The B's Buzz

Feelin' the Love

2012-01-30T19:40:00.002-07:00

I have the best friends and neighbors ever. Who else could know what it's like to be bound to your house, not able to leave, and tending your kids 24/7, better than a mom? Who knows what will help keep you sane and connected to the outside world and entertained while inside your house, better than a mom? I feel unworthy to have been given one of these and am in awe of how many people really care at all. THANK YOU to all my friends and neighbors who are thinking about me. You've out-done yourselves. The gift was so over-the-top but oh-so-needed.Thank you for just "getting it" and understanding. I LOVE IT! (even though I feel a bit UN-tech savvy, this being my first real "tech-y gaget")

Also, thank you to everyone who has brought us dinner. It's the best thing in the world to have someone show up to your door with food. We've loved it everyone, so thank you!!

Here's the latest picture of Damon.

He's holding one of these:

a WubbaNub he got from one of his NICU nurses.

And last but not least, I had to throw in a pic of these two wild monkeys that have moved in since being home from the NICU. They're really cute, but bounce off the walls all day, every day!

That's the sound of sunshine comin' down

2012-01-23T20:03:00.000-07:00

Is it mean of me to post pictures like this?
He's so freakin' cute when he's mad!

If you notice the yellowish tube coming from Damon's nose - that's his nasogastric tube, ng or feeding tube. He gets half of his feedings and important medication through it. Yesterday I had cleaned up his face some and redid his duo-derm (face stickers). The tube had come out about an inch or two and I didn't notice it when I re-taped him or until today.

Today Damon had his first visit with his pediatrician here in town. He agreed that I should undo the tape and push the tube back into it's place so we were sure to get food and meds down properly. I got home, fed him so he'd be a bit happier, and gently took off the duo-derm. He did not love this. He arched his back and screamed a lot. Before I knew it he snorted the whole tube out!

Let's go back to before we left the NICU- We had to replace his ng tube to "pass" going home. It freaked me out then and it still freaks me out now! I tried three times today after it came out and got the tube in, but was nervous that it was in his lungs and not down to his stomach. I called the neighbor girl to sit with my kids and visited his pediatrician again to have him check that it was in the right place. Thank goodness we live right down the street from the clinic! After the whole ordeal we got home I turned on pandora to chill and this was the song that come on....

Yup, I can chill to this.

We still have had an eventful evening - A good friend had pizza delivered to our house, which was like Christmas all over again for my kids. We also had a neighbor bring Buddy's (Italian resturant in town) over. Double the Italiano, yummo! While I was tending to Damon, Mason warmed up some pizza for Marissa on a picnic plate (the wooden basket looking plate stabilizer that you put a paper plate on) in the microwave. I thought there was a fire in the house from all the smoke...Never a dull moment these days, but always looking for the sunshine, shinin' down. :)

Broadhead NICU

2012-01-22T19:57:00.000-07:00

We're home! Damon was able to come home with us on Friday evening from the NICU in Salt Lake. Sterling and I had to room-in with the baby Thursday night and take care of him to show that we actually could. At the time it felt like there was too much to remember and my brain was going to explode with information overload. But with some help from Damon's great nurses we somewhat know we're doing (somewhat) and are making it up as we go the rest of the time!

Damon with his night nurse Denise (holding him), and his day nurse Merideth. Seriously, the most wonderful two ladies. They were awesome with Damon and were angels to work with. What cool jobs they have!

Here is the Broadhead NICU.

A little make-shift from the original but it's functional.

Damon wears a feeding tube in his nose. He still is only able to eat 1/2 or a little more of his feeding through a bottle. It's getting better each day, but the rest of his feeding gets put in this bag and the blue pump pumps it through his tube straight to his stomach. We administer most of his medications through his tube as well.

Damon was sent home on a little oxygen. The cardiologist say it's such a little amount - like a whiff of air in and out of his lungs. He wears a probe on his foot that tracks his oxygen saturation and his heart rate. We turn the oxygen off a few times throughout the day because he just doesn't need it. It's like a security blanket really.

All of Damon's meds. To beef him up he takes a multi-vitamin, iron, bananas to thicken bottle feeds and milk fortification. If he is to have a surgery in 3-6 months he needs to be much bigger! To help his heart he is taking digoxin, furocemide, and a sodium supplement. His meds/feeding schedule is ridiculous and I was nervous about figuring it out. Even after over 48 hours of doing it ourselves it has felt more like second nature.

Mason and Marissa have been so excited to have their little brother home. They've both asked me, first thing, if they could tickle Damon. My kids love tickles!

Life at home has been so much more smooth than at the hospital, obviously I would think. We've all been adjusting so well, like having a baby in the house is nothing new! It goes to show how Damon was supposed to be here with his family and how blessed we are with this new adjustment. We love him bunches!

Best. News. Ever.

2012-01-17T20:19:00.001-07:00

First off, happy birthday to my beautiful mother today! I love you!

Also, go me for this being the 6th day in two weeks that I've pumped some iron or gotten down with some cardio. It feels awesome to be in the gym again. It does NOT feel awesome for my legs to kill when I sit on the toilet though... it will take time, lots and lots of time to get any sort of body back. Ouch!

Sterling and I made a decision late Saturday night that I should come home to Pocatello for the week with Mason and Marissa and that he should take the week off and stay with Damon in SLC. Trust me. Hard decision. I wanted to stay and be mommy to baby D but honestly, three weeks seemed to be my breaking point. I needed a change of scenery and needed to feel something of what normal life was like.

I wasn't going to feel guilty for needing a break either, because to be a good care giver and mother to kids, you just need a break once in a while. It's called loving yourself and taking care of you before you can truly love and care for others. Yes, this is something I have learned and I fully believe it is a secret weapon and "trick" for making it all work. There is no guilt in that, mothers out there!

I thought maybe I'd stay in Idaho until this Wednesday or Thursday knowing myself and that I just couldn't stay away. And it turns out, that may just be the plan...

Sterling texted me at 5pm this evening telling me that we can bring the baby home this weekend!!

It was perfect timing that the cardiologist team came for rounds on Damon and that Sterling was there to ask questions, and then that the cardio team stuck around to clear up questions with the attending doctor who was also right there to start his rounds. Both teams of doctors there at the same time? Miracles! I wouldn't have been so clued in to know what to ask like Sterling was, so what a blessing he was there to figure this all out.

Damon will come home with oxygen monitors, feeding tubes...all the equipment that will help him survive. The doctors assessed how he was doing and made sure all his ducks were in a row to head home. They say he passed and we are free to take him, mainly based on the fact that Damon's chromosome issue will make for slow learning on how to eat. It is either slowly teaching him at the NICU or here at home. All other issues like his heart and clubbed feet will be followed up in future appointments.

Big news, right? I feel grateful for Sterling tonight who took work off to help me care for Damon this week and who knew just what to say to assure the doctors that we could take this on at home, and not in the NICU hours away.

Damon, today after he ate a bottle thickened with bananas.
His eyes tell it all - he's wondering what in the world
made his bottle taste that good!

I am grateful for prayer and I know it works! Damon wouldn't be coming home and be doing so well without prayers and support from you. Thank you everyone!

Balancing Act

2012-01-14T13:38:00.001-07:00

Damon had another echo on Tuesday. A cardio echogram is essentially a detailed ultrasound on his heart. It lasts about 30 minutes. I took note of two things: sugar water is yummy to my baby and helps to keep screaming to a minimum, and I kept seeing images other than his heart in the image on the screen. True story, I saw a bunny, a barking dog, and a troll in the shape of the chambers of his heart. It was freaky and weird.

There has been some talk that we'd be able to take Damon home with him on a low flow of oxygen and a feeding or two taken in through a tube. The cardiologists put that nonsense to a stop, saying Damon needed to be completely off oxygen before he goes home. It would be more of a risk to have the large VSD like he does get larger while on oxygen at home. Gave a huge sigh of relief after hearing this. I'm anxious to take him home as it is, let alone with all this life support going on.

Damon has been eating more volume through a bottle this week. He ate a whopping 21 ml with his dad yesterday and 27ml today. YES! This well more than half of his every 3 hour feeding. At this rate, if he is able to eat well and put on more weight, but then be able to be weaned off this oxygen, the only thing holding him at the NICU is this heart condition. The cardiologists will be making the final call.

I had some good friends come down from Poky on Thursday. They saw the baby and then kidnapped me to go out to lunch and have some much needed girl time. Best. Friends. Ever. Thank you Nicole and Tonya!

This is random, but I've been "seeing" things, and I swear I saw Rob Pattensen's doppelganger. He was valeting my car at the hospital the other night. I've seen this guy twice now and may have to sneak a pic of him. He's like a baby-faced Edward and I wonder if he gets that, like all the time. :)

Sterling, Mason and Marissa came to Salt Lake Friday after being in Poky all week. Gosh I missed them. It's hard to get back into our groove. Not the kids so much, but Sterling and I. I equate it a little to when he comes back from deployments and trainings with the Air Force. The kids and I have a routine and a way that we deal with life while he's gone. It was like I switched places this week and I had to fit back into their routine and day-to-day. I'm having a harder time balancing my emotions and nurturing instincts! I want to be everything to everyone and it's nearly impossible. I am grateful for Sterling today though, who is up at the hospital right now with Damon while I can take a break and hang with the other kiddos. My hubby picks up the slack and helps keep things in balance when I need it. We're good at tag-teaming it.

So yes, please ask about Damon and we'll try to answer your questions. Thanks for all your love and support!

New title? Not so fast...

