Sweet Surprises!

What is it about a surprise that is just soooo joyous. I know some people can't stand them, but I love them and I love them even more when the surprise isn't just for you, but for one of your children. Today, on this beautiful glorious day, my only complaint is that it is still much too hot here, I have three stories of surprises!

1. This morning as I was lying in bed thinking, "Do I really have to get up?" I heard some noise is the kitchen, some dishes, the fridge opening and closing. I didn't hear any loud bangs or crashes, so I decided to ignore it and stay in bed. A few minutes later I hear, 'Mom, we made you a surprise!' Down the hallway came all three of my kids, with breakfast tray in hand a glass of milk and some very tasty toaster waffles for me for breakfast! How sweet it was! How can that not start your day off right. Even better, no mess left behind in the kitchen!
2. Tyler is getting baptized tomorrow! He is so excited, but has been sad because none of his cousins were coming. Haha, we totally pulled one on him. We have known for awhile that Kari and Jason are coming, but he doesn't know and now to make it even more spectacular his cousin ELI hitched a ride with them all too!!!! Yeah, I am so excited to see his face when he sees Eli when he gets out of school. I know the thought has not even crossed his mind that Eli could possibly be coming, so this will be awesome. Although, I bet he plays it all cool when he sees him!
3. Finally, my suspicions were confirmed yesterday, when I found out that Julie and Jackson would be coming and bringing along Annie with them. Also, to throw in a surprise for Brookie, Marin will come up with them from LA and of course Nana and Granddad too. How great is this people. Tyler and has been terribly sad that Jackson wasn't coming and even this very morning asked me again why he couldn't make it. Boy will he ever be blown away.

Yeah, I can't stand all this excitement, it is just too much. My poor little heart is just going to burst out of my chest. Couple all this with the great events of tomorrow and my heart is just full. In fact I am almost get choked up already!

I just want to say thanks to all our family, for making this great already and no one is even here yet. For the long, all night drive, for secret and late planning and for just loving us enough to make it all happen! We love you all too!!!

Going Private - I must follow the crowd!

Alright, so I am going to jump on this bandwagon. If whatever my sister's watched on Oprah is disturbing enough for them to go private, I am totally in. I did not see the Oprah, nor do I usually watch Oprah (she bugs), but if it was enough to creep them out, the saftey of my little cuties is important enough to go private.

So, if you want in email me people sempey860@comcast.net or just leave it in your comment, I have comment moderation and I will just delete your email after I write it down. If you have friends or family who want to have access send me their email as well and a note as to who they are!

Thanks one and all.

The Birthday Celebrations!

I am sure this is just one of many posts about the birthday, but it was so fun! Tyler's party started early when Dad picked him up from school early and took him to lunch and to hang out all afternoon. I was against taking him out of school, but daddy insisted and it really made Tyler's day. Once he got home the party continued when we had his favorite dinner, spaghetti and meatballs. It was yummy! I tortured Ty and made him wait and wait all the day long to open his presents and after dinner I thought he would burst, but we had to clean up the kitchen and get the house tidy before presents could be opened. I thought he was going to burst, but the time finally came and I think he liked his gifts. We also had a beautiful birthday cake, made by the mom (that's me), I neglected buying a cake mix, so I decided to make my own cake. I had never, ever made one from scratch and it was sooo very fun! I must admit it was super yummy too and the homemade frosting was to die for. At least I think so.

Mr. Crazy Eyes - the funny thing about this is this is the most un-crazy of all the pics I took! HaHa

His Mound O' Cake, Daddy gave him a very big piece


Earlier in the day Brookie and Daddy tried to teach Josh how to sing Happy Birthday! Steve didn't really think he was paying much attention, but apparently he was. As I was making dinner, he was playing in the family room and singing. Nothing unusual because Josh loves singing. When I started listening I heard, 'Appy Birthday to you TyTy' over and over and over. It was so cute and funny! Lucky for me I got him on video with an added bonus surprise for us all. I hope you all like it! Tater always can get us laughing!






The day was great and I love my boy! In Brooklynn's words, 'Happy Birthday Day to Tyler!'

Happy 8th Birthday Tyler!

I can't believe this day is already here. It has come way too fast and I don't think I am ready to have a big 8 year old. Whether I am ready or not, today is the big day and in honor of my Boy #1 I am going to have to give you a top ten (I am totally taking Julie's idea) list of the reason's why I love my Tyler. I will throw in a few of my favorite pictures of him too.

1. Tyler has the best laugh! No seriously, if you get him laughing really hard it is infectious and you can't stop laughing because he is laughing. It is a laugh that comes all the way up from his toes.


