Life has been busy. Matt is working like crazy, I only get to see him 2 days out of every 2 weeks, though I am very thankful we have a job and we can now save to get our own home!! *sighs*

Matt is still pursuing his Marriage and Family Therapy degree. He has a plan B though if plan A goes south (plan A is being a Chaplain in the Army). Plan B is to work through the church and help members who the Bishop recommends to him.

We are moving to Arizona come the beginning of the year, and I don't think anyone knows how excited I am for this move! Besides having my own home, I'll be with friends, which I so need!!! Did I mention how amazing the weather is, too?! Besides the 120 degrees in the summer, the rest of the year totally makes up for it in my mind, and if I miss snow....Flagstaff is only a few hours away!!

The biggest update is that I've decided to become a RN! When we move to Arizona I'm going to pursue a BSN. I'm beyond thrilled! I've always wanted to be a nurse...really, always! I just never really had an interest to start Nursing school, it was intimidating. I figure if I start now, by they time Elise is in Kindergarten or 1st grade I'll have a job and can tend to other people instead of being stuck at home.

My desire is to work with labor and delivery! I'm looking into becoming a Midwife or CNW (Certified Nurse Midwife), which will take getting a Masters. I'm still debating what I want to do when I become a RN.

A picture of the kids dressed up for Halloween!
Luigi, Mario, Peach & Daisy.

To This End Was I Born

Every once and a while (usually Sunday's) we put this on (mainly for the kids) to keep things quiet while we play a game or want some quiet time. They LOVE this movie! What really surprises me is how much they know about the Savior and what he went through.

A few Sunday's ago Brooke got excited to see this movie because she said "He died so we can have our bodies back." What Philosopher or "bible expert" can simply admit that to you? It's a simple answer! Jesus suffered for our sins and died so we can have our bodies back! A 5 year old explained it so simply!

Ring!

Matt's new wedding band since his is starting to get ugly looking! Titanium, manly, and not a bad price!

Happy 1st Birthday, Elise!

A year ago I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl! So healthy, and so chunky! My biggest baby yet at 9lbs 5oz 21 in!

Elise, you have brought us so much joy and laughter! We are so happy to have you as a part of our family!

We love you so much Elise Tiffany!

Happy Birthday Matt!

What can I say about this man that you already don't know? I love him more then words can say.

Here are some things I love about him!

• He's fluent in Spanish. He served his mission in El Salvador.
• He's the third child out of 7 children in his family.
• He's amazing at the piano.
• He doesn't just study things, he masters them.
  
• When we were first talking to each other he called me Melanie (once)! I still tease him about it to this day! ha
• He may not be the most observant person, but he focuses where needs be.
  
• He got a 3.9 (so close to a 4.0) this last semester, even though he has a wife, kids and a job! I could NEVER do that.
  
• He's getting his Masters in Marriage and Family counseling.
• His goal is to be a Chaplain in the Army :o)
• He says he reminds him of Mr. Darcy, so intense, so giving, yet so misunderstood.
  
• He could eat pizza everyday for the rest of his life and be happy!
• He sings opera!
  
• His favorite singer is Jose Carreras (one of the three tenors).
• He's a history buff! He knows too much.
• He's a great dad!
• He's such a romantic guy!
• He's a self motivator. He actually motivates me, I need more help in that area.
  
• He can think up of games for the kids at the drop of the hat, and they love it, No matter how crazy it is!
• He has piercing steel blue eyes!
  
• He holds conversations in his sleep!
• He loves spicy food. He once ate 6 or 7 hot hot peppers in El Salvador and beat his companion, who was from I think Guatemala. He likes to brag about that one...
• He's the creative one, I'm the artistic one.
• We are often on the same wavelength. We sometimes finish each others sentences!
• He's a walking GPS! I know I will NEVER get lost with him around!
• He will do whatever it takes to take care of this family! That's a rare quality these days.
  
• He's one sexy hot tamale
  

Happy Birthday Matt! Although we can't be with you to spoil you and take care of you today, I hope you have a great day :o) We love you more then words can say <3

Quote

1st Grader!

