No TV

Yes, we still have a TV.... but we decided to leave it off for a week (starting last Friday) just to see what it was like.We watch sooo much TV we thought it would be an interesting experiment! Since Dean is a cable guy we get EVERY channel (really, every single one) and we have the DVR so I record all the shows I like and watch them when Tyler is sleeping. We're kinda cheating... all of the shows we watch are still recording so we can watch them when the week is up! It's been really good though, and I've missed it a little but not as much as I thought I would. Our TV used to be on all the time, even if we weren't watching it really. And, I'm a bad mom when it comes to the TV... I was letting Tyler watch WAY too much! When I was pregnant I'd let him watch cartoons just so he'd sit still and I could veg out and it had carried over after Isaac arrived. Now I know we can live without it! Another great thing is Tyler has been an angel! I don't think it's just a coincidence that he's been more well behaved since we don't let him watch much now. I have let him watch a little in the morning when I'm not ready to get out of bed, and today I let him watch some movies because he got a cold and didn't feel very good. Other than that he's been keeping busy with toys, coloring, and play dough. I'm sure I've been giving him a little more attention, too, since he's not just glued to the tube! I think I'm a little more productive since I don't just sit down to watch it. Dean has been pretty busy with work and the church school fundraiser, but when he has been home we've been having actual conversations a lot more! So really, while I do miss it a little and can't wait until I can start watching some of the shows I recorded, it's been a good experience. I think our TV will be off a little more now in the future :-).

Big Boys!

Ok, so my sons are big! they had their checkups today: Isaac's 2 month appointment and Tyler's 3 year appointment. Isaac is 100% in height, weight, and head size! He weighs 14 lbs. 11 oz. and is 24 inches long. Tyler was 100% for weight, 80% for height, and 90% for head size. I guess we grow them big, huh? What's funny is Tyler was even bigger than Isaac when he was 2 months old! Sheesh!
So, aside from that, they are both healthy. Isaac got his first shots and it was so sad, but he did really well. He only cried for a few seconds. He got a little grouchy this afternoon because I forgot to massage his legs where he got his shots (you're supposed to do that to keep the stuff from pooling in the muscle, but I remembered too late) so he got a knot in one of his legs and it was pretty sore for awhile. I felt so bad! He's better now though, back to his happy self!
Tyler had both the doctor and I cracking up... he just told story after story. He told the Dr. all about his birthday and what color of towels we all use (" my towel is white and mommy's is blue and daddy's is green and mommy uses one for her hair and body"). Then when the Dr. was listening to Isaac's heart Tyler told him that Jesus was in there. Is that just adorable? I sure love my boys!

Tyler is 3!!!!!

Seriously? He's already 3? I really can't believe it!!!!

Happy Birthday, Tyler! I love you soooo much!!!!!!

Highschool Tag

1. DID YOU DATE SOMEONE FROM YOUR SCHOOL? Yes. Unfortunately.
2.WHAT KIND OF CAR DID YOU DRIVE? My Dad's Ford F-250! I loved it!
3. DID YOU PASS YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE TEST YOUR FIRST TRY? yes!
4. WERE YOU A PARTY ANIMAL? Not so much, but we sure had fun!
5. WERE YOU CONSIDERED A FLIRT? Off and on... I think I got the biggest flirt award junior year on choir tour...
6. WERE YOU IN BAND, ORCHESTRA, OR CHOIR? Choir!
7. WERE YOU A NERD? I dunno, was I?
8. WERE YOU ON ANY VARSITY TEAMS? HA! No.
9. DID YOU EVER GET SUSPENDED/EXPELLED? Nope
10. CAN YOU STILL SING THE FIGHT SONG? Of course! It doesn't even make sense! We know you have sand? What is that all about?
11. WHO WERE YOUR FAVORITE TEACHERS? Mr. Bowman, Mrs. Harris and Mr. Jenkins
12. WHERE DID YOU SIT FOR LUNCH? We usually walked to Annies or Great Harvest I think...
13. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL'S FULL NAME? Pocatello High School
14. WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL'S MASCOT AND COLORS? Indians. Red, Blue, White
15. WHO WAS HOMECOMING ROYALTY? I was Queen and Jen Owen and Sarah Shepherd (Roberts) were 1st and 2nd attendant.... I just wanted to be in the parade!
16. IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND DO IT AGAIN WOULD YOU? Hmm, I dunno.. I guess if it were all the same people it would be fun!
17. WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT GRADUATION? The relief!!!!!
18. WHERE DID YOU GO SENIOR SKIP DAY? Hmmm, I don't think I did that....
19. WERE YOU IN ANY CLUBS? Key Club and Nat'l Honor Society
20. HAVE YOU GAINED SOME WEIGHT SINCE THEN? YES. Having kids did that to me. Ugh.
21.WHO WAS YOUR PROM DATE? Karl Winegar
22. ARE YOU PLANNING ON GOING TO YOUR HIGH SCHOOL REUNION? Sure!
23. DID YOU HAVE A JOB IN HIGH SCHOOL? Nope. School and choir were my life.
24. WERE YOU AN HONOR STUDENT? Yes.
25. DID YOU TAKE SEMINARY? Nope. Not LDS.
26. WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR MOST FUN TIME? Senior Year!!! That group was the best!!!!! (I agree Becky!!!!)
27. WERE YOU CONSIDERED SHY OR OUTGOING? Outgoing
28. ANY LAST MEMORIES YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? Just one thing....KOPOLOMA!!! (I had to leave that one there, Beck...) And having cereal parties! YUM!

