First Hair Cut !!

Today, Sam got his first haircut!!! I was planning on waiting until after his birthday. I actually, really hate to have my kids hair cut because then they look so much older to me :(. Anyway, my stylist Kelsey is going on maternity leave next week so I had to act fast ;). Sam cried at first and was gripping onto Jason's shirt like a little kitten. Once he realized that this wasn't actually hurting him and his binkie was securely placed in his mouth he was just fine. In my opinion he looks like a totally different baby. As a treat for his first haircut he also got his first few licks of a lollipop which landed in a hair pile on the floor so he literally on had a few licks!!

Funny Sam

I couldn't resist taking this picture of Sam. He had just had dinner and I thought that I cleaned his hands really well, but apparently I hadn't. He just looked so I cute that I could hardly tell myself no to this semi-embarassing picture. Luckily, he was only minutes away from bath time. Tomorrow he gets his first haircut and I am starting to get a little nervous, because he's still so little to me, but as you can tell by the picture he has hair to spare. Lets just hope that is always the case :)

Peace Lily

This post is for my mom who wanted to see the plant that was sent in our family name to the viewing for my mother-in-law. Its hard to tell because the camera is angled down but this plant is actually taller than my 3 yr. old. The plant is also wider than he is tall. He wanted his picture taken with what he called the "plant-tree".
Thanks again for the beautiful plant, family :-)

Tooth Fairy Frequent "Flyer" Miles

The Tooth Fairy doesn't need a map to our house! On Thursday as we were driving home from the airport Jarom proclaim from the back seat, " I lost a tooth!!!!" We were so excited for him. I have to admit that seeing him wiggle his tooth made me more than a little queasy and it isn't just because I'm pregnant, I think its just nasty-ick! The dental assistant actually told him to wiggle it when I wasn't looking because in the office I was turning green.
All that aside Jarom was eating dinner tonight when he again screamed, "My tooth!!" Now, he's pretty pumped about losing the tooth and getting more money from the tooth fairy, but Jason and I are amp'd about the fact that we don't have to pay a hundred and seventy dollars to have the little sucker pulled!!! At first, Jason's mom thought that a dollar was a little steep to give a kid for a lost tooth since apparently he only recieved a quarter, but a buck beats a heafty dental bill!!
The best part is watching Jarom's amazement at they fact that he is losing teeth. Every milestone that he reaches is a leap for my heart knowing that one day he will be all too grown up.

Gone A Baptizin'

This past weekend Michael decided that he needed to take in a homeless rollie pollie, potato bug, whatever you want to call it. At first, I gave him my standard mom statement,"bugs live outside so lets keep them there." This did not appease him so he thought he would sneak it into his jacket pocket. Hmm...I totally saw that mister. I figured it was a losing battle and offered up one of my jam jars to the cause. Michael went about picking the perfect weed for a home slash food for said bug. Then I noticed so leaves from my rosebush were in the mix, at that point I figured why not as long as he wasn't going to smash the darn thing I was cool. Later, Jarom noticed that there was a jar with a bug in it and asked if he could add one to the mix. Again, why not? I already was outnummbered by both bugs and bug lovers alike. Jarom added his bug and then they promptly forgot about the bugs. This afternoon however they caught a glimpse of the jar and noticed that one of the bugs was "sleeping". So, Jarom took the bug out and fearing for its eternal salvation set about to "baptize" the bug. The conversation went as follow:
J:I baptized my bug!
Mom: What??
J: It was dead so I baptized it.
Michael: Its with Heavenly Father now
Mom: Jarom how did you baptize the bug (at this point I am getting nervous)
Jarom: I held him under water for 14 seconds and then I threw him on the roof!
Mom: (laughing too hard to talk)
Jarom: what? he was dead!!!
Mom: point taken.

He SURVIVED!

