I know this may seem silly. But I'm greatful for my scoliosis!

Let me explain.  Yes it sucks most of the time, but it has also given me so much!

Through dealing with adversity, pain, frustration, deformities and set backs I've actually learned alot! It has taught me that I can do hard things.

It's also (somehow) helped me build strong self esteem. It sounds crazy, but those years in jr high wearing my back brace all day all night.  And having a big rib hump and crooked gait just taught me that looks really don't matter. Be a good person.  Love everyone, and you will be loved. And if people don't like you, its not you is them. Move on.  Find your people, thier out there i promise!

Not everyone has to like you! It's ok! Yes it hurts, and it's no fun to be made fun of (trust me I know) but those people are usually the ones that need the extra love. So smile, be nice. (Kill them with kindness is actually not a bad idea) doing this might not change them.  But it will change you! It made me see that I love people! I genuinely love everyone I meet. Even if we aren't going to be BFFs I still love you.

I've also learned emathpy for others. We ALL have our own problems. And to each one of us it is the hardest thing we can face. No one has it all together. NO ONE! So again have love for everyone.  Cause we're all in this and it should be together. It's easier together.

It's taught me to stand up for myself.  I'm still learning this one.  But I'm a work in progress.

Pushing through my limitations has also shown me how strong I am. Maybe not always physically but mentally.  I've learned to block out pain that would send most people running for the hills.  And I'm proud of that! Does that mean that others that can't do this are less  than? Absolutely not! Does it mean that i view others pain as a joke? Heck no! I get it! We all have things we can deal with and things we cannot.  And that's ok.  I see your trials and think my trial is nothing in comparison.  Because it doesn't compare. No two people are alike so neither will be thier challenges. I couldn't handle what was dealt to my neighbor anymore than they could handle mine.  And that's beautiful and makes me all the more greatful for mine.

I'm rambling but I just wanted to get this out there. I'm thankful for my trials.  I'm greatful for all is taught me about myself.  I'm still learning to! It's the "gift" that keeps on giving!

Are you greatful for your trails? Or am i just crazy🙃

Brock and I have been married a little over ten years.  We have 4 pretty awesome and crazy kids. Our oldest is Rian. She is 9 years old.  She is followed by Maddox who is 8, Paxton who is 5 and Paisley who is 3. These tiny humans are the joy of my life and my biggest and most important responsibility i have on this earth and I could not be more grateful to my Heavenly father for blessing me with them.

I grew up in Mesa AZ and Brock grew up in Gilbert AZ.   We met at a bowling alley in Mesa by the temple about a year after his mission and my graduating high school. We were married 4 months after meeting and the long wait was torture for me!

The day I met my husband I had been praying and praying all weekend to figure out if I should consider marrying my then boyfriend. I’ve always had a close relationship with my Heavenly Father and was getting frustrated that I wasn’t getting that peaceful feeling I usually get when I pray for answers. I was pretty sure the guy I was dating would make a great husband, and wasn’t sure why every time we talked about marriage I felt uneasy. Maye it was nerves?

So finally I decided to make a weekend out of searching for my answer through prayer and fasting…. That’s when I met Brock.

When he came over to introduce himself a calm peaceful feeling came over me and I heard “this is who you should marry.”

Finally an answer to my prayers! Not what I was expecting, but who am I to question such a strong answer?  So the next day I broke things off with my boyfriend, and the next day asked Brock out on our first date. Now 10 years later and I am still so happy and grateful for my amazing husband. This really shows me that my Heavenly Father truly knows me.  He sent me Brock. The perfect man for me!

This experience was truly faith building to me. But that doesn’t me and that I don’t still struggle with doubt and fear in other areas of my life. We all go through periods in our life when its hard to have faith in certain situations.  And that’s ok!  All we need to do in times like these is seek out our Heavenly Father through prayer and scripture and keep on trying! 

In the last General Conference President Uchtdorf  gave a great talk at the woman’s broadcast titled 4^th floor Last door. I encourage you to go read or listen to it!  President Uchtdorf said

“Sometimes it’s not easy to develop faith in spiritual things while living in a physical world. But its worth the effort because the power of faith in our lives can be profound.  The scriptures teach us that through faith the worlds were framed, waters were parted, dead were raised, rivers and mountains were moved from their course.  Yet some might ask ‘if Faith is so powerful, why can’t I receive an answer to a heartfelt prayer’?”

