Thanksgiving Dinner

James and I ran the 85201 turkey trot again. Only the 5K this year, we felt exhausted and out of shape, but glad to be able to finish! :) Each of us pushed a stroller and chatted about the usual- we need to lose weight, the weather feels great, why don't we exercise more, etc. :) 

Also took one of my first pictures of Dallin smiling. I still love this picture. 

We came home, woke up spencer, and got ready for lunch. James took some turkeys to Rob Zimmerman's pit in his back yard to cook over night. We took those out to Becca's house and enjoyed being with Nate and Andrea, Becca and John, Neil and Megan, Emily, Spencer, and all the grandkids. We had a great day just playing out in gilbert. 

The Polar Express

We went with Shaela and Jared, Brad and Julie, and their kids to ride the grand canyon's polar express. We sure had a great time and loved having a little weekend getaway. The weather was so perfect and the cousins all played nice together. (Love when there isn't so much fighting!)

The train ride was only an hour, but you wear your PJ's, eat the best sugar cookies, drink hot chocolate, sing Christmas carols, and Santa comes on the train at the end to bring a special "silver bell". Jackson was the perfect age and soaked the whole thing up. Tommie, he just wanted to climb around but loved the singing. 

Shaela and Jared were nice enough to let us all sleep in their cabin, take over all their space, and eat their food. James cooked us some good ribs and amazing tacos, all while us girls went shopping for some new jeans. Thanks to shaela for the Maurices trip! 

I have actually spent most of my time the past few days working over at shaela's house. She asked if I would help her organize her pantry, and somehow it has turned in to an overhaul of every room, every drawer, every closet great organization project. I love doing things like that, and her house is coming along so nice. But, it is taking us a long time! She is so sweet to compensate with new jeans, paying for our polar express tickets, and even a little somethin' somethin' (a new smoker) we're wanting to get James for Christmas.  It's definitely been worth my time.

"man, you sure have your hands full..."

Yep, that's the phrase I hear over and over lately. In fact, 3 different ladies told me that in the parking lot of the craft store, I hadn't even made it in yet. It's either the fact that I have 3 kids now, or because I still have to carry Tommie on one side, and hold the car seat on the other, and then we fill up the WHOLE cart, and Jackson hangs on to the side. :) But really, I am loving having 3 kids.

My biggest challenges:

1) trying to get tommie to stop taking the baby's binky and blanket. It's hard for dallin to ever get a little break away. Tommie can climb up into anywhere the baby is, and he is always getting "rudely awakened".

2) Trying not to get so tired by 7 pm. Most nights James gets home around 7, and I try really hard to just not fall apart from sheer exhaustion. But, I always wake up happy and ready to go the next morning. Really, I do. Mornings are way easier for me.

3) having the missionaries live with us. Yep, that's right, they moved in over a month ago. Bishop Merrill called us at 8:00 one monday morning and asked if they could live with us for awhile. We said yes, and then he told us they would be over at 11:00 am. Ha! we didn't realize it was so soon! But, we hurried and cleared out a bedroom , cleaned out kitchen space, and tried our best to make it work for them. They aren't supposed to share a bathroom, but we got permission for spencer to share with them. That's our ony bathtub so that makes it a little challenging. The first few days were extremely hard as Tommie was always running into their room, putting their things in the toilet, etc.  Dallin was only 3 weeks old, so a LOT of nursing was going on, and I just couldn't keep Tommie out of their stuff. Poor elders can't pick up little kids, so it was crazy. That, and Dallin hated having a blanket over his face while breastfeeding, but i was always trying to stay covered. So, I spent A LOT of hours locked in my room, with tommie in there with me. Jackson has been great about, and has never complained once. I didn't know the poor elders study so long. They don't leave the house until 2:00pm because of studies and lunch. Needless to say, we spend a lot of time together. Really though, I do think blessings have come since they have been here. Our car break lights instantly started working again when they came back, we have somehow had better control over finances (even though we spend more on utilities), James seems a lot less stressed, and we all have to improve our media choices. (mostly because they can't have the tv or music on, so we probably just have more of a peaceful spirit in our home).

4) Jackson has been getting really angry again. He's getting bigger and stronger, and when he kicks and punches me, it actually hurts. I can get pretty mad back, and that never helps. Lately, I am doing so much better at just sending him outside to play. It takes at least 20 minutes for us both to calm down, and then we talk. I give the same speech every time on scoring points for Jesus' team, and not Satan's. Because we want to live in Heaven, as a HAPPY family. :)

5) Nap time. I don't get naps anymore because I can't get Dallin and Tommie to sleep at the same time, and Jackson is just too old now. He has "too many things to do" he tells me! :) But, today, the boys are sick and all asleep, and look, I'm paying bills, catching up on emails, and blogging. Ha! so it goes.

