Consuming my time lately

These 3 books have been consuming my time, and my life, as of lately. I truly haven't read a series in a long time (Harry Potter included) that have been page turners as much as these. I feel like I am addicted! I cannot put them down! Those of you who have heard of them, they are written by Stephenie Meyer. A BYU Graduate, and mother of 3. They are also set in the Pacific Northwest, by Seattle. This is what enticed me to them. But, they are wonderful! I feel like a teenage girl reading them, whom her audience is based. They are so romantic to the point of being overly sappy. But, once I gave into the sappiness, I revel in it now. The only thing that's bad, is that once I get out the book world, and look around me, I kind of expect it to be the same. Jake and I are nothing like the characters in the book, but I somehow think that we should be! Emily, it is FANTASY! NOT REAL!!! Anyways, I am hurriedly trying to finish the third book, so I can get on with my life. But. . . if you want to read a scarey, romantic, feel like a kid again book, these will work! I highly recommend them. In fact, I can't wait for the fourth!

Birthdays, Birthdays

Taylee's best friend, and cousin, Samantha, finally turned 3 last weekend. She was one of the last of her friends, so she was quite ready for it to be her turn. It can be hard for 3 year olds to keep going to parties, and not having one themselves! Jake's Dad's birthday was the day before, so we celebrated both. It was fun. Now it's Aunt Jessi's turn this Saturday, mine in October, and Rohne's right around the corner in November. Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays!


A little glimpse of Halloween? No, dress up part of our every day routine.


Party fun


Our nephew, Parker. He gives me my "Baby Fix" since we don't want any more of our own. (At least not any time soon!)

In a Rut

They say terrible 2's, but with Tay, it has definitely been worse since she turned 3. She was sad here because Jake wanted to take a picture of her before Ballet Class, she just wanted to go!


If you'll notice, Rohne has yet another injury on his nose. At least it's not broken.


Ya know how, as a mom, it is quite easy to fall into a trap. The days begin to drift together, tasks seem monotonous, and you can't wait until the weekend for Daddy to be home. You forget what makes you click, who are you other than just a mother and wife. Even if none of you want to know. . . Here are a few stressors I have right now.

*Kids and husband - I really want to be a good wife and mother. How can I use my time more productively to accomplish this.

*Dinner - I never know what to make, and even if I just went to the grocery store, we don't have any food.

*Working out - I am supposed to run a half marathon in November, and I hate running right now. I have to force myself out the door, with a little push from Jake. Hoping it is just a "Runner's Wall." I read about it once.

*TV - I know I shouldn't watch so much TV. It was Premiere Week for all of my shows, and none of them were actually very good. But, if it quit watching, how else would I fill my time? I love it, and I don't have any hobbies.

*Friends - I feel like I need a friend. Someone close by whom I can just call and chat with, and do girls nights with. My sisters have always been those people. I still talk to them all the time, but I miss them terribly!!! Why won't my family just move up here? This move hasn't been the easiest thing for me to accept.

Following in Collette's footsteps, this has become kind of my journal, since I don't keep another one. Sorry if that bores you all to death. It feels better to just rant sometimes. I have a great life, I do. My husband loves me more than I ever thought anyone could. My children light up my life, and are the greatest blessings I could ever ask for. We do not lack in material necessities, and I even get to buy fun things once in awhile. (I recently got Gilmore Girls seasons 1-6 at Costco for an early birthday present. Yippee!!!) Everyone is healthy, and fairly happy, and I know that the Lord is watching out for us.

What a good Dad

This actually might be my children's favorite part of the day!


I think they really like making cookies because it gives them an excuse to sit on the counter!

I generally despise Sundays during football season, as many of you Fantasy Football wives can attest (namely: Holly, Kim, Kristy, April, etc.) The TV is turned to football, the Internet is on Stat Tracker, and the kids and I tend to be invisible. But today, Jake kinda wanted to change my mind. Don't ask me if it worked yet. I'm still not sure, because the Seahawks won today. That always puts him in a better mood. Anways, this morning he urged me to sleep in and get some much needed rest. Great idea! Too bad my kids didn't have the same idea. He actually got ready for church without any coaxing from me, and we got there EARLY. Rohne became his responsibility during Sacrament Meeting, and he stayed with the kids through the first half of Nursery. It would have been nice to be able to go to Relief Society, but he serves in the Young Men's, so it wasn't possible. I was able to make a whole dinner without crying kids at my feet, and talked to Whitney on the phone for at least 20 minutes. Granted, Tay and Rohne watched Strawberry Shortcake at least 4 times today, but, whatever! Taylee wanted to make cookies, and Jake graciously stepped in to help her make his yummy Chocolate No Bakes. He always reads books to the kids before bed time, and today it seemed like the icing on the cake. What a good Dad!

My current challenge

"I love eating dinner when Daddy cooks!"


You can't see it that well, but it looks disgusting


My mom always said that "kids won't starve themselves." It's important to note here that my mother raised 6 children, so she knows what she's talking about. I have always valued her opinion when it comes to the rearing of my 2 monsters. Anyways, my current challenge is regarding my sweet 3 year old Taylee. She refuses to eat anything but peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It is making me crazy! I tried just making her eat a few bites of whatever I cooked for the meal. And after much toil, she would eat it. . . and promptly start gagging and almost vomit. I do not want to clean up vomit, do you blame me? Oh well, if I don't make her a sandwich, she will get hungry and eat eventually. Nope! She would rather starve.

Tonight, I was at the end of my rope. I had made a healthy dinner of whole wheat pasta, turkey burger, and garden ripened tomatoes. My mom's goulash with a little twist. Anyways, I told Jake it was his turn to feed Taylee. He was very proud to show me that Tay ate every bite of her chocolate chip waffle with peanut butter, syrup, and sprinkles on top. Hey, it wasn't a sandwich! I am begging all of the moms out there to give me suggestions. I can't be the only one with the most stubborn, picky little one ever. Please help!!

Growing + Growing = $$$

So, Fall has officially arrived here in the Great Northwest. Leaves are falling, wind is blowing, rain is pounding. . . do I love fall? I really do. That is until I had two growing kids. I reached underneath the shorts to find jeans, and the tank tops to find long sleeves, and I did indeed find them. Except, they don't fit. Rohne has not stopped growing since he emerged from my womb, and I suspect he will soon overtake his sister. And, Tay is in panties for goodness sake! She didn't look any taller to me. But, those darn panties made her a big girl. I guess I will have to go shopping! Yeah! Jake, how big is my budget?

Another day, the other kid, a new injury

Jake watched the two crazies in his office while I went on an exhausting 4 mile run through the neighborhoods of Lakemont. I walked into a chorus of cries from both children, and thinking it was yet another double tantrum, didn't rush to his aid right away. That is until I saw blood all over the sleeve of Jake's white shirt, and Rohne writhing on the ground. Jake then informed me that Rohne went running too fast, lost control, and slammed his face into the wall. Actually, not that unusual for him. He thinks he is a superhero 99% of the time. It is almost the same injury that Tay had a week ago (finally healed, thank goodness). But, Rohne scraped his nose too. Poor kid. He's been through a lot already in his short little life, so he takes to injuries a lot better than his sister. Plus, guys think scars are kinda cool! What a day.



I said, "Rohne, show me your owie Lip" and he stuck out his tongue


The swelling is already starting to go down. Kids are more resilient than I give them credit.