My Picasso

I mentioned that Sydnee was chosen for her school district's art contest, but until I went to parent-teacher conference I didn't understand how awesome that honor was. Sydnee was the ONLY kid chosen from her Elementary School K-3 to be in the district art contest. The art was displayed in the district office and we were lucky enough that we had a lot of family in town this past weekend (My sister Kadi got married, which is a whole other post) AND it was my other sister Klair's birthday so we had a huge day out. We all went to see Sydnee's art and then out to lunch. Later that evening we had Kadi's rehearsal dinner. It was a crazy weekend!

My Mom always permed my hair when I was younger, and she's not known for knowing how to do hair, so a lot of the time I had short untamed frizzy hair. My nickname was Cornpuff, which I absolutely hated. As soon as I could straighten my hair I did and I still only wear my hair curly with extreme caution. Sydnee has had curly hair since she was little. But a few year ago the top layer started to become straight as it got longer. Not wanting to loose my baby's curls I had her hair permed on the top layer (I do her hair so it was ok) Well there are so many days where I'm at work and I can't do Sydnee's hair, and the longer it gets the straighter it is. Sydnee asked me last week if she could have straight hair like me cause she didn't like when it was frizzy. I can not let her have the same insecurities so I took her to my hair dresser and we had her hair relaxed. She looks so much older, she no longer looks like my little curly haired baby. Actually that night she was turned away from me and for a moment I thought (who is that kid?)

Beautiful straight haired Sassy and Grandma Guchi

Me, birthday girl Klair and bride Kadi


Me and my siblings making smores (marshmallows are my favorite)

Sydnee's picture is the top middle a watercolor of a penguin diving

I'm so proud of her!

Something good....during the rehearsal, Beckham, the ring bearer walked down the aisle stopped at the bridesmaids and said "What's up ladies?" He's such a charmer!

K

Barnyard MOOOOsical

Last week was Sydnee's 1st grade play. It was called the Barnyard MOOOsical! All of the first graders were different animals and they sang songs. Sydnee was cast as a horse had a speaking role which she practiced over and over and over and over.....

"Cause we don't lock up anyone on our fun filled farm!"


Do you know how difficult it is to dress your child as a horse??? A pig, a cow... all easy! A horse?? It was a stretch but after some brainstorming and one last second inspiration at Hobby Lobby she was one super cute horse! (her words as she admired herself in the mirror)

My entire family forgot the video cameras but Ryan was nice enough to ask another parent with a camera if we could have a copy! I can't wait to see it again, it was so cute! I had an ear to ear grin watching her dancing and singing. I actually cried at the end, don't tell her though, she'll think I'm lame.

She's growing so fast, I feel like lately she has shot into being an older child. She's so tall, becoming so responsible... Alright I'm going to start crying again

Afterward we went and got ice cream which is a real treat for the lactose intolerant kids. Beckham was freezing outside eating his cotton candy ice cream with peanut butter cups, he chose it!

Her hair was in multiple ponytails to give her a mane, she had a felt saddle with stirrups and a tail and hooves! Not bad for a last second costume!

She wanted a picture where you could see her saddle

(I can't get this picture to turn)

I love my baby girl and I am so proud of her!


Something good... cute horse outfits that are now a part of our dress up box

K

Growing

My camera has been acting up. It keeps freezing, not focusing...just giving me a huge headache! It's been an extension of my arm for years and now I actually cringe when I pick it up hoping it will function for me. Plus I still haven't found a good editing program since the loss of Picture It so I haven't been so picture happy lately.

But I have a new puppy, and possibly ANOTHER puppy coming too. (Don't ask, apparently I'm a sucker and I want Daisy to have a friend)

So trying to photograph Daisy all by myself was quite a challenge, she didn't want to sit still, she wanted to run over to me.

This dog is literally attached to my hip. She sleeps on my pillow, has come to work with me a few days... She is so completely spoiled. The kids adore her! Beckham never had any interest in Bella but he can't stop kissing and hugging Daisy.

She is the sweetest puppy, at 8 weeks old she is just so calm and sweet.



If I have the backdrop out and the camera I had to at least attempt some pics of the kids!

This picture almost makes me cry. She is so big! I actually was walking past the dress section and saw white baptism dresses and I had to wipe my eyes. I cannot believe she will be baptized this year. I just can't believe how big she is.



Look at Mr. Handsome! Can you see the giant bruise on his head? Right around the area where he split his head open when he was 2? He ran into the door with his head. Every time he bangs his head I cringe and flashback to imagining blood gushing from his head. But either way, he really is just as charming as he looks. He's a lover, and a gentleman, and he adores his Mommy.

But he also has to make sure he shows everyone his "musckules"

I am the luckiest Mommy ever! And I make good-lookin kids!

Something good...I'm going to AZ in April. Lissy is having a baby and I get to go for her birth! And play with my family and friends

K

March for Babies

MARCH OF DIMES/MARCH FOR BABIES

This is something that is really close to my heart. Because of Sydnee and because the majority of my patients at work are premature kiddos who all have long term effects.

To raise money for the Colorado March for Babies walk we're having a photo contest. Each vote costs $5. I've entered Sydnee's photo because she was born premature and I will forever be grateful for everything that was done to help ensure she was healthy.

Please visit my March for Babies page and vote for Sydnee.

Something good... Do you see how big she is? My sick baby who I was so worried about is becoming a BEAUTIFUL girl!

K

I'm in love

I'm not usually a believer in "fate" I don't magically think the universe will provide my path... I pretty much believe I make my own path.

I could not stand the thought of taking Bella to a shelter, so I posted an add for her on Craigslist and waited for the right family. I was so completely heartbroken as she left and came back and then left again! Long story short, a really active father was looking for a running and hiking partner and he loved Bella. I cried when she left, but I was happy when he called to tell me how great she was doing and how much he loved her.

