What a year!!

I told my mom the other day that I spend a lot of time sitting on the computer now days trying to decide what to look at next... Why is it I haven't started working on my blog again?? So here we go. Who knows how it'll go..

We have been so incredibly crazed since I last wrote. We got licensed as Treatment Foster Parents. Have had 3 placements (2 of which HAD to leave). We had very specific ideas when we started... NO TEENAGERS!! Well - our 3rd placement is 13 1/2 has been with us since June and next week is discharging back home to her dad. She's been a lot of work - but has fit so well with our family. We will miss her terribly but luckily her dad is open to us remaining in contact so we'll see and talk to her often.

That means the search is on for another kiddo. We are praying and praying that it happens quickly! This time however we are shooting for a younger boy.

Earlier this year I got diagnosed with Diabetes. Not like we didn't know it was coming - it just sucks that it did!!

Over the summer Jarod started staying at Grandma and Papa's house alone. He's been able to go several time since for a few days at a time. In October I went to General Conference and he was at Grandma's for almost a full week and STILL didn't want to come home. I enrolled him at our city ran pre-school earlier this year and he LOVES it!! It's only a few hours 2ce a week (or in January it'll be 4 days a week) but it's so nice for him to go somewhere and have a nice time. Every now and again you can catch him singing his ABC's or doing his Months.

Zachary is growing like a weed!! He has beautiful curly blonde hair which I refuse to cut! He's as busy as any 2 year old. I enrolled him in a gymnastics class and he's done 2 sessions and LOVES going to 'school'. He refuses to go to nursery at church without me - and also refuses to go to the daycare at the gym... At some point in the near future I'm hoping to torture him and Donna (the daycare lady that Jarod went to for a year and a half before pre-school) by having him to go her house a few hours a week (while Jarod is at school)... leaving me 3 hours of completely kid free time!!

Jake is still working at Sitel.. he's a supervisor for DirecTV and I think he doesn't really like it - but it's a paycheck! I know he'd love to quit and stay home and do nothing! Someday's I'd trade him.

I feel so blessed this year. We've been able to provide for our family and have had everything we've needed. Our Christmas was very well taken care of! In fact I'm taking some things back b/c we just had to much!! (I shopped all year).

I really hope to update frequently and get more pictures here! For my birthday I got a new camera and I LOVE to use it!!

Helicopter Fun

Up or Down?! I haven't a clue!

As I expressed prior to my actual joblessness I couldn't have been more excited. I had grand plans to fully update the blog, put up my pictures, make some changes around the house. After all - a mom with no job should have so much free time she should be crying of boredom, right?!

Well one thing is absolutely for certain... I LOVE IT!!! Oh bring on the good days - why in the world did they not fire (I didn't actually get fired but semantics) me sooner? (When I'm groaning in March b/c my van was repo'd please refer me back to this blissful time). I've been so busy doing nothing of any significance that I can't even account for my time! Needless to say - updating the blog hasn't been done... pictures are still in a box... BUT I did change the sheets on my bed! :o)

My in-laws are here visiting... unfortunately my MIL has come down with a nasty case of something and is holed up in bed trying to feel better. My FIL on the other hand is restless as can be. So yesterday we 'reorganized' the front yard, making some necessary adjustments for us to be able to pass our home study. He's currently out on a mission for large, unbreakable trash bags for some further 'reorganization'.

On Monday, Jake and I start our class. It's 6 evenings and 2 days of learning. After which, I have loads of paperwork to do and then the home study. Once the home study is done, and the criminal information is back we will be getting our new kid sometime very soon (Sometime in March, hopefully before the van is repo'd). We (and I do really me we) are excited. Jake is very supportive in my desire to be able to stay at home with the boys and this new venture seems to be an answer to my prayers (stay tuned for April's moaning when I have a houseful of kids for spring break and they are all pulling each others hair out).

So until my next free moment.. since I do so much anyway...

Jarod's Birthday

Only a 3 year old

Yesterday Jarod was hanging out with Sarah and DJ. The story goes something like this:

Jarod was sort of dancing around, wiggling his hips, his hands were on his hips, butt, etc. So DJ asks: Jarod do you need to go potty? Jarod stops.. looks at DJ, pats his front and says: DJ the pee thing is empty.

(Sorry I quoted the quote wrong and had to fix it).

Santa Clause Came to Town!

Holiday Cheer

Well I've got loads of updating to do... which shouldn't be a big problem now that I'm officially in the ranks of the unemployed. Should one really be kind of excited for such an event??? I mean really????

I suppose while I'm on the subject.. after much, much reflection and various other activities... Jake and I are going to be attending a 'class' later this month which will hopefully be the first step in being licensed through the state to be treatment foster parents. Now - why on earth would we embark on such an adventure? I just CAN'T put the boys in day-care (even though I have a wonderful babysitter who watches Jarod a couple days a week already). When I say can't.. it's literal. Doing treatment foster care compensates very well. It's a lot of work - a lot of appointments and such but it will also give me an opportunity to do something for someone in need. (BTW - in case you don't know treatment foster care children have a mental disability of some sort and they will live with us and be part of our family). It's something that I feel really good about doing and it fits the requirements needed for our family. After the class (really a very extended interview) the licensing will proceed (or not if they decide we aren't functional enough) and take about 6 weeks to complete. Then we just wait and see. Truly I'm excited for the next stages of my life and I feel very blessed to be at such peace with everything that's going on.

