A day fishing...

Daddy didn't have to work one Saturday, so we got to hang out with daddy that day. Since it was such a beautiful day, Justin decided to get some family together and go fishing.

Cousin Hunter had brought his scooter, so Jack was able to play a bit with it.


Uncle Forrest, and Hunter!

Daddy helping Jack play on the scooter. Jack was in heaven.




Uncle Hunter and Jack!





He is so independent these days! He was fishing all by himself.

Uncle Brady caught lots of fish that day. Jack even touched the fish!

It was a great day!

Third Trimester starts Thursday!

In a few days I will be starting my third trimester. On Thursday, I will have only eleven weeks left till my given due date. But, when I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes one week ago, the due date will probably come sooner. This is one of the hardest things for me to deal with. For some reason, my body just doesn't like or can't handle being pregnant. I guess I can do better with exercising regularly, but in the winter I hibernate and stay inside, because I hate the cold. (unless I am skiing) but you can't ski with your pregnant. I don't have to take medication this time, so that's a plus. For anyone that has had gestational diabetes, I feel for you!

Speaking of my body hating pregnancy... Some of you already know that I am allergic to chocolate. Yes it's insane for a women to not be able to have that one thing that makes us a normal woman. (ha ha) I still eat chocolate, just not as much as I would like but I do eat it. Whenever my body decides it has had enough, I break out in hives all over my body.

Well, about a week and a half ago, I got an amazing English toffee frozen chocolate drink, and ever since then, I have had hives every day none stop. I am taking benadryl every 4 to 6 hours. On top of that, the weather has been awesome the past week so, I cant go out in shorts or a

T-shirt with out showing the hives all over myself. Just another thing to add on my list of not wanting to be pregnant anymore.

Which bring me to another thing. I wrote in an older post about being so bad at taking pictures during the pregnancy, I have yet to get one of my belly! I was planning on taking one a while ago but then got hives. So I think, to keep the vibe of my pregnancy, I will probably just take one anyway, and that way be able to see the effects that happen while carry this little guy. So I think tonight will be the night you will all get to see the first picture of my belly. I have to break down and do it sometime right? I was joking around(well maybe being a little serious) last night with Justin, saying that this was going to be our last one because I hate what happens to me when I'm pregnant. So maybe I should take advantage of whats left, just in case I do take what I said seriously.

Twenty Eight Weeks.... Bring it on!

"Any Suggestions?"

I am looking for any great crock pot recipes you may have. If you have a recipe for regular cooking that is simple as well, please feel free to write that one down too. I'm not limiting myself to only crock pots recipes. (that would get boring after a while) I am trying to find new things to make for dinner, and I have noticed I feel a lot better when I'm off my feet at his point in this pregnancy. So I figured the crock pot is the best way to go for now. Any recipe is appreciated, we aren't too picky around here. :)

Thank for reading, and if you leave a recipe, thank you for it!

Finally some pictures!!

So I haven't had a camera for a while, which is sad because so much has happened around here. I finally scanned in our little baby pictures so you can get a feel for how he's doing and what he may look like. This was little baby at 20 weeks when we had our ultrasound to determine the sex. They are a month old but what can you do? I am still trying to track down the pictures we took at our appointment, so they will be on later.

This was the very end of our ultra sound, and as you can see (hopefully) Its a boy! Justin had it stuck in his head that we were having a girl, and really thought he was right. When he saw this, he was really discouraged at first, but he is very excited to be having another son. I knew the whole time it was a boy but deep down I was with him hoping maybe, just maybe it would be a girl. We're not stopping here, so there's still a chance.

This is his precious profile. I think this one is going to look like me this time. Jack has my skin tone and hair color but looks just like his daddy. For some reason I think this one will have my features and daddy's coloring. (but that's just a guess)

I just love this one and had to throw it in. This is his little foot, for those who can't tell.




I know some of you have been wanting to see a picture of me with the belly, and hopefully soon I will actually take one. Its sad how I haven't taken a belly shot yet. I suck!

Banana Bread

You have to try it to believe it. This is the best Banana Bread I have ever had. Seriously! Don't take my word for it, try it yourself. Its simple!

Banana Bread

1/2 c. sour cream

1/2 c. butter

1 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

1 1/2 c. flour

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1 c. (2 large bananas) mashed

Preheat oven to 350*

Cream together butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients together, then add to wet. Add sour cream and mashed bananas last. Grease and flour bread pans before adding bread mix. Makes 1 Lg. pan or 4 Sm. pans Cook Lg. pan for 1 hour

Sm. pans for 30-35 minutes

*let cool before removing from pan

* Enjoy!