2012-01-10T00:39:00.000-07:00

I opened our blog today and read the title. The part about "us, in real life." I got to thinking that the picture behind the title doesn't really match "us, in real life". Our life is not as peachy and perfect as that picture looks. In fact, I've thought I needed to change the picture to depict something less perfect because that would describe our life more in general. Not to discredit my super-great family, but we are a normal, disfunctional family. Meaning we have our issues, our squawbles and arugments, our melt-downs. This is our life and I accept that. Just like I realize that you all don't live a peachy, cotton candy kind of life either. Life is not supposed to be that way.
With that being said I know that we can have peace and joy and even perfect moments in our lives. And I do know that my husband and kids help bring that peace and joy and near perfection. This is because we are a forever family. It is the most important thing to me. Especially right now.

Last week my husband was away from the kids and I, and this week I am away from the kids and hubby, and not because we want it this way, but because of a delicate, tender infant who needs my attention to thrive in his new exsisence. I am torn in a million pieces going back and forth on who needs me more - the kids, my husband, the baby...me, myself and I?

And so today...today was not perfect. I was moody and a bit ticked off that we were splitting up today. I wanted my husband to be there with me while I fed the baby at the hospital. I wanted my kids to not have to wait in the waiting room but finally get to see their baby brother. I wanted to bring the baby and we all drive home together today. I wanted to not get emotional when the nurse asked how my day was going, or to cry so hard when she left while I hugged my baby close and he snuggled so perfectly on my neck. I wanted to feel like in "real life" none of this could really be happening, because "us, in real life" isn't normally like this.

And then I started feeling even more selfish, thinking that I wanted my life back, life before I was pregnant. Before I was pregnant I wasn't feeling depressed or wasn't stressed out about having a child with special needs, not to mention all of the attention a newborn child requires.

All of these thoughts have flooded my mind today, and all the while I keep thinking of our Heavenly Father, granting us the blessings we need to help make this difficult time easier. He is still watching out for us, and hasn't forgotten about us, or the sweet spirit he has sent down to join our family.

As an update on Damon, he is doing so well! He is eating more from a bottle and having less or no residuals between feedings. His oxygen intake is lower and will most likely go down from a high flow to a normal flow after this week's echo on his heart. Damon isn't getting as worked up about things like his cares and checks and will wait patiently without screaming and listen to me talk while his food is warming. You'd be able to tell that he's getting older and more used to his surroundings. It's been a joy to watch him develop in the past two weeks.

Each milestone, as small as it has been, has felt like giant leaps of accomplishment and I couldn't be prouder of this little fighter of mine. The nurses and resident doctors seem to think it won't be much longer that he is in the NICU. But only time will tell.

Thank goodness for wonderful family and friends who have been picking up the slack. Thank goodness for a supportive husband and great kids. Thank goodness for a self-awarness of my own feelings. The blessings are rolling in and our experiences are making us a stronger. And for now, this is us, in real life.

Our Newest Addition

2012-01-05T20:34:00.000-07:00

Not many have been introduced in person to our new baby boy:

Damon Sterling Broadhead

He's in the NICU at University Hospital in SLC, UT. He was born on December 27th at 2:15 AM, was 4 lbs 11 oz and was 16 1/4 inches.

Damon has been a champ during his first week of life. It's been emotional and spiritual and just plain exhausting for us. Damon has a few different issues going on that requires him to stay in the NICU:

1) Hole in the heart, or a VSD, which has caused his heart to be large and to pump poorly. He is on a drug called digoxin to help his heart pump and function better. He will most likely need to have a surgery to repair the hole after he has gained some more weight, somewhere around 6 months.
2) Clubbed feet. His are a bit more severe but they will still do treatment of progressive casting.
3) High flow of oxygen. Staying on a higher level could cause his VSD to become larger so the docs are really trying to get him to function on a normal flow. At this point his little body cannot function well on a lower flow though.
4) Feedings. These are difficult for him. He hasn't orientated himself to breast or bottle very well even after a week and gets the majority of his feedings through a tube. He will get upset easily and sometimes is hard to console.
5) Chromosome 15q deletion. This happened spontaneously when he was created. He doesn't have facial deformities, but his heart issue and his clubbed feet could be caused from the deletion. Feedings and getting worked up easily are also most likely due to this issue. We are awaiting results from a micro array test to get more information and maybe know more to help us as he develops.

Jan 5, 2012 - my original due date
9 days old

This is about it for now. Please ask any questions you have. I feel like we've talked to numbers of doctors and have gotten tons of info in the past week. It's a little difficult to keep it all straight and for it all to make sense. We've been so blessed with this little one in our family and realize that we cannot know all of the plan at this point, as nice as that would be. Just taking it in one day at a time, whew!

Goodbye, Roxy

2011-12-19T16:18:00.001-07:00

We have had the pleasure of having Roxy be in our lives for the past 5 years. What a great dog! We got her from my in-laws (who own her mother) just a few months before we had Mason. Our kids have grown up with a dog around and have really truly loved her.

What is sad is how much I am NOT a dog lover. Hate me, but I just never grew up with a dog as a true "pet" or one to occupy a space in the house. With the birth of baby #3 rapidly approaching and a year ahead of unknown crazy, it was time to find a good home for our sweet dog.

We found a loving owner of another boxer who came and picked her up Sunday. Roxy couldn't be going to a better home where she'll have another dog to play with and even a warm bed of some kid that will use her as a body pillow, I'm sure!

It has been bitter-sweet, considering Mason loved Roxy with all his heart. He cried when we told him we'd be getting rid of her. He even asked Sterling what else we could give away instead of Roxy...oh it was tender!

We gave Roxy her last bath at our place and the kids slept with her in the living room that night. They played "puppy" with her for well over an hour late into the night. We know we'll have good memories and great stories to tell of the dog we once had, our dear Roxy!

I love December!

2011-12-19T14:27:00.001-07:00

It's been a busy and fun filled month and trust me, the best part has not even come yet!

38 weeks

I'm one week away from delivering this wiggle-monster of a baby inside me. He's making himself known in the most uncomfortable ways and its usually once I lay my aching body down to sleep. Good thing I have come to love him, without even seeing him yet. I don't think I can take much more of this! Although, I can only play the pregnancy card for one more week. Which means only one more week of munching on random peanut brittle around the house, which I am doing right now!

Already yhere's been birthday celebrations (my own and a friends), game nights and treats, making gifts and wrapping them up, schwanky Air Force Christmas parties and jolly kids ones, doctors appointments and non-stress tests, meals brought to our home, girl's night out and date nights. Whew! What a way to make the month go fast!

Celebrated my 29th with orange rolls for breakfast!

Visiting Santa at a family Christmas party
put on by Sterling's work.

This week is fairly shy of events, thank heavens. I'm just preparing for baby, packing our bags and tightening things up before the big day. Funny how that becomes work reaaaal fast.

Oh, did I mention celebrating Christmas Day in the mix of things? Indeed, Chrstimas will be so fun this year with our little munchkins. We're looking forward to their reactions to gifts.

But amongst the business and bustle this month has brought so far, I have enjoyed remembering the true meaning of the season. We've been reading the story baby Jesus' birth and I thank Him everyday for the modern ways babies come to us now. Our family is blessed, thanks to Him, as I'm sure yours is too.

Have a merry Christmas season!

2011 Christmas Advent

2011-12-01T10:05:00.001-07:00

Kids after eating first day of candy countdown

Candy countdown and scripture ornaments

Road Trip

2011-11-30T20:42:00.001-07:00

It's about to get crazy all up in here!

Yesterday started with a road trip. Me and the kids. Roughly three hours to Utah.

But not only was a road trip in our future, but a day spent playing with cousins and me going to endless doctors appointments. My sister-in-law came with me to the tedious hours spent going from University Hospital and then down to Riverton to Primary's Outpatient office.

At University, a genetic counselor explained in more detail results of my amnio done two weeks ago. A 15q deletion was present. Chromosome 15 had a missing piece that was replaced by unknown material. Sterling and I will be tested to find out if it is his material or mine, and that info will tell us if the baby will have some syndrome or what. Nothing was diagnosed since we need more info to fill in the blanks. But the chromosome deletion is likely causing the other issues the baby has (clubbed feet and heart issue).

So we went to Riverton for the fetal echo. After looking at his heart for an hour plus we spoke with the pediatric cardiologist who confirmed a hole between the lower left and right ventricles. The hole is not between good muscle so it may not repair itself as easily as a hole in another place, but it still could. There is no for sure chance that the baby would need surgery right after he's born but he may in the few months after. Conditions from living inside me to thriving on his own differ enough that we just cannot tell.

It is suggested that we deliver down in Salt Lake. After talking it over with Sterling we are ok with delivering either place, especially if I go into labor before they schedule me and especially if they are telling us there is no for sure chance a surgery is needed right away. We have our little life flight membership so I wouldn't feel sick about a needed emergency ride down there. But we'll do whatever.

My other kids had a fantastic day with their cousins and really want to do a sleepover with them soon! I am so greatful for an awesome sitter who watched them and all the extra kiddos, and again for my sis-in-law who was there for me when my hubby wasn't able to come. The roadtrip home was great, especially when the kids KO'd instantly when we hit the road!

Mostly I'm greatful for answered prayers that I'd be able to accept whatever information I found out that day. I felt a great peace and love. Our experience with this child is not going to be an easy one, but with all of the support we are recieving and guidance from Heavenly Father, I know we can get through it!

Thankful

2011-11-24T08:57:00.001-07:00

I am so thankful for my sweet little family. Mason asked if dad would be home today and I told him he'd be home all weekend. His reaction- "All Right! We can wrestle the whole time with him!" In fact, the kids are wrestling with their daddy right now. Listening to the kids laughing, Marissa saying "tickle me daddy!", and Mason making growling snarling noises as he attacks dad...it's just priceless!

I'm thankful for my kids who weren't on one this morning and actually were sweet while I made them breakfast. I like waking up to that rather than the alternative. Mornings are so much happier when they are sweet angels.

