Martinson Family

Food for thought!

2012-01-31T22:50:00.000-08:00

I know...its crazy two posts in two days! Well I got home from a fabulous evening at my friends house where I learned all about good food and nutrition. It was wonderful, and the wonderful thing to me is that most of the stuff was review for me, but I came home tonight and folded some laundry then climbed into bed and opened my scriptures and I read this verse:

"...and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understanding great knowledge when it is given unto them in plainess, even as plain as word can be."

It hit me tonight, that yes, this was all review to me, I know exactly what this wonderful lady was telling us, and have I put any of it into practice. NOPE. Why? Why wouldnt I do these things? Is it to hard? Is it my pride, well probably. Are the things she is telling me not plain as plain can be? It is pretty straightforward, and if you want to throw the word of wisdom into play here, it totally fits into the word of wisdom and the way God intended us to take care of our bodies. Dont even get me started on evil and conspiring men in these last days.
All this comes into play with the thoughts that I have had this last week, about my duty. My duty as a mother especially, and how I feel like I have been lacking and not preparing my kids to go out into this world that is falling apart everywhere we look. That is 9 short months I am supposed to send my baby boy to kindergarten...for 7 hours a day 5 days a week. How everyday I send my beautiful, spunky, 6 year old off to the first grade for 7 hours a day, and how I ask myself, "have I sufficiently helped my kids put on their armor today? Not just spiritual, but physical?" And if I were going to be honest with myself the answer is no. I have slacked big time. I had a spiritual awakening earlier this week, and this evening, once again, I had a physical awakening of sorts as to what I should and need to be doing desperately not just for the kids but for myself, so I can be that Mom that can help my family face whats out there.
So here I am confessing and making a promise to myself and to the Lord that I am gonna try everyday to be a little better. That I will make the changes that I know that I should be, and I know its not going to be easy, because lets face it, if it doesn't hurt(even just a little), then you probably aren't changing!
I feel like I have been given a wealth of knowledge over the last year, that I have so willingly put on the back burner and said to myself, "oh, well thats really good to know!" I feel like I have been in the right place at the right time to receive this information, and yet I haven't put it into action. I don't know how many more times the Lord is gonna put it in my face before I have to have that wake-up call, and I seriously hate it when the Lord finally has to give me that wake-up call. Times a ticking!
I pray that the Lord will be with me and my family on this journey. I know that right now I have a choice to make and I feel like the Lord has faced me in the right direction, now its up to me to take the first steps.

Thanks for reading my ramblings, I don't even know if you can understand what it is I am trying to say, but I had to get it down, and for some reason, I felt that this blog is where it needed to go.

A very long overdue update!

2012-01-30T20:56:00.000-08:00

Sorry no pictures for this update, my camera bit the dust a while ago, and so all I have are words!
So, for the 5 people that actually read this blog, you already know, but we moved back up to Washington State right before Christmas. It is absolutely crazy moving that time of the year, but luckily we had fantastic weather, and as I recall, I think we even had sunshine the day we moved into our new house. Erik got a job up here, he still is driving truck, but its a local job, so he is home every night and has all his weekends off!(Many thanks for the many prayers that were said on our behalf) I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to have a husband and a daddy home everyday! He works long hours, but at least its not driving to Texas anymore!

Ellie started her new school, and unfortunatly has taken longer to make friends than she would like. The school boundary system up here in Ferndale is crazy, so we are doing the best that we can. She likes her teacher, and she of course is a great student, but socially is struggling just a bit. She keeps telling me that she wants to be homeschooled...we will just keep that on the back burner for now!

Isaac, what can I say, I just smile when I think of him. He is so active, he does miss his preschool in Utah, but since we have moved has taken up a new hobby...Momma! He follows me around, would prefer to always have some sort of physical contact with me, but will make due with eye sight! He is constantly checking up on me, asking me if I feel alright, asking what I am doing, tells me he loves me almost every other hour. He tells me "but I love you" when I want him to go do something without me (like sit in primary.) He is just so tuned into me...I am his moon and stars right now. It occured to me that he will be 5 this summer and that means he is supposed to start kindergarten in the fall. So keeping him at home with me and just hanging with me, doing chores, watching shows, playing with cousins and friends, thats ok with me. And just between you and me I really don't think he is ready for kindergarten...maybe homeschool is closer than we think?!?! (I am just sayin)

Spencer. My handsome, husky, hunk of a boy! We love him in this house, we can't get enough of him. He has come into his terrible three's....at one time he was the pleasant one that just kind of went along with everything...well not anymore, he grew an opinion. And his opinion is...don't treat me any differently than my older brother and sister. He loves to dance and in our new house we have an intercom system that also plays the radio throughout the whole house, he likes to turn it on and have a dance party in the living room, its great fun, the whole family gets in on it!
He still likes to climb up into my lap and read books, but I will say he is getting quite heavy...but he doesn't quite like the seat next to me yet..he wants to be on top of me still.

Allia, well, I am doing fine. I love being back in Washington, though I miss my family tremendously. I hesitate to even say anything, because of the last years pattern, but we are expecting baby number 4, due in August! I have been soooooo sick. I can't remember another pregnancy being this sick and I dont know if its due to just being older and out of shape, don't know, but so far this pregnancy has kicked my butt. We are so excited, and we did get an early ultrasound, and we saw a healthy baby, who actually measured larger than we had thought, so that is a really good sign! I am trying to stay positive, but with 2 past miscarriages in the last year, everyday there is always a hint of nervousness. I am hoping that the morning sickness will let up, so I can actually make my house pretty and feel like we have "moved in" , things have been unpacked, but not well organized yet, I am hoping that the "nesting" instinct will kick in and I can get back on top of things soon. I love our ward and being back with old and new friends up here, and if any of you are reading this, I am sorry I have been so anti-social...now you know why!

Well, there you have the update on the Martinson Family! I will try and get some more photos up here and maybe someday pictures of our new home!

Family Update!

2011-10-07T10:18:00.000-07:00

Wow, so much has happened since the last time I updated.
Lets see, Ellie started the First grade. She loves her new teacher. I just had a parent teacher conference and found out that Ellie is reading above her grade level. She is doing great in her spelling and she is really enjoying math. She is very helpful and a hard worker. (of course, I didn't need a teacher to tell me that)

Isaac started preschool and he loves it!!! I love that he loves it so much. He goes everyday in the afternoon. He is learning so quickly. I don't know if its because he is left handed, but he is struggling picking up the writing things out...but in the month or so that he has been in school, he has come so far. When I met with his teacher, she said that he is a typical 4 year old boy and sometimes struggles to keep his hands to himself. He knows how to spell his name, and if you ask him I am sure he would sing to you in the "BINGO" tune..."I-S-A-A-C, I-S-A-A-C I-S-A-A-C and Isaac was his name-o!!"

Spencer is missing his brother and sister while they are at school, but he also really does enjoy being an only child. I rather like having an only child for a few hours a day! He does go down for a nap on most days, so its quite in the house...if you have been to my house recently...you know thats something that we don't come by very often...and its LOVELY!!

Erik is still driving truck, he gets to come home for a couple nights a week, so that is nice. I really really want my husband to be home every night, but we will take the job that we get for now! He is enjoying the work that he is doing. He loves his dog, I love that he takes the dog with him on the road! He has a traveling buddy, and we get a dog 2 nights a week, so the kids are happy, and I don't have to take care of the puppy!!! Best of both worlds!!!!

