I need a break...

This weekend Kipp was out of town so the kids and I held down the fort alone. I really missed him! Not just to help me take care of the kids, although that is a HUGE reason that I missed him, but I just missed him spending time with us as a family. I feel so blessed to have a husband who loves me and two healthy and adorable kids. The times that the 4 of us are together and having fun are the best times for me. It is nice to have time away to remind us of how great we have it.

When Kipp got home on Sunday night I was telling him how much we all really missed him. I am getting to go away next month for a girls weekend that I am really looking forward to. Kipp told me that if I had a hard time then he is going to die when he is alone with the kids for 3 days.

Being parents is a 24-7 job. It is nice to have a break once in a while. It helps us realize how great our life is.
Glad you're home baby.

Playing Dress Up

It's hard to believe that a year ago I was just getting used to having 2 kids. A year later I have no greater joy than watching my kids play and laugh together. My prayer is that they will be close forever.
Tanner's Mimi Spiker sent me a silly You Tube that made me cry like a baby about enjoying the ordinary days of being a parent. I really try to. On this day we were playing dress up. Peyton got this outfit as a hand me down from Halle and Tanner picked it out for her. I had to remind Tanner that even though he was a dragon he should not bit. It was just a simple, plain, wonderful, ordinary day.

Double Birthday

Several months ago I won a FREE birthday party at the Little Gym in SC. Peyton and Tanner's Birthday are 2 weeks apart so I decided to have a joint party. We were able to invite our family and some friends to play with us on Saturday.
Peyton loved rolling and running around. She is a great walker!!
There were 2 teachers who did a great job with all of the kids.
Halle Beth Smith and Haley Beth Templeton are about 6 months apart and they had a blast playing together.
The big kids.
All of the kids and parents had a great time. I kept looking around the room and feeling so blessed to have such wonderful friends. It is so nice to have friends that love our kids so much.
The babies...
Peyton B., Brody, Camryn, Karis, Peyton L., and Cyrus. Yes Peyton and I are matching!
Happy Birthday Peyton and Tanner.
Jafta made fast friends with Tanner's My Gym boys, Carson and Caden. (Happy Birthday to Caden TODAY!!) Love ya boy.
Kristen isn't doing anything in her life right now so she made cupcakes for the party. Thanks Kristen. They were perfect. We had a pot luck party where several of my friends and family brought things to the party. All I did was the favors. My mom brought ice cream and toppings, Grandma and Grandpa Lyons bought the pizzas, Jackie and Derek brought the soda, Uncle JJ brought the waters, Steph and Jon brought the fruit, and Andi and Dusty brought the veggies. THANKS FRIENDS. I will return the favor anytime.
My baby doll. Happy Birthday little princess.
After the party the grandparents came back to our house to open gifts. It was the perfect day. Tanner was bouncing off the walls. After we put the kids to bed we kept saying, why are we so tired?

Happy Birthday Princess Pey Pey

2-20 Was Peyton's Birthday!
I honestly can't put into words how much I love this little girl. I fell so blessed to have a little daughter. I love snuggling her and helping her walk. I love her little pony tail and the cute clothes that I dress her in. I love the way her laughs at Tanner when he is being silly. I think it's the best when she gets so excited that she bites. She is the best.
Aunt Jodie got this front pack when I had Tanner. It has helped me carry both of my kids many days. I love having Pey in here and snuggling her close.
What a happy girl.
She loves her daddy!
Grandma Lyons got her these glasses for Christmas. I am holding her hand so she won't take them off.
I love her blue eyes and big beautiful face. This has been a great year Peyton. I have loved getting to know this little girl and having her become a huge part of our family. Happy Birthday baby girl!!

The last 2 weeks have felt like a year.

If you are my friend on Facebook than you have seen these pictures, if not this is what my life has been like. Here is our new and improved family (missing the Howertons Northwest).
Saturday we all went to LAX to welcome Daddy Mark with his boy Kembert. What an amazing day! There are no words to thank our friends for all of the prayers and letters people had written our Mark and Kristen's account.
It is a wonderful ending and a wonderful beginning.
To see Kembert for the first time was so touching. I have seen pictures of this boy for years. I have prayed for him and wanted to have him here so bad. Kipp and I had talked to Tanner about him and Tan was so excited to meet him.
Waiting...
There were so many kids and friends at the airport. As the controlling mom that I am I mad my kids stay in their strollers as long as possible.
In the middle of these crazy weeks Kipp had a birthday! We went out with his parents and Kipp and I even had a date!
Happy Birthday baby! We went to dinner and a movie, just the 2 of us. I love this boy. Thirty-two looks good on you.
I had a police officer come to my school to talk to my students. They loved it! This is just 1/2 my class. She finished her presentation just as it started to rain. Perfect timing.
This girl is so close to walking!! She has 5 teeth and likes to point. Her birthday is a few weeks away and I can't believe she is almost 1. I love her more and more every day. She loves to play trains with Tanner and to play Little People. And by play, I mean eat. She can copy sounds that she hears. Right now she is saying ba-ba.
Seeing Kristen at the airport was such a blessing. I am so honored to have 3 amazing, Godly sister-in-laws. I was so scared for her when she was in Haiti during the earthquake. Hearing she was alright wasn't enough for me. I didn't believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. When I say her I was making the same noise I made when my kids were born. Moaning like a baby, crying and my heart was overflowing with joy!


