tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63139414626691713972024-03-05T21:06:13.334-08:00Sturgill HappeningsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-83593587893883167002011-10-05T12:09:00.000-07:002011-10-05T12:37:44.505-07:00A Turn for the WorstI am scared of the garden.<br /><br />Last time I went to the garden I stepped on a snake. Now...there maybe people out there who don't think this is a big deal but let me tell you, snakes and I DO NOT get along. Saying I am terrified is an understatement (I cried for 20 min after it happened).<br /><br />That was 2 months ago. Yes, it took me 2 months to gain the courage to go back again. I finally did it because I knew I had some carrots out there that needed picked. <br /><br />When I got to the garden, I realized no one has been weeding because I had to wade through knee-high plants (this did not help me nerves). I started pulling up the carrots and was laughing to myself because they were so small (smaller than the baby carrots you buy at the store).........when out of nowhere something large and black came lunging at me. I screamed like death was imminent which brought some neighbors outside to see if I was dead (just a little embarrassing). That scream saved my life though because the animal was freaked and ran off as fast as it could.<br /><br />So.....are you wondering what kind of animal it was????<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Black Cat.....</span>(she says shaking)<br /><br /><br /><br />What does this mean? I mean...it's Halloween and a black cat didn't just "cross my path", it tried to kill me.<br /><br />I don't usually consider myself superstitious but I am convinced that some colossal bad luck is headed my way.......<br /><br />The one thing I know for sure is, I am not EVER going back to that garden!!!!!Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-62840656930729333972011-07-29T12:32:00.000-07:002011-07-29T13:05:52.943-07:00Not About the KidsI know, it's a shocker but I am going to talk about something else today......I want to talk a little about friends, because I am a lucky girl (am I still a girl or should I say "woman" or "lady"?)<br /><br />Last night I had a Girls Movie Night at my house. We watch "The Importance of Being Earnest" and ate some seriously awesome food. I was looking around during the movie and thinking about how lucky I am to call these people my friends. They are all so different and each has influenced my life in many ways....but mostly, I was thinking about........<br /><br />The tomato plants that a friend of mine grew from seed and then gave to me after I killed all of mine. Our garden would be a failure if it weren't for friends.<br /><br />And, the wall that we just painted green because a friend gave me the rest of her paint just because I said I liked it.<br /><br />Also, the beautiful pictures all over my walls that a friend of mine took that are such treasures to me.<br /><br />And I can't fail to mention the many conversations with a friend that made me feel like it's ok that I'm not perfect or getting things right and that I am just...not alone.<br /><br />Or all the times each of them has made me laugh or brought me a meal or a super yummy treat or babysat for me and the list goes on and on.<br /><br />I guess basically I am saying that without friends I would have a dead garden, white walls, no family pictures and would mostly just be really lonely.<br /><br />Yep, that's right....I am a lucky girl!Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-17409481156005914692011-07-05T18:41:00.000-07:002011-07-05T19:38:04.662-07:00An Update...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7U3bM6tn5nt-AusrCffSWNIeiwc6yiBok7R_sAnZA8_cLrPPPnlwYF152FVvuIP4e0GZYrV8LFoyuK4JxHVoYdyfFbdVlDjn_ppuW5mE2DBx3kjxPQuboy4DmxrN5y8cYP4HoYSAp77Qk/s1600/100_0096.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7U3bM6tn5nt-AusrCffSWNIeiwc6yiBok7R_sAnZA8_cLrPPPnlwYF152FVvuIP4e0GZYrV8LFoyuK4JxHVoYdyfFbdVlDjn_ppuW5mE2DBx3kjxPQuboy4DmxrN5y8cYP4HoYSAp77Qk/s320/100_0096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626060351013345218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ella:<br /><br />She has been watching a lot of Tangled and has learned a new phrase from the movie. She walks around saying "I'm malicious, mean and scary and I'm going to______". She fills in the blank with any cruel act she can think of. For example; "I'm malicious, mean and scary and I'm going to hit you with my shovel." or, "I'm malicious, mean and scary and I'm going to poof you away." You never know what a child can learn from TV.<br /><br />She has also finished her first year of preschool with flying colors. Her teachers even said they want her back next year. I knew she had it in her to be obedient. School taught her a lot of things this year. From her first swear word, "Jesus Christ, I am so frustrated at you" (I could have home schooled her right then and there). To how to count objects (she counts everything now). She also learned a lot of independence at school that really helped with her maturity and now is an awesome swimmer. I would have to say, I could have never imagined a better preschool for her.<br /><br />She has also decided it is time for another baby (she is the ONLY one who has decided this). She is trying to convince Will. I found her yesterday telling Will, "Will, Do you want Mommy to have another baby? Go like this (shaking her head yes)."<br /><br />And last but not least, is trying to convince Chris and I to call her "Rose". We have told her over and over again that "your name is Ella" but well like all things with Ella, that backfired because now if I call her Elle, or Ellibean, or Banana, or Sweetheart...she is quick to remind me, "My name is Ella".<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPdHEUPwObhHjd4LHHKNr1qN04oCTl2xth-t3FkIj6GdvxKWF3jEX9emPIU7nH3DTfajaYhAa6-V34GUWaAQKFbGgslKfpjQGiWKUPnVYOYBbvz7VShnurEQiIIvntO-XCP27Y6v0jdOV/s1600/100_0100.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPdHEUPwObhHjd4LHHKNr1qN04oCTl2xth-t3FkIj6GdvxKWF3jEX9emPIU7nH3DTfajaYhAa6-V34GUWaAQKFbGgslKfpjQGiWKUPnVYOYBbvz7VShnurEQiIIvntO-XCP27Y6v0jdOV/s320/100_0100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626060622766088162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Will:<br /><br />Takes steps every now and again but is mostly obsessed with climbing. I am amazed at where he ends up (on the back of the couch, on top of the table, in the tub, in Ella's bed...). He keeps me busy and tired...very, very tired.<br /><br />He says a few words. I think he is holding out on us but if screaming works then why ask nicely? He says "Mama, Dada, All Done, and Ella". Basically, everything he says sounds like "Ella". I swear, if the kid yawns it sounds just like "Ellll--aaahhh".<br /><br />He has started to sing. Like I said before, he can't talk so there are no lyrics and it is only one tune that he performs. It is a favorite around the Sturgill home (and by favorite I mean, "seriously, make it stop"). It goes a little something like this; "ahhhhhhhhhh-ahhhhh-ahh-ahh-ahhh-ahhhhh-ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh". Did you guess it? Well here is a hint: It's from The Little Mermaid. You know the part where Ursula takes Ariel's voice and yells "Keep singing!!!" And if it wasn't bad enough that Ella sings it none stop and asks, "Hey Dad, Do you know this song?" "Ahhhh-ahhhh-ahhh-ahhh-ahhh-ahhhh-ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh". She taught it to her brother to sing it for a charming duet.