missing my kids

I stumbled on to this saying today "we worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that they are someone today". Take a little extra time to read an extra story or play trains one more time. Tanner would hold up his little finger to me and say un mo. He only did that for like a week. His vocabulary and speech have grown up overnight. I know he's only 31/2 but, where is my baby boy?
Cherstin

Back to flying I go...

Wow did that time ever go by fast. 6 months off sounds like a lot until its over and then all of a sudden I'm packing my bag trying to get ready to go. Okay, I know that I only had to go for 4 days and now I'm off all month until new years eve however it still isn't something that I get used to or look forward to. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do. I love being on the plane meeting all sorts of strange, I mean unique, no I mean strange, people. Leaving the kids and Kiffen is the part I hate. Kiffen and Tanner went to deliver an airplane in Arizona, so Korah Grace went to Utah to get spoiled by Grandma and Paw Paw and all the aunts, uncles and cousins. I do believe she did pretty well. It was harder at nights from what I have been told. I had a good trip. I flew with a wonderful crew, our flights were uneventful, and on time. I am sure that I drove my crew crazy with T and K stories but, they were very patient and pretended that they were really interested. When I finished my Recurrent training we got out too late for me to get a flight to Little Rock. Kiffen and Tanner were spending the night there and I was planning on flying there to pick up Tanner and take him with me to pick up Korah Grace. Now I have to decide do I catch the non-stop to SLC or do I go halfway to LIT, spend the night in STL and then finish going to LIT in the morning to pu Tanner, then say hello to Kiffen for about 5 min jump back on the plane and fly to SLC. On my way to the SLC flight to see if it was full I passed a delayed flt to Dallas, ran and asked the gate agent if I could possibly make the LIT flight in DAL. "Right now you miss it by 5 min" she tells me. Close enough. I jump on the plane as they are closing the door, introduce myself to the crew while quickly asking the pilots to call ahead and find out gates and flt info for me in DAL(a courtesy they do for us when non-revving). I sit in the closest seat to the front of the plane and squeeze in the empty middle seat the pax's are trying to hide with their coats and carry-ons that they never should of carried on. Right before we land the pilots called and let me know that my next flt was leaving 10 min after we land. Score!!! I am going to make it. I call Kiffen let him know I'll be there in an hour and run. Why did I do all this? In the morning Tanner and I will be flying out together to SLC to pick up Korah Grace. While we are there we are kicking off the holiday season with my mom's side of the families annual Christmas party. This means tons of cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and a special visitor who only comes and visits at this time of year. So yeah, that's why I did all this.
Cherstin

my Paw Paw

Okay, so this is what Tanner calls my dad. Paw Paw. He just couldn't quite say grandpa, so for him it has stuck. What does he call my mom? Grandma. Kiffen's parents are Ne Ne and De De. I still haven't figured that one out but that's what he named them. Okay so back to Paw Paw. The other day while we were driving to town out of the blue tanner says

"momma, my Paw Paw not old."
"no he's not, why."
"that boy's Paw Paw old."
"which boy"
"my friend on t.v. his Paw Paw old, my Paw Paw not old."

That was it, just another random thought of a 3 1/2 year old. Goodness this boy makes me laugh and nope Tanner your Paw Paw's definitely not old.

Chersty

halloween

We had an absolutely wonderful Halloween this year. The weather was perfect. Perfectly fall like. I think the kids had a lot of fun. Tanner really figured out the candy part of it this year, and Korah Grace just liked to smile and be outside since the weather was so perfect. This is the Halloween party at the library. That's Korah Grace sitting on miss Amber's lap.

All of the kids at the party, except for Tanner. He was too busy playing with the games and other activities they had for the kids.

He had taken his costume off since it was so bulky. He could hardly move in it, the poor kid.

We decided to make cake balls for our neighbors(thanks bakerella). Tanner was such a good helper. I think he liked it, what do you think?

Oh, goodness that does look yummy!!!


The city put on a trunk or treat at the local park. Did I mention we had been having perfect weather? Tanner really did have a costume. Korah Grace's shirt said "mommies little pumpkin". Thanks Jenny.


We couldn't of planned for nicer weather.

Tanner was actually explaining to her how to drive this. He told her, "Korah Grace when you get big, you get to ride this all by yourself".

