Haircuts and Silly Kids

Kayelynn and Sarah were in desperate need of a haircut. So, I broke down and took them to a salon-I usually have a friend do it, but she is so busy with work that I took them to the next best thing. They have never been to a salon (and I forgot to take before pictures), so this was a "cool" experience. This is Sarah's first haircute and be forewarned, she looks like a whole new person, but oh so cute!!!

She got to have the cool clips in her hair

Finished result

Sarah, wasn't so sure about this whole thing

grumpy little lady

finished result-she is not so sure she knows what to think, so funny

The kids were being silly one night, so I took some picts-which explains the PJ's and crazy hair do's

kayelynn's true smile :)

sarah was so tired but wanted her picture taken so badly

bryant gave a semi-decent smile here

sarah wanted to dress up in a princess dress, thankfully kayelynn shared her dress, sarah thought it was so neat they both wore something

she was way excited!!!

I think this was Sarah's first experience with an ice cream cone without assistance, she was in heaven and did not want to share :)

For those of you that have wanted to see my tummy, here it is...I'm already bloating up and I don't think the stripes are really helpful either-but this is what I have to show-22 1/2 weeks.

Happy Easter!

We had a fun, yet simple Easter. The kids went to an "easter egg hunt" on Saturday, but because there is still 18 inches of snow in the field it wasn't a true hunt. They actually lined up in the parking lot of the high school (where the hunt was to take place) and did a sort of "trunk-or-treat" thing instead: people handed out candy from a bag. Man was Bryant disappointed and might I add a little angry that he could not demonstrate his egg-finding skills! He really wanted to find "real" eggs.


Sarah thought that she could throw her egg into the dye-luckily nothing cracked when she did

Kayelynn was so impressed with the process-she really concentrated

The Easter bunny visited our house and put the kids' baskets next to their beds so they would see them when they awoke. Bryant woke everyone up to show them what he got. Kayelynn was so thrilled the Easter bunny would remember her that she just rummaged her basket relishing what she got. Sarah was the smartest-she found the candy and got into it herself-why would she call for anyone to get her out of the crib when she could eat as much candy as she wanted without it getting taken away-HA! she makes me laugh.
They each got some sort of bubbles and the girls each got two rings filled with lip gloss!


excited early morning children-see the evidence of chocolate in Sarah's mouth-HA!

see Kayelynn's thrilled face :)

FYI, I did post a few other things today as well, if would like to read on :)

More Kayelynn Birthday

Okay, so I'm a month late with these, but I am not in the digital world yet-as much as I would like to be. So we have to wait until I use all the film and for some reason I have been really slow with the picture taking this year!
So, here are some other fun and cute photos of Kayelynn's #3 birthday!


Daddy makes all the kids birthday cakes-he loves to create and design them. Kayelynn wanted a flower and it had to be pink!

She loves her cake and especially the #3 on top!

Princess!

Playtime

We are fortunate enough to live in the same town as family and the kids love going to Harrison's (their cousin) house. He and Kayelynn sometimes act like twins they are only 7 weeks apart and it's so cute to see them interact with each other.
We went over last week and I got some good pictures of the kids playing just thought I would share.


Elefun!

I love Sarah's true smile in this one!

They all love to be together, they are so happy to play with each other.

Sarah doesn't hold her smile very long, so I ended up with a booger shot. Oh well, she's cute anyway!

Bryant and Kayelynn were actually playing together and they were happy-a rareity at times-but I love Kayelynn's static hair here :)

HAPPY SPRING!

I know I'm two days late with the post, but HAPPY SPRING anyway!
We have been struggling with sickness in our home for...for...well, it feels like forever, but pretty much since we moved - Jake has been the one sick the most and he is such a trooper just trudging through school and dealing with everything that it finally hit him late Thursday and he actually had to call in sick to school Friday and in the 5 years he's worked at the hospital this is the first time he has used any sick days-he has really been hit with the flu! Bryant and Kayelynn have already had it and Sarah got a flu shot so she should be safe (fingers crossed). And I am invincible so I won't get it...HAHAHA, we are on the tail end of this fight-I hope!
For how much I have been ranting and raving that spring had better hurry, I figured I couldn't miss the post that it is offically SPRING!!!!!!!!! YEAH!

