Just Checking In

Despite my desire to have an amazing 2012, so far its been off to a somewhat lackluster start.  Now that is not to mean that there has not been a few pretty great moments, it is just that 12 days in and I have had 3 migraines.  I have never really had this many so close together, so that has made me a little worried and a tad bit annoyed.  I am hoping that together my doctor and I can get a better handle on the frequency of my migraines.  The silver lining to having this many migraines is that they have been less intense, and in general they haven't kept me down for days like they have in the past.  It has also given me the opportunity to try several different medications, and I hope in all of this I can find a medication that works best at relieving the pain once I get a migraine.  So this can still in the end be a huge step in the way for making 2012 amazing.  I hope this is the year when I finally find the right medication to keep some migraines at bay and a good medication that works well when I do have a migraine.

The boys have gone back to school and are settling back into the routine of things.  Keaton made honor roll again for the 2nd quarter of the school year.  He always tries his best and makes good grades.  Even when he struggles with something his positive attitude pulls him through.  When I was at the school this week for a PTO meeting one of Keaton's teachers commented to me about how helpful Keaton is.  Keaton again signed up as a peer buddy during 2nd quarter.  The faculty member that oversees this program always has the best things to say about Keaton, and how much he cares and enjoys working with his peer buddies.  It makes my heart swell with happiness to hear all of this positive and wonderful feedback.  I am so proud of Keaton.  I am blessed to have such an amazing step son.

Tucker seemed to struggle much of the 2nd quarter, even his teacher noted on his report card that his attitude had changed.  After a discussion with his teacher Mason and I have made some changes to some rules we have at the house, and have implemented new consequences including no video games for awhile.  Mason and I have also taken turns working  one on one with Tucker on his reading which he is struggling with at school, and I hope his reading grade next quarter will reflect all the hard work and time Tucker is putting into it. 

Keaton and Tucker have both started basketball.  They are both on teams with great coaches!  It is always a blessing to have volunteer coaches that truly want to be there.  Which I can honestly say has not always been the case even when Mason and I have coached the boys teams in the past.  These coaches give their time to coach and it isn't as easy as people think.  People will always notice a poor coach, but I sometimes feel that the good coaches are overlooked.  The ones that are organized, pass out schedules and picture packets in a timely manner, the ones that call when game times have changed, or games have been canceled, the ones that really try to help the kids develop new skills and has a passion for the team to not just win but have fun and work together as a team; these are the coaches that I love!  I am so grateful for the time these people have volunteered, and I can tell this basketball season is going to be great.  First games are this Saturday, I am excited to watch the boys play.  (Schedules are posted below on my blog for anyone who wants to come cheer them on.)

Zak has also returned to preschool after his winter break.  He continues to work with the school's speech pathologist to improve his speech and in general he is speaking more words and talking more clearly.  He likes riding the bus and gets a little sad on the days he doesn't have school.  I am looking forward to Feb. 9th when his preschool hosts a mommy and me dinner and craft night, it should be a fun time.  Technically it isn't just for mommies, and  Mason is going too.  It will be a great opportunity for Mason and I to do something with just Zak.  I really want to try and do some activities with each of the boys individually this year.

Eli is growing up too fast!  I don't remember giving him permission to be a big boy yet.  Unfortunately I was able to relive some of the baby stages when he was sick and wanted to cuddle all day.  Today Eli is doing much better, no fever, less coughing, and maybe the best part of feeling better less snot!!!  And so with a happy and active toddler our house is back to being a big jungle gym, and a mess making opportunity for our rowdy little guy.

