In The Life of a Boucher

Boucher Baby #2's Journey to the world ....

2012-01-29T17:09:00.000-08:00

I haven't had much to say about this pregnancy. Perhaps it's because it's not my first baby -- perhaps it's because I've been much more busy with work and a 2 year old -- or maybe because I wasn't as ready to become pregnant as I thought I should be ... I don't know. Regardless, I haven't shared much about him/her.

So let me start by showing you the latest picture of our little monster:

My pregnancy started with utter shock that I was, indeed, pregnant. I had just accepted a new teaching position at BHS and thought that our shot at a new baby hadn't worked. I have to admit -- I was relieved. A March baby would just be very difficult with regards to work -- not to mention JACE is a March baby.

One Thursday morning -- (on my mom's birthday -- July 14th!) I decided to test to see if I was pregnant. I didn't think I was, so while Joe was in the shower, I sneaked the test into the bedroom (JUST to open it -- I didn't want Joe to hear me wasting yet another test) then went back into the bathroom to take the test. Then I waited ... not really nervous since I didn't expect it to say YES. To my utter shock, they did! I yelled at Joe that he had to see this -- and after reading the PREGNANT sign on that little stick, he jumped out of the shower (dripping and all) to give me a big hug!

The next several weeks I had such extreme emotions. I was excited to be pregnant -- scared to miscarry again -- and, I'm ashamed to say, dreading how the next 9 months would affect my career. I had a TON of inner battles. How can I, who has such a TOUGH time getting pregnant, and STAYING pregnant ... not want to be right now? It was such BAD timing. I felt guilty and it took awhile for that to go away. Thankfully, it didn't take too many weeks for my feelings to turn around.

This pregnancy has been totally different than any other. From practically the moment I found out about this little baby until well into October ... I was BEAT! I didn't feel good ... and was UBER tired ... all of the time. Thankfully Jace is a good kid, and was able to stay out of trouble as I passed out on my bed ... daily!

At week 11 I started throwing up daily, sometimes more. With Jace ... I threw up 5 times. This one has been different -- as I am still throwing up off and on in the morning. Another fun side effect.

At this point in the pregnancy -- I'm anxious to meet my little baby. I don't know if it's a boy or a girl, so I'm making things for both. The baby is big -- as far as we can tell -- I'm measuring just as big as I did with Jace -- and Jace was 8 lb 4 oz, so hopefully this little one won't be much more than 9 ... Because Jace's birthday is March 16th and I'm due March 22nd, I really am pushing to get to my due date so their birthday weeks won't overlap. This kid seems to be strong though, and from the beginning I wouldn't be super surprised if he/she decided to make their entrance early (say hopefully around March 10th .... ) The only problem with this is -- the earlier I go, the longer I have 2 kids in day care at the end of the year. I haven't 100% decided if I am going back next year or not ... but I'm leaning to one way or the other -- just waiting to make the final decision.

So all in all I'm a little embarrassed to say that I have not been super in love with this pregnancy ... but in the end, I know that I am super in love with this kid, so that's all that really matters!! I guess I should take at least one belly shot before the kid is born ... right? :)

The Stohels December 2011

2012-01-06T22:14:00.000-08:00

Here is my whole family. We look so great!

2012

2012-01-01T16:39:00.000-08:00

I am so super excited for 2012! It's going to be a fantastic year .... On my side of the family we've got a wedding, a graduation, a mission or two, and a retirement! Busy Busy year! And Jace gets another cousin on Joe's side of the family. We are very excited for the changes that will be happening in the next 366 days.

Oh, and don't forget about our little bean growing :)

If the Mayans are right, this will be one last year to remember!!!

Captain Underpants

2011-12-23T12:35:00.001-08:00

About six months ago, Joe and I bought a training toilet for Jace. We've talked about him going potty like "a big boy" and have encouraged him to sit on his toilet -- pants and all. We've talked aobut it -- and have waited for the time when he is ready to graduate from diapers.

A few weeks ago, I thought that the Winter Break from school would be a good time to really push the potty training -- I didn't have HIGH expectiations, but I want to at least try. If I can get a few months diaper free ... let's just say Merry Christmas to me!

Last night, Joe started talking to Jace about how when he's going potty in the big boy potty he doesn't have to wear his Mickey diapers anymore -- that he could wear underwear with Buzz Lightyear and Lightning McQueen on them. Joe got Jace so excited about the prospect of wearing cool underwear that he wanted to try to go to the bathroom. Joe took him upstairs, stripped him down, and put him on the potty. He drank several glasses of juice and decided that nothing was going to happen.

Sweet Joe redressed Jace in his sleeper jammies and explained that if he needed to go to just yell "DAAAD Pee-pee in the Potty" and Joe would go and help. About 2.5 seconds after getting him all bundled up again Jace wanted to try the potty. Joe went through the process of undressing Jace again (we'll have to invest in 2 piece jammies .... seriously!) and put him on the toilet.

Meanwhile, I was downstairs working on Christmas when I hear cheers from upstairs. I race and Jace had a full dimpled grin on his face -- I asked him if he went pee pee in the potty and he nodded. We ran up to the bathroom and he showed me a full potty! We all cheered -- Jace got a piece of the GOOD chocolate and we promised to take him shopping for big boy pants tonight.

This morning I woke him up and Joe told me to ask if he needed to go potty. He grinned, nodded, and started to undress. Let's just say he got a 2nd piece of the GOOD candy! We are so excited for him!!!! (and for our diaper budget!)

It's A

2011-11-07T07:52:00.000-08:00

BABY

And that's as good as we get until March!

"BOOP"

2011-10-27T15:13:00.000-07:00

In our family we celebrate birthday weeks. It's my fault. I love birthdays. I get excited for mine. I'm turning 30 (gasp!) in 13 days and I'm still excited for it! A couple of years ago, I got so excited for my birthday, Joe started giving me little gifts (a CD or a book or something small) daily for about a week before my actual birthday. Thus, the birthday week was born.

My birthday week starts in 6 days and apparently Jace and Joe went shopping last night while I was out with a friend. Here's the conversation I walked in on this morning as Jace was waking up:

Joe: "Shh ... it's a secret!"

Jace: "Mom's BOOP"

Joe: "Shh ... it's a secret!"

Jace: "Mom's BOOP!"

Joe: "Shh ... it's a secret! Don't tell mom"

I walk in ....

Jen: "Don't tell mom what?"

Jace: "Mom's BOOP"

Jen: "Something's broke?"

Joe: "Shh ... it's a secret! Don't tell mom!"

Jace: "Mom's BOOP"

Jen: "What's broke"

Jace: "NO Mom's BOOP"

Jen: "Book?"

Joe: "Shh ... it's a secret!"

Jace ... showing off his adorable dimples "MOM'S BOOP"

Joe: "It's a secret for mom's birthday. We can't tell her!"

He goes does downstairs and Jace walks straight to the hiding place ... "Mom's BOOP" and pulls out a rather hefty hard cover book -- still in the Barnes & Nobles sack.

Very proud of himself he hands me the book. I am laughing to the point that I may have pulled a muscle. I called Joe back up to re-hide the book. Jace wasn't super excited about this -- starts crying and wanting me to have the "boop".

I have the nicest boys ever ... and I can't wait to see what my new boop is! Apparently, Joe asked Jace what they should get me for my birthday and Jace said: "A boop" and Joe thought ... BRILLIANT ... So I guess that's what he did.

This makes THREE

2011-10-26T16:37:00.001-07:00

I love homemade costumes. I grew up with homemade costumes. When I was a kid -- it was possible, although I'm not sure, that it was cheaper to make your own Halloween costume rather than buying it from the store. That is DEFINITELY not true now -- and it takes loads of work -- and brain power to understand the 1/2 way explained pattern instructions -- but I love the way a home made costume turns out in the end. Not only that, but I always feel a bit closer to my mama when I make them.

I am SUPER proud of how this year's costume turned out. I was a little nervous, because it is very .... gray .... but the details, like the wrinkly head and trunk, make it perfect. I love love love it!! SO without further adieu .... her are his last 3 HOMEMADE costumes!!

Tri-Athlete

2011-10-21T20:01:00.000-07:00

Joe decided that he wanted to be a tri-athlete. After all of his running accomplishments, he was ready for another challenge. He researched different races and chose one in Saratoga Springs. This is what we got to enjoy while he was out doing his thing! Breath-taking!

Joe after his group meeting. He's ready to go!

Giving Dad a GOOD LUCK hug. We are so proud of him!

The swim was the part that Joe was the most worried about. He learned how to swim when he was little, but by no way is he a swimmer. He focused his training on the swim and kept improving. He took a swim class that helped him guide his training.

He certainly wasn't the strongest swimmer in the group of men, but he didn't come in last either! His goal was to simply finish the race and I am very proud that he did! It didn't help that the water at Utah Lake is NASTY -- he told me that he was dry heaving through the whole swim. Hopefully in the next 4-7 years the water will clear up a bit with the plans they have made for the lake.

Joe leaving the water and racing to the bikes.

Joe researched which bike he wanted to buy too! We found a really nice road bike online for only $500 or so. This will be an awesome starter bike for him and if he gets WAY into it ... we can buy him an even more stellar bike down the road. (AND he has ridden it to work several times saving us some MULAH there too!!)

100% DAD SUPPORTER ... (and look at those dimples!)

Joe coming in from the bike portion. We didn't get to view much of the bike and run. They biked/ran out into the neighborhood and then we just had to wait for him to come back

He's ready to run out for his strongest portion of the race. RUN!!

I can't believe that after all of the effort put out from the 1/2 mile swim and 15 mile bike ride ... he still was able to pull a 7 minute mile for his 5K!

Joe coming through the finish line! I was very proud of his 1:30 min time. I may have finished the swim in that time!! Way to go honey!

After the race we hung out at the lake and let Joe cool off for a bit. Jace and I walked out to the docks, pulled off our shoes and put our feet in the water. His didn't quite fit so I dropped him down to feel it. I thought he'd hate it, but the opposite was true. He splashed so hard that we were both wet to our bellies. Joe joined us out there after a bit and took over the baby dipping. We had a great time!

I can't believe we didn't get a pic of our whole family! Bummer. Ann and Wayne, Joe's parents, came out to support him too. We are very impressed with how supportive they are with everything Joe does. They came up for both of his Ragnar races and for his 1/2 marathon. Now this. What awesome parents and grandparents!! We didn't get a picture with them either. Next time!!

Petunia

2011-10-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

Meet the newest member of the JJJ Boucher Family ... Petunia! Jace and I decided to take a detour today after meeting Joe for work and to look at the animals. I'm always a sucker for a cute furry face ... and so is Jace. Was it the most responsible purchase? NO. Do we love her? YES!

Jace has been hanging out by her cage all afternoon. He even cried when it was time to go to bed. We promised that she'd be around tomorrow to play with him. Uber cute :)

Jace got a little weirded out when he held her in his hands. Those little finger nails surprised him, I think. We put Petunia on the couch and she started walking towards Jace -- he started to get nervous and fell over, well this surprised the hamster and she ran across the top of his head. hehe

Welcome to the family Petunia!

A Little Closer ...

2011-10-17T18:44:00.000-07:00

Joe and I have never been good at Family Home Evening. It seems like whenever we would decide to do a FHE, we'd work on our family budget -- so it never really was FHE. When Jace was born, we knew we needed to get serious about it -- but it still seemed awkward to do FHE with a 4 week old. So we quickly got back out of the habit. During the last General Conference, both Joe and I felt like we needed to work on this. Jace is getting to the age that he can listen, participate, and now is a great time to start getting into that habit -- while Jace is still young.

Joe bought the nursery manual today and that will be our FHE guide until further notice. Tonight we had a fun lesson on I am a Child of God, Jace and I made a picture to put in his room, and afterwards painted the pumpkins that we bought last week.

I'm grateful that we have inspired programs that we get to take part in. I want a forever family, and I never want to look back and think: "could I have done more?" We are miles away from being perfect .... but I feel like we are getting a little bit closer.

A March Surprise

2011-09-16T19:53:00.001-07:00

Jace Boucher would like to proudly announce that he will be getting a fantastic birthday present in 2012! A new baby brother or sister! Yes, Boucher Baby #2 looks like it has finally "stuck" and we expect our lives to turn upside down yet again around March 22nd. (Jace's Birthday is March 16th ...)

Goodbye to a long lost friend ....

2011-09-04T07:14:00.000-07:00

Copper is a wonderful dog -- 90% of the time. We have loved having him -- but since I got pregnant with Jace, he changed a bit. He likes to pee on plastic (garbage cans mostly, but also laundry baskets and toys .. ) and he LOVES to run away. The character trait that threw me over the edge though, was eating our food. We couldn't leave it anywhere he could reach it, (and yes, that means on top of the counter as well!) Jace had to be sitting at the table to eat anything, otherwise he'd sneak up and snatch it for him! I can't tell you how many organic peanut butter and honey sandwiches that dumb dog ate!

