Great News!!!!

My baby brother is getting MARRIED!!!!!

I will tell you the whole exciting and super romantic story ASAP but right now I am headed off to WOMENS CONFERENCE!

I am so excited, I am going with my Mom, my Mom - in - Law is here babysitting the sweeties... It should be a great time! Especially since we are going with Dereks Fiance and her Mom and Sis.

Good times...

I am so excited to tell you the story of how he asked her! I am so proud of him for being so romantic!!!!

*Bragging Rights

I just really needed to brag a little bit about my amazing hubby. Obviously the past couple of weeks have been crazy, and as usual, my Jonathan takes the reins and does an amazing job. He has done all the dishes, most of the meals (including feeding Hannah when he is home) and helping soooo much around the house. Things are starting to return to normal and I am not feeling too sick anymore (I am guessing that the HCG level test on Tues will be lower and it will be a cyst).
We are also trying to get things together to turn our garage into a playroom!!!! Yeah! Guess who has been doing 99% of the work so that he can make his wife super happy? Yep - that would be Jonathan.
I feel so truly blessed to have him in my life! He is so good and kind and loving to all of us! Sometimes I can't figure out why he married me knowing how hard it would be with all of my health problems (and we didn;t even know all that pregnancy would entail at that point). I am just so thankful he did.
I can truly say that I could never have imagined I would love him THIS MUCH! It is great! It is funny because I look back on our wedding with such fond memories and happiness - and I never would have thought at that point that I would love him anymore than I did then. I know you are all laughing at me now.... You know how it is, each day you just fall even harder ****SIGH****.
Basically what I am trying to say (i know, I am rambling) I love my husband - I cannot imagine a happier or more fulfilling life than the one I have.
Thank you Jonathan for loving me the way that you do!

Another Angel watching over us

Dear Baby,
We were pretty shocked to learn that you were on the way. We got pretty excited about the prospect of another little one. Call us crazy but even though the timing wasn’t what we had planned, we knew you would bring so much more love and joy into our home.
We thought how much fun you and Hannah would have growing up so close in age. We thought how great it was that by the end of the year we would have another beautiful baby. We even looked at cribs, thought of names, and figured out how we would make it through another summer of sickness.
We were so sad to say goodbye to you today. We know we will see you someday, along with the other babies we have lost. In the very short time you were with our family we learned so much.
I feel as though my heart has broken again. I am so sad, a little relieved, and so sad to feel a little relieved. I know there is a reason and a plan for us all. I am going on faith right now, there is a reason for all of this even if I cannot understand it now.

We Love you!

Thank you all for your comments, your love, your support. We are grateful to have such wonderful friends and family!

Russell Hans

3 year appointment

29 lbs --- 25%

39.5" --- 75%
He is doing great!

(He may have to do some speech therapy because he still can't do r's and l's. I guess all of Moms efforts to teach aren't cutting it...)

Hannah Noelle

4 month appointment

15.2 lbs --- 75%

26 1/4" --- 95%
What a big girl!

We are so grateful to have such happy and healthy kids!

April Fools?

So, I had planned on doing a post similar to this one for April fools, but trust me - it is no joke. I decided since everyone will know soon enough anyway I might as well get it out in the open so, as Jen B said, I can get all the support I need. I am pregnant. I don't know when I am due, since I JUST had a baby. I have my first appointment next week but since I am already sick it is pretty impossible to hide. Most of you know how sick I get and how hard this will be. I mostly feel bad for Hannah - how can I be the mother she needs????
I had dreams the whole time I was pregnant with Hannah that I found out I was pregnant when she was just 4 months old. Well, that was on the 3rd - so here we are. We were careful because of those dreams and I suppose that when the Lord has something in mind for us we cannot do to much but accept his will and try our hardest to be our best.
We NEVER want this baby to feel unloved or unwanted, that is simply not true. While the timing is not what we had planned we will be grateful to have a healthy baby.
I also feel for the friends and relatives I have who struggle with infertility. My heart aches for them and I hope they realize that what I am going through is in some ways a struggle too. I continue to pray for you always and know that the Lords timing is best - even if we may never know why in this life.

I also think about how much we struggled with getting and staying pregnant before Hannah. Maybe the Lord is blessing us even before we thought to ask. He knows we wanted more and if He thinks we can handle it, I guess we can. I was thinking the other day that maybe we would be done because I didn't want to go through all of the miscarriages again...
On the upside, Hannah will never have to go to far to find a friend to play with, I am already fat - what is anothr 60-70 lbs, I really do have an incredible and supportive family that will help us to get through this! Thank you all in advance!

Our Grass grows FAST!

Me - Emma, you may not want to wear those outside, they are hard to run in (speaking of her strappy high heeled summer sandals)
Emma - Running isn’t good anyway. You just zip so fast you can’t see the grass grow!

