Rohatinsky Blog

Sunbeams & 34 weeks

2012-01-10T13:29:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday was Logan's first week as a Sunbeam (it's a primary class for kids at church). He was a little bummed that he didn't get to go with Shaffer and play with toys but he quickly got the hang of it and warmed up. Josh had to sit in class with him for the first hour because he just had no idea what was going on and why he wasn't in nursery (plus he was a little scared of singing time), but during the 2nd hour he was happy as could be. I came up to check on him and saw him walking with his class with his arms folded, walking quietly with all the other kids. I quietly snuck away but not without my heart melting and oozing over with pride. I can't believe he is such a big boy now!

(Just a side note: You can see Logan has 2 cars in his hands- he calls them Yellow Jeff and Black Jeff- they are from Cars 2, and he is absolutely obsessed. He carries them everywhere he goes- literally!)

Like I said I would, here is a picture of the pregnant belly! I'm somewhat embarrassed to post it but I haven't taken a single side shot the entire pregnancy, so I figure it's about time. I was 34 weeks on the dot here- getting nice and big and round! =)

We're all excited and anxious to have baby girl come in shortly over a month!

FINALLY!!

2012-01-06T13:10:00.000-08:00

I swear I get worse and worse at blogging as time goes on. The past month and a half has been really busy with traveling and the holidays. I have far too many things to write about and a lot of pictures but I'll try to stick to the basics and keep it really simple (although I am always long-winded).

THANKSGIVING-

We got to go to Klamath for Thanksgiving and spend nearly 2 whole weeks with my family. Josh didn't get to stay as long but the boys and I got to spend a good amount of time with my parents.

Brad, Molly & Saige got to come for a few days of the break a well. It's hard to believe that my little niece is already 1 year old. She sure is a cutie pie.

The guys went cross country skiing, while us girls went to see "Breaking Dawn" (which I actually really liked- shocking!).

How can you resist such a cute face? She makes me so excited for baby girl to come (6 more weeks...say wha?).

We went to the church for Thanksgiving dinner and had all sorts of family there. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of anyone really. I did a horrible job & didn't take any family pictures during all of the holiday get-togethers.

BACK AT HOME:

We always catch the boys in funny sleeping positions and it never gets old (to me at least). I love seeing the boys together.

Shaffer has this obsession with these shoes. He begs to wear these specific ones all the time. One of my favorite pictures of him is when he was wearing his shoes while wearing his pajamas (the type with the feet). He is such a funny boy.

They built a new elementary school right across the street from us and we have had a blast playing on their playground. When the weather was nicer we would go over there after dinner and play until it got too cold or close to bedtime.

CHRISTMAS BREAK:

We divided up our time between my family and Josh's for Christmas. We spent the week before Christmas and then Christmas day with Josh's family and then headed to the Oregon coast on the 27th to spend a week with my family.

We went to the Newport Aquarium and the boys had a blast looking at all the fish. There were lots of great tunnels to run through that my kids loved.

My sweet nephew William! Jessica and William were able to come out to the coast as well. (Poor Rich had to stay home and work.) It was my first time seeing William and boy did I grow attached to this kid. He is so sweet and calm and wonderful. He is a very sweet baby.

It was fun to see my sister as a mom too. She is a natural and completely comfortable with her role as a mom.

Another picture from the aquarium. Kids could go through this small tunnel and then look up and it would put their heads right in the middle of the fish tank. My boys got a kick out of that.

CHRISTMAS DAY:

Like I said, I did a horrible job of not taking pictures, so this is the only picture that I have of the boys on Christmas day. Boo!

This was our first year of doing Christmas morning all on our own. We had a yummy breakfast, watched the boys unwrap their toys, and then we went to church with Josh's parents and spent the rest of the day doing things with his family. It was fun to see all the nieces and nephews with their new toys. Our kids are so lucky to have so many fun cousins to live close to.

Logan sporting his underwear. This was what he wore for nearly 2 weeks! We had to keep him stripped down to the bear minimum because otherwise he would have accidents. Thankfully we are (mostly) past that now. More on potty training later...

This year the guys of the family did a "Mancathalon". They had 10 (?) events were they competed and kept score and whoever ended up with the most points won a really awesome trophy! They did their traditional bake off (which was SOOO delicious and a huge sugar overload), racquetball tournaments, Don't Eat Pete, GKB (a pool ball game), Guess Who, etc....There were some really random events thrown in there but the best was the bake off.

When I was pregnant with Shaffer I remember saying that I'm sure things with the boys would often be like ice and fire. I knew they would be best friends and worst enemies. We lucked out for the first 2 years and they were best friends nearly 100% of the time. Our luck has since worn out and they are definitely proving the ice and fire theory correct. I would say that it's about 40-60 now. They fight 40% of the time and are best buds the other 60%. Maybe it's less than that...I'm not sure...but it's a whole lot more fighting that we are used to. It's sad to see them fight so much and for no reason whatsoever. Thankfully though they are pretty good at making up and can get over things pretty quickly.

We took a trolly ride around Thanksgiving Point to see the Christmas lights with Josh's family. Logan was soooo excited to see Rudolph (they had real reindeer there). I kept telling him that if he kept his underwear dry all day that he could go see Rudolph and that was one our first day accident free. He was a little disappointed that Rudolph didn't look like a cartoon (he was expecting him to look like he does on TV) but he got over it pretty quickly.

We have had so much fun over the holidays and are sad that they are over. I can't tell you how quickly it made the last 2 months of my pregnancy fly by. We had one thing after another to look forward to. It was nice to be able to spend so much time with both sides of our families- Rohat & Mortenson. As much as we will miss everyone and all the activities it's also nice to get back into a routine and let the kids settle down and have some consistency.

Now we are anxiously awaiting baby girl's arrival in approximately 6 weeks. I am guessing it will be more like 7 weeks because I won't be induced early this time. Most likely I will have to be induced but we're going to wait to see if I can go into labor on my own. If not then some time during 40-41 weeks I'll have to be induced.

As for other news:

POTTY TRAINING:

Like I briefly mentioned above we potty trained Logan over the Christmas break. To be completely honest. it was a nightmare! I don't want to potty train Shaffer or baby girl until they are 7 years old and are begging me to do so. It was all consuming and stressful. Not to mention I was hobbling around on one good foot the entire time (see below).

Thankfully now things are much improved. Logan does really well at night and except for the very first night has managed to stay dry every night! He hasn't had a potty accident in a long time and is doing really well that way. Going #2 is still a bit of a challenge but we're making progress and he is trying really hard.

PREGNANCY:
I am 34 weeks today. I have gained a total of 23 pounds so far and am hoping to keep it in control these last few weeks. I haven't taken any pregnancy pictures this entire pregnancy...but I think I'm about the same as I was with Shaffer.

I wasn't able to work out for a month because back during the Thanksgiving break I was in Medford with my family and I sprained my ankle/tore some ligaments that made it impossible for me to get around. I couldn't walk at all on it for 4 full days and then I limped around on it for about 3 solid weeks and then finally within the last week it has gotten MUCH better. I can still feel some pain but I am able to walk around on it and to do some light working out. It feels good to finally be back at the gym and to be able to get some exercise.

The Relief Society stepped in and brought us meals for 3 nights before leaving for the coast. I can't even begin to say how extremely helpful it was. It was a pretty stressful time with my foot being really bad and trying to potty train Logan at the same time, so to not have to worry about making meals for a few days was a HUGE blessing & a complete answer to prayer (even though I wasn't asking for that type of help).

Baby girl is getting really big and is moving around a ton. I'm at the point where when she moves around it hurts. It's always so fun to see her kick and squirm and to try to guess if it's an arm or a leg or what. I will try to post a pregnancy picture soon (although I'm past the small, cute pregnancy phase).

Shaffer's new bed & Logan's 3rd birthday

2011-11-11T12:59:00.000-08:00

Shaffer officially learned how to climb out of his crib without crashing to the floor. He's been practicing for weeks but it always ended up with a big thud and then all of a sudden he got the hang of it and decided he was never going back in his crib again.

We had been thinking about getting him a bed for a while anyways but this turn of events pushed us into it. When we bought Logan's bed last year we bought a matching one for Shaffer because we knew they'd be in the same room for...forever....and we wanted to have the same ones.

Anyways, it's been a good/rough transition..as it always is. He is such a happy boy and giggles with excitement when we go to put him in bed. However, it takes roughly 2 1/2 hours to actually get him to fall asleep every night. He loves to jump on the beds (they are side by side, so it's like one huge bed), pull all the clothes out of the dresser, take all the toys out of the closet, pull all the books off the shelves, play with the toys, mess with the sound machine, etc....I'm not sure what to do about this. Logan didn't do that when he got his bed, so it's a bit of a new stage for me.

Despite the mess that is made each and every night I am tickled pink by his reaction every time we tuck him in. Like I said earlier, he gets giddy and giggles and says, "Oooo nice!" as he jumps under the covers. How can you not love that reaction?

These pictures are in the wrong order- but here you see what they looked like after FINALLY falling asleep, and also what they looked like as we tucked them into bed. You'd think that with all the space they wouldn't end up on top of each other, but sure enough that's what they have looked like every night. (Which actually isn't horribly shocking because Shaffer is a cuddle bug.)

LOGAN'S 3rd BIRTHDAY!!!

Logan turned 3 this past Sunday (the 6th), and boy was he excited. He had been saying for weeks, "Mom, it's my birfday!" He knows he is 3 years old (although he had a serious problem with it because he wanted to be 1 for a few days), and he was ooober excited for his Cookie Monster cake, the presents, and balloons.

It was fun this year because Logan really understood what his birthday was about and was excited for each new thing- breakfast, playing with his toys, opening more presents (from cousins and grandparents), birthday cake and ice cream, etc...He kept going up to everyone and letting them know that it was his birthday and that he had a Cookie Monster cake!

Really...how cute is this? Are these not the 3 most handsome boys on earth?

Mumsie & Papa (my parents) got him a trampoline and he and Shaffer have spent LOTS of time on that thing. Logan is getting creative with ways to jump on and off and is really into seeing how high he can go.

We sure love Logan. He is such a good boy and is an especially good big brother. He is so thoughtful and kind with Shaffer. When Josh blessed him when he was a baby there was a lot about how Logan would be full of charity and love towards others and it's amazing to see how that is a perfect description of him now. He is very active and happy, and is also discovering his own opinions on things and likes to put up a fight. He still sucks his thumb and loves his blue blanket more than life itself. He is talking like crazy and has some of theee funniest things to say. He is animated with everything and talks with so much enthusiasm. We sure do love this little boy!

Happy Fall & Halloween

2011-11-01T19:50:00.000-07:00

Last night was our first Trick or Treating experience with kids and although costumes were not at all successful we did end up having a great time.

You see, my kids are DEATHLY afraid of costumes. Even if it's something that they like (such as Cars or dinosaurs or monsters) they are terrified of putting anything on. We tried to come up with other clever ideas but face paint is also terrifying, glasses are a no, masks are a DEFINITE no, wigs and hats are impossible. Therefore we went costume-less this year. Logan did end up sporting a really cute tiger hat, but other than that we were without costumes. Maybe next year we will have overcome our fear of....anything and everything having to do with Halloween. =)

Logan LOVED going to the houses to get candy. I could see his mind working thinking what a sweet deal this really was to go knock on strangers houses and have them give him candy. Once we got back to Nana and grandpa's house he dumped out his loot and was looking over it and wanting to try each thing. He kept saying "Trick or Treat....then we get candy!" He was pretty pumped about the whole thing.

Shaffer also liked the Trick or Treating part of Halloween. He didn't quite get it like Logan did but he had fun. He had to have at least one piece of candy in his hand AT ALL TIMES. He didn't want the candy to be put in his bucket either...he wanted it in his hand. As soon as he would get a new piece he would hand me the old one and say "Out! Out!" (to have me open it). He would take a few bites or licks and then be on to the next piece.

I did my kids no favors and unfortunately passed the sweet tooth gene on to them. They don't have that much junk food (really truly) but they ask for it at every meal. That's how my mind works too so I can't blame them.

Once Josh got home from work we carved a pumpkin. We tried to make that as fun and exciting as possible because that is yet another thing my kids happen to be afraid of...they get this scared-of-everything gene from me as well (my poor poor children). Logan was pretty excited about it. Shaffer on the other hand was having a serious meltdown right next to me- it wasn't bc of the pumpkin....

We then ate pizza, went Trick or Treating, and went home and ate too much junk (and donuts). Josh and I watched "Red Riding Hood" after the boys went to bed and thought it would be scary but it wasn't in the least (that comes from me who gets scared of everything).

I'd say all-in-all it was a very successful Halloween.

We took the boys for a run/walk the other day and then came home to jump in the leaves. The boys had a blast (ie: Logan). I LOVE the fall. We need to live somewhere where the weather is like fall all year long...or at least most of the year. Fall and I get along great.

Am I the only one who notices how big they are getting? What happened to my babies?

Shaffer's adorable cheeser grin.

Now we are getting geared up for Thanksgiving and Christmas...and then baby! We have 3 1/2 months left until she comes and we can't wait. My little sister & brother-in-law just had their 1st baby and it makes me all sorts of baby hungry.

I am definitely showing at this point. Baby girls kicks and squirms and moves a lot these days and that tickles me pink. It truly is one of theee best things about being pregnant.

Some of the same discomforts (like I had in my past pregnancies) are here now but bearable. I have prayed a lot about one in particular and the pain has managed to stay bearable since- which I consider an absolute miracle (nothing short whatsoever)!

We are excited for the holidays and are grateful to have so many fun things to look forward to- and to help pass the time until baby girl comes (ANY NAME SUGGESTIONS?). Happy holidays!

Shaffer's 2nd birthday

2011-11-01T19:24:00.000-07:00

Shaffer just had his 2nd birthday! We went to Kangaroo Zoo (a warehouse of bounce houses and blow up slides)- which my kids LOVE LOVE LOVE. They especially loved it this time because Josh was there to rough house, chase, and help them (I am getting increasingly slower, bigger and less fun as each day of pregnancy goes on).

This smile lasted the whole 2 hours we were there.

Most of the time when we pull out the camera now Shaffer will say "Cheeeeeese!" and smile (but not look at the camera).

We opened presents and had cake and ice cream with Nana, grandpa, aunts, uncles and cousins from the Rohat side, and Uncle Travy from my side. We had a really fun time and Shaffer loved his M&M cake. He did a good job blowing out the candles too.

