Sick!

I know it has been a while since I last posted. It has been a crazy time for the Kerestes Korner. Kaelyn brought home a nasty cough from who knows where. I got it then Lance got it, and then Jordan got it. Then Friday I left Cohen and Jordan with Lance while I took Kaelyn to Tumbling class. As I walked in the door from the garage I found both Jordan and Cohen in just their underwear and diaper and Lance no where in sight. Jordan waved at me as if nothing was wrong. Lance came around the corner with a hand full of laundry and informed me that they both threw up while I was gone. I thought great we just got over the coughs now this. Saturday morning I took a trip to The Mesa Temple with our youth. I felt bad leaving Lance with 2 sick kids but I had already committed to go. when I got home Lance informed me that Cohen now has been running a fever and Jordan only threw up once. Sunday Kaelyn and I went to church and Lance stayed home with Cohen and Jordan. Jordan wasn't sick any more but I had to teach a lesson so we decided it would be better if he just kept Jordan home with him. When Kaelyn and I returned from church Lance was fealling sick and Cohen still had a fever. By the end of the night I got it. Monday morning the kids slept in until 8am and Lance woke up and decided he felt better so he left for work. Cohen woke up with a cough and Kaelyn threw up breakfast. Jordan also has a fever but it is because she is cutting a new tooth. I am hoping we are all feeling better tomorrow. Cross you fingers. Kaelyn and Cohen have their preschool Christmas party tomarrow and I am incharge of making cookies. Now that all 3 kids are asleep I am hoping I can get them all baked and ready to go for tomarrow. I will be sure to take pictures of the party.

Family Pictures

The day before Thanksgiving a good friend of mine took our family pictures for us. They truned out really well despite the fact the wind was blowing. Jordan wasn't in the mood to have her picture take so you won't get the opertunity to see her smiling face sorry. Here are a few of my favorites.

November 14th 10K Turkey Trot

So the Annual 10K Turkey Trot has arrived in Yuma Az. Liz, Caroline and I decided we would all get matching shirts and do it together. Liz is a very fast walker, so when we walk together I sometimes have to jog to catch up with her. We try to walk at least 2 nights a week doing up to 5 miles a night. I thought that is was getting me ready for the 10K but I was sorely mistaken.
Registration was between 7:15am and 8:15am on the day of the race. You could have registered earlier but where's fun in that (we forgot to). So I picked up Caroline and headed to the bank so I had cash and then we were to swing by and get Liz. I regret to say…I made us late. There I said it. I thought that it would make me feel better to say it but not so much. We showed up at the park where the 10K was taking place and we hurried to be sure we could still register. They still let us. Why would they turn away 3 girls with the cutest matching shirts you had ever seen? We got our numbers and we got in line to start the race. We decided we would walk for 5 minutes and jog for 2 minutes. I did ok I could have done better if I had did a little more running previous to the race. We each took turns pushing Jordan in the stroller. I got to the point the running was getting really hard to do. I am not complaining I am just letting you know what a terrible runner I am. (I have set some goals to do better) So I decided walking fast was good enough. At least I was finishing the race. Liz since she is such a fast walker got further ahead and finished before us. Caroline and I had noticed that there was an older man behind us but we didn’t pay him much attention. We thought he was awesome to be doing a 10K at his age. We later noticed that he was getting closer and closer. Close enough that he was gaining a lot of ground. I was determined not to let him pass me so I started to walk faster and faster but it didn’t seem to be working. As we rounded the last corner I started running as fast as I could, there was no way I was going to let this old man beat me. Well as we got closer to the finish line I was feeling that I wasn’t going to be able to beat him. Caroline kept encouraging me and we crossed the finish line before him. I was so proud of myself. I completed my first 10K in 1 hour and 29 minutes. I gave the old man a hugged him and thanked him for the motivation. As they were giving out the medals they announced that he got the gold in his age group…the 90 years old and older. Holy cow! I cried. He is an amazing man. I also found out that he has been doing these races for years. I look forward to seeing him on December 5th for the next 10K and I hope to have a better time.

Halloween Party!

Kaelyn and Cohen were invited to their first Halloween party. They played games, decorated cookies and had so much fun. Here are some pictures from the big event!

