Barnum Family Blog

Perspective

2011-12-20T13:38:00.001-07:00

So I have been having a MAJOR pity party lately. Today I had a moment of clarity, I am wallowing and feel no peace because I have moved myself so far from The Prince of Peace and Healer of Souls, my Savior Jesus Christ. If I were reading my scriptures more often, praying day and night I would have peace during a time of great turmoil in our lives. Do I wish things were different than they were . . . Yes. But wishing doesn't change what is or what will be. I need peace in my home for myself and my family. It is sobering to think that I can blame no one for the chaos I feel but myself. I was at work today and started watching a bunch of the little clips from www.mormon.org. There was one by Alex Boye, he is a singer with a beautiful voice and has several albums out. Below his little video clip was a bio on him and his thoughts and one of them really caught my attention that I would like to share here:

THE CELLPHONE VS THE SCRIPTURES
I wonder what would happen if we treated our scriptures like we treat our cell phones?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we spent an hour or more using it every day?
What if we used it to receive messages?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to other kids as gifts?
What if we used it as we traveled? What if we used it in case of an emergency?
This is something to make you go...."Hmmm..Dude.. where is my scriptures?"

Unlike our cell phones:
One Plan does fit all.
Unlimited usage. No roaming charges.
You always have reception.
You can use it in the mountains and in a tunnel.
It's free with no hidden costs,
AND you don't ever have to worry about your scriptures
being disconnected because CHRIST has already paid the bill!

I don't know why I insist on making my life harder, by trying to do it all myself. This must be one of those lessons it will take me a lifetime to learn. I'm sure everyone reading this is a faster learner than I am!

I hope everyone has a blessed and Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Family Pictures

2011-10-24T20:16:00.000-07:00

We just had some family pictures taken and they turned out so cute! Natalie Campbell was the one who took the photos. Her website is www.nataliecowlingcampbellphotography.blogspot.com. Hope you enjoy!

Happy Birthday Jake!

2011-07-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

Jake's birthday was Sunday July 10th and he turned 32! Holy cow we are getting old. At least according to our children we are! So honey here are 32 reasons why I love you! Happy Birthday!

1. You make me laugh(even when I don't want to).
2. After 10 years of marriage you are more good lookin than when we first met.
3. You are a great father!
4. You know what I need and when I need it!
5. You work really hard at your job to provide for your family.
6. You have a strong testimony.
7. You support me in all my decisions(even the not so good ones).
8. You make me feel beautiful.
9. You gave me 3 beautiful boys!
10. You know when my MS is acting up and you pick up my slack.
11. You love your calling(and you do it well).
12. You make time to take me on dates.
13. You give me massages!
14. You watch chick flicks with me.
15. You think I'm so talented(I so have you fooled!).
16. When you come home from work, you ask me what you can do to help me.
17. You think it's cute when I cry(which is A LOT).
18. When we were first engaged and my mom didn't like you so much, you went out of your way to serve her and you won her over!
19. You married me for time and all eternity.
20. You eat ice cream with me(even when I shouldn't have it).
21. You clean and do laundry without being asked.
22. You take all 3 kids and go places with them.
23. You put God and family first in your life.
24. You know when to say "I'm sorry."(I'm still working on that one.)
25. You let me be right(even when I'm wrong).
26. I love the way you laugh.
27. I love the way you do your little scream.
28. You torture our children, because you can.
29. You are a mean parent too!
30. You call me just to say hi and see how my day is going.
31. You don't mind when I go out with my girlfriends.
32. You love me more than I could have ever imagined.

Babe, we've been married for 10 1/2 years and they have been the best and hardest years of my life. I am so glad the Lord gave me you to have for eternity! Here's to the next 10 1/2 years and many more after that! I love you!

Photo Book

2011-06-27T22:48:00.001-07:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

The "Miracle" of birth!

2011-06-10T23:54:00.000-07:00

It has been waaaay too long since I posted. So I didn't want to go to sleep yet(even though I should), so I will update you all on how my LAST labor went! I think there is just one word for it really . . . HORRIFIC!

I had was is called a Single Umbilical Artery this pregnancy. This just means that rather than having one vein and 2 arteries in the umbilical cord, you have one vein and one artery. There is really no risk to the mother, but it can cause developmental problems with the baby. Luckily, this was never the case for Z, but my doctor wanted to induce me a week early because the specialist she consulted said it is best for SUA babies to be delivered at 39 weeks. Hey I wasn't complaining, I was happy to be put out of my misery and I had been induced with the previous 2 babies. I figured, no sweat! WRONG!!!

Well I came in bright and early on February 7th. I had slept very little the night before. My other 2 inductions had not been planned in advance like this one, so I had had all night to be anxious and excited. However, I was feeling good(the adrenaline I'm sure) and was ready to have a baby! The last time I had been in the hospital(see previous post), my labor quite and I came home with no baby. This time, I was not leaving without one!

The nurse checked my cervix(that's my favorite part ;)) and it was quite high, I was only about 50% effaced and not dilated at all. So they gave me my first gel at 5:50 am. I had been having contractions throughout my whole pregnancy, so the first one wasn't so bad. I walked around, watched a bit of a movie and ate a snack. The nurse came back a couple hours later to give me my second gel. She checked me again and found that I had dilated to a 2! Great! I'm thinkin, at this rate I'll have the baby by lunch time! She told me that they would only give me a third gel if I felt the contractions getting weaker. So I labored for about another couple hours and my contractions were starting to wane. I called the nurse and she came and gave me the last gel. That kicked it up about 100 notches!

My labor felt different this time. It was all in my back and it was really REALLY painful. Come to find out, Z was sunny side up. I had heard people talk about back labor being bad, but you can't really appreciate it until you experience it. Imagine someone is ripping your body in half and you might be close to understanding what it feels like. Did I ask for pain meds?! Heck no! I was going to do this "naturally"! This was my last baby and I was going to do it the "right" way. I labored in the tub, on the birthing ball and walked.

The pain finally got so intense that I was confined to the bed. When I walked the contractions came one after the other with no break in between. When you looked at the monitor of my contractions, they were so intense you couldn't even see the peak of them. The graph needle couldn't go that high and they were LONG! But I was doing okay. I had Jake and my mom there coaching me, helping me to breathe and try to relax my body.

Well around 10am my doctor came in to see how I was doing and to check me. I told her I was doing okay, but that I was having really bad back labor. She had me get on my hands and knees on the bed and do the yoga poses cat and then cow and when a contraction would come I was to go into Child's pose. She had Doogie Houser(did I even spell that right?) with her who wanted to witness a birth for his "training". I wasn't shy so I said sure. By the way, I was only at a 3 at this point! Really? They left and I continued to labor on my hands and knees, in the tub and on the birthing ball.

Shortly after they left, I felt some fluid trickling out. My water has never broken on it's own, so I thought maybe it had broken. My doctor came back in to test the fluid. It was negative for amniotic fluid, but she wasn't ruling out the possibility.

Around 1pm, Doogie Houser comes in sans my doctor. He begins talking but I'm not really able to focus on what he is saying because I am having REALLY intense contractions and he won't shut up! My mom had to tell him to zip it so I could finish a contraction. Finally some of the words began to register in my brain and they went something like this, "Um, I was just wondering how much longer you think it's going to be because I haven't eaten lunch yet, but I don't want to leave because Dr. Claxton told me to stick around. With your history if your water has broken you go pretty fast, but I didn't bring a lunch, so . . . " I'm sorry, WHAT?! Where did you get your degree? The University of Idiocy with a degree in What NOT to say to a woman in labor? I looked and him and said, "I don't know! It could be 20 minutes, it could be 2 hours!" At that point he excused himself and as he is leaving the room I look at my mom and ask, "Was he SERIOUSLY asking me when I thought this baby would be born?" My mother said, "Yes, honey he was."

Right around 3 came the changing of the nurses. My new nurse had a student with her too! Oh goodie! At this point I was so tired, but I was not able to rest. The nurse asks me if I want the epidural, I tell her that I might want one. So she goes to talk to my Dr. about it. Next thing I know Dr. Claxton comes in to give me the bad news. She can't give me an epidural. I am not far enough along and if I get one now, I will HAVE to have a C-section. She doesn't want that and she knows I don't want that either. She prescribes me a shot of some pain meds to help take the edge off so I can rest. The masochistic nurse from hell comes in to give me the shot. I roll to my side and she says, "You'll feel a little pinch and it will sting a little." She has obviously NEVER had one of these shots before. She shoved that needle in so hard I swear she hit the bone and a little stinging? Try, MY A** IS ON FIRE AND I'M BEING STUNG BY A THOUSAND BEES! So I was in pain from that shot, I was contracting and crying so hard I couldn't breathe. I yelled out, "I can't breathe!" Devil nurse tells me, "Open your eyes". Her face is right in mine trying to get me to breathe and all I wanted to do was punch her in the face!

Well the pain from the shot finally subsides and the nurses change shifts and devil nurse is gone. Replaced by my wonderful night nurse. She was awesome. It gets to be about 10pm and I am only sleeping for 1-2 minutes at a time. I am so exhausted that I fall asleep after a contraction finished. I tell Jake to go home and have my mom come stay the night with me so he can get some rest. No, he insists on staying with me. So he pulls out the uncomfortable hospital bed and trys to sleep. I call in my nurse to ask her if there is anything she can give me to help me sleep. She gets approval for another shot of pain meds, which immediately makes the water works start for me. I tell her about devil nurse and how much it hurt. Angel nurse says, "Awww, it shouldn't have hurt like that. I promise I won't hurt you like that." And she was right. It was a little pinch and a little sting and it was over. Before leaving she tells me, call me in if you feel the urge to push or if the contractions get worse.

Well that shot didn't help me sleep, but it did make my contractions worse. Being the sweet wife I am, I labored by myself for several hours(I know the Lord sent angels to be with me) so my hubbie could sleep. Finally I can bear it no longer and I wake Jake up because I NEED him to help me through this. This was his fault anyway. So he gets up and grumpily sets a chair down next to my bed and this is what I hear,

"I'm so TIRED! I only slept for 2 hours, but it wasn't even good sleep. I feel like I haven't even slept at ALL!" I'm sorry, what? Are you really saying these words? So then I say, "FINE, LEAVE! You are ZERO help to me anyway! I told you to go home and have my mom come, but you insisted on staying! So just GO!" I was just a little ticked! He realized he was being a jackass and didn't complain to me after that.

