Just Batty

See the Sunshine Through the Rain

2012-01-27T13:56:00.000-07:00

We lost our cameras (notice the S, plural!)

Both our digital video camera (brand new at Christmas 2011) our still shot camera that we've had for.ev.er. The SD card on it had pictures on it from 2009!

Which do I mourn more? The brand new one with very little video taken on it, or the old almost not worth having one with YEARS of pictures on it?

The blessing in all of this? I downloaded ALL of the pictures from the old camera on to my netbook the day before we lost it! So grateful we didn't loose all of those pictures! ...and I'm a little excited to get to buy a new one :)!

Passing By & Slowing Down

2012-01-24T11:32:00.000-07:00

(sigh)... Here in the Batty house life has been quickly passing us by. Christmas has come and gone, much too quickly for my taste (I have even taken down the Christmas tree and decorations already, which typically doesn't happen until mid Feb. hehe)

KammerRan started hockey... ?(wth was I thinking!) -and that's all I'm going to say about that right now!

-this Batty family is slowing down for a few weeks though! And, this is what we get to enjoy while doing it!

A Prayer for Christmas

2011-12-03T12:06:00.001-07:00

My Kamster is SO wonderful! I just love this little man. During bedtime prayer, he prayed for Christmas... "to help us with our Christmas tree, and a train to go around the bottom"

I think he's a little excited about Christmas this year, and truth be told... so are Michael and I!

Christmas is coming KamMan it's coming (pictures of our Christmas will be coming soon... as soon as our home is back to looking like this)

The Law of Attraction

2011-12-01T13:50:00.001-07:00

Someone please explain to me why when my house looks like a three ring circus took place here for two weeks without a single janitor on staff EVERYONE comes to my house?

That's when my visiting teachers want to come over, it's when people in the ward randomly stop by, it's when I need people from work to stop by and get things at my house, it's when family comes to visit, and its when Kammerran has play dates.

But, when my house is SO clean with ALL of the beds made, bathrooms clean, fresh towels out and not one crumb on the floor or dish in the sink, no one comes over. There is never a single witness to see it really looks this way. Like right now, EVERYTHING is fantastic! But do you think anyone is on the agenda of stopping by? Nope.

So, come on over, please I beg you... but only if its today. If you read this post tomorrow or any day after the clowns & trapeze artists will have already stopped by and started the decent into chaos.

And, I know the law of attraction has nothing to do with this, but this phenomenon certainly should have a name of its own. What do you think it should be?

A Thank You to the Parentals

2011-11-21T19:31:00.001-07:00

I went to a wedding this weekend and at the head table (ya know where the bride and groom sit with their parents) were the bride and groom (duh) and all of their friends... no parents. Which, big deal who cares right? Except it made me realize how grateful I am that my parents, although divorced, can still be civil with each other.

Civil enough for me and my siblings to experience the joy of still having all of our parents involved. My parents have sat together at weddings, went out to dinner together after graduations, missionary farewell's and homecomings, military homecomings, and sat in my living room together for my son's birthdays. I know they both were at my brother's house at the same time when their little girl was born and I even remember getting EVERYONE together for family pictures... What? don't go nuts, they did not get their pictures taken together, but it is so rare for all of my siblings to be in one spot at the same time that my parents were willing to share picture times. After pictures with my Mom and Step-dad we had pictures with my Dad and Step-mom... and believe it or not, that is the last time we've had family pictures with our parents (told you it was rare for the sibs to all get together).

So a BIG FAT THANK YOU to my Dad and Margo, Mom and Ivan for being adults and loving me and giving me and my siblings what children need most, their parents!

The REAL note for the day!

2011-11-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Michael and i were invited to dinner by another family in our ward. This is important, because Michael and I RARELY think of the same people as our friends. You KNOW how this goes, I know you do.

Either the husbands gets along, but the wives sit there quietly and watch the kids while saying "so... how old is he again?" for the 5th time that evening. Or, one of the hubbies thinks the other is pompous while all along that hubby thinks the other one is barbaric. Anyone else been there?

As the invitation call ends my barbarian immediately asks "why do they want us to come to dinner?" and then starts trying to guess ALL of the possible modis operandi. I resolve they just want to be our friends... is that really such a far fetched idea?

Dinner went great! We all got along and could talk to each other! AND, the kids got along too! Now we'll just sit back and wait for our friend curse to kick in. The curse that says- if you befriend us, something bad will happen to you causing your eventual move away from us. (seriously, more than one set of friends has been laid off and moved to another state after calling us their friends, sorry Wade and Clarissa) -Beware.

This morning I also need to say I am SO grateful for a mindful Father in Heaven. Last night I said a very selfish little prayer asking for the snow to please skip over us somehow so my family could ALL be here for Kam's birthday party and guess what? NO SNOW! The storm went south of us meaning it didn't hit my mom's direction of travel or my brother's! And that NEVER happens-they live in Wyoming for crying out loud, it snows there in July!

Thank you, Thank you!

Is the world spinning... or is it just me?

2011-11-07T08:46:00.000-07:00

Wow, I cannot believe its been so long since my last post! My tiny little corner of the world sometimes seems to spin faster than I'm prepared to handle... and then 2 or 3 days go by without a post and I feel like I need to catch up, but I secretly HATE playing catch up. No one wants to read about an entire week at once, not even me... I NEVER go back and read these posts, but I can't go on in my head without it. So, quickly, here it is (you can stop reading here, and if you don't consider yourself warned!):

Oct 26th: Took a leap of faith and placed our first client in a proctor home... this is huge for me because our families have been saying they're ready for weeks. I'll admit, i've been afraid and nervous.

Oct. 27th: I realized I need to hire some people at work, there's too much of my life being spent there! And, the KamMan started pre-school! (this too could've been a post. But, so you realize the full weight of my spiraling world, Kam had to remind/ask me- the mom to take his picture! Hello! On the 1st day of school the lame mother I've turned out to be had to be asked by her 3-year-old to remember to take his picture!)

Oct. 30th: PRIMARY PROGRAM!! (need I say more?)

Oct. 31st: you may think I'm going to tell you about a great trunk-or-treat night with the KamMan dressed as the greatest little spiderman you've ever seen, wrong... Michael and I spent the evening in the ER with him getting stitches and my in-laws enjoyed the evening with spiderman and his bucket full of candy. (hmmm... definitely could've posted about that!)

Nov. 1: Work falls apart, apparently I'm an idiot and who knows why anyone would hire me... let alone put me in charge of an entire program that is way too far away from anyone else in the company.

Over the weekend, things have seemed to be moving again at a good ratio of events to time and I feel somewhat normal again.

Today is KamRan's birthday party... where does the time go? I will officially have 4 yr old tomorrow!

Disappointment

2011-10-26T23:16:00.000-06:00

My KamMan has become a game junkie. The games on my phone to him are like meth to junkie. Now I awake to "mom, I play your games... just one (index finger waving extremely close to my freshly opened eyes)" instead of "mom, I want some breakfast" So, literally gaming has become more important to him that life sustaining nutrition.

Well when I told him "No" you may not play on my phone he said very sternly "Mom, I'm SO ap-pointed at you!"

hmm..... I think he means he's disappointed in me? ...for not allowing him to be sucked into zombie-hood gaming.

One day, when he actually finds a wife and has a career, he'll thank me for this.

Where am I?

2011-10-22T01:56:00.002-06:00

I'm out of town for the weekend... not exactly a planned trip if you know what I'm sayin'

I just endured the 10 hr drive in the backseat of a Corolla. In that 10 hrs I have:

1) read half of "Common Threads: Celebrating Life with Down Syndrome" by Cynthia Kidder -I am loving this book and am proud to announce my sweet little niece is already rolling over! She is not yet even 1 month old. Go here to see for yourself!

2) listened to the majority of "Bossypants" by Tina Fey, for when I'm driving or when its dark of course - and I am deeply enjoying it, not because its so deep and thought provoking, but because it points out so well the things that just should not matter- ever! (do not read this book if you are highly offended by the "F" word, its not trashily scattered throughout the whole book, but it is thrown in every once and awhile)

3) realized my Dad is getting up there... ya know... in age (there I said it, sorry Dad) and his driving is solid proof. So, pray for me because if we don't get in a wreck and die, I'm going to die from a heart attack of thinking we are wrecking-pray for my safe return, seriously.

and 4) spent much of the time checking out the side of the road thinking about the book "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls "I wonder if this is the road she got left on... oh, or maybe this one... I wonder if that old mine over there is where her dad worked.... I wonder where he took her when they went to look at the stars," etc. -I also HIGHLY recommend that book if you haven't read it!

If you have read it you know where I am!

Buyer's... what?

2011-10-19T16:26:00.000-06:00

Me and the Kamster went to the BIG City yesterday and stopped in the smaller Big City on the way home, Park City anyone?

I went to the Dress Barn because I need to find a dress that is apple red and still at least slightly stylish for my sister-in-law's wedding. To my dismay there were NO red dresses of said color in the store, but many sweaters, skirts, and dress pants that looked much better on the mannequin than they did on me! I pretty much tried on everything in the store, just because the sales staff were SO nice!

Actually, that doesn't even begin to describe it... seriously we (me and Kam) were on a first name basis with them within 5 min. of being in the store. Heidi (my personal sales assistant) had me a dressing room within seconds of picking my first item off the rack and I literally held no item in my hand longer than 10 seconds of pulling it off the rack... seriously, they were so prompt with every item, so I just had to time them!

When I embarrassingly started choking on the air in my throat, a bottle of water suddenly appeared...

Heidi waited on me hand and foot; got new sizes for me, gingerly steered me out of the clothing that were obviously not my size, played with Kam, didn't get annoyed when he wanted to play in the jewelry, etc.

While trying on clothes, I knew I wasn't getting out of that store without buying something... anything... whether I liked it or not! They were just too nice!

I don't feel like I was locked inside and not allowed to leave without buying something, I just felt like I owed them... yep, like I owed THEM.

I don't have buyer's remorse because I LOVE the pants, skirt, AND sweater I left with...

I just didn't need a skirt, pants OR sweater, ya know? It's not buyer's guilt, remorse, or even happiness. What is it that I'm feeling?

