Busy Mommy of Four

Amazing Family!!!

2011-01-12T08:24:00.000-08:00

Janalyn and Jake
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This is my dear friend Janalyn. We were roommates in Collage what seems like a hundred years ago, but she was the first true friend I had when I moved away from home. We were fast friends and spent countless nights laying awake and talk about anything and everything. We both had a great desire to be a wives and mothers. One night we got into a silly mood and went down to the piano room and sang together into the wee hours of the morning, then went back to our apartment and made bread. It turned out horribly but we ate it anyway and laughed about it.

The first thing that struck me so much about Jana was that she was incredibly beautiful. She was tall, about six inches taller than me, and she just oozed grace and elegance. But it didn't take me long to realized that she was beautiful on the inside also. She was sweet and generous, fun and full of energy, and had a love for life, art, beautiful things, good food, music, and Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, also my favorite Disney Princess. We could talk about anything, and we did. I knew that anyone who was fortunate enought to have Janalyn in their live, was a very lucky person.

When Jana introduced me to Jake I knew there could be no more perfect couple in the world. Jake adored Jana and they matched so perfectly in looks, kindness, generosity, and love. It would be no mystery that their children would be equal in all of these things. For years I hoped for them to have a baby. I hurt when she did, and wanted so much for them to find the happiness that came from being parents. They were so righteous and loving to everyone it seemed natural that they would receive that gift anytime. But the years went on. I can only imagine that pain they suffered with, and the questions that they must have had for our Heavenly Father, but through it all they endured, and continued to trust in Him.

The day I read her blog, and saw the picture of her looking so beautiful with that little tummy of hers I cried. Jana was going to be a mommy!!! I couldn't help but think about all those times we had talked, laughed and cried together, and I felt a great overwhelming joy for her and her wonderful husband.

The day Paige was born I gathered my kids around and showed them Aunt Jana's new little angle. It was a happy day for my family, but I can only imagine what feeling and emotions Jake and Jana must be feeling. I was so happy for them that they had gotten a perfect little angel from Heaven.

A few months ago Jana let me know that they were seeking to adopt. This is a special thing for me because I was adopted at birth. I know something of the patients that comes from Adoption, and what kind of love it takes to be ready for such an amazing gift, I knew that Jake and Jana had that special love. I know that, without a doubt, when their next blessing comes into this world, that they will welcome him or her with open arms. This amazing family has so much capacity to love and they will make any child feel that love. Paige, I know, has the same love her parents do. I know that she will make a great big sister and that there is someone out there who can give her that opportunity. I am so grateful that my friend has asked me to help her with this wonderful new adventure. Please, if any one you know can help this family with their next little blessing, listen to your heart and contact me, or them. I can't think of a more deserving little family!!

So Very Long Ago

2011-01-12T08:09:00.000-08:00

It has been forever since I updated this blog. We have moved into a wonderful little neighborhood and the kids enjoy having friends so close they can play with. Our ward is very nice and Johnathan and I have both excepted callings in the scouting program, we are both very busy but it is fun.

Sweetwater is still out with Avalon, I have not heard anything but hope something will come about in the next couple of months, it is very hard to wait though. I am still writing and enjoy spending time with my writing group on Wednesday evenings at the library. It is inspirational to go and listen to them and work on our writing together. I did Nanowrimo again this year and have fallen in love with my story. I might put a descritption of it on here some time.

The children are getting big. Andie and Tyson enjoy school and are both working very hard. Casey is still home with me, he will go to Kindergarten next year, I am a little sad about that because he is my buddy and we enjoy Casey Mommy time while Jenna naps. He told me it would be ok when he went to school though because he wouldn't miss me. I am glad for that. Jenna is full of personality. She made the great step onto toddlerhood when she was potty trained over November and December. She is doing great and I can't believe she is such a big girl. I will try to get some new pictures up of them all.

Christmas was wonderful. Santa did a great job this year and everyone was happy. We enjoyed time with family also. My brother and his wife came up from Colorado and we got to spend time with them. Also Mom and Dad Duncan came up for a visit between missions, it was sure fun to have them and learn about Guam and what they did there. We will miss them when they leave again but it is such a blessing to have them serve so willingly.

Well that is a brief catch up. Hopefully this year I can do a better job keeping this up to date. Welcome 2011!!

Packing, Garage Sale, Moving

2010-05-14T19:24:00.000-07:00

Always something at our house. Like I mentioned before Johnathan was offered a very nice job with Walsh Engineering and we accepted it. Because of that we decided that we should move to Idaho Falls. After about two days of looking we stumbled across a nice sized home on the west side for rent and a few days later we found out that we could have it. Now we are planning a move. The kids are done with school on the 27th of this month and we are headed out on the 28th. It will be nice to be moved and out of the boxes and mess that we have made in he house.

Tomorrow we are having a garage sale in hopes that we can get rid of a few things so we don't have to haul it off to the new house. The kids are kind of excited about being able to sale a few of their things to help with the Disneyland fund for next summer. It is going to be a wonderful warm day tomorrow and so we are going to enjoy the sun.

The best part about the move is that for two years Johnathan has been traveling from Rexburg to Idaho Falls everyday about 28 miles one way to an 8 minute drive one way. It will be very good for time and money of travel. Over all we are excited about this next adventure in our lives.

Lots has happend!

2010-04-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

So much has happened in the past little while I thought I would update. We had two birthdays, Andie and Jenna, that weekend Ben came home on leave and we had a good time with him while he was here. I went to girls weekend with my sister-in-law's and we had a blast!!!

Jenna's Cake

Andie's Cake

Last week Johnathan graduated from BYU-Idaho with his Bachelors Degree. It was a busy weekend and we had family up for a BBQ Saturday. I am so proud of him sticking it out and going to school full time and working as much as possible, I got myself a great man!!

Graduate!

Last Friday I received an email from the Editors at Avalon and they requested a full manuscript of Sweetwater Springs. Needless to say I was thrilled and today the beautiful package went in the mail. I know that it is going to take a lot of waiting but I have been doing that for two years so I think this will be ok.

Sweetwater Springs

Other than that, Johnathan received a very good offer from Walsh Engineering in Idaho Falls so we will be moving there in June as soon as the kids are done with school. We are very much looking forward to staying close to family and working so we can buy a house sometime next year. So all in all lots of GOOD things have happened to us and I am very thankful for all the blessings we have in our lives.

Having a Boy Moment!

2010-01-10T09:37:00.000-08:00

Casey had a boy moment yesterday when he had a run in with the bunk beds and had to go for stitches. When we heard him crying we didn't think much of it because it was a normal bump cry, not a "I cut my head open," cry so when he came out with blood running down his face we were surprised.

After cleaning him up a bit I hauled him over to Community Care and the Doctor told us he would need stitches. The nurse put a little numbing gel on it and we hung out for a few minutes until it was was numb. The Doctor came in and asked Casey to lay down, then he draped the wound and put three stitches in, Casey never cried or anything. When the Doctor was done all Casey said was "Thank you Doctor." Pleased as punch he hopped down and went for his toy. I was so proud of him for being so brave, all he asked was that I hold his hand.

So there we go, Casey's first set of stitches. I am pretty sure that they won't be his last, but if every time goes as smoothly as these ones did maybe we will all survive. Every boy needs a right of passage I guess.

Christmas Time!

2009-12-18T17:04:00.000-08:00

My Brother-in-Law posted something on the family website that has got me thinking. The question was "Who in your house is most excited about Christmas?" My first though must be the kids. They have anticipated the gifts under the tree, the Advent House and all the yummy treats and goodies. And just like every other kid in the world they can't wait to open those gifts. I would give them a 9 on the excited scale.

But I would have to say that I am closer to a 11 on that same scale. Why, you might ask? Well I will tell you.

Money is tight, it almost always is, and some years that has gotten me down because we can't give our kids the same things as other kids. No ipods or computer games, no Wii or bikes, we simply can't afford those things. But instead of letting that get us down we turned to the drawing board, no really... The boys love to play with cars so we designed and have made a HUGE car mat for them to play on. Johnathan and I have worked hours on it and we are very close to being finished, but every time I see the little corner of is poking out behind the couch I get excited.

Andie loves clothes, she is a typical girl. She also loves jewelry. I have a friend we several older girls and she was going though their clothes and she gave two huge bags to us. I went though and picked out some wonderful sweaters and other really nice things and every time I see that box under the tree I know she is going to freak out when she opens them. Along with that I got a few necklaces that were hand me downs and I cut them and removed the beads and with them I have made two beautiful necklaces that Andie is going to love, along with some really inventive friendship bracelets.

Jenna is getting a baby doll and I know she is going to love it. I made the baby a blanket and she found it before I could wrap it. She drug it around the house all day before I could sneak it away ofter she went to bed. We also got her a little stroller and I think she is going to have a great time racing that baby around.

Some other things we did were make the boys shirts with dinosaurs on them, a blanket for Tyson, and handmade pillow cases from Santa. Johnathan is working hard on handmade Tithing, savings, spending boxes that are an exact replica of the ones his father made for him and his siblings. They are going to be really beautiful.

The one thing I am most excited about though are the ornaments. Years ago Johnathan's grandmother made crochet Christmas ornaments for him and his siblings. Johnathan has three of them on the tree and he loves them. This year I got his cousin to send me the patterns and I am making each of the kids their own ornament just like Great Grandma Duncan made. They may not understand it this year but in years to come I hope they will be treasured just like Johnathan's are.

So what does this all mean? Well I just wanted to tell you that one: Christmas isn't just for kids, and two: you are only as joyful as you choose to be. I have to say I think this is going to be the best Christmas ever, not because of the amount of money we spent, but because of the amount of love that went into every gift. Merry Christmas to all of those we love and care about, and I hope that Holiday cheer comes in the shape of a heart this year for you too.

Jenna, Miss Tude!

2009-10-21T15:49:00.000-07:00

Though I would do an update on Jenna. She has turned into Little Miss Personality. She is really just a ray of sunshine in our lives. I don't remember any one of the other kids being so anxious to have fun and be happy. There are those times when she isn't happy, but they are few and far between. It doesn't seem to matter where we are she can command and audience. When she is angry at her brother she will clench her little fists together then raspberry all over. When she is happy she laughs and waves and dances around. Sometimes she gets herself all dizzy and falls over. She has one fun attitude and attention, but what girl doesn't?

She has several things she really likes to do, one is read her favorite book, others include playing outside, swinging on anything, and playing in boxes. She also likes to do anything that big kids, or mom and dad do, such as play on the computer, pound on the piano and jump on the trampoline. We have been pleased how healthy she has been, only one ear infection which is really a wonderful thing compared to the other children. It has been a wonderful 20 months with her and we look forward to Christmas to see if she catches on to the idea this year. We love her very much.

Washing Your Brain!

2009-10-21T15:33:00.000-07:00

The other night Johnathan and I were watching TV when this horrendous commercial came on. I don't remember exactly what it was about, but it was disturbing. We just looked at each other for a moment and he commented on how he would never be the same after that. I looked at him and told him that I needed to go and wash my brain to get the picture out of my head.

Last night I saw yet another commercial, this one was for Tabasco sauce, there were peperoni and then they grew heads and started to sing. Again I felt the need to wash that picture from my brain. How many of you need to wash your brains?

Downata Hotsprings!!

2009-09-06T16:35:00.000-07:00

We had a whole lot of fun. We left Friday after school and got there in time to have some hot dogs and potato salad for dinner. We hung out and played on the playground and checked out the pool then got in our jammies. Jenna cried for just a few minutes and then fell asleep. Andie and Tyson slept in my parents trailer and Casey stayed with us. Everyone slept really well until about 3:00 a.m when 3 trains came by blowing their horns one right after another. The guy next to us brought his dogs and so they started to bark, both Jenna and Casey woke up. After about 30 min and a bottle everyone settled back down and fell back asleep.

