The Green Scene

Stuck in the X-BOX

2012-01-31T09:30:00.000-07:00

For Christmas we bought Jayden a XBOX 360 Kinnect. His cousins all had one and he loves, and I mean LOVES playing Black Ops Zombies.

Insert all the judgement you are currently thinking here

I had NO idea just how addicting this game would be, I mean we're talking about a child who for his 6 years of life was doing good to sit for one activity for maximum of 20 minutes. He is just always moving, doing something, getting into trouble, coaxing others into trouble...are you catching my drift?

Well, to give you an idea of just how his and our world has been turned upside down let me spell it out for you. Whenever he is awake, he wants to play XBOX. He will spend HOURS...yes H-O-U-R-S on the thing. He has LIVE so he can talk to his cousins or he'll play on his own. The only time he stops is when we ~~force~~ ask him too.

We do make him do chores, and homework during the week to earn the right to play. I know it's a horrible game to let a 6 year old play these kinds of games. It is rated 'M', yes, remember the judgment from before?

Go ahead and insert some more here.

Cory and I go over all the pros and cons frequently, like he LOVES it and I'm so glad to be able to buy our kids the things that they like to do. It does teach hand/eye coordination..right? Too much? Ok, well it was worth a shot. There are a lot of con's like violence, language, language, We don't want him to turn into a noodle that just plays videos games all day.

The other thing is figuring out the damn thing, like when he asks

'Mom, Cole invited me to a party, can you join it for me?' 'Mom, I can't hear Cole talking' 'Mom, can you load Zombies?'

When they do get connected, it's all I can do not to throw the damn controller through the TV when him and whichever cousin, spend 30 minutes yelling back and forth

'Heddo??' (Jayden still has his somewhat southern accent when he talks)
'Hellllooooo??'
'Heddo??'
'Dude, can you HEAR me???'

AGGHHHH! Just play the game already and STOP yelling HEDDO!

One time, I didn't realize he signed onto a public game forum. Because we have Kinnect, the speakers and microphone are though the TV and not a headset. Well I was ~~yelling~~ politely asking Casey to put a toy down and some man said through the speakers 'Hey, Dude. Tell your Mom to leave you be.'

What the Hell???

I did forget one..eency, teency PRO. It keeps him entertained and out of TROUBLE for hours on end. Seriously, he is glued to the couch which means he isn't

Breaking my things
Making a mess
Torturing the dogs
Breaking my things
Fighting with his brother
Making a mess

For now, we stay focused on the fact that he does do homework during the week and karate with his Dad one night a week. I'm sure when summer comes, he'll want to venture more outside. (won't he?) For the time being, we feel OK about the hours he's on it.

Alright, remember all your judgments? Go ahead and leave me a comment and tell me your thoughts!

Not by the hair of my....

2012-01-30T15:05:00.002-07:00

So sorry, it's been so long. You see I've been just a tad bit busy with, family, work, kindergarten homework and POTTY ~~HELL~~ TRAINING.

I have a few posts to get on here, so we'll start with my current frustration.

My hair.

As I get older, the following question plagues me.

Why is it easier for me to grow the hair on my chin than on MY head??'

I spend time every week waxing and plucking hairs from the most annoying places...I spend just as much time and double the money to get the hair on my head to GROW.

As soon as anyone has the answer to this question, I'd love to hear it.

Christmas 2011

2011-12-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

We've survived another Christmas! I can't believe this mark's number 7 for Cory and I! They just keep getting better and better ♥

We were busy with friend parties, birthday parties, work parties and more. The kids seem happy with all they got and we had fun times together. I even snuck in a few extra days off work after Christmas..so nice to have Christmas decor put away, clean house and even time to BLOG about it all!

We made it down to Christmas Village in O-Town. Only a tad FREEZIN!

My funny face baby at Jayden's birthday dinner

We ran out of time for Santa's cookies...blueberry muffins work ok right?!

The 'Santa Pile' I take on my family tradition of just a few wrapped gifts from Mom and Dad, the rest is laid out in galore from Santa. Every year I feel like I don't have much until Santa lays it out Christmas Eve!

Mom and Dad won best gift award ~ XBOX Kinect 360!

Santa delivered his promise of a NERF Gun with sniper sights

Oh Casey Babe and his Rockin Mickey Mouse!

And the XBOX epidemic has arrived at the Green House!

Mama & Papa came over to sneek a peek at the Fun

Daddy putting together toys with Miss Maizey keeping a close eye!

This year I put together a stocking for my Mom. This was always my favorite thing at Christmas and I had just as much fun putting together one for her! ♥

Christmas night at Grandma Jo's for dinner and presents with the Kellerstrass Clan

Everyone gathered in the kitchen to snack while Grandma Jo bakes away!

It's hard to get together with everyone during the Holiday Season, I hope everyone was able to enjoy the Holidays and get to spend time together with loved ones. Merry Christmas to all my blogger friends..whomever you may be!

Jayden turns 6!!

2011-12-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

Jayden has hit that magical age in life when you stop wanting to spend every birthday with family and you start having a social life known as Kindergarten and a thing called 'friends'. So, we decided to indulge in his first 'friend birthday' and take several of his friends and cousins to Fat Cat's in Ogden.

Next time I have thought, I'll be sure to phone one of my friends so they can shake me back into reality!

We did survive the evening and it served it's purpose in making sure Jayden felt special on his big day and have plenty of loved ones and friends to celebrate. I do have to thank my Mother, Mother in-law, Sisters and Hubster for helping me make sure everyone arrived ALIVE.

What a night!

Jason, Lisa and Laurie cheering on the bowlers

Dax, who is great at every sport and didn't disappoint on bowling. Did you know you can throw the ball from the very end of the lane where the wood meets the tile and still get all the pins??! Well DAX can!

Preslie trying out the ramp

Best friends Skylee and Preslie, they are our neighbors and Preslie is in Jayden's class

Dalton showing off his faux hawk

Opening up MANY presents!

Blowing out the birthday cake! We asked one of Cory's high school friends to help us make a extraordinary Gator cake! She didn't disappoint! Complete w/red velvet filling it was the star of the show!

Visit her here Sugar Shoppe

C'mon, who wouldn't think this is appetizing!?!

Everyone got a balloon hat or sword

Bumper cars were the other highlight of the night!

Grandma Diane and Casey!

Friends from school (Ryker, Preslie, Skylee, Jayden, Madden and Dax)

We had an eventful week of Birthday! After the party, Jayden and I made his 'All about me' Poster for school. Then Cory and I went to his class and talked about his poster and the fun things we do together. After that, we took Jayden to lunch at the 'Pickle Place' Chili's complete with a rack of ribs, cinnamon apples and the birthday song!

Jayden my love, you are one very special young man. You amaze me everyday and never cease to teach me something new. I love the joy, excitement and sparkle in your beautiful eyes and I can't wait to watch you grow up into a wonderful man...just like the one smiling with pride at you in this picture.

Happy 6th!

Twelve Days of Christmas 2011

2011-12-27T15:50:00.001-07:00

Once again, my sweet, cute, adorable, sexy, man of my dreams gave me the twelve days of Christmas. I love getting gifts, but I also love his creativity and time he takes to make each day special. There is no doubt in my mind, I'm one LuCkY girl!

He did tell me on day one that this years theme was related to SEX..apparently he's been feeling a little deprived. So ladies, settle in and break out the popcorn...it's time to reveal this years 12 days.

PRE-WARNING..they are a little SPICEY this year Ü

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me one naughty outfit, pretty sure it's more for HIM than ME.

Ok, I'm not real big into lingerie, but this was pretty fun to see something HE picked out and thought was SEXY. Fact #2...this outfit was DIFFICULT to put on. I mean, all kinds of straps and fasteners. I finally shut the bathroom door and told him he couldn't see until I figured the damn thing out...I mean, we obviously know the real thing is NOT near as sexy as the picture on the box let alone watching me fumble naked trying to get it on. The strangest thing though...totally easy to get it OFF...Ü

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, two stretchy head bands to wear before bed and getting ready.

I love my head bands...I love how much time he puts into everything. He notices the little things, like I really love a certain kind of headband.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, three pieces of 'bling' that one day will be Diamonds GUARANTEED!

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, four bottles of warming lotion for him to RUB all over me.

Anytime Cory wants to RUB me..I'm fine with that. Umkay..Okay!

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, five tubs of HOT LOVE, which are gels for pleasing me!

I had to turn two of the tubes around. The names were a bit too much for my BLOG. With that said, stop whatever you're doing...and go get these from Spencer's..drop your drawers and have SEX with your significant other RIGHT NOW. If you don't have a significant other, the first attractive person you see will do. Ü

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me six VS lip glosses, to only use when I want no KISSY.

True love I say, is when you buy your wife something she loves even when you hate when she uses it!

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me 7 SEXY parts covered, parts that only HE gets to see.

On the eighth of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eight sex tickets, that again are more for HIM than ME!

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, nine holes in a spatula that he will use to make breakfast for me!

Corys pancakes = DELICIOUS!

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 10 ounces of pouring, out of the gravy boat so no more borrowing!

This is one piece of dinnerware I've been wanting. When we have family over and I make a roast or anything with gravy, I'm always having to borrow his mom's gravy boat!

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me 11 treats for me to eat while we are watching movies!

Drum roll please..................On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, an IPad 2 that I've been wanting sooooooooooooooooooooo badly!!!

I was so excited!! The funny part to this story is the Friday before Christmas I went to Rainbow Gardens with my Mom, Aunt and Sister. We love to eat lunch and walk around the store to see what stocking stuffer or last minute gift we can find. I passed this IPAD cover and was totally in love. I had a slight idea that Cory just MIGHT get me an IPAD..so I bought the cover. I was totally thinking if he didn't buy it for Christmas, then one day I would have one. I've never seen a cover like this so I thought better be safe than sorry right!!

When I opened my IPAD on Christmas Eve, I was so excited! I had to tell Cory about my purchase and he just shook his head and said 'You're the only woman I know that KNOWS how spoiled she is, expects it and accessorizes it BEFORE she even has the damn thing!'

Well...can't blame me for being well prepared can you?!

I hope you enjoyed my twelve days! This year was great just like the other two. I'm thinking next year, maybe it's Cory's turn to be spoiled and surprised everyday....Well...he's not too picked on. Just look at what he came home with the day after Christmas......

Can you see my face?? I mean, who the hell comes home with things like this??? Oh, that's right MY man! I love you Cory, thank you for all you do for me and always caring about the SMILE on my face. I'm glad you got to finally bring this UGLY..I mean..UNIQUE bus home Ü

A few of my favorite things...

2011-12-09T08:28:00.000-07:00

With Christmas time coming, I always remember my favorite things growing up during the Holidays. Jayden asked me if I decorated my tree when I was his age, and I thought to myself it was actually my favorite thing to do.

When I was in Junior High and High School, my sisters were grown and moved out and it was just me and my parents. My Mom and I would get out the tree and I'd help with the lights and decorations, we'd laugh or just chit chat. Some of my favorite Christmas memories were with my Mother.

My Aunt Laurie would come in from California every year and we'd all go to Rainbow Gardens for lunch and Shopping. I think that store has the funnest and oddest gifts I've ever seen. Between my Mom and Aunt, we usually end up snorting with laughter before we were done.

Taking a ride to see the Ogden lights, then up on the hill to see the house lights. Going to my Uncles on Christmas Eve with all of our family. We'd sit around the living room and talk about my Mom's favorite Christmas memories of her mother and growing up in Idaho. Then we'd act out the nativity scene and laugh with towels and sheets on. On the way home, I'd watch the sky and try to see Santa.

Christmas Eve P.J.'s

Christmas morning, we'd always have a great Santa pile that wasn't wrapped and the favorite thing each year was the stocking. My mom would find the best presents, make up, pens, candy, note pads, jewelry and any kind of fun nick knacks you could think of. Of all the Christmas gifts I've ever gotten, the stockings always stood out in my mind.

We got to stay home most the day to enjoy our presents and have a big Christmas breakfast, then when I was younger, I somewhat remember Christmas dinners with my Grandma Katie, sitting at her formal dining room on fancy chairs and eating on fancy plates.

Christmas was always a fun time and I love spending time with my family and starting traditions with our boys. Santa always delivers a full stocking, big Santa pile and Christmas Eve pajama's :)

I hope you, whomever you are, enjoy the holidays and get to spend time with loved ones.

Cast Away Kay - The lost post

2011-12-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure why this didn't get posted, it was set for November 19th...hmmm. Well, can't leave Day six from our cruise adventures...so here you go!

Day Six ~ Cast Away Kay

Disney has their own island, to which they've morphed into a kids dream land. The island has family beaches, roped off sections so marine life can't get in, snorkeling, shopping, water slides in the ocean, life guards and of course..non stop characters including Mickey & Minnie!

We docked from 9 am - 5 pm and only one ship docks at a time. Once you see how many people were on the ship you'll understand why this is important. We had a blast sunning, playing in the sand and ocean. We took turns snorkeling, there wasn't much to see because it's roped off, but they had Mickey's treasure hidden in the bottom and some neat fish. You could also go on a kayak ride, bike rides around the island and an all teens area for the kids to be entertained all day. They had swimming with sting rays too, those were all extra excursions.

The food is all included with what you would've gotten on the cruise so it's all you can eat and all free!

Here is one of the play areas with slides that go straight into the ocean. Jayden is the little one on the right with the yellow life jacket. It was right about there he turned around and decided it was too deep for his liking.

This is the family beach, no one lives on this island, these are all people just from our ship...yikes!

On the left is the snorkeling area and the right is where you could swim. Jayden is right on the rope and this is where him and Harrison started yelling SHARK! Needless to say, when people starting exciting the water, the Disney patrol came over and asked them to play their shark came in a whisper as not to scare the other visitors!

Jayden attempts snorkeling!

The view walking back to the ship

From our balcony

This is the view from our balcony looking back onto the island. The dark line across the water is where it is fenced off from the outside ocean and you can see the family beaches.

It was a great day, the boys had fun in the water as usual and dancing Cha Cha Slide with Minnie and Mickey. The vacation was long and so much fun! I can't believe how lucky I am to be blessed with such generous family to give us this opportunity. Like any family vacation, there were a lot of frustrating times with the boys. Being tired and out of the normal schedule can be hard, but well worth it. Cory's still adamant he didn't have a great time and still isn't a vacation type man ~ secretly I think a part of him enjoyed watching the kids explore and see everything.

It's great to be home and back in routine. After a million loads of laundry and packing/unpacking again, we're all settled back in the COLD weather and home. I hope you enjoyed all the details of the trip, here's to the holidays just around the corner!

Casey's Count Down

2011-12-05T14:02:00.001-07:00

Casey is growing up before my eyes. One minute he is snuggling in his blankie and the next he is running circles around his brother. He is talking so much and working on sentences, so much faster than I remember Jayden talking. Jayden was so coordinated with his motions and slower on the speech. Casey, with the help of an older brother talking his ear off has quickly caught on to talking. Here are a few of my favorites:

'MOM! Doin??' He asks me this when I'm driving, cooking, cleaning, folding clothes, watching TV and he is watching me do everything!
'Me luff my blankie' Well, he really still calls his blankie his 'wienie' but I thought you might judge me if I wrote that! We're working on actually calling it a blankie, or even woobie!
'Ne-Nee did it' Ne-nee is what he calls Jayden and they are usually fighting till tears or loving and laughing..and both are EXTREME!
'Reeeelllllleeeeee??' Picture Randy Jackson on American Idol saying it. His Aunt Lisa says it and she loves it when he Casey says it. :)
'Rock a minute' When it's time for bed and we've read our book he whispers that when he wants me to rock him longer

The other night, I was laying on the couch and Casey walked up and put his head on my chest. I asked him to count for Mommy. We've been working on counting but he wasn't close to getting it right, well he sure proved me wrong! He belted out 1-5 without any hesitation! I was so excited, and Cory was starring at me like 'Did you just hear that??'

Yes, Babe. I heard.

Little Balls

2011-11-28T13:43:00.001-07:00

Jayden 'Casey! Don't touch my balls, they are my privacy.'

Me 'Jayden.....' I say while giving him the mother eye.

Jayden 'What Mom? That's what they are, see little balls AND they are my privacy.'

Atlantis, Nassau

2011-11-17T11:00:00.000-07:00

Day Five – Nassau,Bahamas

I could really takefour or five posts to describe this day. I’m not ashamed to say I’m a vacationgirl, I love to visit strange and faraway places.

I have been here once beforewith Cory on a cruise and I hope to go there again and stay at Altantis. Nassau isbeautiful, breath taking and an intriguing place and I’ve only seen aglimpse.

I’ll let my pictures be the guide for most of this post, but here are a few things to know. You could spend an entire week at this resort and still not see all there is to see. It takes 20 minutes just to walk from the main entrance to the actual water park. Along the way are aquariums, fountains, beach views and the most beautiful landscaping you've ever seen. They had the biggest sting ray's I have ever seen...they had to be at least 5 feet wide and are so fast!

We went through the lazy river, that puts all other lazy rivers to shame. It covers the entire length of the water park, has different turns and twists and actual rapids that you find yourself gripping onto the handles of your tube. You go up a conveyor belt..yes, the rich don't walk, they get taken up to the water slides via conveyor belt like a piece of luggage. The water was heated, so even though it was overcast most the day it was wonderfully warm.

We had two horrendous down pours of rain, which came out of no where and was the heaviest rainstorms I've seen in a long time. Then as quick as it had started, it was gone with blue skies again.

Laurie and I went on a few water slides together, most of the tube slides were in a big tower so you couldn't see what kind of slide your going down. I've decided this is a good and a bad thing. Basically, you're flinging yourself into a blue tube and hoping you make it out the other end! One of which was straight down and dumped you into a pool inside a cave. I pushed off and went straight down...I kept my eyes shut and plugged my nose, screaming all the way. Next thing I knew, I was under water and when I came to the top, all I could see when I opened my eyes, was an aquarium of fish so I thought there were fish in the pool with me and I starting screaming..all of which Laurie witnessed and thought was extremely hysterical...rude.

The boys had fun in the kiddie land, with endless mini water slides from one kiddie pool to the next, sea horse fountains and padded pools. We saw the twins once or twice in the lazy river and they had perma grins on their faces. Jayden and Harry kept content going on the same mini slides one thousand times and Casey was happy as long as Daddy was by his side.

It was a GREAT day.

Do you see the arch between the two buildings? It is one suite, once you've been on a waiting list for 3 years it can be yours for the bargain price of $25,000.00 a night with a 5 night minimum! Michael Jackson was a frequent visitor. Yes, I put our name on the list ;)

Some of the many pools, and falls around the resort. Full of colorful fish, sharks, turtles and sting rays.

Jayden and Harry stopping just long enough to say CHEESE!

One of the kiddie pools, you can see the slide to the top left from the upper pool to this area.

