..and now we are 4

Making the Best of it...

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:59:00 +0000

So, i've kind of been having a hard time, perhaps a mild depression (not real serious) but i could not get out of having negative feeling, thoughts, or just plain feeling unappreciated and like i couldn't accomplish anything. I just felt like i couldn't smile or laugh. (I know, like my mom always tells me if nothing else gets done, the laundry will wait, the house cleaning will still be there its most important to care for my kids.) But once those feelings come, they are hard to get rid of without giving in to woe is me. Of course i love my kids to death and wouldn't trade them for the world, but Lizzy has been going through another tantrum spell, mostly in the middle of the night, so i have a serious lack of sleep. My usual angel baby has been sick with a bad chest cold and I need my angel baby to keep me sane. He has wanted to be held constantly, hasn't slept well, another contribute to my sleep deprivation. (actually it is 5 in the morning and i am up with him cause he won't sleep....see blog title) So I finally had enough and had my breaking point, prayed, went to the temple and then watching Monk of all things and the character Randy, one of the cops, was talking about an epiphany he had when he saw a bumper sticker that read," Happiness is a Choice" (of course i've heard this idea before, but I know Heavenly Father is guiding us and knows when we need to hear things again) It just hit me hard, So with praying to have a desire to change and trying to make that choice everyday, or 10 times a day, i feel i am doing much better. Happiness is a Choice and its not always easy with everyday life, when i look at my house everyday and see a TON of things to fix, clean, organize, and attend to. Or when my kids are screaming, whining, complaining, crying(and i don't know what to do to help). Or when my hubby is gone long hours, and its not easy I can still be happy, and Smile. And here are some pics from the month:

So hard to believe these to cuties are anything but that!Lizzy with her cousins- Always having a good time together.

We like to call them the OREO!

My little flower princess for Halloween, actually turned into a butterfly princess, (i think cause she didn't want to hold the flower.

Lizzy even won the cupcake in the cake walk at our ward Halloween party. She LOVES frosting.Oh and her mom won best chili! (sorry don't ask for the recipe, i've been swore to secrecy with it- unless you beg then i may give in)

Mom- a hawaiian dancer, of something, its what i had and Caleb my little all-star baseball player. Notice his glove, its a teething ring. I actually lost this for a couple weeks before Halloween and was so sad, i have to admit i prayed where to find it, i didn't think i was gonna find it and finally a few hours before the party i 'remembered' to look in the pool bag...there it was.

My mom is the greatest, i love her visits, she is so good with my kiddos, Here she is dancing with Lizzy. We even had a great girls trip (my mom, sister, and I) to Laguna Beach for the night. It was awesome, but another post, and i need to get pics from my mom!

Finally my two sweet (when they want) kids, we often sit outside and enjoy the nice San diegan weather. It is a blessing i admit, i hate to be cold. And this pic was october, but even last night, nov, it was so nice, i cut some rose bushes and the kids played. the only crazy thing is it drops 20 degrees within days or sometimes over night. it is a little hard to acclimate to but, i'll take it over all you people out there freezing in snow and wind.

Alright, 3 hours later, Lizzy bumping the keyboard and turning my screen off, thank goodness for autosave, and i finished this post, Caleb still has something going on, i keep expecting teeth, but we'll see. When Caleb gets upset, Lizzy is usually close behind. I admit i lost it again this morning, so it is obviously a continual battle, but anything worth having is worth working for right! HAPPINESS and DETERMINATION!

Hope you are all well, I know we all have struggles and issues we usually hide from the world, but sometimes it helps to talk or write it out. So Thanks to my hubby for letting me talk it out with him and Thanks to you that read this long post for your support. I know i'm not the best and keeping up with all you friends and family out there, but i cherish our friendships and the times we do and have spent together. They make Happy Memories for me! Thanks And thanks to a loving Father in Heaven that knows me and is providing comfort for me, and a beautiful knowledge of the importance of temples, making good choices, and the perspective the gospel gives me about this life and the life to come. With all these things I will make it and I WILL be Happy!

Just one of those posts....

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:26:00 +0000

I couldn't figure out how to copy and paste, (i know -but it wasn't working) so read the last 2 paragraphs first)

One of the many up sides of living in san diego is we wear coats for fun and dressing up, notice the shorts she is wearing! She just got this hand me down coat from her cousin, believe me i would not invest in something this warm, although it is adorable!