6) Church. It is way hard having 2 kids not in a nursery and a husband that teaches. Whew. No wonder I have only stayed all 3 hours once. And, we had a total emotional breakdown as we left. Jackson screaming, wetting his pants, Tommie's diaper exploded all over me, and Dallin with curdled spit up everywhere. You would think having my family in the ward would help, but so far, we haven't found a way to make it work yet.

My biggest blessings:

1) Living on orange street. At 3:30 every day, some neighbor kid comes over to play with Jackson. And they don't just play inside, they run the streets, jump on the trampoline, play basketball, sword fight, etc. All things my little boys NEED... By 6, it is dark outside, and Jackson comes back filthy, and totally exhausted yet can't stop talking about how much fun he's had. I don't even worry that he's out in everyone's front yards. I keep the doors and windows open and go check on them every now and then. Usually Jayden leavitt, or Janie Dale will come take Tommie outside and let him just destroy things outside. He can run now and climb up anything, and they let him just go and go and follow him around. I love it! It gives me a little bit of time to just be with Dallin, and make dinner.  I love my neighbors.

2) Dallin. He is so sweet. I will be irritated at something, feeling stressed, and he looks at me with those big brown eyes, and it's all gone. Sometimes tommie is really rough with him, and he doesn't cry, or if he's really hurt, he just gets the biggest frowns and tears come out. He sleeps pretty good right now, so i usually get a 4 hour chunk in a row. I love his dark hair and secretly hope it stays, it probably won't, but it's adorable. I am lucky to have him.

3) Tommie. He is crazy. Somehow he went from being this happy-all-the-time, content with whatever, to a real, normal boy. He shrieks so loud, throws himself on the floor when he doesn't get what he wants, throws anything and has broken so many things, runs out the front door, answers the phone, slams the piano, etc. But, he can be so loving. Often he comes up and just hugs my leg, or gives me the longest hugs, or wants to just snuggle at nights in my rocking chair. I don't remember Jackson ever wanting to be as snuggly, and I soak it all up. I of course feel guilty he got pushed out of being the baby, because he is still addicted to blankets, binkies, bottles, and car seats. He will actually sit on the baby in the seat. :) But, I love him. I really do. I love his cute little dimple, and huge smile (which now has 4 more teeth thanks to his crankiness the past month).

4) jackson. Poor kid does so much for me. "Go get tommie". "bring me a diaper", "get your own snack". etc. I wish I could say I always ask nicely, but reality is I probably don't. He is so willing to help and always tells me I look nice when I get dressed. He may have anger managment problems, but he is incredibly smart and I love him. He just had his first primary program. His part was "Adam and Eve were placed by a garen called Eden. They were given agency, to help them choose right form wrong." He did it perfectly. With so much enthusiasm. And, he was so reverent and peaceful the whole time. I am biased, but he was the best sunbeam up there.

5) James. I don't know how he handles me sometime. But, he is so quick to jump in and help. One day, after the missionaries moved in, we had just had a bad day. I didn't know he was coming home earlier and was just sitting in my room crying. The boys were crazy, dallin was screaming, the house was a disaster, spencer was just watching tv (totally oblivious to the chaos around him --thank goodness!), no groceries in the fridge, so no dinner ready, and I was still in my pj's. He didn't even say anything, just stepped in, grabbed the boys, took care of them, cleaned the house, took out the garbage, then came in to ask where we should go eat. Not once did he ever complain or act like I was crazy. In fact, we never even talked about what was wrong, mostly because i didn't need that, I just needed help. :) He is now way into cooking good meats. Grilling, smoking (borrowing other people's smokers, etc.) He is getting really good at it. He made me an amazing prime rib meal to celebrate my birthday. I'm just glad he is finding some hobbies.

6). This house. I love that we are the owners now. And, I love everything about this house. Ya, it needs some repairs, and ya, I don't take care of it like it should, but I love it. I love that we have enough room to help the people that needed to live with us. I love that my kids can run circles in the house when I need them to "do some laps" I call it. I love how open it is. I love that the pecans are falling in the backyard, and that I wake up to the sound of my chickens. Ha! Who would have ever thought I'd like those chickens. We do get 5 eggs a day now, and they actually do taste better. And, Jimmer made me $1000 in the past month, thanks to dog breeding. It couldn't have come at a better time, and it really has helped him calm down. He is getting much more manageable.

 We call this "president monson hair". Weston got Jackson started on it.

Birthday time!

I am now 26, and Dallin is now one month old. Crazy how time flies. It's probably because I am so out of shape, and sleep deprived, but for the first time, I actually felt older! It has been crazy with Tommie and Dallin, but nothing I can't handle. I've learned to just pick and choose my battles, and just let Tommie play in the toilet sometimes. :) It's nasty, but I gotta figure out a way to sit and nurse. Both boys really are so sweet and Jackson does great at entertaining himself.

