UT Trip

Over Labor day weekend we made the very loooooong trip to Oakley UT. We left at 5:00pm Friday evening and arrived at out destination at 3:00am. Needless to say it was a very long ride, but it was at the same time very fun because we rode with Jason's sister's family in their van. Driving in that van only reinforced my desire to have a van someday. We also heard from my mom about my Dad's heart issues and that was not so fun but my dad is a tough old guy so he'll be just fine after the Surgeon does his magic on him. So Saturday after we finally got out of bed was filled with a family service project and visiting with family. Sunday was filled with lots of family fun and visiting and cranky miss Eden. We also had the chance to take updated family pictures and listen to our three returned missionaries at a family fireside. It was a very special weekend and worth every hour in that van with  three kids. Thank goodness for DVD players. We came home Monday and cleaned the entire house. If only I had energy to do that every day. I guess thats what Saturdays are for. I hope everyone else had a great weekend.

 Josh had the honor to ride with Alan and Paula and Parker.

In this picture Eden, Eric and Dilyn were mesmerized by the DVD movie that was on.

 Eric and Dilyn, they are three weeks apart in age. I love the two different expressions on their face. Eric, so happy to be in a car seat, Dilyn, not sure he want to be there.

Our Three Returned Missionaries. left to right.

Parker Kjar served in the Halifax Canada mission.

Cyle Christiansen served in the Oklahoma City Oklahoma mission Spanish speaking.

Morgan Park served in the  France mission

 All three came home a couple of weeks apart, we were very enlightened by their messages to us of prayer, faith, scripture reading and hard work and laughed at their stories of how mean little old ladies can be and of how the gospel can change a person's life forever.

First Day of School

The First day Of school was busy and I'm sure that we'll get a schedule under control soon. But let me share a couple of fun things the boys did on their first day of school.

 These were taken the night before. Both Josh and Eric were so excited that they had to make sure that everything fit and was ready to go.

 His smile is so priceless.

 Josh on his first day of being a First grader. He was chatting up a storm with all his old friends from last year. He came home just as excited and told me was was already to go back tomorrow. Mrs Moss gave him his own cubby today. She was so mindful of him she gave him one lower to the ground so he could reach, she told him he was a star and gave him a star necklace. Now if only his mom could work out her work schedule so that she could pick him up on time.

 My sweet little boy Eric was so excited he told me that it was finally his turn to go to school. a quick story Eric was so excited to go this morning that he sat on his backpack which had his juice box in it. the juice box exploded to he ended up having to change his pants and we had to throw the pack pack in the dryer but all was well and he got to school and time. He told me that he was good and got a stamp!

They are so cute!

River Fun

Saturday we played at the river and had a blast. Friday night we went to a Aces ball game and of course I forgot the camera again. I really need to stop forgetting the camera on such important family occasions. Then we floated down the Truckee river Saturday. The pictures speak for them selves. I will say this even Eden went down the river she liked it the first time down but not the second. she got drenched a little to much for her taste.

 Eden ready for her ride on the tube.

 Josh  and Eden ready for a ride down the river.

 Eric's usual Cheesey smile.

 Eden after being drenched on her tube ride.

 Josh searching for crawdads.

 It was a really fun time at the River.

family baseball game

I'm a bit late on this post since I started working I've found it a bit difficult to find balance at home and work. I'm really close to finding that balance. I hope it gets better when we have a school schedule. Anyways the weekend of the 11th we went down to Folsom to visit with the family and to listen o Parker give his reporting talk in church as part of the fun weekend we played a friendly game of baseball Saturday evening. I think that everyone had a good time. It was nice to be around the family. We had Grandma Kjar there and Grandma Park. Rachel and Jed, Jason's aunt and uncle and their kids and of course the usual band of Kjar's and Nebekers'. It was a nice weekend and as always it was really hard to leave. We look forward to Labor-day weekend when we can be with the family again.

 Parker pitching to Jay ( Rachel and Jed's youngest)

Josh and Eric cheering on the game. I was so busy playing the game that I forgot to take more pictures.

