Rachel and Alec get married!

Last weekend the girls and I had the opportunity to attend my cousin Rachel's wedding in California. Maylee, Emma and I drove down to my parents house on Thursday night. We then left Friday morning with my mom to San Jose.
(Emma loves to wear my moms high shoes around their house. Clomp Clomp Clomp everywhere...)

Friday night we met up with the wedding party for Rachel's Bridal shower and played a fun version of Jeopardy that Rachel's friend Lauren made.

The next morning all four of us went to the Oakland Temple for the sealing ordinance. It was a rainy/sunny day. Probably really difficult for the photographer!

Big thanks to Erika and my cousin Steven (Rachel's older brother) for watching Maylee and Emma during the ceremony.

The funny things about the sealing were, Rachel accidentally requested the wrong sealer, so she didn't know the guy sealing them. (This is just fine of course, but still funny when you thought it would be one person and it's not) Also, this sealer called Alec LIAM twice! Liam is Alec's middle name... weird. Rachel finally corrected him very politely by saying, "It's Alec by the way" Lastly, he said something about families and joked that getting married is like marrying your cousin...(you had to be there, it was an awkward comment) but really when it comes down to it, it was the perfect setting the couple was lovely and I was so glad I could be there for it. I wasn't able to make it to her twin sister Teresa's wedding because I was only 2 weeks away from having a baby and traveling that far along isn't recommended.

The girls and me at the Oakland Temple. The girls weren't feelin' pictures right then. After a bit they warmed up and took some good ones as group shots I think. They both LOVED that fountain and played in it and thought it was funny to get Steven ALL wet. Luckily, he thought it was great too so they kept doing it.

Mr. and Mrs. Alec Ferguson!

Rachel's wedding dress was so lovely!

Hard to tell, but its an amazing view from the temple looking out over the city.

The Bride and me. She looked perfectly gorgeous for her big day.

After the ceremony we headed back to the Kullick's ate some sandwiches, chips and fruit and relaxed until the reception. Rachel hired a wedding planner and the wedding party was doing a few odds and ends that we didn't really have to do anything! The girls loved all the attention from everyone. They were the ONLY littles at both the sealing and the reception, which was a shock to me. They did quite well with all the attention and for having such a long day.

(The location of the reception was switched last minute from an outdoor location to an indoor location. This house was GORGEOUS. I LOVED how classic it was. I wouldn't say my dream home, but the decor was right up there. This is Maylee at the entrance)

I couldn't tell if this was painted on or just chalkboard, (see mine below) regardless it was really pretty!

The engagement for Alec and Rachel was a short one, I think they got engaged about 2 months before getting married... maybe less time. The dated for quite a while however. When I found out they were getting married I knew I had to be there. (I've only missed a few cousin weddings, mostly because I was pregnant and shouldn't be traveling) I asked how I could help and offered a few things. Rachel took me up on making a Chalkboard frame for her and making a bunch of other gold picture frames. I went to good will and found a bunch of good frames and painted them. I really like how the chalkboard one turned out.

Table decor.

The Bride and Grooms first dance.

The wedding cake, there was another one somewhere else I think...

My aunt Cary (the brides mother) Aunt Linda and my Mom. It was really nice, all three of these ladies were big helps with Maylee and Emma. I don't think my Aunt Linda knows how to take a break. She was always jumping up to hold or help with one of the girls. It made vacation a little easier on me, that's for sure.

More of the picture frames that I painted for Rachel to display some photos. I thought they looked really great and matched everything perfectly. I was glad to do something to help out.

Where the food was served. They even had Hot Cocoa ready for guests that may be a little chilly, however it turned out to be a lovely evening, not rainy at all.

They had a courtyard type area of the house, it had this fountain in the middle and trimmed bushes to go around in a circle. Emma and Maylee both enjoyed running circle after circle. Also, notice my cousin Sheila there, she always had an eye on the littles too. It was really cute to see my whole family looking after my girls.

In usual Emma fashion, she was always exploring. 

The Father and Daughter dance

Even after the sealing was over and we were at the reception, I don't think Erika or Steven stopped looking after Emma and Maylee. Both girls really took a liking to their new friends.