Here is my happy guy. I can just about always count on Caleb to be my happy camper. If he does cry, Lizzy will tell me, "You only have one happy camper right now"refering to her of course, it is something i have told her many times, when she is good, i'll say thanks for being a happy camper. and she often uses it on caleb. But it is not often becasue he is sooooooo fun, always on the verge of a smile. He is willing to anyone that looks his way, to give them a unforgetable grin.
Lizzy has also mellowed out a TON lately and been such a great helper, fun to be with, and so clever. i'm continually amazed at her comments and the things she remembers. She went swimming with her dad and aunt Ally the other day and as she was getting in the pool, said "hey look, i'm grandma Mary" and started moving her arms and legs like she was doing water aerobics as her grandma does. It was so random, but clever of her. they couldn't stop laughing. She got her cousins to join in too. She has definitely been challenging, but also so rewarding to hear her laugh and talk so grown up.
i had to take this pic of CJ and Caleb, they looked so sharp in their sunday best! Caleb just loves his daddy and laughs so hard when Cj makes faces and tickles him. And CJ just loves that they can already watch football (or whatever sport is on) together.
So the up side to having a motivated hubby is he gets things done. The down side is i get holes in my ceiling. I am not complaining at all, over the last few months, Cj has worked his magic and with trading services has gotten me all over head lighting in our used to be very dark house, as well as granite countertops in my kitchen and bathrooms, crown molding, and a whole house ceiling fan. (the crown molding and fan was all CJ, as the pictures show) He researched and figured out how to cut a hole in the ceiling and guess what. The roof is still in tack. We were just a tad nervous, but it all worked out! THe fan is designed to suck in the cool night air, that san diego so often has and blow out the hot air through the attic. The good news is, it works great, the bad news is we haven't needed it the last few weeks cause its been so cold. But i hear its supposed to warm again, so we'll see.

He would probably prefer to not have this pic up, but i think it is adorable!
Just one of those priceless photos. Lizzy on the way home from beach, fell asleep, hat and all!

Well its just been a while so i decided i'd suck it up and write. For some journal writing or blogging is a hobby and fun, but for me it is a chore. i guess i mostly don't like the time it takes to post. i somehow feel like i am wasting time and should be doing something else. or perhaps just go to bed, so i can make it through the next day. Anyhow this is probably why i don't post much, but since i don't keep a journal either, i figure i better do some writing somewhere! So here it is:

The last few months have had there ups and downs,but mostly just normal life stuff. A HUGE up is that Lizzy's joints are looking amazing. She was crawling the other day and i couldn't believe the difference and the range of motion she has now. she went from like a 45 degree to 90. She over all just seems happier, which could be the medicine itself, but i think more likely, it is because she doesn't have discomfort like she used to.
The down is that she just went to the eye dr. and now has to wear a patch for 2 hours a day. but after the first day battle, she has done amazing, doesn't even complain. she is amazing and such a strong kid.

i actually got the video to work...i think

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:09:00 +0000

Our summer fun... (part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:24:00 +0000

Donnie and Kira's Wedding!

We are so excited for Donnie and Kira, Lizzy had been asking all summer when was the wedding, mostly cause she knew she got to wear a pretty green dress and she couldn't wait. The day started out a little rough for us, Lizzy throwing tantrums all the way to the temple, and during pictures. But it was a beautiful day and lots of fun to see family! The best part (besides of course the sealing) i have to admit was the end of the reception when the dancing got going. All the nieces and nephews had the dance bug. I saw some of the best moves. I was impressed by all the moves, but just amazed how the body just takes over when the music turns on. Lizzy was coming up with some of the funniest moves. i'll try to post a video, but we'll see.

At least we are all looking at the camera

Lizzy with cousin Cami waiting outside the temple

All and All a great weekend to celebrate Donnie and Kira. It was so much fun seeing all the family as well as getting to know Kira's side. I especially was impressed with the dance her brothers put on at the reception!

Where to find the time.....

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:02:00 +0000

I really have a bloggin mindset, cause i constantly go through the day and think oh i could say this or post that, but then when i comes down to it....I usually decide to sleep, when i get a chance, However i know i sometimes need to sacrifice for the good of my journal and trying to remember everything that goes on in my life...especially with my sweet kiddos. I just wish i was better, but i've never liked journal writing, so its another thing i do cause i know i should.

Luckily, Caleb has slept through the night the last 3 nights. We moved him out of our room, which was a great thing to do, He seems to know i'm not right there and he is not going to get food, so he has slept great.

Lizzy continues to amaze and try my patience. But for all you moms of preschoolers out there. I read yesterday some comforting words, which said.. Enjoy this time when your preschooler thinks the world of you, wants to be with you all the time, do everything you do, because never again in your life are they going to want to be with you that much. And enjoy their excitement and energy to see, do, and try new things. They are learning so much so fast, don't get upset when they forget to do something you think they shouldn't. I know i've been loosing it with lizzy, but after reading some things from her viewpoint, i had a much better day today as i tried to enjoy some of those things i usually think are annoying.

Lizzy just loves Caleb and is really very helpful, its funny to see her interact with him because it so often is things i do or say and she is trying to copy. Like the other day she got up in his face and said, "Are you hungry? Cause i just want to eat you up!" Her version of something i probably say, like "you are so cute i'm gonna eat you up" We were sitting around at my brother in laws and she didn't think anyone was listening, but she said that and we all started laughing, although she was saying it very seriously cause she got very embarrassed and upset that we were laughing.