My husband rocks! He got home from working swings last night a whole 3 hours early. Best surprise ever. Just so you know, I love that guy more than anyone. Maybe more than my kids. It's a close race. Also, thankful for the military and all it's perks. Ster signed up for a giveaway and found out he won, to the tune of a $200 gift card. Holy awesome, batman!

This baby inside me, although he doesn't have a name yet, has become so special to me. I get to feel him move and I get to hear his heartbeat often. He may be my one high-maitenance kid, but I'll gladly take him. He will be one loved little guy in our home. ***Update: We met with the specialist on Friday and will now be meeting with a pediatric cardiologist in SLC to have a fetal echo done. Now the baby's heart is quite big and there is a hole. After we figure this out we'll be able to know if I'll be delivering here in Pocatello or down in Salt Lake. Good news though, early results of the amnio test we had done say chromosomes looked good, so no downs or severe mental retardation. Such blessings. Glad to have good doctors watching out for us. The doctor called yesterday before he left for holiday to give us the good news. Huge thank you to him! I'm six weeks today, and counting!!

I'm thankful for all of you friends, for a wonderful extended family, and for the blessing of the Savior. Also thankful for the in-laws who'll be putting on Thanksgiving dinner today and who assigned us to bring the drinks. I think I can handle that this year.

Sewing up some Christmas cheer!

2011-11-22T21:35:00.001-07:00

Last year for my birthday my mom gave me this book. Within the year I've done a few of the projects and have enjoyed being all crafty.

This year for Christmas I really wanted to do a few "homemade" gifts for the kids and make things they would love and really play with.

For my boy I thought he'd love this, since he's always talking about space and such:

Rocket pillow and Star Wars dudes to go with

And knowing my little girl's love for anything girly and doll-ish, I made her this:

Fabric dollhouse with a little doll set to go inside.

And these are mainly for me to keep some sanity on Sundays, but the kids are gonna love 'em too:

I-Spy bags for quiet church time.

I'm six weeks away from a newborn in the house again and I've sewed more now than I've sewed in the past two years! I think I've about got the nesting thing down! We're putting up Christmas decorations this weekend and I'll post the other sewing projects I've taken on in the past few weeks. Just a little something to help pass the time. :)

Marissa

2011-11-16T06:57:00.001-07:00

November 2nd was another best day of life. It's been three years since this cutie was born! She is my snuggle-bug, sweetheart, and baby-doll. We celebrated her birthday by again, doing our normal stuff and waiting for dad to get home to open presents - princess style.

She sure is my sweetest daughter and I love 'er!

Gross...to Shiney!

2011-11-13T18:19:00.001-07:00

We bought a used car seat in great condition with our first baby, and used it for our second, of course. The second baby being a girl, I wanted something cute and "girly" to cover it, but ended up failing miserably at that sewing project and just wrapped that girl in pink everywhere we went. When I pulled the thing out to get it ready for baby I about puked. Oh, it was nasty! Thanks to the wonderful world of sewing tutorials online I attempted once again to recreate something usable for our baby.

Here was the existing car seat:

Gross.

And more gross.

It's looking like new again and I feel better about having my baby sit, sleep, and ride in the thing! Did a cover blanket with some elastic around the edge and a Velcro closure down the front to use during the windy and freezing winter ahead.

I love how it turned out!

Mason

2011-11-12T20:55:00.001-07:00

October 13th marked the 5th anniversary of one of the best days of my life...the day I became a MOM and this sweet boy of mine was born. We celebrated that day by doing all the normal stuff we do, but waiting patiently all day long for dad to get home to open presents and have cake.

Mason shared cupcakes at preschool and went to the pumpkin patch with his class the week of his birthday.

I sure love this kid!

A Heartfelt Thanks

2011-11-11T17:23:00.001-07:00

Greatful today for all those who have and are

sacrificing and serving for our freedoms.

Thank you.

{I love my Airman}

And I cannot go without thanking my

husband who serves with all of his heart.

Happy Veterans Day!

To be Pregnant again!

2011-11-10T21:38:00.001-07:00

We all handle things differently. With this pregnancy, I've been different.

Allow me to share...

We were ready for another baby! The excitement of finding out I was prego was just as exciting as finding out I was prego with my first and second child. We thought, here we go... only 9 months away from baby #3! In my mind I knew I was ready for this.

Little did I know how hard these pregnancy hormones would hit me. I suffered from sad feelings and did a lot of nothing the first few months. At 12 weeks an ultrasound showed placenta previa, placenta positioned above my cervix, and I was put on pelvic rest until my next ultrasound at 20 weeks. I was showing almost instantaneously after taking the pregnancy test and gained a majority of my weight in these first months. I just was not feeling good about things.

17 weeks prego - July 24th

At my 20 week ultrasound there was question of the baby having clubbed feet. I had an additional ultrasound after that with a specialist from Salt Lake to confirm the baby having clubbed feet, but he also was concerned and was watching a dialated ventricle in his brain, a smaller sized abdomen and a shorter than normal leg bone. No, nothing was diagnosed, but the clubbed feet coupled with these things could mean larger problems with our baby.

I admit I did not take this news easily. I had to process on my own and with my husband for a few days, weeks, and even months before I told some people. The possibilities and risks and unknowns were just so far out of our reach. The monthly ultrasounds with the specialist, a possible amnio test, a possible delivery in Utah...not to mention the unknown after the baby was born- lifeflight rides to SLC, surgeries, casts, and doctors visits. In many ways I felt in so much dispair about the pregnancy and health of our baby.

29 weeks prego - October 15th

With 8 weeks until my due date (January 5th, 2012) I can say that I've come to terms with what info we've been given. I don't feel sad like I did initially, but mostly hopeful. No, I don't know all that I want to know. No, I cannot plan completely for life after the baby is here, not to mention getting him here in the first place. I've had to put complete faith and trust in God. He knows me and knows what I can do. And I know I can get through this. Even if getting through means not doing it the way I would have done it before.

Since my last appointment with my OB and in between my next appointment with the specialist, I've been going in twice a week to have non-stress tests done on the baby. Baby has been a champ and has an excelerated heart rate two times in twenty minutes each time I've gone in which is right what they're looking for. We were joking that as we started talking about Christmas plans he started to move more...maybe telling us that he was going to be born early on Christmas Day?

I can only hope. And pray.

That this baby boy will be everything he is meant to be.

What I am Learning...

2011-11-09T20:31:00.000-07:00

...About being a mom is:

When helping my two kids choose between anything (i.e. different movies, snacks, book to read), and there is not time or realistic measures for the kids to have both of their choices, I look at who is more sensitive at the moment. Who is the kid that will break down in tears and be crushed if their choice is not chosen. This is who's choice I do not start with when doing "eenie-meenie-minnie-mo". It works out in the end (with only two choices mind you) that the more sensitive/explosive child's pick will be picked by M-O-M, who's decision is all important and final in the decision. No whines or melt-downs of said child! In fact, pure bliss and happiness exudes from their face and everything is right in the world! This method saves much heart-ache and wailing at our house.

Such as tonight, when Marissa wanted to watch an episode of Kung Fu Dinos on Netflix, and Mason wanted The Pink Panther. Marissa didn't nap today, was seconds away from crying as it was and to not get her choice would have made ME snap. Strategically choosing her movie was like heaven, especially when she jumped up and down saying how happy she was that her movie was picked! Yes, heaven indeed!

Gold, really?

2011-09-07T17:08:00.005-06:00

Went to the dentist to get my first crown today. Have to do the whole temporary crown thing for two weeks. But that's not what had me concerned. I didn't know my dentist strongly believed in putting a GOLD crown on my weakling of a tooth. How could I have missed this? I felt like I needed more time and more prepping for the crazy look of a yellow nugget of gold fixed in the back of my mouth.

But he explained- it was going to be in the back of my mouth, so it'd withstand much more force than something porcelain. I was sweating a little, wanting to walk out to find me another dentist, but couldn't say no to the old guy whom I'd trusted for so many years. (We go back over 5 years, which is kinda a big deal to us.) I hunkered down, got my shot of Novocaine, and cringed as he drilled my tooth down. The temp was cemented on and poof, I'm whole again.

This sucker better not come off in two weeks. Until then I'll be wondering when I could eventually sell my dental gold. More importantly though I may need to come up with some pregnant/Snoop-Doggy/gangster costume for Halloween to set off my new golden display.

1st Day of Preschool

2011-09-06T19:16:00.006-06:00

Mason went to his first day of preschool today. The past two years he's done some school at daycare or at a neighbor's, so today seemed like no big deal. He said he learned about caterpillars and how they build cocoons and then turn into butterflies. He also learned about picking up toys and he met lots of new friends, of which all of them he liked! That's awesome! Mase turns the big 5 in a few weeks, but another year before kindergarten won't be so bad. We think he's pretty great!

A late night rambling of the day-

2011-02-07T23:29:00.006-07:00

Some main highlights of the day:

Went to the library and saw our good friend Amanda. She used to watch Mason and Marissa about a year ago. My kids adore her. She is working as the library lady who does the kid story time and music time. She rocks!

Had an amazing kick awesome workout today at the gym. I'm trying to do weight training with a lot of cardio to help burn fat and sculpt my body. It's working. Now trying to consciously remember to eat well all day long to not undo the good. Um...and I went to Zumba later tonight as well. It's such a highlight to either Zumba or Hip Hop in the evenings, even if I drag the kids to the gym twice a day. I like to shake it!

I foiled some blond into my hair today. Time to start the beach-babe look to match the eventual beach-babe body, or whatever. Just tired of the dark. I've got to keep things fresh and not dull and stuffy, ya know?

