Kenneth and Heather's World

Pictures Out of Order

2011-05-09T19:37:00.001-07:00

Dallin's 1st bday (Feb 2011)

My sweet Ashlyn

The new cut!

Jade's 3rd Bday (Jan 2011)

I got my haircut!! (March 2011)

Catching WAY up

2010-12-06T18:57:00.000-08:00

(We didn't mean to have Kenneth and Dal wear the same color, but Dallin spit up and that was close by)

(This pic is a little old, probably 4months old, but SO funny. Jade did it)

Okay so it's been forever since I last posted anything. I have so much catching up to do it's not even funny. Where should I start? Okay I'll start with the usual, the children.

Ashlyn: Ashlyn is now the proud loser of two bottom front teeth! I know, shocking she's old enough to be losing her teeth. But here we are two dollars poorer and she's two dollars richer. She also has four more loose teeth. We LOVE asking her to say words that begin with "sh." lol. Yeah. That's right. We pick on our children. Anyway she loves showing everyone. She is doing quite remarkable in school and likes her teacher. She has friends at school and church and has adjusted well. She is very smart. And honestly is one of the most beautiful 5yr olds I've ever seen. EVER! Sorry I don't have a posted pic yet, but I will soon. She is still super tall and looks older than she is.

Jade: Jade is completely potty trained!! We got that finished up in October. YAY! It was a beautiful moment. Jade is still extremely narrow as ever and tall. You probably wouldn't recognize her. Her hair is so long now and she talks like a big girl. Most ppl confuse Ashlyn and Jade's voices on the phone. She is still our biggest tease. We continue to work on numbers and letters and all that fun stuff. She catches on quickly, the problem is her stubborn personality. lol. Everything has to be her idea. You can just imagine our fear of her teenage years. She's a happy little girl and has also made friends at church. She keeps us on our toes with her little adventures around the house. And of course we still can't keep Ashlyn or Jade away from Dallin, not that we would. They just love him SO much. They are both very nurturing. This morning I heard Jade talking to Dallin and she said, "Baby I'm you're best friend." It melted my heart like butter. It was just so sweet. Hopefully that will last a long time!

Dallin: Dallin will be 10 months old next week! Time has gone by so fast. He was 4wks old when we left for TX and now we are soon aproaching his first bday. He crawls everywhere. He's pulling up on his knees and if we had more carpet he would probably already be pulling up to a standing position. He has his two bottom front teeth, (his were coming in good when Ashlyn lost hers. Funny to watch). He has the sweetest smile ever. Every night when I tuck him in I always whisper in his ear, "Good night baby. I love you." And for the past like 3 months after I say that he will grab my shoulders and pull himself closer to me. He hugs me! I'm not even kidding. It's the sweetest thing on the planet. I love him so much. I already feel that he and I have a strong relationship, it's very special. He is a very layed back baby. He's down with whatever. He is a lot like Jade was as a baby. They also resemble one another the most.

Kenneth: Kenneth is staying busy with work as usual. He's doing well and enjoying his job. He is now serving as the Secretary in Elder's Quorum. He plays bball every Tuesday and enjoys that. He is ready to take up running again. He has been going back and forth with working out at the gym. They started doing it together as a company. His family will be coming to TX this year for Christmas with the exception of one sibling who just had a baby. So we are looking very forward to that. He hasn't seen them in awhile so this will be nice for him. He is such an amazing husband and provider for our family. I truly appreciate the things he does for us and the sacrifices he makes for us. He is the love of my life.

Me: My life seems to have changed so much this past year. First I was uprooted from the only place I've ever lived. Then I lived in a horrible apartment. Now we are in our house and have been since Sept 6. We LOVE the house and the kids do as well. It's the perfect place for us. We are anxiously getting ready to paint and decorate.

My first calling here in Texas was as the Laurel Advisor. I was happy to serve the YW and was so nervous when the Bishop asked to see me and Kenneth about 4wks ago. He told me I was being released, (my first emotion was sadness, and pleading in my mind please not primary) then he told me it was because he had another calling to extend and that it was a big one. My next emotion, OH CRAP! I immediately knew what it was then. I am now serving as the Young Women's President. I so did not see that one coming! As scared to death as I was I am really loving it. The girls are so great. I love them so much. I had so many fears, and still do have a few, but things are going well. I have an amazing presidency. My sister-in-law (Sarah) is serving as my first counselor so that is tons of fun! We just recently had a Friday and Saturday stake girls camp, (they had Trek this past summer and the stake still wanted them to get together). They learned quickly how crazy I am. Enough said. I'm really looking forward to the wonderful experiences I'll have and the relationships I'll gain with these extraordinary YW. I was praying for spiritual growth just before I got the calling, if this doesn't do it I don't know what will. lol. But I do know that this is why we moved to Texas.

The family is happy to announce that we will be visiting South Carolina on December 28-January 5! I cannot wait to go home. It will be so amazing to drive around and KNOW where I am and where I'm going without using my GPS. lol. I cannot wait to see my family and my little neice and nephews born just before we left. I miss everyone so much. It's so hard knowing that my friends back home are pregnant and living life and I'm not there to help and to live it with them. It sounds like I died, but you know what I mean. I miss everyone. I also really miss Bo*jangles and La Brascas. I'm looking forward to eating that wonderful unhealthy goodness. I look forward to seeing everyone very soon!

New Pictures!

2010-06-29T13:11:00.000-07:00

So Dallin is getting SO big! On June 14 he rolled over for the very first time. It was awesome because I was sitting right in front of him when he did it. I'm just loving him! And my girls are So great! We are still having an attitude problem with Ashlyn, but I'm praying. lol. Anyway, enjoy the pictures and I hope to be taking some new ones soon, probably this weekend. Have a great Independence Day everyone!

Okay the picture is a little fuzzy but still SO cute. Jade swimmin'.

Is this a mischievious face or what?

What a big boy!

I went to a luncheon and came home to find EVERYONE asleep, (Dallin is in his crib which is beside our bed).

I LOVE this picture of Ashlyn. I think she is just SO beautiful.

Everyone has to have at least one of these pictures. Sorry your tub is pink Dallin, it was Jade's and I didn't want to buy another one just to have it in blue, you'll grow out of it in no time.

Random Pictures

2010-04-30T22:21:00.000-07:00

G.G. and Dallin after his blessing Feb. 21, 2010.

I told Jade to smile, she had other plans, but Brooke listend well.

Okay so he's pretty much the CUTES little boy ever! If only I could stop Jade from sharing her girly toys with him.

Jade posing for the camera.

Ashlyn is in LOVE with her baby brother. She's the best big sister ever! She burps him too. It's great!

They had so much fun taking these pictures!

Again, I can't keep Jade from sharing her girly toys. He really doesn't seem to mind though. Don't worry, I won't let this become a habbit, (sorry about the pic, I couldn't get it to stay rotated).

Jade at the Easter Egg Hunt at church here in Beaumont, TX.

CRAZY

2010-04-08T22:20:00.000-07:00

Well we've made it to TX safely. I have SO much to blog about and so little time to do it. There are so many things to catch up on. I have SO many pictures to post! Kenneth surprised me the other day. He came home from work and after dinner went to his truck and when he came back inside he brought in with him a new computer, printer, etc. and a GPS (for my lack of sense of direction). He's the best, and not just because he bought me something. It's been So great being together again. I feel like my world has been sown back together again. I was really starting to lose it. I'm still trying to get the kids back on their routine. We had SUCH a great one before and then after we sold the house and moved in with my mom things got a little off track, but now they are WAY off! Little by little we're getting closer.

Okay so about TX. I live in the best area! The mall, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Hobby Lobby, Babies R Us, Toys R Us, Kohls, Ross, Pier One, The World Market, Wal*Mart, Kroger, the movie theatre, our bank, and a little putt putt place are ALL around the block from our apartment! The whole street on both sides is lots of shopping centers. I know, I am in SO much trouble. lol. I am also in trouble because there are SO many One Way streets here. I get confused easy enough, sure lets go ahead and make it more confusing. Thank goodness for the new GPS. Our ward here is really nice. There are lots of young couples here with children and if you know Kristina Tuttle Cash, she will be joining us here soon. What a small world! I can't wait! There is another young new couple from SC that just moved here too. I don't know her and her fiance, but I've seen her around at church at Stake things. What's up with all of us South Carolinians moving to TX? Beaumont for that matter. Who's ever even heard of Beaumont, TX? I surely hadn't until the job offer. I did very well the day we left. I cried while saying good bye to everyone, especially my Grandmother. She told Kenneth she would try to stay alive long enough to see her great grandchildren again. That was a dagger to the heart! Her bday just passed. She is 89yrs old and just as funny, sweet and beautiful as ever. Love her! I haven't broken down yet emotionally. I think it's because everything is still new to me and I feel like we're on vacation in a VERY small condo. lol. I'm sure the first time I get lost somewhere or the first holiday I miss it will hit me, and probably hard. I do miss everyone, don't get me wrong. I'm just still having fun experiences. That and I'm sure Heavenly Father is still uplifting me, but I'm nervous about when and if that will wear off. We shall see.

The kids updates are as follows:

Ashlyn is almost five and the BEST big sister EVER! She loves her little brother. When he cries she is there ready with pacifier in hand. She is very helpful with feeding and burping him. Though I do have to get on to her about picking Dallin up when I'm not in the room. She won't walk with him, (any more) but she sometimes doesn't quite have his head supported the way I'd prefer. Scary. I know. She is a wonderful big sister and huge helper. However we are still having issues with the attitude. I know this probably will not go away until she's like engaged but still. Today's attitude problem went as follows:

Me: Ashlyn are you picking up your toys like I asked?
Ashlyn: I am not going to clean up my room. I am not going to help you. I am not going to listen to you.
Me: Ashlyn listen to yourself. Do you hear how rude and disrespectful you sound? That's NOT how you talk to me. You just lost your toys.

For some reason she didn't see that one coming. As far as Jade goes we are still just as cute as ever! Seriously it's hard to resist her charms. She is the BIGGEST tease ever. She too LOVES her baby brother. She really enjoys putting the pacifier in Dallin's mouth, even when he's fast asleep and doesn't seem to want it, she will shove it in. Poor Dallin. She will also take the paci and put it in her mouth backward (with the nipple of it hanging OUT of her mouth) and run. She knows she isn't allowed to do it so of course she does it anyway. Oh that girl is gonna give me gray hair and soon too I can feel it. I've been working at being more consistent with her. I got really slack with both of the girls while Kenneth was away. I am paying for it now! They are protesting hard, but I'm not pregnant or recovering any more and they are astonished at how fast I am! lol. Jade is talking SO well. I wish y'all could hear her. She's still stubborn so don't ask her to say anything because it has to be her idea, but I did get her to say the prayer at bedtime tonight. It took a LONG time to get her to repeat what I was saying, but when she did it was the sweetest sounding thing ever. She and Ashlyn share a room and we put Jade in a big girl bed as soon as we moved here. Lots of adjustments, but she's doing quite well.

Dallin is smiling at us now. I love him so much. I can't explain it, but the love you have for your son really is different. Not more or less, but different. I am loving it so much. He is now 7wks old. He is such a good baby. He goes to bed around 10 or 11pm and won't wake up again until 5 or 6am. Occassionally at 4am but usually 6am. The thing that really gets me is that it's been this way for several weeks. He was born a sleeper that's for sure. Then again I have also worked hard at keeping him on a schedule so I will take credit for most of it. He is so layed back and easy. Too bad he'll soon be following the rebels that are his sisters. I just want them to be close and to be friends like me and my sibblings. Dallin was a bit on the small side after all of the feeding issues but he is quickly advancing. His cheeks are "puffier" now and he is filling out quite nicely. He is SO tall! He has the longest fingers EVER and I'll be sure to post pictures soon.

Well this is a short novel so I'll stop here. We love and miss everyone back home. Please keep in touch everyone.

Heavy Thoughts

2010-03-16T13:44:00.000-07:00

I finally did it! I finally got a car/minivan. I will never forget the day that Kenneth suggested that our next vehicle be a minivan (Ashlyn was a baby at the time). I told him I would NEVER drive one and that I was too young to be behind the wheel of one of those things. LOL. Boy am I eating my words now. Let me be the first to say that I LOVE this Odyssey. The purpose of our new car is for me and the kids to be able to get around without having to worry about the car cranking or stopping etc. and for us to have a safe way to travel to Texas. Ah, Texas. The place that will take me away from all that I have ever known. From my roots, the state that I call home and the family that I want to spend eternity with, that I was raised with, that love me. This may be melodramatic for some, but I am not the wandering type. I love where I am and I'm with the ppl I love and that love me so why go any where else? That was my way of thinking. I haven't been thinking at all about how real it is that I'm moving so far from my family. I haven't been thinking about not being able to call up my nearest and dearest friends to see if they want to bring their kids over to play, or have a girls night. I haven't been thinking about my new neice and nephews that will grow not knowing who Aunt Heather is or my older neice and nephew who will miss me, but especially my children. I haven't thought about all of the bday dinners for my sibblings and their spouses that I'll miss out on. Or Mother's Day and all other holidays I will miss. My mom gives the BEST hugs, I'll miss those a LOT especially on those hard days. My sisters. Oh my sisters! We are so close and I'll be out of the picture missing everything. My little sister is a new stay at home mom. Who will she hang out with and run to when she's going stir crazy or needing help? Who will Wendy and Matt play "Hand-n-Foot" with until 4am? My girls won't be able to visit Aunt Amy and Jade will REALLY be asking where Uncle Matt is now! When Amy and Matt expand there family where will I be? When Dallin starts showing his personality and growing who will I show it to and who will get just as excited as I will? I haven't cried yet because I haven't allowed myself to think about the hard stuff so that I can avoid the feelings and tears. Well now I'm lying because while writing this I began to cry and honestly admit that I still am. I know it sounds really dramatic, but please bare with me as I "spread my wings and grow." I don't know what is in store for us in TX, but it's obviously important that we go. Otherwise we wouldn't have sold our home in 7days, we wouldn't have found the perfect apt., I wouldn't have found a reliable vehicle and the buying process would not have been SO easy. I wouldn't have recieved all the help that I have and I wouldn't be having the wonderful experiences that I have. I KNOW that this is what our family is supposed to do. Of course I could just tell Heavenly Father no thank you and that I'm going to stay here with my family where I'm comfortable. It would be REALLY stupid, but I could do it. But I won't. I know that we are going to gain experiences in our life to teach us and help us grow. We will face trials, and we will be prepared for them because of these experiences. I know all of this to be true. And more importantly I know that my Father in heaven will be there all along the way holding my hand and my head up. Now I just have to think of a way to not break down completely infront of my children after saying good bye to my family. If they don't cry I can probably manage it. But if you know me and you know how sensitive I am to feelings and emotions, then you also know that the rest of my family is the EXACT same way. Hmm. Maybe I should have my brother-in-law Jim drive the car away until I can gather myself. I'd hate to wreck my new car because I couldn't see through all of my glossy tears. I don't see a cop having pitty on me for that one. Well enough of the crying and drama for now. This is what is on my mind tonight.

