The Jensen's

New Do's

2012-01-14T17:42:00.000-08:00

I don't like hair cut's. I get nervous every time I think about it. Mostly because for the longest time I would go to people who know how to cut hair, but don't know hair. Does that make since? Anyway I have found a place where the girls know hair. I have gotten the same hair cut 3 times from different stylists and it looks perfect every time. In fact I am so comfortable with them, today when I went in for a trim and was asked "What are we doing today?" I said "I want some highlight's"

WHAT!!

"Ok, what color where you thinking?"
"I don't know, NOT blond but ya know light.... just whatever color you think would look good."

WHAT!!

I almost wanted her color, she had black with purple highlight's, PURPLE, but I didn't know how well that would go over with Jon, so she went with a gold mixed with ash color. I stayed calm during the whole thing. I told her a bunch of times that I never thought I would ever get highlight's, she said welcome to the club and pointed to her hair. I will admit I almost passed out when she revealed it, but I love it!!

Jazzy and I before

After (and no I was not trying to be sexy...that's just how I stand.)

Jazzy After..... I know it looks like she is choking herself but she is actually trying to show off her pretty nails.

BaNg'S

2012-01-12T18:04:00.000-08:00

Before I had kids I never gave anyone a haircut. I remember how scared I was when it came time for Jayden's hair cut's. He had to have one every three to four weeks since he was 4 weeks old. And I think out of every hair cut he has received he has had two good ones. TWO!! Some how I always seem to botch something up, but luckily his hair grows supper fast and he is a boy. It's ok for boys to have crazy hair it's cute right? Well anyways things have changed a little since the "pink one" arrived. I thought I got off easy "We will just let it grow out" no problem. Well in November I decided give her bangs, and let me just say they are dang cute....that is until Yesterday night when I noticed that it was time for another trim. You see where this is going right? Long story short I went to cut and she moved. I was able to I guess "fix" them, but lets just say they are a little short...ok WAY short! Thank goodness she is dang cute and can pull it off.

I will post a picture later.

It has To be Said....

2012-01-12T17:13:00.000-08:00

There was once a wise man and a foolish man, and they were thinking it was time to build a new house. The wise man decided to build his house upon a rock," To stuffy" thought the foolish man," I want to be carefree, so tis the beach for me." So upon the sand his new house went. One day a big storm came and it rained, and rained, and rained. The wise man hated all this rain but he knew he had built his house on a firm foundation. When the storm was finished the wise man started work on some slight repairs to his storm beaten house, nothing that couldn't be fixed. The foolish man on the other hand found him self with out a house. The sand was just not firm and everything was washed away.

I am no scholar, but it has to be said that a marriage built on a firm foundation can withstand even the biggest storms. Anything less is just foolish, no matter how much they cry.

New Years Eve...eh...I'm going to bed

2012-01-01T21:22:00.000-08:00

This is what most people were doing last night....

We spent the day eating fun finger foods, and gorging on fresh homemade brownies. The kids went to bed at 8:00. I stayed up until 10:30!! Oh yeah! Before bed I watched a movie with the husband, drank a glass of Sparkling Cider, ate three brownies, then finished it all off with a Tylenol (helps curb the morning sugar hangover) and called it a night.

New Years Resolution: Try to say up till 11 next year.

Happy New Year!!

5 Years!?

2012-01-01T17:19:00.000-08:00

On the 30th Jon and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary, and all I can think is "hot dog! we made it." This year Jon and I took a trip to Boise to have dinner and a movie. Instead of the usual Twin Falls dinner. Yeah, we are so wild......Anyways it was alot of fun. Oh, and Sherlock Holmes 2 was the best frggin' movie ever.

P.S. We are taking the kids to Disneyland in the spring....SO EXCITED!!

Christmas

2012-01-01T16:37:00.000-08:00

It was a"Happy Christmas" at the Jensen house this year. I didn't get around to posting as much as I thought I would during the month, but what are ya going to do right? This year marked some new traditions for us, mostly because this was the first year we did not travel anywhere. At first it was kind of hard for me to adjust to the thought that I could do Christmas my own way, but then it became exciting. Jon and I shopped on Black Friday and made out on stuff for the kids. For the rest there was eBay (love eBay). Lets just say we were spoiled and stayed within our budget (which is very important to me).
Christmas morning was a blast, Jazzy was so excited she kept jumping up and down. Because my mom was not into Christmas this year my younger brother aka "uncle ty ty" stayed the night on Christmas eve. It was nice having him here. For dinner I made a roast with "mormon potatoes" on the side. It was very very yummy. A few weeks ago Jon was switched to night's at work so he had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas night, because of this we did not go to church....I know we are horrible people, but this way Jon could be part of Christmas before he needed to sleep.
Later on in the day Mom and Grandma came over for a little. All and all it was a good day.

I will have to post pictures later....my camera battery is dead so I need to charge it.

It's Beginning to Look alot Like Christmas

2011-11-29T12:32:00.001-08:00

Fearless

2011-11-29T12:29:00.000-08:00

She loves anything that goes FAST!

Haircut's

2011-11-29T12:07:00.001-08:00

A week before Thanksgiving, Jazlynn and I ran away to the salon for hair cut's (Jazlynn's first). We went mostly for Jazlynn. I just got a trim. Now before everyone freaks out about little girls and short hair let me just tell you that I did not cut it that short and even if I did her hair grows so fast that she would have it grown back out in a month. Anyways Jazlynn's hair was halfway down her back and it was always in her face so I decided it was time to give her bangs and a trim in the back. We ended up cutting 2 inches off and it is still to her shoulders. All and all it was a good experience, I think it stressed out the stylist a little, because Jazlynn would not hold still, she keep saying "Please little girl just hold still, PLEASE!." Even with all my bribes with suckers and fruit snacks finally I had to just hold her head in place. After hair cuts we went out to lunch we were going to do a little shopping but I think we both were tired so we just went home.

Before....

After

3

2011-11-29T11:36:00.000-08:00

Jayden turned 3 on November 8th. I have been hearing about a ball cake since June (his favorite thing). He also developed a extreame liking for Car's about a month before his birthday so it was only fitting that he have a car/ball themed party.

We spent the day spoiling the crap out of him. I had decided a few months past that it was time to update his room. So of course we went with a Car's theme. Which included a new toy chest, bed/bedding, and I even braved the cold and spent a whole afternoon outside painting his dresser blue. It was worth it. He loves his new room and every night he sits on his bed yelling "Mommy, look car's!" until I finally have to say "Yes, Jayden I see now go to bed." What can I say he is a boy.

As per his request I made him a Soccer ball cake, and let me just tell you he STILL talks about it. I asked him the other day if he wanted a ball cake for every birthday from now on he said yes. Yep total boy.

His favorite Present

The "Ball" Cake

Saying Goodbye (For Now) Andrea

2011-11-03T18:41:00.000-07:00

Bye For Now. Miss you tons.

Saying Goodbye (For Now)

2011-11-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

Bye For Now Dad

Things Missed

2011-11-03T14:04:00.000-07:00

Today I went though over 300 neglected photo's on my camera. I have been avoiding my camera for weeks now. I just wasn't ready to look back, but it's over now and I kinda feel a huge weight being lifted. Today I get to truly move on.

I know summer has come and gone, but here is what you missed.

Our Beloved Kida (we love you so much)

My Happy 27th Birthday

The card I got Jon for his Birthday

Jon's Happy 33rd Birthday

First Drive-in-Movie

Goodbye October

2011-11-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

Good morning November. Halloween is over. Time to take down the cobwebs and lock away the candy, because that's all we seem to want to eat. I feel like I missed you October. I was so excited when you came around. Then as the days came and left, I realized that I am not yet the person I used to be. I did try. I watched the Nightmare Before Christmas a million times, read scary books, got excited about costumes, dressed myself up on Halloween, and even took the kids "real" trick or treating. Every moment left me thinking of Dad. Dad turned 50. We had a steak for him. I miss him October.

Good morning November. I hope I can be better to you.

2011-11-01T16:13:00.000-07:00

I have rekindled my love for Coldplay.......

Sweet October

2011-10-03T20:29:00.000-07:00

It's been a long week for me. I am still trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces and continue onward, but continue I shall. Today I cleaned the house to prepare for tomorrow. It's October you see, and my favorite time of the year. Tomorrow I will pull out the box labeled Halloween and get to work making my house festive. I will be taking the kids to pick out candy, because to celebrate October I always make sure to have a bowl of candy on the table the whole month long. I know, I am the coolest mom ever. Also to add to the joy of the season I have started a new, very spooky book series called "The Last Apprentice" I am on book Two and there are like Seven. What's that bumping in the night? Sound's like Sweet October.

