"Our Life"

New Med's

2011-11-09T06:15:00.001-08:00

After being referred to several different Dr. for Carter's ASD we finally got to go to Primary's. We seen a Medication specialist and I guess medications in children with ASD do the opposite. We took him off all the meds he had been on in the past. I quite giving him everything because of they way he felt. They put him on a blood pressure medicine. I had my suspicion's with it as well as no sleep (had to make sure he was still alive). Well Carter can Snore, even without adenoids! He has more energy and is up bright and early (5:00 this morning). He says he fells better then he has ever felt. I guess the blood pressure pills help with the sleep so he has more energy during the day. Children with ASD are often diagnosed with ADHD-H when in reality it is just the effects of ASD. I am so glad this Dr. knew what she was doing and could answer a lot of my questions and not tell me I need a therapy dog like the other one!

How to teach what we learn.

2010-11-17T10:05:00.000-08:00

I have just learned that I need to help Carter learn common sense. How do you teach someone something you never had to learn your self?

The other night he was getting ready to go out to dinner with his friend. Dinner was at 6:00 and I made the mistake of telling him at 4:00 (as a bribe to get him to clean his room) he did nothing for the next hour but count down the minutes. So the second hour I caved and made him watch cartoons. Before he left I noticed he was sniffing. I told him to blow his nose so he wasn't sniffing at dinner, never thought anymore about it. Today Carter came up to me and told me I was right. I asked him what I was right about. He said that if he blew his nose he wouldn't have to sniff. I wish that I could have taught him that when he was two! All it took was to explain why and just do it.

I often say that I never signed up for this. It makes you realize how much we take for granted all that God created including ourselves.

First day of school

2010-08-25T20:21:00.000-07:00

Sorry hun I know you LOVE it when I take pictures like this but I am to tired to figure it out.

He is the kids first day of school pics.

It kills me to send this one off to school when he begs me not to. I hope and pray that it will get better with time, His day was normal " horrible".

Here is Shay's first day.

She told me in the hallway. "I will See you later Mom" She looked tired but said she had fun. It is so much easier sending a kid to school who likes it!

Kofford Reunion

2010-08-06T07:35:00.000-07:00

Rex playing the 4 note harmonica

Grown ups with Cree'l dancing to YMCA.

Sheila's boys

Grandpa Carter acting out Clearance Kofford (with grandma's hands)

Ducks and Fishing with Tara

2010-08-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

This is how we fish without dad.

walking in the water

Trying to catch a duck

Feeding the Ducks

Day Camp

2010-08-06T07:20:00.001-07:00

Look who we found..
I want to build one of these

unsure of the boat

checking out the rockets

Early morning

Cabin with Grandma

2010-08-06T06:38:00.000-07:00

Building a path

PLaying cards. It was cold this weekend.

The kids all went in the cabin and when we came back in ALL the glow sticks were open.

4th of July Cookies

2010-07-03T13:02:00.001-07:00

Working together.

Innocent, sweet and helpful

Then this happens when mom takes a potty break!

Another year gone by

2010-05-20T17:50:00.001-07:00

Sometime I don't even understand why I go through everything at the school to get Carter help! Once again another year gone by with nothing that was promised done. Don't get me wrong Mrs. Jackson has been really good for Carter this year. She had been the best teacher so far but a little communication could have been better.
The School sociologist was suppose to be pulling Carter out of class for social groups, this has never been done. The other day at the school we walk past him and Carter could not even make eye contact with him. I guess the fact he was able to say a word back means that he is just fine.
I also wonder why kids are so cruel! I was talking with a little girl today and she told me that a boy in their class told Carter he was stupid because he has brain damage. She asked me if this was true because Mrs. Jackson had told them that he did. I was trying so hard to hold back tears. I am just sick of this school and don't understand WHY I have to put my son through this every day at school..........

Parenthood

2010-04-24T06:55:00.000-07:00

My Aunt called me a couple of weeks ago and told me of the show "Parenthood". She said I should watch it because the little boy Max has asperger's. I have been recording this show (the only way I have time to watch it with out the kids) the last one I watched Max took this rubber band ball away from his cousin. When the parents found it they told him that he could not have it because it was not his. He said "you told me if I ask I can have it, I asked ,that means I can have it". I laughed so hard and told Matt that is something that Carter would do. The very next night at dinner he said the exact same words! Matt and I were laughing so hard, poor Carter had no idea what was so funny!

Have you ever seen this horrible back pack things! I bought one when Shayla was little because she is Shayla! The thing resurfaced, Shayla put it on and stated she was ready to go to Walmart. Oh no not with that on, I told her. She said but WHEN I run away you can just pull on this. I told her you don't need that because if you run way I will just spank your bum! I guess that was good enough for the store, She took it off.

If you are thinking of getting one DON'T. Shayla would just crawl around barking like a dog and neither Matt nor I would hold the other end. We tried to use when Carter was in baseball. I never thought those days of baseball would end so soon :( I don't miss Shayla running away, I miss watching Carter play and hoping he would get the hang of it and love it.

Egg Hunt #2

2010-04-12T05:16:00.000-07:00

Carter at Matt's moms

Shayla

Shayla loves to cross her eyes. Then she taught Grandma how to do it!

Wonder how long it will take before my mother-in-law sees this? Michele don't tell!

Egg Hunt #1

2010-04-12T05:06:00.001-07:00

Each year my mom hides eggs for the kids. They all have their own color of eggs to find. This makes it nice they all get the same amount (except the few ever year that can not be found) and the fighting

Brynlee

Gage

Lauren

Shayla counting Eggs

Carter and Shayla

Dying Eggs

2010-04-12T04:58:00.000-07:00

Carter's eggs had to be perfect. Dipped in every color.

Perfecting his egg.

Check out the hands.

SURPRISE! Shayla were clean.

Holes and Shayla

2010-03-29T06:32:00.000-07:00

I thought Shayla had found all the holes on her body. Well Sunday we were on our way to get a dime out of her throat. The dime was stuck and she was crying and panic was all over her face. Finally she said it went down. I am so thankful that we didn't have to take her to remove yet ANOTHER object from her body!

Carter is into the coins collecting lately and I told him if it was one of his he wasn't getting it back. He didn't think it was to funny till he realized that his coins were in the truck.

What life will be like?

2010-03-24T08:02:00.000-07:00

I often ask myself this question (every morning).

I have been thinking about what I am going to do next year with two kids in school. I envey those people who's kids can get ready on their own. For this reason I would need a part time job. Carter (at this point) can not do this. I have to follow him from room to room every morning. It takes me from 7:30- 8:10 to get him out of bed. Then from 8:10-8:45 to eat breakfast then I brush his teeth (or it would take 35-40 min for him) and comb his hair. Then it is off the find the velcro shoes (what am I going to do when he out grows the velcro) the ties "BUG" him, the socks "BUG" him and half the time he comes home from school with out them on. Not to mention the non stop phone calls from the school.