This wasn't from his birthday but I had to include it here because I think it depicts Shaffer's personality. When he isn't running a million miles an hour he is actually quite the love/cuddle bug. He had a particularly rough night a few weeks ago and ended up sleeping with us. He cuddled like this with me while I read for about a good hour or so. It was so fun having him snuggle with me that I didn't even care that he was awake or not in his own bed (which I'm normally somewhat of a stickler about).

Some things about Shaffer at 2 years:

-He is starting to talk a lot more lately. He knows a lot of words and is starting to put them all together to make sentences.

-He LOVES books! We could read for hours a day....and often do.

-He LOVES anything with a ball. Basketball is his favorite sport/activity lately. He does this for hours a day.

-He loves to be outside. We can't stay in the house too long or else he gets cranky.

-He loves to be held. He is somewhat of an emotional little boy and it's often the extremes- running around crazy or wanting to be held 24/7.

-He loves animals and loves making animal sounds. Cows are his favorite to imitate.

-He is very stubborn and strong-willed. When he gets something in his mind he has a REALLY hard time letting it go until it is done.

He is a really good little boy! We love Shaffer and can't imagine our family without him. Logan would go crazy without his brother around.

God's Love!

2011-10-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but God's love is something that I OFTEN overlook. It's not that I don't want it or don't work at doing what's right so that I can feel it, but for some reason or another it isn't a strength of mine to be able to look at something and say "This is proof that God loves me!". I know deep down that He does love me and that I have proof of that all around me, but again, for some reason or another that is something that I am not sensitive to and that I struggle with.

...And then I realized this is my proof:

These little boys (and baby girl) are proof of God's love for me!

(*I do need to add that I was reading a friends blog and she had said that her kids were "Proof of God's love". It was actually her blog post that hit me like a ton of bricks and made me want to post this.So I certainly cannot take credit for this epiphany, but wanted to add it this way instead of in the middle of the post.)

**I also want to add that just because some people don't have kids doesn't mean that God doesn't love them. My point here is just that some times it's in the "simple", every-day things that we get so accustomed to looking at or being around that we forget that God's love is surrounding us. It takes opening our eyes to recognize that what's right in front us is proof that God is aware and loves us.

Shaffer

2011-09-23T15:05:00.001-07:00

Here's a quick update on my nearly 2 year old, Shaffer!

-He (like his brother) has mucho energy. He still naps, but other than that he is on the go from the time he wakes up until the time he goes to bed.

-He loves to be outside. If we could play outside most of the day he would be happy as a clam. His favorite thing right now is to "shoo" the basketball.

-This boy LOVES books. I could sit and read to him book after book, hour after hour and he would be happy as could be. When I start to finish a book he will start to fidget to make sure that I have another one ready, and if I don't have one he is off and running to get one.

-He loves naptime and is a really good napper. He will sleep for 2-3 hours. And I'm not sure how much of that he's sleeping and how much of that he is awake playing quietly and happily by himself.

-He is a pretty emotional little boy. While he can be tough as nails when it comes to falling down or things like that, he is very emotional. We have several melt downs each day.

-He LOVES to be held. If I could hold him 60% of the day he would be happy. If I could hold him 100% of the day WHILE letting him play with his toys he would be REALLY, REALLY happy.

-He and Logan are best buds. They are always coming after each other to get the other one to come along and play.

-He recently stopped using a pacifier (and the fact that the earth didn't crumble in a million pieces a miracle).

-He is OBSESSED with his brown blanket. He carries it around nearly all day. It brings him more comfort than I can. He would take it everywhere if we let him...and which is often the source of many tears.

-He loves Backyardigans and asks for shows several times throughout the day (just like Logan did/does).

-He is starting to talk more...although still not tons. He says: Up high!, mama, daddy, a-goo (=drink. Not sure why!?), more, all done, show, book, shoot, juice, blanket=bankie, pacifier= bink, etc.....He says a lot of one word things, but not any sentences and hardly even two words put together.

-He LOVES animals. Pretty much any animal that is somewhat calm he oogles over.

-*He is super cuddly lately. He will wrap his arms around my neck and rest his head on my shoulder and lay there for quite some time...and not just at nap or bed time. He will randomly do it and stay there for several minutes! It is pure bliss!

Shaffer is one adorable little boy. He absolutely melts my heart and brings us so much joy and happiness. He is a very good teacher and is showing me how to be more patient and put down whatever I am doing in order to meet his needs and give him the attention he needs. He reminds me how selfish and wrapped up in my own world I can be. Thankfully he is kind and patient and loves me despite my faults.

He is a good little brother to Logan (who lights up every time Shay walks in the room), and I am absolutely convinced that they had things planned out perfectly in heaven because they did NOT want to be apart any longer than humanly possible. We love our little man.

Logan

2011-09-23T14:29:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick update on Logan. He is almost 3 and a handful of fun.

-He has a lot of energy (we frequently get told that our kids are very active). From sun up to sun down this kid is on the move.

-He is OBSESSED with Kangaroo Zoo and "Crashing balls" (black light mini golf at Trafalga). He asks Josh and I several times a day if we can go to either of those places and he does it with the most enthusiasm he could possibly muster. He will jump up and fall down and run from one couch to the other doing tricks like he would if he were at Kangaroo Zoo. =) It's actually really funny and really cute.

-He no longer takes naps and isn't happy in his room for more than an hour. I'm still working on a solution for this one (bc I really want my time).

-He is the most thoughtful kid I know. He is constantly looking out for Shaffer- making sure that Shay also has a toy or that he has a snack and that he's happy.

-He loves to throw anything, ie: rocks and dirt

-He is going through a hitting phase and throws HUGE fits

-He asks me fifty times (I mean LITERALLY) a day, "Mommy, I go with you?". He is very concerned that he goes wherever I go...even though when I do leave he has zero problem with it.

-He loves to read

-He loves monsters and dinosaurs. Everything is about dinosaurs and monsters right now!!

-He isn't even close to being potty trained. Every time I change his diaper he says, "I don't go sit on the potty, mommy. I don't want to. I don't have to. NO... SILLY!" (something like that). He doesn't care if he's wet or dry and doesn't hold it at night...therefore, I am leaving it and praying he will be ready by the time baby girl comes.

-He is developing an attitude and if he doesn't want to do something he really fights for it. (Another learning process for me. New phase. Tested patience. LOTS of prayers. Lots of books on the shelf to be read.)

-(Despite what I just said...) He is a really sweet little boy. He gives lots of hugs and kisses and says "I love you" a lot now.

We are grateful for little Logan who lights up our lives. I am grateful for the lessons that he teaches me on joy, love, and patience; and how he reminds me of my dependency upon the Lord. I couldn't do this without the Ultimate Parent (God), and Josh (who I am equally as dependent upon).

"Enrichment" ideas

2011-09-20T14:40:00.000-07:00

Does anyone have any really good Relief Society (used to be called "Enrichment") activity ideas? I am in need of some really good (yet simple, if possible) activities.

Are there any that you went to that you loved and would want to see done again?

Are there any that you have in that amazing brain of yours that are just waiting to be told?

I am one of the least creative people on earth. I can copy really well, but can't come up with a clever idea to save my life.

Please bestow your wisdom and creativity upon me! =)

Baby #3 is....

2011-09-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

Baby Rohat #3 is....

We went in on Wednesday to do an early ultrasound to check the gender of the baby (17 weeks).

Unlike my boys this little girl was curled up in a tight ball and it took the better part of 5 minutes before the ultrasound tech said, "Well...I was hoping for a better picture to show you....bbbbuuuuttt....it's DEFINITELY a girl!" She was very sleepy and wouldn't move for anything. (Still need to figure out a way to scan my ultrasound pics on here.)

As you can imagine we are beyond excited (which I would have been even if it had been a boy). It's just nice to finally know what gender your baby is.

I immediately went out and bought a few girly things. We are now on the hunt for baby girl names (although there is one that we've had in mind for a while that is at the tip top of our list). It's weird to not look at baby boy names. I keep seeing cute boy names and thinking "That one might work..." and then I quickly realize that I am not in the market for boy names.

I have another ultrasound at 20 weeks to make sure that everything looks good, so hopefully that ultrasound will confirm that it truly is a baby girl.

In the meantime I am losing lots of sleep dreaming about what she'll look like, what name to use, what clothes to buy, how to decorate her room (when we have space for her to have a room), and many, many more things...

Motherhood & Prayer

2011-08-16T11:48:00.000-07:00

I just had to write a quick post about something that has been on my mind. It's something I have been working on, praying hard about, and then been blessed with lately.....

Finding joy in motherhood!

Man alive do I love my kids, but they are SO much work. Unfortunately I hadn't been enjoying motherhood as much as I had in the past. Everything seemed so monotonous, so hard, so frustrating. To be honest, I was feeling a bit like the life was zapped out of me and all the "tasks" and frustrations stared me straight in the face.

And then I started to pray about it. I remembered Sister Chieko Okazaki's words about how the Lord wants to know the details of our lives (from her book "Lighten Up"). Sometimes I forget that. I pray over the same "big" things, but then forget about the fine details that make up my day.

I started telling Heavenly Father that I wasn't enjoying being a mom as much, how I felt cranky all the time, and how I seriously couldn't stand being in my house, doing the same EXACT things every single day. It just seemed like everything my kids were doing was actually meant to somehow make things more difficult for me. I asked for help to enjoy motherhood more, to have unconditional love for my kids, and to see them as He sees them (that's the biggest one of them all).

And you know what? A miracle happened. I started watching my boys as they ate their breakfast and thought it was the most adorable thing how Shaffer ate his cereal. It gets all over the place, but he tries SO hard to get all those Cheerios in his mouth. The way he smacks his lips when he chews is to-die-for adorable.

I started noticing how funny Logan is. He says some seriously funny things and has the sweetest smile. He and Shaffer both make theeee cutest expressions, a lot of which absolutely crack me up.

It's amazing what happens when your perspective of things broadens. Instead of being so "woe is me", I have come to realize how normal my kids are and how they never intend to do things just to frustrate me. They are always trying to please, it's just that they make mistakes.

The moral of this is that I LOVE my kids. True, genuine love. And I LOVE being a mom. It is insanely hard and often pushes me to my wits end, but nonetheless, I am totally and completely in love and grateful for my kids (& Josh!!). I am equally as grateful for Heavenly Father for helping me to see things more clearly.

I am grateful to be able to spend every day with them and to see how they grow and progress. I just need to keep praying for Christ's help and perspective.

(If you're looking for a GREAT parenting book read "5 Spiritual Solutions for Everyday Parenting Challenges" by Richard and Linda Eyre. They are LDS and they are downright amazing. I am still in the middle of reading this book and am working to finish up another book before I jump back into it, but wow is it ever amazing!)

Pregnancy Update

2011-08-10T13:58:00.000-07:00

At 12 (nearly 13)weeks:

-My nausea is dying down although not completely gone

-I am not as tired as before, but notice that activities make me tired faster

-I want to eat everything. Everything tastes so good to me. This is different than my last two babies. The entire pregnancy everything tasted either bad or just okay, but this time I find myself going crazy over things like toast and eggs, cheese hot dogs (I could literally eat 6 of these in one sitting...they are SOOOO delectable...which I know is really bad and really gross but it's how I feel), chocolate, peaches, etc....I have a hard time stopping myself from eating too much. I just don't feel full. I nearly ate a WHOLE Cafe Rio burrito today. I actually could have eaten it easily had I not FORCED myself to stop....and then I went home and ate some cookies. Great, I know. This new love for food is both a curse and a blessing. I am grateful to be able to eat food and for it to sound good...but maybe not SO much.

-My stomach is already starting to look like I have a pooch. This is normal for me, and I think it's right around the same as with the other two. However, because I have been eating so darn much I am struggling to feel happy about it and therefore need to work on having more confidence AND more self control.

-I easily forget that I am pregnant. Even with the nausea as a constant reminder I have developed a new sense of normalcy and therefore forget that I have a growing baby inside of me (..and that I shouldn't eat things like hot dogs and cookies).

* I am still debating on whether or not to find out what we are having early. Knowing me I will say 20 weeks and then when it comes down to it I will schedule it for 17 weeks, because if I can know why not? I am so extremely impatient.

Long overdue summer pics

2011-08-10T13:34:00.000-07:00

We went to St. George (back in June/July) with my family and had a B-last! We swam several times every day, ate WAY too much good food, talked, played games, hiked Angels Landing and The Narrows, watched movies, went to plays, visited with extended family, ate and swam some more. It was pure bliss.

(What you don't see in this picture of Jessi with Shaffer was that his weight entirely sunk the both of them. We dropped the camera and all came running to rescue Jessi from drowning with Shaffer. Haha... It's only funny because everyone lived...)

Shaffer is my dare devil. In fact, it's scary how little things scare him. Heights, busy roads, water (etc...) don't scare him in the least. We all got a work out from throwing this kid up in the air (and from chasing him around making sure he wasn't jumping in the deep end...)

Logan, on the other hand, is my mild child. He is scared of anything and everything. He ONLY sat in the hot tub (which was pool temperature). He was scared of the "big pool". His favorite phrase on that trip was "Scary ladybug". He once saw a dragon fly that came too close to his face and ever since then he has an EXTREME phobia of any and all things (regardless of size) that even resemble a bug.

He is scared of all heights, roads (ehhh...sorta), water, etc....He is polar opposite from Shaffer in this regard.

Josh and Travis had endless fun diving together and seeing what types of tricks they could do. Such as....this picture below. Why not take the picnic table and prop it right in front of the pool and see if you can jump over it? And of course if you make it, then why not add a person on top of it? If you make that, then why not add a ball in there because we all know that footballs make everything cooler. They spent hours at this. HOURS! =)

We have MANY more pictures of our St. George trip but they all were on my parents camera and so therefore I personally don't have them. One day I will get them and put the other pics up of our family members and our AMAZING hiking experiences.

Logan found my sticker collection (that I keep to use in their journals) and had a blast decorating his arm full of them. Most of the time in church we keep him occupied by putting Cars stickers all over his face, hands, arms, legs....He will take them off and do it all over again. It's a great little game.

Most of the time my boys can't even wait for me to put on their swim clothes before they jump in the little pool...so that was after Shaffer's diaper had fallen off because it was so heavy with water. And...yes...that is what you think it is!

We got a small pool for the boys (that we've used five times because it gets so dirty so fast and it's hard to clean that it is not tucked away it the garage...bad mom...I know).

We have had construction going on across the street all summer long, and this was Shaffer getting cozy watching the big trucks.