My kids were cute today. That is why I sat down to write this post. But what about them was so cute?? They were kinda grumpy because they went to bed late last night. Those things happen when daddy is gone. Mommy just kinda slacks off. I guess what sticks out in my mind today is what good listeners Mason and Marissa are becoming. I give them lots of choices and for the most part they choose good things. Things that make me happy. Yes, their room is a total mess right now, and no all the toys aren't picked up. Those are our chores for tomorrow. Aside from that little stuff, I didn't feel like I lost control today. There were still kiddy melt-downs and messes and fits, but I felt in control. That's a big old score for me today! Woot woot!

Oh gosh, that's what else, my friend Kari brought us dinner tonight. Papa Murphy's. She's a saint! What a total sweetie to think of us. I love her!

Ok, and now I'm remembering what Mason did. I was in the shower rinsing my bleached hair while I thought my kids were watching Dora or Diego, whatever was handy and on Netflix at the moment. There was some questions asked and one of the kids came in the bathroom and then left, but I was finishing up fast and drying off. I hear the front door open and close and as I came out to look for my kids, Mason was gone. Marissa hadn't gotten her nap and was freaking out about me not keeping a door open or something. I walked through the kitchen and saw out the window Mason running in the front yard, tripping, and then falling into the cold wet snowy grass. No, he didn't have his shoes on. He had MY ugg-looking boots on! Oh dear he looked funny! I took a pic with my phone and will have to add it to the post tomorrow. He told me he was in a hurry and saw my boots so he put them on. Hahaha, he makes me laugh!
** Gosh, so glad I remembered THIS: Mason was outside running around the yard in the freezing cold looking for a flower to pick to give to me. Isn't that THE cutest?? I love my boy like crazy!! **

So, this post is mainly for me to remember today. It may mean nothing to anyone else. It's random and super stay-at-home-mom-ish, but wow - that's my life right now. I love it so much. I know it's what I'm here to do.

**Yup, this is why I am at the desktop computer instead of using my laptop. Mason, that sweet-thang, decided to help me "clean" by spraying the water bottle all over the oven door and the walls and my slippers, and yes, my laptop. Dang! Everything seemed to be ok after I took out the battery and let the whole thing dry out upside down for a few hours, except the mouse pad part. When I double tap it the curser doesn't click anything. Hoping that a night to dry will save it. Please oh pretty please. :) **

Wake Up!

2011-02-06T17:41:00.005-07:00

Marissa was asleep on the couch this afternoon. I had finished cleaning up lunch and told Mason he could watch his show while Marissa and I rested. He was fine with it so I snuggled up on my bed and was just getting all nice and warm and comfy when I hear Marissa scream out in anguish! Oh great, now I'm never going to get a nap...

I go upstairs, walk into the living room to find Marissa on the couch with a soaked head and shirt! I asked Mason, what - how did she get wet?! Um, he said, I poured this bowl of water on her to wake her up. Why would you do that, I asked. Because I wanted her to watch this show with me. What an interesting way to get someone to do something. We just laughed and cleaned up.

***

"I will pass this test called life if only I can be happy and enjoy every moment." -Me :)

It was the Dog?

2011-02-05T20:03:00.005-07:00

As I was putting a movie on for the kids tonight-

Me: Who colored on the tv screen?
Mason: Not me, nuh-uh...
Me: (looking at Marissa) Was it you?
Marissa: (Shaking her head no, thinking about it for a sec and then scowling) Bad dog, bad dog!
Me: (laughing) Bad dog? What, the dog did it?
Marissa: Yeah, dog did it, bad dog!
Mason: (smiling) Yeah, it was the dog!
Me: I doubt it was the dog, it wasn't even in the house, but I'll get a rag so you guys can clean it off.

As I'm leaving the room-

Mason: The dog does have hands, mom.

Sorry, blaming your messes on the dog doesn't fly in our house, kiddles.

A Tradition of Ours

2011-02-03T19:55:00.002-07:00

Sterling left for his annual tour of duty today. Lucky him, it's in Hawaii! What a perfect time to go, right in the dead of winter. I'm sure the warm sunny weather will feel delicious while back at home here in Idaho the temperature has been in the single and even negative digits. Booooo....

Last year, about the same time, Sterling left for 6 weeks to Haiti with the Air Force to help with earthquake relief. The night before he left we went to Cold Stone for family night. So we kept on with the same tradition and went to Cold Stone last night before he left today.

We ordered the Brownie a la Cold Stone sundae and shared it. Totally yummy. The best part though was watching our kids. We were laughing so hard. They would pull the dish towards themselves then get after one another to share, and eventually both of their faces ended up inches from the dish, determined to inhale every last spoonful of dessert.

Even if they joke about making that obnoxious slurping noise when they want a sweet treat before hand, there is no messin' around when spoon is in hand. Going out for dessert in our family is serious business.

Fallin' In Love Again

2011-02-02T16:28:00.004-07:00

Took a hiatus just shy of 8 months from the good old blog. No, it didn't feel good and I actually missed it. But it was that added "thing" I just didn't have time for. Could have made time, sure. A break was what was needed, so yeah. Going to try harder, starting now. I'm back to staying home with my kids, and wow it feels awesome.

I'm in a happy spot! It DOES feel awesome, for me. Probably not for my most recent employer, probably not for the mom down the street, but for me. Happiness is what I'm going for these days. Not that I wasn't mostly happy working part-time out of the home. Not that my kids didn't enjoy that needed social time with other kids.

It was just time.

Now, time to party!! No really, when am I going to plan the next groove-down, a la Sandi style? Good for you I'll tell ya in another blog post! So take 2, readahhhs! Time to fall in love again with my blog!

(Yes, Usher is helping me out with that today, providing suh-weet tracks to move to. Doin' most of my movin' at Gold's hip hop class and my very own kitchen floor these days. Life is good.)

Ahem, is this thing on?!

2010-06-16T12:06:00.004-06:00

Wow. LIFE happened and IS happening and I've not blogged or even READ blogs for yup, that long! I've missed it alot, but fun and exciting things have been happening in our little lives too.

I don't wish to backtrack much because that would be way too much effort and even the thought of it scares me away from blogging ever again. I may do a flashback post here or there though, just to mix things up. Ok, I can't resist. My little bro got married and this is us in Seattle at the wedding.

At the moment our daddy is away, again. He's in Japan for the squadron's two week tour of duty. He will be home this weekend. So far this year he's been to way too many trainings and tour's and it's been very exhausting for me as the other parent/lonely wife. Sterling won Airman of the quarter so all of this hard work and effort is paying off, thank goodness. It's hard to share my husband with the airforce sometimes!

Mason and Marissa, those little hooligans! Growing up so fast. I love it!

Mason loves playing Candyland and signs colors to me, like what shirt he's wearing. Thank you preschool for teaching my child! :) Marissa will copy anything I say, or Mason says. It's hilarious and I think she's picked up faster on the talking thing than Mason. She still sqeals at the top of her lungs and I think my hearing is for sure about gone.

I'm going to girl's camp! First as the assisant ward leader, but since have been called into the presidency. Oh my, pray for me! I'm actually so excited about it but wonder if I'm more excited to be like one of the girls more than to be a leader at camp. We're going to have a blast either way. I'm also working like crazy. Still part-time hours but it's busy, makes the days fly by, and makes me sane. LOVE my job.

So, life is good. And whether or not I blog about it, every moment is precious!

Some Weekend Buzz

2010-04-11T01:17:00.003-06:00

I must have some sort of blogging disorder. When I don't have time to blog about things in the order they've happened I sort of shut down and my eye starts to twitch. Haha, for instance, this is crazy - I'm blogging about stuff before I can post about our Easter weekend! Let's hope I don't get put into that straight jacket again... but on to some breaking news:

We're here in Utah for drill weekend. It's been eventful so far, because we picked Sterling up from the airport (he was in Texas for some training), we went to see How to Train Your Dragon this afternoon with some cousins, (which was totally awesome and Mason and I tried to laugh at all the scary parts), but then Mason had a vomiting fit and the signs of an ear ache tonight, which has been unfortunate. He's asleep now after some Motrin, but not me! I'm sitting here trying to update the good 'old blog. It's just been a while, ya know?

Be sure to read the posts down below too, just to catch up with us a little.
And that's all til next time. Xoxo.

hard at work or hardly working

2010-04-11T01:00:00.001-06:00

My c0-worker and I while she is getting a laser treatment.

We both thought we looked just a little ridiculous...

Really, no one and nothing was harmed while taking this picture, haha!

Vegas!

2010-04-11T00:30:00.003-06:00

It was only right to go on a four day vacay to LV with the hubby after he got home. Flew out of IF, stayed in the penthouse suite (sweet upgrade!), bought some new sunnies,enjoyed amazing sunshine, ate at our favorite restaurants, won a little cash-ola, shopped, sun-bathed, ate some more... best time ever! I'm pretty much in love with my husband and loved even more to spend some quality R&R with him. So glad you're home, for now....

The night view from our room and us at the Bellagio

Just us having a fab time on the strip

Another Homecoming

2010-04-10T23:23:00.003-06:00

This time it was from Haiti and it's been over a month ago since he got home. After re-doing this post about 4 times I've decided to keep it short and to the point. We love Sterling and would MUCH rather have him home with us than away!

Read more about the squadron coming home here.

Ramblings of a Working Mom

2010-03-23T16:43:00.004-06:00

Blah! It's one of those days.
At my work I meet great people who love their facials and treatments and who give a really big head, not gonna lie. :) They think I'm awesome, so naturally I love to see them and love my job.

Once in a while I can't please that one client... who gets vicious... and I start to question my ability. I just want her to have the best experience possible and it hurts when they didn't, because it's probable because of something I could have helped. It's embarrasing and it tears me up inside!

While recovering from my 'blah-day', I liked hanging out with my kids and making cookies. And we listened to Pandora 'Party in the USA' radio station. Oh, talk about awesome tunes!! :) Loved them...aaaaannnddd.... my kids can bust some sweet moves. I love them!

