Life in 2011

Till we meet again...

2011-02-22T08:39:00.000-08:00

To one of the greatest men I've ever met, thank you... for the role you played in my life.

Grandpa Bitton left us at 1 a.m. this morning, I hate goodbyes. As I sat at his bedside yesterday, holding his hand, swabbing his tongue, and praying for his release as he struggled for each breathe, tears were flowing as I told him over and over how much I loved him... Grateful for his release from a decrepit old body, mourning over the loss of a friend. Love you Grandpa... God be with you (and me) till we meet again.

My little nutshell

2011-02-20T13:31:00.001-08:00

A quick update on me and what makes me tick lately…

-I've become obsessed with politics lately and how I can help get Mitt Romney elected in 2012. No, not just because he's Mormon. Mostly because thinking of Obama in there for another 4 years makes me want to vomit.

- I'm in young womens and teach every other week. I actually REALLY like this class of beehives J.

- I'm almost 32 weeks prego now and have gained 18 lbs so far :/.

-I made myself give up facebook (had my spouse change my password).

-Just got back from watching NG girls basketball at State. Their team went 23-0 before losing in the second round of state and ended up third!

- Purchased a J-shaped pillow and it has been my favorite purchase in the past 5 years. HIGHLY recommended for all you expecting mothers!

- Traded in the van for an Expedition EL. We love it.

- Parker won't fall asleep by himself anymore :/ Someone has to lay there till he drops off. Any suggestions to fix this? He will continue to come upstairs till 10:30 pm if we don't do it.

- Lately I've decided that the decision to have more children in the future will depend on the growing laundry pile. I abhor that task.

- Doing another wedding in 2 weeks. I'm grateful for all the experience. Photography is such a FUN hobby. So grateful 2 years ago I asked my fellow bloggers what I should do with that track Money (Mostly thank you to Brittany Terry if you read my blog J.)

Tayler the Comedian

2011-01-22T07:56:00.000-08:00

Here are a few funnies from this year that I recorded in my journal:

Tayler was around Grace a few weeks ago and her parents tell Grace occassionally to, “Not freak out.” Tayler has since adopted the phrase and doesn’t exactly know when to use it but quite often will tell me to “Quit freaking out Mom.” I thought I had ten years until teens hit my house!

Apparently I am the wicked Step-mother from Cinderella. The other day after finding Tayler in a pool of water in the bathroom, I gave her a towel and told her to clean it up. Upon checking on her, I found her singing, “Sing sweet Nightingale,” just like Cinderella does when she is forced to clean the floors. It was all I could do to not bust up and ruin the sweetness of the moment.

The other night, Tayler woke up about midnight and ran to the bathroom. I could tell she was slightly out of it. She told me she needed to go potty, so I told her to go ahead. I walked into the bathroom right as she sat down with her underwear still at her waist and started to go potty. At least this time I only had to change panties instead of pj’s, and sheets too!

This morning at breakfast, I pulled the table back closer to us as Tayler had just pushed it back a little bit. She replied, “No, Mom! It’s smashing my boobs!” Um, apparently I need to watch my language a little more :/.

On the way to take Daddy lunch today I got a stalk of wheat for Tayler to show her what Daddy cuts on the Combine… She took one of the kernels and promptly saind “Mmmm… I love weed.”

The other day at Winco, as we passed an older gentleman, She promptly told him “I have a grandpa great, and he’s old just like you!!”

Tayler- “Mom, who is coming over?”
Me- “no one.”
Tayler- “Why are we cleaning up then?”
…Like the only time I clean is when someone is coming over?

When Tayler was first learning "Scripture Power," this is how it went,
“SUPERMAN, Keeps us safe from sin!!”

Tayler: "Mommy... do you LIKE putting me in time out?"
Me: "No."
Tayler: "Then quit doing it so much!"

I love this kid...

Christmas Letter 2010

2010-12-10T20:11:00.000-08:00

It seems like the farther behind I get with my blog, the more I don't want to update because of EVERYTHING that I would have to write, so since I kind of had to update my life in my Christmas letter, I figured I would post it here for anyone interested in the highlights of 2010 for us if I didn't get one in the mail for you.

Greetings Friends and Family! Dec. 2010
What an incredible and crazy year it has been!! It seems time picks up speed with every year and we are watching our babies grow into toddlers and preschoolers much too quickly. We are trying to absorb every ounce of happiness that comes with being parents to these little souls and know that they are truly Gods greatest gift to us!
With that said, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that we are again expecting, baby #4 is on its way. The small fact that every Christmas letter in the past four years has either announced the arrival of a new baby, or a new one on the way, should ease the shock :). I am currently 19 weeks pregnant and am due around the middle of April. Although people look at us like we are COMPLETELY crazy sometimes, we are thrilled :). I love being a young mom, to be able to wrestle and snuggle them and have the energy to enjoy these little moments.
Tayler now four, is my budding reader. We have gone through REAMS of paper due to this little ladies avid desire to read and write. I throw away at least 15 pieces of paper covered in letters, names, and any word she can figure out how to write on a daily basis. I’m grateful for the local pre-school and the wonderful job they do over there, she loves her teachers (Grandma Yost being one of them!) She is also in dance again this year and loves any opportunity to twirl and show off her new moves. Tayler is a wonderful older sister to Parker and Callie, but boy is she like her Mother was, and DEFITNITELY knows how to get under her brothers skin!
Parker Christian is two and ALL boy!! Our front room is usually a parking garage for all of his trucks, cars and tractors. He loves them, and is VERY protective of them, Daddy is usually the only one that is allowed to get down and play with him. He is starting to say new words all the time, usually associated with some kind of wheels (dump truck being the newest). Parker loves his nursery leaders and loves to sit on their laps while they read to him. His other love… food. He doesn’t care where he finds it, the cupboards, garbage or even the floor. The little stinker knows all of my hiding spots for treats and on many occasions I have found him hiding behind a door with ding dong or cupcake remains on his face, usually accompanied by a great big smile.
Callie Anne, could there be a happier child? She is the sweetest and gentlest baby I’ve ever met in my life. She turned one the end of October and has refused to crawl (although she can), substituting it for scooting around on her bottom every where she wants to go. It is the funniest sight, but I love it! She says Mom, Dad, owe, and kitty right now. She really has brought such peace and happiness into our home. How we love that little lady!
I am just finishing a workout routine called p90x. Exercise is such a need for me, I’m such a happier wife and mother when I get it done consistently. Hopefully it will help keep any “extra” weight off too . My photography business has been such a fun hobby to have, keeping me just busy enough to fill up any extra time after kids go to bed. I have also continued to help local track teams during the season although I gave up the head position at MV when we had Callie. I love my life here in this little town, there truly isn’t a better place to raise a family.
Loren belongs here. It wouldn’t feel right to put him any place but on a tractor or combine. Every man should love his job the way he does. Although we don’t get to see him but a few minutes a day about 6 months of the year, his schedule is quite flexible the rest of the time and it is wonderful that he gets to work with his Dad. Loren occasionally gets to pick up a book, or plays on a city league basketball team, but farm work is a lifestyle, and everything you do pretty much revolves around it! We will be heading on a cruise to Acapulco, Mexico for a week around the first of December, I’m antsy for some real time to be with him again!
We hope that this update finds you well. I look forward every year to the spirit that accompanies the holiday season. May our homes ever be centered around Christ, the giver of all that is good on this earth. God bless you and your families in 2011!

My Greatest Fear

2010-09-25T20:42:00.001-07:00

I have never cried so much... the past two days I've been making up a Will and writing my kids letters in the event that Loren and I are both killed in an accident of some kind. I'm sorry if this is so doomsdayish, but I don't want to be the one who thought it could never happen to me. The fact that Loren and I will be leaving on a cruise in a month without our kids for eight days... really has me freaked out, can you tell?

My heart has just been aching at the prospect. I don't want my kids to not remember me, to forget me, to not remember how dearly I love them. My greatest fear is not getting to raise these little souls and get to see all their firsts. These little ones are EVERYTHING to me and I want to be a part of every moment of their lives.

I hope Heavenly Fathers plan for me is the same one I want for myself. What a privilege and a blessing to get to be a Mommy to these incredible little people. I truly have got to cherish every little moment I get to be with them and am so grateful for the blessing it is to be their Mommy.

Oh Parker...

2010-05-05T07:42:00.000-07:00

My worst fears have been realized. Parker is going to be just as bad or worse than Tayler was at this age. Here is the day we had yesterday.

-First he pulled down a box of baking soda out of the cupboard and dumped in on the floor.
- He got into a little planter thing we have in one of our bathrooms… totally destroyed it and spread that green plant stuff all over the house.
-Spilt a whole bag of sunflower seeds on the kitchen floor
-Spilt a whole bag of jelly beans on the floor.
-Tayler got out the corn syrup and put some in her hair as she had seen me put a bow in Callies hair with it and put it on the table… Parker climbed on the kitchen table and dumped it down the front of himself.
-I put him in the tub for the second time. He let all the water out and promptly went diarrhea in the tub.
-He tried to “feed” Callie Salad from our outside fridge while I ran to put shoes on Tayler before preschool sign ups.
-Went and “visited” the fourth grade for a few minutes while I was desperately trying to find him in the kindergarten room.
-Sprayed himself with cleaner while I was cleaning the bathroom.

Needless to say, I have tied up all the cupboards until I can get locks for them.

Losing My Mind...

2010-05-03T18:26:00.001-07:00

Tonight I drove to Taco Time in McCammon to get some food for dinner, on my way I accidentally passed Taco Time, and got onto the FREEWAY out of habit. The next ramp was 15 miles away. The worst part... I was on the freeway for a few minutes before I had even REALIZED what I had done.

Then tonight while kneeling with Tayler for family prayer. I told her to close her arms and fold her eyes....

I think I'll need to be put in a psychiatric ward if I have any more kids!!

I’ve Been TODDLED

2010-04-05T12:50:00.000-07:00

Alright ya'll. Here is the first part of a book I've started to attempt in writing. Please be kind :). It's supposed to be a funny outlook on parenthood and I thought I would give you all the first glimpse. Enjoy and let me hear your thoughts at the end!!

I’ve Been TODDLED

Foreword:
She was breathtaking. A little angel sent down in the form of a newborn babe. Anxiously I peered over to the little life form screaming at the other end of the room. I let out a sigh and smiled at my husband. The hard part was over.

As I took her into my arms, I looked into those eyes for the first time and got a slight feeling of uneasiness… she was literally looking at me like she was smarter than me. You know that look? The one with a slightly raised eyebrow and pursed lips? That was it. It was like she was saying, “Just wait until my body catches up with this brain.” I brushed it off, she’s just a baby, my beautiful baby.

She was a dream. She smiled, giggled, grew immense amounts of fat in the correct areas forcing old ladies to pinch her little cheeks and comment on how adorable she was. I was a proud Momma, quick to show off my baby girl to any who were willing to offer their admiration.

We squealed with delight at her first smile, first giggle, first round of contagious laughter. I beamed with pride at all the firsts; rolling over, crawling, words. She was the picture of perfection. The “ideal” child in my eyes. The April that she took her first few steps, I could not hold back the frenzy of emotion I felt for that child. She had made it. My baby was grown up, and I had to step back and look at her. With a lingering tear I smiled at the prospect of a new journey we would be starting. I was ready for it, with my valuables out of reach; I jumped head first into the world of a toddler.

Little did I know that within days, I would want to build an extra room onto our home. This room would have four walls that were completely padded and soundproof. The lock would be on the outside and there would be one small window that would be bullet proof. That’s it. It seemed like the only logical safe place to put the unhinged child.

For all you mothers whose children sit quietly through church, go right to bed, and eat their fruits and vegetables… I give you my deepest condolences. Despite my daughters uncanny ability to get into every single thing she is not supposed to, I get to laugh, cry, smile, yell and ultimately FEEL motherhood. I have found I am not alone. Every single time I sit in a room with other Mothers, these secret stories come out. The stories you laugh about until you cry because you know EXACTLY what they are talking about. Here are few lessons we Moms have picked up along the way.

Chapter One

BRIBERY… The one and ONLY way to train a child.

CARRIE!!! GET UP HERE NOW!!! I turned off the T.V. and ran upstairs to answers my husband’s call. I was a bit perturbed knowing that Tayler was sound asleep and was sure that he had awakened her. I ran upstairs to the abhorrent smell of fecal matter plaguing the hallway into Taylers room. I slowly turned the corner to see a sight that would burn it's way into my memory forever. Apparently Tayler hadn’t been sleeping. Apparently she had turned the light on, and taken off her poopy diaper. Apparently she had found it to be as entertaining as sidewalk chalk and crayons. Why you may ask? Her room was covered in it. Pretty smiley face pictures drawn on her newly painted purple dresser. Stripes on her bedspread, door, and walls. There were dots spotting the carpet, and even worse she had painted herself with it.

As I scrubbed poop art off the wall and heard Loren filling up the tub to bathe Tayler I didn’t realize this would be the beginning to an era I would happily skip with any future child. With this experience, began the era entitled, “potty training.”

A few days later, with a final wipe of one especially disgusting diaper, and days of applying safety pins to my daughters onesies to avoid the afore mentioned incident, I decided it was time. For months my daughter had been showing signs of readiness for potty training. Uneasy at the formidable task that lay ahead of me, I went to the local Wal-Mart, purchased a package of Elmo underwear, and a large bag of Skittles. Everyone said, “Go all or nothing.” With the best of intentions I threw on those “big girl underwear,” smiled at the prospect of not changing another diaper, and went merrily on my way.

Five pairs of underwear, and two hours later, I slapped the diaper back on and claimed that she was definitely NOT ready.

We waited a few weeks, and went about the task again. I went and bought another package of underwear realizing that eight pair was just not going to cut it and I was not about to do two loads of laundry every day.

Day One: “Tayler, do you need to go potty?” The answer was a vigorous “NO” head shake. Within TWO minutes, she came waddling towards me in the distinct style of a 20 month old who had just wet herself. Softly I calm myself, “Don’t get mad, the book says you’ll revert their progress.” Three hours later… we were out of pants. “No problem” I think, ”I’ll just let her run around in her underwear.” A little while later, I ran into another problem. Puddles. Apparently the pants caught whatever urine there was trickling down her leg. It was too bad I realized this after stepping into my first “warm” urine foot bath.

