When I grow Up....

The kids learned a song from their Aunt Brandi in which they sing quite frequently. The words go " when I grow up, I want to be a Mother, and have a family, one little, two little, three little babies in my home....(later in the song)...and I will give them cookies and milk, and yellow balloons" One day Braelynn was singing the song and paused in the middle of it and says "Mom, your not a real mom because you never give up yellow balloons and cookies and milk."

SO, I had planned to do this for them for quite a while and decided to surprise them after school with a ton of yellow balloons and cookies and milk. It was fun. I have decided that I will have "YELLOW BALLOON DAY" at least once a year to remind them that I AM a real Mom!

It really was interesting to see how balloons really just made the kids happy- Jaron was the happiest :)

"MMMOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM"

Jackson is in a bed now- which means he can get up anytime he wants, well ok he did that in the crib too, but it's a more quiet process now. That is until I hear "MMMMOOOOOOMMMMMM" being yelled from downstairs at the top of his lungs. He gets the stool to turn on the light

And then waits here until I come feed him.

He's just a skater boy

My kids love that song by Avril Lavine. Anyway, Jaron has taken up skate boarding and is crazy nuts with it. He is already doing tricks and wants to have to gear. My kids dont really do the "I have to have" thing. It makes it nice when they really do show interest in something and take it so seriously! All day yesterday he wanted me to just come out on the lawn and watch his tricks. Aaron and I took the boys to the skate park in Louisville, they were so fun to watch. However we forgot Jarons helmet so he was not allowed to do any tricks. That didnt stop Jackson from trying to throw himself over the edge!

Oh BOY

The other day my oven went out- ummm yeah, very bad considering just how much I use it. I mean, literally I am baking every day. I would call a repair man but it would cost way too much since this is a kitchen aid- so Aaron has to try and fix it. He starts taking the whole thing apart as I start to hyperventilate. This is my baby, and its sitting in my kitchen all torn apart like this: and yes the black things on the side, ARE THE SIDE of my poor oven

And this is our new dog. Isabelle or IZZY as we call her. She is a 2 yr old shih tzu and we love her. I was NOT waning a dog and more so not an inside dog. A friend in my ward needed a place for her and felt prompted to ask us. She talked to Aaron first, which we all know he can't say no. The kids overheard and well, yadda yadda yadda- as soon as she brought her over I was hooked. She is darling and LOVES the kids. She loves me more because she is at my feet non stop. As I was considering this I asked he kids to pray about how what they feel the dog will add to our family. I knew I couldn't just ask them to pray if we should get the dog- not sure they understand the "thy will be done Lord" attitude yet. So I thought they should think about what she will add after telling them all the stress I thought it would add!

McKenna's was the one that got me. She said it will bring comfort to our home. I knew when I saw the dog that this is why it was right. The last year or so has been a rough one and I know the kids have felt some of that. I know that Izzy has brought them comfort lately. It's neat how the Lord looks after his little ones.

Jaron and I went to Heuber Farms for his field trip the other day and had a good time. I was in charge of five boys (heaven help me) and was put with another father to "chaperone". More like run around with our heads cut off.

Jarons teacher introduced us and we were on our way. As we were going on the tour, him chasing one half of the boys, me chasing the other- I kept hearing "Ann, Ann". I would ignore for that is not my name, right? Well, I heard it again and turned around to see Tom (the other chaperone) waving me down. Now I do have hearing loss so I thought to myself I must have heard him wrong. oops, so I responded . Well then he was much closer and again, "Ann, Ann?" Ok, now I knew that he was calling me the wrong name. So what do I say? "yes?"

Yeah, that's right, I responded to Ann THE WHOLE DAY. It was so funny because he would call me and I'd catch myself thinking, "oh yeah, that's me." So we finally get the kids on the bus and we shake hands wiping the sweat of our brow in relief we are FREE- and he says" so nice to meet you Ann" I just giggle to myself and responded the same.

Now WHY on earth could I not have corrected him in the beginning? I am seriously weird.

Jackson's new thing is to such his thumb while using his nostril as a pace holder for his finger. And this is all he wants to wear because its his cars Jammie's. But sometimes he has issues. And this is what can NEVER GET LOST- Thomas the train or "choo choo" is on daily at our house. Jackson is totally into trains it's so great. Alright, that's the latest. Oh, and I am on dairy and wheat free diet. I have been seeing a nutritionist for my eczema lately. It was getting worse and I was at my wits end. It has been hard to try and find the root of my issues but I think I am getting close. But dairy sets my eczema off like crazy. So I have been cooking different and its SOOOO hard to eat like this on a budget. But I have to - no choice so I have had to get creative. It's a good thing I can eat almost anything. Needless to say stress is the biggest factor in all this flare up but who knows when that will ever go away- ha, so until them I am back to yoga every day (dvd in my living room) and eating differently. I will try to put up recipes on the SAS blog when I can. It is more a vegetarian way of eating. But I like that.

Hello?

