2 year olds......

Isabelle is the cutest thing in the world...the things she says, her voice, how she says them and everything she does. I know I am her mom...but I just love this little girl!


What I opened up to when I heard the water running in the bathroom.....

These two are little buddies...it is a love hate relationship, here they are when they are in the "love" part of their relationship.


I made cookies with JUST Isabelle last week when Miles and Lauren were in school, we had lots of fun and she enjoyed having the beaters to herself :)

My thoughts...

Ok, they are someone elses, but I am thinking the same thing!!!

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatreds.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

-William J. H. Boetcker

A week of pictures....

The Carvings



The Fairy Princess



The Hannah



The Love

The Bath

The Belly

The Magic Act

The Singing Act

THE END

I had a time out today.....

I had a wonderful day today! It started at 4 this morning and a 3 hr drive to Omaha, Nebraska with my sister-in-law Angi. We went to Time Out For Women, it is a wonderful conference put on by my church. Their are 7 "presenters", some sing and some give very uplifting talks! Over 1000 women attend and it is a great meeting of strength, hope and very uplifting.

It was amazing and I am so glad I had the opportunity to go!

I also had a blast from the past while there. I ran into a friend from high school who I havent seen since highschool and a friend, Heidi who use to live in Issaquah and moved to Omaha 2 years ago. It was great to visit her and talk about how much we miss and love the Issaquah 5th ward and all of our friends!

I am greatful for the spirit, closeness and love I felt from the Lord today and am greatful for the "recharge" I have been given!

Dinner!

What I made for dinner tonight!
It was absolutely delicious. Fresh green beans with onions and lots of garlic.
Who said sweet potatoes are only for Thanksgiving? I love this casserole and my kids do too. It has apples and onions and some spices. Yummy!
And organic brown rice with some salt. This is actually my kids favorite.
And our tummys were happy and full!

Watch out!

What happens when your 5 yr. old-absolute all boy and couldnt be anymore boy decides to pour his ball box over the balcony. I only wish you could have heard him laughing and giggling his head off!

What happens when all 3 kids want a piggy back ride upstairs to bed....

Ok, I think I have done my quota for posts for a few months :)

I am going to bed. Good night all!

Deanna Rose Farmstead

Their is this really cool FREE farm here that is huge. It has goats, ducks, bison, fish, lambs, horses, sheep, pigs and some other animals I cant think of off the top of my head. You can get food to fee the goats, fish and ducks for 25cents. You can actually go in and feed the goats, but I didnt like that because they jump on you. The kids thought it was funny though. You can also get a bottle for $1 and feed the baby goats. That was my favorite part.
They also have an old school house, a barn, teepees, and and "earth fort" cool playgrounds, mini tractors to ride, and lots of other stuff. I am not going to bore you with tons of pictures, but here are just a few :)

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the KC Pumpkin Patch last weekend and had a great time. It was perfect weather and the kids loved all the activities they had for them to do! I however did not enjoy the "Yellow Brick Road" tractor ride. I think the only people on it were the "1st timers" because that was one heck of a bumpy ride. Especially if you need to go potty and ESPECIALLy if you are pregnant and need to go potty! :)

Father and Daughter

Mom and daughter

Cool Pumpkin Canon

Isabelle was trying to figure out why Miles was mad :)

"Gourd Shooter"

Fun Tricycles

Racing "Rubber Ducks"

"the Barrel train"

How cool would it be to have this for your bike ?

Sorry for all the pics. I actually have tons more of things we did, but I wont bore you with anymore!

Our House...finally.

I am finally getting around to putting up a picture of our NEW house, forget our old house :)
I will post more of the inside once I have it all put together.

One view of our street

Ever Seen One Of These?

I am not sure what this is, but they grow on the trees here and they are as hard as a rock and about the size of a grapefruit. We actually bowled with them the other night for our Family Night Activity! And Ladd had fun throwing them at tree trunks, they wouldnt budge and crack open though.

They kind of look like brains.

Paying the price of procrastination

Or maybe just laziness.....

I am finally downloading my camera card....I have not done it since June. What a nightmare. I had 1656 pictures on it. Yikes! I am spending so much time organizing them now! I thought it was going to be cool to have a HUGE memory card. Not really! It just makes it easier to be lazy and pay the price later.