Look Who's Walking!

As you can tell Jordan was a Turtle for Halloween. She loved the costume so much she didn't like to have it taken off. She is also walking or should I say running. We are so proud of our little Jordan.

5K Run/Walk 2009

So a few friends of mine (Mary and Liz)talked me into doing a 5K with them. Mary had a baby 2 months ago and also has 2 older daughters Hanna 11 and Jenna 9. I brought my double stroller and Put Jordan in that. They had 2 races, a one mile race and a 5K race. You had the choice of Running or walking them and you could do both or only one. Hanna and Jenna wanted to do the one mile and so Liz Mary and I tagged along. I called the one mile my warm up. Then it was time for the 5K. My 2 friends walked with me for a 1.2 laps and then decided that the wanted to jog the rest. I continues to walk. Jordan fell asleep on the 2nd lap. As I got to the last 1/2 mile Liz came back for me and took the stroller so I could run the rest of the way to the finish line. I am not the great of a runner but I am working hard to get better and better. I was so proud of myself for sticking it out and making it to the end. I felt so good afterwords. I reached a goal and I intend to be able to run for a longer amount of time. Next month there will be another one so I will be Running/walking in that one too. Wish me luck.

Jordan Can't Stand to Sleep

Trip to The San Diego Zoo

Lisa and I went to the San Diego Zoo on Wednesday. The Zoo was having a special for the whole months of October that Kids ages 3-11 years old got in free. So we thought that was a great opportunity and we packed up all 5 kids in my car and left for the Zoo. While we were there We saw all kinds of Snakes, Monkey's, Gorillas, Fish, Birds, Tigers, Hippos and so much more. The kids had a blast and Lisa and I enjoyed the joy it brought to their faces. They had a little play ground for the kids and we let them play there for a while. On the trip home the kids did a little sleeping and watching movies. Over all it was a great trip.

Kaelyn's Birthday Party

We decided to have Kaelyn's Party at the park near our house since the weather was so nice. I made a cake and we invited a few of her friends. Everyone had lots of fun. After the party I surprised her and told her the Madi would be spending to the night. I wish I would have taken a few pictures of that but oh well. They both had a blast and went to bed earlier than I thought they would. Thanks to everyone that helped to make her birthday so special.

Kaelyn's 5!

Kaelyn is turning 5 today and I looked for a baby picture of her as a baby but I was not successful. So I found a picture from 3 year ago. I will keep searching. The Other Picture was take in march of 09. Happy Birthday Kaelyn!

General Confrence.

As many of you know twice and year (once in April and Once in October) we as Latter Day Saints get the opportunity to listen to the leaders of our Church speak on various topics and the Prophet Thomas S. Monson ask them to speak on. We as a family got to watch and listen to all these wonderful men and women speak from the comfort of our home. I had many things that would keep the kids busy as we listened to The Conference. I try to tech my kids the names of the First Presidency and quiz them on this. When one of them gets up to speak I say "Who can tell me who the is?" Kaelyn and Cohen have been doing very well. I thought that they would have a hard time remembering Brother Uchtdorf but instead they always forget Brother Eyring.
And them know who the Prophet Thomas S. Monson is as well.

So as we were listening today Cohen (our 3 year old) was coloring a picture and was in his own little world so I thought. He looked up and me and then the TV and asked who was speaking and I told him the persons name and told him what calling they held and he said oh. A few speakers later he asked again who was speaking and I answered him. He then said "Mom when is it Jesus Christ's turn?" I smiled and let him know that the Apostles and Prophets speak for Jesus, and that Jesus inspires them on what to say. Cohen then said "Well I better listen then!" he stopped coloring and sat quietly listening for a while.

I am so proud of him and the way his little mind works. I am so glad that I have a Father in Heaven that trust me enough to send me Cohen, Kaelyn and Jordan. So I can teach the the proper princaples to keep them on the straight and narrow. I pary that I will always have the paticence to raise them the rest of the way.

Is it over yet?

