TuCk N JuLEs

It's ANOTHER girl!

2012-01-31T11:45:00.001-08:00

We found out we are having another chica join our family! I am not gonna lie ... we were definitely hoping for another boy so little Krew man could have a brother, and so I could be DONE. But, we were not at all surprised, as I had a feeling the whole time it was a girl. This pregnancy felt just like the other "girl" pregnancies. I didn't get as sick with Krew, but gained TONS of weight with him. Also, rewinding to the g n i n n i g e b, last October we took a trip to Utah for the famous biannual Cheyenne party. I had been feeling really sick the whole drive to Utah and thought I had a stomach bug, considering several of the other kiddos had had one in the previous weeks. All 4 pregnancies, I never felt sick until 8 weeks. After we put the kids down to sleep, Tucker and I decided to go get something to eat. When we returned, Cali was sitting upstairs awake with Judy and Anne Nelson. Judy started to tell us that Cali had been up talking their ears off about her baby sister that she was going to have, named "Cora." Tucker and I both looked at each other and laughed, but suddenly I had this strong feeling that "YEAH," I was pregnant! So the next morning I rushed to the store to grab a pregnancy test, and sure enough, it was positive. We were shocked, but totally excited. THEN, around Christmas time, I was looking at a picture pedigree chart that Judy had made for us a couple of years ago, and I saw that Judy's great great grandmother's name was ... Cora! Crazy. Gave me chills. Anyway ... back to the ultrasound. When they told us it was a girl, we were pretty much expecting that it was and as soon as we saw her sweet little face, we just knew it was meant to be, and we have been so excited ever since. Even if it is another little girl. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed to think that I am going to be raising 4 future MOTHERS. It is an awesome responsibility that I do not take lightly. We are thinking of naming her CoraLynn (one word, first name only), hence the history and family name, or Kendall, just because we like that name. Which do you like better? We will have to see what she looks like ...

The Parable of the 10 Virgins ... Am I prepared?

2011-12-05T21:09:00.001-08:00

I was invited to participate in the parable of the 10 Virgins musical for our stake. It was such a fun and spiritual experience, and really got me pondering my personal relationship with my Savior. The most important truth that I felt, is that it is totally up to me; it's the choices I make every day, and how I react to trials and opposition. I know that I still have a lot to learn, and a long way to go until I am truly "prepared."

Some things I have learned ...

2011-03-25T17:15:00.000-07:00

- Cheap diapers (Sam's Club Members Mark brand) are AMAZING. I can't believe I am on my 4th baby, and have NEVER bought the store brand diapers; I just had always heard that they leaked or left rashes. On Monday I decided to try them out, they were $5 cheaper than my regular choice, and *sigh,* I am in love ... And mad! Do you know that if I had bought the Sam's Club diapers starting with baby #1, I would have saved about $2160! Dang.

-Family scripture study is UNDERrated. At the beginning of the school year Kashli was singled out as reading at the lowest level in her class. She is now one of the best! If you can read the difficult language/words of the scriptures, what CAN'T you read, right? We have noticed a significant decrease (NOT absence, mind you!) of contention in our home; the girls seem to get along better and those nights when I go to bed in tears because I feel that I have crossed the line in yelling or disciplinig or # of little bodies I am in charge of, or whatever it is from that day, have also become a rare occasion. It has taken a while to see the benefits and blessings ... but I assure you, they are there! Sometimes it takes Kashli 15 mins to read her 2 verses, we have to say the line 7 times before Cali can repeat it (somewhat!) correctly, and we have to tell Carly 36 times to sit down or come back. But hey, it is really really worth it.

