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Monday, October 26, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Cuddly Sleepers
I know I don't always write the great thing about having three boys, but there really are great things and I wouldn't trade it for anything. My three boys love being together and lately Jackson and Creighton love sleeping together. Their new thing: sleeping together on the top bunk. They would sometimes sleep on bottom bunk which is a double bed, but they are now enjoying the top twin bed. That seems a little tight, but whatever. Here are some funny pictures of them.
Apparently Creighton got hot...or was bored. Love the jammies.
Baby E is 10 months old!
I can't believe we are approaching one year with Easton. It has gone too fast. He is such a big boy and he wants to be as big as his brothers already. This last month he has been cruising around furniture, climbing (and thus falling) out of his high chair, climbing up stairs (need to work on going down) and eating a ton. His hair has officially fallen down and it is time for him to get a haircut, but I am having a hard time bringing myself to do it.
Back home to SNOW
I can't believe we already have had snow, and a lot of it. This is what we woke up to last Saturday.
But......we did enjoy it!!! Mitch took the boys out to play and they loved it!
But......we did enjoy it!!! Mitch took the boys out to play and they loved it!
Last pics of our trip to UT
To finish up our last few days in Utah we spent time with friends and family. Here are just a few more pictures of our trip. We were so lucky to be able to catch up with the Pence's (at Papa's place, swimming, and at Emma's house) and spend time with family. We love our family and friends in Utah so much!
Pictures with the Witches...& Papa
After my last post with all the venting, I decided I should finally post some pictures before the disaster. We did have some fun togetherness time before our airplane ride home.
We took the boys to Gardner Village to get some fall pictures. They have all these fun witches there. My dad also came and we got a lot of pictures with him, but there is not one picture where everyone is looking. (or more than 3 people looking)
We took the boys to Gardner Village to get some fall pictures. They have all these fun witches there. My dad also came and we got a lot of pictures with him, but there is not one picture where everyone is looking. (or more than 3 people looking)
Thursday, October 8, 2009
26, 4, 2, 10, and 0
26 is the number of years I am. 4 is the number of years my oldest son is. 2 is how many years old my middle son is. 10 is how many months my baby is. Zero is the number of times I will ever fly alone with them again.
You know the lump in your throat feeling? The feeling that you are going to start bawling any second. Yes, that is how I felt this entire day with the bawling happening a lot too.
This day has been a day I have stressed over for many months. Why did I do it? I have been regretting this decision for a month now, but I really thought I could handle it. FYI I cannot. I had been contemplating the best way to travel with my three little guys for a while now. I looked into the rolling car seats, leashes, and more. I decided that it would be best if I could strap both Easton and Creighton into a stroller and have Easton in a car seat on the plane. Most flights haven't been full lately, so I could use an extra seat for his car seat. I ordered an attachment for my double stroller to allow for the car seat to be strapped in. I should have received it before I left to UT. Long story short, after forgetting it twice, I had a friend bring it to UT with them yesterday and I picked it up from them. So, I have my attachment and I think I am all prepared. 9:00 last night, took my stroller out, completely flat tire. A thorn had pierced a hole through it.
We call around and find a bike repair shop on the way to the airport that opens at 9. Perfect. My flight leaves at 11, we stop there on the way.
I will tell the rest of the story with time measurements for easier perusing.
9:05 - Loaded in the car, pull out of the driveway.
9:06 - Call "Bike Repair" shop, it's a Motorcycle repair shop
9:10- Pull into a different bike store and they are fixing my tire
9:25 - Stroller is fixed, new tube in tire, and they filled my other tires up. On our way to the airport.
9:45 - Almost to the exit. I tell my mom, "I feel good about things. Everything is going to be OK." Suddenly there is a huge pop. I thought Creighton must have had a balloon or something. We then realize, it was my tire.
9:47 - I calm down and think, I can make it to the gate on one flat tire. Creighton will just have to hold onto the stroller and walk. He promises he will do so.
9:50 - Pull into airport and stop the car. "POP!" Yes, another tire. This time, plastic went everywhere. It shattered my rim.
9:52 - I fall apart. I'm told the flight is full, (no car seat for Easton), no way to contain and carry my children through the airport.
9:55 - Gain composure, tell my mom to keep my stroller and take it back to the bike shop to find out what happened and head off with my 3 kids to security.
10:00 - Through security (to be honest, this was the easiest part of my day and the thing I was most scared about)
10:01 - Creighton insists on wheeling our carry-on bag and falls with it down the escalator 5 steps.
10:03 - Realize I left my diaper bag in my stroller. Please don't let anyone poop.
