I love my sweet family

I love my sweet family

Brandon is an incredible helper. I never have to ask him twice to help out. He's always right there no questions asked. He was able to go to a school camp out overnight. It was near the same week that he had his maturation program. When he came out of that week HE was pretty sure that he become a man. :)

Jayda is as sweet as ever. She watches her sister while I prepare meals and makes sure BrookLynn doesn't go crazy everywhere. Jay has just started hating naps. But she loves Bananas so we're good! She shied away from napping and ended up throwing her entire sleeping schedule. 3:30am and ready to go was not a fun day :)

BrookLynn, although she's been two for about 7 months, I think it just clicked. She is into everything and loving every minute of it. It's not a "I'm into everything and making a mess".. It's more like, "I know that mom doesn't want me to touch her mascara and I know that mom goes crazy when I put it on my face, so I'll just bring it to her to show her I can get to it, reach it, and tell my mom that it's a NO NO!!" I imagine that is what she thinks :) 

Baby-in-Belly is making momma large! I'm only 4 months and I feel like I look like 6 month pregnant woman! So far, the baby is happy and healthy and we see the doctor on Friday to make sure of it and maybe schedule the appointment for the ultrasound to determine the sex and make sure everything about the baby is alright! :)

We are trudging along on this new schedule! Jared isn't getting much sleep but he has good grades. I make sure there isn't anything he needs to take care of when he gets home. I try to make it so that when he gets home he gets right in his jammies and gets ready to study. He has 24 hours of required homework that he compacts into 6.. He is the most incredible man I have ever met. I just can't believe he picked me!

We are soo blessed. We are soo in love. 

February

So many things have happened since the last few posts. My grandparents came up from Las Vegas for the weekend to celebrate my niece, McKayla's, birthday. It was a very crazy weekend! 

The Super Bowl party was great! We had a ton of people there!

 It's just a sad thing that our team lost.. Can't wait till next season!!

It was a bonding experience.

On Friday the 10th  a bunch of girls got together for Chili's and a late night showing of The Vow. It was so nice getting out with the girls and having a night out!! I didn't really care for the movie all that much but it was a great night out!!

With Jared working these intense schedules and me left to take care of everything.. I super failed today. I got in a car accident. :( The fault was 50/50.. I was turning into a lane and there was another man in the other lane turning into that same lane and we hit simultaneously. :( Our car doesn't even have plates yet. We bought it 3 weeks ago.. 

Jared is good with me about it but I am rippin myself apart about it.

It will all be good. It could've been much worse.. It can be fixed.. NO one got hurt.

I guess I needed a minute to vent frustrations. I am blessed that my car still runs! :)

BRIGHTER NOTE!!

Aubrey said that she would read The Hunger Games if I read Twilight.

Aubrey was done a few months ago and I finished last week! 

I hated the beginning of the book, but now I'm in love! Thank you to all of my friends that suggested I keep reading!! It's paying off!! 

Random Comment: I am so grateful for friends!

Looking Forward to:

March ~ Baby's gender 

and Hunger Games the Movie

January 2012

Hello~

Wow, it's been quite a while.. I am not good at blogging at ALL.. Well, having 3 kids, 1 on the way, and no husband every weekday might have something to do with it.. Priorities..  It also seems every time that me or my children get sick.. I type!

Life is soo good, although, yes.. very busy..

Jared got a new job at ACTR in production. He works Monday through Friday 2pm-10:30pm.
He is still in school for Mechanical Engineering at UVU in the mornings and works on homework when he get's home from work.

He's such a hard worker. 

I put off seeing an OB until I found the right one. My sweet doctor died in between the birth of Jayda and BrookLynn, and as many of you know, Brookie's labor, delivery, and recovery was a nightmare. SO.. We won't be seeing that unintelligent doc again.. 

One of the doctors that I saw regularly in my old doctor's practice, with whom I loved, moved out to Salt Lake and practiced there for a couple years. SHE CAME BACK!! Once I found out that fantastic news I scheduled an appointment right away!We were able to hear the babies heartbeat and see the little peanut on Friday. I am 12 1/2 weeks and loving life! 

Jared thought it was twins.. It's not.. JUST ONE! Jared thought it was a boy, so now we're thinking it's a girl! :) We'll find out in a few weeks!

Brandon, Jayda, BrookLynn, and I have been super sick. Starting with Jay about a week ago. Once we think it's over, Brookie and Jay start throwing up last night.. :( Although, I think it was just because they were coughing too hard.. Rough times.. 

