POWER OF PRAYER

My brother Martin is in the hospital right now. He's having brain surgery to fix his problems with seizures. He had meningitis as a little boy and a side effect has been seizures that he's had under control with medications. In recent years the medications haven't worked as well - Anyways the reason I'm blogging about this is because for all 6 of you who read this, I'm asking for extra prayers for him. I believe very strongly in the power of prayer, since this experience here.
Thanks in advance :)

MY LITTLE HELPER

Tyler loves to know how things work. I hate to do laundry. I decided he could help me and eventually maybe do it for me? eh? His favorite part is to pour the soap in the washer. He does a very good job distributing the soap all around very evenly. He loves pulling the button to start it also. He's a pretty good helper with cleaning things - except picking up his toys. I actually remember when I was a little girl hating picking up toys. It felt SO HARD. The thing that helped, was if someone helped. So I often make deals with him that I'll help him. Then I do most of it myself - but at least he thinks he's working.

MAPLE LEAFS

We got these cute little slippers from a friend in Canada. We do a good job reminding our boys who to cheer for when it's Canada Vs. U.S .... ;)

IS IT JUST TYLER

Or do all boys like to hang out naked with only a hat on?

BROTHERS

I want a girl - ONE DAY, but for now.... I wouldn't trade this brotherly LOVE for ANYTHING pink.

HALLOWEEN HOCKEY

Ya, it's been that long. So let's get right to the point. On Halloween day Jeremy had to coach BYU Hockey. We went to the BYU game, and luckily it was early enough that we made it back in time to do a little trick-or-treating. It was pretty fun and Tyler LOVED seeing daddy come through the tunnel. After the game we ate In-and-Out (you can find us there any Saturday night) then came back to Daybreak to trick-or-treat. It was freezing and luckily our friends the Pattens let us in for some delicious wassail (spelling?). Fun Times. I love our neighbors and where we live!

2011 GOALS

These are not my goals:

1. Blog more - sorry ;)

2. Get to 18% body fat

3. Keep my house cleaner

4. Do more activities

5. Make more money

They are too abstract and hard to measure - although I welcome them and strive for them.

These are my goals:

1. Family scripture study daily

2. Family Home Evening Weekly

3. Fast Monthly

4. Visit Teach Monthly

5. Attend the Temple twice each month

I am going to get a calendar and keep track of these things like a little kid with a chore chart. I believe these things will bring our family even more happiness, joy and protection.

Wish me luck!

21 DAYS CLOSER TO CHRIST

Has it really been a whole month since I've posted. I know a certain "one" of you knows it has been, but seriously that went so fast. I have all sorts of good reasons. November was INSANE around here. I actually can't believe it's over. I'll do all sorts of posts and updates soon (soon is relative...) but just wanted to share a little something we're doing this year.

We bought a book called "21 days closer to Christ". It has pictures, and little challenges each day. For the past few years I've felt like Christmas has come and gone before I ever even get a chance to really remember why we Celebrate. This year I am determined to NOT LET THAT HAPPEN.

Each day for the next 21 days (we actually started a couple days ago to account for potential missed days) we're reading a chapter as a family. Each chapter is only 2-3 pages long, and takes about 10 minutes. Each day has an invitation for you to think about, or do something that can help you draw closer to the Savior. I'm so excited to be doing this during December and to allow myself to truly remember the reason for the season.

SNOW BEFORE HALLOWEEN

We had a little snowfall this last week, before Halloween. Luckily it didn't stay long. I had gotten "Frosty The Snowman" from the library a couple weeks ago, so as soon as Tyler saw the snow, he begged to go build Frosty. He had gymnastics first, so we went there and when he saw most of the snow melted in the side yard, he almost lost it! Luckily there was enough in the front still to build a snowman. We put Chase down for a nap, then together, we rolled out this fine looking Frosty. Tyler was surprised to find out that putting on a hat wouldn't ACTUALLY make him come out and play, but he got over it, and had fun putting the carrots on his head regardless. I love doing fun little things with Tyler, he enjoys them so much. These are precious moments.

JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE PARK

Sometimes while we're waiting for Jer to finish work we go to a nearby park. Tyler doesn't complain. The second picture here is actually a funny little story. There was another little boy whose mom had just told him not to climb up those bars cause it was dangerous. Tyler looked at me, gave me a smirk (like that lady was nuts) then climbed up it - as to show off. I kind of couldn't help but laugh, and snap a picture.

