Some Frier family Funnies

Ok, so on the lighter side of things:

Our Stake has a Humanitarian Day every Thursday. I have been going the last 2 weeks. I asked Noah if he wanted to help out with some of the projects- easy stuff for him to do- but he told me: "Work is for grown-ups, play is for kids!" What a snob! So he went to the nursery to play and I stayed and worked!

Jodi has been saying prayers and loves saying the prayer so much that if we ask someone else to say the prayer she gets very upset. We end up saying 2 prayers at every meal! Jodi is a singer. Wherever she goes, she is singing- constantly. ANd she gets quite upset if the right music isn't playing. I changed out the music for her bedtime and she freaked! Cried herself to sleep because I wouldn't change the music back! I just changed CDs- no biggie for me, but WAY biggie for Jodi!

Daniel has gotten back into his "kitty" stage. Every kiss becomes a lick. He curls up snug and whimpers at our legs. What a silly boy. Also, every Primary day Daniel will fall off his chair at least once. No other kid- just mine. Literally, off the chair! I swear everyone is thinking what I am thinking- "what is wrong with that kid?" He inherited my gracefullness!

Rough Weeks Ahead

Well, as much as the kids are having fun and enjoying the summer, I sure am not. My fibro pain has increased to an all time high. Fatigue plagues me every day and sleepless nights (literally)are on the increase as well. Dustin and I are truly done having children. We had the answer nearly a year ago, but I just couldn't accept it. I think Heavenly Father just said, "Fine, try it your way, but you will soon come to the path I know you need to be on." I think He allows us to make those decisions to help strengthen our faith. A hard miscarriage- harder than I ever let on- and complications after, and months of pain have led me to finally accept that we are done having children. It has not been easy, but I am getting through it. Dustin has a surgery in a few weeks and then I will go to the doctor to get on the medications that I tried before. I didn't give them enough time to work- I still wanted to be pregnant. It is going to take a few months for my body to adjust to the meds. They leave you very weak and a zombie, but people say that after a few months the body adjusts to it and life gets easier. I hope so. I am glad Noah will be in school full day and Daniel will be bussed to preschool. I can lay on the couch more. It's easier to find a sitter for 1 child than 3. I am expecting some rough months ahead- physically. I seem to be over the biggest emotional hurdle now so things are looking up for now. It's hard to explain how hard the days can be. My kids have been great. They understand that Mommy is not the wrestler- as much as I want to be. Noah is a big helper. I am almost sad that he will be at school all day. I hope Daniel will fill brother's shoes well. I need all the help I can get. Jodi is so independent. I think she knew she had to be for me. She can play all by herself all day long and be quite happy. She is as much a helper as Noah at times. I am blessed with a beautiful family and a wonderful husband. I don't know who else would be able to deal with all that he has to because of me.

A Fun Travel Log of Our Colorado Adventure

We had a wonderful trip to Colorado to celebrate the 4th of July, aka my birthday. We also celebrated Jodi's 2nd year birthday (7/12) and Dustin's birthday (7/16). The drive to Craig was long. All of my schemes to save money went down the tubes. We took the van and were happy we took the van as we had SO much stuff with us. We had to put Noah's bike in the van with us because it wouldn't fit on the bike carrier. The adult bikes with the toddler seats took up to much room. The kids were happy to take the van. We had a nice pleasant drive. A little rain, cool weather- windows rolled down for some of it. It was great.

We spent the 3rd just having fun. We took a 2 hour bike ride around the town and played at the park. Noah learned to climb a hill on his bike and learned the joy and freedom of coming down a hill on a bike. He wanted more. While riding up a hill we actually came upon a mother deer and her 2 fawns. It was totally awesome. The kids loved the wildlife at the Grandparents' home!

The kids were hot after the bike ride so we pullled out the wading pool. Daniel started pulling his clothes off in the front lawn and was naked before I even turned around! He was too excited! I swear my kids were not raised in a barn!

Grandma took Noah on an adventure into the dark of the basement. Noah was determined to see what was down there. When we were all napping, Grandma finally took him down into the dungeon!

While my mom slaved over the potato salad, we booted the kids out of the kitchen and had some good mother- daughter bonding time in. I always love talking to my mom. She has some great advice and always tries to show her love to all her children.

