Birthdays, birthdays, birthdays and more!

We had three birthdays within the last month. Camri's is today and we are excited for ice cream cake a little later. I'll have to post her pictures another day. Hopefully it won't be a month.


Kylie celebrated her 15th birthday in April and Jory T. celebrated 13 two days ago. These two teenagers are keeping me busy and poor. Between scout camp, driver's education, birthday presents, girls' camp, and European tours next summer, I better start looking for a job. Here are a few high lights. Kylie was accepted to Washington's Ambassadors of music which will tour Europe next summer. Anyone need a babysitter? She's available!

Kylie was born at my Uncle Ross's house. I had a Dr. who delivered at home, but I was the night manager at a hotel and lived in the apartment above. I didn't want to deliver there, so I asked Ross and Phyllis if I could have the baby at there home in Victor, ID. They were so kind and opened there home to us. It was a long drawn out labor. 24 hours of wondering if I was really going to have a baby or just die. I was so tired, at one point I told Jory, "I'm pooped," which translates to being tired in our household. My mom replied, "It's okay, lots of women do that during labor. It's natural." I remember thinking I would laugh if I wasn't so tired and in so much pain. It was worth it. Without one stitch or tear, she came weighing 7lbs and was 20 inches long. She was beautiful. She had this spiky dark hair. She was perfect. At one point when she was scowling, my husband looked at her and said, "She looks like Jack Nicholson." I could have kicked him because when I looked at her again, she did look like him. Talk about ruining a moment.


Jory Taylor was also born at home as well. I had him at my mom's house with a midwife. He was 15 days over due. My sister Teri was also having a baby and due after me. Of course, she had her's and I cried. My mom said, "Let's go shopping and see what happens." We went to Idaho Falls and got groceries. I started a with a few irregular contractions. On the way home, we stopped by the hospital and saw Teri with her new baby girl. She was so cute! Happy birthday Haili! Anyway, on our way out the receptionist said, "False alarm huh? They're sending you home?" I just smiled and thought, "I could kick you!" By the time we got home, labor was steady. I went all through the night. By 5:30 everyone was awake, and I started pushing. I guess I was pretty loud because my dad said he couldn't stand it anymore and came to see if I was okay. Well, he saw a lot more than that. The baby was crowning and out he came. I remember looking at him and wondering what was wrong with him. Then it hit me. It was a boy! The first grandson on both sides. I named him Jory Taylor. Jory hubby didn't act too thrilled about naming the baby after him, but I insisted. He was 9lbs 1 oz and 21 1/2 inches long. He was so big and strong. My sister in law came a few days later and said she brought Jory a present. I was so offended. I had the baby. I should get a present. Then I realized she meant the baby. So we called him Taylor until Kindergarten when Taylor insisted on Jory because there were too many girl Taylors. It gets confusing at times, but he's Jory. I thought at one point we'd go to JT, but it never stuck.

Since we went to Idaho for spring break, Jory has asked for a dirt bike for his birthday. I said no! As we've discussed, I'm broke. However, a very nice man said Jory could borrow one of their bikes for a few years until he can buy his own. Then, my sister found him a snowboard for $8.00 at a yard sale. I figure, this kid must be praying pretty hard and having a lot of faith. Thanks again Nell!!!!

The following picture is what happens when you send your teenager outside to babysit the little brother. I didn't even know this happened until we downloaded the pictures the other day.

My husband finally built the bunk beds for Camri and Cody. Cody was lots of help. He used lots of screws; tested the strength of the beds as they were made; and just made the whole process a lot more fun. Cody also enjoys climbing on the counter tops. One day I found him playing in the water, so I took off his wet clothes and he decided a bath in the sink would be great.

Exciting Times

Today was an eventful day for this girl! She went from looking like this..........
To this..............
(That's a balloon ribbon in the pic. Sorry:) She has one gorgeous and expensive smile. Kylie's pretty happy she got them off one week before her 15th birthday.

Easter was fun at our house. We had to clean the church Sat. morning, so we decided to do our Easter egg hunt at the church. Kylie and Jory hid eggs. Camri, Dallin and Cody searched for eggs. Mom and Dad watched! Love having older kids!