Kid update

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:00:00 +0000

Wow looking at this picture is so crazy it was only 3 months ago. Caleb has been the best, my angel. He loves to sleep, eats well, and just happy, loves to smile and just look around. He is sleeping good at night with just one feeding usually around 3 or 4. His sister just adores him. So he went from this :

To this is 3 months. He is my big boy- 16lbs -96 percentile, and 25 1/2 inches-98 percentile
We keep telling liz she better not pick on him, cause he will be bigger than her soon, and be able to retaliate. (she doesn't listen)

He loves his swing, sometimes hours go by and he is still loving it!

Lizzy loves holding him and trying to get him to smile. Sometimes she gets upset when he doesn't smile at her. She calls him her best friend forever and says she is gonna keep him....i'm so glad

As for Lizzy, she hit her 4 month mark on the study (for her arthritis) this last week. She has improved drastically. She is looking so good. She has improved 100% in some areas, and no less than 75% in others. So we are still in the study, but it remains blinded, which is good for us right now. She most likely has been on only the one drug(methotrexate) but has responded very well to it, and we don't have to go on the steroid. She has been a trooper through it all, and the best investment we made was 'hello kitty' bandaids. So we move on, and hope she out grows it someday, but at least it seems to be getting under control.

showing off 'hello kitty'

Before, feb 2009, her left knee is much bigger here, as well as her wrists.
today...her knees look normal, kind of hard to tell in pictures, but we are excited about the improvement.

And a few pics for the road.......

Following in the Lord's way

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:34:00 +0000

As a parent I often worry about this horrible world my kids have to grow up in. I know it was bad as i was growing up and pretty sure that was nothing to what my kids will have to deal with. I try not to let this get me down, but sometimes it is hard to not wonder if my kids are going to be able to choose the right, when there is soooooooooo much wrong around them. I feel very lucky to have made it through as well as i did, and be strong in my faith and true to the gospel. I just hope and pray that ALL my kids will do the same. I take comfort in the Prophets counsel to fortify our homes. To make them gospel centered, with scripture study, prayer, family home evening, going to church each week, and teaching the gospel in our home. We are by no means perfect, and we have to always work on it, but I want to do all i can to protect my family.

Lizzy has a great Love for the temple, she was so excited to go for her primary activity. She loves driving by on the freeway and says it is her temple! (she is in the far right in the blue dress)

She got a pamphlet, and we caught her reading on the way home. She learned that Grandma and Grandpa Daltons temple (Oakland, Ca.) was on the front as well as her temple (san diego) She carried this pamphlet around for days

Family Home Evening, Lizzy has been into crafts, so she wanted to make necklaces and bracelets with hearts. What a great idea Liz! So this is us showing them off.

We have a long road ahead, but these types of moments give me hope. Good luck with your families too!

2 months flying by

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:09:00 +0000

I knew once Caleb came time would fly, and it has. We have been very busy with feeding and normal baby stuff, but also have had a couple adventures out. When Caleb was 4 weeks i decided to meet my parents at Pismo beach and camp (in a nice trailer, so no dirt and bugs we couldn't get a way from. It was awesome.) We walked the pier and roasted marshmallows, did little nature hikes, and saw the biggest frog I've ever seen.
A shot of Pismo Beach and me, It was beautiful and a lot like a Florida coast beach, with long flat sand forever, cars driving on the beach, and a lagoon inland a tad. The water was colder though.

My parents were great with taking lizzy for walks and climbing trees, so i could get a nap or rest here and there.
There were these giant geese that roamed the campground. Very loud, but luckily no attacking of small children, Lizzy loved to chase them off.

A beautiful, warm, and exciting day at the beach, okay not warm, it was very windy and my dad found warmth within.

Caleb's perch. He pretty much lived on the couch, but he was happy as could be. The campground was right on a lagoon, and covered from the windy beaches by trees, which was nice, but resulted in lots of mesquitos, so caleb stayed in doors most the time and we sprayed off on the rest of us, and surprisingly came away with no bites.
Lizzy and Caleb showing off for the camera
Enjoying the outdoors! WE love camping with grandma and grandpa.

Caleb's baby blessing

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:06:00 +0000

It was a little early, but worked out to have His blessing on April 26. In our church babies are given a name and blessing, and this was Caleb's day. It was a sunny, but very windy day. Lots of family and friends joined us. Thanks to all who came and traveled to do so.

Our happy little guy in his blessing outfit.

Our friends that came, the Johnstons (sorry we missed a pic with the Hansens, but thanks for coming, and Emily for trying too!)

The Uncles and Great Uncles who blessed Caleb with Dad.

All the family that could make the blessing. To all that couldn't we missed you.

Our wind blown family pic with Grandma Mary.

It was a beautiful sabbath day and a beautiful blessing Caleb will always have. Sure grateful for the gospel and the peace and comfort it brings in just a horrible and unstable world around us.

