FINALLY!

July 1, 2009

21 long days, 3 weeks to the day of the accident Travis opened his eyes. First with his wife, then with his mother and then with me. I had spent many nights and hours upon hours during the day staring at him for any little sign that he was there. I cannot put into words the emotions that my family is feeling right now - nothing can describe it strong enough. He communicates with us by squeezing our hand and my heart truly races every time I feel his little squeeze.


I come from a small family. I only have two brothers. We are far from perfect, but we love each other. I don't think we truly knew how much we loved each other until this. My brother has held my hand through so many of my own trials and I am so glad that I can finally hold his through this. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers for my family - we truly have been comforted because of them.

Update

I am still in Idaho with my family. My boys came last Friday. It had been 10 days and I was in much need of having them here with me. I am truly grateful to my Mother-in-law for her love and support and all that she did for my little family. James and I were in the middle of packing when we received the call to come to Idaho and Becky (my mother-in-law) not only took excellent care of my boys but completely finished packing us AND cleaned the house! My family now calls her Super Becky! James had to leave last week and I am truly grateful for my family and friends who have done everything that I have needed in helping me here with my boys! Megan and Emily we LOVE you! I am truly blessed to have my Sister-in-law, Wendy here and my Cousin, Stacey that have offered so much help! THANK YOU! And as ALWAYS Carson and Lacey I can never thank you enough for your love, support, and friendship... You know that you are more than friends, you are our family. We LOVE you!


Emily is home at my parents and Travis remains in critical condition in the ICU. I really don't feel like it is my story to tell. But, my SWEET Sister-in-law Rebecca (Travis' wife) has started a blog to update family and friends of his condition. The blog address is http://www.walltravis.blogspot.com/ if you go to the first post it tells the amazing story of June 10, 2009 that has completely changed my families life forever.


So, I will remain here in Idaho to be with my family until the need to have me here is no longer. For this I am truly grateful for my husband, James - for doing everything so that I don't have to do anything but be here. Thank You! AND to my AMAZING Brother, Jason and Sister-in-law, Amy - I can't put into words how grateful I am for you and your amazing hospitality... You are truly who I need to be with at this time and I love you and appreciate our late night talks!


My family has truly been rocked to the core over the last two weeks. We are so grateful to still have Travis here with us and continue to pray harder then I ever knew possible for him each day. Thank you again for the emails, voice mails and texts - I truly appreciate everyone of them!

Thank You

Thank you all for all of your thoughts and prayers for my family. My Brother Travis and his daughter Emily were in a terrible motorcycle accident last Wednesday. They had been on a date to Reeds Dairy to get ice cream and were on there way to the Army Surplus store when a truck turned right in front of them. They both were wearing helmets, but both sustained major injuries. Travis currently is still in critical condition and Emily has been moved from ICU up to pediatrics.


I have received all of the voicemails and emails on my phone and have been truly touched by the love and support. I am not able to return them at this time and this was the easiest and fastest way that I could tell you that I am receiving them and grateful. Thank You. I am here with my family in Idaho Falls and my SWEET mother-in-law has my boys in Utah. Thank You again for your thoughts.

So, Megan (my cousin) is at girls camp this week and we have had the pleasure of getting to have the girls here. Matayia made the mistake of telling Carter she would read to him... I finally had to distract him so that she could go and play!


Well, we have been pretty crazy the last couple weeks... James has taken a new job and we are moving to Saint George, Utah in three weeks!!! We have taken multiple trips there and back looking for homes and we finally found on that we LOVE! The home was built in 2001 but, the man who is selling it is a carpenter and he bought it in 2008 and did a total renovation on the whole house! So, everything is brand new and he did a beautiful job! The home is a little bit of a smaller home - But, I have to admit that after living in this big of a home I am actually really excited to down size! I really don't enjoy cleaning 4 full bathrooms every week! The house comes with more than an acre of property with three beautiful apricot trees, a cherry tree, and to top it all off a pomegranate bush! I LOVE pomegranates and the bush is already full of little berry size pomegranates... Now, I just have to protect it from the boys! So, life is a little crazy with getting packed, moving, and trying to enjoy our summer as much as possible in the process! This is something that we weren't expecting... But, the more we get used to the idea of it the adventure sounds a little fun!

Catching Up!

I LOVE this little man! He has truly stepped up and is such a little helper for what ever I need. Cannon eats every night at 5:00 p.m..... I am always in the middle of getting dinner ready and McKay has taken it upon himself to make it his job to feed Cannon this bottle. I love to watch him as he feeds him - he just sits and stares at Cannon and studies all of his little features and as you can see - Cannon just stares back with equal admiration!

We are lucky enough to have a fabulous relationship with James' Grandma Turley. My Boys truly cherish her and love every moment they get to spend with her. We went with her on Memorial Day to Grandpa Turleys grave and out to lunch.

I made carmel corn to take and give to the teachers at McKays school on the last day... I had it in bags on the bar and went downstairs to get my roll of cellophane to wrap them up... When I came upstairs one of the bags was missing and so was my middle child! The temptation proved to be more than he could handle and he was hiding under the table eating it as fast as he could! I was glad that I had made an extra bag and just left him alone!

Just Catching Up

First Haircut! His father had brainwashed him against a haircut... So, we had to wait one day until he left! Carter just kept telling me "just a yittle (little) bit Mom"!

Cannon at 4 months!

He keeps my life interesting!!!

Fun In The Sun

No, The Umbrella did not survive.... Boys... Water... Umbrella... It got mangled!

For All Of You Who Told Him To Sing Loud...

So, today was Pre-school graduation... McKay was so excited because he had a solo song he was singing... If there is one thing about my son that never changes it's that he is NOT shy in any way! There were two kids that couldn't make it at the last minute because they were sick and the teacher had McKay do both of their parts too! This video was the last song of the program... Half of the group was about ready to fall asleep until this.... Oh and in the middle - He's not done!

(i'm sorry it's sideways... I can't figure out how to turn it... But, it's worth turning your head for!)

A Few Questions For McKay!

So, my friend Jennifer asked her adorable daughter Sadie these questions... I told her that I was too nervous to ask McKay them because I was afraid of what he would say!!! But, today I finally got up the nerve and it was pretty funny to see what he thought of me!

1. What is something mom always says to you? "I Love You"

2. What makes mom happy? "Me doing things that you like me to like playing with Carter"

3. What makes mom sad? "When I don't put my bike in the garage"

4. How does your mom make you laugh? "You make up funny dances"

5. What was your mom like as a child? "That's one thing I don't know... I think you wore bows in your hair"

6. How old is your mom? "61... Is that right Mom???" I said NO and he said "Well then how old are you? 7....." I don't know what is worse 61 or 7!!!

7. How tall is your mom? "Not as tall as Dad"

8. What is her favorite thing to do? "Work out or jump on the trampoline with me"

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? "Play with Carter"

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? "Singing - But, you should take a guitar lesson you might be better at that"!

11. What is your mom really good at? "Making me laugh and getting on the computer and finding things I want for Christmas"

12. What is your mom not very good at? "Doing Karate, I know excellent Karate - But, you need to work on yours"!

13. What does your mom do for her job? "It's your job to take us to Cherry Hill"!

14. What is your mom's favorite food? "Mexico or a salad" (I assume Mexico means Mexican!)

15. What makes you proud of your mom? "Your lunches you make me are awesome"

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? "Super girl or Meg (On Hercules) She's hot"

17. What do you and your mom do together? "Read books and cuddle"

18. How are you and your mom the same? "We both take care of the boys"!

19. How are you and your mom different? "I'm a boy and your a girl...." (Said like: um hello am I the only one that has noticed that!!!)

20. How do you know your mom loves you? "Because I am the smartest kid in my class"!

Crazy Life....

One of my FAVORITE things... when they cuddle... As you can see Carter fell asleep and McKay was trying to hold so still so that he wouldn't wake him. LOVE moments like this...

I think a dandelion is the most beautiful flower a son can give his mother...

McKay LOVES to rock Cannon... and Cannon LOVES to have McKay rock him. I think he truly knows how much his brothers love him... and he loves them back every bit as much.

You have to LOVE the Bob the Builder belt holding the sward!!! - On the other side it was holding his pistol!

So, My Mom called today and said that even though she too is a fan of Kris Allen she is tired of seeing him on my blog and needs a little love from the boys! So, we always try to take care of the Grandma that is hours away needing a little love!

So, I have to admit that I did my part once again this week and voted 65 times for Kris! I really like him, but I think I am voting more for him hoping that he will win so that Adam won't! Adam just freaks me out... He makes my Mama radar go off for some reason.....

We have been crazy busy with a trip to Idaho for a baptism and two baby blessings, a trip to Saint George for work with James (James' Mom was fabulous enough to come and stay with the boys so that I could go with him) end of school year activities including pre-school graduation practices, a bout of the flu for McKay and I, getting the trailer ready for summer - the boys have already slept out in it twice, a WONDERFUL Mother's day, McKay having his first run in with an ant hill and losing... James got the motorcycle fixed and he and the boys have been enjoying trail rides (He and McKay went 25 miles one day... not on purpose - they got lost! One of those "Hey Mom, we got so lost that we had to stop and say a prayer" moments!) Baths every night because my kids are sooo dirty from playing out in the dirt all day, McKay and Carter are the most popular kids in the neighborhood... they are the only kids with grass and a trampoline!!!

