Update!!!

I have no excuse for not posting on here more. Life just happens and I have not taken the time to make writing on the blog a priority. I need to though because I LOVE looking back and reading all the older post. They make me laugh, cry, and sigh as I realize all that life brings to us. So in the next couple weeks I am going to do a post on each of the kids and what they are up to lately.

Starting with me and Tyler today. We just moved into a new home (new to us) and are finally feeling more at home here in Ohio. We are renting to own it and so excited to have a place to call our own. It is a beautiful home and is almost everything we have dreamed of. Tyler's favorite part is the gym in the basement. And he is doing an excellent job of using it to it's fullest. He has been working out every morning at 5 am for the last 6 months. His goal has been to become Thor jr and he is doing fabulous at obtaining that goal. He is incredible to me at the dedication he has when he puts his mind to something. He did give me one corner of the gym and, of  course, I put my treadmill there. I am not so dedicated on the working out but I am doing my best.

This winter has been a beast. It just will not end and the cold is to cold. Like, you want to cry it is so cold kind of cold. You can't drive your car because it hurts to touch the stirring wheel kind of cold. We don't leave the house unless we absolutely have to kind of cold. It has been awful and I am so looking forward to spring. I have learned a couple of things through this winter though... My Heavenly Father is very aware of me and my needs and having a big, empty basement is a must for winters in Ohio.

Tyler is coming to the end of his 2nd year of residency...Wahoo!!!! Only one more year to go and time is flying lately so it will be a quick one. He was just asked to be the chief resident for his residency. He is nervous about it but I know he will do a most excellent job of it. He is a wonderful teacher and loves what he does. I really am proud of him for all that he has accomplished.

Sometimes I feel that I am way behind on our adventure called life. I have not accomplished all that Tyler has or gained the knowledge that he has gained. I feel a little below the mark of where I should be compared to him. But then I look at my children and I see all that I have truly accomplished. Mine is not one that is recognized by all but it is one of great worth. I am so thankful to be a mother. To be the mother of MY children. They are truly a blessing to me. I feel overwhelmed at times at the world that they are living in. I feel a need to protect them, to guard them from the evils of the world. To teach them how to withstand the temptations of this life. I want them to know and understand who they are. I pray that they will gain a testimony of their own so that when they are away from me, they can stand strong and immovable. I LOVE that I am a mother and I thank my Heavenly Father for allowing me this.

I was reading in the book of mormon the other morning and read about King Benjamin teaching the people how we are all lower than the dust of the earth. We are nothing. This kind of bothered me cause I have never felt like I was nothing to the Lord. But as I read on further he continued to say that we are nothing without our Savior and with him we are of great worth. This has been a life lesson lately. Many times I have been brought to my knees, tears flowing, asking for guidance and peace in my life. Each time I remember a scripture "Be still, and know that I am God." My life is nothing when I forget this but when I remember this and do all that I can to do his will, I am blessed beyond measure in ways that I would never imagine.

In other words, I am very grateful for my life. I am grateful for every challenge that comes my way. Each one helps me to grow closer to my Savior and closer to my goal in life...to have eternal life. I love the gospel.

Keep posted for an update on Hallie

New family pictures

My awesome sister took our family pictures while we were in Utah. I love how bright and sunny they look. She is such a talented girl. Thanks so much for taking these. 

You are hired for all the years to come.

Change is good...right?