So for Family Home Evening the other night we got together with The Lerma family and watched The new Johny Lingo movie. It was a lot longer than I thought it would be but the kids liked it a lot. Kealyn noticed that a lot of the people in the movie were wearing lava lava's and she thought that was cool. When there was about 20 minutes left Kaelyn (knowing that she couldn't have dessert until the movie was over) said "Mommy is it over yet"? Before I could tell her no Cohen piped up and said "Not yet they haven't Kissed yet"! Poor boy has watched too many princesses movies. We all thought that was way to cute. We laughed and he smiled really big. He knew he had said something really clever.

Who's Affraid of The Big Bad Wolf?

After preschool I arranged for Cohen, Kaelyn and Jordan to stay with my friend Jen's house while Lance and I attended a funeral for a good friend of mine. Cohen ended up at my friend Lisa's house for some "boy time". You see I have 2 girls and 1 boy, Jen has a girl and a boy, Lisa has a girl and a boy, Lisa was babysitting a girl and a boy. So if you added right the boys were out numbered. So Lisa took all the boys home and Jen kept the girls. When I went to Lisa's to pick up Cohen she told me this story:
The Boy decided to watch a movie. The Three Little Pig was picked. When the big bad wolf Had made his entrance Cohen said..."Sister Love I don't like the big bad wolf."
Lisa said: "Yeah we don't let the big bad wolf into our house"
Cohen said: "We don't either, and if we read our scriptures the big bad wolf can't get in our house."
Lisa said: "That is right Cohen."

I was so happy to hear that he thought of this one his own. Cohen we love you very much and are glad that you are in our family.

Jordan's New Trick

Kaelyn came running in my room complaining that Jordan had changed the channel on the TV and she didn't know how to change it back. I went into the living room and found Jordan like this: I asked Kealyn if she had put her in the box and she said no. I took Jordan out and fixed the TV. Good thing I kept the camera ready because the got she did this:

Pre-school In Samoa

It was my week to teach pre-school and since we are teaching the kids about different countries I decided to pick Samoa. As many of you know my Sister-In-Law Sina is from Samoa so I got a bunch of Ideas from her. I thought the girls (the boys wanted nothing to do with it) how to Hula and we ate pineapple, learned about volcanoes and different types of Palm trees that grow there. I made them a tropical drink (I don’t remember the name of it) that had watermelon, pineapple and coconut milk. The kids loved it. I love the pre-school group I am in. Here are a few pictures of the kids.

Pickle Cake

Let me explain. I helped throw a baby shower for a friend of mine. The theme was "Pickles and Ice cream". I was asked to make the cake. I had made one similar for another friend a year ago and it was a big hit so we decided to do it again. My mom and few friends wanted to know how I did it and if I used a mold. here are the steps I took:

Service With a Smile

I was reading a blog today and the blogger asked everyone who reads their blog to put an experience of service that they have either given or received. So since I Haven't posted anything in a while I thought I would post about an act of service that touched my heart.

It was about 3 years ago and I was struggling with many mundane things in life. One in particular was: I had just had my 2ND child and I was struggling with not getting enough sleep and a little postpartum depression. My baby slept just fine but I was the one waking up tired and worn out each morning. Now I don't want you to think I am complaining, but I was struggling each day just to get out of bed. A few ladies church (the Relief Society presidency) got wind of my struggles and decided to pass around a sign up sheet to have a few women take turns coming over to my house twice a week and helping me out. The job description was to entertain my 2 year old and 4 month old so I could get some rest or at least try. There were some days that I was able to get some rest. Other days I would just lay there and cry.

Not only did they take care of my 2 children they also found the time to clean my house and do my dishes. These women had no Idea the difference they were making in my life. I would come out of my room and find 2 sleeping children and a clean house. They would put my kids in their beds and tell me to go back to sleep. I thanked them for all they did and they would be on their way.

I know have 3 children and try my best to do what the Lord would have me do and pay it forward. I do my best to go out of my way to help others in need. I learned a valuable lesson from these amazing women. I will always be in debt to them. They were truly on the Lords errand.

The blessings of service have blessed my life many times but this experience will remain with me all the days of my life. I am constantly looking for ways to serve others. Often I pray that I will be able to find a way to serve others in my daily life.

Now the challenge: Let me know of a service that someone did for you. Then post this one you blog for others to read and see what happens. We need a little more positive news in our lives.

