Sims Christmas Preformance

Sims preschool did the cutest little Christmas program. I am always impressed with this preschool and the fun things she does with the children. Sims was asked to do a solo on a poem he learned in class. My little boy did so great! He didn't even mess up once! I am a proud mama. Here is the whole program for your view pleasure:



And if you get a chance check this video out. It is another boy in Sims class who did a solo on his song, but check out Sims. The little girl behind him couldn't keep her hands off him! It is so funny. He is starting out his career of being a ladies man!

Sims first day of school

Catching up...This is Sims on his first day of preschool! This is his second year at Ms. Kristen's! She has such a great program and he loves to go. He was very excited to start school after a very fun, but very busy summer with lots of traveling. We saw almost all of his cousins and traveled to 3 different states. It was nice to start a routine again. Lily was excited to walk him over and is getting ready to start Ms. Kristen's next year!

The Trailer!

The long awaited photos have now finally arrived...OUR TRAILER!


Matt found this little gem on craigslist and we got it for an amazing price of $250! It needed quite a bit of work but it was basically in great shape. We worked really hard on it and got it ready and Matt took it out on it's first adventure elk hunting. He survived 20 degree weather and stayed toasty warm. I was a little jealous that I didn't get to go on the first outing but I am sure we will have loads of fun in it together as a family this summer!

I remember...

Hello my family and friends!

Sorry if it seems I have dropped off the earth...I sorta have! Life is keeping me soooo busy right now, but I love it.

I have had a special week. I have had time to reflect on Courtney, her birth, her moment here with us, and her spirit. It has been good, it has been healing. I have decided that this year to commemerate her birth I want to right her story...one of peace, comfort and hope. Those are the words I think of when I think of her. I want to ask you, as my loved ones to write your own stories of how Courtney has touched your lives or the lives of others and email me your story. I am going to make a book, one that I can share with other mothers, friends, family, so they can see what a powerful influence she had in this life. I hope to summit the story I write to the Ensign...I think with a lot of help I can do it!

I had the special opportunity to read my journal that I kept right after Courtney was born. It was a good experience to read. I realized that I was human and did suffer a little more then I remember today ( I have somewhat glorified the whole experience with me being a strong and put together heroine). I would like to share some of my favorite excerpts:

*"They brought her to me all bundled up in blankets and she looked so peaceful. I held her and I loved her and I knew that her spirit was there with me. She was alive those moments that we held and loved her."

*"I love my husband and I am so grateful for him. He has been such a wonderful support to me and he is so thoughtful and so strong. I am so blessed to have him in my life. He is going to teach me a lot. I think he is going to help my understanding and I am so grateful for that. I love him so much and my only desire is to make him as happy as he makes me. I hope that I can be as strong and supportive to him like he is to me. I cannot express how deep my love is for him. He is the best."

*"I read a wonderful talk by Elder Faust from this falls conference talk. He said that when we are faced with trials like mine that we can either be selfish or Godly. He said when we are selfish we are mad at God that he took our baby away and we are so focused on our pain and grief that we can't see or understand the Eternal aspect of the trial. If we try to be Godly in our trials, it's easier to see the blessings that our Father in Heaven has given us. Its easier to understand that we must follow Gods plan and not try to live by our own plan. I am trying so hard not to have a selfish attitude! I am trying so hard to have faith and believe in God that he is guiding and directing our life. I am tryng to see the blessings that have been given to Matt and I in this trial. We have been blessed with a beuatiful, perfect daughter that now is waiting for us in the celestial kingdom. We have been blessed with her spirit and what a strong spirit she has to help us remember that we need to endure to the end and have faith. We have been blessed with each other and now we have an even deepter love and bond than we ever had before. We have been blessed with the chance to continue our family."

*"My friend Lori at work said how amazing Courtney must be because even though she never took breath on this earth, she touched the life of so many people."

*"Now I hope that we all can endevor to keep her spirit alive in us. I hope that I can remember how much she has changed me spiritually and emotionally. I hope that her influence will never die in me. I need that influence to keep me going and to help me remember what it all was for."

