Kids Say the darndest things......

So Me and my daughter Roxi where doing the dishes. She prides her self at being a "good helper" and I usually take the opportunity to teach her various things while we clean. During this particular time I thought it might be cute to see if she could spell her name. This is how it went.....

Me: What Letter is that?(She was holding one of the Magnetic letters from the Fridge.)
Her: Xssssss (she likes to emphasize the "ks" part)
Me: What sound does the X make?
Her: Kssssssssssss (etc.)
Me: Did you know there's an X in your name?
Her: YES!
Me: How do you spell Roxi?
Her: Ummmmm....WITH LETTERS!

I about dropped the plate I was laughing so hard!

I <3 having cute kids! Just thought I'd post this for future reference. :)

*End Rant*

Busy week...

Me and the kids have been running around Laredo this week. I've been looking for indoor places to take them now that Brewer has developed a sense of temperature. (He asked me last week why it was so hot outside and then preceded to inform me that it shouldn't get that hot. LOL ) We've decided that McDonalds (Ugg) and the play place at the mall are the big keepers for them. I like the Library as well..mostly because it's nice and quiet. Somewhere along this adventure Roxi lost her binki chain. So, I got adventurous and decided to make her a new one. there was some disagreement as to which ribbon to use so I caved and she ended up with not one new binki chain..,but two.

             I think it's kind of wonderful (and a little sad) how the kids are developing preferences for things. They both have things they do and don't like and part of me has thought that for a while now. Lately though it seems that they are starting to vocalize those preferences all the time. In some ways it makes my job much easier. Like I don't have to pick out there clothes, or ask them 5 times what they want for breakfast, or make guesses as to what they want for their birthdays.  But in other ways it makes it a little more difficult. Like me having to explain at length why chocolate pudding is not a staple for breakfast. But hey, it's not like I have a say in it. They're growing up and no matter how much I wish they'd stay my little babies forever, they won't. I'ts okay though. Because someday they'll be able to do the dishes by themselves. >:D (insert evil laugh here)


Oh! Here are some pictures...

Roxi's new binki chains

Brewer running

Roxi with some new friends

Roxi on the toddler slide.

Brewer peeking at me from between the bars of the play place

mmm....chicken nuggets and hamburgers.

Girls break your...

I'd say life has been hectic and that's why I stopped blogging, but...that wouldn't really be true. To be honest, I'm not really sure what happened. Other things just kind of took over I guess. Anyways...I'm trying to come back! 


So the old saying goes that boys break your stuff and girls break you heart. Up until now I would have said that it applied to my children. Until I walked in their room and saw this....

...only when I first saw it, Roxi was sitting in front of the door crying and holding her back. She's fine..there was no real damage done. To her anyway. What I got from her story was that she tripped and fell into the closet. I'm not sure yet if I'm getting the whole story but whatever happened it broke the accordion closet door.  I have to admit that once I found out everyone was okay (I was summoned from cleaning by the crash that it made) I laughed...a lot! For those of you that don't know...I HATE (!) accordion doors. They never work right, the knobs are always coming off, they constantly come off the track, and I seem to (as well as my children) get my finger pinched in them quite often. So, when I saw that we'd had our first tragedy involving the hated doors...I laughed and called it justice for how many times this particular door had pinched or frustrated me.  It is going to get fixed and I can't say that I wouldn't rather just replace it but, this isn't really our house. (oh the woes of renting) So...I'll just fix it and keep this picture to remember the vengeance that was taken upon it. xD

Christmas in January

So...I know I'm a bit late...ok ok...WAY late but we've had some computer issues and yeah...
Anyways this is my CHRISTMAS post.

Christmas was amazing! And although I didn't get the White Christmas I was hoping for ( I know..snow...in Laredo..it's a stretch but hey, a girl can hope right :P ) the day was (except for Benjamin having to work) perfect.

On Christmas Eve we had the Sister Missionaries over for fondue and we all had a total blast! Neither of them had ever had fondue before so it was quite an adventure. After they left we made cookies for Santa and read the "Christmas Cookie" book we got as a gift from my lovely Sister Jessi. <3

Then, as is tradition, we read Luke 2 and the kids opened one gift. We rigged it so that it was their Christmas pajamas. Although, I think that it could have been coal as long as they got to tear the wrapping open. Brewer was especially cute! After we got his pajamas on we reminded him that Santa was going to come and bring him more presents while he was asleep. When we asked him what he wanted Santa to bring him he said "hm..some socks...more underwear..things like that". It was all I could do to keep from laughing hysterically! We assured him that Santa brought more than just clothes for Christmas and then tucked our (very tired) kids into bed.

