Happy Birthday Jason F*

(written by guest blogger Kersten)
Today is my brother's birthday. Jason's birth heralded the end of the estrogen dominated house hold of my early youth. I was so thrilled to have a brother. Because I felt that my parents chose such weird names for their kids (Nina, Kersten and Virginia) I insisted on naming him. Jason was always my buddy. Before he knew any better, he would follow me anywhere and do anything for me.

As he grew up, he worked hard at being both creative and funny. He started the first family newspaper and called it the Salt Lake Baboon. The Baboon would always feature interviews with family members, news reports about family scandals and hand-drawn comics. Jason started writing a musical that he is still working on today. This musical contains songs about the ups and downs of drinking alcohol. He broke the boundries of traditional male and female dress standards when he and his male friend dressed as girls, complete with makeup, and pranced around the yard. Jason even had his own catch phrases. I will never forget such jewels as "hoo-hoo-hee-hoo".

Jason has grown up to be an oustanding man. Much to everyone's surprise, he turned out to be straight. He is self-reliant and strong. He is hilarious and can have the whole family laughing in minutes. Jason is very dedicated to his family and friends. He will never turn his back on anyone. My brother is motivated and I am sure he will become rich, famous and drunk.

Grateful Sunday 11-4-07

BABY BLESSINGS: Today was so much fun. I had two baby blessings to go too today.

My friend Kieran blessed her little boy, Graham Williard this morning. Noah was so excited to go to Heber's church. It was so fun visiting with her family especially, her mom and sister in law. I got to hold that cute chubbs for awhile, he is a snuggly, contented boy.

Afterwards we went to Jim and Cherie's baby girl, LilleeOna Josephine openhouse. It was so good to see our friends from the old condo days. Noah was in heaven running around with all those kids. He cried when Maci had to go home. And begged to play more as we stayed. It was really fun to see our friends

OLD GOOD FRIENDS: This weekend has been full of friends. We saw Ryan and Kristine on Saturday and went and saw their new house and as mentioned before we saw lots of friends today. It is so fun to see people that you have a history with and can pick up where you left off. We have been really blessed and lucky in our life with good friends

KERSTEN: I am so proud of him and of being his wife. With going back to work this week and still not feeling fully himself, I know it has been tough on him. He really is so smart and talented and I know that we will get where we need to be. He is such a good father and husband.

NOVEMBER: I am a bit overwhelmed with the holidays looming, I usually have all my shopping pretty much done or figured out by now. I am not even close. I love the energy and the festive air around everything that starts with Halloween. I only have 2 months left with this baby and I am going to enjoy every minute of it. It will be so fun now.

Halloween Fun

Here are some Pictures of cute people in their costumes. We have already gone to the Ward Halloween Party and a Halloween Treasure Hunt at my Mom's house. It has so far been a fabulous fun Halloween Season.

Noah is a Frog Prince. Thank you to my dear friend Kieran for lending us this adorable costume. He had to hop the whole way to church for the party. He loves it. And I personally think he is the handsomest frog around

Noah as The Frog Prince and Josh as a Vampire

Audrey as Goofy Pajama Mom, Kara as Supergirl, Danny as Superman and Christopher as SuperBoy

Kristin as a Good Witch, Noah as a Frog Prince, Emilee as Jack Sparrow and Spencer as Jango Fett

Cute Allie as Bedtime Bear

Nik as Hugh Hefner (My grandpa's jacket and Lena as a naughty angel

All the kids at the Treasure Hunt at my Mom's


Happy Halloween!

All the Happenings

Life is calming down but also getting more chaotic (at least if only in my head).

Kersten started back at work part time yesterday. I think from my perspective, it was really good for him. It made him feel productive and back to the norm. Everyone at work seemed to miss him and welcome him back, happily The only down note is now he has a new boss and so far Kersten is not that happy about it. So we shall see how this all pans out. He is trying to figure out what to dress up for Halloween. It wasn't our top priority and now he needs a costume for tommrow. The rest of his team are being Nuns so he thought he could be the devil. But we can only find glittery horns, so it is not working

