daddy

Life 2012 | A Storm? Thunder? No its just Daddy!

Joey was laying on a leather couch at our vacation home, squirming around trying to get comfortable.

Beth, hearing the noise, asked her brother “Is there a storm outside? Because I think I hear thunder…”

JJ pointed to where Joey lay squirming, and Beth said “Oh, it’s just daddy moving around.”

Yea, apparently Joey now rivals a storm.

Life 365 | Week 23

Monday, May 31, 2010
Joey’s mom left very early this morning and we didn’t even get to say goodbye – but we were glad she made it safely to Wyoming. We spent this Memorial Day being very lazy. Joey and I played/worked on our computers and the kids played and watched movies. Joey did do some work outside and got our swamp cooler working and some pipe connections fixed.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010
We went and picked up some Soccer stuff for Beth today. We got a package deal for signing up for the Orem Soccer and got Beth some cleats, shin guards, soccer ball, and sackpack. Beth was so excited!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Beth’s first day of Soccer Camp was today. JJ stayed home with Joey since he didn’t have to go in early and Beth and I headed over to the field. Beth was so excited until we got to the field and suddenly she got so nervous and shy. Beth is normally so outgoing that I was so surprised that she had that reaction to all the kids and coaches. After some tears and sadness and hugs – I finally got her to go back on the field. She wanted to go back home – but I told her to stick it out and that it wouldn’t be very long. She ended up slowly kicking the ball at the other end of the field by herself. I wasn’t sure what to do – but then I saw one of the coaches go up to her and talk to her and she became the Bethie I know again and started playing and learning. It was an interesting experience for her, but hopefully now that she knows more of what to expect that next time will be better!

Thursday, June 3, 2010
There is just nothing like a tea party with your bears and your daddy! I love seeing Joey play with the kids!

Friday, June 4, 2010
It was so nice today. The kids played all day outside and they loved it. I love hearing them play outside my bedroom window as I do some design work. I love that they use their imaginations! At one point, Beth ran into the house and told me that I “just had to see something so beautiful.” I grabbed my camera and took some pictures of the beautiful roses that have bloomed in our yard! Beth was so excited to have a picture of her with the roses!

Saturday, June 5, 2010
Joey took JJ to his Tball game today. I wasn’t feeling so well, so I slept in for a little while. JJ still gets very distracted in the outfield, but hopefully we can work with him and get him to focus better. Joey said that he hit better today, so that’s good. In the afternoon, I took Beth to her friend Baylee’s Birthday Party at Little Gym. She had so much fun and when I came to pick her up, she cried because she didn’t want to leave. It was fun to find that Jodi Price worked there now – her family was in our ward when we lived in Salt Lake City so it was a fun surprise to see her again! Then after the party, Beth and I got haircuts! I got enough hair cut off to donate to Locks of Love so it is quite a change! Beth loves her haircut and I do too – it will be great to not have to deal with so much hair – especially over the summer!

Sunday, June 6, 2010
After church, we decided to do our Family Movie Night early, since we were going to have visitors later. We watched The Wizard of Oz and it was the first time for my kids. They really enjoyed it. Later for dinner, we had Chicken Noodle Casserole for dinner – which is yellow and cheesy and it was our “yellow brick road.” For dessert, we made a large rainbow cookie!

Lane and one of his friends came and stayed with us tonight. They are headed to Boys State tomorrow so it was fun to have them come for dinner and stay with us. The kids were so excited to have Lane here!

And here is my weekly layout:
I used my Sweet Summer Sun (Digitals July 2010 Challenge Kit) & Digital 365 to create this layout!