We were up by 7:30, but the pool didn't open until 11:00 so we had breakfast and then Jenna went down for a nap while the kids played in the sand. Finally it was time to swim and we all headed out. The pool was very warm and then kids had a blast. There were 3 water slides that whet into the main pool and Andie and Tyson had a so much fun shooting out of them. Casey was content to play in the little area and Mom and Dad had Jenna most of the time.

Jonathan, Andie and I went over to the big slides for a while, "The Black Hole," and "The Dragon." The Black Hole drops about 100 feet into the ground the shoots you around a corner and spits out out 15 seconds later. Johnathan's face was priceless the first time he went down. I screamed like a little girl! The Dragon is more than twice as long as the slide in Thermop and goes around in a couple of circles, it is a really big tube and you can go down it on a mat. Andie and Tyson went on that one. Finally the kids were hungry and tired so we headed back to camp.

After a BIG lunch we all settled down for naps. Two hours later we geared back up and headed back to the pool. The kids had fun again on the slides and then finally Andie said she wanted to go to the Black Hole. Johnathan and I headed over there with her and she boldly walked up there and headed down. She was SOOO excited when she got done and she went on it two more times. I don't know how many times Johnathan went down, but I stuck to the Dragon. Dad was content to play with Jenna in the pool. Finally it was time for dinner so we drug the tired wet kids back to camp.

Dinner was a tin foil dinner in the crock pot. It was really yummy and then we had ice cream for dessert. We tried a chocolate cake in the dutch oven but it seemed to cook forever and we finally just put the kids to bed and went to bed ourselves. Same sleeping arrangements and everyone slept really good until 6:15 when another train came though. We were up and going, had breakfast then went on our pioneer hike enjoying nature. Then we packed up and came home. Camping trip a success!!! We had a lot of fun and the kids were great. It was a nice end of summer camping trip.

1st Day of School!

2009-08-26T12:49:00.000-07:00

Andie and Tyson headed out for the first day back to school, but no only was it the first day for everyone, but it really was Tyson's FIRST day! He was so excited this morning that when my mom called to wish him luck he told her "She talked to much." He was waiting for the bus and she was taking much longer talking to him than he wanted.

We all went out and waited together for the bus and when it finally arrived, Tyson jumped on like it was going to leave without him. He was so excited that he ran to the very back of the bus. When he realized Andie had stopped he went back and sat with her.

The rest of us decided to meet them at the school and get a few pictures. Tyson hit the ground running and it was like pulling teeth to get a picture of him at his classroom. Then he ran down the hall and was done with us. We stopped in at Andie's classroom and she was ready to learn. I think she is going to have a good year and I am excited to talk to her when she gets home.

I met Tyson at the bus this afternoon and I asked him. "What was the first thing you did!" Instantly he said, "I had to sit down!" HAHAHA What a crack up! He did talk and talk and talk about the rest of the day and he is ready and excited to go again tomorrow.

Casey and I worked on the alphabet song and then hung out while Jenna napped, on top of that I got the kitchen clean and the living rooms picked up. We also went to the store and played outside for a bit. Overall it was a painless first day and I hope Andie has lots of good things to report when she gets home!

Handy Manny!!!

2009-07-13T21:58:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are not aware of this guy, he is a cartoon character on Disney Channel and the boys love to watch him. He is a fixet man who goes to people's homes and places of work and fixes whatever their problem is. He has a set of animated tools who helps him and they all work together to get the job done.

Well today we had a man come to the house to fix Johnathans computer. When he got out of the car Casey's eyes went REALLY wide and he just stared at the guy for a long time. Finally he went and got Tyson and took him into the kitchen, where the man was working, and he wispered. "Its Handy Manny!!!"

Granted the guy did look a lot like the cartoon. He was about the same hight as you would imagin him to be and he had on a blue hat. Casey was stunned and he just kept saying that it was Manny! I didn't try to correct him on the matter, it was just too cute to watch him belive it was Manny. Casey was to shy to talk to him, but who would'nt be a little star struck if one of your cartoon heros were standing right in your kitchen!

Happy Birthday Tyson!!!

2009-07-08T12:18:00.000-07:00

Can't believe it but Tyson is Six today!!! It seems like just the other day we were bringing our boy home from the hospital, and now he is getting ready to go off to Kindergarten. We have a fun day planned. He has two of his friends coming over tonight for a little party and we are having a scavenger hunt for his birthday presents. I made a volcano cake for him, it isn't my best work, but he LOVES it. This is the first time that Tyson will have a real birthday party and he is so excited!

My mom came and picked him up and took him to lunch, then they were going to go and look for some school clothes, he was happy as a clam when they left the house. His is such a big boy. We love you Tyson and Happy Birthday!

Kid Update

2009-06-07T19:42:00.000-07:00

I just thought I would post some updated pics of the kids and a little info on them.

Andie is done with 2nd grade, she was kinda sad about school getting over, but she is looking forward to 3rd grade. There are lots of things she is excited about this summer and when she feels like it she is a great helper.

Tyson is enjoying Gymnastics a whole lot! He is so strong and it is fun for him to work on the different apparatuses. He likes it when Andie is home and they are spending a lot of time outside. I think he is looking forward to Kindergarten in the fall, and riding the same bus as Andie.

Casey is starting to talk and talk and talk. He is super cute and likes to tell us stories. He also is big into telling me how much he loves me, I really like that. He too is enjoying having Andie home and riding his bike in the nice weather.

Jenna got her first haircut the other day, and now she looks all grown up. She is exploring her facial expressions and has learned to climb up on chairs, couches and even beds, she is going to keep me hopping I am sure! We are hoping to fend off the crib climbing and are currently enjoying her sleeping though the night, but who knows how long that will last.

Sending off a Soldier

2009-06-03T07:17:00.000-07:00

This last weekend my parents and brother and I went to Colorado Springs to send my brother Ben off to War. It was a wonderful weekend, and we spent a lot of time together just enjoying each others company. We went to the aquarium and then walked down by the river, attended Church with him at his ward and laughed together talking about old times and what we remember of him growing up. I was 11 years old when he was born and so there were a lot of things to talk about. Sunday night was the hardest. We enjoyed some dinner together then quietly discusses his funeral arrangements. These are things that had to be talked about, but no one ever wants to know what there 19 year old brother wants on the day he is buried. It was hard not to focus on the fact that we may never see him alive on this earth again.

Even with the idea of a last reunion playing in the back of our minds we were able to really have a good time. Ben showed us all the places he likes to eat and then we hiked up to 7 falls and went though some old tunnels up on the mountain. It was so beautiful there even though it rained most of the time. The lightning was amazing to watch and it stayed cool for our hiking and other activities.

Ben will be flying out on Friday to serve the country he loves. He feels so strongly about this and it is truly what he wants to do. Please pray for our Soldiers, they are out fighting a cause that is worthy and great. The next time you see an American flag think about all those families who quietly discussed the funerals of their sons and daughters, and then think about all of those families who have fulfilled those wishes so that we can have what we have today, tomorrow, and forever.

Denver, here I come!

2009-05-11T08:09:00.001-07:00

I am going to Denver in two weeks with my Mom, Dad, and brother to see Benjamin off to Afghanistan. We are taking a quick trip so we can see him one last time before his tour with the National Guard. It is going to be really hard to say goodbye to him, but this is really what he want to do and I am so proud of him for going. I know it is going to be scary to think of him over there getting shot at, but I also know that my Heavenly Father loves him, and he loves us, his family. We have no control over Ben's future, but He does and He is going to do what is right for all of us. I am so thankful for my Faith, that allows me to see things though a different set of glasses, and know that we are in the life to learn and grow, and our Loving Heavenly Father will only give us what we can handle.

So when I go to see Ben, I plan on giving him a great big hug and telling him all the things a big sister should, but when we leave he will be in the hands of our Father, and I need to let my faith take over. We can be strong as a family and keep him in our prayers and hopefully in a year or so we can welcome him home back into the arms of our family.

I ROCK!!!

2009-04-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

Today I ran 3 miles in 45 min. running the entire last mile. For the past 2 or so months I have been running on the treadmill, I went from one mile to two a month ago, and today I decided to take it up another notch. It feels good to be done, and I did a lot of stretching so hopefully I won't be to sore, but yeah for me, 3 miles!!!

Happy Anniversary!

2009-04-29T07:29:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was Johnathan and mine 9 year wedding anniversary. A good friend of mine took the kids last night so we could have a quiet dinner at home. We had steak and corn, Texas toast, mashed potatoes and gravy, and sparkling apple cider. I decorated the house and put a sign on the door "Night of a thousand stars." It was such a nice evening and we talked about how we couldn't belive that it was 9 years already. I know that we don't have a lot, but we have eachother and that is really all that matters.

Today is our 10 year anniversary of the day we met. So I have known my husband longer than I have known any other person besides my family. It is great to know that we are still the best of friends and that it will be no suprise when we have made it another ten years and are going strong.

Our Headboard

2009-04-25T10:03:00.000-07:00

We got this headboard about 7 years ago at a garage sale. It wasn't my favorite thing, but I really liked the shape of it. I thought maybe one day I would redo it to something I liked more, but never got around to it. Well the other day I decided "what the heck" so I pulled it out and sanded a bit here and there. I didn't really have a plan, but 4 hours later it was sanded down to the wood and I liked the color. Next, I wanted to replace the mesh with fabric so I got the wood finished like I wanted then went to work gluing on padding. The plan didn't work how I wanted it and after much debate I realized I need to pull the mesh off from the back. It was hard work but I finally got it off and removed from its stabilizing boards, not with out incident, but I have only made myself bleed three times.

When I realized I couldn't use the fabric the way I wanted to I needed a plan B. Andie suggested I paint part of it the color of the fabric I was using, so we loaded everyone up in the car and went to Walmart and Porters and that is where I found the lettering. Liking the brewing idea I got home, but Jenna to bed and went back to work. I was on day two of the project so I just let the big kids play outside while I sanded and started painting.

There was still no defiant plan but things were coming together. I though maybe some antique gold leaf would look nice, so I spend an hour putting it on, and three hours taking it back off when I didn't like it. At 1:00 a.m. I fell into bed. 7:00 a.m. back at it. I finished painting and the put the fabric over the removed mesh and stapled it back into place. After a few coats of sealer I had a final product. After all the work I can truly say I like it. Johnathan hasn't seen it because he has been with the scouts, but I don't plan on changing it, so he better like it. :) Over all, I am glad I did it, now I have a head board that I love, and...I will never have to do that again!

$1 Project

2009-04-16T10:13:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I was catting around DI and found this transfer in the craft section.

"Hum, wonder what this is. Ah, a wall transfer! Well we rent so it won't really work on the wall, *thinking* but if I put it on a board then I can just hang it where I want to. And it is only $1.00, can't beat that!"

So I got it and brought it home. It was rather large so I went to look in the garage for some wood to put it on. In a deep dark corner under the stairs I found an old shelf with the brackets still on it. Digging deep into my Home Improvement Personality I got the drill and removed the brackets and took a good look. It was about 5 inches to long so I cut it down with the chop saw and laid it out on the table.Perfect! Now it was time to paint.

I wanted it to go in the bedroom so I mixed some paint I already had to make the color I wanted and went to town. When it dried I carefully sanded it then applied the lettering, and viola, the finished product! I am deciding if I want to hand paint the date we got married on it, or maybe some hearts, but I think for a buck it turned out alright!

Getting Big!

