Ringing in the New Year

I am excited for the New Year to start. I have set some new goals--which I usually do pretty good on--and look forward to being proactive. Sean keeps telling me this is 'our year' and he is starting to get me excited. I agree with him. We are gonna have fun this year, get some stuff done that we have been wanting to do and live life. It's gonna be great. Now if only everything would cooperate so we can make it happen!

Well we could be friends

So I realized today that now that Blogger offers Stats people can actually see that I read their blogs. Not that most matter but I read a few that I don't think they know who I am. I found them off of friends/relatives blogs during bored time and follow because they write awesome posts. Some are really funny, others inspirational. Now they can all figure it out that I read em. Makes me feel a little sheepish.

I haven't found Jesus yet

1st mistake--

Letting Jayda play with baby Jesus.

(he's in the blue train car)

2nd mistake--

not paying attention to where she put him to sleep.

Even though we may be missing the

Prince of Peace,

We are not without the Spirit in this house.

P.S. I told the girls we were on a mission to find The Babe today.

And sorry for the blurry pics I took them with my phone and tried to post From my phone to no avail so after sending them they turned out like this. And not only do we have the Spirit a plentiful here we also have the pukey flu. Lucky for us it looks like it should be through all of us before Christmas. Phheew.



I am Grateful

These last few weeks have been hard on a lot of people I know. They all have suffered losses and have been on my mind and in my heart. All but one I went to school with and I guess it comes with age that people you grew up with will have troubles and some will pass. I found out today a guy I had a crush on for years, Andrew Betes, passed away and he left behind his highschool sweetheart and a beautiful family. They are the cutest kids and it makes my heart hurt to think about the adjustment they are going to have to make. I am sobered tonight as I look at my need to be cleaned house, my not yet complete family, and my health blahs and I am grateful. Grateful for the life I am living. Because I am living it--and I wouldn't change it for anything.

Tub time

A good ol bubble bath at Grandma's solves everything!

Especially when you are all painty from crafting.

'yummay'

As I sit here drinking my breakfast of chicken broth

I am excited about my dinner tonight.

Wouldn't you be?

Yep, after 2 postpones, tomorrow is the day.

And we have to drive to Wenatchee.

Holy Crap might not end up being just a statement.

punkins

I finally took a picture of all the pumpkins we decorated.

So I could throw them away.

Even though there were tears, it was time.

Past time.

We had pumpkins from everyone and everywhere.

We really did have fun with them.

Cooper

I wish I could get this comfy.

Fancy hair

Love it.

But don't tell her that.

New Family Rule

I guess we need to make a new family rule.

*no chewing on your hair while watching Jase on the computer*

Haha.

Ok maybe 2 rules.

At least she layed out her towel first.

Snow, Snow, Snow

Jase told me she was going out to play.

Instead of a snowman, like I expected, I got shoveled steps.

She IS a good kid, isn't she.

Sick and a little Snow

No not sick of snow.

Not yet anyway.

Even though I don't love it.

We are sick. Again. It was Strep a couple weeks ago

and now it's a cold.

Not a little cold mind you.

I wouldn't complain about a little cold.

Anyway, Jayda always gets the sickest. Always.

And she didn't let us down this time either.

Doctor seems to think she has pink eye and a sinus infection as well.

Although I don't know if I agree.

Anyhow, you know your 5 yr old is sick when she willingly

goes and lays in her bed, lights out, night light on, at 4 in the afternoon.

She did have Sean's phone though as she "didn't want to be bored."



Maybe Jase is a bit of an attention hog.

But forget sick if it's the first snowfall.

Jase visiting the new neighbors dog.

Then on to the trampoline. They saw the first flurries and ran downstairs and got into the snow gear. I love Jayda's snowpant highwaters. Apparently, she didn't care if she was wearing Johnathons snowpants from 2 years ago. Ha. And she totally striped and just wore her coat and snowpants. Double Ha. Jase was trying to make a snowball and she succeeded. Small but effective.

Happy Snow everyone!