Preggo News

Well, I went to the doctor today for my scheduled 20 week appointment and found out that I am measuring big! Surprise, surprise! For those of you that are at all familiar with my pregnancies you will know that I usually am larger than the average woman when it comes to belly size during pregnancy.
With Bryant, I think that that the belly wasn't the only thing measuring larger than normal, so we won't even go there. :)
With Kayelynn, I looked like I was having twins the whole time and even walked a mile almost everyday...she was 10 days early and 8 lbs. 13 oz.
With Sarah, whoa, that was a whole different story. I was working full time and sitting at a computer all day long and didn't have the energy to really do much besides stay on my butt after work, however I didn't gain as much as I thought I would just hanging out on my keister (sp?) and I measured one month bigger than I really was since about 20 weeks and I felt every ache from it, she was 9 lbs. 13 oz....so you can only imagine the belly and the waddle!
And now with this pregnancy I am measuring 24 weeks (one month larger than I really am), if only that were a precursor to know you would have your child early! Here comes the waddle! What's funny with this pregnancy is that I haven't felt very obviously pregnant like I have with the others and even mentioned this last weekend to Jake that I didn't feel very big compared to what I remember with Sarah...well, as the saying goes, you loose more brain cells with every child...I must really be on my last ones in memory.
I also tend to wait a little longer until I find out what I am having, there are too many mistakes or assumptions made at 20-22 weeks, so I wait until 24-26 weeks to find out...it kills me to wait longer, but there is a more definitive answer by waiting. We will find out on April 10th in the late afternoon what we are having (if the child cooperates :)), so if you are wanting to know as much as I what we will be expecting in July that would be the day to read back :)
Just thought I would share some news since not much is happening in our world of craziness and MORE SNOW (2 inches today and more to come)!!!!!! AGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
Good thing it's almost officially spring :)

Spring

I want spring so badly to arrive, that I am doing anything and everything to get it to feel like spring :)  Hence the color scheme change...I just want beautiful flowers like you can see on JR and Kerri's blog (I wish I knew how to put in a link, if you know tell me, then you wouldn't have to search them in the links to the right)-they have tulips in bloom!  We have snow 2 feet or more in every yard-at least we can see the asphalt and the sidewalks, that makes for some lovely dullness: black, grey and white (mixed with brown)!  In all the 8 years this is the first I can remember disliking so long.  I am praying for sunshine and temperatures above freezing the next two weeks so that miraculously we can have an actual easter egg hunt in the grass instead of the house...what do you think?  Anyway, Happy Spring!  I know the actual day is a few weeks away and we have to get used to daylight savings time first, but Happy Spring anyway.  If you are experiencing spring at your home would you please post pictures so I can feel the hope?  :)  Happy Spring!

Good News Minute

This may seem lame to some of you, but after a month of being cut off from the world (at least in my mind)...We finally have internet in our own home!!! I can actually feel like I am "in tune" on a daily basis. I am so excited to actually be able to communicate and see what is happening in the world as the only channel we get in our home is NBC...Good News!

Updates

Not really sure where to start since our life is totally back to normal now and I don't even want to think about the crazy past month anymore...it is just a memory as far as I'm concerned.


This is our "normal" Sarah!

We got our tax return and yeah! we will survive :) which also means we will be getting internet in the apartment as soon as I figure out where the best deal is!

We've had a few sunny days, so we've taken a few walks outside...the kids have loved it and Sarah has just wondered what in the world the thing is she's riding in...I totally forgot that she was so little last time we had the stroller outside and used it!




We've taken our weekly trip to the library for story time and some forced quiet time :) (15 minutes of sanity)

The best day this week was Sunday-Kayelynn turned 3!! She turned into a little girl overnight, so now I only have one toddler. She loved her birthday. The pictures are from the simple party we had Sunday night...I do not have the pictures from her huge Monday night family party available yet...those will be posted next week!
She is such a princess.