Day Two: Still out of pants. Every half hour I ask Tayler if she needs to go potty, the answer is always the same. Skittle or not she refused to hop on the porcelain throne. I think to myself, “This cannot be right.” So instead of asking, I place Tayler on the potty every half hour. I’m desperate, 14 pairs of Elmo panties were stinking up my laundry room and I refused to give in this time. I give her a skittle just to SIT there for two minutes. Pretty soon I hear Tayler yell, “I go Potty!!” A smile spreads across my face as I sprint to the bathroom to be of assistance. “Ah Ha! Finally success!” I run to the bathroom where I see Tayler sitting on the potty with her panties still pulled up and an outstretched hand pointing to the bag of skittles. She had gone potty alright, right through her last pair of underwear while sitting on the potty. At that point I thought, “Who actually needs underwear?”

I’m sure my neighbors must’ve thought I was the crazy mother whose child always ran around half naked. I tried for the most part to keep her indoors for modesty reasons, but somehow she always beat me to the door and yelled “COME IN!!!” when the door bell would ring. However, it seemed to be working and she had even gone #2 in the potty a number of times which she learned quickly produced bigger prizes. Suckers. Four or five times a day I would hear Tayler yelling from the potty “MOMMY, POO POO!!” usually to find nothing in the potty. I was fine with this, after all… it had been a several days since I had picked up one of those disgusting logs off the carpet.

It was bliss, my first child happily potty trained by 21 months. It wasn’t near as hard as I had thought it would be. Maybe I’m just a better mother? My friends and their nightmarish stories of potty training drifted into the back of my mind while I patted myself on the back.

Then it happened, like they all said it would. Reversion. One morning I walked into my kitchen to find DIARRHEA on my COUNTERTOP. You have to understand… I was nearing the end of my second pregnancy at this time and could barely brush my teeth without the urge to vomit. Having to clean up the liquid fecal soup off of my kitchen counter, had to top the list of the most disgusting things I have ever done in my life. I felt like calling up the Discovery channel and applying my house for the TV show “Dirty Jobs.” I think to myself, “Maybe she hadn’t made it to the potty in time?” I ran to find Tayler, (who still wasn’t wearing panties most of the time), with green liquid running down her legs and another warm puddle of excrement awaiting me on the carpet.

Little Luxuries

2010-04-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

So here are few things I have loved about living in our new home:
-Cozy Fireplaces
-The color of the granite in our bathroom.
-My large COLD Storage!!
-The wall paintings in the play room, they are adorable!
-The master shower has four heads in it, I LOVE the one on the ceiling!
-The light switch right next to the bed that I can turn the lights off after reading at night and not have to get out of bed :).
-Dual ovens and my stove!

Thanks to Monte and Shauna for thinking of these ideas when renovating their home :) We really love it here!

Happy Easter Mommy

2010-03-15T21:34:00.000-07:00

Lorens Project

2010-02-27T08:03:00.000-08:00

I now think there is little Loren can't do. As much as he says his Dad can pretty much build anything, I'm pretty sure he got the same exact genes. Loren took on my Grandmothers 1886 Mathushek Piano this past year. The paint job was really dull after all these years, some of the ivory keys missing and chipped. There was a missing pedal, several internal things were in desperate need of help and this was the finished result. He stripped the paint, sanded it all down and added three coats of paint, replaced the keys, fixed the broken pedal, a few things on the inside, and put on a new logo. Every spare second he's had the past month or so, he's been finishing it! It turned out fabulous and I'm so grateful to have a wonderful piano to play on! The tuner came the other day and said that the piano in its day would be the equivalent of a 80-90 thousand dollar piano, it was played by a professional entertainer at one time so it must have been a good one! He also said Loren did a better job putting on the keys than most of the guys that do this for a profession!! For someone who doesn't even play the piano, I was super impressed with how it turned out... Thanks babe!!

Yost Photography

2010-02-18T16:24:00.001-08:00

Check out my new blog!!

yostphoto.blogspot.com

Breaking Point

2010-01-31T19:43:00.000-08:00

Has anyone seen that cartoon back in the day, where Goofy was the nicest guy in the whole town, the "wouldn't step on a bug" type person, but as soon as he got behind the wheel he turned into this crazy dude with total road rage?

Well... apparently I have the same problem except it happens when I step onto a basketball court. We played against a team last week in City League and I got super angry at this girl ref who handed me three fouls in the first five minutes and totally ruined the game for me. But don't worry, I threw the ball at her a little harder than I should have, and told her she was the worst ref I had EVER had. Why she didn't give me a technical I will never know... Oh wait, I already had five fouls.

It really takes A LOT to rile me up it seems, but bad reffing def. does it to me. So what is the one thing that irks you? Or am I the only one who really needs to tone it down a bit?

(For my Mother... yes I did repent and told her I was sorry after the game.)

Dead Blog

2010-01-24T21:15:00.000-08:00

Okay, here is my dilemma. Since I am HORRIBLE about commenting on most peoples blogs that I read, I don't expect it on mine. However, I don't even know if people check it anymore, and if it's even worth updating. So IF you do read my blog on a consistent basis, will you do me one favor and just write your name down on the comment part? Since I haven't been updating on a consistent basis, I'm pretty sure a lot of the people who USED to read my blog have gone on to better things :). If there are still quite a few people, I'll keep it up. If there are a lonely few, I'll probably giver her up and just keep journaling. Thanks ya'll!

Photo bug

2010-01-22T09:24:00.001-08:00

Classic.

2009-12-20T17:20:00.000-08:00

Apparently Parker doesn't like fat men wearing red suits and fake facial hair.

10 Recruits!

2009-12-09T12:19:00.001-08:00

So I needed a little motivation to start running and do a half marathon this year. All I needed to do was ask apparently! We've got 10 women lined up to do it with me! So heres a challenge to you... join us wherever you are and get a running/walking buddy! Lets get into the best shape of our lives in 2010! We'll be running the Pocatello half marathon in August, come and join us in the fun!

2009-11-13T19:23:00.000-08:00

So I have a nutty sister-in-law that actually LIKES to be pregnant. While I LOVE the outcome of being pregnant, 9 months of fathood def. does not rank in the things I "like."

In lieu of Thanksgiving, this is what I have been reveling in the past week and why I am grateful not to be prego anymore...

1. I can see my toes standing up.

2. I can shave my legs without thinking the risk is not worth the outcome.

3. I can be in the same room as people and not want to vomit because I can smell their breath.

4. I don't have to unbutton my pants every time I sit down.

5. I don't have to urinate upwards of 12 times in a 24 hour period.

6. I don't have heartburn and have to chew down disgusting tums several times a week.

7. I can lay on my back and my stomach!

8. I don't have crazy dreams that freak me out.

9. I can eat a full meal and not be hungry again for hours.

10. I can wear my own clothes again! (Got pretty tired of Lorens t-shirts and my sweats combo.)

11. My pelvic bone and hips don't hurt anymore.

12. I can play SPORTS again!

13. My energy levels are consistent and not constantly up and down.

14. I am DONE with the horrendous pain that is labor.

And Yet...

I would do it over and over and over again because these babes sent to me are the best thing that have ever happened to me. I get to be a Mommy. Me. The self-centered jock has finally realized what it is to love and serve and give of myself completely. All the things I've had to give up to be a Mom don't make a drop in the bucket for all that I've received getting to be a Mommy. I am more blessed that I ever thought possible.

Callie Anne

2009-11-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

Callie Anne Yost

Born October 28th 2009

21 1/2 inches long

8 lbs 8 oz.

Absolutely a Dream Child!

How is it possible to love someone so much, so quickly??

Thankful...

2009-10-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

I'm super healthy,

My kids are incredible,

My husband takes amazing care of me and the kis,

I have truth in my life,

I live in the greatest place on earth.

I am whining because I am a week overdo. Shame on me. For weeks I've prayed to Heavenly Father for patience, to be a better Mom, to be a better wife, to be grateful for the things I have. The Lord gives me an opportunity to practice that, and of course I fail miserably. So you will not hear me complain again. I will be grateful the baby is healthy and happy staying in my cozy tummy. I will be grateful for a few extra good nights of sleep. I will be grateful the Lord has allowed me to be a mother. Even if I have to wait a few extra days to meet this little soul, it's time to be "Thankful."

This song brings to tears to my eyes every time I hear it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2M0GQOgYGg&feature=related

One Word

2009-10-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

FRUSTRATED.

I'm just sittin, waitin, wishin...

2009-10-19T14:56:00.001-07:00

2 days and counting till my due date... Until last night, I've been content with being pregnant. It hardly feels like I'm 40 weeks along, and I have felt super good the majority of the time! The last two pregnancies I have been jumping out of my skin to have the baby by 37 weeks. However, after continuous Braxton Hicks last night, and my hopes being dashed when they stopped... I think we are ready for him/her to show up! Today I figured since I'd have to pack the kiddos bags once I go into Labor, I probably ought to get a bag ready for myself today... hopefully it will get used sooner than later!

Until last night, I didn't realize how scared I am to do this totally natural either. I always thought I was tough... that I could handle a lot of pain. Until I had kids. This go around, due to having to pay for the entire pregnancy, birth and hospital... I've decided to forgo the epidural and have told my midwife, "No matter how much I beg... do NOT give it to me!" She agreed and I may regret that. My last labor only lasted 8 hours and I got my epidural the last three... I can last three more hours right?

Tayler has been yelling at my belly least twice a day saying "COME OUT BABY! I WANT TO MEET YOU!" Maybe the baby is scared? She is also going to be very disappointed if we bring home another boy. If I tell her "It could be a boy!" She promptly replies... "Okay, bring home a girl too." Literally... "Oh boy."

Updated Status:

2009-10-07T19:34:00.000-07:00

Okay, so maybe I was having a bit of a emotional breakdown on Sunday night.

After realizing how stupid I was being by waiting for all these things to just get done themselves, I hopped into action and completed the following in the past 2 days.

1. Bought a new boy and girl going home NB outfit.

2. Diapers

3. Bassinet set up

4. Procured some little girl baby clothes, have yet to get into the storage to find what we used for Tayler and Parker, hopefully tomorrow I can convince Loren to head over with me.

5. Cleaned and washed the car seat.

6. Washed all the little girl clothes.

7. Put a rocking chair in our room.

8. Giving Tayler and Parker extra "loves" each day.

We still don't have a name settled on for either Gender. I wish we never would have started talking about them in the first place! Once we decided on a name, about a week later... one of us decides against it! :) I'm sure we will gett'er done when it is needed.

Thanks for all the supportive comments, after two REALLY good night of sleep, I am much more confident that things will work out. Love you all!! Hopefully the next post will have new baby pics!! TTFN!

BABY #3

2009-10-04T20:56:00.000-07:00

October 2005- Bought my first outfit for a baby girl coming the next June.

October 2009- FREAKING out that I have yet to even buy diapers for a baby I do not know the gender of coming in 2-3 weeks.

Until now, I didn't realize just how convenient it was to know the GENDER of the baby. If I have the baby at the same time I had Parker, it will arrive next Sunday. SUNDAY! I have yet to find the 0-3 months clothes for Boys and Girls, because my husband has stacked them under everything we own in storage. I'm not going to lie, there may be a bit of silent thinking that if I don't prepare, it won't happen so soon. My Parker is still my baby right now. As much as I know I will love the new babe, I hate that Parker is now taking back seat. He had so little time being the baby. The fact that I will have two children with whom I cannot communicate with, have to clean dirty diapers and constantly carry in my arms is kind of scaring me to death. Not to mention all of the horror stories people are so willing to talk about when they find out the age gap. I feel like I will really need to rely on the Lord the next few months. I am not one who comes by patience easily.

We will make it.

I will live.

Now where the heck is my nesting INSTINCT!!

Summer Update...

2009-08-19T09:25:00.000-07:00

So with all my thoughts that Loren wouldn't be able to get away at all this summer, we managed a few hours here and there for some fun!

24th of July!

Small Family Reunion with some of the Terry Cousins

Tates and Gracie

Country Fair!

We went to Lava probably on one of the coldest days yet this summer, we had fun though in the small pool and Tayler figured out that life jackets work instead of clinging to me 24-7!

A night at Hooper Springs in Soda. This is an all natural carbonated spring...

A night at the county fair with Grandma and Grandpa Bitton... we stayed a half hour. We went the night it poured of course :).

Just a cute pic of the Park Man!

Journal Entry 8/10/19

2009-08-09T23:36:00.000-07:00

I am tired of arguing with people who are uneducated.
I am tired of people who sit on the fence.
I am tired of people who don't care enough.
I am tired of people voting for someone they know little about.
I am tired of apathy.
I am tired of being accused of being an "extremist" because of something I believe in.
I am tired of not being able to voice my opinion because of the fear of what people will think.

I DO NOT CARE if you are right winged, left winged, liberal, or conservative. I care that you CARE. The average American sits in front of the T.V. for 4-5 hours a day. Passively we sit by and watch soap operas, reality t.v. and sports while Congress writes and passes bills that affect us in countless ways. Enough with laziness. Enough with passiveness. Enough with carelessness. It is time voice your belief. Voice your opinion. There is too much relying on our ineffectiveness. Start learning about the issues that will affect you. Start standing up for what you believe. Get involved in this great nation that is America. We have it because we DO have a voice. The right of free speech is one of the greatest gifts we have but we cannot sit here hoping everyone else will say the things we need to say. Please. As I see my children sleeping right now, I feel immense pressure to help continue on with a nation that was founded on principles that I firmly believe in. I cannot resign myself to indifference. Too many are already doing that.

I live in tiny town almost in the middle of nowhere. No one would care whether or not I said anything. I am not rich, I am not poor. I'm a mom who cares deeply about this country and the kind of place I'm going to leave for my kids someday. However, I don't want to leave this life without fighting for the team I am on. I refuse to be the fence sitter. With every new issue, I educate myself and the pick the team to fight for. Please pick your team and fight for it. It's time the good, honest, and hardworking people of this land educate themselves and fight for what they believe is right. For too long issues have been handled by men and women who do not share my beliefs. I'm taking a stand, please take yours.