-Things don't have to be perfect. Life goes on, and I don't die if it's not how I wanted-planned-expected-hoped or even directed. Perfect. What does that even mean? Because no one is perfect, perfect is relative. What's perfect to me, isn't perfect to you. But whatever the case, I have always had this drive to be "perfect." I used to see it as a good thing, I have always been grateful for the innate desire to want to do what's right or best (for me) in every situation. But latey... it has just been exhausting. And not worth my time and anxiety. Recently, I have HATED this character trait. Meaning, because I AM NOT and NEVER WILL BE perfect, every night as I hit the pillow all I think about is what I didn't do, or what I should've or could've done. In my head I go over and over conversations, interactions, prayers, presentations, blah blah blah, was it "perfect?" NO. It wasn't. And it never is! Ha. Even though I logically have always understood things will not always be perfect, it's like I still hold myself to that standard. And on top of being exhausting and urealistic, apparently I come across "self-righteous" and like I have no problems or hardships in my life. I recently went visiting teaching to a sister who sat flabbergasted as I told a story of some not so perfect happenings in my life. She literally said to me, "Well I just always see you and your beautiful family coming into church and you all look perfect and happy ... and well, I guess I just never realized that you have problems just like the rest of us!" What? Really? Stunned. Not so flattered. What do you say to that. Story aside--I'm done. I've given myself permission to fail (AGAIN and again! but this(ese) time(s), with forgiveness and minus the anxiety). Things don't have to be perfect. Life goes on ... but I can still be happy in my imperfect life.

-I can do chores, too! I am a cleaner and an organizer. Since baby Krew (who is going to be 1! in 4 weeks, by the way) I have had a hard time adjusting. Period. But, a clean and organized home = happy life for the Brown family. So I made myself a chore chart (influenced by the ones I made for the girls) that I am really proud of. Not only does it help me keep on top of things, but it gives me a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. Lately I've just done nothing (because it was too overwhelming, and where do I start?) until I HAD to, and by then it took me 3 times as long because it had really piled up. I just do 1 thing a day-dust and vacuum the basement. Or, clean the master bathroom. Laundry days are Monday and Thursday. Vacuum out the van, sweep and mop the kitchen floor, clean out refigerator, etc. are only done once a month on Saturday. Realistically, some of these things could be done daily, but that is just not realistic for me and my situation. For the stage I am in, if I wanted my house spotless every second of the day (which, honestly, I do!) I would have to spend hours and hours ... hours I would miss in the everyday happenings of my family. So I do something (or 2!) EVERY day, and if we have unexpected (or expected) company, at least I have been keeping up on it, and it's not THAT bad. In fact, it's GREAT.

-Girl's weekend is a MUST. My 2 sisters and I met my Mom in California for a much needed timeout. It was just for 2 nights. We stayed in a beach town, and just shopped, relaxed, ate, slept, and most importantly enjoyed one another's company. Our sweet husbands held up camp at home with all the monkeys. It was a perfect little break. Not too long, but long enough for us to miss our husbands and children, and definitely long enough for THEM to miss US! (wink, wink) It was just so fun, and I came back to my family feeling refreshed and recharged. This was the first time we have done this, but we have all agreed it is a tradition that is here to stay!

-My husband is to me, as your chocolate is to you. :)

-To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. The season I am in is learning, playing, gaining weight, losing weight, coping, band-aids, meals, driving, bills, forgiveness, comforting, meetings, selflessness, nursing, laundry, teaching, hair, hoping, dreaming, correcting, self-awareness, balancing, imperfectness, barbies, self-control, working, naked, patience, patience, patience, bad dreams, loving, crying, trying and smiling. It's OK to think of how it will be, or how it used to be ... but this is where it is NOW, and I often remind myself that one day this will be yesterday so I am going to make today count!

Family Pics 2010

2010-12-31T13:04:00.001-08:00

I'm not gonna lie ... '08 and '09 were VERY rough years for Tucker and I. But 2010 was so good to us, especially with the sale and move to our new home (which we LOVE) in January. 2008 and 2009 provided much stretching and growing with so many sweet and sacred moments. Please forgive the cheesiness or obviousness (or even lameness in your opinion); all I can say in a nutshell is that Tucker and I have talked often about, and have just literally been in awe over all the blessings we have received in 2010 and know that there truly is a Father in Heaven who knows and cares for each one of us! And not only that ... but timing is everything and He truly knows what's best for us, even when we cannot see. Thank you for the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ!

HaLowEeN in AZ!

2010-11-11T08:38:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Poor Krew ... you should see the things his older sisters do to him.

On the plane, ready to go to "CJ's house!"

I had Kashli take my pic across the aisle ... a little CLOSE ... but not too bad.

Sooo excited to be reunited with their cousins!

Hayride!

Jodi, Chase and Chris

We all LOVE Nana.

Kashli, Carly and Chase feeding the goats.

Love this pic!

Notice the "watermelon snow cone" mouth. Yes, snow cones in October ... only in AZ!

