MIA = 2 Pink Lines

So, I am sorry that I have been MIA lately... But, a couple weeks ago we found out we were expecting!!! Yes, it was as much of a surprise (or more) to us than it has been to everyone else! I have had to do some pretty major fertility procedures for my boys - So, I had always thought that I would start all of that again next spring sometime.... But, SURPRISE we don't have to go through all of that this time! But, I do have a history of ectopic pregnancies so we have to wait until I am far enough along to do an ultrasound to make sure everything is o.k. And we were able to see Friday that everything is good! We're still in the shock stage... and my mind has been a mess waiting to find out everything is o.k. So, it feels really good to finally be able to relax and enjoy it.

It has been really fun to have such a surprise - and to surprise all of our family too! After the ultrasound on Friday McKay wanted to see the pictures... so I handed them to him and he looked at them for a minute... and then he turned them to the side and looked at them... and then he turned them upside down and looked at them... Finally he said "Mom, is there another picture to look at that might show our baby just a little bit better"! There's not much to see at this point - just a little peanut shaped thing!

I've been excited to finally get to share the news!

Quick and Easy Baby Present!

A couple years ago I saw this idea on Martha Stewart. So, I finally got around to trying it out. You take Heat n' Bond Lite and bond fabric shapes to onesies and burp cloths. The burp cloths are made out of cloth diapers - you can find them at Target and WalMart. Then, after you have bonded them to the fabric with an iron you hand stitch around the inside of the fabric to give it a more finished look. After you wash them a couple times the edges get puckered and a little warn and they look really cute!

Sorry the pictures aren't that great... I still haven't got around to downloading my picture editing programs to the new computer...

It's All About The Shoes....

First off I will fully admit that I have a bit of a shoes fetish... James is constantly asking me "how many shoes do you really need"? He thinks you need a brown pair a black pair and a pair of tennis shoes and you're good! Well, for all of my fun shoes and for how much I love all of my shoes McKay has me beat! These are his new pride and joy! As many of you know I can't stand animated clothing... So, when I saw these little Sketchers at the mall this weekend I was really torn... I knew McKay would LOVE them! So, I put my feelings aside (lame I know!) and bought them for him - I thought they would be perfect for camping. He almost died when I gave them to him! He was so excited that his hands were shaking as we were putting the spider man snaps on them! He wears them everywhere - even to bed! He even had them on in the shower... when I asked him what he was doing he said all matter of factly "Mom, they're water shoes"... He turns the snaps so they are looking up at him and if they move at all he adjusts them! So, for all the shoes I do have I can honestly say none have made me as happy as these have made my little boy!

A Wonderful Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend. I am lucky enough to still have great relationships with my two closest friends from growing up. Carson and his wife Lacey live here in Idaho Falls and they have two kids Addy who is McKay's age and Noah who is Carters age. We are able to spend quite a bit of time with them. McKay and Addy are in the same pre-school class and treat each other more like sibblings than anything! Jennifer and Matt are currently in medical school down in Arizona... but, their parents and family are here - and James's parents are in Arizona... So, we still get to see each other! Jennifer married Matt who just happend to be my neighbor's grandson!!! So, I grew up with Matt too!

So, Friday night we got a babysitter and went out to dinner with Carson and Lacey and then came back to our house and played games. We usually just do take out and let the kids play - So, it was a real treat to just have it be the adults! Jenn and Matt are in town with him doing a rotation here and we were able to go out to lunch with them on Saturday too!!! So, it was a special weekend to be able to spend time with such wonderful friends!

James and McKay took off on a top secret mission Saturday night... Mother's Day shopping! It's a good thing that McKay fell asleep on the way home because he isn't very good at keeping secrets! So, Sunday morning I woke up to the boys filling the bedroom with balloons - dozens of them!!! I love balloons! They always make me so happy! Plus a big bouquet of daisy's - I love daisy's! Something I think my Mother instilled in me! The boys were so excited and having a blast with the balloons! Carter wouldn't let go of them and even had to have one while he was eating dinner! James got me an ipod - now I just need someone to show me how to use the dang thing!

Thank you James for making my Mothers Day so special! I love you! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

A few things making me happy...

