Well, I was talking to my Dad about when he could get back over to my house to help up out in the backyard (which might be put on hold, I'll go into details later), and he told me that he has so much work to be done at his rental house. He has to get all that done before he can make it to my house. So instead of sitting around waiting for that to happen I decided to take action. Plus the fact that my dad is always so willing to help others and never asks for help with his own projects.

I had talked to him earlier in the day and asked when he was going to be there. I told him to give me a call when he was there and knew how long he was going to be there. Of course he wasn't going to call, so after dinner I got on some grungy clothes and headed over. Ben decided that he wanted to stay home and get the kids in bed and hold down the fort. So I got there around 6:45 and when I pulled up I didn't even see my dad. But then I noticed my cute dad crouched down on his hands and knees pulling weeds. So I headed over and started pulling weeds with him. We crouched on our hands and knees until almost 10 pm pulling weeds. We got a ton done, and bless my dad's heart he was there the next night so Ben took a turn and went on over and helped out for a few hours. I know my dad really appreciated it, especially since he is always out there by himself working til late hours.

So about our backyard . . . . it is in such disaray. We are waiting for my dad to have time to come over and level it all out. But now I'm second guessing the whole thing. Ben called me right before he got off yesterday and let me know that his car was in the shop. So of course, something had to go wrong and we had to use our money that was saved up for the backyard to pay for the car. Something was wrong with the airconditioning belt, or something like that. So now I'm wondering how the whole backyard renovation is really going to pan out. It will be interesting to say the least.

Ben had the day off today so of course I got to do some things that I needed/wanted to do and Ben got to do some things that he needed/wanted to do. We started off the morning with sleeping in to our usual 7 am. Mason is a little alarm clock and wakes us up every single morning. Then Ben was great and let me hit up one of my favortie classes at the gym, pilates. I love it because it is (if you are doing it right), a 45 minute constant ab workout. It is just so relaxing and nice to be able to just sit there have a "Whitney" moment.

So then when I got home you would have thought it was lunch time. Ben was in the kitchen with the kids at the table. They had had baths and were all dressed and Ben was making lunch. It was 10 am. I thought it was so cute! I asked him if he looked at the clock before he started cooking lunch, but he only realized after he started making it. So the kids and Ben had lunch at 10 am, cute right. Then my friend Brittney came over and we headed out on a much needed wall/talk while Ben went out for a couple hours to just do whatever. Brit the kids and I walked up to a park and the kids played for a bit and then we headed home to have second lunch. So then Ben hung out at home with the kids while I took another turn out with Luella to go shop for a minute. I met Joanne, Marse and Sara and we looked for some clothes. I found some fun things, even though I didn't need anything it is fun to get new clothes.

When I got home, Ben said we should head to a park and fly some kites. So I made some pb and j sandwiches and packed up some snacks, the kites and a soccer ball and we went off to a park. I think that was the first time we've ever been out on a picnic like that just our own little family. It was such a blast. The kids have fun flying their kites, and kicking the ball around and running all over the whole park. It was so cute to watch them play with Ben, they just adore him. Mason was running around so much that of course he got over heated and had to take his shirt off. It is one of his usual things lately to have no shirt on, even at home. Luella and I sat on the blanket together just watching the others play. Luella just started sitting up this week and she looks so cute. Just sits there and plays with whatever she can grab in her reach. So after we tuckered the kids out and got the kids in their jammies, I came into my room to find all of them spread out on the bed with the fan going full blast. They all looked so tired. I handed Lu of and went to a pants party with Brittney. I didnt' find any pants, which is a good thing since I already spent enough money in the last week on clothes. I got home and Ben gave me a hug and a kiss and headed off to drive his race cars at the indoor track. The kids were already in bed, so I grabbed the bag of dorittos (good thing there was only 1/4 bag left) and popped 6 cookies in the oven. I've sat here on the couch watching some tv, eating the rest of the dorittos and 4 of the 6 cookies. I promised Ben I'd save him a couple. Now that I am up to date on my journal, I've eaten myself silly with snacks I am ready for Ben to come home so we can go to bed. I'm definately feeling like I need to hit up the gym way hard tomorrow morning, but oh those cookies were so tasty.

Today has just been so perfect. Even though Ben and I haven't spent as much time together as we like to on his days off. We were both able to go and do and get things done that we wanted to. And what is even better is the kids had a full day of activites and fun. It was just perfect!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK!

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY JACK!

We love you, miss you and think about you often!

Today is my nephew Jack's birthday. He would have been 3 years old today.

