Mom to three babies-- living the crazy life!!

Off to St Louis we go.....

2011-10-25T10:19:00.000-07:00

and not for the Cards game!!! No fair! We will probably catch it on tv with all of our fave drs and nurses at St Louis Childrens Hospital. Marlee is headed back because her kidneys arent working again. As I sit here and type this , I think to myself, man, october is not a good month for Marlee. This is when we found out last year that she has a rare genetic kidney disease. It's been a crazy road this past year and now that we are headed back down there and seemingly getting ready to go thru the hell of surgery and long hospital visits again, I just want to make sure that anyone who reads this blog knows how much I adore my beautiful children, and how hard it is for me to be away from Dylan and Syd and how hard it is to watch Marlee girl go thru such awful things. But if we have to do this, we will, because one month of awfulness, equals 11 months of ok-ness. So for that I am thankful. We have the BEST doctors and Childrens is the BEST hospital. Im thankful to live near it. So, Im not making any sense, but if you could keep us in your prayers and especially Marlee Sarah Beth, I'd really appreciate it.... oh, and please keep this family http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/marleymoore in your prayers too. They just lost their beautiful Marley, and she was an amazing inspiration and her family is strong and faithful. okie dokie.... enough rambling from me, guess im just nervous.

love, jl

Ponies, fireman and potty tests oh my!

2011-10-17T18:35:00.000-07:00

What a busy week! Marlee had her 24 hour urine test ( gross i know!) but it's super important because it will tell us whether or not her kidney medicine is working. Unfortunately her kidney disease is so very rare, there is only one medicine that MIGHT help... so we will find out this week if its doing anything. Prayers please! She goes for a renal ultrasound on november 18th, praying no big kidney stones... dont want to spend christmas in the hospital this year. boo. So we are praying hard!

We went to a neat firemans safety course last saturday... pictures of course, they had so much fun and we all learned some wonderful fire safety tips to keep us safe in our home! They got to run obstacle courses ( syd ran in heels, go girl!) and make a 911 call, good job dylan, and they got to shoot the fire hose and knock over cones. We had lunch there ( proceeds benefitted the local fire depts safety classes) and then we headed to the next place!

The pumpkin fest at a local grocery store! Pony rides! Balloon animals! Bowling with pumpkins! lol... it was fun and cute~!

This weekend we went to Barry for a nice visit with my grandma odie and then we went on the Pike County Fall Color Drive and ended up in El Dara Illinois for chicken and noodles from my aunt sandy's booth! YUM!!!! Today we did school and laundry and played. I made a nice cozy dinner of lasagna and garlic bread. It's been rainy and cold out so it felt good to have a warm dinner. Last week I made chili and another night I made meatloaf, favorite fall meals, only problem, it was 78 degrees out! Im ready for you fall!! :)

A visit with Spongebob

2011-09-28T09:53:00.000-07:00

The kids saw on tv that Spongebob was going to be at the mall. So we trekked up to quincy, walked the entire mall until we found him, took a picture and left. HA!!! it sure made it sound alot more fun then it actually was on tv! But, here is there big amazing pic of spongebob ( marlee was totally creeped out so shes not in the pic!)

Soldier Tag

2011-09-28T09:49:00.000-07:00

So my kids have been blessed this summer to play outside almost constantly. This particular night, they had fun with some of the neighbors and they played soldier tag when it got dark... all you could see was the little glowstick necklaces we bought them bobbing around in the dark as they chased each other and laughed so hard! I think they look pretty cool dont you!

spending the night with cousin angie

2011-09-28T09:46:00.001-07:00

dylan and marlee went to cousin angies and spent the night with her and andrew and alex. they had alot of fun from what i've heard!!! they stayed up really late and played hard! of course Marlee came home with fancy hair, she loves when angie does her hair! Im so thankful they get to play with family and spend time with them.

Playdate at the River

2011-09-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

sydney has made friends with the little boy across the street who is just her age! we took the two of them downtown to the river for a little playdate. Candy bars, throwing rocks in the river, seeing fish scales, and waving at the people on the boats, they had a really great time! Plus they are just dang cute :)

Keith's 30th Birthday

2011-09-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

So, I love my husband. He's a hunk and quite an awesome guy. Did I mention he's a great dad? Well, for his 30th birthday I invited family to Madison park in quincy and we had a big dinner and tons of fun! So many people showed up, I was in awe at all the people that love my Keith !!!!
There is about a million more pictures I want to add on here, but alas, no room :) I love you Keith Landon!!!

puppy love

2011-09-28T09:36:00.001-07:00

syd and just a couple of her puppies, and roxie our big ole hippo dog :)

Tropical Girl....

2011-09-28T09:34:00.001-07:00

this is what marlee looks like before she hops in the pool :)

dylan, the puzzlemaker

2011-09-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

What we like to do to daddy while he is sleeping....

2011-09-28T09:29:00.001-07:00

hehe, that's sparkle lip gloss. we are so silly :)

Therapy Time with Marlee Sarah Beth!

2011-09-28T09:24:00.000-07:00

Marlee got to learn some new exercises in therapy this past summer, she especially enjoyed getting to play soccer with her physical therapist up and down the halls at the hospital! whoever was nearby joined in! she is really doing great! Super proud of her! Just a little update... we have to head back to st louis soon for her checkup with Dr Ahn, to check her cysteine levels and have her "peanut butter and jelly ultrasound" to check on her kidneys.

Playing guitar with Eric and making goofy faces with Aunt Ruth

2011-09-28T09:20:00.000-07:00

Just some cute pics from Dylan's birthday that I wanted to include of the girls. :) We love our family!!!!
Oh, and I didnt have enough room in the title, but it is "Playing guitar with Eric, making goofy faces with Aunt Ruth, and snuggling Uncle Rusty " :)

Dylan's 10th Birthday!

2011-09-28T09:15:00.000-07:00

Wow, it is still hard to believe that I just typed in that Dylan is 10!!!! He had a harry potter lego birthday and it just so happened that his birthday fell on the same date as the barry firemans chicken dinner, so we got to celebrate big time! We headed to grandma odie's and aunt ruth and uncle bobby and eric and mark were there and uncle rusty and aunt kim and we had a blast!!

Spending time at Aunt Sandy's and Uncle Bob's

2011-09-28T08:59:00.000-07:00

The kids love visiting aunt sandy and uncle bob! they love to eat dinner around the table with them and play with the kittens and their poodle claudine!

Marlee's Birthday continued

2011-09-28T08:50:00.000-07:00

For Marlee's actual birthday, we went to barry and had dinner with aunt sandy and uncle bob and then went to grandma odie's where she had prepared a special pink angel food cake for marlee!!!

Marlee's 9th Birthday

2011-09-28T08:46:00.000-07:00

marlee had a pretend slumber party for her 9th birthday! It was soooo cute! She had her cousin and best friend Elizabeth and her friend from church Cassidy! They dressed in their pj's, made dream jars, painted pillowcases, and made bracelets that glow in the dark and ate popcorn and cake!

Marlee's Baptism

2011-09-28T08:39:00.000-07:00

My beautiful daughter marlee sarah beth was baptized!! It took her a long time to do it, because she has autism and is terrified of water, but her sweet spirit is strong and her testimony is strong! It was one of the most spiritual baptisms i have ever attended and the fact that it was my daughter made it even more special!
here are some pics!

Catching Up!

2011-09-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

wow, i am soo behind as usual ! so many neat things have happened this past summer! My babies each had birthdays, Marlee was baptized, we did alot of neat things. It was a fun summer! So I will try now and get things caught up, in no particular order haha!
Love, JL

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

2011-08-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

Time to start planning school!!! Excuse the mess on the shelf, I don't have it perfectly organized yet, but that's part of the fun! I know for sure that this year we will be doing alot of mooreheadacadmey.org and schoolofabraham.com and then our own eclectic mix of goodies I've found on ebay or yard sales etc. It's gonna be the best school year yet, I can feel it!!!! Anyone else beginning to plan?? :)

New Website for New Life

2011-07-19T05:48:00.000-07:00

www.ldsparenting.blogspot.com

So since I'm down and out... I have had this idea rolling around in my head... so I decided to do it. I started an LDS parenting site. I love it. I want everyone to love it. So if you wanna see it or write for it or tell people about it go to www.ldsparenting.blogspot.com because you see, this is something i can do now that I have to sit alot, lol. Plus parenting is my biggest passion. So put it all together and you got one fun website! :)
email me at ldsparenting@hotmail.com or comment on the site. We are having a giveaway if you comment on one of the posts.
:)

Upside Down, Inside Out

2011-07-19T04:54:00.000-07:00

So... since this is a record of my families history, for prosperity and all that, I guess i have to blog about what has happened these past 3 weeks. There is good and there is bad. Life is upside down and inside out and better then it has been in a long time. Makes no sense I know. This post is about me. But on a side note, I just want the world to know that my kids have been so amazing through all of this that I gave them ice cream for breakfast this morning. Yep. Im that kind of mom.

So, it all began, June 27th. You see I had a small bulging disc in my back and some inflammation that was pinching off nerves in my legs. So i had pain. I was ok, I could still do everything, but I could be better. Talked to my dr, he suggested an epidural steroid shot. It was supposed to be awesome and I started making plans of all the things I could do after I got this shot. I was supposed to walk out of there in ten minutes, drive in 4 hours then be awesome for like the next year or so! I was gonna be the momma and wife I'd always wanted to be! Skateboarding with my kids, keeping the house clean because it hurt to do laundry, exercising, swimming, so many awesome things. Alas, it was not meant to be.

I went to the surgery center. Had a dr who wasnt lets say " on top of her game" and she ended up shooting me in a bunch of nerves and causing permanent nerve damage. Three weeks of excruciating pain, ( like Im being electrocuted 24/7) from the injection site in my back down both legs, and I can't really walk, defintely can't drive. I am now at the point where I can take care of the kids alone ( in a new way of course, much slower) and I have gone through alot these past two weeks getting used to a new life. I go see the neurologist august 2nd for testing to see exactly what nerves are damaged and to see if they can do anything about it. So now, I wait, and be patient, and do my best to have a happy attitude. Even though today, I really want to go to walmart and buy dog food. Silly, huh. Keith almost lost his job cause he had to stay home two weeks caring for me.... I couldn't even get to the bathroom alone, i would pass out from pain, my legs just didn't work. After two weeks in bed, then another week caring for the kids alone and resting constantly, I am able to walk across the house! With alot of pain meds of course. And Mt. dew. And my Father in Heaven. It would take a whole new post to describe the blessings that have come from this experience. In fact, I probably will write another post about that because it's important. It's really really important. Because with all that I've been through and my family has been through, we have been immensely blessed. We are doing this new life. We are working together and becoming closer and becoming closer to God in the process. It's amazing. It's worth the pain. I'm not sure why this happened to me, but I'm thankful because it has given me my priorities back, my family back, my husband back, it has given me a new life, an upside down, inside out life, but it's ok. I'm gonna be just fine. :)

My Marlee is getting baptized!!!

