't enjoy a little trip there since my husband and kids passes are blocked out for the holidays!

Alexis' 6th Birthday

2009-12-18T21:50:00.000-08:00

Another big week. This time for Alexis.

Her actual birthday was filled with school, a trip to Disneyland and cake and ice cream with just the 5 of us. We got her a "look I can swim doll" which she loves.

In an effort to save I made the two other gifts. They turned out quite nicely.

First up, a sleeping bag since she is always trying to carry her baby bassinet everywhere.

Next, a baby doll baby bjorn.

Last Saturday we had a party for her. We put on:

You walked through this: (Idea from "Blue Cricket Design")

and into this:

The workshop tables:

As the kids got settled my friend, Jillonnie, decorated their faces with a little bit of face paint.

For the first activity the kids had to pick 3 Jolly Rancher candies from the center of the table. Unwrap them and line them up. We baked them for 6 minutes and they turned into these...JOLLY POPS! So cute and yummy. Recipe and idea from "The Decorated Cookie."

Then the kids used permanent marker to draw their names on Shrinky Dink Plastic. I haven't done those since I was a kid. So fun. I had pre-cut rectangles and hole punched them so they could make key chains or necklaces. Fun to watch them shrink up in the oven.
Then one table came to the kitchen and made their rainbow cupcakes. We made two batches of yellow cake mix and separated it into 6 containers. Then added food coloring. My mom wrote their name on the bottom of the cupcake liners. They picked the colors and order they wanted as my parents spooned it in their cupcake liner.
Meanwhile, the other table made their own bubbles with Chad. The secret ingredient for successful bubbles: Karo Syrup. Recipe from "Homemaking Fun." We added food coloring. I pre-cut "monogrammed" initials for them to glue to the top of their bubble container.
Alexis opened presents and they came back to the table to make their own lip gloss. Recipe from "Not so idle hands." Just cool-aide, water and petrolium jelly.

Wal-mart sells face paints for less than $3. 12 of these little flip lid containers come attached together. We cleaned them out after we used the face paint and cut the plastic bar that joined them all. I'm still putting it on. It taste so yummy. Just don't use sugar free Kool-aide. Buy the Kool-aide with the sugar already in it...not the little packets.
Then the kids frosted their own cupcakes. While Alexis was opening her presents I threw some pink lemonade into the ice cream maker. They gobbled down their swirly rainbow cupcakes along with pink lemonade slushies. The pink lemonade was made from a frozen concentrate and made according to packaged directions. Found that out from "The Idea Room."
Then the kids finalized all their projects. Added a string to their shrinky dink. Put a wrapper on their jolly pops and collected all their goodies in their cup and went home.
The whole party was super cheap. The entry drapes and the sign were made out of wal-mart plastic table clothes. Tinkerbell was cut from a box from the dollar store and taped to the sign. The cups were just flowers cut out of cardstock and slipped onto a paper party cup. They stayed without glue.

The kids kept busy and I think they had a ton of fun. It required a lot of help. I definitely couldn't have done this alone. There was a lot of cooking that needed to happen all while the kids wanted to move onto the next thing.

FYI: I saved the sign and drapes anyone is welcome to use them.

When are your Christmas cards coming?

2009-12-18T19:48:00.000-08:00

For now...they aren't coming. So sad. My sister broke her leg a few weeks ago making it necessary for me to work for her. That unexpected extra day of work each week along with trying to make my kids Christmas gifts made me need to give up something. So maybe New Years cards or a family birth announcement. Who knows? For now...just know I love you all and didn't forget about you. I just needed a break.

Cleaning one of many PILES in my house...

2009-12-15T22:45:00.000-08:00

...and I came across these gems:

A school worksheet I pulled out of Alexis' backpack after school.
The instructions:
-for 1, 2, and 3 read the sentences and write words to complete them.
-for 4, draw a picture to show how the story might end.