2009-04-09T06:57:00.000-07:00

Jenna is getting big and she has become very mobile. Because she can go just about anywhere now and she is walking fairly well she has decided that she needs to work on a few more things, namely, climbing and getting into things. When I do the dishes she instantly climbs up onto the dishwasher door and that goes for both loading and unloading. We have taken to doing the dishes when she is a sleep because the moment she hears that door open she hurries to the kitchen and there is not time to get it done before she gets there. One problem is when she gets up on some things she cant get down so she just stands there and yells for help. Yesterday I even tried putting the step stool under the table so she would stop climbing on it, but instead she got up anyway and not only was stuck on the stool, but under the table as well!

Next she likes to climb into things, any things. Boxes, bowls, shoes, drawers and yes, even games. I found her stuck in this "Break the Ice" game the other day, when I finally got her out of it she climbed right back in. When I was working on our food storage yesterday she found and empty box that was far to little to hold her, but she managed to get in it. Because she likes to be wherever I am I have pulled her out from under the sink in the bathroom, and out of the draw under the stove. She has also figured out how to open the draws at the desk and she unloads all the envelopes and rolls of tape. Needless to say she have a bright one on our hands and I can only imagine the places she will go

Andies Special Day!

2009-03-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

Andie was baptised this morning by her father and it was a beautiful experience. Both Johnathan and Andie did a wonderful job and it was so sweet to see them together in the font. He also confirmed her a member of the church and gave her the gift of the Holy Ghost, along with a beautiful blessing. It was need to have the boys watch her and she did a wonderful job even though she was worried about her ears. After that we came home and the family stayed for a yummy lunch and the we let the kids play for a while. Overall it was a nice day and we are so proud of Andie's decision to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Congratulations Andie!

The Duncan Family

This is her portrait. The Plaque says
"I will keep my Baptismal Covenants"
Andie V. Duncan
March 2009

2 MILES!!!

2009-03-26T09:13:00.000-07:00

Today I ran an entire 2 miles. For the past week I have ran 1 mile and then walked and speraticly ran the next mile doing 2 miles in 35 min. Today I kept talking myself into going just a little farther and I ran the entire 2 miles in 32 min. This is a huge accomplishment for me. I am now in better shape than I have been after having any of my children. My goal is still to see the number of my dreams on the scale on my 30th birthday and I am headed that direction, it is really exciting for me. Anyway just wanted to share.

NO MORE SNOW!!!

2009-03-23T09:13:00.001-07:00

We woke up to a thin carpet of snow this morning and hopes of an early summer drifted away. Now don't get me wrong, we live in Rexburg ID and if I thought we would see any sign of summer before August first I would be joking myself, but it was nice to dream! I really enjoy winter around Christmas and when the holiday spirit is in abundance but I also really enjoy the sun and everything that comes along with it.

Spring is a time a re-birth. It makes you feel a bit like a flower peaking its head out of the moist spring earth just searching for the tiny ray of warm sunlight. Then when you feel it you want to spring open and brighten the world with your own uniqueness. I always feel like I want to clean, and de-junk. Put away the winter clothes and the boots, gloves, hats and scarves. Buy new sandals for the kids and most of all plan summer play!

We would like to go out camping and visit Yellowstone Park. Fishing and hiking with the kids is also on the list, and planting a garden. What I think I love most about summer is being out of the house. In Rexburg you can spend as many as 7 months stuck in the house because of bad weather, so the few precious months of sunshine are a beautiful thing to me.

But is seems that I need to reign in my anxiousness for summer and stick it out for a few more weeks. Johnathan likes to remind me that mid August I will be wishing it would cool off for just a few days. Will we ever be happy?

Inspired!

2009-03-19T07:46:00.001-07:00

I have been inspired by my sister-in-law to get back in shape. We are the same age so it wasn't like I was comparing myself with a 19 year old so I felt it reasonable to want to be like her. Over the past 9 weeks she has lost 14lbs by simply eating right and working out. She is also a mommy and has a taxing Church calling so if she can do it so can I. It has been one week of working out and my body is killing me, but I am seeing some result and it sure does feel good.

All around me I see people who are getting into shape. It is time to get on the wagon and try again to live a healthy life. I just thought about how I will feel ten years from now when I can't do all the things I wanted to do at that age. Johnathan and I will still be relatively young when all the kids are out of the house and we wish to travel and serve missions so NOW is the time to make that happen.

Thank you Jenn for being my inspiration and I really think that I can do it. Now it is time to get on the treadmill!

Happy St. Patricks Day!

2009-03-17T07:24:00.000-07:00

Well the corn beef is bubbling away in the crock pot, the cabbage and red potatoes are awaiting their turn and the whole family is dressed in green to avoid the terrible pinch. Happy St Pat ricks Day!!! As a child we would always have dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We would set the table up in the living room and add a card table to the end. My cousin and I would always sit at the very end by the back patio door on the piano bench. Of course there would be far more food than was ever eaten but it was the holiday. My grandfathers father came directly over from Ireland and so tradition was fresh and strong. One year I remember traveling to Utah to celebrate with family, but it was years ago and all I can remember was lots of food and a really big house. Other than that my memories are distinct and set into memory.

Johnathan's family celebrated by making everything green, from the eggs at breakfast to the milk. Their family is also Irish so they had their own set of Traditions past down to their family. Now that Andie is in school she is really pushing the green thing and she was sure to ware a green shirt and hair bows to school today so that she would be safe. Hopefully as the children grow up we can find some strong Patties day traditions that the children will remember for the rest of their lives. Today we will start with the famous corned beef, and man am I looking forward to it!!!

Love, Hate!

2009-03-14T19:51:00.000-07:00

Casey is going through a faze that he hates pretty much anything or anyone that doesn't agree with him, including, mom and dad, brother and sisters, and more recently the front door, the car seat and of course chocolate pudding. It is hard to explain to a three year old that hate is a really strong word and that he doesn't really hate anything. But one of my favorite things is when he says that he loves things because it sounds like I huve...two nights ago it was carrots, and onions and celery that was in the chicken stew, yesterday it was cake, and today he huved almost everything, except Jenna, whom he almost always hates.

It amazes me how simple kids think and how adults are always trying to complicate thing. We can't just love chocolate and hate peas, we have to enjoy chocolate but if we love it then we are an out of control chocoholic. If we hate peas then we are devoid of any ability to try and accept new things. So I decided to state some things that I know I love or hate unconcerned with the possible rebuke I may receive.

I Hate tomatoes, tried them lots, hate them lots
I Hate mushrooms, think they taste like rubbery dirt
I Hate crab cakes, they taste like the ocean
I Hate snow, it is cold and sometimes dangerous
I Hate being alone, I need someone to talk to

I Love Chocolate, it is good and that is all that matters
I Love ice cream, so many flavors, so little time
I Love the sun, it is warm and brings life
I Love romantic comedies, they make me feel good and happy
I Love being around other people, it is nice to have other people to talk to

So there, just a few things that I refuse to complicate. What are some of yours?

Big Girl!

2009-03-12T19:09:00.000-07:00

Tonight we let Jenna feed herself for the first time. We put the food in a plastic bowl and gave her a spoon and let her go at it. As you can see she had a blast and she really went to town on the food. I think most of it got in her mouth but what she did ware she wore well. I couldn't resist taking a picture and the cheesy smile she gave me was priceless. This will defiantly go into the Jenna Hall of Fame!

Miracles!

2009-03-06T10:22:00.000-08:00

My good friend Janalyn had her baby on Wednesday! They have struggled with infertility for nearly four years and so needless to say there little one is the result of much fasting and prayer on the part of their friends and family. It is hard to believe that after being roommates ten years ago at college we are now full time mommies, but I wanted her and everyone to know that I truly believe in miracles. Congratulations Jake and Janalyn on your beautiful baby girl and I hope that mother and baby are doing great!

Happy Birthday Jenna!

2009-03-06T09:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Jenna's first Birthday! We celebrated on Saturday at Grandma's house, but we did give her lots of loves and birthday wishes yesterday. It is hard to believe she is one already. We also got some video of her first timid steps and I don't think it will be to long before she is running around the house with the other kids. We are so glad that we can have her in our home and we Love her very much. Happy Birthday Jenna!

Happy Birthday Andie!

2009-03-01T09:03:00.001-08:00

Andie is eight years old today!!! We just want to wish her a very happy birthday on this very special day. At the end of the month Andie will be baptized and become a new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints. She is super excited about entering into this covenant with our Heavenly Father and is looking forward to the 28th for her Daddy to baptize her. Happy Birthday princess and we love you SOOOO much!

Funny Story

2009-02-23T07:46:00.000-08:00

Jenna is having her 1st birthday next week and I wanted to make her something to snuggle. I was at Porters and saw a good idea for an animal blanket so I bought a little pink stuffed dog and some soft fabric. When I go home Jenna was still down for a nap so I explained my idea to Johnathan and showed him the puppy. Of course Casey saw it and fell in love with it and wanted to carry it around the house. I let him while I read the instructions for making the blanket. Finally I convinced Casey to give the stuffed animal to me and he went off to play in the other room.

Now, I caution you now to NOT do what I did. NEVER, EVER, EVER cut a stuffed animal in half!

I had the puppy all laid out to cut in half so I could sew one half to the top corner of the blanket, and the other half to the bottom corner of the blanket. I picked up the little thing, and the scissors and proceeded to cut...the exact moment Casey came back into the room.

Horrified at what I was doing he burst into tears and ran and hid under the table. He cried and cried and was SOOO sad. I was trying to hurry and put it back together so that he could see that everything was going to be ok, but he was so sad I had to love him. When I brought him out to the living room he refused to look at me, or the puppy dog and when I put him down he ran back under the table.

Johnathan had to run an errand and he offered to take all the kids with him. Casey decided he wanted to go but he was still crying and I tried to tell him the puppy would be fine and I would have it fixed when he got home. He seemed ok with that and left. I finished the blanket just as they came home and when I showed it to him I could see that he wanted to be sad. I quickly explained that I had made it a long skinny dog like our old dog Cookie who was a wiener dog. He thought that was a great idea and wanted to keep it for himself. I told him over and over again that it was for Jenna and he finally gave it back.

Needless to say, don't ever cut a stuffed animal in half in front of your tender hearted children. Wait to do it when they are asleep!

The contravirsial blanket!

Update

2009-02-05T13:20:00.001-08:00

Andie had her surgery this morning and she is home and doing well. The doctor found and removed quite a bit of Chlosteatoma and also removed the ear tube that he believes has caused the whole problem in the first place. He did not see any of the growth behind the eardrum and that is really good news. We have to put steroid drops in her ear for a week to help heal the damage that was caused by the growth but other than that she is really good shape. And the thing that she is most excited about is that she can go back to school tomorrow! So thank you for all of those how have kept us in your thoughts and prayers and hopefully now we can be done with ear problems.

Andie

2009-02-03T07:14:00.000-08:00

As most of you may know Andie has struggled with ear problems her whole life. We have had tubes put in three times and finally 3 years ago we thought we had gotten on top of the ear infections. Her left ear tube fell out finally but we never saw the right one, but there were no infections so we were grateful. About a month ago she was complaining of ear pain so we took her in and the Doc tried to clean out the earwax build up so he could see her eardrum, but no luck. A week later we were back in, but he still could not see if she had an infection. Two days later we were in the ER at 10:30 pm with a ruptured eardrum. Ten days later she was finished with her Meds and two days after that it ruptured again. We got her on some really heavy meds and she seemed to be doing better until yesterday when her teacher called me and told me her ear was bleeding.

