It's Christmas time in the city...

This year for Christmas we decided to do something different. Instead of purchasing gifts for our family and friends we chose to do sub for Santa. We also filled stockings for the "forgotten patients" at the Utah state mental hospital. The girls helped by making cards to put in each stocking and helped pick out things from the store that they thought would be meaningful or needed. It was a great experience for us all and hope you can enjoy this gift we give to you.
Merry Christmas!!!
Love the Hawkes Family

Confess something at least!

1- I've been avoiding my blog because I'm overwhelmed with pictures that are on the computer, need to be uploaded and most of all need to be developed...I can't keep track I got to far behind.
2- I'm leaving my family from Thurs-Mon and I don't feel one bit guilty :)
3- I've gained 5 lbs...17 weeks down, almost half way to cute baby!
4- My butt is seriously numb from sitting her playing Tetris for the last hour...can you say ADDICTED!!!
5- I still don't feel so great, but a healthy baby is worth the sacrifice...right? LOL

The time has come...dun dun dun!

1. I wish I could just sit on the table and eat an apple, and be perfectly content and entertained to do so.
2. I don't let my kids eat a lot of sweets because I want them to take good care of their bodies but I sneak treats in my mouth behind their backs, MUAHAHA!!! (I'm old enough to decide for myself...LOL)
3. I, with Jason's help of course, converted Jasie's crib into the toddler bed. After about 1 hour of putting her back into her bed I turned the crib around so the open side faced the wall and gave up on that idea for now. Aa I still have 6 months minimum to reach that point.:)
4. My husband...nauseates me. I know that sounds bad but think of how I feel! He is an AWESOME guy and I can't stand to smell him or feel him or blah...hopefully morning sickness goes away sooner than later.
5. I'm sarcastic, no really I am!

Confessions of an exhausted mommy

1. I am confessing to be 11 weeks pregnant. I'm hoping for a boy. I spent the 4-8th weeks of this pregnancy bleeding and clotting and CRYING!!! After a blessing and a trip to the ultrasound room, lots of blood work and 3 trips to my OBG, everything was fine and I am feeling sick (good sign) NOT FUN! LOL
2. I attract lots of "mental" people, some I had to let go of, and others I can't live without. Seriously I have 4 very close relationships with people that are Bi-polar and I love them to death. I wish there was a way to help :(
3. I slouch, whew, glad I got that out there.
4. I'm really scared to gain all of my pregnancy weight. I just got rid of the last of my baby weight from Syd & Jasie. I just want to be like Whitney when I grow up ;)
5. We finally added another boy to our family. His name is Brewsky (manly name right?) he is a Border Colly puppy...so CUTE! I mean STUDLY. ha ha ha

Brandies birthday

I think 27 is close to 30 but I said that the other day and someone said, not even close...LOL I guess if I was scared of 30 then that would be true but I'm talking numbers and seriously I am close to 30...I can't believe it I still feel 18. And I remember thinking that 30 was really old...LOL now I think 75 is old ;) My birthday was filled with dreaded morning sickness, BLAH however I did get to read Twilight in my bed for a few hours and I got the Twilight soundtrack and new gummy ear plugs for my MP3 AND lets not leave out yummy homemade pancakes for breakfast from my hubby. Chelsie and Bailey (my brother) dressed up and did a little gig for me at dinner LOL and on Sat. My Stone parents took me and J to a Luau where I was tricked onto the stage and danced in front of everyone...AAAA embarrassing.

Back to School

1st day of school 2009 I cried at back to school night for Chelsie and clapped when I took Sydnie to pre-school...LOL Kids grow so fast!

Camping

We had 2 super fun camping trips in one month! The 1st we went up to somewhere (can't remember the name) with some family friends, it took 5 hours to get there because someone wouldn't call for directions until 10pm. I saw this happen on movies before but never thought it would happen in real life...JASON!!! We did have fun though despite peeing on the ground and getting rained on. Sami (Jason's sis came with us, her 1st time camping...what?!?!) sheltered girl, LOL
The second adventure was only an hour away to a family reunion. We played cards, Jason took the kids fishing, Chelsie and her cousins built a house where they cleaned the ground and made rooms with rugs and a kitchen and furniture, it was so cute and it had cold storage...yes I said cold storage. We had lots of good food and there was a lot of laughing. Brandie got to relax a lot because too much of anything could set off her oh so sensitive stomach right now. What does that mean you ask? Yes it means what you think, baby Hawkes #4 will arrive in Late March early April 2010...YEAH!!! We are praying for a BOY,and you should to! ;)

To whom I may confess...