Yesterday, was a big day for any employee where Jason works. Because I'm not 100% on whether or not it violates any rules about blogging about the company I'll just call them "work". Work needed to reduced its workforce and yesterday was the "axe day". We have about fourteen or fifteen people in our neighborhood who work at the same company as Jason. All have different jobs but all are their families breadwinners so to speak. On the floor where Jason resides there were seven people who lost their jobs. Some volunteered others were surprised. I can't imagine what that would have been like to have to go home without a job in a downturned economy. My stomach was in knots until about 9:30 am when Jason emailed me an all clear message. I know that work will be tense for the next couple of years as contracts end and they try to win new ones. Jason LOVES his job and wants to be there FOREVER. I have to say as his wife I love sending him to a job he loves, and is good at. I know that he feels accomplishment as he ends his work day. I wish I could say the same everyday that I leave the hospital ;). Work has been good to our family and what we are carving out here is something that not all families in America have. The chance to live in a small town with all its perks, the county fair being the number one perk to Tremonton. There are things that we hope to change by contributing to the community and growing with it. We will always have Missouri in our hearts, but Tremonton is getting under our skin, in a nice way. To those that lost their jobs yesterday, we wish you the very best, and pray for your quick re-employment! For those that kept their jobs, savor it, give it all you got! We feel blessed by Heavenly Father for helping us to survive this reduction.
Here is hoping that the next cut in the fall is less severe, and that contracts sought for are gained!!!!

Twilight "the movie"

From this moment on the Twilight movie will be just referred to as, "the movie". I will say that I was VERY nervous to see the movie. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the books and they are soooooo good in my head that I was worried that I would have a difficult time divorcing myself from the book and its movie adaptation. That being said. The movie could have been better. They could have spent a little more money on special effects, not just CGI. The acting was good, don't get me wrong. The ENTIRE cast played their parts really well. For the most part you could see EVERY actor/ess as their character. I need to say that I didn't like some of the artistic liberties that they took. For example, James, Laurent, and Victoria don't kill a guard at the factory, and I was distracted by that. I know why they did it, but it just didn't sit well with me. I know, I know, tiny detail. At one point in the movie I started to wonder if for Stephenie Meyer watching this movie being made was a little like sending your firstborn off to Kindergarten. I would love to ask her that. I am not turned-off to New Moon and am looking forward to Jacob's transformation. Like I said good movie, would love to see them spend a couple extra bucks on special effects. The speed thing for Edward should look a little more flawless, imo! All the HP films have these outstanding effects and Twilight movies would definitely be elevated by this one factor. Oh! and I really liked the pace, regardless of what it left out, you'd be there all day if they were true to the book :-)

Twilight Saga

So it took me exactly four days to rip through these books!!! They were fantastic!!!!!! I can't believe that I hesitated for so long. My patients have been reading these books for some time now and I just didn't seem interested. At first my thought was, "these are kids books". Then I rationialized not reading since they were about vampires and werewolves...umm...okay. I finally couldn't take all the buzzing. I hate when people are all talking about a book and I haven't read it. I feel out of touch. So I decided to go to my local library, which is shaky at best and reserve the one copy of Twlight they had. It came about a week after my reservation and I picked it up. I was in the middle of a so-so book called Moose: A Memoir of Fat Camp. I read the first chapter of Twlight and I was HOOKED. I couldn't focus on anything else. Working, eating, breathing all seemed silly if I couldn't get on with the book. Its a beautifully written love story with bite <--pun intended! Stephenie Meyer weaves a great story and unlike J.K. Rowling she doesn't leave a character unexplained. Don't get me wrong J.K. is awesome, but Stephenie is closing ranks. The story is set in Washington town called Forks, with its lush green setting and dreary forcasts. Forks is the perfect town for some "vegetarian" vampires to live and co-habitate with humans. I don't want to give too much away I want everyone who reads these books to soak them up with no preconceived notions. They are magical like a Rowlings book, inherently lovely like an Austen story, and fun to read in a way that is so very Stephenie Meyer. Besides who can't appreciate a book by a Cougar (Rise and Shout!)!!!!!

Touched By An Angel

Touched by an Angel


We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.

Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love's light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.

Maya Angelou


Thanks Jason, Jarom, Michael, and Samuel! Also, thanks Maya for putting my exact thoughts into words.

INTRODUCING.......

SARAH


I don't want to give out to many details since my blog isn't private, buuuut I had to share a photo of my newest niece Sarah! We have been waiting for her for quite sometime now and after all the prayers here she is :-)
She is proof that God hears our prayers and answers in His time when it works into His plan. I am so grateful to Grandpa Mickey for the photos. I am sure that the Bransons are on cloud nine along with my parents and the newest Mollus parents!! Enjoy her guys! Draw in every sweet breath, and bathe in every gentle smile. She is litle for now. I have to say that I am excited for you two to have all the learning experiences that being a parent affords you. For me being a parent is an instant connection to Heaven. A newfound partnership with a loving Heavenly Father. I can't imagine what you are feeling right now, but seal it in your heart, cherish it! We love you and want to congratulate your sweet little family on a job well done!

