My Dad...

I miss my dad...

I have a pretty awesome dad. I am so excited to see him on Sept. 27th

My dad doesn't talk a lot but when he does you listen. Growing up my friends would have a contest to see who could get Mr. Versteeg to say the most words when they came in the house.

Once my sister Kelly came home intoxicated. He didn't yell, he just made her a HUGE breakfast in the morning of eggs and bacon and served her breakfast in bed. She ran to the bathroom puking!

When he brought me back to college after semester breaks he always seemed to have a spare $50.00 he would slip to me before leaving.

When I drove out of the garage with my drivers door open and broke the garage he didn't yell. Just made me help him fix it.

When my mom worked her one day a week, Sundays ~ she was a nurse ~ and he watched my sisters and I he would make us buttered bread with brown sugar or ketchup on it. And yes we LOVED it!!

When my mom was in the hospital, when we were little, he had to grocery shop and bought us our 1st sugary cereal ~ fruity pepples!

He always let us help even when I stripped the gears on the lawn mower or Kelly almost drove the lawn mower into the tree when she was not looking where she was going.

When I called and asked to move home with Nic ~ being a single mom was so hard without my family around... He and my mom came up to NH rented a UHaul and helped me pack up all my stuff and drove me back home. Nic and I didn't leave again until we married Alex. Poor dad ~ I think he thought he would never get rid of us!

Didn't yell when I decided to paint a room and didn't take the socket covers off. He just calmly shook his head, and picked the paint out of the sockets.

Said no to helping with wallpaper but helped anyway!

Picked Nic up at daycare, gave him dinner, a bath and put him to bed so I could go to school and get my Master's degree ~ on the nights my mom worked.

When I got put on bed rest with Justin for a week - he and my mom brought me dinner and he carried in my dinner in bed tray ~ how sweet is that?

Was the only one who could bounce Justin just right and give us a brake from his colicky crying.

Would drive over and sit at the house with Alex, Nic and Justin so I could go grocery shopping after Justin was born. Alex was too nervous to stay alone with Justin at first.

He's a pretty good cook. Although buying 1/2 a cow from the Collin's and then trying to make us eat cow's tongue and telling us it was something different was pretty gross. At least I was smart enough not to fall for that ~ KELLY!!! :)

There's a lot more to add... more later...

I am pretty lucky! I have an awesome dad!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

August 24, 1968
Congratulations Mom and Dad on 41 years of Marriage! I am so happy that you have both been able to retire together and are spending time having fun and traveling and enjoying the puppies (your new girls) together!

My mom and dad met when my dad was stationed in Groton, CT at the Navy Base ~ he was on a sub during Vietnam. My mom was in nursing school at Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT and her friend was dating my dad's friend. They got set up on a date and... they were married and had 3 daughters and now have 2 grandsons they love to spoil!

(The pics are of my mom and dad on their wedding day. They were married in the same church that Alex and I were married in.)

Busy Day

Today was busy...
I got up said goodbye to Nic and Alex and got Justin out the door into Heidi's car for school. Ran and picked up my mother in law and went to Fry's. I spent $77.00 and save $186.00 ~ Yay coupons and sales!

Then I dropped off my mother-in-law, and ran home to unload my car. I then picked up Heidi and cute little Kyle and we went visit teaching. Visit teaching was so enjoyable today, it was wonderful to visit and talk to adults!

I then ran and picked up the kids from school. Made Justin lunch and took him to the pool.

When Nic got home we ran to the Drs picked up a script ran to frys to pick up more water with the rest of my coupons and then got the boys haircut. I then ran to CVS to drop off a script, ran to Walmart to pick up Alex's script and pick up Otters and juice mix. Got the boys the promised McD's for behaving and got gas.

Then I went home, dropped off the boys, picked up Alex and we went and picked up his parents who took us to dinner.

The boys made me nervous cause I kept calling about 9:15 and no answer, came home and found them both sound asleep in my bed with all lights on and TV blaring ~ but no worries, JD the furosious lab was guarding the house! :)

After my busy day I'm beat and headed up to catch some ZZZZ's.

Loving Kindergarten...

I just love Justin's Kindergarten teacher. I love her classroom policy and how she runs the classroom!

I really love her marble jar that she is using for positive reinforcement. Without saying a word when the kids are good she adds a marble to the glass jar - it pings loudly and the kids know they are being AWESOME! When it is full the class gets a prize. It is so funny, when I was doing my 1st grade student teaching my teaching advisor recommended I use the marble jar and it worked awesome.

I also get to volunteer every Thurs from 10 to 12 ~ how fun is that!!!!!

A Wonderful Phone Call

Phone Rings...
Me: "Hello"
Caller: "Hello is Mrs. Fisher there?"Me: "This is."
Caller: This is Mrs. Nacsa, Justin's teacher."
Me: "Hi, how are you?" Me Thinking, "Oh no what did he do today?"
Caller: "I just wanted to tell you what a joy it is to have Justin in my classroom. "He is so adorable and well behaved. I just wanted to touch base and let you know I enjoy having him in class and see if you had any questions or concerns about Kindergarten this year."
Me: "Thank you so much!" and I was thinking... "wow, he must be so good 'cause I'm such a good mom!" Just Kidding, kinda :)

October

I just booked my mom and dad tickets for October! They will be here for about a week and a half during the boys vacation!

We are going to head to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo! Alex already submitted vacation time and we are going to have some FAMILY FUN!!!

I know this is a little extravagent in this economy but other than flying to CT we have not had a vacation with the boys in years and years. Also, we want some time to do something with them prior to trying for that little girl in early 2010.

Happy 7th Anniversary Alex!

7 Years Ago Today, Alex and I were married.

We've def. had our tough times and some easy times, some fun times and some sad times and some angry times. There have been moments like when we learned that we needed to do invetro to have a baby and Alex gave me every single shot and never complained and even said how bad he felt when I cried that they hurt. We held each other in tears when we found out invetro had worked and we were pregnant. I watched him hold Justin for the first time after he was born, and my heart tripped a beat and I fell in love all over again. Their have been moments like when I though he was going to die from pneumonia and I didn't know what I would do without him. The moment when he woke up after almost dying and told me we needed to go back to church and find the perfect church for our family. There have been moments when he humbled himself and took a job for $10.00 an hour so we could have food on the table and pay bills~ this economy is so bad right now. Their have been moments like when we lost his brother Doug that I watched him crumble and cry. There are moments when he shows Nic how to do a math problem or plays trucks with Justin and I see a father and his sons heads bent together that my heart fills with joy and love. These moments and so many others make up our life together.

When our house is quiet and everyone is at home in their beds I quietly slide to my knees and thank Heavenly Father for all lifes blessings and for giving me my husband and my boys who I love so very much!

I LOVED OUR WEDDING! Our only glitch was that it was so.... hot! August in CT is super hot and MUGGY!

Our wedding had 200 guests from CT, MN, NY, CO and CA. We had our ceremony at my family's church in CT where we lived at the time. The church was where my parents were married and my sisters and I were baptised as was Nic and Justin. My dress was gorgeous with tons of lace and I felt like a princess! I carried white Roses and I had 1 daisy stuck in my bouquet (daisies are my favorite flower). Everyone else carried bouquets of daisies and there were daisies in vases everywhere! My sister Kerri was my Maid of Honor and my sister Kelly and sister-in-law Jen were my bridesmaids they wore a light green floor length skirts and tops. Alex's brother Doug was his best man and his brothers Chris and Bruce were Ushers. My friend Tracy's daughter, Kaleigh was my flower girl and wore a white dress embroidered with Daisy's and wore a ring of daisy's in her hair ~ even her sandels had daisies on them ~ and her mom cried when she saw how beautiful and grown up she looked after she had her hair done and was dressed. Nic was our ring barrer and wore a tux for the very first time. My friends Tracy and Jamie read readings and my Aunt Jean sang 3 songs. One for my dad right before I walked down the Aisle (Butterfly Kisses) and then she sang the Lord's Prayer during the ceremony and also sang the unity song while we lit the unity candle.