We have had a lot of rain this summer (at least it feels like it). I have LOVED having sunny days and then some stormy evenings to watch the rain and the thunderstorms. The boys have had a blast splashing in puddles. What you don't see in this picture is that by the time they were done they were soaked from head to toe.

We finally cut Shaffer's hair (this was after St. George and the 4th of July pics) and I have to say it looks MUCH better. I thought I loved his long blonde hair, but as it turns out it looks better shorter. This was my attempt at catching a picture of him lookin' all nice with his new hair cut....

Logan asks me for a donut thirteen times a day. We were looking at a friends blog a few weeks back and they were eating donuts, and ever since then he begs every day for a donut. His eyes get all big and he says, "Go to daddy's work...and then GET A DONUT?". Some times we do and some times we don't.

My mom was able to join us for the 4th, while we went to Josh's parents house for a BBQ, games and fireworks.

Logan was scared at first but ended up having a blast. He STILL talks about fireworks and going to Nana's house to watch them.

Josh's parents did a bunch of games for the 4th of July. All the kids (and even the adults) had a blast doing these games. All of the kids were able to pick a toy after each game (SPOILED!).

Baby baby

2011-07-20T18:48:00.000-07:00

We get to have one of these again:

....and we are pretty dang excited about it (...to say the least)!

Baby #3 is due February 17th, 2012. We had our first doctor appointment today and were able to hear the baby's heartbeat! (Insert heavenly sighs here!) They didn't do an ultrasound which I was completely and utterly bummed about, and turns out they won't until 20 weeks...which tries my patience on about every level. I was really hoping to SEE my baby (...and to be sure we aren't having twins because I've had visions of us losing our minds with twin babies.) I will try to be really good and patient for 10 more weeks until we get to SEE baby boy or girl.

(Advice Q: They do elective ultrasounds for a small fee starting as early as 16 weeks to tell the gender of the baby. I praised heaven (literally...not sacrilegiously) when I saw that today...my only question is: Is 16 weeks too early to tell? We found out with Logan at 17 weeks but he was a boy so I know that can be more obvious. What if it's a girl...is it still that obvious or no? To wait or to jump on the chance the very first second I possibly can?)

I am (nearly) 10 weeks along and can hardly wait to be out of the first trimester. I am ready to not be sick and nauseous every waking moment, and to finally have some energy again. I lack serious amounts of that stuff these days. The only good thing about being nauseous all the time is that I absolutely can't stand sweets. SHOCKING, I know! I really wish that I hated sweets all the time...I'd have some serious good self-esteem. (It's amazing what not gorging on junk food al day does to your body image...Hmmm...go figure.)

Shaffer and the baby will be nearly 2 1/2 years apart. I am a bit nervous about having 3 kids 3 1/2 and under, but on the other hand we know close and we know insanity, so why not bring on some more?

The count down begins...

Trip to Logan

2011-06-21T13:02:00.001-07:00

Nearly a month ago we went to Logan, UT with my parents for my cousin's wedding. As always we had a blast soaking up as much time with my parents as possible. Jessi and Rich came down from Rexburg and joined us too.

If there is a puddle, mud, rocks, water, dirt (etc...) my boys will find it and dive right in.

Shay and daddy! So sweet.

Logan LOVES his Papa. Ever since leaving them he has been begging to see "Papa 'n' Mumsie". Not to mention they have a cool ipad that L was pretty happy about. He loves my itouch (calls it "my touch"), so having an ipad was a fun treat.

We went on a really great hike up Logan Canyon. It was just shy of 4 miles round trip. We decided to take the kids with us and see how far we could get before they broke down and we had to turn around, but to our surprise they did great. Shaffer rode on my shoulders nearly the entire way, and Logan was passed back and forth between people and they did great. Shaffer would randomly start laughing hysterically because he was having so much fun. I LOVE hiking, so to have them do so well was a big treat. We are going to St. George next week and are planning on doing some big/fun/intense hikes that I can't wait for.

The group!

My cute hubby!

My little stud brother, Travis.

Auntie Jessi (who is 20 weeks preggo here) holding both my boys, and then me and mom (Mumsie).

Shaffer bailing off dad's shoulders (he is in a big "Mama Only" phase right now).

Jessi & Rich!

My beautiful mother.

My cousin's Siera & Lauren - at Trevor and Lindsay's wedding reception. Aren't they gorgeous? Isn't this camera amazing?

Logan playing in the ONLY puddle in the whole parking lot right before the wedding reception. =)

My poor kids were wiped out at the end of the day. They didn't have a place to nap, so they we pushed and pushed all day long and by the end they were completely shot. This was also right in the middle of our move, so they had been ignored while I was trying to hurry and pack and clean everything.

2011-06-13T19:29:00.000-07:00

We finally have the internet again! Hallelujah! We were without for a few weeks while we moved and looked for a new internet provider.

To make a long story short: we found a new place (to rent)! It's a cute little house just south of BYU, and it has a nice big backyard for the boys to play in. We all love it here and can feel a big difference. There are lots of windows, which = more sunlight, which = happy mommy, which = happy children and husband! It's great.

Josh's mom and I took the boys to the zoo this past week and they loved it. Logan LOVED the dinosaurs that they have all around the zoo, and Shay LOVED the animals. It was a perfect fit.

Josh's mom with my kids. Zoom in on that one...you'll see how happy they were about getting their picture taken! Shay had pretty much lost it by this point...it was naptime.

Us at the bird show....keeping L entertained with the itouch (thank you, Nana) and here you see Shay losing it...again! When the show started they were both happy as could be- they LOVED seeing the birds and having them swoop down over our heads.

I love these faces.

This picture is mainly to show how stinkin' big my BABY is getting. He will be 20 months on the 18th, and I am NOT okay with this. Shaffer is really growing up. He is starting to talk a fair amount now and is always on the move. He is a big mama's boy, and is very generous with hugs and kisses. He isn't as content as I wish he could be, but looking back on his life that's how he has always been. That's something that I want to work on and figure out what I can do to help him be happier more of the day. Don't get me wrong, he is a happy little boy, but the smallest thing upsets him and sends him for a melt down. It's something I want to look in to more.

Logan is so much fun. He is talking a million miles an hour now, and continues to crack me up. He is in the "Mommy? Mama! Mom? Mommy! Mom! Mom! Mom!" phase...no matter how I respond to his request he still calls my name non-stop. There are times where it is frustrating, but overall I am actually enjoying it. I think it is really sweet!

Shaffer on the fly! He and Logan love to be outside. They are such boys- give them sticks, dirt, balls, cars or a field to run in and they are happy little clams.

Look at how he is holding his hands--it melts my heart. Perhaps I shouldn't get so lovey about something like that but it just about knocks me over I think it's so cute.

This stretch of pictures is during our move! The boys were really good troopers, but it still took a toll on them. I had to post these pictures to show you how big these boys are getting. As always, they are BFF's, and do everything together. They share all the same clothes now (anywhere between 2T-4T...although they do fit Shay just a little bit bigger than L).

This picture was taken first thing in the morning when they used to run out and "touch the hot" (which means sitting on the heating vent).

We are very excited for summer time! We got passes to Seven Peaks water park and have already gone a few times. The boys love the water, and especially the water slides. Bring on the sunshine!

More updates...

2011-05-20T13:40:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick run down of what we've been up to lately!

I bought the "INSANITY" work out. It tried a few days of it and quickly realized that it's such a hard work out that I would get burned out if I tried to do it every single day. So now I am happy and content doing a mix of Insanity, P90X, and running. I like it much better this way. I still get a really good work out but I don't have to do the same thing every day. Me likey.

My mom and sister came to Provo for Women's Conference at the end of April. Josh's mom kindly watched my boys while I went and was spiritually fed, and had some serious fun girl time!

We snuck up and got front row seats for one of the talks and afterwards got to meet Sister Barbara Thompson. She was very sweet and it was really fun listening to her speak.

We bought a dog. Ta da!! Josh and I aren't impulse buyers but this was a total impulse move. We thought about it one night, and bought her the next. She is an 18 month of Beagle, and is adorable. Unfortunately our apartment complex won't let us have her, so we put in our 30 day notice and have been looking for a new place to live.

The story doesn't end there....after a short while we quickly realized that finding apartments that allow animals in practically impossible (and I don't blame them), and I quickly realized that I can't handle 2 incredibly active boys and a dog....so...long story short, we no longer have our dog. It's a sad story really.

Moral of the story....no more impulse buys...unless it's an Ipad 2 and your name is Josh and you really want to make your wife happy!

We always make time for cuddling!!!

My boys LOVE to be outside (like most kids). When Josh is done with school in a year I really want to move somewhere where the weather is nice, so that my kids can spend the majority of the months playing outside. We all notice a big difference when we can be outside in the fresh air.

Love this action shot of Shay...it sums up everything you need to know about him...and Logan.

We celebrated my 26th birthday with Josh's family on the 4th. I will say that I still feel young but then again compared to the 22 year olds I feel like I am in a whole different stage of life...and that somehow makes me feel old(ish).

It was a great birthday and I may or may not have eaten the whole bowl of cakey deliciousness by myself. Omm nom nom.

I can't resist putting up pictures of my sleeping boys. They melt my heart.

As for other news- my sister, Jessi and brother-in-law, Rich found out they are having a BOY!! I am so excited for them. She is due October 21st. If I needed any more excuse to be baby hungry (like I almost always am) this is a big fat reason. (Don't get your hopes up for baby #3 from us, I just have to say how I feel because...I just do.)

Also, we are still moving even though we no longer have a dog. Someone came and chose our apt. so we have to move. Here's the "fun" part- we have to be out by the 28th of this month and we still have yet to find a place. I have stuff packed yet we don't know when or where we are moving to. Something will turn out though- I am sure!

We just like to keep things interesting around here, so we do things the hard way on purpose. =)

Some o' this and some o' that.

2011-04-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

At least once a month, Shaffer goes through a week period where he has a hard time sleeping. Any time he gets sick or there is a slight change in something he seems to struggle. This month he was sick (chalk that up for the 36th time he's been sick this winter) and he ended up sleeping with us for 3 nights. Normally if I go in and hold him he will calm down and fall right back to sleep, but this time he was distraught. No matter how much I tried he would not calm down, so I caved and let him come into bed with us. And as rough as those 3 nights of sleep were, I just can't help but think he is so adorable. There's something about a sleeping child that melts my heart.

My cutie, Logan! He has been so cute and so fun lately. He is going through a phase where he LOVES pajamas. I'll ask what he wants to wear for the day and he'll run to his drawer and pick out draggy (dragon), tractor, truck, or monster jammies.

Also, every morning when I go in to get him and Shaffer the first thing that Logan does is to run with his blankets to "touch the hot" (the heating vents). If I ask him to sit down to eat his breakfast or ask him to let me change his diaper he tells me emphatically "I want to stay and touch the hot!". He gets quite giddy about it!

He also loves to tell me how everything he eats is "Mmmm...delicious!". It makes me smile every time he says it.

The other day he was getting on the table to grab Josh's itouch and I said, "Logan, don't..." and he piped in "Don't touch ANYTHING!". (Do I really say that enough that he would finish my sentence? Yikes, Jena!)

I love how much he is talking and how adorable he is. We are having some serious fun with this kiddo.

Shaffer scarfing an orange.

Shay & mommy.

My sweet Shaffer! I love his cheeser smiles. When I look at this picture I don't see Shaffer. This is a little boy...not a baby. I am having serious issues with my baby not being a baby anymore. Curse you, Time.

Logan is always trying to get Shaffer to laugh. They are going through a bit of a rough spell because Shaffer likes to pick on Logan (yup, I wrote that right...little bro. picking on big bro.) but as always they are best buds.

Josh and I had been playing with the boys in their bedroom, and then they both took off and all of a sudden got too quiet. Most of the time when it's quiet it means they are stirring up some trouble, but this time we came out to find this precious sight.

As much as I would love to have a little girl, I don't mind the idea of having all boys. As cute and as fun as these two are, I just can't help but imagine what a whole family of boys would be like. I heart being a mom!

Trip to Klamath

2011-04-11T13:24:00.000-07:00

My sister, Jessica, and my cousin Lauren and her little boy, Oaklen, and me and my boys all made the LOOOONNNNNGGGGG drive to Klamath a few weeks ago. Despite the many hours driving, it was well worth the trip. I vow one day to live close to my family because it simply is too painful to be 12 hours apart and to only see them once every 3-4 months.

My dad has a golf cart, so we (mom, dad, Jessi, me and the boys) got to go for a ride and had a great time. Being out on the cart brought back a lot of childhood memories- something about the smell of the air, the crispness of it, and the beautiful scenery. It reminded me of running down the driveway with cold toast, hoping to catch the bus, and being freezing cold but wearing shorts because it was "supposed" to heat up later in the day. Ah, good times!

This is another thing that we did when we were kids....play with each others hair and scratch/tickle backs.

Mumsie with Shay.

Jessi and baby Saige. Can you tell she's a little baby hungry? She needs to have one of her own! (Hint hint...wink wink)

Is she not the cutest little girl? This is my brother, Brad & sis-in-law, Molly's baby girl. She is 3 months old now, and it we FINALLY got to meet her while in KF.

(And just because I have to say it...don't mind my funky face here. I just got back from the dentist and was still numb, so I couldn't smile right...so if I don't look more than enthusiastic to be holding her- that's why. But inside I truly was!)

My boys love books. Shaffer has especially been into reading lately (which I LOVE), so we make sure to hit up his favorite books every day, and Saige got to join in on the fun.

Shaffer & Saige.

We love to go to my parents house because there is so much space. Not only on the inside, but outside for my kids to run around and play. Every time we're there it makes me want to live some place that we can have at least a small amount of land. My boys had entirely too much fun playing in the mud, throwing rocks, running, running, and MORE running, and playing in the dirt. For the most part I love it too, but towards the end of the week and after SEVERAL batches of laundry I considered staying in this cramped apartment for the rest of our lives merely to avoid having to clean my children that many times a day. =)

There are plenty for mud pictures that I will post later (*cough*...when I get them...*cough*).

Shaffer is a mama's boy through and through, but Auntie Jessi did the job just fine. He would got to her just as easily as me.

We were able to see my brother, Ty and his partner, Alan, for a few hours is all. Their spring break was the week before everyone else's, so we caught them just as they were leaving, but for the few hours we did have it was great!

I have to say that I have the most thoughtful, kind, hardworking and genuine brothers alive. I am so grateful for the brothers that I have and for their tender hearts.

I just had to put this one on here!