I don't know if he was any worse when I stayed home all day, but I certainly noticed it more. Because of all of the headaches he brought to our lives -- we decided to get rid of him (yes, this all took place back in June or something!). It makes me sad, because he had so many wonderful things that we just loved! I loved cuddling with him under the blanket. I loved playing tricks with him, and I really liked riling him up so he'd jump down an entire flight of stairs!

We found an awesome home for Copper. We haven't heard anything from them, so I'm assuming all is well. We miss him in our home, but have really enjoyed being a one dog family. Good-bye buddy!

The Morning After ...

2011-07-02T07:04:00.000-07:00

So Thursday we converted Jace's crib into a "big-boy bed." He loves it. He's constantly climbing into and out of it. However, that night was not his best. He cried and cried. Jen cuddled him for half-an-hour or more, before he finally went to sleep.

Last night was a little different. Jen was gone, so Daddy got to control the situation his way. Instead of staying up with him, I decided to try the whole put-him-back routine. After putting him down the first time, I went downstairs, making my way back up about every 5 minutes, meeting Jace on a landing somewhere. After putting him back to sleep four times, he finally gave in and crashed. I think only four resets is pretty good for a first try at this approach. Unfortunately, something (maybe fireworks?) woke him back up about an hour-and-a-half later, and he came looking for us. It took another four times to get him to go back to sleep, after which he slept all the way through the night. When we got up this morning, I took a peek in his bedroom, and this is what I saw:

a Micro Miner

2011-06-30T06:32:00.000-07:00

One major perk about working at a high school is the built in day care. Bingham's day care is incredibly hard to get into ... especially if you don't work in the building as they give top priority to their teachers. When Jace was a baby we tried to get into their program. I was on the waiting list before he was born (so probably in January or so) and I found out in May that didn't make it in.

While I was interviewing the Principal told me about their on site daycare. The dept. chair mentioned that there would be a waiting list and the principal shot back: "not for one of our own!" Last night I got a call from the daycare director and we got it all set up. I'll need to find someone to watch Jace for 5 days until it officially opens ... but we're in.

We'll be paying only $75 more than we were paying before ($475 is cheap day care!)

The center provides 2 meals and 2 snacks

Jace will have several excited girls playing with him throughout the day

Jace will get more structured learning times and more interaction with other kids (hopefully learn to SHARE ... )

... and best of all ...

He gets to come to work with me. No carting him around to one place or the other -- No leaving home 75 minutes early to be to work on time -- and if I need to work later than 4:00 ..... he can come in and watch toy story in my classroom!

Leaving Jace is the only reason that I'm sad about returning to work. He's a rock star kid and I've really enjoyed having our laid back life this year .... but if I'm going back, this is the PRIME situation! We are very excited.

I'm A Miner Again

2011-06-23T19:45:00.000-07:00

No, I didn't lose 11 years of my life ....

I'm a Bingham Miner

I have thoroughly enjoyed the last year home with Jace and my family. It was awesome not to have to get up and take him to day care every day. I loved being able to eat when I wanted and play when I wanted. I loved watching Jace learn -- currently he is fascinated with his ABCs! But since about the beginning of May I've had this thought in the back of my head that maybe I should go back to work. I pushed it aside because ... I'm a mom. Mom's are "supposed" to stay home ... But the feeling never left. About the end of May I was up late getting ready for a stamping event and I felt like I couldn't pass up this feeling.

I met Joe for lunch the next day and we talked about a lot of things. Moving to a new house, having more kids, doing foster care, and going back to teaching. We decided that I should get the process rolling since the hiring process was WELL under way! We could always back out later if we felt like the decision wasn't right.

Yesterday morning I got a phone call from the VP at Bingham and he said he was interested in interviewing -- would I come in tomorrow. Without me knowing about it, the VP called the principal of my old school and found out a bit about me. After the grueling questions were over, the principal asked if I was serious about this position ... (I thought I was in trouble!) and I said YES!

He told me I came with a very strong recommendation and that he would like to offer me the position. That he was glad he was able to snatch such an awesome hire after the school year was over.

While I'm nervous about what the next few years will bring I feel good about the decision. I know it's going to be hard ... but most likely, Jace will be able to get to a day care in the school so that we can be in the same place. Teachers in the school take top priority. I love the idea of not having to drop him off far away.

There were many reasons that we felt like this was right for our family -- but mostly we just feel like it fell into place and it's where we are supposed to be right now.

I'm a high school teacher! WOW!!

I'm a GIRL!!!

2011-06-16T08:09:00.000-07:00

OK, too much information .... but it's my blog. If you don't want to know the particulars ... read someone else's blog. I'm pumped and I want to share ....... :)

Part of my problem this year is that my medicine, Provera, wasn't working. I was supposed to take 10 pills over the course of 5 days to induce a period. The period is supposed to start 3-7 days after the last pill has been taken. The first time doing this it took 12 days. The 2nd time it didn't even work so the Dr upped my prescription to 15 pills over the course of 5 days. Then I got pregnant, then I miscarried, and this is the 2nd cycle since my miscarriage. Last cycle it took about 10-14 days again ... and I figured that as long as it took less than that ... we were headed in the right direction.

This cycle the stupid pill only took 4 days to work! WAHOO!!! I'm a girl!

I've had the question asked many times ... when do you take the clomid. You can't take the clomid (ovulation drug) until you have a period ... that has been my whole hold up to date! So because my period started this month I can finally take my clomid, which should help next month start up a bit easier too.

Unfortunately for me, just because I have a period, doesn't mean I ovulate. I will need to go in on day 21 to see if I ovulated. If not, I'm sure my Dr will up my clomid from 100mg to 150 (I started at 50. The highest they'll let you go, that I know of, is 250, but since clomid has some gnarly side affects .... we're hoping 100 is enough!! It is for most.)

For me, this small thing is a miracle. A small step in the right direction. I'll take it!

Planning

2011-05-29T20:03:00.001-07:00

We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

~Joseph Campbell

Live Your Dreams 5K

2011-05-21T20:07:00.001-07:00

Today I ran in the "Live Your Dreams" 5K. I have been training off and on for this race -- let's face it -- I would much rather race than condition! Competing against myself isn't any fun for me!

I had a goal to beat my fastest ever 5K time -- back in 2009. The time that I ran that race was 31 minutes and 26 seconds. As I came past the bend I saw 30:02 ... I sprinted to the end and I believe my final time is roughly 30:09 ... BUT we didn't have timing chips and I wasn't FIRST off the line ... so my time was probably around 30:04. Regardless ... I BEAT my fastest (and first) 5K time. Now it's time to start training for my next race in June ...

... it's to support infant and pregnancy loss

I feel that is an important one for ME to do!

Everything I was hoping for .... except.

2011-05-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that I've been struggling with my fertility ... forever. Joe and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary in June -- I have been my own birth control pretty much the entire time. In 2008 we had a plan. Take all sorts of medications to get my body working the way it should ... and I get pregnant. Well ... I started the routine in May and was pregnant in June. It worked beautifully. It can be argued, however, that because things happened so fast ... it didn't work and we had an intervention from on high. Obviously it was meant to be that Jace join our family.

In January I started the routine again -- I also decided to join weight watchers again to help control my weight. I know that I'm not obese ... I'm not even hugely overweight either -- but historically I have gotten pregnant (yes all 4 times now) after losing 10 to 15 lbs. Can you get pregnant overweight ... of course. Is it easier if you lose 10% of your body fat? Of course. So that was the plan.

I noticed that during the 6 weeks I was constantly thinking: "I can't wait until I'm pregnant because then I can eat what I want" ... not exactly the mindset you want from a soon to be pregnant woman. But it is what it is. Infact, as soon as I did get pregnant mid March -- that's what I did. I told people (JOE mostly) that I planned on being healthy because I didn't want gestational diabetes again ... but I started going for the drive through again and cafe rio and whatever. We found out we were pregnant on a Wednesday and I miscarried on Saturday. I went straight from celebrating that I was pregnant again (and it seemed to come so easy!!) to an emotional wreck. There were two separate times that I ate an entire box of girl scout cookies by myself. I started the self destructive behavior of secretly going through the drive through and not telling anyone (using cash -- untraceable ... and hiding the garbage under other garbage in my trash or even resorting to throwing it in my neighbor's can ... Sad.)

A few weeks after I was walking around Walmart with Jace and decided to look in the book section. I noticed a book that I've seen millions of times ... "Mastering your Metabolism" by Jillian Michaels. I put it in my cart then put it back .... I don't yet need one more diet book and plan. Then as I was walking away I noticed that the book claimed to balance your hormones to start working for you rather than against you -- I picked it up and put it back in my cart.

Quick side note ... I have a sick family. Both sides really. Heart disease. Type 2 diabetes. Cancer. Stroke ... The genes really are stacked against me. I know that the choices I make today will become my reality ... side not over.

I started reading this book and it is almost like a light bulb came on. In one of the first chapters it said: "It's not about being thin to be healthy ... it's about being healthy to be thin"

WOW

There is a reason that diets never work for me. Why I gain and lose the same 20 to 30 lbs over and over again. Because I'm not focused on the right thing. I knew that if I wrapped my brain around the healthy part ... the thin would naturally come. If I watched what chemicals I put in my body ... maybe just maybe my hormones would balance and I can "fix" myself.

While Joe and I were at Zions we took this time to reflect on the changes we want our family to make. How we want to eat. What we want to bring into our house. What we can do instead of the "quick fix" of eating out .... During that week of reflection we came to the decision that for the next 3 or 4 months we'd focus on being healthy ... not on getting pregnant or losing weight, but on being healthy. I am so glad we did. Our only plan, really, was to continue taking the one pill that was supposed to help me have a period. Take the pill for 5 days and have a period 3 days later. That was the plan. Try to reset my menstruation while we are at it!

So May 1st came and I started my pills. I finished taking them on May 5th and was hoping for myself to start on or around May 8th .... Nothing. I wait ... Nothing ... I wait. GRR.

On May 12th I call my doctor to find out what to do. When I didn't hear back from the nurse by the afternoon -- I decided to just go in and make an appointment. We looked at my hormone levels that were run (in 2008 ... OLD) and decide to re-run the numbers. Basically he said that because my period isn't coming SOMETHING is wrong. I'm expecting Insuline, or testosterone or maybe even estrogen. After waiting to get my results for a week (a different story for a different day ... this is getting long!!) I got my results back yesterday.

I didn't know what to do!

I've never NOT had a plan.

The problem is ... when there is a problem ... we can fix it. When your numbers come back stellar ..... (well as far as I know stellar) what do you do. My doctor doesn't. He has advised that I go to a specialist ($$$) I do have to say though, my period eventually came on the 14th or so. I told that to the nurse in a voicemail ... but I'll probably call to remind her of this. So here's what I know so far:

Insuline: Normal (6-27) 2008 data (28 or so) 2011 data (8.6)

Yes, that's right. No more metformine for me!!!!! (YES!!)

Testosterone: Normal (11-55) 2008 data (109) 2011 data (34!!)

Are you kidding me? Could I have actually fixed some of my hormone problems? That's what it looks like. It's great! I am so pumped for this!!! But we are now at a loss as to what to do with my fertility.

As I see it I have several options, but I think this is what we are going with:

We can't afford a specialist. Not right now. Maybe in August (which fits with our get healthy not thin/pregnant plan) So I am goign to call my nurse and tell her I'd like to continue trying what I am doing for a few months to see if my body will respond more quickly to the meds than it did this time. I'm not going to get discouraged if/when they don't work ... but I'm going to keep trying. I'll continue to eat organic where possible. I'll continue to run and exercise. I'll continue to lose weight ... I'm only 15 - 20 lbs away from my goal. I'll probably go see a 2nd doctor outside of his office -- to get a completely different set of eyes looking at what is "wrong" with me ... but for now I'm not going to stress. I'm going to celebrate. I'm not diabetic. Not only that ... but I dont' show signs that I will be or am in any danger to become diabetic any time soon. My thyroid is good. My testosterone is good. My estrogen is good. Everything else he looked are good. I'm celebrating that!! I'm not going to let this get me down. I have acheived something great. Something that so few can do without medication. If, come August, I'm not having a monthly period on my own (ok, yes with meds helping here) then I'll go talk to Dr. $$ at the fertility clinic. That's my plan.

Thanks for reading. No pics and a novel. You are dedicated!!

Kanosh Easter Party

2011-04-27T14:40:00.000-07:00

To finish off our trip to Elsinore, we always go to Rayma's family Easter party in Kanosh. Every year has just gotten more and more fun for Jace. There are a lot of kids in the family that are Jace's age and it is fun that he can play with them.

The day was a bit cold, especially for it being April 23rd! (we had the cutest family outfits picked out for the event too ... grr!) Very very fun day!

Family Picture Tradition

2011-04-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

It is our family tradition to get our pictures taken at Grannie Annie's house every Easter. We have gone down for the last 3 years the week before Easter Sunday to spend a few days down in Elisnore. We love our little tradition and we love spending time down south. Thanks for being such lovely hosts Ann and Wayne! Here's our family photos up until this year!

