A New Stage of Life Begins

School starts tomorrow. Our baby starts Kindergarten. Five and a half years ago, we sat in the NICU at UCSF, watching our baby, surrounded by other much sicker babies. I knew then, that Korbin would grow up and be a happy, blessed and healthy boy. And grow UP he has. He definitely got John's genes in height, just like Connor, while Aidan takes more after me. Korbin is tall and skinny, but cute as a button! He is, and always will be, our baby.
I know that there are mothers in this world who look forward to this day in their children's lives. I am not necessarily one of them. It is not that I don't want my children to grow up and experience life and all it has to offer them, because I most certainly want all life has in store for them to come to pass. It's just that there is this part of me who wants to keep my children little for awhile longer. I want to give them so much more to prepare them for the world. And yet, I know that we have done as much as we can and have taught them so much to prepare them for this stage of life, and we will continue to teach and prepare them for each stage of life.
Connor is off to 6th grade. Wow! Where did that time go? He is taller than me and his feet are only a size behind John's. He is ready for a new year of Science and History, and will even put up with Language Arts and Math.
Aidan is off to 4th grade. He is the cutest, freckle faced, blue eyed boy a mom could ask for! He looks a little small next to most of his classmates, but I am banking on a growth spurt to come along soon. He is excited for school to start and even more excited that Math is the first subject of the day.
I must confess, I cry on the first day of school every year. True story. Since I first took Connor to Kindergarten 6 years ago, I have cried when I say good-bye to each of them. I know and trust every teacher and staff member at our school. I love our kids teachers and I know my children are loved and cared for there. I know that we have taught our children and given them the necessary tools to make good and right choices. No matter all of those things, when I leave them at the door, I know that in the next 6-7 hours, I am not there to protect them from any evil or bad thing that may happen.
So, here we are, ready for school to start. Clothes are bought, folded and ready for wear. Everybody has a pair of shoes he likes and a backpack to match his personality; Cars for Korbin, orange for Aidan and black for Connor.
I have been doing some reflecting on the last part of our life and the next stage that begins tomorrow. I know our boys are prepared to take on the world. They have a sanctuary at home, to protect them from the woes of the world. They have parents who love them more than life itself. Not only that, they have grandparents and a great grandma who love them so much! They have aunts and uncles who love them and cousins too. And, they have an Oma, Nana, and Papa in heaven who are watching over them with love. So, while I may cry a lot tomorrow, I will remind myself of the privilege I have of raising these valiant spirits and the unimaginable love and trust that Heavenly Father has for and in John and I, to give us this undeniable blessing!


Never a truer quote have I heard than this:
Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~Elizabeth Stone~

Cowboy Cookies revised

Tonight I made Cowboy Cookies again...but I made them Gluten/Wheat Free and changed them up a bit!

Cowboy Cookies

Makes about 26 2-inch cookies.
ingredients

1 cup gluten free flour (like rice flour or bean flour) or gluten free flour mix
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 quick-cooking (not instant) rolled oats
1 1/2 cups Corn Flakes cereal
3/4 cup dried cherries
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips


In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In a separate large bowl (or bowl of stand mixer), beat together butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until fluffy, about 1 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla.

Using a wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture until combined. Stir in oats, Corn Flakes, cherries and chocolate chips until well mixed together.

Drop by generous 1 Tbsp. balls, about 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. (* For more attractive cookies, flatten the balls by half and roughly shape into round circles. These cookies do not spread much and doing this gives a nice round, flat cookie as opposed to an irregular shaped, higher cookie).

Bake at 350° F. until edges and tops begin to brown, about 12-14 minutes. Leave to cool on the baking sheet set on a cooling rack. Once mostly cooled, remove from pan to the cooling rack to finish cooling.


I crushed the corn flakes.

Craziness abounds!!!

Life never slows down around here! With both adults in the house working at least a 40 hours a week and often more, plus Scouts for the older boys, School Board meetings for mom, Church callings and activities, and everyday family activities, it never stops! As I have said before, I do certain things to save some time...I make freezer meals, I prepare most necessary items for meal preparation on Saturday or Sunday afternoons. One thing that I rely heavily upon in my house is my Kitchen Aid mixer. I have had my Kitchen Aid for about 8 years, it will go for at least another 8, but I have really wished for the means to buy a bigger one with a lifting bowl. So, imagine my excitement when my grandma said she needed a new mixer! I told her that I could give her mine if I could find a great deal on a new, bigger one. An even better blessing came when my grandma said that she would buy mine from me. So, off to look on E-Bay I went. I found just what I wanted, red and all, and I bid on it. Oh how exciting it was to be the winning bidder, and all for only $220 with tax and shipping included! I got my new mixer today and I am sooooo excited to use it! The only bad thing? It doesn't fit on my counter under my cupboards, so it needs a new home. I use my mixer so much, that it isn't really practical to have it put away where I have to lift it up to the counter all the time, so I am going to have to think about where to put it. Until then, I will just have to do lots of baking. I made these yummy Cowboy cookies the other day...I think I will make them again tomorrow. Here is the recipe I used, with the changes I made noted at the bottom. (because I often make changes to recipes, that's how I roll):
Cowboy Cookies

