Love/Hate Relationships

So I realized recently that I have a few love/hate relationships in my life...

1.  Costco

Definitely LOVE this place.  I enjoy getting mass quantities of products that I only have to buy once a year because they'll last that long.  I always see things I don't NEED there, but I totally WANT.  I wish I could have like a million dollar gift card to that place so I could get some fun thing along with the stuff we need.  

I hate how much money I spend there!  It's ridiculous!  I go in that place for two items and come out with about 100.  I don't know how they do it, but I think it's the most successful up-selling store I know of.  Maybe it's the samples...

2.  Long Days

I LOVE when the sun gets up early and goes down late.  It's so nice to have a long day and get lots accomplished.

BUT, it's so hard to get the kiddos to sleep when the sun is still up!  Henry usually goes down about 7:00 and Jaxon 7:30, but since the sun is still up then, they think they need to be awake still!  Then, it happens in the morning too...they're up at the crack of dawn!  When is a mom supposed to have her own time if the kids aren't sleeping long enough!?  Jaxon has blackout curtains in his room, so those help, but they're not in Henry's room.  I need to put ups some super classy foil or something!  But the thing about that is, then it's dark in the daytime and I don't like that either.  

I thought of another while at WalMart today...

3.  Spiderman

I guess I don't really love Spiderman, but I think it's super cute when Jaxon gets excited about pretty much anything with Spidey on it.  I think Jaxon would love it if we found Spiderman toilet paper!  

I hate that Spiderman is everywhere!  Every time a turn a corner at the store, pretty much any store, there he is in some form.  Just from my venture to the store yesterday, here are a few of the things a saw:  beach towels, pool toys, goggles, whole bathroom set:  trash can, cup, toothbrush holder, ice packs, tons of clothes, sheets, blankets, curtains, lamps, pillows, and there was so much more!  You name it, they slap Spidey's face on it and the kids will go crazy!  There is no escaping him!  This leads to multiple fits (or at least sadness) from Jaxon when I don't purchase everything in the store related to Spiderman.  What it is about him anyway?  I think all little boys I know love him!

Why I Love Sundays

Just a few things I love about Sundays...

1.  Seeing my cute boys (all 3 of them) in their white shirts.

2.  After church, Jaxon trying to sing the songs he learned in nursery--so cute!

3.  I don't have to feel guilty for relaxing instead of cleaning.

4.  It's a nice, calm day--not busy.

5.  Knowing that even though my husband is gone most of the day, it's because he is serving the Lord.  

6.  Seeing all the fun people in our ward and knowing what a great support they all are.

7.  And, of course, feeling so uplifted after attending my meetings!  (I definitely need a weekly recharge!)

What a great day!

If You Live in Copper Basin...Read This

Yes, folks, that's a rusty razor blade.  I found it in the sand at the park in phase 4.  

How did I find it, you ask?  (Someone really did ask, so I'll let you know.)  I was walking around the play equipment to the other side where Jaxon was going to be emerging from the slide.  When I looked down at the sand where he would be landing when he came out, I saw it sticking up about half way out of the sand.  I thought it looked like something sharp, so I picked it up and then realized what it was.  He coulda stepped on it right there if I hadn't seen it.  He was wearing his shoes, but yikes!

(Kinda funny how it's like the exact color as our tile.  Now when I'm describing the color of our flooring, I can say, "Oh, it's rusty razor blade brown."  Perfect description.)

I remember when I was a kid and my mom always made me wear shoes at the park and I hated it.  I always knew there could be something in the sand, but finding this...scary.  

Movie Recommendations

17 Again

LOVED it!  It stars my crush, Zac Efron, and it's SO funny!  I didn't know I'd be laughing so much.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW9TkWY6Cng

Yes Man

I really liked it.  It's very funny and makes you take a look at your own life and consider, "Am I really living?"  You know, like, "Am I taking opportunities and allowing yourself to have fun experiences?"  

One girl said something like,  "The world is a playground.  Adults forget somewhere along the way."  I like that.

Though, there was one scene we were warned about so we skipped it.  It's with an old lady--if you see it you'll know.

Also, check out this site for movie ratings:  http://www.kids-in-mind.com/

Zoo

We took the boys to the Phoenix Zoo for the first time on February 26.  Here's how it went...

Cheese Faces

I don't know who taught my kids what to do when we tell them to say "Cheese" for a photo, but I think we need to work on it.

This is what I get...  

Of course, Henry can't really be held responsible for it, but it looks like he's already on his way to the same fate as his big brother...