After a wonderful Easter Sunday at church, it truly was a spiritual day, we got to decorate Easter eggs. We didn't have time Sat. with cleaning the church and the Eagle court of honor and baptism for friends.


Since Spring is here, everything is falling apart and needs to be fixed. Once again, I love having older children who are big enough to fix things, yet small enough to fit under the sink. Jory has fixed my sink and my sprinklers. I think I'll start giving him my lists instead of his dad. J/K
Finally, my husband decided he needed to clean the water heater while I was shopping with Camri for a baptism dress. (We found one, but are not sure when the date is). It was 50 degrees outside, but the water was warm.

Dallin's Birthday

Dallin turned 10 April 2. We had decided to go to Idaho for spring break. Since we were there, we went rollerskating in Pocatello. All my sisters and their families came, except Jeni who lives too far away like me. My sister-in-law LeAnn also came with her family. We had fun pushing strollers, playing laser tag, eating pizza and rollerskating. What a great time! I don't think he'll forget this birthday. I know I won't. No, the blow drier is not because he has asthma! J/K!!!! Ha, Ha! I thought that was a funny thing to have in the background with lit candles.

Some of the cousins for cake and ice cream after the skating.

Dallin skating away

Jory helping Camri. What a great brother!

Kylie pushing Cody. What a wonderful sister!

Now, about Dallin's birth. Dallin was due March 26th. By the last day of March, I was done. Then, my father-in-law called and asked if I was going to have an April Fool. I decided I could wait until April 2nd. That morning we called the doctor and he said he would start me. He was reluctant because my first two babies were born at home and he wanted it to be as natural as possible. Me? I just wanted the drugs and a baby. He also had a date with his wife, so he informed me I couldn't have the baby until midnight.

I only needed a cervix softener to start me. I started having contractions right away. I dialate slowly, so they wouldn't give me the epidural afraid I might quit all together. Finally late that evening, I made it to a point (I think a 4) and they said they could do it. Problem is, once I start, I don't stop. They decided to give me a quicker drug and as the drug Dr. was inserting into my back, I had the urge to push. She told me to wait and then asked if she could stay, because she never gets to be there for the fun part. I said, why not! I had a few nurses, an intern, my doctor and now her. I managed to wait until she was finished. I remember feeling the numbness move up one leg, across my body, and then down the other. I felt like a new woman and pushed with power.

A few minutes later, his head came. The cord was wrapped around his neck, so I stopped as the doctor tried to free him. It was so tight, it snapped out of the doctor's hand and slapped Dallin across the face. The Dr. finally got him free and out he came. He weighed 8 lbs, 10 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. He was also born at 11:51 p.m. The Dr. jokingly apologized and said I really didn't have to wait until after his date. The Dr. also said he thought he heard the babies collar bone break as he was born. Poor kid was a mess. His face was bruised from the cord and he already was hurt. I remember thinking he was a pretty funny looking thing, but he'd be the one with character. As the days went by, he became prettier and prettier. His color returned and the bruising faded. He was a good looking boy! (Just as a note, after having three babies in the hospital and two at home, babies born at home are better looking. Your not pumped with fluids that puff them up and they aren't rushed away to be cleaned. Their color returns quicker and they look better.)

(The first two pics are of him in the hospital, the third he's home and looking much better. Cody looked a lot like him. )

From the get go the allergies were a problem. He was so congested. We were using saline drops from the beginning. It wasn't until later when we had him allergy tested I realized the problem. The apartment had some mold in the windows and he tested positive for molds. Poor kid. He definitely is his father's son.

Sledding

My son Jory wanted to ditch us for the day and go to the Irish games with his friends. I wasn't sure if I should let him go, so I came up with a better solution. I had told him a few weeks ago I wanted to take the family sledding where the scouts went. Friday, when he asked to go with the friends, I said we were going sledding. Saturday morning we woke up, loaded the snow clothes and sleds, stopped by the church for Dallin's family scout picnic and then headed to the mountains. We went up past Walla Walla into the Blues. It was warm and I wondered if we would find snow (I didn't invite any families because of that little worry; no snow could be a problem). There was still snow and plenty of it. We were sweating and soaked after two hours of play. It was worth it, even with a $30 ticket for not having a snow park pass!