Makes about 26 2-inch cookies.
ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 quick-cooking (not instant) rolled oats
1 1/2 cups Corn Flakes cereal
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips


In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In a separate large bowl (or bowl of stand mixer), beat together butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until fluffy, about 1 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla.

Using a wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture until combined. Stir in oats, Corn Flakes, raisins and chocolate chips until well mixed together.

Drop by generous 1 Tbsp. balls, about 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. (* For more attractive cookies, flatten the balls by half and roughly shape into round circles. These cookies do not spread much and doing this gives a nice round, flat cookie as opposed to an irregular shaped, higher cookie).

Bake at 350° F. until edges and tops begin to brown, about 12-14 minutes. Leave to cool on the baking sheet set on a cooling rack. Once mostly cooled, remove from pan to the cooling rack to finish cooling.


I crushed the corn flakes. I used a full cup of raisins. I added 1 cup coconut. I added 1/2 cup peanut butter chips. I didn't do it, but I think that adding a little bit of wheat germ or a little bit of flax seed would be yummy too.

Enjoy! I will have to post some other recipes as I create with my new mixer.

8 YEARS HAVE PASSED

8 years ago today I sat in a hospital holding a hours old Aidan in my arms. He didn't have his cute freckles yet, or his cute tooth filled smile, or his sometimes not so desirable attitude. But, he did have my heart, completely and fully. Today he has an abundance of freckles across hi nose, the angel kisses we call them. He has an infectious smile and laugh, and beautiful blue eyes. He has an undying yearning for learning, which we try to encourage everyday in the hopes that he never loses it. He is a great big brother and an appreciative little brother. He is a true and wonderful blessing in our family!

We chose the name Aidan because we loved that it was such a strong Irish name, and the bonus was that it meant "fiery spirit," which is Aidan in a nutshell. His middle name is Bryant, his great grandfather's surname. Aidan has a lot to live up to if he wants to become like his great grandfather, and I know he does. He will certainly accomplish all he desires, he is stubborn enough to never quit and smart enough to do it all! There are already so many things about Aidan that remind us of Papa, almost as if they were kindred spirits. Amazing!!

Happy birthday to you Aidan Bryant Ireland!! We love you so much!!


Ready to start Scouts, very intently reading his Wolf book



Happy to open some presents before dinner


Aidan chose where he wanted to sit and Gaga made him a sign to mark the chair

I have survived....

I have survived several things in my 37 years...including earthquakes, floods and childbirth. As of today, I have survived 2 slumber parties in my house! I am fairly certain that is a huge accomplishment. The noise level during last night's balloon fight was something to be reckoned with. I survived it. Craft time and creating of one's own pizza? Survived it. Opening presents and treat bags? Survived it. Movies, popcorn, and sleeping? Survived it. Fun was had by all.

I made a pretty awesome camouflage cake with army tanks and guys on it. As soon as I figure out how to get the pictures off of my camera and on here, I will post.

One more day until Aidan turns 8, officially. Four more days until Aidan is baptized. Still have to find a pianist and decide on songs. Happy, happy days!!!

Crazy Fun Days.....

Through the last nearly 11 years of being a Mom, I have been a Stay at Home (working) Mom, a Work outside of the home, a part time stay at home/work outside the home mom, and a Full-time student/stay at home/work outside the home mom. I'm sure you see the trend there...I have been a Mom for nearly 11 years, and I have worked for many more than that! I am in a Work outside the home Mom stage now, and probably will be for the rest of my days. I am okay with it, probably because I have a job which allows me to have "Family Sick Leave" time, vacation time, and many holidays to be home with my boys. In fact, I took the whole week off this week, to be with the boys, and plan for Aidan's birthday and baptism. Let's just say that working outside the home is much easier than staying home! Don't get me wrong, I have great kids! It just takes much more energy to be home than it does to go to work each day.