Shaffer has been very cuddly lately and I LOVE it. This is what he does when he wakes up from naps, and I had to capture it because I want to be able to look back and remember his sweet hugs.

Logan & Shaffer all dressed up for church. I have some seriously good-looking kids (even though I have some seriously bad picture taking skills)!

During fast and testimony meeting in KF, a lady (Amy Seever) got up to bear her testimony and I loved what she said. She said something like this, "I may not always be happy with the monotony of motherhood, or waking up in the middle of the night several times for a crying baby, or changing countless diapers, but I AM HAPPY!" I thought about how true that statement is. I could make a pretty long list of all the things about motherhood that I don't necessarily like or that don't necessarily make me happy, but I AM HAPPY! There's not a thing that could make me happier than my kids (& hubby)!

She also said that she was talking with her dad and semi-jokingly commented to him about how much money he and her mom could have, had they not had 8 kids! Then with all seriousness his immediate response was, "I am the richest man in the world because I have you!".

That hit me really hard! Sometimes I think about all the things that we could have, or the body that I could have if I limited myself to having 2 or 3 or 4 kids, and then I get these sweet reminders that what I want most (and more than a six pack like all the chicks on "Insanity" or money) is kids! Now, that isn't to say that I'm going to have 8 kids...or even 4...but I want my heart and priorities to always be in the right place because that's what counts.

I am grateful for the kids that I do have, and for how great motherhood really is, even though it is really, really, really tough!

More on the boys

2011-03-02T13:40:00.000-08:00

Logan, Shaffer and I were watching home videos this morning from when Shaffer was only 7 weeks old. I cannot believe how they have changed (...and how much it makes me want a baby). Since when did they become toddlers and not babies? It makes me realize how fast time really does fly by, and how I need to hang on to every second I have with them.

Holding both of them at the same time is getting increasingly difficult. Both of my boys LOVE to be held, and (more often than not) they like being held together. Their favorite thing to do is to have me hold them both, and spin in circles (to the song "Prettiest Girls" by Pharrell, or "Animal" by Neon Trees). It's really fun but I can only hack 2 turns of it and then I see stars for 15 minutes.

Logan is quite the little cheeser and I can't get enough. Josh asked him to smile and this is how he posed. Cute. I know! =)

Shaffer is just now starting to like watching shows. He'll only sit for 5-15 minutes (which is okay with me), but they both giggle with excitement when they can sit together under the covers on our bed and watch "Spook-a-dit" (Despicable Me). Logan gets especially excited and yells "Shay! Shay!! Shay, spook-a-dit." and then he jumps on the bed and snuggles in next to Shay.

Shaffer also likes to feed himself now. On one hand it is wonderful not having to sit there and feed him, but on the other hand it is quite messy and he could use a bath 6 times a day.

More of them snuggling. (I tried to get this picture without them noticing but they noticed the flash...darnit!)

Logan is no where near potty training but in efforts to get him thinking about it I purchased some "Cars" underwear. He was deathly afraid of them, so I attempted to put them on Shay so that if Logan saw that Shaffer was wearing them then it would be cool and he could wear them. It worked once (athough, as you can see, Shaffer was not happy about it in the least), but now they sit in a drawer and Logan likes to get them out, look at the pictures, and then throw them high in the air...over and over and over again. =) If I even attempt to put them on, he says, "No! No! Shay?" and then gestures that I put them on to Shaffer instead. Clever little boy....and new-to-the-potty-training-world-mommy!

Aren't they getting huge? I mean really...am I the only one who thinks this? I don't want them to grow up so fast.

Logan's sleeping habits

2011-03-02T13:24:00.000-08:00

These are a few of the random shots I have taken of Logan over the past few weeks. Now, let me explain, Logan is the type of kid who can't fall asleep anywhere but in a bed, but lately he has been falling asleep in the most random positions and places. It shocks me every time.

Logan behind the rocking chair

Yep....that's him tucked behind that chair....can you see?

This was probably the most shocking/hilarious/scary. Thankfully there was nothing to clean up (...if ya know what I mean).

Really? Bent in half over the rocking chair?

Poor kid got a nudge in the back when I opened the door, not expecting him to be right in front of it.

A little of the boys, and a little cheese.

2011-02-15T19:15:00.000-08:00

FINALLY- a post! I know, I know...I haven't blogged in forever (...again). Truth be told I don't really have any excuse other than the fact that I haven't had anything juicy to write about, so instead I haven't done anything.

We have had a serious case of cabin fever for approximately 2 months now. We are all bored stiff at home, but to go anywhere is pure insanity. Whenever we try to do something fun it ends up turning into me chasing after the boys (running in opposite directions...while leaving my purse behind for anyone to snatch), and I get cranky. I love my kids to death, but I will say that they are not what you would call calm.

Logan and Shaffer are both getting so big. Logan is a very active, adorable boy. He is talking a lot now and I LOVE it. He cracks me up, and I definitely have to think twice about what I say, otherwise he'll copy it.

Shaffer is also starting to talk a bit. He tries to copy some things I say but they don't come out clear yet. He does say: mama, dada, kitty, cracker, more, ba ba (bottle). He is also very active. He and Logan run around our house all day long.

I have been busy with the boys (#1), but in my free time I love to read. I am in my 5th book for the year, and I just can't get enough. I read "The Undaunted" by Gerald N. Lund, and I could not put it down. I stayed up until 1 almost every morning, and woke up at 6 to read before the boys got up...until I finished it 6 days later.

I am just about half way through my 2nd round of P90X and still loving it. I go to Josh's parents house to run on their treadmill 2 or 3 times a week (3 is ideal), because I don't feel like the P90X cardio is as good as running.

Josh is busy, busy, busy. He is in his 2nd semester in the MPA program and loving it. He is going to do Hospital Administration, and has just recently started working part-time at the American Fork hospital. The assistant hospital admin. has really reached out to Josh and been a huge help. He is the one who gave him the position and it was all because he wanted to help Josh gain experience (so that later down the line he would have an easier time getting a job). We are very grateful for his kindness and help.

Have I mentioned that they love books? And that they love to pull books (or anything) off the shelves? Even though it makes a mess (and I HATE messes) I'm grateful that they love the world of books. We have a lot of fun discovering and reading new books. Logan discovered his love of monsters, and trucks, and Elmo, and bubbles from books. I do, however, need to find new books because they are losing interest. Any suggestions?

Logan loves to copy Josh. Both he and Shay love to wear Josh's shoes and walk around. I would be more than happy if they grew up to be just like their daddy.

Logan....my child who won't sleep anywhere but his bed, is going through a phase were he sleeps on the floor or rocking chair every day for naps. Sometimes he'll nap, sometimes he won't, but whenever he does nap he sleeps in the funniest places and positions. Just yesterday I found him asleep on the rocking chair with no pants...and no diaper. =) He really likes his quiet/nap time. He has his "Cars" cars, and a few of his favorite books that he thumbs through. He also has some underwear, that I bought in efforts to get him thinking about potty training, that he loves to pull out of his drawer and throw in the air (over and over and over). =) He cracks me up.

My boys really are inseparable. Whenever one of them leaves the room, give it 30 seconds and the other starts on a mad search for his brother. They are stinkin' cute. They have their tiffs here and there, but generally they get along really well. I love them and am so grateful for how happy they make me/our family. It makes me curious to see what our other children will be like (although I'm not thinking too much about it).

I know I have said this before but this past year+ has been a VERY rough one for me. There are times where I simply don't think I can hack it (...and I feel like I am a pretty tough person). HOWEVER, the point I want to get at is that although it has been really hard (and still is) my testimony of the gospel has grown immensely. Not all my prayers have been answered in the way I have wanted/do want them to be, but through it all I know that the Lord is watching over me and guiding our little family.

The past 3 months or so, Josh and I have been waking up before the boys to do our scripture reading (not saying this to boast) and I am so grateful for what a difference it has made. Even though my days aren't as perfect as I would like, I can only imagine how rough they would feel if I didn't get up early and start my day out inviting the Savior to walk beside me.

I need the Savior, and I love Him! I have been amazed at all the little miracles that I have witnessed this past year. Even though He is still having me walk this hard road, He has NOT left me comfortless. He has given me just enough strength or more than enough strength to keep me going. I still have to grit my teeth and bear the hard days, but I do not do it alone. And for the I am eternally grateful.

One of my favorite quotes from "The Undaunted" was, "[I] have every intention to first live by covenant, and then, and only then, by comfort and convenience.". This is my new motto. I, again, am grateful for a loving and merciful Father in Heaven who lets us pass through difficult times so that we can grow. I know that without my trials I would not have received/be receiving the testimony that I now have.

Saige Mackenzie Mortenson

2011-01-07T14:16:00.000-08:00

This is my new, adorable niece, Saige Mackenzie Mortenson. Brad and Molly weren't able to come out for Christmas, but they had a pretty darn good excuse. Molly was due Christmas Eve, but was a little late, so they induced her on December 30th. This cute little girl weighed in at 8 lbs., 10 oz. She was 21 inches tall and is the cutest thing in the world. This really makes me want a little girl.

Part of Christmas Break

2011-01-07T13:50:00.000-08:00

Sometimes (like right now) blogging can be pretty overwhelming. I have so much to catch up on and so little time, so instead of writing a short novel I'm just going to be short and quick and try not to get carried away.

To start things off, we made yummy cookies at home. I may or may not have eaten them all within 2 days.

This has been the face and temperament of my little baby for the past 2 months. Thankfully he is actually healthy right now, but it doesn't seem to last too long before he gets hit again with another illness. =( Poor baby! It's amazing what a difference it makes to feel good and healthy. He is an absolute peach to be around when he feels good.

We got to stay in a hotel in SLC for the first few days of our Christmas break. We had quality time with my parents, my brother Travis and my sister, Jessi and her hubby, Richard!

We went to see a few plays, ate yummy food, swam, ran, watched movies, looked at the Temple Square lights.....It was fantastic!

Papa Lynn splurged and bought Logan this Panda hat, which he would not take off for a full 24 hours. He has this thing for Panda bears, so as you can imagine he was pretty excited about this hat.

We spent 1 1/2 weeks in Logan, UT with my family. It was so nice to be with everyone (minus Brad and Molly because she was due with baby Saige). We did all sorts of fun things- saw more plays, ate more delicious food, watched more movies, went snow boarding (which was awesome!!!), did P90X, played with my boys, went rock wall climbing, made ornaments, made a really cool wreath, ate tons of chocolate, etc...

Christmas day was really fun. Logan and Shaffer are still really young and don't understand the whole present-opening thing, but they were really happy with their new toys! They got spoiled!

Uncle TY! Aren't they so cute? It was so fun to see TY and Alan. Unfortunately they didn't get to stay for very long but we soaked up the time that we did have.

Jessi and Richard oogled over my boys and made my job so easy. I basically had a 2 week break from motherhood. They are naturals at this baby-tending stuff. =)

Mumsie and Logan. Logan is my cuddle bug. He loves to be held and loved on!

Our little P90X group! I can't tell you how nice it was to have other people to do it with. It made it go by really fast for me. Thankfully Josh is doing it with me for my 2nd time around! I can't tell you how much I love this program. I do miss running, but this works for me right now.

My Uncle Eric and Aunt Shiela were there in Logan with us too, which was tons of fun. They have 2 kids- Julia, who is 10, and Tyler, who is 8. My kids LOOOOOVVVEDDD them. Julia is a natural babysitter/mother, so Shaffer was well taken care of by her. Logan was obsessed with Tyler. I'm not kidding when I tell you that I hardly saw my child because he and Tyler were busy playing all day long. He was devastated when Tyler and Julia left. They were so good with my kids. I seriously contemplated kidnapping them and taking them home with me! ;)

All in all it was a great break. I miss my family like crazy and wish that I had their company back here in Orem. I desperately wish my sister and I lived closer. I dream of the day when we will because it isn't a matter of IF, it's a matter of WHEN. I will use force if necessary. =)

My boys...

2011-01-07T13:37:00.000-08:00

I know I need to catch up from Christmas time, but I thought these pictures were far too funny to pass up.

You see, my boys can't stand to be apart. I know now why I had them so close....It was a plot designed by them. They just couldn't stand being apart in heaven, so they went to work and made sure that they would be together ASAP.

These boys love to play together. Thankfully Shaffer is one tough cookie because his brother doesn't cut him any slack.

The other morning Logan was extremely cranky and nothing I did helped, but as soon as Shaffer woke up from his nap Logan was his normal cheery self again. He just needed his brother to make him happy.

Logan always makes sure that Shaffer is taken care of. If Logan has something (food, toy, etc...) he isn't content until he makes sure that Shaffer is happy. He says, "Shay too? Shay too!" until he sees that Shay isn't left without. He'll even give up his toys or food to make sure that Shay is happy. I know...cute, huh?!

These boys are just WAY too cute and way too much fun (when they aren't sick)!

Sick of being sick

2010-12-08T14:12:00.001-08:00

It's been a rough month in the Rohatinsky household. It seems like we keep getting hit with one bug after another and my kids (and Josh and me) cannot stay well. Someone is always sick.

Little Shaffer has had it the worst of us all. He had an ear infection a few weeks ago, and then had to be put on a nebulizer because his breathing was wheezy, then last week he had really high fevers (up to 105.6 degrees), so he has been nothing but fussy and clingy ever since. On his first full day without a fever he broke into a rash all over his face, back and stomach. Turns out he had baby measles. Thankfully his temperature is much improved, but unfortunately his temperament is still fussy and clingy.

As for Logan, he was the one who started us with the fevers and, thankfully, he got better really fast, but then two nights ago he woke up with a croupy sounding cough and sure enough it turns out it is croup. =(

I'm trying to be that patient, loving mother who is always sympathetic and sweet while her children are under the weather but it turns out that role comes less naturally for me than I'd like it to.

To be brutally honest, it is all that I can do to not run away kicking and screaming. Cranky, impatient and easily annoyed are all words that might describe how I have felt recently.

The good news is is that with MUCH self-control I haven't run away yet and I am still here taking care of my sweet babies. Shaffer, who is not normally cuddly, has given me the best hugs ever since he's been sick. I certainly won't complain about getting affection from him...or Logan.

Despite how much these past weeks have tested my patience, it has made me incredibly grateful for medicine, cuddling/nurturing time with my boys, the opportunity that I have to be there for my kids and to help meet their needs, and most of all, for a Savior who hears and answers my prayers and walks with me through thick and thin.

