#103

Its been 8 months since we've moved to Iowa, a new job, a new house, a new baby and Now a 103 Posts to our Family in Iowa Blog!
So in Tradition of bloggers- here are 103 things about US!

Things about US

1. We were married in Burnsville, MN on June 27, 2000
2. We were Sealed in the Portland, OR Temple on June 24, 2006
3. We celebrate our anniversary anytime in between the 24th and the 27th of June because we haven't been able to decide which one to count as our anniversary.
4. We found out we were expecting our first child in Eastern Washington after a Hockey game (a friend of ours noticed I was gLoWiNg and knew we would have a boy or a girl)
5. We found out we were expecting our 2nd Baby in Vancouver, WA in the Urgent Care Unit because I thought I had a severe kidney infection.
6. We found out we were expecting our 3rd baby in Spanaway, WA when Cory was unemployed.
7. We found out we were expecting our 4th baby also in Spanaway - but this time a little spiritual revelation as Cory told me we were pregnant as I was sitting on the floor putting a puzzle together with Beans.
8. We took each others pictures in Minnesota on an art wall in the park while we were just friends. I merged them together to look like ONE picture after we were married.
9. We had the choice to move to Oklahoma City or Davenport, IA - WE chose Iowa....
10. We both watch a lot of Spongebob, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Hannah Montana & Wizards of Waverly Place - usually not by choice
11. We both actually don't mind watching Wizards of Waverly Place & find ourselves watching this even if the kids are in bed.
12. We have lived in 10 different houses and 4 states since we've been married


Things about C

13. Even though he works to please people, he does not like "fans" or large groups of people
14. Is Obsessive Compulsive about keeping his desk at work Super Clean and organized
15. wants to eat dinner at 3:00 in the afternoon and asks me what I'm still doing awake when its only 9 pm.
16. Needs more Cow Bells
17. Named his navigation system in his car "Emily" and yes she does talk back
18. Has always named each of our kids fetus' Ralph Nader before we find out the sex of the baby
19. Has a great love for the NEW car smell and has threatened to trade a car in before just to get the smell back
20. Used to single handedly keep Starbucks in business
21. When he stopped drinking coffee, discovered that Starbucks would still survive
22. Is an amazing Public Speaker and under estimates how good he is - he will often captivate his audience within the first sentence
23. Had a dream about speaking at a funeral and two weeks later found himself speaking at my dad's funeral and realizing it was the dream he had.
24. Owns at least a dozen suits and twice as many shoes more than me
25. his clothes fill at least 3 closets and reside in at least one more.
26. does not know how to do his own laundry but will Iron his own shirts and pants
27. Number 23 is his favorite number
28. Tells each of the kids "They are his favorite" without the others knowing they all have the same secret with daddy.
29. C's Favorite Sister in Law is (Insert your name here if you are a sister in law)
30. Is very good with several impersonations- mainly cartoons
31. Favorite Hockey Team is the Dallas Stars
32. Has one of the newest NBA Championship players on Speed dial (hint: sounds like Rey All hen with a silent H)
33. Owns 2 Championship Rings from the different Sports Teams he has worked for

Things about ME

34. I lay out each of the kids clothing for the next day each night - Especially Saturday Night!
35. I can eat a whole pan of Brownies in one day if I make enough rounds through the kitchen
36. have found myself supporting C's tootsie pop obsession by buying a new bag every time I go to the grocery store
37. Giving birth is generally a really easy process for me.
38. I have laughed one out and pushed less than a minute for another
39. C thinks I pretend to like sports just to placate him, but really I just don't like to watch it on T.V.
40. I once worked so late that I spent the night on the office floor
41. I have managed to break 4 vacuums since moving to Iowa
42. I have self taught myself to use a computer and make hair bows - but not at the same time
43. I was voted class clown and most funniest in the 9th grade
44. I won best actress as a freshman in my drama class
45. My twin sister and I had boyfriends that were best friends on 2 separate occasions
46. Loves watching episodes of Fantasy Island and enjoy listening to C speak like Tatu
47. Has owned more than 26 cars so far

Things about Chan

48. Has the Sweetest smile and the biggest heart
49. Is Awesome with holding and entertaining KD
50. Is better behaved when his space (aka his bedroom) has been cleaned by mom
51. Is probably the biggest kid in his class at school
52. Is really good at almost any game on the Wii
53. Loves to watch hockey and Football with Dad
54. Believes that Darth Vader was Framed
55. Thinks that Storm Troopers are real and they live in California or Florida
56. thinks the teacher with the mustache at school is a boy that wears a dress - We'll let you make your own conclusion
57. Likes eating a double cheeseburger because it has TWO patties & that means he is a big kid.
58. Is obsessed with Star Wars
59. Has a drawer full of Baseball cards & most are unopened.

