Our Little Bit of Heaven, Among a Whole Lotta Chaos

I will never...

2012-01-17T17:31:00.003-07:00

...Have better in laws,

...Drink hot chocolate with a better view
...Eat more than I did New Year's weekend,
...be good at nertz,
...laugh harder than did when Matt gave Fred the Heimlich in a game of charades,
....forget New Year's 2012 with the in- laws (or as Fred says "the out-laws")

Favorite moments of Christmas 2011

2012-01-15T16:31:00.007-07:00

* Watching Darren flirt while he is supposed to be singing in the Christmas program at school

*Trying to take a presentable christmas picture
*Watching my kids enthusiastic performances in the Nativity story
*Continually capturing Cordon's fake smile
*Knowing Darren still believes!
* Watching Cam literally beg on his knees for a humpback whale

*Having an infant find joy and not terror in Santa Claus.

*Having a packed house for Christmas
*Watching Grammy read book after book about sea life
*Mary teaching big J how to go for broke at spaids
*Sisters!
*That *%#!*^$ Shark
*Static electricity
*The reindeer that got left behind
Other favorite memories not caught on film include but not limited to;

* My dad teaching Cordon how to get all of your Christmas shopping done on Christmas eve.

*Ruth's Chris Sweet Potato Casserole

*Taking a nap, actually many naps. Love having extra hands around.

*However, we have no picture of it but my all time favorite memory of Christmas 2011 was bringing to fruition the dream of a Little 3 year old boy uniting with his humpback whale. Thank you Santa Claus.

The first

2012-01-14T22:31:00.004-07:00

Just after I had Darren and I was still in the hospital I tried so hard to take care of my first born babe. I didn't let him out of my sight. When I was delirious I would not let the nurses take him I stayed up and listened to every sound he made. Then I got home and tried even harder. I changed his diaper like clock work whether he needed it or not. I sterilized and sanitized. Any little noise I considered a call for help. And then later when he got a little older any bump or bruise was treated as a mortal injury. I worked so hard with my first born and I worked so hard being a first time mom. Was that wrong? Was it overreacting? A lot of first time moms get made fun of for doing that. It is called learning. Darren got the most care out of all of my babes but I wouldn't say he got the best.

Because I stayed up all night many nights with Darren I now know the difference in the sounds of coughing and choking. Im expert (thought not as good as Lance) at determining superficial wounds and wounds that need stitches. I can tell you how much toothpaste a child does not have to eat when you call Poison control (as well as some other household items), and now without fail I can tell by ear if scissors are cutting something appropriate or not. It is all because with a first born you check double check and triple check and everything is new and everything is a big deal. As it should be I say to all first time moms because that is how you learn. You have to learn the difference between a big deal and something that is not so much somehow. So sterilize that binky and dress that babe in 5 layers because that is what you need to do...right now.

Darren turned seven today. That is why I am writing this. I have never had a seven year old before and I don't know how to do it. I don't know how to deal with seven year old issues and I know I will overreact, over teach, and over do just about everything that has to do with Darren being seven. He is different now. He is a kid. Not a little kid. A full on kid and that is new and scary to me. All of a sudden the days when I freaked out about him not sharing or if he pees the bed don't seem so bad. Now I have to explain what those words mean that he hears on the playground and thinking about when we should have "the talk." First doesn't always mean best, it just means first.

Darren always wants to be first at everything and being oldest he usually is. From dawn to dusk he wants to be first to wake up, first to get done eating, first up the stairs, you name it he has to be first. There is glory is being first but now if there is anything I could teach him is let others go first, learn from them and then be the best. Be the best that you can be because you were able to learn from those that had to be first. But when you have to be first do it the very best that you can so that you can learn how to do it better.

Unfortunately, Im not really talking about doing anything specific. Just talking about being seven. Because he's never been seven and I've never been mom to a seven year old. I know this is a lot of rambling but I guess that is what happens when you don't know what you are doing and you don't know what you are talking about. So lift up your glass of sparkling cider and hear is to overdoing it and learning from it the best we can. Cheers!

It's tough being a kid

2012-01-09T14:28:00.006-07:00

A while ago Darren and I made some scrumptious deep dish brownies. These are some super thick fudgey made from scratch brownies. The next morning before school Darren wanted one for breakfast. Of course, I said no way and made him eat a healthier breakfast before he left for school. To say the least he was bummed. After, I dropped him off I came home and cut out a piece of brownie and popped it in my mouth while fixing myself a bowl of cereal. As I did this I thought to myself "You know sometimes it is really hard to be a kid."

It has been a long while since I have had someone dictating my every move. And I really just don't realize from a kid perspective how hard it can be. If I want to eat a brownie, I eat it. If I want to rent a movie, I go rent it. If Im not tired I stay up. And as much as I want my kids to learn to make their own choices they are my responsibility and ultimately subject to my will.

As I raise my kids I often think "Boy, wouldn't it be nice if a plate of food was just placed in front of me." or "Man, I wish someone would make me take a nap." But then again I don't think about when that food was placed in front of me I would be forced to eat it whether or not I was hungry and whether or not I even liked it. Same for sleeping. Would I want to be forced to take a nap at the will of someone else whether or not I was tired. I am not saying I am going to change, I am just saying it has got to be tough.

Kids don't understand that they don't yet have the knowledge or judgement to make all of their own decisions. They just know that they don't get to make them and someone else is telling them what to do. And no matter how much I explain to my six year old a brownie is not a great way to start his day of being bombarded with knowledge and learning he still wants it and there is nothing he can do about it.

Another thing I have noticed is that my children's emotions are only skin deep. Their world falls apart much more quickly than an adult. For instance my three year old fell in LOVE with a toy humpback whale at a local store. He literally cried for days when he couldn't take it home. And not the whining annoying cry but a you-took-my-best-friend-away kind of cry. He asked for that humpback whale EVERYDAY for 2 months before he got it for Christmas and could not have been happier. I can't help but feeling bad for making him live with a broken heart for 2 months though.

Emotional meltdowns. Has your kid ever had one or more, or one or more per day for that matter? A few days ago I got to witness Darren try to beat the stuffing out of his winter coat because I guess he didn't know what else to do with himself. He was sledding and kept going off the trails and hitting the trees instead of hitting the jump and couldn't figure out how to fix the problem. Not to mention he was tired from staying up late the last two nights over New Year's. So watching him tear off his coat and stomp on it, then fall on his knees and start punching it all while he is next to tears of frustration. I have to admit it was quite amusing to watch him beat up his coat and when he looked up at me I just said, "keep going. If it makes you feel better, keep going." He looked at me astonished like I should be scolding him instead. Then he said "It doesn't make me feel better" and then he walked away. By the time he got back to the house he was fine and even better after a good nights sleep. But I just can't help but thinking that even though my children have it pretty good, It is still not easy being a kid.

My boys forced into the Christmas pageant

The scent of a Cordon

2012-01-04T11:56:00.003-07:00

I remember in high school that some of the girls would buy their boyfriends cologne, I guess, as a way to mark their territory. Everytime they smelled that scent they would think of their boyfriend and even would spray their pillows so they could think of him at night. I thought that was actually a pretty cool thing to do but there were two problems; I never had a steady boyfriend to buy cologne and I didn't really like the smell of any cologne I had ever smelled.

Well a few years ago I decided that now I had a steady man in my life I would try out this experiment. I went to the mall and tested almost every scent until they were all just a mixed up mess in my nostrils. I gave it to Lance for some holiday and was sure that everytime I smelled that smell I would think of Lance and get all googly eyed. Well I still get googly eyed but that scent was not doing it for me and not sure that I wanted to think of Lance every time that it hit my nose.

Well a few days ago just as we were leaving on vacation for a couple days I hear a blood curdling scream and see Cordon, with pants covering his face, aimlessly running around the living room. I grab him and find out he had sprayed this cologne directly in his eyes. Lance took him to the bathroom to flush out his eyes while our drama king Cordon kept exclaiming "This is the worst day of my life" and "I wish it was the future so my eyes didn't hurt anymore." Anyway, soon enough Cordon was feeling better and we were on our way to our vacation destination. Two hours of sitting in the car in a cloud of Allure for men just about made my head spin. But at least now I don't think that scent will make me think of Lance anymore but instead a hysterical kid with pants over his head and subsequently a long very aromatic car ride. I retired that bottle to the garbage can and decided I very much like the smell of Irish Spring better anyway.

New year, new post

2012-01-03T14:55:00.003-07:00

So this year's new years resolution is to document our lives a bit better. I am constantly asking Lance "which kid used to say this?" or "How old was so and so when they learned to do this?" or even "what did we do for Christmas the year we were married?" These are all things I thought I would never forget and yet I have or it's a blur.

Im not a hand written journal person that just won't happen so I am going to try to keep it up on here.

And a few nights ago confirmed this very thought of documenting.

Our household was going through the flu. A very quick flu but it only hit at night and each night was a new kid. Well, the other night Darren got it and I made a bed for him on the couch, tucked him in, put on a movie and set a big bowl right by his side. Then I made a bed for me on the couch right by him to help him during what I new would be a long night.

He woke up periodically and would throw up in his bowl while I would rub his back and tell him he was doing great getting the barf in the bowl. And in between these times I would also stand over the garbage disposal and be sick also. It was a long night and we were both miserable. However, the next morning Darren was miraculously healed and was going 100% again. I was still recovering but Darren took a second from his day and without prompting from anyone he said to me, "Thanks for staying up with me last night mom." Big deal right. Well not from this six year old boy and not to me. It was a sincere, out of the blue thank you and even though I was not feeling 100% he made me feel like a 100% mom.

So these are the little things I want to remember. Because Im sure I won't soon forget that long miserable night but I really don't ever want to forget that my six year old appreciated me spending it with him.

Dear Santa,

2011-12-20T09:04:00.006-07:00

Dear Santa,

I have been very blessed this year with a healthy happy family and a comfy, cozy home.

That is all that I really need to be happy but I have been trying to be good so if you can't think of anything to bring me, one or more of these things on my list would be great!

( Oh and I set it to music to help you remember. Tune to "My Favorite Things" from "The Sound of Music")

Taking a nap on a Sunday Afternoon,

My favorite TV show returning only too soon.

Southwest Airlines bringing my fam'ly from far,

Finding that Lance has cleaned my messy car.

Snow on the lawn, but not on the road,

Laundry all done to the last very load,

A friend on the porch making my doorbell ring,

these are a few of my favorite things.

A cup of Hot Chocolate after playing in the snow,

My cinnamon spice candle lit all aglow.

Fitting back into my ski-inny clothes,

a fresh coat of polish on each of my toes.

When the kids listen

and theres a clean kitchen

That's when I feee-el glad

I simply imagine my favorite things

Wouldn't that beeeeeee sooo rad!

See you soon! (I hope)

Love, Katie

PV, Ut

trick or treat!

2011-11-14T15:35:00.004-07:00

There are tricks and treats happening at our house all year long but on Oct. 31 we decided to dress up for it. Halloween and the Barkers is always a good time. Lance even carved his own pumpkin this year! Can you guess what it had on it?

Thomas (beep beep)

Ron Weasley and Harry Potter

One (1) looks good on you baby!

2011-11-14T15:21:00.003-07:00

So my last little babe turned 1 last week. Little Joshua is officially a toddler. He is walking around like crazy, talking (jibberish) constantly, and making messes like it is going out of style.

He was 25 lbs at 9 months so Im sure he is pushing 3o now that he is one and I have the back pain to prove it. He is one happy little guy as long as I am in view and he loves being the center of attention. If he likes you he will smile all six teeth at you and give you the point. He still is a very sporadic sleeper and a very light sleeper. He loved his bottle though it has been recently confiscated. He has tons of energy and tries to hold his own with his brothers though he quickly retreats. He is often at the bottom of a dog pile. He is the biggest snuggler and absolutely loves bear hugs. He is such a fun little guy!

