Porter Family Life

New Blog

2009-09-16T08:50:00.000-04:00

This Blog is over.
The new Blog can be seen at
http://counttosix.blogspot.com/

Penelope

2009-07-13T11:05:00.007-04:00

Here are some really great photos that a good friend of mine took for us. Thanks Karen, these are priceless!

Penelope and Mommy's hands.

Daddy and Penelope's hands.

With her little glasses on.

laying in the warmer.
Drinking breastmilk in a dropper while getting fed with the NG tube.

Out for a fresh diaper.

Here are the hospital photo's, they did a great job also!

Placenta Abruption

2009-07-12T15:47:00.004-04:00

On June 23, I stared my day with my Husband and Doula at 5:30 a.m.. We went over my birth plan. I was super excited. My idea on child birth had changed and I was excited to have new knowledge and armed with my Doula I was confidant that I would have a 'dream labor and delivery'. As the day progressed I had a small pain in my belly, nothing major, I thought it was just the way Penelope was moving. I made many phone calls and was making arrangements for when I was going to have the baby (thinking a few more weeks out). I was supposed to go to some activities in the evening but I was feeling a little sluggish. I called a few people to let them know that I was not going to make it to the activities, I was thinking all I needed was a little nap. We had dinner as a family and got the kids to bed early. By 6:30 the pain was really bad. The pain was intense. I thought that maybe I was just in labor, even though this felt nothing like labor I had felt before. I called my Mother to come over so that Mark could take me to the hospital. I even joked on the way to the car that we would just go out on a date after the hospital because I just knew that this was not 'the time'. By the time we got to the hospital it was unbearable. I was in tears. I walked to the maternity ward with my husband and thought that I was going to have this baby in the hallway. We got checked in and the checked me to see how far along in labor I was.... well... no dilation... odd. They hooked my belly up to the monitors to see what was going on. No contractions. Baby's heart rate was in the 210-220 range, not good at all. The nurses rushed my midwife and doctor (yes, I was lucky to have both) in the room to evaluate what was going on. Soon there were swarms of nurses and people coming in and out of the room. Mark and I was told that this was a possible placenta abruption, that means internal bleeding between mother and baby because of the placenta detatchment. I looked at Mark and asked him to call our Moms, the Doula and our Bishop. I felt the need to be given a blessing by the Priesthood. Luckily my Bishop came within 20 minutes and he help Mark give me a blessing. My Doula was in shortly there after. There was talk about an emergency Cesarean. I completely lost it, my dream of having a natural labor and delivery was shattered. I started having anxiety attacks and couldn't breathe. The thought of my baby being born so early, and possible not making it, it was all too much to take in at once. Mark stayed strong. We were both so scared for our baby. Mark was scared for both of us. As they prepped me for surgery every emotion crossed my mind. What if my baby didn't make it, what if I didn't make it, what if... what if... The nurses wheeled my bed down the hall with Mark following me. We kissed with tears in our eyes hoping that this was all a very bad dream. I will spare you the details of the operation room and what happened there. I was put under general anesthesia because the doctors were afraid of how bad the 'possible placenta abruption' was. I woke up in pain. the nurses were still trying to took up the pain pump (and I think it is totally cruel to wake up from surgery like this without and pain medication already being given). I was told that is was an abruption, and a few more hours the baby and possible myself would not have made it. I was numb. I didn't want to really think about what had happened. I wanted it to all be a dream. A few minutes later, I remembered my Doula, Mother and sister coming in the room. They told me that my baby was OK. She was okay! I shed tears thinking that I had another little baby. Mark was still sitting with her in the NICU. I always told him that if anything ever happened I wanted him to stay with the baby, he did just that. Mark stood watch over our little girl making sure that she was given only the best of care from the nurses. The next few hours were a blur of what when on. I remember being angry that I couldn't get out of the bed to go down to see my baby. The nurses said I had to wait 3 hours after delivery to get out of bed, at 3 hours I had an argument with my nurse that either she was going to help me get down to see my baby or I was going to go alone... she ended up helping after I got really upset. I saw my baby for the first time in a open warmer. She was naked and sleeping. I touched her little hand. I cried. My baby was here, not the way I thought she would come but she was here, and alive. I was told the first few hours were going to show us how the next few weeks looked like for her. Needless to say she had problems with her heart rate at first. She was on O2. She didn't have control over her body temperature. With her gestational age at 33 weeks this was great news that these were the only things wrong. We counted our blessings. I said a prayer thanking my Heavenly Father that Penelope was here and we were able to see her.

I was in terrible pain for days, again details I will spare you from. Mark's mother came in a few days later, My mother was keeping our three older kids so that Mark could stay with me. I was an emotional wreck. I wanted to see my older children, I wanted to hold my baby. I couldn't sit for very long because of some issues that arose from after the surgery. I felt torn and completely unable to change anything that was going on around me. At this point I remember something that I shared with only a few people. A few months ago I felt an impression that something was coming... I know that sounds odd. I explained it that I didn't know what was going to happen but I KNEW that something was changing, coming or I was going to be tested in one way or another. Little did I know how right those comments were. I knew at this point that I had in small ways been preparing myself for this new challenge.

There were many prayers that were said. Tears that were shed. I felt so many emotions. I never felt for a moment that I was alone. For that I am grateful. Mark was there every minute he could be. When he wasn't he made sure that things were taken care of. Family and friends called and sent emails, made visits and shared their concern with us.

Our daughter, named Penelope Louisa-Belle, was born at 5 pounds 11 ounces and 7 weeks premature. She is a very sweet baby. Penelope had a 15 day stay at the NICU. Very short to what it was looking like in the beginning. We have her at home now, we love being able to have our children all sleeping in the same house with us. Though we have yet to get a few routine with four little children. We feel very fortunate that we had family that stepped up in our time of need. Friends that understood when to visit and to listen to me shed my tears. I am very happy for the wonderful man in my life that was my rock. Mark really showed me how strong he is to keep me from falling apart and keeping everything organized. I can't tell you how grateful I am to my Heavenly Father for slowly preparing me for this trial. Here are some pictures I would like to share with you that we have taken in the last few weeks.

Penelope's feeding tube in her nose. This tube got called her little elephant trunk, it made easier deal with.

Daddy loving his little baby girl.

This was the first night I had to leave her, one of the hardest days to deal with.

Little Update

2009-06-08T09:23:00.003-04:00

Many of you know I have had preterm labor. I am now on bed rest. We are really busy right now getting everything together for the babies arrival and doing lots of painting projects around the house. I now get to make list and watch Mark have all the painting fun. I love to paint and it makes me sad when I can't help doing what I love. My main goal right now is to keep the baby growing and the other kids happy.

Here are some pictures I got of the kids this past weekend playing out in the back yard.

Lola was mad at me because I wouldn't let her eat the 'little rocks'.

This is Logan's pirate face, he is saying "AAAarrRRGG!"

This baby just loves to play!

Our kids love playing in the dirt. I left one garden bed empty this year just so they could play in it...

The Twins are FREE?

2009-04-05T12:05:00.010-04:00

No, I am not selling my kids! Logan and Lola have had a birthday and they are now three years old. Logan and Lola pronounce three as free. It's really cute because Lola will say she is four, then I ask her, "Lola, HOW old are you?" Lola replies, "I'm free (meaning three)". I can not believe how fast the last three years have gone. Those years Mark and I prayed to have children and then how blessed to get pregnant with our twins. After a very difficult pregnancy and many scares of loosing our little twins, they are as healthy as can be! Logan and Lola have enriched our lives and forever changed the way we look at the world.

Here are some pictures from their party. Grandma T, gave a really awesome birthday gift but I have not taken pictures of it yet, darn! I will get some pictures of the soon too.

Lola ran into the room and was so happy to see balloons.

Logan wanted nothing to do with all this 'party' stuff.

Bridger was all about the birthday stuff!

I don't know what was happening when this picture was taken, but I think it is very funny.

Logan finally accepted holding his water colors that he got.

Lola was trying to get Logan to open his gifts.

He just clung to me. I think this is when he started feeling a little sick.

Bridger was taking advantage of Logan not looking at all the goodies.

He even opened a gift, too!

Logan LOVED this book that Grandma and Grandpa Porter gave him, he got to write in it!

Bridger wanted to paint.

I just made simple cupcakes for the kids.
Blowing out the candles.CUPCAKE!! They were so excited about getting such a special treat. Can you tell I don't give them much sugar?

Logan was sooo happy about seeing cake. This is what a birthday is all about in his book!Messing little faces.Finally a great smile from that boy! It's all about the cake. (Note for next year!)

We got the kids a teeter totter for the inside and Mark was trying it out with them. I don't think it is made for 'Big kids'.

I just can't believe that my twins are that old. I can still close my eyes are remember holding both little newborns on my chest and weeping tears of joy. I feel so happy to have such wonderful children.

My sick boys

2009-04-04T20:23:00.002-04:00

My kids are finally starting to feel better, though I say this every day. Here is a picture from tonight. Logan really wanted me to hold him while he went to sleep and I couldn't say no. Bridger, well.... I always have rocked him to sleep, it's 'our' time together. Tonight the boys decided that they could share me, this time. As you can see Logan was fast asleep in no time and Bridger was shortly there after. I love my little 'snuggle bugs'. It is times like these that you can feel the blessings of children.

Mark's Graduation Surprise!

2009-03-30T09:38:00.006-04:00

I wanted to do something special for Mark for his graduation. On a limited budget I didn't know what I could do. Mark's Mom called me on day just after Christmas and we were brain storming on what we could do. She talked about her and Mark's Dad flying out to surprise him. I said sure that would be great. I did not think we could really pull this off as a surprise but we can try. I was really good I didn't say anything to anyone until about 3 or 4 weeks before. Little did I know that some people are not good (at all) at keeping surprises. Mark did not notice when people would make 'strange' comments.

The morning of Thursday, his last day of school, Mark left for work like usual. I put in a video that Mark's parents made of them reading books to the kids so they would get reacquainted to them a little faster. I got them dressed and we headed out to the airport. Picked up Grandma and Grandpa. We then came home to clean the house, and prepare for Mark's arrival. Mark's Boss was also in on the surprise. I called him a few weeks before to see about getting Mark some days off at work and let him in on it.

Grandma Porter cleaning faces before Mark comes home.
Soothing Logan.

