Raw Unedited Life

February has been busy with sick kids, doctors appointments, tests, finals prep, board prep, sick me, and getting ready for Disneyland. I haven't taken hardly any photos this month. This is about it really and truly and today is the last day of Feb. Even though it has been a long hard month, we can see our blessings and are growing as a family in all that we do. We have spent way too much time on electronics as you can see below. I'm hoping after Disneyland we can cut back A LOT and hopefully get TV and computer down to 1 hour a day! It will be a stretch, but the kids do better that way.

 Derek doing homework, and the kids are exploring technology aka Angry Birds.

 Kael and Eden have found a new hiding place. Usually I look back there and they are being so cute together. I think Kael accidently hit Eden's head right as I was taking the picture this time though... Oops.

 Now she's happy and Kael decided to be silly and climb over the couch. I don't think those couches are going to last another 6 years like I'm hoping to get us through residency... Someone somewhere say a prayer for them.

 Our count down to Disneyland. Kael has been asking since December when are we going to Disneyland. It has been hard to explain that, "No, don't go get your shoes and coat, we aren't leaving yet..." So, we made a calendar and a chain. I should have taken a before picture, but the kids have loved cutting the chain down each night, (more like once a week), and putting stickers on the chart every night. 

Only 3 more days, now to just get everyone feeling better and the house cleaned. So, to the doctor in 2 hours and toilet here I come...

Insert: 104.1 fever for Kael. Definitely going to the doctor soon. BLAH this cursed sickness! Also, could someone pray we are healthy before we leave for Disneyland. And, maybe for good weather, and no rain.
Thank you prayer people. We need it bad.

Happy Valentines Day / Derek Birthday / Sick Kids

So, to start out this crazy day, the kids slept a little bit for the first time in several days which ment I got to sleep in my bed for most of the night. It was amazing. Then, they slept in until 7:30! Say what?! Yes... When I got up I noticed this amazing heart shaped omlette waiting for me! What?! It has been such a good day compared to the last several. I just hope Derek's birthday is going as well as my Valentines Day, cause seriously right now I'm feeling pretty special.

Since both kids are sick I decided we needed to do a store run and get juice and popsicles.

I gave Kael and Eden a popsicle and asked Kael if he was feeling better. His reply, "No Mom, I'm SICK!", then Eden pipes in, "I'm sick too!". Yes, you are sick. Thus, the popsicles... Totally had to be there to enjoy this conversation, but seriously these two kids are super cute!

Now just waiting for Derek to get home from school and this day will be awesome.

Kael and Eden delivered Valentines to the kids in the primary. It was super cute. I love that they are both old enough to do this. They love giving other kids treats. They went from door to door and loved knocking and saying Happy Valentines Day. They are seriously awesome kids. I love living in our ward. It is perfect for the kids.

Hope everyone out there is enjoying their day as much as I am. Now I just need a nap today and life would be awesome.

Happy Valentines Day everyone and Happy Birthday Derek!

Kael and Eden's letters together

Dear Kael and Eden,

This month I'm combining your letters because I'm behind and let's face it, a slacker. Also, I'm extremely tired and worn out. You two keep me on my toes and teach me so much. Mostly you teach me patience which I don't think I will ever fully learn while I am living on this earth.

Kael, what a stinker you have been. You are transitioning so horribly I want to cry myself to sleep. Primary. Ya. Not loving it so much. Having to leave someone's house after a play date. I'm going to pull my hair out. I don't know if you just don't understand what is going on, you are super mad at me, or you really have some sort of disorder that is giving me grief... Literally, my mind feels like it is going to explode from how hard of a time you have going from one activity to another lately. The kicking and screaming and throwing yourself on the floor has got to stop. Maybe I'm doing a horrible job raising you? Maybe you are going through a phase. Whatever. I just know I'm going to work harder to help you out. We set up a rewards and punishment visual activity for you. So far it kind of helps. We bought a bunch of stones that decorate vases. You love shiney stuff and you think the stones are awesome. So, whenever you do something super sweet like share a toy with Eden, or pick up your toys, get dressed by yourself, go to the bathroom by yourself, eat your dinner, obey mom and dad, transition really well, you get a stone. Whenever you throw a tantrum we take away a stone. Let's just say in the beginning you lost a LOT of stones... You are getting better. I know we are going to kick this state bud, and I'm glad you are strong willed and determined because these will be great attributes when you are older. So, obey Mom and Dad, but you can stay determined ok.

