HELLO FROM TEXAS!!

We made it! After a 4 hour delay in Phoenix we finally made it to El Paso at 9:30 pm last Friday! The boys were surprisingly well behaved during the four hours of staring at a blank departure screen in the airport. A lady that I sat next to in the kids area had been in the airport for 31 hours waiting for another flight to Oklahoma...I didn't feel so bad for myself after talking to her!
Saturday the movers arrived at 7:00 am. I was hoping my husband could take over, but after spending a week in the ice storms in Arkansas he was sick and dead to the world! Thankfully they unloaded the truck quickly and I could join him on his death bed! We were all so sick and tired and stressed to the hilt that is was nice to all be under the same roof and in our own beds.
Monday the UNPACKERS came and unloaded ALL of the boxes and hauled ALL of the garbage away. I am telling to this whole experience has been unreal!
We love our house and the town is really easy to navigate! We haven't been to our new ward yet but the boys are really looking forward to it. In Corbin's words "When I get friends this place will be A LOT better"

FIRST TOOTH

Corbin has been patiently awaiting the day that he will loose his first tooth. Well folks that day was today!

He tells the story much better then I do, with the gestures and the pacing and the slight exaggerations. But I will do my best!

He has had this wibbily tooth for some time now. He wasn't willing to "work on it" so ignored it. Today he wanted me to open toy for him that was wrapped in plastic. Being slightly distracted with my book I have been reading I shooed him away. Taking matters into his own hands he tried opening it with his teeth. I heard a loud snap and looked up to see what his was doing. His eyes were two big saucers and his face was pale! I walked over to see why and he showed me is tooth dangling! I finished the job with some dental floss and distractions about how I couldn't get the knot tight enough and bamm his first tooth was out!

Camren took more consoling then Corbin. He instantly started crying and put himself between Corbin and myself. The constant protector!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

(LOVE MY CURLS!)
My birthday was on the 19th and I was all braced for it to be the worst day ever! This is the first year that I didn't not celebrate ME all month long. Jody has been gone since the end of October and my family doesn't not live close, so who was there to spoil me? My totally awesome, amazing, incredible friends that's who!
Natalie, Jenny, Meagan, Kaylynn, Jen, Tory, Robin and I went to The Cheese Cake Factory to celebrate. It was sooo much fun. We laughed and ate incredibly rich delicious cheesecake and had a blast. The next morning I woke up with a sugar hangover (if that is possible). Loved every minute of it. Thank you guys you are the best!

THANK YOU MOM!!!

I must be the luckiest daughter in the world! My mom came to take care of me this week while I was "ill". She dropped everything in S. Utah and flew here within 12 hours of finding out I miscarried.

She put up with my grumpy children, did my laundry, made my boys two pairs of pajama pants, AND permed my hair to help lift my spirits! She is totally awesome!

I have to tell the story of my awesome perm:

When I was younger my mom would hold a perm-athon. She would perm us three girls (me and two sisters), my aunt, and my grandma's hair. She was amazing and the house ended up stinking for days afterwards, but we all looked adorable! So we decided to perm my hair while she was here. The day before the perm we drove to Sally's to by a perm and rods. We wanted to make sure everything was laid out and ready so we didn't have to get up. Well have was through her rolling my perm we realized that we shouldn't have combined the perming solution until AFTER we were done rolling not before. So we finished rolling my hair and off to Sally's we went to buy the second box of perm solution. We got home and I cut a top in of the bottle and started applying the STINKY, EYE BURNING solution. Well, I cut the whole too big and the bottle only covered have my head!

We wrapped a Wal mart bag around my head and went back to Sally's for perm number3! We didn't want the timing to be too off so we decided to apply the solution in the parking lot! It was awful!

Curlers

It turned out really good!

CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT

In our case it didn't kill him...but it did soak him down pretty good! Cota (our BOY cat that starts with the letter C) is attacked to Camren's side. Cam will torment this cat to no end, Cota must love it because he curls up on Cam's bed to take naps and will run up and bat Cam in the head (no claws) if he is not paying him enough attention.
Today Camren was taking a bath and Cota would not leave the bathroom. Cota would balance on the edge of the tub or hide in the shower curtain and attack Cam. While sorting the laundry I heard a splash and a ROAR of laughter then saw the drenched cat take off out of the bathroom.
I tried to take a picture but Cota was so upset he hid his smelly wet self under my bed!

