Tis the Season...

...for corn on the cob!
And, obviously, we couldn't be happier!

T would eat corn all day every day if I let him.

Beckett was so funny! He couldn't eat the corn and look at the camera at the same time. I love this corny grin.

 Don't worry, we got all the corn off before we let C gnaw on the cob.

 This is Caches new cheeser face. He does it all the time. I could eat him up.

Hooray! 

The Saga Continues

After giving Bentley up, I just couldn't come to terms with me being allergic to a dog. So today I dug in and did some research. Guess what I found! One of the biggest contributing factors to giving up an adopted pet...allergies. Or so called allergies. 

Many people think they are allergic to their new pet, regardless of their lack of past allergies. Just like me. Little do they realize or even consider the home they came from. Most often pets will carry an allergen on their fur and pass it on to new owners. The allergen can be anything from detergent the previous owner used to a plant they had in their home. The first recommendation is to get the dog bathed and shaved to see if it helps reduce allergy symptoms. We bathed Bentley, but probably not as good as we could have. The website I read compared a owner giving a bath to washing your hands with just water. It makes them look clean, but doesn't get them clean deep down. A professional groomer has the right tools and supplies and does a better job. Just like washing your hands with soap and water. They both look clean, but in the end one is truly clean while the other is not. So chances of me actually being allergic to Bentley...pretty low. Chances of me being allergic to something in his previous home...pretty high. 

I can not even begin to tell you how upset I am. I often let my kids learn by natural consequences, and after going through this, I can see how successful and painful they are. I made a rash decision in the heat of the moment and I fear it was the wrong one. I will take the time to do more research and not let anyone else dictate my decision. I'm so bummed. 

Isn't it Ironic?

Ah, where to start? We had to return Bentley. I was allergic. I have never in my life been allergic to any animal, until we got a hypoallergenic dog. Ironic, huh? I started get the itching eyes on Saturday which surely progressed to a super sneezy nose. Scott asked if it was the dog and I laughed it off, of course it wasn't the dog. Turns out I was wrong. It's not only frustrating but absolutely devastating. 

Bentley is the perfect dog. The kind you dream to have in your family. Yes, there were things we were going to have to work on. He was potty trained on a schedule, just one that didn't really work with us. So we were going to have to start completely over on that. He didn't love his kennel, but was progressively getting better each night. And he didn't know his own size. Like my mom said, he was like an 8th grader in size 13 shoes. He was clumsy and that lead to some accidents with Tanner and the kids, but it would have worked itself out as he got older. But he was calm, obedient and fun. 

The whole situation breaks my heart. Seeing my kids joy when romping around with a big dog or the love and comfort when they were laying around with him, gave me just enough of a taste to want a big dog now more than ever. I think somewhere in my subconscious I am digging in my heels and refusing to give into a Las Vegas life style. Having a big dog in a small yard was my way of rebelling against Vegas and my last effort to give them the childhood I so desperately want for them. I like LV, but its just not what I want for my kids. 

As if coming to terms with letting my dream dog go weren't enough, telling Tayden was. He was confused, but luckily Sid the Science kid saved the day with the episode about allergies. He was sad and wanted Bentley to stay, but understood why he couldn't. I asked him what would make him feel better and he promptly answered, "A fish". So we ran down to Petsmart and got him a guppy. That's the beauty of little kids. Their hearts break into a million pieces, but are pretty easy to repair.

We're still not 100% if it was the dog giving me problems, but time was not on our side. I contacted the previous owner and she said a family was interested in him, but it would have to be today. I really wanted to give it a few days to make sure it was him, but more than that I wanted to make sure he would go to a good home. He deserved it. I didn't want to wait a few days, have it turn out to be him and then not be able to find a good home. I'm praying it was him. I don't want giving him up to be in vain. 

I started missing Bentley the minute I gave him back. 

Some things just suck.

This is one of them. 

Its a..

...

BOY!!!

...

Scott and I have been thinking the past few months that we were ready to expand our family again. Everyone said, "but you just had a baby". "Don't bite off more than you can chew". We heard,  "Are you sure this is a good choice?" over and over again. And we knew in our hearts it was.

However, this time we decided to adopt. We found a super nice lady that needed to find her baby a nice home. As soon as we met the sweet little guy, we fell in love and knew he was meant for us. Meet Bentley!

...

Our new goldendoodle!

Let me back up a bit. I have wanted a big dog for a long time. I have been researching this particular breed for about 6 months. They are a cross between a golden retriever and a poodle. Most are hypoallergenic and don't shed. Goldendoodles are an intelligent and obedient family companions. They are everybody's friend and devoted to their family. They are friendly towards children, other dogs and pets, and easy with strangers. They are social dogs, happiest when they are with people. Their intelligence, eagerness to please, and love of learning make them very easy to train.

We already have a dog, scratch that, I have a dog. Tanner is very much my dog and not friendly towards the rest of the family. He is tolerant, yes, but not friendly. He puts up with everyone else, but that's about it. The boys have wanted a dog to run and play with and to be their dog. And since Las Vegas is not exactly the childhood I want to give them, I feel like having a big dog is a bit of Idaho. Does that even make sense? 