*"The role of the mother is to sacrifice all that you have for your child. I can remember my mom buying us girls clothes and never buying for herself. She gave so that we could have what was popular at the time. As a mother, I too have had to sacrifice for my child. I had to sacrifice my dreams and desires so that she could move on to the Celestial kingdom. I have to put aside my selfishness to support her in her decision to be in the Celestial Kingdom."

*"So what do I do now? Keep going. I have to keep moving on. Take what is given to me and make the best of it. I CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY."

Those are the best of what I got. I am so grateful for Courtney. She has CHANGED my life. I am a better person because of her. I am so grateful for a loving, supportive and caring family. You all are amazing examples to me. I love you all so much! I look forward to hearing your stories!

Love, Jen

I bet you thought I died...

This story actually starts back in September of last year when I first met Kim, my best friend. The first thing that I learned about Kim was that she recently had just run a half marathon and I thought...cool! This is one ambitious girl. So fast forward to January...Kim and I start hanging out a lot and become fast friends. We talk a lot about her half marathon and I tell her how cool it is that she did that. Then she says, well you can do it too, let's train for the half this summer together.

I laughed. Me, yeah right. I don't think so. I am not a runner. My latest running experience was a 5k where I thought I would die. Going from that to a half...didn't think it was going to work. But Kim in her awesomeness kept on the subject and finally I decided to "train" with her just to get her to STOP TALKING ABOUT IT!

But here is the awesome thing. I did it! With the encouragement from Kim and a few other friends I trained and ran a half marathon this summer. I started out slow and was able to increase my speed. I was able to run without feeling like I was going to die from not being able to breath. It was awesome. We would do long runs together and I felt great! It was amazing. I was ready.

And here was the coolest part everyone came to support me. My parents drove all the way from Colorado to see their baby run. My sister-in-law and mother-in-law and all my cute nieces and nephew drove all the way from Boise JUST TO SEE ME RUN! Oh what joy that brought to my heart to share this really big moment with my family. They are such a great support to me. Thank you so much for being there. My heart was overcome with emotion after I had been running for 2 and 1/2 hours to come up the hill and see my family whooping, hollering, and cheering me on as I ran the last little way. It was a moment I will always remember and I will be doing it again. COUNT ON IT!

And here is the best part to the story...tonight I was upstairs putting the kids in a bath and getting Jammie's on them and snuggling and when I came downstairs I saw this:
My sweet husband surprised me with an early Christmas present...a Garmin for running!! He wanted to give it to me now when I am still running all over so I can know how far I go and how fast I am going. I am so excited to go out and try it! He is the most thoughtful and sweet guy. I am so lucky to be married to him. He spoils me and I LOVE IT!

Teaser

You may like something like this:



OR this:



These are just a few things I pulled out of the back of the truck! Are you getting excited yet?

She Market
Featuring Shade Clothing Company
August 24th and 25th
3pm-8pm each day

Other vendors include: Scentsy, Lia Sophia, Mary Kay, The Breadman's Wife, Ruffled Sunshine, Shirley J., Cutie Fruity and more!

See you there!

Shade Sale

This is it ladies...This is my FINAL Shade sale and it is a doozy!

She Market
featuring Shade Clothing
Everything BRAND NEW and clearanced to
$3, $5, $8, $12, & $15

Thousands of discontinued colors and styles including camis, tanks, layer tees, long sleeve tees, sweaters, skirts, maternity and more.

When: August 24th and 25th
3pm-8pm each day

Where: 2908 Road 61 (off Argent)
Pasco, WA

And not only am I bringing you Shade but multiple other vendors to enjoy like: Scentsy, Mary Kay, In Bloom Birth Support, The Breadman's Wife, Lia Sophia, Pampered Chef, Shirley J. and more!

*Word on the street is that Shade is "going black" for an "indefinate amount of time". So this inventory they are sending me is the last of what they have so STOCK UP. Don't be scared that there won't be enough clothes either because they are sending me a 24 foot uhaul packed full of clothes!

