Niki and Jeremy Jolley Family

2010-08-22T20:49:00.002-05:00

I got a wild hair the other day and had seen an idea like this in I think Family Fun magazine a while ago. Anyway, with 3 now in school I thought I'd make getting dressed in the morning a little easier. This totally takes the guesswork out of what on earth am I gonna wear. Jayden had on the average 5 changes before she really decides on what to wear. She is never late or frustrated but this way we can plan a little on Sun night for the whole week. They were excited and Jamie's kids came over and made some too!

2010-08-03T19:30:00.004-05:00

Jared's room is a work in progress. Jared is a Colts fan and just plain football fan can we just say. The walls are painted blue and the curtains are now up. Next we want to make a matching quilt or a Hawkeye quilt his other fav team. Notice the pics on the wall. This is Jareds dream car. We have promised him (and the others) that if thye get and keep straight A's and only straight A's that we will buy them a car when they is 16 or 17. Good grades are expected in our house but if they are only A's imagine how much money we will save for all the scholarships that will come his way. Some may say this is silly BUT a few thou then and money coming his way for college is a break for us. A goal hopefully they will all shoot for.

2010-08-03T19:17:00.004-05:00

Mom's new job
I am sooo blessed. I am so glad I didn't say no to Dr Kettman when he asked me to come work for him. I wasn't sure I wanted to go through another bad job agin. But....this is not that way and it won't be. The office staff is small and there is only 1 Dr, 1 receptionist, 1 RN, and 3 LPN's. We run our own lab and EKG's and are able to spend lots of time and get to know the patients. Team care is cool although we haven't got it up and running completely yet. But when we do a nurse and the dr will go in the room together, she documents his dictation, draws bloodwork if needed, refills any meds that are needed via the computer and then everyone is done. None of this dragging on and waiting business. Dr Kettman is so personable and easy to work with AND funny and so far the other nurses and me are tight and laugh tons and are all happy to be there. Maybe a few bad job experiences are what some need to finally find the right fit. Lovin it!!! Here are a few pics of the office.

2010-06-18T18:15:00.001-05:00

Tea party time. This was sooo much fun. First we had to dress up. Makeup was next. White gloves were a must. We learned the etiquette of tea and how to have manners during our lunch. Aunt Jen was a great hostess. Lunch was sandwiches(egg salad or PB). My unpicky eaters of course ate egg salad and what kids eat that? They were cut out in a teapot shape. We had blueberry tea bread with lemon topping to dip it into. Grapes, watermelon cut into teapot shape. Sparkling juice and of course tea to drink. Dessert was a watermelon look ice cream cake, cake squares dipped in frosting with chocolate on top, and wonderful sugar cookies. The table was gorgeous, my aunts are wonderful and it was everything the girls hoped it would be. They were sooo good. Oh how we looked forward to this day. To my dear aunts - I hope you know how much this meant to me with mom being gone and all. Thank you. We will never forget.

2010-06-13T17:42:00.000-05:00

Dance Recital:
I never knew Kate would be a dancer girl. Me being so ungirly anticipated my girls would also be that way. Not so. Last year during her cousins dance recital she danced out the door during intermission and up and down the halls swinging her arms and not even caring who saw her. She never said anything about it but it was as if I could see inside her for that moment. What I saw was this passion for dance. So with a little push from Aunt Jamie we signed her up this past winter for dance at the studio her cousins go to. She loves it. They are very particular and don't let the parents see the dance classes or even the rehearsal for the recital. It is also not cheap. But....seeing the permasmile on her face during the recital and knowing all that she has been through kidneywise the past few years was soooo worth it.

2010-05-17T20:22:00.006-05:00

NEW BABY AT OUR HOUSE
Just to catch all of your attention everyone! I got a new puppy for Mother's Day/birthday/Christmas/rest of the year gift. I'm not sure what I am more excited about - that Jer caved and let me get a dog or the fact that I actually have a dog. Either way I am very happy about both. She is a Basenji and we named her Britt. We got her from the pound and she had been a stray. It was just like bringing home one of our children - we discussed names, where to sleep, how to discipline. She is so easily trainable and had to either been someones great pet or is just smart. Christian laughs at her all day, she has taken a liking to Jared, Jay and Kate could care less. But as for me, of course, I am in love with my new baby.

2010-05-17T20:12:00.003-05:00

FEELING LOST
Well not really - just upset because I realized approx 500 pics got deleted off of my camera card. Not sure how this hapenned. And of course none of the kids did it - just ask them. The kids don't touch my camera and I sure know where the delete button is. So sad that the last 6 months of our lives are missing from pics. Christmas, the girls birthdays, a concert, a practical joke and just daily fun stuff ALL GONE. So frustrating. I guess I will have to back them up more often than every 6 months to a CD. Oh well.

