The events of the day

Well, today can be summed up in five words:
Head Cold...Chicken Pox...Mice
I'm going to bed.

Happy Happy Birthday Nicholas Dear!

In honor of Nick and his birthday, here is a "tag" all about Nick. I love you hon!

1. Where did you meet?
The Westminster "Caf" (Cafeteria), a place where dreams do come true!


2. How long did you date before you were married?
Um...Six months. We were engaged after three. However we pretty much spent every waking moment we had with each other so I consider them "condensed" months.


3. How long have you been married?
8 years, two weeks, two hours and 20 minutes, to be exact.


4. What does he do that surprises you?
Changes diapers with out being asked. He is such a hands-on dad. I don't know why this surprises me, it really shouldn't. Nick really is an equal partner in our marriage and with our children, we rely on each other for a lot. I guess it surprises me because his dad will admit to changing 6.5 diapers in his lifetime. Really, Craig and I were just joking about it yesterday, he watched me change Simon and said that now he had changed 6.5 diapers in his lifetime (I guess watching it counts as .5!)

5. What is your favorite feature of his?
His eyes, I love his eyes! He has a very expressive eyes that are always smiling. He also has great hair, so thick and full of volume and the perfect amount of texture, ooh I covet his hair.


6. What is your favorite quality of his?
His ability to always laugh and have a good time. No matter what. He is really good at keeping things in perspective and remembering what is most important in life.


7. Does he have a Nickname for you?
Em, Hon, and a few more...


8. What is his favorite color?
He has many, it depends what we are talking about. He is an artist after all. I think he fancies green a lot.


9. What is his favorite food?
Anything Italian, a really good Hamburger and of course Cherry Chip Birthday Cake!



10. What is his favorite sport?
He does not enjoy watching sports on TV, but he loves to play Baseball and Golf.


11. When and where was your first kiss?
On the balcony of my dorm in college. We had been dating for about 2 months and we were out sitting on this old chair just talking, it was raining and pretty much perfect.


12. What is your favorite thing to do together?
We love going to the park with our Kids. We enjoy attending the Temple together (it is our date that we can take alone). Before we had kids we loved to travel, go on road trips, see movies, and talk! Sometimes we still get to talk! Pretty much just anything as long as we are together.


13. Do you have children?
Um, yes. Three awesome boys who we love a lot, they keep us busy and take all our energy.



14. Does he have a hidden talent?
He has many hidden talents. He is quite good on the piano (self-taught) and he is really good on the drums (self-taught). He is really good at decorating (not in the quilted-bear kind of way, more sophisticated) he pretty much decorated our house and he also is good at picking out clothes for me. He is great with kids, he cleans a mean toilet. Pretty much the perfect hubby, if only I could get him to cook...


15. How old is he?
31 today! Hooray!



16. Who said I love you first?
Me, but it had been unspoken for a while by both of us. He coerced me into saying it first because he knew that I would never say it if he didn't. (Something about this missionary I was waiting for...)


17. What is his favorite type of music?
Oh, if I could pick one kind! Nick really loves everything except for Country music and most Rap. His favorite band is Muse.


18. What do you admire most about him?
His work ethic, he is such a hard worker. His dedication to the Lord and our family.


19. Do you think he will read this?
Only because I tell him to!

I tag anyone who wants to think about how much they love their hubby!

I have a confession

I really love to dance. I am not what some may call a great dancer, being 5'11" and only slightly coordinated saw to that. Still, I have always LOVED to dance. Some of you who read this blog have been privy to some of my best work. I can really let loose in my living room with my boys. It ain't pretty, but it sure is fun! I have always felt a affinity to Carlton for this reason. P.S. I also love Tom Jones.

Ask me how!

All of the above items were purchased at my local Albertsons for a grand total of..... $52.52!
That includes Enfamil Lipil formula, and Pampers diapers. No, I did not "lift" anything from the store but I have discovered a Grocery/Coupon program that really works! Everything I buy is name brand, and to be totally honest, this week's purchases were just average in terms of what I have saved in the past few weeks. If you are interested in finding out what I do and how I do it, please comment. I am going to be hosting a class at my my house in the near future and would love to know which of you would like to be invited.