Today's activities are a great example:

*Help Connor make breakfast for everybody, while doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen
*Clean the house, with help from boys (help=asking the boys to stay on task once every 5-10 minutes for 2 hours)
*Clean up the bathroom floor and part of the boy's room floor, using all but 2 towels in the house, after the toilet overflowed
*Make 2 different dishes for lunches for kids, while realizing that we were late getting Korbin to school
*Getting Korbin to school
*Errands in Eureka to get the remainder of birthday party supplies (I hope) and birthday presents (this included far more than I planned on spending at the Scout store!)
*Stop for Connor and Aidan to eat
*Picking up Korbin from Gaga and Pop's house
*Feeding 3 boys again, while they watch a movie

Still left on the list?
* Bake the cake and make the army colors frosting so that tomorrow I can make an "Army fighting" scenario come to life on the cake. (any idea how to make land mines?)
* Put together treat bags
* Clean the bathroom
* Fold mountains of laundry (including all those towels used to clean up the toilet water)
* maybe get some sleep

Being home takes much more out of me, but I am surely more rewarded by being with my children! I am grateful for each of them!

Trying Something New

I am going to try something new...my great friend, and former mission companion, Cathy, has a great blog that I follow. She manages to write on her blog pretty much everyday. I am going to try to do this...I am going to try to write more like she does...you can check her blog out over here: http://theoldsfamily.blogspot.com

I started something else new just about a month ago. I started making freezer meals for our family. I have always been good at budgeting and spending a small amount on groceries for our family size. Our average monthly grocery bill over the last few years has been $300 or less, including buying food storage food for our family. I noticed, however, that after I started working in our Garberville office, I was spending more than that. I noted that it was because I was getting home later and probably doing more "convenience" kind of foods than before. In order to get away from that, and get back on budget, I decided to try to use the crockpot more and to try freezer meals. Freeze meals have been great! I spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon cooking 6-10 meals and then I freeze them. I can take most from freezer to oven and have dinner within an hour to an hour and a half after coming in the door. It is the next best thing to having dinner in the crockpot!

I have found some great recipes on this website: http://sisterscafe.blogspot.com
One of the kid's favorites is this: http://sisterscafe.blogspot.com/2009/07/chicken-cordon-bleu-bake.html

I have spent less than $300 on groceries in the last month and I have added to our food storage. That, my friends, is awesome in my opinion!

Remember when?

I have a cookbook sitting on my counter. It is missing it's cover. I got the cookbook when I was in 2nd or 3rd grade, I think. My bff, Paige, gave it to me. I leave it on my counter because it is a kid's cookbook and the boys like to make things out of it. There are yummy things in the book, like Peanut Butter Modeling Dough and Walking Salad. As I was grating cheese, I started thinking about that book. I could put it on the shelf with all the other cookbooks. The boys would still tell me when they wanted to make something from the book. I don't have much in the way of clutter in my house, and I don't like to leave stuff just sitting on the counter or the table, but that book has been in that same spot for about a year. I could put it on the shelf with the others, but I don't want to. You see, it isn't about convenience or ease or clutter or anything like that. It is purely about having happy memories and a happy childhood filled with great friends and family. I have known Paige since we were 4 years old and in preschool. We went to school from preschool all the way through our first year of college at HSU. She was in my wedding party. (I missed her wedding only because I was off serving a mission.) And, I am certain that even today, I could call her in the middle of the night anytime, if I really needed her. Paige's parents owned a store on Main Street in Ferndale when we were growing up. I spent many an afternoon in the back room of that store. We would watch T.V., eat snacks, play games, and just have fun. Eventually we got too old to hang out at the store, obviously. But, we still spent lots of time together with our friends, Jennifer, Deanna and Michael too. We had lots of fun times growing up in a small town. See, I could keep that cookbook on the shelf with my other cookbooks, but each time I look at it, I am reminded of my blessed life and how, in part, I grew to be what I am today.

