It's here!

Did any of you feel it last night? I sure did! I mean, who could miss it after a very HOT, long, Arizona summer? I am talking about that really cool chill in the air- all night long! We finally were able to sleep with our window open last night, and I couldn't sleep because I was too cold! (YAY!!) Cauley frowned on me as I asked him to get me a blanket while I lay in bed earlier this morning. Autumn is my most favorite time of year. I have been in anticipation for it for about a month now, but finally experienced it these past 12 hours. I am (un)patiently waiting for my Scentsy order to get here with all my fall scents I ordered about a week ago. I love the fall, and here is why:
*The air gets cooler- you know, the chill that starts creeping in, like when we were little and would be waiting at the bus stop with as thin of a jacket as we could find so we didn't sweat to death bringing it home.
*It's football season! I know, girls aren't supposed to like football, but I always have. Plus, it brings back memories from High School, which are fun to remember sometimes. (The football season here would be a lot nicer if I didn't sweat to death at each game early on in the season!)
*The leaves change color- this I don't really get to see here in the Valley, but I can drive about an hour or less and catch the whole experience!
*Halloween- my kids favorite holiday. They have all changed their minds about what they are going to be about 53 times each already, but it's fun to hear all of their interesting choices.
*The smell!!!! This one is my favorite! There are so many smells of autumn that I don't know where to begin. First, there is the smell of the football games. Next, the smell of cooler air. Then there's the heavenly baking smells that accommodate this time of year. Finally, there is the scent of what the cooler air is going to be bringing- the Winter Holidays!

My New Background

A BIG thank you to my awesome husband for helping me make my new background! As most of you know, I can never make up my mind!

This is my husband. This is my husband wearing bling. ( and a really tight under armor shirt.) Any questions?

Preschool is in session!

Jacob, McKade, Hadley, and Becca Missing: Aiden

Preschool has started up again. We started the 3rd week of August, (due to unfortunate circumstances!), and have been going strong ever since! I feel so blessed to have such awesome students and parents who attend my preschool!

Higley's Beat The Heat 5K

My sister-in-law, Stephanie, and I decided to participate in the 2nd annual Higley High Beat The Heat 5K in August. No, we weren't in shape, and no, we didn't train for it, but we anticipated the date with lots of talk about how our goal was to not come in dead last! We arrived just in time to load up the kiddos into our strollers. (McKade and Parker rode in mine and Bryce rode in his Mamma's while Tyli stayed home with Grandma Kathy and Dallin "helped Cauley" out being the "official" time keeper.) It was hot, and we were all sweating very badly just standing there before the race began, but once the gun went off, it started raining real hard, so I was expecting some relief, but it only got worse. We were only about 1/2 mile into the race when it stopped raining, leaving it more humid than I think I've ever experienced in my life! The race was fun, but hot, and after it was over, Cauley showed me that I pushed a stroller with 2 flat tires. I think the theme for the race for Steph and I was "It's building character!" We laughed a lot- almost too much for what we were supposed to be accomplishing. My favorite quote of the night came from Stephanie as we were running over to get ready to start the race (we were still trying to get kids in the stroller when they were trying to start) she said, "Hurry, take a picture! This is the most running you'll see from us tonight!" One lady laughed, but everyone else looked at us like we were crazy. Good times! Oh yah, I almost forgot, I set a new PR- ok, so it was the first time I have ever done a 5K, so that counts, right? And by the way, we did NOT come in last place- by about 30 people!

WAAAYYYYY Behind!

Sorry! I really have been gone from the blogging world for quite a while now. I'm still here, just been busy. I will be doing a lot of catching up, but don't know where to start, so bear with me, K? It also didn't help that my slow speed dial-up Internet (dial-up being the key words, or maybe it should be SLOW for the key term!) wasn't working very well with me for about a week, so that is why I couldn't leave many messages on your blogs. I'm back, or so I hope!

And yet, another trip to the Dr!

