OH BOY February! Army men and poop. yup poop.

The month of February can be summed up by 2 words- army & poop. The boys, especially Logan have been on an army kick. building army bases with all their toys, dressing up, even requesting the army channel instead of cartoons. Logan wakes up ine morning and when asked if he wants breakfast he says no army men dont have breakfast just apple juice. 20 minutes later..."Daddy i think army men have eggos." Here are some pics. The second pic is of a paper i made for Logan with his favorite army pics and 2 of him being an army man for halloween. the 1st is him holding my (unloaded so please no need to call cps) pellet gun.





Then theres the stomach bug. All the kids got it at random times throughout the month. They all took their turns throwing up filling diapers and underware. Then one morning Jax exploded. Bed sheets were thrown out, the crib had a deep clean, clothes were trashed. Here are some pics and no thats not paint or chocolate.

Just a little late ;0)

So, my baby turned 2 last week! Some of our family were able to make it to dinner on Thursday to celebrate...Here are some of the pictures...

I could only get one to load for now. Either Blogger is slow or it's my computer...I will try again later.

Jackson has also fully embraced being 2 years old. He is moody, tantrumy, and wants things done his way, in his time, without help. (My spell check says tantrumy is not a word, but it totally is in my house!) Anyways, I will post some Jackson baby pictures later, when I can upload them.

Happy Valentines Day!

To My unbelievably awesome wife. Thank you so much for loving me and taking care of me and the boys in every way imaginable. We have come through so much in the last 2 years and now know we are indestructable. Brad Paisley's new song says it perfectly "i thought I loved you then." Here are the lyrics along with some of my favorite moments with Kristy. I love you.

I remember trying not to stare the night
That I first met you, you had me mesmerized
And three weeks later in the front porch light
Taking 45 minutes just to kiss goodnight
I hadn't told you yet but I thought I loved you then

But now you're my whole life, now you're my whole world
And I just can't believe the way I feel about you girl
Like a river meets the sea, stronger than it's ever been
We've come so far since that day and I thought I loved you then

And I remember taking you back to right where I first met you
You were so surprised
There were people around but I didn't care
I got down on one knee right there
And once again I thought I loved you then

But now you're my whole life, now you're my whole world
And I just can't believe the way I feel about you girl
Like a river meets the sea, stronger than it's ever been
We've come so far since that day and I thought I loved you then

I can just see you with a baby on the way
I can just see you when your hair is turning gray
What I can't see is how I'm ever gonna love you more
But I've said that before

And now you're my whole life, now you're my whole world
I just can't believe the way I feel about you girl
We'll look back someday at this moment that we're in
And I'll look at you and say, "And I thought I loved you then
And I thought I loved you then"

Kiddie P90X

If you don't know, P90X (which I think stands for Pain 90 Times over) is a series of workout DVD's. They are very intense, but definitely work. Here are a few videos of the boys trying it out...

About half way through, don't miss Jackson in the background dancing...

What My Kids Taught Me Today

1. That we still own a Sharpie. A red one. On a keychain??
2. A Lysol wipe worked the best to remove said Sharpie from their bathroom mirror.

Pictures

They are always where they shouldn't be :0)

Went to a Military Vehicle Show at the McDowell Army Base

Played hard at school that day!

I'm wearing big boy underwear like my brothers!

GI Joe is a farmer???

Crazy

Do you ever feel like you should be doing something, but don't know what? I'm not talking about that feeling when you walk into the kitchen knowing you came in for something but can't remember what until an hour later. This is different. I have this feeling that God is trying to direct me somewhere, but I feel a little lost as to where He wants me. Our struggles over the past 2 years (2 years in Feb, wow time flies!) have brought me closer to God than I have ever been. Moose and I both feel we have a more God centered life and I know God has something BIG in our future. He's told me. I just wish I knew what it was or what I am supposed to do. I'd settle for just a little hint! :0) The Planner in me is going crazy!

We are reading this book called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan in our small group. It really is an eye opening book if you get a chance to read it. But he wrote something that has really stuck with me..."Having faith often means doing what others see as crazy. Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers."

What are you doing in your life that doesn't make sense?

The news and stuff...