Logan ready for a Party!

Where's Dad?

Come on?

Bridger was fine with just playing with a balloon.

Mark ran a little late at work, normally I don't mind so much but this day I minded!

Yes, that hat is on my nose!

Lola is such a girl!!

Mark walked in from work and as I shut the door Mark's parents jumped out from behind the door. His face was priceless. We really did surprise him!
Mark's yummy Ice cream cake. I was going to make it. Then I was going to make it easy on myself and pay someone to make it. Then I forgot until the day of and just bought the ice cream cake. Ooopps!

After cake and a fast dinner Mark still had to go to his last night of school. We followed him and made him feel silly with his Mom, Dad, three kids and pregnant Wife following his to his last night of school. After class we snagged some photos next to a Sinclair flag. I don't know why we took photo of the Sinclair flag because his degree is not through Sinclair, the classes were at Sinclair only because Mecca (his school) rented space there to hold classes. Silly and Confusing but Mark did not take classes through Sinclair (just to make that clear).

We are now done! We still have the MECCA graduation Dinner in April but the school part is behind us. WE MADE IT!!

Nesting

2009-03-28T14:59:00.002-04:00

Anyone who has talked to me recently has heard my talk on my projects. That's why I have been so busy. When I am pregnant all I want to do is paint. My Dear Mother is nice enough to watch my kids so I can get some things done without worrying about them getting into fumes. Here is one that I was frosting windows and started painting trim and priming walls. Yes, I am repainting the whole inside of our house. Ahh, Nesting isn't it nice?

Quick walk at the Park

2009-03-28T14:53:00.002-04:00

Tuesday after Mark's parent left I took the kids to my Mother's house to visit. We left came home for a nap and went to the park for a quick walk. Then we came home for a wagon ride. Here are some pictures of our quick little walk in the park.

All Aboad!!

2009-03-28T14:43:00.002-04:00

Our kids LOVE trains! So much that they play trains. This is an afternoon that Mark got some cute pictures of the game unfolding. I think it's sweet that they get Bridger involved all on their own.

This is Logan and Lola screaming, "All Aboad!".

Sunday Afternoon Pictures

2009-03-28T14:34:00.003-04:00

I am not someone who is savvy with the camera. I am not a Mom who takes my kids to get pictures taken. I just don't have it in me. I would like to be, so here is me trying to get some cute pictures of my kids. Mind you Logan is not in a good mood for this. This was after church which starts at 9am goes to 12 noon and then Mark has to stay late counting tithing so we hang out past lunch and nap time and get home around 1:30pm. The kids didn't want to smile they wanted food and sleep. I think I got a few good ones.

Boonshoft with Cousins

2009-03-28T14:11:00.005-04:00

Again at Boonshoft. This time we went with Owen and Francci, my brother's kids.

Bridger loves getting to ride in the backpack!

Snack time!!

I have to remind myself that I am 5months pregnant, that is why I look so..... chubby?

Again Bridger loves to catch a ride.

When he gets a little tired he can rest his sweet little head on Daddy's back, aww.

Bridger's First Birthday

2009-03-28T09:17:00.006-04:00

My Baby is One! This year has been a fast one. Bridger, is definitely all boy and a toddler. Granted he can not walk yet, he can still get the where he wants to be and do most of what he wants.

This is Bridger with his Grandma T. He adores her so much. Shortly after our arrival he messed his outfit up and went naked for a while. I think a baby in a diaper, especially cloth, is one of the cutest things ever!
Bridger loved his gift from Grandma T, he kept smiling at her while playing with the new toy.

She also got him this cute little outfit.... so he went home dressed.

Here Bridger is opening gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Porter.

He loved opening the packages, I loved the outfits!

The Dino is what Mark and I got for Bridger. It is a fun toy!!

Yes, I let him have a cupcake.
He didn't know for sure if he could go for it.

He got the hang of it real fast!

Cupcake drunk!

He wouldn't let it go. After this picture it was to the Bath!

25 Random things

2009-03-11T13:08:00.002-04:00

Here are somethings you may or may not know about me.

1. I taught ESL American History to immigrant women for a summer before I got Married.
2. I love to play piano, just not in front of anyone and NOT at Church!
3. I love teaching Sign Language to children
4. I cut my family's hair... I'm sure you can tell sometimes :)
5. I have always wanted to be a runner, just to wimpy to try it alone.
6. I help in the progression of three books to be published (my name is in them, one still has not been released)
7. I have never been Ice skating
8. I have never been sledding
9. I learned to drive a manual car before an automatic
10. I love swinging on a swing set in the afternoon sun in the spring
11. I am a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
12. I can name all the kids who were in my 4th grade class but I always seem to forget what I need at the grocery store
13. I love bananas
14. I hate sea food, but I love the rolls at Red Lobster
15. I am allergic to mushroom, but I can eat Campbell's cream of mushroom soup, go figure.
16. I had curly hair that I used to straighten until I got married and then it just got fuzzy, yuck!
17. I used to work at a Men's clothing store, dressing men in suits
18. I love getting flowers, pink ones
19. Every spring I plant 2 Gerber Daisy's for my babies that pasted away
20. I love getting mail, just not bills
21. I LOVE Little Debbie cakes, they might just be the death of me
22. I love child birth, I think it is fun!
23. I was homeskewled during high school (that's for you Mom)
24. I love shopping for Baby stuff and Office Supplies
25. I had a pet goat as a child

There I finally did it! You might already know most of this about me but I decided that it might be fun to read.

A little Venting!

2009-03-10T21:36:00.003-04:00

Have you ever had a friend that everything you do is wrong? I have this friend that has offended me on several occasions. I get over it, yes it bugs me... sometimes she has even made me cry. I have inadvertently offended a friend because there is a saying I say that means one thing to me and it means the opposite to her. So this friend of mine has decided to not to talk to me about it before getting bent out of shape about it. This makes me hurt. It's really sad that someone you look to as a friend would think that you would TRY to hurt their feelings. Even when I confronted this friend to apologise and try to understand where she is coming from, she acted like I was still a villain. It really saddens me to think that a friendship is so disposable to some people.

Family Trip to Boonshoft

2009-03-06T14:09:00.006-05:00

Another great family adventure to Boonshoft. This time we remembered to bring the camera!

Logan and Lola looking at the goose.

The Otter said Hello.

Logan LOVES this truck, it is a must every time we go!

Logan looking at turtles with Mommy.

Daddy and Bridger.

Logan looks for Turtles.

Lola pretending to be asleep.

I love how the twins hold hands everywhere.

In the Court room.

Mommy and Bridger.

The twins looking at a little green snake

Daddy trying to scare them, silly Dad!

Mark likes to get odd angles with the camera, I guess thats why I take most of the pictures, lol.
Logan at the store.

Lola picking produce.

Mommy helping them name the fruits and veggies.

Yes I make them climb the stairs.

Logan will not go down slides by himself, so I went with him.

Lola loves the slides.

Mommy and Bridger watch the twins play.

Lola shopping.

There are updates!

2009-03-06T10:45:00.002-05:00

Just to let you know over the next few days I will be updating my blog. I will be changing the dates so that the post are in order. They go back to November 2008, so if you want to see just go back that far.
Hugs,
Jette

Pregnancy

2009-03-04T16:42:00.001-05:00

I hope this makes you think.... just kidding.

It's A GIRL!!!

2009-03-02T19:51:00.002-05:00

We went to the ultrasound on Friday, we didn't tell anyone we were going. I had an appointment in a few weeks, but got an earlier one. The kids were really excited about seeing the baby. Mark and I had discussed if we wanted to know the sex of the baby or not. Mark did, I did not. I was nice and let him. Actually, I told him!! The ultrasound tech asked if we wanted to know and I said, "Just get a good view and I can tell what it is... (I already had a good view of the 'parts'). Sure enough looking at the baby I told Mark that we were having another girl. Lola was so happy. She looks great in every way. We counted fingers and looked at her heart and face. She is a pretty little girl. We already love her so much. We have decided to name her, Penelope Belle. We look forward to the arrival of this sweet little person into our home.

Brothers

2009-01-04T13:38:00.000-05:00

In the winter after church, Mark watches football, and I get a nap. Logan likes to relax after church by lounging around with his dress shirt off eating snacks. Doing this his under shirt gets really dirty.
Getting Bridger to come to him.

Bridger pulling up on Logan's chair.

I love how Bridger is looking at his big brother.

And then he starts to beg for some of Logan's snack!

Christmas 2008

2008-12-26T11:18:00.000-05:00

Keep in mind that this Christmas was as bad as it gets. I was so sick that for Christmas day I made mac and cheese. I was so sick I couldn't stand to be in the kitchen. We did our best under the circumstances. Morning sickness was not kind to me during this time. The kids had a great time and that's all that matters.

The twins opening p.j.'s from G.Ma PorterThe faces that they make.Bridger just crawling around. Letter to Santa with the cookies.
I love this photo because it has all three kids hands in it.
We each ate a cookie for Santa before bed.

Christmas Morning, we don't give our kids lots of toys at Christmas but they did get a few things.

Bridger was happy playing with one of Logan's toy Lego's and his High Chair. This kid is very easy to entertain!

Bridger (right) and Parker (left), Cousins

Logan and Uncle Dave's house playing.

Lola in cousin Lynn's room Playing.

Mark snagged a photo of me laying on the couch, trying not to get sick on everyone.

Logan and Lynn, cousins.

December 20, 2003

2008-12-19T09:55:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow is FIVE YEARS, that Mark and I have been Married. Five years since we were sealed for Time and All Eternity. As many know we were Married on our fourth date. Here are just a few pictures our our short courtship and some pictures of our wedding. We have been having the time of our lives. I'm so lucky to have my Best Friend on this Journey of life with me.

Above: The Fertility Tree in Temple Square, Salt Lake City Utah. (I think it worked for us.)
Above: My sister, My Bridesmaid, My Friend.

Above: Only some of the people that came to greet us after the wedding.

Our Baby has a Heart!!