2011-07-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

Well the time has finally come. I knew getting the pool would help! My Marlee girl has several physical health problems and autism. She was scared to death of the water and to afraid to get baptized. Now that shes been in the pool for about 3 weeks off and on, she asked daddy to practice baptizing her. Then she announced a couple days ago that she was getting baptized on sunday! LOL!!! Thank goodness it all worked out ok! Worst weekend of summer but she says its cool cause its fourth of july weekend and she said she prayed and God was happy. Those of you that know Marlee know she is one of Heavenly Fathers most precious spirits with a very close personal relationship with Christ. I would love it if you would comment and write a note to her, so that we can print this out and add it to her baptism book that my sis is making her. She made one for Dylan and it is one of his ( and my) most cherished possesions! Everyone is invited, regardless of your faith, tomorrow at the LDS Chapel on Centerville road, around 1 pm!! Don't forget to comment and leave her a note! :)
with love, Marlee Sarah Beths momma :)

Summer Fun in the Pool

2011-06-24T07:23:00.000-07:00

Here's a pic of the babies lounging around in the pool !! :)

Sydney's 7th Birthday

2011-06-24T07:16:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I just typed that my baby is 7. Why do they grow up so fast????? She is my miracle baby, the one the doctors thought wasnt even there, and I was scheduled for d&c and begged for one more ultrasound. There was my healthy baby girl! She is notorious for being onery and hilarious and a joy. She loves puppies and fashion. She's a blast. I love her. Here are some pics from her birthday.

Grandma Odie's Magical Garden

2011-06-24T06:24:00.000-07:00

I lost most of the pics of this, because of my new phone, lol. But my grandma odie's yard and gardens are magic. She has a massive yard with rose gardens, special paths you walk thru, etc. I played it in it as a kid, my dad played in it as a kid, and now my babies are just as fascinated with it. I love having a blog for posterity, so I want to make sure that the kids remember, all of the memories of having lunch in the garden, walking all around the yard, timing themselves to see who can run around the house in the least amount of seconds, and getting to smell each and every flower!

Update on my Marlee Girl

2011-04-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

Most of you know that my Marlee Girl has been through some rough trials this past year. But be of good cheer! She is an amazing spirit and has bore her testimony of how much her Father in Heaven and her Savior love her!!! She has had two surgeries, one involving tonsils and adenoids and clearing her airway of lymphoid tissue, and in December she had a whopping nasty surgery involving drilling a hole in her beautiful tiny back and taking out the most massive kidney stones they had ever seen! Turns out she has this super rare genetic kidney disease. So we will be visiting our great doctors Dr Ahn and Dr Copelan alot. But we love childrens hospital in st louis, so we are blesed. We visited the geneticist in st louis couple weeks ago and we have also found out that Marlee has a rare disease called Neurofibromatosis ( google it, its fascinating yet scary!) She is now going to be visiting Dr Guttman in the NF clinic at childrens also. We go on May 12th to visit them. While Marlee has been in the hospital we have been super blessed by an amazing child life team and super great nurses. They pampered her and spoiled her! They do that with every patient there, and it is amazing. We are actually holding a fundraiser for the child life team-- you go to www.youravon.com/keithkaylor or www.tinytillia.com and search for representative Kaylor in Missouri. Whatever you order from those two sites, the entire profit will be going to Childrens Hospital! www.stlchildrens.org - when we go to visit the hospital on May 12th, we will be stopping to purchase all kinds of goodies to donate! Crafts, books, movies, stuffed animals ( the nurses love to leave presents on the patients beds after a particularly rough night, so the patients have a surprise when they wake up!) and ill tell you what, the parents rooms need some new magazines hahaha! We are gonna load up the wagon and roll all the goodies right on up to the patient playroom where we can shower everyone with gifts!!!! I cant wait!!ok, i am going to upload some pics in the next few posts, of Marlee and the patient playroom and all that kind of thing. Thank you so much to everyone who has prayed for Marlee girl. Your prayers are so appreciated. ;)

Zoo

2011-04-08T13:34:00.000-07:00

Marlee had a genetics appointment in st louis couple weeks ago, we decided to make a family day of it and head to the zoo! We picked a gorgeous day!

Birthday Party Fun! Mel's Birthday

2011-04-08T13:31:00.000-07:00

One of the girls' best friends held a dolly and me tea party for her birthday! The girls loved it!

Official Christmas Picture and to many presents

2011-04-08T13:28:00.000-07:00

Christmas party at our house 2010

2011-04-08T13:24:00.001-07:00

We had our friends over for a little christmas party --we made gingerbread houses, made choc covered pretzels, made ornaments and ate lots and lots of pizza while listening to christmas music! :) we love our friends!

Halloween 2010

2011-04-08T13:18:00.000-07:00

We love halloween! We are more of the pumpkins and candy type people, not the scary stuff. For halloween this year the kids were: Dylan-Super Mario, Marlee-Fancy Nancy, and Syd was a pink skeleton. We went to so many fun events with friends. We went to a neat church party in quincy, the kids played on the jump jumps, entered a halloween contest ( syd won her age group!) we ate hot dogs and drank to much hot cocoa and bought to many cookies at the bake sale. Halloween night we went trunk or treating around to local churches, went on a hay ride, played outside and once again drank to much hot cocoa! The kids love to visit the senior citizens where aunt vonnie lives and we just had an all around great time!

A jump in the leaves

2011-04-08T13:09:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to do as a kiddo in the fall was to jump in the leaves. I would pretend i was a baby bird and I would make a nest of leaves, then jump out of the swing and land in my nest. Of course I thought I could fly. We took the kids and our neighbor friend to Riverview Park here in Hannibal and we had a blast jumping in the leaves - yes even mommy and daddy jumped in the leaves! What a fun day!

Pumpkin Patch 2010

2011-04-08T13:01:00.000-07:00

Another family tradition- a visit to Mill Creek Farms for a hayride and pumpkin picking out! I have pics of the kids from the last probably 4 years at least in front of the how many pumpkins tall this fall sign! :)

Arts Council Quincy Playday

2011-04-08T12:56:00.001-07:00

We love to do activities as a family, and one fall day we had a blast at the Arts Council in Quincy! We got to watch dancers and make pictures and hats!:) The best part was when the wind blew Marlee's picture onto daddy's tshirt and he looked like a tie dyed hippy! :) ps- isnt my husband handsome?? :)

Birthday Party Fun ! Bradens Birthday

2011-04-08T12:50:00.000-07:00

Our little nephew Braden is a hoot!! Keith and I love being auntie and uncle! We have so many adorable nieces and nephews, we are blessed! These are a few pics from nephew Bradens birthday party! It was alot of fun! :) Dont forget personal paddle boat rides from daddy/uncle keith! :)

Apple Festival 2010

2011-04-08T12:43:00.000-07:00

It is a family tradition to go to Barry's Apple Festival each year. I did it as a kid, and now my kids get to! They had a blast! Big ole parade, rides and good food! :) Dont forget oodles of cousins and good friends!!

Dylans first cub scout patch!

2011-04-08T12:39:00.000-07:00

So Dylan doesnt get to go to cub scouts a whole lot, because of his immune system, but he was sooo excited to get to earn his first patch! This is him and his beloved cubscout master Al. They are two peas in a pod! Good job Dyl!!

Im back!

2011-04-08T11:51:00.001-07:00

I havent had a computer in so long! I have so much to catch up on! I put up some flags around the blog to celebrate! :)
love, jl

Pro- Homeschool

2010-08-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

What a hard blog post to write! How do I tell everyone all of the wonderful things about homeschooling? I will start with giving a bit of a background about myself, and why I think I might know a little about homeschooling :)
My name is JL and I am very blessed to be married to my high school sweetheart and we have been blessed with three beautiful children. Hence my blog name momtothreebabies.blogspot.com :)
I attended school from kindergarten to 6th grade, in both private and public school settings. During my Junior High and High School Years I switched between homeschooling and public schooling. I finally made the final choice in 10th grade to homeschool. I do not regret that decision at all! I still got to go to dances, I still had a ton of friends! I was still able to enjoy all the "high school" things, but I was also able to really excel at my studies and help my family at the same time by homeschooling. I've been writing on my blog about homeschooling, writing for other blogs about homeschooling, studying everything I can get my hands on, reading every book out there, and oh yeah, I wrote my own book about homeschooling!~

When my first child was born, I knew the minute he was laid in my hands that I would homeschool him. I took being a mommy really seriously! Too seriously ! I studied late into the night and got my hands on any and every parenting book, magazine, website I could! I was obsessed with being the best momma ever! For me, I would homeschool, because then I would be able to watch my child grow, see him read his first words, watch him get that big math problem solved all by himself and watch his eyes light up as he learned about the world around him. There were so many possbilities to life with my son, that I couldnt even comprehend it or even decide where to begin! Fast forward 11 months later, and Im giving birth to our second child! Two years after that our third child! Wow! All of these beautiful babies were mine, and I had a big responsibility to them. Together with my husband, we began to pray about what would be best for our kids. We knew without a doubt that for our family, homeschooling was the way to go. I have a very strong testimony that education is a very special and sacred right, and that the decision we parents have to make, on how to educate our families, is best made through careful thought and prayer, and that every family is different. We are all so unique! That's what makes us so cool! Each family is going to choose what is best for them, and thats that! No one option is best for all. One of the amazing things about homeschooling is that I get to tailor the curriculum and ways of teaching, for each child. One learns best through reading and writing about it. One learns best through doing things! Sometimes we all just want to go outside and look for bugs! That is something about homeschooling that I am incredibly thankful for- flexibility!

When I was working on my book about homeschooling, one of the questions I asked my "helpers" was why do they homeschool. The responses were all so different and unique and it was so exciting to hear them! Some chose it because they couldn't bear to be away from their kids during their formative years. Some felt they could better teach their children, because they knew their children the best, and knew how they could learn. Some felt that the school system in their area was not up to par, and that their kids might bet a better education at home. Others have been homeschooled and are now homeschooling their own kids! So many reasons! All good. Like I said before, every family is different!

