LES MIS......

Before The Play


I couldn't take pictures...common courtesy. So these are taken at the very end (Finale)!



Carter in our motel looking out the window!

This weekend turned out to be a great weekend! The drive to Utah was long and uncomfortable for me.....I think I did worse than Carter but once we got there we had a great time. The play was so good!!! The music and actors were GREAT! The theater that we were in was smaller than the last one and so it made it a little more cozy and there wasn't a bad seat in the theater. We were close to the back but felt like we were right there. I love Les Mis. it actually is quite a sad story but it is so uplifting and makes you realize that people change and to forgive and it's not up to us to judge someone else, just our job to love. And to love another is to see the face of God. So true!
I was a complete nervous wreck to leave Carter, but i did it. He cried and they'd distract him for a while and then he'd get sad again. But overall did really good for being left for almost 6 hours! He woke up when I got there and was very happy to see us and had to give us all loves and then was out. We then went to our motel to only have the long exciting night continue! We got into our room around 1 and of course Carter was awake and there happened to be a soccor team on our floor that was completely wasted and making the loudest noise! We finally called to complain and still nothing happened. Doors were banging, people yelling laughing running sounded like they were pounding on our door. My parents were in a room a few doors down and had the same loud disturbance and were calling. After 3 times of calling and it was now around 3:30-4:00 we heard a whole bunch of them so loud, so Brent got up to look out the peep hole to see most of them with their bags and them leaving. So we finally were able to get some rest around 4. Not to mention that we also had a couple right next to us who were "just married" or acting as if they were just married, and we could hear EVERYTHING very clear!!! I guess if you can't sleep and are awake in the middle of the night you got to make the best out of it and just join in with the noise......ha hah ha.
I was seriously so tired and Carter wakes up around 7:30 no matter what, so when 7:30 hit and Carter started waking up we were so EXHAUSTED! We turned on Cartoons and let him have some snacks while we rested a little longer. We finally got up and got ready to go checkout and complain. Long story short because our rooms were booked through expedia they can't really do anything about giving a refund and so for future reference not a good idea to book rooms through a 3rd party. Instead just call the reservations department of that motel and let them know of the discounted price online and usually they will meet that price.
Anyway, so with no sleep and all of us being so tired, we decided to get on the road. Carter went to sleep making it more of a relaxing trip home. But I think I did way worse than him. My feet and hands started swelling and I felt so weird!!! I now have the problem of swollen ankles, hands and face so I'm trying to drink as much water as possible and walk around and stretch. We had a nice memorial day relaxing at my parents and going to the cemetary.Thanks to everyone for making the weekend great! It was nice to see some family and spend time together!

I am oh so Craving Strawberries!!!

Well today I am just a little tired out. I actually attempted to mow our whole lawn today front and back. Anyone who's seen this lawn knows it's HUGE!!! Carter went down for a nap around noon and I hurried out there to start. He woke up when I was almost finished with the back yard (an hour and half later) and so he came out to watch me and then we ventured into the front yard.....he thought it was free run, what kid wouldn't? So i hurried as fast as I could but the grass was really long and heavy so it was taking a long time so I decided to take Carter in, turn on ELMO, and finish. That worked much better every time I had to bag the grass I just opened the door and pretty soon heard Carter saying, yelling "WHAT" WHAT? and then running to me to let me know he was fine. So I finished and came in decided I better start watering so I went back out and behind me Carter shut the door which happened to be on lock mode. So I went around back and that door was locked too...... WHat do I do. Looking in seeing Carter pulling out juicy fruit gum I tried getting his attention and he came over with handfulls of gum shoving it into his mouth. I realized at that point I couldn't teach him through the door how to unlock it so I tried Carter's window....locked. Then I went around front and tried our window....locked. Went back in back and tried the office room window and thanks to some answered prayer it was unlocked and being that we have nice new windows it was so easy to break in. The screen just slides right over and the window just slides right open. I grabbed a chair and climbed through. I realized just how un-limber I've become. Plus trying to climb into a window with this big stomach isn't so easy!!! But none the less I got in and was so thankful that the window was unlocked.
Now I am just relaxing a bit and wishing so bad that I had some chocolate covered strawberries. Brent got these amazingly delicious chocolate covered strawberries for me for our anniversary. I am just so wishing I had some more. Oh and since I haven't said what we did over our weekend let me fill you in. Brent completely surprised me with taking me out to the Anniversary Inn. My parents were coming to Boise and I just thought we were going to have a nice evening with them I went and rented movies and got stuff for strawberry shortcake (as you can tell I crave strawberries!) Well we went to eat together and then came home to have Brent telling me pack my bag we're leaving. The first time I've ever really left Carter and it was over night. Thank goodness he adores my parents and he was fine as long as he got to cuddle and snuggle and maul my mom all night long. Thanks mom and dad for making it possible to leave.
Anyway, this week Carter has been teething....which means ear infection and diahrrea! So we have been enjoying tons of laundry and tylenol! We leave tomorrow to go to Twin and then head to Utah for Les Mis. We are so excited and I am again extremely nervous to leave Carter with actual sitters. He'll have many of his cousins with him and two of my nieces are older and he adores them so hopefully it won't be to much of a shocker for him! Well before this post gets any longer I better run carter is shoving a book in my face to read! Love to all!

