Tyranosaurus

Luke drew this picture. He is the one who also wrote Bella's name. I asked him who was in the picture (the pink n purple drawing) and he responded a little confused that it was a tyrannosaurus. I later realized it was obviously a T-Rex by the fact that it has two fingers and three toes, so funny. The other person in this picture is me with baby Royce in my tummy. Cracks me up!

Bella drew this. The big image is Ariel and the smaller one is her. Later she added baby Royce in Orange. She also drew a B on Ariel's stomach which I was impressed by cause I just taught her to write those today.We were playing Go-Fish and Royce insisted on holding the cards. (He is obviously thinking very hard about his next move)

We were out on Memorial Day and just happened to drive by this Memorial cemetery and took the opportunity to show it to the kids and explain the meaning behind the day. It was a nice experience.

(This is my favorite tree in our yard, its our butterfly tree, last year when we moved in there were dozens of butterflys swarming it daily, its so pretty)

These pictures crack me up because this is seriously what we wear on a daily basis and I have no shame about it. There is no use getting dressed nice when you know you are just going to go out and get dirty. Its kinda liberating


These are some squash grown in our garden. We picked them this morning and below is what we had for breakfast. There is something really cool about eating a meal grown in your own garden.
(onions with squash fresh spinach and steak seasoning. Fresh and yummy)
I am just so happy that I actually grew something. That may seem silly but seriously the first year James and I were married he bought me a flower plant and it died within a week because I didn't realize I needed to put it in the sun. I always thought I just didnt have a green thumb but apparently these things can be learned. I still have a long way to go, but am enjoying learning.

Funny Bella

So Bella has been on the steroids now for five days. Her hives are looking better but she is still itching and has sores that don't seem to be healing, we made an appointment with the dermatologist so hopefully the poor thing can get a little relief. She has been waking up several times at night just crying and screaming cause it itches. The steroids have made her a little loopy she has just been all over the place and doing all kinds of random stuff as well as having a unusually large appetite. We had a couple funny moments yesterday.

We were driving in the car.

Bella calming says "Mom I'm wet".
Sara "Why are you wet Bella".
Bella unconcerned says "Um, I think I peed"?
Sara "You peed in your pants"?
Bella " Yeah".
It was way to funny of a conversation for me to be upset. She has been potty trained for 5 months now and is usually very upset and uncomfortable when she has an accident.

We got home and were getting out of the van. I noticed Bella had made a unnecessarily massive mess in the back seat with a snack we had given her.
I said "Hey Bella did you make this mess"?
Bella calmly responded "Yeah Mom sometimes people spill".
I said smiling "Oh okay".
She responded unconcerned "Yeah sometimes it happens".

He gets it

We were having our morning devotional a couple days ago. I was reading the children the bible story about Jesus's trial before his crucifixion. After I got done reading I asked the kids if it was right or wrong for those people to kill Jesus. (of course I was looking for the simple "its wrong to kill people answer") but Luke's response shocked me. He said "It was okay for them to kill Jesus". A little confused I asked him why he thought that. He responded with more insight than I thought his four years could provide. He said "Jesus had to die for our sins so it's okay". James and I looked at each other a little stunned, not sure how to respond to that. Then James went on to explain in deeper detail how it was right and wrong. It amazed me that at his young age he get it, maybe not completely but he understands what are savior did for us and that it was necessarily. I read a good quote the other day. "Kids are like snow bank while they are young they are just collecting information like snow until someday it can melt and sink in". Michelle Duggar
How true!

Royce 4 months

Oh how he has grown. Its absolute amazes me. He is 4 months today.
Weight 18.3 (92%)
Length 27 1/2 in (100%)
Head 17 1/2 (100%)

He is keeping right up there in size with where Luke was. He has been rolling over like a champ (from his back to his stomach) for a couple weeks now, getting into all kinds of trouble. He is grabbing anything he can get his cute little hands on and shoving it immediately in his mouth. He is Smiling and laughing all the time (especially at the strange dinosaur noise Luke makes). He is such a sweet boy. I was just thinking yesterday that I am pretty sure it easier to have 3 kids than it was to have one. For a few reason. First, I feel more confident and have a little more experience being a mother. Second, Royce has been such a gem. Third, I have little helpers biting at the nip constantly to help me out and trying to make their baby brother smile.

