Wow!

It's really been almost 2 months since I blogged!? I'm awful.

So here's a quick update.

Tyson is liking his new job. The learning curve has been a bit frustrating for him because he's used to programing what he's used to programing, but I think it's a good challenge for his brain.

I don't like the commute. And I'm sure he's not so happy about spending so much time in the car and paying for gas. But we have a job and we're grateful for that fact! It's just taking some adjusting.

Gwen is growing like crazy. She's 6 months old. Rolling ALL over the place, eating veggies and fruit like a pro (except she doesn't like the green beans or peas very much). She is babbling Dada's and Nana's and blowing raspberries. Still no mamas, but she's trying her Ms.

Becca is thriving in pre-school! She knows how to write pretty much all of her letters and is finally recognizing numbers. She's doing good at starting to sound out letters and wanting to write words. She's always asking us how to spell stuff so she can write signs. Ex. STOP, GO, Girls Only. She loves dance class. Her spring recital is coming up and I'm excited to see her on stage again! She just turned 4! She had a great birthday and a fancy nancy party. She is growing up too fast!

I am doing okay. Adjusting to new schedules is hard for me. But I am super grateful for my family and all that we have. I had a great birthday and it is so strange to say I'm 29!

Wahoo!

WE HAVE A JOB!!! Okay, well Tyson got it. But that is super awesome. We're so excited!

Tyson starts on Wed. It's a gaming company that mostly does XBox stuff, like XBox live etc. But they have a few cross platform games and PC games too. It looks right now like Tyson will be on an XBox project, but we will see!

Thank you so much for all of your prayers on our behalf. I know without a doubt it is a big factor in Tyson being led to this job. Thank you all so much!

Oh and P.S. the company is called Wahoo!

Ah!

Is it Friday again!? Post will have to go up tomorrow!

Family Five (5) - a day late

1. This has been a crazy few weeks. This week we had some big events. First Gwen was blessed on Sunday. It was a big fabulous event. Tyson gave a beautiful blessing, and she was silent the whole time! (Becca screamed through hers). It was also great to have both grandmas here, family and friends to celebrate the event! Here's some pics from the big day!

Gwen and those in the circle: Uncle Casey, Andrew, Uncle Taron, Daddy, Uncle Tevan, Uncle Sean, and Cousin Rob!

We just love our baby girl!

A very stoic baby in her pretty dress.

Me and my girls! Love them so much and am grateful they came to help us celebrate!

The Bowen clan.

Grandma Bowen and her Utah grand-babies.

The Ratliffs!

2. Then of course Valentine's day. We didn't do anything huge, but we had a lot of fun events and cute pics with the girls in their cute outfits!

Thumbuddy brought us treats and books!

Then we had pink waffles with strawberries and whipped cream.

Ready and excited for school! She calls these shoes her "ruby slippers".

Loving her sister!

Me and my sweetheart at dinner: crock pot ribs, baked potato with cheese sauce, asparagus and corn!

Grandma and her Valentine for the day. ;)

Making Oreo truffles.

And chocolate dipped strawberries!

Yum!

Happy Valentine's day from our family to yours!

3. Grandma Ratliff had to leave on Monday, but my mom stayed for the week. Yesterday we went to the aquarium and it was really fun! We saw the new otters (who were asleep), and all the other animals were really active. It was a good day.

SO cute!

Becca and daddy in the "otter hole"

4. My girls are just growing and being so cute! Becca's imagination grows by the day. She is always making up silly stories. She loves her big sister so much. Gwen is growing and changing every day. She rolls over ALL the time now, but hates being on her tummy and rarely goes from her tummy to her back. So she just screams. It can be frustrating, but it's fun to see her reaching milestones. Here's some pics of the girls just for fun.

Becca wanted to try the baby bjorn, it was so funny! She coudlnt' hold Gwen up!

But she could sit on my lap. Ha ha.

Sweet smiling girl!

Her bow tilted way to the side, but I thought it was cute, reminded me of a flapper girl from the 20s. ;)

Big sister and little sister!

5. And I'm sure many of you are wondering how we're doing with the job stuff. Tyson has some good leads and has already had one interview (which went well, so we're waiting to hear their offer details now!). He really wants to look into as much as possible and find the right place for him. But it seems like we will have a good chance to do so and locally! We so appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers and all the offers we've had. We have the best friends and family around!

Some News

This morning, my brain can't wrap around thinking up five things that happened this week. There is only one thing that I can think about...

We decided it wasn't going to help anyone to try to keep this quiet.

There really is no easy way to say this. Tyson was laid off yesterday.