Alot of people have said to me, " I am not smart enough or patient enough to homeschool my kids." To those people I reply, maybe not, but everyone is different and if you truly feel called to homeschool your children, you will find ways to have others come in to help you in the areas you dont feel confident with. I personally feel that anyone who has graduated high school should be able to teach their kids kindergarten. Now, personally, when my kids get high school age, I am defintely having a friend come in to teach them algebra and calculus and all that other good stuff! That is another big advantage to homeschooling. We get to work with our friends and family members who have great talents to share! Maybe the children's grandma is a sewing whiz! Well have her teach her grandkids how to sew! What a wonderful way for family to bond! Maybe you have a friend who spent a couple years in France... have them teach your kids to speak some key words in french! Your friend gets the opportunity to share something special, and it will end up being a blessing to your whole family. I can't even begin to tell you all of the amazing things I have learned while homeschooling my children. We are learning about the ingredients that make up the earth.. wow! Exciting stuff here! I am blessed to continue my learning along with my children!

I could go on and on about homeschooling. Really this isn't the best subject to have me write on, because I tend to get long winded and then feel like I havent even begun to tell you about homeschooling! There are lots of great websites, support groups, etc out there. Im sure you probably know someone or "of" someone who homeschools. Talk to them! Keep your options open, and never be afraid to ask questions!

One more thing before I leave you, my dear friends. The big "S" word. Socialization. I really don't understand the big deal about this. My kids and most homeschooled children I know, are incredibly socialized! I will use my family as an example, so as not to offend, but my three kids live in a fun neighborhood with plenty of kids their age and also kids that aren't their age! They attend church and play with the children there and learn along side them. We attend a huge homeschool group that meets once a week and they have a blast. My kids have family members out the whazoo and cousins galore! Everytime we go to the grocery store, my kids are learning to socialize in the real world. We don't sit at home around the table and never speak to anyone! Homeschooling is a great option out there for education! I urge you to learn more about it! :)

JL Kaylor
www.momtothreebabies.blogspot.com

Time for School!

2010-08-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

We started a little refresher course to get us ready for homeschooling this year. We meet at the table for about an hour and do the "beginning time" stuff, like prayer, scriptures, family rules, etc. the fun stuff, and then we have been reviewing our numbers and letters and beginning cursive. We will be starting full time when the public school kids start. We are just so excited. We had a family meeting talking about the things we want to learn along with the things we need to learn. Everyone had great ideas. Another reason I love homeschooling! We get to do what we want! Along with doing the things we are required to learn of course!
So here's to another awesome school year!

Catching Minnows in the River

2010-08-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

Hannibal was flooded. What's new right? Well we decided to go over to John Hay and see just how high the water was. That is high quality entertainment here in Hannibal. It was either that or go to walmart. hehehe.
We took along a net and some old buckets. We were gonna catch us some fish, Huck Finn style!!!
We ended up catching a bunch of little minnows and we put them in our aquarium at home and they are sooooo cool!

Meeting more friends!

2010-08-10T08:02:00.000-07:00

We have been so blessed this summer! We got to meet more friends from across the country! This time they were east coast! Maryland! I have been friends with the momma for quite a few years after meeting her online through a neat yahoo group. They came through town and we got to spend a couple hours with them showing them around downtown Hannibal. It was sooo hot outside and they were all troopers and I have to say, I loved them. The whole family! I wanted to keep them!!! The kids were gorgeous and handsome ( for the boy of course) and so polite and kind to my kids. The momma was everything I had thought she would be and so much more! The daddy was kind and easy to get along with. We had a blast!

More penpal and guest pictures

2010-08-10T07:56:00.001-07:00

Ok found some more adorable pictures of the girls and their penpals from Texas that came to visit! Please excuse the chubby mom in bed in the one pic... I was snuggling some cute babies!! :) Yes they are still babies to me. I had so much fun. Loved those kids!!! Their mom was pretty dang awesome too!

4th of July and guests

2010-08-10T07:48:00.000-07:00

When I started the penpal program a couple years ago, I never imagined I would actually get to meet penpals from across the country! We had the honor of having the girls penpals from Texas come to stay with us for a few days! It was perfect because it happened around the 4th of July so we got to show them what Tom Sawyer Days was all about!
We played outside, we snuggled, we ate pizza, we went to a parade, we went to the arts and crafts and Dylan and Sydney both got to ride their first carnival rides ever! Our little family watched the big fireworks in our favorite spot ( no Im not telling, but it is the BEST SPOT EVER) and we had to say goodbye to our penpals. But it was such a neat summer memory!

Sydney's 6th Birthday

2010-08-10T07:42:00.001-07:00

My baby turned 6. I know. You may shed a tear with me if you'd like. sob.
She is such a joy and so stinking onery! We love her to death!
Six years ago she was born on fathers day. I didn't get Keith anything else for Fathers Day that year... I thought a baby was enough.
This year her birthday fell on Father's Day again. So we had a party!
She wanted a candy party! So candy all around, oh and cupcakes and cookie cake too! We also bought a Fathers Day cake for all the daddies :) and one future dad, who really really wanted in the picture with the guys.
Here are some pics!

Ridiculously Behind.....

2010-08-10T07:39:00.000-07:00

So my computer has a virus. Which means I have not been posting to my lovely blog. Which also means my kids entire summer etc has not been recorded for future posterity and for me when I grow old and senile. :)
So Im going to try and catch up a bit. Sigh. This might take awhile.
Love, JL

Why Im a Stay At Home Momma

2010-05-23T18:49:00.001-07:00

"Children are like trees. When they are young, their lives can be shaped and directed, usually with ever so little effort. Said the writer of Proverbs, 'Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it' (22:6). That training finds its roots in the home. There will be little of help from other sources. Do not depend on government to help in this darkening situation. Barbara Bush, wife of former United States president George Bush, spoke wisely when in Wellesley, Massachusetts, in 1990 she addressed the Wellesley College graduating class and said, 'Your success as a family, our success as society, depends not on what happens at the White House, but on what happens inside your house.' "

Gordon B. Hinckley, "Four Simple Things to Help Our Families and Our Nations," Ensign, Sept. 1996, 7

This right here explaines why I am a stay at home momma and I homeschool my kids. I agree with this quote ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!
Love, JL

Finally......

2010-05-18T05:44:00.001-07:00

A day where I dont HAVE to do anything!!! Isn't that horrible of me? Its been almost a week since I had a lazy day. Well, sunday I did nothing but sleep, didn't even make it to church.. all i did was sleep. I guess that is a lazy day, but it couldn't be helped. My body was done.

Today is a fun lazy day! I will still be doing things.... i.e. dishes, laundry, reminding Dylan to blow his nose, etc. But I get to choose whether to read a book, or watch a movie! I get to do dishes in my pajamas! How thankful I am for days like this. Getting to tinker around in my home making it comfy and loving on my babies. We have been so busy and so stressed, thats really not the way life is supposed to be I've decided. So life, listen up! NO MORE!!! hehe, yeah right. But I can dream!

I have two articles due.... One of them I got up just in time its here LATTER DAY HOMESCHOOLING
and the other will be done soon hopefully... it will be on here MORMON MOMMY BLOGS
It's not done yet, but its still a fun blog. I have penpals coming out my ears, which is awesome... check us out HERE
and Im still working on my second book... which will probably never be finished.
I have been working on getting the kids school stuff together for next year. I want them to have a rockin awesome summer, but I always love to plan things out for the next year. We are going to babysit a friend's daughter in a couple of weeks, she is so dang cute and the girls and her really love each other. That will be fun. Let's see what else.... I dont know Im tired now. :) But its a lazy day, so I think I will go lay in my bed and read a book, BEFORE i start laundry!!!! Egads I know!!!! Can you believe how naughty I am???? LOL!!!!

With Love, JL

yard sale and sleep studies

2010-05-15T16:22:00.000-07:00

What a busy week! I babysat on wednesday and then thursday worked hard on getting a yard sale together. Thursday evening Keith got home from work then turned right around and took Marlee to St Louis Childrens Hospital for her sleep study. She did awesome!!! We get full results in 2 weeks, but she didnt have to be on oxygen all night! Friday at noon the yard sale started... we worked hard until about 6, then put it away, then Saturday morning ( today lol) we woke up to RAIN!!! Our neighbor let us borrow one of their tents, they sell candles at outdoor festivals etc, and they had a yard sale too and had an extra tent. I sold a whole 2.50 today lol! Thank goodness we had it yesterday too. Didnt make as much as we usually do, but every little bit helps! I still have some homeschool stuff left, but nothing else!! AWESOME!!! I am ready to get my house cleaned up and I start babysitting again at the beginning of June. Im hoping to babysit quite a bit this summer and Keith is going to try and work overtime, so we can get life straightened out so that I can continue to stay home with the kids and homeschool them in the fall :)
Love, JL

Of Celestial Parentage

2010-05-04T10:20:00.000-07:00

Life has been rough lately. Here are a few neat quotes that have really helped me.
From Pres. Uchtdorf
" Hold on a little longer. You can do this! You are a part of a special generation. You were prepared and preserved to live at this important time in the existence of our beautiful planet earth. You have a celestial pedigree and therefore have all the necessary talents to make your life an eternal success story."

From Dallin H Oaks
" Consider the power of the idea taught in our beloved song 'I am a Child of God'.... Here is the answer to one of life's great questions, 'Who am I?' I am a child of God with a spirit lineage to heavenly parents. That parentage defines our eternal potential. That powerful idea is a potent antidepressant. It can strengthen each of us to make righteous choices and to seek the best that is within us. Establish in the mind of a ..person the powerful idea that he or she is a child of God and you have given self-respect and motivation to move against the problems of life."

I have been dealing with alot lately, as we all do during this earthly test. I know of people who are dealing with more than me... I pray hard for them. But at this point in my life, I have some really big decisions to make and I want to do the best I can for me and my family. It helps me to think that I have the "necessary talents to make my life an eternal success". Isn't that what Im here for??
So, today I pray and think and ponder and love my kids and work on my family. I'll keep on trucking. Just remember who you are my dear friends. i love you all <3

Birthday and recording for the future

2010-04-29T06:38:00.001-07:00

Today is my 29th birthday. I have alot of good goals and hopes for this last year in my 20's. Hard to believe!

When I started this blog, I tried to record the fun things we were doing as a family, what my kids did in school, etc. But I realized that this blog has become a record of my family and one day I hope to print it out and put it in my families scrapbooks etc, so that they have this record of our family.