A week of healing

I am doing a ton better!! I'm not gonna lie--the first couple days after were pretty rough. I had some extra bleeding and didn't handle the anesthesia or pain meds great so I threw up for a few days. Throwing up after having surgery on your face sucks. I am on the mend and have some funny pics but for now I am going to take a nap while I can.

Today's the big day

I'm single for a day.

Not in the way you think

but because I can't wear my wedding ring into surgery today.

And no makeup!

What the crap.

But you better believe I scrubbed every part of me till I shined,

shaved till I squeaked

and even painted my toenails.

Yep, I'm ready.

A little unexpected.

So does this look like the wife of a second counselor?

Or this one?

How about this one?

Well apparently it is.

Congratulations Babe. I have faith in you.

You are a smart, caring and capable man

and have nothing to worry about.

Except maybe your wife. :)

(and for the record--Jayda took these.

I was goofing with my hair and she wanted "to take pictures because it looks funny."

I had to make it worth her while.)

Smiling faces

Thank You 3rd Ward Primary.

I now have beds made....

and laundry folded.

And left in place were little smiling faces to tell me who had done it.

I love days like these.

Oh Jayda

The little truth teller was in talking with me while I was changing and she said "Mom, your boobies look like Daddies." The sad part is I don't know who should be more offended, me or daddy.

Have I mentioned....

how much I love my kids?

Well, It's a ton.

but not so much the crows feet that are becoming much more apparent

Yep, it's quote time

Sean had to set up the Santa coming to our ward this year and afterwards we told the kids they were going to see Santa at the Church Christmas party. Later when they were in bed I heard Jayda say "Yaaayyy, Jase we get to meet Santa! (pause) But Jase wouldn't it be way more fun to meet Jesus.

Next night---After putting Jayda in bed she wanted a drink. I told her "no, it's to late" and she said "But Mom, I'm sooooo thirsty. I think I might stop breathing if I don't get a drink." I looked at her with eyebrows raised and she said "No really Mom."

The Gangs all here. Crystal came to town.

Crystal, Celeste and Me.

3 peas in a pod.

(who thought if they didn't lean they weren't going to be in the picture

because Jayda was pointing it all over the place)

I love these girls!

Us getting our crazy on.

And we are oh so crazy! :)

With Crystal in town we made the most of it. The kids had a blast. One of the cutest parts was they planned their own party. They made a map and wrote out the games and drew pictures. It was so cute we of course had to let them throw it.

First they played board games.

They went outside in costume and had pop and popcorn.

Bobbed for apples.



Man, look at those blue eyes!



Had a costume contest where everyone was a winner.

Can anyone guess what Johnny is supposed to be?

Had a candy hunt in the leaf pile.



One of my favorite parts of the party was the decorating. See the pepsi can hanging from the piano bench? Now that's going all out!



And lastly a sock fight.

Did I mention the kids planned and got everything ready for their "party"?

The only thing we helped with was the pop, popcorn and rolled up socks.

Awesome group of kids huh.

And cute to boot. (even Annalise with tape on her face)

Hunter, Jonathon, Dillon, Sariah, Asia, Jase, Jayda, Annalise and Autumn.

Sumo-mama

Helped my Mom design her halloween costume for work.

 (Yep, work)

One pretty sweet costume

+

 work costume contest

= 

one hundred smackers.

Awesome.

(and yes she is still employed there)

Koe

When Kelsey stays at respite Koe the cat comes upstairs more. Sean loves it. Ha.

Finally Halloween

The girls Halloween night.

The Mermaid and her Vampire sister.

The Vamp with her pet Count Yorkula.

Halloween at School-

Both the girls had things going on at school.

Jayda with her class and her awesome teacher

Mrs. Bruneel.

Jayda was not thrilled to perform.

Little miss shy mermaid in the costume parade.

                               She wouldn't sing either. Her face in this one is hilarious though.

Jase with her class.

She ran and sat front and center of course.

At her desk sharing grub with her sister.

All in all a good time!

The Rundown

Info you have been requesting.........

