pictures

The boys watching Dare Devil

Taylor and sucking her thumb grrr

Andrew on the first day of 3rd grade

Samuel on the first day of 4th grade

Everyone has to have a naked baby picture :)

this is taylor's baby friend

This is her talking to her baby friend

So many Changes........

Well how have you been? Me? I feel like I've haven't stop running. I cannot believe almost 3 months ago I had a baby, almost 8 years ago Andrew was born and little over 9 years ago Samuel was born. I know such a cliche, my kids seem like they were just babies last week (well Taylor doesn't count LOL). Samuel is starting Bears this year, Andrew is starting Wolves, and miss Taylor is getting blessed September 5.

Andrew is getting baptised September 4. Yeppers he is turning 8 in just a week! I know, I didn't kill him. He is a great boy, but we had it rough for the first few years, but that wasn't his fault...... I take majority of the blame. But hey can't cry over spilt milk. He is a great boy, and I humbly love him. My life wouldn't be as colorful with out him.

Samuel is in the 4th grade, and he is going on his very first over night field trip this year to the Grand Canyon. *GULP* Yeah this momma bear is extremely nervous. Samuel has been growing by leaps and bounds. He is in the advance 4th grade math, and is holding a 100% while the average for the class is 92%, yeah I'm extremely proud!

Taylor is growing so fast, or she is trying. She is in 3-6 months clothes for about a week now. She has the most interesting smirky smile. She has made a new 'friend' on her changing table. On the changing table is setting her wipes and there is a picture of a baby and a mommy and for about a week now anytime she is on the changing table she arches her back so she can talk to her baby friend. It is so funny. She goes "OOOoooo" "Aaahhhh" laughs to her baby friend. And she has been sleeping thru the night!!!

Well if you haven't heard VirNon has started a new job. Still working on BMWs, but for an independent shop. Pros are more hours, which means more money. Cons are the company doesn't offer insurance of any kind. So we have been doing our homework and paperwork to get insurance (health, dental, life), and 401k paperwork. I have learned a lot in the last couple of weeks to honestly say, I hate insurances red tape. This is cover but that isn't, but if there is an emergency then yeah, but not until this number of months past and blah blah blah.

As for me, well I am adjusting to being a mom of a baby, a 3rd grader, a 4th grader, and a husband with a new job. I have been trying to get back into the swing of things, and slowly I'm getting there. I probably should be cleaning the house instead of blogging but hey my peps need to know LOL. I know there should be more to post about me, but I have no clue to write about me. I do know that I do want at least one more baby, but not right now, but soon, but not today.

The AZ Elkins are ticking and thriving. We are doing great and hope you all are doing wonderfully too!

Wisdom.... Hmmmm part 2

Now where did I leave off, oooh wisdom and how much I lack.

I think I have a idea of what I would or will tell my children about marriage. It isn't over after you say "I do", it is a process that is 24/7. Each day is a challenge, a reward, and an adventure. I will admit that I have it very very easy. I may not be spoiled in the 'finer' things in life, but I KNOW for a fact the following: My husband will always come home to me, my husband respects me, and he loves me and our children with all his heart. I know at the end of the day, when I go to bed, he will hold my hand, and tell me that I am beautiful. Marriage is also NOT 50%/50% it is 101%/101%. You must give yourself entirely to the other, if you are wanting them to give themselves to you.

Religion..... It is a personal choice. Make sure you make the choice that feels right for you, and not because of a boy/girl. I have been baptized in many many different religions, most because of my mom, but my last baptism I will have to admit that I started looking into was because of my husband (at that time he was my boyfriend). Poor missionaries, I would do all the discussions, but never make an appointment to get baptize. But after a year, I finally listen to the message, and decided that this was a right choice for me.

Foot in mouth.... well I would tell my kids think before you speak or write or text. I should follow my own advise, but I don't listen to myself. I often say or do things without thinking, but not to be mean, but most of the time I believe I'm being helpful or inquisitive. I have gotten better over the years but I still find myself going "dang i did it again".