Because of that, I feel the need to put in here what this past week has been like. It isnt pleasant, but it is life, and it should be recorded.

About two weeks ago I found out I was pregnant. I was thrilled as my body started to change in the small ways that happen when you first become pregnant. On sunday April25th, I miscarried. For some reason, miscarriages tend to be a bit taboo, people dont talk about them much, but for me, it is a part of my families history. Its been a rough week, my body was to low on iron and i was sad, but this is part of my history.

To top that off, it was the birthday of my nephew Moses just a couple of days later, I miss him so much. He is a perfect angel now.

We found out yesterday that we are very lucky to have our Marlee girl, her pulse/ox test came back, we had hoped her surgery had worked, but it didnt. Her average o2 level was 88 and it dropped below 50 % at times. She was started on oxygen last night. She now has the big o2 concentrator and all the goodies that go along with it. She had a rough night but it should get easier. She goes in for a sleep study at st louis on may13th, so we can find out why this is happening to her.

It seems as though alot of sadness has happened but I feel so blessed. I have a family that loves me, my daughter is safe because of modern medicine, my birthday is good because I set goals for the next year of my life and I like that.
I have friends and family and I love them more than words can say. This is my history, my record for today, april 29th 2010

So Much To Do!!!!

2010-04-20T22:30:00.000-07:00

Today was spent outside!!! The weather was perfect for getting my lovely yard in order!! Finished mowing around the raspberries and the honeysuckle and grape vines..Always a task, plus have to weed around the things that the mower can't get to! Dylan was a hard worker and helped me weed around the trampoline :) He is so dang cute. He was like " Im such a hard worker" yup, you are son!!
The big "project" of the day was getting our sunflower garden ready. Last year we planted a "fairy garden" for the girls, this year we are planting a sunflower garden in that spot, so we are really excited. We have 4 different varieties of sunflowers and they are planted and ready to grow!! Once they are big enough, the little wooden and iron puppy bench will go in the garden for the kiddos to sit under the sunflowers! Sunflowers make me happy. :)
I also finally got the poor birds some new suet for the feeder in front of the dining room window.. its been a few days and they kind of look at me like, hello, did you forget me????
Tomorrow it is supposed to be nice out again, hopefully, so the plan is to get the side of the house all ready to plant... We have 9 fruit trees that line the hill on the side of the house, plus a big fence, oh and a highway up the hill, lol, but we have kind of a neat little spot tucked away from things, and we put a swing over there and solar lights last year. This year we are planting moonflowers, etc... things that will look spectacular at night, and maybe some more solar lights and a table, etc... so that we can have a comfy little spot to hang out at night. Or snuggle. :) I like to snuggle at night on the swing with my kiddos and hubby.
Later in the summer, we have a biiig project planned, but only if money allows. A patio with a chimnea :) Don't you just love that word??? Chimnea. Yup, i had to say it again!!!
Unfortunately, before we go outside tomorrow, we have to clean bedrooms. Yikes. Hopefully we will make it outside hahaha!!! If no one sees us outside, you may need to come search for us, because we are buried under transformers and care bears!!!!!!
I will be going to my inlaws soon to borrow their computer... I miss sooo much having pictures on here!!! It stinks! But I've found a new computer, I just have to save a bit more and I can get it, whew. It is soooooo needed!!!!
Have a fantastic day and know I love you all!!!!! :) Love, JL

So frustrated... and goals for school

2010-04-19T09:31:00.000-07:00

Wierd title I know. Im so frustrated with my computer. I can't upload any pictures which makes my blog quite dull :( I can barely write on here without it clicking me off and jamming up my computer. We will see how it goes. Defintely time for a new computer. Anyone wanna make a donation to the help Jaelle get a computer fund HAHAHA!!

We are currently on "summer" break from homeschool, so we basically do alot of fun activities and not so much actual school work. All three kids are done with their "grade level" for the year, so we are having some fun. Here are my goals this week:
Begin teaching Dylan cursive ( this will be done in a calm, fun way, so he ends up loving it!!!!!)
Plant our Venus Fly Trap that we bought from the zoo!!! So cool!
Identify the beautiful gems from the Native American Store that I bought about 2 months ago... yup, just now getting around to doing that lol
Continue reading the general conference talks and playing bingo with different assorted treats :)
Plant Sunflowers in back yard ( doing this today hopefully)
Listen to the Honesty cd from Valuesparenting.com SOO excited for this... It's Alexanders Amazing Adventures and you get one each month, 12 values to teach your kids!!!!!
Thats school for the week..... good goals :)
Plus the normal playing outside as long as it is nice, making dinners, laundry, all that normal good stuff!!!
Love, JL

All I want for my birthday is.....

2010-04-16T15:48:00.000-07:00

A new computer :( I am just barely able to type this... it is taking about 10 minutes for each word to appear it seems like. Sheesh.
So, I guess the bad news is the birthday giveaway is over. I had hoped to do a full 30 days of giveaways, but to all of you who played, and won, your gifts are on the way..... It was fun wasnt it??????

Today has been a rough day, the computer is broke, and my tummy has been soooo sick
:( I hope im not getting the flu, that is the last thing we need!!!!
My heart has been full with love and prayers for my friends, alot of them have been going through really rough times and have asked for prayers and I have defintely been praying hard. I love you all so much. I wish there was a way I could make things better, but I know that my prayers do at least get heard by Him.

Im hoping to go to Nauvoo tomorrow... we will have to see how I feel. I just need to feel the spirit there that is so strong and lovely :) Umm... I guess that is all for now. Im going to go lay down for a bit :)
Love, JL

BIRTHDAY PRESENT # 14

2010-04-14T05:50:00.000-07:00

AND THE WINNER IS...... MISS DANA!!!! WOOOOO HOOOOO!!!! THIS WAS A GOOD GIFT!! HONESTLY, I CANNOT SIMPLY CANNOT CHOOSE ONE WARMER AND ONE SCENT!!!!! LOL!!!!!
COME BACK TOMORROW FOR ANOTHER BDAY PRESENT LADIES!!! LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

I cant believe im on present #14!!! That is crazy!!!
This present is pretty awesome.. my friend Carolyn is one of those amazing work at home moms, and she has some neat businesses.... so this week we are featuring her!!!!
She is a sweetie and always willing to help out and I am so incredibly thankful that she is helping me to celebrate my birthday!

She is a scentsy consultant... if you havent heard of scentsy... you are missing out!!!!! They have over 80 different fragrances to choose from! They have the most adorable candle warmers... sooo many different kinds. It is so fun to look through all the different things they offer... and to one lucky person who wins my birthday present today... you will get:
A $25 gift certificate to Carolyns Scentsy website!!!!!!! Its only redeemable through Carolyn, but its FANTASTIC!!!!! Let me tell you, I looked through the catalog and my dream list was a mile long!!!
Check out:
CAROLYNS SCENTSY SITE

Come back here and comment and tell me what your favorite fragrance and warmer would be!!!! So hard to choose!!! The prices are awesome too, just thought I'd throw that in :)
Love, JL

Organizing junkie and Spring Cleaning

2010-04-13T08:35:00.000-07:00

This is really no fun without pictures :( But we need to do the Big Spring Clean again... at least I do!! LOL!!!
So.... if you are up to it... do something each day to spring clean, then come back and tell me. I will find a fantastic prize ( something to do with house and home of course) and we will have fun together trying to cheer each other on!!!
Today I cleaned my dining room hutch. Oy. It was stuffed!!! LOL... it took an entire garbage bag to get rid of old receipts, bank statements, beautiful pictures that my kids made me ( i receive about fifty pics a day rofl!!!!) and more junk. It looks fantastic now!!!
My big goal is to get one of the kids rooms done. Wow. Maybe tomorrow?? lol.
I have to clean up the living room... dining room is done! I went ahead and cleaned it after I cleaned out the hutch :)
So much to do!!! Plus I have to make dinner ( I try to make it ahead of time so Im not time crunched when Keith comes home from work and thinking... shoot i forgot to get dinner made!! LOL!!!! Yup, Im that ditzy at times !!!!!
Tonight is crescent rolls with chicken goodies stuffed in. wait, chicken goodies makes it sound gross... its the chicken roll up... chicken, cream of chicken soup, cheese and then you wrap the crescent around it... and mixed veggies :)
Hmm... what else. I have been working on penpal stuff... oh and if you want you can send me a birthday card. lol. way to be subtle huh!!!
JL Kaylor
6 Kroencke Lane
Hannibal, MO
63401
I love cards!!! I will send you one for your birthday too if I know it!!!! :)
Love, JL

BIRTHDAY PRESENT # 13!!!!

2010-04-13T06:16:00.000-07:00

AND THE WINNER IS..... MISS JESSICA!!!!!!!!!
THANKS TO RANDOM.ORG FOR MAKING IT FAIR!!! NOW I CANT WAIT TO GET STARTED ON MAKING THE CD!! LOL... IM SUCH A DORK! :)

Man, April is flying by!!! Its getting closer and closer to my actual birthday.. April 29th. Man, Im going to be 29 on the 29th!! lol.

Ok, so this is kind of a fun present. Remember how in the early 90's everyone made "mix tapes" for each other... All their favorite songs on a cassette tape and then gave it away?? I thought, how fun would it be if I gave away a "mix" cd of my favorite songs??????? I want this to be about things I love, and so far I have LOVED everything I've given away.. So I was thinking about it last night, and I think today is the day. Im giving away a "mix" cd of my favorite songs!!!!!!!!!
It will be a big ole surprise!!!!!!!! :)

I know its kind of a silly present, but its from my heart. We will get back to cool presents tomorrow lol! I just wanted to do something personal. :)

Leave me a comment and tell me something fantastic lol. I will choose the winner using random.org tonight!!!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!
JL

300 posts, a smooshed foot and the zoo

2010-04-12T18:35:00.000-07:00

I am trying hard to stick some regular posts in here in between giving away my brithday presents :)
I just realized that I have written over 300 posts on this blog!! CRAZY!!!! I am soo excited! YAY for 300 posts!!!!
Now for the tale of the smooshed foot... this has happened twice now in the same place!!! We go to Keiths grandmas.. and first it was Marlee, and this time it was Sydney.. their foot gets slammed in the door!!!!!!!! So Sydney had to of course milk it for all it was worth haha :) She did have a little bruise.. but shes fine and dandy now :)
Now for the zoo!!! We had a blast at the St Louis Zoo today!! Go here to see how cool it is ST LOUIS ZOO

It was the first day of the cardinals season... so the red tshirts were everywhere!! It wasnt to busy and we had such a great time.. we rode the train, and got to see all the animals. We were pooped out when we got home, but it was well worth it to see my kids happy faces as they inspected each and every animal that was there! We just kept talking about how wonderful our Heavenly Father is to have created all these neat animals!!!
So thats my day... check back in tomorrow for another birthday present!! :)
Love you all, JL

Ultimate Blog Party 2010

2010-04-12T07:31:00.001-07:00

http://www.5minutesformom.com/19667/ultimate-blog-party-2010/

GO CHECK THIS OUT!!!!!! amazing!!!!