Again, I just want to emphasize one more time how thankful I am for medicine. Tylenol seems like such a silly thing to be grateful for because it's easily accessible and inexpensive and we've had it around for years, but the thought ran through my mind while Shaffer had his fever of 105 that if I didn't have that Tylenol that I could possibly lose my baby. Of course in this day and age there are hospitals and other things that I can rely on, in addition to medicine, but back in the old days many parents lost children to things as simple as high fevers because they didn't have the medicine to help. This experience was a good reminder to me that I am much more blessed than I realize, and that there are so many "simple" things that I take for granted every day.

"Lighten Up"- a good read!

2010-11-18T15:09:00.000-08:00

I cannot begin to tell you how good of a book this is!! Every mother, every woman, even every man should read this. It definitely is directed to women but there are so many principles that apply to everyone.

Maybe I think this is the greatest book simply because it hits my weaknesses on the head. I have always believed in Christ and I have always known that He loves each and every one of us personally but I have come to realize (after a lot of trial and error) that basically what it boils down to is that I know these things...but I only believe they work for other people. I do know that God loves me but, again, when it comes down to it I don't believe in it. Does that make sense?

This book has really opened my eyes to how much I try to do on my own, without letting Christ in.

I don't know how to adequately express how much this book has touched me and how big of a difference it has made in my heart. I now know AND believe that God loves me. And that has made a world of a difference. I really feel Him in my heart...imperfections and all.

I cannot recommend this book enough!

I am so thankful for my Savior and for His love. I have gone a long time without feeling His love simply because I didn't know how to let Him love me. I am thankful for the peace that I have felt over the past few weeks while reading this book. I have started waking up before my boys in order to get my scripture reading done, and that combined with the new knowledge that I have that every promise in the scriptures applies to me has opened up a whole new world for me. I am thankful that Heavenly Father and our Savior, who are perfect beings care about me and my life. I love that washing dishes, cleaning bathrooms, changing diapers, reading books to my kids, exercising- all of that matters to the Lord!

I KNOW that God lives. I believe it. I believe He loves me personally. And that has made all the difference!

(There is a lot about charity, acceptance of other people, diversity, love, friendship, fellowship and more that I also can't get enough of. I have never considered myself a judgmental person, I try really hard to be friendly to everyone and to be accepting but this book has taught me that I have leaps and bounds to go in that department. I am so grateful for this awaking and for the opportunity to go forward and love everyone more and be less critical, and more accepting of our differences.)

Logan's 2nd Birthday!

2010-11-17T12:12:00.001-08:00

Logan's 2nd birthday was on the 6th of this month and boy howdy did we have a good time. I was actually surprised by how much fun we were able to have. Birthdays are hard for little ones because they don't quite grasp the concept of what a birthday is about, but we packed our day full of fun things and it was a big success.

First, we did the traditional fill-the-house-full-of-balloons thing, and then we let him open 1 gift. It was a "Cars" poster and he sat in aww for about 5 minutes and then throughout the day kept running back to it and saying "Shaaa- dow (for Lightening McQueen), Doc, King, Chic!" He was pretty pumped.

Then we had a "special" breakfast (eggs and toast- his absolute favorite!). We mingled and played around the house until after Shaffer woke up from his nap, and then we took them to Kangaroo Zoo. It's this amazing place filled with blow up slides. Logan was really excited when we first got there, and then as soon as he realized that we wanted him to actually go on the slides he freaked out. Some of the slides have huge blown up animals on them and Logan was deathly afraid of them. He actually broke out in a sweat because of how upset he was.

Shaffer on the other hand was thrilled beyond thrilled. He was so excited to go on the slides. Thankfully we hung in there with Logan and once we got him away from the big animals he calmed down. He ended up having a blast and begged over and over and over again for us to take him on the biggest slide. Josh and I took turns going up with Logan and Shaffer and we all ended up having a blast.

Once we were done there we took a short trip to Petsmart and got Logan a "Nemo". It isn't really a clown fish, but they didn't sell them there and he was happy with a goldfish. He likes to sit up on the counter and look down at "Nemo". He likes to kiss the side of the bowl as well- he's just giving some love to his fishy.

After the boys afternoon nap we rushed them off the Pirate Island. Logan has this thing for Pirates (in addition to Cars, Bolt, Nemo, Backyardigans, books), so we wanted to take him there.

Then we went to Josh's parents house and celebrated with the cousins. He was finally able to open his presents and he was really excited about all of them.

He was not at all interested in eating the cake (as you can see), but he loved looking at it and repeating "Nemo! Nemo! Nemo!".

Logan is a really good kid and has been so much fun.

Some things about Logan:

-He weighs 27.5 lbs (50%)

-He is 35" tall (75%)

-He still sucks his thumb

-He loves to watch shows, ie: Nemo

-He is very active and runs everywhere. We once tried an experiment to see if he could walk the length of a hallway and the furthest he got before it turned into a run was 5 steps! (I'm not saying this has anything to do with Josh or his running career or that I even care if Logan ends up a runner...it's just something that most people notice about him and something that we think is cute and funny!)

-He loves to play chase and wrestle

-He loves cars and trucks

-He loves to make a mess

-He's a good eater (lately)

-He LOVES Shaffer and is extremely protective of him. He always makes sure that "Shay" is taken care of

-He now says Mama!! I know that most kids can say mama really early on, but Logan has always refused, so the fact that he actually started calling me mama, instead of dada, was huge!

-He is picking up new words daily. He puts words together to try to make sentences now. His favorite words are: Shay, sippie, cracker, that's hot...no! It's not hot..., juice, mama, dada, Nemo, show, book, pout pout fish (a book he really likes), Bolt, Doc, Mater (etc...), monster..ETC.... you get the picture...he can say a lot!

-He eats best running around and not in his highchair.

-He has a really hard time falling asleep (it can take up to 2 hours)

-He kicks the wall before he falls asleep

There is so much more I could write, but I'll save it for his journal! We really do love Logan and are so grateful for what a good kid he is. We have a lot of fun together and couldn't be happier to have him in our lives. These 2 years have gone by in a flash!

Halloween

2010-11-03T15:24:00.000-07:00

I don't even really know what to say about this post. We didn't do anything cool, which I know makes me the lamest mom ever, but I'm just not creative in that way...yet. It's something I really admire in other people and that I want to be good at, but I had so many other things going on that I just kind of forgot that it even was Halloween. Logan wasn't too excited for the costume part anyways, so until the very last minute we weren't sure he was even going to dress up.

I know that these pictures shouldn't make me laugh....but they do!

Trip to KF

2010-11-03T15:11:00.000-07:00

My cousin, Lauren and I took a trip to Klamath a a few weeks ago. It was just us with 3 little boys and a stinking long drive. Poor Lauren is probably scarred from the experience and will never travel with me again. For some reason my kids won't sleep on trips. They both only slept for 1 1/2 hours during the whole 12 hour drive. I don't know why that is but it's true....and unfortunate.

Despite the horrific drive (to and from) we had a really good time and it was well worth it. My poor mom was sick the whole time, but nonetheless it was really fun to see my family and have a whole week together. That's the biggest thing I miss about living in Oregon is being able to see my family. We got really spoiled while we lived there and were able to see my parents at least once, if not twice a month, and then my brothers and their families a few times every month. Awww....good times!

My dad bought Logan some Lightening McQueen shoes that light up when you walk, and boy howdy does he love them. He is pretty enamored with them and even asks for to put them on even when we weren't going anywhere (shocking!)

Sadly these are the only pictures that I took the whole time we were there.

It was fun to see my "little" brother. Does anyone else feel like your younger siblings should still be 5 years old? Travis is an amazing kid and I really hope that my boys will be as amazing as he is.

Shaffer's 1st Birthday!

2010-11-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

Shaffer had his 1st birthday on the 18th of October! We had a fun day with him and the rest of our family here in Utah.

I can't believe that Shaffer is 1 year old already. It's amazing how fast the time flies when you aren't pregnant. When you're pregnant it seems like the months creep on by, but when you are busy nurturing, loving, admiring, and adoring your sweet little baby the months and years go by faster than a hiccup.

Shaffer is a really good little boy. He has added so much goodness to our family. He and Logan are such good buddies and I think they were meant to be close because they live for each other.

At Shaffer's 1 year he:

-is very ticklish

-loves to play chase

-loves to wrestle (especially with Logan)

-loves his blanket

-loves to be outside

-can walk very well and is trying to start running

-refuses baby food

-drinks whole milk

-loves to play peekaboo

-says mama, dada, and tries to copy some other words

-is very smiley

-has 4 teeth all the way in, and 3 more on the way

-weighed 22 lbs. 11 oz. (50%)

-was 31" tall (85%)

He was not interested in eating the cake or ice cream. By this time it was nearly 2 hours past his bedtime and so he was ready for a nice bottle of warm milk, his blanket and his bed.

Shay was actually semi-interested in his gifts.

Josh made Shaffer's birthday cake this year. It's always somewhat of a joke because Josh isn't patient enough to cook top ramen, let alone do anything else that requires some serious time, and effort. He is fiercely competitive though, so when the whole family starts questioning if he really can make a good birthday cake he not only makes the standard cake, he goes the extra mile and does something pretty fancy! Josh is just that way- no matter what it is he is amazing at it. It doesn't matter if it's his 1st time at something, he always seems to blow people out of the water. I'm a tad bit jealous! =)

We love you, Shaffer (/Shay/Shaf)!!!

Working Out Q's

2010-11-02T13:41:00.000-07:00

(I tried to get a picture of someone working out off of google images but when I put in "working out" all that came up was skanky pictures and I didn't think that would be very appropriate.) =D

You might seriously regret ever giving me good advice because now I can't stop!

I want to know what you mothers do for working out. I have always been consistent with working out 4-6 days a week, doing lots of different things- running, elliptical, weights, classes, and now P90X, but at this stage in my life it is so stressful to do anything.

I went to a gym for years and put my kids in the daycare, which worked great because then I still had a little bit of personal time during their naps and at night with Josh but that meant that I had less time with them which I didn't like. So I started the P90X program a few months ago, and now I no longer have a babysitter and have to do it while they nap or at night. I like it better because I have more time for my kids and they are happier because we get more quality time, but now I have zero personal time and feel overwhelmed by both my kids needs and working out, and on top of that I have to try to find time for cleaning, scripture study, etc....

I love working out and I feel like I need to. It's been something I have worked really hard at for years now and I don't want to have all of my hard work and good habits go to waste. I also really don't want to get out of shape, but how in the world do you do it all? How can you possibly be the best mom, teach them everything they need to know, spend quality time with your family, stay in perfect shape, eat healthy, have personal time, read good books, keep up spiritually, serve others, have a clean house....etc....the list could go on and on and on. I want all of these things but I am only 1 woman.

How do you do it?

Jessi & Richard come to visit

2010-10-11T12:50:00.000-07:00

My sister Jessi and her hubby, Richard came from Rexburg to come and stay with us over the weekend. It was so good to see them, and both of my kids had fun showing off for them.

Josh & Richard went to the BYU football game, so Jessi and I took the boys to this park in Pleasant Grove while they were gone.

Logan LOVES the swings, he could sit in them all day if it was up to him. However, he has this beef with swinging without Shaffer, and unfortunately Shaffer only likes the swing for 5 minutes. He doesn't like to swing unless "Shay! Shay!" (as he calls him) is in the swing right next to his. Logan doesn't want out of the swing, so if I try that he throws a fit, but he isn't content sitting in the swing either, so it's a lose lose unless "Shay" is by his side.

How cute is that face?

Thanks!

2010-10-11T12:38:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who gave me such great advice on activities for my kids. It has been extremely helpful and I finally got all of my thoughts and the ideas organized and put in one place, so that I have go-to items, as well as planned activities for each week.

I have to say that for some reason Logan hasn't been any better since I have started doing things. I tried doing some painting with him and he cried the whole time. We have tried a few of the other activities as well but frankly all this kid wants to do is run and read. He doesn't like to have me play with him. I have tried playing cars, dinosaurs, etc...but he just doesn't want to sit still or copy me. I know I need to give it (a lot) more time, and I certainly will, I was just hoping for some immediate results.

That sounds a bit contradictory to what I said about being "extremely helpful", but I do have to say that even though we haven't had success in all things yet (of course) I know that it will be helpful and I at least have peace of mind that I am doing my best and giving him opportunities to learn and grow.

For those of you who might have had kids go through this or whose kids are going through this right now, I was wondering, do all kids pass through a phase where they are cranky, irritated, whiny, and blatantly disobedient? Logan is a good kid, don't get me wrong, but he has been abnormally whiny and irritable for the past week or so. What do you do? Other than teething, is it just the "terrible two's", or is it that we are in a new, smaller place? All of the above?

*Does anyone want a list of all the activities that I received and that I had from other things?

WANTED: Advice

2010-09-29T19:10:00.001-07:00

For the past little while I have had a few constant things run through my mind and because I am new to this mothering business I thought I would take it to the blog and ask other mothers and wives.

First off- what do you do with your kids all day? I feel like lately I have drawn a blank with what to do with my kids. Perhaps it's because I am in a new place and haven't figured out the best parks, library activities and other local activities but more than just those things I want to know what other mothers do with their kids all day. How much of that time do you spend playing with and teaching them vs. getting other things done?

I need some good age appropriate ideas for things I can do with them because I love to play with my kids it's just that I feel like I run out of ideas (and energy) after a while and then we are all bored.

Secondly- how do you keep from counting down the hours until your husband gets home? I severely miss Josh all day long. I know I have gotten spoiled over the past few years because his running schedule was pretty relaxed and he was home a good part of the day, but now that he is gone from 7am-5:15 pm every single day it has me wondering how other wives handle it. I HATE the mornings because I know that with every single one I will get that sick feeling inside of me when Josh says good-bye and I know that I have 10 more hours until he gets home. If you have the same feelings what do you do about them?

If you stuck through this boring post with no pictures, thank you!

Since when...?

2010-09-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

Since when did this guy get so big? I know I say it just about every single post, but really since when did our babies start growing up so stinkin' fast?

We just bought Shaffer a big boy carseat last night. He gets to start using it in 3 weeks and as I was cleaning out his baby carseat today it was a weird feeling that I will actually have to store it away soon. I didn't ever have to store Logan's away because Shaffer was here and occupying it.

Sorry but I just can't get over how big (and amazingly adorable) my blondie is.

A short novel and a few pictures...

2010-09-15T18:53:00.000-07:00

In addition to giving my mom some pictures to look at and for you to see what we've been up to I wanted to blog about something that I have been thinking about a lot...and no it isn't anything political! Bear with me it's a little long...

