It's random, lovely, full of misspelled words and terrible punctuation. It's about me, Erin, my family and friends, in real life. There's sugar but no sugar coating.
"Come what may, and love it!......Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser, and happier as a result." ~ Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
**WARNING** Some pictures may not be suitable for young children.
Well, Heath did it! This morning he left early to go hunting. Whitetail deer, 11 pointer! WOW! My husband the hunter.
My next project will be canning and freezing meat.
Is he going to cry?
Deric and Heidi came over to help. Deric helped Heath get the deer out of the woods. Heidi didn't know that she would be helping. She's a strong lady and helped get the deer off the ground for skinning purposes.
This is way too funny not to post.
It's true that Heath has been on cloud 9 all day. Also true that Deric almost puked while they were gutting the deer. Noah loved it. He went around with his little, pretend gun shooting the deer.
Noah's first day of school was Thursday. I might have been more nervous than he was. He did great. He walked in and looked at all the kids and all the toys and decided it was all right. Today when I walked him into class he started crying. I felt bad for him but they told me the quicker I leave the easier it will be for him. I waited around the corner from his class room until he stopped crying which didn't take too long.
He's so little and cute.
Burnin' down the house...Erin started the fire! OK, so, the county we live in always does trick or treating on the Thursday night before Halloween and gives the kids Friday off of school. We went over to Deric and Heidi's house last night to take Noah trick or treating and to carve pumpkins. Well, Noah got this cute treat bag for his birthday from the Nazelrod's. The Nazelrod's stopped by and I had the bag in my hand and for some reason I put it down right on top of a lit candle. We were all standing outside when Chris says, "um...something is on fire...No, REALLY!" We turn around and sure enough flames. Heath ended up getting it outside right after Heidi threw it on their hard wood floor to stomp it out.:) The damage wasn't too bad. Just a spot on their desk and the candle didn't look too great. It could have been a lot worse. That was a stinkin' cute treat bag that Michelle made. I'll never live that one down (kind of like the mashed potato story).
Dear Michelle, I'm sorry I caught the really cute treat bag you made on fire. Please forgive me! Your Friend, Erin P.
My husband the artist.
The cutest frog in the whole entire wide world.
Noah was not too into trick or treating this year. He didn't want to wear his cute scarecrow costume but he went for camo pj's instead.
The cute scarecrow costume.
Heath wasn't too into trick or treating either so Heidi went with us. Thanks Heidi we love you!
On Thursday night in some of the small townships the fire department comes out and sounds a siren to begin the trick or treating. It lasts an hour to an hour and a half depending of the township and cute old ladies sit outside on their front porches with bowls of candy.
We have been using theives essential oil to help avoid the swine flu. No luck on getting our hands on the vaccine just yet.
Noah is still saying funny things, Asher knows how to get attention by coughing, I mowed the lawn today, and I'm tired. It's true that I think it's funny that in the movie Cheaper By The Dozen the kids don't know what grounded is until the Dad is "in charge". Also true that my house is a mess and I'm getting priorities in order.
Heath and I are really watching our budget and really trying to pinch our pennies. We have agreed to discuss every purchase. Well, I like my hair short and It usually cost anywhere from $20 to $30 to get my hair cut and in order for me to feel good about it I like to get it cut every 2 to 3 months. It's been about 5 months. Heath said he would cut it today when we got home from stake conference. Yes, I trust him enough and plus it grows back. Well, he got it wet and combed it and then chickened out. I ended up cutting it myself. Heath helped in the back a little. I thought it turned out pretty well for my first time. Now that I know I can do it, I can get a hair cut anytime I want and for free.
Heath teaching Noah how to read on the potty. ;o)
Noah calls any tall building the Tower of Pisa.
He calls ladybugs babybugs.
He starts preschool this week.
When he wants me to pick him up he says, "hold you?"
Heath spoke at stake conference last night and did a great job. He always does. It's true that our house is being invaded by babybugs. Also true that Heath slept in his suit last night.
While at the doctor yesterday for Noah, Dr. Reynold's told me that they were out of the regular flu vaccine but should be getting the swine flu vaccine in any time. I asked him if he recommended the vaccine for swine flu. He said he did. I asked if he is going to give it to his kids. He said they already have it. He said that it is more deadly than the regular flu and attacking more of the younger population than the regular flu. He said the flu shot that they ordered for the kids has no mercury. I have been debating and have decided I think our entire family should get it. At Dr. Reynold's office they said that they were reserving all the doses for children, so I don't know if Heath and I will be able to get a shot anyway. But Heath is at school a lot and Noah is starting pre-school. They will both be around a lot of people. Asher cannot afford to get the flu. It would be more devastating to him then to other 9 month old babies because of his low weight. Plus, I have not heard of anyone dieing from the vaccination but I have heard of people dieing from the swine flu. Go HERE for more info. I understand that you can find tons of info on the internet to support both sides but this is a site that I follow.