Alex's dad walked both our mom's dad the aisle and then they walked up and each lit a family candle (during the ceremony we then lit our unity candle from the ones they lit.)

My dad walked me down the aisle and gave me away...

I wrote our ceremony (our minister ~ probably knowing how anal I could be about wanting it perfect was A-okay with that). Alex and I also exchanged vows that we had written for each other. We also said Family vows for Nic that were just perfect!

After the ceremony we drove to the country club where we had pics taken. We also had a cocktail hour with yummy orderves - including Nic's request of pineapple wrapped in bacon which were surprisingly good. We were then introduced and had our 1st dance ~ Nic interupted us at the end and for the last minute or so the 3 of us danced together as a family ~ it was perfect!

We had a yummy sit-down dinner with lots of toasts. After dinner we cut our beautiful 3 tiered cake with tons of candied daisies on it and a champaigne fountain underneith it.

We danced and danced to the DJ - we have some great black-mail video footage as well :). Towards the end of the night we had a coffee bar with the most delicious italian cookies that Alex's mom had made for our guests ~ platters of them with little boxes to take some home also...

Our ceremony started at 2:30. Cocktail hour was from 4 to 5 and the reception was from 5 to 10.

I have tons of pictures and the most beautiful video I could ever imagine of it all from an outstanding videographer of me getting ready, the ceremony and the reception... we watch it ever year on our anniversary... if you ever want to see it let me know - I love watching it!!!

Our Wedding Party and Our Wedding Cake

Wedding Party:
Alex's brother Bruce, Alex's sister Jen, Alex's brother Doug, Me, Alex, My sister Kerri, Alex's brother Chris, my sister Kelly, my flower girl Kaleigh, our son Nic.

Our cake was so yummy! It was lemon with white icing! Alex fed me the cake nicely. But... Nic wanted us to feed him a bite of cake too so... he was the one who got it a little smooshed on him which he thought was just so... awesome!

The Ceremony

These pics are:
My dad walking me down the aisle to marry Alex.
Alex, Nic and I lighting the family unity candle.
Alex and I are married! We are walking down the aisle out of the church!

More of my family

These pics were taken outside the church.
My sister Kelly, My Grandpa, my Nana, Alex, Me, my mom, my dad, my sister Kerri and Nic.
My Nana and Grandpa with Alex and I. This was one of the best pics of them that I have. They were able to attend our ceremony and we were so happy!

Alex's family

These pictures are of:
Alex and his mom.
The guys! Alex's brothers, Bruce, Doug, Alex, Chris and of course our Nic.
Alex's family: Alex's brother Bruce, his sister Jen, his dad, me, alex, his mom, his brother Doug, his brother Chris and Nic.

My Family

These pictures are of our wedding day. They were taken at my parent's house.
My handsome ring bearer and son, Nic.
My dad and I.
My mom and I.
My family: My sister Kelly, Me, mom, dad, my sister Kerri and Nic.

Checklist Completed!

Don't you love checking things off a list? I LOVE IT!!!
Today I was able to check everything off my In-Law house to do list.

Take down all blinds for painter.
Vacuum whole house - including stairs - hate stairs!
Vacuum window sills and baseboards with vacuum attachment.
Change air filters.
Make sure all odds and ends are in closets.
Sweep garage and porches.
Shake out front mat.
Kill spider (well it wasn't on my list but since I did it I added it :)

These were already checked:
Mow and weed yard - this took forever ~ I had really let the backyard go and just kept up on the front.
install appliances ~ thanks Alex although I did help carry and plugged in the oven :)
fix window
fix air conditioner

YEA!!! I am all done! Painter comes Monday and In-Laws come Friday. Once the painter is done we have more work like cleaning bathrooms and buying furniture and stuff but then my mother in law will be in charge and I can just be a helper.

Now on to my house! This weekend I'm taking a break but come Monday...
Curtains need to go through dryer to remove dust, floors scrubbed, carpet steam cleaned, sheets on bed ~ they will stay with us a few days while painting is being finished and they buy furniture, murphey oil cabinets, weed back yard, finish trimming front tree... and I'm sure I'll add more to list... My mother has me programmed to do a full cleaning when guests come and I can't seem to brake the habit!

Oh, and did I mention that my dishwasher is now broken? It continuously cycles and won't let me turn it off :( AHHHH, called someone tonight and they will be out hopefully tomorrow to tell us cost ~ hopefully not to much or it is waiting until payday next Friday... My savings is going to dwindle yet again... Errrr

First Day of Kindergarten...

Today was the 1st day of Kindergarten. So... bittersweet!

Justin was so excited and hopped into his clothes and quickly ate his pancake. We are carpooling with the Johnson's and being the 1st day the moms were both in the front seat of the car's today for drop off and pick-up.

As expected on the 1st day there were A LOT of cars but it seemed very well organized. All the Kinder parents were able to go to the playground and the children played until the wistle blew. Then they got into line with their teacher, started their trains and waved goodbye to moms and dads and away they went to start their educational career. I waved, blew a kiss and held back my tears... Justin was so excited and kept saying "your gonna miss me mom, but we'll have lunch together" in his cute little deep voice.

Hartford, CT 1/2 Marathon

This is my sister Kelly (in the pink) running in the Hartford, CT 1/2 marathon! You go Kel!!!!!!!!

Tiring Day

My day was so tiring....

I woke up Nic who didn't wake up to his alarm ~ funny thing that I did though....

Then Justin and I picked out his teddy bear for his first day of Kindergarten and completed his all about me paper t-shirt he cut out.

Justin and I then headed to my inlaws to meet the window repair guy. I figured that even with the heat at noon I can still mow so I packed the lawn mower in the "burb". The lawn mower is quiet heavy! This is how I did it so you can do it also sometime... Move a cooler in front of the back door. Raise the door. Lift the mower onto the cooler. Now strugglying really hard lift it into the car. (The lawn mower got left at the inlaws - I'll have Alex get it for me - Whew!)

The window repair guy arrived. Asked if he needed anything - nope. So I tell him I'll be in the backyard mowing ~ "In this heat!" he says.

IT WAS HOT!!!!!!!!!!!! But the good thing is the backyard is now ok for them to see it ~ well minus the dead brown weeds I weed killered and still need to pull!

I then thought we would go to pool. Nic said no way - if you are taking him (Justin) I'm staying home for quiet time. So Justin and I head to the pool for a couple hours.

So now I sit typing, Nic is getting ready for Scouts and Justin and I have to pack his PB celery for his snack.

The day is somewhat winding down and I hope my husband will be home soon.

A conversation with Justin

Justin: I know everything.
Me: Like what.
Justin: I know everything about Jesus Christ.
Me: What do you know about Jesus?
Justin: No! it's Jesus Chist!
Me: Who is He?
Justin: God's son. My brother.
Me: Oh?
Justin: Pretty much everyone is God's sons or daughters.
Me: What else do you know?
Justin: The Rebels killed him! They stuck thornes on his head.
Me: And he was nailed to the cross.
Justin: I know!!! They were big long nails.
Me: Do you know why he died?
Justin: So I can go to heaven. But, I don't want to go to heaven now I want to stay on earth.
Me: And he died so your sins can be forgiven. What else do you know?
Justin: I don't know.
Me: Do you know who were the 1st people on earth.
Justin: I don't know.
Me: Adam and Eve
Justin: Who was the 2nd people on earth.
Me: Well, Adam was first and then God made Eve second.
Justin: WHo was next.
Me: I'm not sure, we can go look it up.
Justin: Well, I am sure it was the Fisher's! (He ran off at this point so we'll correct this later.)

Don't you just love those little unscripted teaching moments that you experience throughout the day? Those are the moments I treasure so much as a mom!

A Frog - the size of a cereal bowl!