We made a trip to Boise, we arrived yesterday, which is where I am blogging from. Just me and the kids...they traveled so well (almost a miracle, we'll see how they do going back home). We will be here until Saturday afternoon. It's sure looking like March will roll in like a lamb :)

Thank You

Well, I managed to find an access point in the apartment (I'm totally stealing someone's internet :):)).
Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you to all of you that have kept us in your prayers and in your hearts over the last few weeks. I have recovered well and am feeling, well just pregnant now - good thing it's not too annoying to be pregnant :)
The kids and Jake are on their second round of strep throat for the month, so recovery in the sleep department is not happening, but that's what happens when you move into a basement, I suppose.
We are still unpacking and getting a routine set, but we love just being a family and learning to be with each other all day in a way that is very foreign to us all. I hope it doesn't take too long to get used to it, but getting into full mommy mode has not been an easy transition especially with the immediate hormone changes that are kicking in - I did not think I could cry this much, I don't remember crying this much being just pregnant - I sure hope I get used to this weirdness soon.
Jake is still doing well in school, but has a boatload of homework every night that is almost impossible to get done each night, but he is managing just fine.
Bryant LOVES preschool - he will totally be ready for kindergarten, he asks to go to preschool every day.
Kayelynn is really developing her vocabulary even more. I asked her the other day if she wanted to have something and her response was unexpected; "actually i rather not..." - what two, almost three year old says that? she is just so stinking funny with her words these days...she's very excited to turn three on sunday!!!
Sarah is a cheese! She really knows how to find the compliments for herself and get people to smile!
I wish I could post some updated pictures now, but I'm lucky I can get this out to you all :)
Hope to get on again soon. We love to read all your comments!

Life...back on the road to normal

While sitting here in the hospital I am finally past the sleepiness and yes, still on drugs, but I am aware enough to let you all know how things have worked out the last week.

As you know from our previous post we moved on the 1st of the month, what a long day that was! With A LOT of help from family and friends we were able to get everything packed and out that day before Jake had to get to work at 6pm. I finished cleaning the other house Saturday and we made it to our new ward on Sunday. We felt so at home in that ward, it was neat.

Monday and Tuesday were crazy, I literally had two days to get everything unpacked and put in it's place and without the help of Melissa and Danielle (my sisters-in-law) and Jodi (my mother-in-law) I would have never gotten as far as I did. I wouldn't say that I am all the way unpacked, but I would say that I have a functional house. I exerted too much energy over the weekend moving and cleaning that I was really not able to do a whole lot Monday and Tuesday without Melissa doing a lot of lifting and with her bad back I know it was a sacrifice for her to help me or without Danielle helping me get things organized.

Late Tuesday night we got a phone call from the hospital letting us know that the surgery had been moved up 3 hours and I needed to be at the hospital at 6am! Whoa, freak out time! I was not prepared for that, but again Melissa and Jodi came to the rescue where Melissa came over at 5:30 that morning and took the kids for the day and Jodi had them last night and all day today. I have never had an epidural during the delivery of my children so to have a spinal block (a 1/2 epidural) was very frightening, I did survive, but I will not have an epidural during delivery, I did not like the side affects or the feeling (or rather lack of).

The surgery lasted about an hour and the large 9cm. mass growing inside my ovary was a bone...with a full grown molar attached to the bottom of it and two other teeth floating around inside. Yes, that's gross and no, I do not know how that was possible (I'm not really sure I want to know either). I slept almost all of yesterday and today have really felt the pain of the incision, which will be painful throughout the rest of the pregnancy simply because I get so extremely large in my pregnancies. I have also felt the first real noticeable movements of the baby today...quite the active mover! I guess it's just as excited for space as I am :) Throughout this whole thing Jake has been extremely supportive and helpful. I am so glad that he was able to miss a day of school to be with me.

So, in a nutshell everything has turned out just fine although I will be on the recovery side for quite a while. I hope to post again before March, but without internet I do not know how quickly that will be. Thank you all for your support and prayers and faith on my behalf. I have truly felt your love and concern. Thank you for everything!

