Christmas at the Craigs

Well like everyone else, our Christmas was great. The kids all got what they asked Santa for
Abbey- a nintendo DSi
Hunter- a nintendo DS
Caroline- the Polly Pocket roller coaster and the Toy Story Mania game for the Wii.
Jackson- a high chair and mega saucer

Brent got some much needed dress shirts, ties, socks
also he got his annual Madden game and some cologne.

I got a griddle, the perfect brownie maker, a sewing machine, the office dvd game, and the Twilight movie dvd game.

All in all it was a great Christmas. I also got to print some pics that I took of the kids by the tree. We printed some for my mom, Pennie, Rosie and me. I love them!

Enjoy as much as we do

In the interest of Christmas Spirit

So in the interest of Christmas, and the 3 older kids say so, I must add my sugar cookie recipe to my blog for anyone at Christmas time.

This is all coming about because Santa decided to leave a note last year stating that while mom's chocolate chip cookies are good, her sugar cookies are Santa's favorite. Abbey being my social child, said that everyone should be able to leave Santa his favorite cookies, and I shouldn't keep the recipe a secret anymore.

So here you go Santa....Thanks a lot.

1/2 cup butter (not margarine)
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. Baking soda
1 cup sour cream
3 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
4 cups flour

Cream the butter and the sugar together. Add the soda to the sour cream (it is important you do this before adding to the creamed mixture. It makes the cookies stay soft). Add the sour cream to the mixture. Add the eggs and the vanilla. Mix together. Add 1 cup of flour at a time to the wet ingredients. Chill for 1 hour and roll onto a floured surface, and use cut out. Bake on Greased cookie sheet for 8-10 min on 350.

This is a family secret recipe and I will probably here about it. But I just couldn't argue with 3 very interested kids.

Enjoy!

Christmas Parties bring out the best in people

So let me start with saying that Jackson came with us to Brent's work party in Jacksonville. He usually loves to just cuddle and hang out with people. However, at the party he was a mommy's only little boy. He was not happy with anyone but me. Weird. Anyway back to the party

So we drive to Jacksonville in the rain. Lot of rain, lots of accidents. Not just fenderbenders, we are talking cars in the trees accidents. So we were a little late to the party but we were in one piece so I chalked that up to being okay.

There is this stereotype about bankers. They drink coffee in the morning and drink (and I mean drink) in the evening. Not the prime environment for us mormon goin' folk, needless to say. The party always does a white elephant exchange. You bring one nice gift of about $20 and one dirty gift. Can I just say that the majority of the "nice" gifts were wine. So we are always lucky to walk away with something somewhat not alchoholic.

So people are giving wine as gifts, and getting a pretty good buzz going and Brent and I just sit back and laugh at peoples conversations. So much so I just had to share this one.

Tanya is probably the best dressed banker I have ever seen. Now Heather is a business banking team lead for the Jacksonville area (i think...) anyway she works as a partner to Tanya
Conversation as follows:

Tanya: wow Heather you look great tonight!
Heather: Really that means a lot coming from you
Tanya: Why do you say that?
Heather: well my shoes are from Payless and I know you wouldn't be caught dead in there. My stockings are from Walgreens. My skirt I found in my mothers closet. My cardigan is from Steinmart. That is a kind of nice place I guess? But my gold watch is a real movolo. So I guess that counts right?
Tanya: wow you make me look like such a "devil wears prada" in front of my husband.
Me: laughing histerically "Wow Brent you can't say anything about what I wear now"
Tanya: Katie why are you laughing?
Me: this is so going on my blog.
Tanya: great now the whole world will know what a priss I am.


Just to say, Tanya is the sweetest person. She makes me laugh when I see her. This story just had to go up here though. So enjoy it however you wish but to me, it was hilarious.

The long wait is over

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Finally James Jackson Craig has joined the Craig Corporation. He weighed in at 8.5 and was 19.75 inches long. He was born on Nov. 7th. at 4:36 pm.

Labor stories are so much fun to tell aren't they? We all have them and so I feel like I should share mine as well


Friday I went to the doctor with a plan of attack. She was going to induce me no matter what this weekend. I had it all planned. Start with the friendly and if I had to I was going to pull Mrs. Katie Craig out of hiding (IT can be really bad). Any way, I got to my room, undressed and my hands got all sweaty. I heard the doctor outside my room and got real antsy. She came in and said my blood pressure and heart rate were up and my hands were sweaty, she wanted to know why. So I told her my sob story about Brents parents coming in town, and Brent having to go to Jacksonville if I didn't have the baby this weekend. I told her I was nervous because she hadn't let me go into labor this far what was going to make her now. She was so cool though! She scheduled me for Sat. at midnight to come in and induce labor. However, she stripped my membranes before I left the office and said that I would probably be in labor by that night.

Side note: getting your membranes stripped freaking HURTS! just in case you didn't know.

So Friday after my appt. Caroline got her tongue clipped. While at the doctors office, my contractions got really painful, not regular but incredibly painful. We came home got things organized (again) and had Sarah spend the night. At 2:30 that morning my contractions started coming at regular 5 min intervals. We left for the hospital at 7:45.

Hospital triage
Triage nurses have been horrible, however, these nurses were amazing! they checked me in within 30 min. Off to the L&D room.