I think we had a good streak going for us with you and Eden not being sick. I mean we have gone all winter so far without being sick, until this week. I think it is a good thing we forget how hard it is to be sick. We have been doing lots of cuddling you and I. Night time is the worst. I finally caved in last night after you were screaming your ear hurt so bad and I let you watch movies on the kindle at 1 am and then play the games with me around 5. We did get a little sleep, but not much. You are getting really good at games. I love it when you actually play something educational. You can count to 20 now almost. You get the teens confused sometimes, but I'm so impressed! You know your colors, shapes, and alphabet. You can write your name in a super crazy way. I will write one letter and then you will write it. You can trace your name great! You are so so so smart! You are creative. You love to pretend and fly airplanes. You love your train still. You are getting better at eating foods, but your favorite foods are still meats just like your Dad. You LOVE bacon and are always stealing mine. It is super cute.

I can't believe you are officially 3 1/2. You are 40 inches tall with your shoes off, which means Disneyland you are going on whatever ride your heart desires practically. You keep getting your shoes and coat whenever we bring up Disneyland and you think we should leave right then and there. You know it is going to be a long car ride too because you keep telling me, "long car ride to disneyland?, LET'S GO!". I can't wait to write about it next month.

You are an amazing kid even though I have melt downs about you all the time. I know you are an amazing kid and you are getting more and more amazing every day. I love you with all my heart and I can't wait to cuddle you on the couch again tonight if it comes to that. If not, please sleep in your bed tonight. Ok.
Love you bud.

Eden, each day you continue to show us what a princess you are. You have come to love your new princess blankets and we read your princess books. You keep telling me, "Eden a princess!". I love it. You really are. You have your stinker moments for sure. For instance you love playing in the bathroom now and unrolling the toilet paper. You also love dress up! It is super cute, but getting super annoying to have to put all your clothes away several times a day. You love watching signing time and sing quite beautifully with it. I love it when you sing. While Kael has been sick you have been in your own world. You play so  well by yourself, and pretend and take care of your dolls, you dress up, you read books, you play with blocks. You make my life easier for the most part. You don't cuddle me as much as you used to, but when I do, man I love it! I think you are finally almost done crying yourself to sleep again. Now, you cry until I bring you food and then you usually go right to sleep. Yup, you are still eating NON STOP. Your cute little belly sticks out so far. It is so silly. You love swimming in the bath. You love Kael. One of your sinker moments last night you decided your rice needed to be all over the couch, Kael let you have it! He kept yelling, "Mom, Eden is being a stinker, making messes!". Dad and I came in and you had your head in the couch and wouldn't look at us. You have a conscience my dear little girl. You felt so so so bad. You knew what you did was wrong and you didn't even want to look at us. You started crying hysterically you felt so bad. You are so sweet. It's ok that you threw rice everywhere. You sure learned your lesson. All I could do was hold you to calm you down.
You are so ready to go and meet Disney princesses. Especially Cinderella I think. You love saying her name. She is the main princess on your pillow case and you talk to her sometimes. It is super cute. You talk NON STOP. You are either eating something or talking to your stuffed animals or to yourself. You repeat everything you hear. You have been so good about obeying me when I ask you to do something. In fact, I'll be asking Kael to go get his shoes and he is just ignoring me, but then you come in the room and have his shoes for him. You are so sweet. I love that you obey and don't throw tantrums when we have to leave someone's house. In fact, I can ask you to walk home and you will. I know that someday the terrible 2's will hit, or the terrible 3's, but for now, holy moly, I love you girly! Oh, and stop pulling everything out of my purse right now k. Thanks.

I love you both so much! You bring so much joy into both Dad and my lives. Thank you for being who you are. You both are amazing children and I wouldn't want you to be anything other than you are. All the good and bad are 100% worth it.

Love You For Always,
Mom