Rachel and Alec eating their wedding cake, it was Nothing Bundt Cakes. OH MY I forgot how delicious they are... I had cinnamon swirl and pumpkin spice, SO GOOD!

The Bride and Groom leaving the reception with everyone holding sparklers. 

We left Sunday morning and drove back to Medford. We stayed there for an hour and a half or so then drove the rest of the way home. It was a LONG weekend but a happy one for the family. It was so nice to finally meet Alec and Cameron (the grooms of my twin cousins) since it seems like everyone else had all ready met them and I was the last one!

Big thanks to Matt for holding down the fort while I was gone with the girls, also to the Holdaways for watching Ty on Friday and letting him ride the bus with Luke to and from school and Tiffany for taking Baby Grace. It made life easier to know that while I was gone and Matt had to work that my kids were in very capable hands.

(Ty drew this for me while I was gone. He was so cute. Grace, Matt and Ty missed the all of us while we were gone)

P.S. I would have blogged about this earlier but my nights have been occupied with the Giants playing in the World Series. It was game 7 tonight and they WON! It was a great game and I almost had a heart attack near the end there. The Giants have won the World Series in 2010, 2012 and now 2014. Really cool! Matt is calling it the Bi-Annual Three-peat. Haha.

Running and trying to win the war.

I started running yesterday, I gave myself 6 weeks after having Grace. Things were hard (when I say "things" I am referring to the level of difficulty, not my body, it's quite squishy and jiggly... The opposite of hard :), and I was dying. I looked at the treadmill and it said .87 miles. WHA???? Okay, I see how it's going to be. I ran a mile yesterday and walked about mile and a half. I ran again today. I ran a full mile again. It wasn't AS hard as yesterday but still took quite the effort, and right near the end I felt that pesky left IT band flaring up again. I'll really need to nurse that baby or I may injure myself again and then where would I be. 

So back to the running. I warmed up, lightly stretched and started going. I slowly increased my speed until I got to 5. Yes, that isn't very fast, yes you can probably walk that fast.. But hey give my short little legs a break here! Anyhow, I was feeling so good, so happy, I got the immediate rush of, "YEAH, you are doing it!" Then about 2 minutes later I felt like throwing in the towel. I have a serious love/hate relationship with running. It takes me quite some time to build up my love of running. 

I want to sign up for a race, but I am worried my IT band won't let me, so for now my goal is just to run for longer than a 5k without hurting myself. After that I'll start looking for races. 

On that note, I love getting all sweaty after a good work out. What I don't love is figuring out when the best time to work out is. Wake up early? Nope I am NOT a morning person. Do it in the afternoon when the girls are napping? Tough because then I am still in sweaty work out clothes come 6 pm. After the kids go to bed? That's no good either since I barely have enough in the tank to walk up the stairs and crawl into my bed with OUT running. 

So my best option right now is right after I drop Ty off at school. The only down side to that is, no one is around to watch my three girls while I am out in the garage. I LOVE having a treadmill, I HATE what my house looks like after my 30-40 minutes of being in the garage. How do such little people reek such havoc in such a short amount of time! After my shower and me getting dressed then cleaning up the mess of my girls it's all ready time for lunch!

Early last year I was talking to a friend of mine, she does ironman triathlons and various marathon and half marathon races frequently.  She was telling me she could train with me for my upcoming race. I said wow that's really nice of you but I don't think I run at your pace , she said that she didn't mind at all running with me. So we started talking times that would work for us. I felt like I was pretty open, and after going through her schedule the only time she could do it was 4:30 am. WHA? Yeah booked a little tight aren't we? At that point I thought she was crazy. Right now though waking up at 4:30 to get a good work out in doesn't really seem all that crazy. Oh and did I mention she is a mother of 4 as well? Seems like you gotta do what you gotta do. 

I am trying to learn to let some things go, pick my battles and win the war in the end. 