As for me, I am hanging in there, I am counting my blessings everyday. I have a great husband who is working so hard for the family. I have 3 beautiful children that keep me on my feet everyday. I have a home that keeps us warm, and food in our bellies. I am currently recovering from my second miscarriage this year. I thought the first one was hard, well, I am learning that we are never finished learning and that these things don't get easier. I am not angry, I have learned over the last year that I am can't do anything without my Lord and Savior. He has brought strength into my life when I didn't think it was possible. He has brought peace and healing when I couldn't do it on my own. And isn't that the lesson anyway? We can't do anything without Him. I had a moment when I was emotional and worried because everything and everyone in my life depends on ME being strong. But if there is one thing that I have learned this last year is that I can't do it all. I have to draw on the strength of the Lord to get me through the everyday things, not to mention the "hard" days. I have learned and am still learning everyday that the Lord has a plan, and the hard thing is, is to be ok with the plan...no matter what it is.

My daddy is a trucker!!!

2011-04-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

Well, its official, Erik is a trucker! He FINALLY finished his training...(by the way, they say you can be done with training in 4 weeks...try like 7 or 8 weeks) It was a LONG journey, and I have a feeling we are just getting started. He got to bring his very own brand new truck home (its still Werner's property...just his to use for now) and the kids enjoyed spending every second they could inside this very very cool truck! He eats, sleeps, plays in this thing, so they make them pretty comfortable...well as comfortable as living in a truck could be!

Gardens....hhhmmmm

2011-04-22T13:44:00.000-07:00

This is my companion these days...well not counting the 3 critters that are my children! But this guy...(his name has yet to be decided on!) is actually allowed to hang out in the garden all day, He makes me smile!

My Garden boxes are looking so good! I am so excited! We finally have sugar snap peas coming out of the ground and our green onions are started to come out of the ground as well! It is so fun to see things come to life!

Some pictures of the building of the boxes...it was actually rather easy once we got started! The hard part came later in deciding what and when to plant things!

My Pretty flowers and I do have blueberry bushes planted in the two big planters, I have no clue if they will actually produce or thrive, but this is our learning year!

Pictures of everyday life!

2011-03-07T15:55:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I had the thought for sometime to take a few pictures of my kids adventures, just living life everyday...I will start with last night...

Isaac can be found 99.9% of the time sleeping in Daddy's spot on the bed. I know the argument with letting kids sleep with you, in fact I am a big believer in NOT letting the kiddos sleep with you. Honestly, we insisted on Ellie sleeping in her own bed, we would get up and move her out of the bed in the middle of the night, and you know what? she is only 5 and she no longer even asks to come into our bed, only of a very few occasions will she come in and snuggle in the morning. So, some part of me feels like I know that this little guy needs me and if his only alone time that he gets with me and Erik (when he is home) comes in the middle of the night, well then, (at least he is asleep right?) But I know that this time wont last forever, but I will say that I do put him to bed in his own bed in his own room...but I wake up to this sight every morning and kinda smile to myself!

Then there are these ones:

I don't know if I need to explain this...We walked Ellie to school this morning, like we do most mornings...(I must say that I REALLY liked our walk this morning, it was cool, it was moist outside and it was foggy...reminded me of the northwest...I loved it!!) We got back from our walk and Isaac wanted to dress up, well Spencer couldn't be left out, so he grabbed the only thing he could find...Sissy's butterfly wings! This took up much of our morning!

Well, the rain finally came this afternoon and as weird as it sounds, it was so nice, first of all rain means that its finally warm enough NOT to snow!!! (yippee) and we have been missing Washington very much so the rain was welcomed! Ellie and Isaac decided that today was the day they were going to play in the rain, unfortunately we don't have much rain gear anymore, so they got on what they could and went on a rainy day adventure:

Can anyone guess what they are doing?

Well, as gross as it is, since it has been warmer and rainy, all the worms decided to make an appearance and they were everywhere this morning. So, the kids decided to get a knife and have their own science project cutting up a worm....eeeewwww.

There you go, the adventures in the Martinson home on a monday (well on this monday at least)

Life!

2011-03-06T14:06:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to get on here and let everyone know that we are doing well. The last post was, well sad, but we got through it and we are all doing great! I know that God has a plan for me and for my family, and we will continue on this path and try and make the best out of the obstacles that I know will continue to arise!

I will give a quick update on how we are all doing! Erik is still doing his training with Werner trucking, meaning he is gone for another couple of weeks. He was actually able to come home for 2 weeks, to help out with stuff! It was nice to have him back here and the kids love it when their Daddy is around. He is enjoying the experience as best as he can, and if anyone knows him personally, he is getting an eye-opening experience with the ways of the world. He called me the other night and was laughing because he had said that he just had his first run-in with a "lady of the night" He was sitting in his truck, waiting behind another one, they were stopping to get some dinner and such, and a lady starts walking toward him...She was dressed like "a soccer mom" (is the way Erik described her) he thought for sure she was the driver in the truck in front of him. So he kinda just waved at her, kinda like a ..."i am here and waiting for your spot..." kinda wave. Well she stopped and made a bee-line right for Erik, and luckily his trainer opened his window and said a few choice words at her and she scampered away, he then proceeded to give Erik an education on hookers. Erik was flabergasted at the fact that this poor woman was a prostitute...in his mind hookers well...they don't dress like "soccer moms." Erik reports that he is getting an education in the 'real world' maybe a little bit more than he wants, but it is better to be prepared than totally caught off guard. He is so close to being done with his training hours, and when that happens he gets to put in for local routes....we are really really praying for local routes to be open so he can be home with us everynight...I am not cut out to be a single mom.

Me...well I am just hanging in there. Some days are better than others. I am excited about a few things that are going on in my life...well besides my cute kids! A few weeks ago I started a boot-camp with my sisters, and about that same time, it happened to get warm enough to bundle the kiddos up in the morning and walk Ellie to school. I am feeling really good, I have more energy, and I absolutely feel different on the days that I don't get to work out or when we don't get to walk. I have decided that in order for me to be the best mommy that I know how to be, I have to get my walk in at least. I don't know all the science behind it, but it seems to me like I have more patience, and its a time for me to get my head straight, and kinda meditate (well, as best you can with children in tow) I have also started taking some classes from this wonderful woman in my ward...she is a fantastic woman and her specialty is brain development...I am so excited about what I am going to learn. I am also starting the CERT classes here in town, and I look forward to using my brain in other ways other than changing diapers and cleaning up spills...ALL. DAY. LONG!!