Scenerio:
Max, the white bichon who thinks he is 150 lb dog is barking like crazy in the back yard.
Me,"Something is really bothering Max. The last time he barked like this we found a dead pigeon in the backyard dead from being shot with a bebe gun! Nic get on your shoes and get Max now!" I'm picturing my lab running through the backyard with the dead bird again and Alex running after him with a broom and scooping the bird over the fence - so gross!

Nic,"It's nothing, he's just barking at the gate!" He is carring Max and puts him down and Max immediately takes off through the dog door again.

Justin, who has followed Max out again comes running back, "MOM, IT"S A FROG AND IT HAS A HUGE BUTTE!"

"Alex!", I scream "Get out there frogs out here are poisonous!!! MY DOGS!!!!!!!!!!"

Nic comes back in the house, "Yup it's a huge frog mom!"

I then go out in the front yard to watch a spectacle unfold! My husband has now chased this frog that is literally as big as a cereal bowl out of the gate with a broom and he is now spraying water at it while it is holed up under the seburban. I do believe the frog liked the water, didn't faze him one bit. He wanted me to back the seburban out of the driveway but 1. there was no way I was leaving my safe spot in the garage and 2. there was no way I was going to contribute to a homicide by accidently driving over the thing! So my husband takes one of our street hockey sticks and uses the frog as a hockey puck. This is when I exit - yes, I want the thing out of my yard but i didn't want to see it hurt!

UGGG! I hate creepy crawlies, snakes and frogs!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Nic!

I can hardly believe that my once tiny 6 lb 1 oz 19 1/2 inch little boy is now 14 years old and a freshman in High School.

I am so proud to be your mom Nic and I am so proud of the young man you have become! I love the way you love and take care of your brother. I love how you are respectful and mind your manners. I love how you try your best in school. I even love that little attitude that rears it's ugly head every now and then ~ it reminds me of me as a teenager!

Nic 14 years ago at 1:35 in the afternoon you were born. From 1st contraction to holding you in my arms it took under 2 hours. You came so fast the Dr. almost wasn't there to deliver you! And... I delivered you without any pain medication! I thought you were the most beautiful baby in the entire world! Everyone loved to hold and love you! You were the 1st grandchild and Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie Kerri and Kelly loved to spoil you - and still do!

Happy 14th Birthday Nic and Happy 1st day of High School! We Love You SOOOOO Much!
Love,
Mom, Dad and Justin

~ per Nic's birthday dinner request we are having thick steaks on the grill, pots, no veggie and Cold Stone Creamery cupcakes (chocolate cups filled with yellow cake, sweetcream ice cream, frosting and chocolate curls) YUMMMM!

Our Plan... Fingers and toes crossed and prayers already started

So ALex is officially hired and our plan is in place.

The company gives him a bank card for $1200.00 a year to help pay for anything related to medical expenses - Dr. copays, prescription copays etc., he only gets half this year due to hire date but it rolls over. Plus the $10,000.00 they will pay for invetro so hopefully we will spend the least amount out of pocket we can...

So... we are planning to get all our records transferred from UCONN (where they helped us conceive Justin). Make appts and get everything ready and start invetro in January. Hopefully we will be able to get all the medical bills completed in 2010 for optimum coverage - this includes conception to birth so we will have a write off for taxes too!

I am so excited and have already started praying for another baby miracle. Of course I am hoping for 2 or 3 and Alex says, "Just shoot me now ~ 3 babies!" But I shush him quickly because he is soooo good with babys - never even complains about changing dirty diapers, both our mothers would jump at the chance to be here to help hold and love our babies - never mind my dad who is the ultimate baby bouncer - I swear he can quiet any colicy baby! And I just know that there are 2 or 3 heavenly spirits that want to stay together and are looking for a loving home that is praying for them! That would be us! I am praying so hard for them to choose to come live with us and that our invetro will work the 1st time again and that by Christmas 2010 we will be sharing our life with a few more precious miracles sent to us from heaven above!

Walk through - high school

Today was Nic's 1st day of high school ~ Kinda.

It was a walk through day. The bus picked them up they had an assembly and walked through their day and came home on the bus.

The only hiccup was the bus. Seems that the bus didn't pick them up but thanks to someone at the bus stop calling the school 2x the bus came back, found the kids and away they went.

Nic Loved school! He came home so excited about the technology, the laptops, the science labs and the excitement that his teachers had for the year of learning to come ~ it has invigorated him! He said his teachers are young (His Spanish teacher reminds him of his aunt Kelly) and he is so excited to learn what they have all just learned in college! Their excitement was contageous!

He also met kids in the neighborhood and in his classes and is excited to look into joining some clubs and maybe track.

I am just so happy he is excited for High School!

I was also finally able to register him for seminary. It took about 4 phone calls to very nice Bishops and finally 1 smart Bishops wife who told me to try calling the Stake Center. And Ta-Da! He's registered and will go to the church on Bella Vista at 6am starting the 27th for seminary, the school bus will pick them up there and drive them to school.

And now we wait until Monday, July 20th for the 1st Official Day of High School and it is also the day that Nic turns 14! I can't believe it!

A Day of Days!

It was one of those days! Ya know the kind that you wish you were still back in bed and could have a do over of waking up?

That was my day Thursday.

I woke up about 7 to the sound of the phone. "You have to come to Burger King and get me the suburban is dead", said the voice on the other end of the phone line. "What!", I said. "Grab the jumper cables and get down here the suburban's battery is dead, not even the lights are coming on", said the now irritated voice.

So I jump up wake the boys, Nic insists upon staying in bed, Justin is up for the adventure and away we go.

(All the way there I am praying oh please, please let it just be the battery. I have the $ in savings to pay for that but nothing any more expensive.)

After trying to charge the suburban - no luck we drive to Checkers to buy a battery and beg to let them allow us to borrow their tools for a few mins so Alex can change the battery in the Burger King parking lot. But, they forgot to give us a wrench we only got sockets so a nice gentlemen let Alex borrow one and then told him to keep it as he had 4 others - the kindness of strangers!

- PS if you are ever in a jam that wrench is in our suburban. I told Alex it is the wrench that keeps on giving and one day he can hand it to the next person who is in need of one.

So my husband heads to work and I head home to relax. In the afternoon we head out to Ironwood to grab a few items at Frys to make spag sauce and to pick up Nic's friend Wes. It is REALLY HOT OUT. We get out to the Tahoe and I unlock it. Decide it is too hot for the kids to get in while I load groceries so I start the car. I shut the driver's door to open the back door and let Justin in and ALL THE DOORS ARE LOCKED, CAR IS RUNNING, PURSE IS INSIDE! AND IT IS REALLY HOT!!!!!!!!! Did I mention that as soon as you start the Tahoe all the doors lock.... yup I blanked on that!

Luckily Nic has his phone and I call my friend Deanna and luckily she is home! She drives over and picks up my kids and groceries and drives the 20 mins back to my house to get another set of keys and a gas can - just in case I run out of gas and then another 20 mins from my house to frys - what a wonderful friend I have! It was miserable hot and after standing by my car for awhile to make sure noone tried to smash a window and take off with my running car and purse I walked up and sat on the patio table chairs out of the sun. At that point I was so hot they could of stole it for all I cared! Well Deanna got back and I got in my car and got gas and then went to pick up Wes. But oh, no the story doesn't end there...

I have now picked up Wes and we are trying to get out of Pecan Creek onto Ironwood and I have 4 cars behind me. All of a sudden I feel awful I quickly put my window down and no lie threw up 8 times out my window over and over again. I can finally stop and do a little u and pull over. Got sick a couple more times and then felt much better (I think it was the sun and heat).

Now meanwhile poor Wes was in the back seat the whole time! I turn around and say Wes I am so sorry! He said that's ok then he hands me a big hershey bar he had brought and says, "this will help you feel better!" How sweet was that?

The rest of the night was uneventful! Including the boys late night of videos! I walked upstairs at 10:00 and Wes had already fallen asleep on the floor so we kicked him into the spare room and told Nic bed at 11:00. Thank goodness for quiet endings...

I'm gonna be Broke!

After paying for school fees!

Good grief! It's crazy!

