If I were rich:

If I were rich: (I could pretend I would give ALL of it to the poor and needy, but come-on, I'm not that selfless.)

1. I would buy a house with a BIG dining room and BIG kitchen and a BIG garden area and a BIG jetted tub.

2. I would buy a brand new Ford Expedition EL with leather interior and two tv screens that fold down from the ceiling like on airplanes.

3. I would take sewing, tennis, and piano lessons... and maybe a cooking class just to hone my skills!

4. I would pay someone to do my scrap-booking so I could have a precious keepsake to pass on to each of my boys instead of throwing a pile of pictures at them when they ask about their childhood.

5. I would change the paint color and curtains in my living room about as often as I change the toilette paper roll!

6. I would teach my childbirth classes for free.

7. I would take my kids on destination vacations where they could experience life and the world and all of God's beautiful creations.

8. I would give AWESOME birthday presents to the people I love the most.

9. I would hire a maid to keep the walls, windows, toilettes, carpet and baseboards clean, oh and make the beds.

10. I would pay to fly my parents out ever other weekend so they could experience their grandchildren growing up.

11. I would find at least 10 more things that would be nice to have or do if I were just a little richer....

Hmmm... I guess I'll just have to be happy with being happy where I am :)

Swimming anyone?

So Adam started his crazy travel schedule for work last week, he'll be gone the majority of weekdays (and by that I mean like 90% of them) all summer long. I'm hoping to find lots of activities for the summer that include me and the four boys not being at home. The only problem with that is finding things we can do without too much stress and where I can breastfeed a baby with relative comfort. I guess I could just take them swimming, you're already half naked anyways, why not have a little extra boob hanging out?!
So with that in mind, who wants to go swimming with us this summer? !!! :)

4 months later :)

So 4 months later I am finally getting another update on here. It would be nice if I could do this more regularly so that I wouldn't have to call it an "update" every time I post something.
So we'll start with the oldest: Adam has taken up running and is doing pretty good at it. He has lost some weight (not that he needed to ;) and is getting in shape.
Me: I'm not running, but I did get an elliptical machine, that I haven't used in almost a month. Oh, well, I'll have time to get in shape when Dallyn starts kindergarten!
Preston: is learning how to read! He is one of those kids who doesn't respond well to 'structured learning time' so we mostly just let him guide us to his interests and help him expand on them. Reading has finally taken priority for him so we have been doing a lot of story time.
Jordan: had surgery on his eyes in the middle of February. His right eye had been crossing and his left eye would turn in on occasion as well. The Doctor decided it would be best to correct it with surgery so he went under the knife. I'm happy to report that it was considered a success. I do notice from time to time a little bit of crossing still, but usually it's when he's tired, so hopefully that is normal. We have our last post-op appointment next month so I will "update" you all then!
Landen: is our trouble maker!! I don't know where he got his stubborn defiant attitude from! I know it wasn't me, I swear, I have never been stubborn or defiant in my life!! He is a good kid though, and has a good heart, so we hold out hope that this is only a phase and eventually he'll start minding us. In the mean-time we keep trying different mind games and tricks to get him to behave. Like we wanted him to get in his bed the other night so we told him not to, and low and behold.... :)
Dallyn: is almost 6 months old!! We haven't started solid foods just yet (still exclusively breastfeeding) but I can tell he is getting ready for it. He reaches for our food all the time and can hold a sippy with water in it. He is also rolling and scooting all over the place. No crawling yet, but I'm sure it's just around the corner.
So that is that, our "update" for now. I will end this post now before making any empty promises to be a better blogger!

Wow, I'm a really bad blogger!