My nurse in L&D was fabulous! after about 45 in L&D I was ready for my epidural. The anestesiologist was there super fast! they put in my epidural and watched me for a few min.They wanted me to be even with the numbness so they were moving my pillow from under my right hip to my left. after a few blood pressure checks I was good and they left. Good to go right? Wrong. My blood pressure started to fall, my breath was really labored, my heart was racing, and my vision started to be blurry. I got kinda scared. The nurse and anestesiologist were back just as fast as they left. checking blood pressure, gave me oxygen and checked the epidural. They moved the pillow from under my left hip and I instantly felt better. INSTANTLY. It was crazy. So they put it back under my right hip and I was good to go.
My nurse went to lunch since I was okay. Not even 5 min later, my pressure dropped again. This time the nurse was a lead for the maternity ward and she wasn't messing around. She hopped right in there and made my IV start dripping like a waterfall. (She was squeezing the bag) and this time I was better real quick.

So the time passes. We watched football, Notre Dame was losing really bad, started to come back and what do you know I was dialated to a 10. This is the good part.....

So I tell my nurse (Amy) that I am a great pusher. She made the cute "sure you are dear" face and asked me to give a 1/2 push to see if the baby would co-operate. ha ha ha lady I will show you.
So I 1/2 push and he starts to crown. HA how do you like that? She tells me to stop and she would get my doc on the phone to come in ASAP. They had the doc on call in the room with me waiting just in case a contraction started to push him out before I pushed. I have to admire the man he was watching the ND game with Brent at that point.

In walks Dr. Duke she scrubs up, gets the apron on, puts the gloves on, and says to push. So I did. 2 contraction and 4 pushes, James Jackson was here at last.

It took a while for my epidural to wear off this time but I didn't feel a thing and I was grateful for that. I loved my overall experience there. We did have a hiccup getting out on Monday but it wasn't horrible. It just took a while to get out of there. Oh and there was a hurricane turned tropical storm that came through too. So they were trying to get everyone that could go home to get there before the storm hit. That was fun driving let me tell ya. But overall I am so glad he is here and safe. The kids absolutely love him and Brent is amazing. He is loving to help me and I don't have to ask for a thing. He is on top of me taking my meds, and feeding schedules and the whole 9 yards. I appreciate him so much. He is the love of my life and we have a beautiful family together.

I am so done.

Have you ever seen the Christmas comercial from BK that sings the carol of the bells? They sing "ding fries are done" "ding fries are done" well that is exactly how I feel.

I have been given the okay to start walking, have lots of sex (brents fav), and my voodoo friend (not really, but thats what her kids call her) gave me some oil and told me pressure points to bring on the labor. So that being said, we had a crazy weekend with RS craft day, piano lessons, and primary practice, oh and a funeral (we didn't go but we set up for) you would think I would have gone into labor on Sat.

Well I told the primary pres. I wouldn't walk til after Sundays program. So we came home from church, we had lunch, walked, used the oil and still no baby. I feel like I am just so done already. I am only working 3 days a week from now on, which is great since there is so much going on. They did an ultrasound on Friday and determined that the baby weighs about 7.6 which is what Abbey weighed full term. Tip was 2 weeks early and weighed 7.12 and Caroline was born at 36 1/2 weeks at 6.8 so this baby is ready. The weather is rainy today which I have been told brings on contractions ( and it has, though not consistant), but I just feel ready.

I cleaned the house (No scoured is more like it) yesterday with the kids. We even did base boards. I even ironed Brent's shirts for work. ( I know I know, I don't iron). What makes me mad is that I know I am nesting and nothing happens from it. I feel like if I am exerting all this energy, that the baby should come. I like things on my time table not someone elses (suprise suprise right?) But I feel like we are prepared.

Brent has things all lined up at work. I have my work situation handled, the kids sitting is all arranged, what else is there to do? Oh and I finished the quilt for the baby. So if you look at the Craig situation, we are ready for the baby. Apparently the shot to stop labor lasts a while. Now what to do to get it going again. hmmmmm..

Emotionally and Physically drained..........

So where to begin with this one.

Thursday I was having contractions right on 5 min apart. They didn't really hurt. They just were uncomfortable. So I waited all day, called my doc. she said to come into triage since this was my 4th baby. I can understand that, she said that if my labor was going after 34 weeks, she wouldn't stop it. Well we go into triage (which I have never been in a triage in my life. This room sucks!!!) and we sit for an hour and no one comes in at all. (I can understand there was an emergency c-section they were doing) then they came in to check me. I am at a 2 cm and 50% effaced. Okay so they watch me for an hour come in and check again. No change in dilation, but my contractions are now coming every 2 min. So they watch me for another hour. (Did I mention this room has nothing to do in it. No tv, pictures to look at, magazine nothing!) After that hour, they check me, nothing so the doc on call comes in and says "we are going to give you a shot to stop your labor. WHAT? I thought you said I should come in and you weren't going to do that..... but it is better for the baby to stay in there longer, I get it and he isn't my doctor. So they give me a shot, it is supposed to slow the contractions and speed up my heart rate. Well after an hour the contractions are back to 5 min apart but thats it. So they give me another shot of this aweful shot. This dose in 20 min makes me feel like my heart is going to jump out of my chest. the baby hates it too. He is freaking out all over in my belly. So the nurse comes in after 20 min and takes off the monitors and sends me home. WHAT? My heart is killing me. And you are sending me home.... okay what ever 4 hours in this hateful room I want out. Did I mention we had the kids at Liz's house, and the Alvarez's lined up to watch them all weekend. It just sucked.

Friday.
I am still contracting,I call the doctors office, my doc is now out of town. GREAT. So I go in and talk with one of the partners. He is on the same page with me though I really felt like he was listening to me. He wanted to give me a pill to slow my labor (which is a smaller dose of the shot from the night before) then he gave me 2 options, 1 take the pill, he will admit me to the hospital and watch me overnight. He was the doc on call so I was okay with that. The other option, take the pill at home and come back in a few hours if the contractions are still going strong. We took option 2. Why be in a hospital bed if you might not have the baby anyway? So we came home went to get the pill and Walgreens is out of it! The pill to stop labor 'we will have it on Monday'. retards. So I decided to just come home and chill out the rest of the day and see what happens.