This was poor little Bella's face this morning. I opted to start her on the steroids, she has just been miserable. I also got a referral to an allergist so we can get her tested and hopefully find out what is causing this reaction.

Funny

I was showing the kids a picture of James and I when we got married. I said " See this is mommy, as a princess bride, and this is daddy my handsome prince." Bella responded by saying in a very shocked voice "That doesn't look like Daddy". LOL (luckily James was tuned out in during that moment). Then I was showing them another of us and James family. Luke pointed out James and said "theres daddy, I dont see you mommy"? I said "I'm the one in the middle". he said "Oh thats you"? I guess having 3 kids in 6 years has aged us substantially.

Silly-ness

You can't escape the silly-ness in the Mortensen home!

Poor sweet Bella has been having a rough couple weeks. It started about 2 1/2 weeks ago when she broke out in hives on her face. It started spreading all over her body and the sores wouldn't heal. Finally last Mon the 16th I took her to the Doc. Bella had a bacterial staff infection from itching so she needed antibiotic. We started her on one type. The sores didn't get worse but they didn't go away so last Friday the Doc switch her to a different type (which was actually a pill that she has to swallow and thank goodness Bella is a champ at that) Well the sores have finally been healing but her hive keep coming and going. Today they came back with a vengeance. Poor thing is all scratched up, red and swollen. I called the Doc and they said to switch from giving her Claretin to Allegra and they want to start her on some steroids. I really don't want to give her steroids. I have heard awful things about them. I am hoping that the Allegra will clear things up for her. Its really sad, she wakes up every night crying cause she is so itchy and uncomfortable.My garden. This has definately been a year of learning but its starting to look good. We have harvested a few crock neck squash and a handfull of peas. I noticed yesterday that one of my tomato plants has flower. Lets keep our fingers crossed... Here are a few key points I want to remember for next year

• Start my tomatoes seeds early like January as well as plant spinach and lettuce then
  
• As much as I want a organic garden it is more challenging than I thought with the crazy bugs here in TX. Give in to the pesticides.
• Try to keep plants near each other of the same type so they can pollinate each other
• Mulch with old leaves it prevents weed, help keep the soil moist and fertilizes the soil.
• Thats all I can think of now but I am sure there is more.
  

This is a birds nest on our front porch. If you look closely you can see a baby in there. Its a little scary looking

We were teaching Luke to take pics. He took this one.

Royce in all his glorious cuteness

Luke's 1st 5K and Mud Run!

Our stake sponsored a 5k mud run on a beautiful property one of the ward members owns (Its actually only about a mile from our home, its the same place they had the father-son camp-out last weekend). We had been playing with the idea of having Luke do it with me, I knew he could probably handle the distances (We go for mile long walk/jogs almost daily) I was just worried about the obstacles. When we got there we notice there weren't a lot of little kids doing it so we decided it might be a little challenging for a four year old, but as everyone was lining up at the start line Luke declared that he was coming with me and I wont lie it warmed my heart right to the core to think of him having a passion for running, so of course I brought him with me.

I have loved running for a long time. It really started in 8th grade when I got 2nd place in the school Turkey trot 5K, then in high school I ran cross country and in my single day I ran 2 full marathons. I even talked James into running a half marathon (which he ended up collapsing from heat stroke during and pretty much ended his desire to run long distances). Someday I hope to have time to run more than a few miles at a time, but for now I have other priorities.

They had lots of fun obstacles like wading chest deep through a lake, lots of sticky mud in which your shoes fell off in (next time I will either wear combat boots or tie mine and Luke's shoes on super tight!). There was a mountain of tires, climbing through sticks and all kinds of other fun!

Luke was a champ, he loved the mud and crawling on his belly through it. We finish at 52 minutes, which I thought was pretty great for a four year old and me an old lady, but we were actually the last to cross the finish line. After it was over we found out that Luke was the youngest participant. Since it was a ward verses ward effort we actually won first place, which was pretty fun to tell Luke.

Runners and Cheerleaders

The wall of tires

Bashful Luke

Ect.