Speaking of battles, Ty had a dentist appointment yesterday to fill a cavity. We were 15 minutes late... How any parent with toddlers and babies get anywhere on time is beyond me. Have any tips? I'd love to hear them. Anyhow, we were late because I dropped Matt's dry cleaning off to him at his work. They have a service that comes to them and he forgot his bag that morning. His company is growing rapidly causing need for a second building on the Fisher campus. Along with construction they have been pouring a lot of new cement. Well midgie Maylee didn't see the cones with caution tape because it was a good 18 inches above her head. She came out of Matt's building and took off running. Matt was holding Emma's hand thinking it would be her to ruin the very freshly smoothed cement. NOPE, Maylee got about 2 steps in before both her flats came off and she just kept running, not knowing what else to do. I burst out laughing while I was waiting near the car and Matt was mortified. Really no reason to be upset with Maylee, clearly she didn't see the caution tape! Needless to say, it set me back quite a bit of time waiting for a worker to get her shoes and to attempt to clean her feet unsuccessfully. But at least everyone (including the construction guys who saw it) got a good laugh. Matt was too embarrassed to laugh about it yesterday, but he laughs about it now. 

(the receptionist thought it was so funny she ran out to take a picture with her phone. She e-mailed it to Matt this morning haha i guess its quite the buzz at work, everyone knows it was Matt's kid that ruined the wet cement.)  

Back to the dentist. We went to Adventure Dental (our favorite place) and Ty went back to see Dr. Josh. He has some abnormalities in his back molars since birth where his enamel didn't form quite right. As a result of that, and my poor mommy hygiene forcing routine of nightly MI paste (I thought he was doing it himself, apparently not) he has a cavity there. As we walked back and he lied down in the the chair I could tell he was nervous. Luckily I dropped his sisters off at a friends house. So it was me, Ty and Grace. Hilary, the sweet hygienist told Ty to put on the squishy little mask so he could feel better. Ty covered his face and said no. We begged, we pleaded, I even tried to call Matt to get him to try it but Matt didn't pick up. I tried everything I could think of so I said, "Hilary, let's just do this" so I held his arms and while she held the mask on his face. He screamed, and yelled. I was hoping the gas would kick in when Josh poked his head around the corner and said "hey, let's not do that, we've got other options I'll be with you in a moment." So he finished with his other patient and came to talk with Ty and me. He spoke with Ty for a few moments first. Made sure he knew he wasnt going to do anything and he just wanted to talk to him. He talked with him about school and his sisters. He talked to him until he relaxed a little then turned to talk to me. He said that he understood why I would want to force him to do this, and how frustrating it is to find a sitter and rush around to get Ty from school and get him here, but he thought it was much better to win the war, not every battle. He said his goal is to have a 10 year old that isn't terrified of the dentist. One that walks in and out of every appointment, be it ortho or to fill a cavity like a champ and with out tears. He wanted Ty to feel comfortable and safe, not threatened and scared. While he was telling me this I realized that I was being a dummy about it, and agreed with Josh. 

We talked about it and it's probably the tonsillectomy that made Ty so nervous about this sort of thing. They used the same mask for him before putting him under and that was a scary time for the little guy. So we talked about options and since Ty has his tonsils out we are able to use oral sedation. This way it will give Josh 40 minutes of happy time from Ty and all Ty will remember is drinking a yummy strawberry drink and watching a movie. We rescheduled for a later date, Ty got a prize (which I thought was not okay... But again the dentist is a happy place not a scary place) and we left. As I drove home I was upset that I had to bring him AGAIN but the more I mulled it over I really think it's a good choice to do it this way. I mean, dentists when I was young didn't give a hoot about how the child felt and got it done any way possible. I was twenty three when I finally went to the dentist and didn't cry about it. Rediculous. 

All in all I am soooo glad that my kids have an awesome dentist who not only cares for their teeth, but for them as little people. Also, I am also glad I could be steered in the right direction on how to parent my little Ty boy. I should have known since he never does anything until he wants to do it. Forcing him to do anything never ends with good results. The way we chose is the right way and I am glad it is an option for him. 

You never know when a little parenting "how to" moment comes along, and I am glad I recognized it. I've got my eyes peeled now and am trying to pay special attention to other moments when I want to win the war, not every battle. 

