Big sky country

Snow Snow were are you??

2012-02-01T15:26:00.000-08:00

So for the month of January we had one full week of snow and it was amazing, and now it's melting off and just a yucky mess. We bought the kids some new cool sleds and they went sledding again, but the new thing was going down on their stomachs! Maybe February will bring more snow, there is this hill/mountain area we want to take the kids sledding down they call it 'killer mountain' Just a few more months and it will be SPRING I can't wait for warmer temperatures and spring flowers!!

1981

2012-01-28T09:47:00.000-08:00

OH my goodness how did I become so oLd? This past week I celebrated my 31 birthday, John out did himself and I had an awesome day!! He bought me a cute pair of snow boots, jammies, gloves, a soft new sweater, 2 pair of pants, wool socks (I love them) and a matching comfy outfit! Then my mother in law got me a shirt for church and a pair of earring's AND my mom and Crystal sent me a new curling iron with the round barrel, a teasing brush AND a ton of necklaces and earring's!! I'm spoiled this year!! I'm grateful that i have been able to live the last 31 years without any health problems and I'm looking forward to my next 31 years!!

Sledding in Montana!!

2012-01-19T10:34:00.000-08:00

Montana didn't get it's first real snow fall until about the middle and end of December! Being that I have made it our family goal to do something FUN in the snow once a month we choose to take the kiddos sledding at my Mother-in laws house! We had so much fun, I didn't think that sledding could be so much fun. on top of that we used a 4 wheeler and pulled the girls around in the sled, that was my favorite part.

First of December we have no snow!

After Christmas, it snowed!

My beautiful Kaitlen!

Haven & Payten climbing back up the hill!

My three AMAZING girl's!
Caden won't leave his gloves on so he stayed in side with grandma!

Christmas Jar's

2011-12-30T19:44:00.000-08:00

The Sunday after Thanksgiving our Bishop gave each family a book as a Christmas present. The book was called "Christmas Jar's" as a busy mom and student I placed the book on top of the microwave and forgot about it. As Christmas approached I received a voicemail from our church secretary asking me to check my back door step that someone had left our family a surprise. I open the gift with curiosity and was taken back when I saw a LARGE mason jar filled to the brim with change and a one hundred dollar bill folded neatly facing the outside of the jar. Most people will not be as honest as I am going to be, but here it goes. We needed this money more than that kind person will ever know. We had saved our money so well that every last penny had been budgeted, we did not know that the oil to heat our home would cost use a whopping $1,200 a month on top of an electric bill of $300 a month. This $200 would help carry us until January, John and I felt blessed and not forgotten by members in our ward. A week later John was taking Kaitlen to school when he found a second Christmas Jar sitting on our door with another hundred dollar bill, tears of gratitude filled my eyes and I knew that John and I could make it one more month. After receiving 2 Christmas Jar’s I decided to read the book that bishop had given to us. The reason why I’m sharing this very personal experience with you is because we can all fill a Christmas Jar and help a family in need without it being a hardship on our family. Bishop’s gift was a story about a woman who started giving out Christmas Jar’s to needy people, she then made it a public thing and pretty soon it had spread around to hundreds of needy people. All we need to do is take the change from our pockets/purses and put it into a jar, when the jar is filled give it to someone in need. I thought to myself that John and I can do this that we always have change and it would be so easy to pass along a jar to family that needs a little extra help. So beginning the day after Christmas our family began filling our Christmas Jar. Every time we add a few coins to our jar I feel so happy knowing that next Christmas my family can pay back the kindness that was shown to us this holiday season. I’m hoping that whoever reads this may feel inclined to fill a jar over the next 12 months and help a family in need next Christmas. HAPPY NEW YEAR and GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

One Semester Down

2011-12-12T15:28:00.000-08:00

John passed all his classes this semester I'm so proud of him!! I'm still waiting for my scores to post it's killing me not knowing. I know I passed Math and Child Development I passed, but Environmental Biology hasn't posted yet and its driving me nuts!!! Next semester we are going to take 13 credit hours YIKES this is going to be interesting, because we have 4 kids :)

I DID IT

2011-12-07T23:49:00.001-08:00

OH MY GOSH I PASSED MY LAST COLLEGE MATH CLASS! IM SO HAPPY I HAD TO POST IT!!

November

2011-11-30T01:32:00.000-08:00

Well we did it, we survived our first snow storms, first Thanksgiving away from home and another trip to the ER! I'm looking forward to Christmas and can't believe we are in the last month of 2011.

He didn't want to wear is binnie, but I think he is so cute in it.

Caden in his snow suite, LOL I think he's adorable!

Payten in her snow suite, she had so much fun!

Kaitlen, playing in the snow she had a blast!

Caden eating Grandpa Carl's Thanksgiving dinner, he would only eat on Carl's lap!

Kaitlen broke her arm, she wanted a Christmas green cast this time:(

Going for 3

2011-11-28T12:18:00.000-08:00

Saturday my mother in-law wanted to take my three girls roller skating, I thought it would be fun for them especially for Kaitlen and Payten because they had never gone before. However deep inside I knew not to let my sweet Kaitlen go because she is so clumsy and breaks bones by slipping on a piece of paper or tripping over a tent. Sure enough, not 10 minutes into it Kaitlen fell, she wasn't even off the carpet yet. I ran to her and she was holding her arm. I asked her the same question I ask everytiome she falls "K-T is this a broken hurt or just a hurt" she told me mom this is a broken hurt. We arrived at the roller skating place at 7:02 and we checked into the ER at 7:20. By at 8:30 my baby had a splint on her arm, and is waiting for her cast to be put on Tuesday. I can't explain why she breaks her bones so easily, my heart hurts for her she is such a champ though. Shame on me for letting her go, I knew better but I just wanted her to have a fun time with her sister. Now she has broken the same arm 3x's she wants a red cast because of Christmas:)

iPhone Pictures

2011-11-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

I love my phone I was able to download my pictures off of it and now I can share some for ALL of you. Oh who am I kidding no one reads this:(

Caldwell Bunch

Kaitlen was a rock star and Payten was a spider princess.... AND Caden was

SICK, he had an allergic reaction to his antibotic. Poor little man stayed home with his daddy.

11-11-11

2011-11-12T21:44:00.000-08:00

(((SMILE))) Yep I'm smiling John and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on 11-11-11!! We were excited to get to go out to dinner ALONE without our kids. Dinner started out good, we laughed, secretly teased some of the locals because they wear sweat pants for every occasion. About half way through dinner John got very ill, he was throwing up white foam and he felt like he couldn't breath. We left and my mother in-law took John to the ER for me and I went home and put my Mr. Man to bed (I know his routine and every mom knows to not mess with a baby's routine) Well the doctor told John that he had a piece of food stuck in his lower esophagus and was actually choking. After some numbing medication the food passed and he was able to breath again. SOOO we had an eventful night, of course he felt bad because the first time we go out in AGES he gets sick. So the moral of this story is... John SLOW DOWN when you eat, CHEW your food better and then SWALLOW!!!

I'm so lucky to have him in my life he makes me be my best everyday. He's the entire reason I have been able to go back to school and do well. I feel so blessed everyday to have him in my life. Kaitlen always says it's her special day to, because that's the day she got her dad. The last five years haven't been easy between them. But John never gave up, no matter how many times Kaitlen refused him. Now she is so excited for the first of the year when John will file for adoption and she can legally have his last name. Our family is our everything we try everyday to do something together and laugh no matter what.

Even though my dad left a 32 year old marriage, my mom was the one who taught me to never give up and communication is one of thy most important keys to a marriage. my mom is my example and when things get hard I always remember her strength and my problems don't seem so bad. Also a long time child hood friend Sharron and Jon have been another couple that I want to mirror my marriage around. After 30 something years those two still act like newlyweds. For their example ill always be great full.

John David Caldwell here is to another 5 years together. I love you and can't wait to see were our lives take us these next five years.

October

2011-11-04T02:01:00.000-07:00

(((SMILE))) We made it through our first October with a few cold days, but over all not to bad. My mom came and visited for a week, I was afraid she would be so cold but she handled our 40 degree weather like a champ! We all enjoyed her visit and can't wait for the next one. When we moved here the only thing I wanted was for the snow to hold off until after Halloween for my kids sake, to my surprise Montana didn't (hasn't ) had snow yet!! Our kids enjoyed an amazing 'Old Fashion' Halloween, with fall leaves on the ground and EVERY house giving out candy. We didn't have to worry about stepping on someones winter grass or ruining their manicured gravel, people are so laid back here! Well it's almost 3 in the morning and I must get some sleep so I can get up early and be mom all over again. Happy November!

Winter Attitude

2011-09-29T23:58:00.000-07:00

In just a few weeks my kids and I will be entering a new era in our life's called WINTER!! I have decided that no matter how cold it gets that my family is going to do something fun and new each month in the snow. Being how last year Montana had snow on the ground before Halloween, I'm getting my blog ready! I won't have a camera until January to share pix, but if your on my face book ill post pictures from my iPhone for you all!! We are ready with snow pants, winter coats, boots and gloves now all we need is some white stuff and let winter fun begin!! Do any of you have any fun ideas for playing in the snow??

Back to old school

2011-09-25T21:49:00.000-07:00

WOW this month has flown by the three girls have all started school and so have John and I, we are one busy family! Because John and I both hated the school bus when we were kids we can't do it to Kailten, plus were only about 5minutes from her school anyway I drop her off and come home to get miss Payten ready for her school day. Because of her new self given haircut it takes me awhile to try and hide what she did to herself. However by mid morning its just me and the baby (John if hes not working) and I'll admit LIFE IS GOOD for those five hours, I had major guilt when I put Payten in preschool and now I have guilt because I LOVE her in preschool. Between Caden's naps and bedtime I do my homework, I must say I'm one stressed out momma!

Next John and I both were called to callings today, I'm nervous about mine because it's going to take more of my time that I feel I already don't have. However I'm looking forward to it and hope that I can be a good 14-17 year old Sunday School teacher :) also I have learned to love the members of this ward, I was scared because it's such a small ward only 6 elders that we wouldn't fit into the clicks, however they have made my family and I feel so welcomed we are excited to go to church and feel their love. I have also realized that church isn't about who wears what its about learning the lords message. So many members can't afford to buy a new dress so they wear the same dress every Sunday even if it's mismatched and has holes in the skirt nobody is judging them. I LOVE that, it's how church is supposed to be. I never sit alone in Relief Society and I never go the entire three hours with out a hug or a hand shake. I feel Heavenly Father is happy with how the Libby ward treats it's members! These members have it figured out it's about serving each other and learning the gospel.

Camping at the YAAK

2011-08-05T11:49:00.000-07:00

Well we have successfully been camping twice this summer, hoping to fit in one more trip before the kids, John and I start school again. Our first trip was just for one night John and I decided that our 30 year old bones don't sleep well on the ground. This time around we made sure to buy air mattress and we all slept better even Caden. Caden is my professional camper, he was made to be outside in the dirt, I have never seen him so happy just sitting in a dirt pile with his shovel. He didn't even try to swim with the girls all he wanted was his shovel and bucket. The girls on the other hand needed to be entertained, fortunately they found their entertainment in the YAAK River. I like saying YAAK it sounds like you have something in your throat. They also loved coming up with skits for John and I, I was proud of Payten she learned her lines and was able to be included in the big girls fun. John and I learned a lesson from some old timers, after talking about them collecting twigs all day, we learned that night, that their fire was awesome and our fire wood fire was small and struggling. John and I went out and collect some twigs and soon had a blazing fire. Those old timers knew what they were doing after all! I love getting to spend time with my kids and hubby, we learn to work together, good old family time can be really fun and enjoyable. I can't believe that it's already August and that winter is soon approaching, a good attitude is whats going to get me threw this winter.

Puppy for Payten???

2011-07-30T15:14:00.000-07:00

Since I last blogged Payten was kinda sleeping in her bed, well I'm happy to report that she has found her way back to our bed. The other night she even woke me up because she wanted to use my arm as her pillow. My next line of defense is to buy her a puppy (yeah I said PUPPY) for her birthday if she stays in her bed. So far we're not getting a dog :) I'm almost to the point where I'm going to lock my bedroom door at night, however I feel to guilty if she really needed us.

One Little White LIE

2011-07-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

A week ago I found a mouse in my room, for those of you who know me know that I don't do mice of any kind. I screamed like the girl I am, scaring John to death. We closed the bedroom door and had a plan to capture our new house guest, well he had plans of his own and wiggled his body underneath our door and now was free inside the rest of the house. We looked for a while and concluded that he got down in the basement. When the electricians updated some of the outlets they drilled small golf ball holes in the hard wood leading to the basement. NICE right, John has since then filled the holes with something that fills holes! Anyway here is when my WHITE LIE comes in!

Payten refuses to sleep in her own bed, we move her to her bed three-four times a night until we just give in. (Insert lie) Payten honey a mouse lives in mommies room under her bed. If you don’t want the mouse to get you AKA eat your face, you have to sleep in your room because mice DO NOT LIKE PINK!! They won’t go in your room at night because your entire bed is PINK! To my awesomeness she has been sleeping in her own room all night long, she’s too afraid to even venture into my room. John almost ruined my plan when he told Payten that he killed the mouse and that night we had her sleeping right between us. The next morning he faked a mouse sighting and my plan was on track again. All I have to do is make sure she doesn’t wear pink jammies or else she feels safe enough to sleep with us. Yep I lied to my three year old; however it’s all in the name of SLEEP!

