2011 Wrap up

Yes, we still are alive. I have not been good at blogging at all. That's one of my new year's resolutions. That and start a scripture journal. And lose weight. And do more family history. Anyway, here' a recap of what has been going on these last months:
We celebrated Halloween:
Yes, we did even though I hate the holiday. Zach and Parker were the Knights who saved Princess Alivia from the Evil Dragon Cooper:

Yeah, REAL Scary!!

We spent Thanksgiving at Mamoo's and Papa's in Rigby. I didn't take pictures of that one, but I usually don't take pictures of us after we have gorged ourselves with good food. We did start one thing that I would like to use as tradition: we did our Black Friday shopping in our jammies, online, while drinking hot chocolate and eating popcorn. So much better!

Parker celebrated his 6th birthday! Wow he went from this to this in like two seconds!!



He got to have his first friend party at Outer Limits. He had a blast with his cousins and friends. His birthday cake was a lego construction sight. Complete with a dump truck and bulldozer. It was really fun to make.

Zach got to play basketball this winter. His team was the Orange Crush. Truley the other teams always crushed them, but they were so fun to watch!! I love when it's not such a big deal to be the best. They just play to have fun. (He totally posed for this picture. He 'acted' surprised that I got him!)

Just before Christmas, GUS PASSED HIS FNP BOARDS!!!! After 2 years of hard work and 4 times taking the test, he finally passed. He is a legite Family Nurse Practitioner. I am so proud of him! I know that there was a lot of help from Heavenly Father!! There is a saying "Trust in the Lord means trust in His timing" that keeps going through my head. This really was one of those times! It all happened when it was supposed to and we did learn a great deal of patience and faith from this. Many prayers were answered. Thank you to all of you who remembered him!

Christmas came and went in a blink!! The kids opened their presents, we went to Sacrament meeting (I love Christmas on Sundays) and then we went to help serve lunch at the Salvation Army. That was a good experience! It was slow and it seemed like the people didn't really want to talk a whole bunch, but it was good to get out of our little comfort zone and help others.

So as I look back on this year, I see that the Lord's hand is in all things. I am so truly blessed with my wonderful family and friends. I am so grateful for my Savior and all that He has done for me. I love the Lord and know that through Him all things are possible!

 Happy 2012!!

You are my chocolate!

A lot of things have been on my mind lately. We are in a transition in life and it seems like it is taking forever for the changes to happen. We've put our house up for sale because we've found a house with more room, but things aren't moving very fast. Gus finished school, but has yet to jump that last hurdle and pass his boards test. A lot of things are on the verge of changing, but nothing has happened.
On Saturday, I watched the General Relief Society meeting. The last speaker was President Uchtdorf. I love listening to him speak. It always seem like something is meant just for me. He talked about forgetting not. He compared them to the 5 petals of a forget-me-not flower. The one that stuck out to me the most was #3-Forget not to be happy now.

President Uchtdorf related the story of one of my most favorite children's book and movie of all time Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the movie with Gene Wilder, not Johnny Depp, although that one stayed truer to the book). Anyway, he recalled how everyone wanted a Golden Ticket. Everyone wanted it so bad, that they forgot the chocolate bar that they still had. President Uchtdorf then talked about being happy now and not waiting for your Golden Ticket in life. Be happy with what you have now.

So, I have been thinking a lot about my chocolate. I've been waiting for a Golden Ticket and I need to focus on my chocolate (not literally, but I wish it were!). So here is my chocolate:

Summer 2011

So I promise that we did have a summer this year! Here is a top 10 list of things we did this summer:

1- Had a baby (and a very cute one, may I say!)

2- Celebrated the 4th of July. (Pocatello is not my favorite place to go, nor will we stay here again. The parade was awful, but the fireworks were all right.)

3- Spent some time in Island Park with the Jones' and some really big ANTS!

4-Parker and Alivia took swim lessons.

5- Played in the water- a lot!