Saturday.
Stayed in bed all day contractions 10 min apart not really hurting, so just took it easy.

Sunday.
Brent took the kids to church, I stayed home and chilled, when all of a sudden the contractions start coming stronger and faster. I waited til 7 and after a contraction that I started crying after, (freaked Brent out) we lined up our sitters and headed back to the hospital. Apparently on the way there my contractions were fiction, since the nurses said to me 'Tell me when you think you are having a contraction' and sent me home after a half hour. I was pissed, hurting, and being called a liar. HMMMM. I was not happy at all. Now I look like the woman who cried labor. My contractions did slow down last night. That or I passed out. I took Tylenol PM and tried to sleep. That worked for about 3 hours so I endured all night.

Today.
Called my doctor. Talked to the nurse who talked to the doctor who talked to the other doctors. Whatever. The decision at this point. Take the pill from Friday and be on limited bedrest. or start nesting and walking and exerting energy to start the contractions to be stronger. So rest or nest? The doc said she won't stop me if I go into labor. She would like me to be 36 weeks if I can make it but she won't stop it if the contractions are really strong. She won't help it along either this week. But next week she said she would break my water if we come in. So we are opting for both right now. I have deep cleaned Abbey, Caroline, Hunter, toyroom. I mean meticullously cleaned their rooms. My contractions are stronger, I rest inbetween them, I now have some real pressure in my pelvis (Brent thinks I look funny) so we will see what happens in the next couple of days.

When it rains, it pours.

Not that I have a ton to post about, but this week is just starting off on the wrong foot for me.

Well most everyone knows that Brent has shingles. It sucks really bad. Not only have I had it myself, but Brent has to go to work in a shirt and tie everyday. The needle pain is ridiculous and I feel for him. He did have a blessing and the medicine is working, I see it everyday that he is feeling better.

Friday and Saturday I was riding in a huge truck. We went to dinner with some friends on Friday, and then I went with the same friend to the RS broadcast. I had to jump into her truck to get up into it. My back has been having some spasms since Friday. Not that I am sad that I went out both days, but it has taken its toll on my pregnancy muscles.
Also, I think my pelvis is broken. Not really, it just feels so painful everytime I move or roll over or sit or stand. It sucks.

Abbey wasn't feeling good on Sunday so we stayed home. Her tooth was hurting. I thought it was because she is teething the tooth that was absessed before so it was hurting her. Ya know when you have a baby and they teethe through the gums? Well I figured that Abbey was having that pain since her tooth was pulled so long ago that the gums had totally healed. Well I was half right. Her tooth is coming in, and the tooth behind it is swollen as well. So to be sure that the other tooth was alright I took her to the dentist today. (Side note: this dentist is the coolest person ever!) Sure enough the tooth is absessed as well. So now she is on amoxicillan to get the infection under control and she has to have the tooth pulled next Tues. At least she knows what she is in for, and she is okay with it. She just wants the pain to go away.

Caroline is finally seeing an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor next Tuesday as well. She has been in speech for the past 3 years, and her pediatrician finally sent the referral to the ENT for her tongue to be clipped. Maria (Brents sis-in-law/speech pathologist) says that this is the only way we can get her 'l' to come in correctly, plus it is safer for her to be able to put her tongue on the roof of her mouth if she needs to (to get bread of the roof of her mouth without choking).

Now that I have totally downed myself with self pity, I should talk about something on a high note I guess.

We are getting excited for this new addition to make his appearance soon. We are getting the crib ready, bottles ready to go, outfits lined up, bag packed to head to the hospital. I go to the doctor on Friday and this is my last 2 week appt. From hear on out, I will be going weekly. I know that I am not due until Nov. 15th, but I know this baby is coming sooner (call it mommy intuition) but he is measuring a little big, and Tip was 2 weeks early and Liney was 3 1/2 weeks early. So I could be having him at the end of Oct. Which is fine as long as it isn't on Halloween. I am crossing my legs that day. We are naming him James JACKSON for crying out loud I don't need a JACK-O-LANTERN child. So wish us luck on that.

Other than that, things are going really well. We got midterm reports back this past week and the kids all have A's and 1 B. I am so proud of them! They work really hard at school and I am glad that they love it!

You know you live in redneck Fl when.....

Okay so for lack of anything that is really going on here in our neck of the woods, other than growing a baby, and Brent getting shingles. This is the funniest thing I have ever heard.

This is a conversation Brent had with one of the sales people at one of his branches.

Brent: So I think I have shingles, Katie had them when she was pregnant with Caroline, and it looks the same. I think I am going to go to the doctor and get some medicine.

Banker: Brent, there is no need, I have the cure for you. It works in 3 days, but you have to follow the directions to the letter.

Brent: okay...????

Banker: First you need to find a black chicken.

Brent: (totally laughing) a what?

Banker: A live black chicken. Then you take it home, and kill it.

Brent: (totally trying to stop laughing) okay?

Banker: Then you cut it open and drain the blood from it, and rub it on your shingles.

Brent:(still laughing but a little scared) uh huh.

Banker: then leave it on for 2 hours. Then take a bath in epson salt and rub off the blood. I swear in 3 days it will be gone. You just have to remember; black chicken, live, then kill it, then drain the blood, rub, 2 hours, epson salt bath.