Tanner loves fire trucks, just like most little boys do. Whenever we see one he turns on his "siren". One day while we were driving, one passed us. Since he didn't "turn on his siren" I tried to prompt him:

me: "Tanner, what does a fire truck do?"
him: "They get kitties out of trees down."

Oh yes, of course.


See, I told you that Tanner had a costume. Halloween was actually over when I realized that I didn't have any pics of him actually wearing it. He did wear it while Trick or Treating though. He wanted to be a robot. Occasionally he would add something else in but, always went back to a robot. I did have the legs for him as well but, for these pics I was lucky to get the costume on him.

These pics are on our swing next to the creek.

The weather had been so perfect this year. Did I mention that?

Chersty

can I borrow the car?

These two pictures really speak for themselves. Tanner was way too excited that Korah Grace could ride in the Jeep with him. So excited that he actually let her "drive".

That's Lucy there on the Left. She's still just a puppy.
Chersty

Korah Grace's first food

Korah Grace had her 4 month Dr. appt. this week and the Doctor told us that we could start feeding her rice and introducing her to new foods. When I was telling Kiffen all of this I obviously forgot who her older brother is because if you look closely right above her mouth you will see her first new food compliments of Tanner. He was definitely listening when I was talking about what the dr. said.

When I asked him about it he answered back "but, mommy it's our favowhat!" as if Korah Grace already knows. She did seem to enjoy it though, and yes her first food was spaghetti o's!!!

Tanner sure does enjoy a big bowl of the healthy stuff!!! And hey who knows maybe he'll always want to share with her. Yeah, right.
Chersty

my birthday-woo hoo!!!

This week Jenny and all the kids were in town visiting, so Kiffen thought it would be nice to set up a hay ride for us all to go on. I tell you what it couldn't of been a more perfect evening to do it on. The weather was cool. I should clarify and say a KY cool, not the crisp mountain air cool, but cool none the less. The moon was out, and oh yeah, it was my birthday. What could of been better that that! Kiffen pulled us all over the farm and strip, then we went across to the neighbors and then across the creek and over to grandma and grandpa's property. Did I mention the the trees have just started turning? Absolutely beautiful!After it was too dark outside to play any longer, we finally talked the kids into coming into the house. Of course a BRIBERY, I mean BIRTHDAY cake never hurts. mmmm chocolate!!!The next morning, I woke up to the newest member of our family. Kiffen went and rescued this horse for me from somewhere in Tennessee. The former owners couldn't afford to feed him any more and he is starving....Hopefully we'll be able to get him bulked back up and healthy again. THANKS KIFFEN!! Also thanks again Jenny for the cake and all the gifts from the kids. The kids and Jen gave me the willow tree sculpture "Angel of mine". It is a mom holding a brand new baby. Since I collect willow tree and I just had a baby it was perfect. I love you all.
chersty

the best lover

Today Tanner woke up this morning in just the best mood ever. After some serious snuggling in bed with me and Korah Grace, Tanner decided to move to the couch to watch his "friends" on TV. The Backyardigans and George are his best friends right now. He likes to watch them while I make breakfast and get ready for the day. While he was on the couch he wanted his bappy(a special blankie). After I wrapped him up in it he looked at me and said

"momma, gramma make this bappy for me?"
"she did, do you like it?"
"yeah, gramma the bestest bappy maker ever an ever"

So. if that just doesn't melt your heart the day continues to get better. I was making his favorite food for lunch which happens to be soup this week and he looks at me while we are eating and says

"momma, where'd you get this from?"
"I made it"
"thank you mommy, you the best cooker ever an ever"

Yeah I know, sweetest kid in the world right? Well a little later that afternoon I had to get after him for something,(imagine that) and he could tell I was angry. He came over to the chair and climbed up in my lap and gives me a giant full blown squeeze around the neck and says

"mommy, me wuv you."
"Ahh, sweetheart, I love you too."
"mommy, me wuv you thiiissss much" while spreading arms out as far as he can.
"wow Tanner that's alot"
"me wuv you to the moon, me wuv you to the stars, me wuv you to the sun, and me wuv you back to bed."
"thankyou sweetheart, I love you too". While squeezing him back.
"mommy?"
"yeah"
"me the bestest wuver ever an ever!"