I spent a little bit of time at the fabric store on Saturday! My friend owns one of the little quilt shops here in town and I was lucky enough to be able to spend some time there this weekend. My Mother-in-law and Sister-in-law and I went together - all looking for different projects! I bought some fun fabric to make a couple cute aprons! I figure if you have to cook you may as well look cute doing it!!! And the third picture is a kit that I bought to make myself a little lap quilt. Everything around my house is all about boys... So, I decided that I wanted to make something a little girly!

The cake plate is a little something I picked up on a clearance table at TJ Maxx - I just love it and can imagine cute little cakes and cupcakes sitting on it!

The picnic basket is something McKay found! We love to go on picnic's at our house. However, I don't have a picnic basket to take the food in... So, when we were at Target (yes, that store gets me every time!) McKay saw it and was convinced that we had to have it! So, I look forward to all the fun little picnic's this summer with my boys!

Another fun thing happened this weekend - the trailer that James bought me for my Birthday was delivered!!! So, we have been playing in that all weekend - I have been having fun buying cute dishes and things to go inside! James keeps reminding me that it is a trailer and is for camping!!! I remind him that he bought it for "me" and I can put all the cute stuff in it I want!!! I LOVE to camp - it's one of my very favorite things! When James asked me what I wanted for my Birthday I told him to surprise me... and he did!!! I LOVE IT! I just keep going out and sitting in it and looking forward to all the memories that we will make together as a family!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and hope that the sun is shining where you are like it is here! I am off to plant a couple planters full of flowers! Enjoy your Monday!

Finally!!!

McKay is my Mr. Cautious... He sits back and watches everyone else! At the end of last summer we finally got him to take his training wheels off... But, he could only go straight and he didn't know how to stop! So, this spring when we got the bikes out he wanted us to put his training wheels back on and I wouldn't do it! So, I worked with him and of course bribed him (you do what you have to do!!!) and finally he just took off! I took him down to our neighbors house who have an extra large driveway and he just went around and around in circles - he did however hit the garage a couple times and left a few marks... they were so excited for him though and didn't care!!! All of our neighbors are older and they have a lot of fun and do a lot of special things for my boys - so, they have all been out watching McKay ride his bike! It's the talk of the circle! He'll come to me and say "Mom, I think that Sister Parker wants to see me ride my bike again", and off he goes to knock on her door and she always comes out to watch! I can't keep him inside - even when it's freezing cold he bundles up and goes out to ride! So, we got him a bigger bike - as you can see in the photo it was time to move up - and a helmet because he has taken a few things out!!! - Including our for sale sign!!! It's been so much fun to watch him and to see him be so proud of himself! He's growing up way too fast!

Just Try And Live Without It!!!!!

What is "it" you ask.... The Internet!!! You never know how much you depend on it until you don't have it!!! So, I was beyond thrilled today when I looked out my window and saw the DHL man walking up to my door with my new computer.... McKay had been out riding his bike and was helping him of course!

I have absolutely no patience with technical things... But, I can make a very good pie!!! So, I bribed James with a fresh homemade strawberry pie for a running computer and Internet!!! I think it was a fair swap!

Well, it's up early in the morning - So, as badly as I would love to sit up and play with my computer... I will hate myself for it in the morning when the alarm goes off at 5:30...

New pictures coming soon!

Technical Difficulties!!!

O.K. So, my computer finally died!!! James has been on me for over 6 months to get a new one.... So, that is why I have been a little missing in action lately! So, a new one is ordered and is supposed to be on my door step tomorrow! You never realize how much you depend on your computer and Internet until it's gone! I'm going crazy! We'll be up and running again soon!

One More!!!

Sorry, once I posted I realized that I forgot one picture!

A little project...

So, I have been wanting to make a little mini album of pictures that I have of the boys together. A couple months ago I had bought a frozen pizza and it had come wrapped in plastic and was on this round piece of cardboard (the pizza didn't actually touch the cardboard, the plastic protected it)... James laughed at me when I told him I was going to keep the cardboard to make something... So, the album is made of that cardboard! I folded it in half and painted and distressed the outside and made this little album! So, this was a little project that I worked on over the weekend.