Brent: ( totally not trying to hurt her feelings but still laughing) Yeah,,,,, I think I am still going to go to the doctor. But if the medicine doesn't work I will try this. By the way, where do I find a black chicken?


When Brent was telling me this story I literally peed my pants, I was laughing so hard. So even though we have awesome beaches, a beautiful community, and sunshine most of the time, it does come with some expenses of crazy white trash folk.

A laundry list of things to update.

Okay so according to Brent I don't update often enough now. So here is my laundry list of whats been going on the past few weeks.

Girls Camp:
Okay so girls camp was amazing! It was a lot of work to prepare for but I was very proud of the YCL's. They pulled of camp beautifully. My feet swelled up so bad. Everyday I had to put them up (not because I wanted to). The location was great, the adults were great. It all was good. You will have to hit me up for some fun stories. I could blog about camp forever. I am really excited to work on camp next year as well. I will be very busy in the coming months for that.

Kids come home:

First of all thank you to Pennie, Mom, Kelly, Katelyn, Rosie and James. Rosie and James took the kids out to UT, Pennie, Mom, Kelly, and Katelyn took care of our kids the entire summer. They never had a dull moment either. Well when you have Caroline there is never a dull moment anyway, but my family kept them quite entertained. The kids were in Swimming all summer. They had Lagoon passes. They went once a week. They went to the movies, the park, the pool, the list goes on and on. The library was a favorite for them too. The whole thing ended on a high note with a surprise trip to Disneyland! Thank you to all of you who took the time to take care of the kids so I could finish school. We really appreciate it! Pennie brought them home and hung out for a few days here in Navarre and of course it rained. It has rained everytime she has come.

Work:

I love the people I am working with right now. I have an individual who nobody gets along with and he will be gone by the end of the week, so as long as that goes through I will save the drama in that department.

YW:

Well I am expecting to be released soon. I love the girls and don't really want to be released, but with the baby coming soon, I don't want the stress of YW and being prepared enough to be an issue to me or the girls. It isn't fair to them. There is more going on with YW than people know and if you know me I can't handle that kind of drama. So I am meeting with the branch Pres. tonight to discuss what I think is going to happen in my immediate future with YW.

J.J.:

I went to the doctor 5 weeks ago and took the glucose test. Eeewww. And come to find out they gave it to me 5 weeks early. Awesome right? So yesterday I had to take it again. Everything looks great. He sounds great. He is right on track for size, and the doctor says I am really an easy patient. I told her "just have the epidural ready when I come in and we are still easy". I can't tell you what I will be like without one, just that you don't want to see it. So besides some at times sever pelvic pain. I am good to go. I have only had one hot flash this whole pregnancy, and it was in the first trimester. I am now in the 3rd trimester, and this is usually when I start to get all hot and weird. So we will see what is going to happen in the next 10 weeks. Yep can you believe it? 10 weeks and we will have a new baby.

Kids school:

I really can say that I like all of the kids' teachers so far this year. I think all of the teachers fit each of the kids' personalities well. Caroline goes in for her evaluation for her tongue to be clipped in a few weeks and that is our biggest concern right now. Other than that we are good with schoool.

I think that is about it for now. That kinda sums up whats going on at the Craig Corp. Talk to everyone soon.

I did it! I am now a stylist!

So this is my little victory dance. On Tuesday of last week, I took my state board exams. I had a blessing from Brent the night before and I know that alot of people were saying a prayer for me. I passed the exam, and went straight to work.

It was a good thing too, because our male stylist ended up having to leave (whole other post) which left me as the only stylist. On my first day I had 4 client walk-ins. I was so happy. I love my job. And each day since being licensed I have loved going to work. Sat. was so busy and I was the only stylist. It made my day go by so fast I couldn't believe it!

Now with that test off my laundry list of things to do, I can focus on girls camp.(Which is tomorrow) and then get ready for the kids to come home. I have missed them so much it is ridiculous. (That is another post as well) But they come home on Thursday and I won't be here (Camp) but on Friday I will get to see my kids again. Pennie is coming for a few days as well. I am hoping the weather cooperates for her this time. Last time it rained the whole week they were here. So camp, back to school. and then our life is a little back to normal. (well at least until Nov.)

Speaking of J.J., everything looks great so far. I took my glucose test and the doc. informed me that they made me take it 4 weeks early, So I get to take the nasty orange drink at my next appt. oh joy. After camp I will post again. Until then, thank you for reading and supporting our little Craig Corporation

A name is just a name right?

Okay so we had the ultrasound a couple of weeks ago and we found out the sex of the baby.

Now according to Brent's brother Bryon we were having a girl. (He has 3 girls and 1 boy). Jealousy I think

Mark has one of each. He really didn't weigh in on what he thought we were having.

Will has 2 girls, 3 boys and 1 boy on the way (Congrats Kristy!) they didn't say either

Nate has 3 girls. Amy and I talked a lot about babies when I saw her but I don't recall her saying what we were having. Sorry Amy if you did :)

So here we come to Brent and Katie. We had a girl, then boy, then girl. So we were both happy with whatever we were having but I had a feeling we were having a girl. Brent thought boy. (for the record we have both been wrong every pregnancy so this was a big step) Someone had to be right.

Well we are alternating again. We are having a boy! We are both very excited. We alternated each pregnancy which is really abnormal according to the doc. but whatever!.

Now for the name:

These are the 3 we like the most

1)James Jackson (aka J.J. or Jackson)
2)James Braden (aka Brady)
3)James Logan (Logan)

We will have James as a first for sure (each kid has been named somewhere after someone) James is Brent's first name, his dad's first name and his grandad's first name.

We took a poll and James Jackson is winning out.

