Family Updates

I'm Out!!

2010-02-27T18:54:00.000-08:00

Leaving at 8 or 8:30 am for Montana. I can't believe that I'm leaving. I'll be staying in Denver Sunday night and then drive the rest on Monday...assuming the kids do well.

Wish me luck!!

100th Post...do a little happy dance!

2010-02-20T20:54:00.000-08:00

This is my 100th blog post!

Here's what I have to say...
Since I have decided to gear my photography more towards children I am re-doing my name and logo. It took me a long time to think of something that was fun/funky, kid friendly, and reflects my personality.
At 3:00am sometime last week when I was lying in bed not sleeping I came up with
happy dance photography.

Click here to view my new photography blog. Still working on the logo.

Thanks for peeking!

Moving

2010-02-19T08:49:00.000-08:00

So...Spencer and I have decided that it would be in our best interest for the kids and I to move back to Montana early. Here's why...

1. We need to find a house and close on it before Spencer graduates because I don't want to move more than once.
2. When Baer turns 3 years old he will be transitioning into the school district for his therapy. Because his birthday is in July it is in his best interest to move back early and get all his therapy going.
3. It will be much easier for Spencer to finish up the house projects without all the toys and kids messing things up.

So...see you Montanans in a week and a half or so.

Baer's Mischief

2010-02-06T08:45:00.001-08:00

One example of what Baer likes to do when I'm working on something.

Pretty sure 32 lbs plus the occasional bouncing force isn't so good for the dishwasher door...yet I pause to take a picture ;)

Thanks for peeking!

Winter Formal

2010-01-31T11:38:00.000-08:00

Photo displayed below

Spencer's school has a winter formal every year and hasn't taken me to any of them...until last night. I guess the last year is as good as any. We had a group of 8 and we all rode together in our armada. We had dinner, awards ceremony, and dancing.

Spencer ordered the vegetarian plate for me (he knows me so well) and got the chicken plate for himself. Mine was better than his was (or so it seemed by his reaction to his chicken plate...bland). One of the girls in our group kept leaving to go check on the Kansas State vs Kansas basketball game during dinner so we joined her after our meals. We joked that if her date/fiance had tried to pull that it may not have gone over well. Spencer wanted to make sure he got his cheesecake so Devin (the one who couldn't miss the game) grabbed one off the server's tray when she wasn't watching and handed it to Spencer. He took it with him and when we got back we all had been served our cheesecake...including Spencer. Lucky dog got two!

It seemed like forever before they finally started the awards. Devin announced the winners and then it was dancing time! I danced for a bit, Spencer danced a slow dance with me, danced a little more, and then decided it was time to go. Spencer and I left our group there to find their own ride home, haha. No, but really they were going to an after party to get smashed and said they'd take a cab home since we didn't want to go. I had a lot of fun and was glad that Spencer took me. Thankfully our friend Willa watched the boys for us and said they were really good for her. It was nice having a babysitter that we didn't have to drive home after.

Here is a picture of us and Joe's house where Spencer spends a lot of time working on the Jeep. What a great backdrop for formal attire, right??

I don't have a point and shoot and didn't want to take my big camera in so I'll have to get more pictures from one of the other girls who brought her camera.

-----------------------

As for the rest of our happenings...
We are trying to get our house in order so that we can put it on the market. Don't stop by though because you may be confused or be thinking I am a liar. I just can't seem to get anything done! Baer is going through what I am hoping is a stage where he wants me to hold him all morning. If I set him down, he SCREAMS and throws his body around. I swear he will hurt himself one of these times. I have been doing a little better at my biggest feat...the laundry. I do it everyday and I am still not on top of it. I am constantly wondering how I am going to get my house ready to sell if I can't even keep up with my basic chores? I am seriously considering putting the kids in daycare for a week so that I can try to get things done. The only problem with that is something to do with girl stuff, being in pain, and not wanting to work. We are hoping to get it on the market by mid February but we'll see how that turns out.

Today I did a brainless thing and left the sink running while I went upstairs to get something. When I returned, the bathroom was flooded and leaking through the floor into the basement. Not so brilliant. I grabbed a bunch of towels from......the LAUNDRY pile right next to the bathroom and threw them down. Guess it was convenient this time to be behind on the laundry. I was scared to go downstairs and see what the damage was. Luckily the area it leaked down into was right where the drain is and there weren't any boxes. How lucky is that?? I just hope the wood floors will be okay.

Trapped under the chairs

2010-01-24T15:54:00.000-08:00

Here are just a few pictures of my kids playing under the table a couple of weeks ago.
Baer only let me take one picture before he was off chasing the can across the floor and James had taken his place.

Such a sweet boy.

Cheese!

RAWRRR!!! (means I love you in dinosaur...look how much he means it)
Thanks for peeking!

Old friend, and info on Baer

2010-01-13T21:29:00.000-08:00

We are lucky to have my friend Pocahontas, her husband Jeff, and their son Ziggy with us for the week. I haven't seen Pocahontas since my wedding so it has been fun to reminisce about the old college days. I will have to post pictures later.

Today Baer had an appointment with the developmental pediatrician and it is official...Baer has autism. We still have to wait to find out if he has any genetic syndromes...so 4-6 weeks still of waiting for those. They don't have anything to do with autism...if he does have anything genetically abnormal it would be in addition to autism. He developmental pediatrician said that we are doing the right things with him right now (ie...therapy, therapy, therapy, etc...) so that is reassuring. She did say that he is way behind though and has a long way to go. Not a surprise. He is 2 1/2 yrs old and here are his stats... 3 feet tall (25 percentile for height), 32 lbs (75th percentile), and his head is in the 50th percentile.

Baer is a happy boy though and gave a lot of smiles and laughter to his developmental pediatrician.

Updates on Baer mostly

2010-01-09T15:54:00.000-08:00

For one of my Christmas presents Spencer took my computer apart and fixed it. He put a terabytes worth of memory in it and an extra cd drive. We haven't hooked it up yet since we have been home because we are debating where we should put it. I don't use it as much when it is down in the cold and spidery basement so I want it upstairs....somewhere...but where?? Anyway...the point is that all my pictures are on that computer so that is why I don't have pictures to post.

Here's a picture I pulled off my email of Baer.

This last Monday Baer had an appointment with a geneticist. He has been on the waiting list for months and we finally got in! They basically asked all about my family and Spencer's family and a ton of questions about Baer. To make a long story short...they took 4 vials of blood (and the lady dug around quite a bit with the needle the whole time the blood was going into the vials...WHY? Poor guy) and are sending them in for some genetic testing.

They are testing him for Angelman Syndrome and Mowat-Wilson Syndrome. We don't hear back for 4-6 weeks. I am not a patient person. I wanna know last year!

I will update when we hear back.

Post Delete!!

2010-01-06T07:56:00.000-08:00

Last night I worked on writing a fun and witty post and when I went to finish it this morning IT WASN'T THERE!!

So bummed.

New Year, New Goals

2010-01-03T09:14:00.000-08:00

Wow, back to the blogging board!

Can you believe it is already 2010?

While in Montana this past extended Holiday I was sitting with my sister-in-law while she was going through some of her old journals and such. She read a few of her entries a loud and I chuckled as she read "I know it's been a while since I have written..." (or something much to that effect) because it is a phrase that is well known in all forms of my journals.

So...in keeping up with my reputation...

I know it's been a while since I have written. Many excuses come to mind, but I'll just have to try to pick up where I left off and catch myself up. It is important for me to keep a record of my family so I will just have to do a better job in the future. Before I go back and retrace those steps though, I would like to post my goals/things I would like to work on, for the new year.

In no particular order:

I would like to do better at my journaling/blogging/family photobooking. My mother-in-law gave me a very thoughtful gift for Christmas that should help to keep up with this a little more. There was a lot of time and thought put into this gift and I can't wait to try it out.

I would like to do better at reading not only a book for book club every month, but a book from my "to read" list as well.

I need to do better at personal prayer, making sure we have Family Home Evenings that include a lesson, and scripture study. These things always have room for improvement for me.

I would like to organize my house in a way that can allow for easier (I say easier instead of easy to keep things realistic) clean-up/staying on top of things.

It is important to me to keep up with regular exercise and to find a diet that can most benefit me and my dysfunctional body. I would also like to meditate more frequently as I know it helps to calm my spirit.

I want to do better at supporting my children in the things they need. I need to either put James in a preschool or do better at doing it myself. I need to be better at organizing my schedule so that I can keep up with Baer's therapy and appointments.

I need to to better at keeping to my budget. Enough said.

I guess I can sum a lot of this up into: ORGANIZE MYSELF!!

And the list goes on....

As I was writing this list, I found myself wanting to write excuses to why I am not doing better at these things already. I'm not going to do that because I only know of a couple of perfect people and I am not included....yet ;)

Conversing with James

2009-07-06T18:56:00.000-07:00

I know I have been horrible about blogging lately. It just seems so much easier and take less time to get on facebook than to get on the blog.

I had a cute conversation with my smart (3 almost 4 yr old) James tonight when I was putting him to bed and I wanted to get it on here so that I could remember.

Me: Ouch!

James: What happened, Mom?

Me: You hurt my feet with your feet.

James: Like what?

Me: Your skin pulled on my skin.

James: What's skin? (He knows what skin is but often asks questions he knows the answer to)

Me: It's all of this stuff that covers your body (showing him the skin on his arm).

James: Why do we need bodies? (He knows this too)

Me: Because if we didn't have a body we wouldn't be able to walk, or run, or play...

James: I would just be standin' if I didn't have a body.

Me: You couldn't even stand.

James: I would just sit?

Me: Nope, you couldn't even sit.

James: What would I be able to do?

Me: Nothing!

James: But if I didn't have a body, I might be dead...and then I wouldn't be able to see you ever again.

Me: I would see you again in Heaven some day though.

James: What's that place?

Me: That's where Heavenly Father lives.

James: Is that Jesus? (He absolutely knows who Jesus is, he just likes to talk about it)

Me: Jesus is Heavenly Father's son just like we are his children.

James: Yeah.

Me: Jesus is the one who died for us, so that we can be forgiven of our bad choices.

James: Bad choices like hurting people like this (as he pokes me), and putting our fingers in our mouth too much, and poking our eyes?

Me: (chuckling) Sure...and other bad choices.

James: What does Heavenly Father want us to do?

Me: He wants us to make good choices.

James: What does he do when we make good choices?

Me: He is very happy with us.

James: Well, what does he do when we make BAD choices?

Me: I guess we will find out some day.

James: I think he will have a MAD, MAD face. And then when we go to Jesus's house we will say "I'm sorry I made bad choices, I won't make bad choices in your house anymore". And then he will say "Okay, that's fine."

If only it were that easy, right?

It just really reminded me of a conversation I had with my Mom when I was a little girl. I remember when I first asked my Mom what happens to us when we die. I envisioned myself floating in pitch darkness, alone, and not doing anything. I'm so glad I have a good understanding of what happens when we die and I am glad that James is so smart to ask these questions and is learning too.

Better late than never

2009-05-18T12:07:00.000-07:00

So...Sunday Spencer and I accidently slept in on Sunday and got up just after 9am (or so we thought)...which is what time church starts. So I hurried and got James's hair trimmed (yes, it HAD to be done before church) and showered and got ready when I yell down to Spencer (who is feeding Baer) "We gotta go in 5 minutes!". Then he told me that it was actually not even 8:00 yet and his alarm clock was wrong. We were on time to church yesterday!! I didn't look my best but we were on time.

Nursery was a bit stressful...we had crying children, kids pushing and stealing toys, stinky children, and hungry children. Jenny and I took turns dealing with stuff and taking kids to their parents for one reason or another and Jenny told me she didn't see either of our husbands in class. I wasn't that suprised since we were both so tired getting up this morning I thought he might be in the car napping or if they were together...ditching. Jenny laughed and agreed they were both possible for her husband, too. On the way home I teased Spencer asking him where he was and what was for dinner (he cooks on Sunday). He said he was there for part of the time but wasn't feeling well...and was not sure what we were going to have. When we got home I opened the door and it smelled like roast & veggies cooking in the crock pot and he had cleaned up and vacumed. Stunned, I stopped and asked..."Did you come HOME and CLEAN??" (DUH). He then replied "Happy Mother's Day!". I can not tell you HOW GREATFUL I was and still am since we had therapy at our house today and I only had to do a little picking up. It's not spotless and still has a lot to be done but I was SO far behind with so much going on that I am So greatful and impressed he got so much done in that amount of time.

I walked in a little further and noticed flowers in the livingroom and kitchen, chocolate cake, "special" m&m's, and fresh cherries & blackberries. Yummm.

And that was just the beginning of a great day :)

Mother's Day or Father's Day??

2009-05-10T20:13:00.000-07:00

Yes, this is a poor me blog...just so you know :)

I have a friend who says that she appreciates it when people are "REAL" with her about things and don't pretend like everything is always perfect. I tend to try to hide things when things are difficult and when I need help I try to spread it out so that I'm not asking the same friend for so many favors. I hate asking for help but I feel like I have had to ask for it a lot lately. I guess I have a lot of friends who need to gain those blessing from serving me, lol. Anyway, this is me being REAL...

Spencer went in to the ER yesterday for his back and has been completely helpless the last few days. I have been catering to his every need and the kids haven't exactly been easy. I'm sure I am making it worse than it is...I tend to over-react when I'm tired/grumpy.

I haven't been sleeping well either. Spencer snores SO LOUD and it's so hard for me to deal with. I have tried earplugs (the highest rating I could find), He has tried some over the counter snore prevention stuff (mouthguard, nose strips, and a nose ring looking thing) and I have tried to get him to go to the doctor about it but he seems to think he knows what the problem is and how to fix it...that problem just isn't getting fixed though. Sometimes I seriously consider moving in to the guest bedroom but I don't because I feel that could potentially be a problem in other areas. Today I tried to take a nap after church and after I got the kids down but Spencer was snoring so loud...I kept kicking him until he asked me why I kept kicking him. I told him "It's Mother's Day and I just want to take a nap!" I know that was probably insensitive of me since he has been in a lot of pain but I feel wound so tight lately and need some relief. He ended up hobbling down the stairs for a little bit so that I could take a nap but it was a horrible one. Have you waken up from a nap feeling like your blood is just boiling with anger? That is how I felt after this nap and got woken up by Spencer comming back to bed because he couldn't stay awake [the pain medication he is on is making him drowsy...maybe I should jack a few of those ;)].