This blank blog has been open since before lunch... We've been busy cleaning, playing, and watching the news. I had planned to write about how I've survived my 2nd boxing lesson, but that seems trite and a little inappropriate after watching that a 22 year old took the life of 6 people, and critically injured 19 more today in Tucson at a meet and greet with Arizona US Representative Gabrielle Giffords. And then, a few days ago, another man shot at police outside of Chandler Fashion Center and then took 3 hostages in a nearby restaurant. It makes me really sad that another person could do something like that.

All I really have to say is God help those who were injured or killed today. I pray for them and their families in this horrible time.

Post Holidays

Well, things have pretty much settled down here. The new toys have found their spots in the house. Three trash bags full of toys and clothing made it's way out to make room (actually, not quite...they are still in the back of my car, but they are out of the house!) Now that things have settled, I enrolled in two online classes this semester which start Jan 15th. Yikes! Why did I do that? The short answer is to continue moving forward in my education. But it still scares me a little since I've never completed an online class (the only other one I signed up for a while back was a computer class. And you really shouldn't learn about computers through a computer!) Anyways, I am taking Racial and Ethnic Minorities to fill my cultural requirement and Anatomy & Physiology, which terrifies me because I know it is going to be A LOT of memorization! I think I will be going through many flash cards! I've also started boxing classes! My first time was Tuesday and my personal trainer Harrison (a professional boxer, I might add) kicked my butt! Today, it hurts to do anything! Lifting Jackson, laying down, breathing...okay so I may have exaggerated a little. My next appointment is tomorrow. I asked Moose today, "Will I feel better tomorrow? Because if I don't I think my limbs just might fall off." He thinks I am a wimp. He didn't say that, but I am thinking that, so he must be too :0) Wish me luck for tomorrow and if I don't blog within a week, you know I must have died during my workout!

Christmas Pictures

My parents' house on Christmas Eve

In Kunkle Stefen's twuck at Grandma Shorty & Grandpa Square Pant's house

We love Grandma Shorty!! (Jackson and Mylie)

The boy's gingerbread house

The girl's gingerbread house (make sure to watch the "Destruction" video below

Christmas Videos

Christmas Eve at my parent's house...

Jackson is not sure about Tickle Me Elmo

Christmas morning - Batcave!!

Gingerbread House Destruction

Anticipation

That is probably the best word for Christmas Eve. Anticipation. A kid waiting for presents. A mom or dad waiting for their child to arrive to town. Preparing to make a large meal. Anticipation. My kids have been up for hours in anticipation for grandma's tonight, which includes opening presents. At 8:45am, I was being persuaded by a 4 and 3 year old to make Jesus cupcakes for Santa and they are now cooling on the counter to be decorated later. Jackson cried until I put his shoes on and he's walking around saying, "Bye, bye? Bye, bye?" As for me? I am in my pajamas writing this blog :0) Much to my kids dismay! I'm not sure what sounds worse. Staying home with three kids or leaving the house with three kids! Boy I wish Moose were home! I guess I better get ready to go. It will be easier to keep them out of the cupcakes if I take them out :0)

Here are some highlights of Jackson in the past few months...

Do you think he knew he did something wrong???

Gittin jiggy wit it...

ABCDEFGHIJK Elmo P....

Kitchen Picnic

Here is what I did with my kiddos while my carpets were drying! We had a kitchen picnic! Not really that exciting, but the kids thought it was cool and it kept macaroni out of my freshly shampooed carpet!

Where did the time go...

Wow! It seems like just yesterday I wrote about Logan's prayer! Now it is 11 days until Christmas, Moose is working almost everyday, with extended hours. The kids are out of school this friday for break and the early start I thought I got on Christmas shopping is looking kinda puny. Thankfully I have the next 4 nights off and I plan to get most...if not all of my Christmas shopping done as well as clean my carpets. I'm still not sure how to shampoo the carpets in my 1,000 square foot apartment with the kids home, but I will find a way. It has become desperate! Other than that...not much going on in the Hunt household. Happy Christmas shopping!

Logan's Prayer

"Dear God, fank you today. Fank you a Baby Wiwa's birfday. And my fire twuck. And ambawance. And my chicken. And my chetchup. And my wanch. Amen."