We went and celebrated at the cemetery. We had a little picnic, each wrote a message on a balloon to send up to him and Honey wrote and read a really special poem. It's about all my kids could talk about all day. That we were going to get to send balloon's up to Jackie. Every time we go to my parents house we pass the cemetery and each and every time we drive by my kids give a shout out to Jack.

I'm not quite sure that Mason is old enough to understand, so he doesn't really ask many questions, (even though I know that Mason and Jack will have a special eternal bond as little buddies!) but Samantha is constantly asking questions. She is often asking if Jack is up with Heavenly Father and Jesus, and when we get to see him again. I explained to her today that if we live our life like we should (keep the commandments, make obey Heavenly Father, Jesus and our parents, keep our bodies clean and pure, etc) that when Jesus comes again then we will get to see Jack. (she was also worried about seeing Honey and Poppy's puppies Toby and Ginger)

That is one of the cutest things about kids . . . their innocence. The are so pure and innocent and sweet, they have nothing but honest intentions. And most of the time they are teaching us adults life lessons.

WE MISS THAT CUTE LITTLE BABY, BUT KNOW THAT HE IS IN A FAR BETTER PLACE.

WE LOVE YOU JACK, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Luella's 6 month check up

I went in for Luella's 6 month check up this week, I can't hardly believe that already half a year has gone by. It just seems to be flying by, and I just have to remember to enjoy it . . . all of it.
So we went in and Luella is growing like a weed . . . . .

Weight . . . . . .16.2 lbs

Height . . . . . .26.5 inches

She has jumped up to the 70% for her height, and just about average for her weight. So now she is getting a little length going behind all that weight. She is just getting so big and chunky, it so cute. She hasn't really shown any sign of teeth, but that's ok. Sam didn't start getting teeth til around her 1st birthday and Mason was getting his first ones around 6 months and had a full set by 1. They are all just so different. She isn't rolling over a ton (but maybe that's because I don't put her on the floor long enough to roll over. When she is on the floor the kids think it is so fun to jump over her, not really safe so we stay away from the floor unless mommy is right there), she is kinda getting a little more balance when she tries to sit up, but still falls over. I did find her the other morning in her bed on her tummy. She had turned over and couldn't get back onto her back, she wasn't that happy about it.

The doctor gave the go ahead to start feeding her anyting we want, except honey and nuts. We have been giving her little tastes of what we are having but, now the fun begins. She already LOVES her bottle so much. And when I get out some jar food, she goes crazy. This morning I fed her some yogurt, and she ate it up so fast. She definately loves her food. Anything and everything we give her she eats and enjoys it. This is where the fun starts. I love introducing new foods to babies and seeing how they react. The cute faces that they make whether they like it or not, it is so fun.

She is really starting to love her little snuggle blanket. I get my kids little plush blankets in hopes that they will attach to them. Samantha and Mason really love theirs, they still sleep with them every night. We have said many prayers asking for help to find those little blankets. So just the fact that when I put Luella in bed to take a nap or go to bed and as soon as I hand her the little soft blanket, she grabs onto it and holds it close to her face. I love it. Every little kid should have something that they are attached to.

The other day I was at my moms and I laid Lu down on the family room floor and went outside with my sister for a minute. I came back in and Lu was now on the couch. I asked Samantha how she got there and Sam said that she walked over to the couch. So I put Luella back on the floor and had Sam show me. Sam carefully (as careful as a 4 yr old can be with a 6 month/chunky baby) picked her up and carried her over to the couch. At least she hadn't gotten hurt or dropped. Samantha just loves to help out with her little sister. She loves to bring her toys, her binky, make her laugh and just love her! Mason is the same. Just this morning I was sitting in the kitchen feeding Lu her bottle and Mason came up and stood behind Lu's head and gave her the cutest kiss on her forhead and gave her a little hug. That little boy is sweet when he wants to be.

I am just so enjoying Luella in our family. I feel very blessed to be her mommy and have that special duty to take care of her. I feel that way about all my kids! I love them all more than I can even describe, they each have very special things about them and melt my heart in different ways. But this little Lu is the only baby that at 6 months knows her mommy! Even a few months ago she was noticing if someone other than mom was holding her. She would follow the sound of my voice and see where I was going. It has been different because my other 2 weren't like that. I mean they knew who their mom was, but I would almost say that they would probably prefer to have daddy. So Luella and I have this special little bond. I feel like she is going to be my little peace maker! We need one of those around here. I love going to get her out of bed and seeing that beautiful little face and smile. I can't wait to see her after I haven't been around her for a bit. She is just such a great addition to our family. We love her so much. It is so fun to see her change, and to see her little personality start to form. It was so sad to see her get shots, as it always is every time. But when the nurse put these little bandaids on those cute chunky legs I had to take a picture.