1. I went potty in the woods...A LOT, then I buried it so nobody could see(we were camping)
2. My fav. part of my camping trip was watching everyone else catch fish and then watching them fillet the fish and then watching them cook the fish, but I got to eat it! YUM!!!
3. I would a thousand times rather ride on a wave runner than a four-wheeler, I am a water sports girl what can I say. (I like to feel the sun on my almost naked body)
4. I really love when every single thing I own is put its place facing forward, however, I can deal with the fact that few things will really be that way while I have children living at home.
5. Teaching primary is so AMAZING! I learn so much each week. I feel confident to admit that I am on an 8yr old gospel level. :)

Friday night confession.

1. Family is and always has been my TOP priority.
2. I held my brand new baby niece today 5lbs 15oz, and it made me overwhelmingly baby hungry...UH-OH!
3. I could care less if my name is spelled wrong but I need to make sure you know you spelled it wrong. LOL
4. A guy I dated in high school found me on face book and randomly said "remember when I fell in the sewer on our date? Well really I pooped my pants" WHAT?!?! Why did he need to tell me that? Was he feeling guilty for lying? WOW! (we only dated for a few weeks)
5. I want to eat a snack right now but it's 11pm, not a good idea Brandie go to bed!

CONFESSIONS...

1. When my dog, Cocoa, chews things up that I like I sometimes hit her. You'd think I'd realize it doesn't work but it makes me feel better, I know its inhumane. I still love her.
2. I am very conservative when it comes to consumption...I turn the shower off in between washing my hair and what not. I bet it saves at least a gallon maybe more each time.
3. I resent having to make lunch, I can handle breakfast and like to create dinner, but lunch, I wish someone else would make it!
4. Almost every song I have ever heard reminds me of someone. If you are reading this then I bet I know a song that reminds me of you...that's right YOU!
5. I miss my bff Terris Jean Kirkham, I love that girl and can't wait to see her in Celestial glory.

Ok lets just do a photo bucket this will be easier...

Lehi round-up week

At the carnival there was a petting zoo, Sydnie made it into a hugging zoo...she loves animals, not sure if they love her though, LOL

The round-up week is a tradition in my hometown for as long as I can remember, we always go to the horse parade, mini float parade and grand parade then we go to the carnival and of course the rodeos! This year we had my friends daughter with us for 9 days while she went to Hawaii (lucky girl) so she is the little blondie in all the pics her name is Kasia.

July

Syd received lots of fun gifts, including 8 pairs of shoes and this glitter ball which was given by her Daddy so of course it was her favorite.
The cake was a flower pot tipped to look like the dirt was falling out....it was chocolate cake with caramel drizzled on it while it was hot to make it super moist and then chocolate frosting sprinkled with crushed oreos and gummy worms...it was fun to make and very DELICIOUS!

This month has been crazy!!! I will update on all of it but first and most importantly Sydnie turned 3!!! We had a party at our house and we were so grateful to have such great company and GREAT weather.

I know mine should be called Saturday night confessions...whatever!

1. I have 10 lbs to lose to be back to pre-pregnancy weight...it will NEVER happen!
2. I have a hard time feeling loved and appreciated, it is very frustrating...grr
3. I truly have love in my heart for every person I have ever been acquainted with.
4. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop? I have never tried.
5. I only ever had 10 pimples in my life until I gave birth to Chelsie, since then I get 10 a day (not really but I always have one or two)

Confessions of a mommy drama queen...

1. I am obsessed with Harry Potter, books, movies, I don't care give me all of it!
2. Jason has been begging me for baby #4 since January...I've told him NO! so far, I just don't feel ready yet, kids are a lot of work. Especially with a fireman husband.
3. I have never read the Book of Mormon cover to cover, mostly because I have never clearly understood it enough to have the desire. I challenged myself in January and have LOVED every minute of it. WHAT a truly amazing gift from Heavenly Father, he really knows what is best for us.
4. I wake up every morning Mon-Thurs. at 5:45 and jog 2 miles, it really has become such a joy!
5. I don't like sharing my food from my plate with my kids, or anyone really, but I am happy to get you your own plate of food. LOL

Beautiful daughters of God.

It's rare to Sydnie showing such affection towards Chelsie but when she does we want to capture every moment of it, so we can prove it later. HA HA HA
The girls always look so beautiful before church but by the time sacrament wrestling is over the story has changed so here is a before to show how nice they look all cleaned up!

I must confess...

1. I hate everything about gasoline, buying it, pumping it, the fact that I need it to drive,GRRR
2. I talk to myself on a daily basis, maybe even hourly :)
3. My whole life I was told that roses were my favorite flower, so I went with it. NOT true I love Calla lilies.
4. Cosmetology is my passion, especially color!
5. Someday I will own a business, a restaurant, day spa, candy store, bakery...any of these would fulfill my dream.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

Friday night confessions...