Baby Dallin Update

2010-03-09T22:24:00.000-08:00

Dallin is now 2 and 1/2 wks old. Wow those two wks were like counting down to your wedding day, (the longest wks of my life)! So the mastitis was horrific and then Dallin decided he didn't want to latch any more and he and I would both get very frustrated and it was horrible. Needless to say I am now pumping. That electric double breast pump is the greatest thing in the world! The inventor of the breast pump is going to heaven. lol. While Dallin and I were going through our nursing trials he quit gaining weight. He didn't lose any, but wasn't gaining so I'll be taking him to the Dr. office for a weight check on Thursday. I've been giving him formula and breast milk. I started drying up so I don't make enough every feeding time to fill up his tummy. He eats 4oz! I thought at this age they only eat about 2oz, maybe he's having a growth spurt and trying to catch up on his weight. After giving birth we women are pretty hormonal, but I must admit that I don't think I have EVER cried so much. It was hard without Kenneth while I was having such a hard time. My mom has been great, but we really do NEED our husbands. Huh, they do serve a purpose! JUST KIDDING! I can't wait for next weekend to see Kenneth and finally be together with my whole family. So...it's time to brag on my boy. He is the BEST baby ever. The boy is a sleeper. Heavenly Father has taken mercy on my soul and given me a baby that is well tempered amid all the trials I'm facing. He is just so content all the time. Well, feedings are sad because he always gets a tummy ache after eating and burping. I'm not sure if it's because he gets breast and formula milk, or if he's just sensitive, I'm not sure. I'm considering changing his formula. We shall see. He's so sweet and cuddly and I am just really enjoying every moment with him. His sisters are so in love with him. Of course Ashlyn thinks she's a big girl and that means that she can hold him whenever she wants no matter if I'm around or not. Scary! We had to lay down some serious ground rules. Jade goes to him all the time and rubs his face or head and says, "Hi baby!" or "Hi Dallin!" Oh I wish you could hear her say it, too cute. He's very patient with his big sisters, well for now anyway. I love his LONG fingers and the way his hair comes to a natural mohawk (sp). He loves the pacifier and takes it SO well. He looks like three different ppl to me. He looks JUST like Kenneth. He makes faces that remind me of my older brother Jesse, and of Kenneth's little brother Kevin. He is one handsome fella. I think his hair will continue to lighten and he will be a blondie like his father. We are so in love with him!

We are currently looking to buy a new, used minivan. We found one we like and they are transferring it to Cola from Atlanta. I can't wait to test drive it. If I love the way it drives and feel like it's right we will buy it asap. My current vehicle will NOT make it to TX, muchless down the street. lol. I'm excited about getting a newer car. It surprised me with how excited Kenneth is about it, especially a minivan, but he is. We have looked at the Toyota Sienna XLE and the Honda Odyssey Touring and EX. We LOVE the touring, but it's the most expensive, so we're sticking with the EX. We like the Odyssey more and found a good deal on one, lets pray it works out. Well he just fell asleep so it's time for me to put him to bed and get some sleep myself. I'll update again when and if I have some time.

A baby boy

2010-03-01T08:02:00.000-08:00

Now that I'm home from the hospital and Dallin is 10 days old it's time to tell the baby story. Originally I was to be induced at 5am on Friday Feb. 19. To my surprise I was told they had a full house and needed a few more hours. They told me to call back at 8am. Thankfully Kenneth and I were able to get some more sleep. So we got up and I took a shower and did my hair and make up before leaving, (I didn't want to scare the poor baby). We got their at 9am and I was given the pitocin at 9:30. At 12:10pm they broke my water. At 1pm I was given newbane and phenergin. Right after I was given the pain meds I immediately began slurring my speech and losing the ability to keep my eyes open. Luckily I've had these meds before and knew what was coming. lol, Kenneth LOVES to tell everyone that I actually snored after falling asleep. I slept from about 1:10 to 3:30. After waking up Kenneth suggested I get checked again. I had gone from 2cm to 4cm during my nap. At 4pm I requested the epidural because the contractions were really getting hard to breathe through. At 4:15ish every laboring woman's favorite man entered the room to give me the epidural. I was really struggling with the contractions by this point even after he was done. Usually you begin to feel a SLIGHT bit of relief. Well I was getting REALLY uncomfortable feeling lots of pressure etc. The nurse checked me and I was at 9cm. She called the nurses station and said call Kenneth in NOW and get the midwife! They luckily entered the room at the same time and as soon as Kenneth was by my side they said okay Heather push, (hence the reason the epidural had no time to work). Eight minutes later there was our little Dallin. He was born at 4:28pm and weighed in at 7lbs 8oz. 21 and 1/2 inches long with beautiful blonde hair and the longest fingers I have ever seen on a baby! He's absolutely perfect. He's a VERY sleepy baby unfortunately for me. It's quite difficult to nurse a sleeping baby. To make a long story short the second day I was home, (I left after 24hrs so that I could share Kenneth with the girls) I noticed something just wasn't right with my breasts. I could feel the milk let down, but it never came out, well except when he ate. So after a day or so of my milk coming in I got mastitis. For those of you who don't know, mastitis is an infection in the breast. You get a high fever and flu like symptoms and it hurts like you know what. I will spare you all of the gory details, but it was the worst experience I've had and one of the most spiritual experiences too. I am so grateful for the restoration of the priesthood.

We had Kenneth for a full 5 days. After not seeing him for two months it was really wonderful getting to finally spend time with him. I never understood how wives of military men made it through, and now I REALLY wonder. 5days was great but of course it wasn't nearly enough. Ashlyn begged for Kenneth to take her with him and she cried so hard as we watched him being driven away. I would have taken him myself with the girls so that we could all say goodbye, but my car is on it's last leg and we didn't know if it could make it their and back. My brother in law took him and it was difficult to say goodbye. My mom cried just as hard as Ashlyn! She said she didn't know if she could let me go in March. That is a day I try not to think about. Oh the headache I will have after the tears from that day!

We are very blessed and so in love with our little baby boy. I can't wait for us to be together in Texas and see what the Lord has in store for us.

More Dallin

2010-02-22T06:40:00.001-08:00

I think he is a little over 21" I can't find where I wrote it down.
He is so adorable!!!

Dallin!!!

2010-02-22T06:35:00.001-08:00

Here he is! 7lbs 8oz.
Heather and Dallin

I just have to say this

2010-02-21T19:13:00.000-08:00

I really felt like I needed to let everyone know that Morgan is my best friend ever. She is wonderful and selfless and I am sorry to everyone who is disappointed over this news but I just had to say it.

Just kidding, this is actually Morgan. Heather gave me her password so that I could mess around with her blog and then post some pictures of DALLIN!!!! Sorry Heather, you can totally delete this when you get the time but I couldn't help myself. If I get any power, I have to abuse it.

A new baby on Friday!

2010-02-17T09:49:00.000-08:00

I think just about everyone knows by now, but if you haven't heard the marvelous news here ya go, I will be induced on Friday February 19!!! I don't really want to be induced, I'd rather Dallin come when he's good and ready. I feel that often times if you induce labor you'll have to labor longer than if your body was really ready. Anyway, since my husband is 15hrs away we could only ensure that he'd be here for the joyous event if I were induced. I was scheduled for 6am on the 19 until yesterday afternoon when I received a phone call from the Dr. office informing me that my time had been bumped up to 5am :-O on the 19th. It sucks, but at least we got to keep the date the same. Kenneth will be home tomorrow, Feb. 18 at 9pm and I can't wait to see him! It's almost been two months since we saw one another and that's just crazy! Anyway, we'll be able to see one another very soon and then have 5days together before he heads back. He's only allowed 3days off so that's why we chose the 19th, it's a Friday so he'll get the weekend too. The girls are SO excited about seeing him.

I had a Dr. appt this morning and I am still 2cm dilated and 50% efaced. I thought for sure I had progressed more from last wk with all of the contractions I've been having, but to no avail. Oh well. It's better than nothing. I'm just praying my body will progress more before 5am on Friday. She said my cervix is very soft and that he's dropped more since last week, so that's positive at least.

Well I feel like a horrible mother. It snowed almost 7in at my house and I don't have not one picture of the snow, or my children playing in it. Why you ask...because I was moving! That's right, last Friday my dad met me and we went to the U-haul place and he drove the 24' truck to the house as I followed behind him in my car, in the pouring snow. I must say I have never been so scared in all my life. I slid the whole way home, and so did dad in that big huge truck. I prayed all the way home and made the girls sing primary songs all the way. lol. It made me feel better. I was thinking that the roads would be just as bad Sat. morning so I wasn't expecting a big turn out for help moving. I wasn't at all upset about that thought. If it was gonna be as bad Sat. as it was Friday night I was more comfortable with no one showing up so that I wouldn't be endangering anyone's safety. But to my surprise there was a big turn out of helpers and the roads were SO much better. I have the MOST awesome elders quorom presidency, and ward for that matter. A HUGE thank you to the Steve Mejia, Kenny Whetstone, Jeff Webster, Ashley Rowe, Mike Campbell, Dan Chambless and his two oldest boys, Bro. Peck, Denise Campbell, Noel and Aubrey Cottrell, Brenda Nininger, Jessica Castle, and Morgan Webster. I could NOT have moved or gone to Dr. Appts. without all of your help. I know I'm probably forgetting tons of others, I have it written down somewhere. Anyway thank you to everyone and to everyone's spouse. I appreciate you supporting your spouse to do service for a helpless pregnant lady. May the Lord bless you and your families. We hit a few bumps on Sat. with the storage unit, but got it taken care of just in time. I am now living with my mom in Columbia. I have to say I never thought I'd be living with one of my parents again after I got married. Actually I vowed I would never do such a thing. LOL! But here I am with the girls and it's been great. Mom has been a HUGE help with the girls and making me relax. Sometimes only mama knows how to fix things and make it all seem like it will be okay. Unfortunately we aren't sleeping very well. For starters mom and I can't seem to shut up at night to go to bed because we're too busy talking. Jade has been steadily waking up EVERY morning at 5am, I'm guessing for more Tylenol. She's getting those last molars and she's either congested, or her nose is running. The girls are sharing a room for the first time and they aparently like to talk too, especially Jade to Ashlyn. We hear a lot of "I want out Ashyn." lol. I'm too pregnant to sleep restfully, so all combined together we are one tired bunch. My poor mom has to get up to go to work every morning. We are praying that they will adjust soon to the new arrangements and sleep like they used to. Well I think that's all of the updates for now. Be watching for Dallin Roam baby pics soon. A friend will be by to get some shots of him and post them for everyone to share in our joy. =D Love to all and wish us good luck!

Updates!

2010-01-29T11:21:00.000-08:00

A lot has happened since I last posted. We put our house on the market on January 14 and exactly 7 days later someone made us an offer. We counter-offered back and forth a few times and they accepted our last offer!!! Can you believe our house sold in 7 days? Of course the contract is "pending" but it's pretty much a done deal. The couple that is buying our house REALLY love it, (as they should, and who wouldn't). Today all of the different inspectors came by and they were in and out pretty quickly. The home inspector has a very short list of things for us to do and it's things we were expecting, so that's good. Unfortunately they weren't fixed before the inspector came, but I can't make ppl do things on my watch, even though I wish I could. We are looking to close on February 22, 2010. The appraiser will be out some time hopefully next week. After that the closing date will be given for sure, but the lender doesn't see any reason that it would be later than the 22. So I'm in the process of packing and getting ready to move in with my mom. I will be induced on the 19 of February so that Kenneth can be here. I'll move in with my mom the week before I'm induced so that I won't have to worry about moving again until we leave for TX. So I'm also looking for a storage unit. I have NO idea what size unit I need. I am also having a garage/yard sale the first weekend of February to get rid of a LOT of stuff. Hopefully a lot of ppl will turn out for the event and give me lots of money. lol. I have sold a few things on craigslist which is nice. Wow! You know that you're busy while you're going through your days, but when you see how much you're doing when it's written down it makes you wonder, "How on earth am I going to do all of this and how have I done ALL the other stuff!?" I have truly been blessed! My Ward Family has just reached out and gone above and beyond! I feel so loved and supported. I can also see Heavenly Father's hand in this entire process. I mean come on, who sells a home in 7 days? Heavenly Father does! I am really gaining a stronger testimony in so many different facets of the gospel. The girls have been great. We of course have our days that I can't wait for bed time to come, but for the most part they are better behaved than not. That too I believe is coming from our Father in heaven. He is really uplifting the girls. They miss Kenneth SO much! Ashlyn draws him pictures regularly and they each talk to him on the phone every night before bed. I've taken a few videos on the cell and sent them to his Blackberry. He says it's like Christmas when he gets to see them. Ashlyn just learned to tie her shoes to the point that I don't really help her ever with her shoes any more and I was able to catch it on video and send it to him. He is VERY impressed. Jade's vocabulary is just taking off. She pretty much says whatever she wants and hears. Of course I don't always understand it, but for the most part I can tell what she's talking about.

Well I'm just a few wks away from delivery and I cannot wait to see Kenneth! I know this sounds horrible, but I don't want to share him with the girls. But I also know that they really need him. I'm not looking forward to him leaving us again though. I just know how emotional I'll be from just having Dallin and the girls will be sad that he's not staying. Ashlyn can understand so much, but Jade will probably just be really confused. I hope that they both just RUN to him when they get to first see him in February. I know Ashlyn will, but I'm starting to wonder about Jade. Even though she talks to him all the time on the phone, she hasn't seen him in over a month. I know he'll be hurt if she's shy toward him. Well, we'll see what happens. Well I think that pretty much sums everything up. Then again I have the pregnancy brain and am still trying to recover from the other two pregnancies as far as memory goes so I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things, important things even. It may be quite awhile before I'm able to post again. I'll do my best, but I can't make any promises. I will have a friend take pics of Dallin when he arrives and let everyone know when he makes his debut. I cannot wait to see what he looks like! The drs. say he's very small. Maybe a 6 pounder. Weird for me, I haven't had one under 7. Who's complaining!? I love you all and hope to have the chance to say goodbye to everyone.