Yes, Tanner bean you are the best wuver ever an ever.

Chersty

mix by hand

I love this picture. This is my baby sister and my parents. Ignore the date on the pic it was actually July/Aug of 2006, shortly after her mission to Mesa Arizona. We had such a wonderful time on this vacation. The only one missing was our brother Cliff who was in Florida at the time. Annie was recently married to a wonderful man Wade(Aug.15th). I am so happy and excited that they found each other. His birthday was just this last weekend and Annie was being the wonderful wife that she was born to be and making him and birthday cake. She had a few questions about the recipe so naturally she called me, actually she only called me because I gave her the recipe. Well the last question she had was:

"it says mix by hand, do you use a fork or spoon to do that?"

Oh, my dear sweet sister, please say it isn't so. The only answer I could give was

"Oh, no Annie that means you really mix it by hand. Anything else is to hard on the batter."

"Really", she asks?

"Well, sure you've seen mom mix by hand before." I reply while trying my hardest not to burst out laughing.

I could hear her washing her hands and was just about to bust so I hung up.
Shortly there after mom called, Annie had called and asked her. Of course she had to set her straight, which I planned on doing after the cake was made. One cake mixed by hand never hurt anyone. From what I hear the cake turned out very well.
Annie, Annie, Annie, although you wont mix another cake by hand, please don't ever lose that trusting nature. I love you.
Chersty

Tanner's first momo

Okay, so this is what we did today. I don't think I've seen him this excited ever. Well except for the day he got his tractor, or the day he got his jeep. Those were pretty exciting days but, I think that this topped it. Him and Dad actually bought it yesterday and they were having a contest where you could pick a pumpkin if you bought something. So, Tanner went and picked his pumpkin and TADA he won a helmet. Last night it was all I could do to get it off him to go to bed and this morning when he woke up, putting the helmet back on was the first thing that he did. He also chose to get himself dressed today. If you look closely you can see that his clothes represent all his favorite things- the cowboy boots to work with the cows, the shorts and jacket both have airplanes on them and then of course the helmet represents his love of Momo's(motorcycle's or 4 wheelers).

He really wants to give Korah Grace a ride when he gets home. After explaining that he wouldn't be able give her a ride until she's a lot older he looked at the sales man and asked "You got one in pink?" At least he's looking out for her best interests.

When we got ready to go this morning the plan was to only take the truck. As you can tell the momo would fit in the back of the truck. Oh no, that wasn't going to happen. "Daddy, me take the truck with the silver wagon and me drive it up the ramp and me haul it home." Of course isn't that the way you always haul things?

Yeah, we made it! The strip makes for the perfect place to practice, as long as someone is watching for planes.

He caught on really fast, so daddy went and pulled his out. He made the mistake of doing doughnuts on his over in the dirt pile and as soon as he did, guess who made a bee line for the dirt hills. Had to put an end to that real fast.
Chersty

Yeah, it's finally here. My favorite time of year. Besides Christmas of course. The leaves changing colors, the air just gets that crisp feel and after the hot soggy air of the summer it is a very welcome change. I love the mums, the pumpkins, the hay, the dried corn. All of it, I even love looking at Christmas decorations while trying to decide on a witch or a ghost to put on the door. All right the Christmas decorations is a stretch but, I honestly love this time of year. It really just makes me feel good. Tanner has decided that he wants to be the "hot chocolate man" and carry around a puncher to punch everyone's ticket. Shouldn't be to hard, an engineer with a few extra's. He also has decided that Korah Grace wants to be a pumpkin. We'll see on her costume.

Tonight he wanted soup for dinner, it is truly one of his favorites. It really doesn't matter what kind, just as long as it's soup. I made him cream of chicken, not the best, but all we had in the pantry. He was eating it in the living room(I know, I know) when I hear Kiffen start hollering for him to stop feeding Korah Grace. I hurried in and sure enough Korah had tasted her first soup. Darn it. He did this yesterday, tried to feed her. I had told him I would have to spank him if it happened again. So yes, he got it. I still can't decide who it's harder on me or him. I'm still feeling guilty and he acts as if he's forgotten. I just can't take the chance he'll do it again. After I spanked him I asked him why he fed her when I told him not to.
"Momma, she was hungry". Awww, he was just trying to help her.
Chersty

