tooth

One night we were flossing and noticed a wiggly tooth. A few days later....

this happened.
It went quite fast since he was trying to bite two lego pieces apart. Works like a charm.

I made one pretty bad mistake, however. I didn't expect the tooth to come out so fast so there was limited options for the tooth fairy, a penny, a two-dollar bill, or a credit card... we went with the two dollar bill. But we explained this was ONE special tooth. The tooth fairy will be broke if she continues at that rate...

Our House

is officially up for sale. Yes, it is time for our growing family to move on. We have LOVED this home! It has been in such a great area and was the perfect starter home. If anyone knows of someone who is looking for a home right now, let them know. Our MLS is 975163.

Here is a tour of our home right now.

Who thinks I can keep this house clean with three boys during the next while?

Hope

I am so grateful to be an American. What a great time of year to reflect on what matters most.

My Faith.
My Freedom.
My Family.

And I fully enjoy each one of them.

When I look at these boys I think:

I do not need to live in fear...

I need to have hope for the future...

I need to enjoy every moment I have...

And at the end of the day, that is what matters to me.

Lessons learned

Today was a good day for learning good and bad consequences. Earlier in the day we were at the fabric store taking FOREVER to decide on fabric. Corbin found himself a fun toy, the hoops that are used for embroidery, I think. He thought it was a great toy and before I knew it he broke a piece of it off. I can't tell you how tempting it was to just set it aside and walk on...it was six whole dollors! But I knew better. He had just earned some money in the last week and I told him he had to pay for it, but deep down inside I was just hoping when I took it up to the cashier she would just say, oh no big deal, we can just set it aside. Nope. Darn that made my bill much more expensive. The cashier then put it behind the counter and I told her no, I would take it since I paid for it and I will come up with something to do with it. I do have an idea....luckily! However, Corbin is VERY disappointed. He worked very hard for that money.
So lesson number one, our choices sometimes have bad consequences.
Later in the day, we met my sister-in-law at the Down East Outlet store...great place! I have some great ideas from clothes I got from there...$2.50 a shirt!! Anyway, Corbin and Tay were playing under the rack of clothes and having a great time. Corbs found a cute little bracelet under one of the racks and he asked me if he could have it. I told him no and that we needed to go and take it to the cashier. I was trying on clothes and so my sister-in-law took the boys up to return the bracelet. The owner was right there and he told Corbin that a little girl had lost it and they were looking everywhere for it. He was so happy with Corbin that he gave him a whole dollar! He also ended up giving each of them a pocket watch, Taylor got a quarter, and Levi got a spiderman ring! Seriously, nicest man ever! The boys were all so happy and Corbin learned that it feels good to do something kind for someone else.
Lesson number two, our choices sometimes have good consequences.

We Love Daddy

These three boys couldn't ask for a better Daddy than the one they got just for them!

Corbin loves getting to spend time with Justin and lately he is so excited when the two of them play Nintendo together! They look like two best friends playing together!

Taylor is starting to learn how to ride without training wheels. Last night, we went over to the school parking lot and Tay rode his bike around pulling Justin on his rollarblades. Taylor was smiling from ear to ear and loved this very special time with him.

Levi is absolutely in love with his dad. He will go get a book and run to Justin to have him read it to him. Justin picks him up and Levi squels, "YEAH!"

Thanks for being such a terrific daddy!! We love you, yes siree!

And of course to my incredible dad and father-in-law! Dad, thanks for keeping me laughing all these years. I now just figured out why mom looks so young. Thank you for all of your continuing advice and for always lifting my spirits up. Craig, thank you for excepting me as another daughter! Thankyou for raising an amazing young man, who, by following your example, has turned out the way he has.

And to my brothers and brother-in-laws! You guys rock and each of you are incredible dads to my nieces and nephews!

Congratulations

Isn't this woman beautiful? She's MY mom (a few years ago) and I am so proud of her. She has retired from 17 years of teaching this month!
My mom went through a lot to get to this point, I will probably never realize how much. When I was in 1st grade my mom made the difficult choice to go back to school and become a teacher. I am the youngest of six children and I am sure it was so hard for her to choose this. But it worked out well, because when mom was at school we still had a parent home all the time since my dad worked from home.
Mom graduated 4 years later with incredible grades and then quickly became the art teacher at Box Elder High School. Over the years they gave her other assignments; year book, pottery, and a little photography. Then, eventully she became the full time photography teacher. I don't think they could have asked for a BETTER teacher!
I remember my first day of high school very well. I was taking my mom's class - I was so excited! The class was full of Seniors and Juniors, I was a little intimidated by that, but oh well, it's not that scary. My mom stood up in front of the class to welcome us and introduce herself. She then mentioned that her baby girl was in the class and was sitting right over there in the back. Every...single...person turned there head and stared at me! I was humiliated and knew that was the end of ever becoming anyone cool at school! But in the end, I survived and loved having my mom as a teacher! However she was harder on my grades than anyone else...

Mom had some wonderful aides to help her out in the class room. Nancy has been with her for the last few years and they did not keep the classroom boring, they were like sisters!

Halloween

Valentines Day - mom's on the right!

Aren't they the best?

Last week we surprised her with a retirement party in her own backyard! She never saw it coming! We had such a great time and were so grateful to everyone who showed up!

Congratulations mom!! Enjoy getting to do what you want to do now!!

Do you want to know why

I think we have adorable kids...
Because 30 years ago this adorable baby boy was born. Oh, those dimples and chubby cheeks get to me every time! I feel so blessed to have been able to spend 8 of those 30 years with you Justin. Thanks for all you do for me and inspiring me to become a better person each day.

Happy Birthday to the man of my dreams! I love you so much!