Oh Heavens, my child is in the double digits!

Holy Moly, I have a 10 year old. Its official...I'm old. Oh I will get over it but really I cant believe it has been 10 years since Braiden was born. The time has gone by so fast, before i know it he will be 20.

I cannot believe how much Braid has changed in the last year. He went from looking like a little boy at 9 to looking like a 'tween at 10! He will likely be as tall or taller than me in the next couple years. Braiden is a smart, fun-loving, strong, and caring kid. I am so glad that he came to me.

There are days where i wonder if I can do it then there are days where I wonder how anyone could choose to never have kids. I Love you Braiden and I am so proud of the little man are becoming!!

To celebrate the occasion we had a party at Cobblestone with some friends and family. We had a great turn-out (Thanks everyone!) and Braiden made out like a bandit!!

Look closely, you will see "Happy 10th Braiden" scratched into the cake. (Didn't have time to decorate it. Had to make due.)

I also forgot candles so we had to pretend there were candles to blow out. Which really only facilitated Braiden's spitting all over the cake. Oh well. It was good anyway.

The kids had a great time eating and making a wonderful mess

Quinn and Teague came for the food. LOL!

Braiden's ever-prized new DC skate shoes he has been asking me to get for months. I have to take a moment and brag about the fact the I got the $65 shoes on eBay for 30!! Woot!!

Boys are so funny the way they all flock over the new toys like they are gold.

Don't worry Luke! I know you were just trying to be the favorite uncle by buying a 10 year old an air soft gun (YIKES!) but don't you worry. I will get you back when I take one of your girls out to get her belly button pierced!! Haha!

And last but not least! A present for me when my bestest friend Tamara showed up from Seattle to surprise me!! Ok really she came out to see her sister but I am so glad to see her!!

After the party I dropped Braiden off at his Dad's house and he gave me a hug and a kiss and said "That was the best birthday party EVER!" That's what makes it all worthwhile.


Happy Birfday Bubba!!

Warning- this is SICK!!!

***Warning***
This is seriously sick so if you are eating or chewing on anything that you could possibly choke on, please stop prior to scrolling down.


So we went to Grandma's house last weekend. She said "Don't use the shower downstairs because it's backing up". Since I am such the do-it-yourself type i thought "I will fix it!"

Need I say more?

Mother's Day 2009

Mother's Day was rather hectic this year as I left that day to drive to California for a little jaunt (details to come in a future post). So we all met at Mimi's for their yummy breakfast. Food, Folks and Fun as McDonald's would say.

That dude in the picture with my mom is Rand, her new flame and hopefully her last. He is a nice guy and at this point "NICE" is our only requirement for a new step-dad. My mom says he's a good kisser too so I guess that's a bonus- for her.

My husband and kids, of course, gave me great hand-picked gifts for Mother's Day and I love that. Eric is always so good to me and he loves and respects me as a Mother and a Woman more than anyone I have ever known. I love that about him and I love that we have 3 AWESOME kids that make my life what it is.

To those I know who are mothers: Congratulations in taking on the world's most difficult yet rewarding "job" you can ever have. It's because of good mothers that there are ANY good people left in the world today. Thanks for telling your tales so that I can avoid a mistake here and there. We have to work together to assure that our babies make it out of teenage-hood alive. Go TEAM!!

To those I know who are not yet mothers: Get to know who YOU are before you try to bring children to your world. You can only love others when you have learned to love yourself first. When the time is right, it will happen and it will be the most AWESOME and EXHAUSTING challenge you have ever taken on. Don't sweat the small stuff because there will always be small stuff. Just love your children unconditionally and they will appreciate you for it someday.

I have known some of the most awesome mothers there are. I have a mom who worked her entire young life to take care of 4 kids on her own while trying to make her own life better. She taught me perserverance and patience. I have Grandmothers who are amazing examples of unconditional love.

I want to be like them.

Happy Mother's Day- hug your babies a little bit tighter tonight!

Sorry and Scouts

I am so sadly behind on the blogging thing. Other ventures have taken up alot of my time lately but I really do want to be a good blogger- please forgive me?

Where shall I begin?