Rise all you loyal cougars...

2011-10-02T16:30:00.007-06:00

Ok it has been a long while since our last update so we are jumping right back in. Im not going to even try and catch up. Sooooo it being fall there is pretty much one thing that is going on around here. MmmHmmmm, Football. Now, you can call our family a lot of things but one thing you cannot call us is disloyal. Especially with football. And if you remember this post you will get the picture. We will always Rise and Shout (be it good or bad) and though it may not be the best season, we are certainly having the best time.

2010 recap

Spent the season climbing to the top of the stadium in my third trimester enormity. Joshua was born in time to celebrate the Nov. 20 victory over New Mexico. This was the year that influenced us to splurge on better seats. Bring on 2011

2011

Not sure that even QB Riley Nelson is getting this kind of attention

Cougar Mania

Cameron and Cameron. Coincidence? Nope. Now when Cam asks who he was named after we can show him this picture. Hopefully Joshua's namesake will step up this year.

There are some downsides though. The fans get kinda loud.(ehhem, Lance)...

And D spends a fair amount of time looking up who caused the turnover...

...BUT, the food is good,

the music is good,

And you sure can't beat the view!

Go Cougars! Rise Up!

Birthday boys

2011-07-19T13:14:00.007-06:00

I will start with Cordon since his actual birthday is tomorrow though we had his birthday party yesterday. Good thing we have cousins close because that is an instant party with just a couple of phone calls. The kids spent most of the party between the hot tub and the trampoline with pinatas and pizza in between.

Anyway, Cordon just turned 5. 5 seems so much older than 4. Cordon is my little cuddler. He loves to be right by me and especially loves to snuggle when we watch movies. He is still our little movie quoter and has an amazing memory. He recalls any commercial when I need it such as when I am cleaning he can recall the uses for oxiclean and even tell me how much it costs.

He loves technology and playing computer games. He is often in his own little world talking to himself and playing pretend. He loves to play ninja and sword fighting. Cordon has an attention for detail. When he wants breakfast he will say, "I want raisin bran in a bowl with the milk first and a spoon." or he will say, "I want pancakes with peanut butter first then syrup and then cut it....please." He is still scared of most everything though he is making progress. As of a few days ago he will now put his face in the water when swimming.

My little Cam Cam turned 3 the end of June. Cam is his own person and does things his own way and in his own time. His terrible twos are lingering as he has a heck of a time sharing and learning not to take things from others. He loves to rough house and be thrown in the air. He rivals Darren as to being a daredevil and is probably even more accident prone. He is my only little bright blue eyed boy and has the cutest little laugh. He still doesn't talk much but if you get him in church he will talk half words half jibberish the entire time. It is hard not to baby him since he still seems so young (in fact when going through his birthday pics I realized he is wearing the same shirt on his third birthday as on his first) but his tantrums are not so cute any more so he is having to grow up fast. He is obsessed with Thomas the Train as he has been for nearly two years now. And he absolutely could stay in a swing all day if there were someone willing to push him. The bigger the swing the better, this kid is not scared of anything.

Darren turned 6 way back in January but I thought I would throw this in since I failed to ever mention it. Darren seems to always get the more elaborate birthday parties. Probably since it is in the middle of the school year and nothing else is going on. This year he had his party at children's museum. They did a fabulous job with the star wars theme and each child got their own balloon light saber and had a chance to try to knock the earth off of its orbit. We invited parents and siblings too since we were still new to the area and 1) Weren't sure if other parents would trust their kids with us and 2)we wanted to meet the parents of the kids in Darren's class at school and at church. Darren is still our little smart guy. He is reading like crazy and my sister got him (and me) into Harry Potter. His fascinations right now are wild life, legos, all kinds of air craft, magic and is starting to express interest in US history. He is very social and is not afraid to approach anyone and ask to be their friend. He is still VERY competitive and needs to be first at everything. He loves attention and is a show off. He is also very sweet and loves to be sung to sleep. If you sing him to sleep he falls asleep with a smile.

Happy Anniversary to us!

2011-06-23T09:32:00.006-06:00

In Eight years of marriage my true love gave to me:

Seven years of schooling,

Six years of football,

Five places living,

Four crazy kids,

Three graduations,

Two big vacations,

And One Happily Ever After.

I Love you eight years more.

more before and afters

2011-06-16T21:01:00.004-06:00

So phase 1 of the taming of the yard is finished. We wanted to get this portion done so that we could get the play set in before the kids are too old for a play set. We are very happy with the result and the kids have been out playing everyday since Lance completed construction of the playset. So if any of you want to come over and play and/or BBQ we'll be waitin' for ya!

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Favorite yum yum summertime treat.

2011-06-16T11:37:00.003-06:00

Fresh Fruit Tart

Whether I am bringing dessert to a party or hiding and indulging quietly by myself this dessert is probably my #1 favorite summertime treat (which is saying a lot because I have many many favorite treats). It is light and sweet and with all those beautiful berry antioxidants it is hard to feel to guilty after indulging.

Recipe

Crust

1 and 1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. powdered sugar

1 stick and 3 TB butter

combine and press into tart pan. Bake for 8 min. at 350 degrees. (do not overcook)

Filling

1 package cream cheese softened

1/2 cup sugar

1tsp vanilla

zest and juice of lime

stir together and spread into cooled tart crust

layer with all your favorite seasonal berries or fruits. Peaches would be awesome too!

Enjoy!

I am a genius!

2011-06-08T08:14:00.003-06:00

Ok lets be honest here. I am NO genius. When I was in high school, out of desperation, my dad offered me $500 once to bring home straight A's. My next report card I produced all A's. He never did that again and neither did I. I did what teachers describe as "not reaching my potential."

Now in my career as a mother I wonder if, mentally, I am reaching my potential. If I listen to my kids then I am borderline super genius. So I will listen. They think I am amazing. Afterall, I know exactly what buttons to push on the microwave to make hot chocolate hot enough but not too hot. I know how to put their 115 peice train set together in under 5 min. and without instructions. I have two magic tools, tape and glue, that can fix about anything and best of all I know how to use the remote to the tv and find their favorite shows.

Big deal to you, huh? Well these are all things that my kids come to me for because they think I can do ANYTHING. And that I know everything.

So why do I bring this up now? Well, mostly because I am realizing that my 6 year old is rapidly becoming smarter than me. He is starting to learn these things, become independent and I will soon lose super hero status. Don't get me wrong, I encourage them to learn and be independent. But now it is staring me in the face that I need to raise the bar for myself if I want to be smarter than a first grader.

So I guess I will dust off the old books, brush up on my state capitals, relearn all the types of clouds and just try to stay ahead of the game. It's ok if they teach me a thing or two along the way. I already have learned so much from these little ones already. Things that you can't learn in school like; unconditional love, patience, silliness, and how to just have fun being together.

But for now I will enjoy being super smart. Even if I am not. But don't tell my kids that, they will figure it out soon enough.

Me and the kids

Since the last time...

2011-06-07T11:32:00.005-06:00

Oh I keep thinking that I am going to be better at documenting our lives. That maybe I will someday be able to write down the mundane details of our lives, the dreams of my heart or even just more than a line or two about our trials and accomplishments, But until that day comes I will have to be content with dragging and dropping photos and writing a few one liners to describe. Anyway since the last time I updated.....

Joshua now uses utensils

We took our Easter pictures into the sun

we roasted some weenies...

...or ate them raw by the fire

had a sod laying party in the rain (Thank you for helping Matt Vanessa and Cody)

gave up on potty training

kids still pick their noses

Cam got a double shiner. (That is why the doctor told mama that no more monkeys should jump on the bed)

Grandpa helped Darren with his Science project

Darren rocked his presentation

That is all for now. Baby is crying. Kids are yelling. I must get back to work. Good thing I love my job!

Get it?

2011-03-19T10:48:00.002-06:00

Cordon was downstairs playing legos when he came up and

fired three questions at me.

Cordon: Mom, will you put my lego guys arm back on?

Me: Sure. Here you go.

Cordon: Mom, how old will you be when I am 38?

Me: 66

Cordon: Mom, what does a whales pee pee look like?

Me: I don't know. Good question.

Cordon: Oh.

Then he runs back downstairs while calling out "I love you mom" over his shoulder.

I could have wasted a lot of time trying to tie together his thought processes but it would have been in vain. This is typical Cordon and not much around our house makes sense anyway.

The worth of souls is great...

2011-03-06T19:30:00.003-07:00

...as long as you are wearing church clothes.

We were about ready to leave for church and Darren came up stairs with his

church clothes on.

Lance: You look like a million bucks

Darren: Why?

Lance: 'cause you look nice with your church clothes on.

Darren: Oh. (pause) How much do I cost when I am wearing play clothes?

good question

2011-03-02T20:57:00.003-07:00

Lance got Darren the "Planet Earth" Dvd's for his birthday. We have been watching them at nights before the kids go to bed. Recently we watched the part on the ocean. It is fascinating to watch but obviously it can get a little graphic.

Later Darren and I were talking about our friends who are vacationing in Tahiti.

Me: they get to go to Tahiti where it is sunny and warm

Darren: What are they going to do there?

Me: They get to relax and play in the ocean.

Darren: Aren't they afraid of sharks and other creditors?

Me: Good question.

(I'm guessing the creditors he is referring to is a cross between a creature and a predator but who knows. Maybe he meant it just as he said)

happy sunday, everyone!

2011-02-27T13:11:00.005-07:00

I've noticed lately that my phone conversations struggle. I'm not a phone person anyway but lately I have had not a lot to talk about. Our lives are pretty ordinary and not much exciting happens from day to day. But as a mom of boys I truly believe in the saying that "no news is good news." And everyday that we don't make a trip to the ER is truly a blessing. So here is just a little look at our very ordinary, nothing spectacular day.

We take baths

We play with our toys

We dress up on game day. BYU 80 San Diego ST. 67

We practice rolling over

We sit on the toilet...

...all the livelong day.

My amyrillis is finally starting to grow

We dog pile

we practice back flips in the living room

We get grumpy

and we get silly

We eat dinner as a family

we do yard work

and more yard work

we fly kites

We took one heck of a Valentines picture...

...at least compared to our Christmas picture.

So yeah, just a whole lotta nothin' going on here. Just takin' it day by day happy just to be together.

2 months later

2011-01-18T14:25:00.006-07:00

Ok for documenting purposes and for those who have a little extra time to spare, here is the story of our dear Joshua's birth.

It would not be fair to tell this story without starting a month before hand. My sister, Sara, came to visit sometime the beginning of October. She was supposed to be here for just a few days but somehow I talked her into staying a couple more weeks. Then since my due date was getting so close I managed to convince her to stay a couple more weeks until the baby (still nameless at this point) came. I was sure that the baby would come early since Cam came early and I was getting pretty massive at this point. However, she was having friends arrive in San Diego on Nov. 6th so she had to leave no later than the morning of the 5th.

I had tried to get my Doc. to induce me early but he said, "no way," since I was a VBAC. So I was getting close to my due date (Nov. 9) and still not a hint of a contraction. I was sure he would come early though. Finally on Thursday, the 4th, my dr. said he would induce me. He told me it was NOT because the Utah/TCU game that was on Sat. but I still think that had something to do with it. Anyway so he got my hopes up only to be shot down because there was no OR available. There has to be an OR available for emergency c section since I am a VBAC. So he scheduled me for 6 am the following morning, the 5th. So needless to say that the very day I am to deliver Sara has to leave. Luckily, she does not hold that against me or Joshua.

So I spring (figure of speech, there was no springing but if I could've I would've) out of bed at 5am to get ready to go to the hospital. Lance's mom offered to come over to watch the kids but I thought it would be easier if Lance just got them off to school then met me at the hospital. I got all checked in and monitered and then induced. Just as a side note to anyone at all curious. Make sure to go pee before they break your water and not after. That made for a very messy trip to the bathroom.