Late For Church

Growing up my Dad had us to church 10 to 15 minutes early (church started at 9 am). We live 20 minutes from the church so that meant we had to leave at 8:30 am or earlier. It was hard I am sure to get all 8 of us kids out the door. So at a young age I learned that being on time was important. I have no where near 8 kids so I am amazed at home my parents accomplished this task.
So here is why I am blogging about this:
I have 3 children as many of you know. Saturday I went out with a few friends. We laughed and had a great time. I didn't get home till late and as I was with my friends I realized that I had forgotten to have Lance bathe the kids while I was gone. I don't have a cellphone so I wasn't able to call and ask him to do so. Although I could have asked a friend to use hers but I am not big on using other people cellphones. So when I got home I went right to bed. I got up Sunday morning and quickly feed the kids and put them right in the tub. I normally like to take my time when I get ready for church but today that was not going happen. I quickly washed and dressed the kids (with Lance's help that is) and them quickly got myself ready. My hair was still wet and make up half done when Lance said he was putting the kids in the car. I hurried and put gel in my hair to make is curly. This is my in a hurry hairstyle. I got in the car and made sure everyone was strapped in. Lance got in the car and tried to start it. Not so much as a click. Yes the battery in my three your old Trailblazer was dead. I had thought it was going bad but wasn't sure. Now my hunch was confirmed. We quickly unloaded the kids and their car seats. Lance's car is a little Chevy Caviler, so all 3 full sized car seats were not going to fit and I knew this ahead of time so I had Kaelyn sit in the middle and I put a booster seat in for Cohen and Jordan in her full sized car seat. Lance and I them got in the car and her left for church. We would have been on time it my car would have started but it didn't so we weren't. Normally this would have ruined the rest of my day but I have been working on not letting things that I have no control over bother me so much . We did make it to church and the rest of the day went well.
Monday lance called into work to let them know he would not be in until noon. He then went and got me a new battery and a few groceries we needed(without being asked) Now my car runs fantastically. I am so great full for a wonderful husband that loves me and takes care of the family so well and also that he is such a hard worker. I Love you Lance.

The Note

So it's Sunday Lance was getting thing together for his class (he teaches the 14 and 15 year old)so I took all tree kids to Sacrament Meting ALONE. It wasn't that bad until Kealyn and Cohen decided they both needed to use the restroom at the same time. So I picked up Jordan, who was plying so nice next to me on the bench and headed to the restroom. Thank Heavens for Savannah who had thrown a a fit earlier so her mommy would take her out of the meting. As I walked by I sat Jordan on the floor with Savannah and took the other two to the restroom. What would I do with out my Ward Family? So the rest of the meting went well. When the meting was over I grabbed all 3 kids and took them to their classes. They both went with out a fight and I headed to Lance's class to help out with Jordan in tow. A friend stooped me in the hall to talk to me about something (I don't remember what) and as we finished she handed me a little note. I then proceeded to Lance's class. The class had not started yet so I had a little time. I sat down got Jordan situated on the floor with toys and her milk and pulled out the note. I red it to myself and teared up, it was a wonderful little note and it made me feel amazing. Here is what the note said:
Carolyn,
I just want you to know
that I think you are a
wonderful mother. I can
see how much you love your
children and how much they
love you. You are patient,
cheerful and kind to everyone.
Thank you for your example.
I am leaving the authors name out. I just want her to know that is really appreciate her. I enjoy being around her. She is like a sister to me. She is a great friend. Sometimes it is the simple things in life that do the most good. I shall cherish this note always and pull it out when I am feeling down. Thanks again deer sister I love you.

