Heritage Makers!!!

I love this company! I was able to go to my first show from them last night, and I fell in love with their products!!!

I have been out of the loop of scrapbooking for a while now, and I have really wanted to get back into it. Well, this may be the kick in the butt that I need!!! I have been shown how to digital scrapbook a little, and it looks amazing, but a little overwhelming. And I do consider myself pretty computer literate, so I know if I took the time I would be able to figure it out!

But, with this company, you sign up as a member, and then everything is right there for you! You can make books, scrapbooks, calendars, posters, cards, etc. They are a little pricey, but they have plans that make it totally affordable! Plus, when you are done, you can purchase a completely finished hardbound book. They are beautiful, and a timeless treasure!!

A girl in my ward had a party, and the consultant also happens to be in my ward. She has an amazing collection that she has created for her family, and I would love to eventually have something like that. Here is her website:

http://www.justinsstory.com/

I know, I know, I could go on and on. I don't plan on joining, just because I did with Usborne. (However, that was one of the best decisions I ever made, and if anyone needs a part-time job that really isn't a job, I would highly recommend it. :-))

Anyway, I always seem to be the last one to hear about these cool things, so maybe many of you already know about them. I plan on having a party in January in Pleasant Grove for mainly my sisters, but I plan to invite others as well, so if I have intrigued you, let me know and I will make sure you get an invite!

I would love to hear anyone's thoughts or opinions on them. Have you used them before, or been to a party? Have you created any of your own books? Let's talk scrapbooking!!!! :-)

All Better!

Amazingly enough, Cade is all better!

He kind of had a shaky night that first night. Woke up a few times, tossing and turning. I ended up giving him more meds at 3:00 a.m. I rocked him for a bit, and he went almost right back to sleep. He woke up yesterday morning for the day around 9:00 a.m. He seemed fine and happy, not necessarily in pain, so I held off giving him more meds. Although he was happy for the most part he was walking around like his right hand was paralyzed. He wouldn't move it AT ALL. Not even lift it. It just hung there. After about an hour, he started getting fussy. I decided to hit him with another dose of meds before it got too bad.

Once the meds kicked in, he seemed so much better. He was still favoring that arm, but wasn't fussy, and was a little more content. We read books, watched movies, and just kind of sat around. Then we had lunch. After lunch I had to take Alyssa to Kindergarten. When we got back, he went down for a nap. It was about 12:30 p.m. After about 3 hours I start peeking in on him. Still zonked. At about 4:00 p.m. I peek in at him, and sure enough he is sitting up in bed. Now that in its self was different than before, because he couldn't even push on his arms to get into a sitting position, he would just cry.

I went in to get him, and he started laughing. Being just his goofy silly self. Imediately trying to hide from me, and play in his blanket. I was amazed. I got him out of bed finally, and put him down and he ran out of the room. He found his siblings and wanted to play. He found some balls and was throwing them with "that arm". He brought me his tippy cup with "that arm" because it was empty. I was once again amazed.

I had started dinner, so I was working on that, and he came and stood next to me. When I went to hand him back his tippy cup, he reached up to take it with "that arm", and noticed his arm wrapped. He then proceeded to rip the bandage off. Unraveling it, and pulling at it until it was off. And then he started rubbing his arm all over his leg and waist backwards, frontwards, and in all directions. It was really itchy I guess. It was so funny.

I guess the doctor did mention to Eric that his elbow just could have popped out, and once it pops back in he will be fine. So that must have been what happened. So I am very happy and thankful that he is back to normal. I am still cautious when I touch him, but he doesn't seem the least bit bothered.

YEAH!

Poor Little Guy!

Well, unfortunating my baby had a visit to the emergency room tonight.

About 4:30 the kids were playing/doing homework, and I was working on the computer. Alyssa and Cade were playing right behind me, when all of a sudden Cade just started crying. She tends to be a little wild with him a lot, and I am CONSTANTLY getting after her. This time however, he just kept fussing.

I comforted him for a while, got him his binky (which he does not get unless he is going to bed), but he still wouldn't seem to calm down. I went in on the couch with him, and got him all comfy. I thought maybe he was just tired and kept waiting for him to fall asleep. He sat there watching Little Mermaid with all of us, and occasionally would point at the screen. I thought again, yes, he must just be tired.

A little after 5:00 Eric walks in, and usually Cade can't wait to get to his dad when he comes home. He came and stood by the couch offering to take him, and Cade just sat there. I told Eric what had happened, so Eric ending up taking him and tried to comfort him too. After that much time had passed, and he was still acting funny, I knew something wasn't right.