6- Had the Blad reunion at Steadman's in Raft River.

7- Played with cousins.

8- Blessed the cute baby.

9- Visited the Dinosaur Park in Ogden.

10- Visited Temple Square.

I know that sounds like a pretty lame summer, but we didn't have the funds to go somewhere extravagant. I have to admit that this summer has been very stressful. Gus is waiting to take his boards again after he didn't pass. He is studying like mad!! Money has also been tight because we had that cute baby. My hospital bill was $6000! Thank goodness for insurance and thank goodness my husband works at the hospital. I am very grateful for his job. All in all, the kids didn't let anything deter them from entertaining themselves. Oh, to be a kid again!

Cooper's Blessing

Oh, how time flies when you are super busy! I'm finally getting around to posting about our summer. Cooper was blessed on August 14, 2011, by his father. He was blessed in the Alameda 9th Ward in Pocatello, ID.

We are so very fortunate that we have family and friends that live so close and can come share our special days with us. Cooper is such a great little guy and we are so blessed to have him in our family!

Welcome Cooper!

Cooper Allan Blad made his entrance to this world on June 23, 2011 at 2:10 p.m. He weighed 7lbs 12oz and was 21" long. Everyone keeps asking me who he looks like, and I really can't tell! I thought he looked like Alivia at first, but then I can see Parker and Zach in him too!

I had to be induced with Cooper because my blood pressure was too high. After they broke my water, I really started feeling contractions and got my epidural. Not 5 minutes later, I knew it was time to go! His heart rate dropped and I don't remember much after that. Things got a little scary. They threw oxygen on me and started telling me to push. He came down so fast and was turned the wrong way so the doctor had to use forceps. It happened all so fast and I don't remember much, but I am so grateful that I had a very attentive staff and a wonderful doctor! I'm grateful for Gus, and his willingness to be there by my side for everything. And I am very grateful to my Heavenly Father for sending us another beautiful baby boy and that he arrived here safely.

The kids got to see him before they left with Grandma and Grandpa to a reunion. Alivia said "Oh, he's so cute! Can we keep him?" Zach and Parker were fun to see with him.

We are so happy to finally have Cooper here. We decided to name him Cooper Allan after his grandpa, Merlin Allan. So far, everything looks good and he is a great little baby. Welcome to the world Cooper!!

Alivia is 3

Alivia had her 3rd birthday on June 6. It's hard to believe how fast time flies! She was 7lbs. 13oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. She was also 3 days late, which shows her little personality! She will do things when she's ready!

Again, we just had a quiet get together with friends and family. She loves the movie Tangled, so I attemped to make a tower cake with the characters from the movie on it. It was cute, even though it was leaning and falling apart!! She loved it.

We are so glad Alivia is part of our family. She loves playing with her brothers, but also is such a girl! Her favorite color is purple and her favorite food is Mac and Cheese. She loves to talk to people (I wonder where she gets that from!) and loves to sing. We love you Alivia!!

Happy 9th Zach!

It's really hard to believe that 9 years ago we brought home this little guy:I remember Zach was born with lots of hair. The nurses in the hospital combed it over and loved it. His red hair has been a favorite of a lot of people-especially old people. They love to touch it and remember their brother or uncle or dad with red hair. We love his red hair too! It fits his personality.

We kept his birthday pretty low key for this year. I didn't feel much like having a huge party while I'm 9 months pregnant! He had to go to school, but it was his last day so they got to go roller skating and watch movies. Gus took in ice cream sandwiches to his class and then took him out to lunch to Bamboo Gardens.

That night we had our friends over for cake and ice cream. He wanted a skateboard cake. After researching options this is what we came up with:
He got a new bike, shirts, Legos, a water gun, and a new hamster. We wrapped up the cage and put a fake hamster in it so he could go later and pick out his own. It was funny to see his face when he unwrapped it. He has been wanting a pet forever and we finally decided on a hamster. Partly because we got the cage and everything from Laura (thanks Laura!). We'll see how he takes care of it. Then we might move to something bigger!