Things about Beans

60. Has a Nana Nana Boo Boo boyfriend who told his mom he is "in Love with the a girl that has a bow in her hair!"
61. Loves to draw and makes games with the things she draws and any kind of arts and crafts
62. Is daddy's secret admirer and loves him more than anything else in the whole wide world
63. Loves music and loves to sing
64. Turns from the best little girl to the Brattiest in .2 seconds FLAT
65. Loves to go on Dates with Dad
66. Sometimes Daddy's red bull disappears if left unattended around Beans
67. Has a Hannah Montana Room
68. Believes anything the commercials say as doctrine and has to Have one or Do That cause they said so.
69. Loves going to Gymboree with mommy and often asks Daddy if we can go
70. yells at the boys when they don't lift the toilet seat

Things about Nooshie

71. loves to play with Chans Star Wars toys and calls the troopers "Dee dahs"
72. is the smallest 2 year old in size we've had compared to the other kids so far
73. His pants are always falling to his ankles and would rather just wear a diaper
74. he has an ear piercing scream that will wake the neighbors every time.
75. Loves baseball and in fact is the only child that goes to Daddy's games just to watch the game
76. Loves to play as Spiderman or "Dark Gator" sometimes both!
77. Is a pro at jumping on the Tantline.
78. runs around the house naked wearing a Darth Vader mask and drinking a capri sun

Things about KD

79. Likes to blow bubbles with her own spit
80. Will talk and talk and it gets louder and louder until you pick her up or look at her
81. Is Super easy to put to bed. We just lay her in her crib and walk away - So EASY! No Crying.
82. But is difficult to put to sleep in public and doesn't like to be rocked anymore.
83. Thunder Thighs! Love the Chub!!
84. Has started to eat baby cereal and I swear if I spoke "baby" she is asking for more
85. Looks absolutely adorable after a bath - her hair (what's left of it) always sports a faux hawk
86. Has the biggest toothless smile with a little dribble dangling from her chin
87. Has the biggest blue eyes to match her smile
88. Is good on car rides
89. will probably be a pumpkin for halloween
90. But I really want her to be a ladybug

And just Some Random things

91. Our neighbors are curteous enough to let us know they are having a party but failed to mention it was outside or would last until 5am.
92. We have a large Mormon movie collection that includes Baptists at our barbeque and the RM
93. We have every Episode of Friends on DVD and used to have 3 different Friends trivia games
94. my tire on the van goes flat every other week and I keep meaning to go get it fixed but forget until I'm in a hurry to go someplace
95. We only have 4 dining room chairs even though there are 6 of us.
96. Our backyard at our old house was no bigger than the sidewalk.
97. The Human head weighs 8 pounds
98. Trick or Treating isn't allowed on Halloween here - it is done the night before
99. and is regulated as only a 3 hour event scheduled from 5pm to 8pm
100. and Christmas is celebrated at Thanksgiving and New Years in July - Ok, Only kidding about that one
101. our basement stores stuff that we never look at and probably don't even remember we have but we move it with us every time anyway.
102. Squirrells in Iowa are black not brown
103. Chan just told us he can count to a billion in 10 seconds and then refused to show us this accomplishment, cause it "would take too long"

Captian Chan and his handsome smile

Princess Beans and her brother "Diaper Pants"

Noosh and one of his Dee Dahs

KD with her famous dribble off the chin

The Tootsie Pop Obsession

The Tootsie Pop Obsession is beginning to just make me laugh everyday - maybe its cause it is turning my husbands brain to sugar - or what ever the reason...
Just today he made his daily pit stop at the local mini mart and checked to see if they have replenished their stock of BLUE tootsie pops! Yeah - they had! He went digging through the box like a child looking for the Golden Ticket. One after another he piled the Blue Tootsie Pops in his hands. The most he has ever gotten from one visit is 8 or 9. The cashiers always look at him weird, but he doesn't care. Well Today he hit the jackpot. 22 BLUE Tootsie Pops in ONE visit! This time the Cashier just said "uh hmm" He then replied with all sincerity " I have a sick son at home"
The cashier then replied with a sympathetic "Ohhhh" C stated that " He likes the Blue ones"
All the while the cashier rang up ALL 22 Blue Tootsie Pops leaving all the orange, red and brown for the rest of the population to pick from. He could hardly contain himself as he called me to share in his Excitement! Can you Believe it! 22 in one Box! His reasoning was that while he did not entirely fib to the cashier, you see cause Chan is home sick today and in fact Chan does like the Blues ones also. The part he left out was that these are all just for him. I told him that he lied and he responded with " no I didn't I was just merely making conversation."

