Sunny Days

Double Date Dinner ---- With Kids!

2012-02-16T21:51:00.000-08:00

We are so happy that Captain Fortier is home from his recent deployment. Not as happy as his 10 month old baby girl Raynee.

The entire Foriter family met us for dinner tonight at Claim Jumper in Green Valley. It's the first time we've seen Jeremy, even though he's been back since Feb. 3rd.

We are proud of Jeremy Jasper was thrilled to share some ribs with Mike. He also was quite concerned about Raynee.

He always checked on her and worried if she needed a bite or a drink or anything.

Jasper is so anxious to be a big brother. Hopefully we will be able to adopt soon and he can have a brother or sister to look out for.

(Photo of the Fortier Family at Jeremy's Homecoming, Feb. 3, 2012)

Jasper LOVES Raynee and is always concerned if she's not happy or needs anything.

Library Books --Lost and Finally Found!

2012-02-15T21:52:00.000-08:00

Jasper is only four, and I'm pretty sure that the amount of money we've paid to the Henderson Library System in fines and lost/damaged books has fully funded the new Gibson Library!

When I found Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile tonight I shouted for joy. It's $16.95 to replace this book that has been checked out long enough for the library to declare it "missing."

I am afraid that the fines are going to be as much as the price of the book. Maybe we should keep it, but I don't even really like this book much. Jasper picked it out. Because it has a crocodile on the front. Of course.

Do you have a great system for not losing library books and avoiding late fees?

My trick that works most of the time is to keep renewing the items online until we can find them. :)

YOU MAKE MY HEART HAPPY - Valentine's Day 2012

2012-02-14T04:00:00.040-08:00

Sending some love and sunshine your way.

My friend Heather made these cute Valentine's for Jasper. If you think this print is cute you can get it here.http://www.simplyfreshdesigns.com/2012/02/valentines-special/

Heather also made Jasper's Valentine last year.

Here's some love from 2010,

and Happy Valentine's Day from 2009.

Here's hoping your day is filled with lots of love!

Happy Valentine's Day to My Sweetheart

2012-02-13T23:42:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day to my sweetheart, Mike. This May is our 11 year wedding anniversary.
I'm not sure why he puts up with me, but I'm glad he does. I sure love him!

This is kind of a silly photo. It was so windy that my veil kept blowing everywhere during our pictures.

I remember that I was mad at Mike for leaving his contacts in Oklahoma. He had to wear his nerdy glasses. I told him to just take his glasses off. If you know Mike, you know that he is blind without his glasses. He refused to remove them because he wanted to be able to see.

I have to laugh at myself that I was so concerned with Mike looking nerdy in our wedding photos.

Our photographer was Kelly at Gallery Photography, who I highly recommend.

Pirate Island Chicken Salad - RECIPE

2012-02-13T23:21:00.002-08:00

Last time we were at Disneyland we crashed my friend Stephanie Warner Bacon's party with her sisters. Steph lives in Anchorage and I haven't seen her since my baby shower for Jasper in July 2007. Too long. Way too long.

Steph brought a yummy chicken salad for lunch. Adults ate and the kids happily explored Tom Sawyer's Island, which Jasper calls "Pirate Island."

Because of the location for lunch, I have taken the liberty to rename Janna Harkey's Bostonian Chicken Salad.

Pirate Island Chicken Salad
by Janna Harkey

1 box Uncle Ben’s long grain and wild rice recipe—cook as directed on box
3 chicken breasts, shredded
juice of one lemon
1 bunch green onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
3 oz. Chinese or Snow pea pods, cut into thirds
2 med. avocados, diced
1 c. chopped pecans

Dressing:
2 cloves garlic
1/3 c. seasoned rice vinegar
1 T. dijon mustard
½ t. salt
¼ t. pepper
¼ t. sugar
1/3 c. oil

Combine all salad ingredients. Blend dressing ingredients and pour over salad. Serve in pita or croissant. Best if salad made 2 hrs. before. ENJOY!

(Jasper and Stephanie's son Warner on Pirate Island)

Cute Valentine Printable

2012-02-03T12:17:00.000-08:00

I love my creative friends.

Late last night I emailed my friend Heather (Price) Smith the tagline "You Make My Heart Happy" that I want to use for Jasper's Valentine cards this year, and first thing this morning I get these cute prints in my inbox! LOVE THEM!

Heather is offering this print in 10 different color combinations and 2 sizes for $2.00 in her Etsy shop. Plus a 10% off coupon for other prints she carries. (Scroll to the bottom of her post for the coupon, which is good until Valentine's Day.)

Heather has 5 young kids (including a baby) and serves as Relief Society President in her ward. She also is a meal planning guru and one of the nicest gals you will ever meet. Here's a link to her free meal planning sheet and a link to the 4 week meal planning sheet too. She is one talented lady and is also one who shares her talents freely with others.

Heather and I served as Academy for Girls counselors together back in 1997 and I am smart enough to have held on tight to her as a friend. She is a real inspiration for me. She always has great quotes and uplifting thoughts on her personal blog. And has oodles of free printables on her Simply Fresh Designs blog.

Heather makes my heart happy!

Love is in the Air

2012-02-02T21:14:00.000-08:00

"When is it going to be time for the holiday where we make people love notes and tell them how special they are?"

Jasper has been asking me this question since we started working on our Halloween costumes last year. Five months. Five months he's been waiting for Valentine's Day to arrive.

Needless to say, he's a little excited for this holiday.

Busted!

2012-01-29T06:05:00.003-08:00

Jasper has a record of sneaking snacks into his room along with some type of instrument or implement to open the snacks.

Yesterday morning I saw that his room door was mostly closed. Jasper loves to have his door open so I peeked in to see what he was up to.

And there I found him. In his chair, reading The Sneetches. Underneath the book pages I found 2 packs of fruit snacks and a can opener.

Watching Us

2012-01-25T04:00:00.000-08:00

Jasper is really into Hot Wheels cars. These are his current favorite 4 race cars.

My mantra is: No driving cars on the table.

Jasper assured me that he is not driving these cars on the table, they are just watching him eat...and play games, paint and draw.

Sticker Club

2012-01-24T04:12:00.002-08:00

Call me a big dork or call me lost in the 80's.

I helped Jasper participate in a sticker club, i.e. chain letter.

I know it's silly, but I thought it sounded fun for the kids.

I'm participated in a few chain letters in Jr. High and never got anything back.

There is definitely part of me who is treating this like a science experiment. I really wonder if we will get anything back.

On the Road to Adoption

2012-01-23T23:56:00.002-08:00

This Thursday Mike and I have our first meeting with the adoption counselor at LDS Family Services.

Adoption was not in my "life plan". I think that for me, I thought adoption meant giving up on the dream of getting pregnant again and having more children. And that is painful. Really painful. I wrote a little about how we are not sure why I'm not having successful pregnancies here.

LDS Family Services has a section on their website for couples called "Hoping to Adopt" that I have looked at so many times. I've read the "Real Life Stories", watched the videos of for birth mothers who explain how they decided what to do. I even read the story of a birth father.

I feel like I can relate to the birth mothers in some ways. We are both going through something really difficult. We both wish there was an easy way out. We both wish this was not the road we have to travel down. And yet we do.

I have cried a lot of tears. And I keep thinking that the crying will end and that starting the adoption process will take the pain away. But my heart is still broken.

My heart is broken that I haven't been able to have another successful pregnancy.

My heart breaks when Jasper asks me five times a day, "Mom, when are we going to get some more kids?" Or when he daily reminds me what a good big brother he can be, and then rattles off his list of everything he has come up with that he can do to help a younger sibling. More tears.

People tell me, "You just need to give up on having another successful pregnancy and let it go." Great idea. I've tried that. A hundred times. But it doesn't work for me.

For me to say, "I'm okay not giving birth to anymore children" is a lie. I wish I could let it go. I really wish I could feel that way. But I don't.

I want to be pregnant. I want to deliver another child. I want to nurse them. I want to love them.

I think I'm okay to have these desires. I think that God planted these feelings in my heart. I think it is part of being a woman.

Ezra Taft Benson, a past Prophet of my church said, "“A mother’s role is also God-ordained. Mothers are to conceive, bear, nourish, love, and train. They are to be helpmates, and are to counsel with their husbands.”

I now realize that adopting a child doesn't mean that I have to give up hoping for another successful pregnancy. It doesn't have to be one or the other. I don't have to lock that door.

The reality is that I'm probably not going to bear any more children. And that stings. But thanks to adoption, I can still be a mother again.

This experience has been a lot more difficult for me than I thought it would be. I feel like I need extra strength and direction during this time. I started going to the Temple every Wednesday to help lift me up and give me hope that everything will work out. I need the peace and light the Temple offers.

Since it takes 45 minutes to get to the Las Vegas Temple from my house, a few of my friends are sweetly watching Jasper for an hour and a half before preschool, feeding him lunch and dropping him off at school so I can have time to attend the Temple and be home when school is out. I am so grateful for their help.

This feels like a really hard thing right now. But I am just going to keep going. Keep moving forward with faith.

Jasper always tell me, "I want to be happy on earth." Great advice from my 4 year old son.

What's in a Name?

2012-01-22T22:14:00.003-08:00

Next week our lesson in CTR 4 class is: "We Have Special Families."

Today I sent an email to the parents of the children of my class with an assignment that the lesson manual suggests: Tell your child about how their name was chosen, so we can discuss it in class.

Mike took on the task and sat down with Jasper to talk about how we chose his name. Mike wrote down Jasper's name, his own name, his dad's name and grandpa Davidson's name.

He had Jasper circle all of the "Michaels", "Davidsons" and "Jaspers."

It was really cute to watch them interact with each other. Jasper's eyes always light up when he spends 1 on 1 time with Mike.