Corn Bust...or Bust!

Here are some pics from the Jacobs Corn Bust. It was a great little family reunion, I wish they did it annually! The Briant Jacobs clan wore green, and Grampy brought us all a little green apple to put on our shirt, because we are, "the apples of his eye". We love Grampy and are proud to be a part of his family!

Preschool!

September 3rd. Foxtails preschool. Tummy butterflies and tears.

So began Gabe's career as a student, he looks ready to conquer the world, don't you think?
Gabe was so excited! He has been looking forward to this day for months!

Here he is after school with his Beautiful teacher, Ms. Lindsey.

This is a moment I will treasure forever!

Ian was a wreck when Gabe left for preschool, he and I both had a good cry together, then we went and bought donuts and had a great time playing and talking. Simon was as happy as a clam, but then again he usually is!
Ian was so happy when we went to pick Gabe up, we all were!

This transition in life is bittersweet for me. On one hand, it marks the beginning of a new pathway for Gabe, one that involves making lots of great friends and growing and learning in so many ways. On the other hand, it marks a change in our many happy days together at home, growing and learning together as a family and for the boys, as brothers. Change is good, this I know, but I hope some things will always stay the same.
My prayer is that my boys will always be this close and love each other
unconditionally, as they do now.

Lastly, here is the commentary on how preschool went...

Let's play Tag!

Tag I am it...
20 years a go: (can't believe that 1988 was 20 years ago!)
1- Was way taller than any of the other kids (some things never change) and planning my life as a supermodel.
2- Telling everyone my name was Millie. (See comment on last blog post)

3- Totally LOVED New Kids on the Block.

10 years ago:

1- Just had my first Kiss, and crushed because the boy moved to Spain the day after (not because of the kiss I might add :)
2- Finally had my own bedroom for the first time, it was on loan from Heidi who was on a mission.
3-Got my braces off and my boobs in! (not implants, just a late bloomer :)

5 years ago:

1- Starting my last year of college, getting a 4.0 GPA, and biological clock ticking away at 23!
2- Singing, singing and more singing in two school choirs.
3- Looking forward to teaching school soon.

3 years ago:

1- Happily teaching at Salt Lake Music together.
2- In love with being a mom to Gabe.
3- Thinking about adding a little Ian to our family.

1 year ago:
1- Throwing up EVERYTHING in my 1st trimester with Simon.

2- Beginning to Learn how to really have Faith.
3- Feeling like a square peg in a round hole.

This year so far:
1- Learning to be patient with a 4 year old, a 2 year old, and a baby and how to make time for my husband.
2- Still teaching at Music Together and still loving it!
3- Still learning how to really have faith.

Yesterday:
1- Celebrated my Mom's birthday!
2- Learned that our ward will be split again!
3- Watched a Japanese Anime show called "Spirited Away" with Nick, and really enjoyed it!

Today:
1- Played He-Man with my boys.
2- Went to Ikea (ack! it was soo busy!) for garage shelving, came back with two step stools, one shoe horn, two plastic storage bins, some kids sized clothes hangers but no garage shelving!
3- Ate dinner at Famous Dave's with friends, took the whole zoo with us (six kids all under 4).

Tomorrow:
1- Play He-Man with my boys minus Nick.
2- Walk and talk with my girlfriends.
3- Playing at the park with my boys.

Next year
1- Working toward quitting one of my jobs thus learning more and more how to have faith.
2- I hope to have our 1 year supply of food storage complete.
3- Let's face it, I will probably be thinking about another baby! (I said thinking)

Ok, now I tag 3 people…Rachel Evans, Lindsey Montague, and Sheila. (If you don't have a blog you could always email it. Just be sure to email it back to me too so I can read about you!)