<br /><br />Will has also learned to fold his arms for the prayer. He folds his little hands together. Now of course, he doesn't do it when we ask him to (neither of our kids do for that matter). But it is as cute as can be when he decides to do it on his own.<br /><br />And last but not least, has learned to hit a baseball off a Tee. This was a skill we were working on with Ella but she isn't great at it (she takes the Tee and runs away with it). But William picked it up and as you can guess Chris thinks he is destined for greatness.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:times new roman;" >By the way, the pictures are from a little trip to Ontario Beach to listen to the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Have I ever told you that Rochester is awesome?</span>Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-19314102333831291862011-06-02T18:21:00.000-07:002011-06-02T18:24:55.857-07:00Food FishToday was Ella's first time to eat fish. We grilled Salmon and she was very interested in the whole process. She wanted to watch me marinade it and see it cooking on the grill but the best part was when we sat down to eat it and she said:<br /><br />"This isn't <span style="font-style: italic;">real</span> fish. We wouldn't eat a <span style="font-style: italic;">real</span> fish. This is food fish.......right? RIGHT?"<br /><br />And on cue, Chris and I said "right".Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-71048693126192030092011-06-02T17:54:00.000-07:002011-06-03T08:06:13.139-07:00Highs and Lows<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>I am convinced that parenting is all extreme highs and extreme lows.</span><br /><br />That there are moments of intense joy that I will remember forever and wish I could get back. When I look at a baby picture of Ella, I wish for just one more minute that I could hold her and give her a little kiss behind her ear. Or when I see Will's Moses basket that he slept in when he came home from the hospital...so tiny...so mine.<br /><br />But let us not forget the lows and they are extreme. When Ella threw a tantrum to the point of vomiting and I thought "I am done. You can run the house. I have no idea how to parent." Or when Will stood up in the tub only to slip and fall...head completely under the water and two little scared eyes just looking at me. So I get him out and put his diaper on him....only to have him crawl back to the bathtub and fall in from the other direction.<br /><br />That's parenting...extreme highs and extreme lows. Usually these moments are spread out a little but today I experienced the high and low all within seconds...<br /><br />William took his first steps. He was so proud of himself that he could hardly contain it. I, of course, went to clap my hands but before I got to the celebration... Ella peed her pants.<br /><br />And I thought "That's parenting."Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-53275996161487338352011-05-21T05:55:00.000-07:002011-05-21T06:18:20.445-07:00Big Pet PigFirst of all, I do it out of love...really, I do.<br /><br />I remember learning in a parenting course at BYU that it is a good idea to take songs and insert your kids name into them when you sing it to them. Somehow I latched on to that idea and then took it to a whole new level. <br /><br />With Ella it was pretty harmless...She has two songs; one is called "Pretty Baby" and I sing "Pretty Ella". The other is "What Heaven Sees in You". One song is more fun and one is more of a lullaby. <br /><br />Will's lullaby is called "Hourglass" (I will be posting it later). It is a sweet song about how your baby boy grows up too fast. And now that I have you all thinking that I am such a sweet mommy it is time to confess to you all his fun song.<br /><br />It's called "Big Pet Pig" and yes..I have inserted his name into the lyrics. I know what you are thinking, he is pretty skinny...but if you have ever seen Will with a box of Cheez Its, mouth stuffed to the brim, both hands full, and screaming while I try to pry the box from his grip... You will understand. Seriously, this kid starts eating dinner while I am making it and doesn't finish until about an hour after everyone else. If you are looking to win him over, just feed him and he will love you for life.<br /><br />And so...here's to our Big Pet Big just a few days before his first birthday:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ute7z_nqATM" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe>Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-81710063573482097902011-05-19T04:23:00.000-07:002011-05-19T04:31:46.661-07:00Making Memories<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7OSomTU1a0V9IfJOO9wog3RAUggUTHh-NCcoZxe01PiaNL_y4Hq2UXZydxSDCfonhCMKhNGjU2sbCdREXwZoK7SU2BmEeH4ny8je2iDE9RsNcXeGrs_FOins2VH4XW6gdOB6GpQCJyZa/s1600/101_0494.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7OSomTU1a0V9IfJOO9wog3RAUggUTHh-NCcoZxe01PiaNL_y4Hq2UXZydxSDCfonhCMKhNGjU2sbCdREXwZoK7SU2BmEeH4ny8je2iDE9RsNcXeGrs_FOins2VH4XW6gdOB6GpQCJyZa/s320/101_0494.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608386556084895554" border="0" /></a><br />I am the youngest out of 6 children. My Mom and Dad were the age of most of my friends Grandparents.<br /><br />I remember learning how to ride a bike but it wasn't my Mom or Dad that taught me. It was my babysitter. <br /><br />Now this has always been a funny memory to me, I would ask......Did they pay someone to teach me to ride a bike.......Were they that tired?<br /><br />It all makes sense now.<br /><br />So who is up for the challenge???Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-29600523690180056152011-05-09T17:11:00.000-07:002011-05-09T17:58:50.630-07:00Say It With Me:"It's Mother's Day and I am a good Mom."<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Countless people have asked me, "Did you have a good Mother's Day?" <br /><br />Well...I would have to say "well..maybe...kind of, a little" but I have decided to embrace a new kind of Mother's Day. I like to think of it more as a Mother's Day Challenge and man...did I rock the challenge this year....<br /><br />Let me start with Exhibit A: Ella's Mother's Day Card<br /><br />Now my little girl has got some mad art skills. She draws things way beyond her level and loves, loves, loves to make cards. So of course, she was so excited to make cards for Mother's Day. She made two beautiful cards for her Grandmas. She folded the paper so it opened just like a card,<br />wrote their names on the front and then drew them each a picture of herself (complete with princess crown). <br /><br />Then there was my card. I am not sure what happened but I ended up with a piece of yellow paper with the bottom cut up, a small scribble, and big hole cut in the middle with a ribbon coming out of it (I tried to take a picture but it didn't turn out). I asked her what it was and she said she didn't really know.<br /><br />Now on to Exhibit B: A Mother's Day Greeting<br /><br />Now, I am sure you can picture with me all the kind things you would like your children to say to you on Mother's Day so you will know in your heart how much you are appreciated. <br /><br />Here is how Ella chose to greet me on Mother's Day morning, "Mommy, I just love Daddy so much. I wish it was Father's Day."