Finally an Update!!

So I have had several people point out the fact that I have not updated our blog in awhile. I realize it has been nearly a month, but it's been a VERY busy month. So if you have a minute to read this entire blog there are a few things you might like to know.

First off Parker started the first grade and wouldn't you know we got a call from his teacher on the 3rd day!!! He got in trouble for two things. talking, (I know that's a shocker with me as his mother) and trying to make the class laugh (hmm can we say Andrew!) Anyway the thing was he was doing all of this while his teacher was trying to talk. Big no no. So I guess it's during their carpet time he had a little problem distracting the other kids. The good thing is she says at his desk he's all buisness. So we talked to him about it and the next day was better but the first day of the next week we got a second call!!!! SAME THING! I have a feeling this will be something we struggle with his entire school career. I guess with his parentage we should have seen this coming. But the good news is he has an incredible teacher and we've been "practicing" quiet time at home, and we haven't had a call since that day. And his teacher says he's doing great now. Hooray!

Bailey is just amazing. She's growing and changing so much every day! She rolls and turns all around the room, and she's sitting up really well. She's starting to get some hair, and when she's awake she is usually babbling non stop. It's crazy we don't remember Parker talking this much. It could just be the difference in a boy and girl, and she is my child, so I'm sure she'll love to talk. One night she woke up at 2:00am and laid in her crib and just talked and babbled for 2 hours!!!! Of course it was loud enough that we could hear her and we didn't get any sleep!!! But it's hard to be mad when she was so stinking cute!!!! She also LOVES her daddy. For some reason if I'm holding her it's time to play or eat. She won't just snuggle with me. I miss it because Parker was such a snuggle bug, but Bailey will snuggle with Andrew. It's really sweet. I guess she already knows who to wrap around her finger!!

In one of my earlier blogs I mentioned that Andrew's application for the FBI was accepted and that he was going to take the first exam. Well he passed. Now we wait for the second test which could be 3-6 months. Then he'll go to Chicago or Dallas for that which is an essay and an interview. If he passes those then he'll have to take a polygraph test and pass the background check, which could take another 3-6 months, upon passing those then he would take the Physical Fitness test and then wait for a spot to open in a class at Quantico. We would definately have to move. They never send you back to your application area. So we're looking at about a year for the whole process. He's still very excited but we will just have to see. Someone asked why he went to law school if he wanted to go into the FBI. To anwser that he didn't really know he wanted to go into the FBI and not just anyone can apply to be a special agent. You need a degree in one of several fields and law just happens to be one of them. so that's the news there.

I'm just crazy. I've got work and kids, and YMCA classes I teach, and being Primary President and now being roped into helping organize a book fair for the PTA, not to mention the buisness I'm working on, I'm swamped!!!!! So that's my excuse for not getting the blog updated sooner. Besides the laptop was on the fritz and the desktop isn't fast enough for me. I have no patience for slow computers!!!

Well that's my update and here's some pictures! I hope everyone is well.

Flashbacks

I have to start my blog by telling you that yesterday as we were getting ready to leave for Church, Parker could only find ONE shoe. The one he found was in his closet where it was suppose to be, but we could not find the other one. So thus ensued the changing of clothes so he could wear his brown shoes. We also told Parker that he would have to clean his room today. Normally if I tell him to clean his room he will. And at first glance it looks pretty good. The floor will be clean and the bed will be made. But a closer inspection will reveal that he has things stuffed everywhere! So we had to do a real thorough cleaning to find the shoe. Of course this was not going to happen with out my help. I started pulling things out of corners and drawers that did not belong. I found ties in his lego bucket! And when I ask if his tie looks like a lego he just looks at me and shrugs! Ugh. So I put everything in the middle of the floor and try to get him to clean it up. I'm sure I did most of the work, but my flashback was to my childhood and my mother doing the same thing. My deepest apologies to my mom for all the stress of trying to get us to clean our rooms properly!! It didn't occur to me until just now to take pictures of his mess but I'm happy to say after almost all day the room is very clean and organized. And his comment, "It's nice to know where all my stuff is." Hmm imagine that!

Oh and we did find his shoe it was hiding behind his books on his bookshelf. Don't ask how it got there because I haven't the slightest idea!

Here's a couple of pics of the kiddos. I think they're cute, but what do I know?

Milestones

I'm sitting here at the computer at almost midnight wondering what on earth I'm doing still awake. I find sometimes it's the best time to get things done. Does anyone ever wish that we just didn't need as much sleep as we do? I know I usually feel like I need an extra couple of hours in the day. Granted I can find them if I sacrifice sleep, but eventually you have to pay the piper. I remember the days I could pull all nighters and not think twice about it. Now unfortunately I don't do well on any less than 6 hours of sleep and I would LOVE to have more like 10!! Okay I know in my dreams!!
Well a couple of milestones for the kids. Bailey is officially mobile. She can roll from back to stomach and from stomach to back. She can also sit up pretty well. She usually sits leaning forward supported by her hands. Today we watched her pull up to a straight sitting position, and hold it. It's so crazy that she's already doing all this. Parker did everything early and I was kind of hoping that little miss Bailey would take it slow. It doesn't look like that will be the case.
And Parker's milestone, in two weeks the kid starts 1st grade. It sounds so different from saying we have a kindergartner to saying we have a 1st grader. Honestly where does the time go?

For those of you that may be wondering what my darling husband has been up to since he passed the Bar exam, he's been working for Sprint, in the real estate department. However this week he takes starts the testing process for the FBI. Yes you are reading that correctly. He applied in October and found out last week that his application has been accepted to go to the testing phase. We have no idea how long this will take. When I asked him if he was excited about it, his response was, "Of course, who wouldn't want to say, 'I'm a special agent for the FBI' that's just sounds cool." He does however have to pass the background check! So if men in dark suits show up on any one's door step be sure to say nice things!!!!!