$75.00 Activity fee for Justin and a huge list of supplies. Although I do have a ton of supplies from last years Staples Sales but each child needs 8 glue sticks???? is she gonna box them all and dole them out during the year??? and 2 different kinds of reams of paper ~ the paper sounds more like a teacher wish list item. Those darn budget cuts!

Nic, this is going to be a list:
$35.00 Activity Fee
$15.00 Gym clothes
$50.00 laptop insureance
$100.00 deductable if lap top breaks - it better never break!
Labs are $15.00 each and a school shirt is $10.00
Ouch!!!

OK enough complaining... but YIKES! I can't imagine paying this when you have a big family!

Temple Recommend Class

So, I dropped out of Temple Recommend Class last week.

We are told that the devil does not want us to go to the Temple and he will place obstacles in our path to prevent us from reaching the Temple. I thought to myself what else could happen after the past 2 years of horribleness we've had? But, I was still a little nervous about it, but Alex and I knew that we were led to church after Alex's illness and this is where God wants us. He was not going to let an obstacle stop us, hopefully...

On to what happened...
Alex had been given a job offer for the company he was temping at. We had been expecting the offer and were so excited. He loves his job and ENJOYS going to work everyday and the benefits are fabulous. Well last Tuesday the company issued a nationwide hiring freeze and Alex's offer was withdrawn. Our happiness bubble was shattered! He was positive it was going to be ok the VP was pulling for him to still get hired. I was negative - crying on the couch with the dogs, sure that we were going to have to go back to the job search again and I just knew it was because we were in Temple class and if this was the bad stuff that was going to happen then I was not going anymore! I just wasn't strong enough to go through this trial again. So after telling Alex I was never going back to class I went upstairs to cry some more on our bed and in the midst of this I prayed to God, I prayed for Alex to get hired even though the company had a hiring freeze. I was VERY specific down the the day of the week, the year, month and day of the month. I prayed for him to be hired the next day.

The next day Alex came home from work with a package of papers and gave them to me. "What's this," I asked? "Benefit papers," he said. "Not funny," say I. He said, "You need to look through them and pick the health plan you want, my official start date with them is July 6th. My offer was reinstated, they snuck me through the hiring freeze!"

All this relief poured through me, and I thanked Heavenly Father for answering my prayer. What a testimony he has given me in the power of prayer. I also know that even though Satan is strong Heavenly Father is stronger. Heavenly Father wants Alex and I to go to the Temple to experience all its blessings and continue our family's path to being sealed together for all eternity.

Spaghetti Pie

Ok I have to be honest here, I have never had spaghetti pie ~ just sounded strange. I've had cavetelli, spaghetti, lasagna but never spaghetti as pie. So, while perusing dinner ideas I read a recipe and thought I could tweak this to my style and make it pretty good. The teenager LOVED it 3 helpings, the 5 year old said it looked gross and only tried 1 noodle and declared it a frozen pizza tv dinner night for him (he's in that don't mix my food together stage and only likes ketchup for sauce), husband said pretty good but he def. prefers lasagna. I thought it looked so good and I stared at it for a good 5 mins. convincing myself not to eat a bite! However I find it odd it's called Spaghetti Pie, I guess you can cook in a pie plate but I cooked mine in a 9x13 so I am going to call mine spaghetti casserole!
Anyway, here's my recipe in case you want to try it some night.

Spaghetti Casserole

In a big skillet...
Sautee onions in olive oil.
Add in 1/2 lb Hamburg and 1/2 lb sausage and cook.
Add 4 garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp oregano.
Once meat is brown drain out most of the fat and add in a jar and a half of spagetti sauce, 1 tsp salt and 2 cups of water. To this add 8 to 10 oz spagetti broken into about 3 in. pieces. Cover and cook on medium for 8 mins ~ stirring here and there. Now add 1/2 c. parm cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, and 1/4 cup condensed milk and reduce to low for 6 mins. Then pour into a 9x13 pan and top with a bag of mozzerella. Bake until mozzarella is brown and bubbly.

This is a great make ahead meal, make on the weekend and fridge it and throw it in the oven to reheat during the week on a busy night!

1st Sunday of the Month FHE is now PIE

My friend Amy posted her new family tradition for Family Home Evening, she is doing this on the 1st of the month. I just absolutely LOVE it, we will be starting it next Monday and I wanted to pass the idea on as I know there are others of you out there that will LOVE it too!

Here is Amy's new tradion and now mine too (Thanks so much for the idea Amy!)

PIE stands for Priesthood Interview Evening.
Your night starts the same with prayer, song and family business. But then each member of the family including mom gets an interview with dad. Mom entertains the kids while others are being interviewed. While mom interviews (last) the children eat the PIE (yes literally what would a PIE night be without a pie?) The children's time with dad consists of talking about "where they're at, who they are, and what they'd like to work on, and building their testimony of how important it is to hold the priesthood." Mom's time with dad includes "talking about the boys and about what we both need to do to make our home a better place for raising them."

And think of the lovely pies you could make. Make choc. chip cookie batter and cook in a pie plate and serve with vin. ice cream, gooey pecan pie - I love mine with hot fudge drizzed on top, coconut with tons of cream, and the list goes on and on... parfaits count too ~ per Amy :)

*****(Amy and I just have boys for now but I would def. add your girls to the interview too. Just think of all the special memories they will have of meeting with their dads and talking.)

What did I do today????

Hmmm....
Stayed in bed until the last possible second.
Got Nic to a Deacons Activity for 8am with Justin in tow.
Stopped at the grocery store to get a pair of stylish purple gloves to wash dishes with.
Stopped at Jack in the Box for breakfast with Justin.
Drove by the in-laws to check the house - realized 2 things - 1. I forgot the key and garage door opener to get in and 2. I really need to go weed and trim trees again.
Took Justin to swim lessons.
Went home.
Pooper scooped the yard with Justin "trying" to be oh so helpful!
Pulled weeds in the backyard.
Eduprize called and informed me Justin was off the wait list and I could come in Monday to fill out paperwork so he could start Kindergarten the end of July there. Woo Hoo!!!!
Trimmed the bushes in the front yard.
Nic called to go pick him up - so I had to put all trimming equipment away and go.
Home again.
Set up Justin's water table and rebrought all trimming equipment out. Finished trimming and picking up with Nic's help.
Put all trimming equipment plus weed killer in vehicle to bring to the in-laws house tomorrow after swim.
Tried to figure out some scout stuff for Nic.
Called husband and asked if he minded pizza - heck it is a load day on my diet so I should eat greasy slimy cheesy pizza right and heck - I'm kinda tired!
Gave Justin a bath.
Sent Nic off to scouts.
Am now waiting for husband so we can eat and send Mr. Justin to bed cause he is very cranky and tired!
So are you jealous yet of my super duper exciting life?

Our 5 year old...

Yummy cake that turned us totally BLUE!

Our Own Bumblebee

Justin wanted this for his bday so badly. It is the bumblee head from Transformers and it talks and changes Justin's voice when he talks. Way cool!

Happy 5th Birthday Justin!

5 years ago today at 1:10 in the afternoon (CT Time) you were born! You were gorgeous with a little dark hair and beautiful blue eyes and you had 10 fingers, 10 toes and the cutest roundest head ever. You were 19 and 1/2 inches and 6lbs 4 oz. When you came home from the hospital you had lost a little bit and were 5lbs 9oz. You were such a tiny peanut!

I went in for a scheduled amnio to see if your lungs were developed. (I had gestional diabetes and they wanted you out 2 weeks early if possible. They had me terrified of giving birth to a 10 pounder and that they would have to break your shoulders to get you out!) If your lungs were developed we would come back the next morning for induction.

Well... things did not go as planned. The needle went somewhere it wasn't suppose to, blood came up the needle and they lost your heartbeat. From there it went to pure craziness as I was rushed into a c-section to get you out. I was terrified! During the amnio I was so scared of the needle that I left a bite mark in my hand from trying to stay so still and not to cry. Now they were going to cut me open - oh boy was I scared!!! Then the anesthesia made me feel like I was going to throw-up - I so don't do anesthesia well. I kept screaming "Oh the Pressure" even after they had you out - Daddy thought that was pretty funny! Daddy was able to be with me during the c-section and was the first to hold you right after you were born.