I often wonder what his life will be like when he gets older. I know he will not have a hair cut. To get this child to cut his hair is dragging him into the building then removing the death grip from the waiting room chairs and not to mention the silent treatment to the hair dresser. His teeth might not ever be brushed because he cannot stand the texture of the tooth paste on his teeth. He might walk around with untied shoes and no socks. Whatever he may be I am SURE he will have a collection of many items. Only time will tell.

Photo shop fun

2010-03-23T13:41:00.000-07:00

All of Matt's time on photo shop I guess pays off. Here are some of his pictures that he took and edited.

I Loved this little barn. It is no longer there.

This is out our back door.

SLC Temple

Our Kids

Tara took this one. Matt just played with it.

Nothing new.

2010-03-22T12:39:00.000-07:00

Carter has finally got brave and learned to climb the tree (I think he just got tall enough).

Shayla, being herself. Yes, her shoes are way to big but she had to have them.
Grandpa would be so mad if he new who moved the rocks.

and then there is poor Caroline!

I am suprised that this chicken is out best layer. Maybe Shayla just scares them right out of her!

Cake...

2010-02-20T14:08:00.001-08:00

I made this cake for the Blue and Gold. I can't wait to cut into it to see how the inside looks and to see if it even tastes good. The inside is blue and gold (yellow) layered. I am going to attempt to make Shayla birthday cake. I noticed I really need to purchase different plates and cookie cutters that are not Christmas.

Can't Run Fast Enough

2010-01-22T05:56:00.000-08:00

Do you ever feel like you need to get away from someone or something but, it always comes back?

We went to Carter's class display last night. He was so excited to show me all the things that he had made. We got to the first table which had necklace on it, I noticed one necklace that did not look like the rest and hoped it wasn't his. Which necklace is yours, Carter? I asked. Carter responded, "the one that is not wrapped around, I didn't finish and the teacher took it anyway". Ok, good enough. Next was the tee pee table. Oh no, one is standing out. Carter, is that tee pee yours? I asked. "Yep that is mine", he stated. This tee pee was black and all the rest were brown.

Ok, I know Carter thinks like no other child but something is up. Here come Mrs. Jackson from across the room. I asked Carter to go do a make and take. Here it comes what is he up to now. Mrs. Jackson is worried because Carter uses the bathroom every hour. I told her I was not sure what was going on but I will talk to him about it. She is having a really hard time getting him to stay focused and to finish anything..... I didn't want to have this conversation, not this year. I want to to live in my bubble and pretend that it has all gone away, he is normal has friends and can pay attention in school and understands when he is being bullied. Do I really have to face reality?

Starting to feel over whelmed, I feel a little person hugging me. I looked down to find a little girl in my last years primary class. This little girl has such a sweet spirit and her family found out that her mom has Cancer and it doesn't look good. I was so relieved after last year that I wouldn't have to look this little girl in the face at the most difficult time in her life because I was no longer her teacher..... well she is turning 10 this year and they moved me to the ten year old class so I get her again this year. I left the conversation with Miss Jackson and went with the little girl.

We sat at the make and take table. We talked about prayers being answered, being sick, her spirit and I realized that I can run all I want from my fears of death but I can never escape her. She trusts me enough to open up to me, to tell her sister to wait in the hall so she could finish her conversation with me in private (we were at a table with lots of other kids, I guess they didn't exist at the time). She was sad that her Mom was to tired and sick to come. I responded that her Mom loves her and would to have loved to see all the neat stuff that was displayed and that not being able to do things like this is harder on her them the medicine. She came up with a great plan. She is going to make a display stand at home and take it in to her Mom's room so she could feel like she was part of it. I told her that her Mom would love it!

I came home and broke down. It is not fare for her and she told me that she was praying and Heavenly Father was not answering her prayer, he was not healing her Mom. They are going to finish this round of Kimo (spelling) and then they are done. What do you say???

I figured out last night that I have to put my fears of death behind me. She trusts me and needs me to help her stay strong. I know that our Heavenly Father answers our prayers, he answers them in a way that strengthens us while here on earth. It's not always the answers that we want but it is what is best. Heavenly Father knows us better then we know our self.

Where is the Christmas Spirit!!

2009-12-10T12:25:00.000-08:00

I am having a really hard time this year. I do not feel like it is Christmas. I told the kids that we are going to read one book a night in front of the tree so when it gets closer to Christmas we will know and understand the true meaning. I have been explaining to them that it is not about Santa and the gifts but about Christ and service.

I had them help me clean out the basement the other night and we bagged and boxed up A LOT of toys. I explained to them that we were going to give the toys away to children who need them more then we do. They were a little uneasy with this idea but they need to learn sometime.

When we got to D.I. and I finished unloading the truck, there she was crying in the back seat. " I am only five and do not want to give away my toys" she stated. I pulled off the the side of the road once again explaining what we were doing. I told her how proud I was of her to be such a big girl. That didn't seem to help so the next best thing CHOCOLATE made it all better!

We have been reading Genealogy lately and our relatives were happy with just a quarter or a new pair of shoe laces. I think that the time should be about family and sharing the fact that we are here and with each other not the gifts and I want, I want, I want. My kids are only allowed to ask for ONE thing at Christmas. They have both asked and only time will tell if this idea gets rejected.

Taking a step in the right direction....

2009-11-08T17:47:00.001-08:00

These last couple of weeks I have been very mean, I want to apologize to EVERYONE! I finally realized the other day (before my nephews baptism) that being stressed out and not relying on anyone (the Saviour) to help was allowing other things (negative) into my life.

With Thanksgiving around the corner I want to list some of the things I am thankful for...

The Atonement

My Saviour

My Family (even though we NEVER get along)

Examples

Friends

Temples

Prayer

My kids

Sundays

My Callings

Service

I have a little girl in my primary class who's spirit is of GOLD. Every time she sees me she gives me a big hug and I am scared. She keeps asking me to talk to her Mom and ask her if she can be baptized, she wants this so bad. Her Mom was just diagnosed with cancer and I could not imagine going on to my next life not being able to feel the STRONG spirit of your child's baptism. We (my family) has been to every baptism in the last 2 years in out ward (except the ones last Saturday)! I love to see them come out of the water so clean, so pure, just as clean as a new born baby! I love getting to know each and everyone of my primary kids, I think they teach me more then I teach them. Today we learned about Mormon and the word SOBER!! ( look it up it was very fun) Here are some pic's of the kids...

This is what happens when you leave the soap in the tub with Shayla.

Our new punishment...The Ruler!

At the end of my rope...

2009-10-17T19:26:00.000-07:00

Lately I feel like I am being challenged at EVERYTHING I do. I feel like someone wants me to quit and say enough is enough! There is not enough time in the day to finish anything that needs to be done and when I help someone things just get further and further behind. I love helping others and do not mind when things come up but I just need two or even just one day to myself to get all that needs to be done, done.

Me and Michele (my sister-in-law) went to the temple Friday night and even there I felt challenged. It was VERY busy and when it came to our turn I happened to glance down at my names and "oh no" I have NEVER had such long hard names!

On the drive home from Orem tonight (the last couple of unplanned days in Orem, in other peoples clothing) I though I am just going to go home and finish my lesson for Sunday and things will be just fine. Well on the answering machine was "by the way you have 4 new kids in your class all boys and one is Autistic". My heart just stopped. My Primary class already has 9 kids, 4 girls and 5 boys, I need a bigger room and Carter is hard enough, I need a miracle!!

