DAY #3

My Relationship With My Parents

Well...to start off I would have to say that my relationship with my parents is good....Now for more details. :)

MOM: Growing up had it's rough patches with my mother. I was never a rebellious child, but I did have a mouth on me when it came to talking back to my mom.

In my defense...I figured if my mom was wrong I had the obligation to tell her...regardless of whether I really should or not.

We got into plenty of arguments that always ended with me getting my mouth washed out with soap when I was young, to being grounded when I was older...all because I felt like I had to have the last word.

After leaving home and going to college, I realized that it doesn't really matter who is right or who is wrong and knew that we would always see some things differently.

Therefore...I apoligized for my actions to my mother, and that's that.

Since then we have had great times talking about what I would do when raising my children that have ended in lots of laughter on my mom's part...in theory I still think they might work.  ;)

My mom has always been a great example of someone who will help when needed and be a support during hard times. I have learned a lot of important things from my mom, like the importance of visiting teaching, being on time, approaching situations with kindness and patience. All of these things have been a great benefit and continue to be in my life.

DAD: I have to admit...growing up...I was a daddy's girl. I wanted to do everything my dad did and be just like him. I did follow in his footsteps in a number of things.

Some of my best memories were when we would wake up at 6 in the morning and go running. It was usually cold and very early, but I loved it cause it was my time that I had with my dad that no one else could come and butt into. Mainly cause I was the only one willing to wake up to exercise. :) But I'll take it. During those runs I could talk about anything.

One of the best things about my dad is his ability to listen when you just need to vent and give advice when it is necessary and you're ready to hear it. He seems to have a sense about when something isn't quite right and you needed to talk.

I loved that we had PPI's on Fast Sunday's. We knew that he was going to ask us how we were doing and this was my time to express myself about whatever I felt was on my mind.  Love that.

I have been very privledged to have been coached in sports by my father. He always set such a great example for me about teamwork, leadership, honesty, and hard work.

I later was able to coach with him and continued to learn life lessons from his example and ability to relate. I love that he has a testimony of the gospel and can institute that into daily living. I am so glad that I was able to learn from him.

He is always supportive too. Whether he agrees or not, he realizes it's my decision and will help wherever he can. I remember when I decided to go into Recreation Leadership in college. He was one of the very few that was excited for me and gave me encouragement. I will continue to appreciate and take his unconditional love he has for me and now my children.

In short...I have amazing parents that although they aren't perfect, they still set an amazing example for me and my children and allow us the opportunity to spend time with them. I'm looking forward to raising my family and hope that Cameron and I can be half the parents that mine were to me.

Love you guys!!!!!



DAY #2

3 FEARS

1- SPIDERS...I can't even express how much these scare me. I was looking at what scares my sisters and they put pictures up of some of the things...yep...not me. If I put any type of picture of a spider on here I wouldn't be able to ever come back to my own blog again for fear that I would accidentally see that picture.

I really have no idea how I got to be afraid of them, but I was a little afraid then became a lot afraid after someone had me watch Arachniphobia...worst idea ever. So I say that I am borderline Arachniphobic. Mainly cause I have killed a spider before because it was next to one of my children...but otherwise, I call for HELP!!!

2- PEOPLE COMING INTO MY HOUSE AT NIGHT... I'm a little like my sister Kelsey in this aspect. I think a lot of it came from movies that I have seen and shows that I have watched on t.v. It's to a point that I have an exit plan for myself and my children for every possible entrance of the person entering...I have even got a plan to use deadly force if necessary to protect my family...so...don't come sneaking into my house at night unless you want some serious battle wounds that could be life threatening when you're done. :)

3- GOING BLIND... I have always dreaded losing my eye sight. I love to see...obviously. And I think about how much I would miss seeing my children grow up and my husband and just all the beautiful things in this world if I lost my eye sight.

I'm pretty sure this comes from the fact that I've had diabetes for 18 years and eye sight is one thing that is affected by the disease. It also doesn't help when your eye doctor tells you that there is a slight issue with one of your eyes and it needs to be monitored so they can intervene if necessary...otherwise you could lose sight in that eye. Yeah...I'm pretty sure that's the reason I'm a little afraid of going blind.