FFH - Undone (With Lyrics)

2011-09-29T21:50:00.000-07:00

I found this song when I was going through the stuff with my dad. I liked it a lot. It fits so well with what is going on now. I know nothing about the group FFH but I like this song.
This is for you Andrea~

life dosen't make sense

2011-09-29T19:56:00.000-07:00

I have suffered from depression my whole life. As a child and teen I never felt fine in my own skin, I always felt like I didn't belong like, I was a stranger amongst my family and friends. I often battled my own thoughts, but sometimes I was told by others the very negative things I was telling myself. I learned early that good friends were rare and very hard to find. I lost my trust in people, even in my family. I was never good enough. Someone was always better. So I just shut down. It was very lonely. It all came to a head when I was 13 years old and I had my first suicidal thought. It scared me, I had hit rock bottom. I was tired. I sat alone in my room that night and I told myself that things needed to change. I knew the people around me wouldn't so the change would have to be with me. I promised myself that I would not let this "thing" win and I would be better. I also promised myself that I would never give up or harm myself no matter how bad things got. Little did my family know, but I left my room a stronger person that night. I vowed to help others with my problem and there were many times I did. My family never understood why I hug out with the people I did. Some of my friends I sought out, but most found me. They were out of strength so I gave them all of mine.

I have come to understand a lot of depression. Anxiety as well, I have been dealing with that since I was 19. See I kinda traded depression for anxiety, not by choice. I have spent many years asking why. It took me five of those years to get the answers I have today, maybe one day I will share them, but now is not the time. Anxiety is still a daily thing, but I have come to understand and beat it as well. It was a long hard fight, but I held strong to the promise I made to that scared, tired 13 year old girl. You might be wondering why I am telling you all this. It is in fact so out of character for me. I hate writing my feelings, I prefer talking and I only bring this stuff up when asked. Well.....

Yesterday around 10:38 A.M. my beautiful Sister-in-law took her own life. Andrea jumped from the Prime Bridge. Andrea was sick. Her mind was not her own, she was so wonderful. Andrea loved life and her family. I found out yesterday that she battled depression. I had no idea. I felt the pain deep. I know depression, I know what it is and what it does. I could have helped. I could have helped. Life doesn't make sense to me right now. All I could think yesterday was "why her?" Why not me. She was 10 times the stronger person that I am so why is it I could beat it and not her? I don't have those answer's and I probably never will.

Life doesn't make sense right now. Last night it was late and I was so tired so I let my self fall asleep. I was standing next to her, I jumped with her I couldn't see my self but I saw her and we fell together. I woke with a start. Shaken I closed my eyes again, we were still falling. I woke again with tears. I closed my eyes again this time I was behind her I reached out to grab her but it was to late. I woke up Jon and told him, then I cried. I did not go back to sleep.

Life doesn't make sense right now.. For any of you worried about me. Don't. I am very stable. I am just feeling a lot of heartache. Andrea was a wonderful person. A great mother, wife, friend, sister, and daughter. I will love her always.

watiting for this day

2011-09-18T22:17:00.000-07:00

In February, my dad was diagnosed with a rare aggressive cancer that started in his sinus cavity and moved to his brain. He had two surgeries, the latter ending with the loss of his left eye and practically all of the inside of his face. He endured 10 weeks of daily radiation and weekly chemo. When the radiation was complete they started weekly aggressive chemo which almost killed him, so the decision was made to stop all treatment.

I have been waiting since that day for this day.

Due to the extreme disfigurement , my dad was unable to eat. He was being kept alive by a feeding tube in his belly. Two weeks ago his body decided that it no longer needed the food. How long can you survive with out food?

I have been waiting since that day for this day.

I got the call today. As we drove the 10 miles to my parents home I knew what was about to happen. We drove in silence, because I didn't want to talk about it. We arrived and entered the room where my dad lay. He was struggling to breath and did not speak. I put Jayden next to him and he gave him a loving hug then looked at my mom and said "die" and she said "yeah, grandpa's sick." He got down then ran off to play. Jazlynn was next and she patted his chest then settled in between my mom and him on the bed. All I said was "Hi dad." I then proceeded to talk you my younger brother about a hilarious show I had just watched on tv and we laughed. I knew my dad could hear me and I just figured that is what he would of wanted us to do. Before I knew it there was longer and longer pauses between his breathing...then it happened..he took his last breath and was gone. We just sat there for a minuet I watched his chest hoping to see it move, but it was still. He was gone. We all cried, and I kicked myself for not telling him that I loved him. Even though I know he all ready knows. You see he waited for me. He held on until we got there he didn't have to, but he did. After a few moments everyone left the room accept me. We sat alone. I took his hand and told him that I loved him, I told him that because of him I now have a testimony of death. I have always feared death. Because of him I don't anymore. I also told him that I would be true to my promise and "not fall apart" then I let go of his hand. As people filled the room again I felt peace. My mom sat Jazlynn on the bed and she taped his chest almost as if to wake him up. It was a sweet moment.

I don't know how I feel yet. I have a feeling that my grief with come in waves over the next day's, week's, month's and even year's. It will be a while before I am ok ,and I know that for the rest of my day's in this life there will always be an ache in my heart for my dad. But all I can do now is take it one day at a time.

I love you dad, you are the strongest man I know.

Home

2011-07-13T19:09:00.000-07:00

Gooding is a small town. You get off the freeway and pass through another equally small town, then you dive for what seems like forever (10miles) out to the middle of nowhere. Seriously, there is nothing around for miles, and just when you feel like this road doesn't lead anywhere, and maybe we are lost and need to turn around, you see a small blinking red light, that symbolizes what we country people call civilization. Yes, I live in a town where it takes you 4-5 min to drive through, total strangers treat you like family, and everyone knows everything about everyone weather you want them to or not, and I LOVE it!

A few weeks ago our small town celebrated Dairy Day's. The parade consisted of horse covered wagon's and a heard of cattle.

It's good to be home.

waiting for the Parade to start

Jon and Jazlynn enjoying a slim jim

still waiting

the wait is over

watching the cows

the parade had to stop to wait for the train that comes by every hour. so they let jazzy sit on the float. (yes, those are total strangers holding my child)

they also let them pet the mules

Best Parade EVER!!!!!

2011-07-11T21:11:00.000-07:00

I have noticed that in a lot of pictures Jayden never smiles, he just kind of looks at the camera. I have plans to update our family photo, due to the fact that there is no Jazlynn and Jayden is 4 months old in our current one. I know, I know. I keep putting it off. Anyways I decided that I needed to re-train our children to smile for the camera. I started with Jayden. He was on the floor watching a movie.
I said "Jayden say cheese and smile."

This is what he did. He even said cheese.

Yeah he is good. Now to work on Jazlynn who likes to give this face in every picture.

Fact

2011-07-11T20:22:00.000-07:00

Fact:

I have one blue and one brown couch (the blue one was free). Jon has offered to get a new set, but I want to wait until we get a house of our own.

Fact:
I don't like to paint my finger nails. Just my toe's

Fact:
I love sweats, and not because I am a quote " washed up frumpy housewife " I just love them. Even back when I was hot, nothing beat a good pair of sweats.

Fact:
If it's one of my favorites, I can watch the same movie all day for day's on end.

Fact:
I hate the cold.

Fact:
I am hoping Jon will beef up his ESL and get a job for a company in England. ( I want to live in a small no nothing country town ,in a cottage)

Fact:
I don't sing in the shower.

Fact:
Most day's I am to tired to get the kids dressed, so they just stay in their pajamas.

Fact:
I think I look horrible in everything I wear.

Fact:
I have stretch marks on my knees. (thanks kids)

Fact:
Yesterday I ate 4 s'mores ...for breakfast. (no we were not camping)

Fact:
I don't buy store whipcream, I make my own, because it's way better.

Fact:
Everyday for the past few months I think about having another baby. (yeah, I think I am crazy too.)

Fact:
I still love David Bowie, but want to marry Weird Al.

Fact:
I screamed with joy when I saw that this came to instant netflix. (all 7 seasons) Now if they would just put up Deep Space Nine I would be in heaven.

