I did it!

I can't believe it...I accomplished a goal I set out to do. Our stake pres about 3 mo ago issued a fitness challenge. There was a 5k walk/run or a 10 k run. I had a 3 mo old baby.I decided that I could start training for the 5 k run. This was a huge deal for me. I have not regularly exercised since well, if I am honest, high school. Of course there have been the spurts after having a baby, but nothing consistant. WELL, I decided to run the 5k. I got online and found a training program called "from couch to 5 k in 8 weeks". It was so awesome. Not too hard, but pushed me just the right amount. 3 weeks before my 5k race, my friend talked me into doing the 10k. I was not too sure I could do it. 2 Weeks before I ran 4 miles then 4.8. The monday before I ran 6. Then it was race day. It was freezing...50 degrees on Aug 8. Crazy. Anyway, I DID IT! I couldn't believe it. I am not very fast. It took me an hour and 33 seconds. It felt so good to accomplish a goal. 6 miles is a LONG way for me! It was neat at the finish line to see my cute husband cheering me on. Robbie has been so supportive. He is so helpful to watch the kids so that I could do this. I don't have any pics...and open water bottle in my diaper bag with my camera at the bottom...need I say more? It was so fun though! During breakfast, my cute little Nate said, "You are a good racer mom." It was just what I needed to hear! Who knows what the future has is store...I think I have been bit by the running bug.

Thanks mom...

Yesterday when we had our little accident, Carson was so brave. He held very still. I didn't cry, but Robbie said that I was crying out my forehead. My shock reaction was sweating. While Carson was getting stitched up, I could hear my mom's voice in my head talking about when Brandon had Leukemia and had to get spinal taps and all kinds of yucky things. She said that the doctors were amazed at how brave he was and that it was a direct result of my mom keeping herself together. I don't know if I was very brave, but I didn't fall apart. It was nice to hear a familiar voice give me advice on how to handle myself. I guess even though she is not here, she is still mothering me. Thanks mom!

There is nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby. I just HAD to put this on here.

If anyone has advice on how to treat scars, let me know...I would like it to be minimal, but scars are manly and give character, right? that is what I keep telling myself.

15

That is the number of stitches that Carson had to get today. He was chasing with his older cousin Jake and Jake slammed the door and Carson ran into the door knob. OUCH! He had 2 gaping gashes in between his eyes. He was at his grandma's house. Robbie's sister is here from Oregon, so we are all getting together tonight. Thank heavens that they were here. Shelley and Brent brought Carson over to me and stayed with Logan and Nate. Robbie's mom was going to drive us to Keith's office when Robbie pulled in. He got off work early. Thank goodness. My shock reaction was sweat. I was drying tears and he was drying sweat off my face. I sang Families can be Together Forever for about 30 minutes strait...by request. I think we had a couple rounds of Book of Mormon Stories in there too. I will post pics later. I am just relieved that he's ok. I now have new perspective on harm my kids...harm me. It broke my heart. Good thing we have a great doctor to go to. This may be our first run in with stitches , but I am sure it won't be our last.

I'm not sure this is what I signed up for...

As a mother, some experiences that I have I never expected...such as

-Having my 4 year old bring a semi trailer and a for to me in the shower asking me to remove the cow he got stuck in it.

-Having my 2 year old paralyzed by an aunt pile...Carson came in frantically saying that Nate was in big trouble. My heart sunk...I was expecting that he'd fallen in the canal or something. He had 5 aunts crawling on his legs.

-Having wrestling matches in my new house in my new family room...I guess that is not so bad...it is the near misses of the head on the corner of my fire place that freak me out.

These boys...let's just say that a dirt yard and boys is NOT a good combo. The water faucet is too tempting. After about 25 dirt/mud balls stuck to my house, I found my boys like this:

It was too late when I found them, so they had a morning of playing in the mud and having fun. There was so much dirt that I had to strip them naked and wash them down on the front porch. Then I laundered their jammies that they had on...my lint trap was full of dirt. I pulled it out and dirt spilled everywhere.

Sometimes I feel like this is not what I signed up for, BUT then something like this happens...

Carson tells me that even if we have a sister someday that I will always be the princess. Nate tells me thank you for making him bakini for lunch (zucchini). Logan smiles kisses my face...aka slimes me with slobber. Then I realize this is EXACTLY what I signed up for.