Saying Goodby to Sister Wives

2011-07-04T20:48:00.000-07:00

For six and a half months I had the honor of living with my mom, and Crystal's family. In so many ways we were sister wives, without the sharing our husbands part! Crystal would clean the bathrooms and John and I would cook. One person was ALWAYS doing laundry while the other was watching the kids. Most people couldn't live with 14 other people, but we did it and had a good time. I got to know my nephews and nieces and had the chance to see Crystal as a mom. Over all it was fun and enjoyable. But like all good things they can't last forever, after talking to Haven on the phone one night John knew that she needed him back in Montana. The decision didn't come as easily to me, of course I didn't want Haven sad, but the selfish me didn't want to leave AZ, my home for the past 30 years. However how could I refuse Haven her dad and sister's and brother, especially when she was hurting so bad. The day after Easter we left AZ and I did okay up until we hit the Utah boarder, that's when I began to cry. With a prayer in my heart I asked my Heavenly Father to allow me to be brave. Sometimes it's hard for me, however all I have to do is see how HAPPY Haven is and I'm reassured that we made the right choice. Winter, yep its going to suck, but I have to be BRAVE.

Do your HW JESSICA

2011-06-28T23:43:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update, summer thus far has been a blast. We have been busy almost every weekend exploring our new environment. On father's day we hiked the Ross Creek Cedar's that was amazing and a lot of fun. The following weekend we enjoyed our communities Loggers Day celebration, which ended in a carnival the kids loved it. I love finding CHEAP things to do with my family, we have walked the Libby Dam and seen the "beach" we love grilling hot dogs and smores on an open flame and lastly we ride our bikes daily to the park and I push the girls on the tire swing until they want to throw up! Thats it for now I need to get my HW done !

SUMMER KICK OFF 2011

2011-05-31T23:21:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow Kaitlen will officially be done with third grade! Haven doesn't get out until the 9th! Both girls rocked this year and we are proud of them. I can't believe that our girls are going into the fourth grade, heck I remember fourth grade. Can I be old if I remember being 9 years old? Anyway I just want to let them know how proud of them I am and I can't wait to have them home for the summer. This will be our first summer in Montana with Haven, I'm looking forward to it. We have already encountered a cougar, dozens of elk and deer. My mother in-law has a bear that visits her place and John found a snakes house on Monday that the kids like to watch now. Over all summer has started out pretty good in Big Sky Country! I'm hoping to try fishing, and smores on a camp fire and not a charcoal grill! However it needs to stop raining long enough for us to see some SUN SHINE!!!

PS. Love and Miss you ALL!

It Was The Year 1915

2011-05-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

This is hard without pictures but I’ll try. After doing some goggling we know that our house was built in 1915, and the wood burn down in the basement has a paten stamp February 8, 1916. Our house is almost 100 years old and in many aspects it looks it. For instance the bathroom doesn’t have any electric outlets, because in 1915 woman didn’t need a blow-dryer or curling irons. Also the house doesn’t have 3 prong outlets we have had to buy adapters for everything. The glass in the windows is blurry because glass back then wasn’t as perfect as it is today. When looking through it you feel like you’re on a boat. Also the fixtures are dated; I have never seen lamps, light switches, door knobs or windows like this before. Our windows open using a rope hinge, it’s pretty cool. The floors have the original wood therefore they squeak with every step. Overall I’m in love with this place, the bathtub has been updated and so has the kitchen stove. Okay now for the ScArY part, our basement is unfinished and OLD. I hate going down there and until yesterday I didn’t have to. But we got our washer and dryer installed yesterday and now I have to. BTW that was an all-day choir getting a 1915 house equipped for a washer and dryer! So the basement has thee creepiest toilet and shower in it, we refuse to pee down there. Also the wood burner is a Freddy Krueger burner, it scares me to death. The lighting is bad and the new oil heater makes horrible noses, it’s so creepy. Just how important is clean clothes? Overall we LOVE this old house our girls have the ENTIRE up stairs, there is two bedrooms up stairs one is HUGE the three girls share and the other room is toys. I’m jealous I love it up there. Caden, John and I we sleep down stairs, and we have a computer/exercise room. This place may be old and make scary sounds, but overall I love it!

so much to do

2011-05-17T23:47:00.000-07:00

We are loving our new home and this new adventure. Haven is happy and learning what it's like to have her dad around. Sometimes this can be hard for her, however she is a sweet girl and as always we love her. Kaitlen is getting used to a small school, and her new found popularity. She is from a big city therefore she must be cool! Payten thinks our house has monsters and 99% sleeps with John and I. Caden is a sweet boy that loves playing with the broom, remote and car keys. I know I promised to update you on our home but between school, being a mom and our move I'm so busy. I promise house is coming.

Big Sky Move

2011-05-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

Well its official, on April 25 my family moved to Montana! As requested by my sisters and mom I’m going to be blogging about our new adventures; and boy oh boy do we already have some stories for you!

John drove the moving truck and I drove our car, the first leg of our trip was uneventful witch I was grateful for. We spent the night in Kanab, Utah when we left Kanab the sun was shining and it looked to be a beautiful day. Not fifteen minutes into our drive it began to snow; for those of you whom don’t know me I have never driven in snow let alone mountain driving and snow! I was doing good as long as I was following behind John I wasn’t scared, however I was getting cold so I turned on my heater and to my surprise the darn heater didn’t work. Yep that’s right the heat wasn’t working and it’s snowing, did I mention that Caden has an ear infection he needed heat. I called John and he is mad that he didn’t think to make sure we had heat before we left. Anyway I’m not that freezing to death so we decide to travel on; we get into Nephi and the snow is coming down harder John finds a mechanic on GPS we pull in and they are expecting us thanks to my mother in law whom had called ahead for us! Long story short, they can’t fix our heater without ordering parts so we make the decision to just wait and fix it in the fall when we will really need it. We meet John’s longtime friend Troy for lunch and spent the night with John’s brother and his wife. The next day also starts out good John and I are making good time the kiddos are doing fantastic even Caden with his sick ears. We get to Missoula, Montana around 7:30 we have dinner and John and I decide to finish our trip, even though it’s going to be dark in a few hours. Before we pull out of the McDonalds parking lot John tells me “by the way you need to keep an eye out for deer, they come by the highway at night and if you hit one you and the kids could die!” Um thanks no pressure on my end it’s just the lives of my babies. We had been driving an hour or so when the rain began, and then snow, without a heater my windows begin to fog up. Now I can’t see out my windows and on top of that its mountain driving, watch for deer and a new sign watch out for long horn sheep next 20 miles. I have to turn the AC on to defog my windows and now I’m freezing to death, the kids have a pile of blankets on them there not cold. Caden, bless his heart has been a trooper the entire time until now, he started crying and didn’t stop for hours; I flashed John so he would pull over Payten had to pee, she was getting pretty desperate. John took Caden for me so I wouldn’t have to hear him screaming anymore that helped my nerves. We had about an hour left of driving before we got to my mother in-laws house, they met us on the highway and took the girls from the freezing car. My father in-law wanted to drive my car but I refused I had driven 647 miles that day and I wasn’t about to give up now. So now we have Linda and Caral in the front, I’m in the middle and John’s in the back when out of nowhere three deer run out in front of me. I slam on my breaks honk the horn and scare them away. That scared me so bad I was just so thankful I didn’t hit one. We arrive at John’s parents’ house around midnight. I was so glad, I successfully drove from Queen Creek, AZ to Libby, Montana It was awesome I loved the drive.

Next from Big Sky Country our 100 year old house!

One Year and Five Days Later

2011-03-13T21:29:00.000-07:00

Last year Kaitlen had her eighth birthday, we had just moved into our new apartment and hadn't even attended Church yet; plus I was due with Caden two weeks later. John and I decided to postpone her baptism for a few months until I was healed from Caden's birth and we had gone to Church for a few months in our new ward. Little did we know Miss Kaitlen would end up slipping on a piece of paper in her room and therefore breaking her Tibia and Fibula bone at the end of July. Her break was so severe that she was in a wheelchair for almost three months with a cast up to her hip. Then she was in a walking cast for a month. After she was all healed the relearning how to walk phase began for her. Now it's the middle of November and she still isn't Baptised yet. December comes and her cousin Royal Wayne turns eight. Crystal and I decide to Baptise them together! January comes and we are POOR from Christmas, February Crystal's niece Kennedy is getting Baptised on the same day as our Stake. March is looking good but now Kaitlen is going to be nine when she is finally baptised and that means we had the wonderful privilege of getting to hear the missionary lessons because if you are older then eight and have not been dunked you have to have the missionary lessons. Which also meant we had a Caldwell/Eldredge Baptism we didn't have to wait until March 19 for the Stake Baptism day. It was a very special day. I'm so proud of Kaitlen and Wayne for making the choice to become Members of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints.

The Baptismal Fount getting filled

Missionaries who taught Kaitlen and Wayne

Dad, Kaitlen and Mom

Cousins Royal Wayne and Kaitlen

Uncle Spencer(Waynes Dad) Baptised them. John was in a cast and couldn't Baptise Kaitlen, however he did give her the conformation blessing.

Yep I'm no skinnyminnie

2011-02-17T20:56:00.000-08:00

One month into my New Years resolution and I'm still motivated. For my 30Th birthday I got a mountain bike and the trailer to pull the little ones in. I love the exercise and being outside with the kiddos. I have also joined weight watchers again, the first time I lost 90lbs on the program. I like weight watchers and now with the new points plus program I can eat all the fruits and veggies I want. I didn't get FAT because I hate to much watermelon. Anyway this is personal to me I'm hoping by blogging about my weight loss journey it will help me stay motivated and accountable to all 5 of my readers. Thanks for all the support!

A Sunbeam A Sunbeam

2011-01-10T10:19:00.000-08:00

Payten is a Sunbeam, I just can't believe how fast she has grown up. I remember taking her to my primary class when she was only two weeks old. I always had to leave to go nurse her at least twice during that block. Then it wasn't that much longer she was standing in nursery sucking on her binki and waving bye to me. Then yesterday she went to Sunbeams (we had the flu the first of January) she sang songs and listened to her teacher. She did tell me she missed snack time. I wasn't able to go with her yesterday because John is still sick we made a trip to the ER when they went to Church, but she seemed to have had a great day. She came home singing her song "Jesus wants me for A Sunbeam A Sunbeam to Shine for him each day...." She is right Jesus does want us to shine for him each day. It took a little Sunbeam to remind me that sometimes I'm not as shiny as I need to be.

My Next 30 years

2011-01-08T14:09:00.000-08:00

I'm on the count down to my 30TH birthday, only 17 short days and I will be 30 years old. I figure if I keep saying I'm going to be thirty, that when the 25TH roles around I'll be OKAY with being thirty. It's funny but this year I can think of at least thirty things I want for my birthday, I feel like a kid I tell John I want that for my birthday and most of the time I'm not kidding I want it.

These past ten years have flown bye so fast:

20- got married
21- had Kaitlen
22- divorced and a single Mom
23-24- lost my weight was a hot single mom and was happy for the first time in years. Went back to college and was loving life.
25- meet John and fell in love got married
26- had my Payten
27-28- got fat again
29- had my Caden.

I'm looking forward to my next thirty years I hope that the things I learned in my twenties will prepare me for my thirties. So all I can say is come on 30 I'm ready for you.

English 101

2011-01-03T18:56:00.000-08:00

These past few months we have all learned a few new words from Payten and Jayden. We have all laughed so hard and in many case have started pronouncing words as our 3 and 4 year old do. Please be warned that some words sound like cuss words which makes them even funnier.

Jayden: Four Years Old
fluge: fudge
flaffle:waffle
smarshmellows: marshmallows
Frismiss: Christmas
Prama: Grandma
smarsh brothers: smash brothers

Payten: Three Years Old
appers: apples
Fencer: Spencer
coloring f***: coloring book
man cakes: pancakes
lip dick: lip stick
bright: sprite
Do you want some: I'm going to hit you.
I'll jack you up: I'm going to hit you harder.
Greenma: Grandma

Saying Goodbye to 2010

2010-12-28T14:29:00.000-08:00

I'm saying GOODBYE to 2010 may you never come back again. With the exception of my son's birth and my new niece and nephew this has been another crappy year. Just in case your not sure why let me remind you........

March.... One year anniversary of Sage passing away.

April.... John was fired from Southwest because he took three days off when I had Caden instead of just the one day.

July.... Kaitlen slipped in her room broke her tibia and fibula bone. She was in a wheel chair for 3 months.
John got a job working for a crazy man, he owned his own Mobil auto repair business; you know the kind that come to your house to fix your car. The kicker is "CRAZY FRED" didn't even own a car yet he was the owner of a MOBIL auto repair business. John drove him around he was the mans taxi.

September.... My dad told John and I to move home so we could help each other out financially. Little did we know he goes Crazy in October.

October.... My Dad goes crazy, he leaves my mom for "His Best Friend", homeless, no car and with $2.46 to her name.
John and I are now homeless as well remember September.
Kaitlen gets her cast off but now she walks with a limp.

December.... Came to the realization my Dad doesn't love me, his FRIEND didn't even know he had a daughter named Jessica. (I got to met her, go me) I was the only child that didn't get a Merry Christmas text from him.
Kaitlen still walks with a limp, we need to get her in physical therapy.

Santa gets all the Love

2010-12-03T07:25:00.001-08:00

This morning I was getting Kaitlen ready for school and she was telling me what she wants from Santa.........

ME: Kaitlen what do you want from Santa?

KT: I want a DS Mom

ME: Wow that's a pretty tall request I'm not sure if Santa can get a DS.

KT: Mom a DS is small it's like this (she draws an outline in the air)

I love how innocent kids are she has no idea that a DS cost a lot of money. Little does she know that I love her and Haven so much that I was standing in line at Walmart freakin early with Aunt Amanda on Black Friday so that I could make their Christmas the best. For 89 bucks a piece Santa will fulfill their Christmas wish. I can't forget to give a shout out to mom and Aunt Crystal for making sure Payten gets her Barbie Power wheel Jeep from Santa that was on sale for 88 bucks on Black Friday. Needless to say I'm excited for Christmas, to bad Santa gets all the credit!

baby jack jack

2010-11-06T21:54:00.000-07:00

Caden's nick name has become Jack Jack, he is so little but he's always trying to do big things! I love this little boy so much.

