Memorial Day Weekend

I love bank holidays, Logan is always off and I love time with my husband! We originally had no plans for the weekend, we were going to stay at home and enjoy our family time. Half way through the week we learned that Logan's parents were going to Oklahoma to visit family. And of course Logan was on board, it had been six months since we visited. We called some of Logan's aunts to find out if they had space for us to sleep. We were off on our adventure Saturday after Logan got off, Reagan (Logan's twin brother) decided he wanted to go as well so he hopped in. We made it to OK, and visited with one of Logan's favorite cousins Mikey. We drove to a lake and rode four wheelers, it was so humid that it was very uncomfortable to even be outside! After four wheeling for a bit we headed to Logan's aunts house where we were staying. Logan's dad had brought both his scooter and Logan's scooter, they were a hit and everyone wanted a turn.
Sunday we spent time with Logan's Grandfather, Grandmother and Uncle in Tulsa. I always love visiting with him and hearing all of his stories, some I've heard every time I see him but I don't mind.
On Monday I spent time with the girls and David (another one of Logan's brothers) and went shopping for mission clothes! He will be leaving in August to serve for two years in Provo, Utah. After four hours we were done, and ready to leave for Missouri! We had so much fun with family. There are always so many things to do and so many people to see. I am so lucky to have married a man with such a fun, loving family!

Strawberry Picking

It's Strawberry Season! I love strawberry season so much! I love the smell of them and that they always come when it's beginning to warm up. They are the first signs of summer! This year we again visited the strawberry farm in Stockton. For Three years we have been going and I must say I love it! They have a pretty neat set up, all the mounds are covered in black wrapping and the rows are pretty well cleaned out. The boys and I drove out to Grandma's House and did a caret switcharoo and hopped into her car and we were off to Stockton. When we arrived the field was already filled with people, We grabbed our boxes and were off. The fields were full of ripe strawberries! We were done picking in no time! I picked 20 pounds, almost double what I picked last year! I froze a ton, made some freezer jam, will make a strawberry pie and gonna  munch the rest! James was a great helper this year, he did more picking than eating. Boston on the other hand was a little harder, we sat him in the middle of the row and let him play in the dirt, he loved it and i didn't mind until he started eating it. Luckily Grandma's friend Jane and her sister came along so they were able to help with Boston, when they finished picking. Once we were done we grabbed some median food in town and were off back to grandma's house. I love my Mother-in-law! I couldn't have picked a better husband with a better mom. We spent a few hours talking, catching up and talking about the boys. I always enjoy talking to her and an so thankful we get along so well. our drive home was pretty uneventful, except for the fact that our car smelt so delicious! I cannot wait for next year!

 

James has green so much, and his love for strawberries has not stopped either!

Close to home

Right now there is a huge forest fire in Arizona. It's estimated size is 5000 acres! The "Slide" fire as it has been named has put up a fight and refused to be extinguished! I pray for those fighting the fire and for those who's lives it is affecting.
The first forest fire that effected me was when I was in high school and holds a special place in my heart. It taught me a life changing lesson. My brothers and I had gotten home from school and we were doing homework, watching tv or relaxing. There had been an orange haze and had smelled like smoke all day. The fire had been inching towards my little home town slowly. Normally fires are well contained before they reach Flagstaff, but this was one was not giving up. I would open the door every now and then to see what was going on and I remember smelling so much smoke I could breath without coughing and looking up and the sun was red and the sky was thick and orange. I closed the door and turned on the fans in the house so the house wouldn't heat up since we couldn't open the windows, (we didn't have air conditioning,most of flagstaff doesn't). Not long after the power went off, and I started to worry how could I call my mom at work, should we be worrying about what's going on outside, is my house going to burn down. I took a deep breath and said a short pray for guidance. Instantly I remembered that my parents had a phone that didn't require electricity and called my mom. She told us not to worry and we would be fine, then said she had to go but would be home as soon as she can (working at a hotel, during a fire can be pretty busy). About 30 minutes later I felt this feeling in my stomach and knew we needed to leave our house. I told myself no we are fine, the fire is far from us and we would be safe. Then again a felt uneasy and prompted get your brothers in the car and go see mom. I knew in my heart that the spirit was speaking to me and I needed to listen. I told my brothers to put some shoes on and that we were going to see mom at work, just to see what was going on. Erik and Tyler listened and Ian said he was just going to stay home, I told him we should all go, but of course being a teenage boy and not seeing the whole situation, he stayed behind. So Erik, Tyler and myself all drove out of our neighborhood. We passed police cars and barricades closing the roads, I then realized the neighborhood was being evacuated. I started to worry, and that uneasy feeling in my stomach came back and said this is serious you need to get Ian. So I told an officer my address and that my brother was at home and I needed to get him. He wouldn't let me go back in the neighborhood but sent an officer to check the house. I waited for what felt like ages. He returned and said no one was at the house. I entered full on panic mode. Wondering what I should do again I was prompted, he is okay, just go.
So my two brothers and I drove down the road to the hotel where my mom worked and pulled up, instantly I saw my dads car with both of my parents nearby. I instantly told my mom i didn't know where Ian was and I left him there. She said not to worry and he was okay. Apparently she had heard that our neighborhood was being evacuated and her boss gave her his keys and told her to go home and pick up her kids. She came to our house right after we left and picked up Ian and beat us back to the hotel. We stayed the night at the hotel and waited until late the next day when we were given the okay to go home.
My family was safe, our house was still there, no one was hurt, everything was okay. I am so thankful that I was able to notice the spirit speaking to me and that I chose to listen. Fires are scary, dangerous and can destroy lives in minuets until someone takes control and are extinguished. Like a fire can destroy homes and lives, so can satan. He is dangerous and will not stop until someone takes control. With the help of Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost we can learn to extinguish Satan in our lives and homes, so we can return to live with our Heavenly Father. I am grateful for what happened so long ago, I learned to listen to the spirit and watched how it can help me make the right choices.

