priceless

Easter fun

2009-04-11T14:59:00.000-07:00

Easter has come and gone. It did not pass us by without celebration with family and remembering the true meaning of the day. We started by surprise visit from the Easter bunny at my sister in laws house on Tue. The kids loved it. Next on Sat. we had a FHE/ Easter egg hunt with the Ross side of the family It is fun that the kids are getting old enough to sit and listen to a lesson for longer then 2 min. Mike and Lesa gave a great lesson on the resurrection, and the kids loved it. That night we decorated eggs with the kids and got to bed early so that the Easter bunny would come. On Sunday they were good enough kids that they did get an Easter basket full of treats and flip-flops. Some of us went to church. Ty was sick. And that night we had dinner and a Easter egg hunt with my side of the family!! It was a great weekend!

Good days

2009-03-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

This last week has been good. Not much exciting going on. I had YW on Tue. We did fear factor! It was a lot of fun watching the kids do that. We only had one casualty, one of my beehives got bit by a snake. All is well, they were just garden snakes. I am really enjoying this calling. It is fun to watch their excitement of being in the YW program and bonding with them.
Also this week Jackie and Cameron and Fam came and stayed with us for a few days. It is always fun to have them. The kids really enjoy each other and they just play play play. It is almost like a vacation with out going anywhere!! And last night we had FHE with the Ross side of the family. We decided that it would be good to get together once a month and share a spiritual message and let the kids hear us bear our testimonies once in a while. We do a lot of playing together and we thought it was important that the kids know that we all share the same values and commitments to the gospel. It was really fun! There was good food (as always) and fun to get together and visit! So this last week has been great. I am trying more lately to see the joy in the small everyday things. I have really just enjoyed being with my kids, playing, reading, talking, working on school work.... just being together. Family really is the most important thing, and we should but much more time into them then cleaning my house. So my house is a disaster and I have so much laundry to do, but when I look at what I accomplished last week I wouldn't trade it for anything!!

Blessings

2009-02-24T10:17:00.000-08:00

What is that saying when it rains it pours! Brint called me this morning and told me he had been in a car accident! I kind of freaked out for a min and then found out the details. Somebody ran a red light while they were turning left and he ran right into them. The car as you can see is totaled. Brint was able to walk away with just minor injuries! Thank heavens somebody was watching over him! I am so thankful today for all the blessings in my life. Right now is a hard time for so many people...but with the trials come blessing and today has been a huge blessing for our family. I am thankful that Brint is OK, that Luke is not in the hospital, that the rest of my kids are well and happy, for my house, my relationships with friends and family the list could go on and on. So today I just want to say thank you to my Heavenly Father for watching out for my family and giving us so much!!

Brint's Birthday

2009-02-24T07:04:00.001-08:00

Brint turned 35 yesterday!! Happy birthday to you!!! It wasn't the best birthday ever. Having a sick kid kind of puts a damper on birthday plans! But Brint said it was a great day, he got to spend it with his favorite people(how sweet!) We just hung out while he was on the computer most of the day looking for work. He did come to the Dr. with us. And then last night kenzie watched the boys while we went and got something to eat. We then come back and our neighbors come over and we had cake and ice cream together. To top off the night we watched bachelor together! So not the most memorable birthday, but fun just to be with him! He did get staind concert tickets which I think he is excited about! Happy Birthday hon!! Love ya.

RSV

2009-02-22T07:30:00.001-08:00

This is my poor sick little boy! He woke up last Thursday from his nap and couldn't breath. We took him in and they thought it was pneumonia. He kept getting worse so we took him back in on Sat. They said they thought it was RSV and that is oxygen was to low. They wanted to admitted him but we thought it would be just as good at home. So we have had oxygen and giving him treatments around the clock since Sat. I took him back in yesterday so the doctor could listen to his lungs, he said they still sound horrible but not worse. So if he does not get worse he gets to stay home and not at the hospital. That is a good thing!! So we are still plugging along. He has been such a trooper! He never complains about his treatments and hardly ever about the oxygen. I just can't wait to get my little boy back. I can't believe I am going to say this but I miss him running around getting into things!

10 years and a few days

2009-02-22T07:15:00.000-08:00

Our ten year anniversary was on Thursday!! I know I am a few days late, but better late then never. I still can't believe it has been 10 years...time flies! Brint and I were talking and we have gone through a lot these last few years. Not only do we have 4 wonderful kids to show for them but so many great memories, experiences and trials that have brought us closer. Looking back it has not been as hard as I thought marriage would be. Probably because I married the best Man ever! He truly is my best friend. He is the best husband always trying to make my life easier and putting my needs first. I usually always wake up to a I love you and what can I do for you today!! He is great with the kids anything they need he is there! I don't know what I would do without him in my life. I just want him to know that these have been the best 10 years of my life and I can't wait for at least 50 more together!! Thanks for always making me laugh, even when times are tough. I love you with all my heart.

Valentines, family and long weekend

2009-02-18T10:51:00.001-08:00

This last weekend was fun! It was a long weekend because the kids had no school on Monday so Jackie and Cameron came a stayed with us for a few days. It was great! We ate a lot stayed in our PJ's all day, played games, watched movies, played with the kids and built a big tent in our basement. It was a great way to spend Valentines day. Thanks you guys for the fun times!