So, if you want to be waited on and treated like the Queen of England, hit the Dress Barn in Park City, but consider yourselves warned-DO NOT go in if you are not prepared to spend $$$

Silly Kam Things

2011-10-12T22:37:00.003-06:00

Just some laughs straight from the KamMan today:

"I just love those Darn kittens"

"It's not an owie mom, its just bleeding"

And, this

Make Up Time

2011-10-11T21:55:00.000-06:00

Oh, what a day! I lost my voice today... and before you laugh, snicker, or snarl just remember my voice will come back one day and when it does I have plenty to say to all you who commented on the welcomed break of my voice!

So at the end of this long tiresome day (seriously, I had to gasp for breath after only whispering 3 words) let me say all of the things I wanted to say today... but regretfully couldn't:

KAMREN! Get down from there!

Stop!! (I realized when you walk down the street and allow your child to walk in front of you, you should be sure your voice is in full force... just in case they are looking at their feet instead of the line of cars swiftly approaching as the sidewalk ends and the road begins!)

Get back here!

Go play in the other room (this one comes when I finally answer the phone after the same person calls 5 times and they can't hear my whisper, only Kamren singing about playing with a tractor)

And,

Unlock this door! (as he's locked himself in the bathroom at the attorney's office we had to visit today and again singing because you just can't beat the acoustics in the bathroom! His soul full sounds could be heard from both attorney's offices, the secretary's desk and the waiting room- I admit, I looked around for the nearest exit and wondered what would happen if I just pretended he wasn't mine and left.

The Bishop Got it

2011-10-08T11:11:00.001-06:00

What happened last night?

Allow me to translate:

"someone threw it up in the air and a and a fell on the floor and the other bishop got it and i bend over and i was goin to get it"

"i cried, it was other bishop"

Allow me to interpret:

"(Dustin) threw (the garter) up in the air (and no one caught it.) It fell on the floor ... and i ben(t) over and i was goin(g) to get it (when someone else picked it up). i cried (because i wanted it). it was the other bishop (who got it)."

Not sure how the bishop came into the mix of everything, but he is certain that is who took the garter. And yes, he did cry... good thing he'll have another chance next month at Caitlin's wedding.

Clearing Out

2011-10-06T10:00:00.000-06:00

The last few days have been spent
kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk-(Kam finding "his letter")
going from room to room cleaning everything out and finding things to Yard Sale. Remember here when I didn't get it... I still don't, which only makes me slightly nervous to have one.
So when it came time for the Kamster's room I sat him down to explain to him we were finding things to sell to help baby Madeline because she has to have surgery. So I asked him item by item whether he wanted to keep the thing I was holding or give it away. I really should teach him more about how to make these decisions.

Here are some items he chose to give away:

His Mr. Potato Head, which he LOVES so much he has 2, Alphabet blocks, which took me no less than 6 months to find-I might force a keep on those, his PlayDoh, and his best "farmer hat" and fishing set-complete with fishing vest that he wears all the time, regardless whether he is playing with the fishing pole, trains, or cars.

Here are some he has chosen to keep:

Some weird "cup buddies" that hang off the side of your cup, an old cell phone WITH the charger, the cake topper from his 3rd birthday cake and two kids meal toys.

As you can see, it's going to be a good Yard Sale! So come on by next weekend Friday, Oct. 14th & Saturday Oct. 15th from 8 am-2 pm

ALL proceeds will go to help medical costs for my neice, Baby Madeline, who needs heart surgery.

I've got to get this out!

2011-10-05T09:08:00.000-06:00

Seriously, its eating me up! I rarely complain about our infertility problems (unless its my husband reading this, in which case, I complain about it ALL the time). One release I had is going to get my hair done. I know that sounds corny, but my stylist (that's what they're called these days, as per her business card) has also had problems getting pregnant. Not quite like ours-but problems the same and we could talk about it-sympathize with each other, feel like you had a buddy in despair with you-read, not alone in misery. She's never been told by a Dr. that their chances of getting pregnant is 0.000000000% (yeah you're reading that correctly.) But, she's pregnant after a year of trying.... I'm not.

There are moments when it seems everyone I know is pregnant, and its hard I tell you, HARD! -Emotional- whatever you want to call it!

This year, EVERY SINGLE ONE of the women on my visiting teaching roll was pregnant, including my visiting teaching partner (its an LDS thing), and my visiting teacher = HARD! (best ironic thing ever? My list was changed one week after the last woman had her baby)

This year, 2 women in the Primary Presidency with me were pregnant! That only left me and the woman who has like 5 grand kids not pregnant =HARD!

This year at work, the other therapist at the boys residential home, the woman who watched Kam when we drove out there, the assistant program director, the program director for the proctor program, the admin assistant, my own admin assistant, the CEO's wife, two other therapists wives, and the list goes on.... I think the final count was like 15 babies in our office.... =HARD!

Oh, and let's add that it started last fall with my sister-in-law being prego, and ended with my other sister-in-law being prego =HARD! (although, I would not want to trade shoes with my brother and his family right now, they have their own hard)

Anyway, you get it! Kamren will be 4 next month (which I know is not an EXTREMELY long time) but, it's a long time when you're in it. So, it's hard to sit in the salon, listen to EVERY one in there talk about how 1 yr is soooo long to wait to be pregnant, and just keep my mouth shut.

I think what's most discouraging is that nothing feels right- not adoption, not foster care, not medical treatment..... nothing. And, I feel so ungrateful talking like this. Kam is our miracle, and when we got pregnant with him I thought the longing for a child would end... it hasn't-and I feel selfish for that!

What a Great Idea!

2011-10-04T21:44:00.002-06:00

i personally don't think there are many things Kammer gets from me. (i remember being so deeply grateful in the hospital that he got my blood type. something that will never be seen or noticed)

today, i realized he found one more trait of mine. a love of hot chocolate!

on the way home from running around town like we had only today to finish everything our life would ever entail he says "(gasp) i know mom, i have a great idea"

"what is your great idea?"

"hot chocolate milk!....with litt-le tin-y marshmallows"

yes! and yes! hot chocolate milk! so, we added another stop to our list of to do's and had hot chocolate milk with dinner, ever so tenderly made by the KamMan.

i hope this doesn't mean winter is coming... i still have some fall activities that need to be held outside- benefit yard sale anyone?! and trunk-or-treat?! pray for some sun!

A Double Whamy

2011-10-02T21:20:00.001-06:00

this weekend has been rough for our tiny space in the sun.
especially for my KamMan!

we chose not to renew our foster care license and this meant the 3 little kids in our home had to be moved. the day of, we sat them all down to tell them and Kam broke! his eyes filled so quickly and his lower lip instantly started to quiver, it was so heartbreaking.

on the same day he came running at me yelling "MOM, guess who's coming to see me!!!" with a bright beaming smile spread across his face

"who" I asked, of course already knowing my brother, Jared, and his family were coming to relieve me of some stress.

he starts the list "Tayler, Aubrey, Jade, Maycie...."

here is when I realize I'm a horrible parent. Maycie and Jade no longer live with my brother and his family, which means I have to sit Kamren down AGAIN! and explain why they're gone too!

i think he may be missing a few pieces of his over sized little heart now...

An Auntie Again!

2011-09-24T15:42:00.002-06:00

A Warm Welcome to

Madeline Rose

born to Aaron (my little brother) and Elizabeth Jensen

September 22, 2011

I can't wait for my turn to hold her!

She has been diagnosed with Down Syndrome

and, unfortunately, is in the NICU.

She has two holes in her heart and surgery is expected.

Please remember her and her proud parents in your prayers!

2 Things

2011-09-20T20:30:00.000-06:00

Thing 1- Why is it that when I run into someone from high school who I haven't seen in ~~over 10 yrs~~ a while I look like this?:

She totally had this look on her face that said "wow, you're not doing well. let's pretend we don't know each other okay... seriously, stop talking to me... seriously..."

I just wanted to say "I'm really not normally like this, I promise! I know how to comb and really do my hair, I promise! And, I normally get dressed, I promise! Can we just plan on running into each other this same time, same place next week and I'll show you the real me I've become over the last couple years?"

Thing 2- DO NOT EVER SAY "wow, looks like you've got your hands full" We all know that's code for "you're not handling your handful well".

Well, Miss Dr. Thang! My 4, yep count 'em, 4 kids would be much better behaved right now if you didn't lock us in this tiny little exam room for the last hour after waiting in your waiting room for the 1/2 hour before that! If you want my children well behaved get us in and out of your office in under 30 min. flat! Got it! I blame you for my handful today!

.... that is all.... thank you for listening... but, seriously am I alone on this?

Trek... second attempt

2011-07-01T21:42:00.000-06:00

well sort of.

I met up with the youth and staff on trek this week to do therapy with my clients on the mountain. There weren't any cliff hikes or repels planned for this trip and my plan was to go for only a day. Pretty chill, right?

In my sandals I went to get dropped off with the boys. On the way to meet up with the boys Lucas, the one person you shouldn't believe a word from, tells me if they get busy and are having fun they're going to leave me up there. Haha, I say. I have no camping gear, no shelter, and very little for the sake of staying warm. So, prior to them leaving I clarified with the Head Master, Tyler, that they would be coming back to get me... before dinner, right?

Tyler promises me they will get me before dinner, I will sleep in the nice warm cabin, in a bed, they will be back before dusk, and will not eat dinner without me.

I see my first client, it starts raining.

I seem my next client, it's now hailing.

I see all my clients. By this time, I'm soaked, with mud caked up to my shins (thank heaven as I ran out the door I grabbed my tennis shoes and a pair of socks. Even though they're drenched and I can't feel my toes! But, better than relying on just my trusty sandals and bare feet!)

Hang out, 'cause I haven't been picked up yet.

They, kids and staff, have dinner.

We have group therapy, since it's not "dusk" yet.

Everyone heads to bed, I'm sure it's past "dusk", but there's a little sun left. The other therapist decides to come off the mountain with us that evening and she seems much more anxious they're not there yet than I am. But, it's the three musketeers we're talking about here, so I'm certain they're trying to worry me on purpose because I blatantly didn't believe Lucas's threat and they're trying to convince me he was serious.