James turned 3!

My little boy turned three last week! I can't believe it he is three! He is a spunky little guy he loves to play and act things out. He loves his sweets and always asks for treats and cookies too the list of a favorite treat! He is a good helper and loves to make mommy and daddy happy. He is still learning how to help with Boston, but always shows love to his brother. He loves to help in the kitchen and knows how to find whatever he wants in the cabinets. His vocabulary has increased, I love to hear new words and phrases. My favorite is "of course". I am of course proud to finally announce he is a great sleeper, after years of struggling to put this kid to bed he now goes to bed on his own without any fight or fuss. I love this boy with all my heart!

A few shots I took for his birthday:





We decided that since we have so much family so close we would just invite them all over for a "hot diggity" time, we were aiming for a Mickey theme.  We had to incorporate red Mickey suspenders, as a little guy, Logan had a set very similar to the ones James is wearing. No one knows where those ended up so we searched eBay until we could find some, and we lucked out!Both the hubs and I thought the other was inviting family over until I asked if he texted them the day before. He said he didn't originally so we decided we would that night at Logan's youngest brothers graduation and party. We told everyone but of course with last minute invites not everyone could come. But those who could did, we were so happy to see family in our home. I love to feed people and make them feel good. We made Bacon wrapped hot dogs for the mamas and papas and plain ones for the kiddos. I have never had a bacon wrapped hotdog, but I am now a believer! It was delicious! Side dishes were simple, potato salad, veggie tray, chips, cantelope and cupcakes for our dessert! James loves his cousins! He had so much fun running around and playing. We sure are lucky to be do close to so many of the hubs family!

