GIVEAWAY!!!!

My first giveaway! The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For YOU! I saw this on a blog and I thought, "humm, in my attempt at being a better person, why not do a little service for friends and loved ones." This is going to be fun and I can't wait to start some new projects. It must be something to do with spring because once the sun comes out I all of the sudden get this huge urge to take on tons of new projects. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations: 1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make! 2. What I create will be just for you. 3. It'll be done this year. Hopefully sooner than later. 4. You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be sewn, painted, written, scrapbooky, or be something totally random that I come up with on a whim. I may even bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure! 5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. Let's spread some love! So, the first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they are doing it too win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! (I know...that could either be cool or scary) Who knows! :)Be sure to post pictures of what you won when you recieve it! :) I thought this sounded like a pretty neat idea!

Accomplishments

Today I realized that its much better to focus on the things I can do and have done rather than the opposite. For example today I made mac'n'cheese start to finish while nursing Cannon! It might not be as grand as writing a novel, but for me, it was something grand at the moment! As for Gabe---he has literally beat me at Chinese Checkers in at least the last twenty games that we've played! (why do I even bother anymore?) And Hunter made 3 baskets (standard height) today at ball practice! I was so proud of him! He has also moved on to his own room in the basement now. Jenna is now the proud rider of a two wheeler. She has been practicing the last little bit and is now getting it. And for Ember she can reach the pedals on her new tricycle and is really cruising! She also sings "You Are My Sunshine" adorably!! Cannon has recently discovered the joy of finding his feet and realizes that they are connected to him so he can play with them anytime he wants now---so cute!!! He also is working on re-learning the amazing accomplishment of sleeping through the night!!! These may not all be great achievements for everyone, but its sure fun to see how we all grow and progress and focus on the things we can do!

"I love you" just because

I've realized lately that my little kids are growing too fast--but this has also helped me remember how precious this time with them is. Hunter is reading The Book of Mormon every night before bed (thanks to Primary) and he's understanding it! He is such a good brother to his younger siblings. Jenna watches EVERYTHING I do and mimics me. This helps me take a good look at myself as I consider who I see her as and who I see her becoming. I did have a sad realization the other day. Hunter and Jenna were playing play-doh at the table and I looked at them and said "I love you" and Jenna looks up and says "where are you going?" to which I responded, "Nowhere. Can't a mom tell her kids she loves them just because, not only when she's leaving the house?" I guess I could do a better job at telling them I love them more!
Ember will be three on Sunday. She is a delight. She'd sit by my side and have me read her books all day if I could. She also loves to bake cookies with me. Cannon is 5 months old and is so well natured. He forgot how to sleep throught the night however! I've just started him on a few solids and he's loving that. Gabe is BUSY with work and it's going really well for him. He's just getting ready to kick off for the summer. As for me, I'm good. I've been tired lately, probably due to Cannon's sleepless nights. I did get out last night though. At dinner last night, Gabe suggested that I take some time just for me. I happily took the opportunity and headed to the mall. :) I left around 7:30 and when I came back about two hours later, Gabe had all the kids sound asleep--including Cannon! And I came back with a few fantastic bargains and a big smile!
Thanks Gabe.

I fall down but I get up again!

It has been quite an adventure since my last post. Aside from the usual holiday scene, I got my cast off (YEA!!!), we drove off a cliff on Christmas night and totalled our car (not good!), turned another year older, had a case of shingles, took a nasty fall down the stairs holding Cannon, turned my hair brown and cut bangs, and I think that pretty much sums up most of my life lately. I have recooperated well and things are going rather swimmingly at the moment. I really have nothing to complain about. My kids are awesome. Cannon is growing sooooo fast! I'll post some pics of the new me later.

My little munchkins in the morning

Cannon and his cousin Kate

Blogging is not just for Moms!

