I'm thankful for batteries...

Thanksgiving final plans had us heading to far off Rupert to Aunt Bev's house. They were gracious to eat early so we could enjoy some Turkey dinner and family time. Why....cause mama had to work!Unfortunately the weekend was not captured due to my batteries being dead. I even tried tricking them by taking them out and putting back in...think i'm crazy? Maybe, but after a good talk'n to they lasted for about 4 pictures.

I didn't minding working, ok who am I kidding? It's a good thing I like my job and the people! But the nice thing was I was asked to go home on call the night before Thanksgiving so I was rested and Jason had made the pies for the next day so not much cooking needed on my part.
Thanksgiving night at work went like this: I get off work and home by 1:00am, change mt clothes laid on the couch for 2 hrs. Meanwhile texting my sister-in-law (who pulled an all nighter...drove with her sister from oakley to be here at 3:00am). So off I headed to Wallie World 3:30am. I don't remember getting up that earlier before with my mom. I don't know if it was because I was by myself or the fact I was cold already and anticipating standing out in the freezing cold, or nervous I was going to get trampled and still not know that I was there to buy...needless to say I was kinda nervous. Cheesy...but I was sooooo excited When I was able to just walk in and look around for a while, and position myself with my sumo outfit on and boxing gloves! ok not really but I did joke with a guy about pretending like he shoved me just to see if they would really escort him out like they warned.
I was impressed to be at the check out at 5:05. I wasn't so impressed with the Shopko line but at least it was moving. I managed to wait a couple of mins in Target's line with my ONE item (impressed with my resistance to buy everything in site). I couldn't figure out why people were waiting in the two longest lines. I was excited to run into Alisha (Searle). I was excited to find out she is having a girl in April!!! i knew that trip for one item was worth it! Next stop back to darn shopko to get an item it decided I did want after all. My final stops were at some other stores for MYSELF!! I figured I had saved my birthday money and now was a great time to find some items on great sales!! Besides the bag starting to for under my eyes, Jason called and he and the boys had cooked me breakfast and were waiting for me.
Friday we ran to Rupert square to see Santa turn on the lights. The trees were so pretty and The boys loved watching Santa ride around on the firetruck as the band played behind him. Trevor was mesmerized by the the Fireworks. This year we decided not to waiting in line to sit on Santa's lap. Too cold!
What a fun weekend. Tiring but oh so worth it. Jason finished off the fun week by making us a nice dinner tonight. I love the holidays and as Kobe would say..."Mom it's time to take down the TURKEY!" He is sooooooo excited for Christmas this year! He is already planning on bringing his bed out and sleeping under the tree.


P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!JULIE AND SHANTALA!!!! p.s.s. I didn't have a lot of pics to choose from.

potty training day #1 and #2

My goal is to have Kobe potty trained by the time he goes into Sunbeams.*** January**

So some back ground....we have tried this before. breaking him into slowly. he actually peed once and got a stuff puppy for it. Then that phase died in one day. that's ok it was before Trevor and i knew once the baby got here we would have been back to square one.

Real attempt #1: Lasted ONE day, if that! I had took him every hour. He had even made it thru a nap time. But after the second pair of wet floor/clothes, I thought maybe it's not today!

So the other day I had been working my days in a row...lack of sleep on my part (trying to get a project done for a sister) and late nights at work, not so much my fault. Well thins dear friend named Allison asked if Kobe could come over and play, so one he could finally play with his buddy and #2 So I could get a nap in while Trevor did. I really appreciated it and took her up on it. Unfortunately during my comatose state Kobe decided he wanted to wear underwear!!!! I couldn't really say no, after all he was determined and already had his clothes in hand. I warned Allison and she was a trooper, "I've potty trained one so far, that's fine." Needless to say she said he pottied a couple of times and then she forgot to remind him and that was that.

So Jason has been on me saying, If you really wanted to you could get him potty trained.
First.....
the time always stinks. Someone is sick, going away for the weekend, work.....yada yada
Second...
He really doesn't tell me when he has to go. It is usually WHEN it is happening.
Third...
No one said he couldn't try....Right?