Jakes birthday party's

2009-02-18T10:42:00.000-08:00

All Jake kept asking for was a rope. Thanks to Grandma Ross he got it. When asked why he wanted it he said" because it is cold in the morning when I get up and I don't want to put my coat on" Of course

He had two party's one with his friends and a family party. For his friend party he wanted to go skating. So we went to classic skating I have not been there since I was 12, and it was just how I remembered it. The boys loved it! For the family one we had everyone to our house and had cake and ice cream. It was a great birthday for him.

Jake

2009-02-13T13:38:00.001-08:00

I can't believe Jake is 7!! He is the greatest. Here is a little about Jake

Jake likes to play the wii, he will play in by himself but he prefers if someone anyone will play with him. He sometimes resorts to playing with luke even. He loves to play basketball. We got him a basketball hoop so he could play inside while it is cold. I love that Jake loves to still snuggle with me and doesn't think he is to old. Jake is my early riser, and with doing that he has extra time on his hands that the other kids do not. Some mornings he gets everyone breakfast, or he gets up gets dressed and gets his work done so he can play the wii before school. and some mornings he gets up and watches a movie till everyone gets up. Jake is also going through a very argumentative stage, I think he is trying to figure out were he fits in life. He tries really hard in school. Unlike kenzie school does not come easy for him, but he gives it his all and usually does not complain. Jake is the best brother. He would do anything for Kenzie, not as much for Ty and Luke but that will come. He loves playing with friends but if there is a choice he would choose Kenzie every time! I love that. Jake loves spending time with the family our family,cousins, grandparents he loves them all. Jake is my loving, fun, active, sweet, smart cuddle bug!! I hope you have a great birthday Jake I love you

Temple open house

2009-02-09T12:00:00.000-08:00

Tonight we are taking the kids to the Draper temple open house. We have been talking to them about it and how great of an experience it is going to be. Luke has been asking all day when we are going. Ty on the other had has had a few reservations. He came to me today crying saying her did not want to get married and leave me. I told him not to worry that it was a long ways away, and he might change his mind by then. He still kept crying and said that we were going to the temple to night and he was going to get married and not live here anymore. Poor kid... but it did give me a good laugh.

Bunco

2009-01-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

Last night was our BUNCO night!! It was a lot of fun. Tiff had it at her house and a few people couldn't come so Kenzie got to fill in. She thought it was the best thing ever. Grandma Farnworth also made her first appearance at our bunco game. Both I think will become lifers of this game!! There was good food and good prized and good fun as always. Kenzie also came away with one of the big prizes (Thank you Lindsey!!) You can see she is wearing it in the pics. Thank you everyone for a great night

moving moving moving

2009-01-29T20:38:00.000-08:00

The last two days we have been helping my parents move their store. They are closing their video and book store that they have been running for the past five years. It is really sad, but as you can tell we had some fun while doing it!!

Me in the trailer

Cam, Brint and I

Jackie not being much help...talking on the phone

Dad and Brint moving shelves. See some work was being done!!

Brint and Jackie moving shelves their way.

Jackie and I wrapped up in bubble wrap.

Let it snow

2009-01-28T06:41:00.001-08:00

I know it is a little dark, but this is Brint, Kenzie, Ty and Luke on the 4 wheeler shoveling the driveway! Can I tell you how much I hate the snow right now! I think after Christmas the snow should all just go away. Oh well at least the kids like it. It is suppose to snow again today...Yes!

I can sew... Well kind of!

2009-01-26T12:52:00.000-08:00

For school Kenzie had Native American day. So they got to dress up like Indians. Well being the great mom that I am I thought I would make her a little vest out of a paper bag( remember doing that?) Well I guess now that is not the cool thing! So this is my attempt at making an Indian dress. Not to bad for my first time sewing in like 20 years. Kenzie is taking a sewing class so her skills far surpass mine, but I guess you are never to old to learn!! Kenzie and I sewed it and then she decorated it. It is one of those proud moments when I think maybe I am doing an OK job as a mother.

I need help

2009-01-25T14:49:00.000-08:00

If anyone out there can tell me how to get my two year old to quit sticking things up his nose I would greatly appreciate it. This last week Luke stuck a skittle up his noes clear past the point of retrieval. The funny thing about this is the second he does it he starts to cry. Why I ask myself does he do this? I think because he smells things all the time and when he smells small stuff it gets sucked up in. Well this time we did need to go to the Dr. He was able to get it out (it was purple) and all is back to normal. But if any one has any advise send it my way!

THE sick house

2009-01-11T19:29:00.000-08:00

This last weekend was not our best!! One Friday night around 11:30pm it stared with child #1 coming up crying saying they just puked all over their bed. I stripped the bed, made another bed on the couch gave a shower and put back to bed. Ten min later child #2 comes up crying saying they puked all over bed! Started more laundry, shower, made another bed and put to sleep. Just fall asleep and child #1 pukes again! Clean up, shower, start more laundry make a bed next to our bed. I can't sleep with child in our room so I move to family room to sleep on couch and child #2 pukes again. I start to feel sick. Needless to say no sleep that night! Next morning wake up to two more sick kids and me feeling horrible! On the bright side it was a weekend so Brint was home to help out. We all stayed home Sat and today and just hung around in our germs! I went from doing laundry,to disinfecting, to getting drinks and back to the couch! The good thing was we spend a lot of time together watching movies, playing games and just being together! I love being a mom!