Life 365 | Week 18

Monday, April 26, 2010
It was finally another nice day and my kids couldn’t wait to play outside after school. They played for a few hours and constantly came in to tell me about things they saw and things they were doing. They were very cute. Beth loves worms and JJ helped her find several worms to put in a container of dirt. They kept coming in to show me their findings. It wasn’t until I went out to call them in for dinner that I found out where they were getting all the worms. JJ was tearing out all the bricks that were in the ground to make a pathway by the shed. After being angry about it for awhile, I finally realized how cute it actually was. JJ was helping his sister find worms. He didn’t realize he was moving stuff that wasn’t supposed to be moved. Silly kids.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tonight was JJ’s Pack Meeting. It was so exciting because he got his first 2 awards in the scouting program. He received his Bobcat badge and his Badminton belt loop. Part of getting the bobcat badge was painting lines on JJ’s cheeks. He wasn’t so sure about that one and really didn’t want me to do it. When he saw one of his scoutmates getting it done – he finally let me paint it on him – but as soon as he got home he washed it off – no paint faces for him!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A big fan of Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes), Joey wanted our kids to be attached to their stuffed animals. In trying to encourage this, he would ask Beth if she would let him borrow her stuffed tiger (which he had bought for her at the Hogle Zoo and named “Sasha”) at night. This has quickly got out of control as now Beth has to have someone watching Sasha anytime she’s away from the house, and has asked Joey to take Sasha to work with him several times. Joey’s co-workers have got quite the kick out of seeing Sasha’s head popping out of his backpack and attending his meetings. Sasha is Daddy’s “helper” and Beth’s comfort! I’m not sure what we would do if we lost Sasha – let’s hope that it never happens!

Thursday, April 29, 2010
I have some great visiting teachers. I have been so swamped getting ready for NSD and other things that I haven’t had a chance to have them come over this month. They dropped by some yummy banana bread that the kids and I snacked on all day. They really are very sweet.

Friday, April 30, 2010
Joey had an early appointment with his Rheumatologist. It was in Sandy so he was just going to stay up there and work at Pete’s house, but his leg was all swollen in a way that it shouldn’t be, so they decided he needed an ultrasound. They could only find one hospital that could do it today and that was the Timpanogos Hospital here in Orem, so he came back home. At 3pm, he left to go get his ultrasound, with the plan to leave from the hospital to go do his podcast. The kids came home from school, we had snack and playtime and about 5pm, we left to go pickup my cousin, Heather who was in town for the BYU Womens conference. I hadn’t seen her in a year and was very happy to have some time to visit with her. We haven’t actually been close in proximity ever, but I feel like we have kept a pretty good relationship through the years between emailing, and recently through Facebook/blogs. She’s a wonderful person and I’m so glad I had a chance to catch up with her. We picked Heather up and went to Hogi Yogi’s where we had yummy sandwiches and yogurt. Amidst the visiting and handling my wound-up kids, I missed several calls from Joey. Finally JJ interrupted my visiting with Heather and said, “Mom, you’re phone is ringing.” I missed the call again, only to find out that I had missed several calls. I called Joey back and it was now close to 6:30pm and I expected Joey to be in Salt Lake City. But no, he was still at the hospital where he had just been informed that he had 18 blood clots in his leg and 1 in his lung. It was so shocking to hear and especially over the phone where I couldn’t be with Joey. Joey informed me that he was going to go do the podcast now and then we would talk later. So fortunately, I stayed calm – finished visiting with Heather and then dropped her back off at the BYU dorms before heading home. After the kids went to bed, I did research on blood clots, worked on final preparations for NSD, and had a freak out before Joey finally arrived home and we were able to talk. A huge day.

Saturday, May 1, 2010
Another crazy day. Joey and I slept in a little bit and then he headed off to the pharmacy to get his medications. Unfortunately, he had a hard time finding a pharmacy with the right stuff – and so when my NSD crop started – he still wasn’t home. The crop went well – even though the kids had a rough time, so I was trying to do my crop and handle the kids at the same time. We made it through and finally Joey got home. Joey’s doing pretty well, but the worst thing is having to give himself injections in the stomach for 5 days. The needle doesn’t really bother him – but the medicine is really hurting him. I just pray that this medicine will help and that we can get the blood clots to go away.

Sunday, May 2, 2010
We stayed home from church today. But our home teachers came over and was able to give Joey a blessing and I pray that it will help him through the next several days.

For our Family Movie Night, we watched The Sound of Music and made mexican haystacks for our “hills are alive.” The kids enjoyed it, even though it was quite the stretch to make the movie and dinner match this week!

And here is my weekly layout:
I used my Renewal & Digital 365 to create this layout!

