My Morning

This morning Courtney had her six month checkup. Here are the stats. She is 26 1/4 inches long and 18lbs 2 oz. Crazy how fast she is growing. She had to get three shots. Two were her regular immunizations shots and one was the flu shoot which will have to be repeated in a month. She didn't like much of her appointment at all. She smiled while she was being weighed. But when I laid her on the table for the Doctor to look at her she started fussing and reaching for me. She was fine as long as I was holding her but she didn't want anything to do with the Doctor. The shots were not so very pleasant, as I am sure you can imagine. She calmed rather quickly once I picked her up but wasn't happy when I had to put her in her car seat. She is now sleeping and we hope that she wont have any problems because of the shots.

After the Doctors office I had to run the Wal-mart real quick to pick up and white shirt for Shaylee's preschool class. They are decorating it for their Christmas program. If the do it the same way they did when Kelsi was in preschool it is very cute. I will have to post pictures later. Anyway, at Wal-mart I grabbed the shirt plus a few other things (It is a rare occasion when I get out of Wal-mart with only what I went in for.) and headed for the check out. It was a little after eleven and I needed to hurry so I could go get Shaylee at my grandma's house, feed her some lunch and walk her to preschool. I got through the line fairly quickly but realized when I was walking out the door that the white shirt, the one thing I actually needed, was sitting in Courtney's lap unpaid for. So, back in line I went. Once I had finally paid for the shirt and the cashier had given me the receipt I was in a hurry and started out the door when I heard the cashier say "Mam, you forgot your bag." Oh the irony. I guess I was in too much of a hurry. I finally did make it out of there with everything paid for and in my possession and was able to get Shaylee picked up, feed and to preschool just in time.

If I had planned better I would have gotten Shaylee's shirt yesterday, but I didn't. I guess technically I couldn't because my keys were in my diaper bag which was locked in the van. I guess it was a good thing I didn't have to go anywhere yesterday. So, now I am enjoying a few moments of quite and calm.

"My dad is soo bald"

I was told this story by our primary chorister. Two Sunday's ago in primary Shaylee went up to sit by her during closing exercises. She said down and turned to the chorister and said "I have an uncle Shane. He is my dad's bother. My dad is so00 bald." While saying "sooo bald" she moved her hands back a forth above her head. Kid's say the darnedest things.

More Halloween Pictures

Here are some more pictures of our Halloween fun.

Here is our pumpkin all carved.
This is what it looked like all lite up in the dark.

At the carnival they had these little goats for the kids to pet.
Kelsi got to dress up for her party at school but had to leave the toy guns at home. She brought her stick horse which she has affectionately named Poka Horse.

At the school they have a parade where all of the kids dress in their costumes and walk around the block while all of the parents, grandparents and any others who want can watch. It is really quite fun. There was a lot of Hannah Montanas, princesses and super heroes.

Halloween Fun

I know there are probably a million blogs showing cute kids dressed up for Halloween so here is ours among those million.

Courtney our little Pumpkin

Shaylee as Mulan

Kelsi as a cowgirl

The girls really had a fun time. We went to the carnival at the school where they had a "Trunk or Treat" and fun games and prizes for the kids. Kelsi, Shaylee and a friend of Kelsi's, Britney, all wanted to go in the haunted house so we got in the line to go in while Britney's mom watched Courtney in the Stroller. As we got closer and closer to the door the girls got more and more nervous. When we got about half way there from our starting point. Shaylee decided she was not so sure about this and she went over with Courtney. We continued on through the line and when we got to front they let the people in front of us go in and Kelsi heard someone scream and she quickly said "I'm not going" and walked over with Shaylee and Courtney. So I ended up going through with Britney. It wasn't to scary for me but it would have scared Kelsi and Shaylee both. And the last thing I was going to do was make them go in. I did get a little startled once when someone grabbed my ankle. After the carnival we went to the park for our ward party where we ate hamburgers and hot dogs and had another "trunk or treat." We didn't stay there long because Courtney was quickly letting us know that it was past her bedtime and she had enough Halloween fun. I'll post more pictures later.