Interpretation: "Dear God. Thank you for today. Thank you for Baby Lila's birthday. And for my fire truck, ambulance, chicken (nuggets), ketchup and ranch. Amen."

Where Did My Kids Go??

I took Payton, Logan, and Jackson to McDonald's today after running some errands. I ordered them each a Happy Meal and when I got the food, they came right over to the table. They all got the same toy and the older boys wanted to exchange them so I let them go up to the counter by themselves. I stood nearby to make sure they didn't cut in line or forget to say "thank you", but they did beautifully! I was so proud of them! They came back to the table and continued to eat. Logan was about half way done eating when he realized he wanted ranch. I felt confident enough that he could go by himself, so I sent him off after reminding him to say thank you. He was taking a little longer than I thought he should have so I got up and looked in his direction just in time to see the lady behind the counter giving him cookies! I started walking towards him when I heard him say, "I need 3.", gesturing with 3 fingers held up. At the time I thought he was asking for 3 ranch dressings, but later realized he was asking for a third cookie for Jackson. The woman at the counter had seen Logan with Payton while they were exchanging their toys so she had given him 2 cookies. And he was trying to get a third for Jackson! Such a sweet little moocher! I thanked the woman at the counter and she just kept saying "He is so CUTE!" (refer to my previous post "This One's Gonna Be Trouble..."). I have no idea if he asked for the cookies or if she just gave them to him, but either way we got 2 free cookies! For the rest of the meal, all three of them stayed seated and ate their entire meal, fries and all, without me having to coax, feed, or bribe them. Amazing! Payton will usually eat half a burger and ask to play. Logan will do his best to eat only the fries and Jackson plays musical chairs eating everyone else's food but his own. But not this magical meal! What great kids! I have no idea where my real kids went while we were at McDonald's but don't worry! They came back full force once we got home...and I hope those other kids come back more often!

(While writing this, Payton has been in time out for kicking Logan who took his McDonald's toy, Logan was running around saying he is a girl, Jackson was crying because I wouldn't let him help me type this post, Payton asked for a cup twice in the span of 1 1/2 hours even though he had one at McDonald's and another when we got home, Jackson let himself out the front door and was throwing dirt from the planter, then proceeded to run when he saw me coming, I had 3 requests for food and 3 requests for TV/movie, and after I put Jackson to sleep (and thought I could finally finish this post), Logan went back in his room and turned the light on. My real kids are back...)

Family Pictures (Preview)

I am really excited about how our family photos turned out so Kristy is letting me share some of them. (just kids pics not all of em). We had gone to the parade that mornin and the kids had their flags with them and the colors turned out amazing.

Veterans Day Parade

I took the older boys to the parade today while kristy slept off an all night shift. Boy did they have a blast. Not sure who was more excited to see the big army vehicles and guns them or me. ;0)
Here are some of the pictures. God Bless. - Moose

Halloween

The boys had multiple costumes this year! We went to the kids' school for a Halloween Hi-Jinx event. Jax was supposed to be this...



But it was way to warm. So instead we was this...



This was a hand-me-down from the older kids. Here was Payton...



He was Batman then and on Halloween night. And here was Logan...



A "Power Wanger"!!! And Logan on Halloween night...

And Jackson...

A fire fighter (calendar style!) That kid would not keep any costume on! Once he got the hint as to how trick or treating works, he left it on. Sorry ladies!

ER

I never thought I'd be blogging about my ER visit! On Saturday I was having such horrible stomach pain that I headed to the ER about 8pm. I was supposed to work graveyard in the NICU but they sent me home. Luckily, my parents were helping with the kiddos so they were able to stay with them. The pain felt like my insides were twisting around each other and ibuprofen and Pepto didn't do anything. They did an ultrasound to rule out problems with my pancreas and gallbladder and it came back normal. So they ruled severe reflux or gastritis. I have my doubts on this theory, but for now I am taking the prescribed reflux medication and have an appt next week to follow up on it. For now, I am eating mostly just white rice. I am afraid the pain will come back! I am slowly venturing out to other foods in moderation so wish me luck!

This One's Gonna Be Trouble...

Here's the scene...Payton and Logan are eating lunch at the dining room table. I am in the kitchen trying to figure out what I am going to eat and Moose is with me getting ready to go to work.