Though Jaxon did get it right this time, and I'd say he's pretty dang cute!

Oh, and here's what happens when Jaxon tries to dress himself...we'll have to work on that too!

I LOVE MY BOYS!

Potty Trained

I think it's safe to say that Jaxon is potty trained!  He comes and lets me or Devin know when he needs to go.  We didn't use soda to make him go a lot, we just gave him a treat each time for a reward.  That kid loves chocolate, but he thinks soda is "hot" and he says, "I no wike it." when he tries it.  Today is the sixth day without any accidents.  It took 2 weeks--not too bad!  

Yea!

6 Month Stats

I can't believe Henry is already 6 months old!  He is sitting up, rolling all around, scooting backwards, and eating some solids.  He doesn't sleep through the night yet, but we're working on it.  He loves baths, music, being outside, and mostly, his brother.  He is such a joy to have in our home.  We love him so much!

His stats:  

Weight:  18 pounds 12 ounces, 83%

Height:  26 5/8 inches, 46%

Head:  Forgot to write it down...

Interesting...

Having sex can be good for your health

March 10th, 2009 @ 7:03am

by Hanna Scott/KTAR

Making time for a little romance could be good for your health, according to Dr. Michael Roizen with the Cleveland Clinic.

And, don't skip the sex!

"Humans maybe are the most sexual species of all," said Roizen.

He added, "Men who have sex three times a week have a 50 percent reduction in heart attacks and strokes, compared to their peers."

Women can benefit too, he said.

"For women, it's quality. So if you have high-quality sex, the amount of time you want it, it's two to eight years younger in both feeling, looking," said Roizen.

A good sex life also is healthy for the mind -- Roizen said for most people, boosting their romantic encounters from once a month to once a week is the happiness equivalent of getting a $50,000-a-year raise.

http://www.ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=1099693

YEA!

No accidents today and he pooped in the toilet!!!

Potty Training Update

It has been a week and we have made major progress!  Jaxon is doing so good at going potty in the toilet.  He tells us when he needs to go and only had 1 accident today and 1 yesterday.  

But...when it comes to pooping, he just won't go on the toilet!  It's frustrating (but we can't show it).  He'll be sitting on the toilet having lots of gas but insisting he doesn't need to go.  So, we let him get down, he goes outside, and literally 1 minute later, he'll come in a say he went in his underwear.  This has happened like 3 times.  Devin and I have come to the conclusion that he Jaxon is uncomfortable going in front of people.  I have tried leaving him on the toilet to give him privacy, but he doesn't like me to leave either...  We also think he is just comfortable going in the back yard.  

So, I think I am going to put his potty chair on the porch in the backyard to get him used to going on the chair in an environment he is used to and then try moving it into the house.  Though, he does like to go on the big toilet (with a little kid seat so he doesn't fall) so I am not sure if he'll want to go on his little potty...  I don't know what else to do!  Any ideas???

Bachelor - My 2 Cents

Okay, I don't want to waste too much of my time on this, but I do have a few things to say...

First, poor Melissa!  Obvious reasons, I don't need to list them.  She's super sweet and she'll find someone.  She did a great job of sticking up for herself and bringing up good points like, "You chose Melissa, but you're not willing to fight for Melissa."  Good girl!

Second, I was SO mad at Jason when he broke up with Melissa and said he loved Molly, but after thinking it through, I'm not so upset.  

Here's why:  

I think it's lame he says he's just "following his heart" because that really isn't the reason.  Anyone who says the aren't in love with someone anymore, whether it be a girlfriend or wife, might say that.  That's just an excuse that people don't really like to challenge, "Oh, following your heart, huh?  That's stupid."  People don't think it's bad to "follow your heart," so that's just what he calls it.  Their (Melissa and Jason's) relationship just wasn't what he thought it would be, so his "heart" changed his mind.  And, I thought it was dumb for him to say he can't control his mind from having thoughts about Molly.  Um, married men better know how to control their thoughts!  So he better learn how if he wants to keep a wife.

Truly, and Jason did say this one time in one of the after interviews and I totally agree with it, he said something like, had this been real life, he would not have stopped dating any of the final 3 girls when he was forced to because he wasn't ready to make the decision, but of course, there were time constraints on the show.  He said he would have kept dating them until he was ready to make a good decision.  I agree.  I think the show, which it's not the show's "fault," it's just the rules, forced him to make a decision before he was ready and it was such an extreme decision, when he realized it wasn't the right one for him, he needed to go back on it.  