After I got all settled in again Lance came in to stay with me. He brought in our three landscaping plans that we were trying to decide from. Also, note to the men out there; Do NOT ask your wifes opinion on landscaping plans while she is contracting. She is NOT listening. The anesthesiologist kept coming in to increase the pain meds in my epidural but it was not helping. The baby (still nameless) kept pushing against the right side of my pelvic bone and it was soooo not comfortable.

So by the time I had to start pushing around 2pm I was still very uncomfortable. The baby was turned sideways so my dr. brought in another ob to help. So in the room were my dr., another ob, Lance, the delivery nurse, two respiritory therapists waiting for baby, the anesthesiologist, (who finally paralyzed me) and me.

The OB was having a hard time turning the baby so he was opting to go with forceps. Now if you have never seen delivery forceps my first thought was that they looked like salad tongs....for a GIANT. And they were supposed to reach up and pull the baby out. This is the only delivery that I ever complained in and after seeing what I considered to be the jaws of life coming at me I asked for a c section. The Drs. had been considering it so I thought they would concede but they finally got baby out, head in tongs, and actually exclaimed, "Whoa, that is a big baby." I was so relieved when he finally was laid on my chest and heard him wailing. I can't say that I ever bond with my unborn babies. I hate every second of being pregnant. but the moment that I see and hold my little ones I instantly love them more than I can stand.

So they soon took him away to clean and examine him and I asked for something to help me sleep in the mean time. I felt so cold I was shaking uncontrollably and they awesome nurse brought me a warm blanket. I fell asleep and woke up later when they brought baby back.

Lance had to go back to work and came back later that night with the boys. Normally, my boys would have driven me crazy running around the hospital room like they did but this time I acutally enjoyed it. It helped that I knew I was the ONLY one that was on the Labor and Delivery floor and there was no one else to bother. So the boys took turns playing with the buttons on the bed and I spent the entire time they were there laying 5 feet up in the air. They each held their new brother and were surprisingly gentle with with him.

Lance got them each treats from the Drs lounge and the nurses gave them special treatment.

The next day Lance took the boys down to Provo for the BYU game. My Dr. also came in to check on me before he went to Salt Lake for the Utah game. mmhmmm. Im still surprised Lance let a Ute deliver me. (He's actually a GREAT dr.)

It was nice to spend a nice quiet day relaxing. recovering, and just enjoying quiet moments alone with my new babe. (Still no name) That night Lance's mom watched the boys and the hospital made us a special dinner for my last night there. So we had a "dinner date" in the hospital while the nurses watched the baby. That night the nurses took the baby and gave me an ambien. Never had one of those before (or since) but it was the best nights sleep I have had in a long long time. The next morning the nurses watched the baby while I showered and got ready to be picked up. I heard the tornado coming from a mile away when the boys got there. We took some pics, the nurses gave me the lessons I have heard three times before about SIDS and feeding and pooping and whatever. And then we finally turned in the papers with the name we had finally decided on. Joshua Alexander was the new babe we were taking home with us for the first time. I love him so much. I love to look at him and hold him and kiss him and take in every moment of this last little babe of mine. I don't even care that he is not the little girl I had wished for. I wouldn't trade him for all the pink bows and ruffly underwear in the world. He completes our family and I can't wait to see how his personality and traits develop. And I wish him so much luck being the youngest of these wild and crazy boys.

1 week

2 weeks

First Christmas

1 1/2 months with "My Pet Monster"

2 months

either/or

2011-01-18T09:59:00.002-07:00

In the Children's Primary at church apparently they take the children's pictures and put them on these flowers. Then each week they pick a flower and spot light that child. Its nice to know that if Cordon ever goes to prison we won't need to take another picture for his mug shot.

And note to self: "For heaven's sake, comb your kids hair before church!"

tis the season

2010-12-09T19:51:00.004-07:00

The boys really got into decorating their ginger bread house this year. I think I might have to get them each their own next time they decorated it so fast. Nice to take a break out of our day to have fun all together.

What a Blessed Day

2010-12-08T09:31:00.002-07:00

Sunday we had Joshua's blessing at Church. It was doubly special because my SIL Natalie and her hubby had their baby, Taylee Dawn, just nine days before us so we did a double blessing.

It was fun to get together afterwards and celebrate these two little ones.

The Barker and Sutherland side. This is just half of everyone at the party.

joshua alexander wearing the outfit my maternal grandmother knitted before she died 20 years ago. it had never been worn before. The blanket was knitted by great grandma baxter (Lance's grandma) and each of my boys were blessed wrapped in it.

Taylee Dawn Jensen and Joshua Alexander Barker

My parents came out from Oregon to meet him.

Great Grandparents

Oh Christmas tree!

2010-12-08T09:04:00.003-07:00

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we went out to get our Christmas tree. We wanted to do it the old fashioned way and cut it down but when we got to the tree farm the trees looked sickly so I said no way. So we found a lot that had their trees brought in from good ol' Sandy, OR. I knew that this was the place. We wanted a big tree this year but after looking around the lot none were the right size. Then I went to the way back and found this 9 footer. I asked them to untie it so I could see what it looked like. He told me it was untied and that it was just frozen solid.

He assured me it would be beautiful and it being from oregon, I believed him. We took it home, Lance and his dad set it up and it proceeded to unthaw while we all watched the BYU vs. Utah game. Even though the game was heartbreaking we had this beautiful tree to lift our spirits that night.

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-12-02T18:42:00.003-07:00

Lance had to work down in Provo this Thanksgiving so we were left with the challenge of taking out our four boys for Turkey dinner. This is no small task so we decided the safest place was the cafeteria on BYU campus. It worked out well. The cafeteria had plenty of room for our boys to stretch out and we didn't have to worry about the noise level (it being cafeteria and all).

Cordon digests better upside down.

Love this boy

Blue steel

boys swim while mom naps NICE

Excuses excuses

2010-12-02T18:36:00.002-07:00

Cordon is the king of excuses. And he can think them up on the fly. Here are just a couple of the excuses that I hear all day long.

Darren was crying because Cordon said something mean:

Me: Cordon why would you say that?

Cordon: oh sorry mom, I was just practicing talking.

(Darren called him out)

Darren: but Cordon you already know how to talk.

Cordon sitting in a bubble bath with an entire roll of toilet

paper floating around him.

Me: Cordon why did you put that in there?

Cordon: oh sorry mom, I thought it was the garbage.

Last but not Least

2010-11-07T20:33:00.003-07:00

Welcome

Joshua Alexander Barker

Nov. 5, 2010 2:56pm

9 lbs 2 oz

21 in.

not about football

2010-10-25T13:50:00.002-06:00

So this is our family's sixth consecutive season with BYU football season tickets. But the best thing about this season is by the end of the season I will no longer be pregnant. In fact maybe since it is a bye week by the next game. How great would that be! So if we are up to it we might just have another fan in the picture for the New Mexico game on Nov. 20. And we just might even win that game too!

New healthy favorite

2010-10-25T13:38:00.002-06:00

While Lance was training for another marathon he got some great recipes from runnersworld.com. This was our favorite new healthy training meal. High in protein and flavor.

3/4 lb of shrimp

pint of grape tomatoes

marjoram

paprika

feta cheese

olive oil

broccoli

garlic pepper

1 cups of Quinoa

Heat 1 cup Quinoa and 2 cups water to boiling. Cover then simmer until water is absorbed.

Broil Shrimp, tomatoes, marjoram, paprika drizzled with olive oil for approx eight minutes. Then toss around pan and add feta cheese and broil another 3-5 min.

season broccoli with garlic pepper and steam until tender.

Pile Quinoa on a platter. Top with the shrimp and tomato mixture and surround with broccoli and enjoy your high protein super meal. Then go for a nice long run the next day. Or not.

Soccer

2010-10-25T13:26:00.003-06:00

Cordon and Darren just finished up their fall soccer season. This was Cordon's first time ever attempting soccer. He did great considering soccer probably isn't his thing. He really had no interest besides what the after game snack would be. Actually, he really liked the practices and the coach had fun games to play with them. But as far as game time, Cordon spent more time waving to me from the field than paying attention to where the ball was.

If he is going to show them off they may as well match.

Not sure if the 5 year olds are up for heading the ball yet.

team spirit. Darren is #5

going in for a little victory nose pick. Score!

out of the mouths of babes...

2010-10-04T16:41:00.002-06:00

Cordon coming up the stairs crying;

Me: Cord, what happened?

Cordon: I bit my arm.

Me: What?

Cordon: I just ate it.

Me: Why did you do that?

Cordon: I thought it was food.

(Should I be worried?)

Darren was very happy with himself and smiling after

building a jet fighter with his legos

Darren: I just can't get my cheeks to come down!

...more happiest place pics

2010-09-28T13:15:00.002-06:00

We were able to do a character breakfast at Disneyland and the boys just loved seeing goofy, captain hook, chip and dale, minnie, eeyore and more. Cameron was particularly enamored with the characters and was sad when we had to go.

Cordon and his swords (straws)

Happy Birthday Mom. And Happy 40th anniversary mom and dad.

The whole reason for the trip!

A little teaser

2010-09-27T19:54:00.002-06:00

I have a ton of pictures from our outstanding trip to DL. It was truly a fantastic trip even though I was well into the the third trimester. But here are just a few highlights of the trip.

Mary, Sara, my mom and Lance (all with hands in the air) enjoyed another trip on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The boys opted out of it this time.

This was the very first ride of our vacation. The boys said they loved it but neither of them

wanted to ride the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad again. Of course, I got to sit out with Cameron and be photographer.

This pic is a little out of order but this is after splash mountain. the boys are soaked and a little TO'd that we tricked them into riding it.

This pic shows just how Darren felt about getting stuck in front and he got drenched. Cordon is in the back seat with my dad and also was not happy about getting wet.

Darren eventually forgave Mary and after the boys discovered Fantasy Land Darren said he wanted to live in DL forever. They honestly had a great time and we all had a great laugh at their expense.

First day of school. Ready to learn and get some knowledge!

2010-09-01T09:34:00.002-06:00

Goodbye summer, hello fall!

2010-09-01T09:09:00.004-06:00

School officially started today for Darren. Kindergarten. My babe is in kindergarten. It is kind of anti climactic for me though. Kindergarteners do not ride the bus at his school so I take him and pick him up three hours later. So basically the same as the preschool schedule for the last two years. Plus I have been so excited for this day. School, to me, means the beginning of fall. Which means summer is over. Which means I made it through summer being pregnant and now I am in the home stretch. But before I put summer behind me I want to document some of the highlights (and lowlights) of the season.

Darren and Cordon managing to get the car out of the garage....

....and into the bushes.

summer bbq's on the back deck

gator rides

family swims

cannon balls

(Darren has a thing with goggles)

Visits from Grandpa

fun family times

jet fighters at Hill AeroSpace Museum

Slip and slides

My horn: Toot toot

2010-08-20T11:58:00.005-06:00

I can't say that I have been officially "nesting" since my house is still a disaster 80% of the time but I have been engaged in a project which, so unlike me, I actually finished. I have been getting #4's room ready for his arrival. It is funny because with the last one usually parents are the most relaxed and the last tends to get the leftovers from the ones before. However, this situation is a little different.

To preface, I tend to be a bit impetuous, I jump the gun on a lot of things and sometimes it works out sometimes it doesn't. So 31/2 months ago I was anxiously planning the arrival of our first little girl. The room was painted rosewood pink and I had everything planned down to the big bow she would wear home from the hospital. I had detailed plans for EVERYTHING. So when I heard "It's a boy" for the fourth time I was a bit stunned and unprepared for the news.