Only 1 other thing scary happened in the hospital. My IV "broke" and blood started to come out of it. I looked down and was covered in blood and started screaming which then scared daddy who went into the hallway and started bellowing for a nurse. Did I mention me and needles and blood - so don't do them well...Anyway they got that fixed and the bed changed and I got fresh clothes and all was well.

Daddy slept at the hospital every night with you and mommy. He was so excited to learn how to take care of you! He changed everyone of your diapers at the hosptial so mommy could rest. Daddy even wanted to learn how to give you a bath and took you to the class they gave in the hospital - and he was the only man there.

After you were born we called everyone with our exciting news and Grandma and Grandpa got Nic from school and brought him up to the hospital to see beautiful you. He came in sporting an I'm the big brother t-shirt with a beautiful Build a Bear that he had stuffed with tons of love just for you! He was so excited and proud to be a big brother! He loves you so much!

We had lots of visitors come to the hospital to meet you and to give you lots and lots of LOVE! Aunts and Uncles and Granparents and Friends and cousin Sebastian.

Justin your first name was given to you because daddy and I both loved it and your middle name, Alexander, was given to you because that is daddy's middle name too. Not too long ago we also learned that Justin was your great-grandfather's name on Daddy's side and your Uncle Billy's middle name - he was named for his dad. We were so excited that a name we loved carried such ancestry.

Justin, I hope you always feel how much you are loved by so many people! Daddy and I are so happy that you chose us to be your earthly mom and dad and we are so blessed to have you as our son!

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Growing Up...

Sometimes it sneaks up and surprises me.

My Nic is growing up into quite a young man.

Last night he led FHE. He started with assigning tasks. He led the song - and as we only have 1 book he conducted and sung all by himself, he had me say opening prayer and we went through this weeks schedule. Then he gave a lesson he put together from reading For the Strength of Youth. Then came closing prayer and song.

His maturity and wisdom in the lesson made me so proud of him! What a great example he was for his brother and for me.

Swim lessons

Justin has 3 weeks of swim lessons starting today! He is so excited that our friend Stacey is his swim teacher. Nic and his friend Wes were swimming in our community pool last week and Justin so tried to keep up with the boys - who are 9 years older than him! Hopefully these lessons will give him a fighting chance :)!

Scout Camp

Nic left for scout camp this morning, he is gone until Sat afternoon. Hopefully he will have a blast and earn some badges. He is going with a ton of camp gear, including a huge bag of snacks so he "doesn't starve to death if he doesn't like the food!"

Justin already misses him and is quite concerned that Nic makes it back for his big day - his brithday is the 10th!

Nic Graduated 8th Grade

Nic graduated 8th grade on May 24th. They had a nice ceremony at the new high school he will be going to next year. I can't believe he is going into high school next year. He is growing up so fast!

Nicholas

Yesterday Nic got in the car at school beaming and read me a letter that started with:

Congratulations! Your child has been selected to participate in the schools Peer Mediation Program at JO Combs High School. This program will allow specially selected students to train as Mediators, who will then help other students find positive ways to solve disagreements.

They called the kids to the office and told them they had been selected by their teachers due to academics, attitude and other attributes.

Nic was so excited! He said, "I guess it does pay off to be a good person and get good grades!" Yes Nic, it certainly does! We are so proud of YOU!!

(And he didn't even have 1 grumble about attending 3 days of training in July over vacation.)

Swimming...

We have discovered our pool!

The community pool is now open and being maintained 2x a week. They cleaned it and shocked it and it is as clear as it can be (AZ dust cover everything when it is windy).

I went last night with both boys and this morning with Justin while Nic was at school. He had so much fun and it is getting rid of a little of his energy - it is triple digits and it is hard to run off energy inside and it is way too hot outside!

Mother's Day

I LOVE being a mom - at least most days! :)

This is why I am the luckiest mom:

* I have 2 boys that love each other and are each other's best friends even though they are 9 years apart (at least most of the time.)

* My 2 boys love me, Nic will still even give me a hug at 13 - not in front of people though. Justin gives hugs and kisses All the time still - he's still 4!

* Because Heavenly Father trusted me to love and help raise 2 of his beautiful sons.

* I get to stay home (thanks to my husband) and be there for them 24 hours a day. They know if they need something I am always there.

* Because I have a wonderful husband by my side to help raise our 2 boys.

But most of all I am so lucky that I get to do all the little things that count so very much!
I get to sooth tears, put bandaids on skinned knees and pretend boo boos, pray with and for my boys, give advise, advocate, snuggle into bed, listen, give hugs, hold hands, make lunches, bake cookies, giggle over something silly, play dart tag, teach how to pillow fight, go to the park, text message my teen silly stuff, and tell them both I love them.

Being a mom is the best job on earth!

We are home

We are back from CT.
It was a trip filled with so much sadness.
We miss Doug so very much!

Alex was a pallbearer and Nic was an Honorary one with his cousin Cody and Doug's Son Sebastian. The boys led the way in and out of church.

The hope was that Doug would be able to drive in his truck 1 last time from the church to the cemetary but the casket wouldn't slide on the lined truck bed with the wheels so instead Alex drove Doug's wife Christina, son Sebastian, our Nic and Cody. Tears were brought to many a eye as Dougs Dodge Monster Diesel Truck came into the church parking lot and led our way to the cemetary. Doug really loved that truck!

Alex is OK - but very very sad. I think he is still processing. Nic broke down walking out of the church and at the cemetary but seems ok now. Justin in all his innocense is doing good. He drew a picture to go with Uncle Dougie to Heaven which I know Doug loves. He just is completely at peace that Uncle Dougie is in Heaven with Jesus and is now his guardian angel. He is also knows that he will see Uncle Doug when he goes to heaven and is so peaceful with it. What a joy my littlest can be! I am sad, sometimes it is hard to understand when someone is so... young - 34. Heavenly Father I know needed him but I wish we could have had him here longer.

We were at fast pace in CT. The funeral was Tuesday and Tuesday night we boarded a plane and arrived back in AZ at 11pm and poor Alex was at work by 9am Weds. Hopefully this weekend we will have some quiet time.

Christina and Sebastian will be in our prayers daily and we hope to have them out to visit maybe this summer if they feel up to it. We love them both very much.

Uncle Doug...
Was so funny and always cracking jokes.
Loved being a mechanic.
Loved his pride and joy "monster truck" - as Justin would call it.
Loved Sebastian and Christina so... much!
Was always fixing someones car.
Was always there to help whenever needed.
Always helped his parents.
When Alex was sick he and Christina and Sebastian were on a plane as soon as I called!
Was the most awesomest brother to Alex.
Was Alex's best friend.
Was just about Alex's twin in looks, temperment and personality. They even shared December as their birthday month.
Was the best uncle ever.
I've always wanted a brother all my life and he was an awesome one. Even though he loved to pick on me :)!
Was best man at our wedding and Alex was his best man. They really were each other's Best!

We love Doug so much and we know he is watching over us and we will see him again in Heaven.