Here's a blog post about Jasper playing doctor like Grandpa Davidson. He went by "Hal" until he was a doctor, and then he went by Dr. Davidson.

"As time goes on, we realize how important those are that have gone before us. We remember them, their works, and goodness. But most importantly we remember their good names that they've left for those behind, and for those who are just beginning." (Katie Hughes)

My very talented friend Katie Hughes penned the above words, and she was kind enough to let me use it on Jasper's birth announcement. I feel like it perfectly describes why we chose Jasper's name.

Below is Grandpa Davidson's Obituary:

Dr. Halvard Jasper Davidson who dedicated his life to the Lord and endured to the end, was reunited with his beautiful wife on September 22, 2002 on their 54th wedding anniversary.

Dad was the third of four children born to Hans Arthur and Margaret Olson Davidson on Oct. 23, 1923 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He married his sweetheart Marilyn Smith in the Salt Lake Temple and she preceded him in death July 7, 2001.

Our father, grandfather and great-grandfather taught his posterity by word and deed. He loved the scriptures, the Church and teaching the Gospel. He served in numerous positions in the Church including: Branch Presidency in Guam during the Korean War, Elder's Quorum President, High Councilor, Manti Temple Visitor Center Missionary, and Manti Temple Ordinance Worker.

Dad graduated from the University of Utah Medical School. He served an internship in St. Louis Missouri and a residency in Internal Medicine in West Virginia. He was the Admiral's physician in Guam as he served in the United States Navy. He practiced medicine in Salt Lake City and settled in Manti where he compassionately served his community for more than 30 years. He was passionate in his love of practicing medicine and serving and helping those in need. In his later years he found joy in painting the things he loved, portraits of his family, General Authorities, the Temple, and his Heavenly Father's creations. His family found great
satisfaction as he shared this talent with others.

High Adventure

2012-01-16T22:30:00.000-08:00

We had the BEST day of hiking, Jeeping and exploring today at Secret Pass in Golden Valley.

I am a Child of God

2012-01-14T21:41:00.000-08:00

"I am a Child of God" is a favorite song in our church. It's a Children's hymn, but everyone loves it.

Here's a link for a free mp3 download and sheet music for the song if you like it.

Below is a wonderful video of the song that I promise you will love.

Primary Lesson Helps -- New Website

2012-01-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

If you are a teach children about Jesus Christ, then you will be happy to know that the LDS church has a new web page called Children's Lesson Helps.

This is a great resource for parents or anyone planning a Family Home Evening or Primary Lesson.

I teach the CTR4 Primary Class this year, and I am thrilled to have this extra resource for lesson planning.

It lists (with links) additional stories, activities, videos and music to go along with the Primary lessons.

Right now the supplemental ideas are available for the first five lessons of the year.

Here's the press release is you want all of the details.

Happy lesson planning!

Full website address: http://lds.org/children/resources

Got a Dime in My Pocket

2012-01-11T12:50:00.000-08:00

When I was young we wore out a tape by Janeen Brady called "Songs for a Mormon Child."

I still can sing most of the words to "Got a Dime in My Pocket", "Never Tell a Lie" and "I Want to Be a Mother."

Jasper and I have fun singing along to these old school tunes.

Here's a link where you can listen to the songs for free if you want a childhood flashback.

CTR 4 (Choose the Right)

2012-01-09T22:59:00.001-08:00

Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012

Since I'm staying with my Sunbeam class, I'm now Jasper's CTR 4 Primary Teacher.

He is SO EXCITED to be a CTR 4. He thinks it sounds so grown up.

Whenever he gets dressed now he proudly reads the "4T" label on his pants and shirts and says, "Mom, this says "4T" because I'm a CTR 4."

In class today we made necklaces with CTR on them and talked about how we can choose the right.

If the project involves coloring, cutting, gluing, pasting, and taping -- my class is in heaven.

One of the questions the manual said to ask is "What do you do when your mom or dad asks you to help out and do a chore?"

Before asking my class this question, I asked them, "What are some chores that your mom and dad ask you to do?" Thinking this would help them give a more realistic answer to the question the lesson manual suggests.

One girl piped up that her chore is to get her mom a soda pop when her mom needs it. I just smiled.

Someone else offered up that her mom instructed them "We CAN do laundry", but she told her mom that the only chore they know how to do is to get their dad a can of Coke when he needs it.

At this point I am trying not to bust out laughing. So I say, "Would you like to know what chores Jasper does?" Thinking this will get us off the soda stories and back on point.

I said, "If we need a new trash liner, Jasper gets them out from the cabinets under the sink and shakes it out and puts it in the trash cans; in the kitchen and the bathrooms."

They all sat there with wide eyes; stunned. Then little Addison burst out into spontaneous clapping for Jasper, and the rest followed suit. They were both amazed and impressed.

Jasper was thrilled to receive such accolades and my class was mesmerized. so I went on.

"Jasper also carries the entire laundry basket downstairs to the laundry room. Sometimes he gets the darks and sometimes he brings the whites. Then he helps me put the laundry soap in and pushes the buttons to start the washing machine." Again, more clapping.

And since I was on a roll, I told them when Jasper takes his shower he also sprays the glass shower door with a vinegar cleaning solution, scrubs it down and then pours a small bucket of water on the door to rinse everything away.

At this point the class erupts in clapping again. Jasper is feeling great. And I'm feeling like a chore freak, especially compared to the soda stories.

So I decide to leave out Jasper's vacuuming, including plugging the vacuum back into charge and changing out the attachments.

Jasper left feeling like a star, even though one of his classmates told him and the rest of the class that, "You guys are just doing scribble scrabble. That's not coloring", when working on their CTR necklaces. She is a coloring prodigy child and she really is good. Don't worry, she's working on being a little less harsh on the other "less gifted" kids in class.

I am SO HAPPY to be Jasper's CTR 4 teacher this year!

2012 -- CTR 4 Class Beginning of the Year Photo

2012-01-09T22:08:00.000-08:00

I'm basically the luckiest Primary teacher around. I looped up with my Sunbeams, and now I'm the CTR 4 Primary Teacher.

Madi moved to Alaska, Brayden moved to Arizona and we added Garrett to our class.

Jasper is in my class for the 2nd year in a row. When he was in the Nursery class Mike was his teacher. So he has always had a parent for a Primary teacher. We certainly didn't plan it that way, but that's just how it's happened.

Here's our CTR 4 class beginning of the year photo. I like to take a picture at the first of the year. I think it's fun to compare it to how much everyone has grown at the end of the year.

I'm really looking forward to a great year teaching these kids in Primary.

Me with my 2011 CTR 4 Class

(L to R: Jasper, Reagan, Savanna, Cadence, Simone, Addison, Garrett and Bridger)

2011 Sunbeam Class Photos -- Beginning and End of the Year

2012-01-09T18:00:00.001-08:00

Last year I started a new tradition with my Primary class to take a class photo at the beginning and end of the year. I also made a class photo list

I love to see how much the kids have grown each year, especially at this young age.

As an adult, I would LOVE to look back at a class photo from each of my years in Primary.

You think you're going to remember everyone and everything...but it's all fuzzy. I just remember bits and pieces. Like when Richard Yardley threw my shoe out the 2nd story window when we were in CTR 11. Or was it his twin Ronald? I told you, it's all fuzzy.

So here's my little class that I love!

Sunbeam Class -- January 2011

Sunbeam Class -- December 2011

Sunbeam Class with me-- January 2011

Sunbeam Class with me-- December 2011

Sunbeam Class with me-- January 2011

Sunbeam Class -- January 2011

End of the Year 2011 Sunbeam Class Photo

2012-01-09T17:36:00.001-08:00

(L to R - Simone, Cadence, Madi, Reagan, Savanna, Bridger and Jasper. Missing: Addison and Brayden, who moved a few months ago).

Dec. 18, 2011

In 2011 I had the opportunity to teach one of the Sunbeam classes in the Eldorado Pass Ward.

I was lucky enough to have a class of Jasper's friends that I love dearly.

In January 2011 we started out with three classes of Sunbeams -- a total of 20 three year old's. A few months into the year one of the three Sunbeam teachers left, and they were never replaced. At that point I had a few more kids added to my class and definitely had my hands full.

Here's our end of year class photos from 2011.

Sunrise, Sunset

2012-01-07T19:45:00.002-08:00

We had a fabulous all day Jeep adventure that Mike carefully planned out for us. The icing on the cake was looking at this beautiful sunset.

Hidden Falls Park in Henderson

2012-01-06T19:53:00.004-08:00

A brand new park ranks pretty high up on my list of really exciting things. Especially when it is 2.5 miles from my house.

Hidden Falls Park is having it's grand opening tomorrow (Jan. 7th) at 1:00 PM. The park is located behind Von's on Horizon & Horizon. The address is 281 West Horizon Drive.

Jasper and I took his friend Peyton and we all went to play there for the first time today.

Hidden Falls Park does a great job blending in with the natural surroundings.

The rugged rock back drop is a welcome sight that can be viewed from the entire park.

Because the hills on the East side of the park are so high, the park is shaded earlier in the afternoon, which I am sure will be a welcome respite from in the hot summer.

At the bottom of the park (right behind Von's) there's a skate park, basketball court, and two dog parks.

Up the road there are two play grounds -- one for toddlers and one for ages 5-12, a splash pad, shaded picnic areas and restrooms.

At the top of the park there's a gazebo with picnic tables and trail head for walking and hiking.

Even though the park road continues far up the hill, there's only one way in and one way out -- near the back of Von's.

In the big kid area (ages 5-12), the favorite item is the Slalom Glider Slide. This is a new-fangled kind of slide that I have never seen before.

Instead of sitting in the slide, on the Slalmon Glider you sit on top of the slide and straddle it. It definitely takes a time or two to get used to.