Lately I have been frustrated that there isn't enough time in the day to do everything I need and want to do... Probably the story of most young mothers! So, I have decided that I am going to get up at 5:00 a.m. every morning to get a good jump start on the day........................... Today was the first day............................. and here it is 4:00 p.m. and I am really dragging! I hope my body will adjust and this will become easier! I have to admit that by 8:00 this morning I had worked out, ready my scriptures, made beds, did laundry, made and cleaned up breakfast and had showered and was ready for the day!!! I like all that I have been able to accomplish - I just really hope it gets easier!!! I wouldn't have to get up so early, but my kids and my husband are earlier risers so I have to get up that early to get a good head start!

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend!

A Few Pictures...

Well, here are a couple pictures of our trip... My Camera ran out of battery when I was downloading... So, I will add more later. James' parents have just bought a new house and don't have the yard put in yet - McKay loved it because he dug out holes and just made huge mud holes! A little boys dream - especially when his mother isn't yelling at him to stop!!! I knew it was snowing in Idaho and I just kept encouraging him!!! The underware did have to be thrown away though!!!

We had a wonderful time at the Phoenix Zoo - That Zoo is huge and could take a couple days to get through! I loved the Africa exhibit and McKay loved riding the Camel. He thought it was great that the Camel's name was Josh( he has a cousin named Josh)! He just kept laughing about it!

We spent a couple days at the pool - Carter loved it and had absolutley no fear of the water. He would stand at the side and just jump in. Needless to say after this trip we have decided that we are not taking him to Lake Powell with us!

Well, this week has been full of catching up! I'll get more pictures posted later!

We're Home!!!

Yes, we finally made it home Sunday... and woke up Monday morning to snow.... Carter cried all day at the bay window because he wanted to go out and play!!! In all honesty I wanted to cry too! We went from 90 degree days to snow... So typical Idaho!

I'm getting caught up around here a little and then I will post some pictures of our trip!

Just What We Needed!!!

Well, Arizona has proved to be everything we had hoped it would be!!! The weather has been high 80's - 90's everyday!!! We have spent 3 days at the pool, a day golfing and a day at the Phoenix Zoo!!! That zoo is amazing!!! You could seriously spend a week there - it is huge!!! McKay loved getting to play with the stingrays and getting to ride a camel!!!

Two more days and we start heading home... It's going to be hard to leave the wonderful weather to go back to an Idaho spring...

And those of you who know of my major fear with scorpions... so far so good!!! - I haven't seen one!!! Knock on wood!

Sunny Arizona!!!

We arrived in Arizona yesterday morning to spend the next week with James' parents. We were in much need of some warm sunny weather! It has already been a success because McKay has spent all morning swimming in a mud hole in the back yard! We're off to go swimming for the afternoon with Brett! Loving the warm weather!

Carter And The Fish...

My Dad has been doing a lot of fishing this spring. And, we love to eat fish! So he has been stopping by on his way home to drop fish off. Carter really didn't know what to think of the fish at first... but, he started to warm up to them and before long he was handing them to my Dad!

I posted and the pictures were smaller than I thought they would be... I tried to adjust them and couldn't ... Sorry!

Just a little project!

So, here is a little Valentines card that I made for my Mom for Valentines Day. I couldn't decide what to get her so one night I put this together. The tags coming out the top (one for each of us) said all of the things that we love about her.

I love to make things... and I especially love paper. When I was little instead of playing house I would play office!!! In 6th grade our teacher let us put anything we wanted on our desks - Mine was always full of stationery and I always had special paper to pass notes on! In high school I worked at a Hallmark and before I had Carter I worked at a scrapbooking store a few hours a week - Instead of getting paid I would have them give me store credit - It was wonderful!!! (Thanks Sherelle!) Now, I have a wonderful scrapbook room of my own - James refers to it as the paper store! It makes me happy every time I walk into it! So, it's something that I haven't outgrown - it's something that has only grown!

People ask me when I have time to do things - Well, it's after the boys go to bed! James has a work area in with me and he ties flies and makes lures and I scrapbook. It's time that we get to spend together doing what we both enjoy!

Well, I hope that you have had a wonderful weekend. One last thing to leave you with - I have a friend from high school who adopted a little boy a couple years ago. They are wanting to have the opportunity to adopt again. She has asked that people spread the word - So, I am. If any of you might know of a situation or hear of one in the future please let me know. They are a wonderful couple who have the greatest love for their little boy and have so much to give another child! Thank you!

Where has the week gone...

