End of year fun

As promised....a look back on all the end of the school year fun we have been having!!!

Hallie had her year end piano recital. She did AWESOME, and got several awards:



I was able to go with Gavin on his 1st grade field trip to the Naples City Offices and the Split Mountain Nursery. I had a good day, and he was so cute with me and his friends. I love that he still thinks I am “cool.” He still hugged me and called me “mommy” in front of his buddies. I hope it lasts for at least a few more years! I only got 2 pictures taken on the whole trip...on the bus-lame....I don't need to remind you all how bad I suck at picture taking:




My good friend LaToya came for a visit clear from Australia. She has been living across the world for the past 7 years, but since her family is here we get a visit once in a while. We went to dinner one night, and then had a play-date yesterday. There were 4 of the original 5 of us that hung out from 6th grade on-Heather, Toya, Steph, and Me. The only one we were missing was Nikki…who is in Spanish Fork. We have quite the group of kids amongst us. We had 2 extras yesterday (Toya’s niece and nephew), and some of our kids were at school, but amongst the 5 of us we have 4 girls and 7 boys!(And yes....I know you are thinking it...I look very obese and frumpy next to my beautiful friends. I am working on changing that!):





We have been enjoying the outside weather…when we actually get a good day here and there. Here are a few pictures I snapped the last few weeks. Kayler LOVES going on hikes with my dad, and he insists on wearing a hat just like his. I am so grateful my kids get to experience the great outdoors with my dad, he is the best grandpa ever! The other pictures are of Kayler and his massive yogurt face and my kids pretending to be midgets…lol!:





The kids have had several outside/field days the past few weeks. Kayler had his last Friday, but he was having a very very bad day, so we only stayed for apprx. 10 minutes and he cried the whole time. Gavin had a read-a-thon/lunch that I went to with him the same day. Today at school Hallie and Gavin are having a field day too…but I am not there to get any pictures.:





Last night Hallie had a really cute 3rd grade program. It was actually only for her class, but they did a play and got awards. I had a very proud mommy moment because Hallie was among the few that got high achievement certificates for every single category presented. We also had my Grandpa over for dinner before the program and Kayler played “bob and larry” with his real tomato and a dried up pickle with my grandpa. My grandpa thought it was hilarious that he could play for so long with that type of “toy”!:




I bought the kids these shoes as a good job/congrats type of gift for doing so well in school this year. Keens are my FAVE and this is a new/ less expensive style. Kayler got a pair too, but he wouldn’t give me his card or take off his new shoes for the picture.:



And finally, I have to share a funny. Gavin and his buddy Dylan want to have an end of school sleepover together. Anyways, Gavin was telling me that they had planned it at school and that he had a list of what to bring. Well take a look at the list:



You will need to click on it to see it better, but in case you can’t tell, his list says:


-Licorice
-Ben 10 Pajamas
-Nintendo
-Beer

I had to hold back my laughter as he was telling me about it and I was reading the list. I asked what he needed beer for. He replied, “we are going to drink it so we can grow a mustache.” I about died, but then I asked him if he meant Root Beer….he assured me they needed the real thing. Well, needless to say, we had a little talk about the dangers of beer and he understands now…I hope! Regardless, his little list is absolutely hilarious and priceless because he is just so innocent and cute!

I am SO excited for summer and all the fun it brings!!!! I hope we get to have lots of fun with all of you!

Spoke too soon......

I should have just kept my mouth shut….I jinxed myself……:



The other day I was sympathizing with a friend whose little boy has been pretty darn sick for several weeks. Having been there done that with all 3 kids when they were sick for weeks on end for the first 3 years of their lives with the struggle to find the cause, treatment, prevention…..I know how she feels. Along with the well meaning comments people give like “wow, your kids are sure sick a lot…” It gets very frustrating. Anyways, while talking to her I made the comment that I was so happy because my kids have been SO healthy lately. We have only had 1 dr. visit within the last 2 months, which was for Kayler’s 4 year well check. Before that the whole family had strep at the beginning of March. Then Gavin’s tummy issues (which are getting better by the way!), Kayler’s penny incident in December, and before that I really can’t recall the last time they were all 3 sick.

