Julie's Life With Boys

Mom, Jennifer, Sherry, and Sister-in-law Katie Laughing and crying This is a picture of when my mom got out after the first week in the hospital.  What a miracle! These flowers are from out life long friends, the Marshalls. A few un edited videos of some of my family at our special family meeting.  My brother Carl conducted and chose the scriptures we read and hymn to sing.  Although I didn't catch it on video, we sang Families Can Be Together Forever after.  The staff wanted to know if we were professional. Haha.  Probably because we all knew the song. I posted this video for the sake of my family, though anyone is welcome to view it.

Taylor: Mom, if you leave stuff in the microwave it will get cold from all the shade. (and later while squirting ketchup on his plate) Ewww.  I just got a tomato in my ketchup. (that hardened lump you sometimes get when you first pour ketchup)

Just a few words about this time.  I think I had finally started to get a grip on the new home, and school, and just finished up soccer season, even our primary program was finished (I was the primary chorister). whew! At Thanksgiving my mom was fairly ill and was having a hard time eating.  She had been getting testing done to find out what the problem was.  The results weren't coming fast enough for me.  We even got my parents an Angie's List subscription to help them find a new doctor.  (Not that that would have helped.) Anyhow, at the beginning of December my mom started vomiting blood to the extent that she was taken to the ER.  They couldn't get the bleeding to stop.  She was taken to Corpus Christi to the ICU. The doctors said if the bleeding didn't stop or slow down, she was going to die in just a few days.  They gave her four blood transfusions and all of her siblings and children came to say good bye to her.  The bleedin...

Caleb started Cub Scouts in the Fall as well.  We were juggling soccer, (me, Taylor's coach, cub scouts, and moving in to a new neighborhood and school.  It was quite the ordeal. Unfortunately the Wolf Leader got called to be the Relief Society president at church.  So I was asked to be the interim leader. One of our activities was going to the Fire Station down the road from the church. The boys Loved it!  Holy Cow.  They got to each put on the uniform and climb around in the fire truck. Later Josh was called to be the Wolf leader.  Later later, I was called to be the assistant Wolf leader.  I guess we are now fully into this thang.

Every year in our school district each of the elementary schools holds a bike rodeo as part of the PE program to promote bike safety.  Each kid gets extra points for bike lights, reflectors, helmet, and horns.  Then they compete in a parking lot obstacle course.  Winners go to a district competition.  Caleb made it through the course...

Back in September, Josh and I went to the newly reunited Ben Folds Five concert.  Josh really wanted to go. He loves seeing Ben Folds rock the piano. It was a good reprieve for us, as that was a stressful time. We had just bought the house and moved in.  And I was having social problems out the wazoo. It was in Austin at Stubb's BBQ. We had a relaxing time. It was really fun to see them back together.

We were excited to go to Sea World this past fall for free with Josh's company, HDR. It was an attempt to help the Austin and San Antonio offices mingle. I was with Eli most of the time, so I don't have much else.  But it was fun that Sea World added the Sesame Street children's area, Bay of Play.  Last time we were there the whole children's area was closed.

I was helping a friend from church come up with ideas for a Jessie and Andy Toy Story themed party. I had fun creating a few decorations for her.  The jars are for utensils .

Taylor got in trouble at school yesterday, so he lost his 30 min. of TV time after school. This usually results in a major tantrum.   He is improving, however.  This one only lasted about 30 min.  Then he got himself a snack.  I asked him if he was all calmed down, and he said he thought food would help.  And then he declared it worked.  Then he wanted to go have some mommy/Taylor time.  I said I thought he was better. He said, "I am calmed down, but I still need a little comforting."

This was back in September 2012. Before Eli was three, he had to go in the back room where he wouldn't scare the other kids if he cried.  Now, he is all ready to go!  He did great! My kids all love going to the dentist.