*Spread the word, copy and paste the information for the sale to your blog or facebook, then email me a link vwbabe3148@hotmail.com and I will enter you in a drawing TO WIN $50 IN SHADE CLOTHES AT THE SALE!!!

Thanks for all the support in these crazy sales. It really does bring me joy to be able to provide this opportunity for you all! Let's have fun.

What a Lovely Day

I love mother's day. I love being able to think about all the amazing women in my life and what I have done for my family. It is the one day that I really pat myself on the back and enjoy what it means to be mother.

Matt spoiled me today with:
*breakfast in bed
*a wonderful, inspiring talk
*a delicious dinner and dessert
*played with the kids and took care of all their many needs.
WONDERFUL

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful mother that has raised me to be the woman that I am today. I am so grateful for her and all the things she did for me as a child. I remember her playing "Uncle Wiggley" and "Memory" with me all the time when my brother's and sister's were in school. I remember her teaching me to make pie and ginger snaps. I remember her carving pumpkins with me while we danced to Ray Conniff. There are so many wonderful memories of her creating and shaping me to be the mother and wife that I am today. I am so glad that I learned those lessons (even if I didn't act like I was learning, I did learn). I am forever blessed by her example.

As a mother, I have discovered that it is not about how much laundry I can get done or how clean my house looks, it is about the legacy that I leave in the hearts of my children that they will in turn leave in the hearts of their children. We are not just making dinners and planting gardens, we are cultivating generations of people. It is amazing to be a mother and I am grateful that I can be blessed to be one. Happy mothers day to everyone! Thanks for all you do.

Happy Birthday to a Sweet Boy!

Today Sims turns 4!!! Such an exciting day. He woke up this morning ready to open all his presents and to have a fun day. I couldn't hold in all the excitement yesterday and I told him that I was going to take him and a friend to Chuck E Cheese today, so he went to bed extra early so today would come fast! He is such a good boy and he deserves to have the best day ever!

I made a "mini" cake. Matt and I are trying to be careful about what we eat and I know that having a whole cake around would be bad news, so I made a small mini cake that we could eat for breakfast. Sims loved it!

Sims got this cool fish tank and 4 fish from Grandma and Grandpa Norway. He named his fish: Thomas, Percy, Ninja turtles and Otto

He got a scooter from Grandma and Grandpa Boise. He has been riding it around the house all morning!

A Card from Aunt Kari

A card and money from Aunt Teresa

Paints from Lily



Thomas Book from Grandma and Grandpa Norway.

A transformer from mom and dad.

And some gum. He LOVES gum. He is so excited and so happy! It has been a wonderful morning and it only barely has begun! I am so happy that Sims is my son. He is such a wonderful little boy! Happy Birthday!

Oh What a Day!

Today actually started 4 days ago. I went to my first meeting for the Relay for Life at Karen's house. At first it was a sad meeting because it was just me and Karen, but then people started to show. As we discussed what Relay for Life is all about (raising money to fight cancer) we all started to get excited about fundraising opportunities!

One of the first things we were able to participate in was a bake sale! I love me some bake sales because they usually are very successful and I can bake some really yummy things. The bake sale turned out to be for this weekend...we all decided that we had enough time to conquer and that we could do it!

So I started baking on Wednesday...I continued baking on Thursday and even got in more baking on Friday...all in all I made:

2 batches of home made granola bars
72 chocolate chip cookies
48 cupcakes
a dozen peanut butter cookies and
8 mini loaves of banana bread

We also enlisted the help of many wonderful willing women who donated their time and their baked goods. These women here are AMAZING. So when we set out this morning for the bake sale we were loaded with hundreds of yummy goodies. We were so optimistic.

WE SOLD NOTHING. It was horrible. For the first 3 hours we sold 5 items to strangers. The rest of what we made was money that we put in to feed our kids and ourselves. We were in a horrible location. It was supposed to be this great event with a ton of people, but none of them were interested in baked goods. We looked at all our yummy delights in despair!

