Open House

This is Jonathan in the bus going up to the temple!

This past Friday we went to the Draper Open house! It was so beautiful, there was a wonderful spirit there. I loved the African cherry wood through out the temple. Going to the open house, it brought Back fond memories from my childhood. I remember going to the Las Vegas temple and driving at night to go to it, and just remembering that going at that way for the open house it must be a wonderful place and it was. I also remember going to the San Diego temple, I was older, going with my Aunt Loretta's family and also with the Young Men and Young Women. Temples are a sacred place where we make sacred covenants with the Lord! I am really glad that I went to start the tradition of bringing my children to open houses so they one day will remember it with fondness like I did, even though Dave couldn't go cause of work. I couldn't have done it without my Dad holding Sarah the entire time.

Our Sarah Bear

Our Beautiful Sarah! Look at her Rosy cheek!
I loved this one of Sarah (even though it is kind of blurry). She is such a happy girl!


This is a normal picture of how Sarah looks when she is done with a meal. Remnants of food on her that she missed from her mouth, and her feet pulled up in the middle! Sarah is doing great at eating, how ever she isn't ready to let go of her Mommy (nursing). Which is fine with me I enjoy that time with her. She loves to just hold onto my hair while she is eating, and if I have my hair pulled back she keeps try to find my hair the entire feeding.

This is at Grammy's and Papas this past Sunday! I had to put Sarah down for a minute, so I put her on the bar stool (my mom was making sure she didn't fall). But she was in heaven she thought she was so big, just smiling! Saying look at me! I can't believe this next week Sarah will be 1 year old! It went so fast!

Happy Birthday Beth!

Jonathan did very well, but by the end he wanted to explore!

This past week was Beth's Birthday. We are 11 days apart, and she is very good at reminding me how old we are! We went to a local bakery for breakfast! It was a lot of fun, Beth wanted to hold Sarah. It was kind of funny to watch her juggle eating and holding Sarah, but she did a great job! The food was wonderful, I had ll you can eat french toast with whip cream and strawberries with a Carmel syrup. It was sooo goood! Yes, it was very fattening. Needless to say I only eat dinner that day! we enjoyed talking and being with each other! Jonathan was very friendly, like always, so he got a lot of attention from different customers in the bakery! Happy Birthday Beth!

Jonathan

Last Wednesday Sarah and Jonathan woke up really really early. So we were ready for the day earlier then normal. So I decided that we would play a gem. Jonathan got match for Christmas. This is the first time getting out, but Jonathan was very intrigued. We only had too matches, so we played a lot. Jonathan would say again. He really didn't get the concept yet, but he had fun (we'll keep working on him)!
Then we went to an activity put on by Jonathan's school. We went to a local skating rink and brought his bike. Jonathan thought it was great. He enjoyed exploring. I didn't put skates on since I had Sarah in the sling. I didn't think that it was that safe. We stayed long enough for Jonathan.

This past weekend Jonathan had a fever and just wasn't a happy boy! This is Jonathan and I on Saturday. Jonathan woke up, and I was watching Miss America so we cuddled! Since Jonathan wasn't feeling well we just went to Sacrament and not nursery. But, on Monday Jonathan woke up saying ouch. He would periodically say ouch and then put his hand up to ears. But, when I asked him if his ears hurt he said no very matter of fact. He has never done that, so we went to the doctors and sure enough Jonathan has his first ear infection on the right and left ear. Jonathan loves his medicine, if he sees a syringe, he says "medicine?". He is starting to feel better!

Fun!

Saying cheese! Jonathan is really good at saying cheese for the camera, however he is missing the stop piece of it!

Dave and Sarah watched Jonathan and I

Last Monday, Dave didn't have school so we had the morning as a family. So we decided to would go up to the mall and play in the playground! Jonathan loved it!!!! He was a little unsure at first, but by the end he was going head first down the slide! Jonathan of course didn't want to go when it was time!

Whats going on

Jonathan is continuing to learn so much. His words just seem to be exploding. He says new words ll the time. To chicken, Tv, cake, and so many more I am so surprised when he can say a new word. I never thought that Jonathan would really be into movies or tv cause he is so active. But he loves Cars and he calls it is show. He always wants to turn it on, but I limit his tv watching. He loves to go where ever Dave or I go, he hates to be left. Jonathan is doing really well at sitting through books, he actually really like the book "you are special" about the wemmicks. I love that story this past week when I was reading it to him, I started to cry. Jonathan loves to help me. He loves to share his food when he wants. Jonathan loves his blanket and bear. There is a picture above of Jonathan in white towel that my mom made for Sarah. After a run in with the detergent this morning Jonathan had a bath, he thought that the towel was a blanket he loved cuddling in it, and having me hold him close in it. Jonathan and Sarah both love to be nakey, as we call it, after their bath and get away from me. I have the cutest picture of there little bums playing (but I didn't think it was appropriate to post). Jonathan so good with the routine and when we put coats and when to pray and sit at the table. I love my little bug.
Our sweet Sarah bear, she continues to have such a happy disposition all the time. She continues to say Da Da when she wants to communicate, but she has dded the drumming of her hands with it and just smiling. I love it! She loves to get into things, such as the laundry room and the laundry! Sarah loves to pull herself up and get into a draw or on the couch and just pull what every she can out of the drawer. She also loves the new arrangement of the toys since they seem so much more accessible for her. Sarah continues to love to eat, but slow and steady wins the race, right. She can just eat and eat slowly. Last week Sarah had a hard time with sleeping, with her knew teeth coming in. She has 3 of her 1 yer old molars and her bottom left tooth came in. She has a total of 11 teeth (I think). Sarah is such a good sport when it comes to her brother, she is so tolerant at times. I am so amazed! Sarah seems to be thinning out, but not her cute lovable cheeks!