Preparations and Concerns

2010-01-16T11:54:00.001-08:00

Okay so I figured it would be really stressful to get ready to have a baby, prepare my house for selling, keep it clean for walk-throughs of potential buyers and do everything else a mom does day to day all without the help of my husband. I had NO idea how much of a strain it really would be. I've always been a night owl but when you have two small children, you're 8mo pregnant and you are constantly on the go you should really rest a lot more often than I have been. Our house went on the market on Thursday Jan. 14. On Friday Jan. 15 I had just finished feeding the girls lunch and put Jade in her crib for nap time and began paying my bills online when all of a sudden the phone rang. It was our Realtor, Sherry Smith (whom we LOVE) asking how quickly I could have the house ready and be out of it so someone could stop by and look at it (here we go)! So I asked for 30minutes and jumped up as fast as I could. Jade luckily for me was and had been talking quite loudly in her crib not yet asleep. So I kept her there while Ashlyn and I ran through the house picking up. It worked out quite nicely because Jade couldn't go behind us and make a mess like she usually does when I try to clean (however she did manage to take off half of her clothes and throw everything out of her crib). I got the house ready grabbed the girl's things and headed to the car. Just as I was buckling Ashlyn's seat belt I saw a car approaching and just knew that it was them. They past the house and waited at the end of the rd while I was backing out. I realized right before getting into the car that I was having some contractions. I knew they would subside once I was able to rest and settle down. I didn't really know where I was driving to until Ashlyn suggested we do our grocery shopping. I figured that would give them plenty of time to look at the house and give me some driving time to calm my body down. By the time I got to Wal*Mart my cheeks were so red and I was sweating, (yes in 63 degree weather with the window down and the AC on) and Ashlyn thought it important to tell me how red my cheeks were. lol. I sat in the car for awhile before getting out and the contractions passed. We did our shopping and went home. Unfortunately Jade missed her nap and fell asleep in the car at 5pm. Not a decent napping hour so I had to keep her up, that wasn't fun either. After the day had ended for the girls and they were asleep I got to talk to Kenneth. He said that Sherry called and said the ppl that looked at the house really liked it but that they had some concerns. Their concerns included the backyard where we have some standing water, the storm drains in front of the house, (for some reason they thought they were part of our property and our responsibility) and the cracked tile in the master bathroom caused by the settling of the house (which by the way is TOTALLY normal). The good news is that all of these things are temporary problems. The backyard was supposed to be finished before Thursday but the man's equipment broke down. He'll be here early this coming wk. The storm drains are not our responsibility and there only purpose is to catch run off water from the street, (I thought everyone knew that). Next the tile will be fixed probably this weekend. It just needs to be cut out and re-layed and it's only 5 tiles. The couple wants to come back after the backyard is finished and to their surprise the tile will be done by then too. YAY. Now we just hope that they REALLY want the house. We'll see what happens. I understand that my chances of the first ppl to look at our house and buy it are not likely, at all but, a girl can dream. Ashlyn has been SUCH a big helper. She helps me clean up all the time. I know it's not really fun to clean so if anyone has any ideas of how I may be able to make it exciting for the girls I'd love to hear them. I'm sure you're wondering where I'll go if my house sells before we're supposed to leave for TX (March 20). We'll move in with my mom. Now you may wonder "Why don't you just move in with her now rather than hustle to clean the house every time someone wants to see it?" The answer my friends is that my mother lives about 45 minutes away from me and Ashlyn is still in school. I would have to drive an hour there and then an hour back EVERY Monday-Thursday. Not worth it in gas. I don't want to pull Ashlyn out of school either, at least until we have to so that we can move. She's already got enough on her plate about leaving her friends and cousins and especially her house. The girl prays that we won't sell it! It's the only house she's ever known, or remembers anyway. I'm wondering if maybe I should move in with my mom after the baby is born because how can I be in the middle of breastfeeding and clean at the same time if someone wants to come look at it? Oh the possibilities and problems and decisions. If anyone has a LOT of experience with this kind of thing or any suggestions I'm open to hear them. Well that's basically the update for now. I have a Dr. appt on Monday morning and I'm hoping we can go ahead and schedule my induction date. I'd love to be able to go ahead and buy Kenneth's plane ticket and prepare even better. Well here's to much prayer...and cleaning.

Oh I almost forgot! When I was talking to Kenneth last night he told me he got me something. It's not my birthday, or our anniversary, or even V-Day yet. He just wanted to get me something to let me know that he was thinking about me and how much he appreciates all that I'm doing and wishes he could help. Too sweet! I cannot wait to see what it is. He was going to surprise me but he accidentally slipped and mentioned that he went to the mall. What man just goes to the mall intentionally and willingly when he's alone? Of course that sparked questions on my behalf. Why was he at the mall? Even I don't go to the mall anymore, (not by choice of course). He asked if I wanted it hand delivered, (meaning when he flies down for Dallin's birth) or if I wanted it shipped. If you know me well you know I can't wait. I'm not good with surprises because I get too excited and just HAVE to know. lol. But I love to be surprised if you can keep it from me, (which not many have succeeded with). Otherwise watch out! I'm very sneaky. =D So to wrap things up I'm basically losing my mind stressed out and I have the best husband in the world.

We are moving

2009-12-21T18:37:00.000-08:00

So it's been two months plus since I've blogged about anything. Sad I know, but I've been so tired and I forget what I wanted to blog about etc. So to catch you all up on our current events here it goes...

1. Our son has a name, Dallin Roam Walter. I LOVE it so if you don't be a pretender. ;)
2. Ashlyn is getting way too smart for us. However she thankfully cannot lie convincingly yet.
3. Jade remains to be sneaky and getting better at it all time while bullying her sister around.
4. The girls are also really beginning to play together.
5. Jade says Ashlyln's name now and it sounds a lot like, "Atchy or Atchin." Too cute!
6. Kenneth turned 30 on Dec. 10!!!! My older man. ;)
7. I was recently placed on bedrest for about 4 or 5 days. I LOVE the sisters of the church! Thank you all that helped me out I couldn't have been obedient to bedrest without you!
8. Kenneth was offered a job in Texas on Dec. 16
9. Kenneth was layed off on Dec. 17
10. We have accepted the job in Texas!

Okay so I'm sure everyone is trying to close their mouths right now. We knew that Kenneth would be layed off with how slow things at work were moving, it was only a matter of time. Their office hasn't had a sale in a little over two months. Why would they need more than one super. Of course we were crossing our fingers it wouldn't happen until AFTER the baby is born, but it worked out better for us this way. Kenneth was offered the new job the day before he was layed off and then we quickly became more serious about taking the offer after he lost his job. The new company only had one more superintendent position to fill and we got in just in time. So here's the VERY condensed version of the story. After MUCH prayer and planning and organizing we both felt the confirmation of the spirit to move. A VERY difficult thing for me seeing how it is that I've never lived anywhere but SC and that ALL of my family is here and I've never lived without them, not to mention that I have two small children and one on the way. Leaving my support group is hard to swallow. But I have been feeling the love of my father in heaven and know that I will be okay. The good news is that Kenneth has a job and we can pay our bills and support our family. I will also have two sisters-in-law in TX with me. Yes, two of Kenneth's brothers will be there as well working for the same company. They also have a sister that lives in TX, 8hrs away from where we will be, but visiting will be SO much closer! We'll also be closer to Kansas so we can visit his family next Christmas, something we haven't been able to do in years. Kenneth leaves on Dec. 27 to begin working right away. I will stay here in our house until after the baby's born. We're hoping to rent out our house until we and the house are ready to sell. If you know of anyone looking to rent please let me know, I have a GREAT house, (at least I think it's great). Anyway, Kenneth will come and get me and the girls and our things around mid March or so. Not every detail is planned out, there is a lot of the unknown, but we do know that this is what we are supposed to do. So if you ever get the feeling to "call Heather while Kenneth is away," please listen so that I may keep my sanity and my BROWN hair. lol. It will be very difficult being away from Kenneth. The longest we've ever been apart was 5days when he was in superintendent training 5yrs ago. He will be visiting about every other weekend or so, if the budget allows. While he's in TX he'll be staying with his brother Jonathan and looking for an apt for us to move into when we're ready to move there. Things will be very tight for us, not that it's much of a change lol, but it will be difficult. Hopefully someone will just LOVE our house and want to buy it! =) A girl can dream can't she? Well that's my update. This contract in TX, if things go well will be for two years. We may either come home by then, or stay if that's where the work is. We'll see where the Lord directs us.

We are expecting a...

2009-10-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

Kenneth and I went to my Dr. appt yesterday to have an ultrasound and see the sex of our baby. We both had different opinions about what we thought the baby is. Kenneth thought we were having a boy and I thought it was another girl. So who was right? Kenneth was the winner! We are going to have a little baby boy! We are SO excited. Even though he guessed boy his face was just as shocked as mine was. We were of course hoping he was in fact a he, but when he wasn't a girl it just took us by surprise. After having two little girls already I had a hard time imagining that we were capable of having a son. lol. I'm glad that I was wrong. I teared up a little after we could clearly see that he is a boy. Now to pick out a name. Ashlyn thinks his name should be "Baby Kenneth." Sweet, but I'm not one for naming after the father, unless it was like a passed down tradition, or something. So we have much thinking to do. In case you're wondering Kenneth doesn't feel the need to name him after himself either. I am a nice wife, I try to compromise. Well it sure will be different seeing blue instead of pink around our house. I was so excited that when we left the appt. to eat lunch I actually left my car running! Can you believe that? I surely couldn't. It was funny because Kenneth locked his keys in his car right before my appt. and so we decided to eat lunch down the street while waiting for triple A and then I go and leave my car running! What a day! Thankfully no one took the car or anything out of it. It's a good thing it was pouring down rain ALL morning and afternoon long. Well we are SUPER HAPPY about our baby boy. Much love to everyone and we hope everyone is doing well.

Hospital $ Giveaway!

2009-10-06T14:09:00.001-07:00

I have had a rather smooth day today which doesn't happen to me very often. Ashlyn's favorite thing to do when getting home from school is getting the mail. The other day she came in with an envelope I've been waiting for, Kenneth's rebate check for his Blackberry. Thank you Sprint for giving us back $100. Well this afternoon Ashlyn saw the mail man at the box and rushed outside to gather all of our mail. When she came in I saw something from Lexington Medical Center with my name on it that I wasn't expecting. They sent me a check for $130.00! Apparently I over paid on a bill from a while back and they sent me a check. There's nothing like getting checks in the mail, especially when you aren't expecting them! I'm also babysitting my niece Brooke while her parents are attending a U2 concert in Atlanta, GA. I was nervous she might be homesick and missing mama and dada, but she hasn't shed a tear yet. I have her until tomorrow and she's taking it like a champ. I babysit her a good bit and she usually does very well, but her parents were gone for five days two wks ago and she's been extra clingy ever since so I was a little nervous for her. But all three of the girls are playing so well together and I'm just loving it! I'm having such a good day today I just had to share it with everyone. I don't even have to cook tonight! Left over tacos here we come! =D Please pray with me that the day will continue to go this well. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this whole day hasn't been the calm before the storm. lol.
Some news on Jade. She's growing more and more in her vocabulary. I asked her to apologize to Jacob (Webster) for hitting him in the face and she literally walked over to him and said, "sorry." Then she proceeded to put her face to his and keep it there for an extended period of time. lol, I think she was waiting for a kiss. Morgan and I agree it's cute now, but scary later! Oh my little flirt! What will we do with her? She was loving up on Jacob all morning! Lots of hug attempts. He was so patient with her just waiting for her to walk away and give him his space back. lol. Thanks Jacob! Jade is doing so much better with saying words that I ask her to say. Before she would purposefully not say a word when asked just to be stubborn. She's being way more cooperative so HOORAY FOR JADE!
We find out the sex of our baby in 6 days! We are SO excited! We're hoping for a boy but certainly won't be upset if it's a third girl. I am just so curious as to what a little Kenneth and Heather boy baby would look like. I for one think he would be one handsome little devil. Well I will update everyone on the news when we find out next Monday. Love to all and hope things are going well for everyone.

Kindergarten Noodles

2009-09-25T10:11:00.000-07:00

Ashlyn is LOVING preschool! She loves it so much that Kenneth uses it for punishment, i.e. "if you don't listen you won't go to school tomorrow." Which is then followed by, "okay okay! I'll listen, I'll listen!" I personally think it's a horrible discipline attempt. He may think he would follow through with it and that's great, but who has to stay home with the children? I'll give you a hint it's NOT Kenneth. I am very glad that she loves school so much though. She has a wonderful teacher and teacher's assistant. She's doing very well writing her letters and getting closer to writing her name, darn that squiggly "S." Not only does she love it but it wears her out! She comes home and gets a snack and watches her favorite cartoon and usually passes out on the couch. HOORAY FOR SCHOOL!!! =D

Okay so you are probably wondering why this post is entitled "Kindergarten" when she's only in preschool. So here's the story. I hope you all love it as much as I do and laugh just as hard, it's a good one! So the other day I picked Ashlyn up from school and when we got home she wanted to watch a movie. While we are watching it the main characters are eating and Ashlyn says, "Mom I want to go to Kindergarten." So I told her that she would and soon, (next yr). She said, "Oh good! I can't wait I LOVE their noodles!" I'm thinking noodles? What noodles? Has she heard about what a caffeteria is already? So I asked her what noodles she was talking about. Her response, "Oh they are so yummy! They have white sauce on 'em and they are big." LOL! Baby girl doesn't want to go to "Kindergarden" she wants to go to the OLIVE GARDEN! lol. I laughed so hard for so long. It was a great moment during that very stressful day for mommy. Making memories. My grandmother took us there for lunch a few months back and Ashlyn is still remeniscing. What a funny girl. I have to take her back now!

Sorry to all of the far away family for not doing a better job with my updating. Life has been rather stressful and busy including an ear infection and all kinds of other fun things. Hopefully soon I will feel like a have a brain again. Jade continues to grow more in her vocabulary but is still VERY stubborn. She has also won Kenneth over so completely we may not be able to rescue him. lol. He says to me all the time, "How can you get mad at her? She is SO darn cute!" How he asks! Well if HE were the one staying home with the beautiful Jade that screams, (and I do mean screams) when she gets frustrated because she can't do something on her own which all children her age do, and if HE were the one that she was taking her hitting stage out on, and if HE were the one cleaning up all of her millions of messes throughout the day I think he may be able to relate. What do you think? Not only this but she is Kenneth trapped in a female toddlers body. She knows exactly what she's doing and what she is supposed to be doing and she just gives you this irresistable grin that makes you want to laugh, just like her father. Kenneth if I can be frustrated with you, YES I can be frustrated with Jade too. lol. Silly men. Do you think that in the after life men will get a little taste of what women did on the earth? Probably just another fantasy of mine. Just to be clear I do love my family. lol. I guess this paragraph doesn't exactly sound uplifting. I'm actually really enjoying my time alone with Jade while Ashlyn is in school believe it or not. We do have a lot of fun together and share many sweet mother daughter moments. But because of an out of routine nap schedule she is SO done by 4pm and so is mom! So when Kenneth gets home I'm looking for LOTS of help but she just wants mama. Sigh. This too shall pass. I just need to focus on the good moments. Kenneth does do a very wonderful job helping me with the girls and getting things done. I'm very blessed because not all men are that willing to help and serve their wives! Well I hope I've caught everyone up enough. I look forward to your comments! Love y'all!

Dinner is served!

2009-08-19T11:09:00.000-07:00

So the pregnancy cravings are still going strong. Last night for dinner I was going to cook barbecue chicken and mashed potatoes and broccoli, but every time I thought about eating it I felt sick. It also takes at least 35 minutes for chicken to cook in the oven and the kids were cranky because they were so hungry and I was nauseous because I was so hungry so I decided we would have chicken tomorrow, (tonight). I'd been craving homemade biscuits so instead I made homemade buttermilk biscuits so that we could have bacon egg and cheese biscuits and grits on the side. It was SO good. My craving was fulfilled and my tummy was quite happy. I was able to feel full for a long time too. For those of you that are more health conscious just ignore all of the calories and fat that me and the children just so happily ingested and we'll pretend that I don't butter and salt my grits and break little pieces of bacon in it. ;) It was so good I'm tempted to have it again tonight, but I know that the children need more nourishment than that and so does our unborn baby so I will control myself. Kenneth works outside a good bit too so he needs something healthy when he gets home.