<br /><br />Bringing us to Exhibit C and D: Mother's Day Sacrament Meeting<br /><br />Ahhh, I little time to listen to speakers talk about how mothers are awesome. And this year, for the first time, I get to have my little girl go up with the primary and sing "Mother Dear, I Love You So." (a proud moment for any mother)<br /><br />But wait, somewhere between Will deciding he did not want to be in the pew and Ella peeing her pants...I missed the part about me rocking because I choose to stay at home with the kids. And when the Primary sang, Ella refused to go up front and sing because in her words, "I only sing this song in Primary!"<br /><br />But don't worry...I am not throwing in the towel on Mother's Day. I am just embracing a new tradition of the Mother's Day Challenge. Because afterall, Mother's Day isn't a day when the children wake-up and think "It's Mother's Day. I am going to play it cool." No, it is a day for me to prove that I do rock as a mother. That when my kid uses my new shirt as his Kleenex, I'm not going to get upset...no way, It's Mother's Day and I am a good Mom. And when my skirt is colored on, you won't see me frown because, "It's Mother's Day and I am a good Mom." And when the goldfish spill and the song isn't song or the "I love you" said...you won't see yelling at the kids...no not on this day, because "It's Mother's Day and I am a good Mom!"Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-90048468208752243702011-04-12T16:31:00.000-07:002011-04-12T16:53:56.222-07:00Because I Don't Want to Forget...Ella: "Mommy, smell my hair."<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span>Me: <span style="font-style: italic;">smelling</span><br />Ella: "Does it smell like something?"<br />Me: "I'm not sure. Is it supposed to smell like something?"<br />Ella: "Yeah. What does it smell like?"<br />Me: "What is it supposed to smell like?"<br />Ella: "I can't tell you because I don't want to get in trouble."<br />Me: "Did you put something in your hair?"<br />Ella: "I can't tell you because I don't want you to be frustrated at me. But what does it smell like?"<br /><br />fyi- It smelled like Chris's cologne.Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-75202717085359163672011-04-04T08:58:00.000-07:002011-04-04T09:13:40.697-07:00Little LiarElla has learned to lie. <br /><br />And since it is Ella I am talking about this is no little lie but an elaborate story. <br /><br />You see, Chris always keeps his wedding ring on his night stand while he sleeps but a few days ago when he went to put it on before heading to school, it was gone. He looked for it for awhile and then went to find Ella. He asked her if she had taken his ring and she looked from me to Chris and back again before saying "No, I didn't take it."<br /><br />Later that day Chris found the ring laying back on the night stand. Suspicious?? We thought so. So off we went to find Ella. <br /><br />Chris asked her. "Did you put my ring back on my night stand?" She then looked from me to Chris and back again before saying, "No?" Chris then said, "It would make me really happy if you found it." So she said, "Oh, I did find it and put it back on your night stand. Actually, Mommy and I looked and looked all over the house for it and then I found it under my bed."<br /><br />I was stunned and shocked and desperately trying not to laugh because that did not happen. We didn't go looking for the ring. And I know I am slowly losing my mind kid but it's not so bad that you can start making up stories with me in them and I will be caught unaware. Also, why do you get to be the hero???Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-88572299063249952462011-04-03T17:44:00.000-07:002011-04-03T18:21:01.881-07:00Teaching the Kids about ConferenceI am sure most readers of my blog know all about General Conference but for those who are unaware, this weekend members of our church all gathered around TVs, computers, radios, and more to listen to our Prophet (Pres. Monson) and Apostles speak. It is a busy weekend that consists of 4 Conference Sessions that are each 2 hours long. So we spent our Saturday and Sunday watching church on our TV. <br /><br />I am always grateful for the opportunity to listen to the Prophet speak and because of this I work really hard to try to teach my kids about the Prophet and how important he is to us. <br /><br />For Will this doesn't require much...basically whenever the Prophet spoke I would point to him and say, "Look Will, that's our Prophet". And he would politely smile at me as if to say, "If I smile can I get back to playing with my ball?"<br /><br />There was a time when this is all I did with Ella too and I was so excited when she learned to recognize the Prophet and call him by name. Every Conference I try to up our expectations a little for her but realize that no 4 year old is going to sit through 8 hours of Conference.<br /><br />So, this year she just had to sit still and listen during Pres. Monson's talk. She drew a picture of the prophet (she drew a cute little tie on him and everything) and then listened for something he said that I could write next to the picture. Since he spoke about temples that is what she chose for me to write down. Then Chris and I had her choose her favorite temple so we can hang that picture up on her bedroom wall (she chose the one is Sweden so it is going to be an expensive wedding).<br /><br />We made some great Conference memories this year but I can't conclude this entry without leaving out the other side of Conference. You see, Ella did not seem to understand what was happening at all...with quotes like:<br /><br />"Is this that movie about the Prophet?"<br /><br />"Why is the Prophet wearing a purple tie?"<br /><br />"Purple is a girl color."<br /><br />"Why are we praying during a movie?"<br /><br />"Why is the prayer so long?"<br /><br />"Why are we watching this movie over and over again?"<br /><br /><br />It would seem clear that Ella thought we were watching a movie and every Session was the same movie again and again. I tried to explain but she just didn't get it. It did provide some great comic relief though.Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-81185266831147426712011-03-27T16:39:00.001-07:002011-03-27T18:32:24.241-07:00She's 4 and She's Cute!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWJwFULXSJ7hvWhRC2nf02sn8Z2MVpMV8wJYiZjl9msNbEtV8DfNOaCtJABq5yymJDAeAtnilnXVfAlLq4yW28TMypUtwoRdWFp1B5mP-DbxeedUi0ApGUQoVcbmPzuS2ebFUpzRMps_H/s1600/CIMG4602.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWJwFULXSJ7hvWhRC2nf02sn8Z2MVpMV8wJYiZjl9msNbEtV8DfNOaCtJABq5yymJDAeAtnilnXVfAlLq4yW28TMypUtwoRdWFp1B5mP-DbxeedUi0ApGUQoVcbmPzuS2ebFUpzRMps_H/s320/CIMG4602.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588937553463726434" border="0" /></a>My sister (Rayna) and I made this dress for Ella this week. I would have liked to have had a brown sash around the middle and lace at the bottom but when we asked Ella if she was going to wear it and she responded "If it is pretty enough", I figured we would let her accessorize.<br /><br />I love the way it turned out. It is the perfect mix between my vintage style and Ella's fancy style. She even represented her father by wearing his Simon Business School pin right in the middle of the dress (she makes me laugh). And of course the look was made complete with her Fancy Nancy knee highs.