Kai's Playgroup

Every Tuesday these cute kids get together for a playgroup before preschool. They all get along so well and have so much fun together. They always want macaroni and cheese for lunch with hot dogs and they want to watch cartoons while they eat it! I just had to capture this picture to show what great friends they are. Tylee is always a trooper hanging out with all these boys—don’t let it fool you though—she runs those boys!! (And they love it!)

Conversation Hearts

Have any of you moms taken the time lately to read what "conversation hearts" say these days?? Text me, fax me--how does this apply to conversation?? I'm just trying to figure it out... Maybe this is why my teenager has over 6,000 text messages on his phone every month??

Patience...

I finally went to a new doctor today that specializes in Bio-identical Harmones and was so grateful that I did. I wonder how I've been living with myself lately when the doc told me what has been happening in my body since my hysterectomy. My Adrenal system has pretty much shut down and I have NO progesterone in my body. My level was .4 and the range they would like to see me in is between 200-300. And my thyroid and testosterone levels are almost as bad. Great huh? So--if I've been a complete %@!&$ to anybody over the last 6 months--I'm blaming the harmones!!
Hopefully over the next few months--I will be feeling better with some help from Harmone Replacement Therapy and a positive attitude. I'm glad I'm not crazy--cuz I sure was feeling like it....

Finally Over!

James has been preparing to test for his rank advancement for months now--and he finally took his test this morning!! Hooray--no more long nights of studying, no more single mom, no more cranky James or Ana--and no more stress! He thinks he did pretty good but we don't find out if he made it or not until June.
When he's promoted he will advance to the rank of Master Sargeant and get a nice pay increase-which won't hurt during these fun economic times! I am very proud of his hard work and dedication to our family, and I appreciate his efforts way more than I tell him. He is such a GREAT husband--I just love him.
Not to mention.....he looked pretty handsome in his uniform when he came home today--I had to take a picture--no drooling ladies--He's MINE!!!:)

This Week...

I took Kai and Malak to a playgroup that I've been involved with since Malak was born. It consists of all of my hairdresser friends that were pregnant at the same time. We all work right next to each other in the salon and one by one all ended up pregnant. Malak is the oldest, then Meera, then Gabe and Elizabeth. It's been so fun to watch them all grow up and watch their mommies turn into different people! Malak is my 3rd baby but Meera and Gabe are firsts--so fun!!! I love the picture of Malak and Meera. They are only 6 weeks apart but he is so much bigger than her. She is so petite and dainty and he's so rough and clumsy!! The last pic is my favorite--he's posing for the camera! That's his latest face he's been giving me!! He looks so grown up!

Jamie had Spirit Week at school and this was his hippy costume! He put alot of time into getting those pants just right...and the shirt is his Dad's. James owned this shirt when we first got married and I haven't been able to get rid of it in 10 years!! I guess James knew it would come in handy one day! Are we getting old or what?? And no...Malak's not wearing a wig--that's really his hair:)

These boys are 3 peas in a pod. I watch Tony on Wednesdays and it's never boring!! Tony and Kai are best friends and they are so fun to have around. Malak is always getting in the middle of them and wanting to be grown up just like they are. Occasionally they will let him play and this was one of those times---can you see the smile on Malak's face?

Sadie Hawkins

I didn't think the time would come when I would be posting about Jamie's dating life--but it's so fun--I have to share!!
He got asked to Sadie Hawkins by the cutest girl named Madi Schraft. She is his age and they met at EFY a few years ago. She recognized him and realized that they were in the same stake so they became buddies and have just gotten to be better friends over time--now I think they like each other...!
She made him a poster with Tootsie Rolls all over it and said something about "rolling with her to Sadies". It was cute. We answered her by baking her favorite cake and putting icing on the top that said yes. We also bought her a dozen red roses and dropped it off at her work before she got there.
She picked Jamie up this morning at 7:45 am to start their date--I think they are going to "Jump on It" for the morning and then doing a Scavenger Hunt on the Strip during the day. Then drop him off to get dressed and back to her house for a BBQ and pictures. Then the dance and roasting marshmellows at a friends house afterwards. She gave me all the details earlier and it sounds like so much fun! Although the weather here is horrible today--it's been raining all morning! Madi has been hanging out with us a little bit and she is really cute! I like her personality alot and she seems very grounded--a good pick!! I'll update more when I get James' side of the date!! And pics to come...

Baaaad Morning!