I call Angel nurse in shortly after that because I am in so much pain. She starts an IV on me because I am getting dehydrated. It helped with the pain, but made me pee a lot which was not good for my contractions. I was ready to die. It was around 5am the following morning and I was about to ask for a C-section. I had gone to the bathroom for the hundredth time and felt that I needed the nurse to check me. I had Jake call her in. She checked me and said that I was at a 5 and I was now 100% effaced. WHAT? She asks me if I want an epidural and the water works begin again. I blubber about how my Dr. told me I couldn't have one and why. She said that I should be progressed enough to have one. She checked with the Dr. and the verdict was in . . . YES! I was so happy, yet conflicted. I was so determined, but Jake assured me that 24 hours of doing this naturally was good enough and it was time to get some rest.

The epidural man came and made me feel all better and I went right to sleep and slept for 4 hours. It was bliss. When I woke up I was dilated to an 8. Z was still not turned all the way, but he was close. An hour later I made them break my water and at 11:28am just after 2 contractions out he came weighing 6lbs. 15oz. and measuring 19inches long. Hallelujah! 29 1/2 hours, but he was worth the wait.

You've Been Punked!

2011-01-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

That is the phrase I was waiting to hear early Thursday morning. Wednesday night I went into labor and things were going along quite well for several hours. I was having good strong contractions every 2 minutes so we went in to the hospital. When I got there, they put me in a triage bed, hooked me up to the monitors and asked me the million questions that they ask when you are registering. The contractions were still coming strong and consistent. By the time the nurse had finished with all the questions, they checked my cervix(fun!). Unfortunately it was still quite high and not dilated at all yet. By this time I had been having contractions for about 4 hours. The nurse sent me to wander the halls for an hour with Jake. That hour felt like 10! We came back after an hour and they checked me again and guess what?! No change in my cervix! What the crap?! A few minutes later they decided to hook me back up to the monitors. That's when I noticed a change in the contractions. They were coming less frequently. The nurse told me that they were going to move me to a room and give me some morphine to help me sleep. I had woken up contracting at 11:15pm and it was now almost 5 am. I was so tired. She also said that many times women wake up and are in better labor. So I said let's do it.

I fell asleep and when I woke up I was feeling very little. I knew what that meant. They were going to send me home. I mean what else could they do? I was still 10 days from my induction date and 16 days from my due date! Too early to induce. By the time the doctor came to see me it was 9am. I was hungry and still really tired. The last time I had eaten was 2pm the previous day and had only gotten sleep at 2 hour intervals twice that night/morning. The doctor ordered an AFI (where they measure the amount of amniotic fluid I have), and I asked one of the nurses for some food. Well Jake leaves to go to the cafeteria to get breakfast and I wait for mine to come. It never does. So they come get me for the AFI and I think that my food will be waiting for me when I get back.

The AFI does not go well. The sonographer had a hard time seeing my cervix because the baby's head was in the way and she was pushing really hard on the lower part of my abdomen. She was surprised it hurt(clearly she's never been pregnant). I told her, there isn't much cushion there. It's just my skin and the baby's head(idiot). Anyway. The torture finally ends and I get back to my room. Still no food. Now I'm crying without stopping because I just want to eat and sleep, but no one seems to understand that. Jake goes out to ask about the food and they say, "It's not here yet?" So then they tell him they'll get some for me. 15 minutes later the nurse comes in to check me again and get me ready for discharge and finally the phone rings in my room. They are asking me what i want to eat?! Really! I ask if they have eggs, no, because it is now 11:30am, only lunch stuff. I look at the nurse and ask are you ready to discharge me? She says they are so I say forget the food, I just want out of there! We are discharged 10 minutes later. Jake takes me down to the cafeteria to get me something to eat. I'm not really in the mood for lunch food, but I don't have much choice. So I grab a sandwich and juice. I scarf it down and can feel my ability to reason coming back to me. Needless to say, I did the ugly face cry A LOT that day!

We get back home and I promptly fall asleep for several hours. I am thankful for good friends who offered to help out with my boys. So that's it! I was punked by my baby!

Resolutions

2011-01-17T14:15:00.000-07:00

Every year I make New Years Resolutions, but I don't know that I ever take them seriously because I feel like it is the same thing over and over again. My mom gave a great talk in church the Sunday after Christmas about New Years Resolutions and to take a different approach, by coming up with a theme for the year. Hers was "Closer to Heaven in 2011". She said that by focusing our goals around a theme that it will be easier to refocus on what we are hoping to accomplish. I really liked that idea so I decided to come up with my own.

My theme for the new year is A.S.A.P. Which will stand for "Always Say A Prayer". I have felt the need to come closer to God and what better way than to A.S.A.P.? Prayer is our direct line to God and a way to get to know Him intimately and come closer to Him. So my goals to go along with my theme are these:

1. Have family prayer morning and night
2. Have my individual prayers morning and night
3. Offer prayers in my heart when I need strength and cannot pray allowed.
4. Encourage my children to say their personal prayers.
5. Have couple's prayer with my husband.
6. Read scriptures daily on my own and as a family.

So there you have it! My new year's theme! A.S.A.P.!

Technology!

2011-01-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

I love technology, but it can be a real pain sometimes. I have been trying to upload new photos onto my computer so I can put them up on my blog. Well, I have had to do it at work. The first day I brought my computer to work, I forgot the USB cable. Nice. So today I grabbed the whole box from when I bought my camera, which should contain the USB cable. It was especially slow at work today, so I took out the box to go over the manual and add my pixs. I open the box, no USB! I know it was there when I bought it and I am now remembering that it is attached to my adapter that I use to charge the battery! Really? So, I think, "Okay, I'll just put my memory card into my printer at work and get them that way." I put the memory card in the printer and get an error message saying "memory card error". Now this is just getting ridiculous!

I think I will wait until this week is over to post pixs and get "caught up" with my techno stuff. I will be done with work after this week so I'm thinkin' yeah.

Am I done yet?

2011-01-10T16:37:00.000-07:00

That is how I feel now that I am 35 weeks pregnant! The doctors are estimating that the baby is already 5 pounds and will gain between 1/2 and and 1 pound a week from now on! Monster baby! No thank you! The weekly stress tests and fluid checks have now begun to make sure everything is still good with me and the baby. The first one was today and everything was fine. However, I did gain 4 pounds over the weekend! I really hope that is water! My face and filangies look fairly normal as do my ankles. Uh oh! The heartburn is constant and my belly feels like it has stretched as far as it will go! I am so glad this is our last one! Can I get an amen anyone?

Grinchy Christmas

2010-12-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

I'm not gonna lie, I feel like a Grinch this Christmas. I am totally having a pity party, so if you decide not to read this post, I understand.

It has not felt like Christmas at all to me this year. I have been working so much I have not had time or energy for anything Christmas. I haven't been involved in ANY music this season and that is really what makes it feel like Christmas to me. I love singing the Messiah, going to Holiday Dinner, conducting the ward Christmas program, preparing a piece to sing for a recital that is Christmas related. It makes me so sad that I have not sung really at all this season.

All my kids, and husband, have talked about have been gifts. What we are going to give and what they want to get. To be honest, I don't even really want anything. I take that back, what I want this year is to be able to rest and relax, be with my family, make Christmas goodies for our friends, go caroling and revel in the goodness of my Savior. I feel like our Christmas has become too commercial. It has not been Christ-centered. Maybe that is my fault. I just want to feel the joy of the season. I hope that happens when I go down to San Diego to spend Christmas with my family.

Okay, I'm done now.

A grateful heart!

2010-11-19T11:21:00.000-07:00

I am writing this post in the hopes that I will stop focusing on all that is wrong in my life and realize that I am so blessed. It takes a consious effort! So here goes!

#1 We went through a tornado that damaged one of the windows in our home that needed to be replaced and because of the broken glass our carpet had to be ripped out. Blessing: We have hated our carpet and have been wanting to replace it and now we can do it for free. We were able to replace the carpet in our dining area with beautiful ceramic tile thanks to Jake and his brothers. They did the install and it turned out awesome!

#2 My growing baby has a single umbilical artery. It can cause developmental problems. Blessing: Lord has blessed this baby to be growing the way he should so far. I am grateful he is healthy so far.

#3 We needed a bigger car and refuse to have a payment(thank you Dave Ramsey). Blessing: We found a minivan with 88,000 miles on it that might work. So we tried to sell our Sorento. We placed an ad and it sold in 24 hours for $5500. Exactly what we had been hoping for. We went to the dealership with the minivan we were considering and offered $5000 total all taxes/fees for the van. They countered with $5610, I countered with $5500 and they accepted! New car with tons of room, no car payment!

#4 As of Monday the 22nd we will have spent over $2000 repairing our vehicles. Blessing: Because we have been doing the Dave Ramsey Total Money Make Over, we have had the cash to pay for those repairs.

#5 Three days after we bought our van the check engine light went on! Blessing: It is under warranty still so we can take it in to find out what is wrong and, hopefully, get it fixed for free.

Additional blessings in my life are many, but I will name a few. I have a good job that allows me to be very flexible with my schedule. My MS is under control right now. I have 2 beautiful boys that I adore and that give me so much love in return. I have a husband who gives so much to me and who loves me despite all my faults. He is always looking for ways to serve me and make me feel loved and valued. He is the perfect eternal companion for me. I have the best brothers, sisters, in-laws, parents(step and natural), step-siblings(although I think of them as my real siblings), nephews, nieces, cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents and friends! I am so blessed with so many wonderful people in my life! Great, now I'm crying! Well what do you expect from a hormonal pregnant woman?!

I think my grateful heart grew a few sizes today! What are you grateful for?

And you thought your week was bad.

