The Brown Family

Being Healthy and Losing Weight...

2012-01-26T09:22:00.000-08:00

I have been trying REALLY hard to loose the last 10 pounds that never came off from having babies. I can't believe how hard it has been!! I have been really discouraged lately and it has put me in a bad mood. Today however, in an act of desperation, I have found some information that I think might help me with the foods that I eat. I have been watching my carb intake as well as my calories. From some of the things I have found, both things can actually make it harder to lose weight. So my new plan of attack is to stop eating processed foods (that is a lot of what I've been eating, sure it was low carb and low calorie) and choosing from a list of foods that actually speed up your metabolism and are natural and healthy. Here is the information I found on the top foods that actually boost your metabolism. A lot of which are foods that I like and also foods I would like to try. So I am going into today with a new attitude and I feel great! Especially compared to yesterday, I was quite discouraged when I stepped on the scale and weighed a pound more after perfectly eating (at least what I thought) and KILLING myself at the gym the day before. Losing weight isn't hard (eat less, eat better food and move more)....when you have more than 10 pounds to lose. I have realized that it is a stinkin SCIENCE when you get down to that last little bit! Hopefully my new attitude and being excited to try some different things with my eating will bring me closer to my goal! Only 9 pounds and counting!!

Round and round....

2012-01-13T08:31:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been feeling like I live in a hamster wheel. I go, go, go and try and try but I feel like I get nowhere and nothing accomplished. I'll spend an entire day cleaning, just to turn around and realize I have 10 loads of laundry piled up. So the next day I focus on laundry just to turn around and realize my house is torn apart! Round and Round I go. Another aspect of my life that feels like I get nowhere is my goal to lose a few pounds. I work out, really try on the eating right (for the majority of the time) just to step on the scale to see a big fat ZERO in weight loss. Now, you could say at least I'm not gaining weight, but if I was to eat what I wanted to eat I would still be the same weight. I'm stuck. So frustrating. I am done complaining about the hamster wheel I'm in. I'm changing some things. A new chore routine that will not allow the laundry to pile up and the house to get SO unmanageable. As far as the loosing a few pounds I am going to BUST out of this plateau and BUST my tail feather (I wish it was a feather) at the gym. I am going to end each workout with the surety that I could not have physically done anymore than I just did. I'm excited to blow out of the hamster wheel and just keep moving forward!!

2012....

2012-01-09T12:00:00.000-08:00

Here it is the beginning of another exciting year!! Last year I made some resolutions, some I met, some I didn't. My resolutions list was quite long and I have discovered that long lists is one of my problems in never meeting ALL of my goals. So this year, my list will be different. I am going to break up my goals for the year into two {short} lists. Here are some of the things I'd like to complete by June of this year.

Since I have had my last baby I think it is appropriate to loose ALL the baby weight. One huge motivating factor is I NEVER have to gain it back. Once I have lost the weight I can fluctuate by 5 or so pounds, but never by 50, ever again. That is something to smile about!! Before I had Kaysia I was 133 pounds. I have never reached that weight again, I've been close, but never actually hit it. Today I weigh 142. I think I can loose 10 pound in six months, in fact, I hope to hit this goal in one to two months. That will be easy considering the next thing on my list....

That's right! 13.1 miles is the amount I will be running on April 21st. It is scary to me to commit to this half marathon but I know I can do it, even when a little voice in my head tells me I can't, I know that I can. Now this goal was on my list last year and I got really close in my training. I ran just over 8 miles when I was training when I realized that to continue my training was going to be VERY difficult. Jason had just started working for himself which meant he was working a lot of hours. My next run was going to be 9 miles. We are talking about 2+ hours of running as my training continued. It was dark in the morning as fall was approaching and darker earlier at night so other than Saturday it would be difficult to train during the week. Yes, I have a treadmill, but TWO hours on a treadmill staring at a cement wall would have put me right into an insane asylum. I decided that the Layton half would have to wait until next year. I would train all summer and be ready for it a month or so before the actual race (and shorter days). A friend on facebook mentioned the Salt Lake half marathon that takes place on April 21st. This is perfect!! As the race gets closer (and my training runs get longer) the weather gets better and the days get longer!! I'm really excited to get this one off my list. It seems like a daunting distance to run especially when I am starting back at square one. The two miles I did run today seemed long. But once again, I can do it!!!

Last but not least and certainly more important than my first two things on my list is reading the Book of Mormon cover to cover. I am well on my way with this goal and I am already almost half way through. When people would tell me that reading this book daily blessed their lives I wasn't sure I believed it. Well I am here to say that is does. It's almost like taking a dose of Prozac or something. I feel more calm throughout the day (I still need to work on the patience thing). I also have noticed that I can stay more focused on the things that I need to get done and that it almost seems like the day goes just a bit slower so I can get more done. Now this doesn't happen everyday and I know that the clock doesn't actually move slower and I still have bad days, but overall, it feels like my life runs a bit more smoothly when I have had my daily B.O.M. dose!! I've really enjoyed what I have read so far and I am learning so much!!

There are so many things to think about with this new and refreshing year and so many things I'd love to accomplish. But for the first of this year, these are the three main things I am working on. The smaller things I will be working on throughout the year are:

Build up my food storage (there are a lot of people thinking the world will end this year, I'd like to be prepared for a little chaos and empty store shelves.....just in case)
Be better at keeping within the limits of a budget.
Be a better friend.
And of course, be a better parent. This will be one that I will have until the day they lay me in the ground. My kids are the most important people in my life and I will spend the rest of my life making sure they know that and improving myself for them.

I am so excited for a new year!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

My Family...

2012-01-04T08:01:00.000-08:00

This is my little family. By the nation's standard, most people would think it's a large family. For me, we are small and GREAT!! I never thought I would have such beautiful and amazing kids. I am truly blessed by these beautiful spirits.

I am also very blessed to be married to such an amazing man. He puts up with a lot from me, works SO HARD to provide a good life for our family and is a great father. He is selfless and I love how he just cares about me and the kids. For example, the other night when we went to see the temple lights we parked at the 21st south trax station (by my standards, a not so great part of town). He drove separately because I was already in Salt Lake for the day and he just met me there. After the lights he took Kyson in his truck (which wasn't parked by the Yukon). I didn't think anything of him taking Kyson and leaving before me but while I was loading the kids in I thought of all the bad stuff that could happen to me all alone in this parking lot and how I didn't have a way to defend myself if some creep came around. I got Kenzlee all buckled in her seat and turned to look behind me and there Jason was, across the parking lot watching over me and the kids. I smiled when I saw my protector of a husband and thought how much I love that he thinks to do things like that, not just that night but all the time. Especially when it doesn't occur to me right off that I could be in a dangerous situation. I love that man!!

These little faces make me smile daily. I'm so proud to be their mom and love them more than words could explain!!

Kyson...

2011-10-11T09:16:00.000-07:00

Six years ago today I became the mother of a beautiful baby boy. He was one week early and weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces. Delivering this little boy was a bit scary. His heart rate was dipping low and not recovering, and though I was not fully dilated the doctor had me push anyway. Not only was I pushing, but he was using the vacuum as well to assist in getting him here faster. I remember in the middle of a push the vacuum popped off his little head and the doctor just threw it on the floor and assisted the delivery himself. With me pushing and the doctor pulling (red faced and all) my baby boy was born. He was perfectly healthy. The reason for the low heart rate was that the cord was around his neck. I am so thankful for modern medicine and all the monitoring during labor. I can't believe he is now 6 years old. He is such a blessing in our lives. Although he is challenging at times (what child isn't) he is such a sweet kid. He loves his siblings and loves playing with them. He loves companionship and doesn't like to be alone. This was very apparent at an early age. When he was a baby I couldn't do anything if I wasn't holding him he would just cry. It was a good thing that he was an awesome sleeper, he would take 3-4 hour naps. Those naps were when I would get everything done. Today, Kyson is a HUGE help around the house and has the cutest smile EVER! Right now he loves playing soccer and is quite good at it. He usually is the only one to score the goals on his team, but who's counting ; ). Kyson started piano lessons this year too, he's really enjoying that and picking it up quite fast. He loves his baby sister and shows his affection through numerous hugs and kisses. Kyson's favorite things right now are Star Wars, Legos, Wii, nerf guns, spaghetti with meatballs and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. We sure love our little man. Happy Birthday bud.

The end of what we know, the begining of something great...

2011-06-23T17:37:00.000-07:00

"Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" (Matthew 24:36)
Mormon or not, if you believe in the bible than what I'm about to write rings true for all Christians. The second coming of Christ is something that scared me when I was younger, I thought it meant it was the end of the world and part of that is true. The coming of Christ will be the end of this world as we know it, but also the beginning of a life that I don't think our minds can even fathom.
In the bible we are taught by Jesus that certain signs and events will warn us when it is time for him to return to this earth as he once lived before. God wants us to be prepared for the events following up to the coming of Christ both spiritually and temporally. God has revealed the signs of Jesus's coming to prophets for thousands of years and they kept record of these things in the bible.
Some of the signs of the second coming that are told in the bible are:

Earthquakes
Disease
Famine
Great storms
Wars and rumours of wars. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.

These things are happening all around us. Japan most recently, Taiwan, Haiti, hurricane Katrina, the wars in the middle east and so on. In the Book of Mormon in D&C 45:27 it states in the last days "The love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound." I see this all around me. Satan working his magic on people, including me. Tearing apart families and blinding people from the things that are eternal. Tempting people with worldly pleasures that keep them from loving their neighbors, being true to their spouses and helping one another in times of despair. There is a lot of good in this world and I hold on to that, believing that not ALL the "love of men shall wax cold". I am very thankful to be a part of the LDS church and feel very blessed that I am a part of an amazing ward within the church where I will always find peace, love and hope even when everything around me and the world seems to be literally crumbling down. I am grateful for the eternal perspective that I have, and I will nurture it so I will never loose it. For now, even though the the events leading to the coming of Christ are scary and unpredictable, heart breaking and gloomy, I look forward to the day He comes and Satan is bound. I hope He comes in my lifetime. Wouldn't we all love to raise our children in a perfect world with someone as great as Christ as our leader in all things. Loving life in a world filled with nothing but a perfect love for each other because after all, our teacher will be the only mortal that lived on this earth who knew and expressed a perfect love for everyone!!

An update on Baby K...

2011-05-09T16:47:00.000-07:00

Little Miss Kenzlee is 9 weeks old already. Where is the time going? I am trying to savor every minute with her. She is growing so fast. At her two month check up she was 13 lbs 5 oz. That's the 95th percentile!! I love chubby babies and so far she is my chubbiest. She is such a joy to have around. The kids just love her to pieces. I love that she is smiling more and more and even once in a while trying to giggle. What I love even more is when she talks to me. She is such a precious addition to our family and I thank God everyday for my beautiful kids He has blessed me with!

Mommy of Four...

2011-03-14T12:36:00.000-07:00

It happened, Jason came down with strep. So now, one week after my c-section I have been on my own for a couple days (he's been on anti-biotics for almost 24 hours, tomorrow, I rest). Since I've been home from the hospital, I haven't really been around the entire family all at once. I have also never had to manage all of the kids at one time....until today. This morning I was up helping Kaysia get ready for school, while feeding the baby her morning bottle and breaking up the taunting between Kyson and Camden. For a brief moment I looked around and thought, ALL of these kids are MINE. It was a holy crap kind of moment to say the least. I know that it won't always be easy but I know it will all be worth it. My kids are awesome and I enjoy each and every day with them. I just need a bit more practice handling them all at once!!

Miss Kenzlee's first photoshoot...

2011-03-11T13:12:00.000-08:00

I decided since baby and me were in quarantine I would make the most of it and take some pictures. Taking pictures of a newborn by yourself is not an easy task, especially one week after a c-section. We made the most of it and I think that her pictures turned out better than I expected!

The arrival of Kenzlee May and the days after...