Paul, trek lead and program director, stays awake with us for awhile until the sun is really disappearing fast when he says "well, I'm going to bed. If they're not here in an hour come and get me and we'll figure out some sleeping arrangements."

"What?" I'm drenched and can't feel my feet. So I say "don't you need to use the sat phone (as in satellite phone, because there is no cell service where we're at) to call and check in with base camp?" As I'm completely prepared for my only request when he says "no" to be a dry pair of socks.

Paul says no, because he seen them today so, no need. He's sure they're on their way.

I think we should call, what if something is wrong with them I say. Paul says they don't have service and so it wouldn't matter anyway. I assure Paul that yes, they do have service, because I used my phone at the cabin before coming up.

Paul gives in and calls. Sure enough, it's my luck, both roads to come and get me are washed out from all the rain! Great!

My saving grace? This is a horse back trek and the plan is to ride out to meet them where the road has washed out. The only problem with this plan is that by now it's 09:00 pm, and already dark. It takes us an hour to saddle up the horses and take off in the pitch black night. And, we estimate it's going to take at least an hour to get to where the road is washed out.

I'll be honest here, horses aren't my first pick for mode of transportation. I used to ride in high school and loved it. But, in the last 10 years, I can only remember 1 time I've been on a horse and I was totally freaked out! I had my mom senses by then, so I knew I was going to be anxious to begin with, and then even more anxious because I've never ridden a horse in the middle of the night, pitch black, in the rain, in bear country.

I survived and actually felt like I missed riding by the time we were done.

The 3 Musketeers kept each detail of their promise though. So, at midnight, we ate steaks, potatoes, and asparagus. They cooked and prepared everything while me and the other therapist had a nice warm shower! and at 3:00 am I went to sleep, in the cabin, in a nice warm bed!

(The only residual effect is that my butt feels like I had a nice rough ride on a slipping and sliding horse after not having ridden one for 10 years!)

Good times on trek!

What a fun ride

2011-06-27T14:53:00.000-06:00

Let it be said, I am NOT a morning person. Anyone who knows me, even a little, will agree.

But, the one thing I do LOVE about morning, is when my Kammer climbs into my bed and gives a big hug and a kiss.

The other morning after my pleasant wake-up he rolled over falling into a trance. He said "mom, I want to ride on that"

Ride on what?

"On, that! (pointing to the whirling ceiling fan) and go round and round. It will be FUN!"

I couldn't help laying in bed picturing him in 2 or 3 years trying out this fun, even though I obviously denied his request that morning.

Kissed by the Sun

2011-05-23T19:15:00.000-06:00

Well he's a red head... so, it was only just a matter of time until these appeared:

One day he was looking so intently in the hand held mirror, gasped, and shockingly asked "what are these?" pointing ever so delicately to the freckles.

He next discovered his top eyelashes and bottom eyelashes in the same fashion, contemplated his face and exclaimed "Just like Tayler! Tayler have some."

4,5,6,7,8....

2011-05-21T21:32:00.000-06:00

This week we picked up these 2 beautiful little felines. The creative and original Kam Man has chosen to name them "Phor" and "Phyv" (a.k.a 4 and 5). More practice with this whole naming thing... maybe?

Then, the next day he found these...

Syx, Cevyn, Ate, and Nyne anyone?

Yard SALE

2011-05-14T22:14:00.000-06:00

Something unique about Vernal is the way Vernalians yard sale. I have not lived in a town where so many creatures, across neighborhoods and socioeconomic classes, seek out yard sales on the weekends. Many Vernalites I know hit every yard sale in town every weekend. I went along once, but couldn't really figure out what the attraction was. Until today, I had been a yard sale seeker on 1 occasion and "scored" nothing.

However, determined to stock my play therapy office as quickly as possible (with as minimal dent to my savings as possible) I tried my luck again today. Here is what I scored:

And, try as I may, I couldn't even spend $20.

After seeing the droves of people stopping at each and every yard sale I very early on questioned previous decisions made to give away the majority of my Kam Man's baby stuff. Although... who would stop and buy stuff from a yard that looks like this?

A Master

2011-05-01T18:06:00.001-06:00

I deeply enjoyed yesterday's graduation events! I have graduated many time before, but this was a new feeling of accomplishment and completion.

I am so grateful for a loving husband and many parents (in-laws included) who have been so supportive.

I'm looking forward to having some extra time on my hands... especially because my little man has always been on the priority list with school. Can't wait until he doesn't have to compete anymore.

This celebration is really a little deflated though... I still have summer classes to finish before I get my degree.

What he's looking forward to

2011-04-30T00:11:00.000-06:00

Speaking of Sharp suits... check out the sharp man wearing this one!

What a smart little boy to be looking forward to that.

And, since we're in the neighborhood of looking up old pictures, how about this one?

My engagement picture! Michael showed this to the little man and asked:

"Who is that?"

"Daddy"

"Who else?"

".....(nothing but the hum of the refrigerator filling the awkward silence)... (he looks at me, then back at the picture).... (shrugs his shoulders) I don't know"

"Is that mommy?"

no answer, just a quizzical look on his face as he walked away.

Sharp (ouch!)

2011-04-27T22:49:00.000-06:00

Today, while in the city, Kamren and I picked up Michael's long awaited birthday present (yes, his birthday was in January, but a suit needs tailored!... and I kept forgetting to pick it up, but that's beside the point).

After picking up said suit my Kam man tells me in the car pulling out of the parking lot:

"When I get bigger I'ma have a sharp suit like Daddy" (pause) "when I'm this many" (as he holds up a handful of fingers)

Where does he get this stuff? I think he said sharp about 15 times before we hit the freeway. Wait until he knows ...girls go crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man... (I know so lame, but I just couldn't resist.)

At home for Easter

2011-04-25T11:54:00.001-06:00

This Easter for us was pretty quiet. We stayed home without any visitors. The Easter Bunny left eggs on Saturday morning and Kamren was extra willing to find them all!

He remembers there were eggs hidden on the 4-wheeler last year and was overjoyed when his memory gave him the upper hand while on the search!

I just love this picture, his intent little face reminds me of his cousin Tayler.

On Sunday, we enjoyed the spiritual discussions around the most precious and important gospel principle-the atonement.

After church and naps we went to find Grandma Dianne's eggs for her because there just wasn't anyone at her house to help her find them, and "little boys can."

It's been too long...

2011-04-22T09:15:00.000-06:00

...since I've blogged.

So, for a quick update. I went on trek.... I should have discovered more of what that would mean before I actually did it!

Last week I carried a 40 lbs pack while tromping through the cliffs and peaks of Escalante, UT. Me (the therapist who needed my own therapist during the trek), the Program Director, and 8 boys in the program. I'm not 100% sure, but I think we went between 10-15 miles. I did not hike the last day because I started to have a fever, if I had the total would have been around 20 miles. The first day we hiked about 5 miles and then at the very end of the day climbed up a 1500 foot pass. Then we hiked back across the top of the peaks another day and repelled back down the cliffs on the other side the third day.

I'm hoping I will get copies of pictures soon to post... you really don't understand until you see it. It was a very untimely adventure and I'm still trying to regain my footing with everything that fell behind while I was gone.

All in a Normal Day

2011-04-04T21:48:00.000-06:00

Okay, in a normal since my last post. I have:

Shopped for furniture to furnish my new office,

Put the furniture in said office (and I'm not talking about a room. It has a waiting/reception area, two offices, and a space which will be the play therapy room.

Made two dish cloths for my cousin who is getting married (don't worry, I'm sure she doesn't read this)

Attended General Primary Training (which I LOVED. Not because it was so spectacular and things I had never heard before, but because when you're in a room like that with so many spiritual people you can't help but absorb something! even if you are being a prude like I am!)

And, finished After by Amy Efaw. I loved this book, maybe because I've witnessed this process too closely for too long, but the ending couldn't have been better.

I still haven't regained any motivation for food prep, homework, exercise, or lots of other things, but I think this past week has been productive... maybe...

Can't wait to hit sunny St. George this weekend!

Power Off

2011-03-29T11:43:00.001-06:00

My brain is officially powered off.

I'm running on auto pilot and that means nothing new is being created, made, or done including:

Lunch
Dinner
Homework
Blog Posts
Books
Home School
Primary
Wedding Presents
Laundry
and any other project I have started or want to start.

Good thing I accidentally turned in my homework for this week last week! Otherwise, it wouldn't be getting done!

Can You Find Me?

2011-03-22T16:00:00.000-06:00

You might have to look very close, but somewhere in the following picture

is a 3 yr old little boy:

He was "hiding" from me. This is how I found him.

He is so smart, but times like this remind me just how little he still is.

On another note, I HATE myself for making threats! I told Kam he couldn't go to swimming unless he took a nap fully expecting that to be all it would take for him to fall into a deep long slumber dreaming of swimming with his ole pals Nemo and Dorie. Oh no, he's still awake in his room. Michael's going to be thrilled he doesn't have to take him and I'm sure Kam will forget all about swimming lessons once he's helping daddy. Me, I'm the one being punished because I know how much money is being washed away with Kam's sleepless afternoon. Blasted education anyway! Who says not following through with the consequence will ruin my child forever anyway?

What I Love About Sunday

2011-03-20T20:28:00.000-06:00

After last weeks complaint post, I decided I should share what I love most about my calling- the children.

I love love love the way they look at me. Either in awe and they just can't wait for me to see them so they can smile and wave and hope that I'll smile and wave back (which I always do). Or, they look at me like I'm Medusa and if they make eye contact with me they will surely turn to stone and be lost for-eev-ver! Either way, all of the little kids in our ward cannot seem to peel their eyes away and without so much as a blink watch every move I make. Whether they smile and wave when I catch them or hurry and turn away to save their life, I produce a smile bigger than I knew I was capable of every time.

And, I love their Primary answers. You think as an adult that Primary answers mean "go to church, say your prayers, read your scriptures." But it doesn't. It means:

when your giving a lesson on the birth of Christ and ask "Why is His birth so special and important?" a child answers "because Santa comes" or

when asking "who is your favorite prophet and why?" a child answers "President Eyring, because his spirit knows how to speak to my spirit."

