Skunks

Mom: George, do you like your new school?

George: Kinda.

Mom: Well, do you like it or not?

George: I think...

Mom: Okay, well what don't you like?

George: Skunks, 'cause they're stinky

Mom: Did they have skunks at your school?!

George: No, I just want to tell you what I don't like and I don't like skunks 'cause they're stinky.

Payson

Two weeks ago we moved to Payson, Utah. We love it here! We have a really tight knit ward. They read our names in the first Sacrament meeting we attended and asked us what the baby's name was over the pulpit and we yelled it from the pews. It was awesome. The day we pulled up with a moving van, six men and their wives stopped by to help unload. That night, dinner was brought to us. The next day, and for the next several days, we received visitors with treats and good long chats. We have only been here for a short time but we have already had so much service rendered. One family watched all three of our boys so Glen and I could go see Les Miserables (you know, that 3-hour + musical production?). Such amazing people here. And the weather can't be beat! We have spent everyday outside doing something. Unfortunately, I started back at work today so I'm stuck inside and the boys won't really stay outside without me. I wish they would.

From our garden!

Henry Allen

My little Henry Allen was forced into this world on July 23rd. He was due to arrive on July 18th. I waited patiently until the 16th. I tried to not think about a due date this time around. "He'll be here by the end of July." That's what I told people who asked when he was due. But I couldn't get the 16th out of my mind. That day came and went as did the following several days. I had many episodes of false labor. One sent me to triage since it was caused by an infection. That was the worst pain ever considering I knew I would not be getting a baby out of those contractions. I was getting incredibly impatient. I tried everything. I ate a whole pineapple, I walked and walked with my mom until I couldn't move any more, I ate spicy foods, I hung out with Glen a lot, and I was getting contractions all the time. However, I was not progressing really at all when I saw my doctor on July 21st and she said we would do an "outpatient induction" the next day. I was told this meant I would be given gel to start the induction and then sent home. I had Glen come with me to the hospital because he had nothing better to do but I thought I would be there an hour tops. I told my boss I would be right back....

July 22nd, on my way to the hospital

I got to the hospital and they put me in a room and told me to get undressed. I had not brought anything but my husband and my phone. As everything was being explained to me, I soon realized I would be there for at least 12 hours. They had planned to do 3 rounds of the gel and each round took four hours. Oops. I wouldn't be going back to work that day. After the second round, my contractions were really close and at about a 7 on the pain scale. The nurse didn't want to give me another round because the contractions were already on top of each other. I did my best to cope with the pain. I walked and bounced and mostly just kept moving. Eventually the contractions slowed and the word "pitocin" was said and I relented and asked for the anesthesiologist to get ready. Pitocin and I were acquainted with each other and I knew I would need an epidural to cope with it. I was grateful for the nurses and the anesthesiologist who were on my side and told me I could do it without the pain meds but I am also grateful there is such a thing as an epidural these days.

Once I was given the epidural, my body relaxed and the contractions started to get closer. At about 5:15 am on July 23rd it was time to push. I had to wait because my doctor was not there but after two pushes, little Henry was here. He was 9 lbs 1 oz and had a head full of hair.

He looks just like Ollie. I often call him Ollie on accident... He is a sweet boy and an easy baby like the other two. He is still waking a few times a night but it's all part of the job description. I love my boys!

It's 2014!

So many things are going on right now. I don't know what we will be doing or where we will be living in the next six months. We had a set plan to move to Utah by June of this year. I had my heart set on it. I planned our life. I looked at houses. This is what I do when someone puts an idea into my head. However, another opportunity has arisen and we may be staying here for at least another 3 years. Now that this is an option, I have my heart set on it.... I just can't imagine taking my little boys from their grandma. They love her so and I know they will not see her as much and may even forget how much they love her. But it's all really up in the air. We still have to figure some things out for the option of staying here. It may not even really be an option. But either way, we will be happy! I love this family so much. I have an awesome husband and some really cute, nice kids. We have hard times just like anyone else but we overall have things pretty good. I'm excited to see where we will be this summer!

Dreams

Check this one off my bucket list!

The Adventures of Superboy and His Trusty Sidekick, Superbaby!

Most of the time he is known as not-so-mild-mannered toddler George, but when the neighborhood is in need, he transforms himself into.... SUPERBOY!

 Always safety conscious, he wears his helmet whenever he rides his speedy trike as his cape flaps in the wind. 