Ellie is enjoying kindergarten, her teacher reports that she is testing above the level she should be for reading at this point!!! She loves to walk to school....(when she isnt falling into the gutter cuz her head is in the clouds somewhere) She is trying very hard to have patience with her younger brothers (aren't we all??) and sometimes she needs some coaching on how to speak to them. She has been a big help while Daddy is gone and she is getting very good with doing all her chores. Her favorite chore is making her bed...and she is gosh darn good at it!! She is also getting better at putting her toys away (she knows that if she doesn't, then her brothers like to play with her barbies and well...that doesn't usually end up very well...body parts strewn all over the house and such) Ellie is usually found at the kitchen table trying very hard to color and write stories!!! This is what I woke up to this morning:

I sure love this girl

Isaac...well this little guy is really really trying my patience. I wish I had more to report on him, besides I do love him, and he drives me NUTS!! He is so fiercly independent that it gets him into A LOT of trouble. He wants to do things like an adult, but the poor guy is stuck in this 3 year old body, and doesn't realize that he just cant do certain things....like try and open the hot oven door, or make himself pancakes. He is having a hard time with understanding that he needs to talk to me when he is hungry, and that just helping himself to the fridge and eating whatever he finds is not ok. (does anyone have any good ideas on how to lock the fridge??) I broke out the bungee cord today to wrap around the door handle (its a side-by-side)...no joke 2 seconds later he had figured out how to undo it and he had helped himself to a yogurt. BOUNDARIES...this is a hard concept for him. Any ideas would be helpful in helping him understand that I am the boss, and that obedience would be very helpful in helping him get to 4 years old :) I have cried my share of tears over complete frustration with this one...and he is only 3 years old. He is very sweet, and while in the midst of his innocent trouble making, he still says the cutest things. He still climbs into bed with me everynight, and he is sneaky about it, I don't know he is there until I wake up in the morning and see him there. He loves music, and his favorite song right now...is that country one ..."stuck like glue" or something, he knows the lyrics and sings right along....very sweet! He has a sweet sense of humor, but you have to be watching him and listening closely for it! What he needs is a good friend to play with, and I am sad that he doesn't have that where we are. He has cousins, but all the ones close to his age are girls, and they just don't get him...he is a boy and totally NOT into princesses or pink. He likes his trucks and his "super fast racing car" he prefers his red one, but of course...it goes so fast, he lost it somewhere in this house...so the blue one does fine for now. He remembers everything....except for the one thing I just told him....(is this a guy thing or what???) He amazes me everyday, and frustrates me, and angers me, and makes me laugh....its a constant ride with this one!!! Thankyou, Heavenly Father, for this one, he keeps me on my toes for sure!

Spencer...he is learning more and more words everyday. He is the prankster and absolutely has his Lola wrapped around his finger....(Lola is my mom, who we are currently living with) He knows how to get you to smile, but he is also coming into his terrible two's and that is evident with the onset of temper tantrums...ggggrrrrr...... (can we just skip the next 2 years and then pick up where we left off?) Spencer is always found with 2 cars in his hands, one in each hand. He does not want to be treated any differently than his older siblings. He will always be found tagging along, like he is one of the big kids. He LOVES to be outside, so it has be a LONG winter having to be inside cuz its so cold outside. He loves to take baths...and he thinks a game when its time to get dressed, he runs and hides, he could play this game for hours. I love that I am getting to really focus on his cuteness now, before he goes into the really trying years ahead! I have been pregnant by this time with the other two, so I feel like I havent really got to enjoy this time in the other two kids life....my brain was in other places...like being so sick and pregnant!

Well there you have it, thats our little (well long...) update, until next time!!!

A much needed poem

2011-02-03T14:14:00.000-08:00

I was given this poem today by my midwife, it is beautiful and one that I would have never thought would be applicable to me, not in a million years...

Just Those Few Weeks by Susan Erling

For those few weeks-
I had you to myself.
And that seems too short a time
to be changed so profoundly.

In those few weeks-
I came to know you...
and to love you.
You came to trust me with your life.
Oh, what a life I had planned for you!

Just those few weeks-
When I lost you.
I lost a lifetime of hopes,
plans, dreams, and aspirations...
A slice of my future simply vanished overnight.

Just those few weeks-
And no "normal" person would cry all night
over a tiny, unfinished baby, o
or get depressed and withdraw day after endless day.
No one would, so why am I?

You were those few weeks my little one
you darted in and out of my life too quickly.
But it seems that's all the time you needed
to make my life so much richer
and give me a small glimpse of eternity.

Well, if you hadn't figured it out by now, I am currently...according to what the midwife said..."in a middle of a miscarriage..."
I don't really know what I am feeling right now, a lot of grief. I feel like this has all been a bad dream, I feel like I am just waiting for my to wake up and this will all be the worst nightmare all pregnant women fear. I am feeling like maybe I shouldn't even post this on my blog, because I haven't even made an official announcement that I was pregnant. I feel silly being so sad, crying over something that hardly was even there... I am not angry, I am not wondering why, I am just sad over a life that wont be. I am sad that my husband isn't here, so I can hold him and he hold me through this process...this was his baby too. I know that I am loved, I know that my Heavenly Father has a plan for me and for this family...

Updates!

2011-01-16T14:34:00.000-08:00

Sorry no pictures this time, but I thought I would finally give an update as to what is going on with the Martinsons! Erik starts his new job on Wednesday. He actually leaves tomorrow night and takes a bus down to Pheonix, AZ...he will be gone for 2 weeks, home for a day or two and then gone for another 2 weeks.
Here is the story of how we came to decide on trucking.... Erik was able to get into the training program at Deseret Industries and through them they give him the opportunity to get a technical degree or certificate or some kind to help get a "real" job. Well, after much thought and prayer he opted to get his Commerical Drivers License...it was the best option with the best possibility for a job after training. Let me just tell you, I wasn't so keen on long-haul trucking where he would be gone for 2 weeks and home for a day and then gone again... only seeing my husband for 2 days of the months just wasn't what I had invisioned....and I really really don't want to be a single mom most of the time. But it was where my husband felt like he could do the best and get into a solid job.
So he gets his CDL, he applies for long haul trucking companies because there are no local positions available here, and what ever ones he did look at required a couple years of over the road trucking. He gets hired on with Werner Trucking, but they assured him that they do have local routes where he could be home everynight...or at least a couple nights a week. BUT he has to go through the 4 weeks of over-the-road training. I honestly don't know why this is the "path" that has opened up for us, it certainly wasn't what we had expected...but when the Lord gives you hand, you certainly don't slap it away and tell him it's not good enough or not what I wanted. So here we are, getting ready for him to be gone, and really really praying that a local route opens up as soon as possible. We are hopeful that the right opportunties will continue to open up for us....POSSIBLY even jobs back up in Washington (please please please we are asking for your prayers that the right position will open up for us, so we can be where the Lord wants us) (is it bad to say that I hope the Lord doesn't want us in Orem, UT??)
That is the latest news with us....for now. I promise to update more often then I have been doing.
I also wanted to say how much I miss my friends and family up there in Ferndale WA, I know that most of you don't even read this blog, but I have been feeling more and more sad about leaving and missing all of you so much. I remember 4 years ago, when we moved up there....lets just say my attitude sucked about moving up to tim-buk-too...It was one of those I know thats where the Lord wanted and needed us to be, but I certainly did NOT want to be there. Let me tell you, I felt so much love and acceptance from all of you. The friendships that were formed up there are life-time friendships. I miss you guys terribly. I miss the ward terribly....its true what they say....The gospel is more true in the Ferndale First Ward!!! I miss you guys and love you so much!

Christmas Tree

2010-11-28T20:52:00.001-08:00

Well, we said goodbye to our house guests early sunday morning...like 12:30am...we were sad to see them leave. We went to bed and there was no snow on the ground, then we wake up and there is 6 inches or so on the ground, so we were all in the mood to get our christmas decorations up...Erik helped by bringing all the stuff from the cold and I got the tree up! I LOVE putting up my tree every year, and of course, I didn't think of getting pics up of the kids helping...but it got done!!! Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving continued

2010-11-28T20:38:00.000-08:00

Here are some more pictures of the weekend.

