Angelice Loses a Tooth!

Lastnight, after she'd been in bed for awhile, Angelice called out "Mom! I heard a snap, and I think I broke my tooth out!" I went to take a look, and sure enough, her previously wiggly tooth was just hanging by a thread. There was a little bit of blood, which sort of scared her, and she didn't want me to help her get it over with. I had her rinse out her mouth, and told her to keep wiggling it, and that it would come out on its own.

A few minutes later, Ted went in to kiss her goodnight, and she was holding her tooth in her hand with sort of stunned expression on her face.

"It came out? IT CAME OUT!!!" She's so precious! She was so excited that a real fairy was going to visit her room, that she could hardly sleep! But eventually she did, and sure enough, the tooth fairy brought her a dollar in change. She's a big kid now!

Thanksgiving Pics Late!

Here's a few from our Thanksgiving trip to Pocatello, enjoy!

More Christmas Day

The kids loved their new BYU jerseys from Grandma and Grandpa Frank. Thank you so much!

Here we are enjoying Christmas breakfast. Everyone heartily approved!

Thanks to both sets of Grandparents for their kind and thoughtful gifts this year. We really enjoyed our Christmas at home, with our little family, but we so missed our extended family, too!

Christmas Day

Our favorite Christmas Tradition is Dad's special cherry french toast with whipped cream, and hot chocolate with candy canes in it. I serve it on our snowmen stoneware, because it is color coordinated, and looks so pretty! Isn't it beautiful?

Christmas morning started at 5:30 am, when Ben crawled into bed with us. He went back to sleep, but unfortunately, I could not. So I went out onto the couch. Ten minutes later, Jacob got up to use the bathroom, and saw the gifts laid out around the tree. I told him to go back to bed, and he tried, he really did. Finally at 7:30, he came out and said "MOM!! I can't wait." I told him to go play video games in the playroom until his siblings woke up. He came back out at 9 am, and the whole house was still soundly sleeping. Well, he just wasn't going to take it anymore, and he marched right into our bedroom, woke Dad and Ben, and then went strait into Angel's room to wake her as well. Ben's face was priceless as he walked into the living room! I wish I had a camera then! Here's a few pics of what the kids got!

My mother was so kind to stand in line for so long to get an autographed copy of Glenn Beck's "The Christmas Sweater" for Ted. He was absolutely jazzed to get it, it's probably among his most prized possesions, now.

Speaking of Being Pregnant!

Here's my first belly shot with this kiddo. I am 22 weeks here. Don't mind the bad hair and lack of make up. Yikes. I am rethinking posting this! Oh well!

Fun In the Snow!

Apparently, here in Boise, snow is only supposed to come in intervals of 2 or three inches, and not stick around for very long. That is what everyone told us when we moved here. However, last year, we had snow pretty much from Halloween to Valentine's Day, including a storm that dumped 8 inches all at once. This year so far, we have had three big storms, each dumping 2 or three inches at a time, all within about 6 days. Right now, there's about 6 inches on the ground! Here's some pictures of our day in the snow yesterday!

Jake and his friend from next door made a little snow fort by shoveling the driveway and the walk and piling the snow up. Then, they dug a hole in the middle, and used a sled for a door! This served two purposes: It kept all the kids busy ALL afternoon, so I could put my feet up and rest away some fun contractions; AND, the walk and driveway got shoveled, too! Woo Hoo!

Happy Birthday Ben!

Ben turned three on December 14th. What a blessing to our family. How do I describe such a unique, and fun little person, whom we have just come to know? His little personality is infectious, he is brave and affectionate. His favorite past times include tackling and sitting on his sister, and bonking his noggin. Throughout his short life his health problems have tested me. His contracting rotovirus at about 18 months, and becoming so sick that he didn't grow for half a year was probably the scariest, and most trying challenge I have had with a child. I thank God every day that he is now healthy and growing, and keeping me on my toes!

We all love you little guy!

Anyone Know Where to Buy These Big Bows?

Because we are going to need them! We have been blessed with another beautiful baby girl, which makes two of each. I cannot believe how the Lord has blessed us in this department. I NEVER get what I want. NEVER. But in the children department, I must say, I think the Lord has definately heard my prayers, and He happens to agree with what I think I need.