2010-10-08T14:49:00.001-07:00

Wednesday morning I awoke to the sound of high winds and heavy rain and hail. It was about 5:15am. Jake was at work, Sean was asleep in bed with me and Kurtis was asleep in his room. The wind was becoming more intense and the house groaned in protest. Then the whole house started shaking. Being a California native, I thought "earthquake", but I knew that was not what it was. I sat up in bed and pulled Sean close to me, ready to run for it. It sounded like a roaring train and I thought our roof was about to be ripped off. The power went out and, being in Bellemont, it became pitch black. The shaking stopped, but the wind, rain and hail continued. Kurtis burst into my room crying, shaking and saying that his window had broken. I hugged my boys and reassured them we were safe. The first thing Kurtis asked was if we could say a prayer. Of course. We had a prayer.

After the prayer, I said, "I think that was a tornado." I couldn't see anything outside it was so dark. I took the boys night light downstairs to get another flashlight. I heard voices that sounded closer and clearer than they should have been coming from our dining room window. As I moved closer I saw all the glass. I put shoes on and went into our backyard. Both fences were severely bowed and one almost completely torn down. I then saw the roof of our shed on the ground in front of our window. The tornado had ripped the roof off the shed and thrown it against the window. I went around the house with the flashlight to make sure everything else was still intact. Other than the window and fences our house was okay. Many of our neighbors; however, were not as fortunate. I will post pictures of where we were soon, but this is the destruction from the tornado in another part of the development.

Both houses in this photo had almost all their windows blown out by the tornado and part of the roof ripped off.

This is our friend's boat that was catapulted into another friend's house above her son's bedroom. They got out in time before the ceiling collapsed over all three bedrooms.

This is another friend's home. They must have been in the eye of the storm at one point. From what their daughter relayed to me. Everyone in that home was lucky to be alive.

I know without a doubt God was watching over the families of Bellemont. There were no major injuries, not even the woman who was picked up and thrown 5 houses down by the tornado! There were a few broken bones and some needed stitches, but that was it. I will post more photos soon. We just praise the Lord that we were held in the hallow of His hand that fateful morning.

Halloween, an excuse to dress slutty. UGH!

2010-09-30T13:29:00.000-07:00

Why is it that whenever Halloween comes around all the costumes for women are slutty? Or at least the ones you find in the store. You have to make it if you want a modest costume. It's cheaper anyway. I just took a peek at the costumes on the walmart website and so many have titles with the word "sassy" in it. I'm sorry, but call it what it is, SLUTTY! It makes me really grateful that I am having all boys. I won't ever have to tell my daughter no when she wants to wear a "sassy" costume because all her friends are and because it's "really cute".

As for me, I am going to be Minnie Mouse, a pregnant Minnie. Oh no Mickey! I have a black maternity skirt that I am going to attach a tail and poka dots to and then where a red shirt and my Minnie ears. Cost, $10 for the red shirt. And I can wear the red shirt again. So, no thank you walmart, you can keep your "sassy"(SLUTTY) Minnie costume.

This year we will have one Indiana Jones, one Woody, one pregnant Minnie, and if I can get Jake to cooperate, one Mickey. It's a Disney Halloween for us this year. How about you? What are you going to be?

I Feel 8 Again!

2010-08-25T14:03:00.000-07:00

We are going to Disneyland in 5 days! I haven't been there in over 4 years! It has always been a favorite place for me. I remember my parents never told us when we were going because that was all we would talk about until we went. We would wake up in the morning and our parents would tell us we were going somewhere special. Then once we were in the car the mystery would be revealed! Oh my gosh we are going to the Happiest Place On Earth!

I have literally been visiting the Disneyland website every day this week looking at all the rides, shows and places we will eat and I just become more excited by the moment! We will be there for 5 days! My kids are so excited! I think I might be more excited than them though! I am the kind of excited when you feel like you can't contain it and you start to giggle because the excitement has to come out some way or another!

I have to buy a memory card for my camera so I can bombard everyone with pictures when we get back! Just in case you weren't sure, I'm so excited, I can hardly stand it!

Music Lessons

2010-06-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

I finally think I found a way to make money doing music. I know amazing! I want you to tell everyone you know about this program and join if you can. It's called, "Let's Play Music". My sister in law Allison does it and loves it! I am really looking forward to getting started. Click on this link to watch a video about the program. http://letsplaymusicsite.com/video/ If you live in the Flagstaff, Bellemont, Parks or Williams area and have children ages 4-6 and would like to take a FREE sample class please e-mail me at: jbarnum921@msn.com to secure you spot in one of my FREE sample classes.

Thanks for the love!

2010-03-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

I have the greatest people in my life that I call friends. I vent and they post beautiful things to help me up out of my stoop and help me see that what I do is important! Thank you to all of you!

Now time for a funny story.

Last night I had to drive a friend down to Phoenix. She had a super early flight this morning and needed to stay overnight and be taken to the airport at 4:30am. She is my best friend and is moving to Iowa(boo!). She had to go to look for a house and apply for jobs. So I volunteered for the job so we could spend some time together before she leaves in 3 weeks.

We didn't get on the road until about 6pm. As we drove down we talked about where we would eat dinner and we decided on P.F. Changs because I've never been there. Well we didn't know where the nearest one was and we didn't think of calling anyone about it until we were about 30 minutes from our hotel. At this point, it was about 8:15 and we were hungry. We called a friend and she looked up where we were and told us where the nearest P.F. Changs was. About 30 minutes in the opposite direction of where we were going. We thought, oh we'll go anyway. So we turn around, get off the freeway at Bell Rd. and start heading west. I see street lights, 33rd St., 38th St. and I realize we have to go all the way down to 83rd St.!!! Brie and I look at each other and decide that it's not worth it and turn ourselves back around. We decide to find somewhere by our hotel to eat.

We finally reach our off ramp and we can see the hotel from the freeway. We know we are so close. We didn't see the immediate street to get to it so we consult our directions from Mapquest. The directions tell us to turn on a street that runs parallel to the hotel, so we do. Next we are to turn left on 53rd. Ave. One problem, we can't find 53rd Ave. and we are WAY past our hotel. So we flip around and Brie states that we must have passed it. You think? We're looking and we still don't see it and we pass it yet again. Turns out that 53rd Ave. is a very small, dark side street. The third time around, we see it and turn in. We pass through an open gate to a housing/apartment complex. To say the complex looked shady would have been an understatement.

Our directions are telling us to turn left onto Wilimetta which is where our hotel SHOULD be, but instead it is a dead end of apartments. Brie starts freaking out saying, "Get us out of here!" I tell her to calm down and we start making our way back out when she jokes, "Maybe we should go ask someone for directions." Yeah, like I'm getting out of the car. There were plenty of tricked out cars lining the complex though. Make of that what you will.

We get out of the complex and praise the Lord that the gate was still open. Then Brie has the genius idea of actually calling the hotel to get directions. Hmmmm, now why didn't I think of that? At this point we are laughing at the hilarity of it all and still shaking from our "brush with death". We finally get to the hotel and check in.

Food is the next item on the itinerary. There are a few choices. A McDonalds right across from the hotel with several questionable characters loitering outside, or an IHOP, Taco Bell and Carl's Jr. across the freeway. So IHOP it is. We get there and the first thing we see is a sign on the door that reads, "No Weapons Allowed". Nice. We get seated and order some food. Then I notice there is a man a couple of booths away that keeps staring in our direction. Not gonna lie, it was freakin me out! A short while later the man starts taking to a couple of ladies in another booth about how he made so much more money when Bush was president and about politics. He sounds Russian. Then a couple of men in the booth behind us start talking about their parole and what constitutes a violation, extra jail time and the like. GET ME OUTTA HERE! Thankfully we are done eating. As we pay the bill, the manager says, "Come again." yeah, will do. We get outside and almost RUN back to the car.

Once back at the hotel, we get into our room fasten all the bolts, get ready for bed and fall asleep about 10:50pm. We awake at 3:50am and have just enough time to get Brie to the airport and for me to drive back home to Flag. I get home at 7:15, just in time for Sean to wake up and for Jake to take Kurtis to the bus stop and for him to go to a training for work.

It's 11:40, I'm still in my jammies and I have 30 minutes to get ready to go to work for a few hours. I can't wait. All I have to say is, I had better sleep good tonight!

Frustrated!

2010-03-28T15:35:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get the feeling that what you are trying to do is meaningless? I am suddenly finding out all these things about myself that I don't necessarily like. I am realizing that while I have good ideas, I rarely execute them or finish them if I do start. Why is that? I don't really know why I do that.

I wanted to write a cookbook, but haven't finished. Why? Maybe because I think, no one will be interested in "healthy recipes". I have started several businesses, but never been successful. Why? Maybe it's because I am not good at the mundane aspects of the business and so I sabotage myself. I would like to start a women's choir for LDS young women and relief society sisters, but can't seem to do so because I don't know where to start. Why do I not seem to be going anywhere or doing ANYTHING! I write blogs that few people read, sell products that few people want, work jobs that hold no meaning for me, have a diseased body that won't let me do all I want to do and I have a music education degree that I can't use.

I just feel so FRUSTRATED with my life. I'm not very good at being a mom or at anything else for that matter and I feel so lost right now. What can I do to change that? I want my life to have meaning or at least feel like it does. Right now I feel like I am just existing, trying to make it through the day with enough energy to do what is absolutely necessary. I don't expect an answer, but I had to write out my feelings today.

Attention Sugar Addicts!

2010-03-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

There's a new blog in town! http://confessions-of-a-sugarholic.blogspot.com/. If you feel the need for sugar, EVER, then you are a sugar addict and should read this blog.

New Moon Release!

2010-02-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

I have to say it, I am so excited for the release of New Moon. I have decided to order it through Amazon for a few reasons.
1. I can get the Blu-ray for $21.99
2. I can make sure I receive it on the release date, which means no waiting in line! I love it!

The 2 disc special edition is only $20.49. I prefer Blu-ray because it will include all that is in the 2 disc special edition, and generally comes with a digital copy that you can put on your iPod. Sometimes it even comes with a regular DVD copy. Can't wait to get mine!

