Here is a bit of a spiritual post. A few weeks ago I was telling Justin that I never have the chance to accompany anyone in my ward and use my piano talents. When we moved in our ward, there was a woman named Julie who taught everyone piano and plays well and she was the go to person. I'm sure some people knew that I could play but they always thought of Julie first and asked her to accompany them.
Well, she moved a few weeks ago and I was wishing I would be the new go to person, but that just wouldn't happen because there is another woman who moved in our ward a while back named Tami who is even more incredible on the piano. She can play without music, without even looking and can make up stuff on the spot. Truly incredible! She even wrote the Children's Primary Program song last year, "I Know that my Savior Loves Me." She is our choir accompanist and just follows me even when I do something wrong. Well, of course she was asked to accompany everyone for our Relief Society Christmas program on December 1st.
Well, her daughter (who is not due until Christmas Day) went into labor and ended up having her baby 5-6 weeks early. Because of this, she was feeling a bit stressed with time and let the person in charge of the program (Kalee) know this. Kalee was trying to decide what to do when my name came into her head. She didn't listen right away and didn't call but then a few days later my name came back into her head and she decided to call. She asked me to play 5 songs and I agreed. She brought me the music on Saturday and I worked on the songs all afternoon and again on Sunday afternoon for a practice late Sunday afternoon. I told her how much I have wanted to help but have never been asked.
I know now that the Lord was very much aware of something I wanted to do, but didn't know how to go about doing. However, this is not without trial! 4 of the 5 songs are difficult at least in part and they are going to be a challenge to learn in just 10 days but I will do my best to learn them and make the program special.
Anyway, I am glad to know that the Lord is thinking about me and allowing me to share my talents to bring the spirit to others.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
The Lord is aware of Me.
Posted by Janelle at 10:38 AM 1 comments
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Our Family Update
This is one of those posts that will just help me document about my kids and what they like these days. Also a quick update on Justin and myself. Since I have all but quit journaling, my blog is in a way, my journal so here goes.
Timmy is still so much fun! He can have fabulous days where he's in a great mood and loves to help me clean and talks my ear off, and then he can have super whiny moody days where I just wish he were still napping. He LOVES math and I'm surprised by the things he knows already. For example, last night he asked me, "are there 10 2's in 20?" I told him yes and he said, "I thought so since there are 5 2's in 10." Justin has also taught him pi to 25 digits and he loves to do math problems. He can even do some multiplication and really really enjoys it. He also loves to play video games, is a big fan of Mario and still likes race cars. His latest pastime is to build domino runs and build with legos.
He also loves school and I was worried that he wouldn't want to go every day, but I was wrong, he goes every day without a problem. He has already been on field trips to 7-Eleven and the Zoo and loved them both. There is a boy in his class that picks on him a little and I must admit, that is one of the things that has worried me as a parent. I have always known that marrying a redheaded guy might mean freckled red headed children that seem to be picked on more than other kids. This boy Porter has said or done 3 different things now but Timmy doesn't seem too affected by it although he has told me about it. If it continues any more, I think I'll mention it to his teacher. He is also getting better at reading. He can read simple words now and we are slowly going through the baggy books sent home by the teacher. We are on Book 11 of the first set. He doesn't love to read yet and we only have success when he is in a good mood. He is also drawing pictures now, and I LOVE LOVE it!
Timmy is a great little boy and loves his brother sooooo much. Many times I need to save Mikey from all the love Timmy gives him but it's so cute. Timmy is definitely my little helper and I love him so much :)
Allison is all girl. She loves pink and purple and dressups and hair and dolls and frilly stuff. She is very opinionated though so sometimes I have to draw the line on what she can and can't get away with, especially concerning fashion. It's hard when I buy really cute clothes and can't get her to wear them.
She currently loves Angelina Ballerina, Strawberry Shortcake, Tinkerbell, Dora the Explorer, Hello Kitty and Ariel. She will not go to preschool (I signed her up to go once a week and she wouldn't even go once) but she can't wait to start Kindergarten like Timmy. She still loves summer clothes and she is currently wearing her swimming suit even though it's 36 degrees outside. She loves to follow Timmy's lead although occasionally she will have her own opinion.
She really likes me to read to her and her favorite books are the Pinkalicious books. They are really cute and since she loves pink, she really likes the books. I tried to sign her up for a 1 week dance class and she wouldn't go in at all, but I wonder how she would do if I tried again. She is really into dancing and I know she would love a dance class if she could get over her initial fear. She also loves baby Mikey and smothers him quite a bit, but she is also a big help finding binkies and playing with him when I need some help.