Birthday, T Ball, and Hike

I seem to be having trouble posting. Here comes another long one.

Birthday

On June 5 we celebrate Carson's 4th birthday. It doesn't seem fair that he is 4. I am VERY glad that we are done with the 3's. The only thing he wanted for his birthday was a soccer ball cake, so that is what he got (along with a few other things). He is sure growing into a fun little boy. He is fun loving, very smart, and loving to his brothers. He has some new knowledge. He informed me that when he goes under the water in the bath tub that it is called immersion, that Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by a man named John, and that beetles are just nice spiders. He hates red ants and flies. He loves to weed the garden. We love him so much. When Nate talks about him, he calls him "my Carson".

There are no pictures of Carson with his cake because while I was getting ready, him and Nate licked a lot of the frosting off the cake...That is what I get for being so unreasonable and wearing make up.

T-Ball

It is official...we have started our running. Carson played t-ball this year. I would not say that he loved it. By the last game he liked it. He did not like playing in the field. In fact, I got to stand by him a lot and when I wasn't standing by him, his coach was carrying his glove. He did like hitting. Running the bases...what to say about that...he passed the kids in front of him, ran more than one base, and my moment of glory...I got to run around them with him a time or two...the things I get to do as a mother...As much as I had to coax Carson, Nate was on the sideline crying because he wanted a turn. Next year...The best part of the season for Carson was being on a team with a team shirt, having a coach (who he still sees and calls coach), and earning a medal.

Our Annual Hike

My hiking husband and our little family started doing this little hike when Carson was just barely 2 and Nate was a tiny baby in a front pack. We drive our car to the mountains where the road is closed and hike about 3 miles (on the road) back to a lake called Lake Cleveland. It is a small mountain lake, but early in the spring there is still snow and some run off roaring down the mountain. The kids love the hike in. It is full of drinks and snacks, but the way out is not so fun. They are always tired a need naps. Carson walked the whole 6 mile loop this year. Plus he was our little snow explorer. Nate did the whole way in, but Robbie put him in the back pack on the way out. We had to hurry because a storm was coming. Logan was in the front pack. The kids loved throwing rocks into the water, putting food out for the chipmunks, and exploring around the lake. On the way out, we had to do a little distraction method. Carson was getting tired so we were counting to 100 and singing "the ants go marching" the whole way out. The kids are still talking about it. I am hoping that next year I won't be pregnant or carrying a baby in the front pack...so far I am yet to be with out either of those things...We'll see!

Easter, Move, and Baby Blessing...

Easter

Well, it seems like the Easter updates have long since passed, but not for this blogger. Our life has be nothing short of crazy latetly. Our Easter was spent with 2 little boys throwing up. It started Friday night and went on until Saturday at noon. We did make it to Grandpa Bob's famous easter egg hunt just in time. Then it began again as soon as we got home and lasted half of Easter Sunday. No fun parties for us. Being the procrastinator that I am, we stopped at Walmart on our way out of IF and got some easter goodies. We colored eggs on Sunday night. Good thing that our bunny doesn't hide the dyed easter eggs.

Their Easter clothes worn not on Easter sunday...actually this was taken last sunday. Cute boys!A normal moment of love for Logan. One pulling on his arm, one on his head, both yelling "Cheese"

The Move

We moved into our new house the last weekend in April. Who knew we had accumulated so much stuff...not important things...stuff! AHH! We love our new house, and it is seeming more like home the longer we are here. It is nice to know that we will probably never move again! YEA!!! We all love it here...Robbie loves the BIG jetted tub, I love the kitchen with a keyed lock on the pantry...YEA! (where I spend most of my time...good food is very important to us), and Carson and Nate love the dirt yard. The dislikes are...none from Robbie, Nathan, or me, but Carson says that he likes the other house better because this house just has white toilets...he likes the blue, green, and yellow ones we used to have.

The first night we stayed here, we got the boys in bed. Then we heard little feet coming to our room. It was Carson, of course. He just wanted to know if our bath tub had hot water. We told him it did. Yesssss he said and went back to bed. Then we heard his little feet again. This time he wanted to know if we had to move back to Arlene's house. We told him no. Yessss again. It was cute.