Things they don't tell you about having a baby

First off I'll start by saying this is my personal experience and isn't meant as an end all absolute truth. This is how it happens for me and I'm just throwing it out there so when one of my three (still adjusting to the thought of raising three girls) call me when pregnant or after having a baby and ask... About ______ I'll be able to refer to this and say "well dear, here is how I remember it" 

1: sometimes, you don't feel labor... You just feel like crud, Tired, achey, nauseous and irritable. Then again sometimes you are in labor with consistent contractions. For Pete's sake, just go to the hospital when you think you are in labor. Don't wait for fear of them turning you away. Better to know then writhe in pain and suffering thinking "this can't be it, I haven't had this or this happen yet!" 

2: every single pregnancy, labor and delivery are different. I mean, WAY different. Boy and girls don't matter. Sick, not sick, how the baby is carried, what foods you crave or don't like at all, everything is different. Don't listen to people that say, "oh it HAS to be a girl/boy because _____ happened." It's a bunch of bologna. 

3: if your water breaks, it can happen all of the sudden like in the movies, or it can feel like you've just peed your pants and couldn't help it. For me, I knew it, it felt like a water balloon popped inside me. It DOES NOT HURT. It didn't when the doctor broke my water for me or when it happened at home. 

4: don't freak out about all the scary things that could happen during L and D, it does no use. It's best to just relax (well try anyway) and go in thinking I just want my baby and myself to be healthy through this. Don't be absolutely against something, be open to other ideas or ways of doing things. I've done both natural and epidurals. Referring to #2, All had pro and cons. Just do what's best for you and forget everything all those people tell you to do or not to do. (Believe me people will tell you how you HAVE to do it)

5: after having a baby, you will be hot, I mean dripping with sweat all the time HOT. Even sleeping in the skivvies doesn't solve the issue, prepare to be soaked every morning (winter or summer) for about 2 months. Fan full blast, a/c cranked and sleeping with just a sheet... Still sweaty while the husbands teeth are chattering. Word is, it's your body's way of getting rid of the hormones or something, all I know is it's gross and I hate it.  

6: prepare for your stomach to look and feel like bread dough for about 8 weeks. Doesn't matter what you do it will be that way. Once you accept that, it will be a LOT less depressing to see your post delivery body. I work out like a mad woman after having a baby, starting at two weeks. I work my abs 6 days a week and still at week 8, bread dough. Believe me though it will go back to your former tummy, that is, if you work out. (Helpful hint? Tracey Anderson's post pregnancy work out video, best thing ever for right after having a baby) 

7: speaking of things that change... Don't look at your bum in the mirror while pregnant and for at least 8 weeks after birthing... Just don't. I can't say that enough. 

8: spanx, buy them, wear them. It's the secret. (Refer to #6 and #7) You will be much happier wearing them. I hate feeling lumpy and squishy. HATE it. It happens to everyone... Even those skinny pregnant chicks. There are actual reasons to wear them too, it helps push your hips back together after they have opened to have a baby, believe me it's true. No birthing hips here, it's the same type of thing as braces for your teeth. Don't believe me? Google it! :) 

9: the first labor and delivery is terrible! The worst! Everything is so hard and it takes FOR.E.VER. the healing is rough, the lady parts are in shambles and hurt like crazy. Dermaplast, fiber, witch hazel pads, lots of water and ice packs (coupled with some prescribed medications) make things a whole lot better. Just know that with every L and D it gets easier and faster. Don't decide whether or not to have another child based off your first (of course, that is if you are healthy and able to have more children) With #1 everything took about 18 hours, by #4 it took just 4. I will say though the healing on the outsides gets easier and easier but the healing on the inside (your uterus) will HATE you by your fourth child and the recovery pain feels like you are back in full blown labor again. That is normal, expect it and don't be ashamed to take something a little stronger when the doc says it's okay. Oh and massage your own uterus/tummy for about the next 12 hours after delivery. If you don't the nurses will and wow, that does NOT feel like hearts and flowers. 

10: remember those shameful days in college when you ate a bit too much fast food/processed junk and gained all that weight? Don't throw out the fat pants. You will be thrilled to find them when two months after having your baby you still don't fit into pre-preggy clothes. 

11: speaking of clothes, maternity clothes... Love them and hate them. There are so many types and styles, but bottom line is, they are spendy. Thing is, right after you've had your baby you will hate the very thought of putting those DANG PANTS on one more time, or wearing that terrible shirt! My advice? During pregancy #1 buy a few good pairs of maternity pants and or shorts. That's all you need. The shirts? Everything stretches these days. Go buy t-shirts one size bigger and stretch them out, they were five bucks a piece so you won't break the bank buying 6 shirts that in the end served a good purpose. 

