Lazy but fun day

Today's peak was that I readjusted some spots in my life that I felt like I was failing. I did school with each boy. I think they progress and I think I kept my patience pretty good. Both boys are very bright and learn a different ways. At moments like this I wish that I went to school to be a teacher or something. Eli is working hard on his letters and Liam is working on colors and patterns. I also spent some one on one time with each child. I'm currently reading how to win friends and influence people. Jacob has been wanting me to read it forever so I feel like I am making him happy by doing this.

My pit was how homeless we all looked. I dressed my kids then somehow all day they were in their underwear! I had spilt food all over me and I never really got my makeup done..we were all a hot mess.

I never want to forget how much happier my kids are when I do more structure and routine. Maybe it's because I am happier but Eli and Liam seem to do so much better. I also never want to forget how funny they are when they play together. They have such fun imaginations and when the are cowboys, super hero or knights it's always fun to hear about their adventures. Liam and Eli walked up to me today and said mom hurry leave this room. I just threw and grenade and it's about to explode.

Had to get a picture of the boys playing this morning. Liam has a knife and a gun in his underoos and Eli is blowing out his gun after shooting the bad guy. He said he learned that from Papa's westerns. Oh ya and the trophy and Lilly are always near by.

Sometimes I wish I was a 3 year old and I could take a nap wearing my ninja costume with cheesz its on my chest. Just cause I felt like it.

Excuse me ice cream truck please stop for one boy in his underroos and a power ranger. Not pictured a lady holding a baby wearing only her diaper.

Eli walked up to me handed me Jacob's scriptures and said, "mom read your scriptures!" I said, "Sure right after I finish this." To which he replied, "NO more read them now! They are very important!" Guess what I am now doing.

Liam taking a turn holding Soul

 Went to the Gilmore's yesterday. Eli and Soul just chillin

Eli and Paps are another year older

Today Eli turned 5 and my dad turned 64! Eli was the boss of our day and he picked everything we did and ate! We decided that our kids will have a birthday part every other year so this year Eli just gets to have a wonderful day all about him. We started off my heading to the movie which actually wasn't out yet....oops my bad. So Eli choose the fishy museum instead. This was the first time Lilly was awake and really enjoyed and did the whole aquarium. Eli and Liam loved it as always. After the Aquarium we got a pretzel because Eli just loves mall pretzels.After that I thought Eli would want to do the tramp thing with the elastic bands and the mall but he was too scared so he choose to go to game works instead. We played video games for about an hour and a half. After that we got another pretzel (each time we shared) because well that what Eli wanted!

That night we tried to take Eli to Ah So. His favorite place to eat but they were not open yet and we really needed to get to the hospital for my dads birthday. We told Eli we would take him Saturday and he was totally okay with that. So we ended up eating at Chik Fil A and letting the boys play for a while.  We picked up a sitter (to watch the boys while we did stuff with my dad)  then headed out to the hospital to see my dad. We brought a DQ cake and sang to Eli. He loved seeing papa rubbed his feet. Played with his cousins then he left to bass pro shop with the sitter.

We stayed back to do my dad's present and sing to him. Over the past few weeks I asked people to email me any memory they had of my dad. As I received them I have been posting them to a blog I created. It was been so nice while we have been getting this bad news to read these stories and celebrate my dad. I thought it would be a prefect time to show him the blog and in a few weeks after all the stories are in we will print the blog into a book. All the adults were in the room with my dad and we took turns reading our favorite stories.My dad doesn't have much energy but I could tell he loved it and we all had a wonderful time. I'm was sad he spent his birthday in the hospital but I am glad we were able to make it special and make a good memory.

For his birthday Eli gets to pick everything we do and eat. We have hi up Sealife Aquarium, game stop and ate some pretzels. H also tell everyone we see it's his birthday and hit up the pretzel place twice.

This might be one of my favorite moments every. This game the boys are on safari and they are being attacked by giant spiders, they have to shoot. They were screaming and shooting. I wish I made a video.

Today's Eli's birthday that's the only way we would ever be at an arcade these two think they have died and gone to heaven.

Even with out Jacob. Every time Eli visits my dad he pulls up a chair and starts rubbing his feet. Eli and papa share the same birthday. Just our two birthday boys hanging out.

