Mother's Day

I am...

... because of them.

Happy Mother's Day!

Fall pics 2010 (Da Boyz!)

Fall pics 2010

* click on pics to enlarge the images and so I can show off my good lookin' boys *

A little over a week ago, my friend Crissy took my boys pics! And may I just say... she rocks!

Check out my stud-muffin. Such poise. So GQ.

Holy crap - I make cute boys!

And check out Homeboy! You would never know that this little dude, with the angelic smile, peed on the bathroom floor yesterday and I stepped barefoot into the puddle and slipped across the bathroom floor. Nice.

There is something about the picture of his feet dangling and his pal, doggy, sitting next to him. It conjures up those emotions inside of me, and brings tears to my eyes.

I realize what a special time this is with my boys and how much I love them. So much so, I could just eat them up. Which is weird, but not. 'Cause I know I'm not the only momma out there, that has wanted to gobble up their kids, a time or two! And if I am actually alone in having these outrageous cravings.. well then, never mind. You didn't hear that from me. That's freaky.

Thank you Crissy for creating timeless, images of my boys and conjuring up those sweet emotions and love for Homey and Homeboy!

Oh My Freakin' Heck!

After months and months of admiring my friend/neighbor/photographer/digital scrap booking guru... I hired her to take pictures of my two punks.

And let me tell ya... she did not disappoint!

Check out her blog (and pics of my angels) and I promise you, you will have the same reaction that I did.

click here! now! do it!

A Party of Five

"Oh my freakin' heck! I love them!"

That's your kid

There comes a time in almost every parent's, parenting career's, that the behaviors of their children must be questioned.

Such displayed behaviors can often lead the parent or parents, to think that such nonsense could not possibly come from them!

"That aint my kid!"

Whether it's the picking of the noses and then wiping the "nose innards" on the wall next to their beds, left only to then petrify and scratch the mother's arm while cleaning, or a popular phrase from a movie repeated over and over...

"When you are man, sometimes you wear stretchy pants in your room. It is for fun."

It's these moments, when being played out, that each parent tries to put the blame on one another.

I, for one, have never walked around with a brazier on my head.

Now then, my husband on the other hand... (I kid! I kid!)

I, for one, never pull my pants down to scratch.

I scratch on the outside.

"Who's kid is this?!

...drinking the muddy water that has pooled on top of the jungle gym thingy?"

Most definitely, not mine!

Yeah sure, in my early years I was known to pick up a total stranger's chewed up gum off of the ground, pick the rocks out of the wad of gum, then place it inside of my very own mouth, a time or two. But I was a deprived child!

This kid watches TV like this, all of the time. I believe it comes from a recessive gene...on his father's side.

Check out that weird kid!

I can only claim one of these creeps. But such odd behavior tends to attract fellow beings, that act in a similar manner.

I know it's happened to other parents. And I know if it hasn't happened yet, it is bound to happen.

"It" being the peculiar and silly mannerisms portrayed from the parent's "fruit of their loins", that will inevitably result in the parent's to look at each other and say...

"That's your kid!"

Halloween Happenings

Halloween this year was a hullabaloo of costumes, trick or treating, and candy!
To start the Halloween festivities off, we attended our ward's trunk or treat.

I tried to convince Cody to be a kitty cat this year, but he wasn't feeling it. I wasn't finished sewing his costume yet, so we stuck on his Captain Jack Sparrow costume on from last year.

Trunk or Treat is the event for me. We use to decorate the back of our truck with a 6' creepy paper mache tree that I made out of wood forms, chicken wire, craft paper, wall paper paste and paint. I made headstones out of Styrofoam and spread Spanish moss all over and made a graveyard. Ooooooooo spooky!

Watcha think of our haunted house? I designed it, Steve put it together, then I painted it and added the spooky elements. I love my haunted house. I wish I could move in to it.

Cody was given a pumpkin to carve for our little town's annual Pumpkin Walk. Can you guess what it is?

Roar!

