Christmas

Christmas this year was magical. Ty was really excited for Santa to come and he asked a lot of really insightful questions about who Santa is and why he comes to our house on Jesus's birthday. It was great to see him really starting to understand. It did make shopping a little more complicated but it is fun to have a child old enough to enjoy the magic of Christmas. His favorite part of this Christmas season was baking. As many have seen before he loves to be the "Chef" . He loved all the family dinners we had this holiday season because he could help Mommy makes lots of "great" goodies.
On Christmas Eve we started our own family tradition-(we haven't been at home, just us, on Christmas eve before this year)-we had a special dinner of Lasagna and salad(Johnson tradition) . After dinner Josh summarized the story of the Nativity for the boys. We popped some popcorn,put it in little bags, bundled all up and went to see the Christmas lights at the temple. I tried to take pictures but with the lights they all ended up very blurry. Ty was fascinated by the lights reflecting on the pool in front of the temple. He was really sweet(at first) because he was concerned that the baby Jesus and Mary were too cold. When I told him they were fake he was very upset that people would "trick us" with fake Jesus(es). Ian was calm and almost fell asleep in the stroller as we walked around. He didn't make a peep until we went into the visitor center to see the Christus, pointed and said "Wow, Jesus" and then waved and said in his sweet little voice "Hi". -- both Ty and Ian love the statue(They probably get it from their Mother :) )
On Christmas day they were both so excited that Santa had come-- Ty was so busy inspecting the Santa Cookie Plate and cup that he walked right past all his presents, including his big wheel. Ian loved opening up his presents. His Grandma and Grandpa Johnson give him a Fisher Price Little People Race Track and he loves it. After present we were able to relax for a little while before going over to my Grandma's house.At Grandma's we had a fun, and simple crock pot smorgasbord. Soups, chili and jambalaya with the WHOLE family. It was a wonderful Christmas. I took lots and lots of pictures. Here are a few...



Christmas Eve Dinner--I even took out the
glass dishes and put a tablecloth on the table.
It was faaaaannnnncy :)




Ty's new Hot Wheel


Ian loved to rip open the presents



My Handsome Men
All dressed up for Christmas Sunday


Wondering about the mess in the background
-- lets just say it was "snowing" that day.
Some will understand. If not ask Ian---: )

Thanksgiving and Oklahoma

I have started and change my Thanksgiving entry so many times that I am now a whole month behind on my blog--- sorry, Blog Watchers.

Thanksgiving was fun and hard at the same time. The boys loved playing at Grandma's house . She has a climb and slide play area and the boys love it. Especially Ian, he cried when it was time to come in and eat. Those who know him know that anytime there is food he is usually the first to climb up to the table. Ty's favorite part of Thanksgiving was helping me cook before dinner. As you can see in the picture above he had to put on his "chef's hat" and apron. He essentially made the seven layer salad all by himself. All I did was cut everything up. He was so proud and the salad was wonderful. Ian helped by sampling all of the food--he had to make sure everything was quality. : )

The Qualls Family 1999

Grandpa and Me in 1990

On Thanksgiving my grandfather (Qualls)passed away. It was expected but it still hit me pretty hard. It is strange to think that my Grandpa is not here on earth anymore. We decided we needed to attend his services so Josh, Ty, Ian, Leanne, Melissa, Aiden and I (yes all in on car) rented a van and drove to Oklahoma City. The drive there and back was easier then I feared. Even the three little ones got along really well. NO huge fits, no sickness,and no potty accidents(with two toilet training that is a miracle in it self) The drive was 17hrs and it was worth it. We were able to visit with family that we had not seen in a long time (some we had not seen for almost 20yrs-My Uncle Steve, Aunt Kathy and their kids-- Oh how things change in such a long time) My Aunt and Uncle graciously let us all stay at their house. It was great catching up. I so hope that we are able to stay in touch. My Dad flew in from Georgia and it was also great to see him again. He got to met Ian for the first time. How blessed we are with the love of our family.

My grandpa's service was a wonderful tribute to a strong and loving man . It is reassuring to know that Grandpa shared my belief in Christ and His Atonement. Sometimes it is hard when family members are of "different faiths". Yet one central faith in God and Christ is what motivates all of us to do good and to love our family. I am grateful that my Grandpa has helped remind me( even in his death) of Our Heavenly Father Plan of Happiness. I know Grandpa is working hard to prepare a place for Grandma and all of us. I know I will see and hug my Grandpa again. To see more about my dear Grandpa you can visit http://www.mem.com/ and search Densel Dale Qualls.

