Happy Birthday Skyler!

Skyler turned 7 today. We are so excited and happy for him. He has anxciously been waiting for this day.

He was born on a Saturday afternoon during General Conference. I was induced on the 1st for two reasons: 1. my doctor was leaving for a trip and would not be here for his due date (April 5th), and 2. Jon thought it would be sooo... cool to have a child with an April fools birthday. (Men and their ideas of what is cool... the poor kid will forever dread his birthday in fear of what trick might be played on him). Skyler was born at 4:26pm and weighed 7'11oz , he was my smallest baby.

I must say that he wasn't my "my prettiest" baby. I know that sounds mean but he was born with very little hair, and the little he had was extremely fair. He had no eyebrows (that's because you couldn't see them) and his skin was white. We called him our "ghost baby". The years have blessed him with some cute freckles on his nose and the most amazing blue eyes. He is such a handsome boy.

Skyler's personality is one of tenderness and stubbornness. He is loveable, perhaps lacking a little towards his sisters (yuck, we don't like girls at this age). He is the other man in my life. He is smart, a good friend and loves to have fun. There is nothing more in life he enjoys than playing with his friends. This kid can play.

We are so grateful for him in our lifes. He is a blessing to us and we love him dearly. Happy Birthday big boy!

4 Things Tag

Okay, I've been tagged. So if you are reading this blog check to see if I tagged you.

4 Jobs I've Had:

• Seamstress at BYU laundry while going to school


• Assistant clothing designer for Sage Design


• Customer service at 1-800-Contacts


• Waitress at the Marquee and currently at McCrath's Fish house

4 TV Shows I Watch:

• American Idol


• Law and Order


• Men in Trees


• Extreme Make Over

4 Places I've Been:

• South Africa


• Australia


• Ecuador


• Cancun

4 People Who Email Me:

• My sister


• A good friend from South Africa


• My mother-in-law (only when she can't get a hold of me via phone)


• Lakeview Academy

4 Of My Favorite Foods:

• Fruit


• Bread (any starch)


• Salmon


• Key lime pie

4 Places I Would Rather be:

• In a hotel room by myself (Yes, I love having room service and a TV for myself, I can watch whatever I want and not be interrupted.)
• On the beach


• At a spa resort


• Hawaii or Cancun will do

4 Friends I Tag:

• Amy J (just in case you're bored)


• Marci


• Mandi


• Chelsea

4 Things I Look Forward To In 2008:

• Warmer weather


• No more carpool during the summer break


• Working in the yard


• Paying off our car

Easter Sunday

Easter was a nice day spent with Jon's family. The kids just love their grandma and grandpa. We are trying to treasure every holiday or any other day spent with them as they will be moving to Texas at the end of the year, where they will retire and spent their next fifty years in pure relaxation. At least we hope so.

Our Missionary

I wanted to dedicate a small section of my blog to my nephew Joshua Snyder. He recently left for his mission and will be serving in Tampa Florida. We are so proud of him and know that he will make a wonderful missionary. He has a wonderful quality of being able to light up a room and touch your heart with his warm smile.
How wonderful it is when you have family members your children can look up to. Joshua is the first of our extended family to serve a mission and has left a noticeable impression on each of our children. I love the gospel and the goodness that it instills in our lives.

So much fun!

Every year my sister's ward gets discounts tickets to Soldier Hollow where they go tubing. This is the second year we have tagged along for a little winter fun. Jon, Megan and Skyler went while I stayed home with the two younger ones (last year I thought I was going to come home with some missing toes and fingers - it is bitterly cold at 8pm). They had a blast and was able to spend time with two of their favorite cousins, Robyn and Joshua. Joshua will be leaving for his mission shortly which made the time spent together even more valuable.

Boys and their hair

For school-"wet & slick", no help accepted.

Skyler came home from school one day very sure that it was now time to start growing out his hair. I thought this to be a great opportunity for a little self expression. Nothing harmful I thought. I was okay with the idea of his hair growing an extra inch or so. Well a month passed and I was sure he was ready to get a hair cut. I suggested a trip to the barber but he was adamant that nobody touch his hair. After another month of enduring the long sideburns, I secretively started devising a plan to cut his hair while he was asleep. A hair cut was now becoming a necessity. But no, this kid was determined. He explained to me that his best friend at school was growing out his hair and that "Zac Efron"(for those of you who do not know who he is, he is the main character in High School Musical) was so cool with his surfer-dude hair. I could not believe my ears. What was happening to Skyler? Growing up? No way! My little, innocent, six year old was no longer any of these things. So when you see Skyler in the neighborhood or at church please don't think of him as neglected but understand that we are in the process of transforming him into "a cool dude".

It's already February!

Okay, can anyone tell me where the time has gone. Since my last blog I've missed four weeks of my life. Actually I haven't missed it, it just kind of came and left me behind. One of the things that has taken up time this month is the part time job I started. Yes, I'm working from home making survey phone calls. Exciting? I don't know. It has definitely added some additional stress to my life. I'm not sure if this job is for me, but everyone tells me it will work out and to give it three months. What does that mean? I've gone from wanting to quit to thinking I am a whimp for wanting to give up. The hardest part is trying to find uninterupted time. Definitely not the easiest thing for a mother of four kids. I guess I'll figure it out.
Apart from starting the new job "the sickness" has hit our home. I am going on week two with throw-up and diahrea (definitely the worst combination). Spencer has had a solid week of it and now it is Madison's turn. It definitely takes some major patience to keep up with all the neediness. Needless to say my emotional bank is depleted and my nerves are just a little shot from all the crying, whining etc. I'm sure you all know what I am talking about. In addition Jon got sick with laryngitis and hasn't been able to speak for the last five days. Crazy! (I kind of feel like a shaken soda can ready to explode, if that makes any sense).
With the endless loads of laundry and carpet cleaning I've fallen behind on all aspects of life and I find myself a little off course this month. So here I am already anticipating March, hoping for better weather and a healthier family.