Let me know if you make it and then comment about it. I love the feedback!

24 Weeks Today!

He's just over 1 pound, and a foot long. I can believe that considering he is pushing me from inside out in every direction possible. His brain and lungs are progressing substantially now. His skin is still translucent, but that will change soon. Among other things, his body is growing at the right pace and everything is going great.
I had to take another Glucose test, but I get the results tomorrow. I am pretty sure everything is the same, but who knows.
Last Thursday, I had a dentist appointment to get some cavities filled. Listen to this...
Six months ago, I had great teeth no cavities at all, then two months ago I went in for a semi-annual cleaning, and they said I had seven cavities! Seven Cavities! I must not be eating or drinking something the baby needs, because that is outrageous! So I got those taken care of and on top of that, I had a wisdom tooth that needed to come out, so since I was already numb in that part of my mouth, I just decided to get that taken out that same appointment. So far the recovery isn't too bad but just a little uncomfortable, with only minimal swelling. Yeah! I had some people tell me they had the worst time after getting their wisdom teeth out. Lucky Me I guess!
Well that was my week last week, and I'm hoping that this week will be a piece of cake.
Its a great day outside, so I think we are off to the park. Then tonight, I'm going to make some awesome banana bread! I will put the recipe on tonight or tomorrow if you want to try it. I promise it will become your favorite banana bread!

Happy Sunday!

It's been a while!

So I know I have said I would put up the ultrasound pictures of baby #2, but I just haven't really taken the time to scan everything into the computer yet. I know that's so horrible of me, but I will really do it soon. I need to keep everything updated.
Well, since we found out we are having another boy, not a a lot has changed, other than the fact that I have a little one playing soccer with my insides. Its always nice to have a mover though, because then you are always assured that he is alive and well. Oh and about a week ago, I think I had contractions! I had a doctor visit about a week ago and my doctor asked if I have been feeling contractions yet? I felt something painful for sure. I never had any sort of contraction with Jack so this is almost like my first time being pregnant with some things. I also have been having a ton of pressure down there, which again never felt while pregnant with Jack. So I'm hoping that this one will be a natural birth and not another C-section. I want to feel what its like to be in labor I guess. yes, that sound crazy but I really want the chance to experience that. Anyway, I am 23 weeks right now, so I am more than half way!! Yeah!
a few weeks ago, Justin and I decided to put Jack in his big boy bed, in his big boy room, and give his old room to the baby and make it a play room/nursery. So far its coming along very nicely, and he loves his big boy room.
Oh... Have to go but I will finish this later.

Later

It's a Boy!

We are having a boy! Jack will be having a baby brother! I am actually relieved a little bit, because now Jack will have his little buddy to run around with and do everything together. The third one can be a girl, or should be a girl. Now that would be ideal. We have lots of pictures but don't have the time to put then on right now. I will try tonight when Justin is home to watch our little stinker. Until then have a great day!

19 Weeks!

Little baby G is 19, almost twenty weeks old. You would think babycenter.com would compare our precious little things to something cute or fun, but so far its been veggies and fruit. Don't get me wrong, food is good but when you're pregnant sometimes the last thing you need on your mind is food.

Baby weighs 8 1/2 oz. and measures 6 in. from head to bottom. Brain is growing rapidly, and all senses and booming! Some researchers say they can hear us talking, so they recommend reading, singing and talking to them from now on. Luckily I have a son that loves doing all those things so I can talk with them both at the same time. Who doesn't love multi-tasking?

This Friday, Justin and I are going to our doctors appointment. to find out if we are having a boy or a girl. We are so excited to find out, because this will be Jacks little buddy. It won't matter either way, its just so exciting to know that our family will be that much closer to being complete.

Its definitely going to be a stepping stone for us in this pregnancy, that's for sure. As soon as we know what gender it is, Justin will finally help me start picking names. He has told me many times that he is not going to think about stuff like that till we know what it is, and has stuck to it. When we were pregnant with Jack, we had a girl name we loved picked out, but then found out it was a boy. Now with this one I have said on occasion that I didn't like the girl name we had picked out anymore. So I think he got kind of discouraged when I said that. So maybe we might just have to take that name into account for this baby as well :)

Well, talk to you Friday after we find out what we are having. I will scan in some pictures too for the masses, if you would like to see how little baby G is doing.