The best dad

2009-01-11T19:24:00.000-08:00

Brint is so great to coach the kids in their activities. The last two months he has coached kenzies basketball team. She has loved the time with him, and to Brints delight loves the sport! Here are some pics of their last game. They had a pretty good season. Won 6 lost 2, not bad!

back to real life

2009-01-06T15:15:00.001-08:00

Sorry for such the long break!! Life has been crazy and fun. Christmas break was the best. I love having my kids around. We did so many fun things here is just an overview of the break:
Annual Ross Christmas party. Included lots of fun games and good food
Making Christmas cookies not once not twice but three times.
Sledding and riding behind the suburban with tubes( I know I am a crazy mom)
The twelve days of Christmas. They were great thank you again mom and dad!
Christmas day full of family and happy children
Brint being home, playing games, the wii and just spending time together.
Cousin sleepovers the kids can never get enough.
Game nights with friends.
New years eve first night all the kids made it till 12!! It was so fun seeing their excitement
Football games
Movies. We took the kids to see Bedtime Stories
Sleeping in!! I love my daughter she is the best babysitter.
I am sure there is more, but as you can tell it truly was a great holiday in our house. Hope everyone enjoyed theirs and that the new year find you happy!

sledding with the cousins

2008-12-18T09:37:00.000-08:00

Jackie and me taking our turn behind the car on the tubes. As you can tell our weight plus that of the kids weighed down the tubes. Plus Jackie was scared so I had to hold her hand ha ha!!

I know it is hard to tell but the kids loved it!

You have to love that cute face!!

The kids went sledding with all the Ross side cousins! It is a great time of year.

I love the holidays

2008-12-17T13:41:00.000-08:00

So we went to the Mormon Tabernacle Spectacular. It was OK. It was not the best, they only sang two Christmas songs!! Christmas Spectacular I am thinking lots of Christmas. Nope two! So it was a long drive, they sold more seats then they had and it was not the best music. So I was a little let down, but will maybe try again another year.
On a happier note we did have lots of festivities this last weekend. Sat. we went and watched The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. My brother and sister in law and family were all in it for their ward party. It was really funny, I had forgotten how good that play is. Then on Sunday we had our VanDorn Christmas party. We ate lots of good food, played white elephant and best of all had a visit from Santa!! My kind ALL loved him this year. As you can see in the group picture that is not true with my sisters kids. Brint and I were commenting on how nice it is to have the kids growing up!! This has already been such a fun Holiday season.
Also on Sunday my mom and dad gave us their gift early. They are doing the 12 days of Christmas for all their kids and grand kids. My kids have loved it. It is such a great idea. On Christmas day it is so crazy and they get so much it is fun to enjoy their gift day by day. Their first day was the gift of Memories. They gave us a binder to keep everything in, and the first day they gave us a camera. We are to take pic of us doing our 12 days and at the end put them in the binder with all the write ups. The next day was family. We got to write a mission statement for our family. The kids really got into that. The third day was gift of service. My mom and dad gave each of the kids and Brint and I coupons for service. Things such as date with them, sleepover with grandma and grandpa and making fun treat with them. And then today was the gift of knowledge. We got the book A Christmas Sweater by Jon Beck. I am really excited to read it. We have really enjoy this gift so far. It has helped us remember to slow down and take time during this busy season to spend time together doing things that will bring us closer together as a family and our Heavenly Father. I just wanted to tell my mom and dad thank you for this gift and the opportunities it gives us.

The best free tickets

2008-12-11T11:22:00.000-08:00

Our neighbor sings in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. They are singing their Christmas program this weekend. His wife called and said they had two extra tickets for tonight's show if we wanted them. I am so excited!! I have heard it is one of the best Christmas programs and can't wait to see for myself. We have friends who try and get some every year and never do. I guess they are free, but you have to call and request tickets and they are very hard to come by. The only draw back, is we are going to miss Kenzies basketball game. Brint coaches and I can't go to very many games because she playes on Tue and Thur. and every Tue I have YW. So she is sad, but I told her I would go to the last two next week!! I will let you know how it is

What Is up there???

2008-12-09T11:10:00.001-08:00

This morning as I was on the computer trying to catch up on my Blog and other things. Luke comes walking in whimpering. I thought maybe he had fell, so I held him as I kept working. Then he started saying oweee and pointing to his nose. I still thought maybe he had just bumped it, so he sat with me for a few more min. And then all of the sudden it hit me, I bet he stuck something up his nose! Sure enough I look up there and I see something clear and plastic. It is to far up to reach, so Brint and I try to hold him down and get some tweezers. This does not help. So I call the Dr. he says either take him to the emergency room or the him. So we start loading everybody up, in the mean time Luke has been very quiet. I think it has scared him, so he is sitting on the bed while I get him dressed and he is moving his nose around with his face and I can see it moving down. He continues doing it, it comes down far enough to grap it. He had shoved a plastic diamond shaped jewel up his nose!!! I am just frustrated at this point and all he can do is laugh. This pic is taken right after we got it out. I am just grateful we didn't have to go take him in. We saved 20 bucks and it is a funny story!!

Christmas cookies

2008-12-09T10:53:00.000-08:00

For FHE last night we had my Mom and Dad over and my sister and their kids over for dinner and to decorate cookies. Needless to say they all had a great time, some more then others. Luke loved it!! He has not sat still for that long since he was little. He loved cutting them out, loved decorating you name it he enjoyed it. My nephew however who is Luke's age could of cared less. He made one cookie ate it and was done. Ty, Jake and Kenzie also loves decorating. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for all your help!! Now I just need to get rid of them so I will quit eating them all.