They get medicine. I've opted to go commando (medicine wise) There is nothing attractive about a pregnant lady with a cold.. TERRIBLY GROSS..

This month is going to be a fun one. Last weekend my Aunt and cousin came up and saw us for a minute from Las Vegas and I was able to have lunch with a new friend and this weekend my Grandparents and GREAT Grandma come up to visit.. OF COURSE.. it's McKayla's birthday (girls lunch on Saturday) and SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

GO NEW ENGLAND!!!!

The END

I need to take more pictures!!

I have decided that we need to take more pictures. We ALWAYS have our camera but we have become lazy taking pictures.. Many things have happened the past few weeks and I have regretted that I haven't taken pics.. There may be some photos but not near enough and some were taken from my lovely sister-in-law, Bekkah.. 


THE RAULSTON FAMILY BARBECUE
October 8, 2011


Jared's parents wanted to get the whole family together and it was fun! it's amazing to see how much the family has grown! Jared has five other siblings.. Darin, Jamie, Jonny, Jodi, and Jaycee. Now they are grown, married, have children.. It has been fun to see this family grow.. What a fun night! We spray painted shirts & marshmallow guns and fed face!





THE PRIMARY PROGRAM
October 16, 2011


This was the last Primary Program for my sister, Baylee, and my niece, McKayla. They are turning 12 before the next program and will advance to Young Women. Brandon was asked to give a talk, Bay and McKayla were given a written line to recite, and Jay was in the front row singing all the songs perfectly! It was so nice to go to church bright and early and see my sister Gina there! We have been spending more time together lately which is the highlight of my life right now. (I was sooo sick this day and super weepy)


WEBELOS
October 18, 2011
{my new calling}


At the end of September I was called to be a Webelos leader! I was soo taken back! I have no idea how to be a Boy Scout leader and I have felt sooo helpless trying to help Brandon get his badges or support him in his progression as a Boy Scout. So it was definitely a blessing! I feel like I'm getting to know the things I need to know to get Brandon where he needs to be.
I love the woman I serve with. She is my leader in Relief Society and now Scouts.. (She is the Activities committee President for Relief Society and I am on her committee.) We took some pictures at the last Den Meeting we had. She had her Father-in-Law come teach the boys how to make a rope!! SOO MUCH FUN!! The boys loved it! 
I now have to figure out how to let Bran be a boy and not mother him soo much around his friends or at the meetings..





FALL BREAK
October 20th - 24th, 2011


It was such a nice much needed break! My Grandma and Grandpa Scott and my Great Grandma Wines were able to come up from Las Vegas! It's always fun when they are here! 
Jared needed a break from school and we all enjoyed Saturday morning biscuits and gravy!! His homemade biscuits and gravy should win an award!!
My little sister, Aubrey, had her wisdom teeth pulled the Wednesday before the break so we lent her the Playstation so she could start Grey's Anatomy on Netflix. She was pretty much restricted to the couch. Tyler and Kendra came over to visit. She has the best friends!
Aubs and I went to Gina's and had some much needed sister chill time. Kendra stopped by half way through and hung out with us! Loved this day!
Saturday and Sunday we were able to have a nice family dinner. Justin & Whitney came and it was just a very pleasant time.


THE SICKIES


I have been sick since Saturday the 15th.. I've had ALL the symptoms.. Totally regret that I didn't get a flu shot!!
Gina told me that I needed to start the show The Vampire Diaries. So we decided that we would start it from the beginning. When I got sick it seemed like the perfect time to start! 
Jared was home more, Fall Break, so he also got involved. (I love that he is open to watching ALL shows!)
Unfortunately, I share.. Gina and Jared also got sick.. and Brookie.. and Jay.. and Bran...
Jared missed work and school yesterday and today.
We sit on the couch and watch Vampire Diaries ALL day with our Kleenex, medicines, food, in our jammies, covered in blankets. It is a sad scene.. :( Gave me time to update my blog though!! :)






So that is what has been going on the last few weeks.  I promise to update more frequently so next time I don't post a novel!!

Happy OCTOBER!!

I simply can not believe that it is October already! Time is flying by!

A little bit of an update..

JARED~ The busiest person I know. He is working hard at school full time, his full time job, Maintaining Fatherhood Perfection, & rockin his Church calling. I do not know how he does all that he does. He is an inspiration and such an example of charity. I love this man!! (I could talk about him forever.. So, I'll spare you)

BRANDON~ The sweetest boy I know. My sister is just a year older than Bran and they go to the same school. The other day, I looked out the window and saw Brandon carrying his backpack and my little sister's backpack. WHAT A STUD!! 