Eli is such a good sport. he spent his 5th birthday in the hospital. After he blew out his candles he looked up and said, "Dad do you want to know what I wished for?" Jacob replied , "What?" "I wished Papa would feel better."My mom sister and I were instantly crying. He has such a sweet heart.

Eli's 5 year old questions

1. What's your favorite color? White & Black
2. What's your favorite toy? Ironman
3. What your favorite fruit? Watermelon
4. What's your favorite TV Show? BofM Nephi Stories
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for Breakfast? No answer
6. What is your favorite outfit? Captain America costume with glove and his Batman shirt
7. What is your favorite game? Football on the TV
8. What is your favorite snack? Rice Krispies
9. What is your favorite animal? Lion
10. What is your favorite song? Nephi's Courage
11. What is your favorite book? Spooky Green pants
12. Who is your best friend? Liam, Lilia & Mom
13. What is your favorite lunch? Pizza
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside?Playing with William
15. What is your favorite drink? Powerade
16. Where is your favorite place to go? Chik Fil A  or the Movies
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? IronMan
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for dinner? Meatballs

Trying to have more ups then downs

I missed the following pictures. I don't have my peak and pit for the post but I will take just a second and write a few things I remember about them. This week have been very trying we got very bad news that my dads cancer is spreading and he has gotten sicker. He now how two bags for his urine and a bag for his upper intestines. The cancer is everywhere in his stomach. We are hoping to get him into a program in Tucson which might work for him, but for right now we are not even sure if they will take him in the program. I feel pretty numb to everything. I have cried a lot and I feel sad, but it like I am walking in a haze. I don't really feel myself and every once and while I just get sad. One night I was feeling extra sad and Liam was so sweet and cuddly he snapped me right out of it. My boys have no idea what's going on and it makes me sad because most likely Eli will be my only child to remember my dad and I am sure with time those memories will be few and far between. This whole process breaks my heart and I know soon their will be an ache in my heart that will just never go away. I'm a lucky girl who has a wonderful father.

I've decided we have spent way too much time at hospitals. It's time to watch some speedy snails.

I feel like it has been bad news after bad news. I would like to reflect on the positive. I have yet to be here when my dad doesn't have at least 4 visitors. He is such a good man and so loved.

 I was laying in my bed feeling gloomy and tired. Then I realized a little body was cuddled up to me. I decided to no longer be gloomy and be in the moment. I spent the next hour laughing and having the best time with this little boy. I needed this.

I've been staying late at the hospital with my dad lately. Tonight Jacob put the boys to bed and one night I guess Liam was extra tired. He told Liam to go potty (a regular part of our night time routine) any way Liam took a while so Jacob went to go check on him and found this. Poor little guy was too pooped to poop.

Love My Kids

I try and do something fun with my kids everyday. Then they remind me that sometimes fun is just a simple and going in the back yard getting naked and playing in the hose. I love that they all play together. Even little miss Lilly is getting right in there with them. The following picture is so much fun just stare at each child and wonder what exactly they are thinking right now.

Well that didn't take long. Lilly girl is up and in the middle of everything with her brothers.

Tough week

These were a few pictures I missed Jouranling. I don't have my peak and pit but I do remember a lot about this week. I remember feeling very tired from the emotions I was feeling from hearing that my dad was getting worse and most likely would never get better. I remember that one second I was fine and then all the sudden my heart would hurt and I just wanted to crawl in bed and cry. I remember feeling so torn between spending time with my children and being there for my mother. I remember this was a very hard week. Then to top it off I had the Relief Society lesson. Now that was actually a trail but in the end it was wonderful. The lesson went great. I learned a lot and I feel like I taught a great lesson. I love teaching and I feel like me having the lesson this week was a little bright spot in a very gloomy week.

UMM excuse me I'm ready to get out of here. Fiine I will just chew my way out.

Guess who had the RS lesson yesterday. I love my calling.

Went to see Papa yesterday and Liam still has to be right by his side. These two just needed a western.

Every time my husband is with my dad he just starts rubbing his feet. This gives my dad some comfort and relief. Last night Eli started to learn. 7 years ago Jacob came into my life riding a white horse and he has never gotten off. I love ya Jacob thanks for loving my dad and teaching our children to do the same.

It's been a rough few days...

The past few days have been one big PIT! My dad has just been getting sicker and sicker it seems. Today he went to his Dr he looked one look at him and sent him to the hospital. My dad is having horrible pains from his tumor and in his side. They have found a blockage and they need to take care of it right away because he isn't able to eat or go to the bathroom. While they have been trying to figure this our it has been bad news after bad news after bad news. My dad now has a bag for his kidneys and an Isolostoym bag. Poor guy has been through it.