needs

Tonight Kiffen and I took the kids grocery shopping. Unfortunately this is pretty exciting for me because we don't get out much together as a family. My usual grocery routine is in and out as quickly as possible with a 3 yr old and a 3 month baby. If we don't have any "I need" melt downs then I consider it a success. Anyways back to tonight. When we pulled into the store Tanner asked if he could go and just "look" at the toys. If it was only me then not only no but heck no!!!! I just don't have the energy or willpower to go there with him..but since Kiffen was with us why not. We told him and really emphasized that we are only going to look. "kay momma, me just wook". Who are we kidding, right? I have come to realize that one of my favorite things in life is seeing a little child in a toy store. I know very cliche', but for me true. The way his face just lights up and how he looks at each and every toy. If one really catches his eye he'll take it off the shelf and "read" the back of the box(Tanner would do this also:)). Whenever the looking would turn into needing we would tell him that we'll have to write a letter to ho ho and let him know. He was being surprisingly good so Kiffen decided to stay in the toys with him while I went and took care of the shopping. When I met them at the car I expected to see Toys everywhere or an inconsolable child. It was neither. The only thing that Kiffen caved to was a small bulldozer, which according to Kiffen was needed since we didn't have one. Funny how we remember the things we need when surrounded by necessities such as toys.

Chersty

Choo Choo's don't take baths

Right now Tanner doesn't want to wash his hair. Only his hair. He has no problem taking baths, he actually enjoys them. Especially when I put bubbles in there for him. He will wash his feet, legs, arms, face, ears, everything except his hair. We have told him recently that bugs will build houses in his hair and if we don't wash them out they'll just keep on building. That works. I have to look through his hair to find out how many bugs have moved in(there was 5 this morning) and then he'll finally let me wash his hair. Today just wasn't working even just to get him in the bath. I had put bubbles in his bath, he had his favorite toys, I had even told him he could choose his clothes for the day, all by himself. No way, wasn't going to happen. Then I hear him coming

"Chugga chugga choo choo, chugga chugga choo choo. Momma me a choo choo".
"You sure are, you're a nice train. Now come on lets take your bath".
"Chugga chugga choo choo. Momma, me a choo choo".
"I know honey, come on".
"But momma, choo choo's don't take baths".

Cherstin

hot chocolate train

So this is the new classic in our house. It's official title is called "The Polar Express". However Tanner named it "the hot chocolate train movie" after his favorite part. He even tries to say, here we've only got one rule, never ever let it cool. It comes out more like "hew one wool, evr coowl". We have watched it this week oh I would say at least 10 times. The thing is I absolutely love, love this movie. I enjoy the look of pure amazement and excitement that comes into his eyes when the train pulls up in front of the boys house or when the kids go down the slide and start spinning down the funnel. Then comes the best part, when Santa finally comes into the square and you see the reindeer but can't hear the bells, he looks up at me with eyes the size of silver dollars and says

"momma, me hear the bells this time, you hear em?"
"Oh yeah I hear them."

He then grabs my chin and points it toward the TV and and says

"momma wook, you hear the bells?"
"I do sweetie I do."
"momma, Ho Ho(pronounced who who, which is what he calls Santa) bring me those."
"Bring you what, presents?"
"no, those fwom little Ho Ho's(the elves). Ho Ho bring me bells."
"Oh, I think he probably will bring you those."

Once reassured that santa will bring him bells. He goes back to the movie, lets go of my chin, and lets me go back to just watching the movie.

Chersty

dancing with the stars

Woo Hoo! It's back. When this show first came on I refused to watch it. There were just way too many reality shows and just plain junk on t.v. Then came a trip home to Utah where all my family was absolutely addicted to this silly dancing show, especially my grandma. Well sure enough, late one night I was up with my dad and he started watching it on his dvr. I'll admit it, it only took me a few dancers and I was hooked. Tanner and I would watch it when we got home to the strip(much to the dismay of dear ole hubby). Tanner even had a favorite dancer, although I don't remember which one it was now. I always enjoyed calling home after and we all would talk about who should win and who our favorites were. Grandma was especially fun to talk to about this silly show. Funny how her favorite dancers were always the cutest boys. This season I wont be able to talk to her about the cutest dancers. I will miss that, but our family will enjoy remembering how much she enjoyed this silly dancing show.
chersty
p.s. the football player at the end was surprizingly good.