2011-06-24T19:49:00.000-07:00

Kida has a ear infection (yeah I guess dogs get them too). It was our first time at the new Vet clinic, within 5 min of being there Kida refused to get weighed, almost bit the Tech (had to have a mussel), and got so scared she pooped on the table. Yeah.....I bet they can't wait to see her again. But to her defense she liked the staff at Alta Hospital in Pocatello ( they bribed her with treats and lots of love) the Tech at the new place, no offense, tried to grab her to put her on the scale without a kind word or a treat. (can you say palm slap).

Took the kids to free swimming at the park tonight, where Jayden jumped off the side of the pool for the first time. He had so much fun doing it we had to drag him out of the pool. Why is it that where ever we go some one in our family has to make a scene.

Things That Make Me Smile

2011-06-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a long day. It seems like I cleaned all day, mostly because I did clean all day. So I was very worn out by bed time, plus Jon and I were having an off day (yes we have off day's). We just couldn't agree on anything all day. To top it off the kids were holly terrors (Jazylnn cried all day) ,but biggest thing I had a problem with were Jayden's blocks. 140 blocks to be precise. They are the favorite thing to play with and most of the time they don't bug me, but like I said today was a long day and I was just so tired of picking up blocks. When bedtime finally arrived I put Jazzy to bed first because she is the grumpiest. Then I told Jayden to help me pick up the blocks for the millionth time and not to my surprise he refused. I told him he could either help pick up the blocks or sit in time out. He chose to hit me in the face (which is his new thing) so into time out he went. As he sat there I went on with the task of gathering the blocks. I was fuming to say the least. I got madder and madder with every block I picked up and right before I was just going to explode I noticed what seemed like the last little block on the stair case. I walked over and as I was reaching for it I glanced up so see this.....

Instantly a smile crept to my face, I just sat down and stared laughing. Jon came over to look at what was so funny. When he saw it he looked at me like I had lost it, then said something like " I would think that this would pull you over the edge, you have been complaining about the blocks all day." I told him that I was just as surprised as he was to my reaction. We both stared at the stair case and said at the same time "I love our kid"

Yesterday was a long day, but I went to bed very happy.

Summer So Far

2011-06-21T19:43:00.000-07:00

Don't Get Cancer and Don't Fall Apart

2011-06-14T20:55:00.000-07:00

I am kinda steping out of character with this post. I mostly use my blog to post pictures and other small what-n-o-t's , but I notice that I try to (like in my personal life) not let anyone in. When I sit down to post I want to share my thought's and my feeling's but my mind just goes blank and I feel awkward and a little stupid. I don't want to go to deep. I don't know why I care so much it's not like a lot of people read my blog anyways, but I just have this problem with letting it all out in writing. Well just for today I am letting it all out.

It's Father's Day weekend and my Father is dying. It's hard for me to use that word without crying, but it is what it is. We don't know when he is going to go he might have day's, week's, maybe even years but the truth is he is dying. And I knew it was coming. I like most people who have ever dealt with cancer held on to a small glimmer of hope , that everything was going to be ok. Some call it denial but I think it's more of a way to cope with the pain. Hope is a good word.

Tonight my dad felt well enough to get out of the house and they drove to our house. It was good to see him it felt almost normal. Earlier today I was telling Jon how much I missed just talking with my dad. So the visit was just what I needed. Even though it was the "Just to let you know I am dying" speech, that I already knew was coming. Besides the fact that he is missing a huge amount of brain, his left eye, and a few emotions, he is the same. He's a miracle really we like to call him a "House" episode. But I didn't need cancer to show that my dad was a miracle, I already knew that. Anyway by the end of the visit my dad kinda gave his final words of advice and they were:

"Don't get cancer, but if you do get a small insignificant kind, and don't fall apart after I am gone, because I know where I am going and we will all meet again. Promise me."

Funny thing about my dad and I is we think alike. In January when this was all palying out I fell apart. The only person who knew was Jon. Like I said before I kinda keep my feeling hidden. I remember the day's after we were given the diagnosis were spent lying on the couch trying to muster the strangth to stop crying so I could keep an eye on my kids. I couldn't eat, I had nightmares every night, which sadly continue to this day, but maybe in time those will go away. Finaly one day during the kid's naptime I went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror for a least 45 min. I told myself to pull it together. "You can't fall apart Tangela" is all I said over and over. I said it until it stuck. I felt it stick and in the day's that followed I got better.

So here I am not falling apart, but that doesn't mean that things are better. There is not a day that goes by that I don't wish he would be better, or that I could guarantee he is going to live to see another grand baby (no I am not pregnant) but maybe someday. Everyday is spent keeping busy it's the only way I can handle everything.

I know that one day my Father will leave this world. I know that it will be ok for him because I know were he will be going and that he will be taken care of. I know this because I had a talk with our Heavenly Father and it turns out that he loves my dad just as much as I do. So it's ok. Besides we all know death is harder for the ones who stay behind. I know that after his death it will be a while before "it's ok" and that's ok as long as I remember not to fall apart. Will that be hard? Yeah...it will be. Tonight he mentioned the grandchildren and how they probably won't remember him. Funny thing is that's the thing I am having the hardest time with. I wanted my kids to grow up knowing my dad. I know that it is up to me to keep his memory alive, but it;s not the same . He loves them so much. If there is one thing they will know about Grandpa Hall is he loved them.

Don't worry about me dad....I promise I won't fall apart, and the kids will NEVER forget you.

Boy oh Boy

2011-06-13T21:02:00.000-07:00

This is what he is doing( instead) of taking a nap

Kida "love's " him

Birthday Photo's

2011-06-10T10:55:00.000-07:00

Pink Sunglasses (her favorite present)

Stinkin' Cute

Checking out the loot

The Cake

Yumm....

6-8-10

2011-06-08T19:12:00.000-07:00

12:01 p.m.
One Year ago today....we met for the first time.

Happy Birthday Jazzy......

(1) Muppets on a Tuesday

2011-04-26T19:31:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning with one goal. Complete all the laundry. By mid afternoon I had accomplished said goal, but I still felt like it was an off day, like I was missing something. I had to keep reminding my self that I had been very productive, but it just wouldn't sink in. So I do what I normally do on my off days. I sit and watch a movie with the kiddo's. When I asked Jayden what he wanted to watch it was no surprise when he pulled out this movie.

Seriously, we watch this movie at least 3 times if not ALL day!! Jayden is obsessed. The strange part, which isn't a big surprise is I don't mind it at all. You see Jayden gets that from me. One night Jon even made the comment about how it was like having another me in the house. (Jon hates watching movies with me). Well today as we were watching I noticed that Jayden and I laugh at the same parts. Then we look at each other and laugh at that. It was great, and it made me happy. I can't wait to watch it again tomorrow.

Finally.... An Update

2011-04-25T19:55:00.000-07:00

Wow, it seems like forever since I have updated the old blog. Oh wait, it has been forever! Just so you know though I do think about blogging everyday, but then I sit down at the computer and my-mind-just-goes-blank. I have been that way for a while now. It's like I am living in a haze. I always knew I would fall apart if anything happened to my dad, but I never expected to fall this bad or this hard. The first few weeks after we found out it was cancer my world went black. I couldn't sleep or eat. There was no joy or laughter just black. Life went on like that for a while. I will admit there were moments where it seemed my faith was shaken, but never for that long. I learned a long time ago that worse things happen when you stop trusting. On a positive note I am getting better it just takes time and I have a life time, well until I reach 49 and find out I have a rare Genetic brain tumor (yes, my dad's tumor is Genetic)(yes, my dad is 49) it's kind of a running joke between my older brother and I, it's a Hall thing.

Gooding is treating us well. It's a very relaxing little town. I forgot how nice it was being out in the middle of nowhere.

The kids are thriving. Jayden spends his days watching the same 3 movies over and over everyday, breaking into the pantry to sneak treats, eating apples like a big person ( he wont let me cut them up), and reading stories to all his toys (very funny). Staurday night Jayden had his first ear infection (not cool, not cool) Easter Sunday his ear drum ruptured, reliving his pain, he was then able to get a little sleep, and kind of enjoy his Easter. This morning I took him and Jazlynn to the Dr. with a little help from the antibiotics the prescribed it looks like things will get
better. Besides her yucky cold Jazlynn is just as cute as ever. She is 10 months now and the light of my life. I updated the blog with pictures from the past few months that I missed. She still has no teeth witch is crazy to me because Jayden had all of his teeth by age 1. To each his own I guess.