They've caught it!

2010-02-15T13:58:00.003-07:00

Woke up to snow, which resulted in me shoveling while the kids watched a movie after breakfast. Maybe it's the weather that is making my kids act like out-of-control wild beasts...or wild bear cubs more like it. I would go as far to say that they've caught the spring fever...

- A chair was pulled up to the downstairs sink and water was everywhere on the floor and countertops, and Marissa was drentched head to toe.
- Marissa decided daddy's tea tree shampoo was fun to play with in her bath until she got it in her eyes and it began to tingle her skin. Yikes!
-All the water downstairs distracted me from the glass jars they managed to get into. Marissa brought one upstairs, slipped on the freshly mopped floor and cut her little fingers!
-The just-folded-last-night-but-not-yet-put-away basket of kids' laundry in their room would not go unnoticed today. Clean clothes spread out all over their room!
-Mason helped fold and put away his clothes and slipped and hit his head on his closet door. Goose egg the size of Texas, really!
-If not nap time, at least they were to have quite time in their room. I go downstairs to put away some things and find another broken jar all over the floor! Seriously, I vacuumed the heck out of the carpet.

Kind of hoping for a little nap myself while the kids are being "quiet". But if I'm smart I'll sleep with one eye open, because a quiet house around here can mean messes and sometimes trouble!

My Valentines

2010-02-14T08:09:00.006-07:00

Traditionally on Feb. 14th there is a ton of this going on,

(I got the free printable valentines HERE)

And a TON of this....

And this year even some of this was going on!

(Thanks babe for the beautiful surprise!!)
But without this handsome guy,
And these two kiddos,

my Valentines day

would not be even half as sweet.
I love you, my darlings!

My Story as a Lostie

2010-02-07T19:55:00.003-07:00

Hi, my name is Sandi, and I'm a Lostie.

When I was working as a hair stylist, a co-worker introduced me to the show while it was in it's second season. She lent me the first dvd of the first season to watch and see if I'd like it, and yes, I was hooked. I hunted her down for a week straight catching up on all the episodes. It became my evening ritual, to watch an episode (maybe more) a night. My husband played along. He thought the show was cool becasue I thought it was cool.

I got into the show more, found a favorite fan site where they posted all sorts of spoilers of the new episodes and such. Then I had kids and that didn't happen all that much anymore. I mainly got my Lost fix the day after online at ABC.com. It has worked out fabulous to follow the show since it's story line is so complicated and detail rich. I highly encourage you to watch from season 1 before ever jumping in half way, just to know what the heck is going on. This post on The Sanatorium.com really made me laugh, It made me think yeah, what kind of wacko show HAVE I been watching?! :) A dang good one for sure!

What's your story? When did you become a Lostie?

Just FYI

2010-02-07T18:36:00.003-07:00

No msn, I will not be seeing this movie in the theaters. You know why? It is not safe for me to be watching such gut-wrentching, tear-jerking, bologna-crap while my husband is gone. And, I heard it wasn't all that good anyway. (I will probably end up renting this movie and I'll try to be strong, no matter how true to life it really ends up being. But it won't matter anyway because I'll be curled up in the arms of my hubby on a lovely, quiet Saturday night at home.) So eat that, sappy-Dear-stuff-it-in-my-face-John movie.

My Happy List

2010-02-07T16:53:00.008-07:00

My MIL came and took my kids for a few hours. I've been ill this weekend, so it worked out perfect that she happened to be in town and help me out. What a life-saver.
I've been away from the blog, if you hadn't noticed. I just get this way when Ster is gone. I don't care to tell everyone about my everyday happenings because sometimes there is nothing different that happens, and sometimes it's not all that positive, and sometimes I feel a little pathetic. There are good and fun things that we do, I just don't have a desire to share.
So I'll share with you my happy list. The list of 5 things that make me smile right now.
1. A phone call from my hubby. I've said it before and I'll say it again. No amount of money, no benefit or perk, makes up for Sterling being gone. He's irreplaceable to me! So I LOVE it when he calls and I can hear his handsome voice. :)
2. The Elizabeth Gaskell Collection - My friend Joey had me run to Costco to pick this us at a fab price. I've loved them and am addicted to period-films now (not that I didn't love them before). Also, can I tell you how much I love the newly redone Emma and my all-time favorite movie, Jane Eyre? FAB-U-LOUS.
3. My sweet kids. Not once, but many times have my kids given me the best hugs and snuggles while Dad's been gone. That is the one thing, most precious above all things, that melts my heart. My kids are so great and I LOVE them!
4. Going to work. I love my job! I love making people feel good. It's like being able to serve someone, make them take a load off and pamper them. The economy may not be amazing, but everyone needs a little time for themselves. I am one to talk - I probably need a facial or massage as much as anybody.

5. Fudge Brownies from Maverik. A girl who I work with also works as the food manager at the Maverik gas station. Not a good thing when you know someone who is a baker. They have been my naughty indulgence on those really tough days.

Friday's update

2010-01-22T08:16:00.003-07:00

Sterlng called me just before 8am and was at the base. They were loading all of their equipment on a C-17 and were going to take off within the 1/2 hour. We didn't talk for long, but he mentioned T-mobile offering free roaming down in Haiti right now. A few of the people going with him have service through T-mobile so he'll be able to call when he gets there at least. He mentioned a Fox and another local Utah station going down on the flight with them to Haiti for a short few hours to get some coverage, and turing back around for home. I'll be sifting the internet for what they put in their news.
I couldn't get to bed last night and just kept looking up news about Haiti. I Google mapped the airport in Port-au-Prince and could see where Ster will most likely be living. On the airport line practically! I also stumbled across these before and after pictures of the capital from Wired's website. I thought they were interesting to look at.

Some Funnies

2010-01-21T16:06:00.003-07:00

I had to go to the bathroom and my kids both followed me. I really had to go to so I shut the door but didn't take the time to lock it. Of course Mase opened it and proceeded to ask me for the 5th time if he could have some fruit snacks. I'll include our conversation (because all the cool kids do that kind of thing on their blog):

Me: Mason, I'm going potty, would you mind getting out and shutting the door and waiting a sec until I can help you?
Mason: Oh, You going potty? You going pee-pee? You go pee-pee and poo-poo and I take you to Don-odes? (translation - McDonald's)

Maybe you can tell that we are trying desperately to help Mason catch on to the whole potty training thing. We only occasionally go to McDonald's, so to him that would be a huge treat.

However, to show that we our "occasional" trip to McDonald's happened just yesterday, :) Mason had his little "Simon" chipmunk from his happy meal and Marissa was freaking out that she did not have hers and Mason would not let her touch his. We went looking for her little "Eleanor" chipmunk, and I happend to see something colorful under the couch:

What a cute girl, hiding all her toys in one spot, like the little chipmunk she is. Sure love this smarty pants!

Here's the Latest

2010-01-20T22:21:00.003-07:00

I can't stop thinking about the turn of events in the past week! I had to dump it all somewhere, so to the blog it goes.

It all started last Friday. We decided we would go on a temple trip to Twin Falls and drop the kids off in Burley with Ster's parents. About 1:30, as we were getting ready to leave, Sterling got a phone call from the base. They asked him if he had gotten this email a few days ago about volunteering for relief aid in Haiti. He acutally hadn't gotten the email, but they asked if he would. They needed to know right away, before the end of the day even - you know how military stuff works. They gave him the option of helping for 30, 60, or 120 days, but had no other details of where or when or what exactly he'd be doing to help. We talked it over, weighed the pros and cons, Ster even called up his boss seeing how his work would handle things, and decided sure. Let's sign you up for 30 days. It is for a really good cause and is a great opportunity and is only for 3o days.

We went down to Burley only to find out that the Twin Falls temple was closed, but found a book that went along perfectly for our talks we had to give in Sacrament meeting that Sunday. (That is all besides the point of my story, but I feel like our trip to Burley was meant to be after all!)

We both kept thinking about the huge mission Ster had signed up for, thinking it was going to be the end of this month or later, at least, when they would call him to go. We kept weighing all the possibilities, still feeling good about our decision. Sure enough, Sterling got a phone call four days later on Tuesday afternoon. They told him the group was going and to report to base at 11am the next day. We both were SO surprised at how fast they were pulling everything together! This was happening SO much sooner than we expected.

When Sterling got home we went to dinner and out to ice cream. We had a fun little evening with the kids and tried to enjoy every last minute with our daddy before he left. We got him packed and then left early the next morning to get him to base on time. Sure enough the snow was flyin' and the roads were a bit nasty on the way to Utah. I just kept praying the roads would be better on the way back home, since the kids and I were dropping him off and turning right back around. I had to work later that afternoon. Everything worked out fine and we were safe and we all made it to where we needed to be.

What Sterling has found out since he got to base is that the group will be flying into Port-au-Prince, the city devestated by the massive earthquake, and they will be doing their AF jobs at the airport there. So far he's been issued a sleeping bag, there is rumor of not much more than MRE's to eat, and he's been trained to properly operate a 9mm pistol that he'll be carrying around. Ster's duties include unloading pallets of cargo off and on the planes with fork lifts. He did this job while he was in Baghdad last summer and he really enjoyed it.

There is most likely no internet or cell phone access, but even calling home may be difficult. It will be a totally different experience than his deployment to Iraq. There will probably be days in between phone calls instead of a daily live chat in the afternoon. I'm starting to realize how important accessible and instant communication is to us.

I came home and worked a full day and was distracted, for the most part, about the fact that Ster was actually gone. I know we'll be tons better off than we were when he left last April because we have some idea of what living without him is like, but there is nothing or nobody that can replace him when he's gone and it still hurts all over again. The whole situation humbles me though, and me being without my husband for a little over a month seems like a smaller sacrifice when it comes to helping the humanity in Haiti survive.