OK OK So I decided to really try....
Monday: We have been going to the potty every 15 mins. At one point I thought "do we really need to go so often?" and that is when I would hear "Mom I'm peeing some help"
Then again...Well We probably went through 5 sets of pants and underwear. One of those was when the missionaries where here eating, so our focused was a little distracted. Luckily he was in his room, "but yelled I'm pooping from his room" Which is not Embarrassing at all! The funny thing was he didn't want me in the bathroom with him. I don't know if he picked this up at Allison's, but I thought it was funny. Another thing I noticed was he actually tried sitting for a while and trying. before he would sit for 2 seconds and say he was done.

Tuesday: We started the day by getting underwear back on. I would set my cell phone to go off every 20 mins. So far today....4:30 pm and no accidents today. I swear he hasn't gone in the toilet, but must if not accidents today. Sure has made laundry a little easier. He still doesn't tell me, I just remind him or he hears the potty alarm. I got scared at one point cause he said he didn't need to go sit on the toilet and want to lay one my bed while i did laundry. So to cautious a laid a blanket down. One thing I noticed today, Sometimes he wanted me to stay and other times not. The one thing he doesn't get.....The stickers are apparently for trying (not actually going) so day one has a million stickers and we are out of stickers day two. But hey at least we are going in the right direction. We just can't EVER LEAVE THE HOUSE! ?:)

Does this make any sense?????Potty training tips needed!

I'm so stink'n excited

#1....AFTER....



My brother-in-law Jeffery Sheppard, has finallllllllyyyyyy did it. He took the plung this past weekend. After many prayers.....Austin was blessed with the priveldge of the dunking. Which I will add brought smiles as Jeff's feet about came out from under him and his cute nephew giving him HI FIVE after while he was still in the Font. (with no glass up, we thought for sure a kid or paper airplane was going in too!

BEFORE... (no i didn't get these pics switched the first was jeff dressed up at a "rock star birthday party" on Monday)






He is so inspiring. What a special testimony he shared on Sunday. What a better way to celebrate then a feast! This pictures doesn't do justice. Can I say, the support was huge. He had 90% of Oakley Stake house chapel filled with love ans support. Not kidding and for ONE special person!

Jeff, YOU"RE THE BEST!!!


#2 Benjamin and Nikki had their little BOY tonight!!!!! It was due later this month!!!!! When they said any day they really ment it. Its funny I had been thinking about her today...Who would have thunk!




Congrats bro on your First BOY!!!You are the best Dad!!

Betch'a want to be in MY CLUB!

So today i took the boys shopping to find their cousins "a.k.a. MY Boys", as Kobe would say, birthday presents. First stop the music store. Which went ok, we came out without breaking any instruments. CHECK CHECK! The imagination station was next door so I thought we would check it out. Well to kobe's excitement there was a train set you could play with. I pushed Trevor around in a toy wagon while Kobe played. Well it was time to go and YEP>>>> you can imagine what is coming next....

I had told Kobe we needed to get going and as As I was looking at a nearby toy I could hear a mom say, "let HIS mom worry/deal about him". I turned around to tell Kobe lets go and he was pushing a boy away from His toy that apparently the other boy -wanted or had. Well that just started the ball rolling. Next thing I know we are in a full Tantrum. Screaming he wanted to stay and play with the train. He was way past the "lets talk" point. Mind you I have Trevor buckled in wagon, trying to get Kobe out of the store AND I manage to forget my belt on my pants and with Kobe kicking I seemed to managing a THIRD problem of keeping my pants up. Did I mention Kobe waling all his body parts managed to connect his fist to my eye. Not so much hurting as was my eye freakin out cause all the lashes got clumped together(awkward/weird I know but it was making it hard to see with a blob in the corner of my eye, pants falling down and trying to figure out how to get a 1 year old wanderer and flailing 3yr old out of a story and into the car. Trevor has also got into copying everything that Kobe does, so he started crying. I finally threw Kobe over my shoulder once outside and put Trevor on the ground and tried to lead him while holding onto my finger. Somehow that didn't work out cause he manage to wiggle out of my hand and start walking away. For some reason it took three attempts to get Trevor over to the car and into his car seat. Meanwhile while getting Trevor buckled I was having to pin Kobe in between the car door and seat with my KNEE to keep him from running back into the store. I must have put on quite a show cause a lady in the car DRIVING by ask if I needed some help? NO SIGN NEEDED FOR THIS ONE.....We were flashing OUT OF CONTROLLLLLL! It is amazing how long it took to even do up the seat belt of a freak'n out three year old and how many times you have to pull over on the parking lot cause their determination can keep getting them. Eventually I held on to one of his feet while I was driving to keep him from sneaking out of the belt that was to my knowledge "escape free". Well he managed to sob all the way home getting louder as a I turned on the radio to drown him out. At home, time out tantrum boy eventually became quite. I thought with everything he might have fallen asleep.

