My Morning.......

Today's been a little bit crazy for me.  This morning my 2 year-old informed me that she HATES me......really?  She's Two!  We had a nice long talk about that one.  I told her what it meant and by the end of our chat she told me she LOVED me, so I guess that makes me feel a little better. 

I think the majority of what has come out Macie's mouth today is, "NO MOM!"  It's starting to drive me a little crazy.  "No" is frustrating, but she always has to add on the "Mom."  So................she's spent a lot of time in time outs today, which seem to only help for like 10 minutes.  Then she's right back to doing naughty things.......ON PURPOSE.  Any advise would be great ;)

I was on the phone with Reed for few minutes, so Macie used this time to empty the clean laundry all over the kitchen floor...........and take Branson's juice away........and hide it under the clothes...........and pull the clean clothes out from under him and make him bonk his head really hard on the floor............about this time I decided to get off the phone.  It had only been like 4 minutes! 

So I pick up Branson who is SCREAMING his head off, put Macie in her bedroom.....for her own safety........and start searching through all the laundry for the bottle Macie hid.  I  can't find it anywhere, so I ask her where she put it.  She told me that she put it in Branson's room.......whatever Macie, I finally found it in the kitchen under some clothes.  So I bend over (with Branson in my arms) to pick up the juice and he pukes all over a bunch of the clean clothes and blankets.......blah.  Then I started laughing, which was a good sign.  Usually I am tired and cranky by this time of the day.  But Branson has FINALLY started sleeping through the night the last 5 days. 

I give Branson the bottle, have a little chat with Macie, and start reading her a story before naps.  Then I hear Branson crying a little bit.  I knew he was tired, so I thought I'd just let him cry a little while I finished with Macie.  But he started screaming and I thought, "What if he's by the stairs?"  I didn't think he was, because I can usually hear his little hands slapping the floor when he gets onto the hard floor, but not this time.  He was UPSIDE DOWN on the top stair, still HANGING on for dear life to the railing!  After I rescued him I could hardly hold the book I was finishing reading to Macie.  My whole body was jello after the sudden adrenaline rush, haha!  A few minutes after it happened I laughed really hard to myself when I thought of him totally scared, hanging on for so long!  Think I need a gate?  Me too. 

Now it is nap time, and I am going downstairs to caulk the basement.........alone......with no kids.......aahhhh. 

I really do LOVE being a stay-at-home mom, but some days are crazy, like today.  Thank heaven for NAP TIME, it's a life-saver!  Because even now as I write this, I can think of all the GOOD things that happened today too.  In between all those "NO MOM"s there were some "I love you"s.  And a lot of hugs and kisses and "GOTCHA"s.....that's Macie surprising me with a hug:)  And lots of hugs and very SLOBBERY kisses from Branson.  And a phone call from my HUBBY when things were getting wild at home. 

Forgetful.....

Last night I just realized that I did something really humiliating the other day.  Monday I made bread for all three of my visiting teaching ladies (who I just barely got assigned to, so I hardly know them at all).  The batch makes four loaves, so I've been using the other one for sandwiches in Reed's lunches the last few days.  Last night I was giving some to Branson and Macie asked for some.  As soon as she put it in her mouth she spat it out and said, "I don't like it, it yucky."  I've made bread every week for the last couple years, so I thought it was a little weird she she thought it was so bad.  So I took a bite and it was awful!  And I knew exactly what I did wrong......I had forgotten the SALT!  I knew right away because I did the same thing a few years ago.  I am SO embarrassed!  Leave it up to me to give the one batch of disgusting bread I make away to everyone!  I asked Reed about it and he said he'd been pulling the meat and cheese out of his sandwiches, hahaha!  Nice of him not to say anything........smart man :) 

A few weeks ago I also left the dome light on in Reed's truck.  Ever since then the batteries have been low, and yesterday they finally died.  That was about a $200 mistake....sweet. 

READ THIS.........

I had heard this book was good from a few people over the last few years, but I never really had the desire to read it until my sister and her husband told me it was really good and so TRUE.  Then I kind of forgot about it for a few months, but now another one of my sisters was talking about it.  I picked it up at the library last week and devoured it!  It really opened my eyes and helped me to understand MEN.  You might not want to read it because of the title......I know I used to laugh at the title when I saw it at Reed's parent's house.  But I seriously think that EVERY wife NEEDS to read this book.  I consider myself to be very happily married, but even in the last few days, I have seen a huge improvement!  READ IT, READ IT, READ IT......you will be so glad you did!

I also wanted to write about something else that has really helped me the last couple of weeks.  Reed and I decided not to have "T.V." at our house a few years ago because when we do, it seems like we spend too much time in front of it instead of doing better things.  I would try to let Macie only watch one movie a day, but ever since Branson was born, I used it as a scape rout.  When I got busy I would always find my self asking Macie if she wanted to watch a movie.  I'm not saying that's really bad or anything, but lately, that's ALL she wanted to do!  As soon as one movie was over, she'd want another....all day long!  Around Christmas time I usually gave in so I could get stuff done, but I felt guilty about it all the time.  The reason we don't have T.V. hooked up is so we won't watch it all day long!  So I was pretty nervous about cutting her back.  I thought I was in for a week of tantrums about wanting to watch movies, but I was totally wrong!  I told her the new rule: Only one movie a day, and then worked on distracting her with books, toys, play dough, coloring, ect.  She was so much happier, and it wasn't a hard transition at all!  It was a little more work for me, but she loved the extra attention from me.  We both seem so much happier.......she gets more Mommy time, and I don't have the guilt!  President Uchtdorf said in his October Conference address that "In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time."  SO TRUE!  I am so glad I decided to enforce the rule.  I have to throw in my disclaimer though.......when she is sick, I let her watch more movies:)  All she wants to do is lay down, so I put a movie on for her.  Just thought I'd add that in......I'm not perfect...not even close:)

Branson is ALL OVER the place!  He has really taken off, and spends most of the day EXPLORING the house.  Last night he learned how to stand up in his crib!  He can pop the tray off of his bumbo and get out, which makes dinner time extremely messy.  I wish he'd slow down, but it's fun to see him learn and grow too.     