Easter Sunday

2011-04-25T14:48:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we had an amazing Sacrament Meeting! One song that particularly touched my heart was sung by a friend, Carrie Cahoon. I had loved this song while in High School, but lost the CD and no longer have it. I don't get brought to tears often by the spirit in the room ... but I did with this.

If I had been there at his trial,

And watched as they mocked Israel’s King,

I wonder if I would have tried to turn their hearts to Him,

If I had been there when they whipped him,

And watched as he fell to his knees,

Would I have been willing to offer my own life for Him,

For His friends, how he bled

His love for them was just as he said

Greater love he showed the greatest love, of all

If I had been there at the hillside when they fastened his hands to the cross,

I’m sure that my heart would have broken,

For His friends, For His friends,

And that’s me if I do what he said

Would I give? Could I live my life like Jesus?

Jesus

Well now, it’s been years since his lifetime,

But he and his love still remain,

And all that I want is to be like him,

He was all I hope to be,

I would give my life to be,

The kind of friend, Jesus was to me

Our Trek To Zion

2011-04-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

We have not been on a family vacation for a long time. Probably before Jace was even made. Joe has been working some crazy long stressful hours at work and we decided to take a break from the world and go to Zions.

What a week we had! It was BEAUTIFUL!

70 degrees

not too crowded

open air

beautiful sights

and most importantly

FAMILY time!!

Here are some highlights from our vacation:

We weren't super prepared for our vacation. I brought a lot of food and snacks so we only ate out for our dinners ... but we forgot all containers, baggies, and utensils. SO we got creative. Our Wheat Thins ended up being a spoon and a knife for a day or two!!

After climbing up Walter's Wiggles (on the way to Angel's Landing) we turned to another path and went another 100 yards or more and got to a relatively flat space that we could let Jace out of his pack and wander without fear of falling off of the cliffs. We went and ate our lunch and had a fabulous time before heading back down the mountain!

He carried around that apple for about an hour or two ... a bite here, a bite there. He loves his fruit!

Jace did an awesome job this trip. Luckily he loves being outside and loves walking around in his little back pack. He pretty much was smiles the entire time!

This is where we stayed. It was beautiful! It was equipped with 2 large beds (bunk beds ... but queen size beds) a nice living room, bathroom with shower, sink, microwave, and mini {mini mini} fridge. It really wasn't camping!

Day 3 walk in the valley ... SO beautiful!

On our way up to the weeping rock.

This is the weeping rock waterfall. It was amazing. Jace didn't much like the cold water, but it felt good to be sheltered from the sun for a bit!

Many people would comment about how "lucky that little guy is to be carried" or "when is it my turn" or "I wish I could be carried" or whatever.

This last pic was taken on top of a major hill (and cliff ... so scary!!) But it was so rewarding once we got to the top ... (well the top before we got to the chain part of the hike. I stand firm that a good hike shouldn't require chains!!) We were able to see the whole side of the valley. It was awesome!

I TeW YeAS OL'

2011-03-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

Oh wow how I can't believe my baby boy is already two years old! Wow how the last two years have gone so fast. Jace is an awesome little boy and we love him so much!

Before I show off my fabulous birthday party, I'd like to mention some of Jace's favorite things and what's up in his little life.

Jace is babbling up a storm now. I'm sure he is saying so much more than what we can understand, but he's always just talking up a storm. Even as a small 2 year old you can tell that Jace is going to grow up and be a smart kid ... He loves {wow does he love} books. He doesn't care if they are picture books, or word books. He generally gets irritable when he can't read either Joe's or my books. He loves to just flip through the pages and has recently started asking what things are in the page. (That's the number 14 Jace ... that's the title Jace ... those are words Jace ..... ) To keep his mind well balanced is that he loves puzzles! He does awesome at finding where the pieces go (especially when the picture is on the back of the puzzle). He has started to put together his foam alphabet pieces too. He can find his letter J or Z or K or whatever. That kid has a brain.

Jace is generally a happy kid ... since turning 2, he has turned on a bit of a 2 year old behavior, but he is 9 times out of 10 a happy kid. Jace loves to be outside. We walked to church the other day and was angry when we had to get out of the stroller. He wanted to go back outside. He loves the park (although I feel like it's cruel that we live across the street from the park! He always want to go.) He is awesome and I love him very much

On to our birthday party

We took his grandparents to his favorite restaurant (pho) before the aunt and uncles came over to celebrate. It's not the favorite restaurant for some of his grandparents, but it was fun to be together and Jace loved it!!

We got home in time for all of the rest of our family (and a next door neighbor) to get there, we munched on monsters and just had a darn good time!

Here's some of our pictures from our party ... Here's for another good year Jace-y-boy! We sure love you.

Life is hard ... Celebrate BIG!

2011-03-30T13:16:00.000-07:00

I have learned this year that sometimes life just gets you down. Let's face it ... life is tough! Think about your day ... how many different things do you have pulling at your time? In my life, I feel responsible to be a good mother, wife, person, church member, stamper, quilter, crafter, friend, and still find time for me. Sometimes we are thrown curve balls and are knocked down. Life is hard and I have come to realize that I need to fight back! Make the most of EVERY moment! Go BIG or GO HOME ...

So I did ...

I made these

I had a blast playing with these little monsters! It took about 4 hours to bake the cupcakes (I only have 1 set of silicone "tins" that I like so I could only do 12 at a time and there are 47 cupcakes!) and about 4 hours to frost with the help of my {{very patient}} mother in law.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE {{LuuuV}} the way they turned out! I'll do it over and over and over again!!

Handsome Boy

2011-03-28T18:13:00.001-07:00

Rayma and Teresa (her sister) made both of their grandsons ties for their birthday ... Teresa's only grandson is just a month older than Jace. He looks SO cute in his new little outfit!! Although the thrill of dressing up my "doll" has long passed, I still like showing off Jace at church. Many little boys just wear clothes ... polos or whatever. I like when Jace dresses up just a bit ... SO FUN! So thanks grandma for the awesome church clothes. They are ADORABLE!! Here's one of his outfits that Grandma gave him ... (feel free to oooh and aaaaw ... they are amazing and I want to learn how to make them myself!)

(He was so into whatever he was doing ... we never got any great pics of this. We'll try again later!)

A Man Sized Hat

2011-03-28T18:07:00.000-07:00

Jace's favorite Aunt Sarie made Jace a hat at the beginning of the year. It took him a little while to warm up to it and I was afraid that all of her hard work went to waste. After several tries, he started to learn that this little gray hat meant that he was about to go outside and he LOVES to go outside! Thank You Auntie Sarie for such an awesome gift! We love it (and look how cute he is in it!!!)

Changing

2011-03-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

People change. They have experiences in their life that change who they are. I have had one of those experiences recently {sad face} but after some thought, prayers, and many many tears ... I truly believe that my Heavenly Father is giving me these experiences and trials to mold me into what he needs me to be. Nothing happens by chance, and although my heart is still broken, I feel like I am being guided to be a better person.

That being said, I'm not done healing. This last miscarriage has thrown me through a loop! All I want is to add one more to my family. I feel that ache inside of me every day and I try to have the courage to move on ... but some days it's just hard. I don't feel like my mental, emotional, or spiritual strength is where it needs to be because all are being tested right now. I have an overwhelming urge to take the next 6 weeks or so of my life and try to heal. I plan to do the bare minimum outside of my family. No more weight watchers. No more crazy get togethers. Just me. I need to heal. I need to concentrate on growing. I need to go to the temple, read my scriptures, and pour my heart out to my Heavenly Father so he can take what I have inside of me and help me to make it better. I will get through this, and my family will make it. I know we will, but I feel like I need to take the time out of my life to make it happen and not just idly sit by hoping it will.

Happy Talky Talk

2011-02-22T21:26:00.000-08:00

You may or may not be aware of my anxiety of Jace's speaking ... or lack thereof. It is hard to have an only child and not know what is normal -- especially when there are kids his age, or younger, doing things that he appears to not to be doing. Jace has always seemed to be a great thinker -- and never has had a lot to say. He has, however, done an awesome job understanding what we tell him, and can perform relatively detailed tasks when asked. Tasks such as: Jace ... go throw this in the garbage; put this in the bucket in the bathroom; let's put the dogs outside; put this in your drawer. When given a task, he'll usually waddle his cute little bum in whatever direction you ask ... but he hasn't really been talking.

Until recently.

Although no one would consider him a "jabber jaws" ... he has been talking a lot more. I thought I'd list the words that I can remember him saying as of right now. I probably will miss a lot!

Dad

Copper

Daphne (da)

Jesus

This

What's This

Right here

Amen

Buzz

Dog

Cow

Yes

Diaper

Bob

Banana

Car

Another

(I know there is more ... I'll add when I remember them all!)

Animal/Character Sounds

Cow

Pig

Dog

Monkey (this was his first sound!)

Elephant

Cat

Horse

Chicken (all birds say: baaawk ... He used to know quack.)

Owl

Alien (oooooh)

Buzz Lightyear

Lightning McQueen

Baby Sounds

Copper Howling

Favorite Songs (w/actions)

Tiny Tim

No More Monkeys Jumping on teh Bed

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam

If you are happy and you know it

Veggie Tales theme song.

So he is a quiet kid, but it is obvious that he knows quite a bit. I'm glad that it has come out more and more lately ... reduces my stress level and just makes him even more fun to be around.

Valentines Day

2011-02-20T14:52:00.000-08:00

I've never been big into holidays. None of them really. Joe and I have our few traditions ... but nothing spectacular. This year, we decided to change all of that! I'm going big! (wait til PI day ...)

We started a new tradition, which we hope it to become an annual tradition if Grannie and Grandad approve, of going to Elsinore for New Years Eve. Oh we all had a blast. Well, the next holiday is Valentines and I had a plan.

Jace woke up early and we surprised him with his valentines gift. Of course, a new book ... he loves books! We then ate pink pancake breakfast. It has been a long time since the whole family has eaten breakfast together ... usually we wake up after dad leaves for work. After breakfast, and dad going to work, Jace and I got ready for the day. He played around in his room while I made chocolate

covered strawberries as part of Joe's

Surprise. After that was over we took a trip to the zoo. I didn't take in a stroller, so it was just Jace and myself. He loved being free to roam around and have a good time. I did have to carry him at moments, but I just threw him on my shoulders and off we

went! You know you are having a good day when your son falls asleep because of pure exhaustion!

After the zoo and lunch, it was time to get ready for Joe's surprise. We sometimes do a fun activity called a "sleep over" I don't even remember when or how it started, but we'll pull our bed mattress from our bedroom to the basement and watch a movie on the "big TV". I single handedly pulled that big thing down all our stairs (thank goodness for gravity!) and moved on.

The next part of the surprise goes something like this

Roses are Red

Violets are Blue

I'm so lucky to be TIED to you

Follow the string

it's your only clue

Somewhere at the end is a surprise for you

I had proceeded to take a large skeen of yarn and wrap it around our entire house. What a maze! Poor Jace was getting clothes lined for the last two hours before his dad came home! (no pic ...

doh!) We then took the dogs, locked ourself in the bedroom and waited for Dad to come home. I got all dolled up (which for me is a big deal :) Poor Joe is becoming accustomed to my regular

pony tail!) and waited. I heard him open the door and just chuckle. It probably took him a good thirty minutes to find us, and at the end of the string was his gift ... something RED.

I then said: "Put on a TIE ... we're gettine THAI!" (but then told him that he doesn't have to wear the tie ... I didn't want to wear a dress!)

It was fun showing the ones I love that I LOVE them. It wasn't really romantic at all ... just a fun day with my two boys. Whom I LOVE.

He must be Asian

2011-02-20T14:23:00.000-08:00

We were told once by a cute little Vietnamese waitress at our favorite restaurant that Jace wants to be Asian. I think she may be right. Jace has been relatively picky with his food lately ... but every time we to Asian ... he always has a good meal. Chinese, Vietnamese, and now Thai ... doesn't matter! He loves it. Thai food isn't a food that just everyone eats, it has a different taste. He loved it!

He even got his own set of chopsticks and was able to spoon a few of his noodles to his mouth. I think we'll introduce him to Japanese food next!

Jace trying to be patient while we waited for the food.

Patience is gone ... where's dinner?

So much happier with food in the belly!

I Know what these are for!

Yep, that's right. YUMMY.

PCOS (according to Jen)

2011-02-17T16:05:00.000-08:00

I thought that I'd do, what I understand to be, a post of what PCOS is, and how it effects me. Now, this is what I understand from reading the Internet and my doctor ... I am not claiming to know everything, so hopefully I've got my facts straight.

I am insulin resistant. This means, the cells in my body aren't accepting the insulin my body is making. Because of this, my body makes an increased amount of insulin because my cells aren't getting any. Well, because of my high insulin levels, my reproductive hormones get "confused" and don't produce as high as they should. This is the reason it is very difficult for me to get pregnant. I don't ovulate because of the low hormones. My doctor put me on a diabetic medication called Metformine to allow my cells to accept the insulin that is made, therefore reducing the amount of insulin my body will produce. With a lower amount of insulin in my body, my reproductive system should kick back into gear.

