Alas, just when you think you have everything under control...

Well, I have to say, yesterday was a great day. I was so productive. The house was clean, the boys stuck to their schedule like clockwork, I talked to some of my favorite people and Jake came home from work early. The night before I prayed so hard for help to feel more like things were within managed chaos, and it really helped. Plus, it prepared me for today. Back to the drawing board. Schedules all over the place, Ty won't sleep... but at least the house is still clean. Isn't life funny? I think that I have come to the realization that the reason you have days both ways is to enjoy the journey. One day they won't be this age anymore..in fact tomorrow they won't be...and I will miss it. I am grateful for the love of my Heavenly Father who knows me perfectly. I just keep reminding myself something that my sister said, "I am living my dream." I truly wouldn't want it any other way...even if from 2:30 am to 5:30 am I got 20 minutes of sleep! They are my angels and I am so grateful they are my family. I am so blessed. As a side note, when I finally got back in bed this morning at 5:30 I said a little prayer begging for just 2 more hours of sleep, knowing that without them I would be a scary sight of unravelling emotions, and 2 1/2 hours later Luke woke me up. Thank heavens for tender mercies.

Visit From Grandpa

We were so lucky this weekend to have a visit from Grandpa Burt. We were only able to have 24 hours together, but we really enjoyed our time. Luke LOVES his Grandpa-(or Ye-Ye, as he calls him, that is Grandpa in Chinese. He learned this from his new favorite show, Ni-hao Kai-lan.) Thanks Dad, for making the effort to come and see us. We love you.

Wild Man

The other night Luke put his sweatshirt over his head and said "ROARR!! I'm a Lion!" So funny. So I whipped out the camera. Had to share.
His other favorite animals to impersonate...a monkey (as he scales the couch), a frog (ribbiting all around the house) or a koala (as he climbs on my back.) I love to see his imagination at work.

Our Little "Music Man"

I had to share Luke's current obsession. Instruments!! He has a Baby Einstein movie called "Meet the Orchestra" that he loves to watch. But it isn't enough to just watch it, he has to pretend to play all of the instruments. The other day he picked up a medicine dropper/plunger of Ty's and began to play it like it was a flute. Then he found these plastic toys of Ty's and began to crash them together. He said, "look Mama, symbols." This gave me an idea. So Luke and I went around the house and found things that we could make into intruments. He now carries these with him from room to room. Plus he knows all of their names. Drums, tuba, flute, clarinet, violin, trombone, trumpet, symbols. And if you watch the movie with him he can name almost anything. He also identifies instruments that he hears in music that we listen to and on T.V. and other movies. It is so cute. Music really inspires him. He loves to dance and he LOVES to sing. All of his nursery leaders comment on how many songs he knows and how well he sings them he knows the words and he actually, truthfully sings on key-we all know he didn't get that from me. This morning was the best. We were all in the family room (Jake hadn't left for work yet) and Luke was watching one of his favorite shows,"Ni-hao, Kai-lan", and he was singing along to one of the songs. But instead of singing the words that he knew, he inputed the names of his instruments he was playing with. So instead of singing "Calm, calm, down" he sang, "trumpet, tuba, trombone" but to the tune of the song. Jake and I cracked up laughing. It was adorable. We are really trying to foster his love of music. As you can imagine it makes his Daddy very happy to see Luke gravitate to something he loves so much.

My Valentine Present

Jake brought this back for me from the Chicago Institute of Art.

Our "Tyger" is teething

Well I have spoken to some of you reguarding my frustration that Ty has stopped sleeping through the night. Well I think that we figured it out. Besides the fact that I think that his sleeping patterns were changing again, the poor kid is cutting his first tooth! I wondered if he was teething because he kept biting me when he was nursing. But he just seemed so young to be really teething. I hated to just give him medicine on the off chance, but I guess I should have followed my gut. Sure enough you can see that little white tip. It is his bottom left tooth (next to the two middle ones). Our poor little Tyger! Tyger is his nickname from Daddy-and boy has it stuck! Luke only calls him Baby Ty or Tyger. I am not sure he knows his name is just Ty. Anyway, so now with some Tylenol and a little schedule adjustment we are back on track.