Carly trying to find the perfect pumpkin.

Daddy helping Cali get her costume on.

Of Course my girls all had to have "beautiful" costumes.

Jodi made the cutest Ghost costumes for their family ... funny story - CJ decided that he didn't want to be a Ghost, he wanted to be E-on Man (his costume Jodi made him last year). He was pouting and very upset but we all insisted he wear the Ghost costume because the fam looked so dang cute. So about 20 mins later, my Mom walked into Jodi's closet and she found CJ holding scizzors to his neck getting ready to cut the Ghost costume off! After some persuasion from Nana, Jodi decided CJ's life was more important than him wearing the Ghost costume. Lol!

Uncle Chris and Little "Wosie!"

Trunk-or-treat! Notice, CJ as the E-on Man! ;)

#1 Fan!

2010-09-11T16:56:00.001-07:00

Here is Krew chillin' out (just like Dad!) ready to watch the game. We love getting together with friends and/or family and watching our Cougars! I love making all the yummy food.

Krew's Baby Blessing (July)

2010-09-11T09:27:00.000-07:00

Daddy and SON! Yay!

Nana and Krew

Richard (Grandpa), Tucker, Trey and Mark (Papa) (and Baby Krew!)

My Dad (and Mom!) came out in July and painted our house (if you look closely in the background you can see it was still a work in progress . . .) and we blessed baby Krew at that time.

KREW RICHARD, April 25th 4:15 PM 7 lbs, 1 oz 20 inches

2010-04-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

Wednesday April 28th . . .

2010-04-20T08:01:00.000-07:00

is the day they are going to induce me! I really really want Baby Krew to come on his own time . . . but if not, at least I know there is an end in sight. My midwives are just a little concerned if I go over my due date that he will be TOO BIG; never something I have worried about before. So here is your warning, Baby Krew, if you don't come out on your own by next Wednesday, you are gonna be FORCED out! (We are soooooo excited to meet you! Carly said to me on Sunday, "Mom, why is he taking F-O-R-E-V-E-R to come out! I want to HOLD him!")

YAY!

2010-04-15T15:24:00.001-07:00

Baby Krew's head is down and he weighs 7.5 lbs. DANG that's a big boy. I don't think it will be too long . . .

EaSTer

2010-04-13T18:09:00.001-07:00

BABY update . . .WARNING: this is a LONG ramble!

2010-04-13T08:26:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I went in for one of my weekly check-ups and the baby is now transverse! Just a week ago he was head down . So being only about 2 weeks away from delivery, my midwife has suggested I be admitted to the hospital Thurs to have the baby manually turned to the head down position. However, it's not an easy decision because there are just so many factors involved.
They were concerned earlier in my pregnancy that I had polyhydraminos (TOO much amniotic fluid), but was ruled out with an ultrasound. I was sent for another ultrasound 3 weeks later, because the cord was presenting itself first, but it had moved out the way -- but they also found the baby to already be 6 lbs 5 oz at 36 weeks. Kash and Carly weighed 6 lbs at birth, and Cali 7 lbs at birth, but I also went 12 days OVER my due date with her! I still had 4 weeks left at that point so we are possibly looking at a 9 lb baby if I go over again. They are concerned that for me being 5 feet tall and somewhat small in stature (I know-- I don't look so small right now!) along with all 3 of my previous labors being over 20 hrs . . . that is not a good idea for me to go all the way to term . SO, they were planning to induce at about 39 weeks, which is like April 25th, until my appointment yesterday changed everything. Now they are not ruling out the polyhydraminos issue again (ultrasounds are never 100% accurate) just because of the fact that the baby is moving so much, it could be because he has all that room, and what is to say if they manually move him he won't move again! Another weird thing with this pregancy has been my weight gain. I have already gained 42 lbs, whereas with the last 3 I gained 29 lbs, 32 lbs and 26lbs. That is another sign of lots of fluid. There is also the possibility that everything is just different because he is a boy. Boys are generally more active and heavier!
Either way this baby has to come out, it is just going to depend on what they find out on Thurs. I will have an ultrasound, before they admit me to the hospital, to see the baby's size, amniotic fluid level, and obviously the position. From there I will have to decide if I want them to manually move the baby, which does not sound fun. They can also induce me right after the procedure to ensure he doesn't move again. But as much as I am DONE being pregnant, I would rather the baby come when he is ready. There is also the possiblilty he moves head down at the last second . . . the problem is waiting until the last second, if he DOESN'T move head down, it is that much harder for them to manually move him. So, Tucker, Richard and Cary are going to give me a blessing tonight - - obviously I am hoping he moves head down by Thurs and there is no issue to begin with . . . but if there is, at least I know I will be blessed with being able to see clearly what the best decisions for me and the baby are at that point. So THURSDAY will be the tell all . . . we will see! (I hope SOME of that made sense . . .)

