A Quickie

So just a little short quick note for today's blog. We are good. We are adjusting to school. Working out the kinks and running a bit smoother. I even got 100% on my latest homework...
Haylie's word for the day is "NICE!". It's very cute. I gave her a sticker..she puts it on her shirt and says, "NICE!" as in cool! She's so cute.
Tayson is now doing his homework in the mornings before school since he is too exhausted to function in the afternoons. This seems to work out a lot better and eliminates a lot of fights and frustration.
A good friend is watching the kids tonight so Shaun and I can go out! Yea! A much needed break! It's her turn to go out next week! LOVE YOU!!
So that's my quickie for the day....

School Bells Are Ringing!

So....Shaun and I started back to school on Monday. Whereas Shaun is used to school, it's been SEVEN...count them....SEVEN years for me. It is a bit overwhelming and due to some issues with one of my online classes I ended the first day in tears. The second and third day went better, and I'm even about a week ahead of where I need to be. Haylie seems to be adjusting well to not having my undivided attention. I know that I will get in all in balance soon. I have been told a lot recently that I am uptight. Now I'm wondering...is that a dig? One good friend gave me a mantra to say over and over all day to help me unwind....I'm working on it! It's a good one! :0)- Dinner, dishes, laundry and housework are already falling to the wayside, but we'll survive. We aren't living in a pigsty yet! Shaun has been awesome in helping with the kids so I can get a few things done without Haylie. Now we'll have to see what happens when we aren't in the FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL!! Yes, I know....repeat my mantra! Ready or not, here we go!!!

Big Dino's!

So on Saturday, we decided that we weren't done with Summer quite yet! We just had to get in one last fun day, so we went to the Dinosaur Park in Ogden. Big Dino's everywhere! We took Tayson a few summers ago when I was pregnant with Haylie and he loved it! It was even more fun this time with Haylie along. We were afraid that she might get scared by how big they are and the sounds, but she had a blast! Every time we turned a corner and she saw another dinosaur she would yell (of course any of you who know my daughter know that she only has one volume level!), "BIG DINO"S!!" Very cute! We walked around outside, then went and got some lunch and headed back to see the inside stuff. Very cool! Then of course I had to hit Kid to Kid and Target. Such a fun last day of summer fun! School starts Monday for Shaun and I and I'm just not quite ready to get back down to business! Oh well....Let the fun begin!

Tayson for lunch!

First of the First!

First Grade Here I Come!

Tayson started First Grade on Wed., Aug, 20th! He was so excited for school to start this year! We got ready, Tayson in his new school clothes (the backpack is a repeat of last year since it still looked bran new!) and headed out the door. Parents were invited to come for the first hour of school. So, Daddy stayed home with Haylie and I went with Tayson. We met his teacher, hung his backpack on his hook, found his cubby and mailbox, said hi to Grandpa Dodge's twin, Kevin, and even got a donut and Sunny D! Then we went back to class where he was supposed to color in his "Welcome To First Grade" coloring book. He got settled at a table and as I knelt down by him, he looks at me and says, "Get out of here, Mom! Love you!" Oh dear! If I weren't so ready for school to start it MIGHT have hurt my feelings! :0) As it was, I just said, "Love you too!" and skipped on home! FREEDOM!! OK, not completely since little sister, Haylie, was waiting at home, wondering where in the world her big brother had gone off to and wanting someone to play with, but freedom from fighting siblings! Yea!

It is so strange to have Tayson gone all day! I miss all the help he is to me and his company, but so far school is great! He loves his teacher, has friends in his class and even has TWO recesses where he is now allowed to play on ANY playground he wishes. Unlike Kindergarten where he could only play on one! He also thinks it is pretty cool to eat lunch at school with his friends! He reports the menu to us each day and so far has eaten everything on his plate each day.....or so he says!

Wow! First Grade! He sure is growing up fast!!!

Errands and School

So...the latest with school. I have been awarded financial aid. I got a grant and a student loan. I am registered fine with one class and still waiting for the second to show up on my schedule. I think we are good to go. So now I have to figure out how to access my classes and how everything works. Adventures! Oh yes....and still get books......