2010-04-24T13:01:00.003-05:00

Get ready to laugh your butts off. Jared is full of practical jokes lately and thought he would get his sister. Although she wasn't too thrilled I assured her that paybacks are sooo worth it. So the first video is Jared sneaking into the bathroom unbeknownst (is that a word) to his sister. The look on his face is hilarious. Second video is him getting her with 2 gallons of ice water then screaming. Video 3 is Jayden and her dad getting Jared back. This was done with a hose in the house from the upstairs bathroom to the downstairs bathroom. As you can tell our bathroom isn't finished yet and has no ceiling so the hose water went straight down into the shower much to Jared's shock. I missed the first shot but got the other two. I guess living in this family you must be prepared for anything.

2010-04-23T18:31:00.009-05:00

Some fun things I've been making lately. I have been starting to sell some items on Etsy which is a site for all things handmade. Here is a link to my shop at Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/jnjols. I know how much I love to make things and how therapeutic it is for me. The mindless counting soothes my craziness. Thanks to Patty for all the books, patterns, and time she has shared with me to teach me and help me to love to crochet. P, are you reading this? She is truly an artist.

2010-04-12T12:45:00.004-05:00

Wow! I am ecstatic yet apprehensive, thrilled yet worried, excited and nervous all at the same time. I have been flattered by a Dr and asked to be his nurse. He is starting something completely new in the area called Team Care and he has asked me to start it with him and his current 2 office nurses. Offering me the same money and possibly part time if I wanted to pursue being a Nurse Practitioner with a yearly bonus type plan. Wow! Team Care is not currently done anywhere and what it is is that you come to the dr and have a good 45 minutes with the nurse and doctor together. You start with the nurse and she gets an adequate history and asks if you need anything else like - do you need your children seen today? - do you need that mole removed? - do any of your medicines need refilled? - what other issues do you have? If this takes off this will be huge. If this works for me this will be a fit for life. So what to do? Take it and not feel guilty about leaving Christian home with his DAD until 2:30? After all he will be home with DAD and all the rest are in school. They will be flexible about school activities during the day and needed times off. Or do I stay working on the weekends, make less, miss church, and stay knowing that it is not my dream job? I have gotten over my self confidence issues over the weekend and know this is something I CAN do. But should I?

2010-04-05T21:26:00.004-05:00

As a reminder to myself that I need to blog more to keep a better journal for our family I was just sitting here remembering.....
This month is my mothers birthday - oh how I wish she was here to tease, to laugh with, for Jeremy to make fun of... Some people have mothers that drive them crazy and oh how I wish mine were here to drive me crazy.
Funny things my kids say that make my heart tingle:
Bubbie is always yelling and correcting us right now. He spent the whole way home from church the other day correcting everyone who said it was hot. He said, "...no it not hot it warm". This makes me laugh because it took sooo long for him to even talk and now I'm even thinking he might be a little smart even.
Kate and I were heatedly discussing one day. Well Kate was heatedly trying to make me understand and I was trying to figure out what the heck she was talking about. She wanted Rotten Candy. I tried to tell her there was no such thing but she was insistent. The next time we were in the Wal Mart line she lifted up a bag and said with much satisfaction that what she was holding was the Rotton Candy. I couldnt help but laugh so hard because of course it was cotton candy.
Jayden always so proper can fart like no other. Yes I know this is on public record for all to see but that girl can make noise that you don't even think is real. So many noises I even think she has her own fart language. And to make it even grosser her best friend and her do this together and think it is hilarious. Gross!! This is blamed on Jer because before any of our kids could talk he had them realizing what was a good fart and what wasn't. Jayden would fart and look over at her daddy for approval before she could even talk. Many broken chairs at this house from that girl.
And Jared oh lovely Jared right now. Hmmm! Can't hardly say anything without his voice cracking. This is sooo wierd for me. I don't feel that old to be having a child maturing but you can't stop it. This is great for me right now because it cracks when he is yelling at his siblings or getting angry with me. It stops him quick because he has to caugh and well ha the jokes on him.
And my guilt for the day. We were driving in the rain and hitting puddles and having a little fun until I stopped too quickly and Jay side and Kates nose got hurt. So much for a little fun. I told Jared no more doughnuts in the winter or puddles in the rain - its not worth it.
Thanks for listening to my ramblings. Other than the last thing I do try to sit down each night and reflect on happy things and then I sleep much better.