Crafting Blogs

2010-01-05T18:23:00.003-07:00

I have been reading some fantastic crafting blogs lately. They are my go to places for when I need to channel my energy into something creative. I pulled a lot of my homemade Christmas gifts this year from their very posts. There are SO many things I have starred and want to do and thought I'd also share them here with you. Here are my top four:

#1 Little Birdie Secrets I love everything they post. Everything! I made two crochet necklaces for gifts and they turned out so good. Love the ribbon organization ideas here and here.

#2 How Does She... This is the coolest site, and it's creators are here in Idaho. Awesome! I made some of the pop top gift containers to give as neighbor gifts and the post on organizing a birthday card box seems like a good idea for me to do this year.

#3 Brown Paper Packages I love the twine covered cans idea since I have a few saved empty formula cans and the advent calander for Christmas. Seriously cute stuff. Love it!

#4 The Idea Room Two words: BabyLegs! Love these and have the stuff to make about 5 more pairs! And, thanks to this blog I make this English Toffee twice over the holiday! Endless fun and crafty ideas here.

My hat goes off to the women who create and pull together the ideas on these sites. I really appreciate their time and effort. Seriously, in the time I spent creating this post tonight, my kids rampaged through MY room, crunched up graham crackers all over the kitchen floor, and were putting toy cars in the blender when I finally finished. My life would be a complete tornado if I did this any more often than I do. Kuddos ladies and thanks!

A good day

2010-01-04T20:41:00.003-07:00

I got all of our Christmas decorations put away today. It was a great feat, since I didn't use three boxes of previous year's decorations this year. I read in a magazine a good suggestion for taking care of the tons of decorations that we accumulate over the years. Pack and put away only the decorations that will be a joy to unpack and unwrap next Christmas. So, that's what I did, and I know have two boxes of stuff that I am going to yard sale, craigslist, or donate. Nice!

Workout at the gym was awesome tonight. I've started a new blog (you can read it here) if you're interested in my road to healthy awesomeness. I'm kind of excited for it and want to work on the page a little more. We just registered today for the Idaho Spudman Triatholon lottery today, so yeah! Awesome!

Anyway, I'm excited for a new work week and to get my laser on. Way amazing specials on all laser services for all you in Pocatello thinking or interested in getting some laser hair removal done. Now is the time to do it!

Okay, just giving you all an update. We don't have tv channels, so we're keeping up with the Fiesta Bowl on ESPN's GameCast. Go BSU!

Christmas In Washington

2009-12-29T21:37:00.003-07:00

Christmas Eve was spent playing all day!

Christmas Day was wonderful!

We were together with Mom & Dad, Chad,
and Emma & Matt

The cute kiddos got new duds for church.

They are so sweet!

I'm Alive and Well

2009-12-29T18:01:00.004-07:00

I've checked out of the blog world for a while.

I will have you know that I will not beat myself up over this. I am still taking pictures of my husband, kids and I having fun, I am still doing my occasional crafty projects, I am still eating, - I'm just not sharing it on my blog. Simple as that.

I did rent and watch that cute Julie and Julia movie a few weeks ago and truly was inspired to start a cooking blog. Maybe not a cooking blog because I KNOW that would not be good for my girlish figure, but maybe some sort of blog. I'll have to think about it.

Hope everyone's holidays were fantastic, also. Ours were nice and we're home now and enjoying eachother so much. I did get a new sewing machine that I want to try out. I'm looking for my new project already.

Just to show that our family really is alive and well, here is a pic of us over the holiday!

Happy 1st Birthday!

2009-11-10T15:07:00.002-07:00

Marissa had a birthday last week, but we've been so busy we haven't had a chance to all be together to celebrate. When Daddy got home from drill this weekend we pulled out the cake and gifts and had so much fun. Marissa loved her cake and her baby doll we got for her. Mason loved the baby doll too, and they squeal over who gets to play with it all the time now.

This had been one of the fastest years I can remember, and I'm sure they'll just get faster and faster. I love my little girl though. I want to remember her as "one" forever I think.

It'll Pop Your Socks Off!

2009-11-09T16:24:00.004-07:00

My cousin Clint has a band called Spondee.

My brother Matt, the kids, and I went up to Rexburg to their concert this weekend!

It was a blast! LOVE their music.

We did a bunch of shimmy and shakin'.

Nothing better than a fun night out dancing!

Mason is Three!

2009-10-13T09:52:00.004-06:00

Mason is doing one of his favorite things today, playing with his cars!

We're waiting for Dad to be home this evening to open a few gifts.

Mason had waited and waited for months

to blow out candles on a Cars birthday cake.

Dressed up as a pirate there is no better way to open

your presents than with your hook!

Ahoy There, Matey's!

2009-10-11T21:02:00.003-06:00

We had a blast at the Pirate party this weekend.
The backyard was decked out in every thing pirate.
There were even real chickens.

We all dressed up as wild pirates and my
Grandpa Vickery even showed us his new tats!

Ray and Elise

My parents, Kourt, and a "sexy" pirate warming by the fire (Matt).

Marissa didn't love her daddy in that strange looking mask
and Mason loved dressing up.

Family Pictures

2009-09-19T17:22:00.005-06:00

I haven't posted pictures for a while so this is catch up. I've been hoping to get pictures done by Nema Blanchard for a few years now. I love her work and love how our pictures turned out.

So this is us right now, pouty kids and all. Gotta love it.

A Few Things

2009-09-17T16:44:00.002-06:00

Mason is not always a sweet boy. Proof of that is in our family pictures (which I'm still debating which to post and which to keep to ourselves). He is pouting in about 85% of them. Lovely. Ster and I were looking at them again last night and we just cracked up at his sad face.t Awh man, it made a good memory if nothing else. I like that quote ,"Come what may and Love It".
Back to my point, he's not always sweet, but today he did a sweet thing for Marissa. She was put in her crib to lay down for a nap. Instead of rough housing and being obnoxious so she couldn't sleep, he sat down by her crib and read a story to her. It's his favorite one lately, Dr. Suess' Happy Birthday to You, and he only looked at the pictures and read it to her, but it was a very precious moment.

Also, I am back at Sunsations Med Spa! I love it there! I am taking waxing and facial appointments but need to practice on YOU. Yup, anyone in Pocatello willing to accept FREE spa services, get a hold of me ASAP. I love what I'm doing and you're going to love the spa if you've not been in yet. Call me! (I know, I'm shameless!)

I'll be honest with you:

2009-09-16T11:50:00.003-06:00

I felt like a dork today.
I went to Costco to use my coupons on things we actually need, but the coupons aren't valid until tomorrow. But I still bought me some Swedish fish, so not all was lost. My trip to that big store wasn't as dorky as the last time I was there. I lost my Costco card in the store, after I had walked up and down tons of isles, and didn't realize it until I was at the checkout line. Oh, and that reminds me of another time I was there which taught me that I should never try to use the self checkout.

I am so stinkin' excited!
Our family pictures are done and I'm picking them up today, within the hour even. Can-not-wait. And that reminds me, I won a drawing on one of my favorite blogs lately and I got the package in the mail in the last week. It was packed full of some of this girl's favorite things, but totally awesome things by far. A jar of pepper jelly, a lovely artsy photograph, a mixed CD, and m&m's - I seriously loved it and was so excited to see it in the mail. Yay for snail mail!

I think my heart melted this morning.
Mason woke up in a oh-so-happy-mood and was giving me hugs left and right. Actually, he was clinging to me like a monkey. I love it when he does that. But today was extra special because after I said, I love you Mason, he said to me, Love you, Mom. It was loud and clear, not garbled and leaving me wondering if he really said the words. It was by far the sweetest moment that my almost three year old and I have have.

Latest buzz:

2009-09-14T12:58:00.003-06:00

I broke our camera (both of them actually) when we were at the coast. I'm sick about it and until I can earn enough money to buy another one, I'm currently with out one. And that stinks when you have two cute, adorable kids that just need their picture taken, like all the time. I guess it's time for me to figure out how to fix the aspect ratio on our videos so I can upload some to the blog.

Life has been wonderful since we've been home from the coast. Ster and I are both back to work and things couldn't be better at our jobs. We are truly blessed to work for great people and companies. Our kids can be little rascals, but they sure make us smile and keep us on our toes. Getting back to normal has not been an easy thing, but it's seeming to be more and more normal everyday.

I found a favorite movie of mine growing up on Hulu today. I think Aunt Marge had it on VHS and it was one we'd watch every few months. I've only watched some of it today as there are kids to 'tend to and a stuff to clean. Check out Charade with Cary Grant and Aubrey Hepburn. It's a mystery story made in the early 60's. Love it.

Engaged!

2009-09-02T19:01:00.003-06:00

matt and emmaI really really love Emma, maybe more than Matt does. But I'm sure that Mason had an instant crush on her when he laid eyes on her. :) I'm just excited to have another "sister". That's the best part about having only brothers. They plan to get married in May!

Oregon Coast: Part One

2009-09-01T23:40:00.003-06:00

We got to the coast last night and we have already loved every minute!

Sterling's sister is ending her vacay to the coast just as we are starting it.

We ate at a shark cafe for lunch.

Depot Bay, OR

Mack and Aubree stayed at a camping ground next to the beach.
This is us playing around there. So fabulous!

We headed a little south to Seal Rock at low tide.

The starfish were awesome and the beach was so beautiful.

More to come in the next few days...

Exhaustion

2009-08-25T16:14:00.002-06:00

It's been a crazy week! Our family has been going non-stop since Sterling has been home. Today has been the first day that we've really had extra time to just relax.

Last Tuesday - Picked up Sterling from the airport. Went to the aquarium and played in the park. Ate dinner with family.

