12.17.11

Today is your Uncle Ryan's birthday
You have said some funny stuff lately.
1. You stood up from the table and said in a sad voice, "I feel like Satan when I stand up."
2. You sat on my lap and said, "Can I sit a little closer to you?"
me: "you're sitting on my lap. Isn't that close enough."
you: "no"
3. When I put you to bed you asked, "What if Satan comes in our house? Will he come in our house?"
I spent the next 5 minutes explaining that the Spirit is in our home. And the Spirit and Heavenly Father protect our home.

12.12.11

Last night we were driving in the car. You were sitting in the front seat because we were driving to the Merrell's, 4 houses away from us. You put the visor down and said, "The moon is too bright." It wasn't the moon that was bright, it was the street light. hehe.

12.12.11

Your 4th Birthday and Party

On Friday the 9th it was your turn for your b-day party. It was at 10am. We invited church and school friends. You wanted a Cinderella party. I asked someone from church (a college girl) if she could come as Cinderella to your party. She was so excited and even told me she had a Cinderella costume so it was perfect.

The princess crown cake I made. It was just like Sydney's cake but with blue frosting.

You and Cinderella. So beautiful. You and your friends anticipated her arrival and when she came you guys got all quiet.

Cinderella sang you songs, read a book, and even painted everyone's faces. You picked a butterfly to be painted on your face.

You and your friends also made your own crowns to wear.
Then you wanted to paint Cinderella's face. She is such a nice princess.

You, Cinderella and your friends. This was your first birthday party and you loved all the attention. Also your primary teacher, Sis. Snodgrass came too.
Yesterday was your birthday and I made you pancakes, one looking like the number 4. You opened presents from family. They sang to you in primary and the Bishop gave you a big candy bar. Your birthday dinner was salmon. When you talked to Gammie you said, "sing me the birthday song." When she asked if you made a wish when you blew out the candles you said, "I wished that you will be my friend forever." We love you Jordyn; you are so loved. We should have named you Joy, because you bring so much joy to our lives.

Oh, Jordyn

You haven't disappointed us with your quotes lately:
Levi had your silly putty.
Jordyn: "Give me my silly putty Levi. One...Two...Three...Four...Five...." He didn't give it to you. "Okay the Lamanites are going to kill you now."

Your friend Megan was over and you said, "My daddy is a rich man."

You were preparing to jump off the couch. You told me and dad to be quiet then you said, "You killed my father...prepare to die" - a quote from the Princess Bride.

The last 2 fast Sundays you bore your testimony. The first time you went up by yourself and were nervously shaking. I went up to help you and you didn't want to leave. I had to carry you off and take you out of the chapel.
Last Sunday you went up, not as nervous, Dad help you this time, and you were willing to stop and walk off stage. Of course you couldn't walk off the side with Dad, you walked off the opposite way. You're always full of surprises Jordyn and make us all laugh....most of the time :)

Halloween 2011

This was our first Halloween experiencing snowfall. After the trunk or treat at church, we went around our neighborhood with some friends. We walked around for 20-30 minutes before going home to drink some hot chocolate. Next thing I knew it was snowing. It didn't stop anyone because there were still tons of kids walking around until about 8:45. It was Sydney's first halloween that she understood the strategy involved w/ trick or treating. She was running to every house trying to get her bucket full. Another first was making a "halloween" dinner. It was easy and you loved it so I think a new tradition was born. Here are some mummy dogs.

Ghosts
Fingers
These are suppose to be mouths w/ teeth and we drank poison to wash it all down.
Sydney designed the pumpkin which turned out looking like the guy Chunk from Goonies. Levi loved exploring the insides of the pumpkin. The girls insisted on using gloves to pick the stuff out of the pumpkin.

We went to about 3 or 4 different parties. You went back and forth with a Cinderella and Rapunzel costume.
Your favorite costume was Rapunzel. I loved it, but by the end of Halloween I wanted to burn the wig. I'm still finding hairballs from the wig all over the house. You do make a cute rapunzel though.

10.10.11

You have been wanting to get her ears pierced for quite some time. You watch Sydney change out her earrings regularly and desire to do the same. I've been stalling to get it done because....well just go to a dr. visit w/ me and you'll know why. Even when we're at the dr. for Levi and not you, you cry FOR Levi when he gets his shot. But this past Saturday we headed to the mall to get your ears pierced, knowing you would cry and perhaps cause a scene. Unfortunately for you there was only 1 person certified to pierce ears so she couldn't pierce both ears at the same time. I told you it would hurt a little bit and you still wanted to go through w/ it. Here are the pictures:

1. before: putting dots on ears.