When my children say they're sick, I don't pay much attention until the throwing up or anything unpleasant starts happening. Two weeks into Kindergarten, Dallin came home from school one day with his eyes practically glued shut telling me not how his day of Kindergarten was, but how much his eyes really hurt. It only took a few days and lots of drops for all signs/symptoms of his pink eye to disappear. Then, last night he didn't eat very well, and was unusually quiet before bed. He was up a number of times for silly, trivial things like to get a drink but returning to bed without actually getting a drink and so on. When I got up (way too early) this morning, I found him lying on the couch "freezing." After taking his temp., I decided he might not be going to school today. It only took a few minutes before he started saying his ears hurt. I gave him some motrin and he started feeling better, so we went ahead with preschool and I sent him on to Kindergarten. When I picked him up, he started crying as soon as he saw me and told me his ears really hurt. Hmm. Off to the Dr? Yup. (They couldn't take any more patients for the rest of the day, so I had to go to Twilight Pediatrics.) I ended up dropping off the two younger ones to Cauley as he ended his football practice and took Dallin to the Dr. After a 2 hour wait, and YES, it really was a 2 hour wait (we got there a little before 6 and got out about 20 after 8!), we were finally seen. I felt so bad for Dallin as he sat in the waiting room holding his ears and either moaning or just letting the tears fall because he was in so much pain. I think the only thing that got him through was I promised him he could go get whatever he wanted to eat when we were done. The only things he wanted was a Diet Coke and ice cream. (He must be my son, eh?) Anyways, the dr. ended up giving us the "strong and very expensive" stuff, but hopefully it works. I am praying that this isn't a preview of what is to come this cold and flue season!

With the rain comes much laughter!

Our summer monsoons have come back, but not without the funny comments made by my now 3 year old! The other day we were at Fry's (a grocery store right down the street from my house) in the afternoon. It was thundering and lightning outside, and just as we were going down the cereal isle a big clap of thunder sounded, "shaking" the big building we were in. McKade screamed out "We're all going to die! Run!" and kept repeating this for about a minute. Everyone on our isle and the two surrounding us were laughing hysterically, and one lady even had to come over and tell me how McKade had made her day. Then, this morning as I lay in bed listening to the downpour outside and giving a prayer of gratitude for the rain, I heard my boys up looking out their bedroom window. McKade comes running down the hall to announce that it was raining in their room. I quickly got out of bed and he asked me "Are you coming to save us?" Needless to say, I couldn't help but giggle at his serious and innocent question. That is, until I found out that it wasn't raining in their room, the window was leaking and the water was running in between their window sills. I turned to go get a cloth to clean up the mess only to find McKade with the biggest bucket he could find in his arms to "catch all the water." I love his innocence!

Happy, Happy Birthday, McKade!

If you ask McKade, he will tell you his birthday is "August 23rd." He's right! Saturday my big-but-still-my-little-boy turned 3! He was so adorable and excited for his party, which he chose to follow his big brother, Dallin, and go to peter Piper Pizza. All the kids had fun playing the games and going down the slides, and we all enjoyed the pizza. McKade was so excited to open his presents, which included monster truck after monster truck (which is all he said he wanted!). His favorite presents though came from Grandpa Ruth which was a truck with a trailer carrying a tractor and Grandma Kathy gave him a spider man car jumping thing. (kinda hard to explain.) Anyways, he hasn't put the truck/trailer down yet, except for bath time of course! I just had to include this picture of Parker blowing out the match in his cupcake like a candle. He wanted to keep doing this and it was so funny!

Today McKade had his 3 year check up with Dr. Jones. (I really, really like this DR.!) He is 40 inch. tall (70%), weighs in at 29 1/4 lbs. (20%), and is doing great overall. We did find out today that he has what is called an innocent heart murmur. I was getting worried as Dr. Jones kept listening to his heart, lying him down to listen, making McKade crunch into a sit-up position to listen, and then repeating this for about 10 minutes without saying anything. I guess it is common in really skinny small children, and it is nothing to worry about, but as his mother, I am still worried. They will check it next year to see if it has gone away, and if not, we may be sent to a cardiologist. Other than that, Dr. Jones was very impressed and said McKade is the smartest, best behaved 3 year old he has ever seen. (As his mother, I don't quite agree with the best behaved all the time, but he was very good at the Dr. today.) McKade wouldn't stop spouting off random facts about himself, which was funny like when his birthday is, how to spell his name, what color of shirt everyone in the family wore today, and how long he sat on the toilet yesterday before church because "he had a lot of poo." I for once, couldn't get this child to stop talking!

I am so grateful to have McKade in my life. He is such a blessing, and I learn new things everyday just because I get to be his mother. I love you, McKade, Happy Birthday, Buddy!

