Lifting Burdens

Check out this great new video from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is so great.
Lifting Burdens

I am also starting a new blog about the wonderful Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that I belong to.

I was reading in the October Ensign and they were giving some great tips on starting a LDS blog. I am doing it to relight my own testimony and to maybe create a place were people will feel comfortable talking about and learning about the church. Please feel free to visit it, leave comments and post your own testimonies. Click here to see it.

The Swine Flu and YOU!

Please tell me what is up with the swine flu. The president declaring it a national epidemic?? Is it safe to go anywhere. Will we all die???

I am a pretty laid back mom and I generally only take my kids to the Dr if they are really sick or if I know they have an infection that wont clear on it's own.

I do not give my kids flu shots and refuse to give them a swine flu vaccination. I am just wondering if all of you know more than I do (which, believe me, is EASY to do). Fill me in. If your family has had it or if you know someone who has...let me know. Just curious. Thanks.

Pumpkin Patchin' It

My goof-balls pickin' pumpkins. I just had to add the photo of Malia standing on the pumpkin. All she saw were big orange stepping stools.

Malia Singing a Song

Malia has an amazing talent at picking up songs really fast. If she hears someone singing a song she can repeat it word for word really quick. Here she is singing a Hannah Montana song that her and Kylee love.

The older and wiser I get...

...the more I realize I don't know anything. I will be 30 in 2 months. I have always been excited to turn 30 and I actually appreciate and welcome each birthday. I wouldn't go back to being 20 for a million bucks (okay, maybe a million). But, I have come to terms that I just don't know squat. So...here is what I do know:

-There will never be a morning that I like.
-I will come in contact daily with poop or pee or vomit.
-I will always have snot or slobber on my shirt.
-I will always do, at least once day, something I tell my kids not to do because it isn't polite, constructive or appropriate.
-I will always walk over piles of laundry to go out to the garage.
-I will always pretend I had no idea how many calories are in a bowl of ice cream.
-I know how to do 3 girls hair everyday.
-I know how to make dinner, do homework, keep a toddler entertained and keep the living room picked up all at the same time.
-I know how to read Hop on Pop, and all the other Dr. Sues books in funny voices.
-I know that I never do enough for my friends.
-I know that I will always go to sleep with a list of things I didn't do and must do tomorrow.

Most importantly I do know that I will always be called "Mother" and "Wife" and "Friend". With all of these great responsibilities comes a whole to do each day, but I wouldn't choose to do anything different. Just look at the above list. I wouldn't know anything if It wasn't for my family and people that I care about!

Argggg

The sight I adore on a basketball floor, is a volleyball net from door to door!

Arrggg. Just let me whine for a minute. I am on a city volleyball league and I LIVE for these games. Every Wednesday it is all I can think about. I am like a kid at Christmas each time. I get literal butterflies in my stomach from the anticipation. (come on, say it. Dork.) I love everything there is about volleyball and it is the one place in my life that I get really aggressive, sometimes mean (no way) and very, very competitive. You just don't mess with my volleyball.

Well tonight I drove all the way to Layton (really only 30 minutes away) at 9:30 at night (way past my bed time) and get warmed up with my team (I am the oldest one there...to them I am an old lady with a million kids) JUST to find out that the other team had to forfeit. I was so mad. "Why?" You might ask, "were you mad...it's just a game." Well. I just am. I just want to hit something round and white really hard and I didn't get to tonight. Wahhh.

Okay...pity party over.

"How Much Trouble?" You Ask,

How much trouble can one little 2 year old (almost) get into with a few minutes of not being supervised? Plenty.

I was in the bathroom with Baily, and we were washing her hands to get all the paint off. Baily had just painted a 4 year old masterpiece. While my sweet little innocent 2 year old was sitting quietly (quietly should have been my first clue) in her booster chair using her water colors.

Malia then comes to the bathroom to show us her new makeover using Baily's left over paint brushes. She was so proud of herself. I think it actually looks quite professional. She may have a make-up artist career ahead of her.