Braiden earned his Wolf in Scouts on April 22nd- I am very proud of him for making the effort with scouts. He loves it and is probably the most enthusiastic kid in his den. I am certainly not a Nazi type mother that is going to threaten him if he does not earn his Eagle as I believe that those are things that HE should choose to do because he wants to, not because I want him to. So far he is right on track. i am glad that he has the desire to be a good kid. Good job Braid!

SHE IS SO MY CHILD...

She is soooo my child...


She is soooo Bonnie's child...

Easter

His, Mine, Ours

I love this picture.

For all those who may not know here is a brief history...

I was married in February 1998 and was divorced 3 years later. I had Braiden in May of 99 with Quinn. Quinn remarried Sara in January 2002 and they had Tatum in May 03 and Teague in March 07. I remarried Eric in March 03 and had Paige in June 05 and Cameron in September 07.

Its funny because Quinn and I actually get along very well. Sure separating was hard and we had to learn over a good year or two how to be nice to each other for Braiden's sake. But now we are even better friends truly than we were when we were married.

So this is a picture of Braiden and all his siblings. Its pretty funny how you can tell which ones come from different parents and Braiden is a perfect mix of all of them. One of my greatest hopes is that, although they don't all live together all the time is that they all grow up to be good friends because of their bond with their big brother.

They are pretty cute, arent they?

From the mouths of Princesses...

This is too funny not to post right now before I forget. Paige was on one today. She is getting an attittude on her and she, being the little Princess, certainly knows how to use her attitude.

This was a little conversation I witnessed between Braiden and Paige earlier:

Braiden was asking Paige to repeat words to see if she could say them. It started out with people's names and then simple things and then...

Braiden: Can you say Supercalifragilisticexpialidoscious?

Paige (very matter-of-factly): Braiden! I can't speak Spanish!

Eric and I got a huge kick out of that.

Then just about 10 minutes ago after I helped Paige brush her teeth I told her to go show Daddy her clean teeth.

Paige: Daddy look at my clean teeth.

Eric: Wow, those are really nice! Are you going to bed now?

Paige: Ya.

Eric: Can I have a kiss?

Paige: Dad! You will make my teeth dirty!


From the mouths of babes! I love it!

Monkey Business

I have been meaning to post this for a while but I couldn't find the picture. I was going through the pics on my other camera that I thought were all eBay pictures and ---EUREKA!---I found it!

I was in the kitchen just doing my thing and when I heard some sounds of struggling and frustration coming from the back of the house. I initially peaked in Paige's room because I was sure Cameron was there but I did not see anything so I moved on to the next room. I was not having any success in finding him and the grunts were turning into screams.

So I decided to check Paige's room again and this time I actually went in and looked in the corner to find this:
Cameron was very intent on retrieving some item from behind Paige's bookshelf and ended up getting himself wedged back there and totally stuck!


I might not have thought this was so cute if he had not been waring the monkey pants. So I did the unthinkable that I know you are all guilty of...I left my child in distress, knowing he was safe, and ran for the camera. This was too funny not to record for posterity...or at least his wedding video!








If you are wondering, I did finally rescue him and he came out of it unscathed and has completely forgotten the entire incident...I think.

My little Prisoners

Paige and Cameron like to play in/ around the dog kennel. This particular day it was pretty funny because they were so intent on squeezing themselves into that tiny little kennel.

After a little screaming and whining here is what I found.

I know you are thinking that I probably put them there but really, even though at times it is tempting, I have never done that.

I had to pry them out carefully so as not to dislocate any body parts.

Why didn't I think of that?

There is a lovely new donut shop in town.

I saw the sign a few weeks ago and have been trying not to look ever since but the temptation got the better of me.

We decided to take the kids on a little treat outing for family night last week and we one of almost everything.

The concept is basically that they use all glaze donuts while the frosting is all different and very unique flavors such as German Chocolate, peppermint strawberry, Cookies and Cream, Apple Pie, etc. They were so pretty I had to take a picture.

PS- I will not be returning anytime soon.

March 31st: Addendum: By request I will explain why= I think I ate enough calories for 2 weeks. Any more questions?