I am on two more medications as well to help things along. One is Provera, a drug that helps me get a monthly cycle. (Normally my cycles can be anywhere from 3 to 8 months. Never consistent. Before you say ... LUCKY YOU ... just remember my lack of periods is making my life miserable right now =) ok ... moving on!) The other medication that I am on is Chlomid. Chlomid is taken when people don't ovulate (ME!). It just helps to mature the eggs so you ovulate. You are about twice as likely to have twins because of this ... but if the probability of having twins is SOOO low, twice a really small number is still a really small number.

So where do I fall in all of this? I have completed month number one of my routine. Things aren't "fixed" yet, so no baby news. In fact, I went to the doctor yesterday to get a test done to see if I had ovulated. I hadn't. Because of this they doubled my Chlomid level (WAHOO!!!) and hopefully next month I will. If I don't .... who knows what will happen.

I feel optimistic with the higher dosage that I'll be taking. We still have hope *though not much* for a 2011 baby ... but it looks like it's going to be 2012. At this point, I just hope to get pregnant again sometime in my life. :)

Pickles

2011-02-08T20:48:00.001-08:00

This afternoon, as I was eating my grilled turkey burger with cheese, I had an awesome idea! How great would my awesome sandwich be with a side of pickle! I great ball park drip down your hand pickle? You know ... the giant ones they sell at the movie theater, that no one ever really buys. (Well, I bought one once.)

What can I say? I love pickles. It's no sign of anything ... I just like pickles.

Well, I ate my sandwich and forgot about it. About an hour ago, the overpowering urge to eat a ball park pickle returned! I swaggered into the computer room, gave Joe my most dazzling smile, and requested such a dessert. He laughed at the random request, finished his video, found a Vlasic coupon and now is headed to walmart to get my treat! What a great husband I have!!

... and what a great snack I'll have in a bit. mmmmm.

Jump Start

2011-02-06T19:45:00.000-08:00

If you read any article or comment about PCOS (Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome ... that's what I have that makes it so difficult to make babies!) most will say "a key to help you get pregnant is to lose weight". It's true. Infact, all three times I've been pregnant, it has come at the end of a 10 to 15 lb weight loss. Well I'm desperate to have a 2011 baby ... and I realize that I need to do something to lose weight so I can acheive that goal. I do realize that my time is limited for this to happen, but I'm still hopeful!

I went back to see my good friend, Dr. Merrill, and he put me on a nice med routine that will help get the ball rolling. I have never been one to turn straight to medicine though. Don't get me wrong ... it's great! But if I can help on my own too, then the meds won't have to work quite as hard, and I, for some reason, don't feel quite as dependent on them. They are my aide and not my crutch. Anyway, I digress.

This week I joined Weight Watchers (AGAIN) with Cortney, my next door neighbor. They have a new points plus program that I have enjoyed working with. There are a few things that I'm frustrated about ... but all in all, it's been going great. I'm more consious of what I'm putting in my mouth and what activities I'm participating in. I weigh in this week and am hopeful for a decent number.

**EDIT**

I did awesome this week! I was down 4.2 ... putting my at 182.2! My goal this week is to burn 2.4 and finally put me in the 170s. I haven't been in the 170s since I was pregnant right after Jace! WAHOO!!

A Bug...

2011-02-01T21:53:00.000-08:00

is lurking about the boucher house. You may want to stay away!

On Sunday, Jace woke up at 5:30 in the morning throwing up. He threw up every half hour for quite some time. We were afraid that perhaps he had swallowed something, because he had just gotten over the "BUG" from the previous week! After a morning visit to the instacare, we learned that it's just a virus and needed to run it's course.

Later that day he was acting better. But he threw up again yesterday! Otherwise, he has seemed fine!

Today he has developed a cough ... and has thrown up 3 more times, two times being in the last hour! We are doing our best to keep him hydrated, and I will be running to the store first thing in the am to get more pedialyte.

Poor little critter!

Oh yeah ... and now Joe has it to! I'm dreading my turn!!!

February Goals

2011-02-01T13:20:00.000-08:00

I think that I did an awesome job of making goals for the Month of January. Some were pretty simple, and others took a lot of effort. While I didn't complete every goal that I made, a lot got done that wouldn't have, had I not written the goals in the first place. I started to think about different goals that I want to make a while ago, and after much consideration .... here is my list for February:

1) Surprise Joe

2) Take dinner to someone

3) Wear makeup for no reason

4) Blog about something ordinary

5) Get a Will

6) Run 30 miles

7) Arrange a play date for Jace and do it at least 2 times

8) Research proper comma and semi-colon use

9) Scrapbook Jace's 2nd and 3rd month pictures

10) Tear down walls and ceiling in Master Bath

11) Read a non-fiction book

12) Register for a 5K

13) Make and Send Valentines day cards

14) Complete CH 1 in my calculus book

15) Get a new look

January Goals

2011-01-30T16:55:00.001-08:00

Setting my January goals this year was exciting and fun. I tried very hard to make them challenging yet do-able. I know the importance of setting realistic goals that can be crossed off at the end of the month. While I wasn't able to complete all of my goals, I made great strides and at least partially completed most of them. Here's the tally:

Fully Completed: 8 out of 15 (not bad!)

Partially Completed: 2 out of 15

Did Not Complete: 5 out of 15.

So here are the ones I completed in January:

Buy food for the person behind me (subway)
Go to Dr. for infertility (I'm going clomid!)
Gut Master Bathroom (all out besides tub)
Sift through Jace's Toys (check!)
Scrapbook Jace's 1 month (and almost 2nd month) in pics
Clean and Vacuum both cars (didn't vacuum echo. Close enough)
Try a food I didn't think I'd like (Chicken enchiladas w/ cottage cheese)
Finish Spiral Quilt

I have completed my list for February, and I'm excited to get working on it. As for my Jan. list ... I'll keep it around and try to fill them in when I can!

The Person Behind Me .... Check!

2011-01-23T22:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was determined to knock off a few more of my January To Do list items. I was about to head out for my weekly tutoring at the library, and asked Joe if he wanted a subway. This was it! My chance to help someone out!!

I wrote a sly note that I could hand the cashier just in case there was a long line at the shop and I wouldn't have to obviously pay for the person behind me.

As luck would have it ... the store was empty! I quickly told the attendant my plan. I told her I wanted a $20 subway card to be used on the person behind me. And if there was anything else, use it on the person behind him until it was gone.

She looked at me like I was nuts!

I am, but not because of this.

She made up my sandwiches and as I go to pay, a man walks in the door. I was so excited that I got to pay for a stranger's lunch! PLUS, he only ordered a six inch, so I helped out someone behind him too.

I don't know how these people took their good news and favor, but hopefully it made their day just a bit brighter. I came home grinning from ear to ear. SO much fun!!!

I Pretend to be Brave ...

2011-01-13T00:12:00.000-08:00

It should probably make it a rule of thumb not to blog after 1:oo in the morning. It should also be a rule not to blog when you haven't seen your spouse for 48 hours .... regardless, I think I'm going to blog right now. Perhaps I should read it in the morning after I get my sleep to make sure it's not all pure emotion running through my fingertips.

I have been pretty candid these last couple of weeks of our family's struggle for parenthood. I am trying so hard to be brave and hopeful that this process will work for us again, but the fact is .... I'm scared. I have this burning desire inside to be a mom again; I am so afraid that it will be another big trial for us. I'm scared that it will take months and months of trying before we get pregnant again. AND after that happens -- then what? Getting pregnant isn't my only challenge when it comes to having children.

I've been pregnant 3 times. I'm scared that we will miscarry again. If we miscarry ... I have to have surgery, then that's several more months of waiting, hoping, and heartache.

I know that our Heavenly Father has a plan for us. I know that he is guiding us in our life ... which helps ease my nerves - But only a little. I wish it were a bit easier .... and am hoping for the best. We'll keep everyone posted. We could use the prayers!

Goal #6: Spiral Quilt

2011-01-11T09:48:00.000-08:00

Joe is out of town this week, so besides playing with Jace, all I want to do is stuff for me! Sounds a bit selfish, but I see it as an awesome way to tackle some of the things on my January Check List.

Last night, I figured that I'd stay up and finish the quilt. I tend to sleep in until Jace wakes up anyway, and when I go to sleep at 10, that can turn into many hours of sleep that I don't need.

Jace has been waking up at 9 lately. SO I decided if I go to bed at 12 or later and wake up at 9, I still get my 8 to 9 hours of sleep!

I put on Harry Potter 6 and got to work. I was a little

disappointed on how my corners matched up .... but I'll get over it. I must have had a slightly smaller seam than .25 inches .... because the borders, which were calculated correctly, should have matched up perfectly. This is th first time I've done the "piano key" border though. I'll try it again on a different quilt.

All in all, I'm SUPER pleased with how it turned out! I think my goal for February or March will be to quilt and bind it. I need to buy material for the back now. I'm thinking ..... Pink :) I hope I'll get to use this little quilt soon! (fingers crossed ... see goal #1!)

GOAL #11 .... CHECK!

2011-01-06T10:08:00.000-08:00

Goal #11was to go through Jace's toys, throw out the junk, "box" the baby, and organize the now. With such a generous santa and others this year spoiling my kid senseless ... this was a MUST DO for my January 'to do' list. I decided that today was the day!

I started by getting all of the little toys out of my bedroom and bringing them into Jace's room to be sorted. You can see his toys are really messy, and he doesn't have a ton, but I was excited to

feel like I was simplifying my life by removing some of the unused. I organized his closet, took toys and hid them under the stairs (and prayed that the spiders and bugs wouldn't get them!!).

I put new toys in his newly emptied closet and refilled his drawers in his book shelf.

Then we went downstairs (didn't get a before pic). Emptied his toy bin and sifted through those toys. VOILA!

Goal #1 ... CHECK.

2011-01-05T20:14:00.000-08:00

It's no secret .... making babies isn't like ordering pizza for the Joe and Jen Boucher family. There is a long history of infertility in my family ... and I am no exception.

Here is the basic problem. I have a high level of insulin in my body. Because the cells of my body aren't accepting the insulin, my body is making a lot of it ... which causes the FSH and LH hormones (the reproductive ones) to get confused and not produce like they should. I, therefore, need to take a medication so that my body will lower it's insulin levels and my reproductive hormones can start kicking it into gear! I have to take Clomid to help the FSH mature my little baby eggs faster and Progesterone to make my cycle start over when this month's "go at it" was unsuccessful. This is what we get to go through to have babies. It's not a major pain, and I know others go through a lot worse, but it does get quite painful when others seem to have it "so easy".

I have waited patiently for several months, and finally I had an appointment TODAY! My fabulous Doc gave me the prescriptions I need and a game plan to follow. I am excited to get this going and hopeful for fast results ...

A New SIL

2011-01-03T22:04:00.001-08:00

A big old fat CONGRATS to my lil brother and his new wife Jade. We are so very VERY happy for you two and hope that you have a wonderful life together. Can't wait to meet you JADE!!

LOVE you both!

NewI Years "RESOLUTIONS"

2010-12-29T12:36:00.001-08:00

When I was in the 10th grade, I had a world history teacher that taught me about new years resolutions. He said ... don't make them! Yes, January 1 is a great time to reevaluate your life and priorities and make a change. BUT ... how many new years resolutions are actually kept. I mean there is a reason the gym is packed in January and empty by March! He told us instead to make a list of things that we want to accomplish in the year. A massive "TO DO" list. THEN, work as hard as we can to accomplish them. It could be anything from doing something nice to someone else to reading a book, hiking a mountain, or going to the temple.

The point is, by making a list of things you check off, if you don't do it one day, you haven't broken your resolutions. PLUS, you have a list of activities that you like/want to do to keep your mind and actions focused for the year.

I have decided that each month I would like to make up a list of 15 to 20 things that I need to accomplish for the month. I guess I'm making a resolution to do this .... I hope it will last. There are a lot of things I want done, and I know that if I don't focus on them, I will be no further along than I am now. I will keep this list on the sidebar of my blog, and hopefully comment, or blog, when I have completed my tasks.

SO ... Here are January's "resolutions:

1) Go to the doctor and get help with my infertility problem

2) Be under 175 pounds (SO that I can earn my body bugg!)

3) Try a new style of exercise

4) Buy the food of the person behind me in the fast food (OR SUBWAY) lane.

5) Gut my master bathroom

6) Finish my Spiral Quilt

7) Send someone a gift who might need it

8) Read Harry Potter 1 and watch the corresponding movie

9) Try a new food that I think I currently don't like

10) Write a thank you note to someone that has served me

11) Sift Through Jace's toys -- put away old -- throw out lame -- organize good!

12) Scrapbook Jace's baby pictures ... birth to one month!