Things at home are still going great and I am really happy to have Madison living with us.  I think it has been a good experience for everyone.  Mason likes having his brother here to hangout with.  The boys like having their uncle here and they all like the weekends when Brycen and Allie get to come and visit.  I like having Madison here because he is helpful, and it has been nice having another adult to talk to on a daily basis.  I'll admit I had my reservations about how well things would work out but things are going better than I ever imagined and I have nothing but good things to say.  It has been a great benefit and blessing to have a third willing adult here to help us with our kids activities as well.  Madison has watched our boys so Mason and I could go out, he has helped the older boys with their homework and has taken Keaton to a basketball practice that I couldn't make it to.  I thought it would be hard to coordinate 3 adult schedules, 4 kids schedules, and 2 part-time kids schedules but call me crazy I think it has been easier than it was with just Mason and I.  Tootie if your reading this, your boys are awesome and I love how helpful Madison has been.

Mason experienced some setbacks in registering for school and, despite trying to iron things out there just wasn't enough time to get everything lined up for spring semester.  Not to mention most of the classes were full when he tried to register.  Mason is continuing to get his paper work finished and he hopes to take a class this summer.  If not then he will defiantly be ready to take classes in the fall.  Mason has also been promoted to sales vacation relief as well as driver coordinator.  Basically the company has recognized Mason's hard work and have given him more responsibilities, and opportunities to move up within the company.  This is a huge step up for Mason.  Out of the two other people with Mason's position he is the only one that is trained to cover the salesmen when they are on vacation.  I am not lucky but blessed to have someone who works so hard and does so much for our family.  I love you, Mason.

Other random facts:
I lost weight!  Not a lot of weight but still I lost weight. Even with all the chocolate covered pretzels, and Christmas goodies.
Madison and I start classes next week.  I am so excited to get things started; it will be my last semester at Yavapai!  (almost 12 years after graduating high school, I will have finished my associates degree.)
I have an awesome girls day planned for this Sunday!  Plans include but are not limited to cocktails, dinner, and a movie. I can't wait to spend time with some of my best friends.
I am now taking suggestions for what and or how I should celebrate and spend my 30th birthday.  So text me, call me, email me, write me a letter, hit me up on Twitter, Morris code that tip, or smoke signal me some ideas. (Don't really Morris code me anything cause I would never begin to be able to translate it.)

So despite a slow start I'm still proclaiming 2012 my best year yet!
With continued awesomeness,
Jess

Tucker's Basketball Schedule

Jan 14th @ 12pm - First Game
Jan 21st @ 9am
Jan 28th @ 9am
Feb 4th @ 10am
Feb 11th @ 9am
Feb 18th @ 9am
Feb 25th @ 11am
Mar 3rd @ 10am - Last Game

All of Tucker's games are played in the YMCA gym.  We hope you can come out and cheer him and his team on at a game or two. :)

Keaton's Basketball Schedule

Jan 14th @ 2pm  First Game
Jan 21st  - Bye week & Picture Day
Jan 28th @ 3pm
Feb 4th @ 3pm & 5pm  Double Header
Feb 11th @ 9am
Feb 18th @10am
Feb 25th @ 4pm
Mar 3rd @ 4pm  Last Game

All of Keaton's games are played in the Prescott High School Girl's Gym.  We hope you guys can make it to a game or two.  I know Keaton would love to have people cheering him and his team on. :)

Rear View Mirror, 2011

Looking back at a year filled with awesomeness and excitement I'm counting down my ten favorite events.  I will also add a video or two of my favorite songs of the year, and name my least favorite song.  So come along as I revisit my faves of 2011...

#10.  80's night!  There should definatley be more of these in 2012.  And, although I start my list with something a little silly and not nearly as significant as my Team Awesome counter part Rachel and her birthing a child where else can you find awesomely reminiscent music, that (most of you reading this) may or may not have been conceived to??? 80's night had me at Can't Touch This, and will keep drawing me back with Whip It, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Safety Dance, and Always Something There to Remind Me.  And in true 80's fashion I must do all things in excess and here is a little jewel to keep you interested:

#9. Playing Uno with the fam!  Where else can I out drink my husband, sister, and brother in law be served a roll extra flaky and not win a single round of a game that I should be pro at?

#8. Our family mini vacations.  This past year we took sometime to get away even though we didn't venture far.  Places we went included the Renaissance Fair, Bearizona, a spring training game and Casa Grande for a visit with Morgan, Shay & Miss Kayla.  These trips were so much fun.  