Daddy and Casey

Here is the tower where the slides take you through the shark tank. The steep slide up front drops you right into a tube inside the tank..I opted to NOT go down that. Inside the tower is a tube slide that takes you through the building then dumps you into the tube below, if you look close you can see the people inside and the shark on top! It was very neat and spooky. The glass wasn't very transparent so you're concentrating on finding the sharks in the water then all of a sudden he's on top of you! Yes, I screamed every time Ü

This is the top view looking down into the aquarium pictured above.

Nassau, Bahamas 2011

I would recommend this place to ANYONE! It would take you at least one full week to see the entire water park, all the private beaches and shops that surround this amazing facility. This was by far, my favorite stop on the cruise.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!

All Aboard!

2011-11-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

Day Four ~ Disney Dream

We headed out onyet another shuttle ride, this time to for our Disney DreamCruise!

I loved Jayden’sreaction to seeing the boat…well…ok there are many parts to being a mother. Theresponsible mother in me was shocked and the kid in me was laughing…he sees theship out the window and yells

‘JESUS that’s big!’

Well…that’s one way to put it. Technically, hecould’ve said ‘Jeez that’s big!’

We made it throughbaggage check and then waited with the other four hundred and fifty thousandguests. We passed the time by meeting Minnie and Mickey with pictures. Whichcome to find out, Jayden is NOT a fan of getting photo’s with grown people infurry costumes and Casey IS a big fan and even gave Minnie a kiss on the nose J,moving on to getting Jayden his ID bracelet for the boat and my favorite…peoplewatching.

Did you know thatpeople go on Disney Cruises without kids?I mean, I love Mickey and all…but if I didn’t do this for my kids, I’d berockin the boat on Royal Caribbean in more ways than one!

We finally get onboard and it takes my kids all of about two seconds to find the lunch buffet,free coke and ICE CREAM!

24-7 Ice Cream.

It really is likethese people on the boat have never eaten like this and they are all hoardingfood and going back for second and thirds to get their money’s worth. The onesthat aren’t eating, are jumping into the Mickey pool and the Aqua Duck tubeslide that is the entire length of the ship. Characters are all over the placeand people are going crazy with Disney!

Our room waswonderful, with bunk beds, comfortable down feather beds for the parents and wehad our own verandah, which is really a nice way to say private deck.

The cruise was verynice and the food was delicious. They have a huge screen on deck with the poolsthat played Disney movies the entire time day and night. A real inside movietheatre that played the latest movies all day, comedians, a Broadway play thefirst night highlighting all of Disney over the years. We had character meet ngreats all over the ship, and dancing before dinners. Casey walked right up toa girl who was dressed up singing and just started dancing with her!

The twins had theirown deck for teens and we hardly saw them. Brynne took Jayden and Harrison tothe detective lab and Oceener club. We played Goofy Golf on the top deck,basketball and spent most of our time on the ship at the pool. They had a Nemopool for toddlers with slides, jumping fountains and all. The pools were allheated, the towels were warm in cabinets and the soda was free! Nonstopcartoons on TV in your room and the nicest staff you’ve ever met.

Our first night todinner, they had all the kids names on cups waiting for them along with crayonsand every night after, the staff knew our names and what we liked to drink andit was waiting for us when we got there. We had a different dining room eachnight, but the staff stayed the same with you. Our favorite place was Arturo’sPalate. They had giant LCD screens that made it look like you were in anaquarium with talking Nemo’s and Crush the turtles.

Pirates night was ablast, we all decked our pirate gear and headed to the top deck for dancingwith the characters and fireworks after dinner. Little girls wore princessdresses and the boys had pirate or goofy hats. They had hair braiding, faketattoos and anything you wanted you got. The twins got double dinner anddessert every night and Casey raided every housekeeping cart for the ‘cookies’which were little chocolates.

I'd like to interrupt this post and just say....Don't I have the CUTEST PARENTS EVER!!!!

One night whilewaiting for dinner, Casey hit some kind of button and two huge doors startingclosing this big group of people off from the rest of the boat and an alarmstarted going off. I was having an heart attack the whole time and the worsepart of it was everyone knew it was my CHILD that hit the button. It took fivecruise ship staff to get the doors to stop opening and shutting, one of themlooked and me and said ‘He’ll need to leave the ship now’ of course he waskidding but I was DYING!

All in all, the ship was amazing and it really is geared towards kids with still activities for adults. Because it is so pricey, my suggestion would be to go when your kids are between 7-15 in age. That way, it's not so hard on you to control them on the ship and in close quarters and most of the activities seemed to favor those ages. That way, you're not quite so ready to strangle your kiddies or your spouse! Ü

More pictures of the cruise will be posted to my FB account!

Pool Day

2011-11-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

Day Three – PoolDay

We had a quiet dayat the pool, it was not as warm as we would have liked but much better thansnow at home. Playing with Dad in the pool, taking a nap with Daddy and I hadtime to sit in the window and enjoy the warmth of the sun while reading TheHelp occupied our Saturday afternoon.

That evening weheaded to Joe’s Crab Shack for some dinner. To get there we had to ride the‘I-Ride’ which is a trolley that goes around town. The front desk told me whereto catch the ride along with the bus stop number to get to Joe’s. Cory, theboys and I headed out to get some Green family time. We waited for the shuttleto come and when it did, I handed the bus driver a $10.

He asked ‘What’s that?’

‘Uh, it’s to payour way.’ I reply as I'm thinking, have you never seen a $10 bill before? Freakin jackwagon!

As he is pointingto the sign on the machine ‘exact change only.’

It is only $2.25 he tells me,which is all great and fun… but all I had was a $10, so I said,

‘Oh no! The hoteldidn’t tell me that, all I have is a $10.’

Then we proceededto have a stare down, the grumpy bus driver looking at me like ‘Listen lady, ifyou want on this bus ~ you need to give me $2.25’ and I’m thinking ‘Are youfreaking kidding me? I’ve been standing here with my two kids for 20 minutes,they are hungry and grumpy and my husband who didn’t want to come on thisvacation in the first place is already sick of me and this vacation…LET ME ON THEBUS!

Keep the $10! I could give a damn less!’

Finally, he hadsome real words of wisdom ‘Didn’t you read the map? It tells you everything youneed to know?’

‘No, I didn’t read the map. I assumed myhotel would tell me all I needed to know. Apparently I was wrong.’

Now I’m gettingirritated…read the map. Of course I didNOT read the map…why in the hell would I give you a $10 if I had read thefreakin map?

While the busdriver and I are having a pissing contest, Cory is actually doing somethingconstructive and searching his pockets for change. He finds just enough andhands it over.

That seems tosatisfy Mr. Did you read the Map andhe shuts the bus doors. As he is pulling away and I am staring out the windowthinking how stupid the bus driver is, he turns and asks

‘Did your hotel alsotell you that to get to stop 18, you need to get on the red line and thatincludes a transfer?’

Eff this. We’retaking a cab on the way home.

We did finallyarrive at Joes and did have a good dinner. Complete with balloon sword fights,line dancing and Cory getting a case of the crabs. And I would like to point out, I didn’t have to read a map to doit.

$2.25 bus fare

$95 dinner at Joe’s

$12 cab ride with no MAPS….Priceless.

Sea World

2011-11-14T10:30:00.000-07:00

Day Two~ Sea World

Boarding theshuttle promptly at 9am, which reallymeans we were down stairs by 8:50 and passed the time watching Casey go in andout of the revolving doors and calling every old person he saw Grandpa. After the busride, we headed into SeaWorld. Cory and I have been there together when wefirst started dating, and we were excited to share that with the boys. It wasan obvious choice when tickets to Universal Studios were $189 a/piece and Sea World was$81 and kids got in free. We wanted to save our big expense for Atlantis.

Feeding the stingrays would be at the top of my list, they felt like little suction cups on myarm. You held little brine shrimp between your fingers and held your hand atthe bottom of the pool. Before you knew it, they were swarming! The twins wouldnot hold the shrimp telling me I was crazy for doing that…I thought they wereneat to touch and how often to you get to do that?

We saw thedolphins, and all types of aquariums. Sea World is a bit different than Iremember from way back ~ now they have roller coasters! One of our first stopswas a coaster that you sit in and your feet hang down below then it pulls therow up so you are facing down and the track is behind your head and back. Ithas been so long since I have been on a coaster, I screamed and screamed untilwe went through a corkscrew and I’m not sure what happened to my scream but itwas gone! It took my breath away and was so much fun! The twins were a blast tohang out with, like the little brothers I never had.

The boys lovedShamu, Jayden sat up front until Shamu soaked the first rows with about 3 tonsof salt water..then he came running up the stairs screaming and flung himselfinto my lap and then we both had thepleasure of being soaked. Casey loved all the turtles and fishies, they evenhad a kiddie play land with rides similar to the toddler area at Lagoon. Hisfavorite item of the day was a little shamu stuffed animal courtesy of AuntLaurie, to which he affectionately calls ‘My shaa-moo’ We all have to kiss shaa-moogoodnight, hug shaa-moo and be quiet to not upset shaa-moo. Ü

We ended the day atthe shuttle at 5 pm and boy did it feel like midnight. After resting at thehotel for a bit the four of us headed to Golden Corral and took the twins.Nowhere else can the boys get as much food as their little heart’s desire forsuch a good price. Jayden also seemed to like it and it sealed the deal withthe chocolate fountain like the one at home in Ogden.

This is a sample of what the twins plates looked like....and don't worry they had 3 a piece. Then dessert!

Cole had a waitresscall him Babe, Uncle Cory and Ethan had a great time teasing him about it.Casey had his own love affair with a chocolate covered cupcake that ended in anasty chocolate mess all over Casey, Mommy and Daddy.

I should also mention Jayden was kicked out of the dessert area for sticking his entire hand in the fountain. Yes – those are my kids.

Anyone else notice that my 14 yr old twin nephews are just a wee bit taller than their 5'8 mother??? I just noticed Brynne didn't make it in this picture...she must've been in a trance starring at all the FiSh!

Orlando

2011-11-13T11:24:00.001-07:00

We are back fromour fabulous trip. I have so, so many pictures and details from it all. It was exhilaratingand exhausting. Nothing tests your love of family, kids and your marriage morethan going on an extended family vacation together.

I’ve decided tobreak it down into a day by day account, hopefully able to remember it all.Typing what I can on the 4-hour plane ride while kids sleep should help. I hopeI can do justice to all the things we saw and experienced over the last 7days…it was incredible.

Day One ~ Flying toOrlando

We were able to geta nonstop flight. Non-stop FUN! Well. Ok, not really where the fun started.Jayden did great, he was on a row with his long lost brother Cole. They watchedmovies, played IPod games and had snacks for all 4.5 hours. Casey on the otherhand ~was not so entertained. Hesurvived the trip by torturing his parents with whining, squirming, and flayingabout the airplane. Did I mention whining?All the while saying ‘I want my wienie MOMMY!!!’ Which unknown to our fellow air passengers isreally his blanket and not his private parts. I am not sure whyhe calls it that. It went from blankie, to a woobie, to his wienie. All thewhile adorable in the privacy of our own home, not so much in public.

At the end of theflight, the people behind us said ‘What an adorable little boy!’ Cory and I arelooking around like, alright where is the adorable boy and why are you rubbingit our face that our child isn’t soadorable on a 4.5 hour plane ride? Turns out, they did mean US! So, all I canchalk it up too is that it always seems worse when it’s your own child and notsomeone else’s. On the other hand, those people could’ve slept the entireflight and no idea what a little brat he was. I will go with the first option.

We ventured to ourhotel room in Orlando, where we shared a suite with my parents. They had theirown room and we had ours, with a connecting family room in the middle. It wasfun to share a room with them, I’m sure theydidn’t think it was so great as we were yelling at the boys most the time…Ireally try to remain calm on vacation so everyone can have a great time but mykids are out of control in public. So, we are unlike the Brady Bunch in thefact that Mom will yell when you’re in trouble and she doesn’t care whoselistening!

There were a lot of fun times too..The stay was complete with Caseytelling grandma Jo ‘Get in!’ while he was taking a bath, so she did just that!Her and grandpa climbed right in with him!

With my parents spending the summersin Star Valley and both working full time, it is nice to get to spend time withthem and the boys.

We were thankfulfor the warm Florida sun. We shed our coats and levi’s and even had a day atthe pool…the hotel staff asked if we were from the North, since they wouldn’tbe caught dead at the pool in the high 70’s low 80’s.

Yes to us it was a heatwave!

To be continued....

Leave a message at the tone...

2011-11-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

You can find us here.

Pinch me..I must be DrEaMiNG!!!

Disney Dream

2011-11-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving just a few photos while we're gone...for you to enjoy until I get back and post OUR pictures.

I can't believe how excited I am!! Here is what awaits us....

It's almost time...

2011-11-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

I'm getting my posts ready to auto update...I won't have much time you see. Me and my guys have a date with someone special in the next week....here is a sneak peak.

GREASE

2011-11-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

I'm only a little behind in posting. Aren't we all?

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to head down to St. George with my Auntie to see one of the last showings of Grease at Tuachan for the season. She has time in WorldMark Resorts and we scored a 3 bedroom condo for two nights :) Since we had such a big condo, I called one of my besties...Kallie.

We had a blast...no real agendas other than the play Tuesday night. We had yummy dinners and spent 6 hours at the pool. Yes..6 hours with no interruptions, diaper changes, making sure children don't drown, or fighting boys. I read an entire novel and soaked up the sunshine. We cleaned up and headed to the play. It wasn't as good as the movie, they changed some things to clean it up.

Y'all know me and my gutter mind..I prefer the original Ü

It was a short and perfect trip, full of late nights chatting about family, work, friends, husbands and SEX.

We laughed and laughed. Like good friends DO.

Waiting in line for our seats at Tuachan

It wouldn't be a trip if I weren't posing and sticking out my ghetto BOO-Tay!

Can you tell my face got fried in the sun? I was reading a book and looking down the whole time..= red face and white neck. I should've re-thought that plan.

Tuachan = Gorgeous!

I've secretly always wanted to be Sandy, tight leather pants and all! Maybe next year for Halloween!

I had a wonderful time and it was long over due to reconnect with my friend. I'm so thankful to have friends that I can trust with anything, call when needed and know she'll be there. I love her like a sister and I believe our bond is just as tight.

Kallie my dear, you are simply amazing ♥ you!

Wanted: Patience

2011-10-31T07:27:00.003-07:00

Of all the many, many things I've come to learn over my few short years as a parent...almost 6 to be exact...the one lesson that seems to be sticking out the most lately is there is not just one right way to parent a child.

I've spent many hours contemplating my children, asking myself a thousand questions. It looks something like this:

Am I giving them enough?
Do they know how much I love them?
Am I teaching them compassion and understanding?
I can't believe he said that...do I talk like that?
What will their wives look like?
Do they know how proud I am?

I never know for sure if I'm doing it right. I always feel quick to point out when I miss it...that divine opportunity to have a teaching moment or leading by example. I wonder if I spend more time developing my staff at work than I do my own children? (See how those questions just sneak in there?)

If I had to pick one body part I'm least proud of it would be my skin and my stomach. OK that's two..but it's my blog and I make the rules or lack thereof. If I had to pick one parenting quality I'm least proud of...it would be my patience and the fact that I yell. There I said it.

I. am. a. SCREAMER.

I follow a blog you might have seen to the side bar labeled Pink Moss. The author has offered to start an advice column to give insight to her followers and fellow mothers. I submitted the first question, she has 6 girls and 1 boy and to be honest I read her blog as a punishment to myself as a mother.

I read her posts and think, here is a TRUE mother.

I must just be a pretend version or probably should've put a glove on it and rethought the whole 'procreation' process. I only have 2 and here I am, yelling over little things. So I asked...where do you find all your patience? Here is the post.

I thought she had great ideas and my favorite line out of the entire post was that often times we treat our children as if they are adults and understand life how we understand it.

BIG MISTAKE!

I'm not sure why I have so little patience. I found that often times I have more patience with those at work than those at home. Strange, because I have much more invested at home. I have come to the conclusion I have more ties at home. I can yell and throw fits and have no patience...they will forgive me because they love me. If I yell at work, it's easier to be asked to leave. Simple..yet deranged.

I know every family, every house is different. Some rely on religion and prayer, others find their own way. I know this because I watch. Every where I go, I'm listening to mothers talk to their children. Sometimes I think, I'd like to be like her. She sounds so loving and gets response from her children by asking in a normal tone of voice and no yelling!

Sure Mom, I'll stop doing that...love ya kiss kiss!

After much debate, internal debate until now...I've decided to put my best foot forward and focus on little things I can control. When I feel like I need to yell, I'm going to ask myself 'Is this something that can be solved by talking? How would I feel if the 5 o'clock news was here filming me right now? Because let's be honest, most the time I would DIE if there were a film crew following me around.

Also, I've always felt like it's good to focus on the positive. What are some things I feel good about my parenting skills. Here are a few

We read to the kids EVERY night. Ever since Jayden was a baby, we pick a book and read right before bed time. Now, I rock Casey while he has his chocolate milk and Jayden sits next to me. The current favorite pick of Casey's is The Bernstein Bears Class Trip. It's about a field trip to a honey bee farm. Casey calls them 'butterbees' when I kiss him goodnight he tells me 'Night night ButterBee!' swoon
90% of the time we have dinner at the table each night. Even if the dinner isn't fancy (hot dogs with mac & cheese) we eat together and have 30-45 minutes of talk time.
We are very affectionate with our boys. Hugs, kisses, I love yous..anytime I can get a squeeze from my family you betcha I'm taking it!
Sometimes when Jayden thinks that no one is watching, at dinner, in the middle of a baseball game, during Karate practice...he lifts his chin and smacks his lips like he's sending me an air kiss. Then flashes that million dollar smile....oh he's got my heart.
Cory is amazing and always makes time to wrestle with the boys or just play. Some of my favorite times are watching the boys team up on their dad and the endless supply of laughter that comes with it.
We support and protect. No matter what, I always want the boys to feel they can talk to me

So, thanks for not judging (if you do just don't tell me). Hopefully, by sharing maybe it will help you get through whatever ales you right now. I'll keep tabs on my progress. As with all things, I already feel like a weights been lifted just by writing about it.

Family Date Night

2011-10-17T17:07:00.000-07:00

Last Friday night we headed to the trout farm in North Ogden for a little family fun. The boys had a blast and I loved it because I didn't have to touch any fish! After, we walked through the scary corn maze and picked out baby pumpkins.

Cory is such an amazing father!

Casey's first FiSh!

Jayden and his big catch

The Loot

My Handsome boys

Me and my Boys

Jayden and his venture into the corn graveyard

Um..which way do we go?

My little pumpkin picking out his lil' pumpkin!

I can already see the 'I'm too cool for this' attitude coming on for this big man.

It was such a fun night, we ended it at Golden Corral...we had wanted to go to Ogden Pizzeria, but so did everyone else in Northern Utah! I can't believe how much Jayden ate..seriously like 4 plates of food. I think he was too busy people watching to realize he was actually eating!

I'm very lucky to have my wonderful boys and husband. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank the heavens above to be living the life we have and to share with such an amazing husband and father.

Just Deal with It

2011-09-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

As we're all sitting around the table having dinner tonight, we're having our usual discussion....