FHE- on Tuesday :-)

This weeks Family Home Evening was really fun. We talked about keeping our house in order, and how when we have a clean home we are all happier and the Spirit can be felt. Our general rule is to pick up what you can when you can, and leave the rest for saturday when our usual house cleaning day is. However, I can't think when my house is too cluttered. It is so liberating to get rid of junk, and yes we ALL have junk in our house that we really can do without. So, for the activity the boys built their own house, well more exactly a bunny hutch since that is what Wilton had to offer. They got to decorate it with candies, and frosting. It even came with three little bunnies that we names appropriately after each of them. One bunny is going into the house so that is why it looks like there is one with no face, lol! We talked about a job chart, following it, and consequences for not doing your job. The thought of not picking up after them is like heaven to me. They sometimes are good about making sure that their clothes are picked up, and of course, when Jarom wants to earn a few bucks he'll ask to clean his bathroom. I would love for the cleaning to be instinctive. I realize that they are still little and learning, but a mom can dream, right?

Hugging <3

Hugging is natural, organic, naturally sweet, free of pesticides and preservatives. Hugging contains no artificial ingredients. It’s 100% wholesome. No calories, no caffeine, no nicotine. Hugging is nearly perfect. There are no removable parts, batteries to wear out, no periodic check-ups. It consumes little energy while yielding a lot.
It’s inflation- proof. It’s non-fattening. There are no monthly payments. No insurance requirements. It’s theft proof, non-taxable, non-polluting and fully refundable. And it costs very little. Hugging is healthy. It assists in the body’s immune system, it cures depression, it reduces stress, it induces sleep, it invigorates, it rejuvenates, and it has no unpleasant side-effects. Hugging is no less than a miracle drug.

Pretty Cool

I was in between patients yesterday, and happened to catch a little bit of Studio 5, a.k.a. The Chicklet Show <--you would get that if you saw their teeth ;-). Anyway, they had a really creative chic on there, Kristin McKay. I thought that her designs were AWESOME. I have done the altoid tin thing, but I have NEVER seen anyone make jewlery with fabric and epoxy. There have been sooo many fabrics that I have seen that I thought would make really cute beads. She makes it a reality. If you have a second check out her site www.kmckaydesigns.com you won't be disappointed. NATALIE check out her Family Planner. Her downloads are FREE!!!! Tell me who doesn't love free??

Enjoy :-)
Thanks Kristin for sharing your creativity !!!!

Do You Feel It??

The tangible excitement in the air!! I can't tell you how excited I am that Natalie is a mere 38 hours from my presence!!!!!! I am so pumped! I miss her sweet face! She is beyond loved in our home and her sweet little family is priceless to us! Have a safe trip Edwards Family!!

Sam UPDATE-THANK YOU!!!!

I wanted to take a second and post a "thank you" to everyone that has said a prayer for Sam, or even had his health on their minds. We have been so blessed! Sam is doing really great his breathing is FANTASTIC. He hasn't had more than a sneeze since he left the hospital. The dr. when he released us told us to expect a pretty horrible wed. but wed. came and went without an incident. Jason stayed home from work to keep the boys from messing with him too much, but it really seemed like Sam wanted to play with his brothers, and just be part of the group. I can't express my thankfulness enough! I feel so cared for and more watched over than I deserve, but I will take it with a happy heart. Sam really is a light to me. I think hearing his resp. distress caused me to just suspend my emotions, but watching him smile, and blow raspberries allowed me to exhale. He is perfection in a bottle! Having Sam in my life is a gift !!!
So just to let everyone know he is doing great, sounding great, and eating like a linebacker :-)

Little J turns 6!!