I know I have asked that many times in my life. When I was 9 I was diagnosed with scoliosis. This is an abnormal curvature of the spine. My curve in my thoracic spine started out at 18 degrees and despite wearing a back brace for 23 hours a day for 5 years, physical therapies, and specialist after specialist it continued to worsen. By 12 years old the curve was at 68 degrees.

I remember one week when I was about 12 I knew my Heavenly Father had the power to heal me. I was in constant pain, have a not so attractive rib hump, and a few other health problems, and I was DONE with my trials.

Every night for a week I knelt by my bed and poured out my heart to my Heavenly Father. I told him of my problems and my desire to be healed. And every morning when I woke up with the same aches and pains and physical deformities, I would think to myself that I must not have had enough faith.  As I got older I learned that I do have enough faith. But, Heavenly Father knows me best and this disease is something he needed me to experience. This is something meant to make me a better person than I could be without it.

In a talk given by Carol M Stevens she says “Our Savior will likewise speak to us in a voice we recognize when we come to Him- for He knows us. He meets us where we are.  And because of who He is and what He has done for us, He understands us. Because he has experienced our pain, he can give us the living water we seek” 

Knowing this has brought comfort to my soul! Through the years of living with this I’ve had to learn lots of things I’m not sure I would have. I have learned to be strong, even when I feel like crying.  Grateful even when I feel lost. Positive even when negativity surrounds me. Hopeful even if I have every reason to doubt.  Peaceful, even when things aren’t going as planned. I don’t give up. I keep going. No matter what!

Even today as my scoliosis which is not supposed to worsen much after childhood defied all odds this year. It went from 55 degrees last year to 86 degrees this year. The daily pain that comes with this has been hard to handle.  Also my organ functions are starting to fail. It’s a very scary situation to be in. But, I know my Heavenly Father is guiding me through this. He is blessing me left and right even though some days its harder to see it. In times of despair I like to remember President Uchtdorf’s talk.  Especially the part where he says:

“Faith is powerful, and often it does result in miracles. But no matter how much faith we have, there are two things faith cannot do.  For one it cannot violate another person’s agency. The second thing faith cannot do is force our will upon God. We cannot do is force God to comply with our desires- no matter how right we think we are or how sincerely we pray…no the purpose of faith is not to change God’s will but to empower us to act on Gods will. Faith is trust- Trust that God sees what we cannot and that he knows what we do not.”

I know this to be true. It has been proven to me time and time again!  There is a time for God to give us miracles and a time for us to trust in His plan. 

When my second child Maddox was born he was a big beautiful 7 pounds 10 oz baby boy. Doctors soon noticed he was not breathing. He was rushed to the NICU and hooked up to breathing tubes, feeding tubs, IV’s, you name it he had a tube for it. The Doctors were baffled. He was a big full term baby, but despite their efforts his lungs refused to work. He was in the NICU for 2 whole agonizing weeks.

Finally we called for a family wide fast that fast Sunday. That evening we went to the hospital and Maddox received what felt like the 50^th priesthood blessing in his short life. The next morning when Brock and I went to the hospital to see our baby boy the tubes had all been removed!  The nurse handed me my son as the doctor explained that throughout the night his numbers started improving and his lungs started to function, and as of this morning there is nothing wrong with him at all! They kept telling me that this was a miracle that there were no signs of anything ever wrong with him at all and he could go home the next day!

I know God is a God of miracles. And I also know that he knows far more than I do. He has a unique plan for me. It takes faith to trust in his plan.  It takes daily prayers, scripture study, and reflection to build your faith.  It also takes overcoming trials and hardships to build faith… If you let it.

Our Heavenly Father has a plan for you. He knows you and loves you. Just as President Uchtdorf said

“God is real. He lives. He loves you. He understands you. He knows the silent pleadings of your heart. He has not abandoned you. He will not forsake you. God rewards those who earnestly seek Him, but that reward is not usually behind the first door. So, we need to keep knocking. Don’t give up. Seek God with all your heart.  Exercise faith, walk in righteousness.  I promise that if you will do this you will receive answers you seek. You will find faith.”

Now I know in today’s world we are constantly bombarded with hatred, sin and oppression.  Especially recently those of faith are being mocked and ridiculed. This is causing many to question their testimonies or stay quiet about their beliefs out of fear of what others might say or think. But I say isn’t this the time to seek God in earnest? Build up your testimony and stand as a light in this dark world.

