Piano Recital

I have to brag on my Alex for a bit now.  Alex played in his very first piano recital!  He has only had ten lessons and he played beautifully!  I am so proud of him.  He went up and performed with such confidence that he radiated happiness.  He played Mary Had a Little Lamb and Jingle Bells.  He really loves the piano and loves his teacher very much.  At first he was upset that I had signed him up for lessons without me asking him, but now I have to pry him away from the keys so he will do his school work.  I am so grateful that he loves music, because he really has an ear for it, and has since he was a baby.  He is getting so big!

He is such a ham

Such concentration

I LOVE that smile

Alex and his teacher Sister Weaver

8 Months Old on 12-12-12

Josephine is 8 months old!  Can you believe it!?!  She is growing up so quickly and really developing quite the personality.  She is definitely as fiery as her hair, which is coming in nicely.  Here is a brief update on our little princess...

on 12-12-12!

*She has mastered scooting around on her bottom and is trying her hardest to crawl

*She waves hello and goodbye and says "Hi"

*She claps her hands and says "Yay"

*When we ask her 'How big is Josephine?"  She raises her arms above her head and we say "So BIG!"

*She LOVES to sing and tries to overpower the choir during practice

*She scrunches up her nose when she is being silly

*She plays Peek-A-Boo

*She definitely lets you know when she wants your attention (and not quietly)

*She hates anything dressed up (santa, mascots...)

*She loves pulling things out of containers

*She steals food off of your plate any chance she gets

*She has 6 almost 7 teeth!  (She's a piranha!)

*Her brothers make her laugh all the time

 *She got her first baby doll and LOVES it

*She is becoming very busy!

I love this smile!

In her Christmas outfit!

The Chick-Fil-A cow had tried to shake her hand...she wasn't taking her eyes off of him

Loves playing in the laundry baskets and helping Mommy fold laundry

November

Well, I cannot believe it!  It is almost December!  November has flown by and it was a wonderful month.  Well, time to update.  I will start with the most important thing that happened in November...my birthday!  Just Kidding, but really it was amazing.  My husband is one of a kind, and yes ladies, be jealous and men, take notes!  I don't know how I got such an amazing man, but he is always keeping me smiling and keeping life exciting.

This year for my birthday I really wanted to go to the zoo with our family.  I LOVE the zoo!  I just love the animals and I love watching my kids at the zoo.  We haven't been since Josephine was born and I was really wanting to go.  Well, money was a bit tighter than planned and my van needed some serious attention in the brakes department.  I was super bummed out to not be going to the zoo.  Still, James took off Friday and while he worked on the car I went and got a massage.  When I returned from the massage the house was a man's version of "tidy" although when I came home James was mopping the bathroom (should have been my first hint something was up) even though I told him not to worry about mopping, I would get to it tomorrow.  I was starting to really be grumpy because James wasn't doing anything about dinner and just wanted to lay around the house!  Then, out of nowhere he loaded us all into the car (he even woke up Josephine from a nap!) and took us to Wal-Mart (oh joy...).  Now I am down right irritated!  I'm hungry and my birthday has been a flop!  No cake, no ice cream, no dinner...nothing!  Well after he took us on other random errands we headed home.  He started texting on the way home and I yelled at him and told him to hand me his phone and I would send the message for him.  He refused to hand me the phone...now I knew something was up.  By the time we pulled into the driveway I was telling James that I just wanted to go home, put on my pajamas and go to bed.  Then, I saw some cars parked in front of my neighbors.  I complained that they were having ANOTHER party, then it clicked.  I HATE being surprised.  I can't stand being startled or scared and that fear started to set in.  I didn't know what was behind my door and I didn't want to go in.  I was trying to shove my kids in first (real protective mom huh!).  Finally James pushed the door open and our home was filled with friends yelling SURPRISE!  I don't know how he did it, but my husband had pulled off a surprise party!  I had even seen most of these friends during the week and nobody even hinted bout anything!  I was totally surprised and overjoyed.  I wasn't forgotten!  We then enjoyed cake and pizza and lots of wonderful friends.  It really was a birthday I will always remember!

Right after they surprised me...the shock was still setting in.  Look how smug James looks!

Me and Edrea (my Chinese sister!)