Summer Stopper

So, summer should be full of fun and freedom, right? We are now, and always have been, parents who believe that children need to be children and have fun in doing so, while being provided with a safe environment in which to grow and learn how to make choices that lead to good consequences. We are blessed to live in a small town, and to be surrounded by small towns where our children can play safely and enjoy their childhood.
So, yesterday after Church, Connor and his friend, Tanner, went to my parent's house. They decided to go for a ride on their scooters, just like they had done the day before, only this time, they did not arrive home the same way they had the day before. I got the phone call from my mom at about 5 p.m., that Connor had taken a pretty good spill on the scooter and I better come take a look. I walked in and saw a swollen wrist and a clearly in pain Connor. I immediately knew we had to go to the ER. Off we went, with a banged up Connor. He had a pretty good scrape on his nose, his glasses had been destroyed, he had scraped his knee and both his arms, and he was not a happy boy. We were taken in immediately. When the doctor came in to do the exam, I thought that we would only have to X-Ray Connor's right arm, as it was pretty obvious that that arm was broken. The doctor said it would be best to take a picture of both. Connor asked me how he was going to eat with two broken arms. I assured him that only the right arm was going to be broken and he wouldn't have to worry about that. When the doctor came back, however, we quickly learned how wrong I was! Yep, they were both broken. And, the right arm was so badly broken that we would have to have it reset by an orthopedic doctor. How blessed we are to have so many people in our ward family who love us and sacrifice so much! Brother Harrison and Brother Anderson came to the hospital and Connor received a Priesthood blessing. And, the orthopedic doctor was also a member of our ward, who, though he was not on call, was willing to come in at the request of our regular Pediatrician. Doctor Jones came in and reset and casted both of Connor's arms. Connor was a trooper, with the good medication, he survived the resetting and the casting. We came home and finally crashed after just over 5 hours in the ER.
I have spent the day at home, with my Boo, giving him medication, feeding him, scratching his ears, nose and forehead, and providing for his every need. It is pretty difficult to do anything with two broken arms!!! We are sure hoping for a quick recovery and some creative fun for the remainder of the summer. If you have any good ideas for activities, send them our way!

Summer Fun...New Experiences

So, I haven't blogged in awhile. I really think I need to try to be more like my friend, Cathy, who seems to get something on her blog everyday, at least a short something. I will try to get better...today I will post two things, because the two cannot go together.

We have been enjoying summer, the boys especially. The sun could have come out to stay sooner than the beginning of July, but ni modo, fun is to be had! While John and I are at work, the boys and Gaga get to play. Although, we did go camping over 4th of July weekend...that was a lot of fun!! But, with Gaga, they have fun trips to the river for swimming, visits to Mimi, and every Friday they have Friday night feast at Gaga's house. Friday night feast includes not only our boys, but Aidan's friend, Olivia and Connor's friend, Tanner. Gaga rotates the menu choice through each one of them, and they enjoy a variety of dinners each week. Our boys have one awesome grandma, let me tell you! We much appreciate her and all she does for us and the boys. And, we appreciate Pop for putting up with all the craziness too!

Part of the fun this summer has been a theater class that Connor and Aidan both participated in. During the school year, one of Connor's teachers suggested Connor might want to participate in the theater class that Ferndale Reparatory Theater offers each summer. Connor was really excited to be in the class. Aidan, on the other hand, originally asked if he could take a math class while Connor did the theater class. That would be our Aidan-Bug, he loves math!!! We did not find a math class, and Aidan decided, on the second day of class, that he wanted to take the theater class. Thanks to a scholarship, he was able to do so. They spent 3 days a week, 3 hours each day, for 4 weeks, developing two short plays. We got to see the results on Saturday night, and we absolutely loved it!!! We will most definitely be participating in the class again next summer. Connor is going to audition for Oliver in a couple of months and is fairly certain to go on to do great things on the stage! Aidan did a great job as a wizard and is a shining star as well.

We still want to go do some other things for the remaining 6 or so weeks of summer...maybe to Six Flags, maybe some more camping, maybe just relaxing....no matter what we do, we are certain to have lots of fun doing it!

A visit to the State Capitol

I am the President of the Scotia Union School District Board of Trustee. I am a trustee. I, along with four trustees, am entrusted with making decisions that affect more than 25 staff members and 218 students from K through 8th grades. I don't broadcast this information. I honestly enjoy serving on the Board of trustees, almost all of the time. I feel like I can make a difference. During the month of March, however, I don't really enjoy serving on the board. March is the month when we, as a board, have to decide if we will have to approve the recommendation of the Superintendent to lay staff off. This is the month in which we have to make tough decisions which truly take the lives and livelihood of individuals in our hands. Our small school district has fared much better than others have, and yet we are still hurting more than we should have to. We were unable to avoid giving "pink slips" to some teachers and programs this year. I cried when we did so last year, and I cried again this year. Last year we were able to retract those pink slips, but this year is not looking good. Close to 23,000 teachers in the state of California received "pink slips" this year. How sad is that? The consequences of this number is obvious, our children will be the ones who truly suffer in the end.
So why am I suddenly broadcasting this? Check this out:

Today was the last day of Connor's birthday trip. Before leaving Sacramento we went to the State Capitol building. We were standing in the hallway in front of the Governor's office when several members of California Teacher's Association and the Teacher's Coalition were gathering to present the Governor with a representative "pink slip" in the form of a memo asking him to please restore the funding we have lost over the last three or so years. Connor asked me what a "pink slip" was. I tried to explain simply the concept of budgeting for the school, and told him that unfortunately our own School Board had been forced to approve the issuing of "pink slips" this last week. One of the women in the group heard me and Connor talking and she approached us, saying she had heard my explanation. Connor immediately said "my mom is on the School Board." The woman asked if Connor and I would like to join with the group in delivering the "pink slip" to the Governor. We immediately said yes. Unfortunately, the Governor was booked and unable to see us, but his Press Secretary did come out and speak with the group. As is typical of many Politicians, he insisted that we had it wrong and that all was well with education funding. That is a discussion for another day. Connor presented him with the "pink slip" to give to the Governor. A Bay Area Superintendent also presented two large manila envelopes of letters written by her students to voice their concern as 20 of their teachers received "pink slips" today.
While it may or may not have any affect on what our State Government will do, Connor got to have a great experience today. He learned that he could be a part of something, big or small.
What a great experience for a 10 year old. I can only hope and pray that schools will not continue to lose funding, because all of the children deserve so much better than this!

A whole decade!!!!!!!! Connor is 10!!!!

It is official, I have been a Mother for an entire decade. Connor is 10 years old now. Don't ask where the years have gone. I do not know. I am not a day older. I swear I just had him.
We gave Connor a choice this year. Party or a trip with just Mom, Dad and Connor. He's a smart kid. He chose a trip. He then asked if we could go to New York. No, it has to be a weekend trip. How about Chicago? Again, not a weekend length trip. San Francisco? Yes!!!
We went to Pier 39. We had lots of fun...IN-N-OUT, Aquarium by the Bay, Wax Museum, 4D Sponge Bob ride, bicycle carriage ride, Hard Rock Cafe, Rain Forest Cafe, and lots of walking! Alcatraz tours were sold out. We drove to Sacramento on Sunday morning. We hit Old Sac and had some yummy Crepes. Connor and Daddy had an old fashioned Cowboy/Gunslinger picture done. We looked at lots of stores. We hit Toys-R-Us. Fun stuff! We ate at Olive Garden...again, yummy!!! At every place we ate, John told them it was Connor's birthday. 9 times he was given a happy birthday song by the staff or over a loud speaker. 9 times he turned red!
10 years has gone too fast. The trip has been fun. Priceless. I am a blessed mommy! I love my Boo so much....I can't believe 10 years have come and gone! I love you Boo!

Hop on over and check out this blog...and her giveaway!

My friend, Rachelle, has a current giveaway on her blog for a $50 Safeway gift card. Check it out!! Who can't use some free groceries? She has great recipes and always has great giveaways too.

http://ldylvbgr.blogspot.com

Good examples around us.

As I have said, our household is a crazy place to be. We are constantly busy, it seems. We have Church activities, Boys Scouts, mom's on the school board, homework...well, you get the picture. My mom gets to be just as busy with having the boys all day while John and I are at work and/or school, and we are grateful for all that she, my dad, and my Mimi do for our children and for us. While I do believe it is, first and foremost, the responsibility of John and I to teach our children and to raise them to be responsible adults, I also recognize the need for good examples all around. I am grateful to know many such people. Our kids are blessed with an extended family that many others do not have. They have wonderful teachers and support staff at both Scotia elementary and Prime Montessori. And, we have a great Church family. That is what I want to hit upon in this post.
Some of you, who read my blog, may not know that the LDS church is the largest group supporter of the Boy Scouts of America organization. Now you know. This year marks the 100th birthday of the Boy Scouts of America. Our boys start Boy Scouts at the age of 8, when they begin Cub Scouts, and we hope that they continue all the way through to become Eagle Scouts. We hope that each of our boys will do so. In fact, in order to get a driver's license in our house, our boys have to first achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. (nothing wrong with a little incentive, right?) So, Tuesday is Scout night. Connor started scouting almost 2 years ago now. He loves it. He looks adorably handsome in his Scout uniform. This past Tuesday was a very special Boy Scout meeting, our ward had an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for a young man in our ward, Cooper. What an experience!
Becoming an Eagle Scout is not easy. It requires hard work, dedication, sacrifice, service, integrity and trust worthiness exemplified, plus much more. As I watched the celebration of 100 years of Scouting and of Cooper's accomplishment, I could visualize my future. We had several special visitors that evening. Our Stake President, our Bishop, our Scout leaders, Fortuna City Mayor and Humboldt County 2nd district Supervisor all attended this Court of Honor to recognize Cooper. What a wonderful outpouring of love and support! I looked around the room and looked to the row of Cub Scouts sitting reverently in a row along the back wall. At that moment, I could see how impressionable those boys are. And I thought, how beautiful it is that they are seeing this great accomplishment recognized. How awesome that they have such an example as Cooper, in their lives! I looked around again, at all who showed up to honor Cooper. And you know what? I saw so many great examples of the Lord's chosen followers that reminded me just how blessed my boys really are. If they but follow the great examples they have surrounding them, they will be successful. I know that John and I cannot do it alone. I know that Heavenly Father doesn't expect us to. I am grateful for so many great examples.
Thank you, Cooper, and good job!