So, McKay and Carter were playing outside today and I was feeding Cannon when Carter came in crying because he couldn't find McKay... At first I wasn't too worried thinking he had to be close by. But, when I went outside I couldn't find him either... I noticed right off that his bike was gone and that made me a little nervous because he could go pretty quick on that and we live right by a lake... So, you go through that panic of what do I do with my other two children while I go and look for McKay (James had taken my car to get it serviced so I didn't have my car seats...)It even got to the point that I called James panicked and scared him to death... But, at that point I was pretty scared too... and it had been about 15 minutes that I had been looking for him - it's at that point that you are seriously starting to consider calling the cops... when this cute little boy comes into sight on his little bike... You don't know whether you should hug him and kiss him or ground him or both! He didn't understand what he had done... and was pretty surprised to find his Mom and his little brother crying! He was just pretty excited about a new friend he had made and a new bike jump he had found.... So, since I can't whistle (like my husband can to call the boys home) James stopped and bought me a hand held fog horn!!!! The kind that those crazy kids use at football games!!! The boys think it is great, I am just grateful for something that will work and my neighbors are going to think we are white trash!!! Just another day in the life of the Turleys!

Cannon is Fabulous!!! The sweet little man sleeps from 8:00 p.m. to about 6:00 a.m. - My other two boys didn't even sleep this good until they were about 8 months! He is just the happiest little baby - so quick to smile and laugh!

I'm A Closet Voter!

So, I totally have to admit something... I am coming out of the closet and admitting that I vote every week for American Idol... and I am throwing James under the bus and telling you that he does too!!! We voted over 100 times this week for Mr. Kris Allen - I like him... he's my favorite! I know that a lot of people are into Adam Lambert... But, he is just a little too much - Something about the eyeliner just doesn't do it for me! James and I have it down to a science with dialing opposite of each other - And if you wait to call when there is only about 30 minutes left you get through a lot easier too! So, there it is... It's not a deep dark secret any longer and now Megan and Greg can't hold it over our heads!


So, my sweet husband came home on Tuesday and asked if there was anything that he could do for me... I was pondering how I was going to take all three kids to Cannon's check up... So, I said to him that he could stay home with McKay and Carter or he could take Cannon.... I seriously thought that he would stay home! But, he told me that he could handle taking Cannon to his appointment! I did tell him that he would have to have shots - and he once again told me he could handle it! I just kind of laughed to myself as he walked out the door acting so tough... about an hour later James came back with Cannon and the first thing he said was "Thanks a lot and just so you know I will NEVER take any of our children for shots AGAIN, from now on I will do what a man is supposed to do and you do what a woman is supposed to do...that's a Mothers job!" I didn't know that he was going to have to have 5 shots! James said that Cannon screamed like he had never heard him scream before and totally held a grudge against James and the nurse and was still mad at James when they got home! Unfortunately I don't think he will come home early anytime soon and ask if there is anything he can do for me... or next time there will just be a lot more clarification!

Monday LOVE!

Have I ever told you that I absolutely LOVE Mondays... It's something about starting a fresh new week that always puts me in a good mood! Mondays are just so refreshing for me - I think it's because I take it pretty easy on the weekends and don't get much done around the house... and when Monday finally comes around I'm pretty motivated to get a lot done! I love to start the laundry and put a little clean sparkle on the house...

So, a few months ago James put the hunt on for my Birthday present... He did really good this year and was able to keep it a secret up until about a month ago! When I was growing up I had a major fear of the dark... So, at night my parents would always leave my bedroom door cracked as I was going to bed at night - My Dad would always go out into the living room and turn on music and listen to it - One of his favorites being Kenny Rogers. So, I would lay in bed and listen to Kenny Rogers as I fell asleep... I, as many people do have a "Life List" - a list of things I want to do in this life and on that list I had that I wanted to go to a Kenny Rogers concert! So, without me knowing James found and got tickets for us to go to Kenny Rogers in concert in Las Vegas last Friday night! I did find out about the surprise about a month ago.... But, it was still the greatest thing ever! It meant so much to me that James really put so much thought into it! So, my Mom came and stayed with the boys and we headed off to Las Vegas! Airfare is totally cheap to Vegas right now, but we decided that we wanted to take a road trip! It's only 6 hours from here and we had a total blast! 6 hours of just US - it was amazing! James and I haven't left the kids together like that since McKay was 8 months old! When it comes down to it I just can never leave them... But, I sooo needed and loved this weekend with James just being his wife! So, thanks James I LOVE you so much! It was fun to come home and see all the fun things they did with my Mom and they had surprised me and planted my flower pots for me!

Sunday was my Birthday and the funny thing is that I thought I was turning 32... But, I was really only 31! It took James and my Mom together to convince me that I was really only 31! So, I didn't turn a year older I turned a year younger! We went to church and I have a new calling teaching McKays primary class - it was so cute to watch him when we walked into opening exercises together... He was so proud of me and kept telling everyone that I was his Mom and that I was his teacher too! When we got home he said "Mom, I was looking today and you were the prettiest teacher there"! That right there was the highlight of the whole day! It means a lot to a Mother to have a son who is so proud of her! James made his famous ribs in the Dutch oven for dinner and Megan and Greg and the girls came over for dinner. So, it was a really nice day with family!

My Mom left today and poor Carter had a complete breakdown when she left... He was just beside himself with tears! I kept trying to tell him that we would see her again on Friday... but, nothing worked until McKay worked his magic on him and cuddled with him for awhile. Thank you Mom for coming and staying with the boys and living my life for a couple days! I Love you!

So, We're off to another week full of school pictures, doctors appointments for shots, check up for Cannon and up to Idaho this weekend for baby blessings and a Baptism! Life just keeps us busy!

No Blogging...

The weather has been way too good to blog... Lots of playing outside, jumping on the trampoline (Carter has me out there every morning at 7:00 a.m. doing ring around the rosies over and over again!), playing in the empty lot next to us, going to the park, James and McKay went golfing and a fabulous picnic last night with Jason and Kristin and their family! Fabulous until Jason drowned me with water... Did I mention that it was also parent teacher conference and I had to leave from the picnic and go straight there soaking wet!!! Not joking at all I looked like a drowned rat! People looked at me a little funny when I walked in... What's a Mom to do? My Mom comes today to spend the weekend with us and I turn the big 32 on Sunday!!! Lots of fun things going on! I'm totally loving Carters TAN little bald head right now - if he can't have hair he may as well have a good tan! I hope you are enjoying the FABULOUS weather as much as we are!

What A Good Day

So, today was Sunday... and James and I both woke up sick... I have been battling a cold all week and it finally caught up to James too... So, we called in sick for teaching primary and stayed home. But, we still had two little boys who had enough energy to take on the world! So, I kept them busy with play dough, a little painting project, I read them a Magic Tree House book, we ALL took a nap and they spent hours outside playing. I have to tell you that today was one of the best days our little family has had together in a long time... No where to be - couldn't really do anything because it was still Sunday... Just time for us to be together! I had so many moments today... and as I was rocking Cannon tonight and could hear the boys laughing together in the bathtub I really started to think about the day. Why was today different than any other day? What made it so good and so special? Because it wasn't just me, James commented that today had been a really good day too and as McKay was getting into bed tonight he thanked me for the "Best day ever"... It's not an option for us to skip church every Sunday and stay home together... So, what was it? I decided that it was a couple things - It was that James and I stopped and truly took time for our boys - We played play dough, we helped them and encouraged them while they painted, I cuddled in bed with them and took the time to read them a long book, we went on a walk together as a family... I try hard everyday to spend time with each one of my children. But, I realized today that as I spend time with them in my mind I am always thinking of what else needs to be done and may rush things along a little bit. I think that they can sense this - and today they did not feel the threat of that. Today they felt our desire to be with them. I know that I cannot do this everyday - Tomorrow morning we will get up and McKay will need to be to school, it's laundry day and I need to go grocery shopping... BUT, the time that we are together I truly need to focus on being with them and living in that moment. I need to stop worrying about getting everything else done and focus on spending more quality time with them - I need to stop more often and sit down with them instead of trying to find things to keep them busy so that I can get done what I want to. My cousin once told me she couldn't wait until I had more than one child because then maybe my house would be a little messy... In my mind I have always thought that I couldn't let that happen... But I am learning when it comes down to it - it really doesn't matter how clean my house is... It matters that I was their Mother.

Easter Pictures... And A Few Other Things!

Easter egg hunt at Jason and Amy's! It was the first year that he just took off with the older kids and didn't sit back and wait for us to help him... it was a little sad for me - But, fun to watch him have such a good time!

Carter saw the gum and the Dominoes in his Easter basket and that was all he cared about! It seriously doesn't take much to make this little guy happy! It wasn't until later in the day that I got him to sit down and look at everything else that was in his basket!

LOVE the smile - it's the real smile! Not the forced, awkward, please hurry up and take the picture smile!

So, this year I decided it was time to re-evaluate the holidays... I have decided that Santa Clause the Easter Bunny and James and I are no longer going to give my children things that aren't useful. For Valentines day I made my boys cute little packages of treats and a couple little toys... only to have it devoured within a couple hours and the toys to be a thing of the past within a day or two... I was frustrated that I had spent money on something that was so useless... I decided that from here on out I am only going to give my children things that they can truly use and enjoy for more than 1 day. Books, games, activities and projects... The Easter Bunny brought them each one treat and that was it and the great thing was that they were more excited about everything else more than the treat! All week long they have been totaly emerged in all their new projects, books and games.

Carter coloring Easter eggs! He got his eggs the darkest because he was so patient to let them sit... Or really just because he was cold and wouldn't put his shirt on and he didn't want to get out of his blanket to get the eggs out!

Weekend In Idaho

McKay decided that it was warm enough to run through the sprinkler on Sunday morning... it wasn't! So, he took his clothes off and laid them out on the patio to dry... But, the next thing I know he is riding around on his bike in his underware! The funny thing is that church was getting out across the street at the same time and he was riding his bike on the church sidewalks - swerving around people! Everyone was getting a good little laugh at him! It was one of those moments that James came in the house and said "Come and look at what YOUR son is doing"!