How was your day?

Even though 9 times out of 10, we all answer the same

Cory 'It was a long day'
Me 'It was good'
Jayden 'Good.'

Then we all discuss what we had for lunch. This tradition started 5.5 years ago when I was staying home with Jayden. Starved for Adult attention, when Cory would walk in the door I would literally attack him and tell him

'Tell me EVERY detail about your day, who did you talk too, what were they wearing and where did you go for lunch.'

I don't know why that intrigued me, but apparently knowing where he went and what he had to eat fulfilled my daily withdrawals for the outside world. As the years went by, it's always been a question I ask Cory everyday. Anyway, I digress.

Along with the normal convo, Jayden adds...

'Someone was mean to me today.'

Excuse me? I can feel my Momma Bear instincts starting to ignite inside me. A small, warm feeling that I do my best to keep under control until I hear what is going on.

I ask Jayden what happened.

'Well....' As he's flipping his hand around absent mindlessly like a 30 year old female gossiping with girlfriends. 'Jake was being mean and pushed me down the slide. We're supposed to wait until the person in front of us gets to the bottom, but he didn't Mom! I hurt the person in front of me and it wasn't my fault!'

'Then, I tried to be nice and let him in the middle of the line with me instead of the back of the line but NO, he pushed me down instead.'

Jayden never offers up a lot of information about Kindergarten, I decide to tread carefully into my response. If I just dismiss it as kids being kids, maybe he won't tell me things like that anymore. If I take it too strong, he'll back off and think he's in trouble. Again, the edition of Parenting for Idiots would be greatly appreciated here!

'Well, what do you do when someone's being mean Jayden?'

'Well.' He sighs and leans his head in his hand and appears to be in deep thought about his response as well. 'I can't tell the teacher, because tattle telling isn't very nice. Um, I guess I'll just deal with it Mom.'

I'm not sure how sometimes when I'm talking to a 5 year old it can feel as though I'm talking to a 20 year old ~ But with Jayden, it often does.

'I don't think you have to just deal with it Jayden, but you're right. Tattling isn't good all the time either. Daddy, what do you think?'

As I look to my husband, he's giving me a look and after 6 years of marriage, I can read his mind completely. He's thinking...you can ask me what I think, but I doubt you'll like what I have to say.

Kick his ass Jade!

So, moving on from Daddy's thoughts before he gives him that advice. I did not want Jayden to have an excuse to have a fight at school.

'Alright, how about if someone is mean to you, ask them to stop. If they don't, then go tell Mrs. Brewer. That way you can give them a chance to stop before you go and get help.'

'Ok Mom.'

Simple as that, it was over.

One of the reasons I love having dinner together at the table every night, is that no matter how many nights of the same conversations that we've had a thousand times before or when we don't feel like talking and we sit in silence, sometimes we even yell to stop yelling at each other. But every now and then, our children remember dinner time is a time to talk. Mom and Dad will always listen and always be there for them. I want our kitchen table to be a safe place where they can tell us about whats going on in their life.

If you can't feel safe and loved at home, where can you?

Hat of a Different Color

2011-09-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

One of the many lessons I've learned as a Mother is the many, many hats we wear. The interesting part is all through my youth as I pictured what my life would be like when 'I grew up' a constant part of that day dream was my family.

Who would I marry?

What would my kids look like and how many would I have?

As I evolved through my life, the questions would evolve with me. I remember while I was pregnant with Jayden, I asked myself...

'How will I know what to do?'

Lesson one - You just know and then you DO

How can a person physically continue to function when going for days and nights in a row with no sleep? How is it that my body was the sole source of food for my child when I could barely remember to feed myself? The months and years are passing....how is it that the smell of a strangers throw up is enough to make me succumb to dry heaving ~ but I can clean up with my own hands, my children's nausea, the most foul smelling diapers, boogers, slobber, urine, blood and sweat without qualm? I don't really ever remember my mother being sick when I was young. I now know why. Even when I'm sick, I still just do what needs to be done and know what my kids need and give it to them. Just like my mother did.

Lesson two - You wear the HAT.

You need me to be a doctor? Ok, what is your illness I will either recall a friend whose child has had it or know where to look to find the answer. You need a coach? I'll stand on the sidelines in the pouring rain screaming with all my heart that you can GO GO GO! You need a chief? After many nights of being creative in the kitchen, I can whip up your favorite dish and if not I'll spend the better part of the evening convincing you why it's the best meal you've ever eaten until you're licking the plate clean. You need a maid? I'll clean your room, laundry, bathroom, fold, iron, and organize until the wee hours of the morning.

Where is my hat rack? I have several to hang.

I am a Mother.

Today, this Mother volunteered at the Elementary school for a Kindergarten class. What an eye opening experience. 22 kids in a class. 22 5 yr old's wanting, running, sweating, snotting, crying, pushing, screaming all together in one un-harmonious group. It was my job to help with the computers. The each have a 10 digit long user name and separate 10 digit long password. It was difficult to get these kids to line up let alone log onto a computer.

User names were like JR8545FRE

Not even really words to help the kids. It was like the user name person had turrets syndrome and was just spurting out letters and numbers. So, lesson one went out the window..I had no idea how to help these other children learn these user names. One little girl kept looking on the ground when I said 'hold the mouse', others would just stare at the keyboard when I said can you find the 7 or the H. So with some of the kids, I helped type the letters so they could play the games like the other kids.

Oh..this was going to be a long 90 minutes.

There was one little girl, we'll call her Polly. She was different and all the teachers would talk loudly to her. Once we entered the computer lab, the main teacher who had the same tone and volume in her voice as the scary catholic school marms with rulers for weapons, took Polly aside and said loudly

'Polly! Say m.o.u.s.e.. Can you say that? Look at me Polly say the word!' Polly shrugged her shoulders and glared at the teacher.

I was glaring too thinking to myself, why would she answer you when you're yelling at her?

The teacher stands up and announces to the aids with Polly listening along with the other kids

'If you're going to help Polly use simple words. Talk slowly and don't try to show her, she won't listen and she's not catching on. Her learning level is very low and they are testing her. In fact, I'll just take care of her and put a movie on. That's the only thing that works with her!'

And with that, my mind was made. Polly was going to be my friend.

After computer lab we headed outside to play. Polly played in the sandbox and stole the other little girls shovels to make her castle. Never speaking, just humming to herself. I watched.

What are her parents like? Do they know the teachers talk to her like that? What tests are they doing? When we went inside, I helped with rotations and every 15 minutes the groups switched from each volunteers table. We had a snack and I read a story at my table.

Polly sat right next to me, I told her she was my helper and needed to help me read the books. She didn't speak words, just grunts and pointed to pictures she liked. She never threw a fit with me and only when the group was told to switch tables, did she show disappointment, I let her just stay with me. She pointed to the black dog as I read all about the color black. Her favorite picture was of the starry night and she'd say oooohhhh and ahhhhhh. I wanted to scoop her up and cuddle her. Find a mirror and tell her how beautiful she is and how smart she is. Don't be discouraged, we are here because we love her and know she can do it. It's OK if you don't learn the same as other kids. Everyone is different.

I didn't use simple words. I just talked to her like everyone else. Did she understand? I'm not sure. Did she behave? Yes. Did my appreciation for parents of special needs children grow? Immensely. I had so much fun with Jayden's class today. There was a need and I put on my hat. But the bonus was I made a new friend. From now on when I visit Jayden's class...I'll be keeping my eye out for Polly. I have no idea of her past or what the teachers have been through with her. I can only base my opinion on the 90 minutes I spent with her today.

If you have kids in school...make some time to put on a volunteer hat. The teachers and our children need your help.

Blogger Challenged

2011-09-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

In the past, I have considered myself technically savvy. I'm quick to research help buttons or search engines to find what I need, I navigate easily through pages and most products. I'm also usually the one to help my mother with her technical issues with her phone and what I lovingly call her I-Pain in the ass Ü

My blog is no different, I've had assistance with the design two years ago but feel confident that I could update posts, links and so on. I'm comfortable with blogger. Lately, it seems that my posts won't space correctly and I spend less time writing and more time researching or re-posting to get my layout right.

I started to research and everything kept pointing to my web browser. Well, I have no idea about web browsers. I use IE and have no clue if it's 7,8,9 or 10. So my research lead to me to believe that my choice was updating to Google Chrome or Mozilla Fire Fox. I've previewed Chrome before and it is 100% different from IE. I have no clue how to navigate it. So I switched back to IE. Blogger offers a newer version to post and quicker download times. So, for now I'm doing the best of both worlds. Google Chrome for blogging and IE for the rest of mine and Cory's internet usage.

While I'm typing this post the layout is completely different. So, we'll see how it goes! Let me know if anyone who is reading this is web browser savvy and where I can go to find out more information.

For now...I'll be on Blogger Chrome Ü

Need a reason....

2011-09-21T15:00:00.001-07:00

To hold your children close tonight?

Please visit here

Then read his Mother's words...they are truly life altering.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Donaldson Family.

Moore, ID

2011-09-20T13:00:00.006-07:00

Cory has been looking for a dually and found one in Moore, ID. Where you ask? We had no idea either, but we left work early to venture on one of our favorite past times together...Road Trips.
I love road trips with Cory. We've driven a few places before we had kids and haven't had the chance to do much since. So, off we went!

Do you know what lies 50 miles West of I-15 in Idaho? Well..I didn't either so let me share with you what we found.

Once we hit BlackFoot, ID we exited the freeway and headed West. There wasn't much to see for miles, but all of a sudden we came to a intersection and all we could see were HUGE buses. Like Greyhounds. Except they were all painted yellow and said 'Idaho National Laboratories'. I told Cory, do think they are Top Secret employees that have to be driven by bus to the radiation labs??? (This is possible right? Maybe I watch too many movies)

He of course wasn't too sure of that analogy. So we headed on, seeing many signs with the atomic symbol and this 'Idaho Laboratories with buses passing us.

Once we hit Arco, ID there was a little gas station that no one appeared to know where to park. All the cars were lined up against the building and not in parking stalls.

We walked into the gas station and it smelled of strong bacon scents, and why wouldn't you grill up a vat of bacon at 4:30 in the afternoon? Old couples were eating in silence and a mom was reading a news paper while her son was slumped in the booth starring off into space. Probably wondering why he was seeing tracers and blurred vision from the radiation laboratory.

Maybe his Dad was on that bus.
After a restroom trip and some snacks, we had extra time so I walked around the gas station...and this is what I saw.

I mortified my husband and while Farmer Jack was having bacon bits for dinner I posed next to his John Deere and asked Cory 'Do you think my tractor's SeXy??'

Here's another gem I found, do you really think they sweep the streets of Arco, C'mon...85% of them are dirt!

Isn't this the coolest coke can you've ever seen...16 ounces!!

Across the street, the mountain had numbers painted all over it. I was sure it was the number of people impacted by radiation over the years ~ I instantly thought of Erin Brockovich.
When I was done humiliating my husband, we headed out for Moore, ID. Once we got there, it was a young couple with two small kids. They had a adorable farm house and a nice yard lined with huge pine trees.

As we headed down the little drive, I saw them. I knew that I could easily entertain myself here while Cory worked the truck sell.
H.O.R.S.E.S.

Meet Mama and Homer. Oh how I love horses. I headed straight over and I think while I was on a beeline for the horses, I turned my head to mumble

'May I look at your horses?'

I'm sure the wife was thinking 'Um, sure since you're already half way over the fence wierdo.'

What?

Some things I have no restraint on. Clothes, jewelry and horses. I spent the next 45 minutes, petting the horses, talking to them, feeding them apples and taking their pictures. Secretly I reliving my dream of being a barrel racer.

The couples little girl was about 3 and she spent the time with me telling me about her horses. When one would fart she'd say 'That's the horsey's BUTT, it talked to you.'

Here was the keeper...Bells.

Isn't she gorgeous?! 7 months old and believe me ~ I plotted ways to get her in the truck. But the little 3 yr old blondie was having no part of it. 'MY BELLS!!' she kept saying over and over. Alright already, I heard you the first time!

Can't say that I blame that little girl, Little Bells the horse was a sweet heart. Cory made his deals and we headed home. I bid farewell to the horses, day dreaming all the way home about the day I can have my buckskin and ride just once in a rodeo barrel race. We had a great time and made it home about 10 that night.

I did find out from the wife that it IS a radiation plant and nearly everyone works there. If you're not a full time farmer you work at the 'site'. We talked about the buses, apprently the inside scoop is the bosses at 'the site' hate the buses because they're always late and always leave early.
The numbers on the mountain? The graduating classes over the years paint their year on the mountain. (Likely story) The unfortunate part was we came home to Jayden with a fever of 101...yes it was a pleasant weekend!

Sister Mondays....

2011-09-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Is this me and my sisters? NO. The brats wouldn't let me take their pictures. Next time I think I'll have them sign a waiver that if we are to go on any sister dates, I get to take photographs. So, insert random 3 girls here.

A few weeks ago I was talking to Lisa on our daily morning chats. I normally call her once I'm in my car and we chat while I drive to work and she gets the kids ready for school.

I'm not sure why I pick the busiest part of her day to call...other than I'm her baby sister and supposed to bug her for the rest of her life.

On this specific morning we were talking about how this fall is busy for her husband J. He's got bowling on Tuesdays and softball on Thursdays. (I could have mixed those up) But, you get my drift. This leaves her with 4 kids to do errands, hip hop, dinner and bath time.

So I say to her, why don't you pick a night and do something for you? She's not the kind to take a class or join a group of some kind. But she could at least spend 3-4 hours AWAY from the house. She tells me that's not a bad idea and she'll think about it. One question, would I join her? Well..I think to myself..why not? I love spending time with my sister(s) and even if we do twice a month it shouldn't hurt.

We decide niether of us have a lot of cash to be spending on the activities but what we do decide is it will be worth it and fun. We laughed that we could go hang out in a parking lot somewhere and just sit in silence...that would be a welcome break.

I tell Cory about it and he seems ok. You know when your husband tells you it's ok but you know he's not really excited to have you gone? He does Karate two nights a week but he does that with Jayden so that doesn't really count. So we plan for the next Monday to do one of our favorite past times...a drive up the canyon over trappers loop and ice cream at the Oaks. Laurie decides she's on board for some sister time.

It was a pretty drive up the canyon and the Oaks was a bit cooler than we had planned. We decided on a healthy choice of nachos and onion rings and listened to the river. When we were walking down I was sure it was Richard Dreyfuss sitting there to which Lisa and Laurie got hysterical. I told them to scoot together and I would take their picture so I could get in the background. But would they? NO.
We had a great night full of laughter. We may not always see eye to eye on family, kids, spouses, school or religion. But when we get together, we do agree on how hysterical everything is.

I LOVE my sisters. I love that we can talk about everything from the last thing our kids have done to drive us insane and then the next thing you know, we're discussing our sex lives.

No matter what happens to me, the choices I make or what is ahead in my next 30 years I know that I will always have my sisters by my side.

'Sisters by birth, friends by choice.'

He's just all grown up now...

2011-09-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

Well..it happened. Jayden's in full blown school. Well...1/2 day kindergarten :) His teacher is Ms. Brewer and he's loving it so far. Here are some pictures of that day.

Jayden, Ally and Snacks..(Casey)

OMG...he melts my heart.

Cheese'N it!

His smile face while thinking inside 'Let me get on the damn bus Mom!'

And..this is my baby, my first, my life, driving away on a BUS. It's like tomorrow will be High School graduation, College, Marriage, Babies. I'm so proud of myself..I didn't follow the bus!

Jayden, you are the smartest little 5 yr old I know. You have a smile that melts everyone's heart and you are so brave. Make many friends, be yourself and be proud of who you are. There are no limits to what you can do...we BELIEVE in you ♥

Race Way

2011-09-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

AFCU had it's employee party at the Rocky Mountain Raceway this year. We took Harry with us and had a great night. The boys loved watching the cars, I was a little bummed...we gave our raffle tickets away to leave to get Casey and 5 minutes after we left they won a freakin flat screen TV and lunch coupons!! Oh well.. I guess that's my luck. It was a fun date night with my parents, Jade and Cory!

Tired already!! This is on the way TO the races!

Pa Harley and Harry

Ma Jo & Jayden

I LOVE this picture...I know this sounds retarded and degrading but it reminds me of the movie Forrest Gump when he's sitting on the log at the end with his son! LOL..are you laughing out loud?! Because I am! Love you Daddy ♥

St. George

2011-09-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago (I know, past due..but hey not too many of you were willing to share the comment love in my previous post...so making you wait was the punishment!)

Anyway, I digress.

We have family down there that we miss so so so much, when I was able to get a Saturday off we decided to make full use of it. They are the kind of family that we can go years without seeing each other and just pick up where we left off. I feel so welcome and loved, it's hard to live so far away. :(

The drive was a bit long, but we made it there safely. My gracious Aunt let us use her timeshare at the WorldMark resorts and it was fabulous! We had a two bedroom condo, with two pool areas including a kidde pool perfect for Casey.

We spent time at the pool, had a BBQ with just the four of us and had fun with late night pillow fights and watching movies. Mostly, just being lazy and getting prepared for the busy life of school days.

We also had a great night with a Pizza party at the Green's. It was so fun to see the kids all together and visit with the girls. Words can't describe how much we love Bob and Anne...they are truly special people.

Cory's Grandma Gen with the great grandkids
Brian showing Jayden the unicycle. That child was on every kind of bike, scooter, razor you could imagine all night long. He LOVED it!

Look at this Chub-a-lub! Cory looks so handsome with that little babe ;) I also took my turn mushing all over his cheeks..he's too little to run away!

And the pogostick..pretty sure I had at least 3 strokes while watching this.

Our gourmet chef at the Condo

Nothing like a late dinner, in pajama's while watching Rio on vacation!

Loving family pool time!

Look at these handsome boys...life doesn't get much better.

Open House

2011-08-31T11:00:00.000-07:00

Another delayed post..I hosted a Oh! So Chic open house along with Glitter Toes from Lavish Salon. We had a AWESOME turn out and it was so fun to see all my friends AND get new clothes!!

Jade getting his hair feather!
Brynne getting her hair did

Clothes..clothes...and more clothes

Glitter toes

Thank you to everyone who has supported me that night, whether it was shopping or not...it's because of great friends like you that I consider myself one lucky girl.

Give credit where credit is due

2011-08-10T15:00:00.001-07:00

Anyone notice that I've posted EVERY day this month???

Yes, I've found the wonderful world of 'Post Options' where I can set a date for it to post in the future.

So, Sunday I create all the posts for the week!!

Now, leave a comment and tell me how wonderful I am! Ü

Hair Orgasm? Yes Please.

2011-08-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

I've been on a hair journey over the last 9 months and it's been a difficult one.

You see, I've been in a hair relationship with Christeena at Joy's for almost 10 years. With my work location changing, nail appointments, children, and life in general I thought I should find someone closer to work to help with the stress.

WRONG.

I went blonde, it took like 3 times to color it. Then it all died. I wanted it to grow out, but the funny thing about hair is when you piss it off..it doesn't grow..it quits and falls out. Right outcha head!!