Foreseeing the tragedy of a curious cat stuck in the garbage can, Superboy closes the lid of each open can he passes. This makes for a very long walk.

He is sure to interrogate EVERY suspicious branch he comes across. This is not an exaggeration.

 Despite his busy schedule, he always stops to point out the beautiful flowers EVERY flower. 

 Litter? Not on Superboy's watch! 

 Don't forget to close the lid!

Able to spin an over-sized mommy in a single push!

Bike stuck in the sand? Superboy will spin the wheels for you and throw sand every which way!

Have an ant hill in front of your house? No worries! Superboy will stop to inspect that as well! 

 His "kryptonite": playground bark in his supershoes

And now we learn about Superbaby, the trusty sidekick.

Able to smile immediately when a camera is turned on within a 20 ft radius

 Seriously...

His "kryptonite": playground bark on his hands...

 Which is quickly remedied by his mommy's kiss

What's What

Live continues on. General Conference was this past weekend. I was definitely inspired to be better. I want to be a more nurturing mom. I feel like I'm so rough all the time. I want to be one of the women they described so beautifully in Conference. I want to doubt my doubts before I doubt my faith. What an awesome quote by President Uchtdorf!

It's October and it's still pretty hot around these parts. But it's beautiful in the early mornings. In fact, I'm shivering as I type this with my back door open to let the cool air in. I don't know if I will ever survive another Utah winter after being spoiled here. But there is nothing like a Utah summer. So perfect!

Speaking of Utah, our family is currently at a crossroads. Glen has the option of going to school to work on getting a doctorate or getting a teaching job with his masters and living our days out in Utah close to his family and a chunk of my family. The second option is way more comfortable. We would have everything we need. The first option seems more like what Glen has always wanted. I want him to do what he dreams of doing. I am happy to live in a tiny apartment with my kids for a few years while he gets his degree. I would follow him anywhere. That sentence just reminded me of a conversation I had with my best friend in high school. I said, "I never want to be one of those girls that just follows a man everywhere. I want to go to *enter prestigious university here*." Oh, how I have changed. I would do anything for my little family. I am so glad I was able to finish my degree at BYU though. I definitely wouldn't have had Glen not pushed me to do it. We don't seem to be receiving any kind of revelation on which option is best for our family. I think that is because both options are good options. But time is running short. Glen would have to start applying to schools next month which means he has to take the GRE now. I would love either option.

It feels like the right time to welcome another baby into our family but I'm afraid I always will feel that way. Luckily Glen is level-headed. I hope to be pregnant within the next year. I just love my boys so much and can't wait to add another!

Life surges ahead! I love this little life of mine and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Georgisms

So, we're driving to the grocery store and George says, "Mom, look at that man!" I, of course, am worried there is a man on the side of the road buck naked or something, so I say, "What man?!" He says, "Up in the clouds!" Sure enough there is a cloud that looks like someone flexing their muscles. He says, "See! He has a face and he's strong like me!"

Then he says, "What's that?" I couldn't turn and look to see what he was pointing at since I was driving so I just settled with, "I don't know." He said, "It's kinda like (his favorite phrase) a tower. Like the Eiffel Tower but it doesn't have one point, it has two." I realized he meant the transmission tower and I just laughed in surprise that he even knew what the Eiffel Tower was. Kids these days.

WHAT?!

Is it really September? Where did the summer go? My sweet Georgie started his second year of preschool already! I can't stand it. And he's so dang smart. I don't think I was that smart at his age. He just knows everything and picks up on everything. I have to be really careful about what I say around him. For example, this morning, we were talking about Oliver. Ollie was still asleep in his room and George had climbed into our bed.

He said: Brother was in your tummy and he grew bigger and bigger and bigger.

Me: Yep, that's right. Then he came out and we loved him and gave him lots of kisses.

George: Is there a baby in there?

Me: No, should we put one in there?

George: Yeah! But how?

Me: ....Um..... Daddy puts it in there....

George: How?

Me: Hmmm... This is more in-depth than I was hoping the conversation would go.

*Ollie cries from his room*

Me: Let's go get brother!

He doesn't settle for part of the truth. He wants the whole story. And he will remember everything I have said to that point so he will be asking follow-up questions next time the topic comes up.