Wasn't Enough Time

2010-11-04T22:22:00.000-07:00

My baby will be 8 months old next Thursday, he will be 8 months and 2 days next Saturday. My nephew passed away at 8 months and 2 days; 19 months ago my brother in law found Sage in his crib not breathing. The day Caden was born I have always feared for the day my son would be 8 months and 2 days old. In my mind I think what if I only have 9 more days to kiss on him, hold him, be with him. 8 months isn't long enough at all.

Tonight Crystal and Spencer gave Caden, Sage's Santa toy they were so happy to put it together for him and even more excited to see him play with it. It's not fair Caden should have been playing with an old toy that Sage grew out of, the toy has been around longer then he was. I'm scared for next Saturday to come I'm so scared that I don't think I will be able to lay him in his bed that night. I know how retarded this sounds but every mother knows how much they love their babies and the thought of not having him with me in 9 days makes me cry. It hasn't been long enough I'm just getting to know him.

Crystal and Spencer are truly the strongest two people I have ever met, they have blessed my life with their faith in Heavenly Father and their love for each other everyday. I know how selfish this sounds it's not about me or my son I'm just afraid bad things happen all the time. Okay so this post is truly my ramblings sorry....

I'm not tired yet Mom

2010-11-02T14:32:00.001-07:00

After a long day of moving and playing with her cousins, Payten refused to go to bed because she was not tired. She pulled all the crayons out of the basket and was going to color me a picture. She lasted all but two minutes before she crashed.
She fell asleep holding her crayon!

First Football Game

2010-10-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

John has waited forever to have a boy to share his love of football with. On Sunday and Monday night's John will take Caden and go watch football with him. He loves having his son with him to share his favorite sport with.

John and Caden at RaLee's last home football game.

When I grow up I want to be...

2010-10-21T21:49:00.000-07:00

The first winter of our marriage was spent in freezing Montana Brrrrrr. I remember one night I was cold and just wanted something warm to eat, John offered to make me some oatmeal. It was the worst bowl of oatmeal ever made a chimp on a space shuttle could have made a better bowl; it was lumpy and crunchy. Being a new wife and not wanting to hurt John's feelings I ate the said bowl of oats and vowed to never allow him to cook for me again.

Fast forward four years.......

We have struggled so hard financially these last four years, it was with our faith in Heavenly Father that we choose to have another baby. John and I were afraid to tell our parents that we were expecting again. John and I have know that John needs some kind of education; but he just could never decided what he wanted to do. we have discussed law enforcement, teaching and even joining the army but nothing fits.

These last four years John has found his hidden talent in the kitchen. I giggle thinking about the first bowl of oatmeal he ever made me compared to now. So I'm so excited that he has finally decided what he wants to be when he grows up. He starts Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts on November 8Th. He is going to be chef, I'm so happy for him he's so excited and nervous. He is doing their associates degree program and then we might go ahead and do the bachelors degree program. However with his associates he will still make a pretty good living for us. I'm so happy for him I can't wait to see all the yummy things he learns how to make.

AND THEN................

2010-10-17T21:34:00.000-07:00

AND THEN.... has become our motto these days when we tell a story we can always say AND THEN. For example Sage passed away AND THEN CPS took Kaitlen from our home for a month AND THEN Royal broke his hand and needed surgery AND THEN Crystal and Spencer get in a car accident AND THEN John lost his job......... I Think I could go on for five pages with AND THEN.

Saturday was Amanda's baby shower Crystal did an awesome job, the decorations, food all of it was so cool. (Mom has pictures she will post soon) anyway I was in the kitchen finishing up some last minute things AND THEN... Amanda yelled that Caden was hurt. AND THEN I went into the living room picked him up and noticed his mouth was bleeding. We don't know how he did it but he managed to push his front tooth all the way forward it was awful it took all I had not to cry. John G. came from down stairs he gave Caden a blessing AND THEN he pushed my little mans tooth back into place. It was the worst thing I couldn't help but cry. Hubby John and I took him to an ER they said he was fine; that John G. did the right thing to push his tooth back. I'm taking him to a pediatric. dentist on Monday just in case he is hurt worse then it looks.

Just for the record I'm sooooo sick of AND THEN....... no more AND THEN........

Take a deep breath

2010-10-14T00:40:00.000-07:00

Take a deep breath and breathe, everything is changing. One thing will always stay the same NOTHING CAN BREAK US not Sage's passing and not this. Thank you to our amazing husbands for stepping up and being Men. That's why our heavenly Father created son in laws. For times like these. I have a deep love for Spencer and John G. My John thank you for being my rock and letting me cry and for letting me be in a crappy mood. For holding me like a child and rubbing my head. I Love you.

Clarification

2010-10-08T00:08:00.000-07:00

My last post seemed to confuse some of you, after reading it I can see why Oops that's what I get for blogging while I'm tired and upset. So let me explain; I was talking to Crystal about whats been going on in our family this past week and with all the wisdom of a 90 year old grandma she talked to me about "The Stupid Cow" talk that was given in conference during the second session on Sunday. She told me that the cow had a pen with his food in it but he choose to poke his head out of it and eat the wheat. That he kept on eating and eating until his belly swelled up and he died. The cow broke the rules that were made for him he choose to nibble a little until his nibbling killed him. This talk has help our family this past week so now as a joke or just out of sadness and frustration we will say "YOU STUPID COW"

I have the BEST big sister in this entire world she has been threw the worst possible thing a mother can ever go threw and yet she is the one holding our family together I love her and respect her more then words can explain.

So here is to you "YOU STUPID COW"

Thanks Big Sister

2010-10-06T00:28:00.000-07:00

All I have to say right now is .............. "YOU STUPID COW"

private

2010-10-03T17:00:00.000-07:00

We are going private send me your e-mail if you want an invite

I Like to Move it Move it

2010-09-24T23:16:00.000-07:00

When I started having babies 8 1/2 years ago I was told that babies grow and develop at their own pace. Most little ones roll over at 2-3 months, can sit up at around 6 months, crawl at 8 months and walking at 12 months. I look forward too each new stage that my baby makes. I remember being sad when my Payten began crawling at five months and walking at seven months. She was my baby being that Kaitlen is 5 1/2 years older then Pay. I was looking forward to having a tiny baby to take care of. But to my amazement she was in a huge hurry to grow up I was bummed that she didn't stay "babyish" for awhile. Then we got pregnant with Caden I was so excited to be getting a baby boy, a son to love. Again I was hoping that this time my baby would not be in such a hurry to grow up. I was hoping that because he was a he that he would be slower at sitting up, crawling and walking. I have heard that boys are sometimes slower at developing. Let me tell you I was not shocked when my five month old sat up and began crawling all on the same day. Caden is now six months old and he crawls everywhere; he scares me when he goes from a sitting position to his knees I just hold my breath and hope he doesn't smack his face on the carpet 8 out of 10 times he is a pro the other two times he needs a few loves. I'm greatful that my little man still loves to nurse and he always has kisses for me. Half the time he is crawling to find me if I'm in a diffeent room then he is. I'm just so thankful that he is here and I get to be the one to take care of him even though he is in such a hurry to grow up.

Caden's Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Marry gave him his white teddy bear
He LOVES to play with his cousins. The older kids are so nice to let him sit and play they all look after him.
My little man!

One Year and Six Months

2010-09-05T22:57:00.000-07:00

On September 19 my dear little nephew Sage will have been with the angels for 18 months. I have learned threw his passing that each one of us grieves differently. For instance I have learned that I'm a keep it inside and don't talk about it but think about him everyday kind of griever. Until I can't keep it in anymore and have to talk to John. Sage's death has forever changed our family and the way we view each other. We cry at birthdays and thank Heavenly Father for allowing our child to have a birthday. When a child has their FIRST birthday I have such a feeling of relief I feel like its their biggest accomplishment they turned 1. Before I put my Caden to bed I always kiss his check and tell him that no one loves him as much as I do and to please wake up. When I hear his little cry threw the monitor I say a thank you prayer for allowing him to wake up. When Payten is driving me nuts I have to sit back and just remember at least she is here with me driving me nuts. Kaitlen has a broken leg and for the last six weeks John and I have had to do almost everything for her. But at least she is still here and a leg can heal. Haven lives a few thousand miles away but at least she is living. Sage has taught me to always love my babies that no matter what they did or will do that at least they are here to do it.

2010 has brought our family three new babies Caden in March, Ellie in August and Amanda's baby in October. My sisters and I can't help but worry until we are sick that something will go wrong. Sages death has taken our blinders off we no longer live in happy fairy tale land instead we know that anything can happen and the worst part about knowing this is even though Sage passed away we know that it doesn't give our family a free pass for all our other children. Instead we know that the time we have with our children is the most important time we will ever have. We always say you would think that with Sages passing nothing else bad will ever happen to any of us again that we should all win the lottery or invent the cure for cancer. Instead we know that lighting can strike the same place twice. So I encourage you all to love your children every minute of everyday. Play with them, laugh with them and teach them the gospel

Crystal and I will talk and say that at least Sage has made it, he will always get to live with Heavenly Father he will never have to worry about making it back home. But part of me a (huge) part would rather have him here with us I think we could have been his teachers he would have made his mistakes but at least we could have been his teachers. I know that I can't see the bigger picture and I know our Heavenly Father needed him but knowing this doesn't take away the pain. In most cases I just feel guilty for wanting him here with us instead of living with Heavenly Father.

To my Sage you have been gone 18 months and I miss you as much as I did that awful day in March. Till we meet again

Your Aunt
Jessy

People of Walmart II

2010-09-04T21:47:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness these are just to funny not to share. Go to www.peopleofwalmart.com for hundreds of laughs.

‘Cuz He Likes To Party

Wing Dings

Silly Bands

Sneak Peek

Blame It On The Goose

September 1,2007

2010-09-02T12:47:00.000-07:00

My little girl turned three yesterday, I was so excited for her. She started her day off with her very first dentist appointment. Which I'm happy to report went really well, she has no cavities and zero build up. Then it was time for the fun, we took Payten to Jeeper Creepers it's an indoor amusement park. She loved it we had so much fun with her. Then we came home and I made her a special dinner and a cake! Her BIG party will be on Friday with her aunts,uncles,cousins and grandparents.

Payten Memories: Remember when........

I was in labor and the nurse told me I wasn't and just a few hours later she was born.
Me beating the crap out of John during labor.
Me crying for DRUGS when I was in labor.
Me asking for my mom but instead I called her MOMMY, yes John still teases me about that one.
The first time I saw her very blond hair and BIG blue eyes.
She cried ALL the time.
When she laughed for the first time I cried.
My poor baby had her first UTI I cried again.
When Payten was only 8 months old and walking everywhere.
She was 12 months old and finally slept for me.
When she beat up Jayden, oh wait she still does that. She can be so mean.
When she was potty training and was so excited that she pooped in the potty.
When she started calling her grandparents "Greenma and Greenpa"
When she thinks I'm still asleep and gives me a hug and a kiss and tells me she loves me.
When she steals Cadens Binky's because she can't find hers.
She says I love you to SPACE.
When she eats your food off of your plate even though she has the same thing on her plate.
When she jumped in the pool all by herself and wasn't afraid.
When she was going to go to school because her sisters do.
When we moved her bed into our room because she wouldn't stop sleeping on the floor and it was sad to see her bunched up on the floor next to me every night.
I'll love her forever because she is my Pay Pay!

Happy Birthday Payten!

Sorry Payten

2010-08-28T23:07:00.000-07:00

So Payten was siting on my lap when I had this on she jumped from my lap screaming ran into her bedroom screaming and crying she was so scared. When I was able to calm her down she told me 'Momma Pay Pay don't like scary monster on yours puter' Okay I know this was a mean thing to do but it was so funny to see her reaction. She was so afraid for Kaitlen that she opened her door an inch and was yelling for her' K-T MA to come in yours room before the monster gets her' I know I know its a mean thing to do but so funny.

Are we done yet

2010-08-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

We are almost one month out since Kaitlen broke her leg and all I can ask is ARE WE DONE YET. I'm so ready for her to be healed its not even funny, I'm tired of getting her to and from school, getting her up the stairs down the stairs, in the car out of the car, in the shower out of the shower. Most of all I'm sick of her wheel chair I feel like her chair is ALWAYS in the way I trip on it at least once a day. Poor girl gets so board that she just stares at me or she rolls as fast as she can from the kitchen to the couch over and over again. If I'm this annoyed you can only imagine how Katie is feeling needless to say the next few months need to hurry along.

But I Like Him A lot

2010-08-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

Just in case you all aren't counting my little guy is five months old now. He has not only stolen my heart but the heart of his three older sisters as well. We had Miss Haven for summer and she not only helped me with his bath everyday but she also picked out his clothes. Haven loved his 'boy' clothes so much that she tried to wear them after deciding she was to big for them she would lay them on her chest and pretend she was wearing them. Haven loves Caden so much that she would hold on to his arms and rap to him K-I-S-S-I-N-G over and over again she saw that on Americas Got Talent.

Then we have Kaitlen who informs me that she has NO MORE big sister left in her and if we decided to have another baby she is living at her Grandmas. She says that he needs to much attention and that every one just thinks he is sooooo cute. But she can't leave for school without giving him hugs and the first thing she does when she gets home is talks to him. He response to her evey time he really likes Kaitlen they growl at one another and she was the first one to get him to laugh!