So I went to another hair stylist..my favorite part of getting my hair done is the style that comes after. Did she do it? Nope. Said 'Not sure how you like it styled, so you can use my stuff to get ready'. This was at 7:30 am and I had to be to work at 8 am.

Once again, I tried a new person. This time, after being in the chair for 5 minutes she announced to me she had two uterus's (is that even a word meant to be plural?)...this can't be a good sign. The color was alright and then it happened. She got out the RAZOR. After I told her I wanted to GROW my hair OUT...like still attached to my head.

I watched her slice through my weak hair, my poor dead, pissed off hair. I should have known someone with two uteruses wouldn't know how to do my hair.

So...I waited for Christeena to get back from maternity leave and begged for an appointment. (Ok, I called and booked one, but begged sounded more dramatic)

I gave her a big hug and was so excited that I didn't have to say what color, instructions on how to cut it and I knew the hair style would be JUST what I wanted. It was fun to catch up and I seriously can tell her anything. She's my therapist most times. Sometimes I'm so content getting my hair done I absentmindedly hum to myself. I'm not sure why..it's always been something I do when I'm in thought or just plain relaxed. (Don't judge)

I decided my hair needed to be dark again to get some shine back in it while I'm growing out the hair massacre from the twin uterus lady. Once it was all said and done, Christeena whipped my chair around for me to see the final project!

As I gazed into the mirror, all I could think of to do was look into my loving friend, therapist and solemate of hair care eyes and say....

'I just had a hair orgasm.'

That's right folks, I'll be here all week!!

It must be the feather

2011-08-08T13:00:00.000-07:00

I went out with my girlies to celebrate Morgan's entry into the Dirty Thirty club...it was a blast!

We headed to Chili's for some ~~drinks~~, dinner.

All the requirements for a great GNO were there

Lots of laughter

Drinks

Inappropriate comments about other people

Laughter

Drinks

Food

Dessert

More inappropriate comments

Drinks

While at dinner when I ordered some of #2,5,9 on the list I asked the girl...

'Don't you need to see my ID? I have a FEATHER in my which means I MUST be young!'

She went with it and asked for my drivers license

THANK YOU!!!

Then off to The Junction to see Horrible Bosses.

Hysterical!!! I couldn't even breath most the time I was laughing so hard. The beginning was kind of slow, but when they got to planning the murders it was great. I'm sure everyone sitting next to me appreciated my loud outbursts of hysterics!!

Whose to stop me from enjoying my movie??? I have a FEATHER in my hair!!!

♥ Today I thought of you ♥

2011-08-07T09:00:00.002-07:00

Today I thought of you, a smile shown across my face
I remember all the ups and downs that brought us to this place.
The love I feel, the strength you give and the man you are today,
are a few of the reasons why you're amazing in each and every way.

We joined hands and took an oath, to build a family
With two boys to grace our lives and turn our world upside down
This is what we've dreamed of, a family of our own
A man of strength and tenderness
The traits you've always shown.

Our home is filled with laughter, our hearts are filled with love
And every now and then we wipe away their tears
Each time I look to you, it takes away my fear

Our home, our love, our family
The place where love resides
The world is ours to have and hold
Anything we dream of is just a wish upon a star....

Today I thought of you, and a smile shown across my face
Next to you and in your arms, I've finally found my place. ~

♥ Cory ~ you have all my love and forever my heart ♥

Rainy Day Fun

2011-08-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

Monday's rain storm left our options limited for play activities. Normally, I'm not the best sitter as I am doing MY chores while the kids get into trouble and play. So today, I vowed to do my best to entertain. We decided to have Pre-School at the Green House today.

Meet Ms. Pickles, my assistant and our class

Extreme close up
Practicing hard to write our names

Movie time after snack...notice Casey is still snacking.

Jayden, Harry, Casey and Alli

Now, when is nap time so Mommy can have special time with On Demand???

Whitey..tighty..Shoulder Pads?

2011-08-05T15:00:00.000-07:00

This morning while I was getting ready for the day, Jayden was doing his normal routine of snuggling in my bed watching cartoons.

He walks past me and heads into the To-To Room and shuts the door. Now in most families..this wouldn't be that alarming. However, in our close family Mom is usually the only one that shuts the door.

Here are my thoughts.

1. He is growing up and wants some privacy
2. Maybe he's got a tummy ache and doesn't want Mom to see
3. I've got a new scale, so he's going to play on it.

All harmless thoughts, right? I should have known better than to go against my better judgement. A few minutes pass, the to-to flushes and out walks Jayden. He's got his head cocked to the side and his shoulder looks a bit more padded than when he entered the room.

"Jayden, what's in your shirt."

"Um....my panties. I like them there" As he proceeds to 'pet' his shoulder.

"Did you have an accident?"

"Maybe a little one."

"Jayden, that better not be poop panties rolled up in your shirt!"

"Oh, it's not Mom. Just a wittle pee panties."

Yes, I think he'll have a morning bath instead of the normal nightly bath.

This is how we do it

2011-08-04T16:00:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how you eat dinner at your house..but after Casey's done with his dinner..he keeps an careful eye on Daddy's dinner!
You gonna eat all that???

Snurf!

2011-08-03T13:00:00.000-07:00

Jayden proudly holds up a toy he got from his sleep over and states

'Mom! It's Grampa Snurf!!'

Well, he's the cutest Snurf I've ever seen Ü

Slumber Party...

2011-08-02T15:00:00.000-07:00

My Aunt Laurie is AmAzInG!! She loves to be with the kids and loves to spend time with all of them. She can be found daily running errands for my sisters, taking kids to the movies or lunch dates and taking my Grandpa places.

She's retired so she's got free time on her hands and we love having her around. Jayden hasn't always spent a lot of time alone with her, I always felt like he would be a pain or too much to handle but lately it's been clear he's dying for one on one time with Auntie as we call her.

So last week, Jayden and I called Auntie to see if Jayden could be put on the waiting list to spend the night at her house and sure enough there was spot! Thursday after Jayden got home from Karate, we packed a overnight bag and off the went!

He got to go to dinner, and have snow cone for dessert. He loves that she has a toy room with a mini couch that has a pull out bed. Later he told me her bed was much better than his bed Mom, can't you please buy me a couch bed??

The next morning she took him to IHOP for breakfast and he got to help her with chores. He had so much fun with her. She is great to spend time with the kids and she gave him a great report card so he can stay on the list for future sleepovers!

Thanks Auntie..We Love You!

Slave Labor

2011-08-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

Don't judge me...I'll rent him out for $10 an hour.

Casey's 2!

2011-07-31T18:10:00.005-07:00

Remember this little one year old??

Well he's been busy over the last year. Learning lots and playing hard. Here are a few words he tells me:

1. Nee~Nee = Jayden

2. Wink = Drink

3. Nee-Nu = Thank you

4. Pweese

5. Kind want!= The kind he wants

6. Nannee= Candy

7. Hey Mum!

8. Hey Meeenie!

9. Wee-nan = Airplane

10. Wee~nee = Blankie (I know..we're working on it)

11. Buuubbblless!

I can't believe my BaBy is 2!! It seems like just yesterday I was getting his room ready and clothes washed for his big arrival...then the first 10 months was an eternity of no sleep...now he's on the fast track to growing up right before my eyes!!

This is the toy that won best overall this year. Aunt Shanna bought him a Tow-Mater push truck that blows bubbles out the side. He seriously logs at least 5 miles a night around the house. Ü

We celebrated Sunday at Grandma Jo's, my niece Kayli has a birthday on July 24th so we did a double birthday party. The picture above is my father attempting to drag the six foot tall 14 yr old into the pool.

And this is the same 14 year old thinking the whole thing is hysterical!
And here is that crazy six foot 14 year old's father...the 6'3 Jamesy!! I think he was made for close up's don't you??

Helping open up presents with Harrison not far away, you can at least see 1/2 of Kayli opening up her presents. (It was her mother taking pictures..so it's not my fault!)

Casey and his 'Coley' Cole babysits for me a lot and both of my boys are madly in love with him. Jayden calls him his 'best brother'. Not sure what that makes Casey.

Grandma Jo being thankful she's not in the line of fire with the water guns.

Princess Laurie

Grandpa Earle and Squirley Eye Ethan

Casey finding the present Grandma Diane got him...a brand new bike w/training wheels!! We had Cory's family over on Casey's birthday. I left work early, got some pizza and headed home for some family time.

We had a busy weekend with Rodeo's, birthday parties and boating trips. The time flies by so fast, I can't believe our boys are growing up. I'm excited to see who they grow into be and even though the days are exhausting...we wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm very thankful for my family and not a day goes by that I don't say thank you to the Lord for bringing me here today.

What? 2 years old isn't too old to rock with Mama every night....we read a book and then turn out the lights. I rock him and sing Twinkle Twinkle little Star...do you know how loved you are??

31 already? No it can't be!

2011-07-07T11:25:00.005-07:00

Ok, I'm NOT 31...but I know this great place that is!

Join me for an exclusive shopping experience with Thirty-One. You're going to love the products, and the July specials are wonderful! Please stop by the website for my online party and share in these awesome deals on some unique gifts. You will be amazed!

Step 1 ~ Make sure to visit www.mythirtyone.com/jilldowns , click 'My Events' then 'Kimberli Green'

Step 2 ~ Shop online (feel free to do this at work, at home, dressed, naked...it's up to YOU)

Step 3 ~ Spend ALL your money Ü

Step 4 ~ Put your clothes back on, then come and show me what you bought!!

All joking aside, this is a great company. My good friend Jill is now a consultant, so I'm doing what good friends do and support my girlies while doing a little shopping for myself Ü If you have any questions let me know, my online party goes until July 14th.

All items can be personalized for $6.00 no matter what it is and the shipping is only $4.00, unless you ship to Jill then it's FREE!

I purchased a way cute apron...here is my little man modeling for me while we baked. Ssshhhh..don't tell Cory!

Laxin...

2011-06-14T20:20:00.003-07:00

It's been awhile since I posted an edition of Jayden~ism. So here's the latest.

I came home last Saturday to the usual, Cory working in the garage on one of his latest projects while Casey finishes his nap.

'Hey there, sexy mechanic working magic..where's your kidlets?'

'Casey is nappin and Jade's inside watching T.V.'

With that, I headed inside. I opened our bedroom door and found Jayden.

I'm hoping my literary skills will allow me to describe to you one of the funniest/scariest moments in my mother history.

There on our bed was our 5 year old laying in ALL his glory. Arms behind his head, leggs crossed Indian style in nothing but his spidey tighty whities with his little 5 year old 'junk' hanging out the left side. To complete the package, his face was covered in chocolate with wrappers lying as the evidence all around him and a bucket of chocolate from the pantry.

'Um, Jayden. What are you doing?'

Laaaxxxiiiinnnn Mom.'

'Where would your clothes be?'

'Ova der, I gots paint on them'

'Why is there chocolate all over your face?'

With that he raised his hands from his head and told me 'I needed a snack mom.' While I contemplated how angry I was that he'd gotten into too much candy and completely violated our bed, my attention was brought to the tiny bald spot on his head. I'm fairly certain it did not look that way when I left for work that morning.

'Jayden...what exactly happened to your hair?'

'Mom...don't be mad k ~ I had gum in my hair so I pulled it out.'

He tells me all matter of factly. I said, 'Hmmm...looks like it was a pretty clean cut. Where did you cut your hair at??'

With a look of complete guilt he sighs and says 'I cut it in your kitchen Mom.'

'Where is your hair now?'

'In your kitchen on the floor with gum stuck in it!'

Sigh....Jayden we DO NOT cut our own hair, right?

'Right.'

'Then why did you do that?'

He gives me the most widely used reason by every child know to man. The all inclusive, ever ready response that drives mother's completely insane!

'I...don't.....know.'

Well great, why you are pondering all the reasons you NEVER choose to listen and ALWAYS choose to make your own decisions, which undoubtedly always get you in trouble...I will head to the kitchen to locate the missing hair ball joined with sticky gum that you shouldn't have been eating in the first freakin place!

Needless to say, here is the process of fixing his hair creation.

Precious Time

2011-06-07T20:30:00.002-07:00

One thing I've learned as a mother of two boys is NOT to take advantage of cuddles. Casey is quickly heading into the terrible twos ~ along with the headaches and exhaustion of chasing a two year old, our quiet cuddle time is quickly vanishing.

So, when the occasion arises that he'll snuggle on my bed with me ~ his woobie in tow... I'll take it! No matter if he's watching cartoons, as long as he'll nestle into me and let me tickle his back, arm, cheeks.. I'm game.

Oh how I love the smell of his squishy cheeks, his fun kisses, how big his baby hands are and the humming noise he makes when he's got a mouthful of his blankie. There is such a calming effect on me when my children are comfortable and content. One thing is for certain..I'm addicted to that baby!

Our favorite nursery rhyme seems fit:

Twinkle twinkle little star, Do you know how LoVeD you are?!'

Bravo!

2011-06-01T14:33:00.003-07:00

Jayden graduated from Bravo! Preschool today. I can't believe how fast the years go by. ~Most days I'm thinking how slow they go by and will I ever survive?~ but days like today remind me.

I'm one of those Mom's who cry at everything and today was one of those days. We were sitting a few rows back, but I had the perfect eye contact with Jayden. I remembered how in all of my school performances, band, DECA, assemblies, whatever the case may be, my mom was always there. Even with work when I gave a presentation with her in the room, she always has the biggest smile on her face. It makes me feel good inside to know she always has my back and was always my biggest fan. Her smile said it all.

So today, was another chance for me to be that with Jayden. He smiled that big boy smile at me and I was grinning from ear to ear. I got tearful because the smile on our faces tell me that no matter how much we struggle, how much improvement I could have as his Mom...he knows I'm his biggest fan and he could see that smile on his Mom's face and know how proud I was of him.

Here are just a few of his faces that crack me up!

Singing 'bad little kittens lost their mittens!'

His first piano rectial

My Cheesy Man!

Here is Casey cheering big brother on!

Swing for Mom

2011-06-01T13:55:00.008-07:00

One thing is for certain about Cory, he loves to build! He is very talented and continuously amazes me. With his mom's 59th birthday coming up, he wanted to do something special. About 5 years ago, she saw this swing in Florida and has wanted it ever since. Here she is with the original in Florida.

So, without any measurements Cory did what he always does and went to work. With the help of his sisters and grandparents he was able to purchase the wood. Over Memorial weekend, this is what Cory spent his time doing!

Below is the finished project, I couldn't believe he did it in only 4 days. He just knew every piece and with several different saws was able to hand craft the most beautiful swing I've ever seen. I'm so so so proud to have this man as my husband and to see the excitement in his eyes as he got closer with each piece.

The next shot is all of his friends and family loading it onto the trailer to take to Mom's house the night before her birthday.

And here they are attempting to lift it over her gate. Caused Mom some stress with trees but thankfully it made it ok!

Here is the finished project.

1= I love my mother in law

2= I LOVE my husband!

This $hit ain't EaSy....

2011-05-16T12:15:00.002-07:00

You know those people who have blogs tagged on their side profile? I wonder what kind of traffic I'll get by the name of this post?! Ü

Honestly though, I couldn't think of a better name for life lately. I'm sure that we've all been through it, it seems like one shoe keeps dropping after another. I won't go into details, because believe it or not there are some things I don't blog about. But I will give an overview, only because it's therapeutic for me to vent.

Financially~I HATE money. Which is odd, because I work with it everyday. I love helping other people with their money or helping them find ways to get more for their dollar or how to save or the best loan rates. I HATE my money. It always seems like there is never enough or just when I figure out a way to get on top of it, here comes that other shoe (even from 3 years ago) dropping on me.

Some days I day dream about selling our huge house and buying an older home to cut our house payment in half. I think 'That would be so great! Then we wouldn't be house poor and we could build a savings up or take those spur of the moment trips or Cory could really have his own truck fund to do the projects he's always wanting to do.' I'm sure if it came down to it, we sell our house and not be able to find one for half the price that is livable. So, we'll keep on trucking through. We've made it this far and I know there are others in a worse spot than we are.

Children ~ Oh how my kids are giving me a run for my money. Jayden in particular. We're are working through some issues with him right now that just may kill me. He's always been defiant, but we're starting with tantrums and they have gotten aggresive. I can tell he's frustrated because he can't tell me what's wrong but I know something is. I know we have to address it now to keep it from getting worse. Working through this puts a toll on Jayden and Cory and I. I need to figure out some ways to work through these episodes with Jayden and learn to communicate with him so he can tell me what's on his mind.

Yard~ I hate yard work. I see all of these beautiful yards and I want my yard to be like that. Every time I go outside, I start working away and then get easliy discouraged. It just seems so overwhelming. Stupid Yard.

Seems like life gives us highs and lows. Some things to be happy about, Cory is building the boys a playset. Complete with rock wall, swings, slide and castle fort with two storys. I'll be sure to post pictures along the way.

I start a new job tomorrow, still as an assistant manager but at another branch. I'm excited to meet new people, very sad to leave my friends at Harrison. We had a great dynamic together and I can honestly say I had a blast everyday with my friends.

Another positive note Jayden tells me 'Mom, do you know that I love you? No really, I mean it. Even when I'm really naughty, I do! I love you!'

Florida

2011-04-24T19:00:00.007-07:00

We just returned from a week in Florida with Cory's family. His grandparents own a farm in Leonia (Located in the pan handle, just south of Alabama, 45 miles north of Ft. Walton Beach, FL on the Gulf of Mexico)

We had such a great time and it was packed with all kinds of fun things. Don't worry Jayden still managed to get bored every other minute and if I hear him say 'Mom, are we there yet?' or 'I have to pee' I just might lose it!

Here are a few highlights to enjoy!

We survived the first leg of the trip making it through Security at SLC Airport. Nothing like rushing diaper bags, carry on's and strollers with 3 kids and make it to the plane on time without losing anything! We're all smiles at this point..of course this is before the 3.5 hour flight to Houston

Daddy & Casey getting ready for take off.

Can I tell you my boys are addicted to their father? Thank God Cory loves his kids because they cry if he's out of sight. I'm holding onto the fact maybe some day in the future they might need their mother Ü

Bug playing with buttons

Waiting for the connecting flight in Houston, we always find time to wrestle with Dad. I couldn't believe how green Houston was. I don't know why I imagined a Desert, but it was nothing but green trees.

We made it to Florida in one piece. It was so great to make it to the farm and spend time with Grandma and Papa. The weather couldn't have been better, high 90's and humidity..my kind of style. Not very often can you find the diversity of activities like we do at the farm!

Jayden taken Pop for a ride...I love Papa's face..don't think he's quite sure about the driver just yet but he was a great sport.

Meet Oscar...Granny's very own trained Alligator. She calls her name and up the pond she comes to collect her dinner. We took so many pictures and we're able to get right up next to her. Every morning and night she'd make her way across the pond to come and see what we have.

Not sure how you spend your family vacations..but we don't mess around with ours!