Good, Better, Best...and Worst

So, it's been a few weeks since I posted, but it seriously feels like a year. So much has happened in our life the last few weeks, I'm not really sure I know where to begin, so you are getting the highlights and lowlights of the few weeks and if you want more information you may just have to contact us via email or phone.

Good:
Jake is doing AWESOME in school. He has had a few people ask if he is already taken when he graduates in May...prospects are there, we will have to see where it takes us!

Better:
Terressa has quit her job managing apartments to be a mom! After 4 years of managing, it's time to call it quits. It's interesting to think that the life I currently know and live will not be the one I will be "managing" in 4 days. We will be moving on the 1st of February across town to a small little duplex that just fell into our lap! After 18 months of looking for a way to move on and survive - this opportunity was almost literally thrown at us. Good thing one of us has some athletic skills and can catch (wink, wink).

Best:
With the job of mom comes an extra responsbility of FOUR!!! Yep, you read that right we are expecting #4! The "official" due date is July 26th (the day after my birthday), so if things go as they usually do I hope to have the baby up to 10-days early, however things haven't been going as usual, so this just might be my 10-day late baby :)

and Worst:
I don't really want to focus on this, so I probably should have written this first to get it out and over with, but that's not how the title reads so here it is, the worst...as I mentioned earlier this pregnancy has not really gone as the other three have. When I first went to the doctor they immediately noticed a 7 cm. cyst on my right ovary. Sounds scary, I know, but I had this same thing happen when I was expecting Bryant, so it hasn't been a big deal. However, in the last few weeks things have really changed. I visited the doctor last week for my normal "check-up" and mentioned that I was having more pain than normal. I was scheduled for an ultrasound first thing the next morning (unfortunately Jake couldn't miss school for this). The doctor was kind and did a complimentary 3-D ultrasound where I saw the hands waving and the baby with the hiccups, which I thought I could feel, but wasn't sure...anyway, after that the doctor went straight to the point and looked at the cyst to see what might be the matter, well it had grown 2 cm. Now it's a BIG deal. He requested that I have surgery immediately to get it removed. Which means, take out the right ovary and fallopian tube - I feel like I am going to loose some of the womanhood I feel I should have at 26 years! Then he goes on to explain that I need to seriously consider how many more children I want and weigh the risk. Well, isn't that peachy! For a couple that wants a LARGE family, four just isn't really the number we were looking for...after complete shock and then 2 days of complete meltdown I finally think I can get through this, but only because I have to get through moving first and then it might hit me like a ton of bricks again just before I have to go into to surgery next week (Feb. 6th). Unfortunately this is not the same operational procedure as they did when I was expecting Bryant, that was a quick day surgery, go home and rest for a day and go back to life. This is a required night stay in the hospital having to rely on family and friends while Jake is in school and I am down for at least 5 days just to "recover". Not really what a woman wants, especially when she just claimed her freedom as a mom and quit her job.

Well, sorry for the earful, I guess you really didn't get the minor details...so there you have it; Good, Better, Best...and Worst for January and February, hopefully March rolls in like a lamb and ends like a lamb...we'll keep you posted the best we can once we move...we don't have internet as of yet, so we'll see.

We're ALIVE!

Whoa what a Holiday season!
We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
On the 3rd of January we were able to take the kids to the Rexburg Idaho Temple Open House, they were so thrilled. They keep asking to go back. We have been looking for tickets so that we can, who says you shouldn't keep going to the house of the Lord? The kids were so enthralled with the beauty it was very precious.
On the 5th, 7th and 8th we had Winter 2008 check ins. They went very smoothly, but it totally wore me out! What a long 3 days! We survived and are back on track :)
Jake started school back up on the 7th and will have a very intense semester! Good thing he's on the last leg. I keep praying that he will do even better than last semester (he did very well) and will still be okay with work and his church calling.
Bryant started preschool again on the 7th and LOVES it! I see such progress with him, sometimes I wish his preschool teacher could be his kindergarted teacher too! But knowing how well Bryant adapts to things he will do amazing in kindergarten.
Kayelynn is signed up to start preschool next fall so that she can "go to class" (that is all we hear from her lately) while Bryant is in school. She is so excited, I think that was her favorite Christmas present - at least at the time she was told that was something that she got :)
Sarah is still growing like a weed and just amazes us daily with her wording and comprehension! She is quick with her understanding. She is easy to make mad, but she is fast to forgive and apologize. (she really knows how to chew you out and then she feels bad and asks "you okay?" while nodding her head, it's pretty dang cute).
I feel like we've lived a few months without correspondence it's been so crazy around here, but we are doing well and on our way to routine once again!
We think of you all often and love to read your comments and blogs on how your cute little families are doing as well!
Happy January!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Time has flown by this month and I find myself realizing that I did not think about, let alone send out Christmas cards this year. So the "card" will have to do for 2007 (just make sure you pause the music on our blog before you push play, to get the full effect :)).