DAY #1

20 RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME

1- I am 28 years old with 3 children, a 4 year old, and twin 19 month old girls.
2- I am married to my best friend...I am so glad that I found the one person who could look past my faults and insecurities to marry me for time and all eternity.
3- I have had Type 1 Diabetes since I was 10 years old...Yep...18 years now.
4- I love to play the piano...it has become a nice stress reliever for me...and an enjoyable time to spend with my family.
5- I have a Bachelors Degree in Recreation Leadership...so my husband tells me that I pretty much played all the time in college...it has some merit. :)
6- I love spicy food...didn't know it until I got married and my husband cooked all the time with Tabasco sauce...but now, I love the spicy.
7- I played the violin a little when I was in middle school and high school but then stopped so I hope to relearn it.
8- I'm left eye dominant when it comes to shooting a gun so...even though I'm right handed, I have to shoot with my left...and I'm not too bad.
9- I love to tie flies for my husband to use fly fishing. I learned in college and it's quite enjoyable.
10-I love to play volleyball...even though it's been over a year since I've played... I still love to play competitivly.
11- My husband was my first kiss...yep that's right...I haven't kissed anyone else but him. :)
12- I love to read and have gotten attached to a few authors...Robin Hobb (fantasy) John Grisham (Legal Fiction) Susanne Collins (Young Adult Fiction) and Robin Cook (Medical Thriller Fiction).
13- There a few t.v. shows that I really like...even though I don't have t.v...I watch them on Hulu, anyway...they are Bones, Top Chef, and Psych.
14- My lucky number is 14...always has been...always will be. Always tried to get this number for jersies when I play sports, and if I ever get to choose a number...that's always my first choice...it's a family number.
15- My favorite Disney princess is Belle...although Rapunzel is coming in a close second.
16- I like to put my cold hands and feet on my husbands bare skin at night...I think it's funny.
17- My head is pretty small...I can wear my 4 year olds hats...yep...my head size is a 6 and 3/4.
18- My favorite flowers are daisies...not gerber daisies. Just the regular white ones. They are just simple and pretty.
19- My husband loves to garden and me...I kill absolutely anything that tries to grow...not on purpose, I just forget about it and next thing I know...It's dead.
20- I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have such an amazing husband, children, mom, dad, sisters, nieces, nephews, and in-laws ever.

30 Day Challenge

I saw this on my sister Morgan's blog and thought it was a good idea...Especially since some of the things I really don't even know. Anyway...You do one question about yourself every day for 30 days...here's the list.

1. List 20 random facts about yourself.
2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3. Describe your relationship with your parents.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
7. What is your dream job, and why?
8. What are 5 passions you have?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. Describe your most embarrasing moment.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What is your love language?
29. What do you think people misundertand most about you?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

Ok...now to begin...

PICTURES!!

Ok...Here are a few of the pictures of the girls and what has been going on in the last several months. :) Although, they are mostly in order, some of them are not and so just enjoy.
Eva, and Emma and their "BEAR BUMS"

They fell asleep playing in their crib together and they look the same. :)

Halloween costumes...Amanda-Darth Vadar, Emma-R2D2, Eva-C3PO. I might have posted this one already...but it's cute so why not again. :)

Our trip to Nauvoo last October for my old roommates wedding. We stopped and saw my Grandma and Grandpa Rhoades, as well as Jeralyn and Buckley (Cameron's sister). We walked around Nauvoo too. It was a lot of fun. Good to see my good friend Kristi again too.

This was the babies birthday cakes this year when they turned 1. Emma had the bunny and Eva had the lady bug.

This was at the Eastern Idaho State Fair last September. Amanda and I held this cute little puppy. Pretty much we would buy and puppy and take it home...if we could...and if we had somewhere to put it. So needless to say, we just loved it for a few mintues, then moved on.

Babies first time playing in the snow. Eva on the left...Emma on the right. Not sure if they liked it as much...but they stayed warm in those clothes.

This is pretty much what Eva looks like now. She loves to climb up on boxes and then will just sit there and play with whatever she can reach from on top.

Emma likes to have her picture taken...but only if she can get really close and try to touch it.