Also, ARE YOU PREPARED? Lots of people have been talking about an epidemic or a pandemic (I'm not sure what the difference is and I don't want to take the time to look it up right now) anyway, if this happens, it's possible that we will be quarantined to our homes from anywhere between 3 months to a year (that's the word on the street). Just make sure you have enough food, soap, toothpaste, etc. for your family. Prophets have been telling us to do this for 75 years or more. If you haven't done it by now, I hope it's not too late. Not to scare you but listen to the prophet, would ya? Or if scaring you gets you moving, I hope this scares you :) Good luck, happy preparing:) Oh, also see HERE (but if your already feeling bad, don't see there).
Just a note to my non-Mormon friends: I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (to learn more go HERE). The church is organized like the church was organized in the time of Christ. We have a prophet and apostles who lead our church. The prophet is called of God and receives revelation for our church as a whole. Prophets for years have encouraged us to get a year supply of food, clothing and fuel where possible. This is to help us be self sufficient in times of depressions, job loss, or other poor circumstances. Also wanted to make it known that I do not have a years supply and am also working on it like you. If you have any ideas you want to share I welcome them.
It snowed again Saturday. Heath got Noah all geared up in his snow suit, coat, hat, scarf, mittens, and snow boots and they were off to play in the snow. When they returned I could hear them approaching the front door. Noah crying and Heath trying to comfort. Noah came in with a red nose and tears streaming down his face. I promised him a trip outside later and maybe a trip to see Deric and Heidi (Dedic and Highy). As the day warmed up the snow mostly melted. Noah looked out the window and said, "Snow where are you?" in the cutest little voice.
I can't believe how grown up he is. He starts preschool in a few weeks. I have to admit I'm a little nervous. I wouldn't start him this early but he wouldn't be able to have speech therapy if I didn't. He'll go 2 days a week for 2 and a half to 3 hours. We went to see Dr. Reynolds yesterday for Noah's check up. He's in the 85th %ile for height and 65th for weight. There was some mention of getting Noah checked for autism from his previous speech therapist. When I mentioned it to Dr. Reynolds he had no concern at all. Noah is very social expecially when we go see Dr. Reynolds. Plus, I looked up autism on the internet and Noah just didn't seem to fit the profile. Dr. Reynolds talked about something else (I can't remember what he called it) but said that generally children grow out of it.
Soon Asher will be seeing an occupational therapist for his arm, a dietitian for his weight gain, and a speech therapist to desensitize his gag reflex and help him with the textures of food. Thank goodness they will all be coming to our house. It's rare that I see a week that we don't have a doctors appointment of some kind:)
One of Noah's favorite books is Where The Wild Things Are. I wanted to maybe take him to the movie but I heard it was a little scary. Maybe when he's older. It's true that Noah calls Snow White, Snow Wipe (sounds cold). Also true that Heath is 28 and his family still calls him Heathy. Also, wondering if you're giving your child the swine flu shot and why or why not.
Asher HAD to stay inside. He's got a little cold. We put a hat on him anyway so he didn't feel left out.
Noah was frozen. I had to drag him in because really he would stay outside forever if I let him and he didn't exactly have the right snow gear on. Noah is such a funny kid. His new thing is saying "oh, dear!" when things aren't going so well. His talking is improving so much that we can actually have a little conversation. I feel like he's my little buddy now and we're getting to know each other better. Heath seems to think he'll be able to take him hunting earlier then he thought. Noah will say randomly in a whispering voice, "Shhh, a deer." I got a new calling. Young Womens president. I have a great counselor and there seems to be a lot of work to be done. We are going to the pumpkin patch tomorrow with the Nazelrod's and the Ence's.
It's true that I'm putting off potty training because I'm not quite sure how I want to go about it. Also true that Noah shared one of his trains with Asher the other day...and a friendship created.
I've never seen a program like this and I thought it was pretty neat. Plus you get a $10 gift card for trying it. :) It helped me realize the amount of food storage I really have and how many days I could feed my family of 4 on it. It was eye opening. It also made me realize how many things come in a #10 can. WOW. I like that it had the price right by the product in case you were interested in buying them. I'm a big fan of the Emergency Essentials website (and not just because I'm getting a $10 gift card, really)
Just the formula alone (4 large cans of Enfamil) would have been about $100.
Spent: $103.03
Saved: $101.36
and had a coupon for $3 off my next shopping trip.
This is what Heath is doing while I'm blogging. :) I love you sugar pie. It's true that Heath is using Noah's blanket and Asher's boppy pillow to snuggle up on the couch (My shopping receipts in hand. He must be proud...or is he keeping track of my spending?) . Also true that he was really, really tired and had a headache.