Ollie is cute as a button. I can't get enough of that kid. Right now at this very moment he is walking around with our pool bag on his head walking into walls and other such obstacles. Everything he does is hilarious to me. He went in for a check-up but I have yet to post the stats. I am turning in to that mom. You know, the kind that has more than one kid...

Glen started his second and final year of his masters. If all goes well he will graduate in May. His professors say he would be the first they have seen to graduate in his program in two years. Which is funny because everyone else is single and has no children. But Glen is determined to get it done and takes as many credits each semester as they will allow.

Us in Vegas for my friend Bobbi's awesome wedding

I got a promotion at work. It's a lot more work for not a lot more money but I am happy to know I am valued and I really do love my job. I love that I can be home with  my funny, smart kids and watch them learn and grow.

George is a fish! He is such a good swimmer!

Utah!

About two weeks ago we had our ten year high school reunion in Springville, Utah. We knew we needed to make a summer Utah trip so we planned it around the reunion. We drove up on a Wednesday which meant I could go into work on Thursday and Friday and meet all of the new people in person. Then Friday night we dropped the boys off at my brother's house and went back to Springville High School. What a fun experience! Many things had changed but just as many had stayed the same. Granted, ten years is not very long but it only seemed like yesterday that we were students there. I loved my high school  experience. I didn't date or go to many boys' choice dances but I loved my friends and enjoyed almost all of my classes. We had a fun luau dinner without kids. Afterwards I was talked into a late movie with my sisters. I'm glad I went but boy was it hard to stay awake; even with Man of Steel's hot bod flashing across the screen. Then Saturday we had a picnic at a popular park in Mapleton where I used to live. Kids were invited to the picnic so our kids were able to play together.

This is my friend Ryan. He and I would have deep conversations about Spongebob Squarepants and his hilarious antics

We stayed at my father-in-law's house which we love to do since there is so much for George to do outside. He loves his Grandpa Hicks!

We like to pretend George is happily singing here but he is actually yelling "NO!" because he didn't want me to take his picture

Saturday after the picnic we loaded up the car with kids and Grandpa and drove up to Ogden to spend time with Aunts and cousins. George and Ollie love their cousins! We went to the Children's museum first which was having a free day sponsored by a city group so that was nice. 

Children's Tree House Museum

Then we headed over to Union Station to see the trains. George and Ollie loved them! 

George with cousins Melanie and Aaron

The whole gang, sans Glen who was taking the photo

We then had dinner at the Cracker Barrel which is a family favorite. We drove home on Sunday and left beautiful Utah for the scorching heat and unusual humidity of Arizona. 

Mexico 2013

Mexico was fabulous as always! Everyone always says Mexico is so scary but it really is not. You just have to know where to go and what to do. And being with someone who speaks the language or speaking the language yourself is a huge plus as well. We spent five days on the beach with a few of those hours spent on a boat deep sea fishing, snorkeling, eating the fish we caught in amazing tacos and trolling. That is always my favorite day. They take us to a place called the aquarium where the water is relatively shallow and it is protected from wind by mountains on almost all sides. It makes for amazing snorkeling. We always find really interesting creatures. We also came across a HUGE pod of dolphins that we went through a few times and watched them jump all around us. It was so cool! Then we saw a GINORMOUS whale and her calf. So awesome.

I only got sunburnt one day when I fell asleep under the shade and woke up in the sun. Whoops. I was all alone on the beach because my family was asleep, all of the men were on a fishing trip and the girls were out shopping. I always want to go fishing with the boys but usually they get a five person boat and already have it filled to capacity so this year I didn't even mention wanting to go. And I am not one for shopping. So, I laid on the beach by myself and fell asleep. I'm still dealing with the after affects.

George absolutely loved everything. He loved catching blue water crabs early in the morning and white ghost crabs in the evening. He loved fishing and swimming in the ocean. He loved playing on the beach with his cousins and he really loved swimming in the pool. George has been in swimming lessons and he has really taken to it. He can swim pretty far without taking a breath but he does know how to flip over and get one when he needs to. It's pretty amazing how quickly his teacher gets kids from crying in the water to swimming across the pool. This trip he started doing a half smile which is displayed above. It was very interesting to say the least...

Ollie took a while to enjoy himself on the beach. He had some sad experiences but by the last day he loved it. And the drives there and back were mostly uneventful and the kids were mostly well-behaved. I'm so sad we are home already. It really flew by. I can't wait for next time!