Our mouse and his cheese.

Look at Cody taking all of the credit for carving this master piece for the Pumpkin Walk.

For crazy hair day, I thought it would be cool to make Cody's head into a jackolantern.

I sprayed on the orange hair spray a little too thick. His scalp is still bright orange.

On Halloween night, Cody ditched us for his friends. What? We aren't fun? Cody was going to be a ninja for Halloween. I spent 2 days sewing that stupid costume and because it was made for a giant sized 11 year old, it ended up looking like a ninja costume for an Oompa-Loompa. It was bad... so very bad. We ended up buying a gory skeleton thing with oozing fake blood. He makes us proud.

Conner endured another night of Halloween shenanigans. He raked in the candy. Good thing he doesn't have teeth yet. Yup, still no teeth.

I have great news people! No I'm not pregnant.

I have actually managed to post a total of... (drum roll please) 100 posts!!!!!

And in honor of the posting 100 posts tradition, I will be sharing 100 tid bits about moi. I know! Please contain your excitement.

One can only imagine what exciting ins and outs you will be learning about me. Perhaps I pick my toes? Or maybe I will reveal a deep, dark secret. Tune in friends!

What's it like?

Almost every day I am asked by someone, "What's it like to have a baby in the house again?" There is a 10 year gap between our sons. Cody was born on August 14th, 1997 and Conner was born on September 16th, 2007. Some times I think people expect me to tell them how hard it is or that they need re-assurance that every thing is running smoothly. So in response to this question...

I haven't slept in since Conner was born. He wakes up around 7:30 every morning. He has slept through the whole night, since he was about 4 weeks old. I know, I'm extremely blessed. But I love sleeping in... 9:00 will do.

But now I get to watch him sleep and rock him to sleep. Does anyone remember when you held your brand new babies as they lay asleep in your arms? Just you and your precious baby, alone in the middle of the night, rocking back and forth in a dark room, lit only by the tv. You stare at them in wonderment and all of the sudden you become over whelmed with feelings. Feelings of love, gratitude, and the miracle of life. Those moments with my babies are my testimony of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.


Since having Conner, I no longer have the freedom to just go to the store and run errands. It now takes me twice as long to get out the door.

But now I get to buy these items. When I was pregnant with my babies I would stock up on diapers and I would pull out a newborn size diaper and tell my husband, "Can you believe we will have a little baby, that will actually fit in these tiny things!" Who knew diapers could be so exciting!

Since having Conner, there are more of these laying around the house.

I love having a clean and tidy home. But for some reason, the little messes of toys and baby items do not bother me. They add to the decor.

Since having Conner, I got to do this to our old office.

This room is much more fun.

Since having Conner, I get to change these. I have been peed on almost once a week since he was born. He's tricky this way. Right now, I don't mind it so much. When he was first born he hated having his diaper changed. It was a race to change his diapers, because he would cry so hard. It's all good now.

I'm sure if you ask me in a couple of years if I still don't mind changing his diapers, my answer will be different.

Since having Conner, I get to see these precious moments with Cody and Conner.

Cody has been such a big help. He retrieves pacifiers, toys, diapers, bottles, blankies, and Conner for me on a daily basis. He cannot go to bed with out giving loves to Conner.

Short story: When Cody was in 1st grade the kids had a poem day for all of the parents. We all squished in to the class room to listen to our children recite their poems. Cody's poem was called I'm So Lonely. His poem went something like this.... I'm so lonely. I'm so lonely because I don't have a little brother or a pet to play with. I wished I had a little brother and a pet to play with. Everyone turned around to see what I would say to that. I just said, "I'll get right on that." It took three years but he got his wish. A hamster and a baby brother.

Since having Conner, there is more laughter and games.

He loves to cover his face with a blanky and anxiously wait for someone to pull it off and say, "where's Conner!" It's his version of peek-a-boo. But scarier.


Since having Conner, we added to our family of Christmas stockings. This was big for me. I cried when I hung Conner's stocking up for the first time. This meant that we would add another Easter basket, and I would get to make another Halloween costume. More holiday memories.

