Forgotten Pictures

I uploaded some pictures not long ago and found some that I totally forgot I had taken, but was sure glad I did. The first few pictures are of Joe after a nap. The funniest part about them is that I had just seen some pictures like it on a friend's blog the week before and died laughing at the predicament her child got into--then it was mine and he wasn't happy about me thinking it was so funny.

The other pictures are a real treasure, as we don't ever see this side of Josh. He is always calm and collected and doesn't let loose and play crazy, especially for pictures that may be embarrassing later on. It is normal crazy for the other two, but the whole activity seemed to be Josh's idea and he seemed to be in charge of getting everyone ready for the sumo fight. Lots of fun for me, and I still laugh every time I see the pictures.

Quick Update on Baby

I went to the doctor yesterday and everything is fine. I am down to my weekly appointments, so really, any day. My doctor informed me that he will be gone for about a week and a half--right during the time I will probably deliver--GREAT! I barely caught him in town with my last baby. Doesn't he know he should schedule his life around the coming of this baby as I have? Somehow I have always had a feeling he wouldn't be around for this one, oh well, what can you do? Everyone needs a life outside of work.
The good news is that I lost a pound (which I don't really think I lost, I was wearing lighter shoes and slacks instead of jeans, so that is probably where the extra weight went). But after the 6 pounds I had gained the week before, I was glad there wasn't anymore. I was a little surprised since I was sure I was bigger, which I was, I grew 2 centimeters. The doctor also told me that I had the about most normal urine of any ob patient he's had--I've never had good news like that before, but good news all the same.
Now it is just the waiting and enduring that I need to do. Everyday is a struggle to walk around as the weight and position of the baby greatly hinder my mobility in the hip area, which also hinders my patience with little ones who get in trouble and cause me to chase after them. I'm trying to keep my head on straight and take a Vitamin B here and there to keep my cool and get through this. I know a new baby isn't easy, but I'm really looking forward to that end of things! I guess my point is, the baby isn't here yet but we are both healthy and things are looking good. We are hoping to see the little guy by his due date, November 2.

New job, and truck

Keith recently changed jobs, and I forgot to mention it. He has been at the school district in the tech department for a couple years and has been happy. He has done work on the side for Western Petroleum for several years and they made him a full-time offer as their IT guy. He has been really busy with the new job because they are in the process of moving into a new building and he's hoping to get a lot of things done before the baby comes so he can take a little time for the family. He's been enjoying the new job and, from what I've heard, everyone seems happy to have him around to take care of the problems when they happen instead of when he can get to them. We love it when he's able to work doing what he loves--everyone is happy.


The new truck! This isn't an actual picture of our truck-it was easier for me to just grab this one off the internet. Ours is white and it has a shell. We just barely started looking for a truck when this one came along in the price range we were looking at. Keith was looking for something smaller, but I talked him into the quad cab for family purposes. Our little car has been "old reliable" but is nearing its last days. It is the first vehicle I've seen Keith in that I think really fits him--that is including the cadillac that he just loved. I love the truck, too. Shockingly, it has a smoother ride than the van and I told him I'd drive it right now if I could get into it. My legs aren't as easy to lift up right now and its a challenge to hop in the truck. Joe has loved the truck from the moment he first sat in the back seat. He has always said "It fits me!" And the boys love it when their dad takes them for rides. Joe has a hard time if we go as a family somewhere and its not in the truck. He sure loves his daddy and his truck, or as Joe says, "ruck, I wove it."

Joe's 2nd Birthday!

We went to Keith's grandparents cabin for the weekend, which was a nice break from the ordinary for all of us. We were able to go the weekend of Joe's birthday and he thought it was all about him--which is fine. We had a lot of fun watching the boys have a lot of fun at the cabin. The only problem we had was that Grandma Lila has a little bear statue by one of the doors, and Joe was pretty scared of the bear. Keith put a blanket over the bear and everything was fine after that. 

Joe has always loved a party, and this was no different. We had our movie night up at the cabin and Joe was the last one to fall asleep. 

What a life saver!