For someone who likes to talk as much as me and tell stories about everything and nothing all at once, I really am a crappy blogger. I guess all of my other vises have been trumped by laziness and the sheer convenience of speaking my mind via Facebook.
So I guess I'm long over-do for an update and some pictures of our latest addition to the family :)
Dallyn was born in October after about 10 hours of active labor (and 2 days of not so active labor preceding that). He was a whopping 8lbs 5 oz, and I say it that way because he was our biggest baby yet. Oh, and did I mention he was born at home in the water and that I 'caught' him myself under the watchful eye and EXTREMELY helpful hand of our midwife Rebecca Williams. Yep that's right, if you haven't kept up on prior blogs we are 'those' kind of people ;)
Since then we have had the joys of celebrating the holiday season starting with the older boys all being train characters from Thomas and Friends for Halloween. Then we were able to have my mom, dad, sister Jessica and her husband Ben, sister Danielle and her husband Joey, and brother Erik and his girlfriend Ashley come out for Thanksgiving. It was such a wonderful visit with them and was culminated by being able to have Dallyn blessed with my brother and brother-in-laws in the circle with Adam. (my eyes are tearing up as I type this)
As the year wound down we celebrated our first Christmas at home since our kids were born. It was so much fun to have our little family dinner for Christmas Eve and see the excitement in their eyes as we put the kids to bed knowing that Santa was coming that night. When they woke up Christmas morning Adam and I were already up and working in the kitchen to get food ready for Christmas dinner at Amanda and Austin's house, they didn't even come to get us, they just went straight for the tree and started opening presents! I got at least one good photo of them pre-wrapping paper disaster zone that I will post shortly (have to find the cable to upload them to the computer :)
I think one of the reason's I felt such a need to post today is because my little Preston turned 4 years old. I love that kid so much! He makes me smile everyday and I thank our Heavenly Father for blessing us with such choice spirits in the children we have. After 5 1/2 years of marriage, 2 apartments, 1 condo, and 1 house, 6 cars, and 4 kids later I feel like the luckiest woman in the world! Here's to 2010, maybe I'll be a better blogger this year, but don't bet on it!!!

Politics... what an evil word!

A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the public treasure. From that moment on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most money from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy followed by a dictatorship.
The average age of the world's great civilizations has been two hundred years. These nations have progressed through the following sequence: from bondage to spiritual faith, from spiritual faith to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependency, from dependency back to bondage.
Alexander Tytler
I have always been very passionate about politics... but with limited time and resources I've never been able to become very active in soliciting politicians for causes to which I prescribe myself to, and when I have I've been utterly ignored. I have become increasing upset in the last few years about the direction that our 'conservative' Republican controlled government was sending us down and have become utterly outraged by the fiscal misappropriations that have become a daily ritual to the Democrats currently in control of our government.
As my resources and time are still greatly limited as to how much I can do to help the cause of freedom from government tyranny and the disrespect for the average American that has become so flagrant in Washington except to complain about it on my blog. So here I am, for all 5 of you who will possibly read this, pleading to the world to stop the insanity.
The scary part about what is going on these days is that we are clearly approaching the end of the democratic cycle as described in my quote above and I can only pray that there are enough honest people out there who believe in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence enough to stand up for what our Founding Fathers intended this great nation to be. A home of a capitalist run economy, self-responsible citizens, and equal RIGHTS (as defined by our constitution, not all those made up ones like marriage and healthcare) to be had by all no matter their station.
I want my kids to grow up in that America.

New Blog

I have a new blog for the natural childbirth fanatic side of me! Seriously though I put together a blog to promote my classes and share information on natural childbirth. If you know anyone who might be interested in learning more about what I do you can send them either one of my links:
http://www.bradleybirth.com/ndweb.asp?ID=C549
http://alyssasnaturalchildbirthclass.blogspot.com/

Another LDS woman's perspective on natural childbirth

Here is an exert from a birth story from one of my students. She gave me permission to share it and I felt that this was such a beautiful message to all of my LDS friends that I had to post it. A quick background: Laurisa and Darin had 2 babies prior to this birth, both born with an epidural. While pregnant with her third she began looking into natural childbirth and found Dr. Bradley's book and next thing we new she was in my class.