 I would like to address the sisters for a bit.  We all know attacks against motherhood and family happening. The shame, guilt, and crazy strain we are all put under. But this is not what we need to feel. Motherhood is a sacred calling. We are given the responsibility of raising the next generation who will usher in the second coming of our Savior. The family unit is the most essential piece to Heavenly fathers plan and it is the mother that is the heart of each family.

President Russel M Nelson years ago said:

“Attacks against the church and its doctrine, and our way of life are going to increase. Because of this we need women who have a bedrock understanding of the Doctrine of Christ and who will use that understanding to teach and help raise a sin-resistant generation”

I feel this can only be done if we are constantly seeking out God. Seeking His help and guidance in raising our families and making sure our will’s are aligned with His. These last days will be tough. MORE than tough. And we need to raise a generation of children that will be string, seek od out in all things and not falter as the world would have them do.

We all know that doing this daily sometimes feels like an impossible task. There are so many man distractions I the world. But, Something President Uchtdorf said helps me to know that I have it in me to fight for what I know to be true.

He said, “Brothers and Sisters, we are eternal beings without beginning and without end. We have always existed. We are the literal spirit children of divine immortal and omnipotent parents! We come from the Heavenly courts of the Lord our God. We are of the royal house Elohim, the most high God. We walked with him in our pre-mortal life we heard him speak, witnessed his majesty, learned his ways.  You and I participated in a grand council where our beloved Father presented us with his plan for us- That would not otherwise be possible.”

This means that all of us here on this earth chose to be here. Everyone! We are his children and he wants us to seek Him. Please, know that you are loved and he is always there waiting for you… Seek Him. 

I say these things in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

Brock and I have been married a little over ten years.  We have 4 pretty awesome and crazy kids. Our oldest is Rian. She is 9 years old.  She is followed by Maddox who is 8, Paxton who is 5 and Paisley who is 3. These tiny humans are the joy of my life and my biggest and most important responsibility on this earth and I could not be more grateful to my Heavenly father for blessing me with them.

I grew up in Mesa AZ and Brock grew up in Gilbert AZ.   We met at a bowling alley in Mesa by the temple about a year after his mission and my graduating high school. We were married 4 months after meeting and the long wait was torture for me!

The day I met my husband I had been praying and praying all weekend to figure out if I should consider marrying my then boyfriend. I’ve always had a close relationship with my Heavenly Father and was getting frustrated that I wasn’t getting that peaceful feeling I usually get when I pray for answers. I was pretty sure the guy I was dating would make a great husband, and wasn’t sure why every time we talked about marriage I felt uneasy. Maye it was nerves?

So finally I decided to make a weekend out of searching for my answer through prayer and fasting…. That’s when I met Brock.

When he came over to introduce himself a calm peaceful feeling came over me and I heard “this is who you should marry.”

Finally an answer to my prayers! Not what I was expecting, but who am I to question such a strong answer?  So the next day I broke things off with my boyfriend, and the next day asked Brock out on our first date. Now 10 years later and I am still so happy and grateful for my amazing husband. This really shows me that my Heavenly Father truly knows me.  He sent me Brock. The perfect man for me!

This experience was truly faith building to me. But that doesn’t me and that I don’t still struggle with doubt and fear in other areas of my life. We all go through periods in our life when its hard to have faith in certain situations.  And that’s ok!  All we need to do in times like these is seek out our Heavenly Father through prayer and scripture and keep on trying! 

In the last General Conference President Uchtdorf  gave a great talk at the woman’s broadcast titled 4^th floor Last door. I encourage you to go read or listen to it!  President Uchtdorf said

“Sometimes it’s not easy to develop faith in spiritual things while living in a physical world. But its worth the effort because the power of faith in our lives can be profound.  The scriptures teach us that through faith the worlds were framed, waters were parted, dead were raised, rivers and mountains were moved from their course.  Yet some might ask ‘if Faith is so powerful, why can’t I receive an answer to a heartfelt prayer’?”

I know I have asked that many times in my life. When I was 9 I was diagnosed with scoliosis. This is an abnormal curvature of the spine. My curve in my thoracic spine started out at 18 degrees and despite wearing a back brace for 23 hours a day for 5 years, physical therapies, and specialist after specialist it continued to worsen. By 12 years old the curve was at 68 degrees.