For Lisa . . .

2010-03-14T16:18:00.001-07:00

Here is my big fat 33 week pregnant belly!

Jodi and Little Miss Rose Diane

2010-03-11T09:06:00.000-08:00

Jodi and Chris welcomed a healthy and beautiful little girl Monday night! She weighed 6 lbs 13 oz and was 19 inches long. Rose arrived on her due date, lucky for Jodi. My Mom is there until Sunday, and then she will head to Provo for the birth of Lisa's twins on Monday!

Lisa & Little Elle

2010-02-17T14:34:00.000-08:00

So I just thought I would give a little update . . . my beautiful little sister Lisa is 30 weeks pregnant with twins, a boy (Beckham) and a girl (Ellery). Little Elle is suffereing some complications, so Lisa has been put on bed rest in the hospital, until she has the twins. The longest they will keep her there is 4 weeks, but they will deliver her sooner if complications arise. Hayden and Lisa are both in good spirits, besides Lisa being bummed the hospital will be her home for a while, but I'm sure they wouldn't mind your support and prayers!

ChANgEs

2010-01-07T08:40:00.001-08:00

So here are a few things you may not know, because of my fabulous blogging skills-- or should I say effort . . .

I am 24 weeks pregnant with a BOY!! Yeah! We are sooooo excited, it is like my first all over again, I get to shop and basically start over! I am due May 1st.

We are moving! We sold our house about 2 weeks ago and are currently moving things over to our new home about 2 miles away. We have mixed emotions, but change is ALWAYS good for Tucker and I. We get too bored without it.

We (not really, I should say TUCKER) got a dog! His name is Ty and he is a black lab. I am not a dog fan, but he really is a good dog.

Kashli started Kindergarten this year, so that has been a big change, not only for her, but for Tucker and I. She LOVES it, but especially her teacher!

My little sister, Jodi, is pregnant with a GIRL, due March 8th.

My little sister, Lisa, is pregnant with twins! A girl and a boy, and went 20 weeks without even knowing it. She is due April 24th, but will be lucky to make it to April 4th.

My little brother, Eric, just returned home from his mission in Chile!

That's right, my parents are getting FOUR grandchildren within 9 weeks.

What else? I'll have to get back . . . it's been too long!

HaPPy 5Th BirTHdaY, my sweet KASHLI!

2009-04-29T20:34:00.000-07:00

You are such a good big sister; your sisters adore you. Thank you for challenging me and making me a better person, and thank you for your enthusiasm for life. Thanks for being my shopping buddy. Daddy loves that you are HIS girl. We are so blessed to have you in our life . . . Tucker and I thank our Heavenly Father for you every night and pray for your continued health, desire to choose the right, and growing testimony of Jesus Christ. We LOVE you so much! You are 5 years old!
Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Brown who hosted and awesome party!
Kash and her Uncle Cary--she LOVES her Uncle Cary!

Kellen & Kashli share a birthday a year apart . . . little did I know when I visited Perianne in the hospital the day Kellen was born that a year to the day I would be in the same hospital delivering myself!
Making a serious wish!
The WHOLE fam
Me and My Birthday girl
Daddy
Cali girlie

Carly claimed this gift as her own

I am NOT a Runner . . .