First day of school

2009-09-09T08:07:00.001-07:00

This year is going to be a busy year!! I volunteered at the school with the PTA and also in the classrooms then came my new calling one of the Webelos leaders. I am still hoping to get released from ward missionary and the activities committee. I have the CTR 8 class still and maybe going to be released at the end of the year. I figured being released would be to much of a change in a short time for Carter to handle (since I teach his class)

Carter is now in Third Grade!!

Let hope that this year goes better then last year. I have paid a lot of money for those teeth and he still will not show them.

Shayla is in Kindergarten....She says there is a lot of boy at school.

Compliment's of Wal-Mart!

2009-08-07T06:35:00.000-07:00

I asked Matt to stop and pick up some tortilla's on his way home. Dinner was ready just to heat up the tortilla's when I found this!!!!!!!

Fresh off the shelf at Wal-Mart......
People please wash EVERYTHING off that comes from a store!!! I am kind of a germ a phobic when it comes to some things but I about died when I seen this. My fist thought was where is the mouse. I do not like mice let alone a bag of tortilla's that a mouse has ate through all the tortilla's and Matt nor the checker even noticed!! When I worked the graves at Smith's we had our far share of cat poop in the bulk items as well! Gross, Gross and Gross.

Our Temple Sealing

2009-08-05T14:22:00.000-07:00

Our Sealing was GREAT! Thanks to all that came to support us and to share with us this experience. The kids were great inside the temple the second we got outside neither of them wanted their picture taken nor wanted to hold still.

Shayla was so upset that Grandma Carter pulled out the good old bubble gum and she was very quiet and content just to set and chew her gum!Exploring while Grandpa Carter rests

Shayla kept trying to look inside the temple.

Everyone asked us why we choose the Salt Lake temple. We choose this temple because we let Carter choose and this is the one he wanted. He is fascinated with the fact that they brought every piece of granite down by oxen and how long it took them to build this temple. I can not count how many time he said "I can not believe all this granite" even inside the temple he was still saying it!

I am very glad that my family had the opportunity to be sealed for all of time and eternity. I never thought this day would come and was in shock when it did. I know that the lord walks in his temples.

Temple

2009-07-13T21:01:00.001-07:00

Matt and his sister Michele took out their endowments on Saturday. After they were sealed to their mom and dad! It was really nice but I do not think reality has set in for me yet. It was great to be in the temple with my husband (which I had came to realize was never going to happen). Here are some of the pic's we took.

Matt and Michele
Matt, Ken, Joan and Michele

Matt and I

Michele, Joan, Truman (the old neighbor) Ken and Matt

Matt pinching his dad's bum and Ken elbowing him back :) Just kidding

4Th of July

2009-07-07T17:25:00.000-07:00

Lauren's Baptism

2009-07-07T17:20:00.001-07:00

Matt got to baptize my Niece Lauren (12). He was glad that he could do this for her! We Love you Lauren....And all the other niece's and nephews!

Swimming

2009-07-07T17:11:00.001-07:00

Both of my children were so talented and ended up at the bottom of the slide without going in!!! Only my kids.....

Swimming with Nancy

2009-07-07T16:43:00.000-07:00

Carter did so good with Nancy at swim lessons!!

Should have listened

2009-06-27T08:42:00.000-07:00

Today I was informed about a ward member's and also someone I considered a FRIEND passing. The last couple of week I have been thinking about her. I was planning on going to see her but didn't want to just show up. I drove up by her house Friday afternoon and was not sure which one it was. I cam e home and should have looked it up and went back but I didn't! A couple of calls to tie up loose ends with primary would turn into a couple of hours of talking over the phone. We had somethings in common. She had a lot of stress in her life but her Testimony of the church was GREAT it was POWERFUL! In my eye's she had it all. She definitely had her trials in this life but we learn and grow from them and when you talked to her the light would shine through she had DREAMS and HOPES for the future and will greatly be missed. This will serve as a LIFE lesson to me to NEVER second guess myself and to ALWAYS listen!

Carter's Baptism

2009-06-02T07:24:00.001-07:00

I am so proud of my boys! I still can not believe that Matt baptized and confirmed Carter. That took a lot of courage and faith.

Carter could not stand this band around his waist and was pulling on it the whole time.Carter and Chase before the baptism
Food

Updates from May

2009-06-02T07:03:00.000-07:00

May has been a VERY busy month. I was just hopping to get it out of the way. Now that May is over I am just hoping for a better June but so far it has not started out that way because the basement flooded yesterday. Well here is what was going on in May along with many other school programs that I did not take my camera for.

Shayla's Pre-school Grad.

This is her "boyfriend" Dylan

Swimsuits

2009-05-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

I was looking for a swimsuit for shayla and I can not believe what I found. What are we teaching these young children?? Do you think this swim suit is cut a little low for a 5 year old??? Not to mention the back is little straps! No wounder 14 and13 year olds are getting pregnant and are into online prostitution. If we start this at the age of 5 what do they wear at 10?

Happy Birthday Carter!!

2009-05-26T18:42:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that Carter is 8 Today!! I do not know where the 8 years went! Today we went to my aunts house because Carter has been begging to go. They kids had a blast and did not want to leave. Here are some of the pic's.

This horse has stitches...ouch!

Carter trying to ride the goat. It was smart!

Pic's

2009-05-20T14:23:00.000-07:00

Jex Digital did a great job on the kid's pic's and Carter invite for the baptism!

Thanks Nancy

Chicken Coop

2009-05-14T21:28:00.001-07:00

I was out building my square foot garden and could not find Shayla. Well a couple of days ago we put a lock on the front of the chicken coop because Shayla would take all the chickens out all the time and spanking did not stop it. Well needless to say the lock kept shayla from getting the chickens out but it didn't keep Shayla out. She climbed up the ramp and into the box...I am glad there was enough nails in it to hold her weight and she could get out on her own! Later tonight all the neighbor kids were over and they were playing "hide and seek" shayla told them that they could hide in the coop. I wonder who I will find next.

Oh my mom has the Camera!!

Look at all the stuff in her hair. At least she put the gloves on, right?

Pre-School

2009-05-04T06:20:00.000-07:00

YES, YES, YES! I have officially paid the very last tuition to pre-school that I will ever pay. In a way this is so cool in other it is kind of sad my babies are growing up no more cute little pic's from pre-school!!

2009-05-03T09:36:00.000-07:00

My Mother-in-law sent this to me. I thought it was funny!

If you cannot decipher anything, then try pulling the corner of your eyes as if you were Chinese. It works.

Holes on Shayla's body!

2009-04-29T08:19:00.001-07:00

I know you have to tell your children not to put things up your nose but Shayla is a whole other story!!! Popcorn in the ear and this morning in the bath she starts screaming and I go running in thinking what could be wrong, she is to old to poop in the tub or is she? Oh no Shayla did better then that she but a marble up her butt (I hoped it was her butt!!!). I can not believe this child. I told her to sit on the toilet while I called the doctor. Well it came out. Yes, an embarrassing phone avoided! Now their is only one whole left that I hope I don't have to deal with!!!! I thought the ear was the last one but nope it seams MOM forgot about the others!! I was wondering how much a marble removal would be. The popcorn came to a total of $2044.00 and should have came out in gold!