Sisters

2010-02-27T21:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my best friend Brieanne watched Sean for me when I had to work. She is one of the greatest people I know! She is a wonderful friend and she and I are like 2 peas in a pod! Anyway. After picking up Sean, this is the conversation Kurtis and I had.
Kurtis- "Mom, Brieanne is a good sister huh."
Mom- "What do you mean? Brieanne is a very good friend, but I don't understand what you mean by her being my sister."
Kurtis- "Well, we are all God's children, right?"
Mom- "Right"
Kurtis- "Well, if we are all God's children then that would make Brieanne your sister."
Mom- "That's right honey, in that way Brieanne is my sister."

Out of the mouths of babes.

Down East Clothing Giveaway!

2010-02-21T20:18:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Down East Clothing! It is modest, stylish and so pretty! I found a website that is doing a giveaway for their clothing! It is so easy to enter and honestly what woman doesn't want FREE clothes? Just go to: http://www.lolidots.com/giveaways/downeast-basics-28-day-style-guide

Confessions of a Sugarholic

2010-02-20T11:30:00.002-07:00

I started a new blog called Confessions of a Sugarholic. Hope you like it! http://www.confessions-of-a-sugarholic.blogspot.com

Brace Yourselves, this is a long one!

2010-02-10T20:15:00.001-07:00

My baby Kurtis is now 8 years old!!! I can't believe it! He has become such a handsome young man. He has a clear sense of right and wrong and he is so kind and sensitive others around him. He loves me when I yell, he always forgives and makes me want to be better! I love him so much and am so proud of the young man he is becoming! He had a great party. We had it at the Aquaplex! The kids got all hopped up on cake and ice cream and then went swimming and rock climbing! They had so much fun! Kurtis said it was his best birthday ever! I really wanted it to be!

Opening presents! Got a new scooter from Grammie! Thank you he LOVED it! Below is Kurtis with Millie and Ben about to go rock climbing!

Then came January 9th, 2010. The day my Kurtis chose to be baptized! It was one of the greatest days of my life! I cried so many times throughout that day! I was crying because I was SO PROUD of Kurtis, I was crying because I was remembering my baptism day. I was crying because I was wishing my dad could have been there(physically). I felt his presence with me that day! Jesse, Rachel and the boys came up along with Brent, Mom and Heidi for Kurtis' baptism. I was so happy to have them there! Jake's parents came down from Hurricane for the day, I love them and truly do have the BEST in-laws. My best friend Brieanne Martin was there with her husband and children and she cried as much as me! I love that woman! My good friend and mentor Debbie Hill was there too! She is not of our faith, but she is a spiritual woman and it meant a lot to me that she would come. The really cool thing about Kurtis baptism is that he got to share his baptism with his 2 best friends, Micah and Weston Cureton! It was a wonderful day for all!

Father and Son

Proud Mom and Dad!

The Sunday after the baptism Rachel, Jesse and the boys stayed at our house for the night. Jake and I introduced them to Country Rock Band. We had so much fun! Gunpowder and Lead baby!

Pretty much my most favorite picture EVER!!! Rock out Rach!

Giveaway Comments Issue

2010-02-01T08:39:00.001-07:00

Hi Friends! If you are planning to, or want to enter our jewelry shop giveaway, but were having trouble finding where to leave comments, please check back to our website www.sasstrands.com to find out how to leave comments! Good luck!

S.A.S.S. is open for business!

2010-01-30T19:48:00.000-07:00

So we had to change the name of our Jewelry Shop, but we are officially open for business! Take a look at our website for our current giveaway and how you can enter!!! http://www.sasstrands.com

New Jewelry Shop!

2010-01-06T21:55:00.000-07:00

My friend and I want to start a shop called:
Serendipity
Jewelry N' More

I wanted to post a few of our creations to see what you think? Post a comment to let me know if you like it what you would like to see! Our goal is to create fun, fashionable jewelry at affordable prices. And by affordable I mean most pieces being $15-50, maybe even less!

This one is called Purpulicious. It is made of lavander colored freshwater pearls, amythest chips and silver beads.

This one is called Coral Reef and is made of salmon colored freshwater pears, white freshwater pearls, silver beads and a floral pendant.

This one is called Turquoise Heart. It is made of imitation turquoise heart pendant, imitation turquoise beads and chips, black glass beads, clear glass beads, silver tone links, and suede cord.

I feel pretty!

2010-01-06T21:34:00.000-07:00

Sean is good friends with a little girl named Megan. Megan is the daughter of one of my best friends, Brieanne, and there are only girls, with the exception of Ryan(Brieanne's husband), in their family. So whenever Sean goes over to their house there are no boy toys to play with. So here is what he and Megan played today! It was so hilarious!

Ummm. Yes, I'm wearing a dress! So WHAT?!

I'm a pretty princess!

Swimplicity Weight Loss Challenge!

2009-12-31T23:52:00.004-07:00

I have decided to hold a weight loss contest using the Slimplicity Weight Loss products! Just in time to be ready for swimsuit season. Hence the name Swimplicity. To read more about this amazing weight loss system and results of others using this awesome system, click here! Read on to see how you can win by entering or just by telling your friends about this contest!

The competition runs from January 1, 2010 until May 21, 2010. On May 22^nd, 2010 the competitor who has lost the most weight will be declared the 1^st place winner of the competition. Second and third place winners will be announced at the same time, again dependent upon the number of pounds lost.

The first place prize will be a choice of a Wii Game System with Wii Fit Plus Game pack, or

an Apple iPod Touch (16 or 32 GB)

with iLive Stereo Speaker System Both together are valued at around $300.00), a $100 gift card to a department store (Kohl’s, Target, or Old Navy) and a $50 gift card to Footlocker. Total package valued at $450.00

Second place prize will be a $125 gift card to a department store (Kohl’s, Target, or Old Navy) and a $50 gift card to Footlocker. Third place prize will be a $60 gift card to a department store (Kohl’s, Target, or Old Navy) and a $50 gift card to Footlocker.

To learn how you can enter and for a complete list of rules and conditions, click here.

Win a $50 gift card just by telling your friends about this contest!!!

How to enter:
1. Copy and paste this post to your own blog and add a comment to this post with your blog address. = 1 entry
2. Follow me on Twitter(http://www.twitter.com/nutritionforu) and post a tweet about the contest linking back to this blog. = 1 entry
3. Post on Facebook about the contest linking back to this blog, and add a comment to this post = 1 entry
4. Follow my other blog Jessica's Health Corner at http://www.jessicabarnum.blogspot.com = 1 entry

The winner of the gift card will be announced on January 31st, 2010! So check back here on the 31st! Winner will choose a gift card to either Kohl's, Target, Olive Garden, Chili's or Red Lobster. Winner will be notified through their blog, this blog, facebook, twitter or e-mail(if I have it) Good Luck!

ATTENTION ALL BLOGGERS!

2009-12-31T00:59:00.001-07:00

If you have a blog, or website, and would like to enter a little giveaway I'm having, all you have to do it check back on January 1, 2010 to find out how you can simply post about my giveaway on your blog to be entered! Don't forget to check back on New Year's Day to find out how!

Seriously need to update!

2009-12-31T00:38:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! It seems like all I do these days in my "spare time" is work on the computer. Watching tutorials about how to promote my website, get more customers, make money online(so I can quit subbing), etc. Then I am implementing what I am learning. Whew! But I am neglecting those I love by NOT posting. So, I am sorry! I am stopping for a moment tonight to write and tell you what I am thankful for.

1. I am thankful for good friends. I do not leave close to family and so the friends I have here are my family in many ways. They have laughed and cried with me, been offended by me, loved me, been truthful with me, helped me and forgiven me. I cannot say enough what a treasure good friends are!

2. I am thankful for my family. I love my husband and boys fiercely! I could not live without them! They love me unconditionally and I them. They support me and "allow" me to do my various businesses sometimes when I shouldn't. I am grateful for a husband who knows how to tell me "no" and "slow down", who rubs my feet when they hurt, which is often, and who loves me with all his heart!

3. I am thankful to know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and who blesses me many times when I don't deserve it.

4. I am grateful for the gospel, that wonderful plan of Happiness and for my Savior. I could not progress without either.

5. I am grateful for a wise mother who loves and listens to me. Gives me good advice and lets me "figure it out on my own". Even though sometimes I don't want to. :)

I think that just about covers the basics. I am excited to this new year and all that is in store for us. Kurtis' baptism (I know I can't believe it either!), Sean's 3rd birthday, our 9 year anniversary and much more I'm sure! I hope you all had a very merry Christmas and all the best for a wonderful New Year!

ATTENTION ALL BLOGGERS!

2009-12-31T00:11:00.002-07:00

NEW BLOG!

2009-11-09T22:29:00.000-07:00

Check out my new blog! Jessica's Health Corner! You all know I have a passion for nutrition and good health! So I started a blog to help share what I have learned and continue to learn. I will be posting articles, recipes and thoughts on a regular basis! Become a follower of this new blog! It's going to be AWESOME!

I've been doing it wrong!

2009-06-30T11:00:00.007-07:00

I can't believe it! I have been singing wrong for the past, oh, 12 years! I came across a YOUTUBE of a girl giving a FREE voice lesson! It was seriously the most hilarious thing I have ever seen and heard. If you need a good laugh, watch this video. I think I should call her, get some 3 hour lessons since I'm "more advanced". What do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWt2YJCJleY

Hello again!

2009-06-26T10:20:00.002-07:00

We're back. There is just too much technology to keep up with. Facebook, blogging, texting, e-mailing my head is already spinning! We have had a busy past few months. So I'm just going to post a quick update and I will try to do more later.

In April we all went to CA for the MS Walk. It was such a great experience! I was so touched by having all my family there along with one of my best friends Brooke. After the walk we all went to a park and played, ate lunch and had a little b-day party for Ollie and Sean.

In May we got a dog. His name is Rufus. He is an inside/outside dog and Jessica had no idea she was allergic to dogs until she had the dog inside. So we have to vaccum at least once a day, but on the bright side, her carpet stays vaccumed(I can't say clean because my carpet is ridiculously dirty!) Jessica had another MRI and had a really bad reaction to the contrast dye that sent her to the hospital. By the end of the month she was much better. She also found out the results of her MRI and the verdict was . . . NO PROGRESSION of her MS. Woohoo!

