HaPpY bIrThDaY Ellie!!

I can't believe that you are officially one today my dear sweet Eleanor!

This year has gone by so fast, I remember how I couldn't wait to meet you little one. I went to my Dr. appointment that day, hoping I would be induced and so I could finally meet you, I didn't need to be induced you were ready to come, my Dr. sent me right over to the hospital and less than 2 hrs later you had arrived!! You were so ready to come, the Dr. wasn't even in the room when I delivered you the poor student nurse had to catch ya!! The poor girl looked terrified, but in awe at the same time. When you came out you didn't wait for the nurses to suction you out to take a breath, and when you did you got some liquid in your lugs so I didn't get to hold you right away, they had you laying down and crying so you could get all the liquid out of your lungs.

After our friends brought us our camera daddy took your first picture.

When Kaleb was about 4 months old I was woken up in the middle of the night knowing that my next baby was going to be a girl and that her name was going to be Eleanor Grace, your dad and I had never considered these names before, but your great grandmother Jessen's name was Eleanor, and it just felt right to give our next little girl her name and we would call you Ellie just like her. It meant a lot to your grandpa J that you were named after his mother.

After about an hr your lungs were clear and I was finally able to hold you for the first time!! You were so beautiful, and I knew that your name fit you perfectly you were definitely our little Ellie Grace.The next day Marryne and Kaleb got to meet you for the first time!! Marryne was so giddy when I placed you in her arms she didn't want to put you down!

Kaleb was more interested in watching cartoons! He wasn't sure what to make of you quite yet, it took him about a week to warm up to you, but he loves you so much now!! He loved to play with you and make sure that you are ok, he is always so concerned(and maybe sometimes annoyed) when you cry. He seems to finally be getting the hang of being a big brother.

Grandma and Grandpa J, Uncle Ethan and Aunt Aimee and Uncle Joey and their kids were able to come for your baby blessing in February. Grandma J made your beautiful dress, bonnet and booties. It was so neat to have everyone here, they all loved you right away you were always being held by someone!!

After your blessing you just seemed to grow so fast, you experienced your first Easter, you slept while the older kids hunted for eggs. We also took you to the Easter Pageant at the Mesa Temple for the first time, you did so well.

You were about 4 months old when you started to roll around, you didn't see the need to crawl because you could get around just fine by rolling!! You also started eating baby food, and you could hold your own bottle.

Next came your first 4th of July and fireworks experience, I thought you would cry but you seemed to love them. You wore the same dress Marryne wore on her first Independence Day. It was around this time that you started crawling, you still (preferred to roll though).

In June you were in the hospital for dehydration and a temperature over 104, you gave us quite a scare! You were only in the hospital for 4 days, we were so relieved when we were finally able to bring you home, Marryne and Kaleb were so happy they were really concerned for you and happy to see that you were ok.

A few months later we celebrated Halloween, you were a lady bug just like Marryne was for her first Halloween. You didn't care to much for trick or treating, but you loved seeing all the kids in their costumes.
We just celebrated your first Christmas! You loved all the colorful wrapping paper, more than the wonderful toys and clothes that you got!! You loved when daddy helped you jump on the bed with the older kids on Christmas Eve (it's a tradition). You also got to see snow for the first time, you didn't like it much though, unlike Ryne and Kaleb!And here you are now our big 1 year old!! You aren't walking yet, you seem to be taking your time which is fine by me!! You only have one tooth, but oh the things you eat with only one tooth :)

Ellie we love you so much, you have been such a good baby. You brother and sister love you so much, and have really enjoyed watching you grow and learn. You have such a great little personality, I never met your great grandma Jessen but sometimes I wonder if you are like her. You love Marryne and Kaleb, I love how your face lights up when they walk in the room. I love how you can turn a bad day into a good day just by smiling!

You have such a sweet and strong spirit, we are so happy that you belong to our family, I feel that you were truly meant to come to us we are so very blessed to have you in our lives. We love you Ellie and we hope you have a wonderful 1st birthday!

Love,

Mom, Dad, Ryne, and Kaleb

The hair cut!