Happy Birthday Zach! We love you and the spirit that you bring into our family. I'm so glad that you were born first to help take care of the rest of us!!

Preschool Graduate

It seems that we have had a lot of graduating going on this year! Parker finished preschool and we had his graduation last week. Here he is with some of his classmates.

Parker loves school and loves learning. His teachers called him the smart, quiet type. He identified all his letters, numbers, colors and shapes and can count past twenty (he gets mixed up after 40). His favorite thing about preschool this year was learning all about dinosaurs. We love you and are proud of you Parker!!

Graduation!!!

I am so proud of this man: (Don't mind the fat preggo lady)

Seriously, he is one hard worker. He knows what he wants and he goes after it and NEVER gives up. That is one thing that I absolutely love about him. After he graduated with his Bachelor's he knew that he wanted to go back to get his Master's. All I thought was "Crap! More school???" Two years ago he started back to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. School hasn't always been easy for him. He learns best by doing and not by reading. That's what makes him a great nurse. There were times that he struggles with the program, but he came out on top. I must admit that this last semester was HORRIBLE! He was gone all of the time either doing clinicals or working and it was hard to be a single parent! I am so proud of him and all that he has accomplished.

So what does this mean for our little family?

I don't quite know yet! Gus has to take his Boards before he can apply for any job-which will be within the next month or so. He has some options rolling around for a job. I'm just glad that he can diagnose and treat our kids when they get sick! We'll see what the future holds and I am just going to pray that he doesn't want to get a Doctorate now!!!

Wickedly fun!!

So for each anniversary we have, we like to get gifts or do something that goes with that year. The 10th anniversary is tin/aluminum. I thought it was a perfect fit that this was coming to Boise this year, and even on the week of our anniversary:

For those who don't know the story, it is about the witches of Oz before Dorothy came. So of coarse in it you will find:

The tin man!! It was so awesome! We went over to Boise and stayed the night. We were able to go to a session at the Boise temple. Then we ate at Tucano's. The next day we shopped a little and went to see Wicked. I'm lucky to have great in-law's who took our kids for the night and let us get away. All in all it was a great little jaunt over to Boise and I'm glad we went.

10 Years!!

10 years ago I married this handsome stud: I know! He looks so young, doesn't he?? I can't believe that it has been 10 years already. Since this is kinda like my journal (that everyone can read) I thought that each year I should start sharing some of my memories of our wedding day. Then when I get old and senile I can read all about them.

Here is a funny memory ( I apologize for the quality of theses pictures. Digital photography was not used back then!)

We are cutting our lovely cake. I warned him that he better not try anything funny with shoving the cake in my face. I trusted him and let him go first:Totally shoved it!

So I had to shove it back. He knew what was coming (notice the napkin).

Typical wedding cake eating scenario until....

If you really know Gus, you know that he has to have the last whatever...last word, last laugh, last anything, so he couldn't be outdone. He kisses me with a mouth full of cake and actually regurgitates it back into my mouth. If you notice, my look is of disgust in this picture. It was nasty!

Looking back on these last 10 years we have been through a lot. He has always been there for me no matter what. We have had some wonderful memories and also some very challenging ones, but I wouldn't trade them for anything. He has loved me no matter what. Through very trying pregnancies and a very emotional miscarriage. He has given me 3 beautiful children and another on the way. He has taught me patience and love and service. I can't imagine my life without him. He is my best friend and I didn't think it was possible, but I love him more now than I did on that day 10 years ago. When I don't think it's possible to love him anymore, I can't wait to see how I feel in 10 more years!! I love you Gus!! Happy Anniversary!!

Pinewood Derby, Baby!

Zach had his first Pinewood Derby on Tuesday. Boy was he excited! He wanted a skateboard for his racecar. I think that was all Zach contributed! He did get to spray paint it and help a little with the construction. Coming from a family of all girls, I never experienced the Pinewood Derby. I guess it's a big deal! I would have just given Zach the car and let his whittle it out of wood and slap some paint on it!!! I'm sure glad that he had his dad to help him!