I think that part of the "fear factor" with this slide is that it's high up and the kids are sitting on top of the slide vs. down in a slide with sides.

The O-Zone Climber was a bit advanced for ages 6 and under. Most of the kids that age kept getting stuck.

The Swiggle Stix Bridge is definitely a favorite for Jasper. We were pretending there we sharks in the "water" that would get you if you fell down.

The Wobble Pod Bouncer was a lot of fun too. This is right near the back of the slide, and gives the kids something to do while they wait in line.

The climbing wall is called the Escalator Climber, and it wasn't a big surprise that it was the older kids who were mores interested in scaling this 10 foot wall.

There are 2 spinners. The Gyro Twister Spinner and the Stand-Up Spinner. They could use two Stand-Up Spinners as they are a favorite.

The toddler area includes a hopscotch, small slide, periscope, tunnel with a clear top and alphabet wall.

Jasper had fun finding the letter "J."

Needless to say we look forward to may more adventures at Hidden Falls Park.

Hot Wheels: Assembly Required

2012-01-05T19:48:00.001-08:00

What have I been doing today?

Finally taking down the Christmas tree and holiday decorations?

Sweeping and mopping the floor?

Cooking a delicious dinner?

No. I assembled a Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash Speed Car set and a Cars 2 Mega Track including: Tokyo Spinout, Spy Jet Escape and the Barrel Blow Out.

Each was on after Christmas clearance for 75% off at our Wal-Mart for $10 each.

Mike is the resident track assembler, so I was proud of myself for branching out to a new role. :)

Jasper LOVES a good car crash.

Post track set-up had a great time playing with everything. It was a fun filled day of crashes, spin outs and spy plane take offs.

It felt like Christmas day. Since we spent Christmas in a hotel in Beaver this year, we only took a couple presents with us. Today was our "set up your new toys and play all day" kind of day.

Lots of fun memories and fun times for us today.

I tried to snap a good photo of the spy plane taking off, but only managed to get a semi-blurry picture at take-off and one at landing.

Gypsum Wash

2012-01-03T15:22:00.002-08:00

Yesterday Mike, Jasper and I went on a fun little Jeep outing to Gypsum Wash in the Lake Mead Rec. Area.

Our favorite family activities include being outside exploring nature and having fun doing nothing in particular.

Right now the water is 20 feet lower than usual, so the shoreline is covered in white seashells. I have a thing for seashells, so that made me very happy.

gypsum Wash place for a picnic dinner. Up on the ridge the colorful sunset is on one side and the lake is on the other. The water was a pink-bronze color from the reflection of the sunset and it was breathtakingly beautiful.

I was excited to spot some small red flowers that I'd never seen on any of our outings before. I'm not sure what they're called.

We also found this large metal object that I'm guessing is an old buoy. Jasper was quite fascinated by it and kept wanting to check it out.

Jasper brought his camera and had fun snapping photos along the trail.

The only damper to the outing was that we stayed a bit too long, and were chased back to the Jeep by a large pack of wild coyotes. Yikes!

Christmas Pajamas 2011

2011-12-26T13:29:00.000-08:00

Jasper was thrilled to wear his grizzly bear PJ's because he is still celebrating being tall enough to ride Grizzly River Run at California Adventure.

He has a small polar fleece blanket that I made him that just happens to be the same print at the PJ's, and he thinks it's pretty cool that his blanket matches his PJ's.

Of course he's got baby puppy with him, all ready for Santa to come.

We spent Christmas Eve in a hotel room connecting to my parent's room at the Comfort Inn in Beaver, Utah.

I just can't get over how long his legs are. He's getting so big!

Merry Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Winter Wonderland

2011-12-24T19:45:00.000-08:00

We love sledding!

Let It Snow...And Bring On The Crockpot Hot Cocoa

2011-12-13T00:14:00.000-08:00

Jasper reminds me at least once a day how excited he is for it to snow.

Some days I don't have the heart to break it to him that we don't exactly live in snow country.

Tonight he asked, "Mom, when is it going to snow in our world?" Followed by, "I just can't wait."

It is cold here in Vegas. Even rainy. But somehow rain doesn't exactly feel like a wintery wonderland.

Last night Jasper and I attended the Christmas concert for Megan Gornichec's guitar students. Felicity played and sang, "Let It Snow." That is Jasper's new theme song. He's decided that we just need to sing that song, and then it will snow.

Tonight we went Christmas caroling for Family Home Evening with the Schroeder's, Gornichec's and Gammett's.

We sang to the Packer, Bashum, Bunker and Jones families. Everyone showed up at the first house bundled up in a mix of snow and rain gear.

Jasper wore his bright yellow rain fireman rain slicker. When I saw Taylor and Will caroling under their umbrellas I did have to laugh a little.

We truly were "singin' in the rain." The weather just didn't seem to much like Christmas.

The Schroder's had us all over to their house afterwards to dry off and warm up. Cydnee made homemade hot cocoa that was delicious.   Here's the recipe:

Crock Pot Hot Cocoa Recipe:
    1.5 cups whipping cream
    1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
    6 cups milk
    1 teaspoon vanilla
    2 cups of milk chocolate chips

Stir together the whipping cream, milk, vanilla, and chocolate chips in a Crock pot.

Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is hot and chocolate chips are melted. Stir again before serving.

Cydnee had peppermint and vanilla marshmallows on hand to top it off.

Open Gym at Gymcats

2011-12-09T06:00:00.002-08:00

Nov. 18, 2011

In September Jasper and I went to Gymcats for the first time. We were just going for a free class with Rachelle and Savvy and Flint, and ended up getting hooked.

Jasper started going to the Monday morning Supercubs class on Oct. 17th.

One thing I love about Gymcats is that even though you're technically enrolled in a certain class each week, you have the flexibility call in and change to any other Supercubs class. Which works wonderfully if you go out of town, get sick, etc. Love the flexibility.

Jasper LOVES gymcats. And I mean LOVES it! His favorite thing is the rings.

On Nov. 18th our friends the Abbott's, Cropper's and Weatherly's joined us for open gym.

Jen and Ken Forever

2011-12-08T06:00:00.015-08:00

My long time friend Jeni Starley is GETTING MARRIED, and I couldn't be happier for her!

Jeni and I served together at Academy for Girls as counselors in 1997. We were instant friends and had a fun summer together. We have stayed in touch over the years, and I love the fact that we both live in Vegas right now.

Her fiance is Dr. Ken Nelson, and he makes Jeni very happy. They are getting married January 21, 2012 in the LDS Las Vegas Temple.

Jasper, Jasper, What Do You See?

2011-12-07T06:00:00.046-08:00

A few of Jasper's photos from our August 2011 Disneyland trip.

"My Coat Can Be A Hood."

2011-12-06T23:13:00.001-08:00

For Las Vegas, our weather is FREEZING!

Our high today was 46, and we are under a "freeze alert." This is serious stuff for us!

I sent Jasper to preschool in a coat with a hat and gloves in his backpack.

He did NOT want to wear his hat at recess.

When he came home I told him that his teacher told me he would not wear his hat.

I talked to him about how I really wanted him to wear it.

He then proceeded to show me how he didn't need a hat because he could just pull his coat up over his head.

He did admit that the problem with this idea icauses is that his stomach is bare. Silly boy!

Jasper was not excited to wear a button-up coat vs. a zipper coat today.

He was worried because he thought he might need help maneuvering the buttons open and closed.

Before he left for school he told me, "Mom, my teacher is not going to help me. When we need help she tells us to ask a friend. My friends are not going to be able to help me with this."

I told Jasper that I'd email his teacher and explain that he might need help with his coat.

Turns out that Jasper was able to undo the bottons, and bless Ms. Karen's heart, she did those buttons back up for him.

Through Jasper's Eyes

2011-12-06T06:00:00.022-08:00

Five months ago, on a whim, I gave Jasper a camera. He and his Canon are a match made in Heaven.

I thought he would have fun with it, but I had no idea how much he would love it.

If you think I'm crazy for giving a then 3 year old his own Canon Digital Elph camera, let me explain.
This camera has been sitting in our buffet drawer for years. It works really well...sometimes. And sometimes it doesn't turn on at all. It has the dreaded "Lens Error, Restart Camera" syndrome that many Canon point and shoot cameras seem to be plagues with.

We can't rely on it for a regular camera. And given the low price of small digital cameras, it's not really worth fixing.

Which makes it perfect for Jasper. No stress about him breaking it -- it's already broken. :)

As we were walking out the door to head to Disneyland I thought, "I should just let Jasper have our broken camera. He might have a lot of fun with it." Boy was I right.

I have it clipped on a lanyard, so he wears it around his neck when he is in photographer mode. This helps him not drop it.

Jasper can entertain himself for a long time with his trusty camera. It buys me a lot of time when he and I are on a trip by ourselves and I need time to get ready, or pack up our hotel room. He simply gets out his camera and takes pictures. (We have A LOT of photos of Marriott hotel room various carpet and wallpaper patterns.)

It keeps him very entertained when we are waiting in line at Disneyland. He takes a photo of the character we are waiting to meet, or people he meets in line.

In Sept. he met two cute grammy's from Australia who are both named Maria. They died laughing when he asked them if he could take their picture while we were waiting for the train. We ended up talking to them for the entire trip around Disneyland and had fun hearing about their globe trotting.

On a trip, we have a tradition of looking at the photos from the day on my computer after we dump the photos onto my hard drive and clear the memory card. We've now added looking at Jasper's photos to this tradition, and his pictures are sure to always bring a smile to both of our faces.

Why Can't I Just Go To School At BYU today?

2011-12-05T15:51:00.001-08:00

Today Jasper wore a BYU shirt to preschool.

He wanted to know why he couldn't just go to school at BYU today since he was wearing a BYU shirt.