13) Drink my body weight in water (that's just over 21 gallons)

14) Clean out and vacuum both cars

15) Ponder my trials, then read my patriarchal blessing to search for an answer.

Dear Jo

2010-12-28T09:55:00.001-08:00

Last year SJMS started reading a school wide book to teach character development skills. The book was ok, but most had read it before in the 6th grade, and found it quite juvenile. I tried to read it myself, and never could quite make it to the end. I guess I should probably pick it up and finish it .... I was so close to the end. THEN maybe I'll figure out why the counseling department thought it was so wonderful.

The book, by the way, was called Stargirl.

This year, they decided to do a school wide read again,

but chose to read a different book. Dear Jo. They gave a copy to each member of the school, kids and teachers both, and had them read it during their TA class. I heard from several old colleagues that the book was phenomenal! A friend of mine had a student who threw out the book and gave it to me to read. I couldn't put it down.

The text is quite easy, and is in the form of a Journal (Jo). It's about 2 girls who get caught up in online chat rooms and find themselves in a big BIG mess.

If you have a teenager in your home, you should read this book. THEY should read this book. The Internet is not safe, and there are a lot of scary people out there ....

Read it! You can borrow my copy if you'd like.

The Rollercoaster

2010-12-26T14:03:00.000-08:00

Weight loss has always been such a roller coaster for me. Currently, I'm not obese, but I'm not at a healthy weight either. My problem is that I have a hard time being motivated to buckle down, drop the cafe rio .... *YUM* and lose the weight.

Luckily, I'm a mathematician, and good with patterns :)

Joe and I are getting the "baby hungry" itch again. Well, I've had the itch for a little while ... but we have decided that now is the time to start looking into it again. As many of you know, getting pregnant is not like ordering pizza for our family. Joe and I have been married for almost 10 years and our son is only 1. It's trial ... but here is where my "good with patterns" trait comes into play. EVERY time I've gotten pregnant (all 3 times) I've been in the middle of losing weight. The first baby, I had lost about 20 lbs, with Jace, it was about 10, and with baby #3 ... probably in the 15 range. I was eating healthier and exercising. Perhaps these two things contributed to my hormones being more under control ... and thus easier to get pregnant. Maybe the fact that I have lost 5-10% of my body weight helps too. Maybe a combo of both.

Regardless of the WHY .... it has been a consistent pattern with my pregnancies.

I guess I found my motivation to lose the weight.

SO ... starting today .... I'm going straight.

Because there is another boucher baby up there waiting to come down.

Christmas Morning

2010-12-25T07:55:00.000-08:00

Christmas Morning was awesome this year. Jace was SO much fun ... and got pretty darned spoiled if you ask me.

Joe and I are very impressed and excited that we were able to pull off Christmas this year with a pretty low budget ... but made it feel like we were getting spoiled. If you calculate the worth of everything we got ... we probably would have spent more than $700 ... but we didn't come anywhere near that.

Here are some photos of this morning's FUN! :)

Sandman Jammies ... he even got a lightning mcqueen car to go with it!

Look what Santa brought!
Once he saw his little chair, he was SO excited to go and sit in it. Santa sure did an awesome job!
Look .... there's buzz!!
AND WOODY!
He finally got Toy Story 3 for Christmas. He is super excited to watch it.
Thank You Mom!!
His big learning toy
AHHHH ... look at the haul

Merry Christmas!

Here Comes Santa Claus ....

2010-12-23T12:26:00.000-08:00

Isn't he the cutest kid EVER?

Oh, and Santa's pretty cute too!

... and the stockings were hung

2010-12-22T20:08:00.000-08:00

For our first Christmas together as a couple, Joe and I made fun matching stockings. These stockings have lasted 9 great Christmases and we have loved them very much! I love knowing that Joe had a hand in making these little decorations.

last year we had Jace and wanted to make HIM a matching stocking too. We never got around to it, so the task was postponed to this year.

I was about to buy the felt to create his and remembered a tutorial I saw on how to make stockings. In the back of my mind, I have been itching to put our stockings through a fashion update and have debated on whether or not to do it. I really like our cute little stockings, but at the same time, I want my stockings to match the rest of my decor. Our tree has always been quite elegant. Simple. And I wanted more elegant stockings to match -- while maintaining the fun of them. The deciding point was that I wanted my stocking to say MOM.

I rushed to Joanns and bought 3 coordinating fabrics (that weren't even remotely by each other ... so proud!) and got to work. I also picked up 2 colors of felt that matched pretty close.

It wasn't too hard, and didn't take too much time ... and I LOVE how they turned out! Each stocking will have a different Christmas symbol on it. I figured these were the 3 basic (and easiest to do when you only have red and green to choose from ...)

The Fly

2010-12-16T13:45:00.001-08:00

I just had a friend remind me of a funny school story that I dont' want to ever forget. Maybe as I remember my silly stories I'll just blog about them.

Last year I had a 7th grader named Roberto. One day near the end of class, I hear this strange buzzing sound. I look up to see Roberto in some sort of a dazed state ... and the kids around him just looking at him funny. Roberto was BUZZING!!

Me: Roberto what are you doing?
Roberto: buzzzzzzzz zzzz zzz zz
Me: ?
Roberto: buzzzzzzzz
...
Roberto: Oh, I was just seeing what it would be like to be a fly.

The bell then rang and out he went.

My New Job

2010-12-10T15:01:00.001-08:00

Last January, I got a phone message from a good friend who I used to work with. She had moved to Denver with her husband while he worked on his degree. She had called to ask me a question about a math problem that she was too tired to figure out on her own, (oh gosh do I know how that goes!) Once Joe and I had completed the problem, I asked her where she is working and ... how I could be involved.

It's called Step to Success. It's an online learning program. She and I both contacted the director of the program to try to get me started! The site was still hugely in the developmental stage and I was told that they were very interested in working with me, but alas, I had to wait. From the get go, I felt awesome about this program. That this program would greatly help me in my goal to stay home with my son. I waited the summer and early fall out ... and finally I got to start at the beginning of November!

I love it! Right now, I'm tutoring reading to 2nd and 3rd graders in Denver. It's a government grant that helps these kids read. You may be thinking what I was thinking .... how do you tutor reading over the Internet? Basically, what we do is go to a meeting center where we are able to both work on my desktop. We play online games that tracks their progress. Several times throughout the 21 session program we give them assessments to see how much they have progressed. After 10 sessions, all of my students have gained at least a 1/2 grade level in their reading. Some even gained more than a full year!

Soon, I hope, I'll be able to work with more math students, but for now ... I feel like I'm helping to make a difference in some of these kid's lives. And I'm having a great time doing it. We are about 75% done with the first batch of kids, and I'm going to be sad to see them go!!

Too Smart for His Own Good

2010-11-19T20:45:00.000-08:00

I have always known that I have a smart dog. TOO smart of a dog. When he was a puppy, he figured out how to untuck the kitchen chair so he could jump on the table to eat the food left out. He had the ability to jump high enough to get rags out of the bottom of the sink. He is a trouble maker, and we have known that for a long time.

Today proved to be no different.

I thought i would be kind and clean out the garage so Joe had a place to park his car for the winter. Jace and I were out playing and working for probably close to 45 minutes. When I came inside, I didn't notice Copper. I didn't think very much of it though and went on with my morning. About 2 to 3 hours later a man knocked on my door and there stood Copper with blood trickling down his muzzle. Last time he snuck out of the backyard (I have no idea how he does it) he scraped up his back, so I figured this was the case again. The man said that he just witnessed this dog get hit by a car and he ran straight here so perhaps this was his home.

Got hit by a car?

My dog?

With much more effort than it should have been, I shuffled several boys around and Joe and I headed to the animal hospital. In the end, if a dog is going to get hit by a car, this was best case scenario. He has several abrasions in the front of his body, and a staple in his eyebrow, but he is ok. Probably has a pretty decent headache, but he will be alright.

Here are some pics of our little monster after his $459 stay at the animal hospital:

Start Spreading the News

2010-10-26T21:21:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving today

I want to be a part of it

New York

10 is a big number, and on June 8th ... that's how long it will be for Joe and myself. Too many marriages don't make it to 10 years, and I really want to celebrate BIG. So Joe and I decided that if we can hack it, we want to visit the Big Apple.

I only have 1 slight problem. I've never planned a vacation before, let alone one of this magnitude. I don't know where to stay. I am not good at booking flights and waiting and getting that "perfect deal". I don't know where to eat in NY or what to DO in NY. How much spending money do I bring? What should I budget, because we gotta start saving soon! I need serious suggestions ... I want to have fun and see it all!

Big Hearted -- He belongs on the farm!

2010-10-26T20:36:00.000-07:00

Back in September, our family took a trip to the state fair. We know how much Jace loves animals, and I knew that he would have a blast at the fair. I was ... mostly right.

Jace with the Big Bee.

We started with the birds and small animals. He was grinning ear to ear the entire time as we walked from one cage to the next. My little boy has such a big heart! He LOVES animals ... must be related to Great Grandpa Tom. The problem is that once we left one animal building to go the next his face would turn from this ..... to ....

This. Others around us just laughed at my poor little boy that was so sad to leave the animals behind. I think he was meant to live on a farm, really!

When we got to the goats he would watch them for a time, then steal the hay from their cages and throw it on the ground by his feet. There was little hope of getting him out of the building happy. He just wanted to play with his new friends!

Silly Boy :)

Little Sneeker

2010-10-26T20:27:00.000-07:00

Awhile ago (I mean ... I don't really remember when because it has been so long since I've blogged ... but Jace is wearing a 18 month top and 12 month bottom, so it couldn't have been THAT long ago ... anyway, I digress ... ) Awhile ago things were nice and quiet upstairs. Apparently, Jace took his chubby little hands and got on his tippy tippy toes to pull down the raisins. He LOVES the raisins. I guess there are worse snacks to be sneaking!

Pumpkin Goop

2010-10-26T10:11:00.000-07:00

Last night as a family we decided to carve pumpkins. Halloween was my mom's FAVORITE holiday and since being married, I just haven't really gotten into it. BUT, now that Jace is growing up, I want to be able to go big on every holiday. I want to make them fun and exciting ... and memorable, like mine were. (Quick side note ... is it just me or does my baby's hair look really red in that picture?). We haven't done a ton this year, and I don't have many decorations, Something I'd like to work on soon. One major thing we did every year with my family was carve PuMpKiNs. I remember my mom's pumpkins were always perfect and I wanted mine to turn out just like hers. She always had a fine eye for detail. Very creative ... my mom was!

We got the table ready to go and dug away. We were only able to get one photo of the actual pumpkin carving extravaganza because our battery on the camera died ... It didn't matter too much, there wasn't a whole lot to see.

Some kids love to play in the mess. Mine does not.

He wouldn't stick his hands in the

pumpkin, but was ok sticking the spoon in. Since he is a boy who likes to put things in it's spot, once it didn't surprise me that once I removed some of the seeds, he picked them up and put them back in! They don't go on the table! What a helper. Before long though, he wanted down and was playing

with his toys as Joe and I finished our pumpkins.

I did Jace's first and then

worked on mine. I'm quite proud of the finished product and they sit happily on my door step awaiting the loads of trick or treaters that we will get on Saturday night.

The Water Bottle

2010-09-01T19:57:00.000-07:00

Today I got to take part in a focus group with Stampin' Up! (Lucky me ... right!!) I had just dropped Jace off at the baby sitter's house when I started to feel like I was hungry. Normally, I would give in to one of the 900 different golden arches that I would see on the way to the home office in Riverton. This time, however, had to be different because 1) I'm trying to kick the fast food "habit/addiction" and 2) I'm right smack dab in the middle of my money cleanse. I have tutoring after the focus group and I know I won't be home until well after 7. I think to myself that since I can't eat out, I'll have to fill my belly with water. And OH how convenient it would be if I had some! But alas, I didn't bring a water bottle and I don't have any place to get one. Slightly annoyed with my lack of planning, I pulled into the visitor's parking at Stampin' Up! and waited to be called into the room. As I walked through the massive doors to the meeting room, I noticed that each station was set up with a stamp set, name tag, and BOTTLED WATER!

I love answered prayers and small blessings!

The Money Cleanse

2010-09-01T19:23:00.000-07:00

It is a common misconception that money = evil. In the bible, we learn that "for the love of money is the root of all evil". This scripture implies to many that money = evil. But it's not MONEY that is evil ... it's the LOVE of money that is evil. It's what you DO with it that is good or bad.

Since quitting my job, Joe and I have had to obviously take a look at our finances. In Matthew we learn that "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also". Apparently our heart is with eating out! :) It was time for us to have a reality check. Eating out, and other frivolous expenses were no longer in our budget. Quite frankly, I am now sad and ashamed that they were such a driving force in our budget. There was no reason that Joe and I were living pay check to pay check for so long. Why didn't we save for a rainy day? Heaven knows that the rain DOES come! I don't have any of the answers as to WHY we didn't do things differently in the past, but I do know that I am excited about the changes we are making to help in the future.