This has been very hard because we also found out the chemo isn't working and that we have very few options left. I have watched my dad for the past few weeks become extremely week and a former shell of my dad. It's weird though because he's still in there. I have also had to come to the realization that this could also be my last few months with him and that has been a very hard pill to swallow. Realizing this has made me  every once and a while just break down in tears. I'm also struggling with getting quality time with my dad and still being there for my children. So feeling like I am feeling them or him has also put me in tears. Jacob has been amazing and every day I am so thankful for him.

Just hanging with my homie. Just got a nice dose of morphine and is in "happy land " as Eli would put it. I wonder if he thinks he driving the roads to the cabin again

Hanging with Mamo as Papa gets another procedure. She was confused for a few seconds Brooke Sheilds is pregnant? Until we realized the magazine is from April 2003. We found the room where magazines go to die. Nothing is before 2008.

 You would think he just entered Disneyland he hasn't had anything to eat or drink for 2 days. He can have Popsicles and jello. He's so excited!

Humpy Dumpy had a great fall...I mean Eli

My pit today was that Eli cracked his head open at the Phoenix Children's museum. It was crazy. I just took the boys up to the noodle forest. I showed them I was going to sit down with Lilly and give her snacks. They ran in and were having fun then not even two minutes in a girl always around to the parents looking for the mother of a boy with a black shirt and shaved head. I said that was my son and she said he was bleeding. I leave Lilly with my friends and walk over to chaos. Blood everywhere and this lady saying Eli will need stitches. I finally see his head and it is cute super deep I never even knew you had that much flesh on your forehead. It was cut all the way to the bone! I leave Liam with my friend and I leave with Eli and Lilly to the Phoenix Children's hospital. We got in pretty quick but they wanted to stitch him up by an intern with him being awake. I said no way and waited for a pediatric surgeon who put him under. I left my house at 9:15 and got home and 9:00 pm. It was a very long day, but I am glad Eli got such great care and that he is on his way to recovery.

Things to remember...
Eli freaked when getting his wound cleaned. I was holding Lilly and trying to comfort him. It was crazy there for a while. Later I took Lilly to my friends and they drove Liam and Lilly to my sister who watched them the rest of the day.

When Eli woke up from the drugs he started asking for Liam he freaked the Liam wasn't there. Then he told me Liam was his best friend. It was so sweet. I love how much these two boys love each other.

They wouldn't let Eli eat so basically all day he didn't get to eat or drink anything. Being little he didn't understand why we were starving hm. He kind of lost it at one point and was screaming that he was starving and needed food. He then looked up to me and while crying saying Mom I'm suffering. It took every ounce of me not to laugh, ( I might have smiled a little) He was 100% serious. Where does this kid come up with these things.

Left our house for a fun day at Children's Museum of Phoenix and ended up at Phoenix children's hospital. 

  Stitches and Popsicle just what the Dr ordered...literally.

This is why we are in the ER. Eli is trying his best to stay calm and be a good sport. Looking on the bright side he excited he looks and will look like a zombie.

Few pictures I missed...

I haven't been blogging but I have been instagraming...

Doll baby ate her first blueberry muffin this morning...gobbled down the whole thing. We are officially a family who has to make two batches in order to feed everybody.

She has found my Tupperware and has been cracking me up ever since. This is such a fun age 
 

I told the boys to clean up their toy room. They told me they were tired. I said fine go take a nap thinking I was calling their bluff. I guess they weren't kidding.

 Seriously for the past few weeks when I leave my parents house the boys stop and pray right there for papa. Then they hop up and run to the car. I don't know why they do it here, but it's pretty cute.

Two cuties

Just hanging with her bros at the pool.

 Remember when Liam thought I would rather poop be on him rather then chocolate? Well today he did it again..."Liam what's on your face." He replies,"hmmm boogers?" Eli quickly corrects him with."nope chocolate milk!"

8 months for Lilly.

Our little Lilly la Rue turned 8 months this weekend. She now can sit all on her own safely. has 2 teeth, can legit crawl on her knees, move from belly to sitting all the way to standing. All of this happned in the last two weeks. She has been on busy little girl.