Ok -Mr. Blue Smooth - I think its time we contact Tootsie Pop and see if we can order our own box of just blues - there's gotta be a way. Who knows if you keep this up they may run a story on the 5 o'clock news about a man in his 30's running a muck at all the local Mini Marts buying all the blue ones and leaving none for anyone else.

How Many Licks to get to the Center of a Tootsie Pop?

partridge what?

After a long day with the kids and usually a long night I start to think a little out of my box and ramble and just generally say anything. I especially say random things or point out the obvious when I am nervous. I tend to just keep it in my head or spew all over C with it, but he is working late - so here goes my whatever you want to call it. Don't worry, for those of you that come to see the kids, I'll even throw in some pictures of them at the end - to make this worth your while. And since I know my wonderful husband will stop reading this probably about now - I'm going to test him.

any ways, have you ever wondered what your Pear Tree stuff would be if you had one? I did, well really only today, but if I have to have 10 things that would be my pear tree, I thought I should take this seriously and analyze it a little - (in the 10 minutes it takes me to write this)
So here goes my partridge stuff (ish)

1. A Two year old that won't sleep
2. toilets to scrub
3. sleeping kids (you can change this to lazy if it is day time - my kids have discovered the "I didn't do it and nobody" Yeah me!)
4.days (in a row) without a shower
5. bags of Tootsie Pops - just so my husband can get the 3 blue ones out of the bag. Anyone need Tootsie Pops - we have A LOT and that may just be an understatement.
6. sippys filled with something
7. hugs and just as many I hate you's
8. loads of laundry
9. screaming fits (the kids, not me - my number is much less now that I've grown up)
10. dirty diapers (this is just rounded, it is a lot more based on my investment with Pampers - seriously parents should get shares of stock with each purchase so we could feel better about our purchase instead of literally throwing our money away)

You can read the list in the tune of the song if you want (weirdo) or you can read this and make your own Pear Tree or partridge-ish stuff for me to read! come on it gives you a reason to update your blog.

Come on French it up.... (Bonus - which Friends episode is this one from and who says it? If you click on the link I'll even show you.)

No there is no prize - since I'm giving you the answer, just satisfaction that you are a winner and awesome at Friends Trivia!

And you wonder why I'm weird?

Something to pass the time

You Belong in 1992

With you anything goes! You're grunge one day, ghetto fabulous the next. It's all good!

What Year Do You Belong In?


Let me know where you belong.

When Did I Become My Father?

I feel like a guest contributor to this blog now. M has done a fantastic job of keeping this updated and informing our family of how we are doing 2,000 miles away.

But, I did not come to write today to share with all of you what a great job M is doing keeping pictures of our children in front of the world.

I was sitting in my office last week when my boss informed me that he would be officiating a high school football game that night at a stadium close to our house. After our conversation concluded, I picked up the phone and called M and asked her if it would be OK with her if I took Chan to the game that night. She agreed, so when he got out of school I called him and told him that we would be doing this - he was excited.

When we got to the stadium and found our seats (after buying some candy and soda, of course), I sat back and took the time to look around. This was strangely familiar, but I had never been there.

Then I started to think about a day - when I was about 11 - that I was in downtown Renton with my Father (he needed to pick up something for his motorcycle, and we went to our favorite motorcycle shop in Renton) . We drove past a football stadium where there was a soccer game being played, he stopped and we went in, got some soda and candy and sat and watched the game. I remember it was a high school game, but that didn't matter to me, any soccer was great. But more than that, it was an afternoon with my Dad, doing something that he didn't have to do, with a very appreciative son.

Then I started to think about all of the other times that I got to spend with him like that. One Saturday morning he woke me up, told me to get ready and get in the car, because he had a surprise for me. We drove to downtown Seattle and parked the car - when we got out, dad went to the trunk and pulled out my baseball glove - he was taking me to my first ever Mariners game, it was against the Oakland Athletics and there was only about 2,500 people in the Kingdome that day. I can still smell the hot dogs and the peanuts.

There were countless others. Motorcycle trips (he even made a camping trip longer by stopping at a campground about an hour from our house, saying he was too tired to keep going - at 1:00 in the afternoon), camping excursions, soccer game after soccer game - and even 4:00 AM wake up calls on Saturday mornings so I could make it to my own indoor soccer games.