I remember one week when I was about 12 I knew my Heavenly Father had the power to heal me. I was in constant pain, have a not so attractive rib hump, and a few other health problems, and I was DONE with my trials.

Every night for a week I knelt by my bed and poured out my heart to my Heavenly Father. I told him of my problems and my desire to be healed. And every morning when I woke up with the same aches and pains and physical deformities, I would think to myself that I must not have had enough faith.  As I got older I learned that I do have enough faith. But, Heavenly Father knows me best and this disease is something he needed me to experience. This is something meant to make me a better person than I could be without it.

In a talk given by Carol M Stevens she says “Our Savior will likewise speak to us in a voice we recognize when we come to Him- for He knows us. He meets us where we are.  And because of who He is and what He has done for us, He understands us. Because he has experienced our pain, he can give us the living water we seek” 

Knowing this has brought comfort to my soul! Through the years of living with this I’ve had to learn lots of things I’m not sure I would have. I have learned to be strong, even when I feel like crying.  Grateful even when I feel lost. Positive even when negativity surrounds me. Hopeful even if I have every reason to doubt.  Peaceful, even when things aren’t going as planned. I don’t give up. I keep going. No matter what!

Even today as my scoliosis which is not supposed to worsen much after childhood defied all odds this year. It went from 55 degrees last year to 86 degrees this year. The daily pain that comes with this has been hard to handle.  Also my organ functions are starting to fail. It’s a very scary situation to be in. But, I know my Heavenly Father is guiding me through this. He is blessing me left and right even though some days its harder to see it. In times of despair I like to remember President Uchtdorf’s talk.  Especially the part where he says:

“Faith is powerful, and often it does result in miracles. But no matter how much faith we have, there are two things faith cannot do.  For one it cannot violate another person’s agency. The second thing faith cannot do is force our will upon God. We cannot do is force God to comply with our desires- no matter how right we think we are or how sincerely we pray…no the purpose of faith is not to change God’s will but to empower us to act on Gods will. Faith is trust- Trust that God sees what we cannot and that he knows what we do not.”

I know this to be true. It has been proven to me time and time again!  There is a time for God to give us miracles and a time for us to trust in His plan. 

When my second child Maddox was born he was a big beautiful 7 pounds 10 oz baby boy. Doctors soon noticed he was not breathing. He was rushed to the NICU and hooked up to breathing tubes, feeding tubs, IV’s, you name it he had a tube for it. The Doctors were baffled. He was a big full term baby, but despite their efforts his lungs refused to work. He was in the NICU for 2 whole agonizing weeks.

Finally we called for a family wide fast that fast Sunday. That evening we went to the hospital and Maddox received what felt like the 50^th priesthood blessing in his short life. The next morning when Brock and I went to the hospital to see our baby boy the tubes had all been removed!  The nurse handed me my son as the doctor explained that throughout the night his numbers started improving and his lungs started to function, and as of this morning there is nothing wrong with him at all! They kept telling me that this was a miracle that there were no signs of anything ever wrong with him at all and he could go home the next day!

I know God is a God of miracles. And I also know that he knows far more than I do. He has a unique plan for me. It takes faith to trust in his plan.  It takes daily prayers, scripture study, and reflection to build your faith.  It also takes overcoming trials and hardships to build faith… If you let it.

Our Heavenly Father has a plan for you. He knows you and loves you. Just as President Uchtdorf said

“God is real. He lives. He loves you. He understands you. He knows the silent pleadings of your heart. He has not abandoned you. He will not forsake you. God rewards those who earnestly seek Him, but that reward is not usually behind the first door. So, we need to keep knocking. Don’t give up. Seek God with all your heart.  Exercise faith, walk in righteousness.  I promise that if you will do this you will receive answers you seek. You will find faith.”

Now I know in today’s world we are constantly bombarded with hatred, sin and oppression.  Especially recently those of faith are being mocked and ridiculed. This is causing many to question their testimonies or stay quiet about their beliefs out of fear of what others might say or think. But I say isn’t this the time to seek God in earnest? Build up your testimony and stand as a light in this dark world.