Jasper loves to talk about school. Where he goes to school now (Smalley Elementary Pre-K), where he will go to elementary school (Smalley), middle school (Mannion), high school (Foothill), college (right now he picks BYU), and graduate school (undecided.)

I have no idea where this all came from. Several times a week Jasper wants to talk about going to school, how old he will be in each grade, and what he will learn.

Some kids in our neighborhood go to Walker International School, where they spend half a day learning in Spanish. Jasper frequently tells me, "Mom, I want to go to Walker like Colt so I can learn Spanich."

Obviously we are having a hard time distinguishing between spinach and Spanich in our house.

Thanksgiving Dinner

2011-11-28T15:10:00.000-08:00

Nov. 24, 2011

This year we ate Thanksgiving dinner at Claim Jumper.

At our table we feasted with Kelly and baby Raynee Fortier and Eric, Cydnee, Taylor, Will, Regan and Lyndsee Schroeder.

Kelly's husband is deployed out of the country, and the Schroeder's left out of town on the afternoon of Thanksgiving.

Each us ladies were thrilled not to cook this year.

The food did not disappoint, and the cranberry-orange relish was a favorite. I even had to look up a recipe for it to make to eat on leftover turkey sandwiches.

When I ordered Jasper's salad I asked for ranch dressing on the side.

Jasper quickly chimed in and asked the waiter for ranch in the middle and all over the salad too. He loves ranch dressing and he wanted to make sure that the waiter knew that he also wanted ranch all over his entire salad.

We won't quickly forget how I told Kelly to go to the Summerlin location of Claim Jumper, which is where we went. Trouble is we were supposed to be at the Town Square location. Oops!

We drove over to meet the Schroeder's as fast as we could, and we were grateful that the restaurant held our reservation for an extra 45 minutes.

This Thanksgiving dinner has definitely opened my eyes about how wonderful it is to have someone else cook the turkey!

Ready for Christmas

2011-11-27T18:00:00.011-08:00

The day before Thanksgiving Jasper kept telling me, "Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and then after this nap, it's Christmas."

"After this nap" is Jasper's catch-all phrase for "when we wake up."

I tried to explain to Jasper that it's still one more month until Christmas. He countered with, "Mom, at school we learned that Christmas comes after Thanksgiving. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and then AFTER that it will be Christmas when we wake up."

He also wanted to wake up on Christmas morning (which he was sure was on Nov. 25, 2011) to SNOW! Lots and lots of pure white snow.

Now that would truly be a miracle!

I'm Thankful

2011-11-26T22:39:00.001-08:00

For me November has been a month of reflection.

I've thought a lot about what I am grateful for, and also what I need to do in order to be even happier and more fulfilled.

I am especially grateful for Mike and Jasper and the happiness they bring into my life each day.

I have great friends, a fun family and a loving Heavenly Father who has a plan of happiness for me.

I'm thankful for my life, and for what lies ahead.

Live Nativity Las Vegas

2011-11-25T22:50:00.002-08:00

Even though we love to ride the Boulder City Santa Train and see the lights at the Cactus Garden, my #1 Christmas tradition to attend the Live Nativity in Las Vegas. This year you can reserve FREE tickets here.

Last year the Live Nativity they moved to a new location at the Opportunity Village on 6050 S. Buffalo Drive in Las Vegas. If you previously attended the Live Nativity when the Las Vegas Stake sponsored it LDS Church on Charleston, you will LOVE the new location and revamped performance. It is AMAZING!!! My friend Lisa Nelson is a director for the event. If you know her, then you know that everything she does has a touch of magic and is always top notch.

There is also a free Creche display that includes off 100 nativities with live Christmas music you can stroll through after the performance that you don't want to miss.

When I was in the Lakes Ward we took the Young Women, who had the tradition of bringing Krispy Kreme doughnuts and hot chocolate for a treat while we waited for the performance to begin.

We have carried on this fun tradition and adopted it as our own and Jasper LOVES it.

Jasper also LOVES to see the animals. The donkeys they use are best friends, and they are not happy to be split up while Mary rides in on one of them. They have to have a cast member comfort the lone donkey who gets left behind.

Make this a Christmas to remember and attend the Live Nativity. You will thank me! :)

2011 Live Nativity Performance schedule below:
Thursday, December 8th         6:00pm and 7:30pm (both in Spanish)
Friday, December 9th             6:00pm, 7:30pm and 9:00pm
Saturday, December 10th       6:00pm, 7:30pm and 9:00pm
Thursday, December 15th       6:00pm and 7:30pm
Friday, December 16th 6:00pm, 7:30pm and 9:00pm
Saturday, December 17th       6:00pm, 7:30pm and 9:00pm

Is the Grinch in this World?

2011-11-23T17:34:00.000-08:00

Jasper has asked me to read him "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" several times the last 2 weeks.

When we finished reading it after lunch he begged for me to read it again.

A few hours later he asked,"Mom, Is there a guy in our world named the Grinch?"

"No," I replied. "The Grinch is made up and he only lives in our imagination. Why do you want to know?"

"Because if he lives in this world I'm afraid that he will stuff our Christmas tree up the chimney and take it away. And I really like our Christmas tree."

I really like our tree too Jasper. I think we are safe.

Crazy Hair Jasper

2011-11-22T20:04:00.001-08:00

My friend likes to tease me about Jasper's Justin Bieber bangs.Usually his hair is neatly combed (as much as that's possible for a 4 year old boy).

But Jasper does love to do "crazy hair" in the morning after his shower, and then announce that he is from the circus.

Right before a hair cut his hair can definitely do some pretty crazy tricks. That's for sure.We all got our hair cut tonight, so Jasper's crazy hair tricks are limited for now.

I'm including some "before" and "after" shots from tonight just because I want to remember how crazy his hair gets right before a hair cut.

I'm posting a photo and here's the link for similar photos of Jasper with crazy hair when we was just barely 1 year old.

Three Gifts For Christmas

2011-11-22T11:15:00.000-08:00

Those of you who know my dear friend Katie (Wilson) Hughes, you know how ABSOLUTELY AMAZING she is. Many of you have heard me talk about her and her spectacular talents. Besides being able to give Martha Stewart a run for her money in the craft, cooking and creativity area, she is also the owner of Artichoke Ink and Co-Owner of Vintage Rose Wraps. I am constantly amazed by Katie and feel blessed to call her my friend. I'm always hoping that more and more of her will rub off on me.

Her blog is private, so I can't link back to the post she wrote about the idea of three gifts for Christmas. So with her permission I share with you her original blog post. Her words are in black.

I've had several friends ask about our tradition of giving 3 gifts for Christmas, so I thought I would go ahead and post it here for any of you who want to give it a try. First, I wish I could take credit for the idea because it has been so, so neat for our family. Someone shared it about someone they knew at a small Enrichment meeting I attended about 10 years ago. If I ever find out about who started this thing, I would love to meet her!

I remember a story being told about a mother of eight children who was measuring out her piles for her children on Christmas Eve. She noticed one child's pile was far less than the others. Though the mother had bought the boy exactly the gift he wanted, she wanted to make sure that his pile didn't look so minimal compared to the other children. So she ran out to a store that evening and bought him a few more frivolous things to fill his pile. Well, Christmas morning came and went, and later the boy was found only playing with the one toy he had asked for. This mother, realizing that the other gifts were unnecessary, recognized a need to change the way she did Christmas in her family. So, she did what any good mother would do. She studied up, researched material, and prayed. She came up with the idea of giving three gifts at Christmas, reminiscent of the gifts of the three wise men. This would keep things focused and in-tune with the spirit of the season. Here's the idea of the gifts:

GOLD

"The Gift of Wonder"

{wrapped with gold}

These are gifts that tickle and delight. They are the gifts that are really wanted or desired--The gift that the receiver just can't go without! A wanted toy, a planned outing, a season pass… something they just HAVE to have.

FRANKINSENCE

"The Gift of Meaning"{wrapped with red}

These are gifts that have meaning and express affection. These might include: a scrapbook, a quilt, a special doll, an heirloom, a childhood memento, a CTR ring or piece of jewelry, new temple clothes, a treasure box, a framed photograph, or letters from the heart. This gift is extremely worthwhile and something that shows love.

MYRRH

"The Gift of Usefulness"

{wrapped with green}

These are gifts that are truly needed. Look at your loved one's needs and choose a gift that would be truly useful. These might include a new coat, a down comforter, or a new pair of shoes and socks. Use this gift for something practical yet worthwhile.

Bill and I started this tradition the first year we were married, and I have to say it has helped our Christmases stay focused. It's difficult to just give three gifts. Some years we have to sort of give package deals, but we do our best to keep it to three. What it does, however, is make us be really thoughtful about what we give. It's so easy to just go out and buy some stuff because you want someone in your family to have it, when it's not really what they want or need. This sets some parameters and it sure makes shopping a whole lot easier.

In our family, Santa still brings gifts as well, (1 large gift and 2 small gifts) so the tradition of Santa can be preserved.

More Baby Olivia

2011-11-18T00:35:00.002-08:00

We just can't get enough of this little cutie.

Jasper and I stopped by their home to say hello and snap a few photos this morning. It was just supposed to be Baby Olivia, but I made Martha let me take a few photos of her too. I think she looks great and the photos with her little one are so sweet.

Holiday Treat: Peppermint Bark Ice Cream at Fresh & Easy

2011-11-16T22:36:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I took Jasper and two of his (girl) friends to a park near their house. Amador Vista Park is definitely a new favorite for us.

Their mom just had a baby and I was hoping she could get some much needed rest while we were gone.

On our way back to their house we quick produce run to Fresh and Easy.

Jasper is on an orange kick, and that coupled with his Incredible Hulk Green smoothie addiction means we needed some more smoothie supplies.

I made the mistake of wheeling my three amigos down the ice cream isle (yes, I made them all sit in the cart.)