2010-03-26T22:42:00.004-05:00

This Spring Break we did something we don't usually do - we went on a trip - to the Dells. It was great. We met up with Chris and Lisa there. They had been there before and knew the ins and outs. Mom's favorite thing about the trip was that hubby and baby were not grumpy and that Jared and Jayden got along so well. Since they were doing so well Jer and I gave them a little freedom and let them go and do things we wouldn't normally let them do. We let them go to Magic Quest without us as long as they stayed together. Magic Quest was the coolest. You had to buy a wand then you could pick certain quests to go on. Magic Quest was like a 4 level playhouse. You could pick certain quests to go on and they would give you a riddle to solve and then you would run all over trying to make sense of it and find all of the items. You would have to point your wand at pictures, chests, etc to complete each level. Things needed to be done in a certain order and it was so fun to see kids run all over to find everything. The final dragon was so hard not even Jared or Uncle Christopher could do it. But Mom could!!! So funny to hear Jared ask me to conquer the dragon for him. Christian was funnier than we had ever seen and had us all laughing so hard nearly every minute. Kate couldn't stay out of the wavepool and Christian couldn't stay in it. Kaaary mom he would say. Much time spent getting water logged and sleeping like a baby. We are grateful tax return was kind to us this year. Ahhh Memories.

2010-03-06T23:03:00.014-06:00

Wow! New computer finally. We have been without for quite a few months and the first thing I am doing now that it is set up is to UPDATE MY BLOG. Just a quick rundown as to what has happened since my last post.

Me - Had a great girls weekend getaway in September. One I won't soon forget. Knitting now along with crocheting and beginning to sell some patterns. Made flowers for a wedding. Decided to work weekends for a time after much prayer and worry about missing church. Things are beginning to look brighter financially for us.

Jer - I don't know. Took a taser class and now has to teach all the others how to totally nearly kill someone if they don't do what the officer says to do. Works very hard and takes good care of us.

Jared - Started junior high AND football (he is #88). What a combo. Lost lots of weight playing ball - not that he needed to so much but just was in the football zone. After lots of tears we decided not to allow Sun games. His league team the Bucs went undefeated. Mom is so not ready for that junior high age and worried all summer about 6th grade. But so far (it is now March) he has made the honor roll all year, not gotten into any trouble, and manages to get up every morning and shower. Can't complain too badly but we definately have hormones kicking in and we are not sure about these yet.

Jayden - Still doing gymnastics, loves to read, and is good looking out for others. Is a great help to her mom. Sometimes too much so and I have had to yell at her at times because she wants to do so much. I tell her she will have plenty of time to be a mom and to let me do it for now. Recently entered a photo contest and took these all by herself and is writing a 1000 word essay to go along. We'll let you know how she does.

Kate - We could write a book with many chapters on the kidney and bladder trouble she has had but finally 2 days before Thanksgiving her surgery finally was done. After trying multiple procedures (Deflux, bladder training, meds) failed and finding out her reflux was actually worse and on both sides along with outer pole kidney damage, the decision was made to reimplant the ureters and fix a birth defect. So much stress of waiting and then it was done, we went home the next day and it has been hard to keep her down. Now to get rid of the 6 meds she takes daily.

Bubbie - What can I say. Funny mostly. Big boss. Moody. Cute. Rotten. Loves anyone who gives him his way, LOVES pop and trains. Totally nothing like anything I have raised thus far. Is over 3 ft tall at age 2 and just under 27#. Off the charts for height. Silly boy.

Scarlet - Our (MY) beloved dog went to puppy heaven in Nov. I don't cry much but blubbered like an idiot with the girls while Jared watched us with a strange look on his face. I thought she was passing in her favorite spot so called Jer at work and made him come get her. It was so sad to have both of us haul her into the back of the cop car (she was unable). She made it into the vet and collapsed but didn't pass. That's all I can bear to know. Sad thing is is that J won't let me get another. I know I have my hands full at home but oh how I have learned to love labs. Someday I just may bring another dog home just like how I got her. Wonder how that will go over.

2009-08-06T16:00:00.009-05:00

A few updates really quick. Haven't blogged for a really long time. Busy, yes. Crazy, maybe. Stressed for sure (see July). Have been enjoying the summer. I am one of the few moms who likes summer with her kids. Many moms dread it. I love it. Have done a lot of low or no cost things in our city and taken a few inexpensive day trips.

April - Jayden's baptism with her friend Sydney (she posted below)

May - Day trip to Galena to meet my old college friend

June - Gymnastic meet, V visit to Des Moines (our fav)

July - Fireworks, Fun at Boeck's cabin, K's 4 day hospital stay-Ia City visits-plan for surgery
Kids V visit to Des Moines during stress (thanks P)

August - Nauvoo

Fun in Nauvoo

The girls at the temple

All the kids together

Cowboy Christian - I LOVE this picture.

Peaceful view

This picture is so sweet. What a great big bro explaining all the features of the temple to Christian. Christian even kissed the actual temple. Can a 1 yr old already know the importance?

2009-08-06T14:56:00.005-05:00

Post from Jayden Jolley

This was me at the park in galena on the spinning thing

Now this is me and my family at my baptism.

me and my dad at my baptisom

2009-04-01T19:08:00.006-05:00

This was my project last week. I recovered these chairs. I had always wanted to do this because they were so gross and stained when we inherited them from my dad but didn't know how. I got sick enough of them that I just decided to try. I found fabric that I loved and then put vinyl over that to prevent more stains from my kidlets. And this is how it turned out. I love them and even Jer got in on it. And thanks Patty for suddenly helping - I know how much you wanted to do it! Not bad, huh?