So from serving Spencer and catering to him so much I just feel like today is more of a Father's Day than a Mother's Day...if Spencer wasn't in so much pain. I do feel bad feeling that way.

On another note, Baer has been getting test after test and is up to 3 therapists...this week 4 therapy appointments so far but are waiting to hear about possibly more. The developmental pediatrician mensioned autism as a possibility and wants to add some more therapist that SHE recomments IN ADDITION. He will be getting another speech therapist and an ABA specialist/therapist. She says that I should be working with Baer 40 hrs a week...this I have to say stresses me out. I feel like that is a lot to handle with everything else going on. I will just have to do my best and that's all I can do [no this statement isn't me being rational...It's a little attitude...I'm just being real :)] Baer will also be getting some more genetic testing and has to see a pulmonology specialist, possible endoscopy and/or throat swallow, has an appointment for a GI specialist, a doctor to come and diagnose whether or not he has autism, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera... I feel like up to this point I have actually been dealing with all of this really well. I was talking to my Mom the other day and she said the same thing. I just feel like it is starting to really catch up to me now. My house is a disaster...more than usual and I just can't seem to get caught up. I feel like I should be able to do more but I am always SO tired I just don't have the energy to clean when I have a spare moment so I don't.

James has been having a listening problem lately and it has been hard emotionally to deal with. It made me feel better to hear/see that my sister-in-law is having the same issue with her boys this last week as well.

I know that I have a lot of blessings and I am not forgetting those. I know that there are a lot of people out there with more issues to deal with than me....and maybe it's you. I don't know. I have so much to be greatful for...I just want you to know that after such a post.

Hopefully I will wake up in the morning with a little more sleep and all of this will just seem silly, but sometimes you just gotta rant when you are IN the moment.

If you have made it this far...(I don't know...I got nothin'...that was going to be clever but it's gone) :)

P.S. (I'm adding this after posting)... On the bright side of things I DID get chocolate dipped strawberries for Mother's Day from church, and some of the men came and took over Nursery to give me a break. I was able to go to class, which I haven't done in a long time.

The Park

2009-05-03T23:33:00.000-07:00

Here just some pictures from a stroll/ride to the park.

I really like this picture but I just wish my lips were closed all the way.

James swinging.

Lauren doing her thing.

I love this picture...Baer has such beautiful eyes.

James was showing me that he could climb down the "tree" all by himself. He was very pleased with himself.

James can be a bit afraid of heights and Spencer helped him on the tree until he was comfortable doing it himself.

Baer loves to swing.

Spencer scooted him back in the swing so he'd be more comfortable but once he started swinging he slid right back forward pinning his arms...it made a cute photo though.

Playing with the sticks/dirt.

Before we went to the park James had the white hat on and when he took it off his hair was matted and I couldn't resist taking a picture.

Justin and Shaggy.

Grinnin' Baer.

I thought James's outfit was cute. He found his hat he got in the hospital when he was born and was wearing it all afternoon. His shirt is buttoned the wrong way, you can't tell in the picture but his pants are a size too small and he's wearing boots. Not your typical spring outfit...I love it!

The End...Thanks for Peeking!

My new hair-do & the boys

2009-05-01T11:11:00.001-07:00

We have been getting a lot of rain the last week or so and James was playing in a puddle we have by the road. I thought this was a cute picture and I added some grunginess to it and burned the picture around him.

Splish-splash!
My friend Erika took this picture.

James's friend Lauren shared her water/sand toys and they made "cupcakes".

Just a fun one of my new hair and glasses.

Cute Baer.

Baer kept making this face when I went to take his picture. It was pretty funny/cute.

James likes to wear Spencer's radio headphones.

Cute boys.

Thanks for peeking!

My Boys

2009-05-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

Sunday I had Spencer take pictures of me with the boys. I need to be better about how I have him take the pictures because I think I hurt his feelings. When Spencer takes a picture he just stands there and holds down the shutter so it takes a ton of pictures really fast so I had a ton of pictures of me trying to push my hair out of my eyes and pull my dress down. I got after him for it because that's what he always does. He was a good sport though and I asked him nicely this time to move around and wait until I was done moving around. He got some really good ones I think.

It was bright in the kids eyes, but this is a cute one of Baer.
The first picture I edited my roots but this one I didn't bother. I knew I was getting my hair done in 2 days.

James likes to wear his pants backwards occasionally....and yes, it is on purpose. I think it's creative.

James loves dandelions...yellow AND white.

Thanks for peeking!

Just DO it!

2009-04-25T20:11:00.000-07:00

I have been uploading my pictures onto facebook and haven't been so good about putting them on my blog as well. Tonight I decided I needed to top procrastinating and as my title says...Just DO it! Here are some pictures from a fun night we had tonight.

Our neighbor Willa (who was babysitting her neice) treated us to some pizza since Spencer helped her with her car a while back and we had a picnic on our lawn. A little later we went on a bike ride while Spencer worked on the Jeep and Baer went to bed for the night. James's motorcycle ran out of batteries about 15 feet up the sidewalk so he ended up riding with me and we went to a nearby park. Afterwards we drove to a gas station to get gatorade...we were all parched!

Us and our wheels...James's battery died 15 feet up the sidewalk (we hadn't charged it in a while) so he ended up riding with me.

Wonder-Willa
James (gotta love the pizza face)

Lauren took this picture and actually did a pretty good job!

Willa showin' off her blade skills

Lauren and me

Super-Fun Crazy-Chicka

The End, Thanks for peeking!

For all my creative friends

2009-03-27T09:01:00.000-07:00

Anyone want to do a handmade gift swap?? Let me know if you are interested!

Hair Madness

2009-02-27T15:28:00.000-08:00

Should've known better...

I got my hair cut today and I hated it so the first thing I did was march straight upstairs, take a picture, and then grabbed my scissors.

Here is how the lady cut and "styled" it.

Here is what I did with it.

Here is the cabin with a leaky-roof and garage that James and I built.

Upclose of the garage with a van inside.

The End! Thanks for peeking!

My New Blog!

2009-02-23T06:28:00.000-08:00

I have had a lot of people say that they didn't know I do massage and want to know what I charge. I created a new blog to advertise current specials for my massage, photography, etc..

Click Here to check it out!

Slackin' off...Here are some new pictures.

2009-02-17T12:34:00.000-08:00

I finally uploaded my pictures from my camera on to my computer today so here are some overdue pictures.

I thought James looked so handome on Sunday so I took a few pictures. He was so great, I say "do this" and he'd try to copy me but his poses turned out much cuter than mine.

He's such a ham!

More serious but so handsome...watch out ladies!

I love this one...

...and one in b&w.

James got a digital camera from his grandparents for Christmas and he loves it. He loves to take pictures just like his mom does. Here Spencer is showing him how to play the games on it.

He sure loves his daddy.

Baer does this thing where he climbs up Spencer, grabs ahold of his head, rubs his face in his thick curly hair, bites it, and pulls! I think it's so funny but sometimes it hurts...he has started doing it to me a little. He loves things in his face. The pictures aren't the best quality but check it out....

Thanks for peeking!

Results

2009-02-09T19:27:00.001-08:00

According to the blood test, Baer does NOT have Celiac Disease. I am so glad that he doesn't. It is very hard for me and as much as I would love to have someone at home going through what I do (for support), I would NEVER wish it upon someone else. I'm glad he won't have to go to birthday parties and not be able to eat the cake and things like that. It will be so nice for him not to have to worry.

Long Week

2009-02-05T11:30:00.000-08:00

*First off, James's blood results were good but I called their pediatrician and we don't have Baer's Celiac Disease results back yet.

LONG APPOINTMENT

Baer went in for an appointment at the developmental pediatrician's on Monday and it was a LONG day. His appointment was at 8:30am and I got to Children's Mercy at 8:20 feeling good I made it on time. By the time I got the kids inside and settled in those awesome wagons that James loves it was 8:25. The security guard told me I was at the wrong building. The Dev. Ped. is at the Children's Mercy South (???? I thought I WAS at CMS!!). Luckily the other building was just a few buildings down...in a building that says it's some eyecare place so THAT was way harder to find than necessary and the map the security guard gave me said the office was on the 1st floor but it was actually on the 4th. The evaluation didn't go as well as I had hoped because the Dev. Pediatrician was bossing James around (and as you all know he's not one to overly mis-behave although he IS a 3 yr old so...I thought he was doing great). She told us she couldn't get an accurate evaluation with James there but that she could tell that Baer had significant delays and that we should get on it right away. She said to schedule an appointment for 3 months (??? that doesn't sound like right away to me...3 months is a long time...1/6th his life). She also mensioned doing some lab tests/genetic testing, and urine samples but didn't specify when...hmmm... We go to get him weighed and then to make the 3 month appointment and they hand me some stickers and an ID to go on Baer's wrist or ankle and said I needed it. I asked if we were supposed to do it right now and she said she didn't know when I was supposed to do the labs. Finally we found out it was right then, so I asked WHERE? Then she sent me to the building I originally went to (you know the wrong building from this morning).

Then next part could go on for a while but I'll just tell you that all together we were there for 5 1/2 hrs (Oh, and mother nature decided to bring my monthly gift a little early this month so I was unprepared...that was fun)!! The lady drawing Baer's blood poked him with a needle and moved it around 7 or 8 times (no exaggeration) trying to find the vein. Baer actually does really well with getting his blood taken...last Monday...he only whimpered for a second and was fine but he was SCREAMING by now. The wierd thing is that he got a bruise from the last blood draw and not from this one...figure that one out! There WAS a very nice older lady there (I think she was a volunteer...I always see her helping out there) and she helped me with the kids at the cafeteria while we were waiting for Baer to give us his urine sample. She was having lunch with her husband of 8 months who also volunteers and his name was James. My James thought that was pretty cool and they hit it off really well. We got home at 2:15pm and we all went to bed. The funny part about being there so long is I was only expecting the appointment to take an hour or so so I had my yoga clothes on so we could go straight there afterwards. I normally wear a more fitted t-shirt and some yoga pants/capris but I was wearing a tank top and yoga pants. The whole time we were there I kept thinking someone I knew from church was going to walk by and see me without my g's (I know...what a lame thing to be thinking about but at least I wasn't getting after anyone for us being there so long).

*Even thought it has seemed like a long week, there were some fun things:

MUSIC TIME

Today I was curious if James would be able to match a note if I sang it so we tried it out. I sang a note "la" and asked him to make that sound and he matched it. I did this a few times with random notes and he did very well. There was one note he didn't get exactly so I sang it while he was and he adjusted his note to match mine. THEN I sang a really high one and he matched it (he can sing higher than I can) but then he said... "Mom, that's a GIRL one!"

FRIEND

James used to sleep with random toys but it has changed from a sleeping buddy to play toy so he doesn't get to sleep with toys anymore. Sometimes he asks if he can and I say that he can leave it by his door and when he gets up he can have it then. I laid on his bed and waited for him to put the car outside his door and when he came back he laid down by me with his arm around me. After a minute I told him it was time for me to go and he grabbed my shirt to stop me and said "No, Mom! I need a friend!" It may not sound that cool or cute to you but I just thought it was cute that he counts me as his friend. I am thoroughly enjoying that while I can and while I AM his friend.

SLEEPY

James asked to go to bed early two times this week.

The first time:

"Mom, can I please go to bed?"...(I didn't quite hear him)..."MOM!!! CAN...I...PLEASE...GO TO BED?!?"

"Sure, James (dumbfounded)...you can go to bed."

*I also enjoyed a book club I went to and my knitting group. I finished a baby sock recently that I am making for a friend's baby shower this weekend. I'll knit the other one today too probably. They are so cute, I'll have to post pictures when I finish the second one.

Routine Check ups

2009-01-29T15:29:00.000-08:00

Whenever I tell James we have to go to the doctor now, he says "I don't want band-aids". That means that he doesn't want to get shots. I told him to tell the doctor that :) When we got there Baer was the only one who had to get a shot and it was only one. I asked the doctor if we could test Baer for Celiac Disease and she was like...."Yes...but why??" I responded "Because I HAVE IT" (We have had this conversations several times and it is in his chart).

So we went downstairs to the lab and got both of the boys' blood drawn (James had a routine lab and has already been tested for Celiac). Baer went first and just whimpered a second but James CRIED. When Daddy got home he told him that the girl "broke his arm" and that she took his blood with a "butterfly" and made up this huge story about all that his lady had "done". That part was pretty cute.

(Above: The "butterfly")

Lincoln Logs

2009-01-23T14:01:00.000-08:00

James and Baer were playing lincoln logs that they got for Christmas the other day and James wanted to know how to build a garage. I showed him a few things and then told him to try to figure it out. He said "okay, I can figure it out". The he got out the "map" (the instructions) and looked over them for a while. It was pretty cute, I had to take a picture. It looked like he was looking over blueprints or something.

Thanks for peeking!

BOLD

2009-01-16T14:00:00.000-08:00

I got this off my friend Michelle's blog. I thought it was kind of fun! You're supposed to bold the things that you have done.

Here's what I want YOU to do...just leave a comment on the things that suprise you (bold or not)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis (how about photographed)
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (I plan to)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train (possibly when I was young...)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight...
46. Been transported in an ambulance (was supposed to but I declined)
47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing (lake/river only)
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain (probably)

53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie (went to be an extra in a movie but had to leave early)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (kind of)
58. Taken a martial arts class (Does Tai Chi count?)
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (Can't)
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check (Identity Stolen)
68. Flown in a helicopter (how about a personal airplane?)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (I have done some pretty stupid stuff on a motorcycle. I broke my pelvic bone in a motorcycle accident for one example)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (how about a photobook?)
81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
101. Learned to play an instrument (a little of...clarinet, trumpet, guitar, piano, recorder...but I can't play any of them anymore really)

So...there you have it.