Since having Conner, I have my hair pulled numerous times everyday.

But then I wouldn't be able to laugh when Conner grabs my hair and gets this serious look on his face and he begins to grunt and moan at it. He does this whenever he is concentrating on something.

Since having Conner, there are more kisses. Kisses on his piggies, kisses on that spot between his neck and chubby cheek. Kisses on his little hands.

Since having Conner, there is more love in our home.

Fourth Grader Run Around

The time was 9:00 p.m., last night. I look in Cody's homework folder and notice that the "swap meet" is tomorrow (today) at 10:30 a.m.

Me: Cody what's this "swap meet" thing?

Cody: Oh ya, tomorrow we are having a swap meet and I want to sell root beer floats.

Me: What! Why didn't your teacher send a note? Do you have to have a sign? How much money are you suppose to spend? Why didn't your teacher send a note? Did the other kids get notes sent home? Call Jace, see if he got a note? Why wouldn't the teachers send a note! They've always sent a note at least a week before! What's up with these teachers! No M-Day gift, no note! Why didn't your teacher send a note?

Cody: I d'know.

Me: Cody! How long have you known about this?

Cody: A week.

Me: What!

Cody: But I didn't know when the "swap meet" was going to happen.

Me: Great! (not a happy great, but a complainy, irritated great)

I was too tired to go to the store. Heck, let's face it.... I didn't want to put my bra back on. I'll do it in the morning.

This was the plan: Wake up at 7:00 a.m., make a sign for Cody's "store", get Cody ready for school, take Cody to school at 8:15, I get ready, feed Conner, get Conner ready, go to the store and by ice cream and root beer, go home and paint toe nails, read a magazine, eat bon bons, read blogs, take a nap, go on a walk with Conner.... Okay, maybe not so much.

What actually happened: Woke up at 7:45 a.m. (I'm not a morning person), yelled at Cody to get up, hurried and signed necessary papers for Cody's school, yelled at Cody to get up, gathered necessary tools/papers/paints/glues etc. for sign, yelled at Cody to get up, started to make the sign, yelled (again) for Cody to get up, worked on sign some more, yanked Cody out of bed, yelled at him to hurry, brushed his hair, looked for his shoes (again), threw a granola bar to him, brushed his teeth, grabbed Conner out of crib, rush to school at 8:22, come home and fed Conner, got Conner ready, worked on sign some more, got side tracked and read some blogs, finished sign, held grumpy Conner a little, I showered and got ready, gathered necessary items for Cody's "store" (cups, spoons, paper towels, ice cream scoop), go to store at 10:15 and bought ice cream and root beer, put Conner in car seat and found a WASP crawling on his face (ahhhhh!), grabbed Conner and wasp plopped on to his car seat, opened all car doors and waited for wasp to fly away, wasp flew away, off we went, broke the speed limit to get to school, yelled at stupid slow drivers (dorks) for going soooo slow, got to the school at 10:40, unloaded the car of necessary items (and the kitchen sink) and loaded them on to Conner's stroller, signed in at the front office, ran to Ms. J's class, helped Cody set up, sold 30 root beer floats. Cody's "store"was a success. (BECAUSE OF ME!)

Didn't the sign turn out cute? Yes, that is a real straw in the picture of the root beer float. Clever huh? The rude 4th graders could have cared less. Story of my life... I go way over board.

Here's the man him self. I'm pretty sure he took all of the credit for all of the hard work that HE put into his "store".

Mother's Day Expectations

Dear Family,


This is a letter to inform each of you of what is to be expected on the most important of all days. The day that we celebrate the wonderfulness, the magnanimous, and sacred of all days..... Mother's Day (cue in heavenly angels singing). I have assigned the following instructions to each member in our household (excluding moi):


Steve (the hubbin of loven), you will serve me at my every will and call. Chop, chop! You will be in charge of rustling the boys out of bed, feeding them breakfast, and dressing them for church. I expect breakfast in bed, of course. Since we are on a time crunch, a bowl of Total will do, with a glass of oj and a piece of toast. You will be the main childcare giver through out the duration of church. You will be sure Cody is being reverent and listening to all speakers/teachers and gaining a testimony. You will be taking Conner with you to YM's, so that I can actually hear the RS lesson in it's entirety.