Next stop was the one Criag feature that is really cool- the wave pool. The kids had a blast- they are so Arizona though. Jodi was shivereing and done the second we got in the pool. She didn't last long. Noah lasted a little longer, Daniel could have kept swimming all night. They were so ready for bed when we got home that night.

Once the kids were in bed, I had some great Daddy- daughter bonding time with my dad. We went star gazing in his totally awesome telescope. We saw Jupiter with all 4 moons, and Saturn with the rings totally visible. We also so Mars and star clusters. It was so fun being out at night looking into the heavens. There is something so awe inspiring as you gaze the heavens on a clear night. It was beautiful and I will always remember that experience.

July 4th:
Noah woke me up with a special,"Happy Birthday Mom" hug and kiss- there's nothing better than that! After our fun filled day before this day was very relaxing. Jodi opened her "Big girl" presents: a doll that cries when you squeeze the hand, a doll stroller and a doll bottle set. She was in heaven and is quite the little mommy. The grandparent's scored big with the Disney Princesses doll set. She loves them a lot.

We had a yummy Tinker Bell cake and a relaxing day. The kids had a great time making friends at the Fireworks display. It was fun. The finale is really something extraordinary. It is one of the biggest fireworks display we have seen- bigger than the big city displays even. It was fun. Daniel wasn't feeling the greatest and actually fell asleep during the fireworks, even the finale wasn't enough to wake him up!

We left Craig the next day, Noahw as in tears to leave the Grandparents. The kids had so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Lief. It was sad for all of us to have to say goodbye. We drove to Steamboat and stopped to get family pictures at Fish Creek Falls, a beautiful waterfall just outside Steamboat. Then we had a wet drive over the Colorado Rocky Mountains to Parker, just south of Denver for a couple day visit with my older sister, Elisa and her kids, Gavin and Rianne.

The kids had so much fun playing, bike riding, freezing in another Colorado swimming pool, bubbles and toys. They were so active and had so much fun with their cousins. It was sad to say goodbye to them as well.

After a 15 hour drive we made it back home to AZ safe and sound. I am now ready for a vacation from my vacation!

Let's Get Caught Up

It has been awhile since I have posted and so much has happened this month! Dustin and I found the coolest couple to hang out with in the ward. Our kids are so similar, the husbands are so similar, and us "women- folk" are so similar. It was fun to get to know others and discover some more friendships.

Dustin and I splurged and got tickets to the musical, "My Fair Lady," at Gammage. It was so much fun. We had a blast; the cast was awesome. It was a wonderful way to celebrate our birthdays (a month early). There are so many musicals coming soon, I want to see them all! But, with Dustin in school, we will pick and choose the ones we can see.

Daniel gave his first talk in Primary this month. He was really scared at first, but ended up doing a fine job. He had a lot of fun doing it. He spoke on Father's Day. I asked him what he wanted to talk on- fathers or temples (the theme for the month). He chose temples and had fun talking about the temple. He gets so excited whenever we drive by the temple.








The high pressure systems have been creating more pain for me and I did have a couple of rough weeks. I have been greatly blessed with a very understanding husband who loves me just the way I am. He doesn't fully understand the pain I endure sometimes, I guess no one really does until you experience it yourself. Dustin has been so helpful, even with a busy work schedule. He always seems to find time to play with the kids and to help with dinners. The house isn't as clean as I like it and dishes go undone a little longer, but when I can relax and sleep, I get through the pain faster. My children have been amazing- especially Noah.
He is such a big help to me. He gets anything I need, he entertains Jodi- a huge help. He loves to run and grab the phone for me when it rings. He never seems put out when I ask him to do something. I couldn't get through half my days without my little Man. Daniel always knows how to make me smile. He loves to cuddle with me- sometimes that hurts more, but I endure it as long as I can. Daniel just loves to be loved and helps me feel better just by giving me a hug and his dimpled- smile. Jodi is becoming quite the little girl- no longer a baby. She is also becoming very self- sufficient. She tells me whatever she needs and is communicating well now. She seems to be able to keep herself well entertained without much help from me- especially if Baby Mozart is playing!

We have taken down the crib and toddler bed. Jodi is now in a twin size bed and absolutely loving it. Jumping on the bed has never been more fun. It is rather high and has actually created lots of storage area for toy buckets! Yeah!


