Not only did the Groundhog see his shadow last Monday, but Jarom turned 6!!! He was so pumped to say goodbye to 5 that he woke up at nearly 5:30 A.M. I wish I could find a way to emphasize the early nature of that wake-up call!! It was hard not to give in and let him tear into his gifts. Around 6:30 a.m. Jason came into the bedroom and gently nudged me to get up and I went downstairs to find one jazzed kid, so waking up was more fun seeing how excited he was. Jarom got a Nintendo DS, Mario Party game, and Michael and Sam also got him Star Wars Legos. He was so happy to get a DS. He has been begging for once since before Christmas. I was put off by the price, but then I started to think about how awesome our kids have been these last few months with Grammie's cancer, and we haven't had the same amount of quality time, so he won me over with good behavior. There is also a bonus for me, if he happens to have bad behavior the DS is the first to go. Let me tell ya that gets him in line FAST!!! He also got a suit for church from Grammie, money from my parents, a card filled with stickers (thanks G&N family :-)). He was a walking live wire ALL day. It was really fun to watch him beam! On saturday Jason took Jarom and five of his friends to the bowling alley. I couldn't stress over a party this year so thankfully the bowling alley was available. At the last minute we allowed Michael to go and he brought his friend E with him. She actually has a "real" name, but told me yesterday that she is just going to go by "E" when she goes to real school. Kids are to funny!!
Anyway, Jarom and his friends had a blast, and Jason had a good time too. I can't say enough good things about Jarom. He is such a bright child, with his fathers sensiblities. I thank God everyday for blessing me with him. I couldn't have asked for a better child to usher me into the world of Motherhood. I remember distinctly the moment he was placed on my chest after he was born. He lifted his head and his eyes were wide open as they made contact with mine. I felt a rush of fear, anxiety, and then the most calming sense of gratitude that I could be trusted with such a being. I wondered in my heart if I could really teach him anything. What did I have to offer something so perfect? I was blessed shortly after his birth to be able to put my newfound devotion to the test as Jason and I carefully attended to our sick newborn. For days Jason and I held him, never putting him down for more than 15 minutes. We rallied as his Bili levels climbed dangerously high, and celebrated as they finally fell below 15. It was in that time that I learned my love for Jarom was in its infantcy as well. As he grew I KNEW my love for him would flourish. It has. I think the bigger he gets, the bigger my heart gets. I hate to think of him ever getting to be to big for me. So for now, I will cheer him on as he takes on the world and cherish every kiss while its still okay to kiss mom good-night.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my number 1 !!!

This is for my Ute loving Neighbor!

I am a little nervous about this post since my Ute loving neighbor also happens to be my dentist, and anyone who knows me understands that I hate the dentist more than a colonoscopy :-) Thats okay I'll just pay for more nitrous oxide if he doesn't find this pic as funny as me. Bawh!

Thought For The Day

The joys of motherhood are never fully experienced until the children are in bed.

Thanks Aunt Kelly!

Firday's Funny-Late but not forgotten !!!

So, I know that I have been really lazy about posting my "Friday's Funny" posts, but truthfully as my boys get bigger they are increasingly funny and picking just one moment or statement is getting really hard. Then I worry that my blog will turn into a blog fest, whats a blog for, right? Anyhoo, this one was too funny and MUST I repeat MUST be recorded for posterity.

Michael (the source of most of my funny moments) decided that it was okay to throw a toy, wait strike that, he dedcided to chuck will all his might a toy across the family room and it landed squarely on my new keyboard. Now, we have an unwritten and highly spoken rule about throwing stuff in the house. I have a totally rational fear of things flying around the room and hitting me in the face. That is a whole other post though.
So, the known punishment for throwing toys is time on the "Naughty Step". Michael is no stranger to the step and frankly tries to use his cute to get out of it. Well, this time he conned us into believing that Jarom did the crime. After a few minutes on the step Jarom started to cry out that an injustice had been heaped upon him. This started a whole trial, so to speak, as to the guilt or innocents, of Jarom. Finally, Michael looked at me and we had this conversation:
Me: Michael did you throw that toy
Michael: No!
Me: Michael are you telling me the truth? Remember, you get in more trouble for a lie than you do a truth.
Michael: I didn't throw it (flashing cute nearly tearing eyes at me)
Me: Is that the truth?
Michael: No, I threw it.
Me: Michael you know the rule go to the naughty step. You do the crime you do the time!!!
Michael: (without missing a beat) No! I do the crime! YOU do the time!
Then as if he had practiced in front of a mirror he flashed me the sweetest face like he was too cute for hard time. Too bad I don't play that. Save it for the big house captain!!!!!!