2. Here we go.....
3. This was a bad idea. OUCH.
4. 1 min. later--got my sucker. It's all good.
5. See, I got my ears pierced. I look so pretty.
You did great-- a lot better than I ever expected. Not like how you react to a shot. You didn't cause a scene; rather, you took it like a woman. When we were leaving the mall, you told everyone we passed by, "look I got my ears pierced." Most people were talking to each other or on their cell phones so no one even heard you, but I did, and it was adorable.

Yesterday you wanted to bear your testimony. You've done it hundreds of times at home with no problem. You went up to the podium by yourself; you froze, and came down, cried a bit, and then I went with you. I sat down on the chair while you were a few steps in front of me at the mic. You froze, so I tried to help you i.e. whisper in your ear. You barely whispered what I said in the mic. I took over and bore my testimony. At this point I noticed Levi was now with us, dad was out of town. You kept pulling the mic to you, wanting to bear your testimony. I tried to help you again. You didn't talk or when you did it was so quiet no one could hear. I told you to say "Amen" and you refused. Finally I just had to hold you, and Levi, off the stage and leave the chapel. Fun times at church! You were mad at me that I didn't let you finish and you couldn't understand that I tried to help you speak, but you were very shy. On a positive note, after you went up there 4 or 5 kids followed you and so you were very brave and were a good example.

Jordyn: "where's grandpa?"

me: "I don't know."

You: "I bet he's at the dump. He's always at the dump."

9.13.11

Today is Gammie's birthday. She recently sent you and Sydney pillow cases she sewed w/ some candy along with it and clothes. She watched you guys open the package on Skype. We skyped with her yesterday and we watched her open our package: a photo book I made her of our Utah trip in May. You like to talk to her and Grandpa everyday and would and could talk for at least an hour.
Sis. Snodgrass, your sunbeam teacher, called me to tell me that you said a very mature and sincere prayer in class. She was impressed with the things you said, one of which was inviting the Spirit to the classroom.
That makes me happy to hear. It makes me feel good knowing the things we do INSIDE our home is impacting your behavior OUTSIDE our home.
I wanted to write a few funny things you have said recently. This morning, you pulled down your pants and said, "Feel my WARM bottom, mom."
"I kept my bed dry and my unders dry"
You're kind of on a potty humor kick lately. You think anything about pooh is funny. The funny part is, is that no one laughs about it but you. I'm sure we did at first, but not any more. It got old quick.
Have I mentioned that you climb up the rock wall to the top of the ceiling. This is what your routine week will look like now. Mondays: music class 9:30-10:30, Tues/Thurs: school 9:15-12:00, Wednesday playdate at Schanz, Merrell, or our house 9-11 while two of those days I go out and run errands, Friday: Library toddler reading time: 10:15am.

9.13.11

Last week you started Lions and Lambs preschool. You were so excited that it was finally your turn to start school. I was so happy for you because you have been waiting so patiently for your special day. On our way to the church bldg, where your school is inside, you found one of those weeds (can't think of the name) that you blow and make a wish. You made about 3 wishes with 3 different weeds and wished that you would love preschool. After this pit stop, you ran inside to your classroom, picked the apple with your name on it, and started playing. That was it. I said goodbye and gave you a kiss, but I don't think you really noticed. Your teachers are Ms. Marie and Ms. Danielle. There are 10 kids in your class. When I picked you up and asked how school was, you said, "I don't like Ms. Danielle. She said I couldn't be line leader." grunt and pouty face ensued thereafter. You'll be line leader next Thursday when we bring snacks. Other than that minor detail, you loved preschool. You wish to go everyday. Although I've only experienced 2 days of you and Sydney both in school, it's been nice just hanging out with Levi, quiet, but nice.