Now we have Payten she over loves him, its so bad that I don't dare shower when he is awake, one time I came out of the bedroom and she had his little swing going so fast that poor Cade was white knuckling it. She is always wanting to see his "boy parts" and just yesterday she got hold of a marker and drew all over his face. I thought she was playing with him while he was in his bouncer but no she was coloring him brown. Payten won't share HIS toys with him and she has taken over every one of his Binky's I'll look over and she is sucking on his blue 0-3 month Binky. Her best line is but mom I just like him a lot. She has tried to nurse him and when he is crying she thinks biting him is the best way to get him to stop. Over all we have great girls they just really love their brother!

Oh my Gosh Caden is almost three months old

2010-05-30T18:43:00.000-07:00

Almost three months ago my little boy was born. Our family changed forever that day, we went from a family of little girls to a family with a BOY and little girls! Those first few weeks I was so tired and overwhelmed I wasn't sure how I was going to care for each of them. But three months later I have figured it out. As Kaitlen says "I'm getting used too having Caden around" He is my little buddy, he wakes up every morning around 5:30 - 6:00 he always greets me with a smile. I think those few hours we have together in the morning before the girls wake up are so special. He will talk to me and give me his best smiles that melt my heart every time. He loves to be held tight when he is tired within minutes he is sound asleep. We are so grateful he has been given to our family.

Getting Ready for Bed!

Sucking his thumb

First day of Church

Long Lost Blog

2010-04-11T15:15:00.000-07:00

If you can't tell we don't have Internet at our new place so my blog never gets updated. However if you follow my moms you all should know that our little man was born a month ago on the 11Th. He is such a sweet baby, I am so blessed to have him. He sleeps pretty good for me, and if he is awake at night he is just so cuddly that I don't mind the lack of sleep. Just like I had suspected he has John's ears it is crazy how genetics work. Did I mention how much I love him!! I find myself getting peeded on a few times a day; Crystal informed me it's because I'm to slow at changing him. She is right I'm not used to 'boy' parts and am afraid of hurting him I guess I can be alittle aggressive and he won't get hurt. I find myself crying when I do is laundry I love seeing ALL blue inside the washer I didn't think having a little boy would melt my heart the way it has. My first two babies cried so much and never slept that I'm on cloud nine that Caden sleeps and hardly ever cries I had know idea a baby could be so happy. Heavenly Father knew I needed a calm, happy baby this time around.

The light at the end of the tunnel

2010-02-05T16:19:00.000-08:00

5 more weeks, yes folks we are on the count down to Delivery Day. I am so excited; this baby has been one roller coaster after another to carry, but I'm so thankful I have been able to carry him this long! I still don't know if I will have to have a c-section, at my last appointment he was estimated to weigh 6Lbs 10oz that's how much my girls weighed at 40 weeks. I had another blood sugar test Wednesday I'll find out the results of that next Wednesday. If my blood sugar comes back high then I will have to go to the doctor twice a week and check my blood sugar 4x a day. If I do have diabetes then that means the baby will have to stay in the NICU after birth because his blood sugar will be high. I am trying to prepare myself that I might not get to take him home right away, I keep on telling myself at least I will be able to take him home, and he will be healthy. So that's it for now, oh yeah I did turn 29 a few weeks ago, I'm not sure what has hapened to my 20's they just flew by thats for sure!

My Favorite Child is.......

2010-01-18T15:54:00.000-08:00

After what I claim to be the longest weekend of my life I have decided that even though my baby isn't here yet he is my favorite child of the weekend. He didn't scream, fight, bite or even roll his eyes at me. Instead he gave me heartburn and his leg and butt are smashing my right lung so every time I bend down I can't breath and think I'm going to pass out. He still wins my favorite child award! Can you tell it has been a LONG weekend.

30 week ultrasound

2010-01-10T10:42:00.000-08:00

Last Tuesday we had our last ultrasound, I was excited because "last ultrasound" means I'm almost done. Mom and John went with me, I love seeing the baby at 30 weeks they are so much bigger then the 19 week ultrasound I can always see so much more detail. For instance our little boy has some big ears they were poking out, I hate to say he has John's ears because you can't really know that until they are older but from the picture they sure look like his Daddy's ears. After some joking around and the tech giving John his first heart attack, she told him our baby was a girl. For about ten seconds he was speechless then he realized she was joking around with him.

After my ultrasound I had to wait to see the doctor, Mom and I waited for an hour I was getting ready to leave when the doctor finally came in. (John had taken Payten out she was STARVING) I was expecting her to get on to me for gaining 2 pounds over the last month {BTW I have only gained 4 pounds}but instead she started off saying my last blood test were good and the baby was over three pounds. Then she told us that the ultrasound had showed that the baby has to much water around him. That my water level is a 20 and they like to see it around 10-13. I didn't know what this meant I had only ever heard of low water levels not to high. Without trying to freak me out she said it could mean that the baby isn't swallowing and to please not look it up on the Internet because it will only freak me out more. SO as promised I have NOT looked, John has, and he has told me somethings but I have also promised him I wouldn't look it up. We have another ultrasound on the 19Th to check the water level if the water gets to a 30 all I know is that they might induce labor, or try to drain the extra water other then that I don't want to know because 65% of babies born with high water levels are 100% healthy. I'm only blogging about this for journaling purposes I haven't even talked about it with anyone other then John and as he says I WORRY way to much. So on the 19Th I get to see my little guy again I hope we can see his face this time and that my water level is down to a healthy level.

Christmas 2009

2009-12-28T12:04:00.001-08:00

This Christmas it was our turn to have Haven, we love having our entire family with us for the holiday.

Christmas Eve

Santa Piles

Kaitlen

Haven

Payten

Opening Presants at Crystal and Spencer's home!

I felt bad for John he has been working himself to death these past few weeks he needed a little nap before he had to go back to work.

We are nine strong and counting

2009-12-21T14:02:00.000-08:00

Today I looked out the window and saw Royal Wayne, Haven and Kaitlen had cornered our neighbors little boy. Kaitlen had a broom and was poking him with it, Haven was yelling at him and Wayne was pounding his fist into his hand. Curious what was going on I walk out side, the kids came up to me and were telling me that the boy was getting his "pay back" that they were all sick of him hurting them. That he had kicked Payten, bit one of them, Kicked William in the wiener (kids words not mine) he hite Trey while Crystal was standing there then lied about it to her. I of course told them that it isn't nice to hurt other people and that they should say I'm sorry. So Kaitlen decided they needed to say sorry and be the "Bigger people" again kids words not mine. I know this isn't funny but I laughed because our kids stuck up for each other they were nine strong and were not going to allow someone to hurt any of them. Little miss Haven wanted to feed him to the goat, Wayne just wanted to hit him and Kaitlen enjoyed poking him with a broom. Now I know this isn't how we are supposed to act, however I love that they all LOVE each other so much that they won't just stand there and let someone hurt one of there family members.

Pregnant and Christmas Shopping

2009-12-16T09:21:00.000-08:00

Yesterday John and I went out to get our shopping started we were excited and hoping for some great deals. As the day went on we were doing good we had evenly split our money so each child would have the same amount of gifts, we found the cutest Santa gift for Payten everything was going great until........

FOOT\CALF cramps hit me I could hardly walk to a bench to sit down I had silent tears running down my checks all I wanted to do was cry on John's arm until the cramps went away. We decided to go home and come back when Payten was in bed and I had some rest. I get such horrible leg\feet\calf cramps when I'm pregnant that many nights I can't sleep because of a cramp. So wish me luck we still need to get a few more things for them here is to more cramps to come!!

Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T22:41:00.000-08:00

"I started this Post Last Wednesday"

Today Mom and Crystal needed to run to the store to pick up a few last minute items for our Thanksgiving dinner. I knew that the stores would be insane so I told Crystal that I would keep an eye on her kids for her. Last minute shopping is hard enough without kids in toe. I was making them some grilled cheese for lunch and happened to look out the kitchen window there on the trampoline was six happy beautiful children. I stooped what I was doing and looked at each one of them and it hit me that even though this has been one of the hardest years our family has ever had to endure we still have so much to be thankful for.

I am thankful for William, he is always such a big help with the younger children. He always makes sure that Jayden and Payten are taken care of that no one is mean to them.

I am thankful for Wayne, he always makes me laugh he tries so HARD at everything he does. He won the Kindergarten Turkey Trot this year at his school I was so proud of him.

I am thankful for Trey, he LOVES LOVES every holiday with a passion no matter how small the decorations he thinks they are all so pretty. He also takes care of Payten for me she is his best friend!

I am thankful for Jayden, she playes with my monster even though Payten is SOOOO mean to her. Jayden always gives me hugs and she loves to show me her pretty hair.

I am thankful for Kaitlen, she is such a big help with Payten. I love how she loves to learn and how excited she gets when it is library day. I love that she is almost eight and still hates to get her hair brushed.

I am thankful for Payten, she makes me smile a hundred times a day. I love her love for animals. Her concern for anyone that is hurt and her thirst for adventure. That baby is never at a loss for something to do.

As I stood at the window I thought of Miss Izzy and how sweet she is; she has brought so much joy to Amanda and John. I love seeing her grow and learn new things. Haven is also a sweet heart and has grown up so much over these last years. She is an awesome big sister and is SO excited for a baby brother. Sage was also on my mind I am thankful for him for allowing me to be his Aunt and for always having a smile on his face when I held him. I am thankful for his sweet spirit and the memories I will always have of him.

3 years and counting

2009-11-09T13:28:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday it will be our 3rd anniversary we are excited and can't believe it has only been three years for some reason it feels like ten. We have decided to take the girls and fly to Vegas for a few days. I know what you are thinking what the heck is in Vegas for kids well we are going to see a Circus act, some pirates sink a ship, a water show and the M@M factory. Sounds like a blast to me! I'm going to try to do as much walking as I can but my 'ligament pain' I get when I'm pregnant makes walking long periods very painful but I'm in it till John has to get a wheelchair for me. Did I mention that the flight is FREE ! Kaitlen is so excited to get to go on an airplane!

The biggest Surprise of our life

2009-10-29T08:21:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I had my 19 week ultrasound, for some reason just trying to get to the doctor was such a pain. I had to barrow Mom's car witch I hate doing because it NEVER fails that the one afternoon I need it so does everyone else. RaLee needed drooped off at the school at 4 but I had to leave at 3:30 to make it to my appointment. She was a sweety and didn't mind to much that I had to drop her off almost an hour early. On top of that John forgot to leave me Payten's seat so the entire 15 mile drive I'm praying I don't get in to an accident or pulled over. I HATE not having her seat but I had no choice I had to take her with me. Next D.J or Dad not sure witch one drove Mom's car until it was nearly empty, me being a cheap-o was not going to buy gas at Chevron not when the Shell station up the road is cheaper. Half way there I'm praying that I will make it I should have paid the extra 15 cents at Chevron. I make it to the gas station and the doctor's what a relief that was. I hurry and get the kids inside a few minutes later John comes in, I'm always happy to see him. The secretary at the desk informs me that they made a mistake and my ultrasound is supposed to be at the Chandler office. WHAT I was thinking I have never even been to that office, I was a little mad because of all the stress I had just trying to make it 15 miles up the road. They called around and the office on Power Rd. the tech said she would wait for us to get there. We hurried and got to power in about 20 minutes or so. She began the ultrasound and so far so good everything was looking good then she told us the news that has changed our lives forever we are having a little boy not a girl. John and I are so excited for a son I think we both thought that we would never get one. Now we are having the wonderful time of trying to name him we both have very different likes when it comes to boy names I'm not to worried we have 20 more weeks before he gets here.

Bad Hair Day

2009-10-18T13:18:00.000-07:00

Crystal was so kind to watch our girls for us so we could go on a much needed date. While we were gone she did the girls hair in bobby pin curls. She told us that Kaitlen needed a lot of perswation, that she promised her that when she was done that Kaitlen's hair would look like Taylor Swift's hair. Aunt Crystal also told K-T that if her cousins laughed at her that she would hit them in the nose.

The next morning when I took out the girl's bobby pin's I was surprised to see that my beautiful little girl's had African American hair. We laughed and laughed especially over Kaitlen's hair.

Miss Payten

I LOVE her eyes in this picture.

HAHAHA she was not happy with her results. As she put it Taylor Swift does not have this kind of hair.

Grandma had to beg her to let her take a picture.

Happy Late Birthday John

2009-10-11T12:33:00.000-07:00

I'm so horrible that I haven't blogged John's 33 birthday. My sweet "old man" turned 33 on October 2 he thinks that being almost 5 years older then me makes him my old man. I say he is the best and I'm very lucky to have him. I wished I could have bought him a million things for his birthday but we had just started work so instead we stayed home and Mom made him a Peanut butter cheese cake (John's Favorite) Crystal and Spencer gave him two movie passes and Amanda and John gave him a Chillies gift card. Crystal watched our girls for us, so we could go on our date it was so much fun. We had not been on a date with each other in over two years. Needless to say we had a great time. I think the best gift was finding out we are having another baby girl!!

16 weeks

2009-10-03T20:10:00.000-07:00

I woke up Wednesday morning with horrible side stomach pains I wasn't too concerned because I thought it was my ligaments stretching. By Thursday night the pain was worse so John and I went to the ER. After hours we finally got a room then we waited another hour or so before a doctor came in. She ordered blood tests, an ultrasound and a stinking pelvic exam. When the nurse came into draw my blood I very politely told the nurse that I was not having any problems down their that I didn't think that an exam was necessary. She told me because I was pregnant I had to have one. Super long story I only needed 2 pokes before they found my vain, A nurse almost walked in on the doctor while I was getting my pelvic exam (John talked me into getting it)The best part was John was able to see the baby during the ultrasound. I wasn't able to see the baby because the screen wasn't facing me. After HOURS the doctor came in she told me I had a vaginal infection witch was news to me because like I said that area was not bothering me. My side pain was not the baby, that maybe it was gas pains. so we left and got home just in time to get Kaitlen ready for school. What a crazy night

Oh one more thing our baby is a GIRL!! The ultrasound tech having six girls of his own; did not want to tell John that the baby was a girl. John was a little disappointed but over all he was happy that SHE is healthy, he loved seeing her move around it was the longest ultrasound I had ever had nearly 45 minutes long. I just can't believe we are going to have 4 GIRLS how exciting.