2. He is smart! He asks me some of the best questions that I would never have even thought of.


3. He is a wonderful big brother. He is adored by both Brookie and Josh and is so helpful. He will totally get Josh showered and dressed without help if I need him to - it s so awesome


4. He has the best eyes, I love his big blue eyes.


5. He was and still is my best snuggler. He was such a snuggly baby and he still needs to come and climb in my lap for at least one good snuggle a day


6. He is super creative and is becoming quite a little artist. His favorite things to draw lately are Star Wars or Indiana Jones guys


7. He is my number one helper. I can ask him to help me with just about anything and he will jump right in and give me a hand.


8. He is so kind to everyone. I know I wrote this before, but he is always aware if someone is being left out and will try to include them.


9. He loves his cousins. I love this about him because he really doesn't like that he lives far away from his bestest buddies. Rarely a day goes by when he doesn't ask when we can go to Jack's house or Eli's house or when will we see Spencer again.


10. Finally, I love Tyler because he is mine. He is my oldest and will forever be one of my babies. Since he was small I have often asked him, 'Why am I the luckiest Mommy?' he always answers back (maybe with some coaching at first) 'because Heavenly Father sent me to you!' Nothing is truer than that. My life is better because he was sent to me!

I hope your birthday is wonderful, I love you!

Oh What A BEAUTIFUL Morning!

Alright, so there is just something about Fall that I love. I'm not sure if it is my favorite season or maybe it has just been since I've lived here and it is so welcome after the HOT summer's. We have continued to be in the 100's or close to it for the last few weeks and I am just dying for some cooler temps. So today when I left my house to take Ty to school, I almost did a happy dance in my driveway because it was coolish. I mean that great fall morning feel with just a slight crisp in the air and the great fresh smell that goes with it. Oh, it was heaven and it just set my morning off right!!!

Then to make it all the better I logged into my scentsy website and someone had placed an order! Yippy, my first order - that totally made my day. And it made me super happy that I put a link right on my blog because that is how she found me! Yeah!

Now to make the day even more fun, I get to head over to the kids school and help in Brooklynn's class. I think this is super fun because kindergarten kids are adorable. It should be great!

Mommy Stuff

You know how some weeks are just a little off and you aren't really sure why. That has been my week. I may even say that I win the Crankiest Mommy of the week award. I think it all started on Saturday when I talked to my wonderful Sister-In-Law Kari. She was at Steve's parents with half the family and that just made me sad. I just wish I could see more of everyone. I feel like I am missing out on all the kids growing up and they are missing my kids growing up too! I haven't quite been able to shake it this week. I guess in my perfect world I would live next door or down the street from my sister's. As I am sure that is not likely to happen anytime soon (darn) I will just deal and get on with life.

On a brighter note, I am proud to announce that Joshua is a BIG BOY and diapers are no longer on my Target list! Yippy. On a sad note, my Tater isn't a baby anymore :(. After the experience I had potty training the other two, I was nervous and skeptical of how this would go, but for whatever reason Josh just got it and this Mommy is so happy and completely grateful about the whole thing! Go JOSH!

Josh also has a new favorite movie and begs Steve or me to watch it all day long. 'Nacho Libre' He calls it 'Acho' and thinks it is super funny. He even does movie quotes and will say to us, "Yook Ayive" (Look Alive). It is pretty funny. He also was talking about the Buzz ride at Disneyland the other day and when asked if he liked it he responded, 'No, it fweak me out' Where does he get all this stuff. With all that cute stuff comes the I am 2 stuff as well. He is so sassy and stubborn and really pushes me to my limits. Now mind you some of it is my fault, I will totally own that I am not as consistent with the discipline as I could be, but boy the 'yeave me ayone' and 'no talk a me' stuff is getting old. I guess it all goes with the territory and I need to enjoy it because he is growing way too fast!

Brooklynn is loving school and so cute. I just love her and I wish I had her spunk! I'm excited to see how her year at school continues. Stayed tuned for some soccer updates as it gets into full swing here in the next few weeks.

Tyler turns 8 next week! Yikes - how do I have an eight year old. I miss my cute little baby TyTy, but I am so proud of the great kid he is. He is so helpful and getting so grow'd up. Also stay tuned for his flag football and birthday posts!

Even though I was (notice the past tense) a cranky mommy for a few days, I sure do feel blessed to have three beautiful, loving, healthy, fun, cute and totally amazing kids. Let's face it at the end of the day when you hear the 'I love you's' you realize that even though it seemed like it, things really aren't all that bad and tomorrow starts another fresh day! Yeah for being a MOM.

Check It Out!

I am now a Esentials Consultant for Scentsy. Check out our stuff on my website www.scentsy.com/hle

I am super excited about this new gig. If anyone is interested in hosting a home party or a catalog party let me know!