When my Dad is explaining something to you he always has to draw it out - he is a total doodler! So, he was explaining the electrical system on our trailer to James and Carter saw that there was a pen and paper and had to be apart of whatever it was! I love how he is holding the pen and my dad is guiding his hand!

Carter "helping" Grandpa and Dad with the trailer...

Aunt Amy captured Carter's heart! All it took was her getting the four wheeler out and he wouldn't let her out of his sight! He LOVED the little hills and as soon as they would get over them he would just start saying "Again, Again, Again..."! I LOVE how Tyson calls Carter "Carter Baby"! - Even though there is only a 4 month age difference between the two!

Coloring Eggs!

A Couple Family Favorites...

So, We had a fabulous weekend in Idaho Falls visiting family and friends! My kids played outside like it was the middle of the summer!!! We had a family dinner on Sunday and I took a couple appetizers that have become family favorites... the greatest thing about them is that they are super easy!!!


Stuffed Mushrooms

1 package cream cheese
1 pound breakfast sausage
mushrooms

Take the stems out of the mushrooms and discard all but about 1/3. Finely chop up stems and add to sausage in a skillet and cook. When sausage is cooked all the way add cream cheese and heat until well mixed with sausage. Spoon mixture into mushroom caps and bake covered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. If the mushrooms haven't cooked enough you may need to cook a little longer - it depends on how well you like your mushrooms cooked. With this recipe you can do 3-4 packages of mushrooms.


Little Smokie Wraps

1 package Little Smokies
1 Package Turkey Bacon
Brown Sugar

Cut package of turkey bacon in half. Wrap bacon around little smokie and use a tooth pick to hold in place. Place in baking dish and cover with brown sugar (be generous with brown sugar). Bake covered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. I will take it out at about 20 minutes and coat the little smokies with the melted brown sugar syrup a couple times and cook uncovered for the remaining of the time to let the bacon crisp up a little bit. Sometimes I cook it a little longer to get the bacon crispier - you do have to use Turkey bacon... regular bacon does not do well. With my family I always do a large package of the little smokies and it takes two packages of bacon. The children eat these like they are candy! And for the record I absolutely hate little smokies!!! BUT, I do really like these!

Just trying to get unpacked and caught up!!! Hoping to get a few Easter pictures posted in the next day or two! Thanks Mom and Dad for a wonderful weekend and thank you Jason and Amy for always putting on such wonderful family dinners!

Easter Package

My kids come unglued when we get the mail and there is a key... A key means there is a package and a package usually means a surprise from Moe (they call my Mom Moe)! Today we had been out running errands and stopped to get the mail on our way home... James got out to get the mail and when he walked up to the window to show the boys the key they just started screaming! Crazy enough that they woke Cannon up... The package included Candy M&M's (Carter's favorite) and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (McKay's favorite), Ring Pops, sidewalk chalk with cool little holders so your hands don't get all dirty, cupcake making supplies to make Easter cupcakes and a magazine for Mom! McKay just kept saying "Moe is the bomb"! Thanks Mom for all the special packages you send they truly are loved and appreciated!

As you can tell in the pictures McKay has quite the sunburn right now... He looks like a little raccoon. Tuesday was a beautiful day and James and McKay went skiing for the day with Jason and Gavin... I'm usually really good about getting sunblock on him before he leaves... But, he made it out the door without it and I didn't realize it until the day was pretty much over... The only thing that made me feel better was that James looked worse than McKay did when they got home!

We've had a crazy couple weeks... I had a migraine that I couldn't get rid of... I ended up at the emergency clinic and had to get two shots - one in my arm and one in my bottom... I finally found something that hurts worse then labor!!! I'm not joking... I rather have a baby than have those shots again! Cannon is still sleeping through the night - Now I just wish I could get my two other kids to do the same! Conference was amazing... until I went downstairs to check on the boys and see why they were being so quiet... they had let themselves into my scrapbook room and proceeded to play with my stamp supply... all over a pile of layouts I had been working on of Cannon... RUINED... It was one of those moments that you turn around and leave quickly and send your spouse in to deal with it because you are afraid of what will happen if you go back! We have played in warm weather and snow in the last week! - Crazy Utah weather! We successfully got Megan and Greg to the airport on there way to Germany... You may wonder why that is such a big deal... But, all of you who know what a stress case Greg is knows that this is a BIG deal!!! We had every alarm clock in our house set in our room including both of our cell phones!!! Plus, I had Greg call us too... just to make sure there hadn't been any malfunctions with the alarms!!! I wasn't going to be the one to start their amazing trip off to a stressful start with them getting to the airport late... So, it really was a BIG deal! I truly breathed a big sigh of relief when James called me and said he had just dropped them off and they were way early!

Well, we're off tomorrow to Idaho... It's My Dad's Birthday and we want to go and see Stacey's new baby, spend Easter with my family, James and my Dad are going to work on the trailer and get it ready for summer - something is wrong with the furnace... and we both need to renew our drivers licences... until the sell of the house goes through I am still claiming to be an Idaho resident!!! I hope you all have a wonderful Easter!

(It won't let me put this post into paragraghs.... So, sorry it's such a ramble of a post! And Megan Randall I LOVE your comments!!! We miss you! But, we're planning on coming to see you this weekend too!)

Lego Towers

Whenever McKay has something that he doesn't want Carter to mess with he either puts it on the dresser or on the top shelf of his bookcase... Carter has caught on to his tactics and today took them over! He is always very proud of his Lego towers and they usually last around the house for a couple days... today he built it on the dresser as a symbol of how important it really was - he built it block by block climbing up the dresser each time! When the tower was finally done it was taller than he was! Notice the top shelf of the bookcase in the third picture... Carter stuffed it full of all of his prized possessions today - pacifiers, pictures, his bubble gum, his Indian head nickles from Grandpa, and yes his Halloween trick or treat pumpkin that had all of his trains in it! McKay wasn't quite sure what to think about the invasion of his privacy... But Carter was pretty proud! When I explained to McKay that Carter was just doing it to be like him he was pretty proud too!

The Devil Wears Brown....

The Devil wears brown and disguises himself as an innocent little girl sitting by herself outside Walmart in the freezing cold... Yes, it's that lovely time of year again when Girls Scouts are out in an abundance trying to tempt you! But, it's also that lovely time when I am trying to lose the baby weight.... So, As I went to Walmart I walked right by that sweet looking girl and just kept telling myself I would have to run an extra hour on the treadmill and to have some self control!!! I made it in and out of the store without succumbing and was so proud of myself as I drove home!!! The next day (Saturday) James was out running errands and ran into Walmart to pick up a couple things I needed... I didn't even think to warn the poor guy... and he is the biggest sucker for any child selling anything! When he got home he was so excited to show me the treat he had got for "US" and I just screamed when he pulled them out of the sack! He bought three boxes... The devil works in mysterious ways and blindsides you when you are expecting it the least!!! I was grateful that my Mother-in-law was staying with us for a couple days to help get rid of the temptation - I have also been force feeding them to my children telling them that they can have a treat after they eat 4 girl scout cookies!!! Today James had to go to Logan and I was able to send the last sleeve of cookies out the door with him... The temptation has finally passed and life can get back to normal!

A Little Girl Stuff...

So, I got a comment and a couple emails asking me about Cannon's shirt in the last post! Yes, I did make some last year for baby gifts... But no, I didn't make this one... I bought it! I saw it on Etsy and fell in love with it! My family is laughing right now because they know of my Etsy addiction!!! So, if you go to http://www.beanpicklesprout.etsy.com/ they have quite the fun collection.

Here are a couple of my other favorite stores on Etsy:

http://www.missrubysue.etsy.com/ - they have a fabulous necklace that I am eyeing right now....

http://www.aureliaandannalise.etsy.com/ - fun girl things, I bought a friend a cute baby gift here.

http://www.withatwist.etsy.com/ - I have ordered a lot of her flowers for projects and love them!

http://www.maythird.etsy.com/ - Scrapbooking stuff

http://www.oneripepeach.etsy.com/ - has fun vintagey (if that's a word!) things!

http://www.everyjotandtitle.etsy.com/ - Scrapbooking stuff

http://www.ellesstudio.etsy.com/ - scrapbooking stuff

I have ordered from all of these stores and they are all fabulous!

The second picture is my new purse! I LOVE it and James HATES it! He told me that it looks like something some little girl made in girl scouts!!! I have to admit that is the general consensus though - Women seriously stop me in the stores and ask me where I got my purse and men don't like it and can't believe I spent money on it! The picture makes it look a little red... it's more a pink color! I bought it at a cute little shop here in Utah - They have a bigger bag that I am thinking about too for a new church bag!

The third is a necklace that I bought this week... I was trying to explain it to my Mom and couldn't so i just added a picture to show her! It's really chunky and fun - I have a bunch of charms that I can add to it too to make it a little chunkier if I want to. I do have one "E" charm that I know I am going to add for sure! Something fun for spring!

(I did link the etsy addresses but they won't stay highlighted... so, if you just click on them they will still take you to the sights!)

The Happenings... and a little Baby Love

So, I was getting ready the other day when McKay walked into the bathroom and was watching me when this conversation took place: "Mom, you're not supposed to use that kind of muscara (Mascara)".. I looked at him kind of funny and asked why not? "because it makes your eyelashes clumpy, I saw a commercial on T.V. and it said that that kind of muscara makes your eyelashes clumpy... They had this special kind that you twirl that doesn't make your eyelashes clumpy and makes them long and fat! So, I think that you should use that kind"! Everyone always tells me that I need a girl!!! But why when I have a son who gives me makeup tips!