Johnathan came home from class and I took her back up to the ER. After the doctor started cleaning the ear out he became rather concerned and stopped to call a Ear Nose and Throat specialist, 10 minutes later we had an appointment for later that day. The ER doc suspected Cholesteatoma, he didn't give me very many specifics but what he did say didn't sound good. We packed up and came home, searched the Internet, and waited for our appointment later that day.

So what is Cholesteatoma? It is when dead skin cells come together and then mutate from smooth cells to spinney cells and form an aggressive tumor like mass. It then erodes away anything it is around, flesh, muscle, tissue and even bone. If left untreated it can cause deafness, paralysis and even Death. Yeah!

Armed with this info Andie and I went to see Doc. McMasters. He took one look at the bits and pieces that were coming out of her ear and said, "Yep, it is Cholesteatoma." Things went really fast after that, we set up Surgery on Thursday of this week and he ordered steroid drops to try to shrink the existing Cholesteatoma. He is hoping that the mass is only on the outside of her eardrum and that he can scrape it away on Thursday. If he does that and finds that it has moved back into her middle ear and past her eardrum than more extensive and aggressive surgery will be needed. So we are praying that this will all be resolved this Thursday, but it has been kind of a scary few days. Johnathan has given Andie a Priesthood Blessing and we are feeling as comfortable as we can with the whole thing but as a parent this is news that you never want to get. Anyway, just thought we would give an update as to where we are with Andie. Any prayers would be appreciated and we will let everyone know what we find Thursday.

Whatta Ya Do?

2009-01-30T10:16:00.000-08:00

It has been one of those weeks. I don't know what is going wrong with me, but I am in a rut. What do ya do when YOU fall into a rut? I need some ideas because I am going nuts. Any ideas would be appreciated because if you don't help than I will be forced to do laundry, and that is a crime.

Casey's 1st Talk.

2009-01-26T09:37:00.000-08:00

Casey was asked to give his first talk as a Sunbeam yesterday. We wrote him a little 3 minute talk about his body and practicd it several times, he was ready to go. So we get up to Primary and he stands up at the pulpit and decides he doesn't want my help. He of course can't do it himself so finally I read it for him and told him to sit down. Then he says "NO, I'M NOT DONE!!!" Everyone laughed and I took him back to his seat. When we got home I asked him to say it to my mom over the phone...he did a spactaular job! What a character! We are going to try to record it so we can have it on record, he can acctually say the talk even if he didn't do it in Primary.

Here it is my friends!

2009-01-12T18:42:00.000-08:00

If any of you have ever queried for an Agent, or for that matter a publisher you will know what I have been going though. For those who have not ever done this I will tell you, it is a pain the butt! First off you need to figure out how to sell your 85,000-100,000 word novel in basically 2 paragraphs. Let me tell you, not easy! I have spent almost two years writing this book and it has become my 5th baby, so to try to sell it to someone is a little nerve racking to say the least. Finally after several drafts I was happy with the finale product. Tell me what you think, would you buy the book, and if not, tell me why. Don't worry about hurting my feelings, as an Author all I want is feedback, good or bad. Enjoy!

Dear Agent,

I am excited to submit for your review, my first novel. Sweetwater Springs is a completed 83,000 word Historical Romance, with a suspenseful twist. In the spring of 1900, our heroin, Katie O’Hare, has reluctantly returned to her childhood home, only to be faced with unanswered questions and the silent graves of her family. Our hero, Tyler Reynolds is searching for forgiveness when he unknowingly falls in love with the only person who can give it to him. But will she forgive him when she finds out how dramatically his past, altered her future?

Katie is determined not to have anymore connection to Sweetwater than necessary, but when Mr. Reynolds comes to call, she can’t help but fall for his rugged, attractive, nature. Tyler is equally taken with the beautiful young school teacher, and is surprise to find he is open to a relationship with her. Only six months earlier his fiancé had called off the wedding, and left town. However, when she returns for her own selfish reasons, Tyler has to decide between a new love and an old one.

The real conflict however revolves around an old pocket watch that was found ten years earlier in the smoldering ashes of Katie’s home. The watch is not her fathers, and the mysterious initials on the back lead them both to startling confessions, a race for their lives, and into a deadly gunfight. This unforgettable journey could give them both the answers they so desperately want, or tear them apart forever.

I am a member of Romance Writers of America, and an avid reader. I have been published in The Rage, a compilation of short stories, poetry and illustrations. Sweetwater Springs is my first full length novel.

Thank you for taking time to review my letter. The manuscript is complete, and I am in the process of querying agencies. A full manuscript is available upon your request.

Sincerely,

Anna-Liisa Duncan

Ah, another week.

2009-01-12T08:49:00.000-08:00

It is the beginning of another week. It is amazing how at the first of the month your calender is a beautiful white, black numbers sitting so nicely on the page. Maybe payday, and birthdays highlighted, maybe even date night. It is a beautiful sight, a whole month to accomplish anything you would like...right?

Wrong, by the end of the first week, the second week is booked, by the end of the second week the entire month is scrawled with appointments, dates, Visiting Teaching, Scouts, camp outs, School things, homework, the list goes on and on. Then on the 30th of the month you sit, exhausted with your husband and review the months. What didn't get done? Date night, outings, anything fun that didn't involve a doctors office and shopping lists.

Frustrated you drop into bed and know you can do better. The next morning that beautiful clean, clear, calender smiles at you from its place on the wall. What a beautiful thing, so peaceful, I am going to get so much done this month...Wait, the phone is ringing, What, you need to see the doctor? No, I did not know about the PTO meeting...Yes, Thursday is free, but not tell next week...

Our Fun Night!

2009-01-02T18:52:00.000-08:00

On Monday I was NOT feeling well, and by 5:00 p.m. I was pretty much down for the count. I had a terrible pain in my right side and I pretty much felt yucky. At 7:40 I took two Advil and went to bed, by 9:30 I sent Johnathan out to get me some Midol, hoping it would help with the cramping, finally I fell asleep. Waking around 1:00 I noticed that he wasn't in bed so I went to find him and the pain came back with a vengeance, ten minutes later we were in bed but the pain was so bad I was tearing up and finally I hurt so bad that Johnathan was getting concerned. After a Priesthood Blessing we felt like maybe I needed to be seen by a Doctor so we got up and went to the ER sometime around 3:00.

They got me all settled and gave me some really good drugs then sent me off to X-ray while Johnathan went and got my parents settled at the house. Thank heavens for them, they got up and drove to our house in the middle of the night to be with the kids! Well to make a long story short, after some more tests the determined that I had a cyst on my ovary that had ruptured, and my pelvic cavity had some excess fluid in it, nothing they were too concerned about. Around 7:00 they sent me home with orders to rest for the day.

I cannot believe how badly it hurt! We were both sure I had appendicitis, thankfully it wasn't that, but it still hurt! Johnathan was great and so helpful and a huge thanks to my parents again, who not only came up to be with the kids, but also took all of them home keeping Andie and Tyson over night. What a blessing that it wasn't anything more serious!

New Years!

2008-12-29T07:25:00.000-08:00

Well just like every year there are resolutions to be made. What are some of yours? I try really hard to do a whole bunch and really better myself over the year, but that gets really hard when life gets in the way and pretty soon you weigh more than before and the house isn't any cleaner and the kids are still watching to much TV and then one night a stranger walks into your house and you introduce yourself to your husband! So this year I am taking the approach to work on three main goals and then the others will be a bonus if I can manage the first ones. So I want you to think of your top three and see if you can stick with it. Mine are as follows.

1. Read my Scriptures and Pray more often. I know this seems like two, but if I do them at the same time each day then it is really one. :)

2. Date my Husband. I know, I know, we have been married for nine years and, why date? Well because he is sexy, and handsome, sweet and gentle and I want to get to know that all over again!

3. Spend more time with the kids. Now this isn't, sit next to them while they watch TV or play Xbox, this is read with them, play with them, talk with them, take them with me when I run errands, camp, swim, chase, tickle, teach and learn with them, be more like a parent and less like a babysitter.

So there they are, my top three. Some of the others go something like this.

1. Get in better shape, so both two and three can be more fun. (Wink wink)
2. Go to the Temple more.
3. Finish another manuscript.
4. Make menus.
5. Stay on top of my laundry.
6. Enjoy life more.
7. Be more positive.
8. Take a trip.
9. Be more supportive.
10. Wright more thank you cards!

So put some thought into it, that's not the hard part, and make a list. Don't be to hard on yourself when next year rolls around and you are only a few pounds lighter and you house is only a bit cleaner...every little bit counts!

Merry Christmas Eve!

2008-12-24T20:27:00.000-08:00

We are patently waiting for the kiddies to knock off into dream land then Santa's Elves will go to work! So much to do, a red wagon to put together, a doll house to furnish and populate, Lincoln Log houses to build, and stockings to fill. We have been so blessed this year and we are so thankful for all those who helped make our Christmas festive and bright! I hope that you can all enjoy your evening of setting up and snack eating (someones got to eat all those cookies!)

Also a grateful thanks to our Heavenly Father for sending the true meaning of Christmas into our lives. How very blessed we are to know of our Savor and his unending love for us! It may be about presents and stockings to the world, but in our hearts we should never stray far from the truest meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus to Mary in a stable lowly. Oh that blessed event, and how wonderful a gift was given to us that night, may we NEVER forget!

Sleepy Boy

2008-12-22T08:45:00.000-08:00

The other night Casey had really had it with the day. He had gotten up early and no matter how hard I tried he would not take a nap. Well dinner time rolled around and he had been in a VERY bad mood but it would be bed time soon so we were just putting up with him. We got everyone around the table and Casey was upset about not having toast yet so I gave him a piece and we said prayer, three minutes later I look over and his head is bobbing back and forth and he can't keep his eyes open. Not long after that he put his head back on his chair and he was gone. We let him sleep tell we were done eating then woke him up so that he would go to sleep later that night. But I loved this picture because he looks so peaceful. Poor baby, but he was in a better mood after the quick nap and a yummy dinner.

Let it snow!

2008-12-22T08:30:00.000-08:00

We woke up to a blanket of white this morning and it is still coming down. Johnathan and I spent forty-five minutes outside trying to dig our way out of the driveway and he was only an hour late for work driving on the bad roads, but look at all the snow! I think it has been a good two or three years sense I have seen snow like this, it is really crazy. Last night we were laying in bed and we heard some people talking out our window. The back of our house is against the church parking lot and there were four boys on sleds being pulled around by a mini van, I asked Johnathan if we should go out and play with them! They had a blast and we could hear them late into the night.

It makes me think of Christmases past and all the memories that were made as a child. I hope that we can make good memories for the kids so that they have thing to look back on, but also look forward to over the years. A couple of traditions that we have already set are that we hang the stockings Christmas Eve, we decorate the Christmas tree the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, we make treat plates for our friends and family, and spend time together making candy. This year we will add the tradition of the Christmas Elf and the story that I wrote to go with it, I think Johnathan is really excited about this one because it is so close to his family.

It is so easy to be to busy to do things, but hopefully the traditions that we are working on will help us slow down a bit so that we can spend the kind of time we should with our family. After Johnathan left this morning Andie and I made Christmas ornaments and we are listening to Christmas Music, the snow outside is really helping to set the mood. Merry Christmas and I hope that you guys can get find the traditions that you want for your families and can spend many Happy Holidays with each other.

Little Blessings

2008-12-16T12:15:00.001-08:00

This morning as I sat eating my Cinnamon toast I looked out over my yard and marveled at how beautiful it was. Andie was waiting for the bus and I watched as she laid down in the snow and enjoyed the chilly winter morning. The yard looks like God sprinkled a generous amount of powdered sugar all over everything, and the tiny snowflakes glistened in the sun. God is truly magnificent to create such splendor and beauty. Full of the Christmas Spirit I hurried to finish Christmas presents and enjoy time home with my little ones. The Lord has given us so many blessings, from the smallest snowflake to the immense love that is in my family, and I am truly grateful. Merry Christmas and Truly a Happy New Year!

