Easter Party!

This past Saturday we had the annual Easter Party with Craig's family. We ate yummy food, dyed eggs (sorry, no pictures of that, we needed all hands on deck to keep the color on the eggs and not the kids), had an egg rolling contest, a goodie hunt and had fun! Our thanks to Sue for a great party!

So Have We Kept You in Suspense Long Enough?

This is a post without pictures. I know some of you out there won't like that. But, as you can see we've changed up the title complete with new pictures of us! There's Miley in her nine month old glory, and Sam and Jake just as cute as any two boys have a right to be. I think those oughta count as the pictures! (The sidebar pics are updated, too!)
So...the big news. Since it is now official and everything I guess I can spill the beans. After twelve long years at SDCH, Craig has given his resignation and will start at a new job the first part of April. He is going to be a unit manager/assistant director of nursing for a new, just opened skilled rehab facility, which is--get this--2 minutes from our house! We watched the building go up and found out a good friend is the director of nursing, and she's excited to have Craig come aboard. This was in the works for a while, but, being as things are and you just never know with you-know-who, we had to keep it pretty quiet until the official start date came. He is excited to branch out and try something new, and especially eager to make his mark on something that is full of potential. It will be so very hard for him to leave all the friends he's made over the years, but we feel that this is the right time and it has all fallen into place. We are grateful that the doors were opened by heaven and he was able to make a move that has all the potential to lead to a happier Craig!
The other big news is that I've accepted a position at SDCH and become a House Supervisor. I now work ten hour shifts and basically manage the running of two floors and oversee the goings-on on the other floor. I am the go-to girl, I guess. I've done it now about a month and must say that even though it can be difficult and stressful, I find it a nice change of pace. Although the pediatric part of it scares me a bit. I haven't done sick kids since nursing school, so I've had my own freak out moment already and hopefully made it through. (Had to drop an NG tube on a baby. YIKES!!) It works out well in the money situation for our family and allows me a bit more freedom with my schedule. Change is good, for the most part!
In other news, we're just waiting for Spring to arrive. My trees are budding and the crocus and daffodils are blooming--under a layer of snow. I can hardly wait for the warmth to come back. The kids are doing well. Miley crawls EVERYWHERE and has got the princess part down pat. Jake recently emptied a whole bottle of ketchup onto the remnants of my garden statues that are now in pieces. (One survived and will live on Dad's workbench until Jake is older--much much older.) Sam keeps up a running commentary for me each day and I must admit, thoroughly entertains me. I went dry packing tonight and doubled my long term food storage. It's a lot of fun! And, I'm planning my garden and looking forward to the Easter party this weekend.

Winter Doldrums

Yuck. This is the time of year that I really start to dislike things. Call it cabin fever, or something. It just seems like everything suddenly becomes old, shabby, dirty and boring. Maybe it's seasonal affective disorder.

I love all the seasons for different reasons. I don't really have a favorite. But, you know that feeling you get when you're tired of something? That's what I have BIG TIME. I love winter, the crisp clean white snow, fireside memories, Christmas, the freshness and sharp bite to the air, winter comfort food. But, along about March I get the blahs. Hate the snow, which is now dirty gray, the dead brown grass poking through, the pollution in the air that makes you cough, let down of the holiday season gone by, cold that gets into your bones and makes you hurt worse, the smell of dirt and decay, and the heavy food that makes you long for summer salads and lemonade.
I love spring for the new green plants poking through, daffodils and crocuses, tulips and hyacinths. Baby animals, Easter, trees coming back to life, warm rain, airing out the house and working in my garden and feeling the soil and smelling the new earth. I love summer for the bright blue skies, long days, green growing things, fresh tomatoes off the vine, barbecues, fireworks and fresh mowed grass. I love fall for the harvest, fire colors in the trees and across the mountain sides, canning fruits, apple pie with fresh apples, new school supplies, the smell of crayons.
Now, I long for spring. I find myself anxiously surveying my flower beds, willing the crocus to peek through. I get excited that the limbs of the trees have buds and growth. I want to see the "Daffydowndillies" coming up, see the grass spotted with green shoots. I want to see the roses unfurl their leaves, the daisies start to poke through. I want to see the baby chicks, the new calves at the farm by Mom and Dad's, taste the strawberries, plant the peas and pole beans. I want blue skies without the smog, to see the mountains without the haze, to take my kids to the park and let them run wild in the fresh air. I want to smell the lilacs, the lilies of the valley. Sigh.