Recently I have been hearing the name DAVE RAMSEY. I read it in blogs, see it on billboards, and hear it on the radio. I don't know anything about Mr. Dave, except for apparently he is some sort of financial genius. I looked up his site, daveramsey.com, and started exploring. I found that there are Dave Ramsey seminars all over the valley, and what more, they are free! Joe and I signed up. I later learned that there was a small fee associated with the kit needed for the class. I started to get skeptical. I didn't want to blow $99 on some whim like I have in the past. We decided that if in fact this man knew what he was doing ... $99 would be a good investment! We are 3 weeks in, trying to incorporate what he suggests, and we already feel like we got a pay raise. More than that, however, I feel like I have a different mindset and attitude towards money.

On with the title of this post. The Money Cleanse. People sometimes cleanse their body by drinking that nasty lemonade. OR they eat only raw veggies, or perhaps wear the patches on their feet, (do those even work?). We decided to do a money cleanse. Once a month, we are going to go a whole week without spending any money. Sounds easy right? Not when you are used to going shopping for whatever you need. And we decided that this "money cleanse" wasn't going to work if we overspent the Sat. befor and over spent the Monday after it was done! Nope. Live life like normal ... just be sure there is enough gas to make it to work.

While going through this week I have been able to

1) be creative with my food storage

2) learned that if I don't have gas to get somewhere ... I walk

3) decided that even if I really REALLY want something, I don't need it unless it is a serious 911 related emergency.

4) embrace the challenge, the change, and the new life style.

My only regret is that I waited until year 29 to start. I wish I could have had the wisdom to start this 10 years ago.

Family Pictures

2010-08-17T21:21:00.000-07:00

I never posted that we got our family pictures taken!! It was SUCH an experience. It was a warmish day ... and Jace was tired. He did ok, but he didn't know Alica and quite frankly didn't want to cooperate. Here are a few of my favorites, and I need to pick one to hang on my wall. Which is your favorite?

I was kindof hoping for a horizontal picture ... but my favorite is a vertical one. Please vote on your favorite. :)

Another Hobby!

2010-07-29T12:15:00.000-07:00

Imagine your kid's first birthday. You are surrounded by friends and family. Your cute baby is "opening" his presents while the entire crowd oohs and awws over how .... strikingly adorable your little boy is. You strip him to his diaper and give him his first birthday cake, this cake by the way is spectacular. Any cake won't do ... you spent hours making it the night before. Your day is perfect.

Then imagine the grief you feel when practically every photo that was taken that day turned up ... BLURRY! The heartache. You won't ever get that day back! True story ... It was on March 16th that I decided I needed a new camera.

It was on July 28th that I got it. With my last big "you are a working mom" pay check ... Joe and I invested in our new toy. The Nikon D5000. It came with an ultra zoom lens and a "normal" one too. Also included was an awesome camera bag and more reading material than I can handle. (I want to take photography lessons soon ... I don't read user's manuals!)

I love it and it is so much fun. I now have to download Photoshop and start tweaking my pictures. Here is my first attempt as a "professional photographer". hehe. We were at Wheeler Farm, and the magnets are in my kitchen. Aunt Joanie ... I need you :)

Quilting ... Again

2010-07-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

I bought a quilt kit either when Jace was a newborn or while I was pregnant with him. It was awhile ago -- I finally decided this last week to break it out and play. It has the CUTEST material and a nice ... relatively complicated (for me) pattern. It's how I'm going to master my flying geese block ... which by the way, I have never done before! Here is my progression so far:

The pattern (can you see it?)

Cutting out ALL of my hundreds of small blocks

The only "strip piecing" the entire quilt has. Done!

Okay, I'm not very far through it ... but it is coming! I have more pinned and ready to go. I'd like to blog about my quilt's progression. I'm thinking we'll save this quilt for our next baby. Jace has a ton! (and no, that's not an announcement). The next quilt I'm going to work on is one using stampin' Up!'s big shot die. I have fun material for a little girl.

The #1 thing ...

2010-07-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

There are many MANY things that I like about staying home ... but i would say that the absolute #1 thing I like MOST about staying home is the ability to do what I want to do .... when I want to do it! I can clean or read or cook or stamp or go out on a day date with Jace. Since last Friday, Jace and I have visited the zoo, wheeler farm, a friend in Ogden, and we had a friend hang out with us all day today! Here is a photo recap of our "friendly visits":

Playing in the sand with our new friend, Ian.

Eating breakfast with Robert.

Sharing my toys with Robert

(this is my favorite!)

Playing the Piano with Robert

Water Baby

2010-06-19T18:49:00.000-07:00

Jace loves playing in the bath and he loves playing in the ... dog water ... and so I knew that he would LOVE playing in a pool. I filled the pool up with water at my dad's house last night, but it was too cold for him to enjoy. We left it out overnight and at about 3 p.m. today, the water was perfect. Jace was a little hesitant to jump in and play at first. He would step into the pool and step out, then back in again. Finally he got to one knee, then to two, and eventually he was sitting. He probably was playing in the pool for a good hour or so. He liked to use a little scoop and throw water behind him. He would squeal with shock when the water came back down on top of him. I love that little guy.

p.s. he started blowing kisses today! so cute.

Going Private

2010-06-15T10:54:00.001-07:00

I need some help and thoughts on changing my blog to a private blog. I've been thinking about it for a bit ... but am not 100% decided either way. Recently I've had some RANDOM comments from people that I don't know. Also, I have followers of what appears to be nobody -- just computer generated followers. I'm not sure. I'm ok with people reading my blog -- I like to go and read others blogs that I don't necessarily know -- and let's be honest. I am MORE LIKELY to read YOUR blog if it's not private because then I see the updates. For those of you that DO have private blogs ... what are your thoughts? Anyone else in this same sort of limbo? HELP PLEASE :)

Week 2: 8 squared

2010-05-29T06:48:00.000-07:00

For my 2nd week of the : 6 weeks to a healthier me, I decided to concentrate on having 64 oz of water per day. Water is something that I either get a lot of, or nothing at all. I don't drink carbonation anymore, {{thanks Steph! 5 months "sober" :) }} and I know how important water is for you.

Results: I've done much much better this week than normal. Most days I got my 64 oz in. I don't feel however that I have completely mastered this goal, so I am going to focus on this one and my last one before moving on to something bigger. Week 3's goal will be to exercise at least 20 min a day. That will be big!

6 Weeks to a Healthier Me

2010-05-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that I want to be healthier. I have made great strides in the last two years to accomplish this goal. I have learned, however, that to become truly healthier, you have to change your habits. 8 weeks on Weight Watchers or whatever program isn't going to cut it for me. I need to analyze myself and figure out what habits I have grown accustom to that i want to fix and what new habits I want to implement to help me be healthier. I have come up with a 6 week plan that will hopefully help me recognize my weaknesses and turn them around. Each week I start a new goal, while continuing to press forward with the goal from last week. Each Saturday night I evaluate how I did with that goal. If I didn't "master" the goal I try again. At the end of the "six weeks" there will be an incentive. I haven't worked out the incentive yet ... maybe a pedicure or a new CD or something small. I started yesterday.

Week 1

Before eating a snack drink 8 oz of water and wait 20 minutes. Before going back for seconds at any meal, drink 8 oz water.

Rationale: I generally eat on impulse. If I want a snack from the faculty room or fridge I tend to just go for it. More often than not, it's my brain getting in the way of my stomach. I usually am not hungry -- but I feel like I need to eat. Also, I heard that your body sometimes confuses thirst with hunger. Maybe I'm just thirsty. After the 20 minutes are over, if I want to eat the snack I can. So far, in the last 36 hours or so, I have caught myself 3 times from having an extra snack. Not too shabby!

It would be fun if more people tried this with me and let me know how you are doing and what you think!! You can either use my goal or make your own. Then maybe we can go on a reward incentive together!! oooh the possibilities ... sounds fun!!!

A True Fautin

2010-04-24T17:33:00.001-07:00

Tomatoes ... my mom LOVED tomatoes. My mom grew up on an enormous farm that my grandpa raised. Every year I remember my grandpa calling my mom and bragging that he was eating the first tomato of the season. Often times she would be willing to give up whatever it was that she was doing to go and share the tomato with Grandpa. Many times I remember sitting in my grandpa's back yard and picking the tomatoes so they could enjoy them.

He is his Grandma's (and Grandpa Tom's) little man.

Clearing out the Clutter

2010-04-24T07:07:00.000-07:00

Every time I move to a new place, it is my time to dejunk. I re-evaluate every item that I am putting into the box and decide whether it is worth hauling over to our next location. It is a great time to clean out the clutter. Since I was in the 6th grade, I have never been in a location for more than 3 years. I am used to a forced cleaning day -- well since we have no intention in moving any time soon .... and have been in our home for 4 years now .... it is time to get rid of "stuff".

My neighbor and I are having a yard sale in June. My goal is to clean out every nook and cranny in our home and get rid of the stuff we just don't use. Joe and I started Thursday with the kitchen. We haven't finished it yet, but here are a few remarkable before and after (mostly after) pictures:

Pantry #1 Before

Pantry #1 After

Pantry #2 After

Putting stuff away .... does he go here?

My yard sale boxes so far!

So if you have any DI stuff you want to get rid of and donate it to the cause ... we'd be happy to store it in our garage for a bit and sell it at our yard sale :)

Jace Turns ONE!

2010-04-04T11:40:00.001-07:00

It is amazing to me how fast the last year has come and gone. Wasn't it "just yesterday" that I was blogging about being SO DONE with being pregnant? It is amazing how far we have come in a year and how fast it has gone. I love my son. He is exceptional. He is the happiest baby ... ever. You think I'm kidding. I'm not -- you can ask anyone that has spent a moment of time with him. The love that I have for my boy helps me to understand the love that my father in heaven has for me. I have loved before ... but never like this.

Jace is progressing nicely. He eats like champ. The only food that he doesn't like so far is avacado. Everything else he is happy with. He walks along the couches, chairs, cupboards, and on his toys and has been for months. We are just waiting to turn around and see him cruising. He has the sweetest spirit and LOVES to give hugs and kisses to his friends. I have thoroughly enjoyed this year with him and I am looking forward to the years to come.

May they take their time.

Blogging

2010-04-04T11:26:00.000-07:00

Clearly I haven't been very good. Let's just say ... this girl is busy! Right now I am trying to finish up the school year with "grace and dignity". Let's just say that after you have decided to quit ... it is SO hard to give 100% of yourself. That's my goal this quarter. THEN I am trying to create a "booming" stamping business. (I appreciate all of your help and support) PLUS ... I need to be a wife, mom, cook, maid, friend, coupon expert, and daughter of God. It's exhausting! Let's just say that blogging has been far down on my list. I am hoping that these last few months and the months to come are refining me into being the woman I was meant to be. SO, here I sit trying to catch up on all of what has been going on in the Boucher World.

ENJOY!

Bean Bag Project

2010-04-04T11:14:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that I LOVE numbers. If I had my way, Jace's whole room would be decorated in them, but my wise husband told me once that I could not force numbers on my son or he would learn to hate them ... I don't know who actually COULD hate numbers .... but since
Joe is usually always right, I followed his counsel.

Well, my friend, Cortney, showed me this project a few weeks ago. It won't surprise anyone to learn that I was ready to jump in feet first! It was perfect. Then my little brain started turning. we could use Stampin' Up! Stuff!!! I had wanted to make something using the big shot and fabric for awhile now, and

this was the perfect introductory for it.

Well, I learned a lot and the project is DONE! I am so

pleased with how they turned out. I can't wait for Jace to wake up from his nap and find them in his Easter Basket ...ahem

*the bunny asked me to make them for him. Bunny was too busy!*

New Do

2010-03-31T11:59:00.001-07:00

I've been tempted to cut my hair short for awhile. Every time I cut my hair I chicken out. This time it's the shortest I've cut it in years ... It's not as short as my "goal hair cut" but I thought that I'd ease Joe into it a bit more. :) He likes the longer hair. Here's my NEW DO :: Short and Spunky.

I'll bake my cake and eat it too!

2010-03-12T21:44:00.000-08:00

There is one thing that I can remember that was consistent from birthday to birthday growing up. That was our birthday cakes. My mom would go to great lengths to make sure that our cake was perfect and she did a very VERY good job at it. One common theme from year to year was that they all were decorated with small toys. I don't really know why this is significant or why I remember it so much. I just remember the excitement of blowing out the candles looking at what was soon to be your new toy ... as soon as the frosting was licked off of the feet of course.

As I type this, my hands smell of sweet frosting and I am excited and honored that it is my turn to pass on my sweet mom's cake tradition to my family. I am not trained in "the art of cake decorating" like my mom was. She worked for a bakery until I was born and was quite skilled. In the future, I'd LOVE to take a class or two on cake decorating skills. BUT for now, my kids get my novice approach to cake decorating. For one of my first cakes, I am quite pleased with the outcome!

I look forward to tomorrow when Jace will gather with his family to celebrate his birthday. I also am looking forward to watching him thoroughly enjoy my hard work ... even if all he really notices or cares for is to satisfy his sweet tooth!