10:15 - After a very long walk with very slow children, we make it to our gate. (the furthest away one in the airport)
10:30 - We find out our flight is delayed 10 minutes.
10:30-11:45 Me trying to keep my kids from running into everyone else and trying to be somewhat calm.
11:45 Our 10 minute delay turned into 35 and we are finally take off.
12:00 Let us turn on the electronics. They both want the same movie of course, but get the settled and I am feeling better. Easton is crazy and doesn't want to sit still, but at least the others are entertained.
1:15 - Get off the plane in Denver. 25 minutes to make it to our next flight, but kind of excited b/c they won't be running around the airport.
1:16 - Check monitors. Flight delayed 45 minutes.
1:16 - Kids playing on the side of moving sidewalk. Falling and running into people. Bad looks from all.
1:18 - Get on moving sidewalk and head to our gate holding Easton, 2 blankets and a backpack.
1:19 - Creighton starts running down the moving sidewalk and I can't catch up to him.
1:19:30 - Catch up to him and drag him and the other kids into the bathroom.
1:20 - Get into the handicap stall with my 3 kids (Creighton screaming) and finally my lump in my throat is gone and I can't stop crying. Creighton hugs and kisses me, tell me he's sorry and he won't run away again.
1:30 - Calm down. Wash hands and exit the bathroom.
1:31 - Creighton lets go and leaves my side. This continues until we get to the gate.
1:45 - Discovered Creighton has pooped.
1:50 - Decide maybe I can just put the poop in the toilet and put the diaper back on.
1:52 - Get to stall. Not that kind of poop. Trying to clean him up with Easton on the floor and constantly shooing him away from the toilet. Dips his hands in at least 5 times.
1:55 - Throw diaper away. Fully sanitize and wash everyone's hands, faces, etc and head off to buy a diaper.
1:57 - Diapers aren't sold in the airport
1:59 - Scouting around looking for a mother of a 2 year old to get a diaper from. Find one. She has a size 3. Creighton is not a size 3 kind of boy, but we took it gratefully.
2:02 - Placing my large child on the diaper changing table with no where to put Easton. Sick.
2:05 - They start loading plane. We are waiting in line.
2:06 - Turn around, Creighton is gone. It's busy, can't find him anywhere. Panic.
2:06:45 - Find him.
2:15 - Sitting in our seat after another fight over the window. Jackson gives it up again.
2:25 - E finally falls asleep for his first nap for the day (normally goes to sleep at 9:30)
2:55 - Our flight finally leaves. One hour and 15 minutes late and 40 minutes after sitting on the place (De-icing)
3:05 - Creighton falls asleep leaving the rest of the flight to be peaceful. Maybe the horror is over.
3:30 - Change from MST to CST. One hour closer to bedtime without any anguish. Best hour of the trip.
5:00 - Flight lands. Try to wake up Creighton
5:03 - Want to exit plane, but Creighton says he can't walk. He's too tired.
5:05 - Flight attendant asks if she can help. Hand her Easton and I pick up Creighton with Creighton freaking out the entire time. She takes up to the end up the jet bridge, and I hold Easton and drag Creighton a little further out of the terminal (most of you know, waking up a sleeping toddler doesn't put them in the greatest mood)
5:10 - Maybe a few feet further, and more temper tantrums. Mitch calls. He doesn't have the van, asks if that ok or if he should go back home to get it. I'm very upset, but can't talk and tell him just to get there.
5:15 - Going down the escalator. Creighton is scared to get on it (he fell twice on it). We finally make it down and out to where Mitch is. I am in tears and so glad it is over.
5:20 - Mitch is getting our luggage. We have no car seats (he didn't bring our van and Easton's was checked). Security comes over and starts writing me a ticket.
5:21 - I am crying, yelling, and making a scene. He puts the ticket on my car and walks away.
5:22 - I get into car and Jackson and Creighton are crying and Jackson says, "Rip the ticket up Mommy." (I love that kid!)
5:23 - Mitch comes out with almost all our luggage.
5:25 - Communicates with the security guard.
5:27 - I leave to circle the dumb airport while Mitch goes to get our other bag since we are threatened with getting another ticket.
5:45 - Mitch gets in the car with our final bag.
5:55 - We are home.
Few comments:
-Don't EVER do this! Call me, I will talk you out of it.
-Don't pray for patience the night before. Your patience will be tested.
-Omaha Security guards are the worst. They will be hearing from my attorney.
You know the lump in your throat feeling? The feeling that you are going to start bawling any second. Yes, that is how I felt this entire day with the bawling happening a lot too.