(both, are actual answers from my Primary)

I get the biggest laughs out of their answers, but always feel the spirit stronger from their answers than any answer I've ever heard in Sunday School.

Better Than Pavlov

2011-03-19T14:53:00.000-06:00

We've all heard of Pavlov and his Dogs Right?

Well Kamren is conditioned to the sound of the toilet... I kid you not.

I have been very diligent in teaching him that sitting outside of the bathroom door crying and begging will not get him any closer to his desired outcome. And, instead he needs to wait patiently (no crying, whining, banging on the door, or fingers under the door) until I'm done.

He has been doing so well... but now every time the toilet flushes he is standing right outside the door with something to ask.

Today, I flushed the toilet and instantly heard thump, thump, thump, as he quickly ran down the hallway to wait for me outside the door. As I open the door "Hi Kamren"

Kam: "moaummm...?"

Me: "yes, Kamren?"

Kam: "mmm.... Hi!" (as he bats his adorable little blue eyes as only he can do)

He didn't even have anything to ask, nothing to beg for- NOTHING!

He simply heard the sound of the toilet and came running.

School is in Session

2011-03-15T22:55:00.002-06:00

For the Young'n... well, I guess for me too. But, back to the child. He has started school, at home, and swimming lessons this month!

Unfortunately, I don't get to see him at swimming lessons because he goes on Tuesdays when I'm at school and on Thursday's when I have my hella crazy work day in the "big city" of Utah County. (does that even make sense? a county as a city? anyway...) I have begged and fluttered my eye lashes for the BatMan to take pictures/video. Only time will tell if it worked.

School, however, I do get to see. And, sad to report he has trouble holding a writing utensil and is definitely not comfortable with one. Not a crayon, marker, pen, pencil, paintbrush or whatever else you can dream of making your mark with. He asks for help, which translated from 3-yr-old means "do it for me"! And, my heart hurt forcing him to color... of all things. And, I realized I'm in for a long road of "help me"s if I'm going to home school this Young'n for any length of time... so, I guess we'll see how that's going to turn out too. I'm not ready to commit one way or the other.

Maybe some grand private school will appear in the next two years and my only options won't be home or public school...

(not that I have anything against public school! Seriously! But, I'm a social worker and have seen up close and personally what goes on at our high school, jr. high, middle school, and elementary schools and I fully expect what I see to get worse not better in the time it will take my little tyke to get there and I am NOT ready to send him diving head first into what's there. Call it paranoia if you must.)

My Blu Ray or DVD player?

2011-03-14T16:15:00.001-06:00

What do you call a Blu Ray player that doesn't play Blu Ray discs?

A DVD player!

Ha! DVD's it will play just fine. It also accesses Netflix without incident.

But, what is the point of having a Blu Ray player that's just a DVD player I ask you?!

So, after a nice hour of waiting on the phone and troubleshooting with a friendly SHARP customer service rep. this morning while needing to use the bathroom and relentlessly being placed on hold, it was determined we must send it back "for repairs". I hope that's code for they'll send me a new one in return!

Curse you Jared for dragging me kicking and screaming into the world of devices that simultaneously connect to the internet and TV. (he generously gifted us this fine piece of electronic equipment for Christmas and successfully sent our non TV watching family into a frenzy of Civil War documentaries and Diego the animal rescuing toddler).

Both the War Monger and Diego Enthusiast are complaining and wondering how life will go on without the said home entertainment device. But again I ask, what is the point of having a blu ray player that doesn't play blu ray discs?

Calm your fears sweet gentlemen the device will be returned in 4-6 weeks!

Sunday

2011-03-12T22:48:00.000-07:00

Well folks... tomorrow is Sunday. I hate to say it, but I'm exhausted just thinking about it!

I miss traditional Sundays. Allow me to explain:

I feel like I work on Sunday. The only other day I am busier than Sunday is Thursday when I do a marathon counseling day from 9 am-9 pm. (I only do this one day a week so its totally worth it).

Back to Sunday... so you see after ward council every other week and running the primary every week and chasing a 3 yr old new sunbeam (you can't imagine the fits my young angel can throw because his momma won't let him sit on my lap... or next to me... or with the music leader... ) every week, I miss the days when church was just church. No planning, no bulletin boards, no talks, no sharing time, no teachers (oh wait, I mean when it wasn't my concern that there weren't teachers), and so on, and so on...

Sunday used to be the day I rejuvenated my spirit and gathered strength to tackle the rest of the week. Now I need a day of rest from my day of rest.

Something Great

2011-03-11T22:03:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

And, I feel like I should be able to sit down and write something wonderful. While being enveloped in the letters to and from characters I felt sad that I live in the technology era and couldn't help but wonder if I had been alive in the times when letters were the best means of communication if I would somehow be a better, more creative, writer.

Although this book is not on my favorites list. I did like it and it has re-ignited my love for reading and inspired me to write (something I'll likely never be entertaining at). I now want to re-read all of the classics! The Bronte sisters, Dickens, Austen, etc.

Nasty Little Criters!

2011-03-06T21:35:00.001-07:00

And so have we!

It's awful!

Last night a skunk got into our crawl space, got into a fight with some other animal, and stunk up our entire house! It dug under our foundation to get into the crawl space... I didn't even know they could that. We left to stay at Michael's parents' house.

I am NOT looking forward to cleaning and washing everything!

On top of it all, I'm sick and got my Batty Babe sick too.

If anyone has any skunk remedies, please share!

Come on Spring

2011-03-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

The rapid melting of all the snow we received this year is creating quite the puddle in our driveway... seriously my young Batty man could get lost in the ravines which have result from the necessary drive through it everyday.

So here is me wishing Spring would come already, if for no other reason than for my driveway to dry up.

Ode to Guilt

2011-02-27T22:38:00.000-07:00

Because sometimes I think it ~~runs~~ ~~ruins controls~~ consumes my life!

So here is my vent for today: Kamren is an only child! I don't know if this has just become a VERY prevalent thought lately because I'm so pre-occupied with wanting another child or what! But... I don't want the BattyBoy to be the only Battychild! He needs friends... that live in the same house as him... that he can't get away from no matter how much he wants to. Because its that persistent annoyance and frustration only a sibling can give that will teach him how to be a true companion to someone else.

And, I want him to have people his own size to play with when we vacation as a family, someone to have fun with... not with just his parents. Who will inevitably raise him in such an egocentric manner if he doesn't have siblings. Not because we want, but because it is the unpreventable nature of an only child.

A Backwards Tail

2011-02-21T10:34:00.000-07:00

Kamren and I were reading this:

Kamren was pointing out similarities (eyes, ears, shoulders, etc.) and showing me on him.

Then we flipped to this page:

When Kamren said "(gasp) Momma him tail on backwards"

I'm still laughing at what he thought this "tail" might be.

Give a Child A Home

2011-02-15T18:33:00.002-07:00

I love my Friend of a Friends just like I love my Friend's

and this one needs some help!

This is a cause very close to my heart because Michael and I personally know:

how expensive adoption can be, and that great families aren't always in a position to afford it.

Click the Pic to Start Bidding

If you love my blog or any of my previous layouts, you can bid on a blog makeover (or etsy, or button creation, or whatever you'd like!) from the Creator who does my blog. She's awesome, and if you need more examples click the "like my style?" button.

There are many other things, massages, photo shoots, gift certificates to MANY yummy places, and much more. CHECK it OUT!

(If you don't want to participate in the auction, please donate directly here)

Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

Room for [hyoo-mil-i-tee]

2011-02-12T23:46:00.001-07:00

While pondering during the many hours of my weekly drive I decided my proudest moments (okay one of many proud moments) as a parent is when Kamren shows humility. Yep, I'm proud of Kam's humility. This is what it looks like:

Example 1: Kamren shares a toy. me "Kamren you're such a good sharer" Kam "yeah, I are a good sharer" (I say sharer so you can see why my son's grammar is... well... you see)

Example 2: Kamren's cute. me "Kamren, you're so cute" Kam"I are so cute"

Example 3: Kamren helps (with lots of things). me "Kamren, thank you for being such a great helper" Kamren "I are a good helper"

Example 4: Someone (anyone, he'll respond the same) tells Kamren he's nice. Kamren "Kam are so nice"

You get it.

I've always slightly cringed when he does this because what kind of mother teaches her children to brag about how completely perfect they are?

Well, I'm not going to cringe anymore. I decided I don't want my son to be the kind of person who gets a compliment "I love your hair" (we get that one most often) and says "oh, no. you shouldn't. it's just so... red" or like me "you are looking so good. what are you doing to lose weight?" me "(snort), yeah right, I gained 5 lbs last week" Shut Up Woman! Someone is giving you a compliment, take it and be happy!

I know I'm not alone in this, and you all know you're guilty too.

When we do this, we're not being humble. This is not what humility looks or sounds like. We're disqualifying the positive, it's a thinking error (trust me, I teach 18 kids every Thursday night about thinking errors) and I'm certain anything that is discussed as a thinking error could not be labeled as humility.

I think humility is like service. You don't only receive blessings from giving service, you receive blessings from being served. Because you are allowing someone else the blessings of serving, therefore, you are still serving by not denying their blessings.

When someone says "I like what you've done with the place" and I say "oh, but we have so much more work to do" a part of me is inviting them to prove me wrong, fish for compliments, so I can bask in your continued compliments. What's wrong with saying "Thank you, I really liked how it turned out"

dictionary.com defines humility as "the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc."

MODEST opinion or estimate, not "try to prove you're the bottom of the barrel the scum lives on."

So, agree and be happy my son. I won't stop you.

In the Name of Love

2011-02-07T22:37:00.000-07:00

Allow me to introduce the offender:

The Evidence:

The scene: 19:00 hours Kamren realizes he does not have said evidence in his possession... after a thorough search of the home it is still missing. Kamren proclaims the following excited utterance: "At yours big school Mom"

(Michael voted to just leave it there... in the name of love or being an only child I ventured out to retrieve it.