My big plans were no more and I needed something occupy that area of my mind that had been so busy before. I needed a distraction. So I decided that even though we already had Everything that you could ever possibly need for another little boy I needed something too make this one just as exciting, if not more, than the previous three. So I set to work. Shopping. Retail therapy if you will. I started at a high end baby boutique where my sister worked. I got some great ideas and in fact my inspiration came from the painting that I purchased there. But that is where my inspiration came to life and the rest of the room is completely made from scratch by my own two little hands. I know this sounds like bragging and you bet it is. My creative and crafty projects are so few and far between and mostly never accomplished that I just had to post. Afterall, day after day I read all of your blogs out there and feel like a complete loser.

This is the before picture. My BIL put in bead board and molding to give this room some style. It is nice to have talent in the family. This room was initially the guest room but switched to baby's room since the other is now painted pink.

We aquired this "changing table" from my parents. It is actually a butcher's block we sanded down and restained. Plopped on a changing pad and there you go. The color on the wall was initially inspiration for the guest room. But we made it work for baby.

These curtains are actually a shower curtain I found at target. I cut them down the middle added a coordinating panel on top and bottom to add length and hung them with the coordinating shower rod hooks.

I bought the matching towel at target cut out the corners, added some elastic and now we have a changing pad cover.

Made a crib sheet out of another shower curtain from a pattern off a blog I found by googling, crib sheet pattern

I figure I wasn't granted a girl because I can't tie a bow to save my life. Anyway, this is the outside of the bumper. I just cut up the old bumper to make the pattern for this one. I even used the same batting for this bumper so it wasn't a complete waste. The old one was falling apart anyway.

Crib skirt. Just straight, hemmed with gross grain ribbon. Matches the binding on the bumper and the throw pillow I made from an extra old pillow I had cut up.

This chair was handed down to me by one of my mom's friends. I bought the super plush material at Joann's. I cut up the old upholstery to make the pattern and reupholstered this myself. (I know it is white. No one is allowed to sit in it until the first time baby spits up all over it.)

Inside of the bumper matches the chair. It is super soft. I love it.

Finished product. Just have to hang the painting and we are ready for #4.

There is not an ounce of pink in this room but Im ok with that. I think. I just can't wait to meet little whatever-his-name-will-be. (Any ideas?) Oh and on a side note, except for the painting, everything in the room cost me just change over $100, including furniture. I love hand me downs.

when you gotta go, you gotta go.....

2010-08-16T09:21:00.001-06:00

... unless you are too tired to go.

Late night trip to the toilet. I thought he was in there for a long time.

turned out pretty good...considering

2010-08-14T16:14:00.003-06:00

It has been over two years since I have attempted to take the boys to a studio and have their pictures taken. But since Cord and Cam both had birthdays recently I figured I should get the official yearly picture since I did not even get one last year. The experience went as well as it could have. Which basically means I didn't leave in a humiliated huff and promise myself that I was not leaving the house with these boys for the next year. They were actually very cooperative even when the photographer tried to put Cordon in the basic "head tilt."

I may even have the courage to take them all back in a few months and add #4 to the mix. But then again maybe not.

Oh yeah, and this is the result of Darren's self administered hair cut. Just don't look close.

* for those concerned, we did buy the copy rights so this is perfectly legal. Print away.

at a glance...

2010-08-06T15:43:00.002-06:00

...A few days ago I found Darren had cut his hair to look like this:

...But I couldn't get mad since his dad had just shaved to look like this:
...Looking at both made Cordon look like this
...And made me look like this:
....But cam didn't notice he was too busy doing this:

Ah summer!

2010-07-25T21:21:00.001-06:00

I love these pictures. Does anything compare to hanging out in your swimsuit and eating hotdogs in the summertime? Good times!

Happy birthday sweet 4 year old

2010-07-21T11:55:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, the 2oth was my sweet Cordon's birthday! Wow, it has been a crazy 4 years since my little Cord arrived by emergency C-section. From that day I knew life with Cordon would be an amazing and crazy roller coaster. He can be so sweet, lovable and angelic but if you ever cross him beware of his wrath and destruction. So much his own person, he is very endearing to those who know the true Cord.

Cordon does not like to have attention focused on him and if found in that position he starts making the parrot sounds from aladdin, though I don't know why.

Cordon loves to watch movies. He can quote pretty much any movie he has seen. Most of what he does say is a direct quote from a movie that he works into conversations.

Cordon has a lot of athletic potential. However, having a brother just 18 month older and faster has hurt his confidence in his abilities. But when he gets with his own age group he dominates.

Cordon takes after his mom. Don't mess with him when he is tired or hungry. So Im guessing he got time out because he was tired and ornery. I found him this way just moments after being sent to the timeout corner. Sweet babe, I know how you feel.

Cordon has a very destructive side. He makes the biggest messes possible and yet he is always so proud of them. (remember the couch and the knife incident last year?) but when he smiles at me it just melts my heart. And he knows that "I'm sorry, mommy. Can I give you kisses?" will get him out of any trouble.

some befores and afters

2010-07-20T15:58:00.004-06:00

so for those of you who have asked or are in any way curious here are the pictures of our remodeling which is still ALMOST finished. Is it ever really done anyway? However, if you want a closer look feel free to come on over for a visit. We would love to have you!

Kitchen

kitchen

dining

living

Master bedroom

whatever

2010-07-07T12:17:00.003-06:00

So Cordon scored a little box of NERDS from the fourth of July parade.

Lance: Cordon what did you get?

Cordon: Uh..retards.

PS Lots been happening. just got our internet up and running.

more to come. stay tuned.

for adult eyes only

2010-05-06T17:49:00.003-06:00

I realize that I have a million and one things I should rather be doing right now(after all, we are moving in 2 weeks) but instead I have been wasting time looking through old photos. This pic has always been one of my favorites not just because it proves that boys of any age are the same, but it also has a moral to it too.

This was the first time that I ever lost Darren (I wish I could say it was the only time but if you know Darren you understand). I think I was shopping with my sister in GAP baby. GAP baby, theGAP and GAP body are all connected. I got distracted for "just a moment" and turned and Little D was no where to be seen. Panicked I rushed around GAP baby. Nothing. I rushed around the GAP found my sis and we rushed into GAP body to find my baby boy had lost a precious little bit of his innocence. A mall really is no place for a little boy anyway. They hate going there. So that is why i need a girl, simply a reason to go back to the mall!

Introducing....

2010-05-04T14:17:00.003-06:00

...Baby #4

So I know I haven't posted much about being preggo, but I really try hard to forget that I am, thinking that maybe it will make the time go faster partly because I've been sick and partly because I am so dang excited to 1)find out that it is my girl and 2)get this baby here and see what possible personality will be added to our mix.

It is still way too soon to find out the gender but yes, I have already painted the baby's room pink. I figure either way I have to get it out of my system and we already have plenty of blues and greens and browns. Lance still hopes for a boy. (I never knew just how much he was traumatized by having only sisters) Darren says he wants another boy. Cordon says he wants a boy but he refers to himself as a girl so not really sure what he means by that. Cameron I think will detest the baby either way since he can't stand me giving anyone attention besides him.

Either way we will obviously welcome this final baby with open arms.

So far this pregnancy has been way better than the others. I am still sick but thanks to modern medicine it has been much more bearable. My parents came out for a week while Lance was in Mexico and helped out tons with the boys and yard work and catching me up on a billion (at least) loads of laundry. So with three months down I just have to survive, moving, three birthday parties, my first born entering, as he says, Kingigarten and a trip to Disneyland!

Cancun

2010-05-04T11:16:00.006-06:00

Lance just got back from Cancun a couple of weeks ago. He went for a Sports Medicine Conference. Go ahead, ask him what he learned. Really, who goes to Cancun to learn anything?

Am I just bitter? kinda but not really. I didn't really feel like going because I have been so sick lately. But I was secretly happy when I heard it was raining down there. Was I jealous? yeah. I love traveling and I used to travel a lot, you know, before kids. I would never trade my kids for all the traveling in the world but sometimes I just crave a little adventure.

So when I feel a little sorry for myself I just get out my shot glasses and drown my sorrows in the memories of past journeys.

When I was a kid and my dad was traveling a lot for work. He started bringing me home Hard Rock Cafe t-shirts from the major cities he had visited. As I grew older and started my own traveling I kept this tradition alive by collecting my own HRC souvenirs. I chose the shot glass because, hey, those never go out of style and well they were also the cheapest thing they sell.

So when Lance went down to cancun I asked him to bring me back a shot glass. I know this sounds like cheating since I wasn't with him but I have actually been there before. It just was before my drinking days and I didn't get my beloved HRC cancun shot glass. So now I had to break out the collection in order to add this one to it.

So even though my passport expires this month, I dream of distant places and far off lands and the day when I can actually fit into my bikini again. I am going to have a long time to plan my next destination so I hope my sister finds away to stay in Dublin for a while or does anyone know if there is a HRC in Tahiti?

Best buds

2010-04-09T11:40:00.003-06:00

As a mom, there is not much that makes me happier than seeing my boys all get along.

Darren and Cordon are getting to the age where they are understanding manners and being kind to one another. It is so fun to hear them say please and thank you to one another and hear them calling each other their best friend. I hope this friendship lasts throughout their lives.

This is not to say that they are perfect. In fact boys will be boys and that comes out much more often. But now that Cordon is catching up to Darren and is perfecting the "take down" I actually enjoy watching them "work things out" for themselves. The thing about these boys that I love is that they are never mad for long. I always have a tendency to jump in right away when things get heated but I am learning to stand back and more often than not they are best buds again quicker if I just stay out of it.

I am so glad that my boys have a great love for each other and have protective instincts for each other. In fact if I get one of them in trouble the other gets mad at me for getting them in trouble saying, "Don't be mean to my brother!"

What a lucky mom I am and what lucky boys I have!

Valentines Day

Watching a cartoon before church

Playing with my old school Little People

Road trip

2010-03-18T19:23:00.007-06:00

I debated back and forth for a while whether I actually wanted to make the 12 hour drive with the boys for my cousin's wedding. But then I decided that family comes first and we don't get together very often and I wanted to see everyone. Besides the boys would not stop talking about going to Oregon. I searched for any reason not to make the drive but in the end I was antsy to get out of the house and take a trip.

The boys were actually a dream on the trip there. (well compared to worst case scenario which I expected). We did have 1 1/2 bathroom accidents and a juice spillage but things could have been a LOT worse. We left about 4:30 thursday morning and rolled in around 3:30 pm.

My Dad had made lots of preparations for our arrival which you will see from the pictures:

Story time with Grammy before bed

Elevator chair my dad rigged up to a winch
It is hard to tell but it actually goes up pretty high
the baby swing fashioned to the zip line from the house to the tree house

View of MT. Hood from my parents house
Kite flying in the pasture
Darren's turn on the zip line

Great Grandpa with his boys
My sweet blue eyed boy
Cordon giving out flowers. What a sweetie
Perfect day for a kite

Loving being outside and playing in the dirt.

So I never actually got to see my cousin get married. right as the ceremony was beginning Cordon announced that he needed to pee pee. so I rushed him out and opted to stay outside rather than come back in and be a distraction. Oh well, I got to wish them well and we didn't disrupt the wedding so I think it was a success. It was a great trip and the boys had a blast!

The trip home did not go as well and the 12 hour trip turned into 16 with a major poop incident but now we are home and the car is thoroughly cleaned and detailed so all I have are good memories! Thanks mom and dad for letting the tornado rip apart your house......again.

kids say the darndest things

2010-02-25T12:49:00.004-07:00

In Cordon's preschool class his teacher, Ms. Cathy, does creative thinking pages where she interviews the kids and then writes down their answers. Usually, they are cute answers and I brim over with pride but today they were questioned about the heart and heart health and well you will see why today that pride was put on the shelf:

Well even if his ideas of physical health are a little off at least his spiritual side is right on:

Mmmmm!