Ode to Johnathan

2008-12-11T07:04:00.000-08:00

My Hubby had his 33 birthday yesterday, so he is getting really close to being old! I have to give him a hard time because he is four years older than me, so if he is old I can still be young. :) But because I have had the privilege of having him in my life for almost ten years I thought I would pay tribute to my favorite person in the whole world!

First off, Johnathan is one of the kindest people I know. Don't get me wrong, yes he still gets mad, and no he doesn't like everyone, but he is a great friend to have around when you need one.

Next as far as a husband and father goes, there is none better. Johnathan would work in the dirt under a house in the snow to make sure we are taken care of, I know this, because he did once. He loves each of his children and has made a special effort to let them know it. I think he has a wonderful relationship with each of them, and they know their daddy loves them. As for me, I am the luckiest person alive. Johnathan treats me like a queen, and he loves me ever thought I look nothing like I did when we first met. There is nothing better than a husband that makes you feel sexy after having four kids.

Overall I hope that everyone can see what a wonderful guy we have and I hope to have many more Happy Birthdays with him! Love you Baby!

Christmas Elves

2008-12-09T10:29:00.000-08:00

When Johnathan was younger they had a Christmas tradition to put a hand made Christmas Elf on the tree. It was made by Grandma Duncan and every year one of the children got to put it on the tree however and wherever they would like. About two years ago Mom Duncan made one for all of her children and so we got one sent to our family. Johnathan has enjoyed the memories that he has of his childhood and the Elves so we decided this year that each of the children would get their own so that they can start making memories with it, then take it with them when they leave home.

These are the finished product, a little bit different than the original but hopefully it has the same meaning as Grandma wanted. I also came up with a little story about them so that the kids could have something to tell to their children. It is no completely factual, mostly because Grandma has passed away so we can never get the true story, but I thought it added a nice touch. Before I printed it out and was sure to run it past Johnathan, after all it is his tradition and his Grandmother that mad the first Christmas Elf. After his approval I printed it out to be read to the children Christmas Eve when we will present them with their very own Elf. Hopefully this will be a lasting tradition and that the children can find as much joy in it as Johnathan has. The story follows:

The Christmas Elf

One Christmas a very, long time ago Great-Grandma Duncan was struggling with what she should give to her children and their families that year. She had grown tired of the store bought gifts, and was perhaps a little low on money, but she longed to give something from the heart. For days she thought about all manner of gifts talking them all over with Grandpa, but nothing seemed right, and to her dismay the days crept onward towards Christmas.

Then one day as she sat watching the snow fall out her window she saw three tiny, lacy
Snowflakes land onto the window pane. Marveling at how unique every single one was, she sat for a long time examining every icy curve and corner. This made her think of her family, and how everyone of them was special to her, how everyone was different. Her heart swelled with love, and she knew what she needed to do. She needed something that would let them all know how much she loved them, someone to watch over them after she was gone, a reminder of sorts. Suddenly she knew what she needed to do!

Late into the night Grandpa watched her work. Her aged hands flew as she cut and sewed, pinned and glued. First one, then two, three, four, and five, they came from her heart, and each one was perfect for its intended family. Then, as the sun peeked its head over the horizon she was done. Grandma smiled as she sat back to admire her work, they were perfect. Five little Christmas Elves sat on the table looking back at her, they were just as she imagined.

Grandpa helped her wrap them up and send them out to their beloved children. The hope was that every year at Christmas time the elf would sit in the tree, looking over the family, reminding them of how much they are loved. Truly a gift of the heart, a lasting memory of the Grandparents that care so much for them, and their desire for peace and happiness in the homes of all of those they loved.

Now this year you receive your Christmas Elf. Let it be symbol of all that is good and right with the world. Let it remind you of the past, the present and the future. The Elf that sits on our tree was made for Daddy as a special gift from Grandma Duncan and now you get your very own from us to share with your future families. Set it with care every Christmas season to watch over you and your home, a constant reminder of those who love you!

Nine Months Old

2008-12-05T10:17:00.001-08:00

Our little Jenna is nine months old today. Man how time flies, and she seems just as eager to grow up as time is to move forward. She continues to amaze me everyday. There is something about her that drives her to develop much faster than any of the other kids, I don't know if that is because she wants to be big, or she wants to give her mommy and ulcer. She is crawling like a demon, she will see what she wants then tuck her head down and go for broke, it is really cute to watch because she looks like a little bug. She can pull herself up to ANYTHING and now is experimenting with letting go and standing all by herself. The first time she dropped to her bum she was a bit surprised, but now she does it over and over again, trying to figure something out I am sure.

We have had to raise the rail on her bed and drop the matrice after she figured out how to climb out, she was lucky she didn't land on her head! Nothing is safe and she can go anywhere in the house in five minutes flat. She has moved into the "Helpful" stage when she wants her hands on everything even if it ISN'T helpful. She is a good eater and will eat anything, but she refuses to take a bottle, it doesn't matter what is in it. Her naps are GREAT, but we need to work on not getting up three times at night, mommy is getting really tired!

Over all she is a wonderful, happy, delightful baby and we love having her in our home! Her personality is one to cherish and we are so glad that God slipped her in, even though we weren't looking for her. Happy 9 month birthday Jenna!

Almost a Week.

2008-12-05T08:02:00.000-08:00

So last Sat. Johnathan twisted his ankle jumping our of the back of the truck. Sunday I convinced him to stay home with his foot up, all with the bribe of lots of Football, and so he agreed that would be best. Monday, of course, he felt like he should go to work and so Monday night his leg hurt really bad and the swelling was really bad. Tuesday I talked him into staying home and then I went out to DI and found a walking boot cast and a crutch. Wednesday he wrapped his ankle and wore the boot and he said his foot felt a lot better. On top of that his boss gave him her reserved parking spot right next to the building so that he would not have to walk the 4 blocks he normally would. So last night we decided to take some more pictures and after wearing the boot, icing his ankle every night for several hours and taking it really easy this is the end result. Hopefully by this time next week he will be as good as new.

As you can see there is still a lot of bruising.

And the Ankle is still quite swollen and tender.

We are not sure why the toes are bruised, we wondered if maybe he dropped the slab on them at some point in the whole thing, but we don't know. (Oh and NO is toe is not broken, that is just the way it is...weird hu?)

Prayer of Thanks!

2008-12-01T11:42:00.000-08:00

My friend posted a great idea on her blog so I wanted to challenge everyone who reads this to do the same.

Her Visiting Teachers came the last week and gave a message out of the Ensign about Thanks. Then they challenged her to say one Prayer of Thanks every day, when all you do is say the things you are thankful for, not ask for anything. She said that the first few prayers were difficult for her because she had to really think about the things she was saying. So I thought that during this Holiday Season this would be a good thing to try. Starting today I am going to say one Prayer of Thanks a day for a week and see how I feel when I am done. I challenge you all to do the same!

Goofing Around

2008-12-01T11:32:00.000-08:00

Johnathan and I were goofing around last night wrapping Christmas presents and in a bag we got from Mom and Dad Duncan we found these hats and this woman's wig. It makes me laugh just thinking about it! The hat of course is WAY to small for Johnathan, but I couldn't help taking the picture, he looks SOOO funny. Then I put the wig on and was amazed at how stupid I look! We got a good laugh out of it, and sometimes you just need to do something silly!

Johnathan is broken!

2008-11-30T10:16:00.001-08:00

This past weekend Johnathan went to help his parents get moved out of the house so they can be ready for their mission. He took Tyson with him and even thought there was quite a bit of snow they made it home safe and sound last night around 7:30. After getting the kids settled a bit I went out to help him unload the truck and we got everything out but the Marble Slab and a dresser. Johnathan picked the slab up and jumped out of the back of the truck.

Now this was a bad idea for several reasons and I will name just a few. The slab is about 3 1/2 feet long, 1 1/2 feet wide and only weighs about 150 lbs! Next Johnathan was tired from loading, unloading, loading, unloading, loading and unloading about 5 times yesterday. Next driving 12 hours over two days will take a toll. And lastly, He is NOT 18 anymore, as a matter of fact in 11 days he will be 33 years old!

Ok, on with the story. Johnathan jumps out of the truck with this "little rock" and CRACK! Yep his ankle. Luckily he didn't drop the slab and break it into pieces, but he couldn't move so I had to move the slab (remember how heavy I said it was?) By the time we got him in the house and his shoe off the ankle was swollen to twice its size. Thankfully it is NOT broken, but it is a nasty sprain and he will be off his feet for a while.

The thing I get a kick out of is that they traveled over yucky roads, no problems. The loaded and unloaded his truck over and over again, no problems. We got almost everything unloaded and THEN he decided to be Super Man, BIG PROBLEMS!!! I am just really grateful that it wasn't worse than it is.

This is just 18 hours after the accident.

UPDATE!

This is 24 hours after the accident.

What I am Thankful for

2008-11-26T08:06:00.000-08:00

Well sense tomorrow is Thanksgiving I thought I would post some of the things I am thankful for. I know that it would take me all day and about seven pages to say everything so I will just name a few.

1. Johnathan, over the past nine years I have had the privilege of having him in my life. There have been some really hard times, but with him we can get though. One thing I learned early on was that he will always take care of me and the children, no matter what it takes. He loves me even thought I can be a bit dramatic, emotional, crazy, eccentric, scatterbrained and so on. He loves me even thought I have not always been at the top of my game. There is so much of him that I know I could never live without and I look forward to the next years of our life and I am so thankful that he will be my Eternal Companion!

2. The children, Andie, Tyson, Casey, and Jenna. They all have a very dear place in my heart, and I love them all unconditionally. As a teen growing up you can never fathom that you could love anyone more than yourself. Then you get married and that love is so much more than you could ever think possible. Then the babies come and your heart swells with so much love that you feel like you may burst. I get this feeling every time one of them loves me, kisses me, wants me to hold them, looks at me and most especially, needs me. Sometimes I feel like I may loose my mind, but then I realized that Crazy in Love is a great way to be. I thank my Heavenly Father for my babies!

3. The Gospel. I know that without it my life would be meaningless. Through it I have an Eternal Marriage, that means I get to be with my Sweetheart forever! Also that my children will be mine forever, and all those that I love and hold dear to my heart will be with me forever. What is a greater gift than that. Also the knowledge that I am a Daughter of God. I can be cleaning the toilet, not showered for days and at my wits end, but I am a chosen Daughter of God and that makes it ok.

4. Service. I have had the opportunity to serve a Lady in our ward. What a blessing, I have learned so much about endurance, pain, happiness and being grateful. I have truly been blessed for helping her and in turn she has helped me.

5. Struggles and Hardships. This may seem strange, but through these I have truly learned how to trust in my Heavenly Father and turn to him when I need strength. Also these have brought Johnathan and I together in a bond that I believe will never break. We have become stronger people, seeking to make it in this hard world, and learning new tricks and talents to live a happy life. I am glad (most of the time) that we have learned to struggle.

There are so many other things, Family, the Temple, Friends, Everyday amenities, Food, Clothes, Happiness, Gifts, Talents, and Love. If I could spend half the time I do thinking about all the things we need or want and instead focus on all that we have that is good I should be far better off. I hope that this next year I can learn to be even more thankful for all that I have, because I am truly blessed.

Happy Birthday Casey!