Baby #3

2009-01-09T12:27:00.001-08:00

This video was taken on my phone so it's not the best quality (well, it's quality imagination but not quality film). :)

For some reason the video isn't working so try this link to view the video.
Baby #3 Video

***This is NOT an announcement. James was watching me cook dinner and thought it all up on his own.

Shannon's Goodbye Party

2009-01-05T08:45:00.000-08:00

These pictures are from before we left for Montana for the Holidays. Shannon and her family just recently moved away. Before they left she threw her own gift exchange/goodbye party. It was a lot of fun. Candles, chocolate, yummy food, gifts, and bubbly...my kind of party!!

Unfortunately we forgot to get a picture before some of the girls left.

Front

Side
A kissy face picture...exept Amanda...she's too good for the kissy face.

Bye Shannon, we'll miss you!!

P.S. Notice Brad made his way into the pictures, too.

Home for the Holidays!

2008-12-18T21:25:00.000-08:00

In the morning, we are loading up the kids and heading for Montana!! We are hoping to do it in 2 days this year instead of 3 so pray for the weather to be good, as well as the kids :) You may not hear from me until sometime in January so...

Happy Holidays!

Love, us!

Family Pictures & Christmas Card

2008-12-14T08:34:00.001-08:00

WE DID IT!!

I finally got Spencer at a good time and we got our family pictures taken yesterday. I'm not as pleased with them as I had hoped but it's a little tougher when you don't have anyone at the camera to get the kids to look. Here are our best ones.

This is our family Christmas card. I was asking Spencer which of his friends he would like to send one to and he said "I don't know, we don't usually do Christmas cards" Which I responded with "YES we do! I make Christmas cards every year!" Sometimes I don't get them out as quick as I hope or all of them in the mailbox from misplacing addresses, etc but I do make one every year!

(Credits to http://www.freedigitalscrapbooking.com/ for paper and embellishments which I changed the color, hue, and brightness. I downloaded them a couple years ago so I don't know if they are on there anymore.)

This is our family picture. I had to trade Spencer's face out for a different one but this is the best one we got.

I love this one of Spencer and James.

I think Baer looks so cute in this picture but my hair looks sick from all the wind yesterday and I think my pose is lame.

***If you want a Christmas card, I want one from you and I need your addresses! I figure if I have them online I will always know how to find them. Email them to me at: naturallyjackie@gmail.com***

Tagged (Thanks Anne)

2008-12-14T08:05:00.001-08:00

Post the 4th picture from your 4th folder.

Mr. Frog

2008-12-11T19:02:00.000-08:00

The other night James woke up crying at about midnight. I went in to check on him and he wasn't responding to me very well, he just kept crying. I asked him what was wrong and he didn't say anything. I think he decided he wanted to tell me later because he said (while crying) Tell me "what's wrong?" So I asked him "What's wrong?" He told me he didn't feel good and his tongue hurt (I think he may have had acid reflux...it's common for him at night). It seemed like what I was trying wasn't helping but finally he told me he wanted to take a shower. After his shower I was holding him in his bed. I asked what I could do for him because he was still crying a little. He said "Tell me something". I remembered when I would have bad dreams and my sister would tell me to close my eyes and picture Mom and Dad dressed in white sitting in a peaceful garden. I did that very often as a girl and it really helped me. I asked if he would like to hear a story and he did. I told him a couple stories about a man who fell in love with a woman...they had two boys...(in more detail) and he said he wanted another one...about a frog. I told him the story below and he asked me to tell it again. He's been asking for it at night now so I sketched a few quick drawings that you will see below (unfinished). He went to sleep after the story and was fine the next morning. There are probably spelling and grammer errors just so you know :)

Mr. Frog by Jacquelyn Jones

Once upon a time, there was a little green frog who's name was Mr. Frog. Mr. Frog loved to go to Lily Pad Lake. His very favorite thing to do was to jump on the lily pads and catch flies. One day while doing just that, Mr. Frog discovered a way to jump all the way across the lake on the lily pads alone.

When Mr. Frog got to the other side he was a little confused. The lily pads on this side of the lake looked so much greener from the other side. Mr. Frog looked back to where he came from and was shocked to find that the lily pads were in fact greener over there, so he started jumping back to the other side. Mr. Frog was even more confused now. The lily pads weren't any greener there either. Mr. Frog decided to catch his flies somewhere else. He needed to clear his head. As Mr. Frog made his way through the cattails he ran into Miss Frog. Mr. Frog was very excited to see Miss Frog. He wanted to show her how he had found a way to jump across the lake on the lily pads, so he asked her on a date. Together Mr. Frog and Miss Frog jumped from lily pad to lily pad catching plenty of flies along the way. When they reached the other side Mr. Frog realized the lily pads were GREEN (and I don't mean just a little green). Those lily pads were the greenest he had ever seen! Just for curiosity he told Miss Frog he wanted to go back to the other side to see the lily pads over there. Mr. Frog was delighted to find that they stayed just as green as the lily pads they left on the other side. Mr. and Miss frog continued to go on these dates and to jump across the lake together. Eventually they got married, had little baby frog tadpoles, and lived happily ever after.

The End

I hope you enjoyed it!

James lifted my spirits yesterday by telling me:

"You're the BEST MOMMY, EVER!!"

What's up yours?

2008-11-29T09:45:00.000-08:00

A conversation/interaction between James and I 5 minutes ago.

James is the blue and I am the purple.

"Can I see your down things?" (prying at my mouth)
(I stick out my bottom lip)
"No, not your lip."
(I show my teeth)
"Not your teeth." (prying more at my mouth)
(I open my mouth wide like at the dentist)
"WOooW! Those are big!" (looking around in my mouth and then up in my mouth) "Mommy what's up your head?"
"What's up my head?"

"Yeah, in your hair." (tapping on my head)
"My brain."
"Oh, I saw one of those in Spongebob."
"You did??" (Spongebob is not my favorite thing for him to watch)

"Yeah, it was pink, pink, pink!"

Thanksgiving

2008-11-28T10:43:00.001-08:00

I love Baer's expression in this one.

We were invited to go to some friends of ours for Thanksgiving but we had plans to have some of our other friends over for Thanksgiving. They ended up going out of town so we had a ton of food for our family of four. Spencer got up with the kids in the morning and I slept in a little. When I got up he and Baer laid down for a nap while I started on dinner. 6 hrs later we had our Thanksgiving dinner and all said what we were thankful for.

Jackie: Such a wonderful family and a wonderful husband who understands me, helps me, and supports me in all that I do (summed up).

Spencer: That we have a house of our own, that we are so blessed to have the opportunity to be here & for him to be able to go to school, a wife who does so much around the house even though he knows it isn't easy (that's really what he said), James who is so smart, and Baer who is so much fun (summed up).

James: "I'm glad that you go to school too." (to Spencer)

Spencer: Why? So you can stay home and be with/play with Mommy every day?

James: Yeah...

Baer: I don't mean to put words in his mouth, but I think he's thankful for yogurt, milk, and a fun family. :)

I had Spencer come help me put the turkey on the serving platter and it was so moist that it was falling off the bone. When we tried to get it onto the platter, the whole rearend came off, so that's how we served it. No carving needed, the meat came right off!

Yes, I did end up going shopping this morning but after I looked through all the ads and decided which was most important to me I decided on just getting up when I woke up. I was pretty sure what I wanted would still be there later.

I have a goal to start running regularly again so this is what I got:

(bear with my cheesiness)

Then I realized that my toenails totally matched my outfit!!

I was SO meant to have this new running outfit! :)

(No comments on the finger-toes)

The End, Thanks for peeking!

The Answer

2008-11-27T07:17:00.000-08:00

Click on the link below to see the answer for my last post. If you haven't seen/guessed what it is...go do it before you look at the answer...no cheating!

Click here to see the answer.

Any Guesses?

2008-11-25T17:19:00.000-08:00

So...what do you think James got into this time?

(Black on lower lip)

Hint: It's not something you naturally put on your lips

Turn up your volume and pause the music...it's pretty quiet.

2008-11-23T08:56:00.000-08:00

I found this video on Spencer's camera when I was uploading the picture on the post below and thought it was pretty cute. Enjoy!

Baer Updates...as promised.

2008-11-21T09:37:00.000-08:00

While I was gone in the summer, Spencer gave Baer a bath in the sink and sent me this picture on my phone. I just think he looks so cute sitting and relaxing. He looks like his daddy does in the hot tub.

*Warning: This post is long/journal-like. Read if you want, don't if you don't. Also...grammer will probably be pretty bad, I didn't get much sleep last night.

Okay, where to start...

Well most of you may know parts or all of this but I'm just going to start from the beginning.

When Baer was just brand new we noticed some significant crossing in his eyes. We didn't freak out because James had crossed eyes when he was a baby but his went away after his eyes grew stronger and was able to focus on things better. Baer got older and his eyes didn't uncross so we took him in to see an eye doctor. His doctor confirmed that he does have strabismus (crossing/lazy eye) and nystagmus (shaking/rotating). I'm not sure I spelled those right though :). His doctor told us he'd have to have surgery. We decided to hold off until we had his foot appointment to see if he needed surgery to take off his 6th toe so they could do it at the same time. The foot doctor told us that we needed to wait at least another year because his bones are pretty much cartilage when they are so little and they couldn't tell which toe was the more normal toe. We went into the eye doctor again and she said "I can't explain it" his eyes are changing. Baer's eyes have changed every time we have gone in and are continuing to heal. He may or may not have to have the surgery but at least he doesn't have to right now. He had an MRI to make sure the shaking wasn't from something wrong in his brain and it turned out normal. He had an appointment with CCVI (Children's Center for the Visually Impaired) recently to see if he needed eye therapy and he doesn't qualify so that's good. It means that he can see.

On the other hand, Baer will be 16 months on Monday. He is not crawling, walking, feeding himself, or talking. We were a little concerned but though it might have been because of his vision (which we now know is not true). His pediatrician recommended that we make an appointment with Johnson County Infant/Toddler Service and have them see if he qualified for assistance. When they tested Baer, he was testing anywhere from 3 months to 9 months so he deffinetly qualified. Baer started having an occupational therapist come to our home and she is comming every week now. It sounds like they think he WILL be able to get caught up but that he just needs more attention/help than your average baby at this point in time. I HAVE noticed some progression since he has started the therapy. Johson County Infant/Toddler Service also recommends that Baer sees an early childhood development teacher and a developmental pediatrician. The teacher came for the first time on Monday but pretty much did the same things the OT was doing. We have an appointment for Baer to see the Dev.Ped. but the earliest they could make an appointment for him was in 6 months. I need to call and get him on the waiting list for cancellations.

SO...countless appointments and working with Baer he is finally starting to show some improvement.

HALLOWEEN!!

2008-11-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

Our plan for Halloween this year was to go to Whole Foods, trick or treat to the different sections of the store then to come home. Spencer then was going keep Baer and hand out treats while I took James trick or treating. This is what we have done every year we have been in Kansas.

I told Spencer I wanted some pictures before we left so he started taking some pictures of me with the boys since he wasn't wearing his costume. Our friend and neighbor Erika and her daughter Lauren came over for a minute so I had Spencer get a couple with just the kids. Erika offered to take one with Spencer in there too, and I said yes but you'll have to ask Spencer. He knew it was important to me so he reluctantly agreed.

Here is the family picture...it turned out GREAT! Thanks, E!

Erika also go a really cute picture of Baer while we were getting ready for the picture.

Here is the picture of the kids.

Just some cute James moments:

James asked me what Daddy was going to be for Halloween this year. Spencer has been really busy with studying since this is his hardest trimester so he wasn't going to dress up. He was wearing a plaid shirt (see picture) so I told James he was going to be a lumberjack. He was content with that.

When someone asked James what HE was going to be for Halloween he'd say... "A GHOST PIRATE with my Mommy!" and then he'd put his arm around my shoulders (I was crouched down).

James: "Mommy, can I have a piece of candy?"
Mom: "No James...you didn't eat your food"
James: "Yeah, I didn't eat my food all gone so I don't deserve some candy."

Yesterday the neighbors had a garage sale and our friends next door had some fun boy toys. James was very interested so I told him he could get his "money ball" (it's a soccor ball bank) and he could pick something out to buy with his own money. He picked out an 8 or so inch Mustang car, a tool belt with tools and a button that made it talk to you, and a stacking rings (but stars instead of rings that light up and make music) for Baer. He paid $2.25 for all.

Mom: "James do you want __(?)__"
James: "Yes, Mom. I certainly do."

Trick or treating was a pleasure this year with James. Last year I told him to say trick or treat at all the houses but he was too shy half the time and I had to say it for him. This year he got it. He knew after I told him one time that we go to the houses with porch lights on, knock and then stand back so they could open the screen, and when they did to say "trick or treat!". He would see a house with a ton of lights on and say "Can we go to THAT Halloween?" I would say "sure" and then he'd say "OKAY, that would be SO nice". He was very polite and would say "thank you" and when his bucket was getting heavy he would ask "Mommy, can you please take a turn?". He loved seeing all the Halloween decorations and would ask "Mommy, why is that pumpkin mad?" or he would say "That's not a scary pumpkin, it's a nice one". He would also say things like "that's not scary, it's just pretend". James also sang/chanted a song from Dora : "Halloween, Halloween, Trick or Treat, Our costumes can't be beat!!" while we were going to the next place. By the time we went around the block and back to our home his "scary jackolantern" was FULL.

Mom: "You are frustruating me today, James"
James: "Yeah, but that's not nice."
Mom: "Then why are you doing it?"
James: "Because it's my favorite job to do."