I've actually been half searching for a Goldendoodle puppy for over 6 months. Nothing too serious, I just knew that I wanted this breed of dog. Half golden retriever, half poodle, no shedding, good with kids.... Literally the day after Bells left there was a new post for Goldendoodle puppies, and at a price I couldn't give up. So we went and got to pick from three little girls. We chose the calm, adorable puppy who while her sisters were running around, she layed down at my feet. She is so far the most perfect puppy ever! I am completely in LOVE with this girl. The kids love her, she sleeps in my bed, she is already so spoiled!

We had two names to pick from and we decided to call her Daisy. Then, since she needs a longer name for her AKHC papers Sydnee wants a princess name, and Ryan wants his last name to be with someone... her official name is

Daisy Aurora Jorgensen

She really is this cute!

Something good... Ryan got a job promotion!!

K

My favorite new book

I read a lot! It's one of my favorite things to do. And I am CONSTANTLY searching for new books to read. I ask my friends, coworkers, patients families....

Once in a while I read a book that I have to share with everyone! Any Memorial peeps remember how I had 3 of my own personal copies of Twilight floating around???? Oh yeah, years before the movies, after I had been introduced (Thanks Fawn!) I put that book into the hands of at least 15 different people!

Well this time, I was wandering around Border's at the mall with Beckham. I was actually there to buy a Phillippa Gregory book (Thanks Brea!) when I saw this.

Alright so my first thought.... ok another "star-crossed lovers" blah book. But BECAUSE of the cover I decided it was worth the $25. (Don't do that, it's only $14 off Amazon, but I have no patience)

I actually didn't dive into reading it the second I got home, still wasn't completely sure... I hate starting books that I don't like, it's a huge disappointment!

I could NOT put this down! I was completely enthralled with the story. The true history of Romeo and Guilietta (which upon my research is actually party true about the progression of the story) PLEASE believe me when I say that it is amazing! I've already sent copies to two of my girls in AZ and given my copy to a coworker. It's the kind of book that seems to seep into your daily life. The suspense and magical feelings of the world you submerge yourself into! If I had to compare it to something I would say it's a DaVinci Code about Shakespeare.

READ IT!!!!

Something good... American Girl has a Hawaiian doll for their doll of the year!

K

Drinks, Disappointments, Dogs and Dates

Colorado weather is so unpredictable! One day it's -15, the next it's warm, then it's so windy Beckham thinks he can fly if only I will let him have 2 papers outside. Well, during the freezing cold we like to bust out some hot chocolate and light a fire in the fireplace.

Sydnee is the first one to start begging for hot chocolate




One of my favorite things about my house is having a wood burning fireplace!


My Valentine's Lillys have bloomed, my house smells AMAZING!!

My camera has completely died! Well it still turns on, but even in manual it won't focus, it freezes up....I'm so sad! I love my camera, and now I'm shopping for a new one. I'm looking at the Nikon D3100, but I'm completely open to suggestions!

Since I'm training for the triathlon (8 weeks!!!) I went and bought some proper running shoes. And since they're not very exciting I made sure I bought the brightest PINKest running laces I could find!

I love my dog. We've had Bella for 2 years. Sydnee picked her out when I decided that living alone with 2 kids would be less scary if I had a dog around. But lately we've been having some issues with her.

Bella is not a kid dog. She sees kids as something to herd, and to dominate over. Anytime other kids are at the house I have to put her in her kennel. She's fine with Beckham and Sydnee and mostly ignores them, but Beckham likes to roughhouse with the dog. And there have been 2 moments when I've seen Bella snap at Beckham when he's trying to play with her.

We had a dog Jack (who ran away) who was amazing with the kids. Sydnee and Becks would roll around on that dog and use him as a pillow.

So kids who are used to a dog that they can climb all over to a dog that snaps at them is just not okay. I've had to keep Bella outside or in her kennel, which isn't fair to her or to our family. So we're starting to look for a new home for Bells. Somewhere she is with older kids and adults. She is well behaved and LOVES me. She follows me around and she is would be a perfect dog if I didn't have kids. I will cry, because I really do love her. But she needs more room to run, people who can allow her to fully be a part of a family and not have to worry about the 4 year old pulling her tail. Wish me luck, that I can find a perfect fit for my Bells where I can feel like she has a happy home!

I was asked out on a date last weekend. Dinner and then Laser Tag.

We doubled with my friend Krystal and her boyfriend James. We tried to go bowling after dinner and ended up in a bowling alley bar waiting for a lane before we finally left for Laser Tag. While we were there I was floored by the fact that there was a Baby Shower in the bowling alley. It was a dirty, 80's music jukebox, jam-packed with people... And I can not think of anything classier than a baby shower in this setting. Yes, I was completely judgemental but it was just about the funniest thing and all I could think in my head was "You might be a redneck..."

As usual when we played Laser Tag, Ryan left me stranded! He ran away as soon as the game started and out of a full game he was ranked #3. While I was #28! Oh well, dating was nice and I made sure to take a pic at the end of the night.

I have this picture on my facebook and I've been getting comments about how Ryan looks like granite, or he looks so sad.... He's not angry, or sad, we tried taking a picture of him smiling and he looked like a little kid so he just didn't smile. That's it! No deeper meaning other than we didn't like the picture of him smiling.

We're trying to work on it. We're still not living together which has been a good step into not fighting. So we're together when we want to be together and we can both have space. But actually going on a date was nice. I don't know what will happen but if I can continue going out with that guy from this weekend then I have hope.

Something good....Texas Roadhouse Caesar Dressing! It is my absolute favorite stuff EVER! And you can buy just the dressing. I eat a spinach salad EVERYDAY with this dressing!

K