2009-03-30T23:29:00.005-05:00

2009-03-29T22:47:00.002-05:00

I don't know about any of you but at this house sometimes we have a crappy "tooth fairy"!! She seems to put money in different spots - never the same so the kids can't find it. And have you ever heard of this one - sometimes she forgets!! How terrible is that? Now it has only happened a time or two and she manages to find that money somehow and point it out to the kids. They say I already looked there but somehow it magically reappears. But not tonight! This tooth fairy is gettin' it!

2009-03-29T22:43:00.005-05:00

So here it is....my long awaited piano. It may be 100 years old and not the prettiest (but I think it is) but it is MINE! Finally! Most of you have heard the story but I want to record it for later years. A woman had a piano but couldn't quite part with it because it was sentimental to her. She had received it for her 12th birthday. It wasn't getting used anymore. So my piano teacher told her about me. She was a little leary at first but when she was told our name she began to cry. Come to find out she knows my husband's family pretty well and had taught many of the boys in grade school and remembered what a nice family they were. Then she knew she could part with it. Gee, hopefully we are as great as she hopes. I know I will use it all the time.

I have been practicing a song for Jay's baptism. Hopefully I can get it. I likened my practicing to Jay getting baptized. As many times as I practice, mess up, and restart - it is the same as life. We can always do better, try harder, and start over. She sees me practice every day and knows how much work I put into it. I told here this is how we have to live our lives every day with our families and the gospel. Not many times is she truly quiet but during that lesson she was. I don't think she will ever forget that one.

2009-03-22T23:25:00.011-05:00

Christian's "ballball" game

16 months

2009-03-22T23:20:00.001-05:00

Fun with my new camera

2009-03-22T23:14:00.004-05:00

New addition to the family

Meet the newest addition to our family. In addition to our 3 hermit crabs we now have a new frog. Jared bought this frog and when I asked him on the way home what he was going to name it he said "Bubbie" without hesitation. I asked why and he said just look at him mom. So there I sit looking at this little skinny frog jumping all over the bag trying to get out any way he can. Hmmm, does this remind us at all of our Bubbie? Very funny Jared! I love your sense of humor kid. Thanks for all the laughs you give me.

2009-03-22T22:56:00.003-05:00

Another fun (and busy) weekend

Mississippi River Boat Museum

We needed something fun to do for Spring Break and it always seems to go way too fast. Thank goodness to nice weather this year at least. It ended up being a Jolley affair (minus C & L who were doing their own family vacation) as we all went to Dubuque for a fun day at the museum. 12 kids and 4 adults. Whew! At nap time we drove past Galena to the look out tower which ended up being closed. Bummer but good enough to get the younger ones asleep and a little nap. A quick stop at the fudge factory and then home for the day.

And the funny of the day I will never forget...

everyone who knows me knows I can be a little forgetful at times but this time I wasn't. We stopped at a gas station and Jared was out of the van for a moment and I decided to take off. I knew I wasn't forgetting him but he didn't realize that at first. The look on his face in the rearview mirror was priceless as his arms were flailing and he was running and shouting with his mouth wide open. We had such a good laugh that he fell out of the van trying to get back in and I couldn't even drive for a while it was so funny.

Ahhh memories.

2009-03-14T16:45:00.009-05:00

Dates with Mom

Friday night was date night with the boys and Saturday was date day with the girls. I try to give each of my kids so much of my time instead of money or things so this weekend was fun stuff. Friday night I took my boys to the Sports Show at the UNI dome. It has been our yearly family tradition since Jared was a baby. In fact I remember having to nurse him inside one of the display tents one year. It was fun watching Jared do archery, go-karting, and fishing. No bites this year though. He also got his first air shot gun. Sort of like a BB gun but safer I guess. I have put this off for many years. I know he will be careful and knows gun safety thanks to his dad taking him to the shooting range at a young age. I found my dream camper. It has a loft with a sectional. Never seen anything like it before. Jared says he will buy it for me. And Christian was ever so happy in the backback where he could see everything. Sat started early with hairdo's for the tumbling meet. Jayden was very disappointed with her 6th and 3rd place finishes (last both times). As mean as this sounds Jer and I had hoped this would happen soon. She usually wins and needs to learn that it isn't how it always will be. She was a good sport to the others but shed a few tears of her own. As hard as that is to see it was also good to see. Kate on the other hand had her first meet and her tears were because her routine couldn't come soon enough. She had to wait for 3 hours for goodness sakes. First meet, first trophy - ah life couldn't be better - just ask her. I tried to upload my videos but couldn't. Will try later. Enjoy the pics.