While Kristen was gone we took India to Tanner's Gym class and she loved it. She was the only girl in the class. She is so different from Tanner. She is cautious and didn't want to fall or get hurt. Tanner is a bring-it-on kind of guy.

So I thought things had settled down. Saturday and Sunday I got sick. I was feeling better today so I went to work. Kipp went to work and Tanner and Peyton went to daycare. First Kipp called me because he had gotten sick at work and gone home. An hour later Tanner got sick and I had to leave work in the middle of the day to pick him up. If you want the stomach flu please stop by our house and say hi.

Waiting...Wanting...Finally he is here!

I am so happy to report that Kembert is in the US and he and Mark will be in LA today. I can't wait to see him. Tanner and I have been looking at pictures of him all morning. Tanner wants Kembert to come to our house to play. He is really excited and I don't think he really knows why. I just keep telling him that this is his new cousin and that is all he wants to know.

IN HIS ARMS http://yfrog.com/4esvljj0

A Long Week

Tuesday:
I was with Jafta, India, Tanner and Peyton at my mom's house when I found out that there had been an earthquake in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday. I talked to my friend Jen and she was telling me about it. I called Kipp and he said that he read on Facebook that Kristen was alright. Then I went on with my afternoon of hanging out with 4 little people that I love so much.

About an hour later we talked to Mark on the phone. He wanted the kids to stay at my parents house so he could go home and figure out what was happening. That night after dinner I took my kids home and put them to bed. That was when I got online and started watching the news. Kipp and I sat in our bed watching the news and tears just streamed down my face.

Wednesday:
I felt helpless. I brought pictures of Kristen, Karis and Keanan to school and asked my friends at work to pray for them. (Not my best teaching day). My parents brought Jafta and India by to have lunch with me at school. I felt like by loving Kristen's kids that I was loving her.

Thursday:
I took my kids up to Mark's house to play. A friend of Mark's helped me take all 4 kids to McDonalds for lunch and play time. We stayed there for 2 hours giving Mark a break at home. We took the kids back and I took India home with me. After naps we went to Tanner's My Gym class.
Circle Time Questions? What is your name and what is your favorite song?
Tanner-"My name is Tanner, my favorite song is ABCD."
India-"My name is India."
Tanner-:That's my girl."
India- "My favorite song is The Boys Are Back. Actually it's my brother's favorite song."
So cute. They had a great time playing together.
Home for baths and bedtime. I love combing and braiding India's long hair after bath. We put Tanner to sleep first. When I took India in his room to go to bed I asked her if she wanted a bear and she said that she wanted me to snuggle her. I did just that. I laid with her until she was asleep just rubbing her back and praying. She cried out at 4 and I just snuggled her again.

Friday:
Woke up and Kipp and I got 3 kids ready for the day and we were out of the house by 7:45. We dropped Kipp at work then we took India to preschool. Mark and I met up then dropped her in her class. That is when Mark told me that Kristen would be home TONIGHT! I have tried to have a happy face this week because I was with the kids so much. But after hearing that news I just held my brother and couldn't stop crying. I am so thankful that Kristen is coming home. She is such an amazing woman and such a great mother. I can't imange the reunion that will take place tonight. Thank you Jesus for bring this mother home. For bring this wife home to her husband.

As I read The Livesay's Haiti blog I am reminded of the prayer that needs to continue. This is far from over I know. Please keep praying.

Haiti

Hello friends. Th1ank you for your love for my family. Thank you for your prayers for Kristen. As many of you know Kristen and Karis are in Haiti and were there for the earthquake on Tuesday. I am not the best writer and right now my heart is just so sad. Please read Howertons OC and Howertons Northwest. My gifted sisters have expressed what is going on better than I could.

I am also praying for Mark. I know he just wants his family to be together and safe. I'm sure as a husband all you want to do is protect your family.

2009 You Were Good To Us

I feel like we blinked and this year has come and gone. I started the year very pregnant and having no idea how I would ever love another baby the way I love Tanner. On 2-20 we welcomed Peyton into our hearts and I realized that it is possible to be head over heals for both my kids.
I am happy to say that I am ending this year 60 lbs lighter than I started it. Chasing after 2 busy kids sure helped with that. It has been a great year and here are some highlights looking back.

January: An amazing trip to Clear Lake with our dear friends the Tompkins. Tanner moved into a new room with a big boy bed. I finished my church job at MVCC.

February: Welcoming our little girl and got used to being a family of 4.

March: Tanner turned 2. I loved my maternity leave and being a mommy of .