Me: "It is hot in here!" (We had cooked a pizza for the kids for lunch). I took off my sweater leaving just my cami on.

Logan, with huge eyes says, "Wow!"

Moose and I crack up laughing.

Moose, to Logan: "You are going to be trouble!"

Logan: "No I not! I'm awesome!"



Like I said, this one's gonna be trouble!

God forgive me for wasting trees...

Have you ever seen what happens to a regular diaper when your child goes swimming in it? It will get so heavy that it will tear and soggy crystals pour out. I must have put a defective diaper on Jackson because when he wet in it, he began tracking pee soaked crystals all over the house! There was a trail from my bedroom, through the hallway, dining area and living room. It looked like small piles of yellow snow! It took about 20 minutes of crouching to pick up these piles, which seemed to repel the paper towels. Then I vacuumed up the rest of what I couldn't see. I washed my hands and sat on the couch with a fresh diaper in hand. "Come here Jackson. Let's put a diaper on you." Jackson gave me that playful, come and get me smile, squatted and peed. OMG! That did not just happen! So I got the paper towels and carpet cleaner. Just as I had finished and was washing my hands, Logan ran in, "Mommy! I pee peed in your bed!" Sure enough, there was a large wet spot in the middle of my sheets. Back to the paper towels and Spot Shot...

Getting my shoes on to go to my first full shift at the hospital after 3 days of orientation...

Logan: "Where you goin Mommy?"
Me: "I have to go to the hospital to take care of the little babies."
Logan pondered then said, "But we have Jackson Bee-bi (Levi). He's a big baby."
Me: "I know, hunny. Daddy's gonna take care of you and Jackson today."

I met Jesus today

I went to Discount Tire today (twice actually) to have one of my tires checked out. My TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) registered low pressure in the front driver's side tire. The first Discount I stopped at had a 2 hour wait, so I had them put air in it to make it last til I could go to the Discount near where we live. I got home and called them and made an appt. Anyways, later at Discount as I was waiting for them to do their thing, Payton and Logan were looking through their "Jesus book" aka a kid's bible. They got up and started playing David and Goliath. But of course neither one wanted to be Goliath, because if you know the full story (not the kid version), Goliath doesn't just get "hit on the forehead" with a rock, isn't that right Mama! :0). They went back and forth arguing who was going to get to be David when Logan says, "Well, I'm Jesus." He said it several times, "I'm Jesus. I'm Jesus!" I can't even begin to imagine what the rest of the people in the waiting room where thinking! After 1/2 a bag of mini Chips Ahoy cookies, they pulled the car around. We'd picked up a nail somewhere and they were able to fix it for free. Thank you Discount! We've had too many car repairs in the last 2 months!

On another note, Payton had another appointment with his neurologist today. Some of the "tics" were were seeing 4-5 months ago when we had his first appt have subsided, like his obsession with the word "applesause" and making funny noises with his tongue which is good. However, this was the first he'd heard about Payt's fainting/seizure episode which he got stitches in his chin from. He said fainting/seizures are rare for a kid his age and ordered an EEG. I don't know much about them other than it is a non-invasive procedure similar to an EKG and monitors brain activity. That should go well (hint: that was supposed to be sarcastic). I guess it is better safe than sorry and it won't hurt him, so we should be able to talk him through it. Hopefully the person who performs the test is familiar with the challenges of kids like Payton.

A final note, we finally got our computer back from Staples. Would not recommend them, at least not the one near us. It took a full month to get it working again! I called them at one point for an update and they said it was done. So I asked if they had put the operating system back on and if they were able to retreive any of the data. She had to put me on hold, then she came back on to tell me nothing was done in the week they had the disc I brought to them because the person who took it in didn't say anything to the tech department. Then I got a call with an apology saying it would only be another day and that the data retrieval was going well and that they'd put it all on a disc for me. Later that same day, he called back to say there was a "complication" and that all the data was gone. I don't know much about computers, but taht doesn't seem right. He said there was nothing they could do and it was expected to be done the next day. Ugg! Three days later and no call. So I called them, and it was done. Apparantly their phone only takes incoming calls. Maybe I should pray. Apparenly I have some bitterness against Staples :0)

Hope all is well with all your families...