Stake Interviews

2009-04-28T18:42:00.000-07:00

How come EVERYTHING takes longer then planned????? I left the house at 6:45 thinking I would be the first one in and out of my interview. I talked Matt into being Late to scouts because I really did not want to dress my children up and chase them (Shayla) through the church. Well ALL the doors were locked. I went back and sat in the car and then the mini vans showed up and they stood at the doors and you no what happened? Someone opened the doors this put me like the 6th in line....I can never win :)

I also left the house in a really negative mood, never do this when you are going to talk to someone with authority! This leads me to my next thing... I really hate the question, How are you doing? I think this is a trick question! If you answer "fine" they just keep looking at you. I think the next time I am asked this question I am going to give a really long answer to see if that stare (the stare that means your lying, not telling the truth or there is something else) goes away. I want this power, I really do! I think this would get my husband to talk more. Maybe I can just do the stare and not have the power, do you think it would work the same or do you just think the answer "fine" just triggers the look and the long silence? I just need to make it through MAY! I think I can. I think I can.

Shayla's Hair

2009-04-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

This is a before.....

Getting a hair cut
During the hair cut

Not sure of the hair cut!

and the end. Does my baby look older?

Wal-Mart

2009-04-27T10:02:00.000-07:00

Hey!! Wal-mart will open on Wednesday.... No more Smith's and hopefully this parking lot will not be as full as the one in Lehi/American Fork.

I want this!!!

2009-04-25T19:24:00.001-07:00

I was doing some online shopping the other day and found this....

I want it and thought it would be perfect to put on the deck (when it is built). I called the company and found out the there is only 2 in the whole western US and they happen to be in Murray. I was ready to go get it because they only had TWO!!! Well Matt said no. THANKS DAVE RAMSEY. I guess I better pay off our little popcorn kernel instead!

Water and dirt make WHAT?

2009-04-20T11:23:00.001-07:00

I knew I was going to be busy with Shayla today. When she gets bored she get into trouble!!

I was adjusting sprinklers and fixing my "dig" system and this is what I found Shayla doing. She helped herself to the hose. I think I was robbed of a little girl :(

These were new shoes (she dressed herself)

This is just one of Carter acting like "A little person"

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T07:50:00.000-07:00

The best part of Easter is Coloring eggs! If this is all Easter was my kids would be satisfied.

Notice the hands...Very careful not to get color on them.

Check out the use of these hands and the whole bottle of glitter.

The end result
The best part of all....CHOCOLATE!!!
The Easter bunny came really late to our house. Our dad would not go to bed I was worried that the bunny wasn't going to show up at all!! About 2:30 I told him he had to quit playing the Wii and turn out ALL the light or the bunny would not come! He figured out how to play on the Internet. Hey for us we love watching football and hearing it ALL hours of the night. If you see my husband asleep in church please wake him up!!

10TH Anniversary

2009-04-10T05:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our tenth Anniversary! I tired to post some pics but they would not load. I can not believe how much changes in 10 years. Our cars use to be spotless and we were never home, always gone camping and now....well our cars are a mess (thanks to kids) we hardly make it out camping and it seems like we are always home. I would not change it I love my kids ( some days it doesn't show) and I could not image how boring my life would be with out them. We are very boring people. Me and the kids went to a birthday party at Classic and got home about 10:00 and Matt was home by himself and had a bowl of cereal for dinner. Maybe we will do something on Saturday, movie and a early dinner? We still have to color eggs!

Happy Anniversary Matt, I love you!!

FHE

2009-04-07T06:13:00.000-07:00

We went to fly Carter's airplane. The kids had fun. Shayla has done nothing but run and get into trouble all day! She killed a fish and almost a chicken. She put it into a zip lock bag and zipped it up. So much for tying to clean out their box when Shayla is around.

The end result. She put on her own PJ's. We were in the middle of reading scriptures and we hear this really loud snoring. Shayla feel asleep this doesn't happen very often. Just ask the babysitter! Shayla takes total control when she is here, so next time she is going to bed before she comes!

U of U update

2009-03-31T18:47:00.000-07:00

I am kind of upset about this whole thing...... Carter does not have any of the rocking and speech delays that an autistic child has. With Asperger's it is more of a social delay and not knowing how to read people. Well he did not meet the criteria to join the research group because of this, which means that he does not get the ADI test that I needed for the school district. I have to go and get my own done. He does have specific characteristics of autism just not enough for the study.

In a way I feel blessed that he does not meet the needs but still feel like I am at square one. I know these test will not change who my child is or how I feel about him but I was hoping that it would change the way the school views him and help him with the friend situation as well as the social skills that he needs. We told him that we would go inside the capital building if he was good and the poor thing.... We had to pin him down to have his blood drawn and a guard at the door. He was sooooooo mad!!! He got paid $30.00 to do the study but lost $15.00 before we left. We have no idea where it went. Here are some pics of the State Capital.

Our Weekend

2009-03-30T13:10:00.000-07:00

I am sick of having fingerprints on the walls! This weekend I gave the kids rags and told them they had baseboards, doors, doorknobs, and the walls. They loved it! So did I.

We took a break and Shayla went to play with the chickens.

Carter made his famous Lemon aid. He told me that you do not smile in pic's when it is something you made. I asked, "Why" his response "because in all the inventors pic's they don't smile" I had to explain that cameras back then were not as fast and it was to long to hold a smile. He still wanted his pic like this.....

After Church Shayla helped dad make biscuits.

The finished product (I left this pic side ways just to get a rise out of Matt! He hates it when I turn the camera)

While Shayla cooked Carter found his Brian the Brain and was listing to some music he was into the electronic thing last night and replaced batteries in everything he could find!

Autism Research Project

2009-03-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

Well in the morning we go for our 6 hour testing with Carter. Wish us luck! He still doesn't know about the blood work. I told him that if he is good we can go do something after. He wants to go see the State Capital Building. I think we can manage this one! It just to bad the weather is so GREAT! Here is a good video I found on it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAfWfsop1e0&feature=related

Another Trip

2009-03-24T19:23:00.001-07:00

I have decided that Shayla should be in a bubble this week! Yet another trip to the after hours. She was putting up the play dough and the glass from a picture frame fall out and cut open her toe. I didn't know if it needed stitches or not but also had to make sure that there was NO glass in her toe. Good news no Glass and they just glued it shut...... Oh is this week over yet?

Popcorn anyone?

2009-03-24T07:00:00.001-07:00

Don't think that this is a regular popcorn kernel because it is NOT!! This is a special one coated in GOLD..... If Shayla was not involved it would just be a regular piece of popcorn. Yesterday we went to a Birthday party when Shayla came upstairs and said she could not get IT out of her ear. I called the doctor (knowing Shayla's ears) the appointment was at 4:50 (this was 4:30). They tried to get it out with everything and I kept asking are you sure you can get this out????

