New Cheesy Smile

Carter has been doing this smile the past couple of days. Everyday its something new with this boy. He smiles so big! It cracks me up! I love him. He smiles this way especially when I sign eat, milk, bye or hi. LOVE HIM!

Sadie and Carter

This is DeeDee. A good friend of mine. We went to school together. Sadie and Carter are a couple weeks apart. It was fun to see them again. They have opposite personalities so its fun to see how different they are. Sadie is very active (already crawling) and Carter just chills.

Chillin eating crackers.

So cute!!

Ashton's 3rd Birthday

Jenn and Jacob Little had her son's 3rd birthday at a place called the Blue Chair in Glendora. It was a nice place, perfect for a birthday party. It was a Spiderman theme

The birthday boy being sung to.

Games were provided and Jocie loved the obstacle course.

The Blue Chair is a children's book store so a story was read also.

Rock climbing in the background was fun. She hid spiders and the had to climb the wall to find the spiders.

Spider masks, so fun!

Playdate

Jocelynn has been having different friends over. She has lots of friends. THis is Ashlee from church and preschool. THey had a great time together.

Attitude is everything!

Attitude is everything!

Everyday life throws something new at us. We CHOOSE how we handle it.

"One day an old lady woke up and looked in the mirror and only had three strands of hair on her head and said,"Mmmm, today I think I will braid my hair." She did and had a great day!

The second day she woke up and looked in the mirror and had two strands of hair and said,"Mmmm, today I think I will part my hair down the middle." She did and had a great day!

The third day she woke up and had only one strand of hair and said,"Mmmm, I think I will wear my hair in a pony tail today." She did and had a great day.

The next day, she woke up and had NO hair. She said,"I am sure glad I don't have to do my hair today!!" ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!!

What have I done?

I've messed my whole blog up and I don't have time or know how to get it back. If anyone would be so kind to walk me through how I get a background and all my information that would be wonderful! I can't find the design button where all my gadgets are??

For Sale

I should be in bed right now. Instead I'm up doing laundry. I wasn't planning on doing laundry until Friday but my husband has his 3rd interview tomorrow and just informed me that he doesn't have a clean shirt to wear. Usually I add a picture or 2 but today I don't have a picture . . . just my thoughts.

Life has been busy. . . since Carter has been born. When I first became pregnant with Carter we decided to put our place up for sale. We thought it would sell before he was born. We weren't sure where we would go but felt that it was the best decision for us. It was fine the first 6 months. It was not bad keeping a house clean with just one child and especially when I was in the nesting phase of my pregnancy. It started to get annoying though, the day before Carter was born. We had a buyer and they wanted to check it out. I made a promise to my Heavenly Father when we decided to sell the place that I would keep the place as clean as I could and anytime a buyer wanted to see the place I would make it available. That's all I could do right? The rest was in his hands. Well I did all that. So although I was having contractions I'd say sure come on over. I still remember the father and his daughter walking through saying "so when r u due?" I said "tomorrow!" They did a double take and said tomorrow? That was when it started to get not so fun. I mean it was already 7 months. We should have been in a new place by then. I've learned to go with the flow of things though. It takes a lot for things to get me down. I remember getting phone calls in the hospital after hours of having Carter. I'd answer my phone, thinking it was someone congratulating me but it was a realtor. I could go on and on about what has happened. I don't do well with chaos and not being organized. I know once the condo is sold and school is out for the semester I will feel like I have more of a handle on things. In January, we decided to move in with my parents for awhile. We are grateful and it's been nice not having to live with things packed away. Through all the other things on my mind that life can bring, we were blessed with such a sweet, calm spirit. He touches my heart. Carter could not have come at a more perfect time in our lives. Through all the chaos and craziness, it's like he gets it and just understands. He definitely has been a blessing and joy! Through all the life experiences I've had up to this point, I have learned to trust in my Heavenly Father. "Trust in him and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge him and he will direct thy path." My favorite scripture. I know he sees our potential and who we can and will become. I know through all the trials life brings that if we turn to him, the trials can be opportunities for us to grow. I love my family and this time in my life. Someday we will say "remember when . . . "

8 years

8 years tomorrow. Time has flown. 8 experiences we've had together

• 1. graduated from Cal State Fullerton together with our Bachelors
• 2. James graduated with his Masters from Cal Baptist
• 3. Purchased a condo
• 4. Had 2 children
• 5. bought our first car together and paid it off
• 6. took our first trip together to Oregon
• 7. James changed companies
• 8. Currently selling our condo

The journey this far has been incredible. He is my best friend. He makes me a better person. I look forward to out future and all we are working hard for. "Success is our only option." Success in our relationship, with our children, in our careers, in the gospel. We won't settle for anything less but this takes time and we are patient.

