Is He really growing up?

Austin is 5, he has been in preschool for the past 2 years. He has been so excited for this-his first day of Kindergarten-for waaaay tooo long. Last night, We sat down as a family and went through rules, expectations, new routine and he got his fathers blessing. My big boy was ready. We put him to bed last night, set his own alarm clock in his own room. He got up this morning on his own and came to wake me up.... We ate, got ready, read together and headed off on our walk to school. It was fun! just He and I. I dropped him off at room #304, Mrs. Weaver's class. As I go to leave Austin says, "mom, I thought you were gonna stay?" The same words I spoke to my mother as she dropped me off for my first day off kindergarten 27 years ago. Unprepared for Austin's response, I said "you're a big boy now, It will be so fun. I will see you after school." It honestly didn't hit me until I sat down to write it all down. My boy is growing up, he still holds my hand, still gives me kisses and still wants me around. The lump in my throat reminds me that one day these may be only memories and he will be "too big" for these things. I thought my freedom couldn't come any sooner...I thought all this extra time for my 2 other children would be so fantastic. To be honest, it is! I just can't push that lump in my throat down when I think of how from this day, he will become more and more independent and there will be less and less for me to do. This is what hurts my heart. I know, I'm being dramatic. But I am not sure I am ready for my kids to "grow up before my eyes"


I wonder what you're doing right now,
and if everyone's treating you kind.
I hope there is a special person,
a nice friend that you will find.

I wonder if your teacher knows,
just how special you are to me.
And if the brightness of your heart
is something special she can see.

I wonder if you are thinking about me,
and if you need a hug.
I already miss the sound of your voice
and how you give my leg a tug.

I wonder if you could possibly understand
how hard it is for me to let you grow.
On this day know that my heart breaks
for this is the first step in letting my
baby go.

Why I can't sleep,..

For the past week and a half I have been having Allergies and Asthma attacks. Without fail, I suffer from severe and acute asthma attacks EVERY time I am pregnant, I think I have become a germophobe, I don't know...I get paranoid if I step outdoors that the wind is going to blow something dusty and allergy filled into my sinuses, then if I.m indoors , I feel like I am going to breathe in some dust, from our ducts (that by the way I am convinced need cleaning) So Sleeping is not really an option for me. I'm 8 months pregnant and as hot as I could be!...But wait, I can't sleep with the windows open, and I can't sleep with the a/c on..both cause an attack! can I get a climate controlled capsule to sleep in? I went to the Asthma specialist today and got lots of different types of steroids to treat my Asthma attacks, luckily there were only a few side effects.

Possible side effects include:

* Sodium (salt) retention
* Fluid retention
* Weight gain/Obesity
* High blood pressure
* Elevated blood sugar
* Elevated blood fats
* Potassium loss
* Headache
* Muscle weakness
* Puffiness or moon face
* Growth of facial hair
* Bruising easily
* Thinning of skin
* Poor wound healing
* Cataracts
* Glaucoma
* Stomach ulcers
* Aseptic necrosis
* Irregular periods
* Rounding of upper back
* Growth retardation in children
* Increased appetite
* Insomnia


* Psychiatric issues (depression, mood swings, personality changes)


No big deal right? I mean who doesn't appreciate a little "rounding of the upper back" or weight gain, or "moon face (puffy face)" A friend who takes this steroid was told by her Doctor , "get used to gaining weight or get used to being hungry"
How about the facial hair, who doesnt love some of that? and the "mood swings, deppression, and personality changes"...I thought I had dodged that symptom of pregnancy this time around.
I suppose it's a small price to pay to have a beautiful, healthy normal baby girl! I am getting pretty excited and so are my 3 boys! I just hope I can come have my ducts cleaned this week to put an end to my paranoia!

There is sunshine in my soul today!

The reason for the title to this post is the gorgeous weather we have been having, It just makes me SO happy to be outside on my bike, at the park or just doing anything with the windows open, even doing Laundry is enjoyable! I feel like the sunshine has some sort of drug in it. It just makes me feel joyful and Grateful for this beautiful place Heavenly father has made for us! Well, Life is good..I feel like ALL I ever do is take great pictures of my kids and my family with the intention of documenting them. Well, I hope I will be better now that #3 is coming I feel a bit more of a need to keep up on our online Journal.

My Mother turned 60 yesterday! We love to celebrate at my house, My parents love nothing more than to have the grandchildren over and enjoy them. It was fun to watch my mom playing with the kids and teaching them "Colombian Bingo" and enjoying all the love from the kids, and from her kids. Happy Bday mama!