Veggies Anyone?

I know what you are thinking, GROSS, right? Well let me share with you a little bit of how food works at or house...
My kids know that they are going to get veggies. I tell them they can either have them on the side by themselves or they can eat them in the cheesy sausey goodness. Which do you think they choose? I put fresh steamed chopped spinach or peas in macaroni. Of course it is the low fat way and still is a "rare" meal at our home. They LOVE it.
I have kind of an issue with the whole deceptive cooking thing (although, I am the first to admit I throw veggies in with just about everything - but if they ask whats in the food I tell them right away what all i put in). I want my kids to learn to make good choices, that veggies ARE yummy, and that they are going to eat them. I never give my kids another meal option, they know that what they see is what they get. There have been a couple of times they have gone to bed hungry (although they have eaten the meal the next day for leftovers). Am I a mean Mom????
I have made yummy lazagna using thinly sliced zucchini and summer squash instead of noodles, the kids LOVED it. They also helped me make it so they knew exactly what was going into it. I feel like I don't want to try to trick them because then they will think, "if veggies were good, Mom wouldn't have to trick me into eating them". Does that make sence? Also, If they taste something they normally like and its weird, then maybe they won't eat that again. So - thats my soapbox. If it works for your family that is awesome, but for mine I find that Honesty is the best policy. The kids know I use applesause instead of oil and they are glad. Why? I let them taste oil one time. Now they are happy I use the yummy stuff instead (they think I am a great mom! Yeah!)
Here are two super super healthy and really yummy meals my kids love

Swiss Oats with Fruit (breakfast)
At night -
1 1/2 c. old fashioned oats
1 1/2 c. low fat milk and 1 tsp vanilla OR vanilla soy milk OR vanilla rice milk
2 TBSP honey
1-2 tsp cinnamon

cover with plastic and refrigerate overnight

Next a.m. stir in 3 c fruit. Chopped apples, Strawberries, Blueberries, rasberries, blackberries, dried cherries, apricots, raisens, etc. any combo you like.
YUM

Rice and Veggies

1 can "reduced everything"cream of mushroom soup plus 1 can water
1 can "reduced everything" cream of chicken soup plus 1 can water
1 pkg frozen veggies (we like the california style)
Chicken peices or canned chicken
mix above together and add instant brown rice till soupy consistancy. Make sure to leave enough moisture that it will not be dry. Put some cheddar cheese on top (not too much if you want it healthy) cover and cook at 350 for 45-60 min.
YUM! The kids love the cheesy veggies and rice.

I hope you like them! PLEASE know that all of you who do the deceptive thing, that is great if it works for you and I don't want to make anyone feel bad. I just wanted to share how things work at our house! Anyway to get the kids to eat right??

Fallen

Since you all probably think I have fallen off the face of the earth I thought I would let you know... I havn't! Things have been so busy around here!
We went to Joseph City to visit Great Grandma Westover the other day. It was great to drive over with my Mom and the kids did great on the trip!
A friend of mine (since 2nd grade) came to town and I got to visit with her (Fri and Sat a.m.s) which was wonderful! The kids had a great time playing with her kids out in the castle playhouse her Dad made! Fun! I have been thinking alot about the visit I had with her because while it was awesome it also made me kinda sad. We had a "fight" in high school (you know high school girls and how MEAN they are) and we never hung out much after that. I tend to avoid confrontation at all costs so I was sure she didn't really like me any more. I wish I could go back and talk to her 13 years ago, figure out our differences, and not waste all that time that we could have been great friends.
Anyhow, it was so great to catch up with her and Jonathan got to meet her and he thought she was great too! We also had little cousin Abbi on Sat cause her Mom (who works for a CPA) had to work. She is so fun!
Sunday... ok, for any of you who have hubbys that have to go to bishopric meeting Sunday morning at 5:30, you will understand this.... I got up and felt AWFUL but I got the kids ready and we got to church on time (9). And I still felt awful. So, Russell, Hannah, and I came home. I fed Hannah a bottle and put her down for a nap. Russell and I cuddled on the couch and slept from about 12:15ish to 2!!!! It was adorable! I wish I had a picture! Anyhow, poor Jonathn who had been at church sooo early had tithing as well as other stuff and didn't get home till after 2. AND, he had Emma with him. He let her type on the typewriter at church and draw pictures, but he said she was getting pretty impatient. He is such an amazing man. I truly feel so blessed to have him in my life. He always does his best to fulfill his callings while somehow making us feel like we are #1.
Sun afternoon we went to visit Jonathans sister and her family who just moved into our ward! Jonathans Mom was here too so it was great to be able to visit her. Then I ran to a fireside where they were introducing Activity days and scouting to the kids and parents of kids turning 8 this year. I did a little talk and just hoped I made sence. I had been popping Pepto pills all day. As well as Papaya enzymes and advil. Yikes. I don't know if it was the combo of everything or what but I think it made me even sicker...
This post probably made no sence to anyone but me, but it was such a memorable weekend so I wanted to be sure to get it written down so I would remember it:)

April 7th 2008

I don't mean to sound redundant but my kids really are soooo sweet! For my birthday they got up early and swept and mopped the floor. They were so sweet all day trying to make it a really great day. I am so blessed!