Gabriel was so excited to go to 1st grade! He told me what shirt he wanted to wear that day and everything. When he came home I asked him how he liked his first day of 1st grade, he said "I don't think I like it because all we do is homework!" He'll get the hang of it! It's definitely not kindergarten, but he will have fun :o)

Red Sox!

We went to a Red Sox game vs. the Kansas City Royals! Guess who got their butts stomped on?!

Happy Birthday Brooke!

This picture was taken when she was 2 weeks!! People don't believe me when I tell them she was smiling since birth....here's proof :o)


Brooke, Brooke, Brooke. I knew from the moment I could feel her kicks inside of me she was going to be a feisty one, and she hasn't proved me wrong! My mother in law told me once while I was pregnant with Brooke "Tell your daughter to stop following me around, I can feel her around me constantly!" It's funny she said that because, now that we have lived with them for a year, Brooke follows everyone around, pestering them.


Brooke likes to think she's the mommy. We (I) have to keep her in check every once and a while and tell her that she's still a kid, she needs to do kid things instead of bossing everyone...and I mean everyone around!

She is a big helper, and loves to help with chores and getting me things for Elise, or whatever I need. She once knocked on the bathroom door while her Aunt Rachel was in there to ask if she could clean the toilet!! She takes pride in cleaning those bathrooms, or vacuuming or putting away clothes, or helping out with Elise. Her main chore is to get the toothbrushes ready for all the kids. She makes sure there is enough toothpaste on the toothbrush, she makes sure to run it under the water, and she even gets Elise's toothbrush ready with special toothpaste.

She keeps me on my toes constantly, but always knows how to make me happy! Brooke, I'm so glad you are a part of our eternal family! Life would definitely be boring without you here in my life!

My little thumb sucker!



Love always,
Mom

Elise(ese)

Lately Elise has been blabbing and singing away!
She's saying some words.

Da-da. Ma-ma. More. Thank You (which kind of sounds like "dada"). Boo. Ba-ba. Hi.

She's progressing so much! She stands up while I'm feeding her on the floor.

Matt and me joke around at how Elise always does things he wants her to do when he's gone driving. Well, Matt will be gone for about 2-3 weeks....and I can almost guarantee she will be walking by the time he gets back! Who knows...

Elise is standing....

She has been standing and cruising along couches now for a few weeks. And when she doesn't realize you let go of her hands, she can stand for a good 10-20 seconds unassisted :o) Elise...stop growing, please!

Happy 28th to ME!

I really can't think of 28 things about me that you probably don't already know since my last birthday post. Here we go...

1. I'm anal about how my clothes and sheets smell.
2. I'm lazy.....(something I'm working on)
3. I'm still a Massachusetts driver! I get way too impatient with other drivers!
4. I also get really paranoid on the road, only when other people drive because they can't drive as well as me.... ;o)
5. Since my husband has been driving trucks I really only trust him (sometimes) driving me anywhere.
6. I'm married to an opera singer! Ok, so he doesn't sing in operas (although he did while in college) he was classically trained. It's wonderful to sit next to him in sacrament and hear him sing the hymns! I love it!
   
7. I also loved when he would practice at home, even when he would hit a wrong note ;o)
8. I'm a big fan of GLEE's music!!
9. I wish I was more outspoken. I envy those who can speak their mind and in turn have people respect them.
10. I've been on herbalife for a while. Since starting it I've lost a good amount of weight and my cravings have diminished!
    
11. I've recently set a major goal as far as working out goes. I told Matt that if I work out six days a week with zumba and I build my stamina, I want to get The Insanity Workout!! So far, I've worked out for 2 weeks straight! I have a vision in my mind with a new body. I want to tell people I have 4 kids really close in age and have them be in awe....yep, I'm a goal setter ;o)
    
12. I love food....something I wish I hated for the fact that I really could be morbidly obese if I just let myself go!
13. Although I'm from Massachusetts, I'm not that big into seafood. I can stand somethings, but most all of it I turn my nose at.
14. I'm not a fan of cranberries either....
15. We are seriously considering moving to Utah towards the end of the year.
16. I sort of dread moving to Utah for the fact that I know plenty of people who have the "keeping up with the Jones'" syndrome!
17. I don't want to be one of those people!
    