This is Amanda's first tumbling recital. She did so well, and had a great time. She is in tumbling again this session and has her recital at the end of May...hopefully I'll get pictures up of that too. She's in the middle if you can't tell. :)

Doing the butterfly at the tumbling recital.

This was this last weekend for conference at my parents house. Amanda wanted to play volleyball so my sister Morgan took her outside to pass the ball. Let me just say...Amanda has the form of a volleyball player. Look at that stance already. She's a natural. :)

Our family picture in our Nebraska stuff. We are Cornhusker fans and we must show it proudly. :)

MY NEW DEW!!

Ok, so I am absolutely horrible at keeping up on this here blog. Hopefully I will find time to update pictures of the girls in the next week or so. But, I thought I would show off my cute new hair. My sister Morgan is in Cosmetology School here at ISU and she needed live people...cause previously she had only cut hair on manican? heads, and no I can't spell...so I volunteered to be her first human head to cut on. She did a fantastic job. However, I have learned that I can't style it nearly as good as she did here in this picture, I will keep trying. Anyway, so I now have a new style to sport and I have new glasses and sometimes I even wear contacts. It has been about 10 years since I had a new eye prescription and I was amazed at how bad my eyes actually got, the good news, is now I can see without having to squint even with my glasses on...YEA ME! The rest of the family update is...Cameron is driving bus still but had a good interview with a company in Idaho Falls a last week so we are hoping that something comes from that. Amanda is loving her swimming lessons and enjoys "school" at home with mommy. Emma has learned that she can walk but doesn't like to try very often. She has a crossed eye however that we are taking her to the doctors to see if we can get that fixed. So far they can't do anything for it cause they aren't sure what's causing it so we have another appointment at the end of April to see if anything has changed. Eva likes to scream and it drives me crazy. But she runs around and enjoys playing chase with Amanda. She will also go get her eyes checked because they say the problem is genetic so we might not see anything but there are still problems. They both are in nursrey now and I'm not super sure what to do with my baby free Sunday since that hasn't happened in 18 months. I have always had a baby with me...I try to pass one off to Cameron, and he takes her but then passes off another one to me instead. :) Love it though. We'll see what it's like here though. Life is good, we are optimistic and hope that we can stay deserving of whatever the blessings the Lord wants to give to us. And without further adu....my NEW HAIR!!!!!

So Funny

Saw this on Facebook and thought it was so funny and actually very accurate for the most part. Obviously sometimes it's not, but usually....it is. Enjoy and hope you get as good a laugh out of it as Cameron and I did. :)

NEWS

Ok not really. I just felt bad for not posting anything for a really long time. I will get pictures up here eventually. By the time I do though you won't even recognize my children. Haha. Anyway, Christmas was fun and we had a lot of stuff going on as well as a lot of family we got to see. We missed Linsey and Kelsey and thier families though this holiday season. It always seems weird when we aren't all there. The new year brought in Amanda cutting her own hair so it is now very short...I will include those pictures...as well as her tumbling recital that she did yesterday. She did really well and even landed her cartwheel. I was very proud. The twins are doing well. Eva's heart appointment turned out good, they said they can't hear anything from her PDA when she was born so they aren't going to worry about it unless my doctor hears something in the future that he's worried about. Eva can walk, Emma can crawl, and Amanda can do cartwheels and handstands in the living room. We are still looking for a full time postition for Cameron and I am going to start teaching piano lessons. That's about the end of the updating of our family. Thank you everyone who reads and checks on my blog even though I'm horrible at keeping it updated. Goal for the Week: Post pictures up on here by Sunday!!! Wish me luck. :)

New Blog

Cameron and I have decided to make a blog for his made up recipes that we like. He is really good at throwing something together and what's better is he likes to do that. The problem I have is that when it tastes amazing and I want it again, he can't remember what was in it. So we are going to put his recipes on here that we like. Hopefully we will get a new one once a week...that's our goal. So for starters there is only one on there, but more to follow. So if you want some new dinner ideas, that aren't hard to do...check it out. The site is: cookingwithcameron-katie.blogspot.com

Summer Fun

So here is the first part of our summer fun...which actually took place at the end of the summer. This is from mid July through now. I am having a hard time getting all my pictures to download so this is what you get for now. :)
My dad and Emma taking a nap on the bed in their trailor at Priest Lake.