For those of you visiting me from this awesome party... scroll down one post, and enter to win from my birthday presents!! My birthday is this month and we are partying!!!!! :)
Love, JL

BIRTHDAY PRESENT # 12

2010-04-11T17:44:00.000-07:00

AND THE WINNER IS...... MISS JENNIFER!!!! YAY!!!! THIS HAS BEEN SOOO FUN!!! :)
I AM LOVING THIS!!! ALTHOUGH I WANT TO KEEP ALL THE PRESENTS! LOL... JUST CALL ME SELFISH I GUESS! :)

Yup... I missed # 11, hehehe :)
Here is my present to you.... from the amazing folks at lilsprouts ( an etsy store, i dooo love etsy!!) one of my favorite all time candle scents.. cranberry farm!!!!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29825292

Go check it out!!!
Come back here and tell me what you most like, or your favorite scent... I adore the fact that they are organic, vegan, eco friendly all that good stuff!! And I love cranberry scented anything!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, DAY 12!!!!
LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!

dead computer....

2010-04-10T17:51:00.001-07:00

My computer is slowly dying. im so sad. :( I am not able to upload pics, I can barely get on the internet.. it stinks!! LOL!!!!
So please forgive me if for some reason, i miss a day of presents... I am going to do my darndest not to though!!! :)
WIth Love,
JL

Birthday Presents # 9 and # 10

2010-04-10T05:40:00.000-07:00

AND THE WINNERS ARE........ SARAH WINS THE LAST SONG AND MIRANDA WINS DEAR JOHN!!!!!
THANKS TO RANDOM.ORG FOR MAKING IT FAIR!!!!! :)
I LOVE THIS!!! :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!! HEHEHEH :)

2 winners today!!!!
Yesterday was wonderful! I played outside all day!! :)
So today Im back giving away some of my favorite things to those I love! :)

PS- My computer is sooo broke, so I cant upload pics :( But hopefully you will understand :)

Birthday Presents for today:
Two books from one of my favorite authors, Nicholas Sparks
Dear John
and
The Last Song

Here are the rules:
Comment here and tell me something... I dont care what :) LOL!!!!

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!!!

Happy Birthday Month, Love, JL

Day 9 of birthday month... a confession

2010-04-08T19:11:00.000-07:00

Today is Day 9 of my big birthday month celebration.. my gift to you... my confession. This is a really hard post to write!!!
I have worn myself thin with trying so hard to keep up with this blog, my homeschool blog, the penpal program etc.. oh yeah and being a MOMMA!!!! So I am taking the day off from the gift giveaway... come back tomorrow.. I will be giving away 2 gifts to make up for it :) I promise!!
I am going to sit in the sunshine today. I am going to read a book!!! I am going to snuggle my kids and kiss them so much they may not have skin left!! I am going to take a bubble bath and relax. Hopefully, with this little break from the computer etc.. I can have the strength to continue doing the things that I feel are so important.. which is love my friends, write, advocate for LDS homeschooling and help people connect. I love those things. I will continue to do those things.. but this momma is burnt out and needs a break!! :)
Like I said though.. come back tomorrow ( saturday) and I will be giving away 2 Amazing presents.. because I love my friends :)
With Love, JL

BIRTHDAY PRESENT # 8

2010-04-08T05:55:00.000-07:00

AND THE WINNER IS..... MISS TORI!!! WOOT WOOT!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!! OH, I USED RANDOM.ORG SO IT WAS FAIR!!!!!!!
YAY!!!!!! THANKS EVERYONE FOR STOPPING BY... COME BACK AGAIN TOMORROW!!!!!

Whew, this has been so fun!!! I can't believe we are on day 8 already!!! I've given away some awesome birthday presents!!!!

Todays present is something I would TOTALLY wear!!!! It is so stinking cute!!!
Head over to http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42786336

and check it out!!!! It is sooo cute!!! I want one!! :)

Required entry:
*Head over to the shop and tell me what other product you would get.... gonna be hard to decide!!!

Extra Entries:
* blog, facebook, or tweet about this giveaway
* add avysboutique to your favorites on etsy
* become a follower of my blog

Each of these is an entry, but dont forget to come back here and tell me you did it! and please make sure i have a way to get ahold of you!!! :)

Happy birthday present day #8!!!!!

LOVE, JL

Top 50 Best Christian Homeschool Sites

2010-04-08T05:54:00.000-07:00

And my site is #30!!! WOO HOO!!! www.ldshomeschoolersRus.blogspot.com
SOOO COOL!!!
You can see all of the sites at:
http://onlinechristiancolleges.net/50-best-blogs-for-christian-homeschoolers/

woo hoo!!! and now back to our regulary scheduled BIRTHDAY PRESENTS!! HAHA!!!!

BIRTHDAY PRESENT # 7!!!!

2010-04-07T06:09:00.000-07:00

AND THE WINNER IS......... MISS CONTESSA!!!!!!
KEEP PLAYING LADIES!!!! I USE RANDOM.ORG TO MAKE IT FAIR....
STILL PLENTY OF MORE DAYS LEFT TO WIN!!!!
:) THIS IS SOO FUN!! ALTHOUGH I REALLY REALLY REALLY WANT TO KEEP THIS ONE.. HAHA :)

Ok, Twilight Lovers... and yes I am one of them!!! Today's giveaway is AWESOME!!!!!
There is a big deal going on, are you Team Edward or Team Jacob... well since its MY birthday month, Im giving away a gift from MY TEAM!!!!!
Here is the required entry.....
* Go to http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44212603 and tell me if Im Team Edward or Team Jacob!!!!! :)

Thanks so much to the awesome people at Aripag Designs... This girl is sooo talented! She has the cutest stuff in her shop!!!! I adore Etsy, Im all about the handmade stuff!!!! :) When I saw this I knew I wanted it to be one of my birthday presents... see how sneaky I am by not giving away what it is!!!!!!!!!!!
Dont forget to comment and tell me what team im on!!!

Extra Entries:
* Become a follower of my blog-- dont forget to comment and tell me if you've done this!! If you are already a follower... tell me! You still are getting an extry entry! lol
* Go back to http://www.etsy.com/shop/aripagdesigns and tell me what other thing you LOOOOVVVVEEEE :)
* Facebook this
*Blog about this
* Tweet about this!!!

Each one is an entry, but make sure you come back and comment and tell me what you did!! Oh and leave a way for me to get in touch with you if you win!!!!! :)

Happy Birthday Month!!! Yay Twilight fans!!!!
Love, JL

Bike Crash!!!

2010-04-06T17:53:00.000-07:00

I am still trying to throw a regular blog post in here now and then.....
Today Dylan had his first bike wreck. It was awful!!! He landed on his FACE!!!!
Poor baby!!! He stood up spitting gravel out of his mouth!! My neighbor ( whose house he crashed right in front of) came running out of her door, I came running down the street... we had friends over to play and she was trying to round up all the little kids and get bikes out of the street... as I was getting Dylan inside, my youngest Sydney ( the very onery one) decided to sneak off on her bike and I caught her almost to the main road... just as my sister in law and brother in law were turning in to deliver a tire for my husband!!! AAAAHHHH!!! CHAOS!!!!
Well, Dylan is ok now, but he may have a scar on his eyebrow... I told him most BMX bikers have battle scars.. he thought that was ok. His cheek has road rash, his elbow is busted up and his knee is too... Poor little man. He's so brave though. No tears, just almost passed out !!!!! Yikes!!!
Its hard being a momma. But I know that bike wrecks happen, so we just have to stay calm and deal with it :)
I love my babies :)

BIRTHDAY PRESENT # 6.....

2010-04-06T06:34:00.000-07:00

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!! THANKS TO RANDOM.ORG!!! MISS ELKA!!!! :)
CHECK IN TOMORROW.... ITS GONNA BE A FUN ONE FOR ALL YOU TWILIGHT LOVERS... AND HAHAHAHAHAHA YOU HAVE TO WIN A PRIZE FROM MYYYYY SIDE.... SO, AM I TEAM EDWARD OR TEAM JACOB... FIND OUT TOMORROW!!!!

This is one of my favorites because I adore the woman who owns this website and I used to write for it!!! Birthday present #6.... A 3 month subscription to the Deluxe Edition at www.homemaking-cottage.com !!! AMAZING!!!
Not only do they have wonderful, informative articles on the regular site, but the Deluxe Edition takes it so much further! Anything you can think of... they've written about it! Over 891 original articles on the deluxe edition alone!!! This is some kinda wonderful place to be!!! I love this website!

Required Entry:
* Go to www.homemaking-cottage.com and tell me what your favorite category is, is it family corner, crafts, kitchen and cooking, etc... tell me what your favorite one is!

Extra Entries: ( make sure you tell me!!!!)
* Become a fan of homemaking-cottage on facebook
* Become a follower of my blog
* Sign up for the free ezine on homemaking cottage -- you will love it!
* facebook, tweet, or blog about my birthday celebration here at momtothreebabies and tell them about this giveaway!!!!

Have fun everyone!!! I will be choosing the winner, by random.org tonight at 8 pm!!!! This has been so fun.... although im a bit jealous, lol!!! Thats ok though! I love my friends!!!! :)

Birthday Present # 5!!!!!

2010-04-05T05:32:00.000-07:00

CONRATS TO MISS LISA!!!!!! YOU ARE THE WINNER! THANKS TO RANDOM.ORG FOR HELPING ME TO BE FAIR!!!!
:) THIS IS SOOO FUN!!!!