Daddy took these pictures as evidence of the surprise while I "slept in"!

The Birthday Boy!!!!

March 31st 2008

Happy birthday little Russy Bubs

After dinner came the presents. Big sister was soooo much help! So was Dillon! Thanks guys:)

We had such a great time wishing our little guy a happy birthday! He was so happy about all the cars on his cake.

BLoW!!!

Movie with Uncle Derek

A couple of weeks ago uncle Derek came overto watch a movie with us. We watched Evan Almighty and Russell was like a magnet to Dereks side!

What just came out of that boys mouth????

Yesterday I told the kids we were going to plant African Daisies out front this morning. First thing this morning Russell says, "Are we going to plant the a-freakin daisies yet?"

HA

I was stretching my arms during breakfast and I noticed Russ looking at my middle. I asked him what he was looking at and he said, "you have a BIG BIG belly Mom!!!"

YEEESH, I am glad to know that all the running is paying off...

Tags

I got tagged twice so here they are... I hope you enjoy learning way ymore about me than you probably EVER wanted to know

Tagged By Becky!!!

A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friends: Jonathan, Mom, Jen, Kyra
C- Cake or Pie: Cake
D- Day of choice: Saturday - especially when Jono is HOME!!!!
E- Essential item: Diaper bag! all 85 lbs of it!
F- Favorite color: right now its brown and pink together
G- Gummy bears or worms: Worms
H- Hometown: Flagstaff, AZ
I- Indulgences: Chocolate...
J- January or July: January
K- Kids: Emma 4, Russell 3, Hannah 4 months in 2 days...
L- Life is not complete without: My Family and the Gospel of Jesus Christ
M - Marriage Date: August 8th 2002
N- Number of Siblings: 2 brothers
O- Oranges or apples: Oranges
P- Phobias or fears: Losing a member of my family
Q- Quotes - All the darkness in the worls cannot overcome the light shed by a single candle - be that candle
R- Reason to smile: My kids smiling back
S- Season: spring and fall
T- Tag three friends: Tia, Shannon, Jen
U- Unknown fact about me: I didn't learn to tell time till I was well into my 20's
V - Very favorite store: Old Navy
W- Worst habit: My Temper (is that a habit?) I swear I have red hair under all the brown...
X- X-ray or Ultrasound: WHAT????? I guess it would depend on if I was pregnant or had a broken skull.
Y- Your favorite food: Don't get me started.... Love it all - today I am totally craving Alice Springs Chicken (SOOOO not on the diet)
Z- Zodiac: Aries

Tagged by Dawn --- Here I go!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My great great Aunt Christina

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Easter Sunday!

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? HATE it

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Smoked Turkey

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 3!!!

6.IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I should hope so!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM ALOT? Constantly - I think I inadvertently hurt feelings because of it... I dont mean to!!!

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yep!

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? If I could get my Neurosurgeon to let me!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Kashi Go Lean Crunch Honey Almond Flax

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? To hard to retie with my mouth so I usually leave them tied:)

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE MENTALLY STRONG? I think so mst of the time

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Today it is mint choco chip

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? smiles

15. RED OR PINK? Today Red

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?My temper

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Kyra

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? yep

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? blue and pink pajama pants (don't judge me...) and no shoes

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Corn flakes

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Super Why (PBS Kids show)

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Yellow

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Outsided after rain

24.Who is the last person you talked to on the phone? The love of my Life. (That would be Jonathan silly)

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Love her

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Basketball and Football

27. HAIR COLOR? Brown

28. EYE COLOR? Hazel but I like to pretend they are green

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No. Should I? Yes

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Anyone who knows me knows i could spend an hour on this question so lets just say food is my passion!

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Both

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Waitress which I LOVED! I have to admit there were bad parts but the movie was soooo stinkin adorable and real and sweet. I just loved the main charachter soooo much!

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Pink

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter.

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Both - and lots of 'em

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Brownies and ice cream

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Anna

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? ????????

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? None - Laptop

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T. V. LAST NIGHT? Nothing - we had a bday party for my little man

42. FAVORITE SOUND? kids laughing

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Hawaii

I tag..... Anna, Nikki, Annette, and Crystal