12: maxi skirts... Buy them wear them, through the whole pregnancy and recovery time I wear them. Comfy, stretchy yet you don't feel like a total slob or have to get depressed that those pre-preggy jeans don't fit yet. 

13: for about 10-14 days after having a baby expect to be crazy, post preggy medications coupled with huge hormone swings make you think say and do things that aren't you. These things ARE NOT YOU. So when you cry watching an episode of Sofia the First with your toddler, or when you are RAGING MAD because your chicken didn't turn out just right know that this is not you. When your husband tells you you have spit up in your hair and you immediately want to punch him in the face, it is NOT YOU, (and please, don't punch your husband in the face) With the first it may not be as noticeable, but by the time you have 4, those hormone swings surprise you and make you think you've lost all your marbles. If you still have these insane crazy mood swing moments 2 weeks or so after having your baby, talk to your doctor. 

14: speaking of husbands, communicate, communicate, communicate. Tell him how you are feeling, tell him the gory details about recovery and pain, and most importantly, tell him how much you love and appreciate him. Tell him he is super dad and you couldn't do this with out him. Even though you've got a LOT of other things to think about, make sure he stays in your top three things. Make sure he knows you love him however you know best. Let's be honest, intimacy ain't gonna happen for quite a while so make sure he knows you love him other ways. The more you shower him with love I guarantee the more he'll want to help and take on whatever he can to help you and new baby. Remember BOTH of you are learning how to be parents even though you get the brunt of it at the beginning. 

15: last but not least, don't take any crap from anyone about how you want to do things. No need to be rude when unwarranted advice comes flying at you, just smile and nod, but do not internalize it. Really what you should do is (wow this is hypocritical!) Talk with your doc, do all the research you can, but most of all trust your instincts. So you want to go naturally? Great! So you've scheduled an induction and plan on getting a spinal tap the second you walk in the hospital doors? Good for you! So you nurse every 30 minutes and plan on keeping it that way until your child goes to kindergarten? (Eesh) none of my business! So you decided to stop nursing and formula feed? Okay! So you let your baby cry it out at night? Absolutely! So you like to coddle your your baby at the littlest sign of discomfort and intend on never putting them down ever? Okey dokey. So you want to have 10 kids? Right on! So you think one is good for you? Perfect.  

People will be nosey, people will tell you how crazy you are for anything and everything you choose regarding the pregnancy, labor and delivery and directly following... Don't know why it happens but I swear the second you have a showing baby bump they'll let you know ALLLLLL about how the BEST and ONLY way is to do things. These people can be family, friends and complete strangers. Make sure it doesn't ruin your lasting relationships, don't let it get to you. 

How you deal with yourself and your baby is up to you, trust your instincts, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about ANYTHING you are concerned about and know that (despite what you may feel sometimes) you are an amazing mom. You CAN do it. You can get that pre baby body back, you can raise a perfect little (sometimes crazy) child and you CAN do it again. I believe that families are of God, that families are an established unit that are designed for the purpose of happiness, learning and growth. Rely upon God when times are rough too, and believe me times get rough. You are raising the next generation and know that being a mother is a divine calling and a blessing, and He'll help you in those times of need. 

So anything you'd add to this list? Please share! I'd love to hear it! 

"It's a hard knock life"

Today started off with yogurt spilled on the carpet stairs, coupled with pee all over the downstairs bathroom floor and sister "helping" with baby Grace by picking her up "all by herself" to move her... Then when I said "oh no!" And started running to take the poor baby from her two year old clutches she drops Grace, plop. Grace's noggin hit the ground with a thud and that familiar newborn scream cry quickly followed, that one that means, "THAT WAS NOT NICE!" 

I am sure many of you have had these days. So have I. Trouble is, they are coming more and more frequently. This week, has been back to back days. 