"I have learned so much about my body and about God and His plan from this experience.
God did not create women to bear children and not be able to handle childbirth! No- He made us powerful. Our bodies are amazing. Yeah, childbirth hurts, but it is something we as women get to experience. After the pain is over, our bodies are created to heal perfectly. The recovery is not meant to take weeks!
God knew what He was doing when He created the plan. I honestly believe that there is a lot more for us to learn through childbirth than we ever pick up on when we are medicated. There is power in sacrificing everything you can possibly sacrifice to bring another spirit here on earth. It is essential for us to learn these lessons that can only come from that kind of sacrifice.
I feel sad that we as a society are robbing ourselves of so much by medicating our births and intervening so much of the time. As if our bodies don’t know how to do it naturally. Growing up in our society, I of course always wondered why in the world anyone would not get an epidural. I thought it would make the birth experience miserable. I had no idea how empowering and spiritual natural childbirth was. This experience has changed me in so many ways.
I feel so close to my Heavenly Father, as I had to rely on Him through so much of the birth. I know that He was with me during this whole experience. I had been praying every day for a great birth experience, and He has blessed me with just that. He blessed me with strength, wisdom, safety and peace."

Thank you Laurisa, I couldn't have said it better myself! What can we learn from this? Be proactive in your decisions about the birth of your baby and never forget the power and strength our Heavenly Father has bestowed upon us as women. I will hopefully be participating in a panel discussion on LDS women and natural childbirth to explore why so many people are afraid of or against it. If you have any stories or ideas about this please share them with me. Thanks.

Preggo?

So those of you who read this and are not on Facebook and I haven't talked to you in the last 3 weeks.... I am pregnant! We are due November 1st, and best of all it is just one baby. So to all you people who said I would have triplets next, I say to you "HA HA HA HA HA!"
We are really excited and according to Adam this is our last pregnancy. On most days when the morning sickness starts when I wake up and ends when I fall asleep I am more then happy to agree... but we'll see! None the less this is a special time for our family and I can't wait to share all the fun times that will be involved!

I need help

So I keep reading all these other people's blogs with these cute layouts and backgrounds, and I can't figure out how to make mine cute. I did it once, and was really proud of myself, but then I somehow erased what I did and have never been able to recreate it... ugh!
So my lame technologically challenged brain is now pleading for some direction. If anyone can tell me what to do or refer me to a website that breaks it down in lay-man's terms it would be much appreciated!

Another trip to California

I am lazy and haven't uploaded photos yet (mostly because I can't turn on the camera to upload the pictures until I find the battery charger). So this will be a post without visual aids!
Either way we had a WONDERFUL vacation!
First was a trip to the Sacramento Temple to be there for my brother Erik as he took out his endowments. It was such a neat experience because I got to be there with my mommy and all but one of my siblings (Jessica was babysitting with my dad.. thanks guys!)
The next event came in the form of a second trip to the Sacramento Temple for Jessica and Ben's marriage/sealing. It was a great ceremony and Jessica was absolutely GORGEOUS!!! Ben didn't look too shabby either. After pictures we went to dinner with all the Lowers and Taylors, I've never seen my kids slurp noodles as fast as they did that night! The next day was the reception. It was beautiful and I can't wait to see all the pictures.
Finally when Sunday rolled around (after 8 days of being away from home) the kids began to melt down. Preston cried all through Sacrament meeting and all the way home. He kept saying "I want to go back to Utah, I want to see my neighbor kids, I don't like California anymore." That night we all met at my parents for dinner and for the opportunity to give my dad a blessing as he was preparing for surgery this week. It was all so moving and wonderful and I know that the Lord was with him through his procedure because he is doing alright and is on the road to recovery as we speak.
So our return trip home on Monday was mostly un-eventful. We did the usual McDonalds stops on the way so the kids would have a safe place to stretch their legs and play. Adam drove most of the way because I'm suddenly experiencing symptoms similar to car sickness and couldn't handle driving for very long.
The next morning Adam was gone before I got up on his way to Washington for the week. So back to normal life (if you could call it that). I start teaching again on the 20th and am really excited for that.
We have been so blessed and enjoyed all of our time with our family and are sad we didn't get to see any one else (who wasn't at the reception) while we were out there, I'll explain why in a future post, in the meantime, I hope that this 'car sickness' subsides soon.