2008-11-20T10:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Casey's third birthday! He was excited about opening his presents and he enjoyed the frosting off of his birthday cupcake. It is hard to believe that three years ago he was starting his life with us, I am so happy that he choose to come to our family! He was super excited about the shoes that Grandma and Grandpa Coyne got him, and he took the dozens of stickers he got from Grandma and Grandpa Duncan to bed with him. Andie and Tyson gave him a Thomas the Train Helicopter and he fell in love with it instantly. All night he kept saying heladoter, heladoter, over and over and over again. He woke up around 3:40 this morning and would not go back to sleep, just laid in his bed and played with his Heladoter. I think I may bribe him to take a nap today!

Over all we had a fun little party with him and enjoyed the whip cream off of his waffles about as much as the frosting on the cupcakes. Casey we love you to death and our family would be so different without your winning personality. Happy, Happy Birthday!

Locks of Love

2008-11-17T11:09:00.000-08:00

Several weeks ago Johnathan and I were having a conversation when the foundation Locks of Love was mentioned. Andie overheard us and asked what that was. I did my best to explain that they use children's hair to make wigs for other children who have a need for them. Andie was obsessed with this concept and she had me trim her hair immediately and started taking really good care of her hair. About every other day she had me measure it to see if it was long enough. I thought it needed to be 12 inches, but I decided to check on Saturday so I could give Andie the correct information. The web site said it only needed to be 10 inches, and when we measured her hair it was long enough!!!

Johnathan was out for the morning so I told Andie that we could go with he got home. She danced around the house and kept asking when it would be time to go. We measured it over and over to make sure there was enough, and I kept telling her it would be pretty short. She didn't care all she wanted was to get it cut. When Johnathan got home we headed out and she anxiously got up in the chair at the hair dresser. I thought she would be sad when it was all done, but instead she was beaming with pride. She told everyone at the beauty shop what she was doing and the girl that cut her hair made a big deal out of it. I will take her with me today to mail it off, she is excited that she got to help a little girl just like herself. Andie, I am so proud of you for helping others!

Check out the Foundation here: http://www.locksoflove.org/

Congratulations Ben!!!

2008-11-14T12:57:00.000-08:00

For those of you who don't know, by youngest brother graduated from Basic Training today and I just wanted to put a huge shout out to the world that I am one super proud big sister! Ben has really had some struggles in life, and he has made some poor choices, but about a year ago he told me that he wanted to go into the arm. I didn't try to talk him out of it, but I wasn't to happy with him either. I hoped he would serve a mission and then marry in the temple. Towards the end of his Junior year he chose a different path and ran into some trouble, both physically, and spiritually. I think our love kept him going, and he came back and was able to attend Hillcrest his senior year. Then at the end of the year he ran into some more trouble and didn't graduate with his class. We were disappointed, but we encouraged him to get his diploma. A week later he took a test and passed the class he needed.

The day before he left for Basic I talked to him briefly about the church and what he believed. He told me that the Gospel wasn't that important to him right now. I didn't want to push him, but before he got on the plane I gave him his Book of Mormon and asked him to read the note in the back that I had written, and two marked scriptures. He said he didn't want it and I told him to read the things I asked him to, then he could throw it in the garbage. I also gave him a letter, letting him know how I felt about a lot of things.

The letters started coming, most encouraging. He was attending church, and reading the scriptures, later he told me of his conversation and some of the things that he had experienced. He could truly see the Lords hand in his life, and I couldn't have been happier. Now he is looking to become an Elder and he has spoken with the Bishop and worked through the repentance process. I was thrilled to hear from him the other day when he gushed about how much he has changed, and how I will be so surprised because he is a different person. I can't wait to see him tomorrow, because I truly believe he has changed.

Tomorrow we are having a surprise welcome home party and I made a cake. The family will be there and we are going to have dinner and then spend time with Ben before he leaves for Colorado. This has been a time of change for all of us, but I am still so proud that Ben has started making correct choices and has found direction in his life. I love him with all of my heart! Congratulations Ben for finishing Basic and good luck with your next venture, may God be with you always.

Oranization

2008-11-10T07:23:00.000-08:00

I don't know why this continually eludes me. I will come up with some kind of schedule and work on it for about a week and then everything goes to pot. I get overwhelmed by the task at hand and then I just stop trying all together. Now in my short life time I have found out a few things about myself. One, I want to be organized. Two, I can see how to be organized. Three, I can't get organized enough to figure out how to stay organized. What a dilemma!

So this morning I want to clean my house. This would be a much less daunting task if...over the weekend we had done ANYTHING by way of keeping the house clean. Just like every other weekend we worked in the yard, played with the kids, ate, slept, watched TV and trashed the house. Monday morning, like usually, I wake up to piles of clothed, toys, shoes, Sunday papers, scriptures and the lot strewn around my living room like little evil piles of crap, and as usual the Back Hoe doesn't fit in the house so I have to clean it up all on my own.

How can I avoid this next week, or the week after? How can I get my children and husband to realize that the living room floor is not the laundry basket? How can I keep from doing Saturday night dishes on Monday? The answer is...Organization. So now that I have an answer to my questions, I just need to figure out how to get organized so that I can be organized and...THAT I can't seem to figure out!

Tooth!

2008-11-09T11:45:00.000-08:00

Jenna got her first tooth yesterday, you can feel its little sharp crown just above her gums. I can't believe she is growing so fast. Her second tooth is also right ready to come out! The other day I put her down for a nap and I heard a loud thump, hurrying to her room I found her on the floor, she had somehow managed to get up and over the railing. It scared me more than it did her I think, so needless to say we have put the mattress down as low as it can go and now we raise the bar. It is hard to think about her getting big SOOO fast, before we know it she will be asking for the car keys! :)

Voting

2008-11-04T11:07:00.000-08:00

So later today I plan on casting my vote for the next President of the United States. Months of arguments and plans, decisions, and banter have graced my TV screen and yelled from the car radio, all trying to sway my choice one way or another. Most of them I ignored, some I laughed at, and others bothered me to the core. I could never figure out why we have to fight against each other, and put people down, just to claim the top of the governmental hill. How has slander and lies become the American people so? If someone truly wanted to run an honest, respectful cam pain, would they survive in the mayhem that is politics? I truly doubt it.

But not this morning thousands rush to the polls to make the name they see most fit to run this country. It is our right as citizens to pick the leader of the free country, but do we do it with all the seriousness that we should. Do we look at every idea, every vow, every so said truth and scrutinized it? Do we push aside all prejudice and examine the ideas at hand, giving them every minute the attention that we did the football game last night? And if not, why?

There will be those empowered women who march to the booths to mark the name for a Female VP; proudly stating, "Yes we are FINALLY moving up in the eyes of government!" Or the African American that makes that dot simply because the color of someones skin? Or the skin head who would rather see Binladin taking the throne than anyone of color! How many of us are voting Republican, because we are a republican? How many of us are voting Democrat because Bush is a Republican? How many of us vote for change, when we truly know there will be none, government is government, is government.

To those who studied, vote with confidence, and pleasure. To those of us, like me, who turned the channel, content to watch the Food Network, maybe next time when the time comes around to choose our Master and Commander, we will not lean to the side of Prejudice.

Perception

2008-11-03T16:39:00.000-08:00

We went trick or treating with my brother and his family on Halloween and we had so much fun. The kids were wild with anticipation and it took all we had to get them eat dinner. Finally it was time to go and we headed off. Most of the houses had their lights on and the kids loved to knock on the door and wait for the candy. It did get a bit frustrating when they had to wait for Casey, so finally Johnathan or I took Casey up to the door after the other kids had left, that way they wouldn't have to wait, and Casey didn't care. Well street over there was a house with the light on, but no one answered when the kids knocked, then we saw the bowl on the step. It was the first time we had seen this so I told the kids. "One candy!" Tyson carefully sat down next to the bowl and pulled out one piece of candy from his bag and deposited in the bowl.

I had to laugh at his innocents. He just figured that he needed to do what I said, one piece! After we explained it to him, the next time we came upon this situation he was happier to take one out of the bowl instead of putting one in the bowl.

November, Novermber

2008-11-01T09:32:00.001-07:00

Oh I love this time of year. I love the trees and the sky, everything getting ready for the coming winter. Autumn is such a beautiful time, and I think it is because of all the contrast in colors and changes in the weather. I think this is the only time of year that you see Orange, Red and Yellow displayed so vibrantly. In the spring we have rebirth, bright greens and pinks, purples and blues, but there is something comforting about fall. Everything to its season, and in my opinion fall is the beginning of a new season.

Often times this is when we start turning inward. Summer we spend so much time out and way from our homes, and our families. We spend so much time rushing around trying to accomplish every thing that we want, or need to get done in the warm weather. But then the chilly breeze sweeps in, and the sky's darken. The trees become bare and we come back home. We come back to the warmth that we need sometimes.

Also the smells of fall, spiced pumpkin, peppermint, Cinnamon rolls. Yummy, comforting, safe. It is easy to sit and watch the dark clouds swirl and twist in the sky's. Watch the orange and red whirlwinds as leaves are picked up and thrown in the air. Some nights the moon rises red and haunting, so large you could reach out and touch it. Then soon it turns pale and yellow and you know that winter has arrived. This is the time of year that you can truly think back and be thankful for all you have. I challenge you to sit some time this beautiful first week of November, with a cup of hot chocolate and watch the sky. Then think about how change has affected you this year, and how grateful you are for your life. It is so easy to think about all the hard things, but let those blow away with the leaves, the settle in for the winter and know that next year things will be different, and how much you have to look forward to with your family.

Oh November November!

Book Fair!

2008-10-31T12:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got the opportunity to help at Andie's book fair. Now a little background. I have not worked outside the home in almost eight years. I am cash register illiterate, and I gets flustered early around my peers. SOOO...I got there early so I could have time to learn whatever it was I would need to learn. The lady that was there before me ran through cash register instruction 101, very quickly and then left. Three minutes later the entire population of mothers and their children showed up, I even thought I heard different languages being spoken so they may have come from out of state or out of country...just because I was there.

Everything was going swimmingly until a lady and her two kids brought up 5 books or so. After ringing up her total she decided that they needed to put some of them back. WHAT!!! I don't know how to take books off the ticket, just add them on, that is what you are supposed to do, add books. So I think, ok, cancel the order. It was at that moment that every person in the Western United States got in line to purchase their books, and the same moment that the cash register decided to have a temper tantrum. I tried everything I could think of to make the stupid thing work, but no matter what I did it just kept freaking out.

By this time children were crying, mothers were threatening and I could hear their thoughts. "What is wrong with this woman, can't she see that we need to be somewhere else?" Somewhere in the deep recesses of my mine I heard that little voice saying, "Cut your losses and get the heck out of here!" Yet I continued on. NOW the $25.50 order had topped out at $75.50, and I was sweating so much that me, the table, and cash register were floating in a big, fat, slimy puddle.

Enter Dacia Alba, the raven haired beauty with all the answers. She slopped through my puddle and grandly reached over with her manicured fingernails, and shut the register off! Under her very capable hands the register purred to a start and gladly followed her every command, we were saved!

After that the machine ran smoothly and when Mary arrived we figured up a rough total before putting in any numbers so moms could decided if they were willing to pay the amount before we entered it in. The dragon behaved after that, and when my hour was up, I was relived. However, somewhere in a PTO meeting this coming week they will say, NEVER let Anna-Liisa, help at the book fair again!

Life Lessons

2008-10-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

In my struggles this week I have thought a lot about life lessons. Jenna is learning to pull herself up to things. Sometime when she lets go she falls, and then she cries. She is learning a lesson and it has hard, and she must not understand why she has to fall, and why it hurts. At seven months old this is a life lesson. Casey is learning about potty training. He is learning that if you don't make it to the bathroom in time there is a mess, luckily in his case I get to clean it up. :) Tyson is learning about his body, and how things work, and how sometimes things don't work like they should so we need to modify a bit, and now he wares glasses. It isn't always fun, but he knows that it is a must. Andie is learning about life, about school subjects, friends, missing people and change. All of these things at their respective ages are hard and makes them struggle some times. But they have a shield, a bumper to come to, and that is their mom and dad, me and Johnathan.

