The Weekend

We had a great weekend.  It started with Devin getting home around 11 am since it was the last day of school.  Later, we went to my cousins 6th birthday and had fun with family.  We came home and put the kids to bed and enjoyed some tv time together.

Saturday, we got some things done around the house and after lunch took the boys to Nana & Papa's to could spend the night so Devin and I could have a date.  First we went to the temple.  I always feel so peaceful there.  Then for dinner, we went to Buca Di Beppo for some Italian food and it was fabulous as always!  The best part:  we had a $10 off coupon!  Seriously, if you haven't tried it, go there.  It's so yummy!  After dinner I got a new pillow because mine was so flat I would wake up multiple times in the night with a sore neck.  After a little shopping, we came home and watched the Suns game.  It was sad that they lost, but we enjoyed the time together.

Sunday was great too.  We enjoyed church and substituted Jaxon's Primary class because his usual teachers had a baby this week.  The lesson was called, "I Am Thankful That I Can Smell and Taste."  It was a fun lesson to teach because we got to take snacks for them to smell and taste and we talked all about the blessings of our sense of smell and taste.  The kids are so cute.  After church, we had a little nap and started watching New Moon.  Then Nana and Papa and Reina brought the boys back and we had a yummy dinner of crab legs!  After a fun visit with the fam, they left and Henry went to bed.  Jaxon had a late nap so he wasn't ready for bed, so he got to watch a movie while Mommy and Daddy finished watching New Moon.  Jax went to bed when his movie was over and Devin and I read and went to sleep.

Nothing huge happened, but it we had a fun weekend just spending time together!

Teacher Appreciation Week

Devin got a buy one get one free burrito coupon at Chipotle for teacher appreciation week.  We were excited to go and the boys were so good while we gobbled up our gigantic burritos!

Ice Cream Decisions

The other night we had to run to the store after dinner and baths.   Mommy took about 2 seconds to locate her chocolate ice cream and put it in the cart, but Daddy took a while to decide.  While we waited, the boys were just being so cute so I snapped a few pictures. 

Notice Devin reading the cartons to help him decide which flavor to choose.

8 Weeks

Here's a belly shot towards the beginning of my pregnancy, at 8 weeks.  Feeling bloated, but not showing yet.

Oh, and last night I had a dream that it was a boy.

American Idol Hallelujah

This was an amazing performance!

I hope Lee wins!!!

Motivation

This post might be boring.  It's mostly about pregnancy stuff so I can remember what this one was like.  This time it's different from my other two.

I'm usually pretty motivated to do things.  I mean things like...everything.  I hardly ever take naps because I feel like I'm wasting my time and could be "getting something done."  But, with this pregnancy, I have been SO unmotivated to do anything!  Dishes, kids' scrapbooks, cleaning, cooking, and just moving around in general!  I just don't have energy and it's kind of driving me nuts!  I want to get chores done, but I just don't feel like doing them.  Usually, I hardly ever watch tv during the day.  The tv only comes on when Devin and I watch our shows at night after the kids go to bed, but I find myself wanting to sit and (not watch tv) but read.  But, just the sitting factor is a big deal.

Oh, and cooking is really frustrating because I don't feel like cooking ever anymore, which is a big change since I started cooking more and really enjoy it.  So, I don't feel like cooking, but I want to eat all the time!  But, I want junk food!  Anyone who knows me knows that I pretty much don't eat junk food.  I have treats every now and then (I don't count nightly ice cream as junk food), but typically avoid eating unhealthy foods.  But lately I just want foods like macaroni and cheese, Ramen noodles, chips, and candy.  It's not really fun because though I enjoy it while I'm eating it, my tummy isn't used to eating foods like that, so it doesn't sit to well.

I'm still totally irritable.  Devin gets the worst of it.  He's not used to having to deal with "PMS" because I don't really have it during that time of the month, so this moodiness is a whole new thing he's not used to.  (And neither am I!)

One Dinner

Every day I watch my daycare kids I struggle with feeling like I am being the best mommy I can be for my own kids while also taking care of someone else's kids.  Jaxon is usually so well behaved and it seems like he has more meltdowns and a harder time obeying when the daycare kids are here.  That's a daily struggle too.  

Most days are fine, but sometimes I just about go crazy.  So, the other day was one of those really hard days.  I was counting down the time until the kids got picked up.  Not because of the kids, they are great kids to watch and really well behaved, it's just a lot to deal with all day every day.

Devin's parents were coming to pick up Jaxon so they could take him to a movie and then sleepover at their house.  At first I was kind of bummed he was going to be gone when I was looking forward to spending time with him without other kids around.  But, then I realized I could spend some one on one time with Henry and was excited about that.  

Along with Jaxon getting picked up, I also had to drop off my lawn mower to be repaired, and meet my Grandpa to drop off Jeni so I was stressing about getting all the timing right to meet everyone who was counting on me.  Luckily, I was able to arrange it all in one place.

