Olivia's Party

Last was Olivia's party. We invited both sides of the family for cake and ice cream. It was a lot of fun and a full house.

We gave Olivia her own special cake. She was really neat about her cake at first. Then she dug in. She was really cute.

And then she was done.

It was a great time. Thanks for all who came and celebrated with us. I think I would have invited anyone who knew Olivia but our house is not that big.

no more scissors...

Savannah was helping me make cupcakes for Olivia's party and she got cake batter in her hair. I know, I know I shouldn't let her eat cake batter. But the kid is stubborn and I was tired. Anyway, she got batter in her hair. I went on with things and forgot that she had it in there. Apparently she didn't. Later that night after giving Livvy a cupcake and Savannah and I singing to her. (this was on her actual birthday day and eric was at a work thing), I got to give both girls a bath. I realize that Savannah has a dreadlock. I wish I had taken a picture of that. Yep, a dreadlock. I thought oh boy that cake batter is great. So I wash and condition her hair and then apply more conditioner. Then I start to comb the dreadlock out. She is still sitting in the bathtub. I am combing and some hair comes out. I am thinking wow, this is some great cake batter. More combing, more hair. When I am done there is a big clump of hair. I am starting to think what it up. So I ask Savannah if she cut her hair. Her answer was simple, "Yep mom, I cut my hair." That explains it all. Later that night I found a few dry strands on the kitchen rug. So no more scissors for Savannah. The area of missing hair is that obivious but I still think that I will have it shortened up a bit.

just a little sun

On Tuesday, it was so sunny so we played for a few minutes in the front yard. Savannah loved it. Olivia was all smiles. I am welcoming spring any time it wants to come!! Savannah even tried to pick the flowers. I had to explain that these are not flowers for picking. Silly girls!

Livvy is One!

It is hard to believe that it has been a year since that snowy morning at the hospital. I remember waking up to my water breaking. It was crazy. I was so not ready! We went to the hospital and it was warm and windy. By 8 am when Olivia arrived it was completely white! We are so lucky to have this special little lady in our lives. She truly made me believe that babies can be easy. After the rough run that was Savannah, I know that I deserved an easy one! I got it! Here are just a few of the things that Olivia is doing now and other things that make her special!

• Daddy's Girl
• Always smiles
• just learned to go down the stairs
• loves her sister
• wants to feed her self (no mess there! )
• loves anything that makes a lot of noise
• has crazy j family hair line pattern (makes combing interesting)
• always excited
• hates her shoes and socks
• wants to be a big girl
• loves savannah's toys
• loves her blankie, other blankie, pink puppy dog and sock monkey
• will wake up with a smile
• loves to tease savannah
• thinks lexi is her sister
• loves to take everything out of drawers and take all over house

importing babysitters

We used to have a really great babysitter Kambri. She was Savannah's first babysitter. She was great. She totally plays with the kids. One time she even got stuck behind the couch while chasing Savannah through the crawl area. (Lucky for her I let her have friends over so she wasn't stuck too long!) Well, Kambri and her family moved to Lehi in July. I was so sad. There is another great girl in the neighborhood so we aren't let without one. But there aren't a lot of girls who are of babysitting age in our area.

Saturday night was our Stake Conference. We really wanted to go. I got a sitter on wed. I figured we were safe. Her dad called on Saturday morning and she was sick!!! I was so stressed and bummed out. I hate calling for sitters. I feel like an awkward boy calling to ask a girl out on a first date. Maybe that is exaggerating a little but really I don't like it. If they tell me no, I wonder it is me, is it my kids, are they really busy? Then I hate calling people. I don't know when this started but I really don't like calling people and asking for things. It really stresses me out. I need to work on this. I don't mind talking on the phone but I hate cold calling. So back to the story, I tried everyone in the area. Busy phone lines, not available. Duh, it was Saturday afternoon and I needed one that night!! I was desperate!! I called Kambri and left her a message explaining my situation. We then proceeded to work out an another solution. Trading kids with eric's brother. It wasn't ideal but it was going to have to do. Then Kambri called back! Sometimes her sister will bring her up from lehi. I offered to come and get her and take her home! So that is what I did. I drove to Lehi for a babysitter! Seriously, it was worth it! It was a good conference and we got to eat dinner out and some one else put the kids to bed!! Loved it! Will be doing it again. So glad Kambri was available!! Eric told everyone all night that we are now importing babysitters!!

signs of spring...

I noticed this in my front garden today....




Does this mean this long winter is almost over??