Ty and Aiden with their Nana Qualls

Boys With their GG( Great Great Grandma)

All of us w/ Dad(Grandpa)-Josh is taking the pic

Our Fabulous boys in the Van

"Seats 7 adults in Comfort" ??What about car seats ????

Pre-Thanksgiving Fun

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

BUTTERFLIES

To any of my friend who sometimes wonder --

"Jen, what is with the butterflies? Butterflies in you kitchen, on the walls, in pictures ?Butterflies

on your blog ? Why this sudden obsession with butterflies? "

Well first it is not really a sudden obsession but I do admit that recently it has increased. I know in some ways it is an overdone cliche, and many have already caught onto and expanded on the symbol of the butterfly-- but to me it is brand new. ---- My life can be better if I am willing to work through the hard, and ugly parts. I can go from being something merely glanced over,something imprisoned to this earth-- something some may even find repulsive to something beautiful and free to soar.

The hope of rebirth through the atonement, the freedom to fly above the "dirt" of this earth , the faith in my own potential all of these are what I see when I see my butterflies. It changes the way I see my life, myself and even those around me. We are all waiting to spread our wings.

I am I saying that I am a "butterfly"-- Oh, no far from it,

but I find great strength in knowing that one day I will have "wings".

Here are some much more beautiful and wise musings on butterflies.

"How does one become a butterfly?" she asked pensively. "You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar." ~Trina Paulus

What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly. Viktor E. Frankl

"...considering a butterfly. Wrapped tightly in its cocoon, the developing chrysalis must struggle with all its might to break its confinement. The butterfly might think, Why must I suffer so? Why cannot I simply, in the twinkling of an eye, become a butterfly? Such thoughts would be contrary to the Creator’s design. The struggle to break out of the cocoon develops the butterfly so it can fly. Without that adversity, the butterfly would never have the strength to achieve its destiny. It would never develop the strength to become something extraordinary. President James E. Faust explained that "into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful." 7 And then the suggestion that the adversity we experience allows our souls to become like clay in the hands of the Master. "Trials and adversity," President Faust taught, "can be preparatory to becoming born anew." 8 Adversity can strengthen and refine us. As with the butterfly, adversity is necessary to build character in people. Even when we are called to sail through troubled waters, we need to know the place of adversity in shaping our divine potential."

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (p. 32): "Well, I must endure the presence of two or three caterpillars if I wish to become acquainted with the butterflies." The tendency to be shortsighted may cause you to see only caterpillars when a butterfly is in the making.

Thieves and bandits

This weekend Josh's parents visited from Utah. Ty and Ian love their Grandma and Grandpa. We walked the neighbor, did some shopping and went to the zoo(of course) Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures but Scott(Grandpa) took lots so if he shares I will share as well.

To take a page( or just be a copycat) from my friend Jaime's blog I thought I would share my latest obsession---- no it is not butterflies it is coupon shopping. I have been a "coupon bandit" since last March but this month I am really seeing the fruits of my labors. Today I got over $158 worth of groceries for only $12.91. I used 44 coupons-- and did two different transactions. It was a lot of fun-- So call us coupon bandits-- I just call it smart shopping. I don't do nearly as well as my friend Jaime -she is the queen - and yes I am obsessed. I have included a picture of my items(some I only put one on the table-- I was just to lazy to unpack and repack them all.)

But for those curious here is a list of my spoils--

3 bags of Cheetos

4 cans Campbells Cream soup
2 pkts gravy mix

4 pkg Nestle Morsels

3 Pillsbury crescent rolls

3 boxes Orville Redenbocker Popcorn

1lb Land o Lakes Butter

7 bottles of Tylenol

6 bags of Russel Stovers Sugar Free Candy

3 Pillsbury grands cinnamon rolls

1 Betty Crocker Muffin mix

3 Viva paper towels

1 Quaker mini rice cakes

6 cans Hunts Tomatoes

3 Quaker Oats
1 Betty Crocker Cookie mix

2 5lb C&H Sugar

2 Zatarains Rice Mixes

1 Powerade

3 Hefty ziplock bags

And 1 Heath bar--- which leads me (I took the scenic route)to one of the main reasons I wrote this blog--- if you think I am bandit take a look at my little one-- I was checking out and thinking wow Ian is being really quiet. Then I was about to leave the store when I notice he had swiped a Health bar from the candy shelf and chewed through the wrapper to the chocolaty goodness inside. I quickly paid full price-.80 (ugh!) for the candy bar--- I scolded him as best I could with out laughing--- I have never seen a kid eat so much and have such an enormous sweet tooth yet still be so little. Here are pictures of him --- Caught "red" handed.