They spotted the Peppermint Bark Ice Cream from a mile away. We bought some for our family and some for theirs.

When we dropped the girls off we stayed for dinner and this amazing ice cream with brownies. DELICIOUS!

It's on sale right now for 2 for $7.00.

It has large chunks of Peppermint Bark, making it unlike (and better) than other Peppermint Ice creams.

IT IS DELICIOUS! (Oops, did I already say that?)

Incredible Hulk Green Smoothie with Lime -- Recipe

2011-11-15T21:30:00.005-08:00

Jasper and I hung out with the VitaMix demo guy at Costco yesterday.

He was handing out samples of green smoothies and Jasper kept saying, "I want that. I want that." I replied, "We already have one!"

I finally realized that Jasper wasn't asking for a VitaMix, he was asking for a green smoothie sample.

The green smoothie he made was REALLY GOOD. I knew it was not in the VitaMix cookbook and begged the salesman for his recipe.

He said that he makes it for his grandson and tells him it's what the Incredible Hulk drinks.

Beside the Incredible Hulk drinking it, what makes this green smoothie recipe different and delicious is the secret ingredient: Unpeeled Limes.

Jasper LOVES to add all of the ingredients himself, and blend it all up (with supervision.)

Today we had one for breakfast and and after school snack. Jasper is in love with them!

I hope you love them too.

Incredible Hulk Green Smoothie

1 cup of apple juice

2 to 3 cups of baby spinach

1 slice (ring) of fresh pineapple

1/2 of a banana (peeled)

1/2 of an apple (not peeled)

1/2 of an orange (peeled with a lot of the pith still on)

1/2 of a lime (not peeled)

2 cups of ice cubes

Blend and ENJOY!

*I think this only works best with a super power blender since you are blending (grinding) the rind of the lime. The unpeeled lime is what gives this smoothie it's limey goodness!

TODAY - One Charming Party Sale

2011-11-15T10:41:00.000-08:00

Steal of a deal today over at One Charming Party.

Pay what you can for party plans.

Today only!

Cheese Please

2011-11-14T21:19:00.007-08:00

Thursday night went to a dinner for Scott and Shawnda's family and friends who were in Phoenix for their wedding.The dinner was Mexican food and Jasper was thrilled because Jasper LOVES shredded cheese. And there were 2 huge bowls of it.

Jasper went through the buffet line by himself and proudly sat down with plate full of shredded cheese and a few miscellaneous tortilla chips. And he went back for seconds and thirds....of cheese.

I never let him eat the tiny shredded cheese at home because it's too messy. When I grab the bag of shredded cheese out of the fridge to make something he gets excited because he thinks that I'm getting it out to eat -- not to cook with.

I've given in before and let him eat a pile of shredded cheese on a plate. Big mistake. The little bits of cheese end up all over the floor and I say "never again." Once I even let him eat the cheese out on the patio, and we had little strands of cheese melted into the pavers.

Hopefully we will get invited to another buffet with shredded cheese...for Jasper's sake.

(Above photo from another equally happy recent event -- the Dead Mountains Jeep Jamobree on Nov. 4th)

Scott & Shawnda Bennett's Wedding

2011-11-13T22:55:00.001-08:00

Thursday morning we drove down to Phoenix for the wedding festivities of Scott Bennett, Mike's best friend from Law School at the University of Tulsa.

Mike and Scott have known each other since the Fall of 1999.

Scott married Shawnda Winward Olson on Nov. 11, 2011 in Mesa, AZ at the Antique Wedding House.

Mike was one of the groomsmen and Jasper was thrilled to attend his first wedding.

Thursday night went to a dinner for the wedding party and family and friends.

We had a nice time meeting everyone, and Jasper was thrilled to meet some new grammys that adopted him. They even invited him to fly out to Arkansas to visit him and ride their horses.

We stayed at the same hotel as Scott and his family. Mike and Scott had fun hanging out and picking up Scott's siblings who getting into town late Thursday night.

Jasper went to sleep dreaming of pancaked. He just wanted to go to sleep and wake up to pancakes.

He loves a good hotel buffet breakfast. Luckily it was a pancakes day and his dreams came true.

The wedding was at 9:00 AM on Friday, and since Mike was standing up at front with the other groomsmen, Jasper and I sat with his new adopted grammys. They are in love with his smile and blue eyes.

One year ago Scott, Shawnda and her two kids came to stay with us for a visit. We had a fun Jeep outing and hike at Anniversary Narrows.

I really the photos that I took of Shawnda's daughter Tirzah standing near her mom, in the shadow of her wedding veil.After the wedding they had brunch, and Jasper was so happy see that it included doughnuts and cinnamon rolls. More breakfast favorites.

He was happy as could be. And at one point started dancin' a jig on a chair. Which reminded me of a similar photo from three years ago.

We're glad we were able to go and support Scott and Shawnda and wish them the very best. We can't wait to join them in a year when they are sealed in the Temple.

I love this photo of Scott telling someone to smile. It was a bit ironic, since he was "all smiled out" after the first 200 pictures.

It was fun to hear hear Mike brag about Scott to people who came to the wedding. Mike heard someone mention to Scott that they heard he was a prosecuting attorney and Mike quickly told them:

"Scott is actually the Chief Deputy County Attorney and lead trial attorney Safford. He supervises 10 plus attorneys and carries his own personal case load. And he is the youngest Chief Deputy County Attorney in the state of Arizona."

Yeah, Mike's proud of Scott!

Baby Olivia

2011-11-10T20:46:00.013-08:00

I love teeny tiny baby feet.

These tiny little toes are so precious.

I was able to hold my friend Martha's 2 1/2 week old baby Olivia for a few minutes yesterday.

She is a little sweetheart with two older sisters who love her.

Olivia arrived a week early and had difficulty breathing in the beginning. She spent a week in the NICU and came home on her due date.

She is doing great and has no problems.

She's a little blessing. That's for sure.

I can't wait to go back and have a proper photo shoot with her.

Homemade Laundry Soap / Detergent

2011-11-09T18:08:00.003-08:00

We've been making and using homemade laundry soap for over a year now. We love it.

It works really well. People who have sensitive skin love it.

And the #1 reason to love it is because it's VERY
INEXPENSIVE. $2.00 for 640 loads of laundry.

Another bonus is that you can store the ingredients in a small space vs. storing bottles and bottles of laundry soap.

Here's the method I use. Let me know if you have any questions.

Ingredients & Supplies for Homemade Laundry Soap / Detergent:

I store all of my ingredients and supplies in my 5 gallon bucket in my garage.

-- 1/2 cup Borax

-- 1 bar of Fels-Naptha soap (I buy this at WalMart for $1 per bar.)

-- 1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (I buy this at Smith’s. Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate.)

-- Bottles to store soap in.
We save the gallon apple juice containers to store our homemade laundry soap in. You will need 10 of them.

I fill an apple juice container with 2 quarts (1/2 a gallon) of water and mark the 1/2 way point with a sharpie.

Then I add 2 more quarts of water and make a mark that says "fill " at the gallon point. I do this on 1 empty bottle and then eyeball it on the other bottles.

After we use all of the soap in a bottle we save it for the next time we make the homemade laundry soap.

--Hand grater
I bought a grater that I just use just to grate the soap at the Dollar Store.

-- Funnel to pour soap into bottles.
I use an oil funnel I picked up at WalMart for $1.50. We have several of these that also work great as bath and beach toys.

-- Beach shovel to stir mixture with (see photo below). This is the best item I have found to do the stirring with.

-- 5 gallon bucket to mix everything in.

Recipe for Homemade Laundry Soap / Detergent:

1. Grate bar of soap with a hand grater.
It will look like a pile of cheese.

2. Add grated soap to saucepan with 4 cups of water.
Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
I use an old pan just for soap making.

3. Fill 5 gallon bucket 1/2 way with hot water.
I do this in my bathtub so I can get a large volume of really hot water.
Instead of trying to guess where the 1/2 way mark is I measure 2.5 gallons, and mark the 1/2 way point with a Sharpie.

4. Add melted soap, 1 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup Borax to bucket halfway full of water.
Stir well until all powder is dissolved.
Fill bucket with 2.5 more gallons of hot water.
I stir it with a large kid’s beach shovel.

5. Stir, cover with a dishtowel or bucket lid and let sit overnight to thicken.
I just leave the bucket in the bathtub overnight.

6. Re-stir in the morning and fill empty bottles 1/2 full of homemade laundry soap.
Since the bucket is really heavy, I just do this process in the bathroom.
I use a funnel to pour the soap into the bottles.

7. Add water until bottles are full. 50% soap mixture / 50% water.
Shake well before each use as soap will gel.

Yield: Makes 10 gallons of soap.

Front Load Machine: 1/4 cup per load (Approx. 640 loads for $2.00)
I keep a 1/4 cup measuring cup in my laundry room for measuring.

Top Load Machine: 5/8 cup per load (Approx. 180 loads for $2.00)

Driving Down the Road...

2011-11-09T16:18:00.001-08:00

We were on our way home from Utah last year and spotted this little disaster in the making.

Mike wanted to call the Highway Patrol and warn them of them of the accident waiting to happen.

Now whenever we see something crazy strapped to a car we laugh and remember the van with the flying mattress.

I"ll Marry You Forever

2011-11-08T20:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday day morning I was talking to Jasper about how "Unlcle" Scott is getting married soon.

Jasper noted that he wanted to be married too.

I asked him who he was going to marry.

He said, "You Mom. I'm going to take you to the Temple and marry you forever."

When is Heavenly Father going to give us another baby?

2011-11-02T22:10:00.001-07:00

Jasper's daily question is, "Mom, When is Heavenly Father going to give us another baby?"

Oh Jasper, I wish I knew. I really wish I knew.

Jasper is always pleading for a brother or sister, and now he especially wants a baby.

