The "Talk"

The day has finally come. The day that every parent dreads- the day, that inevitably scars a person forever. The icky-sticky-yucky-mucky talk that will have a profound impact on one's life. Andy and I have been waiting for this day for a long time. We have been anticipating when the opportunity would arise, in giving Nate the dreaded "talk of shame".

It all happened when Nate recived a magazine promo in the mail about animals. He loves that kind of thing, and so he was excited to read about the Sabre Tooth Tiger and the Killer Shark attacking its prey. He is reading along, and as he is discovering more and more things he didn't know about the wild animal kingdom, he is excitedly telling Andy and I what he has learned. "Mom, did you know that alligators eat the heads off of deer?" I looked, and sure enough the vicious alligator has its jaws locked around the neck and head of a deer (or what was left of it) in its gigantic jaws. He is going on and on, and eventually he and Andy end up in the other room talking about all the cool animals featured in this mini magazine. A few minutes later, Andy walks in, with his face contorted, eyes watering, obvious signs that he is holding in loud laughter. I'm looking at him confused. "What did you do?"

He sits next to me and whispers "I did it! I finally gave him the talk!" Immediately my face turns bright red. I can't believe I am blushing. But the thought of my sweet and innocent little boy dicovering a little more about the "wild animal kingdom" was certainly more than he bargained for, and I just couldn't help with identifying with him in that moment. He likes girls. As friends. But when it is teased into something more, he goes crazy with anger. So just imagining him learning about the s-word was more than I could take.

It was a little awkward at first. Nate went to his room for a little bit, undoubtedly to process the information on his own. But when he came back out of his room, all was well. He quietly opened his magazine and continued to read. And it was then that I realized how sweet, unproblematic, and uncompliated children really are.

Stubbs Ave.

My friend Pamela sent me this picture after she took a trip to Provo. We know the street well! We used to live in Orem and Andy worked for Turf Plus (a lawn spraying company). He would travel throughout the area and one day he ended up on Stubbs Avenue! He thought "hmm how funny is that?" After spraying the lawn he was assigned to, he had to get the homeowner's signature. He noticed after looking at the paperwork that it was a Stubbs. So he told the guy that he was also a Stubbs and the man said "who's your father?" He doesn't know him. Then the man asks "who is your grandfather?" Andy tells him and the guys says, "hey, that's my brother!" What a small world!

Hooked on Phonics

I have been out of touch with the blogging world for a couple of weeks. But it is thanks to the blogging world that Drew can now read. A BIG thank you goes out to Jenny Bobo for recommending the Leap Frog Letter Factory video on her blog! I would be amiss if I did not pass on along the same information. This video teaches letters and sounds. I bought it specifically for Drew (who turned four just last month). I ordered it sometime in February and had him watch it EVERYDAY. It was his "school time" at home. And throughout the movie, it was his job to participate in saying the sounds and singing the songs as it went along. Within a week, he knew 20 out of the 26 letters by sight and sound. Before he started watching the movie, he could only identify about ten letters by sight and he didn't know many of the sounds. So this was a HUGE improvement, all within a week! It became a daily ritual; before nap time he would get out his special chair and watch this movie. This went on for about two months.

Once he knew all of his letters and sounds well, I started him on the Hooked on Phonics program. Hooked on Phonics was one of the best investments we have ever made! We bought it on ebay about five years ago and I have used it to teach Nate and Jace how to read. (They are both advanced readers in their respective classes.) The last three weeks Drew has been doing the program, as well as a neighbor boy, Jace's best friend Jayson. Drew is almost done with level 1 and on to level 2. It is amazing to see how well kids do on this progam. So I have to HIGHLY recommend these two products, they are worth every penny!

I've Been TAGGED!

I've been tagged! Thanks Sara, for calling me out and potentially embarrassing myself!

10 Years ago...

Katy, Heather, and Me in 1998!

I was 18, living at home, working with my dad at his Dental Lab, going to school part time at community college, and dreaming of the day when I could move out and go to school full time. You see, I didn't go to college the year after I graduated. At my mother's insistence I stayed home (and I daresay at her ignorance on matters of financial aide to get school loans and the whole applying to college in general). It was difficult for me to stay home when all I wanted was to move away and be independant. It was difficult for my parents to let that happen too easily, me of course being their first child, and so I had to fight for it.

I was also occasionally dating Jason Huntsman (never an item, but I was hoping), and soon to be meeting future boyfriend Ryan, A.K.A. The Highlander, who currently seems to always make it into bedtime stories as "The Evil Highlander" .