So we are very excited to say that our baby will be called Jackson or J.J.

Thank you everyone for your input. We really appreciate it.

Birthdays

I am so getting really bad at posting.

Well it that month in the Craig Corporation when we all get a little older.

Tip: June 8 turned 7
Liney: June 14 turned 6
Brent: June 24 turned 31
Katie: June 26 turned 29

I have to say we have had a great time this month. Hunter and Liney had so many bday parties it was ridiculous. Here, Rosie and James, Pennies, twice.

Brent and I chilled out on Wednesday. He isn't a big bday person. We went to Hooters for dinner, had a good looking waitress. (I even offered to tell her it was his bday) He said he was to old for it now. Whatever. I think it is because he is in the branch pres. now.

Today I had my first official bday party at school. I always had sleepovers, but never an actual party. The girls at school were awesome and brought food, banana cream pie, candles on brownies, sang to me. You name it, it was a party!

This afternoon my YW came and decorated my living room, kitchen, and front entry for a bbq we are having this evening. What a great suprise!

I love my bday. Brent isn't really big on them but I really do appreciate that he has made this one off the chain. He even ordered an edible arrangement for me. If you don't know what that is, it is like a fruit flower arrangement. He got me chocolate covered strawberries. It is beautiful.

So thank you to every one that made this bday so special. Thank you for all of the phone calls all day as well. I didn't even get in trouble from school for answering the long distance ones.

All summed up

So it has been like a month and I haven't updated. Not because there wasn't anything to say, but there is so much going on.

Getting ready for UT. The kids are super excited about UT and I am for them too. I will miss them terribly but they are going to have a blast. I am so happy that Pennie has offered to watch them and keep them super busy the whole time they are there. Thank you Pennie! I so owe you one. (Katelyn can come spend a summer any time)

School. It has been a ton of work. I am trying to get out early from school, which is taking its toll on me and the family. This week I volunteered for our local PBS station answering phones for extra hours. It really isn't a bad gig. They feed you and you talk when you are not on the phone taking a pledge, but it is from 6 to 10pm after a whole day of school. Then I have to drive home 45min. So it is a little stressful. Thank goodness it is over though. I made up an extra 24 hours this week from it. Which is a week of school time.

YW. Wow we have a ton planned coming up and I am in charge of some menu's for an etiquette dinner we have planned. The only problem is finding the time to make them cute and fun.

Abbey's final days as a 2nd grader. She had a couple of performances, (including a beautiful solo) you can watch on my facebook page. Then the end of the year performance and picnic. Of which both I will post pics soon. Abbey finished her SAT 10 above average in all category's with exception of spelling. (Which I think was test anxiety) she has 100 on all tests throughout the year.

Hunter finishing 1st grade. This was a great achievement for him. He really took off with both reading and math this year. His scores for the SAT 10 were all above average. He really is a Craig. I am so proud of him this year

Caroline and Kindergarten. I am not going to sugar coat it, Liney was placed "at risk" at the beginning of the school year. I have been working extra hard with her to make sure she was going to be ready for 1st grade. I have to say that all the hard work on Liney's part paid off. She scored above average in all area's except sentence structure, and at that, she was at the top of the average section. So I can rest easy knowing she is right on track.

Baby Craig. Well the morning sickness has subsided. (Brent is happy since we can have pizza again) and as of Friday, the baby looks and sounds great. We find out what we are having on July 3rd. So I will update as soon as I know. I did find out this week that 2 of my highschool buddies are having babies around the same time as me. That was great to find out as well.

This is just an update and pics will follow soon. Thank you for being patient with out very hectic lives
Katie

A week off of school.

So I know it has been a while since I posted, but I feel like I needed to really have something to say before I posted again. After nothing for like 2 weeks this is what I got going now.

A week from school work and all I could think about was work when I am done. I have been really contemplating what I will do when I get out. I have figured out that now that I am a senior, I am supposed to graduate in Aug. However, I am practically going to kill myself getting out early. I am going to be at the school every waking hour I can be to get out.

So this week, I decided I was going to observe a couple of salons in Navarre and find an atmosphere I thought I would like.

First I went to 2 salons and introduced myself, asked if I could observe later in the week. Both salons were eager to have me come in.

Things I learned:

1. both salons are booth rent ( you pay by the week to be there) you are responsible for your products ie, color, styling, shears, tools. Which if you can make it work you will make more money in the end. You are your own boss and you come and go as you please. Not bad being a mom.
2. commision is good starting out. If you go commision, you split what you make with the owner. Not a bad option if you don't have a clientele yet. The salon finds you clients and you are busy. You are supplied with everything as well.
3. Most salons in Navarre are booth rent and the one that is commision, has a bad reputation so I really don't want to work there.

I learned a lot from the salon I observed yesterday. I made a questionare asking the salon owners how I did. I asked questions such as; "would you be willing for student to assist before licenced?" and the salon said yes, because it is the best way to learn.
Another was; "If this were an interview would you hire the student?" And again it was a yes because I am well rounded and eager to learn. Student asks relevant questions pertaining to services. I really got a boost in what I am trying to do with my life.

After I got home yesterday, Brent ran some numbers, and we talked about how much I will be working after the baby comes. He said that I can be a booth rent person, and told me how much business I will need to do to make it worth our while. Also I will be doing hair out of my home on Mon,Tues, and Wed. this is straight income into my business, and if it is slow at the salon, it will help buffer.

I feel like I am not ready to be totally on my own yet, and I have a lot I can learn from others in the business. However my ultimate goal is to work solely from my home, but for now, I need the education from people in the "know".

