Just a Reminder

Just a reminder for anyone who was too busy last month and whose hair is looking bad... you know who you are...

THIS SATURDAY JAN 3

I am doing hair-- so if you are hoping to get in before February- please let me know :)

Every Man is Given a Gift

"...there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God" Doctrine and Covenants 46:12

I am about to BRAG about my kids... But I understand that not every one receives every gift, so don't feel bad about yourself when you hear how amazing my child it. I am sure your kids have OTHER gifts... like drawing an ELEPHANT at 2! or singing on key, or reading at 3, whatever it may be.

As for my GIFTED children. Apparently they were both given the same special talent. One that most in the world will never recognize or know (which is why I must Blog) A talent I had never considered before childbirth...

I discovered on Monday while sick on the couch watching Little Einsteins with my kids that Blake is a gifted child. At only 17 months old he came to me, looking sympathetic towards my horribly runny nose and eyes, with the same runny look on his own face, and took from me my roll of toilet paper, tore off a square and proceeded to BLOW HIS NOSE!! then handed the yucky tissue back to his stunned and proud mother!

That's right everyone. My kids are nose blowing prodigies! I considered that it might have been a fluke. Could two children in one family be so gifted at Nose Blowing before a year and a half?? Then last night as we brushed our teeth I saw Blake walk directly up to the Toilet Paper dispenser in the bathroom and lean his nose against the soft tissue and begin to BLOW AGAIN! Five minutes later, he ran back to the bathroom, without bothering to remove a square, and leaned against the paper roll with his face and BLEW AGAIN! IT ISN'T A FLUKE!! IT IS A GIFT!!

Ok, ok, he can't play the violin, or eat with a fork, but they both can blow their noses!

P.S. PLEASE CHECK THE ROLL AT MY HOUSE BEFORE YOU WIPE, HE HAS NOT LEARNED TO PULL IT OFF THE ROLL AND THROW IT AWAY!!

What to EXPECT...

We have all read it... or at least parts of it.

What To Expect When You Are Expecting

This week I needed some serious MEDICAL CONFIRMATION that I AM NOT LOSING IT!!!
(which I was beginning to think I was)

SO EVERYONE OUT THERE, including Young Women and Leaders, Relatives, Friends, yes, even strangers who might be Blog Stalking me because I am THAT cool. THIS is WHAT TO EXPECT When You are EXPECTING KATIE TYLER:

• Clumsiness
  
• Difficulty Sleeping (that causes groggy mornings)
• Increased Day Dreaming
• Mood Swings

and MY PERSONAL FAVORITE

• CONTINUED ABSENTMINDEDNESS

Please do not expect me to PLAN ANYTHING, to SHOW UP to anything PLANNED, to REMEMBER any PLANS, or to do anything REMOTELY RELIABLE for the next 3 months! I am losing my mind. According to my mom, who is apparently a secret Dr. Oz fan, women lose a TON of brain cells during the last trimester of their pregnancy. Supposedly we gain it back right before Labor... but I am not so sure. I have already noticed the decline in Brain Capacity over the past few weeks. (In fact I had to think REALLY hard to come up with the word "decline" just now)

People say I am losing it based on the fact that I have two kids already to chase around. And that alone is sufficient for partial insanity. But I know it is MORE than that.

The bottom line is:
I don't sleep anymore without a good dose of Benadryl due to Restless Leg Syndrom.
I am so Moody that it is like playing Russian Roulette to even talk to me.
The day dreaminess is taking over reality.
And I can not remember ANY commitment, appointment, or assignment I have made in the last two weeks!!

So sorry, everyone, this is the New Katie Tyler for at least a few months. And really, I think this is like most pregnancy things --"9 months on 9 months off" -- so it may take a little longer to snap out of this.

This is my Blanket Apology to all those that I am going to stand up, forget about, be annoyed with or rude to, and to all those that I give a blank stare. AZA FAHADY. (that means sorry in Malagasy. How can I remember Malagasy and not play dates with friends???)

Migrating Placentas and Other things to be Grateful for...

I neglected to do my "Gratefuls" at Thanksgiving- but now I have even MORE to be Grateful for!!

• My Baby's Placenta Migrated!!

YAHOOOOO!! After gaining 6 lbs this month, I am happy for this news! Not only can I get back to the GYM, but I don't have to worry about a C-section anymore! And of course-- on our ANNIVERSARY, JT is very happy for the Green Light on other activities :) Which leads me to my next Grateful. (no, not that)

• My Man

FIVE YEARS TODAY!! On December 10th 2004, JT and I were married in the Seattle Temple. It had only been 4 months since our first day- so needless to say it was an adventure. But I knew right away that he was "the one". I can't pretend that it has ALL been sunshine and roses, but I can say that it is RIGHT. And I am surprised at how quickly I forget the thorns to notice the flowers in or marriage. I never imagined that anyone could love me so much. And he really is the pinnacle of kindness. I can't even list all of the things that he is and does and that make me happy! I look forward to the rest of Eternity together.