Well, it started on Monday after I blogged about Kayler’s no more naps. Kayler was playing outside with me and the other kids in the beautiful weather when he fell and sliced his knee pretty good. He was devastated…and cried so hard and long, G.J. had to come home from work. It probably needed stitches, but I wasn’t about to traumatize him. So I did my best to butterfly/glue it shut, and it looks pretty good beside him crying every time he sees it….can you say “drama king!”

Well Tuesday came and I was at the Rec. Center working out when Hallie called from school to tell me she was really sick. So I picked her up, could tell she was sick and made a Dr. Appt for 1 hour later. Kayler seemed to be really lethargic and sick too, and he fell asleep for a nap all by himself-which after my last post you know is something he NEVER does.

So, I took Hallie to Dr. Catten since she has had strep about 5 times in the last year. He said that she indeed had strep, and that she had an infected lingual tonsil….whatever the heck that is. All I know is that I had her tonsils and adenoids out and considered it good. He said that tonsil tissue can regrow and mess up that middle and third tonsil that usually gives nobody problems. He said that could be a cause of her getting strep so often, and recommdeded we take it out. To me….I hope this doesn’t offend, but he seems Extremely surgery happy. He barely even checked her throat and is already wanting surgery??? I don’t think so…no thank you. Well he gave her an antibiotic and for the Dr. visit and her meds-$40 later we were out of there.

Well, I went back to get Kayler up from his nap at my moms, and he was burning up. So I called Dino Land Peds. And they got us in 15 minutes later. He was freaking out because he thought the Dr. was going to look at his knee heaven forbid…..did I say Drama? Well, I could have told them before they even checked but he had strep and a nasty nasty double ear infection. The Dr. asked if I had other kids, and I said yes, and you ARE writing me a prescription for him. So $50 later for the visit and meds for both boys, and we were out of there.

Well low and behold, Gavin got off the bus looking HORRID….and said he couldn’t swallow. So last night after my very boring morning, yet eventful afternoon and between dinner, G.J.’s city council meetings, my primary meeting, G.J.’s Elder’s Quorum visits, and all else that I do to keep the house running….I got their medicine situated…. 3 doses a day for the next 10 days x 3 kids = 90 times I will be giving them meds. I hate giving them medicine, but I honestly hate seeing them suffer even worse, so down the medicine goes, and lets hope G.J. and I don’t get it.

Today I have to eat my words again. In my post yesterday, I said that it seems like FOREVER ago when all 3 kids napped at the same time. Well lucky me, they all stayed home sick from school today (Kayler even missed his last day. :( They are all 3 napping, and here I sit. So I guess the lord wanted me to have a taste of what nap time was like again before he cuts it off for good….except for occasions like this!

On the bright side, when my kids are sick they are so snuggly and lazy. They are happy to be laying down. They seem to fight less, make less messes, and sleep more. So even though it is exhausting to have them sick, it is almost a little tiny break!

One more thing….like I said earlier in my post about being at the Rec. Center. I am trying to lose 25 lbs by August. Think I can do it???? I sure hope so. It is my tenth class reunion. Not that I even care to go to the reunion, but just in case I do I need the motivation to lose the rest of this baby weight, now that my baby is 4! I lost 30 lbs all on my own with diet and exercise when Kayler was 6 months old. So in the past almost 4 years I have gained back about 10 lbs or so. To be at my goal weight that means 25 more to go, but I would even be happy with 15 at the minimum.

It feels good to be working out again and trying to eat better. To be honest the hardest thing about losing weight and dieting is I feel my family suffers. While I try to eat healthier I want them to as well, and they don’t like it. While I exercise, I always feel like I am neglecting my kids or burdening whoever is taking care of them while I exercise, which is usually G.J. But I decided it is time I take time for myself….just a little time each day. Hopefully by the end of the summer I will reach that goal and be happier and better off because of it!

A Thing of the past...

Days like this are long gone. :(



A very sad day has arrived at our house. Kayler has stopped taking naps, and it makes me want to cry. That means a lot of things:

• My last baby is growing up
• “I”…I mean “he” really could use the rest
• It makes the day go SOOOO much longer
• He gets a little cranky in the evening, and it makes me want to snap
• I seriously need a break from him…sound horrible? Well spend 1 full day with him and you would know why!
• Summertime is not sounding that much fun anymore

We had been giving him naps daily, and he would still go to bed and sleep all night. Recently if he napped he wouldn’t go to sleep until 2-3 a.m. It was horrible. Even with his medicine of Benadryl / Melatonin cocktail, it was not working. It used to happen once in awhile, but now it was happening every time he had a nap. My other kids napped until they were 5 and 6….VERY lucky on my part. He is only 4, which is still pretty lucky, but I am just not ready.