Normally I think this is combatted by sleep and a good book. Right now, neither of those are really an option. Let me explain, yesterday I crashed... By crashed I mean there could have been a 6 point earthquake going on and I still would not have waken. It was one of those, I don't even remember lying down type naps. I slept for a solid hour and a half. My eyes popped open 20 minutes before Ty needed to be picked up from school. I was in the middle of saying a silent prayer of gratitude that I felt so rested and happy (it was a busy morning) when I heard Emma knocking on her door. That knock means - I am up from my nap, let me out of my room. Maylee came sprinting up the stairs to let her out. I was thankful for that since I needed to feed Grace quickly before picking up Ty. It takes about 15 minutes to feed her. It would be cutting it close but I started feeding Grace right away. Right as I settled in feeding Grace, Maylee says, "Mom! Emma is yucky!" It's not uncommon for Emma to have a dirty diaper immediately following nap time so I told Maylee I would change her when I was done. Then Maylee said, "no mom, she pooed on the floor" then Emma turned the corner, not wearing pants or a diaper. She was wearing one shoe, one of Grace's headbands haphazardly squishing her face and a shirt- oh and one more thing a whole lotta poop. 

I gasped. The rest was full mommy mode. Wasn't I JUST praying about how thankful I was to get a break? Kinda felt like, "serves you right for resting..." Instead. 

I turned the corner to their room and was accosted by the pewtrid fumes. The amount was astounding and the way in which it was tracked all.over.the.room was truly amazing. It was EVERYWHERE, blankets, stuffed animals, sheets, bed frames, walls, toys, shoes, hairbows, laundry basket. You name it, there was poop on it. As I was mentally prioritizing, and deciding where to start Maylee says "arrrrggg!" As she stepped in a big pile (not exaggerating) of Emma's yuck. Maylee backed out of the room rubbing her heel in the carpet to get it off. All of this happened in about 15 seconds and I lost it. I yelled, threw a fit, I told Maylee to get out and to get a wipe for her foot. Emma had disappeared I yelled at her to come. She walked back towards me from the hallway and I saw it all down her leg. I yelled again. She cried and covered her eyes with her poop covered hands. That's when my stomach churned. I immediately walked out of the room (stepping in a wet spot that must have been urine) and about yanked her arm out of it's socket taking her to the tub. I stripped her and bathed her in very cold water. It was dried and stuck on so well it took a good while to get it all off. I found her some clean clothes, put a fresh diaper on her and we had to leave to get Ty, yep... I left it, all of it, in the bedroom. 

Trying to calm myself as I drove to get Ty I remembered that I told Ty and Maylee they could get a prize for doing so well at the dentist office earlier that day. Hand to forehead, just one more thing to drag my children to do. Ty of course immediately remembered and we headed to the dollar store. Their STUPID carts don't fit a car seat, so I carried Grace while trying to keep Emma from breaking everything in the store and staying by me. Ty and Maylee picked their prizes and we checked out. Emma got one too somehow...

All this time (remember what I was doing when all this started?) Grace was whimpering and working up to a perfect newborn "I am FREAKING HUNGRY!" Cry. So I get home turn on a show for the kids because I couldn't handle any more, and went upstairs to feed Grace. 

Poor Matt got home when the tears started streaming. I said, "I don't know why God thinks I am capable of raising this many children. What was I thinking! It's been a bad day, I yelled... A lot." All between sobs. Matt took Grace from me and burped her while he listened to more. "Sometimes I just wish I could go to work and leave the kids to someone else, I mean, do YOU ever have to worry about stepping in poop at work? It's disgusting and I don't know how much more I can take." Matt says, "Wait, poop?" I recounted the whole story above, he got on his scrubby clothes gave Grace  a snuggle and tucked her in our bed and grabbed a rag and disinfectant. 

The scene was bad, real bad, it took a good 45 minutes to clean it all up. 

Flash forward to right now, it's not just those things that wear on me, it's the constant whining, fit throwing, arguing, screaming and general toddler-ness that seems to be bursting the Spence home apart at the seams. 

I did it, I ate all of Maylees milk duds (well almost all of them, most of them) and I listened to Christmas music in the closet pantry in the dark. I am still in my work out clothes all sweaty and I don't care. I'm trying hard to just hang in there and keep on keeping on. Matt is attending the temple with the youth this evening. Who knows when he'll be back tonight. So it is true, Monday, Tuesday and this morning I didn't have the best attitude and the rest of our home wasn't happy either. My attitude directly effects the attitudes of everyone else. 