Mikey is still my adorable baby. He is now 7 1/2 months old and finally sitting up. Justin and I both feel he will not develop as quickly as the other kids. Timmy was crawling by 8 months and Allie by 7 1/2 months but I think Mikey won't crawl til at least 9 months which is still normal, just slower than my first 2 kids. He still will roll on his belly but can't roll back. He has occasionally rolled back over but gets frustrated when he gets stuck. He is eating baby food and loves mostly fruits and a few veggies. He also likes cheerios and baby puffs and bits and pieces of our food.
He is still the best tempered baby. He rarely cries hard unless something is really bothering him. He still naps so well, better than my other 2 kids. They were both 45 minute nappers until about 9 months but not Mikey. He will still nap 1-2 hours in the morning and afternoon and I love it. He is also a great sleeper. He goes to bed around 7 and wakes up at 6 for a bottle and then sleeps again until 7:30 or 8. Wow, could I be any more lucky? Now if only Timmy and Allie would sleep until 7 like they're supposed to instead of 6, uggh.
Justin is also doing well. He interviewed for NG in California and they made it sound like he had the job, and then pulled back and offered it to someone else. He didn't mind that he didn't get the job but he didn't like how they made him feel like he had it in the first place. Oh well, no move to California for us, yay! He also interviewed with L3 but they haven't ever confirmed that he has been hired so it's not very likely that he will get the job. They keep telling him he's in the running and to call back in a week or two. However, his current work knows that he's been searching a bit and they have offered him another job as a Nuclear Safety Manager and so he'll probably take it. He will learn new things as a program manager and get a raise but who knows how long it will last or if he'll really like this position. I say this because Northrop Grumman in Clearfield, UT is going to start fading out in the next year or two since their contract with the government is ending in Dec 2012. Who knows what will be in store for us next?
As for me, I'm doing well raising my kids. I really enjoy having 3 kids, it makes me feel so grown up. I can't believe I'm turning 32 in a week, I still feel like a young 20 something. I can honestly say I am at peace with being a mother. When I first had kids, I dreaded the baby stage having to do everything for them and it really was a struggle for me. Well, I guess I have gotten used to it or I just know it needs to be done because it doesn't really bother me anymore. I am a Mom and this is just what a Mom does. Taking care of a baby is okay and I don't envy those who don't have to do what I'm doing (well, at least not all the time, lol!) I am looking very forward to having all of my kids in an independent stage but that time will come and I will enjoy it when it does come.
Well, that's our family for now! We will keep moving forward, living the gospel and doing our best to be good family members, neighbors and friends to you all :)
Posted by Janelle at 9:10 AM 2 comments
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Fall Mikey!
My friend Jenni took some cute photos of Mikey to advertise her fall porch studio and they are adorable. See for yourself how cute my baby is!









Posted by Janelle at 10:43 AM 0 comments
Friday, October 7, 2011
What a week full of Illness!
This week has been full of sickness for our family. On Sunday night I had some strange stomach pains that made it hard to breathe and when I did breathe deeply, I had shooting pain into my shoulder. Combined with my neck, mid back and lower back pain, not to mention my right shoulder aching some, I finally went to the doctor. He did an X-ray and my back is fine, probably just stress of holding a baby and care seat so much. (I can't wait until he can sit up and move around some!)
The doctor gave me an anti-inflammatory and it is great and I feel a lot better! I have had back pain for 2 months now and it was really starting to get to me. We even bought a new bed, didn't love it and exchanged it for a much more expensive bed and still no relief. However, I think I am going to like it once this back pain is under control.
Then on Monday night Justin started feeling feverish and ended up being sick until Thursday. On Tuesday morning Timmy had a low fever and stayed home from school and just lay around all day. When Allie woke up from her nap on Tuesday afternoon she cried and cried and I knew she wasn't feeling well so I checked and she had a low fever too as well as a cough and cold. On Wed luckily both kids were feeling better but Justin was really bad so he stayed home from work and stayed wrapped up in blankets all day.
I ended up getting a massage on Wed at noon and that was great! I really need to get this back pain under control so this was another step. Then on Wednesday afternoon Mikey got a fever and started screaming inconsolably for long periods of time. Once we got meds in him he calmed down and I unfortunately started feeling body aches and yucky sore throat too. The baby's fever got up to 103.8 and was so hot and not breathing well that I took him to the doc at 10 PM Wed night. He was okay with his breathing although when he really screamed it dropped some. Since it was so early in his illness they couldn't say for sure what was wrong but if his fever lasted 5 days, come back.