Mommy & Casey at the beach. One thing Cory's taught me to love in addition to the southern sweet tea is the sand at the Ft. Walton Beach. It feels like powdered sugar between your toes. The boys had a great time, Casey ate a pound of sand and Jayden attempted to body surf the waves.

We caught us some oak lizards..I had several failed attempts to get a picture due to my screaming every time the lizard moved. Casey had no fear, walked right up and grabbed him! Jayden caught two lizards, found a huge snapping turtle, wild turkeys, birds, deer carcass, alligators and more. We visited Vortex Springs, kind of like Lava Hot Springs but minus the Hot Water. The air was hot but the water freezing! We had a great time floating around the springs and watching crazy kids fly off the rope swing and jump off the diving board.

Since we flew home on Easter, we celebrated on Saturday. We went with Granny to her churches Easter egg hunt. They had 3 softball fields full of Easter eggs for the kids, a huge inflatable slide, and fire trucks. When the sirens blared, it only took 7 minutes for the kids to get all 18,000 eggs! It was so hot, by 10 am it was 90 degrees and humid. The boys had a blast and it was fun to meet Grandma's pastor.

Don't worry, we didn't leave our crazy in Utah. We enjoyed some green gator popsicles and Maizey wore hers better than anyone else! You may also enjoy the free boob shot courtesy of Shanna. (Yes, she is my sister in law and there isn't anything she can do about it.)

And, you can't really spend a week at Grandma's without spotting a few spare sets of teeth lying around! (I may be disowned for this picture later)
Our last night, Cory decided to get Shanna back for about taking his eye out with a pillow and scared her on the front porch. She returned the favor by walking around in his Harley boots to match her jammies. Oh the fun things families do together on vacation!

We're so glad to be home, it was an early flight. Out the door by 4 am Florida time to catch a delayed flight. The kids were happy to be home and Casey was very happy to be in his own crib. I'll be sure to post pictures tomorrow of Jayden's Easter presents...I'll give you a hint.

8 legs

2 tails

2 heads

Any guesses??

Vote Please

2011-04-14T20:07:00.002-07:00

I'm really trying desperately to grow my hair out all one length, including my bangs. I feel like I can only wear it one way while it's growing. When I got my hair done, my hair stylist told me there were lots of fun things to do with my length of hair. She took a chunk of my bangs and braided back into my hair and I thought that looked cute, but maybe too young for me? I mean...I am 30!

So, here's another style she told me. Two pony tails, then pin the ends to give it volume and a funky look to it. I should have taken Cory's picture when he saw it...he's NOT a fan. So, I need your help.

A) Too Young

B) Too funky

C) I could pull it off

D) Cute for home, not for work

E) You're not going to vote, because you just silently STALK my blog and never speak up because you don't know me or you know me and don't want me to KNOW you read my blog.

I really liked this picture, thought it was pretty cute!

Some of my pieces were so short, they fell out of the pins towards the end of the day.

Being a Mother = Not for the faint of heart...

2011-04-14T19:45:00.005-07:00

Jayden went in today to have 2 crowns and 3 cavities filled. His appointment was at 10 am and he couldn't have anything to eat or drink before. We got there about 9:50 am and ended up waiting until 10:45 before he went back. For those mom's who've had a starving and dehydrated child this was NO fun. Here we are after the first 10 minutes, showing off our muscles because we're both going to be really strong for this big day (I should've taken the xanex) He we are 45 minutes later and the patience is wearing off. This is Jayden scowling at the receptionist who keeps talking about FOOD..I wanted to smack the shit out of her..I'm not gonna lie.

So they finally come out and have Jayden sit in my lap and look at a great box of toys. While he's picking them out, the anesthesiologist pulls out the weapon of choice (needle) and puts it into Jayden's arm. He of course starts screaming and crying and asking me why I didn't tell him they were going to do that :( I'm fairly certain he'll never look at toy shopping the same.

About 2 minutes after he gets this deer in the head lights look and slowly becomes dead weight in my arms. His eyes are open but no one is home. That was the spookiest thing I've ever seen, something is not right about seeing your child in this state. I kept rubbing his forehead and I whispered 'twinkle twinkle little star do you know how loved you are?'

The doctor took him back and said they'd be done in about an hour. Well, as I waited in the lobby I read a book I just bought 'Water for Elephants', let's just say I'm almost half way through the book just from today...LOVE IT!

Any-who...Jayden is finally done and this is how he looked.... After about 40 minutes of this, I sat and listened to his heart on the monitor and rubbed his forehead. He came to and was very confused and drunk like. He tried to stand up and was saying the funniest things, he slurred and eyes rolled back 'Momma, I gotta tell you the truf...I snuck a orange soda and drank the whole thing this morning!' Oh jeez, that's great I'm thinking through my laughter! Then he kept asking me when I was going to take the tape off his face (there wasn't any there) and finally he told me he had the 'dizzies'. He woke up enough to eat a Popsicle... He had a pretty good afternoon, he keeps complaining of a hurt tummy tonight and is pretty tearful. I'm hoping it gets better tomorrow when he's had a chance to eat some more. Casey stayed with the nanny during the whole thing and was happy at the end of the day because brother was ok and he got ICE CREAM!!! Needless to say, for taking the day off work....I'm exhausted!

Casey

2011-04-13T19:27:00.003-07:00

Thought I'd check in and let you know how Chunk Butt is doing...I can't believe he's almost 2 years old!

He's talking up a storm. He has that cute baby voice still, and high pitched. Here are a few of his favorites:

Uh-HUH! (that's how he says yes to everything)

Hi-eeeee

Why-eee

Dadd-Y (everything is Daddy..little stink knows how to say mommy, he likes to tease me)

Waaaauuunnn (For counting 1, he hasn't gotten to 2 just yet, but we're getting there)

Nana (bananas)

Dank--UUUUU (the cutest thank you EVER!)

Pwetze

He loves to give high-five's, knuck's (fist pump), and big open mouth kisses. He's running around 100 mph like boys do and come breakfast, lunch or dinner and he's scaling the highchair before we can get him in there.

He has his own language when he's not speaking his new words that he talks all over the house and in the car and sometimes squeals in excitement! I love our cuddle time at night, we read a book and then while he drinks a sippy cup I sing him twinkle little star and then we rock for awhile and cuddle before I lay him down. My favorite is when he snuggles into my neck and hums. He's such a squishy baby, and I'm so thankful I have him. He cracks me up and melts my heart with his smile.

I heard you kissin 'n' smackin!

2011-04-11T12:45:00.008-07:00

Are you ready for another edition of 'I can't believe he said that?!' or we could call it 'Jaydenism's' or how about 'I can't believe she posted that!' Well, if we've learned one thing over the course of my three years blogging, there is pretty much nothing left unsaid.

Cory and I went out Saturday night and left the boys with my nephew Cole. You know, the twin my son can't live without!? We went and saw Arthur...which we both thought was funny, we went to Jasoh's on 25th street in Ogden which was not very good.

When we got home and put the kids to bed, Cory had been teasing with me all night about the things he was going to do to me when we got home. I know sometimes I don't always act like it, but I absolutley love how Cory is with me. Most days he acts like he can't keep his hands off me, which sometimes makes my face go red but I love that after all this time together, it still feels like the first time.

One thing lead to another, and when it was all said and done we were turning off the lights (yes ladies..lights ON!) Jayden came in the room and said he couldn't sleep. I put him back to bed and thought to myself..'I wonder if he heard or saw anything?' You never can be too sure with a 5 year old running around the house and when you have kids you really have to be creative sometimes to have that special mommy/daddy together time. I figured if he saw anything he would've said something so off to sleep I went.

The next morning, Cory was getting the kids some cereal and I had just made me a cup of Chai tea when Jayden says 'Hey Daaaaadddddyyyyy ( in a teasing voice) I heard you and mommy kissing and smackin each other last night!

Oh my..I about spit my Chai all over the microwave! I turned my face into the pantry trying not to laugh. Cory held it together for the team and calmly says 'Jayden, mommies and daddies are ALLOWED to kiss. We weren't smacking each other, we were wrestling!' Jayden seemed to be ok with this response and said 'ok.' Then Cory added 'If you don't start staying in your room at night, I'm going to start locking your door!'

I couldn't even look at Jayden throughout breakfast. Later, I told Cory, we weren't smacking each other were we?! He didn't seem to remember that either but either way it was not a good thing. I'm hoping Jayden doesn't decide to share this wonderful memory during school or any other in opportune time. I'm not sure what else to say to him.

Anyone have any great ideas to share on the subject?!

In my next 30 years...

2011-04-08T20:15:00.004-07:00

It's taken me awhile to get find some time to post about my 30th Birthday, maybe I've been in denial about it being official...so, here we go! I woke up to a wonderful sign 'Happy 30th Birthday!!' from Cory along with a cute card and he decorated my car with a 'I'm 30 banner!' It was pretty cute.

So, off to work I went..when I arrived, I found my desk, every single part of my desk in wrapping paper! I was spoiled, my old boss Diana brought me flowers and a card, Wrendy got me Stress Relief lotion and candle that smell amazing! I'm wondering if she thinks I'm too stressed?? Nancy got me a cute watch and a couple of people went in and got me a gift certificate to New Image Day Spa. Ü

I was helping a member in the vault and came around the corner to a little blonde boy running at me 100 mph..it was Jayden and Casey! Kelsi brought them up to the branch to bring me balloons...cute babies!! Nothing like two sloppy kisses to get me through my day.

I got tons of FB messages...kind of neat to see so many posts from old and current friends. A lot of voice mails and text messages, and even an e-mail and voicemail from my parents in Cabo!

After work, I headed home and Cory made my favorite dinner ~ Spaghetti!! The next night after work, I headed up to Park City with my friends to shop, eat, drink and dance! We hit the outlets and Cory's mom and sissy's joined us. I got some great deals on clothes for the kids, Diane spoiled me as always and spent way too much money. I was able to pick out two cute watches from Fossil, shoes, pants and capri's from Rue 21. We headed to Baja Cantina and spent a few hours and drank many cocktails!

My friends got me the cutest purse from Covet and a cute tank top and shirt with jewelry to match ~ they know me so well. Later that night we headed to Harry~O's, it was so much fun to dance. They had a great DJ and Jenn and I danced until I had sweat dripping everywhere! (Sexy, I know) I LOVE LOVE to dance and don't do it very often. I was wearing high heels so it was great that my feet were drunk, otherwise it may have been painful.

I had a great time with my friends, I won't reveal secrets but there may have been urination in inappropriate places, pants may have split right open and someone may have blown herself up!

Turning 30 wasn't nearly as bad as I had anticipated, I woke up the next morning married to the man of my dreams and have two beautiful boys to call me mom. Jayden made the day special by saying 'Mommy, I can't believe how OLD you are! Those are a LOT of numbers!' Thanks Jade!

I remember when I was turning 20 I imagined all the things I wanted to do before I turned 30 and I can happily say I've accomplished all of them. I feel like I'm in a good spot in my life and feel so lucky to have a family that is healthy, happy and make me a better person each and everyday, a great job, wonderful friends whom I love and much more. I wish I would've had pictures from Park City but we forgot our camera :( So, here's to my next 30 years!

Distractions

2011-03-25T19:49:00.005-07:00

In staff meeting this morning, we were talking about distractions at the work place. The two in charge of training asked for the group to give examples of things that can distract you from serving the members, here are a list of things that were given:

Other conversations
Phone ringing
KSL
Instant Messenger
Coin machine
Personal lives

Then someone from the back row throws in...

When Kimberli's husband walks in the branch in a tuxedo and flowers and sweeps her away to a Vegas!

Then another add's

And he shaved his face for her!

Ok, well for the record it was a suit and tie and for the rest...Yeah, he's pretty Freakin Awesome!!!

In case you're wondering...I'm still wearing my perma~grin!

Happy Birthday Grandpa

2011-03-23T19:27:00.003-07:00

Memories come in many shapes and forms, sometimes a song can take you back, a smell can bring to life a distant memory or certain days of the year can bring reasons to celebrate, reminisce or simply recall of time with loved ones who are no longer here.

Today I marked off all of the above.

7 years ago today, Cory called and asked me if I was 'available' for dinner. It's been a whirlwind ever since! Crazy romance, passionate love, fights, hard work and determination to make this marriage work! There is no where else I'd rather be and I'm so very grateful I said yes to him for that date, and I've been saying 'yes' to him everyday since. Today I celebrated 7 years since our first date.

Today is also my Grandpa Dean's birthday. March 23, 1919. He would've turned 92 today. He's been gone for 9 years, and it's hard to imagine how much has changed since he's been gone. Some years are better than others, this year was an emotional one.

I decided since my work is so close to where he's buried and it was so nice outside, I'd take my lunch and visit Grandpa. I grabbed a cheeseburger (after weeks of slim fast for lunch can I add how delicious it was???) as I sat next to my grandparents grave with the sun in my face, it felt peaceful and nice. It was very quiet, no traffic or radio or people around. I was thinking how much I've missed him and knowing how happy he is with Grandma and that on their grave it says 'Happily Married 48 years'. I decided it wouldn't be too crazy to talk to him. There wasn't anyone else there to think I was crazy for talking to a headstone so I thought 'Why not?'

I spoke my thoughts outloud and wished him a happy birthday, that even after all this time we still laugh about things Grandpa said or did during his last years or just funny quirks he had that no one else would know.

Then I asked for his help, something to this effect. 'Grandpa, I'm sure your busy and probably don't have much control over things that happen down here. But if you could spare some insight and send some strength this way I'd really appreciate it.' Nothing too serious, but I thought it couldn't hurt to ask. Then the strangest thing happened...feel free to skip this part if it's a bit too much for you....out of the calm sunny day I felt a breeze. Not too strong, just enough to brush the hair from my eyes. I really felt like they were there, telling me it would be ok, and I felt their love. Isn't it strange how the simplest of things can impact you? Like the breeze today with me. I finished my lunch and went back to work. I'm glad I went, if for nothing else to feel closer to my grandparents. So, in honor of today here are some things I remember about my Grandparents

He always would say 'Beep beep Burp' whether he had to burp or was just getting up from his chair. You'd have to know him and heard it before to understand, but it was something we had come to love.

He loved my Grandma Katie. I was very young when she passed away, and as I grew up and would visit, he would love to tell me about her and all the trips they took together. He called her 'lover.'

Whenever you'd visit him, you would usually leave with a check for $100. I don't know why, but he'd always pull his check book out and say 'Here, why don't you go to dinner on Grandpa'.

He always had a class of orange juice and vodka on his side table by his chair. He smoke Benson & Hedges menthol cigarettes and they smelled good. He'd leave a cigarette burning in the ashtray until it had a steady stream of smoke in the air and an ash about an inch long on the end

I remember his face as clear as day when he visit and tell me the same stories over and over. His skin was soft and had a lot of wrinkles. He was so skinny, I bet he didn't even way 90 pounds. He wore stripped snap button shirts, polyester pants and always had his check book and a pen in his shirt pocket.

When he was really sick and in the hospital, I went to visit him on my lunch. He wasn't really awake and had a oxygen mask on his face. I didn't think he could hear me and I put my hand on his arm and whispered with tears 'I love you Grandpa'. He squeezed my hand and mouthed the words 'I love you too.' With his eyes still closed.

He was a very successful business man and was generous to his grandkids. He paid for my college when I earned my associates degree, all I had to do was go and visit him to get my check every month. I'm so grateful for all he gave and did for me.

I love you Grandpa! We miss you so much!

The last part of today made me smile. My dad who isn't always open with his emotions or feelings, sent me a text this afternoon. Yes, he actually wrote a text! This is what it said and he'll never know how much it means to me.

'Thank you for going to have lunch with Pop it really meant a lot to me, I love you so much." Dad

Dad ~ You'll never know how much I love you, I cherish everything about you and don't know what I'd ever do without you in my life.

SuRpRiSe it's our 6th Anniversary!

2011-03-21T16:28:00.014-07:00

We had a wonderful weekend, and it served as a reminder of just how lucky I am to have Cory in my life! Thursday night, the clock was ticking down to my surprise. Cory started packing a bag and I noticed he was taking 2 of everything. So I asked, 'Are we staying somewhere 2 nights?!' All he would say say is 'I don't know' with a sly smile.

He was starring at the bag for a minute and said, 'I don't think this will fit, should we take a carry on?' The look on my face was priceless as I squealed, 'We're going on a PLANE!!!'

Cory cursed himself, he'd held on to the secret since January and 24 hours before it slipped! I was so excited. He decided to tell me we were headed to Vegas and let me pack my bag. I couldn't even sleep Friday night. Normally, I would've had months of preparation but with this fun surprise it was all slammed into one night! He wouldn't tell me how we were getting to the airport or what we were doing when we got there. This is me that night!

He sent me to work with a card that said 'Do not open until 11:45 am'. That was like torture, I kept staring at the card and finally had to give to my boss to hold until then. Well, at 11:30 I text him and said 'This is killing me, can't I open it???' He replied 'Let's do it!' Apparently he was worried I'd leave work before he got there so the card was empty, he just wanted to make sure he gave himself plenty of time! Little sneak!

He came around the corner of my work just then, dressed in his suit and tie and CLEAN SHAVEN! He's been growing his beard for almost a year and it's the longest its ever been. He loves it because everyone else hates it. I don't mind the long beard I just like it better when it's trimmed nice. He had a rose for me, and two flowers for the girls at work who'd kept his secret. Ü With that, he whisked me away to our car and we headed to the airport! We stopped at El Matador in Bountiful for lunch and I was so excited! I couldn't believe we were about to get on a plane!

When we landed in Vegas, it was warm and sunny...just my style. We waited for ever to get our bags and I kept looking at all the advertisements for things to do there and wondered what we'd be doing and where we'd be staying. When we got to the shuttle, the lady asked 'Where you headed?', Cory replied 'Bellagio!' Ever since we've been together, Cory has always wanted to take me there and stay in a room facing the fountains. I almost started to cry! Here is the view from our room....

It was the most amazing room! You could push a button to open the blinds to look out on the view. We could also see the Eiffel tower and most of the strip. Your TV would play the music along with the fountains, it was amazing.

That night, Cory told me to dress up and for those who know me... I'll use any occasion to put on my best. He then told me we had tickets to Zumanity! Here I am all ready to head out on the town with my man!

We headed to New York New York and had dinner at a beautiful restaurant, Gallagher's. The wine was to die for and when I asked how much the Surf n Turf was...oh don't worry...$85 dollars! Um, thanks I'll pass. So I opted for the Mahi Mahi which was equally divine!

After dinner we headed to Zumanity, the guy at the counter told Cory he should buy me the popcorn. Apparently it's loaded with aphrodisiacs. The guy in front of Cory eating popcorn told his wife, 'This is BEST popcorn I've ever had!' And was shoving mouthful's in. Cory said the worker was hysterical! It was quite the show, very sensual and very riskay! The females were topless and had barely a string on the bottom and the men were basically in g~strings. There was a couple in the front row whom I'm fairly certain had sex while they were watching, it was out of control! We had great seats on the balcony to see the real show and the peep show. We laughed the whole time and the acrobats were amazing. I can't wait to tell my friend Mrs. Flinders about the midget dancer!