Carrie Yost
The "average" American.

National Healthcare

2009-07-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

So I am really freaked out about this National Healthcare bill. I've done my homework on the pros and cons, and the cons really scare me. I admit something needs to be done about making healthcare affordable, but this is not the answer. Here are my worries that I've rounded up:

There isn't a single government agency or division that runs efficiently; do we really want an organization that developed the U.S. Tax Code handling something as complex as health care?
"Free" health care isn't really free since we must pay for it with taxes; expenses for health care would have to be paid for with higher taxes or spending cuts in other areas such as defense, education, etc.
Profit motives, competition, and individual ingenuity have always led to greater cost control and effectiveness.
Government-controlled health care would lead to a decrease in patient flexibility.
Patients aren't likely to curb their drug costs and doctor visits if health care is free; thus, total costs will be several times what they are now.
Just because Americans are uninsured doesn't mean they can't receive health care; nonprofits and government-run hospitals provide services to those who don't have insurance, and it is illegal to refuse emergency medical service because of a lack of insurance.
Government-mandated procedures will likely reduce doctor flexibility and lead to poor patient care.
Healthy people who take care of themselves will have to pay for the burden of those who smoke, are obese, etc.
A long, painful transition will have to take place involving lost insurance industry jobs, business closures, and new patient record creation.
Loss of private practice options and possible reduced pay may dissuade many would-be doctors from pursuing the profession.
Malpractice lawsuit costs, which are already sky-high, could further explode since universal care may expose the government to legal liability, and the possibility to sue someone with deep pockets usually invites more lawsuits.
Government is more likely to pass additional restrictions or increase taxes on smoking, fast food, etc., leading to a further loss of personal freedoms.
Patient confidentiality is likely to be compromised since centralized health information will likely be maintained by the government.
Health care equipment, drugs, and services may end up being rationed by the government. In other words, politics, lifestyle of patients, and philosophical differences of those in power, could determine who gets what.
Like social security, any government benefit eventually is taken as a "right" by the public, meaning that it's politically near impossible to remove or curtail it later on when costs get out of control.

Oh man...

2009-07-16T09:37:00.001-07:00

I am poor again... ahhh!

Decisions Decisions

2009-07-12T20:25:00.000-07:00

Right now on my Ebay account I am watching a Nikon D80 SLR digital Camera. Cost $800. Loren lets me keep a big chunk of money from coaching track to just have some money I can spend for me with no limitations. I cannot decide if I want to spend it all on this!! I know if I don't, I'll end up spending it on dinky little things I don't need or want, and for a long time I have been looking at this camera with hopes of one day being able to get it. It's the best camera you can buy under 1000$ and I've had an interest in photography for a while... BUT... Can I reconcile 800 big ones!!?? What would you do????

There's no place like home...

2009-06-03T20:55:00.001-07:00

10 months ago you would have found me pouting that I had to move back to Idaho. It must have been amnesia. I must have forgotton how much I love this place. Tonight after a crazy evening, I was reminded once again why I love Idaho and the people who live here.

After attending my nieces dance recital I unlocked the car doors, threw my keys in the front seat and buckled Parker in. I shut his door and heard the dreaded sound of my car locking all the doors. I still don't know why it did this, no one hit the lock button, but gratefully I had my cell phone in my pocket and called the local police department to come and unlock my car. They called a locksmith for me and within about 20 minutes both an officer and a locksmith were there to attend to me. After unlocking my car, the locksmith said "no charge, we like to give a little community service when we can." I was astouned. Even during hard times like these... people are still giving.

Last week I was walking to the Post Office, Tayler was riding on the front of the stroller and didn't tell me she was getting off. When she attempted to get off, she tripped, and I promptly ran over both of her legs (she wasn't hurt, just scared). We happened to do in front of an older man who was mowing his lawn... he promptly stopped his machine, and came over and took Taylers hand saying "I bet a ride down my slide might help you smile!" His magic worked, Tayler was a happy camper after a few rides down the slide. I smiled and waved a thank you as we continued on our way to the post office.

When we arrived, Tayler insisted on opening the door she quickly found out it was too heavy and shut her fingers in the door. :( The post master came running out, gave her a hug and and told her she would get a her a cold rag for her fingers. She not only came out with a wet paper towel, but a crisp new dollar bill for her to take across the street and to buy herself a treat for "being so brave."

I could have cried on the way home. This was "home." This is the place I want my kiddos to grow up. Among people who love and care for eachother.

A few weeks ago during Sunday School, they were talking about when the millenium was to come, and how we would all be in Zion living the law of consecration. I thought to myself, "There is no way we as saints are ready for that." After these past few weeks, maybe we are a lot closer than I thought.

Pictures

2009-05-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

Tayler drawing on the counter while I do dishes (almost every day!)

The "after" of Parkers mowhawk removal

The Before...

This kiddo LOVES wheels already! Just like his daddy!

Typical, will only eat the chocolate on top!

Sleepy Guy

Licorice!

A little perspective

2009-05-11T17:08:00.000-07:00

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWt8hTayupE

What bothers me most, is I don't think it can change. I don't think the government could get us living within our means even if they tried.

No Triplets here :) Just a third child:)

2009-05-04T13:28:00.000-07:00

Yes okay... I guess it's time to let the cat out of the bag. I guess on your third your just not "bursting" at the seams to tell everyone :). Number three is on it's way and we are about 15 weeks along! Which means Parker and the new one will be, drum roll please... a whopping 15 months apart! Yeah, I know... what are we thinking... early retirement for one :). Ha ha, we are excited for the new little bambino and honestly we couldn't have asked for a better second child to handle a new baby. Parker is the easiest going, sweetest little boy you could find. Anyway, we won't know what this one is for another 25 weeks :) We have decided to go surprise on this one. Anyway, the only brother of mine that knows is Jeffrey, so don't tell any of my brothers... (they could care less about blogs:) I'm going to see how long it takes for them to figure out that I'm not just getting fat.

2009-04-27T21:51:00.001-07:00

Swedish Fish

2009-03-26T20:02:00.001-07:00

Lesson Learned Today:

Eating over a hudred swedish fish in one sitting still makes me sick.

2009-03-24T12:11:00.000-07:00

I have decided, my blog sucks most of the time, mostly because I don't blog all that often, not for the lack of want, but for lack of material... let's just face it... my life is anything but glamourous. Instead, if I don't have something worthwhile to post, I'll post something that makes me laugh, makes me think, makes me smile, or makes me better...

Today I agree with Albert Einstein ...

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."

Whenever I feel like all I ever do is clean up messes, cook meals, and clean more messes... I guess I'll be grateful for it. The life I'm living is being lived for others happiness.

2009-02-27T12:57:00.000-08:00

I guess it's about time! We have been crazy busy around here and it doesn't look like it is going to let up anytime soon! We are officially moved and are so grateful for the extra space! The Tolmans have to be some of the most Christian people I've ever met, there is no way I would let someone live in my house, use my stuff, and let little kids live there! They really live the law of consecration I guess. Anyway, here are a few picture to update you on the goings on of the last month or so...

Tayler and her beaters, this kid loves cookie dough!

Tayler likes Parker to look like a girl apparently.

Loren not too enthused I am taking this picture, but here is the Bow Flex we bought from Jeff and Kayci, we love it guys!

We had to get our blood drawn for life insurance and Loren asked if he could lie down. It was hysterical, last time he passed out, apparently he doesn't like needles :).

I put Parker in a laundry basket with toys sometimes while I'm in the kitchen, Tayler soon felt left out so she ran down stairs and got her basket out of her room and sat next to him!

It's Oatmeal and he loves it!

I bought a new package of socks and came down to this, Tayler had opened it up and put every pair on her feet!

Cute as a button!

First pic of me and Loren alone in a long time! This was on our fantastic Valentines day date, we had a blast and Loren planned every bit of it!

Love this picture...

Taylers first experience with bubble bath, I don't like it because she has to take a shower after she's done bathing!

Kind of a last get together before Terry Annie left on her mission, we went and saw Mall Cop here. Dumbest movie ever.

Tayler LOVED her gnocchi, she literally asked for four servings!! We made it with alfredo and spinich and it turned out delish! Nikolina and Lans, thanks for introducing us!

First ride of the season, we're ready for Spring!

2009-02-13T09:23:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Babe... You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I need help...

2009-02-12T10:09:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I love to change my background as you all can tell... however, every time I put a new one in the background, I lose my blog lists and everything I have added to my page. How do I avoid this!! It is driving me crazy as I don't remember all the blogs I've added to my list so I lose contact with people because of it. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

56/100 - 44 2 go!

2009-01-25T09:26:00.000-08:00

Kind of a fun deal, copy and paste it to your own blog and bold the things you have done in your life! Thanks for the idea Liz!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given to charities
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted-okay, 2 charicatures drawn :)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check- just once when I was 16!
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle -
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible -most of it.
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Been involved in a law suit
97. Owned a cell phone
98. Been stung by a bee
99. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
100. Learned to play an instrument

2009-01-20T09:39:00.000-08:00

The past 6 months I've felt this way... like people have fallen in love with a eloquent speaker. A man who really has very little experience in the world of politics, who claims to fix not only every Americans problems, but the worlds as well. All I have to say is "We shall see." And in the end I have a feeling I'll be saying "I told you so."

2008 year end review

2009-01-19T07:12:00.000-08:00

And yet I still adore her...

A Childs Prayer

2009-01-12T08:15:00.000-08:00

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for Mama, Parker and Daddy

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,
You make me happy when skies are great,
(I know it's gray... but she doesn't)
You'll never know dear, how much I love you,
Please don't take my sunshine away...

Amen

(I guess it's appropriate right?)

TAYLER DO IT!

2009-01-03T19:25:00.000-08:00

I thought Cute little Parkster needed a picture on this post too, the rest are of Tayler:).

Cindy Lou Who?

So lately Tayler won't let me dress her... so I decided to have a little fun with it a few times and instead of setting something out for her to wear, I tell her to go get dressed just to see what she comes up with. Here were a few of her concoctions.

My personal favorite :)

Little Snitch...

2008-12-10T09:35:00.000-08:00

So much for the surprise factor of Christmas. Last night after Tayler went to bed I wrapped the kids gifts up and put them under the Christmas Tree. I asked Loren if I should put them in the closet or leave them under the tree. He replied that was half the fun is seeing them under the tree. This morning Tayler woke up and I put on a cartoon for her while I fed Parker a bottle in my room. A few minutes later I heard some electronic device I hadn't heard before and I went out and almost all of the gifts were unwrapped and she was playing with the Little Einsteins laptop computer I got her! Two of Parkers toys had been taken OUT of their packages. I was so mad! We gave him his Santa gift early so he could get the most use out of it (a jumper with a bunch of toys around it) so he won't have much to open on Christmas day! Oh well... Tayler on the other hand has been asking for the laptop all day, at least I know she likes it! At least she didn't tear into the little doll house from Santa! We learned our lesson for the future... presents come out Christmas Morning!

My Thanksgiving Week...

2008-11-30T12:19:00.000-08:00

I spent the last week being served my every whim! Every meal was brought to me without my asking, there was an open drink bar and room service. I slept more than I've slept since Tayler was born and I could take a lot of drugs that are normally illegal without a doctors permission. My bed went up and down and comformed to my body with every movement I made and Loren was so accommodating with all my wants and needs and even took care of the kids at night while I was gone!

The only problem was I was sicker than a dog to enjoy any of these perks:). I got out of the hospital today after spending 4 days in the ICU and 1 day on the hospital floor. Tuesday night I kept spiking fevers of 104 and had a sore throat. I knew I had strep so I went to Physicians Immediate care the next morning with Loren and the kids. When I finally got to see the doctor, she said that she wasn't going to even test me for strep, but that I needed to get over to see a Ear, Nose and Throat doctor right away. We drove over there, (my fever returned and I was shaking uncontrollably the whole time! This nice old lady offered her husband to put his arm around me:) Anyway I got in there, the Doctor put a camera up my nose and down my throat and after he had looked in my nose and throat looked at me and said, you need to get to the hospital RIGHT now. Do you have a ride that can get you there or should I call an ambulence. I just smiled at him, and told him "funny." He told me I had a condition along with either Strep or Staff called "Epiglottitis" which could swell up my airway within moments and leave me dead in Five minutes... not even enough time for an ambulence to get to me. He told me to walk straight up to the ICU to get checked in.

Anyway, I won't share the fun disgusting details. (Pus, mucous, vomit probably wouldn't make for interesting reading). My throat still looks like raw hamburger but it doesn't hurt near as much. I am on three antibiotics still and am still nauseous and have no appetite. I am SO happy to be back home though with my little baby and Tato...(and Loren of course!). Parker is now formula fed completely. Makes me sad.... but nothing I could do to keep my milk while being so sick. I'm just so grateful we had him on a bottle or two a day for the past 2 months (since HE was in the hospital) so he took easily to all bottle feedings while my Mom and Sister (bless their souls) watched the kids during the day.

I think it was a blessing though... too often I'm not grateful for my health. I AM SO THANKFUL for this modern day where I can LIVE instead of die for these illnesses. So I can be with my family. I'm grateful for sickness so we can realize how feeling well is so wonderful. I'm thanksful for DOCTORS who spend what seems like endless years of their lives studying and researching things to help people. I'll pay what they cost. They deserve it. (Unless I don't have insurance... then I'd file bankruptsy:)

Thanks to all whose prayers have been felt. I'm on the mend thanks to all of you...

Called to Serve...

2008-11-21T08:01:00.000-08:00

My little sister Terry Annie was called to the Los Angeles, California Spanish speaking mission! SCARY! With all this Prop 8 stuff still boiling over, it's probably one of the hardest places to be a missionary right now! Good Luck Terry Annie! I miss you already!