Anyways, once I get all the pics organized, I will post some. And download all the pics onto a disc for you Matt of the Aliens that invaded your house! (thats if you are reading this, otherwise you will get a surprise in the mail)

For now... We gave talks in Sacrament meeting last sunday, glad to have that over with. The kids love their new school, way more than the last. We love our house. Our neighborhood is the best, we are on a culdesac that is off of a culdesac- VERY nice! Their is 13 kids just on our little culdesac and they all play outside together till as long as possible. The weather has been awesome, 70-75, no humidity and nice breeze. We were called to be partner teachers for Laurens CTR 8 class with 14 kids! We are starting to plan Laurens baptism for next month (anyone want to travel to Kansas next month :)) We went to the MacDaddy pumpkin patch last saturday. We are loving having Ladd home more! I am feeling the baby move more and more....very fun!

I think thats it for now. Now back to organizing these pics!

Mold....

Been a while....but I have good excuses.

Long story short, the house we were in was full of toxic mold. So we packed up our stuff and moved it in storage. Just moved into another house this past thursday.

For now, I am enjoying conference and couldnt be more excited for President Monsons announcement of a temple in our area this morning! The closest one is 3 hrs away from us right now. I really took for granted going to church on the temple grounds in Seattle!

I have lots of updates that will come later.....Stay tuned....

Surprise Date!

Ladd surprised me on Friday. He got a babysitter without my knowledge and took me to Downtown Kansas City, the city of fountains and to an HUGE Arts Fair. How fun!

One thing I have really missed is our Grandma Sue. She was so much apart of our lives and truly was one of the kids Grandmas (even though not by blood). The kids had their own room at her house with all of their toys and a bed. She watched them every Friday night and even kept them overnight sometimes.....which was SOOOOOOO nice to be able to sleep in once in a while.

Anyways, We hadnt been on a date for 4 weeks now and I was really missing one on one time with Ladd.

Thanks Ladd for the fun and relaxing night.

My favorite part was sitting by a huge fountain with lights on it and cool statues, talking and reconnecting!

Did you know Kansas City ranks second in the world in number of fountains erected in the city. Only Rome, Italy, has more.

My kids are the best!

Since I have been feeling better, I have been able to pay more attention to my "deprived from their mom" kids!

They are simply amazing!

I love love love love them!

When I stop with the busy work and be in the moment, I realize how all the little stuff doesnt matter and they are what is important.

I was able to lay on the couch and snuggle with Isabelle today and sing songs together, nothing is better for the soul than to lay on the couch with a 2 year old and be in the moment and listen to them breath, smile, laugh and sing to you! It was the best!

Miles is so my little man! I have given up arguing with him because he has an answer for anything. Saying "no" is just not an option for him, he will have a way or idea to make it work, whatever it is! And just so you know, he has no doubt he can do what the gymnasts he saw on the Olympics doing! "I can do that, no problem" he said! I love his "can do, nothing is impossible" attitude! I need more of it!

Lauren is as always the sweet girl she has been! She is just a joy to have around. Still is obsessed with reading. She is even more than obsessed with Hannah Montana and I am kind of glad we dont have cable yet so she can take a chill pill and break from her for a while.

Life is good!

Here is a pic of Miles and Isabelle today waiting for lunch...they are little buddies!

16 is the magic number!

Look what I ate today!

Avacado, tomoato, spinach and onion sandwich!

Woo hoo! Time to party! I am 16 weeks tomorrow and what do you know, I didnt wake up feeling like I was going to throw up...I was craving some healthy food finally! I have been living on death food just to get by and not throw up. Poor kid!

But look at this yummy sandwich I made today for lunch! Still gradually going back to wheat, but this was delicious and the little one inside me was a happy camper (I can only assume!)

Meat still sounds disgusting and I am thinking of a veggie lifestyle again...we did it when Ladd was in school and we thrived on it, as more kids came I slacked off....we will see! (I even made our own almond milk and refried beans in school)

Attacked by Chiggers

I am learning some things about Kansas the hard way. So they have these little bugs that the human eye cant even see and they live in the grass. I guess they get on the very ends of the grass and get on you when you walk in the grass and bite into you and eat your skin cells. And you dont even know because the stinkin things are so small. I woke up the other day thinking that I had a mean spider in my house eating at my ankles at night...I was wrong... they are the chiggers that you dont notice until after they have bitten you.

Me with the indian in me and being a true Washingtonian has a bad habit of walking outside barefoot! And I learned my lesson....I woke up with bites all over me and they itch 10x more than mosquitoes.

I need to go find me some bug spray!

Playing in the Rain

The kids played out in the rain yesterday and were in heaven having the times of their lives....

I think we brought the rain with us when we moved here, it has been pouring pretty much the whole time we have been here....

What happens when a 2 year old gets a hold of her brothers red ink stamp......

The Pretty School

Isabelle came to me today with Miles backpack on and told me that she was ready to go to school.