2011-03-10T19:13:00.000-08:00

The night before my scheduled c-section I had so many things running through my mind. March 4, 2011 would be a bitter sweet ending to a chapter in my life. I wanted kids for such a long time, how many I was never really sure. In a blink of an eye my child bearing years came and now, they are gone. Yes, I am still young enough to have more kids if I desired, but our family is complete and Jason and I have decided that this would be our last child. I was so happy for the pregnancy to finally be over, I was huge and miserable but at the same time, I was sad that I would never again feel life inside my belly. The morning of my c-section I was SO nervous. I have never had a baby come out of me like that before and I wasn't really excited to experience it either. It was like having my first all over again, I had no idea what to expect. Throughout my pregnancy I have heard things like, "I love my c-sections, I wouldn't have babies any other way" and "Prepare for the worst pain you will ever feel in your entire life!" Still I woke up nervous but so excited to meet this new little girl that would complete our family. Kaysia woke up that morning complaining of a stomach ache. I gave her breakfast thinking she was just hungry but that didn't help. We had made the decision that she couldn't go to school, but what were we going to do with her. We had arrangements for the other kids to go to a neighbors house until my sister got off of work at 3:00 to pick them up (we had to be at the hospital at 10:30). I couldn't send my sick kid to the neighbor's house who has 5 kids she could possibly get sick. I was in a panic. I made a few phone calls and realized there was no where for my sick daughter to go. As I sat on the couch my good friend sent me a text that said "Good luck and if there is anything you need PLEASE let me know." I immediately called her and asked if she could come stay with the kids for a few hours until my sister could come. Here it was 8:40 in the morning, she's about 45 minutes away, I was basically asking her to drop anything she had planned for the entire day and come NOW. She did just that. She will always be the hero that saved the day! Kaysia eventually perked up (like she always does after a puking spell, that's a whole other story).

Jason and I finally got to the hospital got checked in and they prepped me for the delivery. My nerves were going to explode, I was SOOOOO scared of what was about to happen. Before I knew it Jason was all dressed up in his operating room get up and the wheeled me away.

The anesthesiologist warned me of 2 times where I would possibly get sick. The first part was right after the spinal block was placed (it numbs you so fast, faster than an epidural that it messes with you system a little bit), the second was when they have to "clean" out your uterus. You see with a c-section, they actually remove your uterus and ovaries from your body to "clean" it out. The spinal block went smoothly and there was no sickness happening, I was very relieved. Then I laid on the 'crucifix' and the doctor and anesthesiologist started poking at me to make sure I was good and numb. Finally they brought Jason in and I know that our little girl was going to make her debut very soon. Jason actually watched the ENTIRE birth, which was a surprise to me because he previously said there was no way he was going to watch that. He said it was cool and thinks he'd rather watch a c-section than a normal delivery. At 12:31 baby Kenzlee was here at 8 lbs 4 oz, way bigger than I expected considering she was 8 days early!

She was so beautiful, even with all the gunk she had on her. They showed her to me and I felt the most amazing feeling come over me. I knew right away that all of my heartfelt prayers were heard and that despite the hardship of making the decision to have another baby and convincing Jason that this was meant to be (he only wanted two kids) and the agonizing toll it took on our relationship in the months before pregnancy. She was perfect and was meant for us!! I was so grateful that she was healthy and finally here. As I laid there wrapped up in my emotions I started feeling REALLY weird. I asked the anesthesiologist if this was the part where I was going to get sick and he said, "Yes". Great, there went the feel goods. Next thing I knew I was fighting back the puke and all I could feel was my heart POUNDING like I have never felt it pound before. Not only was it pounding in my chest it was pounding in my face. I was so hot and felt just ICKY! Eventually that passed and the surgery was finished then it was off to the recovery room. I had to spend a little extra time there because I wasn't doing so well. They got everything under control then moved me to the room I would be spending the next few days in. Eventually I was feeling up to having the kids come and meet their new sister. Jason went and grabbed them from my hero and brought them to the hospital.

Kaysia was so excited to meet her. She has been wanting to be a big sister to a sister for a while now. Remember the video when I told her we were pregnant? She loved holding her and looking at her. He eyes just lit up when she walked in the room and saw her for the first time. It was awesome to see. I was so thankful that she got her baby sister! She will be such a great big sister and it will be cool to watch their relationship grow through the years.

Kyson loved holding her too. Although he didn't hold her as long, I know that he loves her just the same. Notice there is no picture of Camden?? Yeah, he wasn't that interested. He looked, had a few comments then wanted to sit in the cool chairs and watch the TV. I am so thankful for his lack of interest. Later that night I got a call from my sister telling me that he was burning up with a fever. SERIOUSLY?!?! First Kaysia puking in the morning and now Camden is fevering. I called my sister the next morning and found out that Kaysia was up throwing up all night and that Camden's fever was running super high all night if she didn't rotate the Motrin and Tylenol. Here I am at the hospital with a brand new baby, two sick babies in someone else's care and totally helpless. We decided that Jason needed to go home and be with the kids that night so my mom came and stayed at the hospital with me, since I still wasn't able to get out of bed on my own to care for the baby. Sunday morning I called Jason to see how the kids were doing. Kaysia once again was doing great but Camden was not doing good at all. Jason took him to the doctor and found out that he had strep and sent Jason to the hospital to run flu and RSV tests. Monday morning we were preparing to be discharged we found out that Camden tested positive for RSV. I had a melt down!! How on earth can I take my newborn baby home to an RSV infested house? Jason and I decided that I would have to be in quarantine in our room and that he had to go back home and totally disinfect our bedroom. So here I am loving on my new baby, missing my others and getting lots of rest. Jason has been amazing through this whole thing and I am so thankful for him! My recovery has actually been a lot easier than I expected even though the past week ended up a lot harder than planned! I have 2 days left in quarantine then we can finally be together as a family in one room, that is if the other kids don't end up sick, so far so good!

Something to think about....

2011-02-15T15:32:00.000-08:00

In the church we are taught that after this life we are still able to have children with our spouses, raise children that we've lost in this life or if we are here when the millennium begins, we get to continue to raise the family we've started and add to it if we so desire. I'm hoping for the third for my family, how wonderful it would be to raise my children in the land of promise where Christ is the ruler rather than Obama, and all the other nonsense politics we have today just disappears in the blink of an eye, and wickedness is bound.
So the burning question is.....What will bearing children be like during the millennium, or as resurrected beings, or even as spirits? This question is something I've been continually asking myself. Will you be sick? Will you feel so fatigued that you just want to fall over and sleep when life must go on? Will your bones feel like they are going to break in half? Will you gain just the weight of the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid or like in this life (for most of us anyway) blow up like a balloon in the butt, thighs, ankles and face?
I'm very curious and know that one day I will get the answers to some of my burning questions, for now, I am grateful that I get to experience the baby wriggling and squirming inside my body and that I have been blessed with the ability to experience these agonies (with some joys) when so many struggle with infertility. I will also look on the bright side of things...17 days until I meet the 4th beautiful miracle that has once again wreaked havoc on my poor body and pregnancy will be a thing of my past!

Christmas tree mayhem...

2011-01-10T22:38:00.000-08:00

About 5 years ago I bought a beautiful Christmas tree, unlit. The reason I bought an unlit one is because Jason and I couldn't agree on what type of lights a Christmas tree should have, I said clear, he wanted multi-colored. For years I set the tree up by myself, branch by branch, layer by layer, then I meticulously strewn 1200-1600 lights (colored of course, I give in too easily). Four hours later, we had a beautiful tree with tons of COLORED lights, that I actually grew to love. The 4 hours however, didn't include actually decorating the tree or the rest of the house for that matter. This year I wasn't having it. I did it by myself all those years and if I am going to be the one putting up the tree every year I decided this was the year I would simplify and buy a pre-lit tree. I went on my shopping quest starting with KSL classifieds. I found one for what I thought was a GREAT deal. I brought the unopened box home then set out to get a few new ornaments to put on the 7.5 foot tree. When I got to Hobby Lobby I decided to see how smokin of a deal I got and checked out the prices on their 7.5 foot trees. I got a SMOKIN deal alright, on a tree that was at least 2 feet shorter than I had envisioned! I was SO BUMMED! I didn't want to call the people I bought the tree from and tell them I was an idiot and thought 7.5 feet looked more like 9 feet so I kept the tree. Totally irritated I went to Sam's Club to get a big container of ornaments to make my own wreath. I found my way over to the Christmas section and there it was.....the PERFECT Christmas tree. Sure it was 12 feet tall, but hey my ceilings are 20 feet tall in the entryway where the tree would go. I decided to get it. Now rarely...ok, never, do I make a purchase like that without running it past Jason first. I thought about calling him but I knew he'd surely say no. So I decided to get it without his permission or opinion. If I hurried, I could get it home, set it up and have it decorated by the time he got home anyway, then what would he do, make me take it down and take it back??? I grabbed the boxes (actually the kind worker's at Sam's Club grabbed them for me, who wants to see a pregnant girl try to lift awkward boxes when she is already so awkward looking??) paid for the tree and went home. Now a tree this big would HAVE to have a lot of ornaments, something I didn't have. I went a few different places and found the perfect ornaments to adorn my new tree with. I hurried back with my ornaments and started setting up the tree. HOLY CRAP that tree is tall, it looks a lot bigger in my house than it did at Sam's Club! I risked mine and my unborn child's life just trying to put the top tier on the thing! I hustled about putting the ornaments on and then dun, dun, dun, JASON walks in. He looks at me (I'm just smiling at him) and says, "WHAT is THAT"????? I looked at him laughing and said, "Uh a CHRISTMAS TREE, duh, what does it look like?" Then of course the very next question is, "How much was it?" My response, "Isn't it beautiful?" He just laughed. I could tell he really liked the tree, I was relieved. You see Jason is a guy that appreciates nice things, even Christmas trees, but he doesn't like spending money for nice things. Long story short, we had a beautiful tree this year and I am looking forward to putting it up every year (not pregnant). The other tree???? Well, we decided to use that one too. We put it in our living room and put all of our fun ornaments on it. Our house was cozy this Christmas and I was sad to take it all down (ok, just a little sad, I got sick of redecorating the trees because my almost 3 year old thinks the ornaments are toys).

New Year's Resolutions....

2010-12-15T11:32:00.000-08:00

I've never really been a "long term" goal setting person. I always set small goals, goals that aren't life changing or make me a better person. For example, I will put a load of laundry in the washer and set a goal to have certain stuff done around the house before it's time to put it in the dryer. That is about as good as my goal setting gets.
I have decided to teach my lesson in Relief Society, which is on January second, about the importance of goal setting and including spiritual goals into your resolutions. Most would say I am not fit to teach this lesson because I have never done this. Maybe this is true, and maybe the only person that will get anything out of what I say will be me. Regardless, my personal goals have been weighing HEAVILY on my mind. What the goals should be, who I want to be, and how I can set and achieve realistic, manageable goals. So far my list of goals are:

1. Read the Book of Mormon ALL the way through once, then ponder and study it a second time beginning to end.

2. Start reading and learning more out of the Bible.

3. Read at least 5 non-fiction books throughout the year about various subjects.

4. Organize my house, and keep it that way.

5. Organize my schedule and stick to it.

6. Pray more both personally and with my kids.

7. Make family home evening something that isn't "optional" depending on my mood or if Jason can't be there.

8. Think less about myself and more about others.

9. Recognize the needs of friends and family and be more charitable to them.

10. Plant a garden.

11. Learn how to preserve that garden come fall with canning and freezing.

12. Spend less money on "things".

13. Spend more time with people that I love.

14. Saying I love you more to my husband and children.

15. Learn to understand my husband and children's needs, setting my own aside when the time requires me to.

16. Learn more about myself to separate the 'wants' from the 'needs'.

17. Be a better friend, not only to neighbors, but to my husband and children.

18. Spend less time on facebook and the computer in general.

19. Count my blessings when I'm feeling down instead of focusing on what I don't have.

20. Learn and master the skill of patience. I don't expect to be perfectly patient all the time, but I would like to learn be patient perfectly when things are small and not life altering.

21. Start limiting TV time and game time not only for the kids, but for myself.

22. Eat out less, cook more.

23. Learn to eat healthy and teach my family the same.

24. Start 2 new family traditions that can carry on year after year.

25. Find good in people. Especially those whose 'good' isn't their first recognizable quality.

26. Run 4, 5k races, 2-3 6k races and finish the year off with the Layton half marathon in October.

27. Learn to be more punctual.

28. Be more reliable.

29. Spend QUALITY time with my husband and children, both individually and together.

Realistic? Achievable? Too few? Too Many? I'm not sure. I do know that all of these things are so important to me and the first thing I need to do is prioritize. I will learn as I go too (I hope). In the meantime I will prepare my lesson and learn so much about myself and the things I 'need' to set, and set aside the ones I 'want'. Afterall, isn't that one of my goals??