Easter Fun and more

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:45:00 +0000

okay i started this post a while ago and finally getting around to finishing

Okay so we are trying to get back in the swing of things around here. I thought it would be fun to enjoy easter celebrations and especially wanted Lizzy to know we hadn't forgot about her and she deserves to enjoy holidays!. So we painted eggs, crashed our old wards easter egg hunt, even though there were as always tons of kids and lizzy didn't even get one egg on the hunt. But her good friend Emma came to her rescue and shared some 'treats' with her, because that is the only thing she cares about. Then we did an easter egg hunt at home! i think overall we had a nice weekend, and even got my sister-in-law to take some pics of my kiddos! Thanks Brookie! and i know trying to get a 3 yr old and newborn to look at the same time let alone smile or have eyes open is extremely challenging.

Caleb Christopher is here!

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:13:00 +0000

Hard to believe it has been almost a week since he came. WE wait and wait and wait, and then he came and time has flown by. Caleb arrived Tues. March 31, 2009 at 4:46am. He weighed 8lbs and 9ozs. 20 inches. dark blue eyes and light hair like lizzy had. So he is probably gonna be another toe head. He is adorable and just perfect! WE are SOOOO excited he is here.

Okay i have to give some details of his arrival, so fair warning to skip this paragraph if you don't want to know the "details". So i had been having braxten hick contractions all weekend, so going to bed Monday night i was having a few contractions that were stronger than they had been, but not regular at all. I'd wake up every couple hours, or 30, 20, or 15 mins. but never constant. I'd wake up and wonder for a minute if this was it, but fall back asleep. So figure it wasn't gonna happen too soon. (However my last dr. appointment on the 26th i was dilated to a 4 and the dr. said she thought i'd go fast, so not to wait to long at home. Not more than 10 min contractions for an hour. So i was kind of waiting for that gauge. It never came I went from sporadic to waking at 3:30 with constant pain. It wasn't a contraction that let up so i wasn't sure. i just felt like i had to go to the bathroom, but i couldn't sit or stand. i called the dr. but she said it was up to me. So i waited another 10 mins or so and decieded it was time, meanwhile Lizzy came in asking for her binky and then wondering why all the lights were on. Cj went to get Lizzy's glasses and I went to sit on the toilet and felt a bulge, which i'm sure was the water sac, but freaked me out completely. So we hurried a little faster, I called my sister(who happened to be sleeping in her car, another long story) but a blessing cause she was able to meet us at the hospital to take Lizzy quickly. So the timeline was we woke at 3:30, decided to go to the hospital just after 4. On the was to the hospital my contractions became normal and i was having them 2 to 3 minutes apart. So even the first time it stopped i felt fine and questioned myself, but then it hit again of course no doubts. in the car i really was tring not to show too much pain, but nearly impossible, Lizzy kept asking what was happening and if the baby was kicking too hard, and would tell the baby to stop hurting mommy. (so sweet of her) We got there in 10 mins arriving at 4:35, i walked into the ER.(in between another contraction so i felt fine and asked for OB and they took there sweet time getting someone down there. Well it seemed like forever, when the contraction hit again. So she wheeled me up to OB which was a very painful ride, that Cj says i was screaming in the elevator, i just recal groaning very loudly. So they took me in the room, told me to put a gown on, i barely could throw my clothes off fast enough. Then i got on the chair, the nurse checked me, and didn't say anthing. So i was like what am i, then she responded," Oh you're a 10 and ready to have this baby." So they kept saying page the dr. (thankfully she was already at the hospital) and Cj remembers it taking forever and nurses bumping into each other. I just wanted it to stop! So the dr. got there, gloves on, water sac exploded (i'm serious) I was laying on the bed and saw Water go flying, then the dr. saying okay water broke and you can push the next contraction. Now i guess i have to admit, I screamed! I'm not usually a screamer, but there was no where else for the pain to go, i had to let it out. I think Cj was a little shocked, I think i was too, but after a looooong push or two He came out.And then it is just amazing, to have that little guy there, real, crying, healthy, a relief for sure!!! Okay so a few days before i have to admit, I told Cj i was curious to know what a natural birth would be like. So i guess i asked for it, but i'm just glad it was fast. Pain can be endured quickly, but if i was in labor for hours like that, wow that is a whole different ball game. The pros were definetly that it was fast, (relative i guess)
no needles (iv or anything) I HATE NEEDLES.
I didn't feel drugged after, and actually felt pretty good, the pain hit the next day more.
CJ was home and not working far away,
Lizzy woke on her own right when we needed to go. i may have tried waiting till Misty got to our house.
Misty was sleeping in the car that night and got there fast.
MOST of all Caleb is perfect, a sweet baby, that is so far sleeping and eating fantastic.
And quick delivery means no birth canal deformaties. He does have smashed ears(on the top of each ear, the pediatrician thinks is from being squished in there so well, but will eventually be normal.

