Road Trip

So last Thursday afternoon, we (my parents and I) decided to leave Friday morning for a road trip to Arizona. My parents had actually started to move down there last fall but plans changed and they are going to UT instead. In the process of moving, they hauled most of their belongings and my Dad's ginormous boat down there. On his return, he brought the boxes and stuff so the boat (his baby) remained 16 hours away. We decided that we should head down and get the thing before he started his new job and had to take time off.

Well, Grandma and Grandpa decided and I decided that the kids and I needed to come. Since Grandpa moved down there, Abbi has prayed fervently that he could be kept safe from the big cactus (sahuaro cactus to be exact). That and all the stories and things I have told them about growing up in Arizona made Abbi and Jake very interested in the state. I was also very interested in stopping at Pancho's. A Mexican food place that I have very fond memories of when we lived in El Paso actually, but they have one in Phoenix.

Anyway, we packed up Friday morning and headed out. After eight hours in the car, we arrived at Bluewater New Mexico and we camped, yes camped in February, in the truck. We had a campfire with Jiffy Pop that the kids thought was so cool and we slept in the cab of the truck with Grandma and Grandpa in the bed of the truck. In the morning, we went down to the freezing water, Abbi was upset she couldn't go for a swim. Then we were on the road again.

As we approached Gallup, Abbi noticed some "cliffs" that looked just like the ones in Radiator Springs. Cars, Jake's favorite movie, was based on the old Highway 66 and they took a lot of thing from the actual area and adapted it for the movie. We arrived in Phoenix that evening and I got to go to Pancho's. The only craving I have had in all my pregnancies was for a cheese tostada from this restaurant. Obviously, that was never fulfilled, until Saturday night. SOOOOO GOOOOD!!!! The only unfortunate thing is that I want another one!! That is not likely to happen. Then we went to Ikea- I love that place!!

We were able to see my Uncle Dewalt and his family. They were kind enough to let us crash at their house and Abigail took a big liking to my cousin Thomas. He is fourteen and he was a very good sport to put up with her following him around and asking him a million questions. My Aunt, with help was kind enough to make us breakfast and Abbi wouldn't sit until she knew where Thomas was sitting and she wouldn't pick a drink or get anything to eat until she knew what he was going to eat and drink. Thanks Thomas for being so great to her. Then she found Thomas's sister Sarah and asked her about three million questions as well. Thanks again guys!!

Abbi had a great time with my cousins and Isaac took a liking to Uncle Dewalt. It was a lot of fun to visit them and be at the house where I have so many memories playing with their kids closer to my age. It was a blast!! The next morning, before we left town, we stopped to see an old friend of mine, Emily. IT was so wonderful to see her. I miss her so much and it was nice just to see her in person and give her a hug and see how she is doing. I love you Emily. As we were headed out of town, we had to stop at an In and Out burger because I had never been to one. Then, the big moment came when we found a place to pull off the road. Grandpa, Abbi, Jake and I hopped out of the truck and went for a little hike. We got to see all the desert plants and several different varieties of cactus. I know it sounds crazy, but the kids have never seen cactus and they have heard a lot about it so they were absolutely amazed at the different kinds and how often they appear in the Arizona desert.

We took off Sunday morning to come home and Grandma suggested that we would only be an hour or so from the Grand Canyon. We decided that it would be a lot of fun to take the kids to "the big hole in the ground" (as they call it). So we took the huge detour and the kids thought it was great. We were at the South Rim and we walked along the path for almost a mile and back and made some great memories. Then we headed back. We stayed at a hotel in Holebrook which the kids thought equally as fun as any thing else on the trip.

Before we really got on the road Monday morning, we decided to humor the kids and stop at a tourist-y gift shop off the interstate near the petrified forest in New Mexico. They had fake tipi's up and a weather rock and some of the petrified trees. Abbi kept asking where the Indians were that lived in the tipi's. It turned into this huge conversation about how 'Indians' are just like everyone else and live in houses and drive cars now. They didn't ever live in tipi's in the southwest anyway. She had so many questions and it was funny to try to get her to understand. Then after a super long day yesterday, we made it home at about midnight last night.

It was a really short trip and we spent most of it in the car, but we all had a really good time. I might say this a lot, but I am so grateful for my parents. They are such wonderful grandparents. They did so much this past weekend just to humor my three and four year old. I am so grateful that my children have supportive and happy grandparents. Thanks mom and dad!!

Bummer. . .