In the meantime I had asked Alyssa exactly what had happened and she said his arm got stuck behind his back and he was trying to roll over. I'm not sure if she rolled or laid on him, or tried to help him roll over the wrong way or if he did it to himself. Eric checked his one arm and rolled it around lifting it up and down, and nothing. He proceeded to do the same thing to the other arm, and Cade started screaming. Something was definately wrong with it.

We quickly decided to just take him to the emergency room. If he was that sensitive, he would probably need x-rays. They were gone a little over 2 hours. The doctor considered it a really bad elbow sprain, and put this thick bandage on it so he wouldn't bend it. They also gave him Tylenol w/codeine. The doctor said the x-rays didn't show anything to him that was worse than a sprain, but they would have the radiologist call me in the morning if he saw anything different.

Family Times!

The other night I was "slaving" over dinner, when Cade decided he really needed to help, or at least get my attention! Eric decided to take a picture, but didn't really get him clinging to my legs....making some sort of hissy fit.

It turns out this is all he really wanted!

He got a couple other cute shots of Alyssa and Jaida that night too. I'm not sure where Preston was, but I can bet he was playing Star Wars Battgleground on the computer, or had his nose stuck in a book.

What a goof!

Cade has been the funniest little kid! All kids seem to have little things they do that make us smile, but with Cade it is never ending! He really loves to make you laugh, and he has a devious little giggle when you do so. You will find him doing the craziest things, and then he'll look at you just waiting for your reaction!

He is such a character, and we love him tons!!! He has been so much fun, and this is really a great age!

Since waiting 4 years between he and Alyssa I sort of forgot all this stuff. I wish I had been blogging back then so I'd have better records. My scrapbooking has really declined, and I have really wanted to get into it, but am lacking motivation....so I blog.

Enjoy these fun pics of my baby!!! Isn't he a doll?

Whistle While You Work!

I just spent the last hour teaching my kids how to clean the bathroom from top to bottom. We sat down at the kitchen table, and wrote down each room, and what needs to be done in the room to keep it clean. Since the bathroom was the hardest, I had them follow me in there, and took each task step by step and they watched. Oh the fun mom makes them have on a day off of school :-)

I have done this before with Preston, and Jaida a little bit, but not in this much detail. They have all each had various chores, and jobs to do, but I decided I needed to take things one step further. I am probably way behind with this, but I have been anal about some things, so it is easier to just do it myself. I know, I know, how will they ever learn?

Anyway, what I have done in the past seems to work well for the most part if I am consistent enough with it. I think them being a little older has helped. They also desperately want their friend time, computer time, or t.v. time, so they do a pretty good job keeping up with things. I just want them to take on a few more responsibilities you know?

So I am posting this asking for ideas, opinions, or any thoughts on what has or hasn't worked for you. Besides their own rooms and things, I have given them one or two things here and there to do. I want this to be a daily or weekly thing, but don't want to overwhelm them, or burn them out quickly. I do want them to understand and know how important all this is, even if they don't think so now... and even if they think cleaning the toilet is "so gross".

Comments????? Please ANYONE, I'd love to hear from you! I'm really just trying to be a good mom!!!

Halloween Day!

The kids had a school parade down main street. I got pics of a pegasus unicorn, Dorothy, a black phantom, and the cutest little dog you've ever seen. They had a lot of fun!
We then went up to my mom's ward to do trunk or treat since Eric had guard this weekend. We only took one shot of all of us outside the back of our van. Preston makes a pretty good phantom don't you think?
It was a very fun holiday that included WAY too much candy!!

We hope you all had a Happy Halloween!!

Halloween Costume Party at the Cook's

Our friends Liz and Todd Cook have a Halloween Party each year as Todd is REALLY into Halloween. We were able to attend again this year, and it was a really fun time! It was nice to be hanging out with other couples and socializing in a fun way!

There was food, fun, games, and lots of great costumes! Here are a few highlights.

Pumpkin Carving!!

Last Saturday while I was doing the Ephraim Craft Fair, the kids got to spend a whole day with their dad. If that in itself is not fun enough, he took on the event of Pumpkin Carving as well.

They had a really good time and he was able to set up the tripod and snag a few pictures so he could be included (my request). I was sad that I had to miss it this year, but was happy they were able to spend some real quality time with dad! Luckily Cade was sleeping during this event, or he would have been in the middle of it all, literally.

Mapping out the plan!

Preston digs in!

Eric helping Alyssa with the top!

Just waiting and watching!

Looking good Preston!

Don't cut your fingers off!

Alyssa isn't so sure she likes the gooey stuff on her hands.

Alyssa's Masterpiece.

Jaida's masterpiece. Nothing fancy, but good old fashioned fun!