This picture was taken a few weeks ago. He is growing so much-I can't believe it!

Happy Valentines Day!

I had to post today. I love Valentines Day. That may seem weird. But I just really love it. Even before I had someone to share it with, I always liked it. I am just a sentimental hopeless romantic I guess. But I don't think that it is just about romantic love. I think that it is a day to celebrate all the special people our lives.

So Happy Husband, Son, Sister, Best Friend, Mother, Father, Grandparents, Niece and Nephew Day!!!!!!!!!!! I love you all!!

Top Ten Love Movies

I thought that it would be fun if I jotted down my top 10 favorite love movies/romantic comedies/chick flicks....
10.Pride and Prejudice-Kiera Knightly version
9.Meet Joe Black-(I am sure you think that this is weird, but I loved this movie because it had all sorts of different types of love in it. It also has a bad scene, so I have only seen it once, but the message of the movie on real love I thought was great.)
8.The Notebook-(I really loved this one, but it has a scene in it that is too much, so for this reason I won't buy it, but I have to mention it because I still loved it)
7.Sleepless in Seatle
6.While You Were Sleeping
5.Somewhere in Time
4.The Holiday
3.Enchanted
2.An Affair to Remember
1.Pride and Prejudice-5 hour edition with Colin Firth

Honorable mentions: The Way We Were, Hitch, Runaway Bride, 13 goin on 30, Ever After, Return to Me, That Thing You Do.
Some of these are movies that I could watch over and over because they are funny and sweet, others are just moving-in my opinion.
Now-tag, you're it!!!! Holly, Heidi, Heather, Kristen, Sarah. I want to hear your favorites-maybe I can get some new ones to try out.

I love FHE

I have been meaning to post about this for several weeks, but just finally have gotten to it. I have to say that I love having family home evening. It has been a goal of ours to make sure that we are having it every week. Before the first of the year it was sporatic, but since we haven't missed a week yet. I LOVE IT! Luke is so fun. He will go and get his little chair and sit on it when we tell him we are doing family night. Jake and I trade off doing the lesson and activity. I love teaching Luke simple gospel principles. Then we try to teach him a new primary song that goes with the lesson. He now sings "Nephi's Courage" and "Follow the Prophet".I really look forward to Mondays because I know that we will be doing something fun that we all enjoy. One week we taught Luke to play hide-and-seek. Sometimes we will rent a kid friendly movie like "Meet the Robinsons" or this week we watched the "Aristocats". Another week we filmed Luke with all the songs that he can sing. Then we always have a special treat. I love it because it is fun, but it really does change the atmosphere in our home. I am grateful for this inspired council.

Thanks Heather

I just wanted to give credit where credit is due. My sister Heather made my great header. Awesome huh? Thanks Heather.

Brotherly Love

Today Ty was playing with his activity toy (hand-me down from Zoe, thanks) and Luke crawled under to. SO cute!!!

