My Life As a *SINGLE* Mom

As many of you know, my husband has been out of town for three weeks. These past three weeks have put the "T" in trying. We have all heard the phrase "when it rains it pours". I never truly felt it pour until this experience. Here are just a few of the "highlights"!

It all started the day after Zane left. While we were out running errands I started having car problems. Well long story short, my car got towed to the Ford dealership, and has been there for two weeks. I got a new engine out of this.

So, we had to make do with Zane's little car. Only to find the tire was flat. With the help of Kelly, my neighbor we fixed my tire up enough to get me to Costco to buy a new one.

I planned on working two days while Zane was gone, and my parents graciously offered to babysit. Well the first night I worked my baby Jacob (who has never been sick before) got the flu. I sent both of my parents home with the flu. In my head I can hear my Dad saying "no good deed goes unpunished".

Well shortly after that I got the flu. So, I had a really sick baby and a really sick Mommy. During that time frame both of my boys got pink eye.

My lack of blogging lately has been due to the fact that my computer crashed. I took it to Zane's friend to repair it. He was so nice to help! Unfortunatly, it still doesn't work right. I am also having trouble with my brand new camera. Sorry no pictures of us with the flu! You will just have to use your imagination!

I haven't broken this news to Zane yet, but there was something sharp in the cup holder of his car. Well it punctured my paper cup and flooded the cup holder next to it. My cell phone was in that cup holder, and it has not worked right since.

The Silver Lining

Positive things/things I have learned from this *SINGLE* mom experience:

1. When you are sick, and someone needs a bath, wet wipes do a just fine job.
2. I have a new appreciation for my car! I love my Expedition. I never thought much about it until I had to be without it for two weeks. I love the space. I love the DVD player to entertain the kids. We felt like clowns getting out of a VW bug in Zane's car. It was very difficult fitting two car seats in there, not to mention groceries, and strollers.
3. We saved a ton of money on gas during these two weeks. Wow, Zane's car gets great gas mileage! We saved enough money to get a lot of take out!!!
4. Olivia is very responsible and is a huge help to me. I love and appreciate her so much!
5. I realize how many people care about us, and have appreciated all of the help, and offers for help I got from friends and family.
6. People are always telling me WOW, you have your hands full. It used to annoy me, and make me feel inadequate. I have gotten over that feeling. If my kids are bothering you, I DONT CARE!!! Yes, I have my hands full and I am loving every minute of it!
7. Even though we had hard times we managed to have lots of fun while Zane was away. If I ever get my camera working again, I will post pictures.
8. I have a new appreciation for my single mom friends. You guys are amazing to me how you can juggle kids and work!
9. Ford payed for ALL of the repairs on my car! The bill was for over $4000 and we don't have to pay a cent! A HUGE blessing!
10. Absence does make the heart grow fonder. We have really missed Zane, and are so excited for his return.

P.S. I couldn't find the song "You Had a Bad Three Weeks", so "You Had a Bad Day" will have to do for the background music!

Happy 14th Birthday Jordan!!!

We had a fun party for Jordan at Freestone Park. There was lots of fun ice blocking, playing at the park, and there was ALMOST a train ride (we got to the train 5 minutes too late!) We had a great time at your party JoJo, and you got lots of great stuff. I can't believe you are 14! You are a great cousin and neice Jordan, and we love you!

Happy 91st Birthday Gay!!!

We hope you have a great birthday Gay!!! Gay is my Grandma, my Mom's mom. My Aunt Cheryl wanted us to list the things we love about Gay on our blogs. Well there is way too many to list but here are a few things that I love about Gay:
1. Your love for The Abot's, Fenmore's, Chancelor's and Newman's. I am speaking in code so no one judges us! Obviously I have a love for all of these people too. You know where we are at 11:00 a.m. Mon-Fri!!!
2. Your cute hair. Your hair is always cut so cute, and styled real darling. You put the rest of us pony tail wearers to shame!
3. Your fashion sense. I have never seen my Grandma in an outfit that wasn't in style. I think Lauren Fenmore is your fashion consultent.
4. That there is always sweets at your house. I love anything chocolate, which reminds me I love your chocolate cake! Do you get it at Crimson Lights?
5. You can trust Gay with a confidence.
6. She has great storys to tell, I wish you would write them in a tell all book, "I CAN Deny It!" If Kay Chancellor can write a life history so can you! I will be your Amber Moore!