Well to make a long story shorter....They put water into her ear and she cried and yelled even louder (Shayla's ears can not handle water) Finally they called in another doctor to look at it. His plan was to put glue on a toothpick and try to pull it out. My response, "That is STUPID! What are the odds of her moving or this now wet piece of popcorn turning and you gluing the toothpick or the kernel to her ear?" Their response, " Huh we can not guarantee anything". I was so MAD! You could see the thing before we went in and now you can not see anything and she is SCREAMING non stop!!! I called the ENT when they went out of the room to talk about it. Well after 4 hours, a after hours ENT and after hours at the Provo Surgical Center plus the anesthesiologist IT CAME OUT!!!

I LOVE HEDI HERAS!!!!!!!!!! She is the best ENT and I felt soooooo bad that I had to call her. Needless to say I do not think Shayla will do this again and I am not sure how I feel about popcorn! Maybe I will get all involved a movie and a box of popcorn!

Yeh!!! Thank You U of U

2009-03-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

It is official. Carter goes to the U on the 31rst. They are doing a research project on Autism and they are doing ALL the tests for free!! I had to fill out this huge packet of questions since it is research they ask Everything. I am so glad a kept a baby book I had to go back and look at it several times and it is kind of funny because some of the things I wrote in there are definite signs of Asperger's and I never seen it. Here is a example....
When Carter was little (even now) he would not respond to his own name. I started calling him Suzy and he would look at me and say what. Even to this day I can do this and he will still respond. This is when he was a year and a half old. He would never eat mush or anything that had a different texture. Still to this day Carter has not tried several things.

I have not told him that he, myself and Matt are all having blood work done. This will be interesting. They will pay him for it but I am pretty sure the response will be..... You are not taking my blood you are not paying me for it because when you take it it will kill me them you will get to keep the money... Just a thought. We will see.....

Carter and the hidden camera

2009-03-23T08:46:00.001-07:00

Chickens

2009-03-09T15:15:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when the neighbors invite you over for a game night (fun). They had chickens told us they were not hard to raise really easy, cheap and you get eggs. Matt came home and got online and found some for cheap....talked me into it and now guess what we have?

Six yes that is right SIX. I went to buy 3 at the most. I could not buy just one of one kind so I had to buy two of each...... so six! What did I do???

Carter being brave....

Shayla looking at the feet. She will not leave them alone I am putting a lock on the basement door until they are old enough to go outside!

Stamps and Shayla

2009-03-03T10:13:00.000-08:00

Shayla loves stamps and scissors!!! Shayla is no longer aloud to play with the stamps or scissors...sorry Michele!

This is what she did on the way home from pre-school.
Very proud of herself!

Thanks goodness I caught her before the car got it! As for the scissors.....well my mother in law no longer has shoe laces and all the stuffed animals in the backroom all got a haircut.

Shayla's School Field Trip

2009-02-26T16:36:00.000-08:00

Today we went to the dentist. I think the kids had fun. I didn't get any pic's of Shayla other then these. I went back with a different group of kids and really didn't know any of the names so I won't post them. I guess Shayla volunteered to get up in the chair and she got a new tooth brush. Let me just say that every time we go to the dentist and she gets a new tooth brush she brushes her teeth until the trial size toothpaste is gone. The toothpaste she got today lasted about 2 hours and she is ready to go to the dentist again....to get more toothpaste!

I just put this one in because I liked the face Teacher Nisha was pulling. I doubt she puts this one in the kids book at the end of the year!

Classic skating

2009-02-26T16:30:00.001-08:00

Took the kids to classic for Makade's school night. They had fun. Shayla ended up riding her big wheel and has a huge bruise across her back (the length of the seat). She would always go the wrong way or not watch where she was going! Then she ended up in the middle with the break dancing kids and started twirling on the floor to show them her moves. What can I say the child is not shy!

Carter ended up on Makade's rollerblades and now wants a pair. He did pretty good on them.

Happy Birthday Shayla!!

2009-02-23T15:08:00.001-08:00

I can not believe that my Baby is 5!!

Blowing out her candles

posing on the couch

Great Grandma and Grandpa Carter

Eating dinner

Opening Presents

Breakfast

Allah with a eight year old

2009-02-20T18:12:00.000-08:00

Tonight I had the little neighbor over...We learned about Allah. I learned a lot about his religion. I have to admit when they first moved in (3 year ago) I did not know that Muslims did not eat Pork. Matt came home from work and I was feeding the boys pizza w/ham on it, the neighbor loved it! Matt told me later that night that they do not eat it because it is a dirty meat. I felt really bad but living in Utah my whole life I really don't know that much about other religions and didn't even think about it.

Anyway back to the point. I learned from a eight year old that they do believe in life after death and you can only repent of your sins after you die and you see Allah. I could not imagine living my life here on earth and not being able to feel the burden of a sin be lifted from you. I also learned that Allah believes in a payback!!! This is a god that believes in punishing all people (who have not be allowed to repent and learn from their mistakes)who have done bad or evil. The way he punishes is the good go to the sky and the bad stay in the ground and the ground turns to sand......sounds like murder to me! The next thing I learned about was the color of skin...He told me that he was made from MUD....That got me thinking "If he is made of Mud then what are white people made of????"

He was telling me about the pork and I told him about the tea ,smoking, drinking and all that. It was interesting. His Grandpa is ALWAYS inviting me over for tea (I think it is the only English he knows) I can not explain to him that I do not drink tea because he doesn't understand. Maybe this little boy can help with that.... I wonder if he will be allowed over here again. I did not start this conversation but I did tell him what we believed in and how some things were the same.

I am glad that I was raised in the church and came back on my own. I know it is the true church and it is where I need to be and raise my family with. I know that heaven father would not leave us here on earth with no support or guidance. I am thankful for the priesthood, even though their is not many in my family that hold it. I think it makes you realize how much you need it when you are without. I know that the prophet is a man of God. I know that when we repent of our sins the burden is lifted but NEVER forgotten so that we can learn and grow from that experience. I know that we are given trials here on earth and the Lord will never put anything in our path that we can not handle. As long as we live the gospel and go to him for help we can over come whatever that might be. I know that Joesph Smith was a prophet that had great faith and had to endure many challenges in his life and I am thankful to him for restoring this gospel.

Spring Fever

2009-02-20T11:40:00.001-08:00

Shayla wants the flowers to come up (we don't have any). Carter wants to buy all the seeds in the nursery's and plant his own garden. I think the kids are ready for spring!! I found Shayla out back today trying to plant a tumble weed.

Fun??!!

2009-02-17T14:22:00.000-08:00

Shayla's Idea!!

Carter can try.....

Shayla will help..Willing????

Shayla will turn him...Not working....

"Take a Pic of me Mom" Shayla says "good bye Carter"

Shayla starts to shut the door...Carter gets out much faster then he got in!!
He didn't want to dye today....He needs to learn more about the prophets!! HA HA

Valentines

2009-02-12T15:47:00.000-08:00

The kids putting together the Valentines for their classes! It was fun. Shayla refused to write her name on the cards, she made lines and whatever she thought looked good. Carter had many more ideas of how to make his own and what would look better then what I had in mind. They got done and it will all me over Friday.....That is if Carter is going to school.