During my sobbing yesterday I said "I don't know how other people do this... How do people DO this!?" Matt says, "Mickie, they don't." So true, most people don't. It seems to me the perception is that stay at home mommy life is eating Bon bons and watching soap operas, oh mixed in with a little bit of picking up and laundry folding. Boy oh boy, the last few days have affirmed yet again that it is by far the hardest job in the world. It's something I don't think I am much good at right now, but hey maybe in 50 years or so I will be. Until then if you see me, wandering aimlessly around target wearing mismatched clothing with my hair up, looking like I haven't showered in a week and have a cart full of chocolate just smile and wave, don't hug me, because there is probably some sort of bodily fluid on me somewhere that I haven't yet found that is sure to end up on you too. 

Primary Program and First day of church for Grace

Last Sunday was our Wards Primary Program. I was in charge of writing the whole thing. I was really worried aboute it. I can't remember if I blogged about it or not, but I was able to get about 95% of it done and handed everything over to the rest of the presidency the night before delivering Grace. It was so nice to not worry about it afterwards. Our first Sunday back was to see the Primary Program and we left right after Sacrament Metting. 

Ty did really well, he sang all the songs like a pro and he said his part cheerfully and confidently at the pulpit. His part was, "Heavenly Father helped me endure getting my tonsils taken out." The theme was Families are Forever. Each class memorized a scripture and said it together in the microphone then each child said their own individual part that they wrote. There were parts that were a bit rough, but I dont think anyone else would notice that but me since I wrote it. Otherwise it went really well and I was so glad to see the rest of the Presidency make sure it went well. I am actually excited about doing it next year since I have two years under my belt I kind of know the ropes and can start planning it now instead of trying to do it all two months before hand. 

Here is Ty and Grace both on their special day at church. 

The cute little dress for Grace was a gift from Ty's primary teacher. 

Here is just Ty, such a good looking little guy. :)

Me and Grace.

Also, Ty started doing homework for school. He was so excited the first day that he did all his Math homework for the whole week in one sitting. 

The next morning Maylee and Emma decided they needed to do their homework too. So they found some work books and got going. Maylee is actually doing really well tracing her letters. Emma just scribbles, and that is okay too. I told Ty yesterday we needed to do more homework and he said "Mom, I already DID my homework remember?" I assured him he had to do more homework for at least 20 more years, he was a bit cunfused by that comment but agreed to work on more homework after school tomorrow. We'll have to get a good system down in our schedule to make sure he is doing his homework. Every day when we drive by Union high school Maylee asks when she gets to go to school. Hopefully she gets on the list, I was behind in signing her up since the teacher sent out the e-mail while I was in the hospital, I missed it. But she is excited to start tiny titans in November if she does get in. 

Maylee has been trying to avoid nap time lately. I put she and Emma down at 1 everyday for quiet time or nap time. Emma always naps, Maylee half the time says she doesn't need a nap, then at 5 pm that day I find her like this. 

Oh well. 

The kids have been loving the addition of "after school snack". Ty loves to choose. This day he couldn't decide, apple or pear... Then he decided on pear and got after it. It was so funny to see. 

We've started putting Gace in the Bumbo. She is so cute sitting in there. 

Maylee is going to be a very good babysitter and Mommy some day. She loves to take care of Grace. Even if Grace is screaming her head off Maylee will sit and hold her and say, "No mom don't take her, I got it. I'll take care of her." She does usually get her to calm down and takes good care of her, but she is still only three and sometimes tries things she sees me doing that I have to put a stop to, like walking around with her baby sister. I mean, I think there is only a 15 pound difference between the two at this point. Haha 

Its conference weekend and we have enjoyed listening to various talks these last few days. We needed it because we were REALLY REALLY upset after watching our beloved BYU Cougars fall to Utah st. at home. That hasn't happened since 1978, so super depressing. Also, 4 of our players, including our heisman candidate QB Taysom Hill went down with an injury. Taysom broke his leg... So he is out for the season. We were so upset/sick/angry/frustrated with the game! Matt was so upset he couldn't sleep that night. He finally got in bed at 5 am. Poor guy watched back to back to back documentaries on Netflix to try and calm down. He did catch up on more sleep in between sessions with Emma though.

