I Love These 2 Boys!!!

I love these two funny boys - and just found these pictures that Chip took - not sure when or where but I love them!

These 2 are so much fun right now!  They are either being SUPER SUPER nice to each other - or fighting like cats and dogs.  Often it seems to be the latter!  However for the moments they show love it is so worth being there for each day!

I love having them in our family!

"YOU ARE SOOO BLESSED"!

I had to post this because this statement said to me by a random shopper today completely changed my whole day.  We were at Joanns, and things were going less than smoothly.  I guess I better say this is after we had already been to Target where we had an incident with Ivy screaming for 5 minutes straight while I searched for her binky, after not finding it we resorted to opening her a new one and yet it didn't work.  Finally I fixed her up a bottle and she was quiet.  However, then the boys went into a fight over who could hold my nail polish we were buying, to which Cash had it and then dropped it and it broke and spilled all over the floor.  I tried to get a worker to come help me and yet she looked at me and I said "excuse me and beckoned her over," and then she just turned and walked into the clothes section and completely ignore me.  Thus I gave up and just set it down and walked away.  We then had an incident at the checkout counter too but I won't go into that.

Well, we got into the car and made it to Joann's - probably not the smartest idea after our morning but we did it anyways - in the hopes to get stuff to do a fun craft later that day.  We were walking around and right off the bat Griffin got upset about something and started screaming and throwing a temper tantrum.  I tried to get him quiet so as not to wake sleeping Ivy but that failed and just like that she was up.  Then Cash grabbed something for a sword and of course Griffin wanted that so he once again went into a tantrum - we finally got him one too and then upon Cash putting his hands on the cart Griffin hit him with this sword he now had and so Cash was yelling at him, and Griffin was yelling back, and we were pretty much a big commotion.  I wanted to just put my earphones in and completely ignore what my children were doing and go along as if everything was fine - but that didn't work either and so I am trying to get them to cooperate, in my most nice stern voice I can have so everyone doesn't have to hear this yelling mommy and the disciplinary action I would like to instigate but rather be sort of pleasant - and no it didn't really work anyways so I was just up in arms and trying to cruise through the store getting everything as quick as possible, trying to make the least amount of scenes possible.  

Well, every one had calmed down and we were actually doing quite well and then it happened.  This sweet older lady walked by me and looked at my cart, with Ivy up front in her carseat, Griffin standing up behind her waving his "sword" (which was actually a wooden cross), and Cash bobbing in front of the cart with something new he had just picked up off of aisle 4.  She smiled, looked at me and said: "are these ALL YOUR children?"  Just not wanting to hear her response of "wow you are so busy....or wow you have your hands full" which seems to be the ones I get usually when we are out and I am always wanting to respond with - "yes that is why I have no makeup on, my hair is in a bun on top of my head, I am still in my workout attire, and yes that is snot from one of the kids noses or brownie from a little kids messy hug I have gotten earlier this morning but we are surviving ok?!" back and yet she surprised me and caught me so off-guard!

She then said "wow!  You are SOOOOOO blessed!"

WHat?!  I have NEVER received this statement after being asked this question, and it really was so shocking I didn't really even know what to say! (also a shock I know) and so I just looked back at her for a second with jaw open.  I then said thank you and kept walking.  She was walking by me and she said again "you really are so blessed!  It might be hard and keep you busy now but what a great blessing these 3 are!"

Seriously?!!!  She must have been put there by an angel, that or the fact she hadn't seen what we had just been like 15 seconds earlier in the store causing one stir after another going from aisle to aisle.  But whatver the reason she was a very big blessing in my life.  I paused and thought to myself how truly blessed I really am!  I have great kids - who are so much fun and who actually do a great job normally on all the errands we go on and who I love so much.  I love each of them dearly and my shopping trips wouldn't be quite so exciting without them all (maybe more peaceful and quick - but not as exciting!)

My anger quickly subsided and the rest of the trip went smoothly as I found myself smiling and looking for the good and the funny things each child did in the store - we were smiling at cute little Ivy who had started to sing and babble to herself and us!  I was laughing at Griffin who was trying to point his sword at every passerby from then on and say hi and "what you doing to them?"  I found myself hugging Cash in the line at the register telling him how grateful I am for the helper he is and how it's so great to have him out of the cart so he can help get things and put them in and be my #1 boy!  All of this because of her little comment to me!  