<br /><br />Isn't in fun to be a four-year-old girl/princess?Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-84264852957108460662011-03-14T09:44:00.001-07:002011-03-14T10:05:47.633-07:00What Goes in Must Come OutWill has learned to crawl and he is extremely excited about it. I on the other hand am feeling overwhelmed with trying to keep the floor clean (it is hard when their hands are now also their feet). I sweep and vacuum the floor daily (I think I have OCD)....but it just doesn't matter because every time I turn around he has found something else to put in his mouth. One nice thing is that I always know when he has something in his mouth that he shouldn't because he starts to giggle (why are children so happy about doing something they know they shouldn't?)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxM48jxgkuPPNKS702Ra41APbCDIxsnohZMNEuJmi7GzQdZjZEui34mfdX6LSYlGyos6wwL2j_hwKNpoePLdThb_tMijP90lVUUEBp5YL0sDFsYwy2Zc7KFa6QMSflCijDwceGVWWorjhd/s1600/will7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxM48jxgkuPPNKS702Ra41APbCDIxsnohZMNEuJmi7GzQdZjZEui34mfdX6LSYlGyos6wwL2j_hwKNpoePLdThb_tMijP90lVUUEBp5YL0sDFsYwy2Zc7KFa6QMSflCijDwceGVWWorjhd/s320/will7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583981256909518594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is the complete list of everything that I have fished out of his mouth in his first week of crawling:<br /><br />-one packing peanut<br />-a penny<br />-a foil wrapper<br />-a pink Barbie shoe<br />-a gold teapot for Barbie<br />-a Barbie plate<br />-a tiny teacup for Barbie (notice a theme)<br />-a small rock<br />-one princess magnet<br />-an orange bead<br /><br />PS...I think it was good for me to make this list because now I see the real reason William is getting things to put in his mouth that he shouldn't.Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-35002180337989914182011-03-04T12:52:00.000-08:002011-03-04T13:19:02.290-08:00It's All About the CardElla took some pictures with my camera. After looking through them I noticed a theme:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiUV-XO_-bguUI2tzBpWmfdBPDhFYIMuF60r_lCOljHFESkkdEcv0wv6uTAyf-7xSQcUhCG8Mdbtqo86ZpG-PGUaCN3rjk0vjea0D6l2tvb3UjBl4ze6SLRztAzz3tQYeUXNfp4XPpPa7/s1600/CIMG4540.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiUV-XO_-bguUI2tzBpWmfdBPDhFYIMuF60r_lCOljHFESkkdEcv0wv6uTAyf-7xSQcUhCG8Mdbtqo86ZpG-PGUaCN3rjk0vjea0D6l2tvb3UjBl4ze6SLRztAzz3tQYeUXNfp4XPpPa7/s200/CIMG4540.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580331518866806978" border="0" /></a><br />This is Chris's Birthday card from his parents. It plays "Celebrate Good Times, Come On" when it is opened.<br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEAZVi-s8Q7MUSTEW3eicZvRhvIc9NMS75EDK1PtvxqCrL1oiyG8qIJPbtEGP0v_PRQhXEzfzWRYqE3z-M29ytD0FTryEkU3yO49wlr5eL10yDpcrOwoFK4hmYgbdZfRSZrr6k7Jr_1gP/s1600/CIMG4529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEAZVi-s8Q7MUSTEW3eicZvRhvIc9NMS75EDK1PtvxqCrL1oiyG8qIJPbtEGP0v_PRQhXEzfzWRYqE3z-M29ytD0FTryEkU3yO49wlr5eL10yDpcrOwoFK4hmYgbdZfRSZrr6k7Jr_1gP/s200/CIMG4529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580332222203112338" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And here we have Chris and the card. Are you catching on to the theme yet?<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQle44xFotLEoLXCYDZjXA5s8ZNCFI4ubFBVH_W8dDmKUI8Cly7hGVT6_uAo_QOUMHMCdS1tFaY6TktmrGl6OSEdCzNEx0K980D8OBbBIAOPVHyRAttiZjYxhFznWDyjXCC9UrKXNIsZL/s1600/CIMG4536.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQle44xFotLEoLXCYDZjXA5s8ZNCFI4ubFBVH_W8dDmKUI8Cly7hGVT6_uAo_QOUMHMCdS1tFaY6TktmrGl6OSEdCzNEx0K980D8OBbBIAOPVHyRAttiZjYxhFznWDyjXCC9UrKXNIsZL/s200/CIMG4536.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580332767613772466" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Me and I know you are shocked but that is the card<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_OypYZuB52Xgz1xMRkLoxiAoptWJ78MDXO7ASLJWiJQuZnNW3uAYIZvotWMTM9MbquHmf7pg2jtPq_ZPyonoJH6UsHLhOMItayf2go2A4ybmabJVf4ZlYeBidXhvMOwGn3qqdkAi5P1G/s1600/CIMG4535.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_OypYZuB52Xgz1xMRkLoxiAoptWJ78MDXO7ASLJWiJQuZnNW3uAYIZvotWMTM9MbquHmf7pg2jtPq_ZPyonoJH6UsHLhOMItayf2go2A4ybmabJVf4ZlYeBidXhvMOwGn3qqdkAi5P1G/s200/CIMG4535.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580333495254884994" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Will showing off the tasty back of...the card<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_AjEjk_fkL8iW5yHTp9iISht70L3eAmq1SfFRhT7CNFHEYz3VfOFusWrgJsAQDEn1Uci9Joj0dsnyx2dvx_SvrJz6cyxtZ9UBYLxOGQySUcmwod62bQKmGtOwGmVjKtTV3OtNDEjGN42/s1600/CIMG4532.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_AjEjk_fkL8iW5yHTp9iISht70L3eAmq1SfFRhT7CNFHEYz3VfOFusWrgJsAQDEn1Uci9Joj0dsnyx2dvx_SvrJz6cyxtZ9UBYLxOGQySUcmwod62bQKmGtOwGmVjKtTV3OtNDEjGN42/s200/CIMG4532.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580335156573733970" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And now it makes so much more sense that she asked me to take a picture of her and the card. I guess her portfolio is now ready for display.<br /></div>Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-17569112634789928622011-02-15T15:54:00.000-08:002011-02-15T16:34:16.944-08:00I think it's the EstrogenDilemma: I have no idea when Ella is sick or just trying to control me.<br /><br />Evidence: Let's go back three weeks to an afternoon when Ella decided she wanted some applesauce. I told her she could get it herself because she had refused to eat any lunch when it was offered so I was not going to get her a snack. She cried and cried about how she didn't feel good and how she couldn't do it. She kept saying "I can't Mommy. I just can't!" We went the rounds for about 3 hours before she finally gave up.<br /><br />After she ate her applesauce she begged to go to bed. It was like 5 so I thought that was pretty weird but I took her upstairs and she fell asleep while I was putting on her pjs. She woke up a few hours later and starting vomiting. So, I got that one wrong because she was really sick.<br /><br />But while I have your attention let me bring up the fact that whenever it is time to go to school or church she insists that she is too sick to go. She will say that she has a cough or that her ribs hurt. I have tried forcing her, wrestling to get the boots and the coat on but that was unsuccessful because she took the boots off and through them at me. So, I have ended up putting her in her room until she decides to get ready to go. She is also under the threat that if she doesn't get ready she will have to stay in her room during all 3 hours of school. This has got her in gear each day and she ends up at school where her teachers report she seems very happy. So, all those times I was right. She was not really sick.<br /><br />But then there was this morning. Where after arriving at school she said her tummy hurt and her nose hurt and she wanted to go home and go to bed. I talked it over with the teacher and I brought her home and immediately put her to bed where she was told she would be staying for 3 hours! Well..she fell right to sleep for over 3 hours. So, that time I was wrong. She really is rick.<br /><br />And so I start to think, I am a bad parent. All this time I am punishing her for lying about being sick and she really is and I start to feel so bad for Ella but THEN....