On our way...

...on the potty train that is. I can say that this boy is pretty much completely #2 trained! From what I hear that is the hard part. Except for my kids both got that first. As long as I am around, he goes like a champ! As soon as I feel up to it (and my face becomes a tad less numb) I am going to work on the other part. He has gone a few times, but not nearly as consistent as the other part. He is SO ready to do this. Ella was so early that I worried about Carter being 12 =). So glad he is ready now. Here we go...wish us luck!

Do I still have a chin?

I got my wisdom teeth out on Friday morning. Not fun. Things went pretty well, didn't even realize they had already done the procedure when I woke up. Until I realize my face is numb. I make a joke to Brady, "I can't feel my lips. Do I still have a chin?" He laughs and makes me repeat lines from the little boys, "Is this real life" video on youtube while tapping me. Then we head for home. As the afternoon wears on I still cannot feel my face. I go to bed slightly worried since they make you sign a paper saying there is LESS than 1% chance that they could hit a nerve. This could leave you without feeling in one side of your face. After sleeping Friday night, I wake up numb once again. A few people had told me that it took them about 24 hours to get feeling back so I sit and wait a bit. Sunday I wake up, and you guessed it, numb. It is now Sunday night and I still cannot feel my face. It is actually a bit painful and irritating. I feel like my lip weighs 10lbs and it will not stop itching, burning, etc. Only problem is, I scratch it and can't feel anything. It is my mind playing tricks on me. I can't really eat well. I had my first real meal tonight and can't tell if I am chewing food or my own cheek/lip. After doing a bit of research it seems that the surgeon may have hit the nerve. It could take up to 6 months to fix itself. Until then, I remain numb. I can't wait to call the surgeon tomorrow morning when their office opens. Only, I have a feeling I am going to be disappointed. I am sure they are going to tell me that I knew of the risk and that it isn't a big deal. It will go away at some point, they will tell me. I, however, am really sick of feeling broken. I am tired of feeling like I cannot care for my children. Okay, I get it. A numb lip will not impair my ability to care for them, but you get the idea. I feel like I can't catch a break. I was the healthiest person you had ever met the day I got married. Then my pregnancy with Ella, and worse yet Carter. The gallbladder, and then my broken back. The wisdom teeth have been in the back of my mind so I knew they were coming, but did I really need to be left numb after? Today I purposefully watched a 20/20 they did on the LDS girl who was in a plane crash. Watching all of the struggles in her life made me feel better about how small mine are. I feel as if most of my kids lives I have been physically down and not able to care for my family in the way I would like. I just need a reminder once in a while that my life isn't so bad. I have a lot to be happy about. Two wonderful children and a loving, supportive husband who does more than his share at times. I am so grateful for my them and wouldn't change my life, just wish sometimes that the bad luck would run out.

A Reading Girl!

Ella's been reading simple books for about a month now. She just decided one day that she wanted to! Now she is learning a lot of sight words and working on sounding out the more difficult ones. Won't be long now and she will be reading to Carter for me. =) Don't mind the fact that Carter is throwing balls at her and running around crazy loud in the background. Haha.

Easter Madness Part II

Some of these pictures are stolen so don't worry if you have seen them before (thanks Amy!).

Cute cousins!

Waiting patiently for the race to begin!

Ready, set, go!

Lets just say hunting is not her strong suit.

He is pretty good on the other hand!

For some reason there were eggs on top? At least Carter could reach them!

The loot.

This is what the Easter bunny brought!

Man is he happy with his basket. He's been wanting a hat very badly!

"Yes, something to hit people with!" (What was I thinking?)

Beating the egg to death. Yes, it was a real one.

Does she look pained or what? Guess the pictures are getting to her.

Maren loved to walk to Ella!

Walking like a pro!

Having the time of his life!

Bunny teeth, awesome.

And we are back to the train ride, but aren't the cute?

Easter Madness

We had quite an eventful Easter weekend this year. Brady's sister came down with her family and we had a lot of fun planned (I will break this up into two posts since we had some much crammed into a few days). Let's begin with Friday. My little niece was turning 3 so we spent the day making a cake for her. Once she arrived we had a special birthday dinner and her pinkalicious/purplicious cake!

Later that night we dyed Easter eggs! My camera died so those pictures will have to come later (hoping Amy got some shots). Here is one I have of Carter. He sure loved being one of the "big kids" this weekend.

 Saturday was a beautiful day, so we set out for a trip to the zoo. Apparently there was an Easter egg hunt going on and everyone else had the same idea. Still, it was a fun afternoon. We took the train, which the kids obviously loved. Ella and Patrick spent most of their weekend holding hands, gotta love cousins! I asked her today what her favorite part of the weekend was and she replied, "Hanging out with Patrick!"

The gang at the train station.

Checking out the train map. =)

Ella checking out the polar bears. One of the favorites.

Amy always tends to take on another kid when she's around!

 Carter pretending to be a Giraffe. (Thanks Jagger! Haha)

 This one is for Cass. =) We attempted the Easter egg hunt. It was more of a scrimmage but it was fun anyway.

 Carter was fascinated with the monkeys. He loved the zoo! He would growl at each and every cage. It was entertaining for us to say the least.

 The two goof balls.

Of course, more for the polar bears.

  Last stop, the tigers!

  These three spent the entire day running from exhibit to exhibit. They had a blast! Coming up next, our Easter egg hunt, and Easter day! What an exhausting, fun weekend we had!

Ricky Bobby

Welcome to the family Ricky Bobby. We hope you don't die. =)