Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I think this may be the first time in my entire life that I still have presents to get on Christmas Eve.... yikes this year was hard but I thought I would list some highlights.
Robert
now father of four
Masters Degree in Finance
number one on my mother's list
Natalie
survived yet another pregnancy
Isaac
one of the stars on his soccer team
eats sleeps and breathes La Lakers has not missed a single game this season
Brianna
scored an average of four goals per soccer game
loves school lives for Wednesday because it is big buddy day
loves to make crafts and collect things often brings leaves and flowers she collects on her way to school to her teacher
Seth
memorized more episodes of Max and Ruby than his mother would like to admit
managed to spend every extra second mauling his baby sister
cracked a dozen eggs inside the fridge with his cousin Jace and lived to tell about it
Jaynee
a joy
tolerates her brothers and sisters constant fawning over her
starting to laugh roll over and has a smile that makes life worth living

Master's Degree

Every once in a while he thinks about it again and has the smile of a Cheshire Cat. Rob has done it he completed his Masters. I am so proud of him. He has worked hard. For me this means one more night of his help with the kids bedtime routine which is getting busy since there are four.We are going to celebrate tonight we are going out to dinner and then I am sure we will have to knock out some Christmas shopping. I am more grateful for the weekends than ever.

Almost missed it

I don't know why it is so difficult for me to learn some principles. I am sure that at times our loving Heavenly Father gets sick of having to present things several times before I get them but I am so grateful that he is patient with me and does. I am sure that this lesson is one that I will have to be retaught several times. Thursday was a whirlwind of a day. I even had tons of help and it was still crazy and difficult for me. My mom didn't have to go to work until late so she watched Seth and I got a little better morning nap than usual. Then we had Parent teacher conferences. I am pretty much sure that this is going to be something that is difficult for Rob and I thoughout Isaac's education. Brianna's was delightful. My mother in law watched the kids for the conferences. I went to Costco so that I could get the graham crackers for the activity for the Cub Scout pack meeting. Helping Andrea be in charge of the little activities for the pack meeting seemed simple enough when I was asked to do it. However I didn't take into account that I had the parent teacher conferences, or that Jaynee would need to nurse in the middle of trying to get over to the church to set up, or that Rob had his class and would not be there to help me.Even though I had gone to get some of the stuff the day before I decided that the graham crackers would be cheaper at Costco than Walmart or the dollar store so I was a mad rush to get everything done the day of...mistake I also thought that making the frosting would be better, less messy..mistake because it took more time. Luckily one of the Angels in my life was there and made the frosting. Amy Bystrom is amazing, I love that girl.Andrea is amazing she has her children help me unload the car, watch my kids during the pack meeting when they were running wildly through the cultral hall during the middle of it because they had just come from Grandma's and were on a sugar high from the cocoa and cookies she just gave them. I was rushed so I grabbed a Costco pizza to feed the kids while getting ready for the pack meeting. They were not that hungry obviously due to cookie overdose. I held Jaynee off from nursing during the entire pack meeting thinking that Isaac was going to get his bobcat. I am still not sure why he didn't get it but I am grateful now Rob will be there when he does get it. By the time we left I was completely spent. On the way home Seth starts saying I am thirsty. Are my kids the only ones that think that they should have every need met at a moments notice? They think that I am magical and can pull a juicey cup out of thin air. Most of the time I do have a spare in the car or diaper bag but he had already inhaled that amidst the travel to and from Grandmas. Jaynee is now completely fed up with not being fed and whaling in the background as I explain we will be home in a few minutes and I am hungry and thirsty and tired and at least I fed you dinner I didn't have time to eat. Then Brianna says here is my cookie. I say Brianna I can not hold your cookie I am driving. Brianna Well when can you? Me Well do you hear Jaynee I really need to nurse her first thing when we get home. Can't you hold your own cookie. I hear that pout in her voice but mom you said you were hungry. I then lost it and was a flood gate of tears. It is just not worth it to me to be so stressed out that I miss the sweetness of my child. I talked to Cherry and learned that I need to say let me get back to you instead of offering my assistance. I need to look at my schedule and if I have parent teacher conferences or anything that is taxing to let someone else have the oppurtunity to serve. I may have to sit a few games out on the bench. At my mission reunion President Snow taught us that the general authorities are really concerned about the members spending more time doing and not becoming. I really don't want to resemble that remark. I would rather be kind to my children than take on one more thing and with four children right now I need to stop step back and come to grips with the fact that even a little might be too much for me right now.

