Our Weekly Date Night

For almost 2 years now, Chad and I have been working in the temple. We have been spending our Friday nights in the baptistry and have been loving it. I didn't want to share this to give us a pat on the back or anything, but I have been overwhelmed as of late with so much gratitude for this opportunity and I felt that I needed to share it. We found out that since we had children under the age of 18 living in our home, that I could not be set apart and work upstairs, however, I can volunteer in the laundry, baptistry and a few other areas. (Men can work upstairs with children in the home, but women can't). A lot of people that I talk to don't think that young mothers can help in the temple, but they can, they just don't know it! Every temple is different, but I would be surprised if most wouldn't let young mothers volunteer somewhere. Our temple night has become a perfect date night. I have a couple girls who are willing and able to babysit the kids and at 1 dollar an hour per kid- I can't complain! I love the quiet 20 min. drive in that I have all to myself to reflect. (Chad meets me there after work). I love the people that we work with. They are mostly retirees and I have benefited greatly from their testimonies, wisdom, humor and friendship. I love the baptistry and seeing all the cute little first-timers as well as the regular college kids who come week after week. I love to be there with Chad, and I love how it has strengthened our marriage. I love having our dinner in the cafeteria in the middle of the shift and hey, you really can't beat the price!! I love being able to get out of the house at least one night a week. I have always looked forward till retirement when Chad and I will be able to spend a lot of time serving in the temple, but I think that I almost need be there more now! It recharges my batteries that are easily depleted when taking care of small children all day. (I know you mothers know what I'm talking about!) It helps me appreciate them more and both Chad and I hope that in a small way our kids are learning from our example, even when we don't quite make it every week. Needless to say, we have enjoyed our volunteering immensely, and we would recommend it to everyone!

Our Easter Nets

Better late than never, I wanted to share the pictures we took for Easter. My mom had an Easter egg hunt, and eggs for the kids to dye. What made it extra fun was using these big butterfly nets to hold their treasures. The only problem, was that they were pretty long and when taken inside the house, it seemed like Sam was trying to make me headless! That was enough of that and much to Sam's disappointment the egg-filled nets were placed in the truck until we arrived home. A couple of days later, my boys have played with the nets so much that they are completely covered in holes and useless, but I'm sure it will be an egg hunt they will remember. Neither my sister Abby nor I planned ahead enough to bring extra clothes for the kids to dye the eggs, so we had to take their shirts off. They didn't seem to mind of course. I think they look pretty silly, but what do ya do, huh! I hope you all had a great Easter too!

Mmmm Potatoes and Green Beans

You betta believe my little Emmi can eat! Since we have started giving her food from the table, she will devour anything and everything that is placed before her. Not only that, but she makes the funniest little yummy sounds as she is chewing. This has been very helpful, especially when her brothers give her candy and other things that I don't want her to eat. Her little noises tip me off and I am able to snag the morsel out of her mouth before any damage is done. So far, her favorite dinner is mashed potatoes and green beans. At first, I wasn't sure how she would eat the mashed potatoes with her hands, but she started shoving it in by the fistfuls, potatoes covering her face and hair. As you can see, she cleared the tray pretty good too ( I gave her a bigger lump of taters than the boys!) Thank heavens for INSTANT mashed potatoes and for good eaters!

Sam turned 3!

This weekend our little Sammers had a birthday, and we got to celebrate with 2 parties, and lots of family. Sam is quite a character, and without him our home would not be the same. He is probably gives me and Chad more run for our money, but we sure love him.

We love Sam because:
1. He has the cutest smile and deep dimples.
2. He talks in a LOUD growly voice.
3. He jumps on and over everything, (including Chad).
4. The boy can eat!
5. He loves to watch "Boots." (Not Dora, he asks to watch Boots.)
6. He is always so animated. He is destined for the Theatre!
7. He is a cuddly little guy, especially with his Mama.
8. Just like Keaton, he says the cutest things. Some examples: He is afraid of the "Titty Monter," (Kitty Monster) and he got Walkie Talkies or "Hot Taudies" for his birthday.
9. He adores his big brother and wants to be just like him.
10. He can tear my house apart in 1 min flat!
11. He looks like a little version of Chad, and acts like him too!
12. He is a happy guy, but if woken up too early, will be like a bear.

Sam with all the Hunsaker fam, as he blows out his candles. We had a little party the day of his birthday with presents, ice cream cake and all that good stuff. It was fun to have the family over to our house for his big day. Saturday, some of my family met us for yummy food at the "Brick Oven" to celebrate all the March birthdays. Not only Sam, but Chad, my Mom, my little sister Erin and myself all share this month! This just might be an annual tradition. Thanks for coming down family!!

Surgery and a little sickness...

Monday morning I took Keaton to the hospital for surgery. I wasn't going to tell why, just so I don't embarrass him later on, but I would be very curious if I were reading this, so I will. The poor little guy had to have a second circumcision because the one that was done when he was a newborn didn't look complete. Chad and I have debated for a year on whether or not we should let it go and see if it would get better as he grew older and if we should put him through the surgery, but we both think it would be better to do it while he is still young and get it done right. I didn't offer too much information about what we were doing at the hospital and my little sweetheart didn't ask. He was such a good sport and the surgery went perfectly. He got to go home right afterwards and was walking around and acting great. The last couple of days, I have been giving him Tylenol and Motrin for the pain, but every now and then he'll tell me "my pee-pee hurts." Yesterday I got a kick of him walking around with his legs spread quite far apart and almost bow-legged. I guess he has some healing to do. So far, I am glad we got it done for him. (The bill hasn't come yet!)