We went to Zips to celebrate. I had yellowtail sushi and teriyaki salmon and tempura and california rolls. It was so good. We then went to Barnes and nobles and a couple other places.

I love this man with all my heart. He works so hard and is so humble.

Carter has been sick. I came home and he was asleep on my mom.

Thank you for a wonderful 8 years!

Is it summer?

The weather has been so beautiful the past 2 weeks. It's just been perfect even hot enough for a swim. Jocelynn was bored and we don't have a pool so I filled a bucket of water. This was perfect. I love this new swimsuit. She looked so cute!

Can't wait for the summer . . . beach and pool!!

Gabrielle and Jocelynn

Baby G and Jocelynn. Gabrielle is a year and a half. We love to visit her dad and grandma. Jocelynn is close with her grandma and calls her Grandma Alice. We love to see them and look forward to our visits together! These 2 are only 2 years apart and this was the first visit that they've started playing together. I know they will be close friends!

She loved seeing Carter and kept calling him baby!

The flash was making her eyes close! We love you Gabrielle!

7 months

Carter is 7 months. He has been doing so many new things recently. Here are some things that happened.

• pushes on his feet and lifts up his bum (maybe crawling soon)
• loves to chew on these jenga blocks
• loves to pick up anything small on the floor
• loves to hit and chew on his dad and sister
• goes to bed at 7pm
• still gets up once or 2 times
• naps 2 or 3 times in the day
• says dadadad, babababa
• was sick for 2 weeks
• he was constipated and had to stay away from apples and bananas
• still breastfeeding
• happy, calm boy
• at times, cries with strangers
• chews on his pacifier

Carter was sick for 2 weeks during this month. He had so much mucous in his nose. I had to suction his nose constantly, he had a bad cough (possibly croup) and was grumpy. Didn't sleep well and I was so exhausted. We made it through. . . although now he is sick again. It's not as bad as it was though. He's a good baby and hard to believe the time is passing so fast. Makes me sad.

Fun with Cousins

My brother took his wife Rachel out for the night. The kids stayed at my moms. It was a lot of fun and great spending time with them. Jocie loved it! Love this face of Nathans.

Swinging on the swings outside.

Jocie had her first sleep over with her cousins. She LOVED it!

First Train ride

She picked me flowers!

She brought her train book to read!

Jocelynn and Carter were both sick. Jocelynn got better and Carter was still sick. I was spending so much time with him that I felt I needed some alone time with Jocelynn. We haven't had time alone together since the baby to do something fun just her and I. I took her on the train and it was a wonderful day. We went for donuts and then got on the train. Our ride was about 20 minutes. We got off and had lunch, played red light green light in the field, talked, laughed and then had milkshakes. This was her first. There wasn't a train to pick us up till 540pm so Daddy picked us up at 12pm. What a great time and special memory!

This was a first experience for me also and we had so much fun. She was so excited.!

She picked a chocolate donut with sprinkles

Waiting for the train.

She got the ticket, we are ready to go!

Loving Life

Jocelynn enjoys feeding Carter. It's sweet and she actually does pretty good.

I took the kids on a walk weeks ago. We went on a "Soldier Scavenger Hunt." I put a note and a list of items to send to our soldiers. The response was amazing from our neighbors. We sent out 8 packages! Awesome!

5 years ago I noticed a bump on my shoulder. I got it checked and it was only a cyst. It's grown a little and decided I should probably get this removed. I thought it was huge. Sorry if it grosses you out. I thought it was interesting and fascinating. I was all good when they were removing it until they gave me anesticia (spelling?). The dr said can you feel my finger? I siad yes. He said good the anesticia is working because that is not my finger, that's my knife. Thank you Dr! I started doing Lamaze. I could feel him tuggin to get it out but it was quick and he stitched about 5 stitches. So glad that is out of me.

Sometimes I enjoy taking a nap with Jocelynn. Daddy wanted to this time. I had to get a shot.