Ok well my friend Tara talked me into this so here's how it works every Friday night I will post five confessions about me...here goes
1. I am having an affair...with sugar in any form. (I can't resist it)
2. I realized recently that I have some pride issues to work on. (Shocker, I know)
3. I have been in love 3 times (my heart was broken twice...grr)
4. When Chelsie was 2 I found out I had a parasite on my skin that was causing what looked like terrible acne (how embarrassing) but its gone now thanks to Julie Davis the voodoo Dr.
5. I had 3 miscarriages between Chelsie and Sydnie, I would come home crying from church sometimes after baby blessings.
Be brave and try confessing your secrets, its fun!

Chelsie had aunt Sami over and it was a b-e-a-utiful day so we got the sprinkler ball out and I thought they looked pretty amazing when they cleared the ball in one jump! Little acrobats, aren't they awesome! Sami is Jasons sister for those of you who don't know ;) We all look forward to more days like this...however not the part where we left Cocoa (our puppy) alone with the ball and she ATE it, grrr naughty Cocoa!

"hope ya know, we had a hard time"

"Hope you know I had a hard time"

Red & yellow & pink & green....

Purple & orange & blue, I can sing a rainbow sing a rainbow sing a rainbow too!
Listen with your eyes and you can see how fantastic this was! Rainbows amaze me and I was so excited to see two rainbows one above the other. The second one is a little hard to see so look closely. I took the pictures on redwood road while I was driving, Chelsie thought I was crazy, but it was well worth it to me.

A new member of our family!

SUGAR! She is our new kitten! Jason and the girls got her for Brandie for Mothers day. She is so fun and is very tolerant as you can see. Sydnie holds her by the neck and skin all the time and Sugar just hangs there, they were meant to be together we guess.

Sydnie, the big helper!

Surprisingly Sydnie wanted to help me vacuum! I say that with such enthusiasm because up until this day she was terrified of the vacuum cleaner, it may or may not have something to do with the fact that I always chase her onto the couch when I turn it on...LOL Anywho, we had fun vacuuming, now I need to get her to wipe her own toosh!

A couple of weeks ago, when we thought spring had sprung, we ventured to the park for the afternoon. Jasie had SO much fun, this was her first time and she probably went down the slide 50 times in a half an hour. She was so cute, as you can see! The girls are growing so fast I am already wishing time to slow down so I can enjoy every single moment with them. Here's to Spring returning soon...

Ok so I am totally hooked on coupons now...I can't believe how much I can save just by getting the paper and clipping coupons. I always thought "what a waste of time" or I really won't save enough for it to be worth my time. Well I was obviously naive! The pictures above will demonstrate the amount you can save, and how quickly you can build food storage.
8 boxes of frosted flakes
2 boxes of frosted mini wheats
4 -5 packs of fiber one bars
5 -3 packs of irish spring soap
5 packages of angel hair pasta
10- 8 packs of rice crispie treats
5 colgate expressions toothpaste
4 packs of wrigleys gum
5 -4 packs of dannon yogurt smoothies
4 aerosol cans of lysol disinfectant spray
2 tubes of neosporin
4 -45 count dixie plates
1 -25 count dixie bowls
5 bags of quaker rice cake snacks
RETAIL TOTAL = $210
AMOUNT SPENT = $76.71
AMOUNT SAVED = $133.29 WOW!!!

The next shopping spree was smaller but still amazing!
5 boxes of 26 count electrasol dishwasher tabs
2 -75 oz. bottles of electrasol dishwasher liquid
3 tubes of neopsporin
3 -35 count lysol disinfecting wipes
2 aerosol cans of glade air freshener (free by the way)
2 -2 packs of hot hot pockets
1 red baron pizza
RETAIL TOTAL = $87
AMOUNT SPENT = $11.50
AMOUNT SAVED = $75...WOW!!!
Maybe you think I'm crazy but this actually works and all you have to do is buy the Sunday newspaper and clip the coupons. Its worth a try for anyone, especially during the economy crisis!

8th anniversary celebration

Happy anniversary to us...March 15th. We celebrated by taking the kids for sleepovers with grandparents and aunt Whitney. Then we made our way to Ruby Tuesday where our server was the most amazing...Debi Hawkes, LOL we had so much fun and she took these pictures for us. Then to Sees candies for my fav treat...butterscotch squares. After that we headed to Wiseguys comedy club where we had a good laugh. And ended up at home alone, which was really weird I kept wanting to check the kids but nope they weren't there. It was a great night, one we will remember for a long time. It's great to date! LOL

Usborne Books

We found this amazing book company! We are consultants and would love you to look at our website. Fantastic kids books and learning tools. Check it out here...