ADDICTED

K I have a confession. I LOVE the biggest loser! I think it is such a great and inspirational show. It has great tips for everyone and seriously, it saves so many people's lives. It gives them a second chance on a better way of living. So that is the first part of my confession.

The second half is that I LOVE chocolate, actually anything sweet! I'm totally addicted. As a side note, just to give you an idea. Ben had 4 candy bars in the fridge the other day. He came home and I told him that there was now only 1, that's right just 1. I had a great day of eating healthy, playing with the kids, making it to the gym and then by 4 0'clock I really needed something. And by 7 when Ben got home, I had eaten 3 candy bars. (do you know how many calories just 1 candy bar is? K do the math for 3 of them, not so great right?!) So when I'm a little stressed I like to reach for chocolate. I've always said that if I was a drinking woman I would start around 5 pm. And seeing how I don't drink, I choose to go for the chocolate instead.

So back to my addiction to chocolate. I love it so much that it seems like lately I've wanted/needed a candy bar every single night after dinner. Sad right?! Well it is really true. And here is a big confession, I have a stash of peanut m&m's and hot tamales in the drawer of my night stand next to my bed. Really sad! So now you know that I have a serious problem. But an even more serious problem is that I can't seem to stop. I have to tell Ben not to give me candy as presents, or leave it in the house because I can't seem to find the self control needed to not eat it.

Now, I love watching the biggest loser and I love chocolate. Can you see where I'm going with this? I love watching the biggest loser and eating chocolate. Tonight we were getting ready to go turn on the biggest loser and I realized that I didn't have a treat to eat while watching. So Ben made a run (he was craving an icee himself), and got me my fix of chocolate. So now that I am set with my twix I can sit and relax and watch my favorite inspirational show. Then I can hit it hard in the morning like I have been every day at the gym. I'm hoping that I can gain some selfcontrol and won't need a candy bar a day, or more.

PICTURE UPDATE

I have taken all these pictures in the last little bit, but not posted them. There are so many cute ones of my monkeys that I had to put all of them on here.

Samantha and Mason were wanting to play dress up with Luella

so they came up with this. She is such a good sport, just puts up with it and

lets them have fun with her.

I went on a walk with Hilary (before the weather got yucky again). It was a little

bit chilly outside, and I found this cute little hat the Honey gave us.

She looked exactly like one of those "Thing 1 and Thing 2" from Dr Seuss.

Mason totally fell asleep on the walk. If he falls asleep you know

he needs a nap.

Even with this funny hat she looks adorable!

Mason's new thing is to take his shirt off and just hang out without one.
He gets so over heated, he takes his shirt off and either asks for a "cold"
shirt or just doesn't even put one on.

The 3 little kids, Mason was wanting to hold Lu and

asked me to take a picture.

Lu doesn't look that happy, but at least she will sit there and let him hold her.

He loves her so much.

I think it is so cute to see him want to hold her and love her.

We went to a graduation party for Matt. The kids cannot get enough of

their aunts and uncles. They just play and play until the aunts say no more and the kids

go find someone else to play with.

They are so good to them, sometimes I just don't have the energy to run

and run with them, but my sisters always do.

The kids went and played at my mom's Saturday morning while I did hair.

Apparently Samantha had fun looking for rollie pollie's.

That is one of her favorite things to do (besides jumping on Grandma's

new trampoline)

Mason had fun finding acorns. They love to find little treasures and

bring them home. Just more "stuff" .

Luella and Charly are just a couple months apart. I wanted to take some

pictures side by side to see the difference.

And then we just had alot of fun taking their pictures. They will be such good

little friends so close in age.

Doesn't Rebekah look so cute with these little babes?!

K seriously, look at those eye lashes! She has such engaging eyes,

I thing that is one of the most beautiful things about her.

They don't even look like there is a bit of age difference between them.

If anything Luella looks like she could be older, mainly cause she is such a chunk.

They are so cute. As my mom has been saying since both of them were born

Salt and Pepper babies!