She went straight for the eyes, because amazingly she only had a little bit of paint (craft paint, not washable paint...will I ever learn???) on her sleeve.

The Ogden Nature Center

One of the fun things that we have been doing through the summer until now is going to volunteer at the Ogden Nature Center. We get to feed, and take care of some of the animals that are there. It is something that the kids love and makes them feel pretty cool. We use to go every week, but now that school started we just go every other Wednesday.

All of the animals there are in cages and have been injured somehow. The kids get to feed snakes, tarantula, owls, lizards, toads, a pelican and tortoises. Tyler's favorites are the snakes and the tarantula's. He loves to dangle a dead mouse in front of the snake until the snake strikes and bites it. He did not get that from me! I am in the corner of the room breaking out in cold sweats just watching him feed the snakes. Yuck!

He also loves the tarantulas. Here he is holding it today. They are actually very gentle creatures. Don't you love his face. (SIDE NOTE-The other set of hands you see is a trained professional. I promise I don't go around encouraging my kids to hold tarantulas!!!).
I have learned a lot about these animals and have faced some fears (snakes) doing it, so it has been good all around. Kylee's favorite thing is feeding the birds. She puts dead mice on their perch and also changes their newspaper and gives them fresh water.



Here's Malia peaking at the tortoise.

Just Because...They're Cute!

Here are some new pictures of my lovely little monkeys.

Tyler is teaching Malia how to play Mario Kart Wii. (ignore the green underlines on the word teaching...don't know what I did...don't know how to change it.)

Baily Ruth (4 1/2) It has been so fun to hang out with Baily more now that the kids are at school all day. We have a lot of fun.

We gave away one of our kittens, and as we expected Kylee had a very hard time. Her and Baily cried for hours. This picture is of Kylee right before we had to part with the cat. It took all of her will to smile. This cat, Cocoa was all of our favorites. He was a sweetheart. Kylee asked me tonight if her heart will ever heal! She is an animal lover to the core and gets very attached to our pets. You may think I am just a big sucker having all these animals (which I am) But she really does love animals and they add such a special dimension to her life.

I decided to get my hair chopped. I am just not a long haired kinda girl. I told the girl to cut it short enough that I could no longer put it into a ponytail. I love it and I feel like myself again.


Malia is a gum thief. She got into my purse the other day and ate a whole piece. Here she is getting caught. Does she look guilty or innocent?

I had a bad head ache on Sunday and so Kylee and Baily spoiled me. They massaged my feet and legs, and my sweet Kylee even cut two slices of cucumbers to put on my eyes. It was so cute, and I loved it. What sweet kids I have. The cucumbers were really refreshing...you should try it.

Tyler playing a game after church.

Malia Ann. She will be 2 next month!!! What???!

My girls. Kylee is always throwing peace signs. My little gangster=)

First Day of FALL

Fall is my favorite season and I am so glad it is here. Here are the reasons that I love Fall:

-I get to decorate my house if beautiful oranges, greens and reds!

-The weather is not too hot and not too cold

-I get to burn my yummy pumpkin spice candle

-Thanksgiving

-Malia turns 2

-Beautiful Fall leaves

-Green grass

I love this season and can't wait to get more of it. Go outside and enjoy FALL!

A New Baby and More of Baily's Infected Eye

Hip hip hooray! I have a new nephew! He is the cutest little guy ever! Tami was able to start into labor on her own (3 hours before she was scheduled to be induced) and she had Spencer Jay Higbee at 1 am on Wednesday morning( 9-9-09). She labored so well and we were all so impressed with how she tolerated the pain. I am so proud of my baby sis.

Spencer was 8 lbs. 1 oz. (pretty good for 12 days over due) and has the most adorable blond hair. It was such a privilege to be able to see him come into this world. I can't wait to get to know him!

Baily woke up Tuesday morning with her eye looking like this.