On Thursday I went to the chiropractor for an adjustment and it was my chiropractor's brother and I like his treatments better but if I switch, they are in the same office and it could be awkward since I have been going to my chiro for 5 years now! Also on Thursday I had a feeling I had strep throat so I went to the doctor again and he gave me antibiotics since he believed I had it too even though the immediate strep test came back negative. I told him it was mild though since I hardly had any fever and didn't feel all that sick but he said the anti-inflammatory was probably taking away most of my symptoms like pain, swelling of tonsils and fever. So, I was pretty lucky! When I got home Justin realized his throat was crappy too and figures he probably has/had strep too so we are waiting on the doctor to see if he will just subscribe meds over the phone or make him go in today instead.
Sheesh! The baby still is feverish and really cranky when not on meds so all in all, we are improving slowly but I still wonder if Mikey has strep....hmmmm.
Also, my back is getting better slowly but surely. I am determined to have everyone better by Monday since Justin and I leave to NY for 6 days, woo hoo! I iced it a lot yesterday and he said to do some ice and heat today so I am doing everything I can including some stretches given to me by my sis-in-law, a physical therapist :)
Posted by Janelle at 9:37 AM 3 comments
Monday, September 12, 2011
The After Pictures
Well, I have finished cleaning. It took me 3 hours and was a pain but it was worth it to have a clean house again :) Here are the after pictures:
Posted by Janelle at 3:53 PM 2 comments
Never Ending Messes
Lately I have been feeling a little overwhelmed at the state of my home. If you know me well, you know that I tend to have a clean, tidy house and I like it that way. I guess having 3 kids and now with one in Kindergarten, I just can't seem to keep up on the daily messes and they are starting to flow into the next day and the next. I definitely need to get my kids in on cleaning more and they do help at least once a day, but it is done better and more quickly if I do it. I am too busy to clean all day long nor do I really want to.
One thing I am going to try and do today is go through some of the clutter and reduce it. I have several things in drawers that get pulled out by the kids that I never use and don't plan to for a long time, so I think they just have to go. Another thing is Allie's room. The girl pulls everything out every day and her room is a disaster most of the time. I think I need to take out most of her toys and put them in the play room downstairs and just keep a few favorites upstairs.
The basement is also turning into a disaster nearly every day. Whether its cousins or friends over to play, things just get turned upside down pretty quickly! I did go through and DI an entire garbage bag full of toys plus two other big toys and that helps a little.
I am eating my lunch as I write this and I've just put the baby down for a nap, I think it's time for operation Clean and Organize my house, even if it just lasts for today.
I went through my house and took some pictures. After I clean, I think I will take some more :)
Posted by Janelle at 1:00 PM 1 comments
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Anyone, anyone?
Won't someone leave a comment on my blog? I have not had a single comment on my posts since May. Let me feel the love :)
Posted by Janelle at 4:10 PM 7 comments
Monday, August 22, 2011
Timmy Starts School!
Timmy started today at Cook Elementary and we are so excited. He woke up and got ready, ate some eggos and then I gave my 2 younger kids to my neighbor and walked Tim to school, 1 mile away. We kept having little races and it was a fun walk with him!
He went in, met his teacher and she gave him a name tag and he went and picked up his name on the wall and put it under the yes column under a sign that said "I'm glad to be at school." Then we found his desk (his spot at a table for 6) and then found his bucket with his name that had his crayons, pencil, and papers with his name on it to trace and then practice writing. He sat down and started coloring and then I left him to enjoy his first day! He doesn't have school the rest of week except for testing on Friday morning and will start going full time next Monday.
I can't believe my baby boy is 5 and going to school, I have been looking forward to this day for a long time :)
Posted by Janelle at 1:25 PM 1 comments
Friday, August 12, 2011
Pictures of Mikey
I had some fun taking pictures of Mikey on Wednesday. He is 5 months on Sunday and we fed him his first oatmeal which he really liked for about 5 minutes. My kids begged me to feed him some real food since my neighbor brought over some leftover baby food she was no longer using so I finally gave in and fed him a little. I won't really start full swing until he is 6 months old since the tongue reflex is usually there pretty strong until then. I love my little guy :)
Posted by Janelle at 5:28 PM 0 comments