The company is "changing directions" and wouldn't tell Tyson much about their new plan, but they laid off about half of the guys that work there (and all of their top talent) and several full departments. They have offered to get Tyson some names for some recruiters, and to give glowing reccomendations. We are hoping and praying to find something soon.

We know many of you have and/or are dealing with similar situations of being out of work or sufficient work. Times are just hard, and I am a little scared, but we will be okay for a few months at least.

We love you all, and wish we had better news.

In the meantime, today is vacation day for us, and then on Monday we will start dealing with what this all really means.

Family Five (4)

So I'm a couple of days late with this one, but here's why!

1) We've been to the doctor 2 times this week. It turned out that Gwen didn't get what Becca had, Gwen got RSV. Which really freaked me out. RSV can be bad in babies her age. They can have a really hard time breathing and end up in the hospital and get pneumonia etc.

But I am SO grateful for the power of the preisthood and the power of prayers. Tyson gave Gwen a beautiful blessing Monday night after we found out she had RSV, and our friends and family have been so great to keep her in prayers. Well it certainly worked because the doctor said Gwen's lungs sounded "amazingly well". And he said she is just doing perfect.

Other than having to still keep her away from others because we don't want to spread it to someone who might not handle it well. We have been really blessed!

2) Becca was THRILLED to go back to school and dance class this week as she is on meds for an ear infection, and not contagious (tested negative for RSV). She is so social and thrives on being with other kids.

3) Becca has been craking me up lately. We don't even bring it up at all most of the time and she is insistent that she is going to marry her friend down the street named Cameron. He was in her nursery class (not in her sunbeams class now) and is in Pre-school with her. Last night she asked Tyson about his wedding ring.

"Dad, what's that ring?"
"This is the ring mommy gave me when we got married."
"Oh. I'm going to get one of those for Cameron and he'll give me a pretty one with a jewel."

It's just part of her every day conversation now. ;)

This is Becca and Cameron on their first day of school. She's already looking at him adoringly. ;)

4) Tyson has been very busy at work. They are trying to get things done for a deadline on Tuesday. Which has been hard on me. Being stuck at home so much with sick kids the last two weeks I had the chance to get out of the house finally this weekend and it felt like a struggle to get him home. Which I understand, it's just frustrating sometimes. I do have to say though, that if this deadline wasn't coming up Tyson would be just fine with it all. He loves having time to spend with the girls and they love him so much. I guess what I'm trying to say is we're all missing daddy and are looking forward to this deadline being gone (although that just means a new one around the corner).

5) Because of all of our illnesses I still haven't gotten Gwen's 3 month pics done, and well lets face it...she's going to be 4 months on Friday and she's already 17 weeks old. I think we might try to take some pics in the next week or two anyway, but I feel so bad sometimes. That is one thing that I worry about because I always felt left out in that department as a kid. We'd watch old family slides and they could go to when my older sister was born then they'd be done. Nothing left. No me. Then the video camera didn't come till a few years after I was born. So I kinda just didn't exist. There's a few pictures, but not many. Gwen I promise we'll get them done soon. Just stop coughing so we can leave the house okay? Thanks!

Family Five (3)

1) It's been a hard week. Sunday night Becca just got miserable. She's been kinda boogery for a month, but no other symptoms but it all finally caught up with her. And each day she just got worse and worse. We went to the doctor yesterday and she has 2 ear infections. Glad we could treat her. She is already SO much better and is more active today.

She is a funny duck. I NEVER know when she has ear infections. Sometimes when she's sick for a long time and I think she does we go in and nothing. Other times she does. Soemtimes she has no symptoms at all and has had ear infections at well checks. Yesterday I said to her "The inside of your ears are ouchy, so we're going to get medicine to fix them." Her response... "I don't feel it." Silly girl. But so glad to get it cleared up!

2) We had Stake Conference this weekend. I probably only hear about 1/4 of what was said thanks to Becca and Gwen, but it was a great conference. I especially loved President Ellis' talk on balance. We can't obsess about any ONE thing in our lives. We need balance of mind, body, and spirit.

3) We had to miss pre-school and dance this week. I hate missing things I pay for. Sigh.

4) I feel horrible. I knew I needed to get Gwen's 3 month pics done last week, but it didn't happen cause I was stressed about finding an outfit. Then Becca got sick and we've been stuck at home. Hopefully I can go in the next few days (Gwen has been fussy lately though, so I hope she isn't getting sick too!)

5)And our BIGGEST news? Gwen is rolling over! She still struggles a lot of the time, but she's definitely doing it! Both from back to tummy and tummy to back! I love her little milestones! I haven't gotten the best video of it yet, but I'll post the video later tonight when Tyson gets home and can help me transfer it.