Yes I am alive- just trying to survive! I have not been blog hopping or anything for a while. If it weren't for my iphone facebook app- I'd be completely out of touch! But, I have to say a large part is the kids broke my camera and now that I have one back- I have reason to blog. Not that I couldnt just write my thoughts because I know you all just can't wait to hear the crazy things going on inside my head! haha I will share that the last year has been a huge growing experience and I have learned a LOT. I do however want to have a rest from this "growing"- because as you know that means trials. I am ready for a little resting period! McKenna is surviving middle school, Braelynn is just as spunky as ever and doing well in school. Jaron loves kindergarten and Jackson is loving mommy time, and I have gained 7lbs if stress. :) Here is jackson on one of the derby horses or as he calls it, the "heehee".

Happy Birthday Jackson !!

I can't believe it's been 2 Years already. I look at his baby pictures and just cry because of how it seems like just yesterday he was a baby. He has filled our home with more joy, laughter and fun than I could have possibly imagined. I have learned to enjoy the little moments because of Jackson. He has been so full of energy that I have HAD to stop and just laugh at whatever mess he has caused this time. The Hebrew meaning for Jack is God is gracious. And that HE is for allowing our Jack Jack to come to us. We are truly blessed to have him apart of our eternal family. He will forever be mine!

I fell off the face of the earth

Ok, so yep I have been completely wrapped up in my life and have not blogged in forever, So here is a long update! Maybe now I can come back to earth-

McKEnna pretty much babysat all summer, mostly for me. But she enjoyed watching baby Dane the most! I was able to go to the Temple regularly and get lots of things done without my crazy Jack Jack. She is the best babysitter.

The kids had so much fun playing this summer, cousins, friends, neighbors. What a blast. We had the Cotton reunion minus Bob and Christi :( this summer.

However, Life has still been the same with regards to Jackson is INSANE!!

He LOVES the bathtub and learned very quickly how to turn it on himself. I found him on a daily basis doing this. At least this time he had his pants off.

Jaron got creative one day and decided this will help keep the bubbles out of his eyes. Hilarious! Jackson is so funny when we get out of the car and I open the door to get him out. He will squint his eyes and say "ooh ooh" covering them because the sun in his eyes. It's totally dramatic. So I have to give him my sunglasses.

One of the reasons for the falling off the earth is Aaron has been working extreme hours and that means I am limited on breaks- however it has been nice to visit him downtown and play around Louisville, soaking up all the free things there are to do.

We like to visit the science center, this is us out front.

The water front park is a blast- sits right on the Ohio River, huge park and water for them to play in. Louisville slugger has fun things to do for free in there. We like to watch Aaron hit in the cages. The kids crack up that daddy can hit. They think he is too old to play.

The Boys get their turn in the cages. I couldn't get Jack out of there- he is a baseball freak. This was a car show right out the doors of Aaron's office, every time the real car show is in town these hippies have their own car show- opposite obviously of the real one, hence the sign below stating-'Please touch the car' It's awesome. They play nutty music and well, the cars as you can see are too funny. I was cracking up.

this one is brass horns This one is covered in pennies Covered in teeth

So at the start of summer the kids had a popcorn jar that was filled up every time I caught them being good. And I promised a back to school ice cream party if they filled the jar. So we had a PARTY! BraeLynn is our cookie queen.

Connor and Jaron playing it cool. Jackson went right for the M&M's

And shoveled them in as fast as he could "Cheese!" My BraeLynn grew up a lot this summer. She turned 9 in July. She is awesome! We had a girls night while Emily was in town! And...... Jack Jack was still inane. Here is threw the bag of animal crackers all over the floor. He also decided that the crib was no match for him anymore, and NEVER stayed in. I frequently found him up on the top bunk asleep because he wont jump down (yet) so he will just fall asleep up there. Soooooooo, I had to cage him in. Horrible picture but you get the idea. Back to school 2009!

BraeLynn is in the 3rd grade. WOW

Jaron started Kindergarten- holy moly.

Braelynn was very excited to be able to protect her brother, and Jaron was very excited to let her! He LOVES BraeLynn and follows her around everywhere- whatever Brae likes, Jaron likes. They really have a bond. McKenna Benna Boo is in MIDDLE SCHOOL! I couldnt get a good picture of her because her she is actually saying "hurry MOM" as the bus is turning the corner nad heaven forbid she is seen taking a picture.

All the neighborhood kids lined up and waited for the bus- so cute.

We have a TON of neighborhood kids this year and they all meet out front to wait for the bus. This will be short lived as the winter months approach!

So, it's been a week since school has started, I only have one at home yet he is the one that keeps me runnin, so no peace and quiet yet!

Aaron and I have been married 13 years this month. (you might want to write that one down this time Aaron) Yep he forgot- but hey, I have many years for him to make that one up to me!

It really has been a crazy year, lots of learning and growing and well- that's painful sometimes :) But I LOVE my family, I LOVE my friends and have been very blessed to have so much support.

Now back to space for me. Until next time.........................