Today has been one of those days that you feel like you just can't make yourself do anything so I called my very dear friend Morgan and packed up the kids and headed to her house. The children played joyfully...at times while we talked and she took a shower. It was nearing lunch time so we fed them and then packed them into the car and drove to McDonald's for ice cream and the play place. They had a good time but our poor Ashlyn and Morgan's poor little Hannah are just too afraid to climb to the top of the play place. Fortunately for the two of them they have each other at the bottom. Jade is more brave, unfortunately for me. She also really enjoyed running to the other tables where adults were eating while watching their children that did play all over the play place. One women stopped me and asked how old Jade was and I told her and she said, "Aww she's petite like her mother." That totally made my day! I know I'm not the size of a house, yet but it was still very nice to hear. I also had a man put a New Testament booklet on my table. I don't know what faith he was but it made me feel good that he wanted me to have it, like he was giving me a gift. Maybe he thought my children deserved it, either way I thought it was such a nice gesture. OH CRAP! WHY DIDN'T I GIVE HIM A PASS-ALONG CARD?? I keep several of them in my wallet for moments like this and I didn't even think about it!! Well great now I'm frustrated with myself. I can't believe the thought didn't even come to mind. I did think "I wish I had a Book of Mormon with me." Lets blame it on the pregnancy brain, it will make me feel better. Well Jade is sleeping and my nails really need some TLC.

A box of tissues and Walt Disney's Pocahontas

2009-08-13T12:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took Ashlyn to Wal*Mart to get a new movie. My Dad gave the both of us gift cards for our bdays and so we went shopping. She picked out Pocahontas which made me happy because I always liked it as a kid and we didn't own it yet. After we looked around for awhile we HAD to stop at Chik-fil-a so that I could get some of there delicious waffle fries and something to drink. So what if it was only 10:34am I have been craving there fries and Bo*Jangle's fries. For those of you who don't live in the South Bo*Jangles and Chik-fil-a are two different food chains that do not sell beef. They are chicken only! And I LOVE chicken! They are AMAZING! I wish I could send you all some of this delicious food. Anyway...when we got home we all sat around the TV and turned on Pocahontas and ate our food. I haven't seen this movie in years so I had forgotten a good bit of events in the movie. To make a long story short I cried like a little baby. Of course I was trying to hide it from Ashlyn to avoid a million questions since I was already answering a ton about Kocoum who dies. Anyway I had to keep getting up to grab a tissue out of the bathroom. You know you're pregnant when you can't watch a Disney movie without crying. I had to laugh while the tears were running down my face because I was getting to the point when my shoulders were shaking and I couldn't stop. I seriously couldn't help it. It was ridiculous. It's even more humorous if you picture it in your head. lol. Well enjoy my hormonal misfortune. lol.

Me and baby are doing well and growing just fine. Please if you see me and realize that I am only 12 and a half wks do not make the comment, or anything like unto it, "Wow! You're only 12wks along and you're already that big?" My sensitive pregnant feelings and I will greatly appreciate it. lol. I hope everyone is having a great week and ready for school.

Who's Pregnant?

2009-08-03T06:51:00.000-07:00

I think that most of my followers know that we are now expecting baby #3. My due date is February 23, 2010. I have several feelings about this. Of course it was a planned pregnancy so nothing unexpected. We were going to wait until this fall to start trying, but our plans changed and I am now 11wks in. If you know me well you know how very sick I get. This time has been a bit different. I still get very nauseous when I don't eat and I do occasionally have to run to the bathroom to get sick. But it's nothing like before. I usually haven't gained any weight at this point yet, but this time is different. lol. I've gained 3lbs so far so we are doing very well. I feel so much more tired this time around too. Maybe that has something to do with a having two children at home already. It doesn't help that Jade wakes up at least once during the night because the beloved pacifier has fallen out of the crib. I am debating on when to take it away. Normally I would say at the age of two, but the baby will be born one month after Jade's second birthday and I don't want her to take the baby's pacifier and I don't want to overwhelm her with changes. Any ideas? I'm a little scared about the adjustment part after the baby's born. I know I'll be able to adjust, just as I did when we had baby #2, but it's still a process and not always the most fun. Jade was such an EASY baby, so I'm wondering if I'll get lucky again, or if the baby will be hard like Ashlyn. Only time will tell.

So how I told Kenneth...I found out I was expecting the Thursday before Father's Day. We were planning on going to TN with my Uncle and his family to there cabin and spending the weekend. I didn't want to tell him with other ppl, just he and I and the girls. So I waited and waited and waited. If you know me you know how difficult this was for me to keep a secret. Anyway, we were on our way home and since I am pregnant I had to pee a lot. I didn't want him to get any clues and I was doing so well so far so I pretended that I started my period and needed to stop. After waiting an hr in traffic we headed straight to my brother's house where we celebrated Father's day with my dad and siblings. I wanted to go home first to tell Kenneth and then to see my family so Kenneth could announce what he'd gotten for Father's day, but traffic just didn't allow it. So after spending time with my family we came home and I made Kenneth hide out in Ashlyn's room while I got everything ready. We sent him on a scavenger hunt. I made little poetic clues and hung them up in the house. After all of his clues he ended up coming to me to receive a card. I kept telling him it wasn't much that it was just something really small so when he got the card he had no idea that it would be telling him that he would soon be a proud father of three. He was very excited and told Ashlyn that she was gonna have a little brother or sister. She too was very happy about this news.

Let me just tell you how badly Ashlyn's wanted a brother. Before Kenneth and I even began discussing getting pregnant Ashlyn has been telling us that she needs her little brother. She kept telling me that she needed him so that she could teach him things. I thought that was quite precious. The day of my first OB appt I took the girls to Aunt Susan's house so I could go alone. When we got there she said, "Don't worry mom, it's a boy. It's a boy I promise." I tried to explain to her that I wouldn't find that out for awhile that they just wanted to make sure me and the baby were happy and healthy. Anyway she has since made comments like before snuggling up to me, "Don't worry mom, I'll be very careful with your baby." While rubbing my tummy one night she said, "This is his body, and this is his head. He has brown hair." Kenneth really thinks that she knows something we don't know. We will see what happens. We really want to have a boy, but we won't be disappointed if it's a girl. I feel like I'm somewhat of an expert with girls by now. At least up to the age of three anyway. Ashlyn just turned four on July 20th and I don't know who this little girl with the bad attitude is. lol. I hear it's just a phase. If that's true, it can't go by fast enough. Ashlyn has also informed us that she has a baby in her tummy. Her baby is a girl and her name is Ella. She won't share her food because she says that, "If I don't eat I'll throw up." Kenneth asked her who the father of her baby is to which she responded, "Don't worry daddy, we can take care of her." lol. Friday night I was getting ready to go to a friend's lingerie shower and Ashlyn was going to take a bath. After stripping down she said, "Look mommy. I have a big chest because I'm breastfeeding." You can imagine the shock on my face from that comment. Where does she get some of this stuff!? Next she then informed me that, "After my baby pops out you and daddy have to babysit so that I can do my homework." I almost said that she can't have a baby if she is still doing homework, but then I was afraid of questions that may follow that remark, so I just simply said, "Homework is important." What do ya do, or say? lol. She just cracks us up.

Not only am I expecting but my older sister, and two sisters-in-law are pregnant. We believe a few more siblings will have news to share soon too. At least we hope so anyway. =) So LOTS of babies coming to the family and we can't wait! My poor parents, all of these new grand babies. They are going to be so broke! jk. Well I wanted to spread our very happy news to those we love and adore. Hopefully I'll be able to download pics. soon. Let me know if any of you have or know someone who has the "Windows Professional XP" cd-rom.

The crown of my "rain"

2009-07-10T10:38:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I was enjoying some much needed quite time. BOTH of my girls were sleeping peacefully in their beds so I turned on "Twilight" and grabbed some snacks. While eating a fruit snack, (oh yes. I love them too) I chomped down on something solid and hard. I pulled out my crown. The crown that has only been adoring tooth #30 for slightly over a year. After gathering myself together I called my sister Wendy, the dental hygienist of the family. Her former employer did my dental work so she had me call their office to get it bonded back on. Little did I know that they were going to be out of town from that Friday (July 3) until July 13! I was NOT going to wait two wks without having it fixed. I had to call the "on call dentist" covering for Dr. Meares' office. Thankfully they called me early Monday morning and asked if I could get there by 11:30. THANK GOODNESS! I showed up and after two hours of a little uncomfort they fixed it for me. Kenneth had taken Monday off so he was able to stay home with the kids so that I could deal with the pain without an audience. Ashlyn and I have a dentist appt. on the 14th and I don't want her to be freaked out. My crown is now happily back to it's place on the head of tooth #30. Luckily I didn't break it or accidentally swallow it or anything!

We had our family portraits done, FINALLY and I get to pick them up in less than two hrs. I'm so excited. They turned out REALLY well. I was nervous that the girls might not smile at the same time and that Kenneth and I might be trying too hard to get them to smile that we might not be looking at the camera but luckily everyone is smiling and looking at the camera. I was very pleased. I can't wait to get them and distribute them to all of our awaiting fans, or should I say Ashlyn and Jade's grandparents and aunts and uncles. =) These pictures have been requested for some time now and it finally happend. Thanks Mom!

I took Jade to her 18mo appt yesterday and our little monster, (as her daddy lovingly calls her) weighs a tiny 21lbs and 1oz and is 32in tall. She's a tall thin little monster. =) The Dr. was happy with her weight and height. When she was younger her weight was in the 10th percentile so he's happy with her progress. My mom says that she gets it from our side of the family being so little. After hearing that and seeing how we all turned out I quit worrying. We have a beautiful healthy little girl who is going to Nursery for the first time on Sunday! I AM SO EXCITED!!! She'll have a great time and she LOVES Morgan Webster, our new Nursery Leader. I think she'll do just fine. She may cry a bit, but those tears will go away soon I'm sure once she realizes she actually gets to play with toys at church.

We recently learned that our beautiful and amazing sister-in-law is going to have a baby boy! Congratulations Natalie and Jesse! They have a 4yr old little boy and a two yr old daughter. How exciting for them. We'll have to ask them for the little boy recipe so hopefully next time we'll get it right. lol. Not that we didn't want Jade to be a girl. That's not true. I wanted Ashlyn to have a little sister so that they could be best friends like me and my older sisters and younger sister.

We just enjoyed a wonderful 4th of July! We had our annual Bass Family Reunion and it was a blast. We had a great turn out and the food, as always was AMAZING!!! I'd been dreaming about the food days in advance. lol. Who wouldn't be satisfied with fried chicken, vinegar or mustard based barbeque, hash and rice, green beans, baked beans salads desserts, Aunt Lesley's awesome friscetta!?! That's just to name a few. There was so much food we all were asked to take some home. Well if they insist. It was really great getting to see my loved ones and spending the day with them. Ashlyn and Jade had a blast with all of their cousins and aunts and uncles. A HUGE thank you to Uncle Allison and Aunt Judi and Kristen. It was awesome y'all thank you!

If anyone has a "Windows XP Professional" disc I'd be MUCH abliged if you'd allow me to borrow it. It's the only way to fix my DL error so that I'm able to download pics. onto the blog or anything for that matter. I just have to let the disc run and it will take care of my problem. So if you recently bought a new comp. or were really great about keeping the discs that came with yours, you probably have it. Just thought I'd throw this in. ;)

Tips and fun, and no pictures?

2009-06-22T10:37:00.000-07:00

So we have been quite busy lately. We have been to Myrtle Beach, Tennessee, and other fun things and I can't post not one single picture of our adventures. I'm quite ticked off to be honest. My computer has a "DLL error" so everytime I try to post a picture, only on my blog, it sends me to a blue screen with white lettering telling me that I have an error. Luckily I have a computer whiz of a brother-in-law and he is going to try to walk me through the steps of fixing it. So when I have some time and he has some time I'll give him a call. Until then, just imagine cute pictures of the girls playing in the water and building sandcastles with relatives. =)

I have found an amazing way to clean oven racks! I decided that my oven was long over due for a cleaning so I turned on the self cleaning cycle on the oven and took the racks out to clean them by hand. The racks weren't really getting clean so I decided to do some research to see if there was an easier way. I found one that sounded simple and I had all of the stuff I needed to do it. So naturally that's the one I picked. You place an old towel on the bottom of the tub so it doesn't get scratched and then you place the racks in bath tub. Use the hottest setting of water and run it until the racks are just covered. Then you add a 1/2 cup of granulated dish detergent, (i.e. powder cascade) and then you add about 1/4 cup of white vinegar. The directions say to let it soak for two hours but I did mine overnight. When I woke up in the morning I could see all of the yucky stuff just floating in the tub. I took the racks to the kitchen and just gently scrubbed off any residue. It came right off and my oven and racks especially, look brand new! I was so excited about this find I wanted to share it with everyone.

Well it's been quite awhile since I've posted anything. It's time to catch everyone up. We've been out of town a few times and we've been doing a good bit of swimming. Last week my AC line in my car decided to get a slit in it so I have no AC! We've been waiting on the guy that's supposed to fix it find the part we need. Today we decided we would find the part because he clearly does NOT have the same urgency that I do. I guess when you're not the one driving in your car that's reading 101 degrees in your car you don't really think about those that are suffering. Kenneth is looking for the part now and I'm praying they have one! I had to take Jade to the Dr and a big thank you to Jessica for driving us so we could have AC in the middle of the afternoon. Jade does not yet have an ear infection, but the Dr. doesn't trust her ears for a second seeing how it is that she gets infections so easily. She is however getting her two year old molars. She was also bitten by something on her inner ankle on her left foot. It was swollen yesterday and a little pink. This morning her foot is really red and more swollen today and I can see little dots that look like they have clear liquid in them. I called the Dr. again and they said give her more Benadryl and if she's not better by lunch or if it's worse to call them back. I gave her the Benadryl and she passed out in her high chair during lunch around 11:15. It was quite pitiful. When she wakes up I'll be able to check her little foot again. It's so swollen I can't get a shoe on it. She has a hard time walking on it too because her foot just leans WAY inward! Poor little baby just can't get a break. Her foot doesn't seem to be bothering her but I'm worried anyway. I guess that's just my job. Ashlyn had to be seen yesterday also because she smacked the heck out of her ear at my mom's house Sunday night. Her ear is completely dark purple and blue on the top and behind her ear. Luckily she's okay and no worries. Whew! What an awesome two wks it's been. I couldn't be any more sarcastic. Good news on my brother Jesse! He was able to urinate a little bit on his own last week. He still had to use the catheder to finish things up, but progress nonetheless. He has gotten a job since I last posted and he'll be able to do it sitting. A big difference from his old profession. He was an installer of car alarms, stereo eqiupment, tvs, etc. He can do anything with his hands! He's a big asset to the family. lol. My uncle runs the company that my Grandaddy started and he's been able to give Jesse a job. What a blessing. It will be a big adjustment to what he's used to but I think it's def. worth it. Well I don't have anything else as of now. I'll try to do better with keeping things current. Hope everyone's summer is going well! =D

Do I believe?

2009-06-09T09:33:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago I informed everyone of the trial my brother is facing with his Transverse Myelitis. Well before leaving the hospital two Sundays ago he was told that he has permanantly lost the ability to urinate on his own. He was also informed that he cannot work for a month at the minimum. They taught he and his wife how to insert the "in-and-out" catheder and sent them on their way. Jesse went to a Neurologist last wk and the Dr. was amazed that Jesse could walk. He said, "You don't understand. You should not be walking! This isn't something that people just bounce back from." He took Jesse off of his other pain meds and put him on one that has a high dose, and he's still on the steroids. Another Dr. believes that Jesse will regain control of his muscles again soon and be back to normal 100%, urinating on his own and everything. This Dr. told him to quit taking all pain meds and only take the steroids. He's weaning off of the pain pills and well on his way to recovery. On Monday Jesse felt the bottom of his seat for the first time. When he touches his arm he still can't feel his hand on top of his arm, but is soon approaching recovery.