I found Bently on craigslist. His owner plays in the MLB and was recently traded to Houston. So they had to relocate. Bently comes from the most popular breeder in Vegas and we got him for less than a quarter of the regular price. He is 8 months old-- Young enough to bond quickly with us, but old enough to be out of the awful puppy stage. We didn't have to deal with the chewing, or the whining and he is pretty well potty trained. We might have to work on that a little bit to fit our life style. 

He is amazing. A gentle giant. Quite timid and nervous of new things, which means he is ultra calm and stays close. He doesn't require a leash, although we always use one. The kids adore him and he is proving his patience with them. I am so impressed with his demeanor. Tanner loves to play outside with him, but is still getting used to him at the house. Bentley has taken to Scott quite a bit and is quickly becoming his dog. We are all just so happy to have him in our home and part of the family. Although, he is in desperate need of a haircut!

He is the perfect addition to our family!

We couldn't be happier. 

Motherhood: A calling.

I came across this quote today

"Motherhood is not a hobby, its a calling. It's not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God have you time for." -Elder Neil L. Andersen

I got thinking about how alot of the time I am worried about everything else that life requires of me or I require from life. Laundry, dishes, cleaning up, teaching lessons, finishing projects, reading, running errands, getting groceries, facebook/instagram, doctor appointments, play dates, blogging, etc. All things that occupy my day and most of my time. But my time should be my children's. It's said over and over again, because its important, but can be so easy to forget. So as I read this, I contemplated what being a mother really is about. It's about teaching and love. Its about raising your children to know God and their Savior. Its about playing, laughing and having fun. Its showing right and wrong and being a good example. Putting your phone down and picking your kids up. Motherhood is hard, but more rewarding than anything I have ever experienced. 

My boys are amazing. All three are individuals and hold a special place in my heart. 

Tayden. Where do I even start? He is my challenge, my new territory. Since he's the oldest, it makes sense that he's my trial and error. I've never had a four year old before, so we learn together alot. He is a bossy little cuss. I have to remind him on a daily basis that I am the mother and he is the brother. He talks to Beckett in my exact tone and cadence threatening to take away toys or giving him two choices. Tayden makes sure everyone else is following the rules and doing just as they are supposed too. He is also so smart and logical. As long as you explain things to him, he's fine. He's always been like that. We still cuddle, hold hands, and sit next to each other on the couch. I hope he never outgrows his love to be close. He loves to help and has currently been enlisted in chores. He does a great job helping and is a wonderful example to Beckett. Being a big brother is a role he does not take lightly. He protects his little brothers and stands up for them always. Even to me. I was so nervous for him as we waited the arrival of B, but now I see that he was meant to be the oldest. 

Beckett. As the saying goes, "Oh B". I love love love him. Beckett has really become his own person lately. He is just so darn fun. My friend even mentioned the other day how fun it is watching Beckett become his own. He speaks in sentences, although they are unclear, and he is fun to carry on a conversation with. He has the funniest sense of humor and always has us laughing. Beckett adores Tayden and follows him around mimicking his every move. Literally. He is also getting used to being a big brother. He loves to feed Cache and helps when he hears the baby crying. The red head temper is very much alive in B and when he is mad...he is mad. Scowling face, crossed arms and sits in the corner. Don't even mess with him. He is not a big cuddler and never really has been. He prefers to sit on the couch alone and have his space. He is in that eager to please phase and jumps at any opportunity to help. Our family would just not be complete without Beckett.  

Then there is Cache. He is perfect. In every way. I'm still constantly worried about him because of the issues he had and I'm having a hard time getting used to having a small(er) baby. I have to remind myself that he is healthy and the worrying can stop, but I'm afraid it never will. Cache is the laziest little guy. He is just starting to figure out mobility and how beneficial it can be. He hates to roll and whines until one of his brothers does it for him, but is starting to lean on his hands and knees to grab something when he is sitting up. I think he'll skip the rolling and go straight to crawling. Patience is not a virtue C possesses. He yells until he gets his way and is a great fake cryer. But I'll tell you what, I have never met a happier baby in my life. He has this smile that never fades. He gets happy with his whole body and goes a million miles an hour when he is excited. He is really started to become a mamas boy and I love it. I adore Cache Thomas. 

These boys mean the world to me. They have showed me the power of motherhood and I am grateful everyday to a loving Father in Heaven that gave me these sweet spirits. 

Life is good.

Fish Fillet

It happened! It finally happened. Scott and Tayden finally filleted the frozen fish. That darn fish has been in our freezer since we went fishing two weeks ago. Tayden has been dying to see the bones and guts. Lovely, I know. Honestly though, I am grateful he is so curious. He loves to get in there, get his hands dirty and learn. 

It was a fun father-son moment with the boys. We just got done with spaghetti for lunch, as it shows all over Becketts face. So ignore that. 

Scott showed the boys the stomach, heart and the bones. Both of them touched the insides, the bones, the teeth. Tayden really wanted to pop its eye, but that's were I drew the line. 

It was kind of gross, but overall a neat experience for them that I wanted them to remember. Living in Vegas, we don't always get to do or see some of the things we would back home, so it was nice bringing the 'country' to them. 

And the very best part? The fish is out of my freezer and in the garbage. 

Hallelujah!