2010-02-14T18:40:00.002-07:00

Salmon Pasta

This is one of the easiest most scrumptious meals I have made lately and

I am already craving it again. It took less than 20 min. to prepare and was a hit

with the kiddos also. They gobbled it down!

Ingredients:

1 TBS fennel seeds

3/4 cup minced fresh parsley

1 TBS brown sugar

salt & pepper

1 lb salmon fillet

1 lb corkscrew or other short pasta

10 ounces of spinach

1/2 cup sour cream

2 to 3 TBS fresh lemon juice

Step 1. Heat broiler. Crush fennel seeds and put in a small plastic bag, add parsley, brown sugar, salt and pepper and shake to mix.

2. Press mixture onto the skinless side of the salmon. Broil salmon about 8 min.

3. Flake salmon with a fork. Meanwhile cook pasta until al dente, about 13 min. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the cooking water.

Drain pasta return it to the warm pot and add spinach and toss.

4.In a small bowl mix together the sour cream, lemon juice to taste, 1/2 tsp. salt and 2 TBS pasta water.

5. Put pasta on plate, top with salmon, drizzle with sour cream mixture.

P.S. so any one that knows me knows that I don't follow recipes. and this recipe can be easily adjusted.

Barker dictionary

2010-02-03T17:01:00.007-07:00

So every kid/family has their own language and we

definitely do too. All of it has been made up by my kids

but since it is used so regularly I don't realize I've adopted

their language until I get blank stares or quizzical looks by

other people I am talking to.

Here are some examples of our barker vocabulary;

Han-ga-wer = Hamburger

toy shows = cartoons

to have "feet on" = to have bare feet

cake and brownies = pancakes and berries

panpakes = pancakes

baboogans = bakugan's

moomie = Lighting Mcqueen (Cars was the first movie they ever saw so

they call him "moomie" for movie since Darren couldn't say his v sound)

Crapa = Grandpa

mmm's = m&m's

bullzer = bulldozer

van car = our van

ketchup and white = ketchup and ranch

grills = girls

blue water = powerade

Family home eating = Family home evening

Mictar = guitar

daddy's house = the hospital

Try ordering a happy meal with a han-ga-wer and blue water and you will get a very strange look.

I wanted to get these things documented before they realize the real way to say things.

I know that there are other fun words that have come and gone that seemed so common at the time that I never thought I would forget. I wanted to get these in writing while they are still in our everyday language because someday a hamburger will just be a hamburger.

Cord

2010-02-01T11:19:00.003-07:00

I had to put this picture of Cordon because he is my cautious child and usually will not put himself in any situation where he could possibly get hurt. However, he did have a daredevil moment the other day and took a flying leap off of the railing of Cameron's crib and fell short of his bed and smacked his nose on the bed post. It was not as bad as it looked and I was actually proud of my cautious son for attempting such a feat that is so unlike him!

Like I said Cordon is very cautious. He is scared of pretty much everything. Mostly, cars. He is scared of streets, parking lots, driveways anyplace that he could possibly get run over and won't go anywhere near without clutching my hand. He panics when we walk from the car to the grocery store just sure he will get smashed by a car. He is scared of the dark, of monsters, of the cold, any noise above a whisper, etc etc.

He has such a creative imagination. He is always talking to imaginary people. He talks to his toys like they are alive and gets really animated in their conversations.

He loves to watch movies and can quote movies with the best of them. He loves to sing along to music and sing his own version of songs.

Cordon can be easily bribed with food. He loves treats and is often caught sneaking goodies into his playroom.

He loves his preschool class and his amazing teacher, Ms. Cathy, and always talks about all the words of wisdom she gives to him. Now he just needs to apply it!

I love him so much. He looks like a bulldog but he is really a big soft squishy teddy bear!

Cameron

2010-02-01T10:16:00.004-07:00

Cameron was by far my best baby. He was a great sleeper and pleasant when he was awake. I thoroughly enjoyed his infant baby time. Now as a toddler he is giving me (actually all of us) a run for our money. Poor Cordon gets the brunt of it. Cameron really knows how to push Cordon's buttons and is not one bit afraid of Cordon's wrath and has figured out Cordon's bark is worse than his bite. So Cord is getting it from both sides now.

Anyway, Cameron is taking after Darren in that he is turning into a Daredevil and climbing and jumping off of everything that he can. He loves riding on the four wheeler at Grandpa's house and so we got him his own for Christmas and he loves it and rides it all over the house. Luckily, the house is still empty and he has lots of room to roam.

He is going through his attachment phase and starts crying if he sees Lance or I get our coats on. He also starts crying as soon as we step foot into church because he does not want to go to the nursery. We left him once and apparently it traumatized him.

He is such a sweet boy though. He loves to cuddle and I have to say that it is a little flattering that he does not want to be away from me.

He has finally learned to say mom. Mommy sounds cuter but I have to settle for just mom. However, whenever he says it it always sounds like he is yelling at me. I'll take what I can get though since his only words for a long time were ball, football, and Ow. Besides, he has yet to learn the word "no" so I'll count my blessings.

Cameron stood at this window the entire time Lance was out plowing the driveway. (about 45 min.).

Our big man!

2010-02-01T09:48:00.002-07:00

Can you guess how old Darren just turned?

Darren loves being 5. He knows that now he will get to

go to kindergarten and he is so excited to do that.

In fact last week I took him to his new school where

he will go to kindergarten in the fall to pre-register him.

We went in and he saw the kids in the library reading and the kids

in the gym playing and then he ran down the hall saying,

"I love this place!!!!!!" We picked up his registration form and then went

back out of the doors in front of the school. Darren ran out first as I was

struggling to get double stroller with the other two through the doors.

As I come out I see Darren with his pants down "leaving his mark" in the bus

drop off in front of the school. I guess he really was excited. kind of like a puppy.

Darren has gained a lot of knowledge this past year. He is learning to read and can read most simple word books (like Dr. Suess) all by himself. He loves to learn and his favorite subjects are: Geography (he has learned all 50 states and is now working on countries), Space and planets, dinosaurs, jet fighters, and College football teams. He loves to memorize lists of things and always has a million (at least) questions.

He still is all boy and climbing and jumping and teasing and getting hurt and making huge messes but he wouldn't be Darren if he didn't have enough energy for 50 people.

We love our Dare-Dare and can't wait to see what fun things he comes up with this year!

Oregon trip

2010-01-15T20:09:00.003-07:00

I finally got around to posting pics from our trip to Oregon.

I was my Dad's 60th birthday which happened to fall on

Thanksgiving. We watched tons of movies ate too much and

even made it to the beach a couple of times.

A little Holiday Cheer

2009-12-25T12:12:00.002-07:00

I have much to blog about this Holiday Season starting with our trip to Oregon down to this festive yet chaotic and exciting Christmas morn. However, no time now so I'll just put a little taster out there for ya. No doubt that yummy holiday good eats are one of my most favorite parts of the Holidays so I summoned Darren and Cord away from their trucks and trains to help me indulge in the art of baking.

So here are just a few of the yummy treats we have been busy with. I hope you all have splurged a little and enjoyed a few goodies yourself.

"The bomb" (Thank you Rich Krikava for this recipe)

Where is Lance?

2009-12-19T16:58:00.004-07:00

Fulfilling his dreams on the sidelines, of course!

clue: He is not wearing a helmet.

He knows if you've been bad or good....

2009-11-17T12:35:00.003-07:00

Darren: When does Santa forgive you?

Me: (not quite understanding) What?

Darren: When does Santa forgive you? Is it before Christmas or after Christmas?

(I think someone is getting worried)

me too

2009-11-12T12:37:00.002-07:00

Jumping on the bandwagon and going private also. I want to limit the people who can look at my son's bare bum. Shoot me your email if you want to follow us.

2009-11-10T14:49:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just want to play with your 18 gallon storage bin....naked.

Boo or Boo hoo?

2009-11-10T14:10:00.003-07:00

Again, this post is a little out dated but I just wanted to share our Halloween merriment with everyone. This halloween was pretty uneventful compared to other years. Just your standard costume wearing, trick-or-treating, candy gorging fun. There are a few highlights though.

Darren: Jet fighter pilot

Cordon: Kung Fu Panda (or stoned Panda in the pic above)

Cameron: Train Engineer

Cord skipped dinner if you can't tell

Trick or Treat. Cam got left behind quite a bit but he was content with his two pieces of candy which he had a death grip on the whole night.

The Dragon Warrior running from a pirate

The funniest part of the whole night was watching Darren pass out candy to the Trick or Treaters. Lance had bought Darren a coffee mug earlier that day with all the logos of the Mountain west conference teams on it. Darren loves it. And he wanted every one else to love it too. That is why before any trick or treater was allotted their piece of candy they had to look at Darrens mug. In fact one time there was a group of about 8 trick or treaters at our door and I heard Darren say "ok everyone, stand back." I peeked around the corner just as Darren pulled out his mug and held it up for them to see and proudly said "This is my mug." All of them just stared blankly at him. And then I heard one kid ask "Uh...Trick or treat?"

Katie and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad night.

2009-10-23T15:55:00.003-06:00

I am not a good sleeper. It takes me a long time to fall asleep and then once I am asleep I wake up often (I think three young children have something to do with it). Anyway, the other night was no exception but seemed a little worse than normal.

I woke up about 1 am to a dark shadowy head about 1 in. from my face. I gasped even though this happens frequently. Not wanting to waken further by taking him back to his bed I just moved over and let the 3 year old in. While I was moving over I realized that I had been sleeping on my back with my hands above my head. Both arms are asleep. Not just tingly asleep, It was like whose-arms-are-attached-to-my-body asleep. Just as he gets situated his little voice says, "I'm hungry." I just ignore him. Wimper wimper "i'm hungry." Ugh. I'm sandwiched between husband and son and have no use of my arms so I just shush him. So he starts crying. I hiss at him to be quiet as I wriggle over him like a beached whale while I was trying to get out of bed. By now my arms are getting painfully tingly as the feeling is coming back. I get to the kitchen and throw my arm at the wall in a painful attempt to turn on the light. Screw it, I don't need light. I go for the pantry for the only sure thing that I know he will eat: a spoonful of peanut butter. I don't know how long it really took but it seemed like I was unscrewing the lid with spaghetti fingers for at least ten minutes. Finally, with peanut butter in one hand and a glass of water in the other I walk back to my room where he has taken my place in bed. He is asleep, zonked even. I start to gently shake him. Nothing. I rub the PB on his lips. He's out. My effort is in vain. I'm too lazy to move him. I head to the dark bathroom to go pee. In the dark I feel the cardboard of the empty TP roll. Seriously. I hobble to the closet with pajama pants around my ankles to get a new roll. By the time I blindly found the new TP roll I'm sure I didn't even need it any more. So then I go to the linen closet to grab a blanket so I can sleep on the couch. Argh. All our extra blankets are at the house in Pleasant View. The only thing left is a flannel fitted sheet. I head to the couch and cocoon myself into the sheet only to realize that now I can't sleep. So I turn on the food network. Some where between reruns of Ace of Cakes and Good Eats I fall asleep. I wake again when Cam starts crying. Now Im too tired to untangle myself from the elastic in the sheet so I just lay there and listen to him cry. He eventually falls back asleep and then so do I. I wake up again when Lance kisses me good bye as he heads off to works and I know my night is over. I was half relieved the night was over and yet dreading the day ahead with a crick in my neck.

Birthday festivities

2009-10-07T13:04:00.004-06:00

I know this post is a little outdated already but Lance did make it through another year and turned 33 last month. We were able to celebrate up in Pleasant view which allowed me to break in the kitchen at our new house. Thanks to everyone that came to party with us.

Here is a little trivia question for ya: How many BYU/football birthday cakes has Lance had over the years?