So onto others.. Jarod turned 3 on Christmas day (talk about someone who could NOT wait for his birthday).. Pictures to uploaded soon. On Christmas Eve day he decided that wearing underwear would work. I could scream from the rooftops I'm so excited!!! (In-lieu of the rooftops I'll use the world wide web). We are still working on one 'area' of potty use... but who cares?! It's great!!!

I feel like I shouldn't leave out Zachary... He's doing well.. minus the talking thing. He shows no signs of being 'premature'... except in speech. As of yet we don't know if he's delayed or just doesn't talk. He does however point and screech.. His vocabulary includes momma and dada (of course), uh oh, papa and a version of thank you. Mostly the boy is a little pistol. If anyone thinks for one second the kid will not be able to hold his own against Jarod - think again!

So stay tuned in the next couple of days for more posts (pictures) about the holidays, birthday and such.

Welcome 2009!!

Bike riding

So the other day we were at Walmart and they had all their kids bikes out on the patio. Jarod walked over to one and just got on and started going.

Excuse the quality of this video - it was taken from my mobile AND I was chasing him (turn down your speakers if they are up - it's kind of loud).

Needless to say he's getting a bike for Christmas and has already placed his request with Santa.

Oh the weather outside is frrrrrrrightful!

For I 'think' the 3rd year in a row, we here in the high desert received an early Christmas snow.

We were getting ready for Jarod to go to the babysitters house on Monday morning and he looks out the window and says 'Oh my gosh mommy, it's snowing!!' I said 'oh no it's not'. Then I looked - sure enough the snow was falling, falling, falling. Is there anything more exciting to a 3 year old than snow?? It snowed ALL DAY LONG.

Tuesday morning Jarod can NOT wait to go outside and play. He comes inside eating a snowball and says 'look Mom, Jarod is eating snow, Christmas snow'. It was cute as could be... my floors on the other hand would disagree as he came in and out all day.

Today it's windy and rainy - so maybe we're in for another round. A friend of mine who hails from Utah said she hates it when it snows... I promptly informed her that's because she's from somewhere that GETS snow... here in the desert we love every little drop we get!!

brrrrrrr

A GREAT Saturday!

A couple of weeks ago Sarah said she wanted to take the boys to the Temple to see the Nativity. Later that same day she said "California Pizza Kitchen sounds soooo good". So the following Saturday we loaded up the car and surprised her by going to California Pizza Kitchen. We LOVE that place!!! But it's reserved for only special occasions as it's a little pricey (but the boys LOVE the pizza and chocolate milk).

After we headed over to the Temple to see the Nativity and take some pictures. I think we got several nice pictures and Jarod took some too. Zachary was in a bad mood so we have no smiling pictures. Getting them to look at the camera at the same time was incredibly fun and impossible. Going for family pictures this year is going to be GREAT!!!

Anyway.. enjoy.. I love taking pictures at the temple b/c the scenery is just nice for photo-taking... anytime of year.

The boys trip to the Temple

December Fun

Shoes?! Woah.. you've GOT to be kidding me!

Ok so this post is about something that might have happened oh two months ago. But I've got pictures so I've got to share.

I took Zachary to the gym one morning (this was his first time). He was fully dressed (that hardly ever happens) minus one article of wear - shoes. The nice lady tells me she will let him come in today but in the future he's got to have shoes on. No problem.. I love buying shoes. So for his birthday (sort of late) we hit the shoe store and find the most adorable little shoes.

The following took place when we got him home and put his shoes on:


Now I'm not a proponent of 'crying' pictures... I don't think it's nice.. but this was just to classic to miss:


Please don't think I'm a bad mom.. moments later:


The shoes get put on the dresser - only to be brought out on the 'special' occasion of going to the gym. I sign him in and set him down... 45 minutes later the kid hasn't moved.

I'd like to say the situation has improved.. but I'd be lying. If he has his shoes on in the car - he screams... if he has them on in the house - he screams. I bought him Converse softies - and he tolerates them but in the car he pulls at them and screams.

So I ask: Who needs shoes???? Well evidently if they are MOMMY shoes they are OK...


Silly boy!

Smile!

Probably all toddlers love taking pictures, Jarod is certainly no exception. As I was transferring the pictures from the camera to the computer to post long over-due photo's I was bombarded with pictures of the tile, the couch, the dogs, the cabinets, feet, Jarod's nose, etc. To start the picture extravaganza I thought I should post his pictures.

Funny thing - I'm always the one behind the camera so there are never any pictures of me... well with Jarod at the controls I've suddenly appeared.

As a side note: he will be receiving his very own kid friendly camera for Christmas.. then he can take 'smiles' whenever he likes.

