Uly & Gar at the park...

I can't get Gar to sit still for any length of time. So these are all action shots. I love the one of him running.

Frst Tooth

Happy Mothers' Day! I have wonderful mothers in my life. I have a great mom who has set a really good example for me. I also have a great mother in law. I have it made!!! I love you both.

Also, today is the day that Magnuses first tooth broke through the skin. He is growing up. I can't stop it.

Boy Pictures...

Nothing really to update, I just wanted to show you all some new photos of The Boys.

Uly the Pengquin

Here is a photo from our ward's primary carnival. Uly is a pretty cute penguin. I sure love that boy!!!

Our Song of the Day

The boys and I are singing this song today. It makes us want to get out and run around in our great big beautiful world.

Who Lives in a Pinapple Under the Sea?

Super Heroes

 

 

 

These are my Super Heroes. Maybe it is time that I make them real capes...

The Business of Being Born

If you are pregnant, going to be pregnant, know someone who is pregnant, know someone who is going to be pregnant, or just generally like babies (do you get the picture?), watch this movie.

I feel like I'm a pretty educated person when it comes to childbirth. I am pro-natural childbirth, not because it's some kooky thing to do but because I believe it is the very best way to bring a baby into this world. I am a large proponent of getting really educated on the birth process. I believe it is best to understand what is happening to your body, the babies body, the why's and the how's. If you are looking for a really comprehensive childbirth class, I can not stress enough how confident and comfortable with the process after taking Bradley Childbirth classes you will be. After our classes I was completely confident with my birthing abilities and my husband's ability to assist me. In fact I felt and still do feel, that if Ben had to deliver my baby with out the aid of a birthing professional I and the baby would be totally safe and fine.

The birth of my last baby was so empowering. It would be my dream that every woman would get to feel that high, that strength and that love. It was truly awesome.

My first two births were good experiences but they both pale in comparison to how great it was to birth my third baby in the comfort, quiet and love of my own home. After that experience I will never willingly go back to an OB/GYN to deliver any of my babies. After that experience I can't imagine giving birth any other way. My only regret is that I didn't make the decision to have a home birth for my first two babies.

So, if you would like to know more about why I think this is the best decision for a healthy pregnant woman, check out this DVD. If you have a Netflix subscription, you can watch it directly on your computer - it is in the Browse Instant section.

Watch it. Make your own decision.

Easter

 

Above: Easter eggs died using Onion skins and found greenery from my backyard.

Easter was wonderful. Noni and Papa (Ben's parents), Ben's brother Chris and his two sons, Owen and Sam, and Olea and Adam were all with us for Easter. We had a delicious dinner and a wonderful time. I love having a full house. That is truly happiness!

Who knows what Sacrament meeting was about because with our three boys we never get to listen much, but Relief Society was great. We had a fantastic lesson about overcoming anger. I really enjoyed it.

This is a subject that I have been thinking about lately. I recently have seen Ulysses showing some of the characteristics I exhibit when I am angry and it has kind of been a smack in the face. I need to re-evaluate my actions and what I want to teach my kids. I don't want to teach them bad habits.

So the lesson gave me some really good things to think about. I really am trying to focus on not letting myself get angry. Stay calm. Take a deep breath. Don't explode. Communicate. Don't cry! Some times I am better at it than other times.

So to tie it back to Easter... I am so thankful to my Savior, Jesus Christ. His love for us. His sacrifice for us. I am also so thankful for my Father in Heaven to love us enough to send my brother, Jesus to this earth. The magnificence of His Plan of Salvation is just amazing. We are so loved. He is truly our Father. Jesus is truly our Brother.

I can not teach my children the things necessary to return to Him with out help. Forgiveness is the key. I am filled with humility when I think about that. I can be forgiven for my sins. I have the opportunity to live eternally with my family. My partnership with my best friend does not ever have to end (this was also our 11th anniversary weekend). Our house full of family can stay full for eternity. But only if we choose to follow the teachings and principals of the Gospel.

I am deeply flawed. I am so thankful for the ability to ask and be granted forgiveness. I love the Easter reminder of this glorious key. I love Jesus Christ and I am thankful for His influence in my life.