So the Holiday season is over

My last post talked about how we were excited to spend the first Christmas in our own home since our kids were born- well that didn't happen! I woke up on Christmas Eve feeling particularly homesick, and seeing as how there wasn't a lot going on here my amazing and loving and caring and understanding husband said yes when I started crying and said I wanted to leave for California right then. It took about 2 hours before we hit the road, and another 13 of driving through snow and ice (thank goodness for 4 wheel drive-seriously!) before we arrived at my Grandma Olson's house where we stayed for the next 4 days before we headed home on Monday. The drive home was uneventful without snow or ice. Adam's favorite part of the trip (and he says the reason he was willing to drop everything and go) was the fresh California oranges. He and my dad actually drove out to the orchard in Orland and got them from the guy in his packaging room because we didn't get to his stand before it closed. It was SO worth it though.
We also had fun meeting my sister Jessica's fiance Ben. I am so happy for them and we are excited that our next trip to California will be for their wedding. Preston keeps saying "Next month we get to go to California for Aunt Jessica's wedding and I'm going to stay outside the temple with my brothers and my Grandpa." I tell him he's right and then he'll say "But I just want to go tonight." You make one impulsive trip to California and the kid thinks it's an everyday possibility!
We also got to celebrate Preston's 3rd birthday-WOW! They never stop growing older, do they? He loved his presents because all he got was Thomas the Train and related paraphernalia! If there was ever a child who was obsessed with trains, I swear, my little Preston will literally tell me his dreams about them!
So I guess the next month will be spent gearing up for the twin's 2nd birthday and that little holiday called Valentine's day that falls between now and then. I hope everyone else had a great holiday and to those of you we didn't get to see, we miss you and love you!

It's here!

The snow has arrived and I'm more depressed and my kids are more deprived then ever. First I trap them in the house because I can't handle the heat, then I trap them in the house because I can handle the cold... maybe I'm going through an early menopause! Anyways... the kids aren't too bad off. Adam is done traveling and has been home, meaning within the walls of our house for the last month, he has hardly even had to go into the office. He is my opposite when it comes to my disdain for the snow. He and Preston even made a snowman the other day. We went and bought the kids all their snow gear last week so we can take them sledding (which we plan on doing tomorrow). They are decked out head to toe! It is so cute (as evidenced by the pictures I've included).
So now Christmas is here. We will be spending it at home with Adam's family this year. We have only woken up Christmas morning in our own home once since we got married and that was when we lived in GA and I was about to pop Preston out! Now, three years later who would have imagined?
We miss our friends and family that we wont get to be with this year but you all know that you are in our thoughts and prayers this holiday season and always. We love you all so much and hope that you will have a Merry Christmas and we wish you all the best in 2009!

I know I don't live in California anymore- that is why I'm putting this plea on my Blog to all of those who do to make sure you vote YES for PROP 8. It is imperative that we preserve the sanctity of marriage between a man and woman. Marriage is not a rite, it is a privilege. As a firm believer that Homosexuality is not something forced upon a person but is a choice that is acted upon, I feel that you should not be allowed to marry someone of the same sex just because you want them and love them. The same logic to same-sex marriage can be applied to people who want to marry underage- we have not allowed it by law, nor are we willing to because it would deteriorate the moral fabric of our society. Please don't take me as a 'homophobic' or tell me I am denying people a 'rite' I am simply exercising my opinion in a free country to disagree with a faction of people who I feel are wrong. Love the sinner, hate the sin.