In all seriousness, though. These types of hairbows were not in style when I had Angelice, so I have no idea where to get them. I haven't seen them at my usual discount store haunts. So, if you know, or you make them, or whatever, PLEASE post, and let me know. I can't wait to buy some!

Taking a Little Break

Sometimes you just have to focus the little energy and emotion you have into the things that count. This is one of those times. I won't be posting for awhile, because we just cannot afford to keep our internet connection in more ways than one.

A prophet of God once uttered a perfect word to describe what our family is trying to do at this moment: Simplify. Simplify our needs and wants, simplify our lives, our families. What is most important to YOU? To YOUR family?

Sheri Dew once said: "We no longer have the luxury of doing anything that does not lead us or our families to Christ."

For our family, luxuries like satellite tv and high speed internet connections, do not lead us to Christ.

Perhaps in the future, we can revisit this blog. Maybe after things settle down a little bit.

Thanks for listening!

Happy Birthday to Our Little Angel

What a blessing she is in our family! She's a little Mommy, a wonderful artist, so smart and talented in so many ways. From the moment she was born, she brought great peace and joy and a sense of tenderness into our family. The spirit is never far from her, it speaks to her in such a loud voice, and she always listens.

We are so proud to call her our daughter! Angelice was named well. Happy Birthday baby girl!

Photos from the show!

These are some seriously good performers. After all these years, I must say, they are better than they were the first time around.

Hope you enjoy the few pics I took. The camera was very distracting to my experience, and I could not stand it. I had to take it all in with no distractions and my own eyes.

Football Season Ends

Jacob's team finished the season with but one loss, and earned a playoff spot. The championship game was played last Saturday against the Owyhee Wolf Pack, who were undefeated. And twice as big I might add. It was FREEZING cold, and raining.



Here is the final score:

Good job Defense!

Our team finished as conference champs, and second place in the league. Here's Jake with his trophy. He said after the game: "Well, we did our best, and I am proud to be able to support my team from the sidelines. I really wished I could have played though. Next year, I will be bigger, and have more experience, so maybe I will be a starter!"

What a sport! We are so proud of how disciplined and dedicated he was this year, and look forward to doing it all again next year!

Halloween fun

Yay for Halloween! Jacob had football practice a half hour into the school carnival so he went as a football player! Here he is with his friend Jason who also went as a football player...


Angelice went as a witch, and Ben went as a knight. We are standing in line to get balloons here. Oh. Ted went as an Optician!




Another one of Angelice.

We had fun. Next year, I am going to suggest they not try to house 600 people in an elementary school sized gym. How 'bout opening some classrooms as booths, mmmkay?

Sorry for the Gap.

It's been a long time, I know. So, here's a little catch up.
Ted lost another person at work, so he's been working ridiculous hours until he can get someone hired. In the meantime, he's also doing most of the housework because I have never been so sick in all my life.

Whoever called this "morning sickness" should be pistol whipped. I have spent the last three weeks or so in a literal fog. I sleep all the time, I am sick sick sick, tired, shakey, I am pretty sure I have low blood sugar all the time, and I may even be nutrionally deprived, being as I can't eat anything. I am regularly dehydrated as well because water makes me sick. I have lost about 6 pounds.

This is all day sickness, with a particular intensity between 4 and 10 pm. I remember thinking that there is no way I could ever say I am done having kids. Well, I can say it now, because I am too old for this crap. Hurry up April!

Second Game Today

No pics today. I forgot my camera. I had the wagon loaded with chairs, drinks, snacks, toys, and umbrellas, and the camera just sort of got left by the wayside.

Anyway, today the Iowa Eagles played the Sunnyside Dark Knights. They were BIG. Jacob played guard and right tackle again, playing on the kick off team as well. He is not exceptionally fast, but he is tenacious, and got by his man (who was three times his size!) often.

Final score 14 to 0, Eagles!!