2009-03-09T00:59:00.008-05:00

The stairs won!!!

On Thurs I had a fight with the stairs and as you can see the stairs won. I don't think the pics do it justice but it hurt too much to move it any other way for the pic. So the story was that I was trying to vaccuum the van. I headed down the stairs inside with heavy vaccuum in hand. Thought there were no more steps but there was really one more. Woops! Down I go - hit head on door - head first down 2nd flight of stairs - vaccuum on top of me and really sore foot/ankle. Ok sorta funny now but still in pain so not as funny as it may be some day. I couldn't feel my toes and I had heard some crunching when I fell. I was shaking with pain and the pain was shooting up the back of my leg. As I laid there and tried to talk Kate and Jake into finding my phone which 10 min later they did I realized I had hairy legs. I knew I had to go to the ER for x-rays but wasn't gonna be caught dead with my coworkers with hairy legs. Soo, then I talked Kate into grabbing a razor and Jake into finding the spray bottle. They were great and did just what I said. I tried to stay calm but realized not only was my foot broken but every muscle was sore. So I called Susie and bless her heart she rushed over with her mom. She watched the kids and her mom took me to the ER and kept me company. Nothing was broken to my surprise thank goodness but it does still make crunching sounds. Maybe I will have to check my own x-ray out next time I go to work because I still can't believe it isn't broken. So today all is still very sore from my head to my feet and the bruising is getting worse. What a long way down for a not so little person. The bruising is worse today. THANK YOU THANK YOU to Julie for the crutches and Susie for all your help. Family and friends are great. What would I do without all of you?

Here is the normal ankle

2009-02-09T11:10:00.005-06:00

Kid Updates

Christian started walking Jan 15th and is now mastering the stairs as of today. I am always leary to let my kids learn the stairs since Jayden had a hairline fracture in her cervical vertebrae and was unconscious for a moment after falling down 3 carpeted stairs on her 1st birthday. Christian continues to scream and is very irritable. Anyone who is around us knows how terrible this noise is. If anyone has any suggestions for us we are willing to try whatever. We also cannot vaccuum without Mr Scream riding the vaccum. At least the vaccuum sound drowns out the scream.

Kate is loving Signing Times videos. They were supposed to be for Christian to learn to better communicate but Kate has really taken a liking to them and often times plays deaf and wants us only to sign to us. That's fine - the quiet game works great on my end. She loves to sing Primary songs for church and loves her Viewmaster. She says she loves everyone as I am sitting here typing about her. She is extremely tall.

Jayden continues to love WTTC and her tumbling. Big meets coming up and her nerves are starting to set in. I think she is finally realizing what she is doing. Congrats, Jay! on getting student of the month this month. We are so proud of you and your willingness to always keep learning.

Jared is 10 going on 16 as the picture shows. He is a very smart boy and gets bored in school. He has recently discovered street hockey and plays it many hours at a time in our garage or street. He doesn't like me to take his picture as this picture shows. He longs to play hockey but I just can't let him unless he promises me that he will keep all of teeth and never initiate a fight. Hmmm! Just doesn't seem to be what hockey is about these days.

I am back at the hospital and happy about it. Being gone has given me a good check of what kind of a nurse I want to be and what kind of care I want to give. Everyone is glad to see me back and I have easily gotten right back into the groove without too much trouble.

Can't wait to get my piano. Soon. Until another blog entry - see ya.

Mr Scream on the vaccuum

Kate the snow angel

Student of the month

Mr Cool

2009-01-28T22:23:00.003-06:00

So this is my first pair of knitted socks. Not so bad for the first time. Thanks James for all your help with my questions. They just look so warm don't they? Making things is so rewarding. A little piece of my heart goes with each project I make. The whole time I am making something I just think how cute things will look on the one I am making it for.

2009-01-28T10:15:00.004-06:00

Brrrrrrreautiful

This is my made up word for what I saw when I woke up today. Yes it is freezing but so beautiful. At least when you see a sight like this it makes it not seem as cold and you can even enjoy the beauty of the cold weather. I snapped these pics just along the side of the road and quickly called my friend who I know loves to take pics and does a much better job than I do. Enjoy! Maybe it will make us all feel a little warmer.

2009-01-07T12:55:00.009-06:00

This year as every year we go to one of my mom's sisters homes for Christmas. Each year it is the weekend between Christmas and New Year's. My aunt's read this so I wanted them to know how much I love them and appreciate them. Just being with them helps me to continue to heal from my mom's (their sisters) passing. I always look forward to seeing them but don't think I ever tell them. So this post is for them. I hope if they read this that they will comment so I know they saw it. I love them dearly and my children know how important they are to me. So enjoy the pics. These are pics of my cousins kids and a few of my aunts. Thank you for wanting to see us each year. Thanks also to Kristie for allowing us to invade her house the following Fri. I invited myself over (sorry - I am just trying to be more invovled with my extended family) and then graciously let Jayden spend the night. She had a ball. Love you guys!