As I reflect on all the times I spent with my father - too many to name here - I realize that he was teaching me important life lessons along the way. My Father taught me how to be a Dad, and there was no better person to learn from. He taught me valuable life lessons about parenting, spending time with my children and doing things that are special and memorable for them.

My job is demanding, and takes a lot of time away from my family during the times that they are home the most - the Summer. I hope, however, that I am half of the father my dad was to me. If that's the case, then my children will look back on these years with fond memories of spending time with dad, doing the things that they love to do. No matter how much success I have at work (another lesson my dad taught me - go to work, every day - there is no sick time), it will never compare to success at home. Without a doubt I would not be anywhere close to having success at home if it wasn't for the example of my father.

When did I become my Father? I am not sure I am at his pitch yet - but hope to be very soon.

I love you Dad.

Two Cute!

I didn't want to let this day go by without wishing our cutest NEW little TWO year old in the house a very happy birthday. We already celebrated his birthday at the big bash we had last weekend, but since you are only 2 once - it deserves a double recognition!

Happy 2nd Birthday Nooshie! We love you!

We spent the day lounging around the house and enjoying time with Daddy. We finished the day off with a really fun blanket fort in the living room. We watched the kids favorite episode of Friends (the one where Joey does his Ichibon {Lipstick for Men} commercial) and of course we had our fill of goodies.

Seriously

Seriously

Just in case you were wondering what I have been doing all morning -here's an idea for some clarification.
Seriously, you would think that I never do this by the large capacity of it all, but this is just a couple days worth. I need a maid - and while I'm at it, I need a million dollars so that I can afford to pay the maid. :) I of course will be taking a day off on a cruise ship some where in the mid-atlantic without a phone and no kids.

Boy, how I wish this were true some days.

No really, I do love my kids and even my biggest kid even though he seems to be the one that produces the most laundry for me to do :) Love ya!

I deserve something nice from the Rocky Mountain Fudge company in the mall - no wait! better yet, Lagomarcino's. Yeah, that'll do the trick!

Now off to the vacuum, dishes, picking up the toys, scrubbing the toilet, making lunch, changing diapers, making beds, taking out the trash, and of course more laundry.
I'm not complaining, merely sharing. Your welcome.

addicted

What you are about to read has not been identified as an addiction by any government agency and is not federally funded. It is just for general humor and filling time that I might otherwise spend on my addiction. :)


I believe that addiction for most people is usually a damaging and destructive thing. When we think of addiction, we generally think of alcohol, drugs and gambling.

I am going to share with you another kind of addiction I have
(not that I have any of the others)

This one is not destructive and does not affect my family, but is challenging because it does cost money and I generally soothe myself with it when I am feeling a little more lonely or down. My addiction brings me immediate satisfaction. I have personally never partaken of my addiction if we cannot afford it and in most cases it has actually been beneficial. There is the occasional over the top - but generally I buy with intent or a great sale and rarely is it impulse.

However, my addiction does bring with it the need to get it all or go home. Then of course there is the need to make things or buy additional things that match and make it even cuter.

Signs of a Shopping Addiction can be:

1. you pay your bill using cash and your bank account and only report the number from the bank account to your spouse.
2. you day dream of buying the one thing you couldn't buy the last time you were there
3. you have an open cart on the internet at all of your favorite places that you love to shop and you change the items in the cart often.
4. you frequent your favorite places and lust over the new items even if you cannot afford it
5. you own more bags from your favorite place than you do own plastic bags from the grocery store
6. you look for things around your house to sell on ebay so that you can have money to spend
7. your car knows where you are going before you even get there.
8. you frequent more often when their are additional perks or sales being offered that require you to return and spend even more money.
9. your children will also grow a love for this place and ask your spouse if they can go there
10. the clerks at the store, know you by name and know your kids names and sizes.

How to avoid your addiction:

1. turn off the internet
2. take away all money/ bank cards
3. say no
4. pretend you are broke even if you are not - and if you are then not a problem
5. throw away all mail from your favorite place and do not retrieve it from the garbage can
6. turn on music during the day to divert your attention
7. call a friend and invite them over for a play date (this will help the need to fill any empty time)
8. make a grocery list and only buy the items on your list (this will train you to have self control)
9. pretend your bank account does not exist
10. avoid the location of your addiction - drive around it as not to drive by it

Now that we have gotten this out of the way, I will have to tell you that it is easier to write this down than to actually do it. Someone should actually create a shoppers anonymous and have weekly meetings for the weak and the tempted.