2008-12-12T17:32:00.003-05:00

I have been an emotional wreck this week. There has been a lot going. I went to the doctor last Saturday. The doctor was very upset when he saw my results from the ultrasound that he reviewed the test. He said, that because I have a swollen ovary that is producing hormone for the baby. He said because of that it changed everything. It meant that my dates could be off, and that the baby was very small. Needless to say we have prayed a lot! Mark and I have been stressed so much over this hoping and praying about our baby. So today we went back to the ultrasound room. Thinking that I was still going to see no heart beat imagine my surprise when not only was the baby bigger but there was a strong heart beat! I cried tears of joy. This baby is such a blessing to us. Our due date is July 30, 2009. I want to thank all our friends and family that prayed for us during this time it has been very emotional but now its all looking up. Although we will need more prayers as we are expecting our 4th child (and they will all be under Four!). We couldn't be happier.

Party time!

2008-12-06T22:48:00.002-05:00

My kids are starting to go to birthday parties. I find it fun that little kids can get so excited about parties. Here are some picture from a birthday party that they attended. Bridger enjoyed watching the other kids play.

Mark on the right climbing with both twins in his arms.Going down with the twins.A different slide, sending Lola down solo... she loved it!
Mark had to go down with Logan, he needed 'help'.

Mark played with Bridger, too.

On the right you can see little Lola liked to disappear into the maze, we couldn't keep her out.

My Baby

2008-12-02T11:53:00.002-05:00

Today is the day I had my ultrasound. I went in with such dreams and hopes for this pregnancy and for the baby that would be to come. During the ultrasound we found that the baby is not growing and has no heart beat. I still have my swollen belly with my baby. I just don't have a baby that will grow. My heart aches. Today is my day of tears. I know that everything will be fine in the end. As I wish that my baby would be ok I know that Heavenly Father has a plan. Please understand if I just want to be alone right now as this is very hard for me to go through.
Much Love,
Jet

Thanksgiving

2008-11-29T19:49:00.000-05:00

Our Thanksgiving Dinner was great! I made a TURKEY!! Anyone who knows me will be impressed. I don't do meat. I can't touch it, it makes me sick just thinking of it. I did it though, I bought gloves and made the best looking turkey! It looks great too! The Kids were great the whole day. Mark and I were in the kitchen making all the preparations and we all sat together to enjoy the little feast.

Me in the Kitchen, busy at work.

My Turkey My Plate, soo yummy. Kids enjoying the food.

Logan digging in.

Lola spilled some water and decided to lick it up like a dog, ahh that girl.

After Lola started acting like a dog, Logan did too!

My Pecan casserole.

Homemade Rolls, warm and yummy!!

My Favorite Homemade Chocolate dessert, Chocolate Eclair.

1...2...3...4...?..4???...

2008-11-25T10:07:00.005-05:00

That's right, we are pregnant!

The Test

2008-11-24T11:12:00.000-05:00

My 2? Birthday!!

2008-11-16T19:44:00.001-05:00

For my Brithday, Mark made my cake! It wasn't pretty, but it had love. He made a mess out of the kitchen. He even tried to color the frosting in the bag!! I love him so much. He made my birthday so wonderful! Thanks Mark!

Birthday Snow?!

2008-11-15T20:05:00.002-05:00

I have always wanted to have warm weather for my birthday. I remember my Mom taking me shopping at Sam's club when I was small and I saw those awesome huge water toys, I would always say, "Mom, I want THAT for my birthday!". My Mom would ever so sweetly say, "Honey, I will buy that for you if you will use it ON your birthday." She knew she was safe.
I looked at the weather for tomorrow and it looks like snow, so I guess it is another year with out water toys, darn.
I think I have figured out all my birthday 'surprises', I do every year. I don't like to be surprised. I don't really like my birthday either, but I am learning to try to like it more. I will post pictures of the events tomorrow when I pose for the pictures.

Teething Tablets

2008-11-12T14:10:00.002-05:00

After my last post I have tried to contact Hyland's Homeopathic Co., I was put on hold and someone would be with me, is what I was told. I stayed on the phone for a long time and no one ever got to me. I continued to call and finally today I talked to someone that could/would help. Hyland's is not and will not work on putting a safer lid on their product. The woman that I talked to said that is would imply that the product is no safe, when it is. I can understand where they are coming from but I'm a little upset in how they reacted when I started asking the tough questions. The lady continued to tell me that if a parent when to a hospital saying that the child had too many that the doctors would immediately start to pump the child's stomach (and it would be unnecessary) when they was the lid. I'm sorry but doctors don't just look at the lids of products! I'm upset in the way the woman was so very callous with me. As I believe in the product and have used it for a few years I will have a hard time recommending this product when the company is sooo "helpful" (I hope you can see my sarcasm).

Toddlerhood

2008-11-07T12:46:00.002-05:00

I am a mother that when my children are teething I don't give medicine unless they are running very high fevers. That being said I do use teething tablets that seem to help when my babies are cutting teeth. Bridger has been teething a lot recently and I keep these tablets on my bedside so I can give him a few in the middle of the night. I keep them high my bedside and it is very hard to get to. I have a jewelry box that sits on the bedside and a few books that sit on the j. box, then I have the teething tablets. With all that being said yesterday I was getting the baby changed and I noticed Lola was sitting in my bed snuggled in the blankets. This is the first time she has ever gotten into our bed by herself. Our bed is waist high and its not easy for them get into (I thought it was impossible still, read on). So I chuckled to my self that she was snuggled in my bed I was going to run in the room and jump in bed with her and read a book with her but as I walked into the room I noticed that she was eating something! She gotten to the teething tablets. She looked at me and started to put the lid on the bottle (that is not child proof, I'm calling to complain about that!) and she said, "MMmmm, Good Candy!". I said, " OH no, that's not candy that's medicine!". Lola started crying because she knows that medicine is a big no no. I told her that we had a phone call to make.
I called poison control! I always said I would NEVER be the Mom who was careless enough that I would need to call poison control. I made the call and counted the tablets to get a estimate of how much she had consumed, she ate about 50 tablets. I told this to the nurse that was helping me and said I was lucky that this is all natural because there is not enough to hurt her. She went on to tell me that Lola could have eaten the whole bottle and been fine. Lola was happy when I told her she didn't have to go to the doctor (so was I). Needless to say I will never underestimate my kids again, I got lucky that this is all she got. I know now that this is a number that I will memorize.

Baby Food

2008-11-05T08:33:00.006-05:00

(This is Bridger a few weeks ago)

Bridger is growing up way to fast for me. I planned to breastfeed him for the first year exclusively. I have been giving him a little taste of bananas when I have one. This last week I gave him a few teaspoons of sweet potatoes and realized that he is more than ready for more food. I figured I would make his food just as I did with the twins. I have got more (better) ideas on storage and making process. My Mom, who has a daycare has tons of these little containers that are making it a lot nicer for storage. Here I will give you the step by step of how I do it.

I bought some green beans, always strain and take the ends off.

Don't those beans look so yummy?

Peel and cut the sweet potatoes, you can bake and scrape but I like to boil because I use all the water in the pot, I'll tell ya later. It really looks good, right?

Can you see the steam?
Can you taste it yet? It was hard to make because i wanted to eat it!I boil until tender and then put the food in the processor. KEEP the juice you will need it to make the food a little thinner. TIP: sweet potatoes need lots of water added because they are so dry. Thats why I like to boil. That way I don't loose any vitamins and minerals. I was getting frustrated because my machine would not work... can you see it? I didn't plug it in. Silly me!
All those green beans and this is all it made. I label with the foods name and date it was cooked, I also put our name on it, just in case.
Here is all I made Monday night. I'm really glad my Mom can get those containers it makes so much easier.

My finished products.Now I just put them in my deep freezer in the basement and put a weeks worth in the freezer up stairs and a days worth (only 1 for now) in the fridge. I warm the food my placing it in a bowl of hot water, I stir until warm all the way through.

*All this from start to finish was only 2 hours and it saved me over $20*

Vote!

2008-11-03T06:59:00.002-05:00

So I haven't got any of my projects finished. I will tell you why in the next post. I really want to talk about the elections coming this week. If you read my blog I'm sure you know who I'm voting for. I want to make sure that everyone knows that If you are voting for McCain you need to get the the polls Nov. 4th (tomorrow). If you are voting for Obama, your day to vote is Nov. 5th (Wednesday), they are giving you an extra day! Now that I got that news out I can rest assured.

update.

2008-10-24T09:07:00.002-04:00

Here it is. I'm busy. There I said it. I am a little overwhelmed right now so there will not be any post until I can get some things done. I have been working so hard on starting up my little business and doing things for people here and there that I am overwhelmed right now. So please have patience with me. I pulled a muscle in my back (second time in a week), so I am moving a little slow on top of everything. I'm looking on the bright side of things. I'll be staying home this weekend only going out for Church and I'll hopefully get some things done at home, like I said I have TONS of work to do and I'm behind.
I want to work on getting some things out of our basement. I want to put the kids outdoor toys down there so they can play in the basement instead braving the cold. My Mom has inspired me to finish a bathroom in the basement. I think it will add to the home value (we are putting the house on the market in the spring). So like I said I have tons to do. I hope that things calm down. I have finally started saying no to people that ask me to do anything. I really hate not being able to be there for friends and family but I think I found my line. Any ways I just want you to know that I still moving on all my projects, just a little slower. I have a lot of things going on and I haven't forgotten (I hope not, call and make sure, lol.)

Gas

2008-10-12T23:21:00.002-04:00

On our way home from Church we saw gas is getting lower. I made Mark stop so I could get a picture. Further down the road we saw for 3cents less.

McCain

2008-10-12T23:14:00.002-04:00

We went to a friends house today and they had a new sign in their yard. I just HAD to take a picture of the family with it. It's so funny that someone would put up a sign this big, it's Great!

Pumpkin Patch with Grandma T!

2008-10-12T22:42:00.005-04:00

So again we went to the Patch. This time a different one and with Grandma T. Here are some pictures from the time with G.Ma T!
Logan wanted to ride this little trike but it was for looks only. He tried so many times, silly boy!
I thought this pumpkin was so cool, I've never seen one like it before.

Lola on hay. She loved standing on the hay... not sure why.
Logan and Lola on hay (?)... again.
Mommy helping the kids choose a pumpkin.
Grandma T helping the kids pick a gourd.

Daddy with Bridger.