MOTHER'S DAY

I got up and started to feed Luella and Ben was up making his usual breakfast, eggs in a blanket. He makes this anytime there is something special going on.While Ben was cooking he was giving Mason some coaching to come over and give me a hug, a kiss and say "Happy Mother's Day". The first time he came over it was a hug and a kiss. The second time it was another hug and a kiss. The third time it was another hug and kiss. And the forth time it was him putting his cheek next to mine waiting for me to give him a kiss. It was so dang cute. Every time he would go back to Ben and give high five and Ben would tell him good job. It totally melted my heart. Then cute Sam got up and gave me a good mornin hug and kiss. There was lots of love at our house. So once I was done feeding Lu, we all sat down and had breakfast together. Ben had the kids give me a little card and a present. Ben is always very thoughtful in his very own way. I totally appreciate it. He let me take my time getting ready for church with no distractions. It is a rare thing when I can just hang out in the bathroom and dink around getting ready, so that was way nice.

We headed to Joanne's for dinner and hung out there with the family. Now that we are all Mother's at the Rich's house the men all helped out by setting things up for dinner and cleaning up and playing with the kids and letting us women just sit back and do what we do best; chat.

Then we headed up to the Ballstaedt's to wish my mom a Happy Mother's Day. Everyone was up there jumping on the tramp and playing the bean bag toss game. I love just playing in the backyard and laughing together. The kids had a blast jumping on the tramp. It is the newest fun plaything at Grandma B's house. But after so long, the kids got really tired and we really needed to head home and get them in bed.

Now that I am a mom I more appreciate what my mom did for me and is still doing for me. I'm thankful for the great job that my mom did in raising me and Joanne did in raising Ben. They are both such great mom's and great examples of what a mother's role is. I love them both and am greatful to be able to call both of them Mother!

Thanks Ben for making it a great Mother's Day, taking care of the kids and jsut letting me relax.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM AND JOANNE!!!

IT'S OFFICIAL

Well, after thinking and thinking about what to do I finally called the 1-800 number and got the cuisinart mixer. There wasn't really a choice since I had a gift card to Dillards and they sell either the Kitchenaid or the Cuicinart. Even though I've heard Bosch is amazing, Dillards doesn't sell it.

It's pretty and the main seller for me is that it is 7 qts!!!! I was making a batch of cookies today for a graduation party (yay for Matt!) and I was mixing this enormous recipe with my hand mixer. Pretty sure I burned out the motor. Besides having to mix FOREVER, the cookie dough was a bit dry cause I had to mix it so long and my wrist was sore. So I remembered how nice it was to just put the ingredients in and let it mix itslef. This even has a little timer that shuts off automatically, nice right?! So now that main problem will be to not make tons and tons of yummy treats. But the main test will be for me to have some SELF CONTROL. It is kinda hard to have self control while making chocolate chip cookies, these are one of my major weak spots. But the good thing is when I make a batch I roll them into the ball shape and put them in the freezer ready to bake. Then when I need a cookie I don't have to make a whole batch. I just throw a couple cookies in and call it good. Wish me luck on my new large purchase that it works just how it should. Mainly that it mixes the cookie dough and it holds everything. After all this recipe calls for a whopping 6 cups of flour. But they are the tastiest cookies!

Back to the Gym

So I haven't been able to go to the gym, that is until this morning. Now that Luella is 6 months I can take her to the kids care at the gym. I got the kids up and started getting them breakfast and then I was having second thoughts about going to the gym. Problem #1 it has been a really really long time since Sam and Mason have been and what if they don't like it? Problem #2 It will be right before Luella's nap and maybe she'll get tired and fussy and won't stay Problem #3 If we are there too long then Lu will miss her nap and then she will be off and grumpy the rest of the day So really all signs were pointing to not going. But I really did want to go. I want to get back into the habit of getting my kids in bed early, getting up and having breakfast and off to the gym at a decent hour. So we all loaded up and set off to the gym. We got there and it was like Sam and Mason had never left. They went right in and just started playing and having fun. I handed Luella off and headed out to work out. It was so great to have over an hour of just "Whitney" time, listening to music and focusing on my workout and just not thinking about anything. AWESOME!!!! So I got back to the kids care to pick my kids up and Sam and Mason were so excited to go. They brought me Luella and she was totally fine. She was more than fine, she had gotten tired (it was about nap time) and she had just fallen asleep. So all my fears of earlier, I was worried for nothing. So I will definately be back often, very often.

Just so you know, Luella taking a nap at the gym, this is just so typical of our little Lu. She is such a heaven sent baby. She just fits right into our family. She sleeps when she is needed, adapts awesome, and we all just love her! She really is my little piece of heaven here in our house!