I...

I am: totally in love with Cauley, and have been for 9 years now!
I think: way too much
I know: The Church of Jesus Christ of latter Day Saints is the only true church on earth today
I want: only the best for everyone, especially my family
I have: 3 beautiful, energetic, smart, and absolutely wonderful children
I wish: there were 6 more hours to each day
I miss: having all 4 seasons- here we have hot and hotter!: )
I fear: losing my family in an accident
I feel: hot- what else can you feel while living in AZ in August?!
I hear: my kids playing (nicely for the moment)
I smell: my scentsy candle (coconut lemmongrass) mmmmm
I search: ponder and pray : )
I wonder: what tomorrow's going to bring
I regret: Not being close to my identical twin, Jeni
I love: that Cauley loves me so much
I care: too much about what others think, but for some reason i don't do anything about it
I probably should: fold the clothes in the dryer
I always: sleep on my right ear because I'm deaf in the other and then I don't have listen to Cauley snore!: )
I am not: patient- at all!
I believe: in fairy tell endings
I dance: with Ellen every day on her show- my kids like to join me too!
I don't always: bathe my kids regularly, but don't worry, they ARE clean
I fight: my urge to buy junkfood constantly
I write: what's on my mind
I lose: my patience too easily- ok really, what patience?
I win: monopoly every time Cauley and I play, which we don't anymore because he can't win!
I never: get up early to make my husband lunch, he'll just forget it!
I listen: to primary music in my car, and to all my kids singing it which makes my heart melt
I can usually be found: with food spilled somewhere on me
I am scared: of spiders!
I need: to be hugged on a daily basis
I am happy about: life- I have been VERY blessed!
I tag: all of you- it's fun

Nothing

When children come home at the end of the day,
The question they’re asked as they scurry to play
is, “Tell me, what did you do today?”
And the answer that makes you sigh with dismay, is… “Nothing, I did nothing today!”

Perhaps nothing means that I played with blocks,
or erased my chalkboard with socks.
Maybe I painted a picture of blue,
Or learned that bears can have birthdays too.
Maybe I played out in the heat,
Or enjoyed a Zero Hero treat.
Maybe today was the very first time
That my scissors followed a very straight line.
Maybe I learned a song from beginning to end,
Or played with a special brand new friend.

When you are young and your heart has wings,
Nothing can mean so many things!
(Author unknown)

He did it!

I'm sure, since most of you are parents who read this blog, that you too have delighted in the accomplishments your children make in life. I am almost jumping with joy at Dallin's latest accomplishment. His homework this week includes practicing tying his shoes. (5 times today, 3 more tomorrow, etc.) I was a bit worried because Cauley has been working with him for a few months now when he gets his Sunday Shoes on, and I get frustrated watching. Well, I bit my lip and told Dallin that since the rule is that he get his homework done right after school before he can go play, I would (reluctantly) help him today. First time, a little shaky. Second time...HE GOT IT! (ALL BY HIMSELF, as I went to get Tyli out of trouble!) Of course I made him practice his last three times, but he does such a great job! I told him he could show daddy when he got home but he insists that no, he practiced 5 times and that's all he has to do! I am so proud of you, Dallin! I love you!!!

Our Last few days

Have you ever felt like your world is being shaken upside down? These past few days I have! It all started on Tuesday when I picked up Dallin from Kindergarten. He said his eyes hurt, and after inspecting them and all the ugly goobers that were "sleeping" in them, I determined he might have pink eye. Great. We had a lot going on that night, so Cauley ended up taking him and all the kids to the Twilight Pediatrics at around bed time (8:00) to find out for sure. I had a Cub Scout Committee Mtg. that I needed to be at. (for my new super fun calling of Cub Scout Committee Chair!) Cauley himself wasn't feeling well, and still has a really sore throat, aches, and I think the chills. They got home a little before 10:00 with eye drops for Dallin and all of them covered in what was once a chocolate sundea from McDonalds.
That same night I started spotting (By the way, I was pregnant!) It continually got worse until my Dr. had me head to the ER yesterday morning. After blood work and ultrasounds, they determined they didn't know anything (but we'd still have to pay all the bills!) and to go see my Dr. on Friday. Waiting in limbo was stressfull until last night when the cramping got stronger, bleeding VERY heavy, and nausea went away. At least I feel at peace knowing what is happening now. I will have more questions answered tomorrow at the Dr. (hopefully!) So, with three of us mostly down and out right now, I feel frustrated and worried about what else can go wrong. I can't exactly say that our last few days have been blissful, but I am greatful for the experiences!