Aunt Jenn holding Kayana (Shelby's baby) with Kate helping

My sister, Aunt Abby, and Aunt Jenny

My kids, my sister's kids, and the blondie in front is my cousin Kristie's daughter

My dessert I brought were cookies that the kids could frost. We took Nutter Butter cookies and attached a pretzel for the antlers, a red hot for the nose, and chocolate chips for the eyes. TaDa! Reindeer's - thanks to Family Fun Magazine.

My cousing Keary's middle boy Hunter decided to join the group

Haley and Christian

2008-12-23T15:32:00.003-06:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

This is our 2008 Christmas card. Merry Christmas to all of you and Happy Holidays.

2008-12-09T21:15:00.005-06:00

As many of you know I have been staying home for the last 6 weeks and loving it. It has been a good reflecting period. I LOVE Love love to be home with my family. Although my house feels never clean it is fun to organize things and realize how I want my home to look and the feeling I want it to have. As I look back on all my working years and having done everything from working nights, full time, part time, on call, not working, doing day care, etc I realize that I can still be a good mom and nurse all at the same time. So now with Christmas looming and not working and having even less moneywise it is humbling to realize all that we do have. Our Christmas may not have all the things that others have but it allows us to focus on what it is really about. Our children are grateful for what they have and I can't think of really anything I could possibly want. Each year something has imterrupted our planned spending for Christmas or there just plain wasn't enough but this year I am not even stressed about it. The kids know they are getting one big thing and have only asked for one big thing. How easy is that? We are so much more able to spend our time at home at night warm by the fire reading Christmas stories instead of frantically shopping. I couldn't be more grateful for this feeling and maybe each year I can be this at peace. Maybe our children will learn that things just aren't that important and instead it is how you feel.

2008-11-19T13:17:00.007-06:00

Kids stats:

Kid Age Height Weight

Jared 10 5'3" 137#

Jayden 7.5 4'6" 72#

Katelyn 3.5 3'6" 41#

Christian 1 30.5" 20.5#

We won't put mommy or daddy weights on here right now. Ha!

2008-11-15T14:44:00.002-06:00

Kate is in the clear. No more kidney reflux. There is a 10%-15% chance it could recur 85% it won't. No more daily meds and what an answer to prayer. Thanks to all for your prayers. We could feel them. Now onto tubes for Christian next Fri but no big deal. We feel we are getting to be old pros at this hospital/surgery thing. Hopefully after this we can put this medical year with it's problems behind us.

2008-11-15T14:04:00.008-06:00

I love this picture. It is the 1 year pic mom took on my actual birthday - Nov. 7. We celebrated with family 1 week later. I spent my real birthday in the car going to Kansas City. At least I got to swim at the hotel that night but mom's camera was broken so there are no pics.

Sometimes I like to trick my mom and smile after the camera goes off. Still sooo cute if I do say so myself.

What's that? It's my birthday you say? Where's the cake?

Oh, there it is. I love Diego. My mom laughs at me because the only time I hold still is when I watch Diego or am drinking my bottle before bed.

Cake!!! Mom, why is your mouth open if I'm supposed to eat this? Silly mommy.

Pretty good if I do say so myself. I ate my whole piece. Thanks CH for the great cake.

Now on to the toys. I like all the noises these make.

Wait, wait!!! Just wanted everyone to see my shirt. It says Master of Disaster and that is what I do right now. I learned to crawl 2 weeks before my 1st birthday and am much happier but still like to scream and watch everyone's heads turn. What a day. One is wonderful.

2008-11-10T22:17:00.000-06:00

These are a few things I have made lately and thought I'd share. The kids are each modeling their hats except for Jared who doesn't want to at this momtne. Kate calls hers the Strawberry hat. I also made these little purses or cases - whatever you want to call them - but nonetheless they are for a quiet church meeting and hold 10 Crayola markers. I also made some to hold colored pencils. Way easy to make and again my own design. Fun and it keeps my hands busy. Anyone want some? I think I will sell them cheap for Christmas if anyone wants them.

2008-11-05T11:08:00.005-06:00

Why is it so hard for me to decide things? I wish someone could just decide for me. Yesterday I went up to my old workplace at the hospital with some flyers looking for children to babysit. I knew some of my old coworkers well and knew some of them may need child care. I told them I never should have left to try another job and they said I could come back. I would just like to fill in around my kids things and church for now and I thought they had done away with the "fill in" position. They told me to ask the boss's boss. Sooo as I was leaving I ran into her in the hallway and she said hello and how they missed me. She said she would gladly let me return because she knew I would fulfill the requirements of the "fill in", which is filling in their gaps where they are short staffed. She also wants me to watch her newborn. She sent me to HR right away and they told me I haven't been gone long so they would also give me back my seniority. Wow! That's huge after 8 years of being there. So now I am so confused. I had made up my mind to be home but not wanting 100 kids to watch. I thought Heavenly Father wanted mommies at home. So why was this so easy yesterday? What in the world should I do?