18. I want to move to Utah because we have lots and lots of family and friends out there.
    
19. We would be in Utah for a good 2-3 years! (Really...I'm not lying)
20. I am done with having kids. Really, Matt even agreed! He wants a sane wife :o)
21. I LOVE chocolate! We have a love hate relationship! You know, I LOVE it and it hates me...
    
22. I've recently been addicted to etsy.com
23. I bite my nails, especially when I'm nervous.
24. I love to cook, and may I add, I'm a pretty darn good cook!
25. I hate roller coasters. Matt said he's going to cure me of this one day...doubt it!
26. I hate having my ears touched, even when Matt kisses them, I shudder! (Just thinking about it makes me shudder)
27. Matt told me once the only thing he would change about me are my feet. They are like sandpaper! I guess he needs to treat me to pedi's more often ;o)
28. I dread turning 30! I honestly can't picture myself an old, old lady. 30 is no where close to old, but it's not 20 anymore! I honestly can not picture myself as a grandma or great grandma!

#15. We just don't know anymore....I guess you will know when we do! HA

Happy Birthday Tristan!!

Tristan is turning 3!
It seems like not too long ago he was just born. Fresh from the womb!

This little kid is one smart and tough cookie!
When he knows a routine, he's always one step ahead of you. He knows where everything is when you ask him to get something. He loves helping out with any task, small or large. You will most often find him following me (or grandma) around the house helping out in any little (or big) way he can! He's probably the most observant kid I've ever met....ever (and I'm not just saying that because he's my son)

I've always had a bond with him. I've felt so connected to him from literally the second he was conceived. I love him so, so much! I'm so happy he chose me as his mother, to love and look after him.

Tristan, you are loved! We are so happy to have you in this eternal family!

Birthday Party!

I think Tristan loves sharing his birthday parties with me! He just glowed the whole time, and was kissing me non stop! He's such a sweetie!

I got what I wanted for my birthday: All of Jane Austen books in one big book! *sighs*

Tristan got a text and learn from leap frog and some clothes and a look and find book, all of which he loved!

Happy Birthday to us!!!

Happy Independence Day!

Life

So, I stumbled across this draft dated 9/27/10 that I forgot to post. I'll just post it now. It's so funny how kids grow right before your eyes!

Life has a tendency to go by too fast! It seems to go by faster when you have kids.
I remember when Gabriel was born, I was always looking forward to all his milestones in life; his first smile, coo, laugh, step, etc. Now, having 4 kids I don't want to witness anymore milestones (ok, I really do, but you get my point) I want them to stay in this form forever!

Elise has already given me her first coo....actually several, and I can't get enough! Call me selfish, but I want her to stay like this forever!
I can't get enough of her silly faces, like those crossed eyes as she's trying to focus on things, her little mouth making an "o" shape, her little noises....I could go on forever.

Although I want her (and all my kids) to stay stuck in this form forever, I'm excited to see what life has in store for them. I want nothing but the best for them!

Life as a mother of 4 is hectic, no doubt about that. I have one who goes to school all day and 3 who stay at home all day, one who demands my attention 24/7 (ok, so all of them do, but you get what I'm saying)
Gabriel, Brooke & Tristan just adore their new sister! Gabriel helps as much as possible. He doesn't smother her like the other two do, and he's just so sweet towards her.
Brooke is a little mama. She has to kiss her constantly, and gives Elise her pacifier when she starts crying. She loves feeding her when I give her the bottle.
Tristan loves giving kisses!! He's always been this way, and just smothers her in love. He's sometimes a little too rough, but he's just 2.

Happy Father's Day!

Just because I love this song...

AND Michael Buble!... And these two!

Grateful

(Joplin Hospital)

Joplin, MO was hit by a horrible and deadly tornado Sunday May, 22.
I was in Springfield, MO that day and had to drive through Joplin to get back home.