 

Last but not least, I caught half a smile yesterday on camera from Grace :) 

Emma's 2nd Birthday!

Emma's birthday was yesterday. She turned the big two years old. I would say, "I can't believe she is that old seems like just yesterday.... Blah blah blah" however, it doesn't seem like just yesterday, I can't really remember what it was like before she made her grand debut. I am wondering if my L and D experience with her should have been my first indication of how she would be as a little lady. She's crazy! Haha she says things like "that's rediculous" to me and I wonder what she was thinking before she was talking.

Yesterday we had a fairly normal day, much to Ty's chagrin. He wanted all her friends to come over, to play party games and to have a big birthday bash! I told him we were just going to be with family and do whatever Emma wanted to do. 

(I made a birthday banner for her, she was happy when she woke up) 

We took Ty to school (he was sad, he wanted to hang out with Em all day for her Birthday, so sweet) afterwards we went to Matt's work to go for a walk with him. The girls like to run as fast as they can down the walk ways and paths around his work and Matt likes the morning break. When we got home Emma asked to watch a movie. Well, it was her Birthday, so she watched a movie. She chose Tangled, which is a favorite among her older sister... I'm thinking there was coercion involved. 

(Typical Emma, messing with my iPad while I get the others dressed for the day) 

Emma doesn't like getting her picture taken, but Maylee does. Since Emma likes to copy Maylee, it worked out. 

After the movie we ate lunch and I put the girls down for quiet time/nap time. Maylee takes naps about 2 out of 7 days. She actually napped yesterday though along with Emma so I was able to get some family budgeting done! 

When they woke we picked up Brother from school and played afterwards while I hemmed and hawed about what to make for dinner. I asked Emma numerous times what she wanted. She told me chicken. Okay, that is what we have for dinner nearly EVERY night! But I know she likes noodles, so I made chicken pepperoni, which she liked, especially the noodles and grapes. 

After dinner I made her Birthday cake. I asked a few days before what she wanted for her Birthday cake. Ty and Maylee kept trying to help her choose what kind of cake she wanted and they would give her "helpful" suggestions like "Emma, do you want a Strawberry Banana Birthday Cake?" (Does ANYONE know how to make a strawberry banana birthday cake?) So I said, I can make white cake with strawberry icing, or banana cake? Then I said what about Apple Cake? Ty quickly helped Emma decide on Apple cake. Luckily I had just made a recipe called "apple dapple cake" off of MelsKitchenCafe.com that was delicious and everyone ate it so quickly that I just made the same thing again. It's best served warm so I made it after dinner, which took longer than I wanted. We FINALLY (Ty's perception) opened presents at about 7:30 that night. She got a bunch of new princess board books and Sofia puzzles from us (Maylee shopped with me for her presents, I thought her choices were very good) some money from grandparents Coombs and grandpa Steve, and tinker bell Walkie talkies from my parents. She loved them all! 

(Documentation that little sister was there, she slept through all the fun stuff though)

When it came time to eat the cake, we sang her happy birthday. (Our friend Ann was there, sharing a treat with us and taking some of the Apple Cake home since I didn't want to eat a whole 9x13 pan, even though Matt would have that night if I hadn't given some away... He loves that cake) 

Pretty funny, I'm glad I got it on video. It's a perfect Emma moment. ;)

Anyway, we loved celebrating with the little lady. She was still confused about whose Birthday it was since she kept wishing Maylee a happy birthday. I bet next year she understand more. It was nice that she isn't particular this time around since having such a new baby in the house I didn't have time to plan a big shindig for her. Next year...

I forgot to mention, that Matt had a super tough day at work that day. He mentioned it to me on our morning walk, that he was dealing with a sticky situation. The problem became more and more frustrating and came to a boiling point a bit. He didn't get to come home for lunch that day, because he was dealing with this problem. He was able to come home about 15 minutes early. He was so sweet, even after having a terrible day at work he took the time to go to the store and buy Emma a Minnie Mouse Happy Birthday Balloon. She LOVED it, and I loved that Matt thought about his little 2 year old on his way home. He is a wonderful father to our Emma and I am thankful for that.