Kaysia's Surgery...

2010-12-08T15:32:00.000-08:00

Over a year ago Kaysia started complaining that her neck hurt. She showed me where it hurt and I felt her neck and felt a big lump. I FREAKED out and took her to instacare right away. The doctor was concerned it was her thyroid and he had me even more freaked out than I was when I went in. He ran some blood work and her thyroid came back normal. The doctor then referred me to an E.N.T. doctor to see the next day. The doctor said it could be one of two things a Thyroglossal Duct Cyst or a Dermoid Cyst. He said either way it needed to come out and he seemed too anxious to cut into my little girls throat. I decided to get a second opinion and the next E.N.T. I saw actually ordered an ultra sound of the lump to determine what it was. It was in fact a Thyroglossal Duct Cyst. Both doctors said that it wasn't something that HAD to come out right away but told me the sooner we can get it done the better. Having my beautiful daughter have a scar on her neck and the invasive procedure was unsettling so I put it off. Well her cyst got infected and the doctor said it HAD to come out soon. So we scheduled the surgery. Kaysia was so excited to have her surgery. The day before she was drawing pictures of the hospital and her cyst and the doctor. I feel like I did my best to prepare her and not scare her but apparently I failed. After they brought her out of the recovery room she was crying and said, "This is not what I had imagined at all"! A few hours later she started perking up and wanted to color and do puzzles. I was so relieved that she was getting her spunk back! She was so hungry but could only be on a clear liquid diet, then later that day she got moved to a full liquid diet which meant she could have ICE CREAM. I asked her who she wanted to stay in the hospital that night with her and she pointed to Jason. At first I was sad that she didn't want me, but then I saw the bed Jason had to sleep on and I was secretly thankful that I got to go home to my AMAZING bed! The next morning she was put back on a normal diet and she ordered bacon, sausage and potatoes for breakfast with chocolate milk. She was so excited to eat! We are home now and doing great, she is really bored and hasn't needed any pain medication. She is such a trooper. I'm so thankful that everything went well and that this adventure is behind us.

Look at her BEAMING with excitement!!

Her incision with the drain. The drain had to stay in all day and night.

Watching TV doped up on Lori tab, not happy that it wasn't what she "imagined".

What a difference a few hours makes!!!

Her first meal in almost 40 hours.

She ate the entire plate!!

I do have to make note that the night before Jason gave her a really neat blessing in which he got a little emotional in parts. When the blessing over Kaysia asked him why he was sad and we explained to her what exactly a blessing was and that it is so powerful it sometimes brings tears to your eyes. We told her that when you get a blessing it is heavenly father speaking through the man giving you the blessing telling him what to tell you. We told her that when daddy said, "Heavenly Father wants you to know he loves you so much" it was Him telling her that, not daddy. The smile on her face was priceless! She said, "When you were giving me a blessing my legs and arms got really tingly". It was really neat to hear her explain how she felt the spirit.

Playing Catch up (once again)...

2010-12-08T14:57:00.000-08:00

This blogging pattern really is the pattern of everything in my life. Get WAY behind, let it build up and build up and then FINALLY get to it. My house, my car, the laundry and everything else in my life seems to build up before I get to it. There are so many things I should have blogged about over the past few months but decided in this catch up session I would hit some key points in the past few months. Enjoy the catch up because I'm sure you will be hearing about our Christmas this summer!!

Kaysia turns 7...

2010-12-08T14:51:00.000-08:00

Last month Kaysia turned the big SEVEN! I can't believe how fast my baby girl is growing up. Not only is she 7 but she is 7 going on 17! She is into music and loves watching movies. She is great at playing the piano and LOVES to put on make-up. This year her birthday landed on the Saturday we celebrate Thanksgiving with my extended side of the family and the Friday before her birthday was a big relief society activity I couldn't miss. I felt so bad that I couldn't give her a birthday party like I did Kyson, but I think it worked out great in the end. I took her and two friends to go get pedicures and ice cream. She thanked me for the best birthday ever and asked if we could do it again next year. One of her little friends that was with us said, "This is the best day of my life, thanks Mellisa!" Who knew pedicures were so great, even for 7 year olds!

At Dairy Queen.

We (when I say we, I ultimately mean me) made these flip flops during our pedicures to show their pretty tootsies off.

Halloween...

2010-12-08T14:42:00.000-08:00

Halloween was a busy time for me. My grandfather passed away just before and Jason was working on a big project at work all week. Mother of the year didn't take any pictures! I did however take pictures of the kids when I told them about their new sister we will be welcoming into our family in March. They got home from school that day and waiting for them was a cup and hiding in the cup was a cupcake frosted with pink frosting. This year the kids decided they would be Woody, Jessy and Buzz. I also bought Jason and I Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head costomes to go with the theme. Unfortunately we didn't get to wear them and I took them back : (

Kyson turns 5...

2010-12-08T14:30:00.000-08:00

Kyson turned 5 this year. I can't believe how big my kids are getting. This year we did a friend party after school one day and then had our usual family party. He wanted a Transformers cake (which I didn't attempt to make, unlike years past). He had a lot of fun. I love having him in our family. He loves being around people, playing games and building stuff with his Trio blocks. He is such a good big and little brother (when he wants to be) and can be so helpful. I just love this kid!

Picking pumpkins...

2010-12-08T14:23:00.000-08:00

Every year we go to a neighborhood party hosted by J&J Nursery. It's always a lot of fun, complete with hamburgers and hot dogs, a hay ride out to the pumpkin patch and some pumpkin picking. This year Jason was at home laying grass in our backyard so somehow I tackled 3 kids and 6 pumpkins (one for each person in the family including the unborn). Thanks to my friend Jill and her husband, I was able to get the pumpkins back to the wagon!

Camden and Kyson on the hay ride.

Kaysia and my friend Missy on the hay ride.

Camden and his pumpkin. He's the only one that stayed close enough to me so I could take a picture. The other two ran crazy through the patch!

Soccer Season...

2010-12-08T13:49:00.000-08:00

This year we were crazy busy with soccer. Kaysia and Kyson both played and we did 3 games per week. Although Kaysia's talent is playing the piano, she really enjoys playing soccer. Here is a picture of her team warming up..

This year the field was DOUBLE the size as last year. Kaysia isn't used to a lot of physical activity (she's enjoys rather lazy activities, part of the reason we insist on soccer) so the bigger field was a big adjustment. Here is a picture of her after playing 2 quarters...

Towards the end of the season the bigger field wasn't as big of an issue and she really enjoyed herself.

Now Kyson is a different story when it comes to soccer. He LOVES it and is actually REALLY good at it too. He scored at least one goal every game (most the time multiple goals, but who keeps count right?). The look on his face is PRICELESS after he scores a goal. He is so proud of himself and it is one of those mommy moments that melts my heart!

Ahead of the kids on his way to a score a goal.

He's so proud and I just love being his mommy! (I'm pretty proud too.)

I can't wait to put Camden in soccer. We actually had to go buy some soccer nets to take with us to the games because Camden was SO mad that he couldn't kick a ball into a net too. He quickly learned that you don't play soccer outside the white lines and he wanted to be in the game too. Poor kid still has a couple years! I know he will be super good at it too. He is a born athlete!

Kaysia's CrAzY Hair day....

2010-12-08T13:33:00.000-08:00

This year Kaysia had a crazy hair day for spirit week. Since her hair is SO long and SO thick, I knew we wouldn't be able to get it to stand up straight (as she requested). I left 40 minutes available in our morning routine to "improvise" on her mop of hair. This is what we came up with...

I thought we did a pretty good job considering I had NO IDEA what I was going to do when we started. But the next day....THAT was a crazy hair day!

I guess now we know for next year!

The (almost) Finished Backyard...

2010-12-08T13:26:00.000-08:00

Remember WAYYY back when?? Our yard looked like this....

After A LOT of dirt (3 full dump truck loads) and a lot of moving around of dirt, we went from a swamp to this...

Then after a LONG few months, LOTS of hard work and an UNMENTIONABLE amount of money, we finally have THIS....

We haven't totally finished they yard but what is left is a few weekend projects we are going to tackle next spring. We ran out of good weather and thankfully for us, this year the good weather lasted quite a long time! I am VERY glad to have it done and am pretty impressed with the final product. The kids will have a fun place to play this coming summer while mommy and new baby kick back!

Pictures of my Grandpa Whetman...

2010-10-28T10:46:00.000-07:00

I took these pictures just as candid shots of my grandpa and grandma at my sister's wedding last August. I thought I would edit them and clean them up a bit. My grandpa was such a happy man, I love him so much and will never forget him!

Breathing...

2010-10-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

   Breathing in and out is something that comes natural, something that is easy, for most of us that is. Someone very special to me has been struggling to breathe for the past few years.
   Six months ago my grandpa was diagnosed with lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis and years earlier emphysema. Regardless of his struggle to catch his breath he continued to do everything that he wanted to do. He continued to live, not only live, but live well. He continued to live like Christ. He blessed others with his optimism, wisdom and his giving, loving heart.  He gardened, traveled, rode his ATV's, went cruising in his yellow baby and continued to show his love for others. I am so glad I got to spend time with him. Each time I saw him his struggle to breathe became more and more obvious. The last time I saw my grandpa was 5 days ago. He was sitting in his chair wearing sweats, slippers and had a blanket on him. His struggle to breathe left him cold and weak. We talked about so many things in the short time I got to spend with him, but even talking left him short of breath. The tears would fall down his face as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath through his nose to get oxygen into his frail body.
    Today was the last day that my grandpa had to struggle to breathe. He took his last breath surrounded by my grandma and his kids. I'm so happy that he isn't struggling anymore and that his strong spirit is living on continuing to do some of the things that he loves so much and learning new things about himself and the new life he has begun.
     While driving home from his house today a song I have never heard before came on and the chorus touched me so deeply and is such a perfect song to remember my wonderful grandfather and the lessons he taught me not only through the years of my life but through his struggle 'til the end.

Life's not the breath you take.

The breathing in and out that gets you through the day, isn't what it's all about.

You just might miss the point trying to win the race.

Life's not the breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away.

Just like it took my breath away when he took his last that morn.

Life's not the breaths you take. The breathing in and out that gets you through the day, isn't what it's all about.

You just might miss the point if you don't slow down the pace.

Life's not about the breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away.

Thank you grandpa for all you did for me! I love you so much and I am so happy that you get to be with your dad and mom again. I am especially happy that you don't have to worry about breathing anymore. I know that my life will continue to take my breath away and I also know that your spirit will be there in those special moments breathing with me!

Pregnancy...

2010-10-23T22:03:00.000-07:00

My pregnancy is officially HALF over. I am so excited about that, but doing this 3 other times before I know that the second half feels a lot longer than the first! I have so many mixed emotions about having another baby. Of course there is the excitement of a new little life, the snuggling and just cuteness, but with the good comes the bad. The unknown pain of a c-section scares the crap out of me since I will be having my first and only one this time around and the post partum depression is not a walk in the park either. When having another baby, sometimes the bad out weighs the good for the first few weeks. It will all be worth it.
     We get to find out the gender on Thursday which is always exciting, but to be honest I am a little nervous. I REALLY want Kaysia to have a sister. I have been blessed with 2 and want her to know what it is like. I'm afraid of telling her she has to have ANOTHER brother.  I catch myself almost referring to the baby as a 'she' ALL the time! I love my boys SO MUCH and to have another wouldn't really be so bad for me, but like I said, I really want Kaysia to have a sister and she REALLY wants one so I am keeping my fingers crossed.
     This baby will be our last, I am so happy yet nervous to make that a permanent thing. I can't wait to start our lives as a complete family. Sometimes being pregnant or having a new baby can really put a wrinkle in things like family vacations. I know that I can't provide the kind of life that I want my kids to have for anymore than 4 and sometimes I think even that is pushing it. I want to be able to put them each in a music lesson and an activity like dance or sports. I have two now doing those things I am spread so THIN, I am not sure how I am going to do it with four. Of course I will find a way, mommies always do. One day I also want to be able to help them through college, go on missions and just be able to help them financially become the person they want to be when they grow up.
     For now I am enjoying all the little kicks inside my belly and day dreaming (night dreaming too for that matter) about the day that we can welcome a new life in our family. I am savoring this pregnancy (even though being pregnant isn't one of my most favorite things in the world) and trying to create a permanent memory of exactly what it feels like when the baby moves and how it feels to have a bulging belly.

