HELP

HEY ANYONE!!! I think that I totally screwed up my blog!!! I was going to put some wallpaper on the background and decided that it didn't look good so I didn't do it. So now when ever I scroll down the blog a message comes from under my header saying that it is deleted, butthe image is still there. I have no clue what the crap to do. If you do please help this blog illiterate tard. Much appreciated!

PARENTING 101

There are really only a few things that I really dislike about parenting as a whole. The biggest for me is watching my kids go through things that are difficult. As the parent you want to badly to be able to protect them from situations that could cause heartache for them. Today was one of those days for me. I took my SWEET and SENSITIVE Preston to the eye Doctor and he is in need of some glasses. Now I know that there are worse things in life but I know first hand how it feels to be made fun of by your peers. I got glasses when I was in the fourth grade and was teased relentlessly. I really think that this had an impact on my self concept for many years. I worry about Preston because he is by far my most sensitive kid. Josh and I have been talking to Preston a lot about what to do if he gets teased at school and he seems to be OK with it but until you have had it happen to you, you have no idea what it feels like. I know that I am more than likely having a little of my own anxiety but I HATE it. I guess we will just have to wait and see how things go in a week. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we have loved, encouraged, and taught Preston enough that this won't be to big of a deal for him. I'll keep you updated!!!

EASTER

EASTER CELEBRATIONS!!!

Our Easter celebrations always last for two days.

The first being with the Brown side of the family and the next with the Jarvis's. So Saturday we went to Grandma Springville's house and had a yummy lunch and played games. Grandma ALWAYS has bags of treats for everyone.

We played a couple of relays with eggs. This is McKena's way of making it back and forth. Josh gave her two spoons and put the egg in the middle of them. Tricky!!! She thought she was pretty cool being the fastest!
Easter morning the kids founds their baskets filled to the top and the carrots they left for the Easter bunny gone! They each got a summer outfit, lots of little prizes, and a few of their favorite treats.
After church the Jarvis's came to our house for an egg hunt and dinner. We had ham, funeral potatoes, salads, and a yummy strawberry dessert. Grandma and Grandpa gave each of the kids these twirly things. They were a huge hit.
Then the camera died! So even though my pregnancy brain forgot to take a picture of the kids in their new Easter stuff and the lack of pictures the kids really did have a great time. Thanks to all the family that brought stuff to help out for dinner. You all are the best!

What?

ROASTED AT ENRICHMENT!!!

So I have been wondering if I am being overly sensetive because of the LARGE amount of hormones raging in my body or what but I keep thinking about an experience I had at Enrichment meeting on Tuesday night. So I thought I would see what you think.

This night we were suppose to bring a wedding photo with us to be used in a guessing game. The lady in charge pickes one of the pages in my album and displayes it with the others. Everyone recieves their papers to make thier guesses. Then when the evening was almost done the Young Womens president gets up to announce the next thing and says, " I was looking at the wedding photos and the lady next to me looked at Brother and Sister Browns photo and sayes you can tell by the look in their eyes that they really love each other but when I see them at church on Sunday they totally don't look like that anymore." Then the whole cultural hall burst out in laughter. If you have ever attended Enrichment you know that all the sisters in the ward are invited and this piticular night so were all girls 8 and up as well as the stake president,

Now I think I have a pretty good sence of humor. I have no problem laughing at myself and things don't usually bother me but for some reason I was totally embarrassed! For someone like me who dosen't embarass easly I found myself in unfimular territory. I could feel my face going red and I didn't know what to do so I just started laughing with everyone else. Then thank heavens she moved on and a few minutes later my cell phone rings and I take it into the hall to answer.

Now I don't know if it is my own incuritites rearing thier ugly head or if I am just a big fat walking hormone but it kind of bothered me. So anyway let me know what you think. Josh thinks we should make out during sacarament meeting so poeple have something intresting to talk about:O) Thats my man!!

LEPERCHAUN TRAP

ST.
PATTY'S
DAY PROJECT!!

Sorry the photos are not that great but this is what my sweet kids have been working on for the past couple of days. This is the trap that they set for the "lucky leprechaun " they were hoping would stop by. Abbie wrote this cute note on the outside with instructions in case he didn't know how to get in.