5 things on my "TO DO" list today:
1. Get dressed! I have a school program this evening, I wouldn't want Nate to be embarrased that his mom looks a little redneck today! 2pm and I'm still in my PJ's!
2. Fold laundry while catching up with Samantha Who? since I didn't get to watch it last night.
3. Pull out the new scrapbook paper I bought last week and get to planning some layouts.
4. Spend five minutes outside, enjoying the sunshine, while the kids nap.
5. Plan a quick dinner...its going to be chaos from the moment the kids come home from school!

Things I would like to do if I were suddenly a Billionaire...
1. Travel! I would love to be a globetrotter.
2. Get an awesome car, and drive it as much as I want! The ridiculous gas prices will be inconsequential...
3. Hire a maid. I hate cleaning bathrooms and folding laudry.
4. Buy a house with too many rooms, pointless amenities, and insane decor!
Four is all I could come up with, I'm not used to the idea of having whatever I want...

3 of my bad habits:
1. I am a HUGE procrastinator
2. I have a negative inner dialogue when it comes to self
3. I bottle up my emotions until they explode

Places I've lived...
Las Vegas, NV
Orem, UT
Boston, MA
Vista, CA
Beaufort, SC

Jobs I've had...
1. Dental Tech
2. FAO Schwarz clerk
3. Driver
4. Babysitter
5. Ebayer

Something most people don't know about me:

I am a dancer at heart. I love to dance. I wish I was a professional. When I was little, I was a clogger. I haven't clogged since I was twelve, and I miss it. I can still do it, but I really wish I were more involved with it, even now. More than anything though, I am a ballroom dancer. I love anything ballroom. I used to be on a team in high school. I didn't realize what ballroom was though, until I went to an actual competition, right before I graduated. I did a little here and there in college, but I didn't get into it because I got married. If I had the money to afford lessons, I would have been good at it. Really good. So now, I must take comfort in Dancing with the Stars, because that's all I've got!

I tag Melissa, Kendal, Becky, and Annie E!

Mi Familia!

Front row from L to R: Travis, Melissa, Heather, Andy, Jace (on lap), and Nate. Second row from L to R: Kylan, Makenna, Chad, Kierra, and Sara (on lap). Third row from L to R: Shanna, Tyler, Wendy, Donnell, and Drew (on lap).

This picture was taken in October when we went to Vegas for my brother Travis's wedding, right before my brother Tyler left on his mission.





The Brox Family up close:

My Pops. He is a Dental Technician and does beautiful work! He is currently sporting a full head of gray hair, which only adds to his "Grandpa" look.






My beautiful Mammacita. She helps my dad with his business when she can. Mom is dealing with the fact that her and my dad will soon be empty nesters.






Me, of course. I am big sis to this crazy clan. I look forward to the time when some of my other peeps start getting married. 1 down, 5 to go!







Travis. Recently married to Melissa (its about dang time someone got married!), and is exposed to the new and terrifying world of being a dad. He works with Pops at the Dental Lab.

Chad. Current status: single. Why? I have no idea. He is so stinkin' cute, I don't understand what the problem is. Any takers? He is a Tech at Dad's lab too.

Shanna. Working/going to school in Utah. She is also single and claims to have no prospects. Is that possible in Utah? Shanna is an amateur photographer, and will soon be jumping into starting her own business.

Heather. A message therapist (and a darn good one at that!) who works at a hotel downtown. She is ALSO unnattatched...I feel like I'm on repeat...and yes, her and Shanna are twins! Anyone know of any boy twins around the age of 22?

Tyler. He is serving a mission in Morristown, NJ. Ty DOES, however, have a "special girl" waiting in the wings. Just another year and half before the next potential wedding!

Kylan or "Ky" as he likes to be called. This was my little baby. Isn't he handsome? He's in his last year of HS, and looks forward to going to college before turning in his mission papers.

Something to Ponder...

Thought it was interesting, what do you think?

Computer Woes

For the past four months at least, our computer has had issues. We usually have problems once or twice a year, and it is ALWAYS during Christmas time. The frustrations of owning a computer with a warranty drives me crazy. Yes, the cost of repair is covered, but they neglect to tell you that you must spend a minimum of an hour on the phone with them every time you have to call them (which is quite often), and the first repair does not always fix the problem. So here we are, on our second computer in three years, fighting tooth and nail to get something fixed, that most likely won't last another year.