Then, as vision of sugar plums danced through our children's dreams, we set out the gifts.

(sorry it's sideways)

The next morning we woke up bright and early so that we could get presents done before Benjamin had to go to work. I don't think the kids were to amused. What do you think?

Ok...maybe it was Me that wasn't to amused at the 6 am Christmas but I guess I should get used to it right? :)

(yes, I know the date on the pic says the 24th but my camera somehow got a day off and I don't know how to fix it. hehe) The present opening went fast and the kids were (and still are for the most part) thrilled with their gifts. It was a wonderfull day filled with playing for the kids and reading for mommy. ( I got the first 4 House of Night books. I've since read the remaining 2 and I CAN'T WAIT for the next one to come out! Ben says I'm obsessed but like I told him with Twilight I don't think that it's such a bad thing.) When Daddy came home we had a wonderful dinner. Although we weren't around family on Christmas we got to share our love with them by phone.

So, that was our Christmas and I hope your's was just as good if not better. Even though the Christmas season is over I hope we can still remember what it is all about. Our brother Jesus Christ was born so that he could bring us to our father in heaven. I pray that everyone of us can remember the sacrifices that were made for us by him and let it touch our lives daily.

Also, my birthday last Saturday (the 9th). I turned 28 and it was WONDERFUL. the kids we very well behaved (an awesome gift by itself) and when Benjamin got home we went and got my new sewing machine! yay! If you would have told me on my 18th birthday that I would be happy about getting a sewing machine on my 28th I would have told you that you were having a brain aneurysm. lol But such is life and I <3 my sewing machine. I also got a gift card to target so I get to go shopping for me on Ben's next day off. YAY!

All in all life is good. I really can't complain!

I saw this on the church website and I love the message that it sends. Sometimes we get so caught up in the decorations, meals, and other novelties of Christmas that we forget (or at least I do :D ) what Christmas is all about. This video helped me to remember and I hope it can do the same for you. **MERRY CHRISTMAS**

2 and 3 going on 15 and 16

So every once and a while I "catch" my kids doing things that seem a little to grown up for them to be doing. SO....I thought I'd post some of the pics on the blog so you could see it too.

This is Brewer on the computer. Now...it really doesn't show the extent of how grown up he is on this thing. It's not like he just sits there playing the game we turn on for him. If he wants to play he (after getting permission) will log on to the profile we created for him, pick one of the two games that he can access from the start menu (we erased all the shortcuts so he couldn't accidentally get somewhere he shouldn't be) and then proceed to play the game. When he's done he exits the program, informs us he's done and then logs out of his profile. The first time I witnessed this whole process I thought first, that we let him play too much on the computer (lol) and second that my little boy was growing up WAY TO FAST!

This is something both the kids do but it's a little more amazing that Roxi can do it. One day I was out in the garage doing the laundry. I hadn't been out there for very long (maybe 2 or three minutes) when I heard Roxi say "Mommy look at me"  this is what I saw when I turned around. She'd climbed up there all by herself. *sigh* My little girl..is growing up.

Ok..so this one is more cute than anything. My kids LOVE to play on the bed after I'm done making it. This particular morning Brewer was somewhere else (otherwise they just jump all over the place and cause a rukus) and so Roxi was pretty calm. She snuggled into the pillow and sighed. After looking around for a bit she reached up and took a book from the bookshelf that's next to our bed. She then settled back into the pillow, opened the book and began to "read" to herself. (She was really just saying "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" over and over again)

So..those are my kids that are growing up way to fast for my liking. :) Although I love the stages they're in right now it's sad to look at them and see the infant/baby/toddler growing right out of them but I guess it's just the way things go right. They're so cute now the way they play together and I love them both just to pieces. They are SUCH a blessing to our family and it is pretty enlightening to watch them grow. So I'll try to enjoy it and make sure to take LOTS of pictures :)