Then they all worked together to decorate this lovely house. On the right is the couch, top left is the bed and pillow made out of toilet paper, and the bottom right is the chair with a cracker on the arm. They even left a paper and marker on the couch in case he wanted to leave a note. Lucky for them a Leprechaun did come and left a very nice thank you note for inviting him to stay at such a nice place. The kids thought that was pretty awesome!!!

DATE NIGHT!

FRIDAY NIGHT!!!

We do date with our kids once a week. Usually on a weekend and we try to let the kids have a say in what we do. This past friday night Josh was at school so the kids and I decided that we would go and rent a movie, get dinner, a treat, and make a big bed in the familyroom. The kids chose Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium ( thanks for the review Jamie!) Then off to McDonalds for kids meals with the all important suprise. Preston's was suppose to be something for a boy but he ended up with a crown but was a good sport about it. On the way to McDonald's Abbie said "Thanks mom for letting us get a movie and dinner." To which McKena replied "Thank you for shopping at Walmart!" I don't know go figure. The kids had a great time. Loved the movie and the big shamrock cookies for dessert. Fun was had by all!

A big fat SORRY to my friends and family that check my blog regularly. I haven't been able to find the time to post this past week. We have had some pretty serious family issues on the Jarvis side and so I have been busy just being part of a family. Which I must say it is truly a blessing. I am grateful that our Father in Heaven saw fit to send us here with people who unconditionally love us no matter what. It was really remarkable that when one of us needs our family no matter the time or circumstance ALL 6 of us show up. It's really a comfort to know that when your life seems to fall apart we will be there for each other. No matter what is going on in our own lives. We are connected. During this time I found myself contemplating a few things and wanted to share a few of my thoughts.

First is that we all play a very intricate part in this life. I think that this is why it is so important to be in tune with the spirit so that we can be instruments in the hands of God to help others. You never know the impact that you have made in someones life just by being there.

I also learned that some of us need to evaluate our expectations. I have found that in my own life I have a tendency to place all these expectations upon myself that I feel I need to live up to. As a stay at home mom you need to have a perfectly clean home, spend more time in the classroom, be the most patient and loving mother EVER, be perfect member of the church, perfect in our callings, serving others, be a size 6 with fantastic hair. No matter how hard we try we are not going to be perfect. We need to give ourselves a break.

There is always someone worse off than yourself. I have found myself at times feeling sorry for myself for whatever reason. I think if we really knew what was going on in other peoples lives we would realize that our lives are not as bad as they could be. Next time I start feeling sorry for myself I am going to find something I can do for someone else.

Life is a gift that is to be cherished. If we give ourselves the opportunity we can learn some amazing lessons that can change our lives for the better. We than have the great blessing of being able to share that with someone else.

To my sister I wish you the best on the road to self discovery and healing. I love you!!!

HURRAY!!!

I am so excited, my mans coming home!!!

Josh was asked by VA Headquarters to come to Washington DC to help write the policy and procedures for a new program they would like to implement into the VA system. This was a great opportunity for Josh and quite an honor for them to call and ask for him specifically. They put him up in an apartment in Arlington Virginia for the week and then he just hops onto the train and it takes him to downtown Washington DC. He says he has seen lots of amazing things while he's been there. Josh is a history buff so this is right up his ally. He has been running everyday around the Arlington cemetery and then takes a minute at the tomb for the Unknown Soldier. I am so glad that he got to go an experience this but I have totally missed him. The kids have been really good Preston has helped out a ton, Abbie has saved a piece of her b-day cake for him and Mckena has been sleeping on his pillow (so she won't forget him!!) Can't wait for Daddy to come home!!!

P.S. Thanks Kati for inviting Josh to come up for dinner. He said he had a great time. Your the best!!!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABBIE!!!!

THE BIG #7 FOR OUR SWEET ABBIE!!!

Abbie is such a sweet girl and we wish her the best birthday ever!

Here is our list of our 7 favorite things about Abbie

1- I love her zest for life!

2- I love that she is so thoughtful of others and their feelings.

3- I love that she tries her best at everything and doesn't quit even if it's hard.

4- I love that she is willing to try anything!

5- I love her creativity and how she chooses to express herself.

6- I love her little notes that she leaves for the family.

7- I love that she is so brave about her disease and doesn't let it define who she is!
WE LOVE YOU ABBIE!!!

Abbie, Preston, McKena, Aleya, and Sarah at the bowling alley on Monday for a little bowling fun !