ME LATELY

So, what's new with ME lately. Since I never really write about myself -(my kids are better blog content), I figured I'd update you on what I'm up to. Since Jeremy started at Lifetime, I've transitioned much more into a "real mom" role. I still do my Food Storage blog between the hours of 10-12 at night, but during the day, I've become quite busy trekking around to gymnastics, Tyler's skating, preschool, and all that fun stuff. As our little family gets older, I've come to realize I LOVE this stage of life. I am having a BLAST with my kids and seeing them grow is more fun then anything else.

When I'm not taking care of the kids however, I'm working out. I have found an absolute LOVE for working out the past little while. I've always worked out, out of a feeling of guilt, but now I enjoy it. It might be that the nice ladies at the daycare take my kids and it's my only break - but hey I'll take it. I'm finally at a point where I feel fit again. I think the last time that happened I was in highschool. I look in the mirror (when I'm wearing clothes) and think, hey, you're looking alright (not perfect, but ok!). With my clothes off however, I got some serious belly sagging skin - wonder where that came from.

I have been doing a boot camp at Lifetime and just LOVE it. I love having other people to compete with, it somehow makes me feel more like myself when I'm sprinting and trying to beat everyone... I guess you can't deny who you are inside. I love being competitive, and until I find a way to make a women's rugby team for old geezers work in my life, I'll keep doing boot camp.

Life is pretty darn good right now. My husband is awesome and he's working hard. Tyler is the funniest, most intelligent, little athlete. Chase is the sweetest little boy that melts my heart daily, and I can beat boys at the gym!

JEREMY THE TRAINER

I realize 99% of my posts are about Tyler and Chase... so the next two are gonna be about Jeremy and ME! haha. So Jeremy has been SO busy lately. I'm pretty sure this is the busiest he has been since his mission. A couple months ago he decided to apply for a personal trainer position at Lifetime Fitness. He wanted to learn some more about fitness, have a more structured day, learn more about sales. Lifetime was the perfect place for him because they take training SERIOUSLY. It's very scientific full of all sorts of tests you can do. You can do this test where you breathe into a tube thing, and it tells you your BMR. Basal Metabolic Rate. So you can know exactly how many calories your own body uses a day. It's neat because I took it and it turned out I was eating too few, I upped my calories, and I lost some weight - sweet. There are other tests for heart rate training to burn fat more efficiently, and all sorts of certifications he can get. He has really enjoyed all the experience, and it's given our family a much more structured routine. Both of us working from home worked fine, and would have kept working, but we both felt like he needed to get some more varied experience.

Anways, on top of training, he's coaching BYU's hockey team with his dad, and he's still doing all his online hockey business and hockey consulting. We don't see as much of him as we'd like, but we know the schedule wont be like this forever. Eventually he'll be able to make his own schedule at Lifetime. So for now, he's working hard and I'm REALLY proud of him. He has impressed me a lot, and he is actually quite the trainer. I can't believe how much stuff he knows, and keeps teaching me about.

LEARN TO SKATE

Watch out ladies, Tyler's in LEARN TO SKATE... Which around here, is a class full of girls in figure skates, and a couple boys here and there. They don't have any hockey skating for kids that are only 3, so we had to sign him up for Learn to Skate. The teacher tried to say that figure skates are better for the little guys for balance. I just smiled and said - ok - then put him in his hockey skates. Figure skates ain't gonna fly on my boys. Anyways, he's been doing great. He is progressing and loving it. It's actually really funny to watch him, because I think he can tell something is not quite right. His teacher told me, he kept telling her, I'M HOCKEY. Only a couple years and you can ditch these chicks and skate with your hockey stick Tyler!

FEVER

Since Tyler had his tonsils out over a year ago, he hasn't gotten sick. It's been a really nice break from constant ear infections and illnesses. Well this past month or so EVERYONE has gotten the flu (except me... I keep crossing my fingers). Chase, puked a couple times one day, but didn't even act sick. Tyler got a SERIOUS fever for 2 days. It was weird to see him like that. He didn't even get UP for a whole day. He stayed in bed. It was actually over General Conference weekend though, so I had a chance to actually listen to most of it. I'm glad you're better little TyTy!