Douglas W. Fisher
Date of death: April 30, 2009
Winsted: Douglas W. Fisher, 34, died unexpectedly Thursday, April 30, 2009 at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington. He was the husband of Christina (Oldfield) Fisher. Born in Torrington, December17, 1974, He was a son of Bruce S. and Geri (Severni) Fisher. He was a 1995 graduate of the Porter & Chester Institute in Watertown and had been an auto tech mechanic for Mitchell Dodge. In addition to his wife of 5 years and his parents of Winchester, he is survived by a son, Sebastian Duffy; his paternal grandmother, Florence Fisher of Avon; three brothers, Bruce E. Fisher and his wife Paula Giorgio of Simsbury, Christopher Fisher of Waterbury and John "Alex" Fisher and his wife Kristi of Florence, AZ; a sister, Jen Merriam and her husband John of Winsted; Mother in law and father in law, Nancy & John Stoughtenger; Sisters in law, Sarah Doherty and Melissa Oldfield; brother in law Edward Oldfield and his wife Jennifer; 14 nieces & nephews, several aunts, uncles, cousins and his beloved dog "Jack". He was predeceased by a brother, Michael Fisher. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 AM at the Church of St. Ann in Avon, CT. Burial will follow in St. Ann's Cemetery. Friends may call at the Maloney Funeral Home 55 Walnut Street, Winsted on Monday, 5-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Douglas Fisher Memorial Fund C/O Webster Bank 200 New Hartford Road, Winsted, CT 06098.

Uncle Dougie

Alex's brother Doug was called home to our Heavenly Father this morning. He was 34 years old and very unexpectedly and peacefully passed away. We are headed to CT to be with Alex's family and Doug's wife Christina and son Sebastian. We will miss Doug and "Uncle Dougie" very much!

But as Justin reminded his daddy, Uncle Dougie is now our angel looking after us and we will see him again in Heaven.

Spanish

Yup, I still hate Spanish.

Nic received a project Monday. It is due next Monday. Tomorrow, Wednesday a rough draft of the project is due. It needs to be a 5 minute presentation on Colombia - the country he pulled out of the bag. Did I mention it needs to be written AND Presented in SPANISH and has to be at least 5 minutes LONG!!!

He worked Monday night pulling data. He worked until 11:30 tonight on organizing, writing in English and then translating. He has 8 pages of a rough draft written.

He wants to do a Power Point Presentation to go with it, so he doesn't have to memorize the entire presentation he can have some of it on Power Point - kinda smart but this is crazy!

Rite of Passage

Is cutting your hair or someone elses a rite of passage for kids?

Today Justin wanted to spike his hair. After working on it for about an hour with a comb and water his bathroom was soaked and he was frustrated. I reassured him that it was okay that his hair was too long and he just needed a haircut.

Wrong words...

He wants to go get a haircut NOW. I say no not now later. I go on the computer and think he is playing quietly somewhere. I get off the computer and notice something strange on the floor. Strangly it appears to be hair. "Justin did you cut your hair", I ask. "No!" he yells from upstairs. I check my scissors they are all in the drawer - wierd I think.

At lunch a little later I look up from eating and notice the bald patch at the top of his head. AHHHH!!! I ask, "what did you do! You're BALD." He says that is ok daddy has a bald spot too. (Daddy got his head shaved almost bald on Friday.) So now we talk about how he could cut himself and stitches and Dr.'s etc. I don't really think he cared too much.

Now he really does need a hair cut!

Saturday...

So Saturday was my new birthday. What did you do you might ask...

Cleaned the garage!!!

But really it was ok. The garage has been a sense of anxiety for me. Everytime we go to clean it something comes up but not this Saturday, no sir!

We put together workbenches - we do still have to hang up peg board... We hung stuff up and organized bikes. It was wonderful!

It still looks cluttered, but as soon as we get our backyard done it will free up lots of room where the outdoor furniture is.

We had about 5 people stop and ask if we were having a tag sale and when told we were just cleaning the garage 2 said ok and walked away, 2 got annoyed and showed ATTITUDE and 1 offered to buy something anyway. Crazy!

We did manage to get cleaned up after about 7 hours of work and go out to dinner with the boys.

I'm blaming it on being blonde...

So this morning I went to the Tahoe to bring Nic to school and the alarm went off. I push the key fob and it continues to sound as if the entire Pinal County Sheriff's Office is driving down my street.

I decide to key into the car and turn it on, now what happens in the midst of this ear deafening noice ~ the Tahoe is dead, won't turn over completely dead.

Meanwhile I am thinking what am I going to do, Nic has 2 tests today and Justin and I have a date to register him for Kindergarten.

Panic is now setting in, I am on the verge of tears and I am now stamping my feet yelling at the Tahoe to shut-up.(Yes I did do this literally)

An idea came to me if the car is dead I at least can jump it with the jumper that plugs into the outlet... so I got that all set up and tried the car nope still dead and yes the alarm is still blaring!

I call my husband at work who tells me shut the alarm off, I am trying I scream. I also scream other things like I hate this stinking truck and it has to go. After my rant I have Nic go and get the other set of keys, my key fob battery must be dead I say. Yes, the alarm is still blaring...

That key fob worked, car started and whew... I could get Nic to school. Who the heck new that the alarm activated some mechanism to shut the whole car down so someone couldn't steal it!

So my husband came home from work and he told me I was hysterical on the phone and I need to remain calm when stuff happens. I was fine I tell him, and in pipes my wonderful Nic saying, "No mom you really weren't. You screamed at Justin and I to back-off and get out of your way you were going to start this car no matter what!" Thanks Nic.

Anyway, I told Alex I needed a new key fob as my battery had died. He said so how did you get the alarm off. I said with your dad's set of keys. He said there is only 1 key fob for the Tahoe, I said no your dad has 1 and I have 1. He said no you only have 1 and that is for the suburban. Of course I had to go check my keys and ah hemmmm yup he's right. I was trying to turn off the alarm with the suburban's key fob.

I can only blame it on being blonde because I don't know what else to say, except...WHO THE HECK ACTIVATED THE ALARM IN THE 1st PLACE... It must of been the person who used Grandpa's keys last - yup Nic it was totally Nic's fault and that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Kindergarten Registration

Well we did it!

Justin and I went today and registered him for Kindergarten. He was so excited! The principal was in the office when we went in and she spent some time talking to Justin about why he wanted to go to school there, his brother, and where we were going for a special treat after to celebrate.

I can't believe that my baby is going to Kindergarten and I am so happy/lucky/blessed that I have been able to spend the past almost 5 years with him everyday.

Spanish Part 2

So no response from Nic's Spanish teacher to the email I sent. (And it was not a mean letter, I read it to someone before I emailed it.)

She did address the situation today with the class however. From what I understand she told the class that she has had a lot of calls and letters from parents about turning in the work to the sub. She told them she was staying with her policy and she would bring it all the way up to the office if she had to.

Now I am really mad! So I have emailed the Principle, I'll take it to the office myself!

I am really having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that the sub told them not to turn it in and she is punishing the children for LISTENING to the SUB!

So hopefully I will get a call tomorrow or my next step will be calling the Superintendent and getting a meeting set up for all of us to meet face to face!

Most teachers want their students to succeed I am not getting that vibe from her at all!

Spanish

Nic's Spanish teacher and I do not see Eye to Eye.

First let me just say - it is so NOT RIGHT to allow fluent Spanish speaking children as in my first language is Spanish in a class with kids who don't speak a drop. There should be 2 seperate classes.

1st our disagreement was over her not giving the kids time to finish tests. She said she tells them to do the parts worth the most points. I say let them stay and finish and give them a pass to next class or make the tests shorter - and no Nic is not the only 1 having this problem. There's a problem when kids who have grown up speaking Spanish can finish the tests in a short time and the rest of the kids who are struggling to learn the language are not finishing at all.

Our disagreement now is that she is now giving Nic's ENTIRE class a 50% on their script - want to know why? Because it wasn't turned in on the due date. Want to know why? SHE was out sick the entire week last week and the SUB - the ADULT in charge of her classroom told the kids not to hand it in to hold on to it. She told them they shouldn't have listened to the sub and they are LUCKY they are getting any credit at all. Can you see the fire coming out my ears????

She also told them she would proof their scripts and edit their first draft of their taped commercial. Well she was out all last week. She comes in today and says project due tomorrow, no editing from her. I am all for respecting and backing teachers but when they pull stuff like this NO WAY! I have an email sent out to her and I know other moms are calling and emailing too. Families had to drop everything! We were welcomed at one of the boys in his groups home and his mom and I carpooled (whoever heard of having a project where you had to get 5 teenagers together outside of school with working families etc. that is insane!) the boys, I prepped all the food when Nic called me from school and we busted into their home and worked until after 7 and her husband very nicely offered to finish editing the project. They even had to cancel an FHE they had planned with another family.

