Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Blake

Blake is all sweetness! He is going to make a great husband some day! He is so soft and sweet and loving - I LOVE to watch it! He is very quite most of the time, just kinda hangs out. He loves to run up to me all day long and just hug my legs or try to kiss me. He is giving great big open arm hugs and great big slobbery open mouth kisses! :) He loves to hug the other kids, he pats them when they are crying and will often very nicely give up a toy he is playing with so someone else can have it. Even if they were trying to take it from him! He is so thoughtful and sweet - it's so great to see it in him! He does do a fair share of whining and seems to bottle up when he gets mad and frustrated and it all comes out at once. The hardest thing I deal with right now with him is his whining though. It happens a lot! :) But overall, he is a pretty easy going kid! He LOVES babies! He loves Briscoe - his new little cousin. He would sit and hold him all day if he could! He just sits and pats him and smiles. So cute! He can be really goofy and is kind of a spaz! :) I thank the Lord for his sweetness and how special it is! I am so excited to see how he grows with such a sweet spirit! Love this kid!!!
Outside playtime - he could not be happier! I love this look!
Doing what he does best - loving!
I sure am blessed by him!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Madison - OH - Madison

So last week WAS a HARD week! The last couple weeks have been rough. This little girl featured here is the main source of my hard weeks! :) She is one fiesty, stubborn, passionate little girl! God has been very faithful to remind me lately that he has loved me and been very patient with me as I am having to learn to be with Madison. There is nothing like being a parent to show you how much I act the same with the God, and how much I need to grow! He is so faithful to love me and teach me and lead me even when I mess up over and over. Even when I throw temper tantrums. He also reminds me that we have good days! That she is full of life and has the sweetest laugh and smile! That she is learning and making progress. That she is a bundle of joy! That we DO have GOOD days! That she gives loves and kisses to me and her brothers. That she is a blessing in my life! That she is helping God REFINE her mommy! :)
I LOVE YOU MADISON JOY!!
They LOVE this jungle gym! It's so fun to watch them on it! Her brother was waiting - she thought she'd just sit a while! :) Yea, she knew he was waiting! :)

Don't you just LOVE the two pig tails! :)

Uh-oh, no more 4Wheel fanatics! She was very interested in that magazine. I think the boys were on the floor playing with her pink, singing teapot! :)

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Hard

This week has been hard....really hard! I am feeling so discouraged! Praying for the Lords wisdom, peace and encouragement!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Playing a little catch up

The time has just flown by so fast! Last weekend was a fun busy weekend! Friday I got to sleep in, thanks to my hubby!! Had coffee with Kimi for her birthday, we always have so much fun catching up and always run out of time. In fact, I am thinking Ryan is not going to continue to let her come out with me cause she always stays out way later than she is supposed to! :) Then I went to a womens movie night with ladies at my church. It was so fun! Lots of yummy food and dessert, visiting and a Chonda Peirce comedy movie. She is a funny lady!

Saturday I manned the kids while Jason got a little work done. He hasn't been getting much done becuase by the time we get to the weekend I am in some serious need of help!! :) So thankful for him!! Then that afternoon my mom had the great idea that she would come get the kids and they would keep them overnight. YEA for us!! :) We went out to our fav mexican place, El Erradero, and had yummy dinner. Then we went to the movies and saw The Green Zone (not impressed by the way!). Then we came home and just enjoyed the night to ourselves!


Sunday we SLEPT in, like REALLY slept in! That was SO nice, when you have reallllly early risers for kids you realllllly appriciate the sleep in days! Then we went to Dennys for a super yummy breakfast! They do the dishes for you there, SO awesome! ;) Went home, worked on a couple projects and then I headed to Boise to pick up the kiddos. Jason headed to Boise to pick up a motor. WHOLE other story - don't get me started! Haha.... I went and played bball with my mom and the ladies at her church. SO fun!! Loved it! My Dad had the kids all by himself so we could go play, (He is an AMAZING Grandpa!!) he took them to the park to play and then went to the drive thru at McDonalds and got french fries and milk for them. He brought them over to the church to cheer us on. They were so good too! It was so cute to see them parade into the gym, then they just sat down and ate fries. Cameron would clap anytimes someone cheered! So cute! We finished bball and went to visit Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Jean. Aunt Jean is doing so well - but definately still needs prayers! Good to visit with them!! And they LOVE a chance to see the kiddos! Then we all went out to dinner for Italian with some friends from out of town. They graciously allowed me and my three kids to tag along! :) Then headed home with some very tired kiddos!