 I would like to address the sisters for a bit.  We all know attacks against motherhood and family happening. The shame, guilt, and crazy strain we are all put under. But this is not what we need to feel. Motherhood is a sacred calling. We are given the responsibility of raising the next generation who will usher in the second coming of our Savior. The family unit is the most essential piece to Heavenly fathers plan and it is the mother that is the heart of each family.

President Russel M Nelson years ago said:

“Attacks against the church and its doctrine, and our way of life are going to increase. Because of this we need women who have a bedrock understanding of the Doctrine of Christ and who will use that understanding to teach and help raise a sin-resistant generation”

I feel this can only be done if we are constantly seeking out God. Seeking His help and guidance in raising our families and making sure our will’s are aligned with His. These last days will be tough. MORE than tough. And we need to raise a generation of children that will be string, seek od out in all things and not falter as the world would have them do.

We all know that doing this daily sometimes feels like an impossible task. There are so many man distractions I the world. But, Something President Uchtdorf said helps me to know that I have it in me to fight for what I know to be true.

He said, “Brothers and Sisters, we are eternal beings without beginning and without end. We have always existed. We are the literal spirit children of divine immortal and omnipotent parents! We come from the Heavenly courts of the Lord our God. We are of the royal house Elohim, the most high God. We walked with him in our pre-mortal life we heard him speak, witnessed his majesty, learned his ways.  You and I participated in a grand council where our beloved Father presented us with his plan for us- That would not otherwise be possible.”

This means that all of us here on this earth chose to be here. Everyone! We are his children and he wants us to seek Him. Please, know that you are loved and he is always there waiting for you… Seek Him. 

I say these things in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

Hello all!  I know I have been MIA for the past few years.  But with my current health crisis I need an outlet!  

As many of you have heard I have been going through some crazy stuff!  I have Scoliosis, this is a disease that causes a curvature of the spine. mine is shaped like an "S". This condition gets over looked so often because no one really talks about it. Here is my last years xrays. This years were not digital so I don't have a great jpeg to share. SO its much worse now.  

You probably know the weird kid in your class growing up with the back brace that everyone made fun of. Well I was that girl. I was diagnosed at 9 with a 18 degree thoracic curve, braced at 10, (wore that brace 23 hrs a day for 5 years) and doctors tried to scare us into fusing my spine when I was 12 when I hit 68 degrees.  I was able to get it down to 55 with chiropractic, exercise, yoga, massage therapy, and PT.  I have been dealing with this disorder for a very long time.  But this last year my curve that has held at 55 degrees since I was in my late teens, decided to increase dramatically just to add a little fun to my life. It jumped up to 83 degrees and the added pressure is literally causing major degeneration of the vertebrae.  And lots and lots of PAIN!   

I need this to be a place to vent my frustrations, share my triumphs, and gain some support! I was told my curve would not progress by more than a few degrees as an adult.  And my doctors are still at a loss for why now and why so fast.  Its terrifying and extremely painful.  I have a very very long road ahead of me to try to avoid a fusion surgery that has a very high failure rate. something like 80%.  But that is the only form of  treatment insurance wants to pay for. Something that will only cripple me further!  

I am so frustrated with the way insurance works.  So because of this and the fact that I have to treat it now as fast as possible I have to put about 10k on a credit card and a medical loan to pay for the travel and first part of my treatment.  

This first step is a 2 week treatment boot camp in NewYork called ScoliSmart.  You should go check them out.  Its pretty amazing what they do!  Here they will make custom equipment for me to bring home.  This will get my spine more flexible, help with the pain, and hopefully straighten my curve out some so that again less pain and stress on the spine.  

Also It could put me in the range to be able to do a new ish surgery called Vertebral body tethering. This surgery will help to straighten my spine as much as humanly possible while allowing for me to remain flexible. Its also way less recovery time and has a HUGE success rate in terms of keeping the spine straight and reduction in pain. I want it so bad!  But again this is not covered my insurance and again I have to travel to the only doc in the US that will do it on adults.  He is in New York as well.   Maybe I should just move there ha ha ha! 

Anyways, in the mean time I have been told to stay as active as possible and to continue to do my workouts.  So you will still see me running around town doing things. I try to use my few hours of energy for fun things like swimming with the kids or walks with Brock or essential things like grocery shopping ha ha.  