Luckily, our friend Annette and Karen came up with a plan to go to Walmart to set up our table again and try to sell our goods. I am not going to lie, I was totally and completely discouraged. I really wanted to go home and just be sad the rest of the day, but I followed Annette over, we set up the tables, put out our goods and then, the fight against Cancer miracle happened. PEOPLE CAME!! They bought a ton of baked goods. We moved so much! It was fantastic. We ended up making $600 from our bake sale!!!! We were so happy. People were so generous and so willing to buy the treats and even give more for the cause. It was such a great testament for human goodness.

I am happy we did it. We came out on top in the end. We learned a lot of good lessons and made a lot of new friendships. Our kids were patient, our bodies were given extra strength to continue. It was great to be a part of. Here's to the fight against cancer!

Seriously People...I've been busy

I know, I haven't posted for over 2 weeks!!!! ACK! I am a horrible person. But let's just say things have been busy...

I got home just in time to kick off spring break...we did so many fun things...
*Trips to parks
*Grandma Boise
*Rach, Emmy and Tater
*Birdhouses
*Hiking Badger Mountain

Then we had a surprise trip to Salt Lake...it was never a surprise for Matt, he was planning on going the whole time to pick up our NEW CAR from my wonderful brother!! I cannot express how awesome my family is. That will have to be a whole post in itself. At the last minute, Karen and Brad and Grandma Boise graciously agreed to watch our two little ones so Matt and I could get a weekend away!! We did so many fun things...
*I got a new cell phone
*We went and hung out at Temple Square
*We saw the Joseph Smith movie (incredible)
*Went to an awesome outdoor mall
*Got a new, awesome coat
*Went to Matt's mission reunion
*Got to see a ton of my family!!

We got home and quickly tried to get back into the pace of things. I have been struggling because I decided that I needed to start exercising again. I have been going super early in the morning, so my body is trying to adjust to the new schedule. There have been many a night that I am in bed at 8pm asleep. I know pathetic, but it is all worth it for a healthy body! We have been doing so many fun things here too...
*Playing outside, this weather is incredible
*Lunch dates
*Park dates
*Taking dinner to the neighbors
*Gardening

So needless to say, I have been a little sidetracked, but I am back and have a lot of fun pictures to share!! I am now getting involved in a very worthy cause: "Relay for Life". Check out Karen's blog: www.prpakakjo.blogspot.com to learn more. I am excited to be a part of a team and to have a chance to raise money for such a great cause!!

Happy Birthday to a Wonderful Woman.

The most amazing woman had a birthday today....my Mom. I was so excited to be here in Colorado to help celebrate it with her. She has been such an example to me of how I want to be a mom. She knows everything. If I ever need advice, I just have to call up my mom and she has some profound wisdom. I am so glad that I was a part of her family. I am so happy that I get to carry on her legacy. She is an amazing woman...Happy Birthday Mom!!

The Birthday girl bright and early! She got a whole bunch of cool presents including a new LEGO set! She was thrilled.

We had a birthday lunch for her where she didn't have to cook a single thing or clean a single dish. We made yummy Costa Vida chicken and it was a success.

This is my sister Kari, her daughter Isabella, my mom and Me and Sims. We had a wonderful trip and loved to spoil my mom on her birthday!

Did I mention the snow? It has been snowing like crazy on this trip. We have had two days of intense snow. Lets just hope I will be able to make it home tomorrow!

At the Farm

Here are a few pictures from the Farm. Like I said before, Lily LOVED the farm. She was able to use all her words: cow, sheep and neigh neigh (horse). She loved it. Sims wasn't too excited, but as we found out later that day (because he threw up) that he wasn't feeling very well. It was a lovely day. We went to the park after and played for a little bit and took the kids home and they both napped.


This is Charlie, he was the new baby cow born on the farm. He was darling. Sims loved that he was named Charlie because of that video on youtube about Charlie biting his brother...


Lily loved to look at Charlie. She just sat there and yelled "Cow" "Moo" the whole time. It was darling.