Dallin and Jory decided the first jump was too small and built a bigger one.

Kylie gave it a go.

I stuck with the small jump. No I didn't pop the tube when I landed. I did that later just going down the hill.

Cody didn't like sledding. He got dumped once by Camri and that was enough. He managed to last by watching and throwing snow.

While trying to load up to go home, Jory decided he'd had enough of the teenager attempt at stealing his candy bar. Instead of candy, Kylie got to taste a nice snow pile for her efforts. Later, Jory T. got his taste as well, but my camera was put away. At least I remembered it this time!

Is it Spring?

We went to the park yesterday to enjoy the warm sun. It was a beautiful day. Glad we took advantage of it, because today the sun is gone and the wind is back.

Yes, I helped this little monkey climb the big rock, but only half way. He wanted to go clear to the top. He might have made it if he wasn't wearing his boots.

Ski Trip

I finally remembered to have my sister email our ski trip pictures. She had to email pictures because I forgot my camera again. Thanks for the pictures Tiff.

When Jory and I went to Idaho to go snowmobiling, instead of snowmobiling the first day, I went night skiing with my sisters and their families. We took Camri for the first time and she scared a few years off my life. She could ski, but not stop. Her snow plow didn't have enough plow to slow her down. I about had two heart attacks watching her ski to the edge. At one point I was whacking her with my poles trying to slow her down. Tiffani got her skiing by putting her between her legs and skiing with her. I finally did that and it worked okay. By the end of the night, I said she was done. My wonderful brother-in-law Jonathon took her instead and taught her much better than I ever could. What a great guy. I've decided I will not go with her again unless my dad or husband come. We had a lot of fun, though. The boys really worked on their snowboarding and Kylie enjoyed racing Jonathon down the hill. I'm hoping there will be snow for spring break and we can go again. So far, sounds like there will be:)

Kylie

Having dinner

Camri's first time down the hill alone. Me behind, panicking.

Dallin

Jory

Personal Progress

This week as I prepared for another New Beginnings, I discovered that the General Young Women Presidency has invited mothers to participate in Personal Progress. Also, our Stake YW Presidency has invited leaders to be working on it as well. So, I have recommitted as a mother and yw president to do Personal Progress. Since this is my "journal" I will be using it for discussion (if your willing to comment) and my thoughts on the experiences I am working on.

My first experiences discusses the roles of mothers. In "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" it lists some roles of mothers. These roles include providing spiritual and physical needs, teaching love and service to others, be law abiding citizens and teach this to our children, and teach them to keep the commandments. It also explains a mother's role is to nurture her children.

Reading about this, I can't help but think of the story I shared in New Beginnings. When Kylie was little, I was trying to teach her how to swing. As I pushed her I would say things like, "Legs out, lean back. Now tuck your legs in and lean forward." She couldn't figure it out. One day I babysat a little girl a year older than Kylie and they went out to play. Before I knew it, Kylie learned how to swing by watching this little girl do it beside her.
As mothers, the best way to teach is to do. If we are an example of service and love, they will learn service and love. If we are abiding citizens, we teach them to abide the law. If we keep the commandments, they will learn to keep the commandments. If we work beside them, they will learn.

Today, as I came down with my scriptures and Personal Progress (we don't have church until 1p.m.) my kids asked what I was doing. I told them and explained they could do similar things. Kylie got out her personal progress and began working as well. Jory T. went upstairs and worked on his Duty to God, and the little kids kept the TV off (that's a big one at our house).
I hope I can continue this because not only will it teach my children, but I will continue to progress in the gospel. I think if we teach by example, it will open up lines of communication about gospel principles. It worked today at least:)

My next experience discusses womanhood. What do you think are the most important attributes of being a mother? The Family: A Proclamation to the World is very clear that being a woman is a divine calling and preordained. I really like that. I used to argue a lot about how unfair it was to be a girl. Now, I can see the important place a woman has in society and especially in the family. When I went back to college, Jory worried I would turn into a feminist. Instead, the classes I took reaffirmed the importance of my calling as a mother. Studies showed the best possible situation for children to grow was in a home with both a mother and father who carried out the different roles. It testified once again that Heavenly Father's plan is the right way, and we should strive to emulate our roles as women.