I have been thinking a lot about "being aware". Let me explain. I think I am a good mom. I love my kids, I play with them, I show them love and affection, I give them my time and attention, and I meet all of their needs- I feed them, bathe them, change them, etc...you get the picture. But then there are those moments when having kids isn't so glamorous and isn't as peachy and "happily ever after" and that is the time where I find that I am not acting like the person I know I am and that I can be. So for the past few days I have tried really hard to slow down and to be aware of how I react to those tough motherhood moments. Instead of getting grumpy when Shaffer goes after X for the twelve-hundredth time I make myself become aware of how I feel and how I am going to react, and so instead of just REACTing to a certain emotion and frustrating situation I choose to ACT and handle the situation in a much more patient and loving manner. And the main reason to do this is because it make me love my kids that much more. It helps me to enjoy the hard stuff in life.

Enjoying the hard stuff is another point that I really am trying to work on and that I want my kids to learn as well. Work hard. Sacrifice. Embrace the challenges of life. Don't let the hard times make you weak (or make you feel weak).

I/we have had a stressful few months with all the decisions we have had to make- going back to school, selling our house, not being able to sell our house, renting our house, losing lots of money on our stupid house, a big move, etc....and frankly I have felt pretty darn weak because of those challenges. Did you know that stress can physically affect you? I literally couldn't run 2 miles without getting shaky and weak. Not normal. ANYWAYS...the point that I am leading up to is that because of all of these challenges and all this hard stuff (which is now mostly relieved) I have learned A LOT. Most of what I am now putting together is about this very topic- digging deep and enjoying the hard stuff and that nothing material really matters. The only thing that does matter is what we have spiritually.

I am not a perfect person but I am trying. I feel like everything that I have gone through has been so that I will dig my spiritual roots deeper. I love the gospel and I know that it is true! Despite that fact that hardly any of my prayers have been answered in the way that I wanted them to be (and feeling like they weren't answered at all for a long time), I can say with absolute certainty that I know God hears and answers our prayers. I am still in the thick of things and I don't know how most of our future will turn out but right now I am grateful to be hanging on, pushing myself to enjoy the hard stuff, digging deep spiritually, growing as a mother, learning about charity, and patience patience and more patience.

And so...as much as I hate to say it because it has pretty much worked me these past few months, I am deeply, truly, profoundly grateful for the hard stuff!

A little of Logan

2010-09-15T18:36:00.001-07:00

Logan is nearly 2 years old now. I feel like he should still be my little newborn, but he reminds me daily that he is definitely a growing toddler. I love this little guy. He has a lot of personality and sometimes seems a bit bipolar (not literally but you know how 2 year olds are). Here are some fun things about L (some of this won't be new)-

-He LOVES the Backyardigans and Bolt.

-He loves to run

-He loves books

-He loves to be outside so he can run and throw rocks and dirt

-He loves his brother and asks for "Shay! Shay!" whenever he isn't around

-He loves to share his food with Shaffer

-He refuses to say mom or mama. He can say it, he just won't! I can't even bribe him to say it. M&M's and Backyardigans are his two favorite things and he won't say mama for either of those things. I know....it totally stinks!

-Running...running...and more running

-He just learned how to say "applesauce", "awesome!", "I want this", "outside". (He has been a slow talker but seems to be adding new words daily right now.)

-He gives really good hugs and kisses

Having two kids that are less than a year apart is really hard in a lot of ways, but sometimes I wonder if it really would be any different/easier if they were further apart in age....either way it is hectic and crazy most of the time, but probably hard in a lot of the same ways. I'm not sure though. My point is that although I nearly had a panic attack every single day of my pregnancy with Shaffer it really has turned out to be a huge blessing. These little guys love each other and are already protective of one another. I hope that they will stay this way forever. Right now they love being together and they will often make each other crack up laughing and it puts me in stitches just hearing them. Being a mom really is the best job in the world (or maybe it's just that my kids are especially awesome)!

A little of Shaffer

2010-09-15T18:23:00.000-07:00

This little man is nearly 11 months old. Did you catch that? 11 stinkin' months! He is an absolute hoot. Here are some fun things about my cutie patootie:

-He loves his big brother soooooo much!

-He is cheerful 90% of the time

-He loves to be tickled

-He keeps his mouth open (like you see in all of these pictures) 98% of the time

-He likes to go up/touch/get in to everything that he shouldn't... such as... the stairs, the cats, the kitty water, precious figurines, other fragile home decor, wii remotes, real remotes, etc...

-He just barely took his first steps but has only done it twice since!

-He has the sweetest smile that makes my heart totally melt

-He loves to be held or played with

-He is a mama's boy

I love this little guy. He is such a good baby/soon-to-be toddler.

All moved in...for now...

2010-09-06T07:03:00.000-07:00

In the past month we:

-Made 1 trip to Utah for my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary/Warnick family reunion.

-Made another long trip back to Oregon

-Packed and cleaned our house in 9 days

-Cried a few times from the stress of it all

-Made another long trip back to Utah

-Moved in with Josh's parents while we try to find a place

Here are some brief highlights of our time here so far:

-Josh is loving school

-Shaffer is so close to walking and can stand on his own for a long time

-Shaffer still doesn't have his two front teeth (central incisors) but his lateral incisors have now cut through....that is going to be awesome! =)

-Logan started sleeping in a big boy bed and did amazing for 3 days. Then he figured out how to get down and he wouldn't ever fall asleep, so back into a crib he went and he's been there ever since. I'm not sure when I'll try again.

-Logan walks up and down the stairs like a big boy (....he doesn't crawl up and scoot down).

-Logan is still obsessed with the Backyardigans and has found a new love for the movie, "Bolt". He's only seen it once but he carries around 3 DVD cases (2 Backyardigan and then Bolt) all day long. He even says "Bolt! Bolt!"

-Logan can run faster than most adults

-Shaffer is now 10 1/2 months and Logan is 22 months today....which means they both have birthdays coming up soon (I will have two 1 year olds for about 2 weeks).

-I started a facebook account which is a huge step for me. I have feared facebook for years but finally decided to make the plunge and go for it. To be honest, I'm a bit nervous that I'm going to get sucked into it, so I am making a conscious effort to hardly get on.

I will post pictures when I can get our stinkin' camera to upload them! All in all, things are going really well and we are very happy to be here (even though we miss our friends and family in OR).

July wrap up

2010-07-31T20:31:00.000-07:00

I have approximately -20 minutes to do this blog post but I want to some July pictures out here before we start into August. August is going to be crazy. We have a big family reunion, and a big fatty move that we will have only 9 days to get ready for. Therefore, this is brief and here are some random pictures and a teeny tiny bit of commentary from the past few weeks.

I can't begin to tell you how obsessed Logan is with Backyardigans. I swear I am in control and don't let him watch all day long (or even every day for that matter). He has now learned the word "show" and he says it approximately 1500 times a day. I gave him one of the DVD cases the other day and he thought it was the most amazing gift of all time. He jumped (literally) for joy and shouted, "Yes! Yes! Yes!"...so now...as you can see he has been pretty inseparable from it since.

Life is good...the thumb, the DVD case, ANNDDD a show....too good to be true!

Cutie Shaffer sleeping. Can you believe how big he is getting?

Speaking of which, he had his 9 month check up. He was 20 lbs, 12 oz. (52%), and ?" (90%). He is such a good baby. He has 2 teeth now (and more on the way) and smiles all the time. He is a HUGE mama's boy and wants to be held 90% of the time. He is really ticklish and is already walking along side the couch. He can stand up on his own for 2 or 3 seconds (sometimes). He is a great cuddler and he completely melts my heart. I want another one....(that isn't a hint at anything).

More sleeping with Uniqua and the gang.

Did you get a close up on that face? All we did was fill some bowls up with water....who knew it could be so exciting? ;)

New hat. I think it's cute.

I tried to sneak in and take a picture of him sleeping with his Backyardigans DVD...turns out he wasn't quite asleep. I think it's because it was too hot! (Did you notice how sweaty he is?)

We did our stake 5K on Pioneer Day. Turns out they weren't eeeexxxxactly accurate with the distance. They told us to do 5 laps and each lap was about 1k....4 1/2 miles later we finished! Turns out I'm not fast at all. For some reason I think that I am fast....turns out I'm not!

Love these moments.

Logan is obsessed with his blankets. Sometimes this is a fun game....other times....not so much!

Male model (...says Zoolander)

Portland Children's Museum....

My best friend and now cousin, Anita came for a super quick visit. They were all about smooching each other.

Changes

2010-07-17T20:38:00.000-07:00

I just realized that I have completely forgotten to blog about the many changes that we have been going through and have yet to go through. I think it's because most people who look at my blog already know the news so I haven't even thought about putting it up on here.

After months...and months...and many more months of debating, praying, thinking, pondering, questioning (you get the idea) we have decided to move back to Utah. Again, this isn't really new news because we have known for a few months now but for those who I don't have close contact with here ya go.

Josh is going to go back to school to do his Master's in Public Administration, at BYU. He is beyond thrilled to be starting school the end of August. I am excited but nervous beyond nervous too. I like change but we are getting hit with a bucket load of changes. The problem is is that it doesn't feel real one teeny tiny bit because we STILL are trying to sell our house (sorry to everyone who has to hear me moan about this 24/7) and so we have yet to decide when we are moving to Utah (we know it will be before August 30th), where we will live, if our house will be sold, or if we will have renters, etc.... It has probably been the most stressful 7 months of my life. Having 2 kids 11 months apart is a piece of cake next to all this house selling stuff.

Anyways, this wasn't meant to be a negative post. Amidst all the chaos and stress there have been some really good things. We have learned that there is no way in the world we could make huge decisions like these without the power of prayer; we have learned that God some times takes a really....REALLY long time to answer prayers (we're still in the middle of that one) and that patience truly is a virtue; and I've learned about the power of the Atonement and how it reaches every aspect of life.

We are excited about going to Utah so we can be closer to Josh's family, and so that Josh can study something he is passionate about, but we are also incredibly sad to be leaving here. We see my family a lot (relatively speaking) and are so grateful for our close relationships with them; we have made a lot of friends and have been in the most amazing ward of all time, and we love where we live...we are surrounded by amazing parks and shops and a whole slew of fun things. Can you tell I am really sad to leave? However, I won't miss the girls hairy armpits that I saw today or all the Obama stickers, or the rain. =)

Blueberry picking & more...

2010-07-13T21:37:00.000-07:00

This morning me and my boys, plus two of my friends, Darcy & Courtney and their boys, Grae and Arlo all went to pick blueberries at a local farm. I haven't ever done it even though we have been here for 3 1/2 summers now. I was fairly nervous about how Logan would do but it's just because I didn't realize we would be out in the middle of nowhere and that he was safe to run around. I got a big bowl full of blueberries and paid $3.10 for them. I am in love.

All day long Logan begs me to watch a show and I finally (I know...I'm a little slow) that the reason he's doing it is because he is so stinkin' bored. Duh! So this week I have made it a goal to find creative things for them to do every single day...big or small.

This was our day:

1st- pick blueberries (and get completely filthy and caked in mud....see below pictures for visual)

2nd- go to the most amazing and gorgeous park with no pants or shoes on (no, I was not included in this) because our clothes are so filthy we can't wear them.

3rd- take a MUCH needed bath

4th- nap

5th- go to the zoo because it is only $4 per adult today. That was a try and a fail. No parking available. Darn!

6th- side walk chalk outside/ball throwing

7th- eat dinner

8th- time for bed

It was a much better day and ended with much less begging that yesterday. Oh how I love summer activities and little boys to entertain.

We live right next to a MAX line, so any time the train passes Logan gives a big, "OOOOOO!!!"

The MacDonald's Come to Town

2010-07-13T21:12:00.000-07:00

My (favorite, amazing, hilarious, gorgeous) cousin, Julie & her family came and spent a few days with us last weekend. I'd like to think it was just because they can't stand being apart from us, but in reality it was because they had a few doctor appointments. Unfortunately I don't have a single picture of them but I have lots of my kids and theirs.

I was able to watch Brynlie & Dane while they took Kelson to his doctor visits, and boy howdy did we ever have a good time. Dane is theeee most content little child I have ever seen. Brynlie and I played house & detective almost all day (I may or may not have liked it more than she did), we colored on the windows, played in the water, read books, watched a quick show, did a makeover, & played some more make-believe. It was so much fun.

My boys love the swings. It's so cute to see their faces light up and to hear their little giggles.

We took the kids to a near-by park that I have fallen in love with. My kids were a little shy at first but once they warmed up to the idea of water shooting up periodically out of the ground they really liked it. Plus it was 95 degrees outside and we don't have AC so we were all ready to cool off. We finished the day off with pizza and a movie.

Logan was obsessed with Kelson. I felt like I hardly played with him the whole time they were here because Kelson did all the work for me. Logan copied everything Kelson did and was enamored with him the whole time. I can't be certain but I'm pretty sure Kelson was having a blast too....he got to be such a big boy and have little Logan follow him around.

I know I am the worst photographer on the face of the earth, but I still love this picture because all the boys (minus Shaffer) are eating toast. Am I the only one who thinks that is cute?

Shaffer loved Brynlie. She was so cute and would get down on the floor and talk to him in a baby voice. He actually sat there happily with her for nearly 5 minutes. He won't even sit still that long with me.

Happy (very belated) 4th of July!

2010-07-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

I know the 4th of July was over a week ago, but I still want to post a "little" something about it, I've just been too busy to do it until now.

I have always appreciated our country and have been grateful to live here, but this is the first year that I feel like I really get it. I feel like I've almost been living off my parents "testimony" of America until this past year and now I have found out a lot of things for myself, done a lot of research, read a lot of books, and developed a new appreciation for this country, our Founding Father's and God.

I am so grateful for this country and for what we stand for (more so what we used to stand for). I know that our Founding Father's were inspired and that God played a role in the Constitution. If you haven't read "The 5,000 Year Leap" you need to read it. It's a great place to start.

I also want to say, without being pushy or sounding haughty in any way, that I really want to encourage you to be more involved politically. I'm not talking debates and all that, I'm merely talking about following what is going on, research, getting your facts straight, developing your own opinion and mainly learning about our Founding Father's and what they wanted for this us & this country. I've said this before but pick 1 thing that you have a passion for and follow it.

There is an amazing talk given by President Ezra Taft Benson. He served as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for 8 years (and of course as the Latter-Day Saint prophet). His talk is entitled, "A Witness and a Warning". I have read this a number of times and have gained a lot from his perspective and inspiration. This talk was given back in 1979 and there are some pretty serious warnings in there. I can't help but wonder what he would think of our country now and what he would say.