Slacker...

2010-09-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

I have been a blogging slacker lately, but then again, I have been a slacker at most things in my life. Pregnancy is no fun. It leaves you feeling icky and very tired all the time. I am approaching my second trimester (this pregnancy is going way too fast) and I am starting to feel much better. So of course, before the house work that needs to be done and getting laundry done so my family has clean clothes, I HAVE to blog first because that is the MOST IMPORTANT thing....right??? Enjoy the update!

Random cuteness...

2010-09-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

Camden likes to be a poser. He will start striking the most random poses when you get the camera out to take pictures. Here is one of them. Sorry he is lacking pants but he loves running around in his "unnies".

This kid will fall asleep anywhere. He is a good napper and sometimes I will just find him sleeping where ever he fell. Once again he has no clothes on (this is kind of a thing around our house). I was in Jason's office talking to him and came out in the living room and this is how I found him. He also loves falling asleep in this position in his car seat and he does this same thing with his arms when he is watching TV. He is such a funny little guy!

Kaysia is my girlie tom boy if that makes sense. She loves everything her brother loves, but also loves getting into make up and dressing all girlish. Here is an example of the two put together...

Jason and I were sitting on the couch and here comes Kaysia dressed up in Kyson's batman costume with dark red lipstick on. "I'm BatWOMAN". Strike a pose Kaysia...

You are my super hero!

Unfortunately I don't seem to have any random cuteness of Kyson : (

I will have to work hard to capture some of that and post about it another time.

Breakfast at our house...

2010-09-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

It seems like everyone in the family wants a different cereal every morning. One morning I saw all the different boxes sitting on the counter and I just had to take a picture. I am not a rock star kind of mom that cooks breakfast in the mornings so yes, most mornings we do eat cold cereal. At least we have a variety!

First day of School...

2010-09-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

Kaysia started FIRST grade this year. I can't believe how big my baby is getting!! She was so excited to go to school ALL day long, sit at a real desk and most of all EAT LUNCH at school! She got assigned a teacher that I heard HORRIBLE things about. Of course I didn't hear these things until the Saturday night before they started school. I was at the school bright and early to talk to the principal about my concerns. He told me that this teacher does come with some "baggage" and she is excited for a fresh start and has "promised" to turn over a new leaf this year. WHAT???? Yeah, not for me and Kaysia. She is a 'special' kid, in the sense that if she does not stay challenged she will become bored and not only become a problem causer in class but will fight me everyday to go to school. Kaysia loves learning and is a great student, but that sometimes is our problem, if she isn't learning, she doesn't want to be there. This teacher's "methods" I was sure would be a problem for us. Anyway, I dropped her off at school to the teacher I wasn't comfortable with and cried all the way home. Mixed emotions really, sad that she was growing up and sad that I was uncomfortable with her teacher. The principal called me later that day and told me that he was putting kaysia in a different class at noon! I was excited. She loves her new teacher and so far loves first grade!

Great picture huh?? This is what happens when mommy spends the morning of the first day in the principal's office and doesn't have time to make sure she got a decent picture!

Kaysia doesn't look happy in any of these pictures. It wasn't because she lacked excitement, it was because she wanted to go to class and we were stalling!

Kyson started his THIRD year of pre-school this year, yes I know, overkill. He really likes it and he likes to feel big like his sister and that he too has a place to go during the week. He loves his school and his teacher and to be honest I kind of like him having somewhere to go! I love to see his face when I pick him up from school, he is so excited to tell me about his day and I am so excited to hear about it!

My babies are growing up so fast but I love to see them learning new things and I love them to start new adventures in their lives!

Fishing with Grandpa...

2010-09-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

I took the kids fishing this summer along with my parents. Jason had to pull an all-nighter at work so we went and spent the afternoon and night with them. We went to some lake, I can't remember which, and didn't have any luck catching fish but the kids had fun anyway.

Kyson being a poser...

Camden just being cute. He had no interest in fishing, all he did was throw rocks in the lake, which I am pretty sure is the reason for not catching fish!

Kaysia had to pee REALLY bad and at the time I wasn't aware of any bathrooms around. There of course were but I didn't find out until after. I decided instead of trying to help her squat in the bushes I would build this....

an outdoor toilet for girls! It actually worked great. Boys are so much easier in the wilderness, but if you ever have to take a little girl out in the bushes, I highly recommend building one of these!

Living Planet Aquarium...

2010-09-08T10:48:00.000-07:00

I finally took the kids to the aquarium this summer. I don't know who liked it more, the kids or me! I am so fascinated with marine life. I couldn't take a ton of pictures because the lighting was horrible but I did get a great picture of this ugly little guy!

My FAVORITE part of the aquarium was petting the the sting rays. Most of them stayed deep in the water but there was one who LOVED being touched. This sting ray would go up the side, jump at you and would just sit there so you could touch it. Kaysia and Kyson weren't fans at all. Camden put his hands in the water and looked further down the tank and when he noticed one swim under his hand he pulled his hand out of the water so fast! I finally got him to touch one and he thought it was pretty cool. He was more interested than the other two for sure!

It was a pretty cool place and although it was pricey, I think it is something we will do once every summer!

My Grandpa's...

2010-09-08T10:33:00.000-07:00

I have been VERY fortunate in my life to not only have a relationship with ALL my grandparents but to also know my great-grandparents. They are all so special to me and I love them very much! My grandpa's have taught me a lot about life. Their infinite wisdom is something that I will ALWAYS cherish and keep with me.
My grandpa Linton has not only taught me, but shown me so much on how the gospel can bless your life and there isn't any question I can ask him that has to do with the gospel that he can't answer. He is my spiritual guide in this life. He has the best attitude and just loves having fun with all of his great-grandkids! If I remember right he and my grandma have 24 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren with 5 more on the way all due within 3 months of each other! They are pretty diligent about showing up to anything they are invited to! My kids love them so much and so do I! My grandpa has a pretty bad back that causes him to be in pain, but that NEVER stops that man from playing with the kids and rolling on the floor with them! Here is a picture of him giving Camden a shoulder ride which he was obviously enjoying!

My grandpa Whetman has always been a special man to me. He seriously is the wisest man I will ever meet on this earth! He knows everything from gardening to grocery shopping, from websites that can get you the best deal on things to cooking a gourmet meal off of next to nothing, from building ANYTHING, to financial planning. He has been someone that I seek advice from on almost everything. He too has the most amazing personality. He never complains, EVER. Right now he has lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and emphysema. He is on 100% oxygen 100% of the time and when you call and ask him how he is doing he ALWAYS says, "I have nothing to complain about!" Even though he is very sick he still goes out on his 4 wheelers, mows his and his neighbors lawn and just enjoys life. NOTHING will stop him from living the fullest life he can. In what would be a scary time for most of us his attitude is positive and uplifting. He is realistic and knows that his time left on this earth is short, but he continues to live and live well and as happy as possible. In my conversations with him it seems to me that he isn't scared to leave this earth. He knows that he has been good to people and after this life, he will be in his words, "alright". I KNOW he will be more than "alright". He will live in a place with gardens that he couldn't even DREAM of! His favorite smell of decomposing grass freshly tilled in the dirt will be all around him! As for now, I will enjoy him while he is here as much as I can! He continues to teach me something new every time I am with him and his advice is the best I have ever gotten and it is never ending! He will always be an example in my life. My kids love him and Kaysia especially seems to have a special place in her heart for him.

I am a very lucky person to have these men in my life. They will continue to guide me in directions that will always be good for me and my family, both spiritually and temporally.

Playing in the Rain...

2010-09-08T09:49:00.000-07:00

I LOVE summer rain storms especially the kind with GIANT rain drops that fall when the sun is still shining! We've had a few really great ones this year and I let the kids play in one. They had a blast and I loved taking the pictures and smelling the cool rain hit the warm pavement! Of course I was under an umbrella, I couldn't get the camera wet!

My favorite thing about rainstorms are the rainbows!

Big news....

2010-07-07T18:46:00.000-07:00

Today we had some big news to share with the kids. I am so glad I grabbed my video camera because Kaysia's reaction was PRICELESS!!

It is a little premature for sharing this news with others but I had to share this video! Baby brown will make his or her appearance in this world some time the begining of March.

RAGNAR....

2010-06-23T18:44:00.001-07:00

I ran my very first race last weekend and it was a BIG one to be a first one!! I ran the Wasatch Back or RAGNAR relay race. It is a total of 188 miles starting in Logan and ending in Park City. I didn't run the whole thing, I'm not quite that amazing, but I did run my parts of the race rather well (when I say well I mean I did my parts within the time estimated for me to finish them). I was part of a team of 12 people and basically we each had our section of the race to run, at the end of our section a team member was waiting to start their 'leg'. Our team was called the Duodecads, the meaning of it is "a group of twelve things". We got creative and if you notice our shirts we are each a 'thing', like Dr. Suess. I was runner number seven so my shirt said "thing 7".

All in all it was a good time! I loved hanging out with the ladies the most, as for the running it was very hard both physically and mentally and I would LOVE to do it again! I am officially addicted to racing and signed up for my first 10k today!! Unfortunately I forgot my camera so I didn't get any pictures but there were 5 other cameras there so I am sure somewhere down the road I will inherit a few more pictures!

2010-06-08T16:11:00.000-07:00

Today the kids and I ventured to the zoo. They always like to see the animals there. We got to see Zuri the baby elephant, she was ADORABLE! They were trying to train her and she would come outside run to the trainer and then turn around and run back into the cave where her mommy was caged up. The trainer said that was the first time that she had been out there without mommy and that she kept running back in there to make sure it was ok for her to be outside alone...so cute!! Finally she decided she wasn't going to be outside without her mommy so the both of them came out and put on a show for us! They were feeding the elephants strawberries and the mommy elephant would pick them up with her trunk effortlessly and put them in her mouth. The trainer pointed out that the baby elephant (who is 10 months old) wasn't as coordinated with her trunk. It was fun to see how she clumsily tried to get the strawberries off the ground and roll her trunk up to her mouth.
Every time we have been to the zoo the tigers in in a coma like state from the heat, I have only see them so much as lift there head for a second and then lay back down. Not today!! They were playing with each other in the water and jumping all over the place. It was so neat, I couldn't get enough of it, they were so close and so beautiful!

While we were looking at the rinocerouse I could hear this really loud grunting noise coming from around the corner but I didn't think anything of it. We just moved on and when we came to the turtle exibit I realized that was where the noise was coming from and this is what I saw...

Try explaining that one to the kids!! Kaysia asked me why that turtle was on top of it's baby (the turtle on the bottom was a little smaller) I told her that isn't the turtle's baby, but the zoo will probably have baby turtles the next time we visit!!

What to do?......

2010-05-25T07:37:00.000-07:00

So one of my friends has decided to home school her kids. Her daughter who is only in first grade is reading at a fifth grade level and is at a third grade math level. She is learning faster than the public school can teach her and the principal said there is nothing they can do. I feel like Kaysia could potentially be in the same situation as my friends daughter. She loves to learn yet all year in kindergarten I feel she learned nothing but how to share a teacher with 25 other kids, a very important lesson to be learned if she continues to attend public school. My friend found out that the 5th grade classes at Kaysia's elementary school will have 36 students in each class. Now I don't have a child that age but I have a feeling that number will be similar when she does reach that level. I can see where it would be so easy for a child's needs to get lost amongst a 35-1 student teacher ratio.
My friend sent me some information on a program or outline she has decided to try. This program is called Headgates. I am only 11 pages into the 32 page e-book and I have already learned so much about myself and the way a child 'should' learn.