I just had to have Dave take a picture of the snow this morning, it was so beautiful looking at the trees everything was frosted over and so cold. This week has been so busy and exhausting with work this week. I seemed to be there to much this week, with taking an EKG class and working on top of that. Exhausting cause there was so much to learn and know in such a short time. But, I took the test this morning to get it done and not have to think about it and so what I want to do.

Last night I had the opportunity to go to an enrichment group with Mothers of special need children. This is my second time going, it is so wonderful and uplifting. This time there was a mother and her son that has down syndrome talking about there adventure together. IT was awesome to see how this mother wanted her son to be mainstreamed with "normal" children and how well he is doing, and how proud the parents are and in turn how proud of himself this guy is for everything that he has accomplished in his life. She stressed has she expected so much of her son, and how he always rose to her expectations. I feel so blessed to be able to go, Jonathan works at his own pace, but if he was up with he typical 2 year old I would miss out on many opportunities. I love how I can apply everything I learn to Jonathan and Sarah's situation. And also developing a love for these wonderful special people that surround us! At the end of the class Reed danced and sang. The song he sang was so touching, he sang about how he is different bu he has feelings to and he can accomplish things too. I am so glad that I went, I am so uplifted from going. I am so thankful for my Dad that put the kids down so that I could go. Dave is taking two night classes this semester on days that I normally work. SO it is hard for me, to find babysitting or take them to my parents and not be with them (or Dave). But it is only 4 months I try to keep reminding myself with Dave's help. He is taking 17 credits this semester so he is very busy with everything. But he loves his instructional media class, and loves to learn!

My Birthday!

Love from my Sweety!

What a treat, breakfast in bed with my kids!

(There just wasn't a great picture of me first thing in the morning!)

Jonathan enjoying Breakfast!

Sarah enjoying some of Mommy's Breakfast!

Trying on my new clothes!

Don't we look gorgeous!

The girls at Mimi's

Sarah and Great Great Grandma

Jonathan giving Lavette a kiss!

Sarah just drummin' her lips with her hands!

Sarah (11 months old), Jonathan (2 years)and Mommy

Blowing out the candles!

My Birthday was lots of fun! I can't believe that I am 28 years old! I still don't feel 28 years old, I feel 25 years old. I never think about how old I am till it is my birthday. I remember as a kid your Birthdays just seemed magical, no it seems like another day! However with that I had a really fun day (it was over two days since my Birthday fell on Sundays). Saturday started with a early rise with Dave and my kids bringing me breakfast in bed. It was a great surprise, I absolutely loved it! Then we got ready a little and I opened my presents (so that I could wear some clothes that I got). Dave went to work, and I got a babysitter so that I could go out with one of my sisters and my mom. We went and had our make up done. It was so much fun! We all loved it and want to do it again! Then we went to lunch at Mimi's, which they sang Happy Birthday and gave me a piece of pie. (I forgot to post, but when we got home Jonathan had the rest and he was in Heaven!!) It was lots of fun to hung and enjoy ourselves! Then that night Dave and I went out to dinner, but Dave surprised me with beautiful Roses. I love it! Then we went to Chinese and enjoyed our time together! Thanks so much Beth for babysitting, if I could find a babysitter like Beth that is a teen I would be in heaven! On Sunday we went to Church and that night we had Mu shy chicken, I haven't had it in so long it was great! Thanks mom for making what I wanted! That was always a fun tradition growing up, my mom always made what ever dinner we wanted!! We enjoyed being with Grammy and Papa, Grandpa and Grandma, and Great Grandma. Then we played some games! It was really fun and an enjoyable weekend, and I didn't have to work, it was wonderful! (There is a lot of pictures, but there was so many to pick from and I did so much- just enjoy!)

Cafe Rio

First off there are a lot of post to come! We don't seem to go out that often. But, one of Dave's favorite foods is Taco Salad. Especially when I make it like the real Cafe Rio! I make the pork, rice and the dressing all like Cafe Rio. The only thing that is missing is the tortillas that are fresh, which I think that I am going to buy them next month from Costco! Anyway, Dave things this is the best meal, if you can't tell from his face!

After work..

Tonight Dave started one of his night classes. So I picked up the kids at Kristi's (thanks so much). Then I took them home and Sarah of course was glued to me and didn't want to be put done. I held her as long as I could and then put her down, to make a quick dinner. Sarah just cried, I was almost done, so Jonathan got some curtons out. He then started to feed Sarah them, which as was cute to watch. Sarah was appeased for few minutes, and then cried again. But that gave me enough time to get it on the stove. Jonathan is such a good brother to Sarah!