Wednesday - Sterling processed back into "regular life" on base. Dealt with crazy kids back at the hotel.

Thursday - Drove back to Pocatello. Did laundry. Tried to get used to daddy being home.

Friday - Attempted to check out a tenant from the duplex multiple times during the day but she was not ready In the mean time had a fiesta with family.

Saturday - Cleaned and fixed and worked on duplex, all day. Did more laundry.

Sunday - 8:30 church! Mason woke up sick and fussy! Took turns going to church with Sterling. Got together with friends. Did the last minute fixes to get the duplex ready for new tenants.

Monday - Yard work at duplex. There was a TON to do. Looks SO much better now. Checked in new tenants. Had a fabulous date night with friends in Blackfoot.

The best part about today was that we got family pictures taken, the one thing I wanted to spend any extra money on when Ster got home. Nema Blanchard did them for us (see her blog here) so I'm pretty sure they're going to be fabulous. Mason was a holy terror. He followed in true toddler fashion on family picture day. I don't think he gave ONE smile. Very unusual for my sweet Mason. I have full confidence that they will be exactly how I thought they'd be. I'll keep you posted.

So any extra time has been to take care of our neglected kids, who have tried patiently to keep up with our long to-do list. I can happily say that the to-do list now consists of getting ready for scheduled R&R. We're camping this weekend then going to the coast next week. Aww yeeaaah. Finally!

A Fiesta and the News

2009-08-25T11:06:00.004-06:00

We got back into town from Utah and had a big party at the De Los Reyes' the next day. It was a fun fiesta to welcome Sterling, Brandon (our BIL) and Cody (Brandon's brother) home from Iraq. The POW-MIA group in town came by to welcome them home, on their motorcycles no less. The local news came and interviewed the guys as well.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE NEWS SEGMENT.

Homecoming

2009-08-21T12:41:00.003-06:00

It's so nice to have Sterling home!

Tomorrow...

2009-08-17T22:20:00.003-06:00

I'm sitting here with foils in my hair and blogging, when I should be packing.

Mason has gotten out of bed three times already and is now setting up his train track.

It's almost 10:30pm.

We pick Sterling up from the SLC tomorrow morning!

We might all be zombies by then.

Tie A Yellow Ribbon

2009-08-13T12:42:00.007-06:00

Sterling,

There is no question that we still want you...

We've tied our yellow ribbons around ALL our trees.

We're all yours! 4 MORE DAYS!
We love you!

(If you're not familiar with the song, listen to it here.)

Wall/Table/Basement

2009-08-05T21:46:00.005-06:00

Kitchen wall BEFORE:

Kitchen wall AFTER:

New, better fitting table. It's lovely.

The old table went downstairs. Yup, our renters moved out and we are finally taking over our whole basement! Awh yeah!

Nap Time

2009-08-05T21:41:00.002-06:00

Mason fell asleep on the floor in the kitchen after putting his dog down for a nap. He was tuckered out, poor guy. Mason loves to take care of "babies" - wrapped up blankets, stuffed doggies, skeens of yarn...and rarely his little sister. He's a great oldest child. Love him!

I love that smile!

2009-08-05T21:35:00.000-06:00

Marissa 9 months

Heading Home

2009-08-05T21:19:00.003-06:00

Me on the way home

It was a wonderful summer at my parent's home in Kennewick, WA. My kids really grew to love their grandparents and I loved having the extra help. Moving back home with the 'rents may not always be the easiest thing in the world, but we tried to make it a good experience. I love my parents and Chad for putting up with us and for letting us invade their beautiful home. I will miss Tri-Cities and found that it is a pretty cool place. I mean, compared to Pocatello it's pretty awesome. But there really is no place like home!

My parents house in Kennewick.

Their neighborhood and a beautiful sunset.

Updating Our Status

2009-07-27T21:07:00.003-06:00

This is it, don't get scared now.

I'm officially moving home. I leave tomorrow. I'm stopping in at the Broadhead's for a little visit first though. It's been a fabulous summer here at my parents but we just need our own home sweet home.

An exciting plus to moving home is that our renters are moving out of our basement! They watched over our place all summer which was extra convenient and great. But now we get to have our whole house to ourselves. Awesome! I've been dreaming of all the fun things we can do with the extra space, and of couse we'll have to decorate and paint... its like moving into a new place almost.

Sterling will be home in less than a month, wooohoooo! It's about time. We miss daddy. Tons. We have a bunch of time set aside to just hang out together when he's home and a trip to the Oregon Coast for some much needed R&R. We've been looking forward to this for a long time. It's time for life to get back to normal.

You're Gunna Sit On Me?

2009-07-26T19:33:00.003-06:00

The movies in the park last night was our second attempt. The general consensus was that it was not as enjoyable. The weather was just yucky and warm and muggy, even after the sun set. The movie was not as cute either. Now I know why I hadn't heard much of Tale of Despereaux... Better luck next time!

Mason insisted on sitting in the stroller whether Marissa was out or not. She didn't seem to care one way or the other. The whatever-brother-does-I-go-along-with look is a pretty classic straight-faced-Marissa look. Too funny.

Just Playin'

2009-07-26T19:25:00.002-06:00

It always seems that when the camera comes out my kids ham it up. Sure makes for some fun pictures sometimes!

Eight Months

2009-07-26T19:12:00.003-06:00

Marissa is growing up! I was much more aware of Mason's every move during his first year but Marissa has surprised me and her first year is quickly coming to an end. I don't have access to all my pictures of Mason, but I'll be posting a side-by-side of these kids soon.

She likes to wave...

Smile pretty for mom...

Sleep...

And take her bath!

Temple

2009-07-26T19:06:00.003-06:00

Columbia River Temple is one of my favorite temples.

I'm so glad I could go there this summer.

But I love you...

2009-07-23T19:52:00.003-06:00

Mason was outside playing and laying in the dirt with his nice shirt on.

I went to get a play shirt for him to change into.

I came outside to see him pointing a bat at me like a gun pretending to shoot me.

Wow, that was a first.

I changed his shirt and gave him a small hug, just so he knew I loved him.

Even if he pretends to shoot guns at me, I'll always love the kid!

Hot Summer Days

2009-07-19T18:00:00.002-06:00

It's been hot lately so to cool off we've pulled out the pool.

I had to share some cute pics of the kids.

It's fun to see my kids act like brother and sister. Mason is into laying on Marissa so she can't move anywhere. If she's getting into something he'll say "No Rassa! No!" and then sit or lay on her. He did that to her on the bed this morning and she let out this annoyed squeal like, get off me dude! I should get a picture of it someday.

What Sterling Is Up To

2009-07-16T17:59:00.005-06:00

Ramp on the flight line. This is where Ster hangs out during his shift.

Visiting a palace.
Gotta pose with the gun.

A dunk machine with ice cold water and a really good throw makes for some much needed fun.

Pics taken on the 4th.

Party Barge

2009-07-14T20:43:00.002-06:00

Grandpa & Grandma Vickery are in town with their big pontoon boat, aka the party barge! We took it out on the river today for a picnic lunch and fishing. Fishing was a bust, but we loved being out on the water!

There were so many cute pics of my kids today. It was hard to just put one of each of them up, so I'll spare you and just give you a little taste of the cuteness I get to see everyday! I just adore these kids!

Movies In the Park

2009-07-13T01:02:00.002-06:00

They show movies in the park on the weekends in the summer here. Kind of fun! We got there early not knowing what to expect and watched Mason share his fruit snacks and cars with complete strangers. At least he's sharing, right? Note to self: teach my son that glowsticks are not candy! As if a glowing stick in the dark wasn't fun enough, he had to see if it tasted good too.

Four Generations

2009-07-12T11:45:00.003-06:00

My Grandmother - Elaine Hatch Haws

My Mother - Cynthia Haws Vickery

Me - Sandra Em Vickery Broadhead

My Daughter - Marissa Jean Broadhead

July 2009

Little Miss Mariss

2009-07-11T23:30:00.004-06:00

I took these pics a few weeks ago, but Marissa is 8 months old now! I think she is so cute. She won't laugh at me yet and looks at me like I'm trying to hard. I'm not sure where all the serious bones in her body came from, but it gives her brother and I a good challenge to make things fun.

July 4th Weekend

2009-07-11T23:13:00.002-06:00

Marissa pulled out the big smiles.

I jammed my toe while kicking the soccor ball around with Mase. Ouch.

Hours of fun on the water slide, Haws style.

Mason would go down on his bum, on his stomach, and my favorite - on his hands and knees.

Fishing Trip

2009-07-11T22:39:00.003-06:00

One evening a few weeks ago Dad, Spencer, Chad, Mason, and I found a fishin' hole. Mason threw rocks in the river right next to my Dad while he was fishing the whole time. It's funny, but my Dad was the only one who caught anything. The pics sum up the trip pretty well.

A Rar?

2009-06-21T20:21:00.004-06:00

Mason looked at the finished lion and said "a rar?"

No Mason, it's actually a lion, and they do go rar....

I finished the crocheted lion I've been working on.

It turned out much cuter than I

thought I could ever make it.

Yay for extra spare time this summer!

Mason's Dream

2009-06-21T08:51:00.004-06:00

Mason woke up and told me about his dream.

He said there was a snake and motioned to the headboard like the snake was crawling across it. He said it was green. He also said shoe, like he had kicked the snake with his shoe.

He is a boy of few words but makes up for it by repeating those words over and over. Also, I know it was an intense dream because he moved around alot last night.

He was laying there for a second and started giggling as he remembered his dream. Haha! I wonder if he gave that snake what it was asking for, a good kick in the mouth!

Badger Moutain

2009-06-20T12:32:00.002-06:00

I finally hiked the good hike up Badger Mtn. here at Tri-Cities. Too bad I couldn't jog my kids up there with me everyday. Spence and Chad were good sports to wake up early to go with me.