LIGHTS AND BASKETBALL

2008-12-09T10:31:00.000-08:00

Ty with the "Statue of Liberty Jesus"

Our family plus one(my neice) at the Joseph Smith Memorial building

At the lights at Temple Square with cousins.

Ty, Me, Kenzie, her cousin, Brint and Luke at the BYU basketball game

On Saturday BYU played Utah State in basketball at the Delta Center. We decided to brave it and took all the kids. It was a great game!! Close the crowd was wild and the kids loved it. It does not hurt that BYU pulled out the win. After we all decided to go see the lights. We went with Brints parents his brother, his kids, his sister and their kids. It was a lot of fun. It has been years since I had been up there at Christmas. Ty was so excited, all he talked about was seeing the "Statue of Liberty Jesus" as he likes to call the Christus. I have not seen him that excited for anything. It makes me remember how close they are to the spirit even at their young age. I love this time of year and it was good to go up there and remember what this season is all about.

few and far between

2008-12-03T15:26:00.000-08:00

When my boys actually play with each other and it doesn't end in a fight, that kind of moment is so few and far between. I thought I might document it for all to see. This is them playing with trains, they have been working together to build it, and then they both played with it at the same time!! I know to many of you this does not seem like a big accomplishment but with Luke and Ty it is. I love to see that they are getting older and are enjoying each other more

Thanksgiving week

2008-11-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

We started a tradition with the Ross family last year and have carried it over to my side of the family this year too. We went to my parents house Wen. night to start the fun. We had dinner with mom and dad and my sister and her fam and brother and his fam. We then made gingerbread houses and watched Christmas movies. We then all had a big sleepover. Next day hung out went to Ryan's for thanksgiving. We ate played games, watched football and took naps. Next was to the Ross house for pie and more games and another big sleepover. Friday morning my sister in law,mother in law and me braved the stores at 430 am. It is crazy, but well worth the money I saved. We were in and out of Toys R Us and Target in under two hours. And we only saw a few fights one ambulance due to the craziness. We then had breakfast with everyone, put together puzzles and played. We finally made it home Friday afternoon, just in time for Brint and I to go on a date. We picked up Bajo(my fav) and went and saw Four Christmases. It has a great week and still have the weekend!! Hope every one's holiday has been filled with as much joy, love and laughter as ours. We love you all!!

It looks a lot like christmas

2008-11-26T09:04:00.000-08:00

For FHE this week we decided to set up Christmas early. We usually set it up the day after thanksgiving. But this year we have a busy weekend planned so we did it early! It is so fun as the kids get older and more excited for the holidays. Ty asks every morning if Christmas is tomorrow, it is going to be a long month in the Ross house hold!! Hope everyone's set up was as fun as ours!

setting sammy free

2008-11-20T08:03:00.000-08:00

Kenzie watching sammy swim away with the ducks. Pics are still blurry sorry!!

Kwnzie with Rambo

The kids with Rambo

More pictures to remember Sammy!!

Kenzie bought herself a turtle about a year ago. She loves animals, she really wanted a dog, but I hate doing puppies. So we compromised on a turtle. She has been so great with him. The only problem with a turtle is they are not very interactive. About 3 months ago she came to us with a plan. She said that she was going to write Santa and the Ester Bunny and tell them not to bring her any gifts. She also said she didn't want anything for her birthday. She said all I want is a dog. She said I proved that I could take care of Sammy(the turtle), and that I am responsible. I always get all my homework done, I try really hard go do things the first time you ask and I always help you with the boys. Now as a parent how do you argue with something like that. So we spent a few weeks looking for a dog. We both had things we wanted she wanted a girl, small and loves being held and would sleep with her. I wanted older, house trained and was use to being around a family. We looked at about 25 different dogs till we both agreed on one. We ended up with Rambo. He is a tarrier, a little over two years old, house trained, only about 2 pounds and loves being with people. He sleeps with Kenzie every night. He will wait by the door for her to get home. He is very tolerant of Luke and loves the rest of us. He never barks and has been a joy to have around. So we decided that with having Rambo, that the turtle was not getting enough love, so we took him down to BYU ponds and set him free last night. It was a sad, but happy day. No more cleaning out the tank and having Luke throw all of its food all over the floor. But I have had to answers about 12 times today were sammy is. I think this will be the best thing for all involved.

Things you thought would never happen to you...

2008-11-15T19:26:00.000-08:00

Two days ago I was driving my kids around. It was late in the afternoon, Luke had not had a nap! We had been to and from the school for SEP's to Brint's work, to basketball practice and were on our way to pick up Jake from tutoring. Well Luke and Ty think it is funny to hit those bumps on the side of the road( you know the ones that are suppose to let you know you are on the side of the road) Anyway I was swerving on and off the road to hit those. I did this a few times and then proceeded to be on my way. We went the remaining distance to Jakes tutor( about 5 miles) picked him up and started heading home( another 3 miles) As I was almost home in the middle of our neighborhood I see the police lights behind me. I get that sinking feeling. Jake and Kenzie were sitting in the front with me( they did have a seat belt on still a big no no) and I was pretty sure I was going the speed limit we had the music up really loud and were singing along!! So the nice policeman comes to the car and asked if I would step out. I was thinking this kind of odd, but did and asked what the problem was. He proceeded to tell me that someone had called in a complaint of me driving drunk with kids in the car. I was shocked to say the least. We both kind of looked at each other and I asked if he was serious and he said yes. He asked if I had just come from the building I had picked up Jake and I said yes. He looked at me for another min, and said it doesn't look like you have been drinking(he says this in a kind of hesitant voice) Again I was still kind of in shock, at this point my daughter leans out the door and said maybe it was because you were swerving off the road to hit those bumps. Thank you Kenzie, It all starts to make sense. Someone must of saw me do that and called it in. I apologized numerous times, told him I would walk a strait line if need be and reassured him I had never been drunk in my life. Well needless to say I got off with a warning, a little bit of embarrassment and a great story!