Enjoying some fresh peach cobbler! Mmmmmm

Yes, our patio furniture is in the living room. This party was BYOF. (Bring your own furniture)

Someone left their cake unattended

Those are indeed pants tied around his head. Where is Dallin's bandana when you need it.

Cameron is just crying because I made them stop to take a picture. Ride on, Cowboys.

Despite what Cordon thought at first he did like riding the horse.

No, there was not a parade for Lance's birthday but it was Peach days that weekend!

God bless America!

Soldiers, tanks, fire trucks and candy! Oh my! Can a boy get any happier.

What a Wonderful World

2009-10-07T12:35:00.004-06:00

A couple of Sundays ago we got out and drove the Alpine Loop. It is 19 miles that loops through the mountain canyons. It is such a beautiful drive especially now that the leaves are changing colors. We don't get a lot of time together as a family to just enjoy each other so this was a special day. Now I get to relive it through a ton of pictures.

Darren (pensive as always). Haha. I know he's planning his next move in this picture

Cameron. Looks windy but it was actually just a really bad hair day. really.

My Cord. I love it when he smiles.

Darren fell into the bushes here.

Watching the bees

More watching the bees

I love it when these boys get along.

Yes, they are looking at his booger.

It was a great day.

What a Wonderful World.

Ra Ra RaRaRa!

2009-09-30T15:12:00.006-06:00

If you are looking for a post about the technicalities of BYU football this post isn't for you. Lance would write one but he is busy reading cougarboard right now so maybe you can find him on there. Lance has been a BYU fan from the womb. He is quite obsessed actually. I could expand on that but I wouldn't know where to start. (Actually I would start with hernia checks) Anyway, the first year we were married was I think the only adult year that Lance did not have season tickets. We were in Oregon and did not have cable. But thanks to the never failing cougar board Lance would find some local fan with cable and go hang out with a complete stranger for the game.

I am not a die hard BYU fan. In fact I never watched a game until Lance and I were married. I have never painted my whole body or even my face blue. I don't yell at the refs when there is a questionable call. I don't follow ANY of the recruiting news (except what Lance tells me about).

And I don't come home from a game and immediately watch it again on TV recordings while listening to the post game show.

However, I do appreciate BYU football. I enjoy watching the game, especially in LES with 60,000 very excited fans. I love watching games where they play to their potential. But most of all I just love that our family has season tickets every year. Every year since Darren was born. Even when we were poor students and lived in Oregon. Somehow we managed to rent out an apartment in Provo for 2 months during the 2005 season.

2005

2006 was the year we moved to Provo. Now we could just bike to the game to save hastle of parking. Cordon was a newborn and Darren was still just one. We traveled to watch them play Arizona and cheered them on amidst raging AZ fans and blazing heat. I even took the boys to a game by myself this year. I really got a work out carrying two kids to the third from the top row of the stadium. I wait in the car with Cordon when a game is called because of lightning, Lance waits it out and gets to watch the rest of the game in Legacy seating.

2006

I don't remember a whole lot from the 2007 year. I mostly watched the game in a 1st trimester phenergan/zophran induced haze praying that I would not lose my lunch from the smell of

nacho's. The boys are really getting into the game this year and Darren can now sing the fight song. Cordon just says ra ra and shakes his fist. We sit through the entire second half of a game in a monsoon with out even a thought of leaving. One game Lance bike-trailers the boys to the game in 6 inches of snow while I stay home and vomit.

2007

In 2008 Cameron got to go to his first game along with his other newborn friend,Will, in Husky Stadium in Seattle. I spent most of the time out by the concessions since my tenderhearted little babe did not like all the noise. He eventually got used to the noise but I still spent a lot of time running up and down stairs since Darren was potty training and I was still nursing Cameron. I spent a lot of time in the rest rooms last season. This is also the year Lance flipped the bike trailer on the way to the game. When we checked to see if they were alright Darren just asked if we were still going to the game.

2008

2009 started off awesome with the win over Oklahoma. Lance was the happiest I have ever seen him. Then Florida St. happened. I heard the game was horrible but I wouldn't know since I left at half time after using my body as a shield of Cameron's barf after he got heat stroke. I know, if I were a true fan I wouldn't have left to go home to shower and change then come back to pick up Lance who stayed true blue to the last second of the game. Darren now reads his program and associates players names to their numbers.

2009

So even though I am not fanatical about BYU and games are often crazy for us. I still really like going to games and watching the Cougars play football. And I like to think that I have sacrificed a little for the team. After all, we are raising three very die hard, very brain washed fans.

And as a fan I have one request: For those of you out there that don't get excited enough to stand up and then yell at those who do; please stay home and sit on your couch and watch it on TV.

Before and in-the-process pictures

2009-09-07T16:49:00.002-06:00

After much hard work and ALOT of help from Lance's sisters Vanessa and Natalie we have made a serious dent in the weeds and overgrowth. Things are coming along nicely and hopefully when spring comes around again we will get things the way we want them for the time being. I can't wait to enjoy all the blossoms in the spring.

I have come up close and personal with a lot of cool bugs. And for me to say that really means something. I saw a bright green praying mantis which the boys were convinced was going to go kung fu on them. Also a way cool aphid that looked so much like a leaf I really had to look hard to tell it was an insect. I have seen pretty much every kind of Grasshopper and dreadfully just as many types of spiders. I usually do not appreciate this kind of thing but they really were very cool.

Next we need to get to work on the backyard. Im glad that we get to go back to Provo and rest and recuperate.

Score!

2009-08-27T20:24:00.004-06:00

Ok so after last game I thought Darren's self confidence was shot. He didn't score a point and even left the field before he was through playing. It was a struggle to get him in the car let alone on the field today. But he was victorious! He even scored 3 goals! But most of all he had FUN! and can't wait for his next game. This is one proud soccer mom!

Back to school!

2009-08-25T14:41:00.004-06:00

Cordon started his first day of preschool today. He was as excited as Cordon can get. He watched Darren get to go all last year and so he was ready to get his turn. They alternate days going to preschool so I get alone time with each of them when we are at home and Cam is napping.

Cordon loves his teacher already and when we got home he asked if he could go back. He was a little picky about his clothes this morning but what to you expect from a kid who threw a fit after I wouldn't buy him pink daisy dukes.

You can't really see it in this picture but Darren had a minor black eye and a cut under his eye glued and taped up. At least we didn't have to wait in line to get him fixed up! Thanks Dad. This is Darren's second year (No he didn't flunk, its a two year preschool) with Miss Cathy! She is so great and we decided to stick around Provo so we can have another year with her.

Darren started soccer. He loves that his shirt says BYU! So of course, he is on the good team.

He had his first game on Thursday and it was a lot of fun to watch. I did have to remind Darren that he is on a TEAM and not to get mad when his own team mates scores.

Darren tends to get distracted. I think that it is the age though because he was not the only one that just walks off the field to get a drink or snack or to just sit down in the shade when they are supposed to be out playing.

I think Im going to like it here!

2009-08-10T17:45:00.002-06:00

So the long awaited day has arrived. We finally got the keys to our (my) dream home. I really do love it and I think it truly is the perfect fit for us. So far everything seems to be working ship shape as far as we can tell since not quite all of the utilities are turned on. The yard is overgrown since it has been empty for a year but that can be fixed with a little sweat equity.

I keep thinking of the 80's movie "Money Pit" and all the trouble we could run into but so far so good, no bathtubs have crashed through the second floor yet.

The boys LOVE all the space and wear themselves out running around. Of course, cordon is scared of the basement but will go down there if we all do.

Here is a picture of the front door as we are about to enter the first time. We were all very excited. Lance's parents met us for dinner at 10:30 to celebrate. Yes, that is pm. Lance's dad was just on his lunch break he had to go back and bail hay the entire night since it was supposed to rain in the morning. The boys will be about 2 miles from their cousins so they are soooo excited to see them more often.
This is the picture Darren took of Lance carrying me over the threshold for the first time.

This is why I love summer!!!

2009-07-29T19:00:00.002-06:00

Thanks mom and dad

2009-07-21T15:03:00.006-06:00

So we have been super busy lately. Many of you know we bought a house but I will post about that later when we take possession since I don't even have any pictures of it right now. Anyway, I have chosen to blog about each event separately so keep on going if you choose. I just wanted to say a big thank you to my mom and dad who took us in for two weeks. Grandpa taught my 4 year old to drive a four wheeler by himself (without a helmet) and Grammy who put the boys to bed every night. And thanks to mary for suffering from Zumba with me. and thanks to Sara for making us do the 1/2 marathon. Good bonding. Bad knees. Thanks to Paul for battling exhaustion after throwing the boys in the air about a million times. (Sorry about the shoulder)

Grandpa Al

2009-07-21T14:30:00.005-06:00

On June 9, my Grandpa Al died. He is truly one of the greatest men I have known. As my Aunt Patti said at the funeral, he was a grateful man. Grateful that his parents came to America from Scotland, grateful for his service in the Marine Corp during World War II where he established a faith in God, and grateful for marrying my Grandma who is another one of the people I admire most. They were married over 50 years before she died 6 years ago. They had a marriage that people strive for.

All because two people fell in love.

The Flag ceremony and gun salute were one of the most special experiences of my life.

Presenting the Flag to my Uncle Bob whom was also a Marine.

Cameron's first birthday

2009-07-21T14:06:00.002-06:00

Cameron had his birthday during a whirlwind of Activity. That same weekend we celebrated Lance's graduation, our anniversary, bought a house and Flew out to Oregon to spend two weeks with my parents. So Cameron had about a ten minute birthday party after Lance got off work and before we had to go sign papers on our house on the way to the airport. He didn't seem to mind though he still loved his cake although no one else partook since it was so early in the day.

I wish my parents we in this picture since they were able to be here to celebrate with us but in all the haste to just "get the picture" I forgot to get a whole group shot.

We love our little Cameron and he has been my best baby. He has always been so happy and sleeps and eats well and is so content just to play by himself. He does enjoy cuddle time too and has developed a little bit of an attachment issue to me when in a new place.

Some things about Cam:

*He did get a little bit of an attitude for his birthday (I think his brothers gave that to him)

*He loves to throw balls

*Sleeps great

*loves climbing stairs

*loves to be outside and hates coming inside

*will eat anything except meat

*He is just a great baby and I am soooo lucky to have him

Congratulations!

2009-07-21T12:47:00.006-06:00

Words cannot say how proud I am of Lance and his persistence and dedication in accomplishing his goals.

Thanks especially to our parents who also helped so much during Lance's education

I am so glad Lance has parents that brought him up to be the person that he has become.

Good-bye to my competition. Now I get my husband back.

I even was rewarded for not divorcing Lance during residency

Lance giving his tributes and words of wisdom.

The defining moment! He did it. Diploma in hand.

Thanks to everyone for supporting Lance

Even Doctor's can have questionable judgement.

Happy 6 years

2009-07-21T12:04:00.004-06:00

I think that Lance would agree with me that Our marriage gets better with age. We had a great anniversary. My parents were here for Lance's graduation so they watched the kiddo's for us while we partied it up in Park City for the night. The even paid for our Ruth's Chris dinner. However, our table was only a couple a way from Steve Young's table so I did not get Lance's undivided attention at dinner. Good thing the steak was delish.

How do I love thee, let me count the ways:

*Lance lives by the motto: Happy wife, happy life.

*He brings me home chocolate cake

*He understands when I need a night out

*He works very hard, gets little sleep, provides very well, and is almost always in a good mood.

*Has introduced me to many new things that I actually like to do now.

Like football games

Hiking (even with a child on my back)

learning to cook, bake, sew at his request

road trips

running my first race

*helps me to be a better communicator

*tried to learn to dance for me

*Was born to love me (see last years post)

I finally did it!

2009-07-21T11:59:00.002-06:00

I finally had LASIK done. There is just a little bruising but totally worth it. I was 20/20 at

my checkup the next morning. Lance said his was the best investment ever and I totally agree.