Tayson starts school in two days! I can't wait! I get to go with him for an hour in the morning to meet his teacher, find his classroom, etc. It will be fun to get him back in a good schedule and entertained! He lost two teeth this past week and I'm sure the tooth fairy is broke now! Tayson is trying to save up money to buy a Wii game and gun. He already has $23 and Dad did say we would meet him partway, so he's getting there.

That's all that's new with us. Just waiting on school and running errands in the meantime. The car is going into the shop on Wed. and Thur. and then hopefully it will be good to go. Went grocery shopping, dropped off documents and applications, and gave they boys haircuts. Still have to clean, do more laundry, and get Tayson's school supplies ready. Crazy week, I tell ya!!

Back to School!

Back to school...well.... hopefully! I have been accepted to USU, gone through the online new student orientation, talked to my advisor and decided what classes to take. Now we are waiting on financial aid. It's the story of my life...waiting on money! The fact that I applied 7 years ago as Carrie Dodge and I am now applying as Carrie Copeland seems to be confusing the crap out of them! Tomorrow I must go make an in person appearance and see if I can't get things going. I am a bit nervous about going back to school. It will be quite a juggling act to take care of kids, Tayson's homework, the house, laundry, dinner and all of those other little things that fall to me as the mom. Today, as I was on the phone with my advisor, discussing how many classes to take online, the kids were crying, screaming, fighting, and jumping off the bed. Very kindly my advisor advised me to take only two classes since it seemed that I already had my hands very full! I had to giggle and agree! I'm very antsy to get things going. Why couldn't I have had this brilliant idea to go to school about a month ago? Oh well, it will all work out, either this semester or next! Oh...I still have to buy books, too! So many things to do! So much excitement!

Tayson is starting school on Wednesday! I'm so excited! He definitely needs something productive to occupy his time rather than just pestering his little sister! The other night, driving home with Grandpa Dodge from visiting Tiff and Owen, Tayson was talking about going back to school and that he will miss his Kindergarten teacher since he is now in first grade. I told him that he'd have to give her hugs during recess. He then said, "I know! I'll give her a present because she liked teached us so good!" I had to giggle and say, "Oh yes! She teached you GOOD!" What a silly boy!

Welcome Baby Owen!

**Beautiful Baby Owen**

** Grandma Dodge and Owen**

**Haylie, doing a little soul searching!**

**Big cousin, Tayson, has it all under control!**

**The Proud Mamma and Baby Owen**

On August 12, 2008 Owen was brought into my family by his beautiful mother, my sister, Tiffany! What a handsome little man he is! He was born at 7:11 pm and is just absolutely perfect! I just love newborn babies, especially ones as cute as Owen! Everything went well and baby and mommy are doing just great! Welcome, Owen! And a big congratulations to his mom and dad!

Owen has a big brother, Aiden. What a cutie! Tayson picked out some dino's and a coloring book and crayons for his "big brother present". Aiden was so excited! A dollar spent has never been more rewarding! He seems to love his little bro and I'm sure he can't wait till they are home from the hospital!

I was able to take my kids and ride down with my parents to see the new arrival. I didn't realize how much Haylie LOVES babies! She couldn't keep her eyes or hands off Owen! Tayson got to hold him too and I was so proud to see how gentle and caring he was with him! He sure lives up to his responsibilities as the oldest cousin; such a good kid!!

Welcome, Owen! We are so glad you joined the family and can't wait to get to know your little spirit! You are so special and sweet, not to mention adorable, cuddly, and perfectly lovable! We love you so much!!! Welcome to the family!

Wild in Wendover

OK....so maybe not so "wild", but definitely FUN!!!

Saturday, Shaun and I went to Wendover with some friends. I have never been there, and although it is tiny, it is big on good times!

There isn't much to do there besides gamble and drink. I've never been a big gambler, but I was able to learn a little Poker and Black Jack. My big take was on the penny slots. I won $16!! Can you believe it?? I'm rich! :0) Alright, all joking aside, we had a lot of fun! We ate lunch, played, walked around, had dinner, and played some more. We didn't get to back to our room till about 3:00 am and it was hard to settle down and get to sleep. We left our room in a sleepy daze and headed straight for Starbucks! OH JOY! OH BLISS! Then we started for the long ride home, with a lot of pit stops. We finally got home and as we were turning the knob to get in I heard "Momma! Momma!" Oh, it's good to be "Momma" and have those little arms around me again!