BRAINWASHED?!

After I picked up Corbin from school today I stopped by 7-Elven to get drinks. The 7-Elven closest to our house gets a lot of questionable patrons due to the location and its proximity to Amtrak. When we were getting ready to leave three LARGE women wearing belly shirts walked into the parking lot. Out of pure shock and forgetting who was in the car with me I mumbled under my breath "And I thought I was fat" (awful I know...but so not the point)! Corbin with his bionic ears says "Mom you're not fat..You look just like your wedding pictures...And you are really pretty."

I learned 2 very important things today:
1. I should really watch my mouth.
2. All of my brainwashing is really paying off!!!

DADDY 'S HOME!!!

Jody's first week away went a lot faster then I thought it would. My friends kept me pretty busy with Bishop's Pumpkin Farm, Park Day galore, and Halloween parties I could barely find time to clean! LOL!

Just before we went to pick Jody up at the airport the boys painted him a sign.

Not exactly what I planned but they insisted on having more of a creative input then I thought they would! I wanted the sign to say "Welcome Home Daddy!" But Corbin wanted it to say "We Love You Daddy" I tried to pull one over on him but he picked up on it really quick. Dang his school for teaching him how to read!

We had an awesome weekend that flew by WAY too fast. I am getting to know the airport more then I would like to!

'LIL MECHANICS

Last April Jody and his dad made a trip to Idaho to pick up a 1966 Ford Mustang. The car had belonged to Jody's friend and when he mentioned he was considering selling it Jody was all over it. Since Jody received his job offer they have been working on this thing non stop to get it running. They are just finishing installing the a new transmission today and it should be ready to take around the block! Corbin and Camren have been watching and drooling over the whole process. They would sit and watch their dad and grandpa work on the car for hours...even if they were a little imposing!

Camren, Corbin, and Grandpa Valentine "oiling the transmission"

3 years old

Camren turned 3on Saturday! I know how everyone says time flies, but it really does! I don't know how the days turned into weeks then into months then years and then become a blur. I feel robbed! My little baby is 3 and is potty trained and can get into the fridge to get his own snacks. His EXTREMELY chubby cheeks have melted away and I can actually see his neck now! I wish I would have taken more time to enjoy Camren the baby...but I am going to work really hard to enjoy Camren the little boy! During this last Conference the prophet gave the closing talk of the morning session. What I took to heart during his message was to enjoy the journey. Not to freak out when during Sacrament meeting Camren yells out the word butt hole. or when he is so opinionated that he poops his batman underwear because he knows that is the only way he will get them changed, or how he put a hole in the bathroom door because I won't let him take a shower with me. Time flies and pretty soon he won't want to crawl up into mommy's arms and take a nap with me anymore, or he won't give me a stolen kiss in exchange for me opening his cheese stick.

Oct 18 2005

1st B-day

2nd B-day

3rd B-day

Happy Birthday Cambo!

I take care of you

Corbin doesn't take sudden change very well, lets be honest who does? When we told him we were going to be moving to Texas he broke down in instant tears! When I got him calmed down I started listing off all the good things about moving there;

1. unlimited space for riding your motorcylces
2. Mommy won't have to go back to work
3. That's all I got!!!

Corbin then started listing his fears;

1. I don't know how to speak Texas
2. I don't have a Texas hat or clothes
3. I don't have a horse
4. I don't have guns to hang from my pants

The list goes on and on! But at the mention of #2 Camren jumped up and ran to his room and came back wearing this...And said, "Corbi, I take care of you!" I don't know if it was an emotional day or if I was so impressed by Camren's big heart, but I got a little teary!

DI TRAILER

I have to say the DI Trailer has become my best friend! We have started to pull all the of storage out of our closets and go through everything which has left us with MOUNDS of DI donations!

I have made so many trips Camren now calls his toy horse trailer the DI trailer!