This was just too funny, I love taking pictures of people taking pictures.... I just think it is funny,
Logan kept running around my Mom while she was trying to take his picture he loved making her work to get a still shot of him.
Logan and Lola looking at the dirty goats at the farm... Don't pet these, they bite!
I was so nervous. First dirty goats then the electric fence... need I say more.

Mooving on to the cow. Logan and Lola took turns kissing this dirty lawn ornament, it was cute but so gross.

Bridger got to ride it!
This was the face Logan kept making while running around people, he was in a silly mood.
Sitting on the grass.
Lola with 'Jazz Hands'!
It was all very fun. Grandma T got them some cute pumpkins that I will take some pictures of later.

New Playgound

2008-10-08T11:00:00.004-04:00

So Yesterday I had a business meeting. I took with my kids with me. Bridger had been constipated for 6 days and I knew that at some point it would all come out...but you never know when. So here I am in the meeting and he starts tooting. Then I can feel my lap get warm. I knew that he was finally going. I kept with my meeting casually glancing at all three of my kids thinking nothing of what was happening in Bridger's pants. After the meeting was done I stood to shake hands and give business cards and I lifted Bridger and I looked down and sure enough he had given me the 6 days worth right there. It was all over him and my leg. Lovely. At least I was able to laugh it off and go clean myself. People know that my kids always come first and this was not that big of a deal. My reaction was really, 'good job, now you will feel better.'.

After the meeting the twins were really wanting to go to the park. I had to run home and get a new outfit for Bridger and myself. I took the kids to the really cool new park and this is the pictures from yesterday at the park. The day was really nice despite the poo poo meeting, as it has now been daubed.

October 2008

2008-10-08T10:05:00.004-04:00

This past weekend we went to a pumpkin patch with some friends of ours. The Mom in that family grew up with me. Ashley and I are best of friends and we have So much in common. We were both homeschooled , went to church dances together. We have been friends since we were 12 years old. We lost touch with each other after we got married, we were both so busy with being wives. We then found out we BOTH got pregnant with twins around the same time we hooked back up and spend tons of time together. Our twins were born 3 months apart. She had her third son 13 months after her twins were born (I was there for the birth of her little boy). 13 months after her baby was born, I had mine. Now she is having another little baby, a girl. The baby will be born when my baby is 13 months old. Funny Ehh?
Like I said we went to the pumpkin patch this past weekend, we had tons of fun the kids ran around loving all the pumpkins and such. We were going to take a hay ride but they started charging for hay rides this year and every child was $7, we looked at each other and decied that a little wagon ride around the pumpkin patch was good enough. Lola didn't want to ride in the wagon with all boys, silly girl. So here are some pictures from our adventures at the Patch.

Doula Shirts!

2008-10-01T08:39:00.005-04:00

Here are my shirts for my Doula Business. Cheryl (Mark's Mom), Aunt Peggy, and Paige. They have done a great job of picking colors. I can't wait to see it all done.

This is my Jacket. I'll be wearing all these with Black Khaki.

Trifecta

2008-09-30T18:10:00.002-04:00

In horse racing terminology, a trifecta is a parimutuel bet in which the bettor must predict which horses will finish first, second, and third in exact order.

Has anyone ever had this happen? I did. I have this thing with cars if I drive it I know if it's going to break down. Silly I know but I have proven it. We have three cars, '75 VW Bug, '97 Honda Passport, '00 Chevy Venture. I had a feeling that after we got the bug that something was going to go wrong. Mark was driving it to work one day and his back tire came right off, yeah I was scared. Lucky for him it was 2:00 in the morning on his way to work and no one was around and he found all the lug nuts and put the tire on and came back home to get a different car. Now we are selling the car because we want to get a older bug (that's a different story). The Mini van (sigh), I knew that something was wrong I told Mark that I had a really bad feeling that something is going to go wrong, about 2 weeks later the 'solenoid' blew. We started driving the passport until we could find the money to get our van fixed. Well I told Mark that I didn't have a good feeling about it. Last Thursday night I was on my was home from picking up my kids at my Mom's house I was really tired I had spent all day at school. Mark was already at school for the evening so I was coming home alone with all my babies. I started leaving my Mom's house and got on the highway and the radio stopped working. Not a big deal... I was going on the next highway to get to my house and my lights stopped working. I was scared, it was dusk and I didn't want to get hit. Finally I was praying while driving that I would just make it home. The car COMPLETELY died in front of my house. Luckily I had enough speed to make it up the hill of my drive way. I was SAFE, and so were my little sleeping babies. I called my Mom crying, what do I do??? I had school early in the Morning and no way to get there, Mark had work and no way to get there. My Mom calmed my down and came up with a plan. The next day Mark called off at his early morning job because he had no way to get there. Mom then came over at 6:30 in the morning loaded my kids in her van and let me drive all the way to her house and drop her off with my kids so I could go to school. What a MOM! The next day was Saturday. Mark got permission to drive his work truck (the company's) to his other job, that way he could work (Thanks Branch!). Then later that Morning my Mom brought over a Mechanic (One of my brother's) and tools and parts to help fix our cars. That was WAY beyond the calls of a Mother. So we were down three cars and now we are back to two, the VW will hopefully get fixed this Saturday. So a HUGE, MEGA Thank You to my Mom for saving the day! You are wonderful. Hugs!

Superhero's and LOVE.

2008-09-30T17:31:00.003-04:00

Some people know that Mark and I, we love superhero movies. Who doesn't, there is your 'Bad guy', and few 'Good guys'. There is somethings that may or may not damage life as we know it. The Good Guy's come in and take over, banishing the Bad Guys and saving the World. Sometimes there is even a quite Girl who looks at the 'Good Guy' from afar and waits for him. She worries for him and his safety and calmly waits knowing that someday she will have her turn. Well in my life it's not like that. I found my 'Superhero' many years ago. He and I feel in LOVE and thought everything in the world was wonderful. Then we added kids. Even Better! The last 1.5 year Mark has been working really hard. Working two jobs and going to school. Sometimes even on the weekends putting a ladder in our van and going to do work for other people. We have had little family time. I have been raising our children almost by myself. I really wanted to have my Love closer. Mark and I are both at a point we can no longer take it. We decided that it was time for Mark to stop working at his second job, and just take some over-time with his full time job. I think its going to work out. I just hope that raises come faster so he doesn't have to take as much time away from his children. Mark is a great hard worker. Really, I'm not just saying that. I have seen his deal with some really rude people and he really knows how to handle himself and get things done. I am really happy that finally he will get to spend sometime with our kids. My husband is my joy and my Love(r). I am so happy to have him. So thinking of our lives as Superhero's I guess he is like my Captain America and I am the girl who is finally getting her wish to spend more time with the guy she looks at from afar.

Who's your Doula?

2008-09-29T15:16:00.003-04:00

That's right ladies now there IS a Doula in the family. I have been working on becoming a Doula. Thanks to my Mom who is making it possible AND paving the way AND taking care of all my kids. Thanks to my Husband for the support, that is like no other. My kids for being understanding. Mark's Mom for working on my shirts. Aunt Peggy for doing the embroidery. Ashley A. for letting my be there for the delivery of her Son that inspired me to do this. Paige for telling my that it is a good idea. Yvonne for letting me know that what ever I do it is great. Now that I name dropped quite a few people I know I forgot someone... YOU. (I think that covered it:)
I am working on getting Certified with DONA. I have a lot of work to get it done but I will hopefully have it done by the time Mark Graduates for his program (March). With that being said, Will you have a baby so i can be your Doula? I'm just kidding, maybe. Anyways, spread the word I do have business cards so let me know if you want me to drop some in the mail to you. Thanks bunches!

Sick Days

2008-09-22T10:18:00.002-04:00

So last week Mark and Lola had it. This week Logan and I had it. The gross bug came to our house again. We had planned to have a fun date night just Mark and I. I took the kids to Mom's house Mark and I were getting ready to go out and he was feeling really tired from working a long week at work so we played video games for a while and he went to bed and I went to my Mom's house to get the kids. I figured the kids were sleeping so I decided that I would just sleep there since Mark had work all the next day. I was woken in the middle of the night with Mom telling me that Logan had been puking. What?! He had no signs of being sick. It continued all the morning long. I didn't have the energy to take everyone home so we stayed with my Mom and let he help us out. I felt really guilty about this telling my self that it was my duty to take care of my kids myself. I just didn't feel right myself. Logan started to feel better and Mom was going to watch my kids while I went to the Market to stock the house up on things for the week. I was in the market parking lot and I just couldn't get myself out of the car. Somethings just wasn't right. I went back to My Mom's house and I was done. I WAS SICK! It came out of no where. I couldn't get back to the car because everything was spinning. I fell on the couch and begged that no one touch my just to let me be for a while. I'm so grateful my Mom was so helpful that day with watching my kids and helping me out. We were there for a while when I finally just told Mark to put me in the car so I could be at home. When I got home Mark gave me a blessing and I was wanting death. I know that sounds bad but I was so sick I never been that sick before. I think I was a little delirious too. Mark nursed me back to health while still taking care of Logan who started to puke again and the baby who was angry because he had to have formula. We had to stay home from church and take care of ourselves. Lucky for us today is Monday and we all feel fine right now. Now I just got to scrub everything in the house to make sure I got all the sickies out.

Who's who??

2008-09-22T10:01:00.002-04:00

In our family all our names have changed. Sometimes the new name only last for a minute. It's very confusing and hard to remember who everyone is now. Let me tell you what is going on. Lola, our bright and wonderful little girl has discovered her imagination. I love it when children can imagine things, I think that it is wonderful. Well in her imagination we all change our names, like Lola will say, "Now I'm Mommy, you be....Logan!". She'll tell me that there is thunder outside and we have to play hide and seek. I know that it doesn't make sense but that is her imagination and for a 2.5 year old that's wonderful. It goes on all day long sometimes I'm Daddy going to work or I'm a pirate reading books to a princess while the crocodiles (Bridger) watches. Her imagination is wonderfully brilliant. Logan is catching on to how this works and is starting to come up with his own stories. He likes to play monsters and hide in closets and under beds. Note, he likes to be the monster, silly boy. He'll pop out of the closet and scream, "There you are! I gotcha ya!!". Bridger squeals with delight when his brother scares him, he loves attention from him. With all this going on our house is full of giggles and happiness that only children can bring.