Pray for the Mattices

Just yesterday a friend of mine had a graveside for her six month old child. As I sit here feeding and looking into the eyes of my healthy very much alive little baby girl it just makes me want to cry. I can only imagine the pain that must of come from her little boys death and will come for a long time yet.

Let me tell you a little bit about the events of this boys life. Allan was born in April about three months earlier than he should have been. But before he was ever born they knew he was going to have to be a fighter to survive. Allan was born with his intestines growing outside of his body. That wouldn't have been too major of a complication if he had been a little older when he was born. Being that he was so young it added other complications. Many of the doctors were surprised as he survived first one week, then two weeks, then a month, then two months and even 6 months. He was a fighter surgery after surgery and complication after complication he kept hanging in there. With each day there was a little more hope that he would survive. At one point there was even talk about how maybe in a month they would be able to bring him home.

Home, something they longed for. They spent their time back and forth between Tucson and here trying to be with him as much as possible but also having other responsibilities. Thank goodness for the Ronald McDonald house. It was a place for them to stay and have food anytime of the day they needed. This was a practically free service provided to those who have children in the hospital for long stays. If they had to rack up hotel bills while there they wouldn't have survived financially.

Allan, after surviving through all of the other complications, contracted pneumonia which was the last thing his little body could handle.

As my husband and I talked about all that had happened to this little family and this little boys life, my first thought was that it would have been easier for his parents if he had passed on shortly after birth than to survive this long and get their hopes up just to have him die of pneumonia. I quickly changed my mind as my husband expressed his feelings. He said if it was him he would look at each day with the child as a treasure or a gift, even though it would be hard. We have to be grateful for each day we have. After the hurt is healed or at least lessened the memories of the moments they had together will still be there.

Say a little prayer for the Mattices and live each day to the fullest.

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The Fair

Last Friday Jeremy and Kelsi both had the day off. It was Fair Day. I guess it is such a big deal around here that the schools get out, so Jeremy decided to take the day off and we made a day of it. There was a parade in the morning that we didn't go to because we thought we would beat the crowds at the fair ground. But when we got there nothing was open but the animal exhibit so we decide to go get an early lunch at McDonald's. We wished we would have gone to the fair. After that we headed back to the fair grounds where we wondered the animal exhibits and then the other exhibits which had opened by then. Kelsi's class put an art project in that we got to see. We had a really fun day but were worn out by the time we headed home around 2:30. All three girls feel asleep in the car. Here are a few picture highlighting the event. I would have gotten more but I hadn't empty the memory card so we were limited to a few.

Enjoying our strawberry cheesecake flavored shaved ice with cream on top and a scope of ice cream on the bottom. Yum!

Kelsi's class art project. She is pointing to her hand.

Riding the Merry Go Round.

Cute little train that they rode on.

Here they are!

Up, Up and away on the Ferris Wheel.

Courtney was such a good girl that day. It made it lots of fun for everyone.

Sorry, no pictures of me. I was the one behind the camera.

Vote Yes on 102

Found this on a friends blog. Very touchy proposition but very important. We could go into a whole debate on same sex marriage and there would be many views on the subject. For a person who believes in God and has an understanding of Gods purpose and plan for us I understand why such a choose is not best for each of us as individuals or for society as a whole. But how do you help someone understand that when they don't believe the way you do? We can argue until we are blue in the face but that would solve nothing. First people need to know that it is not about hate. Just because you don't believe a certain behavior is acceptable doesn't mean you hate the person or group of people involved. I don't feel that smoking or drinking is okay but if a person chooses to do so it doesn't make me hate them. But should I back down and say smoking and drinking is okay to make them feel better? No. We can except people as individuals but we in no way have to agree with certain behavior choices or allow them to be taught to our children as acceptable behavior. My mother was telling me about how in California they are talking about teaching kindergartners sex education and telling them that there are certain parts of our body that are made to bring us pleasure and that it is okay to be involved in certain behaviors that I personally feel are unacceptable, to induce that pleasure. Where do we draw the line? I am grateful to live in a small town where my children are not exposed to such teachings. I will teach my children about sex and homosexual behavior, but it will be in a way I fill best. I will teach them to treat all people with respect and try to help my children understand that respecting someone doesn't mean excepting inappropriate behavior.