Update

2008-11-17T20:50:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted an update for over a month because it has been all craziness in our niche of the woods. We are finally "in" our apartment even though we have been in McCammon for 3 weeks. My parents went to Egypt, so we stayed at my their house so I could cook and be around when Richard got home from school. It's nice to feel settled again though. Here is just a quick synopsis of what is going on in our lives...

-Tayler is ready to chew gum... how do I know you ask? I gave her a prune earlier today and an hour and a half later... it was STILL in her mouth.
- Parker has decided snacks are better than full meals. I don't mind during the day... but waking up every hour at night is getting old.
- I now know why Loren wanted to farm for so long. A brand new KLR 650 is sitting in his Dads shop waiting for him. He's as happy as a kid in a candy store.
- My little bro starred in his high school musical "12 dancing princesses" I went three times it was so funny... he did an incredible job if you can't tell from the clip I'm posting!
- Moving from a good size house, to a tiny apartment is not something I want to do again until I have no kids at home... we are all on top of eachother it feels like!
- We've decided on a house plan! Probably won't be finished at least for a year.
- We will be moving to Bancroft early this next year, a house came available to rent so we will do that until our house is finished. What a blessing, we didn't know what we would do if Loren had to drive back and forth while moving pipe!
-My little sis gets her mission call in the next 2 days or so!
-I am STOKED to go see the new twilight movie with my girls in Utah this weekend!
-Tayler took a crayon and colored "hair" on Parkers head today. Yes it actually showed up so she must have been pressing quite hard which would explain Parker screaming for help.
- I am axiously awaiting the BYU vs. Utah game (probably the only game I care about all year long, just because I was raised that this is the battle of Good vs. Evil:). I guess whoever wins will have a chance for a BCS bowl and the Mountain West title.
- I am quickly learning how much I depended having Wal-mart in my backyard. I took that for granted!
-I was called as the Primary pianist! I love it already!
-I have two more ADORABLE nieces to love! Ivy Robenia was born last Wednesday and Claire Ruth on Thursday!

That is the briefest way to give the update, here are some of the latest photos to go along with it!

I couldn't get the video to post, check out my bro on youtube by clicking this link! This is one of the more "serious" parts of the play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90nh93cwiVY

Why I vote Democrat...

2008-11-07T22:36:00.000-08:00

(just another something to get Landon going:)

I'm voting Democrat because English has no place
being the official language in America.

I'm voting Democrat because I'd rather pay $4
for a gallon of gas than allow drilling for oil off the coasts of America.

I'm voting Democrat because I think the government
will do a better job of spending my money than I could.

I'm voting Democrat because when we pull out of
Afghanistan and Iraq, I know the Islamic terrorists will stop trying
to kill us because they'll think we're a good and decent
country.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe people who can't tell us if it will rain in two or three days, can now tell us the polar ice caps will disappear in ten years if I don't start
riding a bicycle, build a windmill or inflate my tires to proper levels.

I'm voting Democrat because it's alright to
kill millions of babies as long as we keep violent, convicted murderers on
death row alive.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe businesses in America should not be allowed to make profits. Businesses should just
break even and give the rest to the government so politicians and
bureaucrats can redistribute the money the way they think it
should be redistributed.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe guns, and
not the people misusing them, are the cause of crimes and killings.

I'm voting Democrat because when someone with a weapon threatens my family or me, I know the government can respond faster
through a call to 911 than I can with a gun in my hand.

I'm voting Democrat because oil companies' 5%
profit on a gallon of gas are obscene, but government taxes of 18% on the
same gallon of gas are just fine.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe three or
four elitist liberals should rewrite the Constitution every few months to
suit some fringe element that could never get their agenda past voters.

I'm voting Democrat because now I can now marry
whatever I want, so I've decided to marry my horse.

2008-11-01T15:51:00.000-07:00

Halloween Pictures!

We had a ball hanging out with my brothers and their wives for halloween! Tayler just ecstatic that everyone she saw was giving her candy! I think she ate about 15 suckers last night alone and I'm pretty sure half were not hers, but ones she stole from her cousins bags! We went to a ward trunk or treat first and then off to trick or treat a street or two around Mark and Elizabeths house. We had some yummy soup and then the kids hit the sack while the adults stayed up and watched Iron Man. Tayler always makes things fun for me... she fell of a porch last night, her bucket landing in the bushes as she rolled down into some trees. Loren was up there with her and thought she had lost all of her candy in the process of falling. I was down on the street and saw Loren down on his hands and knees looking for something. When he finally quit looking... he came over and said "Tayler lost all of her candy at that guys house!" It was the first house we had gone to for trick or treating, I then told him that I had emptied her bucket out of all her trunk or treat candy in the car! He had been looking for 5 minutes on some guys porch trying to salvage some of the candy so Tayler wouldn't be sad, he didn't realize he was looking for nothing! It was so funny!

Happy Election!

2008-10-31T12:37:00.000-07:00

Oh so true .... ;)

Picture Update

2008-10-09T09:12:00.000-07:00

AHHHH!!! NO MORE POOP CLEAN UP!!! I CAN'T HANDLE IT!!! I found Tayler like this last night after I was finished nursing. She got time out for 45 minutes. I felt I had to make a statement if I didn't want this kind of mess every three days. She seemed really repentant when I finally came and got her. Hopefully she realizes that feces is not something you are supposed to play with!!! SICK!!!

The New "DO"

HAPPY BOY!!! I LOVE THIS KIDDO!! Such a sweet and happy baby!

Some of the first new Smiles we've been getting from Parker boy, I love em!

Future Farmers of America!

2008-10-07T13:03:00.000-07:00

It seems like I was just writing about coming here to the little town of Santaquin... all the fears of not making friends, having crazy neighbors, not liking the city etc... Now I am crying at the prospect of leaving in two weeks. I have truly loved it here and am grateful for the wonderful people we have come to know in our short time here.

We will be living in McCammon until we sell our house and build our new one. We went and looked at the spot we are planning to build in the next year this last Sunday, it is beautiful! It is surrounded by huge fields of grain and hay, the front door looks out to a beautiful set of mountains right at our doorstep and the closest neighbor is close to a mile away. I guess in the back of my mind this is what I have always wanted, a place with some peace and quiet, some land, and a place where I feel secure to raise my kiddos. I really feel like this is right for us now. Bancroft, ID would not have been at the top of my list to live when I first got married, but as I realize how wicked the world is getting, I want to have some solace, to get away from a lot of it... I feel like we'll get that there.

Parker is 100% better!!! 2 weeks ago I took him in for a checkup (one week after he had arrived home from the hospital) and he had LOST another pound since he got home! :( I was so freaked out. I had lost a lot of my milk while at the hospital since Parker wasn't eating. The doctor put me on a drug called Reglan to help bring it back, and by Thursday I was a nut case. The drug had made me really wierd. I was seriously depressed, didn't want to get off the couch, didn't want to be a Mom any more, my muscles felt really weak, I was shaking and it was just like I didn't feel comfortable in my skin!! I hated the feeling! I really have more sympathy for those who have depression, it's not something you can shake off... I felt terrible. Thursday night I finally realized that these were probably side effects from the drug. I quit taking it, and was fine the next day. My milk is still not enough to keep Parker completely happy, so I have been supplementing about 4-6 ounces a day when he is still acting hungry. I am SO grateful that formula exists, so I don't have to watch him go hungry.

2 more weeks and we are outta here... We've rented a truck and will be moving the 22nd. I am excited at the prospect of living closer to family. Loren is stoked that he is going back to the farm. It makes me happy to see him so excited about his job. He's always been a farm boy at heart even dressed up in suit and tie with his latest job.

One Long Week...

2008-09-21T16:07:00.000-07:00

This is my journal entry for the past week we spent in the hospital with Parker...

September 21, 2008
I've only known Parker for 8 weeks, but he really is the center of my little world right now. Not even a century ago, we would have been laying him in a grave about now. I have never been more grateful for modern medicine and wonderful doctors who work so hard for the knowledge they have. Because of them, I still have my little boy.

Parker got sick last Sunday the 14th of September. Tayler and I had both had bouts of the flu the week previous and were just getting over our symptoms. Sunday afternoon he started throwing up forcefully every time I fed him. I thought the first few times that I wasn't burping him correctly. It continued on through the night and he soaked several blankets and jammies before I finally decided it was time to see the doctor the next day at 1:30. Dr. Knochel decided that he wasn't dehydrated yet and that we could probably see if would blow over in the next 24 hours or so. I took him home and the vomiting just got worse, he hadn't kept anything down for over 24 hours so that night I took him to the clinic that Dr. Knochel works with (they keep one doctor there until 8 p.m.). Dr. Bennet said that Parker was well on his way to dehydration, and although he wasn't yet, if he kept vomiting through the night, he would be in trouble. He had me drive to the Payson hospital to get Parker on an I.V. for the night.

They got the I.V. in his little arm on the first try (thank goodness, the nurse said that often they poke them 5 or 6 times trying to get it into their tiny veins.) They had him getting 2 ounces every hour that night. The doctor said that vomiting rarely goes longer than 48 hours and that he would probably stop the next day and be okay to head home. On Tuesday the vomiting did not stop although Parker kept wanting to eat, he would throw everything up forcefully within ten minutes of eating.

That night, he kept bending his arm too much and pulled the I.V. out slightly so they had to put another one in his left arm. The nurses kept saying they weren't sure if it was all the way in his vein, so they kept checking it every two hours to make sure the fluid wasn't going into his tissues. Around 10:30 p.m. the nurse came in to check the I.V. and it was fine. At 11:00 when I finally decided to go to bed I decided to check under his blanket and glance at his arm. It was 3X the size of his other arm and was swollen all the way up to his shoulder. I quickly called the nurse in, who took the I.V. out and ran to call the doctor (she didn't know what to do beside elevate it and put on a warm compress). Dr. Knochel came in at 11:30 at night even though he was not on call and could have easily passed it off to the doctor who was. He had to give Parker four more shots into the skin to help the tissues absorb the excess fluid. I was almost bawling, he looked so sick , and it had been the 7th or 8th time in 3 days they had poked him. I told the nurse to forget about putting him back on the I.V. for the night as he would be okay for at least that long with all the fluids they had put in him. I couldn't stand the idea of them poking him again!

The next morning Parker was still vomiting... the doctor said there was no way he was going to go back home and then they called up the nursery nurses to put an I.V. into his hand (they thought it was going to have to be put into his head because they couldn't find a good vein that hadn't already had an I.V. in it. Those nurses were so good! They had pricked enough babies I guess to get good at it and had that thing in, in no time. Parker continued to vomit throughout Thursday and Friday keeping down maybe 3-4 tablespoons of milk a day. On Thursday morning he got diarrhea along with the vomiting. They had me weigh each diaper to see how much liquid he was losing. Apparently he was losing in diarrhea in 4 hours what a normal baby loses in 24. The gave Parker a bolus of saline and then upped the I.V. to twice the amount he was getting before plus every four hours they would put in another bolus of liquid for what he was losing through the diarrhea. They added several minerals, sugar and electrolytes to his I.V. to help him too. That night the doctor was worried about him, that his heart might stop. He had Parker put on a heart and breathing monitor in case that happened. I just wanted to rip all the cords attached to him off... I knew when he didn't need them, he would be okay... I just wanted that moment to be right then.

Parker vomited almost everything that was in his stomach for almost 5 days and then the diarrhea on top of that. The doctor said he wouldn't have lasted more than 2 days the way he was going without the I.V. in him. He went through at least 25 pairs of jammies (Loren had to go home and wash two loads of laundry) and probably 15 blankets from all the vomiting and diarrhea.

On Friday morning my Mom who was flying in from Fresno after spending the week with Aaron and Alicia (who just had a baby), called and offered to come and be with us for the weekend. Because Loren had been taking care of Tayler all week and was only able to drop in for brief visits, I felt alone dealing with my sick little boy and was so grateful to have her come. When she walked in after an especially bad night for Parker (he hadn't eaten anything for almost 12 hours) she looked at him and started crying. His eyes were dark and sunken into his face, his fontanel was depressed and he looked yellow. I guess I just had become accustomed to seeing him more that way. By the end of Friday though, they had given him so much liquid that he looked a lot better and things started to turn for the better. Saturday he vomited for the last time at around 12:30. He still isn't eating well, but is doing much better than he was at the beginning of the week. He actually wants to eat, but will only eat for a minute or two because his tummy is so shrunken.

One of the most heart wrenching things to see was his little throat was burned from the hydrochloric acid in his stomach. He would try to cry and it would come out very hoarse and I could barely hear him. I could tell he was in so much pain and after every time he vomited he would start coughing for about an hour. They started giving him tylenol on Friday (they wouldn't before because they were afraid it would mask a fever) and that helped him feel more comfortable, Pepsid AC for the vomiting to get rid of the acid in his stomach, and also a good bacteria that grows in your intestines to help his diarrhea slow down. By Saturday he looked and felt a lot better. They started weaning him off the I.V. on Saturday night and the doctor released us to go home this morning.

I was telling my Mom tonight I felt Loren was a better homemaker than I was... I walked into the house and it was spick and span, he'd done all the laundry, cleaned the bathrooms, vacuumed, done all of the dishes, made lunch for my Mom and sister and was a great Daddy to Tayler this week. What a wonderful guy I married, to always see a need and step in to take care of it.

I have never prayed so often, and have never before felt the prayers of so many people. I am so grateful for my wonderful husband who is always willing and worthy to bless my kids in a time of need. Thank you for the calls, the emails, and the thoughts and prayers directed in our behalf. We are so darn grateful to be home with Parker on the mend!!!

Tayler, Tayler, Tayler

2008-09-09T11:33:00.000-07:00

I decided last night to write down all of the things that Tayler has done in the last 24 hours so that every mom that has a two year old, will give him/her a big wet kiss and tell them "thank you" for not being Tayler Mae Yost. This is what has transpired...

Tayler pulled the plug out of the baby bath that was sitting on our counter top while I was getting a diaper and clothes on Parker in his room. (We had just finished bathing him.) I heard water dripping and ran in to find about 3 gallons of water on my countertop and floor and a wet toddler splashing happily in it.

