Camping with Blade!

Blade and I have never been camping just the 2 of us. Last summer was so crazy and busy with Blade's work schedule and planning the wedding that we were only able to camp twice and it was with family both times. We decided that since this was probably our last full summer in Utah for a long time that we needed to make sure we went camping just the 2 of us. Blade is lucky enough to have a job that works 4 10s he works monday through thursday and has a 3 day weekend, he also gets holidays off so he had the 24th off. We decided that the weekend of the 24th would be the perfect time to camp just the 2 of us, the kids were gone with their dad and I was able to get the weekend off. Blade has gone to Scofield a lot and really loves it, I have never been their and really wanted to see what he has been talking about. We headed up Friday after I got off work at 11 am I worked for 3 hours it was really pointless but I'm just grateful I was able to have the weekend off. I love Scofield it is so beautiful there. It was so nice to have quality one on one time with my husband. We don't get a lot of that "newlywed" time due to the fact that we were an instant family. We really bonded a lot over the camping trip and learned a lot about each other and had plenty of time to talk with out kids interrupting us! We went fishing, shooting, on drives, and just hung out talking around the camp fire. Our next camping trip will be just the 4 of us and that will be a first for us also! I can't wait to show the kids Scofield!

Day at the zoo!

I finally had a saturday off that we didn't have any plans so we decided we would take the kids to the zoo. We have all been wanting to go for a while now. We got a late start to the day so we ate lunch in the car. Blade is such a speeder that we got to the zoo in 20 to 25 min (scary). When we got to the zoo and got our stroller out of the car we realized the tire was flat. We didn't bring our bike pump with us so we ended up renting a wagon and leaving our stroller parked at on of the shops hoping someone wouldn't still it, we were very lucky and it was still there at the end of the day. We all started to look at the animals and take a lot of pictures, we took our time and just enjoyed the day. It was so nice have the quality time just the 4 of us. We have all been together for over a year and a half now but I feel like we are all still bonding as a family. All and all it was a great day and I hope we get many more days like today!

I wish...

This past week I haven't worked very much. On sunday my allergies got so bad I had a horrible sore throat and could hardly swallow so I missed work that day and then my mom got a really bad bite and had a horrible reaction to it so I didn't have a babysitter on monday, tuesday and wednesday are my days off. It has been so nice being home with the kids all day. I have got so much done around the house and really enjoyed all the one on one time with them. I really wish that I could be a stay at home mom or just work a couple days a week. Right now its not financially possible and when I don't work I feel guilty for not making money to help support our family. I am going back to work tomorrow but have to work PM shift, Blade will work all day and then when he gets home I will leave for work and by the time I get home he will probably be in bed and I will have to go to bed because I work again in the morning. Its so hard to work opposite shifts of Blade. I really miss him and miss the four of us having our family time. I know a lot of people have to do it and I know I have to do what is best in the long run for all of us.
The other thing I wish could and would happen is for my ex to just leave me and the kids alone. I haven't received child support in over a month again, in the last three months I have got child support once and it wasn't a full payment, so frustrating, especially when I know he is working. The kids came home on sunday after a visit and told me that he is trying to force them to call his girlfriend mom. This irritates me so much, I am their mom and only mom. I have always been their for them and always will be. They call Blade dad, but on their own we have never told them to we always tell them it is up to them. Blade has earned the title Dad, Evan hasn't been around for them and hasn't been a true Dad. Raelyn also told me she got spanked for crying when she wanted to play trains with Kaleb and Evan and they told her no. I am against spanking unless its something serious like them running in the street etc, but crying cause you can't play with your Dad and brother is just stupid.
So thats my little vent about how I wish things could be different in life, luckily when Blade gets back in the Air Force most of this will all change! I can't wait for that day!

Lets go ride a bike!

We decided that since Kaleb is 5 and getting pretty big for his Thomas bike that it is time to teach him how to ride without training wheels! I know he is old enough and can do it but I still can't believe my little boy is that big already! On friday Blade took the training wheels off and Kaleb rode around 1 time with Blade holding on and was doing great, he would let go a little here and there. Then on Sunday he took them off again and Kaleb rode a round 3 times with no training wheels he went for a long ways with no help! He is doing so good at it! With just a little more practice and a lot of confidence he will be ready for a bigger bike in no time!

3 year old fears?

I am in need of some advice, or suggestions, Raelyn loved swimming last year she would splash, dunk her head in, and get so excited and play so hard she wore her self out. Then in March we took the kids swimming in St. George and she loved it still she even fell under the water and just laughed about it. Then in May she was suddenly very afraid of even getting in the pool. I finally got her in and she played for a few seconds and then cried and screamed until I sat on the side with her. I asked her about it and she said she didn't like the pool (we were at the club house pool at our old house) she said if we went to the yellow slide pool (Lindon) that she wouldn't be scared. I decided to take her swimming for her birthday at the yellow slide pool and she was so excited to go. We got there and she was a little hesitant to get in but got in and played for a good 5 minutes then out of no where said she was done and screamed and cried again. They have gone swimming a few times with their dad and I don't know if something happened to make her scared or if it's the age? I don't know if I keep taking her and see if she gets used to it? Or if I should find a babysitter for her while we swim?  I am open to any advice or suggestions!

Hip Hip Hooray Raelyn is 3 today!!!!

Three years ago today I was blessed with the birth of my beautiful baby girl! It seems like it was just yesterday I really can't believe that she is 3 already! We decided to have her party on Sunday because we were moving all weekend and monday being the 4th and then today being a week day and Blade working we figured Sunday would work the best for everyone. Raelyn loves to be outside so did her party at the park. It was a very beautiful day outside all day, until of course it was time for her party to begin. The wind started blowing so hard and it started raining. We all waited out the storm and continued her party when the weather was nice again. Raelyn got a lot of great presents she loves every single one of them. We are so grateful to everyone who made it and helped us make it such a special day for her!

Since we had her party on Sunday I have been trying to still make today feel like her Birthday and make it very special. We had pink heart shaped pancakes for breakfast, then we played and went to lunch with my mom and got ice cream, When Blade gets off work we will be going swimming and then she gets to pick what we make for dinner! I love you Princess! I am so grateful to be your mom!