Sometimes I get set in our little life and think all is going great (or not so great sometimes) but realize that the Lord has completely different plans for us. As many of you know, Tyler signed a contract with Nephi, Utah to work at their hospital when he was done with residency. Well, after a very long, lonely, depressing winter we decided to think about moving our little family to the same town that Tyler does his residency in. We started house hunting and praying about what we should do. After much prayer and thought we decided it was best for us to move. We found a house and signed the lease and started packing our stuff into those dang boxes again.
A week away from moving, Tyler's dad calls him and tells him  he needs to reconsider staying in Ohio after residency. Better pay, great people to work with and so on. I told him no way. We are moving back to Utah. Our kids need it. I need it. I am ready to be home. Next day, I ask Tyler if he wants to stay here and work. NO...I want my kids to grow up with friends I know and trust. I tell him that I trust him and will go with him wherever he needs to be. Conference weekend comes...a lot about missionary work. One talk specifically talks about blooming where you are planted."One thing we have often been taught is to bloom where we are planted. Yet sometimes we are tempted to migrate to some new area, thinking our children will have more friends and therefore better youth programs."Elder Stanley Ellis April conference 2013.
Again, we talked about what we need to be doing. And then we couldn't stop talking about it. We say many prayers and ask for guidance. I got my answer and I know that we need to stay in Ohio. I am not going to lie...I shed many tears and had a breakdown or two. But after Tyler got his answer to, we both felt so peaceful and right about it. 
So, after all is said and done, we will be staying in East Liverpool, Ohio for the next 7 years (he signed a 5 year contract with them). I have really learned to trust the Lord in all that happens in my life. I know that for some reason we need to stay here. I know that it will be hard and there will be many times I wish we could go back home. But we have a new home for the next little while and I know that my little family will be very blessed for it. 
It is an exciting adventure that we get to go on together. We have already had so many opportunities to share the gospel and I know we will have many more. Such an exciting time to be living the gospel. I am so thankful to be a part of this wonderful work!

Melt my heart...

Annie and Barry have been having lots of bad dreams lately. I have told them that when this happens they can say a prayer and it will help them feel better. Barry started saying that he was afraid of the dark even before we turned out the lights at bedtime so I started saying a prayer with him to help him not be afraid. The other night I got down to kiss him good night and asked if he wanted me to say a prayer with him...

Barry "no mom I can say it all on my own."
Me "oh you can? what do you say?"
Barry "Heavenly father, bless me to not be scared of the dark"
Me "Does it help you feel better?"
Barry "Yes, I am not afraid of the dark anymore"

It is so amazing to watch the faith of a little child. He has total faith that when he says his prayers, the Lord will watch over him. I am so grateful for the power of prayer and the amazing blessings it brings to me in my life and in the life of my children.

Jakey is 4 months old now

I have no idea how to add words after I have uploaded pictures to the post so I am doing a separate one to tell a little bit about what Jake is doing now.

He is now 4 months old. He is such a happy baby and will smile at anyone who looks at him. He is always watching me just waiting for me to look at him and when I do he just bust out in grins. He is defiantly a momma's boy and I am really glad. But he still loves his dad. Last weekend Tyler worked both Saturday and Sunday so Jake was asleep when he left and when he came home. Jake had not been feeling good so was not his happy self. Monday morning when Dad picked him up he started gooing and talking non stop to him. I love that he knows who we are.

He is a great sleeper and goes to bed at 7 and wakes about 3 or 4 to eat then goes back down til 7 or 8. Poor little Jake is our little wanderer. He has a crib in the room with Natalie and Barry but because he still wakes during the night I don't dare put him in there. Natalie already has a hard enough time sleeping during the night. So we put him to bed on our bed and then when we go to sleep we move him to the pack and play in the family room. Nap time is in his own crib. Maybe this is why he goes to sleep any where and every where we are.

He has started to roll over on his side, suck his fingers, giggle at stuff, and maybe starting to teeth. We sure love our little man and think he is the perfect caboose for our family.

Jake

I love how he holds his little hands

Who needs a Binky when you have fingers to suck on?

5th child means more down time. But he always has someone talking to him or dancing for him

kinda a blurry one but thought it was so cute the two of them together. Blonde and blue eyes and brown and brown eyes but they still look so much alike as babies.

Annie turns 7

I just love those big brown eyes and cute little nose of hers. Annie turned 7 on February 1st. I am in total shock over this. I think in my mind I know that Hallie is getting bigger and older but for some reason I think Annie will always be my little donk. But I guess she too will grow up.