Becoming Domesticated

I never thought I would be loving some of the things I do. For instance, last year for Mother's Day Justin got me a Kitchen aid Artisan Stand Mixer. Of course, he knew I didn't want just a regular color like white, black, or red, so he let me get online and find the perfect color. Burgundy!! It was between burgundy and a Green one. Burgundy won. It fit better with the decor in our house. Yes, I'm retarded but hey its looks fabulous.

Then for Valentine's Day this year, he got me a bread machine! Yeah now I can actually make my own bread! I have almost attempted making bread and rolls and such, but when I read the directions most of the recipes usually took 4-6 hours depending on the size and what type of bread you were making. That just turned me off to it all together. So, Justin figured that if I had a bread machine, I might just make some thing out of all those ingredients that are sitting in the house. To my surprise, I came home from church yesterday to find a bread machine on the dining table with a big bow on it.

Which brings me back to "becoming domesticated." I never thought that a would love gifts like these, but since I've had Jack, cooking is kind of an out for me so by having tons of awesome kitchen gadgets, I can release that tension while being at home. Plus it give me the chances to make some really great recipes!

Ask anyone... Creating weird but delicious food it what I do best!

Can't wait to see what's created next!

"just another manic monday"

Today has been a rainy day Monday. That about sums it up for the day. Waking up early to a grey sky somehow always ends the same. Stuck in the house, just Jack and I trying to find things to do so we don't go crazy. Watching a few movies just made us more tired and crazy, so I turned up our "Jukebox Tunes" and started to wake up. Jack loves music, so i figured this would get his mind off of not being able to go outside. Well, sure enough in worked. His dancing and "exersize" started. Then he just had to have lily join in the fun. So sadly, she let Jack drag her around the house like a rag doll, only to snap at him a few times.
With this baby in the belly, I could only join his fun for a bit. Then decided to finish a project I had started with my sister a few months ago. I will get some pictures up when its done, or maybe surprise you with some throughout the painting process. We'll see. Man, does being pregnant seem to drain your energy fast. With a two yr. old, energy is a must! Oh well, I guess he can wait a few more months till his little sibling pops out.
Then at about one o'clock Justin surprises us by coming home a few hours early from work? Sadly it's because he has been having bad cases of dizziness the past few days. So even though he is only home to get some rest and try to recover, we are glad he is home with us anyway. As soon and Jack saw daddy... His first words were "Cuddles!" Since its Jack bed time, he thought that since daddy was home he could get out of it by being so dang cute! Well he can read us like a book, because he got what he wanted, like with most things.
So by waking up to a crappy Monday, it somehow seemed to ease its way into an okay day so far. Now lets just hope it gets better or it at least stays this way till tomorrow morning.

Cast Your Vote!! Boy or Girl?

This chance only comes a few times, so why not make it a little fun. We will be giving a "Prize" the the winner who guesses whether Justin and I will be having a Boy or having a Girl, but you also have to choose the due date as well. As for those of you who haven't been in the mix very long, here is a hint to help you with determining the due date. HINT: We found out we were pregnant on November 9th, 2009. Well there you go!! Cast your sex and date along with your name. We will keep you posted on what we find out February 26th. Thanks for playing :)

BABY GENDER?

BABY DUE DATE?

*INCLUDE YOUR NAME*

A New Year ~ 2010

Wow! has time flew by. It has already been almost six years since Justin and I started our life long journey together. Three years of dating, and in March 2010 we will be married for three years.
On March 03, 2007 Justin and I were married. March 24, 2007 we found out we were going to have a baby! That was the shocker of the year. With nine months to bring it to fact, we had our beautiful baby boy on November 26, 2007 at the American Fork Hospital. We named him Jackson Justin Gillette. Since then, he has been to center of attention.
We bought our first home in May 2009 in Eagle Mountain. We have a ton of land our home is big enough to grow in for the years to come. We have recently replaced appliances, remodeled the kitchen floor, painted walls, and hung pictures. All knowing we don't have to take them down in the near future, just to move again. Such a wonderful feeling. Jack is now 2 yrs. old, acting like a 2 yr. old and as energetic as ever. We can't wait for our 2nd to come and add to that energy.
With great joy, we found out in October that we expecting our 2nd child in July. Christmas Eve I had an ultrasound which determined the due date of #2. We are to expect our new addition on my birthday of this year, July 20th 2010. We are so excited.
Justin still has a great job working for HVAC contractors in West Jordan, and will remain there the remainder of his career. Luckily, we receive great benefits, and retirement, so what wouldn't make us stay?.
Well that was our last year of major events, and hopefully this year will be just as wonderful.