Last night I heard Tayler up about an hour after we had put her to bed. Loren went up to check on her and 10 seconds later I hear Loren yell, "Carrie can you come here, there is Poop all over Taylers bed room!" She had been PLAYING with her poop. It was smeared on her bed, her cinderella lamp, her dresser, her night stand, the floor and ALL over her. I have never been so disgusted in my life. Loren bathed Tayler, and I cleaned and lysoled the entire room.

This morning Tayler took the sugar bowl and dumped it all over the floor.

Yesterday she found a bag of Lorens pharmaceutical pens and took apart about 6 of them piece by piece.

She climbed on top of our computer hutch and got a marker out of the supposedly "out of reach" marker box and promptly colored parts of the desk and Parkers bouncer a pretty green color.

She climbed onto the counter and opened my "child proof" vitamin bottle and started chewing on one, thankfully she spit it out because she didn't like the taste too much.

She took a chair and climbed ON TOP of the stove and turned on the oven.

She put a bobby pin in an outlet (she got a firm swat for that, I was so freaked out she was going to electrocute herself).

She bit off the tops of three of her color wonder markers.

She played in toilet water once and then a few hours later got the the sponge I use to wash Parker with and dipped it in the potty and rung it out on the floor until all but maybe a cup of water was left in the potty and the rest was on the bathroom rug and floor.

She took a cookie off the pan and crumbled it all over the living room floor and the coffee table.

I can' t childproof the bathrooms because she now goes potty in them. I used to just lock the door so she couldn't get in! It seems like if she was in a room with nothing in it, she would find a way to get into trouble. Everyday she gets into something that she wasn't previously able to reach or get into. I'm at my wits end it seems, all of these things happen during a whopping 10 minutes that she alone during the entire day.

Loren keeps saying over and over, "She gets this from you Carrie." I know there is no way I could ever been this inquisitive. The problem is, she doesn't think she is doing anything bad! You can only put a child in time out so much for something they don't know is wrong and most of the time she doesn't remember that playing in the potty is yucky... it's just a big bowl of water to splash around in! EVERY time I leave her alone for a minute to feed parker, change his diaper, or leave her in a room watching cartoons or something, I come back to a disaster. Terrible Twos have taken on a totally different meaning than I ever thought. I'm sick of cleaning messes!

On the positive side... Tayler has been SO much sweeter to Parker lately, instead of hitting him and running away, she wants to give him kisses and hugs and hold him. She also says some of the cutest things like "good dinner honey!" when we are eating a meal or she offers to change Parkers diapers all the time!

She also is now completely potty trained during the day. We haven't had an accident in a couple of days! She is so excited to go potty all the time. Two days ago, she went to the potty by herself and forgot to put on the potty seat... you can guess what happened.... She FELL in. She was screaming "MOMMY HELP ME!!" I was dying from laughter! We have since taught her how to go pee pee without a potty chair so she wouldn't fall in again!

We also got rid of binky this last week! It hasn't been NEAR as bad as the last few times we tried! We just clipped the ends of two binkies and she doesn't like them anymore. The first couple days she went around sulking holding onto them. She kept saying, "Binky broken mommy, fix it!" She asks for Parkers bink sometimes but for the most part, she has done really well. We always know when she has stolen Parkers bink because she'll run and put her face into the couch or a bed to try and hide it from us!

I guess we just have a "curious George" on our hands, and she definitely adds some spice to my days!

2008-09-04T09:06:00.001-07:00

Tayler and her tongue kissing!
Finally Friends! Tayler would constantly hit parker the first couple weeks, but now she is so good to him and wants to give him loves, kisses and cuddle with him all the time.

I found her like this in my bathroom, and she had pooped her pants. I was not a happy camper.

My little Man! Growing up way to fast for my liking!

Parkers Blessing Day

Both sets of Parents for Parkers blessing

The proud Parents!

2008-09-03T15:05:00.000-07:00

Blogging is the epitome of everything else in my life right now... I do well for a little while and then I lose interest and forget about it. That's pretty much how I feel about cleaning my house, potty training tayler, taking away a binky, getting in shape etc... I really just need to get some motivation!

Parker is already five and a half weeks old! I can't believe how quickly time flies. He is getting cuter by the minute and chubbier too! He is such a good natured little man and just lets me know when he's hungry or too tired to calm down himself. He is so easy! He sleeps well at night, for three or four hours straight until he gets hungry again. He is such a strong little guy already! He has turned from his tummy to his back several times because he HATES being on his stomach! Tayler did the same thing about this age.

I don't know if I had more patience before Parker was born but it seems like Tayler is constantly into things she's not supposed to. In the last 24 hours she pushed Parker over on the counter top while he was in his bouncer resulting in a small goose egg on his head, she placed a new roll of toilet paper in the potty, pulled half of it from the toilet soaking wet and came and "washed" the kitchen table. She has stolen Parkers binkies numerous time, took a large bite of a green tomatoe from my garden, pulled out a bean plant, pooped on the floor (after taking her undies off!), drawn "owies" all over her feet with a red marker and put mascara all over her face. Most of things are done while I am nursing Parker as she knows she has 10 minutes to get away with what she can. So far Tayler's potty training has not faired well. She just peed on the floor again... I have been asking Tayler to go get another pair of underwear for the past half hour while I have been on the computer, so far she's come down with flash cards, reindeer ears, her tea set, some socks and two dolls... she just now brought down my "bop it" game. Wonder how many more trips she'll make upstairs before it actually merits getting potty pants!

We've had a fun few weeks, been up to Idaho several times, the last being for Parkers baby blessing. It was fun to have most of the family there and a few friends were able to join us. Loren gave Parker a beautiful blessing. I'm amazed at how eloquent Loren can be. Funny how he can make that switch from being a farm boy from Bancroft. Must get it from his mother... she too can amaze me with how she writes! We dropped by Logan on the way up to Idaho to look at the floor plan of the home we are planning to build. Our friend Logan Schenk built the same home there that we are planning to, so he let us walk through his house to see what we want. I really like the floor plan and we excited to get goin on it!

So it's official, it's off to Bancroft ID come early spring of 2009. We are in the process of selling the house and it looks like we have ourselves a buyer (cross your fingers, the market in Utah is HORRIBLE right now and most people are having a terrible time trying to sell right now). We've got a couple that are going to be coming for the THIRD time to look at the house again tonight. I don't know what else they want to look at, but I wish they would hurry! We need to sell the house before we can get financing to build our house in Bancroft. If it sold right now, we might be able to move into our house by the time he quits with Eli Lilly in the spring. Otherwise it will be a total of 3 moves within a few months... not my idea of fun.

A FEW HOURS LATER.... Tayler finally went pee pee in the potty BY HERSELF!!! We told her once she did it, she could have her new Elmo potty pants and a sucker (that she picked out in Wal-Mart this morning). I was so excited for her! She has been so close to potty training, but I have been lazy about it, so it had been at least a month since she had gone in the toilet! Yay for her!

2008-08-03T17:38:00.000-07:00

Baby Parker Has Arrived!!

What a wonderful week it has been! Parker Christian arrived at 8:02 a.m. on Sunday July 27th! He is so small compared to Tayler that I am actually getting the infant experience this time! He was 6 lbs. 14 oz. and 20 inches long. He is a beautiful little guy and we are thrilled to have him in our home. It is amazing how your heart just opens that much wider for these little ones to come into our home. I can't imagine life without him and already feel like he's been mine forever. n

Things have been SO much easier this time around. I can't even believe the difference between my first experience with labor and motherhood and this last week with Parker. He is a DREAM child! He has been so great about sleeping at night, waking every three hours for his meal and then heading off to dream land again. He never cries it seems... the only time he gets a little fussy is if I take too long changing his diaper... he likes to be clothed and warm apparently :). I feel completely normal already physically aside of weak muscles that haven't been worked out in several months, but other than that... I feel awesome. I couldn't sit normal for four weeks after I had Tayler, was constantly tired, and it took my body months to feel as good as I already do right now. It's been amazing and I am SO darn grateful!

Tayler is handling having baby Parker here fairly well. When Grandma Bitton was here we had some issues with her showing off and not obeying Mommy, but the last two days she has pretty much turned back into her happy self again. She is always wanting to help change diapers, bring jammies, or other tasks associated with "baby." She rarely calls him Parker yet just because Parker is associated with Mommy's tummy! She is such a fun little lady and is already becoming a great older sister.

Thanks for all the calls, the cute clothing and the love that we have felt from everyone!

2008-07-10T08:17:00.000-07:00

So Much Change...

After much fasting and prayers, we are off to Bancroft ID for our next adventure. Loren has felt really strongly about wanting to be able to take over his Dads farm ever since before we got married, however because of a few things, it just hasn't worked out. Things just seemed to have fallen into place though since a few weeks ago Loren decided he'd had enough of the sales world. We won't be moving for another 6 months as we have to work for Lilly for a full year or we'll have to pay back some hefty fines. I hate the prospect of leaving this place... I just love it here. I'm sure we'll adjust well to wherever we live, but I'll always have a place in my heart for little Santaquin and the wonderful people here.

I went to the Doctor for my 36 week appt. and am already 1 cm. dialated and 50% effaced! That took almost eight hours of contractions at the hospital on pitocen to get me that far! I'm hoping it won't be such a long ordeal this go around! We know for sure that we'll have the babe at least by August 5th. Loren leaves that next week for a training in AZ so the doctors say if he hasn't shown up by then they'll induce me on the 5th.

I was lying with Tayler a few nights ago thinking about how much less time I'm going to have with her once little Parker comes. It made me sad to think about it. For the past two years she's had me all to herself and I have loved every minute spent with her. What a happy little soul she is, so pleasant and fun to be around. I hope jealousy will wear off shortly as I know she'll have a difficult time adjusting to someone taking mommies time. I'm sure she will and will love being an older sister (and another "mother"). Our nursery leaders say Tayler is very motherly to other kids... when they cry she'll walk up to them and say "don't cry... it's ok." while patting their heads! Such a funny little gal!

I haven't posted pictures for a while so here are a few as of late... hope you enjoy!

2008-06-30T16:33:00.001-07:00

I'm pretty sure people quit checking my blog because I have been terrible at updating! There has been so much going on though that I had better before I feel to overwhelmed with information!

I am now 35 weeks and counting! Can't believe it! I think having a yard and garden to keep up with, and a 2 year old daughter that doesn't stop has really helped keeping me in better shape. I remember with Tayler I was feeling huge and really tired all the time at this point, so far I have felt great. I know this baby is going to be smaller than Tayler, but hey that's alright by me... as long as I heal faster! As excited as I am to have Parker, there is a sense of foreboding going on too. I can remember all too well the sleepless nights, the fear that the baby would die while I was asleep, and constant worry that I was doing things right. Hopefully it will go a little easier this time around.

Tayler went in for her 24 month visit today. She now has all of her teeth popped through and is measuring 37 and a half inches! (That is the average height of a 3 year old). It's so fun to see the changes she has made in the past few months. My favorite is when she busts out a song. She now know all the words to "I am a Child of God, Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and The Clean Up Song." She know a lot of other songs too, just needs a little help sometimes. If she starts singing and I join in, I quickly hear about it... she starts yelling "No, no, no!!! MY turn!" She's already a little Diva it seems.

Loren went to New Orleans for a training this past month, he's not feeling so sure that Pharmaceutical sales is what he wants to do for the rest of his life. As great as I think it is, and am loving the benefits from it... he's not super happy in this kind of job atmosphere. We'll see what happens though... we kind of have to stick with it 6 or so more months, and then we'll see how he feels about it. I get sad at the prospect of leaving this place, a lot more so than even Logan. The people here in Santaquin have been wonderful and we already feel we've been here for years with all the friendships we've been able to make. This is the first place that has really felt like "home" to me since we've been married.

We had a wonderful trip to California two weeks ago. It was the 2nd Bitton Reunion and it was just so much fun to see all the family. We also got to see Mike and Lyle (Loren's uncles) and Landon and Lina (Lorens brother and his wife.) It was great to get to spend time with everyone. We camped out at Big Sur, which is right on the coast. I was worried about being uncomfortable and hating the nights and the driving days, but I really felt great the whole time. The heat was overwhelming though and I spent a lot of time at the nearby river cooling off!

All our birthdays were this month! We were all spoiled more than we deserved of course. Loren got us some warm sleeping bags that we didn't end up getting in time for the reunion (not that we ended up needing them!) and the I suprised him with a Ping Pong table on my birthday! Funny how the tube doesn't go on as much at night these days! Loren and I are pretty evenly matched and have fun duking it out. We also had a little birthday party for Tayler at a local pool with a few friends. Well we showed up at the pool at 4:30... and they closed it at 5 because a kid pooped in the pool. Oh well... I was tired anyway and we quickly ate some cake and got our money back. :)

2008-05-22T15:19:00.000-07:00

I can't believe in 2 days I'll be 30 weeks along!!! Second pregnancies sure go fast when you don't have time to think about them as much! I have been asked by several people on facebook and such to show a picture of me prego... well folks, here ya go. I'l probably double in size in the next 10 weeks because that's what I did last time! I'll be glad to have the little guy pop out a little more however because everything just feels stuffed inside right now. I am measuring 4 centimeters smaller that I should, but I think I measured small with Tayler too... and she came out 8 lbs 9 ounces!

My little heater inside of me has turned on though... back to Loren needing 4 blankets and me with my sheet. The fan is blowing in my face at night and the window all the way open these days. (I can't turn the AC up like I did with my first pregnancy because I would freeze Tayler out). Should be another hot summer!

I thought I would throw out a plug for a sight called smilebox... For all of us slackers out there who love the end result of scrapbooking but not all the time, effort and money that goes into it, this is the place for you. For 5 dollars a month you can print out all of the pages you make online (even if you only want to do it for a month) and make a book of your own!!! It is like a quarter of the work and cost and the pages look great printed on Photo paper. I'm already halfway done with Taylers first year and I just started on it yesterday!! Even if you don't want to do that, you can do slideshows and blog backgrounds for free on the website. Check it out when you get a second!