<br /><br />I remember last week when she didn't feel good and her legs didn't work and she wanted me to get her goldfish to eat and I said I wouldn't and she ended up holding her hand over my mouth and saying "You get me my fish, NOW!" And after I put her in her room and told her "You can come out when you say you are sorry." She said "I am not gonna say I am sorry, you better say sorry to me!" She eventually said she was sorry but peed her pants because in her own words "I HAD to. My legs didn't work." And that time I was right, she wasn't sick.<br /><br />And so I ask you...How do I know if she is really sick or trying to control me?<br /><br />And by the way is it normal for a 3 (almost 4) year old to be this fascinated with control?Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-42989564738576218002011-02-10T07:54:00.000-08:002011-02-10T08:12:57.626-08:00It Should be Illegal...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOKWIVWBDZJcyDkBOL7RZP1Uy-ubgOZ_O5Wr5pwkqu_AZjX3g8wtSuh2hYSZvZcgOcEkYVkHmL-O-3qfzjp0e_gEfQmUlvSh91idYKADingpENIvq7HpVxqbZwmHcd-SpDwjIEqSmotAJ/s1600/CIMG4524.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOKWIVWBDZJcyDkBOL7RZP1Uy-ubgOZ_O5Wr5pwkqu_AZjX3g8wtSuh2hYSZvZcgOcEkYVkHmL-O-3qfzjp0e_gEfQmUlvSh91idYKADingpENIvq7HpVxqbZwmHcd-SpDwjIEqSmotAJ/s320/CIMG4524.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572094213784163682" border="0" /></a><br /><br />To be this happy!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />There he is suffering with pink eye and only a lid to play with and I turn around and this is the smile I get. I love this happy boy.<br /><br />He is growing and changing all the time. I am pretty sure that he can say Ella and loves to call for her whenever she leaves the room. Even Ella says he is saying her name BUT if I ever ask him to say Ella he looks at me like I am a fool (they must be born with this behavior).<br /><br />He still loves his food and has learned how to tell me if he wants more and I am taking too long. He makes fists with both his hands and growls at me. I probably shouldn't think this is cute but seriously, I can't help but laugh every time.Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-76579574380976471182011-02-08T10:52:00.000-08:002011-02-10T07:53:42.416-08:00So Proud of My SunbeamSo Ella is officially a Sunbeam. It is exciting to have her in Primary. Her favorite part is learning the new songs during Singing Time. It is too cute to hear her singing songs that I don't even know. I also love hearing her tell me about Sunbeams. This week she came home and said "My teacher teached me a special lesson today about the activity (Nativity) and a new bersion (version) of "Once there was a Snowman"." I love it when she tries to use new words and has no idea how to pronounce them.<br /><br />One of the things they are doing in Primary is memorizing scriptures. Ella was given a little book that has a scripture each month for her learn. Each night before we read from the Book of Mormon we work on her scripture for the month. And I am so proud because she memorized it!! She learned the scripture for January and is now so excited to learn the scripture for February!!<br /><br />It's fun to be in Primary :)Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-80212257742249215682011-01-30T05:20:00.000-08:002011-01-30T05:47:27.392-08:00My Doctor needs a Nap!For over a week now, Ella has been very sick. It started with constant vomiting (she didn't understand throwing up in a bowl so we were spending our time trying to catch vomit). After 3 days she stopped throwing up and developed a horrible cough. She spent every second coughing without a break and literally didn't sleep at all at night because of it. It was at this point that I decided to take her to the doctor.<br /><br />Now let me tell you, I hate trying to decide whether or not to take my kids to the doctor. I go back and forth about if they need to go or if it is going to be a big waste of time. My final decision was to call and talk to a nurse and see if they wanted to see her. <br /><br />When I called the office I told the receptionist that I wanted to take to a nurse. She asked for Ella's name and pulled up her chart and then asked what was going on. After I told her she had been throwing up the receptionist said "Oh, you don't need to talk to a nurse. They will want to see her for sure so they can test for strep."<br /><br />So, into the doctor's office we go for what I think is going to be a strep test. That is not what happened. I ended up spending the whole time holding Ella (who was too weak to walk) while the nurses and doctor each took their turn at giving me a lecture about not giving her the flu shot. They even had someone come in who said they were doing a study with the university on kids who didn't get the flu shot and got the flu. They wanted to take Ella's blood and a swab of her mouth. I said "Are you kidding me? Do you see how sick my daughter is? I am not going to submit her to unnecessary tests right now!!!"<br /><br /> And as I am sitting there holding my daughter who can't stop coughing and has lost 8 pounds (she weighs 25 pounds right now and literally looks like she is starving to death) the doctor made his diagnosis. He listened to her lungs, looked in her ears and said "She has the flu. And your whole family didn't get the flu shot so now everyone in the family will get the flu. You will spend the next two weeks with a sick family and when you baby gets the flu he will have to go to the hospital. After he has had a fever for 24 hours you will need to bring him into my office and I will have to have him sent to the hospital where he will be for 5 days. I just saw a baby his age with the flu this week and that is what happened." So, I say "I have kept the kids away from each other and have tried very hard to keep disinfecting everything and I always wash my hands before I pick him up." And then he says, "It doesn't matter. Now that Ella is coughing so much the germs will be flying all over your house and he is going to get it!" At this point he walked out of the room, shut the door and said to the nurses "She decided not to give her kids the flu shot so what am I supposed to do?"<br /><br />So, I left the doctor's office crying. But here's to you Doctor.....YOU WERE WRONG!!!<br /><br />I am happy to report that Will did NOT get the flu. He has a nasty cold but no vomiting. I am also happy to report that I did NOT get the flu and Chris did NOT get the flu. So, next time don't tell this mom there is nothing I can do!!!!Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-54339920635523498382010-12-16T07:06:00.000-08:002010-12-22T12:00:45.018-08:00God Given Right to Be LovedI promise to spend a ridiculous amount of money on crayons and goldfish.<br /><br />I promise not to notice the cracker smeared on my shirt and instead notice your tiny hands.<br /><br />I promise to know all about princesses and construction trucks.<br /><br />I promise to read the same book over and over again until I have it memorized.<br /><br />I promise to let you chew on my coasters and smile at all the teeth marks.<br /><br />I promise to play dress-up and not be embarrassed when the UPS Guy sees me in a tutu and cowboy hat.<br /><br />I promise to go to the game even if I don't like sports and cheer louder than anyone else.<br /><br />I promise to kiss all scrapes and bumps even if they are covered in dirt.