 The other big thing about November is the obvious...Thanksgiving.  I was very proud of myself!  I cooked everything except the gravy and it was yummy.  We invited some friends to join us, so when all was said and done there were 14 people in my little house!  Eight of which were children.  My home was filled with laughter, yummy food, smiles, friends and family.  It was the best Thanksgiving I have ever had.  I wish I had pictures of the day, but I don't.  I got so busy cooking and cleaning I totally forgot.  Then josephine caught a little tummy bug, so I didn't even get a picture in her little turkey outfit because she yucked it up.  I will just have to live it in my memories.  We are truly blessed and we have so much to be thankful for.  

Eric as a pilgrim at his school Thanksgiving program and lunch

Silly boys at Eric's School Thanksgiving Program and Lunch

Josephine enjoying the Black Friday ads while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

I know I didn't update on Josephine turning 7 months, but we are almost to 8 months, so I will update then.  Let's just say that lately she is so wiggly it is like trying to handle an octopus!  SHe scoots on her bottom and is full of giggles and personality.

7 Months Old!

 December will be here in two days and I am looking forward to creating some new memories with the kids and to enjoying some of our established traditions.  So until next time...

Halloween

This Halloween wasn't too eventful for us.  I really felt like it came together at the last minute and wasn't the best Halloween, but it could have been a lot worse.  We went to a Halloween carnival that James' company put on and had a blast.  The boys loved the bouncy castles and the crafts.  Josephine won 3rd place in the costume contest (because she wasn't old enough for the first or second place prize) and loved being outside in the nice sunshine and cooler weather.  We enjoyed our time there a lot.  His company even programmed one of their robots to hand out treats to the kids!

The boys checking out the newest robot at Daddy's work

Josephine taking her treat from the robot

Mmmmmm!  Thank you robot!

The costume contest

Enjoying her prize

This year Alex was Batman with muscles (the "with muscles" part was very important).  Eric was a ninja and Josephine was a tutu cute giraffe.  We hunted down three pumpkins on Halloween and carved them without Daddy.  After James got off work we went over to his parents and we went trick-or-treating with Aleena, Paul and Andrew.  The kids had a great time and that is what is important.

6 months!

Yikes!  Josephine is 6 months old!  That's half of a year!  Can I just admit to you that I am completely over the moon for her and I just can't get enough of her.  She is definitely my little princess.  Here is a quick update of our little girl

Isn't she just PERFECT!

*She sits unsupported!

*Her brothers are her favorite thing to play with

*Her giggles make everyone laugh

*She is super vocal (gee, I can't imagine where that comes from)

*She is still an excellent eater and wants to eat whatever you are eating

*Has the bluest eyes and they make strangers stop in their path! (no joke!)

*She still only has a tiny bit of hair but it is definitely RED

*She will study her toys and objects (beofre they end up in her mouth)

*She still HATES tummy time and yells and throws a temper tantrum until you pick her up

*She has a fiery personality to match that hair

*She is in the 57% for weight and 73% for height

And I think my favorite thing right now is that she gives hugs!

She loves being outside

She is full of pure joy

A Quick Update

Well, it has been a month since I last posted on here and in some ways a lot has changed, and in other ways, everything is still the same.

We are still living life and enjoying it to the fullest we can.  Alex is really enjoying being at home and me being his teacher.  Eric is thriving in Pre-K!  We are finally getting somewhere with his letters and numbers!  Josephine is growing and changing every day!  James got a promotion and a raise!  It had been a long time coming, but he is so excited about his new position at work and that he is an irreplaceable asset to the company   It is nice to feel important and needed when you ave worked so hard for so long. James is also doing great in school and really enjoying the challenge. I am still chugging along with all my Mommy duties.  I had to put my cake and dessert business on hold for now due to time constraints, stress and that I had to pack up all of my supplies and store them.  We put our home on the market last week and we are anxious to get it under contract so that we can put some earnest money on a home we fell in love with.  It is in the Lord's hands and we are doing all that we can so that we can prepared and ready for when the Lord says the time is right.  We are feeling very blessed and that our struggles and hard work are really starting to pay off.  Who knows where we will be next year, or heck even next month, but we know that it will be where He wants us to be.  Here are some pretty recent pictures for you.

So until next time...