*****

I didn't mean for this to be a testimony type of post. I was just laughing at myself because today is Fast & Testimony meeting. We didn't end up going to church - but apparently I bore my testimony anyway... Ben's gallbladder started hurting him badly this morning and Uly's nose is drippy so I decided to stay home and cook. I am fasting today. This is unusual for me. I don't usually fast. I like to think it is because I have been nursing or pregnant for the past 5+ years. That's really just an excuse. Whatever, so today I am fasting. We need some help with a decision, we need help with our health, we just generally need help. Who doesn't? I guess that's why I'm a bit more "churchy" than usual... I don't know.

Spring is nearly here!

 

 

Happy Spring wishes to you and yours.

The Last Snow

 

Ulysses is pushing a big pretend snow ball.

 

Action Shot!

 

Gar being Gar... I actually think this is mid kick but there is no ball in the picture.

We got some great beautiful big flakes a couple of days ago. It stuck around for probably about an hour and then melted away. Spring is coming!

Prognosis: Facture Proximal Humerus

Lesson learned... Don't skateboard in the kitchen.

Treatment... Arm in a sling for 3-6 weeks.

Yuck!

Cinematography Take II

 

 

 

 

A couple photos that Uly wanted to add.

Uly the Photographer

 

 

 

 

We went for a long walk today to the library. On our way home, Ulysses used my camera and took some shots of the things he saw and thought interesting. It is fun to look at the world from the eyes of a 4 year old. I think we'll do this again soon.

We have three pictures here from our walk and two from our home. And Thomas too.

 

He's a winker.

The Big Surprise

February 8th, 2008 I got a chance to fly up to Bellingham for the night. I was able to take Magnus and Ulysses while Gar got to stay home and have some good one on one time with Daddy. We were flown up there in Ben's companies private plane - a Pilatus PC-12 (if you want to see what one looks like click here.

Sariah picked me up at the Bellingham airport and then we drove out to my mom and dad's house. They were out working in the studio and so we sent Uly up to the door. He walked in and said, "Hi!" and completely SURPRISED them. It was awesome. They didn't know what to make of seeing Uly there in the doorway. My dad was looking at him shaking his head "no" and trying to get my mom's attention. My mom's first thought was (and get this...), "Oh, there's Cora in a Uly mask..." What??? That is just too funny. I can't stand it. It was great fun and a great surprise.

We were able to stay the night and then fly out the next afternoon at 4pm. Short but sweet.

Thanks, Dave McInnis!!! I've got to figure out some way to say thanks to him for letting us have the opportunity to fly up for a quick visit. Very cool, if you ask me.

Here is Randy, meeting Magnus for the first time. He wasn't able to make it to the reunion this past summer so he hadn't met him yet. I dressed him in his Carharts in Randy's honor.

Here's Grandad wearing the blue fuzzy hat and being silly with Uly. We had such a good time.

Right before we left, Uly was helping Randy and Grandad bring in new fencing material. The wind has been pretty bad on my parent's fences this year. They've had to replace large sections of them.

So, all in all, this was an awesome trip. Short but really fun.

Fish Update

Due to a comment I just received, I realized I have not updated the fish story.

All four died. They have been replaced.

Long version:
Three died the night after I posted about them. Ben and I walked into the kitchen and I saw two were floating. I scooped them out and then shortly a third rolled over and floated to the top. The last fish put up a good fight. He was around for a few more days then he also gave up, rolled over and floated to the top.

I took Uly to the store and we picked out four new fish. This time there were some $.10 feeder goldfish available so we got those. They should be more prone to a longer life. Carp are tough fish. They are also not tropical fish.

I guess I had a momentary lapse of reason thinking that tropical fish would survive. I mean, I live in Utah. It has been snowing daily for the past two weeks. Ding-Dong! You're not in San Diego anymore, Toto!!!

The boys handled the fish deaths really well. I told them that their fish would die one day and when that happened we'd get new ones.

Bleach Pen Experiment Take 1

Bleach Pen + TShirt = Happy Kid
I took a t-shirt and drew a design on it with one of those wonderful multi-purpose bleach pens.

Close up of the design. Really simple. I learned a few things about using the pen. It is prone to blobbing on first touch to the fabric.

Uly wearing the shirt. I left it on about 15 minutes. I wasn't really timing it. Then I popped it in the washer with a load of clothes that were in the process of washing.

I think this is going to become a favorite pastime of mine...