He came home today and decided that he was not going to school anymore. He is tired of people telling him what to do. He doesn't like math and reading. I do not understand what is taking the school so long. I filled out all the info in January for his evaluation. He didn't want his pic taken doing valentines. I can not wait for my insurance to cover him!!!!

Carter's new idea....

2009-02-11T07:27:00.000-08:00

Carter thinks that the U.S. money should say "We Trust in God" instead of "In God we Trust". What a 7 year old thinks of.

Pay it Forward

2009-02-06T17:17:00.001-08:00

So, I got this from a friend. The first 3 people to leave a comment on this will receive a hand made gift from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise. There's a small catch...You knew there would be didn't you? Post this on your blog then come back and leave a comment, telling me you're in. Fun, huh? Remember, only the first 3 comments receive the gift. Let's see who looks at my blog!

Terrible two's?

2009-02-04T11:23:00.000-08:00

If two's are terrible what is five?????

I asked Shayla to go in and go to the bathroom before rest time. I walked past the hall and she was looking at the garbage laughing (not a good sign). I asked her what she was doing....Nothing... Then I hear her says "Carter I made it in the garbage". I immediately went to see What and Why. I already new of the where, when and Who! Oh my gosh....Why????????

Why on earth would a little girl who is almost 5 pee in a garbage can? I told her that was bad and she had to go to time out. We DO NOT pee in the garbage cans!!!! She smiled laughed and skipped to her time out. I was trying not to laugh because why would a little girl do this????
I hope she got it out of her system because I can not and will not tolerate this again!!!

Wishing for SPRING!

2009-02-04T07:15:00.000-08:00

I want the winter to be over! We need a vacation, need to go camping and just get out. I really dislike this time of year, it is cold and I feel like I am stuck inside all day long. Matt leaves for work in the dark and comes home in the dark.

Yesterday I told Shayla she could play with her little friend and this was her response...."Holy nutcrackers, I can not believe that!" Laughed so hard. She is coming up with the funniest little sayings! WE went to dinner the other night and she said that she was shivering like a Popsicle.

Carter is home sick today...Yeah. He has a cold, been complaining about his ear and says his tummy hurts. Like I said before I LOVE the winter. At least the child is eating nonstop. He has put on 8 lbs since the end of December. I am wonder if it is another growth spurt.

Well, I guess today is a day of cleaning, de-cluttering and finishing Carter's room.

Carter's room (in the making)

2009-01-30T11:04:00.000-08:00

Carter wants his room to be "Patriotic" He wants to have famous people in history that have made a difference for the better on the walls (his wording). I have no idea who some of the people even are! So now that the dresser is (almost) done and the red wall we are off to find stars, ribbon, pictures and frames, and some good sewing to cover the shelf with the fish on it. Wish me luck!! It's not July....

Before this is what the dresser looked like (mess and all).

and After....

I am not cleaning the mirror until I paint the white stars around it.

I love this bed spread. The brown walls can stay. The sponge bob pillow is not part of the decorating.

Dave Ramsey

2009-01-27T15:36:00.000-08:00

Today I was telling Carter that he has to stop asking for treats and things that we do not need. I told him that we are going to start doing Financial Peace University. He told me that he was not going to do it and that I didn't need to either. He said if I had a problem I could just call him like everyone else does. Then I would not waste my money! I laughed.

Primary

2009-01-25T17:20:00.000-08:00

I want to quit....... I almost lost it today(puked). Brace yourself. This little boy in my class (no Names) was blowing his nose. When I looked down at him is was blowing it onto his finger. I asked him to go into the bathroom and get a tissue, he then stuck it in his mouth and said I don't need one. I just about lost it!!!!!

I do not know what it is but every beginning of the year I do not want to teach anymore...I miss my old class!!!! After about 1/2 the year I am ok with the new one. I hope June comes really soon.

Draper Temple

2009-01-25T07:48:00.000-08:00

We went to the Draper temple yesterday....I was so mad that I did not even take a pic. The kids had fun! Carter was not sure about the bus ride (a big bus and going up the big hill). Shayla loved it. It is a very beautiful temple. I do not remember the Timp Temple having such a bold message about eternal families or maybe the spirit just hit me stronger this time. I can not wait until it is dedicated. We have two more times to go and I want to see what the kids notice the second and third time around since the first time was a little overwhelming.

Yesterday was just our family, the second time is with some of my family and the third is at 8:30 at night with Matt's family. The 8:30 was the only late one they had left so Matt could go with his whole family. I hope the kids are good!

Karate

2009-01-23T15:05:00.000-08:00

Carter LOVES his Karate. He is learning lots of different things.

MY... new CTR 8 Class.

2009-01-18T20:29:00.000-08:00

Today reality hit me, "Matt has a new calling"! I was really upset at church today because I do not want Matt to be out of the primary. This meant that we had nothing to talk about after church. We usually laugh about what kids did what and said what. Matt is now the assistant scout master and what ever it has in store for him I will support. Back to my calling, it is really hard for me to teach this age of kids. Every week I am reminded of my family growing up, my baptism, the present and that Carter's baptism is coming up.

Growing up... When we were little (5 kids, 2 brothers a sister and another brother then me) my mom took us kids to church every week by herself. She fought my brothers before, during and after church every Sunday. I remember sitting on the bar stools when we came home and having to face the other person for punishment. I was asked quite often if I had a Dad. One day I was so sick of answering this question that I just told them that no I was hatched by my mom. I can count on one hand the number of times my dad came to church with us. My Mom never gave up and needless to say that we all make out own decisions when we grow up. I am the only one out of 5 that is active in the church.

Baptism..... I tell the kids in my class that this is a day they will remember for the rest of their life! Last year I was asked by one of my primary kids to give a talk at his baptism. I did not have the heart to tell him no so I did it. I really really do not like to get up in front of people at all! I am really glad now that I had the opportunity to do it. When I was baptized the ONLY person in my family worthy (I hope) and held any kind of priesthood was my sixteen year old brother. I turned 8 in the beginning of June and I had to wait until Oct. to be baptized because my dad was working out of town. I was so worried because I did not want to be a convert to the church.

The present.... The priesthood has not grown that much in our family. My Grandpa who is (77)and Matt's dad hold the priesthood. When teaching my primary class and talking about how the priesthood helps us they little kids often say....."when we are sick", "Before we start school", "to help us when we are worried" and so on and so on. Carter really has no idea what they are talking about. It really makes me wonder how many people that hold the priesthood really use it to the FULL advantage. If they lost the priesthood is the only time they would miss it ,is when it is needed for things mentioned above or before? My Grandpa has a really hard time using the priesthood I have had to beg him a couple of times when I just could not handle it anymore to give Shayla blessings. If it was not for the priesthood and the blessing that Shayla received when she was having seizures (and the faith to cure them) I would not be where I am today and I could not imagine my life with out the church.