Well, I can officially say that we are all finally healthy!!! Lets just cross our fingers and hope that it lasts a lot longer than it did last time! I seriously think I might cry if one more person throws up around here! I was driving carpool on Tuesday and I looked back in the mirror to see McKay throw up... I was thinking the worst and that we were on round three... But, he just stuck a lego in his mouth and gagged! He has a super sensitive gag reflex and he threw up... Welcome to a moment in my life!

So, I was able to go to Utah over last weekend with my Mom. We spent Thursday night with my Grandpa and then spent Friday and Saturday shopping. We had a lot of fun - My sister-in-law Kristen spent a lot of time with us - it was really nice to have a girls weekend! Thanks Kristen it was a blast! - And as always it is really nice to have a little time with my Mom!

James did an awesome job with the boys - he took them all over and even took them to Leo's place all by himself! So, those of you who know me know that I am a little OCD about my house - I can't stand a mess... So, Kristen gave me some good advice before I left she told me to just know and plan on it being a disaster when I got home.... To just be happy that I was able to get away and that my boys were happy and having fun in the meantime. So, I did - I was totally o.k. with whatever I was going to find.... But, my sweet husband did it all - He cleaned the house up... he did the laundry... he even cleaned the bathrooms!!! The Bathrooms people!

So, this week we have been playing catch up and not too many things have been going on. I have some pictures that I will try and get posted this weekend!

Have a good weekend!

A Better Day!

Carter woke up this morning and his fever had finally broke! McKay spent the morning throwing up and the afternoon at the doctors again, but he is finally starting to show signs of improvement too. I don't know if he wants to get better though... people keep giving him presents because he's sick and he's starting to think this is pretty cool!

And James is home!!!! How glad I am to have him home! Like I said before you don't realize how much you depend on your spouse until they are gone and you have to go at it alone!

Some of you have emailed me and asked how to leave comments on the blog. I think that I fixed it now so that you don't have to have a password to leave a comment - So, please do! - I would love to hear from you!

Well, My Mom and I are leaving tomorrow afternoon to go and spend a couple days in SLC. It's been a long winter here and any little get away is something to really look forward to!

Round Two...

Well, just when you think you have everyone healthy again... Carter woke up Sunday with a fever and was throwing up by Sunday night. McKay woke up with it Monday morning... James left yesterday for Seattle until tomorrow and it has been a long couple days on my own! With both boys throwing up and running high fevers it has been pretty crazy. You never realize how much you depend on your spouse until they are gone! We spent the afternoon at the doctors office today giving McKay breathing treatments. As we were waiting at Walgreens drive through for his antibiotic I heard the dreaded words "Mom, I think I'm going to throw up"... and yes it went everywhere!!!

Carter has a little car that he got for his birthday from Jason and Amy that he scoots around on - Yesterday he was trying to scoot around on it, but didn't have the strength... So, he went and started pulling on McKay to come and push him. McKay pushes him on it all the time and it gets a little crazy but Carter loves it. Anyways, McKay had just thrown up and was cuddled up on the couch and Carter kept pulling on him to come. I was trying to distract him so that he would leave McKay alone but it wasn't working. It was so sweet as I watched McKay go over and start to push him... I told him that he didn't have to and that he could lay down and I would push him. Thats when he said "It's o.k. Mom, I'm his big brother and that's what I'm supposed to do, if I get sick again I'll just run really fast to the bathroom"... It was one of those moments that you think you must be doing something right in raising them!

Here's a couple pictures from the last two days. My Mom came to check on us and Carter wouldn't let her get up - he just wanted her to cuddle with him! McKay would give Carter a kiss everytime he was done throwing up and McKay asleep on the bean bag this morning.

Well, here's hoping that tomorrow will bring two healthy boys....

Well, I did it!

So, I have been having quite a few people trying to talk me into starting a blog... I just thought that it would be one more of those things to add to my to do list each day that would never get done... or that I would feel gulity about and stay up until midnight doing it.... I'm bad that way!
But, then I had a friend who told me that she used it as her journal... and that caught my interest! I'm bad at writing in a Journal - I rather scrapbook the memories! But, I always think that I need to be better at keeping a journal to record things about the boys! So, here I go!

I have to warn you that I know nothing about digital things.... So, I hope that you will be patient with me as I figure this all out!