The Blessing

We blessed little Logan on the Sunday after we moved in...April 30th. All of our family was here that is relatively close by. I think that we counted a little over 50 people. Thank heavens for Robbie's parents' archery range/family gathering spot. It was nice to have everyone together. The parents visited and the kids made forts out of the targets and a few sword fights with arows took place...a little scary. Robbie did such a great job with the blessing.

As my dad was getting ready to leave...we'd only been in our house 2 nights, Nathan said, "Grandpa, you build this house for me?" My dad said yes. Nathan said, "Thank you! Thank you!" It was so cute. You could tell he really was thankful. I am thankful too. I am a lucky girl to have such a selfless dad and brother to take a good 9 months away from their families and build us this home.

We are finally getting life back to normal (what ever that is) just in time for the summer to begin. We can't wait. We will have lots of hiking, camping, and visiting friends and family! Yea!Carson is starting T-ball. That should be fun. So there is a lot to look forward to!

Please notice the measuring tape Carson had to hold.

Logan has a cute little curl on top of his head. It is so cute. I hope that this is a sign of curley hair to come. I loved this hat that came with his outfit. It made his cute little face stand out. He also wore booties and used a blanket that my Grandma Johnson made.

Here Logan is 3 months old. He is so bright eyed and good natured. We are getting lots of sleep these days (at least a good 7-8 hours). A friend told me that Heavenly Father is no dummy. He knows he has to send you a good baby on your third. If he sends you a bad one, he knows you're done. If it is a good one, there is a possibility for a fourth. Well, he is my best so far. It they all come this good, there will be a fourth, fifith, sixth...the possibilities are endless!

2 hours in the life of a mother...

Yesterday, Logan was 6 weeks old. That was the fastest 6 weeks ever. I always have said that the crazies of adjusting to a new baby hit rock bottom at 6 weeks. When I had Nate, Carson hit him all over his face with a metal spatula leaving about 15 welts, so I should have expected this.

Robbie did not think he had to be to church as early as normal since it was the 5th Sunday. When the kids woke up, I was still so tired, so Robbie got up with them. He realized that he did have to be to church at the normal time, so he got in the shower. I woke up to him, in a towel, telling the big boys that they were in big trouble and taking there jammies off for a bath. This is not a good combo...They had got out my bucket of flour and a bunch of cooking stuff and spread half a bucket of flour all over my kitchen. They "were just playing 'tasty treats'". Spilled flour just grows. It is still not all cleaned up.

So, while I was cleaning up flour, Robbie left for church. Then I got all the boys clothes ready. All except for Carson's shirt. It was nowhere to be found. I looked for 45 min. Robbie went to meetings and came home. He couldn't find it either. I ended up thinking liked my 3 year old and found it in the back corner of our lazy susan cupboard. Ahhh. At this point it was 1 hour till church.

Robbie had to leave in 30 min, so I decided to get myself bathed and ready while he dressed the boys. I am enjoying 5 minutes of peace when Robbie comes in with Nate. His new shirt and tie are covered in black. Robbie said it was marker. Turned out be waterproof mascara. He got my old one out of the garbage. I jumped out and got dressed and used half of my eye makeup remover to clean his shirt and tie.

Logan needed a bath too. It had been a few days. I got him bathed and was dressing him when Robbie asked me a question. I looked up for a split second before fastening his diaper, when I felt a warmth all over my arm and my stomach. Pee. Yep. Pee. Then Robbie left.

I now had 2 boys with shoes on that thought they needed to go outside every second, had to get myself ready, comb 2 boys hair and get the church bag ready. I gathered my big boys in the house, gave them a snack, did my things I had to get done and thought I'd be on time. Nope. Logan did a giant poop just as we were ready to go to church. AAHHH!

We made it to church about 7 minutes late. It was a miracle we made it at all. We had minimal meltdowns there, except that Carson wanted to "talk in that big microphone and give a prayer". That was not going to happen. I was not feeling like sharing my testimony yesterday. Maybe I should have to help me realize that I am blessed.

My cute grandma told me that some day I will be older, my kids will be gone, and I will have a clean house to sit in (I am sure some peace and quiet too), and that I will sit and dream of yesteryear when I had these busy little people to look after and messes to clean. Maybe she is right. No, I know she is right. It is a good thing that tomorrow comes to help me appreciate the crazy and funny things of yesterday. I think we hit rock bottom for 2 hours...we should be on our way up from here!