Roxi's 2nd Birthday

Yeah...Our little girl turned 2 on the 3rd (I'm a little behind and maybe a little in denial :}) We didn't do anything to big. We spent the day watching conference and making her cake.(Although it was my first experience with fondant \o/) Once conference was over we sat around the table and sang to her. The kids were so anxious for chocolate cake that they didn't want to wait until we cut it. You'll see in the pics where they tried to eat the cake whole) Ah, the days when Chocolate cake was enough to make you jump out of your chair right?  :) After cake she opened her presents and we played for the rest of the day. (After mommy cleaned up the HUGE mess that we all made making cake, but it was SO worth it) She was pretty much happy the whole day. Then again, she's pretty happy all the time. The only exception being her little "terrible 2" tantrums. (and boy can she holler!!!!) Little Roxi is SUCH a joy in our lives. She is sweet and caring and always ready with a smile and a kiss. she is learning quickly how to wrap us around her little finger :P

Roxi LOVES:

Shoes
Kisses
Pink
Mommy, Daddy, and"Brewer Boy"(probably not in that order though :] )
Going "bye bye"
Greeting people that come in the door
Chocolate!



Roxi DOESN'T Like:

Being told what to do
Going to bed
Nursery (Sad...I know :P)

Ben's Job

For those of you who want to know what a Border Patrol Agent does here are some pictures of Ben at work.With all the nasty stuff that goes on just across the border in Mexico I have to say that I am very grateful that there are people watching 24 hrs a day 7 days a week 365 days a year. Even if they are busy taking pictures of old abandoned prisons and Mexican goats :P Thank you babe..for all the hard work you do! :D

My Crazy life

So...for those of you who haven't heard...Ben has been gone for the last 5 months at the Federal Training Academy. He graduated July 10th and returned home to us the next day. since then the Fund family has been on the go. We spent a short time saying our good byes and packing then left UT on the 15th of July. We spent what was a surprisingly pleasant 3 day drive (thanks in most part to my WONDERFUL brother-in-law Jake) to Laredo TX where we were greeted by a beautiful 3 bedroom house with...pause for dramatic effect...our very own BACKYARD. ( For those of you that know my children...you will understand the effect that has on my sanity :D) We have spent the last 3 or so weeks unpacking ( still not finished..eh..oh well :P) and getting familiar with the border town we now call home.
Laredo is an interesting place. Most (and when I say most I mean almost everyone!!!!!!!) of the people speak Spanish and going to the store can be an interesting marathon of the "I don't understand a word you're saying" look as everyone tries to speak to me in Spanish. (So much for the 2 yrs of it I took in HS) Plus.....it's REALLY hot!!!!! I'm not talking AZ 120 F hot...I'm talking HUMID hot!!! The average forecast here is partly cloudy 108 and between 40-60% humidity. YUCK!!!!!!! You walk outside your door and get an instant sweat-bath. There really is almost NO point in any kind of foundation. ( you know me though..i wear it any way >:} ) I have to give Ben MASS PROPS for working out in it everyday...he is an amazing man! I'd die! really!
Other than that it really is nice here. The people (once they figure out I don't know Spanish) are very welcoming and charitable. It's funny how culture shows in how people treat each other. I had to make a trip downtown to get some errands taken care of and I had to take my kids. I was SO stressed. All I could picture was my kids running a muck in City Hall while I was trying to conduct business. Instead what I was greeted with was amazing. Everyone (!) was willing to help and very understanding about my two children running wild. I didn't get even one "control your children slacker" look. (you know...the look you get when someone who doesn't have kids doesn't like what your kids are doing and then thinks that your not doing you job or something :P lol) Also, I have to admit that I was really worried about going to a branch but the people in it are WONDERFUL. It's not a small branch by any means. In fact, Sacrament meeting is almost as full as some Wards I've been to. I've already come to love the women in Relief Society. They all have such sweet and unique spirits and they all get along with each other. Not to mention the amazing welcome they have extended me and the few other women that have moved in recently.
All in all....I'd say I like Laredo so far. The people are nice, my kids are happy with all the extra space, and my husband is happy to be gainfully employed. what more could I ask for right?!?!?! I am grateful that the lord saw fit to put us in this place and this situation. It's funny how things work out right?!?! :)

I love this!!

Here is a link to a partial Twilight book...unfortunatly it may never be finished. It's bascally Twilight written from Edward's perspective.

http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/pdf/midnightsun_partial_draft4.pdf

It is a welcome additon to the Twilight Saga and I hope SM will find it in her heart to finish it.

The Normal Day to Day

There's nothing really new to report....Ben is working hard at the Academy and I am working hard at home. I spend my days running around doing chores and playing with my kids. To some people it may seem mundane and boring but to me it's WONDEFULL!!! I love playing with my kids. I love how every time I sit down on the floor it becomes a game of doggy pile with me on the bottom. :) My kids are the sweetest things in the world. (Although I'm sure every Mom thinks that =] ) Brewer's new favorite phrase is "I like you mommy...in fact I love you"....Hello he's 3. Should he be using phrases like "in fact"? LOL Roxi's vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds and there isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't learn a new word.