You will also see me smiling and being happy no matter what because that is who I am!  I can't help it.  SO many people don't believe the chronic pain I am dealing with because I refuse to let it ruin my life! I have been in chronic pain since I was 9.  I know the drill. Yes it is way more intense.  And some days are worse than others.  But I refuse to stop living my life. 

So ya, you may see pics of me walking a trail in Sedona, but you wont see the pic of Brock practically carrying me to the car on the way back.  

You will see me at the park with my kids, grocery shopping, going to the gym, riding bikes to school, and a million other things. But you don't see me laying in bed the rest of the day or two days.  Or Brock carrying me up the stairs to our bedroom cause my muscles are going so crazy and my nerves are so inflamed that I can't lift my head let alone walk.  

It may seem silly to keep trying to be active when the pay off seems so crazy.  But again, THIS IS ME!  I love love love playing with my kids, being a mom, a wife, an active person and no disease gets to tell me how to live....  Also my Drs. assure me that this is the best thing I could do for myself.  The second I give up is the second I end up 100% crippled.  NO THANK YOU!  I will do everything in my power to remain active and enjoying life.  Including going into debt for treatments that will actually work!

Yes my disease is making that extremely hard right now but, I do what I gotta do!  So please, my biggest fear is people seeing me out and about and then seeing my Facebook and blog posts and thinking I'm a faker.  I am not.  This is real. 

Thanks for reading! I hope I don't sound like a crazy person!  Also If you would like to help us out with our medical expenses we set up a "You Caring" fundraising account.  This site does not take a profit so all you donate goes to the cause! I have years of treatments ahead of me and non of it is covered my insurance.  So every little bit helps!  Share my story and donate if you can thanks so much.  

Date Nights and Boredom Busters!

So I guess yet again it has been a long time since I updated the blog.  Luckily I am now on bed rest so I have plenty of time to update this thing!  I think I am going to make it a weekly goal to post something every week even if it is short.  I know no one really reads this but, it's a good way to journal our family activities.

So first for the fast update on our family.  Rian is now 6 and almost done with kindergarten!  I can't believe my little girl is getting so big!    Maddox is now 5 and can't wait to start kindergarten this august.  He loves doing everything Rian does, and feels very left out when she gets to do new things, like school, and he does not.  So I can't wait for him to figure out school is not as fun as it looks!  Just kidding I know he will love it.  Paxton is 2 now!  He talks so much and is such a smart little boy.  He was trying to potty train himself, because he sees Maddox doing it.  Once I got pregnant that slowed him down.  Now he has to remind me daily that he is my baby.   Brock has had his own practice up and running now for almost seven months!  It is going great and he loves what he does.  Here is a quick link to his site in case your curious at what he does. www.johansenwellness.com He really is an amazing doctor and I can't be more proud of him.  I am almost 35 weeks pregnant with our 4th and final baby!  Her name will be Paisley Grace.  I am so excited that it is a girl.  It just makes things so perfect with 2 boys and 2 girls!  I also am in love with her name.  Paisley I have always loved, and Grace is after my great grandma grace.  She was an amazing woman and I love and miss her very much.  She was so full of spunk, I hope Paisley can be like her.

Now on to the title of my post!  Since I have been put on bed rest for the past month and a half, and still have a month and one week left, I have been extremely bored.  Not only am I bored but the kids are bored too!  I have also been feeling very un-connected with the hubby.  Not because he is not around or helping me out.  We do watch a movie or show or two nearly everyday.  But I think it is because we have not been able to have our regular dates!  Watching movies while fun, is not fun EVERY day.

Then it got me thinking about after I do have the baby and can go out again.  How often do we do the same date of dinner and a movie, or just dinner?  Too often mainly because we simply are too tired to come up with creative ideas.

  I also then thought of the kids and how bored they are.  I am so tired of hearing "Mom! I'm sooo bored!"  Normally I take the kids out of the house nearly every day, and do something fun.  trip to the dollar store, park, chick fil a, friends houses, pools etc.  Now that I can't they get bored fast.  I have had lost of help and support from the ladies in my ward taking the kids a couple times a week to play.  That is a big help.  But what about the rest of the time?  I need to come up with something fast!

So I decided to do some research on these two things.  I keep coming across these, and I LOVE them!

How brilliant is this!  Then I thought I need things to fill them with... This task seemed a little, ok a ton, overwhelming.  So I decided to search the internet and find ideas and write down some of my favorites, tweak some to fit us, and then eventually with the creative juices flowing came up with a few of my own!  