What a game changer!  I am truly blessed, and today I am so grateful she reminded me of it and helped me change my attitude so that the whole day is going more happy and smoothly because of it.  She doesn't even know the impact she has, and never will, but seriously those 4 little words turned my day upside down and helped me smile my frown away!

Have a great weekend!  We will - for we truly are SOOOO blessed!!!

People that Make Me Happy!!!

Rub a dub dub....3 kids in a tub!

And who do you think they be???

 Just from her eye you can see how happy she is - and she sure loves this witch - she was shaking it and then laughing and laughing and laughing!  I couldn't help but laugh!  See video below to hear and see how cute she is!

a cute crawling, or rather rocking video - must see!

 This guy was tougher than his mamma yesterday after getting smacked in the face with a flashlight.  I was pretty much hysterical and so mad that Griffin had chucked it and he kept telling me he was ok and it was all right and "mom, you don't need to cry it's ok..."  Love him!  What a sweetheart, even he wasn't as mad at Griffin as I was....guess I need to take a lesson from my little 4 year old!

 She sat still and was so sweet while I gave her another pedi --- so springy and ready for some cute sandals! 

 Love my brother and wish I could be at his place this week holding my little sweet niece.  What a proud daddy!  He will be a great father - she is one lucky little girl!!!

Happy Thursday!

House Decorating Projects!!!

I have debated whether or not to decorate this house since we moved in....and in the past 4 months had decided not too, since I figured we most likely would move again and it would be a waste.  But after looking at the walls and having it not feel like home enough I decided my New Year's resolutions would include decorating, and just making sure I got pieces I loved and so if we do move I would still like them in a future home.  It just feels so much more like a home with pictures up and spaces filled.  Thus, I set out.....and since I feel I am not the best at decorating I asked my friend for some help.  I pretty much bounce all my ideas and she has given me great advice.  Her house is amazing and I love her style so I try to follow it and use is as my model!  I started with something small - the front entry way - which was a perfect place for me since it is not a huge space and I already had the shelf and table in place from the Christmas decor!  

I absolutely LOVE how is turned out ----- and although Chip hates the bunny and wants to take it out I like it.....but I might take it out in the future since he apparently REALLY dislikes is - or just use it around Easter - what do you think?!??

 My family room area I have been looking for a big armoire and finally found the perfect piece.  I got the steal of the century on it too!  It is great for hiding the cable box, and DVD player, and ALL the toys.  It fits right in for my beachy theme and I am so glad I found it and it was even cheaper than I had planned on spending for this piece.  Can't wait to work more on this room....pics of that to come later!

This morning as I got ready I stepped out of the bathroom to find Griffin doing this - cuddling up watching a music video on the Ipad!  Technology is amazing these days - and even more amazing is how young kids are that can use these things!  What a great lazy morning for him!

 Brother joins in!

            

Saw me snapping pics and so he said Cheese!!!

Happy January!!!

7 months already.....Where Did The Last Year Go???

My little girl is 7 months old!  It is so hard to believe that it has gone so fast.  It seems like yesterday  (literally a year ago today) we had just arrived in Santa Monica and were trying to settle into the California lifestyle.....and of course I was still pregant and OH SO SICK because of it.  The boys and I were having adventures of walking to the beach and not knowing how to get back with the stroller, getting tickets for parking on the road during street sweeping hours, hitting the car on the stucko poles in our parking spot, etc etc......yeah we are REALLY happy to be done with that part of our lives.....but wow - we have now had a baby and moved again - for real with all our stuff- and we claim CA as our home for the moment......or maybe years who knows?!!!