Happenings.....Korbin's 4!!!!!

Look! My tongue is green!

Crazy! That is life in the Ireland house, always. I have come to accept the fact that I am a working mom. Not that all mom's aren't working moms, but I have to work outside my home. Thankfully I have a mother who takes care of my beautiful children, and thank you to my dad, Jay, for letting her be home to care for them. If not for "Ga-ga," it would be at least 100 times more difficult to go to work each day. Thanks mom and dad!!!
So, I work full-time. Thankfully, again, I actually do like my job and at the end of almost everyday I can say that I helped at least one person. Because I have the kind of job I have, I am blessed to also earn paid time off. So, because I do work full-time, and sometimes I feel like I miss out on some "mom" moments; I take the day off for the birthday of each of my children if they fall on a normal work day. This last Monday was that day for Korbin. My baby turned 4! How can that be?
4 years ago, John and I were at USF medical center, hoping to bring our baby home from the NICU sooner rather than later. After a week of being there and missing our other 2 boys (thankfully mom was there then too) we finally got to bring our tiny boy home. He was our smallest at birth and even smaller when we left SF, the only one who had to have preemie size clothes. Korbin went to school with me from February to May of 2006. That was one of my best semesters ever. My pregnancy with Korbin was a bit of a surprise, but never has he been anything short of a miraculous blessing! Shortly after he was born, Korbin received a Priesthood blessing at the hands of two Priesthood holders from our ward and his breathing problems were gone within 20 minutes. I was reminded that day just how much we are truly watched over by a loving Father in Heaven. It was by the His sacred power that Korbin was healed, and continued to be healed, for the remainder of that week. In looking at Korbin today, one would never know that we ever had the slightest worry. He is a joy to have in our family. Korbin is precious in every way. He is, so far, a combination of his brothers in physical appearance and attitude. He is smart, funny and full of spirit! What a blessing we have been given, to be Korbin's parents.
Korbin loves cars and trains, but not just any cars or trains. He likes cars from the Disney movie "Cars" and he likes Thomas the train and friends. He can put together puzzles in no time, and loves to be challenged by puzzles with lots of pieces. He wanted a train cake for his birthday, so that is what he got. The first one fell apart, so I spent mostly my entire day off of work baking, frosting and decorating cakes. You know what, though? I would do it all again just to see Korbin light up at the sight of his cake! He got lots of Cars presents, and he loved it.
Korbin, we love you and are grateful to have been blessed and valued enough by Heavenly Father to be your parents here on earth. We look forward to many birthdays yet to come!! Love you, Bubby!

Sticking his finger in the frosting.

Mommy even made tracks, look. Those are cracks (tracks in Korbin's language).

I am really tired, but must smile for the traditional "cake picture."

Why must Aidan always be silly? Because, he is his own self...that is Aidan!

That is enough already, I want to play with my new toys!

Look, I got a new puzzle. It has 100 pieces. (He has already gotten it 3/4 put together two times now.)

We are going to miss Grandma and Grandpa!!

All of us with Grandma and Grandpa Annis
(can you believe how tall Connor is?)

Aidan with our newest family member, "Princess."