• My Kids

I can't believe we are having our THIRD! Riley is such a Clown and Blake is so Fun, I don't know what entertained me before they came along! And a third will be icing on the cake.
My favorite Riley Phrase right now is during her prayers when she blesses JT's sister Megan on her mission and says "Please Bless Meggie on her Mission, To Be GOOD" :)


(I know, the pic is old, but it is still my favorite!)

• My Family

I am grateful for all of the help on both sides of our family - especially when it comes to loving and helping out with my kids.
I am ESPECIALLY grateful for a WONDERFUL brother and sister in law who noticed me struggling a few weeks ago and were inspired to help out. Sometimes we need a break, sometimes a casserole, sometimes a shoulder to cry on-- But this time I needed some Christmas Cheer! So what did they do?? Brought over Christmas LIGHTS and helped JT put them up!! They really have no idea how much that little act of kindness has touched me. (especially because I had bought our previous lights at Big Lots for $.75 a box--- and it showed!! they looked awful!) Every night when Riley and I plug in the lights I say a little prayer of thanks for people who love me.

• My Visiting Teachers

I have never DOUBTED that Visiting Teaching is inspired and necessary, but I have never really seen it work like they say in the Ensign articles either! Until now. I have wonderful visiting teachers who work hard to come every month and have really worked on developing a friendship with me. The past few months they have been so inspired to bring EXACTLY what I need. (not just the Choc Chip Cookies that I really did NEED this month!!) I really feel that they are with me for a reason and because they have been so consistent and loving I actually feel like I can go to them when I need them!!

• The Gospel

What Grateful list would be complete without this? I have really felt the blessing of the Book of Mormon in my life lately. Things have been crazy for us- and I have felt so upside down and stressed out. And it seems that peace from outside sources (such as mint chocolate covered oreo cookies, buying something on sale, or even a nice talk with a friend) doesn't seem to last long enough. The ONLY thing that seems to get me through is the Gospel

One of my favorite talks from Elder Holland speaks about his call to be an Apostle and this is what he said.

"AS I PUT SOMEWHAT NEW AND OFTEN TEAR FILLED EYES TO THE SCRIPTURE, I SAW PERHAPS FOR THE FIRST TIME THE MAJESTY OF CHRIST'S HEALING INFLUENCE, PROBABLY BECAUSE I WAS NEEDING SO MUCH OF THAT MYSELF"

Well, I can relate to that. I feel so blessed to have the Scriptures and the Truths of the Gospel in my life. I have felt so much relief, peace and comfort that I could not get anywhere else. (not even Christmas Lights from my sister in law) Not to mention direction, inspiration, and patience! I could do a whole post on my LOVE of the scriptures!


So if you see me SMILING you'll know it is ONE of these things!

GINGERBREAD HOUSE PARTY!!

A few years ago - some girlfriends and I decided to get together and make Gingerbread Houses.

Year #1
December 2006 (Heidi just pointed out that I have the dates wrong!)


Heidi, Katie, and Shelbi (I think the other girls had already gone home when we remembered the camera!)





I wish I was one of those really cool people who takes pictures of everything and every event and then puts them on their Blogs...


But since I am NOT that girl, here is a picture of Year #3! (but I guess I didn't take any of the other girls' houses... probably because they were so awesome that I would have felt like a loser putting up pics of my store bought cheesy house next to their homemade Food Network worthy mansions!!) Yes, I changed this to #3, since I am such a nerd I don't even have a pic of year #2!! oooopppsss.


Year #3, and the one that Riley made
December 2008




And HERE is YEAR #4!! Dec 3 2009


After 5 hours, 4 girls, and lots of food-- this is what we accomplished!



Heidi, Lindsey, Natalie, and Me

Apparently we were all running low on Christmas Spirit last night! First my frosting was too thick, then too thin, and then they all showed up without houses! So we tossed in the Frosting and decided to eat all of our goodies and call it good!

We had a great time just talking and hanging out. I don't think any of us missed making the Gingerbread House. So maybe we have new tradition???



FORTUNATELY when I woke up this morning, I had a helper ready to get started. We got Blake down for his morning nap and then made the perfect frosting. (not too thick, not too thin, where was that frosting last night?)


Riley's roof collapsed after she got a little too excited to wait for it to set and started on the candy. So we improvised and apparently she made a Gingerbread Single Wide.


WAY more candy in the tummy than in the house!


She's a pro.



She is SO my daughter!!



Luckily JT got home from class and dove in to help Riley so I could throw mine together before Blake woke up. (if you have seen Blake's chubs- you know what he would do if he saw a CANDY HOUSE!)


JT usually runs and hides when I have a project like this... UNLESS RILEY IS THERE! Then the Super Dad appears and he is just as excited as Riley to help. I LOVE watching them work together. And I really love the time it gave me to finish mine.







Finished Project :)


The Single Wide.




We'll see how long it lasts when Blake discovers it!