Till next time..

Tomorrow, Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the big day! Its our first visit to the doctors office for baby #2. Of course all the tests will be done, but we will be able to find out the due date! I'm guessing around my birthday on July 20th. Justin thinks it will be around the 7th of July. Justin's mom and Jenny think it will be sometime in July, and if it is they're are convinced its a girl. All of the girls on the Gillette side have birthdays in July, so that's their reasoning. I still think it a boy because the Gillette men don't know how to make fast or strong enough X chromo. sperm. ( but it will be a while before we find the sex out)
We are excited to be have our second. We have been trying for a while, and when we got to a certain point, I started to get discouraged. But, then a month later we found out we were pregnant! Patience is a virtue. I guess I still have to learn that.

Im having my family guess the due date of baby 2, so if you would like to participate, just post your guess. I will post everyones guesses and then the official date on Saturday. I figured this would keep things interesting.


So far this pregnancy has been far more intensive, than when I was pregnant with Jack. I have had morning sickness for two and a half weeks and only now is it starting to give me a break. It still comes on randomly throughout the day. Oh, and not to forget my fabulous hormone roller coaster. "I am sorry Justin and Jack!" I get irritated so easily, and for some of the dumbest reasons. Jack has been a trooper in dealing with his cranky mama, and has figured out ways to get around it. I have had no energy lately, which really sucks. I sleep when Jack sleeps. On top of that, the weather on average has been +13 during the day, and -7 at night. We tried going outside a few days ago and had fun for a few minutes, but then got to cold to do anything. That was a stupid idea, because now jack has a nasty cough, and a runny nose. I could go on and on about what has happened the past few weeks, but then it would sound like I'm complaining. :) Al though this first trimester has been somewhat difficult to handle, we are still really excited.

Well talk to you Saturday with the results.

Blast from the past...

This was my dad for halloween in 1967 wearing a

little sprout Costume.

This is Jack wearing that same costume in 2009,

42 years later.

Family Photos... So Far..

This is my most favorite picture ever! I don't know why, but

you have to admit its adorable.

One Sunday afternoon my family decided to get some pictures done before waylon left on his mission. My cousin is trying to put together a portfolio, so my parents decided to let him take the pictures. Two locations, dozens of poses, and a few hours later, he had shot about three hundred pictures. Though all the wiggling, laughing, running around and standing still, he managed to get some pretty good pictures. These are a few of my favorites.
Of course, most of them were of Jack. Who can be to blame when this kid never has the same face twice. I fell in love with him all over again. (As I do every day)



The Leaves were the most fun, and I think he loved it as well.
Just look at the sweet, sweet surprises..

Father and Son...

Daddy and Daughter...

Son, Nephew and Grandson

Mother and Daughter...

This was probably the hardest part of the whole day. Being girls, we were always worried about one thing or another, but somehow seemed to pull out a good shot.

This is my family. My Mom and Dad, I am the oldest of six, along with my handsome boys, Jack and Justin. Then the rest in line of age is Buckley, Nicole, Waylon, Tabitha and Hunter. Hope you can figure out which ones they are, because thats all the info im giving. :)

The words are kind of messed up and all over the place I know, but think of it as life. We are all over the place, scattered like leaves in the wind but somehow through all the commotion, we find our selves in cool places. Each one of us are in our own stages of life. From marriage, to dating, to working, to playing, each all different, but still each equally important. With out one another, there would be a hole. Treasure those you love and freeze those memories when you can.

"A good book has no ending." R.D. Cumming

No matter where we go, he always wants to "read" his books. A few weeks ago we had to ask Grandma if we could borrow some of her books because Jack loves reading his books (even if its the same sequence of books everyday). Mammy started to get sick of reading the same books over and over, so we borrowed from Grandparents till we got some more.

When Jackson reads, he seems very into what ever the book is about. He has a very determined look when he reads some books, in others he is excited to see the pictures and acts out what he sees. There is never a dull moment when he picks up a book.

Books are a source of information and imagination. I am glad that Jack can get it from somewhere other than daddy or I.