5 Months!

I can't believe our baby girl is five months old already!  She is such a joy and we just adore her to pieces.  Here is a quick update on Little Miss Josephine

Sitting up on her own for a minute

Happy Bath Time

*Eating lots of different solids, one of her favorites is Avocado!

*She tries to sit up on her own

*Giggles

*Makes all sorts of noises (we are grateful she hasn't found her volume yet, she has a high pitch squeek!)

*ADORES her brothers

*Has TWO teeth

*Likes to be outside

*Loves bath time

*The best napper we have ever had!  She is so easy to lay down and she puts herself to sleep

*Sleeps 7 hours at night (I will take it) and then usually goes back to sleep for a few hours

*Not a huge fan of the car seat

*Loves the cat (and the cat likes her too)

*HATES green beans!   She literally shudders after every bite.

*Sings along in church

*Chews on everything

*Definitely our little princess!

Back to School for Eric

Well, Eric finally went back to school on Tuesday.  I say finally as he had been asking me if it was time to start Pre-K for the last month.  Anyway, he was super excited to be in Pre-K and to have the same teachers that Alex did.  I am so glad that he enjoys school and his little friends.  He was a little sad that one of his friends wasn't in his class this year, but after school on Tuesday he was all smiles as he told me that he got to play with his friend during recess.  I am excited for this year in Pre-K.  I pray and hope that things will start to click with Eric academically.  He struggles and gets frustrated with his numbers and letters (and so do I).  I'm hoping they click in his mind like his colors did last year.  He is so eager to learn and to please.  He is definitely a joy to be around and is just so darn cute!  Anyway, here are some pictures of him on his first day of school, as well as his answers to our yearly questions.  Enjoy!

How old are you? 4

Who is your best friend? Bradley

What is your favorite thing to do? Play and make towns

What is your favorite color? Blue and Green

What is your favorite food? yogurt

What do you like to do with your family? Play Candy Land

What is your favorite toy? T-Rex

What do you want to do when you grow up?Be A Knight

What makes you happy? Playing Power Rangers with Alex

What makes you sad? When I get frustrated

What is your favorite show to watch? Super Why

What is your favorite book? Clifford

What do you like to learn about? Animals

Where do you like to go? Valley Ranch BBQ

What is your favorite treat? Marshmallows

What do you think about before you go to sleep? God

If you could meet someone famous, who would it be? President Monson

If you could have one wish, what would it be? To go to Lego Land

First Day of Preschool (Age 3)

First Day of Pre-K (age 4)

Alex's First Day of School

We did it!  We made it through our first day of first grade and our first day of homeschooling!  I really think it went well.  You can read more about our day here.  Here is a little bit about my big 1st grader!

How old are you? 6

What grade are you in? 1st

Who is your best friend? Carly

What is your favorite thing to do? Play video games with Daddy

What is your favorite color? Red (this is the first time the answer wasn't blue!)

What is your favorite food? Pizza

What do you like to do with your family? Play board games

What is your favorite toy? Legos

What do you want to do when you grow up? A Paleontologist

What makes you happy? Being Tickled

What makes you sad? Somebody hurting my feelings

What is your favorite show to watch? Tron Uprising

What is your favorite book? Books about animlas

What do you like to learn about? Science

Where do you like to go? The Children's Museum

What is your favorite treat? CHOCOLATE!

What do you think about before you go to sleep? Building with Legos

If you could meet someone famous, who would it be? Einstein

If you could have one wish, what would it be? To go to Disney World

I am so excited for this new year, and I know Alex is too.

Alex-1st Grade

Alex-Kindergarten

Where Did The Summer Go?

Well, I actually know where it went, I just didn't update the blog about it.  Well, I have started a blog that will chronicle my events as a "Homeschool Mom" so hopefully I will be better about updating things.  Life is pretty good right now and a bit exciting as the school year starts tomorrow.  Yes, I am homeschooling Alex this year.  This decision came after much prayer and fasting.  We pray this year will be a wonderful experience for Alex and for our entire family.  This is definitely a new adventure and I mostly hope we will come through it with the same amount of people as we started it with.  James is also starting college ina few weeks.  We are really excited about such a wonderful opportunity for him.  This really is an answer to prayers.  Eric will start back to school next week, but his meet-the-teacher is this week and he is really excited, but I might be more excited as I get to see my wonderful friends again after a very long summer.  Josephine is growing like a weed and definitely is full of personality.  She is four months old and she is a ball of joy!  Life is pretty good for us right now and even though we face daily issues and trials that bog us down, we try to go to bed on a happy note, and most of the time we do.  We are blessed beyond measure and I know that this school year will bring us LOTS of new adventures.  I will post Alex's back-to-school picture tomorrow.  So, until then...