We enjoyed the little rain burst today. We took the time today to play in the down- pour. Daniel was asleep the last time it rained and didn't get the pleasure of running in the rain. We were eating dinner today when it started to rain, and I couldn't let the opportunity slip me by.




We head out on vacation next week squeezed into the little Civic for a long drive to Colorado. That part of the trip should be interesting, but Colorado itself will be full of fun. We have a bike carrier for the car and are taking the bikes and whatever else we can cram into the car for fun at the Grandparent's and Aunt's and Uncle's homes. We are all so excited to see family again. It has been far too long.

Flute Camp

I have been so excited for my flute camp to come. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were AMAZING. I am so thankful that Dustin was able to watch the kids all 3 days so I could go to the camp. I had so much fun and learned so much. There were only about 14 people that signed up for this camp. We ranged in age from 11- adult. There are some incredible players in the Valley! We had auditions and flute ensemble groups. I was placed with the other adults and we were able to play lots of trios and quartets together. Flute ensembles are a blast to play in. I love making music. Now if you don't want to hear the mundane details of my camp you can stop reading now and know that I had a great time!

We had several classes on technique which has already helped me tons. I went from playing for maybe 1/2 hour at a time back up to 2 hour practices in only a few days. I changed the position of where I place the flute on my mouth which has helped. I am getting back into playing scales and am finding that they can be fun to play and very helpful in the music I play. I got some great pointers on playing in the high registers and am amzaed at the change in my sound. I am much more relxed when I play- a very important thing. I also have some great breathing exercises that have really helped in my playing as well. Hopefully I can pull this all out of my hat for our ward talent show next week. I am really excited to play some of the music I have been working on.

My next goal is to buy some new sheet music. I have been playing out of the same music books for nearly 10 years now- since I graduated college. I'd say it's about time for some new music! Happy Birthday to me!!!

Frier Family Games

Our family has gotten used to having FHE on Wednesday nights because of Dustin's work/school schedule. So instead of FHE last night, we were all together watching American Gladiators. Our kids LOVE this show. Every commercial break the kids turned into the Contenders and Dustin and I became the Gladiators. We spent the whole night wrestling and tackling and throwing footballs at each other indoors! The kids had so much fun. I always thought we might have football players or soccer players for kids, now I think we might have wrestlers on our hands- even Jodi- she is such a Tom-boy!!! She was right in the middle of all the wrestling too!! So we ended up having a great Family night any way.

Rained Out!

We went camping this last Monday. it was supposed to be for two nights. We went just outside of Payson and found a wonderful campsite. We got up there mid Monday afternoon. The kids had fun digging and throwing dirt. The fire ban was in strict force so we had to improvise for dinner- I completely forgot to check what the bans were- absolutely NO fires. We had an uneventful night. The kids stayed warm- Jodi took over our bed. Noah snored the whole night and I got a few hours of sleep. That never happens wen I go camping. Thanks to the sleep-aids I actually slept some- a miracle!! We woke up to cold temps and rain! A cold front swept through. Flagstaff was getting snow and it was headed our way. We had wet soggy pancakes and tried to keep warm around our lantern. We decided to pack up and head home after breakfast. The kids were wet and cold and there was no way to warm them up. Knowing how fast my kids get ear infections, I was not going to push another day and night on he mountain. It was a fun trip- no pictures, silly me. The kids had fun digging in the mud as we packed up. They were more than ready for naps when we got home.

Big news on the Jodi front- she is talking! SHe said her first prayer this week, she has told Daniel what to do, very bossy little girl. She asked me yesterday "Put away" as we were cleaning. She sings "I Am a Child of God" all the time. She made me sing with her for 1/2 an hour last Sunday- just that song!! She has also tried going potty on the big potty. We got her a pack of pull-ups and will be doing some potty training in the next couple of weeks. My little girl got big so fast!!

We are now looking forward to a few quiet weeks. Dustin and I are celebrating our birthdays in June- we are going to go see My Fair Lady at Gammage. It should be loads of fun!! I have one more week to get myself ready for the flute camp. I am SO excited. I just can not wait!! Dustin is getting back into the work groove. it is really nice having him back on a normal- non school schedule!!

I hope this finds all of our family and friends well. The Friers just keep trucking along....