The gift of safety!!! I am a very protective momma bear.... with this birthday present, my baby bear will be safe too!!! From www.mypreciouskid.com they are giving away a child locator!!!! Check it out here.... http://www.mypreciouskid.com/child-locator.html Now that is a good birthday present!!!! Peace of mind!!!!
Here are the rules!
* Go to www.mypreciouskid.com and subscribe to her blog... it is a really good blog!!!
Extra Entries:
(please leave a comment telling me you have done these!!!! i wont know otherwise!!!!)
*Follow my blog
*twitter, facebook, or blog about this awesome birthday celebration here at www.momtothreebabies.blogspot.com
*twitter, facebook, or blog about my precious kid.com because they are awesome!!!!!

Oh, the little bear snaps to their shoelaces!!! How cute is that??? Can I tell you just how much my childrens safety means to me? This is a good birthday present... safety of my babies... :)
Hope you win!!! Tell all your friends!!! This is so fun!!!
Happy Birthday month to me!!!!
Love, JL

My Easter Gift To You...

2010-04-04T09:04:00.000-07:00

A gentle reminder of why we celebrate this holiday...
As I read my scriptures last night, I focused on the last days of Christs life. As I read , the Spirit was strong, reminding me that He died for me too.... I am always so thankful for His gift to the world.. but sometimes feel as though Im not worthy of this precious gift. Last night as I read, I was reminded that He died for me too. No matter what. Just like He died for you. With his stripes, we are healed. My gift to you.... a reminder of how much He loves you.
No birthday presents today.. just sweet thoughts of love for my friends, love for my Savior, and love for the resurrection of Christ.
Love, JL

Birthday Present # 3 - Its a doozy!!!!

2010-04-03T09:27:00.000-07:00

MISS SARAH IS THE WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANKS TO RANDOM.ORG ONCE AGAIN FOR HELPING ME TO BE FAIR AND CHOOSE A WINNER!! :)

Birthday present #3 today !!!!!!
ITS A BIG ONE!!!!!!!!!

The amazing people at www.notbacktoschooldays.com are giving away a DISNEYLAND PARK HOPPER TICKET!!!!!
Thats 280 bucks people!!!!
It's good for 6 days, but must be activated during the week of September 7-11th... which works out perfect if you are attending the NOT BACK TO SCHOOL DAYS homeschool event at Disneyland in gorgeous Anaheim California!!! ( early bird registration ends april 15th!!!!
The ticket will be mailed to you in August... cause thats when Disney mails them out to the amazing notbacktoschooldays.com committee!!!!
Now, tell me this isnt an amazing birthday present!! :)
I want to go soooo bad!!!!!
Here are the rules :
*Go to the website www.notbacktoschooldays.com and come back here and tell me what activity looks the most fun to you!!!! ( click on activities, you wouldnt believe all the things to do!!!!)
For extra entries ( and make sure you tell me you did them!!!!)
*Become a follower of my blog
*Facebook , tweet, or blog about this amazing event, the not back to school days and my birthday celebration!!!
*Email all your homeschool friends and tell them about this!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, this is a big one folks... I am really really excited and since its my birthday celebration I will tell you this... I love homeschooling :) I also love disneyland :) even though ive never been there... i love anything disney :)
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!
Love, JL

Sunshine Day

2010-04-02T18:11:00.001-07:00

I wanted to stick a regular post in here... because I love to blog!!!!
Yesterday and today have been a blast!!! Yesterday it was gorgeous!!!!
Sunny and about 80 degrees! We played outside with all the neighbors in the morning, I got to swing on my big ole swing and talk with my neighbor for like an hour!! How I love the company of other women!
Then we got picked up by another friend and we went to the school playground with her and her kids ! They used to live across the street from us and we miss them!! It was sooo much fun to see the kids play, they were so happy to see each other! I even convinced my friend to swing on the swing set with me!!! ( which by the way is quite a workout! my kind of workout! ) Unfortunately those couple hours in the bright hot sun gave me quite the beautiful tomato face! ( its ok though!!)
After we got home from that, we immediatly headed to our next door neighbors and played in the hose!! LOL! My kids were sooo filthy and wet!! Time for bubble baths after that!
Today was an equally nice day.. my hubby was home :) We had a good time running some errands and then playing outside in our backyard ( again with a bunch of neighbor kids, we are really blessed, that the kids have built in friends!) Dylan and his friend Chandler dug for treasure in their big digging hole ( yes i really have a big hole in the middle of my backyard, with a bunch of shovels and stuff in it just so my kids can dig to china if they wish!!) The girls jumped on the trampoline with two other neighbor girls and Keith and I sat back and relaxed and watched!
I ran to my friends house for just a bit, for some mommy time, just to chat and then tonight we headed out to see my parents and aunt vonnie.
The kids are headed towards bed now and I am ready to crash!!! Everyone have an awesome evening!! Don't forget to check back in tomorrow!! Birthday Present #3 will be posted and ready to win!! This has been so much fun for me. How I love my friends and love making new ones!
Love, JL

Birthday Present # 2.........

2010-04-02T06:19:00.000-07:00

THE DRAWING FOR TODAY IS CLOSED NOW :)
THE WINNER IS MISS HEIDI!!!!!!! I USED RANDOM.ORG TO BE FAIR :)
IM SOOO EXCITED!!! THIS IS SO STINKING FUN!!!! COME BACK TOMORROW!!! THERE WILL BE YET ANOTHER BIRTHDAY PRESENT!!!
YAY FOR BIRTHDAY MONTHS!!!! :) LOVE JL

This is sooooo fun!!!! Today is Birthday Present # 2 and I LOVE IT!!!!
Miss Gena Cornett from www.comfortwearables.com is giving away a Mother/ Child Camo Tee Set!! SOOOOO COOL!!! Im a big fan of camo.... not because I hunt, lol, cause Im also a big fan of animals, lol, but because Im a friend to many military folks, who are amazing to me. Plus, you have to admit, camo is COOL!!
The giveaway is for :
a mom and child set - 1 camo t-shirt for mom, 1 camo t-shirt for child. The available colors are blue, green, orange and red. The available sizes are (adult) S-M-L-XL-2XL, (child) XS, S, M, L. Product is CODE V Camouflage Overdyed T-Shirt.

It is so stinking cute!! I love it.. I wanna keep this present, just like I wanted to keep yesterdays bday present, but remember everyone I LOVE YOU!!!!

Here is the rules for today :)
* Go to www.comfortwearables.com and sign up for the email list... then you will also get a $5.00 off coupon and..... be entered into a monthly $25.00 gift certificate drawing... Now tell me this isnt the coolest bday present... you get two chances to win and a coupon!! I heart coupons :)

For more chances to win ( remember to comment to me that you have done the required entry and also a comment for each additional thing -- hence more chances to win)
* Become a follower of my blog
* Go to www.comfortwearables.com and tell me what April 7th celebrates to them ( the answer is on the home page... see i also love hints!!)
* facebook this, twit this, or blog about this-- one entry for each one you do :)

Thank you sooo much to everyone who is helping me celebrate my birthday month!!!!! It is so stinking fun!!! :)

Its Official!!!!!

2010-04-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

UPDATE!!!!! THE WINNER OF MY FIRST OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY PRESENT IS.... TERRI!!!!
THANKS TO RANDOM.ORG FOR PICKING MY WINNER!!! :)
TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR THE NEXT BIRTHDAY PRESENT .... TRY AGAIN FOLKS!!!!!!!!! :)

Today is the start of my birthday month!!!!!!!!!!! In honor of birthdays, which are so fun... Im giving away a birthday present a day for the next month!!!!
I love my friends and can't wait to give you my presents!! :)
Today, to kick it all off... is a yummy jar of OWLICIOUS LEMON MERINGUE DELIGHT FLUFFY WHIP CREAM SOAP!!!!!
Now, if you know me, or even if you dont, I love bubble baths!!!! Any kind of yummy soap, bubble bath, shower gel, whatever, I adore!!!
The awesome people at PINK DOTTED OWL have the cutest soaps and more!!! Plus, doesnt Lemon Meringue Delight just sound so good for spring and summer????
Here are the rules ( becuase yes there must be rules)
REQUIRED ENTRY
* You gotta go head over to www.etsy.com/shop/pinkdottedowl and check them out!! Pick your favorite thing! I know, its going to be hard to choose one!!
Come back here and leave me a comment telling me what your favorite thing is!!

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES ( good for one each :)
* Become a follower of my blog
* Tell your friends on facebook about my birthday celebration!!
* Tell your friends on facebook about Pink Dotted Owl!!!!
* Tweet about me and my great friends at Pink Dotted Owl!!!
* Blog about my birthday extravaganza ( dont forget a link) and the amazing peeps at Pink Dotted Owl!!!

COME ON EVERYONE!!! JOIN IN THE FUN AND PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO COME CHECK OUT MY MONTH LONG BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA!!!! A GIFT A DAY IS BEING GIVEN AWAY!! :)

My Birthday Month...

2010-03-31T09:39:00.001-07:00

April is my birthday month!!!!!!
Do I have a surprise coming up for you.......
But you will have to wait.
Just like a present.
You have to wait.
But it will be worth it, I promise.....
Love, JL
the April Birthday Girl :)

The Easter Bilby

2010-03-30T17:32:00.000-07:00

I can't believe Easter is almost here!!! Where the heck did the time go???
I am really getting excited, with the flowers blooming outside, the warmer weather and of course, concentrating on the real reason we celebrate Easter... Our Savior.
I have an amazing friend who lives in Australia ( my dream, where I want to live :)
and we were emailing today about our Easter plans. She told me that they dont really have the Easter bunny... maybe an Easter Bilby??? So of course I had to go look up what the heck a bilby was... oh my goodness, it is the darn cutest thing in the world!!
I have been working on the penpal program today, and I just get so amazed at the fact that we have friends from all over the world now, and that with homeschooling, my kids are getting to learn about things like the "easter" bilby!!! Just from her mentioning that, we got to go look up what it looks like, how it lives etc.. what a fun learning opportunity! Im pretty thankful for it.
I hope everyone has wonderful easter plans.. this year I believe we are going to take pics of the kids in their Easter outfits and do the hiding of eggs, etc... then have a nice lesson and dinner... lesson on the real reason of Easter and dinner because we like to eat :)
With Love, JL
ps-- im not posting a picture of a bilby... go look it up with your kids!! It will crack you up!!! :) I love it!
pps-- check out my friends blog... from down under :)
www.flowersnplaid.blogspot.com

Beautiful Day :)

2010-03-29T09:44:00.000-07:00

Finally! It is nice outside!! Spent the morning cleaning up winter garbage around the yard.. while the kids rode their bikes and jumped on the trampoline! What a great way to start my day! This afternoon I will be working in the strawberry "patch" getting it ready.. we already have little strawberry plants coming up and I need to get alot of work done in it and get ready to plant the new plants!! :) Im a happy girl when I can play outside!!!
Does anyone have any good tips for storing outdoor toys like skateboards and baseball bats, etc???
Love, JL

A Dream I Had Last Night......