TODAY

Today was the most emotional day of my life. This last month Jody has been interviewing for a management position with Union Pacific Rail Road. Last Friday was the final interview and they said that they would extend offers on Monday and Tuesday. Well Monday and Tuesday came and went and no offer was made in the Valentine Household. I woke up this morning in a totally awful mood. I was crying -no bawling- over everything. How could I be so stupid as to quit my job when others were being laid off and how horrible to put my family in a bad financial situation, on and on. I just couldn't stop crying. Then at 1:25 Jody received and email that offered him a position! Yes folks we are officially making the rail road a family business (Jody's dad retired from the rail road two years ago, both of our brothers work for the rail road!)! The only down side to this is we are moving:( We are moving to the great Lone Star State, home of Sandy Cheeks, Hank Hill, and George Straight, Texas! El Paso Texas to be specific. We are not sure when the family will be moving down, but Jody reports to training Oct 27!
So I went from miserable, to top of the world all in the last 9 hours. I am ready for a nap!

SUPER SATURDAY

Today was packed full of so many different things I fill like it is 3 days down the road! The morning started with Corbin's 9:00 am Soccer game where there kids ran around afraid to get muddy and got their trashed kicked! It was so funny, a kid on the other team got hurt (not the funny part) so everyone was supposed to take a knee until the kid got off the field. Not our team they all squatted down because they were afraid their moms would freak out if they got their socks dirty!

After the game we came home changed clothes and rested then went to go eat. While we were in the drive thru and In-N-Out we decided to head to Apple Hill to get caramel apples (not that they don't have them anywhere close!) It was a blast!

We picked out pumpkins

ate our caramel apples

played in the rain

grabbed a quick drink

and got SOAKED!!!

On the way home we stopped at the Folsom Outlet stores and bought our Christmas P.J.s! Now we are settling in to watch Conference. Thank goodness for TiVo and AWESOME Saturdays that happen on a whim!

BIG BOY HAIRCUT

Cambo has had a totally different start in life then Corbin. When Corbin was born I stayed home with him until he was 8 months old and then went back to work only part time. So every time Corbin had a doctors appointment, play date, or even a hair I was the one there. With Camren it was his Daddy. He would trip and fall and would run to Daddy to make him better! (I took it personal!) Jody wanted Camren to not be a mirror image of Corbin so while Corbin had the cool spiky hair since he was 1 Camren has always had longer hair that CONSTANTLY hung in his eyes...Until yesterday! I finally won the battle and Cambo has a big boy haircut!

before

after

Seriously who is this kid? Where did my Cambo go? Now I realize why Jody wanted to keep his hair longer; it was a way to keep him younger and to help aid us in our disillusionment! He isn't a baby anymore:(

CORBIN'S FIRST GAME

Corbin is loving Soccer! We missed his first game because of Jody's graduation so HIS first came was last Saturday. His team won 2-0. He is so focused during the game. When it was his turn to sit out he was sitting next to the coach the whole time fully concentrated on the game whereas his other teammates where playing with trains with the little kids on the side lines. I am so proud!

This isn't in the game but I thought it was a cool picture.

GROWN UP CONVERSATION

Corbin and his cousin Daniel have been together since birth. They jumped off the cloud six weeks apart and have been the best of buds since. Since they could talk they have always had such old man conversations with each other. This is the most recent one caught on film. Instead of playing on the toys and running around like the other kids they were sitting down having a drink and talking about the weather, their new teachers, and how there day was! It was so adorable.

Corbin: Man it is hot out here. Can you even see a cloud?

Daniel: Yeah it is really hot her in Roseville. In Vacaville it wasn't as hot.

Corbin: Did you get a good teacher this year?

Daniel: I think so, but the school year has just started so we will see. Did you?

Corbin: Yeah my teacher is really nice..so far. How was your soccer game? I had to miss mine 'cause of my dad's graduation.

Daniel: It was awesome.....

I got interrupted and didn't catch the rest but you get the gist!

THANK YOU!

After the graduation we had an "After Party". Thank you to all of our friends that came out to show you support and helped with the food. You are all so amazing and we are so blessed to have you all in our lives!

GRADUATION TIME

Jody's graduation was AWESOME! We woke up super early to make sure everyone was dressed and ready to go. Jody wanted to make sure that I received a proper tutoring session on how to run our new camera and went over exactly where he would be seated and exactly where we should sit in order to get the perfect pictures. Yeah...that didn't happen. For some reason everything went wrong on the picture end! He was not on the side of the arena that we thought he should have been on. Thinking I would get a closer picture and that I had some time because in the program he was listed as second from the bottom, I ran up the stairs (in hills) around the the side and as I reentered the arena they called his name!!! Imagine my frustration and disappointment. I didn't even have the camera on!!! But hey I got some great after shots!