Three

2009-07-21T11:26:00.003-06:00

This post is dedicated to my newly turned three year old. Cordon. Though Cord has always been a big boy, three just seems so much older than two. Especially now that he will be starting preschool the end of next month. Some little tidbits about Cordon are:

*He is going through a pink phase.(AT least I hope it is a phase) He only wants pink otter pops. When we took him to get a bike he wanted the pink princess bike. And we wont forget the fit he threw in target over the pink and white daisy dukes.

*He wipes his nose with his tongue

*He has yet to sleep through the night

*He eats more peanut butter than I thought possible

*Still is dealing with anger management issues

*Still loves to cuddle and asks me to "Hold you"

*Always calls Darren, Dare-Dare.

*Only speaks in Movie quotes

I started making pancakes the other day and this was the conversation.

Cordon: How long is this going to take?

Me: about 5 min

Cordon: 5 DAYS!! But I have to be in California right NOW!

(So who can name that movie?)

*Loves to run and is giving Darren some competition.

*Can now actually take Darren on in a wrestling match

and has had a few really good take-downs.

*Still thinks he is Kung fu panda

Thanks Davis's for partying with us. We would been hitting that pinata for a very long time without Isaiah and Angelica around.

Darren as Tai long, Cordon as Master shi fu, Master Jared as The Kung fu panda and Noah as Tigress.

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Camping

2009-06-23T21:30:00.001-06:00

We just spent the weekend camping in Jackson, WY. We went up there to visit Lance's sister Kristy and her hubby Bryson who is a River Guide on the Snake River every summer. We got there Saturday night and it had been raining all day so we decided to go out to dinner. We went to an Italian Restaurant in Teton village called Calico which was superb. We thought if we delayed long enough it would stop raining but no such luck. Lance and Kristy dutifully set up our tent in the pouring rain at 11pm. We fell asleep to the sound of the rushing river and we were so tired we slept right through the rain falling on our tent.

The rain stopped by morning and we woke up to a wonderful view of the snake river. We ate some breakfast and went to check out Kristy and Bryson's "house." Let's just say there is something to be said about being young and in love. Because when you are newleyweds I guess it doesn't matter where you live or what you live in.

Later that day they took us out to Teton National park. I rode through there a few years back with my dad on our motorcycle trip but this time we got to hike in. It was sooo beautiful. We hiked in to Bradley Lake and we also saw Taggert Lake. It was just such a great hike the whole way. Darren made a new best friend along the way. He bummed a ride on Bryson's shoulders and bombarded him with his incessant questions the entire time. Darren said he wants Bryson to be his dad now.

Kristy and Bryson (who are pretty much the coolest couple ever) also took us out to see the Buffalo. It was so neat to be out in such wilderness and think that it could have been just like this a 100 years ago.
Thanks you guys for a great weekend. We had lots of fun despite the rain. And my hat goes off to you, Kristy. I could never do what you do and still be so fun to be around.

My little genius

2009-06-17T13:27:00.002-06:00

My first born babe is getting so smart. I am so proud of my Darren.

What was he doing with a knife anyway?

2009-06-16T08:49:00.003-06:00

So here is what happens when a 2 year old gets a paring knife. Are you more shocked at the condition of the couch or the fact that a mother would keep a paring knife in a place where a two year old could get to it? If you are like most people my husband has told they want know why he had access to a knife anyway. Well, here is the answer to all of you who think I should be turned in. I. Don't. Know. Honestly, I didn't think about it. I have all the big knives put away but didn't really think about a little ol' paring knife that was handed down to me 6 years ago. I really didn't think it could even cut a hot dog but apparently I was wrong. This post was originally going to be about all the times people have thought it be necessary to scold me about my mothering. Like the time I was cussed out at the mall by a lady that thought it was Bull**** that I would let my kids out of their stroller. Or the perv in the hotel room next to us who had his erotic show turned up way to loud that wanted my kids kept quiet at 4 in the afternoon. Or the security guard at the hospital that yelled at me for letting my kids come in and out of the automatic door insisting that it was very dangerous for them to do that. COME ON! I thought that was the point of a door. Annoying? Yes. I get that, but dangerous? My kids can be annoying, yes, but give a mom a break here. And for those of you who are thinking that they lack discipline "How does a cold shower with all your clothes on sound to you?" So instead of spending my time going on and on about that, my husband (who BTW thinks I am overprotective) wants me to try and get these "tears" covered under warranty.

2009-06-09T21:21:00.002-06:00

Tonight I am going to dish up a bowl of vanilla ice cream and I am going to

sit in my chair watch the news and let my ice cream sit on the side table until

it is perfectly soft. then I am going to eat it and be a little bit sad but also be a

little bit happy because it means something to me.

The pampered life of a doctor's wife

2009-06-07T16:17:00.003-06:00

So I’ve been meaning to write this post for some time...just haven’t gotten around to it.

Last month Katie went to St. George with the Barker girls. I thought it would be a good time for some Barker boy bonding. During my last year in med school I had quite a bit of time off, 6 straight weeks at one point. Luckily this occurred while Katie was pregnant with Cordon so I was able to help out a bit more with Darren. This was my first and only experience as a stay at home dad. It wasn’t too bad. At the time it beat the heck out of an ICU rotation or sitting in a classroom all day. So It was with these memories that I kissed Katie goodbye for her 2 day vacation. I had made the decision we were going to potty train Cordon while she was gone so we headed out to buy Kung Fu panda underwear and some treats. Got home, had dinner and tried a couple times to use the potty, without success. Put the kids to bed and basked in the knowledge that I had lasted my first 8 hours without Katie pretty well.

The next day the potty training began in earnest. We sat on the toilet every 30 minutes ALL FREAKING DAY LONG!!! By the end of the morning Cordon would no longer scream when sitting on the toilet, which was a pretty big success in and of itself. The rest of the day consisted with a few drops in the toilet then getting off for a treat then soaking whatever he was sitting on about 15 minutes later. I couldn’t believe how this happened every stinking time. By that evening I just wanted an adult to talk to...no I just wanted Katie to talk to. I was discouraged, lonely, and somewhat bored. I tried to keep a stiff upper lip whenever she called but I really wanted her home. It was about 7 o’clock that night when I realized, more than ever before, what a freaking steal she was. Taking care of a year old was pretty fun but taking care of 3 kids, all at different stages of development is HARD. You’ve got Darren asking 100 questions/minute, most of which don’t really make sense. You have Cordon erupting like Vesuvius whenever something doesn’t go his way. Then Cameron trying to stick his face in the toilet whenever the door is left open for a split second. And all this without anything to look forward to for the next 2 days.

As soon as Katie got home the next day I had to head south to cover an overnight ER shift. Then 2 weeks ago I was gone for a week straight, 1st for 48 hours in Delta, then 48 hours in Panguitch, then 3 days in Moab. Katie never complained once. She does it all with a smile. So my hat is off to you Katie. You daily do what I never could.

Happenings

2009-05-16T20:43:00.006-06:00

I love love love springtime. All the foliage is lush and blooming. It is still cool enough to be out at mid-day. And it is just nice to be outside again after months inside the house. So here is how we have welcomed in spring.

I ran my first 5k in two years and knocked 4 full minutes off my last time. I can now say that i run faster in my 30's than i did in my 20's.

Cordon is potty trained!!! Lance started the process a week ago because I didn't have the motivation. Now he has been dry for two days and counting. This has gone much better than the year long process we went through with Darren. Maybe it has something to do with Cordon's cheer squad.
I had to throw in this picture just because it is such a treasure when Cordon gives us such

great smile. What a cutie!
Bye Bye strollers. This john deere can take the whole gang. Nothing runs like a deere!
Darren somehow managed to get up there all by himself. And somehow got down too!

Nothing says fun like a tent in the backyard! Throw in a couple of pots to use as hats and a flashlight and you have the perfect activity for three little boys. Lance stayed out with the boys while I opted to stay in and enjoy some R&R
10 months old now and couldn't be sweeter, cuter, smarter or smellier!

Confessions of a mom

2009-05-07T14:16:00.002-06:00

I try to be a good mom. I love my kids more than words, I have kept them alive and free from SERIOUS injury, I try to teach them right from wrong and to be nice to each other. however, I am human and I do things that the perfect mom would never do like:

1. My son brought home a cupcake from a birthday party and I ate

it while he was sleeping.

2. I love diapers. I would rather change a diaper at my earliest convienance that frantically search for a bathroom at inopportune times. For example I stuck a diaper on Darren on our drive back from Or. and some where between Burns and Ontario he said he had to pee pee. I told him to just go and I didn't slow down a bit.

3. Dora is an excellent baby sitter.

4. I like when they crawl in bed with me at 1am

5. I like adding rainbow sprinkles to everything just as much as they do.

6. I take first pick out of the trick or treat bags

7. Benadryl at bedtime is a sanity saver

8. I haven't washed their sheets in almost a month (Yeah, I know)

9. I don't remember the last time I combed their hair.

But somehow we manage to survive, and even thrive. And a little part of me thinks that

everyone is happier because of it.

Finished

2009-04-20T12:04:00.003-06:00

3:08

So he did it!! 26.2 grueling miles later, he did it. There was an 18 mph headwind and it was pretty chilly. But no rain so that was good. Who'd a thunk a farm boy from willard could dominate in Boston. Now can he recover quick enough to take me to the post marathon dance party that lasts until 1 am. Crazy athletes!

50 feet from the finish

Game face

....the cats will play

2009-04-19T15:24:00.004-06:00

We arrived into Boston early Friday morning and after a long nap we went straight away to pick up Lance's racing number and check out the runner's scene. We went to the expo and got Lance some official race apparel and snack on plenty of power bars, gatorade, and energy cubes. Yummy! We saw a great video about the marathon which got Lance pumped up about the race.

Lance has adjusted to East Coast time great and bounces out of bed bright and early. I am the victim of jet lag and am not so cheery until mid afternoon. tonight is the great pasta feed where Lance can load up on carbs for the race and I will just load up on carbs. Stay tuned for marathon pics tomorrow.

Umm....what else would I do on a 4 hour layover?

While the cat is away.....

2009-04-19T15:04:00.005-06:00

while Lance and I are in Boston my parents have been making sure that the boys have fun and are not missing us at all. Im not sure that all their activities are safe, actually Im sure they are not, but I do find comfort in knowing there is a brand new hospital only a mile from their house.

2009-03-08T20:44:00.002-06:00

So here are just a few random things about my boys.

Darren

*He tells everyone he sees what the theme of his last birthday party was.

*Has no sense of danger

*has had more black eyes and goose eggs than everyone I know put together

*When he is looking for trouble he juts out his lower jaw and bites his upper lip

*likes to rhyme words but only with words starting with H

*is very indecisive

*is a ruthless teaser to his brother, but shares great with everyone else.

*could sleep through a tornado

*thinks talking about pee and poop is hilarious

*is obsessed with race cars

*says great prayers

*is happy 99.9% of the time

Cordon

*Is obsessed with his "swords" and at home has them in hand at all times

*Will eat anything but fruit

*loves to watch TV and play computer games

*has to open the garage door anytime we go anywhere

*does NOT like to be prematurely awakened

*Is constantly practicing Kung Fu

*Loves hugs and kisses and knows "I love you, mommy" will get him anything

*has coined the phrase "I not going to yell"

*has to check himself out every time he passes the mirror

*melts my heart whenever he gives me his big smile

*loves to make pudding

Cameron

*Is the happiest baby ever

*loves to take baths

* automatically crawls to the bathroom when set down

*can stand up in his crib but cannot get back down

*has the saddest little skweaky cry when he gets scared or hurt

*is the only one in our family with blue eyes

*might have red hair if he ever gets any

Nap time

2009-03-08T20:25:00.002-06:00

This has been my little sweet indulgence lately. It is still pretty cold out but when the sun comes in our front window it heats up the playroom to a very relaxing temperature. So now on

sunny days I look forward to Cameron's afternoon naps and then I get the boys involved in a puzzle or movie and then I will just lay on the floor in the sun and get a sweet little afternoon nap. So the other day I put Cam down for his nap and was looking forward to my quiet time and Darren had got to the sun spot first. Apparently, I was not the only one looking forward to laying in the sunshine. And today while I was cleaning up sunday dinner I was looking forward to my little sun spot nap time then I went in and Lance was on the floor in my special spot. I did get him to scoot over and we shared the sun together until Cameron woke up and Lance got up to get him and I got the spot all to myself again. The sad thing is I know this is only temporary until it starts to get too warm and then we will avoid this room all together. Until then I curse the clouds for coming and spoiling my sweet indulgent afternoon nap time and when it is sunny I know it will be a good day.