I can't wait! I love the flowers of the spring!

favorite flowers

Last Tuesday, (Feb 12) Eric surprised me with red roses for V day. He stopped at Costco and bought them for me. I thought that was really sweet of him. He remembered early and he didn't spend too much money on flowers. (We both feel the same way that spending too much money on flowers is a waste, most of the time.) Later that night, we were talking and he said that he realized that he didn't know my favorite color of rose. I had to think for a minute. I really don't have a favorite color of ROSE. I answered that it had to be yellow roses. My grandma's favorite flower was yellow roses. Everyone knew that was her favorite flower. EVERYONE! Whenever I see a yellow rose it reminds me of her. So I guess that is my favorite color of rose.

Well two days later on Valentine's Day.....Guess who stopped at Costco and bought yellow roses?? Aren't I a lucky girl?!?!?

As for my favorite flower is has to be the seasonal things. I love the lilac of the early spring. I love love LOVE tulips. I love flowers that grow in my own garden. I think my favorite flower to get is probably the gerbera daisy. Pretty and loving. Like it is just there to cheer you up!! So what is your favorite flower? Do you get flowers a lot or just for special occaisions?

olivia and toilets, savannah's black eye.

What the heck? I know that is what you are thinking. Olivia loves the toilet. She runs for the bathroom when she sees anyone near it. If I leave the door open. She finds her way in there and plays in the toilet. If the seat is down, which is usually is, she will flush it. (she also loves our garbage can. It is part of our cabinets. You pull out the garbage cans, that why there is a picture of that. I know why is she chewing? I don't know. I try to stop her. I have actually quit throwing away messing things in this can for this reason. She also loves to pull everything out.) She loves to unwrapped the toilet paper and take bites out of the toilet paper roll. Eric is wondering if she is getting enough fiber. Okay, back to the story. Friday afternoon, I was downstairs. The girls had made their way upstairs. Not a big deal. Until, I hear Savannah crying. SHe was repeating over and over, "Olivia hurt me. Olivia hurt me!" What?? How can your not yet one year old sister hurt you? Well, they were playing in the bathroom and Olivia was lifting the seat up and down and slammed the seat down on Savannah's head. It was pretty loud. And funny. I told eric. He started laughing. It was pretty funny. Savannah cried for quite some time. Her eye looks like she has bad 80's eye make up on. I tried to get a good picture of it, but it wasn't happening. I have now learned just to keep the bathroom doors closed.

say cheese!!

Danielle posed for a few pictures. What do you think? I think she is going to kill me!

my other daughter....

Happy Birthday to Lexi!! Lexi is my neice but since Kris began working last May, Lexi has become a part of the family a few days a week! (This has come to an end. I know Savannah will be sad!) Savannah misses her when she is not here. Olivia loves her! She gets excited when she sees her! So Happy 4th to Lexi!!! I hope it is a special year for you!!! Thanks for the party Chuck E Cheese! It was a party to remember!!!

valentine's at school

Savannah had school on Valentine's day. They had a party and exchanged cards. She gave Tinkerbell Cards. They had a pencil and a Tootsie Pop attached. She was really excited to had them out. She tried writing her own name on them but her name is so long it really wasn't fitting so I did it for her. They made the cutest Valentine bag at school. She really had a fun day. She was a little crabby towards the end but what kid isn't?

This is a picture of Savannah at my parent's house. Don't you love how tall the snow is? Their driveway has been getting smaller and smaller!!

all clear

thought you would like to see how olivia is doing!

man tag.

What is his full name? eric willbur j.
How long have you been married? almost 8 years
How long did you date? about 8 months, I think
Who eats more sweets? me by far. i love the sweets! he eats more in general
Who said I love you first? not sure. maybe him. maybe me. i think it was him. i was in a place where i wasn't going to say it unless i was ready.
How old is he? 32
Who is taller? he is by 2 inches.
Who is smarter? I would say he is about most things but I win the prize for random facts.
Who can sing better? duh, if you ever heard me you wouldn't even ask. his whole family is more musical than most families. I sit out when the music starts.
Who does the laundry? i do.
Who pays the bills? he does.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? which is the right. i sleep on the right if you in the bed.
Who mows the lawn? dallin and justin. but if we didn't pay them, eric would do it. he is sort of a perfectionist in this area. i don't think he would let me mow the lawn even though i know how and have been doing it since i was 7 or 8.
Who cooks dinner? i do. eric used to do it once in a while, then he started working more.
Who drives? he does. although I backseat it a lot with directions and speed control.
Who is more stubborn? varies. we both have our moments.
Who kissed who first? eric.
Who asked who out? not sure. we just started hanging out and then dating. he probably asked me on our first "real" date.
Who proposed? eric.
Who has more siblings? eric. 7 vs. 4. but I have more sisters. which really is way more siblings than he could ever have!
Who wears the pants? what pants. if eric had a choice we would all be naked. seriously. more of a team. we both take turns.

i tag who ever. if you want to do this please do. and danielle, i know where you live too. now do the bag tag. i want to see inside your purse!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! I have to admit. I am liking this holiday more and more. It is a fun and easy holiday where you show those around you how much you love and appreciate them. It is also a fun kids holiday!