By the time the show was over, my feet hurt so bad I walked through 2 hotels with no shoes on. My wonderful husband carried them for me. We slept in until 11 and stayed in bed until 2 pm. We even had room service breakfast in bed..it was divine!

Saturday when we finally decided to head out of the room, we went to the M&M factory to get some gifts for the boys. I had never been in there, it was HUGE! I teased Cory and told him this picture was for his girl on girl action!

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at this chocolate store that had a chocolate fountain coming out of the ceiling, it looked divine!

We also were able to see the wonderful strip girls on the corner giving it all they got! I thought Cory was going to die when I whipped out my camera Ü I posted this pic on FB and put on the caption 'I jumped into my bikini to shake my stuff for the onlookers!' No one has seemed to enjoy my humor...I thought I was funny!

Cory told me the final secret of the weekend, tickets to Phantom!! I've seen in San Francisco and he's seen it in SLC. So we were both excited. I'm so lucky to be married to a man who is greasy all week working on machines, running an entire plant, loves trucks and the outdoors but also loves to clean up with a suit and tie and head to the theatre.

We took a cab to the Venetian and had another wonderful dinner. It was a four course meal with delicious food and wine. Our table over looked the canal and the boats going by. We were on a balcony and the restaurant was so romantic. They brought out really delicious tart desserts and served a beautiful dinner. It was quiet and we spent almost two hours talking over dinner. About our families, how things are changing with age and the boys. We talked about what we want when we retire and how things are going with us. I think I wore out the words 'I love you' and 'Thank you.' I just couldn't stop smiling the entire trip. Around every corner was another breath taking surprise. I couldn't believe he'd planned all this.

We walked through the canal shops and the casino after dinner waiting for the show. We headed up to our seats and stopped at the bar to get me another class of Chardonnay. The bartender filled it up and said 'You might want to take a drink while I turn and get the coke' he winked and I didn't need to be told twice! I downed almost the entire glass of wine and he filled it up again for the price of one! However, being as I don't do that everyday, I was sort of spinning through the opening act of Phantom and Cory made me laugh so hard I thought I might drop my full glass!

It was another great night, and in the morning we headed back home. I was anxious to see the boys. I hadn't been gone from Casey for more than a night since he was born. I had a great time and the whole thing was so much fun. It reminded me of why I married Cory and all the fun we have together. Sometimes, life with two small kids can be hectic and stressful and it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. I'm so grateful for the relationship I have with my husband, he's the only man whose ever cared about the smile on my face and can so easily put one there. I couldn't ask for a better partner, best friend, father of my children and lover.

Thank you for giving me everything I've ever dreamed of Cory. You have my forever, you have my for always and there's no one else on earth I'd rather stand next too. You make me want to be a better person. I love you.

Guessing Game

2011-03-15T21:06:00.002-07:00

Things have been busy around the Green house...daylight savings has about done me in! I feel like I could sleep for 48 hours and then some. Busy with work, busy with kids and 30 is fast approaching!

I can tell you Cory's been working a surprise for me for our 6 year anniversary this weekend. I have some hints he's given me and it's been the longest month of my life waiting anxiously to find out what it is!

Here are my hints

Pick out 2 formal dresses & 2 casual outfits (He gets to pick out the one he likes)
We might be driving race cars
We might have a picture taken
We have dinner reservations that require formal wear
We're staying overnight somewhere
My mom has the kids Saturday night
He's paid for a late check out (SLEEPING IN HERE I COME!!)
Friday, I'm leaving work at 12:00
We have an appointment that day for a couples massage

Any ideas?? I'll be sure to post on Monday after my exciting weekend, with pictures and details of it all. Stay tuned...

Jayden's Idea of Cleaning the Toy Room.

2011-02-17T20:37:00.001-07:00

Nuf Said.

Make 'em go AH AH AH....

2011-02-17T10:57:00.003-07:00

The kids have been going through a rough patch of sickness these last two weeks. Jayden's managed a sore throat, throwing up, staph infection and cough. He's made it through the worst and was finally put on a antibiotic to help with the infection.

This week = Casey's turn.

Last Saturday night we noticed Casey had the worst diaper rash EVER. He's already got sensitive skin so any kind of rash is 10x worse on him. It's like a strip of skin above, on and below his little bum had blistered, then popped and then left exposed skin that was deep purple in color. It has been so sore for him, nothing seems to help. He's been holding it in to avoid it hurting, which hasn't helped either. Even today, 2 days shy of a week it's only about half the size but still there and hurting. He screams when you put him on his changing table until he's done. Big alligator tears fall from his sweet little eyes.

Wednesday night, we could tell he wasn't feeling well. He wouldn't really eat and with Casey that's a sure sign something is up. I gave him some cough syrup and Tylenol then put him to bed. About midnight he woke up crying, when I went into his room to check his diaper I realized he had thrown up in his crib. GREAT. Something about being a mom makes your stomach stronger because if he wasn't mine I'm sure I would've thrown up with him!

If you know Casey, he won't sleep without his blanket and it was covered in yucky. So I cleaned Casey up, put sheets in the washer and headed downstairs to wait. He moaned and whined but was able to drink down some water. When the sheets were cleaned, I was so tired my eyes were burning. I got his sheets in his bedroom and set him down to put his bed together and as I did, he erupted all over his clean sheets and down the front of my open robe. At this point, all I can think to myself is I'm tired, I have a big interview tomorrow and my baby sick.

The tears start to fall and both Casey and I sat in his room crying. I'm fairly certain it could be a Lifetime special. So, I put his sheets back into the washer and was able to salvage his blanket. I rocked him for about 30 minutes and laid him down. I went back to bed and kept thinking I could hear him cry so I couldn't sleep and I knew I couldn't stay home from work the next day. My mind kept racing through all the different scenarios. The only one that stuck over and over was...this just plain SUCKS.

I was able to rest from about 4:30 until the 6 am. I got up and showered, exhausted by the nights events and stressed for my day. I'm one of those people who when they get tired, they get emotional...it comes hand in hand. I managed to get my contacts in and my make up on. When the nanny arrives, I begin to explain that Casey is sick and then I erupted...in tears this time. I couldn't even breathe let alone gain composure. This poor girl, I'm surprised she didn't go screaming out the front door. I managed to tell her about Casey, that I'd be calling to check in and then I raced out the door and the last words that managed to escape my mouth were 'Don't have kids anytime soon!'

I got in my car and started drying my eyes and thinking to myself, pull it together Kimberli! I texted Cory to tell him his wife is a chocolate mess and he responds 'It's ok, breathe in and out, in and out!'

I decided to turn on a song to help me realize that I can DO this today. I can go to work on 2 hours of sleep, leave my sick baby without me and give the best interview of my life! Katy Perry 'Fireworks'

As I'm singing along....

'Do you ever feel so paper thin,
like a house of cards one blow from caving in?'.....
'You just gotta ignite the light
and let it shine,
just own the night
like the Fourth of July...
Cause Baby you're a FIREWORK...
C'mon show 'em what your WORTH...
Make 'em go AH AH AH...
as you shoot across the sky-y-y!

My mom told me once, 'Anyone can do anything for a certain amount of time.' that statement has helped me through so many moments, I'm not sure she'll ever know the power in that sentence. I turned the heater on full blast and stuck my eyes as close as I could so the heat could dry my eyes out. I was hoping it would singe my tear ducts so I COULDN'T cry anymore.

Well, I did it. I managed to stay at work all day, made it to my interview. Although I possibly looked like someone strung out on drugs, I delivered a great interview. Did I get the job? Who knows, probably not but I am glad I went through the experience. It helps me become better and ready for the next opportunity.

I stayed home with Casey today, got some more sleep and he's resting right now. Still not eating, but able to drink PediLite and some applesauce. I feel better than yesterday, Jayden and I are having a Jammie day. Although, my jammie day included a shower, blow dryer through the hair and glasses on. Jayden wasn't quite as eager, but that's ok.

Trials like this help to realize how strong I really am, what a great support system I have at home with Cory. With my sisters and Mom who always check on me and care. Even people at work. One of the girls I work with brought me a cute 'good luck' card complete with a twix treat. Little things like that just make my day.

The other great thing to note, I did this all without overdosing myself in medication. Tempting, but made it through!

Bands AID nothing...

2011-02-15T19:57:00.003-07:00

Jayden has a staph infection on his pinky.

Do we know how he got it? No
Has it lasted for 2 weeks? Yes
Is he on antibiotics and a regimen of soaking his finger? Yes

He has to keep a band-aid on his pinky at all times to keep the dirt out so this stupid infection will go away. He HATES it. It bothers him to have something on his fingers. So let's be honest. Jayden likes NOTHING unless it's HIS idea.

Like a good mother, Kimberli is there..all the time. Where is your band-aid? Jayden don't touch it, Jayden leave it on, Because I SAID SO, do you WANT to your finger to fall off?? (Ok, the last one is a bit dramatic but c'mon it is ME we're talking about)

Last night in the bathtub, I notice the band-aid is yet again missing.

'Jayden, where is your band-aid?'

'Um, I took it off when I got in the bath'

'No you didn't, I watched you take your clothes off. Did you take it off before you went OUTSIDE to play!!!!???'

'Ummmmm....would that upset you?'

Oh lord, as I giggled to myself, I went ahead and skipped the beating and kissed the forehead of my child who is 21 stuck inside a 5 year old body.

Burnin Rubber

2011-02-13T14:14:00.002-07:00

Let me tell you about my nephew Cole. Or as I know him...Coley.

I love all of my nieces and nephews, however Jayden has always taken a liking to Cole or as he knows him 'Other Ethan'. You may recall this post.

Because the twins are getting older, 14 in May to be excat, they are wonderful to babysit my kids. Well, that and they really can't have a life until 16 so I get to torture them. But don't worry...I pay well.

Because Cole gets along so well with Jayden, he ends up being the one to babysit most often. Sometimes when I'm picking him up or taking him home we'll stop at the store to get some cash or run an errand.

Tuesday night, he was spending the night to help me with the kids before school the next morning. I had to stop in Wal-mart, as we're walking in I look at Cole and not only does he stand an entire head TALLER than me, he is wearing basketball shorts and a Chevron shirt that reads

'I have GAS.' Sweet! We'll fit right in!

He's also to that age where he likes good smelling deodorant like old spice and Axe, always wants gum and wears his hair spiked. My kind of kid! So after I picked up my hair supplies, we past a display with the new Axe deodorant.

I asked him if he wanted some 'Are you serious?' he replies. Sure, why not? I like to contribute my fair share of one less stinky teenager walking around. We're standing in line at the cashier and he tells me 'Aunt Kimmie, you're my favorite.'

Ahhh, to such a humble person like myself it was music to my ears. Never mind I had to BUY his love...oh well it works.

This latest adventure, I decide to let Coley drive my car in his neighborhood. We get in the car and do the usual when teaching a teen to drive.

Seatbelt = Check

'Ok, turn on your blinker to get back on the road.' I explain.

And he grabs the blinker and pulls the brights on the car approaching us!

'No brights, no brights!!'

He's laughing now, and finds the blinker. He gets out on the road with a jolt of the gas and then the screech of the brakes and I hear Jayden fly back in the seat. The whole time he's driving, I keep thinking my car isn't sounding right, and it's not shifting. So we stop about 50 feet in front of a stop sign and then head into his drive way.

When we get out of the car you can smell a horrible burnt smell. Similar to that of burnt rubber.

'Cole, did you have your foot on the brake AND the gas?'

'Um....I don't think so.'

As we're walking up to his door, 'Aunt Kimmie, I think I might've had my foot on the brake.'

'Cole!!! You probably burnt up my brakes you freak!'

We walk inside and Laurie tells me, 'This is why you don't let my kids drive your car!'

'Well I didn't realize that I would need to explain that we only touch one pedal at a time. He's drivin his dad's car before!'

James pipes in and says 'Haven't you met my twins? SPECIAL and Ed!'

Even if he burned my brakes up a little, I love that GIANT kid and I'm so grateful we live close enough that I get to see him and the others whenever I want!'

And you thought the butt dialer was good.....

2011-01-28T20:43:00.003-07:00

Earlier this month, someone made a mistake and dialed my work phone by accident leaving a wonderful message behind. I believe Karma may be knocking at my door.

Buckle your seat belts, hang on tight and enjoy the laughs at MY expense this time! Only one rule while reading this blog....NO JUDGING. Ok judge, who am I kidding...I've probably judged you Ü

Tuesday night, Cory and I had indulged in some parental extra curricular activities. For those that didn't catch that, I'll spell it out (S.E.X.) The next morning, while Jayden is watching cartoons in our bedroom, he comes into the bathroom and says 'Mommy, why are Daddy's panties under his PILLOW???'

I said 'Oh that silly Daddy, they must have fallen out of the laundry basket.' (Yes, I was proud of myself for the quick response)

I text Cory to tell him that his eldest child wants to know why his panties are under his pillow, he responds 'LOL, what did you say?'

So, being the naughty sexting kitten that I am, I write a funny little message that reminds him of some comments he made last night and there may have been a message of orders to 'drop his panties'.

I don't hear back from Cory which I thought was strange because I thought he'd send me his own little naughty message. He gets busy in the mornings some days at work so I chalked it up to that.

Fast forward 2 hours.

I'm at my desk at work and a text comes through. From my House Keeper.

'Um, did you mean to send me that text?'

I did NOT send a text to her today...panic starts to set in...No. It can't Be. I check my sent messages. Cory didn't respond to the dirty message because I sent the dirty text message to my House Keeper. Yes, that's right, the freakin House Keeper.

S.H.I.T.

My face went about 10 shades of red and I text back to tell her I was mortified and so embarrassed and that I was very sorry! She seemed to understand and text back this,

'That's ok! I just figured whomever it was meant for would want to read that punchline!'

Why the hell am I even allowed to touch technology..don't ask me, I have NO idea. I think I can add this to my top 10 list of most embarrassing moments of my life. This is even worse than when I was typing something mean about someone at work and SENT the message to the very person I was talking about!

Now, let's ponder the positives.

1. It wasn't a picture. (I'd had to fire her ass for sure if it would've been a picture. And, don't tell me you've never done it or thought about it...LIARS)
2. It didn't go to my boss or a co-worker
3. It was more explicit lyrics...believe me, of all the qualities Cory and I have as a couple, entertaining each other while we're away and keeping the bedroom life alive is NOT one of our problems!)

Alright, now that you've read my story and you laughed and judged...the least you can do is leave me a comment!!

What we've been up to...

2011-01-24T13:24:00.005-07:00

We try to have Grandpa over once in awhile, this time I decided to put him to work! Here he is helping me and Jayden with Sticky Buns.

Jayden's gourmet ribs & rice, salad and his favorite hot cocoa after helping Dad in the garage.

Casey's been up to all kinds of trouble, here is his latest invention to turn on/off the lights a hundred times. I'm pretty sure the neighbors think we're sending Morris Code.

A regular occurrence on Mondays. How many monkey's can fit in a chair?

My niece got an e-mail account through school. The first day I got about 18 messages from her, it's funny to see her messages and trying to decipher the code. Here is the latest

'kimmy my mom gust got a lleeckerir fiyswoter it is cool but when the bugs die it stinks up the house'

Naughty Bugs

2011-01-12T20:47:00.002-07:00

Over the course of the last 5 years, my dearest Jayden has been giving many nicknames. One of those nicknames is Bug. This will come in handy for the rest of the story.

In usual Jayden fashion, he's been struggling behaving with the nanny. Last week was a particular hard week for many reasons, Jayden included. Monday night, I was laying in bed with him and I said,

'Bug, I really need you to be good tomorrow for Ariel.'

He seemed to ponder this for a bit and then said

'But what if I can't keep them in?'

Not quite sure what he was talking about, I took the bait and asked 'Keep what in?'

'My naughty bugs Mom. What if they sneak out?'

Laughing now, I tickle him and say 'How about you just keep those bugs inside you!'

He takes in a big sigh like he's pondering the ways of the world and finally says 'Ok, I'll try.'

Fast forward Tuesday night on my way home from work, I called Cory. Jayden had been ok, but was in timeout when he got home from work. So, Jayden gets on the phone.

'Hi Mom, one got out.'

I know there are a lot of things I need to be better at as a mother, but sometimes, even when he's being naughty, I love that little stink to pieces. Because for better, for worse and no matter what ~ He's Mine!

Things that make you go Hmmmm...

2011-01-10T14:43:00.003-07:00

So, the big NUMBER is fast approaching this year. Yes, the one where I'm no longer considered to be in my 20's but now in the popular 30's. My friends are slowly all becoming victims of this life event.

I've spent the better part of the last 5 years thinking of all the ways I could bring in my 30th birthday. For some reason, this feels like a huge milestone or destination that is slowly approaching. I've turned the corner and the speed is picking up. Almost like I've come over the top of a huge hill and now, no matter how much I stall, it's the downhill approach and gravity is rapidly pulling me.

I've contemplated all the things I could do to celebrate this milestone. Parties, maybe taking time to remember my last 30 years. Of all the things I've thought about, I secretly like to be surprised too.

Cory knows this fact about me and he's started to plan. I know this because I told him the other day of something I was thinking about buying for my 30th and he got this look on his face. He said, "Before you start making big plans, just know I've spent your birthday money. It's a big year, so I wanted to do something special." Then knowing my brain, he added "No, it's not a big diamond or a trip somewhere." Hey, a girl can dream right?

I wonder if he said that to throw me off. I asked if I should start tanning, or if I needed to take time off work. Thinking it might be a trip somewhere. He kept saying 'maybe, or possibly'. I LOVE to be surprised, but I also love to guess which drives my husband INSANE. He always says "If you love surprises so much WHY do you keeping giving me opportunities to mess it UP?!"

Poor Cory, how does he put up with a girl like me?

The ever infamous.....BUTT DIALER

2011-01-04T21:37:00.002-07:00

I've been off work for the last week with the kids while Cory was gone. I neglected to change my voicemail at work to say the dates I'd be away and to let members know I wouldn't be returning phone calls.

Back in the saddle this morning, I'm listening to messages. 2 from the same member frantic that I haven't returned his calls to solidify his car loan before he goes out of town, 1 hang up and then 1 message that will be forever engraved in my mind.

I hear some footsteps, a weird rustle and then a very clear sound of someone peeing. You know it's a man because of how loud the peeing is. I'm thinking to myself, oh dear! I thought that'd be the worst of it..butt no!

I continue to listen, (why not I thought to myself!) It was rather intriguing. I was thinking maybe I'd hear him say 'Oh Shit!' when he realized the phone had called me. Butt no! Instead, the urine fountain had finished, you can hear the toilet flush, a rustle again which I'm assuming is the zipper from B.D.'s pants (Butt Dialer)

Then, something horrific and hysterical happened. There is a brief moment of silence...then...

RRRRRIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPPPP......the loudest freakin fart EVER recorded on a answering machine. I mean, the phone had to be in this guys back pocket or he may have had to check his pants after that bodily function!