Comming up next:
Updates on Baer

Trunk or Treat 2008

2008-10-28T12:05:00.000-07:00

Well, James smashed my camera so I have my friend Michelle to thank for these pictures.

Thanks, Michelle!

Indian Creek Ward Chili Cook-Off 2008, and guess who won?? Me! I was pretty excited.

Baer was/is a monkey this year for Halloween. He looks so cute in his outfit and he loves it. He just gets a kick out of it. Pretty cute.

After the chili cook-off we started for the parking lot to do some trunk or treating and Sienna was fast on James's heels trying to catch up with him. Sienna (ballerina) and James (ghost pirate) are great friends. I got James's costume a few weeks ago so James has been playing with it. Unfortunately that meant we couldn't find it all for the trunk or treating but oh well. He still looked cute.

I had to leave early from the chili cook-off/trunk or treat because I was asked to do the photography for our stake Green & Gold Masquerade Ball. I took at least 560 pictures so those will have to come later.

Baer and Daddy

2008-10-24T19:45:00.000-07:00

Baer is getting at least one molar right now and is having a bit of a hard time with it. I don't think I have many pictures with Spencer in them so I thought I'd share this one of Spencer comforting Baer the other day. I just love how cuddly he is, and what a great daddy Spencer is.

Spencer almost refuses to look at the camera or acknowledge that I'm taking his picture. He hates his picture being taken. I'm thinking it's gunna take some smooth talking to get an updated family photo.

Ajna Photo

2008-10-18T05:53:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

I don't know how many of you have noticed the link to my photosite on the left. It has been under construction but is close to being finished. Check it out if you would like.

Ajna Photo: Jacquelyn Jones

Thanks!

Tagged...thrice :)

2008-10-13T14:18:00.000-07:00

I don't have many pictures of me since I cut my hair so I thought I'd share this one. In this picture I am at my parent's house working on an afghan on the loom (which I still haven't finished). This was taken April of 2006.

Okay, I was tagged at least 3 times for 2 different tags and I better get on it!

The First Tag

I AM

I am: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Friend, Crazy, Crafty, Outgoing, Shy, Outdoorsy, Ever-Changing...
I think: I can!
I know: I am loved
I want: too much
I have: so much
I dislike: poor communication
I miss: the mountains and my family.
I fear: losing a loved one
I feel: hungry
I hear: Baer's toy playing music
I smell: caramel corn cakes
I crave: what I am not supposed to eat...italian, baguettes, pie, etc...
I cry: when I am hormonal
I usually: have too many projects.
I wonder: if James is going to wake up soon.
I regret: nothing
I love: all of God's creations (sky, earth, mountains, water, animals, man)
I care: about what people think.
I always: love my family
I worry: I am not a good enough friend, mother, wife
I am not: who I was when I got married
I remember: old times
I believe: "in God the eternal father and in his son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."
I dance: when I am happy (okay I LOVE to dance but need to more)
I sing: instead of talking to my children often
I don’t always: keep a clean house
I argue: because I am stubborn
I write: when I am feeling nostalgic
I win: at nothing (well, not much anyway)
I lose: my mind occasionally
I wish: I was more organized
I listen: inadiquately
I don't understand: politics
I can usually be found: at home with my children
I am scared: of losing a loved one (didn't I do that one already?)
I am happy: when I remember I am.

The Second Tag

8 TV SHOWS I LIKE TO WATCH

1. Chuck
2. Project Runway
3. America's Next Top Model
4. Top Chef
5. What Not to Wear
6. Martha Stewart (I used to watch)
7. NFL games with Spencer
8. How I Met Your Mother
Wow, that was actually pretty difficult. I don't actually watch those all anymore but are ones I'll watch when I do watch. Does that makes sense? lol

8 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS (today)

1. Cinzetti's
2. Olive Garden
3. Johnny Carino's
4. Ted's Montana Grill
5. Macaroni Grill
6. Tequila Harry's
7. Mi Ranchitos
8. Most Sushi places
Think I might be craving Italian and Mexican??

8 THINGS THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY

1. Slept in
2. Watched the kids so Spencer could take a nap
3. Went to Church
4. Taught Sunday School
5. Ate some buffalo steak that Spencer grilled
6. Chatted with the neighbors
7. Knitted
8. Went to bed early
*For some reason it sounds more relaxed than it was. Hmmm...

8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO

1. Dinner
2. Photo Shoots
3. Chili Cook Off/Trunk or Treat
4. Baer's OT
5. Baer's Vision Therapy
6. Kansas City Rocks: Spook Run
7. Trick or Treating
8. Halloween at Whole Foods

8 THINGS ON MY WISH LIST

1. Ipod Nano with accessories so that I can run with it (Can't run with a classic)
2. Updated music
3. New Clothes
4. Audiobooks
5. Sewing Machine
6. Running Shoes & Vibram Five Finger Shoes (no I haven't got them...yet)
7. LG Rage (or whatever that new verizon phone is)
8. Another healthy baby

2 Cute Boys

2008-10-13T07:32:00.000-07:00

I haven't updated my blog in a while, sorry guys!

Here is James with MY pants on.

And here is Baer playing tetris on Spencer's phone, lol. He likes the song and lights.

Here lies Kim

2008-10-13T07:04:00.000-07:00

Our friend Kim has gone and left us and we will all miss her! Before she left, we had a 27 dresses going away party. Here's to you, Kim!

I had Spencer take a picture before I left.

These were before we got the camera centered. They ended up being the ones that had the best expressions, too. Sorry some of you are cropped out...It would've been easier if I brought a big tripod. Oh well, they are basically just snapshots anyway.
I think this one is cute even though...
Well everyone barely made it in this one.
This one is cute but in this lighting the smallest movements made us blurred.

It was a fun party.

Here lies Kim.
Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, and Friend
Kim was adventurous, spunky, creative, fun, and generous.
We love you, Kim!

*Kim has only left us for Texas, but we will still miss her :)

Montana Skies

2008-09-07T13:10:00.000-07:00

I used to love when my brother would play Malaguena on the piano. I just love that song. I stumbled across "Montana Skies" as I was looking up some cello music (I adore cello music). Their webpage had a link to YouTube so I thought I'd share.

Homeless

2008-09-06T09:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, most of you know I don't like talking about politics...This story is actually my friend speaking...I just thought it was pretty funny.

I was talking to a friend of mine's little girl, and she said she wanted to be President some day. Both of her parents, liberal Democrats, were standing there, so I asked her, "If you were President what would be the first thing you would do? She replied, "I'd give houses to all the homeless people." "Wow - what a worthy goal," I told her, "But you don't have to wait until you're President to do that. You can come over to my house and mow, pull weeds, and sweep my yard, and I 'll pay you $50. Then I'll take you over to the grocery store where the homeless guy hangs out, and you can give him the $50 to use toward a new house." She thought that over for a few seconds 'cause she's only 6. And while her Mom glared at me, she looked me straight in the eye and asked, "Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and do the work, and you can just pay him the $50?" And I said, "Welcome to the Republican Party." Her folks still aren't talking to me.

Snip, snip...snip, snip...and off it goes!

2008-09-05T11:26:00.000-07:00

Okay...I'm reluctantly posting this picture I took yesterday of my hair AFTER I did some adjustments to it (thinning out the sides so it's not quite so mushroom-like). It doesn't take 30 minutes JUST to WASH my hair anymore (because of all the knots I would get). It's more like 3 now! A friend of mine told me that it makes me look older. I'm good with that because whenever people find out I have 2 kids they ask if I had them when I was 13...now they can see that I was clearly 15 when I had them ;) Just kidding!

It actually looks a lot like a haircut I had in high school (that I did myself) if I would've styled it differently. This is my freshman year I believe. Look at those pencil thin eyebrows and butterfly clips!

20 Years Ago...[Thanks...several of you :)]

2008-09-03T08:18:00.000-07:00

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:20 years ago:

20 years ago: 1988- This is a well known story amongst my family: I was 4 years old and living in Sheridan, Montana. My mom would lay down with us for naptime and she'd fall asleep. We would sneak out and go to the store across the street where they had "Need a penny? Take one" cups and we'd take those and buy penny candies. I remember army crawling/sneaking to get them. I blame my older siblings...they are bad examples :) (just kidding guys!)

We also had a dog we named Jungle Bear that I would go exploring with. I remember crossing paths with a snake one time and Jungle Bear was barking to warn me. He let me get on his back and he carried me away. He was my protector.

I also remember there was a stream that pooled by the fence next to our house in Sheridan that some kind of greenery would grow on top of. I wanted to get across and I thought if I stepped on the greenery it would hold me up but I was wrong. I stepped in and almost fell in. Luckily the fence was there for me to hold on to.

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:10 years ago:

10 years ago: 1998-I was a freshman and still pretty innocent. Most of you know that the outdoor sports are very important to me and I love & miss having mountains. I loved going rapelling with my parents and teaching friends & scouts. I was probably a freshman when I went "aussie style" for the first time (head first). *see photo above of my sister Brenda and me

I had 2 "boyfriends" that only lasted about a week. The first: we both mutually decided that we'd rather be friends and the second: asked me to go out with him...I am not good at saying no so I said yes. I tried to avoid him wherever I was and then when he called I told him that my Dad wouldn't let me have a boyfriend-lame excuse even though I did know that he wouldn't want me to have one.

I tried out and qualified to make Chamber Choir & had higher scores than most of the upperclassmen (along with my friend Jamie Kern) but our choir teacher told us she had decided not to put us in until the next year because she didn't want to have to kick out the older kids. The next year a freshman or two got in and we were mad. There was more room after all the seniors from the previous year had left.

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:5 years ago:

5 years ago: 2003-I had just graduated from Myotherapy College of Utah. I consider it the one thing I am actually very good at and I accept that. I have a lot of talents that I'm pretty good at or I may not be very good at but enjoy. Massage is my one pure talent. I also had family that had cancer- I shaved my hair and donated it to locks of love in their honor.

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:1 year ago:

1 year ago: 2007- Just after Baer was born we went to Montana to show him off to the grandparents and so Spencer could go on his annual father-son motorcycle trip. I was there for over a month. Everyday life, I was pretty much doing what I am now...staying at home with the boys and trying to keep up with motherhood responsibilites. James was 2 and Baer was a little over a month old.

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:1 month ago:

1 month ago: Beginning of August 2008-I was on my girl's trip-which I still need to post pictures of. My mom shared some great journal entries from when she was our age and going through motherhood. It was really cool. We also threw a bridal shower for my newest sister-in-law Mindy.

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:1 week ago:

^The ONLY picture I made it into last week...lol. At least it's my good side (haha...totally not).

1 week ago: End of August 2008- My mother-in-law was here and was helping me organize my basement.

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:1 day ago:

1 day ago: September 2nd, 2008- I got my hair cut and it turned out shorter than I wanted it to be. I think I look like a mushroom!! I also gave a friend of mine a massage.

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James's B-day Party!

2008-09-02T13:46:00.001-07:00

While Spencer's parents came into town and we celebrated James's birthday on Saturday. He was SO ready! He was telling me all week that he wanted his soccer ball cake and I kept telling him that he had to wait until Grandma and Grandpa were here so he could share it with them. He of course made the cake (with a little help) and I decorated it.

Here it is! I ran out of green and didn't want to mix any more so I just put brown on the edges for mud/dirt.

Not 10 minutes after I finished the cake (Grandma & Grandpa had just arrived) James was too quiet. I asked what he was doing and he said "Um...Just eating cake" in his sing-song voice. He had been waiting long enough!

Grandma is a little camera shy. I wanted a picture of James & Grandma and this is what I got.

This is pretty cool, it's a motorcycle with wheels but it's a BOOK. Cool, huh? James loves motorcycles.

Cake is after gifts...he's waiting so patiently!

Gift from Grandma & Grandpa Bassett

It's a Lightning McQueen bag with all sorts of games in it like dominos, 3 different cards, bingo, and a few more. He loves it.
My Mom is very musically inclined and she has a tradition of giving harmonicas to her grandchildren. I wasn't sure what age she did that at but I was pleasantly surprised to see that he got one. He loves it.
Already a pro...
...and lovin' it!

I told James he could put the candles on wherever he wanted to. Look how straight he put them...and right on the top. I thought they'd be scattered.
Grandpa Jones playing the harmonica...he's got talent!
We lit the candles so that we could sing to him...before we got started he'd blown them out so we lit them again and told him he had to wait until we sing. Here his is waiting so patiently.
Make a wish!
(I bet I can guess what his wish was)
Finally!!! His wish comming true (if I assume correctly).
Check out that bite!

He has one more present that wasn't quite ready (charged) so it waited until Sunday.

James turned 3!

2008-08-19T10:11:00.000-07:00

James's birthday was yesterday (the 18th). Grandma and Grandpa Jones are comming this weekend so we are going to have a family thing when they come. Here are some of his 3 yr old pictures.

Baer's First Birthday

2008-08-18T23:03:00.000-07:00

Baer's first birthday was July 24th and I didn't get around to posting pictures before I went on my trip so here they are. Sorry they are such POOR QUALITY!! I didn't know where my memory card was for my good cameras and so these are pretty much just crappy snap shots. Sorry Baer!

James wanted to make breakfast in the morning so here he is (in his underwear no less) helping with the scrambled eggs. He actually does a pretty good job.

Here is James making Baer's cake. I didn't do it from scratch this year since I wasn't eating any. I know, I'm selfish.

Right after I took the cake out of the oven, I turned around to set the cooling rack on the counter, turned around and James had taken a big ol' chunk out of the hot cake with the spatula. Luckily I caught him before he burned himself.

This is how the cake turned out.

This is Baer eating the cake (I know it's a horrible picture...we have better videos).

These are his gifts from Grandma & Grandpa Jones. I didn't get a picture of his gifts from Grandma & Grandpa Bassett but we do have a video.

That's it. We just did a low key family thing this year. Baer enjoyed it though and that's what is important!