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

Jack the Builder

Justin came home from work yesterday with a few things we needed from the grocery store. As soon as the food came out of the bags, we sat Jack up on the counter to help us put away the food. Jack had another thing in mind... He immediately jumped to his feet and started stacking up all the cans one after another. After he set a can, he would hold his hands close to the can to make sure it wouldn't fall. It was the cutest thing to watch.

Maybe I Can Help!

This morning Jack and I were outside pulling weeds, drawing pictures and watching lily eat bugs. Unfortunatly we overheard an arguement from one of our neighborhood friends. After the argueing had stopped, I thought to my self, ok I can see how she feels. I have one kid and sometimes its hard to take some time to sit and relax, and take a moment to your self without a child screaming or wanting you to hold him every second he is awake. When Justin returns home from work, he likes to sit and relax from a day of stupid co-workers or upset clients. Like us our "clients" or children aren't always happy with us, so we here about it for the next little while. Plus there is the cleaning and the dishes and the laundry that has to get done. I do get help from Justin, so that is a big plus.
Anyway, back to what I came up with. Some of the ladies in the ward are stay at home moms like myself, and it can get annoying when you feel like you can't just sit and do nothing, or go to the store without twenty kids by your side. Jack and I are at home most of the day, and Jack could always use somemore playtime with other kids. I thought now would be a great time for us to try and help out our ward family if we could. (And the light bulb turns on) What if I was able to take some of their kids for a few hours on days when they need some relaxation.
Now here's where you come in. I haven't quite thought of how to let the moms know that I will take there thier kids for a few hours when they need time to themselves. Because yes, all of you have done it. Someone tells you that they can help you in one way or another, but you never really thought to do so, or really didn't take them seriously. I am serious! What do you think I can say to make them actually believe that im serious?
Im not saying that I am starting my own day care center, but you know, chillin with two more kids that aren't mine for an hour or two.

Some feedback is appreciated. Good or Bad works, then I will know what you think about my idea.

"Lions and Tigers and Bears... Oh My!"

We are off to the Utah Hogle Zoo in the morning. This will be the first time for Jack and I. We will snap some shots for everyone that would like to see our fridays adventure. Be ready for animals of all shapes and sizes.






An Angel Went Home Today..


Sadly after our little family outing, we will be taking another trip that same day to Monroe Utah. Justins Uncle Larry past away from a brain tumor. We will miss him dearly and give our love to all family and friends that knew him. We will be gone for the weekend, but will have more info and pictures for you to see and experiences with us.

"Where there is death, there then comes life."

We will remember you Larry but we know you are in a happier and pain free place. And we will take care of your family as you have with ours.

Like Father Like Son

One day after Justin got home from work, they decided to do a photo shoot of sorts. Jack is very animated with his face and sometimes prefers to tell us what he thinks through his face espressions rather than say it. Daddy caught some of this on his camera phone. Of course Jack loves the camera so he starts showing us what he is capable of. Here are some of the faces we captured.

We don't know what this one is, but it made the final cut.

My goofy guys..

Show us your Grrr face!

They are they light of my life. As you can see they are funny and entertaining as well. Hopefully we can get Justin and Jack on here more often. Most of the time its just Mommy and Jack in all the photos so Its nice to have a change in pace.

Until next time.

This time around... Not as easy

You wouldn't think it would be so hard the second time, when the first time happened.. the first time.

(Picture of me and baby Jack)

On our honeymoon, we were lucky enough to get pregnant with our precious baby boy Jackson. When he turned fifteen months we thought it would be a good time to start trying for another kid. Well, its been five months and still nothing. I've been off the pill for like eight months, and yes I know it takes time for your body to get rid of all the effects. I was hopping that that part would be over by now. Maybe it is.

Well, yes, I guess I'm telling everyone that we are trying to have another baby. Nothing has happened yet, so don't go telling people were pregnant. I wish I was, but that's not the case.

Justin and I decided a while ago that we won't our kids to be about two years apart. Not to close, and not to far apart.

Jack is still our little baby but we aren't able to do the same things with him we used to. Plus we want to make our family bigger.

Well I have just vented again, but this time about a good thing (sort of).

Wish us luck!

Venting... I know its horrible!

Okay.

