Deep thoughts by Jay

"Mom, maybe you should go to cook school...so you don't catch your food on fire. "
(said after I burnt my toast).

"Why do I have to look handsome, if I'm just going to go to sleep?"
(said while I was combing his hair after bath-time)

What a concussion looks like...

*I wrote this the night this happened in an email to family. I took the pictures right after it happened, but before I knew he had fallen down the entire flight of stairs. Jay was comforting Ash, & I thought it was sweet so got out the camera. THEN he fell asleep and I thought "Uh-oh." I did take the camera to the ER but was so upset at that time, I didn't take any pictures. *

Asher took a major fall down our stairs today (Tues. Feb. 17th) wearing his duvet cover like a mummy. I didn't see it happen but heard him smack his head on our wood floor. I thought he had just fallen while walking around but then he told me he fell down the whole flight of stairs. I guess he had inch wormed his little self up and then fell. He promptly fell asleep right after his fall and when I woke him was very out of it, & couldn't tell me his name, or his brother's names.
Matt got home and we dropped off boys with friends thank you Carie! (oh how I wish we lived closer to family at times like this!) and we took him to the ER. He started throwing up on the way there which is another sign of a concussion and also fell "asleep" a couple more times. Long story short and a CT scan later, he has a concussion, major headache and sore bones and continues to throw up. No internal damage though. He looked so tiny/pitiful in the big CT machine and held perfectly still like they asked him too, even when the scanner wasn't working at first!

Right after the fall, still in his cocoon.

Jay comforting his brother.

When I said, "Come on Ash, you need to wake up." He kept saying, "but I wike sweep, I want to sweep."

After our adventure to the ER he had perked up quite a bit and was calling the throw up bag they gave us his hat. He's been great since the incident minus some moodiness. Not sure how much of that is from the concussion or from being three.
Matt & I both hugged our children a little tighter that night. So thankful our little family is safe.

The big reveal

No, I don't mean my husband's muscles... but here are a few shots of our project to "update the fireplace"
*Edited to add, this picture is not Matt approved. (He'd rather I take it down, since he was posing for moi' and not the blog...but I'm not gonna.)

Laying it out with thin set. We chose a 2x2 Dal tile called Gold dust. Matt did a great job putting the puzzle together and measuring everything. We have some friends who graciously let us use their tile saw so that helped a lot. I helped when I could, but spent a lot of time corralling kids.

Grouting

Drying

Here's a reminder of what the "before" looked like:

Here's the "after" although the grout is still drying and the color is changing. We hoped it would be darker, but are still pleased with the results. The boys are very excited about their new stage, which is what we call it for family home evening. All in all we call it a success, and since we did the work ourselves, it only cost around $100.

Honey I'm home...

Matt & I went to lunch yesterday and then walked through some very nice model homes. We talked about a couple ideas we'd like to use on our home some major projects and some minor. I went to get my hair "done" after our lunch date and came home to find this demolition going on in my living room.

The shiny 11 year old white tile is now gone. The boys loved helping their dad and wearing work gloves too.

We took a trip to Home Depot and bought some tile, grout, etc and will knock this project out pretty quick (subtracting working around church activities and Ridge awake time). I'll post pictures of the final product when we're done. Also note how in this last picture most of my valentine decor on the mantel is gone. One of the red candles fell & landed on Matt's head while he was hammering and broke. Matt's head is a little sore, but fine.

Valentine Matchboxes

I made these cute matchbox valentines for our family. I couldn't find the scrapbook paper I wanted to so to me they turned out "o.k." but the boys loved them. For the instructions go HERE.

Valentine Fun

Here are some pictures from our Valentine's Eve and Valentine's Day morning.

Decorating sugar cookies

Chocolate dipped strawberries yum!

Jay's masterpiece. He was so proud of it and couldn't wait to eat it the next night.

Valentine's morning I ran and got each of the boys a mylar balloon to go with their cards and treats. You can't see the balloons in this picture...

but, it was a huge hit with Ridge!

Sweet happiness!

Matt got me a dozen beautiful roses and my own box of See's chocolates. We all went to lunch at Chik-fil-A, and then had a yummy steak dinner at home together. We wrote down things we loved about each family member and read them out loud.
I am so lucky to be surrounded by so much love.
p.s. Matt & I went to lunch alone on President's day

Warm February Days

We've had some record warm days this month and have tried to take advantage and get outside. Matt took the boys to Lake Jacomo. The boys loved trying to break the ice.
Exploring the forest behind our back yard. The boys were "robbers" and daddy & Ridge were policemen.

Picnics & soccer

Jay will be starting soccer this month for the first time so that will be fun to post about too.

Road trip to Omaha

Last week we joined Matt for a work trip to Omaha, NE. We got to visit with our dear friends the Ogden's from Law School Days. It was fun to get away and be together as a family.

The day we left Ridge had a horrible cough. Holly watched the boys while I took him to urgent care where he was diagnosed with viral bronchiolitis (croup). Here is the sickie sleeping.

Our boys are crazy sleepers when not in their own beds. I walked in later and Jay was asleep on the floor, because the bed was "uncomfortable". Asher preferred the crack at the top of the hide-a-bed.

Holly also watched the boys while Matt & I escaped to the Winter Quarters temple. Wonderful.

We visited the Omaha Children's Museum which the boys LOVED. And also the Offutt Air-force base, where Aaron Ogden works. (He's a JAG, but we're trying to convince him to come work in Kansas City.)



Holly also fed us a lot while we were there. She is a wonderful cook & hostess. Ode to Holly. You are awesome!

A couple shots of the kids at the park. Jay & Lucy

Matt & the boys

Lucy, Jay & Asher

I thought A's expression here was funny.

My kids have declared the Ogden's house as the "funnest house ever!" We had a great time playing & renewing old friendships.
*As of today Ridge & I visited the Minute clinic and tested positive for strep throat, plus he also has an ear infection. I'm so sorry that we have been passing germs around to everyone. Especially cute little one year old Jake!

Meet the "Hot Mamas"

This is the Rec. League Volleyball team I was invited to join via Rochelle. I am in no way, shape, or form a volleyball jock-ette. That said, it has been such a fun experience! We have won one game but no matches. One time we played a match in 30 minutes, instead of the designated 45 minutes. Yes we are THAT good.

Here is a picture Matt took, of the time we were winning.

Here we are discussing strategy, I'm pretty sure it was something like "try and hit the ball over the net."

Even though we won't win any tournaments, we're having a great time.