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Our year in review:
We moved from a couple block down the street (still managing apartments, we went from women's to men's) on New Year's day. We have been at Somerset ever since. I would have to say that is a record for us (in one place for a year)!!

Jake (28) took his prereq's to get into nursing school at EITC in the winter months. Applied and was accepted in the spring and finished his first tough semester in the LPN program December 7th. It's been fun to enjoy him while he's been home. He has been doing a great job and balancing family, school, work, church and everything in between! We love our Daddy.

Terressa (26) has been busy working part-time from home managing 288 young men. It has been quite a difference managing young men vs. young women, but I've enjoyed it anyway. In my "spare time" I love to read, take the kids to the park and just be a mom. It's been fun watching the kids grow up and develop their imagination and reasoning skills.

Bryant (5) started preschool in August and has really loved learning his letters in a new way and coming home to share them with his sisters. He loves doing his homework and has Kayelynn excited to do homework as well! He had a preschool program last week where they shared some of the songs they've been learning along with the letters associated and he got a surprise vist from Santa himself!!! He's been trying to be extra good since :)

Kayelynn (2 1/2) is growing up quickly. She has really grown tall and skinny this year, she is not your chunky toddler anymore :) She loves being a princess, dressing up, singing, dancing and being the "mom". She's our little diva. She loves to shop and accessorize and wear 10 outfits a day! She is most certainly daddy's princess!

Sarah (16mos.)is our active talker, dancer and cuddler. She loves to be a part of the kids, she is not a baby. She has quite a developed vocabulary. She learned to walk at 10 mos and has loved her freedom since!

We hope you enjoy the attached card. We have truly been blessed this year with supportive family and friends. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with the blessings and guidance of the Lord.

Love, The Thornock's

Fun Pictures of the kids

Thought you might like to see some random shots of the kids.
Hope you enjoy!


she thought is was fun to "dress-up" in boots and a hat

Lanae visited, Kayelynn loved it

the kids went to a football game at the college with Lanae and thought it was the coolest thing ever

silliness

Bryant wanted Sarah to look like a clown, so he "painted" her...

Silly kids

Happy kids

Cute Kayelynn

Handsome Bryant

kids with cousin Harrison

Making cookies with cousin Harrison at his house

Finals, Weddings and Good Feelings

I, Big Jake, would like to thank all the family for the support getting past this ever critical part of my program. I was able to pull off 1-A, 3-B’s, and 1-C. I shouldn’t be proud of the C, but for getting up at 4:30 am to drive to class and remain awake for two hours of lecture twice a week on duties and tasks I’ve done for the last five years can get repetitive. I am so glad to finish with upper 80’s to mid 90’s on all of my finals.
To add to the excitement of having a break for the holidays, we are celebrating the sealing of Josh and Danielle, whose name I can’t spell at the moment. To be part of such a wonderful spirit that warmed and brought the floods of emotion beaming from my eyes is something to treasure for ever. I longed for my wife to be there with me like the desert yearns for the rain. I take charge to rectify, legally of course, and hold accountable those who demonstrate less than matured attitudes by prohibiting the eternal importance of gathering in celebration, to witness and partake of the sealing powers of the priesthood that have surging influence toward growth and stability of what to them is least important, FAMILY!
On a stronger point, I enjoyed the trip with my grandparents. We had ample time to discuss topics of growth, politics, religion, life and economy. What better way to develop and explore our views on the world than to speak with someone who can stand on a perspective similar to your own.
It was great being with all of the family. I am hoping we can congregate again in March, if not, some other time when we are a little more free to do as we please. We shall keep yah up to date on that one.