I have a lot of freinds and most of them have blogs, but one always stands out to me. One of Jon's old friends decided that she needed a change, she felt she was never happy with the things around her, so she decided to challenge her self with a "Happiness Challenge" She promised that every day for a year she would post something that made her happy that day kind of like a self discovery. I love reading her blog, you can feel the change form the first post to now it has opened her eyes, helped her testimony, and boosted her confidence. I have been wanting to try this with my blog for a while now but have never committed to it. Well I think at this point in my life I need to. I have a feeling it will be a source of joy in hard times not only now but for future.
Of course I will start this tomorrow because it's my blog and my bed is calling my name.

Jazzy 9 Months

2011-04-25T19:40:00.001-07:00

Jazlynn's first sucker and FIRST STEPS!!!

Jazzy 8 Months

2011-04-25T19:36:00.000-07:00

Jazzy 7 Months

2011-04-25T19:28:00.000-07:00

Jazzy 6 months

2011-04-15T12:34:00.000-07:00

First candy cane

Lot's of hair

Pulling her self up after two weeks of crawling

Boy oh Boy

2011-04-15T12:07:00.000-07:00

In January Jayden said goodbye to his best friend "passy". I was a little worried about how he was going to react, so I put if off as long as possible. I decided that it would be best for us both if I weened him off slowly. For a few weeks he was only allowed "passy" at bedtime and on car rides. Then only at bedtime. Then finally one day he was gone. Jayden cried for a full three days, but I stuck to it and by the fourth day he was fine. Now if I could only muster the courage to potty train....(seriously I have nightmares).

Still Here

2011-03-01T12:02:00.000-08:00

Don't worry, we are still alive.

Febuary 2nd

2011-02-02T07:34:00.000-08:00

I know it's only 8:30 a.m. and the day has just started, but I feel good. Yesterday, sucked monkey butt! Then I had one of those (no matter what's going on or what happens the Church is true) moments. I guess that has carried over today. I sill can't shake this (when am I going to wake up from this nightmare) feeling, but I think (hope) today will be a good day. Dad has a Dr. appt. today so we will see.

Febuary 1st ...................

2011-02-01T13:42:00.000-08:00

today has been a bad day. i was able to get some sleep last night. i feel like all happiness has been slowly sucked from my body. it seems like every 10 min i break down. it's just been a bad day......

January 22nd

2011-01-28T10:19:00.000-08:00

day after surgery

Short Story:
a few months ago my dad came down with a sines infection. He was put on many antibiotics but, it never went away. Well, the Dr. decided to preform a cat scan to see what was up. Well, it turned out that the infection ate away some of his sines bone and the infection spread to his brain. The infection killed his left frontal lobe. By some miracle his body compensated for the loss and switched over to his right side. The Dr. informed us that if surgery did not take place to remove the infection and replace the barrier form his sines cavity to his brain he would die. They also informed us that by the looks of the cat scan they would be removing 80% of his frontal lobe. There was a risk of him losing his sight, ability to speak, and maybe even think. The surgery went great! The Dr. did not have to remove 80% of the lobe, he just took a little of the dead parts. About 20 mins after the surgery my dad woke up and was talking. He is not out of the woods just yet but, he is making great progress. He was able to come home Thursday after not even a full week after the surgery. I know there is much more to this story but, I kinda haven't come to terms with everything yet. I' am just glad that he is home.

Maybe a Little Catch Up?

2011-01-18T19:32:00.000-08:00

I am sitting here in my new home in Gooding Idaho. This is the first time I have gotten to blog due to the fact that we had to switch ,among other things, internet providers. I know I have a lot of catching up to do, but I just don't feel like it. Is that bad? I feel like it's bad. Like I should be so excited and happy, but right now at this moment I'm not. I miss everything, everyone. Maybe I will feel better tomorrow.

Video Pic of The Day

2010-12-05T15:25:00.000-08:00

Let's Not Forget Mom & Dad

2010-12-05T15:12:00.000-08:00

The last picture was blurry so I wanted to take another one but Jon was all pictured out so.....

(Funny)

Miss Jazlynn (5 months)

2010-12-05T14:40:00.000-08:00

All about Jayden

2010-12-05T14:13:00.000-08:00

He likes to help keep sister clean

"That's your nose sister"

Total adoration (on both parts)

Oodles and Oodles of Pictures

2010-12-05T13:42:00.000-08:00

As you all know our beloved 8 year old Sony Cyber-shot kicked the bucket on the 21st of October.
I thought I was going to die, but Jon promised that he would get me the camera of my choice for Christmas. So thanks to Black Friday(I hate paying full price for anything) we purchased this beauty for $119, normally $140-$150! I was going to go for a Nikon but in the end I decided to stick with the Sony and I am sure glad I did ,there is nothing better than a Cyber-shot!! Anyways so the plan was to wait for the 23rd to open the camera that way I would have it to use for Christmas, but Jon and I are all about making deals. He told me on Friday night that if Jazlynn crawled I could open it. Well yesterday she crawled!! So you know what that means......

Sweet Baby Girl (4 months)

2010-11-17T13:55:00.000-08:00

Sweet Baby Girl

2010-11-17T12:37:00.000-08:00

Everyday for the past 5 months I have whispered into my sweet baby girl's ear....
"Thanks, for saving me."
On October 5th, 2009, a few weeks before Jayden's first birthday, I was surprised with a positive pregnancy test. I think I felt every emotion that day. The one I remember most was how scared I was. In the months that followed I became selfish and depressed. I did everything I was supposed to do to keep my growing belly healthy and safe but my heart was just not in it. I am not very good with change and I just wanted everything to stay the same....forever........ the months that passed were filled with ups and downs. Some day's I sang happily, others I spent on my knees crying. I guess I was just afraid of everything. I was afraid of birth. I was afraid that I couldn't love both children. I was afraid that I could just not handle the change two would bring. All this time I spent feeling scared I forgot the most important thing...it's not all about me...this was her time! I knew she was coming, I felt her long before she grew inside me. I knew that she was strong, beautiful, and loving. I knew I wanted her. Most of all I knew I loved her. She replaced my fear with happiness. I have never been happier. She has made me a better person. Most days I hold her until my arms hurt. She reminded me why I am here.....she saved me.

Toddler Bed (hell)

2010-11-17T11:51:00.000-08:00

Well Jayden has been in his toddler bed for almost 2 week's now and let's just say it's going.. He is getting better at night but I have to close his door or else he won't stay in bed. Nap time is the same. I hate closing the door on him but it's the only way he will learn. Once he is asleep though I open it. Sorry, I don't have that much more to say......it's been a long 2 weeks!

Birthday Video

2010-11-17T11:37:00.000-08:00

Jayden is 2!!!

2010-11-17T09:23:00.000-08:00

Last Monday Jayden celebrated his 2nd birthday! It was a day of mixed emotions for me. At points I was happy and excited then there were times I couldn't hold back a few tears, but enough about that let's get to the party. One of the things I love about Jayden is he is well rounded. He is not into just one thing, he likes everything! And that makes things a hole lot easier when it comes to presents and cakes. I was kinda having a hard time deciding what to do for his cake this year, nothing seemed to feel right. Then my mom suggested that I have a Spongebob party and cake so that's just what I did. All and all his birthday was pretty fun. I took more video then pictures because the phone camera sucks!! It's ok though because video is so much better anyway.

The Cake

(the cake was a brighter yellow but like I said this camera sucks)

November 8th

2010-11-17T09:14:00.000-08:00

November 8th, 2008

2:30 A.M.

6:10 P.M.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAYDEN!!!

Holloween (late)

2010-11-17T08:39:00.000-08:00

I know I have been neglecting my blog for the past few weeks, but that's because I have been in mourning. On October 21, while we were carving pumpkins our camera died. I felt like I had lost a limb. Luckily we have camera's on our phones or I would have probably died too. The problem with that is the picture quality is not as good.....the one good thing about it though is I am getting a new camera. I can't wait!! Ok, moving on. Here are the pictures from Halloween!

Finished Pumpkins

Jazlynn's first Halloween

Jayden's Pumpkin

Jazlynn's Pumpkin

Here we have a Knight, a Lady, and two dragon's.

Looking back....

2010-10-28T22:16:00.000-07:00

I love Halloween!!!

Our first Halloween together!

(Newly Engaged)

2007

39 weeks pregnant with Jayden!

Jayden's First Halloween!

(8 weeks pregnant with Jazlynn)

Hmmmm.....I wonder what we will be this year? Guess you'll just have to wait and see!

2010-10-20T14:52:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Wednesday!!

Video Pic of The Day

2010-10-10T22:39:00.000-07:00

Sweet October.......