As I stepped outside I become disoriented- this isn't my back yard. The fog is so dense I can hardly see the trees marking where our yard ends and the vast jungle of weeds begin. I notice there is whimsical fluttering white stuff between me and the jungle-can it really be snowing!?!

Introduce the Hero:

With at least 1 inch of undisturbed snow on the ground I made it to and from the college as if I were driving on a freshly paved road. Meanwhile, the cars around me were gracefully gliding through stop signs, fish tailing around turns, and perfecting a statuesque pose while their tires viciously spun as lights turned green.

It's times like these I feel blessed for driving my 17 mpg road hog!

So Absent Minded

2011-01-31T22:40:00.000-07:00

Just for the record... I am procrastinating my homework again!

My weekly ritual of getting ready for church includes shaving my legs. In the Summer this ritual occurs more often, but Winter... who doesn't shave less often?

So, I'm showering...

Shampoo my hair...

Shave my left leg...

Rinse out shampoo...

Put conditioner in hair...

Shave my other left leg...

Rinse out conditioner...

Wash face...

Finish shower...

Start putting nylons on (church remember, the one and only place I wear nylons)...

And, then I realize how absented minded I am!

But, by then it was too late to correct my absent minded performance. Guess I'll just have to fix it next week!

MY BFF : )

2011-01-28T16:38:00.000-07:00

On our weekly trip home from "the city" today Kamren spontaneously says "Momma you're my bess fend."

MELT ME!

Kamren,

You're my best friend too! Will I still be your best friend when you're 16 yrs old? I hope so.

Please check: ___ yes ____ no

Love,

Your Momma

BFFs 4ever xoxo

Independence

2011-01-25T15:12:00.000-07:00

I've decided that independence is a contingent freedom.... based on the potential level of stress inflicted on yours truely, me!

Examples:

Good Independence: Kamren should use the potty by himself, use his stepping stool to wash and dry his hands. (Not having to help him, less stress for me!)

Unacceptable Independence: Kamren pushing his stepping stool to the cupboard to get himself some fruit snacks. (Then he doesn't want to eat lunch or dinner... added frustration for me.)

Good Independence: Kamren getting his own spoon, cereal, & bowl (less work for me! Thumbs Up!)

Unacceptable Independence: Kamren getting his own milk from the fridge and trying to pour it himself (big mess to clean up, more stress for me. Thumbs down.)

Good Independence: Kamren hanging up his own coat and putting his shoes away (less work for me! Two thumbs up!)

Unacceptable Independence: Kamren getting his own socks (the dresser tips over, and that's not fun for anyone!)

Get it? The list goes on, this is just the tip of the iceberg. You wait so long for them to be able to do things on their own, they start crawling, and the rest of the time is spent trying to get them to sit still and stay out of things.

But, I love my little red headed curious boy more than anything!

Graduation

2011-01-22T21:53:00.000-07:00

I bought a new purse!

Big deal right?- For me it is... some women might utter this phrase every week, or more. This phrase may slip from some woman's lips so often they don't even realize what's spilling out. Some women have enough purses they can color coordinate their handbag to their wardrobe. Some women are so concerned about their purse matching their wardrobe they purchase different covers for their purse so they have a variety to match to. Some women may even match their clothes to the trendy new purse they have for the day. Some women have enough purses they use different types of purses for different occasions AND they match what they're wearing.

I am not some women. I don't even know what type of purse goes with what occasion.

The last purse I bought was when Kamren was born and I realized I wanted a purse that fit just the essentials. I was tired of carrying a diaper bag and a small purse everywhere I went. I wanted something that met the requirements of both a purse and a diaper bag.

So I went from a very small petite handbag. Something you might see a child carrying around for her baby doll. And, one very massive diaper bag that could have carried the baby and all of his baby thingys at the same time comfortably. To a moderate size, no nonsense handbag with a center zippered pocket for a diaper and wipes, pockets for all of the "necessities" like a nail file, extra key chains (you never know when the one you have is going to need to be replaced?), two checkbooks, a wallet with every business card I've ever been given, (you know the essentials).

Well, here we are 3 years later and I am sad to report the handbag has not weathered well. I'm not joking people! I have used this same purse everyday for 3 years. T.H.R.E.E. No wonder it has not weathered well. But, it has served admirably. This bag has carried bibs, bottles, lotion, Tylenol, tums, coupons, a day planner (yep, I said it, until very recently I still used an old fashioned Franklin Covey that actually required the use of a pen (gasp) ), snacks, water, and a change of clothes for Kam amongst many other things.

A new purse was not on list of priorities for our new budget. Pre stay at home mom, a new purse would have been no big deal. Now, I feel guilty for having purchased it. But, I HAD to. The liner of the pockets were coming out AND the stitching was fraying. Totally justified, right?

Here it is:

My new handbag.

As I was transferring "the goods" from the old to the new, I realized my purse has graduated. No longer do I carry a pair of little boy underwear in my purse, no bibs, no snacks, no juice. No day timer (because my schedule is so simple these days a preschooler could be my personal assistant... oh wait, he is! It is still plain and simple, a no nonsense kind of purse. Because if I had one like this:

You would easily be able to remember I carry the same handbag everyday!

Day 1

2011-01-19T13:50:00.000-07:00

I exercised today... don't laugh, the experience alone was depressing enough.

When did I get to be SO out of shape?

This December while everyone was busy enjoying Spirit of Christmas I realized this is the last year of my twenties... i didn't think I would care, but guess what? I DO! And, I have a husband who won't let me forget it!

I think if I don't do something about the shape I'm in now I don't think I ever will.

So, wish me luck. Here's my motto:

Day 1: I didn't get out of bed any earlier than normal (I actually think I slept in)

I tried making up excuses for not exercising all morning until I final just did it

I realized how out of shape I am... I don't know if "that was a good work out" will EVER come out of my mouth again (it hasn't for at least 5 years, why change now?)

And, I didn't get in the shower until Noon, great trade off right?

My Perfect World

2011-01-17T16:11:00.000-07:00

While procrastinating my school reading today (what do you expect? It's 60 pages of boring reading only to write a 2 paragraph "thought" on it for homework... come on!) I stumbled upon this blog post. I laughed out loud to myself on multiple occasions while reading it. And, while my blog is not "popular" or a "money maker" I do fall into the category of Mormon Mommy Blogger.
So, just to clear the air:

This is the state of "chaos" my "perfect" home is in today (I don't even DARE show you my kitchen).
My "crafting skills" would make Martha Steward claw her own eyes out, and
My 3-yr old son is downstairs streaming Thomas the Train from Netflix because I'm doing my homework, remember.

Cheeseburger

2011-01-15T14:32:00.000-07:00

Kamren has been asking for days to have a cheeseburger.

I finally obliged, but only because he sounds like this when asking.

Out of the Ordinary Day

2010-12-21T13:53:00.000-07:00

Wow, the snow is coming down like crazy!

I took this picture this morning from my back porch. Notice that the snow is almost up to belly of the poor wet cold deer! Since then about 4 more inches of snow has dropped and its still covering us with blanket after blanket of white powder!

These 3 deer slowly crept closer and closer to our house. I suspected they wanted under the carport to shelter themselves from the daunting amount of snow we've gotten. But, they got to the carport and kept coming closer! I could see them casing the porch area but with every step Kamren and I made inside the house they would STOP, look around, stay ever so still for what seemed like hours, and then would creep just slightly closer.

Kamren and I went to get dressed, brush our teeth, etc. and when we came back into the dinning room I could barely see a set of ears just high enough above our deck I could tell they had found shelter under it.

Kamren and I quietly tip-toed downstairs, for as much as a 3-year-old can do that, to peek through the window they had hunkered next to. The two youngest were standing up, almost as if keeping watch. The third had bed down, obviously tired and haggered. She was obviously the oldest of the three.

Kamren begged and pleaded to watch them every second, but I wanted to allow them time to rest. After a couple of hours I decided I needed to attempt shoveling a walkway to our front door. I very slowly turned the knob of the backdoor, but as soon as the door opened two of the deer sprang out from under the porch and across the snow covered back yard.

I walked to the shed to retrieve the shovel and noticed the third still bedded down under the deck, still obviously tired. When I went back inside I watched as the two younger female deer crept closer to the old doe. But, they turned and quickly bounced away through the deepening snow out of view. I was a little disappointed to see they had left the matriarch of their group but told myself she would find them after she had rested.

Another couple of hours had passed and as I went out to see if Haggered was still there I immediately understood why the younger deer had left. She was NOT well. By this time she laying down fully, as if already dead. I could see her breathing and the closer I got I could tell she was struggling to get up, but could not even lift her head.

I called animal control, who informed me they don't deal with wildlife and to call Wildlife Services, which I did. I wanted them to put her out of her misery...

How do I know she was miserable, I don't. As a matter of fact, as I watched her, she was so quiet, so still, so at peace.

Wildlife Services didn't make it until after she was already dead, but as I waited for them I was full of wonder at the animal that lay before me. Even while dying she had magnifyed her purpose. She was so beautiful, even in all her haggeredness. She was peaceful and caused so much wonder for myself and Kamren. He is still asking about her every time he looks out the window, and asking to see her again. Now, I've just got to figure out what to tell him (Wildlife Services came during his nap! What fantastic timing!).

Does the World Really Revolve Around Money?

2010-12-20T16:33:00.001-07:00

Short answer... yes!

I think it does!

All day today I've been running errands, with Kamren (who is 3 in case you're not keeping track) who has discovered the best way to get the most information as fast as possible is to ALWAYS ask why:

Kam: "where are we going?"

Me: "to my school"

Kam: "why?"

Me: "so I can learn and get smarter"

Kam: "why?"

Me: "because then people pay you more money to work for them when you're smarter"

Kam: "why?"

You get the picture... "why are we going to pick up your paycheck" "why are we going to the bank" "why are we going to school"

The sad thing is, I realized after 10 "whys" to one question, I always wound up back at money, MONEY! I even found myself saying "because we like money, no wait... I don't know!"