2008-11-01T21:35:00.008-05:00

This year has been a fun Halloween. The first pics are the witch and dino wrestling on the gym floor, the next are my kids at trunk or treating for church, the clan that traditionally meets each year at our house, and some fun treats I made. We only ate fruits and veggies yesterday since I knew the kids and myself would only eat garbage all night. I love the veggie man and the olive is supposed to be a belly button for any of you sicko's out there. Ha!

2008-10-28T15:17:00.007-05:00

Dino Baby

As many of you know our little baby has this dino scream/roar lately much to his parents dismay. So I saw it so fitting to make him a dinosaur hat. I made up the pattern and stayed up until 1:30 making it the other night. I love to crochet so much. Too bad I can't just stay home and make things for a living. Does anyone want one for a small fee? I could make alien hats, cat ears, bunny ears, Santa hats, or whatever. And speaking of staying home, I am seriously thinking about watching kids in my home so I can stay home. I have always wanted to sooooo badly. Does anyone know anyone who needs a sitter before/after school or whenever? Please call me if you do. And Happy Halloween everyone. Hope you all have a safe and fun T or T.

2008-10-23T12:59:00.006-05:00

Sorry to be so out of touch lately. So here is an update along with some pics. If you are close with me you know what has gone on recently but for those of you who don't I thought I's blog. I am really struggling lately as some of you know. I am now jobless due to some unfortunate circumstances and a little scarred. This kind of thing has hapenned before but one never gets used to being treated like dirt or told mean things. Words hurt! I have decided the nursing profession is one with a lot of Type A personalities. I am not one of them. A lot of people like to be on a power trip. I chose to be a nurse for the compassion I have and so I could help people. Right now I am wanting to give up my nursing and not sure if I want to do it any longer. I could also watch kids in my home. Oh how I would love to stay home. One catch - one hour as a nurse equals a whole day of babysitting one child. Hmmmm. I also recently lost my wedding ring. I am sooo sad about this. It flew off my finger while driving so I knew it was in the car. But after searching the car high and low and not finding it we finally got out at the football game. Then I was sure it was in the grass. We waited until everyone went home so I could shine the lights in the grass but still nothing. After a sleepless night I woke up just as the sun was coming up to go look again in the daylight but - you guessed it - it is gone. So sad.

The kids are getting so old and growing so much. Jared just finished another season of football and is almost as tall as his mom. Jayden continues to love gymnastics. Kate just started gymnastics and is enjoying preschool taught by some friends mom's. Christian is on the move. He has also discovered this terrible scream. I know it is his only way to communicate but man is it loud! He does it randomly and it doesn't necessarily even mean he is even mad. Now I know why old people are deaf.

So that is it for lately. Any feedback on what I should do now is appreciated.

2008-08-31T22:35:00.006-05:00

Photo Shoot
We had so much fun doing this photo shoot. Just thought we'd share some of our favorites. The boys went to JC Penney last week and had theirs together so now it was the girls turn. I will post the Penney ones when I get them. The sailor dresses were ones that my sister and I wore for a pic when we were about these same ages. My mother always loved them and they were one of her prized possessions. She made us save them for our girls one day. She would really love to see these pics. I tried not to get emotional knowing how much she loved them. Anyway, enjoy!

2008-08-31T21:06:00.000-05:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

2008-08-20T21:48:00.003-05:00

Just a quick note. 2 things. Frustration and Gratefulness. Do these two words really go together? Many of you may know that we have really struggled with our youngest 2 children's health this year. Can I just tell you we (Jer and I) hate it. I wish it was me going through this instead of them. I hate watching their pain as they go through it. How do you tell them another test means another IV, another catheter, another traumatizing experience? How do you prepare a 3 yr old for this? Please pray for us as we go to Iowa City on Fri for more tests and hopefully a fix for Kate's kidney reflux and to prevent any more hospitalizations. I know things could be so much worse and there are so many illnesses and problems out there. We want our cute bouncing blondie back to normal for good. On the other hand - Grateful. So grateful for a new job, so grateful for their understanding of the trials, and so grateful for wonderful friends and family who care and help us sooo much. For example, my friend who came over on short notice Tues - to watch 4 children on top of her 3 - AND then brought and cooked us dinner. Seriously! Thanks CH! Blessed by family for covering all the babysitting while Jer and I overlap shifts. Whew! What a job. Grateful that things are not any worse.

2008-08-13T22:50:00.003-05:00

It has been too long since I blogged. Sorry everyone. What a fun and busy summer. Just thought I'd post a few pics of the summer so far. I will be better.