I was shocked, I let out a gasp of laughter and disbelief all at the same time. I could just imagine this guy after a nice long pee, walking to the door of whatever bathroom he was at, pausing and lifting his leg for some much needed relief thinking he was all alone!

Now, I did what any self respecting person would do. I checked the caller ID. It was the same member who had called me two times before that! Then, I did the second best thing and let everyone in my office listen to it! There is no way people would believe me without hearing this! Then, I forwarded it to several peoples voice mails at AFCU! Ü

Let me tell you, as soon as I figure out how to record it onto my cell phone then post in on my blog... it will be done. So, let this be a lesson to all of us. By all means before you enter any toilet facility, or think you might be alone to 'relieve' yourself...always and I mean ALWAYS check to ensure you haven't BUTT DIALED your loan officer!!

Ha ha ha ha...yes I'm still laughing.

Splittin the ShEeTs...

2011-01-03T13:07:00.002-07:00

No...not Cory and I, were you nervous?!

Today was our usual Monday, picked up Harry & Alison in the AM. Had breakfast, dressed the kids and headed to take Jayden to school. I did the normal chores, finished the laundry, cleaned up toys and got dinner in the crock pot.

I decided with it being so cold, I'd take the kids to McDonald's to run out some energy before nap time. After I carried my 30 lb starving baby back and forth to fill up drinks, get happy meals and set up the table for 4 crazed children to eat and run for 60 minutes, I happened to hear the couple next to me.

They were highlighting dates on calendars and I could hear them talking about holidays and birthdays. There was a little girl running to and from their table, and I realized they were deciding how to split custody of the little spitfire who was successful in slapping both Jayden and Harrison right in the eyeball. In light of their conversation I decided NOT to give them a lesson on how to teach their child not to hit others.

As they highlighted the dates, you could sense some tension but rather civil I would think. They talked about rules when each had their turns, like if the daughter wanted to talk to the other parent during the away time they should let her and what times they would do pick up and drop off. When it was time for the mom to leave, they each signed their calendars. Mom picked up the little girl and said 'I love you, give mommy a kiss I will see you on Thursday.' When the mom left, the dad picked up his cell phone and said to whoever was listening 'We're done.. yeah it went ok. She caved and gave me the dates I wanted and her birthday!'

I know it wasn't my place to listen, but I did. I felt so lucky to have Cory and share our lives together with our kids. I've gone through divorce and it's hard enough without children. Cory was gone all last week and it's lonely being a single parent. The kids missed Cory so much and I did too. Snow blowing the driveways, dinner/dishes/bath time all by myself. So many things I take for granted with Cory. Distance makes the heart grow fonder and it's so true. I know I'm going to LOVE him being home and back to normal routine. I'm so lucky to have the love of my husband and the great life we share. So glad that I don't have to kiss Jayden & Casey and say 'See you on Thursday' each week.

Funny how a simple trip to McDonald's can give you an opportunity to be reminded of the simple pleasures in life.

Good Bye 2010

2010-12-31T21:42:00.002-07:00

I can't believe another year has come and gone, it seems like just yesterday I was posting good~bye to 2009 So many things we've accomplished as a family and individuals. As today went on, all of the events of 2010 were running through my mind. Here are just a few

~My new blog design, I also joined SITS
~I celebrated my last First birthday with Casey
~I graduated with my Bachelor's degree (finally!)
~Cory received a long awaited and deserved promotion, including his title as Production Manager
~Jayden started a new school
~I started my new position at work

These are just to name a few. Life happens so quickly, I'm so glad that I have a blog to record the happenings in our lives. Sometimes, when you're in the middle of the moments you don't have the opportunity to enjoy or even understand the importance of the experiences we have. It's nice to be able to sit back and remember all of the important milestones this year, the laughs, the hard times and most of all each other.

Cory's gone this week to Florida helping his grandparents, but we were able to share our tradition of what we'd like for the new year over speaker phone. Here are the thoughts shared:

Me: For us to survive the two family vacations we've planned for 2011. Florida in April to see Grandma/Papa. Disney cruise to the Bahama's in November with my family. For Daddy to enjoy himself and to not strangle Mommy for making him go! Also wishing more time with Daddy.
Cory: The same as Mommy
Jayden: Swimming lessons!
Casey: MMMMM...(which I think means more food)

I'm excited for 2011, another year of watching the boys grow, learn and play. I'm also excited to celebrate our 6th year of marriage, my 30th birthday, boating trips, family vacations, Casey turning terrible 2's, and so much more.

I'm thankful for my wonderful life, to be blessed with the love of a strong, romantic, sexy, loving, intelligent man whom I call my best friend, to be the mother of two strong, beautiful and loving boys, to have the family we do here on earth and the loved ones watching us from above, the friends that surround us and the house over our heads. I can't think of many words to describe that other than ♥LuCkY♥.

Whomever you are reading this post, I wish you a happy New Year!

See you in 2011!!

Insatiable

2010-12-27T22:14:00.004-07:00

Here is one of my many conversations with Jayden tonight.

'Mom, here's what we're going to do. We are going to write a letter to Santa. Mom, you hurd what I say? When Casey goes to bed, you can get out that pen in the drawer. I tell you what to write, k?'

'Ok, Jade.'

'Mom, this is what I want to say.

Santa, I love you berry much. How about next year on Christmas, can you bring me a awner man game?

'No, not that Mom. You know that game awner man?'

'No Jayden what in the world is awner man?

'Mom, you know that guy we saw?'

'Yes, that helps me a lot Jayden. What guy?'

'That guy that flies around and gets people. You know wif all those cars?'

'Iron man?'

'YES! Awner man! Can you write that to Santa?'

Dear Santa,
I love you so so so much. Next year, can you have the elves make me awner man game? And a transforma game? Tell the elves right now in case they're sleepy from making all my toys for this Christmas we just had.'

Love, Jayden Gweeeeen.

Never mind the 1 million toys you JUST got two days ago. Yes Jayden, I'd love to send Santa this letter. He's going to need the entire year to recover financially from THIS year. And yes, his ELVES are tired!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-26T20:58:00.003-07:00

Casey & Spidey Scooter
Santa's Goodies

Cory's Rubberband Gun

Casey's HD hat from Pa Harley & Ma Jo

Merry Christmas!

Another Christmas has come and gone! Even with the exciting birthday, Jayden still made out pretty great from Santa and the rest of his family. 7 DS games, sled, clothes, movies, books, pillow pet, hoover crafts, and more! Casey made out with a new spiderman scooter (his absolute favorite) Little People car set, clothes, pillow pets, puzzles and books.

'Santa' decided that Diane (Cory's mom) always spoils us to pieces and no one really does the same for her. We all went in and got her a T.V. for her bedroom but I wanted or I mean 'Santa' wanted to do more. One of my favorite things each Christmas growing up was my stocking. My Santa always found the best and funnest things to put in there. From make-up, candy, toys, socks, all kinds of things. It was so exciting seeing what was in there, sometimes pads and pens and fun little trinkets. So, I watched for things at the Hallmark and Wal-Mart and ended up having so much it spilled out of the stocking! Some items included lip gloss 'Kiss my Face', shower gloves, trouser socks, fuzzy socks, razors, gum, raisnets (her favorite), thong underwear Ü, Norah Roberts, Avatar DVD, funny straws, fake turtle, Aveno stress relief lotion and more. I don't know who was more excited, me to see her open it or her! At the end of the morning on our way to breakfast at Aunt Linda's, she hugged me and said 'Thank you so much, that was my first Christmas stocking. My parents never did those.' Then added 'If I leave my stocking here, will Santa fill it next year?' You betcha!

Cory finished off my 12 days of Christmas with this note 'On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 1 - Camera I already have 2- take pictures of my family!!'

It was a busy, fun filled day with family. After breakfast, we came back home for a rest before heading to my mom's for Christmas dinner. Cory left this morning for a week to Florida so we took some extra time while Jayden was playing his games and Casey was napping. Without giving too many details, I thoroughly enjoyed my husband that afternoon. Ü When you have kids and life is so busy, sometimes it's easy to forget how fun it is to date and just be into each other. I'm so lucky that I still get butterflies with my husband and we can still find that moment where it's like we're kissing for the first time. I can say that, because there was a brief moment in time where I was sure we'd lost it, I'll never take him for granted again.

I hope you enjoy the stories and pictures, and most important that you were able to spend the holidays with your loved ones. Merry Christmas!

BiRtHdAyS GaLoRe!!

2010-12-23T21:43:00.003-07:00

Presents GaLoRe!
Blowing out the 4-Wheeler Cake

Just one or two of our closest fRiEnDs!!

We celebrated Green style for Jayden's 5th birthday and Cory's 33rd. I can't believe I have a freakin 5 year old! It was a great night, we decided to take it easy this year and not do dinner for everyone. We had cake and ice cream. It wouldn't be a Cory birthday with out Farr's PlayDough.

Jayden made out like a bandit and got great gifts, Nerf guns (with a clip mom!) clothes, games, and two big gifts. Grandma Deny (Diane) got him a DS Lite, Grandma Jo got him some games and some clothes. Daddy decided to top the cake (literally) with a 4-Wheeler! He's been talking about it for about two months now, every time we asked Jayden what he wanted for Christmas or his birthday, the answer was a 4-wheeler. So, we kept it a secret and Cory brought it home last night before the party.

After Jayden opened up his gifts, we told him to take his Grandma to his room to show her his new toys. We had everyone sneek into the garage and when he came out we all yelled

S-U-R-P-R-I-S-E!!!

He was in shock for about 5 seconds and then went straight to the bike. We got some video that I will attempt to download...be patient!

He's in love with the bike, he kept telling his dad 'I love you so so so much Dad' 'We're gonna have this 4-wheeda forEVA!!' I love to see the excitement in his eyes and Cory's. We've taken our fair share from the critics. Telling us we're spoiling him and creating a monster.

Jayden has his moments with or without 4-wheelers and DS's. As a mom, I love that we can give these nice things to him and that hopefully he wants for nothing. I am a lucky mom to be married to someone who loves to surprise his kids and gets just as excited as they do for the 'boy toys'.

Happy Birthday Boys, I love you.

Day Six ~ Day Nine

2010-12-21T21:52:00.002-07:00

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 6 minutes worth of reading before the book becomes a movie! (I love Nicholas Sparks, 'The Notebook', 'Dear John', 'The Last Song', So Cory got me his latest novel, 'The Lucky One'. He said 6 minutes worth of reading because I read really fast and can finish a book in about a day if I had the time to do it!

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 7 ounces of chocolate that I don't have to share with ANYBODY!! Mmmm...white chocolate and milk chocolate all to myself Ü

On the eight day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 8 sets of candy kisses and our kisses always come in sets of three. I think it's so funny that whenever we kiss it's always in threes. Maybe we're saying I love you. I thought this was strange, but come to find out the people I work with do the same thing!

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 9 packets of cocoa mix to keep me warm and comfy.

P.S.

2010-12-17T20:38:00.002-07:00

Where the hell are all of my comments? I see my blog counter increasing everyday, I know you're out there...watching...reading...judging...(Ok, maybe kidding on the last one. Maybe not, ok really are you?)

I think we should start a new rule...you peeky..you leaky or leavy...the comments that is.

Well, I don't really want you to pee on my blog site but it rhymed.

Even just to say 'I was here' You blog stalkers better start leaving me love notes or I shut this thing down to Privacy!!!!

I mean it....I WILL DO IT. I have the privacy button and I know how to use it.

Mis·un·der·stand·ing

2010-12-17T20:26:00.002-07:00

mis·un·der·stand/ˌmisˌəndərˈstandiNG/Noun
1. A failure to understand something correctly.
2. A disagreement or quarrel

Let's dissect this definition for a moment. I can't think of one instance where one definition applies without the other. This week, I've experienced both. I can't even fathom how quickly a misunderstanding happened this week...through e-mail nontheless.

One minute, plans were being made and the next little tiny demons took place of normal people including myself and all Hell broke loose. Here's one of the many places I experience a flaw in myself. I allow myself to be so upset and hurt by the things other people think of me or that I feel they are thinking about me. I tend to lose myself in the situation. I think about it 24-7. In the morning while I get ready, at work, at night. I lose my appetite, it exhausts me.

Then, because it weighs heavy on my mind, I talk to other people about it. Usually those who are involved and then the situation gets fired up. It's like I'm building my side, my team. Almost like a pep rally. They're wrong, you're right, go team ..go team FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!' This hardley ever does anything good, other than elevate already strong emotions.

It's unfortunate the assumptions are made, emotions are high and feelings are hurt so quickly and are forever lasting. What maybe would've been different had the conversation been in person, face to face with the ability to clarify intent before assumptions have a chance to be made.

All I can say at this point about the entire scenario is that it leaves me feeling defeated.

A relationship becomes easier when you realize that you don't have to be the one at fault to be the one who's sorry. ~Robert Brault

I found Christmas

2010-12-17T20:06:00.004-07:00

It's been a busy and stressful few days as always (I'm beginning to think I start every post with that) I decided it was time to MAKE Christmas appear. After work yesterday, I picked up the boys and headed home to bake the day away.

I grabbed my iTouch and logged onto Pandora for some Mariah Carey Christmas music to blast throughout the kitchen while Jayden and I prepared to make our annual neighbor goodies. I told Jayden, 'We can't bake Christmas cookies without wearing some Christmas socks!!' So I grabbed a pair out of my drawer. Jayden is looking at me with an intrigued face and says 'Mom, you got any more of those in that drawer??' For you, Bug...anything.

With our Christmas socks in tow, holiday music blaring away, we proceeded to destroy my kitchen making all kinds of goodies. Sugar cookies with icing, peanut butter cup cookies, chocolate chip cookies and peppermint chews. We danced and sang to our spatulas 'All I want for Christmas', 'Jingle Bell Rock' and more. Casey joined in bouncing up and down.

Jayden lost interest after about 20 minutes, so I was left alone in the kitchen baking while the boys played downstairs. I was listening to the words of a certain Christmas song, and noticed that it really means to MAKE the holidays mean something by giving into the spirit of it and creating the feelings. Not just waiting for it to appear.

I baked for about 4 hours, then had Jayden and Cole delivered the treats. One more task on my list checked off before the holidays arrive. I may not be Betty Crocker or Martha Stewart, I used pre-mixed cookies and dough, but I loved every minute of it and it was a nice distraction from the rest of the world that always seems to be waiting at the door.

Thanks for the memories, boys. I love you.

Day Three, Four & Five

2010-12-17T20:02:00.002-07:00

On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me, three sterling silver charms for all my friends to see. 'J', 'C', 'Family' They were beautiful additions to my Pandora bracelet.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, four place mat settings to have more compan~Y!! (Cory just loves when I throw parties, so this really was a selfless present on his part)

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, 5 words of wisdom on a plaque to forever remind me 'Always kiss me good~night'. He was a little stressed 'goodnight' was only one word. I told him I wasn't worried about and got an early start on my instructions for the night Ü

12 Days of ChRiStMaS!!!

2010-12-14T19:47:00.002-07:00

My beloved hubster surprised me Monday morning with a gift to kick of day 1 of this year's

12 days of Christmas.

If you don't remember last year, click HERE.

I have to tell you, this is just what the DR. ordered for me this Christmas. Cory told me not to get too excited because the gifts won't be as good as they were last year, but you know what?! I don't EVEN care! Just the fact he puts so much time and energy and the excitement of waking up to a surprise every day...it's like Christmas morning X 12!!

Oh wait IT IS 12 days of Christmas Ü

Day One ~ On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a big warm fuzzy blanket for him to sNuGgLe with me!! Not even kidding, this thing is big enough for 5 adults. It's the soft microfiber like what baby blankets are made of. I snuggled in it last night and read a book by the fire. For those who know me, I LOVE to be warm..it was PERFECT!

Day Two ~ On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me..two VAMPIRE movies to complete my set of three. He had bought Eclipse earlier this month and included Twilight for me to complete the set so far. We bought New Moon but had only rented the first.

I'm not sure what I love more, the gifts or the poems to go with it. (Ok, I'm a gift girl but the poems makes it a complete package!)

Thank you thank you thank you Cory. I'm not sure I tell you enough but I LOVE you so much. You'll never know how much you mean to me and that above all else, you still care about the SMILE on my face.

Forever~For Always~No Matter What.

Where are you Christmas?

2010-12-07T20:23:00.004-07:00

Confession time.

As of late, I've been reading blogs and hearing from co-workers and friends about their family traditions well under way for Christmas this year. Some who spend every waking minute baking holiday treats, seeing the lights, donating to charity, how they feel the strong sense of Christ this Christmas. I've always been envious of people who seem to have it all together, you know who I'm talking about. The mom's who you imagine answer their doors with aprons on and the smell of apple pie in the background, with the whole 'Leave it Beaver' - June Cleaver thing going on.

Let's be honest. I work full time, have two boys, one of which is about to drive me the edge of insanity most days where I think I understand child abuse. It's like he's in competition for the 'I drove my mother to medication and alcohol t-shirt.' I have yet to find my Christmas spirit.

Take last week for example. Everyday...EVERY day we got a report of just how naughty he was. It didn't end with the babysitters, the behavior continued at home with Cory and I. So, with work and attempting to deal with spawn of satin, I made my attempt to buy the boys matching sweaters and head to Kiddie Kandids.

~B.I.G. mistake~

Not to worry, after my 40 minute wait they informed me it would take 3 weeks to get my cards, December 21st. But, I COULD buy the pictures c.d. for $250 to order them elsewhere. gee..thanks! During my 40 minute wait Jayden was his usual hyper self. Let's just say he had nail marks in his arm and I'm surprised Santa's elves at the mall didn't call social services for him as I drug him to the car.

I ended up in tears on the way home trying to figure out how to make my kid behave, order Christmas cards in time along with all the other stresses of Christmas. When we got home, we attempted to take home photos with my new camera that I have NO idea how to work. By then we all were in tears, me in frustration and Jayden from us scolding him for being naughty. Christmas cards...forget it, I've decided it's not worth the stress.

Other families are celebrating the joys of the holiday and I'm struggling to find time to discipline our kid. That doesn't really bring about the holiday spirit. I'm not sure I will ever be the June Cleaver like other mom's. I am going to Lauries on Saturday to make gingerbread houses, and crossing my fingers Jayden is well behaved so we don't end up leaving in a fit of rage.

Sorry to say, when you check into my blog you aren't reading of my serenity as I bake Christmas caramels, sing carols with my children as we sip apple cider and they tell me Christ is the reason for the season.

What you can read is that they are both still alive, Jayden got his first report of good behavior today. Casey's learning he is half spider monkey as you can see below and Jayden hasn't lost his sense of humor from all the time outs and soap in his mouth.

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-29T13:15:00.002-07:00

Grandpa Denny and his Boys
Jayden & Maizey Moo

Papa showing Cory how to carve Buford

My master piece!!!

Buford Pre Oven!

We had another great Thanksgiving this year. We had Cory's family over to our house. This was the first year I've cooked without my mom there helping me. Don't worry, I had her on speed dial. Cory's Uncle's were both away this year so it was a small celebration with just 10 of us. Although we missed everyone, we had a great meal!