Once we are home, you and Cody will whip up a yummy dinner of my choice. I'm still undecided as to what this will be. I will give you the menu in time for you to prepare. After the dinner is done, I will not have to wash one dish, one pot, one child's messy face, kitchen floor, or speck of dust. This rule applies for the entire day. After everything is clean... bring on the gift giving! You will surprise me with a gift of flowers and maybe a necklace with some precious stones. (or the shelves in the mud room closet that I asked for will do) You will hug and kiss me and tell me how much I have sacrificed for the family and how much you appreciate me. I will remind you about the pain I endured when I was pregnant and when I gave birth to your children. You will be forever humbled by my strength. The kids will be fed at the right time and will be put down to bed at the appropriate time. I know this is not easy to do, I will be there to cheer you on the whole day.


Cody, there will be no whining, no complaining, no arguing. You will obey your father and be pleasant for your mother, who gave you life and was in labor for 15 hours with you. When I want to give you a hug and kiss, you will not crinkle your nose, run away, roll your eyes or wipe off the kiss. You must clean up after your self and allow me to watch what ever tv show I wish to watch. No Cartoons! You will shower me with home made, cute crafts, poems, and coupons booklets (I have yet to ever see these work). They will make my heart go pitter patter and bring me to tears. I will then save them for all time and eternity.


Conner, you will remain cute and cuddle with me at various times through out the day. You will allow Daddy to change all of your diapers, especially the stinky ones. You will also giggle when I talk funny to you, tickle you and give you kisses on your belly. You will also refrain from pulling my hair out and pinching my double chin when I hold you.


Boys, you have 1 more day to prepare for this joyous event. I expect no less. I'll be waiting anxiously for Mother's Day to arrive!


Love always,

Mom (Wifey)



p.s. Steve thank you so much for being a wonderful, supportive husband and father. I'm so blessed to be married to you for all time and eternity.

You are the hardest working person I know and you always make time to spend with Cody and Conner. I love you.


Cody and Conner, words cannot say how much I love being your mommy. It brings tears to my eyes. Cody you are so smart and your talents amaze me every day. You are the best big brother anyone could have. You are such a big help and I love to watch you love your baby brother.


Conner, we waited many years for you and have been blessed beyond our dreams to have you in our family. I can't wait until you wake up every day with your sweet smile and laugh. I wish so many times that time could just stand still at this very moment, because my family has made me so happy.


I'm so thankful to be a mother and even more... Cody and Conner's mother.

What's wrong with this picture?

Can you guess what's wrong in these pictures?

Answer: Could it be the mess on Crap Island? Nooooo....

Answer: Could it be the combination of the highly, controversial, caffeinated, refreshment and Advil? Nooooooo....... A girl's got to get through the day somehow. I make my mom proud.

Answer: Could it be the ticked off baby? Nooooo....

Answer: I look ravishing even with no make-up or shower? Noooooo...
(note to self: remember this pose. You don't notice the double chin as much.)

Answer: The clock says 4:17. IN THE MORNING! Yes, this is what's wrong with this picture.

I must admit that we've been spoiled. Conner has slept through the night since he was 4 weeks old. However, this morning I was rudely awaken by the so-called perfect baby. He even woke up big brother, Cody. Strangely, the daddy never even twitched. Faker. Big brother Cody is also a good kid. One time Conner woke up in the wee hours of the night and Cody went into his room and rocked him back to sleep. The looser parents slept through the whole thing. But this time, no such luck. Cody is a quick learner and let mom put Conner back to sleep. (He would be a better kid if he took care of Conner again)