I've missed you, dear Blog!

I Know it has been a long time since I have blogged. I find myself completely busy...doing nothing...and everything. I don't know if it is the fact that I am pregnant or that we are adjusting to Anthony's new job, but I just can't seem to get anything done. At least not the things I want to do.

So, here is a run down...there will be pictures at some point.

Anthony's new job...he loves it...we love having him home more. BUT... we have been without insurance for the past 3 months. My medication I am on for my blood clot disorder ( I will explain that one another time) cost about $12 with insurance...without $400. So we have been in a bit of a financial bind these last 3 months.

My sister, Karma, got married in March. I was so blessed to be able to go to the wedding with my kids. Anthony however was not able to go because he just started a new job. Therefore I ended up driving to Canada alone with 3 kids. Needless to say chaos followed, but in the end it was worth it to se my sister married in the temple and happy for once in her life!

The kids, including the 4th one, are well and happy. Sydney will be playing softball again this summer. Haylie didn't want to. Instead she wants to do gymnastics, so I am currently trying to decide how involved I want her to be, that will determine what program I put her in. Tui is just my happy, busy, cuddly boy as always. And baby#4 never stops moving...good sign, or bad?

Well, I will have to expand on some of these things later and add pictures.

" Bad boys, bad boys....whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when Anthony comes for you?"

Well, it is done! After 6 months of physical training and testing...written tests..polygraphs...and psyc evaluations, Anthony is now a deputy for the Blackhawk Sheriffs Office.

I am so proud of him! We have struggled with the thought of changing careers for the past several years. It is always scary in this economy to quit a job, even an unsteady and stressful retail job. But, we prayed about it and worked towards it and we never once got a bad feeling about it. I have even gotten over my fear of him being shot on the job. I know that this change will be good for our family and that Heavenly Father will protect Anthony!

We have already seen a big change at home. We have him home in the evenings, so we are able to have a regular Family Home Evening, diners together ( although I have to do more grocery shopping now that I need to make a meal every night), and Anthony is not as tired or stressed out. He is a much more pleasant Daddy!

We love you and all your hard work Anthony!

Another One Bites The Dust

Well, lat week we lost our toad, Smiley.

Today we lost the other toad, Hoppy.

I think the girls handled this one a bit better. Less weeping and wailing!

So now they are begging for a new pet.

They would like a dog...or a hamster,

but I think we will do fish. We already have all the equipment for them.

They want something that can run around and play with them,

but until they can keep their room clean, that will not happen!

Sad Goodbye's

Last Summer we adopted two toads from our friend's back yard. We named them Smiley and Hoppy.

Smiley was the smaller of the two and more well behaved. If we took her out of the tank, she was content to stay in your hands or climb up your arm...but she never hopped away.

Hoppy is named so because she is always trying to hop out of our hands. We have lost her twice and had to search the house for her.

2 weeks ago, Smiley stopped eating. I would put food in front of her and she would run away or dig a hole and hide. She was getting so thin, but I just couldn't get her to eat. She finally died one afternoon. She just closed her eyes and lay her head on her little hands.

Needless to say, it was a rough couple of days. Lots of crying and trying to figure out funeral arrangements. Sydney would not let us just throw her in the garbage and she is too big to flush down the potty. So for now, until the ground thaws in the spring, we have a Smiley-sicle in the freezer ( tripled Ziploc bags!!!).

Rest in peace Smiley! You were a good first pet!

True Happiness

I often ponder on what brings me true happiness in this life.

Is it success in my job?

Is it monetary gain or the things I can buy?

Is it the number of friends that I have,

or the status that I hold?

I know these things make life enjoyable.

But in my heart I know a few truths.

The times in my life when I have felt true happiness

are the times when I forget about myself

and focus on others.

Serving those in my family, my friends,

even complete strangers.

It helps me to feel close to my Heavenly father.

It helps me to feel His love for me and for others.

That is true Happiness...The love of God and His son Jesus Christ.

They have given me everything in my life that

brings me joy.

So in return, I will give that love back.

I will mourn with those that mourn.

I will bear someone else's burden.

I will comfort those that need comfort.

And I ask that, if you are able and willing,

to do the same.

Please check out the link on the right under my " buddies" list.

"Praying for Ollie."

He is a sweet boy who has been diagnosed

with an inoperable brain tumor.

His family is suffering through emotional,

physical and financial stresses.

If all you can do is pray for him and his family,

then you are serving others and will be blessed with a greater happiness.

Thank you for reading about Ollie!

Name that body part

So, I am not the type of mommy who comes up with nicknames for body parts. I call it as it is, and if my kids are ready to learn the real name for their body parts, I will teach that to them. Well Tui has always been really good at not " touching" himself or being curious about his private parts, so I have never really had to draw attention to it or give it a name.

One day after he finished going potty I asked him if he needed help getting his underwear and pants back on. His response was," Mom, I can't put my underwear on yet because my tail is wet."

His Tail? What the heck is his tail?

Well I asked him that and he pointed it out to me and called it his tail. I guess that is what it looks like to him and since I have never given it any other name, he named it himself.

So, do I correct him? I think it is so cute...and nobody else knows what the heck he is talking about...so?