8.17.11

Miss Jordyn....I'm excited for you to start preschool. I think you will LOVE it. You see Sydney getting prepared to start Kindergarten and you want go to school so badly. I'm also excited to have "school" with you again, this time without your older sister around. I'm going to make it extra special for you. I look forward to spending more one-on-one time with you when Sydney is in school and Levi is sleeping. You now climb the rock wall all the way to the ceiling by yourself, the only problem is, is that you can't climb down, so you scream for me or dad to help you. You taught FHE on Monday. You wanted to teach us about Jesus and then you bore your testimony how he answered your prayer. When you fell on your bottom it was bleeding. You prayed that He would make it feel better. After you took a bath, it did, and you felt happy that Heavenly Father answered your prayer. You and Sydney have made good friends with these two new girls who moved a few houses up from us. Their names are Lindsay and Olivia. Everyday the 4 of you play together. I'm glad you have made friends. It's fun to see everyone play nicely together (for the most part). When they leave,  you exchange hugs.

7.29.11

Currently you are sick with some virus. You just threw up and dad gave you a blessing. You have a fever, uclers on your throat, and your throat hurts when you swallow...even water. When you are feeling good you are the sweetest person ever. You're often seen giving something to Sydney or helping us out. Whenever someone visits us like a babysitter or recently the Bishop, you find something to give them, usually a piece of candy. This week you have learned and mastered the art of pumping your legs on the swing. I love when you talk about the past you usually include the words, "last year" when something happened just the day prior. For school, we've been practicing counting to 10. when you get to seven you usually say eleven instead. You are looking forward to preschool in about a month. This past month we had dad's parents and grandparents visit and your uncle tyler. You took it upon yourself to take care of Great Grandma Marianne. If she was walking, you were holding her hand so she wouldn't fall down. You were very upset when she flew home. Last Sunday you gave your first talk in primary. It was about temples. You did a great job. This past month we've also seen a bear and two cubs at our house. Once we were playing outside and ran inside the other time we were in the car pulling into our driveway. Jordyn you are a joy in our life. We love you so much.

6.18.11

It's been a month since I wrote because we've been at Gammie's and Grandpa's for a month. We just flew back yesterday. Some highlights of the trip were going to disneyland and Seaworld w/ Gammie and Grandpa, Aunt Brooke, Uncle Matt, Parker, Cameron, Rowan, and Jonas. We also visited Dad's family and Grandpa Levin and your uncles Ryan and Danny. In Utah you rode horses, we went swimming a lot, we went to Las Vegas, you fed cows almost every night, picked out clothes for Gammie and Grandpa to wear,  helped grandpa w/ yard work, run in sprinklers, go 4 wheeling, go to Sand Hollow lake, and go to parks. You had a blast. We all did. At Sand Hollow we all got bit by something. You had it the worst though, I think because you kept itching the bites. You poor little legs and arms were covered in red bumps. When we flew home, we had 2 flights. Each flight you cried on and off about having to leave Gammie. You said, "I want to keep her," "I'm so sad," "can we fly back and see her?" One day you plugged up the toilet with toilet paper. I asked you why you put so much paper in the toilet. You were holding the card board toilet paper thing and said, "I wanted to make a telescope" and looked through the hole.

4.28.11

I finally broke down and bought you your own bike w/ training wheels. It's purple and pink with streamers coming off the handle bars. You were so excited when dad was putting it together. On Tuesday we went on a family bike ride and it was your first bike ride. You did so well. You kept up with us. I could tell that you were very happy and proud that you were doing this by yourself rather than riding in the chariot w/ Levi. On our way home, you crashed. You crashed big time....as in you went face first in the concrete. Luckily you were wearing a helmet and that saved you, but it still scared you and you stood up crying. We asked if you wanted to get in the chariot or keep riding your bike and you said through tears "Ride my bike." I'll be honest, I was surprised, but very proud of you for getting right back on your bike and finishing our bike ride.
Last night you RAN in our room at about 2am and in your saddest voice made this statement, "It's dark in my room."
You love the new movie that came out, "Tangled," but you always think Mother Gothel, the mean lady, is always in your closet.