ahhh, sunday

Sunday's are lazy day's for me, or at least I try for them to be. Living on an airstrip means that we have a lot of people stopping by. It's picking up more since the crash. (more on that later). Tanner went to church with daddy today while Korah Grace went with me. I love being in the nursery with Tanner. I really enjoy teaching the kids even if it is something as little as folding their arms for the prayer. Okay, not all at the same time but they all folded their arms at one point. Our other nursery leader stayed down and let me go up to r.s. I really did appreciate and enjoy that. One of the sisters in there commented on how big Korah Grace was getting. It reminded me of the other day when I was driving into town with Tanner.

tanner: Momma, please don't make me stay little.
me: Oh sweetie, I want you to stay little, I don't want you to get big.
tanner: NNNOOOOOOO!!!! I WANT TO GET BIG.
me: why would you want to get big?
tanner: me want to be big
me: but why? don't you want to always stay mommies little boy?
tanner: no mommie, me stay little I cant go to school. me want to go to school.


He want's to be big so that he can go to school. We have taken him by the school and he just cant wait. We still haven't heard back on the test's that he took for his speech. So for the time being when he goes to the daycare at the gym we call that "school". Speaking of which I had better go to bed so that I can get up for "school".

Chersty

Camille

Tonight I found out about the Waite's family blog. They recently lost their daughter Camille. The mother is so amazing I found myself really putting things back into perspective and wanting to cherish every moment. It is such an amazing gift from our Heavenly Father to be able to teach and love these precious little spirits in this life. We really need to appreciate the little things right now because I am already watching my son and wishing he would just stop growing, and he's only 3!!! Thank you Stephanie, I'll pray for you and your wonderful family. Right now I am going to hug my children and then I am off to bed.

It's a Pig!!!

Tanner loves parties, he is so social. Last night we went to some friends for their annual pig roast. Their whole family comes and camps out for 2 days. On our way there Tanner was asking what we were going to do at the party. We tried to explain to him that they were roasting a pig, "no willy mommy, what they do at the pawty?" He just couldn't understand why you would have a party cooking a pig.

you wake up good?

This is how I am greeted in the morning by my wonderful 3 year old son Tanner. He then climbs in bed with me and we sing a "good morning Mr. sun" song all while cuddling. It's hard to wake up on the wrong side of the bed when this happens. Today was extra special as Korah Grace was already in bed with us, when Tanner came and joined us (Almost time to upgrade to a bigger bed). His face just lights right up when he sees her. Even more so than normal. We laid there and sang and cooed and talked to her while she laughed and talked right back at us. It's times like this that I wish could replay over and over and over.

Tanner is such a wonderful big brother, he is such a good big brother that I am reigning him in a lot of time. If you could say he loves her too much, he does. I left the two of them in bed while I went to get Korah a diaper, and by the time I got back he had taken her onesie off and rolled her up onto his chest and was patting her back. At least she wasn't screaming this time. I would definitely say that I waked up good this morning.

okay, here I go....

okay deep breath. I've done it, I've started blogging or journaling as I prefer to call it. Hopefully I'll catch on and this will be something my kids can read and enjoy. I'm going to start slow and eventually I'll be able to add pictures, quotes, and other witty things you can find on this world wide web.
Lately I've been in a rut, not quite sure what to do with myself. I have so much to do at the house, mostly just putting things away, the problem is I have nowhere to put anything..4 people in a small trailer makes for a whole lotta disorganization.. oh how I dream of closets, tupperware bins, and label makers. I just keep reminding me it's temporary.
Pre-school started here in kentucky last week. I had planned on enrolling Tanner until they told me they dont accept 3 year olds unless they have a disability. However they did say a speech impediment could get him enrolled. Huh? He's 3, his dad talks as country as the best of them, which means he talks like a little southern gentleman. Is this an impediment? I start listening a little closer and you know what? The little tyke cant say his r's. huwwy, caleful, cwing, this isn't just his cute little southern accent. who knows, they are going to test him sometime this week. I'm not worried, like I said before..he's 3.
all right, so I did it. This is my first post, lets see how this goes. Here's hoping I'll enjoy it. cherstin