Five YEARS!!!!

Today is our five year anniversary. I can't believe that it has already been five years. It seriously seems like just yesterday. I'm still so crazy about Brent and love him so much! He really is an amazing husband, dad, and person. I feel so blessed. So even though at times I am the typical wife that pushes and pushes (never naggs.....) and gets emotional over some stupid thing ( I swear it's being pregnant) I really do have the best husband of all!!! I look back on that day and though it seems like yesterday I see how much we both have grown (Not just in our pant size ha ha). We actually have been through a lot together and all those harder times have really helped us work together and become closer. Marriage is never easy no matter who you marry but it seriously was the best thing I could have ever done in my life, was to marry Brent. Brent has definately made me become such a better person, I don't know what I'd do with out him. So thanks to his family, friends for raising up such an amazing guy that I get to be with for forever. And to my Brenty, I love you!

The Zoo

Well yesterday we ventured out to the zoo and it was HOT!!!! Carter loved it. He loved getting out and seeing so many people and so many weird animals. Before we left I had packed the car with our bag and snacks and came back to get him realizing that I couldn't find my keys. I just had them where could they have gone????? So I was frantically looking through the house tearing apart drawers and everything thinking that maybe I lost my mind and always misplace things. Carter just stood by the door watching me frantically running around. When I saw him waiting on me I told him that we had to find the keys if we wanted to go. Carter repeats "keys, keys" closes the door and behind the door we have a little hole (that we've tried to patch over but Carter always opens it back up) and there inside this little hole were the keys sticking out. I started laughing so hard! In his little mind he's probably thinking geese mom if you would've asked me in the first place. So we got on our way.
Another quick story about Carter........well I think we've utterly confused our poor little boy. He has started to really call my tummy the baby and give the baby kisses and every day he has to lift my shirt up to say "hi baby"! He's actually become quite possesive of the "baby" (my tummy)! NO ONE can touch my stomach. Over the weekend my nieces wanted to feel the baby and were holding their hands all over my tummy to catch any movement and when Carter caught glimpse of that he ran so fast yelling "NO, NO" taking their hands away and climbing up to put his whole body on my stomach so they couldn't even touch it a little bit. So I've been thinking wow he really understands. What a smart kid I have and yesterday when I was changing his diaper. He lifted up his shirt pointing to his belly saying "baby". I tried to explain mommy has a baby but he just has a belly. Then I saw the confusion on his face. Oh well, he'll really be confused when the baby is out and my tummy goes back to being called tummy or belly

Fun in the Sun

Today we went to a beach.....yes a beach in Boise. It was real sand and lots of fun. The only downfall was goose poop. Carter loved the geese! He wanted to chase them and they aren't too nice especially when they have their little babies close. He loved playing with his little friends in the sand throwing it and squeezing it between their toes and fingers. The water was a little cold but felt great in the heat. Carter took some face dives in it and got mad at the water telling it "no no." But that didn't slow him down at all. We enjoyed our beach day and now I'm quite tired and we are planning to go to the zoo tomorrow to meet my niece Andrea there with her class. It's supposed to be another hot day so hopefully we won't melt walking around! Love to all.

Swim Time!!!