Utah- This is the Place

Last week Braiden's 4th Grade class had their "Utah...This is the Place" program. Braiden had dancing and speaking parts. He did very well and the program was great. I even began to feel a little Utahn pride...except that would not be possible because I am NOT a Utahn. (Even though I have lived here for 14 years). This video is a little like "Where's Waldo" since every kid seems to look the same. If you can follow Braiden the whole time you get a prize. Also you will have to forgive the amatuer video quality. I did not use a tripod so this is very earthquake-like. If you are prone to motion sickness, do not watch.

In Memory...

March 20, 2008 - March 2, 2009

Our lives were touched by this little sweet'heart'...
Gracie, you'll forever be in our hearts.

6 years ago today...

Today is my anniversary. Six years ago today I married my best friend and the man that I want to grow old with. Since then he has given me 2 beautiful children and become a father to my first child. He loves me no matter what I look like or what I do. I love him more than words can describe.

I love this song by Shania Twain. Every time I hear it I think about my relationship with Eric.

When You Kiss Me
( Shania Twain Lyrics for the song When You Kiss Me ...)
This could be it,

I think I'm in love

It's love this time

It just seems to fit,

I think I'm in love

This love is mine

I can see you with me when I'm older

All my lonely nights are finally over

You took the weight of the world off myshoulders

(the world just goes away)

Chorus:

Oh, when you kiss me

I know you miss me

and when you're with me

The world just goes away

The way you hold me

The way you show me

that you adore me oh,

when you kiss me

Oh, yeah

You are the one,

I think I'm in love

Life has begun

I can see the two of us together

I know I'm gonna be with you forever

Love couldn't be any better

Oh, when you kiss me
I know you miss me
and when you're with me
The world just goes away
The way you hold me
The way you show me
that you adore me oh,
when you kiss me

I can see you with me when

I'm older

All my lonely nights are finally over

You took the weight of the world off myshoulders

(the world just goes away)

Oh, when you kiss me
I know you miss me
and when you're with me
The world just goes away
The way you hold me
The way you show me
that you adore me oh,
when you kiss me

And when you kiss me

I know you miss me

Oh, the world just goes away

When you kiss me...

Happy Anniversary Eric.

My little Big Guy!

Cameron is just a few days shy of 18 months (yeah) and is turning into a little boy and losing his "baby-ness" more and more every day. He now weighs 31 pounds and looks like the average 2 year old. He is such a sweetheart and loves to give loves and cuddle. I can happily brag that all my babies have been very cuddly and Cameron is no exception. However he is definitely learning how to push my buttons and can throw a tantrum like no other.

He is beginning to say more words and attempting the art of communication. I needed to record some of the things he is saying before it leaves my slippery mind:

"Bye-bye"

"Hi-EE"= Hi Eddie (He says it while petting our dog Eddie so I can only assume that's what he is saying)

"Down"=he says that when we wants up or down

"Done"=when he is done eating

"Num-num"= he wants food

"bepee"= sippy

"Baba"=bottle

Dada

So he is saying quite a bit but I still cant get him to say mama. I will keep working on him.

I am coming out of the closet...

A while back Eric an I were just watching TV and a commercial for the Celine Dion Concert came on. I mentioned that I thought that would be a way cool concert to go to. She has never performed in Salt Lake before. I am a closet Celine Dion fan. I have always liked her songs and I will admit that I have most of her albums on my iPod. She has a gorgeous voice and I love to covet other peoples beautiful singing voices. So anyway, Eric surprised me for Valentines Day with concert tickets. Points for him for listening to the subtle hints of his wife. It only took 6 years!

I was not really sure what to expect of her concert but I have to say...

SHE ROCKED!!!

I hate to say it but I actually followed the rules and did not take my camera to the event. Ok, I actually just accidentally forgot it but I am so sad about it. She was so hot. She changed her outfits like 7 times and it was amazing how she rocked out in the 5 inch spikes she was wearing. I almost cried when she sang "My Heart Will Go On" for her finale. Brought back many memories of rockin' out to Celine with my roommates in college. You know who you are!

My secret is now out... I Love Celine Dion!

A Mommy needs a Prayer Tonight...