Monday was back to the daily grind. We had a GREAT day! Such a blessing!! Happy kiddos with lots of good obedience! Thank you Lord!!


Tuesday - BAD day! :p Lots of cranky babies and LOTS of disobedience!! :( Madison is getting two molars in so I am sure that has something to do with it! She has not been sleeping well because of it so that makes a difference too! Cameron has 1 molar coming in, and Blake has two of the front teeth coming in. He's a little slow on the teeth! :) I got to go to Boise on Tuesday night and visit little Megan, Jennifer and Max in the hospital. SO fun! Did a little shopping and headed home.

Wednesday was another just hang out at home day. Sheila and I loaded the kids up for a walk - which we are doing most days around here! It's so fun to have them close enough to do that everyday. Sometimes there are more of us walking and it's really starting to be quite the train of kids! My new jogger works SO GOOD by the way!

Today was a so-so day. We had a rough morning and a pretty good afternoon. I spent the nap time today cooking and baking. We played outside for a long time too, which the kids just can't get enough of. I took dinner to Max and Jen and got to hold the little cutie again! Then off to Bible study and home for bed!

Been a good week overall! It's nice to sit and go through what we did and remember that life is good. Sometimes in the the daily grind of poopy diapers, and tantrums, and trying to bath 3 toddlers all at once, clean, cook, and so on.... I forget how really blessed I am how the good definatly outweighs the hard times! And God is good!!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Another Baby (not for us! :))

Megan Rebecca Twombly made her appearance last week! We are so excited for Max and Jen!! And boy is she a cutie! She was 6lbs 2oz - not too big but not too small, and she was 19 inches long. Jennifer is one of my dearest friends and I am so happy for her to be a mommy now too! And, did I mention she was a cutie???

Saturday, March 13, 2010

First Hair Cut

The boys got their very first real hair cut today. Let's just say they were NOT impressed! The biggest problem is they are scared of the vacuum - I mean SCARED! We don't have much carpet so it's not a regulary used item. We borrowed a Flowbee from Brian and Sheila for the cut and you have to hook those up to the vacuum which was the biggest problem. I am sure if anyone was walking by our house they would have turned us in after hearing the bloodcurtling screams coming from my kids. Madison included. I have never seen her SO PETRIFIED as when that horrid vacuum is turned on. It was very comical - we could have used a few more hands. But I we all lived through it and might possibly have some better hair. :)

Ahh, happy now! No hair cut for her - she just felt bad for the boys! :)

CONGRATULATIONS...

Zach and Karli!! They welcomed their newest little man yesterday - he is so cute! What a blessing having new babies is!! They are such a sweet family - love you guys!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

What's been going on...

Well, I am drawing a blank! I can't remember what the first part of my week held??? I have read that I may have triplet syndrome! :)
Sunday was a busy day. We went to church - as a family, SO nice!- came home and had a LONG nap! Love Sunday nap times. Jason went cyote hunting with Brian, Max and Mike. Sound fun huh? Those boys! The kids and I went over and enjoyed the beautiful sunny day with Katie and Sheila and all the kids that includes. It's getting to be a lot of children between all of us. We walked, visted and ate some yummy food!
Monday was pretty uneventful. My Mom and Dad came over for an hour or so to try and get their grandbaby fix. I don't think it worked - they left wanting to play more! :) They sure are attached to these kids. I LOVE that! :) The rest of the day went smoothly which was a blessing for me!
Tuesday was a catch up on the house work and LOADS of laundry that needed done. Grandma Danny came and watched the kiddos for an hour so I could get some groceries. It's nice having her so close to our house, and she is so willing to come play with them for me! Tuesday night was home group, and it was wonderful. Jason is finally home for a while and going to these things with me which I LOVE!!! Kids did really good with the babysitters too - YEA!

I did get some sad news that my Aunt Jean had a stroke on Tuesday morning. She is like another Grandma to me!! She has lived with my Grandma and Grandpa Jones since my Mom was a little girl. Her children were raised their with my mom and her siblings. That was hard news to get. She is recovering very well, they were able to get her to the hospital within the hour window needed for the special medication they can give. It made a HUGE difference. She did have to have another surgery today, there was another blood clot and some arterys that needed cleaned up. She did well in surgery and now we are just waiting to see how she does. PLEASE be praying for her! She is such a special wonderful lady and I love her dearly!!