Sunbeams

At church, Jocelynn is now a Sunbeam. 1 1/2 to 3 the kids go to Nursery and then when they are 3 they can go to Primary with the older kids. We were in our old ward the beginning of the year. She was fine in Primary because she knew all the kids and her teacher.

2 weeks into the year, we moved. She cried the first time. I told her I'd sit with her and I did. I would slowly walk around the room. She would continue to look for me and I'd smile. Then I'd go to her and tell her I had to go to the bathroom and I'd be right back. Then I would come back and tell her I was going to class and be right back. She has great teachers and she now goes in by herself. My mom and dad are in the same ward and it helps to have my mom take her also. A couple weeks ago, she stood by the wall getting ready to go in. We went to the bathroom and I walked by and she was standing frozen against the wall with a tear rolling down her cheek. She didn't know what to do, I guess. I felt bad for her. Someone in the presidency was there to help her. She now goes in and I'm so proud of her. SHe also got a pencil in her class for being so reverent. SHe's a good girl and can't believe how fast she is growing. She tells me she is excited to stand up and speak.

My Jocie

Can't believe this girl is 3 1/2. She's so mature and sometimes hard for me to believe she is only 3. She seems like 5 to me, except for days when she has a tantrum. Here's a little about Jocelynn.

Jocelynn wakes up every morning around 7am. When she wakes up she enjoys watching a show. She knows if she gets out of bed she can't watch a show in the morning. That has worked great. When she turned 3, I could not figure out naps and her bedtime. She was fighting it. I stopped naps and was putting her to bed by 6pm every night. She would wake up in th night to go to the bathroom and go back to bed. It still didn't seem like she should be done with her naps. I tried giving her a later nap at 1-130 and that has worked great. She sleeps till 3pm and is ready for bed by 8pm. She doesn't nap about 2 times a week. She needs her naps. If she doesn't get her sleep, she throws so many tantrums and starts throwing fits for a leaf breaking or her paper being wrinkled. :)

Jocelynn is quiet and shy but oh so sweet. I just love and adore this little girl. She is so polite. Since she was 2, she says excuse me if she burps or passes gas. She says bless you if you sneeze and I love this about her. She will rub your back or leg if it hurts and feel really bad if you are hurt. She does not like getting in trouble, usually. Most of the time if I'm upset, she says please mom be happy. She wants a hug and wants to please me. She gets nervous around people she doesn't know. It's hard for me. I was like this and had to overcome it. When we go on walks she says to me I want to say Hi to them, I want to try. I usually do it and tell her, now it's your turn. She says Hi and is so proud of herself.

She is so smart. She loves books and can spend forever reading them and looking at pictures. She started reading months ago. She identifies words in simple books she has and knows about 20 sight words. She can write her name and man of the letters in the alphabet. She has gotten a lot better with scissors. She goes to preschool 2 days a week and finally will walk in confidently.

She is such a good eater. I'm really lucky. She eats all vegetables; peas, green beans, cauliflower, broccoli, corn. fruit; pears, apples, bananas, mangos, plums. I'm so glad. It's nice not having to fight her on this. She loves bread though. At dinner I have to give her vegetables and everything else first and then she can have a roll because she'd get full off only bread.

She is a good friend and loves to have friends over. She loves to play and go to the park. She recently learned to ride her bike (with training wheels).

She can be defiant and have attitude. We've had many discussions on having a good/ bad attitude and she has the choice to choose. I try to tell her often how proud I am of her. She did her first gymnastics without mommy and me and had a hard time. She wants to be with me all the time. I know through time she will get over this. It's hard to imagine she will though. I just have to keep giving her the opportunity.

She loves to go to the mall with me. The escalator, dogs, cars are her favorite. It's fun having a girl. I love her so much. She loves her brother and he loves her so much. I'm going to enjoy this last year with her before she starts Kindergarten. It's so sad. It's cliche but so true. . ."Time goes by so fast!"

My lil boy

This boy just melts my heart. He is so cuddly, so sweet. I smile, he smiles. I laugh, he laughs. He is so calm. He's really good with his hands and fingers. I have to be careful in the kitchen because he will knock down anything in his way. When someone looks at him, he gets shy and smiles and puts his face in my neck. I love it.

He loves his sister.

I love these pictures. My friend Winter did them for me. I will always treasure them! He loves his mommy and I love him. He still gets up in the night. Maybe it's his smile or his thighs or his sweetness but . . . he has me wrapped around his finger.

But after seeing these pictures, you see why. I could stare at him and hold him all day long!