Working Outside of The Home

I've had all kinds of reactions when people find out that I'm now working outside of my home. It was a choice that Jason and I made prayerfully and we  put lots of thought into it before making the decision. When we were married back in '04 the economy was booming and it seemed that there were plenty of jobs for everyone in our country. We had our first son in '06 and the decision for me to stay home with him was what we felt was the most important thing for our family, so Jason continued supporting our family on his own while we were still both going to school. Those years were tough and blessed. I wouldn't change them. Then in '09 the economy crashed. All those jobs that we thought would be there when we graduated disappeared over night and company's were going out of business all over the place. Our own company that we had worked so hard on was dieing right before our eyes. We still felt that if the economy could just hold on till Jason finished his degree we'd magically be all right and be able to get a job that would provide us the means we needed for our family. Well in 2010 Jason finished his degree and started applying for jobs only to find that a bachelors degree was not enough anymore. We were competing against people that had been in the workforce for years and had masters degrees. Even with years of experience and a masters degrees they were still not being hired. The frustrating realization that we might not find anything for a long time hit us. Then in 2011 our surprise baby girl came into our lives and with that joy of having a baby girl the realization that at our current state we could not afford a van to transport these three beautiful kids around in. Now we do not need a van but when you are trying to buckle kids into their seats and you the mom are pretty much the only one that can buckle the six year old in because you are the only one with an arm small enough to fit in between the seats there is something wrong there. So more children was out of the question. We could not save anything at our current state. So Jason began job searching and looking and looking and looking again. We finally realized that we could probably look for years and still not find anything in this area. So the answer was right in front of us I needed to go back to work part time and help my husband provide for the needs of our family while he keeps looking for another job. I work as a bookkeeper for a little printing company and for the five hours a day that I'm there I'm quite happy. My coworkers are nice and my manager is fair. My children seemed settled with their new babysitter and when school starts Eric and Josh really wont even know I'm gone.
Sure it's been hard when people all around me continue to ask why I'm working, what am I thinking, or the best one, " you'll miss everything that Eden does" these comments are hurtful and make my decision harder but the decision was made with the Lord and for now it is the right thing to do for our family. I have gifts outside of being a Mom and now I'm able to share those gifts with others. Women were put on this earth to be a helpmate to their husbands. Jason and I work best when we are working together. I'm thankful for this new opportunity to grow. Our family will benefit from this time in our lives.

Liquid Gold 5K

Jason and I set a goal for our selves to get in shape and run a 5K. This morning was our 5K. It was in support of Breast feeding awareness, fitting since this last year I spent breast feeding Eden. Our 5K was not well marked and we ended up going the wrong way ( everyone) so when it was all said and done we ended up running 4 miles up some major hills and down some serious stairs oh and up some stairs as well. But we did it and I'm so glad we did now we're looking forward to the next 5K and Jason wants to start training  for a 10K so we are going to stay very busy.
Oh and on our way home from dropping off the babysitter we drove past a garage sale and found a somewhat new bike. After some bidding wars between us and another buyer Jason became the proud owner of a Huffy bike that can take him to work. Everything is finally coming together for our family. We are so blessed.

 we are at the UNR campus for the 5K race

Jason's new to him bike.

So cute

Eden had her 12 month visit to the Dr's today, as follows she weighs 18lbs 10oz. Her weight is in the 5th percentile and her height in in the 25th percentile she is a bit on the petite side which is just perfect but her head is in the 75th percentile. according to the Dr' she has a college professor size head. All my kids have had heads that were bigger than the size body they had. While the Dr was checking Eden she seem to take offense to him touching her chest since she tried to take a swing at him. The Dr. laughed and said I have a feisty little girl. If he were any man other than a Dr I'd take a swing at him too.

I took some fun pics of my happy children.

Enjoy

 Josh reading to Eden after her nap

 Josh got ahold of my camera and took this pic of Eric. It's kinda cute!

 Eden happy as ever having just gotten up from a nap and had her big brother read to her.

I Love My cute little girl!