The A says Ahhh

So I know I say this all the time, but the kids are growing and learning so much everyday that I am surprised almost every time they open their mouths! This morning when I was changing Landen's diaper Preston was watching a show on PBS called "Super Why?" It is a show that teaches kids about letters and words. One of the characters asked what the B says and Landen goes Buh-Buh-Buhhhh! Next the show explained the sound 'OX' to make the word 'box' and Landen laid there saying "box, box, box!" It took me completely off guard. We have a DVD by Leap-Frog that teaches the letters and their sounds but I didn't realize how effective it was (thanks Angie for the referral). Preston has learned all his letters and sounds, but up to this point the twins would just copy whatever we said, the difference this time was that Landen answered the question before Preston did!
Then later in the morning Jordan knocked Landen down and gave him a bloody nose (on accident of course!) I took Landen into the kitchen so he wouldn't bleed all over my almost-white carpet. He was crying and screaming on our way in but when he saw the fruit bowl on the counter he just stopped crying completely and goes "I want uh apple." Clear as day! I was more then impressed with my one child genius so I decided to see if Jordan could say it too. I told him to say apple and clear as day he goes "apple" Yesterday the twins were calling apples 'bappus' but for some reason today they can say apple as well as you and me! Everyday a new discovery, every day we get one step closer to a complete exit of the Cole house's baby stage... for now at least ;)

Teaching more than Natural Childbirth

I know it's been a while since one of my infamous rants on the worth of a natural childbirth- and I'll try to refrain from sounding too preachy- but now that I'm teaching my Bradley classes I have to give a shout out to my super great students. They are such awesome couples and have actually taught me a lot about why natural childbirth is not just important for the health of the mother and baby, but can also be a huge boost to a marriage through the bonding that creates a family when a child is born. I have two first time Mommy's and Daddy's in my class and one couple who is pregnant with their third. I get such joy every week as we talk about not just how to have a natural childbirth, but seeing how much their relationships can be strengthened by working together to get through one of the most important moments of their lives- the creation of a new one! The way the fathers in our class have become so much more attentive to their wives needs, the way the moms have learned to trust and lean on their husbands- I'm blown away! I didn't realize how much influence these classes could have on people's lives, I only knew how much mine and Adam's relationship was improved and how much I appreciated him for being an active part of the birth, and not just the conception. I'm not saying that couples who have epidurals are any less loving towards one another or their children, I just think that there is a power behind creation that is numbed with the use of drugs. A power that is spiritual, emotional, and amazing. A power that bonds us together as a family when two loving individuals work as one. I haven't even mentioned how amazing it made me feel as a woman to have achieved what society has deemed to be the impossible. To connect with your body, to work with it, to feel the decent of your child and experience the power of it's entrance into the world is indescribable. When you take the drugs you are surrendering your power as a woman to the directions of a Doctor or Midwife. On the same note if you haven't had any training or education about how to have a natural childbirth then to try it would most likely be a very unpleasant experience.
I don't know if I'm really saying this the way I want too. I guess my point would be better made by saying whether it is you first or your tenth child it's never to late to experience the empowerment of a natural childbirth, the bonding power of full husband participation, and the ability to fully enjoy the process. I hope that soon I will be able to post my students birth stories so that you can see first hand how natural childbirth benefited them.

Is summer really finally over?