Thanksgiving

2010-11-28T20:11:00.000-08:00

I know it has been a very long time since I posted anything... no excuses...just don't get around to posting anything very often. This year for Thanksgiving we had the opportunity to have the in-laws and Jen and Phillip come down. They didn't get to stay long, but it was so good to see family and friends. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at my sister's house, and then we got to take Jennifer and Phillip up to Temple Square to see the lights and meet up with the missionaries that taught Jen and Phillip the discussions...the Showalters. It was a lot of fun, we rode the Trax all the way to Temple Square, walked around....FROZE! We watched the Joseph Smith movie at the Legacy Theater, (i was really worried about the kids and how they would do, but my prayers were answered and they sat through it like a dream...and I might add, it was very powerful and my testimony was strenghtened about the truthfulness of the gospel and the kind of man Joseph Smith was) It was a successfull family outing, the kids were sooooo good, no running away, they listened and obeyed. They loved the lights and even the cold, but especially the "train" ride to and from.

Some pics of the kids

2010-09-09T19:53:00.000-07:00

That one of Isaac needs no explantion!

Ellie's first day of school!

Changes

2010-09-09T19:15:00.000-07:00

I know that I don't have very many followers, if any at all... but I thought that I would just give you all an update. Our family moved to Utah at the beginning of August and it has been bittersweet. We love being close to family and cousins, and living with Grandma is just great for the kids. On the other hand, we terribly miss Washington and all of our dear friends and family. We miss our neighbors and even our little blue apartment.

To be honest, I didn't think that it would be that difficult coming back to where I grew up, but as many of you know who have been outside of the "utah bubble" for any amount of time, it was complete cultural shock for me. I am still trying to get used to it, but honestly I don't think I want to. That is all that I will say about that!

As for an update on the family...Ellie started kindergarten a few weeks ago, she gets to go half days, and she does love her teacher and she has made a few friends...but to be honest, it has been more difficult for her to meet friends than I had expected. We are hopeful that she meets lots more as she becomes more comfortable. Her favorite thing about school....recess...2 times during the 4 hours she is there! I am a little scared that her speech therapy is holding her back, and making it a little difficult for her friends and teachers to really understand her. She is still in speech therapy, but over the summer her old habits have kinds creeped back, even though we did try and keep on top of her speech.

Isaac....I really wish that I could just laugh it off and just say he is being a BOY, because he is. But just today...his being a 'just a boy' cost us hundreds of dollars in damage. I was at work this morning, just helping my brother out, Erik was home with the boys. I get a phone call, Erik was frantic. He had gotten in the shower and was in there for less than 10 minutes. He gets out and sees a squirt gun on the floor in front of the flat screen TV...no picture on the tv, but the sound works. Isaac has squired that TV and completly soaked it, frying the picture. Then Erik proceeds to go upstairs and finds a sharp knife on the floor, thinking to himself..."thats dangerous..." he picks it up and then sits down on the couch...he then sees stab marks all over the leather couches...both of them, not just one or two slices....but all over the seats in both couches. These are my mother's couches people.....I was sick to my stomach when I heard this. Well, Erik was so upset and frantic, not knowing what to do with Isaac, that he forgets to pick up Ellie from school, so he gets a phone call from the office...how embarrassing, I just had pulled up from work, when I get the news, so I had to go pick up Ellie from the office 20 minutes late. I want to say that I handled Isaac with love and patience today, but I didn't. I was upset and he knew it. I want to say that I have patience...I DO NOT. Lets just say it was early bed time for the kids today, and we are just asking for your prayers that things are better tomorrow. On the other hand, Isaac is sweet heart, he did apologize and tell us he loves us. He is sweet with his baby brother and loves to play with him... and they do keep each other entertained, but both of them do miss their sissy when she is gone.

Spencer is walking around everywhere! He is so funny, can keep up with his siblings and cousins, goes everywhere, does everything they do. He is a hoot to just watch and see what he is gonna figure out next. He is still speaking in grunts, which just adds to the humor of Spence!

Erik was able to get into the training program at the DI. He will be doing some security training as well as some other marketable training, to hopefully get him more employable. He did have an interview back up in Washington a few weeks ago, for a corrections deputy. He hasn't heard anything back from them, but we are keeping our fingers crossed. We really would love to be back up in Washington, even if it is on the Eastern part of the State. Your prayers would greatly be appreciated in that manner as well!

Allia, well I am holding in there, really hoping and praying that this difficult part of parenting passes, and that I can find some inner peace throughout all this. I do love being a mom, and everything that comes with it. And honestly, if asked...would you have another baby?...my answer would be a resounding Yes! (no I am not making any announcement...but someday, maybe!) I am working really really part time for my brother, doing wedding stuff! Its a lot of fun to get out every couple of weekends and use my creative brain on something other than playdough and painting pictures. I am really really trying hard to "bloom where I am planted" and through prayer and scripture study, and going to the temple...since we now have one 20 minutes in every direction from us...its coming along. I know the Lord has a plan for our family and for me personally. I do have a sense of peace that things are going to work out.

Alright, this has been a lengthy enough post...until next time!

Good News!

2010-05-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

I am happy to annouce that Isaac is doing so much better. My wonderful Dad sent me some wonderful parenting books, and I have been putting some of the ideas into practice...and its working. I love that!

Isaac

2010-04-24T10:59:00.001-07:00

HELP!!!!

I am in need of some serious advice. Isaac is 2, he turns 3 in July and I can't figure him out. How do you keep a 2 year old engaged and out of trouble. I think I have figured out that he is bored...all the time, so he just gets in trouble. wether(is that the right spelling) it is him randomly chucking a toy or something else across the room....nearly missing the baby or me or something else breakable, to climbing on furniture, to just plain NOT listening to a word I say. I hate feeling like I am constantly telling him "no" or "Isaac, don't do that" The only thing that he WANTS to do is watch shows, and I cannot in good conscience let him do that. I have tried using a show for a reward....but he breaks down and has a tantrum when he doesn't get it WHEN he wants it.I ignore that behavior, obviously don't give in to them, but its the same problem over and over again. I was reading a great book, "Christlike parenting" and it says that if the problem is repeating itself over and over again, then its likely a parenting issue. I thought I was a pretty good parent, but what am I doing wrong? People say that he is a boy...that should explain a lot, but I don't like the person I am these days, I feel like I am going crazy, I am annoyed, frustrated and overwhelmed.

Isaac is genuinely a good kid, and maybe it is just my parenting skills. So how do I deal with this? How do I NOT get anxious about taking him out in public, for fear of him just running away... he gets his blinders on and there is nothing stopping him. I HATE yelling, and unfortunately I have found myself doing just that, and we all know that yelling doesn't do a thing to correct behavior or even get their attention.

What to do??? any suggestions on what to do? how to raise a boy?...seeing as I have two of them now, I should probably get this figured out sooner than later.

Vancouver BC Temple

2010-04-24T10:40:00.000-07:00

It was a really neat experience to go up to the new Vancouver BC Temple open house last night. It is beautiful inside, much smaller than the ones that I am used to, but something felt so right about being there!! There is such a sweet spirit in this temple, and even though it isn't going to be dedicated until next week, the spirit was strong and being there and taking Ellie through was just a testimony builder of the importance of the temple and the sacredness of the blessings that we get to partake in when we go. I feel renewed and refreshed, much like I feel when I get to go and do work in the Temple. I have a renewed desire to attend much more often than we have been going, and I am grateful that this Temple is much closer than the Seattle Temple, even though I have to go to another country!!!

Great Gift Idea

2010-03-24T11:16:00.001-07:00

For anyone looking for a great gift for a mom who already has it all....My sister just started selling these great nursing reminders (obviously for the mom who is nursing) They are way cute, inexpensive and a great little reminder tool so you dont get confused on which side the baby nursed on last!!! My sister's blog is http://www.magminders.blogspot.com/

Tell all your friends!!!