So, my dad and step-mother, Rhonda, came into town back in September. They have been living, along with their adorable dogs, Piper and Sophie, in their RV, in front of our garage. They were going to be here until after Connor's birthday in March, and we have loved having them here. Besides the fact that Rhonda has done almost 100% of the housecleaning and laundry since their arrival, the kids have just loved having their grandparents here that they don't see very often. After all, the last time we saw them was when Korbin was just a baby and now he's 3! Unfortunately, due to some issues back home, in Iowa, dad and Rhonda have to head back much sooner than expected. In fact, they will be heading out early Tuesday morning, and we are sad!!!!
Since grandma and grandpa are leaving we decided to go over to Mimi's house so that she could take some pictures of all of us. The last time they were here, we had pictures taken of the boys and grandma and grandpa Annis, so we wanted an updated version. The pictures turned out pretty good...thanks, Mimi!
We really will miss having grandma and grandpa Annis here and we hope they come back soon! Thanks for all the help while you have been here, we appreciate it! We hope you come back sooner rather than later, or that we can find a way to come to Iowa to visit. We will miss Piper and Sophie as well, but we are happy that we were able to enjoy this time with you!

Grandma and Grandpa Annis with the boys.

All of us again...what cute boys we have!

"My three sons!"
(goofy, as always.)

Happy birthday, Aidan Bryant Ireland!!!!!!

Aidan, our 2nd child, turned 7 today. He chose to have a "Wii bowling tournament" for his party last Saturday. We had the party at our church building because the gym is much more spacious than our living room. I made him a bowling lane cake, which was fun. We had a tournament that started with four competitions and went down to the final two competitors. The final two ended up being Aidan and his big brother, Connor. Connor won, but not by much. Tonight we had family party at my mom and step-father's house. My mom and my step-mom actually made lasagna together for the party and I made a 3 layer chocolate cake. Aidan wanted a new pocket knife, which he got from Mommy and Daddy. He also really wanted a Zhu-Zhu pet, which is apparently the most popular toy this season. My mom found him one on line. He as thrilled! If you don't know what a Zhu-Zhu pet is, look it up, they are cool. Aidan also got some cool marbles and a marble mat from Grandma and Grandpa Annis. He is a lucky little boy!

I still can't believe that it has been 7 years since Aidan came into this world. Aidan was supposed to enter this world, via planned c-section, on November 26, 2002. However, he felt the need to come the day before. I woke up at 5 a.m. that Monday morning, in labor, not liking it. I sat in the bath tub, I moved around, I tried everything I could think of to stop the pain. I finally called to doctor's office at about 9 a.m. and they told me to go to the hospital if the contractions continued or became closer together. About an hour later I took Connor to the Hamilton's house, next door, and left to the hospital. My mom had just started a new job that morning. John and I got to the hospital and checked in. The anesthesiologist came and checked my lungs, telling me he would see me the next morning. I told him I was having a baby that day, not waiting another day!! Dr. Anderson said that he wanted me to walk around a little bit and he would come over to see me at lunch and decide then if we would deliver that day. The contractions continued. My mom arrived. Mimi arrived with Connor. Papa arrived. Dr. Anderson came in and talked to me. He said there was no reason to wait a day. The nurse started prepping me for surgery. I was so excited to meet our little boy!! Dr. Anderson asked Dr. Cannady to assist him, and I remembered that he had assisted in my appendectomy when I was 6. Only in a small town would that irony take place. Aidan entered the world at 2:39 p.m., weighing 8 pounds 1 ounce, and measuring 19 inches. I had to go to ICU because recovery was packed. I had a nurse that I had had when I was recovering from my appendectomy, another irony.
I got to my room about an hour after Aidan was born and what a beautiful sight!! Connor and daddy had helped bathe him for the first time. He was wrapped up all snugly in a blanket with a cute blue hat on his head. I held him for a few minutes. It didn't take long for Papa to take him from me. That was the beginning of a special bond between Aidan and his great grandfather. They were almost inseparable most of the time. Aidan still lets us know, at least once a week, that he misses his Papa.
Aidan is still as sweet, kind and beautiful as the day he was born. He is funny! He is smart. He is active. He never really stays still, even when he is sleeping. He has more freckles on his nose and cheeks than his brothers. He has beautiful blue eyes. He is the smaller, in stature, of my boys, but what he lacks in height he makes up for in personality! Aidan makes me laugh everyday, and I am so thankful for him.
We had a few names chosen, but knew the moment we looked at him that Aidan was it. His name means "fiery spirit" and that he is! His middle name is my grandparents surname. We gave it to him because we had told Papa when Connor was born that if we ever had another boy, we would give him Bryant as part of his name. Bryant is a name to be proud of and one that Aidan will always live up to, I am sure. We have always called him "Bug," a fun nickname for a fun boy.
We am grateful to have Aidan as part of our family. We cherish each moment with him and look forward to continuing to watching him grow up to be a great man!!
Happy 7th birthday, Aidan! You are the best Aidan in the whole world, don't you ever forget it! We love you for always and forever, Aidan Bug!

