Not Really an Update- Update

I've had a few people ask if we've heard anything new about Terry's job lately. Not really. He talked to his supervisor the other day, to see if it would ease some of his worries. It didn't. She basically said "I would love to sit here and reassure you, but I don't even know if I am going to be here when this is all over!" By the end of the conversation, SHE was the one crying! I don't know if they realize the kind of anxiety that they have put their WHOLE staff in! So, as far as we know, the lay-offs will be in the middle of April. So now there is less than two weeks left to worry around here! (double-handed-fingers-crossed!)

'Let Them Be Little'

What I love the most about Rowen:
*He still let's me rock him to sleep every night, just like a baby! I wonder how long it will last? . . .

What I love the most about Makaylee:

*She still gives me a HUGE kiss before she runs into preschool, right in front of everyone! I wonder how long it will last? . . . .

p.s. These cute pictures were taken by my amazing sister, check her out at www.4getmenotphotography.com!

Comedic Relief

We've pretty much been home sick this week. Rowen has an ear infection, and his asthma is acting up, so he is on Antibiotics and steroids. The combination of those meds does not make him, (or his tummy) happy! I felt like we needed a little outing this afternoon, so we went to Arctic Circle for lunch. Rowen's cough seemed all but gone, so after he ate I let him down to play.

Bad. Idea.

He started coughing so hard that he started gagging, and the gagging turned to vomiting! (All over the table and the tray!) I was so embarrassed, and I suddenly needed to be "Octomom!" (No, not the one with 8 babies, the one with 8 arms!) I was trying to console Ro, get him to take a drink, and clean up the vomit, all at the same time! In the middle of the chaos I asked Makaylee for help several times and she just backed away from us and said "EEWWW!" People were looking at me like "Why would you bring a contagious kid to a play place!" And I wanted to shout back "Asthma is not contagious!"

When I finally got the kids to the car, I shouldn't have been mad, but I WAS! I told Makaylee that I really needed her help in there! She is a big girl now and she should be able to help Mommy when I ask! She let me finish whining, and without missing a beat she said matter-of-factly "It's because Mom! I am allergic to BARF!"

I couldn't help but laughing, and I was actually kind of grateful for the comedic relief!

Recession, Shmesshion!!!

Terrill got some "Big News" yesterday. His work is going to be doing layoffs the first part of April. His department will be affected, and he is one of the newest hires in his department. Needless to say, we are a LITTLE worried! They essentially told everyone to clear out the personal info on their computers, and backup their outlook contacts, because when they decide who is going to go, you will be called into a meeting and then you will be headed out the door right then and there.

It seriously reminds me of The Bachelor's rose ceremonies, where everyone has to pack their bags just in case they are the one to be eliminated! :) I wish they didn't do it this way, to give him weeks to stew, and worry, and wonder, "Is it going to be me?!"


I will update when we know anything else!

Off Roading!

I don't know who was having more fun, KK or Ro!

Playin' Cameras with Sister

Thanks for the nice comments about the photos of KK! I took them at my talented sisters studio. She also took a ton of pictures of my kiddos for me, but I don't have them back quite yet. (I have no doubt that when I get them, they will be infinitely better, and I'll be embarrassed of these ;) but I thought these were too cute to not post!

So Lucky to Have Her!

I just wanted to take a minute to write about my sweet KK. She is beautiful, smart, charming, sensitive, and oh-so-funny!

But this weekend she scared us to death! We went out to eat with the Willardsons at Cafe Rio, and she sneaked a red & white mint off our tray, and then started goofing around with Caden. Somehow she accidentally sucked the WHOLE mint down her throat and ran to me choking and dry heaving.

It was scary enough that one of the workers asked if he should call 911. Scary enough that you could see the bulge of the mint in her throat like a humongous adam's apple! So scary in fact that any nursing training I have ever learned flew out the window, (I knew I shouldn't do the Heimlich because she was having some air exchange, but then what should I do?) We were so lucky though, so lucky. She was able to take a few sips of water and help that huge mint slide down, so we didn't have to call 911, didn't have to go to the ER. She was so upset about it all that she was literally shaking afterward. (So was I!) I just held her on my lap, squeezed her so tight, and was so so thankful just to have her there.

It is neat how things like this change your perspective though. . . When you remember that the people that you love could be taken away from you at any time. The way it makes you hug them a little tighter, kiss them a little more often, and tell them how much you love them!