Well, she followed directions and put that story to an END!

Next, Carter's awesome spiky haired dude. He's getting pretty good at drawing.

Alexis' "special words" during the 1st Presidency Christmas Broadcast. We read a story in the friend earlier this year about a little boy trying to spell all the special words he heard at church to help him pay attention better. We've loved the idea and Alexis has really caught on. Who knew kids would be so excited to draw on plates instead of paper.

Some of my favorites:
savyeyr=savior anjllse=angels boorin=born profis=prophets jooey=joy keeing=king jeeses=jesus glloorey=glory pess=peace

She didn't ask for help. Not even once.

After getting in trouble one day...she drew this. Yes, we miss Alissa. Apparently, enough to cry a thousand tears when we are in trouble.

And...can you tell Alexis LOVES Owen. She writes about him at school. And when she's not holding him at home she writes notes to him all day long.

Owen's Big Week

2009-12-11T19:41:00.000-08:00

Last week, Owen had his first outing with me. (Besides Grandma's houses.)

We went to Alexis' OCMCO rehearsal at Segerstrom Hall. We sat clear in the back by ourselves. About half way through Chad's Aunt Tara came by looking for a blanket to borrow. She was practicing her part as "Mary" in the Nativity scene during some of the songs. They needed a blanket because they forgot the baby doll they would be using in the concert to play baby Jesus.

She was walking away with the blanket when she turned back to me and looked at Owen. I asked her if she wanted to hold Owen. She asked if I cared if she took him on stage and practiced with him. I said, "sure." It was Chad's Aunt after all and she is basically a baby whisperer. Plus she wasn't coming very close to all the people and kids.

Anyhow, while they were rehearsing my brother-in-law, the director, looked over and saw Owen moving his arms and looking around the concert hall as Tara held him by the manger scene. He announced to the hundreds of people rehearsing...he would pay for that real baby to be in it because it made it so much more touching. As he walked over to Tara he asked her who the baby was.

Her response, "Uh, it's your nephew!"

(FYI: Brett is on my side of the family and Tara is on Chad's)

I was going back to work the next day so we had to make necessary arrangements. Switch around some babysitting situations. Thanks to Chad's mom and our friends, Natalie and Tyler, things worked out great.

After work I booked it down the freeway and got there in time to see his first performance. I tried to schedule out his feeding so he'd be awake and fed for when he was on stage. But the first show started late so he slept through the whole thing. People knew he was real but couldn't believe he slept through 10 minutes of an orchestra and hundreds of people singing right next to him. He did awesome. Brett was kind enough to let us stay in the directors room away from all the participants.

Chad and I got to watch the second show. I knew he would be getting tired right about the time he'd come out. They came in the back doors on the main level and walked through all the people till they got to the stage. When they walked in the concert hall Owen let out a little cry. Enough to say..."HELLO...look at me." Then the spotlight went on him and as Tara said, "A true Pitt." He turned on his charmed and stopped his cry and looked around for the rest of the time.
It brought tears to my eyes to see my baby playing baby Jesus in front of thousands of people and participating in a concert my brother-in-law works so hard on.

Then, on Sunday, we blessed Owen at church. There were tons of family and friends...just like we like it. Then we had a brunch at Chad's parents house and a dinner at my parent's house. (Our families are way too big to try and combine. There's at least 30 people at each house.)

When I found out I was having a boy one of the projects I was determined to sew were baby blessing shoes. I have never found boy one's I've liked so I've never bought any. I used this pattern to get the size right. Inspired by these shoes...but there was no pattern available. So I drew the top myself and went for it knowing I would likely fail the first time. I shocked myself...I kept the first attempt. And they are even cuter on. They are made out of linen with a cotton lining. I used buttons from an old shirt of Chad's brother.

(More pictures of Owen to come...we didn't get many of him that day...I plan to take more but Owen came down with a horrible case of baby ACNE and illness struck me fast and hard yesterday. Grrr.)