My blood is still boiling. Did I mention today was my birthday and that makes my blood boil more???? And my stomach is still not functioning at 100% and that makes my blood boil even more????

Justin

I Love Justin! He's so darn cute I could just eat him up!

I LOVE to spend my days with him. I love how he loves to do flashcards of ABC and sounds. I love how he loves to count to 100. I love how he wants everything put away neatly. I love how he pulls a chair up to the island and wants to help me bake and cook. I love how when he writes his little tongue sticks out of his mouth. I love his tiny voice buried in his arm when he says prayer at dinner and thanks Heavenly Father for EVERYTHING including the salt and pepper on the table :). I love how he LOVES his big brother and runs to greet his dad when he gets home from work. I love how he still cuddles and tells me he loves me to the moon and back 1 thousand times.

But, I am not liking his waking up at 10pm and "visiting" with me until after midnight for the past 3 nights. What's up with that? At 10pm it is my time, everyone here is asleep, it is my unwind, reading time that I relish and keeps me sane... Did I say that is my sanity time????

Happy Easter

It is wonderful to have a teenager. While I put the baskets together Nic and ALex filled the eggs. I hid 1/2 the eggs downstairs and gave the other 1/2 to Nic to hide upstairs. He must of spend an hour placing them just right for Justin (Nic hunted too but was intent on making this special for his brother). He had paths of eggs leading places and left the biggest egg on Justin's night stand to find when he woke up.

Justin is such a fun age this year and was so excited to wake up and find eggs all over the house! He took off like a shot gathering then until he couldn't hold anymore and shouting for his brother.

The kids both got practical things from the bunny, an outfit, bathingsuit, socks, book and our family gift was BINGO.

We had a quiet time calling family and wishing them Happy Easter. Then we had guests, Alex's friend from one of his old part-time jobs and his wife and son came over to visit.

Dinner was untraditional for us but I wanted to keep it simple, Alex made a sausage quiche with a hashbrown crust, bacon, danish, muffins, lunchmeats, rolls, veggies & dip, eggrolls, pizza bites, mozz sticks, pepperoni and cheese, strawberries, pecan pie and homemade carrot cake. I called it a brunch and munch...

Ring of a telephone...

What do you think when the telephone rings? Do you feel happy because you think it is a friend calling? Frustration because it might be another telemarketer? Fear because it might be the school calling to tell you to come get your 8th grader as something has happened.

For me today it was option C. Nic's middle school had a student do something stupid today. Someone allegedly brought in some chemicals in a bottle and it exploded.

Sometimes this world is a crazy place, and I am thanking God that the injuries were few.

So FHE tonight is about choices. Our choices and how our choices affect us and others. And how some choices have life long altering results... I think that talk will go well with some chocolate chip ice cream - and now I'm blowing our healthy eating tonight. Oh well, sometimes certain conversations just need to be occompanied by ice cream!

Update:
We also talked about the phrase :" But for the grace of God go I."
I really wanted to help him understand that he can be upset and mad but it is not his job to be judge and jury. That he should feel sorry for this child and sad for the kids that were hurt. And thank god that he has parents that notice what goes on and that he can talk to and tell stuff too and a life that is relatively easy. Some children crave that and do things in hopes of getting that.

It's Monday...

The start of another week and...

Justin and I have a goal of cooking only healthy food this week.

Ask my sister Kerri about the lecture Justin gave her while she was helping him get breakfast. It started with him listing EVERYTHING she asked him if he wanted in 2 categories:
All the time food
Some times food
Ahhh, the joys of a 4 year old who thinks he's like 45.

Anyway...since vacation we have kinda strayed a bit from healthy eating and with Alex's new job we have actually had $ to buy pizza and occasional fast food. This week we are back to eating only what we can cook. We need a nest egg to get the backyard planted with fruit trees, garden, grass, and some extra cement for a bigger patio.

Menu for this week:
Homemade pizza
spagetti - sauce homemade
Chicken fajitas in the crockpot
Chili in crockpot
Smoked turkey in the smoker - this will leave extra for lunch meat for sandwiches.
Pork Chops and mashed pots
breakfast - quiche

Making the above food, I can control the fat content, salt content, sneak veggies in the fajitas, spag. sauce and on the pizza. Salad or veggies will be served and apples or oranges will be dessert.

Happy Anniversary to...

Us and Brent and Stacey too!
One year ago today we were baptised!
What a special day for all of us!

I look back one year ago at my baptism and see someone who was in a euphoria bubble that believed that nothing bad could happen - I had Heavenly Father's love... geesh, my sins had all been washed away, everything was perfect!

And POP! before you knew it my euphoria was gone and I was left with this questioning, puzzled, madness - sometimes anger.

Wasn't life suppose to be perfect now, I was "doing everything right".

But here's the thing... life is not mean't to be easy, life is about learning and with easy what do we learn? With every trial a lesson is learned and a silver lining is shown - a blessing - even if the blessing is a newfound appreciation for the little things, the basic things - those little things are usually the MOST IMPORTANT THINGS!

So here I sit a year later a stronger woman, a more peaceful woman and hopefully a woman who shows more grace during trials than before.

I can't wait to sit here next year and look back at this next year's journey!

Connecticut

The boys and I had a wonderful time in CT! We got to see aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and of course grandparents.

I got to sneak away and have a nice lunch with my sister and some friends. Don't you just love those friends that have known you forever and even if you haven't seen them in almost 4 years it's like you were just there yesterday talking to them. Kristine's daughter Kayla is the splitting image, like mirror image of her! It was like seeing Kristine again in elementary school - she has got some strong genes!

My sister's spent all their time that they weren't at work at my parent's with us. Sisters are the best aren't they - and my kids would tell you their aunts are the best also cause they spoil them to pieces!

We took 1 trip to Vermont to a Sugar Farm to watch them make maple sugar. The kids loved that and sampling warm syrup and maple sugar candies - way sweet!

Justin loved playing with his cousin Abby and was so excited that Shawn and Jen (my cousin and his wife) invited us over for dinner and to play. We also got to meet Abby's new sister Grace (18 months) - she is too cute and so... mischevous! They were so not kidding about having to put chairs on top of tables! Nic loved catching up with his cousin Tyler - they are the same age and his cousin Sabastian and neighbors Garrett and Emma.

My parent's puppies were a HUGE hit with the kids, although the kids were NOT a huge hit with the dogs. The dogs are very possessive of my dad. Justin decided to be possessive of Grandpa. NOT A GOOD MIX! There was some definite growling going on over who would rule and claim Grandpa's lap - dogs or child. I think the dogs kinda won!

In Winsted (at Alex's parent's) we were a big surprise for Grandpa! The day we flew in Grandpa came home from the hospital after several months spent there. We gave them a couple days to get settled and then borrowed my parents car and drove up the curvy steep roads - scary! We called Grandma from outside the house to let her know Grandpa's surprises were there,she let us in and Grandpa was surprised to tears! It was a really touching moment! Hopefully Granpa will be well enough to fly back out here to AZ soon. We also spent time with cousins and aunts and uncles on Alex's side while we were at his parent's.

We headed home on Monday, 12 hours in airports with the layover - ug! and I still made Nic go to school Tuesday morning :). Alex missed us a TON he said, he was so bored he didn't know what to do without us! ~ darn I should of left that list instead of told him to just relax!

Oops forgot to mention the snow. Justin was only 9 months when we moved out here so... my mom was very insistant the poor boy got to play in snow. (And yes I told her that it does snow in Northern AZ but... well, my mom tuned that out). So... at her house there wasn't a lot so she was positive that we would find it in Vermont. So she borrowed snow boots from my cousins and we had winter coats and gloves borrowed from Kristine's kids and all the way up and back she demanded my father stop - she even wanted to stop in a cemetery as the snow looked clean - my sister and I threatened dire consequences if my father stopped the car. So she finally settled on dirty snow that Justin threw on her in Wendy's parking lot (hehe) and cleaner truck stop snow that was kinda icey. Kerri took pics and emailed them to my other sister who was at work to tell her that HER mother was really crazy as we had both disowned her at that point!