We went on a nice little hay ride down to the Payette River. The kids thought it was fun to ride behind a tractor on some hay. It was really a nice ride.

We Made It!!

We made it to Colorado, the sick storms subsided for the afternoon so that we could get on the plane and get back to my parents house.

Then I started throwing up.

Then the next day Sims started throwing up.

But I am glad to say that today we are well and happy. My kids are eating again. My mom has taken on a special mission of getting Lily to gain a few pounds while we are here (Lily only weighs 20 pounds). We have been having fun. My kids are sleeping well and a ton, so I have been able to rest a ton too.

We went to the farm yesterday and saw chickens, cows and sheep. Lily was in heaven. She loves the farm animals.

Pictures to come!!

So Terrible it's Almost Funny

Yesterday morning I woke to the smell of vomit.

The first thought that came to my head was "Oh, I can smell again!" (after battling a rather nasty sinus infection for 2 and 1/2 weeks this is a good thing.)

The second thought to my head was "vomit??? Who threw up?".

I know slow thinker, but it was early in the morning. Sims was up at this point and so together we went on a search. I kept saying to him, "Did you throw up buddy?" and he would reply "I don't think so?". So the search started. I went to his room thinking that my smeller was finally working so I could smell the yuck that had happened the night before, but nope that was not it. I went to the guest room, where the smell was significantly worse, but no one was in there and nothing was found. Then I opened dear, sweet Lily's door and found the vomit.

Some time in the night, she threw up everywhere and proceeded to go back to sleep and sleep in it. I know bad mom. I thought it too, but I had NO IDEA, beside the smell, that anything had happened. I woke her up covered from head to toe in vomit. Immediately ran her to the bathroom to get her cleaned up. Put her in the tub and let her play for a bit. She was happy as a clam. No, hey I just threw up everywhere, sad attitude for her, she was smiling and happy.

As she was playing, Sims and I were sitting in the bathroom keeping her company. I was distracted by something Sims had said, looked away and when I looked back Lily had POOPED in the tub. I was not too freaked out because It was a normal poop. I lifted her out of the tub, had her sit on the toilet while I let the water out to clean the tub before I could clean her. She was not a big fan of the toilet, so I wiped her bum and let her go while I set to work on the tub.

Minutes later I hear Sims cry out "Lily just pooped in the hallway." WHAT? I ran out to find a nice mound of diarrhea in the hallway. SERIOUSLY? At this point I had to call in reinforcements, here was my vomit laden baby, standing over a mound of poop in the hallway. I was about to crack. Sims ran to get Daddy. "Daddy, Daddy, Lily threw up all over her crib and just pooped in the hallway." Now I know that would be a fun way to wake up.

Daddy came to the rescue and helped me get Lily back in the tub and cleaned up the sheets from the bed. Just when you think you can handle things yourself in a nice calm way, everything blows up. Daddy was the hero.

Needless to say, Lily is FINE. She felt great the rest of the day. She was her same singy, laughy, silly self. We just got attacked by the random sickies and the mad poo bomber. (She has been on antibiotics that cause some major diarrhea).

I on the other hand, now have pink eye. Thanks Karen. I survive a month without getting it from my kids and get it from lovely Karen. Here's to the month of March, where we have been sick the entire time, we love you!

News from the sick front:

We are battling some nasty sickies over here, so please...stay away if you know what is good for you!!

Lily is on the mend! I am so happy to say that she is doing much better and I have even caught her singing a song or two. She had a nasty sinus infection in the sinus between her eyes, so her cute little face was all swollen to the point that she could hardly open her left eye. The swelling has gone down and she is on the mend. Thanks to a wonderful pediatrician and some really strong antibiotics.

Sims, I am sad to report, is now sick. He has gotten pink eye AGAIN. We are just throwing that around here all the time. I have started disinfecting the whole house. All the toys have been wiped clean, Lily's room has been completely cleaned inside and out and Sims room is next. Poor boy started running a fever yesterday. He got up to 103 last night and he threw up. So it looks like we have that lovely flu virus that is going around too.