Sleep at last!

2010-03-05T14:36:00.000-08:00

Love it, love it, love it!
These kids make me smile!

as promised...

2010-03-05T14:33:00.001-08:00

So, I just love this one-hour bread recipe! It makes such yummy bread, and the best thing about it, is that I don't have to set aside a whole day to make bread! Didnt they turn out pretty???

(ok... I have no picture taking skills, so they aren't as pretty as they could be, if photographed better)

Quilt!!

2010-03-05T14:25:00.000-08:00

So, I am helping throw a baby shower for my friend tomorrow....and I have putting off finising up this quilt that I made her...but I did it! I think it turned out fantastic....I hope she likes it!

Mohawk

2010-02-26T17:52:00.000-08:00

So I finally gave in and cut Isaac's hair and let him have a mohawk. Its awfully cute on him, but don't tell anyone I said that, cuz the deal was that he could have it for only a day then it had to go. (this was daddy's and I's deal!) I think Erik might win this one! for some reason it fits him, or at least his attitude recently.

Crumbs

2010-02-26T17:37:00.000-08:00

I woke up today and saw that I had way too many bananas sitting on my counter and they were not gonna make it another day....What to do?

Make yummy, delicious Cranberry-Banana-Pecan Bread

I was so proud of myself, I had plans on taking pics of my mad kitchen skills....but as soon as it was out of the oven, the kids devoured it (because lets face it, its hot banana bread or nothin') So I will spare you the pics of the left over crumbs and the crumbs strune (is that a word) about the house...which my 10 month old, is all too happy to try to clean up for me!

Maybe next time!

Tomorrow: 1 hour bread....1 hour....4 loaves....1 to give away...3 to keep....one happy family!
(I might even get a picture of them!)

Dido!!

2010-02-13T11:31:00.000-08:00

Ok...so my my cousin wrote this in her post, and I just loved the way that she said it, and I agree with it completely...so I am just going to re-post what she said! Clara, I hope you don't mind, but these exact thoughts have been going through my mind these last few days, and I just think you said it much better than I could have. (I will only change names!!!)

V-Day
Valentine's Day on on Sunday. A lot of people (my husband included) will tell you that its just a made-up holiday to make guys spend money and look bad, and besides, you should cherish your sweetheart all the time--who needs Valentine's Day. Well, to all who say that, I say this -- WHATEVER!!

The same statement(s) could be made about any holiday. Christmas - shouldn't we remember our dear Savior's birth everyday (the 25th of December isn't the right date anyway)? Fourth of July - isn't it great to live in this country every day, not just a certain one mid-summer? Easter - the death and resurrection of the Savior is definitely something we should carry with us every second, is it not? Thanksgiving- grateful one day a year..anybody? St. Patrick's Day- lets face it, this is just a reason for people to get drunk. Halloween-well, if you have a problem with holidays, we shouldn't even start on Halloween. Birthdays- I am pretty sure I will remember the birth of my children forever, as does my mother with her children. The list of designated "days" goes on.

I feel like men say this so they are justified in ignoring the holiday. I know Erik would have a fit if I were to say this about the Fourth of July (you know--the one day a year he gets to play with fire and blow things up?) So why do I hear some women saying this? I am sure I don't know. Reverse psychology? A game? Maybe their partner says it cuz they know Valentines will be ignored, so they say it to feel better. I don't know. Unless, you people are going to be equally skeptical of all holidays and their origins, give February a break!

All holidays have their purpose. They give people a chance to slow down and remember what's important. I wonder by what percentage church attendance increases at Christmas or Easter. These people should probably be attending services every Sunday, but at least they went once. At least for one day a year the world (over generalization, I know) can stop, sit back, and think about the Savior. (Twice, if you count Easter). It's better that not at all. I am not saying Valentine's is not blown out of proportion....it most definitely it...just like Christmas. I am not saying I expect Erik to buy me a tennis bracelet every February 14th, just like I don't expect him to buy me a diamond ring every year on our anniversary. NO!! I just expect some thought! A nice heartfelt note would be very agreeable to me. Just some thought and maybe a little bit of time!

I don't even have a personal overwhelming passion about this heart filled, pink and red holiday...I am just saying, the whole point of Valentine's Day is to remember the ones we love, a designated time to remember someone we care about. Just like anniversaries, Mother's Day, Christmas etc... So what if it is a completely fabricated day of importance? ( I know there's some significance--St. Valentine--I don't know the whole story). I know women (myself included) can get their hopes up and be bothered if disappointed -- but that's not the point ( besides can't the same thing be said of the anniversary, Christmas, or birthday present?) The point of February 14th is just another opportunity to express your love for someone. There is nothing wrong with that. I recommend to the men that swear its all about the $$, to write a song, a note, nothing expensive. Put time and thought, real though, into it and see how she re-acts. If after that, your one and only still has complaints about how much dinero you did or didn't spend...you might have bigger problems.

Well said Clara!! My whole opinion on the holiday/celebrating thing, is that it is a way for us to slow down and remember those around us, to celebrate that person or persons! But more importantly to teach our children! This is what is important to me. I know that we should be teaching our children everyday, and we do, but its also fun to take that special time out, during those holidays, whether its V-day or Christmas, Mother's day, or Father's day...Birthdays. To get them excited to do something extra special, to honor somebody, to get them out of their own head and think of someone else! At least that is what I am trying to teach my kiddos and that is what I made sure to express to my hubby this year, I don't necessarily want a romantic dinner (not saying that I wouldn't take one, if offered!!) but I wanted him to take the kids and have them get involved in whatever they decided to do today, so that we all can have sometime to think and get excited for someone else!

A quilt for Isaac!

2010-02-08T09:39:00.000-08:00

Grandma did an amazing job on Isaac's train quilt! He feels like he finally belongs on the big bed that he sleeps on! He LOVES his all the trains on it! Thanks Grandma we sure love and appreciate all that you do for us!

Birthday Party

2010-02-07T10:45:00.000-08:00

A couple of months ago, Ellie's best friend and neighbor moved away and yesterday he came back up to Ferndale to celebrate his birthday! Ellie was in 7th heaven with Ezra. They had a great time at the Jumpzone and had icecream at McDonalds!

A new year!

2010-02-03T14:28:00.000-08:00

I just can't believe that its already 2 months into the new year! Is it just me or is it going by to fast?
So, I haven't updated in a while, and I went to go add a bunch more photos, but then realized that I didn't have the pics on the new computer that we got!!! ( we had to get a new one, the old one finally died!)
Spencer is 9 months old and is crawling all over the place! I think you forget how much stuff they can get into at this age now that he is crawling all over the house, I have to make sure that I clean the kitchen floor after every meal, or else he will do it for me....he wants to put everything into his mouth!!!
Isaac is so darn cute I can hardly stand it, he still drives me nuts, but he is only 2 years old. He is doing better at listening and obeying, so I feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel. He loves his trains, and loves his new train table he got for christmas...I don't know what we ever did without it, it still, 2 months later, keeps his attention for hours at a time!!
Ellie is thriving at school! Just loves her teachers and asks everyday if she gets to go to school. She loves her ballet and tap class, and her teacher says she is very strong and coordinated! She is such a delight to have around the house, she loves to play with her little brothers, though she is constantly asking us when she gets to have a baby sister...in due time!
As far as Erik and I we are doing great, we are still waiting to hear from the Sheriff's department up here for a job! This whole waiting thing has really tried my patience, but I think I think, that we are close! At least I feel a change coming on (does that make any sense?)