Carter's Baptism..... Carter will be baptized in June. He is kind of scared because he is afraid that he will drowned. His is very excited to turn eight and I hope and pray everyday that Matt can overcome is addiction because it will break his little heart if his Dad is not able to baptize him. Over the last couple of year we have been to several baptisms and every one the dad has done the baptism. I tried to explain to Carter that Dad does not hold the priesthood and he asks me a couple times a week if Dad has the priesthood yet and I finally just told him that when Dad gets the priesthood he can come watch and listen.

I found this pic the other day thought you might enjoy it....This is me on my baptism day with my brother.

Pre Ad Listing for Shayla

2009-01-15T19:35:00.000-08:00

How long do you give it until she realizes that she can swing from the closet rod and break it?

Carter was complaining today about..."Why do I always have to do it!" Shayla replied because you are special. I laughed so hard. The look on Carter's face. He dislikes it when she comes up with responses like that.

If the little devil doesn't sleep tonight here is my Pre Ad.....

FREE

A little loving girl (when she wants to be). Doesn't require much sleep so no naps are required. Is the perfect child for someone on the go. There is no need to do her hair she loves to do that on her own. You can even get your exercise in one simple shopping trip. No need for a personal trainer. With all the running after her and trying to find her when she disappears and let's not forget the muscles you can build by pushing the cart with her on the sides and front. Not to mention half the bill because she will be ready to go before you are, what a great money saver! Perfect for the loving family that loves late nights but can still mange to get up bright and early. She doesn't eat much and will love to redecorate (with markers) when ever possible. Please contact FDCS (Family Division and Child Services) for more information.

Maybe some sleep

2009-01-14T16:13:00.000-08:00

I hope that tonight I will be able to get some sleep! Last night Shayla went to bed at 3:45AM and was wide awake at 7:00AM. I thought I was going to get some sleep when Carter decided to come in a little after 4:00am. Took Shayla to the Doc. today they gave her a steroid and she should get better! I really do not want to sit on the porch anymore it is kind of scary really early in the morning. Carter will be going to school in the morning and Shayla will wait one more day.

sick of being sick!

2009-01-13T08:57:00.000-08:00

Last night Carter ended up at the insta care. He was not breathing very well and they ended up giving him a steroid shot and a breathing treatment. I really dislike these places. I think they are dirty and full of all different kinds of germs! Matt thinks I am a germaphobic. When we left last night they did not even clean or sanitize for the night they turned out the lights and left. Gross ,Gross and Gross!
When you have another lady in the waiting room and her child keeps filling their pants and playing with your child who is white as a ghost and coughing like he was I think I would keep my child away. Common sense not to mention if I was the other women I would be horribly embarrassed!

Sorry my pic's of the white children will not load.

Aspergers

2009-01-09T09:20:00.000-08:00

Well I took Carter back to our family Doctor on Tuesday and the sign once again points to Aspergers. Matt tries to tell me that it is all in my head and that nothing is wrong with Carter.

At our family Christmas party Carter traded a white elephant present for a cheap little frog jump rope. Well at the end of the night the jump rope was lost and no where to be found. Carter was heartbroken (the kid doesn't even know how to use it). You can not tell me that him bawling and screaming and wanting to punch someone over a dollar jump rope is normal. Not to mention at the ward Christmas party he just want a balloon and he was happy the rest of the night. Carter would be satisfied for days with just a simple balloon.

I am at my wits end and do not know what to do anymore! The school district is suppose to be doing a evaluation on him again (since the ball was dropped the first time). Is it normal for a 7 year old to wait by the building by himself for recess to be over? I do not think so. I don't know maybe it is all in my head. The only child he ever talks about is his cousin Garrett he wants to ALWAYS have a sleep over at there house. I am not sure he even plays when he is over there so I am not sure why. He does not know is left from right hand and can not remember is Aunts names and which one has which child but yet knows his times tables. Yeah it must be all in my head.......

Junk Junk and more junk!!

2009-01-05T18:30:00.000-08:00

My kids are horrible at keeping junk! They keep paper plates, strings, rocks and you name it they keep it. Today Carter went back to school ,I figured it was a good time to clean out the basement. I tried to do it on the Christmas break and they would not throw anything away. I finally got it clean and filled on big black garbage can! I love it when I can de-junk (I don't think this is a word) and the kids don't even miss the treasures that I got rid of. I need something like a treasure box that sits outside the house (no treasures allowed in the house) and then I can just dump the whole box and no need to go through the whole house!!!!

New Years

2009-01-01T17:19:00.000-08:00

We have a very boring life. This year we did Nothing for new years...... We played a couple of little kids games and then worked on a puzzle. At 11:00 I put on the movie of Hinckley hoping that they would all fall asleep so I could go to bed. Carter was a die hard he kept waking me up. Here are some of our pic's

Carter getting ready to jump into the new year! We woke Matt up.

Carter going to blow the air horn.

Shayla didn't make it but she lasted till 11:00.

Sledding

2008-12-30T15:19:00.000-08:00

We went sledding today! The kids had fun but the saucers did not work on the hill so they had to share the sled. I called all over Utah county looking for a sled and I finally found one at Costco. So we will have to try the hill again. If Shayla is up for another round.

Carter and Chase

Carter wiped out with Shayla and they ended up tumbling down the hill together and it just happened that Shayla's head was the one that ended up in the snow on every roll. Carter would land on his back with Shayla in his arms and poor Shayla with Carter on top of her. It was pretty funny:) I didn't think she was hurt that bad just the usual bloody nose but the marks is where she told me it was hurting.

Wii

2008-12-29T18:18:00.000-08:00

We got a family gift this year the Wii. I think that Matt likes it a little to much!!! The man is up past 1:00 every morning playing Wii fit or football. I think Chase is winning.

Christmas pic's

2008-12-29T17:55:00.000-08:00

Santa put some make up in Shayla's sock and needless to say it looked plastic. I opened it for her handed it to her and then turned around to find out it was not plastic..... and yes that is a double bloody nose not makeup up the nose.

The kids and the gifts!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-27T07:48:00.000-08:00

This Year Santa gave us a family gift....The Wii and the Wii fit. We are all a little sore from breaking it in. The kids love it and Matt would not let me take any pic's of him doing the hula-hoop. I will post pic's later. I hope everyone had a good Christmas and remembered the Savior this time of year.

Where is that PRESENT??????

2008-12-24T07:10:00.000-08:00

I spent 2 hours this morning looking for a present that I knew I bought. I now have a clean closet, cupboard in the kitchen and one of the pantry's. I also found the little neighbors gloves that he lost the other day. I thought they were outside in the snow but nope they were on the side of my car which I have not drove since it snowed ,he's mom will be happy and I can quit looking in the snow:) I finally found the present and one more that was hid next to it that I thought I bought but was not sure if I put it back or not. The joys of getting old!!! Take my toll I want to see if I am the only one that does this or not. I just happen to do it every year!

Carter Christmas Party

2008-12-22T08:07:00.001-08:00

Carter Christmas Party. We had dinner then we played some clothing game. Everyone brought one item of clothing and then you pass the sack around who ever it lands on you take something out and put it on.

The boys had a blast with this game!