Let me tell you about Annie...she is absolutely amazing. She is the first person to think of others. So many times she will tell me of stuff that she has done or is doing for our neighbors. It is adorable and our neighbors just love her for it. Annie is such a smart little girl and loves to read. I will always find her reading to her little brothers and sister. Even before she could actually read, she would memorize the words from when I read to her and then go read them to Barry.

Here she is reading to Barry even before she could actually read

Annie is very creative. She is always creating new pictures and crafts for everyone around her. And again, our neighbors probably have many of her creations. It is never enough for Annie to just draw a picture of make a craft, she is always doing it with someone in mind to give it to.

I love you so much donk. I am so amazed by the person that you are becoming and I am excited to see even more of who you will be as you grow. Keep loving everyone around you cause we sure love you. You are such an important part of our family...without you our home would be void of lots of laughing and love.

Love you mucho, mucho
Mom

New Year...New post!

When Barry is sick he always tells us he has a beaver in his tummy. He will then lay on the couch all day and demand to watch cartoons. Of course, his pillow and blanket have to come along.

Natalie loves her picture to be taken but always has the deer in the headlights look! Jake is just getting big!

Annie loves to play the guitar. Her favorite song is the Gotye song and she can now play the bass part on guitar.

Hallie is turning into such a drama girl. She loves to put on a show no matter what she is doing. She is always coming up with new videos to make and pictures to take. Again, Jake is just along for the ride.

Could there be a sweeter face than this? She is getting so big and starting to talk so much now. Half of what she says is just gibberish but it is so cute to listen to her carry on a conversation. She calls her self "nat nat". Love it!

Annie loves to bake. She helped me make sugar cookies for everyone to decorate and was really good at it too! She is such a good helper and is always the first to volunteer to hold Jake or play with the little ones.

I think more frosting was put in the mouth than on the cookies!

Such a happy little guy...I mean Big guy. He does not like to be called little and just beems from ear to ear when you tell him that he is a big boy. I love the twinkle in his eyes.

First family picture with all of us. Christmas Eve pajamas are the best.

It still amazes me that they all belong to me.

I know this picture is blurry but I absolutely love Tat tats face in this one. She is such a tender hearted little one and can pull that lip out in such a cute way. You would never guess she was such a bully too.

I am so excited for this new year. It is always fun to see what each year brings our family. Just to sum up 2012 for you of how totally awesome it was:

*GRADUATED Medical School
*Started Residency at an awesome program
*Spent time in Nauvoo with family
*Flew to St. George and spent time with all the cousins
*Signed a deal with Nephi, Utah for Tyler to start working there in 2015
*Welcomed sweet, little Jake to our family
 *Hallie got Baptized
*Barry started preschool
*Natalie got tubes put in her ears
*Annie started 1st grade and wowed everyone by being an amazing reader
*Hallie got her ears pierced
*Annie got her ears pierced
*Barry got potty trained
*Natalie graduated from crib to top bunkbed
*Jake had his first Christmas ever

Hopefully, this year brings more post! I am getting back to a normal routine and finding myself again. It is tough to adjust to a new little one in the winter time. But all is well and I am pulling through. I have started running again (Tyler got me a treadmill!!!!!) and I am feeling so much more back to my old self.

Buddy turns 4

I can't believe he is 4 already. And all of a sudden he decided to be big and act like a little boy rather than a toddler. He is loving life right now and truly is introducing us to how awesome boys are. There must be a wrestling ring in Heaven that all boys are trained at because Barry and all his little boy friends sure love to wrestle. He is becoming a dads boy for sure too. Whenever Tyler is home, Barry is climbing on him, wrestling him, or just hanging out with him. They love to go get root beer together at the gas station and he loves to ride in Dads car.

I have to admit that I am really missing him cuddling with me and wanting to be with me all the time but I am so enjoying watching the bond between them grow. Barry has a hard time showing affection of any kind. I have had to really work with him to get him to tell me that he loves me and to give me a hug. Anytime I kiss him on the cheek he immediatly wipes it off and laughs and he will never give a kiss in return. But the other day Tyler got home and Barry ran up to him and hugged him and than kissed him on the cheek....What?!? No way is that even close to far. Bond or no bond, Mom should always be the one getting the kisses.