It was 10 times worse. I took her back to the doctor and they diagnosed her with orbital cellulitious, an infection that gets into the tissue around the eye. There is risk of it getting into the optical nerve or even into the brain. But heaven was looking down on us because it could have been a lot worse and she didn't have the usual pain and fevers with it.

The doctor gave us a stronger antibiotic...when I say strong I mean an $80 antibiotic...all I have to say is that better do some serious bacteria killing! Her eye looks sooooo much better, and she is going to be just fine. Thank goodness for prayer and medicine!

Labor Day Fun

The thing I love most about living where we do is the amazing mountains that are within walking distance to us. We started the morning off with a hike and had so much fun. The weather was great and we are all so content to be in the mountains. Even Baily strapped on a backpack (filled with one apple that she ate as soon as we started hiking). Here are some pictures of us having fun.

Good thing we did something fun in the morning cause the rest of the day was spent in the doctors office with Baily and her infected eye, and then driving around trying to find a pharmacy that was open. The doctor said it was some kind of allergy that got into her eye, that turned into an infection. Poor girl. It's her left eye. The picture doesn't show how red and swollen it is, but you get the idea. (Notice her cute hair cut! Kylee got hers cut short too.

Happy Labor Day!

The Good Lord Always Delivers

I have been thinking about this a lot lately because my sweet sister Tami is three days past her due date and has a commendable amount of patience. For those of you who have had a baby, you know how unbearably long those last days get when you are waiting and it seems that each day the baby doesn't come is a disappointment. I have been so anxious for my new nephew and have even had some sleepless nights in anticipation. I am sleeping with the phone right next to me and ready at a moments notice to head on down to Springville.

It has got me thinking about my own life, and how when I am in the midst of a trail it feels like time slows and that life will be miserable forever. I have often marveled at Heavenly Fathers plan for us and his process of refining us and making us stronger, more patient and humble.

But, the good news is, and we all know this...He always delivers us. He always allows those good days, His beautiful sunsets and the laughter of our children. He always provides a way for us to give birth to our baby and finally hold him for the first time.

The sun always rises, and brings with it new light.

A tall mountain may seem impossible to climb, but the view from the top immediately washes away the pain it took to get there.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Kylee (3rd grade) and Tyler (1st) headed back to school this morning. The morning went smooth and we made it to school without any major drama. For the past week Kylee has been dreading going back and Tyler has been really worried. James was able to give each of them a fathers blessing last night and they both seemed to be feeling better after that. It is just Baily, Malia and I at home!!! What am I going to do with my time!!! I am sure I will come up with something...
Sorry about the fuzzy pics...I had to use the video camera and it doesn't take very good ones.
`

Another Fun Race

I did a 4 mile race with some good friends on Saturday. This race was to honor 4 Utahan's who died last year on a humanitarian aid trip to Guatemala. It was a very touching event. The wife and kids of one of the guys who passed away was there, as well as the mother of another guy who died. The proceeds went to scholorship funds set up in their names. The race was so fun and we got to go out to breakfast after.

Stephanie Barlow, Wendy Harper, Jami Tolman, me and Tiffany Tuttle.

4 New Additions to the Hansen Family Zoo

Here are the 4 new additions to the family.

We got Daisy, a black lab, about a month ago. What can I say, I am a huge sucker when it comes to my animal-adoring kids. She is a sweet dog, but still a puppy. I may survive!

Then our cat, Autumn had 3 kittens last week. They are adorable. If only they would stay cute and small. My kids are in heaven. It hasn't been too bad, but ask me again tomorrow if I feel the same.

Our Much Needed, Fabulous Vacation!!!

We had the most wonderful vacation! It was sooooo needed for our little family. Sorry about the picture overload!

First we went to my grandparents cabin in Logan. We arrived Tuesday afternoon. We had the best time. I honestly don't remember a time that I felt so worry free and happy. We filled our days with walks, collecting sticks and rocks, wading and throwing rocks in the river, playing games, watching movies, taking naps =) eating good food and completely enjoying ourselves. The kids got along so well and the time passed much to swiftly.