ABC's of me

I saw this on my cousins blog and I liked it. So tag- your it.
A- Attached or single: Wonderfully attached
B- Best Friend: I think that it is the neatest thing to be able to say that my sisters are my best friends. I can tell them anything-they may tease or even disagree, but I know they still love me. And of course Sarah. Natalie Walker.
C-Cake or Pie: Pie definately! I am not a big cake fan, I don't like icing.
D- Day of Choice: Any day that Jake is home
E- Essential Item: internet
F- Favorite Color: purple
G- Gummi Bears or Worms: I am not to big on candy.Give me a doughnut-now there is a great treat.
H- Hometown: Salt Lake City, Ut- but I live in Decatur, Il
I- Indulgence(s): doing my nails, scrapbooking, a really long hot shower with no 2 year old banging at the door.
J- January or July: neither, I hate it really cold and really hot- I know that sounds so negative. I say May and October are the best months.
K-Kids: 2
L-Life is incomplete without: family and food!
M- Marriage Date: February 2, 2002-groundhog day
N- Number of Siblings: 3 sisters, 1 brother (deceased)
O- Oranges or Apples: oranges, but they have to be really juicy.
P- Phobias or Fears: Wow-I am so neurotic! I have a lot. Spiders, anything with eyes, candy wrappers, Jake's cereal eating (sorry babe!).
Q- Quote(s): "The decision to have a child is the decision to have your heart walk around independently from your body." and
"Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. The mother's image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child's mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness the first assurance that there is love in the world" President David O. McKay.
R- Reason To Smile: my kids loving each other.
S- Season: Fall. I am a sucker for fall. I love it when the seasons change.
T- Tag Six: Heather, Holly, Sarah
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I don't know, I think that my life is an open book. Everyone pretty much knows everything.
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: Lame question. Bring on the meat-especially when I am pregnant.
W- Worst Habit: biting my fingernails, cuticles-sometimes I still do it without thinking and catch myself. Always when I am really stressed.
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: huh? ultrasounds i guess....like to see my babies
Y- Your Favorite Food: Heavy starchy carbs. Ya, I know it is bad, but hey, its what I like.
Z: Zodiac: I have no idea. I think that stuff is lame.

Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my mom's birthday. She is in Las Vegas right now, so I know that she won't see this today. But, still, Happy Birthday Mom! We love you and are grateful for you. Thanks for being an enthusiastic grandmother to my kids. Luke loves to talk to you on the phone. I know that we will be calling you today. We really enjoyed the time with got to spend with just you when you came to visit after we had Ty. It was good you were here when I was going through my postpardom thing, otherwise Jake might have had to commit me...ha ha. Lots of love to you today and always.
The girls and Ty.


At Ty's blessing.

Super Tuesday

I got to vote today for Super Tuesday. Go Mitt! Since Obama is our Senator here, I assume he will win Illinois, and it looks like he has been projected to win Georgia. I hope Romney can pull another state tonight!

Luke's Cardiology Check-up

We saw Luke's new pediatric cardiologist today. For those of you who didn't remember or didn't know, he has what they call a bicuspid aortic valve. This essentially means that one of his valves (the tricuspid) valve is malformed. Two of the flaps are fused together. This creates a murmur in his heart. To date he has had no complications and it does not effect his quality of life. They watch him annually to ensure that he doesn't start regurgitating fluid through the valve. This would be a problem if it did- although a common problem among those in their 50's and older. They also watch for aortic dilation. This is where the aorta leading from the heart to the body becomes enlarged at the entrance. If this happens it could possibly prevent Luke from playing any contact sports. Jake was a little worried about that. But for right now- A+. He got a clean bill of health. Yeah!! No regugitation or dilation occuring. He was such a brave boy too. He had to have an echocardiogram today and an EKG. When they put all of the little stickers and wires on he pretended that he was a robot. So cute! We took him to McDonalds to celebrate. Plus the doctor let him dig through the "treasure box" when he was done. He got a Diego field journal. How cool! He is such a sweet boy sometimes. While we were waiting there was a little boy who was handicapped. I am not sure what he had but it was so sad to me. We are so lucky to have two beautiful, healthy little boys.