He has the cutest little giggle and smile (above picture). He loves to be naked and yell out "naked bum" whenever he sees one (I have learned to lock the bathroom doors when I am in there now). He thinks it is hilarious to watch anyone fall down and, even more so, if he is the one to knock them down. Although, Natalie is challenging him now and can even pin him on the ground.

He has a peddle free bike and is so fast on it. He Loves all superheros and especially loves to be playing outside with his big sisters and neighbors. We love Barry so much and love watching him grow and learn new things everyday.

Jacob T. Warner

It is about time I posted about our new little boy. Jacob T. Warner was born on October 8th at 4:40 p.m. and weighed 7 lbs 12 oz. and 21 inches long. He has been a little angel baby for us and we are so smitten with him. The girls fight over who gets to hold him and Barry is just so excited to have a brother. When we walked in from coming home from the hospital he was jumping up and down and yelled out "can he walk yet?"
Surprisingly Natalie is the one have the hardest time with him. She is very sweet with him but has been even more attached to me and even meaner to her siblings. Each day gets better with her though and hopefully she will adjust quickly.

Our Angels

Grandma Borrowman and Aunt Kensi came out to help us and boy did we need them. They were angels taking care of me and all the kids. Plus, Kensi cut and colored my hair. A much needed thing right after having a baby and feeling all yucky. We can not express enough thanks to them and all they did for us. We sure love you guys and miss you a lot right now.  I love this picture of them. They are both so beautiful.
At Jakes 3 day appointment he weighed 7'4 and then at his 2 week he weighed in at 8'7...he is such a good eater. He sleeps pretty good but because of his love of eating he wakes up at 3 hours on the dot usually.

Jake at 1 week old...isn't he adorable

One proud brother

He definitely gets is far share of kisses

Grandma Borrowman and all 5 of my kids

Tat and Barry keeping an eye on Jake while he sleeps

Grandma finally won Barry over and he loved to sit on her lap

My beautiful mom...she was a lifesaver for us. We love you and miss you so much

Tat thinks it is her responsibility to swing him

Nobody can resist kissing him

Jake at 2 weeks old

And 3 weeks old today

update

As I sit here eating my 3rd cinnamon roll of the day, I figured I might as well update the blog and clue you in on what is going on with us.
 First off, our little Natalie turned 2. I can not believe that she is 2 already. I know I say this with everyone of them, but it really does seem like just yesterday we brought her home from the hospital. Let me tell you about this little girl:
- She is so much fun to have around.
- She is such a independent little girl but still loves to be with mom and dad non stop. Seriously, I can only leave her with a elect few or else she cries uncontrollably. She is still not going to nursery on her own unless I am in there with her. She even cries when dad takes her.
- She loves to play with dolls and absolutely loves sorting things. I gave her 2 bowls, a spoon, and some beads and she played for 2 hours just putting them back and forth into the bowls.
- She is a collector. She loves to put all her toys in one bucket or bag and carry them around. Rarely does she actually play with the toys.
- She loves to do hair. If I sit down on the floor, she takes off running to the bathroom for a brush.
- She sleeps in a bunk bed now with Barry and loves it. Although, it took her a week to get used to nap time in there.
- She RUNS everywhere and is into everything. She really is my busiest baby.
- She has the cutest little voice and is starting to talk so much. My favorite is when she says "Wwwhhaattt"
We absolutely love and adore you Natalie and feel so blessed to have you in our family.

Blowing out the candels

such a cutie...I love her blue eyes and wispy hair.

Hallie and Tat

Annie...she is looking so big lately.