This is something that has changed my life, and I forgot to blog about it! We had been married almost a year when we bought a used washer from my aunt. The washer had a motor replaced within the first year we had it, but it has lasted us FOREVER! I went shopping for a new washer around the time Joe was born (2 years ago) because I was sure the thing was going to quit on me. Well, I am positive that paying our tithing has kept the thing running for so long. A couple of months ago I told Keith that by the end of the year I'd like to get a new washer. Then about a week later I was folding laundry and nothing smelled clean. THE TIME HAD COME! We went shopping and took the plunge on the super capacity, super efficient  Whirlpool Cabrio washer. 

Normally, after spending 7 years with an appliance, I would feel some separation anxiety or miss it a little. I am so thankful the old washer ran as long as it did, and I am EVER so grateful for the new washer. It is quiet, it holds 2 1/2 times what my other one did, I don't have to catch the rinse cycle to get softener in or to make sure the bin is "just right" so it doesn't leak all over the floor. I don't spend as much time or energy getting clothes washed as I did before.

The purchase couldn't have come at a better time. We had Matt on some stool softener to help with some issues and it must have softened much more than the stool. The poor little guy was waking up soaked every morning, even with a pull-up. So, washing all the bedding (including comforter) was no big deal with the new washer. I probably would have pulled my hair out or something worse had I dealt with that situation with the old washer. With the new washer I was able to have the patience needed to work through the situation with Matt, who was more upset with himself about the issue than anyone. Every time I use my washer I fall in love with it all over again. 

Fishing with Dad

The boys went fishing with Dad on Labor Day at Steineaker and had a great time. As Josh would say, "The best day, EVER!" They each caught 10-15 fish and were catching them so fast that Keith couldn't keep up with unhooking them and getting their polls ready to go again. They were able to go with their cousins and then we had a fish fry that night together. That was a great treat for the boys because I don't like to eat fish or seafood, so unless it has been caught or someone else buys it, we don't have it. 

It was a great day for everyone, Joe got to take an undisturbed nap while I got some Mom time to work on some projects for fun. The boys love any time they get with their dad. They all sure love him--and I think he's the best dad ever, too. 

Awesome Bike!

Finally, a picture! Don't let the look on Joe's face fool you--he loves the bike! We bought Joe's birthday present early because we are running out of warm days. He's been talking about a bike for a while, so I finally told him we'd get one for his birthday. He doesn't know the difference of when his birthday is, and boy, did he have the best birthday ever the day we bought the bike!

"Awesome bike!" "I'm happy." "I love my bike!" "My daddy for me!" "Bike, my birthday." These are all phrases we continue to hear from Joe about his bike. He is one happy little boy. He sat in the cart with the bike on the way to the checkout and had a fit anytime anyone tried to touch his bike. He shares it well now, but it was his moment and no one else's when we got the thing. He hasn't been able to ride it yet, but loves to be pushed around on it, and it won't be long before he's off and riding with the others. 

It has been so much fun to listen to Joe talk about his bike and how happy it has made him. We never expected the little guy to be SO excited! 

School..Ah, Man! Preschool...All Right!

School has started and Josh is a great student. He works hard and has really nice handwriting. I'm excited that he is doing well academically. He always has fun at school, but would rather be home with Mom and his brothers. We've already had a "sick" day, but I  think that was cured by lots of prayers and all the extra homework he had. Whew!

Preschool is twice a week, which isn't enough for Matt, but is plenty for Mom. I thought preschool would be good for Matt with all the changes this year of a new baby and  Josh being gone all day at school. I'm so glad I did. We have a co-op with some kids Matt already knows and it is the highlight of his life! The other day he was ready to go to preschool before Josh even left for the bus. Later, Keith sat him in front of the clock and told him when it would be time for preschool. To help take his mind off of the waiting, I asked him to bring me Joe's shoes. In reply I get a happy little voice saying, "Sorry! I'm watching the clock!" For 25 minutes he watched! I didn't know he could sit and focus on anything that long. Then, when I took him to preschool, he told me I didn't need to take him in, he wanted to do it himself, and he did!

Night and day--that is the best way to describe the difference between the two. We sure love them both!

Tagged!

I just had to add this picture because Keith looks like he's having so much fun, and it reminds me that there is always a part of us that never grows up.

It's been a while since I've been tagged by Rachel, but I'm finally getting around to doing this. It looked fun, and got me thinking.

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you. 