June has been a good month. Jake received a promotion at work, which will help him move up in the company. Yippee! The only down side is he will have to work the weekend shift. We weren't sure which shift he would have to take and it looked like he would still be on a day shift at first, but that abrubtly changed. We still feel that it is an answer from the Lord, so we are praying for his blessings to be with us. Jessica also applied for a music teaching job at a new middle school. We are hoping that she gets hired. She would be teaching choir and band for sure. It would be great experience. If she doesn't get hired then she will continue subbing for the district.

Kurtis lost his first tooth on the last day of school. The toothfairy gave him a dollar. That was more than I ever got for my first teeth. The toothfairy must be getting richer. He has been having fun this summer and rode on a plane by himself to San Diego for the first time this month. After spending a week in San Diego with Grammie and friends, he will be going up to Hurricane to spend a week with Grandma and Grandpa and then he will be off on a family camping trip for 5 days. Talk about fun!

Sean is cute as ever and in the terrible twos. He knows what he shouldn't play with, shouldn't touch and shouldn't do, but he does it anyway. He tries to get mom's attention by doing things he shouldn't. He really tries Mom's patience. He is talking more now, so he screams less because he can communicate more effectively. Mom is missing Kurtis and the fact that he keeps Sean occupied.

We hope you all are well! Have a wonderful summer!

Love,
Jess, Jake, Kurtis, Sean and Rufus

Cut. Sew. Repeat.

2009-03-20T10:21:00.002-07:00

Dear Family and Friends,
My sister-in-law Allison has just opened up her online boutique of the cutest handmade items! I highly recommend anything on her site and her quality is really good! I'm so lucky I'm family because sometimes I get homemade gifts for presents! That's right, be jealous! Anyway. Here is the link to her site. www.cutsewrepeat.etsy.com Allison is also doing a give away on her blog so check it out! http://browningfamily5.blogspot.com.

Love,
Jessica

Still Here

2009-03-10T23:22:00.002-07:00

Just wanted to let you all know that we are still alive here in Flagstaff. Our lives have been extra busy, so the blog has fallen by the wayside. We are still working, playing and growing together. In Feb. Jacob and I went to Ft. Worth TX for a conference. We had a great time and enjoyed some time alone. Kurtis is ready for spring break and I wish I could say we were going somewhere exciting, but alas we are not. Anyway. I hope you all are well, and I will try to be better about posting more often. I'll try to post pics tomorrow.

MS Walk 2009

2009-01-25T20:15:00.003-07:00

Dear Family and Friends,
Most of you know that I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis about 18 months ago. If you haven't heard the news, SURPRISE! Anyway. My wonderful sister-in-law, Allison, did the MS walk at Legoland last year in my honor and is putting together a team to walk again this year. The walk is at Legoland again and it is on Sunday April 26th. I am coming down from Flagstaff to be a part of her team and walk for those who are unable to do so!

Although I am managing my MS naturally, and am doing quite well, we still need to find a cure. Would you please sponsor me in this walk to cure this disease? Any and all donations would be greatly appreciated. My personal fundraising goal is $1,000. If all you could give was $10, I would only need 100 people for me to reach my goal. You can sponsor me by visiting my walker webpage: www.mswalk.com/jessicabarnum. If you would like to join our team and walk with us that would be awesome too. You can join the team by going to: www.mswalk.com\bellasoprano.

Thank you all for your kind support and I hope to see you on the walk! With your help we will beat this disease!

Love,
Jessica

Sorry!

2009-01-25T20:13:00.001-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted any new pics. The computer with all of our pics is in the shop getting fixed, I hope and our desktop is so messed up I don't dare put any more pictures on it. I will post some as soon as I can.

Irish Spring Soap

2009-01-25T19:56:00.002-07:00

Kurtis has been developing some bad habits lately. Mainly lying and the use of bad words. Most of these bad words he picked up from the movie Goonies. It's rated PG and it had been so long since I had seen it, I didn't remember just how bad the language was. Needless to say that movie is now off limits. Now don't judge me for letting him watch that movie, because I know some of you are, I wasn't sitting there watching the movie with him. Had I been watching it, I would have turned the movie off. So stop judging me. Anyway. He picked up a certain phrase from the movie. He would say, "What the h*ll?" We talked to him the first time we heard him say it and told him that he shouldn't say that phrase. Now we had had a problem early in 2008 with him saying "Oh my G*d!" And at one point I told him that if he said that phrase one more time I would wash his mouth out with soap. He said "Oh my G*d!" one more time. So I dragged him into the bathroom to wash his mouth out. We have the liquid soap that comes in a pump. Those soaps are WAY too mild. Because as I started to wash his mouth out Kurtis says, "Hmm. It's not so bad." GREAT! It's not so bad, meaning that my punishment didn't work. So when he started saying, "What the h*ll?" I wasn't quite sure what to do that would make him NEVER want to say it again. I tried a couple things, but they just didn't have the impact. Then an epiphany came. I thought about the worst soap you would never want in your mouth, Irish Spring Bar Soap. I gave him warning about the next time he used that phrase that I would wash his mouth out with soap. He was probably thinkin', "No biggie." Little did he know. He did use the phrase again. I brought him up to my bathroom and got out the Irish Spring. He HATED every second of it! And afterwards he kept saying, "Mom (gag), I can still taste it in my mouth! (gag)" I told him the taste was to remind him to NEVER use those words again. And he hasn't (yet). Mission Accomplished!

A Word of Warning

2009-01-25T19:44:00.003-07:00

Please, PLEASE! Learn from my experience. If you have a flat screen LCD or Plasma Screen TV you need to read this! A couple of weeks ago, I was fixing lunch for Kurtis. He asked if he could watch a movie while eating his lunch at the table. I said yes, so Kurtis went to turn on the TV. When he did, I noticed the screen was completely black and upon closer inspection I noticed a crack in the liquid crystal. Kurtis had a new styraphome plane with a plastic tip that he had been flying around the house that morning. When I saw the crack I knew what had caused it. I asked him if his plane had hit the TV. He asked, "Will you be mad?" I said, "I'll be more mad if you lie to me." He told me that it had hit the screen while he had been playing. I was so angry, not at him, but at the money that TV had cost us. It was like flushing that money down the drain, because if the liquid crystal in an LCD screen is cracked, it costs more to repair than if you were to buy a brand new TV. I read the manual and found out that an LCD screen is so fragile that if you even push too hard on the screen, like when you're cleaning it, it will crack. So I am passing on this knowledge to you to save you time and money. Of course I checked with our manufacturer, but kids aren't covered under any kind of warranty. To protect your TV, I would suggest investing in a screen protector. They are quite resonable, between $100-300 depending on the size of your TV. You can do a google search for LCD screen protectors or you could try one site that we found. www.tvarmor.com

Catch up

2008-12-25T19:21:00.006-07:00

I'm going to post about a few things because I forgot to post some pics of recent events. First, Thanksgiving weekend. We went to San Diego for Tommy's wedding and had a good time seeing everyone there. Erin did my hair while I was there and it turned out great. She just trimmed my hair, so the style wasn't different, but she did some highlights and I thought they turned out great. The best part? It was FREE!

Before

After!

Tommy & Lauren. Aren't they so cute?

Next was Kurtis' 7th birthday. I know, it is hard to believe that he is 7. He has such a sweet spirit and is such a tender-hearted child. I don't know what we would do without him in our family! Kurtis wanted to go to IHOP for his birthday dinner so we braved the snow storm and went out to dinner and he got to open his presents at IHOP and our waitress even gave him a free sundae! Does life get any better? I don't think so. We had a good time and according to him it was the "best birthday of his life!"

Lastly is Christmas. We sure did have a good one. The Sunday before Christmas we did our Secret Santa delivery to a family in our ward who was in need. It was a great family night. Kurtis and Jake did the drop and hauled it back to the car. Then we sang Christmas Carols in the car on the way home while looking at Christmas lights in the neighborhoods around our house. Then Christmas Eve I made a turkey dinner. We had some good friends over with their kids and we all had a good time. After dinner we played games and then dressed the kids up to recreate the Christmas story. Even though Sean was dressed as the angel, he was a mean one. He kept pushing the shepard out of the way, grabbing at her head covering and when my friend put him up on the chair to declare glad tidings to the shepard, he whacked her on top of the head. We all started cracking up at that point. The kids were really cute.

Sean - the angel

Meghan - the shepard with her "flock" Bear-Bear & Puppy

Kurtis - Joseph

Micayla - Mary

Ryan(Micayla's Dad) - Donkey

Jacob - The Narrator

The baby Jesus (yes, those are pink pjs)

Declaring good tidings of great joy! (Before he hit her. Maybe he was trying to get her attention.)

The shepard coming to see the newborn King.

Then Christmas morning came. I woke up with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for what I have been given. I have a wonderful life. I have an amazing husband and beautiful children who love me. My husband has been blessed with a good job so I can stay home with our kids. I have a Heavenly Father and Savior who love me so much and give me more than I deserve. I am so grateful for all that I have been given. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I look forward to reading all about them!

Me and my boys!

Kurtis & me out in front of the movie theatre. We went and saw Bedtime Stories. It was really cute! Thank you Grandma Shiela for the scarf, gloves and hat. I love them!

With all our love to you and yours,

The Barnums

Shoveling snow and RUDE nieghbors!

