Where I Live

I LOVE where I live. I am surrounded by such good, good people!

For whatever reason, quite a few families in our neighborhood have been slammed with personal struggles and challenges lately (most of them health related). My heart goes out to them. I am currently in a position at church where I arrange service and help for families in need. But I find that other neighbors and friends are already helping before I even get a chance to plan anything! I can't even count how many dinners have gone in to families all around here in the last 6 weeks or so, and the hours spent watching each other's children, and the hours spent visiting just to check in, or the time spent helping each other with the day-to-day chores like cleaning!

The other day I was talking on the phone with a friend when I looked out my window and saw Ryan, my teenage neighbor who is suffering GREAT health challenges, hand-shoveling MY driveway! I quickly hung up the phone, threw on my boots and coat, and ran to get my shovel intending to send him home to bed to rest. I told him that I knew he didn't feel well and he didn't need to shovel MY driveway. He certainly didn't deny feeling rotten, but simply said it was good for him to get out and DO something. After shoveling my driveway, he and his dad THEN started cutting away at our tree that had been uprooted that morning by the heavy snow. I couldn't believe it!

I also receive many phone calls from those struggling families wanting to know how to help the other struggling families. When I tell them to just take care of their own families right now, they certainly have enough to deal with, they insist on helping because they understand the stresses the others are feeling. I have to wonder what I would do if I were in their shoes. I think I'd probably barely be keeping my head above water with my own family and would hope other neighbors are helping. I find I'm learning a great deal from these good people around me. I pray for them constantly and hope things turn out for the best in the end. To all of them, I thank you for teaching me and allowing me to learn from your great examples! And thank you to the many others who are teaching me about serving others in your countless acts.

I LOVE where I live and that I live by so many good, good people!

Weaning

**Please note, if you are male DO NOT READ THIS - especially my dad or brother (oh, horrors)! And Mom, I'm apologizing in advance for my tactlessness. And just so everyone knows, my mother did raise me better than to not publicly post something so personal!

I'M DONE WEANING JONAH!!! I would literally shout it from the house-top if there wasn't snow on my roof, and I'd probably fall off and break my neck! For most of you nursing mothers out there, I know weaning is a sentimental sad time for you as you miss that sweet, quiet time with your baby cradled next to you while he/she nurses at your bosom. You have no idea how badly I have always wanted nursing to be like that for myself. But, alas, nursing is a great and horrible burden to me. I could tell horror stories that would send most first time mom's running away screaming at the thought of nursing their first child (the rest of you already know my stories are NOT the norm). I have had some different and some of the same problems with all three of my children. But the one great blessing I have been granted is an ample supply of milk. (Which is a blessing until the time comes to wean!) So I have been working on weaning for TWO WHOLE MONTHS!!! And now it's FINALLY gone! Today I put on a regular bra, and I can now pull out my button-down shirts from the back of my closet. Ah, bliss! Now I have NO excuse not to diet and exercise! Anyone up for a 6 a.m. jog?

Jonah's 1st Birthday

Several weeks ago we celebrated Jonah's 1st birthday! (Can you believe it's taken me this long to post it?) We had a family party made extra special by the attendance of Brandon's grandma who was in town for a visit!

Here's Jonah opening a gift from Grandma and Grandpa. He loves to zoom this truck around in the kitchen and push the button for the music! Thanks Grandma & Grandpa!!!

Jonah's cheap parents actually gave him a car seat for his birthday! Poor kid! I just figure he's too young to know the difference and we already have lots of baby toys!

One thing I HATE about birthdays is making the stinkin' cake! It completely stresses me out! Brandon's brother had recently decorated his young son's cake and did a fabulous job! So I decided to see if the decorating genes ran in the family! Brandon actually decorated this cake for Jonah! Didn't he do a great job? I think you just got a new job, Daddy!

Here's Daddy with the birthday boy! Too bad after all that hard work Jonah would have nothing to do with his cake! Watch the video below to see!



Jonah has been an absolutely delightful baby! I can't believe how fast his first year had gone by. It seems like time just goes by faster and faster. I think his first year should have lasted TWO years since he's been such a dream baby! He's so happy and not very demanding. He loves to be with his brother and sister, and can't wait to be able to keep up with them a little better. We are so happy to have you in our family, Jonah! We love you!!!

Spoiled

Either I'm a totally high-maintenance wife who demands an excess of affection from my husband to prove his love to me, or I'm just amazingly lucky to have such an incredibly thoughtful husband. I'm definitely hoping I'm the latter. Brandon completely spoiled me for Valentine's Day!!! I can't believe I could deserve such goodness!

It all started Friday morning when he stopped by the house with a box of cookies and a box of chocolate covered strawberries to wish me "Happy Valentine's Eve!" Wow! We get to celebrate for TWO days? Too bad for him I wasn't aware of that! Right before lunch a dozen beautiful roses were delivered to my door. Shortly after Brandon himself showed up for lunch. As I was making lunch he handed me a card. You'll NEVER guess what was inside? A gift certificate and appointment for a facial at a spa!!! So off I went to the spa, happy to be getting a break from Jonah spraying me with his lunch! I've never had a facial before. And guess what? It was dreamy! While the lady was wrapping my feet in warm, moist towels and gently massaging all kinds of creams on my face, I thought, "How can I go home and scrub toilets NOW! I'll completely ruin the ambiance I'm experiencing!" So . . . I didn't scrub my toilets. I'll have to get around to that next week when normal life resumes. Please don't come over to my house and ask to use the bathroom. It's scary!