Saturday I am observing the second salon and hopefully that will go well too. I want my feet in as many people's door as possible, so when the time comes I have some viable options.
I know that I should have just taken the week to get my house in order, and relax but this has been pressing on me for a couple of weeks. I had the time and energy to accomplish it and I feel like I was promted to go to the salons I have observed thus far. Hopefully things will pan out here in the near future.

Wish me luck!

With a new pregnancy, comes a new Do.

So I always do this so it should come as no shock. But I did go for a totally hair stylist new look. I am really digging it and it is really easy to do.

Here are some pix of the new look.

A little announcement

So for those of you who do not get on Facebook. I would just like to say that I am pregnant.

We went to the doctor on Friday, had an ultrasound. (I was really nervous) and everything looks great!

We are due on November 15th

Abbey's baptism and birthday

Okay so I have a couple of pics of the event, however my memory card was erased who knows how. But my mom and sister have some pics. As I get them I will put them up. She really did look radiant.

Okay so if you know Abbey, she was a little nervous about being dunked backwards upside down in a tank of water. Now thank goodness for Brent, he has a way with her that I just don't.

We did her hair all pretty so we wouldn't have to fight it after she got out of the water(Very tender headed). Not trying to brag but it was really pretty. Her dress was gorgeous.

Her interview with the branch president went well. And she came out and said she had "passed".

My family and Brents family were all there in attendance. My friend Janine who is not a member, even brought her girls to support Abbey.

The talks were great. Grandma Rosie spoke about Baptism, and my friend Liz who was Abbey's teacher for a while spoke on the holy ghost. They were both amazing talks and I thank them both for doing it.

True to the Bowmans side, Abbey was dunked 3 times. One Brent said the prayer a little off. The second time he said it wrong again and Abbey's foot came up. The third time is the charm. She said to Brent after the first time that it was a piece of cake to be dunked backwards.

Katelyn played an amazing arrangement of My Heavenly Father Loves Me while Abbey was getting dressed. Thank you for all of your hard work Katelyn!

After the baptism we came back to the house for some desserts and of course presents. Abbey got scriptures from us, a case from Grandma Rosie and Grandad. She got some really nice pieces of jewelry from Pennie, Debbie, Stacey and our babysitter Sarah. Thank you all for the great gifts. She keeps all the jewelry in her new box that Liz got for her. It is beautiful.

After the dessert, we had a bbq with the family and of course it was like Christmas with presents for her. We all had a great time being together as a family for a while. It rained the entire time my family was here, and was sunny for one day while Brent's family was still in town. Oh well I guess I can't complain. No body came for the weather right? They wanted to support Abbey and the weather was a plus.

Thank you for supporting our oldest this year. We look forward to doing it again next year for Hunter and the year after for Caroline.

Liney's first K-program

Abbey's first piano lesson

So Abbey has started Piano (Finally) and here is a few pics with her and her teacher her name is Penny.



Here is liney at her first K-program. It was all about fish. She danced around like a little fish and did the cha-cha. So cute!

Tip's first T-ball game

Okay so here are some pics of my little man showing his momma proud!


Hunter was 3 for 3 and hit a double his first at bat. I am so happy that he is getting back into his favorite (and most talented) sport.

T-ball is totally consuming our life right now so poor Abbey just isn't seeing the benefits right now. I will post some pics of her first piano lesson next.

Tips first t-ball game oh and Liney once again

So as much fun as I would like this post to be, all about Tip and how he had a blast I can only say on a good note, that Tip did hit a triple and got to third base before all the hoopala happened.

Now for Liney.
Bless her little heart, she wanted to watch her brother hit. She and Abbey were playing in the playground, saw that it was going to be Hunter's turn to bat, went to leave the playground, Liney pushed the gate open so hard that it swung back and busted her lip wide open.
Now if you have ever heard Liney cry, you know everyone knew something happened.
Luckily, one dad on the team is a dentist and one mom was a nurse. They said her teeth were fine, but she did need some kind of stitches (glue or normal). Of course.

So Brent had to pull Tip from the game. (I was at YW). He called and told me he was on his way to the ER and asked if I could pick up the other kids and take them home. So I left YW super nervous to see how my baby looked.

I don't have any pics while she was busted up, but I do after she came home. She will not have a huge scar according to the doctor. By next summer we shouldn't be able to tell. So they say. We will see.

Side story: She was so worried I would be mad because she ruined her white shorts with blood all ober. yes ober. (not a typo). I thought that was so cute.

So sorry no pics of Tips first game but we do of Liney. Tip does have a game on Thurs, so we will post those pics. WTG Tip for your first triple!

Caroline's First T-ball Game

I was so sad that I couldn't be there today however, Brent took some adorable pics of the cutie herself all dressed in her bright orange uniform. She hit twice and got on base twice. Way to go Liney.


If you have ever seen Brent or myself run, you know that we Craigs must whack the crap out of a ball to get on base. The same holds true for Liney and Tip. Well oh well we all had fun right?

Enjoy some pics of the Liney in action.

Fab-You-Lous

Okay so I know I am a bit premature, but Brent came up with the name of my salon. It is called fab-You-lous! I love it. He says that I always say fabulous so this was a great name. I have already had people ask for my card, so Brent ordered me some. I love them too. I have been doing some hair at the house, and I have a great station set up. Complete with Shampoo bowl and chair, Hydrolic Chair, 2 Roll abouts, a station, and Mirror. I have to say that Brent has hooked me up!

I have been getting appts. from the Branch members as well as word of mouth to the ward! I had the RS pres from the ward ask me to do her hair 2 weeks ago. Thank you everyone for telling people that I am doing hair.

I just need that licence in a couple of months to go public and I am set to go. I think it will be an awesome career for me.