My Baby

2008-09-19T08:02:00.003-04:00

My Baby is growing up. I know it sounds silly. I didn't want this baby to grow up. Bridger is my cuddle bug. None the less he is growing and changing. He still prefers that I hold him all day long, which is fine, and I do. He loves watching his big brother and big sister play. You can tell by the look in his eye that he can't wait to follow them around. Now at meal times he wants to sit in his high chair and watch us all eat. It's really funny since I still only breastfeed him. I have given him a few things like a few teaspoons of rice cereal and some carrots but he doesn't much care for them. I know what you are thinking how can that baby be so fat and only eat milk?! Bridger is happy to watch us eat for now and play with his little toys. I can honestly say that it is with great pleasure to have my babies grow and be healthy but I still wish that time would slow down just a little so I can enjoy it more.

Ohio is a State of Emergency

2008-09-16T09:15:00.004-04:00

3:41pm, Monday Ohio - State of Emergency Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland says about 2 million customers in the state are without power in the wake of high winds from the remnants of Hurricane Ike. Strickland also has declared a state of emergency, which will allow the Ohio Department of Transportation to help local communities remove debris from roads. 84 of the state's 88 counties received damage. At least four people were killed when hit by toppled trees or falling branches. A fifth person was electrocuted working on a generator Monday. Strickland says it will take days to restore power in all areas of the state.
About 450 school districts canceled classes on Monday, and one-third of state traffic signals were down.

This is what is going on right now. At our house we are some of the lucky. We lost the soffits and some siding. Luckily for us we were able to walk down our street and collect all the pieces. One of our neighbors were nice enough to run out in the high winds and gather the soffits. Our winds were 70 and 90 mph. It came out of no where. We are the Lucky ones! We look around and there is destruction everywhere. People have trees in their homes, cars and blocking roads. I had to go out in the traffic yesterday and the people are acting like its the end of the world out there. I was ran off the road and almost side swiped twice and I made it home and I will not be going out in that until people calm down.

Here are some pictures of what is going on.

Mark and Brother Dorman from our Ward were able to build a structure and then put a ladder on the porch and put it all back up. I did not get pictures of them doing this because I was to afraid to look. This was the highest and hardest to get to place on our house. I'm so glad that Bro. Dorman and Mark were able to get this done. Thanks Guys!!!

We are just in shock at how bad it is. Gas stations are not able to give gas because of no power to make the pumps run. Water is being conserved. Schools are closed. Hospitals are full and turning people away. People are getting angry. Mark has to work out in it all. Putting people's power back to their houses but I'm just glad that he's the person that people really want to see out there so I know that he is safe. I know that we are safe where we are, we just don't go out in the ciaos and we can wait it's not a big deal. I'm grateful for food storage now!

Up Date!

2008-09-11T12:27:00.002-04:00

OK, its On! The Cricket still lives! He mocks me. I have looked everywhere. I hear him all night. And being that I don't have all my hearing and that I can STILL here him is saying something. Mark says that it puts him to sleep. I think that anything can put Mark to sleep. The little bugger is keeping me up and driving my crazy! Tonight I'm going through all my kids clothes for fall and seeing what I have for the baby to wear. So I will be in the basement for a while tonight. If I find that little guy you better believe that there will be a confrontation! While I wait to find him does anyone know if a mouse trap would work on a cricket??? How do you get rid of one. I know that he'll have to die sometime but who knows how long they live? Any ways if you got idea's let me know. I need them.

Attack...

2008-09-04T12:59:00.005-04:00

Does anyone ever have unnatural fears. Like the little cricket that you have in your basement, that you can't find, will go up two flights of steps, and jump into your bed and sleep in your nose?!
For those that don't know me that well will know that I got some fears that can not be explained. People that I know that got these little quirks I tell them to 'suck it up'. Funny how this works. My Dear Husband listens to me rant and rave because there are crickets in our basement. I can't catch them. Our pet bunnies won't eat them. The dog is scared of them. What to do?? My mission tonight is to get the shop-vac from the garage (only if I don't see mice that send me running), and vac everything that I can in our basement. I hate being in our basement but I need to be there to do laundry and play with the bunnies. So if you call tonight know that I might not get to the phone. If I don't call you back tomorrow, know that the crickets got me and please send reinforcement.

And yes I know that it is bad luck to kill crickets.... They should know that it is bad luck to stay in my house uninvited.

Potty time...

2008-09-01T12:26:00.004-04:00

I thought that this was cute.....

I was cleaning the downstairs and left the gate at the stairs open so that the kids could go upstairs to play with their toys. I looked around and I saw the boys but couldn't find Lola. That's fine she probably went upstairs to play. I went to check on her and make sure she was safe. I didn't find her in her room, my room, the nursery....one room left the bathroom. Now as a Mom I worry about the kids playing in the bathroom, getting into makeup, putting toys in the toilet, unrolling toilet paper (and the dangerous stuff too!). I was getting nervous, I quickly opened the door and... this is what I saw.

Lola took off her pants, her diaper and put her diaper in the basket and sat on the toilet all by herself. What a big girl! I told her to wait there while I got the camera. She didn't do anything but she is trying. I am so proud that she is deciding to do this all on her own. Way to go Lola!

Bath time...

2008-09-01T12:19:00.003-04:00

My kids love taking a bath. Soon, very soon, Logan and Lola will no longer be bathing with each other. They are getting close to the age of learning personal space, and then I think that it will be inappropriate for them to bathe together. So, for now its OK.

Lola asleep!?

2008-09-01T10:19:00.001-04:00

Lola is my child that doesn't require much sleep. It drives he crazy sometimes. Here are some picture when I got her to take a little nap on the couch. Note that I even snagged a picture of her drooling. Ahhh, shes gonna hate that picture when she is older. Good thing I got then, right?

Shades

2008-09-01T10:15:00.001-04:00

My kids love their sunglasses. Lately Logan wears his morning to evening. This is Logan at breakfast with his shades. Lola couldn't find hers so she borrowed Bridger's. Silly little babes.

Bridger and his Wobbies

2008-09-01T10:09:00.004-04:00

Mark took some picture of Bridger in the Van on one of our outings and Bridger was surrounded by his Wobbies. He LOVES his wobbies, and sometimes it is the only way to calm him down is to give him one of the three that we have. Here is the cute little man in his Carseat.

Many faces of Logan

2008-09-01T09:53:00.004-04:00

I was running into a store quickly so Mark stayed in the van with the kids so I could go faster. Logan was in a silly mood so Mark took pictures of all the faces he was giving him. This is what he got. I think it is soo cute.

Temple Trip

2008-09-01T09:50:00.002-04:00

Mark and I finally went to the temple again. It is just far enough away that I didn't think I could leave my babies. I got my Mom to take care of my Kiddies and we went. A member of our ward was going for his first time so we got a group photo.

Insane for McCain

2008-09-01T09:11:00.004-04:00

OK so Mark and I are not 'Insane for McCain' but we do support him. Here are our pictures of the Rally that was held in Dayton, Ohio August 29,2008. That's right we were there when Sarah Palin was announced as VP. We were there when history was made.

Mark and I in the van getting breakfast on our way to the rally

Waiting in Line for an hour just to get into the place. There were sooo many people. It took so long that Bridger took a nap in Mark's arms while we waited.This is when everyone started coming in. There were more people to come.

Breastfeeding as the rally. That's right I feed my child in public.
Baby Loves snuggle time with Daddy.

One of the speakers.Bridger with his 'thumb up' We think this means he is all for McCain.Like I said tons of people.

Bath Time...

2008-08-31T18:25:00.002-04:00

One of Bridger's favorite things is water. This kid is a little fish. He loves when I give him a bath and just let him kick after I wash him. He thinks he is sooo clever that he can splash water. Note that he is being modest for the pictures!

Look at Bridger!!!

2008-08-31T14:31:00.002-04:00

Most people know that Bridger has never slept in his bed. Not even really play in it. We even put it in the basement at the end of May and just set it back up this past week. He will play in it if one of us stand there at watch him, he is so silly. Here he is playing with some toys, and wearing Aqua Bats shirt, that's right Aqua Bats, ha ha.

Baby Pictures

2008-08-24T21:27:00.001-04:00

Everyone says that Lola looks a lot like me... I don't know. I got some pictures of me and scanned them to see what you think. Let me know.

The Crap in my Life

2008-08-21T13:40:00.003-04:00

So I love, Love my babies, but having three in diapers is a lot of crap to deal with, literally. I put Bridger in his jumper and went to get some stuff done in the kitchen and I heard him laughing, I ran and got my camera and this is what I saw. Can you see it right a way???

Yeah, that's real poop! Gross ehh??

More Boonshoft pictures

2008-08-21T13:11:00.002-04:00

Lola trying to open the lego show box.
Logan working hard on making lego 'homes'.
Lola (I didn't get her face) telling me that the sand it 'hot'! and I need to be careful.
Logan very serious about his archaeological dig in process
Still going at it.

Boonshoft Fun

2008-08-21T12:45:00.002-04:00

I took the kids to Boonshoft again last week and here are some pictures from our adventures.

The kids wouldn't get in the dance room with the big kids so they danced outside.
Logan showing the Otter's how he jumps.
Logan driving the pickup truck It's his fav.
going to jail, hmmmmm, no locks?
Lola play vet with the chicken she found.

So I am happy with my self. I have started to let the twins walk with me when we go places. They love it! I took them to Boonshoft again last week and they ran around. I love taking them there. I'm still a little bit of a nut, I watch out for the strange people and the wierdo's, and find ways to get a way from them. I don't let people touch my kids I just don't know who they are and in this world you can never be to careful. Some people may think I'm strange but thats ok I'm just keeping my kids safe. Any who with being the way I am I finally let them walk/run around with me following.

The dress up Queen!

2008-08-21T12:40:00.001-04:00

Lola has learned the craft of dress up. At Lynn's birthday Lynn got a bunch of dress up stuff from Grandma T, and Lola wanted to wear it. And she did Lynn didn't mind. Here are the funny picures.

Lola, you can't have that!

2008-08-21T12:12:00.003-04:00

Lola told me she wants a pet! A Cat! I don't like cats, sorry to all my cat loving friends but I just don't like them. My brother just got this little one and Lola is in love. I did get her a new pet, I will post pictures soon but there will be no cats/ kittens or feline of any kind.

Birds!!!