Well that was definetly the long version, but i had to make sure i got it in writing.
My parents came wed. night and were sooooo helpful. With food, taking Lizzy out and chasing her (her favorite game that she NEVER tires of)
Lizzy LOVES her brother. Always wants to hold him and help change him. She took the role of picking out his clothes, which i have a feeling may never stop. As long as she helps him look good, i guess he'll love it. (i'm a little jealous though cause she never lets me pick out her clothes and now i don't even get to pick out Caleb's either.
We are all doing great, i'm starting to feel fairly normal and able to move around better. We are just trying to digest that we now have two kids and have changed forever. We are so grateful for this change and just so excited for the future. I guess i need to change my blog title... i'll have to think about that for a lilttle bit.

a little update

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:44:00 +0000

... well first of all....still no baby, guess he is taking his sweet time, probably hears the tantrums his sister throws and isn't sure he is ready for that yet. Although Lizzy says she is, everyday or multiple times a day i hear, "i'm ready for your baby to come now" like i need a reminder. I"M READY TOO. (actually its really cute to hear her say) i had high hopes yesterday after having contractions for 4 -5 hours , but i guess those darn braxten hicks, cause they never got worse or real regular, and eventually went away. although the plus was i think after not sleeping well the two nights before and my body working that hard for pretty much nothing, i was sooooooo tired, so i slept soooooooooo good last night. and so we wait.. (by the way all you that have your babies weeks early....or even days....well you are lucky!...i'll leave it at that) the mental game is the most difficult, every moment i wonder..is this it ....NOOOOOOOOO

middle of march (9 months)

Okay as for lizzy update, she is in the study and the drugs seem to be leaving no side effects yet at least. We think we notice a difference in her joints, but are anxious to hear what the docs say on thurs. She of course hates the shots, she gets two, once a week. but each week is better. she didn't cry at all on one leg last week, we were amazed. she she usually asks every day if she is getting her shots, which i respond, "no not today", and she quickly jumps up and down yelling "yeah!" (unless its thursday then its, "noooooo how bout later." But she is tough and is doing great. so thanks for all your sweet comments, emails, and prayers. they have definetly helped!

Lizzy trying out the baby carrier!

Polyarticular Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:02:00 +0000

Wow what a month, we went from almost doing eye surgery (getting two other opinions, saying they would not do it, so we are holding off, at least for now) to finding out our daughter has arthritis. Well we often commented on her running a little funny, or how her ankles, wrists, fingers seemed to be bigger than normal, (but we figured it was all normal and just her) And of course the whole reason we found it was her swollen knee(hence the sedation clip in last post) Come to find out it is a much more serious condition. So after much talking, praying, fasting, and i guess just accepting it, we are moving forward and hope all will work out for the best. We are putting her in a study that is going on around the country in hopes of attacking the autoimmune illness and being in remission within a year. They new evidence or what they believe is that it has not been treated aggressively in the past, so it lingers too long and causes damage to the cartilage and joints. So they want to be very aggressive from the start, JUST HOPE IT WORKS! anyway we will do monthly visits, blood work, and weekly injections and daily meds. Which has been the hardest to accept that i will have to give and do painful things to my mostly innocent 3 year old. She is tough and we will make it , but any prayers you want to throw our way are welcome!

Ode to Lizzy

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:36:00 +0000

I figure with a new baby coming soon, our lives will change and of course for the better, as we learn and grow in different ways, however i thought i'd give a shout out to my "special girl." Even though there have been definite rough patches over the last 3 years, i have learned so much from my 'sweetie pie.' She is just a doll, so eager, and loving. She just makes me smile!
The latest has been her willingness to help. Which of course i want to encourage even though it takes longer or is a bit inconvenient, i know the day will come when she won't want to help. She has been helping with yard work, dishes, painting, and anything else she can get her hands on. The other day i just didn't want to do the dishes, but she did, so she moved the rug out of the way, pushed a chair over and turned the water on to do it herself!

Over the last couple months we have been watching lizzy's knee and wondering if something was wrong, she never complained of pain or never seemed to favor it, but her left knee seemed bigger than her right. So we finally took her in this week and found she had extra fluid in there, they drained it and she is doing fine, but we have a follow up thursday and hope the labwork comes back normal. They say it could be from a sprain or twist, or infection. don't really know right now. But they had to give her some meds to drain the fluid and it made her very loopy. Which actually was very funny to watch. within 5 mins of taking it she was laughing hysterically and falling asleep not able to sit up. The funny part was while we were waiting they said to go get her blood work, so we had to do a urine sample. While i was holding her limp body on the toliet, Cj was trying to catch from the back. it took a bit, but we were successful, just glad she had to go.