Just a bonus picture that Chad took before Thanksgiving. I never like pictures of me these days...but look how cute my sweet baby is. I love his bright blue eyes that might just change to a dark brown like Carter's did.

O Christmas Tree

2009-11-30T20:16:00.000-08:00

I wish I said "NO" less often. I normally wouldn't let my kids ride on the bottom of a cart. But tonight I didn't care one bit. As Chad was wheeling them with our Christmas tree I had one of those moments where I had this overwhelming feeling of love for them! Glad I had my camera in my pocket to remember it forever.

Decorating the tree.

Owen is not smiling on demand but he will smile randomly. Today, Alexis was holding him and singing her school songs to him and he smiled a couple of times. It seemed coincidental since I still can't get him to smile at me. As we were decorating the tree I was trying to get him to smile for a while to get a picture. NOTHING. I had been trying for a few minutes when Alexis walks over and IMMEDIATELY when she starts talking to him he does this...
You can tell by the way he turns to look at Alexis and Carter when ever he hears their voices that he loves being around them. And now this. Maybe he'll smile at me one day.

A 5 year old trying to repent.

2009-11-29T00:04:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard it? Sure, I've heard her say she's sorry. But, tonight, she took her repentance process to the next level without telling us.

We put the kids to bed at Chad's mom's so we could all watch a movie in their family room. The kids were told if they get out of bed the door to the room they were sleeping in would get closed. Simple concept. One we work on constantly.

Carter got out twice in the first 10 minutes.

"A bad dream" he says. HA!

Alexis didn't come out for at least 30 minutes.

"I need a drink" she says.

So Chad responds, "Alexis get a drink then close your door. You knew the rules."

Alexis does as told. A few minutes later Chad's sister, Alissa goes to get something from one of the back rooms. She hears Alexis crying in her room. But she is also talking. Alissa listens at the door wondering who she is talking to and this is what she hears.

"I just wanted a drink of water. I'm trying so hard to be good.
I'm sorry. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

We were dying laughing to say the least. So, although, she still doesn't know we heard her prayer...Chad intervened with another drink of water and let her have the door open "just because."

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T20:14:00.001-08:00

I am so thankful and feel blessed to be surrounded by this cute company every single day!
Today we had a relaxing morning watching the parade and getting ready for our day. Then we were off to my parents for a Thanksgiving feast with 2 of my sister's families, my brother's family, my cousin's family, my parents and my Grandparents. It was quite relaxing even with all the little munchkin's running around. We spent the entire time at my families because last minute Chad's family went to Big Bear to have Thanksgiving with his Grandma.

We don't get to see my Grandparents that often so we took another picture with them before we left.
Mmm. He is SOOO sweet. I love this little boy!
Yeah, pretty much the coolest place to hang out.
The feast is over. The kids are in bed. Chad's playing x-box. And I'm searching ads hoping to find sales on the few items we need for Christmas presents. We are keeping the spending to a MINIMUM this year. So the fabric store is going to be my main stop tomorrow to make some homemade gifts I know the kids will love.

Thanksgiving Advent Calendar

2009-11-21T15:42:00.000-08:00

My project this month was trying to make the pottery barn advent calendar myself. It ended up being a HUGE undertaking. I'm pretty good at copying things exactly. It turned out super cute but don't look too close...there are definitely things that aren't straight! The question I get asked most often is if I use my cricut to cut out the felt numbers, etc. And my answer is NO. I haven't forked over the money for the cricut brand felt/fabric yet. To be honest I haven't looked into it much. I do know there aren't all the options in colors I need though. I use my cricut to cut the cardstock and then pin that to the felt and hand cut everything. Now I know why Pottery Barn charges $55! It cost me less than $10 and a ton of time.

Inside each pocket are these little thankful cards. They have circulated all over the blog world. You can print them here. Most people put them in jars. But I just love a cute advent calendar.