Well this weekend was a great one for us. I had a wonderful Mother's Day and hope you all had the same. Friday evening I helped Brent mow the lawn. We have two mowers and Brent kind of spranged his ankle this past week playing basketball and so I thought I'd help him out. The first time I've ever really even touched a mower or started one and I think I did pretty good. I definately got my workout in the sun. Carter was playing so good and following us around and he even went up the whole ladder on his little play house all by himself as Brent and I watched....me wanting to run over there and stand behind just incase he fell back but brent wouldn't let me. He didn't want Carter to even know we were watching. And so we stood there me on mey tippy toes and heart racing visioning him falling back but much to my amazement he didn't and he had a great time up there playing!!! He thought he was so BIG. Which I thought he was too.
On Saturday I worked at Walgreens leaving the 2 boys to hang out. It was quite a hot day and being that we put fertilizer on the grass Friday night Carter couldn't go out and play on it. So Brent did the next best thing and blew up his little inflatable pool and let him go for a little swim. He loved it. The water was freezing but he didn't seem to mind at all.
When I got off work we drove to Twin for the night and spent Mother's Day with my parents and brothers and their families. It was nice to all be together and Carter got spoiled to death with so much attention. Being that his cousins are all a little older than him, they all help watch him and give him whatever he wants. He thinks he is just as big as they are and they all are so good to include him and watch him while they play. He has finally warmed up to his uncles and he tries to tease them back and get even just to loose the battle to being tickled to death.

Here are a few video of clips of Carter. One is of him talking on the phone to his daddy. He loves talking on the phone!!! We race to get to the phone and he freaks if I don't let him talk. The other is of him and his best friend the dirt.

New Trike

Carter loves looking at himself and seeing his daddy's eye.

Well we got Carter a trike. He's a little small for it but it's nice because it has a detachable bar that we can push and steer him with. So when we go check the mail or go for little walks instead of a stroller we push him on that and try to get him to learn how to pedall. He's mastered geting on and off and ringing his bells and putting things in his little basket in the back. He's getting so big and learning so many things. His vocabulary is growing like crazy.

Brent was gone all weekend for work and so on Tuesday he took the day off, which was so nice and Carter loved every minute being with his dad!!! We again were in the yard most the morning and afternoon. Brent had to mow the lawn that was oh so long and I painted some shutters. So Carter again was left to play in the dirt and sprinkler and get on and off his little trike pushing it around. I actually got some video footage of him dumping dirt down his shirt.

We are thinking of you all and can't wait to see a lot of you in Canada in June/July. I just booked a plane ticket for myself to fly up the end of June. So Carter and I can spend some much needed time with Grandma Helen and Grandpa Jim. Brent will join us for the 1st of July and stay for a few days and we will be staying until July 10th. So it'll be so nice to get to see new nieces and nephews and see everyone. Hopefully I won't be too huge to enjoy things and I really hope that the mosquitoes don't eat us alive.

DIRT!!!!

Yesterday we did some much needed yard work and well I let Carter roam free!!! He absolutely loves the dirt. Anywhere he finds it he digs and throws and eats it. He was very freaked out by the trimmer and was yelling at his dad to "stop". He didn't like the mower either at first until his dad let him push it and then he didn't want to stop. So he followed his dad around the yard begging to push. He then ended up in front of the mower and thought it was after him. It was so funny to watch him just do whatever he wanted! I figure at some point I just have to let him be and explore the outdoors. Dirt can always be swept off the cement a bath can do wonders.

Take each day as it comes

Well we all have been pretty busy! Brent is trying to get so many papers and projects done before he goes to Atlanta for work next week, then the next week will be the end of the semester for him and he'll get a 2 week break before summer school starts......which will be absolutely crazy! It'll be tough for all of us but there is an end in sight....2 more years left.

Carter and I have been staying busy in our days. He is loving to climb everywhere which means many bruises for him. He's definately a boy through and through and a 16 month old. He is loving to dance and sing constantly. Yesterday I was doing laundry and he was sitting on the couch just talking away, I thought he must have my phone ( he loves phones ) then I heard something weird so I went to check on him and sure enough he really was talking to someone. He wouldn't let me have the phone and just kept talking like crazy, I realized it was his dad thank goodness!!! He'd been talking to him for 5 minutes, I'm just glad it was Brent not some crazy person. He keeps me laughing through the day because really sometimes you just have to laugh and tickle the heck out of them instead of getting mad or frustrated when they constantly are interested in things they shouldn't be. He has really learned to pick "Jesus" out of pictures and at nursery went around to all the pictures pointing to him saying Jesus. I didn't even really know he knew who Jesus was. It really is amazing how he just knows when I haven't really taught him.

The baby is now kicking like crazy and she must be positioned on my bladder because I seriously go every half an hour sometimes. It's the worst pain to have just gone and all the sudden have to be running back to the bathroom. I keep thinking maybe a bladder infection but it's not...she must just think the bladder is her little soccer ball.