Mom: What school are you going to go to?

Isabelle: Um, I am going to go to the "Pretty School" (preschool)

Mom: Really? Have fun!

Isabelle: yes, because I am sooo pretty!

She sure is pretty!

I just love this child!

Updates....

I havent been taking any pictures lately because I havent felt up to it..so sad :( But look forward to feeling like doing it again.

As for us.... the kids are enjoying school. They are getting to know other kids in the neighborhood and are enjoying having sidewalks to ride their bikes on and a yard to play in. Lauren even had 2 boys come searching for her because they knew she lived in the neighborhood.

Miles just loves to ride his bike all day long or his scooter. He has made friends with another LDS family down the road and tries to go over to their house whenever he can.

Isabelle is just as cute as ever and continues to amaze us everyday with her brightness and happiness and joy. She is talking galore and repeats everything we say. I feel like she is already 4 because she understands and says so much. She is a little spitfire and knows how to hold her own when needed!

Ladd said yesterday that this job is his dream job and better than he expected. He said he has to pinch himself during the day because what he is learning is so amazing. I am so happy for him that he goes to a job he loves everyday.

As for me, I am still struggling with morning sickness and some days wonder if it is getting worse instead of better. I am 15 weeks and normally I am starting to feel great....who knows.

I am still in search of a midwife. I only have about 2 choices and am really missing my midwife in Seattle right now...I just love her and she is amazing!

Insurance here does not cover homebirths in Kansas, which is so not cool! I might have to end up in the dreaded(for me) hospital this time. Not my idea of fun! Oh well. I know it will all work out, just need to figure out what to do.

I am slowly getting use to this area. However painfully miss Washington and my friends.

In the end, I am tremendously blessed and am focusing on that.

Cicadas....

Oh My Freaken Goodness....If you have never heard a Cicada, be greatful!!!! These bugs are so loud, maybe not by themselves, but their are millions here and it is deafening every night when they start their mating calls. The first night I was here, I thought something was being eletrocuted or something was wrong with the power lines. I was kind of scared!

Here is a link to what they sound like....http://www.naturesongs.com/cicada1.wav

Imagine a million of those little suckers all making their noise at the same time.

People say I will get use to it and wont even notice it eventually and it is usually only during the end of summer....I sure hope so!

Emotions....

Lately I have found myself to be an emotional basketcase. We went to a parade for the "Old Settlers Day" yesterday. I found myself crying when the different high school marching bands passed us by and when the police motorcycles came by with their sirens and the Soldiers passing behind them standing proud and carrying our American Flag! Holy moly, what is wrong with me! I keep telling myself that it is all the pregnancy hormones going crazy...but I never believed in those extra hormones that are suppose to make you cry one minute and laugh the next, but I guess I am eating my words.

I watched "P.S. I love you" last night while Ladd was at the office doing a presentation. I cried the when I saw it in the movie theatres, but man, I bawled uncontrollably last night. It made me ponder all the wonderful blessings I have in my life. For a husband that I am absolutely in love with, 10x more than on our wedding day. We all have our health and I feel the love of our Savior in our lives daily.

Last Thursday, the night we pulled into the driveway of our home, it was the day of our 10 year wedding anniversary. While we originally said that we would always do something "BIG" for our 10 year, we didnt. Instead we were traveling half way across the country with a HUGE moving truck and the most precious cargo with us. As I think back through the past 10 years, their have been days of extreme joy, extreme sadness and harship and we have grown tremendously together. I couldnt ask for anything more on my 10 year anniversary....an amazing marriage and to be madly in love with the man of my dreams and 3 amazing kids that are healthy and we are a happy family that gets along for the most part. We have our days and moments when we wonder what we are doing, but in the end, My 3 kids and amazing man are exactly what I want on my 10 year anniversary, I couldnt ask for anything more and a big ship with lots of good food and entertainment doesnt even begin to compare to celebrating with my family the past 10 years.

Ok...so I will get off my soap box, but want to say...Thanks Ladd for the journey of the last 10 years!!!

1 Year ago....

Sage

Tomorrow, September 7 will be the year mark for the passing of my sweet niece Sage. She was stillborn and my heart goes out to my sister, Cammie and her husband Kenny. Not a day goes by that I dont think about the pain they go through every day. I pray that they will be able to get through this hard year mark. I cant imagine the pain of losing a child and I pray that our Savior is with them at this time as they continue to mourn the loss of their sweet Sage!!!

I love both of you and hope that you can continue on the road of finding peace and happiness!!!

Whats a blog with out pictures?