I tag.... everyone who reads this!

My little cutie!

*Sigh*. I can't believe he's almost 6 weeks old already! Where did the time go????

A Special Day....

Today is one of Tyler's really good friend's birthday. He's 4 years old today! They get along really well even though they are a year apart. We went to his house for a playdate today and had lunch and cupcakes and watched him open presents. It was fun and I'm glad Tyler got the chance to go out and have fun (since having Isaac has made us be home a lot more!).

Anyway, aside from that I kept thinking that today was significant in some other way, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Then it hit me.... 6 years ago today was mine and Dean's first date! I can't believe it was that long ago.... but at the same time it seems like it wasn't that long ago. It's funny that I almost forgot because it's such a special day to us.... almost as special as our wedding anniversary! It's the day it all started! The day that led up to our engagement, wedding, anniversaries, and children. I can't believe how much has happened since then. I love my husband so much more every day, and I really mean that. I knew he was the one not too long after we started dating, and the longer I'm with him the more I learn about him and the more I fall in love with him all over again! I know a lot of people think their husband is the greatest, which is great.... I'm glad other people are happily married.... but at the same time I wonder how anyone can have as good of a relationship as I have with my husband. It just amazes me how much he loves me and our sons. Someday I will post the story of "us," because I think it's a great story. Maybe I will save it for our 5th anniversary this April :-). I love you, Dean, and I always, always will!

Christmas and my Boys

So, here is our very first family picture! It was Christmas Eve so we decided to dress up a little for the Christmas Eve service at church. We had a wonderful Christmas! It was pretty relaxing for once! My whole family came to our house Christmas morning. They made it even in the blizzard, but just barely- my Dad and brother had to take their 4 wheel drive vehicles to pick up all of my grandparents first! Then we enjoyed a nice breakfast (which I made all by myself! But it wasn't anything too difficult... I did most of it the night before) and opened presents and visited. The nice thing was Isaac woke up at 7 and stayed awake until 11 and then took a 4 hour nap in the bassinet! Everyone arrived at about 10:30 so I got to enjoy myself while he was asleep. I kinda feel bad because I know people want to see and hold him, but I didn't want him to be too overstimulated either. Tyler had a great Christmas... it was so fun because he understood so much more this year. The look on his face when he first woke up and saw his presents was priceless.

Here is my cute little Isaac on his first Christmas! He is just so adorable. I wish everyone could see him in person because I really don't think pictures do him justice. Dean and I wondered what little nickname he would get because Tyler has always been "punkin head." I know it's probably silly but so far I've been calling Isaac "peepers" because I just love his eyes and he makes the cutest little noises (peeps). He has his daddy's eyes and he makes the cutest expressions. He is such a good baby. Tyler would never sleep unless we were holding him it seemed like, but Isaac will sleep anywhere and for good lengths of time. And Tyler LOVES him, still! People keep asking me how Tyler is handling things and he's just fine, like nothing has even changed. He still loves to hold him and gives him kisses all the time. He's even protective of him! When I was giving Isaac a bath Tyler was watching and said "don't get water in my baby brother's eyes, mom." Then when the nurse had him at his 2 week appt. Tyler told her to be careful and not to hurt him. SO SWEET! I love my boys......