Santa’s Helpers

2010-12-10T22:44:00.000-07:00

Some of you may vaguely remember what my Thanksgiving week normally consists of. For those of you who don’t remember, or have never known, refresh your memory here and here.

This year, I relinquished my volunteer activities in order to remain sane. So, I didn’t help decorate a tree.

You might be asking what this lovely, exquisite tree is doing then adorning my blog

We won it!

Thank Heaven I’m married to the ~~unromantic~~, ~~prosaic~~, ~~farmer~~ caring husband I am because he’s SO dang lucky!

Let’s recap: Bikes, Hawaii, Golf punch pass, countless frivolous things, etc.

The benefit I receive from his luck might just make up for the unromantic disposition he has… might, I said!

(Thank you Alisha and Cassie for decorating such a dazzling tree with your amazing skills and Thank you Simplot for buying and giving away this tree)

I'm Alive!

2010-12-08T23:01:00.000-07:00

I'm Alive!

I've probably lost the 2 blog followers I had prior to my 4 1/2 month hiatus but I'm alive and that's the good news.

Please, allow me to explain... I'm getting my Master's Degree... enough said?

This last 4 1/2 months I have been:

Working full time
Going to school
Doing my second year practicum
Attempting to start a non-profit organization
VP of the Friends' of the Children's Justice Center Board
Primary President
Mom
Wife

(these are NOT listed by priority)

And, what I realized is there aren't enough hours in the day for all of this!

So, I quit the Friends' Board and quit my full time job!

I'd forgotten what it felt like to breath and I now remember I LOVE to breath
(my bank account won't have much breathing room, but it's worth it and I should have done it sooner.)

Long story short, I have time to blog again. So, please think of me as your childhood blankie who has come back to visit (periodically through blog posts) because I'm jumping back on the wagon.

I NEED Your Help!

2010-08-01T21:17:00.000-06:00

Seriously I do...

I had this crazy idea while I was out of my mind one day

"I should apply for a grant and open a child abuse and delinquency prevention center " (insert laugh here)

But my "out of mind" experience didn't stop there because here I am almost 7 months later and I'm in the final stages of getting a grant. So, you wonder what the bad news is?

I need help!

And lots of it! I wrangled my co-students into getting involved, but I need about million times more help!

I applied for a $250,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh Everything Project. The awardee is decided by popular vote. Whichever project is ranked #1 by Aug. 31st at midnight EST gets the money!

Here's how you can help:

1. Text 101793 to pepsi(73774) daily standard messaging rates apply
2. Vote by way of facebook (you'll have to click on the pepsi application and then vote)
3. Vote by way of our website
4. Vote by way of Pepsi -or-
5. Use the vote button on the top right of this blog!

After you've voted:

1. Pass it on to your friends, family, and coworkers!
2. Tell your neighbors
3. Let your kids vote (anyone 13 yrs and older can vote)
4. Have your spouse vote

And then, DO IT ALL AGAIN TOMORROW!

Thank you in advance to everyone who chooses to support me in this!

Here Kitty Kitty Kitty

2010-05-22T19:54:00.000-06:00

I know parents are biased, but seriously, how cute is this?

Birds of a Feather....

2010-04-30T21:31:00.000-06:00

Last weekend we exhausted the day at the Hogle Zoo with our good friends the Blanchard's.

Kamren has only been to the zoo on one other occasion and really only paid any attention to the back of his eyelids.

As some you may know from this post we call Kamren our Monkey and true to his name while visiting the Gorilla habitat Kamren tried to climb in over the fence.

This visit was definitely time well spent and even though Kamren should have been seeing a little more of the back of his eyelids (he missed his nap) he loved ALL the animals, couldn't get enough and even touched a snake! No worries, it was just a python and Michael only tried to wrap it around his neck! (j/k, Kamren only TOUCHED it!)

Truth be told Kamren tried to climb many of the fences at the Zoo!

The Winds of Change

2010-04-22T22:30:00.000-06:00

Ever wanted to the world to feel your loss?

You know, that feeling of grief that you can't get out of your head and you think everyone should feel it too but they don't... the world just stays busy around you and makes you realize how small you really are?

That was me yesterday.

We no longer get to parent Kiera & Kayden and although their time with us was short lived they'll be missed. I've received many answers to many prayers and confirmation from the lord that this is right but logic also leaves me thinking that they were better fed and better taken care of in our home.

Their uncoordinated dances and uncertain giggles will leave a void in our home.

We pray they will always know they are children of God and that they are loved.

A Night Out on the Town

2010-02-25T22:21:00.000-07:00

My nieces have been staying with us for the last 4 days or so while their parents have been in Canada at the Olympics (so jealous). Saturday night the BYU dance team performed Living Legends in Vernal so we took them out for date night.

We dressed up, curled hair and had a sitter for the youngins' (our kids) to enjoy a night out on the town.

Aubrey and Maycie LOVED it! They kept asking if the dancers were real, could they speak 'normal' (For a 6-year-old that means English) and if they were really fighting.

After the performance the dancers mingled with the audience. Aubrey so badly wanted to talk to the dancers but they were in costume and she didn't quite dare. After wondering around to find a dancer that looked 'nice' she finally shook hands and very quickly walked away. Then mustered up the courage to shake another hand and then another. Eventually, she wanted her picture taken.

After the picture Aubrey hastily turned around, hugged the dancer on the far left and then practically ran out the door of the building hearing "ahhh" from all of the dancers. As we were walking to our car Aubrey finished with "he's so handsome!" and the biggest smile I've seen on her face!

I wanna be like Mike

2010-02-24T22:13:00.000-07:00

I mean like Daddy!

No surprises in this household tonight.

When Kamren was told to pick out what pajamas he wanted to wear; he didn't pick pajamas at all!

He picked what his dad was wearing!

For My Memory

2010-02-20T08:33:00.000-07:00

When Michael and I tuck Kamren in at night we always put his covers on him,

I give him a kiss and nose kisses and say "I love you monkey"

Kamren is in the stage where the majority of his talking is two word phrases. So he always replies back "oo munkee"

It makes me smiles every night.

If Found, Please Return

2010-02-15T11:51:00.001-07:00

I got out of the shower this morning to: "Mom, a boys got somping"

Me: "please don't tattle, I'll be out in a second"

Apparently there are times when tattling is necessary. Kamren and Kayden had our address stamp and successful post marked:

Themselves (in multiple places)

The kitchen table

The kitchen chairs and benches

The wood floor!

Their socks,

And repeatedly stamped the baby announcements I had addressed last night for Gentry.

So, if any you find any of these items, please return them to the address found on them...

How 1 second Changes a Day

2010-02-10T21:06:00.000-07:00

My morning:

6:30am- wake up, start getting ready

6:45am- go to Kamren's room to see why he's crying. Change his diaper because its wet and he won't go back to bed until its changed (let's NOT talk about potty training!)

6:50ish- put Kam back to bed and continue getting ready

7:07am- Kayden wakes up, I put him on the potty

7:09am- Kiera wakes up. I instruct her to go back to her room and find something to wear.

7:14am- Kamren starts crying, he's wants out of his room, I get Kayden off the potty, take him to his room and give him a pull up and instruct him to start getting dressed.

7:16:02am- I walk to Kamren's room to let him out

7:16:05am- I open the door

7:16:06am- I take a step... something is on the carpet... and now its on my foot!

7:16:07am- I see Kamren has his diaper off... its poopy... its all over the carpet... its all over him... its on the wall (because he turned the light on)... its on the door (from pounding on it to get out, of course!)

Can a day get any worse after this?

After note, Kamren got the pleasure of cleaning it up himself! And, the look he gave me was priceless!

Thanks Roseanna for letting me borrow your Spot-bot! That thing is amazing! (I was so impressed I used it on other areas in my house... just to see how good it really is. I just might have to get myself one of those.)

New Jensen

2010-01-20T21:44:00.000-07:00

Aaron and Elizabeth finally have a baby
(and not just a bump anymore)

James Matthew Jensen
was born today @ 8:18 am
6 lbs 11 oz

which means the guessing game is finally over!
Click here for a refresher
Baby James will leave the hospital with $77.50

And, the proud mommy is the winner for the other $77.50!
I guess mom really always does know best ;)

Congratulations Aaron and Elizabeth!

Christmas Eve!

2009-12-24T23:46:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Not the best video, but you get it!

This is a house here in Vernal. The kids loved it!
(So do Michael and I)

Winner

2009-12-06T16:11:00.000-07:00

Apparently the question was not as difficult
as I thought it was going to be.

But, April answer first and is the winner!

I still can't believe that's all they came with!

Jeopardy!

2009-12-02T22:50:00.000-07:00

Let's Play!

I'll take "Wed. Dec. 2, 2009 at the Batty Home" for $1000.00 Alex

Answer: "One pair of jeans, one set of pajamas, no socks, and no toothbrush."

...... ?

(There is not a $1000.00 prize associated with this question)

But! Just to get more "playing" action, I will send a prize to the first person
to guess the right answer! If you can by Friday Sat. Dec. 4th, 2009.

(Prize unknown at this time)

I like the whole fine print thing... and yes, I know I'm going overboard with it!

(One more, I can't resist. Nichole J. you're excluded because I've already ranted to you about the answer!)
I love you anyway!

Trees for Charity 2009

2009-11-25T20:59:00.000-07:00

Here Are Our Trees This Year

"My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys"
This tree is in honor of the local Back Country Horseman chapter
They are always such charitable donors to the local Children's Justice Centers

"Red & White Delight"

This is our "fun" tree this year.

This is the one I was responsible for doing

What do you think?

Stop by the Trees For Charity event this year
Nov. 27th-30th @ Western Park in Vernal
Auction is Nov. 30th @ 5:00 pm
(and don't forget to vote for my tree!)

The Cake Boss...

2009-11-12T21:54:00.000-07:00

... is definitely not me!

I did make the cake.
I baked & I decorated,
Not from a box, from scratch and
Not because I have baking skills, or time, or creativity,

Simply because I thought it would save money.

Which, it most certainly did NOT!

I originally planned on making cupcakes and cupcakes alone.
But, the cake batter I made did not fair well as cupcakes.

So, I made a double layer cake and had to buy all the decorations!