Today is a good day!!! It's always a good day when your baby sleeps through the night! Cannon went down last night at 10:00 p.m. and slept until 7:00 a.m.!!! The only bad thing is that when he finally does sleep through the night you are up all night checking on him making sure he is o.k.! He's just the sweetest little baby - So quick to smile and really starting to talk. We have a daily competition at our house to see who can get the biggest smile out of him & McKay usually wins. Carter is always talking to him and quite often tells him if he is fussing "It's o.k. Cannon I'll shoot the big bad wolf so he won't get you - I'll keep you safe." Another thing is that Cannon's head always smells like food... you can tell what Carter has just eaten because he comes up and gives Cannon kisses and leaves traces of what he just ate all over him! So, After I wipe Carter's face I usually have to wipe up Cannon too! I am so grateful that there haven't been any issues of jealousy with Carter and Cannon ( I was seriously a little nervous that there would be) - If there are any he is just jealous that someone has got to hold him more than he has got to that day! Carter does however enjoy having someone to blame everything on! McKay blames everything on Carter and now Carter blames everything on Cannon! So, I do have to admit that the transition to three has been very easy! James keeps telling me if you have three you may as well have four!!!

Boy Time

I finally made it with the boys last week to watch McKay ski... He is so good that he intimidates me! The last time I went skiing I ended up in the emergency room and spent the next 6 weeks on crutches!!! So, every time he tells me how excited he is for me to go with him next year I shutter a little! I get sick to my stomach when I look at the kiddy hill!!! And yes, James is talking on his cell phone! I guess that is one of the perks of being self employed - you can do business on the ski hill! I'm so grateful that James is such a good Dad and has such a desire to spend time with his boys making memories. I think that he and McKay have been skiing about 20 times this winter together - In fact, James re-arranged his schedule today and took McKay out of school and they are up skiing right now! They took the little hibatchi grill and are going to grill up burgers for lunch and just have a good day together!

Those Darn Chickens...

Throwing rocks at the chickens....

Yelling at the chickens....

Carter LOVES to go with James to feed the horses! He has no fear of them whatsoever and will walk right up to them and feed them apples and pet them... However, he is TERRIFIED of the chickens!!! When they get ready to leave to go he tells me he is going to take his gun "And shoot those stupid chickens"! (No, I don't like my kids saying the word "stupid" but there is a time and a place for it!) When he gets there he starts right off by throwing rocks at them to keep them at bay and then will resort to climbing up on the fence to get away from them! McKay is always his protector if he is with them and proceeds to kick the chickens to stay away from his brother! I think it is crazy that he will walk right up to a horse... but runs from the chickens!!!

Boise

When I was growing up I used to dream about my trips to Boise to stay with my Grandparents. I used to go every summer and no matter how long I stayed I never wanted to leave! We went to Boise this last weekend to help my parents work in my Grandparents yard and to let them spend some time with the boys. When we went to leave on Sunday McKay started to cry... he didn't want to leave either! As I sat and held him and explained to him that we had to go I totaly felt his pain! Even as an adult with a family of my own I still didn't want to leave either! Infact, I started to cry as we pulled away and my Grandpa stood on the driveway and waved as we made our way down Golse Drive.

I love my Grandparents for all of my summer memories, that you still hold hands, for my Grandpa taking me for doughnuts, I love the smell of your house, I love Grandma's phone calls (I still have a message on my machine from her that I refuse to delete!) I love that root beer floats cure a sore tummy, I love my quilts that Grandma has made for me - I still have everyone, I love Grandpa's hugs, I love your back patio, I love your surprise letters in the mail, I love the chime of your clock, I love the sound of your front door opening, I love the way my Grandpa teases my Grandma... even though she might not always!, I love that they have taught their family traditions, I love that my Grandpa always answers the phone when you call, I love that they have always made me feel so very special and now they do the same for my boys!

We had a fabulous weekend filled with work, playing at the park, playing baseball with McKay in the street, Chuck E Cheese (McKay has been begging to go for 2 years and we finally went with Grandma!) Carter playing in the puddles after the rain, Bike rides, yummy food, Carter crawling in bed in the morning with Great Grandma and Grandpa, McKay learning the importance of helping family and good company. We used to go every spring and help my Great Grandma get her yard ready and plant her Garden - I have fabulous memories of her because of it - I think we might have a new family tradition!

Monday....

Where does the time go... In the last week my friend Jennifer came to visit from Montana, James and McKay went skiing 3 times (they have been taking a little grill that my Sister-in-law Amy bought James for Christmas and having BBQ's in the parking lot before they ski!!! McKay loves it!), the fire department had to come to my house in the middle of the night because the carbon monoxide alarm went off...., James turned 33 and we got to celebrate with going out to dinner with his best friend from growing up Tyson and his wife Kristin, Megan and Greg came for dinner, McKay was sick with a fever, Carter and James had a "special day" to see the horses and go see the animals at Cabella's, picked Becky up from the airport, Megan and I spent the day Friday at Park City shopping for our kids summer clothes, Cannon caught his first cold, Brett came to stay with us for a couple nights and surprised me with taking the boys so that James and I could go out on a date to the Tree Room at Sundance, Cannon finally decided that he likes the swing!, I won the wife of the month award and attended the Sportsman's Expo with my husband and three kids on Saturday for 5 hours... I attended my New Testament class on Wednesday and got a call that one of the horses was out and had to leave to help!, Brett saved me and set up my ipod that I have almost had for a year and still hadn't taken it out of its packaging!, the boys spent hours playing outside in the good weather!

So, that is just a quick run down of where the time does go! Here are just a couple pictures of the week... My Mom called last night begging for a couple pictures of Cannon! At this age they just grow so fast! I love the picture of the boys climbing on the changing table to see him! McKay practicing his ABC's and Carter just being Carter!!!

Here goes another week!

Alternative Non Contact Discipline!

When we were in Idaho Last week my Mom reminded me that when my Brothers and I were little and would get in trouble we would have to stand in the corner!!! At first I couldn't believe that I had forgotten about it and then I thought it sounded like something that I needed to try in my home! A little alternative discipline never hurt! Well, the first time McKay had to stand in the corner he laughed the whole time! The second time he wasn't quite sure about it and the third time he decided he hated it! Now, the mention of the word "corner" and I have his attention! He has sooo much energy that having to stand still and put his nose in the corner is more than he can bare!

I wasn't sure about Carter... Was he too young? Would he get it? Would he do it? But, as you can see he is pretty good at it! When he talks to you while he's standing in the corner his words are muffled and I have to admit that it is pretty cute!

I had a hard time deciding if I was going to post these pictures or not... I didn't want anyone to think less of me... But, I hope you all know that my family is normal! My children are fabulous, but they like everyone else have their moments! And we as their parents have the responsibility to teach them the best we can! And I know that those who really know James and I know that we love our children more than anything and can appreciate these photos for what they are!

That Smile...

McKay is at the age that when I tell him to smile for a picture I get the forced awkward smile... I love it when I get a picture of him with his REAL smile - the one that melts my heart... the one that makes you smile back...


We left last Friday for a quick trip to Idaho Falls. I had my 6 week appointment with my OB... everything was good - So, now James has to release my treadmill from being held hostage! He took it apart so I couldn't exercise before I was supposed to! We went to Idaho Falls thinking we were only staying until Sunday, but ended up staying until Tuesday! It was nice to see family and everyone enjoyed getting to mug on Cannon. The highlight of the trip for me was that my parents watched the boys for us Friday night so that James and I could go on a date! We went out to dinner and then he took me to the mall and told me to splurge a little and spend some money on myself!!! You have to understand that my husband HATES the mall - So, it was a real sweet surprise! I looked in almost every store and couldn't find much that I liked... that always happens when you have money to spend! Plus, I need to lose the baby weight before I splurge on clothes! So, I went to the store that never fails me - Victoria's Secret... No, not for THAT kind of stuff!!! I LOVE their "Pink" clothes and all of their lotions and body care products! So, thanks James for the shopping spree it was a lot of fun! - And Thanks Mom and Dad for watching the boys!


My Sister-in-law Kristen called yesterday and invited me to take a class with her and her friends on Wednesday afternoons about Jesus and His Life in the New Testament. At first I wasn't sure how it was going to work... But, my Husband was fabulous once again and told me that he would be home on Wednesday afternoons so that I could go and do it! So, I went yesterday to the first class and LOVED it! I get so caught up in the day to day stuff that it is really nice to take the time to truly study our Savior and His life. It's something that I really needed to do and am grateful for a Husband who thinks it's as important for me to do it as I do.


Well, I got up and put my work out clothes on first thing... it's almost noon and I am finally going to go get on that treadmill!