People of Walmart

2009-10-01T08:33:00.000-07:00

I saw this on a friends blog and laugh all day yesterday. I have tried to get the link on my blog but it's just not working out for me. I was able to get some pictures from the site but there are so many take a look at the web site it is......
www.peopleofwalmart.com it is very funny. I'm going to make sure I dress up to go into walmart for now on that's for sure.

TIGHTER!!!
Tramp Stamped
Sanford And Son
Look At Me!
The Irony Of “Self Checkout”
Not Even Close

Dallas

2009-09-27T15:04:00.000-07:00

John started his new job today! He is staying at a really nice hotel with all meals paid for!When he called me he was watching football with zero interruptions and no groaning from me because I am bored out of my mind. He was looking forward to dinner they were eating at a taco bar. We asked him to take note on all the toppings because a taco bar sounds yummy. But best of all he is getting PAID for his mini vacation. So I can deal with him being in Dallas for a few days because getting a paycheck is going to be so nice!

It's time to say goodbye to Huggies

2009-09-19T09:16:00.000-07:00

Payten has been showing signs of wanting to potty train for a few months now. I didn't want to push her, she wasn't even two yet. This last week she has peed in the potty a couple times every day. She gets so excited and requires that everyone clap and cheer for her. I think she is ready, I need to go buy her some panties I'm pretty sure she will get it. Wish us luck!!

SouthWest

2009-09-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

For five long months John has been out of work along with thousands of other people. In one day he would post 50-100 resumes with no luck. The last week in August in got an interview with Southwest Airlines; we wanted this job it has awesome medical and we would get to fly for FREE. Better yet Haven gets to fly for free no more $300 dollar tickets one way because she is a minor. Since September 11,2001 the FAA has raised security for new hires after almost three long weeks of waiting John got the call we had been waiting for HOORAY! He starts on the 27Th he will fly to Dallas for three days then he comes back to AZ and will be in training another 4 weeks. However the best part is we will be staying in AZ and we get to travel for FREE every week if we wanted to. John already has "friends" calling him up trying to get some of his free buddy passes! I'm just so happy to finally have a job.

Our Baby March 15, 2010

2009-08-31T13:06:00.001-07:00

Last Friday, John and I went to our first ultrasound it was exciting seeing our little baby moving around. Even Payten seemed to understand the excitement of seeing our new baby. John wanted me to make sure you all know it’s a BOY and no thoughts of a girl are allowed!

Last week when I was getting my blood work done I noticed that I was being checked for HIV that freaked me out. I don’t know why but I just kept on thinking what if I somehow got HIV from a nurse when I had Payten or a mosquitoe bite. So on Friday I was happy to learn I AM disease free. John of course thought I was being silly but to me it was a good news day!

"Flower's for your girl"

2009-08-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad AKA Teele and Liz have a family living in a 5Th wheel trailer next to the barn. They have four small boys that LOVE to come over and play as soon as the sun is up or Kaitlen is off the school bus. The part that bugs me is the Mother lets her 2 year old come over to play with the older 2 boys, Payten is almost 2 and I would never just open my backdoor and ship her out for hours at a time. Anyway the oldest boy "Jerry" has a crush on our Kaitlen, the other night when John was doing homework with her we heard a loud knock on the door. John was a little annoyed he had already argued with the boys that it was time to go home. When he went to the back door there was Jerry holding up a bunch of weeds he then told John "I brought flowers for your girl" John came back in the kitchen and told Kaitlen that her boyfriend brought her some flowers needless to say we have all laughed hard over this one. We think that Jerry has some kind of learning disability he talks like he is two and he can't seem to remember "the girl's" name. Kaitlen gets embarrassed when we call him her boyfriend she says he doesn't even know my name that he is just fun to play with.

Kaitlen's first flowers!

Slow 2 weeks

2009-08-08T14:43:00.000-07:00

Kaitlen started second grade on Monday, she LOVES it! Her first day she was sad that she didn't get homework until the second week of school, I'm glad that school is fun for her. Payten misses her when she is gone, heck I miss her also she is such a sweet little girl.

we are loving her new hair cut!

Haven went home to Montana on July, 22 we all miss her a ton. She is doing well and is also looking forward to starting second grade in a few weeks. She seems to love Montana so that's where her Mom has decided to stay!

Payten is almost two she is a doll. I can't believe how much she has learned in the last few months. She is sooo much fun John and I laugh all the time over what she says and does.

Locks of Love

2009-07-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

Kaitlen started growing out her hair before she was two. By the time she was four her hair reached her butt, she loved it. Last year all her classmates would call her Rapunzel or Princess Kaitlen she loved the attention. These last couple months she has been telling John and I that she wanted a hair cut; she was tired of her long hair. Today Grandma looked up all the info for donating hair to Locks of Love !

Before
Grandma needed ten healthy inches then she braided it Snip Snip it was done

For the first time since she was in diapers she has short hair !

Grandma is making sure K-T's hair is even.Seven year old smile!

One very happy seven year old

Up Date

2009-07-15T18:10:00.000-07:00

Man have we had a lot going on this month, first I would like to say that John and I are going to be having another baby!! We are due around March 15 and are very excited John is WISHING for a son.

We have decided that we need a change so with one month left in our lease we packed up all of our things and put them in storage except for some clothes and moved in with Mom and Dad for a few months. While John goes to Utah and finds some work and a place to live. I'm excited and looking forward to this new journey. Neither one of us have ever lived in Utah we are just hoping for the best and maybe some green grass.

That's it for us a new baby in the spring and moving to Utah, wish us luck!!!

RaLee

2009-07-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know it yet Miss RaLee has a blog of her own so go visit it and leave your comments. I can guarantee it is going to make us laugh!

http://raleereidhead.blogspot.com/

When it's 108 Outside

2009-06-28T21:37:00.000-07:00

When it's to hot to go outside and play a mom has to get creative or her children will slowly start to drive her nuts. We play games such as hide an go seek or find the missing item from the shelf; my favorite is can you solve this riddle this one takes them the longest and of course there favorite is a coloring contest. However when those games get old it's time to break out mom's secret weapons PAINTING and BAKING!!

Painting is always a huge success

"Where is the blue Mom"

Baking Sugar Cookies

They loved this one

He took it off himself

2009-06-26T20:49:00.000-07:00

Thursday was Kaitlen's big day her cast was coming off. John left at 1:00 to make it to her 2:00 appointment when he got there the nurse told him that her appointment wasn't until Friday the 26Th. He called me and I told him the appointment reminder card was in the car and it says Thursday the 25Th. After he showed them his proof they told him that her doctor was out of town and that one of the nurses had called me and left a message that her new time was Friday. John knew that was a lie so in his kindest words he told them that they were LAZY and some other choice words that the girls wouldn't repeat! All they would say is that Daddy was really mad at those people. Can you blame him we live a freaking hour away one way, he told them that he would take care of it himself.

He used his leather men, a razor blade and scissors

One very happy little girl

John has finally won

2009-06-23T16:24:00.000-07:00

Two years ago when we bought our T.v. John tried to talk me into letting us put it in our bedroom and I very firmly told him not a chance. When we moved in our home last September he tried again and I told him no again. Well thanks to the stupid digital conversion our T.V. only gets reception in our room. John has been so pleased with our new set up I'm nor sure if I will ever talk him into moving our T.V. back into the living room

The 13' in the spot of were our 52' is supposed to be.

Our 52' on top of our dresser

Movie time with popcorn on our BED

Pay refused to sleep until it was movie time then she fell asleep on my bed.

Reading

2009-06-21T22:15:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I told John that I wanted to go to the library and get some books. With him out of work our 'fun' money has been zero and my boredom has been a million. I have never read Danielle Steel books before and the library has a very large section of her novels. So in my spare time I have had my nose in a book and I have loved it; John gets his ESPN and I get my book.

However these last few weeks I have felt like there is something missing from my life I started to feel unhappy and cranky. Wishing that there was more to 'me' then mother and wife I have never felt this way before I LOVE being both a mother and a wife it's the only thing I have wanted to do. A few days ago it hit me why all a sudden I want more. In my silly books the women are doctors, lawyers, photo journalist they all have amazing careers and travel to France and the East Hampton for summer break; not to mention they are the best mothers ever.

I was laying in bed holding John's hand watching a movie with our three girls surrounding me and it hit me that this is were I want to be; not in the Hampton's or on a beach in France but here in my home on our bed with three of the most amazing little girls and a man that loves me.

I don't know why her stupid stories got to me but I do know that I love being a Mom and a wife that John works so hard for us at a job he hates.

Count to TEN

2009-06-16T10:49:00.001-07:00

For Mother's Day Crystal gave Mom, Amanda and me one of the Lillie plants from Sage's funeral it is one of my most treasured gifts. I am not usually good at growing things and keeping them alive, however I am determined to keep my Sage plant green and blooming beautiful Lillie's. After talking to Mom about my plant she gave me some tips to help keep him healthy. Yesterday I left my plant on the kitchen table after I cleaned his leafs and watered him. I went to the computer to check ESPN for John and when I came out this is what I found.

I was so upset with her that I had to count to TEN a few times. I wanted to shake her, yell at her or just cry I was so upset with her. I'm hoping she didn't cause to much damage to my Sage plant.

Firsts

2009-06-12T11:40:00.001-07:00

First one to fall asleep!

First family pet and her frog friend!

First bubble bath!

First time using the computer chair as a rocket!

Summer Time

2009-06-09T11:26:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I walked into the older girls room and found them each with their noses in a book I felt bad for them. Remembering back to my childhood and the fun times I had I decided that a little mud never hurt anyone!

They played outside for almost three hours!

Don't you love the bag over her cast, she was getting it way to muddy.

Chalk Family

2009-06-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

When Haven was here in April she made our family picture out of chalk. I believe it took her almost all day to complete her drawing. It turned out really cool looking.

Haven wrote "you" for herself

Haven, Kaitlen and Daddy's picture

Kaitlen, Daddy and Mommy

Daddy, Mommy and Pay Pay

Uncle DJ's dog Cheech. We didn't have a dog at the time and she likes Cheech.

I think she did a really good job. Look at how big she made the sky!

I HATE TICKLES

2009-06-06T09:44:00.001-07:00

Ever since Kaitlen was little she has hated to be tickled. My dad, brothers, heck everyone would always say how strange it is that K-T hated to be tickled or even hugged for that matter. Well unfortunately for her, John loves to tease and yes TICKLE, this is usually how it ends for Kaitlen.

Big Cry Baby tears because "I DON'T LIKE TO BE TICKLED!"

Not some of her best pictures.

Miss Hollywood

2009-06-05T09:09:00.001-07:00

The other day we were coming home from the library; Payten was in her car seat screaming and throwing the biggest fit. I asked Kaitlen what Pay's Problem was, K-T told me that Payten wanted her sunglasses. Kaitlen wears her sun glasses because she gets a headache from the sun. Anyway John pulled into the little dollar general and bought Payten her very own pair. Can you believe that she actually wears them every time when we are driving it is so darn cute.

Getting ready to leave, both girls have their classes on their heads.

"To California please dad"

Barber Shop

2009-06-04T18:40:00.000-07:00

Kaitlen LOVES doing John's hair, evey chance she gets she is always making her Daddy look like a lady! He is a great sport and will sit for hours while she combs and places each bow in just the right place. He LOVES seeing her act like a kid instead of a 40 year old worry wort.

All done isn't he lovely!

Mom's Sick

2009-06-03T09:57:00.000-07:00

This past week I got sick, for one entire day I was in my bed asleep. I didn't have any worries because I knew John had things under control.

I knew the children were being taken care of

Dishes were being washed

Laundry was being folded

Beds were being made

Most importantly I was being taken care of like a queen. He made me soup and brought it to our bed. He ran to Sonic to get me a slushy he even took all the kids. He made me a bath because I said I was gross but didn't want to stand in a shower. Sometimes being sick has it's good, I love being taken care of!

One Rain Puddle

2009-05-31T16:44:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we had some rain I was so excited. About an hour after it rained Payten wanted to go outside and play this is what she found!

One water Puddle

One very dirty baby

That one tiny puddle was all that was left over from the rain.

Purple Cast

2009-05-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

Kaitlen got her cast put on yesterday, she was happy to get it; Payten kept on hurting her now she has some protection. Her Ortho told us that she broke her upper radius. Her break goes from her left side straight to her right. He said it was a bad break, she will need two more set of X-rays in the next 2 weeks just to make sure her bone is growing in the right direction. Hopefully she will have her cast off in 4-5 weeks!

John was taking Kaitlen's picture, and Payten wanted to show him her hurt arm too. She copies EVERYTHING K-T does she is so funny.

