cute drops

I have been looking through the blog at past posts and I've realized that there is a lot of good birth control on here! I feel bad about that. I have had a bit of a hard time trying to get my hormones back to normal after Ethan was born and it definately effected my attitude. So I have some funny things that have happened and thought I'd share. One of which is Livi getting naked all of the time and running outside on the deck. She loves to take off her pants and run around. It's quite hilarious actually, but we're trying to teach her that we don't do that, especially when other people can see you. (plus we have some creepo neighbors). BJ said the other day he was walking out to his car to go to work and he heard her say, "Hi Daddy! What are you doing?". He looked up at her window to see her face pressed into the screen in wide eyed wonder. So cute. Liv was sitting on the piano bench playing and Ethan crawled underneath it. She looked over the edge and said, "Hello dere! How's it going?" And Ethan cranked his head back, grined as big as can be and cracked up laughing.. . I love these kids. We went to the zoo last week and had a blast as well. This is a picture of Ethan so excited to go in. (He's crying--if you can't tell) Once we got inside and started looking at the animals, I would lift him up to see and he would point and get excited and babble babble, so cute. He loves loves loves animals. Ethan is officially mobile. He is crawling in his own way, that is, but it's so exciting for him! He is now getting into absolutely everything. Wait, it won't stop there. You think crawling is enough for this little guy? Think again! He is trying to pull himself up, opening and closing the doors (from the floor, of course) and is starting to be able to use his tongue to eat...sort of. He is really starting to slim down and he has aged into his size.

Tragedy

There is a family in my ward who just got baptized last week. They are so nice and sweet. They absouletly adore BJ and I talk to them quite frequently. Anyway, last night BJ got a phone call from the just-released Elder's Quorum President (Yes, BJ has been released as 2nd counselor--to his great relief. It was a lot added to his plate, but, of course, he still did it willingly.) asking if we knew what was going on down the street. BJ gave dispatch a call and talked to a few officers and we found out that their little 8 year old son was skateboarding across 400 north and was hit by a car. The driver said that the sun was glaring on the windshield and they just didn't see him (BJ told me there was also a dog in the car that she turned her attention to as well). He was rushed to the hospital and immediately flown to Primary Children's Hospital in Critical Condition. We were told second hand (from another officer) that one of the officers on the call called to check on how he was doing today and the doctors said he was still in critical condition and stable, but were still "putting lines in him". I asked what that meant and he said, "pretty much the docs don't know the outcome." So, please, keep them in your prayers. I feel so helpless when stuff like this happens. I just wish there was something more I could do...

so cute, so precious

I am so dog tired today. BJ and I were both up until about 5 in the morning doing parent stuff. Trying to get Ethan to just go back to sleep without any help. A little difiicult to do and get our sleep since he's in our room because we only have 2 bedrooms and he keeps Olivia up otherwise. I would much rather be two tired parents than have a very tired and ornery 2 year old. We did try it for awhile, but then NONE of us were getting sleep. Anyway, that's not why I'm blogging...lol

After our looong night. We got up at 8:30 this morning to get the kids all dressed and go to a breakfast that the baptist church put on in appreciation for law enforcement. It was really nice. They had a clown who was painting faces and making animals out of balloons and a big gigantic blow up slide that Livi just loved and they said a kind word of appreciation to all of us (even wives) for the sacrifices we make. It was nice. They made a special note to recognize Katie Skinner (Charlie's wife) who was also there with her twins and her parents (Her dad is one of BJ's sergeants and her mom is one of the lead dispatchers).
We all stood and gave her applause for what she has been through this year. After that and some grub, we took Livi to the giant slide where BJ took off with her and had some fun and I got to know a couple of other wives a little better. That was fun, since I've kind of been couped up. One of them actually said, "I just never get to see you." and I said, "That's because I've been busy having babies." Last year I couldn't go because I was feeling really gross that day and just needed to rest. She nodded and said, she remembered those days, not so long ago. So, I saw a few of the guys again, had a few laughs, and then we went home.
BJ went straight to bed because he had to work all night and I decided to put the kids down a little early and catch a wink myself. I had been laying down for about 45 minutes when Livi started to slide stuff on the walls in her room, which made noise in my room and woke up Ethan. No big deal. Technically quiet time was over. So I went into her room and told her to put her books away so I could get her some lunch. I sat on her bed and closed my eyes, mostly because I couldn't keep them open, and she comes over and says, "Mommy sad?" "Oh, Mommy sad." Then in the sweetest kindest little voice she comes over and says, "Mommy, sad?" and she put her arms straight out in front of her and cupped her hands and then put them under my chin and said, "I'm sorry mommy sad." then gave me a big "Oh Boy" hug and kiss.
It was so so so sweet! I just love her so much! That is typical Livi. I hope you all get to see it sometime. She is as sweet as candy, usually (give her a break, she's 2 sometimes). Anyway, I really just wanted to put that up, and tell about our morning at the same time. I'm starting to wake up now, it's taken me a bit, but maybe I can get enough brain juice going to figure out what to make for dinner. :)

I'm so glad when daddy comes home!