Random Pictures....

These are just a few random pictures from the last week or so.....

Macie got these shoes from her Uncle Casey and Aunt Cindy for Christmas and she LOVES them.  It's surprising how well she can walk and RUN in them!

Close up of the shoes......she is SUCH a girl!

Pretending to read the dictionary...upside down:)

Branson looking innocent.



Branson looking pleased with himself, and Macie looking annoyed.  Macie had to move to a chair where Branson couldn't reach her because he wouldn't leave her alone.



Branson torturing Macie, haha!  Yesterday he really took off with the crawling, and he bugged Macie all morning.  He would climb on her and get her snacks and sit on her blanket(heaven forbid).  He seemed to really enjoy it.



Macie helping Reed blow out his birthday candles.



She was so excited all day for Daddy to "blow his fire." 





Singing Happy Birthday to Reed.





Branson eating his Cheerios, he loves being able to eat by himself.





"Don't mind if I do......"



Happy Birthday Reed!

Today Reed turns 28! So I wanted to give 28 reasons(in no partucular order)why I LOVE him....haha, he's gonna love this;)

1. He is a hard worker and great provider for our family.

2. He also knows how to play.

3. He would rather have me cook him something for his birthday than go out to eat.

4. He makes time for me.

5. He makes time for Macie.

6. He makes time for Branson.

7. He's a great friend to others.

8. He makes friends easily.

9. He can't sleep without me fluffing his pillow:)

10. He is very smart.

11. He likes to laugh.
12. He honors his priesthood.
13. He always helps when I ask.
14. He loves his kids.
15. He always tries to do what is right.

16. He asks me what he should wear...usually.
17. He's organized.
18. He goes out of his way to get to know people.
19. He's NOT shy, unlike me:)
20. He always sits by or talks to those who look lonely.

21. He wants me to stay home with our kids.
22. He supports me in my hobbies and interests.
23. He doesn't talk bad about me.
24. He likes my cooking.
25. He says "I Love You" multiple times a day...I need to hear it.
26. He says I look good with no makeup....I know it's not true, but it's nice of him to say that.
27. He has a strong Testimony of Jesus Christ.
28. For some reason he picked me!
Happy Birthday Reed, we LOVE you!

Christmas 2010

We had a great Christmas this year.  It was pretty low-key, but that's how we like it.  One Christmas Eve we went to my parents house in Basalt(Firth).  We had a family party with homemade soup and rolls, thanks

Mom, and lots of TREATS.  We ate, played a game, and opened presents.  It was so fun to see everyone. 

On Christmas day we woke up and opened presents with the kids.  It was fun to watch Macie, because she was so excited.  After that we headed to Reed's Parents house in Idaho Falls.  We had a delicious breakfast of potato casserole, ham and smoothies. Then Reed's brother Troy called, he's on his Mission, and we were able to talk to him for a while.  And then we got to open presents from each other.  Again, it was so nice just to be with family. 

After that our little family just stayed there and hung out for most of the day.  Branson had a rough night Christmas Eve, so we were both pretty tired.  So the kids and I took a nap that lasted about 3 hours!!  Here are some pictures from Christmas morning at our house........

Trip to Salt Lake

In mid December we were able to take a little trip to Salt Lake. It was only for a few days, but it was much needed! We were able to see my sister Karen and her husband Nic and their new house. And we were also able to see my sister Mandy, her husband Mark, and their little girls. I left my camera at the condo for all of that though. And my sister Mandy was so nice, and she watched our kids while Reed and I went to Hobby Lobby and out to lunch. By the way, if you've never been, that store is amazing! I'm not a big shopper, but I had saved up some money to decorate my home, and I found everything I could ever want there....and more! Love it! We also were able to eat dinner at the Lion House, which I had never done before, and go to Tucanos, which Reed and I LOVE! December was a really busy month for us, so it was a nice little trip to just get away and spend time together. Thanks Grandma!

Growing up.....

My baby boy is sitting up and crawling!! He loves being big, but I wish he'd just stay little! And I think Macie is leaving the toddler stage and turning into a little girl...you know, except for the potty training thing and the tantrums! :)

I realize that my photography practice is kinda taking over my blog, so Reed convinced me to make a photography blog. I know I'm not a professional, but I needed somewhere to put my photo shoots. This shoot, however, is of my kids. So I didn't feel bad posting it on the family blog. But in the future, feel free to check out www.juliedenningphotography.blogspot.com, also found on my sidebar :)

F-Family Photoshoot

I am having so much fun taking pictures of different families....they all have different personalities that I get to capture on camera! Well, that I TRY to capture on camera. ;) Thank you F-Family for letting me practice on you...I loved it!