Hour passed.....Kobe comes out as calm as could be, "Mom I wanted to play with the train. I need to tell that boy I'm sorry."..... Wow....I wish that would have happened while we were in the store. After our talk the verdict: no toys/movies tell Dad gets home. Be happy or no Birthday party.

Kobe eating lunch, "Mom i'm happy now. I can go to the party. We need to find that boy to tell him sorry. He has a house that is far away, we need to find it. I bet he has a grandma." Then after lunch, he was busy drawing smiley faces. Doesn't make you wander what the heck?

What are the chances it happens on my second attempt to go back out shopping? No, I'm not crazy enough to go back the same store!

(positive points) I'm Grateful For:
#1-I guess I should be lucky this hasn't happened before now. Not too bad for a three year old, I guess. Not listening is one thing, but this was A+ DRAMA!
#2-I stayed surprisingly cool (probably because I was in shock).
#3-At least I know what he would like for Christmas.
#4- I now can say I'm president of the "Tantrums Drama Club"

Halloween week started off with Family fun for my birthday. I ending up with lots of family and a Delicious dinner prepared but yours truly and the hubby. Because it worked out best, we decided last minute to celebrate on Monday. Which ment I had to do some of things while Jason was at work. Unfortunately Trevor woke up to throw up in the bed (lovely, I know) and Later Kobe seemed to be the one to carry on the tradition. Scroll down if you choose not to read the next part....
When I walked in the house Trevor made a sound and the next thing I knew warm a rush of warm milky fuzzies was oozing down the INSID Eand outside of my shirt and preceded only to stop at my waist thanks to my new garment bottoms. 2 positive things out of this: 1-Lucky for me I'm used to this sort of thing at the hospital, ok not so much on me 2-it happened so fast I didn't have time to gag, plus not looking at it helped and because I was the main target we managed not to get any on the floor (at that point anyway)....

OK READ ON>>>YOU WEAK STOMACH PEOPLE!

Well I was glad for that fact Monday was over. But the company and food were perfect.
Tuesday the boys were fine again. Jason thought about taking me to Boise for my birthday for some shopping and Olive Garden, but we settled on staying near and eating at Apple bee's. Good thing because it did try to snow.

Wednesday...work...and Jason started to feel not so great (24hrs) Thursday...work, Friday...work... 7pm comes a long and my tummie not feeling too hot..again next 24hrs...not soo good. Best way to get over it was sleep and not eating anything. Which means Halloween week was full of TRICKS and Treats.


The boys dressed up as a giraffe and Lil' Stinker A.K.A skunk. Jason let me kick it on the couch, but we still managed to paint pumpkins and cook sugar cookies. Then we headed to Grandma Gwen's Halloween Primary Party. Kobe was a little unsure at first, but both loved the haunted blow up house and played some fun games. At first Kobe insisted going home rather then Trunk and Treating. What kid wouldn't want candy? Apparently him. But then we found little superwoman Maelin and then he caught on. The final stops at GG and PAPA (before they headed off for Arizona) and Grandma/pa Jones. I was just glad for the extra hour of sleep. Aren't we all!!!

Thanks fam for coming to the party and making Halloween fun for the kids.

Bring on November!!! (p.s. thanks Kim for the website, maybe I'll figure out how to do it faster.)