My turn- again!

Rules, copy and paste on to your blog. Answer all the questions. When you are done, tag at least five more people. Have fun!Place an X in the ones you have done.
(x) Gone on a blind date
(x) Skipped school
( ) Watched someone die
() Been to Canada
() Been to Florida
(x) Been on a plane
(x) Been lost
() Been on the opposite side of the country
() Gone to Washington , DC
() Swam in the ocean
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
(x) Played cops and robber
(x) Recently colored with crayons
(x) Sang Karaoke
(x) Paid for a meal with coins only (Dallin thinks that's how you HAVE to pay at Chic-Fil-A!)
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
() Made prank phone calls to a boss
(x) Laughed until you cried
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(x)Written a letter to Santa Claus
(x) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(x) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about (Thant's how Cauley and I got engaged!)
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating (after schapperoning a high school winter formal w/ my hubby!)
(x) Been skinny dipping outdoors (Jeni, why did you say anything?)
(x) Gone to the movies
1. Any nickname? Mom
2. Mother's name? Debi (or Grandma Ruth)
3. Favorite drink? Caffiene Free Diet Coke- from the fountain!
4. Tattoo? ask Cauley :)
5. Body Piercing? ears (1 hole in each)
6. How much do you love your job? tons-of course!
7. Birthplace? Pocatello, ID
8. Favorite vacation spot? Going to Idaho to see my family
9. Been to Africa ? No
10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Can't say- I know Cauley's reading this!
11. Ever been on TV? Yes
12. Ever steal a traffic sign? no, but I have stolen a for sale sign out of a yard, but felt too guilty and returned it not even 4 minutes later! (During a YW activity nonetheless!)
13. Ever been in a car accident? yes- apparently while in labor
14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4 doors
15. Favorite salad dressing? Ranch- the creamier the better!
16. Favorite pie? banana creame or coconut cream
17. Favorite number? I cheer for the whole team- no favorites
18. Favorite movie? The Sandlot
19. Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving
20. Favorite Song: I am A Child of God
21. Favorite food? homemade pizza
22. Favorite day of the week? Friday
23. Favorite brand of body wash? Dove
24. Favorite toothpaste? Crest
25. Favorite smell? fresh cut grass, lemmons
26. What do you do to relax? read a book, go for a walk
27. Favorite gift ever given? my children
28. How do you see yourself in 10 years? getting older!
29. Tagged? Stephanie, Laurel, Andrea, Cori, Marie, Melissa, and Kira

Birthday, Kindergarten, and Loads of Fun!

Tate Pratt, Dallin, and Brett Bunker on the first day of school.
These are some of Dallin's new friends who are in his Kindergarten class. The picture below is of Dallin looking like a punk on his first day of Kindergarten. He wouldn't give me a good smile- trust me, this is the best out of several pictures!

We have been having a blast this summer. After our trip to Idaho, I kinda fell off the blogging planet and so I'm trying to do a quick catch up for all of you. Sorry about the crazy order of pics and narrating- I can't quite figure it out. First, we celebrated Cauley's 30th birthday! I got up early with the kids and we made him homemade blueberry muffins, which were very yummy! This was his first year he didn't have football school (camp) on his birthday so we celebrated by him taking the boys to the movie "Speed Racer" which was at the $ theater. Later that evening we went to Seth and Jane's reception here in AZ- such a beautiful couple! This is how I did Tyli's hair. Isn't it cute? It's REALLY easy, but takes a little longer than 3 minutes, so getting her to sit still to finish it is pretty tricky. I find skittles work well. It wasn't like this for the reception because the little stinker pulled it out in a moment of frustration before we got there. Oh well.