Side note: Rosie and James love my set up too. Rosie loves to have me play in her hair, and I cut James' hair and washed it while they visited last month. I am stoked to be rockin' the hair world. Watch out corporate salons, fab-You-lous is coming your way soon.

Off to Utah

Well we did it! We officially bought tickets to UT for the kids. They are going to Nashville on Hunters Bday, then flying out with Brents parents to UT. Then they come home on August 13th. They will be flying home with Pennie to our house.

Brent and I are so happy that Pennie is able to take care of the kids this summer. It will be saving us a ton of money and not to mention that the kids adore the Parkinsons. We are sad as well that we won't see them for 9 weeks! Wow that is a long time without your kids. The good thing is, we have webcams to keep in touch.

The reason you ask for the kids awesome summer? I have school almost the entire summer and summer camp is ridiculous here. I can't miss that much time from school. The fact is, the sooner I am done, the sooner I can get my career going. It is a bitter sweet summer coming up. The kids will always remember their time in UT with Aunt Pennie, and we will miss them terribly, but I know this is the best option for us at the time.

So although we will be without kids this summer, we will still be parenting from a distance. And the kids will probably not want to come home, since Pennie is so good to them.

They are going to be in swim lessons, and have Lagoon passes, so the entertainment will definitely be there.

Thanks again to everyone that is making this a possibility. Brent and I really do appreciate it!

How to make rice in a rice cooker

Okay so I know that I have a recipe blog but laugh all you want at this one. I know I did.

So tonight I decided to make rice in my new rice cooker. I have always made minute rice so real rice isn't my thing. I made real rice a total of 2 times when we were first married, and both times I scorched it so since then it has been minute rice.

For Christmas, Brent got me a rice cooker. According to everyone I know, "throw in the rice, water and turn it on, walk away" Yeah freakin right!

I couldn't understand what the crap it was telling me. Add rice to inner pot, add water to 2nd line of pot. add cooking water to cooker. What the crap! What is cooker water? What kind of directions are "add water to 2nd line of pot"? this is ridiculous.

I finally had to call Stacey, she said my rice cooker is to high tech for her. But she did walk me through it. We had a good laugh about how I can make almost anything, but real rice isn't my thing.

So it did turn out and the kids really liked it. That I guess is a good thing, however, I think we will have some minute rice on hand just in case I am rice cooker retarded again.

Ode to the Hubby!

Okay so if you know anything about Brent and I, it is that we are not the most romantic people in the world (well he isn't anyway). But since it is really close to Love day, I thought I would express my love publicly to him.

Humorous
Brent has got to be the best friend I have ever had. He makes me laugh everyday. I talk about him to everyone. I have to say that he truly the funniest person I have ever met.

Thoughtful
Well he has a good heart anyway. He knows how to cheer me up if I am having an off day. He constantly checks up on me. He loves to see me happy. Although we are not the most romantic, he know the way to my heart (fast food)

Honest
Well if you have met him ya know.

His own kind of romantic
So he knows just how much I love a good chick flick. He hates them, but when I am down, he will sit there and watch one with me just to make me feel good.

Side story. The most romantic thing he has ever done for me he didn't even know he was doing it. We were in St. Augustine, and I was looking for shells on the beach, his parents were there with us. And wouldn't you know, the next thing I see is him finding shells for me. It turned into a great long walk on the beach (I know its cliche but hey its Brent) Has to be the best moment ever!

A great priesthood holder.
I love that this man keeps us on track. I love to know that I can call on him for anything and he is worthy to come through for us.

Last but not least
He puts up with me everyday. He takes my bossy side, my crazy side, my romantic side all with awesome stride.

I am very glad to call him my best friend, lover, husband what ever you want to call it
Brent is mine and I love the Craig train.

Happy Valentine's day moneymaker!

A "clean" slate

Okay so Brent always teases me that when the house is clean, I must be angry, and while this is usually true that was not the case today.

Our poor garage has not been fully cleaned out since we moved in June. We have tried to just push things around a bit to make it look a little better but to no avail. So today we tackled the garage!

We hung bike hooks, we packed and I mean packed the attic full of our stuff. We did however organize all of the totes that are now up there. It is even labeled and put up there in order of use for the upcoming year. I am so proud of us. It was a lot of work, but it is so worth it. We can walk around the cars, and open the doors all the way!

Then we came inside to find that the kids had done their cleaning as well. I was so proud of them. They cleaned their rooms and organized the dirty clothes for us to wash. They even made themselves sandwiches for lunch. ( so as not to bother mom and dads groove)

We had to run a couple of errands and the kids were good sports. We came home made dinner and wrote out a total of 45 Valentines for next week.

I wish I could say that the cleaning was for us to enjoy, and while I am loving the organization of the house today, it was really for Brent's parents who are coming to see our house for the first time. I want it all to look amazing for them.

So I am proud of the entire Craig Corporation for pitching in for next weekend.

The really, really, really bad day.

Okay so today was probably one of the worst days of my life. I now remember why I had guy friends growing up. So if you don't want to see the other side of Katie you don't have to read this one, but just know I am actually human, and I am not always happy.

So this one has a preface to the bad day. Yesterday I was a bit frustrated at the standards that the school changes on a daily basis. We have a quota we are supposed to meet in order to work on each other as students. If you don't have your quota, you don't getcha hair done. Simple as that.

Well I saw a couple of girls getting their hair done everyday this week (it just happened to be the same girls each day) I was frustrated to see that none of the instructors were checking the quota sheets. And of course you can read me like a book so the instructor asked what was the matter.