2010-10-10T21:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we bundled ourselves in long sleeves and our light fall jackets then took a trip to the cutest corn maze and pumpkin patch in Pocatello for a day of family fun. Jayden had a blast running free in the maze. He hated any and all dead ends and would show it by throwing himself on the ground and scream until I or Jon picked him up and pointed him to another direction. 4 month old Jazlynn slept peacefully in her stroller. I couldn't help but imagine a sassy princess in pig tails running a long side her brother this time next year. I wondered what it would be like. Will Jayden hold her hand as they walked or would he pull her hair? Will he help her up if she fell or would he be the one who pushed her down? I guess I will have to wait on that. My thoughts also went to my children that I have yet to meet and how it will be to have all of us enjoying days like this, but I guess I will have to wait on that too.... After the maze they had games, face painting, and fresh sweet corn cooked in the husk on the grill!! Very Very good. We played and got some awesome pictures then it was off to the pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkins. A tradition we will continue every year. October I welcome you!!

8 Acre Pumpkin Patch

Jazlynn 3 Months

2010-10-10T20:55:00.000-07:00

Jazlynn sucking her thumb (just like mommy)

September in a Nut shell

2010-10-10T18:43:00.000-07:00

Jayden threw up. Jazlynn threw up and spent a night in the hospital for IV fluids and observation. I threw up. Jazlynn and Jayden threw up again. Jon did not throw up, he had the runs. In that 2 week span I did not sleep. Now to leave September on a good note. Jazlynn turned 3 months!!
So I say Goodbye friggn' September!!

Video Pic of The Day

2010-08-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

* Yes, Jazlynn is the cutest baby ever seen!
**Yes, that is Muppet Treasure Island in the background.
***Yes, that is duck tape on Jayden's diaper.
****No, sadly he shows no interest in potty training.... thus the duck tape.

Just another Day

2010-08-21T12:09:00.000-07:00

So I have noticed that some of my friends enjoy blogging about their day's at home with the kids. It's like they are giving you a chance to look through their window and get a glimpse of what life is like at their house. Well ok! Here is a window for all who are curious as to what goes on at my house....
Today is Saturday. Saturday is my deep cleaning day. I clean my house everyday but I really clean on Saturday. Anyways... today I did not feel like jumping into my cleaning routine. I woke up stiff and tired. So I gave myself the morning/afternoon off. I put both children down for their nap's around 11:30am. Jazlynn went down quietly. Jayden on the other hand did not (typical behavior). With the kids down I decided to grab some lunch while I still could. After a quick lunch I decided to take some time to relax. On a typical day my relax time is no more than 5 min today was no different. As I laid there a funny smell tickled my nose. Hmm... I thought "Is that Poop?" "No it must be coming from outside" "Jayden is quiet he must be asleep....or..." after that thought I jumped up to go peak in on Jayden all the while thinking "Please no. Not today" I got to his room and was greeted to Jayden diaper less, with dark green playdough like poop covering his body, sheets, and crib.(typical behavior when I forget the duck tape) I sighed and pulled him out of the crib and we walked to the bathroom where I proceeded to fill the tub. Jon had some things to do on the roof and had just stopped for lunch.( sorry Jon no lunch for you) I asked/told Jon to come and help me clean the scene. We pulled off poop filled sheets and blankets and scrubbed poop covered walls. When that was done I plopped Jayden in the tub and gave him a good scrubbing. After he was dressed I sent him on his way as I went to finish the job in his room. While I was disinfecting the carpet I noticed that things had once again gotten a little too quiet. I called Jayden's name..no answer. I called again..no answer. Ugh.. I hear splashing in the bathroom...CRAP...I forgot to drain the tub. I walk toward the bathroom to find Jayden splashing the water with his hands (typical behavior) On further inspection also saw that he was completely soaked up to his shoulders. He just stood there laughing while dripping all sorts of water on the floor. After another set of dry cloths I sent him on his way again. Now it's time to mop up the water and clean the poop filled tub. What a day and it's only 1:30pm.
................................................................................................................................

I had to take a break from blogging. Jazlynn started crying and Jayden just wont quit! I have been able to keep my cool up until now. I walked out to pick up Jazlynn and I notice Jayden by the fish tank with the lid off and fish in hand. That's IT!! no more nice mom...Jayden got a spanken and a time out. It's now 3:00 and I am beat but because it's Saturday I have to get started on my other cleaning chores. Don't worry I will put on some Office and be done in no time. Well, I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse through my window.

*note* our beloved fish Jorge (that's George in Spanish cuz he's a Spanish fish) will live to see another day.

Video Pic of The Day

2010-08-20T13:08:00.000-07:00

Light at the end of the Tunnel???

2010-08-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

This summer Jon has had three teaching job interviews. They loved him in the interview's but they all had to go with the person who had more experience...just when we thought all was lost Jon got another call on a teaching job. He has an interview on Monday! This will be our last chance. Cross your fingers!

Video Pic of The Day

2010-08-19T16:26:00.000-07:00

Video Pic of The Day

2010-08-18T11:27:00.000-07:00

Photo Shoot

2010-08-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

Since money has been a little tight this summer we have not been able to update our family photo. So I thought maybe we could go to the park and see if it is possible to take a decent photo our selves. Let's just say by the end of the afternoon Jon and I (mostly Jon) decided that it would be better if we just saved our pennies for a professional. I do however love the pics we got. They are CLASSIC!!

Nice!! Let's just forget we have kids...

Sweet!! Ok Jon while both kids are screaming let's take a few with just you.

Don't forget to SMILE!!

Awesome! I could do this all day.

My all time FAVORITE...

So Funny! What are you talking about Jayden loves his little sister!

Just keep smiling dad!

*NOTE* no children were harmed in the making of this photo shoot.

These are not part of the photo shoot. I just think they were cute.

Video Pic of The Day

2010-08-17T19:11:00.000-07:00

Jazlynn

2010-08-17T18:32:00.000-07:00

Jazlynn is 9 weeks old!! She has grown a ton. Thursday is her 2 month appt so we will see just how much she has grown. She is also starting to talk a little and her 2 favorite things to do are watch TV(she has a crush on Chief Gordon Ramsey) and blow bubbles with her mouth. Everyday she gets a bath, either a single pony or two in her hair, and a cute outfit. I love little girls! Jazlynn has been nothing but pure joy! I love her so much. Jazlynn saved our family this summer without her I don't know where we'd be. My cup is overflowing......

Jayden

2010-08-17T17:56:00.000-07:00

Jayden has come a long way this summer. He loves anything to do with outside and always throws the biggest fit when its time to come inside. (we love him anyway). In July Jayden rode is first horse! I thought he would be scared but what do mom's know..he LOVED every minuet of it. He even got to ware his Great Grandpa Hall's cowboy hat! I am also happy to report that Jayden is off the bottle for good!! He still has his bink and he needs a juice cup to go to bed at night but that's ok. He has also come to terms with this whole big brother thing. When ever Jazlynn cries he will give her her bink and lay down next to her until she stops. It's the cutest thing ever!! Oh and yesterday when we went to the pool Jayden went down the kids slide head first into the water! No hesitation what so ever he just walked right up there and dove. He also would walk to the deeper part and sit down under the water then shoot strait up coughing and laughing. What a dork!! (we love him anyway).

Time

2010-08-17T16:51:00.001-07:00

I can't believe that summer is almost over! It seems like it only just began..... well at least I can say that this has been one of the BEST summers ever. No we didn't get to go on any awesome vacations, or buy any fun new toy's. In fact we really didn't get to do much at all and no it's not because of the baby..... you see Jon quit his job right before Christmas of last year due to the fact that he needed to put all his time and energy toward his Student Teaching. We have been getting by with a little student loans and our taxes. We planed it out so that the money would run out in June but we also figured that Jon would have a Teaching job by then so it was no worry. Um.. sorry to Monsoon on our parade but it's a killer out there for Teachers and it looks like Jon will be just a substitute this coming School year (hopefully). So we have found ourselves flat broke and jobless. So why has this been the best summer? Time. I have had nothing but time. Our summer days have been filled with dollar ice cream, picnics at the park, books, cartoons, Nintendo, and all the family we can take. Yes there have been a few tears but mostly happy tears. One day we took Jayden to the park and let him swing. The last few times we have taken him he has been a little afraid but this trip he was ready to take them on. As I sat on the park bench, Jazlynn asleep in my arms, I closed my eyes for a brief moment. I felt the cool breeze and Jazlynn's heart beating in sync with mine. In the distance was Jayden's squeals of delight then suddenly they stopped. When I opened my eyes to take a look they were met with a big boy smile and a wave from the swing. I waved back. Jazlynn let out a content sigh in her sleep. I looked down at her my heart filled with joy and for the first time I was happy to be flat broke and jobless.