Sisters in Cute Dresses

Here are the dresses my mom made. We had a hard photo shoot, but you can see them a little...I hope.

I thought this one was funny cause Gwen was grabbing Becca's face.

Probably the best one we got...kind of a smile on both of them.


Again I thought this face was funny. ;)

The dresses really are cute. A little girl at Target today didn't see Gwen cause she was up in her carseat, but she told Becca that she liked her dress. It was very sweet of her.

Family Five

Morning all! Here's our week's goings on/what's on my mind.

1) Gwen has definitely been going through a growth spurt. She's getting bigger and fuller, and sleeping more. And at the same time waking up more to eat. (She's been getting up around 5 am instead of staying asleep till 7). I put away the baby clothes and pulled out the 6-9 month stuff the other night. It was kinda sad! So many cute things that I wish she could wear longer!

2) Becca's imagination is growing leaps and bounds! I love listening to her play and make up stories. She likes to talk about monsters, her husband and her babies. Today she was making soup by cutting up every peice of play food she owns into the pot to cook for her "honey". It included, bread, lettuce, cake, cake, cake and cake, peas, carrots, etc. She makes me smile.

3) I've been kind of a grumpy mom this week because of various things. I have had to apologize to Becca several times. She asks me "are you mad at me mom?" It breaks my heart. I have to say, "No honey, not really. Mom is just not feeling good and lots of things are frustrating me. I love you and I'm sorry I'm being grumpy." I'm getting a massage soon...maybe that will help me be a better mom! ;)

4) This week I have tried to cook more meals at home again and I am STRUGGLING with eating better. When you get large meals and lots of treats over the holidays it can be hard to get back to normal. You know in your head you've had enough to eat, but your stomach is saying "Feed me Seymour!" Do any of you ever feel like that? I think I am doing pretty well with the fight this week though. I just have to keep trying!

5) My girls are in matching dresses today. I love that. ;) Even better, Grandma made them. I'll get a picture and post it later.

Friday Five

So one thing I want to do this year is be a better family blog blogger. In order to do that my blogging goal is to do a Friday Five each Friday. I will post 5 things we did this week, or things that happened, or just some of my thoughts etc. Sometimes there'll be pics, sometimes not. So here's to our first five!

1) This week started off with the new year! Literally. And that was a lot of fun. The biggest change for our family on Sunday the 1st? Becca's first day of Sunbeams! I can't believe she's all grown up and in Primary! She already loves it, although I think she misses the snack time and the toys a little.


2) On Tuesday Jan 3rd, Gwen was officially 3 months old! She is growing so fast. I love her smiles, her giggles and she is already trying to roll over (she only makes it onto her side, but she tries). And she is doing much better with tummy time. She can finally hold that head up and lasts about 8 minutes instead of 3 before screaming.


3) Obviously this week has been a week of reflection. I have been thinking a lot about my health, both physically and spiritually. I think that I need to take more quality ME time, and not just time diddlying my time away on the computer...

4) I had a GNO this week and finally saw BBC's North and South. I need to watch it again, cause most of it I was just frustrated with the characters. But the end is divine. So worth it! On that same BBC-ish note Downton Abby starts again on Sunday and I am very, very excited!

5) Thanks to tax changes Tyson's bi-monthly paychecks are $6 higher. Yeah, it's only $12 bucks a month minus tithing so closer to $10, but hey, in times like these I'll take $10 bucks a month! That'll pay for more than half of Becca's dance lessons. ;) When we haven't had a pay raise in more than three years, I will take what I can get. I am grateful for the small things.

Here's a few more pics of our New Year's Eve.

New Years Resolutions 2012!

Well here's the sad truth of how I did last year:

1) Lose 10% more body weight and/or get pregnant. Pregnancy is #1 on that list for me, but as I am trying for that, it is my #1 goal...BUT part of this goal is working out at least 3 times a week for 20 minutes MINIMUM (starting Monday if my darn cough/cold is gone!).

*Yeah I got prego, so that worked out. The working out not so much. When I get pregnant it gets really hard for me because I am not a person who works out to begin with, and I got pregnant pretty soon after New Year's.

2) Temple attendance. Again I am setting the goal for 6 times since I sadly didn't make that goal last year!

*yeah, epic fail. I would blame pregnancy, but that was just an excuse...

3) In line with Temple attendance...I want to improve on the quality of my prayer, so I can be more in tune with the spirit and with what the Lord wants for me. I LOVE this quote:

"A key to improved prayer is to learn to ask the right questions. Consider changing from asking for the things you want to honestly seeking what He wants for you. Then as you learn His will, pray that you will be led to have the strength to fulfill it."