So the past week or so I have been feeling a little (okay, a lot) like garbage. Pregnancy, right? I was just thinking it was a little weird that the 'morning' sickness just hit at 10 weeks. Well, that's because it didn't!!!

I went to my first Dr's appointment yesterday and found out that my body was completely whacked out over the holidays apparently. I am only eight weeks and 2 days today, although, my cycle (which I am 100% sure about) would put me at 10 weeks and 2 days. Crazy!! And a bit upsetting- I would really like to be the 10 weeks instead of 8. Oh well. We did find out that the baby is there and has a very healthy heart beat, so still some good news.

Bad news... Abbi didn't get into the Charter School that we wanted her to get into. Well, she is on this list (#88 out of 89 names) and the school takes 21. Now people move and parents decline spots so the openings will move up the list, but come on... she's second to last. Stupid lottery system!! I am pretty bummed but I know that there is a reason and things will be fine no matter where she goes to Kindergarten in the fall.

I think it might be a blessing in disguise because my father found a job in UT that he starts in just over a week and my mom will be following him out there once she gets the house here taken care of. Therefore, John and I are moving!! I do say that like it's a good thing. My parents have been so unbelievably gracious to let us live here for almost two years and things could not have been more fun. We have had the wonderful opportunity to get to know them better and I marvel at how wonderful they are with my kids. John and I are so grateful for their kindness and all that they have done for us. I am so grateful that this experience has done nothing but strengthen our relationship with my parents. They are such great people and amazing grandparents. Thanks Mom and Dad!!

With all that, moving is still a good thing. We are ready to have a place of our own. I am also looking forward to being in a new part of town. We just have to keep praying that we always have a renter in our house in KS or we can get it sold someday soon.

Here we go again. . .

I have not posted in a while. There isn't all that much going on with us. That is to say that January was actually a very happening month for my extended family. Several unfortunate things have been going on and we are grateful that we (John and I) do have some good news to share. . . we are expecting our fourth baby in September!!


Yes, that is right, I am only eight weeks people. Past history would tell me that I shouldn't even know that I am pregnant yet, but the test did work pretty early on (for me anyway). And whether or not I wanted to wait until I had at least seen a doctor, John can not keep a secret. In his defense, he didn't know that it was a secret for now. That's only because he told everyone he knew before he spoke to me about it. Yeah, you think he might be excited or something?! At this point, I should apologize to all who received the picture message of the 'stick' that showed a positive pregnancy. That was really meant for John's eyes only. Sorry.


So no, I have not been to a Dr. or anything but given the fact that I saw the announcement on his Facebook, I better get it out in the open I suppose. The kids are very excited Abbi is expecting a little sister (Diamond or Sparkle) and Jake a little brother (Jake). One of them will be right (not about the name-obviously)!!


With all the news that has been spreading around here, things seem to be settling down. We are just waiting for Isaac to walk or talk or do something other than eat. We'll see. I am sure it's in his future somewhere!!

The fat lady has sung

Christmas at our house, and New Year's too, was pretty uneventful. We had cancelled our plans to travel to KS a couple of months ago and John's sister, Jordan, and her fiance cancelled their plans to come out here. (They did have a great time in Louisiana with his family though.)

I was up late doing Christmas Eve 'stuff' and woke very early in the morning to vomit the remains of the very time consuming dinner I had prepared merely hours prior. Very Christmas Cheer-y, I know. I don't get sick to my stomach very often at all and I don't know why it had to be on Christmas. Very disturbing planning by the fates. Anyway, I was very tired and not feeling well this Christmas but . . . it was a good holiday.

Given my sickly state, my mother prepared Christmas Dinner, so I didn't really have a whole lot to worry about that day (except of course the fact that the first hurricane to ever hit CO had happened in my house!) The kids had a great holiday. I cannot believe how spoiled they are!!! It was great to be with family and enjoy the excitement of the holiday.

New Year's this year was the first holiday ever that we did not spend with extended family. It was just us and the kids and I have to say I loved it!! Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with John's family and mine too, having big holiday events and traditions, but it was so nice to have our family start our own traditions, just us. We rented movies and got a lot of junk food. The kids were in heaven. They stayed up so late, but I was the only one to make it to midnight, sad, huh John?! So I stole my New Year's kisses from a sleeping husband and sleeping children.

So it's all over. All the crazy-ness and preparation for the holidays and it is all over...until next year.

Santa Claus is coming to town!

We are getting ready for Christmas in our house, as are all of you. Abbi asks me everyday if it is Christmas yet.

"Not today," I have to reply.