2010-03-26T06:22:00.000-07:00

I have always had very vivid dreams. Sometimes its a blessing, sometimes its a curse.
There are three dreams I remember very clearly. All three have really helped me in my life.
I will start with the dream I had last night. It was "inspired" by two things, one, my oldest Dylan has been giving us some trouble. He is almost 9 ( I cant believe I just wrote that!) and has been stretching his wings for independance. Which translates into throwing fits, talking back, you get the idea. The second thing that inspired the dream was my friend Laura texting me. She has a son who is the same age as Dylan. Her text was simple. " we have tweens." It hit me with full force!! Maybe that's why Dylan is acting like this. Maybe its not because Im a horrific momma. Maybe he is just entering the "tween" phase and truly trying to find who he is, what his limits are etc.
So, after another night last night of back talking, and praying, Heavenly Father what the heck do I do with this boy???? I had a dream......... ( note: my dreams can be wierd, but stick with me here)
We were in a parking lot at a place like walmart.... It was a big parking lot. There were cars parked there and I came out of the store and there was Dylan.... rollerblading ( remember they are wierd, but stick with me). He was going really fast, and he was really good, but when I called for him to come to me, he ignored me and rollerbladed farther away. There were cars driving around, I was frightened that he was going to get hurt!! I began to run, and as he went faster and faster around the parking lot, I began to get really frightened. I started screaming his name and running as fast as I could , I felt so much frustration and fear, I knew he was going to get hurt! Soon, a worker from the store came out and started yelling at Dylan to stop also... Dylan ignored him too. Sometimes Dylan was almost in my reach, and I missed him. Soon, I looked up and here comes my husband in our suv, zooming as fast as he could to try and catch Dylan. Now I was worried that Keith was going to cause an accident, but his face showed his fear that we weren't going to catch Dylan, and that he was going to get hurt.
This went on for way to long, I was seriously exhausted when I woke up. I finally did catch Dylan, and I wanted to wollop him!!!!! I was soooo angry that he would not listen to us and put himself in danger. When I woke up, I was shaking!
Now, here are my thoughts on this dream. Dylan is at an age, where if I don't work hard with him, try to stay "close" emotionally etc to him, he is going to get to the age where he can just rollerblade away, and I wont have the opportunity to teach him the rules of the "road". I realize that I have only a short time with my children before they become adults and fly away. It really strengthened my resolve to teach my children as much as I can, and to rely on Heavenly Father to show me the way. I made sure to give Dylan a BIG OLE HUG, when he woke up this morning. Dreams are wierd, for sure, but in this instance, I realized that Dylan is at an age where he should have more accountability ( he has been baptized) and that he needs to be taught continually , how to make right choices ( dont go rollerblading away from your momma in a busy parking lot mister!!!!)
I joined valuesparenting.com and signed up for their neat program for elementary aged children. They give such neat ideas on how to teach your children obedience, how to make decisions, and all of the other important values that we need to instill in our children. I still have alot of praying to do. But I know that Im not going to "lose" my son to his bad behavior. He just needs to be taught the tools to deal with his emotions, which are all over the place, and to be taught how to make better decisions and show respect. So I guess Im glad I had this wierd dream.
This post is kinda long.... I am going to leave the other two dreams for seperate posts, as they both have their story. Even if no one reads these, I will have them for posterity :)
Love, JL

Dear Mom HELP ME

2010-03-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

I received this lovely handwritten note this morning... Translation:
Dear mom HELP ME
I have like 100 kids
I need your help
with my kids
SOS
p.s. help me now

Dont we all feel like writing this note to our moms??? Oh and by the way, the other picture is of my kids and my 100 grandkids. Dont I look hot for a grandma?????
:)

Being a momma is never dull....

2010-03-23T08:51:00.000-07:00

So my kids have a new "thing". They love to hide around the house and when their momma walks in the room.... they jump out and say BOO!!!!!!!
They get me every time!
Being a momma is never dull....

so much goin on...

2010-03-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

Well, i have been cleaning like a mad woman. The playroom is done :) my bedroom is done :) the living room and dining room need their daily cleaning then they are done :)
The kitchen will be done today! Woo hoo! My house is starting to look normal.
Unfortunately this weekend, we begin outside clean up. Major work!!!! It is always a big job when we start to get the yard ready for spring and summer, but its good work, because we spend alot of time outside :)
Oh, and then there is the cleaning of the storage room. SHEESH. That will take quite a long time. But then its yard sale time!!!
We have been staying busy, cleaning, playing, getting stuff ready for the lds penpals and getting Flat Stanley on the way. The kids are DONE with school for this year. It is time for me to order the books for the next school "year" ( we do school year round, sort of, we take big breaks and just work when we are feeling like it, but we get a ton done when we do work, so it works out perfect!!!) We will be making nature journals for the spring and summer so that will be fun!!!!
So much to do!!!
I love spring!!!

Spring where are you????

2010-03-20T12:55:00.000-07:00

Today is the official first day of spring. We have been TEASED by 2 days of playing outside and digging in the mud and riding bikes. Oh, don't forget, no jackets!!!!
Today on this official first day of spring, we have snow. Yup, I said it. SNOW!!!!!
Spring, where are you?? Don't you know I need your sunshine, your warmth, the beautiful buds on the trees and the birds singing? I need you!!!

green jello with carrots

2010-03-19T06:40:00.000-07:00

Ok, Im officially in love. This is the link people.... www.greenjellowithcarrots.blogspot.com and their blog is giving away tons of CUTE stuff!!!! For free!!!! I love all the cute things they have and the music that comes up is darn cute!!!!!
Go check it out... you wont be sorry!!!! If only I was this talented!!! My dream!!!
So many cute things for your family!!!
:)
Love JL

They need their momma....

2010-03-15T18:48:00.000-07:00

It has been a very rough week. Keiths moms has been in the ICU, we didnt know if she was going to pull through. All I could think of is, how are we going to explain another death to our children? We have had 5 deaths in under 2 years. Our kids have been through alot of trauma, but they are amazing, because they know what happens, they have strong testimonies. They know that Heavenly Father loves them. After this week, I hope they know how much their momma loves them.

Keith and I spent quite a few days, back and forth to St Louis, leaving the kids with my parents, so that they would be safe. Long days. Im not used to being away from my babies. They were excellent though, no tears, no momma i want you to stay, nothing like that. lol. They were happy we were going. But today was a different story.

Today is the first day, where daddy has gone back to work, and momma was here all day with her babies. I was theirs all day long. As I was working on trying to get our house put back together, I would hear little voices say, " i love you momma" just out of the blue. While folding laundry, I had sweet little arms wrapped around me hugging me. While making lunch, i had many little helpers, happy to have lunch in their home, with their momma. You see, my kids need their momma. :)

Organizing Junkie Day Two

2010-03-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

Ok, so today I organized my pantry shelves that held the cookbooks and cereal, etc.
I also organized the photo album shelf, but I think Im going to go back and do the first shelf over, because im not 100% happy with it when I see it in the photo.... lol. anal i know :)
Did you organize a small spot of your home today??????
Love, JL

Day One Organizing junkie :)

2010-03-09T16:36:00.000-08:00

Ok, today I organized the drawers under the entertainment center. They were sooo awful! Tons of empty dvd cases, dvds everywhere, paper, broken crayons, lol. awful!
So here are the pics of the two drawers. One is for our dvds, the other is for coloring books, drawing paper, etc. :)
They turned out quite nice and I like that Im only doing a little each day, then posting a pic so I am actually accountable! Im so ready for my home to be organized!!!
With Love, JL

I've Been Inspired :)

2010-03-09T08:41:00.001-08:00

I adore the blog www.orgjunkie.com I love to look at the pics of her home and how she organizes it and also, i love the menu plan mondays! So... Ive decided that each day I will take a spot in my home, organize it, then take a pic of it and post it on here. It will make me be accountable for organizing my home. I love my home. Its not huge and fancy, but it is perfect for us :)
So... if you wanna play along go for it! Just pic a spot each day ( not a whole room, just a spot) and organize it then post a pic !!!! :)
Dont forget to send my your links so i can go look at the progress you're making! Im ready for spring!!! Time to get this house in order!!!!

Another Edition of Syd Sayings, or Singings :)

2010-03-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

Here we are at another edition of the ever popular, Sydney Sayings, or in this particular case, Syndey Singings! My 5 year old has found her singing voice. She now has decided that she is going to be a rock star when she grows up. She goes everywhere with a microphone, you never know when you might need to sing.
A couple of fun singing times:
Tonight while Syd was in the bathtub we all had the joy of hearing a la "o brother where art thou" , sydneys version of " well i went down to the river to pray" she got all soul sister and started belting out " oooh sydney, lets go down, lets go down, wont ya come on down, oooh sydney lets go down, down to the river to pray"
then she proceeded to announce that she was going to baptize herself HAHAHA

The other day during play time, a la " mommy is tired so go find something to play with" we had the joy of hearing at the very top of her lungs, sydney singing " the sun will come out" by annie. Of course the lyrics are quite fun when sydney sings it . " the sun will come out tomorrow, betchya bottom that tomorrow, there will be sorrow." hahahaah

This ends this edition of sydney sayings. LOL!!! :) she brings us such joy, but she is SUCH a sourpatch kid, first she's sour, then shes oh so sweet :)

A School Day :)

2010-03-04T07:20:00.000-08:00

My girls are so cute. Not only do we homeschool daily, but they like to "play" school! It was so funny this morning, as I was doing the dishes and Dylan was helping me cook dinner to stick in the fridge for tonight, the girls were sitting at the dining room table. Marlee was saying things like " After prayer, we will go over our family rules and then we will read from the scriptures" and they had a little prayer, read over the family rules, then Marlee read a verse from the scriptures. The whole time Sydney was sitting like a little angel. Why doesnt she do that for me?? LOL. After that Marlee decided to help Sydney work on her reading and writing. Marlee has been so wonderful in helping Syd to read. I am so proud of both of them. It was just so darling to watch them as they played and to realize that I am just such a proud momma, because my kids are so cool!
Im thankful to be a momma, and Im thankful I have the three beautiful children that I do, and Im thankful we homeschool so I dont have to miss a minute with them!