75 Things...

Every year I make a list of my likes and dislikes and that of my family. I usually get them out every spring and read them - it's fun to see what is the same and what is different. I saw on my cousin Melissa's blog that she had put a list of 75 things about her - I thought it was fun to read and it has motivated me to make mine and my families lists again. So, here are my 75:

1. I love to watch my children sleep
2. I love it when McKay calls me sweetheart
3. I think a dandelion is one of the greatest gifts your children can give you
4. I love to sleep in - however, with three children it doesn't happen very often!
5. I love to take bubble baths
6. My toe nails are always painted
7. I love it when Carter crawls into bed and cuddles with me in the morning & I love it when he asks me to lay down with him at night!
8. Pink is my favorite color
9. I am a homebody
10. I have to have a blanket when I am sitting on the couch watching TV or in the car when I travel
11. I love fresh flowers
12. I seldom eat breakfast
13. I love Mondays
14. I can't stand grocery shopping - James does it for me!
15. I talk to my Mom everyday
16. I love to open the blinds in the morning and let the light in
17. I love anything that glitters!
18. I wished I played the piano - So, my children will!!!
19. I have a fetish for pajama bottoms
20. I love to go out to dinner
21. I love to plan my children's Birthdays
22. I love it when Cannon is fussing for James and when I take him he stops!
23. I love a clean car
24. Oreo's are not safe in this house!
25. I'm not a romantic...
26. I love to mow the lawn - I love the smell of fresh cut grass
27. I LOVE the beach - any beach! But, I especially love sitting on the beach at Redfish lake with my family - swapping magazines with the girls and sharing treats with the kids - while Trevor makes amazing sand castles with the kids and Travis has the boat out!
28. I love the fair... the food, the animals, the Indian Horse Races... all of it!
29. I can't stand crowds! Funny that I like the fair though!
30. I have a major weakness for scones and Carmel apples!
31. My husband is my best friend
32. I LOVE to camp - there is nothing like sitting around a campfire with your family.
33. I have to have chap stick, lip gloss or Mentholatum on my lips... I can't stand dry lips
34. I love baseball - I will be sad if my boys don't!
35. I love the 4th of July
36. I love Kenny Rogers! I was raised listening to him with my Dad and I love him! Have him in the CD player in the car right now!
37. I'm always up for a good game of Dare!
38. I miss Carson and Lacey
39. I have a weakness for purses, shoes, clothes and jewelry! It drives my husband crazy! He thinks you only need one of each and they should last you for 10 years minimum!
40. I can't stand it when people ask me if I have red in my hair - I don't! - Or, I don't want to!
41. I love to dip crunchy Cheetos in strawberry yogurt... something I started in college!
42. I drive a Toyota Sienna minivan and LOVE it! I swore I would never drive a minivan!
43. I love to look at magazines
44. I can't sing to save my life! My children are very forgiving!
45. I secretly like President Obama - I just heard all the gasps from my family!
46. I love living in Utah
47. I love Cherry Hill as much as McKay does
48. I love Mexican food
49. I cry when my Mom leaves from visiting us!
50. I love to cut my kids finger nails!
51. I love that my Grandma and Grandpa hold hands!
52. I love the smell of my Grandma's house - I think we all do!
53. I love it when people tell me that Cannon smells like me!
54. James and the boys got me a fancy IPOD last Mother's day and It's still in it's case... I am very technically challenged. Maybe this year he can figure it out for me!
55. I make lists for everything - I make lists of lists I need to make!
56. I love to plant flowers in the spring - But, I hate to water them during the summer! I pay McKay!
57. I love anything to do with paper and creating
58. I wish I was a professional photographer!
59. I love the reality show True Beauty
60. I am very OCD about keeping a clean house....
61. I am obsessed with food storage
62. It scares me to leave the country! I wish I was more like my cousins and dared to travel the world!
63. I am proud of my husband for being such a fabulous father
64. I LOVE TARGET!
65. I can't stand it when my kids get dirty - something I'm working on letting go since I am a mother of boys!
66. I have a major fear of earwigs, scorpions and ET!!!
67. I love summer nights
68. I love pictures
69. I love it when people don't know what Carter is saying but I do! I love being the Mother that knows!
70. I love it when McKay and Carter sing the song from Old Yeller
71. I love having a baby sleep on my chest
72. My favorite Maggie Moo's ice cream is cheesecake with snickers and strawberries mixed in!
73. My husband makes me laugh more than anyone!
74. I love it when my kids are fresh out of the bath
75. I love my life - I am truly blessed!
76. I love my husband
77. I love my husband
78. I love my husband
79. I love my husband
80. Yes, my husband is standing over my shoulder right now reading what I am willingly typing!

This Song...

This song is one of my all time favorite songs. I first heard it when I was pregnant with McKay and had just gone through the complete roller coaster of all of the fertility drugs and treatments... So, it kind of became my anthem song for him! In fact, around here it is known as McKay's song! When he hears it he will say "Mom, this is my song". As he has grown from a baby to a little boy it has become even more special to me. As we have since added two more boys to our family it is truly my anthem! Every time I listen to it it reminds me how truly lucky I am to be a mother to my three little boys!

So, we made a Costco run the other day... It was my first trip since having the baby and I had a list a mile long! James was good enough to come with me and as we entered the store we split the list and the children - I had Carter and Cannon and James had McKay. So, as we went by the flowers Carter said to me "I'll buy you some flowers Mommy"! I stopped for a minute because fresh flowers really are a weakness of mine... and I thought that it was such a cute offer... how could I turn it down? It was just then that James and McKay came around the corner and McKay was holding a big bouquet of roses for me! They had beat us to it! So, Carter was a little heart broken that he didn't get to pick them out that I handed them to him and told him he could carry them for me... I told him that they smelled good and to smell them - So, he did just to inform me that "they smell disgusting Mom, they smell like chicken"!!! - as his face was all crinkled up in the funniest little face! So, everyday McKay asks me if I like my flowers and everyday Carter tells me they smell like chicken!

For All The Mothers & Grandmothers!

Last Fall I went to a little craft fair with my cousin Megan and she showed me this brand of childrens books called Usborne. I had never heard of them before, but was really impressed with what I saw. I think I ended up buying 6 books that day! The first book I bought was The Big Book of Science Things to Make and Do - It is full of so many awesome projects for kids to make. It's not just science projects but art projects too. My Mother-in-law loved this book when she was staying with us to help with the baby - I think they did a couple projects a day. She wants me to get her one to have at her house for when the grandkids are there. McKay will scour the book for a half hour before he finally decides what project he wants to do! I try and do project days a couple days a week with my boys and this has been fabulous!

I also bought the Animal Stencil Book - Carter loves for me to stencil the animals on paper and then he paints them. It has a bunch of different animals to choose from and then it has pictures and teaches you about the animals too. I bought a puzzle book that Mckay loves and I keep it in our church bag and I also bought a case of activity cards. You use a dry eraser and draw on them to complete the different activities - McKay really likes these. I sound like I should be a sales rep for this company! I looked on the back of the books and here is a website: www.UBAH.com/K0567. I was excited to see that you can order books from the site - So, now I am going to go and do a little book shopping!

A Little Bit Of Sweetness!

My very sweet and talented 10-year-old nephew Jackson made this hat special for Cannon. It came in the mail last week and I have to tell you that James was with me when we opened it up and the notes that he sent just about brought us to tears! I love the "Care" instructions! He worked so hard on this little hat with the help of his neighbor - and put so much time, effort and thought into it! I don't know very many boys that would do such a thoughtful thing! Thank you Jackson! We love you!

Come & Get Me If You Can!

So, We have started the process of breaking Carter of his pacifier... I have to admit that we pretty much had it done until we went to Idaho for the baby... But, everything was just chaos and I broke and gave it to him!!! I also have to admit that I am not as strong in this category as James is! So, we have the rule that the only time he can have it is if he is going to go to bed... When he wakes up he has to go and put it in the drawer. Well, I started noticing that our number of pacifiers was dwindling... and at first I thought that James was throwing them away... But, then I figured it out - Carter was hiding them! But, the funny thing is that he has them hidden all around the house! So, yesterday when he got up from his nap I told him he had to go and put his pacifier in the drawer... He was not wanting to give it up and I ended up having to take it from him. As soon as I did he took of running down the hall. I knew he was going to get a hidden pacifier and I waited a minute and followed him! But, when I went into his room he wasn't there... So, I looked in my room and Cannon's room and he wasn't there either! So, I went back into his room to hear something and this is what I found hidden under his bed! He had three pacifiers hidden behind the back post of his bed in the corner!!! He was just looking at me like come and get me if you can! I just laughed and of course just got the camera out!

Good Mail Day!

The boys were excited to get their Valentines package from my Mom. As usual she out did herself and spoiled them. McKay told me that one thing he loved about living in Utah was that he gets things in the mail! As we were opening the package it totally took me back to Hawaii when I was there for college and I would get care packages from my Mom and Grandma! So, in my own little way I totally get their excitement! However, the best package came a couple days later... I heard the doorbell ring and the boys answer it. I went out into the kitchen to have James looking oddly at this box. He was unrolling the bubble wrap looking for what was inside... Then he looked at me and said "I think your Mom has lost it, she forgot to put what ever she was mailing in here"! I just had to laugh! Because what she had mailed was the bubble wrap - I handed a roll of it to both McKay and Carter and they just started jumping on it and going crazy with it!!! James was still in shock that she had mailed bubble wrap, but the boys loved it!

Don't you love Carters shirt... I know it's a little out of season! But, it's his "punkin" shirt that my Mom bought him for Halloween! He always says "I want to wear my punkin shirt from Moe". "Moe" is what my boys call my Mom. Thanks Mom for all that you do for my little family! We love you!

A Few Pictures For Grandma!

So, my Mom called and told me that she needed to see a couple new pictures of the boys... So, here they are! The boys both actually do really good at holding Cannon - When he starts to fuss McKay gets nervous and wants to hand him back - Carter however just gives him his pacifier and sits and talks to him until he gets through it. Cannon is starting to get used to their constant attention and kisses.

I feel as if we have made the transition pretty well. As many of you know I am a little OCD!!! So, there are a few things that I have had to learn with the third child - It's ok if the toys are on the ground and don't get picked up right when we are done with them! It's ok if the breakfast dishes don't get cleaned up until 9:30 a.m.! It's ok if McKay makes the sandwiches for lunch because he is tired of waiting for me to get done nursing Cannon! It's ok if Carter brushes his own teeth for more than 10 minutes. It's not worth freaking out when McKay informs me that Carter is throwing the Carrots everywhere that they took downstairs for a snack! (Yes, my kids love carrots and consider them a treat!!!) And, it's ok to bribe your five-year-old to pick up those carrots for you because while you are once again nursing the baby the thought of those carrots are driving you crazy! It's ok that we are still in our pajamas when James comes home from work!!! - Everyone needs one of those days every now and then! It's ok if you don't sweep the floor after every meal - you can just get it when you vacuum! It really is ok if the boys pick out their own clothes and get themselves dressed! If it is too bad I can change them before they go out in public! And, it's ok if James does McKay's hair... It might not be the way that I would do it, but does it really matter if the child is happy! He talks his Dad into doing all kinds of crazy things!