Where's Waldo?

Our little family. Camren kept talking about "Daddy's GadseeashON" We were all so proud.

Left to right: Ray, June, Sheree, Jody Charles, Corbin, Camren, Kaden, Evelyn

Happy Bday Grandpa Ray!

My parents came out for Jody's graduation, and it just so happen that while they were here it was my dad's Birthday.

The boys were super excited to wake him up and help make him a special breakfast of pancakes and sausage. Happy Birthday Daddy!!

BATMAN UNDERWEAR

Camren is officially potty trained...at least he was until he had a protest against the Batman underwear I put on him this morning! Anyone who knows my stubborn little two year old knows how much he LOVES Lightening McQueen! Everything in Lightening, he has 4 L.McQ. shirts, pants, blankets, 10 different versions of cars, and now underwear. Heaven forbid I do laundry and decide to wash his L.McQ. underwear because nothing else will do.
It all started when I had to put on Batman undies..

Cam: I don't like 'em
Me: Cam just wear them until I can wash your Lightening underwear.
Cam: I don't like 'em. I gonna poop on 'em.
Me: You do and you don't get Scoobie Snacks. (His reward for poo in the toilet)
Cam: I gonna poop on 'em. Grumble Grumble

Needless to say he came true to his word!!!

SCHOOL IS OUT!!!

Confused? I'm not!!! Jody's last class was last night! AHHHHH. Do you feel that sigh of relief? He is done done done with school! We got side tracked with a few kids and a couple of big moves through a couple of big states....but he did it and we are done!!

I had a mini celebration for him last night. I made his favorite dinner (sour cream and chicken enchiladas). Ordered a totally delicious cake (Tory it was amazing-Thank you!)

Camren could hardly wait for the cake and while everyone was eating dinner he couldn't help himself...

And topped it all off with a totally awesome Graduation gift (Rock Band) and friends to play it with! Thanks for the Sparkling Cider Brad and Natalie!

Yep I am extremely proud of my hubby! You are totally awesome and I admire you more then I could ever convey through words! Love you Jody!!!

Stay tuned for a graduation post!!! Yeah did I mention he was done with school?!!

SCHOOLS BACK IN!!

Yeah!!! School is back in session...and it is a full day! Corbin's new teacher is Mrs. Lucchetti and Corbin loves her already! He walked in this morning and she turned a huge smile toward him and said "Oh, Hi Corbin I am so happy you are here!" I think he grew a whole foot! She knew how to win him over!

He was super excited for today. He lined all of his new clothes out on the bed last night and picked out an outfit that was "cool but not fancy". I had to come in to his room several times to get him to settle down and go to sleep.

His special meal request was a surprising one to me, Potato Soup and Corn Bread. This kid won't touch anything that doesn't come from a box! My baby it growing up!!

Odd Neighbor Request

So it is a known fact that we live in the Ghetto of Roseville, but it has always been tolerable because we have always had really good neighbors. But in the last 6 months the last of the good neighbors moved away and some real quality people have taken their place (I am being sarcastic if you didn't catch it!). One Sunday morning the toothless wonder that lives across the fence came over still in her P.J.s to request to BORROW something. I closed my door walked over to my purse grabbed that something returned to the door and handed it to her where she proceeded to tell me in detail why she needed it. I closed the door with a very disgusted look on my face. Jody started laughing at my expression and asked what she needed. I was still so stunned by the situation that he had to ask twice more before I could answer...a TAMPON. Please tell me I am not the only one that has had strange neighbors. Please post a comment to help me put my mind at ease!

FIRST DAY OF SOCCER!!!

After months of answering the question, "When does Soccer start?" I was relived to answer...Today! (Well really August 12) He begged and pleaded to wear the whole git up to practice hence the official jersey.

He absolutely loved it! At every water break he would sprint over and say, "This is totally awesome! Gotta to get back to my teammates." I could barely get him to take a drink before he would run back on the field to his "teammates"!

Camren loved practice too. He tried to run on to the field with his soccer ball a couple of times but quickly came back when he noticed he didn't have "soccer shoes and socks" on. Mostly he just played on the jungle gym that is me! It was supper hot, 102 I think. I just hope we can keep the same enthusiasm the whole season!