(Elder Richard G. Scott, Conference Report, April 2007)

I am going to print it and put it on my bedroom wall to remind me to pray for what His will for me is!

*Again epic fail. I'd say I did better at family scripture study and prayer and being more willing than I was, but certainly was not what I wanted.

4) This time I really mean it when I say that I am going to finish that novel, and even start a new one! To do this I am going to work on it at least 3 nights a week! I know that doesn't sound like full commitment to those who write EVERY day (ie. most professional and those who desire to be professional authors), but that's a lot for me, but it will be a start to a habit that will be fun and fulfilling!

*Again, fail. Seriously pregnancy messes with me. I don't get sick, but my brain dies. Plus after some thought I decided to shelve that project and started another for NaNo.

5) ORGANIZE!!!!!! My home is way too cluttered. I need to get it organized!'

*One may not see it, but I do that this year was certainly an improvement. It's not where I want it yet, but it IS better.

6) No more "X needs to get done."'s But more GETTING it done!

* there was more getting it done, but not enough.

So you could say 2011 for me was a big fail. But I don't look at it that way. I did grow, I became more aware of myself, and I produced a beautiful baby girl. I dedicated my life to my girls and their development more than the more trivial stuff in life.

Now on to my new goals! I have really, really REALLY put thought into these. They are doable. And I think that is key! So I am limiting myself to 5 goals.

1) As always deals with my health. My goal right now is 15 pounds. It's not a ton, but it's what I feel comfortable putting down on paper. Goals need to be challenging and achievable. I think this is both for me. As part of that working out is key. I didn't grow up in a home where my parents took time to exercise. Of course my mom was chasing after 8 kids and literally on her hands and knees keeping our house clean. And my dad was working crazy hours in downtown LA. But setting time aside to work out specifically when it wasn't a sport wasn't something any of us ever did. So this is a HUGE habit change in my life. I am making a 6 month goal to work out at least twice a week for 20 minutes minimum (the shortest workout setting on my elliptical). Then in 6 month we'll re-assess.

2) To get more organized I have to be a more scheduled housekeeper. My mom had a "laundry day" and I want to expand that idea into all of my daily chores. Here's the plans I have so far

Monday - laundry day
Tuesday- groceries and errands
Wednesday - Clean at least one of the bathrooms, help Becca clean up her toys/room.
Thursday - other (you'll see below)
Friday - clean/pick up downstairs (counters, floors) so we can enjoy Saturday as a family.

I want to be flexible, so I am allowing myself to skip a week here or there, but NEVER 2 weeks in a row for the same thing. Also days can be switched based on availability.

3) I'm going to be even more realistic and say my goal is to go to the temple 4 times. Twice with Tyson at least.

4) Prayer is going to be a big push for me again this year. I never did print that quote. I really want to do that!

5) Be a better mom. For Becca I want to be a more patient mom. I tend to get upset very easily with Becca when she gets overly emotional about things, or when she is disobeying. I want the way I discipline her to be a bit more in line with how much I love her and cherish her. Will she get away with it? No. But I don't want to yell as often.

For Gwen I want to be a more observant mom. I want to take in everything she is and everything she does this year. I want to take tons of video and pictures of her and be just as attentive to her as I can.

So there you have it folks. My list of things that I need to improve. I hope and pray that I can be a better me come the end of this year. I'll check in and let you know how I'm doing in June.

What are your goals?

Becca's First Dance Recital

It's been so long, I have been so bad at posting, but I needed to post this! Enjoy!

Pumpkin Patch Fun!

Last Thursday we went to a local pumpkin patch to pick our pumpkins and do something fun with Grandma Ratliff! It was Gwen's first outing that wasn't just going to a store, the doctor, or taking Becca somewhere.


Becca loves the tractors and ran up to them first thing!


And climbed on the BIG ones with daddy.

Picking a pumpkin!

A pumpkin for Gwen!

Becca was loving finding small ones she could pick up.

Gwen in the wheel barrel with our pumpkins.

I think I'll buy all 6 "pumpkins".

Our family of four!

I love this girl so, so much!

Look how big!



In the little corn maze...

Took Gwen too (should have known better cause it was a pain to push the stroller around, but I wanted to go, since we didn't do the big one at Cornbelly's this year!)

Cute girl...

And both my cute girls!

Our whole family.

With Grandma Ratliff!

It was a great day, and really nice to do something fall-ish since I have been so out of commission this October!