It was one of those mornings on Friday when you just want to crawl back into bed!! I decided to sleep in a little because I didn't have to be into work until 9:30...I will take any chance to sleep a little more but it generally screws up the rest of my day. Friday was no exception...instead of getting out of bed on my own--my little alarm clock named Kai decided to get me up with his constant whining about wanting to take a shower with me. This is our morning ritual generally because he loves to take a shower in the morning and just lay there for as long as I'll let him. So I agreed this morning and we jumped into the shower but on the other side of the wall--all I can hear is '"MOM" over and over again coming from Malak. So I rush through my shower and get half dressed and try to get him up to change his poopy stinky diaper. He won't let me pick him up--he keeps dropping to his knees and dodging me in his crib--fine whatever I walk out and he bursts into screams again!! So finally he'll let me get him out and put him on his changing table but will not let me unzip his pj's...what is wrong with this kid? So I let him run around and play while I try to finish getting ready for work. Then he starts walking funny...uh oh! All you moms know that the diaper is releasing its contents when they start walking funny. Sure enough--EVERYWHERE!! So I dump him into the bathtub to hurry and clean him up and of course he wants to play...I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!!!
So then finally he's dressed and we go downstairs to start breakfast before I have to rush off to work and he decides to open my pantry (which happens at least 20 times a day). This time I was in la la land and not paying attention while he grabs the syrup and tips it upside down and decides to take a walk with it all over my kitchen!! Have you ever tried to get syrup off the floor? I was down on my hands and knees for a long time and I'm still walking on a sticky floor after mopping it at least twice!!
Being a working mom sucks sometimes.....I think these things would probably be funny to me if I wasn't so stressed to get to work on time and focus on what I need to do. I wish sometimes I could learn to just focus on the kids and what they need....ohhhh the joy of balancing everything all by yourself! Sorry no pics--no time!

Look-a-likes...

James loves to comb Malak's hair down the middle when he's in the bath...then he goes to sleep on it and it looks like this when he wakes up!! Do you see any similarities with Mayor Augustus from Who-ville???

One of my friends at church has called Malak "Kramer" ever since he was little. He had a full head of hair when he was born but lost everything except a little tuft on the top...thus Kramer. I have to admit this kid has the craziest hair of them all....he just cries when I have to comb it out!

Sydney Anderson's Baptism

A couple of weeks ago we had the Elders over for dinner. We have had an investigator coming to church now for a couple or months named Sydney. He is single, about 26 and African American. I always get excited when I see other Black people at church and so of course I went up and introduced myself. He is such an awesome guy and I could really feel his spirit. So I decided to ask him to join the Elders at our house for dinner. He accepted and we had a very nice dinner together, but what happened after dinner is the part that is so special.
We were all sitting around the table talking and answering some of his questions about the church. I told him about our conversion story and the Spirit was very strong. Elder Ausmus flat out asked him if he wanted to get baptized and he accepted!! Ausmus went and got our family calendar and we set the date right then and there. I couldn't believe how great it was and in actuality how easy it was!! I know he had been working with the elders but not for very long because he was actually supposed to be getting the lessons by the elders in the other ward. He doesn't live in our ward boundaries. But he felt very partial towards our ward because there are 2 other Black families in our ward and he really liked Elder Ausmus. Funny how it works because Elder Ausmus has avoided 3 transfers and has been here for almost 6 months now. I know that he was essential to Sydney's conversion, and now I know why he hasn't been transferred. :)
We were able to attend his Baptism on Friday night at our stake center. He was baptized by Elder Ausmus and James confirmed him on Sunday. I was asked to give a talk about the Holy Ghost....I was so nervous--I have never spoken at a baptism before and felt very intimidated, but realized that Sydney loves our family and this is a bond we will always share with him. The Spirit was so strong that night while we watched him become a member of our church.
I also realized how strong the adversary is over the last two weeks. Satan was really working on James and I. It seems like everything has been a struggle. I have been very depressed and stressed out. Feeling overwhelmed with my life and feeling sorry for myself. But on Sunday I realized why all this is happening--it's because of our hard work and focus on Sydney. During his confirmation--I just sobbed because of the pride I felt for my husband. He has grown so much over the last 9 years since his baptism and now he is a beacon and an example to so many people that share his skin coloring and that don't. I bore my testimony of the truth that I have felt so many times over the last 2 weeks and was replenished spiritually for the next few weeks. We had such an awesome fast and testimony meeting. I didn't even want to go to church that day and left feeling soooo inspired! I'm so grateful that I could witness and be a part of another child of God coming to the fold.