September & October Highlights.....

I could write a novel right now if I wanted to on how busy we have been the last month, but I won't bore you.
{Here are some of our highlights} :

1. Date night with the kiddies.

Jim was super busy the last couple of months with work, which meant mom couldn't leave dad to entertain the kids for the night while I relaxed.

So what did we do?...........Built a fort! What else?!! We've been watching movies while under this fort and sometimes I was even brave enough to give my kids popcorn which always resulted in a good vacuum the next morning.

Under our fort.

2. Mom's Birthday Celebration
On the 12th of September, we flew my mom up here to celebrate her 30th birthday!! (Okay, so I edited the numbers a little bit). It was so nice to have her up here and the best part of it was..........

........We got to watch her beat a pinata!!! (I guess Sesame Street was our only choice?)

We love you, mom and can't wait to have you up here with us!

3. Spending a number of days at the park.

The weather here in Payson, Utah is pretty much celestial-like right now. It's been nice to have rainy cold days, but I sure do treasure the sunny ones too, and so do my kids! We've even gone a few times with my friend and her cute little boys.

I heart these faces.

Baby Krew: Is he not the cutest thing ever?!

4. Hayride

We headed over to the Red Barn in Santaquin where they offer a fun 10 minute hayride to their pumpkin patch! This was Braddock's birthday present from mom and dad. A tractor ride, pumpkins, and an icecream cone........what more could a kid ask for?! {Also on a side note: their maple nut icecream is divine}.

Auntie Lyssa came with!

Our family.

Isn't mine and Emma's hair awesome?

5. Birthday party for Braddock.

Jim's mom put on a lovely birthday party for Braddock!

{Braddock used a portion of the pinata as a party hat.}

Thanks, Mom for making Braddock's birthday an extra special one!

6. Adding some "fall" to our home

If you know me, you know I love the months of October through December! It means pumpkins, candles, blankets, cornbread and chili, Christmas music, sweaters, family, and putting out your festive home decor.

I love rod iron pumpkins.......

......holiday wreaths and signs.....

and anything else I can find to put in my house!

7. A new calling.

Two weeks ago, Jim was called to be Elders Quorum President in our ward. This has been a calling that has kept Jim on his feet and me, once again, having lots of time with the kids to myself. In no way am I complaining! We have seen the blessings flow from the time and energy he has put into it.

Other highlights have included:

-finishing my research paper for my Human Development Lifespan course.

(it's not due til' December.....which means I'm a nerd......and also I don't have to worry about it through the holidays!)

-took the kids to see Toy Story 3-D. It was a hit! Braddock still says, "Mom, we went and saw Buzz Lightyear last night, huh?!" (he doesn't understand the concept of time yet)

-Sudying, studying, studying for my math final

-Wiping noses

-Being cautious about my diet for three weeks in a row(first time ever)

-Watching old western movies with Jim every night.

-Eating apples with peanut butter (thank you, Jenna for the brilliant idea!)

- Going to D.I. and trying on costumes

-Cleaning and organizing my unfinished basement

-Skeet shooting with the Elders Quorum

All in all, we have had a busy, yet enjoyable month!

Happy Fall, Everyone!

Braddock's Scripture Study

For the last while, Braddock has been talking more and more, but his speech has been a little hard to understand. Jim and I decided to have him read a couple verses every night from the scriptures and we are already seeing some progress! I posted this video because it makes me happy. [I laugh at the very end because he always argues with us how words should be said].

Three and Cute as Can Be!

Tomorrow is Braddock's 3rd birthday and I just want to take a moment to express my love for our little guy! He is one of the greatest blessings in our lives. Here are some reasons why we love him....

His eyes smile.

Right after I delivered him, he hung out for an hour in the room with me and just looked at everyone. He was totally chill. Every time I think of that moment, I smile inside. He really was the best baby!

His sweet face.

His beautiful blue eyes.

His chubby cheeks.

His sweetness.

His "fix-anything" attitude.

(This is him at 14 months old. He found a screwdriver and after watching his dad, he decided to work on the garbage disposal underneath the sink. To this day, he always has a tool of some sort and can associate what each of them are used for.)

His love for his sister.

His love of playing outside. I would have to say that the outdoors is where he feels most at home.

His shyness. (Look at that bashful face!)

His admiration for his dad. He really is his hero and I'm not just saying that!

He's a mama's boy.

His many silly faces.

Braddock, we love you so much! Thank you for your patience, love, and sweetness. Even though you don't know it, you teach your family so many things. When mom and dad are quick to get angry with you, you are always so quick to forgive. It brings us joy to hear you say your prayers, talk about being baptized, and how you are going to be a missionary when you get bigger. Thanks for making mommy laugh everyday! You never fail to quote the movie "Elf", which is fine with me cause that's my favorite movie! We are so proud of you and all that you have learned this past year and are looking forward to what you will learn during your 3rd year of life!

