Spotlight on Daniel

Our little Daniel has become quite a terror- teaming up with Jodi to carry out his dasterdly deeds. He finds himself in a heap of trouble and in time-out nearly every day. We went through a month of some pretty poor behavior. He is trying hard to be good, but he just can't control his little body. He gets so excited and distracted all at once.

Daniel loves pre-school. He would love it more if he could sit on the big carpet with everyone else! His teacher, Mrs. Norgren, has found Daniel easier to manage when he is seperated from the group. Daniel asks everyday if he can sit with his friends. He just is unable to at this point. Maybe someday he'll get the hang of things. Dustin's mom says this was exactly how Dustin was growing up. Daniel's pictures and Dustin's pictures are almost identical at this age.

We take it day by day. I sure do love the times when he is so lovey-dovey. He is like a great big teddy bear. I love it when he asks me to be his buddy or when he comes up to me and says, "I love you," out of the blue. It melts my heart and makes the bad days seem not so bad. Who could resist that beautiful smile of his. I find myself laughing when I am so mad and I look into his eyes that are so full of joy- even when he is getting yelled at. I think his smile keeps me from really wanting to hurt him- he can sure push my buttons. I love him- even when he can't listen to me!

A Spotlight On Jodi

Ok, so I have tons of pictures of my cute, little curly girl. I am going to post some pictures of Jodi for a few days and hopefully do the same for Noah and Daniel. Jodi has become quite good friends with Daniel since Noah started school. This just means that Jodi and Daniel get into SUPER BIG TROUBLE TOGETHER!!!! SO, many of the dasterdly deeds you see were orchestrated with Daniel's clever and intriguing help! I think they work as a team to throw me off the scent so no one gets punished- so they hope!

First Day Impressions

Noah's first words about his first day of Kindergarten:

"It was SO long and there was a LOT of learning!"

It took us awhile to get more out of him- his mind was DONE thinking for awhile. He said his class went to the library, but they didn't get to check out any books. He was quite bummed about that. His class watched some "Franklin" movies. My kids love Franklin the Turtle books so this was totally awesome. He played inside for recess since it has been so hot. His classroom has "way more toy foods than we have." He had a great day and was so exhausted when he went to bed.

Noah's 2nd day proved to be MUCH harder on everyone than the first. Noah was in tears as we dropped him off. I am sure he was thinking, "Do I really have to do this all over again?" It is a HUGE adjustment for him. I did the best thing I could do: let his teacher be firm, put him in line, and I walked away. It was so hard, but I knew it was best for him. Daniel and Jodi fell apart at home. They didn't know how to play at all without Noah. I had to be very active with them and engage them through much of the day. It was so exhausting for me as well!! Noah really is an anchor in our home and his going to school shows me how special he is in our family.

Noah really had a great time today. He had P.E. and absolutely loved it. This is crazy for an "Albaugh" (my maiden name). We were not at all athetic and the P.E. teachers had their hands full with our awkwardness. Noah LOVED the jogs around the gym- go figure. I can sit forever listening to Noah tell me about his day. He is so amazing and wonderful and I truly feel empty with him gone.

I am hoping and praying that Daniel will "come into his own" soon. He throws such awful fits as any mom of a 3-year old will understand. I am tried to my max with that boy. He can be so sugary sweet and then turn on you in less than a second. It's really quite talented actually!!! I know that life around the Frier home will smooth out eventually, but with Noah starting school, Dustin starting school, and Daniel starting speech therapy/preschool life will be turbulent until we get it all balanced out.

Not So Little Anymore

I woke up early, got the family ready, and at 8:25am said goodbye to Noah for a day. Today is his first day of kindergarten! He was so excited to go and he was ready. He walked right up to his teacher, put his book bag down and found some boys playing in the sand. 2 seconds later the bell rang and Noah and the group of boys were still playing in the sand! He will learn about the bells and what they mean today. Because church goes so late for us (6pm) we didn't have much time to get Noah pumped up for school yesterday. Then, he got a phone call from his teacher. Noah was SO excited after that. He came running to me to tell me all about his conversation with his teacher.

It was hard for me to "keep my cool" and not break down completely. Noah is a great kid and is going to have so much fun and learn so much. I can't wait to hear how his day went. Daniel is having a REALLY hard time. Daniel cried a lot last night. After our family prayer Noah gave Daniel a hug and said, "It's ok Daniel. I'll still be your best friend when I come home tomorrow!" I cried after that! Daniel cried again this morning when Noah left. He really misses Noah- although he is already finding the plusses- Daniel gets to pick the movies, what we get for lunch, what games to play, etc... He is watching Jumanji and loving it. (Noah does not like it so much). Dustin was able to come with me to see Noah off and will be out of class in enough time to pick up Noah today.

It is awfully quiet and different without Noah here. I am glad I have a few weeks before Daniel starts preschool. Jodi and I are going to be lonely without the boys!

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!