I of course could be the leader.

Of the weak and the tempted that is.

Anyway, Good luck, and if you happen to see me at G*mboree - kindly tell me to GET OUT! and then call my husband and tell on me. :)

I do have to say that I do have rules.

I do not spend more than $20 ish on any ONE outfit.

I resell the items once my children have outgrown them OR one year, whatever is soonest
and
I treat this as an investment and take great care in all items for a higher resell value.


Signed,
Addicted in IOWA and every other place I've lived that has had one of these

Something special in the mail

The kids received something very special in the mail today. A letter from their cousins, Abby and Emily.
They could hardly breathe while opening - they were so excited.
Thank you for thinking of us - We miss you and love you!

Beans was reluctant to let go of hers to let me take a picture - she just wanted to hold it the rest of the day.

Love it!

Too Cute!

Chan proudly proclaimed "Hey, I'm in First Grade Too!"

Sleeping like a baby

This must be what it means to "sleep like a baby"
Anytime, anyplace.
Kady refused to sleep for any reasonable length of time this morning, so after Church and 3 hours later, she finally gave up.

I had laid her on the floor next to Spencer who was coloring and she quietly went to sleep. It is amazing to me that no matter how hard you try to help them and make things quiet, that all they really need is some noise.

Birthday Party - Howerton Style

3 Cakes, 8 Pizza's, 50 balloons, 25 kids and Rascal.

We celebrated the kids birthday's together this year at the ballpark. We had originally planned on having it outside, but the weather changed its mind and decided to not to cooperate - so we took it inside and held it on the Suite level.
I have to admit that even I was a little skeptical that we would be able to pull this off - but with the great thinking of Cory, we had a blast!

For the invitation we handed out game tickets with the simplest of information. We handed out the invites to everybody in Primary (about 50 kids) and honestly thank goodness only half showed.

We brought up some Ice cream and scooped them into little Baseball Helmet bowls for everyone. We played a couple games - but the kids were more interested in running around, so we changed pace and began making necklaces and cards. We had a sister from our ward come and paint faces and Cory had an employee dress up in the Racoon suit and visit with the kids for 15 minutes. (probably the longest 15 minutes of his life) The kids pushed, punched, and pulled his tail and he still gave them high fives and thumbs up. We finished this all off with breaking open a Pinata and surprisingly our sanity still intact.

The kids had a great time and it was great to see so many kids come and have fun with us.

Anyway - here's the pics.

Special shout out to the mom's at the end - its only cause I love ya. :)
Oh and to Sis. Ford -because you were so thoughtful and generous in getting the wonderful toy that makes noise, I will most certainly repay the favor. I could simply not let something so kind go unnoticed. So please let us know when we can do the same for you, I insist. Your welcome :)

Kady's Faces

AKA Spiderman

Spencer will be turning 2 in a little more than a week and as he gets to be a little bigger, he also has been getting cuter. He has developed a passion for Spiderman and is now calling himself Spiderman. He gets the biggest smile of satisfaction on his face when YOU call him Spiderman.
If you have spoken to Spencer lately, then you also know that he speaks about himself in 3rd person. It is no different, when he is Spiderman. I told him to get a wipe and wipe and his face, and as he was doing this, he said - "Look mama, Spiderman all clean."


Spencer insisted on helping with the camera

another day with spiderman

Mouse Games

Ok - so I wasn't going to share this - but since it has made itself a part of our lives and has consumed us the past couple of days - I'm going to air it.

When we first moved into our house I noticed mouse traps in the basement and in the kitchen. We asked the landlord and she said they think that they took care of the problem. So it was a shock to me when I had noticed some mouse droppings on the kitchen floor. I went to the store looking for some form of a mouse trap. I couldn't buy the bait because of the kids, so I thought I would go a little more humane and get a plastic box that they can't get out of and then take them outside and release them.

Within hours of setting up the boxes and teasing them with the peanut butter - there he was. I looked at him to get an idea of his markings, mainly out of curiosity, maybe a little weird but oh well. This one had a very distinct crooked tail and was brown with gray on bottom. He had the Biggest black eyes and stared right at me.

Ok -so there it was, I walked him to the back alley and dumped the box - he quickly ran away.

No more than 2 hours later, I heard the box again. Oh, we had another mouse, gross. I promptly took him outside and came back in and placed the box back in the corner.

The next morning, I checked the boxes. Both were occupied by our soon to be evicted uninvited guests. But this one looked just like the first one with the crooked little tail and the other may or may not have looked similar to the second one. Very suspicious. So this time I walked them a little farther away and let them go across the street in the boulevard amongst some bushes.