My favorite part of the Renaissance fair was probably Mason buying me a claddah ring...

My favorite part of Bearizona was seeing a baby white buffalo born while we were there, and spending our sixth wedding anniversary with the boys on a family outing.

Our Favorite part of spending time in Casa Grande was
getting to see Morgan, Shay, and Kayla.  The boys loved
spending time with their cousins too.

#7. Karaoke @ Antelope Lanes with our Bud family & friends.  Let me tell you Mason and Gabe (Ramirez) sing a mean version of Boys II Men's End of the Road.

#6. Family Reunions!  This summer we had family reunions with both of my parents sides of the family.  We enjoyed meeting all of our cousins, second cousins, and maybe even a few third cousins mixed in there too.  My boys loved meeting the Garduno - Aldrete clan.  This reunion included food, beer, a pinata, and a brunch served in Matt's Saloon.  This is also the day Tucker claims to have became a "real mexican"  insert photo of Tucker in a sombrero...(so apparently that pic is saved to the other computer...the one thats broken...) but you get the idea.  

One air plane ride and a very long car ride later we had made our way to Thermopolis, Wyoming to visit with my mom's side of the family.  That trip was amazing, and again we got to meet family that we had previously only heard of.  The trip included a visit my great grandparents house that I hadn't been to in over 10 years, and it is still just the way I remember from my childhood.

#5.  I got a new boy friend...

Okay not really.  But Francis and I had a blast @ the Bruno Mars concert in Phx.  Despite forgetting to wear our capes (inside joke) we let Bruno sing about how amazing we are, and about how he'd catch a grenade for us, he recounted our first time, we talked about marriage, but eventually we broke it off, which led him to a really dark time in his life filled with liquor store blues and it rained.  Eventually he got over us and spent the next day lazy and not answering his phone :(  (It is quite possible that the only people who read this and understand it are Francis & Rachel and for that I apologize for everyone else I will try to make it up to you with a little diddy by the man himself.)  I <3 U Bruno!!!

#4. Halloween!!!!  Here's the nights cast and characters:

Ricky Bobby ...... played by Mason Kent

Rotting Mummy.....played by Tucker Kent

Frankenstein.........played by Keaton Kent

Batman.......played by Zak Kent

Superman.......played by Eli Kent

& last but by no means least

A random honey bee.....played by the awesomely fantastic queen bee herself Jessica Kent!

# 3. Date nights with my husband!  I love getting out with him and reconnecting!  He is a wonderful husband and father I truly appreciate everything he does for our family.

# 2. Watching my boys grow and learn everyday.  I am blessed to spend my life surrounded by my children.  I have more happiness and love in my life than I ever thought I could possibly deserve, and I thank God for everyday I get to spend with them...even the messy house, haven't slept for more than 5 hours a night, its 7 pm and everyone is hungry moments; I cherish them all.

# 1. White Water Rafting!!!  (Need I say more?)  It was freaking amazing!  Including being thrown out of the raft!  I loved it and can't wait to go again!!!!

As a side note the rest of our Wyoming vacation was pretty awesome as well but we all really loved the rafting.

  And, like I promised favorite songs: 1. Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO 2. Crazy Girl - Eli Young Band 3. Fly - Nicki Minaj & Rihanna.  Songs that are completely stupid but no matter what I do I can't get their horribleness out of my mind....1. Red Solo Cup - Toby Keith (although if I have to listen to this I prefer the Glee Cast version.) & lastly Moves Like Jager - Maroon 5.

So here's to you 2011!  And, be warned 2012 I dare you to be 10 times as awesome as 2011 was.

Lots of news and fun things to look forward to in the new year!!!

I have so many exciting things to tell everyone about I don't even know where to start...