4.20.11

Yesterday and today you had two firsts
Last night you had your FIRST sleepover. Ella E. spent the night at our house. Her dad was coming home from a deployment in the middle of the night, so her mom had to pick him up. Dad put you and Ella in your room at 7:15pm (cuz I was at mutual) and you guys didn't fall asleep until 9:45pm. You woke up screaming at 4am saying that Ella was gone. I didn't fall asleep after that. Then you, Ella, and Sydney woke up for good at 6am. Needless to say I'm exhausted. You were lucky and took a 3 hour nap. You had a lot of fun having her stay the night with you. Ever since she left you have been begging that she sleeps at our house FOREVER.
This afternoon you had your FIRST audition. It was at the Embassy Suites in Anchorage. I heard about it at Sydney's preschool yesterday. I was curious what an audition is like and how you would do so we gave it a try. First they took still pictures of you. When they asked you to smile, you gave them a silly face pulling your eyes down. In front of a video camera they asked you what you like to do. You said, "swimming in a pool." When asked your favorite food you said, "pizza." They video taped you messing around with a toy and that was it. The producer said you did great. Which I don't know if she was being nice or honest. I told her you were more shy than usual. Usually you chat it up with people (who are friendly with kids). The audition was for a Baby Einstein video. Let's just say I won't be holding my breath. It was a good experience for you and I learned that Sydney would have been all over an audition. The producer said all three of you, Sydney and Levi, are extraverts and would do well in front of a camera. Hmmm. I guess time will tell.

4.14.11

Last Sunday was fast and testimony meeting. You wanted to bear your testimony, but it's encouraged in our ward for ALL kids to go up by them self and not have a parent helping them. The next day for FHE, we just so happened to discuss testimonies and practice giving our testimony. We had our pretend microphone and you stood up on the hearth and for the first time I heard your testimony. You mostly talked about food, toys, books, and President Monson. So I had to teach you what is appropriate to talk about in a testimony. Every night before bed all of us have practiced saying our testimonies in front of each other. You say, "I like this church is true. I like Pres. Monson, Uchtdorf, Eyring." And you say a few other things I can't understand.
You are looking forward to going to Gammie's house and going to Disneyland w/ Gammie and Grandpa and your cousins. You are also to start preschool after summer.
You are actually getting better about NOT whining. Me and dad have no patience for that. Every time you whine I have to remind you that I can't understand what you're saying and you usually ask again with a "normal" voice. If you continue to whine you're asked to go upstairs and whine by yourself in your room.

3.29.11

Jordyn Marie:
   Today you have been limping on one leg all day. When I ask you where it hurts you just point to a bruise on your leg. You love to watch movies. I bought Tangled today and I'm excited to surprise you and Sydney with it on Friday and have a movie night. You also are becoming really good at coloring. You are so sweet. You always color a picture for someone other than your self. You like to Skype with your cousins. Some articulation errors you have: father is "fader", string is "tring." I'll have to write more as I hear them. I can't think of anything right now. You call McDonald's "chicken nuggets house." You would love it if we went there everyday. You don't call movies by their names only by the main character. You ask "Can we watch Woody (Toy Story), Rapunzel (Tangled), Ariel (Little Mermaid) etc.?"
   Just a few minutes ago, you asked Dad, "Can you bless me....at the temple." You were asking for a blessing.... for your leg. How cute is that?!

3.1.11

This past month you have learned to pray....all by yourself. Tonight you said the prayer. You said, "thank you for mom. The best mom EVER. Thank you for daddy. The best dad EVER." Thanks for making me feel good. I'll have to remember that in 10 years when you're playing the silence game with me and rolling your eyes at me because we wouldn't let you take your cell phone on a family vacation. Actually more like we won't even give you a cell phone at age 13. Today you learned how to flick a spinner on a game. We were playing Chutes and Ladder. You were getting so frustrated that you couldn't get the thing to spin so with some demonstration, practice, and patience, you mastered it. You still don't get the rules of the game, but you can flick the spinner like a big girl.
The other day you cut a piece a paper and said, "look mom a triangle." It was a triangle. Although many times I wonder if you hear me, I'm learning that behind your distraction, you are learning and listening to things I teach you. You also love me reading to you everyday.

1.23.11

During primary, you were spotlighted, which just means that they wanted to get to know you better so they asked you questions. Sis. Bates called me the day before and asked me questions about you. I then asked you because I was curious what you would say. So these were the questions and your response:
1. What is your favorite book? Curious George books
2. What is your favorite food? Waffles and Chicken Nuggets
3. What do you want to be when you're older: Rapunzel
4. What's your favorite primary song? Sunbeams
5. What's your favorite scripture story? The shepherds (I'm assuming you are referring to the birth of Jesus w/ the shepherds).