Just to be sure I laid the boxes back down. Much later that night (right before bed) I heard the noise. I checked the box - Two little mice in one box! Hey - these guys look an awful lot like the 2 I keep releasing. I'm going to research this. First of all, my house is not in any condition that I would typically think that they would inhabit, so I went to a pest control website and found that even if your house is clean, they can still select your home as their habitat as long as they can get in from the outside. Well since our home is no younger than 60 years old, there is a very good chance that they are climbing in somewhere and at least getting in to the basement. They can get into any space that is no bigger than a dime. What? There is no way I would be able to block all of the little cracks from outside. Then I wanted to know, Do these little guys typically return to their habitat like a regular house animal - Sure enough, they do - it was recommended to release them more than 500 feet away from the house.

Ok -no more games, we went for a drive. I drove 2 miles away at 10 o'clock at night in my jammies and released them in a park. If they come back this time - We're going to use the big guns! (bait)

I was happy to wake up this morning and find the boxes empty. No droppings to be found. Finally. I have scrubbed my kitchen with lysol and bleach and just to be sure I used the hose from the vacuum in the cupboards and under the appliances. If this doesn't let them know they are not welcome - then I'm just going to get mean!
And if this wasn't bad enough - Chandler asked if we could keep him. "He's so cute mom, can we keep him? " I don't think that the look on my face even warranted a reply, but just to be sure - NO.

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 4 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Angel Above

Sending a message of love and blessings to my dear friend M. Yesterday was the one year anniversary of her sweet baby's birth, but the Lord had a different plan for her, for she didn't get to stay. Her family had a small private birthday for her to celebrate the joy and her memory. I'm thinking of you and pray that when you see her again, you will get to hug her and tell her how much she was loved.
I wanted to let you know that I cried for you today, for I cannot imagine how strong you must be to have to go through something so trying. You are a wonderful mother -thanks for setting a wonderful example for me. You are the best!

Oops, I almost forgot

It is my older Sister, Lisa's birthday (yesterday)- and whilst I contemplated my heart felt and loving birthday greeting for her on my blog - I read my Twin Sisters and well - she sums it all up for me, so catch it here
Love ya Big Sis! Happy 33rd!

For my Family

Holy Batman!! That was Fun. A little trip down memory lane. Although this wasn't really that long ago, it is long enough to make you smile.

We Miss you Dad - Thanks for leaving us so many good memories. Wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you today. Love You.

Having the Faith

ITS A LONG ONE... Sorry.

“This is my prayer for all of us—'Lord, increase our faith.' Increase our faith to bridge the chasms of uncertainty and doubt. . . . Grant us faith to look beyond the problems of the moment to the miracles of the future. . . . Give us faith to do what is right and let the consequence follow.”
( “Lord, Increase Our Faith,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 52–53.)

I often learn life's best lessons through trials. I think that Heavenly Father understood this about me and so has presented me with my fair share. I want to set the record straight that I have learned my lesson and if you are listening - I don't need anymore.

If only it were that easy.

I was going through some old photo's and was reminded of an incident that really helped push me to be the person I am. Several Faith requiring incidents all at once. I didn't feel super phased about it then, but looking back - I get emotional.

I share this with you because we all have our moments. We are all tempted with the "That would just be easier" choice in life, but often times it is the " That is much harder, and I really don't want to do that" choice that we must make.

Just this last week, we received a phone call that to most people would have caused alarm, but if you knew what we went through while waiting for the phone call, then you would agree.
You see, the phone call was from Cory's doctor. He had had a series of tests done and it could be one of three things. The First was the West Nile Virus - doesn't sound great - but to us, would have been acceptable. The second was for Adult Mono - still a bad thing, but MUCH better than the third option - Cancer.
Cory had one confirmed form of Cancer before and the second time - while they were trying to confirm it, Cory had received the most AWESOME blessing from our bishop that healed his body. Suddenly the large spots on his liver were gone. So for us, it was almost like - this could be it. This could be the big one. I can't even imagine the torment that Cory felt while waiting for the results. He has expressed it to be like your life flashing before your eyes, not sure what lies ahead - Scary.
So when the doctor called the house - I gave her Cory's number, please call him. Cory called me within minutes - Whew! It was adult mono. Still a difficult thing to go through, but obviously better than the alternative. I believe that Cory even thanked the doctor - weird for most I am sure.

So this story brings me to my reason for this post. Why was it so necessary for us to have the faith? What really lies in store for us?