Dallin's doctor's stats show he is now 10lbs 15 oz! Can you believe it? He hasn't even grown an inch, so that's impressive weight gain around the belly and cheeks! :)

october conference

I really think October is my favorite time of year. No, it's not because of my birthday, nor is it Halloween (my least favorite holiday). But, I love the weather change, the wanting to be outside...

Conference was great this year, and I loved just sitting holding Dallin while James fended off Tommie! :) Some of these ideas came from last April, but I'm still working on them.  I made notes to:

- be content just nuturing (that is most important)
- need to teach virtue to my kids. They have to see strong virtues to judge the world as evil
- I have to stick up for family routines of unrighteousnes. I can't afford not too, I won't have time for    God if I don't. (Righteous living will always = personal peace)
- I need to spend time each day with the phone and TV off, just with kids, James, etc. Focus on them.
- The great test of this life is obedience.
- The size of my faith is not the issue, it's the integrity I have to what I already believe.  I don't need to pretend to have more faith than I do, just be true to what I already know.
-Be kind with human frailty in all I serve with- imperfect people are all God has to work with, and he must get real frustrated.
- Doubt my doubts, not faith
- I shouldn't underestimate children's ability to understand spirit
- Put finances in order, let lord's law govern usage of money
- I need to protect morality- be refined, modest, charitable
- My influence on my sons will never fade
- I need to do more member missionary work, pray for them, invite them
- I should never feel burdened by missionary work, should be a blessing

Dallin's baby blessing

Wilford and Kathleen were able to fly in this past weekend to see the baby before general conference. Also, Spencer had his first high school dance, homecoming, so let's be honest, they needed to check in on him! :) It was so fun to have them here, they really do help me a lot when they are around. Mostly, I just nursed. Lets face it. That's about all I do.

But, since they don't get to come into town very often, James wanted to bless the baby. Ever seen a not even 2 week old be blessed? In public? Ha, it was a little crazy, and I had a hard time getting everyone ready and out the door on time. Then, as soon as we got there, he wanted to nurse again. I hated that so many people rubbed his head, and kissed him, so we snuck out right after the blessing. But, all in all, it was beautiful and worked out perfect.

He had James, Grandpa Wilford, Grandpa Anderson, Grandpa Jay, Brad, Jared, John, and Nate all in the circle. Here's the highlights:

Dallin Scott Andersen
- already brought such a calming influence
- feel Savior's love through family
- strength to overcome trials and struggles
- desire to be obedient
- love savior and gospel plan
- desire to make and keep covenants (this will come as you come to know the Savior)
- make friends and influence for good
- love and kindness will bless others
- be a missionary and serve others throughout your life
-go to temple to bless your family
-such a blessing in out home
- blessed to feel love of parents and family often

Coming back home to reality

I have had so much help this past week. From people taking the boys to play, to the endless meals and sweet phone calls. I am lucky to live in such a nice neighborhood and to have so much family around. I don't know how i would do without them.  Jackson has been so sweet and helpful, and adjusted to a new baby so much better than he did with Tommie. I feel guilty that I can't give Tommie the attention he needs anymore. You can tell he feels a little cheated, but is still pretty happy. He just learned how to open the doors, and the toilet seats, and now my whole life has changed. I can't just close the doors to contain him, and I have to lock the baby away from him.  If someone forgets to lock the door on the way out (aka SPencer) He will run out the front door into the street while i nurse. Everytime i sit down to feed the baby, my blanket/cover ups get stolen, the baby's legs get pulled, and then he puts something else into the toilet. I'll admit that by the time James gets home, I look pretty desperate for help sometimes! James has had to work later some nights, and i can tell he is just as wasted as I am, but he is so sweet to just drop everything, not ask me any questions, and just take over until I shower, calm down, etc. Ha! What a team we are. 

I have spent so many hours just holding dallin, and the boys give him his fair share of wet kisses, and too-tight of hugs till he wakes up and cries! :) He had the big circumcision, and caught Spencer's cold in the same day. So, on top of the pain, he can't breathe. I don't think I ever had a sick one-week old, but I hope it's nothing that lasts too long. I am congested, have headaches, but at least my fever broke last night. Tommie just has a bad cough, but so far benadryl keeps him sleeping at night. 

Dallin is the best eater I have had and has already gained over a pound. We love our new pediatrician, Dr. Milius, and he just raves about how impressive Dallin's growth is. 

Dallin still goes pretty cross-eyed when he looks at things and Jackson thinks it is so funny.

Every chance i get, I try to just drop everything and snuggle this boy as well. It's so sad to me that he seems so grown up now, but I can't imagine life without his huge smile.

This is Dallin and Whitney sharing the same car seat. They are 2 1/2 months apart, but Whitney seems so huge already. 