Break Number 4

2009-05-26T21:17:00.001-07:00

Saturday night Mom had a camp out in her back yard. John and I choose to go home instead of sleeping in the tent. We let Kaitlen stay with Grandma in her tent; from what I was told Kaitlen thought camping was stupid and didn't understand the concept of sleeping outside. On Sunday morning Kaitlen was coming out of her tent when she tripped on the opening and landed hard on her left arm. Mom called me and said that she thought that little miss broke her arm; that we needed to take her in for an x-ray. John and I were not thrilled to be going into an Urgent Care but what can you do Kaitlen was hurt. We took her in John went shoe shopping with Payten while I was with Kaitlen. (he is afraid of Urgent Cares, plus Payten is crazy)Anyway the doctor couldn't tell if it was broken he told us that the radiologist would call me on Tuesday with the result until then she is in a soft cast. Around 4 I called the Urgent Care and the radiologist conformed that she had indeed broke her left radius AGAIN. When I told her she began to cry and laid on her bed for over 2 hours she is very upset that she can't swim or ride her bike for the next 2 months. I'm just thankful that John and I were not there we were an hour away when she got hurt. So in the next few days she will be put in a hard cast she is hoping for a purple one this time.

Poor Girl

My Awards 2008-2009

2009-05-21T20:07:00.000-07:00

Today Kaitlen had her end of year awards assembly, I have to admit I cried during the entire thing. I was so proud of her and all of her accomplishments. She received many awards one was for having all A's for all four quarters. Another one was for reading 300+ books this school year, she also received a medal and a free book. Her teacher also gave her an award for always doing her best at everything she does. I know that this is just 1st grade stuff but I was so proud of her you would have thought that she was graduating from Harvard Medical the way I cried.

K-T in her classroom after her awards program!

All Dressed Up

2009-05-19T22:08:00.000-07:00

Every time I do laundry I have to fight with Payten to leave the clean clothes alone. She loves trying on the clean clothes; with each new piece she has to tell me how pretty it is. Lately she has insisted on wearing her Church dresses around the house, she even makes John put her pretty shoes on her.

If you look at the couch you can see my clean clothes pile. Also can you tell that her first piece of laundry is Kailten's panties! She cracks me up.

Daddy's ties are fun to play with!

Princess Red Cheeks

2009-05-10T10:25:00.000-07:00

Last night after dinner I went outside and jumped on the trampoline with the girls. We must have jumped for over an hour then we played a couple of games of Candy Land on the trampoline. My patience would only permit me a few games because Payten is a stinker and would move our little candy land men plus she was eating the cards. After Candy Land we were running around the trampoline for almost 30 minutes, I just couldn't take anymore plus it was dark outside so we went inside. A few minutes later Kaitlen asked me if her face was red and I told her yes. She then told me that people at school call her Princess Red Cheeks. I just smiled (I wanted to laugh but I didn't)I asked her why do they call you that and she said because her faces turns as red as an apple every time she plays outside and because she has such pretty hair that they think she is a princess with red cheeks. Then I laughed! Poor kid has always turned bright red whenever she gets hot or even a tiny bite warm.

I love my Princess Red Cheeks.

At least the kids think Kaitlen is pretty and looks like a princess, I was always called High Tower because I was already over 5 foot in elementary.

WARNING Animal Feeding

2009-05-08T00:31:00.000-07:00

I LOVE to sit and watch Payten eat, she makes such a mess out of her food. I find myself sitting at the kitchen table just watching her eat and experience the flavor of an Oreo and Milk! She always has this look of pure joy when she is eating. I know I have way to much time on my hands!

Chocolate Pudding Face!

Oreo and Milk!

She loves to drink the milk out of her cereal!

5 months later

2009-05-05T22:57:00.000-07:00

Tonight I was sitting on my couch reading my book and enjoying the silence. When I happened to look up at my front door and noticed my Christmas swag was still hanging above the door. All these months and I have never noticed it before Martha would be so disappointed in me. It's hung there for so long maybe I'll just leave it there for next Christmas!

Saving Money

2009-05-04T22:06:00.000-07:00

As most Americans these days John lost his job almost three weeks ago. He has put out over a hundred applications and resumes with no luck so far. So in our unemployed state we have had to cut costs. Like buying the no name brand of food, you know the nasty mac an cheese and DR Thunder. Usually I'm totally OK with knock off food, but where we went wrong was buying the CHEAP diapers.

Last Sunday Payten was being cranky during Sacerment so John was walking the halls with her hoping she would fall asleep. He said that all of a sudden he felt something warm, he then realized that Payten had just peed all over his shirt and tie. I had my phone turned off so the text he was trying to send me of course wouldn't go threw. He was so embarrassed that as soon as he saw me walk out of Sacerment we went home.

The rest of the week was the same she would pee on the floor in her crib you name it and she has probably peed there. We decided without much debate that no matter how poor we may be that spending the 18.96 for a box of Huggies is well worth it.

Saturday Chores

2009-05-03T14:46:00.001-07:00

I started my Saturday in the mood to clean and get my house in order. I haven't felt like doing much house work since Sage's passing so you can only imagine how nasty my tile floors have gotten. During my quest to get things cleaned I made the mistake of lifting up my couch cushions. Oh my goodness was I shocked and grossed out over what I had found. Since I don't have to worry about carpet I just put the couch on it side and swept all the garbage onto the floor. My Mom knows just how much I hate stuff living under the cushions but in my laziness things have gotten way out of control.

I can't believe I'm sharing my nastiness but here is what I found.

"GROSS"

No your eyes aren't mistaken that is a cookie! Don't you just love sippy cup leaks also.

Have you ever wonder how a baby stay's cool in the AZ heat?

2009-04-27T22:21:00.000-07:00

As the temperature rise Payten clothes seem to get less and less. I toke this picture a few mornings ago she didn't want any clothes on her, she kept on telling me 'NO Hot Mommy' John and I finally decided it was time to turn our AC on !

She LOVES Sesame Street!

Home at Last

2009-04-24T23:59:00.000-07:00

This morning as soon as 9:00 came I was on the phone to my case worker. For the first time in five weeks that man answered his phone, I was so excited. After I told him about our parenting class we had found he told me I could go get Kaitlen. I had to ask him three times if this was really all done and that she could come home. I was just so excited and happy and so thankful that this was finally over.

Tonight after Payten went to bed John and I were talking to Kaitlen and she told me that she was so excited and happy. That during the car ride home she had to keep telling herself not to scream "I'M GOING HOME" As Kaitlen puts it her stomach felt funny and she wanted to scream out the window I get to go home. She had a lot of questions for John and I, I think we answered them all for her. She didn't understand why we couldn't visit her more and why only she had to live somewhere else. She told us that her 'exam' was very embarrassing and she wanted to run out of the room. She said she didn't care if they wanted to look at her arms and feet but once they needed to look at her privates she got all red. She also was concerned about Daddy's jail visit and was mad that he didn't even get a bed to sleep in. However she thinks it is super funny that he had to wear sandals with his freshly painted red toe nails. (the night before I had painted his toes Payten wanted his them painted and he played along)

I'm hoping that in a few weeks everything will get back to normal for her. Her teacher called me today and with tears in her voice told me how excited she is to have Kaitlen back. That she is planing a special party for Kaitlen on her first day back. Also she is going to talk to the school counselor and set up an appointment to meet with Kaitlen. John and I feel she might need some help not only for this but for the loss of her cousin.

Thank you to Amanda for beining at the Urgent Care and not letting them put her in foster care. For taking Kaitlen to her doctors appointments for us and for fighting with CPS daily. For giving Kailten love and tenderness during this entire thing. Thank you so much for all you did.

Thank you to my Mom for keeping Kaitlen when Amanda had to go back to work. For making sure she had her homework done and that she was not the smelly kid in school. Thank you for loving her and trying to keep her happy for us. Thank you for going to her doctors appointments and telling CPS our side. Thank you for all that you did.

Thank you to Spencer and Crystal for also taking her to her doctors appointments. For loving her and keeping her safe and happy. For watching her when others couldn't. Thank you for all that you did.

Thank you to Royal for watching her when Amanda had her baby. For making sure she had dinner and her school work done. Thank you for loving her and keeping her safe for me. Thank you for all that you did.

Thank you to my Heavenly Father who heard my prayers and brought my little girl home. For teaching me a lesson that I will never forget. Children are a gift from him and therefor need to be treated with so much love and tenderness. I'm not saying that Kaitlen wasn't treated this way, but I would forget that she is only seven and she is going to be a kid and that's OK. I have learned many things during Sage's passing and Kailens 'vacation' the learning them part sucked but the knowledge part is amazing.

THANK YOU

Urgent Care Warning

2009-04-21T21:54:00.001-07:00

As most of you know Kaitlen was taken from our home by CPS on March 22, 2009. An Urgent Care Doctor accused John of child abuse when he took her in for a hurt arm. For those of you who don't know the full story I will begin at the beginning.

My dear sister Crystal and her husband Spencer lost their sweet eight month old baby boy on Thursday March 19,2009. John had been taking me to Crystal's home around eight in the morning, so I could be there to help her and so I didn't have to be at home alone during this time. (We only have one car and he had to go to work) Saturday I had spent the day with Crystal and Spencer doing what I felt was an honor to but Sage's clothes away in his room and sit with Crystal while she so bravely made Sage's funeral program. When John got to Crystal's house he immediately gave her a hug and asked if he could help with anything, she very sadly asked him if he would put all of Sage's things in his room and close the door. With tears in his eyes John moved all of the babies toys that he could find and placed them in Sage's room and closed the door.

We got home and I went on the computer, John and Kaitlen started a game of Wii. About an hour later Payten was climbing on her slide, and fell from the top of it. Kaitlen just stood there and watched Payten struggle and cry; John picked up Payten and he told Katy to go to her room that he would talk to her in a minute. John gave me Payten and he went into Katy's room; he was frustrated that she would just stand there and not help Pay. While he was talking to her she was ignoring him and playing with her necklace. John grab her arm and directed her to the bed to sit next to him. John was alone with Katy for maybe 40 seconds tops; when Payten gets hurt she usually wants John. When I came in the room Katy was holding her arm I asked her what happened and she said that Daddy pulled her arm and her sunburn hurt now. (I had remembered to put sunscreen on Payten but I completely forgot Katy)I went back to the computer and those two continued to play Wii, alittle while later Kaitlen told John her arm was hurting a lot so he heated up our rice bag and but it on her shoulder area. About half an hour later he had me look at her shoulder I first thought she had been biten by a spider; but I soon realized that her skin is so sensitive that the heat from the rice bag had irritated her skin. John grab a package of frozen hot dogs and puts it on her arm pretty soon she seems OK she is playing the Wii and no more complaints.

5:00AM Kaitlen comes in our room and wakes up John she tells him her arm(shoulder) hurts really bad. John comes in and wakes me up and tells me that Kaitlen needs to go to an Urgent Care, he thinks she has a broken collar bone. We decided that John would take Katy to Urgent Care and he would drop Payten and myself off at Crystal's. Around ten in the morning John calls me and tells me that he thinks that he is going to jail, that they think he hurt Katy. I told him he was crazy and to keep me informed. I then call my dad and tell him that John is at the Urgent Care and he thinks that they think that he has hurt Katy.

Around 1 or 2 I get a call that the police are at the Urgent Care with Amanda and my Dad. They are arresting John on a traffic ticket and suspicion child abuse that her arm is pulled out of her socket and her collar bone break is the worst the doctor has ever seen. I was also told that I could not see Katy, they think that I'm covering up for John. Here I am at my sisters house who has just lost her son and I'm arguing with CPS. I felt so guilty and annoyed that they would even think that John or myself hurt Katy. I find out were they have taken John and with ALL of our money I go and bail him out. When I saw him he instantly began to cry and he promised me he has never hurt Katy not ever.

Tuesday morning Amanda who is due in three weeks now has temporary custody of Kaitlen. She takes her to one of the best pediatric orthopedic surgeons in the state. Within minutes the orth tells Mandy that Kaitlen's arm is not pulled out of socket that if the Urgent Care doctor had taken a picture of her good shoulder that she could have seen that it was just Katy's growth plate (every child has separation between joints so they have room to grow)He also told Mandy that Katy's arm broke from a fall not being pulled that again any doctor could tell that her break went up, its a compact break. PLUS he told Mandy that her xrays show that Kaitlen suffers from weak bones. That a bump on the trampoline or a fall from her bike could easily cause her to break a bone.

You would think that with this evidence, and Kaitlen's statements to the investigators that they would bring her home that day. BUT NO they lied to my mom and Amanda about Kaitlen seeing another ortho instead they did a sexual exam on her. They even made my baby put her little legs in the stirrups, mom said Kaitlen was devastated. Kaitlen had to change schools, and now she is failing. A month ago her teacher wanted her to skip 2nd grade and now she isn't even passing 1st grade.

During this entire thing, John and I are still grieving over the loss of Sage. We would get so mad when we had to be at home instead of seeing Spencer and Crystal. But how can we ask Amanda to stay home so we can see them. My family did not need this extra worry at this time. Plus I was upset that I couldn't take care of Kaitlen when she is hurt. This entire thing was a nightmare.

Today I got the call that Kaitlen is coming home on Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With a HUGE I'm sorry from CPS and she should have never been taken from you guys. My prayers have been answered, we are so excited to have her home.

My word of advice to ALL parents is don't take your child to the same urgent care over and over again. Kailten had many accidents last summer, John and I just toke her to the same place. They used those accidents against him plus a broken collar bone that she still has no idea how she did it. We think she broke her collar bone when she fell off of her bike, it was a bad fall her body went over the handle bars.

Here are some pictures of her many injuries last summer.

Katy fell off of her bunk bed and broke her arm.

Bonked heads with Daddy.

Was helping John feed the horses and accidental got stabbed with a pitch fork.

3 Girls

2009-04-17T18:24:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of having Haven here for Easter; she has grown up so much this past year. We also had the opportunity to go to church with Crystal and Spencer on Easter Sunday. The spirit was strong, however I had such a hard time listening to the talks that had been prepared. My thoughts were on Sage, and the memories of his beautiful funeral. I know I was blessed to be that little guys Aunt.

Before we went to church I took the girls pictures they are each so special to me.