I left Springfield at 5:30 pm because I saw black clouds overhead, so I thought it would be better to leave now, then half an hour later as I originally planned. Little did I know that those black clouds were tornado clouds that followed me all the way to Kansas City.

I'm in complete shock and awe because if I did leave half an hour later I could have been caught up in that storm. It's an eerie feeling!

My heart goes out to all those affected by that tornado. 89 (as of yesterday) people have been reported dead. This is I think one of the top 10 deadliest disasters! Another top 10 happened a month or two ago. I pray they find some comfort in this horrible tragedy!

For whatever reason I left half an hour earlier, I'm grateful! I've always wanted to see a tornado, but only in the comforts of my home, not on the highway in my car!

Happy 7 Years!

An East Coast girl and an Army boy meet online March 27, 2004. They talk for hours a day every day until they meet in person that April. Boy proposes to girl at the Boston Temple.

May 22nd they say their vows to be together forever.

Best. Decision. Ever

"Memory
All alone in the moonlight
I can smile at the old days
I was beautiful then
I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again"

"Cats" Musical (Sung by Jose Carreras)

All about Matt.

I stole this from another blog.

1. Sitting in front of the TV.. what is on the screen? FOX News or ESPN
2. You're out to eat what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Ranch - although he prefers caesar salad
3. What's one food he doesn't like? Meatloaf
4. You go out to the bar. He orders...... A&W Rootbeer
5. Where did he go to high school? Eisenhower High School
6. What size shoe does he wear? 10 1/2
7. If he were to collect anything, it would be......classical music cd's
8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? classic ham and cheese
9. He could eat--- pizza and mexican --- everyday.
10. Favorite cereal? grape nuts
11. He wouldn't be caught dead wearing..... anything pink! Believe me...I've tried!
12. Favorite sports team? Red Sox and the Bears
13. Who will he vote for? Whoever he thinks is right (He's an Independent)
14. Who is his best friend? Me
15. What is something you do that he wishes you didn't do? Spend money...lol
16. How many states has he lived in? 10 (2 are countries, Germany and El Salvador)
17. What is his heritage? Scottish and Sweedish
18. You bake him a cake for his birthday... what kind is it? German Chocolate with Chocolate icing!
19. Did he play sports in high school? Football
20. He could spend hours...... talking, reading, listening to music, playing video games.

Gosh, it's been forever...

Sorry about not posting anything lately! Oh well....life goes on.

A lot has been happening. Gabriel is almost done with his kindergarten year (may I add he got in the 95%ile in the WHOLE nation with the scholastic scoring, not sure if that means anything...but either way, it was worth celebrating)
Brooke is about to start kindergarten (if things go as planned) I'm not sure what I'm going to do with just 2 kids at home....but I'm sure I'll find something ;o)
Tristan is getting so much better with his talking. He's just a cute kid with those big husky blue eyes. We love spending time together.
Elise is well....Elise....a baby, and whats cuter then a baby? She is almost crawling, she just has to move her hands forward and she will get the hang of it!

Matt is going to AT (Annual Training) for the Army and will be gone for 3 weeks :o( to California (death valley to be more specific) He will come home, we will then head to Utah to go to a wedding, then to CO for a reception and then....THEN he will (we say will because there is a 95% chance he will be deployed to Afghanistan) but you honestly never know with the Military. He would be gone for 13 months helping the Engineer Corps rebuild. He would actually have it pretty easy, they said he would get his own room with wi-fi plus, he could talk on the phone whenever he wanted to, it's pretty laid back.
I'm still a bunch of mixed emotions. I first have to get through this 3 week hump and then I can focus more on the 13 month thing.
If/when he does deploy I will be packing up and heading to Massachusetts (if my mom can get her house ready by then, I will be renting from her) I decided this because it would help my mom with her situation and I would be near friends renting from my mom for wicked cheap. And Brooke would be able to go to school!

So, that about sums up what's been going on in my neck of the woods! Here are some pictures of the kids.

Operation.