He won his first race. It actually sped down the track. Then he lost his 2nd race and raced one more time. He loved it, but was sad he won. He takes losing hard. I guess that's something we have to work on. In the end, it was fun and he is thinking about his car for next year!

Sheep

Dear Diary (blog),

I have to admit that last night was one of my WORST ever nights as a parent. Lately I have been so tired and last night was no different. It has been sooooo hard with Gus gone all the time to clinics/work/or doing church stuff. He doesn't make it home until 10 on the nights he has clinicals and 8 if he is working, which leaves me pretty much as a single parent. I have to admit that it is hard especially when I am pregnant.

Last night my kids were being complete hellions. I had one throwing fits over everything I asked him to do, one making messes everywhere she went, one completely defying me in every way. Well, one thing led to another and after I had one in time-out for the 3rd time in 2 hours, I lost it. Too much at one time! I let out a yell and slammed my door shut and started sobbing. I have never felt so incapable of doing something as I had right then. I wondered why I ever wanted to be a parent and even worse why I was bringing another one into this world. I have been struggling lately with my self worth. I feel like a glorified babysitter. I miss teaching so much and feel that I really don't do much while I'm at home. At least while I was teaching I felt some sort of accomplishment with my days. I wasn't throwing up, cleaning up, vacuuming, cooking dinner, picking up Legos, and yelling every 5 minutes.

I knew I had to say a prayer. The words of a song started coming to my mind. I heard this song one Sunday and it sent me into tears. I have to remind myself of its message constantly. Here are the words:

I have a little flock of sheep,

And they are mine to tend and keep.

I must guard them every day,

For little lambs when left alone, will loose their way.

So many voices say to me,

A sheepfold is no place to be.

Your time in there is dull and slow,

And lambs leave very little room for you to grow.

For if I ever start to stray,

Deceived of thoughts of greener pastures,

Remind me Lord that keeping sheep

Will lead to happier ever afters.

Oh surely there will come a day

When all the lambs have left my side

And I am free to roam and about

And go exploring other meadows green and wide.

Yet something whispers in my heart

That when my sheep have left this pen

I'll long to stroke their little heads

To draw them close to me and have them young again.

So while they still are in my care

I pray that I will clearly see,

These little lambs within my folds

Are tender gifts the master shepherd has given me.

After I had calmed down, I called each one of them in my room and we all cried. I explained that I get upset when Dad isn't home and I am tired and they won't listen. I apologized for getting mad. They were really good after that. I was so embarrassed for the way I acted around them. I do love them all so much and I am so blessed to have good kids. I do have to be thankful that I am here every day for them. I get to kiss the boo-boos, snuggle with them, read them stories, and listen to them laugh. I get to share in their ups and downs, their silly jokes, their smiles and kisses. I'm so blessed that Heavenly Father sent them to me. So they are my lovely sheep and I am happy being Little Bo Peep!!

Love,

Melanie

It's a Boy!!!

Yeah! It's another boy! Today we went in for our ultrasound and were way surprised! Gus was sure that this was another girl, and so did I because I have been so sick, but secretly wanted another boy. Everyone else thought it was a girl too. This little one is so active. My other babies weren't this busy during the ultrasound. The tech actually had a hard time getting some pictures because the baby kept moving! He kept flashing his boy parts, so there is no doubt this is a little boy! He is about 12 oz. and my due date has moved to June 28! I think I will go with that date from now on!

I am so excited! I would have loved another girl, but boys are so much easier! I do feel bad that Alivia doesn't get to have a sister, but she will be able to hold her own! We gave the kids each a blue sucker and had them guess what we were having. Zach is really excited. Parker is okay with it and Alivia is kinda oblivious at what is going on. She just liked the sugar. We are super excited and blessed to welcome another little one into our home.