We also got Tayler Mae an early birthday present. A little CD player for her room. I was going crazy the past few weeks as Tayler would NOT go to sleep at her bed time and would stay up and play quietly in her room until 11 p.m. at night most of the time!! A lot of time I would catch her under the blanket we hung up in her room (to keep it dark) looking at books until the sun went down! The other night I ran to walmart and grabbed this boom box, and ta da! She will fall asleep very quickly with it playing the primary songs!! Wish I would have figured it out earlier... most of the time I would go in there and sing to her for 30 minutes till I just got tired of it and left with her yelling "more song" as I was exiting the room.

2008-05-19T10:05:00.000-07:00

Budding Beans

I went out this morning after weeks of being positive that I had no green thumb, and there were my beans sprouting up! I was so excited about it that I had to post a picture. Even if they are the only plants that come up, I will deem my first garden a success! :)

2008-05-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

Tayler's Cuddle Buddies

Within the past month, Tayler decided she would not sleep without her Bear... then came the puppy, then Elmo, and now two nights ago she added her "yabbit" to the crew sleeping in her bed. Every night I try to get away with just putting one by her side, but to no avail. Whichever ones she's missing she yells at the top of her lungs until I bring them to her.

The other problem we encountered yesterday is that Tayler figured out that if she reached up as high as she can on her tippy toes, she can now reach the light switch. I was getting so frustrated by 9:45 (I had put her down at 8) that finally I went in and sang to her for 25 minutes until she finally fell asleep. If there is any light in the room, it means it is time to be up and playing. She doesn't cry at being in her room by herself, so she will just look at her books for hours before I even knew she was still awake! I think we are going to have to cut some nap time so she is actually sleepy when she goes to bed!

2008-05-05T10:02:00.000-07:00

We went to Vegas this last weekend for a weekend with some of our friends... lesson we learned? Vegas is a lot more fun to be in if you don't have kids with you. Just not tailored to families I guess. However we did have some fun, ate some good food and thoroughly enjoyed the weather! We finally got a new camera as our old one died on us... Here are a few pics from the places that allowed kids!

2008-04-26T07:15:00.000-07:00

My friend gave me a fun idea of writing 100 things about myself… Thought it might be fun to let people know what makes me tick. If you get bored, go ahead and stop reading for a few minutes and then come back:).

My middle name is Mae, along with my grandma, my mom, and now my daughter.
I am tall, but don’t actually feel that tall till someone points it out.
I feel like I am a terrible listener most of the time… I try too hard to fix problems instead of just listening.
I want 6-8 kids eventually.
I would like to be a foster parent someday if it worked out.
I crave good books and learning, but rarely make time for it anymore.
I would LOVE to be able to sew, but don’t want to take the time to learn. (sad I know)
My 7 brothers and sisters are my best friends, along with each of the spouses.
Aside of my own little family, I would rather spend time with my mom more than anyone else in the world.
I am a very hard worker when it comes to things I feel are important. I can’t stand the slackers on my team and today told one to leave and go home.
I’m really good at one-liners that make people laugh, however I have a tendency not to think about what I am going to say first so it is sometimes inappropriate…oops.
I hate watching sports most of the time… I want to be involved in them.
I have had long hair my entire life until the past 3 months.
The one place in my house that is always a mess is my closet, I don’t know why, probably because my new closet is 2x smaller than my last one AND I have to share it with Loren now.
I hate to cook, clean, and do normal wifely duties, but do them so I have a happy hubby and that usually makes it worth it.
The household job I hate the worst is cleaning blinds.
I am planting my first garden this year!
I love pastries but could live without candy.
I really think I would be ok as a vegetarian.
I was Utah State Athletics NCAA Leadership representative in 2004 and went to a week long conference in Florida.
I tend to be a bit proud, usually my family gets most of my brag stories.
I have been reading the Book of Mormon along with the manual… I am TOTALLY shocked the things I never would have gotten out of it without it.
My husband Loren was my very first and last kiss!
The sound I love most in the world is when I get Tayler into big fit of laughter.
I am really inconsistent about writing in my journal, but keep a great quote journal of things that inspire me.
I have become a big time homebody since I married Loren.
I am incredibly grateful that I married Loren, he keeps me grounded and I’m not as high strung these days.
I make a lot of lists, but rarely stick to them.
I am very easy to please.
I love to see my runners hurting at the end of practice… (nauseous and out of breath… it means they worked hard).
I was South East Idaho’s Athelete of the Year my Senior Year.
I made the first state team in Soccer, Track and Basketball my Senior year.
I never won a college heptathlon in all 5 years… there was always one girl better than me, or I couldn’t pull one good one together!
I HATE THE JAVELIN
The calling I dread is being a primary teacher and the Lord knows it… so I am a primary teacher for the third time right now:).
I love to write, but never take time to do it.
I have some of the greatest neighbors right now.
I love marshmallows that have sat out for a few days (like easter peeps!) Weird I know, but I like them really chewy!
I love campfires.
I actually like cutting the grass, but my hubby will never let me do it now because he has a riding lawnmower that he loves to get on.
Favorite color has changed several times, presently it is green.
I thought for years that a remote control was called a “la mokla troll.”
I was about as unpopular and awkward as you can get in middle school.
My highest scoring basketball game was 36 points at the district championship my senior year.
I also scored 36 goals my senior year of soccer.
I love Jack Johnson and Michael Buble more than any other artists.
I won six state championships in high school track.
I would have served a mission had I not married at 19J… I hope to serve several when I am older.
I had to retake 2 classes in college because of the semester I was engaged to Loren:).
I had a 3.7 GPA my last two years of college.
I once thought I was being kidnapped, come to find out it was just one of my neighbors being nice and offering me a ride to school:).
I can on occasion blow things out of proportion.
I tend to exaggerate numbers when I am telling a story that doesn’t really matter if the numbers add up.
I get sick several times every winter.
I hate taking prenatal vitamins.
I make my bed everyday which is a major change from those who knew me growing up.
I love to make goodies for other people and take them around the neighborhood. Loren wishes I would just keep them at the house.
I was horrible at Algebra in high school but got really good at it in college… amazing what a good teacher can do.
I secretly dream that I could be on American Idol, but know it will never happen.
I hate fast food.
My best friend tells me that I was the most self righteous person she ever knew in grade school :)
I was a pathological liar when I was little.
I sometimes expect more out of people than I should. It leads me to a lot of disappointments I think.
I hold my Mother on a pedestal and she hates it.
I am an open book, if you want to know what I think… I will tell you. I get it from my Dad.
I actually like to speak in Sacrament meeting.
I am really anal about small things sometimes, like forcing my husband to keep his church clothes on till bed time:).
I don’t like face cards.
I am terrible at chess and checkers.
I was Cinderella in my sixth grade play.
I love to play the piano, but am not that good.
I was the “Instrumentalist of the Year” as a freshman in the Band (I played the clarinet)… I then quit a year later to join the Mar Vals.
In ten years of track I never once fell over a hurdle… I biffed it over the finish line once though because I didn’t pick my foot up high enough.
I had a benign tumor in my neck in 8^th grade.
I got my tonsils out when I was three.
I don’t have hardly any memories before the age of 5 or 6.
I love a good nap.
I wish I felt comfortable wearing heals… however, they make me taller than every man in the room.
I would probably NEVER get dressed up if it wasn’t for the fact that my husband likes it and for church on Sunday, jeans and a sweatshirt is where I feel the most comfortable.
I sing really loud in my car when I am by myself:).
I LOVE surprises.
I really want to like scrapbooking, but I don’t. I do however like the end result.
I would eat breakfast food for every meal if I could.
I LOVE chocolate covered strawberries.
I drink tons of milk.
I am not a good dancer, but wish I was.
I hate to be cold, I am always in a hot shower or on a heater vent with a blanket over me when I feel the slightest chill.
I have had the same best friend since 1^st grade… she has always been mine, but sometimes I wasn’t hers I guess!
I always drive 5 mph over the speed limit.
I now drive a van and hate it.
I am wasteful sometimes, especially when it comes to food and clothing. I throw away and DI tons of stuff.
My husband sells drugs.
I LOVE BEING A MOM, except when she poops:)!
I never have really loved track, it’s just where the money was.
I’ve always thought I would be a good teacher.
I let my daughter lick an onion yesterday just to see her face:).
I wore my socks inside out up until 10^th grade just because I was too lazy to turn it the right side out. Sad I know.
I get bugged when people misspell words, but I do it all the time.
I love to weight lift and could powerclean and squat more than almost every girl at USU my Junior and Senior year.

100. Wow you’re still here? Thanks for reading!

Alright, Kayci, Angela, and Tanya... your turn!

2008-04-10T08:31:00.000-07:00

I'm really starting to feel pregnant folks... I can't keep my stomach in if I wanted to, and my belly button has already started to pop! Can't believe in 3 and a half months that I am going to have a little boy to love! We are so excited to have this little guy join our fam. When we ask Tayler where the baby is... she always rubs my tummy and then says "Baby Parker!" She knows his name already although who knows if she actually gets it.

2008-03-26T18:49:00.000-07:00

Alright Alright, I must have been tagged several times by now, but usually they are about me. This gives me a chance to talk about my hubby. So here is a little about him.

What is his full name? Loren Gilbert Yost

How long have you been married? 4 Years

Who eats more sweets? Probably me just because he doesn't know where I put them!!!:) If he knows they are there, he definitely eats his fair share.

Who said "I love you" first? He did both before and after his mission... I was a little slower on the draw.

How old is he?The Big 25

Who is taller? He is by four inches.

Who is smarter? I would say we are pretty even in that category, we both have things we excel in more that the other.

Who can sing better?Umm... me for sure:)

Who does the laundry? I do.

Who pays the bills? I do now that he has a big boy job.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do

Who mows the lawn? He won't let me touch anything with a machine associated with it. He actually likes to push snow, and mow the grass if it requires a machine!

Who cooks dinner? I do

Who drives? Always him.... hallelujah! I hate to drive.

Who is more stubborn? Probably me.

Who kiss who first? He kissed me

Who ask who out? He asked me out first, I didn't even know who he was or what he looked like when he called me up the first time!

Who has more siblings? I do. I have 7, he has 3

Who wears the pants? Depend on who wants in worse in each situation:)

2008-03-03T07:37:00.000-08:00

The last few weeks Tayler has discovered the ingenuity of markers. Unlike crayons or pencils, they will draw on everything. I thought I had learned my lesson when I found her with a permanent marker 2 weeks ago in which she had drawn on her socks and her face. The next week she found some permanent markers at my moms house and took a few swipes at her face again. I thought that I had all the markers out of reach until just now. I was reading an email and realized Tayler wasn't around or making any noise which always means trouble. I should have gone right then to find her, but finished my email and at the end I heard her say "Marker!" I ran and found her on the stairs just as the photos look. I guess my one blessing so far is that she really only cares to draw on herself at this point! Oh the joys of parenthood!

2008-02-14T15:11:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines!

It seems like we have had Valentines day all week getting packages in the mail, cards and such! Last night I made Loren a steak and shrimp dinner to celebrate (as he has a ball game tonight). Today when I came into the kitchen there was a box of chocolates and a beautiful bouquet of Roses from an actual florist!! They are gorgeous! I know Loren thinks flowers are a total waste of money, but I loved them and was grateful he had thought of me. Here are a few pics of Tayler getting a Package from Grandma Bitton and she's wearing the sweater Grandma Yost got her. We were sure spoiled and felt very loved on Valentines this year!

For those who might be interested, here is a funny video Tayler loving her balloon!

2008-02-14T15:03:00.000-08:00

BIG GIRL!

Tayler Mae went pee pee in the toilet last night for the first time (after about 3 days of just sitting her on the toilet). I made a huge fuss over it of course and gave her a couple of skittles. This morning when I got up to get her, she kept saying "potty!" The moment I put her up on her seat she said "Candy!!" a bunch of times! It was funny! Hopefully she'll get the hint that candy only comes when she goes!

2008-02-05T09:32:00.000-08:00

COACH YOST

Yesterday I was hired as Payson High Schools newest track coach!!! I will be coaching the jumpers (High, long and triple jumps) and I am so stoked about it. For years my teamates at USU have called me Coach Yost and so now I'm excited to try it out for real!! Wish me luck!

2008-01-31T06:44:00.000-08:00

We're HERE! What a crazy week it has been, but we are finally here and getting settled in. I do wonder how long it will be until this place really feels like "home." Maybe once the 100 boxes are gone?

Yesterday morning I kinda had this gloomy feeling like, what if I don't really get along with anyone here, or what if we moved into a bad neighborhood? Well my fears were alleviated somewhat when we got a knock on the door last night. Loren came downstairs to get me saying, "Carrie, one of Jared's, (my brother) friends is upstairs." I walked upstairs and there was Ryan Shaw and his wife Anna! They live just a few houses down from us and I remember him coming down to McCammon several times when I was younger. Jared still gets together with him every year to attend the BYU vs. UNLV game! It was so funny! Immediately I felt more at ease with this place as they described the ward and how much they loved it, that our neighbors were all good people etc... we even got good references for doctors in the area. :)

Other news... Tayler Mae slept in a big girl bed last night for the first time and didn't even get out once!!! I was so glad she was good about it! What an easy child I've had so far.

I guess I can announce on here now that Loren and I are in our second trimester now. We were a little more cautious telling people about this pregnancy, but things seem to be going great and we are happy to be welcoming another little one into this world. I only have experienced morning sickness at night this go around... maybe indicative of a boy??:):) I am almost completely done vomiting thought and am grateful for that... just once last week!

Sorry, still no pictures... we have yet to unpack batteries, although we do have the camera! Hopefully next post will have tons of pics!

2008-01-22T14:19:00.000-08:00

Time has flown this past month. Didn't seem like it would ever end there for a while and yet, here I sit at my parents house waiting to close on our new home in three days. It's an adorable home, one that was taken immaculate care of and we really just fell in love with it. It has a big back yard (room for a garden, yay!!) and it is fenced in so I can let Tayler play outside. I'll post pictures and more about it when we are settled.