Last week at this time, I was SO looking forward to summertime. I still am, but I am having a little bit of reality slap me in the face. You see…summertime brings freedom, no homework, no schedule, lots of sun, fun, friends, etc.etc.etc. On the other hand….that is not every single day, and there are going to be LOTS of days where I have absolutely no plans. That means that it will be a day like today, where I wake up and seriously have nothing to do-and it drives me bonkers! Some people crave that, as do I once in a while. I just don’t want too many days like that, especially when all 3 kids are home, and especially when Kayler doesn’t nap. It is not even Lunchtime today, and Kayler has nearly pushed me to my breaking point already-Hallie and Gavin aren't even here to add in to the mix.....I am in trouble!

So, I have already made a plan. If you remember last year, I had a huge list of things we wanted to do in the summer. So I am going to try to space them out if I can, and try to always have something to look forward to.

Next, Kayler’s teacher sent home the cutest summer calendar. It is a small activity of learning for every day of the summer. I think I am going to try to fit those in when we get bored.

Third, I am going to try to be brave and go to the Rec. Center a lot more often…even by myself. We have passes that don’t get used nearly enough. Hallie and Gavin can swim/play by them selves, and Kayler loves it.

Fourth, I am going to give them “quiet time” alone in their rooms every afternoon. I tried it yesterday with Kayler, and it lasted 45 minutes before he had to go poo…. They can choose a toy/activity to play with and just give me time to regroup for the second half of the day before G.J. gets home.

Finally….I need to pray for LOTS of patience and gratitude for this time in my life. I look back to the day when all 3 kids napped almost every day at the same time….that seems like a VERY distant memory. Now we are at a new phase, and I just need to enjoy it. Pretty soon they will be bratty teenagers (hopefully not too bratty!) that will BEG for a nap every day…on days that they can't/shouldn't be napping when they have homework, errands, and lots of other things to attend to at that age. Isn’t it funny how life works!?

So, to days like these……..less than 2 weeks to go!:


Summer 2007

The Celebration

We have had a lot going on with the kids’ end of school activities. I have decided to save all the pictures and details and do one BIG end of school post when school actually is OVER in 2 weeks, Hooray!

G.J. and I had a wonderful anniversary celebration. I had kept it a secret from him. I felt bad, because it really was nothing too special. I decided it actually doesn’t take much to be special for us after 10 years of marriage and 3 kids though!

We left the boys with a babysitter so we could go to Hallie’s piano recital. Then G.J.’s parents watched the kids until 9:30 when my parent’s took over and kept them over night for us. G.J. and I went to dinner at Don Pedros…not too exciting, but it tasted great. We saw some friends the Holyoak’s there. We were laughing with them that we seriously eat out alone as a couple like 1 or 2 times a year-which they said they did too, so we didn’t feel too bad that we aren’t the only ones.

After that I seriously had made no plans. The main surprise was that I got us a room at the new Springhill Suites. It was super nice. We were commenting how weird it seems to have such a modern nice hotel right in the middle of Vernal. It was like we were somewhere far away, yet when we looked out the window, we were home. I had checked into the room earlier in the day with all of our stuff along with snacks, drinks, games….we had to keep busy. When you have kids I have decided that when you are alone you feel lost at what to do with yourself!

We sat in the hot tub, ate snacks, played phase 10, watched T.V.…we are WAY exciting aren’t we. It felt so nice to sleep in a comfy king size bed. We need to get us one of those one day! We slept in until 9:30 or so….that felt absolutely wonderful. We ate a nice free continental breakfast, and then headed to our last activity.

We went to the temple to finish off our celebration. For some reason going this time brought back a flood of emotion from 9 years earlier of when we were sealed for time and eternity as a family. I found this picture, it is not the best quality, but it is of my parents, G.J. and I, and a tiny (yet super chubby!) Hallie from 9 years ago. It was the best day of my life knowing that I would be together forever with the people I loved most.:



Sorry, that is the only picture I actually have….I didn’t even snap one of us on our celebration.