Then the famous white elephants. Grandma Carter got a Nursing night gown....I am glad my family can joke about things (sometimes)!Britt's Maxi pad slippers.
Then the famous PJ's from Great Grandma and Grandpa so they can all run around in them and they can see how happy the grand kids are with the gifts that they gave! I like to watch Grandma Carter's face when they all come running back in with the PJ's on, she smiles from ear to ear!

Happy Birthday Matt!!

2008-12-19T14:08:00.000-08:00

My favorite B-day ever!!! My mom ordered a singing telegram. It was suppose to be a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader. This showed up instead. Me and Matt had just started dating like 4 months. This lady dressed like a hooker sang love songs to him he did not want to be rude so sweating bullets he looked and listened to ALL of her songs in front of the whole bowling alley. Ha the good old days.

Shayla's Program

2008-12-18T18:27:00.000-08:00

So I need to find the cable to my Camcorder so I can post the singing. The little boy in the middle is Dylan and the first boy is the Dino (Jacob). I took a little boy home from school because his parents were stuck in SLC in the snow. Shayla turned to the girl in the pic and told her " Huh your boy friend is going home with ME". The look on her face..... I had to explain that he lived by us and I was just giving him a ride home. I am not sure about her or how I am going to conrol her in her TEENS!

Snow, Snow and more Snow!

2008-12-18T08:39:00.000-08:00

I do not mind the winters (when the snow is not on the roads). I am having a really had time so far this year with the snow. Carter does not want to go to school when there is snow. He does not want to get his feet wet!
The day after thanksgiving I bought boots for shayla and asked carter if he would like a pair his answer was "no, I am not playing in the snow and I am not going to school" I knew right then that we could not even try on boots, he would of have a complete breakdown. The kid is almost as tall as me and I can not force him to do anything anymore (in public).
Well, this morning of course it is snowing. We had to get his snow boots because he did not want his feet wet (I hope they fir from last year). I think he thought it was his Christmas party today and what kind of mother would I be if I told him different? He willing went to school. He was a little late because of the boots, coat, hat and gloves they all have to be just right and then you are to hot and they all come off before you can get the other child dressed!!! This is going to be a VERY VERY long winter!! Oh yeah I also have to drive the truck because of the snow (which I don't mind) and I have a little back seat driver telling me I am going to fast. It is pretty sad when a mini van is riding on your butt in the middle of a snow storm and we are going to fast .Oh well, what ever gives him less stress right now. Let the mini van slide right into me or under me as long as Carter is not having a panic attack I am ok with that.

Autism

2008-12-16T18:32:00.001-08:00

Carter had his Appointment today for the Autism Dr. Well guess what they think he has Aspergers which is High functioning Autism. Some of the things fit Carter that did not fit with the ADD. I just want to know what is wrong with him and have someone help me with it. A child can not grow up not playing or communicating with children his age and sitting all by himself at recess. He loved this place and the people were very nice. I just think that every one is out to give their answers and take the money to have a job....

This place is 24,000.00 a year and is not covered by insurance. I know my son has social issues but 24,000.00 worth? I do not have $2000.00 a month to pay this or 150.00 an hour! Does anyone know of a place that tests for this and treats that is less then this?

Ginger Bread House

2008-12-11T17:21:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Train

2008-12-11T16:56:00.000-08:00

We sang Rudolph and Shayla was it.

Singing Jingle Bells at the North Pole

Setting with Santa at the north pole

Carter

Reigahn

Vivian

Brynlee

Makenzie

Shayla

Chase

This is the train. It holds 16 people plus the two workers!

All aboard!! Front of the train

and back of the train. Sorry Melissa you still made it in the Pic.

The train first took us to the North pole where we seen Santa. Santa delivered a very special Christmas message about the savior. Then we loaded a different train and went the the life of the savior from the Shepard's all the way to the Resurrection with music "Mary did you know" playing on the train. It was a very spiritual and nice for my children to see the other side of Christmas in such a peaceful fun manner.

Carter Update

2008-12-05T06:08:00.000-08:00

Carter has been doing this wired thing with his eyes. He can not stop blinking and squinting. I picked him up from school yesterday and he was doing it really bad. Then the thought hit me out of the blue.....TICS! The side effect of his stupid pill is tics. I had him run back into the school to get his reflections thing and I called the doctor. I told him what he has been doing and yep it is tics. The doctors response was more meds to cure the tics. I said NO...No more meds I hate giving my children any kind of meds and that's all this doctor wants to do! This is a list of what Carter is suppose to be taking...

ADD

Depression

Sleeping

Appetite

and now a tic med

This is way to much for a 7 year old to be taking. I have called my family doctor to get a second opinion about Carter! I do not have him on all of these pills just the ADD one. I am tired of this and just want him to be normal to fit in and to have friends that are not mean.

Christmas Season!!!!

2008-12-04T13:31:00.000-08:00

What I hate the most about Christmas is the people that stand outside the stores RINGING the NEVER ending bells!!!! I wish they would just put the bucket out and I am sure they would get more donations. I really hate going in and out of the stores that have the bell ringers. I would rather drive another 10 miles to a store that doesn't have them. I do not mind donating but come on the NEVER ending bells need to quit!!!!!!

My Quiz from QuizYourFriends.com

2008-12-04T06:43:00.001-08:00

How well do you know me?
1) What is my favorite color?
		Pink
		Red
		Yellow
		Blue

Make A Quiz - Take This Quiz - View Scoreboard

Thanksgiving and Christmas party

2008-12-01T08:27:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving.... Matt making Gravy.

Shayla got caught having a snack (the whole pie)

Larsen Christmas Party.. in Park City

This Difference between Boys and Girls

Matt Posing like Shayla

Swimming

Shayla and the girls dancing/running around

Carter taking pic's

Matt and Matt eating dinner

Carter reading what he is thankful for. So he can get his present

After park city we went to Temple square to see the lights. We did not get out because it took us 30 min to go one city block! We will go back later and hopefully not on a weekend night. Some of the people on the streets are pretty scary looking.

Thanks Giving

2008-12-01T08:15:00.000-08:00

Zoe

2008-11-25T13:31:00.000-08:00

I was in my room this morning when I hear Shayla laughing (not always a good sign). Carter then starts yelling at Zoe. I go out in the kitchen to find this....

Notice it is flung all over!! Zoe I guess likes Carnation breakfast. Is in normal for a bird to LOVE meat??? This bird is weird. She yells if we are having meat.

Today the neighbors came to play with Shayla. I love the sounds of them play together. Their imaginations are wild! It is fun to have neighbors the same age! I didn't take any pic's.

Hard Headed Shayla!

2008-11-21T08:37:00.001-08:00

Shayla was dressed today and all I had left to do was her hair. She was having a temper tantrum and came out of her room like this. She thinks that she is going to run errands with me like this.....I think NOT! Shayla thinks I am typing " Shayla in her beautiful dresses with her purse and matching shoes. She is going shopping with mom. Me and mom with two more questions me over by the closet."

Carter's night

2008-11-21T08:04:00.000-08:00

Rough night.... Carter has been complaining about his bed so I took it down. He is now sleeping on the floor and this is what he looked like in the morning. Needless to say this is why my children do not sleep with me. They toss and turn all night long!!