Anyway a reflection on the events that have happened in Virginia....It seriously is so sad!!! I couldn't imagine the terror that went through the students' mind. It makes me realize how in a minute our whole lives can change. On Sunday we had our home teachers over and one of our home teachers shared with us a tragic story in his own life. They had a baby girl a month after Carter was born and when she was 4 months old they all were in a tragic car accident that almost took his wife and took their baby girl. Listening to some of the details just broke my heart. He and his wife weren't sealed in the temple and last month had the opportunity to be sealed together and to be sealed to their little girl. So as busy as life seems to get, take each day with a breath of fresh air and try to love each moment. Sometimes I think my trials are hard until I hear someone else's and I realize how much I have to be thankful for and at any given time it could change. So love to all and I hope that all of you are doing great and enjoying spring and making it through some of the craziness each of you have.
I'll try and post pictures later.... I haven't been the best at taking pictures lately.

A little clip of the ultrasound

here is a little piece of the ultrasound when we were trying to get a good shot of her face. Let's hope it works.

BOY OR GIRL???????

Today was the big day......or was it? We have been having a big debate about whether or not we were going to find out what we were having and today was the dr.'s appointment. The ultrasound tech immediately asked if we wanted to know and we just couldn't resist so we said yes. The ultrasound started and the lady saw right away and went right to the area....so it IS A GIRL!!!! She was really sure (being that I never believe them) and saw it throughout the whole ultrasound. Everything else went really well, except this little girl didn't really want to give us a good profile or for us to see her face real well. That is exactly how Carter was. Little stinkers just don't realize how much we want a good look or picture of them. So here is the best we got. It's still so crazy to think that I'm half way there and by August we will have 2 children. I'm so excited and can't wait to meet this little girl!

Carter is growing like crazy and keeping us on our feet constantly. He still has some major attitude and at the same time is so sweet giving me tons of kisses and hugs and kissing my tummy constantly.....he did that even before I was pregnant. We are enjoying some nice weather and so that means we are outside lots! Thank goodness we have a large backyard and not too many things that he can't get into. Of course he loves the dirt ( I was a complete fool thinking he would never notice it) he even likes to eat it. He's really starting to play with his toys and talk a whole bunch of gibberish on the phone. His vocabulary is growing which makes me realize how much he listens.

Brent is staying so busy with school and work! He's doing so good with his school papers and assignments....getting the highest grade in his class. I constantly wonder how he does it all and does it all so well.....I know that beside from just being one smart feller he's blessed so much and we definately have the help of our Heavenly Father. It's hard to see how some things will work out or to see the whole outcome when things are so stressful, but it's so nice to know that there's a higher power and that we are being watched over and Heavenly Father is highly aware of what is going on.

Anyway, as for me....I am doing quite well. I'm trying to eat healthy and get some exercise and on Tuesday just when things were really going well for me I decided to get out and take Carter for a walk. Feeling so good to get some fresh air I started speed walking and going for quite a long walk when all of the sudden the stroller collapsed and I went over Carter, falling on the pavement (my face breaking my fall) And just when I thought that I had gotten away without anyone seeing this ordeal a nice man came running out of his office asking if I was okay. More embarrassed than anything I tried to just tell him that it was a little fall and we're fine....only for him to tell me my face was bleeding. Now feeling even more stupid because I couldn't feel that I hurt my face I said oh we live around the corner I'll be fine....and hurried on my way, making sure the stroller was locked and I took it much slower. Well my tooth went into my lip and my face got some scuffs from the cement. Other than a swollen lip and bruised teeth I'm ok. It must have been quite the sight. I'm just glad that I didn't loose my front teeth over a stupid fall. And I'm so thankful that Carter just got smashed for a moment...no falls for him. So to all you walkers be careful and make sure you have a nice quality stroller.

Well love to all and I hope everyone has a HAPPY EASTER!!! I've been trying so hard not to go crazy over the candy.....not doing the greatest job. We're thinking of all you!

Home Again

Well we all survived our trip to Las Vegas. We had a fun time and really enjoyed the great weather!!! It was just right- the low 80's. Jurnee and the boys are getting so big and kept Carter going non-stop!!! He loved Jurnee and was trying to be so helpful to put her suckie in and even feed her. He gave her many hugs and kisses and tonight when I was uploading our pics from the trip he saw "baby Jurnee" and went nuts. He of course loved playing with boys trying to act like he was just their age.