My baby is one!!

7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, HE'S ONE??

2010-03-09T16:32:00.000-08:00

Oh how the last year has flown! Today we start celebrating Jace's Birthday week! I realize, as

more kids come, and as our financial situation changes, celebrating a birthday week will become difficult. I'm determined to make it work.

This is Jace's special week! He woke up this morning to a nice hot pancake breakfast. When we walked into the kitchen ... there sitting on his high chair was his first birthday week gift. A simple gift, but he LOVES it!! He loves to put the small cups in the big cups and even has been able to match the shape with the whole a time or two!

This week we have a lot planned: breakfast every morning (something we are not good at!) a party on Saturday (I promise to post!) and mom and dad ALL to himself on Tuesday.

Happy Birthday week baby Jace. I love you!

Happy Anniversary ...

2010-03-06T20:36:00.000-08:00

Today is my 7 year Stampin' Up! Anniversary. Thinking back at my very first workshop ... I am so grateful at the prompting I got to be a part of such a wonderful company. I was watching the demonstrator make these cute, simple, cards and I just thought that I could do this! Initially I thought that I would just host a workshop, but something deep down made me realize that I needed to BE a part of this company. My little business grew quite well while I was finishing my schooling up in Logan. When I moved to Salt Lake, my career focus changed as I entered a new phase of my life as a middle school math teacher. I am grateful for the flexibility that Stampin' Up! has provided as my focus has changed along the journey. There was a time, shortly after buying the home that i'm currently living in, that I was literally HOURS away from being dropped and that same prompting jolted me into staying active. Since that moment, nearly 4 years ago, I have enjoyed my hobby of stamping. Making a few extra bucks here or there (which went "right back into my business" ... let's be honest ... I'm addicted to this!) has been fun and nothing really has happened. Then my life changed again. I got pregnant.

I always imagined that it would be a difficult decision -- staying home or going back to work -- I LOVE my job teaching. I love the rigor of the math. I love working with teenagers. I love looking into someone's eyes of a kid who has hated math his/her whole life and FINALLY for the first time in 7-9 + years GETS IT! I hated math until you ... it makes my day! Leaving this ... tough call. I have a hand, however small it may be, in shaping someone else's life. Not an easy thing to give up. SO when friends tell me that as soon as I have kids of my own ... that it's not going to be THAT hard of a choice, I didn't believe them.

This last year has been one of the toughest of my life. For several reasons. 1) I have an ADORABLE (perfect) little boy at home. What if I miss him crawling, or his first step. It's hard that my sitter knows his day time schedule and I ... really ... don't. 2) Let's just say that education isn't the "happiest" place to be right now. 3) I know it's my last year.

I have made the decision to stay home with my son. To be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator full time. I feel like both times that I received that little prompting inside it was because it was preparing me for this time in my life. I am so grateful for a wonderful company that will give me the opportunity to do everything I want to in my life. YES I will miss teaching, but really I am going to continue to teach ... I'm just going to be teaching creativity and stamping rather than complex algebra .... an easy trade in for what and who I want to be.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy my website!!
Happy Stamping!
JEN

Invited

2010-03-05T18:01:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd show off the birthday invitations that are going out to my family tomorrow! I used Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio to make them. I'm proud of how they turned out.

The decision has been made ....

2010-02-23T18:13:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I KNOW it has been a long time since I have blogged. Here's the Boucher (mostly Jen) update:

Jace is STINKIN' cute! He smiles all of the time. He loves to climb up the stairs and play in his room by himself. He loves to open and close his favorite books and gets irritated when you take him away from him. He is approaching his 1st birthday (gasp ... do all of the years go this fast??) and we couldn't be more happy to have him in our home. We LOVE that boy!!

Joe is busy and working hard. He has so many personal goals that he wants to accomplish and is so busy at work it was getting to the point that we didn't see each other much. He has decided to get up super early (4:45) and work on his personal goals. He runs, exercises, and does his personal growth in the morning. I have seen a huge uplift in his spirit because he has found a time to take care of him. I am so glad!

Jen is crazy busy!! Since the beginning of the year I have worked very hard at promoting my stampin' up business. Things are going beautifully -- each month just getting better and better than the last. In February, I have had 2 workshops and have 1 more planned for this Saturday. I have 3 more booked for March. I had 1 hugely successful class over President's day and another camp scheduled in March. Because of this -- basically I am working 1 1/2 jobs. Since we were pregnant in the fall, Joe and I have really felt strongly that it is time for me to stay home with my baby. We have worked hard this year trying to get our house and finances ready for this to happen. Early January we looked at our budget and thought that there was NO WAY we could stay home. I mean how do people do it? I don't know. We don't have an extravagent house full of super nice things! We don't have top of the line cars ... how do people stay home and still have money for the "extras?" I don't know. But we finally made a decision that we feel good about and it scares me a little. I don't know how the numbers are going to play out or how we will ... afford to eat, or fix our house, or our yard, or ever get anything that we ever feel like we "need" ... I don't know how it's going to work, but it will. I get to stay home with my family. With my boy. I get to spend my time worrying about what to fix for dinner, or what stores have the best sales on olives ... not about if my job will be cut or how many kids I'll have in the class next year (don't get me started on the DEVISTATING AFFECTS of the district split/economy on the Jordan School District!!) I get to make quilts (if I can afford the fabric) plan stamping classes and workshops, preserve my memories by scrapbooking, stay caught up on laundry ... run in the evening to get out of the house ....

I don't exactly know what my future holds. I have a couple of business opportunities that I'm looking into but all I know is that I feel like I'm making the right choice for me. I feel like this is my choice and not someon elses that has been thrust upon me. I'm not doing what a "utah mom" should do simply because I'm a utah mom. This decision is difficult and scary and I'm sure that I'll be missed at SOJO. I would like to think that SOJO will be missing a piece of something without me, but it is time.

and I'm happy!

Jace's First Christmas

2009-12-25T20:57:00.000-08:00

Normally we are a December 23rd shopping family. Not always because we procrastinate ... but usually because we don't save money to get gifts (I get paid about then.) This year we have been buying things off and on for Jace since October. It was his first year and we were excited.

On Christmas Eve the Sandman comes to wish us a good night's rest. (you know ... MR. SANDMAN, BRING ME A DREAM ....) Jace had just gotten out of the bath and it was time to open up his gift. It took him a little while, but by the end of the whole Christmas experience he was opening like a pro.

Jace's Sandman PJs. The sandman also gives us a Disney movie (the Disney tradition was one passed on by my family. They are older now and don't just watch Disney anymore .... but we do!)

The Boucher "Motherload"

Christmas morning Joe got Jace out of bed and I ran down to get the camera.

See MOM! I've got this ripping thing down! Surprisingly enough he actually played with his toys. He enjoyed ripping up the paper -- but enjoyed playing with all of the musical plastic too.

His favorite gift came from his Grandma and Grandpa (Stohel). He has figured out which buttons play the music and will sit there for a surprisingly long time and play with it. When he is about done, he will try to stand up on it. Of course it doesn't hold his (massive) 22lbs -- and will topple over backwards. At this point, the game is over and he needs to be snuggled until he is not scared anymore.

Christmas morning was a great year this year! I loved sharing it with my family!

Good Night's Sleep (This year ....)

2009-12-25T20:43:00.000-08:00

Christmas morning is a magical time! On Christmas eve you SWEAR you are tired -- you climb into bed with your crisp new pajamas and lay there for Santa to come.

You wait

and wait

and wait

Eventually you roll over and look at the clock. 2:25. Not exactly "wake up the rest of your family time. So you snuggle up in bed again

and wait

and wait

3:15

and wait

3:52

Could Christmas Eve take ANY LONGER? What seems like days later instead of hours, you roll over in bed (it's 5:15) and declare SANTA CAME!!!

I knew that I wasn't going to be waking up Jace at 5:00 in the morning to "open presents" ... I had to wait until he woke up. The above description is miss Jen Boucher EVERY YEAR! So this year -- feeling a cold coming on -- I took a Nyquil. And boy did I sleep.

6:15: (JOE) Santa Came (JEN) HMMM???
6:25: (JOE) Santa Came? (JEN) (Rolls over)

6:45: (JACE) MAMAMAMAMAMAMA (JEN)I'm up.

Okay -- so not the bright eyed excitement of the past ... but hey! I only woke up once! I was nursing a nyquil hangover for the better part of the morning -- relieved only by napping into the afternoon -- but I slept well.

Caught UP

2009-12-15T22:12:00.000-08:00

I am officially caught up with my blogs. After being told that it has been a month since an update ... I decided to get my bootie in gear and start typing. The next 7 posts (or so) is what has been going on in the JJJ Boucher household. ENJOY!

40 Years!

2009-12-15T21:58:00.001-08:00

What in your life have you been working on for 40 years? How many things take 40 years to complete?

As Joe and I took Jace to see the lights at temple square tonight, I couldn't help but marvel, once again at how beautiful and peaceful that temple is. Every temple has it's sense of calm and serenity ... but there is something about the Salt Lake Temple that simply takes your breath away. Coupled with the fact that every branch of practically every tree on the block has been meticulously strung with different colored lights. It's definitely a sight!

As I reflect upon the sacrifice that it took to establish the church here in Utah, I am so grateful for those that came before me. I am grateful that they had the courage, perseverance, and faith to do what they did. Temple building is completely different today. We are past the age of basic establishment, and the focus has turned to getting the word out to the masses. I am grateful for the little things that can remind me to be grateful, humble, and spiritually uplifted.

p.s. notice the picture in the collage on the top row, 2nd one in. ... the big one with the lights ... I took that! Someone should pay me to put that on a poster --or at least a post card! ha!

Setting Up The Christmas Tree

2009-12-15T21:46:00.000-08:00

I can't wait to start new traditions with my family. Traditions are part of what I remember the most growing up. Home-made pizza on Christmas Eve ... 7-Up with Cherry 7-Up Ice Cubes, Sandman, Disney, Pull aparts, Grandparents, games, good food ... It's the traditions with my family that I cherish most.

This year we started our Christmas season out right by putting up the tree.

Up until this year we have had a fake (cheep) walmart tree. Last year it was on the verge of breaking, PLUS I HATE fixing the branches so it looks somewhat real -- so we decided to get a real one this year! I haven't had a real tree since ... probably

I was 10 or so. We make the long trek down the road to Harmons and picked out the "right one" ... a $34.95 wonder!

We took it home, put it in it's stand, and ate home-made pizza. over the course of a couple of weeks we have put the final decorations on it and voila! A majestic tree presides in our living room.

TENK

2009-12-08T21:30:00.000-08:00

Joe ran the Winter - Sun 10K in Moab on December 5th. The two of us were going to run it together, but because of my recent health issues, I was not able to train for it (next year!)

The average temperature for Moab on the week of December 5th is generally about 40 degrees. Those poor 800 runners could only HOPE for a temperature that high. It was 15 degrees (maybe) that weekend.

Braving the weather, Joe set off to run his 6.2 ish miles. He hadn't trained like he would have liked because of all that was going on with work and family life, so his only goal was to run it without stopping. He figured that if he could do this, he'd have a decent time. He set off on his race. It was so much fun to be able to drive along side him. Every mile or so I'd stop, jump out of the car, and cheer him on! He did a fantastic job. His "official" time was about 53 minutes. They didn't have a good time keeping system, so that is very rough. He ran the whole way (with the exception of a 100 yard uphill stretch), and came in 204th place.

I am very proud of him and can't wait for us to start running together again as a family! We got to train for next year :)

Super Hero

2009-12-01T21:28:00.000-08:00

Never fear ... we are teaching this kid right!

Best super hero EVER = Spiderman!

Turkey Hostess

2009-11-27T21:04:00.000-08:00

I love to party. I really enjoy having people over to my my home to do it. I also enjoy a challenge. I love to learn new things. These aspects of my life collided and the opportunity presented itself for me to invite the Bouchers over to our home for Thanksgiving Dinner, I welcomed the challenge.

I invisioned a nice, wonderful afternoon -- to create the perfect meal, I needed to get the menu right, as well as the atmosphere. I went to several home decorating stores for the table settings, made 16 sets of dinner ware (it has to match!) and made little gift placements for each guest. Once all 16 of us were there it was time to eat!

We enjoyed a spectacular day of food, fun, friends, and family! (Cheesy!) It was exhausting ... but I'd do it again in a heart beat! Just let me know when it's my turn to host again! I really enjoyed it.

Big Boy Chair

2009-11-24T20:56:00.000-08:00

My baby is a very mobile eater. By this I mean -- he will eat where ever I put him! He eats in the car (on very RARE occasions!), he eats on the floor, on the bed, on the table, in the Bumbo ... with Thanksgiving just around the corner, we decided to advance him to a "big boy chair". There will be 16 Boucher in our quaint little home -- no room for Jace to eat on the table!