One of my favorite parts of his talk was towards the end when he said, "We must study the inspired Constitution and become involved in the political process ourselves. I quote the First Presidency statement that was read in sacrament meetings on Sunday, 1 July 1979, 'We encourage all members, all citizens of the nation, to be actively involved in the political process, and to support those measures which will strengthen the community, state and nation- morally, economically, and culturally.'

"I fully believe that we can turn things around in America if we have the determination, the morality, the patriotism, and the spirituality to do so.

"My single-minded concern is for the freedom and welfare of my countrymen and my posterity, the freedom of all men."

I swear I hear the angels sing whenever I read that. It gets me all choked up because I feel so strongly that now is our time to do something and that America can't save herself so it's up to (every single one of) us. It reminds me of something that Elder D. Todd Christofferson said in his talk called, "Come to Zion" when he said, "We cannot wait until Zion comes for these things to happen- Zion will come only as they happen." The same concept goes for America...we can't just sit around, waiting and hoping that things will get better, they will only get better as we do something about it!

Josh and I have been listening to Glenn Beck's radio talk-show for a little over a year now (Josh a little longer than that) and I know his name can be a bit controversial for some people, but I am asking everyone to listen. Listen for 3 weeks so you can get a feel for his type of sarcasm, how he works, the stories and facts that he is talking about before you make up your mind about him.

I have been praying for a long time for our country and recently I have been asking God more specifically about the things that I am hearing and the things that I am reading, and I have been begging for Him to help me know what is right. I have fasted and prayed asking for Him to tell me if I am wrong (and to make me see it because He and I both know I don't want to be wrong). I have had repeated experiences that tell me I am not wrong (I'm not saying that I am an expert or perfect with all my opinions, I am only referring to a few specific things I have focused on lately). And because of those experiences I really feel like this is our time, and we can't just sit back and not get involved because we don't know where to start or we feel overwhelmed, or whatever it is (trust me I still feel that way). So...read that article by President Benson, read "The 5,000 Year Leap", listen or watch Glenn Beck, do your homework, or do whatever it is that helps you get involved.

Vacation

2010-07-07T08:44:00.000-07:00

We got to spend a whole week on the lake with my family. We were over in the Florence (OR) area and had the best time.

Uncle Brad & Aunt Molly getting in some practice with the boys. They are expecting their first baby Christmas day!

Not only did we get to wake up to this amazing view every day (I know...not the best shot), but we got do all these fun things...

The boys actually had room to run around and explore. I would cut off my right arm and leg if I could only have a front yard. Logan was entertained for hours on end all because he could walk out the front door and run...and run...and run some more.

We talked, and played a million rounds of "Pictionary Man" and "Wits and Wages"....ridiculously fun!

Got some snuggle time with Aunt Molly & Uncles TY, Brad & Travis.

All tuckered out from a hard day of fun!

TJ brought his dog, India, and believe it or not it actually makes me want a Great Dane. Once Logan warmed to her he was enamored with her. He would run to the other end of the yard and then run back to get India, or chase after her if she ran, he even gave her a kiss when she was laying down.

The lake water was WAAAYYYY too cold for my boys, so instead we swam in the hot tub (don't worry it wasn't too hot). Logan and Shaffer would have stayed in there for hours had we let them.

This pictures makes my heart melt for a whole slew of reasons.

The beach was fah-reeeezing cold. Our poor boys were shivering cold (literally), but they were troopers and eventually enjoyed themselves.

Grandma helped Logan not be so afraid of the sand.

Josh, Travis and Darren (one of Travis' friends) all got to skim board? skee board? Not sure. (I'm actually pretty sure it isn't either of those.) They were brave to do it in the 40 degree water.

Papa Lynn snuggled Shaffer and boy was he content.

Who doesn't love naked baby cheeks?

Josh and I took Logan kayaking. Logan did great and sat happily with daddy. It was my first time (I think) kayaking and I loved it. I wish we could have had more time to do it.

This was actually the first time we took the boys to the beach and as you can see Logan wasn't too happy about the sand.

We all had wet suits to swim in the lake, which helped out tons. It wasn't too bad once you got in the water but the first few minutes were hard...even with the wet suits. We also got to jet ski, which I don't have any pictures of, but that was fun too.

Thanks mom and dad for a great week!

What a wonderful world

2010-06-25T21:10:00.000-07:00

Warning: There is some serious oozing here. Beware!

(PS. Logan rubs his food in his hair at every meal time so this was his hairdo after a sink rinse and towel dry!)

Do you ever have those moments where your whole heart feels like it might just burst because you feel so full of joy and happiness and love? Today has been one of those days. All day tears have swelled up in my eyes and I have had to constantly choke back a cry because I am so in love with my family.

My heart flutters because I got a call from my amazing husband who has been away for a few days, and I feel like a teenager because I can't leave my phone anywhere but on my hip because I don't want to miss a call. Man am I grateful to be married to him!

I took the boys to the park instead of working out. Who would have thought that an adult could enjoy the park so much? Of course it isn't the park in-and-of-itself, but rather it's the smile that grows on your oldest boys face when he runs in the rain in his clothes and gets soaking wet. I don't have the heart to pull him in from the rain because he is splashing in puddles and I feel myself falling more and more in love with this little guy just by watching his face as he discovers the fun of playing in the rain. Every discovery is like magic to him.

Later on both boys sit on the swings and one learns the game "Under Dog" and thinks it is down right hilarious. The other is on the swing for the first time and has that twinkle in his eye that makes my heart melt. I think at that moment, how can life possibly get better than this? I can still hear them laughing and I hope that sound will always stay in my memory. I'm sure no one else noticed but I was beaming inside with joy because my time there with my boys, discovering and creating magic with them was nothing less than a gift from heaven.

My increasingly independent 19 month old sobs and sobs because it's bedtime, and so I sit with him, rocking back and forth in his chair as he lays his head on my shoulder for nearly half an hour and I hold back tears of my own- tears of love, gratitude, and peace. I soak up every single second of that cuddle-time and wish that time could just stop for the day. I hate the clock right now and I beg, please don't make my baby even a second older than he already is. Time is going by way too fast. Since when did he get so big? so heavy? so grown up?

And then there was the time earlier today when Shaffer woke up at 5:20 am and all I wanted was to hit the snooze button and go back to sleep, but of course I can't, so instead I get up, look at my sweet baby, drag him in to bed with me and feed him his bottle. He acts tired again, so I pull him in closer, touch his sweet face and comb back his hair like he likes- he looks so precious cuddled perfectly in to his mother.

These are fairly typical moments in a fairly typical day, and sure there has been the yucky stuff and the tantrums and moments of impatience by me, but still my heart is full and all I can think of is how blessed I am to be a mother! The hard moments of the day don't seem so terrible after all. I think of Logan trying to say Shaffer (Sha sha) and his cute little smile. I think of making Shaffer laugh and rubbing my hand through his blonde hair, and all the other sweet moments of the day. And I think to myself...what a wonderful world!

KF Trip

2010-06-08T20:17:00.000-07:00

Josh, the boys and I went down to KF for the weekend. Josh went camping with my Travis, my dad and the scouts (...and nearly lost his life kayaking but that's another story), so the kids and I hung out with my mom!! Here's what we did.....get ready for picture overload...

We thought it would be really cute to play with paint and get the boys hand and foot prints. What do you think, did Logan enjoy it?

Travis and Logan mowed the lawn together...

We took Logan for a quad ride and remarkably he actually enjoyed it! We couldn't go to far because (we had a flat tire and didn't know it...I mean...) the road we wanted to go on is now closed to the public.

My mom set a goal earlier on this year for us to do a 5k together, so we ended up walking in the Lake of the Woods run/walk. My (82 year old) grandma joined us and did amazing. We took the boys along, and....I'll let you be the judge- do you think Logan had fun? Baaaahahahha. He was all hunky-dory until his evil mom decided to take him away from throwing bark and eating dirt and strapped him snuggly in a stroller to be pushed along for 3.1 miles. He had had enough after 2 miles, so I ended up carrying/chasing him for the last mile.

We actually had a really good time and it made me want to get out and do some races. I have been running for a while and have been looking forward to the summer-time when they have a lot of road races. I haven't registered for anything yet but I plan on doing a couple of 5 or 10ks. Are any of you doing any races this summer?

(We were the 4 Generation team!)

My boys don't get a lot of chances to get out and get dirty. We don't have a yard, so it was fun to be able to let the boys roam around and throw rocks, play in the dirt, play in the puddles, and be boys.

My boys generally don't fall asleep anywhere but their cribs, so when we had this little moment here we ate it up! I wish I could hold on to these moments forever.

This little guy is getting around like no other. He crawls all over the place and pulls himself up on to everything. The older he gets the smaller the size and developmental difference gets between him and Logan and the more I feel like I have twins. They are so cute and such good buddies- I'll just let myself be naive here and pretend that they will never fight and that they will always be the best of friends. =)

State Track Meet

2010-06-08T19:53:00.000-07:00

My little brother, Travis had his high school state track meet a couple of weeks ago. Luckily it was in Eugene, so we took the boys down and were able to watch him race. Logan must have felt inspired by all the runners because he exemplified them the entire time we were there by running every-which-way. Everyone got a kick out of watching him run back and forth and back and forth, pausing to say hi or asking random strangers to pick him up. Have I mentioned before that this kid has no fear and is the most friendly child alive?

Shaffer caught a little cat-nap while Logan burned enough energy for the two of them combined. (Hopefully this isn't coming off as a complaint because it really isn't- it's just how he is and I love him for it!)

Priorities

2010-05-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

Instead of doing this all morning....

we did some of this...

and read lots of these....

and played with lots of these...

and laughed at this....

and did a little of this....

and got some of these out of this cutie patoootie...

and watched some of this...

and enjoyed every single not-working-out-but-playing-with-my-boys second.

Baskandom (Basketball + Random)

2010-05-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few random pictures from the past week or so.

It's during these sleeping moments that I feel that motherhood is really rewarding. It's not that it isn't rewarding at other times too and it's fun in it's different ways, but I LLOOOOVVVEEE my sleeping babies. There's nothing that melts my heart more or makes me more determined to be a better mom when they're awake.

And when did my baby get so big? He no longer looks like a newborn or even a baby baby and I can hardly believe it!

Shaffer had crawled underneath the table and Logan saw him and couldn't help but join in the fun! They have been such good buddies and I love it. At times I catch them making each other laugh or Logan making Shaffer crack up and it is so stinkin' cute. I hope they will be best friends.

We'll put this picture on his facebook profile when he's 16. Owww owww baby- work it!

We took the boys to the NIKE basketball court the other day and they loved it. There was so much space to run around and so many balls to take off shelves and throw and kick. I think Logan thought he was in heaven. Shaffer enjoyed himself too- crawling after the balls (dodging Logan), and playing on the gym mat.

(Is this not the sweetest picture?)

Heaven!!!

My love affair with spring

2010-05-13T10:28:00.000-07:00

I have a confession to make. Perhaps my blog isn't the best place to make this confession, but I just can't stand to hold it in anymore. So here goes:

I have been having an affair with spring. I just can't help myself- I find that it makes me truly happy, we want to spend all of our time together, we run around together and bask in the sunshine, it is great with my kids and provides endless entertainment opportunities for us, it brings out the best in me, helps me reach my goals, etc.... Really, truly spring and I are meant to be together. I think we might elope and get married, but first I have to propose. I'm not a liker of polygamy but Josh, spring and I are meant to be together FOREVER!

Spring, will you marry me?

Dear Logan

2010-05-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

Dear Logan,

When mommy is having a bad day and says that she wants to pull her hair out she doesn't mean that she LITERALLY wants it out. I'm pretty sure you thought you were doing me a favor when you pulled this big chunk out because I talk about pulling it out often, but the truth is I like my hair and would like to keep it. So, next time I give you a piggy back ride and you want down my hair might not be the best way to let yourself down. I'll try to watch what I say more closely and how about you let me help you down from off my back! Love you.

xoxo-

Mommy

The Gangster

2010-05-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

Word!

The Crawler

2010-05-13T10:16:00.000-07:00

Shaffer started crawling last week and now he is all over the place. Every day he crawls a little faster, and a little more. My little baby is crawling!!!!! I can't believe it.

The Sleeper

2010-05-13T10:15:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite parts of motherhood- watching a sleeping baby! Oh it pulls my heart strings and makes it go pitter patter. I love this little boy!

The Cheeser

2010-05-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

Logan has this thing for cheeser faces and it cracks all of us up! He likes the attention we give him when he gets all smiley and we love to see his little face light up like this. (Chocolate has that effect on me too!)

Trip to Utah

2010-05-03T16:16:00.000-07:00

After getting home from California, Klamath (and Josh from Boston) we decided to take a trip to Utah to see family. We haven't been there since Christmas so it was about time to visit.

Poor little Shaffer got really sick on the last day there, so we had to travel home with him looking like this:

Anyone in need of a child?

Wonder of wonders! Miracle of miracles! Logan fell asleep on the plane. This child doesn't sleep anywhere but in his crib, but he actually fell asleep for the last 20 minutes of the plane ride home.

Umm...are they not the cutest brothers ever? I hope they hang out like this all the time!

Logan sucks his thumb like crazy and also has been getting more teeth (we have a total of 7 now) so the skin on his thumb was cracking. This was our solution and lo and behold it actually worked well. His thumb is in good repair...but unfortunately it didn't rid him of his love it.

He's pretty excited about that beach ball!

We had lots of fun going for walks, playing basketball, playing a million rounds of Farkle, watching movies, eating yummy food, and going swimming. We love going to Utah to be with our family. Logan LOVES his Nana and won't seperate from her unless forced to! =)

Logan has this obsession with pushing Shaffer in the stroller or cart. He HAS to be the big brother and push it. It probably has nothing to do with being a good big brother, but rather just being able to push something...but I can give him props for being sweet!

Shaffer is so incredibly close to crawling. He gets up on all fours now and rocks back and forth but hasn't figure out how to coordinate his arms and legs. I swear this little kid gets cuter and cuter every day. He still has bright blonde hair and sweet blue eyes. He loves to stick his tongue out and to open his mouth when he smiles.

Trip to Klamath

2010-05-03T16:03:00.000-07:00

After the wedding the boys and I drove back to KF with my parents. Josh wasn't able to go to the wedding because he was in Boston, getting ready to run the marathon in a few days. I didn't want to be home alone, plus I wanted to help out with the reception, so we got to stay with my parents for nearly a week! It was a blast and we got entirely too spoiled.