Here are some parts of this book that pertain to me:

"All women want to feel like they are growing week to week, in some fashion or another. For example, if we are good with our schedule, we will find time to grow in such things as knowledge, experience with new skills, new hobbies, new recipes, new friends. All of these things take time, and they make us feel alive because we experience growth. When our schedules are not reliable, and we are not experiencing this needed growth that makes us feel alive, we unknowingly may attempt to fill this emptiness by seeking gain. Although materialistic gain does provide the temporary illusion of having experienced growth, it is short lived and un-satiating, and therefore urges us on to acquire more gain in effort to finally fill in the emptiness. This is why shopping becomes such a beloved past-time for
women. This expensive and unfulfilling cycle can be broken for a mother simply by getting a handle on her schedule, and making room in her schedule for her purpose, beyond survival.
When a woman lives on purpose, shopping (as an activity in and of itself) loses much of its luster. Purpose is much more richly fulfilling. "

The reason why this particular part pertains to me is the fact that I get such a rush from shopping. I can't explain it, I just love it. Now the coincidence is, I don't live by any sort of schedule. I sort of just take it day by day and let the wind carry me wherever it may. I really want to live a more scheduled life, not strict by any means but a more routine life. The reason for wanting this is not for myself but because of the importance that it has to my children.

This section of the book talks about each person knowing their order or role in the family. Once again this particular paragraph helps me to understand a part of me I couldn't explain myself.
"The challenge in our modern world for women who desire this fulfillment is to understand what that feminine role is. What does it look like in regards to her husband? What does it look like in regards to her children? When women experience the emptiness from not living up to their potential, they will search their entire lives for something with which to fill it in. They will bounce from one thing to another hoping to find what they are missing. The error though, lies in not knowing what it was they were missing. If only they could go inside themselves and return to
their childhood make-believe and see what it was that their little girl heart always desired, they could have all of the answers they need at their fingertips."
Jason makes enough money to support us and for our family to live comfortably. For reasons that I couldn't explain (until I read this) I wanted more for myself. I wanted to be important. I wanted to do something amazing and be successful. I wasn't feeling that from my daily cleaning and wrestling with kids. I did real estate for a couple years, which I did at the perfect time and was quite successful. I recently started photography bringing in a very small income, but it is something I am good at and thoroughly enjoyed. Like explained in the earlier version of the book, I am not growing. The answer to my problem is I don't know my order or 'role' in this family because I wasn't shown what that was growing up. My parents did what they needed to do to provide for us which meant my mother also became a provider in addition to being a nurturer. In the book it explains that parents need to be clear by example what exactly their role is in the family and make sure that the children also know theirs. Now, my mother was and is very motherly and did nothing but sacrifice for her children. She is a great mother. Now that I am a mother my role in my home is very different than hers was when I was growing up. So I guess you can safely say I am or was unknowingly confused.

Now back to the home school program. As far as this particular book shows you, you basically let your child learn at their own pace. There is no formal time set aside each day to teach. Basically your child wakes up in the morning helps mom with chores and grooms themselves, then in the afternoon they play. Now the mother watches the child 'play' and decides what phase they are in, that will then determine the rest of the program. The child doesn't become a personal slave to the mother but works closely with her, for example. If mom wakes up and makes breakfast and the child is there helping her, how much does the child learn about fractions and measurements. Or you crack an egg (if you are daring you let the child do it) the inside of the egg sparks your child's normal interest to learn and they may start to ask questions. So, just by your child helping you make pancakes, they had a small math lesson with a lesson of the anatomy of a chicken embryo. They are being taught important things without even realizing it! This is just a small example of what the book has described. I think it is VERY interesting and it has got me thinking seriously about my children's futures and how I want them educated.

Like I said before I am only 11 pages into this book and felt compelled to share the things I have learned!! I wish my friend all the luck and hope she is successful at this method of teaching her children. I am going to try it over the summer and see what comes of it. Who knows, maybe I too will feel confident enough to put my children's education in my own hands!

New Church Calling...

2010-05-18T14:07:00.000-07:00

Saturday afternoon we had an unexpected visit from our bishop. He came to issue a calling to 'us'. I was thinking to myself, "I wonder what they are going to call Jason to do, it must be important if the bishop is personally delivering the news to our house!" You see, I have been in my calling teaching Valiant 8 only since the beginning of the year. There was no way they were going to call me to do anything! He then looked at Jason and said, "Your wife is going to need your support in this, are you willing to support her?" I was thinking, "WHAT? I am getting another calling? What could I do on top of teaching the 8 year olds?" Turns out the plan wasn't an additional calling, it was a new one. Second counselor in the Relief Society Presidency.

I swear he had it wrong. I just kept saying "ME??? ME???" I always looked at the Relief Society Presidency as spiritual, wise, knowledgeable in the gospel, giving and just downright perfect women (or close to it). Women to look up to if you will. I really don't fit in this category! If I am honest...I have never even read the book of Mormon completely! My testimony of the church is growing, but still not where I would like it to be or where I think it should be for such a big calling. Now I know that I am not the President, but I take this just as seriously. I was learning so much about the gospel teaching the 8 year olds. I felt I was right where I needed to be, not too intimidating to teach them, yet still learning SO MUCH!

When I was set apart for my calling the first thing that was said in my blessing was that Heavenly Father wanted me to know that I was chosen, he chose me, for this calling. That was pretty powerful, given the fact that I don't fully understand why I was chosen. I do know this however, I was put in my calling in the primary to learn things that helped my friend, Shauna, who has been dealing the loss of her sister. Because of the lesson I taught these children I was able to explain the plan of salvation to her, hopefully bringing peace to her and the plan for us. I was able to use her sister as an example of the sacrifice of Christ and what he specifically did for her. I appreciated and loved teaching these children but I feel like Heavenly Father will put me in places I need to be exactly when I need to be there. I am excited for the new experiences and spiritual growth my new calling will bring me. I trust that He will be there when I need guidance to help me become the woman I need to be!!

Jason's project...

2010-04-23T08:19:00.000-07:00

When we moved in we saved enough money to pay someone to do our yard. Well, let's just say we didn't get what we paid for!!! First of all we were unaware of drainage issues in the subdivision, and second, we trused a "professional" to do our yard and grade it accordingly. We OBVIOUSLY sit lower than the surrounding homes to the north and back of us, unfortunately, the "professional" we hired decided not to take that fact into consideration when grading our yard....did I say he graded our yard? I take that back, the LACK of grading our yard and the LACK of leveling, smoothing or even using enough top soil for the grass to grow decently!! Okay, I have vented now. We are very sad we have to start all over!

Don't worry Cam...daddy will fix it right and chase all the buggies away!

We had some major low spots in our yard and everytime it rained or at the end of winter our yard was a pond from the back fence, about halfway to the house. At the end of last summer we put in a drain that runs along the back fence then down the side of our yard to the curb. It works great, except one BIG problem, we have to now direct the water to the drain it likes to pool up in the yard away from the drain. Here is an example of the yard after the rain this week. There is no more grass because we have decided the only way to fix our problems is to start completely over.

Jason has been really happy about doing all this work. He is excited to hopefully have a back yard that we can use that hasn't been overtaken by swamp smell, frogs, mosquitos, and MILLIONS of spiders! Yes, that is how bad the back half of our yard was. A constant wet swamp!

On a brighter note, the kids have had a BLAST during the demolition! There have been MANY trips to the dump (a kid favorite of mine too though I'm not sure exactly why). A big bobcat with fun rides.

Kaysia got a ride when I was at the store. I'm sad I didn't get a picture.

Then there was Kyson's favorite part about the whole weekend.....

A GREAT, BIG, GIANT pile of DIRT!! That kid LOVES dirt. He rolled in it, slid in it and yes, even attempted to cartwheel in it!!

Camden wasn't as interested, thank goodness. I think I can only handle on dirt lover! He just decided to pose for me and look adorable as always for the camera.

We are excited to have a clean slate and hopefully that excitement will drive us to get it done FAST!

We have lot's of ideas on how to make our yard not only beautiful but also make the water flow to the appropriate places to keep it stink free and like a park instead of a SWAMP!

All in a days work...

2010-04-05T12:30:00.000-07:00

On Friday I started and finished project #2 on my list of things I would like to improve in our house. I am now LOVING my laundry room. It got a well needed face lift and is now completely organized! Our laundry room is off the garage entrance to the house so that is where EVERYTHING gets dumped. I am embarrassed to show the before picture. Instead of cleaning it all up I decided to keep it real...so here is to keeping it real...
BEFORE...

As you can see there are coats, backpacks and shoes all over the floor (aside from a laundry basket of clothes, but after all it is a laundry room). This is how it ALWAYS looks. We really don't have a great place to store those things aside from a coat closet that is on the other side of the house where the front door is that we NEVER use. Not to mention the kids are still too little to hang their own coats. Mommy solved a few of our problems...
AFTER...

I painted the room 'Heavenly Blue'. With a name like that I couldn't refuse, after all, who doesn't need their laundry room to be a little more 'heavenly'? I painted the ceiling and the shelving white. I also added some baskets to put the cleaners and stuff in that was on the shelf to make it look a little less cluttered. Also if you look at the picture closely you can see a shelf with wire drawers. I fold my clothes straight out of the dryer and this awesome little thing has made my life a ton easier! Each kid has their own drawer and they are responsible for putting their own clothes away. The basket is manageable for them to carry up the stairs even when it is full. The colors really brightened the room up which was one of my goals. Then I added the hooks on the walls, now coats and backpacks have a place! As for all the shoes...

I found this shoe storage cabinet at IKEA. I wasn't sure on how modern it looked so I went to home depot and bought some different knobs. That made a TON of difference! It fits perfectly behind the door and fits a ton of shoes for it's size!

I am very happy with the room which is a good thing because I spend a lot of time in there!

Projects...

2010-04-01T21:42:00.000-07:00

Every couple of months I get in 'Project Mode'. My husband HATES it and to be quite frank so do I. I get my wheels turning and all I can think about is getting a project done. We did this bathroom a couple months ago and today I just fininshed it by painting the ceiling white and hanging the towel holder. Now I am back in project mode and decided that I can't start the next thing on my list (which is a VERY long list) until this bathroom was completed.

BEFORE....

I hated the pedistal sink. Although it is simple and beautiful, it really has/had no function other than a sink.

AFTER....

We replaced the pedistal sink, with this BEAUTIFUL cabinet/sink. I painted the walls a color called 'dusty olive' and changed out the light fixture and faucet to an oil rubbed bronze finish. I love that bathroom now and especially love the storage space under the sink!

One project down, a million more to go!! NEXT....dun, dun, dun, the LAUNDRY ROOM!

Finally pictures to go with the last post...

2010-04-01T21:33:00.000-07:00

Here is a couple pictures of my poor van. I miss it so much. I am greatful that I have had Jason's truck to drive around, but it isn't my minivan! I never thought I would appreciate a minivan so much! I will hopefully be getting it back from the shop soon, I can't wait!

Car Accident....