My sister-in-law, Stephanie, called me last week and asked me if I wanted to go to The Cheesecake Factory with her for lunch. Apparently it was the Cheesecake Factory's 30th birthday so all their cheesecake was only $1.50 each (slice)! The food was delicious and our company which consisted of me and my three kiddos and Stephanie and her two tiny ones was good, until the end when everyone proved to be a little much to handle. We made it through though, and now I can actually say I have been to the Cheesecake factory! Thanks, Stephanie for inviting me- I would say lets do it again sometime, but maybe we should get a sitter first.:-)

I just want to point out these SEVEN pieces of cheesecake on our table. I love cheesecake, but only one of them was for me. The other six were for Stephanie. You see, she REALLY LOVES cheesecake! Just kidding- she took them to friends and family. Dallin took this picture as he thinks he's a photographer. He wants a digital camera for Christmas.

Last but not least, this is us playing at the Johnson Ranch Splash pad. My poor kids have been couped up because of the heat, so last Friday we headed over with Stephanie and her kids. We all had a BLAST running around and getting wet. What a great way to beat the heat! If only I could get my kids to stop drinking the reclaimed water!

Potty Talk

HE DID IT!!!!
After a few accidents and a lot of frustration on my part, McKade has finally gone poo in the potty! I knew he was scared to do it in the toilet so I got out our little potty chair that sits on the floor (the old fashion kind) this morning. We sat together for over an hour this afternoon, but nothing. Then for an early Family Home Evening activity we watched a movie before dinner. Towards the end, he announced he had to go and ran in and sat down on the little potty and went. YAY!!!! The best part is that he now does everything by himself. No more asking and prompting, he'll just go whenever the need arises. Every kid is different, and my boys proved that with this potty training thing. I'm just glad it's over. (well, the tough, frustrating part is anyways.) He hasn't wet the bed yet, and proved he'll get up to go like he did in the middle of last night. So it wasn't completed in a day, but I'll take 4 days over a few weeks or more! I didn't post a picture of the afterword celebration because he was being too shy for the camera.

PT

Yup, it's that time. (Well, according to my pediatrician, we should have started at 18 months!) Potty Training Time. McKade's time to "grow up." Since we potty trained Dallin just before his 3rd birthday, we decided to do the same with McKade. Tyli will probably loose the diapers at or before 2, as she is wanting to be potty trained more than McKade.
We started yesterday, following many of the guidelines from a book we bought on line called Toilet training in Less Than A Day. So far, so good. By noon yesterday McKade was going by himself and using the toilet, all except for #2. He has so far refused to do that. I have a friend who's little boy would hold it, but eventually he got the hang of it, so I'm not too worried. Any tips? We've been accident free for almost 24 hours (except for a little incident that just occurred because Dallin refused to get off the toilet to let Mckade on!) and I am so proud of my big boy! Tyli stands at the door and says "go pee pee" the whole time McKade is occupying the bathroom. (Which is making McKade laugh like crazy.) He has really good aim, and does better standing than sitting, which is nice. I love watching him celebrate afterword by jumping up and down in a circle with his underwear still around his ankles. Now if only we can get him to go #2...

My children are growing like weeds!

We just got home from Dallin's 5 year appointment and Tyli's 18 month appointment. It was fun. Actually, it was better than usual because I had Cauley there to help out. McKade kept wanting to talk with the Dr., and Tyli was her usual happy self at the Dr.'s and cried any time anyone looked at her. Dallin was just nervous. Anyways, here are their measurments for these ages:

Dallin: (5 Years old)

Height: 45 1/2 inches (90%)

Weight: 46 lbs. (75%)

BP: 106/70

Tyli: (18 Months old- actually almost 19 now!)

Height: 35 1/2 inches (97%)

Weight: 26 lbs. (70%)

Head: 19 1/2 cm (97%)

They're still big, but not as monsterous as before. (thank goodness!) At least Ty has hair to cover her huge melon!

Dallin's has decided he likes the tooth fairy so much...

Before we left for Idaho, Dallin got his first loose tooth. It stayed in during our trip, despite the fact that it laid down ready to fall out the whole time. (my mom says he was just to scared to loose it in Idaho.) He lost it the first night we got home. The next morning Dallin woke us up to inform us that he had indeed been visited by the tooth fairy, but only got 4 quarters. Anyways, three days later, he has his second loose tooth, leaving me wondering if he's going to have any teeth left in his cute little face for when he starts kindergarten in 2 weeks!

Happy Anniversary, Babe!

Eight years ago from today Cauley and I were married in the Idaho Falls Temple. Does it seem like that "long" ago? Depends who you ask! (Just kidding.) Happy Anniversary, Babe! I love you more and more each day!