My Birth Story with Payten

2009-04-06T23:21:00.000-07:00

My story with Payten begins a week before I had her.

Saturday August 24, 2007 my mom and Crystal had a baby shower for me. Everything was so nice and pretty, I remember being so overwhelmed with all the gifts I didn't have many people come, but I had at least an hour of opening gifts. Spencer went to Pizza Hut, I had a cake and some silly games it was fun. The reason I bring up my shower is I was now 39 weeks and SO ready to have her. After the shower John, my parents and I went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner I had heard spicy food would help bring on labor. I also had John stop by Walgreen's on our way home and we bought caster oil, my mom had told me that it helped induce her and Crystal's labor.

We got home and I soon realized that all spicy food gave me was heart burn, so on to my next 'myth' John makes me a Pepsi with caste roil in it I drink it up and wanted to vomit but instead I drank some more. That stuff is so nasty, but i was desperate I wanted her out so badly. I was prepared to have the worse diarrhea of my life, I also just wanted my labor to start I didn't care if it made me sick for a few hours. To my surprise the caster oil did not give one twinge of diarrhea and zero contractions I was so upset that it had not worked.

Monday John and I went to the doctor, for my last check up. I was getting up from the toilet after I peed in the cup. Well I had pulled up my pants when I had this huge gush of "water" my pants and the floor was soaked. I should have been embarrassed but I was excited because my water had broke I proudly told the nurse that my water had just broke and I was in labor. To my horror they "checked" me and did the amniotic fluid test coming back with a HUGE no your water didn't break you just peed your pants and you are only dilated to a one! Now I'm embarrassed, I wanted to walk out the back of the building, but no I had to walk out into a full waiting room with wet pants. To this day I swear I did not pee my pants that my water broke and they messed up on there test.

The week goes on and bye Wednesday I was passing the bloody show stuff and I was cramping a lot. For those who don't know me I have very light periods I can wear the same tampon for hours and hours if I wanted to. (sorry if that was an over share)

Thursday, I tell John that I'm bleeding a lot so he calls the doctor and they tell me to go to the hospital. We get to the hospital and they check me and again I'm still only dilated to a one. I'm embarrassed because my kind of bleeding is not what they call a lot. This time the nurse scrapes my membrane's she tells me that I will be back here in a couple days tops! That i need to walk, she told me to walk ikea and the mall. The next two days John and I walk everywhere we walked the mall, walmarts, targets, around Dads place and Crystal's treadmill. On top of all the walking I'm still drinking caster oil, this time it is straight from the bottle. I drank the entire bottle and still no labor or diarrhea.

Friday night comes and still no baby, I was so depressed because I just truly didn't want to be pregnant anymore. I was so uncomfortable and hot; my feet were the size of a 500 pound man, I had to pee every freakin minute. ECT.......

Saturday September 1, 2007 I wake up around 5 with horrible contractions I was so scared that they would stop so I just layed there and with silent tears streaming down my checks I knew that I was in labor! After an hour I woke up John and he timed my contractions for me, he could see the pain on my face and he to knew it was time. He woke up my Mom at around 7 and she made all the calls to my sisters. By the time we get to the hospital it was about 8:15, I get checked and the nurse informs me that I am still only dilated to a 1 and that my uterus is tipped, she recommends that John and I walk the hall ways. I remember that at first during our walk John and I were talking and laughing however about an hour into it the laughter and talking stopped, all I wanted to do was get to a bed. I remember walking into a clean room and sitting on the bed I told John to let the nurses know that I had changed rooms, he managed to coax me into going to our room. So with excitement in my heart I just knew that I was at least dilated to a three; when the nurse told me I was still only a one and my uterus was still tipped and that they would be sending me home I was shocked and mad. I knew I was in labor, my contractions hurt and I just knew that if they sent me home I would wind up having her on the side of the road because we lived so far away. I didn't understand what a tipped uterus was until I was in more active labor all I know is that it hurt like monkeys to lay on my right side I thought was going to die.

After some arguing my mom convinced the nurse to call the doctor. The nurse came back and told me that I was not in labor and I would be going home. But first the doctor wanted me to have an ultrasound just to check my water level but after that I was going home no exceptions. I didn't care I was just thankful for the time I had to labor and hopefully dilate. Bye now it's after 10 and I'm in full labor, I'm crying and begging John to help me and when he would tell me that I couldn't have an epidural yet, I would move on to the next family member. I remember calling Mom 'MOMMY' and begging her to help me. All this time I kept on asking if this is not labor then what the H--- is it, the nurse informed me that I was having practice contractions and they can hurt but they are not the real thing. I felt like I had been in labor for hours but it had only been an hour. My poor John got the crap beat out of him each time I would have a contraction I would close my fist and HIT him as hard as I could on his back over and over again. (He was hugging me and talking in my ear so his back was the best choice for me just in case you were wondering why his back!) Also during this time I told everyone that I felt like I was going to throw up and I was very dizzy a few minutes later the nurse come in and tells us that my blood pressure has dropped. She then looks at my mom and asks her what should she do; my mom looked at her and said I don't know you are the nurse. So mom recommended giving me some oxygen, the nurse thought that was a great idea! That helped me calm down enough to take long deep breaths, I guess I had been holding my breath that's one of the reasons my blood pressure dropped. The nurse still insisted that I was going home just as soon as the ultrasound was done.

So now it's almost eleven and the ultrasound tech has arrived, she is getting the best pictures of Payten and everyone was so excited. I remember just laying there holding on to John and trying to be patient while she did the ultrasound. It's sad to say but I didn't care that I could see her I was praying that my epidural would be coming soon even though I was still being told that I was not in labor yet. After ten minutes or so the technician takes a measurement of my cervix and when she typed in 8cm I think that's when the entire room got well lets just say pissed.

The nurse that had been telling me that I was not in labor all of the sudden decided to check me, she said I was a solid 6 and that my tipped uterus was straight now. I was finally declared to be in ACTIVE LABOR I was staying! So now I'm mad that she had not believed me so I start screaming I want my epidural as loud and rude as one in labor could. Of course they had to try to give me an IV before I could have my epidural that is always fun because like my sisters I have tiny child like veins. During my epidural I told them that I had to push, they kept on telling me to just hold on for a few more minutes. After my epidural was in they checked me again and I was a ten so they broke down my bed and and just when the epidural had kicked in I pushed 2 very solid pushes and at 12:14 P.M. my beautiful 6lb 14 ounce baby girl was here. She had pooped inside me before she was born so they had to suck all her poop out of her lungs before her first breath or she could have gotten an infection. Other then that she was healthy and so blond. The doctor kept on saying her had never delivered such a blond headed baby before. She was so small and just perfect!!

John and I have loved having her, she has been such a fun little girl to have. As I always say Pay Pay ties our family together!

--

Crystal's birth story with Jayden

2009-03-31T23:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you for writing your story down, even though I was there I still forget some things.

Birth Story Jayden!

I'm very tired so we will see if I can get this typed while it is still fresh in my mind.

I had a doctors appointment Wednesday, July 26th and Dr. Huish told me that I was 1.5 cm and about 50% efface. While the head was down it was still floating. I wasn't in a big hurry to have her because the pregnancy had been a dream from day one. I had no morning sickness, back aches or even the relentless braxton hicks that had plagued me at six weeks of pregnancy to the very end. She didn't lay in my ribs and kick me or lay so high up that I couldn't breathe. While I did have braxton hicks the last month they were nothing in intensity as I had suffered in the past. Although I was excited to meat my daughter I knew that she would arrive when she was ready and would be healthier the longer I carried her. Besides I still didn't have a car seat! I recall one emotional day when I was afraid they wouldn't let me take my daughter home because I didn't have a car seat. Other than that things were perfect and I knew that the days of carrying my first daughter would be over soon enough.

The next day I went shopping with Spencer looking for a "PINK" car seat. A blue one would not do it absolutely had to be PINK! After locating a car seat we went to the Olive Garden to eat and after dinner I went to the bathroom to discover that I had lost some of my mucus plug, no bleeding just mucus. So I kept my "Secret" to myself, but called my mother of course. I was trying not to get too excited because I new it could be another week or two before I went into labor. Besides I had a baby shower to look forward to on Saturday.

I had my shower and really enjoyed seeing everybody and showing them my nursery that I had worked so hard on. I was so overwhelmed by the out pouring of love and all of the beautiful dresses that I received! I swear my house threw up "PINK"! It was so fun. I just sat and marveled at all many ways they could make a pair of jeans look so adorable! Who knew!

My mom said she would start staying with me on the days that Spencer worked nights because it was my fourth baby and we live so far away from the hospital. Every night that nothing happened I found myself apologizing to my mom because I felt guilty. Even though she kept reassuring me that it was no big deal that she would come when she was ready. Then I started cramping and having lower back pains early the Monday morning on July 31st. Then some time in the afternoon the contractions started coming about one every hour then finally every 10 minutes. I woke my mom up about Midnight and we put in a movie, Nanny McPhee, and sat in bed timing the contractions until about 4 in the morning. We went to sleep and when I woke up the contractions were gone! I was so sad but mom kept reassuring me that they would come back and I would have my baby soon enough. Mom took me to my doctor appointment the next morning and I was trying really hard not to get too excited about what he would find. I was sure I had to be dilated to at least an 8 with all the pains I had been having! I know that's wishful thinking but come on give me a 3! Instead the doctor told me I was about a 2 and 75% effaced. Now I know that I had progressed but not enough to satisfy me after all I had been in labor for over 24 hours. When Spencer was back at home I didn't want to let mom go so I asked her to stay with me. We took pictures and folded baby clothes and chatted for hours. All the while the cramping and lower back pain had not stopped. Then I woke up Thursday morning and my Mom said we were going to walk "all day" to get this going. I was passing lots of mucus and had terrible diahrea all a sign of labor. Spencer, Mom and I took the kids to the mall and we walked all over the place. Then my mom's friend called and said she was coming to town and could she come stay the through the weekend. Then my brother DJ called and said that his tickets to Italy came through and he had to be at the airport by 5pm. So we went home and helped DJ get ready then took him to the airport. He asked me to hold his sun glasses and I left them on the dash of the truck. So there we are in the airport after walking from the parking lot through the heat when he asks me where his glasses are! I said, "Crap DJ I left them in the truck!" My sweet mom says you need to walk so you can go get them. So off I go back to the truck and wouldn't you know it I got lost and ended up walking all over level five looking for that truck. But I found it and I have to admit the contractions were starting to come quite regular and much more intense. I said goodbye to my brother then we went to WalMart to buy groceries for my mom's company. Then we went and picked Jerrie up at her sons house. I asked Jerrie if she wanted to be in the delivery room with us and she was so excited. My mom and Jerrie have been friends since they were teenagers so we are very close.

We decided that mom and Jerrie would sleep at our house since the contractions were getting closer together. Now keep in mind that at lunch, at the mall, I ate a huge baked potato piled high with cheese and sour cream. Then later that night I was hungry for a snack so my mom made me some cheese crisps pile high with sour cream. Now for those of you who don't know this I love milk products but I am lactose intolerant. I don't know why I torture myself by continuing to eat the stuff but I do. Ad this to the fact that I was already sick with Diarrhea for the past several days. So we are watching a comedian when my contractions shift into "Shoot me now gear and honey I've changed my mind about all this jazz" so we call my sisters, Richard and Carolyn and my great Aunt Kathy and off to the hospital we go.

I was terrified they would send me home and I really didn't know if I should leave so soon for the hospital. We dropped Will off with my dad so he could take him to school in the morning. Then my dad crawled into the van and gave me the most awesome blessing I have every had! He said everything I needed to hear and more. The spirit was so strong in that van, I especially loved it when he said that I would have her naturally and that Heavenly Father was aware of the pain that lay ahead of me because he had already suffered it for me.

We got to the hospital and they let Spencer and my mom go back into triage. They put me on the monitors for 20 minutes checked me and tells me I am a 4 and said I was a keeper! Yippee I wasn't being sent home! My baby was coming. Then they told me that I had the last delivery room available. Later I would learn just what that meant. Mom and Spencer went with me to my room and we were told that the other's could come back after my IV. Now I have VERY tiny veins that are full of valves and getting blood or doing IV's is almost impossible. I warned the nurse and told her she had to use a butterfly on me and I swear they just take that as a challenge. They tell me how long they have been doing their job and not to worry. Well she stabs the top of my left hand and gets a little blood before hitting a valve and having to pull out. Then she goes for the right hand and this is where I say a few choice words. It hurt so bad and she had this huge bubble the size of a golf ball form on the top of my hand to the back of my wrist! Then I lost it she eeked out a few more drops and offered her apologies. Of course this torture is going on with all the contractions that are now coming every 1 1/2 minutes! So she gives up and goes looking for the pro! Now my Dr. comes in and checks me and declares that I'm still a 2! I'm like WHAT a few minutes ago I was a four. So he decides to break my water. Now I've had my water broke before but this was awful! Due to a tipped uterus he dug around for a good five minutes and just about the time I think I can't take it any more the PRO come in and grabs my right and and start slapping the top of my hand! Then I turn into some body that even I'm afraid of and said, "Could you wait till he's DONE!" She reassures me that she has no needles that she is just looking. Well after several more minutes of digging Dr. Huish finally gets my water broke. Then the other nurse, Pam, sticks my hand and gets it the first time!