My Amazing Boys

I feel the need to post and brag about my boys.  They are amazing!  At the end of May they both celebrated some achievements that I want to share.

First, Eric finished preschool for the year and performed in the musical program his school put on.  He sang with all his heart!  A few weeks later he performed in The Little Gym Show for his class.  He did amazing!  His floor routine was done perfectly!  I love the smile on his face when he does his tumbling.  He did great on the beam, but was a bit nervous so he did it really fast and on the bar he decided to use the small bar like his friend instead of the uneven bars, but oh well.  I have been watching him prepare for show for weeks and I know how hard he has been working.  It was great to have James there to watch him, he had never been to see Eric at tumbling class before.  Alex was also there because he had gotten ill at school that morning.  Eric is getting to be such a big boy!

Eric just finished his program!

He was so proud of his medal

Eric's Tumbling class and their grand finale

Alex also has so much to celebrate.  The day of his Kindergarten graduation and awards ceremony he went to school super excited, but unfortunately he got sick right at the very beginning of school and he was sent home unable to participate in the awards ceremony, but they sent his awards home.  He received awards for art, top speller in his class and top science in his class.  He also performed in the school talent show with his class on the last day of school.  They were super cute and the school loved dancing along with them.  Alex also finished baseball season with his team.  He is sure proud of himself and the hard work he put in.

My Kindergarten Graduate!

Alex showing off his baseball trophy

I have some amazing boys with some amazing talents.  I feel so blessed with such bright and busy boys.

Summer...

Some of my posts may be a bit out of order, but I wanted to post about some thoughts I have been having so I don't forget them...that has been happening a lot lately.

It is summer...finally!?!  Yesterday my grandma and I were discussing how summer means so much to so many different people.  Some people refer to summer as a date on a calendar, or as a season, or as soon as the temperature rises.  Some people refer to summer as the end of school or the start of family vacations and visits to the beach.  Some people mourn at the arrival of summer due to kids being out of school and needing entertaining and the oppressing hot weather.  Although some people rejoice its arrival (oh es, I saw the janitor at Alex's school dancing yesterday!).  No matter how you look at it, it is inevitable.  This year I have some serious mixed feelings about summer's arrival.

My summer has officially started.  The weather is HOT (I really am not a fan of the heat), both my kids are out of school and the play dates and activities have started filling up the schedule.  So, why am I having so many mixed emotions!?!  First I am relieved.  I am so grateful that Alex is out of school.  This has been a year of learning for our whole family with Alex being in school and I am grateful that we made it all the way to the end. I am sad as I realize my boy is growing up very quickly and at times I feel like I wasn't present (physically or emotionally) for things I needed to be.  I got a little teary yesterday as I was at the school listening to the teachers say their goodbyes.  Then I feel excited!  We will get to enjoy so many things this summer, I almost don't know where to start!  Then finally I feel overwhelmed and anxious.  Now that it is summer, the ball is in my court and I have to decide what to do with it.  I am now 100% in charge of my children's growth and development.  I am determined to not let them waste their summer inside, even though at times that is all I want to do.  I now have to start seriously planning for next school year.  I have been working hard on living and enjoying the moment and not stressing what is ahead, but now I have to do some planning and organizing so that next year can be a success.  Hopefully I don't lose my mind.

With all of this going on in my brain, no wonder I have been so forgetful!  Well, I am determined most of all to be present with my children this summer.  I want to enjoy them and be part of their memories, not a bystander.  I know there are times when I would love to escape the arguing and tattling, but if it means that I have to miss out on the smiles and laughs...I don't wanna miss a thing (haha that Aerosmith song just ran through my mind).  Well that is it for now I guess.  So, until next time...

One Month Old!