All Tied Up

2009-06-19T16:31:00.003-06:00

Being the little guy around the house is not easy. You're a prime target for being terrorized by your teenage uncle and his friends.

A New Week

2009-06-15T10:29:00.003-06:00

I've got to get behind the camera more. You read my blog because you are friends with me, right? I love how Rochelle put it, so thanks girl. I've now made it my personal challenge to make my blog more interesting.

We are doing some cleaning to get ready for my parents to be back. They're bringing my bro Spencer back with them and we are going to play for two weeks before he leaves on his mish. Chad and I are guitar hero junkies. He went to summer class and I put all the games away. The weekend is over and I've got to do something productive today, like blogging.

Yesterday was our 6th anniversary! Ster and I chatted. It was a not-that-exciting celebration. We've had some up's and pleanty of down's since he's been gone, but our love has grown to new heights for sure. I still think he should come home, like now.

Welcome to My Uneventful Life

2009-06-13T23:43:00.003-06:00

I did a whole lot of nothing important today. I didn't even shower and get ready, which is SO unusual for me.

Hanging around the house gave me excuse to play some guitar hero and shoot rubber bands with my little bro and his friends. Mason played alot of so-saurs (dinosaurs) and Marissa didn't take as long of naps as I would have hoped.

The highlight of the day was a quick trip to Sonic. I just missed happy hour.

So don't worry about me. While I'm in limbo right now I'm not getting into any trouble, or into anything else for that matter. Except these cute crochet critters for my kids. I'm doing a lion and I've redone his face about 10 times today.

Things were looking UP

2009-06-11T20:57:00.005-06:00

It was a great afternoon at the movies.

I took my younger bro Chad and my two kids to the movie Up, and it was a better time than I expected. Mason kept trading my glasses for his sticky fingerprinted ones. Marissa started the movie by squealing the loudest she could possibly squeal, but ended up asleep for more than half the movie. Oh, and the movie had a touching story and was pretty cute too.

Lady A

2009-06-10T23:08:00.002-06:00

I like me a little bit of everything when it comes to music. But I am LOVING this group right now. Their album is seriously taking over my life. I Run To You is playing on my blog right now, I've been dancing to Love's Lookin' Good On You all day, and I daydream of my honey when I listen to Can't Keep My Eyes Off You. Don't be shy, shout it out to the world if you love 'em too.

Kiddo Post #2

2009-06-08T13:11:00.005-06:00

It's just been a while since I've posted any pics of the kids. They are growing up!! These pictures were taken at Haws' Farm this last weekend. It was such a beautiful evening.

Mason is talking and talking and talking. He will repeat a word to you a million times. Like, bath bath bath bath if I ask him to head up to the tub for a bath. It's on the verge of annoying, but I understand it's just him learning. He loves to learn about everything.

Marissa is getting close to crawling. She pretty much tries to do any movement that may help her to keep up with that active brother of hers. She has eaten alot of paper lately, which can't be good. She is a squealer and loves to do it in the middle of church. It's hilarious and also on the verge of annoying. What can I say, I love my annoying kids, like, SO MUCH!

Kiddo Post #1

2009-06-08T13:04:00.003-06:00

Here are some of the kids a few weeks ago. They love being at grandma and grandpa's house. The weather has been super nice so it's easy to get outside and play.

Vickery Time

2009-06-07T21:11:00.009-06:00

The Vickery's got together last weekend while Spencer went to the temple. All of us siblings made it but we somehow didn't get a picture with all us. My two older brothers and youngest bro are missing. We also had a cousin come home from a mission so the weekend turned into a mini reunion which equals super fun-ness all around! Spence is coming up to WA for a few weeks before he leaves on the mish and I'm really looking forward to it. It's so good to be with family. I love it more than anything!

Madam Speaker

2009-05-22T14:44:00.003-06:00

Nancy Pelosi visited in Iraq maybe two or three weeks ago.
Sterling got to meet her and shake her hand.
Kind of interesting but neat that he met her amist all the news flying around her these days.

I only know the four people to the right of Pelosi in this picture: Brandon (my bro-in-law), Cody (Brandon's brother), Candace, and Ster.

Afternoon At the Mall

2009-05-22T14:28:00.005-06:00

We checked out the mall here in Kennewick the other day. I loved that Mason wanted to push Marissa around. He did a good job helping me out.

Marissa decided that my bracelet tasted pretty good that day too. In what I believed would be a stressful, pointless, and exhausting trip with two kids, I found that my kids are really not as monsterous as I thought they were.

I Cut My Hair

2009-05-22T14:25:00.002-06:00

Thought some of you would like to see a pic:
I love it! Just in time for summer too.

Pic from Baghdad

2009-05-09T17:50:00.003-06:00

Sterling after loading and securing the massive beast of a vehicle onto plane.

A Week Into It

2009-05-09T16:10:00.005-06:00

We've been in Kennewick a week now. It's been great so far to be here! My parents and Chad have been great about two little ones invading their space.
We left last Friday to get here. We stopped in Burley on our way and stayed the night. We just happened to break down there. Better there than on the road. A minor setback, but we were in Tri-Cities by 10 that night.

I've spent my time getting us all settled and making sure my kids are adjusting well, which they are. They seem to be having the time of their life. We've been to the park and of course been shopping. We had pinata for Cinco de Mayo which was super fun. My parents went out of town for the weekend and Chad and I have held down the fort here. I lost my check card and somebody stole it. That was stupid. They rented like 9 movies from redbox and bought stuff at Walgreens. Weirdos. Just kind of normal and fun stuff happening. I'll be potty training Mason on Monday. I'm doing the three day method my friends have used. I'M excited, don't know about Mason. We've been in touch with Sterling alot since we've gotten here which has been so helpful! He called on the webcam last night and it was awesome! I love that guy! He's sent some pics that I'll have to blog about.

Visit to Haws Farm

2009-04-28T14:16:00.002-06:00

We visited Emmett in March to celebrate Grandma Haws' 80th birthday. Here are a few pics from one fun weekend!
G&G Haws

The guys singing their rendition of a song Grandma loves.

No visit to the farm would be complete without some yard games

The Golden Girls

2009-04-26T17:19:00.003-06:00

The girls and I at Gold's have talked about getting together outside of work for such a long time and we finally we did on Friday. Starting in the back is Camille, Angie, Melissa, me - and in the front is Allyson (Marissa is on her lap), Cherie, and Zoey. I love love love Emilee, Jen, Rachel, and Jenna, but they weren't there darnit! Thanks for letting us see your fab house Cherie. I'll miss you girls tons while I'm gone!

Pics from Iraq

2009-04-26T17:11:00.002-06:00

Here are a few pictures Sterling sent recently.
1. The camp he's at
2. A c-17 cargo plane. Among other things, they load/unload the tank like vehicles from these planes
3. Helicopters
4. And of course, the gym - Sterling's favorite place on base.

Update on Sterling

2009-04-22T22:35:00.002-06:00

Sterling has been in Iraq since April 15th. There on base in Baghdad he loads and unloads huge C-17 cargo planes. CNN has been there the past few days filming them work. This video clip was a day or so ago, but today he said the camera was right on him. I'll be updating you on any new video and if he actually gets the cut. It's interesting to see the repositioning of troops. Afghanistan is just where the troops are needed most right now. No need to fear though, Sterling will be on base the entire summer loading up all of the Army's stuff. He drives the big tank-like looking vehicles and forklifts of pallets...it's like working at an airport in our country, he says.

The Exciting News

2009-04-22T18:31:00.006-06:00

My brother Spencer got his mission call today and is going to the San Antonio, Texas Mission. He'll be speaking spanish and leaves on July 1st. Oh yeah! We're SO excited for him!

Sterling also has a brother on a mission in the Neuquen Argentina Mission. He sent a letter and some pictures this week. I thought this one was pretty awesome - Nathan jumping right into his mission!

Mason-isms

2009-04-22T13:09:00.004-06:00

Here are some funny things Mason has been doing/saying lately:

He woke up this morning and first thing he said:
"Gains! Gains!" - meaning, games! games!. He is really into Chinese Checkers these days and he calls the marbles "gains".

My brother Matt called this morning and Mason came running across the room shouting "bome! bome!" (meaning phone). And then it was, "Mom, I want to do it! I want to do it!" and he grabbed the phone out of my hand to talk. What a bossy little kid!

There are others, but these two things have been playing through my mind and cracking me up all day. Oh, and there is exciting news I'll share later today! Yea!!

Excursions

2009-04-19T22:41:00.008-06:00

First stop: Puerto Vallarta

It looks like we're doing some weirdo dance!

Taking a bus ride. A guy was playing his guitar behind us. :)

Oh yeah, we're ready for this ride!

The water flooded our dune buggy.

We're giving thumbs up, but I was so flippin' scared to be on the road with semi's!

Next up: Mazatlan

The amphibious boat that took us to the island.

The amount of fish Sterling saw snorkeling. It wasn't that great of snorkeling that day.

I was pretending to be a mermaid.
Actually, I didn't really see Brock coming to take this picture and
I was totally trying to get Sterling to swim away fast. :)

Ster (holding a bag of crackers) and Brock snorkeling.

Yeah baby!

I was going to go to the top of this lookout...

...until I saw the stairs that led up to it.
Super-high drop offs on each side. Uh, no.

Laci and Me

And: Cabo baby!

Wipe those smiles off your faces!
You have no idea what you're getting into.

This is me realizing I wasn't going to make it to the end.

I had to turn around and pull myself the rest of the way. Freaky.

Tandem zip-lining. My favorite.

We made it through all the zip-lines... alive.

On our way back to the Sapphire Princess.

We're all a bit tuckered out at this point.

Lands End, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.