So I ask myself...do I believe in the power of prayer and fasting? Absolutely without a doubt I believe that my father in heaven hears and answers prayers. I believe in the power of the preisthood and I know that we are heard. Our father is aware of us all and everything we are currently going through. I am so grateful to those that prayed and fasted with my family. Thank you to all of you, we have felt your prayers, and I know my brother and his wife have felt them even more so than the rest of us. Thank you. I will update everyone with things as they come. I'm sure he'll be making more progress each wk.

Long Stem Transverse Myelitis

2009-05-28T05:23:00.000-07:00

On May 22 my big brother, (who is two yrs older than me) went to the Lexington ER. He was having severe pains throughout his body and hadn't urinated in two days. They gave him a catheder to relieve his bladder, gave him some pain meds, and told him to come back if he didn't pee within 8 hrs. He went back to the ER that evening as instructed if he continued to have problems. The Dr was SO rude! To make a long story short and keep me from gossiping he sent Jesse home with a "take home" catheder and told him to see a Urologist within two days. I don't know about you, but I don't know of any Drs. offices that are open on the weekends other than Pediatrics and Urgent cares. Anway...Jesse ended up going back to the hospital on May 23, (Saturday) and was taken to Richland Hospital this time. They definitely knew something wasn't right so they did an MRI and noticed that he had abnormalities on his spine and that it was inflamed. They did more MRI's a couple Spinal Taps. On Monday afternoon he was finally diagnosed with Long Stem Transverse Myelitis. TM is a neurological disorder caused by inflamation across both sides of one level, or segment of the spinal cord. The segment of the spinal cord where the damage exsists determines which parts of the body are affected. Damage at one segment will affect function at that segment and segments below it. So his inflamed spinal cord is putting tons of pressure on the nerves around it causing them to mis-fire sending excrutiating pain throughout his body. The Drs. have been great and he's been put on steroids so the swelling will go down. There isn't a cure at the time for TM. From the research I've done I've learned that the most critical part of treatment for TM is keeping the patient's body functioning and hoping for a complete or partial spontaneous recovery of the nervous system. The article also said that recovery usually begins within 2-12wks of the onset of symptoms and can continue for up to 2yrs. It also says that about 1/3 of ppl with TM experience good or full recovery from their symptoms. TM is a cousin to MS. People with MS can get episodes of TM, but you can't get MS from TM, thankfully. We're just waiting to see if there's any nerve damage. We were told at one point that Jesse may have lost his ability to control his bowels and urinate on his own. We will see how things go today when they take the catheder out again to see if he can urinate on his own. We pray he'll be able to soon! Please pray for him and his family. His wife is also 17 wks pregnant and I know she could use our prayers too!

Acceptance

2009-05-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

Early this morning I received a phone call from Lake Murray Baptist Church informing me that Ashlyn had a spot in their preschool program. I am SO excited! As soon as I fed the kids we got ready to go pay the tuition to secure her spot. I didn't tell her I was putting her on the waiting list in fear of her not getting in and then having to be disappointed. After the phone call I asked Ashlyn if she wanted to go to school and she replied, "No, I'm not big enough yet." She used to tell me all the time that she wanted to go to school and I would tell her she wasn't old enough because I wasn't planning on sending her to school until she was 5. I informed her that since she was almost 4 she could go to school. She got REALLY excited and immediately began asking questions like, "will there be big girls my age there?" She was quite pleased to hear that the entire class will be 4yrs old. lol. I took her with me to the school to pay the tuition and it was the perfect time to go! I didn't get there until around 11:45 so she saw all of the children getting ready for lunch and playing outside. They were doing some fun stuff with water and croquet and all kinds of other things and she just wanted to play with them so bad. She got upset when we had to leave. So now she's really looking forward to school starting. We are so thrilled!

Waiting

2009-05-19T17:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to Lake Murray Baptist and put Ashlyn on their waiting list for Preschool. At first I wasn't going to send her to school until she was in Kindergarten but decided that she and I both need for her to go to school. She is just so bored and we all know what happens when kids are bored...they misbehave! I've tried sitting down with her and doing our own little school time, but she doesn't stay engaged for very long at all. So I've decided to give in. I think that she will really enjoy it. She's so social and loves to learn and I think she'll do much better in an educational environment. Not that I don't feel she can't learn at home, but maybe it will be more exciting this way. I pray we get in. We're number two on the waiting list and if two ppl don't pay tuition Ashlyn will take one of the spots. The cordinator told me that if they have 14 or 15 ppl on the waiting list they'll open a new class. So I'm really hoping that either way we will get in. I think I'll know something in about two wks. Lets keep our fingers crossed. It would be so great. This way I'd be able to give Jade some more special mom time and work on her communication skills. I want her to be able to feel just as special as Ashlyn did at that age. I feel like I jip her of SO much one on one time with me. She really loves mama and doesn't want anyone else. I've been feeling VERY guilty about the lack of time with her. I know it's normal with a second child, but I don't want her to grow up and feel like I didn't give her enough time. Especially when it comes time for us to have another baby. I can't just push little Jade aside like that. She deserves my time too. Both of my children deserve the absolute best mom that I can be and I feel like I'll be better if Ashlyn is able to learn better, (and I won't be so frustrated with her) and Jade will be able to learn more as well. Is this just a dream I've set up in my mind? Or is this something atainable? We will see. Lets all pray for the best mom that I can be!

Haircut Blues

2009-05-14T20:36:00.000-07:00

I woke up ready to take on the world this morning. After feeling like such a horrible mother for the past few wks. I decided things were going to change and I was gonna feel like a good mom again. So I woke up really early with the girls and got them breakfast. Then I took a quick shower and we all three played games together and chased Jade around the house, (which is one of her favorite past times) and watched a few cartoons. Before going visiting teaching Ashlyn informed me that she wanted a snack. So I walked into the kitchen with her and opened the pantry doors to help her find the perfect snack. I just happend to look down into the trash can (it was getting full and needed to be taken out) and what I found lying there made my heart sink to my toes. There in my filthy trash can lay some of Ashlyn's beautiful hair. Aparently it's not REALLY bad or I would have noticed without having to find the evidence she tried to clean up. Once you know what to look for it's really not hard to miss. Some may think I'm being too dramatic, and that's fine. But when you have a three and a half year old with hair to her waist line you become quite attached to the lovely flow of the golden brown color and the way it elongates her sweet little face. And how you can smell the shampoo when she runs by. Well now I have to decide what to do with her hair now. I do not want to cut it short. I think short hair is precious on children, but I just really love hers long. It's something we get to share. I was thinking of just having the wonderful woman that cuts my hair give Ashlyn a cut with lots of layers. That way it can be blended in. I don't know if that will work without taking the length off. I'm still angry that she cut it. I sent her to her room and after regaining my composure I very firmly, yet lovingly, explained that if she EVER takes scissors to her hair again I will chop it off and give her a boys haircut. That really scared her so hopefully after hiding the scissors, again and threatening her she won't do it again. Now I just have to keep her away from Jade's hair!

It looks like the beginning stages of a mullet!

Oh how my heart aches for those lost inches.

The lighting in this picture around the deadly weapon is perfect because that's how I imagine the scissors looked to her when she first laid her eyes on them.

The remains. And that's not even all of 'em. =(

Beyonce Walter

2009-05-07T12:37:00.000-07:00

Today the girls and I went to the bank to deposit daddy's check. Ashlyn always tries to get the tellers attention so that she can say hello to them and hear them speak to her over the intercom. Today she was successful! She asked me to roll her window down so that she could talk to the lady too. I did as she asked and watched/listened to her try and get the tellers attention. The teller asked, "is she trying to talk to me?" Very happy that she noticed, I said yes, she wants to tell you hello. The teller waved to Ashlyn. Since she was working and trying to get our money in our account she had to turn her back. Low and behold another teller walks up to finishes things up for us since more ppl pull up. Ashlyn is steadily waving and saying "hi." After a few seconds I hear Ashlyn singing, "All the single ladies! All the single ladies! All the single ladies! All the single ladies! Now putcha hands up!" LOL! It was HILARIOUS! My daughter is seranading the bank tellers a Beyonce song! Unfortunately for them I don't think they got to hear her. Too bad, that would have been awesome! I quickly got her to put her seatbelt back on and we drove home. I have this song on my playlist if you have not heard it on here before. Well Ashlyn has been a fan of it for awhile and everytime she hears it she says, "Oh! My song is on!" She then runs to which ever room it is playing in and begins to "shake her booty." What a ham! I've decided she has entertainment written all over her. lol. I've included some pictures of Ashlyn being silly and Jade feeding herself. Yes, my little Jade has reached a new milestone. She's been feeding herself with her fingers for quite some time now, but we have moved on to untensils. YAY! So enjoy the pictures and if you see Ashlyn any time soon ask her to seranade you. I'm sure she'd be more than happy to appease! =)

Like I said before, Ashlyn REALLY LOVES the camera!

Ashlyn is quite impressed with her little sister.

What a big girl! We're so happy for her!

Yay! Jade is feeding herself with utensils now.

Disney On Ice

2009-05-02T09:41:00.000-07:00

Pretty cool huh?

Now for the main event! It's Tinkerbell!

We couldn't get the girls to look at the camera at the same time, but they had a blast!

Kenneth and I enjoying the show.

This was Kenneth's favorite part. These are the wildabeast that run over Mufasa. Kenneth thought the costumes were pretty neat.

Ariel and Prince Eric came along too!

They're mouths and eyes moved as they spoke and everything!

Mater and all of his "Cars" friends were here, Sally, Lightening McQueen, Flo, and Ramone.

We were given the opportunity to go see Disney On Ice, Worlds of Fantasy. This included some of the characters from "Cars," "The Little Mermaid," "The Lion King," "Tinkerbell," and Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy. It was GREAT! The girls had SO much fun. Jade's eyes were glued to the rink. She would just start clapping every couple of minutes. She laughed and sqealed so loud! She REALLY enjoyed herself. Ashlyn was really impressed by the princess characters, of course. She was so happy to see Ariel and Tinkerbell. We had really great seats too so she was able to see them quite well. Ashlyn felt so special when a good bit of the characters waved specifically at her, (not the cars of course seeing how they don't have any hands). At the very end of the show confetti came down EVERYWHERE. Ashlyn looked so amazed. I being the awesome mother who can catch anything that I am caught her some of the wonderous confetti. As we walked back up the aisle to go home she would keep stopping the "traffic" to pick up as much of the confetti off of the floor as she could. I had to keep pushing her along and telling her to leave it alone. It was quite humorous. When we were all settled in our car again fighting the traffic, Kenneth asked Ashlyn what her favorite part of the whole show was. Her response, "the white stuff that fell out of the sky." Funny. Especially becuase during the brief intermission right before Tinkerbell came we took a potty break and while sharing the small stall I asked her if she was excited. She said, "Tinkerbell's coming!" After I used the potty she was trying her hardest to pull my jeans up so we could go sit back down so we wouldn't miss anything. lol. She cracks me up. So after all of this waiting to see Tink...she loves the white confetti. =) A special thanks to Scott and Susan for letting us have the tickets! We all really enjoyed it. Even Kenneth was in better spirits after a few short minutes into the show. hehehe. I love Disney!

You are how old?

2009-04-29T11:54:00.000-07:00

Jade REALLY enjoys "helping" with the dishes!

Who says cleaning isn't fun?

This is Ashlyn striking a pose. She likes it when I just take pictures of her. Oh brother!

The other day I went to Wal*Mart to pick up a few things. I cut through the clothing to get to the light bulbs when we passed racks of women's bras and panties. Ashlyn being the funny little girl that she is had something to say about all of those bras. She very loudly said, "Mommy when I get big I'll need a mommy bra." In other words one day she will need me to buy her one. Nice. Just what I want her to announce to the store, especially since there were only men around us, (what were they doing in the women's section anyway?). She has also taken my bra while I'm getting ready to go somewhere and stating that she "needs it." The other day she told me we couldn't leave the house yet because she had to shave! I often times find her doing the dishes and trying to mop the floor. It's so funny to me that children want to be so much like mom and dad that even the "unfun" things we do seem SO cool and exciting to them. She sure does scare me sometimes though. I'm a little intimidated of the teenage years ahead of us with two girls. I will also admit that when we are ready for another baby it too will probably be another girl. Bras, deoderant, shaving, talking on the phone to boys, dating! AHHH! Of course I'm not stressing over this now. I'm enjoying my time with them as little children. I'm just unsure of the future. lol. Thankfully we have the Holy Ghost and Heavenly Father to help lead and guide us. I "thank thee O God for a prophet!" Otherwise Kenneth and I would be toast!

Braggin' Rights

2009-04-27T17:34:00.000-07:00

On April 25, 2009 Kenneth participated in his very first Triathalon. For those of you who do not know what all this entails I'll clue you in. It begins with a nice swim that is 1/2 a mile long in a chilly lake. Next you race to your bike and take a leisurely 12 mile ride. After burning some calories on the bike you run for 3.2 miles. All of course without any breaks in between. Kenneth finished all of this in 1hr. 33min. and 10 sec! He came in 3rd place under his division! Not too shabby for his first try at the race huh!?! Ashlyn was screaming and cheering so loud for her daddy! She was so excited to see him running and swimming and biking so hard. It's great for her to see him working so hard for something. Kenneth has been training for this race for about 3 months. He'd been wanting to give a triathalon a try for sometime and got the chance and jumped on it. He's lost 20lbs and a few inches off of his waist during training and still counting. He's found a new hobby to enjoy and a great stress outlet. He's already planning on doing another one this June and then again in July. He wants to continue to train so that he can do another triathalon at the international level. The international level is a 1 mile swim, 24 mile bike, and a 6 mile run. He hopes to be ready this October. I think he'll be great! I'm SO proud of him and this great accomplishment. It's wonderful to see him enjoying something he has grown to love. Just in case you are wondering, NO I am not planning on doing one any time soon, (which translates to never). I like to exercise, but I don't feel the need to race. However, I LOVE watching him do it. I cheered for him as loud as I could. All that cheering in middle and high school actually paid off. lol. jk. We had a great day with Kenneth and sharing that experience with him. We love you Kenneth. You're our Champion and we're your biggest fans!

From left to right: Ariana, John White, David David (the man who introduced Kenneth and John to the sport) Kenneth and Ashlyn's back.

After all of that hard work he can still pick up both of his little girls for a picture with their hero.

I couldn't be any prouder of him!

Here he comes through the finish line!

Kenneth (on the right) is grabbing a quick swallow of water before getting deep into his 3.2 mile run.

The crowd of men and women ready to see what they are made of.