Does she look 60?!



For Valentines Day Jon and I went and had our date at the temple, I like that tradition since its a very commercial Holiday. Don't get me wrong, we still did the flowers and chocolates but I enjoyed being reminded of the best part of the holiday, our love ...(how do you like all that cheez!) OH, did I also Mention the Prime rib dinner that the temple cafeteria does on Friday and Saturday nights? You can't beat $13 for two!

Daddy's car got a "heart attack" from the kids. They cut out hearts and they wrote and drew cute stuff on them.



Daddy had to go out of town again so we packed a lunch before taking him to the airport and had a little picnic at the temple.



PBJ's, making wishes at the fountain

Hopping on the stones

Best buds...when they arent fighting

We went to Jon's Parent's house while he was outta town and had a sleepover. We watched Uncle Nathan and did fun stuff while waiting for Daddy to get back. When he got back he gave the boys haircuts! Thank Goodness, They were beginning to look like adorable little girls!


32 weeks, HOOP there it is!


The boys thought it was time already!


Reluctantly crouched

I think he was praying that the water would get warmer


Legos Galore!


Paints from Grandma!


After a good swim, Austin was helping Grandpa get dirty.


We walked to the duck pond with Uncle Nathan (he is in his wheelchair in the background) and despite the FREEZING breeze the boys didnt want to go back home! Notice they are the only ones wearing short sleeves and shorts and flip flops.


Ok, I definitely saved the best for last! The other night Jon left for basketball like he always does on Thursday nights. We got the kids ready for bed first and as soon as they were in bed I escaped to my bedroom and pretended to be asleep so they wouldnt give me their 101 excuses for why they are outta bed. they were being pretty loud and playful but I was so tired I thought..who cares as long as they aren't coming in my room. They will eventually fall asleep, right? WRONG! When I finally got up to tell them to GO TO BED--THIS is what I found!


2 Kids CRACKING up!
the sink clogged with TP!
a sink full of water!
and TP wads all over the ceiling, wall and Mirror!!
They are 2 and 5! where do boys learn this stuff???
I couldn't be mad because It was SO stinking cute! They Knew they were in trouble though. Needless to say-they did not get up again that night.

It's 4am, I can't sleep!! Ramblings of a pregnant Lady...

This is the little dress I made to match her bedding. it's soooo tiny!!!



I wish I was better at blogging but I have to say that I have been keeping pretty darn busy with the upcoming child to be born into this family and all things related. I'm 31 weeks now and I'm starting to really feel the pressure of what's about to come. I've truly been enjoying the time I have with my two little monsters. I guess "monster's" when they are together but real angel's when I have just one by himself! They are at the point where all they do is fight for ANY reason they can come up with! I guess that is part of exploring emotions, reactions and testing mom!! Thinking about adding another is SO exciting to us but definitely overwhelming at times. There is so much I want to get done before she comes and instead of DOING I find myself DAYDREAMING about HER! what will she be like? Will she be an Angel like the other two or will she be my Colicky baby that wont sleep or allow me to? Will she nurse as well as the others or will I give up early?? Or, will she be healthy? So many questions!! With my growing parasite (baby) taking over my tummy I can't help but lie in bed thinking about all these things EVERY time I get up to go to the bathroom. Which is often--here lately. On the up-side, I was S-I-C-K for the first 5 months of this pregnancy but since then I have not felt pregnant at all which I am really loving!! No pains, no heartburn..knock on wood.


Changing subjects, I'm sure you all either heard about or experienced the snow/ice madness that hit us this month here in North Texas. It might have been enough to drive someone nuts. school was cancelled a few times in the last couple of weeks and Jon was able to work from home... and Play :) so Instead of going nuts it was a total VACATION for me!! It was amazing having Jon home playing with the kids because can I tell you how much sewing I was able to do??? I can never so because the only time I would be able to is when the boys are in bed, if I don't sleep when they do ---I am a complete crank! So I was back and forth to the fabric store (driving 20 mph on ice) and finished the babys bedding, curtains and chair cover in one day. I LOVE it! I will post pics as soon as we are done painting the room and the crib. I was looking forward to playing in the snow but we lent out our snow gear the week before and to be honest, wasn't prepared to fall and have the baby early :/ It was pretty slick! so, Instead we went over to Coppell to visit the cousins. The kids were able to get all their energy out while I was kicking back chatting with my brother and his Wife...AND while Jon happened to be in SUNNY SAN DIEGO for work overlooking the ocean. one word...JEALOUS!