One thing that has really changed in the last month is Carter and McKay's relationship. I was really worried about how Carter was going to handle a new baby - he was very much a Mothers boy! But, there haven't been any issues at all so far and that has been because he has attached himself to McKay. Before he wouldn't really play with McKay - he was just my little shadow, But, now he and McKay are constantly together paling around. It's actually really fun to see and watch. I love listening to them down in the family room making up games and interacting together. Carter can't wait for McKay to come home from school and McKay can't stand it when Carters nap goes a little long! They have really formed a sweet bond!

The Boys

So, I thought that I would do a little photo shoot this morning and take some pictures of the boys together... I bribed McKay and Carter and fed Cannon right before I started - So, I thought that it would go pretty good! However, I didn't take into account the fact that the boys haven't got to hold Cannon very much because they have both been sick... So, once I handed him over to them they couldn't stop touching him and kissing and mugging on him! I couldn't even get them to hardly look at the camera because they were having too much fun with him! It was pretty cute other than the fact that Cannon got sick of it and had a melt down and that very quickly ended the photo shoot!

James's Mom left yesterday... So, the reality of three little boys on my own is hitting!!! Yesterday was actually a pretty good day - I was able to get sheets washed, laundry done and folded, bedrooms cleaned, kitchen cleaned and a couple other little Valentine projects done! I'm just going to take it one day at time and know that there will be good days and bad days and I just need to roll with it! But, so far it is going pretty good!

And Here He Is!

Where does the time go... It goes by all too quickly when you are sleep deprived! It feels good to be home! My Mom came back with us and stayed a week - Thank you Mom - I can never thank you enough for all that you do! And we are lucky enough to have Becky (James's Mom) here with us now. The boys have been in complete heaven having their Grandma's here and I really appreciate them too! The day we got back from Idaho we had to take Carter into the doctor - he had an ear infection and a respiratory infection... So, it was quite the week of keeping him away from the baby... But, he is healthy now and the boys absolutely LOVE their new little brother. Sofar, having three kids has been a piece of cake!!! But, I'm sure that will change drastically when all of our help leaves!!! Next week will be a big adjustment!

Cannon Pinegar Turley

Cannon was born January 15, 2009 at 3:22 p.m. He weighed 6 pounds 8 ounces and is 19.5" long. It was a very eventful day... His heart rate kept dropping after each contraction... I wasn't too worried about it because the same thing happened with McKay and Carter. In fact, I kept reassuring the nurse that it was going to be o.k.! After the doctor broke my water the heart rate kept going lower after each contraction... With my other two boys I dilated really fast and was able to get them out without any complications. With Cannon I dilated to an 8 and stopped... So, when his heart rate was not changing the doctor decided to do an emergency c-section... I have never seen so much controlled chaos before in my life - people running everywhere - within minutes I was in the operating room... I can honestly say that I have never been so scared before in my life. The doctor was grabbing all of his tools and telling the anesthesiologist what to do when I felt a contraction starting - So, I told him that I was having a contraction and was feeling pressure... he told me to push as hard as I could and not stop and that moment Mr. Cannon Pinegar Turley was born in the operating room! Cannon was not responding like they wanted him to so they took him through to the nursery for a few minutes, but he quickly pinked up. I was very grateful when my doctor walked over and told them that his mother needed to see him and brought him back to me! I was good until that moment and then I lost it! Just like I knew I would in that moment I couldn't imagine my life without him! My doctor is a good family friend and told me that he had never before come so close to doing a c-section as he did with me and not ending up doing one! So, that's our story of Cannon's delivery day!

I'm sorry I don't have any pictures to share just yet... But, we're still in Idaho until Sunday. Once I finally get home and get my pictures downloaded I'll be happy to share!

McKay is absolutely head over heels in love and infatuated with Cannon! He holds him and just studies him and his little features. Carter was excited at first and now he doesn't quite know what to think - he doesn't really get that this baby is going home with us!

The Waiting Game...

So, we are in Idaho.... Waiting to have a baby! The Doctor wanted me to come the first of the month and be here until we have the baby on the 15th... So, we have been here for a week and have another week and a half to go... We have had lots of time to visit family and friends! My parents have been amazing to say the least - My Dad is always taking one of the boys with him to run errands and is getting pretty good at playing play dough with Carter! I think he has as much fun as Carter does - and my Mom and McKay are getting pretty good at the Wii that my parents bought to have here for the Grand kids... James brought us and then left on Sunday to work this week - He'll be back on Thursday or Friday for the duration!


Here are a few signs you are ready to have a baby:

1. You have to wear your husbands pajama bottoms to bed
2. When you come out of your room in the morning and your Dad offers to go and get you one of his t-shirts because yours looks a "little" tight!
3. When your 5 year old asks you " How big is that baby going to be anyway"?
4. When strangers at the mall come up to you and ask you how much longer do you have...
5. When you check out at a store and every cashier tells you good luck as you walk away!
6. When your 2 year old won't sit on your lap anymore because he says the baby is in the way!
7. When you go out to dinner with your sister-in-law and she has to adjust the booth so that you can sit down!!!


I lay awake at night imagining what this little guy is going to look like, imagining what it will be like to have three kids... to have a newborn again... and as hard as this all is to imagine I know that in a little over a week I won't be able to imagine life without him!

It Was A VERY Merry Christmas!

Christmas Pajamas - McKay, Noah, Eli, Gavin, Lauren and Carter

Best Friends, Cousins, and partners in crime - McKay and Gavin

As it always does Christmas came and went by so quickly... Christmas eve James and Jason took the boys skiing so that Kristin and I could get everything ready for that night. I truly have to say that I appreciated Kristin so much this year - She really went out of her way to make everything so fun and special for everyone and easy on me... Thanks Kristin I love and appreciate you!!! We had a wonderful dinner, decorated cookies, enjoyed Jason telling the Christmas story and had fondue for dessert.

I thought that I had everything ready for Christmas night to make it easy and painless on James and I - I was looking forward to getting to bed early... and did! BUT, then the phone rang at 1:00 a.m. and it was Jason... They were missing some of Noah's Christmas... Kristin and I had gone shopping the week before to finish all of her shopping and had taken James' car. I took everything home with me so that she wouldn't have to hide it late at night... But, the next morning James and McKay went skiing and took it all out of his car and put it in the garage... So, I went and put it in my car and took it to her later that next day... Well, somewhere in all of the transferring we lost a big Target bag... So, at 1:00 in the morning James is out going through all of the cars and the garage looking for this bag and couldn't find it... So, we called them back and told them we didn't have it and they kept looking for it and called back and said we had to have it because they didn't... So, I got up and went out and couldn't find it either... finally James in the middle of a snow storm went out and took all of the ski stuff out of his car and found it!!! So, he took off and Jason took off and they met in the middle to transfer the goods!!! By the time it was all said and done we got to bed at about 2:30 a.m.!!!

Christmas was wonderful - The boys made it really fun with their excitement! McKay got the Batcave that he had been dreaming about for months and Carter loves his tool bench that he got that as you can see in the picture also works very well as a kitchen! He is always pulling all of my pots out in the kitchen and making a big mess - So, he got his own set of pots and pans and that was a big hit too! McKay really "got it" this year and I have to say that I was really proud of his appreciation and gratitude with everything that he got.

We had Christmas dinner at James' Grandma's house and enjoyed getting to see the extended family and spending time with them too.

On Friday James took McKay skiing again - I have to admit that I have really enjoyed the one on one time that this has allowed me with Carter. I try to just do what he wants to do - play with blocks, color, cuddle, watch a movie with him... give him a little bit of my undivided attention. He loves it - But, he is always excited when the boys come home too!

I hope that you all had as wonderful of a Christmas as we did. I have to apologize that I didn't get Christmas cards out this year... It was something I kept meaning to do and just didn't get done... I am grateful for all of the love and support that my little family receives so abundantly from our family and friends. We have had an exciting year this year with finding out that we were expecting and moving to another state and all of the changes that brings along with it. I am grateful to have friends that have been my best friends my whole life - We miss you Carson and Lacey!!! Thank you Jennifer for still being who you are and being my friend despite all of my crazy quirks! I'm grateful for a family who loves me and supports me through everything, for Brothers that I know I could go to for anything and sister-in-laws that keep them informed as to what is going on in my life! For a Father who has taught me how to be strong and a Mother who has taught me how to love... Thank you both for the love that you have for James and my Boys. I am grateful to have in-laws that I truly love and appreciate - Even you Jason... and Kristin you totally rock!

I have enjoyed the time that I have been able to spend with my cousins and their families this year - Redfish was a blast Megan and Greg and we look forward to spending more time with you here in Utah! Jon and Stacey we have really enjoyed our last couple dinners and look forward to more good times!

So, as this year comes to an end I truly look forward to the wonderful times to come in the next. I look forward to meeting this new little man that is about to make his debut into our family. I am truly blessed with being a wife and a mother - I have a husband who is my best friend and makes me laugh everyday and two boys that fill my life with love and fulfillment in a way that I never knew was possible until I became a Mother. I hope that you all have enjoyed the Spirit of this Holiday as much as we have and wish you all the very best in the new year!

Carter's New Passion

All I have to give Carter to entertain him right now is a simple piece of white paper and a pen... He will draw for an hour on one piece of paper until it is completely covered. He finds anything - wrapping, receipts, scraps... and brings them to me and asks for a pen. It's always nice to find something that will captivate their attention for a little while!

Feeling The Spirit!

