Summer has come and gone!

Oh my goodness, where does time go? Our summer has come and gone! The boys started school already at the end of July! Jaxon is now in 3rd grade and is loving Mrs. Smith. Kaden is in 1st grade and with a little rocky start (missing home at all day school!) he is liking Mrs. Stott. Zeke is loving being big time too and going to school with Ms. Brooke. What preschool already for Zeke you say? Well let me tell you, sometimes things are not as good as they seem to be. Well my new job is going great. However, for some reason I think he (meaning my new boss) liked me in the interview and wanted to tell me what I wanted to hear to make sure I would take the job. Don't get me wrong the job is great and all I have no complaints other than the fact he told me I would be able to work as much or as little as I wanted from home......later to find out all client files would not be able to leave the office. HHHMMMMM well let's see I probably wouldn't be able to work on much if I don't have those files with me. I can certainly remote access into the server in the office however, that really does me no good if I don't have those files! Anyway, I think I am learing a ton and I am liking what I am doing. So yes, Zeke is in daycare now! He goes for about 3 hours a day Monday through Thursday and every other Friday. So we called it his school! And let me tell you how excited he was that he was old enough to go to school like the big boys! It is working out, as things usually do. I really hate to leave him but I am finding it is okay for us for now! Look how cute he is. When we took this picture he was so excited to have his very own little backpack (like the big boys) and he was saying cheese louder than both of the other two together!

From the eyes of a child....

Cameras, what fun they are! I love them and have expressed my love for photography many times! My brother-in-law I think did it to me. He is a photographer and from the many photo sessions I have observed him doing (from my babies to my dogs!) I have become quite the nit picky eye when it comes to photography! I LOVE IT!!! If I had more time I really think I would become obsessed with it. Then I think, oh probably not because I have boys and they are not really into getting their pictures taken! Well then again they are! I think they like it right now as much as me!
So each of them have their own camera! Jaxon's was purchased a few years ago and has become dusty from the newer cooler one recieved from Santa in Kaden's stocking this past year (one that probably sometimes can take better shots than my stinky ol piece of crap!). Jaxon has decided to take it over a little. (Good thing Kaden is like me and doesn't mind too much about these seemingly frequent aquisitions of his property!) So because I am a little blue still about the loss of my dear camera, I have been on camera strike a little. I am avoiding the lack of capability my camera can provide for me. So today downloading the shots taken this weekend from Jaxon (on Kadens camera) I thought it would be fun to see what interests an 8 year old and a 6 year old enough to capture the moment!
ah, the ever popular self portrait!
Gotta get the brothers stuffing their face with popcorn. I think the camera was the only reason that was not Jaxon (my popcorn loving boy) was not doing the same thing at this particular time.
hard to see but this is Squirt our turtle!
ah, look another self portrait
Kaden has come up with this really cool looking guy that can become whatever you want it to! Simply get a whole bunch of those wire closure things(the things that close bread bags) and enjoy! He made me this one to take with me to work and wanted to get a picture of it!
I think he was trying to get the Wendy's guy across the street from us at the parade!
Got the probably most unflattering side of this cute clown!
I am not sure why this year but watching the Mormon Battalion march in the parade brought a little moisture to my eyes! Just thinking about the sacrifice they gave for us. To leave their homes multiple times because of persecution and then to fight for those who persecuted them and leave their families whom they love is so rough!
And the ever popular band!
At this point the cameras batteries died (thank goodness). I think we would have a shot of every person, band, car or float on the parade route. Jaxon was not very happy about it either. But pretty fun to see what interests my boys!

What good MOMs do with their boys!

Yes, this is what a mother of the year gets! She is one of the most amazing moms I know. Other than all of the volunteer work she did at the school this year this tops the cake (literally). Boys will be boys and once again they have come up with one of the most brilliant plans. What do boys love the most? GETTING DIRTY! Yes, she agreed to host a food fight! At her house! She prepared tons of food only to get thrown around! And bless her heart even on her. She is a saint! I am sure the boys will remember this one forever! She has even promised them to do it again soon because she thought they had so much fun! I am all for it......as long as it is at her house!?




