Our life in a few paragraphs!

Mickey sent me an email about jobs and things and I wrote her a small novel in reply. Then she suggested i post the response on the blog so the rest of you can get an update... :)

LOL we have not technically applied for any jobs, can't till March/April time. But we have looked and seriously considered Oregon, and Medford would get a pull because of family.

The grad school thing was a passing fad, THANK GOODNESS. As you may know because I bet you are the same type of wife, I would follow and support my sweet guy just about anywhere and into anything. Mind you I am not walking blindly, and there are a lot of discussions before things are decided on, but ultimately I do not want to work. I am doing it now as a means to an end. But in the long run we are planning on living a lifestyle that can be supported by his income and HIS alone. I will work for the "extra" stuff. so when it comes time for him to work, and his education I support because he is going to be doing it for the rest of his life. I need him to be happy :) So after a short look into it, he decided that 4 more years of school was not what he wanted, even if it meant he would have a P.H.D at the end. I am Happy. four more years of school meant four more years of me working!

So yes we are going to teach. Anything from seventh to twelfth is what he is qualified for. Biology, but he can teach Earth systems. We are looking all over, but I really want to go somewhere close to family. A lot or a little I don't care, just want to be close. WE have been away for seven years and now it is time to "come home".

As for the boys...well they are crazy! :)

Braxton is AWESOME. His little brain never ceases to amaze me, and I can see him figuring things out ALL the time. He still has an attitude but I am starting to believe that is just part of Brax, and we will learn to love him through it. He is obsessed with anything electronic. We have put passwords on everything, both cell phones and the ipod, and got rid of our gaming system, but he still figures out how to get into things. A good distraction is needed when his mind gets set on a game. He is at Head-start and is enjoying the social. We are excited to see him in school.

Michael is turing into such a little man. Always wants to help, always wants to be involved. He misses Brax when he is gone. And often asks when he gets to go to school. It has been hard for him to develop anything on his own with him and Brax so close in age, Michael has always just done what, gone along with, and supported what Brax did. But with Brax at school Michael is really growing. He loves to color and cut, and often asks to play with friends. It is really cool to see.

Caden is great. Growing like a weed. We just moved him into a room down stairs and it is so sad. TO BIG. But he is fun, he loves to dance. Even just my ring tone will send him into a spin. Just learned where his nose is, he picks it when you ask him to find his nose. He is CONSTANTLY talking, I can't figure out where that comes from ;) Although i can really only get about thee words.

A POST!!

I know that most of you are shocked that I am blogging but I think it has been long enough.

I know I should blog about my Caden, and that blog will come. But I want to blog about my trip to CA first.

This trip was planned for two reasons. Rachel and Teresa Kullick! These two wonderful women are AMAZING. Twins, full of energy and so in love with the gospel and our Savior. I was lucky enough to drive to CA to listen to them speak in church after returning home from full time missions in England and Scotland. It was so great.

These two ladies are my little sisters. I love them so much, and after seeing them, and spending so much time with them, I can not put into words how much I respect them. BOth girls have had their fair share of challenges (we all have right) but these ladies don't let things get them down. To me they are the example of perseverance.

Rachel and Teresa, You are my hero's I loved hearing your testimonies and spending so much time with you. A twin bond is an intense and sacred one and you girls have always made me feel like I can share that bond with you. even just for a bit while we talk. Thank you for letting me pass on my knowledge (lol, they listen to me babble) Thank you for being the examples you are. I love you both so mUCH.

I love this picture!

KATY

PS. HUGE shout out to Art, Steph, and Mom for making it possible for me to go.

To my Michael

I could not be more grateful for you in our family Michael! You are an amazing addition to our lives and make mommy so happy.

You are my sweet guy, so loving and hugging. You want to be with us, and want us with you ALL the time. You would take us to the potty with you if we would go. You love your big brother and I hear you playing with him constantly. You are also an AMAZING big brother Michael.

You love Caden and want to care for him, you are always wanting to help and play with him. You usually start singing "Baby Mine" when he is sad, or caressing his face saying, "I'm right here Caden, it's OK, I'm right here" I am so glad that your huge heart is not just for mom and dad, that it is something you are willing to share with your brothers (or anyone else).