1. Jayda has had 2 counseling appts and they went ok. She has improved a bit and we have gotten some good insight on how to approach some of the issues she is dealing with. I will probably go into detail eventually but for now Sean wants to keep it on the downlow. His comment was something like "I think it's our business, nobody elses." I don't think he understands the whole blog thing. :)

2. My sinus surgery is scheduled for the 29th. Sucky time as I love Halloween and a great friend is coming up to visit that day. Ppbbbbst. Anway, the plan is for me to go in on Friday and have my surgery and be out that day. The doc is going in through my nostril and taking out some cartilage on one side. He is then going in the other side and taking about 2 inches of bone out of my nose/face. Then he is going to go into my sinus and clean out the cyst that is now taking up the entire right sinus. I am a little worried but excited to (hopefully) FINALLY feel better. I'm sure I will get a little more nervous the closer it gets but for now I'm aight.

3. I got my haircut. A little crazily I might add. I will post pictures as soon as I get someone to take some. Ha. I told Sean "nobody's even gonna know there was a mom in this family" because I have hardly any pics of me. sigh.....the downside to having a nice camera....I won't let the kids touch it and Sean doesn't want to.

So that's a rundown. I am feeling like I can do some posts this week so stay tuned........dun dun duuuun.

The incredible (not so edible) Egg

Jayda went on a field trip last week. She went to a Potato farm. She loved it! We've gone quite a few times before as my awesome brother in law Trent is a potato farmer. But this was a different farm and a different experience. This farm had chickens. Chickens with Eggs. Eggs that they were allowed to take home. So Jayda brought home an egg. A fresh layed poop stained egg. (Don't worry-I made her wash it...with soap) She was determined that she was going to hatch this egg. Both me and Sean tried to convince her that it wouldn't work, that she had to keep it warm, that the mommy chicken had to do it, that it would get broken on accident.

blah blah blah. Didn't matter.

She was raising that dang chicken.

She carried that egg around all day. Made it a nest with a little basket and some TP. She layed a washcloth over it to keep it warm and kept all that under the couch pillow. She watched cartoons, played and ate with her egg until................

.........she dropped it.

Needless to say she was devestated. She cried that deep sobbing cry like the world was ending and was saying

 "I killed my baby chicken Mom"

"It was an accident Mom, I didn't mean to drop it"

 and "It died Mom."

And I may or may not have said

we could get some baby chickens when we have a farm someday.

(gimme a break you weren't there and I said someday not tomorrow!)

Yep, thats My family

I wanted to do a 'grateful for my family' post. Because......I am.

-I have been blessed. I have an incredible family. Sean, Jase and Jayda. What can I say--I love em! They are great. Sean is an awesome supporter, super smart and funny to boot. One of my favorite things about him is how hard he tries. Jase amazes me all the time on what she knows and how she can learn. I am in awe of her little mind. Jayda......well she's Jayda. Cute, sensitive and pretty dang special.

-I have been blessed with Parents who are well.....thee best. And don't try and convince me otherwise because you won't win! Family who I am able to visit and watch their kids grow. Volleyball and soccer games that I make sure everyone knows who I'm rooting for! 

-I have been blessed with one heckuva cool extended family. Aunts, Uncles (Great and otherwise), Grandparents and cousins who I have been able to stay in contact with throughout my life. All have been willing and helped at sometime or another.

-And my other family--the in-laws. I have been blessed with a fun group of people. People who don't know how much I admire and love them. People who I love to read their blogs that make me laugh and cry. Some who I desperately try to be like. Some who I truly look up too. And again with watching the kids grow. It's pretty neat to see what awesome people they are turning out to be. It's not to shabby being a Redford. 

-And I have been blessed with totally Awesome friends. Friends who know when I need a call, friends who drive a full day to come visit and friends who know that sometimes life gets in the way of life but can chat like we saw each other yesterday. I love it. I love my life. I thank Heavenly Father every single day. I AM truly blessed!

Maycee and Dane

I took some pictures of Maycee and Dane a few weeks ago and they turned out pretty well.

 I sure do wish I could play with them in photoshop though!



I do love them kids!



Dane was being a goof so we rolled with it!

Maycee and her Bestie!