'

With our previous computer, we had a Best Buy warranty. What a JOKE. After the third repair, you are entitled to a new computer. It was sent out 4 times; they disqualified one of the fixes as being legitimate because they couldn't find anything wrong with it that time. After countless hours on the phone with a company that should burn to the ground, they still wouldn't get us our new computer. All the while, time is running out on the warranty. Enough is enough! Andy cornered a newbie and pushed for a new computer, and got it. We were thrilled, and very surprised at the same time (under the circumstances they were definately not going to give it to us). Thank goodness for inexperience. After the fight of our life, the clerk turns around and asks, "Would you like to buy a warranty with that?" Andy was left speechless. He wanted to punch the guy.

'

Our current computer is under a 1 year factory warranty. We have had to send it to HP twice in the last two months, within a 2 week span. This second time it was sent on the 3rd of February. We were supposed to get it back on the 20th. Come the 22nd, still no computer, so Andy calls the company, again, is on hold for an hour, again, only to find out that they needed a question answered on the 13th and no one was home when they called. In the meantime, it is just sitting there. This is why I STILL don't have my computer? Are you kidding me? AAAAGGGGGHHHHH!

'

Thank heavens for good neighbors, letting me periodically check my emails and keep tabs in the blogging world! Someday I will get updated, I WILL!

Potty Training 101

My goal is to potty train Sara by her 2nd birthday (which is in two weeks). She is the last one, I am SO EXCITED! I have been changing diapers for 7.5 years, and I am so done. THE TIME HAS COME. I am ready to be free of changing poo! I do the "How to Potty train Your Child in a Day" method, but it has never had success for me in one day. Not with any one of my children. It usually takes a full week, and there were a couple of times I had to leave it alone for a month and re-introduce it again. Thankfully, Sara has been showing signs of wanting to potty train. Here is an overview of our successes (and failures) in our Potty Training Boot Camp!

• Day 1- NOT a good morning. On the fifth pair of undies by noon, though thankfully the contaminates have been contained thus far. Had to start a load of laundry early to keep up with the demand, made the switch to brother's undies (much looser; easily comes off and is much more uncomfortable when an accident occurs). 2 wins before naptime...could she be getting it? SIGH, I hope! Overall score: 4 good, 10,11,12...? bad

• Day 2- Very similar to yesterday, though I made it easy on myself and didn't pump her full of juice today. She scored three times, earning everyone a treat, but overall...YIKES. Very hopeful tomorrow will be better. Overall score: 3 good, 6 bad

• Day 3- I wish I could erase this morning from my memory, FOREVER. Can we say, carpet cleaner? I've hit the point in the week where I just want to give up! She knows when she has to go, that is the frustrating part. She goes and hides, every time. She always does it between the scheduled potty breaks every 5-10 minutes. I fear if this keeps going the way it does, I will be bald very soon.

• Day4- Had to put a stop to all the mayhem! Her little bum is still recovering from the juice iv...you would think I would be smarter about apple juice, but we don't drink much of it so I didn't realize how it would effect Sara. OOPS! Will have to again in a month or so to recharge! : )

MISSION INCOMPLETE!

President Hinkley

The president and prophet of our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, died on January 27th at the age of 97. I did not personally kow him, but I feel very privelaged to be acquainted with two of his grand-daughters. The special and personal insights they have shared with me help me to feel as if I had known him, and have also helped me to understand that though he is a prophet, he is also a very sweet and loving man. He is like any other grandfather in that he finds joy in his posterity; in spending time with his beloved little ones. Thank you President Hinkley, for inspiring me throughout my lifetime, I am truly grateful.


Here is an article on his life and accomplishments:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695247765,00.html

Here is a tribute to President Hinkley by Glen Beck:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCXYciIr3xs&feature=user

Super Bowl

We went to our friend's, the Ray's, for the superbowl game. The kids played and destroyed their house while the adults watched the game. What a freakin' dissapointment! UGH! Lame, lame, lame. With all the hype about the Pats having a perfect season and the Giants not standing a chance, of course they choke. You'd think I'd be used to it after cheering on the Sox for so many years. Man, I am so glad I'm not in Boston tonight... And what is up with Belichick leaving before the game is even over? What a SORE LOSER!

New Year's Goals

• get more organized
• work out regularly
• start a book club
• potty train Sara
• teach Drewby to read
• magnify church callings
• date hubby more
• go on vacation
• start new projects... and FINISH the ones I have already started
• regularly update the family blog!