Ian's spoils--too temping to even wait to open.

Hope this gives everyone a little chuckle. Wonder how I get so much for so little -- check out http://www.couponsense.com/

love ya all

Jen

Trick or Treat?

Halloween was much more eventful this year then in the past. We had a neighborhood "Trunk or Treat" on Monday and then Josh took the boys trick or treating on Friday night. Both the boys were excited and ready for "dress up".Ty was more excited for dressing up then he was for candy. Last year (as I do every year) I hit the day after Halloween sales and find a cute Eeyore custom for Ian and a orange glow in the dark spider shirt for Ty. Usually Ty has been content to dress up as what every mommy has for him-- but I guess now that he is three everything is different now. Ty informed me on Monday --just before the Truck or Treat that he was "not going to be a spider"-- He told me his friend "Dalton is scared of spiders and he did not want Dalton to be scared because we don't scare friends" He then informed me that he was "going to be a bat" because "bats eat fruit.". Where the idea to be a bat came from I have no idea but he was very sincere and asked very politely so I told him I would try but if I couldn't figure out a way to make him a bat he would need to be a spider. He said with all sincerity "OK Mom I know you can do it." I found him a long sleeve black shirt and a friend of mine(April) cut him wings out of some black material . Then we pined the 'wings' to the length of his arms. Apparently that and a pair of black sweat pants was all it took for him to be very pleased with his bat. The funnest part was at the Trunk or Treat when people asked him what he was he would tell them he was a bat but he would not spread out his arms to show anyone his wings.

(This year was rough for Ty. He does not like any scary decorations -- He has always been very sensitive to scary things-- he is even afraid of the dark. When everyone started putting up Halloween decoration I was concern-- the first week of October he seemed OK but the one day we were at Walgreens and he came across an animated skeleton in a cage that grabbed the bars and growled"let me out let me out"when he passed. He ran to me crying and as pale as a ghost he was so scared that his whole body was shaking. After that he did not like to go shopping and he would even tell other people to not go to walgreens because it is "way to scary for kids". )

Ian ,on the other hand,loved all the attention his cute Eeyore costume attracted he danced around and said Hi to everyone-- everyone got a kick out of his tail frequently fall off. Anyone with a camera got his amazing grin and his cute little high pitched "cheeesse". He loved it. The both got plenty of candy on Monday Night and on Friday--- I hadn't come up with a candy strategy for Halloween because until recently Ty was never really into sweets--- Ohh but Ian , Oh my I my Ian --- I swear he had a lollipop or dumdum in hid mouth all week I can not tell you how many time I cleaned his chocolate finger and face. I am glad they each only really had maybe 10 pieces of candy each. To them it was "enough" I was glad to see the majority of it gone by Sunday. I know I know what an awful Mom -- but believe me next year the candy will all "disappear". Ian was eating "bars" and "pops" for most of Tuesday and then again on Saturday-- I think he even eat the most of Ty's candy-- Ty didn't care as long as Ian know which pumpkin pail was his.

Ty told me today that next year he would like to be a friendly dinosaur-- anyone have any ideas???

One of Our Favorite Things

October 19th

Yesterday we spent several hours at Ty and Ian's Favorite place-- the Phoenix Zoo. Josh's work had their Company picnic at the Zoo this year. We were so excited. They feed us lunch and then we spent the rest of the afternoon visiting some of Ty and Ian's favorite things. They love seeing all of the animals. Each time we go we want to see different exhibits( I don't know how you could possible see it all in one trip). Yesterday we went into the Reptiles and Amphibians exhibit. We learn some interesting things about frogs. We also visited the Arizona Trial exhibit with lots of "cool" desert animals. We had to see three favorite things: Ian loves the "Dawaffs". He waved Hi and even blow them kisses as we left. Ty loves to see the elephants and the turtles. They both love going to the Harmony Farms petting zoo. By the end they were both very tired-- Mom and

Dad were pretty tried as well. It was a great day to spend together as a family.