A little update on myself. I've started a business (like I don't have enough to do!) as a consultant for a company called BeautiControl. They specialize in spa quality products at home! It's a lot of fun to do the in-home spas and to meet new people. I have a website if anyone wants to check it out. www.beautipage.com/spaanywhere I have fallen in love with the products. Let me know if anyone is interested in knowing more.
No pictures tonight because it's late but I'll try to put some on in the morning.
I'd love to hear from everyone.
Have a wonderful week!!!!

Correction

So it was brought to my attention that there were a few oversights in my last blog. Ed would like it stated that he and Linda had Parker for 6 days not 5. And they survived I might add. Parker is a very early riser, so there was not much sleep while he was there.

I also failed to mention Ed's son KIRK. He claims that he did the most work, and no one is arguing. He's 12 and Parker thinks he can do anything. He looks up to him so much. Parker loves Linda and Ed but he always asks if Kirk is going to be around when we go visit. Kirk is very good with Parker and entertains him well. So he gets credit for doing the most stuff with Parker and making the trip as fun as it could possibly be. Ed and Linda get the credit for planning all the activities and be patient with a child that does not know how to sleep in. So here's to a wonderful guy -Kirk that's you- and an incredible family that loves my son!!!!! We love you guys!!

Vacation away from parents

So when does a child get old enough to take a vacation away from mom and dad? The answer is 6! Parker is on his way home as I type this from a trip to see our good friends Ed and Linda! He left Wednesday night and is coming home today, Monday. He of course had a great time. Miniature golf, swimming and fishing in the lake, riding go carts, the water park, and what would a vacation be with out a dune buggy and mud? Needless to say the kid had a ball. Its been a little strange around here without him. Its been quiet. Something we are not at all use to. Anyway we are ready to have him home!!!!

The other person who got a vacation away from his parents is my little brother Hyrum. He came and spent two weeks with us and goes home tomorrow. I really wish he could stay longer. We've really enjoyed having him. The kids have loved him. He even volunteered to watch the kids 2 days while he was here and I had to work. Of course he did great and he got the joy of changing his first messy diaper ever. He did so good he got to change two, thanks to little miss Bailey. Since there are 11 years between us it was fun to get to know him on more of an adult level. I just don't think it's fair that the youngest also gets to be the best looking. Sure there's family resemblence but he's definately the looker of the family. He went to youth conference while he was here, and the girls of the stake will be talking about him for along time. I've already been asked why he had to go home and when he's coming back.
So I guess a vacation without mom and dad is a good thing for boys of all ages!!

Celebrating 8 GREAT Years!!

Today is Andrew and my eighth anniversary. It's hard to believe eight years have already passed us by. In someways it feels like forever and in other ways it seems like just yesterday. I always thought eight sounded like a lot. It really doesn't seem like it though. Well here's to my incredible husband. No woman could ever have asked for a better man. In this picture we are at a Garth Brooks concert. Andrew HATES country music and he went with me anyway. Now is that true love or what?

I really got really lucky in the husband department. Those of you who really know me, know that there's no way that I deserve a man like Andrew. So, Andrew, thanks for putting up with me and all my craziness. You're the most amazing man I've ever met and I'm glad I get to spend eternity with you!!!

I know everyone is gagging from the mushiness but I've got to say what's true!

This is what happens when you get up early

So this is what happens when I actually get up to exercise in the mornings. I always love it when I do, but with a new baby I've had a hard time convincing myself to do it. But look what happens. I've downloaded my pictures off my camera, I've finished setting up our blog site and I've posted 3 blogs!! Bailey just woke up as happy and as cute as can be so I thought I'd put a few more pictures of her in case you haven't all seen them. Hope you enjoy them. She has just been a doll. She's been sleeping through the night for a little more than a month. It's heaven. So I really don't have an excuse not to get up at 4:45 to begin my workout at 5:00 am. But hey when it comes to sleep I always have an excuse!!:) Have a great day

More on Vacation

Mt Rushmore is incredible and anyone who hasn't gotten the chance to go should definately put it on their list of places to see. Anyway now that I've got pictures up on the site I feel like it's a real blog. I'll send the link to everyone and please give me your comments and such. I'll try to update it often. The kids, grow so fast I'll put pictures on often. Especially Bailey, she's changed so much already. Hope all is well and happy blogging

Our Vacation

Okay so we just got back from a great vacation. I'd never been to Mt Rushmore or the Black Hills. We loved it. It was so beautiful. The lake you can see in the pictures is Sylvan Lake. This is where they filmed some of National Treasure 2. As you can see it's gorgeous. The rocks were so fun to climb on. It was a little difficult with a baby on my back but still so much fun. Parker didn't want to come down off the rocks. Bailey took it all in stride. 3 months old and now she's a seasoned traveler and hiker. We had a great time with family also. We visited Mt Rushmore and went to Wind Cave, which is the fourth longest cave in the world. It was neat to hike inside the cave. We saw some buffalo (Parker thought that was cool)and really just enjoyed being outdoors. We'd love to go back. There are a lot of hiking trails we'd love to explore. Also some serious rock climbing could be fun (without the kids of course). We highly recommend everyone go.

This is crazy.

Absolutely nuts, I start a blog in February and haven't done a thing with it since. We've kinda had some big things happen in our life too. Like for instance our beautiful little girl, Bailey. Anyway I'll try to now keep this updated

Trying something new

How long have we been able to have a blog? Well I'm finally getting with the program so I can better keep people up to date on our lives. This may be a little weak and unimaginative until I get the hang of it. Hopefully I'll have something interesting to put on here to keep everyone's attention.