I'm not going to talk about what I did not accomplish, but I will tell you what I did accomplish:

Fallen Cake... Check (you just can't tell because of the angle of the photo)
Spent more money on DIY cake... Check
Last min. rush to the store for cake decorations... Check
Spent too much time on the cake and not other important things... Check
Made a cake with Love that my son will not remember... Check
Convinced myself to buy my cakes... CHECK!

Where did Yesterday go?

2009-11-09T22:51:00.000-07:00

Bitter Sweet was this weekend.

Kamren turned 2 yesterday!

To me, this seems like yesterday:

Where O Where Did Yesterday Go?

Happy Birthday Little Man

Things Learned at 1:00 a.m.

2009-10-26T14:17:00.000-06:00

There are some things I never thought I'd learn first hand:

1. Bread that has been regurgitated 7 hours later still looks like bread,

2. Kamren only throws up when he feels safe and secure in someone's arms. (Michael and I both learned this one!), and

3. I can shower in half the time I normally do at 1:30 am.

Things I'm grateful for at 2:00 am:

1. A husband who is awake helping with a sick child,

2. Men in my life who are worthy priesthood holders and willing to wake up to come give my child a blessing at 2:00 am (Thank you Joe, we love you!), and

3. A warm house, because after two sets of pajamas we gave up redressing him.

Things I NEVER thought I would be thankful for:

1. Catching ALL of the throw-up in my hair and down my shirt. Because that means I didn't have to clean carpets or change bedding at 1:00 am!

Seeing God's Hands

2009-10-19T22:21:00.001-06:00

I so often forget to be thankful, but today is not one of those days.

I am so thankful I've been put

in places I can see God's hands at work!

And I'm so thankful to be loved by my Father in Heaven.

I'm so thankful that He knows me.

Today I watched the world lifted off a woman's shoulders

as she was told someone wanted to help her provide

Christmas for her family.

She couldn't even speak, she just cried... sobbed mercilessly really.

And, I remembered how much each one of us is loved

and watched over... and NEVER forgotten.

I'm a Big Boy Now

2009-09-28T16:56:00.000-06:00

This morning Kamren and I were getting ready for the day.
As usual Kamren was in the bathroom with me as
I was doing my hair and make-up when all of sudden with
ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING
This happened!

Kamren was standing at the toilet saying "paw-ee, paw-ee"
Yes, Kamren that's the potty
"Paw-ee, paw-ee"
What? We're not going to play with the potty Kamren
"Paw-ee, paw-ee" (as he starts tugging on his clothes)
Oh, you want to go the potty!?!

So, Kamren got his potty seat out from under the sink, hastily placed it on the toilet,
moved his stool over and danced until I could get his clothes off,
(I'm thinking once your child wants to use the potty onesies aren't such a great idea anymore!)
and he actually used the potty!

I love you little man! You never cease to amaze me!

A Perfect Fit

2009-09-12T20:36:00.001-06:00

While most little boys may be dreaming of cars and trains or frogs and snails, Kamren seems to have his heart set on being big. I know I've posted about this before, but Kamren just seems to be in his own little Never Never land.

In his Never Never Land though, he is as big as a giant -or- maybe just a full grown man. Instead of a place where boys never grow up, Kamren can be grown up and do more than any grown man can.

So, even though he has to wear a helmet when he's helping on the 4-wheeler, his helmet is a perfect fit for the size he thinks he should be.

BEsT FRieNdS!!

Guess The Date!

2009-09-08T18:18:00.000-06:00

This game is to raise $$ for Aaron and Elizabeth's Baby!

Each guess is $5.00 and reserves an hour block of time.
The person who guesses the closest to the actual birth date
splits the donations received, 50/50, with the baby.
Elizabeth is due January 13, 2010

There are no restrictions on how many times you can guess,
so don't be shy! Guess, guess and guess some more!

Email me at jensen_jos@hotmail.com with the following information:
Your Name
Your email address
Your phone number (so I can notify you if you're guess is correct)
and, of course
The Date and Time slot you are reserving!
(Time slots are reserved by the hour i.e. 3:00 pm-3:59 pm)

Put "Guess the Date" in the Subject line

Dates & Times Taken:

December 2009: 28th 8:00-8:59pm Joslin
29th 6:00pm-6:59 pm Jared & Nichole
31st 5:00-5:59 pm Aaron
31st 11:00-11:59 pm Deena

January 2010: 1st 12:00-12:59 am Jared & Nichole
1st 1:00-1:59 am Gentry

4th 6:00-6:59 am Jared & Nichole

6th 5:00-5:59 pm Jared & Nichole
8th 4:00-4:59 am Gentry
8th 10:00-10:59 pm Ivan
9th 10:00-10:59 am Kim

10th 8:00-8:59 am Deena
10th 5:00-5:59 pm Julie
11th 7:00-7:59 am Jared & Nichole

11th 8:00-8:59 am Deena
12th 4:00-4:59 am Deena
12th 2:00-2:59 pm Gentry
13th 4:00-4:59 am Deena
13th 7:00-7:59 am Cami
13th 8:00-8:59 am Joslin
13th 12:00-12:59pm Aaron
14th 4:00-4:59 am Deena
14th 11:00-11:59 pm Darrol
15th 4:00-4:59 am Aunt Judy
15th 6:00-6:59pm Gentry
16th 7:00-7:59 am Aunt Judy
16th 4:00-4:59 pm Kimberly & River
17th 12:00-12:59 pm Aaron
18th 3:00-3:59 am Ivan

-------- ONLY 2 VALID GUESSES LEFT----------
(Voting closes at 7:45 pm on 19th)
(Elizabeth will be in checking into the hospital at that time!)

20th 12:00-12:59 am Joslin
20th 1:00-1:59 am Elizabeth

Last Updated 01/19/10 @ 07:45 pm

Can't donate online! No Problem!
Just email me at jensen_jos@hotmail.com
with "Guess the Date" in the Subject line!

A Blast From the Past

2009-08-01T23:11:00.000-06:00

This weekend I went back home...

Well I guess I don't really have a home there anymore, or family for

that matter. But, I went back to where I grew up.

A group of girls from High School got together to have lunch and reminisce.

It's so unreal its been as long as it has.

From Left to Right: Bridi, Carrie, Me & Kam, Nicole, Melanie, Autumn, Mindy, Tiffany & Jessica
Here is a picture from lunch. (I didn't get my head on straight until half of the people were gone, I really really extra badly wanted a picture of everyone, but this one will have to do... for now.)
Missing from the picture are Candace, Nikki, Kenzie, Heidi, (and it seems like I'm missing someone...)

Candace, thank you so much for putting this together! I really wanted to talk to you more than I did though! I still think of you every time I drive through Wellington.

To wrap up the weekend I went to the rodeo with Tiff and her kids, Mel and Jessica and her
family. I didn't see much of the rodeo because Kam wouldn't sit still for longer than 5 seconds, but it was fun anyway.

Tiff and I had a great round of golf today. I wish I could play that well all the time!

Visited with Katie, who became Kam's new best friend with a killer play set in her new backyard and popsicle! What kid would resist that?

Then I drove past the old homestead... that made me somewhat sad. I really do miss my grandparents. I keep my life so busy I can't think about the people I see everyday, let alone the ones who are gone. It was sad to see their home and farm in the condition it is. They always had so much pride in their yard and orchard...

I don't even know what else to say...

Bucks, Bucks and more Bucks

2009-07-31T11:16:00.001-06:00

Can you believe this?

This isn't a great picture, but I HAD to share.

This week we watched 7 bucks prance into our backyard while we were having dinner...

I guess they were too, because they ate our fruit trees, grass and started eating our garden.

(Michael took care of that before too much damage had been done)

They're were 7 total, 1 4-point, 1 3x4 and 5-two points!

2009-07-29T09:32:00.000-06:00

On the 24th we went on the mountain with Michael's family

Kamren went for a ride with Caitlin, Michael's sister

I think Kamren would have rode that horse FOREVER

Not because he has a passion for equines

But, he believes his superman.

He can do anything the big kids can do (and adults too really)

While they were riding he wouldn't hold onto the

saddle horn. He held onto the reins.

Home with My Little Man

2009-07-27T13:13:00.000-06:00

What a trooper...

At 7:00 this morning I was laying in bed wondering why Kamren hadn't woken me up yet. He gets up at 6:30am on the nose everyday. So, I decided to peek in his room to see if was just playing or still sleeping.

I found him in his little bed, butt high in the air, still deeply asleep. The poor little guy had been sick all night from the looks of his sheets and jammies, but he didn't make a noise all night long!

So I'm home today with my guy, who is still loosing fluids faster than he's taking them in. But, for as uncomfortable as I know he is, he's still been playing, smiling and happy today (except during the bouts of regurgitation, he cries).

I hope he feels better soon...

On the Green

2009-07-02T23:02:00.000-06:00

This is what I did today!

It was awesome... I actually made it onto the green from the tee! (It was only a par 3, but give me some credit.) Thanks for the day of golf mom! Can't wait to play this course again. Only, next time, I hope we don't get rained out!

He's Gone

2009-06-28T16:08:00.000-06:00

I don't exactly know how this happened or how it's going to be fixed, but last night, sometime between Kamren's bedtime and midnight, my son disappeared. The terror that was left in his place kept me and Michael both up ALL night long! I'm sure this child left in Kamren's room is not my son because Kamren has NEVER acted like this before. This child was awake @ 11:30, 12:30-3:30 and awake again @ 5:30 am. Not only was the terror awake, but he was screaming. Blood curdling screams to be exact. Not just cries.... screams! (I really want you to understand this.)

Thank Heaven for 9:00 am church! That ensured that even after the terror was subdued with a movie at 6:00 am that neither Michael or I got to sleep in. I'm hoping that sometime during the afternoon nap time the mix in identity will be fixed. Hopefully the terror is gone and when nap time is over my sweet loving little boy, Kamren, will have been returned to us unharmed.

New Family Fun!

2009-06-27T22:11:00.001-06:00

Look What We Won!

A man's and woman's bike! They are Raleigh Detours!

No lie! Michael and I attended my company employee appreciation night

last night and came home with these!