We headed out on Thursday morning to Bear Lake. It was a beautiful day and the water was so warm and calm. We found the perfect spot and just ate lunch, swam and found lots of cool shells.

After some delicious famous raspberry shakes at the little city by the lake we made a longer than expected journey to Vernal, Utah to stay with James' parents for a few days. We didn't get there until late that night. So we got up on Friday and got ready for the day. Vernal is quite an amazing place. It is in the middle of nowhere, but it has the coolest rock mountains and formations all around. We had the chance to do some really fun things. James' dad is a geologist and works for the BLM and so that day he took us to the green river and taught us how to pan for gold. It was really cool to see how that was done. The kids enjoyed playing in the water too.

Then, that afternoon we went and saw some petroglyphs (if you know what petroglyphs are than you are smarter than me, cause I had to ask James...it is ancient Indian rock art). They were just down the road from James parents house. They were so amazing. After that we went to the park and played.

Saturday we went to the Dinosaur National Monument and were able to see some dinosaur fossils that were found there in the mountain walls. It was so fascinating. We were able to see some more cool hieroglyphs. We had such a good time, and would have stayed longer but it started raining.

Look close to see the lizard on the wall.

petroglyphs


One of the dinosaur fossils (at the bottom, there is a white arrow pointing to it.)

Grandma and Grandpa with the kids.

Here is a picture of the Hansen clan that we took at a reunion last month. James' oldest brother David is the only one not there.

We headed home Sunday afternoon. Home to laundry, sweeping, chores and reality.

All I have to say is "when is the next vacation!"

Hansen Family Update

We have had one crazy summer so far! We have been busy with family reunions and camp outs. Of course I didn't bring the camera to any of those events. We have had so much fun seeing family and spending time with the people that mean the most to us.

It's official as of next week: I will no longer be a crazy babysitting insane lady. I will be done with that chapter of my life. Can I get a "Whup whup!" Something that was once a blessing to our family financially has began to take a miserable toll on us all. I am so glad to have a wonderful husband who is willing to work more overtime to earn the money that we were making babysitting. He is amazing and values me and my sanity. He loves saying "Happy Wife, Happy Life." Ain't it true!

Part of the reason why I was not handling babysitting anymore is because James switched to a day shift and he is gone all day. Part of the reason why I was able to babysit was because he was there to help. But, he LOVES his new shift and is a happier man.

So we will try to enjoy this last month of summer and do all the fun things we have been putting off.

Here are some cute pictures of us at the park yesterday and also just some random cuteness.

My kids and Savannah and Ashton (our babysitting kids)

Our FAVORITE park in Huntsville, UT. The coolest park ever. This picture doesn't even to it justice.

Malia Ann

Mr. Tyler

Kylee Cutie

Baily and Savannah

I thought this was hilarious. This is how Tyler fell asleep one night. The kids get to watch movies in my room on Fridays and this is how I found Tyler that night. It's really fuzzy, but you get the gist of it.

I forgot to post the pictures of our 5K on the 4th of July. James and I ran it along with My sister-in-law RaeLynne, my niece Ariel, and my best bud Tiffany. It was way fun and we all had personal best times!

Here is James crossing the finish line.

This is scary

I usually try to steer clear of politics, but this is frightening! Please take the time to watch it.
I had no idea this is what Obama and his serpents were mixing into the Health Care Package...but we should have known.

http://www.citizenlink.org/videofeatures/A000010516.cfm

If this video disgusts you like it did me, please follow the link where you can contact your U.S. Representatives.

Happy in the Kitchen

My awesome sister Tara just started a blog called "Happy in the Kitchen" were she is going to share great, practical and healthy tips on cooking.

I don't know about you, but I dread dinner time each and every night and so I am so excited for her blog to get more ideas.

Tara is amazing and has a great message to share.

So check it out!

Love you sis!

http://happyinthekitchen-withtara.blogspot.com/