Mikenna & Brielle Haircut Day!!

I love taking pictures of my kids hair after it's been trimmed. Brielle was entertained with a piece of gum; and as always Mikenna didn't want too much cut off. She loves her hair long -but doesn't like to take the time to do much to it. Mikenna has thick hair and she is a very active girl. Those two things combined make it hard to keep her hair untangled. She is getting a lot better at brushing her hair out every morning and night so she doesn't get nasty tangles in it. We found a really good detangler spray though -it's the Pantene brand -love it!! And Paul Mitchell shampoo and conditioner (with detangler in it) does wonders!!! It's been quite a search to find good products for Mikenna's hair-she seriously has thick, adult hair. Brielle on the other hand-is our girly girl. She loves to watch me do my hair and make-up and copies everything I do. She even pretends to put in contacts just like me. It's pretty funny. Mikenna is tougher when it comes to play and physical things -but when it comes time to brush her hair out -it's instant tears -she has a sensitive head. Brielle is tougher when it comes to hair brushing, and putting in cute hair stuff. She also has a lot more patience -she will sit forever while I do her hair -Mikenna on the other hand -just wants to be done so she can go play with the boys. Although I did take Mikenna to her first spa pedicure with the works-massage chair, massaged feet, flower and diamond on her big toes -and she absolutely loved it! So I went ahead and let her get her fingernails done too. It was so fun to enjoy that with her -something I am sure Brielle will love too-something I can do with both of my daughters to continue to bond with them.
Two beautiful daughters ~ Two different personalities~Two very special blessings in my life!

I love my girlies!!!

Happy Heart Day!!

For Valentine's Day this year; we took the kids out to Red Robin; we made pink heart shaped pancakes; and went to the mall to do a little shopping. We found Mikenna a baptism dress, Jaron a pair of jeans and new Sunday shirt; we made sugar cookies and we put balloons and chocolate hearts on the kids bed for them to see after school Friday. Toby & I gave each other a booked weekend get-away at Cameo Heights Mansion-for a later date since Toby has been sick. And of course Toby gave me some beautiful flowers. It's so fun to celebrate our love for one another. It's not an official holiday -but it is at our house! It's one of our favorite's to celebrate! Jaron and Mikenna had fun putting together their valentines & candies for their classmates. Jaron & Mikenna decorated their valentine boxes this year. We also had fun sending out Valentine wishes to great-grandma Higley, grandma & papa Winder, & Omie Rasmussen, & aunts, uncles and cousins. Both Jaron & Mikenna had games today -they both did awesome! Fun to watch them both! Toby took the girls out on a daddy daughter date to see the movie Hotel for Dogs, and eat dinner at Panda Express. I treated Mikenna to her first spa pedicure with me; it was really fun -she loved it-as did I spending time with her -she is so fun to do things with -she cracks me up. While Mikenna and I were getting pampered-Jaron & Toby worked on Jaron's pinewood derby car for the pinewood derby in a week and a half. It is looking pretty cool. And Brielle took a much needed nap this afternoon-she has not been sleeping well at night due to her cough. We all feel pampered with the fun things we did together as a family and the individual dates we had with our kids. We wish everyone a happy heart day! We love you.

My Third Born: Brielle Jill Rasmussen

1. WAS YOUR PREGNANCY PLANNED?!! You betcha! I am a big time planner.

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? We were both really excited and nervous since I was getting sicker with each pregnancy.

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? NEVER!

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 30

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Pregnancy Test at a store.

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? My sister was with me in the store -she knew first-and then I surprised my husband during our anniversary with the pregnancy test.

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? We were going to wait until she was born -since we had boy and girl things to pass down -but the planner in me decided to find out at 32 weeks.

9. DUE DATE? July 28th

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? I was extremely sick with all 3 of my kids. I was the most sick with Brielle. Was taken to the emergency room after a 911 call that my husband made with a serious case of dehydration and a huge kidney stone -that hurt more than giving birth. Luckily I passed the stone on my own during the week long hospital stay. Almost had a pic line inserted so I could gain weight. This happened at 12 weeks along.

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? NOTHING!! Everything smelled; tasted awful-a lot of the time it came right back up anyway - I know-lovely!!

12.WHAT IRRITATED YOU? Any lotion; shampoo -I dreaded taking showers to wash my hair -that even made me sick. Knowing I had to eat-but it would not stay down!! Being tired all the time and the worry I had with Brielle's health due to the strong medication I was on during the hospital stay at 12 weeks along.

13. WHAT WAS YOUR THIRD CHILD'S SEX? Girl -She was the first one that I watched with a mirror being born -because I knew that she would be my last baby -and I wanted to see it.
She was born with a little blonde hair -big blue eyes. She was our shortest baby at 19 inches.

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? No-I was excited to be a mommy for a third time-I was so sick -I just wanted a healthy baby!!

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? I lost a lot of weight with Brielle in the beginning -I had to eat a lot to gain weight with the help of the medication Zofran -I gained 20 lbs.

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? No-we had everything we needed at this point.

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? We were given a lot of gifts.

