KALZA REUNION: DAY 1
BYU game @ Cowboys Stadium

 We had the privilege of attending the BYU Cougars football game at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium. It was a sad loss, but AMAZING to be at the stadium, ESPECIALLY with our best friends. KALZA reunites! We had a blast and all acted like kids again without our babies with us. It was a well needed night on the town.

 {one of my new favorite pictures}

Char & Ben Allsop, US, Melis & Reed Garza

 Brock's grandpa was lucky enough to watch the game from a box just above us. At half time we went and ate some of their 5 course meal that was endless, and sit in their comfy chairs.

 Us with Grandpa Ron

 Just after the game ended, a cheery lady stood at the balcony of her box and started flicking cash to the crowd. Of course Ben and Brock zipped right up there and scored some cash. She was so cute! Had the biggest smile on her face, which I would too I'm sure. We heard she threw out 100 one dollar bills

Ben got 13 of them and Brock 12 of them.

Nice work Sweetie. Paid for parking. :)

 The stadium was incredible.

The company WAY better.

Maybe we'll all meet there again....

In 30 years.

More posting about KALZA coming up.

funnies

 Oh my boys.

Brendon's personality is bursting out these days. {no proof in these pictures above} He carries a long conversation in jabber talk to whom ever will make eye contact with him. I love when it's with me.

Cohen is becoming quite the character.

Some recent phrases I have heard from him:

"Mom, I'm sad. I want my Grandma."

"MOM! I'm SOOOO glad you're at my house. It makes me happy."

"Mama, I just LOVE my Daddy."

They are sweet boys. Very mellow for the most part. Cohen is so much like me and my family, and I see so much of Brock is Brendon.

Parenthood is a gift.

A hard one, but wonderful.

P.S.

We've started a CHORE chart for Co.
He loves to "help".
Why not teach him about responsibilities early, right?
Doing well so far.
If he earns a sticker each day for helping make his bed, clean up toys and take his dishes to the sink, then he gets to put some change in his piggy bank for "savings".

what makes up a perfect day?

 It's when I peek outside to find Brock and Cohen trying to catch a frog or running the bases after hitting a homerun.

It's when my baby Brendon makes a new 'extra loud' sound and it startles him, then he smiles extra big.

It's when a storm is coming and Cohen gets super excited to 'see' the "sunder".

It's when my sweetheart comes home and drops everything in his arms to run and give us loves.
It's smelling the heater in our house come on for the first time of the year.
It's when Cohen sincerely apologizes for making mom or dad upset for disobeying.

I love perfect days.

HALLOWEEN partying begins...

 Our friends Josh and Mary Gillett hosted a 'Spookfest' last night. Well done, it was so much fun. Costume contests, pumpkin carving contest, pizza, lots of sugar, games for the kids and a show projected on the house for the kids.

Cohen was a little weirded out by dressing up. He was fine until we were driving to the party and he had a little melt down, which added to the costume and made brown streaks down his face when his tears hit the cocoa on it. Poor boy. He felt really awkward it seemed. We explained to him that everyone at the party would be dressed up silly too. Once he saw others he felt better. *Side note: he is still doing great potty training! I'm brave now and drive in the car with no towel under him.

 Enjoying his cupcake, part of his 'sugar dinner'.

 What a great looking family!

I felt a little guilty, feeling like we were mocking homeless people, which we were not. We are grateful for our home and everything in it. 

Happy Halloween!

P.S. Allsops come to town in 4 days. WOO!! I MAY have a hard time sleeping this week because I am WAY too excited. Can't wait!

jabber

 {Brend all snuggly on a cold morning run}

Now that my two year old is speaking very clearly and in complete sentences, I forget how exciting it is when a newborn starts the "jabber". Brendon is finding his voice and LOVES using it. I think we have another chatterbox on our hands.

Speaking of my two year old talking...here are some things Cohen has been saying that I don't want to forget:

- First thing Cohen says to Brendon in the morning is always "Hi Brend! Good morning! How was your sleep?" Of course in the same high pitched voice as mine when I say the same thing.

- He has been using words like "actually" and saying "supposed to" lately. Two years going on ten years!

- After saying good morning to Brendon today Co said "Brend Dad's studying now, but he'll come back and give you a love."

- "Mom, I'm so glad you're happy!" This is one of my recent favs.

