Family Campout

These are some pictures from our camp out with the Lund family. We went to Capital Reef, which is in Southern Utah. Out first day there, we spent time with just Julie and Rod. It was nice for Alex to have some one on one time with them. We all went on a 2 mile hike into the canyons (which is where most of these pictures were taken). Alex seemed to love it and so did we, other then the heat.
So cute, he was posing in the rock.
Now he was just trying to tear Dad's hat off.
Alex pointed out the numbers on all of the postings. Here was number 3.
Just being cute.
Us before we started the hike (and before we got tired and hot).

Rod carrying Alex because he got tired of walking and tired of Dad.
It was so nice down there and also to get away from it all. We had a large group sized camp ground all to our selves. Alex had some of Jackson's cousin's children to play with. He even did really well going potty (and yes we did have running water). Holly loved the trip because we had nice bathrooms right on our camp spot.

-By J R Lund

My Sister's Tag

1- Typically, what time do you wake up?Whoever wakes up first. Somewhere between 8 and 9.
2- On a good night, what time are your kids in bed?Alex almost always in bed by 9.
3-How long have you been a mommy?31/2 years.
4- How old were you when you became a mom?25
5- What is your favorite kids TV show?Anything educational. Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or Sesame Street.
6- What is your least favorite kids TV show?Sponge Bob is the worst but I also hate Poke'mon however Alex loves it. It is still better than Sponge Bob though.
7- What is your favorite chore?Making dinner for my family.
8- What is your favorite meal to cook?I love to cook so I am always trying new things. I love my Orange Cashew Chicken with Broccoli, Mini Meatloafs or my Homemade Fettucine Alfredo.
9- What meal do you cook most often?We all love pasta so I make pasta at least once a week. It is filling and hearty and I have tons of different recipes for it.
10- What is your kids favorite meal?Alex's all time favorite and most requested in macaroni and cheese.
11- What's your favorite thing your husband does with your kids?He is a great hands on dad. It doesn't matter what needs to be done he will never shirk away from it. He is also exceptionally loving towards Alex.
12- What are 5 things that make you smile when you're being a mom?I love it when Alex sees me come home from work and his whole face lights up and he runs to hug me. There is nothing better than see that somebody what you there and that they rely on you.
13-If you could take your kids anywhere, where would it be?Disneyworld or Disneyland. We are hoping to go in a couple of years.
14- When was the last time you went out without your kids?Two weekends ago we went camping at Capital Reef with Jackson's family and on Monday we went shopping with Alex.
15- What is your favorite activity to do with your kids?Read to him, sing songs and tickle him.
16- Name one thing you said you'd never say as a mother. I thought that I would never nag my kids to do something. I hated when my family would nag me but now I find that I do it too.
17- Name something you do that your own mom did. We both love to cuddle, give lots of kisses and constantly tell our kids that we love them.
18- What is your favorite quality your mom has? She is very patient and loves to read.
19- What is your favorite kids book? All of the Sandra Boynton books.
20- What is your favorite advice for new moms? Try not stress too much. Remember that when you are struggling, take to the Lord in prayer and he will guide you.
21- What is your most heartbreaking moment as a mom? When I have to leave him. I hate to be away from him. I also hate to see him cry when he is hurt.
22- What is your most joyful moment as a mom? Anytime that his learning something new and when he tells me that he loves me.
23- When is the last time you told one of your kids you loved them? 5 minutes ago.
24- When was the last time you were told, "I love you" by your kids? 5 minutes ago.
tag all moms!

I Love Stephanie Meyer

I am totally addicted to Stephanie Meyer and her books. I just finished reading all of her Twilight series and I have also read the new book called the Host. (It was really different but very good.) It is a really good thing that I am done because it has been all consuming for me. I had the hardest time putting any of the books down. I hardly got anything done around here until I finished them. I love reading a good book like these. It has been a really long time since I have found a book that enjoyed as much as these. The last ones were probably the Harry Potter books. Anyway, if you haven't read them I would highly recommend them. They have become so popular that they are making a movie about the first Twilight book. I am so excited. It comes out in December. That is the only gift that I really care about for my birthday. If I don't get anything but tickets for that show I will be thrilled!!!!!