On a side not I finnaly got my camera fixed. YEA!!! And I am still waiting for my mother in law to email me the pics from halloween. I will post them as soon as I have them.

The winner is.....

2008-10-25T18:16:00.000-07:00

Last night Brint and I went to a couples Halloween party. It was lots of fun. We had dinner and then danced the night away. It has been so long since we went dancing, Brint loves to dance and I love to watch him so it is always a good time. Well before hand we were having a hard time coming up with a costume, so we went to my brothers house and raided his stash. Well we came up with Brint being a pimp and me being his side kick. It was so funny I will post pictures tomorrow, but just know it was good enough to win us the BEST COSTUME trophy!! I know you are all jealous, it is sitting on our mantel as we speak.

UEA weekend

2008-10-19T08:06:00.000-07:00

The kids had UEA weekend which means they had Thursday and Friday out of school. We have been gone so much this last few months we decided to just kick it at home. Wednesday night they had their cousins sleepover. All of Jens kids(4) slept over. I know I say this a lot but I love living by family!! Jen's oldest is ten and her youngest is 4 so it was great the kids all played and entertained each other. On Thursday they played over at our house in the morning and then my three oldest went to her house for the rest of the day and to sleep over there. That night I had BUNCO. It was great! Good food, good people, good fun and of course I was one of the losers again. But a least they were great prizes. That night BYU also played ,and that is all I will say about that. Friday my sisters in law and me decided to take the kids ice blocking. They loved it. I took my camera to take pic, but something is wrong with it and the pics all turn out blurry. All the kids thought it was great, what is not great about ice blocking it is like sledding without the freezing cold. I even got Luke to try it. The kids did a great job staying on and it was a BIG hill! After that I took all my kids to get a flu shot. It was a fiasco. I would take one kid from the waiting room kicking and screaming, me and one nurse would hold them still while another would give the shot. After doing this four times, one of the nurses turned to me and said I like the way you handled that. I was kind of surprised because I was feeling kind of bad about not showing more sympathy, but I knew once they got it,it would only hurt for a second and then they would be fine and given a sucker. The nurse said most moms will tell them to wait till the child calms down, they sit there for ten min bargaining with there child and then finally just give them the shot because they wont stop crying. She said I much prefer this way get in get it done and move on. So we were in and out in 10 min flat and everyone is glad it is over for another year!!
That night we went to Jackie's house for a birthday party for her. She turns 29 today!! Happy Birthday Jackie. You are the greatest, thank you for being one of my best friends! love ya.
Saturday us girls went to my mom and dads house for breakfast with all the kids. It was fun, reminded me of Saturdays at home when we were little! Thanks mom and dad. Then last night we went to dinner with some friends and went in search for Halloween costumes for our party next weekend! I was a great weekend. Sorry no pics I will try and get my camera fixed

What a STUD

2008-10-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

I thought this picture was funny. Luke loves bikes and anything that moves. He is such a fun kid!!

A great day

2008-10-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

I feel kind of guilty writing after my last blog, but today has been so relaxing. Kids have been at school or at friends houses all day and Luke slept in till 9 went to play group, and then came home and took a 3 hour nap! So I have been home alone most of the day!! I can't remember the last time that happened. I have been working on my YW lesson for Sunday it is on Dating. So I have been going through my journal to give them some personal examples. Can I just tell you I am so glad I am not in that stage. It was so great and fun and exciting... but just reading about the feelings of not knowing when or if I would ever get married and to who,and if when I made that decision if it would be right. I am so grateful to be were I am at now married to my best friend, the greatest dad and everything I could possible hope for or imagined back then. I am going to tell my girls that like Brint and my dating story, sometimes you don't know right away. Well sometimes one of you don't know right away. For Brint and I it took a few years after first meeting and dating, breaking up and getting back together for us to figure out it was right. I guess some people are just slower that way. But you know what they say "good things come to those who wait" And boy were they right!!

Random things that keep me busy...

2008-10-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

So I was talking to my friend this morning while we were working out( I know I made a new packed to stick with it this time. I just hate 6 in the morning!!) Well we were talking about stuff we do during the days and how when your husband comes home and ask how your day was and what you did, that repeating back to him doesn't nearly seem as busy as you really are!! So today I was keeping a list in my head of the things I did, here goes.
5:45- 7:00 Work out at gym
7-8 get two older kids breakfast, dressed, lunch made,bags packed and out the door.
8-9 Get the two little kids breakfast, dressed, my self dressed, laundry started, kitchen picked up dishes started, call neighbor to see if needs help with kids today because she is sick and break up two fights over toys.
9-10 Folded a batch of laundry,took the dog potty, cleaned up the water luke had spilled while trying to brush his teeth, and got the kids coats and shoes on
10-12:30 Went to the library, Hollywood video, and three different party stores looking for medals for young women in excellence. Also stopped by my sister in laws and watched her kids while she ran to the dentist.
12:30-1:30 Made the kids lunch, folded another batch of laundry, watched my friends kids while she ran to the store and tried to lay Luke down for a nap( it took 20 min but finally gave in)
1:30-2 Read books with Ty that we got from library
2-3 Take Ty to his friends house, fold and change more laundry, put laundry away, clean up lunch, get on computer to try and find some other place I can order medals( I gave up the search and I am going to pay the shipping fee) and took the dog potty again.
3-4 older kids get home give snack and work on homework, Luke wakes up and get him busy playing with toys, change and fold more laundry.
4 to now cleaned up cereal luke spilled on the floor, finished up kids homework, and have sat down to work on my Blog.
And now all you mom's out there know I have yet to get to the busiest time of the day. I still have get Kenzie to sewing class, Jake to basketball, Ty home from friends house, dinner made and eaten, baths, FHE, reading and bed. So when Brint gets home today and the house is a mess and clothes still washing, I will have him look at this!!