- His "L" sound is still a "W" sound, so when singing 'do re mi fa so la ti do' at the top of his lungs, I can't help but laugh when he gets to la and yells WA.....do re mi fa so WA ti do.

- Saying VERY good prayers on his own. Today's breakfast prayer was something like this....Heavenly Father, bless the food, strengthen us, pray Daddy will come home, grateful for our blessings, in the name of Jesus Christ Amen. Priceless.

I am grateful for communication.

Especially when it comes from my children. 

Potty Training :: week 2

{if he's not cute, I don't know what is}

I thought I was going to DREAD every minute of potty training, and it has not been bad at all! All you moms playing with the idea of trying, go for it! You at least have to try to see if they are ready, right? In two weeks, only one poopy accident {the thing I was dreading most} and four or five times he peed in his undies. He's doing great! He has started telling a little more when he needs to go, so I don't have to ask him every thirty minutes. He went 4 days with NO accidents and woke up dry from every nap, still has a very wet diaper when he wakes up in the morning. He did wear of diaper to church on Sunday, but came home with it dry! We are now just working on pooping in the potty, and actually going potty on a big, normal toilet. I have still liked him using his little potty because if I'm occupied he can run in there and do it without me.

Very proud of this boy. I know this has been a big change for him, and he has handled it extremely well. In the near future I think we'll completely get the hang of it.

I'll keep you posted...

P.S.

Me and my honey went on a wonderful date last weekend. Our great friend Vanessa gave me a Mac Grill gift card for my birthday and free babysitting. Our night on the town {for a couple hours} was well needed, and d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s. We talked about our family and our future together, things we would like to do as a family during this medical school adventure in TX, etc. I cherish my "alone time" with Brock. He truly is my best friend, and such a good partner in crime. After we came home and put the kids to bed, we watched Marley and Me, one of my newer favs. I laugh every time as if it's my first time watching it. 

 Have you ever tried writing your name backwards 

and upside down like the waiters do at Mac Grill???

WAY harder than it looks.

Some Day...

 {Co lining cars up and building a "temple" before bed}

Some day...

My innocent two year old little pal is going to be a teenager.

The thought scares me to death. This thought alone makes me strive to be a better, more knowledgeable parent. I've been thinking about my children's future a lot lately and about how many challenges they will be faced with in this crazy world in the years to come. First, I think how nervous I am for them, also anxious to see how they will react to adversity. But, second I think of how proud I know I will be watching them stand tall above the crowd and be an example of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

My calling in our ward is the Laurel advisor. I have absolutely loved working with the young ladies! They are fun, beautiful, enthusiastic and FUNNY. Most importantly they are righteous, they stand tall above the crowd and are truly wonderful examples to those around them. Here I am suppose to be an example and leader to them, when in reality they are lifting me up more than they know.

Thank you Laurel's of the Fossil Ridge Ward.

I hope my children can be as strong as you.

Some day.

Potty Training 101

 Can I really be potty training a child?

I can't believe it. My baby Cohen is sneaking into a BIG BOY. So far potty training is going well. As I write this, we have ended day 3. Day 1 he went pee in his potty 3 times and once on the bathroom floor before tubby. Day 2 he peed 5 times in potty, 2 times on the carpet, and pooped and peed in his booster chair {YUCK!}. Day 3 NO ACCIDENTS and peed 6 times in potty. He still wears a diaper when he sleeps, of course. Not too bad for the first 3 days. We'll see what tomorrow brings...

 When he goes potty he gets a treat of his choice and puts a sticker on his Potty Chart. Wow, he thinks it's the coolest. But most of all his undies are the BEST and COOLEST thing in the world right now. He wants to run around in only undies. He gets so excited when he goes potty. He smiles and squeels as he pees, it makes me happy every time. Let's hope this enthusiasm stays.

 Here goes nothin'!

A few things I don't want to forget...

- while listening to Cohen's Mix on the ipod that consists of Primary songs and Sing-A-Long songs, Cohen lighting up and yelling "I know this song Mom!" So proud and then sings every word. A few songs are I Am a Child of God, I Am Like a Star, ABC's, Wheels on the Bus, Popcorn Popping and we're working on I'm trying to Be Like Jesus.