2010-03-21T21:38:00.000-07:00

On Friday March, 19th I was in my first ever car crash. I was driving along on Redwood Road and the traffic was flowing great. One of the kids in the back was talking to me so I looked in my "kid view mirror" then when I looked forward again traffic was at a complete stop. Now I would say that I was probably driving at a speed of 45 mph, give or take a few miles. The car in front of me was close and I was full speed ahead. I slammed on my brakes and swerved to the left into the emergency middle lane but it wasn't enough. Next thing I know I am looking around the white smoke filled van trying to register what had happened. I looked back at the kids, who were all crying then felt a horrible pain in my arm. When I looked at my arm I realized the air bag deployed and had burned my arm from wrist to elbow with skinned raw wounds. I am trying to calm the kids down when my own stability was completely comprimised. All I knew was, my kids were upset and I CANNOT cry or be upset either. My brain is so confused I probably sat in my car for almost 10 minutes before I picked up my cell phone in a watery mess on the floor and called Jason. I told him I had been in an accident and I don't know what to do. He asked me if me and the kids were okay and I told him I thought we were fine then he said I needed to call the cops. I told him I don't know the number and he said, 911, yes you can all laugh at me now, but at the time I wasn't thinking it was an emergency, life or death emergency like I have been taught to only use that number in those types of situations. I noticed the woman whose car I hit was on her cell phone so I finally made my way from the driver's seat to the passenger side and got out of the van. Now I know I hit hard but I didn't realize how serious it was. When I stepped out of my van I looked at the ground it literally looked like a bomb went off. There was debris EVERYWHERE. Small pieces of what used to be my head light and the silver metallic sage fender of my van. I looked at my van and NOTHING was left on the front passenger side. My beautiful van was bare to the frame in that area. WOW, I really crashed hard. I asked the lady if she was alright and apologized for hitting her. When I asked how she was doing she dramatically said "I don't know, I think I need to go to the hospital, my head, I really hit it hard", meanwhile, her kid who sat bouncing in the front seat who could not have been older but 10, is telling me oh we are okay, we are fine. Her son then noticed my arm and said , "your arm are you okay?" His mom heard her son then quickly asked, "how about you?" Now I am not passing any judgement and I do feel HORRIBLY for hitting her. But really? Yes, she needed to be checked out, yes I am sure she is injured and I am sure it hurt like the dickins, but I put myself in that situation and I think the appropriate response would be "I will be okay, but I really think I should be checked out." I don't know, maybe I don't think the same as other people, but when you are a mother and you have scared children relying on you to reasure them things are okay, there is no need for drama. Anyway, next thing I know there are 4 cop cars 2 ambulances a paramedic and a fire truck. I looked around and thought to myself, "Is this really necessary?" I think I underestimated the seriousness of it. When I look back at the accident and the 'could have beens', I realized that even though it was a horrible experience God was there, he protected me, my kids and all that were involved and everything worked out EXACTLY as it needed to to keep everyone as safe as possible. Had I not swerved the injuries would have been worse I am sure. Had I swerved too much, I would have went into oncoming traffic and collided head on with another car, and that I am POSITIVE would have had major injuries! I am happy to say that other than some sore muscles and a scraped up arm, I am doing great physically, most importantly the kids all walked away with not a scratch. Mentally I am having a hard time. I would like to think of myself as strong person that things like this wouldn't have an effect on. Like riding a horse, you fall and you get back on. The next day I was a passenger in my mom's car and there were a few times I had to hold back the tears. I felt like I was having an anxiety attack! Now I haven't been in a car for an entire day and I need to be driving to Salt Lake tomorrow and I am scared to death. I think about it and I just wail up in tears. Is this normal???? I know it isn't the end of driving for me, but I hope the anxiety goes away quickly because driving is a HUGE part of my life!

I learned 2 things that day. I learned that God does watch over us and protects us from harm if it is his will. I also learned a very important lesson of motherhood...
No matter how scared you are, or how much pain you are in, when your little ones need you to be strong you have no choice but to be. I have NEVER been in a situation like this where I just wanted to crumble and I suprised myself at the strength that I had to hold back ALL tears, not one was shed (by myself). My cry was there in my throat, but my voice did not shake, my tears where in my eyes but never came over my lids. All I wanted in that moment was for my husband to get there so I could get in his truck turn my head and let the tears flow that so desperately wanted to for well over an hour!

Tomorrow I will make my way to the tow yard to pay my sweet van a visit (yes I suddenly feel like my van has feeling and that I really hurt them!) I will get some pictures of the poor thing and post them soon.

Growing up....

2010-03-03T21:23:00.001-08:00

Over the past couple of days I have had a ton of bricks just fall and hit me in the head. I have realized all of my responsibilities at once. Now I know this isn't new, I mean, I HAVE been a mother for over SIX years. I think reality just slapped me in the face. As I got off the couch from watching American Idol tonight, I looked in the kitchen and was so relieved that the dishes were done and the kitchen was clean. I DID THAT. I remember when I was living at home and my mom would do that, oh how I loved when our home was clean. Now I am the mom, the housekeeper, the chef and the baker, the launderer, the taxi driver, the grocery shopper, the piano teachers assistant for practices, the listener of little readers, the discipliner, the slave driver, the singer of lullaby's, the kisser of owies, an activities planner, the hair dresser, a playmate, a life lessons teacher, a Sunday school teacher, an etticiut teacher, a payer of bills, a walking calendar, a friend helping friends through grown up stuff, a gym rat (trying to take care of myself), a car detailer and the list just goes on and on and on! WHEN DID THIS ALL HAPPEN?? Maybe I am just feeling a little overwhelmed with life, and all the 'To Do's' that come with it that are making me feel a little more grown up lately. Maybe it is because I am rapidly approaching 30, an age that I didn't think would be hard to hit. What I do know is, even though I get overwhelmed at times, and I am not the best at any of the above listed duties, I am SO GRATEFUL for the 3 little rugrats that brought on 90% of them! God has truly blessed my life with beautiful children a hard working husband and health all around. I have a quote in my house that I look at everyday that reads, "Grant me patience to deal with my blessings!" Amen to that and maybe a little granting of energy too!

Button, Button, who's got the BUTTONS?

2010-02-08T17:00:00.000-08:00

I decided to come up with a reward system for the kids. I have tried many things and I think this one just might work. I proposed this plan to them and they were SO EXCITED! I am hoping the excitement lasts.

Each kid has their own jar to keep their buttons in.

This jar is the 'Bank of Buttons'. They can earn these buttons by doing jobs around the house, good listening, being kind and just going anything good. They use these buttons to play the WII or computer games. They can also save up their buttons and get bigger things like a fun activity and such.

This is our 'Job Jar'...

Each stick has a job on it and the kids have to pick 2 sticks a day. They will of course earn buttons upon completing the task on the stick.

I am hoping that this little idea works. I am pretty excited to get started and so are they! Wish us luck!

Pictures

2010-01-12T14:19:00.000-08:00

I took my kids to the train station to attempt getting their pictures. This time was a bit better than the last but I still am not super impressed with my work. I feel like I have taken some amazing pictures for other people but can't quite get the same quality with my own kids. Don't get me wrong, I think the pictures are cute they just don't do my kids justice. Maybe that is my problem...I think my kids are just way cuter than the pictures I take of them!

One heck of a week...

2009-12-16T21:43:00.000-08:00

So my really good friend since the 10th grade called me thursday morning to tell me that her sister had died. I couldn't believe it, my heart just broke in a million pieces for her. Her sister and her were SO close. All they had was each other growing up in a family that sometimes seemed torn. Shauna lives in Idaho and came down to Utah to be with her family on Thursday. I went to spend some time with her and her family on Friday. I never realized how much I loved her crazy little family until this past week. Although I was there witnessing people go through the hardest time in their life I was overwhelmed by the spirit. Shauna's family isn't super religious and so thier eternal perspective of family isn't necessarily as clear to them as it is to me. I felt the spirit guide me to help them understand that their baby girl and beloved sister wasn't 'gone' she is just here in a different way. Before I joined them on friday I said a prayer to give me strength to do whatever it was they needed me to do or be to help them through this. To all that know me, I am a CRY BABY, I cry at commercials for pete's sake!! I was really nervous to go there because I needed to be strong. They were crumbling and needed to crumble, they needed someone to look up to, to hold them up and maybe give them some hope for the future. My prayer was answered. I felt that I was amazingly strong and effortlessly gave them hopeful insight to a more eternal perspective to life and how forgiving our God is.
As I was leaving Amber's (shauna's sister) little boys came in, it wasn't until then that I started feeling week. Looking into her son's beautiful innocent eyes, knowing that their momma wouldn't be kissing them goodnight that night and for many nights to come CRUSHED me. I got into my car and totally lost it all the way home. God answered my prayer and made me strong for the time I needed to be. That night I told Shauna and her mom to let me know if there is ANYTHING I can do to please don't hesitate to ask. A couple days later Shauna said that they had come up with something very special that they only trusted me to do. I couldn't imagine what that would be. They asked me to take pictures at the funeral.
Her mom wanted last pictures of Amber and things about the funeral captured so she would never forget what a beautiful goodbye her daughter had (or see you later as I would like to think of it). After Jason's dad died I swore to myself NO MATTER WHAT I would NEVER attend another viewing as long as I could help it. My best friend needed me, I didn't have anyother choice. She had made the choice not to see her sister in death and I promised her that I would take beautiful pictures so when she was ready she could see her at rest. This made me VERY nervous. I decided to see Amber a couple hours before I had to take pictures to shake off the initial shock. She looked beautiful. I can't say she really looked like the Amber I knew because Amber was so full of life, she just bounced all over the place and I don't think I ever saw her serious. So to see her so still, was just not the Amber I knew, but she was beautiful. I didn't realize that taking those last pictures of the last goodbye would be the HARDEST thing I would do to date. Capturing a little boy saying goodbye to his momma, a mommy saying goodbye to her little girl and a fiance kissing his honey for the last time was udderly and completely HEART WRENCHING!! I snapped the pictures and needless to say, Shauna was the one comforting me at this point since she choose not to be apart of that. Shauna was amazing that day. She was so inhumanly strong, I couldn't believe it! I think I prayed so hard for her family that day that maybe I left myself out of the prayer! I still am not sure if and when I will be able to go back to those pictures and edit them. I think that will take an extra prayer or two!!
Amber's service was beautiful and full of spirit. Everyone wore red to the service in memory of Amber's favorite color. Her fiance Pat spoke and the first thing he did was tell people her favorite color wasn't red....it was purple!!
I hope and pray that her family continues to hope and believe that they will see Amber again and to us it will seem like eternity, but for her it is just a brief moment when they will be reunited in a more perfect world than we can even imagine. I hope and pray also that they may find God to be comforting and that one day soon when she is done with her business up there that they will feel her and it will be undeniable to them that what they felt was indeed Amber letting them know that she is here and sees them and knows they love her and always will!!

I love you Mund and Forrest family!! God is GOOD!

XOXOXOX

More of the 'other' Brown Family

2009-11-10T06:31:00.001-08:00

My moments

2009-11-09T18:05:00.000-08:00

I was just looking over my blog and realized that I haven't posted anything about MY latest moments! Although I love taking pictures, maybe I should post the latest and greatest in my life right now.

Camden is starting to talk a lot. Everyday he says more and more. He is a little later than my other kids at speaking, but trust me, I don't mind that one bit!! He is growing up WAY to fast and it makes me VERY sad. Don't get me wrong, I am excited to watch him grow and learn new things, he is just my baby and I am not ready to not have a baby around anymore.

Kyson loves pre-school and Karate. He got his yellow belt a few days ago and we are very proud of him! He has not let that belt out of his sight since he got it. It is a great tool for me too. His Master said that if he doesn't listen to mommy and daddy or doesn't respect others, that belt will get taken away and he will get a white belt (a baby belt). It works great......for now!

Kaysia also loves kindergarten. She is in piano lessons and is doing very well. They are learning to play both hands and she is very coordinated in that way. She is kind of a klutz and not the most graceful child when it comes to running & dancing, but she does play the piano well. I think we have found her niche! It has only taken a couple years of dance, tumbling and the fall part of soccer to find it. She enjoys it and that is what counts!

I have decided to run the Wasatch Back Relay race. It is a race that starts in Logan and ends in Park City. I am very excited and think it will be really fun. I have run into some problems training for the race though. It seems like everytime I run I end up VERY tired an hour or so afterwards with a headache and chills. I went to the doctor and he did some bloodwork and an EKG, everything came back normal. When the nurse called to let me know the results, I let her know that I ran again that day and was feeling sick. She talked to the doctor and they decided to do further testing on my heart. The doctor is worried that maybe my heart isn't getting enough oxogen to my brain and is having a hard time recouperating after an intense workout. I am scheduled for a stress test and an Echo-cardiogram on November 17th. I am very anxious for that day to come. I am very hopeful it is nothing serious. Although, I have been getting pounding headaches that last the better part of the day for about a week now. It is a constant reminder to me that there really could be something wrong. It could also be a MILLION other things that are causing my headaches. I am just anxious to rule out the more serious stuff!

Jason is busy, like always with his work. He is such a hard worker and I am blessed to have him as my husband. I am thankful for all the sacrifices he makes for us. He is a great husband and father and I could not ask for anything more!!

I am so greatful for all the blessings in my life. I love my family and friends who are there for me. I am very greatful for the church and all the things it brings to my life; amazing friendships, peace, inspiration and most of all ETERNITY with my husband and kids!

This is it for now.....until next time!

Christopher, Jamie & Haiden

2009-11-03T20:34:00.000-08:00

Last week my brother-in-law and his wife were sealed together and to their beautiful little girl in the Salt Lake temple. We are all so proud of them! Love you guys!!

My sister's beautiful family

2009-11-02T08:28:00.001-08:00

This picture of Kaydence is my most favorite picture I have EVER taken!!

The Corley's....