Wedding Pictures

2008-08-15T19:35:00.000-07:00

If you'd like to see a few pictures from the wedding, click on the link below.

Denver Wedding Photos

Thanks!

My husband (Thanks LeiAnn)

2008-08-13T11:07:00.000-07:00

I decided to do a tag since I haven't posted in a while. I just got back from my trip Monday morning at 1:00 and I have probably over 1000 pictures to go through. It may be a bit but I will try to get some up in the next week.

This is just a picture of us when we lived in Rexburg in 2004...on our way to go workout (which is why I look so gross).

1. What is his name? Spencer Burnett Jones

2. Who eats more? Spencer, but I'm right up there with him.

3. Who said "I love you" first? I did, but he told me then next day...wait did I already do this post a while back? Oh well. He suprised me at work and wrote "Jackie Bassett, I'm in love with you!!!" in toothpaste on my car. It was cute.

4. Who is taller? Spencer! He is 6'3" and I'm sooo glad!

5. Who is smarter? Spencer is deffinetly more book smart. I'm more Mom smart :)

6. Who is more sensitive? I am, most deffinetly!! Not even comparable.

7. Who does the laundry? I do. Spencer isn't allowed to do laundry but he does every once in a while and that's always a reminder of why he's not allowed. He has washed and dried gum at least 3 times, washed my dry clean only several times, and washed whites with jeans and towels just to name a few instances.

8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I always have to sleep closest to the door. My side of the bed always changes depending on how our bedroom is set up in the room.

9.Who pays the bills? Spencer does, thankfully...I hate that job!

10. Who cooks more? I do the cooking but Spencer is supposed to do the cooking every Sunday. We have been out of our routine for a while but I'm going to have him start doing it again.

11. Who is more stubborn? Okay, this one is a toss-up. We are both very hard headed and usually it ends with me saying something to the effect of "Don't you remember that advice you got when we got married? I'M always right!!"

12. Who is the first to admit they are wrong? I guess it just depends on the situation.

13. Who has more siblings? I do. I have 5 and he has 3.

14. Who wears the pants in the family? As the saying goes...we both have a leg in.

15. What do you like to do together? We like to go bowling, camping, offroading, hiking, play card games, go out to eat, play the wii, etc...

16. Who eats more sweets? We both go though our phases. Sometimes we are really good and sometimes quite the opposite and it's not always at the same time.

17. How did you meet? His family and my family have been friends since I was a month old. We both moved to Billings around the same time. We both moved around but still stayed in touch and even visited.

18. First kiss? Spencer had just taken me on a wonderful date(our first official). We went hiking and he remembered all my favorites and brought them as snacks for the hike. That was VERY impressive. He says I kept giving him the "kiss me" eyes but I totally wasn't. It was more like "wow, he's amazing" eyes- which I guess probably isn't much of a different look so I'll have to give him that. After the hike we were at the house I was renting, sitting on the couch, and he kissed me. I had just told my friend that I wasn't ready for him to kiss me yet because since our families were such good friends I knew it would go fast. So, he kissed me and I didn't kiss him back. Spencer said "it was like kissing a wall". I'll never live it down, it was kind of awkward. I did kiss him about a week later though. Oh, and it did go fast after we kissed! We were married that summer.

19. Who proposed? Spencer was going to be going to school soon and we were talking about where our relationship was going. He told me that I could move to Rexburg and I informed him that I wasn't moving to Rexburg unless there was a good reason. I had a good job doing massage and didn't want to leave it just to have to come back. That's when we decided that we didn't want to date long distance and we had already said I love you, so we should get married. He proposed June 20th, 2004 and we were married Aug 21, 2004...just in time to have a honeymoon before the semester started.

20. What is his best feature? His eyes and his dimple.

21. What is his greatest quality? He puts up with me! I'm not even exaggerating. I'm pretty high maintenance. Other than that, he has a good heart. He is always helping others and I admire him for that!

So much to do, so little time!

2008-07-28T16:59:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's already here! I leave Wednesday and I'm just sooo excited. I have been busy, busy, busy trying to catch up here and there. Like the title says...so much to do, so little time! I need to go shopping for food for the boys while I'm gone, shopping for a bridal shower, pack, kids Dr. appointments, laundry, dye my hair, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera...

Baer's birthday was on the 24th. His pictures are going to have to wait until I get back!

I'll be returning home the night of the 10th.

For My Kansas Friends

2008-07-18T08:58:00.000-07:00

I will be going out of town July 30th-August 10th and am not going to be able to bring my kids with me. I was originally going to have some girls from my last ward watch the kids while Spencer is in school but they recently moved on short notice. I had a friend offer to watch the kids on the Fridays I will be gone for a massage in return. I thought this was a GREAT idea. I still have plenty of days available if anyone else is interested in trading for massage.

Call me if you are interested for details. Or email me and I can send you the schedule of days/times needed.

Thanks!

Finished Knitting Project

2008-07-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

Most of you know that I have a knitting group that I go to every Wednesday. Here is the hat that I finished today for my niece-to-be. It turned out bigger than I expected so I'm wondering if maybe I should make a new one and give this one to someone else? It fits my 2 almost 3 year old.

Kitchen

2008-07-09T11:52:00.001-07:00

Before: Just the boat picture in the barnwood frame (yeah, I know...boring).

After: See picture.

This picture is just to show that the blue frame's shutters open...yes I'm planning on putting pictures in them.

The shelf is one that Spencer made for me for our first christmas. It is made out of barnwood from the Burnett Ranch in Redlodge/Luther, Montana. I LOVE it and we haven't had it up since we have been in our house. It was on my "to do" list and today I finally got 'er up! I got the decorations from Michael's this morning for WAY cheap...they were on sale. :)

What do you think? I'm wondering if it looks balanced (does something need to go behind the "Relax" sign?

Quick Funnies

2008-07-08T18:36:00.000-07:00

So...James was looking up my nose the other day and he said to me "Mommy, you have spider webs in your nose" (nose hairs).

I remember my brother used to tell my Mom as a teenager- "Mom, you're my favorite Mom" and the other day James came up to me and said "Mommy, you're my BEST...Mommy". It made me think of my little brother.

Some Old, Some New

2008-07-03T15:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's TIME for some pictures. These are all from my camera on my phone, so they aren't the best quality. Some of them were even taken on lower quality settings until I realized it was set that way.

..................................................................

These were taken a few months ago. We were at Wal-Mart and James was getting grumpy/hungry so we decided to stop at the McDonalds the have in there and get him some apple dippers. He kept calling Ronald McDonald "Old McDonald". He was pretty curious as you can see and even tried looking up his nose.

This one was taken just before one of Baer's many Dr. appointments a month or so ago.

This is James entertaining himself at Baer's appointment. He got stuck after that and I had to pull him out.

This one was taken this morning! I was getting ready to take Baer to his eye appointment this morning and James comes around the corner like this. I had to take a picture. Good for future blackmail (sp?).

This one was also taken this morning of my two cute boys and their shades. You can't tell in the picture but Baer actually LOVES them. He get a big grin on his face when I put them on him.

Baer's good news!!

Baer had an eye appointment this morning and it went very well. I was expecting to schedule the eye surgery today but the Doctor said "I can't explain it". His eyes are a lot better and he probably won't have to have the surgery now. She gave us some patches that he will have to wear on his Left eye for 2-3 hours a day and will have a check-up in 3 weeks.

Thanks to friends and family for all your prayers!

How do you NOT?

2008-06-26T11:02:00.001-07:00

How do you NOT compare yourself to others?

AND THE AWARD GOES TO- my good friend Maureen! For the best answer.

"I remember years back in young womens we had a guest speaker (he was the stake patriarch and one of our leader's husband). Anyway he said something that has always stuck with me. I don't even really remember the context of it but he told us to never compare ourselves to others because we are never fair to ourselves when we do it. We always end up comparing the worst in ourselves to the best in others..."

*To see the whole thing, check out my comments.

Thanks Maureen you are the best! Hope you don't mind I posted it up :)

Tagged (Thanks Lizabeth)

2008-06-24T07:44:00.000-07:00

A) Four places I go over and over:
1- Yoga
2- Knitting Group
3- Church
4- Online

B) Four people who email me the most:
1- Mom Jones
2- Stacy
3- Spam
4- Bassett Family Group

C) Four of my favorite foods:
1- Pastas (can't eat!!)
2- Pastries (can't eat!!)
3- Veggies galore!!!!
4- Pomogranate or Cotton Candy Ice Cream

D) Four Places in which I would rather be right now:
1- Bassett girls week or Austin's wedding which are comming up in August
2- Somewhere tropical with my family
3- Taking a nap
4- Eating something by a top chef that I can eat and is awesome!

E) Four people I'm tagging: (X-OP 2nd ward friends)
1- Tara A. (still OP 2)
2- Sarah O.
3- Milli C.
4- Daisie H.

F) Four movies I would watch over and over:
1- Probably the Twilight movie which hasn't come out yet
2- Scooby Doo (James & Spencer's favorite kids show/movie)
3- Pride and Prejudice
4- Phantom of the Opera
I actually don't like to watch movies over and over so these are the closest probably.

G) My favorite things to do: [couldn't narrow it down to 4...had a hard enough time narrowing it down to 7 :)]
1- Hang out with my family without other obligations
2- Hiking
3- Bowling
4- Amateur Photography
5- Eating
6- Shopping
7- Anything artsy

H) Things I am afraid of:
1- Honestly...losing my family
2- Too much noise (I get cranky around noise)
3- Someone breaking in to my house
4- The Jeep falling on Spencer or James when he's working on it and it's on jack stands in our slanted/uneven driveway.

Doesn't this look kind of like a multiple choice test??

And so it begins...

2008-06-23T11:22:00.001-07:00

I just have to tell a couple of stories about James.

Not too long ago I was folding sheets in the livingroom with James. I pulled the sheet up to myself to find the edges and James gave a little chuckle and said "Mommy, are you Jesus?" He caught me completely off guard and I said "No..." Then I did it again and he asked me the same question with the same response. The next load of laundry came out of the dryer and I wrapped them around him so he could feel the warmth and he said "Ahh...yeah. I can be Jesus."

This next story is about a typical boy (James). Not 10 minutes ago I was in the bathroom with James waiting for him to finish so I could take him to bed and he said:
j: "Mommy, can you hear that stinky in your ear?"
J: "Yes." (Almost to laugh but impressed that he remembered that you hear with your ear).
j: "Mommy, does a big stinky fit in my ear?"
J: "No" (This is when I thought exactly "And so it begins...")
j: "Does a little stinky fit in my ear?"
J: "No, James. Stinkies don't go in your ear."

High School Tag (Thanks, LeiAnn)

2008-06-19T06:18:00.000-07:00

Sorry it took me so long, LeiAnn!

1. Did you date someone from your school? Yes and no. I dated a couple of guys for like a week but I or we weren't feelin' it. Also there were a couple guys that were friends with benefits.

2. Did you win anything in Seniors Who's Who? I can't remember if it was official but I remember in the yearbook it said that I was something to the effect of looking innocent but I wasn't. That's not how they worded it though.

3. What kind of car did you drive? I had a chevy corsica, which I bought the last semester of my senior year. I had finished school a semester early and got a job to pay for it.

4. It's Friday night...where are you? I just depended I guess. I had a variety of friends I hung out with.

5. Were you a party animal? I guess you could say that.

6. Were you considered a flirt? Yes.

7. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? I think I quit band in Jr. High. I was in choir from Jr. High through High School, though.

8. Were you a nerd? Deffinetly not. (I don't even get the picture below...I was just looking for an illustration)

9. Did you get suspended/expelled? No. My Dad was the elementary principal. Our elementary, Jr. High, and High Schools are all on the same land and they all kind of worked together. All the teachers thought I was all innocent, but my friends knew better.

10. Can you sing the fight song? Not any more. It's been too long. (Same, LeiAnn)

11. Who were your favorite teachers? Mrs. McCracken (Choir), Mr. Moore (Jr. English & Drama), Mrs. Shannon (Soph. English), Mr. Schaff (History), Mr. Green (even though I hated Chemistry...weird, huh?) not necessarily in that order. I also liked a couple of teachers from Bancroft but I can't remember their names since I was only there one semester.

12. Where did you sit during lunch? They had school lunch which was in the elementary cafeteria, I ate there sometimes and sat by my friends. They also had personal pizzas, nachos, and stuff in the HS multi-purpose room and I ate in there sometimes, too. I just ate with my friends. It was a small school and I was friends with a lot of people.

13.What was your school's full name? Shepherd High School

14. School mascot? Mustangs and Fillies

15. Did you go to Homecoming and who with? Um, homecoming was an interesting night for me. I was actually nominated for homecomming queen but I didn't win. That was fine with me, I was suprised I was nominated and wasn't planning on staying for the dance. I invited my bff Amanda to go with me. We showed up just for pictures basically (the proof that we were there) and then we ditched and got into trouble :)

16. If you could go back and do it again, would you? Um, high school is in my past but if I were to do it again, I would deffinetly do some things differently.

17.What do you remember most about graduation? The after-party. The parents get together and raise money for a party with a ton of good prizes so you don't go out and drink. It's held at the bowling alley and you are there 'till really late.

18. Where did you go senior skip day? I don't remember. That may have been during the semester I was gone for since I left a semester early.

19. Were you in any clubs? Drama and school plays.

20. Have you gained some weight since then? I'm with LeiAnn here...I would be very unhealthy at my high school weight for my height. Although I wouldn't mind being somewhere inbetween where I am now and what I was then.

21. Who was your prom date? Josh Dale. I actually had a boyfriend who had graduated from a different school, but Josh and I decided to go together as friends. We had a contest to see who could get the craziest corsage/boutineer (sp?). I got him the bird of paradise and he got me a HUGE corsage (if you can call it that). I'll see if I can get a picture. I'm having a hard time explaining. It went over my shoulder and a little down my back.

22. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion? Yeah, I would go.

23. Do you still talk to people from school? I talk to some people every once in a while on myspace/facebook and when I am in town. There are a few that I am still pretty good friends with though.