Here is a video of us at the dr:

Besides this last week, we had beautiful 80 degree weather and took advantage. Lizzy loved playing in the sand at the beach and Mom and Dad were able to relax a bit. one of those wonderful days!

finally the after pics

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 04:57:00 +0000

Alright well its been a long road and of course always more to do, but we are in our house and feeling rather settled and making it home. We attempted to do a lot ourselves, but soon realized that was not going to happen, between me being pregnant, Cj busy with work, and us living at his mom's wanting to move into our house sometime in the next year. We gave up and hired most of it done! I am so happy we did. It is so much better than we would have done, and we got in within a couple weeks. So i don't think the pics really show what we had done, but you get the idea. We did all new paint, carpet, doors and frames, knocked out a wall and new hinges and knobs in the kitchen. Everything we did we love and are so glad we were led to do it.

before living room

after we knocked out the wall in living and dining room

other side of living room and entry after pic

before: ugly wood color and dirty

so much nicer cleaner white, new knobs and hinges, )someday we'll get new counter tops too)

eating area, washed out and dark

after, color and i love it!

before master bed (nasty pink color)

after, an ash gray actually.. again i love it

before lizzy's wing... so nasty i thought we would gut this bathroom, but it actually just needed paint and some scrubbing

new paint and faucets in bathtub

nasty bedroom: couldn't even open the closet, so much junk and YUCK!

Now it is sweet little Lizzy's room and she loves it

before 70s style family room

soooooo much better (except of course that CJ reminds me daily we now need a big screen) well its on the list!

We'll i have to admit the stress of picking colors and carpet was high, but goes to show you can pray about anything. I did and i know thats why it all turned out as good as it did. Thanks to my parents and sis for helping clean and work on little projects! Thanks to Cj's mom for pushing us the extra mile in many cases and for all those that encouraged and supported us.
Now we need visitors!

Birthdays, Christmas, New Years...

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:08:00 +0000

After waiting all year, at every birthday party we went to and having to pretend it was also Lizzy's party so we didn't have to deal with a tantrum....finally Lizzy had her 3rd Birthday and was so happy. She sang Happy Birthday with everyone else as she waited to blow out her candles until they were all done. She of course loved having presents to open and friends to play with. She loved being the star of the day.

Lizzy and Claire eat there cupcakes, or at least the frosting (which is Lizzy's favorite)

Lizzy with friend Gweneth Kolb and new bouncing ball, which she LOVES and is getting really good at.

Lizzy opening her presents and so excited.

The party gang, minus a twin

We did a pancake brunch for her party and enjoyed every bite.
So for a whole year, Lizzy was way into birthdays, now this year i think she is going to take Christmas on all year. She has us sing Silent night, and Rudolph every night to her still. She asked for her christmas books to read just about every night. We'll have to see how long she carries this on. But as for Christmas, we had a great holiday. We kept it simple with just moving and everything, but Lizzy was so fun to watch and learn this year. She really understood more of what was going on this year.

The closest we got to a family pic or sending out christmas cards...maybe next year.

Lizzy got new dress up princess clothes

Mom and Lizzy with presents from my bros fam. Love them thanks!

Lizzy and Cj opening stockings from santa

Lizzy and Cj making, or eating cookies for santa.

And Finally CJ's birthday! I got him a BBQ for his big 28! and his brother was nice enough to come help him put it together.

We wasted no time and had a family BBQ/Birthday party that night.

CJ's a natural, i'm so excited he is willing to cool now!!!

A little fam birthday party on his real bday, with his favorite, Reese's Christmas tree as his cake, we kind of over did the sweets over the holidays, so we simplified this time.

And the end of the year brought the news of Cj's Grandma passing away. While we are sad to loose her for now, we are overjoyed at the reunion she is having with her husband (who she lost over 35 years ago, and both her children preceded her in leaving this life. She really missed her family and often mentioned she was ready. She was 94 and lived a great life. we are so glad we had her down a few times over the holidays and even got a cute pic of her and lizzy.

And now we are on to the new year. We actually did go to a party and stayed up till midnight, which is amazing for me, i'm a 9pm kind of girl. But we had a good time and Lizzy even slept in a little the next day. We have started out the new year with beautiful weather, a great reason to live in san diego, its been 75 to 80 for most the week and we love going outside and working in the yard. Cj and i have been called to team teach the 9 year olds in our ward, which we both love. and we are anxiously awaiting baby boy!

Wow time flies

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 04:59:00 +0000

Well the last couple months have just flown by. With Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthdays (lizzy's and CJ's) and the start of the new year i just can't keep up. And not to mention all the stuff we've done with our house. Which i promise pics are coming soon.

But i just had one of those nights, parents dream about so i thought i'd take a moment and brag. Lizzy was such an angel tonight as she told me, "Mom you are my best friend in the whole world" and "I love you very much" in the same night. She volunteered to get her pj's on and then got her own snack and water for me and her. Then after watching shrek together for a little while she said she was ready for bed. (Now to fully appreciate that you need to know she usually kicks and screams all the way to bed, its a fight to brush teeth and we have to sing a billion songs.) But she was such an angel.... Makes a mom proud, and allows me to see she can really do it.
I sure love her and even though i complain alot about her tantrums and whining, I just love her fun and loving personality when it shines through.

a much needed journal entry

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:42:00 +0000

(i'll have to add pics later, they are on our computer, not set up yet)

so things have been a bit crazy over the past couple months.... mostly with any extra time and energy going towards getting our house ready. Which i 'm excited to say looks like it may be this week we move in. How Thankful i am for that! Its been a long crazy journey,but the house is looking tons better and livable now. Pictures coming soon i promise ( or at least i'll try) We've been staying at Cj's moms house and her internet is what we call slow, so i haven't had the patience to email or blog. But i decided i had to write a few things.