2. Post the rules on your blog.

3. Write six random things about yourself.

4. Tax six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.

5. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

6. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.

Myself #1 My favorite things used to be swinging, laying on the grass watching clouds, eating ice cream and daydreaming. Now swinging makes me sick. I don't like to lay on the grass anymore so I watch clouds from sitting down. I can only eat ice cream if I have bundled up enough to keep warm. And daydreaming....who has the time?

Myself #2 My new favorite things are: Visiting with Keith, or as he would say, talking to Keith (nothing makes me feel better than to be able to visit with him). Reading stories and playing games with my boys. Going to the mountain with Keith and the boys and taking pictures of the beauty around us. Family movie night where we get in pj's and stay up late watching a movie and eating candy and popcorn. Powerful computers that never have problems and do anything I want them to (courtesy of the geek I married). 

Myself #3 I enjoy doing handwork (embroidery, quilting, crocheting....) in my spare time, when there is some.

Myself #4 I like to bake, and I like learning to cook new things. My favorite show is "Good Eats" on the Food Network. 

Myself #4 Some of my favorite times are when we can spend time with our families. We have good relationships with both of our families and love the time we get together and the friendships we have. 

Myself #5 I became addicted to Lego Star Wars I and II on the computer with the boys at Christmas time. It was great for me because the boys each wanted to play a level with me--so I got to play ALOT! Thankfully I got pregnant and the morning sickness was so bad I had to take a break. I sure love that game.

Myself #6 I love watching and listening to the boys play and laugh together. It is so fun to have a little window into their minds and they have the best laughs. I love that they think they have the greatest dad ever, because they do. I love that they think I'm just a "lame mom" because I don't do fun stuff all the time. I love being at home and taking care of my family even though it is harder than going to work everyday. 

I'm suppose to tag people, but I think most of the people I keep in touch with (and I'm new to this) have been tagged already. So, if you see this and would like to do this on your blog, I'm inviting you. Also, those who haven't started a blog, but enjoy them, please consider yourself tagged and start a blog. 

Dumb Stuff!

Dumb is a word we've tried hard not to use at our house, I didn't want the kids calling each other dumb. It worked pretty well until July 4th last year when Matt was in the bathtub after a fishing trip. He was jumping up and down trying to get his little brother to laugh as I'm telling him to STOP jumping. Well, he slipped and ended up with stitches on his chin. Keith took him to the ER and explained that "when you do dumb stuff, dumb stuff happens." Matt has learned this, but hasn't changed his ways. I could go on and on about the dumb stuff that happens, but here are some recent ones.

Keith took the picture for posterity and Josh explained what happened. Matt had found some gum and was playing around with it, he asked Josh, "Should I put this on my eye?" Josh said, "I don't think that's a good idea." So, Matt put it on his eye. After being gooped up in peanut butter, I don't think he will be putting gum on himself again--hopefully. 

You may notice his nose in the picture, too. This is just another classic look for Matt. While scootering around at his cousin's, he took a tumble on the driveway and has had this mark for a while. He's been asked many times why he was trying to wipe his nose on the driveway, which he thinks is funny. He also loves to wear shorts, and ALWAYS seems to need bandaids for his knees. It seems to happen on Sundays while running around at his Grandma's house. One week while cleaning him up, he said through the tears "But I just love my shorts!" He tries to remember to change into pants before he goes now, because he knows he always falls--hard.

POCKET KNIVES. I've dreaded the day. After a while of good behavior, the boys earned pocket knives. They can only use the pocket knives when their dad is with them, and he keeps them hidden away...somewhere...glad I don't know where. Matt was an "expert" after the first lesson, so he thought. One day, Matt decided to cut an apple on his own, with a regular knife, because he's an expert. I walk in the kitchen to bright red blood dripping from his hand and an apple cut in half. I can't find a knife and he won't tell me what happened. Finally, amongst running water over his hand to find the cut, yelling at him about using a knife without permission and loosing his pocket knife use for a while, I find the knife he used carefully placed back in the drawer where he got it with a few drops of blood. Hum, at least he knew he did something wrong. Luckily no stitches were required, but he had a large bandage on his thumb for a few days which seemed to make him think twice about things he did. 

Matt told me later, "Mom, sometimes I do dumb stuff because I just want to see what happens." That explains a lot!