For breakfast, we had heart toast with strawberry jam and pink milk.

For dinner we had spaghetti. We also had sparkling apple juice or as the j family calls it "the bubbly".

My sister Nicole found smurfs. She called me and was telling me about them and then I told eric and he got all excited and was recalling the names of all the smurfs. I had Nicole send me a few smurfs for Eric's valentine present. He LOVED them. I thought he would like them and then let the kiddos play with them. NOPE! He is taking them to work. Olivia might have something to say about it. She loves them, too!!
Savannah and Olivia got matching hooded kitty towels with their names on them. Savannah seems to like Olivia's better. I don't know why since they are EXACTLY the same! Silly Savvy!
All the kids at dinner. Aren't they cute??

It was a great day! Thanks to Eric for making it so special!

the kindness of a stranger

Today, I took Olivia to the doctor. Since I was at the sandy ihc clinic, and I had a prescription called in for me for the pain of the ovarian cysts, i thought I would go and pick it up. the parmacist informed me that is price was going to be $104 with insurance. (turns our we have an high deductible on prescriptions.) OUCH! was all I could think. I knew that I would have to talk to eric before I filled that one. I told the pharmacist that I would have to wait and that since I really didn't need it today that it wasn't a big deal. I would talk to my doctor about free samples or another drug. I went to sit out and wait for Olivia's name to be called (which it took about 45 minutes total waiting time!). The pharmacist came out and told me that there was a man who wanted to pay for the prescription. I was floored. Someone I didn't know was willing to pay so much money for me. I was shocked. I thought that only happened in Christmas stories. I was near tears. The pharmacist said the man wouldn't take no for an answer. I ran into the pharmacy and met the kind stranger. He was an ordinary man. Plainly dressed and simple. He had been wandering around the pharmacy as I was talking to the pharmacist. As I explained to him that there is no way I would let him pay for this for me. He insisted and we went back and forth a few times. Tears were forming in both our eyes. I explained that I had the money and it was just not with me. I also told him that there are so many more deserving people than me. I was so touched that a stranger was offering this to me. In the end, I didn't get the prescription. I really didn't feel right. I think just knowing that he was willing was far more touching than the actually act of paying for it. We both sat in the waiting area for another few minutes. His wife was called back and he stayed. Olivia's name was finally called and I stood up to walk back to see the doctor. I gave the kind stranger one last smile of gratitude. I truly believe that his small act has affected me beyond words. I hope that I can be a kind stranger and show others the love that they all deserve.

**this took me a fews days to write since it was such a sweet act. i wanted to do it justice!***

cute cousins

some a few of the fun pictures I took today while lexi was playing with savannah & olivia

impetigo

(these are not the best pictures but you get the idea. and it is really hard to take a picture of olivia.)

impetigo. this is what is causing the sores on Olivia's face. she had a small sore right before we went to cancun and when we came home it was a lot bigger (kind of like a canker sore) and crusty and gross. really gross. that sore cleared up and then her nose got bad. it has been getting better and then i noticed another one by her eyebrow. i was doing some research on the internet last night (aka blog stalking, everyone does it) and saw something about it on the blog I was reading. saw the pictures and I knew I had to get her in to see the doctor. so glad I did. impetigo is a strep infection on the outer layers of the skin. it is really contagious but only if you have an open sore. it seems to pass though open sores. i am not sure how livvy got it but i hope that this is where it ends.

funnies part of the story is when we got back last tuesday, eric looked at it and said it looks like impetigo. in my mind, i was thinking what does he know. turns out father does know best.

happy birthday to my dear husband!

eric's birthday was a few days ago. he was actually working the night of his birthday so we postponed celebrating until tonight. we did go to dinner with some his family members (adults only!) to market street on tuesday. that was tons of fun. all the girls sat on one side. the food was yummy and the company even better. tonight we celebrated with the girls. savannah was so excited to give eric his card and present that he got them the minute he walked in the door. she wrote her name on his card all by herself. she also drew a picture of a snowman (that can walk). it was really sweet. we had a simple dinner of salad and baked potato. (his choice) and the our favorite guys from the northeast made a visit. we sang to eric with a plate of cookies. eric is totally a no fuss guy when it comes to his birthday. this used to frustrate me. i love a party. i love to plan a party. i love to have people over. eric is the opposite. he doesn't even want people to know it is his birthday. he would be happier if it were forgotten. he usually even buys his own present because that way he gets what he wants. this year i felt particularly bad. i usually make him something as a surprise and I didn't even do that. i know he understands but i love to make him feel special. he is an amazing guy. i feel so lucky that he is in my life and a father to my beautiful (or will be once the impetigo is gone) girls. so thanks eric. i hope it was a good one. next year i may actually plan something. i may not. be good or i will plan a big party!!