Isn't my brother Ty the cutest uncle?

Logan got a MUCH NEEDED hair cut while we were there and was getting the royal treatment...until it turned sour. He was all happy eating a sucker and watching his favorite show on earth...until the dreaded minute came where he decided to flip out. Sticky mouth + hair = VERY unhappy child. Very unhappy child + scissors + loose hair + sticky mouth = HELL! Thankfully nothing happened with the scissors (thanks to Quick Hands Anne), but he certainly let us know he was not happy.

This kid loves to snuggle things. He has a thing for stuffed animals and soft blankets and can't help but snuggle them to death.

....And YES....my son has become quite the peeper. This was his first time and we all got a huge laugh out of it. That was a mistake because now he thinks it's pretty funny to do it to all women. Watch out ladies!

Stuuuuuud mufffffin!

What do you do when mommy is busy setting up for a reception?

Won't they make such cute parents?

Richard & Jessica Constantine

2010-05-03T14:38:00.000-07:00

Jessica & Richard got married on the 13th of April in the Oakland, CA Temple. It was a bit chaotic getting there and getting IN the Temple. I was super organized and had my Temple recommend all laid out and ready days before we left and knew I wouldn't forget it. On the way to the airport I realized that sure enough I DID have my recommend, but that it was expired! There was nothing that I could do because I was already running late to the airport, so off we went anyways and just prayed that I could get in that next day.

To make a long story short, after nearly an hour of waiting (...and delaying the sealing by half an hour) and being told that there was nothing they could do and no way I was going to be able to get in to my sister's sealing, they kept trying things and asking people and miracle of miracles they let me go in....BUT first I had to do phone interviews with my Bishop and one of the counselors in the stake presidency. Thankfully we were able to get a hold of them, and thankfully the people at the Temple were kind enough to agree to letting me in. I heard from nearly 10 temple workers that they had NEVER seen that done before- if it's expired they don't make any exceptions. Thankfully they did! Even though I wish I had been more on top of things and have had made sure my recommend wasn't expired, it turned out to be a really spiritual experience...especially being in that sealing room with Jessica & Richard.

While the sealer was talking I felt the spirit really strongly and it hit me that being married in the Temple is the ONLY WAY, and it's the RIGHT way. I've known that my whole life, but there was something different about the message that just hit me like a ton of bricks. There are plenty of other ways to get married but getting married in God's Temple is THE ONLY RIGHT way. I'm so grateful for the blessings we receive because of the covenants we make there.

They had a really pretty reception in Vacaville, CA (where he is from), and then a few days later we had one in Klamath Falls also. Both were a lot of fun and turned out gorgeous. We ended up doing half inside and half outside for the KF reception. We had dessert buffets at both, and boy howdy was the food DIVINE. I'm having a hard time getting Logan (and myself) to eat real food because we lived off of these desserts for days.

I had to throw some pictures of my boys in because...well...they are just too stinkin' cute. My friend Whitney got Shaffer these shoes and I'm pretty much obsessed with them. I used to think boys weren't fun to dress....what was I thinking?

Power of Moms

2010-04-10T10:10:00.000-07:00

I've talked about this book that I have read a couple of times, called, "A Mother's Book of Secrets", by Linda Eyre and Shawni Eyre Pothier. It is THEEEEE most amazing book and I look at it all the time. (Shawni's youngest daughter, Lucy has been diagnosed with a rare syndrome called Bardet Biedl, which causes blindess between ages 9 & 15. All proceeds go to research to help with her issues.) Shawni has a blog that I like to keep up with, and from her website I found this other website designed by her sister called the "Power of Moms". Not only is it an amazing website with lots of things for mothers but they have this thing called "Learning Circles". Basically it's a group of 8-12 moms who get together once a month for a girls night out, but with a purpose in mind. Each month you have a short article to read through and it has questions and goals that you go through personally and then you meet up at the end of the month with the other moms, have some yummy snacks and talk about what you learned.

There is a group of girls that I have gotten together with to do this moms group and I cannot say enough good things about it. I LOVE the articles. Each month focus's on something different and I have learned so much from them and from the other moms. It makes me want to be a better wife and mother. I cannot recommend it enough. You have got to check it out.

If you start up today you get $20 off the original price. Who doesn't want a fun way to get together with friends and improve who you are as a person and mother?

Diet Shmiet

2010-04-06T16:15:00.000-07:00

Here comes the bad news....I have completely failed in my dieting this past week. I was doing so well, and now, truth be told, I have done terrible. I think the Easter Bunny & Satan got together and plotted ways to tempt me. It's true- I was weak! Those cute little M&M's that look like mini eggs and have crackly yumminess on the outer shell, and those sugar cookies that I caked in cute colored frosting and decorated with my family spoke to me....NAY!- they called me by name and said, "Eat me or die!", and so to avoid death I ate...and ate...and ate some more. And now, I STILL have 2 pounds to lose with 1 week left to go.

So, here is my blog post to let you know that I am starting over...again...right now! I will try to get there by next week. I'll have to be really good, but here's to trying. I'm semi-reluctantly (because it's easier to just eat whatever I want) getting back up on that horse and trying again. Oye! Wish me luck. =)

Rain rain go away!

2010-04-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else have a bad case of cabin fever? This bad weather is killing me. I am seriously contemplating moving to San Diego where I pay $8 for a pound of beef just so I can enjoy the sunshine more.

Despite the bad weather, here are few pictures of my little sunshines! These little faces definitely brighten up my day.

Who doesn't love a picture of daddy & son snuggling?

Shaffer spits up like no other child I have ever known. We are actually in the process of trying to figure out a different formula or something because he spits up 20 times a day (literally)! Logan even imitates me by getting a rag and rubbing it on the carpet.

What else do you do on the 7th rainy day in a row but watch Backyardigans in a warm basket of laundry? He's got his favorite blankets, a nice thumb to suck on- life is gooood!

My sister-in-law Kim got Shaffer this hat for Christmas and we are pretty infatuated with it. If I could I would have him wear it in his sleep. Is this not the cutest hat for the cutest boy?

Photo Tag

2010-03-31T16:58:00.001-07:00

My friend Whitney tagged me in a "Photo Tag". Rules are that you have to take the pictures how your house is now- no cleaning up. Here goes:

Kitchen sink:

Favorite room:

Favorite pair of shoes:

(They look pretty battered here don't they? I swear they really are cute!)

Fridge:

Laundry room:

Bedroom closet:

(Now you know I am much less organized when things can be tucked away by a door or a drawer.)

Our bathroom:

What the kids are doing now:

This is pretty much how you can find Logan all day long. He is such a clingy little fellow. =)

Shaffer being babysat by the bouncer (aka: Uncle Monkey).

Self portrait:

(All I have to say is it's a darn good thing I didn't decide to do this a few hours ago.)

Now I tag:

Sian, Jamie Tonks, Jaime Olsen, & Tory M.

2010-03-30T14:43:00.000-07:00

Just over a week ago Josh had a half marathon in New York. He ended up doing really well- taking 6th, with a time of 61:55 (that's 4:43 a mile folks!). He is getting ready for the Boston marathon in 3 weeks.

While he was in NY, I took the boys to Klamath. I am not yet brave enough to be alone with my boys for 4 days! We had a great time (although the drive was horrific). My brother Travis came back with us because he had spring break, and then my parents came up a few days later and hung out for the weekend. Once again we had a good time and I am so grateful that we live so "close" to them.

Shaffer is nearly 5 1/2 months now, and is in the beginning stages of learning how to crawl. In no way has he figured it out but you know how they are when they start the learning process. It's amazing to me that my baby is already learning how to crawl.

I was putting some of his newborn and 3 month old clothes away yesterday and was actually really sad that he is growing out of them so fast. I think it is different this time around because with Logan, by this time, I was already pregnant again and so I knew that the newborn/early baby stage was just right around the corner, but now that I am (100%) not pregnant and I am putting these things away, uncertain of the next time they will be used it makes me feel...sad...kind of.

Shaffer is a really happy baby. He smiles and laughs all the time. He is very ticklish, and is positively adorable. He is more calm than Logan was at this age, and seems to be more content.

I can never catch Logan sleeping because the second I even slightly pop open his door he is awake, but I caught him in a deep sleep and had to capture how cute he is asleep. He LOVES that blanket and would carry it with his everywhere if we allowed it.

He also loves silverware. I am strictly forbidden to feed him without giving him his own spoon or fork.

He has this new fetish for throwing anything and everything down the stairs. Lately it has been our shoes. He gets the biggest kick out of watching them tumble to the bottom. If there are any that only make it half way he slides down and throws it the rest of the way.

We were in Albertsons the other day and he grabbed a Snickers from the check out stand. We nearly left without paying for it, but he managed to sucker me into getting it for him. I thought he would only eat a bite or so but he nearly devoured the whole thing! I'm a good mom like that. =)

Obamacare

2010-03-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

Obamacare is another thing that I have wanted to post about since it happened over a week ago. I know this is a controversial topic, and I represent only myself in saying this, but I am furious with our President, Nancy Pelosi (just saying her name tastes like vinegar), and Congress.

Part of me felt like rolling over and giving up hope because now we know that they REALLY aren't listening and that our President is THE most arrogant man on the face of the earth, but now I am determined to roll up my sleeves and get ready for a fight. I WILL NOT stand idly by as our freedoms are taken away. They may still be taken away but I will go down kicking and screaming and fighting the whole way. This whole health-care thing has been the greatest display of dirty politics I have ever known, and I absolutely feel like Obama just gave all us hard-working American's a slap in the face as he passed it.

Check out Josh's blog for more on Health Care: http://www.principleyrohat.blogspot.com/

2 down. 2 to go!

2010-03-30T14:04:00.000-07:00

I thought it was probably about time that I posted a little something about how my weight loss regime is going. I was hoping to have done this more frequently, but we have been busy- Josh ran a half marathon in NY (and did AMAZING), the kids and I went to K.Falls, my brother was here, my parents came here, and then we all got a nasty case of the stomach flu...hence my lack of blogging.

However, I am thankful that I can actually report some good news. I'm not very good at having self-control or sticking to something, but keeping track of my calories has been a miracle worker for me (that and good old fashioned prayer!). I have lost 2 lbs., which is right on track for my 4 lbs. in 4 weeks. I've been finding more creative things to eat that help me feel more full, and I've been able to work out really hard too. The greatest part of success for me though has been in my confidence boost. I feel one million times better about myself. Josh and I were talking just the other day about how much less I complain about my body, and how much more positive I seem/feel. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. Even if it is only 2 lbs lost, I feel like it is more than that. All of that keeps me motivated to keep making good choices....even when I want 12 really big fat yummy soft chocolate chip cookies (...like right now!).

Growing, growing, growing...

2010-03-17T20:19:00.000-07:00

Not much has been going on lately. It's always this time of the year when I really start feeling bored- it must be the rain, and cold weather that keeps us cooped up indoors all day.

Today we had a nice day, so I took the boys for a walk in the park and boy howdy did we have a good time. Logan was a big help and a gentleman and helped me push the stroller. Awww! I'm pretty sure he thought he was in heaven because he could run everywhere. The one bad part about this park is that there are a million ducks and geese and so the sidewalks are COVERED (emphasis added) with fecal matter. And when you have a 16 month old who is running and then trips over his feet and puts both hands on the sidewalk and then cries and puts his thumb in his mouth for comfort it isn't pretty!

Shaffer and Logan are really starting to have fun together. Shaf has started smiling at Logan and boy does he eat it up.

One of Logan's favorite things is for me to put Shaffer in his crib in the morning with Logan. He thinks it is the funniest thing in the world, and will lay down next to Shaffer and kick his legs and giggle like crazy.

He also likes to lay down underneath Shaffer's bouncer while Shaf is in it, and try to get in the swing WITH Shaffer. He is all about his little brother. He gets lots of attention when he gives Shaffer kisses, so he does it A LOT, and thankfully that's his attention-getting outlet, instead of hitting or slapping.

Shaffer rolls over non-stop now, giggles often, smiles easily, and is a really happy baby. He doesn't like to be on his own much anymore, but that's okay.

Logan still has 4 teeth, but has either 6 or 8 working their way in- including his molars. This poor boy is in a lot of pain, but he's handling it like a trooper (....sometimes)! He LOVES attention, LOVES to be held, run, suck his thumb, The Backyardigans (I swear I'm a good mom), and has this fake laugh that is hilarious.

Today was not my best day but writing this made me realize how much I love my kids and how adorable they really are. On one hand I can't wait for them to grow up and be more independent, but when I take time to look at their pictures and cherish the moment I don't ever want them to grow up. This is my reminder to live in the moment more and to not let the little things get the best of me because before I know I'm going to be kissing these two good-bye as they leave for their missions and I'm going to be in my closet balling my eyes out and wondering how the time went by so fast. Too sad to think about....I'm off to cuddle with them!

Goals!

2010-03-14T21:31:00.000-07:00

To preface this post (I have a tendency to preface everything) I want you to know that this is a post about my goal to lose some weight. First off, please don't be judgmental of anything I write (that's more sarcastic than anything...but seriously...please don't be!); secondly, I am writing this and posting it for all eyes to see because I need someone to be accountable to...many someones.

After having 2 beautiful babies, having the biggest sweet tooth on the face of the earth, and zero self-control whatsoever I still have 4 pounds to shed before I am back to "my fittest self". I have this tendency to feel really good about myself, then I justify eating tons of junk food (Blasted chocolate, why do I love you so?) and then comes the feeling of guilt and remorse, followed by a determination to "do better", only to repeat the cycle a few days later (or the very next day- details shmetails). AND SO...here is my attempt to really be accountable and to reach my goal.

Here is what I have come up with:

GOALS:

-Make sacrifices in order to feel good about myself

-Be "X" lbs. by my sister's wedding- April 13th

HOW:

-Count calories (I've already set the amount that is going to work for me & my work outs)

-Work out 5-6 days a week

-Don't buy or eat any junk food or chocolate (I do have these 100 calorie fudge bars that I am allowed to have once a day because frankly, if I were to say NEVER any chocolate I'd probably be caught in the pantry at midnight rebelling.)

-Do eat healthy/low calorie snacks

-If in need, call Josh, mom, or Jessica for support

Again, in no way is this being put on here to make any one feel bad about themselves, or to look down on me, it's just something that I need to do to help me reach my goals and to feel best about myself. I am interested to know what you have done to lose weight and what you do to feel best about yourself physically and mentally. Does it just come naturally for you? Because it certainly doesn't for me.

Thanks for indulging me!