We left the temple to find it raining outside. Normally I love love love rain, but today I had wanted to get some work done outside. I guess there is always next week right? We went and got the kids and came home to unload and clean up from our overnight adventure.

The kids really want to go to the Rec. Center to swim. So I guess we will fill our afternoon with that. Then I have to get busy preparing a talk for Sacrament meeting tomorrow. As if my talk at stake meeting wasn’t enough…now I have to talk in front of an even bigger crowd. I really don’t mind it though. I end up learning so much, and I know we are blessed for our efforts.

We love you all, and thanks for being a part of our lives!

A Decade in the Making

I feel like such a blog slacker. To be honest…there have been plenty of things to blog about, but I have had zero desire to do it. I think I am suffering from PMS….like in a BAD way, and yes…it is still possible to have PMS after having a hysterectomy because I still have an ovary and hormone fluctuations and all that. I have just not been myself lately. Pair that with a case of pity-party/feel sorry for myself/depressed/ornery-itis…..and my readers probably wouldn’t want to read anything I typed/blogged about anyways.

I will NOT however pass up the chance to blog about something very very important and special. Tomorrow (Thursday the 13th) is my 10th wedding anniversary! I just can’t believe it, 10 years seems like so long! A whole decade of my life.

So, I look back to my wedding day 10 years ago. I was only 17 years old. I was scared, so sick, 5 months pregnant, and SO unsure of what the future held. Nobody was very happy for us…and most expected us to fail. All I did know is that I was incredibly lucky to have G.J. as my rock by my side, never wavering in his support or love for me. I may have lost the love and support of most of my family and friends, but I still had him.

Fast forward through the years and we have gone through SO much. There have been more hospitalizations and surgeries for both me and the kids than I even can count. We struggled through college together. G.J. had 3 jobs at one point to make ends meet. There were times when I wondered if I had made the right decision. I felt guilty for imagining what my life would have been like if I had never met G.J. Then I would get scared to even imagine it….because even though it was hard, I had/have a lot to be grateful for-and I wouldn’t want my life to be any different.

G.J. and I are complete opposites in most things. Yet somehow, we compliment each other and make it work, and in a good way. G.J. always gets the short end of the stick dealing with me. Since I am not very close with my mom, and I don’t have any sisters….he has to fill that womanly role sometimes. He has to listen to my irrational worries and emotions. He has to deal with my insecurities and ornery moods. He always seems to be stuck at home with the kids after a long days work because I need to get out of the house to keep from going insane!

My dad said something the other day that at first kind of made me sad….but then I realized how true it was. He said, “I can’t believe you guys have made it this long.” Most kids…because lets face it, we were basically kids when we got married, do not make it being married that long starting out how we did. Most people who are pregnant when they get married don’t make it. Well we made it….and even had more stressors put on our marriage that usually break people up. Most people who have a special needs child have a MUCH higher divorce rate. I won’t lie….our marriage was a lot better/easier before we had the autism issues with Kayler putting a strain on us. But like they say, anything worth keeping is worth fighting for. My marriage and my eternal family are definitely worth all the heartache and trials throughout the years.

G.J. is my better half. Sure his computer/electronic/TV watching obsessions get to me…but there could definitely be worse habits. I could go on and on about the good and wonderful things he does as a father and husband. The main thing that makes me tear up thinking about it is that he loves me unconditionally no matter what. When the rest of the world seems to hurt or betray me, he is always there. He always compliments me on my looks…even though I am not the skinny beautiful girl I was 10 years ago (FAR from it actually….), he always makes me feel like I am beautiful and special. I love him with all my heart, and I can’t wait to share the next 10 years with him!!! Happy Anniversary G.J.!!!!

So as for celebrating……G.J. just informed me that he has to go to Salt Lake for work tomorrow on our actual anniversary. So I will spend the day/evening all alone. I had high hopes for YEARS of what we would do to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. It started out with plans for a cruise. Then a lack of money and a babysitter cancelled that idea. Then I had plans of going to Salt Lake to Little America and other fun stuff. Well, Hallie brought home a note saying that she had a piano recital this Friday night….so that kind of cancelled that idea. So I made plans for here in town, and got things all squared away several weeks ago. It is nothing special or elaborate by any means, but I was getting pretty excited. Then G.J. told me that it was father/sons campout. Since he is in the Elder’s quorum now, I really felt he should go…but I put my foot down. G.J. is the type that will ALWAYS put his church calling and his career ahead of his family, which I guess is a good trait, but this time I am not letting him. I talked to the Elder’s quorum president, and he was really nice about it. So I am donating food for the dinner, we are going to Hallie’s recital, and the rest of the evening is a surprise which I can’t post on here since G.J. reads my blog!