2008-12-16T21:12:00.002-07:00

I awoke to a winter wonderland this morning. Last night's storm had left a 2 foot blanket of lovely snow. All ready and waiting to be shoveled. My chivalrous husband graciously left the shoveling to me this morning as he was in a hurry to get to work and, hey he was using the 4 wheel drive vehicle, so shovel shmovel. I knew I had to do it sooner or later. With a snow day called Kurtis and Sean were home with me today. Kurtis was watching cartoons and Sean was still sleeping. I figured now was my chance. I donned my snow boots(thank you mom), gloves, and marshmallow-like snow coat over my pjs and opened the garage door. I grabbed the shovel, it's handle familiar to my hands since I had just shoveled last night. I began. At first it was just powder and was coming up easily, until I hit ice. CURSES! This was going to be harder than I thought. I threw my back and arms into every thrust and every toss. Our driveway was becoming more visible, but my resolve was fading. Maybe I should wait to shovel. No, that would mean more work later! I had to press on. As my work became more intense, my glasses fogged up making it difficult to see. I was sweating underneath my layers and I was getting hot. I threw my hair up into a ponytail and pinned back my bangs. I took my glasses off as well as my hood to let myself breathe. "I can do this!" I told myself. At this point my neighbor came out and started shoveling his drive. I paused to catch my breath and glanced at his driveway. INCONCEIVABLE! His was perfectly shoveled and I was not even half done! I would not allow myself to be defeated in such a way. I had to finish it now! I couldn't give up! Finally I began to see the end of my back breaking(literally) labor. It was beautiful, and it was mine! I had done it, me, Me, ME! No one could steal my glory now! Snow you will not triumph over me I say! I looked over my work and saw that it was good.

Now onto the interesting part of my day. Kurtis had been playing outside in our front yard and had just come in for a time. A boy from down the street came over asking if Kurtis could play. I told him he could play out front. Kurtis opened the garage and started to put on all of his snow gear. I then heard a knock on the door leading from my garage to my kitchen. I thought it was Kurtis. I went over and opened the door and there stood a tall woman with darker hair and she looked very unhappy. I pleasantly greeted the woman and this is what she said to me,
"I live across the way, and last winter this kid,"she gestured toward Kurtis' friend, "used our snow banks to sled on and he completely ruined our snow banks. I don't want to see any children from THIS house on MY property for the entire winter." I then said, "First of all that child,"gesturing to the friend,"isn't mine, this one is,"pointing to Kurtis,"and second I would be more that happy to keep my children off of your property." She replied,"Good. Then turned and walked away." I was FLOORED! I thought for sure this woman could not be a mother. You just would not speak to another mother that way. Especially one that you didn't even know and had never met before! I was sitting in the house stewing about what I should do. The Frank Browning in me would have said to the woman after her rant, "Oh, well then I will just unleash these children on your property in the spring." But I knew that would have made it worse. I was cursing the woman in my head and then realized she had made a huge assumption and acted on it in the worst way. And we all know what they say about assuming. Except in this instance she had only made an ass of herself. Well I took Sean out front with the other boys because I had to shovel yet again. I saw this same woman shoveling her drive a few houses down. It was all I could do to go over and rip her a new one. Then I realized I should, "kill her with kindness" I know that is so cliche, but it worked. I grabbed an extra loaf of banana bread out of the pantry, licked the top of it and wrapped it back up. NO, I'm just kidding I didn't do that! But I did get the loaf and took it over to her. I told her that I was sorry that that was the way that we had to meet and that I would be sure to keep Kurtis off her property. Then I see she has a little boy who was only a little older than Sean! As I continued to talk to her I come to find out, she doesn't even KNOW who had been sledding on her snow bank last year because they never caught the kid(s). I can't say for sure it wasn't Kurtis, but I had talked to him before about staying off other people's property and he was very good about staying only in yards of people he knew. The fact that she didn't even know who had been sledding on her snow banks made me all the more appalled and made her look even more foolish. All I know is, if this woman comes to my home again accusing Kurtis of any wrong doing, I will ask, "Did you see him do it?" and if the answer is no, she will get the door slammed in her face. Would that be wrong? What do you think?

I'm a mean mom!

2008-12-15T17:12:00.002-07:00

Having children that speak is a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing because you can finally understand what they are saying and it's a curse because you can finally understand what they are saying and some times they just won't shut up!

About 6 months ago I was in Old Navy with Kurtis to pick up some clothes. Before going there I had bought a treat for Kurtis that he could have as a snack later. Before entering the store I went through the usual expectations. "Don't run, don't hide in the clothes, stay with me, don't ask for anything and listen to mom." You would think he had this down.

This is how it went once we got inside the store. "Kurtis, stay with me! Kurtis put that down! Kurtis stop rolling around on the floor! Kurtis stop that! Kurtis, where are you? Stop it, STOP it, STOP IT! Kurtis stop running! No you can't have that! Get over here NOW!"

At this point Sean was screaming because he was hungry and tired and I was on the brink of insanity. Finally, I got so fed up with Kurtis that I said, "Kurtis that is it, you can't have your snack." With desperation in his voice and his eyes brimming with tears, he cried, "NO! Mom, please, just give me one more chance PLEASE!" To which I simply stated, "Nope." "BUT MOM! PLEASE JUST ONE MORE CHANCE!" "I already gave you lots of chances, the answer is still no."

The scene continued to unravel in the dressing room as his desperation turned to anger. As I left the dressing room, I handed the bewildered dressing room attendant the clothes I had brought in. I looked at her frightened eyes as she watched Kurtis' melt down and I said, "I'm a mean mom." Kurtis cried as he left the dressing rooms, "You are mom, you REALLY are!"
I turned my head away so he would not see me laugh. A laugh would surely add insult to injury.

So, it's official, I'm a mean mom! Isn't it great?

Twilight

2008-11-22T11:31:00.003-07:00

Here is our fun movie-going group! From left to right is: Carrie Meredith, Me, Brieanne Martin, Rebecca McCaleb and Tiana Williams. We went to the 10:20 showing last night and we had to wait in line for an hour outside in 40 degree weather! Yeah it was cold! But luckily we got great seats in the theatre so it was worth it!

Rebecca was wearing the cutest jean jacket! The picture doesn't do it justice! When I commented on her jacket, she just laughed and said she had a great story about it. The story was too funny not to share. So Rebecca went to a garage sale and was looking at buying a couple of bikes for her boys. She then saw this cute jacket. She asked the guy about it and he said it belonged to his 14 year-old daughter. The girl said that she would sell it to Rebecca for a buck! So, of course, Rebecca bought it. She brought the jacket home and noticed that it smelled funny so she decided to wash it. After washing it, she took another whiff to be sure the smell was gone. Then she realized that it still smelled and the smell was marajuana. The smell was coming from one of the pockets and Rebecca reached in the pocket and when she pulled her hand out, she had a hand full of marajuana leaves! So she got a REALLY good deal on the jacket! Ha Ha! We were telling her whenever she is having a stressful day all she has to do is sniff that jacket to mellow out!

I love my friends! They are so much fun! We talked and laughed the whole time we were waiting. It was a great Girls Night Out!

I give it 3 1/2 stars!

2008-11-22T11:09:00.002-07:00

I went to go see Twilight last night with some friends. I was satisfied and disappointed at the same time. I was actually surprised about how much I liked who they chose to play certain characters. With the exception of Eric. Hello? He was WAY too pretty! He's supposed to be some chess geek with acne, not some good looking kid who is head of the school newspaper! Also Bella was just a little too sure of herself and composed in places where she should have been falling apart. Other than that I liked all the characters. There were some really good scenes too. For example, when Edward and Bella have their first kiss. If that doesn't get your heart going then check your pulse! It made me want to go home and make out with my husband like that! I also thought the first time you see the Cullens in the movie was more dramatic than the book.
I was disappointed how they over developed the threat of other vampires in the area and did not develop the characters themselves and their relationships with each other, like the friendship between Bella and Alice. I am trying not to give things away, but I was very disappointed at the lack of character development. They tried to cram everything in toward the end so it felt rushed and was not as suspenseful as the book was. You will miss a lot if you have not read the book before going to see this movie.
Would I recommend this movie? Yes, but only if you've read the book because there will be too much that you won't understand. Would I go see it again? Yes, because let's face it, Robert Pattinson is HOT in this movie! Will I buy the DVD when it comes out? Yes, because I won't be able to help myself.

I'm a bad person!

2008-11-16T21:54:00.003-07:00

I was going through previous posts and realized that I never posted pictures of Jake's surprise birthday party. He was totally surprised and believe me, it was hard to keep it a secret. I could NEVER have pulled it off without Lynne and Alli's help! I know I said it before, but thank you again! Jake was so surprised!

Surprise!

Melinda, Erin, Rachel and Me

Whoa! Blurry picture of Jake! 29 candles! Someone call the fire dept!

Visiting and eating cake.

Presents!

Having fun in the spa!

Thank you to everyone that came! Jake had such a great time and I know it was because he got to see so many of our friends and family that we have missed so much!

2 new recipes!

2008-11-16T20:45:00.001-07:00

I know, it is unbelievable that I would post 2 new recipes, but I have. So check it out! www.barenakedcooking.blogspot.com

The Deer Farm

2008-11-16T20:28:00.003-07:00

Petting the goat.

Kurtis feeding the deer.

Sean feeding the deer.

Kurtis and mom in front of the camel. Thank goodness he didn't spit at us!

Yesterday, Jacob finally had a few hours off work. Yes, I did say hours. He hasn't had a full day off for the past 3 weeks! Insane, and it's not going to get any better until he leaves to go to CA on Wed. the 26th. So we took those few hours and went to the Deer Farm in Williams, AZ. We fed the deer, saw goats, buffalo, camels, peacocks and a bunch of other animals. The boys had a great time. Sean loved walking around and looking at all the animals and petting them. And according to Kurtis, yesterday was, "The best day of my life!" So it was a good day!

AMAZING!

2008-11-08T14:24:00.003-07:00

So some of you know that I have been taking Reliv nutritional products for my MS. I have had great success using these products and most days I am symptom free. Today Reliv just announced a new product that has gone through numberous clinical trials to make sure it does what they say it does. The new product is called glucaffect. It has been proven to help those with diabetes, insulin resistence, metabolic syndrome and obesity! During the clinical trials those given Glucaffect saw a reduction in blood glucose levels by up to 30% after only 8 weeks! Users also saw significant wieght loss, up to 15 pounds lost in 8 weeks! Can we say "Whoa!"? I am so excited about this product! If any of you would like more information for you or a loved one about this product or about Reliv in general, leave your comments and I will get back with you as soon as I can!

PS. Don't be surprised if I call to tell you about it! This is so amazing that everyone needs to hear about it!

Halloween

2008-11-05T13:17:00.003-07:00

Kurtis was Raphael this year!

Sean was the cutest monkey! He really is a monkey, so mischeveous and he climbs anything and everything! He looks so cute!

