Jaron's 5th & 6th grade Combined Band Concert

Last night we went to Jaron's 5th & 6th grade combined band concert at the middle school. He did a great job! There were a ton of people there -and it didn't seem to make him nervous -he loved it. He loves music -he has really taken to the base and snare drums. He received an electrical guitar with amp for Christmas last year-I think he is trying to collect all the fixings for his own band. He has been asking Toby and I for a drum set. He is always walking around the house making sound affects with his voice -which sounds like drum beats. I am always asking him to please quiet down for awhile. I can't imagine having a drum set with Brielle's loud 3 year old shenanigans and Mikenna's running around active noises, Brielle's singing and dancing. I am getting burnt out in the sound department around here. I am not complaining -it's really music to my ears -I love to have my children around me and hearing their voices and feet in high activity! But I don't mind a break hear and there either! :)

He was so cute at the concert -but I know when I am around him -I need to say he was so cool! He was concentrating so hard and moving his head to the beat of the rhythm he was keeping. The drums are heavy to lug around -I made him load them in the van on the way to the concert by himself -it took him awhile. He was so happy and excited after the concert was over. Mikenna and Brielle clapped and cheered for him. We are trying to teach our kids to support one another at their activity's-not just go; but to watch and cheer for their brother or sister. Jaron got a kick out of both of his sisters watching and waving at him. He liked all the attention. Between the concert and the pinewood derby this past week and basketball practices, and running errands, keeping up with the amount of food they are eating and being the taxi for everyone -I am exhausted. It's a good thing I have a wonderful, supportive husband to help me! I get nervous and excited for them when I am watching my kids perform-that just adds to the tired part. I had to chomp on a piece of gum during his concert to keep from fidgeting in my chair. This weekend is Mikenna's last basketball game; and Jaron will have 2 more games. In a week from now Mikenna has her first soccer game the same day Jaron has his last basketball game. I was planning on going to the Stake Relief Society Enrichment with a friend; but we didn't know about this concert until after school yesterday when he was carting his drums to the van to take to the concert. He forgot to mention it before the day of the concert.
I need to clone myself!!!!

P.S. The fluorescent lighting in the gym was horrible

didn't get very good coloring in my pic's! :(

To my Buddy!

Jaron, I am so proud of you. You have worked so hard on trying to achieve your Webelos and also creating your pinewood derby car. It has been so fun to watch you learn and grow and accomplish your goals. Nothing brings me more happiness than knowing you and your sisters and daddy are happy! Thank you for teaching me every day to be a better person, mother & friend. I will always love you and feel so blessed that Heavenly Father has entrusted me with you. You have a huge heart, love life and are very passionate about living your life to it's fullest.
Love Always!!
Mom

Pinewood Derby 2009 ~ District Bound!!

Tonight was the Cub scouts Blue & Gold Banquet and Pinewood Derby. It was a fun, exciting, stressful night for all involved. Jaron was a little too excited and while warming up his car with the race track, he shoved his car down the track -and the wheel popped off. I jumped in the van and ran home to retrieve the supplies we should have brought with us, just in case. After arriving back at the church; while trying to fix the wheel; glue got into the wheel -not good. So I stayed at the church and ate dinner with the kids while Toby rushed home and proceeded to fix the wheel as quickly as he could before the race started. He had just enough time to fix it and make it back in time for him to see Jaron receive his Webelos award; and some belt loops and compass point badge; along with 10 pins he achieved. After the banquet; we started the race and thankfully his car cooperated. His car was one of the fastest ones there this year. He is going to the District Pinewood Derby in March!! He is so excited; as are we!! He received a medal ribbon for being one of the winners. He called his car "White Lightning". He tried to copy my brother Ty's car design that won Districts for him one year. I was sitting there trying to visit with a friend while I was biting my nails, and sweating just watching Jaron race his car. O.k. -I am a little competitive. It's nerve racking, exciting, and I am glad it's over. I have a hard time sitting while watching my kids compete. I have to stand and be able to move around. If I can't do that -then I am a ball of nervous energy, squirming around in my chair like a 3 year old. He was also awarded "Hottest Car". It's onto Boy scouts when he turns 11 in April. I can't believe he's almost 11. I love him so much! He is a smart, handsome, big-hearted young man. I am so blessed that he is my son and a part of our family. He always brings so much energy and fun into our home. Congratulations Buddy! I love you!!

Carson's Baptism

My nephew Carson turned 8 and was baptized this past weekend in Moses Lake. I was able to play the piano for his Stake Baptism day. Mikenna and Carson are 6 months apart -he's older. They love to play together and they very rarely don't get along. Jaron and Carson are close too. Stephanie's kids and my kids have always been close. They absolutely love to be together. I am happy that they do -because I love being with my sister Steph! Thanks for allowing us to be a part of your special day Carson! We love you and are so proud of you!!

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