Noah's birthday was yesterday. He's 3 and I can't believe it. We celebrated on Saturday with good friends. This is my first attempt at a collage. Hopefully they will get better as I practice. My camera batteries died half way through the exciting part of the party (The singing and the cake...well, cupcakes) so I had some friends finish out the birthday party. For some reason I can't get the pictures to look normal when I put them on here. So more pictures to come when I figure it out. Anyway, here's Noah is the "birthday chair" for his 1st, 2nd, and now 3rd birthdays.
We also got our garden ready for next year. Heath tilled up the dirt and the boys (Reynold boys, the missionaries and Heath) put the poop on top...sorry the "fertilizer".
Deric brought his metal detector which a few people were excited about. They were trying to find a cell phone that was dropped in the poop. They found some coins that apparently Chris Nazelrod (the tall guy with the white shirt in the middle) had inconspicuously placed in different locations. It was funny that they were all digging through the poo to discover that the coins were planted there. Funny joke.
sometimes you lose. Me, I prefer to win. Today I think I lost or maybe just lost "it". Noah plays me like a fiddle. He just looks at me with those big, brown eyes and I cave. He knows it and I know it. I threaten the corner a lot more then I send to the corner. I don't spank. He's not fond of listening to me but you better believe he listens to his daddy. His daddy usually means business. Today I made the decision to be a little more tough, to say what I mean and mean what I say, to follow through, and to stick to a routine. Wish me luck because I'll need it.
He found a lady bug today and was so intrigued by it.
We said goodbye to Sue today. Sue was Noah's speech therapist that came to our house once a week. Now that he is turning 3 he has to move to a different program. It will be a speech class with other kids. I hope there is a way to take him. I can't stand the thought of him riding the "bus". He's just a kid.
This is Sue. Noah took the picture.
It's true that when Asher hears music he twirls his little feet. Also true that Heath and I talk on Skype during the day if it's going to be a long one.
One of the cutest things that Noah says. He's a busy boy with permanent marker on his belly, camo boots on his feet, a stick in his hand, a train in his pocket and Oreo's in his teeth. He'll be 3 soon. I can't believe it. My baby's growing up. His speech has improved so much. He is able to say little prayers now by copying Heath and me. It's so cute. When we ask him if he wants to say the prayer he says, "My prayer." He's so good at saying please and thank you and is mostly a polite little boy.
We finished the applesauce on Saturday. Heath and Deric actually helped us which was pretty awesome. It made it more entertaining with Heath and Deric making fun of eachother. We borrowed Donna's Sauce Master, a nifty little contraption that you put the apples in after boiling them. After boiling, you turn the crank and the applesauce homes out the side and the peel, seeds and stem come out the end. It was aaaaaaaaaaaawsome. We ended up with 48 pints.
Well, my friend Heidi said that if I post anymore spiders on my blog she's done being my friend. Well, Heidi, I'm callin' your bluff.
I've seen some of the weirdest bugs out here.
Asher is doing pretty well with his weight gain. He had an appointment at Shriner's yesterday and he weighed in at 14 pounds 10 ounces. Asher has a new occupational therapist who he adores. She is so nice and calm with Asher. He sas been spitting up a lot less and we have finally made it from weekly appointments to monthly.
By the way the baby picture in one of the previous posts was Heath. (Michelle Nazelrod, you are the winner...I'll have to think of a prize.) This is a picture of me. I was just thinking Asher probably looks more like me.
Also, I know I keep changing my blog. I just can't find the right background. I think this will stick for a while but who really knows? It's true that my mom has a new job and I can't really talk to her during the day anymore and it's also true that I'm thinking about getting a greenhouse.
He's a Grad student. He makes pots. He likes hunting and hanging out with his boys. You can visit his blog at www.checkoutmyblogatmyblog.blogspot.com (or click the picture).
"We artist are indestructible, even in a prison cell or a concentration camp I would be almighty in my own world of art. Even if I had to paint my pictures with my wet tongue on the dusty floor of my cell." - Pablo Picasso
Asher helps me develop faith. He has a nerve injury on his right arm. He also has trouble gaining weight. He sees an occupational therapist 2 times a week. He is sweet and shy but has a funny personality.
this is our story.
i called him. he said yes. he kissed me. i said, "i love you." he said, "i like you twelve." (that equals i love you.) he said "will you?" i said, "yes". we got married. he started school. we had noah. i became a mom. he became an artist. we moved to pa. he became a grad student. then came asher and i became the mom of 2. we moved back to utah. he became a teacher. me? the mom of three. we are happy. we are blessed.
Children are made readers on the laps of their parents. - Emily Buchwald
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