So we are hunkering down and staying home for the rest of the week with plenty of rest. So if you need me, I will be here with my disinfectant wipes cleaning and taking care of my cute kiddos to get them better so we can get to Colorado next week!

This Girl

This girl makes me laugh.
She makes me cry.
She loves Me Mu (the Wiggles)
She loves to dance.
She loves to sing.
She is a great sleeper at night (when she is not sick)

I have been so sad as of late because my sweet girl has been sick. Her little body is fighting a nasty infection so unfortunately she is none of the above right now. So keep this girl in your prayers that she will have a speedy recovery and that we will go back to laughing, dancing and singing.

Fieldtrip to Petland

Have I mentioned yet how much I LOVE our preschool. The teachers are fantastic, fun and so energetic. The ideas and teaching are amazing. I just love it. And I love the fact that I live right next door!! This field trip we got to go to Petland, the local pet store. The kids loved it. It was so fun to see all the animals. They got to pet bunnies, hamsters, rats and even puppies. It was so fun.

Sims had a great time and now every day he asks when he can get a fish. He was really intrigued by the fish. I think it has mostly to do with his favorite story about feeding a fish too much food, but I think I know what I am going to get him for his birthday this year...his very own fish tank. I remember having one growing up and I loved it.

So thank you so much Ms. Kristin and Ms. Julie. This was a such a successful field trip. We love you guys so much!!

Lily-the brown nosed Baby

We were having a craft day on Sunday with our cousins. The kids are really into sewing right now, so Spence and Hannah were sewing on the big machine and Sienna and Sims were sewing on my hand held mini sewing machine. Everyone was hunky dory, but then I thought in my head..."why is Lily being so quiet?" Here is what Lily was up to while everyone was busy sewing. She got great joy out of coloring on herself. I got a great laugh out of it all. She brings so much joy to my life!!

In his shoes.

Lily loves to put on shoes. They are always Sims, mine or Matt's shoes. It is the cutest thing I have ever seen. She is getting to be such a big girl!!

Some Awesome Stuff

I have been reading the October 2009 Ensign. In there they talk about the power the Internet has to spread the gospel. They specifically talk about blogging and how we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints can spread our testimonies through our blogs to our friends and families. What a great idea!! I have been rather obsessed about posting cute pictures of my kids and my goings on in my life that I have forgotten a HUGE part of who I am...my testimony.

So my friends out there that read this blog, I am going to try to share the insight to my testimony with some spiritual messages and thoughts. I hope you enjoy.

Tonight I went back to read my FAVORITE chapter in the Book of Mormon: 2 Nephi chapter 2. LOVE this chapter. It just speaks to me and shares so many truths of what we believe. Mainly this chapter talks about agency. I love this concept because I have a very strong belief in our right to choose. I love Jesus Christ because he fought and died for that right. Like I said the whole chapter jumps out at me, the whole thing is highlighted, but I will share my favorite parts:

When I read this chapter tonight the first thing that struck me was when Lehi was talking to his son in the beginning telling him that he knows that his life is very difficult...then he says these powerful words: "Nevertheless, Jacob, my first born in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain."

I almost wept with these words. My life has been continuously filled with trials...the loss of Courtney, bankruptcy, miscarriage, etc. But here is the truth, I KNOW the greatness of God. I know that he knows me and knows of my pains. How healing it is to hear these words, that these afflictions that I have been suffering will be for my GAIN.

And that is why I love this gospel. Because of those simple words and the knowledge that I have that they are true. I have a strong testimony that the Lord does know me and he will continue to give me the faith, courage and love that I need to carry on through any affliction that may be necessary for me to endure. I am so grateful for these truths.

Read this chapter. It is awesome. I may come back to it later. But for now, these are my thoughts and my testimony. Love you all!

Pictures with Santa

I just found these pictures that Matt took at our ward Christmas party. They are classic. Of course Sims is as cute as a button, but Lily was a little scared....