I'm Home!

Yay, we're back in Sunny AZ!
We had a wonderful visit with both mine and Alex's Family's. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow because...
I've spent all day cleaning and doing laundry and am about to drop - the 12 hours of flying and layovers yesterday have done me in!
But, I am going to add 1 blog today after I post this and it is a MUST read!

We're Off!

So, Miss spontinatity I am not. But... I got to thinking it would be better to go to CT now (Nic's on Spring Break from friday afternoon until the 23rd) then this summer... ALex may have vacation time in the summer and maybe we could go on a short trip with the kids or maybe with this new company they will pay for invetro and we may be in the middle of that process...

So, yesterday I started looking for airfare... way expensive so Alex told me to look this am as the day before maybe I would find discounts...
And I DID!!!!

So thanks to my parents who are footing the bill for airfare, the boys and I are headed to CT - to 40 degree weather and snow still on the ground. We leave tomorrow morning, we head to DC first and have to switch planes to get to CT. I planned a long enough layover for the plane switching so wish me goodluck that there are no delays... and that Justin doesn't get too stir crazy!

Boys

Here's one of the pics I took of the boys last weekend. Aren't they handsome! This isn't the best picture, but everytime I move the pics I took the long way into the wide way it spreads the boys wide too... Ahhh, I'll figure it out - but not today!

New Outlook

We can't stop all the bad things happening in the world.
We can simply try to enjoy the good.


I am focusing on the good. When I stop to think there is SO MUCH GOOD!

The garage door opening - knowing my husband is home from work.
A snuggle with my husband.
An I love you mom on the way to bed.
A tiny little voice buried in his arms saying prayer at dinner.
A voice saying, dinner was good tonight, hun.
The sound of 2 brothers playing nicely together.
The littlest brother hugging the big brother and saying I love you, and the older brother saying it back.
The sunset I see nightly out my windows.
Surprising my boys with a surprise attack of nerf darts.
A roof over our head and food to eat.
The soft fur of a dog cuddled next to you.
Laying in a soft bed with tons of pillows after a long day.
Knowing Heavenly Father Loves Me.

THere is so... much more to add!

The Doctor's

We are home from the Doctor. Lots of Bronchitus and Pneumonia going around but she thinks Justin just has a cold. He is running a low grade fever, has a little fluid in his ears and is badly congested but she thinks it is still a cold. He is suppose to start taking Mucinex right away to brake down the guk so he doesn't get bronchitis and as long as he starts to get better and the fever doesn't sky rocket we are good. YAY!

Did you know my doctor told me I was smart? I was so proud of myself. When I told her he threw up after only having cough meds in his tummy for about 30 mins. she asked if I had given him another dose. I said no I was too scared he had absorbed some so I made him hot herbal tea with a TON of honey. SHE SAID I WAS SO SMART!! She said that yes he had absorbed some meds in that amount of time and redosing would have overdosed him - scary! BUT she was also impressed that I gave him HONEY. She said there have been some studies done recently that suggests that honey stops coughing just about as good as cough syrup! YEA ME! (sometimes as a mom you really need to hear that you've done good!)

Our House

Our House is starting to feel more homey.

Alex without being asked is hanging up all the stuff I couldn't when he was working so much. I have lights over my kitchen table, ceiling fans went up in the family room, Nic's room, our room and the Grandma and Grandpa room. He even fixed a towel rack for me.

I like this new man who is emerging! He even called me his Princess - love that! Every wife should be a princess to their husband! He is just so much happier! He really loves his new job! They offered OT on Thursday and Friday and he took it and can't wait for more! AND, now don't fall off your chairs people HE GOT PAID FOR THE OVER TIME - AND NOT JUST PAID HE GOT TIME AND A HALF! What I said? What? He never did before! YEA NEW JOB! He feels appreciated and valued and really enjoys the other employees! What a difference that makes in your spirit and happiness.

I hope he keeps loving this job, cause I'm loving this happier husband of mine!

Coughing...

So my little J is sick. He got a cough the day after the crop duster was out - I know just a coincidence, I'm sure he got it from a grocery cart or something wierd... but, it is getting worse.

He is just so congested. You know the congested that stays even when you cough it out. I gave him some delsum and a hot steamy bath before bed thinking it would help him sleep. And of course his nightly pear and apple - the boy refuses to go to sleep without eating a pear or an apple, sometimes both, in bed before he goes to sleep.

Not 15 mins after getting him to bed, this horendous hacking - nonstop - scary and then the throwing up from coughing so hard. My poor baby, back into the bath tub. And now I have no idea how much of the meds he threw back up so we went with some herbal tea drowned in a ton of honey. So far it is working... but I think I see a Dr's visit in my future tomorrow.

Meet our furry boys

Say Hi to JD, Max and Riley

JD is a yellow lab he's my BFF! If you need a good cry, wrap your arms around his neck and let go. He doesn't mind his fur getting wet at all! Best of all he doesn't judge, say mean things, or talk back. Did I mention he snores - Really Loudly! JD has even flown on a plane - all the way from CT to AZ when we moved. He has asked us not to repeat that process however!

Max is the bigger of the 2 white fluff balls. He is very independent but will let nothing stand in the way of a pet. If he decides to sit next to you and you don't start petting him you will start to feel small taps on you - yup Max is "love tapping" you with his paw to remind you he's there and of course to pet him.

Riley, is Max's brother and the smallest ball of white fluff. He loves to cuddle and we lovingly refer to him as cat dog. He loves to curl up behind your kneck on the couch or lay in your arms like a baby.

We love our pups and they all really love us and each other! THey love to sleep curled up together and Riley LOVES JD! His favorite place to curl up is on JD.

We went out tonight....

Without the kids!
It is so nice to have Nic be able to babysit. Alex and I went out tonight for pie at Marie Calenders - my favorite is double blueberry cream - kinda like a blueberry cream cheese pie YUM!
It was wonderful to be able to talk without being interupted 101 times!
Plus my husband is so happy! He loves his new job!
A happy husband makes me happy!

New Job

Alex has a new JOB! Did you notice that there is not an s on job?????
He gave his notice today for the other 2! We have been flooding jobing.com with his resumes. His working so many hours was really hard on all of us!

I am so THANKFUL to get my husband home at night again! I have been so scared in the house at night alone with the kids and the 3 dogs. I go to bed around 2am and am up again between 4:30 and 5:00. I feel like I'm in a constant fog from lack of sleep!

He is thankful to go back to a normal work schedule and getting to spend some quality time with us!

My poor husband

THis morning at 6:30am I get a call from my husband. "Kristi, can you do me a favor and get me an appointment with the dentist today."
His toothache has morphed into so much pain he can no longer wait until a day off to have it looked at.
So being the WONDERFUL wife I am I was able to get him an emergency appt for 1:00.
At about 3:00 he stumbles into the kitchen gauze filling his mouth and hands me an instruction sheet of how to care for him and 2 scripts that need to be filled ASAP as one is for pain.
They pulled 2 teeth - with only novicaine. (This is why I really hate the dentist! Totally scary place!)
So I called his boss for his night job and he was completely unsympathetic as he had 3 other people call out. I explained it was an emergency, we had no way of knowing this would happen.
Guess what, my husband is at work! They couldn't cover his shift. At work, barely talking, in pain, and on Vicodin. I could cry! I told him if I could I would go to work for him tonight.
This 2nd job thing where you make crappy $ is awful - even when you do your job are always early, switch shift times when ever asked you still get treated like crap!!! Even awfuller when you need it to pay the bills and can't tell them to take a leap.
I think even scarier than the lack of jobs right now is these employers thinking they can pay crap and treat you like crap because theres a line of people behind you that will take your job and will probably work for even less!