I know everyone has there moments and just need to rethink things for a minute, but why does it have to happen so fast. I mean yesterday I was fine. There are always set back each day that we all have each day (big or small), and we just have to learn to deal with them or try to overcome it. Well, today is the day where I just need to vent.
With life there are blessings, consequences, trials and happy times. This is what makes the world go round. But there has to be a way of curing the "blues" so to speak. I love being a wife and a mom. There's no buts about it. I guess having a baby this young does take its toll sometimes.
You go from only thinking about yourself and how you look or what your plans are day after day, trying to keep you life as busy and exciting as possible. Then Surprise! Honeymoon baby! I guess i have myself to blame for it because I was so naive about the whole birth control thing, and having my parents tell me to get on birth control like a month after getting married. Seems backwards doesn't it. I'm the first kid, I guess they forgot that little detail. I'm not blaming them though, don't get me wrong. I guess I'm just saying that everything was just a little rushed.
Jack is now nineteen months old and I don't know what I would do without him. I love him so much. I just wish I was ready for him. Sometimes I get so frustrated with the crying for no reason, or hitting and throwing everything just to see if he can get a reaction out of me. Hurting the poor dog to where she doesn't like to go around him any more. Lots of little things I suppose, but it adds up day after day. I just wish i was ready and more able to cope with the things that I'm faced with. I feel so bad when I feel like I'm blaming him for making me crazy that day. Its not his fault, he doesn't know any better.
Okay married women... For another stupid reason, Justin and I had an argument last night about money. Yes, yes I know money is a big issue. Where, how, why? All the questions come up when large amounts of money are planned on being spent. (These issues weren't the kind that you could just return the next day.) Any way, while we were arguing I just figured out why all the arguing happened. Not only with this topic, but with all topics we argued about. I don't quite know how to explain it, but its basically the exact opposite way you think an argument should be made. His way is talking, me not saying ANYTHING, and just listening till he's finished, then I say whatever I want. My way is... He starts talking then I get the gist of what hes saying, try to say a remark or correct something he may have said different than Ithought he said earlier.. yada yada yada... What I'm trying to say is that I just realized that the reason we have the fights in the first place, aren't because of what we are arguing about, its how we are arguing.
So.. next time you have a disagreement with your spouse, try to see if that's the reason it all happens. I figured it out with us, now its only a matter of breaking habits and trying to cope and create new ones. See! sometimes something good comes from something not so good.
I know God doesn't give you something he knows you can't handle. I know that somewhere inside me, I am able to move past this and care and love and teach Jack with all my heart and with compassion and patience.
That may not make any sense, but that's how it came out. My feelings and thoughts have not been able to work together for a while.
I guess the reason why I wrote this is to get some advice or tips or even thoughts about these topics. It helps when you know your not the only one who feels like there a bad mom or wife sometimes.

Thanks again for listening. See you next break down...

Starting A Job... (well sort of)

This is a job, a hobby, and a LIFE SAVER!

I have clipped coupons before and saved a little bit here and there over the years. I thought "Cool! I saved two bucks from coupons."

Well, little did I know about "couponing" and the coupon world.

A few weeks ago, I went to Albertsons with my sister-in-law. I just thought she was shopping for a few things here and there. I thought she had to grab a few things before we headed to a family function. She kept looking from her shopping list to the merchandise on the shelf, back and forth, back and forth. So I asked her, "What are you doing?" she then told me about how she was learning from one of her friends about these amazing coupon deals, and websites and stuff. I was like okay cool, cool. I didn't think much of it... till she got to the cashier.

She handed the cashier some coupons, then was told the total.

"What?!" I said to myself.

She got $30.00 of groceries for like $2.28

Who would pass that up? I know I wouldn't! So I asked her about the websites and how to get started. Luckily Justin and I had bought a daily newspaper cause coupons do come in the papers. Especially on Sunday!

So I decided to start being part of the coupon women of sorts and save some money for our family. I figure I can do this during the day when jack is sleeping or occupied by toys or other sorts, and make "money by saving money."

There is so much to learn though. Oh you wouldn't think so by the sound of it, but man! There are so many techniques its almost bothersome. I haven't got the handle on it quite yet, but I'm saving a little bit at a time until I get how it works.

It may not sound like much, but it works! Don't take my word for it. Try it yourself by going to hip2save.com, http://savvyshopperdeals.com/ or http://grocerysmarts.com/utah/lists/splashg84rcm.php

There are coupons from everything point of the spectrum from clothing, make-up, baby items, household items, food, yard, anything you can think of there are coupons and deals for.