The Happiest Birthday

I had a little meltdown when I turned 25, I felt hideous when I turned 26 (because I was 7 months pregnant.) I hardly even noticed 27, but 28. . . that sounds old! Sigh. . . Terry said "Oh Yeah! Just wait until you are turning 30!" (He is having a little midlife crisis in the form of exercise, but that is a post for another day!)

But anyway, today was such an awesome day (despite turning one year older!) Thanks to the sweetest daughter ever, that woke me up to "Happy Birthday MOMMY!" & Thanks to the cutest girlfriends ever, that took me out to lunch and played with me at the mall all day! & Thanks to my seriously hardworking hubby that didn't have time to buy me a gift so he let me go to the mall and SPOIL MYSELF (See the above outfit & jewelry!) & Thanks to the most wonderful Parents! My Dad was offered Jazz tickets tonight, but couldn't go because he was helping babysit my kids, so he kindly offered the tickets to us (GO JAZZ! WE WON!) & Thanks to the sweet old man sitting behind us that was so funny and generous, he kept giving us cans of soda, nachos, & popcorn from his catered box seats because he didn't want anything to go to waste! As we were leaving he waved, and grinned, and yelled "Have a nice life!" and I just smiled back at him and thought "I really do!"

"No! Don't Like!"

This is the never ending conversation between Rowen and I at EVERY MEAL, and it is driving me just a little bit CrAzY!
(Me) "Rowen, Do you want grapes?"
(Ro)"No! Don't Like!"
"Will you eat Crackers?"
"No, Don't Like!"
"What about Apples?"
"No, Don't like!"
"Will you drink some Milk?
"No, Don't like!"
"How about Chickens?"
"No, Don't Like!"
(I tried to throw him off yesterday so I threw in this:)
"You want some ICE CREAM?!"
"No, Don't like . . . YESSS!!!"
The kid does know what he likes. . . . Ice cream and french fries!
That is about IT!

PoW: 2

I thought this would be fun to enlarge and frame in Rowen's room, (I just wish I had a pink and purple set for Makaylee's name!)

Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah. . . .

On Sunday, we went to Terry's parents ward to hear them speak (they did an awesome job by the way.) There was this neat, young, ENTHUSIASTIC, teenage boy that spoke before them. I was quite enjoying his teenage hyperness, because it was entertaining, but a few minutes into his talk Terry leaned over to me and whispered "Is it just me, or is this kid talking WAY TO FAST?" At almost the same moment that Terry started leaning away from my ear Makaylee leaned in and and said in a very non-sacrament-meeting-voice "I'm trying to listen, but all I hear is BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH....."
(The .... part is the point when I put my hand over her mouth. )

How Did I Live Without This. . .

For so many years!Buy the real thing here, or the knockoff here!

Family Valentines Day

This year, we decided to have a family Valentines Day, no babysitters (no romantic night on the town.) I was a little sad about it at first, but it ended up being so much fun, and my sweetheart surprised me with the sweetest card and these beauties!
So, it was a heart shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's, homemade cheesecake, and chocolate dipped strawberries for the family, (on paper plates while watching Horton Hears a Who!) And it was total bliss! I got to spend Valentines day with all 3 of the loves of my life!

Photo of the Week: 1

(Now that I have a camara that I acutally LOVE taking pictures with,

I thought it would be fun to post a fun photo each week)Valentine cupcakes: White cake mix, Red Jello drizzled on top, loads of cool whip, and super fun edible valentine cards* to decorate the top! Looks good. . . Tastes even better!

*Wal-Mart: $1.88 per 20 cards!

hug.. HUG... HUUUGGGG!

A few weeks ago, a friend asked me if my two kids fight. I thought about it, and smiled, and said "No, they really never do!" ('Wow, aren't I lucky!' I thought.)

But, I forgot to knock on wood! And kids learn. . . Rowen has learned how to push his big sister's buttons! He has perfected this little arm flap, that ALMOST looks like hitting. And let me tell you, it ANNOYS his big sister! (Seriously, he wouldn't be able to hurt a fly with his little flapping arm!)

It goes something like this: She'll look at him (how dare her!) and he'll flap his little spastic arm at her, and she'll yell "Rowen, BE NICE!!! " He will immediately stop, and say "Hug" and she'll melt, give him a huge hug and say "Oh, he is so sweet!"

It is admittedly cute the first time, but this sequence happens over, and over, and OVER! And if Makaylee gets sick of it, or if she gets genuinely offended and won't hug him, he'll chase her around yelling "hug. .Hug!!.. HUG!!.. HHHUUUGGG!!!" Until she gives in and gives him a hug and tells him how sweet he is!