Gems

Corbin has had some real gems drop from his mouth today (gems not bombs...big improvement) and I thought I would share:
We were driving to go school shopping when Jody pointed out the new body style of the Dodge Ram:
Corbin: It looks like a Toyota.
Jody: Kind of but-
Corbin: What I have really been wondering about is...How did the "Titantic" sink?
Jody: It hit an iceberg.
Corbin: And then the icebergs ate the people right?

Later:
Me: Corbin did you wash your hands? (he had just come from the bathroom)
Corbin: Nope...Didn't touch it.

Tonight: He had been sent to his room for kicking his brother:
ME: Corby may I come in?
CORBIN: Y..Y..YES. (huge sobs) But can I say something first?
ME: Yes.
CORBIN: When I first met you...(huge sobs, big tears) I was born!!!

8 YEARS!!

Jody and I celebrated 8 years on August 5th! Yeah us!! We ditched the kids with Grandma and Grandpa and headed to San Francisco to experience it without the kids. Who knew Fisherman's Wharf could be so much fun when you don't have the lug kids. picture referenced below:

We took the Bay Cruise out the the Golden Gate and around the Rock. Walked down the Pier, bought some REALLY expensive chocolate, and ate at Bubba Gump's. We weren't as prepared at we usually are with the kids...it wasn't just a coincidence that I am wearing a San Fransisco sweat shirt!

Love you Jody! Thanks for putting up with me.

Oh "k" already!

That's for you Kaylynn!;)
I haven't blogged for a couple of months, and it isn't because I haven't thought about it or even attempted...it's because I can't get myself to commit to the "publish post" button. My family hasn't had the best of luck lately...at least I didn't think so until tonight.
Jody had school tonight so I knew I would have some time to myself as soon as the boys went to bed. I ran a bath for Corbin and Camren, changed my clothes and started stretching for my run on the treadmill. The door bell rang and I got distracted but was quickly brought back when I heard giggling coming from the bathroom. I opened the door to a flooded bathroom and the boys taking turns slipping around on the "slip and slide" they had just created. No I don't have pictures!!! I got them dressed and cleaned up the mess to find them thrashing the kitchen and taking all my clean dish towels out use them as capes. Bed time came (Thank goodness). When I came into their room I found that EVERY blanket in the house was fashioned to the top bunk in their bunk beds; they had made a fort! I was too tired and to fight it. I read the bed time story and we ALL fell asleep. When I woke up Camren was wrapped up in my legs (freshly shaved this morning!) and Corbin's fingers were wrapped in my hair!
Then it hit me. All of the troubles and trials have been answering my prayers! Crazy how that works. Loosing my baby in April, working for a horrific manager, pushed me to the point of crazy and sick 'til I quit! Now I am here and a whole new world of stress and crazy has been opened up; I wouldn't have it any other way!

KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION

There was some thought that this day would never come. It was down to the wire and yet he pulled through and we made it...Corbin graduated Kindergarten!! LOL!

Thank you Mrs. Hallam for the constant hushing of my Jabber Box! (I think those words were used on my report cards too..K-12!) Corbin was in a K-1st grade combo class (I cried when I got that phone call!). He made many friends and broke several harts along the way. There was one little girl that made up a pet name for him "Captain Corbin"! What?!

Say hello to his first official crush...Hailey M. He said she smiles when she talks and he kind of likes it. I of course promoted that girls have yucky germs and he can't have a girlfriend until he is 21 and served a mission. Brain washing...a little!

CONGRATULATIONS CORBIN! YOU ROCK!!!

WEAR YOUR KIDS OUT BEFORE BEDTIME

Totally love the results of "WEAR YOUR KIDS OUT BEFORE BEDTIME" Family Home Evening. A couple of our friends decided to get together and play at a local park for an unofficial FHE. The kids played for a couple of hours and we got to have some non work related, no stress, adult conversation. Loved it! Thanks Jenny for putting it together! I am thinking we should do this every NIGHT let alone every Monday! Aren't they the cutest drooling monkeys you have ever seen?

Camren snores louder then a grown man! Seriously you can hear this kid all the way down the hall.

Corbin on the other hand is a silent sleeper. Ever since he was a baby I had to sit perfectly still with my hand on his back to see if he was still alive! Sleep what a wonder thing!