Jayden 20 Months

2010-07-08T14:18:00.000-07:00

A month ago Jayden was my baby...granted he was a big baby, but my baby non the less. I knew he was growing and changing but until Jazlynn came I could pretend that he wasn't. There is no more pretending now..*sigh*. Time sure flies when you are having fun..

2010-07-02T15:15:00.001-07:00

Jazlynn Paige

2010-07-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

So...I should have been posting for the last 3 weeks but I have been kinda lazy. I am sorry I will try to be better. Let's backtrack a little to get everyone caught up to present day.

.........................................................................................................................................................................

Monday June 7, 2010

Monday started out as just a normal day. Noting much going on except for a Dr. appt. I was 39 weeks and doing all that I could (except for the crazy stuff) to see if I could get this ball rolling. Sadly nothing worked. At 4:15pm we headed into the Dr. I was 3 cm dilated. I don't know what Dr. Cox did, I think he scraped my membranes, then he talked about induction and that I could call and schedule one anytime. Jon and I decided that we would continue to wait a little longer. After the appt. I called my mom to give her the update and we joked about having her the next day on the 8th so she could be like Jayden (Jayden was born on the 8th). After I hung up with her I started to feel pressure but I usually feel weird after appts. so we went to dinner then walked the mall. At 8:00 pm I put Jayden to bed, did the dishes and various other chores just in case I went into labor( I start this routine at 37 weeks) and then went to bed. Around Midnight when I got up to use the bath room I felt lots of pressure but I was having no contractions so I didn't think anything of it. At 2:30 a.m. the pressure was getting stronger and I was having small irregular contractions so I decided to go get checked out. I woke up Jon and we stared packing and getting things ready. The more I walked around the more contractions I had. When we finally left at 4:30 a.m. the contractions were coming every 2 min and they hurt. So we get to the hospital and I am 6 cm. It was a busy night so I had to wait a few hours before getting my epidural. After I received the drugs they checked me and I was 9 cm. A little while after that it was time to push. I pushed for what felt like the longest most horrible 30 min of my life. I kept asking Dr. Cox to use the vacuum to just suck her out ( he wouldn't) then right before I was about to just give up and die she was born 12:01 p.m. ,Tuesday June 8th, 2010, 7 lbs even 19 1/2 inches (the same measurements as Jayden).
....................................................................................................................................................................
3 Weeks Later

Everything is going great!! I don't even feel like I had a baby. I have had no baby blues and as for Jayden....well let's just say he is having a harder time adjusting but he is also going through his terrible two's so we just take it one day at a time. I love having two kids!!

33 Weeks

2010-04-28T11:43:00.000-07:00

This morning as I was writing things in our calendar I realized that after this week I will have just one more full month of being pregnant! With Jayden everything went by so fast, but this time it feels like it is taking forever....which has been good and bad. This pregnancy has brought out a lot of emotion. With Jayden I was happy and carefree always in a good mood, well not this time. The first 4 months were felled with what I call Prepartum Depression. I questioned my ability to handle another baby especially with Jayden being so young, and it scared me. Was I really ready? The answer was always no followed by an hour of tears. Then my thoughts turned to the fact that I was going to have to give birth again and that freaked me out even more. Then at 4 months the those feelings were gone...they just vanished and I was happy and carefree again. That is until the ultrasound. It started out great, until they told me she has two small cysts on her brain so they ordered a genetic blood test. Those tests came out normal and the Dr. was not worried after that. Then the next apt. came and he told me that looking over the ultrasound he found something else...a single artery cord. Now that sounds scary but the internet makes it worse than it is. It is in fact the most common cord problem and all it means for me and baby is I will have to start weekly stressed tests at 36 weeks, because babies with this problem tend to become weak the last few weeks of the pregnancy so they need to watch her. Then when she is born she will just get a little more attention. The main concern is kidney function, but Dr. Cox is the best and when he tells me not to worry I believe him. My last two apts. have been great though everything looks normal. While we were going though those months of worry I became very closed off. I tuned off my phone for a whole week once because I didn't want to talk to anyone. Now it wasn't because I was in self pity or anything like that I just woke up one day mad, at nothing in particular I was just mad. It's like something just clicked inside me and my killer instinct came flooding out. I felt like I could take on anyone. I would pick fights just to pick a fight. One day I asked Jon what was happening to me, why was I so mean? We have since decided that either two girls just can't share the same space for that long or we are going to have one mean little girl. I am hoping for the fist one. Well I am happy to say that I am 33 weeks and back to being happy and carefree, let's hope it stays that way because I am tired of these crazy mood swings. Also forgive me if this post is all over the place I have a sever case of pregnancy brain and am a little slow most of the time.

33 Weeks

Let's Go To Colorado!

2010-04-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

Every year since we have been married I suggest we go on a fun trip for spring break. In the end we never go. This year was different....it all started with "Let's go to Colorado!" (note that phrase is now a very funny inside joke) Now this wasn't just some crazy out of the blue trip you see Jon's brother and sister-in-law live in Longmont so we thought it would be fun to go visit, and boy was it fun! I almost felt like I did when we were new and kid-less. We were always so spontaneous. I remember waking up at midnight to ask him if he wanted to go camping. He would sleepily say "Sure! lets plan for next weekend " and I would reply "I was thinking right now." and within a few minuets we would be up packing laughing at how we can't believe we are doing this. Since Jayden's arrival we have slowed down everything has to be planed to ensure his comfort. This time he and the dogs were just along for the ride.
We made the final decision to go at 6:00pm and after packing we headed out at 9:00pm Monday night and we drove to Green River, WY arriving at 2:30am. All I can say is thank goodness for portable DVD player's!! It was baby Einstein all the way, well just one over and over....you see Jayden hates all baby Einstein except the baby Galileo, we call it his happy video. Anyways..after a couple hours sleep in a very cheap very not so clean motel we woke up at left Green River in the middle of a huge WY/CO blizzard!! This is where the inside joke comes in. Here we are going 40 mph on the freeway with very little visibility and I blurted out in a very sarcastic tone "Let's go to Colorado! It will be so much fun" and Jon would laugh and respond "Quiet, this is fun." and then we would laugh until tears came to our eye's. So for the rest of the trip when ever something not so good happened I would say " Let's go to Colorado!" and we would laugh, and trust me we needed it. After leaving Green River we arrived in Rawlins which was only 3 hours away from our final destination and they closed the road!!! We waited at a trucker station until 4:00pm and then decided that we should find a hotel for the night. There was only one hotel that took pets and they had one room left, in the smoking section. I checked the room out first and thankfully it did not smell like smoke and was very clean so we took it. The rest of the night was filled with " Let's go to Colorado" jokes and lots of laughter. But by the next morning the road was open and we finally made it to Longmont!
We spent the rest of the week having a blast with Jon's brother's family. We went to the Butterfly Pavilion and the Denver Aquarium where Jayden actually touched a stingray twice!! The ride home was smooth and we had great weather! Jayden was a great passenger. We had to make a few stops to let him run around but I think he enjoyed himself.

Denver Aquarium
(it was very crowded and dark and just not a good day for Pics)

Butterfly Pavilion

Jason, Hannah, Little Jason

27 weeks!! (A.K.A 6 months 3 weeks)

2010-03-14T20:57:00.000-07:00

It's finally here, my last week in the second trimester!! As of next sat I will officially enter the third and final trimester.....finally........

Sunday Walk

2010-03-14T19:53:00.000-07:00

Today after dinner we decided to take advantage of the nice weather and went out for a walk. For many months now Jayden has been boycotting shoes of any kind. Every time I try to put his shoes on he freaks out, so I have just been taking it one day at a time. Well today he not only let me put his shoes on he kept them on! Thus making today his first walk outside on his own two feet, he ended up liking it so much he screamed when it was time to go.

Oh more fun news!! A week ago Jayden learned how to drink from a straw...........

2010-03-14T19:52:00.000-07:00

Thought of The Day

2010-03-10T09:41:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I fantasize about being married to Michael Scott (who doesn't).....trust me it's bliss!!!!

Dream Donuts

2010-03-10T08:20:00.000-08:00

Last night I dreamed of donuts.....