But then I think about myself, and the things I struggle with, yesterday, today and in the future, and wish that my only lesson was how to walk, or use the bathroom. And then I get the privilege of know others who struggle, just as much as I do, or even more. My friend Bonnie is laying an a hospital bed because her legs were crushed by a car. My friends Jana, Jenn, Tina, and so many like them struggle with infertility, some with no luck at all. I have other friends who struggle with illness, lack of money, job loss, and sadness.

In the past two weeks I watched as people came together so help and love each other. I saw comfort and friendship, dedication and trust, forgiveness and selflessness. But the one thing I saw most clearly was our Heavenly Father and his mercy, love, and fatherly kindness. In a way we are all learning to walk, to develop and maintain our bodies, and to struggle.

Through Pain comes great Relive,
from Sadness comes much Happiness.
Sorrow leads to Peace,
and Friendship leads to Love.

Life lesson learned, our Heavenly Father is the buffer we need to weather our trials. Friends are the supporters who make it possible. Family will love you unconditionally and pray for you, and strength can only be gained through those very trials we hope to live without.

Home is Where the Hat is!

2008-10-30T08:31:00.000-07:00

It has been an emotional few weeks for me. I think it is lack of sleep and maybe the cool weather, but it has sure got me thinking. As most of you know we moved from the beautiful Bitterroot valley a few months ago and I have been constantly amazed at how much I miss it. While I have enjoyed being closer to my family I have struggled daily with the move. So this morning after looking at some other blogs I realized why. The valley is a beautiful place, the mountains stunning, the surroundings comfortable. Every morning it looks and feels like it does when you camp, the rich wet pine smell and the deer grazing in your back yard. Incomparable in my opinion. But that isn't what I miss the most, it is our friends.

Three years ago we moved into a little pink house on Sunset Ave. Our back windows faced the mountains and the view was breathtaking every day. The road ended just behind our house, and it was quiet and safe. Andie learned to ride her bike outside our front door, and the kids and the dog would play for hours in the fenced back yard. But we knew no one, and it was a little scary. Then something wonderful happened. We went to church, and the whole ward loved us instantly, within a week we had callings and friends. Friends!! Something that we had never experienced before. Coming from a collage ward, where no one was interested in talking with you, then suddenly it was like we were indispensable.

In the past three months I have miss most, the Sunday dinners, the impromptu FHE's, the dutch oven dinners in the mountains, camping, girls night out, play dates at the park, baby showers, shopping, Super One, Naps, phone calls, and support.

About a year ago we were driving into Missoula, and Johnathan asked me how I felt about moving when he was ready to go back to school. I feel the same way today and I did then, I never wanted to leave! They say that, "home is where the hat is." Well my hat is somewhere in the Bitterroot Valley.

Halloween Carnival

2008-10-24T20:29:00.000-07:00

We had a good time tonight at Andies Halloween Carnival. We got everyone all dressed up, except Jenna, and my parents came up to go with us. Johnathan, Grandma and the kids went through the spook ally and they had a great time. There was a lot to do, and after dinner we went to it. Our last stop was for pictures, and then we were ready to come home! We wanted to give Grandma and Grandpa a HUGE thank you for coming with us and helping out, it would have been crazy without you guys there. Thankfully they didn't give out any candy, just some toys, and that I can handle, we are going to be getting plenty of candy next week. The kids are all looking forward to dressing up again, and Johnathan is looking forward to raiding the kids bags for his favorite candy!

Andie

2008-10-23T08:14:00.000-07:00

Andie is so glad to be back in school! I never thought I would have a child who would want to go to school so much, but she really loves it. We have been working on math together and we have come up with some really fun songs to remember the sums. Andie had to take a test and get all the problems done in 2 minutes, she was able to complete it by singing the songs in her head. I sure wish school had come so easily to me! She is also enjoying every minute on the bus, it is fun to watch her get on every day, she sits out and waits and then waves to me out the window. I can't believe that she is so big, it didn't seem like that long ago that she was Jenna's age! Time sure flies when you are having fun!

Tyson

2008-10-23T08:08:00.000-07:00

Tyson loving Gymnastics. I was watching him yesterday and he was working on cartwheels, it was amazing! I can't believe how strong he it. He is also probably my happiest kid. I was trying to get a picture of him doing a somersault, but we were laughing to hard because he would start and I would press the button to take the picture, but it wouldn't take tell after he was done. I got a lot of pictures of his feet. He has also mastered saying his alphabet, he is really smart, and has the energy of 100 people. I am really glad that we were able to get him into "Nastics."

Casey

2008-10-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

Casey is learning to go potty in the big boy potty. Last week he went into the bathroom all by himself and took his diaper off then told me he needed to poop. That was that, now he his wearing underpants and is doing really good. He is also exploring all things big kid. The older kids were climbing trees and Casey wanted to also, so I got him up there and he took off. I didn't want him that high, but he didn't care, as long as he could be "big." We are excited for him to go to Sunbeams in January, it just seemed like yesterday when we finally talked him into liking nursery. They just grow up way to fast!

Jenna

2008-10-22T07:55:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would update on all the kids, starting with youngest first. Jenna is 7 months 3 weeks now and moving like a crazy person. She loves to go up and down the two steps from the upper to lower living rooms. She also can pull herself up to just about anything and will climb onto, into, over and around anything that gets in her way. She is busy, busy, buys! I also think she is going to get her first tooth soon, fun for me, and hopefully when that happens she will start sleeping a bit better than the last few nights! Anyway, she is growing like a weed and we love her!

Back to normal...sort of.

2008-10-21T08:27:00.000-07:00

Andie is back in school and the house is calming down. Tyson is going to Gymnastics still and loves it, although he practices some pretty scary things in my front room, like front flips! Casey decided all on his own last week that he wanted to ware underpants which is ok with me, and he is doing VERY well. Jenna is a movin and a shaken, and can get anywhere in the house now in five minutes flat! Johnathan is working hard and is thankful he has a job, and I continue to wait on the Agent to see if she will accept my manuscript submission. That is the normal part of my day.

The abnormal part of my day starts with a seven month old who is trying to walk. A seven year old who acts like a thirteen year old. A five year old who is doing FRONT FLIPS in my living room, and a three year old, who is potty training himself.

I am constantly amazed at how different every one of my children are. Once I think I have things figured out, even basic things, the next child comes along and changes my mind. I guess being a mommy will never be a truly normal experience. I don't get up and go to a job that is the same everyday, I get to get up and go to a job that has surprises every second. I never know if my day is going to end the same as it did the day before. So I guess I can say that the abnormalities of being a mother are pretty normal, and no matter what my idea of normal is, it is going to change, every second of every day!

Harvest Break

2008-10-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

I am convinced that someone came up with the concept of Harvest Break so that they could have help with, obviously, Harvest! This is a good and noble idea, and the kids love it because they don't have school. But let me fill you in on the week and a half I had with my seven year old home...NOT helping with anything, least alone harvest.

First off, Andie loves school, so she spent the entire time asking WHY she had to be home in the first place. I told her that if she wanted I could drop her off at the front door and she could hang out at the school all day, then I would be back to pick her up at 2:30. She though this was a great idea, and so did I the second, third, fourth, and subsequent days that she was here. Now I knew that I couldn't do that because I would get in trouble, child abandonment, or something, but by the end of the first week, a night in jail seemed like a trip to paradise.

The boys generally play pretty well together, but when Andie is home it is a whole new ballgame. She will play with one and not the other. She demands that she get the computer, or the toy that someone else is playing with. Over all she is a royal pain in the neck. On top of that she was hungry ALL the time. Every fifteen minutes she was asking for something to eat. If she is like this at school I feel sorry for her teacher. Finally I had to come up with projects for her to do so that she would leave the boys alone and not think she was hungry all the time. I knew that she was board, and so I tried to give her the benefit of doubt, but I am still glad that she is back at school.

So I think what I am saying is, Harvest Break is a bad idea if you are not harvesting anything, so I think that next year when this time rolls around again I will send Andie out to harvest our garden. Then, she will not be board, and she can eat whatever she likes, and the boys will leave her alone, because, who wants to spend a week and a half harvesting anything!

Contrubutions.

2008-10-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

I was working at the table when I heard a large crash! I rushed into the living room and demanded to know what had happened. Of course it was not ones fault...yeah right! There was a huge hole in the picture window. I checked behind the couch to find a pot lid...yes I said a metal pot lid. Apparently Tyson was "throwing the Frisbee," right through our front window. I called Johnathan and let him know that Tyson was only contributing to the family budget, isn't that nice! Luckily my husband is amazing and he was able to replace the pane of glass himself and it only cost us the amount of the glass, $20. I guess I need to realize it isn't the first, or the last thing Tyson is going to be contributing to the cause.

Run for your lives!!!

2008-10-21T08:08:00.000-07:00

The other day I was in the living room writing, and I noticed that the boys were being very quiet. I had seen them go into the back, down to the bathroom a few seconds earlier and so I decided to check and see what they had been up too. As I entered the kitchen I could smell...what was it...chocolate...like MY hot chocolate! Sure enough they had been eating out of the hot chocolate tin. I called them back up and this is how the conversation went.

Me: "Who did this?"
Tyson: "Not us!"
Me: "Oh Yes it was...This is MY hot chocolate, not yours!"
Tyson: "Casey, RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!"

I had no response because I didn't want them to see that I wanted to laugh right out loud!

Kids say the funnies things.

Wild Times

2008-09-12T20:50:00.000-07:00

Hello, it has been a while. Johnathan has found a good job and enjoying his work. Andie is settled into school and Tyson is enjoying Gymnastics. Currently the kids are sick, runny noses, cough, the works, we are doing lots of wash and drinking lots of water. We have to speak in church on Sunday, I am not looking forward to it, but my parents are going to come up and help with the kids. Johnathan isn't feeling well so I hope he will do fine. I have had my neck adjusted and it is doing much better so hopefully I will be sleeping better at night.

I have to tell you what Tyson said at the doctor today. He had to have his ear flushed and so the doctor got the water ready and let Tyson feel it to make sure it wasn't to hot. Tyson dipped his finger in and looked up very seriously and say, "it is exactly perfect." He is such a hoot. They weighed and measured him and he is 42 inches tall and he weighs 42lbs. I think we are going to start calling him "The Brick!"

Well that is about it from us. Johnathan has rebuild the deck out front and I have gone wild making Christmas presents, I enjoy that kind of thing. I am going to help mom out with some things for her classroom, and then I have some other ideas for Christmas that I will get working on. I like to be ahead of the game, it makes the Holidays more enjoyable for me! Well I will post more later.

Great Saturday!

2008-08-24T19:54:00.000-07:00

Saturday we had the privilege to attend the sealing of Trenton to Tina and Jared. Tina, Johnathan's older sister and her husband have been wanted to adopt a baby for so many years and this spring Trenton was born to an amazing young woman Emily. She had contacted Tina and Jared about adopting him while she was pregnant and Tina was there when he was born and took him home with her two weeks after his birth. After some struggle with the birth father things came together and six months later he was legally theirs. Saturday morning we all met in a sealing room in the Salt Lake Temple to have him sealed to his parents for Time and all Eternity, making him theirs forever. It was a wonderful experience, and I can't think of a more deserving couple. Jared gave him his name and blessing later that day and we enjoyed spending time together as a family. So here is a great big Congratulations to the Troumbly family and we love you!