Wednesday Kristen came over and visited for a while and played with the kiddos. Love that girl and had fun with her. Rene and Abigail came over after that and babysat the rest of the day so I could go and visit Aunt Jean in the hospital. I was able to spend a couple hours with her. It was such a blessing - Thanks!! When I got home I had my new pink and gray triple jogging stroller waiting for me! WAHOOOO - can't wait to use it! Jason has it all ready for me - so tomorrow's 60 degree weather will be just perfect! Went grocery shopping for the evening and the came home to my honey!


{a pic of my new stroller!! YEA!! Are you supposed to get this excited about strollers?}
Today was just plain rough! The last couple days has been a challenge with the kiddos. Mostly Madison, but put all three of them together.... :) She has just really been throwing fits and having a hard time obeying and being nice to the boys. I lost my temper a few times and was feeling thourghly overwhelmed and like a terrible Mommy. Very discoured! I was looking through the blogs of some friends I like to keep up with and was TOTALLY bless when I read this. THANK you Amber! You are a sweetheart!! (She's a GREAT photographer if anyone is looking! :)) Totally encouraged me and made my day! Isn't God good to use other to encourage each other??? Tonight I had the blessing of meeting with Dawn for Bible study/descipleship. I am very excited to see where God is going to take me and show me in this study with her. I am so blessed that she was willing to do it too!

That's the week so far - there's a FUN weekend coming my way!!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Toilets

SO - my kids were being reallllly quiet today.....you know the rest of the story don't you????

We always keep the door the bathroom closed because, well, I just don't want to deal with it. :) Today my Mom and Dad came over for a little while. Before they left, they used the restroom. I didn't think to check and make sure that they had shut the door because I am just used to it always being shut. Let me add though, that my kids KNOW without a doubt that they are not allowed in the bathroom unless we say so! Anyway, I was trying to clean up from the big breakfast we made, Madison was helping me by wanting me to hold her the whole time so it was going pretty slow. It finally registered that the boys were being pretty quite so maybe I should just peek in on them. I had seen them head in that direction so I just assumed they were in their bedroom playing. BUT NO - when I came around the corner there were they boys playing in the toilet! CAN YOU SAY GROSS!!! I am a serious germaphobe clean freak so i was definitely not impressed. Although, I did discipline them for I have to give myself a pat on the back because I was able to see the humor in it - just not in front of the boys! :) We have been doing some minor changes and fixes in the bathroom so it was TRASHED anyway, and all sorts of fun "toys" laying around to play with in the toilet! One of them being a sponge - a pretty big sponge! Which guessing from the amount of toilet water on the floor and the boys I am guessing the figured out how to dip it in the water, fill it up with water and squeeze onto the floor! When I walked in the room Blake had his hands on Cameron supervising and Cameron had his head IN the toilet and was apparently shaving the toilet bowl with my razor. I am still laughing/gagging! I wanted to take some pictures but figured letting them know that was NOT OK was higher on the priority list! Hahaha.....

Another cute thing I walked in on today was Cameron and Madison kissing! In another year or so we will make sure they understand that open mouthed kissing is not appropriate for siblings! :) It was SO stinking cute though!! I spend a lot of my day breaking up fights and arguments that it's so sweet and blesses me SO much to see the kiddos loving on each other too! They have been doing it more and more. This is the first time they have kissed on the lips :) but they are giving out lots of hugs and loves to each other which I love!

Oh, what will tomorrow hold.....

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Thursday, March 4, 2010

I'm getting SO bad at this

**Readers Beware**
- This is a LOOOOONNNNG post -
I am sad to say I have really fallen behind on updating about the kids. I thought it was hard to post while they were newborn - boy was I wrong! They sure slept a lot back then, and they were not so mobile, or naughty.