2009-10-26T10:17:00.000-07:00

Jill is such a good friend and is ALWAYS there when I need her. I am just glad that I could capture some great pictures for her! It was FREEZING outside, hence Jordan's red nose!! What can I say....Cute family = cute pictures. I love my Jilly!! I hope she loves them!

The Woodlands...

2009-10-16T23:54:00.000-07:00

I don't have a lot of time to post all the cute pictures of this family so here is a little peak!! Poor sandon was so sad! We got some cute pictures of him, just none with smiles. Morgan was a little model...striking a pose whenever she could!

The Nebekers...

2009-10-08T18:55:00.001-07:00

I just loved taking pictures of this family!! This shoot was so easy! Aside from the cold weather it was perfect!

A little more....

2009-10-06T08:17:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more pictures of Jerzey. I had SO much fun working with her. I couldn't take a bad picture of her. She was just too cute! I like to do different things with the colors in pictures. You can see how much of a difference a little color can make when you are trying to get the same type of picture to have different looks. By the way....My friend Jill makes the most adorable TuTu's and bows! Jerzy is wearing her work in these pictures!!

Quincy.....

2009-10-05T12:15:00.000-07:00

I felt so privileged when my neighbor asked me to do her new baby Quincy's pictures. She was 5 weeks old when we did them and she is just as cute as can be!! I know now why they say the best time to take newborn pictures is between 7-14 days old!! She is so tiny but a strong little thing!! Everytime we posed her she effortlessly got right out of the position. We got some good pictures though, here are some of my favorites...

A Sneak Peak....

2009-10-02T21:48:00.000-07:00

I did a photoshoot today with some of the cutest kids!! I took almost 200 pictures, here are a few of my favorites.

This baby was SO easy to photograph. She is so stinkin' happy and one of the cutest babies alive!

Zadie (cute name, huh!) was so cute. I really think she ought to be a model when she grows up. She loved posing for the camera!

Kaden is a pretty shy boy, but he has a pair of the most awesome dimples!! (that is if you can get him to show them off!)

Kids' Pictures

2009-10-02T08:32:00.000-07:00

I took the kids to the park to try and get some good pictures of them. It was so HARD to do their pictures!! The shoot wasn't without tears, snot and a whole lot of fighting with each other and running around!! I just hope I do better with OTHER people's kids!

Michelle's Bridals

2009-09-28T20:24:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of my favorite bridals of Michelle. They turned out AMAZING and I hope she felt like a princess today!

Asher

2009-09-24T17:22:00.000-07:00

My sister had a little boy 2 weeks ago and he is soooo cute!! She already has 2 girls so this little man was a nice surprise. I got to take pictures of him today and I had so much fun!

Michelle and Lavar's Engagement Photo's

2009-09-24T08:48:00.001-07:00

My cousin Michelle is getting married and I am so excited for them!! They are so cute together. Here are some of my favorites from there little photo shoot....

Time is Flying.....A little catch up for you all

2009-09-18T20:27:00.000-07:00

Kaysia officially started school and she loves it. She thinks it is too much like pre-school but other than that, she looks forward to going everyday and is sad when it is the weekend. I sure hope that attitude lasts through college!!

She LOVES riding the bus. The first day she was so excited she could barely contain herself!!

Kaysia also had her first soccer game. It is just a bunch of little girls chasing the ball really. It was super fun to watch!!

Kyson also started his second year of pre-school. I got to walk him in the first day but now he is big and he can do it by himself. He is growing up so fast!! He too loves it. I think it helps him feel important when he gets to go to school like kaysia and this year he goes 3 days a week. Kyson also started Karate and he thinks it is so fun. He goes 2 days a week. Between Kaysia's piano lessons, soccer, karate and school I run around like crazy! The kids enjoy it so it is worth it to me. I love seeing how excited they get when they learn something new.

Camden is starting to talk more and more. He is such a good baby, I don't know what I did to deserve him??? He says Peek-a-boo, bu-bye, fish, mom, dad, eat (with the sign language), hi, yay, uh oh, owee, and AH (he says this when he throws a ball and hits something). Camden, is going to be my little athlete. He LOVES balls. He can hit them with a bat out of his hand, has a mean overhand and can kick a super soccer kick like Dora!!

We also had a church party and I got some cute pictures of a few babies. I thought I would share.

We did a little "home-improvements" this month too. Right now we are in the process of putting in a perimeter drain. Since we had trees back there we had to relocate them. We put them in the front and added a few more. In all we ended up planting 9 trees in one day. It was a job, but turned out pretty nice if I do say so myself!!

This is what your kid looks like after playing in the dirt all day with a binky in his mouth!!

Sorry the pictures and descriptions are messed up!

2009-08-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

Today was Kaysia's first 'unofficial' day of Kindergarten. She was so excited!! It wasn't like school at all. They colored a picture then the teacher talked to us parents then we left and took the kids with us. She doesn't go back until next week. August 31st will be the 'official' first day. She will go to class with out me and go every day! I think that is when it will hit me that my baby actually goes to school! In this picture is is doing a HOORAY. She has been asking me ALL summer when she will get to go to school.

Photoshop

2009-08-23T21:11:00.000-07:00

I have learned some VERY valuable skills with photoshop. I have played around with my new skills and here is what I have got.

BEFORE PICTURES:

Notice all his boo boo's on his face and the scar on his forehead?

AFTER:

I healed Camden in photoshop!! I just wish I could do that in real life!

I am really excited about all the things I am learning and all the fun pictures I will cherish for so many years!! I hope to become a photographer that creates photos that others will cherish too.

Kim's Maternity Photos

2009-08-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

I just love taking pictures!!! My friends and family have provided me with sooooo many different photo opportunities to get some practice. I still have a lot to learn, photoshop especially, but I am having a lot of fun learning!! My sister Kim is 36 weeks pregnant and just as beautiful as ever! We had fun taking these pictures but it was also a challenge for me too because of stretch marks from previous pregnancies, since I don't know photoshop yet, we got creative. (That is the reason for the lack of color pictures)

Coming soon.........Michelle and Lavar's engagement photos!!! Wish me luck!

Playing in the water

2009-08-14T15:37:00.000-07:00

Jason was out doing yard work and Camden got a hold of the hose. He was so cute and curious and especially loved drinking from it. Here are some pictures I took.

Jaxton Timothy

2009-08-05T20:22:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I went to Montana and got to take pictures of her 6 week old baby boy. I had so much fun even though he pooped on our back drop and peed several times on the blankets! I guess that is what you get when work with little babies!

My cute grandparents...

2009-08-05T16:45:00.000-07:00

My grandparents came to my sister's wedding and I just had to get a picture of them. They have been married for 53 years and are such an example and inspiration to me. I love this picture because this is them, they are always holding hands and will forever be holding hands, through this life and the next. My favorite memory of them is when it was my (and all of my other cousin's) birthday, they would take us to Leatherby's for ice cream, then we would go sleep over at their house and go to church with them. I remember always noticing after we would say prayer before any meal, they would kiss. I truly believe they are just as in love after 53 years as they were their first year of marriage. I hope that Jason and I can grow together the way they have and that our children and grandchildren strive to be like us because of our example of love, selflessness and spirituality. I love you guys!!!

"Two lives, two hearts joined together in friendship, united forever in love"

Laura's Wedding

2009-08-05T14:37:00.000-07:00

I am pretty late at posting this pictures. I just got done editing them and I am really excited how they turned out.

My little Hero

2009-07-27T17:50:00.000-07:00

Today I took the kids to the neighborhood pool. On a normal day at the pool Camden wanders around with his arm floaties on and Kyson has a life vest he wears. Kaysia is really good at swimming and is very careful to not go where she can't touch. I was hanging out by the kiddie pool when my friend starts shouting at me, "MELLISA, MELLISA!" I look around me and Camden is right there, but it wasn't Camden she was wanting me to save. I look into the big pool and Kaysia is trying to get above water but can't. Before I could, another neighbor jumped in the pool, clothes and all and when I finally got over there she had two kids in her arms. I grabbed Kaysia and hugged her and asked her why she was where she couldn't touch. She was of course very frazzled and crying and said to me, "Mommy he was drowning, I tried to save him, but mommy he was so heavy and I couldn't touch!" Of course I start bawling. She is so brave!!! Here I have taught her, her boundaries at the pool and how to stay floating but I never thought I would need to teach my 5 year old how to save another kid. I explained to her that when a kid is drowning and needs help she needs to scream so me or another adult can save them, that she is too little to save kids. Her response was, "Mommy, I was just trying to be a good friend and save his life." Her bravery and selflessness was amazing today. Even though she knew she couldn't touch where he was she saw someone who needed help and nothing else mattered! I love her so much, and that love grew a little more today! I am very proud of her!

Trip to Montana

2009-07-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

This week the kids and I went to go see some good friends in Montana. It was so good to see them again! Carter and Haven are getting so big and their new addition, Jaxton is soooo cute!! The kids handled the drive well, better than expected. I am sad I didn't take any pictures of the kids playing but I did do some pictures of the new baby and even some with Cherish, his mom of course. I hope to post them soon. Plus I have got some great ones of Laura's wedding, also soon to come!

Laura's Engagement Photos

2009-07-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

My sister was over for a BBQ with her fiance and we realized that we don't have any pictures of them together to display at their wedding. Thank goodness I live close to some great picture locations!! We went into a field and snapped these photos, they turned out pretty good considering we did the shoot in 20 minutes. Laura and Chad are getting married TOMORROW!! I can't believe my little sister is all grown up. More pictures of the wedding to come.

This one totally shows off his personality!

Trying to be sexy on a car that you can't stand on the bumper or get on the hood, we improvised!

Silly Lunch

2009-07-06T18:47:00.001-07:00

Today I thought we would have a little fun with lunch. The kids thought it was cool and they ate every bite!! I should get creative like this more often!!

Having fun with the new camera

2009-07-06T12:44:00.000-07:00

I have been really enjoying my new camera, here are a few pics of me just messing around.

The sunset on the 4th of July

Morning glory

Day Lily

Random pictures from the front of my house

4th of July Fun

2009-07-06T12:21:00.001-07:00

This year for the 4th of July we went to my parents house up in Kamas. The kids had a blast. We played a little baseball, frisbee and played in the water a bit. We had BBQ steaks and chicken then waited for it to get dark. My sister's husband went to Evanstan, WY and bought a TON of fireworks. They were the most amazing fireworks I have seen (that weren't done at a park)! We then had a campout in there yard. I have decided after 2 backyard camp-outs, that real camping is out of the question. Just like the time before, Kaysia woke up cold and wanted to go in the house. Kaysia said to me last night, "Mom, I will NEVER EVER EVER sleep in a tent again!! Next time I will only sleep in a trailer when we go camping." I am guessing that we are raising quite a pampered princess!!

Kaysia's Photo shoot

2009-07-02T12:43:00.000-07:00

Kaysia is always asking me to put make-up on her. I decided to give in, and while she was all dolled up we had a little photo shoot. She thought it was so neat to have all that make-up on and get her picture taken. I think it is awesome to have some one be excited to let me take pictures of them!! They turned out amazing, but the best part is the FREE program I have to edit them. Jason got me photoshop but I haven't even tried it yet. Kaysia is so beautiful, Jason and I are in trouble when she grows up!

Laura's Bridal Pictures

2009-07-02T08:59:00.000-07:00

I FINALLY got a new camera and got to use it to do my sister's bridal pictures. I absolutely LOVE my new camera and can't wait to figure out how to use all the options on it. I took her pictures on auto mode and portrait mode. Everything else I am not sure how to use. I didn't get a chance to really play with it before her pictures but because my camera is so great, the user doesn't have to be!!! Here are a few of my favorites (there are a lot!)

We wanted to go to the Great Salt Lake to get some sunset pictures but there was nothing but storm clouds. They seemed like a pretty cool back drop though. We walked for FOREVER to get to a good spot by the water. Laura was putting on her dress when something like a tornado came!! The winds were blowing so HARD! Little bugs were EVERYWHERE!! We didn't want it to be a waste so we tried to make the most of it.

In this pic she got posed and bugs were blowing right in her face! LOL

Her husband to be is in the Army. Chad has been living in Fort Braggs, North Carolina. Before he gets deported to Iraq he is coming home and they are getting married. They will have a little time together before he leaves for an entire year! We thought it would be cool to get a picture of his bride with and American Flag. He loves his country and he loves my sister, I thought capturing his 2 loves in one would make for an awesome and meaningful picture for him.

