What happened to my little boy?

Jerry was only 6 days old here. He weighed 5 and a half pounds and was 3 1/2 weeks early. He was so tiny but it doesn't last long!

This is Jerry with his Great Grandma Ashby, Ross' Mom. She is holding a picture of her parents. This has meant so much to us! I believe she passed away the next year and I am so grateful Jerry had this opportunity.

This was taken at the Train Depot in Boise. I love the pictures that the two of them are together in.

Jerry loves to go fishing with his Grandpa! Rae isn't so keen on it though so this meant a lot to us!

Here is my "not so little" boy!

Jerry,

I want you to know that we wish you a very Happy Birthday! We are so grateful that you have chosen us to be your parents! You are such a great brother to your sister and younger brother. You love to make others laugh and love to give hugs! You have a sweet spirit that draws others to you. We love you so much and wish you a wonderful time on your special day!

I can't believe how small you started out and now look at you! In a year or two you will be past me! We love your fun personality and love for others. Don't change! Keep moving closer to your Savior and you'll never wonder about if what you are doing is the right thing. We love you!

Mom and Dad

30 is OLD.. Mom!

Last week when Raelene and I were in the truck waiting for Ross, I teased Raelene saying that she had gray hair. She panicked and quickly responded with " But I am not 30 yet! I am too young for gray hair!" Of course, being the kind mother, I told her I was just kidding her!
Then it occured to me shortly there after... are we supposed to get gray hair at 30?! I am with her.. I am too young for gray hair.. and yes I am still 19! Ok that is obvious that I am not.. but after you hit 30 I have been told you start to go back in age..
Do you remember being a kid or even a teenager and when someone said that they were 30 you thought to yourself" that is old!" At least I thought that way. Then the closer you get to it (and remember, I am not that close) smile.. it is not old at all! I still see myself or at least think of myself as still being that teenager.. maybe it is because our Spirits never age. So, to all those who are approaching 30... you are still young and remember that age is just a matter of perspective.. or at least I would like to think of it that way!

Birthday Slide Show Complete!

Ok, after much technical difficulty.. I finally got it finished! Raelene had so much fun yesterday and I want to thank everyone for all of your help and support! It wouldn't have been a success with out ya!

Slideshow Coming Soon...

I am in the process of creating a slide show of Raelene's birthday party.. should have it done by tomorrow night.. I hope!

My little Girl went from 0-11yrs in a heartbeat!!

Raelene in her blessing dress that Ross' Mom made her. In fact, all of the dresses and blessing outfits that I know of have been made by her. We are so thankful for all of her love and hard work that Mom did to make these special occasions even more memorable!


Raelene at the age of 2-3. Look at them curls!




I love this picture of the 2 of them!




I wish I knew where the time went! I would take some back if I could and enjoy the little things more! Raelene had her birthday party today and her friends and cousins were able to celebrate it with her. Our close friend, Christy ( who is a cake artist!) (and I consider to be a sister!) made Raelene's cake for her today. She made a Bolt Cake and it turned out incredible! Love ya Christy! We appreciate it so much and I feel it deserves a page all of its own...

My little angel is not so little anymore. I remember her being born as if it were yesterday! She was only 6 1/2 pounds and came very fast. She didn't want to wait then and she hasn't changed since! Raelene, you have always had a special place in our hearts! Your daddy might not admit it in the open but you have his heart!! (of course, next to my place..)smile.. You have brought so much joy to our home and our lives.. you are always helping when needed and love to bring a smile to others! Thank you for choosing us as your parents and blessing our home with your Sweet Spirit! We love you Sweetheart and wish you a very Special Birthday!!

Candle waxed pancakes

It was soo funny! My friend Naomi and her kids came over for lunch and we decided to have pancakes. So Raelene fixed a double recipe, well when a few pancakes were done Naomi's little 2 (almost three year old) wanted syrup but Raelene told her it wasn't ready yet. So she had to wait for the syrup. Well Naomi keeps their syrup in jars, so while Raelene was seeing if the water was boiling, little Kiera (Naomi's daughter) thought my jar of candle wax off my candle warmer was my vanilla syrup, and she put it on her pancake and started eating it!! Luckily Raelene was able to get the plate from her before it was all eaten.

Dog with a sweet tooth

Raelene and her Grandma (Ross' mom) made a pie plate of homemade caramel and another of divinity for her birthday coming up this saturday. She gave it to her last weekend while in Cascade. She was so excited to have her own present that was candy (she loves sweets!)

Then, low and behold, Kato (with his kenine senses) for sweets, finds what Raelene has left of her caramel and divinity and enjoys it to the last lick! I thought it was funny!

I hate to see what the vet bill will be when he looks at his teeth... probably has more cavities then the kids do!