Another Season Is Over

Our family has really enjoyed watching American Idol this year!!! Alex had even gotten into it. (When it comes on now he tells me that American Idol is on the TV or if someone is singing on TV he thinks it's American Idol.) The last couple of years the show has not been nearly as interesting as this year. I was really happy and excited to see David Cook win but I also really liked David Archuletta. Obviously, since he is from Utah it was really fun to watch all of the news about him, but I also really enjoyed his voice. I hope that both of them can make some great careers out of this. I know that I will be one of those suckers buying their music when it comes out!! (I already have some of the others). I know that this may make me weird or lame or whatever but it is one of the things that I really enjoy!!

What a Big Boy We Have

I just thought that I should post something about what is going on here. Jackson and I have decided to start potty training Alex. We started about a week ago and at first it was a real struggle. The first two days were really terrible with accidents all over the house because I just had him in regular underwear (they are really cute on him!!!). Then he started to cry uncontrollably every time I put him on the potty. So, because of all of that, we have been using the pull-ups and ever since then it has gone great. He is still able to pull his pull-ups up and down like his underwear and I don't worry as much about him. We have only had a couple of accidents in his pull-ups since we started them. He is going potty at regular intervals now and seems to really be getting the hang of this. He is even able to hold it all in for 2-3 hours at time! In a couple of weeks I will try putting him back into the underwear, but for now I am really impressed with the progress that he is making. I think that his potty prizes are also helping him. We bought some poke'mon cards for him to have when he went pee pee in the potty and some Little Einstien figures for when he goes poo. The pooping hasn't gone as great but that is something that he has always struggled with (he just gets so constipated). He really loves the poke'mon cards though and I figure if they are helping me get him potty trained then that is good. Now, I just need to get him to realize when he needs to go and not have me constantly asking him. He seems to continually amaze me at the things that he can do. It's so hard for me to believe but he really isn't a baby anymore. He is getting so big and grown-up!

Happy Mother's Day

I just wanted to add a little note on my blog to all of the special women in my life who have helped me and inspired me along the way. I want to thank my three sisters for all of the laughs and tears that we have shared together. For all the fights that brought us closer together and most importantly, for all of the love and experiences that we share with each other. I am so grateful to have you all in my life! I am lucky to have you as my closest friends. I hope that we will always stay close to each other and help each other with our struggles and trials and share our excitement and joy too. I also want to thank my grandmother for the wonderful example that she has set for me. She is such an amazingly patient person and always has a kind word to say about everyone. She has always made me feel like I am the most important thing to her, even when everyone else is around (I am sure that my sisters would say the same thing about themselves). She will always be an inspiration of love and kindness to me. I hope that as the years go by for me, I will be able to take some of her kindness with me. I am also extremely lucky to have such an amazing relationship with my in-laws. To me it is almost weird to call them in-laws because they feel just at much my family as my own flesh and blood do. They have always treated me like their daughter and sister and never anything less. I will forever be grateful to them for the love that they continually show me and for the wonderful husband that they helped Jackson to be. Lastly, I want to thank my own mother for all the she does for me. Now that I am a mother I can't even imagine the worry and frustration that I caused her. From all of the countless hours that she spent helping me with my learning disability and then helping me learn to overcome it and realize how to adapt to it. She never let me feel bad about who I am and what my struggles are. Mom always helped me feel good about myself and that even though I am so little and have health problems as well as a learning disability, that didn't have to hinder what I can do in life. There is no way that I could have accomplished all that I have without the love and confidence that my parents showed me. Above all, I hope that I can carry that on to my children. I want them to know that no matter what problems and trials they may face, they can do anything that they want to. I may so grateful for these amazing women in my life and for their influence in my life and the lives of my children. I love you and hope that you all have the best Mother's Day.