After the daycare kids got picked up, a little stress was relieved, but I was still in a rush as I strapped the kids and Jeni in the car and headed to meet everybody.  I got there later than planned, but it was all right.  I dropped off Jeni, got the mower fixed, and met Papa to drop off Jaxon.  

As I drove home at 6:00, I was exhausted and not in the mood to cook dinner and didn't think it was a good idea to make Henry wait that long before feeding him dinner.  You know we are really trying to stay in the grocery budget so I didn't want to stop and buy food, but Henry is used to eating at about 5:00 and we wouldn't be home until 6:30, plus it will still take time for me to make something.  I tried to think of somewhere healthy but cheap to stop on the way home.  First, I decided I would just make something quick when we got home so I wouldn't spend any money.  But, after seeing that Henry was almost asleep, I changed my mind and decided he needed dinner sooner than later.  There were lots of choices on the way home and most of them sounded good, but I finally decided to go with Costa Vida.  I could and spend a few bucks on a large salad to share with Henry and he'd get his free kiddie cheese crisp.

We ordered and went through the line and as I got to the cashier I handed her my debit card to pay.  She ran it and asked if I had a frequent stamp card.  I thanked her for reminding me and told her I thought I had one that was full.  I was right!  I pulled it out and thought it would save me a couple bucks on the $8 salad I was about to thoroughly enjoy.  She said, "Actually it's all free."  "Wait, what?  It's totally free?!"  I couldn't believe it.  After the stressful day I had with the kids, then stressing over getting everywhere I needed to be on time, and stressing about getting home to make dinner then breaking down and deciding to buy it instead...it was FREE!  (I think I have too much stress in my life.)  It was a very small thing, and to most people this might be a silly story, but to me, it was practically a miracle!  It's not so much that I got an eight dollar dinner for free, it's the fact that it was right when I needed it (physically, emotionally, and for the sake of the budget).  It was a blessing and I was very grateful.  

My cute date enjoying his "chisp"

Guessing Game

Guess what that is...

Devin called it "mustard jerky."  Yuck!  We found it in his glove box while looking for catchup for our Chik-Fil-A burgers.  I wonder how old it is and what other surprises he's got in there!  I was too scared to look.  His car is always a mess!

Kiddos

I couldn't resist taking a picture!

When Henry sees me with the camera, he comes running and says, "Mommy!  Sheesh!"

I just love these little boys!

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Wolverine Claws

This was all Jaxon's idea...

He brought me a glove and fork from his play kitchen and said he wanted "Wolverine claws."  He already had another fork poking through the other glove.  It's amazing what this kids thinks of!

I LOVE this cute pic of my little boy!

Little Henry and his bruised little noggin wanted to say "sheesh" for a picture.

This is Spiderman shooting webs incase you couldn't tell.

I just love my boys.

Taste Buds

I'm sure some people will think this is silly, but I look at the fact that we have taste buds as proof that we have a loving Father in Heaven.

I mean, what fun is eating if you can't taste the food?  I'll tell you...it's NO fun!  Right now, I am totally congested and can't taste a thing.  Eating is a totally a nuisance when I can't enjoy the taste of what I'm consuming!

It seems like he could have just created us without taste buds and we would still be able to eat.  What real purpose to they serve?  I guess to help us know if what we are eating is rotten or spoiled, but usually our sense of smell could tell us that.

I think our kind Heavenly Father gave us those taste buds so we could delight in and savor all the different tastes of food in the world.  For me, there are few experiences better than eating my favorite food.  (I can think of one and I'll give you a clue:  it usually takes place in the bedroom...I think you can figure it out!)  But seriously, I'm very thankful that I am blessed with those little dots on my tongue to bring joy to the obligation of eating!

Stereomood.com

Great website for listening to music.  You pick a playlist based on your mood like, "optimistic," "candlelit dinner," and "homework," then listen for free!

Just wanted to share one of my favorite sites!

Backwards

I've been having "morning sickness" at night.  It seems backwards to me.  I've heard that happens to some women and I consider it a blessing because if I was sick in the morning with the daycare kids here, it would be plain awful.  At least if I'm sick in the evenings, when only my own kids are home, usually Devin is home to help take care of everything (including me).  And he is so good at it.

Yesterday I got a call from a lady in my ward to see if I could make a salad of some kind for a funeral.  I agreed to make it and drop it off to her later that evening.  Things were busy all day and I still hadn't made the salad by the time Devin got home.  By then I was so tired and felt so sick I just couldn't stand up and had to lay down.  He was so sweet to make the salad and deliver it so I could rest.  Then, when I was so nauseous I thought I was for sure going to be sick, he came to the rescue with a bowl of Rice Krispies just in time to settle my stomach.  (Eating when you feel like you are gonna barf is kind of the last thing you want to do, but with pregnancy nausea, eating is the cure.)

Then, tonight when he was giving the boys their baths, I heard him telling Jaxon to be extra good for mommy because she hasn't been feeling good.  What a sweet daddy and thoughtful husband!

3 PM

I always get SO tired around this time of day.  It's like this everyday and more so with the pregnancy.  