April: We welcomed Karis Jade Howerton into our family. Karis and Peyton are 2 months apart.
May: I went back to work a few days a week to finish out the school year.

June: Finished up the school year and moved classrooms. Kipp had knee surgery.

July: I felt like super mom taking 2 kids to the beach several time each week. We had a great summer.

August: Went to vistit my brother in Washington and had a great time. Peyton started to crawl.

September: My mom and I moved down to Kindergarten from 1st grade. It was a big adjustment. I am still sharing a contract so I am working 1/2 time and home with the kids the rest of the time.

October: Tanner was a dragon and Peyton was Piglet for Halloween.

November: Had Thanksgiving with all the Howertons-Michael and his fam were down for a week, and had Thanksgiving with The Lyons. We have so much to be thankful for.

December: We went on a winter vacation with our college friends to Flagstaff. My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Peyton got her two front teeth for Christmas. Now she has 4 teeth. She is pulling up on things and standing on her own. I feel like walking is just around the corner. We get to spend New Years with Kipp's sister, Kelle!

I am truly blown away by this life I get to live. I am so blessed to have close relationships with my nieces, nephews, brothers, sister-in-laws, parents and in-laws. I love spending time with my family. I am blessed to have a husband who loves me and his kids with all his heart. I love that I can work part time and spend so much quality time with my beautiful children. Tanner is a great big brother and as Peyton gets older I love watching them play and laugh together. Being a mom is what I have always wanted to be and I feel like it is better than I ever thought possible.

My hope for the new year is more of the same...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Polar Express

Polar Express with college friends.

I will never forget this day as long as I live. It may have been the most stressful drive I had even been on. We saw several cars that had slid off the road. We had a bit of bad luck with our chains and Kipp had to buy 2 sets. I was very scared when Kipp had to pull over on the snowy road to check the chains. I had visions of my brother's car accident where he was hit by a car while outside of his car on the freeway. I crawled in the back with my kids and was just telling that how much I loved them, meanwhile ever car that drove by my whole body clinched up.

The train ride was so much fun and the kids were full of delight. Looking at this picture you wouldn't know that there was a blizzard going on outside. Everyone wore their PJ's. Tanner sat with Haley and Lexi to hear the story of the Polar Express. Tan would stand up in his seat and yell at Carson, "Hi Buddy!"

Driving home that night we were the only 3 cars on the freeway. We found out later that night that they had closed that freeway. We almost made it home but our Jeep ended up not making it up the hill to the cabin. We ended up in a ditch with a snowplow pulling Kipp out. We got home about midnight that night and I was praising Jesus that we all made it home safe.

An unforgettable trip to say the least.

Winter Wonderland Vacation

We have been home for 3 days now and I am still tired. This was one of those vacations where you need a vacation after your vacation. Our friends Jaime and Ashley Wooldridge invited us to a cabin in Arizona. We were so excited to show Tanner the snow for the first time. We were there for almost a week and I took about a million pictures so I will blog about the first 1/2 of our trip now and the second 1/2 another time.
Kids in this photo:Sydney Tompkins, Carson Tompkins, Peyton, Kenadee Wooldridge, Tanner and Carlee Wooldridge.
We went with some of our college friends. At the end of our trip there were 8 adults and 9 kids. We were so happy that all of the kids got along so well. It was so cold that we tried to find things to do that were inside. One day we took a trip to the Flagstaff Mall. It was so fun to take time this busy holiday season and relax with our family and friends.
Peyton fell in love with Ashley. She has started to give hugs but they are really moe like head-butts. Kenadee loved playing with all of the babies too.
Here is Jaime and Ashley's youngest, Avaree. She is about 5 months older than Peyton.
This is before the snowfall of the year hit. On the first day Ash gave us a Ranger ride down to a park. We were all bundled up for the cold weather.
Jen and I didn't last very long outside in the cold with our little girls. I was really cold!
Carson and Tanner were really out numbered with all of the girls in the cabin. Even though these boys only see each other a few times a year they really do love each other. Earlier this year I was asking Tanner the names of people in our family and he told me that Carson was his brother! Too cute! They love to wrestle together. I think they might get that from their dads who were roommates all through college.
One day we went to an indoor pool and water park. I love this look on Carson's face. They were really excited.
Merry Christmas! More to come soon. It was an amazing trip and we are so blessed by these friends.

SYTYCD Favorites

So who is you favorite?? Now that we are down to the top 10 dancers we have all had time to pick a favorite. I think the boys are WAY stronger than the girls. All of the boys have star power.
So here are my top dancers:
1. LEGACY Love him!
2. Jakob ( I think he will win it all)
3. Russel
4. Ellenore

I was the most excited to meet Legacy. He was so nice and seemed appreciative of our praise. We talked to him for a while and he was so nice. Kipp and I told him how our son loves tries to dance like him and he seemed blown away by that. He looks so short of TV but as you can see he is taller than us. He gets my vote. Good luck Legs!