It looks like puke! Yes it was pumpkin pudding? EEWWW! I believe she prepared pumpkin pudding, mashed potatoes, jello, whip topping and oatmeal! YUMMY! Again the boys had a blast! I wish I had her patience and would allow that at my house! Nope, 15 kids at my house for a water party Jaxon decided to throw was enough for me! I think 250 water balloons is my limit, no food fight here! We can do water balloons til we are blue in the face! Not pukey in the face :o Again, what a good mom she is. And what a fun mom she is! Gotta love ya Anne!

Bless little MaryJane's heart. She just sat there mostly confused. But what a brave little girl she is to be around all those gross boys!

I really think Jaxon was in his element! What a boys dream, to be allowed to make the biggest mess ever!

Moving On....

Well I am not the type to wallow in my own self pity and man my last post sure seems like I enjoyed it. But honestly everyone needs to vent don't they? I wish I was the type to stop and just let the world rush on sometimes. But I am not. Ask my husband! I always have to pick myself up and dust myself off. No matter how many times I am pushed down I do it. Really I wish I could just sit in the dirt sometimes! I think sometimes lying there playing dead is a lot easier than moving on! But no, I guess I won't do it again!
So the Wednesday before I got laid off I just glanced at the open jobs on hotjobs. Just to take a look. And wouldn't you know it there was a part-time position open at a CPA firm. Well I thought oh, well I might as well try. I am sure I was somewhat prompted by someone to do this! I look in my files and wouldn't you know it, I already have a pretty good cover letter and resume on file from a year and a half ago. So I changed and revised things a bit and sent it off, with no other thoughts of it. Then Friday happened. But all weekend this CPA firm kept coming into my mind. I couldn't get it off my mind. I did more research and found the name of the firm, where it was located and the website etc etc. Monday rolls around, Tuesday afternoon rolls around and I hadn't heard anything. I thought oh, well I might as well follow up, I have nothing to loose! So I did. And wouldn't you know it, he emailed me back less than an hour later and asked me to call him. I went in the next day for an interview and was hired on the spot! I am so excited! I start tomorrow. I am still going to work directly under him for the next week or two then I am able to work from home as much or as little as I like/need!
What a blessing! The Lord truly works in mysterious ways! I know I have guardian angels watching out for me! I love them, and I am so thankful for the promptings of the holy ghost to guide me along! Gregg and I are truly blessed and I thank everyone for the sweet phone calls and comments left on my behalf! I have really needed them. You know when people are laid off I always worry about them financially, but I never really thought of how hard it is on your self-esteem! I think I was (in Anne of Green Gables terms!) in the 'depths of despair'. Gregg knows what it takes to get me going and thankful for him he did it for me again!

What else can go wrong?

Well the past month has been probably one of the worst months I have had in probably 6 years! They say bad things come in three.....

• loose a baby
• loose my job

what else can I count as the third? Well let's see:

• Gregg working his tail off to buy me a camera I have been dreaming of for I don't know how long being delivered right at the time I walk in from being laid off and having to refuse the package because I just can't justify spending that kind of money when I will not be bringing any in.........
  
• Having to call the vacation booking place to get a refund on the Disney vacation we paid for a month ago that I have been promising the boys we could take (that they have been trying so hard to earn money for).....thank the Lord I have not told them we were going yet.
  