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? I wish I could say I didn't but pregnancy didn't agree with me. I feel lucky to have the three I do. I did have great delivery's though and very healthy babies! I don't want to bore you with the complications list!! :)

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Ft. Collins, Colorado.

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 10 hours

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Toby-My husband

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Toby -My husband-He delivered her.

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? It was Natural

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Epidural at the end -I was pretty beat up with this pregnancy-and I just wanted to enjoy the experience this time without too much pain.

25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 8 lbs. 3 oz. my biggest baby!! Who would have guessed with how sick I was with her. The Zofran helped me so much with her!!

26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? July 23, 2005. She was five days early. Toby had a game night at our house the night I went into labor and stayed up late-didn't get any sleep at all that night or day! We were exhausted!! All of my kids were born within an hour of one another -I would go into labor in the early morning and have them in the afternoon.

27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Brielle Jill Rasmussen -Brielle is Irish and means

"God is my strength -strong" and "Shining light". Jill is after my husband's sister Jill -and I also have an aunt named Jill. She fits her name well -she has a smile that lights up the room and she also had to be strong in order to join our family!!

I tag: Rochelle Bassett, Kim Myers, Kristen Hatch, Lindsay Bates, JoAnne Finnigan

My 2nd Born: Mikenna Jo Rasmussen

1. WAS YOUR PREGNANCY PLANNED?!! You betcha! I am a big time planner.

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? We were both really excited to be pregnant with our 2nd baby!

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? NEVER!

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 26

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Pregnancy Test at home.
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? My hubby! Then I immediately called my mom and dad.
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Yes! Again, I wanted to plan what to buy, etc.

9. DUE DATE? July 10th

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? I was extremely sick with all 3 of my kids. Had a kidney stone and a week hospital stay! FUN! I was also put on Zofran -a drug for most chemo patients for nausea -it saved my life!!

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? NOTHING!! Everything smelled; tasted awful -a lot of times it came right back up anyway. I know -lovely!!

12.WHAT IRRITATED YOU? Any lotion; shampoo -I dreaded taking showers to wash my hair -that even made me sick. Knowing I had to eat -but it would not stay down!! Being tired all the time. We had just moved into a brand new house and I couldn't handle the new carpet smell -I went to stay with my parents in Washington until Toby could relax the "new" smell in our new home.

13. WHAT WAS YOUR SECOND CHILD'S SEX? Girl -she was born with a little blonde hair -big blue eyes. She was a lot tinier than Jaron -I was sicker with my girls pregnancies.

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? No -I was excited to have either another boy or a girl!

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCYI struggled to gain the weight I needed to gain -I gained 20 lbs.

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? No -not an official one-but I recieved a lot of girl gifts once she was born -so we were set!

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? A lot of the gifts were surprises.

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? I wish I could say I didn't - but pregnancy didn't agree with me. I feel lucky to have the three I do. I did have great delivery's though and very healthy babies! I don't want to bore you with the complications list!! :)

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Ft. Collins, Colorado

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 12 Hours

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Toby -My husband

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Toby-My husband - He helped deliver her and put her on my tummy. I had a midwife with both of my girls-My midwife with Mikenna stayed with me through the whole labor process -allowing me to deliver her without any pain medication.

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? It was Natural

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? No- I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it naturally.

25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 7lbs. 1oz. - She was my smallest baby.

26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? June 27, 2001 -She was born two weeks early!

27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Mikenna Jo Rasmussen - She was named after my father-in-law Mike -who died when my husband was 13 years old. Her name is Irish -and means "Fair or Kind One". Her middle name is after mine-which is from my mom Joette. And also after Toby's dad's middle name Jon. Michael "Mike" Jon =Mikenna Jo. We call her "Kenna" alot. Her name fits her well -she is our sunshine and so kind to everyone.

I tag: Rochelle Bassett, Kim Myers, Kristen Hatch, Lindsay Bates, JoAnne Finnigan.

Daddy Daughter Date -February 2009

Mikenna & Brielle look forward to going on dates with Toby. Our ward was having a Daddy Daughter Dance. We gave the girls a choice of going to that or to go see a movie and have dinner with daddy. They chose to go see Hotel for Dogs and have dinner at Panda Express-thier favorite place to eat. I am grateful my girls have such a FUN, loving, involved daddy!! I pray both Mikenna & Brielle will find such a man to spend thier lives with-and to not settle for anything less. Thank you Toby for being a wonderful father and friend to our girls. They are growing up with a wonderful example of fatherhood and manhood.

My First Born: Jaron Lyle Rasmussen

Mommy Tag!!
I've tagged some friends at the bottom of the post!

1. WAS YOUR PREGNANCY PLANNED?!!

You betcha! I am a big time planner.
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?

Yes
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?

We were both really excited and nervous at the same time.
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?

NEVER!
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
23
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
Pregnancy Test at home
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?

My hubby! Then I immediately called my mom and sister.
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?

Yes! Again, I wanted to plan what to buy, etc.
9. DUE DATE?

April 10th -He came April 4th.
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?

I was extremely sick with all 3 of my kids. Had a kidney stone and a week hospital stay! FUN! I was also put on Zofran -a drug for most chemo patients for nausea -it saved my life!!
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?