I can just picture us now, riding down the road, having a deep conversation,

falling in love all over again, hair blowing in the breeze,

with the sun shimmering over head,

listening to the sweet sound of Kamren screaming in the

bike trailer (because he can't ride the bike)....

Just kidding, I'm so excited! I've wanted bikes since before we were married!

Kamren loves them already too. He likes to sit on the seat and and be pushed around.

Now we just need:

a bike trailer

a helmet for Kamren

bike locks

bike rack for the car...

Thank you, Thank you, Thank You to J&R Cyclery in Craig, CO!

This is the company that donated the bikes and the helmets.

J&R Cyclery

530 Russell St.

Craig, CO 81625

(970) 824-9574

Best bike shop around!

Like Father, Like Son

2009-06-21T22:34:00.000-06:00

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's

And especially to Michael

Michael really is Kamren's best friend

Dada was Kamren's first word, Kamren follows Michael around EVERYWHERE!

Kamren helps Michael mow the lawn, lift weights, garden, remodel

our house and anything else you can think of.

When we eat dinner Kamren will follow exactly what Michael does.

If Michael takes a drink, so does Kamren.

If Michael eats peas, so does Kamren.

If Michael eats cookies, so does Kamren (okay he eats cookies ALL the time)

But, I can tell he wants to be exactly like his dad.

And that's okay, because he has such a wonderful one.

Happy Father's Day to our Dad's as well. We have three of the most supportive

men, who are such great examples and would give anything for their families.

We Love You Joe, Ivan & Darrol!

Crazy Eights!

2009-06-17T22:25:00.001-06:00

Eight Things I Look Forward To:

1. Finish remodeling my house! (will this ever REALLY be done?)

2. Hugging my little man when I get home

3. Growing with Michael (not growing old! Just growing with Michael)

4. The day my life slows down

5. Lazy days

6. Helping other (really, I love this)

7. Finishing my Master's

8. Spending time with my family

Eight Things I Did Yesterday:
1. Went to court in Monticello

2. Spent over 10 hours in the car (this is going to be hard because of this)

3. Ate an excellent BLT in Monticello

4. Ate ice cream from Wake 'n Bake in Moab (seriously the best ice cream EVER! It makes the drive completely worth it!...maybe)

5. Wrote a letter on my laptop in the car
6. Stopped for gas in Price

7. Drove through Wellington twice (Candee, I thought of you both times)

8. Came home after Kamren was already in bed

Eight Things I Wish I Could Do:

1. Play the piano well (well is the keyword here)
2. Be on vacation EVERY day

3. Make millions!

4. Save a life (or the world, whatever...)
5. Paint (Art, not walls)

6. Be at home with Kamren

7. Learn to live in the moment
8. Write a book

Eight People I tag: 1.Nichole J. 2.Rachel 3.Adri 4.Breezee 5.Ivy 6.Katie 7.Tiffany 8.Roseanna

Short and Sweet

2009-06-15T23:21:00.000-06:00

I just want to say that life is crazy....

Not necessarily mine right now, but

working with the population of kids that I do and after today, I feel an

overwhelming need to express my gratitude for my family.

Life can change from one breath to the next and I'm glad I have mine.

All of mine, Michael & Kamren, ALL (in-laws included) of my brothers and sisters,

ALL (in-laws and steps included) my parents and ALL of my

friends, past and present.

Thank you all for being a part of me!

Changing of the Dino

2009-06-11T07:01:00.000-06:00

It can't be graduation forever. So what do you do when graduation is over?

Go Fishing!

Dinos and Bunnies

2009-06-05T09:45:00.000-06:00

Note: Just a note to check out the new Dino pic. The birthday candles are still there, but if you look closely, he is now wearing a graduation cap and holding a diploma. Congrats to all you graduates! Here is Vernal's tribute to you!

Also, check out these bunnies! Seriously, they are rabbits. We have a garden at work that O&A plants and takes care of. While we were tilling a couple of months ago accidentally ran over a bunny nest. Of that nest only one survived and was nursed back to health and released.

Well, this last week in the garden we found two more nests and have officially scared off one of the mother's. So, here is our new nest of bunnies we are once again nursing back to health.

Look how small they are. These ones didn't even have their eyes open yet!

When Lunch Needs A Bath

2009-05-30T13:42:00.000-06:00

Kamren's lunch was so good

his hair needed a taste!

(You can't see it in this picture, but its all over in his hair. Right before I grabbed the camera he had his bowl sitting on top of his head!)

And, I hate this stuff, it doesn't come all the way off. There's always sauce stains on the highchair.

Gardening...

2009-05-16T10:27:00.000-06:00

Kamren style...

Michael was planting the garden

this morning and Kamren decided

he needed to help.

He loves to help do EVERYTHING!

Especially if it is his Dad he's helping.

So, Because he was so dirty

We had breakfast outside....

Yummy, dirt and syrup pancakes!

My Monkey

2009-04-29T21:12:00.000-06:00

Ammon

2009-04-26T15:46:00.000-06:00

My younger bother, Ammon has been living with us for the past

16 months.

He moved out about a month ago to get things ready

to serve his second tour in the military.

He left Monday for training and will go to Iraq following his training.

Friday, Michael and I were making the bed in what used to be

Ammon's room and deep cleaning it.

Kamren was walking around saying

"Maamen eer r uoooo" which translated means:

"Ammon where are you?"

(I tried to get it on video, but as soon as I pulled out the camera Kamren was only interested

in playing with it.)

Firsts

2009-04-18T23:16:00.000-06:00

Kamren's "Firsts" are getting farther and farther apart, so I'm happy here's another one!

Kamren thought this was so fun and was smiling the whole time, except for when I brought out the camera, typical Batty I guess!

The kite ended up on top of the roof when Kamren let it go. Michael had to go get it and Kamren was done after that.

FREE Movie

2009-04-13T17:22:00.000-06:00

*Edited* Sorry, we're out of tickets.

Thanks to everyone participating in this event.

Seriously! No strings attached!

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month!

So, the Friends of the Children's Justice Center

is Sponsoring a Family Movie Day for Child Abuse Awareness!

Saturday April 18, 2009

At Vernal Cinema 5

Theater opens at 9:30 am Movie starts at 10:00 am

The movie is "Monsters vs. Aliens"

ALL children MUST be accompanied by an adult and you MUST have a ticket to enter.

You can get tickets from me, Joslin @ ***-**** or contact

the Children's Justice Center @ ***-****

A drink and popcorn combo will also be sold for $1.50! And, regular concessions can be purchased after the movie starts.

Hope to see you there!

Vernal's Dinosaur

2009-04-08T21:31:00.001-06:00

I've lived in Vernal, Utah now for just under 5 years (I can't believe its been that long!).

Since I've moved here I have not been able to find anything more ~~interesting~~ ~~weird~~ ~~creepy~~ unique about Vernal than the dinosaur that gets dressed up.

That's right, you heard me. Each holiday or season of the year the dinosaur sports a different... costume? And, because it's so ~~odd~~ ~~comical~~ festive (Thank you Michael) I've decided to share!

For the next year you will see this Dinosaur on my blog. I will update the picture as soon as the costume changes. I figured now was a good time to start because this will be the one and only time the Dinosaur will be dressed up for Vernal's 100th Birthday. Yes, that's right, you read correctly Vernal's 100th Birthday. And for the Centennial celebration the Dinosaur is ready to party!

Oh, and if you click on the picture at the top of my blog, you can go to Vernal City's web page and find out what other eventful things Vernal ~~wastes tax dollars on~~ has going on!

I wonder if the Dinosaur has a name....

Get it off your chest!

2009-03-30T23:00:00.000-06:00

I was tagged with this awhile ago, but really haven't had the time to do it, but there's no time like the present and I'm feeling ~~a little~~ so so so guilty tonight so here it goes:

Here are the rules:

1. Admit ONE thing you feel awful about involving being a mom. Get it off your shoulders. Once you've written it down, you are NO LONGER allowed to feel bad. It's over with, it's in the past. Remember, you're a great mom!

I HATE not getting to be with Kamren EVERY second of the day! I HATE even more than when I am with him it doesn't always feel like quality time because of everything else that needs to be done (i.e. cleaning, laundry, homework, spending time with Michael).

Just today I had so much work to do that I didn't get home until 8:30pm! Just barely in time to put him to bed (and really that's only because Michael kept him awake for me). You'd think it would all get better if it ended there and I got to relax with the spouse for the rest of the evening, right? Right! Except I had to do homework instead, because I procrastinated and waited until the night before it's due. Anyway...

2. To remind yourself that you ARE a good mom, list SEVEN things you love about your kids, you love doing with your kids, or that your kids love about you. These are the things to remind yourself of EVERY DAY that you rock!

1. I love when Kamren gives me kisses!
2. I love when he throws his hands up in the air and says "so big" or "ta da"
3. I love how excited he gets for bath time. He can't get his clothes off fast enough!
4. I love that he's so interested in figuring everything out.
5. I love the look on his face when he gets busted doing something he shouldn't be.
6. I love reading books with Kam
7. I love when he still cuddles! He doesn't do this very often, but will when he's sick or when he gets out of the tub and is wrapped in his towel.

Now I award: Jayna, Roseanna, Nichole J., Nikki and Adri

More Pics

2009-03-20T16:07:00.001-06:00

Just some pictures we took in Hawaii

Pictures from the Hana Highway

Michael, Me, Matt and Nicole on our Whale Watching Cruise

Sunset on our Whale Watching Cruise

I'm in Hawaii!!!

2009-03-13T12:52:00.000-06:00

Yeah!! I'm in Hawaii! And, is there any doubt that I love it!

The day we left it was a blizzard! So, the weather here is extra nice!

We have a web cam and so does Jared and Nichole so we've been talking to Kamren. I love it!

And, here's a little taste of what we've been seeing.

This is the Lu'au we went to last night

This little black spec you can see is a whale

This is Michael when he saw out bill for the Lu'au :)

And, some jellies we saw at the Maui Ocean Center

Just kidding about Michael, maybe he thought I was going to bite his nose off,

I don't know!