Funny Luke quote: We had read a book about mythical creatures and James had told Luke he was going to work in San Antonio warehouse.
Luke: "Mom whats warehouse"?
Sara: "Why are you asking that"?
Luke: "I was just wondering if it was a person that turns into a house"? (like a werewolf)

Royce has two lovey he is getting attached to. One is this blanket which I also love because it is super soft, light and perfect for the warming up weather. Two is the little pumpkin square he is laying on. Anytime I give either of these he immediately shoves them in his mouth.

Bella's latest artwork. The girl is so creative, which is great until it hampers my own creativity which includes a desire for visual order. This does not fit into that.

This is our neighbors yard. If you click on the pic to enlarge you will see that there is a goat on the hay-bail. Not sure how it got there but it was obviously pretty excited about the new food.

Bright eyes

Royce 3 months

Bye Bye Preschool. Hello Kindergarten

"The most important thing I can teach my children is the gospel and then teach how that gospel fits into the world around them. Not the other way around." author unknown.

It was a great year of preschool. I know Luke really enjoyed it! I would reccomend doing a co-op preschool to anyone intereseted its a neat experience to watch your child interact in those settings and helps you get to know them better. He learned so much and had a tons of fun! Now it is on to kindergarten which we have felt inspired to do at home. It should be a fun and exciting year. Thanks to all who helped make this preschool year a fun success!

This is all the preschool family who participated with us minus one mom and daughter who were sick

The chubbers and I (the kid is getting so heavy!)

Storm Warning

It is tornado season so James bought a weather radio. It has an alarm that goes off if there are any severe weather warnings in our area. I have talked with the kids and explained to them if they hear the siren or alarm that they need to go to our storm closet (food storage room) so they can be safe. This afternoon the weather radio alarm went off for a severe thunderstorms (not a big deal). Luke was very concerned about a tornado so I told him it was just a thunder storm and just we needed to stay inside till it was over. A couple minutes later I noticed that the house was silent and the children were not to be found. Then I heard whispering in the storm closet. I went in and found the 2 munchkins hanging out, so I asked what they were doing. Luke responded "I thought I would come in here just to be safe". Poor kid he is scared half to death about tornados.

Easter

James and Luke went on a little father son trip to Ut over Easter weekend to celebrate James older sister Sonya's graduation from her MBA program. We are so happy for her and her accomplishment! Good job Sonya you are awesome!Walking to the terminal at the airport

airplane! Yay!

Grandma Betty, baby Brooklyn (who is about a week older than Royce) and Luca

Aunt Becky, James brother John (nice face John!) and sweet baby

James didn't tell Sonya he was coming so I am pretty sure she was surprised when he showed up
Yay for Sonya!

Luncheon at Tucano's (this is the same place we had our wedding luncheon) apparently kids eat free here and I guess Luke out ate most of the adults. I tell you the kid eat.

Luke I think you are a little to big for that swing!

Silly face

at Grandma Betty's house, helping Aunt Sonya move in and playin on the four wheelers.

cousin Cameron fell asleep, so funny!

Grandpa, cousin Brynn, James cousin Josh and cousin Cameron heading to a baseball game in honor of Aunt Becky's B-Day! Happy birthday Becky sorry I missed it!

Uncle John, Aunt Becky and baby Brooklyn (if you enlarge this you can see the guy in the backround making a funny face)

Silly face

Luke and Brynna freezing their bums off

Easter Morning at Aunt Heather's

We didn't tell Luke he was going on a trip until we got to the airport to drop him off, I video taped his response.

To: You Happy Mother's Day!

I woke up this morning feeling a bit selfish. I knew it was Mother's Day, I knew James intended to make me breakfast in bed and take care of the kids and I thought I would just bask in him serving me. As I laid in bed listening to James tend the children I felt a little lonely and I had an awakening. I started to think about how on this special day instead of enjoying being a Mother I was avoiding it. Being a women and having the divine nature to become mothers is one of Gods greatest blessings. That is when I decided to get up and enjoy the very thing I was suppose to be celebrating. I had a wonderful morning helping James cook breakfast and helping the kids make little crafts while I wrote each family member a love note thanking them for the blessings they are in my life and for making it possible for me to be a mother.... Motherhood is a treasure! I thank all the women in my life. For the blessing you are, for the example you are, for the friend that you have been. I want you to know one way or another that you have helped me become better Mom.