While out Trick-or-Treating with Jasper, Mike overheard someone say that they were surprised that the Davidson's live in such a big house and only have one kid.

They also noted that they had never heard of a Mormon family only having one child.

Mike piped up and explained that we would love to fill our home with children.

I know this person was just curious and was not trying to be judgmental in any way. Because we are pretty open about our situation, I assume everyone knows that we haven't been able to have more children. So for those of you who might also be wondering I will tell you our story.

We LOVE kids. Love them! We would LOVE to have more kids. Lots more. But we haven't been able to. Yes, we have a good size home (6 bedrooms) and we would love to have those bedrooms overflowing with children.

But we don't. And it hurts. There are times when I have seriously contemplated moving because the empty bedrooms break my heart and sometimes it's too much to bear. We bought our home when Jasper was one year old, with the plan to fill it up with children.
I recently read this quote by Courtney Kendrick that really hit home for me. "Adoption is not a scientific cure for infertility--and it's not an emotional cure either." And yet we are considering adoption. We are going to an "Adoption and Foster Care" fireside this Sunday.

This is not a road that I want to be going down. But I am. I feel like we should have more children in our family, and I have no idea how that is going to happen. And so we're seriously examining all of our options.

When I got pregnant with Jasper five years ago, it never occurred to me that we wouldn't be able to have more children. I've since had a tubal pregnancy that ended in emergency surgery in the middle of the night and a heartbreaking miscarriage, after seeing the tiny heartbeat. And for the last year or so I haven't been able to get pregnant at all.

I've been to the fertility doctor. I've had tests run. Lots and lots and lots of tests. I've seen my eggs sitting on my ovary -- looking just great. I had 33 vials of blood drawn in one sitting. I've had two HSG tests, where they run dye through your fallopian tubes. Both times my tube that the baby came out of during my tubal pregnancy shows it's in perfect repair.

I've gone to two different alternative medicine specialists. I've done accupressure and chiropractic treatments. I have searched and prayed and hoped for an answer. Something to explain what is going on.

Is this a trial that will end with a miraculous pregnancy? Will I ever know why we haven't been able to have more children. Do I give up? Do I hang on? What am I supposed to do? How many tears must I cry before this heartache ends?

For those of you who are wondering...I am so happy for other people who can get pregnant and have babies. I celebrate them every chance I get. I love to host baby showers for my friends. I am excited for them and rejoice with them.

This summer at swimming lessons I overheard two mom's talking about their friend who hasn't been able to have kids and how they always dread telling her that they are pregnant again and how they feel like they can't talk to her about their kids because it's too awkward.

That conversation made me so sad. Is that how people feel about me? I sure hope not.

Until we figure out what's in store for us I continue to try and help my friends out as much as possible with their kids. Rejoicing in their children and loving them too. And hoping for more of our own.

Halloween Party at Valley View Recreation Center

2011-10-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

Oct. 30, 2011

Jasper and I went to the Halloween Party at Valley View Recreation Center for the first time this year.

It was not only our first time attending their Halloween Party, but our first time ever to that Rec Center.

We went with our neighbors the Morton's -- Abigail, Porter, Bridger (Jasper's age) and Tate. They had a little trick-or-treat walk in and out of the classrooms that were decorated really cute.

Jasper was THRILLED that they had a large blow up slide and bounce house obstacle course. He's been begging for some time on them.

Opeation Send Christmas Cheer for Soldiers

2011-10-30T10:00:00.034-07:00

I need your help to send Christmas gifts to the Army’s 478th HR Company who are three months into a one year deployment in Iraq. In addition to being far away from friends and family this Christmas, they receive daily mortar and rocket attacks as they support the drawdown.

My friend Ray Griffin is the Staff Sergeant for this brave unit of 27 soldiers (3 females and 24 males) ranging in age from 19-50. They are a Human Resources company that manages 15 smaller units and helps with Soldier administration. Their unit has the difficult job of managing casualty reporting to the soldier’s families when attacks and injuries occur.

Ray said that his company could use some extra love and support this Christmas from those of us who want to show how much we appreciate them.

With your help we will send the 478th a Christmas to remember. I’m asking individuals and families to donate $20 or to buy items for me to ship over. I’m asking businesses to donate items for the soldiers.

Christmas Wish List for the Soldiers in 478th HR Company:

Gum
Beef Jerky
Fruit Snacks
Protein and Granola Bars
Candy and Candy Bars (Peanut M&M's are a favorite)
Water flavoring powder packets (Propel, G2, Crystal Light, etc.)
Card games: Uno, Skip-Bo, Phase 10, Rook or Monopoly Deal
Deodorant body sprays (It’s nice to smell good when all you smell is dirt and sand.)
Blankets (They sleep on cots, and sleeping bags get really confining after a while.)

Please mail or email me a photo of you or your family and a card, letter or drawing. Include your address so the soldiers can respond to you. I will be sending Sgt. Griffin all of the donations as they come in, and he will play Santa and share all of the goodies with his unit. THANK YOU!

Angela Davidson

Phone: (702) 443-4254

Email: SendChristmasCheer@gmail.com

Website: www.davidson-law.net/ChristmasCheer

Address: 1151 Kingston Hills Court, Henderson, NV 89002

If you want to send items directly to Iraq the address is:
SGT Griffin, Raymond
478th HR CO
APO AE 09330

R-4 Halloween Costume

2011-10-27T21:21:00.001-07:00

We ran into this cute R-4 at the Valley View Recreation Center Halloween Party. His Dad made the costume.

Yes, I said his dad. His mom said that her husband stayed up late a few nights getting this costume just right.

The hat is a Tupperware bowl spray painted silver and duct taped to his bike helmet. The body is a laundry basket spray painted white. The dad reinforced the holes for the head and arms with duct tape. All of the red details are red duct tape.

And the little boy is a cutie! Great costume!

Don't Mess With a Momma Horse

2011-10-24T08:46:00.001-07:00

This is another guest post by Angela's hubby, cross-posted from his jeep blog.

I have to do one more horse story from our recent trip to Cold Creek. Last time I shared a somewhat truthful, and somewhat embellished, account of our encounter with a talented horse. This post is different in that it's firmly rooted in the unvarnished truth. As we were heading back down the Bonanza Camp Road, we encountered a little family of horses on the side of the road.

There was a mature female horse and three smaller horses who all looked quite young. Obviously we can't know that the mature female was the mother of one or any of the younger horses, but she seemed to be keeping an eye out for them. As we approached, the three younger horses kept eating, while the Momma kept a watchful eye on the jeep.

My wife was loving the horses and wanted to jump out of the jeep and get some good photos of these cute little horses.

The Momma did not like this too much. She had clearly had enough of us being around. She lowered her head and took a fairly aggressive stance against us.

My wife took the cue that it was time to get back in the jeep, and we decided to leave them alone after that. These aren't domestic animals after all, they are wild and you can expect that they won't act like somebody's pet. These are neat to see, but be careful.

Tonsil Free

2011-10-14T22:59:00.004-07:00

We are on day 5 of recovery from Jasper's surgery. The nurse said days 5 through 8 will be tough because the scab over Jasper's tonsils will begin to be very tight. He keeps saying, "Mom, let's never get my tonsils out again. Okay?"

We arrived at The Surgery Center clear across town at 8:30 AM. Jasper was scheduled for surgery at 10:00 AM, and he actually went in at 10:30 AM.

Jasper's hospital gown had little tigers on it who were sleepy. Jasper really nervous and would only sit on my lap, not the guerny. Our nurse brought puppy out his own gown (the smallest size they have for babies) and some matching red socks.

Jasper was happy to help me dress puppy for surgery and place him on the gurney.

While we were waiting for surgery Jasper and I read a book he checked out of the library that he's been dying to read called "Bulldog's Big Day" by Kate McMullan.
I never want to read it at bed time because it is a really long book. It turned out to be cuter than I thought it would be. I placed the book on the gurney hoping that would make Jasper less anxious about getting in the gurney.

I gently placed Jasper on the gurney after the Versed medicine kicked in and he finally relaxed a bit. That made it much easier on Jasper when the nurse wheeled him away at 10:30 AM. Puppy went into surgery with Jasper and got his tonsils out too.

Papa C the puppy (a large bulldog stuffed animal my dad have Jasper) was with us all morning and also went into surgery underneath the gurney.

Thirty minutes later Dr. O'Donnell, Jasper's ENT, came out to talk to Mike and I. He said that Jasper's tonsils were really large and that he was glad he took them out. Jasper's adenoids had not grown back since he removed them in January. He cleaned all the wax out of Jasper's ears and placed new tubes in as well. Hopefully that will be Jasper's last set of ear tubes.

Jasper was a wreck coming out of anesthesia and not happy at all. After crying for a while he fell asleep laying on me for an hour.
Jasper laid on me and drooled like I've never seen before. When he woke up it was popsicle time and we watch a little bit of the movie that was playing, "A Shark's Tale." We finally left around 1:30 PM and were so glad to be on our way home.

\

We are grateful to everyone who has called to check on Jasper and for the popsicles, ice cream and darling handmade cards and drawing from his friends. THANK YOU!

"We Can Do Hard Things" -- Freebie

2011-10-12T22:02:00.001-07:00

My sweet friend Heather is up to good things once again.

She is sharing a free download of her new mantra "We can do hard things."

Thank you Heather!

Click here to download this fun freebie in your choice of 15 colors.

I love her recent blog post about being called as Relief Society President in her ward. It's titled, "Just minding my own business and BAAAMMM!"

Heather just had her 5th baby and is feeling pretty busy just keeping up with her family.

She always has inspiring blog posts, and her blog is now public again.

The Letters in Butterfly

2011-10-11T21:35:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I stepped away from my computer and when I came back I found Jasper typing away on my computer.