This Halloween I was the scariest thing I could think of. I was an NAU student! AHHHHHHHH! No really, in all seriousness I loved going to school, but it was so stressful that I am not anxious to return. However, my voice teacher is trying to talk me into doing my Masters. I know I want to, but not now.

Start Commenting Already!!!!!

2008-11-05T13:15:00.002-07:00

I know I don't post on my blog very often anymore and the reason is simple. I hardly ever get comments, so that makes me think that no one is reading the blog. So, for those of you who bug me about posting more on my blog, why don't you show me you are reading it and I'll be happy to post more! Okay, I just had to get that off my chest. I'm better now! :)

Okay, I'm pathetic!

2008-11-05T13:10:00.002-07:00

So I finally relented and read the Twilight books. Oh my GOSH! So good! I read them all in about 5 days. I am now waiting on the edge of my seat for the first movie to come out. Although I already know that I won't like it as much as the book. There is something about reading, for me, that takes me to another place. I can see and feel what is happening and a movie just cannot, for time constraints, include the kind of detail that I see in my mind. That being said, I will go see it anyway, and when it comes out on DVD I'll buy it because I have become addicted. So, it's official, I'm pathetic.

Last recipe

2008-10-10T19:59:00.001-07:00

I posted my last recipe on my cooking website, if anyone is interested. www.barenakedcooking.blogspot.com

Family Pics

2008-09-18T18:59:00.008-07:00

When we visited CA in July for Stu's wedding we had family pictures done at the beach. Here are some candid shots from when we were there.

Kissin' cousins
Yummy sand!
Sean LOVED the water even though it was FREEZING!
Now, it looks like he's throwing a fit, but he was rolling in the sand.
What are you lookin' at?!

Lava Tubes

2008-09-18T18:59:00.005-07:00

Cute baby!
Dirty car picture!
Dirty car from the huge puddle!
Big fat heavy baby on my back!
Inside the tube!

We live near dormant volcanos and so we have some really neat geological features near us. One is a lava flow tube. This is the coolest place!!! You hike down about 100 feet into this lava flow cave. The cave is a 3/4 mile long. The whole time you are walking through a tube of solidified lava. It is really cool! It had been monsooning a few days before so there was a HUGE puddle so Jake couldn't resist using our 4 wheel drive.

We're still here!

2008-09-16T21:27:00.003-07:00

So I thought I would finally post to let you all know that we have not fallen off the face of the earth. We are all alive and well.

Jacob is still working hard at Purina and is still the best husband and father. He loves playing with the boys and is so supportive of me and everything I do.

Jessica is doing really well. She has been taking some new nutritional supplements that have really been helping her manage her MS. She feels really great. She is taking voice lessons again and is so glad to be back doing music. Her teacher is having her try some graduate level pieces so she is hoping she is up for the challenge.

Kurtis is now in 1st grade and continues to love school. He is so smart and just loves learning. He has started piano lessons and is improving. He doesn't like practicing so much, but mom made him a special practicing chart and so now he is more motivated to practice. He has even practiced without mom reminding him. He loves playing with his brother and is a great big brother.

Sean continues to be as cute as can be. He is starting to say more words. He seems to be able to communicate with mom better, which helps everyone be happy. He loves playing outside. Mom has caught him outside in the backyard sitting in the dirty, freezing, rain water in the kiddie pool. He just felt like playing in the water. So what that the water is freezing and dirty. He is so fun. However, mom can't wait until he is old enough to go into nursery so she can enjoy church again, instead of walking the halls the whole time.

I think that is just about it for us this time. I will try to post more often. We love you all.

Jessica, Jake, Kurtis and Sean.

Check it Out!

2008-07-14T14:09:00.001-07:00

I just posted a new recipe on my other blog. Hope you like it!
www.barenakedcooking.blogspot.com

"If you have any poo fling it now!"

2008-07-02T22:25:00.002-07:00

That was exactly the phrase that came to mind when I opened the door to Sean's room a couple of days ago. Sean's gotten into the nasty habit of taking off his diaper in the morning. Well this particular morning he took off his diaper and then pooped in his crib. He then proceeded to smear the poop all over his crib and throw it on the carpet below. When I came in it was EVERYWHERE! Needless to say the first thing he got that day was a bath! For the first time I was thankful for my sinus infection and I couldn't smell anything. That was probably the most disgusting thing I have ever had my children do. What a stinker, literally!

Cough Balls & Yogurt

2008-06-24T15:43:00.002-07:00

Kurtis has had a cold that he is getting over and he had a nasty cough that came with it. I told him every time he coughs and something comes up to spit it out and not swallow it again. Well he had swimming lessons yesterday and at the end of swimming lessons this is what he tells me.

"Mom I had cough balls when I was swimming, but I couldn't spit them out, so I had to swallow them."

I just started cracking up. Then later on that day the boys were having yogurt for a snack. Kurtis watched Ni-Hao Kailan earlier that day and in the show they taught the Chinese word for snow. So this is the conversation we had,

"Mom, how do you say yogurt in Chinese?"
"I have no idea."
"Yeah, me too."

And that was it. So if you know the Chinese word for yogurt leave a comment so I can pass it on to Kurtis.

New recipe!

2008-06-12T15:26:00.002-07:00

Check out www.barenakedcooking.blogspot.com for a new recipe that will be in my cookbook!

New pictures!

2008-06-07T21:19:00.004-07:00

So I took the boys to get some pictures taken for Sean's 1st birthday, I know it's late, and to get some updated photos of Kurtis and because I wanted to give Jake a nice picture for Father's Day. Sean did surprisingly well. He only lasted about 20 minutes, but we got some great shots in those 20 minutes. Hope you like them.

Kindergarten Graduation!

2008-06-07T20:50:00.003-07:00

Kurtis just graduated from kindergarten. I can't believe that he will be going into first grade. He has learned so much I was so proud of him. He had a little speaking part at his graduation when he talked about what they learned this year. While Jake and I were filming him and taking his picture during the ceremony he kept looking over at us and trying not to smile and look too proud of himself. He was so cute!

Smiling big, ready for my part!
Singing a fun song.
With his teacher, Mrs. Roberts.
With Mom.
With Dad.

Memorial Day Weekend

2008-06-07T20:41:00.004-07:00

Swimming time!

We went to Cliff and Lynne's for Memorial Day Weekend! Almost everyone was there. We had a great time visiting with family and relaxing. Kurtis swam every chance he got and Sean ate ice from the ice cream maker. A good time was had by all.

Pockets Full of Sunshine

2008-05-12T12:10:00.004-07:00

I love the song "Pocket Full of Sunshine" by Natasha Bedingfield. It makes me feel happy. I have really taken the time to count my blessings this past week and a half and it has really lifted my spirits. Last fast Sunday we did a family fast for me. My whole family fasted and I felt their prayers and strength. This whole last week I have felt their strength and my Heavenly Father's arms around me. It was so overwhelming, in a good way. My MS has been pretty bad lately. I am over extended right now so the stress is taking it's toll on my body. So I had been feeling depressed. After that fast, I focused more on all the wonderful things in my life. As I started that list, I came to see that it is SOOOOO much longer than the trials I face. I want all of you I have felt your prayers, love and strength. I am so grateful that the Lord makes it so we don't have to go through this life alone. There are so many things that can bring us down if we let them. However, there is one major thing that can bring us eternal happiness and that is the gospel! What a blessing! I am so grateful for my pockets and pockets and pockets full of sunshine!

Sean is 1!

2008-04-21T21:11:00.003-07:00

I can't believe that my baby is one year old. We had a little family dinner and party. Sean screamed the whole time we sang to him. He was very tired! He was pacified once we shoved food in his mouth. He liked the cake of course, but was really happy to have ice cream for the first time!

Eating chocolate cake!

Yummy!
Am I cute or what?!
Chocolate cake and homemade vanilla bean ice cream with berry topping!

Check it Out!

2008-04-20T19:46:00.001-07:00

Please check out my secondary website to promote my cook book!

http://barenakedcooking.blogspot.com

Back Together!

2008-04-04T08:52:00.003-07:00

That's right! New Kids on the Block is getting back together. I was watching the TODAY show this morning and they were there. So many women, my age, were there screaming that you could hardly hear the announcement. All of them were on the show together and they still look HOT! I was completely in love with them when I was a kid! I was going to marry Jonathan. Their new album comes out on May 16th. My sister Rachel and I have already decided that we are so going to a concert when they go on tour!

His first, and hopefully last, criminal act

2008-04-03T12:20:00.005-07:00

So the other night Kurtis came to Jacob and told him that he had done his reading homework and signed his folder. Well he has to read to Jacob or I, which he didn't, and either Jake or I have to sign his folder that he read, which neither of us had done. So Jake assumed that Kurtis meant he had signed his name on his folder. Well after Kurtis read to Jacob he brought his folder to Jake to sign. It turns out that Kurtis had forged my signature on his homework folder. It was so funny! We had to explain why he couldn't do that and not to do it again. I couldn't help but laugh. He knew he couldn't go out and play until his reading was done and his folder signed so he did both so he could go play. I had to take a picture of it before I crossed it out and signed it myself. Kids are too fun!

Who knew?

2008-04-02T18:46:00.002-07:00

Who knew that the bathroom could be so much fun? One night Kurtis went to the bathroom and he was taking a really long time. I came to the door and knocked and here is how the conversation went.

Mom: Kurtis, what are you doing in there?
Kurtis: Ummm, nothing.
Mom: Are you going to the bathroom?
Kurtis: Ummm, yeah.
Mom: Kurtis, what are you really doing?
Kurtis: Mom, I'm launching my rockets.

He has a rocket launcher that you pump with air and then launch nerf rockets. He was doing that in the bathroom. I was cracking up. He is so funny!

I'm busted!

2008-03-28T21:26:00.004-07:00

Okay I know I know, it's been almost 2 months since my last post. So while I sit here on my bed watching Harry Potter I will write a much needed update. Here goes!