2009-04-28T23:12:00.000-07:00

. . . in college I took a jogging class and really got into it, even though I have a love-hate relationship with running. Probably the endorphins. However, I wasn't smart and overdid it, permanently damaging my Achilles Tendon. I remember I even ran to the Doc's office when it was to be examined!? I always have problems with it when I run, but yeah, I know--excuses excuses. Anyway I usually like to train for the BolderBoulder for a couple of months just because I really hate running and it just pushes me to do something I hate, but yet still conquer it, you know? And the BolderBoulder is just a really sweet race. Now Tucker, he is a runner. He won't even train at all and he will run the 6.2 miles with me no problem. He ran a marathon with like 2 weeks of training a few weeks after he came home from his mission! That is just incredible to me. I am not a runner. But I have been teasing Tucker that he is gonna be sucking serious wind this time around . . . he is getting to be an OLD man and he has not been training with me. He's only been hitting the weights, while I am doing both the weights AND running! I'll let you know how it goes . . . I will probably kick his trash! ;)

Girlies . . .

2009-04-28T23:09:00.000-07:00

WHAT'S NEW

2009-04-28T22:46:00.000-07:00

We hired a consulting company to grow and better the business, as well as get our taxes and accounting in order. The good thing is that I am no longer putting in the hours I used to! It got to a point where I said, "OK, do I want to be a Mom or help run a business?" The bigger the business gets, the less I can handle, especially with our family getting bigger! There have definitely been some bumps in the road, but so far, so good. I can truly say that it has been an enlighting freedom. At first I was fighting to give away some control, but ironically we have now put ourselves in an even better position of control with that initial loss. Hopefully things will continue to get better--I KNOW that we have been so blessed so far. I have so much to be grateful for . . . especially my FAMILY. I have really begun to enjoy my children on a new level with all the change. Most of all I am grateful for the specific guidance and direction our little family has been given. I just know that when you strive to do what is right, and FIX the wrongs, you are taken care of. Things may not be perfect, but you make it through--with a smile! P.S. updated pics to come . . . it's been a while

Maybe we changed our minds . . .

2009-04-16T21:21:00.000-07:00

So, long story short . . . we are now going to build another house HERE in Cheyenne, down the street--IF we ever sell this one. It's a LONG story. But we are excited!

Happy Easter (although we don't LOOK too happy . . . )

2009-04-16T21:15:00.000-07:00

We are MOVING . . . (Maybe!)

2009-03-04T13:51:00.001-08:00

So we are hoping to move to Fort Collins, although we have yet to find a house there! The first question everyone always asks is, "Are you still doing Brown Boy's?" YES! Of course we are, Tucker will just commute for the next little while until it is running smoothly with the new managers and office people we have hired! We love Cheyenne, but we are ready for a CHANGE. Tucker has lived here his whole life and I am just used to moving (I moved every couple of years growing up!) and we LOVE Fort Collins. I have my babies there, we shop there, we go there for date night, we go there for any excuse, we go there we go there. So, if we can sell our house (sniff, sniff--I LOVE our house), then we will move. Happy to stay . . . happier to go, HAPPY whatever!! I'm easy. Selling is not.

2008-12-06T13:52:00.000-08:00

SeE Ya!

2008-11-24T14:49:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to let you know we are off to Utah (to Casey's) for Thanksgiving and then on to Nana & Papa's in California for Christmas and New Year's and Hayden & Lisa's sealing! No wind and/or snow for 8 weeks!!! The girls can barely sleep at night (that includes me).

My HuSBaNd! TAG you're it!

2008-11-22T11:17:00.000-08:00

WHAT IS YOUR HUSBAND'S NAME? Bryn Donnel (His middle name is SUPPOSED to be pronounced DONELL emphasis on the "ell," but it is spelled like how you say Donald--without the "d" on the end--so it is something that I always make fun of him about!) Brown and he goes by Tucker.
OK here is the "Tucker" story. His older brother, Tron, gave him the nickname when he was about 2 or 3 years old. Everyone in the family has called him Tucker his whole life. When I first ever met him, he was introduced as "Tucker." After knowing him about 3 or 4 months he showed me his "twin brother's" drivers license whose name was Bryn. I don't know if he was trying to see my reaction to his real name, or what? But I met him as Tucker, and so he is "Tucker" to me. MY Tucker.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MARRIED TO HIM? 6 1/2 years. I met him when I was 17 so we have been friends for almost 10 years.

HOW LONG DID YOU DATE? Counting from the first time we kissed . . . 8 months.

HOW OLD IS HE? 31!! He is OLD.

WHO IS TALLER? I have never been known for my height--definately HIM.

WHO CAN SING BEST? Me. He is hilarious to listen to, though. He makes up his own lyrics and songs and even sings in different languages.