"The next day?" she always retorts.

"No."

"The day after that?"

This goes on for a while, every morning. You think she is a little excited? Well, to be honest, I am excited too. I remember the jitters I would get when I was younger in anticipation of the big day. That majic kind of wears off as you get older. . . until you have your own kids. At least for me, the excitement returns as I decorate, plan and shop for my kids. I get so excited for them.

This is such a wonderful time of year. John and I talk about Baby Jesus as much as we can and try to explain the purpose of the holiday to a three and four year old. I am always amazed at how much they do understand. Abbi approached me the other day and explained to me that Jesus was a baby like Isaac is a baby and He wouldn't like it if she was mean to her brothers.

I love to shop, so naturally this is one of my favorite times of the year!! I love the opportunity to give to my loved ones but I also love the special opportunity to teach my children kindness, generosity and a love for their fellow men. I am so grateful for my Savior and I pray that despite the excitement for all that is Santa Claus this time of year, that my children can continue to learn and understand the true meaning of Chirstmas.

Jake Ryan...

Well, it was Jake's birthday on the 25th of last month!! ( I know I am a slacker) I can not believe that he is three. It was only three years ago that I went through the torture that was his labor, and finally, his delivery. It's crazy to think that just three years ago I had a very sick little baby boy. At this point, the doctor didn't even know what it was but would be rushing us to the hospital for surgery in just two weeks. Wow, three years seems so long ago but then again, it passes so fast.

Jake's party was was a great time. This was the first real party that he has had with friends and favors and all that. Jake had three of his little friends over, Colton, Blake and Paris (not to mention our family, and the parents of most of the extra kids, my sister and her husband were in from ID and my other sister and my niece). It was a Bob the Builder/tractor themed party and it was a lot of fun. The boys had a great time building with the big blocks, painting and playing the Construction Zone game we had for them to do. All of the boys especially loved the hard hats, tool belts and tools that they got as favors.

It was crazy in the house with all of the people around and four little boys going crazy with excitement like the little boys they are. All in all, the party was a success and everyone had a really great time. I still can't believe some of the really great toys that they have now a days but Jake is definitely not complaining!!!

I am so grateful for Jake in my life. Those puppy dog eyes and his cheesy little smile melt my heart. I love you Jake!!

Halloween

I think my kids get almost as excited about Halloween as they do for Christmas. The idea of dressing up and going around to ask people for candy (which, under normal circumstances, would be rude) is just absolutely the most fun they can have.

The Saturday before Halloween, we got all dressed up and went to the Costume Parade here in town. Costumes were a little bit of an issue this year. I really wanted to force them to be Tigger, Pooh and Piglet. Silly, I know, but they were actually okay with it. We go to Wally World and lo and behold Tigger, Pooh and Piglet were nowhere to be found. Then the older two decided they could all be puppies and be the Dalmation Plantation off 101 Dalmations. Dog costumes were not to be had either. We kept looking and Abbi decided she could be a beautiful witch (this is after I vetoed the $30 Princess costume) because Mommy was going to be a witch too. Although Jake decided on Superman, he kept calling himself Batman. Then there is Isaac, who didn't get much say in the matter, who was the bee that now all three of my kids have been. The kids really enjoyed seeing all the other Supermans and bees and other crazy and imaginative costumes at the parade.

On Halloween, we went to Greeley for my sister's ward Trunk-or-Treat. They did a whole "Fall Festival" thing too so the kids had a really great time. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, trunk or treated, got faces painted and even won a couple of goldfish. Abbi and Jake had a grand ole time while Isaac slept in the stroller for most of it.

The Saturday after Halloween, we had a dinner party here. It's kind of been tradition in my family to have a Haunted Dinner so we invited some friends and family over and had a great time.

The weekend was pushed over the top for my kids when Grandpa came home for a surprise visit. They were outside all day Saturday helping Gramps work on the the truck. 'Helping" is used very loosely in this context but they did come in right before the dinner party absolutely filthy and covered in oil. Thank you Grandpa. My kids just adore Gramps. When Abbi prays for meals or family prayer she, without fail, asks, "Please bless Grandpa in Arizona so he doesn't get hurt by the big cactuses and that he won't get sick in Arizona. " She was praying for a long time that "Grandpa can get better from his sickness that I don't know what it is." That, of course, is referring to the kidney stones he was hospitalized for a few months ago.

Anyway, had I known that Gramps was coming back we may not have planned all the activities we did but the kids had a great time with him and all the stuff we did.