Cameron and Amanda eating cheese balls on one of the few days that were nice on the beach.

Wow...well...Me, a mad Emma, Eva and Amanda hanging out at camp on one of the many freezing days we were able to have at Priest Lake.

Me, Emma, Amanda, Cameron and Eva...In Priest Lake, the twins first time in the water. I think they are handling the cold pretty well. :)

Emma hanging out on the beach at Priest Lake.

Amanda helping my cousin Luke drive the boat...Yes...she fell asleep and is still driving. :)

Amanda playing with the floatie in Priest Lake...yes that's used for the babies but Amanda is still light enough that it doesn't sink when she gets in...so she played with it.

Amanda finding a stick that she said she was using as a paddle when she is in her floatie in the water. Go figure. :)

My dad giving Amanda a ride of the 4 wheeler. Kids have to wear a helmet...we didn't have one so we used a bucket. Dad got pulled over and told that doesn't count so we couldn't do it again. :)

Eva started to crawl and pull herself up onto things. This is her trying to climb the stairs. :)

SCARY!

Ok...no pictures this time, but hopefully again soon. This is a story about Amanda and how she scared me into tears. I had put her down for bed and Cameron and I were in the kitchen. He was making food to freeze for Priest Lake and I was on the computer. Amanda had been awake for awhile cause we could occasionally still hear her talking to herself. Well, a little later she lets out a cry. So I get up to go check on her. When I get in there, she is standing on her bed with the blind cords wrapped around her neck. She is panicking. I run over and they are really tight. So I try to pull them apart and I finally get them to slide over her head. We have talked with her about putting things around her neck cause she likes to pretend they are necklaces. So Cameron had tied the strings all together and somehow she had untied them enough to get her head through but it was too tight and was choking her. After I got her out I held her and started crying. She had a huge red line going across her neck and she said that that was scary cause she couldn't breathe. When I told her she could have died her response was..."That's ok, Jesus can bring me back to life." Needless to say, I had to talk to her without ruining her testimony of the Ressurrection and explain that she will come back to life but not for a long time, that she would have to wait til Jesus came back to Earth again. She seemed to understand a little bit more, so now we are keeping the blinds out of reach and Cameron will be taking them down all together here very soon. Not a fun moment, but I'm glad she is alright.

BUSY TIMES

So Amanda spilled some popcorn on the floor today and when we went to pick it up she says, "Goodbye Popcorn...I will never see you again." Then she keeps saying it until she burst into song singing it. Let's just say sometimes I feel like I live in a musical. Anyway, we have stayed really busy this last week. On Thursday, Cameron and I went to Playmill with mom and dad, and Morgan and Norman. Then on Friday we went to Idaho Falls and hung out there during the day while Cameron interviewed. We went to the Green Belt and then the park. Then on Saturday we went to the Family Fun Day at Ross Park. Some of the characters of Star Wars were there. Amanda was so excited. Tonight we are going to the circus. There will be pictures of that to follow. :)
Amanda in one of her new swimming suits running through the sprinkler.

Benny the Bengal at Family Fun Day. She thought he was cool and wanted a picture with him.

Amanda and one of the Storm Troopers from Star Wars at Family Fun Day.

We needed a picture of the newer version of the Storm Trooper. This one is the newer model. :)

We were getting ready to go home and Amanda saw the Storm Trooper with red on him and ran up to him to have him sign her papers and get a picture with him.

This literally was the highlight of her day. She got to meet Darth Vader and she loved the "lady with no hair" That's what she calls her. So Darth Mal has Eva, Darth Vader, Amanda, Ventress, and the Jedi has Emma.

They had bouncy toys and Amanda did the obstacle course. This is her climbing the side to go down the slide at the top. She actually climbed it faster and better than most of the older kids there. :)

Amanda going down the slide from the obstacle course.

Eva was crying and so Emma reached over and held her hand. It was really cute. So after I took a picture...then I picked her up to change her pants and make her feel better. Sometimes they have to sacrifice for a picture. :)