Happy Birthday, Bud!

When Jim goes hunting......

....................I am usually sad.

But when Jim told me a couple of weeks ago that he would be hunting......

I was thrilled!

You see, my very good friend Kassie {who by the way is my neighbor} informed me that her husband would be going hunting too.

What does this mean??

Craft time!!

Amber, thank you for posting this fun glittered pumpkin project on your blog! Such a great idea!

I have to say that the pictures that I took of these pumpkins look way uglier than they actually are. They look pretty darn good up close and personal!

{The finished product}
{First step: buy some small FAKE pumpkins at the dollar store. }
{Second step: Paint them brown.}
{Third step: Brush mod podge glue all over them.}

{ Last: Cover with glitter.}

[I would recommend the fine powdered glitter as it gives the pumpkins

a much more elegant look]

We are finished!!!

Seriously, what should have only taken us 2 hours to do, took us a whole 11 hours!

Remember we had 4 children under the age of 2 we were partying with.

To your surprise, I would have to say the 11 hours was worth it!

Here is what we did (besides the pumpkins):

-played with the kids

-ate this caramel apple Skor bar dip thing (we'll have a whole 'nother post on this one later)

-played with the kids

- talked and talked and talked

-ate more dip

-refereed the kids

-talked

-ate pizza with the kids

-brought in another dip - artichoke this time.

-put the kids to bed before they all killed each other

-talked

-laughed our heads off

-took ridiculous pictures (they are pure black male and probably won't be posted on this here blog)

-talked some more

All in all, we had sooooo much fun!!!!!

Look how pretty!!

I now give you the suggestion to find a fun friend to make glitter pumpkins with!

You won't be disappointed.

Now they're sitting on my counter. I can't wait for fall!

There's no place like home.

Last Friday, July 31st, our little family journeyed southward to Mesa, Arizona.

Surprisingly, my kids were angels. We left at 2 AM and arrived at 1 in the afternoon.

They slept 70% of the time. And when they were awake.........

they were happy.

Blogger is making me mad right now. Some of my pictures are insisting to stay sideways.

Sorry.

We stayed with Jim's mom and dad in Mesa. I don't have any current pictures of Jim and his dad, so hence my reason for taking the following picture.

On Sunday, (yes, it was the Sabbath), Jim took the kids outside to wade their little feet in the pool.

I should have guessed it would turn out like this! In Sunday clothes and everything!

Mwahhhh!!!

My little sabbath-breakers were drenched!

While I went to my friend Cara's baby shower, Jim and his dad took Braddock to the Bass Pro Shop. If you know my son, you would know that he has a strong passion for hunting bears. I don't know where he learned that?????

Anyhow, Grandpa Epps bought him his own rifle. (Don't worry, people. It's a harmless toy).

When Braddock's great grandma came to visit, she insisted on giving it a try.

All I can say is.........awesome.

On Wednesday, our poor little Braddock came down with a high fever. Jim and his dad gave him a blessing and two minutes later, Braddock literally threw the cold cloth that was on his head onto the floor and said, "No more owies. I want to play."

The power of the priesthood is real.

While Braddock was sick, Emma mourned. She was so sad for him and insisted on laying on top of him as a way to comfort her brother. Although her intentions were good, Braddock disagreed with the whole idea.

Our final night there was spent outside at the pool (shocker). My mom came over to my in-laws and we ate pizza and visited.

I had to get a picture with them! Too bad my mascara is melting off my face!

I'm so glad we were able to go down and visit! I will be honest though when I say that there truly is no place like home! The last 8 times that Jim and I have gone down to visit, we always want to stay. This time, however, I realized where home is. I love Utah and everything about it and probably will never leave. I love the weather, the people, the patriotism, and the fact that so many of the fun events that take place here involve family and unity!

Still, Arizona holds a lot of cherished memories for both Jim and I and we will continue to keep the tradition of visiting often.

Thank you to our parents who fed us, sheltered us and let us have a fun time in Arizona!

We love you all and miss you!

Inadequacies

Have you ever tried to avoid something because you feel like you aren't good enough or smart enough and you fear failure if you attempt to do that certain thing?

OR
Have you ever looked back on your life at something you used to be good at and thought, " I'll never be good at that like I used to be."?

WELL, I DO THAT ALL OF THE TIME!

And I'm here to tell you that it's
coming to an end, my friends.