1.20.11

Yesterday you explained to me the rules to getting baptized. You told me, "you have to plug your nose like this [demonstrated proper pinching of nose]. You don't wear goggles. You close your eyes, plug your nose [dipped head down like you were going under water], and close your mouth. You don't want to get water in your mouth or you'll get sick." I'm always telling you and Sydney not to drink the bath water, telling you guys you can get sick, because you are so dirty by the end of the day, and dirty water can make you sick, thus the "you'll get sick" comment you made.

You were working on a Snow White puzzle with daddy and showing him the "blueberry bird." It's just a blue bird, but we thought it was cute that you said "blueberry bird."

1.10.11

Jordyn just had this conversation with me.
  J: Does Sydney need hot sauce for spilling the bubbles in the bath tub?
 me: No, she's okay.
 J: I don't like hot sauce. It stings my lips and tongue. I tried to LOVE it, but I don't LIKE it.
Me: so you don't like hot sauce?
J: no, I don't like hot sauce and I don't like peanut butters and I don't like mustard on my hot dogs.

1.8.11

Little Miss Jordyn. This morning was rough, to say the least. The entire morning you whined...and you know how much me and daddy don't like that. You were whining because Sydney was going to a birthday party and YOU wanted the present we were giving to the little girl. It was the worst fit I've seen from you yet. Dad gave you a cold shower to calm you down. After that, you started to whine again about the present. So what did dad do???? Put you back in a cold shower. You didn't complain about the present again after your 2nd cold shower. We dropped Sydney off at her birthday party and the 4 of us went x-country skiing. I will say that you are an absolute angel when you and Sydney are separated. It's fun to have that one on one time with you. You're a joy and life is good.

1.6.11

Whenever you get mad at Sydney you yell, "SYDNEY MARIE SHAW." The funny part about it is that Marie is not her middle name, it's yours.

1.2.11

              Today you started your first day of Sunbeams. There are 2 classes because there are so many 3 year olds in our ward. Your teacher's name  is Sister Snodgrass. She lives in Eagle Pointe where we live and we are visiting teaching companions so you know her a little bit already. You had wonderful nursery leaders and weren't too happy to leave nursery.  We did the best we could to prep you for sunbeams. The week before you went to singing time in Primary, you got a sunbeam shirt, and we talked about it a lot at home. Every time we talked about it you would say you didn't want to go. Most times when you're unhappy about something you fold your arms, frown, and put your head down and this is what you would do when we would try and bring it up. Yesterday we started church at 1pm. Bad time since you go to primary from 2-4pm (your crabby time of the day....not just you though many people). I walked you to primary and sat you down. You refused to sit down in your seat. You refused to have me sit by you. You folded your arms with a frown, no less, and stomped out of primary. I'm not sure where you were going to walk to. I picked you up and set you back in your seat. You did the same thing again. I picked you up and held you in the back of the primary room for about 5 minutes. You were asking for dad, but he teaches at that hour so I told you he would come check on you when he was finished. That seemed to be the trick, because you got down, walked to your chair and sat down with no problems. Your teacher didn't have to come get me. She said you were very polite saying "please" and "thank you" for snacks. That's my GIRL! When I picked you up after church, the door was cracked open. I wasn't surprised to hear you tell your teacher that you liked her "red jacket." When I walked in the door, I saw you upside down on your chair with your feet up in the air without your socks or shoes on. In this position your underwear was completely exposed. You made a "I'm a child of God" crown and you liked class. I knew you would love your sunbeam class.

                Today was also fast and testimony meeting. Dad and I had a special fast for you. It was wonderful. We prayed and fasted that we could teach to your personality and learning type. We prayed that Heavenly Father could help us help you to have a testimony of Jesus. We fasted that we could love you as Heavenly Father loves you...perfectly, unconditionally, with patience, and tender mercy. We do love you. We love how caring and empathetic you are to your family members. Your kind words make people feel loved. As we put you to bed, dad told you the story about Jesus and the fishermen. When he was done you said, "I'm a good girl. I'll listen to Jesus, Daddy." Since you're at the age where it is difficult to sit and listen to a lesson longer than a few minutes. I thought that I could hang up pictures of Jesus in your room, listen to primary music all day in our home, and watch more of the book of mormon videos we have to facilitate a testimony of the Savior, the Spirit, and the Bible and Book of Mormon.  Here's a picture of you as a Sunbeam, you happen to be the youngest one too....Making you all the more special.