Family..... This is my hardest one. I didn't grow up with the traditional 'family'. The 'love' that I heard people talk about between siblings, mom & dad, parents & children, and extended family was an imaginary friend. I do tell my boys that they are each others best friends, and they should be more forgiving of each other. I know that the last couple of years of 'people' watching, I have learned that family love isn't an imaginary friend, and it is very very possible. I have also learned that family isn't necessary just blood connection or marriage connection, there is a ward family bond too! Some friends can be called family, and sometimes they are better than your real family. I am grateful for the bonds I have made.

Well time for me to end my wisdom rants. Totally random thoughts, not that all are the right way to think, but the way my brain does it.

Wisdom.... Hmmmm part 1

Today loads of thoughts have been running thru my head. I am blaming it on hormones, Taylor, the boys, and friends. Let me warn you before you continue reading there maybe some real sensitive stuff, harsh stuff, and of course my weird random thoughts stuff. I didn't warn ya.

Today I started to wander what wisdom will I be able to give to my children when they get older. What things have I learned growing up, and what can I do for them. Unfortunately, I had a terrible childhood, the kind that destroys memories. To give you a heads up, my step dad (and i use that dad word very loosely) cherished me before my brother was born (at least that is what I have been told). I was his princess, took me everywhere, and even wished he was my dad. Sounds great huh??!!?? Well after my brother was born (and none of this is his fault, and i do love my brother with all my might), my step dad wanted to throw me away at the age of 4ish. He wanted my mom to get rid of me, and send me away to live somewhere else. His claims that I was trying to kill my brother. My mom told him no on numerous times, so he turned his love for me into hatred. He molested & beated me numerous times but I SURVIVED! So what wisdom do i have for my kids regarding childhood.... not much. I guess I can teach them to cherish each moment, friends will come and go, and MY LOVE will never turn to hatred (though i can get mad, I still love them).

Wisdom in love...... Ugg that is a hard one. I have been married before VirNon. I married him because my mom wouldn't visit me in my new home until I got married. So I found out when she was coming to AZ and I planned my wedding so she could be there. Not a very smart idea. So my advise in the love department.... Don't marry unless you are 200% sure it is the real thing. Also either grow up to be like their dad or marry someone like him, he is the best!

Wisdom in lost..... This one is hard. Virnon and I have lost an infant, and the one thing I remember someone told me one time: Parents shouldn't be burying their children, the children should bury the parents. This phrase has stuck with me for years, because it has so much truth in it. I believe the reason we where sent our angel, is because i had cancer. I would have never found it except i was pregnant. Granted Anthony stayed with us a little longer after we found out, but that is because i had a bad placenta, and if he wasn't the size he was, more than his life would of been lost. Since I have lost, I should be able to give advise, but i cant. I don't know how to tell them how to deal with the pain, the jealously, the anger, the grief, & the longing. I want to say with time things get better, but that is a cop out response. I know that I survived the biggest part of it, but I don't know how I did it. The toughest part is seeing a family go thru this recently, and I should know exactly what to say and do, but I felt incompetent. I want to take away their pain, I want to speed up recovery, I want them to have their baby, I want to rewind time and fix it for them, but sadly I can not. I do want them to know that Heavenly Father knows best, and sometimes that sucks. For the family who i am talking about, I believe you where sent your angel because of the IUD, without your angel, your husband and daughters may have lost you too. And you too had to carry so far so he too can take a breath, and to be held by the family.

Okay i need some tissues, and i need to take care of some mommy stuff. I'll be back later.