<br /><br />I promise to watch Barney and laugh when I can't fall asleep because the songs are stuck in my head.<br /><br />I promise to be just as excited about playing peek-a-boo as I am about going shopping.<br /><br />I promise to listen to Wheels on the Bus in the car and do all the motions.<br /><br />I promise to use my purse to hold sippy cups and animal crackers and of course diapers.<br /><br />I promise to forget the bad and remember the good. To spend more time playing and less time disciplining. To hold you at 3am and kiss you goodnight. Mostly, I promise to give these years of my life to you, after all you are only mine for a short time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Signed: <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:webdings;" >"Just a Mom"</span><br /></div>Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-19637810550857543272010-11-09T11:21:00.000-08:002010-11-09T14:34:19.666-08:00WillYum!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf19RJjestAW4jLOS8GjZfKvehbSD1WRntaKEBg8_CRcSsBXlCf5Jh3AZDYOoq4rAbTpRrTGriud1Rc3THWm3H-XHHPvjLy-4KVi0ZEGkVmYI-JltEXojw5HrDcSZXhG3A28k87YqYbDG/s1600/CIMG4462.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf19RJjestAW4jLOS8GjZfKvehbSD1WRntaKEBg8_CRcSsBXlCf5Jh3AZDYOoq4rAbTpRrTGriud1Rc3THWm3H-XHHPvjLy-4KVi0ZEGkVmYI-JltEXojw5HrDcSZXhG3A28k87YqYbDG/s320/CIMG4462.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537632786584140914" border="0" /></a><br />I think that this cute little boy deserves a post all to himself.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /> I mean look at this face...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>This boy is so much fun that I feel sad when a realize how quickly he will grow up. Of course, I wish he slept as well as his sister...he seems to think that he needs to eat twice a night. Actually, he would like to eat all the time. I have started feeding him solids for this very reason and from what I can tell he will eat as much food as I will offer. He usually eats an entire banana and a bowl of rice cereal before he goes to bed. And don't worry, he still has plenty of room to nurse. I am pretty sure his sister has never finished a banana in her life!!! This might have something to do with the fact that he is the size of most 9 month olds...a fact that makes Chris smile thinking maybe his son will be tall :)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-30086719071699064532010-10-27T16:25:00.001-07:002010-10-27T17:12:47.850-07:00I Never Saw It Comin'So, life really is full of surprises or maybe it's just that Ella is full of them (or it)...however you slice it...I would have never guessed that after the first week of school Ella's teacher would be waiting in the hall to talk to me...<br /><br />That's right y'all, my kid is getting in trouble at school...(as a side note, for some reason having a kid that is getting in trouble at school feels a lot like YOU are getting in trouble at school).<br /><br />But seriously, look at her. So cute, So happy....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFg961C3rW0eRA9oDC8gjPqJJXtSNGTKfRUndad-dlyqHxizr6Ob0n5B9r6yPnit6nk6bLtpLmOBbV-DVyBI9RQrdqrDWhP04YZtZjc2X3duBG1at2Hf3bloY5tcAhiRwR8ZqlRrkrNer7/s1600/so+happy.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFg961C3rW0eRA9oDC8gjPqJJXtSNGTKfRUndad-dlyqHxizr6Ob0n5B9r6yPnit6nk6bLtpLmOBbV-DVyBI9RQrdqrDWhP04YZtZjc2X3duBG1at2Hf3bloY5tcAhiRwR8ZqlRrkrNer7/s200/so+happy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532874715037544482" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So crazy...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiP1OwdshDaB00YR_9M-lt-CVBOx4ZGjeJF5gG8_gbI2RTjHRvdHmW_Um-aUoGDGRBZ0I0_nrXiPAnAFJA-mI-N9oedX5jAatIokuRiDKhU1qXQPDSQgviGAHADWcsdFDIOq-cgBs780Np/s1600/maybe+crazy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiP1OwdshDaB00YR_9M-lt-CVBOx4ZGjeJF5gG8_gbI2RTjHRvdHmW_Um-aUoGDGRBZ0I0_nrXiPAnAFJA-mI-N9oedX5jAatIokuRiDKhU1qXQPDSQgviGAHADWcsdFDIOq-cgBs780Np/s200/maybe+crazy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532875889341809298" border="0" /></a>I never saw it comin'.<br /></div><br />I will never forget that day her teacher was waiting to tell me that Ella was having a hard time following directions. She said in particular that when it was time to go outside Ella refused saying such things as "No, I won't go!!" "You can't make me!!" and my personal favorite. "Don't tell me!!" Her teacher of course made her and she was very unhappy the rest of the day. <br /><br />Well, after my little talk with the teacher I assumed things were better. Her teacher kept saying, "Today was a pretty good day" so that is what I thought until we went to the school's open house. At this event all the parents played toys and looked at the pretty pictures their kids had made. All but us that is because we were too busy being talked to by Ella's teacher, the teacher's aid, and the speech pathologist. They each took a little time to come talk to us about Ella. They shared things with us like how Ella never wants to do what they tell her to and how she is too loud during circle time for the other students to hear and often has to be taken away from the group and it went on..Chris and I just kept looking at each other thinking "We had no idea it was this bad." Her teachers kept reassuring us but we realized..we are the parents of a trouble-maker...where did we go wrong?<br /><br />I can say all this now because things at school really are better. She finally likes going to school and her teachers are now saying "Today was a really good day"(fingers crossed for the next open house). <br /><br />But man ohh man does this little girl keep me guessing and really, I love it because I would be a bored mommy without her.Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-61545103015796717672010-10-18T17:48:00.000-07:002010-10-18T18:17:16.506-07:00Fall OutingsOne great part about living in Rochester is the Fall. It is beautiful..and thankfully our good friends, James and Sarah, planned some fun activities that got us out to enjoy it.<br /><br />James is Chris's business partner or as I like to say "work wife". Sarah is James' girlfriend and also went to school with Chris. Ella is really shy around them (I actually think she is scared of James) but she does love to tell me how pretty Sarah is and gets very excited when he are going to all hang out.<br /><br />So now that they have been introduced..our first fall outing was to go apple picking. And since a picture can tell a story..I will let the pictures do just that...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkzD94Z9QnIP0asaMyJmaEZ5DEhRS44KN_pv3oFRLWsXwkMyPFU82Gxy4xmzclnhqHuG-aSIY2pWk9pLDYEfJH7wNxK0XZpjFCwyE6Xlu_biV7oXAghMdjL3kKLx-KKs7sCKkYPtlwCOA/s1600/CIMG4263.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkzD94Z9QnIP0asaMyJmaEZ5DEhRS44KN_pv3oFRLWsXwkMyPFU82Gxy4xmzclnhqHuG-aSIY2pWk9pLDYEfJH7wNxK0XZpjFCwyE6Xlu_biV7oXAghMdjL3kKLx-KKs7sCKkYPtlwCOA/s200/CIMG4263.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529554473668582898" border="0" /></a>Do I look like I am miserable? This kid weighs almost 16 pounds!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqx9wfmVCPRlRlR4sIfQ4lF9KSg05bCOp522D1jtztgcvVeMnadRyJn8-9sr3GpoGhHxACLVyVXfGDt1N7j4lTdhVx3ySc14QxrDpO8Mpo-16VM5ggcG5c7bFvQl9kCutM0RGM3CvXgNWT/s1600/CIMG4265.