As if in some sort of trance I woke up at 8:30..rapped in our bedspread I emerged from the hallway and ever so quitly sat on the arm of the couch and proseded to stare at the back of Jon's head. He was packing his lunch for the day. Jumping a little when he finaly turned around to find me there he started talking about his day and how he better leave early as to not be late.
"I need donuts."
"I'm sorry, but I should leave now just in case they changed the location of the seminar like they did last time."
"You don't know where it's at?"
"No, It's just last time I went to the building they told me to only to find that they changed locations and so I was late. So I want to leave early."
"What if they change locations again?"
"I will be late."
"So you want to leave early so you can be late?"
"Yes."
"I need donuts."
Laughing "Ok, what kind."
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It's a quit morning. I don't get many of these. Most mornings its wake up when Jayden does which never used to be an issue because Jayden always slept in until 9:30-10. Well those days are gone. About 3 weeks ago Jayden stared waking up at 8:00 and he wont quit. So now instead of getting up when he does its get woken up by him. I don't think it would be a big issue but I find my self 7 months pregnant and tired. 8 a.m. might as well be 4 a.m....but what can I do. I like him to much to get rid of him.
Today is different Jayden is still asleep and I am sitting in absolute silence eating my slightly microwaved Dream Donut. My mind is wandering and it's crazy that I have so many thoughts. Sometimes I get so caught up in motherhood that I forget who I am. It's not a bad thing I love the new mommy me, living every day for another is the best! But it's nice to get a small moment to rediscover myself....Thanks baby for crazy food dreams......I love you Dream Donuts!!!

Numa Numa

2010-02-01T15:15:00.000-08:00

Just a little clip of Jayden dancing to his FAVORITE song. That's right no barn yard nursery songs for him he wants the real stuff.

Finally Got Around To It

2009-11-15T20:01:00.001-08:00

It feels like an Eternity since I updated the blog. As most of you know the first few months of Pregnancy don't agree with me. I pretty much spend the day puking. I am 10 weeks now and ready for it to be over. Jon is a trooper he juggles school and work then comes home to be at my beck and call. I do love that man, even though sometimes I have dreams about throwing him out a window, but who hasn't. Anyways we have had a few fun things happen. The first being Jayden's first Halloween! I love Halloween..I make sure all of us dress up for the occasion. This year Jayden was a spider and Jon and I were the poor souls who got caught up in his web. My boys seemed to have had a blast, I wish I could say the same for me, I was to sick to really enjoy it, but I kept a smile on my face for Jayden.

(Halloween 2009)

The next big thing was Jayden's first Birthday!! Now its known through out my family that my mom is the cake guru. I and most of the family have fond memories of her homemade birthday cakes. Well I wanted Jayden to have the same fond memories only I wanted to give it a go for myself. When I told my mom that I was going to make Jayden's cake she seemed surprised, later she told me that she was proud of me for wanting to try it myself. So I went out and bought everything I needed for the job. Now I knew it was going to be a time consuming project but I didn't think it would be hard. At the time I came up with this brilliant plan I did not have the faintest idea that I was pregnant. So the day came to start on the cake and I felt horrible. As I was coloring the frosting I had to stop and puke several times because the smell was overwhelming. Then came the long hours of frosting the cake. A few times I shouted to Jon that I was going to throw this thing away and just go buy one..but I didn't. I don't know how she does it but I can not make a frosting star.When the cake was finished I didn't care what it looked like and threw it in the fridge. I don't think it is my best work but everyone said I did a wonderful job. Now when I look at pictures of the cake I realized that it is not so bad. And I guess I will do it all over again next year.

Jayden and Daddy

One of his new toys..the bug bike

My Family

Jayden with aunt Collette (not my sister but might as well be)
by the way she is 4 months pregnant with her first!!!

The Birthday Cake

Yummy.......

Did I Do Anything Today?

2009-10-28T15:18:00.000-07:00

My friend found this story and posted it on her blog. After reading it I had to share it on my blog. I think it is safe to say that all mother's have day's like this.

Did I Do Anything Today

My husband came home today and saw me sitting on the couch, toddler on one knee, and baby nursing on the opposite breast. I was trying to turn the pages of a book with the hand not attached to the infant,while listening for the sound of the stove buzzer, which would indicate that tonight's pork chops were at the stage between "well-done" and "the dog gets tonight's entree."

My Darling husband looked at me innocently, and asked "So, did you do anything today?" It's a good thing that most of my appendages were otherwise engaged, as I was unable to jump up and throttle him to death. This was probably for the best, as I assume that asking a stupid question is not grounds for murder in this country.

Let me back up a bit, and explain what led me to this point in my life.

I was not always bordering on the brink of insanity. On the contrary, a mere four years ago, I had a good job, steady income, and a vehicle that could NOT seat a professional sports team, and me, comfortably. I watched television shows that were not hosted by singing puppets. I went to bed later than nine o'clock at night. I preferred sex to sleeping in. I laughed at those people who drove halfway across the country hauling a tent trailer, three screaming kids, a drooling dog, and called it a holiday.

Now I have become one of them! What happened? The stick turned blue.

I have traded in my Victoria's Secrets lingerie for cotton briefs and a firm support nursing bra. Good-bye, Garth Brooks. Hello, Raffi, Lois and Bram. My idea of privacy is getting the use the bathroom without a two-year old banging on the door, and the baby spinning the toilet paper roll from my lap. And I finally understand that the term "Stay-At-Home Mom" does not refer to a parent who no longer works outside the house, but rather to one who never seems to get out the front door. So here I sit, children in hand, wondering how to answer my beloved husband.

DID I DO ANYTHING TODAY?

Well, I think I did, although not much seems to have gotten accomplished. I shared breakfast in bed with a handsome young man. Of course, the breakfast consisted of a bowl of porridge and leftover cookie crumbs found between the sheets. Then a handsome young man is about thirty-four inches tall and only gets really excited at the sight of bugs, a little blue dog, trucks, cars and Pancakes.

I got to take a relaxing stroll in the woods. Of course, I was on the lookout for frogs and lizards, and had to stop and smell the dandelions along the way. I successfully washed one load of laundry, moved the load that was in the washer into the dryer, and the dryer load into the basket. The load that was in the basket is now spread out on the bed, awaiting my bedtime decision to actually put the clothes away or merely move them to the top of the dresser. I read two or three classics. Of course, Dickens and Shakespeare cannot take credit for these works, as we have moved on to the works of Seuss and Sandek. I don't think I will be making any trips to the Adult Section of my local library anytime soon. In between, I dusted, wiped, organized and rearranged. I kissed away the owies and washed away the tears. I scolded, praised, hugged, and tested my patience, all before noon.

DID I DO ANYTHING TODAY? You betcha!

I will now understand what people mean when they say that parenthood is the hardest job they will ever have. In my LBD (life before diapers) I was able to teach young minds how to divide fractions and write complex sentences, but I am unable to teach a strong willed three-year-old how to use the toilet. I was once able to navigate urban streets while talking on the car phone and looking for a decent radio station, but now I can't get the wheels on my stroller to all go in the same direction.

I've graduated from a university, written newspaper articles, and won awards, but I can't figure out how to get carrot stains out of the carpet. I used to debate with my friends about politics, but now we discuss the merits of cloth versus disposables. And when did I stop talking in sentences that had more than five words?

So, in response to my husband's inquiry, yes, I did do something today. In fact, I am one step closer to one of life's greatest accomplishments. No, I did not cure AIDS or forge World Peace, but I did hold a miracle in my arms. Two, in fact. My children are my great accomplishment, and the opportunity to raise them is my greatest challenge. I don't know if my children will grow up to be great leaders or world-class brain surgeons. Frankly, I don't care, as long as they grow up to be happy and fulfilled. They are my greatest joys, even though I sometimes cry myself to sleep at night in frustration. The point is, that today I got to watch my children take another step on the great journey of Life, and I even got to point out some of the sites along the way.

As challenging as parenthood is, it is also equally rewarding, because we are using all our wisdom, our talent and skills to help forge a new person. It is this person, these people, who, in turn, will use their gifts to create our future. So every nursery rhyme I recite, every swing I push, every little hand I hold is SOMETHING!

----- by Cyndi Devlin

Um...Surprise!