Not broken yet :)

Taylor had her 1 month check up. Here are her stats:

Weight: 8lbs, 5oz - 25th percentile

Height: 22.5 inches - 75th percentile

Head Circumference: 14 inches - 25th percentile

Taylor is finally gaining weight! Woohoo!! Her legs are straightening out so she is growing like a weed. Unfortunately after church yesterday we had to give her a baby enema. She hadn't poop in 7+ days and her tummy started hurting her real bad, even started messing with nursing. I'm not one of those breast feeding 'freaks', but I do have to say it was the formula that clogged her up. She felt better right a way, and started nursing terrific within a few minutes.

Nursing has gotten a lot better since I watched a few videos on YouTube, and looked up some info on the world wide web. I realized I was introducing the boob incorrectly, (yeah that would explain my nips being in so much pain), with a new sense of hope and practice, I think I got it down. Still having trouble nursing in public, being discreet. Any advise?

Things that I have learned this past month:

Can't leave Taylor on a bed or any piece of furniture because she can roll over already.

The boys are oblivious to Taylor right now, except they don't like to see or hear her cry.

Babies are tougher than I remembered.

There is so much more girl clothes to choose from than boys.

Daddies are whipped.

The most important, my heart can grow to love more than just my boys.

Well here is some pics from this last month. Hope you enjoy my ramblings.

Today after a good nurse session.
Kiss me you fool!
I know how to wipe all out!
Samuel holding Taylor

after a bath, look at that hair, it is really curly after a bath

Ummm, What Do Girls Do Again??!!??

First I want to say thank you to the ladies of the LPP ( La Pradera Park Ward) for a beautiful baby shower. Especially to Azure, Alyssa, & Lee Anne for hosting the grand event. from the bottom of my heart, I'm so very very very humbled & blessed.

Unfortunately with all of Taylor's new clothing and headbands, I've realized that I need to learn to be a girl again. I have been in a house full of boys that I became one.... ewwww! So i started thinking what do girls do, dress, play, makeup, hair.... etc.... I'm was lost for thoughts. Luckily there are enough girls in our ward to hopefully teach me before Taylor starts asking or needing :)

My mom never taught me about makeup, she always said I have a natural beauty. Maybe she didn't know how....hmmmm.

My mom never taught me about.... monthly visits from an aunt I never met until I became a teenager. Thank goodness for pamphlets in those boxes. But I do wonder sometime if that aunt has a husband, and if I will ever be meeting the uncle. o_O

One thing my mom did teach me is tomato paste DOESN'T remove the green that pools do to blonde hair.... including bathing in the paste..... Do you know how many cans it takes to fill a tub.... ALOT.

Boyfriends........Well I had many of them, and still have no clue about boys. Thank goodness I married a good guy.

BFFs..... Well I hope she has better luck in that department than I did.

Matching outfits... color coding... well don't look at me.... My mom would wear hot pink cowgirl boots, with lime green wranglers with a neon yellow shirt!!! No kidding. I'm a jean and T-shirt kind of momma.

Well I will either learn or embarrass Taylor. Momma hood is calling, laters.

Just add a Zipper to My Wife Please

That was the comical; but felt so true; comment that my husband made the day after my 2nd surgery in less than 2 weeks. Oh you didn't hear??!!??

Surgery 1: C-Section

May 28, I had my C-Section to bring Taylor into this world. Though some things went a little crazy (blood pressure bottomed into the 60's and heart rate sky rocket to 157, my leg falling off the OR table). Overall everything went very well. Released May 31.

Surgery 2: Removal of Appendix

Exactly 1 week after being released from Good Sam for my c-section I was in the ER for abdominal pain. Since I always have a bad experience in ERs, I figured they would diagnose me with a tummy bug, shoot me up with some pain meds and send my butt home. Nope! My appendix was ready to explode. So on June 8th I had my second surgery without family near by.


So the day after my appendix was removed, my husband was joking around with the nurses about just add a zipper to my wife for easy access. It was funny, but so true. Well off to get some cleaning done. One nice thing is my chore list is sooooooo simple.... Technically the doctors have me on a NO activity list :) but I figure unloading and loading the dishwasher is okay.