I have decided that since it's the Chariton Family Blog, I should give a little input every now and then. Amy and I are a little worried about Hunter. We have tried to be good parents. We taught him the BYU fight song at age three. I took him to his first game when he was four. We practically live in the shadow of Levell Edwards Stadium. In spite of our best efforts, it looks as though we might lose him. When our friends invited him to go to the U of U open house to meet the players, we thought it would be harmless. Sure they won the Sugar Bowl. So what if they are the #2 team in whole nation. O.K. they did beat the Y soundly this year. But I never dreamed a little afternoon surrounded by a little Utah Red could do SO MUCH DAMAGE! The Kyle Wittingham autographed ball sits right in front of his bed like an idol to some pagan god! His walls are covered with posters filled with obscene sayings like GO UTAH and other unmentionables! We have tried to be firm. We have made it clear that there will be NO Utah paraphernalia outside of his room or it will be confiscated! He almost broke his mother's heart when he told us that when BYU plays Utah next year he'll be cheering for both teams. The horror! We know that he has his agency, we can't force him to do what is right. We can only hope and pray that with a few games at Levell Edwards, our new subscription to the Mountain Sports Network, and a crushing victory over Utah, Hunter will be bleeding blue next year!

skating mishap

I was just trying to be a good mom, and take Hunter roller skating last night!! We had just gotten on the rink (this was Hunter's first time skating) and so Hunter was holding on tightly to my hand. So when he fell, I went down with him. I knew right away that I had hurt my wrist, I just wasn't sure exactly until about an hour later, the E.R. doc informed me my wrist is broken. I couldn't believe it! They splinted me all up, gave me some nice meds, and sent me home. Feeding time with Cannon and changing his diapers (and typing--one handed!) are whole new experiences! Ember helped me change him this morning, bless her heart! Luckily, Gabe's schedule is flexible and he has been home most of the day to help me! My Relief Society President and my mom both brought in dinners tonight. So thoughtful! I told Hunter I'd take him skating another time--he insisted that he wants his dad to take him instead--fine with me!

Halloween, Cannon's Blessing and Bugs

Life has been busy, but really fun. Gabe's mom and sister Ari came and spent a week with us before Cannon's blessing. Then his dad came for that weekend. Then his other sister Jessica suprised us and came up from Phoenix. It was great having them all here. Hunter turned seven on the 30th and we went to Hee Haw Farms to celebrate. The next day was Halloween. We had fun trunk-or-treating with Danielle and Hillary and their kids. On Sunday the 2nd, we had 50 people (25 of which were kids under age 7!!!) at our house for a luncheon prior to Cannon's blessing. It was......exciting! It was so thoughtful of everyone who traveled to be here. We love and appreciate you. It was a wonderful day. As nice as it was to have guests and visitors, it was sure nice to get my house back and into the usual swing of things once again.

So two quick funny bug stories...
There's a spider in our kitchen. I ask Hunter to kill it. He says he wants to save it and let it go free outside. Gabe interjects and says " Okay, if your little spider wants to go outside we'll give him a chance. Open the door and I'll count to 10. 1...2....3..." So Hunter opens the door and says, "Dad!! He doesn't understand!! He doesn't even know where the door is!" Gabe grabs a tissue and kills the spider. Hunter is devastated and says, " Dad, you killed the spider!" to which Gabe replies, "no the tissue did."

Ember got a little bug catcher thing in her Sonic Kids meal. We get home and she wants to go find some bugs to put in it. I tell her, "Ember, its too cold outside for bugs" (meaning there are none out there). She replies, "its okay mom, I have a coat on." Gabe says, " I know you do sweetie, but the bugs don't!" My witty husband! Ember went searching anyway. I know its a long post, but now I'm caught up! Phew!



My kids having fun in the freshly fallen leaves

Our family on Cannon's blessing day--attempting
to get 4 kids to cooperate was somewhat of a challenge

Cannon on his blessing day-- 6 weeks old

This year we ended up with a vampire (Edward Cullen to be specific), Batman, a fairy princess, and a puppy dog.

The cousins all got together for trunk or treating

We had a great time!!!