2008-08-21T12:03:00.002-04:00

Ok some people know that birds and cats scare me. They just freak me out. I've had some 'no so good' encounters with these creatures. Any ways I was going grocery shopping and there were some really rare birds to look at. They we raising money. Logan and Lola thought it was soooo cool to see these big birds. They made me stand there while they looked for 15 minutes. I finally told them that we needed to get our grocery shopping done. They we mad, they screamed the whole time I was doing the shopping.

In Memory of Gilbee and Ivee

2008-08-19T11:53:00.004-04:00

I try to stay positive, really I do. I have negative days. Today is neither I just have things I need to work at and work though. Some people know that since I had my baby that died, Ivee, that I have not been the same. That's true. It has been a struggle to get up every day since I deliverd her (Feb.2,2007). I had just lost a baby before her, we named that baby also, Gilbee. I knew that Gilbee's pregnancy was not right from the beginning, I knew that he was going to pass. Ivee, was different I felt her move and twist in my belly, I got morning sickness, she kept me up all night with her little moves. My belly got big, Mark and I would lay on the couch and rub my swollen belly. I loved that pregnancy. Yeah, the twins were really young for me to have another baby but I was ready. The week before I delivered Ivee our family had the flu, I felt like something was wrong with Ivee. I was told that because I was in my second trimester that things would change, I knew that. I still felt like something was wrong. I KNEW that something was wrong. I talked to my doctor who said that if I felt I needed a ultrasound to calm my mind to come down and get one. I did. In the ultrasound room it was tense. I could tell the way the tech wasn't talking that something was wrong. To make a long story shorter. Her body was there but her heart had stopped...I was so let down. I blamed myself. I blamed God. I blamed anyone I could. I swore never to have another child. I couldn't bear to have another child in my life that I couldn't take care of. As the weeks went by I realized that Blaming God was not the right thing to do. I couldn't blame anyone else, not even myself. As I realized all this I came to a better understanding. I still wanted more children and I couldn't let Ivee's death be the end. I had to continue. A few months later I got pregnant again and that's how I have Bridger Jaxon. I'm so very happy that I have him.

I need to talk about Ivee. Mark and I held her little body in our hands right after I had her. It was the saddest thing that we ever have done. To leave our little girl. I still struggle not having my Ivee with us, but I get by. I talk about my children and keep up beat, but not a day goes by that I don't think of Ivee and Gilbee. They are also my babies.

So forgive me, if I have days that I seem a little blue. There are the days it is harder to live with that memory of Gilbee and Ivee. I need to remember. Here are the only pictures I have during this time in our lives. (Picture's of the pregnancies that is)

This is Lola hugging my baby bump when I was pregnant with Ivee. (The roundish grey thing is my belly)Ivee's First ultrasound picture

Piano Lessons

2008-08-06T12:57:00.003-04:00

Any one else read 'Goosebumps' Books? They were all the rage when I was younger. Piano lessons can be murder, was my favorite. Anyways I started introducing my twins to playing the piano. They know not to bang. They know the high keys and low keys. That's about it. I want them to feel like playing only if they want to. It doesn't bother me if they don't want to learn but I do want to introduce them to it, and be respectful of the piano. Here are some pictures of my little people at the piano.

Way to start a Week

2008-08-06T12:00:00.003-04:00

This past Monday was the best I have had in a really long time. I started my day With Mark bathing the kids for me and giving me time to dress myself in peace. After that I went to my Friends house to 'play' in her craft room. After that I went to my Moms house for the kids nap time. I was going to watch a movie with her put you can see from the pictures below that our plans changed. Anyway it was a great day.

Here is Bridger being held my Jarrett, he's eight and Loves babies.

Logan Loved playing the the boy's toys at my friends house. They really loved it there.

Here is Lola being dressed like a princess by Grandma T.
Logan and Owen were playing pirates. Logan loved this game. Owen was to afraid to hurt Logan so he stood there and let Logan 'win'. What a great big cousin!
Lola wanted to be a pirate princess.

I even played a little. I looked like the living dead but I had fun!

Lola and Francci played wands too!

The kids were having so much fun they didn't want their naps.

Bridger wore the hat too!

Logan felt the need to slay the cute little princess, silly little boy.

Date Night

2008-08-06T11:54:00.003-04:00

So Last Friday night we went on a date as a family. We just went to a fast food restaurant and had dinner there, and then our church was putting on a magic show and we went there after. Here are some pictures of the family while we were waiting for our food.

Shopping with kids

2008-08-06T11:49:00.002-04:00

Some have asked how I do it... shopping with all those kids. Well I just got a membership to Sam's Club... Its like My Wally World (Walmart) on steriods. I love it. These pictures are from there. I love the shopping carts. I will post pictures of me shopping the reagular way soon.

I do know that My kids are not wearing shoes... They are in the cart. The twins thought it was cool to take them off and throw them at people, so I left them in the cart till we were in the van.

Church Callings and talks

2008-08-06T11:20:00.002-04:00

Mark and I have revamped our idea on being 'active' in our church. We both have two callings. Mark is the Financial Clerk and Elders Quarm Secretary. I'm the CTR6 teacher and a Member of the Homemaking Comity. I don't like to share much about myself to people that don't really know well but here is goes. Two weeks ago I was asked to give a talk in sacrament meeting this is the talk below. Don't feel like you have to read it. Some people were asking what it was about. I'm not good at putting it into summary so here is goes.

Service: A Christ Centered Concept

During His ministry on earth, Jesus Christ, spent His time serving and helping others. True disciples of Jesus Christ do likewise. The Savior said, “ By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”(John13:35)

About a month ago I was super frustrated. I didn't feel like I belonged anywhere. Mark and I keep to ourselves a lot. We enjoy being just with our family. I felt such an urgency for this to change. Church was going to be starting at 9 soon and the days of 1:00 church we almost over. We could hardly wait. As I sat to think about actually going to sacrament meeting, Sunday school and Relief Society I got nervous. I realized that I have not been in a really long time. When My husband and I got married we lived across the U.S. I was here and he was in Utah. Few people know that we did get Married in the Salt Lake Temple on our forth date. It was 2 months after was were married that we came to the Kettering Ward. A Few years later we we were expecting our twins after a difficult pregnancy we had Logan and Lola. This past February we had our baby, Bridger Jaxon. Because of all the things going on in our lives with my difficult pregnancies I don't think I have sat in all the meeting I was supposed to due to the fact that diapers needed to be changed or babies needed to eat. I was always doing something. The urgency came to me when I realized this. I needed to be part of the Kettering Ward... Not just having my name on the roster with other members. I needed to feel like I was doing something. Mark and I talked about this, we decided that we were at that point going to make an effort to DO MORE. I was unprepared for this. The next week Mark and I were asked to give prayers in sacrament meeting. I was horrified. I really dislike getting in front of people. I stubble on my words and I feel very uncomfortable. This was something that Mark and I talked about. What did I get myself into??? Later I was asked to Sub in Primary, that one was easy I liked that one. Last Sunday Mark got a phone call to teach in Priesthood in two weeks. I laughed I found it to be very funny because I know that he doesn't like to teach. As I laughed to myself about this think that it would be a great growing experience for him, the phone rang. I picked it up it was the Bishop, all of a sudden my body tensed up. My Fear! I was asked to speak here today. I told Mark and he laughed, he said “That's what you get for laughing at me!”.

The topic like I said earlier is Service : a Christ Centered Concept.

Spencer W. Kimball, “Small Acts of Service,” Ensign, Dec 1974, 2
In these days of selfishness, what is the most important contribution we can make? Our prophet answers … When I was stake president in Arizona, I was the highest authority in that immediate area, and consequently, there came to me a never-ending line of people with problems. As I struggled for proper answers to them, I found that by general conference time, I was almost mentally and spiritually exhausted. I felt like a sponge that had been squeezed until it was dry and vacuum-like. Then, we would come to Salt Lake to conference and, after the many sessions here, I would return to Arizona still like the sponge, but one that was heavy with wetness and was dripping.
I have learned that it is by serving that we learn how to serve. When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves. In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus, that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves. (See Matt. 10:39.)
Not only do we “find” ourselves in terms of acknowledging guidance in our lives, but the more we serve our fellowmen in appropriate ways, the more substance there is to our souls. We become more significant individuals as we serve others. We become more substantive as we serve others—indeed, it is easier to “find” ourselves because there is so much more of us to find!
George MacDonald observed that “it is by loving and not by being loved that one can come nearest to the soul of another.” (George MacDonald Anthology, Geoffrey Bles, London, 1970.) Of course, we all need to be loved, but we must be giving and not always receiving if we want to have wholeness in our lives and a reinforced sense of purpose.

Me;
One day I wasn't feeling like I was doing my role as a mother very well. I was rushing around making beds going through in my head what had to be done that day. I rushed around getting all this done and was getting frustrated with my self I felt I would take 2 steps forward and 3 back. I could tell it was going to be a very long day. I felt over stretched. I was rushing to make breakfast for the kids, Mark was already at work and I was going to skip breakfast because I had so much to do. As I put the twins eggs and cheese and bagels on their plates I rushed back to the kitchen to clean the mess up. I heard crying. I huffed back to the dinning room to see what was so wrong. My daughter needed a hug. I hugged her. All of a sudden I slowed down. I could see what was really important. I asked her what was the matter. She said that we needed Prayer. All those meal that I tried to get the twins to fold their arms and say their prays I felt like It wasn't working, that maybe I was not teaching them what they really needed to be learning. My heart melted, I could feel my eyes swell with tears. I was really teaching my children how to understand the importance of prayer through my service to them. As I said the pray for them. The giggled like they always do. Repeating the words after mine. I said amen and so did they. I gave them each a hug and got myself a plate for breakfast and ate with them.