I cannot wait to try these out.  I liked the idea of color coding the date jar.  One color for at home dates one color for inexpensive dates, and one color for more expensive ones.  I might try to incorporate this idea into the kids boredom jar as well.  

Follow these links to find my ideas that you can print!  

Date Night Jar

Kids Boredom Jar

Now all I need o do is make the jars!  

Too Long

It has been so long since I updated this thing!  Sorry people!!  Life has been a little more than busy I guess.  So many things have changed.  Were do I start?

First I guess I will say that I love the new area we moved to last December.  The ward is wonderful and full of amazing people.  I think the best part is that for the most part they are all young with kids like us!  It has been so long since we have been in a ward that is full of kids and younger parents.

Next is Brock finally GRADUATED!!!!  Yay!  He has set up his own practice... in a friends office.  They share staff and eventually overhead and everything so its a great deal.  Dr. Hopkins (the friend)  has been in practice for 10 years, so the office is well established, and runs great.  It is also beautiful.  Visit his website to see pics and get a better idea of what it is he does!  www.johansenwellness.com
Because of what he does in his practice and how they have it set up he can help anyone around the world so that is wonderful.  Dr. Hopkins even has patients in Dubai.  Can't wait till  Dr. Brock can say fun things like that.  Right now it is Utah, Arizona, and Texas.  Which is great for a start ;)

More good news!  Rian has started kindergarten.  I know I cannot believe it either!!!  I have a child in elementary school... when did she get so old.  She will be turning 6 in just a few months.  AHHH!  She is so funny and full of attitude.  She says she loves school but refuses to tell me anything that goes on while she is there.  If I bug her about it she makes up stories about what she did.  last week she told me she went on a purple school bus to a park by the zoo and ate lunch with another class.  I of course at first was a bit concerned that she left campus without anyone telling me.  Then when she said it was a purple bus she smirked and I realized that she was just being a stinker!    Silly girl.  Oh she also has a diet in church this week.  She is very excited for that as well.  She gets to sing the second verse in "Jesus Once Was a Little Child".

Maddox is growing up so fast as well.  Being the oldest at home every day he is learning just what it means to be a big brother.  Some days he is helpful... Some days not so much ha ha.  I know he is a little jealous about Rian getting to go to school.  He wants to go so bad.  So I am trying to see if I can't figure out a way to afford to put him in karate lessons.  He loves karate and some friend have said that getting their sons in karate it helped with learning discipline and respect.  I hope so! ha ha ha Now only if I can afford it!  but he does love helping with chores if you ask a few times.  He is really good at playing with Pax.

Paxton is finally in nursery!  Hallelujah!  The kid is a handful.  Adorable but crazy LOL.  He is so full of energy its nuts.  He is also hilarious.  He says NO to everything!  Unless you ask him if he wants food, then it's Ya, in a deep voice.  Pax is obsessed with cars.  If he sees one he goes nuts.  When I leave the house I cannot leave unless I have toy cars and food or there will be a screaming Paxton.  He is starting to like to cuddle which I soak up like crazy.  Gosh I love that kid!

Now for me.  I am still in school :(  Never getting out ha ha!  I also work full time  40 hours a week, for one of my parents weight loss companies.   I get to work from home so that is wonderful.  I am still doing hair as well.  I was also diagnosed with Hatimotos this year.  This is when your immune system attacks your thyroid and it stops to function.  This really sucks.  Many symptoms come from this.  Mine included extreme fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, and fibromyalsia.  Luckily we finally got my diagnosis and brock has been helping be get better.  I am feeling loads better and have lost 12 lbs.  I have been working on that 12 lbs for almost 2 years!  So glad its gone... just in time for baby number 4!  Yes we are trying for number four!!!!! FINALLY ha ha.  I will let ya'll know when that happens.

I think that is all the updates for now ha ha!

These are from Brock's Graduation...

 Pax was at a sitters so that way we could actually watch the ceremony.

 Her sign says "First day of school...Wants to be an artist"

 This is a pic that my sister Brittany took about 

a year ago but I love it!  Maddox is just so beautiful!!

Ha ha this is the most recent pic I have of Paxton.  Sad I know!  

This was part of a gift for Brock for fathers day.  