It started Wednesday when I made spaghetti. I felt sick to my stomach about an hour or so after eating it. I thought it was the spaghetti, but when I explained the pain to my mother in law she told me it was my gallbladder. I looked up the symptoms and she was right, I was having a gallbladder attack.
I swore to stay away from fried, greasy foods, but Saturday Dan had his girlfriend over and we had pizza (bad idea Melody) and it acted up again, but not as bad as the first time. And if I didn't learn from the last 2 experiences, Monday I made hot wings and ate about 5 of them!!! That did me in! I was sick and it progressed into something that I had never experienced in my life!! It was almost as bad as labor!
I had gone to the chiropractor and told him everything that was wrong. He did some acupuncture and told me if it got worse then I needed to go to the hospital (he's actually reasonable). I was in my room crying, praying that I didn't need my gallbladder out, that this pain would subside. I promised myself that if I woke up in the morning with the same pain I would go to the hospital. I woke up the next morning with the same pain. Matt brought me to the hospital.
I went in, they did ultrasounds and found stones in my gallbladder, one that was perfectly placed in the neck of the gallbladder that whenever the gallbladder contracted, I would feel it and it hurt!

I stayed over night and went in to surgery the next morning, bright and early. They told me if I would have waited longer, it would have ruptured....and that would have been a very bad thing.
I'm thankful for chiropractors AND modern medicine. I'm grateful for the intuition to just go to the hospital!
And a BIG Thank You to my in laws!! I don't know what I would have done without them, or what Matt would have done without them! I'm convinced we are living with them a little longer for this reason. For that I am grateful!

You have a birthday, shout HORRAY!

I can't even imagine Gabriel being this little!

There is a special bond between you and your first born that is untouchable. Maybe it's just me, but that first borns cry is by far the sweetest! I remember when he came out, he gave this helpless cry that to this day still brings tears to my eyes. Even Matt (who NEVER cries) cried like a baby when he heard Gabriel let out his helpless cry.
Gabriel is my sweet, emotional guy. He will be the first to come to me when I'm crying and console me (even before my husband some times). He wants me to be happy.
Oh, how I love this kid!

Stats at birth: 6lbs 8oz 19 1/2 in.
Stats at 6 years old: 49lbs 47 in.

Happy Birthday Gabriel! We love you!

Hair cut.

Best of all....I did it :o) Beautiful looking hair for free :o)

A new baby.

Elise was born with what's called "tongue tied". Nothing serious, it's just she couldn't stick her tongue out, put her tongue at the roof of her mouth or suck like she was supposed to.

I decided to get it clipped so she wouldn't have problems talking later.

I felt like the worst mother ever having made that decision. I didn't know what to expect. I read about how they clip it in the office and how horrible the experience was. I was dreading it, but so thankful I had Matt there every step of the way (Brooke was there too, she was such a great big sister).
It took a total of 2 min. to clip it. They numbed it with a gel like they would before you get a Novocain, then a few min. later they clipped it! It was so simple and (dare I say, easy). She bled for a few seconds and that was it! Done! New tongue!

Elise has been moving her tongue around like crazy since getting it done, she has even stuck it out a few times.

Now that it's over with, I feel like the best mother ever :o)

Life's changes.

Ever since I've had kids, I've had an issue losing weight :o/ I'd get pregnant again, lose weight from not eating and then gain it all back and more! There was no winning!

In 2008 my wonderful husband discovered Herbalife. We both were committed to it and lost weight....fast! He lost 15 lbs in 2 weeks, and I lost 10 in 2 weeks! Not too shabby!
We stopped for financial reasons...so sad :o(
I gained back the weight, and more and so did Matt.

We loved the taste of everything they offered. You can even make pies!! PIES!! It's a shake, but not just any shake like slim fast. It's a scientific blend of food that fills you and that's actually HEALTHY! It makes you healthy, it gives you energy (that I so desperately need).

We are starting back up again! This time we will be distributors. I'm excited for the adventure and for the life change it will bring! I will get my energy back, my spunk, my love for life!

Bring on the healthy life!