On to Birthday's and Christmas!!

Someone pass some sanity my way please?

2010-11-15T15:40:00.002-07:00

This weekend has been rough. I'm fairly certain I won't be able to fit it all in this post, but I need the therapy of venting just a few.

Friday started out with a bang, Cory had the day off and Jayden started the morning with puking all over our bed. Cory spent the day washing the sheets and all of Jayden's things. He seemed to come around by the afternoon.

The good things that did come from the weekend is that Cory and I got TWO dates. Friday night with dinner and a movie and dinner again on Saturday on the way to the airport to pick up Laurie and James. Thanks Cole and Ethan!

Sunday was busy with the blessing of Cory's niece Maizey and a family breakfast. When we went to leave, Jayden had locked our keys in the car so that was a lovely adventure. I noticed Casey wasn't quite himself when we layed him down for his nap.

Later in the afternoon, I did something extremely difficult and scary. I can't really talk about it, but trust me when I say that something is on my mind and weighs heavy on my heart. When you love someone so much.... it hurts and all you want to do is help them and have them be happy and healthy it causes a domino effect of emotions.

That night, Casey started throwing up massive amounts about 6 pm. It kept going and going, until he would dry heave white foam. He went limp and lethargic with no color in his face. We headed up to Wee Care about 9 pm. They wanted to take blood to test his levels for dehydration. The only problem was, he was already so dehydrated they couldn't get any blood. We were sent to Davis ER, where we sat for 4 hours. Finally the lab tech attempted to draw blood from my baby. She swaddled him in a sheet and only one arm was out. She applied the turnakit, and proceeded to 'fish' for a vein in Casey's arm.

He screamed the entire time and cried, I started crying thinking I wish I could take his pain away and I couldn't. I finally yelled at the woman to STOP! If this wasn't going to work, why torture him? We waited for the ER doctor, meanwhile Casey threw up all the liquid I had given him into my lap. The ER nurse was nice enough to give me some hospital pajama's. They decided to give him some oral medicine for nausea. We waited for 20 minutes and when he kept it down, we left.

There wasn't really sleeping last night. He was starving, but I couldn't give him much on his stomach. When he did finally start sleeping, he went from 5 -8:30. Woke up with a crib full of diarrhea, Jayden thought he'd match the excitement with a encore performance and threw up again.

I spent the day stripping down the house and disinfecting everything I could. My legs ache from exhaustion and my patience is gone. My poor boys. I HATE this. I've got so much weighing on my double d's right now it's killing me.

To top it off, I started my period. Today.

Dear Jayden...

2010-10-25T12:22:00.002-07:00

So many times I hear of Mom's who don't have the chance to see their children grow up. Something happens that takes them away, for whatever reason their time ends short here on earth. I take for granted my time with you, and as we sit here watching cartoons while brother is sleeping, I wanted to write you this letter to let you know how much you mean to me

From the moment the nurse walked in and told me I was pregnant, I knew you were something special. Your daddy and I were so excited to be parents! You came into this world in a hurry and state of chaos and you've lived your life in that same state of mind since. Everything about you is perfect, you are so very handsome and have a smile that melts my heart. Things are always done on your time and you can't be rushed. Most of the time, I'm doing my best to keep up with you.

I love how smart you are and how you always want to know where, why, who and when. Always so curious and although it gets you into trouble most days makes you the wonderful person you are. I love watching you grow from my baby into a little man. You are so social just like your mommy and it's amazing to see you make friends and your love to be with people. I love our conversations and even when you ask me hard or silly questions I hope we always can talk about everything.

I love how when no one else is around, you become calm and like to snuggle in my lap or Dad's. It makes me smile when we're driving in the car and out of no where you tell me that you love me. I love how when you're happy, no matter where we're at you blow me a kiss and make the cutest face. I love when we snuggle at bedtime and we make up stories together about dragons that fly and how you train them to behave.

I love watching you with Casey and seeing how much he loves you. You're the only one who can make him giggle until he can't breathe. You are an awesome big brother and it makes me full of joy to see you taking care of Casey.

I love your giggles, your smiles, your boyish charm with all the cuts, bruises, smelly mysteries, surprise wrestle matches with Dad, non stop attitude. Most of all Jayden, I love you. You've made me a better person, stronger than I ever knew I could be and taught me unconditional love. Because there is nothing you could ever do or say that would make me stop loving you. I'll always be here for you, fighting for you, cheering you on and being amazed by you every single day.

I'm so proud to be your mother.

Black Island Farms

2010-10-24T15:18:00.002-07:00

BRAVO Arts Academy had their annual field trip to Black Island Farms. I took the day off work to spend with Jayden and it was the best day we've had together in a long time. We had fun just the two of us walking around, he got to feed the animals, ride slides, take a train ride, jump on a air pumpkin and then we ended the day with a tractor ride to pick out the BEST pumpkin! It was a sunny day and perfect for a sack lunch outside and some fun mommy and Jayden time.

On the way home we were both quiet listening to the radio and out of the silence Jayden whispered from the back seat 'I love you Mom.' For those of you who know my son, this was a perfect ending to the perfect day.

I love you Bug.

The Perfect Pumpkin
It's a LLAMA!!

Loving the baby goats

My handsome man.

Halloween Party

2010-10-24T15:08:00.004-07:00

Last week we headed to a couple we just met through KSL.

Right now you're thinking....what kind of couple are we talking about?

Well, have no worries we met them through Cory buying and selling truck parts. Tim is the same as Cory only he has about 60 + cars..Cory and Jayden are in heaven at their house. We went to dinner last month and they invited us to their Halloween party and it turned out to be pretty fun! We carved pumpkins and had a contest, ate dinner and they had a magician coming but it was so cold we went home early, anyway, it was a great night. I'm excited for the trunk or treat with Laurie next Saturday!

Daddy and Monkey Mash
Homemade Rootbeer with Dry Ice

The professional face painting

My version for Jayden (Don't worry, I won't quit my day job)

Casey in his Monkey Cop Mobile

You're Full...I'm Full

2010-10-10T19:44:00.002-07:00

There are numerous experiences a mother goes through with her children, they start during pregnancy and continue through birth and life. Every experience is different. Let me share one with you and then you can tell me if I've lost my mind.

I think this stems from nursing my babies....if they don't eat enough or I feel like they aren't getting enough I feel a strange pain or uneasiness. I could tell when they nursed, if they finished on both sides and I felt 'drained' then I felt a comfort because I knew they were full.

Well, this strange phenomenon continues as they get older. When Casey sits for a meal and eats a good amount of food or finishes everything I give him, I feel full. No matter if I've eaten or not, if he's satisfied, then I am. I can't even describe the feeling I get

Is that strange?

My MiLkShAkE brings all the boys to the yard....

2010-10-04T18:55:00.003-07:00

Ok, my milkshakes don't bring all the boys.... but they do bring these two boys in for a drink and a sweet milk mustache.

Taste of my own Medicine

2010-10-04T13:40:00.002-07:00

We all know Mr. Jayden and his ability to take me the edge of insanity most days. I am the first to admit I lose patience with him more than I should, and the other day he gave me a taste of just how impatient I am with him sometimes.

When he acts out, I'll say 'Jayden, do we talk like that?! NO!' 'Jayden, do we push brother?! NO!'

I'm always asking him questions and then answering with a real smart alleck tone. You know, like they teach you do in all the parenting classes you get BEFORE you have children.

On with the story...

I met Cory at my grandpa Earle's on Saturday to pick up the kids, as he was helping move the last of the stuff out and fix some last minute items. I drove the truck home because the seats were already buckled in, and this is the conversation that transpired.

"Mom, drive careful the tail gate to Blue (Cory's old truck he is working on) is in the back of the truck."

"Why is the tail gate to Blue in the back of the truck?"

"Ah, Mom, do we have any other trucks that run?....NO!'

I was laughing too hard to be mad...gave me a serious wake up call on how I talk to my son.

You know, for how good sex feels...you sure make up for it with the pains that come with children Ü

CaSeY Baby...

2010-09-27T12:27:00.003-07:00

Watching brother play T-Ball
Wishing he was going to school with Brother

Wearing Brothers Hoody

Melting my heart.

Just a little update of our little Chunk Butt. He's busy walking, playing and learning. His favorite thing to do is be outside. When it's time to come in he sticks out that adorable bottom lip and cries. He is in love with Jayden Bug, as you can see from the pictures above. He hasn't started talking just yet, and I'm in no rush for that. He says. 'Uh-oh', 'Mo (more)' and usually 'Da-Da'.

He is different from big brother in many ways, he still LOVES to eat! His favorite is to sit on Dad's lap at the dinner table and eat with us. He is tender hearted and his feelings get hurt easy. When we say no, he listens for the most part. He has the cutest laugh and Bug can get him laughing so hard he almost can't breathe.

We were at my parent's last night and my dad said 'I know you wanted a little girl Kimmie, but that little boy is too cute, lovable and irreplaceable.' I must say...I agree!!

We love you chunk!

Whoa is ME

2010-09-13T12:43:00.002-07:00

Days go by so quickly...I can't believe it's already September.

Work is going well, I finished up my lending classes and have been waiting since June to take my test. Hopefully, everything will be in order for me to take the test in October. I can't believe how busy the branch is. The people I work with are great and keep me laughing everyday, which for those who have worked with me before..it is a MUST!

What I'm having a hard time with is making everyone happy..(I know, who would've thought?!) I work until 6:15 or 6:30 each night which doesn't get me home until 7 pm. Cory has the kids for 4 hours on his own Tues/Wed/Fri and then from 8-4 pm on Saturdays to accommodate my schedule. He is so great with the boys, Casey spends so much time with his Dad he cries when he leaves. By the time I get home, Cory is ready for a break and struggles on Saturdays when he could be getting things done around the house or yard. I can't blame him, that's a lot of on your time with the kids. So I find myself rushing home from work to relieve him and then if I have errands or something I want to do after work, it causes tension.

I also find if I take a longer lunch at work to get something done, it makes everyone else's schedule off. I haven't had a sick day (knock on wood) in 2010. Because I have to trade to have a Saturday off if I need, I don't use that much vacation. Even taking a week of in July, I've already built back up to almost 4 weeks of leave between sick/vacation since having Casey. When my family needs help, it's almost impossible to arrange time to do it. Between work and finding sitters for the kids it's damn near a miracle if it happens.

So, what's a working girl to do? Blog about it for therapy and keep busting her tail to reach her goals. Let's just hope the hubby and kids don't all end up in the nut house along the way!

Cement, stairs, rocks, snakes and why I wasn't built for manual labor.

2010-09-05T19:55:00.003-07:00

This weekend, Cory and I had planned to take the kids to Star Valley with my parents. After every Holiday this year racing to get packed, toting the kids all over and yard projects piling up.. we cancelled the trip.

Cory pulled out all the rocks in the backyard over the last several weeks and now it was time to build the cement wall. We rented a trailer full of cement Saturday morning, I was mowing the lawn and Cory was trying to determine how to get the cement from the trailer to the small space of the cement wall. There wasn't a funnel to pour the cement out of and the spout was at least 6 feet in the air. Just as I turned my back, I heard a huge thud. There stood Cory with the trailer tipped all the way over and 12,000 lbs cement all over the RV pad. I stopped mowing and grabbed a shovel. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry and with the look on Cory's face I didn't dare to either. With a few moments of silence, Cory turns to me with a sly smile and says 'I figured this was the only way to get you to help shovel.'

We laughed and then worked our tails off. Shoveling over and over to get the cement in its place before it started drying. Cement is HEAVY. Sweat dripping from our foreheads, it was sizzling hot. Cory was smoothing cement out and I looked down to see blood start pouring out of his nose. He literally put blood and sweat into that project!

Later that night we went to dinner and a movie with his mom Diane at the Junction. As we left the car in the parking garage and started down the steps, my leg had a epileptic seizure and down I went... almost a whole flight of stairs. Good thing Cory was in the way. I landed with all my weight on the edge of the step right on my ass. OuCh. I was laughing and crying at the same time and my cheeks flooded with the heat of embarrassment. With no other accidents that night we enjoyed our date.

Today, again at work in the back yard. I was scooping up dirt from the last project with the tractor and glanced over just as Casey grabbed the handle of the wheelbarrow full of rocks and it started to tip in his direction. I dropped my shovel and took three wide strides towards him. The last stride, my ankle buckled under a rake as I caught Casey. It was the kind of sprain that made you want to swear and throw up in the same breath. I decided it was time and safest to lay Casey down for his afternoon nap.

I went back outside and limped to the front yard to get the hose to spray of some dirt from the curbing. Just as I reached my hand into the secondary water box I looked down as I heard the leaves russle and saw the thick end of the snake escaping right by my hand. I screamed and started running towards Cory. He yells 'Stop running, your going to hurt your ankle worse!'

I tried to yell, but only a ghastly whisper came out. It was like fear was choking my throat so I couldn't talk. 'S.N.A.K.E, there is a SNAKE!!!'

Cory and Jayden were my brave snake wrestlers, but with no avail. He got away before they could get him. I told Cory, 'You realize I'm NEVER turning on the water again, right?' Cory again with the sly smile 'Yes, I'm FULLY aware.'

I've told Cory time and time again, I wasn't built for manual labor. I can keep a damn clean house and pride myself on cooking, laundry and picking up every single day after the boys. When it comes to yard work and manual labor, my body just doesn't cut it. I had no idea it was going to take this to prove it to him.

Excuse me now...I'm going to ice my ankle and put the rest of my body in a steaming SNAKE free bubble bath.

She thinks my Tractor's SeXy..

2010-08-23T12:59:00.002-07:00

The tractor is back...we were removing rocks from our backyard in our continuous journey to clean up and remodel our yard. One thing is for certain..I was NOT meant for manual labor. Ask Cory, he'll tell you all I did was follow him around with a shovel and pretend to help.

Casey sat with Cory for almost an hour..he was in a trance the ENTIRE time!

I have no idea how or why I got as lucky as I did to be blessed with this trio of boys. They each add so much to my life and in different ways. My world would be lost without their smiles, their voices, the hugs, the cries and most of all their laughs and the many 'I love you's'.

Slow down Mama Bear

2010-08-12T20:29:00.004-07:00

I'm struggling...BIG surprise I know.

Jayden is old enough now that he is wanting to venture within our neighborhood to make friends. Although this may sound like not a big deal, I'm finding myself at yet another milestone of motherhood.

On the one hand, it's nice because he's getting to the age where he can entertain himself with riding his bike or playing in the backyard. However, slowly we are reaching the point where he is now in the front yard riding his bike in the cul-de-sac and visiting the neighbor kids.

On the other hand, I find myself a bit worried. I hear all of these horror stories about kids being plucked right out of their neighborhoods by kidnappers and I've used the crime watcher website and know there are 3 sexual predators within 3 miles from our house, one of which is just around the block.

The next worry I'd like to share I have to be careful of because you never know who reads your blog when it's public, but I'm still not sure how to handle some things. There are several kids on our block who don't look the same as Jayden. One little girl is really nice and loves to ride bikes with Jayden and they seem to play well together. There are two older kids who don't like to play with Jayden and it's obvious. I've heard them telling Jayden to go away or call him names. He's already told their mom to make her kids be nice to him because all he wants to do is play. I'm nervous because I find myself watching out the window thinking 'Are they being nice?' 'What are they saying to him?' 'Why are they riding his bike?' What do I do if they tell Jayden they don't want to play because they look different? Is it because they look different or is it because they just really don't like Jayden bugging them?

I wish I could be a fly on the wall to ensure the kids are nice to him and it makes my maternal instincts kick in to think someone is being mean to my son. If they are, do I talk with their parents? At what point is it just kids being kids and I should just leave it. I know there are many lessons ahead of Jayden in his life and that all I can do is stand beside him, to be there for him as he learns about the world ~ the good and the bad. The urge to protect my kids keeps getting stronger as they get older and it's no longer just protecting from illness or falling while learning to walk and kissing the bumps and the bruises better. We're heading into the tough waters of emotional hurt caused by others.

I know Jayden is a social bug just like his Mom and he loves to have friends and do things to impress them. Whether it's offering half of West Point a Popsicle from our freezer or sharing his bike with everyone..one thing is for sure he loves to have friends to play with. I just hope that he finds good friends along the way and learns that those who don't love him for who he is are not worth the time and self doubt they sometimes cause.

Just when I think I have the toddler stage down, here we go into adolescence and the curves that come with learning social etiquette. I just have to remember to put on the brakes when it comes to protecting my child, to keep telling myself:

Slow down Mama Bear...he'll be ok.

Girls Day at Sea...

2010-08-11T21:17:00.003-07:00

Well, maybe not at Sea but Jordanelle Lake.

Last Sunday, I ventured out with 4 of my friends to take our boat out for the day. Cory was so great to trust me with our boat and my parents were nice enough to let me use their Tahoe to pull it.

I wasn't so confident about pulling the boat with Cory's truck and had always done better with our Tahoe when we had it. We were able to launch and load the boat with no problems. I impressed myself by staying calm and confident and it ended up being a breeze! I always get so stressed when I'm backing the truck down the boat ramp in between all the other boats and trailers. Cory said he wasn't worried and knew I could do, so that gave me a boost of self confidence I needed.

We had a GREAT day, it started out cool but ended up being warm enough for us all to get sunburned. We spent the day laughing, wake boarding, tubing, laying out and enjoying Morgan's homemade cocktails. It was so much fun relaxing and talking about everything and nothing all at the same time.

I'm pretty sure I've never laughed so hard in my life, here are some generic topics we laughed about without revealing who said what Ü

Liposuction

Wetsuits applied backwards creating a HUGE amount of cleavage

Tattoos

Work

Friends

Husbands

Kids

Money

Flubba or Flooba I can't remember

Going so fast on the wake board, my life flashed before my eyes

Watching two butts fly through the air simultaneously off the tube

Other girls...

The list could go on and on.

Here is the only picture I dare post as I was threatened with my life if I posted swimsuit pictures of anyone. I figured this was the safest option as all bodies are hidden in the water!

Good Bye Fishy Fishy

2010-08-04T20:35:00.003-07:00

Tonight we realized that our eldest fish had passed away. He was our biggest fishy and this was very upsetting to Jayden. As we laid in bed for our nightly ritual of mommy ~ son talks, again I'm left giggling and so thankful he is mine.

Jayden: 'Mom, do you think that fish died cuz he choked on the worm I fed him?'

Me: 'I don't think so Jade.'

Jayden: 'You think he spit it out?'

Me: 'I don't know.'

After several seconds of silence..

Jayden: 'Mom, have you ever seen a fish spit? Like this?'

He proceeds to make a spit noise and now I'm laughing hysterically!

Me:'Jayden, where did you come from?'

Jayden: 'God.'

Jayden: 'Mom, if I didn't OWN you then God would've sent me to another family.'

'I'm soooo glad God chose me for your mom Jade!'

I LOVE our conversations...sometimes I wonder where he comes up with all this stuff. Keeps Cory and I our toes for sure Ü