I was working on a handout for my Sunbeam class that involved a picture of a butterfly. When I came back into the kitchen Jasper said, "Mom, I typed some of the letters in butterfly."

He was proud of himself and having so much using the computer.

Surgery is not fun ...

2011-10-10T22:51:00.003-07:00

(Hi, this is a guest post from Mike.)

Those of you who are friends with us on Facebook may have noticed pictures of Jasper's surgery in your news feed.

Poor little guy. He came out of surgery with less than what he went in with. I'm not sure what tonsils weigh, but Jasper is less than he was.

He was coughing in a barky sort-of-way, like he had croup. We could tell he was in pain, and drool was pouring out of his mouth because he couldn't bring himself to actually swallow it. Once we got him to get started on the first popsicle, it was off to the races though. I lost count after about a dozen.

Hopefully the area where his tonsils used to be will heal quickly. In the meantime, it'll be more popsicles, and more movies and lots of lounging around.

It wasn't all sad. Before the surgery, Jasper was quite nervous. He fought against getting the gown on, and he fought against even getting on the bed. The doctor gave him a 5ml of Versed to "take the edge off."

As the nurse tried to squirt it in his mouth, he spit up about half of it. I was worried it wouldn't be enough, but he slowly started to loosen up and climbed into the bed. I was glad he spit some of it out though when the nurse came by to take Jasper into surgery. He took one look at her and said "you have two heads!" I shudder to think what would have come out of his mouth if he had gotten the full dose!

Wait. Slow Down Please

2011-10-09T23:48:00.000-07:00

Lately when I look at Jasper he looks so big to me. He's growing up too fast and too soon for me.

Today my Sunbeam class were singing their hearts out during the practice for our upcoming Primary Program. For part of the time I sat in front of them like a "stage mom", coaxing them to sing and smile big. As I watched Jasper my eyes began to swell with tiny tears. He is getting to big. He looked so grown up to me in his oxford dress shirt and sweater vest.

The dimple on his right cheek and his smile are getting bigger. He doesn't look like a toddler at all. He is a little boy. My heart was sad to think about how fast my time with him is flying by.

As a child I was always in a hurry to grow up and time seemed to move so slowly. Why is it the complete opposite when you are a parent?

So scoop me up one more ice cream sundae with pineapple topping made of sand I will pretend to eat your sensational creation while I pretend that my heart isn't breaking as I watch your grow up right before my eyes.

Tonsils Out Tomorrow for Jasper

2011-10-09T21:45:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is the day. Jasper is getting his tonsils out.

He had his 2nd set of tubes and adenoids out January this year.

In January the night before surgery we had hot cocoa and candy canes.

We should have done something fun like that tonight, but instead Jasper packed his doctor's bag that he wants to take with him.

We're going to be home eating popsicles this week. Stop by and say hello if you're out on a walk or a bike ride enjoying this great weather.

"Meet Martha" Girls Night Out - Thursday, Oct. 13th at 7:00 PM

2011-10-03T08:59:00.003-07:00

I'm having a party to welcome a new gal, Martha Birk, to town. I'm hosting a Girl's Night Out in her honor. We'll do foot soaks/scrubs (for those who want to) and sample a few delicious desserts.

Martha and her husband Adam and 2 girls (Marian, Age 4 1/2 and Emily, Age 3) just moved to Henderson a couple weeks ago. Adam clerked for a year after BYU Law School and they moved here for him to start at the firm of Callister & Frizell.

Last week we had Martha and her family over for dinner and Family Home Evening. Read about it and see photos of her family here. Martha's older sister and I served as counselors at Academy for Girls together. Martha's parents and my parents were friends 40 years ago when both of our parents lived in CA.

I want to have this "Meet Martha" party before her 3rd baby girl arrives at the end of October and she has less of a chance to get out and meet people.

I moved here when I was 7 months pregnant, and I will never forget how everyone rallied around me and made me feel welcome. Martha and her family are renting a house in Green Valley for 1 year, and I'm already trying to convince them to move to our neighborhood when their lease is up. :)

I hope you can come visit, get to know Martha and have a fun night out. This isn't a baby shower, just a fun night where we welcome Martha to our little corner of the world.

Please RSVP by Saturday, October 8th.

Fly Home Soon

2011-09-29T22:53:00.000-07:00

Tonight I went to my first deployment farewell dinner. Jeremy Fortier is leaving in a few days and Kelly arranged for a surprise party for him at a restaurant near her house, Leticia's Mexican Cocina.

We almost didn't go, because Leticia's is a 45 minutes away and we have company coming tomorrow and I really needed to stay home and clean the house.

I'm so glad that we went and were able to celebrate Jeremy. Mike and I were the only non-Military personnel there, so he kept introducing us as "the civilians."

Since Jeremy's missions are top secret I don't think I'm supposed to say much about where he's going or what he will be doing. The good (great) news is that he is going to a safe place, so need to fear. He will be home in four months.

J-A-S-P-E-R

2011-09-27T20:00:00.001-07:00

Sept. 19, 2011

This week at preschool Jasper's class is learning about their name.

One of Jasper's homework assignments was to spread pudding or whipped cream on a cookie sheet and then write his name in it. Needless to say he LOVED this assignment.

Chocolate pudding painting has been a popular past time this last month at home and in my Sunbeam class at church.

His other assignment was to go through a page of a magazine and circle the letters that are in his first name, and/or cut out the letters in his first name.

Last week homework included writing Jasper's name with a highlighter and having him trace over the letters with a pencil. This is one of our new favorite activities.

We also were assigned to put the names of everyone in our family on a slip of paper. Jasper pulled the papers out and tried to recognize whose name it was. Since we only have three people in our immediate family we included Grammy Michelle, Papa Cary, Great Aunt Shauna and Jasper's adopted Grandma Sharon.

Below are the books Jasper's class is reading. We reserved them at the Library, so we haven't read them yet.

Yoko Writes her Name by Rosemary Wells

Our Tree Named Steve by Alan Zweibel

A, My Name is Alice by Jane E. Bayer

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

My Name is Not Isabella by Jennifer Fosberry

The Name Quilt by Phyllis Root

Preparing for General Conference - Family Home Evening

2011-09-26T22:10:00.002-07:00

Here's a chart of the Prophet and Twelve Apostles we are used for Family Home Evening (FHE) tonight.
It is taken from the May 2011 Ensign. If you want it in a PDF format, email me or leave a comment and I will email it to you.

The Birk family joined us for dinner and FHE. Martha and Adam just moved to Green Valley 2 weeks ago with their cute girls Marian (Mini) and Emily (Emmy). Martha is pregnant with their 3rd girl, due on Halloween. Adam is an attorney too.

Martha's parents were friends with my parents when they all lived in California 40 years ago. I used to be pen pals with Martha's older sister Lindsay growing up. Another of Martha's sisters, Carrie, and I worked at Academy for Girls together and keep in touch.

Carrie told me that Martha was moving to Henderson and I was so excited to have another Boyer girl in town.

For our Family Home Evening lesson we used the Conference Squares game found on The Friend website. They have fun printable activities and on-line games as well.

We colored the Conference Squares to play a little bingo. We used chocolate chips for bingo pieces and the kids loved that.

We brought our little IKEA Igloo tent down from the playroom for our lesson. We also bring it down from the family room for Jasper sit in to watch General Conference. The kids LOVED the tent.

We talked about tents and how they protect us from storms and other things. We talked about how the counsel of the Prophets and Apostles can protect us.

We talked about how King Benjamin's people pitched their tents towards the Temple.

Mosiah 2:5-6:
5 And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple, they pitched their tents round about, every man according to his family, consisting of his wife, and his sons, and his daughters, and their sons, and their daughters, from the eldest down to the youngest, every family being separate one from another.

6 And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them.

We sang "Praise to the Man" for the opening song, and Jasper and Minnie begged to sing it again for the closing song. So we obliged.

I grabbed a stack of Halloween books off a side table for the kids to press on while they were coloring, and the moment that Jasper spied "Room on the Broom" he was pleading for me to read it to him. After FHE I sat at the kitchen table with the kids and read the story while they ate their snack (No Bake Cookies).

Temple Worship

2011-09-25T19:44:00.001-07:00

Mike and I were asked to speak at church in Sacrament Meeting today on Temple Worship. We just spoke 8 months ago, so we were a little bit surprised to be speaking again so soon.

I invited quite a few people to come to church, and even posted an open invitatio on my Facebook page. Last night I was pretty bummed that not one person I invited one was coming. This morning my dear friend Kelly called to say that she and her adorable 6 month old baby girl Raynee were coming. I was SO HAPPY! Kelly and her husband attended the Air Force Ball and were up until the wee hours of the morning, so I really didn't think she would be able to make it.

Kelly and baby Raynee came to our house before church for a quick lunch of Cafe Rio-esque chcicken tacos, and after church Mike made us some delicious waffles for dinner, topped with raspberries and bananas and I cooked some bacon. Little Raynee loved her mashed banana, then she tried her first graham cracker and loved it. Very messy! We love Kelly and baby Raynee is practically a celebrity in the ward.

Below are some personal experiences and quotes that I shared in my talk.

Personal Experiences

Why do we go to the Temple?
I was driving my car with Jasper and one of his friends in the back seat. I reminded Jasper that Mike and I were going to the Temple that night. Jasper’s friend asked why we go to the Temple. Jasper quickly answered, “Because we have a lot of family members who never got baptized on earth. You take the cards with their names on them to the Temple. Pink is for girls and blue cards are for boys. Then at the Temple you get baptized for them. We can go to the Temple to do baptisms the year after we turn eleventeen…when we are 12.” (Gotta love Jasper's counting system with made up numbers like "eleventeen".)

We show Jasper the blue and pink family file cards that have the names of our ancestors on them. We explain how the card shows the person’s name, who their mommy and daddy are, where they were born and where they died.