Of course it sucks he didn't make the right decision the first time, but I do think it's better he fixed it sooner than later.  I don't know if he really gave Melissa and his relationship a fair shot (being in a long distance relationship is tough enough, let alone having to keep it a secret), but he thinks he did.  I don't quite understand how the "chemistry changed..."

I don't know, it can be argued either way.  "He should stick with Melissa, he proposed to her."  Or, "It's better he didn't marry her and then change his mind."  Though, I partly think he proposed because that was his purpose, to find a wife.  His plan was to propose, not just find someone to date.  He carried out his plan in the amount of time the show allowed, but it wasn't really enough time.  But, once again, had it been in the real world, he wouldn't have chosen so quickly.  

I don't know if I explained what I really mean clearly, but I shouldn't spend too much time on this!

Anyway, why do we all care so much???!!!  Dang reality tv, sucks me in every time!

Anyone up for America's Next Top Model?  Season premiere was on tonight!  Oh, and American Idol--love it!

Productive

Today has been a busy day!  Devin had to go to the high school he'll be working at next year for a "meet the teacher" day.  So, I loaded up the boys in the stroller and went over to Jessica's garage sale and got a Bumbo and a few cute shirts.  Thanks Jess!  

After taking my new treasures home, I decided to go for a run.  The weather was just beautiful.  It was so nice to be outside and my kids were so good.  Henry fell asleep in the jogger and looked adorable.  

When we got home, I still hadn't satisfied my craving for the sun, so I did some yard work.  After a while of playing outside, we needed a snack.  So, we went inside and I did some cleaning.  Henry went down for a nap and Jaxon helped me make bread.  I also made some cold slaw for bbq dinner tonight.  (Me doing something in the kitchen other than dishes is a pretty big deal, so 2 things, wow, unheard of!)

Now was about the time Devin came home and everything was cleaned up and the house smelled like yummy bread...he was pretty impressed!

With all of this going on, we also started POTTY TRAINING today!  We've had some accidents, but Jaxon pooped in the "big boy toy-let" and we were very excited about that!

Now off to bbq dinner at some of our awesome friends' house.  Yea!

Oh, here is a nice pic I took the other day while we were there...  What a blessing to have a temple so close and one being built even closer!

My sister in law, Elisha, wanted to get married in March and I totally see why.  The flowers there are so pretty!  Purples and pinks, my favorite!  Plus, the weather is incredible!  I love Arizona!

Oops...

The text reads:

We were scheduled to have family pictures, but we had a little accident with the trimmers.  Mommy put the 3/8" comb on and when she asked Daddy if that was the right size he said it was.  But, as soon as Mommy started trimming, she knew something wasn't right.  Too bad she started in the front!  Jaxon didn't mind though.  He and Henry had matching hair!  (We decided to postpone family pictures until some of Jaxon's hair grows back.)  Jan. 31, '09.

Food Saver

I just want to say how wonderful this machine is!  I LOVE it!  My friend, Joy, got a super nice one for Christmas so she gave me her old one and it is awesome!  No more freezer burned food, people!  Who wouldn't want one?  I didn't know I would like it so much, but I am so thankful I have one!  Thanks, Joy!

PS...The best place to buy bags for it is at Costco.  They have 6 rolls for $37.  At WalMart, 4 rolls costs $39.

Check it out here:

http://www.foodsaver.com/Category.aspx?id=c&cid=87

Our Ward

We just got back from our ward Valentine dinner.  I just have to say, I LOVE those people!  They are so much fun and so friendly, nice, funny, genuine, goofy, pretty much everything that makes for a good time.  Some people don't think you can have that much fun unless alcohol is involved, but I say just come to a Mormon party and you will have an awesome time and laugh until your cheeks hurt!

Married?

I just have to say how proud of Jaxon I was today when I asked him today where he was going to get married and he said, "In the temple."  I love that kid!

Oh, and we dropped Devin off at the church for a meeting and Jaxon wanted to go to nursery!  He had a real rough time at first, then he started to like it, then he had drama again and now he wants to go...yea!

Disclaimer

Though scooping ice cream made me sore, I am able to hold Henry while I vacuum the whole house.  That's mommy muscle!

Practice

Here are some pages I made with some pics I already posted...

Eating Ice Cream = Working Out

So my pectoral muscles were sore the other day, mostly just my right one and I just could not figure out why.  I hadn't lifted weights or done any sort of work out so I had not idea why I would be sore...Then, last night I went to dish my ice cream and used my sore muscle.  I realized scooping ice cream had made my muscle sore!  Pathetic, huh?  Devin usually scoops it for me, and now I remember why!