Well, I can officially announce that I have finally started to feel the Holiday spirit! The boys LOVED making all of the ornaments for the tree this year. I do have to admit that we did let them pick a few out at Walmart that they wanted too - James was laughing at me because he knew it was almost more than I could handle when McKay picked out red and white tinsel... My tree is usually pretty fancy - there is nothing fancy about this tree, but I have to admit that I love it. They love it too- McKay is always telling me how much he loves it and is always so proud to show it off to everyone - I think that that is what it is more about! We made glittered snowflakes out of Popsicle sticks, snowmen out of Styrofoam balls and candy canes out of pipe cleaners. This was our first year buying a tree... we have always gone and cut our own - it was a cold night and I was grateful that they had a fire to keep the kids warm.

My Mom came and stayed with us for 6 days!!! It was sooo nice to have her here - She really helped me get some loose ends tied up around here. Furniture is officialy where it goes, mirrors and pictures are hung and babies room is all put together and ready to go! We went one night while she was here to temple Square to look at the lights and then one night we went and rode the Heber City Creeper - They had it all decked out as the Polar Express - The kids LOVED it! They serve you hot chocolate and cookies and read you the story of the Polar Express - you go to the North Pole and pick up Santa Clause and he comes on the train to see the kids. Where are the pictures you ask... Well, I grabbed James new camera that we got him for Alaska so I wouldn't have to haul my big one around... It worked great! But, when i got home it was dead and I can't find the charger anywhere (probably still in Alaska!).................................. So, I need him to go an buy another one. But, the greatest part about having my Mom here was just having her here - we took it really easy - she spent a lot of time coloring and cuddling with the kids.

We have had a couple storms this week and I love the picture of my Mom and the boys watching James outside - just the three of them together! Thanks Mom we love you!

I hope you are enjoying the season!

In Search Of Christmas Spirit...

So, I am lacking some serious Christmas Spirit this year... usually I have the house all decked out by now and if I truly had to admit it... I still have a couple Halloween decorations lurking around! My Niece was here Friday night and told me my house was lacking major Christmas Spirit and even offered to come and help me set everything up!!! But, the thought of setting everything up to just take it all down days before I have a baby is a little draining... I usually DECK the house out!!! - I LOVE Christmas decorations... But, this year I have decided to keep it simple. We are going to go and get our tree tomorrow night and stop at the craft store - I have decided that I am going to let the kids make all of the ornaments for the tree this year... You have to understand that this is a big step for me... I'm usually the perfectionist that has to have everything look PERFECT! But, this year we are trying something new!!! So, over the next week we are going to make the ornaments and decorate the tree a little each day!


Every year James and I have always been on the hunt to out do each other on Christmas Day with our gift to each other... I listen to his hints all year long and usually have it taken care of by December and he stresses out all December trying to come up with something!!! But, this year we have decided to totally change it... We had a lady in our ward tell us this is what they do with their family - instead of buying them a gift they give them a gift from themselves... last year her son gave her a dozen car details that she can cash in whenever she wants. So, you give them a gift of service or time - a true gift from you. So, this year we decided to try it out - my mind has been racing to come up with something really special to give him. We decided that it has to be outside of what we are already responsible for - so, he can't give me car washes and I can't give him clean laundry! You have to give something that would totally benefit the other with your time, service and compassion! I think I am more excited this year than I have been any other year to see what he comes up with! It takes a lot more thought then just going to the store and picking something out!


Yesterday morning James and McKay were getting ready to head out skiing when he came to me and said: "Mom, how do I tell Dad that I don't like skiing..." So, I sat down with him and asked him why he didn't like skiing? His answer was simple - "I don't like ski school, I want my Dad to teach me how to ski". It melted my heart! So, I went out in the kitchen and told James what McKay had said. The last time James had picked him up from ski school McKay had been in tears... So, James decided that he would spend yesterday just the two of them and see how it went. They hit the bunny hill a couple times and James was tired of waiting in line there and decided that if they were going to go for it they were going to go for it and took McKay to the top of Majestic (the adult hill)... At first James was going slow with McKay to make sure he was o.k. and then McKay asked James if he had to keep going slow or if he could go fast... James told him he could go fast as long as he didn't hit anyone! James said that he just took off and flew down the hill. James said that he was so happy and so excited that you could see him smiling under his face gator! James was so excited for him and was saying "McKay you are... you are... you are..."
and McKay finished it for him and said "say the bomb Dad"! As soon as they got to the bottom McKay was right in line to go back up and cried when it was time to come home for the day! When McKay got home he told me it was the best day ever! James admitted that it was truly one of the best days they had ever spent together!


We head back to Idaho again this week for a doctors appt. But, my Mom is coming back with us to spend 5 days!!! I don't know who's more excited me or the kids!!! I have a couple projects I need her help on and maybe she can help me get those Christmas decorations out!!! I hope you have a good week!

Halloween Album

So, I had sooo many pictures of Halloween this year that I made this little mini album. I have pictures in it from everything we did this fall from going to Gardeners Village, to carving pumpkins, to our Halloween decorations, to trick or treating... just anything that had to do with the season. I put a lot of journaling in also to tell of everything we did. I decorated about a half a dozen little mini pages to put in betwixed and in between to add a little fun for the boys. I have found that my boys love looking at the mini albums and have found myself doing more of them.

I started another one yesterday that will be a page a day for the whole month of December - documenting each day and what we do. James' parents stayed with us last night and I got some fun pictures of the boys wrestling with Grandpa - So, they will be my pictures for December 1. I thought it would be a fun way to document our life right now in the moment before the baby comes and we don't remember what it was like before he came!

Just A Little Reminder...

So, I think as a Mother you need a reminder every now and then of how good you really have it... Today is one of "those" days for me... The boys have been fighting all day and Carter has found crayons twice that has resulted in some very bright wall art... Plus, James has been gone to Idaho since yesterday morning... I'm sure that a lot of it has to do with the pregnancy hormones surging in my body right now too... But, I was on the verge of a breakdown when I downloaded these pictures and was reminded of how good I really have it. I have two beautiful boys and another on the way that they told me I would never have, they are healthy, strong, happy and full of energy. At times I have to admit that I am a little intimidated by the thought of three... But, I would rather have three than none - So, I am going to try and look at the beauty in the drawings on the wall and enjoy every night that Carter lays at me feet as I cook dinner... And try not to wince too bad each time McKay says "Um, Mom can I tell you something..." (He's usually not telling me anything good!) And enjoy the moments a little bit more that I do catch of them loving each other. It's my goal to take the next month and truly enjoy the season and my two boys - to enjoy this time in our life as a little family of four... to not take it for granted and to live in the moment more. May we all be reminded a little more often of how truly good we have it!

A Little Bit of Idaho...

Another crazy week... We went to Idaho Last Thursday and were able to enjoy a fabulous dinner out with my cousin Stacey and her husband Jon at my favorite restaurant Stockman's. Friday we spent the day running errands and had a doctors apt... Since we are going back and forth to Idaho and need to make some arrangements in January to be there to have the baby we were able to set my delivery date... So, it looks like we will be having a baby on January 15. I have to admit that it feels really good to have a date in my mind - I'm one of "those" people that just has to have everything planned and in order! Saturday we celebrated an early Thanksgiving with my family - When you're away and don't see them as often you really appreciate when you do! So, it was really nice to have us all together and spend the time together. Sunday we went to church with our old ward... BIG mistake... I think it will make it even harder when I go to church here and still don't know anyone! But, it was fabulous to see all my friends that I miss so much! The boys walked right in like nothing has even changed and made themselves right at home! We left after church to be home in time to have dinner with James' best friend from growing up Tyson and his wife Kristin and their family. So, it was a crazy but good weekend!

THEN, we had a little bit of Idaho come to Utah!!! Carson, Lacey and the kidos came on Tuesday and staid through Thursday!!! It was SOOOO good to have them here. When McKay and Addy saw each other they just ran up to each other and hugged! It was priceless. We literally hardly saw them the whole time - they were as inseparable as always! The adults stayed up past 1:00 a.m. both nights just talking, playing games, watching movies and eating good food!!! It felt so good to have them here and to just be able to be together! It was something I really needed - So, thanks guys for making the effort to come- we miss you SOOO much! These are the best pictures I could get of the crazy kids - Carter, McKay, Addy and Noah.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with James' family - Everybody was there but one brother and his family. It was special this year because his Grandma was able to spend the day with us.

Friday James and McKay went skiing with Jason and the boys and Carter and I crashed!!! We literally spent the day laying in bed watching movies! Later we went to this place called Jump On It with Jason and Kristin, Joe and Wendy and the Kids. It's this huge warehouse that is full of trampolines - they even have then on the walls for the kids to jump off of! The kids have a total party there! Carter was a little timid at first... then he would just go and find a trampoline that didn't have anyone on it - he was good until someone came on it and then he would try to start a fight with them to get them out of his territory! Yes, he's my feisty one! Afterwards we went to dinner at Zuppas which has the best soup and salad anywhere!

James had to head back to Idaho today to finish things up on our house - The family moves in on Monday. Joe and Wendy are blessing Maxwell tomorrow - I feel so bad that I can't make it to be there - But, we have to keep travel limited to the doctors appointments... With my other two boys I couldn't travel at all.. So, I am just grateful that we are able to this time as much as we are.

So, I am looking forward to a quiet week next week - or what I hope to be a quiet week! I always intend for them to be chill - but, they always end up crazy! I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and are enjoying the Holiday season!

A Much Needed day!

So, yesterday James took the day off of work so that I could have a "girls" day! I went with my Sister-in-law Kristin and my Cousin Megan to a cute little boutique that I had been wanting to go to. It was so nice to be able to take my time and walk through and enjoy it! I picked up a couple more things for the baby and a few things for Christmas. Some of Kristins friends met us there and we went and had luch afterwards - they were sweet enough to let me, the pregnant one, pick where we went because i was in much need of some Mexican food!!!