Happy Birthday Nee-Nee

It is Grandma Cochran's birthday today, (Nee-Nee to my kids). I wish that we could be with her to celebrate. I have to say that I think that it is so cute that her name is Nee-Nee to the great grandkids and to her younger grandchildren. Luke knows exactly who I am talking about-he can't get confused with his other Grandmas. We show him pictures and talk about our families so that he will remember them. We had so much fun when Nee-Nee and Papa came to visit us when Luke was a baby. Jake and I also loved the time we spent visiting them just after we got married. I will never forget sitting on the dock with Grandma, our feet in the water, and her calmly stating that there was a crocadile in the water. I got a little freaked out, but she acted like it was no big deal. From then on I was a little afraid to go in the water.
Grandma, we are so grateful to you for your love and support of us. Thanks for always loving me and accepting me as your granddaughter. Your strong, engaging personality is infectious, you really are a spitfire and I LOVE that about you, (it makes me feel good to have another strong woman to look up to.)I love women who are not afraid to say what they think. We love you and hope that you have a great day. Hope to see you soon.

Lovin' every minute

Today is our 6th wedding anniversary!! I can't believe it! I could go on and on about Jake and how much I love him. He is my best friend and everything I ever wanted rolled up into one person. I am sure that I will get a few comments on how cheesy this sounds, but I just don't know how else to describe it. Jake and I were talking and laughing and having such a great time together tonight-no kids, just us. We never run out of things to talk about with each other, and we just genually enjoy each others company so much. I was reminded at how much history we have together. We took a walk down memory lane tonight. We were remembering our first appartment, several details about our wedding day and so many other memories that just the two of us share. He has been a part of every life changing event in my life. He has made me the woman I am today by his advice, support and love. I have learned so much through our journey together. I can't imagine my life without him. Do you remember in the movie legacy where she asks him, "Do you promise to make me laugh?" He replys "everyday." I have often thought of that line. That is my life, never a dull moment with Jake, he does make me laugh every day-even when I don't want to. He is the BEST dad and he works so hard for our family. Plus he spoils me, (he suprised me this year with a Kitchenaid Mixer!) He is more than I deserve and I am grateful for his love. One of friends here was teaching a lesson to the Young Women on love. She said that she is always leary of those who want to be your best friend immediately without really knowing you. She said that those who truely love you are those who know your strengths AND weakenesses and graciously overlook them, and love you even for them. I think that sums up marriage. Through all of our ups and downs Jake is "steadfast and immovable" I could never question his commitment to me or our family. I love him more today than I did 6 years ago and I will be eternally grateful for the biggest blessing I recieved that day.
Jake said to me last night that anniversary's are the best because you get to celebrate with gifts the day that you recieved your best gift ever. Any of you who know the Marc Wills song, "Lovin' every minute" I heard that today and I think it sums it up. Here's to millions more!
Our first date. Lagoon September 3, 2001.

Snow update

I had to add to my post about the snow that I was wrong about how much snow we got. It was actually only about a foot. They cancelled our garbage pick-up because of it and they closed the mall-seriously. We just thought that was so funny.

Lost-again

So Lost started again last night. Did any of you watch it? Well I am sucked back in again. I think that they love to mess with your mind. I started remembering some of the details of previous seasons, I really hope they answer all the questions they have posed. Jake hates it because some of the twists I call before they happen, I can't help it if I figure it out-I guess I am just too smart. ha ha.

Let it Snow!

Well, we have finally gotten a big winter storm here. Overnight we got about a 18" of snow. Now that is a lot of snow at one time, but people here are so funny about it. I know that snow here is not unusual, but they are still so preoccupied with it when it happens. Those of you in Utah will laugh because I know that you guys keep getting hit with storms like this. But all the schools are closed, Jake's employees wanted the center to be closed. They cancelled the church meetings for last night too. Of course I think that it is good to be safe, but people are so funny, they act like the world stops because of the storm. Jake and I were laughing about it because we both remember only ONE snow day for school all through high school, and then they wanted us to do a make up day. We just thought it was pretty funny the differences.If they closed things down everytime there was a bad storm in Utah they could never get anything done. So I guess Jake will get to use the new shovel we bought, for the second time this winter. I'll bet you Utah residents are feeling a little jeolous about that. So I guess I am grateful that we missed this winter in Utah and I am really grateful that I don't live in Alaska (like Caitie and Ben)she said it was -40 a few days ago. BRRRRRR!