After class, I spoke to the instructor and my two friends were in the room. So was a guy named Korey. My 2 friends were not in the conversation, nor was Korey. The conversation was between a student and a teacher. The teacher said that they should be checking the quotas and she would speak to her peers about the situation.

Fine

Then stupid gay guys has to start crap.....

So today, after lunch I was in the locker room when one of the girls comes in and asks to speak with me, and my 2 friends. My one friend got really defensive, and decided that this other girl shouldn't talk to her that way. Anyway a lot of yelling insued between them and I interjected and claimed all that was said was from me. Just then, the dept. head came in and pulled us all into his office. ( I haven't been in the pricipals office since 8th grade)


I let my friend be excused since she wasn't involved. In the office. I let all three girls vent their frustration.I was told that because of my age I should know better, that they had lost all respect for me, and that I shouldn't hold the standards so high for them and not others. I kept a very calm demeanor, and was quiet. When asked for my side. I explained exactly what had happened. The look on the girls' face was of utter embarrassment. They apologized and asked for forgiveness. I told them that I do not hold grudges, but that they needed to speak with my friend and apologize to her.

Needless to say, it was a big misunderstanding, and the people involved in feeding a fire that wasn't there (Korey) has been rectified.

Then I got home and Brent tells me that his mom and aunts are unhappy with a post I made on my facebook page.

Can it get any worse today? honestly?

Long story short. I made a note that stated a couple of things that a YW leader shouldn't say, and that were offensive to others. I called and apologized to Rosie and I removed the post.

The post was a joke, I am sorry that I have offended people, and I will be more careful in the future about what I write.

I see the point that Rosie was trying to make, and lets face it Ro doesn't intervene often, so it must be bad. I have also decided that jokes sound better in person and not on paper.

This all being said, it has been a very long day of putting out fires.

To end my day, I have made a cherry cobbler, and a carrot cake for girls at the school for their birthday's.

Go me

New blog

So I started my own recipe blog. here is the link so you can take a peek when you get a chance.

Dene you blog stalker, you can check it out too.

http://thecraigsecret.blogspot.com/

A whole bunch of Blah...

So as most of my friends and family know, Brent's uncle passed away this past week. We did get to see a lot of family we haven't seen in quite a while. And while that was so great, the circumstance we were seeing each other in was just not fun at all.

Mitch was a great guy. He welcomed me into the Tipton side of the family at once. I will always remember how funny he was, his obsession with KY basketball, and always having something to tell me that would make me blush. So hats off to you Uncle Mitch.

Other than that, there really hasn't been much action here at the Craig Corporation. Caroline and Hunter have baseball tryouts in a couple of weeks and Abbey did get the solo for the spring concert in March.

Brent's parents are coming out for Pres. day weekend and the kids are so excited. The kids were in grandma and grandad overload. Rosie has two sisters that look so much like her, the kids say its the other grandma Rosie (connie) and the other other grandma Rosie (sandy). They love family that is for sure. Rosie's two brothers always give Hunter alot of attention as well. He is named after their Dad, so that is a huge attention getter every time we are up there. He is now Little Tip according to Uncle Buddy and Larry.

As for Brent, work is really consuming alot of his time right now. With the time he took off for the funeral, he is really trying to catch up. He is studing fora a licensure he has to have for his job, so that has been fun trying to work into an already busy schedule, but what are you going to do. He is looking forward to the Superbowl this weekend, and the projector is in full swing for the event.

As for me, I have had some great color classes, I have done a couple of transformations for some people in the branch (and they look amazing!) and we did find out in class that we are doing a hair show in late April. So I am looking forward to showing off some more of my work. On a side note, tomorrow I am meeting with a salon owner who is interested in having me assist her until I get my licence. Wish me luck. The salon is right next to the kids' school so that would be a big bonus if I got a chair there.

Other than that, there really isn't alot to say for us. We will keep you posted on the upcoming projects that are coming to play soon.

The great broccoli episode

okay so I do not like veggies and I haven't made my kids eat them either. But one of my goals for the new year is to have veggies so this is our first attempt at them. Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

New Years, and yes goals

So we had a party on New Years eve and we all had a great time. My friend Cristy's husband is deployed in Iraq, so we had her and her kids come and hang for the night. Liz and her family came out for a while until Liz's dang allergies came a courtin'. The Alvarez family came and we all played games, ate a ton of food, and really had a good time hanging out. I am excited for the new year.

This last year was a doozie of action for us. With the economy the way it turned up we really could be in a worse situation than what we are in. I am not trying to float our boat or anything believe me we have had our share of issues this past year but in all we really had a good one.
Brent got his dream job, we moved to FL, our kids are healthy and happy, and I am having a great time in hair school. We really can't complain. Now we need to maintain the momentum and bring in a great 2009.

My goals....

Our YW pres. asked the girls to make goals for the new year and I wanted to try and make some for myself this year.

Physical: To have a veggie at dinner every night
Mental: To keep reading (I feel like I get more stupid unless I am reading)
Family: To hold FHE every monday night
Spiritual: To read my Sunday school lesson before Sunday/ and make sure Abbey is prepared for baptism
Talent: To learn a new song to sing every month
Really my overall goal is to make sure my family is strong, healthy and prepared for life. I love the new year. It makes me feel like we can start over again. I need goals and I am really going to work on these this year. I hope if nothing I can keep the one about Abbey. It is really important to me that she understands what she is doing when she is baptised.

I am ready to go back to school, learn a lot. and ready to kick butt and take names this fall. So all of you looking for a stylist I am for hire.

Christmas in a nut shell

Make a Smilebox slideshow

It has been a great time being home with the kids and here is some of the action.