Here are few updates from the past month or so:

December 16th- Loren and I both graduated from college! What a wonderful and sad time it was. Despite the difficulty of my last class (physiology), I do love to learn and will miss the challenge of organized schooling provides. I got my degree in Speech and Language Pathology, and Loren in Business Administration.

December 17th- Embarked on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. Although I am grateful for the time I could spend with Loren, I had a difficult time enjoying this cruise. I was quite ill from the constant rocking of the ship and such. I did enjoy our excursions on land though! We went snorkeling in Cabo, Rented 4-wheelers in Mazatlan and rode all over the city and beaches, and in Puerto Vallarta, rode zip lines over the jungles. We were VERY ready to get back and see our little Taters!

Christmas was wonderful, we got to spend a little time at both homes and were royally spoiled by both parents and each other. It was nice to just relax and unwind from a crazy month.

New Years Eve was spent at my parents house as my little sister Terry Anne surprised everyone and came home from China a few days early. It was fun to see her again!

We went back to Logan for about a week and got our home ready for the movers, spent a weekend with Jeff and Kayci and Mom and Dad, (going snowmobiling, seeing Jeffs new place and also attended the Rexburg Temple open house with Tanya and the kids.) It was fun and then two days later our condo was boxed up by the Mayflower moving company and moved into a semi to await our next home. We lived in a hotel for two nights, Tayler was deathly ill during this time, she had the flu, two ear infections, vomiting, diarrhea, and a high fever for three days. We didn't get much sleep, but I was SO darn grateful for modern medicine. She is much better now and back to terrorizing my parents home.

Loren started his job yesterday and already feels a little overwhelmed. He went to Salt Lake to sign papers with his boss, listened in on two conference calls and then drove home and studied for the rest of the evening. He will take the first of a several tests on thursday... It is over a load of material and I know he feels pressured to really learn it fast and in depth. He seems to be positive about it, but I will be grateful when he is through with this part of his training.

Well, this may be the last for a while. Hope all of you are well and we'll post pictures as soon as possible. Love you all!

2007-12-06T21:11:00.001-08:00

JUST GET ME OUT OF HERE!!! I feel tonight like my head is going to explode from physiological terms! Loren and I are on the verge of exploding just waiting to graduate in EIGHT days! Then it's off to Mexico for a much needed vacation. Loren's boss from this summer is taking us on a 7 night cruise to Cabo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. (I love getting the benefits of Lorens hard work:) However, I'm already having issues thinking about leaving my little darling girl behind, but I guess she's in the best possible hands (Two wonderful and crazy for taking this on, Grandmas.) Here is a photo of Tayler taking in the first snow of the year. She loved it! It was hysterical the other night. I was shoveling our walk after we had received about 6 inches of snow last weekend and had tayler out there in her boots, hat, coat and gloves. I turned around for a minute and Tayler had fallen over in the snow, couldn't get up, and was trying to crawl through a foot of more of snow that I had just shoveled to the side, I couldn't even see her face!! She was just plowing through it with her face in the cold snow! I ran and pulled her up and her whole body was just covered in snow and she was just wiggling wanting me to put her down to play in it again, the whole time she was saying "Brrr..." over and over again with a big old smile on her face. It was so funny!

Last night, I realized just how out of shape I really am. We are in the tournament for my city league basketball team right now and only five girls showed up last night, translation? No subs. I was hurting. On a better note, my Mom surprised me and showed up to the game after telling me she wouldn't be able to come and on top of that we still won so it's off to the championship game with a team we have split wins with. Hope we have more girls next week!

I guess it just hasn't really hit me how much our lives will be changing in the next month. Doesn't even feel like we're moving. We have had several potential buyers come and see our home, one that will be giving us an offer this week. I hope that it all works out according to plan. It just blows my mind that Christmas is around the corner. This year has flown by much too quickly, as I'm sure it will every year that we see our children growing up in front of our eyes. I wish that I would appreciate the time I'm in right now instead of constantly reaching for something in the future. For once I just want to be content and happy with what is currently on my plate!

2007-11-26T22:00:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love this time of year... somehow I revert to childhood and everything seems magical again. I love the cards, the bustle of holiday shoppers, the constant Christmas music, the decorations, the story in Luke, the family time we spend together. I wish I had this feeling all year round, but maybe that is why it is so magical. People for 25 days open their hearts and homes. We are a little kinder, a little gentler, a little warmer. I think our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ must be happy when this time of year comes around, a little less work in the heavens I would assume. It's too bad that sometimes we get caught up in hustle and bustle that is sometimes associated with this season and forget to lie under the Christmas tree and read The Night Before Christmas, to turn on the music when we wash dishes, to take our babies in our arms and tell them the real story of Christmas, to visit the 1st and 2nd grade Christmas plays, to just take the time and fill our hearts with joy... May we all take a little time this Holiday season to really feel the spirit of Christmas and remember that silent of all silent and holy of all holy nights.

2007-11-08T21:52:00.000-08:00

Pretty Pretty Princess...

Here are a few of the latest Tayler pictures. The princess pictures were taken here in Logan at what is called, "The Pumpkin Walk." It's a fun tradition, families, groups, and businesses all sign up to do a themed pumpkin patch... Disney, Charlie Brown, The old west, Sesame Street, etc... just to name a few. They do all of their heads and bodies out of pumpkins! I wish my pictures had turned out, unfortunately it was a little to dark to see them clearly. Guess you will all have to come down and see it in person!

We were in Wal-mart the other day and Tayler always starts smiling and pointing when we walk past the toy and arcade area. I gave in and let her ride on this one, I remember these books so well! It was nostalgic looking at these characters and also remembering how often I begged my mom for a quarter to ride these stationary contraptions. The first child must get spoiled the most because I sure don't remember getting on one all that often. I'm sure once it costs me five bucks by kid number five, I'll be more prone to say no too!

2007-11-01T21:24:00.000-07:00

It's been a long two months, months that I don't wish to repeat. Months that make me realize just how blessed my life has truly been. After losing our baby last month, last week my brother and sister-in-law lost there little boy Glenn David (at 36 weeks) and then on Sunday I lost my wonderful Grandma. I guess it's true that when it rains, it tends to pour.

Tomorrow will be the second funeral I've attended this week, we'll put my Grandma Terry next to my Grandpa and go on living our lives just like before. However, I already can see the difference her absence will bring. There are remnants all over my house from my wonderful grandma. I have a stack of large chocolate bars in in the kitchen, dates in the cupboard, Almond Roca in the freezer, animal crackers in the pantry, a sewing machine and all that is required to use it, a quilt in Tayler's room, two beautiful newly made fleece blankets in the guest bedroom, fleece in the closet intended to make blankets for future babies, fleece hats and gloves for Tayler this year, a one dollar bill in Tayler's piggy bank from Christmas last year, and a bear in the toy box. There will be no more chocolate covered nuts at Christmas, no cookies that I have to pretend to like, no more "tours" of the fleece in her home, no more ten dollars bills wrapped around a treat for gifts, no more chocolate almond ice cream, no more hand made gifts, no more stories of how she met and fell in love with Grandpa, no more watching arthritic hands moving effortlessly on the piano keys, no more testimony born through the small and simple words and deeds.

But even better, there will be no more sleepless nights being angry and heartbroken that grandpa left first, no sleeping alone. I would like to see their reunion some day if possible. I hope that I grow to love Loren as much as my grandma loved my grandpa. He still called her "baby" until the day he didn't recognize her anymore... she still called him "sweetheart." That is why life is worth living, worth dying. Because of people like her, our spirits are allowed to grow. We are loved and have given love and in the end that is all that matters. When I die, I hope that I will go out just like she did, with a crowd of people cheering for me to come home, and a crowd sick to see me go. I love you Grandma, and thank you, really.... you will never know how much you have influenced my life.

2007-10-19T15:19:00.000-07:00

So I may be jumping the gun here a bit, but whats the fun of posting about Halloween after it's over! I dressed Tayler up in her kitty costume and put her next to my newly carved pumpkin. She hated the thing, and after 30 seconds I couldn't get her to sit still, so here are the best pictures I could get! Happy Halloween Everyone!

Change....

2007-10-17T21:04:00.000-07:00

Funny, ever since I was eighteen, I've never felt settled. It may possibly be that we move every summer and have lived in 7 different places since we've been married. I'm hoping with this next move, I'll feel settled. Loren has been interviewing for a job with a company called Elli Lilly. It is a really great job and wonderful opportunity to get into the Pharmaceutical Sales industry (it is very difficult to get these jobs.) Anyways, Loren did an interview two weeks ago and the panel said he knocked it out of the park! He came home excited and positive that he would get the position. He was then called to do a ride along with one of the companies top producers in SLC. He really enjoyed that and then yesterday the manager called and told Loren that he couldn't "officially" offer him the position yet because he has not yet graduated, but told Loren to go ahead and put our home on the market and that he would set up a ride along with the guys he would be working with. He has been really excited about this experience and we know that hi Pest Control sales ability had a lot to do with it. So it's off to "home" number eight in the general area of Provo or Orem probably come January or February.

2007-10-06T22:34:00.000-07:00

Holy Cute.
Is there really a more adorable toddler out there than this? I may be hard pressed to find one. I went all out on an adorable outfit for Taters, here is the end result. I'm pretty sure she hated the boots, but DANG they looked so cute!!!

2007-10-06T22:20:00.000-07:00

Weekend OUT!

So me and three of my sister-in-laws ditched the kids this weekend and went to SLC for a girls retreat!! We had such a blast! Eating at our favorite places, shopping until our pocketbooks (or credit cards!) were maxxed, seeing shows and movies, attending the General Women's Broadcast and just doing generally what our hearts desired! I got my hair streaked for the first time and it was way fun! Here are a few pics of some of my favorite girls and our great weekend! (We missed the other girls SO much! Bad timing mostly for them. One 9 months prego, one in China, the other moving to Fresno that weekend, hopefully next time all the sisters can be together!) I love my dear sisters... they truly are my best friends. (I can't believe my brothers married such babes too!:)

2007-09-11T20:59:00.000-07:00

Never do we realize how much we need others until our souls need comfort. This post is to all who have showed love towards our little family during the past week. I haven't felt like talking about it, so to those of you who have called, and not received answers, that is why.

For those who don't know, we found out last week that we miscarried our baby, I was three months pregnant. Well meaning people tell you that it's normal, that it happens all the time. For some reason, it doesn't make it feel any better when you've dreamt about that infant coming into your home, picked out names, felt nauseated for 8 weeks, and loved them before you've even met.

After everything was over, (including a night in the Emergency Room and surgery) I am grateful for the people that are in my life. For wonderful friends, family members, a strong husband, and a beautiful little girl with endless smiles, for the flowers, cards, phone calls, and prayers. Tonight I offer a thank you to my Heavenly Father for all you that care about us.

2007-07-27T07:45:00.000-07:00

What a crazy day! We went to Six Flags on Tuesday on the spur of the moment as Loren hadn't taken a day off yet this summer. Well, next time we'll know to go with another couple! We had a blast even though we couldn't go on any of the roller coasters. Tayler got to meet several loony tunes and was just giggling when we got close to them. In picture above she got spooked because a roller coaster right above us came by right when we were taking this picture. We also got two darts for 5 dollars and Loren and I both popped one so we won Tayler two little sesame street dolls that she LOVES! After that we set off to find rides they would let us take Tayler on. We went on several little rides, the scooby doo haunted house, tea cups, and a car ride and a few others when we couldn't find anymore, we headed off to the water park. We floated the lazy river for about an hour and that was probably the funnest part of the whole day! Loren kept pushing Tayler and I under waterfalls and he totally drenched us. Right as we were getting out it started to thunder storm and pour! We ended up leaving but not until huddling under the eaves of the changing room for an hour waiting out the sheets of rain! All in all it was a wonderful day. Tayler crashed within a minute of getting in the car and slept the whole hour and a half home.

2007-07-19T18:09:00.001-07:00

"TEAM MEETING"

So life is pretty rough here on Loren... either they stick around the apartment complex in the morning for meeting for 3 hours and play volleyball, or they go to the office and play ping pong. I guess he deserves it for working so hard every night. It really has been a nice summer very laid back mornings and very late nights since the area Loren works at is over an hour away. Today Tayler and I went to support Daddy playing his boss at the pool. She was a good cheerleader, actually she was just like her Mom and wanted to run on the court to play!!!

2007-07-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

SUMMER SWIMMING!

Tayler is a hoot in the pool. Most weeks we go swimming 2 or 3 times, just lately Tayler goes to her drawer, finds her swimsuit and puts the straps around her head like she is putting it on! It is so funny. We have one brave little girl, I'll put her on the side of the pool and she'll walk off the edge with her arms outstretched towards me... such faith. We've dunked her under a few times to teach her how to hold her breath, I think she just swallows a lot of water and coughs though. She never cries though and is always so darn happy all the time! I love this kiddo!

2007-07-06T16:16:00.000-07:00

TEXAS RAIN....

Our post office box is about 200 meters away from our apartment. There was a break in the clouds and we needed to go for a little walk as Tayler gets pretty restless in these cramped up conditions. We started walking and 100 yards in, the rain hit so hard and so fast there was no running back without getting completely soaked. Instead, we played in it. Tayler was loving it and we were both drenched after our mailbox escapade, I love seeing Tayler explore everything outside. I think that she thought she was in an endless shower and was trying to run to get out of it! I wish I had had my camera out in the rain.

2007-07-06T16:01:00.000-07:00

Dirty Donuts!

I left a bag of donuts on the shelf the other day. I walked in the kitchen after hearing Tayler rustling with a bag. The little devil had pulled the bag down and was eating donuts that she had dumped on the floor! The little stinker had powdered sugar everywhere. I thought I had learned my lesson about keeping things close to the edge when 15 minutes later I hear a crash and found tayler covered in whole wheat pancake mix!!! Apparently she is taller than I assumed (or has longer arms!) She had poured half of it on the ground too... live and learn I guess.

2007-06-27T11:39:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAYLER!

Can a year have already passed since this little bucket of joy came into our lives? However, it doesn't seem like their was ever life without her! We threw her a little birthday party at the pool last friday with some of the other babies in the ward and then celebrated with just Loren and I on Sunday with birthday cake and candles. She got the little Elmo car, some princess pj's and some other clothes. Both Grandmas, and Aunt Tanya gave Tayler adorable little dresses. She was really spoiled! Happy birthday dear little Tayler!