Love,
Sara

Strawberries

So strawberry season is upon us. Who doesn't love strawberries, and getting them for a buck a lb makes them all the more desirable. Well I stocked up yesterday at the store. I bought 16 pkgs or 16lbs. My thought was I would get some to eat, some to freeze for smoothies and some to make freezer jam with... ha. I went to get the strawberries out of the outside fridge tonight to freeze some and to my shock there were only 7 pkgs left. Could that be right? I realized that within a 24 hour period we had gone thru 9 pkgs of strawberries. Amazing right.. Now I am wishing I had bought more. I am glad that the kids have been getting lots of fruit in their diet.

Yay!

So we really did it, we really did! We bought a van. Several hours and much himming and haing later we settled on one and I really love it! I know its so silly that I am so excited about this but I have wanted a minivan for so long, probably since we were pregnant with Bella, but alas it was never a neccesity. James was so sweet and thoughtful throughout the entire process, even though he didnt understand why some things were important and why it was such an emotional experience for me , he supported me and listened. Lets hope it give us many good years of use.

Here is a pic of the bad boy we picked out. One of the major selling points for me was that it had 8 seats (which was hard to find) and in comparison to the other ones we looked at it was so much more spacious with tons of storage space and just totally family friendly. After we got home and put the kids in bed we just went out and sat in it for a while, so fun! It was like a little mini-date playing around with the different gadgets. Toyota really thought of everything when they made this car. It is complete with a hook to hang my purse on and 16 cup holders, yes we counted, it was like playing hide n seek, we kept finding them all over the place.

Car buying

So we are finally going to do it! Well maybe, I mean we desperately need to James is traveling ever week and our second car is at a point where it will cost more to fix than its worth, but here I am up in the middle of the night sick to my stomach with anxiety. When we got the house it was the same thing. I just had to step back and let James make the final decisions. He really makes up for what I am lacking. Lets hope we just buy one tomorrow so I can finally get some sleep and peace of mind.

kitchen talk

I was in the kitchen making breakfast. Both the kids were in there with me. I was overhearing them talk.
Bella leans over and strokes Luke's hair and in a sappy voice says "I Love you Luca"
Luke "Thank you Bella"
Bella " When we grow old and get big your going to marry me"
Luke "No Bella, someday you will meet a wonderful handsome man and you will marry him, not me."
Bella (Still in a sappy calm voice) "No someday you'll marry me"
Luke " I will meet a beautiful girl someday and marry her and you will meet a handsome man and marry him"
Bella (with a little giggle) "Oh okay"

Favorite Luke quotes from his trip to Utah:

Luke was running around looking for his sock and he couldn't find them. Aunt Sonya jumped into to help. She asked "Where was the last place you saw them?" Luke's response "on my feet".

Aunt Heather asked Luke if he wanted to go to Carl's Jr.? Luke response "Whose that?"

They were watching the Disney Oceans DVD and a baby walrus came on screen, Luke exclaimed "That looks like baby Royce!" Lol!

Bella Funny Quote

I was painting one of the walls in the den red. I asked Bella if she liked it? Her response "It's RED-TASTIC!"

Happy Easter

Easter is an a special holiday in our home. Not only because it is the celebration of the wonderful sacrifice and gift our savior has offered to us which could never be held in comparison, but also for another reason. James asked me to marry him six years ago on Easter morning. I will never forget that day. Its was day of extreme excitement and anticipation of the unknown commitment we were making to one another. James was so sweet, naive and debonair. He got into my apartment while I was at church and set up an Easter egg hunt. Each egg contained a romantic (slightly cheesy) love note as well as a clue to the next egg. I eventually found a basket on my bed which directed me to go to the front door, by this time I was aware of what was most likely going on (we never formally talked about getting married but hints were dropped). I can still remember how nervous I was when I opened the front door! James was there in his suit, he took a couple steps into the apartment, he dropped to his knee and asked me if I would marry him. I dropped to my knees, hugged him and said Yes! I had no idea at that time what an immense blessing this man would be to my life. I am indeed blessed to have such a wonderful eternal companion. I never knew life could hold so much joy. Thank you James for choosing me.