The winds were blowing like crazing and then all of the sudden DOWN POUR of rain!! We were seriously a mile from the car. This is what my sister looked like when we finally got there. I LOVE IT!! She looks kinda hot in a sexy sort of way. It was so funny and I will never forget it!

My Little Dancer......

2009-05-30T15:30:00.000-07:00

Today was Kaysia's dance performance. She did so good! She has improved so much since the last time she was in dance. It was so funny, she was on stage doing her tap dance and kicked her shoe off on accident. She hurried and slipped her shoe back on and continued with the routine like nothing happened. Her tumbling routine was AWESOME!! She did so good and in my oppinion was on of the best!! I am so happy to see her having fun on stage and hope that it is something she continues to love. She doesn't want to do dance so much anymore so next year we are going to try musical theater!! She also wants to take music (piano) and karate. We will spend the summer choosing ONE (maybe two). I am still looking for something for a 3 year old boy to do. There isn't much out there for young boys. Any suggestions???

Catching up.............

2009-05-28T18:24:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted since the first of December, and even that was a catch up day!! I am terrible about posting blog entries but LOVE to read my friends' blogs. I am going to try and be better about this. So all of you that enjoy reading blog's as much as I do, here is a glimps into the past 5 months or so of my life!! ENJOY!

Wanna-Be Photographer

2009-05-28T17:53:00.000-07:00

I spend sooooo much money on getting pictures of the kids done. So I decided I would try taking the pictures myself. They turned out all right if I do say so myself, especially for just having a point and shoot camera. Maybe one day I will convince my husband of a nicer camera........one day! I got a lot of good shots of Kaysia, she cooperates better than the boys. I have a fun program that I can edit the photos with and make a not so great picture turn into somewhat a work of art!

Camden's First Birthday

2009-05-28T17:27:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how fast time flies!!! I am so sad that my last baby is one. That means no more first birthday parties for me! Camden's birthday landed in the middle of the week so we decided to have his birthday party on Saturday. The day of his birthday I felt like we had to do SOMETHING so I decided to invite some friends and go to the zoo. Camden though most of it was pretty cool. He really just liked riding in the wagon!

Camden checking out some animal.

Me and the three amigos.

On Saturday we had the whole family come over to celebrate, including Camden's great grandparents. We had pizza, cake and ice cream. Camden wasn't really into the whole smashing into is own cake, he just more picked at it. All in all it was a great celebration and I am looking forward to many more birthdays with my kids!!

He LOVED the balloons

and didn't care for the cake much!

Ute Gymnastics Meet

2009-05-28T17:22:00.000-07:00

Kaysia is in tumbling and her teacher gave her a pass to go to the University of Utah Gymnastics meet. We invited some of our friends for a "girls" night out. The girls were into it for about 20 minutes then wanted to leave. I guess it was just not that interesting for them. I could have stayed for the whole thing! They had fun for a bit anyway and that is all that matters!

Walking with the dinosaurs

2009-05-28T16:37:00.000-07:00

Kyson loves dinosaurs so we decided to take him to see the Walking with Dinosaurs. It was absolutely AMAZING!! The whole family enjoyed it. The dinosaurse were so life like and were LIFE SIZE! The pictures don't really do it justice! At the end the big T-Rex came out and gave a big ROAR, Camden didn't like that part at all! Aside from being entertaining, the show was very educational!

Christmas Cookies

2009-05-28T16:31:00.001-07:00

This year we decorated cookies and cup cakes for all of our friends in the neighborhood. Kaysia really enjoyed it, she is my little artist! Look how good her cookies turned out!!

Christmas 2008

2009-05-28T16:16:00.001-07:00

Every year on Christmas eve the kids get to open some pj's after bath and then we watch the Polar Express. This year the kids loved the pj's (kyson especially) and were excited to get to bed so they could see what Santa brought them the next morning.

After they were done opening presents it was off to the kitchen for breakfast. On the counter there were Jeeps!!!! They were the best present. The freaked about them!!

Camden was fun this Christmas too!! I can't believe how great it has been with the three of them! I like that it was his first Christmas and he was actually old enough to kind of enjoy it.

Kaysia turns 5

2009-05-28T16:09:00.000-07:00

My baby girl turned 5 in November (I know I am behind, better late than never)! She wanted a Tinkerbell birthday party. I attempted to make her a tiered cake but it turned out a mess and had to run to Wal-Mart and get one last minute. She had a blast at her party and I just can't believe how fast she is growing up!

Halloween

2008-12-01T22:04:00.001-08:00

This year we had a little halloween party at our house with all of our family. We had dinner then went trick or treating. Once again, we had a lot of fun!

Kaysia as Dorothy

Me and the kids, Kaysia wasn't happy if you can't tell.

The Chunky Monkey! Soooo DANG cute! (I am not sure why his eye looks funny in the pic though??

My and the monkey!

Kyson is 3!!

2008-12-01T21:51:00.000-08:00

Kyson turned 3 on October 10th. I can't believe it!! He wanted a spiderman birthday so I went all out! When he woke up on this birthday the house was all decorated for his birhtday. We had all of our family here and had a blast.

And what would be a spiderman party without spidy himself?!

The cake I made (with a little help from my dad, the artist)

All the kiddos on my side of the family.

Growing so fast.....

2008-12-01T21:37:00.000-08:00

Camden is such a sweet and happy baby. He brings so much joy in our family! It makes me so sad to see how fast he is growing, but very thankful that he is happy and healthy!

Playing in his jumper

Such a happy boy!!

Zoo Trip

2008-12-01T21:19:00.000-08:00

We went to the zoo a few times this year. The kids really like to see all of the different animals.

Ice Cream break.....YUM!!

Camden just chillin.

Kaysia Posing....she is so silly!

The Duck Pond

2008-12-01T20:57:00.000-08:00

We had a lot of fun this summer. It went by WAY too fast!! We found a really cool place to feed ducks. There are sooooo many of them. On this day we went through 4 loaves of bread in about 20 minutes. It is interesting, there are so many colors and sizes. I never knew ducks had personalities! Some were shy and some were pushy and bossy. Another duck would not eat the bread off the ground, he had to catch it in his mouth and then would wag his butt in grattitude! It was hilarious!
I can't wait until the spring so we can visit them often!

I love this picture of the odd ball duck in the middle of the group!

Kyson wasn't sure what to think of them all surrounding us.

Camden just sat in his stroller wondering what all the quacking was about.

This guy was eating the bread out of my hand, I couldn't feed him fast enough. I was afraid he was going to bite me! We had a lot of fun!

Love Since Birth.....

2008-08-14T12:54:00.000-07:00

My good friend had a baby boy 2 months before I had Kaysia. Even though they live in another state, Kaysia still seems to have a connection with this little boy. We recently visited them and Kaysia had a secret to tell me. "I love Carter so much!", she told me. It is so cute to see them together.

Carter and Kaysia as chubby little babies

Kaysia going in for a wet kiss

Carter and Kaysia 2007

2008

Once again, the little love birds holding hands. AWWWW!

Deep in Thought

2008-07-01T22:46:00.000-07:00

In the year 2007 I watched the American Idol Gives Back episode and forever have been changed. I don't know how many of you saw that one but it was heart wrenching for me to say the least. I always knew there were children in this world suffering, I guess I just never put actual faces to the situation until then. I was moved, I checked into adoption and I just really wanted to help more than the 25 bucks I donated. I have talked about adopting children from other countries ever since. (I don't think Jason understands how serious I really am when I talk about it). Anyway, then I met this lady yesterday. She is an amazing person and a great mother of two adopted boys, who can't have children of her own. I never asked her why she couldn't but from what I gathered, her eggs are fine and her husband can fertilize. She just had a failed attempt at envitro, the eggs were great, they just didn't survive in her. She was devistated. So here I am again, thinking "I could help this couple and be a surrogate mother." Once again another situation brought to me making my little brain think of how I can change the world for them. I think I could really do it, knowing I could give them their world almost effortlessly. (not that being pregnant is a walk in the park, but it really is nothing compared to what they have endured emotionally).

So the burning question is.......Will I change the life of a child somewhere out there and give them opportunity to live and thrive and be a part of a family? Will I take the gift of bearing children that God has given me, and give back to a deserving couple that would appreciate nothing more then to look into the eyes of child that was created from them? I really want to use this life that God has blessed me with and change the lives of even just the smallest number of people. Time will tell and God will lead me to do the things that I need
to do in this life.

Picture Day

2008-06-27T23:30:00.001-07:00

I took the kids to get their pictures done earlier this week. It is hard work but it paid off! I bought the boys matching shirts when I was still pregnant with Camden intending on using them to get pictures done. He is growing so fast that he almost grew right out of it before we got the chance!! I love these pictures and I LOVE MY KIDS! They are a huge blessing in my life and I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for them!

Goodbye hair!

2008-06-27T22:59:00.000-07:00

Kaysia's hair was sooooooo long! It was very difficult to take care of. She didn't like me to brush it and was very picky in how it was done. I HATED washing it! To add to the difficulty of her hair, she cannot stand being hot. So I had it WHACKED off! She looks adorable, and best of all she LOVES it and has made it very clear, she doesn't ever want long hair again. I almost cried when they took the 10 inches off, but I am so glad that I did it.

TWINS

2008-06-27T22:54:00.001-07:00

I always wanted two girls I could dress the same. It never thought it would be just as much fun to do it with boys too!! Here they are just as cute as can be! I LOVE MY BOYS! (and my one and only princess too of course!)

Multi-tasking..

2008-06-27T22:49:00.000-07:00

As some of you may know, my laundry room is on the main floor and all the bedrooms are upstairs. Well getting the laundry up and down the stairs with a newborn that demands to be held all the time has become quite the chore!! So now, I just lay him in the basket with the clothes. I am becoming a master at doing two things at once!! Not to mention the added weight going up and down the stairs might help with my baby fat!

Routine.......

2008-06-22T21:41:00.000-07:00

Jason and I have moved EVERY year for the past 9 years, sometimes twice in one year. Finally I thought we have found a home and a neighborhood that I thought we would raise our kids and live in for the long haul. We originally made the move to Layton because Jason worked right down town and the commute was better than from South Jordan. We built our dream home, exactally how we wanted it and have been slowly making it OURS. We have painted walls, hung pictures and decorated. Something that we have NEVER done in the 3 other homes we have owned. I have been happy here, met friends that I have things in common with and absolutely LOVE our ward. Well, much to my surprise, the church is pulling the department out of downtown and moving it to 134000 S and Bangerter Hwy. So once again a move is in order. This time I have mixed feelings, mostly not really wanting to move but trying not to fight it too much because it will happen. We will be starting over again, but that isn't always bad. For right now the thought consumes me. Somedays I am excited for a change and a do over, and somedays I get really sad that I have to pack up MY house, a home that we built and made completely our own, and have someone else take it away from me. We can't justify building another home. Right now in the market you can get the same house for 50k cheaper if it is pre-exsisting. So I guess we will be taking away someone elses house!

It has been a while......

2008-06-08T21:00:00.000-07:00

The never ending pregnancy finally ended and here we are almost 8 weeks later. Camden Charles finally came April 22, just 3 days before Jason's birthday. He is such a JOY in my life! I feel like my life is complete with him in it. I have been VERY busy trying to juggle 3 kids and my other responsibilities. It has been tough, but I think we have almost gotten completely adjusted to a new person in our family. Kaysia ADORES her baby brother! It is neat because she most likely won't have a sister but she does have a little brother that looks like her (even has her same crooked toes)! Kyson loves his brother too, he is having a hard time with the new addition. He never really adjusted well to anything in the past so I knew this was coming. He doesn't act out towards the baby, he has just become more testy and disobedient. Hopefully this will be coming to an end soon! Here are a few pictures of camden, in age order......

The Nursery

2008-04-17T21:20:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of the the baby's room. This little project tooke me almost 2 weeks to finish. Each stripe was measured out, taped off painted with a layer of glaze and 2 coats of paint! It was a process, but it paid off! With the exception of some touching up that still needs to be done, the room turned out better than I expected. Now if only I had a baby to put in it........