Life is wild and crazy, par for the golf course of our mortal probation, I suppose. The kids got the cold crap for a few weeks. Sam had to get five freakin' cavities filled. Thank goodness for sedation dentistry. Jake passed with flying colors, no "holes", yay! He's still is into everything. Miley is crawling, pulling up on things. We had to remove the bassinet out of her play yard and drop her mattress in her crib. Here's some pictures of her, I can't believe how fast she's growing up!

There are some changes coming for us, but I can't go into detail right now. Suffice it to say they are good changes, so don't worry. (And no, no new little Fords on the horizon, do ya think I'm nuts?!?)

HEY EVERYBODEEE!

Sorry, I was channeling Grover there for a minute.
Hey out there, all my wonderful, handsome, beautiful, kind, funny sweet friends and family, PLEASE PLEASE add your name to the Followers over there...on the side...look...that's it...no up...yeah right there! We would REALLY LOVE IT if you would so we can see that we're not just doing this for our health! You don't have to be a blogger, just add in anonymously, okay? That way we can know who's actually blog stalking us! Thank you thank you! (I'll make you cookies ;-)!)

Happy Birthday Jake!

A little while ago we celebrated Jacob's third birthday! Wow! Time goes so fast, it seems not very long ago he was the scrawny little baby we brought home on a cold winter's day. He was four weeks early, the day after my doctor said "Nothing's happening." (Yeah, right.) I guess he was just in too much of a hurry to be with Sam, and he's more than made up for the 15 months they spent on opposite sides of heaven! He is truly a joy most days, an outright pill others, but he's always charming, sweet and continuously amazing! I asked him some questions this year to document his likes and dislikes and these are the answers he gave (Jakeisms included):

Favorite color: "orrige but sometimes green"
Favorite food: "hot dog hot dog hot diggity dog! oh, anna pizza, yeah!"
Favorite TV show: "Ferb!" (Phineas and Ferb on Disney)
Favorite movie: "ummmm, diggers and trains." (He got some DVDs of construction vehicles and trains for his birthday)
Favorite snack: "Candy"
Favorite game "Shekers" (Checkers) and "Superharolds" (Superheroes)
Favorite friend: "Sam and Brookin"
Favorite toy: "Sam's red truck" and "Workbench"
Favorite story: "Birdie finds the Mom" (Are you my Mother?)
Favorite school activity: "Painting"
Favorite primary song: "Snowman song"
Favorite thing to do: "Go outside" and "baths"

Dislikes: getting up early, bedtime, haircuts, icky dinners, picking up toys, listening, sharing, being told no.

We took the boys to Chuck E Cheese for his birthday, which they just loved. Can't say the same for the grown-ups, but hey, the kids had a good time and we got to make some memories besides. After that we came home and had presents and cake. I made the cake to look like a dirt pile with some construction trucks in it, I thought it turned out pretty well!

Happy Birthday Bug! We love you!

Growing up

This Sunday Sam gave his first talk in Primary! I can't believe how big he is getting! He was so excited to talk in the microphone and he did awesome! Craig helped him write out a few lines about being a spirit child of Heavenly Father . Sam got right up in Primary and with only a little prompting he said his talk. I am so proud of him! Here's what he said:

"I have a Heavenly Father. I lived with him before I came to earth. I can read about Him in the scriptures. I can pray to Him. He blesses me. I love Him and He loves me."

It seems only yesterday that he was just a little guy. Now he talks about things like skateboards and tells me how a clock works. I hear conversations between Sam and Jake and I just have to chuckle at their reasoning and topics. Then Sam will say something incredibly profound to me and I'll think "Where'd you learn that? I didn't teach you that." Kids are amazing. Do you ever get the feeling that your children are older than you? My mom has always said that about my brothers and I, and my dad gave me a birthday card once that jokingly counted all those pre-mortal years. (Happy 1,678,976,457 th birthday!) I feel that way about my boys. Sometimes for a brief moment I see the men they will become. Sometimes for a brief moment I glimpse a soul that is eons older and wiser and purer than mine. I can only hope and pray that I can teach them what is right and that they will know success in life.