As I reflect on today and one of the patients that I have taken care of for over a month here and there. He passed away today while I was working. Working part time has it's pros and cons. I love being with my kids and have longer breaks home with them. However, the bad thing is that is is harder for me to build a good repore with the patients and I am there here and there with my long breaks (plus charging on top of that, I don't get a patient load). And since my love is cancer patients and not working more frequent I miss getting to know them and there patients. Well, in December because of the Holiday schedule and trying to work more to pay for things that we need. I was at work more, so I was able to take care of this patient here and there and get to know him and his sweet wife. I really enjoyed saying hi and getting to know him. This man was very sick and had so many complications secondary to his illness. As the staff and I knew that he should be DNR (do not resitate), the patient and family we not ready. It has been a hard thing for me to learn, but when a family member or patient want a certain thing done no matter if I think it isn't the wisest thing. I have learned to support them in there decision. As this man suffered, I knew he would have been better off on hospice and comfort care- this wasn't there wishes. So I stood and watched this wonderful wife be by this mans side, and do what ever she could to help him if it just was holding his hand. So I supported them. Until today, when the patient finally was done and woke up this morning and told his wife "I 'm still alive". They decided to change his code status to DNR and with in hours of removing his oxygen this man pass away.

Some might wonder how I can enjoy this. But, when a patient dies that I have gotten close to; the song that always comes to my mind is "Each life that touches mine for good reflects thine own great mercy LORD". I know that I made a small difference in this mans life and his wife. I also feel that this was a blessing from Heavenly Father to me, to help me realize once again why I went into nursing (after missing that for so long).

Organizing

Just a cute picture of Jonathan- he just loves shoes!

He is wearing mine!

So I have a routine once we put the kids down, and that is cleaning the front living space in our house. We basically are always in the family room dining area and kitchen. So if these are clean when I go to bed I am so happy in the morning (I hate waking up to a messy house- just means that I have to clean it up then). Well, we have no toy room (which I hope in our next house we do) so we put it n the corner of the family room. Well, I have containers and spots for things, but it just doesn't really work for me. It seemed to always be messy and I was the only one that knew where everything goes. So at Target they had an organizer that I thought would be a good idea for our family room and it would help keep things more organized and I would not go so crazy with such a mess. I also got drawers to organize Jonathan's clothes lie I did Sarah. That project is still in the process. It makes me feel so much better when things are organized. And with my handy dandy label maker, I can make sure I am not the only one that knows where things go. Thus far it is working and it looks so much better!

Sarah's First Christmas!

These are a little late, but I wanted to post Sarah's cute Christmas pictures taken at JcPennys. They were take less then a month ago! She was so cute!

Grandma and Grandpa come to visit

Jodie was enjoying her lotion that she just got, while she posed for the picture!

Jonathan wanted to sit on the stole and pose with Grandpa!

An early Birthday present. It was a food scale, I have been wanting it. I was way excited!

Jonathan enjoyed holding there hands!

Jonathan had his first peanut with a shell. It kept him entertained for a long time cause he wanted to attempt to take off the shell himself!

Sarah enjoyed playing with Grandpa at the restaurant!

Sarah looked so cute, when we got home.

Dave's parents came into town and stayed with us for less then a day, but we enjoyed there short visit! We talked, ran errands, opened presents, and went out to lunch. We enjoy when they come to see us since it isn't that often. That night after they left, Dave and I went on a date. We went to ice cream and a movie. We went to see Forever Strong, it is in the dollar theater now, it was so good. I haven't seen a movie that I have really liken in a long time. I think we might buy it!

Our Silly Jonathan

I missed this in the previous post, but Ryan and Amy came to dinner and Jonathan stole Kylee's pacifier. Since he knows that he isn't supposed to have them he hung in the corner until we realized what he was doing! I made me laugh!

New Years

Enjoying New Years Morning!
Jonathan already to play in the snow with his cousins!

Playing around!
Playin' with Sarah!

So one of the steps to making Kung pao is that you make the chicken tender with cornstarch and soy sauce. Well, after awhile me and Kristi looked at the chicken and the sauce round it was bubbling, and then Kristi said you used baking powder instead of cornstarch. They are in the same type of containers! But we washed it off and you couldn't even tell! We just laughed!

Some of the great food!

My creation!

On New years I had to work the first part, which was busy for me. But, it sure does go fast. Then I went shopping at Dillard's and found some awesome deals for our family! Then I headed over to my parents, which Dave was already there with the kids playing Risk and some other games. Ever since Marcie blogged bout making Chinese food on Christmas Eve, we have been craving it. It is a lot of work, but oh so worth it. So the girls made dinner, and the boys played and watched the kids. We made Egg rolls, Chow mien, Beef and Broccoli, Kung pao chicken. It was so good! I was exhausted after, so I took the kids home to put to bed. Dave went over to Grandma and Grandpas and played the Wii. Dave had lots of fun!