So, I seriously have people ask me how I get James to be so sweet, to help me out as much as he does with the boys and around the house... He cooks, he cleans (he's not even afraid to clean a toilet if I really need him too!), he helps with the laundry, he does as much for the boys when he is home as I do. He's the type of husband that if you wake up in the middle of the night and need a drink he will get up and get it for you without complaining... I wish I could share the secret with you of how I get him to do all of these things... But, it's just him! So, thank you hunny for all you do - I love you and appreciate you!


We're off to Idaho - the boys are pretty excited to be with Grandma and Grandpa - McKay keeps telling me that we need to get going because he and Grandpa have "plans"!!! My parents are watching the boys for us tonight so we can go out on a date with my Cousin Stacey and her husband Jon. We don't have babysitters here in Utah yet, so we're pretty excited to get to go!

Just a Little Project...

I put this little album together one day last week... It was of the day that my Mom and I took the boys to Hogle Zoo this summer. I had too many pictures to do a layout so a mini album seemed like the perfect answer. There are about 20 pages in this album... with pictures of the animals bonded together to make their own pages too... The boys both love to look at it - and the pictures of the animals throughout are a hit especially for Carter.

We have had a crazy week... but, I'm starting to think that crazy is normal for us now!!! McKay has had his own rough week... We were at Walmart last week stocking up on some stuff for food storage and they had left out a step stool that had wheels on it... Well, what is any 5 year old boy going to do when his Mother isn't looking... Needless to say he lost his balance and went face first into the ground... James was there with me thank goodness because McKay doesn't handle blood very well and there was blood everywhere!!! So, as most of you know I am married to an Insurance man - he knows what to do in those situations! So, after we got McKay calmed as much as we could in that moment James took him into the main office and made a claim. The manager went out and looked at everything and told us someone would call us by Monday. Anyways, McKay was beat up pretty bad! The only thing that was even positive for him in the moment was that it was Gavin's Birthday and we were supposed to be going bowling that night! It was one night that I wished I had my camera soooo bad - he looked pretty sad. So, we had to take him to the dentist the next day and have xrays done and everything came out o.k. BUT, I have to say this about Walmart... Their claims department called us the next day and I thought that they were extremely professional and outgoing to do anything and everything to make the situation better. I was extremely impressed by their professionalism and will happily continue to shop their because of their customer support. They offered things that I didn't even expect them to offer and I was very impressed.

So, the fat lip is still there a little bit - it's getting better - But, then last night McKay was chasing Carter around the house playing tag - he had Carter cornered and Carter threw his sippie cup at McKay and nailed him right in the eye - Needless to say he now has a black eye too!!! He doesn't like the fat lip, but he thinks the black eye is pretty cool! He keeps going into the bathroom to check it out in the mirror - I told James that I thought it would be a good idea for him to take McKay out of school tomorrow to go skiing... I'm afraid that they might turn us in to social services after his big fat lip last week and a black eye this week!!!

So, a quick run down of the week past - we went to Madagascar 2 - I have to admit that I don't like the first one and wasn't too excited about going to the second one.... But, it surprised me and I thought it was really cute. We went with Megan and Greg and had a fun night with their family. One morning after I showered and was blow drying my hair McKay comes into the bathroom and says "Mom, we need a new house... our ceiling in the basement is leaking and we need a new house..." So, I ran downstairs to find water coming down through 2 lights and from a couple water blisters.... NICE! So, come to find out our shower hadn't been sealed properly and that's where the nice leak came from! James made it skiing for the first time... and the ski passes have been officially purchased! He and McKay are pretty excited. We went up to Brighton on Saturday for a drive and for breakfast and McKay was just giddy! I think he is most excited for the chair lift! We had some friends from Idaho come and visit us on Saturday too - Thanks Dave and Sheri it was fun to see you! And last but not least we sold our house in Idaho!!! Yeah! We didn't even have it listed - and it's just crazy how it happened - But, we're just so grateful that it did! We're off to Idaho again this week for another doctors appointment... So, Like I said before I think that crazy has just become our normal for this Turley family!

My Little Shadow...

Carter is seriously a Mama's boy - where ever I am he is. If I sit down he is on my lap, if I am laying down he is right next to me, If I am in the shower he is outside the door yelling at me to unlock it!!! He will eat his dinner alone until I sit down and then he comes and gets on my lap and just takes over eating on my plate, If I am cooking he is "helping" me... In fact he is standing right behind me on the chair right now climbing up my back saying "Mama, what doin" (I hear this phrase several times a day!)... If I call James to come and get him for me so i can do something Carter is seriously offended and I have to admit that at times it makes it really difficult to get things done... I have to strategically plan what I can get done while he naps because I can't get it done while he is awake!!! However, I have to also admit that I truly love it!!! McKay is ALL about Dad and I know that this time with Carter will pass and before I know it he will be all about Dad too... I am a little nervous to see how he is going to handle this new baby... I have been trying to find things that he is interested in (he doesn't play with toys... at all!). We bought him a train track for his Birthday that he likes and I hate to admit this but it is true he LOVES Nacho Libre!!! If you put that movie in he is entertained for an hour and a half!!! So, in the mean time I revel in this time that he is giving me - and have to admit that I lay down on purpose just so he will come and cuddle with me!!! He will always come up to me and say "Mama hold you" and it melts my heart everytime!


So, I went and picked up the babies quilts at the quilt shop and when I saw how cute they turned out I don't feel near as guilty as I was!!! James asked me for a quilt for Christmas and I just might head back to the quilt shop!!!


Kristin came last week and helped me get my scrapbook room all upbacked and organized. Everytime I would walk in there and see all the boxes I would just turn and walk out and shut the door!!! It feels good to have it done - So good that I ordered a bunch of stuff for Holiday projects!!!


The ski resorts open here this week... James and McKay have been out getting all their equipment bought and ready to go. We decided that if we were going to live in Utah we needed to enjoy the things that Utah had to offer and skiing is a big one! James grew up skiing - Me on the other hand I did not! The last time I went skiing I ended up in the emergency room and spent 4 weeks on crutches!!! So, I am excited for McKay to start young and am prepared for him to be skiing better than me when I can finally go next year!!! James is really good at finding things that he can do with the boys - he goes out of his way to do it - So, I am excited for him and McKay to have this time together this winter.

Just A Few Things...

So, a couple weeks ago for family night we taught McKay about the Golden Rule of life... He does pretty good at it and works pretty hard at it too... especially with Carter. Well, I put Carter in time out on the front couch a couple days ago... it was a little bit of a rough day for him - he was a repeat offender!!! - and every time I would walk by he would just glare at me... So, I decided I was going to get the camera - So, as I was sitting across from him on the opposite couch taking pictures of him glaring at me- McKay came in and asked what I was doing... He could see that it wasn't making Carter happy and said "Mom I don't know what is going on right now, but you're not setting a very good example to us of the golden rule - you're obviously not thinking about Carter right now......... I mean seriously what do you even say to that... other than you're 5 and you're right and I'm 30 and I'm wrong.... I did however manage to get a couple good pictures of Carter before his brother came and saved him from his Mother!!!

So, I have been feeling a little guilty about a few other things too... So, with McKay I made ALL of his baby stuff - Blankets, burp cloths - you name it!!! My Mom Made his bedding custom for me just the way I wanted it.... With Carter I made a couple blankets and a few cute burp cloths and had my Mom make his bedding too........................... But, with this baby I have bought everything!!! I ordered his bedding from Pottery Barn and bought all of his burp cloths at a boutique a couple weeks ago.... So, I told myself that I had to at least make him a couple blankets - So, I went to the cutest quilt shop on Monday and looked all over for some yummy fabric - only to find the cutest fabric that was already pieced together - So, then I was feeling really guilty that I wouldn't even need to piece it...................................................... then, as i was finding some super soft fabric to go on the back of it the the lady asked me how I was going to quilt it... I told her I thought that I would just quilt a few stars in some of the blocks to keep it together... She informed me that the fabric I had picked for the back was wonderful for babies, but extremely difficult to work with and maybe I should have their quilter do it.... I told her I was already feeling guilty enough that this was my third child and I felt like he was getting the shaft!!! But, I didn't want to be rude so I asked her about the pricing................................ $28 to have two baby blankets completely quilted!!! I almost choked because I thought it was such a good deal! So, I walked out of that cute little quilt shop with two blankets for baby completely put together other than the binding.... and feeling extremely guilty that I haven't done for him what I did for the other two...

Then, My friend Lacey told me about Walmarts ship to store program... You can go on their website and make an order and they will ship it to their store that is closest to you for free.... So, I went on their site and found more than half of what I was planning on getting my boys for Christmas (Carter is completely done - I just need a couple more things for McKay that entail James)! They will email me in a couple days when it delivers and i just have to go and pick it up!!! No crowds, no waiting in line, no finding a babysitter so I can go shopping and run all over looking for it - Done as easy as that!!! But, still feeling a little guilty of the ease!

So, this week we introduced putting the laundry away into McKay's chore book... I had this huge basket of the boys clothes that needed to get put away. I thought that I was going to have to show him step by step how to do it and kept putting it off... So, I called him into his room and told him what was going on and then I had to leave for a minute to help Carter with something - When I cam back he had it all completely done... Everything was in the right drawers and the clothes were on hangers that needed to be - he even had his clothes separated form Carters that needed to be hung up. All I had to do was put the hangers on the rod!!! I was so proud of him!!! I have to admit that I am a bit of a perfectionist - I have a way that I want things done and it's hard from me to let that go. I have decided that I create more work for myself though by not letting others do things - and probably underestimating McKay and what he can do. I probably expect way too much out of myself - My baby will come to this family and be loved to all ends with or without a homemade blanket!!! My kids will have a fabulous Christmas whether I went to 5 stores to get things or order it all from one and had it delivered!!! Life is good and that is all that truly matters!