Brandon went back to work after I got home, but then came home early again to take me to a quaint little Italian restaurant downtown. After dinner we went to see a dollar movie - "Seven Pounds." Hmm, we didn't know, but it's really NOT the best Valentine's movie! But since we rarely go see movies in an actual theater, it was a treat for us!

On the actual Valentine's Day, Brandon got up early with the kids and make pink blueberry muffins! Then he took care of the kids ALL day while I was helping with a funeral. And, as if I hadn't already been spoiled enough, he presented me with a HUGE box of chocolates at the end of the day! I worked on that box while we snuggled on the couch and watched "Fireproof," a much BETTER Valentine's movie. (I'll work on losing weight again AFTER the chocolates are gone!)

Oh, and just so you know, Brandon's offering free "Husband-Lessons" to anyone who's interested in sending their husbands over!

Best Friends

This little doggy is Jonah's very best friend! He sleeps with Jonah, he snuggles with Jonah while he takes his bottle, and he comforts Jonah in all times of sadness (which can be a lot for a little guy). My other kids definitely loved their blankies made by their Nanny, but they never attached to anything like Jonah has with his doggy. Whenever they are separated for ANY period of time, even a few minutes, Jonah is ecstatic to see his doggy. He buries his little face in the dog's soft fur, and hugs and loves him.

The funny thing is I don't even know where this dog came from. I think it was a gift to one of our other kids at some time I can't remember in their little lives. I have watched my niece, Naomi, become severely attached to her kitty. I had the thought one day that maybe I should try a little stuffed animal for Jonah. He's extremely tactile, and I've written earlier about his obsession with hair. Honestly, it was driving me crazy. He would never let go of my hair! As I thought about Naomi and her kitty I decided to dig through our box of stuffed animals and find the animal with the longest hair. The result was this dog. From the very first time I gave Jonah the dog for a nap, he attached to it. This dog has seriously SAVED my head! I've tried putting other animals in his crib so that he doesn't become too dependent on this ONE, but to no avail. He could care less about the others. He LOVES, LOVES, LOVES his doggy! The scary thing is, I don't know where we got it, who gave it to us, or when - so I can't find a twin for emergencies! I tried searching online, and emailing the company, but came up with nothing! I know Naomi's family has had a few desperate times when she's hidden her kitty somewhere in the house. She cried in her crib for 90 minutes one night while the family scoured their home for the precious kitty. She wouldn't sleep until it was finally found. And even when I was looking online for a twin doggy, I snuck the doggy out of Jonah's crib after he was fast asleep so I could look at it closely. Jonah woke up during my search screaming for his doggy!

Oh, we love that dog! I hope we never lose it! But mostly, I'm happy for Jonah that he has such a great buddy! I'm sure we'll reach a point where the dog is well loved and falling apart. And when he's bigger it'll be great to tell stories to his girlfriends about his little doggy to embarrass him. Right now I'm just hoping and praying that this little dog is well made (since I have NO idea if it was cheap or not), NEVER EVER gets lost, and will hold up as his buddy for a long, long time!

5 Year Check-Up

Tuesday I took Jacob to the pediatrician's office for his 5 year check up! I decided to make a "mommy/son" date of it so he could look forward to it instead of just fearing the shots. It was such a delightful morning for the 2 of us! I felt myself trying not to laugh as he so seriously listened to the nurse and doctor, trying hard to do all of the things he was asked to do. And, since he's our oldest and we've never done this before, I couldn't help but feel a little proud as he passed everything with flying colors! Our doctor is pretty thorough, so Jacob was quizzed on his letters, numbers, concept of numbers, shapes and colors. Then there was the vision and hearing tests, walking, jumping, running, getting dressed, etc., etc. I know it's not much, but I thought to myself, "Hmm, I taught him all of that. I must be doing a decent job after all!"

Then the dreaded moment came for the shots! Oh, the torture! I could almost SEE his heartbeat racing! First was the finger prick to check his iron levels. I watched his little face register surprise that it hurt a little more than he had expected. Then the 4 shots. I have to hand it to the nurse, she explained everything to him really nicely so Jacob knew exactly what to expect. Jacob put on a brave face! But then when it was all done he quietly put his head on my shoulder and silently cried for a minute. His good news came when the nurse told him he didn't have to have shots again until he was 12! TWELVE? 7 more birthday?! Jacob was beaming! That's a lifetime away for a 5 year old!

After that we went out for lunch at Dylan's where his favorite corn dogs are made! I even let him get the spaceship lunch sack with a toy inside. The lady at the register handed him a purple (his favorite color, how did she know?) balloon. Having Mommy's undivided attention, eating corn dogs, fries, lemonade and your favorite fry sauce -- it doesn't get any better than that in Jacob's eyes! And I have to agree! I love my little soon-to-be-kindergartner!

One thing I HATE about Utah!!!

I have to say there is one thing about Utah I REALLY HATE . . . THE INVERSION!!! As if the winter time isn't depressing enough with the cold, being stuck indoors, and shoveling the driveway (which I hate) -- we get to add the trapped air pollution to all of that in Utah. The air is so bad that it actually collects on the power lines causing thousands of homes to lose power . . . and my babies are breathing this stuff? Gross!