More family pictures

2008-10-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

Last week we did the traditional Ross family Christmas pictures. It was actually pretty good this time around. We did it right in Brints parents yard and then bribed the kids with pizza and soda if they were good. As you can tell, all were fairly cooperative. It didn't turn out the best but for Christmas pics they will do. I love living close to family, my kids have their cousins for best friends and my best friends are my sisters and sisters-in law. I am so grateful for Brints family they are the best, we are truly blessed. Anyway here is how they turned out.

sand sand and more sand

2008-10-07T09:06:00.000-07:00

Chase and Luke bury Ty
Luke loved the sand
Grandpa and Luke heading back... are they not cute?

Our picnic lunch
Grandma and Grandpa hiking with the little ones

We rented a house down there for the weekend and had a party. My mom and dad, Brints mom and dad and my sister Jackie and her family all came and stayed with us. Jen and Curt stayed with his mom and dad at their condo. We went down Thursday and stayed through Sunday. We swam, went to the sand duns, had a picnic, played games and just hung out together. It is always fun spending time with family. The kids all love living together and think we should do it full time. I do have to say there are some perks. More people to watch kids, clean up and cook!! Here are some pictures of the sand duns

St. George marathon

2008-10-07T08:14:00.000-07:00

Brint has been training for this marathon for about 9 months. It was his first time running one. He has ran 4 half marathons and the Wasatch back two years. I am so proud of him!! He did such a great job. His finishing time was four hours 7 min. It was raining the whole run, which makes for a very difficult and long run. Curtis my brother in law also ran it. It is so amazing watching the runners come in from this race. We saw some people who were blind, in wheelchairs, some really old 89 years and some young the youngest was 10. It is amazing how emotional it is to watch these people push their bodies to that limit. We were at the finish line and some people would make it to the line and then just fall, their bodies would not go anymore. I think it is so inspirational, that I am thinking about doing it next year! We will see if my knee will think so too! We had a great time cheering Brint on, We even had shirts made with Brints pic on it that said Run Daddy Run on the kids and Run Brinto on the adults. Brint I love you babe and am so proud of you!!

This is him right before the finish line

This is him right after the finish line. Notice the cool medal!

Brint and his Dad.
Brint and I
You can kind of see the shirts in this pic. Luke was with Grandma and Grandpa, and Emily my niece is in this pic.

Brint and Curt... they look good
Brint sister Jen, Curts wife.

Ty's last game

2008-10-01T20:41:00.000-07:00

I forgot to flip this picture before I down loaded it... Oh well you get the idea!!
This is Brint and his team in the huddle getting all the important strategies.

This was Ty's first year to play soccer. Brint was the coach and he said nothing has ever been as challenging as this. Ty begged us for 6 months to put him in the game. He had watched his big sis and bro play, we thought he was ready.. but boy did he prove us wrong. The only thing Ty liked about soccer were the treats. He hated running, kicking and just being on the field. I just don't know if it is that he is young, or if he really does not like the sport. I guess only time will tell. He did look cute out there when he did make it to the field a few min each game. And he is always good for a few laughs. When I was putting him to bed tonight he had his pictures and his trophy tucked in with him and he said--Mom I love my soccer trophy ...a long pause.... I just wish that it was bigger and that it had my picture on it. I told him that the more you play the bigger they get. He thought about it for a min and said that's OK, I guess mine is great. I guess somethings are just not worth the effort. Well there is always next season

Going, going, gone...

2008-10-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

Soccer season is officially over! It is a bitter sweet thing. It means that my evenings are a little more free now that we don't have four games a week. But boy do I enjoy watching them play. Jake did really well this season. He scored every game and loved playing. He has played with the same group of kids and coach for three years now. Here are some of the cheerleaders, and a pic of the activities that they do to keep them busy during games. This is a picture of Jake and two of his really good friends.

Sick, sick

2008-09-29T12:44:00.000-07:00

sorry it has been so long this week has not been fun. I ended up with strep this week. Luckily non of my kids have gotten it, but man it was a bugger. Not only did my throat kill but so did everything else on my body. Head, eyes, kidneys, calf's you name it and it hurt. So I have not been up to the computer till now. I did go to bunco, all drugged up so sorry whoever was there- I might have been a little grumpy!! Other then that stayed home in bed and let my kids run wild. We did take family pics on Sunday(always a big task with so many Little's running around) Before we were even finished Luke was stripped down to his diaper and running through the water! Oh well maybe some of them turned out. Look on Jackie and Shara's blogs they have pics, I forgot my camera... I know not a surprise for me.