Barry is still carrying that whistle around

 Some other news in our family is as of October 8th we will be welcoming our new little boy to our family. I go in for a c-section at 3:30 and I am so excited. I am excited to meet this little man. I am excited to kiss his face. I am excited to smell his breath (Tyler makes fun of me for this one but I think it is one of the best things about babies). I am excited to bring him home and to have our family complete. The kids are very excited too. Especially, Annie and Barry. Annie is such a little baby lover and can't wait to have him here to hold and take care of and Barry is just so excited to finally have a baby brother. I have been nesting like crazy. I am sure Tyler is tired of me telling him to move furniture and the kids are tired of me telling them to clean up there room while they are still playing in it. But hey, at least I am feeling ready to bring Jacob home. It has been quite the chore to fit 5 kids into 2 bedrooms but thanks to my organizational skills, I think we are going to do just great.

self portraits of the belly

can't even smile cause I am so focused on getting me in the picture

Ok, I am no good at self portraits so I turned it over to Annie

This is me at 38 weeks pregnant...one week to go

Did I mention that my mom and my sister, Kensi, are coming out on Sunday? They are, and this only adds to the joy I am feeling right now. I can't wait to see them.That is all for now. Hopefully we will get some good pictures of Jacob on here quick so you can all enjoy our excitement with us.

Why Mom?

Monday morning I had a doctors appointment. Since I knew it would be a long wait I got a friend to watch my kids for me. When Barry asked where I was going I told him I was going to have the doctor check on Jacob and make sure he was growing ok. He seemed pretty excited about it and was anxious for me to go.

I am now on my weekly appointments and have 3 weeks and 5 days left...but who is counting. Oh wait, I am and I am so excited to be done with this pregnancy. Good pregnancy, even seemed to go pretty quick, but my body is soooo done being pregnant. I want to go running... in a major way.

So, after I was done at the doc, I went back to get Barry and Tat. We hung out with my friend and her kids for a little bit and then headed home. On the way home this is how the conversation went:

Barry: Oh wait mom, did you check jacob today?
Me: Yep, he is growing good.
Barry: Well, I don't see him (looking around the van)
Me: Oh, well he is still in my tummy for another 4 weeks.
Barry: 4 WEEKS... Mom go back to the doctor and get jacob out.
Me: I can't bud, we have to wait for him to get big enough and strong enough to come out.
Barry: Mom, how BIG is Jacob going to be?
Me: just little, like Bel's baby sister.
Barry: What? (crying begins) I don't want Jacob anymore.

Poor little buddy, must have thought we were getting him a live in friend. Maybe it doesn't help that I told him he would get to share a bunk bed with Jacob one day... well, it's not a lie, he will get to share with him in like 3 years!!!!

Good times

Just a quick note for me (this is my journal after all!) to remember  how good times can be. It has been a hard couple of months and some days I have felt like I just couldn't do it anymore. This 5th baby coming has caused more stress than ever and I still get major anxiety just thinking about being in charge of one more sweet little person. Can I really do it?
Through much prayer and studying, I have come to realize how much the Lord knows me. How much he is aware of my every need. And, especially, how much he loves me. I feel confident that I will be a good mother of 5 and I know that I will have the ability to teach all of them what I need to and most of all, give them all the love that I need to give them.
Today, I feel that there is brightness at the end of the road and that I can do all things! Of course, I had to write down how I am feeling today because we all know that tomorrow brings new challenges and I wanted to be able to remember the good.
One of my new favorite sayings:

Fear not. Be of good cheer. 

Your Future is as bright as your Faith.

Thomas S. Monson

White Coat

We did this back in May after graduation but since I have been down and out, I never got around to putting them on. The story to this...... After a medical student graduates, they burn their white coat and get a longer white coat to show that they are now an official Doctor. Ryan Miller and Tyler went to school together and both did out rotations here in Warren. So it was only appropriate for them to burn their coats together. Of course, we had to enjoy smores along with them.

Ryan getting ready to burn the coat

Wondering if it will really burn

Final farewell to the student white coat

They had to show the school burning

Tyler's turn...I think he enjoyed this a little too much

starting to burn

See ya later. You brought us a lot of good growing times but we are not sorry to see you go