So yes, my day to day activities are pretty scheduled and they don't change much but the minute to minute stuff is pretty amazing!! And today, I'm very glad for my life and all the blessings the Lord has placed in it!!!!

My morning reflection...lol

Today starts Ben's 5 month training in Artesia NM for the Border Patrol and remebering that made me kind of sad this morning. Although I know what he is doing will make a better life for our family we miss him terribly....then I checked my Facebook and a friend of mine had posted this video.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoGYx35ypus



Now I realize how great we all have it...and although there are things in our lives that we may not like, we live in AMAZING times!! For example I can still "see" Ben via web cam...lol. When else in time could you do something that cool!?!?! I am so grateful for technology...when used correctly.

Laredo, TX....here we come

Well....It's finally happened, the Border Patrol called and offered Benjamin a position at the Laredo North station. He leaves for the Academy on the 22nd of Feb and will be gone for about 5 months including his language training.(Yes, MY husband is going to learn Spanish...who'd a thunk :P) It is a very good opportunity for our little family. Although we will miss him terribly for those 5 months he will be a Federal Law Enforcement Agent when he is done and with the economy the way it is we are lucky to have any job, let alone a job with Federal benefits. Over all we are very happy! Exited as well, for the next chapter in our lives.

My Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday (the 9th) and I have to say that I felt VERY loved there were only a few people that didn't wish me a happy birthday in one way or another. (My wall on Facebook was the most popular. :) ) I got a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my parents and brother, a trendy pair of "around the house pants from my family, and I got to make my own cake! I know I'm a geek, I actually WANTED to make my cake. What can I say I love to cook. Anyway....It was a wonderful 27th birthday. Thanks to all those who had a part in it.

Bye Bye 2008....Hello 2009!!!

2008 has been quite the roller coaster for us. We've had some amazing things happen but we've also had some kinda big trials.

In February, our little boy Brewer turned two. He showed me what the terrible twos were all about...... (Especially since my wonderful little brother seemed to skip that phase entirely!)....Making messes, picking on his sister, and making it very obvious that he can form his own opinions. But in all of that he found time to learn, play and steal our hearts. He can be so sweet with his unexpected hugs, kisses and I love yous... there is even the occasional nice play time with Roxi. We wouldn't change our wonderfully mischievous little boy for anything.

In May, Benjamin got a chance to live his dream! He was finally accepted to OCS. (Again :) ) And this time I wasn't sitting in the hospital so he was actually able to concentrate while he was there. He learned a lot and grew mentally and physically as the USMC pushed and pulled him the way they are famous for doing. Unfortunately, during the 7th week of a 10 week program, the USMC decided that Benjamin was not in the physical condition to lead Marines. So they sent him home. When he got home we looked at other branches of the military but in the end it was not what the Lord wanted for us.

In September, Benjamin got a brilliant idea.....The Border Patrol. He took the first of a series of steps by passing their aptitude test with flying colors and since then it has been quite the journey. It is, however, not over so we'll all have to wait to see how it works out.

In October, our little girl Roxi turned one. It's hard to believe that our little Preemie has grown up so fast! She is so much fun to have in our home and she brings a special feeling of peace, love and joy to our family.

In November, we moved bringing a new chapter to our lives. Although we miss living with Benjamin's family we still get to see them quite frequently. Brewer and Roxi are always so happy when they get to see their Grandma and Papa. We will be forever grateful for the generosity they showed by letting us live with them!

That brings us to now. We are happy, healthy and together. And after all that is what really matters. So here is wishing you and yours a happy 2009!!!

White Christmas

I hope all of your Christmases went well. Ours was one for the memory books. Mostly because of the foot of snow we got at our apartment between 6am and 1pm. Yeah....apparently you should be careful of the things you pray for. I prayed for a white Christmas and I got a blizzard that almost trapped us in our apartment. Fortunately, my husband has experience driving in blizzards (he served his mission in the South Dakota area) and was able to get us to Christmas diner at his parents house safely. Brewer and Roxi had a wonderful time playing with their cousins and Ben and I enjoyed being with family on Christmas. I love this time of year and the spirit that it brings. Although I am sad to see it go the New Year brings a wonderful opportunity to make goals. (Something else I love to do.) So here is wishing you and yours a Happy New Year!