Glad as glad can be! I'm so glad I was able to get this. Livi was so excited for BJ to come home so I told her to go watch for him on the deck.
Here she is anxiously watching. She grabbed her stool so she could see over the rails.
She wanted to wear her sunglasses, but we couldn't find them, so I lent her mine.
Here he comes! Home at last! Below is the video I took after these pictures. Could be boring for some, but Grandma's and pa, will probably love it. :)

Ai Yi Yi

Mommy had a rough day today. I don't know why because I'm an angel all the time. It must be baby Ethan's fault. He hasn't been sleeping well and I heard mommy tell him not to bite a few times today. I on the other hand had a great time today, for the most part! Mommy let me watch my favorite movie, "Cinderella" this morning. I really wanted to watch my other favorites, too, and one time watching Cinderella just wasn't enough, but Mommy said "No." I didn't like that very much and boy did I let her know it. I bet she won't make that mistake again. She asked me if I was hungry and wanted to eat. I did, but I wanted to watch my show more, so I just didn't answer because I knew she'd make me eat if I told the truth. I had to go potty a lot today and sat down a couple of times. All the other times, I was too busy so I just went where I was. Mommy wasn't very happy about that, but she was a good sport, except when I was at dinner and I climbed half-way off my chair to relieve myself and climb back up. I think she was mad.

All the other times I told mommy I needed to go today, I really just wanted to get out of my room. I was afraid I'd fall asleep if I stayed in there and I sure didn't want to do that! The best part of my day was just before quiet time when I asked mommy to play dollies with me. We sat down and played together for a long time and had so much fun. I love it when mommy laughs at my jokes and tickles me. She does that a lot. Sometimes I don't even know I am being funny! I hope that mommy has a better day tomorrow. I'll do my very best to be good and o- o- obee dent.

-Olivia

Oh, to be young again...

I just thought this was completely adorable...



Okay, so I'm by no means "Old" in any sense of the word... well maybe my face is getting there, definately my hands (poor elephant skin hands)due to lack of sleep and moisture. Anyway, this post has nothing to do with that. I'm talking about to be little again. I find myself, as a mother, looking at things through my children's perspective and I'm starting to realize little things.


For instance, When I eat a bowl of Lucky Charms, I eat it. It tastes pretty good. The end. When I was little, I remember loving the slimy goodness of the marshmellows and all the different colors and the cool shapes inside the other shapes... etc. All of the sudden my breakfast is a wonderland of magical things!
I used to play house with my candy. Playing princess with my smarties. Each color had it's purpose--not to mention a different flavor. How many times do I eat candy now and each piece tastes exactly the same? I remember what it was like to play with my dolls and totally get lost in what I was doing, playing with pretend birthday cake and thinking it was so pretty and so classy looking. I loved my "My Little Pony" and the best-ever smell it had when I took it out of the box, that it never seemed to lose. Having a story read to me and looking at each detail in the picture and not wanting to miss any part of it.
Visualizing the story of the bedtime song while it was sung to me and imagining myself in the song. I can't even really describe it. I've been having all these random thoughts about this stuff lately and I can't help but wonder, "Where did all that magic go?" I think that as adults we get so wrapped up in what needs to be done, we just don't enjoy these simple pleasures anymore.
Things that used to be a magical treat and spark my creativity, become mundane and usual.
I miss my little curious brain! I am finally starting to really understand why my dad used to get teary eyed whenever he talked about us being little and wishing that we could have stayed that way. In the spirit of trying to be better friends with my kids, I'm going to try to be more like that again. It will probably make me a more positive person not to mention help me to recognize the gratitude that I have for the blessings that Heavenly Father gives me each day. So, pour yourself a bowl of Lucky Charms and really pay attention to the slimy, colorful goodness that accompanies each bowl!

Police Men...

BJ and I were just talking about how often we hear people sing the praises of military men... not a bad thing at all, however, the police often get overlooked. I was watching Extreme Home Makeover and they were doing something for a disabled veteran. They said something like, "He risked his life every day, while he was on tour..." my first thought was, "Police risk their lives every day. Period." And yet, more often than not, they are overlooked when it comes to appreciating those who die for and defend our country. They still do it, too. They are just on the homefront. BJ said it like this, "I serve a 20 year tour of duty, instead of 2." Amen. Keep in mind, this is not a vent or a rant. Do I think it's a shame? Yes. But nonetheless they are willing and ready to do their duty and uphold the othes that they took as that badge was placed over their hearts. So next time YOU are speeding or run a stop sign or red light, or even get pulled over for a missing headlight, remember, It's their duty to serve and protect us on our own soil and instead of griping because he wasn't super duper nice and gave you a ticket instead of a warning, be grateful that there is someone willing to do the dirty work of upholding and enforcing the law.

Here is what Paul Harvey has to say about Police Officers. It's only a minute of your time if you want to listen.
http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=6968320473&view=audio&msgs=12104853873a3111&attid=0.1&zw