Updates

Just wanted to give an update with all that is going on here. Life continues as normal. Not much going on other than work, family, church, the normal stuff.

Steve - He has been busy working and coming up with more business ideas. I love that about him, how he is always thinking about so many options, always looking at all he can do. It can drive me nuts sometimes, but I truly do appreciate his ambition and his drive. He has been busy with church, going out with the missionaries at least once a week as a ward missionary and is still teaching in Elder's Quorum. He is a great dad, the kids absolutely love being with him. Isabelle has especially wanted her dad lately. Many times when he goes she cries at the door and it takes awhile for me to calm her down. She has also been wanting her dad to put her to bed at night. They have many chances to wrestle together, yes, all three of them rolling around downstairs on the floor. The kids love it and I think Steve likes it too!!

Callie - Me, I'm busy with the kids, home, church stuff, business, etc. The kids have truly been a joy lately, not that they aren't all the time, but I have just been enjoying them so much!! They seem to be playing so well and interacting with me so much. We have been talking (Jakob and I have the best conversations), reading stories, and doing some fun art projects. I've had a chance to work on scrapbooking again. I'm so glad that I'm feeling better with the pregnancy!!!! Baby is doing great and I'm feeling good too. Business paperwork seems to have slowed some, which is nice. Young Womens at church is keeping me busy, but I love it.

Jakob - He has been loving Preschool and does so well with his teacher and his friends there! I can't believe he will be 5 this summer. He has been really into drawing. (I have pictures to post later.) He loves playing with his cousins and friends. We are really working on getting him to do more on his own. Now that this next baby is coming I know I will need him to take care of more himself. He is buckling his own seatbelt, putting on his own shoes and socks, helping get out food when we make meals, choosing the outfit he wears most days, etc. He could do these things before, but liked to have my help. Now I'm pushing for him to do it by himself every time. He is doing great and I can't believe how capable he is.

Isabelle - What a joy. She wants to be right where the action is all the time. She loves to follow her brother whereever he goes and wants to do everything he is doing. She has been singing lately. Her favorite song, the theme song to Superman, her Uncle Andrew would be proud. She makes such a mess when she eats. You should see the floor under her chair after each meal. It is amazing she gets anything in her mouth. She is so loving and sweet. She gives the biggest hugs. She'll hug me so tight and just snuggle into me while she pats me on the back. The other day we were babysitting a little one-year-old girl that was having a hard time missing here mom. She was sitting on the floor crying. Isabelle went up to her and put her arm around her and kissed her head. My sweety girl.

Growth

I've been meaning to post this for awhile. This happened one morning back in December. I made half of my bed and went in the bathroom to shower/get ready/do something. When I came out I saw that the other half of the bed was made.

What a surprise that my little 4 year old boy made the other half of my bed.

I try to get Jakob to do a lot on his own, though I'm sure that I could do much better than I am doing. He is really such a good kid, so obedient and kind, and is willing (most of the time) to do as I ask. The goal, of course, is to get him to do these things on his own, without me having to ask or remind him. So, you can imagine, how pleased I was when I saw that he had done this on his own. He just did it. My little boy is growing up and doing things without being asked, helping because he sees something needs to be done. As a mother, these moments are treasured. Love it, love it, love it!!

Spinach Pasta Chicken Salad

This is a recipe my mom gave me this last year and it has been one of my favorites. I've made it for a couple get togethers and everyone has wanted the recipe. I made it a lot this last year, but haven't in a while. I need to make it again.

Spinach Pasta Chicken Salad

Salad:

2 cups grapes, halved, red or green (red are pretty in the salad)
1 cup peas
2 cups packed, torn spinach
2 1/2 cups celery, sliced diagonally
7 oz. corkscrew rainbow pasta
1/2 large cucumber, diced
3 green onions, sliced thin
5 cups cubed chicken

Combine all of the above ingredients.

Dressing:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbs. rice vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 Tbs. fresh parsley, chopped

Pour over salad and mix.

Hope you enjoy!!

Happy Birthday Mom!!

I found this baby pictures of my mom this summer as I was getting Grandma Betty's DVD ready. Isn't she so cute??

Here she is with Grandpa Smith.

Here she is with Grandma Smith, what was she wearing?? So cute!!

Here is a four generation one with here holding me. Any resemblance to Isabelle???

Just wanted to wish my amazing mother a wonderful birthday. I owe so much of the person I am today to her and all she taught me and continues to teach me. Thank you Mom for always being there for all of us, for all the times you have listened to me, encouraged me, laughed at me. I hope you know how much you mean to so many people. Thank you for choosing to lead the life you lead. I love you.

Words of Wisdom

A quick quote from Jakob:

"Mom, I think that you are having a boy, maybe a girl, or something."

Wow, hope he is right!!

Camara Batteries

I have a few pictures I want to show but my camara ran out of batteries!! Unfortunately I couldn't find a charged battery in the house so they are recharging as we speak. I will post pictures tomorrow.

Isabelle's 1 Year Photos

Finally, I'm scrapbooking again!! This page is bunch of photos we had taken the week Isabelle turned a year old. I couldn't get a great photo of the pages but soon we will be getting a scanner and I will be able to scan my pages onto the computer. Anyway, just wanted to share. I'm feeling better and will be blogging more, promise.