Updates on random things

Thought I would add some random things about the kids: Kenzie has turned from a scared little mama's girl to an absolutely hilarious younger version of her sister. When tara first started watching her I would drop her off crying every morning (and why? Don't ask me- who doesn't love tara's house!) Now if she finds out her dad is home or that I have an off day then she is so upset because she NEEDS to play with Ryan. She also informed me that Ryan is her boyfriend to which marty and I have tried explaining that dating your cousin is against the law! She says she doesn't care so hopefully she'll grow out of that one! She has also decided that she really doesn't need to tell people when she goes next door to grandma's- she says WE should know where she is. She has become quite independent. She has made a little best friend-Olivia and will now go to primary because Olivia comes to church with us every other week. Amoung other things Olivia has taught Kenzie that magic of makeup, bikinis and just how to shake it! Where do they learn these things! She hasn't seen Olivia for about 2 weeks and told me when she sees her she's gonna say "Livia! Where you been all my life!" The girl is too funny. Kaylee had a rough winter. She had some weird random illnesses that hit here all right in a row. She missed about three weeks of school and was totally wiped out for about a month. She ended up having the flu B, which they thought was strep and some major sinus problems and then I think she ended it all up with another form of the flu! I felt terrible for the girl but am so happy she is back to "normal" and doing well. She even got a couple of 100's on some of the test over material she missed while she was gone. She reminds us all the time that she really is THAT smart. She is back to gym also. She missed about a month of that too but with some make up lessons she is about to move up a level. Ashton has had an amazing year and proud to say that his grades are all A's and B's and we have overcome the not turning in work problem. Most of you know I about lost my mind last year due to him just not feeling like it was important to turn stuff in. He did it- just took too much out of him to turn it into the box- ugh!!! Thank goodness that has passed. Other than that he is active in church and is the deacons president that he takes very seriously. He has become such a responsible good kid and I am constantly getting compliments and how much he helps people in the ward. I have become a very proud mama! Thanks kids and my amazing husband for all they have done to help their crazy, cranky, mama!!

I'm almost done!

I can't believe that I only have 2 and a half months left until I will be graduated with my LPN. It has been a long, hard road but definetly worth it. I have been doing my clinicals in the hospitals twice a week and that has really helped me narrow down where I want to work. I have always loved and been interested in surgical but after working on the med/surg floor I am not sure that is my favorite. Now the wound clinic has been my absolute favorite. I know I am a blood and guts girl but can I just say how amazing I think our bodies are and how they are able to heal themselves. I saw some pretty nasty things and even learned that we treat wounds with maggot and leaches- yes real ones!! Awesome. I have also loved working in the mother/baby area and am even more aware that I am done with kids when I hold a baby and can only think I am glad it is going home with someone else! They are so sweet but definetly not my thing anymore! This opportunity has opened my mind up to so many things and now I am just hoping that I can limit what I want to do to a resonable number. This whole process has been more stressful, hard, and more rewarding that I could have ever imagined. Most nurses say if you can stick it out through your 1st semester of LPN year then you are in the runnings to succeed. I now know exactly what they mean. I am so grateful to my family and friends who have supported me. My kids literally didn't see me for the 1st three months and I didn't think it bothered me until I realized that they didn't call me for things anymore the had actually learned their dads number! That was probably my AHA moment when I realized that not only had school changed me but also my kids. I hope they don't feel abandoned and hope that one day they are proud of me. Thanks everyone!!!

Hello again!!!

I never thought I would say this but due to the amount of excess TIME on my hands I am very bored and thought it would be a good time to give an update.

• I have successfully completed my first semester of nursing school. I do not brag about myself but I am going to say that I am extremely proud of what I have done. The first semester of your LPN year I have heard is the hardest and I came through with flying colors. I was very worried about how I was going to handle things but when it came time for everything to happen things just worked out. My SIL tara has been wonderful to watch Kenzie with my other SIL Tiffany and tara's sister Tiffany helping when it was needed. My inlaws and SIL Michelle have been wonderful playing taxi for school, babysitting, and activities. My family has supported me so much even thought my calls to my dad, my sister, and my mom have been weeks apart at times. Even my phone life lines- Kelly and heather have understood when I just didn't have time to talk. It has been so wonderful to have so much help and I am so grateful for my husband and kids who literally lived without a wife and mom for close to two months. I start school again in a week and a half and I am so excited to complete this first chapter of my career. I am loving doing my clinicals as a nurse. This really has been my dream come true.
• I was also put up in the nursery. I know that everyone dreads this calling but I have done nursery two other times in my Mormon career and I love this calling. There is nothing better than getting to play and eat snacks for two hours!! I was able to be in there with Kenzie and loved being able to spend the much needed time with her. She had her world rocked when I went to school so this helped us both tremendously. I was a little worried about her not wanting to go to primary on her own but she has done great and even takes her scrippers (scriptures) every week.
• We added a new memeber to our family-nibbler the bird. I know that people think we are crazy for having two dogs and now a bird but I love how much my kids love animals. Even Kenzie asked for a dog for christmas. (we had to draw the line there!) I am always hesitant to get more animals but once they are here I just love them all the same. I do think that our animal quota is reached though.

I'm sure there are many more moments but this is a good stopping point until I get my pictures uplaoded. I hope everyone has been well and that everyones year has been great so far.

Dear Friends, It is time to say goodbye!

I know that sounds like a death notice but the real reason for goodbye is that after careful thought and consideration I have decided that i am shutting down my blog. I have not made the amount of time I have wanted to in making my blog a journal and have resorted to other means to "remember" our moments. I am also going to start school in a couple of months and I know I will not make the time to blog anymore. So thanks for all the fun and thanks for the friends I have made. I will return in the future so until then- So long my friends!!!

Wind caves.

Ashton and Michelle like to go hiking so they had decided that they were going to try the wind caves before it got cold. Kaylee has started joining them and this year Tara and I were going to do applesauce so Michelle said that McKayla and Nicole could join them. They all had a lot of fun and Michelle said the kids all did really good. I am so grateful for Michelle and her adventurous attitude. Thanks Aunt Shell.

Halloween 2009

This is the group we had this year in Ogden.

Kaylee and Kylee

This is bryan Boer. He was dressed as a hippie and looked hilarious.

Kenzie pooped out about halfway through the mall.

Here's the cousin group at the mall. They all looked too cute.

It seems like Halloween doesn't just last a night anymore for us it lasts the whole day. We started this year at noon. Ashton was sick so he stayed home with Marty but the girls and I met the cousins at the mall and trick or treated there. I bugged Michelle to go with us so we would have an extra adult to help out. We then ran out to Grandma Friedli's and Grandma D's house. I dropped Michelle off and headed down to Ogden were we went to two trunk or treats, an indoor hot chocolate warm up and house to house treating for a mile in between. My kids had so much candy and it was so much fun to hang with all of my girls from the neighborhood. Kenzie was supposed to be Winnie the pooh but she decided that she wanted to wear her skeleton pj's instead. She is such a funny girl and kept up so well now that she knows the end product was candy.

Cabin Pics

A few weeks ago Marty and I took the kids up to the cabin. My friend kelly and her family were able to come with us for a night. Here are some pics from our weekend.