In other happenings the kids have yet another case of the sniffles, and Miley is FINALLY starting to like solids. She ate all her cereal, applesauce and sweet potatoes at dinner. She even likes meat, which I cut and tear into tiny tidbits for her. (I don't like the puree baby meats-yeecch!) Nilla wafers are her favorite to munch on with her two teeth. So life as usual!

Season's Greetings and New Year Wishes

Happy 2009, everyone!

We've had a busy holiday season, and I must say, while it's always sad to see those Christmas lights lose their sparkle and luster, it is a bit a a relief to return to the normalcy of every day life. The house is slowly being put back together, bedtime is once again routine, and we are adjusting to the new year.

My birthday was before Christmas and I had a very nice one. We went to eat at MacCools and then Craig and I got to go out (just the two of us) to finish the shopping. I was so happy to spend time with him I didn't mind battling the stores and the crowds, or when I slipped in Walmart's parking lot and bruised my patella (kneecap) and compressed a nerve. Too bad it wasn't anything lasting, or I'd own the company (joking!). But it was fun to be a couple for a awhile. My favorite birthdays are the quiet ones where it's me and family.

We had a great Christmas! The kids had a ball at the Ford Christmas party on the 23 rd when Santa came and passed out some gifts and took each child on his knee. Sam and Jake were sooo excited to see him. Their little faces just lit up. It was pretty funny, too, when Santa asked Jake what he wanted for Christmas and Jake looked at him and said "presents" in a tone that was like, well duh! It was touching that when Santa left Jake ran back to him, threw his arms around him and said thank you and told Santa how much he loved him. (awww.) We went to my Auntie Katrina's house on Christmas Eve where the kids got to spend time with Grandma-great and my extended family. We enjoyed the white elephant exchange and the company of good people. Christmas Eve the boys set out cookies and milk for Santa with a few carrots for the reindeer. Christmas morning was full of surprises! We had fun visiting family and exchanging gifts across the board.

We have news: in the form of another gift, Craig accepted the Patient Care Coordinator position at Orchard Cove the week of Christmas. He is relieved to get out of the wound care aspect of nursing. He is great at it, of course, but he was getting tired of the monotony and problems associated with noncompliance and other things. (Ask him about it in person sometime.) That and he does not want to continue in wound care, as his interests lie in other areas of nursing practice. The PCC position is what he had to vacate last April, but now he's going back and we feel that this will be a good move for our family, as his hours will be regular once again to help with the child care issues. He's excited to return to the OC, where he loved the staff (and they loved him) and now there's a new director which will make life that much easier. I am grateful for the blessings given us through the trials of last year that was associated with SDCH and all the rigmarole we went through.

We had a great New Year's celebration with Craig's family playing bingo and setting off party poppers. It's such a gift to have such an awesome family to spend time with. I count my sisters-in-law at some of my closest friends. They are such wonderful women and a great example to me. (And those other inlaws and outlaws aren't half bad, neither!)

The snow keeps falling here, and we keep plugging along. Our goals for 2009 have been set which include more regular scripture study and more regular exercise. Sam has done remarkably well with potty training this past month and hasn't had any number two accidents for over a month now. He continues to work on the other part. We're tentatively thinking about a vacation this year and have told him that he needs to be in big boy shorts all the time in order to go (yes I have stooped to bribery and manipulation--show me one parent who never has!) so he tries hard every day. I think he just gets so busy he doesn't remember until "uh-oh!" Jake is turning three soon and continually amazes me with how much trouble he can cause. But he's my little sweetie and is so loving and funny it makes all the frustration worthwhile. Last Sunday he tied his blankie around his shoulders and was a "Superharold" flying around. (That's Jake for Super Hero.) Then he ate a "haggamer" (hamburger) for dinner. He still hasn't quite decided what kind of birthday party he wants, but it's down to digger trucks or dinosaurs. Miley is rolling all over the place, gets so excited for her toys and is now getting on her knees and trying to crawl. I've heard "mum mum" several times when she's unhappy and wants to be picked up, so I think we may have heard her first word! Wow! She is getting sooo big!

Phew! Now that's done. Please please please everyone, leave us comments or register with the follower we've posted to our blog! We're starting to think no one reads this anymore. The recipe is updated too, a posting to mark our commitment to a healthier lifestyle, so check it out!