Road Trip

The idea for this trip strated back in March when we purchesed tickes to The Stadium of Fire. The Stadium of Fire is a Forth of July firerwork show held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo Utah. We were so excited to get tickets since it normaly sells out really fast. We invited Lance's perents to come with us up to Utah. They excepted and decided to meet us in Las Vegas. So on July 2nd we packed up the kids and left for Vegas. The drive to Vegas is only about 4 hours but as most of you know it is a hot drive. I was driving and we noticed that the car was pulling to the right a little bit. We thought is was just the wind and continued on our trip. not long after that I heard a loud noise. I turned off the radio and realized that we had a really bad flat tire. I quickily pulled over the best I could so that Lance could change it with out getting ran over. The temprature was well over 100 that day. My husband was such a trooper. He changed the tire in the extream heat while the kids and I sat in the car. I got all the water we had togather and gaveit to Lance when he got back into the car. He burnt his hands on the tire iron but that didn't stop him from changing the tire. I wish now I had a picture of the ordeal but I am sure Lance would not have been to happy I was taking a picture of him changing the tire. We finaly made it to Vegas where we purched a new tire and then went to visit friends and family who lived in Vegas.
Since Jordan had turned one she is now able to drink whole milk but I was not about to bring a gallon of milk that would sour in the car even though we had an ice chest in the car. So I decided to bring some formula. it was the formula that is made for babies 9 months to 24 months. Well lets just say without going into detail that it didn't really agree with Jordan's little tummy and i broke down and bought a gallon of whole milk. Lesson learned: Don't try out a new formula on a trip when you don't know how it will effect the baby.
We stayed at Lance's 2nd Cousin's house. It was so much fun to see them and hang out. we wnt to breakfast with them and then headed to Provo. Lance's parents were planing on fallowing us but they realized that their car was making some intresting noises and decided to stop by Pep Boys and get it looked at. We headed out one our way.
We had decided to stop at different Hard Rock Cafe's along out trip. Every time Lance gets sent out of town for work he stops by a Hard Rock Cafe and gets me a T-shirt. So now I have a huge collection.
We got to Provo and stoped to see our friend Gabby. After that we went to my sister Mary's house where we spent the night.
The morning of the 4th of July we went to a parade in Provo and we all had a blast. I bought all of us matching flag shirts(another family tradition).



After the parade Mary and John ( Mary's husband) meet us for Lunch and then Mary and I went shopping with Gabby while Lance and John took that kids to the park where them met up with Lance's parent who them took all 3 of my kids to Aunt Linda's hose to stay the night while we went to the Satadium of Fire. After we went shopping we met up at Gabby's house and then when out to dinner at The Brick Oven. Lance and I them headed over to LaVell Edwards Stadium of the Stadium of Fire show.
It was a great show lots of singers ( Shadaisy and the Jonahs brothers). Glen Beck was the host. The had fire jugglers and of core fireworks.


Lance and I them stayed at Mary and John's again that night we got up, got ready for church and them went and got the kids from Aunt Linda's house. We went to curch with Nate and Megan (Lance's cousins). The have 2 boys Nixion 3 and Max 5 weeks. After church we went to Aunt Linda's for dinner the kids pleyed out side with Nixon and loved every minuet of it. Excepte when the kids got tired and started to fight over toys. Oh the Joys of being a parent. We spent the night with Aunt Linda and the next morning we set out for Lake Tahoe where we got yet another Hard Rock Cafe T-shirt. We them drove to Sacramento Ca and stayed the night there.
In the morning we went to another Hard Rock Cafe for a T-shirt. After that we met up with a friend of mine at the Jelly Belly Factory where we took a tour.


We also saw the Capitol building in Sacramento and a really cool looking yellow bridge.


We then drove to San Fransisco where we met up with a friend of Lance's from High school. We went to Pire 39 where there were a bunch of fun shops and lots of boats too look at. I also got a Hard Rock T-shirt there.



We then went and had dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe. wich the kids just loved. Them had a giant fish tank and all kinds of animals. The food was also really good.
The next day we drove to Oxnard which is an hour ourside of LA. Lance's dad had a meeting there and so we stayed there and the kids got to see the pacific ocean and they swan in the pool and the hotel.



We then drove to Hollywood Ca and stoped at Universal Studios City Walk (wich is a Mall) We ate at the Hard Rock Cafe and got (you gessed it) me another T-shirt.

We also walked around and looked at all the shops that has an NFL shop where you could look like a Raiders Football Player.

Cohen

Lance

Kaelyn

Terry (Lance's Dad)

This is a picuter of our little family in front of Universal Studios.
After That we drove to the LA Temple where my parents were married and Cohen and Jordan played on the grass.



After The Temple we decided to call it a day and head home to Yuma. It was an awsome trip. We look forward to doing it again some time.