Like WE are having a Boy!. We found out on Nov. 4 and we are excited to have a boy even though i have all the things for a girl, we'll have to make do. Cj is very excited to have a boy. And he is a much needed addition to the dalton side cousins. He now makes it 2 boys to 8 girls. Poor little Asher will finally have another boy on his side.

Also an update on Lizzy. For those with three year olds or have had three year olds, that sums it up She is now Three (or very close, next month) i swore she hit the twos hard, and there was nooooooooo way she could get worse. But she proved me wrong with ease. I've decided twos are somewhat innocent tantrums, they just can't express themselves or understand. But Threes they know and they manipulate, test, and try to see just what they can do and get away with. Of course i need to mention she also has a completely sweet, funny, joyful, curiosity side that i love. But the snap of a finger, or specifically a "NO" turns her angelic side into something kind of scary.
And of course i love her soooo much and in some ways can't get enough of her, but in others she exhausts and frustrates me beyond anything I've ever experienced. I was telling Cj I've never loved someone or something that has frustrated me so much. Kind of a roller coaster. Also, she is trying to be very independent, except when other people are around then she wants MOM to do everything. i'm not kidding ask Cj. So her three favorite phrases of the past few months have been:
1. "I wanna do it"
2. "No! let me do it"
3. " I can do it"

And if anyone tries to help her other than me, "No! Mommy do it"

But she is learning lots about the world, She has learned green light means go, Red light means stop and, orange light means SLLOOOWWW Down. (yes i said orange light, for some reason in so. cal they are orange, not yellow (anyone else notice this?!) actually it has to do with the palomar observatory saying bright lights interfered with their telescope. (so all street lights are orange)
She has learned to pray on her own, which is extremley cute, she usually prays for her friends, and often names them, rachel, Ashlyn, Claire, Emma, and her babies. Which i think are Cooper, and Lara,(her friends newborn siblings) and i'm adding our new one also. She looooooooves babies and always wants to hold and kiss them. So i'm sure she is gonna be a great big sis, after all the jealousy stuff gets figured out. She also prays for her family, cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents, prophet, temple and for Jesus. It is so sweet and innocent to see her grasp a love for spiritual things.

I best do an update on all of us, CJ just amazes me with his faith and hard work. He has been very blessed to find connections and references, and clients for work, we are in awe at how things work out sometimes. We are learning tons as we are homeowners, even though we did give in and hired most the work done. Its still a learning experience is so many ways. We are in a new ward, which i miss my old one, but once we get to know people here i think it will be better. I have been taking it a day at a time and find my self 6 months pregnant and starting to really show. i try to do more than i should, but my body is first to tell me, slow down.

Most of all we feel very blessed in our lives right now, We are so greatful for the opportunites we have had and that are awaiting us. We are so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father that cares about each of us and answers our prayers and has given us promises if we do our part. What peace that brings in a troubled world. So i hope you are all doing well, and feeling thankful for all you have in your lives. i am thankful for each of your friendships and even though we may not talk often, i'm glad our paths have crossed and hope they cross again soon!

WE ARE HOMEOWNERS

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 03:59:00 +0000

Yes i'm serious, we made the giant leap of faith and closed on a house in Vista, california! (Just north of downtown san diego-30 mins or so) So looks like we are gonna be permanent here! which is good cause its a good place to be, only wish my fam was a tad closer, but maybe someday they will see the light!

Its older, 1978 it was built. 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. 2600 sqft. And i would post pictures but it needs a lot of help first. Yup its a bit of a fixer upper. we just maybe got in over our heads, but we'll see. its gonna be great once it is fixed up. we were in cleaning on monday and taking down wallpaper and after getting hardly anywhere the saying from President Monson popped in my mind, "Joy in the journey" so even though things couldn't be more stressful right now with everything, i decided if i enjoy the process it will go much better and it will be a great memory to always have!

so stay tuned for the great before and after pics! sometime hopefully sooner rather than later!
And eventually we will have place to have you all come visit when you come to sunny san diego!!!

General Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:38:00 +0000

What a great opportunity we have to hear a living Prophet of God and amazing insights from Apostles and Leaders. In such a horrible and corrupt society it is nice to take a time out and be reminded of our eternal perspective and how as we cling to the gospel of Jesus Christ we are truly protected and blessed.

I thought i'd share some of the things that touched me most from this weekend: (some are quotes from talks, others are impressions i had)

1-"Don't all the stresses of life to get the best of us." - Elder Perry

2- Hope is abiding trust the Lord will fulfill his romises, our prayers will be answered and with hope comes joy and happiness. We need to hope with confidence.

3- We need unity in our families!

4- "In the strength of the Lord, I can do all things" -Sis. Dalton

5- "Find Joy in the journey" - Pres. Monson

i just have so much love for my Father in Heaven, his son Jesus Christ and in their plans of happiness and salvation. it definitley makes day to day life more meaningful and purposeful. I am so blessed to have this comfort in my life and i hope you all feel the same!!!!