This day has been a day I have stressed over for many months. Why did I do it? I have been regretting this decision for a month now, but I really thought I could handle it. FYI I cannot. I had been contemplating the best way to travel with my three little guys for a while now. I looked into the rolling car seats, leashes, and more. I decided that it would be best if I could strap both Easton and Creighton into a stroller and have Easton in a car seat on the plane. Most flights haven't been full lately, so I could use an extra seat for his car seat. I ordered an attachment for my double stroller to allow for the car seat to be strapped in. I should have received it before I left to UT. Long story short, after forgetting it twice, I had a friend bring it to UT with them yesterday and I picked it up from them. So, I have my attachment and I think I am all prepared. 9:00 last night, took my stroller out, completely flat tire. A thorn had pierced a hole through it.
We call around and find a bike repair shop on the way to the airport that opens at 9. Perfect. My flight leaves at 11, we stop there on the way.
I will tell the rest of the story with time measurements for easier perusing.
9:05 - Loaded in the car, pull out of the driveway.
9:06 - Call "Bike Repair" shop, it's a Motorcycle repair shop
9:10- Pull into a different bike store and they are fixing my tire
9:25 - Stroller is fixed, new tube in tire, and they filled my other tires up. On our way to the airport.
9:45 - Almost to the exit. I tell my mom, "I feel good about things. Everything is going to be OK." Suddenly there is a huge pop. I thought Creighton must have had a balloon or something. We then realize, it was my tire.
9:47 - I calm down and think, I can make it to the gate on one flat tire. Creighton will just have to hold onto the stroller and walk. He promises he will do so.
9:50 - Pull into airport and stop the car. "POP!" Yes, another tire. This time, plastic went everywhere. It shattered my rim.
9:52 - I fall apart. I'm told the flight is full, (no car seat for Easton), no way to contain and carry my children through the airport.
9:55 - Gain composure, tell my mom to keep my stroller and take it back to the bike shop to find out what happened and head off with my 3 kids to security.
10:00 - Through security (to be honest, this was the easiest part of my day and the thing I was most scared about)
10:01 - Creighton insists on wheeling our carry-on bag and falls with it down the escalator 5 steps.
10:03 - Realize I left my diaper bag in my stroller. Please don't let anyone poop.
10:15 - After a very long walk with very slow children, we make it to our gate. (the furthest away one in the airport)
10:30 - We find out our flight is delayed 10 minutes.
10:30-11:45 Me trying to keep my kids from running into everyone else and trying to be somewhat calm.
11:45 Our 10 minute delay turned into 35 and we are finally take off.
12:00 Let us turn on the electronics. They both want the same movie of course, but get the settled and I am feeling better. Easton is crazy and doesn't want to sit still, but at least the others are entertained.
1:15 - Get off the plane in Denver. 25 minutes to make it to our next flight, but kind of excited b/c they won't be running around the airport.
1:16 - Check monitors. Flight delayed 45 minutes.
1:16 - Kids playing on the side of moving sidewalk. Falling and running into people. Bad looks from all.
1:18 - Get on moving sidewalk and head to our gate holding Easton, 2 blankets and a backpack.
1:19 - Creighton starts running down the moving sidewalk and I can't catch up to him.
1:19:30 - Catch up to him and drag him and the other kids into the bathroom.
1:20 - Get into the handicap stall with my 3 kids (Creighton screaming) and finally my lump in my throat is gone and I can't stop crying. Creighton hugs and kisses me, tell me he's sorry and he won't run away again.
1:30 - Calm down. Wash hands and exit the bathroom.
1:31 - Creighton lets go and leaves my side. This continues until we get to the gate.
1:45 - Discovered Creighton has pooped.
1:50 - Decide maybe I can just put the poop in the toilet and put the diaper back on.
1:52 - Get to stall. Not that kind of poop. Trying to clean him up with Easton on the floor and constantly shooing him away from the toilet. Dips his hands in at least 5 times.
1:55 - Throw diaper away. Fully sanitize and wash everyone's hands, faces, etc and head off to buy a diaper.
1:57 - Diapers aren't sold in the airport
1:59 - Scouting around looking for a mother of a 2 year old to get a diaper from. Find one. She has a size 3. Creighton is not a size 3 kind of boy, but we took it gratefully.
2:02 - Placing my large child on the diaper changing table with no where to put Easton. Sick.
2:05 - They start loading plane. We are waiting in line.
2:06 - Turn around, Creighton is gone. It's busy, can't find him anywhere. Panic.
2:06:45 - Find him.
2:15 - Sitting in our seat after another fight over the window. Jackson gives it up again.