Our little princess is already a month old!  I really wish time didn't go so fast!  I am trying to enjoy every moment with her.  I find myself just wanting to hold her...and the way my house looks is proof of that.  Josephine is starting to smile and is cooing a bit, but mostly she is a grunter.  She loves watching her brothers and smiles when they sit next to her and talk to her.  She loves to be in Daddy's arms and he rocks her just the right way to get her to sleep at night.  She is a good eater and eats about every 3-4 hours, but in the afternoon/early evening she tends to cluster feed.  She has a fussy period of the day, but nothing serious.  She loves to be in the bath and to have her hair washed.  We noticed that she does get overstimulated when there is a lot of noise and stuff, but moving her to a quiet place, she instantly relaxes and  gives a big sigh.  This week when we went to the doctor I got to have a sweet tender moment with Josephine.  While at the doctor I had to undress her for her checkup, which she was not a fan of and she was letting everyone know how unhappy she was.  After her doctor checked her out she wrapped her in a blanket, picked her up and faced her towards me.  Once Josephine saw me she instantly stopped crying and gave me a little smile.  It made my heart melt!  We feel so blessed by this little girl and each one of us is absolutely in love with her.  Every day we thank our Heavenly Father for her and the joy she fills us with.

1 month old!

She loves to stick out her tongue!

Giving us a little smile

Here are her current stats:

    Weight: 9 pounds 14 ounces 

     Length: 22 inches

     Eyes: Blue

     Hair: Reddish brown and getting thicker

Ladies, Be Jealous...

I had the most amazing Mother's Day ever and I have to brag, and brag some more.  I have to start with telling you that I really thought this was going to be a pretty crummy Mother's Day.  I hadn't been asked if I wanted anything, the boys told me that we would have pancakes on Sunday because it is their favorite (definitely not mine) and James was going to be taking the boys on a camp out on Friday and Saturday leaving me alone with Josephine and housework.  Well, I was in for a HUGE surprise...

First, the camp out didn't happen for my boys because the weather was horrible.  So, I have to admit, that kinda made me feel a little better.  On Friday evening James came home and handed me a letter...

Well, now I am down right giddy and curious about what would be in store for our weekend.  So, here is the run down of my amazing Mother's Day!

I woke up Saturday morning to muffins and fruit prepared by James.  Then we got dressed and I was dropped off at Massage Envy for a 90 minute deep tissue massage.  Then we went to CiCi's Pizza (I had a hankerin' for it) and enjoyed lunch.  The boys then surprised me with a sweet card they picked out and the movie Tangled!  I love Disney movies and had been wanting Tangled, but I wouldn't buy it for myself, so the boys went and bought it for me.  Then I was taken to a nice hair salon and James had set up for their top stylist to style and cut my hair (this was desperately needed, yet I kept finding reasons to not spend the money on myself, the boys needed haircuts first).  I felt like a princess as my hair was styled to my lifestyle and face shape.  I love it!  I lost about 6 inches, but my hair is healthy and happy and it can still be pulled in to a ponytail (I think the stylist cringed a bit when I said that I wear my hair in a ponytail most of the time, but hey, I am a mom!).  After my hair appointment we went to the mall where James took me to buy a dress!  I love it!  Then we went to the Lego store for the boys, they had been so good all day.  Oh, I forgot, after my hair appointment the boys surprised me with the apron they decorated all by themselves!

My Apron

Alex drew me!

Alex and Eric's Hand print and Josephine's Footprint

After the mall we went to Texas Roadhouse for some yummy food and there we found out the Josephine can get us a table quick, just by her cuteness!  We planned on going home and watching Tangled, but by the time we got home we were pooped, so we all headed to bed.  On Sunday morning James made a yummy recipe I found on Pinterest (not pancakes) and we went to church.  The best part of church was that I was able to take the sacrament!  I hadn't been able to since Easter because either I was home with new baby girl or feeding her during the sacrament.  It really helped me feel better.  My Primary kids sang beautifully in sacrament meeting.  Teaching Primary went great and we actually got somewhere on our music.  Then after church we all got into our comfy clothes and popped popcorn and watched Tangled as a family.  It really was an amazing Mother's Day.  I feel so blessed to have a husband that cares so much about me and teaches the boys to love their Mommy and also encourages them to do things for other people.  He is such an example to them and to me.

Oh, there were also these little labels all over the house (I am still finding them).  James loves making QR codes.  As I scanned them, they have little messages to me.  They are everywhere...on my hairbrush, my wallet, the mirror, the remote...everywhere!  I feel so loved!