Sara's Bedroom

Source of Inspiration: Sara's baby blanket. This was my source of inspiration when decorating Sara's room. It is a banket my mom gave her last Christmas, and I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. It is a handmade quilt, made by my cousin who sells them. I took my two favorite materials from the blanket, ordered them online (designer fabrics and very pricey), and sewed curtains and a crib set. I have never done anything like it, I was very much out of my element. Somehow I made it work!

Dilemma: There were two tall dressers that were unable to fit in the master bedroom, so they had to go in Sara's room. I just couldn't come up with a good space plan for all the furniture, which really only consisted of the two dressers and Sara's crib.

Solution: The solution came to me as I was browsing the HGTV website. I placed the crib between the two dressers along the wall. Even though the crib wasn't smack dab in the middle, I created the illusion by hanging sheers on either side of the crib by way of a long shower rod. It had to be tweaked a bit to keep from sagging in the middle, so it's a good thing my husband is first and foremost an enigineer. I ad-libbed on the curtain design, but it turned out so cute, I couldn't refrain from patting myself on the back! For the crib bedding, I just made a huge sleeve and inserted my old crib bedding. I did that for three reasons: 1) I can't sew very well. I wasn't sure if I could make quality bumper pads. 2) After spending a small fortune on several yards of designer fabric, I just couldn't afford to make bedding by scratch. 3) I didn't want to destroy the Noah's Ark bedding that all my boys had when they were babies, it was just too sentimental.

Here is how it turned out!

I picked up this little shelving unit at the Salvation Army for $20. Its DIY brand sold at Target for about $80! I was so excited, what a great buy!

I took some "curtain jewelry" that I bought at walmart for $4 a strand and cut it apart to create a border of butterflies above the closet doors.

I bought the larger butterflies at Target for $12. It was a kids craft project!

ARTWORK

I bought these picture frames for really cheap, $4 each, at The Christmas Tree Shops in Boston when we were there. The butterfly picture and the initials I just printed off my computer. I also added the buttons, ribbon, and scrapbook fibers, they turned out so cute!

I am so excited that I finished my first design project since school! It was a great design on a small budget, in total I think I spent about $220 for paint, furniture, art, and fabric, and sewing supplies. It was so much fun and I can't wait to be able to do it again!

Nate the Funny Man

I needed a headshot of Nate for a Christmas project I was doing, and this is what I got! What a goofball...

Turkey Day

We celebrated Thanksgiving with our friends, the Wombough's. After slaving in the kitchen all day long and cleaning my house like mad, we had a nice late dinner. We tried deep fried turkey this year, and it was delicious! After brining and marinating and dry rubbing and injecting the thing like crazy, it really was amazing. The dry rub turned it black so we thought the outside of the turkey got burned, but after tasting the skin, MMMMMmmmmm! I think we might stick with the deep fried turkey from now on! After dinner, we were joined by other friends for dessert, the Klafke's. By 9:00, Sara had dropped from all the excitement.

Jayson, Jace, Jessica, Drew, Nate

Christina, and the rest of us!

I am Thankful For...

• chocolate-not just any chocolate, but the really good stuff, the IMPORTED stuff. I can rarely eat anything else. I would rather not if it doesn't taste right!
  
• kickboxing-my favorite exercise class! Try it, it makes you feel so good (if you judge that by soreness)


• the various drawings that I find taped on walls throughout the house, mostly of Star Wars guys


• pretty things, wether it be pair of shoes or the beautiful Beaufort landscape...this place really is beautiful. I think I would go crazy living here if it wasn't!


• the late night talks/laughing sessions with Andy. We have the most fun when we are both a little punch drunk from being tired, and that boy really puts a smile on my face.
  
• the little "I wuv you's" from Sara...so precious, it melts my heart every time


• Southern food, a new found LOVE


• going crazy everyday being home with my kids


• a wonderful husband who knows and understands that I need to get away from the kids in order to keep loving them


• my three little protectors, wether it be from mortal danger or themselves

Happy Halloween!

It was so much fun dressing up all the kids in Star wars costumes. Nate was Boba Fett, Jace was a clone, Drew was Jengo Fett, and Sara was yoda, even though she was mistaken as a bunny on more than one occasion!

Motorcycle Gang

Grandpa Brox lets the kids sit on his Harley. Sara turned into a motorcycle mama, she didn't want to get off!

Travis and Melissa's Wedding

My brother Travis got married to Melissa, a sweet girl. She has a 5 yr. old little girl named Makenna, so Travis is a daddy and so my kids have a cousin on my side of the family! YEAH! It's about time. The wedding was beautiful. In the days leading up to the big day, the whole family was so busy putting everything together. It turned out to be a very nice wedding.