Jacob is still working at Purina and has picked up a second job at Home Depot. The reason for the second job is because when summer comes I will no longer have any income so we are hoping to save up the money from the second job to help us float through the summer months. He hates being away from the family and we hate not having him home more, but we are hoping he can quit at Home Depot by July. Let's hope that we can make that happen. He is still the executive secretary to the bishopric in our ward so his Sundays are pretty busy too. He is, as always, a wonderful husband and father. We love him and appreciate how hard he works to provide for us.

Jessica still has MS, and is still not acting like it. However she is finding that that is not such a good idea. She is so used to being crazy busy that she is finding it a hard habit to break. She has dropped all the extras she can, which aren't many, so hopefully she'll make it through the rest of the semester alive. She took a long term sub job teaching music at an elementary school 2 1/2 days a week. She really does love doing it, but by Thursday she's toast. She was also hired on as an assisstant director and publicist for the Children's Chorale of Flagstaff. So doing both those jobs have really become a struggle for her. As much as she loves it, her body needs more rest than the average bear. Because of these jobs her cookbook has been put on hold. She is hoping to get it finished by the middle-end of June. Her hope is that her cookbook will become a huge success and she'll become rich and never have to work again! :)

Kurtis continues to be fun and frustrating all at the same time. Apparently there is a boy at school who is not very nice to him or his friends. So one day when I picked him up from school he told me, "Mom, Gage was not very nice to me and Justin an Dallas an Austen today. But me an Dallas an Justin an Austen have a plan." Then I said, "Oh really?" Then he said, "But I can't tell you because it's a secret, an you're not in our club." I just couldn't help but laugh. He asks questions incesently, almost to the point of insanity. Today he decided to play a "game" with me where we would ask each other questions. When it was my turn, I asked, "Why do you ask so many questions?" At first he said, "I don't know." Then after more proding he said, "I need to know stuff." He has become a very avid reader. He loves reading and is very good at it. We finished our first chapter book in February. We read Treasure Island. The very next week Kurtis' school had reading week and one of the days the kids could come dressed as their favorite character from a book. Kurtis chose to go as Long John Silver. So mom whipped up a costume. Not too bad for such short notice.

Kurtis is such a good big brother. Many times he is the only one who can calm Sean down. He is so loving, sometimes too loving, and sensitive to his brother. Even though they are so far apart, Kurtis still likes to play with him. I love to hear them playing together.

Sean is pulling himself up on everything and is getting ready to walk. He loves to climb our stairs and is pretty fast at it too. He is asserting his independence more and more by screaming at me. When there is something he doesn't like he lets you know by shrieking. I have been working on using baby sign with him(thank you Rachel), and he seems to be catching on and it is helping me to know what he wants. More than anything, he just wants to do things himself, and when I let him he is happy as a clam. He gets into everything now that he is mobile. He especially loves getting into the pantry and making mischief. He still has the cutest smile ever and is such a love bug. He is such a good baby and we love having him in our family.

We hope you all are doing well. I promise to be better about posting.

Love to all!

The Barnums

Shoveling Snow!

2008-02-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

If there is anything that I truly dislike, it is shoveling snow. However, it was either I do the shoveling or the snow turns to ice before Jake has a chance to do it. Um, no. So I was out in my driveway shoveling about 15 inches and adding it to the already large piles on either side. Thankfully, my kind neighbor came and helped me after he had finished his driveway. Even with both of us working, it took about an hour and a half just to shovel the driveway and our walkway up to our door. I'm not even considering shoveling the backyard because, well, you'll see.

Before

After!

A nieghbor's snow piles! Our's weren't that high!

The abominable snowman! Not really, it's our barbeque!

The snow is piled so high in our backyard! This snow is about 4 feet deep! Crazy!

Time for an update!

2008-02-03T15:47:00.000-07:00

Well it's been too long since I posted on our blog. It has been a crazy month. My grandma Browning passed away Dec. 30th 2007 so I made a quick trip out to CA at the beginning of January for her funeral. She was an amazing woman and I am glad she was my grandmother.

At the gravesite of Lila Jean Browning.

Sean has been growning like crazy! It's hard to believe that he is 9 1/2 months old. He is still not quite crawling, but I'm not too worried. He is growning out of 12 month clothes already so he is developing. This picture shows what a happy baby he is. He is such an easy baby. He has had a rough time the last few nights due to teething. He has 3 teeth coming in at once! So he now has 6 teeth! He has the cutest smile too. He scrunches up his nose when he smiles and gets all excited!
Here is Kurtis hamming it up! He continues to be a great big brother. He is so funny! Shortly after President Hinckley passed away, we were having a prayer and Jake was helping Kurtis say it. He told Kurtis to say, "Bless the apostles with inspiration." Kurtis said, "Bless the apostles with experation." He tries to use big words and usually uses them incorrectly which is hilarious! Our boys are so fun!

The most wonderful time of the year!

2008-01-02T15:08:00.001-07:00

We had a great Christmas this year! The boys got spoiled by both sets of grandparents. We went to the Barnum's for Christmas. We had a good time and enjoyed being with family. Hope your Christmas was as good as ours!

Sean unwrapping a gift from Grammie!

Enjoying the bag more than the gift!

New jammies and pillow case from Grandma Barnum.

Look what Santa brought!!

Kurtis' first guitar!

Kurtis begged me for this guitar. It is the kind that connects to the TV and teaches you to play. It is a really neat toy. When we were on our way home from the Barnum's Kurtis said, "Mom, I don't want my guitar." I said, "What?!" "I love you."was Kurtis' reply. I told him to try it out to see if he liked it. If not then he could take it back and get something else. He tried it and loved it! He plays it daily and is getting pretty good! Santa was good to him this year.

Christmas Program

2008-01-02T15:01:00.000-07:00

Kinsey school kindergarten classes put on a little Christmas program. The kids dressed up as little elves and sang holiday songs. They were so cute! There were the zoned out kids, the nose pickers and the ones that just didn't sing. Kurtis was one of the kids that sang his little heart out! I was so proud of my little elf!

Kurtis turns 6!

2008-01-02T14:35:00.001-07:00

We did a pajama party for Kurtis' birthday party. We had Kurtis' friends come over Friday night. They played games, decorated cupcakes, ate pizza and had a blast! It was total chaos, but Kurtis had a great time.

Handel's Hallelujah Chorus

2007-12-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

A friend e-mailed me a link to this utube. For anyone who is familiar with Handel's Messiah, and his Hallelujah Chorus in particular, take a watch. It is really funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D09DCZryG2U

Super Pants!

2007-12-14T14:53:00.000-07:00

Kurtis came to me one morning wearing these pants and told me, "Mom, I'm wearing my super pants!" I said, "Why are they your super pants?" He said, "Because they make me go super fast!" He then proceeded to show me how he could go super fast and do all kinds of "super" moves. The imaginations of little boys are amazing.

The "super" pants

Running "super" fast

Doing a "super" move.

Super Kurtis!

Winter Wonderland!

2007-12-11T17:46:00.000-07:00

This is the site we woke up to this morning. Around 2 feet of snow had fallen making it a snow day for Kurtis. YES! It was freezing, but so beautiful!

The view from an upstairs window.
Look at how much snow is on the trees.
Our backyard!

Family Dinner

2007-12-11T17:39:00.001-07:00

While I was in CA for Thanksgiving I got to go out to dinner with all of my siblings. It was a sibling only dinner, no spouses. Dave, Erin's husband, said that was fine with him and that he would have a Dave only dinner, no one could come but him. We had such a great time. It had been several years since we had all been together so we took advantage of me being in Ca and went out to eat. I love my brother and sisters!

Me, Rachel and Daniel
Heidi and Erin (yes that really is Heidi, can you believe how grown up she looks?)
All of us together! What a good looking bunch!

The many faces of Erin

2007-12-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows my sister Erin, knows that she is one of the most hilarious people. She is so funny and makes the funniest faces. Here she is stuffing a kleenex up her nose to keep it from running. She does a few sexy poses for me too.

Thanksgiving

2007-12-11T16:40:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a while since I posted and I have lots of great pics to share with all of you. Here are some from Thanksgiving.

We celebrated Kurtis's birthday while we were there.

Halloween

2007-11-18T15:07:00.000-07:00

Kurtis went as a Power Ranger and Sean was a bat. They both looked so cute.

Puddle Jumping

2007-11-18T14:35:00.000-07:00

One of the few rains we got this year yielded some great puddles for Kurtis to play in. He had a great time splashing and getting soaked.

I've been tagged!

2007-11-17T20:38:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged. The rules are that you list 6 facts/habits about yourself then at the end of the post name 6 people that you are going to tag. Then you go into their comments and tell them that they have been tagged.

1. I LOVE scrapbooking! I do it whenever I get the chance. It is a more creative way for me to write our family history.

2. I am writing a cookbook that I am hoping will get published. I cannot eat sugar and refuse to give up sweets. So I am coming up with recipes that use alternative sugars like agave nectar, date sugar, and pure maple syrup.

3. I have started training to get in shape to run a marathon next year. I am hoping to find a partner who would run the New York Marathon with me next October.

4. I have a bachelor's degree in music education with an emphasis in choral music and I now work as a substitute teacher and private voice teacher.

5. My husband asked me to marry him the day after he got home from his mission, much to my mother's dismay.

6. I love food! Never get between me and what I am eating or you might lose some fingers. I'll share occasionally, but my food is very important to me.

I think that is it, so I tag:

Kara Ballenger
Amber Robbins
Allison Browning
Rachel Wattson

I don't know enough people with blogs yet so I only tag 4 people. I can't tag Brooke because she tagged me.

family pics

2007-11-16T21:02:00.000-07:00

Make a slide show, scrapbook or ecard

Some family pictures

2007-11-16T20:14:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures that were taken about 6 weeks after Sean was born. I know they are not that current, but I love them anyway. Here are a few of my favorites.

Are you happy now?!

2007-11-16T20:01:00.000-07:00

I finally caved in! A few people had been bugging me, mainly Brooke Baker :), to get a blog so they could post comments and have more access to my pics and such. Even though I had already established a website, I decided to give blogging a try to see if I like it better. So, I ask you, are you happy now?! I hope so! :) I will do my best to post pictures and blips about what is going on in our lives. I love reading all of yours, so hopefully you will enjoy reading ours.