Elder Russell C. Taylor said;
I can say unashamedly, I rejoice in the service of God. My experience teaches that the highest goodness attainable is a life of unselfish service to mankind. The Master said, “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matt. 23:11.)
It has been wisely said, “Service is the rent we pay for our own room on earth.” We should know that the rent is due on a daily basis and know that the receipt is never stamped “paid in full,” because the rent, service in God’s kingdom, is again due today and due tomorrow.
Some mistakenly think that a commitment to service comes after a great spiritual experience. This is like the man who is cold, standing before the stove, and saying, “Give me heat, and then I will put in some wood.” The joy and blessings of service follow the rendering of service. The missionary who renders eighteen months of faithful missionary service then has a lifetime to think about it, while perfecting a life of service to others. Some would want and expect the windows of heaven to open before they pay their tithing, even though the prophet Malachi so plainly teaches:
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse … and prove me now … saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Mal. 3:10; italics added.)
There comes a time in the life of all people when they must certify with their actions what they believe. Jesus said of his own life, “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” (Matt. 20:28.)
Elder Bruce R. McConkie has so eloquently taught us that service is essential to salvation. I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do. Progress is not created by contented people. It is up to us, you and me, to be uncomfortable in complacency, to refrain from being spectators, and to be players in the game of life. The Lord has chosen His people to perform a mighty work. Our home teaching, our visiting teaching should be more than going; it should be doing with Christian love. It can be done; you can each do your portion of the work because you desire it.
Fathers and mothers, with your strength of example you will influence your sons and daughters for eternity with examples of loving, uncomplaining service far more convincingly by doing than only by saying. Show your children a life of love for them by a life of love and service to the Church and to our Father’s children in spiritual need.
Close Quote.
Service is Doing and Participating. The only way to enjoy yourself in this life is to learn yourself. The only way to learn yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
Service should never be expected. But when it is offered we should not deny someone the blessings of service.
For me this is a hard one! I'm a person that I feel that I should do everything in my own home. It;s hard for me to ask for help.
When I was pregnant with Bridger I was so uncomfortable, I had health concerns and I was extremely exhausted. Mark's Mom planned to come and help with with the twins the last week of my pregnancy and the first few weeks with the babies. It was hard for me to let go and have things done another way but I greatly appreciated it.
Many know that I talk about My baby being colicky. No one ever seems to sees this. It usually happens when I need to get stuff done around the house. A Sister in the ward who had gone through this offered my help I had a very hard time saying yes. She gladly came to my house held my baby (who decided to sleep in her arms) while I cleaned my house getting ready for family to visit from out of town. I was grateful, and she expressed that she was grateful for the opportunity to help me out.
It is a true struggle to serve family and serve in the church. I have noticed in my own family that when I stay busy in callings and helping others at church and in extended family that it doesn't take me away from my family but it brings us closer together.
Christ's life was based on Service. As we strive to be more like him we can't help but to serve others.
Bare testimony and close.

2008-07-31T13:32:00.002-04:00

I have found how to make my colicky baby happy. First this miracle stuff called 'Gripe water', and My Ergo baby carrier. I know, I have tons of baby carriers. I use them all. But Bridger is so big that his weight hurts my shoulders. After looking around at a BUNCH of different kind I found one that met all my criteria for a new carrier;

1. Looks Good

2. Holds the baby well

3. Doesn't hurt me

4. Must go on front and Back

5. Must be able to Breastfeed in to comfortably

6. Needs to hold Bridger's Body properly for his Spine not to get out of alignment

I know it sounds crazy and obsessive, but when you have to hold a baby that much you want something very cozy and quick to put-on and adjust. I will post more pictures soon of the different ways to use this.

Charting

2008-07-31T13:26:00.002-04:00

As part of the new program at our house I am trying to make the kids more responsible for what they need to do. I have made charts and They get to put stickers on their charts only if they do what they are supposed to do. They really like this. It makes my job much easier because all I have to say is, "when you get done, then you can go and get your stars". I wish I thought of this sooner.

Big A, Little a, What begins with A?

2008-07-31T13:00:00.002-04:00

The twins have been getting tired of the old routine. So I decided that we should start pre-school. The twins love it! In these pictures we were learning about Big A, Little a and things that start with 'A'. We also were learning about the color red. Here are some pictures of them painting with the 'apple stamp'. They love this.

YOGURT!

2008-07-31T12:40:00.004-04:00

It is a well known fact that my kids LOVE yogurt. Maybe not love as much as obsess. Its everyday that I hear, 'I want yogurt'. Here are some pictures of my kids faces after eating their yogurt and crackers. And Yes, Logan licks the plate.

2008-07-03T15:00:00.003-04:00

The twins Love being outside. I set them up a 'slip and slide' and kiddy pool, thinking that they would be little fishes. They were so silly. They never got all wet. They would jump in the kiddy pool and run up and down the slip and slide. They had soo much fun! Bridger was taking a nap so I got to enjoy it also. After we played in the back yard we went to the front porch and painted. I got them new paint... real paint! I thought they might like something more than water colors. They loved it. Logan really concentrates on his art. Lola just loves all the different brushes.

What we have been up to.

2008-07-01T13:31:00.002-04:00

Summer is here. It's hot and it will be for a while. Gas prices are up. That seems to be the normal things people are talking about. Here are the Porter House, its all that and more.
I'm back in school. Yeah, I'm doing it. I am finally starting my ASL (American Sign Language) classes. It's great.
Mark is working tons (as always). Staying busy when he is at home helping me do the thousands of things that need to be done.
Logan and Lola are well.... 2. They are getting to that age were they have a little mind of their own. They are great kids. They love to ride there bikes. They Love to paint (we paint a few times a week), and they like play-doh. They also love just being 'big kids'.
Bridger is growing very fast. I wish it would slow down a little. He still has his colic. It's very hard to be around a baby that cries all the time. Some days it is better. When he is happy it is so great. He smiles and coos and loves to be cuddled. He is getting his first two teeth, it sad to see him growing up.
Mark and I are keeping the summer simple. Our Sisters came to see us last month. That's what we have been waiting for months for. Now we are just going to have fun at home in our spare time.
I bought the kids a little 'slip and slide' for $8 at target and I can't wait to see them try it. During the week I take the kids to Spraygrounds at different parks. It's really fun. Its like giant sprinklers and water everywhere. It's an awesome way to cool off and there is always little kids for the twins to play with. After we go to the spraygrounds we usually go to the library. The twins love the library. They feel like big kids getting the books they want and reading them at the table. I like it too. It makes me feel like I'm doing something right when your kids ask to go the the library.
Logan and Lola want to learn to potty but they are still a little scared of the toilet. I got all the different potties and all that kind of stuff. They just have to overcome the fears they have. I'm not pushing for potty training at all. I believe that when a child is ready they will do it and it will not take long (if they are truly ready). I can't imagine the twins potty trained. Only one child in diapers!?! Is that something that normal people have!?! I have never had just one child in diapers. It would be a dream come true.
Any who that is what we have in plan right now. Nothing big, just us being us.

2008-06-25T14:56:00.002-04:00

Brigette, Mark and Stacey at the batting cages. After a full weekend of Bridger's colic spells we needed this. It was very fun.

2008-06-25T14:17:00.003-04:00

Aunt Stacey came to visit this last weekend. We enjoyed her visit greatly. We went miniature golfing for the twins first time. It was so much fun. Bridger cried (colic) the whole weekend, but other than that it was so much fun. Stacey made this super awesome quilt for Bridger, I will post a picture of it soon...

2008-06-25T14:10:00.002-04:00

This is what Aunite B and Auntie Holly gave Logan and Lola. Big kid bikes with helmets. They love them. The twins ask every day to play on the bikes. I still have to push them but they love it! Thanks Bunches to Brandi and Holly.

2008-06-25T13:29:00.002-04:00

Here is Mark and Logan playing on the floor at my Mom's house. We were there for 7 hours waiting for my sister, Brandi, and her love, Holly, to arrive. We had lots of fun. We just played our Wii and played with the kids. Brandi and Holly ended up coming late that night due to very bad weather. We were very sad that we did not get to spend much time with them.

Family

2008-05-30T12:54:00.005-04:00

So here are our new family portraits. These pictures were done by Chris Armold. There are lots of really good ones. Here are the best. The twins were not in the best of moods this day, so it was difficult to get a good look for the whole family. I think that Chris did a awesome job. If anyone needs a photographer let me know.

2008-05-30T10:34:00.002-04:00

Here are Logan and Lola's first 'push ups". I know, I don't normally give sugar to my kids (let alone things colored red). I had a weak moment and it was very cute and the twins loved it. After the twins were done Lola looked down and said "I'm icky!". We gave them both a bath.

2008-05-20T15:08:00.002-04:00

Here are some pics of Mark's VW Bug that I got him for Mother's Day.

2008-05-20T14:54:00.003-04:00

Mark and I bought our house after about 6 months of marriage. I wanted out of our apartment. We realized that we could not buy a house like our parents have. We went to the 'other side of town'. I don't like where we live, I call it the 'ghetto'. Don't get me wrong I love the house, the inside. I don't like how small our yard is, or how close the other houses are. We hope to be out of our house in two years (That's when we are putting it on the market). Any ways, there has been this very ugly retention wall at the bottom of our front yard. Mark and always said every year we were going to build a new one. That is a lot of money (for the wall I would like). Mark and I don't want to put a lot of money in a house we know we won't be in long. Therefor I asked Mark to take the wall down. Weeks had passed. I try not to ask him to do to much because he works so much. One Saturday about 3 weeks ago the twins were a sleep. So I went off to the shower. I took Bridger with me at sat him the the boppy on the floor. Mark was going to do whatever. I got out of the shower and to my surprise this is what I found. I know that it is going to look really bad until the grass starts growing in. I am so glad that the ugly wall has been taken down. Thanks Mark!

2008-05-20T14:36:00.005-04:00

Garage Sell! It was fun. Mark and I (and the babies) slept at my parents house. I did not want to wake super early and get everyone over there just to set up. First of all the twins loved the fact that we were at Grandma's. Second they knew that they could do anything they wanted. Mark and I were so tired from getting everything over there. The twins were so excited that they could not sleep. They were up until 11:30 or midnight. I'm not sure I gave up and went to sleep.

Here are some pictures of the twins in the morning.

Here is the twins playing with the first double stroller we had. It sold. Yeah!

Here is Bridger hanging out in this super nice swing my mom has.

Mark enjoying the fact my mom has cable, and the twins jumping on our bed.

Poop!!