2008-04-25T22:32:00.004-05:00

I told Jer recently that I have a new man in my life. He is cuter, funner, and just so lovable. I told him my heart was completely taken by this new person, I am totally obsessed with him and can't get enough of him. Yep, you guessed it - it's the baby. Although I do think Jer was scared just for a moment. I do love my kids...and my hubby, too.

2008-04-03T19:47:00.008-05:00

Whew! What a busy weekend!
I started out thinking I had plenty of energy. It all started out simply enough. I worked in the middle of the night from 3 am -7 am. I volunteered myself to do a used book sale at the kids school that day and Fri. Fri am started out with Kate's 3rd birthday with Polly Pocket and Barbie, clothes, and dolls. Thanks everyone who came. Then on to the book fair again. We made $160.00.

Then on to the Pinewood Derby Fri night. Very fun to watch with a crazy announcer (the Cedar Falls bishop) to make it really fun. The guys worked very hard on the car "Red Baron".

Sat I again worked from 3 am-7am and then took Jayden to a gymnastics meet. She got 1st and 2nd places. Then again there were only 3 girls and each got a medal. Very rewarding for all the kids.

And what was Baby C doing. Being so good through all these adventures. Well when I thought he was sleeping he really wasn't. This picture tells it all. So funny.

Then I worked on Sun. and met my dad for his birthday later that night. Mon I worked also. Then I crashed. It seems that many days can go by with no work, no plans and absolute boredom and then everything happens at once. Maybe when I'm 50 I can take a nap. I look forward to it.

2008-03-22T21:01:00.008-05:00

Things I love about my baby boy:

That fuzzy hair and those big bright eyes.

His sweet little hands.

How he loves to be snuggled.

Four months and healthy.

2008-03-11T17:04:00.004-05:00

Congrats Jayden and Jubilee on your tumbling meet! What a fun weekend and what a great job. Great job to Elly too!

2008-03-09T21:47:00.005-05:00

Am I crazy? No, don't really answer this please. Everyone who knows me knows things get a little crazy for me at times. So now that I have 4 children how does one manage it all? Now that we have found our new "normal" after baby #4 life seems busier than ever. With Jer working 2nd shift and mom running the show at night, 2 kids in school, the kids activities, cub scouts, gymnastics, etc, these days sometimes seem to fly right by. Right now it seems we are amidst this never-ending winter nightmare. We are so blessed to have our children (and now a healthy baby-I think we are over the hump) and our education. Is it bad that I work in the middle of the night so I can be home with the kids the rest of the day? Will I die young due to lack of sleep? Why do I struggle with working so much? At the end of some days as I lay in bed exhausted knowing I will be getting up in 4 hours for work but realizing the kids and hubby are happy. I guess I am crazy knowing I will repeat this same agenda a few more days this week. Good night for now for a few hours anyway.

2008-02-06T15:11:00.002-06:00

Just looking through old pictures and found some I truly love of my kids. I love them all but some get to you more than others. In the pic of Jared his face just looks so soft and sweet and it shows how much he loves the dog (child #2). Jayden's pic is right before she got her tonsils out. That was such a hard day for mom and dad because she was so excited and had no idea what she was in for. Kate's pic is just her sitting in Nauvoo happy as she always was at that age. And Christian's pic is recently (almost 3 months) and shows his little sweet personality coming out. For all he has been through in his short little life he sure is a happy little guy.

2008-02-05T16:19:00.000-06:00

Messy manners, anyone?
Have you ever gotten so disgusted with your kids and their manners? I had had enough and one night decided to have a no manners/messy manners night. All the usual utensils were taken away. The next night they did think a little more about having manners. Very messy but fun.

2008-01-09T14:53:00.001-06:00

Just thinking of my mom and her memories lately. This is not an anniversary of her death or anything - just because. For any of you who didn't know Hawaii was my mom's dying wish. Everyone helped her get there along with her children and spouses. We could never thank everyone enough for those last final memories with her. She lived to make it there and passed 4 days after we returned. Trip of a lifetime. Wonderful memories.

2008-01-01T23:39:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our friends and family!

2008-01-01T23:30:00.001-06:00

2008-01-01T19:22:00.000-06:00

New Baby
Christian James Jolley was born November 7 weighing in at 8 lb 13 oz and 21 inches. Now it is 2008. People may wonder why I have waited so long to post this. So after 6 weeks of reflecting on how life can throw the most amazing curve balls I have finally decided to write about his adventures. To make a long story really short, we will just say that after 2 days in the NICU, 1 week of inpatient antibiotics, another ER visit for bloody stools, and yet another overnight stay with many numerous MD visits in between the time has gone extremely fast. It has been a stressful road but am glad to say he is thriving and doing well now. He is so cute, sleeps very well and the other children love him. Now we just wonder how prone he will be to illnesses this winter. Mom is a little paranoid at this point. But I will say my family of 6 feels so good and right. We are so glad he is here.