Kaleb got a hold of a little manicure set you know the ones with scissors! I didn't know he even had it, where it got it from or when he got it, but he brought it to me, then told me that he forgot the scissors went to get them and then proceeded to tell me " I cut my hair see!?" while he was pointing to his bangs. I just stared then he said "Aren't I handsome momma!? I made it handsome see?" It could be worse I know, it could have been Marryne or he could have decided that Ellie or one of the dogs needed a cut, so I am grateful that it was just his "bangs". But he does look like Dracula ya know with the widows peak to bad it's not Halloween!!:) Now that I look at the pictures it really doesn't look that bad. And this is the first time he's done this, I guess I should say it's the first time he has succeeded I have got him before. Oh well it's just hair it will grow back. :)

Etsy, Tae Kwon Do and sleep overs.

The last couple of weeks have been busy for me besides keeping up on all the house work I have been using all my spare time making bows and crocheting hats for my Etsy shop! I did finally get the shop up and running check it out you can click HERE or on the button on my side bar. I will be updating it over the next few days so keep checking it.

There are a few reasons why I have decided to sell my bows and other handmade items, one: because I have had many people(friends and strangers) ask me if I do, so I figured sure why not. 2) A lot of people encouraged me too and 3) most recently I have come to discover that I love Tae Kwon Do (even though I have only been to one class), and I would like to continue with classes, so my hubby told me I need to sell some bows to feed my addiction. And hey what a good addiction, getting fit and learning to protect myself. So really all sales are for a good cause! :)

On to other things, I was just randomly thinking last night at how inconsistent we are with certain things, and by we I mean my husband and I. There are so many times when we start to do something, and are doing great, then we miss doing it once and that's the end, after that it's randomly done no consistency at all. And no I am not talking about loosing weight or working out that is coming along just fine. It's more with our kids, and kids of all people need consistency, but for some reason we just can't seem to find our groove to be consistent with this particular thing. When it all comes down to it, I know we just need to get our priorities straight, and decided if the regular t.v. programs that we watch are more important than our kids spiritual growth, and I already know the answer to that question, I am just finding it hard to follow through. But I think my voicing it we will try and work harder at it (it worked for loosing weight).

Ellie's 1st birthday is on Saturday and I can't believe that my baby is going to be 1, I look at her and I just don't think she is big enough to be ! which is partly due to her tiny size. I just feel like I had her and think to myself it's been a year already!? And maybe it doesn't seem like a year because she's not doing all the things the other kids were by the time they turned 1, she is just taking her sweet time and I am ok with that. We decided not to do anything huge for her birthday cause let's face it, she won't remember but we are having some friends over for dinner and stuff. I haven't decided what I am going to do just yet for her cake, I keep changing my mind, although I think I have finally decided now I just have to figure out how I want to do it. I don't know what to get her for her big day, she has so many toys and she seems to be good for clothes, so I am clueless but I am taking suggestions?

Ryne is having her first sleep over on Friday!!! She is so stoked, she invited her best est little church buddy Makenna over, for a fun girls night painting nails, watching girly shows and eating ice cream!! The first thing she asks when she wakes up in the morning is "is it Friday yet!?" sofar she has been disappointed by my answer. At first I thought this would be a bad week to do it with Ellie's b-day and all but then I figured, that the girls will probably keep themselves entertained, which would make things easier for me. Anyway I think I am looking forward to it just as much as Marryne, it will be tons of fun!!

Rain rain.....

stay all day, Kaleb Lamps wants to play!! It was pouring rain this morning while we were waiting for the bus to come, and it was so hard for Kaleb not to jump in the big puddles that had formed in our yard!! I could see that look in his eye as he inched closer to the puddles, I had to restrain him! Poor kid he was so sad, but I really didn't want to send him to school soaking wet and muddy, plus he would probably catch a cold bring it home and pass it on to everyone else. Can you guess the first thing he did when he got off the bus this morning!?

Yup he jumped in the biggest puddle he could find!

He was really enjoying himself!

Lucky for me I had figured he would do this so I had a hot bath and hot chocolate waiting for him when he was done!!

What a storm!!

The news wasn't kidding when they said that we were going to have " a record storm". I think in all my years living here in Az that was the worst storm I have ever been through! I have weathered many storms and power outages, but last nights was a little different my husband wasn't there to hold it together and be the strong one. I was the one my kids looked to when the power went out, I was the one that couldn't freak out cause I could here stuff flying around outside. Lucky for me a few days ago I was smart enough to gather all the candles and flash lights(that worked) and put them in the kitchen (just in case), I really didn't think we were going to need them, storms like this don't usually happen in Az.