I'm not going to tag anyone I went to school with in MT because I already know pretty much their answers so I'll tag Sherydon & DeAnna (even though I was there 1 semester), Lizabeth, and Lisa.

Tagged (Thanks Sherydon)

2008-06-12T08:56:00.000-07:00

Two Names I Go By: Jackie or Jacks/Jax

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now: Gauchos & Spencer's white tee (I'm scrubbin' it today)

Two Of Your Favorite Things To Do: Hang out with my fam, Camping

Two Things You Want Very Badly At This Moment: FiveFingers shoes (see previous post), and to go on a vacation to Moab with my family

Two Favorite Pets: Sugar Bear (childhood dog)...He was pretty much my favorite.

Two People Who Will Fill This Out: Ummm...not sure

Two Things You Did Last Night: Went to knitting group, dropped off a dish to a friend who brought me food when I was sick

Two Things You Ate Today: Waffles, and I'm about to grab a yogurt.

Two Last People You Talked To: James and Spencer

Two Longest Car Rides: Driving from MT to KS and from KS to MT!!

Two Favorite Holidays: Halloween and Christmas

Two Favorite Vacations: Honeymoon to CA even though I wasn't feeling well, Moab, UT

Two Favorite Drinks: Jamba Juice & Cream Soda (when I'm drinking pop)

PICTURE ME TAG- go to flickr.com search for the pictures to your answers and post them!

Birth Place: Lovell, WY

Favorite Vacation Destination: Moab, UT

Favorite Color: Tie between Pink & Green

Dream Career: There are so many things I love to do, I would love to just be a Jack(ie) of all trades (Hahaha...I crack myself up)

Guilty Pleasure: Shopping...for whatever!

Favorite Hobbies: Photography, Camping, Knitting Group [I know I'm a grandma already :)], and Dancing.
Favorite Restaurant: Cinzetti's Italian Market Restaurant

Favorite Actor/Actress: I don't think I have a favorite anymore!?!

Favorite Vehicle: We are working on building me an electric jeep. It will be pink someday...just you wait!

Favorite place to shop for myself: Nordstrom...straight up!

Favorite Flower: Lilies, Lilacs, Roses, Tulips (in no particular order)...Oh, how I love my flowers!

The End! Here's to far away friends...I tag all of my friends that live more than 100 miles from me and choose to do it! You know who you are :)

Vibram FiveFingers: Totally Rad Shoes!!!

2008-06-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

Okay check out these totally awesome shoes that I am getting! You can wear them climbing/bouldering, running/jogging, hiking, swimming, doing yoga, etc... I am so totally stoked and cannot wait to get them! I just have to decide what color/style I am going to get. I'm going to go with either the classic or sprint. Here are the pictures of them and the website if you want to look further.

www.vibramfivefingers.com

Five Facts about Baer

2008-06-06T19:37:00.000-07:00

Baer was tagged by my friend Amanda a little while ago, so here are five things about Baer.

1. Baer is 10 months old and is still not crawling and is barely sitting up (he's not even very good at that yet)! He's a lazy boy. He can push himself up with his arms, but it's into a "girl's push up" position instead of on his hands and knees. When we try to help him to his hands and knees he stiffens up straight as a board to the point that he shakes slightly because he is tensing his muscles so hard. He did this the other day at a friends house and we had a good laugh.

2. When Baer is excited he laughs and shakes his head really fast like he's saying no, but it's just part of his chuckle. I would also have to add to this one that he has a really great laugh! One Sunday I was giving a talk and he was in the very back of the overflow with Spencer. Baer was holding a container of those baby snacks that dissolve in your mouth, he kept pulling the container to his nose and would laugh hysterically. I could hear him from the stands it was so cute. He loves to have his nose poked. It cracks him up for some reason.

3. Baer LOVES music! His favorite song is I am a Child of God. He can be screaming and I'll start singing it to him and he will instantly stop, look me in the eyes, and listen intently. He also loves it when James sings to him. Last night he was having a hard time going to sleep and Spencer heard James in there saying "shhhh, shhhh" (in a calming voice, not like QUIET!) and then he (James) started singing to him. It worked! Bear just stopped and listened to James sing.

4. Baer is a very content baby. I am always getting comments like..."Is he ALWAYS this good?"...and yes, he usually is. Like every baby he has his moments but for the majority, he is a very happy and content baby. I am very blessed!

5. Baer's skin has an yellow-orange hue. Some of the many other comments I always get are "He's VERY yellow...does he have jaundice?" or those who know us/him better say "Wow, what did he have for dinner/lunch?" When we first noticed it I asked his pediatrician and she said it was just from his food. I feed him a LOT of green foods like broccoli, green beans, and peas but I do also feed him squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes, etc. He just soaks in those yellow-orange foods!

It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to!

2008-06-03T07:13:00.001-07:00

Actually the only thing I have to cry about so far is that I am STILL sick! Bluck! I have been sick for over 2 weeks now. It started out as just allergies & sinus pressure then it moved to whatever is going around because I keep hearing about all of my friends and family getting it too.

On a happy note: What I got...in order from when I got or found out about them:

Yesterday my visiting teacher came and brought me groceries that I haven't been able to get out and buy myself and dinner for my birthday (today) which I ate last night because I was sick and hadn't made anything yet :). She also brought me some dark choc (my fav) and POMOGRANATE Ice Cream bites. Let me just tell you the ONE YEAR ago I had these AMAZING Pomogranate (sp?) Ice Cream bars from Costco. I was instantly in LOVE! Well you know how Costco is, they get something and you never know if it'll come back. Well for one year I have been looking EVERY TIME I want ice cream at any store I go to for these yummy bars. My visiting teacher is and INSPIRED woman! One year later I FINALLY get my fabulous ice cream treats. I'm thinking about paying her to get me a case of them since she got them from Sam's and I'm a Costco girl. My other visiting teacher is comming today to bring me the rest of the dinner that I was suppose to save for today. :) I still have some left though. I know I'm a brat!

SPENCER got me a Wii Fit that I have been sending signals for. He is always good at gifts. He always knows what I want...but that could be because I'm always wanting something and I always blab about it. He probably just gets it to shut me up :)

Mom & Dad Jones got me a gift card to Wal-Mart, Half.com (which I also sent signals out for), and a package with goodies for me, a few for Spence & summer clothes for the boys. Whenever Mom Jones sends a package for someone she always includes something for everyone. I think she is a very thoughtful person and she gives great gifts. She even included some GF brownies which if I feel up to it, I may make or have Spence make them for me for my b-day "cake". I even have pie cherries to go on top...now all I need is whipped cream...mmmm...!

My Dad called me this morning to wish me a Happy Birthday since they are headed out of town.

Well, that's what I have so far but I know of a few more people that are going to call, send cards, etc...because they always do! People must love me! Okay, I know...I'm a spaz.

Thanks for peeking!

Here's a picture of me back in the day...doing something I love!

Toy soldier

2008-05-19T08:25:00.001-07:00

I recently finished knitting this bag that I am in the process of felting. Here is a funny picture of James I JUST took with it on his head and daddy's riding glasses. I think he looks a little like a toy soldier.

3 NEW POSTS!!

2008-05-18T20:00:00.001-07:00

Yep! I finally got some pictures up...check 'em out!

Thanks for peeking :)

Hat and Hair!

2008-05-18T19:50:00.001-07:00

I hope I am not ruining the suprise here (it has already been sent out), but my brother and sister-in-law (Reed & Carissa) just recently had their second baby...Connor. I go to a knitting group every Wednesday with some girlfriends and this is what I whipped out for my newest nephew!

I was at Sally's beauty supply getting hair dye, when I decided to go with something different instead of my usual high lift blonde. I dyed it "lightest brown" which turned out pretty dark for me since I lost track of time when it was in and left it in too long. I trimmed my bangs (and could've done a little better) I then had Spencer help me highlight it. I have to admit I didn't like it at first, but after the highlights and straightening it, it's starting to grow on me :) There are a couple of errors but all in all I think it looks pretty good.

What do y'all think?

Fort & Friend

2008-05-18T19:37:00.001-07:00

This is James eating lunch with Lauren in our backyard/porch. Lauren is our neighbor and James loves to play with her!

Lauren is just so cute and fun, I couldn't resist taking her picture when I saw her climbing our tree.
Isn't she a doll!?!
While Spencer was off-roading with Bob on Saturday, the kids and I built a fort. I didn't get any pictures of Baer and I in there, unfortunately. We got a lot of jealous looks and people even stopped to tell us "I wanna play!" We played in there for 5 hours! The kids loved it!

Off-roading!!

2008-05-18T06:49:00.000-07:00

Spencer and his friend, Bob, from school went offroading this weekend. They had a really good time, I think it made Spencer hurt for his Jeep in MT. It has been nice that he has had a friend willing to let Spence show him how they work and how they can be modified slightly to do cool things or just plain look cool :) Here are some pictures...

Oh, and this is part of James's prayer that night

James: "thankful for Mommy and Daddy and baby Baer"

Me: "and please bless.."

James: "and BOB" (and thankful for Bob)

I just thought it was pretty cute. He likes Bob (and his Jeep).

BEFORE...

DURING...

A big part of going off-roading is knowing that things ARE going to happen, so be prepared!

AFTER...

Oopse :)

The same oopse

Yesterday's MRI

2008-05-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

So...Baer had his MRI yesterday. Here's about how it went.

Spencer stayed up and fed Baer at 2:30 am (bless him). With his full tummy he slept up until it was about time to go. After a few set backs, like getting lost & going back or paperwork, we finally made it there at 9:15am.

Baer started getting pretty grumpy when the nurses were trying to find veins for the IVs and preparing him for the MRI. I started singing his favorite songs which usually calm him down rather immediately. After about 6 songs or so I stopped to just talk to him and they both told me "Don't Stop Singing!"

Here's a picture I took with my phone of his foot...he looks like he's wearing a cast. They had something taped to the bottom of his foot...to keep him from bending it I'm guessing?

I didn't look too long but I couldn't find a good picture of a baby in the MRI so here is one with some lady :)

They told me then to give him some kisses and they would take him in. I knitted while I was waiting in the waiting room for about 45 minutes or so when the told me I could go back. I could hear him crying all the way down the hall. He was having a hard time waking up but they told me I could hold him and he stopped crying. I fed him a little apple juice and he LOVED that but still didn't want to really wake up. They told me that he kept fighting the medicine that they gave him so they had to give him a lot to get him to go under. In fact the nurse said "several doses of each" (3 different kinds). I wasn't very fond of that idea but I guess what was done, was done!

I took him home and he slept all day. I guess he needed to sleep off the medicine.

Today he is back to normal! We got a call from the eye clinic telling us that his eye doctor had to have emergency surgery and we have to reschedule his next appointment. They wanted to reschedule for June! I told her that it was supposed to be a follow up for the MRI and she put one of the other doctors on the phone.

The MRI was read NORMAL, yay!!

Thank you all for all your prayers and fasting! I think it really helped. Baer was so strong and he did very well.

Baer's MRI updates

2008-05-01T06:17:00.000-07:00

Baer's MRI has been changed to May 7th. He will not be able to eat any solid food after 3:00am, no clear liquids after 7:00am, and from 7 until his MRI he won't be able to eat or drink anything. He is going to be one grumpy little baby! The MRI is at 10:00 am. They will be putting him out for it so he doesn't move. He had an appointment yesterday with his pediatrician to get some paperwork done for the MRI. James has an appointment with the pediatrician on Friday to get some shots. He's funny...he'll say "Mommy, I need to go to the doctor and get some shots." No, he doesn't like shots so I don't know why he wants to get them?? Maybe it's because Spencer usually takes him to McDonalds afterwards...yeah that's probably it :)

Follow up appointment for Baer's MRI and James's eye appointment will be the 14th or 15th I think.

I tried uploading a video of James singing to Baer but it didn't want to upload (I think it was too big).

Busy, Busy, Busy!!

2008-04-17T11:19:00.000-07:00

Baer is such a content baby and it is such a blessing, especially with what he has been going through lately. He's trying to crawl and can't quite yet but you can see his determination. The past month or so he has thinned out a little which I think is good because he was so chubby I think it was hard for him to lift himself up. He is now doing so and is comming closer to achieving his milestones. He just got 2 teeth and has 2 more on the way. He's been in for vaccinations recently and to the eye doctor today at 8:30am and didn't get home until 11am. He has a 3rd nipple...not a big deal and we were pretty sure it was but it was confirmed, has an appointment with the pediatrist in August about his partial 6th toe, an MRI in May and the appointments that he has to do before-hand, another eye appointment, and a probable eye surgery!! Poor little tough guy!

So that is what we have been up to lately. Between Spencer's school & many tests lately, Baer's appointments, my schedule, and James being such a great brother & mess maker...it feels like we have been getting more and more behind on our house work. I have some back problems and had to stay in bed for a short while not too long ago. James and Baer were ANGELS [even more than usual :)]. James sat/laid/played next to me and with Baer while I stayed in bed as much as possible and got things for me when I needed them. He is such a great helper! I heard from someone not to long ago about a sign they have up that says something to the effect of... "If you have come to see ME, you are welcome anytime. If you have come to see MY HOUSE, you need to make an appointment." I like that, but I think I like this next one better that a friend of mine has... "A clean house is a sign of a boring woman." Spencer has been very wonderful though. He has been organizing/cleaning our basement/storage/work-out/computer area when he gets the chance. At first, I have to admit, I was wondering why that was more of a priority for him than the upstairs that people see if they come over. Now that it's almost done I can see how it helps with the rest of the house. I can put things down there that I don't need upstairs. It sure is nice when you have more places to put STUFF and to de-clutter the upstairs!

Sorry about lots of writing lately and no pictures! I'll try to get on that. :)

Cystic Fibrosis Walk

2008-03-31T07:40:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

I'm joining a friend's team (Elliot's Angels) to do the Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis Walk. If you would like to donate to help me reach my goal, visit:

http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/dsp_DonationPage.cfm?walkid=5088&idUser=237435

Thanks!!