Tayson was able to go to the Rodeo with his grandparents while we were gone. We were able to find him a cowboy hat after only one store! Grandpa even caught him a t-shirt. He had a blast and today while driving in the car, listening to a song about a rodeo, Tayson says, "Mom? When can I go to a rodeo again? I really miss it!". Too cute!



On another note, summer is coming to an end and we are trying to squish in all the fun things we still want to do. Today we went to one of my best friend's house for lunch. She has kids about the same age and they love to play together. Then we went to the "Fun Park" to play on there soft play, which is almost like a McDonald's Playland, but bigger. My other friend from high school was there with her kids! So cute! It was nice to catch up after such a long time! The kids had so much fun and wore themselves out! They even got to play a few arcades and win some prizes! Hopefully they are so tired that it will be an early night..........

Sore, Tired, Excited, Cowboy Hats and Stink Bugs!

So...sore, tired and excited are the emotions of the day. Sore and tired because I've been good and actually gotten up at 5:00 am every morning this week to walk two miles. It makes for a long, sleepy day!

Excited for many reasons.

*One is that my workouts and diet are working....I'm getting smaller. I've lost 16 pounds this summer. It could have been more if I wouldn't have fallen off the wagon, but that's OK! I'll take what I can get!

*Two is that tonight I get to go shopping with one of my very favorite people for a new shirt. She is a dang hoot! I'm getting the shirt for Wendover...that's my third excitement.

*Three is that in two days I get to go play with my hubby and friends in Wendover. I've actually never been to Wendover. I find it funny that so many people have such drastic different opinions on the place! Some hate it, some love it! I guess I'll see soon enough for myself!

*Four is that when I go shopping tonight I'm going to get some stuff to do some red highlights in my hair. This makes me a bit more nervous than blond highlights, but what the heck...I'll live dangerously for a change! :0)


Today my goal is to find a cowboy hat for Tayson. My parents are taking him to a Rodeo on Friday and the other day Tayson worked up his cowboy accent and drawled, " Mom, I need a cowboy hat. Y'all can't go to a Rodaaaaaoooo without a cowboy hat!" So cute....so now I'm on a hunt for a hat. I'm hoping the dollar store will save me! And I'm hoping Tays has the time of his life at the Rodeo!

Last night, Wednesday, I went to my mom's to make a blanket. You see, I've been attached (more now as an adult than ever as a child) to my pink bunny blanket. It is now gray, holy and falling apart, and desperately needs to be retired to a closet! I recently bought some new bedding and some material that matches for a blanket. My mom and I had a REAL fun time trying to match corners and not look like fools in front of my dad who does upholstery for a living. The blanket is not perfect, and my good ole' dad had a few chuckles, but I just love it! THANK YOU, MOM! LOVE YOU!!!! It was so weird to go to my parents home without my kids. I don't think I've been there without them since they were born. I felt 15 again! It was nice to be able to chat with my parents and be able to relate to them on an adult level without being busy playing mom myself! They are wonderful people! Love you!

My little Haylie....oh..can you say "Terrible Two's"? OK..she's not too bad, just into everything. Just yesterday she pulled out all of her wet wipes one by one. Then she did a repeat performance on the new box of tissues. Then she dipped her play cup in the toilet and carried it around saying "I need a drink!" Eew! Eew! Eew! Then she gets my hairspray and silk therapy (expensive) and puts them in her hair. Where was I? you ask? Sleeping. I have to take a nap when she does since I'm getting up so early. This was all done in about 5 minutes time. And then, after we clean it up and have a little talk, she jumps in my lap, pets my check and gives me loves. What's a mommy to do? Cute little bug! Maybe a STINK BUG?????

Spirits Reunited

So yesterday, Monday, was a wonderful day. My good friend, Mel, came to visit that I haven't seen for two years! She's never even seen Haylie. It was so good for her to come up and visit! I've forgotten how much I really miss her! Time went too fast and we need to get together again soon! She looks so good and happy! Yea!! Her girls are absolutely adorable and so sweet!