NOTHING!! Everything smelled; tasted awful -a lot of times it came right back up anyway. I know -lovely!!
12.WHAT IRRITATED YOU?
Any lotion; shampoo -I dreaded taking showers to wash my hair -that even made me sick. Knowing I had to eat -but it would not stay down!! Being tired all the time.
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX?

Boy -he was born with a lot of blonde hair -big blue eyes. He was really long -21 1/2 inches. He was always getting his feet up by my ribs -It hurt!!
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?

No -I was excited to be a mommy to a boy or girl. I had a feeling with each pregnancy what I was going to have -and I was right with all 3!! It was meant to be!!
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY

I struggled to gain the weight I needed to gain -I gained 20 lbs.
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
Yes, my wonderful sister-in-laws: Jill, Jean-Marie and Dana and my mother-in-law C.J. threw me one while we were living in Colorado. I had all my kids in Colorado.
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?

I knew -I helped with the guest list.
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?

I wish I could say I didn't - but pregnancy didn't agree with me. I feel lucky to have the three I do. I did have great delivery's though and very healthy babies! I don't want to bore you with the complications list!! :)
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?

Longmont, Colorado
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?

17 Hours
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?
Toby -My husband
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?

Toby-My husband - He helped deliver him.
23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?
It was Natural
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?
Epiural at the end; only because of the pitocin -EVIL stuff!!
25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?
7lbs. 10 oz.
26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN?

April 4, 1998 -During General Conference Weekend.
27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?

Jaron Lyle Rasmussen-Jaron means "He will sing" Lyle is after my husband's middle name -Tobin Lyle. Jaron is Hebrew. His name fits him well -he is Mr. Sound Affects and he loves music.

I tag: Rochelle Bassett, Kim Myers, Kristen Hatch, Lindsay Bates, JoAnne Finnigan

Tagged: 25 Random Facts~~Mandy Jo Some that matter.....Some that don't.

1. I am a perfectionist, clean freak, bite off more than I can chew at one time type of girl. I am a very hard worker to the point that I have a hard time stopping to rest or eat. I am overly hard and critical on myself. I am a passionate person in many areas of my life-like to help people.
2. I wish I didn't have to waste time sleeping! I would go, go and go 24 hrs a day if I could.
3. I am a big time planner. I have my planner with me all the time; and love to plan and write!! Every page is full lists and crossing off. It helps me feel in control and like I am accomplishing something!! Must be because I am the oldest in my family.
4. I am an organizer -love to have all aspects of my life organized and planned. At the same time I like to try new things and usually am not shy about doing so.
5. I am a night owl. I do my best thinking and creativity at night. My mind works better that way. I watch shows like Code Blue; Mystery Diagnosis -etc. at night -they are hard to watch; but I can't stop watching.
6. I always finish what I am working on; don't like to start something and not finish it.
7. Family means everything to me. I love being a stay at home mom; I would rather do this than have two incomes right now. Although I do have to get out of the house every day or I go crazy feeling couped up!!
8. I have been thinking what I would like to do when all my kids are in school in a couple years. I may go back to school -Yikes!! Scary! Lots I want to do -not enough time!
9. I am a fairly private person; but I love to learn about other people and what makes people who they are. I love people -I am a people pleaser. I like everyone to be happy!! My laugh is pretty loud and borders on screaming sometimes.
10. I am an emotional person, I tend to make decisions that come from the heart.
11. The busier I am; the happier I am!! I wear myself out sometimes.
12. I am uncomfortable with how fast my kids are growing! I want them to stay little forever!
13. I love to be busy and have fun -I wish I didn't have to sleep. Think of all the things I could accomplish!
14. I love to play the piano, I have tried teaching piano -don't like it as much as I do playing.
15. I love kids-Not just my own-I love being around them, and seeing the world through their eyes.
16. I love looking at real estate! I am obsessed with HGTV-and also UFC and Scare Tactics -I laugh so hard I cry during Scare Tactics.
17. I have a very healthy, active imagination-I tend to think and analyze things too much. At the same time it helps me make decisions; being able to look at things from all points of view or reason.
18. I love to see and visit new places; but I hate the traveling part to get there.
19. As you can tell; I am an impatient gal. But I have gotten better since having kids.
20. It's hard for me to sit still and concentrate for a long period of time -3 hours of church kills me. I need snacks and wiggle time just like the kiddos.
21. I thrive on sunshine! I am not a winter fan in the least. I have thought about moving to Arizona!
22. I grew up on a farm -loved the open space and the peacefulness; not the animals so much or changing pipes in the pasture, or showing steers at the fair. I did enjoy spending time doing chores with my siblings though-we have some pretty funny memories and stories.
23. I never thought I would have to get a hysterectomy at the age of 32 -I wanted 1 more child!! But I am so grateful I have the three most awesome kids in the world!! I am blessed!!
24. I am grateful I can walk now that the hysterectomy is over and I've pretty much recovered.
25. I tend to be a cautious person; especially when it comes to my kiddos. They are everything to me.

I tag: Julie Phipps, Camrey Davis, Tiffani Harker, Shana Garbett, Stephanie Anderson