Potty Training Bear

2008-03-06T05:54:00.000-08:00

Spencer was at home with James & Baer while I was at enrichment and he told me this funny story...

J: (Holding a teddy bear) Daddy, bear has to go stinky!
S: You have to go stinky, or bear has to go stinky?
J: No, bear has to go stinky! (runs to the bathroom with the bear)
...comes back a minute later
J: Bear went stinky!

Later on, Spencer goes in the bathroom to blow his nose and what does he find in the toilet?? A little pile of stuffing that James had pulled out of a hole in the bear's bum.

Sharing a room

2008-03-03T06:56:00.000-08:00

We finally put Baer in the same room with James this last week. His crib has a recall on it and I didn't want him in it until it was fixed. James has done pretty good with it, but some nights are better than others. Last night I had to go up a couple of times because James had turned on the light and got back into bed (he's not afraid of the dark, I think he wanted to be able to see Baer). Baer was fussier than usual and was having a hard time going to sleep. I heard James so I went up to make sure that he wasn't poking him or throwing stuffed animals & toys over the side of the crib and on Baer (he likes to share). As I was going up the stairs I hear James say "stop crying........stop crying". I opened the door and was surprised to find that James was still in his bed but was singing I am a Child of God to Baer...and he remembered almost all the words. I thought it was pretty cute.

Exposure

2008-02-29T20:13:00.000-08:00

For Spencer's birthday dinner we ended up going to Red Robin. We both have heard that they have really good burgers and have never been there so we decided to try it out. Spencer had a burger (I forgot which one) and fries, and I had the Red Rice Bowl without meat. I liked it...I'd eat there again.

Spencer told James that if he got dressed while Daddy took a shower, he could go for a ride around the block on the motorcycle since today was such a nice day. James got himself dressed (pants on backward) and they went for a ride, then we went to dinner. I left his pants like that because I think it is good encouragement with words of affirmation...same with when he puts his shoes on the wrong feet. I do tell him the right way to do it later on so that he can learn, though....I just don't want to spoil the moment. ANYWAYS, to the funny part...he kept standing up on the bench at dinner and pulling at the crotch of his pants (I think they might have been a little uncomfortable being backwards). Pretty soon I hear Spencer say "Ohp, James!". I look up to see James's pants and underwear down exposing his manhood to the whole restaurant. Luckily I don't think many people saw but I thought it was pretty funny.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SPENCIE!!!

2008-02-28T11:27:00.000-08:00

Today is Spencer's birthday! He's going to play basketball tonight after the kids are in bed and we are going to celebrate this weekend. Of course I did get up and make a special breakfast, have cinnamon rolls & lunch ready when he got home, and tonight I'm making crab legs, lobster tail, onion rings, and some green veggies! I think we'll try to catch dinner & a movie or bowling or something this weekend.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SPENCIE!!!

Y'all ready for this?!?

2008-02-28T08:13:00.000-08:00

Okay I know I am a horrible blogger! Beware...this blog will be filled with like 36 pictures or something like that and a couple of stories at the end. They are worth it, though!

Okay, Let's get started!

James & a messy sucker

A cute picture of Baer playing with his feet.

James modeling his underwear...I swear I didn't pose him.

Loving brothers!

James was playing outside (beginning of Feb.) and would pull his jacket over his head like this for a "hat".

This is Baer just before taking him to get his 6 mo. checkup and shots :(

A never-ending project!! I'm trying to re-do the horrible cabinets that the painter messed up. This is in the middle of stripping some of them...that was a mess!

Baer was swinging and James likes to come sit on his lap. Baer doesn't seem to mind...he'll even laugh a lot of the time.

I just thought this one was cute...both in blue & white stripes.

Valentine's Day: We got a babysitter and went out to dinner and a movie. It was very nice to have a date just the two of us!

Still in love!

We had Sasha & Niels over to hang out and the boys bbq'd some hamburgers and steaks for us. James liked Sasha's boots and kept saying "I'm a bear...rahhr!!"

James (the bear) getting Sasha!

Stretching, I guess??

James likes to play in boxes and tubs. I brought up a tub of my clothes from the basement to see if they fit yet (which they don't & I'm pretty upset about it)...anyway...James dumped it out so that he could play in it. I think he's telling me to put the lid on in this picture...at least he's not afraid of the dark!!

Poor James...he got his shots, too. In this picture Spencer pulled a little on the band-aid and it upset James. After I took the picture Spencer pulled it off quickly. James said that was better but it still hurt.

Nothing is as good of a "cure all" as ICE CREAM!! Spencer took James to his appointment because I didn't want to see him get his shots since Spence was home. Spencer told him if he was a good boy he'd get ice cream afterwards. When the doctor came in James kept saying "Daddy tell HIM I love ice cream!" The doctor looked around (which she was the only one in there) and said..."Me?? I'm no him!!" He gets "him" and "her" mixed up. He refers to Daddy as "her", too.

I really like this picture. I didn't tell him to do that, either.

Okay...soft, James!

James likes to play with Baer and sometimes I'm not sure where he gets these ideas. I was unloading the dishwasher and thought I'd check on the boys and this is what I found...

Can you see him?

At least he's happy!

Spencer's computer was silver and the paint was wearing out where he rests his hands. He got a new hard drive and put vista on it instead of windows so he felt like he had a new computer if it weren't for the outward appearance. He taped it off and painted it red. You should see it now that he pealed off the tape. He did a really good job! We are getting pretty experienced when it comes to these paint jobs though (like his motorcycle helmet that I so cleverly designed & taped & Spencer painted)

James likes to play pretend. He'll pretend he's anything!! He came downstairs the other day and said "Look at me, I'm Mommy now!" It's actually one of Spencer's shirts and his body is throught the arm and his leg is through the neck hole. It looks like a dress on him, though :) I thought it was pretty cute/funny!

There is a recall on Baer's crib so he has been sleeping in his bassinette (sp?) which is getting a little small. He kicks around and smashes his face into the side of it...this is NOTHING compared to how I usually find him.

I remember seeing a picture of James's cousin, Kailyn, nursing her doll or stuffed animal or something. I thought it was so funny...I watched James get his teddy bear, sit down in the spot I usually nurse Baer, hold him like in the picture and say "Mommy, I'm feeding baby bear!".

Baer was next to me...playing with his feet and entertaining himself the other day on the couch and kicked himself into this position. I hurried an took a picture after I made sure he wasn't going to fall. See next picture of James doing the same thing as a baby!!

CLONES!! I swear!! This is James, not Baer...

Close up and getting a little cross-eyed...

Another one of James...don't they look so much alike as babies??

I'm sure ALL of you Moms have similar stories. I don't think I'll even explain since you all know how it goes...

I'll just tell you that what he is getting into is hair wax...like pomade.

He told me it was lotion...

He had it all over and that stuff is thick! I decided to just give him a bath since I was having a hard time wiping it off. Spencer had just showered him, too! This is James pretending to sleep on the bath pillow...the water is pretty shallow, don't worry :)

It's still in his hair.

Something cute James has been doing lately...

When he gets in trouble and I say "time out, James" he says "I just want to listen!". Well, lately after his time out he has been saying "Mommy, I ALMOST want to listen!" Isn't that so cute?

Everything is "almost" lately. Spencer watched him last night while I went to knitting group and James had gone to the "pottie" by himself and put his underwear back on afterwards...only he didn't wipe very well. Some of you know from a previous blog that Spencer has a very sensitive gag reflex when it comes to the kids diapers or James going "stinky". Spencer gave James some wipes to clean up for a minute and Spencer had to rush outside to get some fresh air & try to prevent losing his dinner. He couldn't clean James up so he just stuck him in the shower "for like 30 minutes". He went up to check on him again and said "James, are you ready to get out?" Of course, James said "No, almost done". Spencer felt the water and it was COLD & James was playing right in it. Spencer said "James, It's time to get out now, it's cold" ...James reluctantly said "okay...".

Ahh...I have wonderful kids. They sure do keep me BUSY and laughing!!

My Man...Tagged!

2008-02-06T09:32:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I totally did this post like a week ago but I forgot to actually post it. It was saved in my drafts, so here it is...better late than never!!

What is his full name? Spencer Burnett Jones

How long have you been married? almost 3 1/2 yrs
How long did you date? Not sure I want to answer that one...let's just say I have had longer relationships... :)

Who eats more sweets? We both go though spurts. Right now we are doing the "free day" approach (we got that idea from Spencer's sisters). Eat healthy and then one day a week we treat ourselves.

Who said I love you first? I did, but that's okay because he wrote it on my rear window in toothpaste the next day even though he wasn't living in the same town as me.

How old is he? 25...26 on Feb. 28th!!

Who is taller? Spencer by 5 inches

Who can sing better? Me...Spencer doesn't sing much

Who is smarter? HE IS....

Who does the laundry? I do mostly. I told him he is banned from doing laundry because he doesn't do it right. He'll put a load in every once in a while anyway.

Who pays the bills? Spencer does.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? That depends on how the room is set up. We have switched every time we have moved...I'm picky like that.

Who mows the lawn? Spencer!! James helps Daddy sometimes.

Who cooks dinner? I do but we have recently started having Spencer be in charge of dinner every Friday.

Who drives? Spencer

Who is more stubborn? It's probably a tie which sometimes doesn't help. Sometimes we have to agree to disagree. I told him the other day that he should listen to all that advice he got when we got married and just let me be right all the time!

Who kissed who first? He kissed me first but I didn't kiss back. I feel bad but I didn't want him to kiss me yet and it caught me by suprise. He says I was sending the signals but I wasn't. I was just enjoying the cuddling and the romantic date he planned.

Who proposed? Spencer. We had already decided to get married and I picked out a ring with him already too, though.

Who has more siblings? I do. I have 5 siblings and he has 3 sisters.

Who wears the pants? We both have a leg in.

I tag Amanda T, Milli C, Daisie H, Tara A, Sarah O.

Spencer...Sicko!

2008-02-02T00:30:00.000-08:00

I need to get a more recent picture of Spencer soon, too (I'm sure he'll love that)!

Spencer hasn't been feeling well for quite a while now. In the past when he's been sick, I've suggested going in to get a check up but he wouldn't go in. Since he never listens to me, I didn't even say anything this time. Just this week he said to me that he thought he was going to go in...finally! When he got out he told me that he has acute bronchitis and pneumonia in his lower left (?) lung. He coughs a lot and is pretty tired too. I have a bit of a sore throat but not horrible, and the kids have runny noses and coughs. I hope it all goes away soon!

Spencer's school moved over the last break and we are so glad. It only takes him about 5 minutes to drive to school. I love having him home for lunch. It kind of breaks up my day and I look forward to it. It's also a much nicer place (or so I've heard...I haven't actually seen the new campus yet). He likes his new schedule better...classes right after one another. He's been planning his annual motorcycle trip with his Dad for August.

That's what's up...Thanks for peeking!

About me...

2008-02-01T23:32:00.000-08:00

All about ME!!

I didn't have many recent pictures of me so I took this one real quick the other day.

1. What time did you get up this morning? A quarter after 8ish...which is rare. I'm usually up with James at 5:30 or 6am but Spencer was up...okay well I did get up and feed Baer and then go back to sleep.

2. What do you usually have for breakfast? I have a hard time finding things I like/can eat/are easy for breakfast. I usually eat one or more of...yogurt, oatmeal, gf cereal, or eggs

3. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Gosh, I don't really have one favorite but I've been listening to Moby, Norah Jones, Jack Johnson, my new Rascall Flatts cd, I want the P.S. I Love You soundtrack, etc...

4. What kind of car do you drive? Nissan Armada

5. Favorite sandwich? I don't eat a lot of sandwiches on my GF diet, but if I did, I wouldn't be able to choose one favorite. I like the gourmet sandwiches though...not just typical boring ones.

6. Favorite item of clothing? Probably my Seven for All Mankind jeans...well, the ones that fit me :)

7. If you could go anywhere in the world for a vacation, where would you go? Somewhere exotic or tropical...I dunno, like on an African Safari, Italy, France, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Iceland/Greenland, Scottland, Australia, China, Ireland, I could go on and on and on...

8. What color is your bathroom? Just had to ask the two rooms we didn't paint when we moved in. Walls are kind of an off-white but my decor is red and golds. It really is prettier than it sounds.

9. Where would you retire? MONTANA somewhere

10. Most memorable birthday? When I turned either 5? or 10? I think. My mom would ask us what we wanted our cake to be and she would decorate it for us. I asked for a crown (Queen/Princess crown). It was white with gumdrops for jewels on it. My friends all came over and then we went to the park just 2 houses down and across the street and played. I loved that cake....and my barbie doll cake.

11. Favorite sport to watch? Football, no contest!

12. Are you a morning person or a night person? Well, I'm deffinetly not a morning person!

13. What is your shoe size? 9 1/2 - 10 I know...big feet but hey...I'm tall

14. Pets? We used to have a 55 gallon fish tank full of fish but Spencer sold it (even though he liked it...and it was his idea). He knew it stressed me out because it took up so much space in our awkward livingroom.

15. What did you want to be when you were little? a singer or an actress

16. What are you today? A mom, massage therapist (occasionally)

17. What is your favorite candy? I don't eat a lot of candy but I really like high quality chocolate and ice cream.

18. Your favorite flower? I'm gunna have to go with Amanda on this one...Lilies (and Lilacs) are soo fragrant and I love them. I also like coolwater roses and tulips. I pretty much like most flowers but I don't really like assorted boquets a lot. I prefer a boquet of only one or two kinds.

19. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? This month? Chocolate Lover's night on Tuesday, Feb 9th: Rad 80's party (dress up), Valentine's Day, Spencer's birthday.

