April 2011 pictures

Kaylyn is potty training. She is even in underware these days. But I think it is funny to see such a little girl on such a big potty. But for Kaylyn--it's all about the candy.

This is my family doing stretches after a good workout! I love it when we workout together.

Picture day!

Soap Box: I love you

I write this blog for me first. I enjoy the journaling aspect. Secondly, I write this for my children. And then thirdly, I enjoy sharing with those who like to keep in touch!! I am not writing this to offend any one, but I am going to stand on my soap box for a moment. This way my children know where I stand if I'm not there to tell them.

I recently watched a show where the characters spent several nights together. And then, and only then, he said he thought he loved her. This has bothered me. When I was a teenager, we held hands before I love you. The holding hands staged came at "I like you." But I didn't kiss a boy that I didn't love. And I love you was either said before or very shortly after a kiss. And yet, I have seen as people I know, as well as on tv, causually kiss, causually have sex, move in together, and then discover they love each other.

Here is where I stand. I am so grateful that I was taught these standards in my youth. Sex is to be sacred--and done only between a man and a woman legally married. I am so grateful that all of my children were born and conceived with in the bonds of marriage. And that we are committed to each other in a very perminat way. When it is done this way, my body and his is an amazing gift in which we have only given to each other. And in following these principles, I have not found restrictions but freedom and happiness.

Now I love all my friends and family no matter the choices they have made. And I want to encourage my children to be tolerant, loving, and supportive. But this is where I stand, and I want my children to know.

Having said that, I am so proud of my co-worker who choose to get married. They didn't spend much. My mom made the bouquet. My sister made the cake. And I took the pictures. And I wish them many, many years of happiness together. More pictures not posted for privacy reasons. But I am so excited for them!! And Mom and Dot, you did a beautiful job!!

100 day celebration

Ms. Tunnel putting together their 100 day special snack.

These are some of Karla's best friends in her class.

I got to go help out at the 100 day celebration for Karla's Kindergarden class. I often get to help in Kylee's class because I can bring Kaylyn. Kaylyn loves going to preschool with Kylee, but Kindergarden doesn't feel the same way. So Karla often feels left out. So I made a point of volunteering. We had a lot of fun.

Karla can almost count to 100. She needs prompting to rembember that 60 is after 59 and 80 is after 79 and so forth. We are so proud of her.

Repunzel let down your .... buzz cut?

So while Mom, Todd, and I finished a game, Kylee decided to cut Kaylyn's hair. She butchered it. And Karla finally came and told us--although she did not hurry about it. The only way to salvage it was to buzz it. Instead we evened it up as best as we could and decided we would continue to even it up as it grew out. I have tried to put headbands and hats on her often to cover up the worst. And although it has made me cry--her hair hand finally grown out, and it was so beautiful. Kaylyn still has a beautiful smile. And she hasn't seemed to even notice. And kids her age aren't cruel. As for Kylee, she was not very apologetic. Kylee has been trying to grow out her hair to "have a 100 hairs liek repunzel." When Grandma K asked if Kylee had learned anything she said "I learned NOTHING." I debated a lot about what to do. Kylee's hair also had grown out so beautifully. But I felt that she needed to learn that this was not okay. So we had her hair cut too. I was not impressed with the hair dresser who did it though. But Kylee doesn't want it cut any shorter. She finally agreed not to cut other peoples hair without permission. I then went out and got her the shampoo that will help it grow out strong and without split ends. And I got her some hair pretties so she feels beautiful. And we talked about how I can help her grow out her hair. I don't want her dream to be squahsed, I just wanted her to learn. The saddest part of this whole tale: is we were only waiting for Karla's cowboy boots to come in before we got family pictures--our first professional ones with the baby. I am making an appointment for later this month. I think we will take the picture anyway.

we trimmed Kylee's hair after Kaylyn's, but when she was still so smart alicky about it--we took her and tried to give her a pixie cut. More pictures soon to come. You can tell what she thinks of it though....

Turning 30

For my birthday, we went to Grandma Julie's house. We enjoyed an amazing meal of corn beef and cabbage. Mom has always let us choose what we wanted for our birthday dinner. It was fun to include Grandma and Grandpa Tingey this year. Mom made a triffle for dessert. It was so good. We also had key lime froen yogurt. So good!! My family spoiled me. Garth got me pillows. Mom got me some work out equipment. Dot got me a cute work out outfit! Cyntha haleped me buy a new workout video (unless there are problems with the order on ebay, then I will use it to get some summer sandles.) I asked for these items though--they are not trying to hint. The girls got me a new wallet. And Todd got me this beautiful sapphire ring. I feel so loved very time I look at it. I feel very spoiled. Todd also fixed the CD player in my car we do papers in. It has been so nice to have. This is the closest picture I can find to what my ring looks like:

(Pictures soon to come of me in my cute workout outfit...be patient with me :)

And we enjoyed playing a few games. Then I spent my actual birthday at work. And Verlene treated me to a bacon, lettus, cheese, tomato sandwich (also my choice) and chocolate cake and icecream. I have been very spoiled. And it isn't even that bad turning 30.