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!