It's probably the hardest time of the day because I am tired and just want to sit and do nothing, but I need to start making dinner soon.  Also, the kids are tired and grouchy, but won't sit and rest because they know if they do, they might fall asleep and of course they fight against it.

It's about the time that I'm ready for a break, but still have about 4 more hours until that's possible.  Maybe 5, depending on when Devin gets home.

So, here's to the 9 hours of the day we've made it through and to getting through the next 5!

Oh, remember this dressing that I loved?  Well, we got a new bottle the other day and it tasted so gross!  We checked the date and it had expired.  We just bought it so we took it back, but they didn't have another bottle to replace it.  So, I have been without dressing for like a week and I was totally craving a nice crisp salad!  

So, I randomly picked this:

And you should try it too!  I ate an entire head of lettuce all by myself the other night with it because it is just that delicious!  I dread picking a new dressing because you have to buy a whole bottle just for a taste and if it's gross, it's all a waste!  But, if you are a fan of Ceasar dressing, you'll love this!

We're Expecting!

Yep, it's true!  We're gonna have baby #3!

I'm only about 7 weeks, but I can't keep from telling people!  I get too excited.  My "due date" is Christmas Eve, but I don't put much stock in "due dates."  I think the baby will come when he or she is ready and the date is just the best guess we can come up with.

I haven't been sick or anything so far and I am SO glad!  I have been a little crazy emotionally though...just ask Devin!

Mothers

I saw these quotes on a friend's blog and stole them for my own...

“Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels." –Elder Russell M. Nelson

"To help another human being reach one’s celestial potential is part of the divine mission of woman. As mother, teacher, or nurturing saint, she molds living clay to the shape of her hopes. In partnership with God, her divine mission is to help spirits live and souls be lifted. This is the measure of her creation. It is ennobling, edifying, and exalting." –Elder Russell M. Nelson

"I affirm my profound belief that God’s greatest creation is womanhood. I also believe that there is no greater good in all the world than motherhood. The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation." –Elder James E. Faust

Even though motherhood it hard and I complain at times, my children really are some of the greatest blessings in my life (second only to my wonderful husband).  I know I am truly blessed to claim the role of "mommy" in life.  And though I fall short daily, I try to be the mother God knows all women can be.

I am also blessed to have a wonderful mother of my own.  She really is the best out there!  I know she would do anything for me and I love her so much!

And again I was blessed when I got the best mother-in-law!  She is so great and I love her too!

Happy Mothers Day!

Wrapping Paper

Yep, a mess.  But they did have a great time!

The kids' newest favorite thing is to take the cushions off the couch.  Looks like Joey found a comfy place to rest.  Poor Joey, he has valley fever again.  He will probably be on meds the rest of his life.  I have grown to love and be very grateful for this sweet doggie!

Books & Pestering

When I put Henry to sleep for a nap he usually reads to himself a little before falling asleep.  Here's the adorable proof:

One of Henry's favorite things to do is pester Jaxon.  When Jaxon is already upset about something, Henry will just say, "Jaxie, Jaxie, Jaxie" over and over again.  Jaxon will yell at him to stop because he's already angry, but it doesn't even phase Henry.  He just keeps doing it.  It's so funny to watch and really hard not to laugh!

Having one child is so wonderful, but when you add a second to the mix, there are so many more joys that come because of how they interact with each other.

Watch this Video

See it on Nie Nie's blog here.

It is so inspiring and a wonderful reminder of a few things that sometimes we, or especially me, need to be reminded of.

Stephanie Neilson is one of my heros.  I love reading her blog.  I always feel uplifted and blessed.  

The Park

Okay, so I seriously can't stand teenagers at the park.  I just think, Really, guys?  You come to hang out at the park?  Did you forget it's for LITTLE KIDS?!

I especially love when they yell swear words at each other and carve those swear words into the cement.  That's fabulous too.  There are babies and toddlers around, knock it off!!!

(Can you tell I just got home from the park where I was trying to enjoy the whether with my boys and there were teenagers there?)

I don't understand why they go there.  I never hung out at the park in my adolescent years.

Sunday Afternoon

This is what Sunday afternoon after church often looks like at our house.  

And I love it!

Little Legs

The other day I couldn't hear Henry so I went looking for him.  A found this:

His cute little legs dangling behind the curtain on this table.

When he heard that I was near, he peeked out and was naked!  I'm not sure how he got his clothes off.  He had never done it before, but it was so funny!

Running Shoes

If you just looked in my closet, I bet you could tell I'm a runner.  The 5 pairs of running shoes would probably give it away.

But, I haven't been running lately.  Ever since Ragnar, my knees have really been hurting so I am giving them a break.  Plus, our lives are so busy right now, I don't feel the desire to spend so much time away from Devin and the boys to work out.  But, I almost feel a little bit of shame when people who know I ran the marathon ask how my running is going.  I don't like to have to tell them I haven't been running.  But, there is a time for everything and right now is not the time for me to be spending tons of time working out.  But, the time will come again and I will be excited when it does.