Red Box

If you have seen those big red movie renting machines in places like Walmart but have never tried it now is your chance. I received this e-mail with a promo code for a free rental. It only works if you have never rented from them but here it goes.

I've Been Tagged!

So I have been tagged by two different people, Amy Richardson and Jennifer Howe . They are not exactly the same but very similar so I am going to combine the two into one following the rules of both the best I can.

Jennifer's: Taggin‘ It Up Rules 1: Each player starts with 8 random habits/facts about themselves. 2: People who are tagged need to write a post on their blog about their eight things and post these rules. 3: At the end of the post you need to choose 8 people to get tagged and list their names.

Amy's:

1. Some of you already know this but I used to go skinny-dipping in a bucket when I was two years old. I would fill five-gallon bucket with water strip down and hop in and that is where my mom would find me. When I was younger I actually was embarrassed about this like if I had done something horrible wrong. In a way it is a wonder I never drowned.

2. I would love to travel the world. There are so many places in this world that I would love to see. Just even to go back east would be quite the adventure.

3. My fingernails feel very claustrophobic at times. When I got married a dear friend of mine did my nails for me. I had on beautiful, long, painted fingernails. At to luncheon after my sealing in the Mesa Temple I was tearing them off because I was literally feeling claustrophobic. Just the other night I had a band aid on one of my finger tips that I had cut on a piece of card stock and I started to freak because my finger was feeling claustrophobic and I couldn't get the band aid off. Instant relief though once I did.

4. I broke my collar bone playing basketball in High School. I was hit just right by a San Carlos girl in the shoulder and that was enough to do it.

5. I collect unique salt and pepper shakers. I have one set that I got when I was a little girl. It is of two mice. One dressed like a cowboy and another dressed like an Indian.

6. I like surprises. My husband often wants me to pick out my own gifts because he doesn't know what to get me but I like surprises. I rather wait until my birthday or special occasion to open my gift then to get it sooner.

7. My birthday this year is on Election Day. I was also born on the day that the Iran Hostage crisis took place. For 444 days after I was born my parents knew exactly how old I was because they would announce on the TV how many days it had been since the hostages were taken. For my birthday present go and vote.

8. I hate deciding what to make for dinner. I don't mind making it I just hate deciding. Particularly if I am cooking for people other then myself.

Now for those of you I tag. No pressure only play along if you feel like it and you don't have to follow both sets of rules. You can take your pick. Anyone not included that would like to play I tag you also. Go forth and have fun!

1. Amy Evans

2. Amy Hunter

3. Jennie Sholley ( If your blog is up and running now)

4. Sara Price

5. Jennifer Garcia

6. Jennie Witt

7. Christina King

8. Marisa Rasmussen

Whats up

So I am hearing it is time for another post. It is amazing how fast time goes by when you realize it has almost been a month since the last post. I am such a slacker.

To start off Courtney is now 4 months old. She had her four month well child check yesterday. She is growing like a weed. She is 25" inches long, 15 lb 10 oz and her head is 41 1/4 cm around. She has more then doubled her birth weight and grown about 6 inches.

Courtney also tried rice cereal for the first time yesterday. With Kelsi and Shaylee we waited until they were almost 6 months but we decided to try it sooner with Courtney because she seemed so interested in it.

Aren't those checks adorable.

She really liked the cereal and would fuss until I gave her more.

Shaylee is still enjoying preschool and doing well. She has a little trouble with her writing skills but is learning quickly. She often out of the blue will start talking about something she learned that I hadn't any idea she even knew about. She loves playing with mom when Kelsi is gone but misses Kelsi because mom isn't always able to play when she wants.