They are growing up so fast! I just can't believe that a year ago they were just barely 6 months old! Now they are big, thriving, busy little sweethearts! They are all getting such funny personalities - it's fun to watch them blossom! They are also very challenging right now - lots of discipline, fighting, temper-tantrums and naughtyness (is that a word?) is in full force. I have yet to come up with a description of raising three toddlers - the same age - let's just say it's overwhelming, crazy busy and blessed times 3!! I have to admit, life has just been hard lately. Partly because Jason has been gone, but partly because it's just hard with three one year olds. If one's not having a bad day the other one is. Or all three are teething a crabby at the same time. Or all three are sick and just want mommy to cuddle them all at the same time. Or they all three take turns waking up through out the night while not feeling good so mommy gets no sleep. The list goes on and on....I'm not complaining - I promise -but I know I will read back through this one day and want to know these details, it's just the facts. Some days I just don't want to be a stay-at-home mommy, some days I don't want to be a mommy at all. Some days I don't think I can do it for another hour let alone another day. But then someone says "mommy mommy mommy" and comes and gives me a hug. Or someone laughs their contagious little laugh. Or someone grabs my leg in a big bear hug and just smiles at me. Or says something funny. Or does something funny. And then Daddy comes home and gives me a hug and kiss and says it's going to be ok. And then I look at my babies in a whole new light and am overwhelmed with thankfulness. Tomorrow, I know I may go through the same cycle again - but I know my Savior will strengthen me, my husband will encourage me, and my kiddos will make me laugh and it will be ok! Then I remember to focus on today, and even though it may be HARD I will never get it back, and I WILL miss it someday! They are such a joy, such funny little characters. And when I see them giving each other loves and kisses - well that just makes my day and makes me realize how sweet they are too.
They are really learning a lot. Their Daddy is so good at teaching them things and really working with them on things. They know now, if the want a snack between meal times to come to the kitchen and sit down. Sometimes when they come in and I tell them to sit they just drop wherever they are. It's pretty funny. They are also learning to sit still when we ask them. We had company last week and we were eating in the living room. We asked them to sit down while we ate (they had already eaten, we weren't starving them or anything! :)) and they sat their so good until we told them to get up. I was so proud of them. They are also learning to come when we ask them, that is still a work in progress depending on why we are asking them to come or what we are asking them to leave! :) They go to their room when asked wether for play or if they need a time out. Going to their room for time out BREAKS their heart! It's some time out too, toys galore in there and it usually last like 2 minutes! But they hate it all the same! Those are few things we have been working on and they are doing so well! THey are learning to fold their hands and pray at meal times and bed time. SO sweet!
Blake is such a sweetie! He had a short time of being pretty grumpy and hitting EVERYONE! Oh, it was so hard! But we were consistant with teaching him that was not ok and he seems to have caught on. He has always had such a sweet gentle spirit but it is showing even more now. He is very quite and plays by himself a lot. He loves to give hugs, he has even learned to give them with wide open arms! I LOVE IT! He runs up to me hundreds of times a day with big open arms to give me a hug. And he always gives WIDE open mouth kisses too. Even when he has snot running everywhere. Oh, how I cringe when he gives me those kisses! :) He is a great helper. When I ask him to help clean up the toys he runs around very happily and puts his toys in the toy baskets. His newest thing is to share, nice huh? He loves to bring you things, or give things to the other kids. As he handing them to you he says in the CUTEST voice, tank ew (thank you). He is still a man of not many words, but he can dance! :) Loves dancing to music! He is learning to eat with a spoon and a fork and is doing great. He's wearing size 4 diapers during the day, size 6 at night cause we were having serious leaking issues! He is wearing mostly 18 month clothes now and size 5 wide shoes. Blake loves to rock too. My Granparents got each one of them a rocking chair and he LOVES it. We have been breaking them of their attachment to their blankets - it was getting pretty bad and causing lots of fights. So now they only get them at nap/bed time and when we are somewhere they are not very comfortable. They know now when they get up that we hang them up in their crib. When Blake see's us come in the door he get so excited, jumps up and does his best to tuck it somewhere so he can get up. So cute how they learn! He can also climb their jungle gym in the backyard all by himself! When he gets to the top he goes head first down the slide. He is finally working on getting his 5th tooth - this poor kid is slow in the teeth department! Loves to bursh his teeth which is good. He knows where is ears, eyes, noes, mouth,tongue and belly button are. He can give knuckles which is way cute. He can do high fives too. Still is not a good eater, we have to force feed him most of the time. He loves his bottle and would live off that if we would let him. Loves to be outside. His newest obsession shut things. ANYTHING that is open Blake wants to close. He is such a sweetheart and we are so blessed by him!
Madison, my dear little Madison. She is going to make me old and gray WAY before my time! This girl has enough spunk and attitude to cover all the girls in the US - no joke! My dear husband reminds me on a daily basis that she gets it all from me. Which I am sad to say and HATE to admit - he's right! Ahhh....payback is not fun! (I'm REALLY sorry Mom!!) She has a beautiful smile! I love her grin! When she wants to flash it for she makes my day. She is so funny, she loves the rough and tumble kind of play! Loves to be tossed, spun and wrestled with. When she is teasing you she bends her legs and tucks her head and jogs in place. It's hard to describe but is so funny. I'll have to post a video. She HATES things on her feet. I can not keep socks on this kid! It's kind of gross, but the poor girl sweats like a pig when she has to wear shoes and socks. When I take her shoes off from just a car ride her socks are wet. I hope this doesn't continue into her teen years..... :) She loves trucks and cars. Recently got a babydoll and thinks that's the best thing EVER! She'll climb anything - she has some serious upper body strength. She can pull herself up on just about anything just anything! Madison would live outside if I let her! And dogs, oh don't get me started! She loves them (unless they are up close!) and screeeeaams when she see's or hears one. I hate our neighbors dog that BARKS ALL DAY and night but that is the highlight of my kids day! Haha... Madison is still a great eater! Loves her food and she can pack it away. She is wearing 12 month clothes and in size 2-3 shoes. She is still pretty tiny. About 18-19lbs and still in her infant car seat. Poor thing! She hates it! I am sad and slightly embarrased to announce she is a biter! Ahhhhh....it's been driving me crazy. We of course are cracking down on it but have yet to break her of it, although she has slowed down. I think she is starting to get the point. She throws terrible fits. Some are loud some are what I call silent fits. When she knows she will get in trouble for crying and making a scene she just stares at me and backs up until she runs into something. Then she either start knocking her head on it her slinks to the ground and starts convulsing. If it wasn't so naughty it would be one of the funniest things I have ever seen. But it's not! :) She is making progress though and I am proud of her! She doesn't say much that anyone can understand but she talks a lot. She just babbles to herself or the boys. So cute! She loves to read books too, I love listening to that! She knows where her hair, eyes, ears, nose and belly button are also. She can give high fives but hasn't yet figured out knucks! :) We're working on that! She has recently become more like her mom in being a clean freak. She HATES her hands getting dirty and whines at me until I wash them. She tries to sweep the floor with her hand when there are crumbs there. The other day she got upset because there was a sticky spot on the coffee table that I had to clean for her. Haha...I love it! She is such a blessing and I love having her around!