I was feeling fine about the storm until I checked on FB and read about a tornado watch in the Phoenix area! That made me a little nervous, but I figure well I am past Mesa so it doesn't apply to me. I made dinner for the kids, lately we have been waiting for Dana to get home to have dinner, but for some reason I felt like I should make it earlier. Just after we had finished dinner, we settled down to watch some T.V. I figured I better try and catch the news, right as they were talking about the tornado watch the power went out! CRAP I thought, cause I had heard them say something about Pinal County but wasn't sure! I was the one my kids looked to when the power went out, I was the one that couldn't freak out cause I could here stuff flying around outside. Lucky for me a few days ago I was smart enough to gather all the candles and flash lights(that worked) and put them in the kitchen (just in case), I really didn't think we were going to need them, storms like this don't usually happen in Az, but as it was we needed them. So I calmly lit the candles we had, and placed one in each room only to find out my wonderful son was blowing them out which was a little unnerving! After putting Kaleb in time out for continuing to blow out the candles, I put Marryne in charge, and cuddled Ellie up so I could go check on our elderly neighbor next door.I knew she didn't like being in the dark alone so I wanted to see how she was doing and invite her over, I think that was more for me than her cause I new I would feel better having another adult around, she decided to wait awhile and see what the storm was going to do. I was surprised when I got home that the kids were right were I had left them, they didn't move 1 inch!! They were a little scared (unknown to them so was I), Ryne was worried about her daddy wondering if he was ok in the car, I was a little worried too, the winds were strong and I knew that people were being advised to stay in doors. We decided to say a little pray to give us some comfort, that worked the kids were running and playing after that.

Dana got home about a 1/2 hr after the power had been out the kids(and I) were glad to see he was ok. Dana hadn't had anything to eat, and he didn't want the waffles we had for dinner (he's still dieting) , so once I handed the of so frightened Ellie over to Dane I pulled out the camping stove. Marryne told Dane about how the power went out, my favorite part was when she said " mommy was so brave, she even went to check on Doreen! And she ain't afraid of the dark, she's the bestest!!" that made me feel so good, cause even though I was falling apart in the inside it wasn't visible to me kids and I made them feel safe. We had decided that if the power didn't come back on before it was time for the kids to go to bed we would all sleep in the same room, just in case, but the power came back on in the nick of time!

I only had 3 big candles and a bag of tea lights, I figured the tea lights would be better in numbers , so I pulled out some serving trays and loaded them up! It worked really well.

Dane cookin, on the camping stove, I think that it one of the best investments we have ever made!!Ellie trying to find mommy in the dark.I loved how our family hand print tree looked by candle light! It reminds me that even in the darkest of times our family will always be there to help us and make us feel safe, they are the light we should seek after when we are at our lowest.

New motto

It seems I have found a new groove, in being a mom! It's only taking me 5 years but I think I have finally got the hang of it!!! Over the weekend I moved the pantry from the laundry room to the kitchen, then I cleaned all the clutter off the fridge and I was pleasantly surprised by the results:) It got me on a cleaning spree, I have been cleaning all the nooks and crannies and it has seemed to make things go smoother in the house with the kids! They are all the sudden asking how they can help and even doing some cleaning on their own it has been wonderful! I know it won't last but hey I am lovin it right now! I have noticed that the busier I can keep, I have better days, I am happier and seem to have put a bounce back in my step!! Who woulda thunk that cleaning little places would do that for me :)

The new little puppy we have (Tidus) is a chewer, and the kids have learned that if they don't want there toys to become chew toys they clean them up, it's been great the house has been staying SO much cleaner to wear there is usually only a few little things to pick up before bedtime. I think the kids have also noticed that since I don't have to spend all day cleaning I have more time for them, and that seems to be a great motivator not just for the kids but for me as well.

My mom got me this great book for Christmas called Mother's Wisdom and it is full of stories from other people about their mother's and the things they learned from them. It is very uplifting and I really love it, one of the first things I read I took to heart and I have decided that it's going to be my new motto "remember that motherhood isn't about perfection; it's about a love that learns as it grows", it is so very true and it really helps to put things into prospective for me. When I seem to be having a tuff day I just recite that and all seems to be right in my world.