Fun weekend

2008-09-21T14:17:00.001-07:00

So I am not all done with my catch up yet, but I am tired of that so I thought I would write about now. This weekend was fun. Fist on Thursday Brint and I went up and stayed in Park City at The Lodges. It was so pretty, he had a conference there so it was a free night away. We had dinner and then a auction with "funny money" they had earned during the conference. It was a lot of fun spending time with different people, and alone time with my hubby. We came back Friday morning, then Friday night we went on a date with Brints mom and dad. We went to RC Willey's to spend a gift certificate( Christmas gifts) and then to dinner. We took them out for watching our kids the night before(THANK YOU). Then Sat we went to the BYU football game and watched BYU pull out another huge victory. Look at Jackie's blog for pics!! Then today Sunday we had our primary program. I don't remember every crying in a program before, I much be getting old, or just actually had a min. to watch and listen since most of my kids participated. I loved it. And now we are getting ready to go eat at my mom's house for dinner. Yea I love when I don't have to cook. So all in all a fabulous weekend! Thank you everyone who participated in it with me.

The boys summer catch up

2008-09-18T09:59:00.000-07:00

This is a pic of the boys camping out in their "tent" in a hotel on our trip to Arizona. They thought these were the coolest beds and want one of their own

This summer Ty has been busy entertaining us. I love this boy and his cute dependent personality. Unlike my other kids Ty is a home body. We went to Disney this summer and after the first day he wanted to come home. He says things on a daily basis that melt my heart. He tells me daily how much he loves me, how pretty I am and how much he needs me. He is going to make some women very happy one day. This summer highlights for him were swimming lessons, playing with his best friend Josh, and spending time with me.

Jake has been loving soccer this year. He has played on two city league teams and also went to the BYU soccer camp with his cousins. My kids love living close to their cousins. They are each others best friends, and I love that. Jake has such a tender heart. He would give you anything if he thought it would make you happy. He loves to wrestle with anyone who will. He loves to draw and is getting pretty good at it. He loves to swim and play with friends. This summer he stayed busy playing, going to reading classes, going to seven peaks, swimming lessons, and spending time with family.

Still on catch up.. This summer Luke turned 2. I can't believe my baby is 2! He is really giving me a run of it. He is my most curious and busy boy yet. He loves to be going all the time. He loves to make us laugh and playing with his older brothers. Luke also went to lake powell for the first time this year and loved it. I have always said that Luke is the one who gives me my gray hairs( I know only 30 and already starting) He was my worst pregnancy and now my liveliest, but boy I wouldn't trade him for the world. He is also snuggle, funny, will try anything, has the biggest brown eyes and blond hair and loves me like every little boy should love his mom!

kenzie's summer

2008-09-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

Kenzie loves to play any sports. Lucky for her she is also very athletic, and is good at most things she tries. This summer she played basketball with a couple of her cousins on a city league. She also attended a basketball camp at BYU with her friends. It is fun to watch your kids develop their talents and find out what they enjoy doing. She also tried rock climbing for the first time. She did great, made it all the way to the top!!!

Kenzie also got baptised this summer. It was such a great experience going through that with her. She is always trying to do what is right, she has such a strong testimony of her father in heaven, and she is such an example to me of knowing right from wrong and not getting caught up in the gray areas. I love her so much and am so proud of this decision she made in her life. I am so grateful for the sweet spirit she brings into our home. Here are some pics of all the guys who confirmed her, all her cousins who sang a song for the baptism and of course her brothers, and grandmas and grandpas. The day was fun lots of family and friends came, and then we had breakfast at our house after.

Kenzie turned eight years old in May. I can't believe I have a child that old. For her birthday it was her year to have a friend party. So she invited 10 of her "closest" friends for a party at Jumping Jacks and for cake and pizza at our house after. Kenzie is so great to have as a daughter, Heavenly Father knew what he was doing sending her to me. She is my life saver with helping with the boys, doing girls night with and just being her.

catching up...

2008-09-15T13:07:00.000-07:00

OK I am the worst blogger!! This is going to have to be a quick review of our two big trips this summer with the kids. We went to Disneyland with all of Brints family. We didn't take anyone 2 and under(sorry Luke), and it was so much fun. We spent two days in Disneyland, one day at Sea world, one day at Universal Studios and then one day on the Beach. The kids had so much fun with their cousins. Kenzie was a dare devil and did all the rides in both Disney and California. Jake was almost as daring and did everything but the tower of terror and California Screamin. Jakes favorite ride this time was Indiana Jones, he was finally tall enough to ride and he loved it. Kenzie's favorite ride was a toss up between Screaming and the wet rides. Ty was a little more tentative then the other two his favs were Star Wars, Buzz, and the tea cups. Next was sea word the kids loved all the shows and eating with shamu. Then was Universal Studios they had never been there, and it has been about 20 years since I was there. That was really fun they have rides there and lots to see and do. All the kids were troopers and did a lot of walking that day. Last stop was the beach. We as parents decided we did not need to spend money next time on the rest because they would all be happy just playing in the sand and water. It was such a fun time with everyone( I did miss Luke) Maybe we will do it all again in a few years.