You are such a character, always telling stories and dancing! You are a mover and a shaker. Even while eating dinner Michael your little booty is wagging behind you, or your little leg is bouncing to whatever tune you happen to have in your head.

YOU are smart. Always telling what letters you see, or helping my count the apples out when we go groceries shopping. Please stay that way, willing to help and willing to learn.

You love primary. You are such a good little listener, and are learning the scripture stories so well. Michael you are also very good at the primary songs. Love to sing and listen to them.

I love you Michael, I;m glad that your Amazing little spirit came to our family, I know it is where you belong.

MOM

To my Braxton

Braxton you are an amazing little man. Your brilliant mind is something that is constantly growing. You talk and talk and at times I am really very shocked at the words and thoughts that you are already starting to develop.

I love your big cheesy grin. You smile ALL the time, when you are not throwing a fit that is. You are obsessed with video games, and are so good at them.

At about one in the morning this morning you came into my room and asked to "snuggle" with me. I love that you are so affectionate, hugs and kisses.

You are becoming a great big brother, your patients is like you moms (not the longest, or the best), but when you take a deep breath and take the time to teach Michael something it clicks, and I can tell that you get so much joy from seeing him accomplish whatever it was you guys were working on.

I know you like things a certain way and I know it is tough for you when things don't go that way, but please remember that there are others in the world with good ideas, and you will grow and become stronger if you can learn to listen to those thoughts and help develop them as well as your own.

I do not want you to grow up to fast Braxton, be a little boy with: bugs, dirt, scrapes, bruises, an uncontrolled sense of adventure, and a fearless attitude, as long as you can. It will go fast. I love the stage you are in now, and I am really enjoying seeing you grow. it makes me so EXCITED to see what you will become.

I love you SO much Braxton and I know that you are going to be an amazing young man. Please know that I am grateful to have you in our family. I am grateful that you came first. I love you Braxton.

A new chalkboard

I am starting a new. if you want to follow my journey go to
www.my-new-clean-chalkboard.blogspot.com

I will try to blog here too, I know you all want to hear about my kids and our family.

Love you all

Almost done

LIFE is good.

Chad and I are crazy to be doing what we are but...here it comes. We are both going to school full time this summer. AAAAAAAAAHHHHH what are we thinking. Oh wait it is that Chad wants to be done with school so badly that he is willing to fork over the cash to go for summer. SUU does not offer any financial assistance for summer students, I have fed money because I did not go last fall, but Chad's tuition is coming out of our very thin little pockets.

This is really a great thing. It does not mean that Chad will graduate any earlier, next May is still our month, but he will have a very light schedule in fall to work and save money. The following semester, Spring 2012, he will be student teaching, so a regular job will be difficult for him to hold.

Me, I just want him to be happy. he hates that he is so old and still in school. Not that he is really that old. But he feels like he is some how letting the boys and I down for not being done already. this of course could not be further from the truth. Me and the boys are so proud of our guy!!!

It is funny to me how life has worked for Chad and I. Yes we will have more student loan debt when we graduate than we would like. Yes it has taken us almost seven years to get Chad through a Bachelors degree, and yes it will take me almost nine to get mine, but we are doing it. We have three amazing blessings from god. And a happy home!

School for us has been an amazing thing, and I have learned so much about myself and my spouse while I have been here. I know it is not over yet but the end is near and honestly , dont tell Chad, but I AM GOING TO MISS IT!!!

DISNEYLAND

Suze Orman is one of my favorite financial gurus. She said once on her show that it is proven that people who spend their money on experience not things are happier. After spending this money on a spring break trip to CA to visit the beach and Disneyland I AGREE!! It was so fun, and worth EVERY dime. We had the money set aside for some other things that did not work out, and so we used it for a vacation. THIS TRIP WAS GREAT!!!

I am only a few photos on here, if you want to see them all go to my facebook page.Cadens first encounter with a strawberry! He was a big fan!!




I made these cut shirts for the boys to wear, the first day they all matched the second day they were in corresponding blue ones
Caden loved the tea cups
Classic


Nice ron!!



We took the boys to the beach on the third day, we had only planned on staying three days. But we decided that a good trip to the ocean was a good idea, so we stayed an extra day and spent the day at Huntington Beach!