Advice one may receive from an upcoming 4yr old

2009-04-21T20:18:00.000-07:00

Kenneth has been steadily training for the triathalon this weekend. He's been swimming and running and riding his bike a ton trying to get ready for the big day. Ashlyn calls it his exercising. In fact tonight she asked me if I exercised like daddy. Of course I was honest and said no, (which I hope to change soon. Kenneth promises to watch the girls a couple times a wk for me to go run). Her next question was, "well can you wrestle like Daddy and Uncle Zachary?" Everyone from the Lexington ward knows "Uncle Zachary" as Zach, our cousin. I guess since he's older than her and he lives with Aunt Lesley and Uncle Brian it makes him Uncle Zach. lol. Anyway Kenneth wrestled from middle school through college (until the program was cut). Again I was honest and said no. She just looked at me like, well what can you do? lol. Anyway back to the title of this post. Earlier this evening Kenneth got home and got dressed to go ride his bike. On his way out the door she said, "Don't fall off Daddy. Be careful. Look out for cars. Don't fall off the bike. Daddy I love you. Have a nice trip!" I heard the conversation from the back of the house and was just grinning ear to ear. She says the cutest sweetest little things! Earlier today Susan came over to help me with the computer, (Thank You Susan!) and to drop off Brooke while she got her hair done. She came back with lunch for the two of us and while we were sitting down eating Ashlyn came and sat beside me. I was just happily eating my very, oh so delicious chicken supreme combo from Bo*Jangles when Ashlyn out of nowhere said, "Mommy, I like your face." I said thank you baby I like your face too. A few minutes pass by and she says, "Mommy, I like your pretty face." So of course I hugged and kissed her and told her I love her pretty little face too. It's little things like that that make all of my frustrations seem worth it. I can't wait to hear Jade say things. She says a few things like, "mama, dada, no, uh-oh, and today said, bye." My favorite thing to hear a child say for the first time is "Love you." I can't wait to hear her say that so that when I say it back she'll know what I mean. I say it to her now and I know she knows that I care about her. I think she and every baby for that matter know that we as their mothers love them. We play with them, feed them, change them, bathe them. We do it all and usually with a smile or goofy look on our face, (trying to make them smile). They can FEEL the love we have for them. I am very blessed and just wanted to share that with everyone.

Girls weekend

2009-04-20T18:38:00.000-07:00

What sweet little faces!

Who stays up 'till 5am?

2009-04-20T18:21:00.000-07:00

We had an awesome weekend with Aunt Sarah! Kenneth, Jonathan and Scott all went to Cherokee, NC to go camping this past weekend. Well Jonathan and Sarah are living in Tennessee so she came down here to hang out with Susan and I and the kids. We had a blast! We went to the Virginia Hylton Park, McDonalds, and Cold Stone Creamery all in one weekend. It doesn't get any better than that. Well maybe if it had been Ruth's Chris rather than McDonalds, but what kid wants to eat there if they can have chicken nuggets. lol. Anyway...It was a great time and lots of memories were made. Chance, (Aunt Sarah's son, dog) came along for the trip. He was SO good and he followed Ashlyn everywhere. It was quite cute. The kids had so much fun playing together and with Aunt Sarah. For those of you who don't know, Ashlyn has been quite taken with Sarah. In fact almost all of her stuffed animals and imaginary animal friends' names are "Sarah." It got to be so many Sarah's that we had to put what the animal is on the end of it, (i.e. Sarah dog, Sarah horse, Sarah kitty). Good times. I missed Kenneth but was grateful for the time I got to spend bonding with my sisters. It's so great to marry into a family and feel like sisters rather than sisters-in-law. =) Sarah and I actually stayed up until 5am on Friday night! Can you believe that? I couldn't either. One would think that if you have two children you KNOW they will wake up early so you should get decent amounts of sleep right? We were just having too much fun talking and laughing. Good times. We went to the temple Saturday morning at the 10am session while my mom babysat the girls. It was a great session and we both felt very uplifted. Well here are some more pictures of the park. Enjoy!

Some conversations with my little adult

2009-04-16T20:55:00.000-07:00

Some things that Ashlyn has said recently that made me laugh. I thought y'all might enjoy this.

On the way to Publix to get their prescriptions:
Me: "Wow Ashlyn! You and Jade sure did take a long nap!"
Ashlyn: "Oh no! I forgot to take a little nap. I forgot to take a little nap, aw snap!"

While getting ready for bed last night:
Ashlyn: "Mom I get to have a little brother."
Me: "You do!?"
Ashlyn: "Yeah. I can have a little brother. And I want to keep Jade too. Then I'll have two babies!"
Me: "Of course we'll keep Jade. Why do you want a little brother?"
Ashlyn: "So I can teach him and Jade things."

At mom's/Lovey's house a few wks ago:
Ashlyn: "Lovey lets go get Jade and Aunt Amy", (they were pretending to be monsters and Ashlyn uses a blanket to cover herself with while she growls ferociously at you).
Lovey: "Okay."
Ashlyn: "I'll use the blanket...you can use your face."

Lol. She cracks me up! She's also doing her own hair now. It's a little frightening, but she looks SO pleased with herself. If we show up to church on Sunday and it looks like hairbows attacked her head, just smile and tell her how beautiful her hair looks. We'll see if I can be sneaky enough to have her let me do her hair. I gave her two little braids today for the first time and she loved 'em! I'm hoping she will want that on Sunday. Well I tried to post some pictures but something keeps happening. I get a msg error that tells me something is invisible and it can't find it or something like that. Hopefully it will work next time. Sorry for the delay.

Well Aunt Sarah is here visiting from Tennessee while Kenneth, Scott, and Jonathan are in Cherokee camping. So we'll be having lots of fun hanging out with Susan and Brooke and Aunt Sarah and her super cute dog Chance. Ashlyn's been looking forward to this visit for quite some time. She has named almost EVERY stuffed animal that she owns Sarah. It's way cute seeing how much she loves her aunts and uncles. We sure do miss y'all! Well I'm hoping to get lots of awesome pictures at Virginia Hylton Park tomorrow. Hopefully my computer and camera will settle their differences soon so that I can show y'all the amazing pictures I'm going to take. lol. Here's hopin'!

Ashes, Ashes, we all go to the Drs. Office?

2009-04-13T14:01:00.000-07:00

Don't worry, our house didn't burn down or anything. So here's what happend. Kenneth was Super Man on Saturday and did a lot of work in the yard and garage, (I can park in it again)! He had a good bit of yard trash to burn on Sat and so he did. All was well. This morning Ashlyn wanted to go outside a little bit before it rained and I was okay with that. That is as long as she put some shoes on and stayed out of the burn pile. There were no longer flames and it wasn't red or anything like that, but just to be on the safe side. So of course as soon as I look up to the back yard guess who's walking through the ashes. You guessed it! Ashlyn was. BAREFOOT! She had shoes on when she went out there, I'm not exactly sure when they came off. She claims she was wearing them when she walked through the "fire" as she calls it. Well I got an ice pack and called the Dr. since a few small blisters were forming. I went outside and was touching the ashes to see if they were hot. They weren't really that hot at all. The nurse said they wanted to see her because they needed to bandage the foot so the blisters wouldn't pop to avoid infection. I'm all about that since I may not have insurance soon, (that's another story for another day). Anyway we got to the Dr. at 11:45. I was instructed to not let her walk so I had to have a woman from the front desk carry Jade inside for me so that I could carry the weight. Ashlyn weighs about 42lbs! Well Dr. Taylor looked at her foot and said it was fine, no bandages needed and to clean the area often and use Neosporin. Yay. Then he asked how Jade was doing and I told him of her new congestion so he checked both Ashlyn and Jade's ears. Guess what! They BOTH have a mild ear infection in their right ears! What are the chances of that? How grateful I was to have gone to the Dr. I knew her foot was fine, but I just felt right about going in to the Dr's office for some reason. Now we know why. Luckily Publix Pharmacy gives Amoxil (the generic for Amoxicillan) for free. =) So my girls can get better and fight this pollen fair and square. I feel so much better. They fell asleep in the car on the way home around 2pm. It's 15min after 5 and they're still asleep! I should probably wake 'em up. I do want them to go to bed at some point tonight. I'm not a fan of being woken up in the middle of the night or really early in the morning. Well I'm off to go mother. I sure hope my blog is as fun for y'all as y'alls blogs are for me. =)

A-S-H-L-Y-N What Does That Spell?

2009-04-10T12:58:00.000-07:00

Ashlyn learned how to spell her name on Sunday April 5, 2009. I had been working with her for awhile trying to get her to spell her name. I would spell it several times and have her say it with me and then try to get her to do it on her own. Well that didn't work. I know, I was shocked too. I thought it would take a few minutes and she'd have it. Well Kenneth took a different approach on Sunday before and on the way to conference. He kept spelling her name with a rythm over and over and OVER again. She was begging him to stop spelling her name. lol. He told her he couldn't stop until she spelled it on her own. Can you believe that that actually worked? I was amazed. I think more than anything she liked the rythm he put with the letters of her name so it sounded like a song. If you ask her how to spell it, she still breaks it up. lol. Very cute! I was so proud of him for teaching her when I couldn't figure out how to motivate her to do it. Everytime I would try she would say she needed help, even though I KNOW she could have done it on her own after I spelled it 600 times. She just needed Daddy. I also named him driving instructor as well. I think he'll be better at it than I will. My nerves will be so shot by then I won't have a prayer. We dyed Easter eggs on Thursday with my sister-in-law Natalie and her two little kids. I made one that had Ashlyn's name on it. Yesterday she saw it and said, "That spells Ashlyn!" I was so amazed that she could learn how to spell it, and then to recognize it. It seems so simple to us, but to only be 3.5 it's quite remarkable. Or it is to me anyway. She's beginning to show more interest in writing letters, but not by a whole lot. lol. We'll keep working on it. We have this whole summer and school year.

Jade is walking and semi-running. She LOVES to be chased! She gets so excited when she sees Ashlyn or Kenneth or I coming after her on our hands and knees. She has 16 teeth! She is saying, "Mama" "Dada" "Uh-oh" "No" and sometimes "hey." I have been trying SO hard to get her to say "Cup" and "Juice." Unfortunately all of my hard work is mocking me. Ashlyn picked up talking so quickly and NEVER stopped. I truly and honestly believe that Jade could say the words I'm working on with her. Maybe she's just focusing on other motor skills while I'm stuck on language. I'll just go with her flow. I think she knows what she's doing. She's obviously intelligent. I don't compare her to Ashlyn as thinking that she's not as intelligent, but to make sure nothing is wrong. She's done a lot of things after Ashlyn did at certain ages, but she did walk sooner than Ashlyn. Just goes to show ya how different children can be. They are truly born with their own identities and personalities. How I love my little girls. I get teary just thinking about how much they mean to me. Even though Ashlyn does continue to go into the bathroom and put hand soap in her hair to "wash it" and Jade would rather say, "ugh ugh" instead of cup or juice. They eventually will learn from the "wrong" things they're doing now and move on to something else. Like daring one another to eat gross things. And getting into my lingerie drawer. Oh wait, they already do that. lol. Don't worry, the drawer has been moved. Ashlyn thought I had pretty dresses. lol. My mom told me that when I was 5 I walked into the kitchen which was full of 6 missionaries and said "Teedah!" while WEARING some of her lingerie. Poor mom. Sorry about that one. At least you can kinda laugh at it now. =) Well I've had long enough of a break. Back to more cleaning and praying for insurance guidance.

Toothpaste is NOT for the bum!

2009-04-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

The other day I heard Ashlyn in the bathroom and she'd been in there for awhile. I was getting suspicious so I went to take a look. After I walked in she looked up with the "I am SO guilty" look and said, "my bottom was dirty so I'm just cleaning it. Oh yes! I can't make this kind of stuff up ppl! She had covered her bum with antibacterial soap and Crest toothpaste. Nice. So of course I'm really worried that she got it in other places than her cheeks, so I ordered her into the tub immediately to bathe her. The good news is she's in to good hygene and she didn't hurt herself. She also smelled of lavender and fresh breath. lol. The bad news is that I have to monitor her potty time and RUN everytime I hear water runnning that I didn't turn on. Not only is she into hygene, she is also in to making up her own drink concoctions. I was terrified when she brought me a FULL glass of something brown. It was water, fruit punch juice, and chocolate syrup. WOW! After pretending to taste it I poured it out when she wasn't looking and told her (after I was asked where it was) that I drank it all up. I even had her taste it so that she could see making up her own drink isn't tasty. Unfortunately she thought it wasn't too bad. This morning I caught her trying to put some cake crumbs into a choc. milk bottle from last nights Krispy Kreme trip. That is now in the trash, again. No more drink concoctions! GROSS! You all MUST be thinking, "Where was Heather during all of this? Surely a good mom would do a better job of keeping her children outta truouble." Well my friends, I was doing laundry so the only thing I could hear was that water and the sound of Oxi clean spray. She WAS watching a movie before announcing to the whole house that she had to peepee. That's when the red flag went off after not hearing her for several minutes. Good times.

A lot is on my mind right now. We were told a few months back that Kenneth had to take a mandatory furlow day (a day off without pay) once a month. That automatically takes a good chunk of $ out of one paycheck each month. But we weren't bitter, he still had his job and we had insurance. Yesterday we learned that their company insurance will be $325.00 more expensive a month! So we've lost a good bit of $ out of our monthly budget. Lets just say I did a LOT of pleading with the Lord last night along with a lot of tears. I'm trying very hard to rely on my faith and to be reminded of the SEVERAL times I was in need and asked for my Father in heaven's help and was always given His aid. I go through these little moments when I'm like, "we'll be just fine, I have faith." Then I have other moments when I'm freaking out when I think about how we will pay our bills. Of course we have the option of purchasing our own insurance. Or we could be VERY risky and not have insurance at all. I can look into medicaid but I'm pretty sure we will not qualify for that. Kenneth has a great job and I'm very thankful for it. I need to focus more on that. He's SO gifted with his hands and the way his mind works with numbers and building. I need to just be more faithful. Well if you know of any great insurance packages that are cheaper than about $850.00 let me know. Not very likely I'm sure, but I thought I'd put it out there. Thanks for letting me vent. Keep us in your prayers and if you have any words of wisdom, I am ALL ears! Oh yeah! Jade is finally beginning to fit into 12mo clothes. lol. She's 16 months old. My sweet little blue eyed baby. =) There are still SEVERAL wonderful things in my life. I am blessed and I am grateful.

Happy 88th Birthday G.G.

2009-04-03T07:28:00.000-07:00

Today is my Grandmother's 88th birthday!!! Happy birthday G.G. Ashlyn and her G.G. love each other SO much! They really love spending time together. This is my Grandmother's first birthday without my Grandaddy, so we'll be having a big birthday celebration for her on Sunday after General Conference. It's gonna be SO much fun! I have the best grandmother in the world. Every single one of her grandchildren has felt that they are her favorite. It's an on going joke that we know that we're her favorite. But lets be honest, everyone knows it's me! lol. My grandparents have been a guiding light in my life along with several of my cousins. Our parents are the wonderful ppl that they are because of my grandparents. We have so much to be grateful for. I'm thankful to them for opening the door and welcoming the missionaries into their home so many years ago. Because of that I have more blessings than I can count. Just imagine how many lives were/are touched because they accepted and taught the gospel in their home. They have 8 amazing children and 27 wonderful grandchildren, (and still counting if Aunt Lesley and Uncle Brian have more). They have 32 great grandchildren and still counting! What a miracle the gospel is! Thank you Grandmother and Grandaddy for your examples and your selflessness and kind hearted natures. We love you both! We love you G.G. and we can't wait to see you Sunday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

My Daughter is giving, and a flirt!