Life 365 | Week 17

Monday, April 19, 2010
Late last night I discovered that Persnickety Prints was just up the street and I had an awesome email conversation with the owner. So I prepared several of my layouts to test drive their service and sent it over early this morning. Today’s photo was actually taken on Wednesday, when I picked the layouts up. They are so awesome! Its so exciting to see my work actually printed! I’ve made it a new goal to get a few more pages done each week. JJ and Beth have been getting after me to get more pages done because they love to look through the albums and see pictures of themselves!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010
I spent all morning and early afternoon in Riverton with JJ. We went to see a Rheumatologist about some weird bumps on JJ’s big toes. It turns out that everything is okay – they are actually callouses that JJ has developed by curling his toes when he is walking with his shoes on. We are going to have to see what to do about that – but everything is okay. When we finally got back to Orem, I dropped JJ off for the last couple hours of school and picked up Beth from Cody and Becki’s. Beth cried and sulked because she didn’t want to leave – she was having way too much fun with Uncle Cody and Aunt Becki. But I finally got her cheered up by letting her have a tea party on the kitchen table with some of her animal friends!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Beth was so excited because today was Daddy & Doughnuts Day. We curled Beth’s hair all pretty for her date with Dad. Joey spent the last half hour of school with Beth, visiting and eating doughnuts. Beth made her daddy a colored tie to wear too. They were so happy to spend some time together!

Thursday, April 22, 2010
Poor Bethie had to get shots today. We went in for her 5-year-old/getting ready for Kindergarten appointment. Beth was so sad and sore the rest of the day. She wouldn’t take a nap but she obviously wasn’t feeling well because she wouldn’t even move off of the couch and that is just not like my Bethie girl. For a few hours her legs stiffened up so bad that I had to carry her around, even to use the bathroom. But finally when her daddy came home – she was feeling pretty good.

Friday, April 23, 2010
Spring weather is so much fun! We even got out the popsicles today! The kids loved it and they were so cute sitting in the same chair and watching a movie together. Have I said how much I love it when they get along? We also made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies today!

Saturday, April 24, 2010
We had a Primary activity this morning at the church, so JJ, Beth and I went and learned about some of the prophets in the Bible, while Daddy went and helped Clark with his computer. After we returned home, we packed up a picnic and headed to Liberty Park in Salt Lake City for lunch and fun with the Mortensens! It was fun to relax and enjoy the spring weather – even though their were tons of people at the park today. We played some frisbee and football, played on the playground, and the kids enjoyed playing with Curtis and Anne’s kids and their new puppy. The kids played so hard that when we got home – we all took a long nap!

Sunday, April 25, 2010
I had procrastinated getting ready for my new calling – so I stayed up very late (like 4 in the morning) and finished up some fun things for the kids to hold while we had singing time. Thank goodness Joey helped me or I don’t think we would have gotten any sleep. But I think it was worth it. The Sunbeam singing time went great and I’m a lot less nervous about it now!

For our Family Movie Night tonight we watched Batteries not Included and made mini pizzas (our flying saucers) for dinner! The kids loved being able to put the toppings on themselves! Another movie night success!

And here is my weekly layout:
I used my The Story of Our Lives (Digitals NSD Challenge Kit Contribution) & Digital 365 to create this layout!

Project 365 | Week 43

Monday, October 19, 2009
We got JJ’s school pictures back today. I always debate whether or not to purchase the school pictures because they are expensive and I don’t ever use all the prints. But it’s a school memory that I hate to miss out on so I always do it. This time they had a digital copy available – YAY! And really so far, JJ’s school pictures have been great – he’s always smiling – so it’s all good! This one will be a memory of his crooked tooth that I hope we can get fixed soon!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Today was Joey’s 33rd birthday. He didn’t really want to celebrate it though – so I didn’t even make a cake. I had made some Eclair pie though so he got that and he blew a candle out with his fingertips. LOL My parents and brothers came up to stay at my house tonight and I made dinner. It was fun to hang out and just be with them! Cody and Becki came over too – so it was great!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009
I got to spend time with my family today. Beth skipped school and went with me and my parents to Lane and Colby’s State Cross Country Meet. It was really fun to see my brother and my nephew run in the same race. They did amazing and it was so awesome to see them cross the finish line – Colby just a few steps ahead of Lane. They both made it in the top 10 so they got some great medals and their team placed 5th – not too shabby for not having a team even come to state in several years. After the race we went to dinner with my sister’s family and my parents and brothers before they all headed home.