2009-10-05T18:30:00.000-07:00

(October 31, 2008 one week to go)

This month I have found myself reflecting on the birth of my son. In a few weeks my baby will be 1 year old. The memory of his birth is still fresh in my mind. Most people say you forget, I didn't. I remember the kind nurse who held my hand during contractions, then holding me through the epidural. I remember her leaving because her shift was over and the new nurse coming to take her place. I remember feeling the epidural slowly were off and asking time after time to have more, but there was no time I was at a 10.
I remember the fear I felt when it hit me that this was going to be natural. I remember how I gave a few great pushes. I remember busting into tears because I felt I could no longer take the pain. I remember the nurse yelling at me to stop crying and push. I remember the kind Dr. tell her to leave me alone. I remember his eyes soft, warm, and full of encouragement. I remember holding my breath and then no more...I remember the room turning black and I thought this is the end. Then as quick as the blackness occurred there was light and a baby, my son.
I remember looking up at Jon and whispering "No more" I remember the resident Dr. telling me that I had torn and she needed to stitch me up. I remember feeling the stitches and I told her that I could feel them. I remember her looking at me. The whole room looked at me with the realization that even though my chart said epidural that I had just had a natural birth. I remember Jon telling me how I blacked out and the Dr. telling a nurse to prep the OR for an emergency c-section because he was losing us. Then the Dr. noticed that even though I was blacked out I was still pushing and the head finally came out. Using his instincts he placed his hands to support the head and he pulled my baby out. That's why I tore. I remember thinking that I would take a tear over c-section any day.
I remember thinking its over. It wasn't. I remember standing up with the strange nurse and feeling a gush of blood she said it was normal so I put it out of my mind. I remember it dripping on the floor as I walked to the bathroom with the recovery nurse. She looked me in the eye and told me to stay calm, I did. I remember her calling for more nurses. I remember looking down to see a clot the size of a football fall to the floor followed by more blood. I remember being led back to the bed. Jon held my hand as a flood of nurses and the resident Dr. came running into the room. I focused on Jon. I remember the Dr. coming in, I remember his eyes as he told me that he was going to have to scrape the clots out and that it was going to be very painful. I remember the pain. Then I remember calm, it was over. I slept deeper that night than I have ever slept before. I remember the next afternoon they brought Jayden to me. I held him close. I remember telling myself that he was worth it. I meant it.

This time last year I had no idea what I was in for. So its only fitting to find myself in the same predicament..

Um......Surprise!!!

Jensen baby number 2 is on the way!! And I couldn't be happier!!

2009-08-31T19:56:00.000-07:00

Every mom needs a little me time. I finally found mine.....

Complements of the little nail salon in Walmart ! Thanks

A Little Big Project

2009-08-31T19:33:00.000-07:00

Well I finally took another thing off the list. We had family photo's taken when Jayden was 4 months old and I finally got them put up the other day. Now before you judge me I just need to say that our apartment is different than others it is over 100 years old! Not kidding!! So the walls are very weak. When we put a hole in the wall you can hear it braking and falling behind the wall. Also sometimes the wall around the nail breaks off in big chunks so you are left with a big hole. (That's bad!) To make matters worse some parts of the walls are metal of some kind so you cant put anything up on that wall even if you wanted to. So I have little to work with. Plus when we can put something up we have one shot you cant put something up and then say" Its not straight "or "I want it over there" you have to get it perfect the first time so you can imagine how long it takes us. So after a few days of marking and planing we finaly have family photo's. I still have more to do with that wall but that is another project.

Before

After

9 Month's Old

2009-08-31T19:02:00.001-07:00

I has been kind of a long month for the Jayden and I . I have not been feeling well. I am not sick just tired like dead tired its kinda weird but we will see what happens. Jayden has been having a rough time to. He turned 9 months and just started acting weird. I know that sometimes I worry too much about little things but I am new to all this parenting stuff and they don't come with a manual. Anyways Jayden has always been pretty good at eating his baby food up until this month! He will eat a little but he has cut back a lot he seems very uninterested in it and would rather have his bottle all the time. I don't know what to do about it. Also he still won't pick up snacks and put them in his mouth. I set out little things and he just plays with them or if he really wants to eat it he will bend down and eat it hands free. What a crazy kid I have!! But not to leave on a bad note he can stand on his own without holding on to things and he has even taken a few steps!! Teeth count 4 and Haircut count is 5. Can't wait to see what next month brings.

Hates grass

After his 5th haircut

Fun With Hair

2009-08-31T18:28:00.000-07:00

It's easy to say that Jayden has a lot of hair. I mean lets face it he has ton's!! In the short 9 months that he has lived he has had 5 hair cuts one just the other day. His first hair cut was at 2 months old and like any good mother I saved those little hairs for his scrapbook. On Friday my mom was cutting his hair and when I say cutting I mean bussing. Well she has this No-Mess hair trimmer it has a cool vacuum attached that collects all the falling hair thus no mess. Well when she was done she opened the compartment to dump the hair out and it was half full. It wasn't that big of shock to me but she just stared at it then she looked up at me and said "Do you want to save it?" I laughed and said no but in my head I was thinking that if I saved all his 5 hair cuts I would have enough to make a mans toupee. Anyways you might be wondering why I decided to dedicate a post to Jayden's hair...well before the last hair cut I did a little playing. I noticed that after I bath him his hair is kinda wavy so I wanted to see what it would look like if I just added a little gel and a quick scrunch and this is how it turned out.....

Hey Guy's This Isnt Funny

2009-08-17T20:22:00.000-07:00

The Sharing of the Popcorn

2009-08-17T19:49:00.000-07:00

Mobile Again

2009-08-17T19:26:00.000-07:00

One thing we love to do in our family is ride bikes. We didn't ride last year due to the fact that I was preggo. So this year I was excited to get a bike trailer! We bought the bike trailer but Jon realized that his bike was broken and he needed a new one. So I suggested that we go look at D.I. I didn't think that we would find anything but I was wrong we found a great bike for $15. I was excited!! Now we ride almost everyday.

Sweet $15 Bike

Getting ready to go for a ride

Returning home from our ride

Happy Birthday's

2009-08-17T18:36:00.000-07:00

Jon and I celebrated our birthday's this month. Jon's was August 3rd and mine was the next day on August 4th. Yes I know that's CRAZY!! Anyways as I was saying Jon turned 31 and I turned the big 25 and let me tell you I feel it.... but it was fun as always. For two days we had cake opened some presents then went swimming and out for a picnic. Very laid back just the way we like it. Can't wait until Jayden's!!

Jayden 8 Months! Via Slide Show

2009-08-17T17:45:00.001-07:00

Wow! Has it really been a whole month since I have updated my blog!! Well ok I am not that shocked about it. I have been kind of lazy this month and just never felt like blogging and then when I finally felt like I wanted to the device that gets the pictures off of the camera broke. Well I don't remember a lot of July besides the fact that Jayden learned how to take his diaper off and peed on the carpet. So just to make things simple I decided to just put all of last month in a slide show. Enjoy!!

One Month One Slide Show

2009-08-17T17:33:00.001-07:00

The New Trick

2009-07-14T15:54:00.000-07:00

Jayden's First Hike

2009-07-14T15:53:00.001-07:00

Family Fun

2009-07-14T14:33:00.001-07:00

This year for the Forth of July we decided to spend some time with my family in Wendell. It was Jayden's first Forth and he loved the fireworks! Sadly I will not get to show you just how much he enjoyed them because I too was having so much fun that I forgot to take pictures. But not to leave on a sad note the Monday after the Forth we went camping for a few days and I made sure that I took lot's of pictures. We had a lot of fun on this camping trip and as usual Jayden experienced some first's which included a four-wheeler ride, a hike to Ross Fall's , and a Moose! Jayden also turned 8 months on this trip and true to his style learned a new trick which I will show later. We also found out that Kobi loves to chase after the four-wheelers and is scared of the campfire. And Kida loves marshmallows both regular and roasted. She also likes to go on hikes. It was a fun trip.

My brother Tylor and his guitar

Kida

Kobi liked to lay in the tall grass

Jayden 8 month's

The Moose we saw as we were leaving for home

Daddy & Me( Feb 2009)

2009-06-20T21:11:00.000-07:00

2009-06-20T21:06:00.001-07:00

Father's Day

Over the years
As we grow old,
We remember our father
So brave and bold.

In the garden,
Leaning on the plow,
He would listen to me;
I see him now.

He would give advice
And understand;
He was always there
To lend a hand.

God made fathers
Strong and firm,
For he knew our lives
Would have great concerns.

So he gave us fathers
To teach us to pray,
And guide our lives,
And show us the way.

So on his day
Let's take the time
To say "Thanks, dad.
I'm glad you're mine."

Mary Frances Bogle

2009-06-20T21:05:00.001-07:00