Lizzy also learned from general conference. As we listened she of course was in and out, but she did hear things and repeated them as she heard them:

1-body

2-choose the right

3-church (followed by saying "I want to go to church")

4-Joseph Smith

5-present (i think she was hopeful she was going to get a present when she heard this)

6-second

7-changes

I was actually very impressed by her listening skills and once again reminded of the importance of teaching our children when they are young!

Lizzy's new shirt

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:22:00 +0000

(if you can't read the shirt is says, "I'm going to be aa big sister!") Yes that means i'm pregnant! We had Lizzy wear this shirt when telling both our families we are expecting. She actually hates the shirt, mostly cause its huge (oops i got the wrong size) so we had to bribe her to wear it a couple times. But we got the message across anyway!

So i am about 12 weeks and feeling okay, i've mostly just been nauseus but i'm making it through. the baby is due March 27. And we are very excited to welcome a new baby in our home and even though lizzy will probably be jealous of me holding the baby, she is gonna be the best big sister! she just adores babies and always knows how to take care of them, if they need a bottle, or binky, be held, or a lovey. she already has great motherly instincts!

Thought this might be fun

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:21:00 +0000

Everyone needs to play...This is Fun!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember--it can be funny, weird, awkward, random, etc.!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Camping at Lake Tahoe

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:16:00 +0000

We had a great camping vacation with my parents and sister up at Lake Tahoe in July. We took a hike down to Emerald Bay and it was beautiful. Pretty steep too. good thing we had 5 adults to push lizzy back up! Not to mention Cj sprained his ankle really bad a few days before we left home, but he was a trooper, not complaining just a lot of icing!

This was at the bottom of the hike, where others boated in.

During our rejuvenating snack for the trip up, Lizzy decided to be a hair stylist for her daddy!

This was actually on our way to Tahoe, we stopped for and ice cream sandwich, Lizzy ate too slow, and liked to pick the chocolate off.

Not the best pic of me and sis, but we had so much fun squeezed into the back of my dad's truck for 4 hours. But hey anything to save gas money right!

Cj showing off Lake Tahoe

Lizzy and Smokey the Bear being pals

Lizzy and mom throwing rocks into the lake as gma, gpa and auntie Misty kayaked!

All and all we had an awesome time and a tip to all you campers: Reeses peanut butter cups instead of hershey's chocolate on your smores and roasted starbursts! (just put it on the stick and let it melt once into the fire, take out and cool enough for a chewy, but hardend shell of flavor, also very good mashed with another color. I'm serious... try it!

Some common or not so common lizzy phrases

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:03:00 +0000

So Lizzy's most common thing to say is, "NO i wanna do it!) She is very independent, in her thinking and doing stuff anyway, she doesn't want me out of site otherwise. But she dresses herself everyday and usually she actually does pretty good, or i coax her a little, but this day she was adamant and why not, i'm sure you moms know what i'm talking about. Hey they're stripes right they should match. and at least she did something with her hair! its a new fashion just wait, you'll see!
However it went a little too far lately when she had to pick out my clothes to wear, yup thats right i couldn't even do it, i picked up a shirt and she said no and handed me a different one, do i need that much help????

One of Lizzy's most common things to do is grab a purse of backpack and say bye bye i'm going to a meeting, or temple, or work, but the other day she said,
bye bye i'm going to temple i luv you, then she turns around in a moment and says i back now.
Mom- Did you pray to Heavenly Father & Jesus?
liz: yes i have bread & water... bye bye i going to meeting how.
(clever how kids link things together)

I was cutting an avocado while lizzy was watching and she said, "whats that?"
mom: An Avocado
Liz: I want uncle Todno (she has an uncle todd that she loves to see)
Which reminds me , we were just getting to dinner last sunday at Cj's moms house and Cj started walking in the house as i got lizzy out of the car, she looked up and said their's uncle todd and then a second later says, "no thats daddy" (strong family resembrance?)

Lizzy is actually a very good talker, but of course she is 2 and just learning.
Liz: "i want stebetty"
Mom: "Stebetty"
Liz: " NO Stebetty!"
mom: oh spaghetti
Liz: yes
She really thinks she is saying spaghetti, it's so funny.

well i know there are a ton more things, but that'll do for now!

What do you think?

noreply@blogger.com (Lacey) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:22:00 +0000

Okay i think this is out of control...... A mysterious red trashy van in the complex

and the only reason i know what it really is doing is because of the music playing, not to mention it is christmas music!

and the front "caution children" is painted with bad black paint job where they messed up on the caution part.

So my question to you is would you buy ice cream from this man?? too bad i didn't get a pic of him, not much better although he does have his son work with him! nice father/ son activity (take my poll, to the left)

I'm sure i over think it but, As for me I choose not to buy ice cream from these sketchy ice cream trucks (we actually have a couple different ones come through)