Going home

Saying goodbye to grandma and papa, it was so early in the morning and the kids were still really out of it. Saying goodbye to uncle Ethan in Cedar City.
Me, Ethan Ryne and Kaleb.
Hoover Dam, this is the new bridge they are building, I thought it looked neat.
Hoover Dam
Ryne her, pillow pet and Hershey, comfy as can be :)

Ryne's birthday take 3!

Ryne has gotten so spoiled this year with Christmas and her birthday.

She has really been wanting to have a tea party, so when she asked if she could have one for her birthday I couldn't say no, and since her birthday landed on a Thursday we scheduled the tea party for Saturday, but then I felt like we should celebrate her birthday on the actually day! We did just a small family thing on Thursday, Kaleb helped me make a small heart cake, that I am honestly going to say I am not proud of!! I tried a new cake and frosting recipe and it just didn't turn out the way I thought it would so I didn't really take any pictures of it, cause frankly it sucked!!

Ryne making a wish on her birthday!

Ryne was so excited for her NO BOYS ALLOWED birthday tea party today! She got all dressed up in her pretty "Barbie princess dress" Grandma J got her for her birthday!

They had little "cookie cutter" sandwiches, I thought they turned out really cute!

The girls giggling:)

I didn't feel like doing another cake, we are all kind of caked out so I did a big sheet of brownies, then used my cookie cutters to cut out some cute shapes and the frosted them! Don't they look delicious!?

Ellie and Jordyn also enjoyed the party!!

More snow fun!

My kids just LOVED all the snow at my parents and they can't wait to go back! The day before we left the kids really wanted to go out and play in all the fresh snow that we had just gotten and I needed a break from packing, so we put on all our snow gear and went outside. We started making a snowman and Marryne decided that we should make "snow kids one for each kid so, grandma won't miss us so much"

All 3 kids with their snow look a likes!After we took pictures with the snow kids I decided to put Ellie down in some deep snow this was her first time in the snow, and she liked it until......

She leaned forward and tried to crawl, it got on her hands and then she was done, but of course being the good parents that we are we let her suffer it out for a minute while we took pictures! :)

This is the moment were she had, had enough and flung herself backwards in frustration, only to find that snow fluffs up and it went right into her little face, boy she REALLY hated that!!

This was her "PLEASE mommy just pick me UP!" look after I wiped the snow off her face.

hApPy BiRtHdAy MaRrYnE!!

It was 5 yrs ago today that I gave birth to my first child a 6lbs 11 and 1/2oz(as the nurse specified) 21 in long beautiful and perfect little daughter, we named her Marryne Aurora, after a distant relative. Ryne was a very good baby for which I

was truly grateful, she slept through the night from day one the only difficulty I had with her was nursing her, she took wonderful naps, and was always such a content little baby.

Ryne has always had a sweet and kind little spirit since the day she was born, she always puts others ahead of herself, she's willing to give away some of her favorite things so others that don't have them can.

She became a big sister when she was only 15months old, but she was good at it from the beginning, always willing to help get diapers and give baths, she sure loved her little brother. She also loves her little sister, although she let's Kaleb help with Ellie a little more now! :)

Ryne is such a good example to her brother and sister,( even though she struggles at times) she is so eager to teach them new things. Ryne is such a good helper to her mom and dad, whenever she is asked to do something I usually here "oh YES momma, and thank you for askin momma". When I am having a tough day she always knows how to make it better, I never make it through the day without hearing her ask "are you ok momma?" she is so concerned for others.

Ryne's teacher always tell me what a joy she is to be around, she's always smiling even on her bad days! She is always helping the other kids in her class feel better when they are sad.

Ryne is such a girly girl but she can climb trees(in a skirt and Sunday shoes, let's see a boy do that!!), and get down and dirty just like any boy can! She is so full of energy and love.

To my Dear Sweet Marryne,

You are a sweet, kind and special little spirit, and we are so grateful that our Heavenly Father put you in our care. You make us so happy each and everyday when we see what a wonderful and helpful little girl you are. You are always willing to help, and many times you don't even ask if you can help you just do, you are a great example to your younger brother and sister, they look up to you as do your dad and I we all have much to learn from you, as much as you have to learn from us. We love you so much our dearest daughter, and sister, we want you to remember that you are a special daughter of Heaven and your Heavenly Father loves you dearly and he is proud of you and the person you are growing up to be, just remember that you can always kneel and say a pray when things get hard. We love you so much and we hope you have a wonderful birthday.

Love,

Mommy, Daddy, Kaleb, and Ellie