Anyhow - since Ivy has been born a lot has happened, and yet one thing has always stayed the same!  She makes us smile every day and brings SO much joy to our lives.  We love her to pieces, and she gets more fun every day!  As much as I love little sweet newborns, I love it even more the older they get when they start having personality come out, sleeping better - altho Ivy is still my worst napper and night sleeper :(  They just come so perfect from heaven and are such little angels and bring so much joy into a home.  We are off on our schedule for dr. appointments, so instead of a 6 month checkup Ivy Jane had her 7 month one today, and here are her stats:

Height: 28" tall - 90%

Weight: 17 lbs. 12 oz. - 55 %

Head: 16.5" - 50%

Cuteness: 1000000000000% - off the charts!!!

She is doing great and is healthy and strong.  She may be my toughest child, not crying at all during 2 out of 3 shots today, and the one she did cry only lasted less than 10 seconds.  She is tough...gotta be with 2 brothers around right?!

She sits up great and grabs and puts everything in her mouth!

She coos and babbles and loves to SING in Sunday school during the lesson, or at the store, or pretty much every other time we need her to be quiet!  Seriously she sang "ahhhhhhhh" for almost 10 minutes straight this past sunday school lesson...i finally had to take her out! But it was really cute! (maybe only to me?)

She is very determined, cries when I put her in her bed and walk away, doesn't love the binky and spits it out as soon as she is asleep, prefers her tummy for sleeping, loves to snuggle, and really REALLY loves her mommy........as in sometimes daddy just can't calm her down and mom has to!

She loves her baby food, but prefers vegetables to fruit, and likes to put the spoon in her mouth herself, always grabbing at it and with a grip that is hard for me to get it back!

She also appears to be a lefty - making ALL 3 of my kids lefties!!!  How did that happen?

She is the happiest baby, always smiling and LOVES to be watched and talked too.  Everywhere we go we get comments about how beautiful she is and how happy she is.  People are always asking if she is this happy all the time - and she really is!!! Even if she doesn't sleep much she is still very happy - so for that we are grateful!

She also babbles ma-ma-ma-ma-ma --- and altho her daddy refuses to acknowledge she is saying mama, she does do this anytime she wants her mom to hold her or when she is upset and wants to be held......so pretty much she is saying mama even if not sure why!  Yeah for her first words!!!

The best thing lately tho is ---- she is our very first child to CRAWL!!!!  Yes, if you can't remember you can look up the boys scoot videos from earlier posts but this little cute girly is a crawler, and when she wants something she goes for it.  She is mostly doing an army scoot now, but she pushes herself up into the actual crawl position and is going to be cruising around fast....guess we better baby proof the house!  

We love our little Ivy girl!!!

 She is the happiest little girl and is almost always smiling....just like her brother Griffin!

 Check out that crawl bum!!!

Videos of her in the crawl position and moving around!

New Year.....Newest Addition to the Family!!!

She has arrived!  And she is perfect! Sweet, healthy, beautiful, and got those full cheeks!

Looking at these pics brought tears to my eyes as having your first child is such a sweet and tender experience.  So grateful everything went well and mommy and baby are doing great!

Introducing:

Emma Laurie Rosen

6 lbs. 11 oz.

SO in love already!  Thank heavens for video chats so we can see and hear her already!

Love her to pieces and can't wait to hold her!

Wishing I was still in VA!!!

Congrats to cute parents Hollie and Kevin! 

Welcome to life as a parent........it's a wild ride! (but the best ever!) 

 So new!!!

Look at those cheeks!

Proud daddy!

Cute mommy!!!  And tiny little baby! (she is smaller than all of mine!)

Family of 3!!!  We love you guys! Congratulations!!!

Becoming a Ski Bum!!!

If there is one thing I never really cared for - it might just be skiing.  Putting two long sticks on your feet so that you then become a slippery hazard to all around you, while freezing out in the cold snowy atmosphere, while being terrified of falling or hitting a tree, or for that matter falling off the lift (yes that has happened to me before!), or just hurting yourself so that then who knows how you will take care of your 3 cute kiddos that you can barely do when fully well -- yeah it just doesn't sound so fun!  