sunday sickies

2010-02-28T06:33:00.001-08:00

Well, the whole family now has the nasty virus that Sydney and Marlee had ( marlee's turned into pnuemonia ) We are all hacking and coughing and generally feel like crap :(
Lots of herbal tea and honey, lots of water, and laying around like lazy bums. That is what we will be doing today. You know how when you are truly sick, you dont even feel like watching a movie?? That is us today.
I had so hoped to go to church, its been so long and with Dylans good news on his immune system, I really wanted to take everyone. But unfortunately we DONT want to share this with others!!!
:(

Come to my home to visit

2010-02-25T06:25:00.000-08:00

Welcome! Right now as I sit here at my computer, there are all kinds of things going on around me! Pull up a chair! In the living room we have a big box that is holding one child, who is coloring away. It is a beautiful box. It has been decorated with flowers, people, and a dragon! It is a fun place to sit in and color!
In the dining room we have the remnants of last nights games sitting on the table still! Uno and yahtzee! We have so much fun playing games after dinner. Sometimes its connect four and checkers! You never know!
In the kitchen is the dishes waiting to be done! lol. The sun is shining through the big kitchen window though, so doing dishes today will be a pleasure with the sun shining in my face.
In the playroom we have two kids playing. One is in the tent, reading books, the other is playing with strawberry shortcakes berry cafe. Would you like some raspberry tarts?
In the kids bedrooms mommy is especially proud because they all three made their beds! hooray! Books are laying in the tub beside their beds, ready for bedtime reading tonight. what a comfy tradition. Dylans room has all kinds of toys ready to be played with as soon as he is done in the box lol.
Our home may not be immaculate, but it is full of love and learning and that is what makes it a home! :)

Dylans Appt in St Louis

2010-02-25T06:12:00.000-08:00

We waited sooo long for this appointment! We had to get up at 4 am!!! It was worth it though! We got bad news and good news! The good news is Dylans immune system is trying to work all on its own!! HOORAY!!!!! The bad news is his lungs are a mess. We knew that of course, but that is the reason he is so sick alot. His lungs have to work sooo hard. ;( Stinks, but they adjusted meds, and hopefully that will help the little man. He was awesome at the dr as always :)
We rewarded him with a trip to the Science Center! It was kind of a bust, because they are remodeling and alot of the stuff wasnt open, but we got to see a cool mummified baby and look at dinosaur fossils! All in all, it was a super long day... soo long, but we were thankful that his immune system is showing that it is making the right antibodies, we just have to get his lungs under control. They couldnt promise us that they would ever get under control, but we are willing to work hard to keep him alive and healthy! Keith and I decided to look into vitamins, and of course lots of healthy food and sunshine!! ( come on spring, we need you!!)

SO SICK OF WINTER!!!!

2010-02-19T14:09:00.000-08:00

This is a rant . lol. I am so tired of winter I cant breathe!!! I need sunshine in my life!! Plus my poor kids and I have been cooped up in this house for months!!! I am out of ideas for keeping them entertained! We have built barbie houses, we have made tents, we have colored and done every single craft available to mankind. We have cooked every cookie known to mankind. We have our garden planned out. UGH!!! Make it go away!!! I need to see my beautiful sunshine and just stand outside in it for like 5 minutes!!! I dream of my fantastic house on the beach!!! lol.
Oh, and its supposed to snow. again. tonight. 2 inches. not fair.

The book is HERE!!!!

2010-02-18T07:04:00.000-08:00

I have sitting right beside me, an actual copy of the book that I wrote with the help of some pretty darn amazing women!!!!! I am a bit dissapointed in the editing ( hey im a writer not an editor lol) and the print is tiny!! But the content is amazing and heartwarming and it will give you a great idea of what homeschooling is like! So many cute and spiritual stories! I love it!!!!
So.... if you want to purchase a copy, go to the link on the sidebar... and enjoy!!!!
Im excited!!!!! :)
Love, JL

Mardi Gras, The Olympics and Ancient Greece

2010-02-15T08:30:00.001-08:00

This weekend we took the kids to see Percy Jackson and the Olympians. It was fantastic! We had a blast! With the Olympic Games going on in Canada right now, we have all kinds of fun things to learn about in school this week! Here's the lowdown, lol. We wil be learning about The history of the Olympic Games, we will be learning about Greek mythology, and learning some greek words, and we have asked a couple of friends who live in Canada to send us postcards from Canada! We will be learning about Canada as a country, etc. Its going to be fun! For Mardi Gras, we will be making a Kings Cake! Fun! Im in a baking mood, spurred by my purchase of real amish made apple butter this weekend! The amish white bread is getting ready to head to the oven, so we can feast on it tonight at dinner! YUM!!!!!
So, we will be busy this week, having a BLAST with school! Isnt that how it is supposed to be!!! :)

AVON Grand Opening Giveaway!!

2010-02-12T06:54:00.000-08:00

For my grand opening Im offering a great giveaway! Here are the rules ( there must be rules, lol)

* Sign up as a customer! Easy and free!

* Check out the online events tab-- we are doing a fundraiser right now!

* Facebook about my website www.youravon.com/jkaylor

*Twitter about my website www.youravon.com/jkaylor

* Ask me about the earning opportunities with Avon and how easy and CHEAP it is to start your own business! ( 10 dollars baby!)

Each of these rules that you complete, you get one entry into the drawing!

Do as many or as few as you like! But email me and let me know what you have done, so I can keep track of it!

Now......... for the prize unveiling!!!

AVON Gift Bundle:

* 1 Super Extend Mascara ( all new, all amazing!!!!)

* 1 Sparkly Diamond Glimmerstick Eyeliner ( all new, super amazing!!!)

* Red Rose and Peach Shower Gel ( my current fave scent!!)

* Haiku Perfumed Skin Softener ( my grandma has used the skin softeners her whole life, you should see her gorgeous skin! so soft and practically wrinkle free and shes in her 70's!! amazing!)

* Brochure and assorted samples, yay!

With Love, JL

jaelleerica@yahoo.com

Fundraiser for Whittaker Family

2010-02-10T16:20:00.001-08:00

Cindy Young is a good friend of our families and her daughter Christina went missing a couple months ago. It is super scary and Christina has a beautiful little daughter and a loving mother and a very sick loving grandmother who miss her so much. They need to hire a private investigator, all police leads have ran out. They have also spent alot of money on flyers etc.. trying to find her! I am having a fundraiser to help them raise some funds to continue their search. Think about it... what if this was your daughter?????? Please go to www.youravon.com/jkaylor and click on the online events tab... it will tell you all about what we are doing and there is a special promo code to enter at checkout: christina15. That way I know what money goes to the family. Avon isnt just makeup anymore!! You can find pretty much anything you want there and the prices are awesome! Not only do you get things you want, with free shipping, but you are helping this family find their beautiful daughter.
With Love, Jaelle
jaelleerica@yahoo.com
www.youravon.com/jkaylor promo code : Christina15

A cowboy camp-out, a new email, and more...

2010-02-08T13:25:00.000-08:00

One of the cute things that I forgot to write about Marlee's surgery, was that the first night she was home, she had me read her a couple books, and then she tried to fall asleep. She was still pretty drugged up and was having a horrible time sleeping. Neither of us got any sleep! In the middle of the night she rolled over and looked at me and said very quietly, "Mom, I dont know how to lasso." Um... ok? I told her, " its ok Marlee, I dont know how to lasso either" then she told me that she had to learn before it was time for her cowboy camp-out! I finally got the whole story the next morning when she was more alert... I had forgotten that I had read her a cowboy Mickey Mouse book before bed, she has decided that she wants to have a cowboy camp-out for her birthday this year, and she was very upset because she couldnt lasso! Well, it sounds like we have some work ahead of us learning how to lasso!!!!
Dylan got his first email address today! It is so fun watching him learn where the keys are and how to use proper punctuation, etc. I just love watching my kids learn!
Sydney has been working on making cards all day.. she has decided to start a card business lol! She has a whole tub full of beautiful cards she has made! They are such cute kids! :) I love them!

Marlee's Surgery

2010-02-07T17:11:00.000-08:00

Wow, it has been 5 days since Marlee-girl had her tonsils and adenoids removed! She is finally doing a little better! Yay! Even though I was really nervous about the surgery, Im very thankful we had it done... we found out the day after her surgery that a test they did confirmed that she had terrible sleep apnea! Also, right after the surgery her doctor told us that she not only had the lymphoid tissue on her tonsils but also her adenoids! He was able to make her airway much more open! Two reasons that Im thankful we had this surgery done! Also, the worry of the tissue turning into lymphoma is now gone! This was basically the first "trial" on our journey with Marlee's neurofibromatosis. We are going to go ahead and treat her as though she defintely has it, because it is much safer that way, and it takes a blood test from a geneticist to confirm it and the fastest they can get her in is JULY!!!
Here are some cute things from her surgery journey. The first thing she did when she woke up from recovery was take a piece of paper and write " popsecle" lol. We had to wait for the throat numbing medicine to wear off then she could have her "popsecle" LOL!! I probably wouldnt have been able to spell it either if i was just out of surgery! The second thing she wrote was " I have the free credit report.com song stuck in my head" she was VERY unhappy about this!!! It was the last commercial she saw on tv as they were wheeling her into surgery! I laughed so loud when I read that and the nurses were laughing and she just got a grumpy look and shook her head no. Then she wrote " NOT FUNNY" :)
The first night was horrible... neither of us got a wink of sleep, but that is very understandable. The second night was also horrible as she developed a nasty cough, ouch!!! We ended up back at the dr on friday, he was afraid she had aspirated on blood during the surgery, but thank goodness no pneumonia! Everyones prayers worked so well! God is good! She did have a ton of swelling and irritation and she was trying so hard not to swallow she would end up gurgling and coughing. So we were able to add delsym to the lortab and she has done so much better sleeping at night. We are already seeing improvements in her sleep and she is still recovering! AMAZING!! I just can't get over how amazing our Heavenly Father is! He loves my baby girl so much! She is finally starting to eat a bit of solid food, and is still drinking well and eating her "popsecles" lol. For the most part she is doing great, but you can tell when her meds start to wear off poor baby! I just tucked her into her own bed, and she is wearing her little bed buddy ice pack, and is ready for hopefully another good night sleep! Im just thankful to be able to say we made it through this trial and now we pray and wait for Dylan to go to St Louis on the 23rd.
Thank you so much for your prayers for my beautiful daughter. I appreciate it! If anyone wants to... please pray for my handsome son for the 23rd!!!!!
Love, JL