Interesting facts

In my new ward I was asked by the relief society to fill out an information sheet and return it. When I got to the question asking to tell something interesting about myself I couldn't think of anything good so I e-mailed Jason because he was at work and this was his response.

Yes
you gave birth to a child naturally and actually want to do it again
you have a huge family
you swallowed a fruit snack whole and survived to tell about it
you have an amazing ear for playing music without knowing how to officially read music
you know how to use American sign language
you were a mommy to over 40 rowdy college boys before the age of 26
you can almost do your splits perfectly
you have the most painful donkey kick in the world
you can automatically throw something and have it land in my eye whether i am wearing a helmet or securely hidden in a body bag

there are millions of things but i have to go now i will send you more later!!!! I love you profusely!

that is my word of the day PROFUSELY
HE CRACKS ME UP, AND THIS MADE ME FEEL LIKE I HAD SOMETHING INTERESTING TO SHARE. PS the only one I shared was the rowdy college dorm mom.

Life.

As I watch myself and others struggle in this life, my heart breaks for all the disappointment and heartache that we endure. I know it's rare for me to share spiritual experiences but now is a time in my life when I am reflecting on the importance of this earthly life and those I choose to take with me on my journey here. I have always tried to be a helping hand to those around me (bluntness and all) :) But I find myself looking back and realizing that I was doing those things because that is what I needed. Instead of seeing what the recipient was in need of. I have found recently that holding on to acquaintances, whom I thought of as friends has led me down some paths I wouldn't have chosen for myself if I could have seen the hindsight. So I have come to a point where I must make some decisions for myself, which in my mind I have not done often, although it may have looked that way at times. I must let go of the negative influences in my life, choose not to let them effect my choices and my spirituality, some are family and some friends. I know this sounds like a depressing reality, however this is very cleansing for me to write and share with those I love and respect. If you are reading this then have no worries you're not on the "bye-bye" list. ;)
I had the opportunity to attend a temple session at the Mount Timpanogis temple with my hubby last week, first session since before Jasie was born, I know I was naughty...bad me. The next day I was able to attend the Draper temple open house which was SO amazing! The spirit there was so strong that in the sealing room as I was trying to talk to Chelsie a little about my sealing to Jason I couldn't help the tears from flowing. It was so great to have her there and see her experience the temple for the first time. It was a glimpse of what will come in the future for my beautiful daughters. I have so much love in my heart for all of you, the gospel and of course my eternal family. Since the new year I have been studying the Book of Mormon. I have never read and understood the words so clear before, I am amazed what I can learn and how just adding personal scripture study to my life has changed my perspective on my family and there receptiveness to me. Learning of the creation from the temple and then learning it again in the scriptures has given me an "a-ha" moment this week. 2 Nephi 2:25 "Adam fell that man might be; and men are, that they might have joy." To me this always meant that I should have joy because that's what it meant, but I have discovered that we cannot have joy without the fall of Adam because there would be no knowledge of this joy if there were no misery. So we must pass through sorrow to know repentance, and we must have our hearts broken to find mercy, and we must suffer some misery to understand real joy. I have experienced all of these as have you all I'm sure, however he never said it would be easy just that it would be worth it. I can't wait to see you all in all your glory that you have earned, there we see each other as we really are.
Love to all!

I had to.

This is Jason, very excited for his German chocolate cherry cake...It was too funny not to blog. Sorry Babe-a

Thats what I call flexible.

So this is the a fore mentioned "bear bear" that Jasie got for Christmas. She cannot sleep without it, as you can see whether its sitting up laying down or folded in half as you see here. I love these little things the girls do to bring bits of joy to my life.

FINALLY...I KNOW!!!

This is our amazing house! We are loving it to the MAX! 4 bedrooms 2 baths fully FANTASTIC! I have only 10 boxes left and we will be unpacked...then onto the "decor" which I will be asking for help with so be thinking of great ideas. ;) If you want our new address send me an e-mail and I will be glad to send it. LOVE TO ALL! PS. can you believe all the snow in our front yard? WHAT THE? It's cold...brrr.

Uncle Joey

My brother Joey, his wife Ashley, & my nephew Jordan came from Texas for a visit! We had so much fun! He has so much energy the kids love it. This is him lifting Chelsie and my niece Kaydence up and down, and as you can see they LOVE it! We were the lucky ones since me and Joey share the two sets of parents we got to see them the most!

Yes we still exist!

I have been really slackin on the blog values, I KNOW! We have been moving to our new HOUSE! YEAH! We are buying a house! It's in good ol Lehi Utah. Four bedrooms 1/3 acre landscaped, including fenced yard. We are all so excited we can hardly stand it! We have been moving slowly over the past month and hope to have renters take over our old lease so we can get gone. I will post pictures very soon, from my new office... did I say YEAH?! I love you all, keep in touch.