Jarod - the master photog

The bare November

Wow - I did a terrible job in November. I guess my excuse would be - I didn't have anything to say. But I guess that's not exactly true.

My birthday was really good... enough said.

Jake and I celebrated our 7th anniversary on the 16th. In true fashion - we did nothing.... enough said.

My moms birthday was on the 24th - she's old. We had a mini-family gathering on the Sunday before to celebrate... enough said.

On Tuesday the 25th, after a call from my boss I found out I will no longer have my job after Dec. 31st... What can you say?

Thanksgiving was NICE. My mom, dad and Becca all were staying here with us. And of course my brother was over for Thanksgiving dinner. My mom and I made the pies on Tuesday. We sort of went crazy - I think there were 8 pies... and only 6 adults... that was FUN and yummy. I made the turkey - it's actually something I'm pretty good at. Everyone said it was great. I pat myself on the back... good times!

Now we are headed into Christmas and a busy December. Next weekend we are all headed to my parents for the annual Elephant Butte Luminario Festival. Last year the wind was so horrible it didn't happen (first time in 7 years they said). They line the lake with luminario's and the boats all get decorated and they do a floating parade. It should be fun!!

As though Christmas could mean more.. here in the Weeks house it is also the very memorable day of Jarod's birth. Seriously how could 3 years have gone by already? Mostly I'm ready for about 4 1/2. We'll see if we live through 3.

And in case you are wondering 'so mb what are you going to do now'. I just don't know. I have been pondering and praying and talking and doing it all over again. Working outside the home really isn't an option for a few reasons. The biggest being I can't send my kids to daycare 45hours per week. I have been playing with a few ideas that will keep me at home.. we'll see how those ideas develop. If I think back 8 years ago (that's how long I've been with my company)- I can't even begin to put to words how much I've grown in various directions. Professionally I've grown leaps and bounds. Personally who'd have ever thought you'd hear me say 'I want to stay home with my KIDS'.

Hopefully December will be a better posting month. I need to put up pictures of the boys.. they are growing TOOO quickly!

Someone's turning 30!!! tomorrow....

Can you guess who? I'll give you a BIG hint... this person also happens to be the author of this blog.

Did you get it??? ME!! ME!! ME!!

I've been pretty excited about it - for no good reason. When I think 30 I don't think it's any big deal. BUT when I say 'I'm going to be 30' holy cow it sounds old (not as old as my dad old but still pretty old). Sarah has been dating boys and she knows one who is super cute but he's 28 and she says 'that's soooo old'. I said 'that's still younger than I am... do I seem that old?' She says, 'no not really'.

Some years I don't know what I want my family to get me for my birthday (and most years I don't care if I get something or not - but considering the significance of this year.. I've almost demanded gifts). I even knew exactly what I wanted (somethings are going to have to carry over to Christmas - my list was pretty lengthy).

Here's Jake's gift to me:

Let me just say - I LOVE IT!!!!!! I've had a 'smartphone' for about 4 years now and this one is by far the best one. There are a few things I miss about my Windows based phones - but most of the features on this one make it so I don't care. If you even 'think' you want a Blackberry - DO IT!! (BTW I did not get paid to say that - bummer).

My MIL sent me a gift certificate to LL Bean. Little did she know I've been eying a pair of sheepskin slippers at Shoes on a Shoestring and LL Bean has some. So last night I put my order in for:

So does wanting slippers seriously put me in the OLD category? Seems like it's something my Granny would have asked for. TO BAD!!! I'm so excited I can't wait for them to get here.

And finally my parents. Well technically they are going to be a little late - just because my mom won't be here until Friday. But I've requested a large capacity (over 6 quart) pot/steamer (with lid - very important these days). So HOPEFULLY this is what I will get:

I'm also not ashamed to campaign for as many Happy Birthday's as I can get! I will also campaign on my Facebook (Just to make me feel good about myself turning so 'old').

So here's to my first 30 years.. and I guess to my next 30 (may they be better and RICHER than the first 30).

A Walking Zachary

As I posted he took his first steps a little over a week ago. This video was taken on Monday.



And as we sit today he is doing more walking than crawling - even when he wants to get somewhere fast!

WTG Zach-attack!!!

He walked!!! He walked!!!!

Zachary has been cruising on the furniture for months.. we thought for SURE he'd walk before Jarod did (right at his one year birthday). Nope.. has all the balance and strength - just no gumption to do it. Well tonight he was in the kitchen holding a bunch of cups not paying any attention and he took a step. My mom and I both looked at each other like: did you see that??? Then she said 'do some more while you aren't paying attention'. And on queue - about 3 more steps. He then went into the other room and promptly stood up all by himself. He did several more 3ish steps and was so proud when we cheered him on. Papa got home from work and he wouldn't show off his new skill (my dad has been working with him at least 2ce per day since last weekend) he was toooo tired. Of course I left the camcorder at home b/c what exciting could possibly happen while I was out of town for a few days? Argh!! I'll catch it when we get home. He's going to be running down the halls in no time!!!