Other things to remember. She loved her brothers and now thinks she is much bigger then she really is. She loves food and thinks if I'm eating or drinking anything that she should have it too. Puts everything in her mouth still. She can wave hello and good bye and had started allowing the men in he left to hold her. For some reason she didn't really let my dad or other men hold her. Now they don't seem to bother her as much. I'm still her favorite and I hope it stays that way forever.

Good parents

I never want to forget. Today I had an Observation about good parents. I have noticed that a lot of them check in constantly with their kids. Not just seeing what they are doing but keeping them involved in their lives as well. I feel like good parents are not just there to keep them out of trouble but also be example and support their children.

Wonderful day!

Today we went to the mall. I needed to return a few things and I figured we would make a day of it. The boys helped me pick out a pair of sunglasses it was so much fun. Each one had a pair they wanted me to buy and they tried to convince me why I should buy that pair. Then I had some money at Gap from my mom which I had to buy some baby GAP stuff for Lilly! While I was there we had fun again Lilly was in a good mood and the boys were showing me stuff they thought would be so cute on her. They were so sweet I even ended up buying them some new superhero shirts they wanted. Okay that really strong armed me with their cuteness! Then we ended the day by playing at the playground. This was Lilly's first time climbing on toys and enjoying herself. The boys were even excited that sister was big enough. My peak was all of these moments. Today was wonderful.

No Pit today was one of the those days you don't want to forget.

Now for my I never want to forget moment...This one had me and everyone I told about it in stitches for quit some time! The elevator across from the playground was broken so after letting the kids play we had to walk across the whole mall. As I was walking there I walked horizontally to a set of escaladers. I see two teenage girls get on the escalator and then I notice the second one is having problems. Then I see she is in a full on splits and she is holding on to the escalator for dear life. I start dying laughing and pull out my phone to take a pictures. Seriously I was dying laughing! Afterword I noticed her show was missing which I am pretty sure is at the top of the escalator.

The boys told me I needed new sunglasses....they said they needed to help me pick them out. These are their choices. haha

Baby GAP + this baby girl = one broke mama

I was lucky enough to see this teenage girl trip into the splits on the escalator today. Poor girl had to ride it all the way down like that. I was dying laughing and taking pictures. I hope she didn't see me but I'm so so so so happy I saw her. Still laughing.

 Look who is feeling good enough to leave the house and came all the way to mine!

Be a Good listener

Today my peak was that I decided to cancel the movies and go to USA gym for open gym. I have realized that I sometimes I need to switch my plans to better fit my needs. I am always doing it around the kids but I should be trying to balance more for both of us. Today I think I did that and it felt like a good day. Everyone had a little bit of what they wanted or needed. 

My pit was that I am not very got sometimes at communicating with Jacob. Sometimes he thinks I am saying on thing when I am really trying to say something else. I just wish this wasn't a issue sometimes,

I never want to forget that when I am with other people to let them talk and ask them questions. I have noticed (with Jacobs help) that some people don't let you talk and they only talk about themselves. This leads people to feel left out and I NEVER want to make people feel left out or I don't care about them. 

I

I knew I called him monkey for a reason.

He thought he was big stuff walking across this beam 

Eli had always just jumped in the pit. Today he finally used the rope 

Listen

Today's peak was I started my diet. Normally I always say I'm going to start it and don't. Well today I did it!

My pit was a bad one. I was watching a show and Eli came in he kept just randomly talking or asking questions. I did good for a while them I kind of blew up (just a little) and told him to be quiet.i I felt awful I never want my kids to feel like they can't talk to me. 

I never want to forget that my children are so important. A good relationship with them is so important. I need to keep that at the front of my mind. NOTHING else is more important.

I know I'm biased but I know I'm not the only one who thinks my kids are hilarious. Who doesn't wear a beanie in AZ in July and their shoes on the wrong feet, while dancing in the halls at the gym

 

 Is it obvious little girl has big brothers? This is her toy of choice today.

 

I went to get the littliest from her nap. I opened the door to her room and found this...Jacob it's time to lower the crib ASAP.

Family stciks together

Today's Peak was we got to have a lot of family time. I enjoy days so much more when we are making memories together.

Pit tired grumpy and fighting. Nothing a nice nap can't help

I Never want to forget that all the boys in my family cut their hair to support Papa. It was so cute. Everyone just sat in their living room and one by one each got a hair cut. It was a fun adventure I will never forget.