....I took these from my window.



Daddy playing legos and mommy being silly.

Update on Austin-Tayshus:
many of you know about Austin's sleep Apnea and His "moods" due to lack of sleep. Well, thank Heavens for Doctors. I asked my DR. what to do about his recent moodiness and she asked to see his tonsils??? Ummm, okaay. We went to the hospital a few weeks later to have a sleep study done and found out he was NOT sleeping. well no WONDER he was a basketcase EVERY DAY! Well GOD must love me because we figured out he needed his tonsils out and he is sleeping 12 to 14 hr nights!!! So Grateful that our Dr's are Lds. I love knowing that our little guy was in the hands of someone who had access to the Holy Ghost in the operating room. Recovery was awesome (nothing like mine) It's a lot easier for kids--he was actually SO excited to get them out. So now, the issue is just getting past the 5 yr old "attitude" taking the tonsils out doesn't take away ALL the drama ..just enough to make my life a little easier.





(2 pics above are before, the pic below is CLEARLY the after!!!)


Congratulations if you finished reading my 4am ramblings. I think I'm tired again. Better go back to bed before I head to the kitchen for some brownies.

Thanksgiving, Christmas and Austin's Bday ski trip!!

I am just overwhelmed with life right now to stop and blog but here I am Squeezing it in before bedtime. I probably should get some zzzz's but here's the update....


Thanksgiving was here at our new house and all the Granada's (my family) were here. We had a wonderful feast and a great time together.


Christmas Eve we went to Jons Parents' for dinner and the kids acted out Luke 2, we don't have pics for some reason...I guess we were having too much fun to take pics- oops! Then For Christmas Abuelo and Abuela came to stay over with Lauren to do Christmas morning with us and to watch the boys see what Santa brought. Mom made a real Colombian breakfast. Arepas! Unfortunately all we took was VIDEO :( no pics...sad.

Christmas day we hung out all day at the Wise home opened presents ate, and just sat around, It was so relaxing to just chill with the family. The cousins loved having time with their newest cousin baby Hyrum (Josh and Ash's baby) The boys got their time with Uncle Sean before his mission and Uncle Steevo before his trip back to Utah.

In the midst of it all Jon and I celebrated our 6th yr anniversary at dinner and Jon's soccer game. Romantic...I know. But I love watching him play soccer so it was pretty fun. 2 days later we were all packed up and ready for our Ski trip. Austin got to go skiing for his 5th birthday. He had been sooo excited for weeks. He loves the snow. We drove out until somewhere near Santa Rosa where I-40 was closed going either direction. We were stuck at some gas station with a few dozen other people for 5 hrs. they finally let us outta there at like 10pm, and they opened 40 up again and we safwely got to our hotel in Alba-Q. NM. we arrived in Provo at the Hornes on New yrs eve, showered and played games with them just like the good old days. My fondest memories of Provo all include the Horne's and family games at their dinner table.

Uncle Dave doing fireworks...

...the boys' reaction


So Handsome!


Monday night after skiing, relaxing in Pj's.


Horsing around with Uncle Steevo.


Puzzles with Erin Annie and Diana-Brandens Wife.


About to eat some bday breakfast at Magleby's fresh ..YUM!

Ethan on a walk with Aunt Michelle and her baby.



Ethan getting ready to freeze on the tubes.



Austin is a pro at this now.



Our little snow loving family.


This was all I was allowed to do at 6 months preg!


...so Annie came and kept me company :)


Happy 5th Bday Austin!!


Our Family


Steevo's teaching Hook em' horns!


Look at all those people that Love Austin!!



Being silly with Nikki


Grandma Horne and I


Time to get a tan...Steevo's darker than me!

Made Uncle Sean (Elder Wise)a pillow case and had all the cousins sign it.


The girls' reading bedtime stories to the boys.

Our last night in Utah was spent in SLC, at temple square on my old stomping ground then with some of our Favorite Friends (Brad and Kar and their little tiny baby Perry who happened to be asleep the ENTIRE time!) at Happy Sumo (our favorite sushi)..the boys loved it. We love UT and Miss our Family and Friends there but it's like we never left, the boys asked if they could stay in UT forever, hopefully we wont wait 2 1/2 yrs to go again this time!



Kar and I



the Boys Loving their Sushi.