He's Here!!!!

Isaac Dean was born Dec. 14 at 11:46 pm! He was 8 lbs. 5 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long. He is absolutely perfect! If you can't tell from the pictures he has red hair!! So cute!!! Everything went really well and I feel great. Can I just say, this boy did NOT want to be born on his due date (the 13th). I had contractions on friday that kinda hurt and then nothing on Saturday. Sunday they were back, but I figured it was false labor again. WRONG. It was early labor! When they got pretty close together around dinner time we decided I should go get checked... that way I would be sure to get those antibiotics in time if I needed them. We ate dinner, showered, got some stuff together just in case, and left. I was dead sure we'd be sent home. My midwife just happened to be there with another patient when we arrived so she checked me and said I was at 3-4 cm. She went ahead an stripped my membranes and said, there, now you're at a 4-5! Needless to say, I wasn't sent home after that. We arrived at the hospital at about 8:30 and Isaac was born at 11:46! It was really fast! Good thing too, cuz this time I didn't have an epidural :-).

Tyler absolutely adores him already. He wants to help us all the time and he'll sit and hold Isaac for as long as we'll let him (someone helps him, of course). He kisses him a ton and loves on him. It's just so sweet. He is such a good big brother already!

As for me, I feel great! I really do. I felt pretty good after I had Tyler but this time I feel even better. I hardly have any pain at all. I can't believe it. I just feel like I went and worked out... my muscles are a little sore. And I'm tired. Praise the Lord! I'm so glad he's finally here!


This is the outfit Dean went and chose for him to come home in.... a little Christmas suit!

Baby Update...

Well, I had (hopefully) my last appointment tonight. I am 1 cm dilated (whoop-dee-doo) and he is really, really low. She said she'd be surprised if I made it to Monday!!! Yay, there is a light at the end of the tunnel! She couldn't help me out by stripping my membranes yet, something about my cervix being up around his head or something? Sorry if that's too much info. However, if I hadn't had him by Monday I'm going in and they're going to do it first thing in the morning. Dean and I are thinking it will happen Saturday. There is a full moon (which actually starts tomorrow) and there is supposed to be a big winter storm. Dean really wants us to have him while there's a blizzard for some reason... something about it adding to the excitement :-). Not to mention that's my actual due date anyway. We'll keep you updated!

God is Awesome

I just had to write and tell you of an amazing thing that happened last night. Reading a devotion yesterday morning, the Lord really tugged at my heart to give to those who are truly in need instead of keeping my "riches" to myself. This was especially appropriate since Christmas is upon us! We have been struggling over knowing how much we are able to give to help others have a blessed Christmas this year. After reading the devotion a realized that even if we don't have a lot, we still have more than a lot of people out there.

Anyway, Dean (who is a cable tech) installed cable for an older man that was pretty sick and depressed yesterday. The man's clothes didn't fit because he had lost so much weight from being ill. His pants would fall down to his ankles if he let go of them. My husband got home and told me about this man and we decided to go buy him some pants and shorts that might fit and take them and leave them on his doorstep anonymously. Upon our arrival to his house last night, Dean discovered him in his backyard, curled up on the sidewalk with blood everywhere (and really, it was EVERYWHERE) and severe head lacerations. He was conscious but had lost a lot of blood. Dean called 911 and tried to keep the man still until help arrived. I was in the van with Tyler and I still didn't know what was going on. I was worried because Dean was taking a long time, and then I saw the ambulance and fire truck lights. I got out to see what was going on and I thought I was looking at a crime scene.

Had we not gone back when we did this man probably would have died. He told Dean earlier that nobody was around to help him, he was completely on his own. Who knows how long it would have taken someone to find him! It looked to me like someone beat up this man but after the police investigated a little they think he had too much to drink (he also told my husband he was an alcoholic) and he fell down his cement stairs and badly injured himself. I don't know how someone could injure themselves that badly but I guess the police know what to look for. The Lord definitely had is hand in the situation and put us there for a reason. It just amazes me how He orchestrated the whole thing. Oh, and while Dean was there earlier he was able to share the gospel with him a little and encourage him. Praise God ! He is truly awesome!

Please pray for this man and his healing from his illness, injuries, and addiction. I feel that from now on, even if we never see him again, he will hold a special place in our hearts.