However, if there is one thing that Chip lives for - it just might be skiing.  He absolutely loves it!  He loved it enough when we lived in Provo to organize his school schedule completely to allow himself the maximum amount of time on the mountain! He loves it enough to want to take a vacation for a week somewhere in the icy weather! He loves it enough to keep extending his vacation time in Utah to get a few more good ski days in, to take his son and put him in ski school to try to instill in Cash the love that he has for the sport.  He even loves it enough that he was willing to take a dance class for his wife one semester in return for her learning to ski.  He would love it if I shared his adoration and love for the sport.  Well, I only went once the whole time I was at school with him (my semester was a little demanding and so couldn't really....or at least that is what I am claiming), so this year I determined that since I wasn't pregnant or tied to being at home with a newborn I would actually join him and learn!

Don't get me wrong - I was still totally TERRIFIED! The whole way up to the resort I was trying to think of what I would do if I hated it and just couldn't get myself down the mountain. 

However, in the end it turned out to be a great adventure!

I mean - look at these amazing views!  It is so calm and peaceful and beautiful to just take in God's creation and be surrounded by the mountains and beautiful snowy trees. (at least from the car)

Although cold it was clear roads and a great day to go!

The first day was ok.  I took a 1 hr. private lesson that was great, and then a 2.5 hour group lesson which wasn't so great.  Then I met up with Chip for lunch.  We had friends that were there and so we ate with them and then went back out.  Hudson, the 8 year old had also been in ski school while Justin (his dad) and Chip skied together all morning.  Since I was only qualified at this point to barely do the green runs I told them they could leave and go do blacks like Hudson wanted.  However, he decided he wanted to come with us and so we set out.  I should have known I was in over my head as we were on the lift and I saw signs that had blue squares on them.  I mentioned again that I wasn't qualified and Chip said I would be ok.  Well, as soon as we got off Hudson and Justin were off and speeding down the mountain, leaving me in their dust.  I could tell Chip really wanted to go with them but he was waiting and trying to be patient with me while I slowly inched myself down.  I was pretty timid, very inexperienced, not very good at even the snowplow on one side, and it was not so much fun.  I did make it down, however, and was determined to get better so we went up to do it again.  What was I thinking?! you might ask.  I asked myself the same thing.  The second time down we ended with a really steep hill that I couldn't figure out and being cold, tired, and frustrated at how terrible I was I soon became angry that Chip had taken me on such a "hard" run.  He said he thought it was the same run and he was sorry - but I wasn't so sure I believed him at this point.  Needless to say I got into the car and the tears began to fall!  I hate feeling I am not good at something - or more than that that I am terrible.  I hate being scared and just like I am telling my body to do something but it isn't working.  

Anyways, it didn't end super great and I wasn't sure I was going to ever want to go again!

However,  2 days later on Monday Chip decided he wanted to extend our stay one more day so he could go skiing one more time.  And he wanted me to go with him again.  I was less than thrilled.  My mom said she would watch the kids for us, again (sooooo nice of her), and so I felt I had no way out.  I did want the break though and I told myself that Chip does a LOT (and yes he actually does a TON) of things because I like them or want him too and he never complains and so I should do something he wanted for a change and this was it - it just so happens it is something that I might die doing.  OK I know the likelihood of that is that I probably wouldn't die, but I am dramatic and in my mind I just might.  However, I determined I would get better and take more lessons and learn to love it.

I took a 3.5 hour private lesson this time and it was FABULOUS!!!! It is definitely the way to go if you want to learn how to ski as an adult and you are a beginner.  By the end I had learned to do parallel turns, skid and get down the mountain without stopping, gone down the blue square run in parts that I didn't even try the first day, and conquered some of my biggest fears of the big hills (at least big to me). I was excited to show Chip what I had learned and could do this time.  After lunch it was me who wanted to get back out there and decided where to go.  I had a rough first run, but after that the next 3 were great.  I was happy my instructor told Chip that for a second time skier I was doing amazing and actually really good and had the potential to be a great skier.  I was just on cloud 9 because I was actually skiing and also having fun at the same time.  I was even sad to leave this day.  I found myself wishing we lived there so I could go more and practice what I had learned.  It was actually very fun!

I will never be as good as Chip - but I hope to get more chances and just be able to conquer the hills without being so scared and continue to get better.  I can actually say I really liked skiing now!

Chip and me!

No one I would rather be with ANYWHERE!!!

The views were AMAZING up here!

On top of the world!

Great date - thanks honey for putting me in those lessons!