I have been following the blog of Gracie Gledhill
(she is the niece of my cousin) who is a heart baby. She was born with a heart defect and her mom has kept this blog journal since before she was born. She is now 11 months old and the family has been on a huge roller coaster of joy and sadness while watching their little baby girl deal with this. I cannot even imagine the hardship of having to watch your child be in pain and sick.

Over the last few weeks Gracie has had some setbacks that upgraded her to the top of the transplant list. She was only on the list for a few days when the got the call and Gracie was given a transplant yesterday. However they are experiencing some complications with the transplant.

I thought I would post this so that maybe the one or two of you who actually look at my blog might include Baby Gracie in your prayers today. Although I am a stanger to them, my heart aches for their sadness and stress. They have 3 other young children who are watching their baby sister suffer but they remain upbeat and positive while hoping and praying for a miracle. I have no doubt that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us, whatever it may be, but miracle never cease and Baby Gracie needs one right now.

Happy New Year!

Only a few weeks late... Happy New Year!

Pleasant Surprise!

The other day I was wanting to use my camera and when I turned it on I got a "memory full" message. This was very surprising to me considering that my disk hold like 300 pics. Well I decided to upload and guess was I found... I think Paige is planning a career in photography. Here I picked out the best for the collage. There were about 80 more where this came from.

A few weeks ago, as we all know how far behind I am on blogging, after there had just been a huge snow storm, i walked into the family room to find this:

My first thought was to stop them but I thought it was so cute and sweet the Paige was helping Cameron to "taste" the freshly fallen snow right out of our back door. Paige literally fed the snow to him off her finger. I caught this shot at the perfect moment before they even knew I was standing there.

Paige and Cameron are the best of little friends. Yes they have their little fights over toys or whatever it is at the moment, but Cameron is Paige's little shadow and wants to do everything she does.

Welcome to the 6th Member of our family...

This is Eddie. He is half poodle, half Bichon Frise. I got him from a friend that could no longer handle the dog thing because she just started the baby thing. He is such a good dog. He was a little nervous the first few days but he has warmed up and he is now my little buddy. I have a constant little shadow. This breed of dog is supposed to be very loyal and good natured. That he is and we love him. Welcome to the fam Eddie! PS- he came with that name- I didn't choose it but I think we will keep it.

Some things I learned today...

Today I attended the Successful Mothering Convention at the South town Expo Center. It was one of those things were you walk around and see fun stuff and eat free chocolate and buy purses and hats that you really don't need but look darling on you nonetheless. he he. My friend and I had a good time and spent way more money than we should have (I won't tell) but I learned some great things about myself as a mother. Such as:

-I would rather go to a mothering convention all day and hear people tell me how to be better mothers and spend too much money than spend the day at home with my kids and husband. ;)

-I love to eat chocolate and will walk laps around a huge convention center to find chocolate that is free.

-I really DO NOT want to host a Slumber Party for fear that I will have to repent afterward.

-I look really cute in my new hat.

-I am not good at staying awake in mothering classes.

OK now- seriously- it was way fun and I heard some great speaking and saw some really cool things. Here is one of the coolest things I saw:

This website www.realheroposters.com has some of the coolest Book of Mormon Hero posters ever. The depictions of these BOM characters are breathtaking and so inspiring. I just ordered the Lehi poster for my family room and the Nephi Poster for Braiden's room.

I would much rather see these in there than High School Musical or Sponge Bob. Go check these put NOW! The best part is that they are very cheap. The first one is $10 and every additional is $5. Such a great price for such and inspirational piece of art.

The next great thing they had was this darling booth that had awesome hats and flower clips for girls and women. I ended up buying 2 because they were soooo cute on and the prices were really reasonable. Go to www.hatsandflowers.com.

Next and probably the coolest for ladies like me that LOVE purses: www.michebag.com

This is the greatest thing for girls who love to match their purse to their outfit everyday. A purse that has interchangeable outside covers. I am having a party soon because I want to diverify my collection. Go check it out.

That's all for now. I have been a total blogging slacker but I think I have just been tired after the holidays. I will get back on my blogging wagon soon, i promise. See you!