Better make it quick

I have been on here checking emails and reading blogs for an hour already and haven't even opened facebook. It sucks playing catch up! I thought I would give a quick update while the kids are still letting me sit in front of this screen.
1) Jayda started counseling this week. I am hoping it helps. She is such a great kid and I want to do everything in my power to help her succeed!  FYI: I hate that counseling is not cheap!! She is doing great and loving her preschool. And has her first loose tooth!
2) Sean is working 2 jobs trying to catch us up. It's working and hopefully soon he can slow down a bit. He turned the big 39. Holy Crap! I feel like I should be ordering walkers and the chairs you put in the shower! And he started telling people he's forty already. Slow down big guy I need to work up to that one! Happy Birthday you ol fart! I love you! and all your wrinkles.
3) Jase is doing absolutely AWESOME in school. We are thrilled. It really is great to see your kids succeed and watch them turn into great little people. She is reading --Fragile: The Human Condition-- right now. I recommend it if you want to teach your kids about humanity and the ways of the world. It is not a book for the weak however as it is very true life and shows pictures of  modern day extreme poverty, slavery, child soldiers and sex trafficking (although I wouldn't let Jase read that chapter). Would be an Awesome book for a spoiled rotten teenager! She has another UTI. We are getting down to the knitty gritty for options for her. She is now allergic or the bugs are immune to almost all the antibiotics used. We are playing it by ear after this one is treated as to what we do next.
4) We still have Kelsey and she is doing remarkably well. She has impressed both the state and her school with her improvements. She is a great girl and hope we keep a lifelong relationship with her.
5) And lastly: Me. I am feeling better. My ulcer is no longer hurting and I can start my pain meds again. I think I am going to try another precription though because I don't love the side effects of this newest one. This has been quite an eye opener for me. I have always thought of myself as a fairly strong person but it has been hard for me to realize I can't do everything I used to. That it's not the same and I do have to slow down. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing just not what I'm used to.

So there you have it---a little catch up. We are good, living life and enjoying it!

Ugh.

I haven't been keeping up with the blog as some of you might have noticed. My body is not cooperating and so blogging is on the bottom of the list when I have to make myself do something. I am hoping this next week things will start to mellow out and I can get back into a semi-normal routine. Wish me luck!!

Sept. 11

9 years.

Crazy!!

I posted this on fb already but for those who don't read it-

Kelsey was telling me "Our teacher was telling us about these terrorist attacks, I think they were in New York or something, and it was crazy, we had to watch videos and it was sad."

And I thought to myself has it really been that long that Kelsey doesn't even know about it and definately doesn't remember it? I said something to Sean about it and asked him "Does it seem like 9 years?" and he said "When I think about the event No but when I think about all that's happened then Yes."

And he's right.

Since 9/11/01 we have

gotten married

lost family members

had Jase

had Jayda

John and Kaylin came to live with us

Sean has switched jobs 4 times

we have had countless animals

extended family has more than doubled

John and Kaylin left

we've gone through an unnecessary amount of cars

finally got diagnosed

Kelsey came to live with us

we have flipped numerous houses

and moved 13 times.

We are living life.

And I won't forget that day.

I am glad I was old enough to remember it.

I think that's important.

It makes me very grateful.

I have been able to live my life and I'm grateful.

A week

Holy Cow it has been a whole week since I posted. I have been avoiding the computer lately. Facebook too. People are starting to notice and worry so I thought I would post something. Anything. So how about Jase's tooth saga......

It started out with one loose tooth that she refused to wiggle. After a few months the other was also loose. We got on her about getting them out because of what happened with the bottom tooth and it growing behind the loose one. She could push both front teeth out crazy far.

Then the day finally came when she pulled the wigglyest one out herself. We were in the car and she asked me to pull over so she could pull it out. I was pretty proud of her because she had been making it into such a big deal and then finally just did it. Well the next day her second tooth looked like this.....

Pretty weird huh.

She kept biting it and it was causing her a lot of pain so I told her I had had it and we were pulling it no matter what she thought. Well long story short--we tied floss to it and in her fit of me not wanting to pull it, she jerked away and pulled it herself. So now our little princess has no front teeth.

Look at them pearly whites coming in.