Photo Update!

2010-02-03T14:10:00.000-08:00

Ellie's first dance performance! She did amazing!!! We are so proud of her!

Christmas Tree Decorations!!

2009-11-30T15:50:00.000-08:00

I love this time of year!! I love to put up the tree, and have the kids help! It was stressful, but totally worth it! Its so fun to see the excitement build for christmas and to teach them about the real meaning of christmas!

The finished product!!! My favorite tree to date!!

Yum Cereal!!

2009-11-30T15:48:00.000-08:00

So, I fugured, since Spencer turned 6 1/2 months...it was time for some solid food! Boy, he loves it! Cant get enough....we have another hefty eater on our hands!

First Day of School!

2009-11-30T15:32:00.001-08:00

We did it, we put Ellie in pre-school....she loves it! They even bus her to school, (that is her favorite part) she loves it there, and mom is loving the extra time to spend with her boys at home!

Bath Time!

2009-11-03T08:47:00.001-08:00

This was Spencer's first official big tub bath! I tried to count the rolls... but I lost track!!

Halloween 2009

2009-11-03T08:42:00.001-08:00

This year was a lot of fun...we went trick or treating and the kiddos just had a blast. I couldn't believe the weather, it was fantastic!

Thanks to all!

2009-09-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

Hey I wanted to just say thankyou for those who gave me some advice, and a lot to think about. Its nice to know that I am not alone in this. My dear husband gave me a wonderful and much needed blassing, and the Lord reassured me that things do work out, but that my challenge is to start seeing it His way, and not mine. That because of these challenges, my children will learn through my example of how to use what we have, and that they will grow physically and spiritually...That is what I needed to hear, because honestly, its not the job that is most important, its not the finances...(though it would help) Its how my children turn out, I want nothing more for them to KNOW and FEEL the love that their Heavenly Father has for them.

So thank you all for your support, I feel your prayers, it is really nice to know that I do have some support out there, even if you all are so far away! Its humbling to know you have friends, even when you cant touch them or see them everyday.

Thank you!

Faith, Prayer...How?!?

2009-09-29T14:04:00.000-07:00

Alright, so here it goes...I haven't ever gotten too personal on this thing, but I think I have just about gotten to my breaking point. Have any of you been upset or maybe justa little frustrated with the whole answer-to-prayers-thing? You feel so good about one decision, you get the answer yes, to go ahead are pursue it, and here we are a year later, and NOTHING...so you start to question your ability to receive answers to prayers...did we even get the right answer? Did we go down the wrong path? Are we suppossed to change course now? What are we suppossed to have learned? Are we wasting our energy?
Honestly, its not me that I feel bad for! My dear husband, has been working so hard at pursuing his dreams, all the while, still working full-time to provide what he can for us. We both felt so strongly about him pursuing his dream of being in law enforcement, and I know it takes a while for these kind of things to come-about...but how long do we wait? I guess if its really something that we want, we just have to wait, but at what expense? Hey, at least he has a job currently, so he is making something...but we are a family of 5, and would love the opportunity to have a bigger family...but can't do that unless we have the finances to back it! Hence, a CAREER would be lovely.
So, I have been struggling with the principle of Faith, having faith that the Lord knows me, knows my concerns, knows that we need help, I need help. I just watched a movie..."Faith like Potatoes" to watch this farmers faith at work, was miraculous....to have such un-ending faith, not even a blink of an eye...nothing wavering.. To have faith like Nephi...when asked to go and do...He went and did, KNOWING full well that the Lord would not ask him to do anything save he shall prepare a way to do it!... Where does that Faith come from? How do I achieve it? I know...after faith...comes the miracle?!? We need a miracle, but I am afraid that I don't know how to just let it go and give it to God...have that faith that is so needed...
Is that kind of faith learned? Are you born with it? What puzzle piece am I missing here? Is it my own fears that are getting in the way? (Probably) So, what to do?!?! I don't know, I have been counseled to strengthen my faith...I am trying, i really am, its just taking me a while to figure this all out in my head. Maybe thats the problem, I am using my head too much and not my heart...

We're back up and running!

2009-09-11T13:19:00.000-07:00

What can I say...Isaac. Completely has come into his terrible two's....I have never really experienced the terrible two's...well at least from a boy, its completely different and it is testing my patience, I am finding that I have a lot more than I thought I did. Isn't that what children do? I love him, but oh boy!!!

Ellie started her very first tap/ballet class, she is so excited and did so well on her first day! She is loving being a big sister and helping mom out. She loves to inform everybody that she is 4 years old and her favorite thing now is to go help Daddy and auntie Jen at work!! She is becoming quite famous down there at the hardware store!

Spencer at 4 months old...HUGE! The kid likes to roll over on his tummy, but hasn't figured out how to roll back over to his back...so he gets stuck there! Its really quite funny

SMILES

Well, some bad news

2009-08-07T09:49:00.000-07:00

So, the reason why I haven't posted anything for some time is because we have been out of town, then had no internet for a while. Well, now that we have internet again, I went to look for my camera and found it in a cup of water... GRRRRRR, so now, its pretty much toast, looks like we wont have pictures of the kids for a while, and no current picture updates. I know who the culprit is, I won't mention any names...but she is awfully cute when she denies she has anything to do with putting the camera in the cup of water. (I don't think she knew there was any water in the cup, cuz there was only about an inch in the bottom of it) but a camera stuck in an inch of water for I don't know how many days....well, we are drying it out, but I don't think it has much hope of coming back to life for us.

This is so much fun!!

2009-06-10T10:01:00.000-07:00

Just going through pictures, my how Erik and I have changed...and maybe not in a good way!!

Spencer Blessing Day

Isaac Blessing Day

Ellie Blessing Day

See the similarities??

2009-06-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

So, what do you think?? Are they brothers or what? I think the only difference is that Spencer has a little bit more chub, (he fills out the tux a little more)

Spencer

Isaac

Happy Blessing Day Spencer!

2009-06-08T13:40:00.000-07:00

We got to bless Spencer yesterday, it was such a beautiful day. Thank you for everyone that was able to make it up, we sure enjoy our family get togethers!!

Back-tracking

2009-06-04T11:21:00.001-07:00

I noticed that I didn't post many pics of Spencer when he was first born, so here ya go!

FANTASTIC WEATHER

2009-06-04T11:13:00.000-07:00

Ellie, Spencer and I went to go watch Erik play soccer last night, it was a lot of fun. We didn't bring the goober (Isaac) because, well, I wasn't up for the fight to keep him off of the field, so he hung out with Auntie Jennifer and Pete (the dog)

The last few days, I would not believe that I live in the Pacific Northwest...it has been HOT and WONDERFUL I love it.

The kids have discovered water fights out in the front of our apartment, of which I am usually the target. Its been so much fun just having quite, (well...not really quite) wet days at home!

5 weeks goes by fast!!

2009-06-04T11:09:00.000-07:00

Holy cow, has it been 5 weeks already? Spencer is doing soooo good!! He is already 14 pounds, so not a skinny little guy at all!! I love the baby chub! Big Brother and Sister are doing really good adjusting to the new addition, they love him!! We went to pacific beach over memorial day weekend, and it was BEAUTIFUL!! The best weather we have ever had there, we even got to go play in the water! Here are some pics of the last few weeks.

He Has Arrived!!!