- for FHE teaching Cohen our 3 good manners at the dinner table: no throwing things, no yelling and sit on your bum. Two days later I asked him what they were and he repeated them perfectly back to me. YES! What a reward as a parent to teach them something and really have them retain it. As for following these 3 manners all the time....I'll give it 3 out of 5 stars.

- Cohen loving his new undies so much that during naptime he insisted on me putting his undies over his diaper. So we did.

- The feeling I had hearing my two year old say words like "actually" and "because" in his full sentences. They catch on to everything so quickly.
- Cohen played in the nursery at church while I attended a relief society activity...when I went to pick him up he yelled "mom!" Then turned to the ladies watching the kids and said "that's my mom!" So proud. I could have cried right then, but decided not to. He then ran and gave me a hug. Sweetheart. Let me remember this moment in times when he's being naughty.

2 5   y e a r s   o f   l i f e

 Perfect birthday weekend:

my mom in town for 4 days

my youngest baby boy blessed on my birthday

lots and lots and lots of rain

chocolate chunk brownies & ice cream

new running shoes

 Birthday dinner on the traditional birthday plate - Tuscan pasta, fresh green beans, french bread

 Skyped with Brock's family while singing Happy Birthday, ate cupcakes and chocolate chunk brownies and ice cream

 It couldn't have been more perfect weather outside.

 Heavenly.

 

Dropping your mama off at the airport and 

saying goodbye shouldn't be allowed on your birthday.

But I am oh so lucky to have had her here for a weekend.

Thanks to my sweet little family for the perfect birthday.

LOVE!

The Blessing of Brendon Lee Kitchen

 What an amazing experience to hear a blessing given to my sweet baby boy by his Daddy. The blessing was beautiful. We were lucky to have the support from wonderful friends and family in our ward, from Dallas, and my mom from St. George attend the blessing and brunch at our house after.

 THOSE WHO ATTENDED:

 Reed, Melis & Brooklyn Garza

 Andy, Beka & Nixon Philipp

 {Nix, Co & Brooklyn}

 Gabe, Chelsea & Cathy

 Sharon & Davita

Also Josh, Mary, Henry, Jane & Will Gillett 

who I didn't get a photo of. Sorry!

 {Co LOVING the rain storm after church}

Brethren in the blessing circle: Brock, Bishop Crook, Reed Garza, 

Josh Gillett, Andy Philipp, Colten Salazar 

Dear Brendon,

You are a precious child of our Heavenly Father. He loves you oh so much. Since becoming a mommy, I realize how much our Heavenly Father loves all of us, his children. How blessed we are to have the knowledge our Him and His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. I want you to know how grateful I am to be your Mommy. It is truly a privilege to love nurture you every day. Thank you for spoiling me and being a great baby, for being patient with me as I learn how to be a mommy of two boys. You being blessed the same day as my 25th birthday was just perfect. You make my grey skies blue each time you smile.

I love you to the moon and back.

Love - Mommy

grandma/mama in town

 My life is complete when my mama is around.

She was kind enough to come visit us for Brendon's blessing and my 25th birthday. {more about them both later} Four days was not even close enough time spent with her. She is one of the most fun people I know. Her laugh is contagious, her hugs are perfect, and she makes you feel like a million dollars. 

 We went non-stop to make sure we could get everything in during her visit - went for walks on the golf course by our house, played at the park hidden in the middle of the golf course, made homemade pesto pizza, my mom cut my hair because I was so desperate....

 went to Brock's school's powder puff game, went to Pei Wei downtown for dinner, played Yatzee...

 {saying the pledge @ the football game}

 {powder puff football game - check out those cheerleaders!}

 made and played with homemade jello playdough, went birthday shopping at the mall, stayed up late every night talking...

 bought Cohen new converse shoes "just like dad's", 
celebrated Brendon's blessing and my birthday.

 Come back soon Mama!

Thank you oh so much for the perfect birthday weekend.

We love everything about you. 

hands hands hands

He just can't get enough of those hands!

He discovered this week that they taste really good.

They also come in handy to hold his binkie in, or push it back in his mouth when it starts to fall out, which he's doing a lot. He's getting to be a little smarty. He is a jabber machine, and is working on laughing. He has burst out in a big long laugh once {@ Andy & Beka's} but we can not make it happen again....yet. He's so close though.

3 months old next week.

Yowzers.