Then they ask me if I want an epidural. Now I wanted to try it without one as I have gone to a 10 before without it so why not all the way? But the nurse tells me that due to my past C section they recommend an epidural just in case my uterus ruptures on the old scar line. Then a pain hits me and I'm like yea sure I'll have an epidural. The nurse leaves and all of a sudden some cramping hits me and my mind flashes back to all that cheese and sour cream. I told my mom that I needed to get to the bathroom and now! Just as I was getting out of bed another contraction hit and I didn't make it to the bathroom. I was so humiliated and embarrassed! Mom and Spencer help me to the bathroom they clean me up and change my bed and just as I get back to bed another cramp hits me and so the night would go! It was relentless and I was so embarrassed. Mom went looking for a bed pan and they told her no that they were much to uncomfortable for me. Then the nurse comes in and witnesses it and helps clean me up. Now there I am in horrible pain but I have to keep moving when all I wanted to do was lay there and not be touched my anyone! Then my hero comes in, his name is Joe and he has this amazing little bag full of goodies that makes all the pain go away. Now Mom is holding my hand, there's nothing like sitting on the edge of the bed curled up into a ball with your feet on a chair fighting contractions and dreading the pain of the epidural. Spencer is watching the whole thing from behind when all of a sudden I declare that I need to go to the bathroom and now. So I start to get off the bed and well lets just say it was the most embarrassing moment of my life! I was mortified but good ole Joe was a sweet heart.

Now my body is shaking every where. Arms, legs and my teeth are chattering so hard I'm afraid I'm going to bite my tongue off! This shaking goes on all night long. It was awful. I kept telling them I could feel pressure and then I would ask, "Should I be feeling this? Because it hurts." After the nurse witnesses how sick I am she decides that a bed pan might be a good thing! Go figure. Then she calls my doctor and he okays a dose of Imodium. Thank goodness.

My epidural was in but I could still feel the contractions so I would push the button to have the dosage upped and it still didn't feel better. My hair is annoying me at this point so mom french braids my hair. The nurse checks me again and I'm still the same and it's been hours. Mom reminds me and informs the nurse that it takes me forever to get to a 5 but after that I go fast. Sure enough about 6 am I'm a 5 and things are a blur from there. I'm contracting fine when all of a sudden three nurses and then later my doctor come rushing in. They lost the babies heart beat. They throw some oxygen on my face and move the monitors around and still no luck so they go in and put one on the top of her head. We could later see where they hit and missed 3 times before finally getting where they wanted it, poor baby. Even after that monitor was in place there was no heart beat so they have me lay on my right side and then all of a sudden there it was a "beat" her monitor goes from 0 to 20 then 33 and finally climbs to 100. Within minutes of breathing in the oxygen my shaking comes to a stop. It was so nice.

Then my nurse checks me and says your a stretchy 8 I'll go get the Doctor. He come in and check me and says your a 10 we are going to have a baby. So they break down the bed and with mom on my left and Spencer on my right I start pushing. Now epidural my fanny I could feel all of it! I asked mom to count for me while I pushed. I was working really hard pushing three times long and hard for every contraction. I take a breath and declare in a calm voice, "This hurts!" My doctor replies, "If your talking your not pushing!" I wanted to push my fingers right through his eye balls. Then at some point just as her head is crowning a nurse comes in and takes Spencer's place and he is now by the Doctor. Now I did not notice this and as I was pushing and feeling myself rip all the while the Dr. is stretching me so I won't rip I reach out for Spencer Shoulders and squeeze the tar out of him. I'm thinking, man he's soft when I hear this nurse screaming, "DON'T YOU DARE DO THAT!" I look at her like who are you and what did you do with my husband! She then says just as I push the baby out that I had grabbed her breast. I did apologize but she was so rude and kind of ruined the moment. But the good news is the Imodium worked and I had no "issues" during the delivery!

They show me a quick peak of my baby girl and rush her off to work on her. They said she swallowed tons of amniotic fluid so they put tubes down her throat and and suctioned 24CC's out of her, plus the tube was full and they got all kinds of stuff out with the bulbed syringe. Then an hour later they did it again. She was so pale before they did that but pinked up shortly after.

Now I didn't get to sleep all day because I was in the bathroom. They finally gave me some more Imodium and that finally stopped it. Now the problem is I haven't been to the bathroom since that last dose and now I'm popping stool softeners like they were candy and dreading the moment when I finally do go.

But I later found out that all 23 delivery rooms were full and that women were birthing on the 7th floor and in the hall way. They just put them on a bed and drug one of those curtained partitions around them. One woman gave birth too early and her baby passed away. My room was directly across from the door to the NICU. My sister Amanda left the room and laying in a bassinet in front of the door was this poor baby. All alone and not even a blanket. Amanda was so upset but no one told me until afterwards.

I'm just so grateful for my sweet little girl. I just stare at her in amazement. She is so tiny, perfect and beautiful. She even sleeps all night long! She really is perfect. I am so blessed to have her here all perfect and healthy. Spencer has been wonderful he is so proud of her and does everything for her. He can't wait for his mom and dad to come see her or for the rest of his family to come visit her

Taralee's Birth Story with Brody

2009-03-29T16:40:00.000-07:00

This next birth story is Taralee's, I find her writting so funny. I almost felt like I was in the room with her during Brody's birth. Thanks Tara for sharing your story with all of us.

Let me paint you a picture:
I was 273 days into my pregnancy.
I pretty much looked like I had a beach ball in my stomach and felt like I had 5 bowling balls up in there.
I had the hospital "checklist" prepared and most everything packed.
I was nervous because I really didn't know what to expect.
I tried reading books but they bored me and most of them didn't have enough pictures.
So I'm swollen, ready to pop, back hurts, boobs hurt, feet hurt, eyelashes hurt...pretty much everything...but I was a champ and handled it all so well + the freakin 200 degree heat wave that happened to pass through Utah.
So add sweaty to the list.

Anyway: so I'm ready for my little guy to come. My doctor...who is absolutely the best ever...was going out of town on MY expected delivery date, July 8th. What the? Seriously? BUT with a little begging and pleeing and some "examinations" we decided that the little tyke inside of me was healthy enough to come out a week early. (Thank the heavens.)
Friday, June 29,2007 rolls around and I insert a magic little pill. (If that grossed you out just stop reading right here...cause it gets worse.) Trace takes me out to a nice dinner because it is going to be our last dinner as just the two of us. I got dressed...wore jeans, which looking back I should have just worn my beloved sweats...8 months and 26 days prego- seriously? Don't judge me....I love sweats.
During dinner I'm thinking...ehh...nothing is happening...just some annoying cramps. And hmmm, I haven't had cramps since pre-pregoness and I haven't missed them ONE bit.
My mom and dad were headed up for the big event and she calls me as we were headed home and says that she needed a nightgown because she forgot hers. Trace told her that he was going to pick her out something sexy (chick, chick, DELETED). So we headed over to WalMart. While walking through WalMart I was getting a little...okay A LOT annoyed with this whole "cramping" thing. We grabbed a nightgown for my mom and got the hell out of dodge.
NEXT PHASE: I get home and while I'm talking to some men about a horse I look down and see something very peculiar. I'm thinking, what the world? Did my water just break? I haven't even contracted yet.
I called my Doc and explained what had just happened and I told him that I haven't even contracted yet and that I've just had a LOT of cramping. He kind of laughed and informed me that those "cramps" were contractions. (DUH...really?) He said everything was fine and that it was just my mucus plug stuff. (I'm not so sure why NO ONE told me about that....I guess if I would have actually read the books rather than scimmed for pictures I would have known that. And on that thought- I'm really glad they didn't put a picture of that in a book.)
NEXT PHASE: Sleeping and resting and CRAMPING, aka contracting, do not mesh well. I tossed and turned all night. Tried sleeping while standing up. Tried sleeping sitting up. Nothing worked. Then I started throwing up...which didn't help in the sleep department. I thought about downing a bottle of Nyquil but then decided that it would not be good for the little monster. I didn't sleep.
NEXT PHASE: I pretty much just laid around and ate popsicles and endured the cramps. My mom and dad were around and we went and got some deli sandwhiches and made a last minute stop by Babies R Us. I don't remember much of that because I'll I kept thinking was that I wanted to be home and in my basement lying on a bed. I do, however, remember my dad smoking some ignorant Utah driver with his thick Dodge diesel smoke. (I'm pretty sure we were the ignorant ones.)
As the day progressed my contractions kept getting closer and closer. I laid on a bed in the basement and Trace read to me as I ate a box of popsicles. Finally around 8 o'clock we decided that they were close enough to go to the hospital. We loaded up in the car and headed over to the hospital. I waddled inside- I told Trace that he should wheel me in in a wheelchair for the HOLLYWOOD effect...he didn't go for it.
We got checked in and they checked my insides out. I was a 2+...whatever that meant. I thought I would be an 8 or something....considering I had been cramping for the past 24 hours.
They let me stay and hooked me up to all sorts of cords and wires and beepers AND to the magic potion, Pitocin. My contractions went through the roof. We watched Brody's heart rate go up and down. The nurse came back in and checked me....a THREE???? WHAT? I knew at that point that it was going to be a LONG night and I requested the epideral ASAP (don't judge me). I don't really remember the needle or the pain. All I remember was trying to hunch over and keep breathing AND stay completely still all at the same time...it was nearly impossible.
Trace watched and I thought he would pass out and my mom held my hand. It worked wonderfully. I was able to sleep most all of the night.
NEXT PHASE: When I woke up I could feel my extreme cramping coming back. I actually had tears coming out of my eyes. I thought- ehhh- I can tough it out. Then approximately .2 seconds later I requested to have the Epideral dude come back in and work his magic. 5 minutes later I was back to my normal, happy prego self.
NEXT PHASE: I was tested positive for Group B strep so I had an IV for the antibiotics. Then I had my Epideral bag of goodies. Then a regular IV bag. Then the heart monitors for me and Brody. Then my favorite, the catheter (that's a lie...it WAS NOT my favorite.) There were wires everywhere and I started swelling up like a balloon. Plus everyone around me was drinking Dr.Pepper and I was limited to the delicious and filling taste of ice chunks. That was annoying.
NEXT PHASE: Finally, dialated enough to break my water. I have no idea how much time has elapsed...however, it felt like I had been in there for DAYS. Then the exciting news...TIME TO PUSH. Ok, the nurse on one side, Trace on the other, the doctor down there, my mom off to the side, my dad in the back with a camcorder....nice.
Push for 10 seconds then rest. PUSH for forever and an eternity and then rest for 1/2 second. Repeat. This went on for about 5-10 minutes and then Trace saw the head and got SOOOOOO excited. He even went and got a mirror so I could see. Thanks. (chick, chick, DELETED.) ha ha.
Trace tried to count once for me while I was pushing but it went like this (read as fast as possible) 123456789 10. So funny. He told the nurse she could count from then on.
I pushed for, I want to say 40 minutes, but it might have only been 25.
THEN the most amazing, undescribable thing happened. I look down and see the doctor holding my little baby boy. Trace is smiling from ear to ear and kissing me and staring at Brody. It was wonderful. Then I realize that Brody hasn't cried...or made any sort of noise. The doctor was sucking "stuff" out of his mouth and airway. Brody was blue. Right then everything was slow motion. It felt like my world had stopped. I had an oxygen mask on and all I could see where the nurses massaging him and patting him. My doctor was calm which helped me remain calm. Then finally, I heard him give one loud cry and then he just grunted like a bear. I got to hold him long enough to get a picture and then they weighed him (7 lbs 12 oz) and took him away.
My epideral was still full throttle so I couldn't move my legs and I couldn't walk down to see him. 4 hours later...after some much needed Dr.Pepper and rest I was able to get up and go see my baby. They kept him in the nursery in the incubator for the rest of the day.
L&D Summary:
43 hours of cramping and contractions...which most people call Labor.
2 very happy parents.
1 healthy little boy with a cone-head.
Very excited family members and friends.

My memories of Sage

2009-03-27T17:17:00.000-07:00

So many words and memories of Sage have been written this past week. I have wanted to write something that would impact those who read it, but the words just haven't come to me. So instead I have chosen to write down my memories of him so in the coming weeks, months and even years to come I can always remember him the way I want to.

I remember when Crystal told me she was having a boy, I felt bad for her and Jayden. I had just welcomed a new daughter into our family and wanted Payten and her new cousin to be BEST GIRL friends. After talking to Crystal and seeing how excited she was to be having her fourth boy I was also just as happy for her.

I remember being scared that Crystal would fall down her stairs and get hurt. Chris is just so short that I feared she would lose her balance and fall down. She did fall but not down her stairs, I remember sitting in the maternity ward waiting room praying to Heavenly Father. Asking him to help Crystal and her little boy get threw this.

I remember being there when little Sage was born he was so perfect. He was the smallest of all of her babies, I was excited that she would get the chance to bring home a little 6 pound baby.

I remember when she had finished painting his room it was awesome. Everything matched so wonderfully I just knew her new son would love his room.

I remember Sage dressing as a clown for Halloween. Crystal pushed him right alongside Payten, when Sage needed to go home to nurse i toke his bag and made sure he had a successful Halloween. (Parents always need candy)

I will always remember holding him and how stiff he would sit he never bent his body. I always laughed and thought it very unique.

I remember seeing him crawl around, he was into everything. I remember being happy for Crystal that she finally had a baby that crawled at an early age.

I remember when she cut his hair, how sweet he looked with his new look.

I remember Crystal feeding Sage his carrots and how happy he was. His little face was orange and he kept on making sweet baby nosies.

Most of all I will forever remember how much Payten loved to give him kisses. She LOVED him, it's like she knew just how special he was. Sage couldn't be in the same room with Payten without her kissing him over and over again.

Most of all I will miss not getting the chance to know him. I will miss not knowing what his favorite animal is, or what he likes in his sipy cup. I will miss seeing him learn how to walk or talk. I will miss not knowing what his favorite foods are and seeing his face when Spencer makes him one of his milk shakes. I will miss hearing all about his first day of school and all the new friends he made. I'm going to miss the bond he and Payten would have had. I know he is in Heavenly Father's arms, doing the work that needs to be done. But I just know how much I'm going to miss him.