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqx9wfmVCPRlRlR4sIfQ4lF9KSg05bCOp522D1jtztgcvVeMnadRyJn8-9sr3GpoGhHxACLVyVXfGDt1N7j4lTdhVx3ySc14QxrDpO8Mpo-16VM5ggcG5c7bFvQl9kCutM0RGM3CvXgNWT/s200/CIMG4265.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529555146819900082" border="0" /></a>Some people are such overachievers ;)<br />PS...notice the red tape...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreYBKRn1-Z9oehCt-17ahG4BbAX6ERI6ifA6gT1CkqSDU5YNVLCLSpeKEFqC3kFgh-YnKpDvJxepx47al4J4taglJZ7kxzluIj8xwWyhHBroSTvn2BhoDIFBRdgtLEDMRL0sIFGmvNQTV/s1600/CIMG4273.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreYBKRn1-Z9oehCt-17ahG4BbAX6ERI6ifA6gT1CkqSDU5YNVLCLSpeKEFqC3kFgh-YnKpDvJxepx47al4J4taglJZ7kxzluIj8xwWyhHBroSTvn2BhoDIFBRdgtLEDMRL0sIFGmvNQTV/s200/CIMG4273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529555620440778498" border="0" /></a>Carrying the spoils!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Our second outing was to a corn maze. Ella complained the whole time we were walking through it about how she wanted to get out (3 year olds are always fun). She did however like the duck racing and she loved riding the cow train. Sorry there are no pictures of these things because my camera stopped working. I am praying for it :)<br />Here are some fun pictures though of James and Chris acting like 3 year olds...<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimefpextG22RMvFC5bc-NWyyoGMTHR_KJxSfeGz4lcIscDvxjz3VhleJLIj3uXYTqi9IpZl1PtMNEfxA0f4MHqyMTrwOMyh7rYVtyrmszj1mLeR4SoI2qtTOR-TsOnMjmKOmRhBJeLmiTB/s1600/CIMG4416.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimefpextG22RMvFC5bc-NWyyoGMTHR_KJxSfeGz4lcIscDvxjz3VhleJLIj3uXYTqi9IpZl1PtMNEfxA0f4MHqyMTrwOMyh7rYVtyrmszj1mLeR4SoI2qtTOR-TsOnMjmKOmRhBJeLmiTB/s200/CIMG4416.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529557377735431170" border="0" /></a>The chase..<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WT_m31MuVX5WFBXy2FsoW4sKf6w3skpxL-vAqmjkOjOTgovW3V7zBWrLaSHfKg6euyg8q3vm1x407Chf6DXiCEyleAZ2vQc4YBpl-YVYu1HCbCBUbYynAFqjitkXrrTHLJKjm_eM5yy6/s1600/CIMG4417.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WT_m31MuVX5WFBXy2FsoW4sKf6w3skpxL-vAqmjkOjOTgovW3V7zBWrLaSHfKg6euyg8q3vm1x407Chf6DXiCEyleAZ2vQc4YBpl-YVYu1HCbCBUbYynAFqjitkXrrTHLJKjm_eM5yy6/s200/CIMG4417.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529557652294881842" border="0" /></a>I see this kind of thing all the time at Whipple Park.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjff4GAhilXm-23tGb5x6D9nnY5SDjZ17iYq9L_E7LQT0z7bPdftbWAKe_p07oFWwqVtbdlL2Vewhi-6e1sJcOJG0IIM14Qi-e_WOXG7u_9EsZDGy21LQ0lC7QHnOeoYJxG80tZHLOh8zRQ/s1600/CIMG4421.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjff4GAhilXm-23tGb5x6D9nnY5SDjZ17iYq9L_E7LQT0z7bPdftbWAKe_p07oFWwqVtbdlL2Vewhi-6e1sJcOJG0IIM14Qi-e_WOXG7u_9EsZDGy21LQ0lC7QHnOeoYJxG80tZHLOh8zRQ/s200/CIMG4421.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529557904015002290" border="0" /></a>Corn Husk Gun...poor Will cried after every shot.<br /></div>Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-83412551492621977262010-10-06T16:58:00.000-07:002010-10-06T17:40:40.231-07:00New York, New York<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeVa1zObV3gslJ-XMl519yaSXRa7tfPKA_dA_Ucm1or4-2sKxwCFjFaH7M6UmaPzv9aVm2yCMDuC7fZXo2z8cLVW-7VIAcSw542UzqZluFUm6j-x-pESDw5aLgB1aaQdR8V0rEQt3Sj2O/s1600/CIMG4294.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeVa1zObV3gslJ-XMl519yaSXRa7tfPKA_dA_Ucm1or4-2sKxwCFjFaH7M6UmaPzv9aVm2yCMDuC7fZXo2z8cLVW-7VIAcSw542UzqZluFUm6j-x-pESDw5aLgB1aaQdR8V0rEQt3Sj2O/s320/CIMG4294.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525096277749371890" border="0" /></a><br />We finally made the big trip to NYC. It is sad that we have lived in New York for over a year and just made it to that happening place..but alas..it has been accomplished.<br /><br />The trip had all the essential stops. We went to Philly...saw some old buildings where important things happened, we saw the Liberty Bell behind a glass window, and even ate a philly cheesesteak. Then onto NYC where we rode a ferry past The Statue of Liberty, saw Battery Park, saw Wall Street and took the subway to Central Park (by the way, subway travel is not great if you have a fear of being touched). We also went to The Met and of course Time Square. Ella's favorite stop was the Giant Toy "R" Us. Mine was getting cheesecake. I think Chris's was the nap we took on the floor of The Met.<br /><br />We then rushed back to the ferry...missing our stop on the subway and making it on the last ride over to get the cars. We arrived back on Staten Island after the garage where our cars were parked had closed so the soccer player and marathon runner of the group ran to the garage, hoping to make it in time (I know you might all be shocked to find out that neither Chris or I were the runners)..and luckily they were able to get the cars.<br /><br />So, just like this post..the trip went by in a flash. Fun? Yes. Exhausting? Yes. Wanna go again? Yes (without the kids).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4UXE-GxOai1j5Rff5qtTVDRqTVrTrO3BAZzIdqdVWJsV537E2M4TDs2QfPK2tPvzRbHMESyNopbw9pmY8a8F2aTRtKoYUN-gJyqxvg0EMa_ijCvbM2H37hPAoQf9-d_JHHyUaQVeiGdD/s1600/CIMG4300.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4UXE-GxOai1j5Rff5qtTVDRqTVrTrO3BAZzIdqdVWJsV537E2M4TDs2QfPK2tPvzRbHMESyNopbw9pmY8a8F2aTRtKoYUN-gJyqxvg0EMa_ijCvbM2H37hPAoQf9-d_JHHyUaQVeiGdD/s320/CIMG4300.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525096514037017106" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And last but not least...here is my favorite story from the trip:<br /><br />On the car ride there we decided to stop around noon to eat. We had all packed lunches but it was seriously cold so we decided to see if Subway would be kind enough to let us eat inside.<br /><br />Chris walked up to the counter and said "Hey, I know it is kind of white trash but we are just passing threw and need a warm place to sit. Would you mind if we ate in here? We promise to clean-up before we leave." They said that would be fine and we sat down to eat. After a few minutes Chris asked me if he could have another sandwich and I told him "No, I only packed one for each day." He then asked for some water and I said "Sorry, I forgot it". Ella started begging for cheese and I told her "Sorry dear but I don't have anymore." I am sure sometime during lunch I said my usual joke about how Chris will never get a real job and we will be living in a shack. And needless to say..before we left, one of the ladies that works there walked up, grabbed my hand and gave me a twenty. I was shocked...but then I looked at Ella in her handmade sweater and thought about all the things I had said and realized that we did sound like we were that poor.<br /><br />So, Chris and I are thinking we are gonna try this bit everywhere we go and see if we can start making a little cash on the side.....Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-42020910160113915542010-09-13T10:56:00.000-07:002010-09-13T12:15:59.969-07:00Preparing for School and a Few Short StoriesWe spent the weekend getting ready for Ella to start school. We started by taking her clothes shopping. Since I have spent a lot of time with Ella, I already knew I would not get any say in the clothes we would buy. I was feeling ready to let her pick out her own new clothes but I did have just one rule. It is the rule we have been working on a lot at our house. The rule is that "leggings aren't pants" or it's equivalent, "tights aren't pants".