letters from home

we didn't call home while we were in cancun. we knew it would be really expensive so we just never planned on it. we did get lucky because the hotel had an internet cafe with free internet access. it was great. i was able to find out all about the kids. danielle sent me some funny stories. i was laughing out loud most of the time. i thought i would post them here. they are a little long but really funny. it was great to hear the funny stories even though we were so far away!

danielle wrote: Everything is just fine here. The girls are doing great. Savannah is happy to be with Ben and Paul and they are playing fantastic. The only struggle I have had is getting Ben to take a nap. He doesn't want to but sure needs to. Olivia thinks that I am her mom...for right now at least. She is a little scavenger. Whenever she is hungry she goes to the cupboard or starts looking for food under the chairs. I think it is funny. Not sure yet is Savannah has really even noticed you are gone. I keep telling her you are in Mexico and she says hmmm and them walks away. Pretty funny! By the way...thanks for the PJs. You are awfully sweet to remember the boys in the little gifts. I didn't think you were going to but little Paul was so excited about his and couldn't get anything on them even popcorn. They all have been carrying their little stuffed animals around as if they were their only toy. The two older kids are working on their "art" projects right now and are having a blast. I think they were both getting a little bored and it was a little nice to have a new treat and something to stir up the monotony. I have wondered where a couple of items are but Savannah usually knows where they are and totally helps me find it. I couldn't find the syrup today and she helped me out on that and the bisquick. I was pretty impressed about the bisquick. I don't think my kids could tell anyone where that was....I asked her where the pancakes making stuff was. She has been doing great with potty. I just tell her that she needs to go in order to have a turn or to have a treat or whatever when I can tell she needs to go and then she goes just fine. She hasn't gone poo yet but I am sure that will come sometime. I really hope it isn't when the babysitter is here tonight. I will talk to her about it and tell them to watch out as well. I think she might not go until you get back...really. Well, hope you are having fun and soaking up the sun. Don't worry about the kids. They are in good hands and are having a ball. Love, Danielle

PS I knew you wouldn't be calling...tooooo much money. Also, your kids are super easy to put to sleep. My kids are way harder

danielle also wrote: Okay...I thought I would share some funny things that S has done. So yesterday I told her to go pee and then we could do something...don't remember what it was. So she goes into the bathroom to go pee and stands there and starts to squeeze herself. I quickly ran in there and told her that she had to sit down b/c Paul is a boy and she is a girl and girls have to sit to pee and boys can stand. It was pretty funny. They were both sort of confused about that. I guess that is what happens when you have the same sex siblings.

Last night after I got her out of the tub and was dressing Ben. I told S to go and get some underwear out of her drawer. She told me that she didn't have any underwear in her drawer and I thought that was pretty weird. So after we got the little ones all dressed we went into her room and opened her drawer and she told me that those are "panties". Gotcha

bag tag

i got bagged tagged. thanks ann marie. sorry it took so long. not feeling well and cancun kind of got in the way. i was lucky and took a picture of my cancun bag so it was a lot more fun and a lot less mommy than i normal carry around. so here it is:

• passports (mine and eric)
• postcards (i forgot to mail them to savannah and olivia)
• see's butterscotch candies and biscoff cookies from airplane.
• ipod and adapter for movie on plane (not that I watched it. read book)
• the wedding by nicholas sparks. (read the whole thing on the 5hr flight home)
• wallet
• lip stuff -- rosebud salve (the best!), gap lip balm in vanilla (only vanilla I like), mac lipstick and gloss,
• bobby pins and hair clip
• loritab (for the cramping), vitamins
• tissues
• muffin bar (so yummy and only 2 points)
• quart size bag with saline solution and lip gloss in it. ( i was flying)
• sunglass bag. i know the sunglasses were in there but not sure where they are now.
• ticket stub from flight (did i mention i was flying)

I think that is about it. It was fun to do this tag, especially after travelling somewhere fun. Thanks ann marie. i tag nicole, kat, jacki t, and leyla (like ley will really do this!) have fun ladies!

***Update: I have to say the morning I took this picture I was really glad I was not my sister Kris. She found a crisp chicken burrito from Taco Time in her purse. Yep, she was the lucky one!