Yes--- my date stamp is still all wrong-- let's pretend it says 10/18/2008

Our very own "zoo" and one cute "zookeeper

The "dawaffs"

Yee Haw--?

Hey Mom, did you see that?

Find the toad--whose's eyeing who?

Ty helping Ian "pet" the goat

Apple Pie,Hide and Seek and Silly Shirt Head

October 13
Apple Pie, Hide and Seek and Silly Shirt Head
My boys love playing hide and seek. Ian has found the perfect hiding place. A space between our entertainment center and our speakers that is probably only about 6 inches wide. Yes, he manages to fit-- he is very little for his age. And all though his is still very visible, Ty continues to search diligently for him as Ian giggles until he falls to the ground. Another pass time that causes them to laugh so hard they both end up with hiccups is Silly Shirt Head. As you can see from the picture they simply run around with their shirts on their heads. Shaking the sleeves and growling. They love every minute of it. In the last few days I was surprised to find so much happiness in these little games. I also found happiness in baking an apple pie. It turn out perfect and the joy I felt was comical in its intensity. Just as silly shirt head and hide and seek may be comical and even annoying to some we find joy. It is so much fun to relax and enjoy the simple things that make life fun. Whether you are 3 or 33. Often it is the silly that helps us keep our perspective.


PS-- the date on my camera is wrong---as many may have figured out these were not taken in 2004-- they were taken just last week love ya all Jen

Ty the Chef

September 12
Ty The Chef


Ty loves playing pretend. I frequently go to bed wondering "What will he be tomorrow?" He loves to be "the Chef" But lately he plays "preschool". He is "Pinocchio Teach" And daddy is either "Josh " or "Dalton". Ian always has to be "Peyton". Who or where he got "Pinocchio teach" I have no idea. All I know is I am not allowed to play. "There can only be one teacher."

Ty

September 18
Ty's addition to our blog
Ty has been sitting on my lap as I type, edit manage our blog. He asked me in all politness if he could say something to all his loved ones. So thank you for induldging my very strong willed child here is his message

aeiou----pprrssccloool

ty


He told me he was talking about vowels and preschool. He also "weally" wants to go to the beach. I hope all understood his very "impotant compooter sayings"

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Quote for the Week

"The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of my three children sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less”(Author Anna Quindlen ,Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11).




September 13
Can you believe it?

My Ian. 1 year + some. He joined nursery this week. Loved every minute of it. What do moms do when they don't have any children to chase after during church?
This week Ian's big thing is doing anything his big brother does. Yesterday Ty was fussin' at me in the kitchen and Ian came up and started fussin' too. I knelt down and looked in his eyes(which were smiling as he fussed) and asked "What are you fussin' for?". He smiled and giggled as he skipped- galloped out of the kitchen. I have also recently realized that it is just much easier to buy everything in twos. Heaven forbid anyone should have to share.
It is amazing how fast they grow. A baby one minute and in a blink he's walking, talking and getting into all sorts of mischief. Where did the time go?

Well so much for wondering what to do during Sunday School and Relief Society. Last Sunday I spent the time walking the halls with a very,very ,very upset son. Apparently, Ian's first time in nursery was just a fluke. He did not want anything to do with nursery this last Sunday. Not only that but if we even mention nursery to him he shakes is head and says "uuuuh, uuuuh, no". This Sunday I took him in and no matter how many times I told him I would not leave he cried and clung to me. By the end of nursery he ventured away about two feet or so to play but he was continually checking to see if I was still there. I have a feeling I will be in the Nursery for awhile. I feel so sad for Ian it is hard to do new things. I was not able to experience this transition with Ty. He went into nursery when I was on bed rest with Ian. The letting go is hard. I remember reading that most relationships work for togetherness. Motherhood is the only relationship that strives for separation. I have come to understand that each year bring more and more emotional and physical distance between my children and I . From what I understand it never gets easy from Birth to nursery, Kindergarten to High School and next thing you know they are going off on a mission a world away. I need to remember they are my babies and find healthy ways to hold on to them a little bit more each day.