WHO IS SMARTER? Me. Him. Me. Him. I don't know, it depends. He has "street" smarts.

WHO DOES LAUNDRY? Me. He ruined the whites when we were first married and I have done it ever since.

WHO PAYS THE BILLS? Me. But he's the money maker.

WHO SLEEPS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BED? Him. I have this thing that HE has to sleep the closest to the bedroom door so that if a robber came in and tried to attack they would attack and/or kill HIM first and not notice me. Nice, huh?

WHO MOWS THE LAWN? Who do you think? That's what he does for a living. Although I did do it when I was 9 months pregnant as I was trying to induce labor. I wouldn't reccommend it. Ever.

WHO COOKS DINNER? Me. I am unaware there is an option. Tucker made macaroni and cheese out of the box (WHOLE GRAIN, of course) the other night. As I was rushing out the door he asked me several questions to which I responded, "All the instructions are on the box honey, everything is on the box!" When I came home Kashli was in tears and crying hysterically that she was STARVING because she hadn't eaten dinner because Daddy did NOT make the macaroni right. Somehow he added triple the amount of milk (SOY milk, of course)and she was utterly disgusted and NOT impressed with his cooking skills.

WHO IS THE FIRST TO ADMIT THEY ARE WRONG? Me. And to point out when HE is wrong. And to point out that I admitted my mistake when are you going to admit yours?!

WHO KISSED WHO FIRST? Oh he did! In Skow's basement. He grabbed my hand first and then went in for the kill. I never ever kissed a boy first, it was against my rules! And DANG it was a good kiss!

WHAT IS HIS BEST QUALITY? He always always puts me first. I AM his priority.

WHO WEARS THE PANTS? And I quote, "Tucker, who do you think wears the pants in our relationship?"
Tucker: "I think it's pretty equal. I don't know, what do you think? You're the boss!" wink, wink

I TAG Aunt Eileen, Jodi, Kate, Denise, Kelsey and Syd . . . and anyone else who wants to do it!

HaLLoWeeN FuN!

2008-10-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

mOmEnts wE LiVe fOr!

2008-10-07T08:28:00.000-07:00

Carly, Carly, CARLY! 2 year olds are the best to have around . . . depending on the day--

OK more like the moment! They are my greatest source of FRUSTRATION as well as JOY. So I was sitting on our bed trying to nurse the baby and Carly was driving me crazy! She was jumping all over the bed saying, "Mommy look at me! I jumping! Whoa!! I fall down. Mommy mommy mommy!! Look at me! Baby Sali (Cali) look at me! WHOA!! I fall down!" You can imagine how well the baby is nursing at this point. I had also been folding laundry that was falling apart all over the bed. So, in frustration (that means I was yelling), I sent Carly to the nursery to go get a diaper so I could change the baby and have 5 mins peace to nurse. About 10 mins later Tucker walks in the room returning home from work (at 3 PM, mind you! We were heading down to Ft. Collins for FHE . . . I love this time of year when work slows down and eventually tapers off to NONE . . . we are planning a 2 month trip to California! Oh yeah!) and says, "Have you seen Carly?" So in a panic I am like "No! I sent her to get a diaper, you don't know where she is? What's happened to her--it is VERY quiet! Where has she gone, what have I done!" Then Tucker just starts laughing at me and says, "Come here." So he leads me to the nursery and the pictures tell rest of the story. Tucker and I had a great laugh . . . these are the moments!

P.S. Notice that it also involved removing an article of clothing, as usual.

TaLenTS . . .

2008-09-30T12:32:00.000-07:00

Can you say "PiCkLeD bEEtS?" LOVE them!