Monthly Temple Trips with Jasper:
I used to take Jasper to the Temple once a year or so, and this spring Jasper asked if we could go once a month. I was surprised by his request, but I figured we would just cut out one other outing to the park or a museum and go to the Temple instead.

Now once a month we dress in our Sunday best once a month and go to the Las Vegas Temple. We usually go out to lunch afterwards on our little date. We walk around the entire Temple and check out the fountain and the flowers. We go inside and look at all of the pictures of Jesus Christ and talk about them. We sit down with a copy of "The Friend" magazine.

We sit in each of the courtyards and talk about Jesus Christ, and being good and why people come to the Temple. We watch and talk about the Young Men and Young Women walk to the door that heads downstairs to the baptistry. We watch and talk about the mom's and dad'swho show their Temple Recommends at the front desk and enter to the Temple to do other sacred ordinances.

This year we went to the Temple for Jasper's 4th Birthday with our dear friends the Wilson's who live across the world in Quatar. We talked about how blessed we are to live so close to a Temple. Some of my most special and sacred talks with Jasper have happened at the Temple. I am so grateful for this little tradition that we have.

Anniversary Tradition:

Every year for our anniversary Mike and I attend a Temple. We do a few endowment sessions, perform iniatory ordinances and do sealings for our family members that we have done ordinance work for during the year.

It's not as snazzy as a cruise or a trip to Jamica. It does help us remember the promises that we made to each other and to the Lord when we were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple ten years ago.

Quotes about the Temple

In April 1995 General Conference Elder J. Ballard Washburn gave a talk titled “The Temple is a Family Affair.” He reminded us that, “We go to the temple to make covenants, but we go home to keep the covenants that we have made. The home is the testing ground. The home is the place where we learn to be more Christlike. The home is the place where we learn to overcome selfishness and give ourselves in service to others."

In April 1991 General Conference Presidet Gordon B. Hinckley said that, "God is the designer of the family. He intended that the greatest of happiness, the most satisfying aspects of life, the deepest joys should come in our associations together and our concerns one for another as fathers and mothers and children."

"I believe the youth are not only willing and able to do genealogical research, but they are a good means of giving life to the whole program" (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 163).

In the April 1993 General Conference President Boyd K. Packer told us to, “Say the word temple. Say it quietly and reverently. Say it over and over again. Temple. Temple. Temple. Add the word holy. Holy Temple. Say it as though it were capitalized, no matter where it appears in the sentence. “Temple. One other word is equal in importance to a Latter-day Saint. Home. Put the words holy temple and home together, and you have described the house of the Lord!”

In his April 2009 General Conference Talk “Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples” Elder Gary Stevenson said, “Understanding the eternal nature of the temple will draw you to your family; understanding the eternal nature of the family will draw you to the temple.” Elder Stevenson then promised, “You are never lost when you can see the temple. The temple will provide direction for you and your family in a world filled with chaos. It is an eternal guidepost which will help you from getting lost in the “mist of darkness.” It is the house of the Lord. It is a place where covenants are made and eternal ordinances are performed.”

While I was on my mission President Howard W. Hunter said, "Truly, the Lord desires that His people be a temple motivated people. It would be the deepest desire of my heart to have every member of the Church be temple worthy. I would hope that every adult member would be worthy of – and carry – a current temple recommend, even if proximity to a temple does not allow immediate or frequent use of it. Let us be a temple-attending and a temple-loving people. Let us hasten to the temple as frequently as time and means and personal circumstances allow." (Ensign, Nov. 1994)

“Regardless of the place or time period, temples are the most sacred place on earth-a place where earth and heaven meet and where we feel close to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. (Source LDS.org)

President Monson, April 2011 General Conference, “In my own family, some of our most sacred and treasured experiences have occurred when we have joined together in the temple to perform sealing ordinances for our deceased ancestors.

To you parents of young children, may I share with you some sage advice from President Spencer W. Kimball. He said: “It would be a fine thing if … parents would have in every bedroom in their house a picture of the temple so their children from the time they are infants could look at the picture every day until it becomes a part of their lives. When they reach the age that they need to make the very important decision concerning going to the temple, it will have already been made.”

Elder Bednar April 2009 General Conference, “"As we stand in the waters of baptism, we look to the temple. As we partake of the sacrament, we look to the temple. We pledge to always remember the Savior and to keep His commandments as preparation to participate in the sacred ordinances of the temple and receive the highest blessings available through the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, in the ordinances of the holy temple we more completely and fully take upon us the name of Jesus Christ."

Quotes are by President Thomas S. Monson from the Oct. 2010 Ensign.

The temple lifts us, exalts us, stands as a beacon for all to see, and points us toward celestial glory.

The late Elder Matthew Cowley, who was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, once recounted the Saturday afternoon experience of a grandfather as hand in hand he took his small granddaughter on a birthday visit—not to the zoo or to the movies but to the temple grounds. With permission of the groundskeeper, the two walked to the large doors of the temple. He suggested that she place her hand on the sturdy wall and then on the massive door. Tenderly he then said to her, “Remember that this day you touched the temple. One day you will go inside.” His gift to the little one was not candy or ice cream but an experience far more significant and everlasting—an appreciation of the house of the Lord. She had touched the temple, and the temple had touched her.

This is the marvelous blessing that awaits those who come to the temple. May each of us live worthy lives, with clean hands and pure hearts, so that the temple may touch our lives and our families.

How far is heaven? I testify that in the holy temples it is not far at all—for it is in these sacred places that heaven and earth meet and our Heavenly Father gives His children His greatest blessings.

As we touch the temple and love the temple, our lives will reflect our faith. As we go to the holy house, as we remember the covenants we make therein, we will be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation.

The Lord has indicated that the greatest work we parents can do is performed in our homes, and our homes can be heaven, particularly when our marriages are sealed in the house of God.”

Goodbye Tonsils -- On Oct. 10th

2011-09-23T20:53:00.001-07:00

Sept. 20, 2011

Clap hooray! Jasper finally got approved to get his tonsils removed on October 10th by his ENT, Dr. Shipley.
Jasper had his 2ns set of ear tubes in January of this year, AND his adenoids removed. But they would not take his tonsils at that time. I was VERY frustrated, but couldn't do much about it.
At his 4 year well check Dr. LaMotte-Malone said she would sign off on Jasper getting his tonsils out. She wished they would have taken them in January too.

I knew he would end up having them taken out sooner or later, and the time has come. His lymph nodes are big and his tonsils have been inflamed for months. Not to mention the SNORING!

Obviously Jasper isn't as excited for this surgery as I am. I just feel blessed that we can do it now while he is so young. And because he's 4 years old we can do out-patient surgery and not stay in the hospital.

Here's to a week of Popsicles, apple juice and movies! Any tips from anyone on recovery time, things to do during R & R, etc.?

Ready for School class -- Primary Colors

2011-09-22T22:14:00.000-07:00

Sept. 22, 2011

Jasper and I are going to "Ready for School" class at Gibson library with Miss Lisa.

This was week 2 of the 8 week program, and each class is 45 minutes long. It's a free program and is great so far.

Here's the official blurb from the library website: This program is designed for pre-kindergarten children. Conducted in a small group setting children and parent participate in stories, songs, games and hands-on materials which have been selected for specific learning concepts highlighted in the Nevada Pre-Kindergarten Standards.

This week was about primary colors. Jasper colored with red, yellow and blue washable markers on a seahorse cut out of color diffusing paper, and then used a small spray bottle of water to blend the colors together. Of course Jasper's favorite part was spraying the water.

We are excited that some of our friends taking the class with us. Rachelle is coming with Savanna (and Flint), Kelsie is bringing Isaac (and Taylor) and Kim is bringing her twins Jocelyn and Blake.

After class I was looking at books to check out, and found Jasper in the "teen room" with the big headphones on going to town on the computer. He was not even logged onto the computer or listening to anything but he was quite content being in the big kids room with the jumbo headphones on.

Can't wait until class next week.

Here are the books we read in class:

Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni

Blue Goose by Nancy Tafuri

Our Favorite Swim Toys

2011-09-21T21:18:00.000-07:00

Since we live in Henderson (Las Vegas) where it's nice and HOT in the summer, we spend a LOT of time swimming. Jasper can now go under water and pick up dive toys, which he loves and which keeps him plenty busy. Below is a list of our favorite pool toys.

Swimways Large Toypedo
$10 at Walmart or Target. On clearance now for $5 at WalMart.
EVERYONE loves the toypedos. They are fun to throw under water and also make a large target for little ones to dive for. They will glide up to 40 feet. We have two of these because someone always wants to borrow one.

Prime Time Dive 'N Grab Set
$8 at WalMart (in CA). On clearance now for $5 at WalMart (in CA.)
Why didn't I think of this? Jasper loves to put things in his butterfly net at home, so of course he loves to use a net in the pool.

Swimways Mini Toypedos
Regular price is $5 at WalMart or Target.
Smaller version of the large toypedos. Jasper loves to dive for these too. They go 30 feet in the pool when you throw them under water. At $1.25 each they are very affordable. I think they would make a fun party favor for a pool party.

Swimways Cars Drive Toys
$10 at WalMart or Target. On clearance now for $5 at WalMart.
The cars bubble as they sink. The kids have fun rescuing these and then placing them on the Coast Guard Rescue Boat (i.e. kickboard).

Aqua Sphere Ergoboard
$15 on Amazon. $20 at Dick's Sporting Goods.
We bought this 2 years ago and it's the favorite because it's a soft foam that Jasper can jump in the pool holding it.

Champion Kickboard with handles
During swimming season you can order these from Costco for $15 for a 3 pack. These are a hard plastic material. They are great because there are so many different grip positions.

And of course a fun noodle and small swim ring. :) Do you have any favorites we should add to our list?