Let me tell you a story.........
5 years ago, I decided to continue to pursue my education after I graduated high school. Why wouldn't I? Jim was on his mission still and I had nothing better to do. (Yes, this was the poor, crummy attitude that I had about school). So I enrolled myself in some courses that would route me to an Elementary Education degree. And guess what? ...........................I thought it was dumb. Sad, but true story. I kept my grades up just enough to pass with all A's, but truly, my heart was not in it. I just wanted Jim to come home so we could get married.
SO, my wish was granted and now, 4 1/2 years later, I feel like I am living the dream. I live in a beautiful state with a home that I love, a loving husband, and 2 beautiful children. I feel like the last 4 years have been so good to me and indeed, I AM BLESSED.
The last few months, however, I have had a few nudges.......this little voice keeps telling me that I need to go back to school. I tried to ignore it. Besides, I have way too much on my shoulders right now like my full-time job called CHILDREN. Still, this little voice persists, and now I am putting up my flag of surrender and saying,

"Alrighty then! I guess it's time!"
SO, I am heading back to complete my degree in Elementary Education at UVU, hopefully this Fall Semester, if not, Spring Semester.

Do I want to be an Elementary Teacher?
I don't know yet, but I know that is what I am supposed to do.
Do I feel like my brain is completely fried and all I know are my ABC's and 1-2-3's?
Yes. That's all I'm going to say about that.
Do I feel overwhelmed and concerned about the time I will get to spend with my children?
Definitely. In fact, this has been the hardest part about making this decision. Yet, I know that the Lord will make sure I am able to give them all of the love and attention they need from me as their mother.
Does the light at the end of this tunnel seem pretty distant?
You better believe it!
Am I going to do it anyway?
Yes.
This is what the Lord wants me to do, so I am going to put my faith in Him and trust that He will help me with this.

Wish me luck! (I need all the luck I can get).
P.S. Here is some pictures of the ones who help me
"keep the faith".
Jim, you do too. I love you. :)

Here we go.....

Okay. Here it goes. Deep breaths. I am blogging today after 6 weeks of not doing so. The last few weeks I will walk in my office ready to blog, but then I think of all the events that have taken place this summer and I start to feel.........well......a little overwhelmed. Too many pictures to download, too much information to jot down, and oh,

SO LITTLE TIME!

But today on this beautiful 4th of July, I am feeling relaxed. My kids are napping, my husband is napping (he should be working on the storage room), and the house is now

QUIET.

I am ready to blog and hopefully maintain my blogging on a regular basis.

Here we goes!

Let me start by saying that I am LOVING THE SUMMER. The weather here has been gorgeous. I am pretty sure it's only been 90 degrees like 3 times so far the last month. Hence, my reason for going on a walk with my kids every morning.....well, almost every morning. My good friend, Kassie and her two boys tug along with us. We love it. Last month we took them to the park and they were in heaven!

Also, can I say thank heavens for trampolines?! Braddock, and now Emma love to play on it. I always let them jump for a good half hour before nap time because then they are

OUT COLD.

The end of May, I and the babies (not Jim because he was at a UFC fight) headed to good ole' Worland, Wyoming for Jim's cousin's wedding. Let me repeat myself. Yes, this is Jim's cousin and YES, he was at a UFC fight. Okay, I'll shut up about that, babe.

Anyhow, what a treat! The night before, the groom's parents treated us to a tasty Mexican food dinner. I, as a lone mother with two children, was so happy they did this outside because my children don't do so hot at restaurants (that's another story).

But don't they look like they are having so much fun?

That's because they were.

They found the dessert table.

Braddock & Katelynn

My cute little niece, Brielle. Gotta love the chocolate face.

Do you know how practically impossible it is to take a picture of 5 kids at one time?

Here we are the next day at the wedding. I am pathetic because I didn't get any pictures of the bride and groom. Let me say though, that they looked JUST BEAUTIFUL and HAPPY.

The ceremony was so nice and the wedding luncheon was amazing. Once again, I loved the whole outdoors idea.

Here is one of Braddock and his Grandma, who he calls Ba-Pa (????)

Emma being Emma.

Braddock being a bear. He is now obsessed with bears and killing them. Last week, Jim drew a picture of a bear on our ward program during Sacrament meeting. I won't even go into detail of what happened, but we had to exit Braddock out of the chapel because he was roaring and growling so ferociously.

Next on our list, we got camping. Did you know that I live 15 minutes away from one of the most beautiful canyons in Utah? It's true. And I camped there. Payson Canyon, it's called.

We went with our friends, Kassie and Joe and their two boys.

Braddock in the pickup.

Emma and Dad at the campfire.

Cute little Aaden and Braddock being boys.

Jim's aunt posted this picture on her blog and I stole it from her. Thanks, Aunt Jeana!

This was taken on Jim's parents farm a few weeks ago and I love it. I don't know why. Maybe because my husband looks.......stunning?

So this is all I have for now. Actually, I downloaded a lot more pictures, but they somehow disappeared, so I think I am going to call it quits for today. Stay tuned because there is lots more!