2007-06-20T09:09:00.000-07:00

I guess it's about time for us to update! We haven't had the cord to our camera all summer so I've just been lazy about it. For those who don't know we are currently living in Austin, Texas. It's been a fun and different experience for us. I think the biggest shock for me was the absence on tumble weeds and open deserts. Austin is extremely green with really dense forests and beautiful farm lands. It rains a ton down here at least twice a week it seems. I never knew what a flash flood really was until I experienced one down here. It really comes down in literal sheets of rain. On days when it's not raining it is over ninety degrees and really humid.
Tayler is really growing up. She walks now and is really good on her feet, sometimes she thinks she can run though and tends to fall on her face when she gets too excited. She has taken up screaming to get everything she wants (especially in church) and thinks it's really fun to take off her pants and run around in her diaper. She has mama and dada down pat now but tends to only say mama when she's mad or crying for help, she's also said duck an few times when we are looking at her animal books. She doesn't like mom to hold the books anymore and roves through books by herself upside down and backwards pointing to all the different animals and things, while I say the names and sounds of each. Her first birthday is a week from today. I can't believe how fast it's gone.
I'm keeping busy taking care of Tayler, occasionally doing collections for Jared, making head bands and selling them on ebay (they are super cute, I'll have to post a picture of a few of them sometime.( We go and have play dates with a lot of the kids in the ward either at parks or at the pool. There are SO many Moms with kids Tayler's age, it's been great! We go to the library, malls, and other interesting places to figure out Austin and get a change on our plate. I've been doing a TON of reading lately too. If any of you girls are looking for a really fun read there is a series, the first book is called twilight by Stephenie Meyer. I couldn't put this series down. I am really looking forward to her third book coming out in August, and of course the Harry Potter final book. Other that that I think that Loren loves that I am now home at night for one reason mostly... a home cooked meal:) .
Loren is doing AMAZING this year, he has sold anywhere from 20-30 new accounts every week. It is now pretty normal for him to come home with 5-8 sales every night. It's really been a blessing to us. Of course he's already trunky for home and hates the job, but he's still truckin along, ahhh the lives of pest control.
I've decided that wherever we are next spring, I'll be coaching track. It's too soon for me to give it up. I love coaching and will probably be doing it for the rest of my life in some realm be it basketball, soccer or track.
Well, that's our boring update! Don't forget whose birthday it is this Sunday June 24th! Ha ha! Have a wonderful week everyone!

2007-04-14T20:59:00.000-07:00

Hello All!

I guess it is about our turn to give an update! Well I guess the most exciting news of the day is that Tayler took three steps today! She has been balancing on her feet like a pro for about a week and today, tried to walk when we got home from the track meet! The way this kid is going, she's gonna be faster than her old woman by age five!:) Other than that, the little munchkin is saying mamama and dadada pretty regularly, sometimes we think that she can differentiate which one each of us is, but who really knows, she calls the neighbors dog mama too. Other past times of Taylers as of late is splashing in the toilet (now I know the real reason for leaving the toilet seat down), ripping up everything in the garbage, pulling out all of the rags in the bottom drawers, pulling on every electric cord possible, pulling the books out of the bookcase, mooching all the food she can off mom and dad, turning the pages in her books for mommy, rolling balls back and forth, climbing the stairs when mommy isn't looking, swinging at the local play ground, yanking on the toilet paper rolls and seeing how much she can in her mouth and on the floor before mom catches her, and just in general being the happy rambunctious little stinker she is. She has been laughing like crazy this past week and it makes every mess she makes worthwhile. We love this little girl SO much!

On to me, well... I am trying to run track. I had another meet today and some events went better than others. I am struggling in the high jump this year, but it seems like everything else is getting better. My hurdles weren't super fast as I ran a 14.86, but I PR'd in the 200 running a 26.22. I won the high jump by jumping 5'5" and was close on all my attempts at 5'7" but I guess you've got to have a few downer meets in each area to push ya. I've cleared 5'7" a couple of times this year, but have still yet to hit the regional mark, hopefully I can put one good meet together and get it again. Next weekend I will most likely be competing at ISU for any of you that would like to come, I don't know what I am doing yet, but I will let you know as soon as I do. School is going well, Loren and I are both dying to be done, however this has been by FAR the easiest semester of school I have ever had.

Loren is dying to get done with school, but in two and a half weeks when that is done, he'll be dying to be done with pest control. While he is excited to try a new area for work this summer, we are both really sad that we won't get to spend time with Jared and Angela like in years past. For some reason, it always made it a little more bearable having family near. Loren has set his goals high however, his ambitions to own his own company are flying high and he knows it's going to cost a lot. I guess at the beginning of the summer there are a lot more prayers said in our home than the last part, however the end of the summers prayers are sure full of gratitude. What a blessing pest control has been to the Bitton and Yost crews.

Hope all is well with everyone, we sure love and miss you all, especially you Terry Annie.

2007-02-17T20:49:00.000-08:00

Loren and I went up into the foothills today with his Remote Control truck, and Taylers stroller. I think she was nauseated from all the bumps and jerks that we took her through. It was sure fun though. Loren let me take the wheel of his toy and was nervous the whole time. I don't think I hit one jump straight on, the thing went too fast and was too hard to control. We had a nice walk though and the weather was GORGEOUS today. We took a few pics of Taters in her ugly hat:), but somehow, with her in it, it just doesn't seem as ugly! By the way, I just got onto face book. If any of you are on it too, let me know!

2007-02-15T20:51:00.000-08:00

Little Licorice Face! Tayler went balistic with a piece of licorice I gave her. I don't think any went into her tummy, just on the outside of it! I should have realized what a mess it would make, but hey we had a good time! Sorry I didn't end up posting that video, it wouldn't upload for some reason. If you want to see it, type in "mobile munchkin" on google video. Hope everyone had a wonderful valentines. I sure did!

2007-02-05T17:28:00.000-08:00

CRAWLING KIDDO! Tayler finally decided that backwards wasn't the way that she wanted to go. She started going forward about a week ago and that was the end of easy Tayler time for us. No more leaving her on the bed, a lot more vaccuming, and a lot more bonks on the head for the kid as she doesn't realize what a corner is yet! Here is a little video of her crawling tonight. So Fun! (Thanks for all the fun ideas for our blog linz!:)

2007-01-19T19:47:00.000-08:00

2007-01-17T22:02:00.001-08:00

Our Dear little Dopey! I giggled so much when her hat pushed her ears like this! Isn't it hysterical?

Holy Moly what an eventful last month it has been. Christmas was wonderful, we got to enjoy both families and we both actually suprised eachother (for the first time ever) with the gifts we gave eachother. Loren got his dream car.... a toy remote control truck that goes over 35 mph, spins cookies and all sorts of neat tricks. It cost a pretty penny, but the look on his face and the fact that this is probably the first gift I have given him that he is stoke about made it all worth while. You know he likes it if he takes it out in sub zero weather at midnight. He has gone up into the mountains a few times but mostly around here. I am pretty sure our neighbors think he stole it from one of the neighbor kids:). I found him playing with his childhood farm toys a few weeks back. I thought it was so funny to go down and see my grown up husband acting like a little boy. It was cute. I do like that about him, most people lose that. Imagine me still playing with barbies? :)

Our darling little girl is becoming more mobile by the day. She scoots backwards and goes in circles but doesn't have the whole forward motion thing down. She gets up on all fours regularly and it is only a matter of time I guess. I have looked away at times and the I hear her calling, I have found her under the bed a few times, under her swing and in a fewother funny predicaments all calling for me to save her:). She has also sprouted two teeth! With those teeth she thinks that she is ready for everything mommy and daddy eat too! She cannot stand anything that has a spoon associated with it, so we have resorted to cooked carrots, noodles, breads, bananas, cereal and just about anything else we think she may try. She LOVES to chew.

Life is really tough on me this semester:) I have one on campus class, and it is basketball. The other two classes I am taking are both online. Track is a slow and steady process. I have been changing a lot of things this year in hopes that it will help me get better. We'll see how it goes. I'll keep you posted on how it all goes... if I don't post, well know that it probably isn't going so well:). Take care!

2006-12-12T21:49:00.000-08:00

So being sick really stinks... especially when your hubby isn't around to help out with the child, or to take care of you. You know what's better though? Grandmas! I had strep this last weekend and was pretty much incarcirated for two days by my bed. Many, many thanks to a great Grandma that took such good care of us! She brought me water... with a straw even. It made me wish that every time I get sick I could run home. I now know the reason I was sick so much more as a kid. Number one was 10:00 AM Price is Right (somehow my mom always took me back to school an hour after it was over cause I was magically feeling better?:). Number two was chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, and three was a mom who doted on us 24-7. I blame moms for kids lying about stomach aches. I think I'll play the iron hand with my children... ok just kidding I really am just a big softie.

Loren went up to Casper Wyoming for a friends reception... we were sure glad to get him back. I think my Mom was too, giving her a little reprieve of the whiner(me) and the endless bag of positive energy(Tayler). We are getting SOOO anxious to be done with the semester. Loren and I only have one final and both are on Thursday. Yippee!!! Here comes Santa Claws, (he really has a way of clawing into our bank account and credit cards!) . Take care dear family and friends... have a wonderful holiday season! (Everyone please count that last line as our holiday card... thanks:)!

2006-11-30T20:51:00.000-08:00

Hey family and friends! I need to be more consistent with this thing! Life is going great! We are anxious to be done with finals and enjoy some good quality time with our family. I recently joined an indoor soccer team with a lot of our ward, tonight was our first game and considering all, I thought we did well. We only lost 12-0. Ha ha! I knew this would be just for fun. We played a high school team (it's coed) and all of our teamates are + 30 aside of me. Plus on our team of 11, there has only been three that have ever really played soccer before. It was a kick and I was sucking air pretty bad as I am not in good long distance running shape! We had fun though. Indoor soccer is a lot different than outdoor that's for sure! The picture above was for an especially hard workout called the 50 second drill and I dressed up for the occasion. Track is going SO much better! We have our inner squad meet next Friday and I am looking forward to seeing where I am at.

Loren is continuing to be an awesome dad. I haven't touched the dishes in about 2 weeks and somehow they always get done. He is so good to me. He even made dinner for the missionaries yesterday as I was gone the majority of the day, what a guy. He has recently been talking to a few security systems companies as I think (although we LOVE Jared and San Diego) we are ready for a change and Loren's not wanting to recruit at all this year. It makes me quite nervous as neither of us have ever sold securities before, but hopefully all will turn out for the best. He is getting VERY antsy to get out of school and on with his life, and every day his future profession seems to change! In the picture above, Loren, his Dad and my little bro Richard went for a few rides up in the hills, They came back SUPER muddy from this one. I don't think Shauna was too happy with her new furniture in sight!

Ahhh Tayler Mae is still the love of our lives. She is the most joyful thing in the world to have around. Biggest news of the month? SHE FINALLY TOOK A BOTTLE!!! Honestly I think the Lord had a hand in this, because last week she was still screaming at having that thing in her mouth and after weeks of prayers, this Tuesday she took it like a pro!!! I think she realized that she needs more than I am producing now. She also got quite sick with a condition called Rosalea over the Thanksgiving break. High fever, congestion, and then broke out in a horrible rash. I am attaching a picture that she looks terrible in, so sick with rice cereal all over her face. Poor kid, but she is feeling much better now.

2006-11-01T21:52:00.000-08:00

Freak I have a cute kid!!!! But as her Mom I am entitled to think so. I can't believe how much she is growing up. We have been trying to get the babe to take a bottle lately and it is not working so well. Her cry face is pretty much the adorable face I deal with every night. Most of the time she just ends up screaming and I spray the formula down her throat until she has to swallow. I don't think she learns anything from this, but it sure makes me feel better knowing that there is a way to get it into her tummy once the time comes to wean her. We had a fun halloween yesterday but ended up having to turn off the lights around 7:30 because we ran out of candy too fast!!!! Guess next time we won't give three to five pieces to each kid! Kids were still knocking and ringing our doorbell all night, I'm suprised we didn't get egged for being the stingy neighbors with no more candy:). One other blessing that has happened this past week... Tayler started sleeping about 6 or 7 hours in a row!!! I woke up at 5:30 the other day and figured that she was dead because she hadn't screamed once in the night! She still wakes up occasionally, but I pop her bink in and go back to bed until it is at least 5 A.M. Ahh the life of a mom. I love it!

2006-10-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

It is about time that I added my comments to this blogspot! Loren set this up with the high hopes that I would keep it up, but I have yet to do so. Life seems to get crazier and crazier as the weeks go by.
We've managed to get past midterms and after two months of track, I seem to be getting my pre-pregnancy body back finally!! It could be an interesting year on the track, but I am so grateful to have a husband that is so willing to put up with me, and being a Mr. Mom in the meantime.
Tayler is getting more fun every day. At three and a half months her favorite new pastime: Screaming!! She has found her voice and loves to use it. She is on the verge of laughing and we are just waiting for her first real chuckle. Loren continues to be a great Daddy and is grateful for a cuddle buddy! :) He never complains about changing poopy diapers or getting her for me at 5 AM for her second feeding. What joy she has brought into our home. Funny how much your life changes when you have a baby. I guess that is the change... it is no longer your life.
Lately Loren and I have been talking about where our paths will take us after college just about everyday, and well, everyday it changes:). We have learned that what we say is never really set in stone so we will never get too excited for anything until Loren has signed a contract. Anyways, we'll see where the future takes us. Here are a few of the latest pics of our darling little babe! Hope all is well with our dear friends and family!

2006-09-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

Our lives Part II

Not a whole lot has happened in our exciting lives since our last post. I finally finished my summer ordeal/job selling pest control and had a fairly decent summer. Carrie has been busy with trying to juggle track, school, and most importantly keeping her little daughter fed and happy. Tayler keeps getting cuter and chubbier as the days go by. She is such a joy and we love her so much.