I remember back on January 2nd, 2004. Alyssa was just 3 months old and Chandler was 2. The winter in Oregon had reeked some havoc in the Portland area and had caused many people to stay home because we couldn't get anywhere. Finally on the 2nd of January - it was the first day that seemed like things were starting to clear up. I knew that I NEEDED to get to work, so I had made the decision to pack the kids up for Daycare and go to work. The daycare that I took the kids to was a private residence daycare and some of her rules were that we just left our diaper bags at home and kept a supply of diapers, food, bottles, extra clothes etc.. at her house.
But that morning, I felt as though I needed to dress the kids warmer and to pack a diaper bag. I wasn't really sure why I was doing this, but I did.
On my way to drop off the kids (I was probably half way in between my house and my destination.) I was driving up a hill on some back country roads. On the way back down - I hit a large patch of Black Ice. We instantly began to spin - I had lost control. I remember saying, No, No, No, No and then BAM! front end of the car hit the ditch - but the speed from the hill and the lack of control the car bounced us back out of the ditch and spun one more time until we landed at the end of the ditch where the drain was at, but this time with the back end in the ditch. I was inches from a mail box and feet from a corner. This was a dangerous place to be - I searched for my cell phone (now somewhere on the floorboard) I grabbed my phone and dialed Cory. He was going to go in late to work that day so he was still at home. " I totaled the car" was all I could get out. Alyssa now crying in the back seat I tried to give him directions to get to me. I was met with a knock on my window. A gentleman from across the street had been out shoveling his driveway when he heard the crash. I got out of the car and unbuckled Alyssa from her car seat and handed her to this stranger. I then went to go to the other side and get Chandler out when I discovered that it would be impossible. The ditch was probably 4 or 5 feet deep and my back wheels had been folded under like the Delorian on Back to the Future 2. After getting Chandler out of the car - the gentleman had told me to go to his house and get out of the cold. I called my sister to she if she could help me out. She lived across the river, but worked only minutes away.
She arrived before Cory and took the kids. This was all possible because I had listened to what I thought was just me over thinking the day (but more likely the holy ghost) telling me to pack the kids the things they would need. I called a Tow truck and by the time Cory arrived - I was in pain. I have never had such a pain in my back before.
Needless to say, I went home and laid on the couch the rest of the day. Alyssa had also been fussy - I didn't go to the doctor, nor did I take Alyssa to the doctor, but I went to my parents house the next day and received a blessing. Alyssa also received a priesthood blessing from my brothers and I will never forget it.
Alyssa was diagnosed with Hip Dysplacea when she was born. From the time she was just days old she was placed in a pavlic harness to help her hip bones develop. All of our visits we did see some improvement, but nothing significant. The Orthopaedic surgeon was talking about the possibility of putting her in a full body cast and then surgery to correct this if this didn't start to show better improvements.
Alyssa's blessing blessed her that her body would be healed and that she would be made whole. I heard this, but assumed that it meant the whiplash that her little body had suffered.
The next day while at her OS doctors office, he x-rayed her because of the accident and was shocked. We were able to remove her little blue harness. Her hips were just fine. He would want to review this again in one year just to make sure, but she wouldn't need this anymore.

Wow! what an awesome miracle. A blessing of healing goes beyond words. So was the accident an on purpose so that we would realize that what she really needed was a Priesthood blessing and some faith? I don't ever want to go through that again, but then I ask, what is the lesson we need to learn from all these and those of our scares with Cory's health? - I could seriously write a book with all of the stories of faith I have experienced, but why do I need so many? Not that I'm complaining, but a few years of nothing would be nice.

Anyway - I guess if I was better in tune, I wouldn't need such a huge hit on the head to get the picture - so a little Faith, can go a long way. I now feel more blessed knowing that the priesthood holds some very cool things if we use the tools that are provided to us. And how important it is that we as parents have the faith that a blessing will work. I know that this won't always be the case, but how lucky we are to have it at all.

who knew, that $11,000 could look like this?

Did I mention, that I only bought the car - 3 months earlier?

Ok, so maybe not totaled - but you weren't there :)

I posted these pictures - cause Cory's biggest pet peeve is when people stare and slow down traffic to look at an accident -now you don't have to.

Why I read your blog

Ok, so I've gotten into this thing lately about reading other peoples blogs even if I don't know them. it is so nice to read that other people are "normal" and then of course the sheer humor that most have is just stretching my stomach muscles. But above all - I can usually relate.