An Attitude of Gratitude

In reading about the recent deaths of actors and actresses, and those that we know and love, it tends to make you think about your own life and what you are grateful for..

Being one who has had many close calls and know that her guardian angels are working overtime.. I try not to take life for granted too much. I know that we are all here for a reason, and sometimes we don't get that reason figured out right away, but it is comforting to know that we are needed here to do the work that our Savior needs us to.

I know that I blog sometimes about those things that are silly and might not have much meaning to those who are reading accept to the one that is posting it, but I wanted my Father in Heaven to know just how much I appreciate my trials and blessings, my husband and children, my family, extended family and my close friends, in fact all those that I am privilaged to know.

Everyone is a blessing in someone's life and you all have been that to me and my family. I love my Husband and children with my whole heart. I love life and I love being here to experience those things that are necessary in refining me so that I can return to a loving Heavenly Father again. Thank you to all who bless my life with your kindness, love, acceptance and forgiveness.

All the horse you'll ever need.

Ross was able to ride his Dad's Shire this past weekend while up in Cascade.
You really didn't know just how big he was until you put him next to one of their other horses... and he is not done growing yet!
I am so grateful that he was able to have this opportunity!

I didn't want to hold to these rods....

As we were moving things around in Raelene's room the other day, I found all the hardware and Rods that I had in my back for almost 13 years. I kind of forgot about them until that day.

My dad used to joke around with me saying that I would hang around the "bars" too much. Also, I should be careful about going to a metal scrap yard because the magnet would pick me up. Friends would tease saying " you have it easier when it comes to "holding to the rod" because I had 2, then eventually had 4 in my back!" I have heard so many different jokes about the rods and hardware that I had in me. It was fun to hear them and I never took them wrong.

When I had them removed 5 years ago, the Dr asked me if I wanted to keep them. Of course I did! Then when I got home and friends were over, they saw the 43 pieces that were in me prior to surgery and said "wow, you should open up your own hardware store!" I am so thankful to have them out! But I am thankful for the trials I have had and the blessings of being able to walk because of the surgeries.. I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything!

Pizza and a Movie

Last night Jerry, Brayden and I had to stay home this weekend from Cascade due to sickness. We were quite bummed! So we decided to make the most of our misery... and made pizza from homemade crust that turned out so yummy! Brayden and Jerry had a lot of fun putting the toppings on and Brayden loved to play with the dough!

Then we watched a couple of movies while eating our own gourmet pizza, Stevens Style!!

This Little Piggie Got Hurt!!

ok, so this was our red neck head lamp.. Ross couldn't find his at the time...

Kids say the cutest things!! Last night, Raelene told her dad that she had a piece of a goat head stuck in her toe. So as Ross was trying to get it out, Raelene kept saying it hurt. Next thing we knew, Brayden went up to Raelene and said "Piggie hurt?" then gave her a kiss. It was soo funny, Ross and I just laughed and laughed. Then after a while of him still digging, and Raelene still was saying ouch.. Brayden went over to his Daddy and said (with a concerned look on his face) "don't hurt Raelene's Piggie! It was cute! I love the things that little kids say!!

Dog needs a drivers license!

Yesterday Ross told me that when he was parked at the store, just as he was about to check out and pay for the item, the clerk said"Sir, your truck is getting away from you!" Sure enough, the truck was backing out of the parking lot and was headed for the street... a guy behind him was honking and Ross luckily was able to catch up to the truck, get inside and stop it and then parked it with the e brake on! Our dog, Kato had knocked it out of gear! Thankfully noone was hurt and no accident occurred! Ross went back inside to pay for the item and the lady behind the desk told him he better get that dog a license to drive!! I think Ross will be putting the e brake on from now on!

Persitence Pays Off!

Ok, so I am no betty crocker!...but I am definately getting better at making homemade rolls. There is still plenty of room for improvement but it feels good to know that I can create something that looks nice and tastes good too!

Tea Time...

Ok...I know we don't drink tea.. but I couldn't think of a better title. I watched my sister's little girl last week and Brayden and Katelin were pretending to have tea. It was so cute to watch them play! Maybe I can use these pictures for bribery when Brayden gets in his teens??! Lol!

Meeting an Apostle

As Ross was talking to me last night about the 12 Apostles and seeing if I could name them, it reminded me of the fact that we got to meet one last April.
In April of last year, on our way home from Disneyland, as Ross and I were coming down the ramp inside the airport, I noticed a gentleman that looked familiar. So, being the brave person that I am...haha.. I decided to call out his name to see if my instincts were correct. Sure enough, he turned around and said yes it was him. We had the blessing of meeting Elder Bednar that Sunday afternoon! He said he had just been in Meridian as they were reorganizing the stake there. He was headed back home.. we had a nice, but quick visit but one that will last in our memories forever! I felt the Spirit that day bear testimony to me of the truthfulness of the gospel and of the Lord's servants. I am grateful for that day and for having what one might call a "once in a lifetime experience!"