I don't know, when it rains it poors! right now I am just numb. Not really thinking it would ever happen! Being part-time you are always on the chopping block. Employers think you are the most disposable when they need to cut costs because you are just 'part-time'. When in truth it is sort of true. Those that are full-time would have a much harder time being laid off than me.....but right now I have to be selfish and think of me.....why? why? why? You know at the beginning of the year I think the Lord was trying to prepare me for this. We were and are not in that much debt anyway (thank goodness). But it really made me think about everything and cut back on as much as we can. We were somewhat prepared. We have some money saved (a little) and we will see how long that lasts us. I am torn! I really like to work. I like to use my mind and what I went to school for so long for! I love being a mom and that is what tears me up! I really think the job I just lost was my dream job! When I was going to school and changed my major I specifically said I would really love to work at home part-time doing accounting for a local company......I guess I should know better that dreams don't always last! I have never been laid off and let me tell you that is probably one of the worst feelings you can ever have. Well I don't know loosing a baby is right up there too!
I have not posted about that one because it has not been a good subject to talk about. I found out we were pregant and wow what a surprise! I was starting to honestly feel that my three (four) boys and I were very content. I knew the last pregancy was not good for my body and my DR told me so. It is really hard to make the decision you are done, ya know? So anyway, I was starting to really feel like it was okay and we were done. Then I found out. Oh the emotions that went on in my head! Craziness! As I have posted about before my sweet little Zeke is well quite a handfull. There were many days I would cry going 'oh my word what am I going to do with another one?'. In fact it took me probably 6 weeks to come to grip with the fact I was pregnant. So 12 weeks rolls around and when the DR saw me and there was no heart beat, I felt like my heart stopped too! I was warming up to the thought of a sweet little one around the house. With a little glimmer of hope I could share the house with a girl?! NOPE too much to ask for. Then I felt sorry for myself thinking 'why did this have to happen to me?' haven't I lost enough babies in my life.....do I really have to go through this again? Oh my gosh!
I guess I got through the miscarriage, I will have to get through this! Why?
Thanks for letting me vent!

OUCH!

Okay, I think this year has been one of the toughest years for allergies in our family! I have had them horribly and so have all of the boys!!
By the way this looks it is super painful! Poor Kaden, he has been hit the hardest this year for sure. Every time he is out playing baseball or just out for a while he comes in looking like this! No, it is not Jaxon punching him in the eye (this time at least), it is those crappy allergies! I am really hoping all of this rain we have had will clear the air! At least he likes his Claritin!

Happy Happy Birthday!!

Happy happy birthday Greggy dear! Happy days will come to you all year, if I had one wish that it would be a happy, happy birthday to you from ME (us!)

Ah, what fun. We needed a quick get-away. What a perfect day! Gregg's birthday May 18th! (yes, I am a month behind!) Gregg wanted to take the boat out and have a little family fun! He has the best time of year for a birthday.....mine is always cold and dreary! He already has his next years festivities planned out.......
Zeke LOVES to drive.....doesn't he look adorable!
Kaden thinks he rocks! And right after this picture was taken made the coolest ninja karate type move you have ever seen!
Jaxon likes to play it cool! gimme and apple and a water and I am set!

Gregg, well I will spare him and not share the AWESOME picture I got of him!

I love you so much! Man, I can't believe you are already 35! I guess I will have to share the 35 things I love about you!

I LOVE HOW.......
1. You are always by my side
2. You support me when times are tough
3. You bring out the good things in me that I don't always remember to bring out! :)
4. You are an awesome Father
5. You are a big teddy bear under all that gruff
6. You give awesome tickles
7. You give awesome massages
8. You are the cutest little boy who likes his big toys!
9. You teach the boys the right
10. You tell me to buy whatever I want (why can't I do it?)
11. You have no clue about the bills! :)
12. You love to be in your bliss about the real world of money! I wish I could!
13. You love your mom and dad
14. You love to take it easy and remind me to relax.....
15. You have the memory I wish I had
16. You kicked butt at school and FINISHED!
17. You always get the little boy grin when you look at your big boy toys!
18. You are the worlds best lawn mower
19. Chocolate always cheers you up!
20. I love how you love to make me and the boys happy
21. You love your family
22. You love my parents
23. You love my family....mostly! :)
24. You have the most beautiful eyes!
25. You gracefully loose your hair
26. No matter how hard I work at trying to keep you on a good diet I always seem to find chocolate wrappers and zinger wrappers hidden somewhere........
27. You would still wear your Jeff Specoli shoes but don't out of respect for me?!
28. You still listen to 80's rap (when no one is around---in the closet!)
29. You take longer to get ready in the morning than me!
30. You sit through all of the wonderful 'family' outings you hate for me
31. You secretly like the dogs we have had for 13 years! (you still would never admit it)
32. You are still jumpy around spiders
33. You would wear shorts all year....even when blowing snow in the middle of winter
34. You know all music trivia I have ever heard
35. YOU ARE ALL MINE!!

I love you even though this is so late, we had fun on your day! And that is what matters most!