Lets see, we have a new house resident!  Madison moved into our garage and is working with Mason and my dad at Hensley.  It has been fun having him here and he seems to really like his new job.  His kids Brycen and Allie came and spent the week before Christmas with us, and we had a blast :)  The kids and I baked cookies and decorated them, we wrapped presents, and watched Christmas movies.  It was a great week and the kids enjoyed having their cousins over to play.  

Tucker had his last ear appointment of the year yesterday.  And...his ear drum is healed!!!  No hole, and no measurable hearing loss.  We are so grateful that the surgery was a success.  He has another follow up in June just to make sure that the ear drum is still intacted at that time but for now he has been given the all clear and most importantly he has regained all of his lost hearing in his left ear.  I could not have asked for a better out come.

Zak had another round of blood work yesterday to see if his liver enzymes were back within normal range. Fingers crossed, and one very upset 3 year old later...his levels are much better and down from 259, to 62.  He will be retested in three months and we are praying his levels are within the normal limits (under 40).  So for right now its just a waiting game.  I already see a huge improvement in him and he is back to his active and lively self so I am pleased.  

I just found out today that my brother Luke is in the hospital again, and had another surgery on his leg.  This time the doctor left his leg open and placed a surgical wound vac in his leg to help drain the infection and gross unwanted material from his leg.  I am happy he got to spend Christmas with his family but I wish he was healed.  My mom is in Texas with him this week and I am hoping that she can get more answers and help get him set up on a path to recovery.  It has been well over a month and a half since he first had issues with this knee surgical site, so now I pray he is on the mend and able to again go home and be with his family.  I am praying for him everyday.  

I saved the best and most shocking news for last.  Mason has decided to take some college classes!  Yes, you read that correct.  It is NOT a typo!  Mason is going to college!  For anyone who knows Mason really well will know that just the fact that he wants to take college classes is amazing.  He is smart and perfectly capable but I never thought he would want to go back to school.  I am so proud of him wanting to do better for himself, I am proud that he wants to explore the opportunities he can have after returning to school.  

I am looking forward to the following things in 2012:

1.) Tucker & Keaton starting basketball the first week of Jan.

2.) Starting my last semester at Yavapai College (Jan 18.)

3.) My new role on the PV Little League board & baseball season in March.

4.) Spring Break and time with my kids :)

5.) Possibly going to Vegas for Ashley's birthday.  And, going with her to see The Hunger Games.

6.) Graduation!!!! I will finally have finished my associates degree. :)

7.) My mom, sister, and aunt coming to visit for said graduation.

8.) (A possible surprise trip to Disneyland to celebrate graduation, Keaton's birthday, and Mason & I's anniversary.  Shhhh this is a surprise.)

9.) A summer without school, college classes, or plans.

10.) A new year, new beginnings, new friendships, new chapters, and many new memories.

So here's to the New Year and hopes to take only the most cherished memories from 2011 with us, leaving behind all the negative. 

Best Wishes, 

Jess

Best Christmas Ever

I have absolutely no complaints about Christmas.  I got the most amazing gift, spending time with my family and having everyone I love around.  Although my mom was not here I got to visit with her a couple weeks ago, my sister was in town and a little Christmas Miracle my brother got out of the hospital and was able to spend Christmas with his family.  My in-laws were here and we had a wonderful dinner with them and my dad and mom Karen (step mom).  The day was only topped off and made even better with an intensely animated game of Uno.  Thank you to all my family and friends for an unforgettable and possibly one of the best Christmas's ever, I love you all.

The Best Christmas Present!

Friday was an amazing day for the kids and I.  We got an unexpected visit from my mom!  The boys were so excited to see grandma and Aunt Ashley.  Mom flew into Vegas picked up my sister and drove down to Prescott just to see us.  Saturday mom took Keaton and Tucker out to buy basketball shoes, and the little boys got new shoes as well.  My mom brought us buffalo meat, and filled up our pantry with food.  We had a wonderful time with Ashley and mom.  I wish they could have stayed in town longer but just the fact that she came to see the boys for an early Christmas present was more than enough.  I really do have the best mom in the world!