2:25 - E finally falls asleep for his first nap for the day (normally goes to sleep at 9:30)
2:55 - Our flight finally leaves. One hour and 15 minutes late and 40 minutes after sitting on the place (De-icing)
3:05 - Creighton falls asleep leaving the rest of the flight to be peaceful. Maybe the horror is over.
3:30 - Change from MST to CST. One hour closer to bedtime without any anguish. Best hour of the trip.
5:00 - Flight lands. Try to wake up Creighton
5:03 - Want to exit plane, but Creighton says he can't walk. He's too tired.
5:05 - Flight attendant asks if she can help. Hand her Easton and I pick up Creighton with Creighton freaking out the entire time. She takes up to the end up the jet bridge, and I hold Easton and drag Creighton a little further out of the terminal (most of you know, waking up a sleeping toddler doesn't put them in the greatest mood)
5:10 - Maybe a few feet further, and more temper tantrums. Mitch calls. He doesn't have the van, asks if that ok or if he should go back home to get it. I'm very upset, but can't talk and tell him just to get there.
5:15 - Going down the escalator. Creighton is scared to get on it (he fell twice on it). We finally make it down and out to where Mitch is. I am in tears and so glad it is over.
5:20 - Mitch is getting our luggage. We have no car seats (he didn't bring our van and Easton's was checked). Security comes over and starts writing me a ticket.
5:21 - I am crying, yelling, and making a scene. He puts the ticket on my car and walks away.
5:22 - I get into car and Jackson and Creighton are crying and Jackson says, "Rip the ticket up Mommy." (I love that kid!)
5:23 - Mitch comes out with almost all our luggage.
5:25 - Communicates with the security guard.
5:27 - I leave to circle the dumb airport while Mitch goes to get our other bag since we are threatened with getting another ticket.
5:45 - Mitch gets in the car with our final bag.
5:55 - We are home.
Few comments:
-Don't EVER do this! Call me, I will talk you out of it.
-Don't pray for patience the night before. Your patience will be tested.
-Omaha Security guards are the worst. They will be hearing from my attorney.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
So sweet
I have the sweetest friends. I wanted to thank all of my incredible friends for thinking of me this last weekend. I received cards, texts, flowers, and I even had 2 friends travel a large distance to be with me. This last year has been one of the most difficult, but also the most rewarding of my life. Thank you to everyone who thought of me and my family this last weekend.P.S. Aren't those flowers gorgeous? Thank you C, K, and T
My 1st Marathon - St. George - 10/3/09
I can't believe it is over. It has been such a long journey, and one that I didn't know if it would ever end. As many of you know, my mom was pulled off at mile 23 of the St. George marathon last year to find out about Que's passing. This year, the race was going to be on the actual anniversary of his death and my mom was determined to run it still. I knew that it would be hard for her and I didn't want her to do it along. So even though I had no desire to do a marathon at this stage in my life, I entered the lottery for the race the last day you could and I ended up getting in. So, the training began. I kept it a secret and told my mom on what would have been Que's 18th birthday back in August. Well, the day finally came and I am so glad I did it.
I couldn't sleep the night before. Way more nervous than I expected to be. I got in bed at 8:15 only to lay there and finally fall asleep a little before midnight. Got up at 4:15 to nurse Easton and headed to the race at 5:00. It was freezing at the starting line, but my mom had me prepared and it wasn't too bad.
We ran in the dark for the first 2-3 miles and it took a while to warm up. The race went really well and I was very proud of my mom. It was definitely an emotional run and I know difficult for my mom. I know Que was with us.
When it started really getting tough, my brother Jordan was running up a hill towards us and started running with us. A little more down the road, Lindsey and my dad started running with us. We were together. We were all behind my mom and we were going to finish this year long journey. Then just another mile down the road was Mitch, my boys, Josie, Micah, Beck, Shauna & Angie and their families cheering us on.
At mile 24 I started cramping really bad up by my hips. I was in a lot of pain. It was a rough two miles, but we finally finished with a time of 4:11. It was over. Thank goodness.
Thank you to everyone for their support. It took a lot of effort from family members and friends to get me here. Mitch was so supportive and never (ok, not very often) grumbled as I left him with the kids almost every morning to train. I had friends that trained with me and watched my kids. My family was there every step of the way. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
I don't have a lot of pictures, but I know others took pictures, I just have to get them from them. In the meantime, here are a few.
I found these shirts at Old Navy the night before the race.
There I am running in the blue. Lindsey is behind me.
My dad is the one with his shirt off (lovely father), and my mom is next to him in the black.
The whole clan. We miss Que. But I know he was with us.