A few teachers at my school went in together to get me the high chair that I had on my registry. At the time, we wanted a chair that would connect to a piece of the dinette set, and that is what they got. (We then realized that we would need a dinette set! So we got one of those.) The chairs we purchased had padding on them -- and I didn't want this portable high chair to permanently indent the padding ... so we exchanged the gift for this bad boy!

Jace has learned quickly that when he gets put in that chair ... his belly will soon be satisfied! Smart boy.

I'm gunna be a ....

2009-11-20T20:46:00.000-08:00

When Jace was born, my siblings and I kept predicting what Jace would be when "he grows up". "He's gunna be a basketball player, look at those hands!" "No, he'll be a pianist!" "Look at his parents, that kid's gunna be a genious!" (I said that one!)

We discovered that you don't need an expensive fisher price piano when you have your own at home! He loves it.

He will sit there for quite a bit of time just jammin' out.

He immediately turns looking for approval. Once the "atta boy Jace"-s are exclaimed, he keeps on playin.

Whatever that kid's "gunna be" ... I will always be his proud mama.

Eight Months and Counting

2009-11-16T20:17:00.000-08:00

This is my start of a string of posts that are FAR over due! I'll try to remember everything that has happened so far :)

I love my baby. Time just has flown! This last year has been full of such great blessings. My family is the sunshine in my life -- the reason that I love to live. I never knew how much being a mom would change me.

Eight Months

Jace just started giving kisses the other day. He LOVES to give kisses. He'll kiss your cheek, mouth, shoulder, leg ... He'll kiss the dogs, neighbors, and friends. There is nothing that i love more than a big slobbery kiss. Jace has now become mobile. He loves to crawl around the room and (for now) does a fairly good job staying out of what he is not supposed to get into. He has experimented with gravity several times, learning quickly (I hope) that he will never win. He is such a good, well mannered baby.

Yummy Biscuits

Just playin' (and showin off the dimples)

I love my toys!

Eight Months!

Cookie Monster

2009-11-05T20:11:00.000-08:00

Jace is now starting to explore the joy of new solid foods. He has eaten the blended up foods very well for the last 3 months. He recently has started enjoying the teething biscuits, (he now has two teeth!) His first biscuit I gave him without even thinking about it. We sat on the couch together, Jace enjoying the biscuit, me enjoying Jace. Then the slobber started. Jace doesn't do extremely well at keeping the "eat by yourself" solids in his mouth. It was EVERYWHERE ... and I didn't even try to keep him clean! He ate and ate and ate that biscuit until there was nothing left of it! (Copper enjoyed the pieces that were "choking hazards" for Jace.)

He then immediately went and took a bath. The next time he ate a graham cracker biscuit ... he ate it naked -- sitting in a chair!

BirthWeek Day #1

2009-11-03T07:50:00.001-08:00

In our family (the Joe and Jen Boucher family) it is not enough to celebrate the birthday. We need to celebrate the birthweek. I think that this tradition started because once November rolls around ... I am FAR to excited to wait until the 9th to see what surprises are coming my way. Today (11/3) starts my birthweek. (Joe wants me to point out that normally it is the Jen half of the "Joe and Jen Boucher family that usually gets this treatment. I'll work harder on carrying on the tradition for him ... )

Joe kicked if to last night with a bang! He told me that he needed to go somewhere last night. As I was paying the bills (fun) Joe came home and brought me out to the garage. There stood two BEAUTIFUL LARGE book shelves PERFECT for holding all of my stamping supplies!! I was SO excited!! I needed to prepare for club -- and that was a more time sensitive activity than rearranging my "office" aka "stamp room." BUT my room was slightly cluttered anyway and if I were to organize it -- I'd just have to redo it once my shelves were in place. SO we decided to bring the bookcases downstairs.

After no success trying to bring it down the stairs we resorted to going through the window. Finally it was in the basement! Joe and I quickly transferred things from one shelf to the other, did a bit of rearranging and this is what we got! It is the double shelf on the left. The shelf on the right I already had. There is a second shelf that I need to figure out what to do with still. Our room is pretty small downstairs.

Thanks JOEY for the best PRE-Birthweek gift EVER! The best news is -- he got it for FREE! I love it :)

Trick or Treat

2009-11-01T20:35:00.000-08:00

I always grew up with home-made costumes -- so that what I want to provide for my kids. They don't cost less -- and they certainly don't take any less time to make/find ... but they are SO SO SO much cuter than you can buy them for at the store. This year I decided to make Jace a monkey. I sew quilts ... and costumes have curves and fabrics that I am unfamiliar with. Nevertheless, Joe and I picked out the material and got to work. Because my last few weeks have been quite ... miserable ... I didn't get the costume finished until Friday night ... RIGHT in time! We ran to Sears on Saturday afternoon to get his pictures taken.
We chose Pose #4 here -- although as you can see it was a tough pick. I really like the "mischievous monkey" and the "hanging monkey" at the bottom. Afterwards we went to Grandma and Granpa Stohel's house for dinner and "show off" time. We "trick or treated" at the neighbors house -- really we just said hello. We didn't need any candy :) BUT SOMEONE had to see the cute monkey costume I made :)

Super Mom

2009-10-18T21:55:00.000-07:00

I feel like I'm trying to be super mom. I am responsible for my job at SOJO, cooking dinner, cleaning house, caring for the 2 boys -- Joe and Jace ... and NOW I am trying to start rollin' with Stampin Up! again. I plan on staying home for several years. I miss Jace. This is the main cause of me pusing Stampin' Up! again ... (besides the fact that I LOVE to stamp!) My first workshop is on Saturday and I am madly trying to get ready for it. I have spent the last 2 days preparing options for my lovely hostess, Lyney to choose from. I have about a million other things that I have to do to get ready, but I am excited and I hope it goes well. My goal is to get at least 2 bookings from hers and to just watch it skyrocket. Thanks Lyns for throwing the party!! I'm looking forward to it!!

(If you want to see my samples, check out my other blog here! If you want to host a workshop .... LET ME KNOW!!!

7 months

2009-10-16T06:58:00.000-07:00

7th months came and went ... I can't believe how fast time has gone. Jace is doing very well. He is growing and eating, and being a perfect little baby. We get stopped in the stores all of the time and everyone comments on how beautiful he is. His eyes are gorgeous ... look at those dimples ... everyone loves Jace.

At 7 Months I can ...

Jace is growing so fast. When he turned six months it was like ... CHECK! I can sit up now. He will sit until he decides to fall. He has his bottom two teeth and is getting two more on the top -- the ones next to the middle two. He loves to be on his belly and will climb up on his knees and rock back and forth. Crawling is meer days away ... my world is about to drastically change. He currently LOVES to say MAMAMAMAMA or PAPAPAPAPA. He generally only doees it when he is getting upset and/or tired. He loves to eat his little cereal bites and his teething biscuts. He hasn't gotten fussy with his teeth or lost sleep over it. He is the highlight of our life and we love him dearly

Waking up in the middle of my pillows

Playing with Dad

Trying on what COULD have been my Halloween Costume

I'm the oldest ... I get all of the pictures.

Trying on my ACTUAL Halloween Costume. My mom made it.

SEVEN MONTHS

Some of you Know ... Some Don't ... regardless .......

2009-10-12T17:51:00.000-07:00

The outcome isn't pretty.

It took us 7 years to get pregnant with Jace. He is a perfect child. We love him more than our hearts have room for, but somehow we love him more and more each day.

On labor day this year we found out we were expecting baby #2! We were so excited to have made one without the use of any drugs :) We were very scared about the idea of having two babies 13 months apart, but were preparing for the challenge.

Unfortunately, today it ends. We are saddened, but we have survived this before and can do it again. Jace will be a big brother some day ... but not in April.

Photo Shot

2009-09-28T15:09:00.000-07:00

We took our little stud in on Saturday to get his pictures taken. Everyone just oohed and ahhed over how dang cute the kiddo is! Joe and I were determined to stick to a budget ... so we only could choose one pose. It was tough -- which one would YOU pick?

6th month stats

2009-09-17T17:16:00.000-07:00

Weight:
18 lbs
60th percentile

Height:
27 inches
70th percentile

Head:
99th percentile

Half Way to One

2009-09-16T18:49:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that Jace is six months old. Part of me feels like he has been in our world forever, while the other part feels like we were just at the hospital bringing him home! He is the joy of my life ... and it kills me to leave him every day! It is so fun to watch him grow up and get better and better at new things. He is such a doll :) We go to the doctor's tomorrow for his well visit, so I can post all of his stats then.

At 6 months I can ...

At 5 months Jace mastered the roll from back to belly. Since then, he won't stay OFF of his stomach. Anytime we put him down he always just flops over -- he even prefers to sleep on his belly. While on his belly ... he looks like a frog out of water. A frog out of water that can only travel backwards! He is mobile ... but only in the negative direction. {But as I tell my geo students ... distance can't be negative -- it's still positive movement :)} Jace is a good eater -- he will down anything he can get his hands on. Sometimes he even tries to help you get the food into his mouth faster than you currently are shoveling it in. He has tried the following: Butternut & Acorn squash, peas, green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, sweet potato & apple, yams, plums, bananas, and will try pears at the end of the week. I make all of his baby food and am having a great time doing it. Jace is happy {almost} 100% of the time. He has a smile that will just light up a room. Jace loves to talk, sing, giggle and laugh. He has his ticklish spots and if you hit them just right ... he'll laugh and laugh and sometimes even squeal. OH -- and his eye goobers cleared up! FINALLY!!

Here's a recap of the last month
Cheering Mom on before the race.

Me and my DADDY!

I'm happy after naps.

Helping mom get ready for work.

Just being pretty darn cute!

Photo shoot with mom before race day (#2)

Wow ... all that running tuckered me out! It was probably because my dad came in 1st!!

SIX MONTHS!

The BEST Gift Ever!

2009-09-14T20:17:00.001-07:00

My new hobby is making quilts. I love it. I love cutting out the little squares, sewing them together, and then stitching it (by hand!) up! I love sewing the binding on. Hours of blood sweat and tears go into each quilt. LOVE IT!

When my little (and only) sister turned 18 I decided to make her a birthday/graduation/free babysitting/I don't owe you anything else for the rest of your life quilt. :) We picked out the material, chose the pattern and off I went.

I totally underestimated how many hours it would take to get this done. I figured that if I ran out of time at the end, I'd just tie the quilt up. Once it was on the frames, I COULDN'T tie it! Hours (and a lot of money) had gone into this quilt. Joe and I decided to hand stitch it.

It turned out lovely! Joe, Jace and I took an inpromtu trip down to Ephraim to give it to her once it was done. Luckily she loves it just as much as I do ... (IF she didn't I'd just demand it back!)

Jen's Update

2009-09-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since I have blogged. I have several pictures to put on -- so I need to just sit down and do it. I thought that I would take a minute and journal my thoughts on the 2009-2010 school year.

First of all -- this is a very DIFFERENT year! I knew it would be though. In the past I have been the kind of teacher that would work until there was a good stopping place or until the job was done. I would make sure that I was over prepared for my lessons the next day. I had plenty of time to get home since Joe generally would get home after me anyway. That is not the case this year. I have a {{VERY CUTE}} responsibility at home now. Once 3:20 hits -- I'm out the door. There will always be tomorrow. I feel like sometimes I'm hanging on by the skin of my teeth. I wish I was more prepared ... but I just don't have the time to be. I feel like sometimes I have LESS time now that I have a prep period. I do LOVE my prep though!!

The other thing that makes this year difficult is the district, or legislature, has taken away so much for teachers. Morale is low. I don't want to work hard because 1) I don't feel valued and 2) They know that they can take away and take away and the teachers will still do all of the work. Well this one has decided not to. I feel like they are going to be losing good teachers because of decisions that are being made.

I am about 99.9% sure that this is my last year. I want to stay home with my baby Jace. I want to be able to take him to swim lessons, or walk him to preschool (OR Drive since I am SURE he'll be going down to his Auntie Char's Pre-School!). I want to play games, walk the dogs, learn lacrosse, and just be home with him. I don't wan't to be gone when he learns how to walk. I don't want to be the SECOND one to notice that his tooth has broken through. I want to be home. SO I've decided to start pushing my Stampin' Up more. I even have my first workshop (in like 4 years!!) next month. I hope it just skyrockets. It would make me much more comfortable staying home -- but even if it doesn't we'll work it out. I know that next year that is where I need to be. It just makes it tough for this year.

SO that's my life so far. My boy is adorable. My husband is great. My house is a mess. :) Everything is just ... normal!

2009-2010 Project

2009-08-28T11:19:00.000-07:00

I may have underestimated the project I have just gotten myself into this school year. I want to make sure that the kids know that I care about them. I decided to send home birthday cards {via mail} to all of my students this year, {hand made ... of course!}

I just sent out my first two today ... YAY! I hope that it will help me stand out above their other teachers. I also hope that I can make "boy" cards that the males in my classes will enjoy. Another hope is that I will be able to make enough cards for all of my students. It is a big project and will take a lot of time, but will be worth it. I'm excited.