Hope you had a great birthday! You have always been a great example to Zane and me. We love you!!!

Sorry this is so late, my computer has been broken. Better late than never. Thanks Dana for letting me "borrow" the picture off of your blog. I love the picture!

Say Cheese!

Jacob got his pictures taken last week. I had a coupon, so I thought I could get out of there pretty cheap. NOT! All of his pictures were so cute I wanted them all. These are just a few of my favorites! I can't believe how fast he is growing!

Olivia's Piano Recital

Olivia had her first piano recital! She did fantastic job playing a pumped up version of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" (A.K.A. Mary Had a Little Lamb on Steriods!) Olivia has had fun in the last few months taking piano, and it was exciting to hear how awesome the other kids were. With practice Olivia, that can be you in a few years!

There were three other families in our ward at the recital with their kids. They all did awesome!!! Seriously, I can't wait until Olivia can play as well as they did! Great job everyone!

The History Tag

My friend Brea "tagged" me. I will do my best on this one Brea, but I have a horrible memory!

20 years ago:
1. I was just starting Young Women's. (Oh dear, that divulges my age!)
2. I was in the 6th grade at Highland elementary school, and I had my Meehok as a teacher.
3. I had a dog named Muffin.

10 years ago:
1. I was a newlywed. Zane and I had just been married.
2. I lived in Central Phoenix in a Historic district.
3. I was in nursing school.

5 years ago:
1. I finished nursing school
2. I was in the Relief Society Presidency in the Palm Valley Ward. I worked with some amazing people! Jeannette was such an awesome president, and I enjoyed working with her so much. I learned more from her about teamwork and delegation than any other person I have worked with! That was probably my favorite calling ever. Cristin...do you remember Jeanette saying "I don't micro-manage"?
3. Zane and I got sealed in the temple

3 years ago:
1. I was pregnant with our little Zachary
2. We had just moved into this house
3. I started working in the ICU

1 year ago:
1. I was expecting little Jacob, and breathing a sigh of relief that everything looked fine. If you don't know what I am talking about I will just say Jacob is a miracle baby, and really beat the odds making it to this earth!
2. I was nervous to be the Mom of three.
3. I had morning sickness every day, all day

So far this year:
1. I had the sweetest little baby Jakey
2. Went on the Disney Cruise for my 10th anniversary. SO FUN!
3. I switched around all of the kids rooms and got rid of the guest room to make room for Jacob.

Yesterday I:
1. Went to lunch with Tiffany, Jenny, Lindsay and Amy for VT.
2. Had Achievment day at the Gallacher's.
3. I swept, mopped and cleaned 4 toilets while Zane took the kids to the YMCA.

Today I:
1. Took Jacob to get pictures taken
2. Picked up my Sensy candle stuff. Thanks, Jill for splitting the package with me. I love it! Right now I have Bamboo Sugar Cane burning! It smells great!
3. Watched Enchanted with Olivia and Zach while Zane was at Y.M.

Tomorrow I:
1. Will do laundry
2. Will try really hard to take a nap, but probably won't get one.
3. Work all night long

In the next year I shall:
1. Get a new family portrait. Last time we had family pictures, Olivia was little.
2. Go to San Diego with my family (I hope!) We need to start planning!
3. Potty train Zachary. I hope it doesn't take the whole year!

So I am supposed to tag someone else. I tag anyone who wants to do it. Hopefully you have a better memory than I do.

Spring Break

For Spring Break Olivia and I had a "Girls Weekend" with our best friends Sherrie and Maddison. We went to Sedona and had a marvelous time!

Some of the highlights of our trip:

1. Pedicures

2. Eating out (a special treat for me, as we don't eat out much because of our little guys)

3. Hiking down Oak Creek Canyon at Slide Rock. I use the term "hike" very loosly. It was a challenge in our sandals!

4. It snowed while we were there! It was beautiful to see snow on the red rocks!

5. Going to the movies and seeing Horton Gives A Who!

6. Sleeping In! Another treat for me as I have a 6:00 a.m. wake up call every day from Jakey!

7. Olivia finally got her ear's pierced. I think she gave in to peer pressure as Sherrie, Maddie, and I were laying it on pretty thick! Sherrie let her pick anything she wanted at Claire's when she was done. She picked out some REALLY SPECIAL plastic braclets with rhinstones! Thanks Sherrie and Maddie for helping me talk Olivia into the earrings!