2009-04-29T18:27:00.000-07:00

So baby Spencer decided to come on his due date!!! April 27!!! Spencer Reed was born at 5:48 am. Weighing in at a whopping 10 lbs and 2 oz (only 5 oz smaller than big brother!) 22 1/2 inches long (thats a half inch longer than big brother!). Everything went fairly smoothly...I found out the hard way that I can give birth without the epidural....even though I had one in....it didn't work. Its a beautiful thing, this baby thing!!! I am seriously so blessed to have an absolutly beautiful family!

Daddy and kiddos!!

2009-04-06T12:27:00.001-07:00

Here are some cute photos of Daddy and the kids. As well as Ellie making her all-too-famous faces.

Pregnant picture

2009-04-06T12:23:00.000-07:00

I am not one to usually take a ton of pictures while I am huge and pregnant, but I thought the kids were super cute in these ones, so I you all get to see how huge I get. In these pics I have 4 weeks left....yikes

At Last Some Family Fun!

2009-04-06T12:08:00.000-07:00

So this conference weekend, we finally got some very long awaited sunshine. So we took advantage of every minute between sessions to get in some family fun!

Daddy and the kids hunting for pretty rocks and BIG rocks to throw into the ocean!!

Isaac finally conquered his fear of slides this weekend!! He would always climb to the very top, sit down, push himself to the very edge and then back up and say no. But with a little encouragement, he did it and now we can't stop him, he is a maniac!!!

Update, again!!

2009-03-26T12:57:00.000-07:00

Isaac and his super football playing!!! He was actually throwing it at the tree, so that it would bounce back at him...it was very entertaining!

Getting into the easter chocolate eggs...early!! that little stink!

Ellie had a super fun adventure with my neighbor, they got to go paint and have lunch!!

Can you tell he wanted to go to bed?? He grabed sissy's sweater that is the same texture as his boo-boo (blankie) and pulled the area rug up as a blanket. I am not sure, but do you think he was telling me something?

So I am a horrible blogger, but I thought that I would post some photos of the kids adventures over the past few weeks!!

We are still just waiting anxiously for the arrival of baby Spencer...4 more weeks!! Yikes such a mixture of emotions!!

Erik is still awaiting to hear from a couple different Police Departments for a job offer!! So we really don't know where we are going to end up in the next 6-12 months...but we are all praying for him that he gets a good job, wherever it may be!

Baby Update!

2009-02-25T18:56:00.000-08:00

Okay, so we are 31 weeks along and we had another ultrasound today!!! He is head down, yeah, we were unsure for a while there, because he was breach for so long, but little spencer was a good boy and headed down!!!

Here are the ultrasound pictures of his face, the one on top is the 3D shot of his little face, so cute, I could pinch his little cheeks right now!! and the one on the bottom is the regular shot of his face!!!

It was fun, I have never had an ultrasound this late in the pregnancy, it was fun to see the baby with a little bit more chub on his bones!! They aren't so scary looking now!

Pics!!

2009-01-19T16:39:00.001-08:00

Ellie with the Lions at the Monty L. Bean museum at BYU

She had fallen asleep on Lola's couch, and this is how she ended up...she is totally out!

New Year's anticipation, she got all dressed up and everthing, and then about 11:15 pm, she asked to go to sleep!! Oh well! It was fun while it lasted

Isaac just thought the lions were so much fun!!

Update!!

2009-01-19T16:18:00.000-08:00

Nothing really has gone on...We did make it back in one piece from the Holidays...Though I think we have decided that since our family is growing. We are going to insist that family come up to this part of the country to see us!!! We go down there enough...and lets face it people. Washington State is more beautiful than...well...Utah!!! It may be filled with hippies, but it sure is pretty!!!

Christmas Fun

2008-12-28T20:17:00.000-08:00

We are currently in Utah visiting my family, and have had quite an eventful holiday!! It started with the flight down here, it was just 5 hours late...When you are traveling alone with a 3 year old, and an 18 month old and being 6 months pregnant....5 hours late really can be a pickle!!! Anyway, my kiddos both had really bad colds, but got over those, just in time to catch some kind of stomach bug....so all of us spent Christmas evening and the day after having a bunch of fun over the toilet!!
We are finally all feeling better, just in time to spend the last week here, and hopefully have a better New Years Celebration. Other than that, we are enjoying spending time with the family. I sure miss them a whole bunch, so its good to spend a couple weeks a year with them!!
I will be sure to post pictures when we finally make it back up north

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to all!!

Finally!

2008-12-28T20:14:00.000-08:00

Alright, so Erik, being the fantastic husband that he is, decided that the name Spencer wasn't so bad...So this little guy's name is going to be (at least for now) Spencer Reed Martinson!!! I am so excited. Thanks for all your guys' input....I am mostly glad because you all agreed with me!!! Hope you all had a fantastic Christmas, and hope you enjoy your New Year's!!!

Frustration!!

2008-12-20T07:58:00.000-08:00

I know it is silly, and Erik and I have never had an issue naming our other children...but this one is proving to be hard!! Erik is being stubborn, and well, I am being stubborn. Erik's top name is Griffin, I don't know about it, I could go either way. I like the name Spencer...Erik does not. GGGRRRRR!!! this is so frustrating. I know that we have a few more months, but I would love to put a name to this little guy that keeps me up at night!! (already!!)
So, we are totally open for suggestions and opinions, well at least I am!
Please help us!!

It's a Boy!!

2008-12-11T16:09:00.000-08:00

So we found out that our baby number 3 is going to be boy number 2!!! We are so excited! Everything is going great, Ellie had a bittersweet reaction when we told her, she was really sad at first and she started to cry...(she really really wanted a baby sister!) but then we explained that its cool to be the ONLY big sister, and that she and mommy get to do extra special things, cuz we are girls!! She perked up!! She is now so excited for the baby boy! We don't have any names picked out, so feel free to give us your opinons!! Well, for all the fam and friends that are in Utah, I can't wait to see you next week!!
Kara, if you are reading this, my cell phone got busted, so I don't have your phone number...please call me I would love to get together with you while I am down there, I will be there for 3 weeks!!

Neighbors Baptized!!

2008-10-20T15:16:00.000-07:00

We are so happy for my neighbors, they were baptized a week ago, so I thought I would share some photos of them. It was really neat for Erik, cuz he got to baptise Jennifer, he hasn't done that since his mission. What a special occasion it was!! It really can help you catch the vision of member missionary work!

Pumpkin Patch fun!

2008-10-20T15:14:00.000-07:00

We were invited to go to the pumpkin patch, so the kids got all dressed up and went to pick out some pumpkins!! It was a lot of fun, just a little crazy!!!

motorcycles and cousins!!

2008-10-08T18:47:00.000-07:00

Some more fun pics!!

2008-10-08T18:43:00.000-07:00

Isaac before his hair cut, seeing pics like this makes me miss his curls!!

Yes, I finally got a haricut!! I was so ready to get ride of all that hair, it was weighing me down!!

Isaac's 1 year old pics!!

2008-10-08T18:39:00.000-07:00

So, I have officially have a cutie!! Sorry it took so long to get these posted, now that he is 15 months old today!! Yeah, these were his first year pics!!

Sleeping Beauty!!

2008-10-08T18:36:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you how many times we have put Ellie to bed in her own bed at bed time and by the time we come to bed, she is in our bed, usually with a book, but a few times we have found her with my scripture markers...as you can tell!

Food!!

2008-10-08T18:33:00.001-07:00

I am getting a glimpse to what it may be when Isaac gets to be a teenager and eats me out of house and home, he never stops!!! But he is so cute about it!!