It may take some time to get used to the sites, and the jargon but I think its well worth it for stay at home moms that want to save some $$$ on food and home goods, and spend it else where, or SAVE IT!

Muddy Yard + Baby = ...

Yesterday, we were finally able to get out in the yard and work on the sprinklers a little more. It was an awesome day to work outside. It was warm and sunny, with not a cloud in the sky.

So... One by one we checked each valve, each sprinkler section, and each sprinkler head to make sure everything would work as it should before we put in our grass.

Well its started out nice, then the surprises came.

Water came seeping out of the dirt in some spots, which revealed broken pipes. In one section of the yard, a pipe came bursting from the ground, shooting up water a few feet from the ground. (we still can't find the other end of the pipe it broke off.)

Cracked sprinkler heads pushing dirt forcefully in different directions.

Many holes were made to fix these problems. Which brings us to our curious and helpful son.

Jack was so intent on watching his dad dig these holes, play with pipes and gadgets and tools, that he just had to join in and help in any way he could.

So he ventured out for a hole he could crawl in, and started touching and playing with the pipes he could find inside the holes he would crawl into. Of course there were inches of water inside each hole, which then made mud... well you get it.

Jack would randomly find his father, see what he was up to, then go about doing his own thing again.

This is the cutest part! When ever he would climb out of a hole, his butt would get muddier and muddier. I just couldn't resist letting him climb around.

This was his favorite hole. He kept climbing in and out and in and out of this hole.
Dirty hands, feet, legs, and bum.
These are the times when you need to make sure you have a camera on hand. The cutest pictures come from the dirtiest or wrong things that they do. This act was on the good side, but its others like getting into the bathroom and taking all the toilet paper off the roll, or drawing a picture on the wall for you. Its things like that I think I will one day miss. When the grow older its more extravagant things like driving or dating or fighting that you have to worry about. I" would choose toilet paper and drawing on the wall over those other things any day. I remember those days and am not looking forward to that happening when my kids reach that age. Just take these silly moments with you little ones as they come, because I'm pretty positive there will be worse things to come.
Note to self:
His adventures have only just begun, so let him explore the world and experience all his adventures with them while you still can. Don't take it for granted.

The Adventures continue...

Just a few moments in our happy lives while we have been away from our blog.

We will try to keep everyone posted more frequently.

Jack and mommy playing at home one day after a trip to the park.

Jack decided to play in his toy box with his toys, rather than

get them out to play with them. Kids do the cutest things don't they?

This was his preference of lounging one day.

He wouldn't sit down any other way, so figured... "If he will stay still sitting

like this for a little while, then why not?"

Cheese!



Hanging out at the pool with Uncle Hunter. Its a good thing he likes to swim,
cause now we have an excuse to go to Grandpa and Grammie's.

Our New Home!

This past week we have started putting in plants and flowers in the front yard. As you can see, we don't have grass in yet, but that doesn't seem to stop Jack from playing in his huge yard of dirt, weeds and lots of bugs. He has also on occasion plays with the water hose, which ends up with muddy and messy baby.

Our porch! Its perfect for when it rains! We sit on our chairs under our big porch and watch the weather work its magic.

We are in the process of putting in sprinklers and grass, so every night Justin gets home from work, he marches out to our .26 acre and does all the work he can before it gets dark. It may not sound like a lot of land, but when you start from scratch and do it all your self, it feels like it will never end. We love it though! Having the big yard is a major plus in our eyes.

Our Tree..

A front view of our house. Its in a culdesac, no homes behind us and the room for more babies to complete our family. We plan on staying here for a long time.

Thank you for all the support and the help we got from family and friends during this major change for Justin, Jackson and I.

Finished Floor!

The finished project! The floor is a beautiful mix of rich colors. It makes our home feel so much more cozy. I wasn't able to get the best pictures, but that just means you will have to come over sometime and see it for yourself.

Its almost finished..

Justin finishing up the last part in the kitchen. Only a

little bit longer.

The new floor is being put in, and even though it wasn't finished

you can already see the difference.

Jack, Uncle Waylon and Uncle Sterling taking out the last

of the old floor.

Here are my boys ripping up the floor, getting it prepped to put in the new floor.

Jack always loves to help in any way possible.

The first major project we decided to do to the house was the kitchen/dining room floor. I know this post is a bit backwards but so can tearing a house apart. So join in the fun. This is our dining room before we did anything to it... plain white from floor to ceiling.