Cameron my personal comedian! He is such a laid back, sweet, fun loving, funny guy! If God had given Cameron to me as a single, first baby I would have had a HUGE head. I would have thought, this parenting thing is CAKE and I can have like 1o kids. God knew what I needed! Haha...seriously though he is an easy kid. He has his moments like anyone but for the most part is happy. Lately he has gotten vocal and selfish about his balls he LOVES so much. It doesn't matter what kind of ball, tennis, bowling, basketball, football, he LOVES THEM ALL! He hoards them. He sit in the middle of the room with as many balls as he can and screams if the other kids get too close. We have been working on that..... You have to see it to believe how much he loves them. It's so funny! This kid has an arm on him too, and I am not just saying that cause I'm his mom. He is VERY accurate and can throw pretty hard. His newest thing he loves is hiding. I have a desk in the living room right now that he loves to crawl under and then pulls the chair in so you can't see him. He hides under the table in between the chairs, he hides under the high chair. Usually has a few balls with him too. Outside with the jungle gym you usually find him underneath with a couple outside balls. He can also climb it and go head first down the slide but mostly chooses to be under it. :) He is going to be my talker, he will copy most of what you say to him. He can say: amen, teeth, dog, mommy, daddy, grandpa, aunt boo, bottle, how rude (hahaha...copied me the other day), no no (he holds his hands to his chest and says no no to things he is not supposed to do.), banana, cracker and apple. And I am sure more I am missing. He is by far our best eater and our chubby little man. The difference between him and Blake is funny! Blake is tall and lean and Cam is short and chubby! He is wearing mostly 18 month clothes too and size 4 wide shoes. He is just starting to throw some fits get mad when he doesn't get his way. He turns the water works on when he gets in trouble and makes me feel so guilty - but don't worry we don't give in! He is a belly sleeper - it's the only way he sleeps. He belly laughs all the time, it's so contagious and one of my favorite sounds. He is a mommys boy all the way! He knows where his eyes, ears, hair, tongue, mouth, nose and belly button are. Cameron is such a sweet, fun, happy boy and is such a blessing to me!