2009-04-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

This afternoon while watering the plants and our hopefully growing seedlings of grass, a little boy rode into my driveway. He said, "Um, I need some money for the fundraiser please." lol. I'm thinking, I need some money for the Walter fundraiser please. lol. jk. Well I told him I didn't have any money and he said thank you and rode away. Not 30 minutes later a little girl rang my door bell and very elloquently told me what the fundraiser was for and gave me all of the details with the cutest little lisp ever. lol. I was going to tell her too that I didn't have any money, but my little Ashlyn said, "I have some money. It's in my money jar. I wanna give her some money." Of course I'm not going to let an opportunity of charity go by so I said okay. Oh yeah, the fundraiser is for children with cleffs in their lips that need surgery. Well Ashlyn got a chair and got her money jar out of the cabinet and brought it to me. I told her to pick out how much she wanted to give the little girl and she pulled out about .63. I wrote Ashlyn's name on the back of the fundraiser and the amount since it was her money. Well the little girl was leaving and saw her little brother and his friends. Ashlyn ran to get shoes to try and play with them. They were still at the end of my driveway when she got outside. The little girl was gone but there by the mailbox were the boys. She spoke to them and told them she was running and asked if they wanted to play chalk. They said no, but one of the older boys offered her a flower he was holding. I thought that was very sweet. It makes me feel so good when other children are so nice to mine. Anyway, the three boys walked away. They were probably a good two hundred yards away or so when Ashlyn yelled out this noise she does as a whistle. The three boys turned around and she hid her face and got closer to the porch. She continued this "whistle" every time they would turn back around to leave. It was quite funny. Wow! Flirting already though?! Kenneth and I are in for a treat, this little girl isn't shy, just like her mother. lol. We'll be praying a lot. lol. Well I thought everyone would enjoy that little story and Kenneth will be happy to hear that I finally watered our seedlings of grass. lol. Seeds are so much cheaper than sod! Anyway, I hope everyone is enjoying our little family blog. I'll have new pics. this weekend so I hope to make the time to get those posted.

I almost forgot to mention...the kids slept until 9:30 this morning! Can you believe that? It was like a blessing from on high! I didn't know what to do with myself. So I stayed in the bed and just rested and enjoyed the silence. It was beautiful. Until Ashlyn called me from her bedroom. She decided that wetting her bed was much better than getting up alone to use the potty. Jade's diaper had the same idea because it soaked through to her sheets also. So my morning began wonderfully and quickly turned into a few loads of unexpected laundry. Oh well. I told her if she peed in her bed again on purpose I was going to make her wear pull-ups to bed. I think that did the trick. We shall see. I know sleeping so long didn't help the situation for either child, but I did really enjoy that. Well I'm sure I'll have a new adventure to post soon enough. Love y'all!

Toilet paper is NOT a toy!

2009-03-31T16:17:00.000-07:00

Ashlyn found something to play with that she thought was the coolest thing ever! She called out to me yesterday saying "Mama, look! I have a tail!" She ran into my bedroom to reveal a naked bum with toilet paper cliff hanging as her tail. Oh yes, this is a true story. I had to do quite a bit of coaxing to get her to finally take it out and put it into the potty and explain that it's inappropriate etc. Gross! She even tried to get dressed and have her tail sticking out. Wow! I was tempted to take a picture to torture her with later in life and decided against it. That would just be plain out cruel. I say a lot of things that I never expected having to utter as a mother that's for sure. As of right now she is being the BEST big sister ever! She has covered my bedroom floor with pillows of every kind and is rolling all over the floor with Jade and tickling her. I LOVE to hear the girls play and laugh together like this. It's my all time favorite sound in the whole world!

So Kmart isn't only the devil, but their chocolate was not at all impressive. The first two pieces I had were great but after that, I was sorely disappointed. When a woman wants chocolate and finally gets it, it should be the best thing she has ever had! I feel very passionate about chocolate as you can see. lol. Call me pathetic if you wish, but it is my all time weakness. Do you think Heavenly Father will allow me to have lots of "perfect" chocolate? lol. jk.

I forgot to mention on here the cutest thing Ashlyn has said in a while. I'm sure everyone remembers my attempts to getting my girl scout cookies and finally getting them. Well when I did finally have them in my possession Ashlyn excitedly said, "I want some out scout cookies!" lol. That's how she pronounces the words. funny. She also calls primary at church "crymary." lol. She's never cried in there, she positioned quite well. She just pronounces it so funny. We have also discovered that she LOVES to paint, but finger painting is not her favorite. She doesn't like her fingers and hands to be dirty. Isn't that funny? A kid that doesn't like dirty hands and fingers. A first!

Kenneth is still training for his Triathalon coming up in about three wks. He hasn't been training as hard lately due to work and such. But he's excited and we're excited for him. I wish him much luck and much endurance. =) Kenneth has lost two inches off of his waist! He noticed tonight that he had to tighten his belt two or so notches tighter! GO BABY!

I've been staying busy with the girls and trying to find things for us to do to keep us safe from boredom, for that is where the advesary lives. Ashlyn is just plain awful when she's bored and she throws tantrums that make me want to cry and hide from her. A big thank you to Morgan Webster for letting us hang out with her and her two adorable children. I finally got a little bit more of the girls scrapbooks finished. Well not finished finished, but something was finally done after months of ignoring them.

Today has been special in so many ways. First my girls and I got to spend a little time with Pop-Pop, (My dad). He even bought us all a treat, candy! Yum. Second special thing today Ashlyn and Jade got to play with the Webster kids so of course the mommies got to spend some time together and talk. Third special thing today...I got to take a nap! I haven't done that in months! It felt so great. It was a good nap. Even Ashlyn fell asleep. I don't know HOW great that will be tomorrow morning, but it was great today. I'm trying to "broaden" my horizens and I'd really like to take a cake decorating class. I think it would be SO cool to work in a bakery! Well my show (The Biggest Loser) is almost on and Ashlyn and I are going to make some muffins. She gets to stay up a little late tonight since she fell asleep. Love y'all!

Our Anniversary!

2009-03-26T18:42:00.000-07:00

5 years ago on March 27, 2004 Kenneth and I were sealed for time and all eternity. So much has happend since that perfect day. We have two very beautiful and very healthy little girls that have stolen our hearts. We've built a house and made it a home and haven for our family. Kenneth has recieved raises at work and shown his employers how well he works and just how hard. We have also had more arguments than he or I could count and days that have been tougher than we've ever before experienced, but some things don't change. We still love one another just as much, if not more than that special day. We have learned that to truly have a happy marriage you must do the things that we as Latter-Day Saints are counseled to do. We have also learned that by trying to improve ones spiritual growth, knowledge and understanding that it is easier to serve others and we are slower to get angry. I am truly blessed. My testimony of the gospel has grown so much and Kenneth and I have grown so much in it and within our marriage. I love the man that I married, but even more so, I love the man that he has become since. Not too many ppl can say that. How blessed we are. It almost seems as if I'm bragging, that of course is not my intention. I just want my family and his family to know that we love one another purely and unconditionally and that we both have firm testimonies. We are tried and tempted, but together we fight back and pray hard. We have several ppl to thank for teaching us how to be happily married. We thank our parents for teaching us the gospel and it's principles. We also thank them for teaching us to work and showing us unconditional love and for their wonderful examples. We also thank our sibblings for teaching us how to support our family members and to lift one another in times of need. We thank our friends for teaching us to laugh and to cry and that it's okay to ask for help. We appreciate all that has been done for us as a family and we praise our Father in heaven for blessing us with everything that we need on this earth to prepare us and strengthen us for what is yet to come. We love y'all very much and hope that this finds you all just as happy at your different places in life and in marriage.

Kmart is the devil

2009-03-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

So I went to Kmart to pick up a baby gift for a friend real quick yesterday and guess what they have. Give up? They have ALL of their left over valentine's day candy on sale for .50. Oh yes, it's true! The big boxes of chocolates, the medium sized ones, the little ones, all of it! They are all still wrapped up and everything so they are still very much fresh. So I only bought a dollars worth. Two big boxes! =) They are safely hidden from Kenneth and the children. I've been pretty proud of myself too because I've only had one piece. Go me!
I also wanted every0ne to know how hilarious Ashlyn is. The other day I was sharing my girl scout cookies with Jade, (I know I couldn't believe I was sharing those blessed things either) and Ashlyn wanted to be the one to break it up and give it to Jade. Well Jade grabbed it before Ashlyn could break it into pieces and Ashlyn saw Jade biting the cookie and she said, "Look mom! Jade is eating it like a human!" I thought that was pretty funny. I sure do enjoy my girls, and when Kmart misbehaves and I find their sinful treats. lol. Life is good. I promise I really do eat healthy foods. I don't just eat girl scout cookies and chocolates. That's a special treat just for mom after the children are in bed sleeping. Or when i'm super frustrated during the day and I need to sneak away and take a minute to gather myself. Sorry to those who are avoiding goodies. If you've read this and you're trying not to eat the sweets, (Kenneth) then Kmart is NOT selling these candies and I didn't buy them either. ; ) Love y'all!

Did I mention that my husband is the greatest?

2009-03-19T19:38:00.000-07:00

So I stayed up ALL night on Monday cleaning the house from top to bottom. It was SO great to wake up knowing that all I had to do that day was take care of the kids and not have to clean a single thing. Just make sure that Ashlyn cleaned up after herself and didn't make too much of a mess. Unfortunately it became a rather hectic day and my perfect house looked as though I have 6 children rather than only 2. At the end of the day Kenneth could really tell that something was bothering me and asked what was wrong. Of course I was upset that I was the only one that thought it was important to keep the house looking as it did when everyone woke up that morning to a perfectly clean and neat house. Kenneth even left a note on the counter telling me thank you for cleaning so much and that the house looked great. It looked wonderful if I do say so myself. Anyway...Kenneth woke up extra early on Tuesday morning and cleaned the entire house (minus Ashlyn and Jade's rooms)!!!! I was so impressed and shocked and just, WOW! It was the sweetest thing ever. When I called to thank him he simply said, "I just wanted to try to help you have a less hectic day today." How blessed am I to have a husband that wants me to have a good day and actually do something about it. It wasn't even our anniversary or a birthday etc.! It really did my heart good. =) It was a great reminder that I made the best choice telling him that I would marry him. I love you Kenneth and I hope you have "a less hectic day tomorrow!"

My husband is a wonderful man

2009-03-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've caught everyone up. Well I think that Heavenly Father has decided to let our family heal and no longer be sick. I don't think I've ever taken my children to the Doctors office so many times in a row. We went to the doctor three weeks in a row! What's up with that? At least only two of those appts. were for a sick kid. The other appt was Jade's reg. check up. I'm glad to see that they are beginning to feel like themselves again. The tantrums aren't getting any better but I have a feeling that this is what our life will look like until she's no longer a teenager. lol. I'm praying that's not so, but we'll see. She's very dramatic!
We decided to start Ashlyn in dance lessons this coming school year. Since she won't be going to pre-school we'll have her dance. She dances EVERYWHERE! She loves to dance and spin. We were thinking ballet, but I had one lady tell me when they are this young they should start out in tap. I'm not a big tap fan so we'll see what happens when I start calling around to diff. dance studios. I took dance at Southern Strutt as a kid, but I don't know if I wanna drive that far. Does anyone know of a place close by that won't rob my account? Let me know.
Well Kenneth is still getting ready for his triathalon this April. He didn't work out on Monday so I'm sure he'll be doing a good bit the rest of this week. He says he hasn't lost any more weight, but his face looks thinner to me and his suit looked a little big on him on Sunday. I'm so proud of him!
Jade is officially walking EVERYWHERE! YAY! She is so darn cute. I just smother her with kisses. She, like Ashlyn, is a cuddeler. I love that! I'm hoping that next time we will have a boy. Our girls will get older and Kenneth will be set because they will become daddy's little girls. I on the other hand need a little man in my life. I'd like to have a son so that I can teach him how to treat women and to serve a mission. Of course his father will be a wonderful example. Kenneth treats me very well and served an honest mission. We aren't ready right now, but later I'd really like to have a boy. Well I have more laundry to start and all that other fun stuff. We love y'all!

2009-03-12T12:01:00.000-07:00

2009-03-12T11:57:00.000-07:00

This is my sister Wendy and I on the cruise Kenneth and I went on two years ago. We were able to invite my sister and her husband and my mother and one of my aunts. It was great fun. We were on our way to go snorkeling.

2009-03-12T11:51:00.000-07:00

I can only imagine what Jade is thinking here. lol. How is it possible that of all the families I could have been placed with Heavenly Father, you put me with these crazy people? lol jk. I know she loves us just as much as we love her, neither of us would have it any other way.

2009-03-12T11:46:00.000-07:00

This is a wonderful before and after shot. Is it just me, or are the children usually with daddy when they get hurt? lol. Jk.

2009-03-12T11:42:00.000-07:00

Does this little face scream trouble or what? lol. I am so grateful to my sister for being so talented and always camera ready for such awesome candid shots. She's amazing! And Ashlyn is not camera shy, obviously.

2009-03-12T11:39:00.000-07:00

I don't know what my sister did to make it look like this but she and I thought it looked SO cool! Don't you think it looks neat?!

2009-03-12T11:36:00.000-07:00

I love this picture of Ashlyn! She really enjoyed bowling with Kenneth and I and my sisters "DeDe" and "Ya-Ya" and their husbands. She looks so happy.

2009-03-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

MMM! Cake good! She was covered! Needless to say we had a short intermission during the party so Jade wouldn't leave a cake and ice cream trail.

2009-03-12T11:28:00.000-07:00

This is Jade and I at her 1st birthday party. Isn't she just beautiful?

I am at peace

2009-03-12T11:20:00.000-07:00

I did it! I found my Caramel Delights! YAY!! I'm so excited. I get them tomorrow! I called the wonderful woman that is selling me the peanutbutter patties to see if she knew anyone else that still had some left, and she said that she was going to the G.S. Office tomorrow morning to pick up some more becuase so many ppl are asking for them. I was so happy! My sister-in-law is pregnant and she too is craving them so I got her a couple boxes too. We're so happy! lol. Thank you to Abby for the advice about calling the G.S. Office number. That was my plan B if my new best friend selling me the patties didn't know of anyone. I really appreciate your comment, thank you. =) So I now am at peace and my craving will soon be filled. Well I'm going to add some more pictures on here for the family. I hope y'all enjoy! Love y'all.

WHO HAS CONNECTIONS?

2009-03-11T14:17:00.000-07:00

Okay y'all here's the thing. My little sister found me a very nice lady who is bringing me my Peanutbutter Patties (girlscout cookies) on Friday. Unfortunately, I still have yet to find that blessed person that has some Caramel Delights left. So, for the sake of a craving woman's sanity, (and when I say craving, NO I am NOT pregnant) who knows someone that still has some coookies left? Anyone? I am BEGGING to support the girl scouts of America! lol. Please if you have any neices or sisters or friend's children that are selling the cookies please let me know. I just don't think I'll be complete without them. lol. jk. I'm even gonna hide 'em from Kenneth so he won't be tempted. In fact, he won't even know that I will have them, (as long as he doesn't all of a sudden out of the blue decide to look at this).
Well aside from cookie cravings Jade went to the Doctor today. She had her 12mo check up that I unthinkingly put off for two months, (yes, she is 14mo). She weighs a whopping 18lbs and 10oz and is 29 1/2in tall. He said her growth has been very steady, she's just on the thin side. ; ) So I can give her a few extra calories if I'd like to. Aparently my sibblings and I were also on the thin side, however very healthy children. So I guess Jade took after me more and Ashlyn took after Kenneth more. She had to get three shots today and it was so sad! It was hard to watch the nurse take a blood sample (they pricked her big toe) to check her iron levels too. Jade cried a good bit! It was very sad. Jade also had an accident yesterday while I was doing the dishes. I thought she was in Ashlyn's room playing and I heard her cry. I ignored it at first thinking she was just frustrated with her sister, but Jade continued to cry good and hard so I ran to Ashlyn's room to check on her. Some how she got into her room (I had mine and Jade's doors closed) and she was stuck underneath her end table by her crib. Luckily it was just about empty so it wasn't too heavy, but she has a little bruise on her leg. That was deffinitely a tear jerker! I had a very good friend of mine that just so happens to be a nurse stop by and check her out. Thanks Morgan, you're the BEST!!!! Morgan checked her out and calmed me down and we're all fine. Kids sure do scare ya sometimes. Well I need to figure out what to feed the family so I better go. Love y'all! Let me know about any Caramel Delights!