Ben reading Luke 2 before we opened presents.

Ben showing Roxi the drill.

Brewer has already got the drill down.

Opening her second present by herself.

A cute shot of the kids plus ...you can see a little bit of the storm outside.

We Moved!

So...it's finally happened. We moved out of our parent's basement and into our own place. Although we are sad to be away from Gwen,Terry,Brady and Jake, it's good for us to be on our own. We have a lot of fond memories about the time we shared a home with the Funds and I will be forever grateful for their generosity. It was also really nice to spend sometime learning about where Ben came from and how he grew up. However, it was time to move on.

The kids are adjusting surprisingly well considering that the house is all they remember. We love our little apartment and are settling right in!! The ward reminds us of our ward in Mesa which is, of course, a very good thing! There are tons of kids Brewer and Roxi's age so they will have a bunch of little friends. All in all it is a really good move and we are grateful.

Also, it looks like we will be joining the Border Patrol. Ben had his Oral board and he passed. Now we are just playing the waiting game. I will keep you updated on what's happening with that later.

So that's what's happening here! Lots of change! I guess it keeps me on my toes right!?!?! :)

So much.....

First things first...Brewer has been tagged!

Five Things we love about our Michael Brewer!

1~ The fact that he is all boy!! Brewer loves looking for bugs, playing with swords, wrestling, big trucks and construction equipment.

2~ Even though he is all boy he still plays with his little sister. Sometimes I have to remind him that she is just a baby. Like when he buries her in a blanket and hides from her while she's screaming because she can't get out or when he wants to wrestle with her. Yesh!! :) We love him though for being so willing to include her.

3~He is soooooooo social. So much so that we have a hard time keeping him with us during sacrament meeting. Brewer just loves everybody. He thinks everyone is his friend and he has no problem walking up to a complete stranger and saying"want to play wif me".

4~We love that sometimes he just wants to snuggle. At least once a day (especially now that it's getting cold) he walks up to me with a blanket and says "I wanna snuggle you". Talk about heart melting. It doesn't matter what kind of mood I'm in or wha tI'm doing that always gets me!

5~ We love how SMART he is! He picks up everything that goes on around him. He already knows all of his ABCs and most of the sounds they make. He knows his vowels, that they make 2 sounds and when they make those sounds. It's not uncommon to hear him sing "when to vowels go walking, the first one does the talking, O and A say O as in boat and goat." I am in so much trouble!!! But we love it.

Brewer is definitely a challenge but he has taught me so much about myself and the world around me. He has made me a better person in his short 2 and 1/2 years. We love him so much!

Brewer tags :

Preslee Hart

Cody Judd

Avary Fund

On another note....Roxi's birthday was the 3rd. I know I'm running WAY behind but life is crazy! We're trying to find both a second job for Ben (the Army didn't work out) and an apartment. While we apply to the Border Patrol and get ready for the holidays. (Yeah!!! That's my life, but I love it) Our little Roxi girl has all but shed her preemie days and is quite the little go getter! She is walking pretty well now and has 3 times the teeth that Brewer did at her age. She is very opinionated and isn't shy about letting you know. Especially when it comes to strangers. Unlike our little Brew, Roxi hates strangers and has already perfected her "touch me and I'll scream" look. It's actually kind of cute. She loves her Mama and we are like two peas in a pod!

I hope that everything is going well with all of you! I know I don't keep in touch as well as I should and I'm sorry. It's something I'm hoping to work on when I get my head above water! :)

Somethings missing....

So I had my Gallbladder taken out last Thursday. The surgery went really well which is more than I can say for the recovery! I am very aware that there is something missing. It is amazing to me how taking one little organ out (about the size of a golf ball) can through the whole thing out of whack! My stomach and lungs are not very happy with me and they remind me every time I try to take a deep breath. I guess it was necessary though. I had developed a few decent sized gall stones and they were making life VERY UNPLEASANT!!!

On a completely unrelated note...my little girl is turning 1 year old a week from Friday and I'm getting pretty nestolgic. She is getting so big and I find myself wondering where the time went. I mean, the first year went by fast with Brewer but this is ridiculous!!! It seems like just yesterday I was bringing her home from the NICU. I guess it just means that I shouldn't take any of the time I have for granted. That I should enjoy every minute I can. :)

Funny Funny!!!

I got these in an email and I had to share them!!! I'm really happy to say that my husband does some of these. I am so lucky to have him!!!