Boston's Birth Story: Part 2

We reached the Labor and Delivery room! I was shaking from all the adrenaline, I was shocked at how fast this whole process was going. As I sat on the bed while being connected to the new monitors the contractions continued getting stronger and stronger. I had to have Logan rub my lower back every time a contraction hit. Once we were settled in the delivery room I asked Logan for a Priesthood Blessing of comfort and a safe delivery, once the blessing was done I was calm and only felt pain from my contractions. After about 20 mins of crying my way through the most painful contractions ever I asked for an epidural.  I really wanted to do this birth all natural, but apparently my body and mind are not strong enough to make it through labor without medication. After telling the nurse I wanted the epidural it was minutes until the anesthesiologist arrived. As he place the epidural in my back I had two of the strongest contractions ever! So he stopped and waited and then like magic, it was placed and I felt cool liquid in my back and was soon numb from the waist down! I was given a button so i could press it anytime and as many times as I needed for the pain. I don't remember a button with James, so this was wonderful! I believe I only pressed it a few times towards the end when the contractions where the strongest. It was amazing I felt no pain just a bit of pressure.
My nurse came to check on me around 6:50 am to see how I was doing. While checking me she looked up at me and smiled, I had reached 10 centimeters and was fully effaced. She told me it was time and she was going to call the doctor. When she returned she came in with a full staff of delivery nurses, I counted at least 10 different people. Next my doctor showed up and asked if I was ready. Within minutes they were all set up, my water was broken and I was told to push. My legs were lifted into the stirrups (the medicine was working because i could not feel my legs at all). Logan stood right next to me and I grasped my thighs. I took a deep breath, gave one big push and out popped a little head took a deep breath and pushed once more and at 7:05 am Boston Blake was born weighing 8 pounds exactly and 21 inches long. My doctor laid him on my chest and the tears started running. After 9 months of waiting I was finally meeting my little boy, he was exactly how I pictured him. He was perfect and healthy and all mine. Logan and I gave him so many kisses within those first few snuggles. After little B's body was more adjusted to the outside world the nurses took him to clean him up, weigh, measure and take some other stats. Logan stood near by as he watched our new little boy. I watched from the bed, my epidural was removed after I was stitched up, I had a little tearing during delivery that needed 2 stitches. I still could not lift my legs, so there was no way i could even move. We called our families to let them know the good news. Logan's dad answered when he called their house, at first he asked why he was calling so early, but after Logan told him he congratulated us and told us, mom would be on her way once David was at school. While he called his parents I called my mom and told her, I was so sad that she was unable to be there, I would have loved for her to come, but because of work and the distance she was not. I had to hold it together all the emotions while talking to her, I did not want her to think that it was her fault for not being there. She was so happy for us, I told her how fast everything went and how healthy are new little guy was. Next Logan called his twin brother who lives just down the street from us, at first he thought we were just playing a joke and did not believe him, but after telling him we were really in the hospital and we wanted him to pick up James for us. He believed Logan.
Since I was still very numb, I had to have a catheter placed before I could be moved to a recovery room. Once done, I was moved into a wheelchair with Boston in my arms and Logan close behind. Before we even got to our new room Reagan had arrived, Karen grabbed James's carseat and was off to pick him up, she stopped by our house and picked up some clothes, since he would be staying the night with grandma and would be home the next morning. Once I was settled in my recovery room, Reagan and Noah were allowed in. A few moments later James and Karen arrived. James was so nervous at first he didn't want to come near me. I think all the machines and cords scared him. I handed Boston off to Logan and tried to hold James but he refused and just stood near my bed or in the rocking chair in the room. We talked with Reagan and Karen for a little while then they were off to give us some time as a new family of four. James refused to be near this new baby I don't think he really know what to think of the new baby. We tried to explain that mommy had a baby in her belly and that it was going to come out soon and he was a big brother. But I don't think he really understood that that baby would live with us forever. Mom and Dad Bliss showed up a bit later and welcomed their sixteenth grand baby into the family! They were asking the usual questions about the birth and baby then were also off after awhile, with Mr. James in tow. I gave him a big kiss and hug and said we would see him tomorrow. He was pretty happy, he doesn't normally stay overnight with grandma and grandpa, so as mommies do I was a bit worries that he might kept them up all night. But to my surprise grandma said he did wonderful! He was asleep early and woke up on time. Talk about a happy mommy! The second night in the hospital was uneventful. We slept snuggled with baby Boston and enjoyed the sweet moments we had with our newborn.
The next day James was brough back into town and we now had two wonderful healthy boys together! Since the hospital required us to stay 36 hours we waited and kept asking to leave. I felt wonderful and wasn't in any pain, was tired of sitting in a hospital bed and most of all ready to start our new life as a family of four! Seven o'clock rolled around and we were given the okay by my OB and by Boston's pediatrician we were packed and out the door! We grabbed some dinner on the way home. I can't believe I am now a mom of two sweet boys! I cannot wait for our new adventure!

Catching Sharks!

While I was playing with B in James's room, I heard a little voice coming from the living room. Worried that there was a mischieveius act going on. I picked B up and walked in to see what was going on. I saw that James had pushed two stools together and was sitting atop one of them fishing with a light saber. I asked him what he was doing and he looked over and casually said "Fishing!" I asked if B and I could join and he replied back "of course". So B and I sat down with a sword in hand fishing. Then all of a sudden James started reeling in and when I asked, "did you catch something?" His reply "a fish". He reeled it in and he handed it to me so I could eat it. Then I caught something and reeled it in to find out it was a Shark! I showed James the invisible shark then squealed and told him we had to throw it back because it might eat us. He giggled and agreed! For the next few minutes we sat and pretended to catch fish, crabs, octopus and sharks,! All the sharks were thrown back, of course after they "scared" us.
I love that James has such a wonderful imagination! He has never been fishing or even been with anyone while they fished, so I don't know where he learned how to pretend fish and how to reel in a big one, but it was the cutest thing to see my little guys mind explore the world of imagination! It really was a memorable moment, that I hope not to forget.