The next trip we took was our annual Lake Powell trip. Our kids look forward to this all year. We just play, play, play. It is fun to watch the kids as they get older and starting to love the lake. Kenzie is a great water skiers and loves doing everything tube, water weenie, seadoos, cliff jumping you name it she will try it. Jake is the same way. He loves to water ski, tube and seadoo. He is still a little afraid of cliff jumping. Ty water skiied for the first time and he tolerated it. He would rather just be swimming and playing in the water. Luke loved climbing on the rocks being in the water ridding on the boat and seadoos and just getting dirty. The highlights of this trip was the family water football game, painting rocks and people, visiting the island and catching lizard's and cliff jumping. We love this trip and are so grateful for the opportunity to go spend time together as a family!!

I will write more about each kid and their summer activities

Ty's 4th Birthday

2008-06-03T12:01:00.000-07:00

Tyler Turned 4 on may 13. We were in Disneyland during that time and so we decided to celebrate it a little early. We asked Ty if he wanted to go to Disneyland for his birthday and spend it with Mickey Mouse. He said NO! All I want to do is go to Cuck E Cheeses. So him and his best friend have the same birthday and we took them to the funnest place on earth. Then on Saturday the 11th we had my mom and dad over for cake and presents. Ty is one of a kind. He has such a fun big personality. He can make me laugh so hard one minuet and the next I want to put him in time out for the rest of the day. When he is around there is never a dull moment. My hope for him is that he does not lose that spark in his life, but that he does learn how to direct it. I love him and am so glad he choose our family to come to. He is my biggest challenge right now, but what fun he is

It has been awhile

2008-06-03T11:53:00.000-07:00

Well I started out strong and then slowly faded. The highlights of the last few weeks are fun. We went to Disneyland, Sea World and Universal Studios with the kids. We went May 12-17, all of Brint side of the family went. We had so much fun.I will post more about that and pics later. Then we got home had the last two weeks of school (very busy: programs, party's, testing and all that fun stuff) We had Ty's and Kenzies Birthdays. Then this last weekend Kenzies baptism. So I will post pics and write all about those fun things soon.

what a weekend!!

2008-05-06T13:07:00.000-07:00

Let me just start off by saying I am so tired. I think I am going to need another day just to catch up. On Thursday night we had a party with the kids and I got my present. Brint gave my a new ring!! I was so excited I have been wanting a new one, because my other one is gold and I don't wear much gold. I could not believe it, it is gorgeous This picture does not do it justice but will have to do. Thank you Brint!!! Then on Friday some of my friends made breakfast for me. It was so much fun we all sat around and talked and let the kids play. It was great I am so lucky to have great friends. Then my mother in law came and took me to lunch. It is so fun spending time with her. We went to the trolly for lunch (which I love) and then went to a green house and picked out flowers for my pots outside. After that me and Brint went to ward temple night. It was great, like Brint said what better way to spend my 30th birthday then in the temple with the person I am spending forever with!!

Then on Saturday I got up at 6:30 and ran 8 miles. Now in Utah it is still pretty cold at that time (it was in the 30s) After that my mom and my sister went to the women's expo FUN! When I got back Brint took me to lunch and to the movie Made Of Honor. It was good, not great! And then here is the big surprise when we got home I walked in the door to a big surprise party!!! It was great. I have never had a surprise party in my life. The kids all attacked me with silly string, brint and my families were all there and some of our friends. It was so great my sweet sister in laws planned the whole thing. These are some pics from the party.

Then on Sunday my sister Jackie blessed her little girl Sophie. It was fun spending time with them. After the lunch we watched the Jazz get womped and then went to my moms for dinner with the fam. So as you can tell it was a busy but great weekend. Now I am just at home recovering and putting my house back together!!

one day before I turn 30

2008-05-01T15:14:00.000-07:00

I have really been dreading turning 30. I don't know why, maybe it is because I remember being a little girl and asking my mom how old she was and she said thirty something and I thought wow that is old. Well now I am almost 30!! Well my sweet husband knows I have been struggling and he did the coolest thing for me today. I woke up to find a little present wrapped with a letter saying I would be going on a scavenger hunt for all my presents today.(We are doing birthday cake and presents with the kids tonight, because tomorrow we have ward temple night and will be gone) So all day today he has been texting me clues and I would have to figure it out and go find another clue which would then lead me to a present!! He has done this five times today! So I guess with such a great guy in my life it makes it just a little easier to face tomorrow! I love you babe

Questions I am not ready for

2008-05-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

Yeasterday Jake my oldest son started me with some questions. We were sitting in the kitchen, me at the table eating breakfast(by myself and probably two hours after everyone else) and he was laying on the floor which is also usual for him and he said what is my first name for my pee-pee. Wow were did that come from. And then we started into an anatomy session right over my breakfast with my six year old. I am not sure I am ready for him to be growing up so fast. Once the start going to school and playing with their friends a lot more it is scary what they learn.

Also yesterday Tyler my soon to be four year old and I had a conversation that went like this
Tyler- Mom how come you always say "this is the last time I am going to tell you"
Me- because I always have to tell you things more then one time
Tyler- well if you would just wait I might do it
Me-how long do you think I should wait before I ask you again
Tyler- Four weeks
Why did I not know that!! I love being a mom

becoming part of the blog world

2008-04-29T15:11:00.000-07:00

I guess it is about time I start this. I have been telling myself I would for almost a year now. This is the best way to keep in touch with people. I am horrible at writting letters and in writting in a journal, so we will see how this goes. My real purpose in this is that my kids are growing up way to fast and I find my self forgetting most of it. My kids always say tell me a story about when I was little(like they arn't that still!!) And I have forgotten so much! So I am making myself a pack that for one month I am going to try this. Wish me luck