Happy Father's Day!!!

It's Father's Day....a day to celebrate father's and fatherhood. Perhaps even a day to reflect upon what makes a father a father and what does fatherhood consist of? Every person in existence has a father, even if they don't know him, talk to him, like him or see him. Some people, like myself, are blessed to have a father and a step father, both of whom are equally considered a father. My boys are blessed with a great father, who they love and admire. John never knew his father because he died when John was only 5 months old. But, John had a great foster father during his teenage years who made a great difference to a life that might have otherwise turned out.
I have been thinking a lot about what makes a father a father. After all, not everybody has their biological father living with them. I see "broken" families on a daily basis where I work. I technically came from one of those "broken" families. I never once felt, as a child, that I came from a "broken" or a different family. I am sure that I never felt that way because I still had a "dad" in my dear grandpa. Papa always made sure that I knew how much I was loved and he supported me in everything I did. He did all of the things with me that a father would have done. From taking me to father/daughter functions in Girl Scouts to teaching me how to drive and how to pitch softball, he was the "dad" when I needed it most. Even with all of this, I still knew that my father loved me just as much. I always knew that he would have liked to be the one to do all of those things with me, but circumstances were out of his control. I loved getting letters and postcards from him, seeing the new places he was living while serving our country in the Navy. I loved seeing him when I could. And now, as an adult, I am so happy that we still talk through e-mail and on the phone. We look forward to having them come out this year and spending time with them. I am even more blessed to have a step-father who truly loves me and supports me always. Jay loves our children beyond measure and is truly their beloved "poppi." He lets them stay the night as often as they want to, and he teaches them things that the rest of us never could. He often has more patience with my boys than I do.
My boys are blessed to have a father who loves them without end. Sometimes I think part of fatherhood is knowing how to act like your children, because John does it so well sometimes. In all seriousness, though, John does love his boys and he wants only the best of the best for them. I have heard it said that the most important example in a child's life is that of their same gender parent...a father has a great task ahead of him from the beginning. I know that my dear husband is up to such a task, even when the going gets tough. I believe we all have great expectations for our children, and I know that it takes an entire family to help them to achieve their goals. I am thankful for the fathers that I have had in my life and the many great examples that my own children have in their lives.
Happy Father's day to my husband, my dad, Jay, and of course, to my Papa! Thank you to all the fathers who strive everyday to help their children to become great adults.

NEWS!!!!!!

I forgot to add to my last post...no I didn't. This needed it's own post.

John got promoted to manager of GNC. He is excited! I know that he will do well. This is a huge blessing for our family and we know that it is truly only by the hand of God that we have been blessed.

Congratulations, John!!!!! We love you!!!!!

Remembering.....

Somehow Memorial Day weekend always feels like the real ending of Spring and the beginning of Summer. Perhaps this is because it is so close to the end of the school year or perhaps because the weather seems to get a little nicer about this time. I don't know exactly why, but it feels that way every year. I love that I get a 3 day weekend and that my boys have one too. And, I love what Memorial Day really celebrates. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father created us with minds that hold memories and that we can thus recreate so much history.
One of my favorite memories of growing up in truly "small town" America is the Memorial Day parade that takes place every year in Ferndale. I still remember watching the parade each year of my childhood and placing flowers on the "grave of the unknown soldier" each year. And now my own children get to do the same. A very special part of my memories of the parade have everything to do with the fact that my grandpa was a part of the parade for as many years as I can remember. He proudly walked in the parade with the VFW for years, and then as he grew older, he rode on the VFW float. My grandpa was always proud to don his army hat and show his patriotism. He was truly Proud to be an American and I am grateful for his example. For years, my grandfather put his flag out every morning and then he would carefully bring it in at night. Aidan loved to be there to help Papa put the flag out or bring it in.
This year we will be going to watch the parade, having missed it last year since we lived in Utah. (Instead we went camping in Southern Utah, where it was much colder than expected.) My boys will all take flowers with them, probably from Mimi's yard. It will be hard not to see Papa sitting on the VFW float, and I will probably cry. But, I am so grateful to live in a place where I am free to watch a parade that truly honors and remembers those who have fought for me, and you, to have such freedoms.
So, in honor of all who have fought and all who continue to fight for our freedom....check out this cool video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0mm4u2VzDs

Enjoy your holiday and remember to enjoy your freedoms always!