Now, to the sickness. The night before Keek's surgery, Emmi woke up with a fever and threw up all over. So while I took Keaton to the hospital, I asked Chad to take Emmi to the doctor because I wanted to make sure that she was okay before Chad took off on a business trip. Unfortunately, the doctor didn't like what he saw and sent Chad and Emmi to the hospital too! My doctor said she was "dry as a bone" and she needed to be tested. Well, they got to the hospital about 10:00, just as Keaton was taken into surgery, and Emmi and I ended up staying at the hospital until 8:30 p.m. I have to say how frustrated I am that they kept Emmi that long. Before going into the doctor Monday morning, she had only threw up the once. He said she was "dry as a bone" but had tears when they poked her and a wet diaper when they examined her! That doesn't equal dehydration to me! So there she sat with monitors stuck to her and an IV in her foot when all she wanted to do was stand up in her crib and crawl on the floor. By time Keek got out of surgery and I stayed with Emmi, they hadn't offered her any food. It was about 1:30 and she hadn't eaten all day. Finally they gave her some juice and cracker and the girl chowed down!! Sorry, I could go on and on, but to make a long story shorter, she acted just fine other than a fever and a runny nose and I was anxious to get back home. The test results came back that she had a stomach virus, which nothing could be done for anyway. The last 2 days as we have been home, we have been able to keep her fever down, her nose wiped and life is good! But, what an adventure! Two kids in the hospital isn't fun!

Happy Birthday "Damma!"

Today I want to say "Happy Birthday" to my mother, Annette, who turned another year older. Most of my readers know how special she is to me, and what a wonderful woman she is. I am proud to say that I have been given a lot of her qualities, everything from physical to emotional characteristics. In fact, she is my role model in just about every aspect of my life. To those who haven't met her, I thought I would jot down a few things that come to my mind when I think of her:

1. Reading. I cannot remember a time in my life when my mother didn't have a book on the table that she was currently reading. Hence, my siblings and I are very avid readers.

2. Smart. Not just because she reads a lot, my mother was a valedictorian in school and is now a medical secretary. She is the first person I call with any kind of problem, especially the medical ones.

3. Loving. She was an excellent mother and now an even better grandma, if possible! I admire how she gets down and plays on the floor with all her grandchildren every time we get together.

4. Diet coke and popcorn. A description of my mother wouldn't be complete without mentioning these. They have been staples in her diet since my childhood. Give her a diet coke, popcorn and a good book and she is happy as a clam!

5. Go Jazz! She is a very big Jazz fan and gets to attend a game every now and then. Not only the Jazz, she has always loved watching sports, which has naturally impressed any boy I ever brought home.

6. Patriotic. She has a very fierce love of this country and tells us often how proud she is to be an American.

7. Religious. My mother is not one to be in the spotlight, but she has a very deep testimony of the gospel and will share it often. She loves to serve in the church, especially in the primary and nursery and is planning on serving a mission in the future with my father.

As you can see, the boys drew pictures for you "Damma." The first one is a cake with candles and a "0," because that's how old Keek said you are today and the next one is a picture of you. The last one, Sam tried to draw you too, but it ended up looking like swirlies! We hope you had a wonderful birthday. We love you more!

First Trip to the Dentist

Today was the first visit to the dentist for Keaton and Sam. As scary as that can be for two little gippers, I think they did really good. I took them to this pediatric dentist that I've heard about. He has such a fun office, complete with a video game room, train table and a talking cow head when you walk in that tells you to brush your teeth. Keaton was such a trooper and went first. He let them take x-rays, and had his teeth cleaned, no problem! Sam did worse than I had expected. Below, the (nurse?) is trying to get him to open his mouth so she can take an x-ray and you can see he is not quite convinced!! It was even worse when we tried to get him in the chair for his cleaning. Thank goodness she was very fast and it took only a few minutes. Poor little man! I hope he will let me bring him back in 6 months. In the meantime, Emmi was hanging out down below, trying to stand up against anything. I kept trying to hold her, but no good, she wants to stand! Along with the normal toothbrush and toothpaste, my boys each got a token in which they could trade in for a toy out of the machine or ride this horse out front. Of course, they opted for the ride! What a fun dentist, eh?

Happiness Is...

1. Cuddling with my babies in bed, first thing in the morning.
2. Sitting and chatting with a good friend.
3. A call from my sweetie while he's at work.
4. A bright sunny day!!
5. Not paying full price for professional hair products.
(Thanks Sidni!)
6. Getting a package from UPS that I've been waiting for.
7. A big hug from my big brother.
8. My boys saying- "Good dinner Mom!"
9. The Jazz winning a game, GO JAZZ!
10. Dunking homemade chocolate chip cookies in ice-cold milk. (Somehow they taste even better after the kids are asleep!)