RAIDER

I found this picture of Raider recently, and it made me cry a little. Raider was Jeremy's dog since he was 13. When Jeremy and I got married, (and before that) Raider took a liking to me. He would always sit on my lap, and just seemed so happy to be around me. That's when I first fell in love with a dog. I never understood dog lovers, nor will I ever have another because I couldn't handle losing one again. When we lived in our condo, Raider would come and visit us, but then when we moved into our Daybreak house, he came and lived with us. I was apprehensive to have a dog in a new house, but quickly got over it - as I loved that little doggie. This is my all time favorite picture of him, and I'm posting it so that I never forget sweet little Raider (who even peed all over the place the last couple years of his life, but I kept loving him). We'll see you on the other side Raider! Notice the Infiniti in the background... this was taken at our condo -

NATE AND JESSIE WEDDING

ate and Jessie (Jeremy's sister) got married October 12, 2010. It was a Tuesday and a really nice day. I had fun helping Jessie, (really just tagged along) plan her wedding. She is a really cute, sweet girl, and has great taste. The kids behaved like kids who were sleep deprived, but hey, that's what weddings are all about! Family, Food, and Tired kids. It was a nice day. Congrats guys! Oh and notice- we got a picture with all 4 of us in it! That was a main goal of mine that day.

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY CHASE

Dearest Chase just turned ONE! I can't believe how fast this past year has gone. I never knew I could fall in love with a baby all over again the way I love this little guy. He is so sweet! He was a sweet little infant, and he's stayed just as sweet so far!

He stopped nursing at around 11 months, and I didn't mind. I have a love hate relationship with nursing, and I'll leave it at that. He has stages where he LOVES food, then he pretty much wont eat anything I give him. He LOVES french fries and milk.

He has no interest in walking whatsoever, but occasionally when he's not paying attention, he'll

just stand there for a few seconds. I'm pretty sure if he cared to walk, he could.

His very first word (outside of mom, dad, tyler) was TOUCHDOWN! It was the cutest thing ever, and I wasn't sure I heard it right, until he said it over and over again. Tyler and him were throwing the football back and forth, and he kept saying tutdown! Tyler's first words were GO! GO! ... So apparently, I have active little boys.

His favorite thing to do is play in the playroom in the basement because he can roam and roam and never gets stopped from doing anything... although I wont leave those 2 down there together alone still -

He sleeps in his crib and Tyler now sleeps in the room in a toddler bed with him, that was WAY easier of a transition then I thought it would be.

He is the balance our family never knew we needed so much. He is perfect in every way for our little family.

For his Birthday we had the family come to McDonalds and had a little touchdown party. He was so cute, holding on for deal life to all his little footballs. The picture of him in the green shirt below was on his ACTUAL birthday, which is ironic because I dressed Tyler in that very shirt on HIS first birthday also. I didn't do it on purpose, just realized it after.

I LOVE YOU CHASE MONKEY!

SEVEN DAY CHALLENGE

So on my food storage blog... FoodStorageMadeEasy.NET each year we do a little 7 day challenge in September. Basically for 7 days we practice our skills to be prepared for emergencies of all kinds. Each day there is a different disaster and we see how we would do. I actually HATE IT TO PIECES. It's SO much work to put it on for the thousands of people that participate, that doing the challenges on top of it absolutely DRAINS me of all energy and desire to stay away from chocolate. The good thing is, however I learn a lot. This year I learned how to change a tire completely BY MYSELF. Yes I'll be 29 next year and I didn't know how to do this!

PRESCHOOL!!!

Getting Tyler ready for preschool was one of the funnest days ever! I was actually quite surprised by how excited I was to help him get his supplies. I remember as a kid always thinking getting new school supplies was among the coolest things ever. I guess I was always a school nerd like that.

After we got him all his supplies we went for the fun preschool tour day. Why is Tyler wearing his bike helmet to go to preschool which is LITERALLY NEXT DOOR.... because he insisted he had to ride his bike to school because that's what the big kids do. Oh well - I complied.

He absolutely loved his first day, and still loves every single day. His teacher is by far the most creative, awesome preschool teacher in the world. I am going to ask her to make sure Chase's name is on her list for her class 3 years from now. I love how much fun he is having, and I LOVE the little break I get Tuesday's and Thursdays from 9:30-12:00 to nap. I mean to clean.

CUTEST COUSINS AROUND

When Mike goes out of town, Andrea will sometimes come and stay at my parents house. I benefit because I get to see her, and we get to have the boys play. It's officially a tradition now we MUST go to chik-fil-a all together, and this time they wore their spidey suits. Andrea mentioned someone gave us a dirty look - I didn't even notice. I guess I must get them often. Bring it. I love my spiderboys!