Sometimes I feel as though I am in my own little world and that others don't share my same parenting dilemma's or bad hair days - turns out they all do.

But I've been thinking (I tend to do this a lot more (The thinking part) now that my days are a little less hectic between 9am and 3pm. )

I think that my new found like in blogging and reading others is that this is somehow my sad attempt to feel like I actually have friends here in Iowa. Reality is that I know that my family loves me and that they read our blog often, but no one hardly comments. Am I really that lame? Just cause you read what I post and you feel satisfied knowing that all is great and dandy here - what about me? I cling to the idea that someone might reach out and express something to me. VERY Sad - I know. Probably more sad that I actually said it out loud.

So for Pete's Sake (not that I know a Pete or anything, just something Mom used to say - yes, I'm turning into my mother, turns out it is not such a bad thing.) Write me an email, comment on something I post once in a while and show me the love.

Remember, my days are now filled with conversation with an almost 2 year old and a 3 month old - they basically consist of competitions of saying " I Love you more, I love you mostest" Back and forth - so Please - save me from toddler speak once in a while!

Signed -
Lonely in Iowa

P.S. it wouldn't hurt if you updated your blogs a little more often either - Now, I'm not going to name any names, but you know who you are. I check often - so get with the program (said with love :)

Ramblings from Iowa

So Aly and Chandler have been in school for almost two weeks now and Alyssa is just a little star. She wakes up every morning and can't wait to get dressed. After having 3 years of just Chandler going to school and always giving us grief each and every morning about getting dressed, then not wanting to go and having so many issues at school. Alyssa is a nice break from all of the stuff we had to and still have to go through each morning with him.
Cory will call me each day after I pick the kids up from school and he asks how their day went and it is so refreshing to say the word Great!
Alyssa tells us everything she did - even the littlest things. We both LOVE that she Loves school. I knew that even though she was just turning 5 - that she is so ready for this. I am so glad that Iowa has all day Kindergarten, it is perfect for her! She does everything that she is asked and follows directions everyday. Although she did have one incident where her teacher placed her on "yellow" because she was talking when she shouldn't have been - Alyssa told me as soon as she saw me and then followed it up with, I'm never going to do that again.
I really hope that this desire to do well sticks with her. She is just such a good kid and it is so nice and refreshing to get a break in the going to school part of our day.

Chandler seems to be doing better this year also. I believe that there are several contributors to this. The first being that McKinley Elementary is now a part of his routine and his system. It is finally a familiar place. The second is his Awesome Teacher. I couldn't have asked for a better teacher. She must have known enough about him and his needs before we started, because his desk is in the front of the class and he has a corner desk with space in the middle. He is not entirely away from other children, but enough so that he has his own space. His locker is the closest to the classroom door and is only touching one other locker. These two things make a world of difference in his world. Not to mention that I have never not seen his teacher smiling. Other Teachers and parents say, that is just how she teaches. While she has rules and the kids are expected to follow them, She does it in a way that the children listen and obey and still like her. Chandler's first kindergarten teacher in Washington was this way and we never had a problem with him at all.
The main issue with Chandler now is helping him overcome his issues with crowds. This is where he has been having his meltdowns. He cannot handle groups of kids or people for that matter and lining up at the door each morning is made into a big deal because his sensors go off and he doesn't know what to do. Cory has currently taken on the task of the morning routine and hopefully we can come to a quick remedy that will work for Chandler. So far just having Daddy there to help is perfect!

Now that I am starting to get used to my days with just the 2 babies, I was thrown off on Labor Day when the two older kids were home. It felt like a Saturday to me. Cory was just joking with me the other day when he said that I'm going to learn to hate the summer months now, and I'm sure there might be some truth to that - but this last summer went by fast - so I'm sure I'll live.

Cory is now done with Baseball games, but still obviously has to go to work. I have to admit that it has been nice having him home for dinner every night. I've gotten so used to just cooking kid foods for dinner that I'm having to look up recipes again online - FINALLY, something good!
We were talking just last night that even though this season seemed long for us, it is actually because he has been in a season with one team or the other for about 18 months now without a break. No wonder we are exhausted. We plan to enjoy now until February - Believe you Me!

Who Farted?

We Love you Grandma!

Seasons Over

I've learned that its fun to blog about joyous occasion's and while this means anniversaries and Birthdays to most - In my life they also include the end of a season. They mark another kind of life style about to begin - one that includes Dad! Yeah!

So today they finished the last game of the season - loosing, but the games didn't really count anyway. So here are the pictures of our last game. We are so happy to have Daddy around a little more - I wonder what we'll do first?