Haircut!

2008-10-08T18:22:00.000-07:00

Isaac got his first haircut, it was a bitter sweet experience, Grandma was so good, and he didn't really even notice what was happening!! I sure miss his curls, but he is my official big boy now!

Update!!

2008-10-08T18:12:00.001-07:00

Alright, so I thought I would finally get on here, since I seemed to be getting harrassed about never updating my blog!!! The last couple of months haven't been too exciting! Though we did find out we are pregnant again!! We are expecting on April 27, so far the pregnancy hasn't been so bad, just a bit nauseous when I dont eat! Ellie could not be more excited about having another baby in the house. She insists that it is a girl!! Isaac, well I don't think he really cares at the moment!!
We are very excited about another addition to our family, Erik and I will be officially out-numbered, but we are up to the challenge.
Erik is currently testing for law enforcement, so that is what we are hoping and praying for. I just hope he gets a fantastic job, so we can finally grow some roots, wherever he gets his job!!
Well I will now post some pictures of the kiddos and the family!!

Family Reunion!!

2008-08-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

We had a talent show, i think most of the grand kids did a talent!!! What a talented family we have!!

my sisters doing a lip sync to milli-vanilli...very funny!

Ellie and Isaac's cousin, Kiannalie, was baptised while we were down there, and the kids all sang at her baptism. It was very sweet!!

This is most of the grandkids, we are missing 3 of them...what a good looking group of kiddos!!

Pappi, Carson and Ellie all relaxing in the water!!

CRAZY!!

We had a great opportunity this year to be able to go back to the house that most of my family grew up in, in Mountain Green, Utah... It was a lot of fun to be able to be with my whole family again.. I sure hope we get to do that again soon!

Fair Rides!!

2008-08-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

This was the first year that Ellie could actually ride on some of the rides at the fair.. So I went with her on a few, and then decided that I wouldn't be going on anymore fair rides.... So we went to the Northwest Washington Fair the other night, and we had a friend go with her!! (Much better for my stomach and nerves...)

Ellie's 3rd Birthday!

2008-08-15T13:26:00.000-07:00

I don't have any of the pictures of her actual birthday party up with her friends, but I do have some of her family party!!

Okay!!

2008-08-15T13:20:00.000-07:00

Isaac's first birthday party...well at least a couple of hours at the park, his first cupcake!! He loved it! Later on we went to Grandma's and Papa's house and he had his first angel food cake!!

I am such a slacker!!

2008-07-17T16:44:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry, I haven't posted anything since April??? Holy cow, a lot of things have happened since then! Isaac is crawling everywhere, not walking yet, but well on his way there. Isaac also turned the big ONE last week, I am having a really hard time with him growing up so fast, where did my baby go? We also got to go to Utah and visit my family for 2 whole weeks, it was a lot of fun to visit Utah when it was hot
We are enjoying the beautiful weather up here, its been a lot of fun to go to all the wonderful parks they have around here. Isaac and Ellie have loved going to the 'waterpark' and playing in the fountains!!
I will post pictures of the last couple of months, and I will do better at "blogging"

Crawl already!!

2008-04-30T12:49:00.000-07:00

Isaac will be 10 months old on the 8th of May, and he has yet to actually crawl on his hands and knees, he almost did today, so here are a few pics. He does get around by army crawling and rolling around, so I really don't think he is in any hurry to crawl, he does get around just fine...

Grass

2008-04-30T12:45:00.000-07:00

We had a fantastic sunny day on Saturday, so we went to have a picnic in the park. Isaac discovered grass for the first time, and he LOVED swinging in the swings!!

Quilt

2008-04-30T12:40:00.000-07:00

So my girlfriend, Andrea is having a baby girl in a few weeks, so I helped throw her a baby shower and I made this quilt...it turned out so cute, it makes me want another girl! My mother-in-law, who is a master at quilting, taught me how to use her machine so I could actually do the quilting part, so that was a lot of fun. I also made this really cute diaper wreath, I thought I would try it out, and I think it turned out pretty cute..

More Soccer Game

2008-04-30T12:38:00.000-07:00

Isaac and his milk all over himself...but happy!

Soccer Game

2008-04-30T12:33:00.000-07:00

So we went to watch Daddy play soccer on Friday. I was a little worried, last year when I was HUGE and pregnant with Isaac, I tool Ellie with me to watch Daddy play, and she just didn't understand that she could not go on to the field and play with Dad...So we went to try it out, she did so good, she played and played "soccer-ball" and she cheered Dad on from the line..."Go Daddy, way to go Daddy!!!" Isaac even enjoyed sitting in the warm stroller and eating while watching Dad play!!!

Some more pics of Idaho

2008-04-05T08:11:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pictures of riding ponies and of the cousins all trying to fit into a frog at the pizza place we went to.

We sure do miss having cousins around to play with all the time, but we had a great time and hope we can do it lots and lots more!

Idaho

2008-04-05T08:05:00.000-07:00

Erik and I decided last minute to take off to Idaho this last week to see my sister and brother-in-law and their kids! It was a lot of fun to see the cousins again and Ellie got to ride a pony!!! Oh my goodness, she had so much fun!! Marshall is quite the little showoff when it come to riding these things, he is on them sideways and backwards, trying to show the little ones how to do it!! Mojo, on the other hand was much more interested in the tractor, and is a very good driver for being almost 3 years old!!

Easter

2008-04-05T08:01:00.000-07:00

We didn't do much for Easter this year, we did get to color some eggs, and have a really fun easter egg hunt at Papa's and Grandma's house! We opted out of going to some of the ones they had around town, just until Ellie is a little older and can assert herself a little better with the big kids!! It is so much fun when the kids start getting older and can get excited about all these fun little holiday traditions

New pictures!

2008-03-20T14:19:00.001-07:00

Hey I just wanted to share some really cute pictures that Aunt Jennifer took of the kids...so cute!

Cowgirl

2008-03-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

Yeehaw!! Ellie and I decorated her cowgirl hat! She loves it, she finally can ride around on her horsey, now that she has a hat!

A Happy Day!

2008-03-18T17:18:00.000-07:00

You like the shoes?? We found a little kit that she could decorate her clogs with, they just add a little bit of bling to her already way cute shoes!! She loves her sparkles!!

Ellie has stayed dry for 4 days with no accidents!! Wow, the last week and half or so has been quite eventful, for a while there I thought that she would never be able to put her #2 anywhere but her pants!!! I think we have figured it out though, and I think we've gone over that hump. We are so proud of Ellie, she is showing us more and more everyday that she is getting bigger, its bittersweet!! As much as I want to keep my babies babies, it is so fun when the can carry on a coversation with you, do things all by themselves and take such pride in the little accomplishments!! The new thing Ellie is trying to master is riding her new 3-wheeled scooter!! (She got that for potty training) It is all she wants to do, unfortunately is been so rainy up here, that she hasn't had a whole lot of practice time, she'll get it, I am sure of it!!

Update!!

2008-03-14T14:40:00.000-07:00

Alright, this is our little family!! Ellie will be 3 in August!! We started potty training last week and it is going well!! She is talking up a storm, and well, has an attitude that just fills the room!! Not in a bad way, but you know when she's around, you can't help but notice her!!

Her brother Isaac was born this last year, in July, he is 8 months old and is the happiest baby ever!! He smiles and talks and laughs, everyone once in a while he will cry, if he doesn't get a bottle. He is just rolling all over the place, not crawling though, which is okay by me!!