Thursday, October 22, 2009
I spent a lot of time doing some design work today and almost finished up my VillanZ Kit. But I didn’t get a photo today and actually I really wanted to share a couple of cute photos of Beth and Whitnee from yesterday. Beth loves her cousin Whitnee SO MUCH and Whitnee is really good to play with Beth even though she is 2 years older. It was so fun to see them play at Sugarhouse Park as we waited for Lane and Colby’s race to begin. These girls are so cute!

Friday, October 23, 2009
Today was Beth’s field trip to the Pumpkin Patch with her preschool. I was so glad that I could go with her. It was fun to get to know her classmates and their parents a little bit better. We went through a corn maze, played on some awesome slides (including Beth’s favorite slide where you went down in a burlap potato bag!), petted some animals, went on a hayride, and got to pick a small pumpkin to take home! Beth had so much fun!

Since Beth went to the PUMPKIN PATCH we decided to do something fun with JJ today too – so while Joey was gone doing his podcast, we had a “P” night. After dinner we got in our PAJAMAS, watched PETE’S Dragon, and had a snack of POPTARTS and POPCORN!

Saturday, October 24, 2009
JJ finally got a haircut today – it’s been needing it for a long while – I really think he looks good with short hair. We also got a little grocery shopping done. Joey had the opportunity to go to the BYU vs TCU Football game. BYU lost badly, but I think Joey still had a good time-he says that somehow watching TCU is going to help our Utes team do better against them. 🙂 While Joey was gone to the game – we took the 2 little pumpkins that Beth got from the pumpkin patch and created a little Halloween Decoration with some things I had on hand. We put some beads on a string and wrapped it around and created a little spider and ghost to go on top. I think it turned out cute!

Sunday, October 25, 2009
I sang with the choir in church today – I am really glad that I have the opportunity to sing again. It’s a wonderful outlet and so fun. We also had home teachers come over for a visit and we got our temple recommends renewed.

I love seeing Joey with the kids – especially at bedtime. He has such a fun routine with them – including choosing the stuffed animal that they each get to sleep with for the night. Tonight as we had scriptures and prayers at their bedsides – I just couldn’t help but pull out the camera and get a few shots of Joey and his little girl!

Project 365 | Week 30

Monday, July 20, 2009

I found a new website this weekend that I LOVE. It’s called Our Best Bites and has some great recipes! I love bread, but I haven’t really ever made it. Tonight I made cheesy breadsticks and homemade hot pockets – recipes from the site and it was SO GOOD! I can’t wait to try out more of the yummy food and fun ideas that they have on the site!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Beth is so funny. I just can’t figure her out. She is the most emotional and frilly little girl. Loves to dress up, and play with dolls and her horses. But she still isn’t afraid to go play in the dirt. This is the little treasure she came in with today. A long worm with ants crawling all over it. She just had to show me – “it’s so cute mom – I wish I could keep it.” The kids played with the worm in the dirt all afternoon. JJ was really jealous because Beth had found it and not him. Crazy kids!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

The kids love playing with the letter magnets on the fridge. They have a process. JJ likes to stack them in order of the alphabet and Beth likes to cluster them in colors!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

JJ got his hand stuck in the cookie jar – oh wait, it’s the Clorox Wipes! JJ was actually trying to be responsible and clean up the mess he made and he got his hand stuck. It was so funny to watch him flail around with the container stuck on his hand and him giggling non-stop. He finally got his hand out – too funny – I think they need to make cookie jars this good.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Today is Pioneer Day here in Utah and I’ve been thinking about my ancestors today and how much they sacrificed to be a member of the church and how grateful I am that I was raised here in Utah. We didn’t do anything special today, but I did get a special surprise. I found a box on my doorstop with some wonderful pink sunglasses in it! I’m so excited to be able to participate in the SHADES OF SUMMER this year! It’s a fun tradition started last year by Liz Kartchner. She sends out lots of boxes of traveling shades. You take a picture wearing them and then pass the shades and the photos along to the other people on the list. Fun fun!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

In celebration of Independence Day and Utah’s Pioneer Day, I bought fireworks to do on both days. Yesterday, Joey was in SLC doing his podcast and playing racquetball, so we waited until tonight to do the rest of our fireworks. I love how much sparkle the fireworks put into my kids’ faces!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

I love seeing the special daddy-daughter relationship that these two have. For church today, Joey picked out a beautiful dress for Beth to wear and Beth had to pick a tie for her Daddy to match her!