I don't know why, but in my ripe old age of 24 I just can't seem to handle the heat- at all. I feel bad for my poor deprived children who would have spent the entire summer outside if only I had been willing to let them. Oh well, the summer is over and thank goodness!
Welcome fall!
Welcome rain!
Welcome sweater and jeans weather!
One thing I am not looking forward to is all the leaves that will be falling! We have three GIGANTIC cottonwood trees in our little backyard, plus two other smaller trees back there, a huge maple in the side yard, and some other tree that I don't know its' name but it has a lot of leaves in the front yard. Last year it snowed before we got all the leaves off the ground and so we were still raking up the mess in April! Another thing that I'm not looking forward to is the snow that inevitably ruins the winter here in Utah. As a Northern California girl I am honest in saying that I like the way snow looks, I like it in the mountains so people can ski, it's ok a few times (meaning once or twice- like maybe Christmas Eve just so long as the sun comes out and melts it all away on Christmas Day!) But I would prefer to watch the rain come down and know that a slick road is easier to drive on then a frozen one. I would rather mow the lawn once a week for the rest of my life then have to shovel the snow. And inevitably (as proven by the day I was born- the great blizzard of '83 started that day) if Alyssa has to leave the house any time between the months of November and March- there will be snow! Don't watch the weather, just find out what my plans are- it's frighteningly accurate!
Anyways- there's my rant for the month! Next stop- October (the month even closer to snow)!

Introducing my Super Talented Cousin

http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczI4MS5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL2trMjIyL0NJU0hFTExBLz9hY3Rpb249dmlldyZjdXJyZW50PWxfMzYwNmRjMzNhZDc2NjdhMzNiMDg5NmE5MDAxOWNiYmMxLmpwZw==

Nostalgic* How about you?

I've seen this done and it was pretty fun - I hope you will play along.

Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses!

Thanks ~ Alyssa

Summer fun

Life has been SOOO crazy in the Cole household. Adam has been travelling for work like every week, I've been trying to hold down the fort, and the kids are going crazy wanting to get out of the house EVERYDAY! We've tried to curb their incessant need to be entertained by turning their brains to mush with excessive television watching and long afternoon naps, but it doesn't seem to be working. We bought a little wading pool for them to play in and they go crazy for it! The first time I went out to put it away after dinner they all stood by the window and cried. They like the little oscillating sprinkler just as much as the pool. It's so funny when one of them picks it up and chases the other kids with it!
This last week we had the pleasure of a visit from my brother Erik (or as Preston would say, "Not Erik... UNCLE Erik!" We tried to keep busy and entertain this handsome single 26 year old (if anyone knows of any good single ladies send them his way!) the best we could, but I fear he may have at times been a little bored by the life of a soccer mom! We thoroughly enjoyed his company though!
This Friday we have two big events coming our way... my parents fly in for a 10 day visit with their grand-babies and I start teaching Bradley classes.... that is if I can find anyone out there to take them! One teacher in the SLC valley has a full class, and I, a mere provisional teacher in training can't get a single student to help me get certified. Your pity (and referrals) are appreciated!
Last but not least this Sunday is Adam's 27th birthday and I think we are going to go golfing to celebrate... the only problem is I've never been! If anyone has any advise (other than not to do it!) feel free to send it my way.
For now, XOXOXO
The Coles

Another month in 2008

Wow... is it really June? I have been so busy with my Bradley certification stuff (which, fingers crossed, will be done by next Monday) that I haven't noticed half the year slip by. We have been so wrapped up in our kids, our work, and our church callings that we apologize if we have neglected any of our friends or family. I just want to let everyone know that we are doing really well. Seems repetitious, but Preston is doing great, and so are Landen and Jordan. They all seem to grow up a little more everyday! Last week we had the twins 15 month check-up and the doctor was really impressed at their ability to communicate and the extent of their vocabulary, he said they sounded more like 20 month olds! I know it doesn't seem like much, but when you are living day by day like we've been, every little compliment counts! Preston is starting to tell jokes. His favorite is when you ask him if someone is a girl or a boy and he purposely tells you wrong just to see the reaction, and then he laughs his head off!
Adam has been super-dad lately and will continue to fill that role while I'm gone for four days this week for my certification course. I'll be home for most meal times but other than that he'll be Mr. Mom! Let's hope he survives! We just hope that once I'm certified we can get a chance to enjoy the summer. We look forward to visits from my parents next month and then Sarah and Ed are coming to get their Kitties in August. If anyone else wants to grace us with their presence this summer I'll be sending around a sign-up sheet! (j/k)
We love you and miss you all!