<br /><br />Well, the shopping wasn't as much fun for the family as we were expecting. It never even dawned on me that it is Halloween so all the stores would be packed with costumes. Every store we went into Ella would find the costumes and beg and beg for one. We tried to explain to her that they were too much money and showed her how many other things she could get for the same price. She would just say, "I promise..I will wear it every day" (which is the problem). So in the end Ella got 2 pairs of tights, 1 pair of leggings, and 1 pair of pajama pants. It's going to be an interesting wardrobe.<br /><br />So on with the story, Ella was so excited about her first day of school that she couldn't fall asleep last night. She was so cute telling us "I am just so besided (excited)." And imagine my surprise when she even wore real clothes to school (though she did accessorize with a noodle necklace).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And here is the little girl on her big day:<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuWlfQHGccQOJPexpAynnz8JYjRXlTXPp0RU5yFufcuzRm66H1AFGdaKHqxVusz7YEHx8PJEV0aBaSL8agrLqaod1LX3zTeKoG__hOq-bZtdvgJiANvBFyo8CkFqbDN-M4lnysyA21YsW/s1600/CIMG4234.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuWlfQHGccQOJPexpAynnz8JYjRXlTXPp0RU5yFufcuzRm66H1AFGdaKHqxVusz7YEHx8PJEV0aBaSL8agrLqaod1LX3zTeKoG__hOq-bZtdvgJiANvBFyo8CkFqbDN-M4lnysyA21YsW/s400/CIMG4234.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516472506817168034" border="0" /></a>She had a rough start. She cried when I dropped her off telling me that, "I am just a little nervous." I thought that was a big word for such a little girl. She also cried when I picked her up, telling me that, "I don't want to go home!" She is an emotional roller-coaster. <br /><br />And now in closing I just wanted to throw in some of the funny stories that happened yesterday.<br /><br />First of all, Ella and I have been fighting about how you say the word "anyways". Ella loves to say, "I am going to do it evenways". I have tried to teach her that the word is anyways but she just informs me that, "I can say evenways. It's fine." <br /><br />Second, Ella has been waiting and waiting to use the potty until she pees her pants. I am pretty tired of it so when I noticed she needed to go yesterday when we were playing a game...I told her I would put the game up if she peed her pants. She said, "I will go when I am ready." So, I said, "That's fine but if you pee your pants the game will go up and you won't be allowed to play games anymore." And then she said again, "I will go when I am ready." Well, I had had enough and told her, "You can go now or I will put the game up!" She then got up to go potty but I heard her say as she went up the stairs, "I will go when I am ready tomorrow!" I guess she figured I had won that one but she would get the next.<br /><br />And last but not least, Ella loves to collect sticks. The bigger the stick the better the find. So yesterday we went on a walk to find sticks. Imagine her surprise when people had piled sticks at the end of their driveways just for her (or maybe for the trash man). She would run up and find the biggest stick and then look at the next driveway and say "Look Mommy there are more over there and there." <br /><br />The conclusion to this long and kind of random post is that..part if me is happy that Ella is off to school. I mean I don't have to dodge long pointy sticks that can poke out my eye but then again...What am I going to laugh about during my day???Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313941462669171397.post-83593691673525271182010-09-06T17:54:00.000-07:002010-09-06T18:28:11.519-07:00Will's BlessingWell..after forgetting two months in a row...we finally blessed Will. Sadly, he didn't fit in the little white suit my sister had made but Will didn't care at all. I think he would have preferred to just come in his PJ's so he could have slept through the whole thing.<br /><br />So here is the story:<br />A few nights before the blessing I had this awful feeling that Chris was going to change the baby's name. You see, the school that Chris goes to is called the William E. Simon Business School. So, I started thinking he was going to name the baby William Simon Sturgill. I told Chris about this the night before the blessing and he said, "I like that name. I think it sounds good together". Great, right? I was totally freaking out. And to make matters worse, the only white onsie I could find for him to wear under his dress shirt said "Simon School of Business, Early Leader".<br /><br />When the time came for the blessing.......well, the bishopric member forgot about it. Chris was totally awkward and just started raising his hand right there in sacrament. But I am glad he did because they went ahead with the blessing.<br /><br />Will did great. He apparently cooed and smiled the whole time. Chris said he was grateful because he blessed him that he would be a happy and always able to find the good in things. He was worried Will would start screaming right after he said the was supposed to be happy. He also blessed him to love the Lord and help bring people to Jesus because of that love. And most importantly he said his name would be William Clay Sturgill.<br /><br />Here is the picture from after the blessing. I guess you can tell he is the second because we didn't even take him out of the car seat and thought the car would make a nice background....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAc4rgK6-B8BZe68_QtzCMA06Ebz247z72CnFERUfHlhI5jxvVUnJZa2zKyhUcvBMjYvnbarPUPa6CMNcObGWJrz5joDDX7SB0kmVWjg4Ia4eYm2zkR5e4iwwdbgBuoUZF1js_4ZBDDAQ/s1600/CIMG4225.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAc4rgK6-B8BZe68_QtzCMA06Ebz247z72CnFERUfHlhI5jxvVUnJZa2zKyhUcvBMjYvnbarPUPa6CMNcObGWJrz5joDDX7SB0kmVWjg4Ia4eYm2zkR5e4iwwdbgBuoUZF1js_4ZBDDAQ/s400/CIMG4225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513974110039111586" border="0" /></a><br />That afternoon we had ice cream with a bunch of our friends to celebrate. Will made an appearance at the beginning but decided to sleep through most of it. Maybe he was just disappointed he couldn't have any ice cream.<br /><br />Our place was totally packed:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjE6eRBNvj9LY3MQzkQ-s0cbXNFIDXuJ5R00wAje5pFQPkf-rJADyujX5BRIr33VycjfZ3nWUixn1fri134c8cnTRlw2aSvHrO_ckhiHb64uO-qIoTVMxTtMfNaRoslyDI-lS4md1z4ep/s1600/CIMG4228.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjE6eRBNvj9LY3MQzkQ-s0cbXNFIDXuJ5R00wAje5pFQPkf-rJADyujX5BRIr33VycjfZ3nWUixn1fri134c8cnTRlw2aSvHrO_ckhiHb64uO-qIoTVMxTtMfNaRoslyDI-lS4md1z4ep/s400/CIMG4228.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513975276984081122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRvKk8jvwu-EoYrxYDdMDL6njJvvtUWsMWur4nsyX9fUHStecj3-D-mlbfWlQCIwib99hdv0NxWsZFlaWSAwgoi4UlT0DIHbBbW2iCqsv2yHS-6TNihWl5IBnWXdIwvphN7si_xPH0mhK/s1600/CIMG4227.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRvKk8jvwu-EoYrxYDdMDL6njJvvtUWsMWur4nsyX9fUHStecj3-D-mlbfWlQCIwib99hdv0NxWsZFlaWSAwgoi4UlT0DIHbBbW2iCqsv2yHS-6TNihWl5IBnWXdIwvphN7si_xPH0mhK/s400/CIMG4227.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513975853113981714" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We sure are lucky to have such great friends!!!<br /></div>Kirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14067495446411802198noreply@blogger.com4