He is the best older brother that anyone could ask for. He is the best Son anyone could ever ask for.

He keeps busy with Friends, Scouts, & Family.. 

JAYDA~ Always the princess!! She is going to her second year of Pre-school at Learning Dynamics! She loves her class. She loves to come home and tell all of the stories that happened throughout the school day. (Although she saves the 'good' stories for Daddy and tells him when he gets home from work)

She is very excited to announce that she is going to be Cinderella for Halloween. One of her little girlie friends had a Birthday party where she was able to wear her costume and she was sooo excited!!

Another little Angel.. Although she has a spark at times.. Just like her Mommy!! 

BROOKLYNN~ She stays at home with me. She loves to help with Chores, Sing (especially Adele & "Moves Like Jagger"), Dress up, and scare the crap out of me climbing to the top of the jungle gym and slide down the slide. (a good 6 feet up) She is such a joy to our little family. 

Health Update: She sees a Pediatric Surgeon on the 6th of this month to check on her little liver. (When she was born she had to have an Umbilical IV. The catheter was pushed through to her liver. She contracted Staph infection in the center of her liver. She went septic and we almost lost her a couple times. But she's a fighter!! NOT a doctor there thought she was going to make it.. But she's still here!! (Climbing to the top of slides and scaring me half to death!!)

We are sooo excited for the Fall and HALLOWEEN! 

I promise to blog more! :)

Updates Updates Updates!!

Brandon Joseph Mitchell 

5th grade

Ryan McKay Casper

Ryan McKay Casper

April 13, 1983 ~ January 25, 2011

On January 24th our dear friend, Ryan McKay Casper, suffered a brain aneurysm and had no brain function. Thursday, January 27th, he was removed from life support.  He was 27 years old.

--------------------------------

Ryan was Jared's best friend and the Best Man at our wedding.

We are devastated but take comfort that he is in no more pain and in a much better place.

He suffered much during his life. His kidneys failed him at an early age. He had two kidney transplants which resulted in both kidneys failing a short while after surgery. 
In between the two transplants when Ryan was on the list, Jared decided that he would go ahead and get tested to see if he was a match. All the preliminary tests concluded that he was!
 They ran tests for months. (I guess the screening process on a live kidney is much more complex then on a cadaver kidney) All of the more complex tests resulted in a go ahead! Surgery was scheduled Monday for the following Monday! (Sorry, I can't remember the dates!)
We prepared for Jared to have a very comfortable recovery. He quit his job, we had savings, we had babysitters for Brandon so that I could be with Jare and Ry, and I took all of my vacation time off work starting the day they would go into surgery.
Wednesday, after the surgery was scheduled, Jared got a call from U of U hospital explaining that they needed just one more blood draw to check one more thing before surgery. Jared went in Thursday for the blood draw. Friday we got a call from the hospital saying that the test results weren't good and that they had to cancel surgery. (If these results showed in a cadaver, they would've still gone ahead with the surgery)
Jared was heartbroken that he couldn't help his best friend and it was Ryan that comforted him.

That was just one of the many things that we experienced with Ryan. BIG things. I was newly divorced and just started dating Jared when I met Ryan & Ken. (Ryan and Ken were best friends from way back and they were always together! LUV KEN!)
I was unsure about much.. I didn't trust anyone to take care of me.. I was a single mom and my son wasn't going to go through this again..
~Those were some of the thoughts I had at that time~
 Ryan would calm my nerves and talk to me about Jared and how he'd never met anyone like Jared and that Jared was the one for me. I listened. I am so happy I did! He was right!


I had to have part of my shoulder blade removed and I had never been put under in a hospital before (wisdom teeth was my only "Going Under" experience & that was at the Dentist's Office) and I was very anxious and scared. Ryan talked me through it. I had to travel about an hour North to the hospital, very early in the morning. Jared and I had Brandon stay at our parents house so that we could leave early. I remember how freaked out I was. I was told to dress in gowns, wear compression tights, hair net, slippers, take off all of my jewelry, etc..
I was beside myself sitting up in the hospital bed waiting for them to take me when Ryan walked around the corner into the hospital room. He took that hour long drive early in the morning to be there when I went under. He said he was a pro at it and that I was going to be fine! I don't think he will ever understand how much that meant to me.

These are just a few of the experiences we shared. I love him so much as a brother and I know that he'll be there when Jared and I make our journeys home!


We love you, Ryan!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwjFGsNQ-RA