20. What are you listening to right now? Spencer coughing in bed.

21. What is the last thing you ate? Vegetable-Bean lettuce wraps, apple/blueberry cobbler with ice cream

22. Do you wish on stars? I actually do from time to time...I did a few nights ago when I was out in the hot tub

23. What faith are you? I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

24. Who was the last person you spoke with on the phone? Spencer on his way home

25. Hair Color? Naturally...dirty blonde, right now...blonde-blonde

26. Name of your favorite school teacher? Mr. Green, Mr. Schaff, and a couple more I don't remember their names.

27. Chocolate or vanilla? That depends on what it is.

28. When was the last time you cried? A couple of days ago

29. What is under your bed? Carpet

30. What did you do last night? Stayed home

31. Favorite smell? Rain or sprinkler on hot concrete, Lilacs, and Lilies, hot bread

32. What are you afraid of? Losing a family member (...I have nightmares of it)

33. How many towns have you lived in? 10: Byron, WY (1 mo); Billings, MT; Sheridan, MT; Shepherd,MT; Bancroft, ID (1 semester); Bozeman, MT (a few months); Salt Lake City, UT; Rexburg, ID; Luther/Red Lodge, MT; and Overland Park, KS

34. Do you make friends easily? Yes, I think so.

Ok now you know all about me. I am going to tag Shelly, Carissa, Lisa, and Stacy.

James...Smarty "Pants"

2008-02-01T23:02:00.000-08:00

Okay, here's a little about James.

James & Baer's feet...it's so great how much they love each other. Baer responds to James soo well!

If James had it his way, he'd probably go join a nudist colony. I have a lot of pictures of him in just his diaper. Now it will probably be just his underwear because he has been potty training. He's doing very well at it. We bought a toilet topper thing a while back and just left it by the "potty". We showed him how it worked, and then left it up to him. He would ask to go potty sometimes, but with everything going on, I didn't officially start to potty train him until recently.

" CHEESE!!"

Stunning eyes! James will come home from church sometimes and say "Mommy, I/I'm so cute"..."I got cute hair". I especially love it when he just starts singing song that I didn't know he knew the words to. Or he'll ask me to "sing the Jesus song", etc...

LOVES motorcycles, jeeps, off-roading videos, Dora/Diego, reading & learning, tools, cheerios, trees (broccoli), yogurt, whatever I'm eating, ME, Daddy & Baer, etc...
One of his favorite games...to hide. Sometimes he'll say "Mommy, I need some space...'cause I'm just hiding". He's so smart.

I should have fixed the lighting and coloring on this one, but... James likes to play in the dryer. Most of the time he'll just sit in there. If I try to get him out, he'll say "No, Mommy, shut the door". Of course I only pretent to shut it and I leave it open a crack so he can breathe and so he can get out if he wants. I like that our door is see through so I can keep an eye on him.

Thanks for peeking!

Baer...He's got everything you want in a baby!

2008-02-01T22:03:00.000-08:00

I know you are all thinkin' it, so I'll just say it...

IT'S ABOUT TIME!!

Things have been pretty crazy around here and I have been repromanded several times lately for not updating my blog, so here I am doing it at almost 1:00am...hope you are all happy. It should be worth it since my kids are so dang cute!

First I'll start off with Baer...

Here is a picture of James and Baer holding hands in the car on the way home from Montana just after the new year.

Like I said...everything you want in a baby...

#1 Rolls/Baby fat...he's not starvin' that's for sure.

#2 Bounces himself to sleep (the blanket was to support him when he was a little small for his bumper jumper).

#3 A killer smile...he's such a stud!

#4 Self entertain-able/content

#5 Beautiful eyes

#6 Eleven toes (one of Baer's little toes has an extra bone...like an extra toe but is still in the same toe. Two toenails and all. It's pretty cute!)

#7 Listens when you talk

We have been so blessed to have such wonderful boys! There are soo many more good things about him, it would take more sleep than I'm willing to give up. Just trying to get this done so I can go to bed.

Thanks for peeking!

James & Baer in the leaves...as promised!

2007-12-07T08:42:00.000-08:00

Isn't this just a cute picture of the boys? I think it's wall worthy.

James always says "Baer, squish me!" That means that he wants me to put Baer on top of him like this.
Close up of "Sweet Baby James" (ever heard that song?).

Cute & Cuddly Baer!

Thanks for peeking!

Not as recent but still cute!

2007-12-06T19:32:00.000-08:00

Kids and boxes!

James loves to play in our empty boxes. This box is from a tv we got on "Black Friday". In this picture he is using it as a slide. He didn't have a lot of momentum in this picture so he was kicking his legs up to try to get his body to slide down. Of course his train car had to go down with him.

Peek-a-boo! I see you!

He was just hanging out playing with a toy in the bottom of the box. He didn't even know I was there until the flash went off.

Look at our little stud! Isn't Baer just so handsome?

Spencer's way of feeding Baer his cereal.

James and his $1 hat he put on himself.

Our little, BIG boy!

Cute brothers. James holding Baer & giving him kisses.

This is an older picture from August but it was just too cute to not share.

I have some cute ones of the kids playing in the leaves I need to add but I will later.

Misc. Pictures

2007-11-03T10:47:00.000-07:00

Our snoozing Baer (or should I say...Hibernating Baer)!

James took apart our laundry organizer and made a slide out of it.

Maybe we should have named James: Monkey...he eats sooo many bananas it would be beneficial to have a banana tree out back. We have to put a limit on how many a day he can have!

FISHIES!!!

[Unfortunately one of our favorite fish just died a day or two ago...a black striped angel fish...we don't know what happened :( ]

Wonderful Father and Husband!!

Baby Baer

THE END!

Thanks for peeking!!

Halloween!

2007-11-01T08:01:00.000-07:00

HALLOWEEN!

Well, I have finally sat down to put pictures up of our Halloween!

Cookies!!

James was a big helper...we made 1/2 whole wheat soft cookies for my the ladies I visit teach and for James (of course). He had a lot of fun helping Mommy cook. He still climbs up on the chair to the kitchen-aid and pretends to cook. "I cooking, Mommy!"

Trunk or Treat!!

Here is Spencer ("Ghostly Gentleman") with James (Lion, "rahr").

Me (I wasn't feeling well, so this is only half of my costume...Leopard) and Baer (ummm...a bear cub...notice the hat with ears)

Here's a gorilla that James was a little afraid of.

James and his beloved balloon sword (his first one popped and was so upset, he went back for another).

The clown (Rachel) who made the sword, and her son.

Here's a family picture.

A picture of our neighbor (Amy) and her son (Justin-Transformer), who we brought with us.

Baer grabbed ahold of James's huge pixie stick and would NOT let it go!

Spencer went to a Halloween party at a friend from school's house after the kids had gone to bed. I painted his face (it got a little smudged from putting the hair & hat on).

Here is James on actual Halloween Night. We went to Whole Foods and then trick or treating. Whole Foods has trick or treating in the store with awesome stuff like grilled cheese sandwiches, milkshakes, juice, fruit, candy, cookies...all for free! We love it and love that they have more than just candy! We go there every year.

THE END!!

Hope you enjoyed!

Spencer's Tag...Finally!

2007-10-29T06:04:00.000-07:00

Well, Spencer hasn't been feeling well and so I have decided to do his tag for him. Who knows him better than me, right?

1. Spencer LOVES off-roading! He has a jeep in MT right now which is only about 3 weeks from being pretty much finished (being turned into a fully capable off-roading vehicle).

2. Spencer doesn't mind helping change diapers, but if it has #2 in it...he will gag. I find it funny because he is this big strong guy and he is so sensitive in that area. Yes, he has actually thrown up a couple of times because of it. I don't make him change the "stinky" diapers too much...I'd rather clean up a stinky diaper than adult throw up.

3. Spencer has ridden (hope that is a word) a buffalo. His family had a pet buffalo, Rodney, that he rode as a child. One time he was in the "pen?" with Rodney and some visitors were over. One lady came out yelling at Spencer and made him get out. He got in big trouble because she didn't know he was a pet.

4. If Spencer could have anything he wanted, he would have a ranch in Montana. Someday...we will have a ranch...even if it's just a small one.

5. Spencer brushes his teeth in the shower, mostly.

6. Spencer has a big heart. He is always doing projects for other people, like: building a bumper for my Dad, lending out his tools, helping people fix their cars, helping the neighbor with things better suited for men (like carrying heavy things). He is very quick to help people out!

Okay, we got tagged!

2007-10-25T22:49:00.000-07:00

Well, I can't sleep, so Spencer will have to add his two cents when he's up.

1. I have not been diagnosed, but I'm pretty sure I have OCD in several different ways. Here's one example: When I eat, I have to chew my food/snacks in a certain way or it drives me nuts. If I'm eating cheerios for example (which I'm not supposed to eat) I crunch one on one side of my mouth and then one on the other side until they are all gone. I have wierd rules about eating them, too. If one is crunchier than the other, next time I have to eat a cruncier one on the other side so that I have crunched evenly on both sides. Does that make sense? It gets even more complicated than that, but I won't bore you with the details.

2. I am totally and completely right brained! I love anything that has to do with any kind of arts. I hate anything that has to do with logic...like MATH! I usually use my own way of doing things. Spencer tells me there is a more logical way of doing things, but I tell him I just have to do it the way I know how and not to confuse me.

3. To me...noise is a pollutant! I get wound pretty tight if there is much noise around the house. I have been known to snap when things get a little noisy...like if the dishwasher is going, the tv is on, and Spencer is talking on the phone...I go nuts! It pollutes my mind!

4. I feel closest to God when I meditate. I know that I should probably feel closest to God when I am at church or in the temple, but it's not the case. I feed Baer almost every hour (which is probably why at 2.5 months he weighed 15 lbs already), so I don't get much out of church. I have had some pretty incredible experiences while meditating.

5. I love music and everything that goes with it...like dancing. Dancing is one of my greatest passions. I took dance lessons at a studio for 8 months or so. I was told that I could compete or even teach. It gets expensive and Spencer won't go with me so I don't do it anymore. I miss it a ton!

6. When I have my dream house, nobody will be allowed to wear their shoes in the house. I will have a hidden walk in closet in the entry way that people will take their shoes and coats at. I will have a basket of clean slippers socks of all sizes for people to wear and will launder them after every use. Now you all know what a nut I am!

I tag Jake & Kenna. I think everyone else that I know on here has already been tagged somewhere, sooo... not sure what I do now, so... I'm adding Ken & Shelly to the "tag" because they recently got a blog!! (Shelly, you can do Ken's if he doesn't have time...it looks like I'll probably do Spencer's, too)

THE END!

Oh, wait...P.S. Those of you who have been doing this longer than I...how do you find people you know on here other than seeing them on someone else's blog?

Pictures!!

2007-10-18T12:54:00.000-07:00

James enjoying movie night with Mom & Dad & yummy "pahcorn".

Our cute little Baer.

James found my mascara in my diaper bag and decided to brush his hair with it. Should have known it was too quiet :)

When Cliff & Diane were in town (beginning of October) we went to the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead to go to the Pumpkin Hollow.

Unfortunately Spencer wasn't feeling well, so he decided to stay home.

The only time the farmstead has a fee is during the Pumpkin Hollow...which is when they do their fundraiser to keep it going. James loves going to the farmstead to see the animals, and I love that it is close and free!

Briggs Hansen (James & Baer's cousin)

Ethan Hansen (another cousin)

Briggs & James: good friends

They had a lot of fun games for the kids to enjoy, like pumpkin ball (b-ball), pumpkin skeeball, fishing, a corn pit (like a sand pit), a hay maze, corn maze, hay ride: pulled by horses, and more!

Baer obviously though it was pretty boring...he slept through most of it!

Everyone gets to take a pumpkin home of their choice.

After a long (but fun) morning, the kids were tired! We put them all down for a nap at our place. Here's Lisa reading them stories to get ready for naptime.

Playing in the back yard.

Baer hanging out.

THE END!

Celiac Awareness Month (I guess)

2007-10-16T11:35:00.001-07:00

I just found out that this month is Celiac Awareness month or something?? That's funny...I think I heard of it a few years ago, but kind of forgot. Well I have Celiac's so I thought it was pretty cool when I heard that Hyvee (grocery store) is doing Gluten-Free food sampling this week! I'm pretty excited and I hope to be able to find some yummy things that I haven't discovered or been able to try yet.

October!

2007-10-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

Isn't October just a FUN month? Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! I love carving pumpkins, decorating sugar cookies, making elaborate Halloween costumes, sitting in the hot tub in the cool weather, taking James trick-or-treating (and to Whole Foods for their activities and treats for Halloween), the parties, fall family portraits, the change in wardrobe, knitting scarves, and so on!

We have sure been busy! Spencer has been busy with school at Cleveland Chiropractic College...and studying! He's also building a bumper for Dad Bassett's new Jeep & for the winch...it's looking awesome!

James getting sooo smart! He turned 2 in August and he can already count to 10 in English and 5 in Spanish (further with help). He knows a few words in Spanish and Sign Language, some shapes, the basic colors, and of course...animals & sounds. He loves to read and to repeat everything we say, so he really picks up things fast! Oh, and he ADORES his new baby brother!!

Baer will be 3 months on the 24th and is growing soo fast! He already weighs 15 lbs and is barely over 2 feet long. He smiles and laughs and has cowlicks that make him have a natural mo-hawk...you should see it, it's pretty cute!

I am keeping busy at home with the boys! My hobbies [when I get time :)] include... singing (I now have a mini recording studio in my basement...needs put together though), dancing (I took ballroom for 8 months), amateur photography, photobooks (I'm not much of a scrapbooker and I have my own hard-bound binding machine, yay!), knitting, painting & crafts, cooking & baking for fun (not the daily stuff), and just about anything that has to do with any kind of arts! I miss MT for the obvious reasons...family, mountains, rock-climbing club, small town friends and activities...but I do like it here in Kansas. Just can't wait to make it back to MT for good (December 2009).

Well, this is starting to sound like a Christmas letter, so I'm going to leave it at that and maybe post up some pictures a little later :)

Thanks for taking a peek, Peace!