Kelsi is doing well in school and got a 100% on her very first spelling test ever. She is becoming a better reader all of the time. She still enjoys the social aspect of school quite a bit. She is going to be our social butterfly.

Here are some other random pictures of the things we have been up to lately.

Who are these strangers among us?

Wanted

Color: Blue

Height: 6 Inches

Weight: Depends on how full it is

Dangerous. He may soak you. Known to dress in disguise.

Labor Day we cooked on the grill, made smores and played Boccie.

We had lots of fun.

Where have all the cooties gone?

Where have all the cooties gone? I ask this question because my first grader who is only six came home yesterday and informed me that Billy broke up with her. She then continue on by telling me he said they could still be friends though, as if that would make me feel better about the whole thing. What is happening? When I was in first grade all of the boys had cooties and you had to have your cootie spray ready at a moments notice just in case one touched you. Now it seems that kids are growing up too fast. They are wanting to pair off and be "boyfriend and girlfriend" in the FIRST grade. I was hoping I wouldn't need to have " the talk" with her until she was like 20 (Ha! Ha!) now am I going to have to discuss such things with her before she goes to second grade, or so it seems. Is this what tween culture has done? Made it so glamorous to have boyfriend or girlfriend? No more High School Musical for her. (Ha! Ha!) Oh how I wish she would just go back to being my little baby. I am not ready to deal with all of this puppy love stuff. Oh cooties, where could you be? If anyone has found the lost cooties please send them my way.

School In Full Swing

Well, I had every intention of posting a back to school post but that didn't happen in a timely manner so I post a little now about school.

Kelsi is in Ms. Moore's 1st grade class and enjoying it. She is very social and has already had to have her desk moved to a different place in the classroom. She likes that she doesn't have to walk back from lunch with her teacher like in kindergarten. She has also informed me several times that in her words "Friday's rock!" because there is no homework and they have show and tell.

Shaylee is enjoying preschool. I was a little concerned at first because about a week before school was to start she cried for a good 5 to 10 minutes about not wanting to go because she would miss me. As the day got closer she seemed to be handling the idea better. That morning when I was getting her ready she surprised me with her deep concerns about school. She turned to me and said "Mom, will the other kids be nice to me? Will they play with me?" It about brought tears to my eyes. I had never realized she had such fear over such things. It all went well and yes the kids were nice and played with her. She now loves it and looks forward to it.

Picture Tag

The rules are you have to take ten pictures of the following things. And you have to do it right away. No straightening, cleaning, or wiping your child's nose. And then tag five others.

I was tagged by Marisa and I have to admit that I wasn't able to do all this imediately. The baby was eating and life got in the way. I didn't go straightening anything for the pictures though. Here it goes. Don't expect anything amazing. I like a clean house but with three little girls and one of them being only 2 1/2 months old life gets in the way.

1. The Fridge: Not perfect, but not too bad.

2. The Closet: I guess I need to put Courtney's dress away.

3. The Bathroom: I am the one who uses this one the most but I promise the potty seat isn't for me.

4. The Laundry Room: Technically it isn't a real laundry room. The washer and dryer are in the kitchen. I am just grateful to have them.

5. The Kitchen Sink: Not too bad, but not as clean as Marisa's.

6. Self-Portrait: Who likes taking pictures of themselves??? Not Me!

7. Favorite Room: I am not sure I have a favorite room. I am not very talented in the decorating aspect of homemaking so here is a picture of my favorite wall in the living room.

8. What are your kids doing right now?

Courtney is sleeping.

Shaylee is watching Peter Pan.
Kelsi is at school. Sorry no picture.

9. Dream Vacation: There are lots of places I would like to visit but one in particular is the Holy Land.

http://www.holylandphotos.org/

10. Favorite shoes: A little well worn. I had to take them off my feet for the picture.

Now I tag......Nora Morgan, Jennifer Howe, Melanie Guymon, Jessica Barnum and Amy Richardson