Rainbows, Gardens, and a Birthday!

I LOVE to see rainbows. Not only are they beautiful, but it means I have a little more time here on this earth. I don’t know much about the prophesy on rainbows and then end of the world and all that, but for now, I will hold to what I do know…that I love to see rainbows.

I took treats to Kayler's class on Monday for his Birthday. He was so cute...even though a little confused why I was at his school bringing treats and why he got to wear a crown!:





Monday we planted our garden. The weather has been so up and down, and the wind is driving me bonkers. We finally got it in, and let’s hope it works. Of course, we got it all planted, and then Kayler ran across it and messed it up, but oh well, we shall see in a few weeks how crazy it comes up . The kids had fun, and that is all that matters:





Yesterday my baby boy turned 4! This was the very first year that when you asked him how old he was he replied correctly, “four.” I asked him for weeks what he wanted for his birthday, and all he would say was “a cake.” Simple enough right? Well a friend of mine told me of a lady in Tabiona who makes the most awesome cakes. I called her and luckily enough her husband was working in Vernal this week, and so he brought it to me. Kayler wanted a Yo Gabba Gabba cake-it is his favorite cartoon. We settled on Plex from that show, and I think the cake turned out AWESOME….and better yet, it tasted absolutely delicious. I don’t know if I can ever go back to a store bought cake again. The real kicker is she only charged $15, and it was huge!:



We went to McDonald’s for lunch with Karlee and her kids Tate and Hallee. He had fun….stole a guys chicken nuggets….a ladies water….climbed completely in the basketball toy…..it was quite an adventure, but it was good to get out.:




G.J. and I and my parents bought Kayler a little playhouse. Since it was so windy yesterday, I had to put it together in the garage. He was so surprised and cute with it.:



Hallie made him a banner and hung it in the kitchen. Gavin was so cute and took a birthday sack in his room and put some of his toys in it to give to Kayler. I think the older 2 were more excited for his birthday than he was!:



We had the usual Grandparent/cousin birthday at our house. I will be honest, it was a very frustrating party. Kayler was beyond overwhelmed with the people, noise, presents, and chaos of it all. By the time we got to his cake, he laid on the floor and cried as you will see in the last picture-you only see his little legs. I had to blow out his candles for him. I just sat there with tears in my eyes thinking how sad it was that he couldn’t even enjoy his own birthday.:









I should probably explain the cucumber and tomato....yes they are real...yes he is obsessed....and he calls them bob and larry, they are members of our family ;) The picture of him blowing up a balloon is priceless. He has been doing that all day...and his little face gets SO red!

The night ended with G.J. leaving for Elder’s quorum stuff with me alone trying to clean up the party, do baths, homework, and etc.etc.etc.etc. I was VERY glad to wake up to a beautiful sunshiny day! I worked outside, did my Visiting Teaching, errands, took Kayler to his 4 year well child check up, more errands, got invited to play Bunco-which I hadn’t done in almost 3 years (and I won!-a cute apron), and now I am finally blogging. I hate getting behind because I feel like I am trying to cram all the events in without boring myself or my blog readers.

Tomorrow is my day to cook for my dinner group. Then I am going to make some mother’s day gifts that I signed up to do forever ago…I will post pictures. After that is Stake Primary meeting. Lucky me,I was asked to give a talk on how having a special needs child in Primary has affected me and give tips to other primary presidencies on how to help with special needs children in their wards. Any other week…I probably would have been o.k. with it. I am still kind of sad about the lack-luster sad birthday he had this week, so my emotions will probably get the best of me, but I pray that I can do a good job.

Other than that-my brother is coming out this weekend for mother’s day. I hope the weather is warm so we can spend lots of time outside. The sunshine is therapy for my soul…I love it. I hope all of you are doing well!!!