My big helpers

Ok.. can one brag too much about their children? Ross and I had to run errands and once again we came home to a spotless house,dinner fixed, brayden in his pjs and all happy and yes even alive! Wood box was filled and they took care of everything on their own free will! I love my children and am so thankful for them !

Why Didn't I take a picture??!

I always think of these things after the fact... tonight my little dumper decided it would be fun to dump the bottle of applesauce (which was almost full) on the carpet and play in it. Ross and I and Jerry were busy fixing dinner and Raelene was on the computer when we realized that Brayden was too quiet! Now we know why! Maybe next time I will be fast enough and remember to take a picture!

I will not give up...

Ok, so I am not a pro yet, but I am still working at figuring out how to personalize the background and header the way I want it to look and I am not going to give up!! It is not as good as others.. but I am having fun doing it and who says it has to be! As long as I like it.. that is what matters? right?!

Have you been hugged today?

I heard today that statistics show that if you get one good, 1 minute long hug a day it lowers your stress level! So I am giving this hug to you so that you will be sure and not miss out on your one good hug!

Redneck fire starter...

Here is how not to start a fire.. Ross used WD4D to get the fire going! Did he learn this in boy scouts?! This should not be tried unless you are a trained professional...ha ha

Breakfast anyone?

I have such wonderful children! This morning, Jerry and Raelene fixed Ross, Brayden and I pancakes made from scratch and boy were they delicious! They are good little chefs and I appreciate all they do for their family!

I weigh what???!!!

It was so funny, last night Raelene came in an anounced in a panic voice.."I weigh 982 lbs!!" I am too young to weigh that much she claimed! I am only 10, I can't weigh 982 lbs! Then she realized that she had read the decimal wrong and was relieved when she discovered that she only weighed 98.2lbs! It was hard not to laugh!

Isaac's Baptism

Our nephew, Isaac was baptized on sat Feb 28, 2009. I wish I could have been there to celebrate his special occasion with him! We also miss those family members who were not able to come! Thank you, Mom for providing these pictures so that we can have them in our albums!

That's Dinner... Not The Scrap Bucket!!

It made me laugh when I was fixing dinner last night! I made meatloaf for dinner and couldn't help but think of what Ross told me about his mom when she made meatloaf for dinner. Growing up, his mom would make meatloaf on occasion and this one time Ross was asked to take the scrap bucket out to the compost. Unbeknownst to him, he happened to grab the container that had the makings of meatloaf in it and proceeded to head to the compost pile to dump it.. when his mom said" stop Ross! that is not scraps, that is dinner!!"

I thought it was funny.. I could see how he could have the 2 confused! It doesn't look pretty going in the oven but sure looks better coming out of it!

Thankfully it tasted so much better than it looked! Was yummy, topped it with barbque sauce and a little brown sugar.

My husband the prankster!

It was sooo funny.. last night Ross cleaned the sliding glass door and it looks amazing! In fact, I think it is too clean.. this morning Jerry got up and went to open the door to let the dogs outside and smack! ran right into the door! Lol! Raelene just about ran into it after she got home from school! Sad sense of humor I know, but I wish I had a picture!

Ross said last night it would be hilarious if the kids were to run into the glass door this morning because it is soo clean.. he is right and I almost followed my kids!

Luckily no one was hurt!

Future Jobs?

I think I have an idea of what my children might choose as a profession when they get older. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of them being caught in the "act", so hopefully just words will suffice.

Jerry, our oldest, loves fire! He loves building a fire(with adult supervision of course!) and being near one. ...so it is somewhat safe to say that maybe he will be a firefighter?

Raelene is a fun spirited girl who likes to argue her point. She is a great daughter and loves to help and is kind.. but that debating is very strong in her.. maybe she will be a lawyer or politician?

Brayden loves and I mean loves to dump/spill things! If there is a glass, bowl, plate or anything that has anything in it he will dump it every time! I would not be surprised if we didn't have some sort of growth somewhere in our home from all the water, milk, juice, or any liquid that he dumps all over! A couple of weeks ago, he opened my 5 gallon buckets of Spelt Flour and White Sugar and dumped them on the floor! Almost 50 pounds of his own "sand" was on the floor for him to play in.. wish we had a picture of that one! Hard not to laugh after we gave it some time!!

So, I think he has a chance of being in a job that involves dumping...?

They are so much fun and there is never a dull moment with them around! I love my kids and enjoy the laughter they bring me!

Puppy Love!

Brayden loves to give kisses... doesn't matter who is on the receiving end.. as long as they will accept them, he will give them! In this case it happens to be Kato, our family dog. He is so patient with Brayden, especially when there is food involved!