There and Back again

Two years ago we sent Parker , Jason's younger brother off to the Halifax Canada mission. We entrusted that the Lord would protect him and bring him home safe again.The Lord did just that last Saturday. Parker served a very successful mission and we are so happy to have him home again. The family feels more complete with him home again. Getting him home was a bit of an adventure though. Friday evening when Jason and I were about half way to Folsom CA we received a call from my father inlaw informing us that Parker was not going to arrive later that night. His plane from Philadelphia to Sacramento was canceled due to a crack in the windshield. After two years of patiently waiting for Parker to come home you can just imagine how frustrating that was. After some frustrating flight adjustments the closest the air ways could get Parker to us was San Francisco airport. Thats like three hours from Folsom. So Saturday morning we all packed up in two cars and drove to the city. It was well worth being able to see Parker. It was a dream reunion minus the fact that Jenna's family couldn't be there, that was unfortunate. Parker gave hugs all around and met his niece for the first time. The air ways of course lost Parker's luggage so we were a little lighter than expected going back to Folsom.The weekend was a lot of driving but so worth every mile driven. I must say that going home Sunday was the hardest. None of us wanted to leave so soon after Parker coming home. Jenna and her family came home late Sunday night so their reunion with Parker will be today. The family will be together again in two weeks when Parker speaks in his ward so till then.  

 Driving over the bridge.

I've only been to San Francisco once before this. So this was kinda cool.

 Cool city view

 Another city view

Even though we had done a ton of driving up to this point our kids were in very good moods. Josh especially was a very happy boy. We had no DVD player on this trip so to have them be as happy as they were when we arrived at the airport was a miracle.

 Josh holding the sign for Parker at the air port

 Eric holding the sign. He wanted a turn too.

 Just look at Eden's face. She has no idea what is going on.

 So Parker hadn't eaten in twelve hours by this point and all I had with me was a pakage of fruit snacks. So this was Parker enjoying his first meal in CA.

 Parents reunited with their son.

I love this picture!

 I'm sorry this was a bad picture. Jason and Parker reunion.

 Parker and Josh

 So once we got back to Folsom Parker went over with Alan and Paula to the Stake Presidents house to be released. When he came home he said that he was lighter. The wonderful burden of being a full time missionary was lifted.

So who was the first girl he kissed after being released? His pretty little baby niece Eden. Those two hit it off right away.

A day at the museum

My dad was great a got our family member passes to the Discovery Museum. I personally love the Discovery Museum as do my children, but my husband had never gone so we took him today and just as I love the museum my husband grew to love it too.

 Back in the cave room. This was Josh's favorite place in the Museum.

 Can you spot Eric? hee hee!

 This was Eric's favorite place to play.

 We went during Eden's nap time so she spent most of her time chilling in her stroller on the verge of sleep and not.

 Playing with wind

We tried to get a picture of me and the kids but as you can see they weren't going to cooperate. But the picture still turned out good because this is life at it's best, This is my life and I love it!

Eden's Birthday

Yesterday was my beautiful baby girls first birthday. We made decorations and her favorite meal of hot dogs, baked beans and green beans. It was a quiet party just our family but we tried to make it special for her and her brothers. Can she really be one already? I really don't know where all the time goes but we have been a happier family with her in the family. She is the happiest baby I've ever had the privilege of knowing. Last Saturday while we we're in CA picking Eden up from my parents we stopped in with Jason's parents and had a birthday party for my Father in law but we also did a little party for Eden as well.

 Alan and his cake!

 Well she devoured her cake.

 Then on the morning of Eden's birthday I was awaken by Josh singing happy birthday to Eden. He wanted to be the first to sing to her. Then after breakfast he just randomly started sweeping the floor. Then after that he started to try to clean the kitchen table. I walked in with water all over the table and Josh singing a happy tune. He just wanted to have everything perfect for his sister's birthday.

 The birthday girl all dressed up and ready to party.

 I made her a special princess crown just for the occasion.

 I also made birthday decorations with Josh encouraging the entire time.

 Eden's special birthday cake. I wanted Eden to have a pretty cake all of her own.

 Eden's special cupcake.

 Jason came home with a birthday balloon for her but as soon as we tried to show it to her she cried. I think that she is a little bit afraid of balloons right now since she chewed on one the other day and popped it in her face.

 She had no fear of that cupcake.

 The cupcake was completely devoured and just look at that smile.

 Eden received presents from grandparents and her family. What did she get? Mostly clothes but Josh tried really hard to make a card for her and personalize it to.

It was a very good first birthday party!