My blogs have been long and without pics lately so I decided to play catch up with some pics.

Thursday before we moved my friends had a goodbye dinner for me at the Cheesecake Factory....Lots of laughs and good fun...I love all you guys and miss all of you sooooo much!

Other updates.....

The kids had a great day at school today...Both of them said it was better than expected and already made "tons" of friends! (My prayers were answered)

It is still raining here and at R.S. Enrichment tonight, one of the Ladies said "its one of Gods tender mercies for you to help you adjust more easily" That is so true!

I will post some more pics of the kids first day of school tomorrow!

Thanks for all the comments and encouragement on my last post! It means a lot and I am feelin the love!

We Made It!

Finally, I have internet....

40 hours of driving and 5 days later we pulled into the driveway of our home. I thought I was going to die when I got out of the car--the humidity is awful!. I am not sure I will ever get use to it. I am really missing my friends and Washington right now. I can only pray that I will get use to it here and make friends. It is cold and rainy this morning and I was in heaven when I walked the kids to school!

Speaking of school...Lauren and Miles started this morning. They were so brave and I hope that they have a good first day and the kids are friendly to them. They were suppose to start yesterday but we all got the stomach flu and then Lauren ended up at the dentist yesterday with an infection in her tooth. UGH!

I was planning on walking the kids to school everyday, But Miles, who is only in kindergarten is begging me not to. It is only a block away, but I am kind of sad that they dont want me too. That means they are growing up.

I am trying to focus on the positives right now.....We got here safely, We are in a great home with huge trees, big fenced back yard, a pool in the neighborhood, and some of the best schools in the nation.

I am really missing Washington but hopefully this will become my new home.

Moving Sucks!!!!!

Quick Update.....

We are in Boise and wiped out. Trying to figure out how to get out of this hotel without falling asleep by noon. Friday night we didnt go to sleep until 4 am getting stuff done (Ladd cleaning out his office which is like a home its self! and me trying to sleep but thinking about all the stuff I had to get done the next day) And then we woke up at 6 am to get stuff done.

We were late getting the moving truck and when we showed up to our home at 9:15am on saturday I felt the love from our Tremendous!!! Ward with lots of people there ready to help! (You guys are all awesome and thanks for going the long haul with packing the truck)

Speaking of the truck, that was a crazy time! We had this gigantic 26 foot truck that I thought for sure was going to fit everything....We had the Whole house packed, EVERYTHING was in boxes and we thought we could get out of here by 11, but my worse nightmare came true...we couldnt fit everything! So we spent 4 extra hours trying to fit what we absolutely couldnt part with and taking the rest to storage and fitting everything else in the van. The van is carrying a heavy load and I have been worrried it is going to pop a tire if I go over any bumps....

So here we are trying to get the energy to drive on to Salt Lake and get their safely....

So 2 hrs of sleep and driving across country....Not my idea of fun.

More updates later....

Friends

We went to a ice cream social for our ward on Monday night....It was hard but also fun to be with friends. I have made so many friends here and will miss all of them so much......

More from the Alien Invasion....

I resisted posting these pics with my orginal post, but couldnt resist any longer.....Hopefully I still have my friends after this. Thanks again everyone for making it a great night. I will definately miss the future parties after we move. We will be there in spirit and I expect to see pictures!

Sorry I couldnt remember everyones roles....


The Town Mayor and his Wife


I cant remember what Jodee was but Ronnie was the "former FBI Agent" (I think)



the "current FBI agent" and "Astrologist"

some kind of "theory guy" (I think) and the "Abducted" one

The "town gossip" and the "Doctor"

the "Journalist" and the "Alien" who was absolutely hilarious!!!!

Breaking Dawn and other updates.....

Yes, I did end up going to Barnes and Noble at midnight to get Breaking Dawn. I only had to wait for an hour. Ladd and I went and saw the late showing of Mama Mia(great show) and then walked next door to join the crazy teenagers to get the book(Ladd was a trooper and made sure I knew how much he loved me because he stayed with me the whole time, he even offered to stand in line himself so I could sit in the car and deal with the nausea)...Was it worth the wait? Yes it was! I finshed the book today and it was just as good as the others and turned out how I wanted it to...I would have finished it yesterday...which brings me to other news...IF you havent noticed the side of my blog with that half human bouncing around in a bubble...I am pregnant, 9 weeks and in the peak of morning sickness! UGH, I am most annoyed because I had to keep putting Breaking Dawn down to keep from throwing up. I missed church today and layed in bed all day sick to my stomach. I am grateful I havent thrown up yet, unlike my past pregnancy's where I am throwing up all day.