2008-05-18T13:41:00.002-04:00

I have told some this story. This is horrifying, gross and just down right wrong!
First of all have you ever been told that monkeys throw poop?!
On Sunday morning after Mark made us waffles I was walking through the dinning room, I steeped on something sticky... I looked, it smelled. Gross! Poop!! I was gagging, I can not stand poop, I'm a little germaphobic (I really am). I cleaned it all up and tried to put it out of my mind. A few days later I was upstairs putting laundry away, the twins were in their room playing. The dog was walking around. I saw something on the floor I went to see what it was and stepped in something, poop again! The thing that I saw, poop. There were all these little poop pellets (ok like 3, but still)I cleaned it up. Completely grossed out I blamed it on the dog. We just gave a dog a way a few months ago because she pooped in the house. I did like this dog I did not want to get rid of her. I just let it slide.
Fast forward a few more days. I was putting laundry away again. Logan and Lola playing in their room. All their toys are in there room and there is a baby gate at the door so as they can not get in to any other rooms upstairs. As I was putting laundry away I could hear the kids playing, the baby was asleep in his room. The dog was just walking around following me like always. I look at the video baby monitor watching the kids as they played, I could not see Lola. I walked out of my room to the twins room so I could see what she was up to. Her hand was in her pants. Ewww!I know that it is a common problem for kids this age with there hands in the pants. I started to go into the room so I could talk to her about the and go wash her hands. Just as I started to go in the room she saw me. Took her hand out of her pants. And Threw Poop!!! My little princess! I was gagging. Wishing Mark was home . I had found the 'poop monster'. I was so grossed out. Knowing that she had been doing this. I not knowing that is was her. Knowing that I am a germaphob. I bathed her. I bathed the boys. I bathed myself and cleaned all surfaces that that child could touch.
Thankfully Lola has not done this for a while. I pray that she never does again.

So So busy!

2008-05-16T10:53:00.002-04:00

Hi there! No pictures this time. Sad. Any who know we are having a yard sell this week end!! We hope to sell some of our baby stuff that we don't need any more. Loads of stuff!
We have been super busy lately. Logan and Lola are growing. Lola is biting. Logan is crying. Bridger is... well... crying too! I'm going a little crazy and Mark is working tons.
I dropped the twins at my moms house this week for a few hours so I could do some yard work. I got some done but there is only so much you can do with a baby still with ya.
Last Saturday I bought Mark a '75 VW beetle. Happy Mama's day, lol! I am really happy that we were able to get Mark another VW. I grew up in a family that always had one or was going to get one soon. I love VW bugs, I have a small collection of mini die cast figures (silly I know). Mark and I can hardly wait to get the bug fixed up.
We have been really busy working with the twins on manners. I feel like some days we make progress and others we are back at square one. Potty training is still an issue. I don't mind having three babies in diapers all the time. Just some times it would be nice for them to poop in the toilet for me (I know I am dreaming). Some of you know that I cloth diaper my kids. Yes, all three and I wash them myself. Its a lot of work but I believe it is worth it.
Bridger is healthy, that's great, but he has colic! I thought that Logan had colic but no, Bridger has colic. I think that is why I am so scattered and I feel so out of touch with everyone. I can't be on the phone because I can't hear anything over the cries. Its hard not to be able to comfort your own baby. Sometimes I just cry because Mark is gone all the time (working very hard to support us) and there is no one that really understands the situation. I love my babies so much. I just want to be able to have an hour or two a week to myself. May be next year when Mark graduates from school I will have someone to help out for a while. I don't feel bad for myself at all, I chose this life, I planned it. I feel bad for the children that I don't feel 100% like myself that I can't do all the things I want to do with them.
I am a very self reliant person. I go grocery shopping by myself with the kids. I push the double stroller, pull the shopping cart and breastfeed the baby in a sling while grocery shopping for the week all in under an hour. I just don't like when people come up to me while I am doing all this and want to talk to me about whether or not my children where planned, if I am married, or if I plan to have more. Sometimes I just stare at them, so rude some of the conversations that people start with me. Don't get me wrong I am nice to most people I let them look at my babies ( no touching, please!), I will give them short minute. There are just a small percent of people that feel like they should be aware for your fertility and part of the conversation of having more babies ' this day in age'. I am a very open person but please a little privacy. Sorry I had to purge a little frustration, I'm all better now.
Last week we got kicked out of the library. Lola did not want to help me look for a book. Lola took a bite out of Logan. Logan cried and cried. The baby then started to cry, he was easy I just gave him boob ( that's what we call breastfeeding). Lola continued to act ugly. She took out a small section of books off the bookshelf. I was super embarrassed because the books she took out were all the sexual type books (*** I was looking at the books on the other side***) I was horrified (They should not have those books in the library). Lola just screamed and kicked. One of the librarians saw all this, came over laughing and gave me some help and said it was better if I took her out for a while. I made a very fast getaway. I just know that If I am going to look at books of how to prune roses I will make sure that the twins are not there to push the books on the other side out and make a embarrassing mess.
Any who, that is a little of what is going on. I will post some picture soon of all the things we have been up to lately. Just know if we have no called, e-mailed or missed a date on the calender it is because we are busy and I apologise.

2008-05-08T08:52:00.002-04:00

Mail time! The twins just love mail, they love it even more when its for them. My sister,Brandi, send a postcard from Guam. My sister is in the Navy and shes 'on cruise'. She is stationed on the USS Nimitz. Just watch that PBS program (it's on all the time here) and you will see that it is not really a 'cruise'. Any who, my sister put these awesome 'pop' stickers on the post card and the twins think it is so awesome. They love the 'piggy's'. The twins can hardly wait for Auntie B to come home and visit. Shes coming in June. I can't wait for her to meet Bridger. We love you tons Brandi! We are anxiously waiting you safe arrival home.

2008-05-07T11:36:00.003-04:00

Parker was born on Monday. Tuesday I got a call that Parker's heart was enlarged and he has a heart murmur. See this is more than just scary because I had a sister, Early, who died of heart complications. Mark and the kids and I all went to see David and Sharon last night at the hospital. Parker's heart seems to be doing better but now he is having rapid breathing. He will be staying in the hospital for a few more days. We will be keeping him in our prayers.

2008-05-06T13:03:00.003-04:00

Parker Liam is HERE!!! 10 pounds 5 ounces, 21 1/4 inches!!! David and Sharon are so happy. Sharon was only in labor for 3 hours, I am SO jealous. I have not been to see him yet because the twins have 104 temperatures and I don't want him to catch it. Lynn is so happy about her new baby brother. I hope that I can get out to see him tonight.

2008-04-25T12:50:00.002-04:00

Here are the twins are lunch today. They are working on drinking out of 'big kid' cups.

I am so tired of sippy cups I can hardly wait for this to be permanent.

2008-04-25T12:36:00.002-04:00

This is how the twins are when they had to go to the doctor. I know its gross but I did let them play with the toys in the waiting room this time, yuck! I washed all hands after. Logan did not want any part of this going to the doctor thing, he made that really clear. Lola didn't much mind it at first. Lola is only 20 1/4 pounds 331/4 inches tall. Logan is 26 pounds and 33 inches tall. Lola is so tiny that the doctor asked for some tests to be done just to make sure she is growing the way she should. I'm not to worried, I was only 18 pounds at 2 and I was fine. Any who, the twins are doing great! Right on track with everything if not above. Lola sang her ABC's while signing some of them. She also showed the Doctor that she can read all her ABC's even out of order. Logan showed that he knows all his colors in sign and can point them out. Then Logan was done, he does not like to 'show off' for people. Lola on the other has no problem showing everyone all the things she knows.

2008-04-25T12:18:00.003-04:00

Here are some super cute pictures of Baby Bridger. He is growing so fast! Last week he went to the doctor and got a 'clean bill of health'. No more monitors, no more 'tests'. I still have to watch him a little closer, but it seams that the scary part is over (a lot sooner than we thought it would be). Some of you know that we believe in co-bedding, or 'the family bed idea'. It may sound strange to most but all parents do it in some form. When a child is sick and you bring him to bed so you can keep a close eye and get some sleep, thats called co-bedding. We did this with the twins off and on, until they were comforable to sleep in their own beds by themselves. It was really hard because we had a full size bed and it was very crampt. Now we have a king size bed, yeah! The twins still sleep in there room with each other, in separate toddler beds. Bridger has it made, our bed is a memory foam very nice. Anyways he only has to start moving a little and he gets to nurse because I know that is what he is wanting so I give it to him before he even cries for it. We had to make our bed a little safer for the baby so we got the bed rail, it folds down durring the day after I make the bed so it is out of sight. Mark and I love this arragement because we get more sleep because we don't have to get out of bed all night to check on him and to feed him and all that stuff. It has changed our lives. Plus it is the best 'birth control'. LOL

2008-04-23T10:02:00.002-04:00

Coloring, why do kids like it sooo much. My Twins love to play outside. Logan and Lola would be outside all day if I let them. The baby gets to warm, so we have to come in after a while. The only way I can get the twins in without tears is to tell them that it is art time. They each have a roll of paper that they have to put on the table in case of an ' art accident ' and then they can choose what they want to do. We like water colors, markers, crayons and playdough. Crayons are Logan and Lola's favorite right now. The picture above is right before nap time, after playing outside. Nothing like a little crayons to calm down before a nap. As you can see Lola doesn't always follow directions, she likes to color while laying down.

2008-04-11T18:20:00.002-04:00

It is very hard to see what is happening in this picture. This week we took the 'Binky' away. That is something that I have been fighting with them over for a long time. One day, I was done!! Mark cut the tip of the Binky's off and gave them to the twins. Logan and Lola thought it was funny. Mark asked them if they wanted to put them in the trash and they did. It was done. That was it!? This is going to be easy.... After hours of tears (mostly Mom) the kids went to sleep. The next day at nap time they cried again, no big deal I am sticking with it. After only 45 minutes the twins gave up and went to sleep. I heard the kids snoring really loud. I went to look in at them. As soon as I opened the door I hit something (not hard). I got on the floor to look under the door to see what is was. This is what I saw. This is Lola the view from under the door. It is just too funny, she was waiting for me. I was lucky to get the picture because she woke up just as I was taking the pictures. I then put her in her bed and she finished her nap.

2008-04-11T18:17:00.001-04:00

Our Lola loves to read. This is Sunday after church, reading the Sunday newspaper. I have to make sure she always get the Life and Style section.

2008-04-11T17:46:00.001-04:00

Our Logan loves to dance!! Here is Logan trying to Break Dance. He does this little move every chance he gets. Its so cute!