Elves

Thought this was cute...thanks to Kelli :)

Have fun watching :)

(I'm a little, okay, a lot, slow when it comes to posting links and such, so the best i could do was give you the url, you will have to copy and paste it into your address line to watch, sorry).

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1145754741

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. We don't "celebrate" Thanksgiving in the way we do any other holiday and it is one of the most important, not only in history, but in our personal lives as well. This is when we should take the time to list all we are thankful for whether by alphabet or numerical. We are always so wound up in the things we dislike, want, need or just life in general, but we rarely take the time to actually be grateful and share that appreciation.

1. I am thankful for my testimony and membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

2. I am thankful for the times when I learn and grow from the trials and not so pleasant "opportunities" that life brings.

3. I am thankful for a loving husband, forgiving children and thoughtful family and friends.

4. Again, I am thankful for the gospel in my life and the knowledge I have because of my membership.

I hope you all had a THANKFUL Thanksgiving, shared with family and/or friends!!!

Do it yourself!

A while back I told some of you that I had made a new frame for our old bed. The old metal frame was two peices that didn't join right and I spent 4 hours a move getting it together. So a friend of mine has been chating with me about timber frame construction. Its the good old stuff thats both rugged and beautiful. I decided to give my creativity (and mad skills) a whirl and how well it worked. It only took six months to get the photos together and to put on the finishing touches but with a little planning and a 12 hour day you too can build this sleep saving device. Here are some pictures we snagged during the build. Oh, the pictures loaded backwards so feel free to scroll.


This future shot reveals the tapered ends as well as the layout of the frame. Poor Bryant, he wanted to be more hands-on but had burned up most of his energy. Notice the amount of toe clearance around the frame perimeter to accommodate my feet.


To adapt a more classic look I popped the wicker backing out from the old headboard and then used 3/8” lag bolts to secure it to the top beam.


The rest of the frame was secured with ½”x 5” galvanized lag bolts. The joint bolts were countersunk and the legs were not. Just a note, the truck is not to scale!


I could not find a good timber saw, but I did have a reciprocating saw and it cut my depth markings just fine.


With the strength of Zeus,(hence the rubber mallet), I chiseled the large chunks free and used a rasp to file the interlocking cuts smooth and to create an old-timey look.


I selected 3-4X6” fir main beams with 3-4X4” cedar cross beams. The whole structure is solid and provides a pleasant aroma too. Overall difficulties were minimal, just a few sore joints and some bruising. Hope you all enjoyed these few photos, I should have taken more of them but with me being lazy and all it makes for difficulties. Please forgive me. Big Jake

Halloween FUN

I know it's be a few days/weeks since Halloween, but I still wanted to post the fun of the pumpkins and the day/night.
We got pumpkins from my mom for each of the kids. The Monday before Halloween we carved the pumpkins to avoid too many wrinkly faces. The kids each choose the face that their pumpkin had. It was fun to see them excited and disgusted with the process. They thought it was the best when we could actually see the faces with all the lights off.
Bryant had a Halloween party at preschool in the morning, then the kids got to spend the day with grandma where they had another little party and then we went trick-or-treating to a few neighborhoods in town (like 20 houses). Bryant knew full well what this entailed since his preschool teacher took them for a trial run that morning. Kayelynn wasn't quite sure why we couldn't go into the home of our friends, but then realized that the candy was why we came and there was no reason to stay. Sarah didn't understand at the first house why we would want to touch her bag and then why the candy should be put into the bag and not her mouth. After three houses she realized that she was getting candy at every house and that if she said "tt-teet" she would get candy. When the people would let her choose candy she was so excited she would say thank you as she took 3 more :) It was cute to see her enjoy the night. The kids all had fun and were really excited to come home and explore what their bags held.



Halloween Night

The neatest part of pumpkins

The kids with their own pumpkins