P.S. yes, Darren's pants are on backwards

The new and improved Cordon!!!

2009-02-16T21:21:00.002-07:00

Before

AFTER

So I was at work on Saturday and Katie told me she had shaved Cordon's head because he wouldn't sit still for a haircut. I laughed as I imagined him with a buzz. Nothing could prepare me for the hilarity that awaited when I got home. I laugh every time I see him now. It just fits his personality so well. And Stephanie, if you are worried about your son being a serial killer, I would stop buzzing his head. Something about it makes every kid look a little crazy...at least it makes Cordon look a little psycho. It does fit his personality though. Darren could never pull it off.

Fun in Oregon

2009-02-06T12:21:00.005-07:00

Everything just seems more fun when it is at Grammy and Grandpa's house. Whether it is eating oreo's and pop, or having a birthday party or hanging out in the hot tub, all just seems right in the world when you have someone to spoil you rotten.

Our Christmas trip to Oregon was cancelled due to weather so we did not want to postpone it too long so we went out for a super quick trip a couple weeks ago and celebrated Darren's 4th birthday out there. We were only there for a few days but we had a blast going to Ruth's Chris steakhouse, swimming at the Y, and of course, the Hot Wheels birthday party complete with 1/2 pound burgers (Who said you can't bbq in Jan.), a hot wheels cake and pinata! What a blast.

Thanks Grammy and Grandpa for hosting. I think we are finally recovered and ready for more fun in April.

About the 10th time he jumped off that chair

So Hot!

Sisters

Birthday party

Now that's a burger!

Everything is better with a squirt gun

The boys were perfect gentlemen at Ruth's Chris

The first morning we were there I woke up to find this view out of my parents front window. Oregon is such a visual paradise!

Happy Birthday Darren

2009-02-05T19:25:00.002-07:00

My big man, Darren is now 4 years old! He has accomplished quite a bit in the last year.

His number one accomplishment was right before Cam was born which was potty training.

We worked with Darren off and on for over a year. Numerous bribes were given and threatenings and pleadings but then one day he just decided he wanted to go on the toilet and that was that. Darren is such an individual. To me he seems like the life of the party and loves

to be around people, any and all people. If he doesn't know your name he will just refer to you as friend. Darren gets very hyper in group settings and loves to run around and show off. He is a bit of a dare-devil but mostly, I think, he lacks a bit of common sense. He has had more black eyes than anyone I know. And has had many other injuries as well. I think Darren came to the right parents.

He loves planes, trains, tractors, race cars, and motorcycles. He always begs me to tell him stories made up about him racing any one of these things. He is a wiz at puzzles and one of the few things he will actually sit down and concentrate on. He could easily be a parents favorite if parents picked favorites but they don't do they?

Darren has recently perfected his touchdown dance. Anytime he does something great he breaks out in a celebratory dance. My family in Oregon got to witness the Michael Jackson version of this dance, which I am glad that I have not seen since.

Anyway, I can't imagine our family without Darren. There is never a dull moment with him around.

Macho Macho Man

2009-01-13T14:17:00.004-07:00

In the midst of the storm we call Cordon's temper there is also a very bright spot. Cordon can be (unitentionally) hilarious. The other day we went to Willard to listen to Lance's Dad speak in church. I was careful to bring their church clothes with me for the occasion. Anyway, I swear

all the buttons were on Cordon's shirt when I got him to church I do however, admit to losing his socks and thankfully it doesn't show in the pic but he is wearing his church shoes with no socks. So long story short, Cordon got to play the poor kid card who was missing 2 socks and 2 buttons.

My new favorite thing that Cord says in the morning is he wants cake and brownies for breakfast. Yeah, me too! However, what he means is pancakes and berries. We have started making whole wheat pancakes almost every morning and to top them off we put on the strawberries that my mom brought us from oregon that we have kept frozen. This is soooo

tasty and my kids love it.

Cordon's new obsession is Kung Fu Panda. He can recite the movie verbatim and is working on the actions though I believe he is still at Level 0. In addition, he has his "swords" (two narrow plactic poles used to set up his tent) which go with him every where. Some kids have their blanky, Cordon has his swords. If you chance to meet him be prepared to Kung Fu Fight.

Also, he has always been a big eater. With the exception of fruit he will eat about anything.

I had some starbursts to use as bribes to get them in the car when I need to go somewhere. I gave him two starbursts and, of course he ate them. When I got him out of the car I noticed there were no wrappers. I assumed they were in his pocket since I always tell them that garbage either goes in the garbage or your pocket. Anyway, When I gave him another one

today and I actually witnessed him eat it wrapper and all. I figured out that is where the other wrappers went to. He didn't even seem to notice.

Cordon truly is a great kid and like most macho men he is just a teddy bear at heart.

I married up

2009-01-04T22:08:00.002-07:00

So I'm on call right now at the hospital and was just trying to find a pic on the world wide web that I could use to spice up this post.
It has been awhile since I posted. 2 ugly BYU losses to be exact. Anyway just sitting here thinking how good my wife is. She is home by herself trying to take care of 3 boys.
Yesterday she went to a baptism and of course our kids were the only ones running around the chapel. During the confirmation, Cordon gets his head stuck in a chair and keeps yelling "my head is stuck!" This isn't much worse than a few months ago at our niece's baptism when Darren started laughing hysterically and yelling "do it again" after she got put under the water.
So today Katie had sharing time, which she stayed up until midnight finishing, and Darren decides to run away. She frantically searches for him and finds him out in the parking lot. Then she is quickly trying to get her stuff ready. I'm sure she did a great job as she always does. Where was I during all of this? Why am I not in any of these stories?...I was at the hospital. Or as Darren calls it "daddy's home". Katie does put up with a lot. I have this insatiable desire to get out of debt as soon as possible. I'm not sure Katie always feels the same excitement for me working so much but she is supportive and keeps things going at home.
She rarely complains, and then only when I didn't tell her I was working again tonight until it actually is tonight. She works hard with the boys. She is very patient with them and very loving towards them. She tries hard to work with them, even though Cordon is a heckuva lot happier when Kung Fu Panda is playing. She makes dinner most every night and it is always a gourmet meal. She keeps the house as clean as possible given the circumstances. And she does it all cheerfully, except maybe when I am working for the 4th night in a row and she has to control the boys at church alone again, and she was up late trying to finish sharing time. Then she understandably gets a little tired.
Oh yes. And lets not forget the creme de la creme when she was pregant last year during our carpet installation and all our worldly belongings were in our living room for a weekend while our accidentally wet carpet dried out. Oh yeah and she had morning sickness, both kids had the stomach flu, I worked 2 12 hour days in a row, getting home about 11 each night and we all got to sleep, eat, and puke on our mattresses that were crammed in the living room. She didn't complain at all.
So here's to you Katie. The 15% tithing I paid all those years, hoping the Lord would see fit to bless me with a beautiful wife did actually pay off. I'll see you in the morning.

6 Months

2008-12-29T20:04:00.002-07:00

My babe is now 6 months old. And to celebrate he got his first taste of semi-solid fool.

Rice cereal with bananas was the food of choice and he couldn't gobble it down fast enough.

Cameron has been such a great baby. He has had a bit of a cold lately and hasn't slept very well but he is still in great spirits during the day. He loves to watch his bothers play and starts to laugh when they jump up and down. He grabs at everything now and has to hold the spoon when I feed him. I can't wait for the next 6 months.

Merry Christmas to all

2008-12-29T19:10:00.002-07:00

The Sunday before Christmas is traditionally the day of the Barker Family Christmas Party. I know we were missing some people even though it was a packed house. It has been held at the city hall ever since the numbers made it impossible to fit in Grandma Barkers house. I was not around in those days but every year I hear it just isn't the same now that the party is at Willard city hall. Nonetheless, it was a blast and Darren was the only one injured the whole evening.

Pretty much the whole Barker clan

Cordon and Santa

Christmas Eve (who's been naughty and who's been nice?)

Holiday Spirit

It was an unexpected houseful. I have to give it up to Debbie for housing 22 people(9 of which were unexpected) overnight on Christmas eve without even breaking a sweat. Becky and Aaron drove in from Nebraska and surprised everyone and since our flight was cancelled it resulted in a Christmas with the entire family. 12 adults. 10 kids and babies and 1 moose. All together for a Very Merry Christmas.

I'll be where? for Christmas

2008-12-22T14:06:00.005-07:00

So Lance and I had plans to take our family back to Oregon to celebrate Christmas with Grammy and Grandpa and Sara and Mary this year. Mother Nature had other ideas. We knew all the flights had been cancelled arriving in Portland yesterday but we were still holding on to hope that we would prevail. At 5 am when I checked the SW airlines site it said our 8:30 flight was "on time." At 8 am it was still on time. At 8:30 it was delayed and at 9:30 it was cancelled. Im just glad we were on a cancelled flight and not on one that was rerouted to Oakland or Reno and stuck there for however long. Anyway, we are very sad not to be with family in Oregon but have since heard that the power is out there and they are pretty much stuck in the house until this wintery storm warms up a bit. I wish you guys luck and hopefully your pantry is stocked! Good Luck with Christmas dinner. Oh yeah, and to top things off, Mom, your Christmas present was confiscated by security at the airport.

Here are a couple pics of what my parents and sisters are dealing with in Oregon. We could've made one heck of a snowman.

My parents front deck and patio furniture. That tree is not supposed to be there.

My sis's car. Yeah she's not going anywhere for a while.

funny times cont'd (and a little bit disgusting)

2008-12-08T19:47:00.004-07:00

We were all in the van car and Darren kept touching Cameron. Since Cameron's seat faces backward I couldn't tell what he was doing and Darren had a guilty smile.

Me:" Darren what are you doing?"

Darren:" I'm eating Cameron's boogers"

We just picked up my mom from the Airport to spend the weekend with us. We had just pulled out and Darren wanted to share some of his knowledge he has gained about healthy eating.

Darren: "Grammy, Cheerios make your poop soft!!"

Bring on Christmas!!

2008-12-03T15:45:00.007-07:00

Christmas spirit has hit our house in a big way this year. The excitement is contagious when you have a three year old in the house that loves everything about the season. We put our tree up the day after Thanksgiving (thanks to the advice from natalie) and ever since then it has been nonstop talk about Christmas. Darren certainly is obsessed with what toy Santa will bring him but he also loves everything else we have been doing to celebrate. Lance has all his ornaments from every year of his childhood and Darren wanted to know how old Lance was when he got each ornament and what he was doing at that age. Im surprised that Darren's attention span lasted through all the ornaments but he loved decorating the tree. He has also watched Mickey's Christmas at least once a day and wants to send Santa a letter everyday.

I have talked to Darren about the true meaning of Christmas and surprisingly he loves talking about Jesus being born in bethlehem and his mother is Mary. He helped me set up my new Nativity and we talked about the first Christmas. When I told him that the wise men brought him presents he got stuck on that and insisted that they brought the baby Jesus toys and keeps asking what toys he got.