2008-08-16T17:18:00.000-07:00

So this is what I did today. I wanted to document this for 2 reasons. #1 To prove how good my little Cali baby is! Who could do this with a 7 week old? AND two other kids (but who's counting?) AND Tucker is out of town for some training. You do not understand how good this baby is . . . she is just a little blessing. NO--scratch that. She is not a blessing. I DESERVED this kind of child. Have you met Kash and Carly? Yeah, then you know. Kashli was a nightmare . . . she was colicky and pukey and nursed ALL the time. I would just cry WITH her most of the time and wonder why people ever wanted ANOTHER child. AND after all that as soon as she could talk and knew what was up she wanted her DADDY. She still LOVES her Daddy. I'm not bitter . . . I am just saying! Thank you for little baby Cali! #2 I think I have arrived. Doesn't pickling beets with three kids under 4 say something about how together I have it? Oh yeah! (Kashli and Carly have drawn pictures and taped them ALL over the house--it is a mess! There are 3 baskets full of laundry to fold. I have not gone to the gym or showered yet and the baby needs to eat. AND there is no sign of dinner . . . well if you don't want PICKLED BEETS, anyway!)
P.S. Thank you to Richard for getting the FRESH beets (just pulled out of the ground this morning) at the Farmer's Market IN the rain. He cut all the tops off the beets to maximize the $10 bag of "fill it up as much as you can" IN the rain. And thank you to Judy for giving me all your tips! :)

KaSH, cArLy and CaLi

2008-08-13T18:44:00.001-07:00

CaRLy aNN!

2008-08-13T18:02:00.000-07:00

So, you know when you have those moments where your kids are being really quiet, and you think to yourself, "Man, my kids are being so good playing together, they must love eachother so much . . . wow, all those FHE's must be paying off! I have really done a wonderful job raising them and teachi--" and then you wake up and think "wait a second, these are MY kids, they are NEVER this good, what the heck are they up to?" Well, this is what I found as I raced out the door . . . NO CLOTHES and oh yeah, the shiny stuff, it is not oil that we rubbed all over her for the body building competition . . . it is BUTTER!

HaPpY biRtHdAy TuCKeR--AUGUST 11, 1977

2008-08-13T17:58:00.000-07:00

Isn't he SOOOO handsome? :)

CaLi'S FirSt bAth!

2008-07-16T16:10:00.000-07:00

2008-07-02T20:10:00.000-07:00

2008-07-02T20:09:00.002-07:00

2008-07-02T20:09:00.001-07:00

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CaLi DiANe BrOWn June 22, 2008 7 lbs 3 oz, 20 inches

2008-06-25T11:03:00.000-07:00

I was scheduled to be induced Sunday night because I was almost TWO WEEKS over my due date . . .BUT my water broke Saturday morning around 9 AM. From noon to 3 PM I only had three contractions, so they put me on pitocin about 3:30 PM. Then the contractions really kicked in. By 11:00 PM I finally got an epidural and this is why the smile in this picture! This is about 20 mins or so after the epidural . . . I am a little embarassed to admit but after the anethesiologist gave me the epidural I told him that I wanted to kiss him!

2008-06-25T11:01:00.001-07:00

Cali was born at 5:26 AM after 6 mins of pushing!

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Daddy getting a glimpse of Baby Cali . . . by the way, there were a few times during hard contractions that I looked over at Tucker laying on his bed watching TV and thought to myself, "This REALLY is not fair!" BUT, having said that . . . I could not ask for a better friend and support. Tucker ALWAYS thinks of me first and unselfishly gives. He makes pretty cute babies, too! I love him so much.

2008-06-25T10:57:00.000-07:00

Tucker and my Midwife Tracie--I LOVE her . . . she did such a good job!

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Four girls all in love with the same man! :)

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This melts my heart!

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Our three BEAUTIFUL girls! We couldn't be happier!

Thanks Nana and Papa!

2008-04-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

HAYDEN's B-Day

2008-04-26T16:17:00.001-07:00

Hayden and Lisa came to Chey-town on their way to Nashville, TN and we got celebrate Hayden's Birthday Thursday. We went out to dinner at Young's Cafe in Ft Collins.

HaPpY BiRThDAy KaShLi aNd CArLy!

2008-04-26T15:45:00.000-07:00

HapPy EaSteR!

2008-03-28T10:25:00.000-07:00

2008-03-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

Sleepy eyes! We got the girls up really early to make our flight in Denver to go see Nana and Papa in California!

2008-03-28T10:21:00.000-07:00

On the airplane to Nana and Papa's! (Don't act like you've never done it!)

2008-03-28T09:56:00.000-07:00

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Swimming in Nana's hot tub!

2008-03-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

Aunt Jodi is the best! She gives Kashli GREAT beauty tips!

2008-03-28T09:25:00.001-07:00

Kashli, CJ and Carly . . . We were lucky to have EVERYONE here in Cheyenne for Christmas thanks to Lisa and Hayden's wedding!