My son Tayson and her oldest daughter, Berk, were the best of friends until my family moved three years ago. I remember Tayson crying for Berk for a long time after we were here. Then just a couple of months ago I asked Tayson if he remembered Berk and he said no! It made me so sad! So yesterday I asked him again and he said "Didn't we go to McDonald's with her?" Yes! Yes, we did!

Tayson was so excited for them to come and visit and when they pulled up he ran outside to greet them. They gave him the cutest stuffed dinosaur that they had bought for his birthday about two years ago! I can't believe they still had it! Tayson absolutely loves it! As our littlest girls were a bit shy and working on warming up to everyone, Berk and Tayson just started where they left off! It was like they had never been apart! Spirits reunited! It was the cutest thing to watch! Tears were shed after goodbyes!

Tayson slept with his dinosaur that he has named Snuggles. He told me that if Berkeley couldn't stay to snuggle and play with that the dinosaur would do. Then his eyes got huge, a smile lit up his face and he said, "I know, Mom! Why don't they move into the empty apartment next to us? That would be so much fun!" I told him I think they were going to stay where they were and once again....absolute heartbreak! It amazes me that after two plus years of not seeing her that he can be so attatched! We'll have to get together soon!

These pics are from Halloween 4 years ago! Cute little things, huh?

Tag-You're-It

So I've been tagged. Once you are tagged you must write ten random things about yourself. I thought is sounded like fun....maybe that's because I've been up since 5:00 am to get in my morning walk, and I'm still half asleep, but either way, here we go!

1. I love the fall. Crisp air and the colors! oh my!

2. I secretly watch "Saved by the Bell" after my morning walk and before the kids are up.

3. At the age of 25 I am just begining to figure out who I am, and what it means to be a well-rounded person.

4. I love puppy breath.

5. I have a thing for gummy bears that I am trying to get over!!

6. I enjoy cooking more than baking.

7. My toenails must always be painted.

8. I can not stand the heat. If you don't believe me just ask anyone who has EVER been around me during the summer! Sorry guys!

9. One of my biggest fears is being lonely.

10. My favorite thing to do at the end of the day is to read a good book while soaking in a hot bubble bath. Ahhhh....sweet luxury!!

Tag-You're-It!! Now it's your turn to post ten random things about yourself. Have fun!

Oh so TIRED!!!

Well, my hubby and I went out last night....Here we are on the way out the door! We didn't get home until about 12:30 and we were too wound up to go to sleep till about 2:00 am....
Now it is noon and we are still in pj's and just starting to think about getting bathed and dressed! I love Lazy Sundays!!!

I'm looking forward to tomorrow. The plan is to have my friend come visit that I haven't seen for TWO YEARS! It will be so good to visit!

Guess I'm off to get dressed!!

Brand New Me

Hello! I guess I am now a brand new "blogger"! We'll see how I like it.....

So today was my "sacred" beginning to the weekend! I love weekends and just live for them. We did absolutely nothing all morning...Wonderful! Although, Shaun and I did try Program 2 on our eliptical and saw stars for hours after. Whoever said exercise is fun is kidding themselves! Hopefully it will work though!

Tonight I get to go out with my hubby! My wonderful sister in law is coming over to sit with the kids...oh what would I do without her?!? ( Love you! ) I've actually been able to get out a little bit more lately...which has been sooo good. It has caused a bit of a mid life crisis, however. Yes, I know...I'm going to have a very short life if I'm having a mid life crisis at the age of 25!! I have decided that I need more in life and am now trying to get things together to get back in school! YEA!! I am so excited to have my life revolve around not only the needs of my two beautiful kids and hunky hubby, but MY needs as well! It will surely be a challenge to work it all out, but I'm hoping that I will be a better mother and more fulfilled. I do have to say that I'm a bit scared...as I always am to try something new, but I'm trying to be brave. I am running a bit late in applying for financial aid and registering for classes, since school starts in less than a month, so I may be out of luck, but I'm trying anyways. Hopefully I'll be able to take a couple of online classes this semester and actually go to class come Spring Semester. And may I say I am forever grateful to an ever supportive husband! He is in his Senior year of his Mechanical Engineering degree, and is still excited for me to go to college even if it puts more stress on him. Amazing man!

Oh yes! And I am also starting this new blog! Lots of new things in my life. Hope I can keep up with them all!