We were able to go shopping and we even made it to the strip a couple of times......not long though as the strip and casinos are filled with smoke and definately not kid friendly. Brent was able to go with Ryan to work on Wednesday and enjoyed getting to see some live action. On Thursday Brent went with Ryan again to a seminar which Brent has to do a paper on, so it worked out quite well.

Thanks to Sonia, Ryan and kids for letting us come and making the trip a great one. We also got to see Brent's dad for a few days which was a real treat!!! It was nice getting to see him and visit even though it was short....we're definately looking forward to making the trip up north to get to spend time with more family and let Carter really get to know his grandma Helen and Grandpa Jim.

I hope everyone is doing great especially the newest little nephews Zack and Forrest. We can't wait until we get to meet them.

RASCAL FLATTS CONCERT!!!!!

Last night we were able to be kids again and go to the Rascal Flatts concert and let loose! We got a sitter for the first time and at first I thought I might have a panic attack but I got Carter to sleep 10 minutes before the sitter got there and he slept the whole time so I did worse than he did. He didn't even know we were out playing.
So onto the concert......it was AWESOME! We went to Rascal Flatts when I was 8 months pregnant with Carter and it was amazing then and we didn't know if it would be as good as last time but it was! For those of you who are fans, even of just one song, you have to sometime experience it. This time we got floor tickets and were really close to the stage. I even got to run right up to the stage when they were on our side (after begging Brent to let me go....he thought I might get hurt) The first time I ran up there I got right to the front spot next to Gary (the lead singer) it's not that I'm totally obsessed with them or anything it's just fun to sometimes let loose and have a great time singing, dancing, and screaming...letting the youth come out in us. We got some good photos and video clips. This time with being on the floor, security was watching everyone like hawks for cameras, we were careful to not let too many flashes go off.
After the concert, we had to sit in stand still traffic for a half an hour finally we were able to move and get on the road. We then met up with our friends Russell and Collette for dessert at Sherry's. It was Russell's birthday and since we didn't get to be next to each other we thought it would be nice to have a little treat (of course) and make the night last just a little longer. Brent and I realized we need to get out more and now that we've left Carter once....I can do it again.
Well I best be going. I definately am worn out from staying up so late, and I've got to pack and get ready to fly to Vegas tomorrow for Spring Break. This time Brent will be coming and no one is sick so we can actually be good company and enjoy our stay. Love to all.

After we took this clip he pulled a little girl on the stage sang to her and walked her around the whole stage....so cute and I bet totally made her night!

A New Bed

Well we finally did it and got a single bed for Carter. He has just been sleeping on his crib mattress on the floor in his room but Saturday my parents came up and were able to bring their truck arising the perfect opportunity for us to buy Carter a real "Big Boy" bed and a way to save some money on not having to pay for a delivery charge. Thanks mom and dad for bringing the truck! I was a little nervous at getting him such a big bed and wondering if he'd actually stay in it as well as he did the crib mattress....also a little worried about him being higher off the ground! To my amazement Carter has slept all through the night in his bed and it is so nice. No falls yet and he seems to really love his bed. He was so excited when he first saw it and has worked every day and getting on and off all by himself. Today I can say that he has mastered the both down. My little boy seriously is growing up way too fast.
I'm so happy to see him feeling so much better. He is a COMPLETE different kid, so happy and playful and we have so much fun during the day together!!! His top two molar teeth have broken through and one on the bottom is through too so that adds to his happy attitude.
Brent is staying busy with school and papers. He is such a hard worker and I know that he'll make a great counselor when he's all done. I see him growing and becoming more knowledgeable and I am so proud of him. I know for him it's sometimes hard to see the progress he's making and wonders if it is all worth it being gone day and night and then when he is home he's constantly working on papers.....but it'll pay off and it won't be like this forever. He may have some late evenings but he won't be this bogged down.
Today I went to my Dr.'s appointment and Carter and I heard the heartbeat. It seriously is such an amazing thing to hear. It brings this pregnancy more to a reality. Now that my sickness is pretty well over I seem to sometimes forget that I really am pregnant and that this baby is growing like crazy. I can't wait to meet him/her. Next month we go in for the big ultrasound......and for those of you who don't know we most likely are not going to find out. We think it'll be exciting along with labor and everything to not know. We'll see for sure though when that day comes. Anyway, I better get going love to all!