He was being such a turd this was the only way I could get him to hold kinda still.

changes

So many things are changing in our lives!! Its fun and stressful and amazing. First big change to come is we are moving next week. I am so excited for the move but sad as well. Who would ever think I would be sad to move out of pasadena!!?? Well its definetly not the city I am going to miss, but the people. I have made so many great friends that feel like family. I just hope that I never lose touch with them. I am glad I am only moving 30 min away.

Now to tell you about my house! We got an amazing deal. Heavenly father was certainly looking out for us! we prayed and fasted for a while before we found this place. It is in the area we wanted to set up brock's practice, its almost 28,000 sqft, and has a game room! It's a one and a half stories with 4 bedrooms 2 and1/2 bathrooms all down stairs. The only things upstairs is the massive game room and huge walk in closet. its perfect. My new bedroom is going to be huge as well as the bath room! Garden tub, seperate shower and two sinks. I am a little bit too excited!!!

The next big change is that my princess girl Rian is turning 5! I cannot believe she is so big she will be starting kindergarten this next school year and she could not be more excited! I love how independent she is and what a big help she is around the house. She is learning how to vacuum and feed pax. It is great to have her around helping out all the time.

Then we have Paxton turning one! He is so big and days from walking... I am not sure I am ready for this. His personality is starting to come out and I love it! He is so mischievous, Loves to eat, and steal his brother's toys. He just loves playing with the older kids. I love my littel man so much.

Then I will turn 26!! ahhhh! moving on to Maddox turning 4 crazy day. He is HUGE, he weighs 42 lbs! And he is all boy. He will be starting pre-k next school year so I will have one kid at home! ( time for another baby) ha ha ha. He loves to play in dirt and mud. He uses anything he can find as a weapon, usualy a sword, and loves to play super hero.

Then brock will graduate... AHHHHHH!!!! I am soo scared for this next stage of life but extremely excited. I know Brock will be an amazing doctor. It is just scary to go from a guaranteed loan to making our own money. :)

Well that is what is happening around here if you wants pics of the house either go to facebook or wait till I move in lol.

love you all!!

going private

By the end of tomorrow our blog is going private. If you would like to keep viewing it send me your emails and I will add you to the list.

Blogging from your phone

So I just figured out that u can blog from your phone! Technology is amazing!  What app will they think of next!

Maddox's Birthday

Maddox's 3 rd birthday was a blast! I was a nice sunny day out so we ended up throwing his party at the park again. The kids got to play in the fountains and get soaked.

unfortunately it was extremely windy! So the wind blew out maddox's candle for him. He didn't seem to mind though he just wanted to get to the eating part!

Don't mind my fluffiness! I had just had baby paxton 5 weeks prior to the party... so I was still a bit large ha ha ha. But any ways here's all the kids scarfin' down super hero cupcakes. He got super man and spider man because he couldn't decide which he wanted more!

Brock held pax almost the entire time that little boy loves his daddy and its a good thing too because yet again He looks just like him! I wonder if I will ever get a look alike child?? the odds are not in my favor! instead they get my stubbornness and dramatics ha ha. ( at least that is what I have been told, I don't think I am very dramatic!)

Maddox kept trying to get Rian to come play with him but she was done and kept saying no. So he decided to try to push her! Silly little man. thankfully he misjudged her weight and didn't push hard enough to move her! She may be short but that girl is a rock!

I cannot believe my little baby boy is three years old! He is growing so fast and getting so smart! He is such a little stinker but so loving at the same time. He loves to cuddle. He also loves to tease you, and "help" around the house. (breaking my laptop because he was cleaning it...windex soaked laptop is not a good thing). Now that he is talking better ( able to talk over Rian's constant chatter) He cracks me up on a daily basis! He says the funniest things! also we are in the why stage. Gotta love his curiosity.
Maddox: " mommy why you makin dinner?"
Me:" so you can eat!"
"why we gonna eat"
"cause your hungry"
"why I hungry?"
"because... Your a monkey!!"
"I a moon-key?! No I not a moon- key I a dog"

This is just a little sample of the kinds of long drawn out convo's I have with this guy every day. I have learned that the key to getting out of the why questions is to be silly and throw him off. but then you run into him getting a little too excited because mommy is being silly, he tends to turn everything into a boxing match lately! For a little dude he is surprisingly strong!. His punches seriously hurt. I love this little man more that life itself and am so glad I get to be his mommy!