Cute pic and girl scout cookies!

2009-03-09T07:58:00.000-07:00

My girl sure does LOVE broccoli! lol. We had broccoli with our dinner a couple of days ago and we just put small pieces of whatever it is that we're having on Jade's high chair tray so that she can feed herself. Kenneth and I looked over at Jade to make sure she had enough food and see how she was doing and well, needless to say she was covered in broccoli "leaves" and got a second bath that day. Too cute! Well I don't know about y'all but I haven't seen any girl scouts at Wal*Mart like I usually do, (VERY disappointing) and I really want my caramel delights and peanutbutter patties! So I went online to the girl scouts website and searched for cookies near me. lol. Hopefully someone will be contacting me shortly. Kenneth is beginning to struggle with weight loss and I'm not making this any easier for him. So someone give me some good ideas for hiding places for my girl scout cookies. All of the kitchen cabinets are out, he already found my last stash of snacks. I thought he wouldn't look in the particular cabinet I deemed snack hiding worthy, but two months after hiding things in there, he found it. So I need a new spot. Any ideas? lol. Well I'm off to the store for some groceries. Love y'all!

My Cancer Survivor

2009-03-05T08:02:00.000-08:00

I'm sure that many of you do not know about my cousin Melanie. Melanie was diagnosed with Breast Cancer over a year ago. She has undergone Chemo and continues to battle the awful C word. She, along with other women in the Columbia Ward are raising money for the American Cancer Society. All of the medication that Melanie takes is available to her and all those suffering with cancer thanks to the American Cancer Society's research and dedication. There will be a walk for cancer survivors this April. They are selling T-Shirts for $10.00 and they are super cute! If you would like to purchase a T-Shirt, or just donate money for ACS let me know and I will help you make it happen. ALL monies will go to ACS!

I forgot about the new pics.

2009-03-04T14:52:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of Ashlyn in Temple Square with her Grandpa and Grandma Walter the summer of '07.

Diagnosis

2009-03-04T14:39:00.000-08:00

So I took Ashlyn to the Dr. today and we know what's going on now. Ashlyn had acid reflux as a baby that lasted until she was about 10 or 11 months old and when she got the virus last week it triggered the reflux. Did anyone else know that Phenergan (sp) comes in a cream now?! How cool is that! She didn't have to take it by mouth or have an injection/shot. Dr. Taylor just rubbed it onto her fore arm like lotion. Pretty amazing if ya ask me. He also gave me some Prevacid tablets (strawberry, they smelled really good) to give her an hour before dinner for three days. I am also supposed to keep her on a mild diet for the next three days. And thankfully, she's not contageous. I hope this doesn't happen to her every time she gets a virus that would be so awful for her. I will be going back to see Dr. Taylor again on March 11 (Wed.) for Jade's 12mo check up. So she's 14mo, don't judge me. I'll let everyone know how big she is and all of that exciting stuff. =) Well we love y'all.

My Sick Girl

2009-03-03T21:42:00.000-08:00

Pictures. Yay!

2009-03-02T09:47:00.000-08:00

Great news! My sister sent me tons of pics. Yay! Well I haven't posted them yet, but as soon as I give the girls some mommy time I'll get it done. Enjoy the new scenery of my blog for the time being. lol. Love y'all!

Ashlyn made her bed

2009-02-26T10:52:00.000-08:00

I took Ashlyn's sheets off of her second bed in her bedroom and she decided that it was too bare. So she made her bed all by herself, with almost ALL of the clothes that were in her drawers. Nice. lol. I just had to laugh and take a picture instead of getting mad at her. Now she has to clean up, all by herself. lol. Good times.

Reconstruction

2009-02-23T21:49:00.001-08:00

I'm currently reconstructing the background and the template and all of that fun stuff. I've been putting it off for a really long time. I guess it's just time. Be patient with me I'll finish it soon enough. Thanks!

It's all about me!

2009-02-23T20:35:00.000-08:00

While glancing over my blog I noticed that there are not very many pictures of me in here. The very few that you see are horrible! So my apologies to everyone if I scared you. lol. jk. I decided I need better pics of me and that I should be added more because I am also a very important person in this family. However I'm also the camera woman too, so I'll be waiting for my beloved sister Wendy who is the camera woman of the family to send me some pictures. She has AWESOME pictures of the girls. She also deletes all of the bad ones of me that I ask her to. lol. She stays pretty busy at work, so it may be awhile, but I promise to get some new pictures up soon. She also was the photographer at Jade's 1st birthday party too, so those are very much overdue. Well I'll do my best to get some new stuff up here soon.

A congratulations to Kenneth for continuing to train steadily. However we have discovered that I am not at all a very healthy cook. I grew up down here in the South and all I was taught to cook was fried chicken rice and homemade gravy, homemade buttermilk biscuits, roast and carrots and potatoes and all the other things that should not be ingested. So if you have any healthy yummy recipes I would LOVE them! We can't have chicken cooked on the George Foreman Grill everynight. I would like to note that despite my unhealthy, yet if I may say so VERY tasty cooking, I did have a green vegetable at every meal. Okay so that doesn't make up for it, but I at least wanted y'all to know that I do LOVE my veggies and my children and the rest of us do eat those. lol. I've been contemplating buying a biggest loser cook book. If you have one, let me know if the purchase was worth it. I really do enjoy cooking so if you have any yummy healthy recipes I would love them!

Okay to catch you up on the hobbies I've been trying out to find my "triathalon" here's the scoop. I'm not a scrapbooker. I mean I do it, but I'm not any good at it, but I want my kids to have something to look at later because I never did and I wish that I did. So I'll do it for the sake of my children. lol. I'm also not a photographer. I can't capture things the way I see the beauty in them. I tried. There was a lot of deleting. Maybe cooking is just my thing. I don't know. My cooking isn't anything that no one has ever tried before, but it turns out the way it is supposed to and Ashlyn tells me almost EVERY meal that I'm a good cook, (okay, okay. So Kenneth and I taught her to tell me that. Still, I get to hear it. It makes me feel good about myself). Well I'm going to keep on trying things. I'd like to learn how to make "princess" dress up clothes. Anyone have any ideas of how someone goes about doing that? Let me know I'd love to get into it. Well love y'all!

P.S. Jade took 10 steps on Sunday!!! So I say she is walking. She doesn't do it to get to everywhere she wants to go, but she sure does give it her best effort!

No Whining Aloud!!!!!!!!

2009-02-19T12:48:00.000-08:00

Why must my 3 and a half year old whine SO much? She wasn't always like this you know. I consider myself a good disciplinarian. I try REALLY hard to be consistent with timeouts and make sure I follow through on punishments. For the most part I do pretty darn well. So what am I doing wrong? She just started this whining thing a few weeks ago and EVERYTHING is a BIG deal. Where did all of this drama come from? What do I do to make it go away? *BIG sigh* I will have to add this to my prayers. I'm sure it's just a stage children go through, but wow! I am so emotionally drained at the end of the day. It would be great if she could take things down a notch while I'm fighting off this Sinus Infection. Well it wouldn't be a spiritual calling (Motherhood) if I didn't grow from these things and it would be too easy. So I'll just mom-up and get over it like everyone else. Still it felt nice to get it off of my chest.

Kenneth has lost 12lbs. and still counting. I'm so proud of him! He's been doing so well and enjoying the exercise so much. It's done wonders for his mood and his feelings about himself (it's a good thing he doesn't look at this blog much, I imagine I embarrass him a lot. That's why I'm called the wife). He's doing well at work too and staying steadily busy which of course is great news. Who doesn't like paying the bills and having insurance?! lol. The Lord has truly been blessing us throughout our marriage and lives! Kenneth was able to fix the small things that were wrong with his bike so he's super excited about getting out and riding. It's so cute to watch him make what I enjoy calling his, "work out dates." He has two other friends he meets up with that are also training for the same triathalon. It's been fun watching him enjoy himself so much. It's just what he needed.

Jade is still walking a few steps and falling but it won't be long. She tries to walk more and more each day. Pretty soon she'll be runnin' through the house like her big sister. I can't wait! They are already so precious playing with one another now I can't wait to see how much better they will interact and things. It's been fun watching Jade's personality develop. She's very smiley ALL the time! Of course there are days that naps weren't long enough or she's gone too long without a snack or her teeth are pushing up more that make her a little fussy. But for the most part she loves to make people laugh. She is DEFINITELY Kenneth's daughter! She's always playing little jokes on us like with her sippy cups. She just LOVES throwing them on the floor. Of course she's watching us the whole time with a mischeivious grin on her face right before she drops the cup. Then she hears the gratifying BANG as it drops to the floor and she says, "Uh-Oh!" She's so funny! She REALLY loves the telephone and last week began holding it to her ear and just goes to town babbling. Apparently that must be what I do. lol. She will be going in to Nursery in about 5 months. It will be strange to me not to have either child clilnging to me while at church. When Ashlyn turned 18 months we moved into a new ward and of course my first calling was the Nursery Assis. and then a few months later the Leader. So this will be my first time getting to really take class in. Jade really isn't bad in Sunday school. Nothing like Ashlyn was! Whew! lol. Jade just gets sleepy and restless. For the most part she just crawls around my feet playing with toys and eating Cheerios. I really can't complain much. At least I shouldn't. I don't know if you've noticed yet, but I complain A LOT. I really need to try harder. I'll work on that.

Well as for me I have nothing new really. I'm still teaching the Mia Maids at church and staying home with the girls and trying to keep the house in some kind of order. I have not yet found my "triathalon." I don't know that there is anything out there that I will fall in love with, other than Kenneth. Maybe I just haven't been trying hard enough to find something. I'd like to find a hobby that I can do when the girls are asleep. Something I'm good at. I just haven't found what I'm good at yet. Well I will keep you all updated as I trial and error some things. Hopefully it will be more trial than error. lol. Well we love y'all and hope to hear back from ya.

Sinus Infection

2009-02-17T08:02:00.000-08:00

Well here it is. I'm getting worse. The sinus infection is beginning. These totally knock me down! I'm not looking forward to the next few days. It's still too early to go to the doctor, but I'm already feeling SO much! Well enough complaining. Jade is taking steps on a daily basis! YAY! She'll take about 5 steps or so and then fall on her little bum. She's so cute. Kenneth really loves her haircut. I was worried for nothing. lol. Ashlyn is ready to learn to write her name I think. I need to start getting her to write more of her letters. She has "A" and "H" down. That's a start. Well I have much work to do with her. I was thinking of getting her some flash cards when we start working on the sounds of the letters. I'm not going to be putting her into preschool. She knows her colors, she can count to 15, she knows the alphabet, she recognizes numbers up to 10, and she recognizes all of the letters of the alphabet. I think she would be bored in preschool. Well all of you mothers and any woman with great ideas let me know what you did to teach your children these things so I can get started and have some success. I'd really appreciate any words of wisdom. Well Kenneth continues to train for the triathalon. His bike came in on Valentine's Day and he has been so excited. He hasn't stopped messing with it since! If he isn't riding it he's taking it apart and looking at things making sure everything is right. He found a few small minor things to be fixed but will get it taken care of. I'm so proud of him for working so hard. I know he'll be great! Before I go I will let everyone in on something. I have been a HUGE fan of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. Well while reading my scriptures before bed last Thursday after watching my favorite shows, it was revealed to me that I have to stop watching them. I was so bummed. But I've learned my lesson before and I know that the blessings will be great if I obey the spirit. I could really use some encouragement. This is going to be hard. lol. Well we have a play date to head off to. I hope everyone is doing well and the girls look forward to your comments. Love y'all!

Ashlyn and Salem

2009-02-11T11:30:00.000-08:00

Here are Ashlyn and Salem. The kitten we had for five months. Kenneth and I decided we aren't animal owners. We both love animals, but we just don't want to own them, at least not right now. lol. Ashlyn looks so cute here I had to put it up.

Triathalon!

2009-02-11T11:10:00.000-08:00

Today I feel that I may pull my hair out. Three year olds are tough on the mind and body. lol. Well a little update for everyone. Kenneth is in the process of training for a triathalon this spring. He's very excited and looking forward to it. He's been swimming and biking and running a lot and his tri-bike should be in soon. So happy Valentines Day and Happy Anniversary to Kenneth. This is becoming a very expensive hobby. But it's worth it because he's really enjoying himself. I apologize for all of the unorganization of my blog. Bare with me I'm still trying to become computer -literate. I also want to have lots of pictures of the girls so that Grandma and Grandpa Walter in Kansas can watch them grow up. We miss everyone and look forward to being able to visit in the near future. Well here are some more random pictures. Love y'all!

Jade's First Haircut

2009-02-09T09:28:00.000-08:00

Today we're going to Aunt Susan's house to give Jade her first haircut. Shh. It's a secret because daddy will not be very happy about it, but lets face it every girl knows that you need to have evenly growing hair. If I were to leave her hair alone without any bows she looks like she's growing a mullet. That's just not nice. Kenneth is all about long hair but it won't stop growing from one haircut. Besides with as much hair as Walter babies are born with her hair will grow back in no time! lol. I promise to take pictures of her new cut. We'll do a before and after. Well we'll try. Love you all and hope everyone's enjoying watching the girls grow up.

2009-02-08T18:47:00.000-08:00

Okay family, I'm ready for your blog websites. I'm so glad Aunt Margaret and Brittney left some comments. Yes Brittany we are now officially caught up with the rest of the human race. lol. I would love e-mail addresses too. Our e-mail address is walterfamily@windstream.net. I'd love to hear from everyone and be able to see everyone's blogs too. We miss everyone so badly and we want everyone to be able to watch our family grow. So lets get swappin'! Love to all!

2009-02-08T18:18:00.000-08:00

Well Ashlyn gave her very first talk in Primary today. It was on eternal families and she did an awesome job. She went up there with Kenneth and held a picture of our family and said everything her daddy told her to. It was great. She was really excited about it all weekend. She's been bearing her testimony at Church at the pulpit these past couple of Fast Sundays. She's such a ham! Jade stood up without assistance from a table or person today a good bit and took a few steps. Won't be long! She is now the proud owner of 12 teeth! They grow so fast.

2009-02-05T10:48:00.000-08:00

I just put this together so no laughing. The pictures are a bit dated, but I can't find the camera cord so that I can put more recent photos up. Hopefully Kenneth remembers where he put it but that's not very likely. Well enjoy the blog everyone. This way everyone can keep up with us and the girls. Speaking of the girls, Ashlyn showed Kenneth her new trick last night at the dinner table. Can you believe that she can put the straw to her cup up her nose? That was a hard one not to laugh at while trying to tell her it was gross and unacceptable. Jade thinks that she is hillarious because she has a few tricks of her own. It's called I'm gonna throw my cup on the floor to get mom's attention and then a few seconds later I'm going to cry because I'm thirsty and I have no cup. lol. They keep us on our toes!