School Starts

2008-08-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

Andie is back in school now. She was a bit nervous about going to a new school and not knowing anyone, but when she got off the bus yesterday she couldn't stop talking about her new friends. I know she is going to love school, she always has, and I think that she is going to make some great friends. The boys are being good and they don't seem to really miss Andie, they play much better together when it is just them. I have been playing the "Teddy Bear" game with them. Tyson has a hard time with his "S" sounds so I have made a list and we say them to correct way together then he gets a gummy bear. Casey likes to play the game too and I figure that he is learning also.

Tyson has started Gymnastics. I wanted him to go to Pre-School this year but I couldn't find one in such sort notice, so we signed him up for Gymnastics instead, think that he is really going to take off, he is already really good at it.

I have started potty training Casey, lets hope it is quick and painless. :) I have the times set and I ask him if he needs to potty every 15 min. I have to come up with some incentive for him, I just haven't figured one out yet.

Johnathan has had some good leads on jobs and I hope something comes about soon, I am starting to stress a bit. Other than that things are well and I will update soon.

We Made It!

2008-08-12T08:29:00.001-07:00

Well we made it back to Rexburg. We got in Friday evening, my mom, dad and brother came up to help us unload the truck. It took us about five hours to get here from Hamilton, but that is what we expected. The house is slowly coming together, I hate trying to find places to put everything. It was been kind of nice that we have lived here before so we knew what to expect and general room sizes, that kind of thing. Hopefully the next week or so will be enough to get the house organized and livable. Andie starts school on the 20th and registration is this week. My birthday is on Friday, Happy Birthday to me. Jenna thinks she is so big and she is trying to scoot herself across the floor, before I know it she will be crawling all over. The Kents left a big tire swing outside and the kids have been having a blast on it. Johnathan got the tramp and swing set put up and the huge driveway allows the kids lots of room to ride their bikes. Now all we need is a job! Wish us luck.

Worn out!

2008-08-07T20:47:00.000-07:00

Well the truck is 99% packed and we are worn out. Johnathan and I started packing the boxes this morning. I cleaned one of the bathrooms and ran some errands. Johnathan took the last few things off the wall, and moved all of the heavy things around. We had a few guys come and help us and we got all the big things out and into the truck. I guess we are as ready as we are going to be. Tomorrow we will load the last few things and clean the other bathroom, kitchen floor, vacuum and fridge then we well load the van onto the trailer and head out. We are going to take it slow because Johnathan will have the 26 foot truck and the van and I will be driving the truck with the camper on the back. We are looking at getting into Rexburg around 5:00, unpack and hit the sack. Off on another adventure I guess, wish us luck!

Ouch!

2008-08-05T21:06:00.000-07:00

A week ago our friends threw us a going away party and we enjoyed spending time with all our friends before our move this week. Eli is building a nice wooden fence and he had some twin strung along the vertical posts so he would know where to hang the parallel brace posts. Well Tyson took of to play with some of his buddies in the front yard and didn't even see the twine. It hit him just below his nose and flipped him back onto his back throwing his glasses off and cutting up is face, along with a bloody nose. Johnathan got him cleaned up and sent him back out to play. Less then five minutes later he had done it again. Poor kid, he looks like he got in a fight with Mountain Lion! Eli cut the twine down after that, and none of the other kids were caught with twine up their noses.

Family Reunion

2008-08-05T20:31:00.000-07:00

We got back from Johnathans Family Reunion in Island Park on Monday. We had a blast!!! We all stayed in a beautiful cabin with 8 rooms and 3 large bathrooms. The kitchen and dinning area were perfect for the large family and there was even a hot tub. The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins. Our room had a loft in it and Andie and Tyson slept up there the three nights we were gone. Casey slept in the second bed in the room but most of the days you could find the kids in one of the three lofts, they loved to use the glow sticks they got at the auction and play in the dark.

Everyone was able to make it but Charles who could not get a way from Colorado and Tammy who is on a mission in California. We sure missed them and we all took turns writing to them both. James was there and he seemed to struggle with a bit after the Divorce, but it was good to see him! The three newest babies got lots of love and the older kids had a good time being the boss of the younger kids, but they all played well together.

We did have a bit of a scare when Grandpa tried to get out of the tub by himself and slipped. Dad rushed in to help him and checked everything over. He was fine, but we joked that he needed to be more careful or he would have broken the tub. He is built like a horse, but at 94 he needs to be careful! He is very alert and I think he enjoyed spending time with the family, and he loved to watch the kids.

There was lots of game playing, Settlers of Catan, Ticket to ride, and MP3, even the little kids got in on the MP3 playing. It was so funny to watch Casey and Trisha try to play the race car game. They didn't do much, but they sure had a fun time. The auction was great and I got some really cute hair bows for the girls. Andie got just what she wanted and so did Tyson. Casey didn't seem to care really but he was happy with the glow bracelets. Over all I think we had a great time.

Unfortunately we had to come home to the mess and the packing. Oh well, plans are already in motion for next reunion, Dave and Jenn will be in charge this time, I think they will do a great job! Looking forward for Reunion 2010!

Decision Have Been Made.

2008-07-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

We have made the decision to go back to school, and this involves moving from our wonderful valley. Johnathan has wanted to become and Architect for several years now and we have nothing stopping us now, but our own worries. He had three semesters at BYU-Idaho and then a two to three years for a Masters of Architecture. It has been a long hard decision because he will need to work, and go to school while I stay home and take care of the children. It is going to be a hard few years but with the Lords help we can survive and be better off in the long run. Wish us Luck!

Tysons Birthday

2008-07-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

Well we had a fun time with Tysons Birthday. We have never really had a party for him so we decided now was the time. I spent three hours decorating his cake and minutes before the guests arrived Casey raked his hands throught it and destroyed it. Oh Well! It still tasted good. We had some friends over and had a BBQ. He got some fun gifts and the kids enjoyed playing on the tramp and swingset.

I can't believe is so big, it just seems like I had him not long ago. He is super cute in his glasses and he is so fun. I guess before I know it he will be playing football and chasing the girls. That remindes me he had football camp over his birthday and he really enjoyed it. He would come home and show Andie the things that he learned. I think that he is really good at sports because he is built for it. I guess we have a lot of fun years to look forward to spending time with him. Happy Birthday my big boy!!!

Andie

2008-06-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

Andie turned seven in March. She is my smarty pants! This Sept. she will start second grade and she can hardly wait, summer is jut to long for her. She was so happy when Jenna came just four days after her birthday. She kept asking me to have Jenna on her birthday, but I told her it wouldn't be as cool as she thought it would be to share a birthday with a little sister. But needless to say Andie was thrilled to finally have a sister. It is a good thing too because she told us that if it was a boy she "wouldn't love it!"

Andie is our learner, and our artist. Last year she was put with a group of gifted artists at school, she did some amazing artwork for her age group. She also teasted at a third grade reading level in the middle of the year. She really loves to read and she can devoure a chapter book in a matter of days. I can only hope that her love of learning can continue as she gets older.

She is also in love with acting and singing. This past Christmas she participated in a community play and she loved every minute of it. She still sings the songs that she learned, it is kind of weird hearing Christmas songs in June, but she enjoys it. I think if she continues to enjoy theater we will try to get her in other plays and things. I want her and I to sing in church, but I guess I just need to get it set up, I think it would be a great experiance for us both.

Tyson

2008-06-27T10:39:00.000-07:00

Tyson is my physical child. He can knock over a NFL Linebacker and keep on running, or snuggle with you to your hearts content. I would say he is my most lovable kid and my most active. Last year we signed him up for football camp and at the ripe old age of four he showed them how to play the game! We got him a football for Christmas the year before and for a while he acctually slept with it. We have him signed up for camp again this year and he is really looking forward to it.

Even though he will be turning five in July I am going keep he home again this year. He doesn't share his sisters love of learning, although he is super brite! He enjoys working on the Alphabet and writing and drawing he doesn't quite have the ability to sit and listen yet. He will be attending preschool and he is excited about that, I am too because it will be one less kid for two hours on Tuesday and Thrusday.

Tyson recently got glasses. I took him for a School screening and found out that he was nearly blind in his right eye he was going to stop using that eye soon and it would have become a lazy eye. He is doing really good at waring them, but his has broken them and mangled them a bit over the past few months, but he is learning. I also think he looks stinken cute in them. He defanatly is one very special little boy, and I am so glad he is in our family!

Casey

2008-06-27T10:20:00.001-07:00

Casey is Mister Personality! As number three he had to learn to livewithout some things, and what he missed out in he makes up for with his joyful personality. He never goes a moment without doing something noteworthy. His face and body expressions are enought to make the grumpiest old man smile. On top of that he is a mans man, we fought him for months to go into nursery at church, but the second a guy came into the room he was happy as a clam. I guess he was born ready to hang with the guys. It might have something to do with the fact that his daddy watched football during labor, and almost immediatly after the birh.

Casey is so differant than the other kids. He was born with silver blond hair that stuck up three inches from the top of his head. The color didn't change, so he is very different looking and his dark dark eyelashes are so long they frame is blue eyes beautifully. He also is more content to, just be, than Andie and Tyson. He can play for hours by himself, or with the dog and not need to be entertained in the least. He is generally easy going and happy, althought the terrible twos and threes have taken a toll on his bubbly personality. Never the less a silly face is never far away.

Casey has shown some interest in music and learning although untill recently we havn't been able to understand a single thing he has said. I think he is just more interested in taking it all in, than talking, again I think that is because he is so easy going. He is also far more interested in helping Daddy, he follows Johnathan around and is always willing to lend a hand, helpful or not. He is defanatly a personality we love having around.

Jenna

2008-06-27T10:19:00.000-07:00

Jenna is the sister of suprise! We were a bit supised and overwhelmed when we learned she would be joining our family. My Father-in-law likes to say "When you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans." Well that is what happend with Jenna. We had a garage sale and got rid of all our baby stuff, we were going to be done. Well two weeks later I was pregnant! After the initial shock we started prepairing for a new baby.

Andie was so excited when we found out it was a girl, she waited a long time for a sister. Even Tyson was excited, he is a very good big brother! Well after 17 weeks of being really sick and two rather large months, four days after Andies B-day I want into labor on my own (a first for me.) The story is rather long and pretty scary, but after a very short and intensly painful labor, Johnathan safely delivered, or rather, caught, Jenna at 6:25 am. How many dads get to say that!?!

Since her arrival she has been a joy. The only one who really had a hard to adjusting was Cookie, my dog, but she has gotten better. Jenna is a great eater, as apperant in her rapid weight gain. She was born just as diggerent as Casey, but compleaty opposit. She has dark hair like Johnathans and her eyes are the darkest blue I have ever seen. On top of being extreamly beautiful she is very happy and content. I also have some really good helpers who are almost always willing to help giver her lots of loves and attention.

Now at almost four months she has developed such a fun personality and has really made her place in our family. Even though we were suprised to have her, we wouldn't trade her for the world.

Crazy Days!

2008-06-27T09:24:00.000-07:00

We have a family reunion this summer in Island Park and I have been franticly trying to make stuffed animals for the family auction we have to raise money for future reunions. In trying to finish them I have compleatly let my house go to the kids. I walked into the kitchen this morning to find no clean cups and a sink full of dishes. AHHHH! Who wouldn't put a dishwasher in a house? If we were not renting I would march right out today and get one! It is hard to put projects away and do responsible mommy things, like clean the house and fold that load of laundry that has been in the dryer (it's dry) for two days. Of course if I wasn't posting on here I would be getting somethng done. : ) Oh well, like that country song says, "I'm going to miss this." Right???