The day I came home from the hospital, and picked up the boys from my mom's, Julie's water broke. She ended up having the baby at midnight, so technically they are 3 days apart. Little Roland Jay (affectionately nicknamed RJ after Grandpa Fuzz...) is so cute. Poor Julie has already had to deal with another blood clot problem, but her baby is just as cute and Brad is always so fun to watch as a new dad. I feel a little bad I can't really help her with anything, nor have I really even visited the baby, but their together time will come soon enough! :)

Introducing Dallin Scott Andersen born 9/17/2013

The monday after stake conference, I went in to see Dr. Layton again. He said I was so close, he didn't know why it was taking so long, scheduled an induction for me, and stripped my membranes. I left the office feeling fine and went to combined family night out in gilbert at Andrea's house. I started not feeling very well there, but it was Spencer's birthday party, so I tried to just be happy. James worked late that night, and when he finally made it home, he was so full of energy. he kept saying "let's go walking, let's go drive over speed bumps, lets get this baby here...." I just felt so tired and went straight to bed. I woke up around 1 am with contractions again, and found james on the couch just watching TV. He said he was too anxious to sleep cause he knew the baby was coming. Ha! I told him as I went back to sleep. But by 5 am, I knew that I was going to celebrate Spencer's 17th birthday in the hospital. 

James and I walked around the neighborhood for a while until I couldn't take it anymore. I showered and packed the boys bags and laid around moaning until we finally left to the hospital. My mom took the other boys and Spencer went to school. I just couldn't figure out why the contractions were so strong, yet still only 5 minutes apart...they weren't getting any closer. I did NOT want to get sent home from the hospital so we went to Wal Mart. Ha! Dumb idea, I waddled around there so miserable and hurting so bad. I went in to the nasty walmart bathroom and just thought, this is so dumb, lets just go. So, James brought the car to the front door of wal mart, and by the time we checked in, I was already 100% effaced and at a 7. I really wanted an epidural and luckily the anesthesiologist came in fast, because I was starting to not think very nice thoughts about everyone around me. :) He kept telling me I was his favorite patient, just so funny, but I really don't remember anything except for him taking so long. Of course the epidural slowed the contractions, which was nice to just relax for a little bit. Mom, Mansi and Brianna, and Candela (my mom's foreign exchange student) all came down to the hospital and came in to just talk to me, eat lunch in front of me, etc. 

Dr. Layton came in during his lunch break to check on me, said to up my pitocin because nothing was happening anymore, but I sat up and said no, it was time. I was feeling way too much pressure to just lay down anymore. Sure enough, my water broke, and I felt ready to start pushing. The girls and my mom hurried behind the curtain, while the nurses were scrambling to get stuff set up. I looked over at everyone's feet crammed behind the curtain, started laughing, invited them in, and a few pushes later, the baby was there. All within 10 minutes. It was kind of crazy how fast it happened when the Dr. walked in, how fast everyone started moving, and yet how smooth and peaceful the delivery went. James is always the biggest support, knows just what to say, and he always gets emotional. I love just watching his face and seeing how much he just loves being a dad. My sisters were just stunned, my mom was crying, Candela was crying, and I just couldn't believe I let everyone in there with me. Granted they all stood in the corner, by my head... but I do remember going in to shaela's delivery when I was a teenager. Such a neat, spiritual experience. 

And, there it is, the birth story. I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, weighing 7 lbs, 11 oz, and 23 inches long. He was born at 1:20 pm. He had the most dark hair out of all my babies, and a birth mark on the side of his head. His ears were bruised, and his eyes very swollen, but he hardly even cried at first. 

When the boys came down to see the baby, Tommie was just in shock.  I love looking back at the pictures of his face. Poor kid, he had to grow up way too fast.

He had a few hours of crankiness int he hospital, but i had a killer migraine and felt like fainting. I almost landed on the nurse. So, for a few hours I kept saying to James "oh no, he's a crier already..." Ha! I think it was just me. Brad came down, held him for 5 minutes, and he really hasn't been cranky ever since. Sure he's fussed a little, but Brad claimed I just needed to eat something and couldn't believe I had called my baby "high maintenance".

I think he is the most "James" looking baby we have had. I compared James' baby pictures and think they are so similar. I kept saying he looked like a little wilford, but not everyone could tell with all the dark hair. 

All in all, I feel so much better to not be pregnant anymore. Even though I am tired, I overall have more energy and desire to get out and do things. I have been pretty emotional lately, and have to try really hard to not lash out at Jackson and Tommie, and James for that matter, but I know it's just temporary. I am so grateful to be a mom to another sweet boy. Having a baby is such a spiritual experience for me, and I love that I feel so close to heaven just holding him. 

I stayed in the hospital 2 days, and we narrowed his name down to 2. We finally picked Dallin Scott and sent out the announcement so we could just quit thinking about it! He really is perfect and the name already fits.