I am so proud! He got lots of kudos from his coaches during the game, and his team mates love him. This has so far been such a great experience for Jacob. He has grown leaps and bounds in confidence and knowledge of the game, self discipline and team work. For us Moms it is hard to watch our little guys work so hard, and get so beat up on the field. But as we see our little guys turn into fine young men, we know that it all pays off.

Way to go Eagles!

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Today was Jacob's first game with the Iowa Eagles. Full contact. Pads and helmets. I was expecting utter chaos. This is the first year of football for a lot of these kids. But I tell you what, the last three weeks of conditioning and coaching paid off! The Eagles beat the Ronald Reagan Elementary Raptors 24-0. One of the coaches joked before the game "If you shut 'em out, we'll buy you all lunch at McDonald's!" Ya. He bought 22 double cheeseburgers and 22 large fries after the game. I don't think coach will be making that promise again!

Jacob is the third green jersey from the right; look carefully, the second guy is a little ahead of him blocking someone. I tried to upload the video from my digital camera of the kids breaking through their banner, but blogger didn't recognize the format. So, if anyone has any idea how to do that, advice would be appreciated!

Jacob's going to be watching this thread, so, if you could leave some comments for him, I am sure he'd appreciate it!

Woo HOO!!! Go GREEN!!!

First Day of School

Yesterday was Jacob and Angelice's first day of school. Jacob is in fourth grade and Angelice is in first. The principal asked the marching band from Skyview high school to play pep band music for the kids before school, in the halls as they went to their classes for the first time, and for the national anthem after the morning pledge. It really was a special day, and thanks to a kind teacher on the playground before school, I was able to capture the moment with my kids instead of having to be behind the camera!

Good luck this year kiddos!

"Lion" Around

Part of being a stay at home mom is being there for your kids as a playmate. Kids need to be entertained, and while this doesn't sound like it is getting much "done", it is actually the thing that takes up most of my day. Sure I could have a spotless kitchen, a sparkling bathroom, and a home cooked five course meal on the table everyday. I have time to make sure that EVERYTHING is picked up before Dad gets home in the evening, and I could sure accomplish having a home that looks like someone was here to keep it picked up everyday. But then, I would not have the kind of time I would like to do things like this!

I was getting Ben dressed today, and in the back of his closet he saw his Halloween costume from a year ago; a LION. "Mama, I wanna be lion today!" Of course, I didn't understand what he meant at first. Then, taking my head in his hands and turning it toward the back of his closet, he says "Right 'der! A LIOONNN!!"

We have spent the morning running around being chased by the sweetest, funniest, growliest lion ever! Sure, there's still dishes in the sink, and sure, there's still chocolate cake crumbs under the table from yesterday's dessert. But I wouldn't miss this for all the clean houses in the world!

Here We Go Again

I am aware that this is hard to see, which is why I am not at all optimistic about this. But nonetheless, here it is, a big fat positive pregnancy test. I understand it is not generally polite to be blabbing about this on a public board, and that a lot of people will think it is strange that I am saying something so early, especially given my past history.
But it is what it is, folks. This is my life, in the raw, and if we lose this one too, well... *sigh*
Ironically, our first chemical pregnancy was a year ago this month. Third time is the charm I am hoping!!

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Our firstborn is nine years old. I keep telling him how fast the time has gone by, that just yesterday, he was a beautiful stranger sleeping in my arms. He just shakes his blonde head at me and says "Oh, MOM!"

But it's true. He's been a gift. He's been a challenge. He's been both the joy and bain of my existence. He's stubborn, proud, smart beyond his years, talented and wise. He's obsessed with football and fishing. He does well in school, and enjoys learning new things. He spends hours watching the Discovery Channel (shark week was must see tv at our house!), his favorites being Man vs. Wild, Mythbusters, Dirty Jobs, and Deadliest Catch.

This summer, he has enjoyed teaching his sister how to ride a two wheeler, fishing with his Dad, exploring the neighborhood on his bike, and perfecting his Guitar Hero skills.

He's only going to get bigger, which I cannot even fathom, being that he used to be so tiny. He's now over four feet tall, and inching closer to 65 pounds. How did this happen to me? How did my little munchkin grow into a young man?

Happy birthday buddy! I hope your life is filled with football games, fishing trips, and dirty jobs!