Noah is doing really well. He (not to jinx it or get to hopeful) has been wearing big boy underwear since last Wednesday. He has a least one accident a day but overall is doing pretty well. It is all I can hope for right now. He is having a hard time pooping on the toilet. Does anyone have suggestions for this? He waits until he has a nightime pull up on to poop. Or does a tiny bit in the toilet and finishes in his underwear. He got in trouble last tuesday after school for his teacher pulled me aside to talk to me about how Noah would not let her change his pull up when it was wet. He threw a huge temper tantrum and hit her leg. Well, we don't put up with this in our family. No hitting allowed and we respect our teachers. They whole way home I talked to him about how if he wanted to still wear pull ups he had to let his teacher change them at school. He never ever acts like that to his teacher, etc etc. Then when we got home we told Dad what happened and Noah had his dad and mom talk to him about it. He hates being in trouble. That night when it was bathtime, he just walked up to the toilet like it was not big deal and went to the bathroom. The next day he insisted that he wear Underwear. He had one accident that day as he ran up the stairs to the potty. On Sunday he used the urinals in the boys bathroom at church with his dad. He thought it was really cool that only Boys could use these toilets. I am a little hopeful that this is the beginning of the end. But, I am not counting my chickens before they hatch.

My next appt with the doc it next Monday Nov 5. This is also the week that starts my Non Stress Tests twice a week. So the insanity begins until this little girl comes. I am really trying to focus on my time with Noah right now, just us. I have been feeling lately that I will really miss him and our time. He is so joyful and fun (most of the time) and I just Love being his mom. I know I will love this little girl also. But it is kind of an idealic time with just me and my boy. And dad comes home at least for the next month a little early. So I am counting my blessings

The Great Baby Pumpkin

We bought a little pumpkin for Noah at the grocery store a couple of days ago. He is so funny about this pumpkin. He named it "The Great Baby Pumpkin." He carries it around the house and sings to it. He changes it's location in the house quite often. He wraps it in a blanket and rocks it to sleep. He puts it in places so that it can watch tv. He loves his baby pumpkin. He took the beautiful picture you see up above. With one of his other favorite decorations for Halloween, a ghost. He really is proud and happy to have his very own pumpkin. He is such a funny boy. He had to take it with him to Grandma's house to play with Josh. And cute Josh acted just as thrilled and awed by the pumpkin as Noah. He understood why Noah would have to bring it with him. He takes such joy from the little things. It is a good reminder for me.

"I'd Really Like to Eat a Child"

We found the book "I'd Really Like to Eat a Child" by Sylviane Donnio at the library a couple weeks ago and WE LOVE IT! This was one of those lucky finds, that I saw just as we were leaving. Noah has been really into dinosaurs and crocidiles lately. The title was funny and it had a crocidile. Well, we hit the jackpot. We laugh and laugh.

It is about a little crocidile named Achilles, who eats bananas for breakfast. One morning he decides that he does not want to eat his breakfast and he wants to eat a child that day. His parents are beside themselves trying to get him to eat something, they tempt him with all sorts of treats etc but he is only wants to eat a child. He goes to the river for he is not feeling well and there meets a little girl. This is our favorite part about what happens to Little Achilles when he trys to eat a child. You really need to check this out at the library if you have any children.

It is a big joke at our house now, Mom or Dad will be overcome with the desire to eat a child. And we go in search of a child at our house. Noah thinks this is hilarious. We pretend we want to eat diffrent body parts of his. I give this book 5 stars for fun for adults and children alike.

October Real Simple Interview

I saw this on Carrie's blog and have seen it on Natalie's. I really like the questions, it is a great way to journal, for you write down things you normally don't think of. So I hope it is okay that I want to do it also. Sadly, I do not get Real Simple Magazine although I would totally love it.

1. What's the last thing you do before going to bed at night? Read, whether it's my scriptures or my current book I always have to read before I can fall asleep. And the I say my prayers.

2. How many books have you read in the past year? I actually made a goal this year to write down every book I read. I have a list in my journal. I have almost 3 letter size pages full. Will post all of them at a future date at the end of the year.

3. Someone should invent... I agree with Carrie on this one. A faster, less expensive way to travel from place to place.

4. I feel the most beautiful when....I feel all put together. Which lately is not often. And Kersten gives me that look that no words could ever express.

5. What is your favorite physical feature? I have always liked my legs. They are long and slender, except when pregnant. I also like my eyes. The guys in high school called me "sparkly eyes" for they look like a cat's in certain light.

6. Name as many of the costumes you've worn on Halloweens past. Batman, Gypsy, Princess, 50's girl, Wonder Woman, Willy the Rabbit, Lion, Dancer, Package of Peanut Butter M&M's, Miss America, Betsy Ross, and a scarecrow.

7. The big decision I'm currently wrestling with is...What to name this new baby girl, I know she will be called Shaak-Ti by Noah but I think she should have a different option for everyday life and as she grows up.