I couldn't sleep the night before. Way more nervous than I expected to be. I got in bed at 8:15 only to lay there and finally fall asleep a little before midnight. Got up at 4:15 to nurse Easton and headed to the race at 5:00. It was freezing at the starting line, but my mom had me prepared and it wasn't too bad.
We ran in the dark for the first 2-3 miles and it took a while to warm up. The race went really well and I was very proud of my mom. It was definitely an emotional run and I know difficult for my mom. I know Que was with us.
When it started really getting tough, my brother Jordan was running up a hill towards us and started running with us. A little more down the road, Lindsey and my dad started running with us. We were together. We were all behind my mom and we were going to finish this year long journey. Then just another mile down the road was Mitch, my boys, Josie, Micah, Beck, Shauna & Angie and their families cheering us on.
At mile 24 I started cramping really bad up by my hips. I was in a lot of pain. It was a rough two miles, but we finally finished with a time of 4:11. It was over. Thank goodness.
Thank you to everyone for their support. It took a lot of effort from family members and friends to get me here. Mitch was so supportive and never (ok, not very often) grumbled as I left him with the kids almost every morning to train. I had friends that trained with me and watched my kids. My family was there every step of the way. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
I don't have a lot of pictures, but I know others took pictures, I just have to get them from them. In the meantime, here are a few.
I found these shirts at Old Navy the night before the race.
There I am running in the blue. Lindsey is behind me.My dad is the one with his shirt off (lovely father), and my mom is next to him in the black.
The whole clan. We miss Que. But I know he was with us.Cool Parks in St. George
Apparently we went to a park that some call, "Throw up Park." It was the coolest park I have ever seen. It must have been some engineers dream. Everything worked just on your body's gravity. I think I had just as much fun as the kids.
This was like a little half pipe.
E & Me
E going down the slide.
These were little bowls the kids would sit in and their gravity would spin them around.
This was like a little half pipe.
E & Me
E going down the slide.
These were little bowls the kids would sit in and their gravity would spin them around.Creighton fell out twice on his head and then stood up and fell down he was so dizzy. Quite funny to watch.
The best part of the park was that I was able to meet Tawni & Stella there. However, Josie took the above pictures and so I don't have any with her (I forgot my camera). Tawni took some though, so I will post those as soon as I get them.
Here they are: (Thanks Tawni!)
Funny Picture Moments at the Hotel
Umm......Yeah.
Easton loved to stand in front of the air conditioner and let it blow through his hair.
HILARIOUS! He would just wave it around like the models do in a photo shoot.
However, I don't think most models make faces like that.
When I woke up before the race, this is how I found the 2 boys. Jackson's head was completely on Creigh's chest. So sweet.
Car ride to St. George
We headed down to St. George on Wednesday to hang out for a few days before the marathon. Josie, Beckham, my mom, the 3 boys, and me all smashed in the car with our luggage strapped on top. The boys did really well. In fact there were 2 instances that all 4 boys were asleep at the same time. Only a 4 hour car ride felt like nothing to me.
Here are the little travelers:
E's crazy hair after he woke up from his nap.
My perfectly accessorized nephew Beck.
Here are the little travelers:
E's crazy hair after he woke up from his nap.
My perfectly accessorized nephew Beck. We are in Utah.....shocking, I know
We started off our week in Utah with a VERY special day. My sweet little nephew Beckham was sealed to my sister Josie and brother-in-law Micah. They were sealed in the Draper Temple and it was so sweet. He has been such a blessing to our family and he really is a little miracle. P.S. The picture above is not how he looked at his sealing. I just love that pic. After the weekend, we caught up with the boys good little friend Ben and my great friend Shauna. It was SO good to see them. We miss them so much. We hung out at the Children's Museum and had lunch.
Thanks Shauna for driving down to Salt Lake for this adventure!
Thanks Shauna for driving down to Salt Lake for this adventure!Of course, we went to Papa's Place. We went and tested out his new area. The kids loved it. It has hundreds of Nerf balls that the kids could shoot people with and play with, slides, and other cool stuff.
This slide is huge. I got up there and almost wasn't brave enough to go down. This picture doesn't do it justice. Believe me, you would be scared too.
Ok, so that's it for the first 5 days in UT. We did other fun things too. Such as me get an amazing massage, swimming, and more. We then headed to St. George for the marathon. Stay tuned.
Family Day at Pre-School
Last Thursday, we were able to visit Jack's Pre-K class. Mitch and I were kind of fighting over who got to go, so we both did. We ate lunch with him and then did some crafts, reading, games, etc. He has awesome teachers and his classroom is very cool. I am so thankful he got into this program.
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