Bubble Wrap

My brothers all three of them at least one time have told me that I live in a bubble. Funny how now that I work graveyards in the Emergency room, I take so much more comfort in that bubble. Is it really a bad thing to be distanced from this world that we live in? I was almost brought to tears the other night when I had to witness the tragic circumstances of an innocent child. I live in Simi Valley I can't even imagine (of course I can't because I live in a bubble) how much worse it is in some other places or how much more frequent. I am in the middle of my first full week back at work since I had Jaynee and fortunately Rob has been able to take care of her through the night even though she won't take a bottle, which honestly I am not that sad about since pumping is something that bursts my bubble UGGG...As I am writing this there is a belligerent patient screaming obsenities in that background and only ten minutes ago a father made very clear to me that he was not ever married to the mother of his teenage son. I felt awkward because I called her his wife. Am I the only one who finds that backward? Bubbles are great I think that I will blow some later today with Seth and Jaynee and hope they enjoy them as much as I do and for sure going to need a bubble bath after this shift.

 

Hat tricks and Halloween

I love watching the kids play soccer. This season their games have been at the same time more than I would like. Since Rob is Isaac's assistant coach I get to go to Brianna's games. It is fine she is on a stronger team than Isaac this year and it is fun to watch her and Chloe together. Isaac has scored every time I am not there. On Halloween he not only scored but he scored three times. Tiffany told Chloe and Brianna that she would take them to TUTU's for shaved ice if they pulled a hat trick. They tried but fell a little short scoring only two goals each. Brianna thought she and Chloe could put their goals together and share a shaved ice,she really knows how to finagle things for herself, that worked for Tiffany.
My kids are fickle about costumes and this year with a different party every night (well it felt like that) They got to be more than one thing. Jaynee was a flower (cute costume compliments of my mother in law) Seth was a police man (which he got cutest costume prize for), a dinosaur, Mikey mouse, and a dragon. Brianna was a fairy, a pumpkin, and a witch (which was adorable my mother in law made the costume) and Isaac was Obi 1 and a clown. The dress up truck has doubled in size. I actually didn't have a costume for Isaac when he went to his first party so he used his costume from last year but he loves Star Wars and some of his friends were Star Wars characters as well so it worked. I went to the costume store to find something for him but was blown away with how expensive the cool costumes were and couldn't afford to buy one so I thought I would just slip out but Seth decided he wanted to be Batman while we were there and man I carried him and Jaynee out of the store him in full blown tantrum mode.Why is it he wants to be Batman when we have every other superhero know to man at home in the dress up trunk? If I buy Batman for next Halloween chances are he is going to want to be a pirate...but I know better he will not be joining me to the costume store next time!

Annie's Baptism Sept 5,2009

Jaynee's Baby Blessing August 30, 2009

Isaac's baptism August 29, 2009

Temple Square

Unlike many of those I served with I wanted to go there. AnneMarie St. Felix had just returned from serving there and her homecoming talk was beyond exceptional she talked about being taught at the feet of the apostles and serving at the center of the church. I was going to school up at San Jose State and dating her younger brother at the time. I told one of my friends that I wanted to go there and he said they only send the really good looking girls there. I said well I am sending in a really good picture! I guess it helps to have a brother in law who is an excellent photographer. I did get called there. The MTC was a learning experience for me, I had a fabulous companion and a great class to get me through. But the minute I stepped on Temple Square the spirit flooded into my body with so much force. I promised myself that I would never forget that feeling. I wasn't expecting it to be just as strong when I went back for the reunion 13 years later. I really wasn't expecting to be so overcome by the Conference Center...wow and I was grumbling about them demolishing Deseret Gym. I loved my mission and all of the woman I was able to serve with not only were they the best looking girls but they really were high caliber woman who know and lead. To say that being in a room with many of them again was rejuvinating would be an understatement. I loved it even if Jaynee was a little fussy. Can I blame her? Who carts a six week old baby off to another state? Some of my favorites were not there... yes you know I missed you. It was so good to see those I was able to even if they posted on facebook and didn't crop out my monsterous body..President Snow was amazing...He is an apostle now something else I was not prepared for He holds the mantle and I did ask for some wisdom and he offered it. Not only that but we were given an apostolic blessing something that I get to treasure through this life that my family including children not yet born will grow to know that Savior more with each and every day. WOW I still have people to thank for making the trip possible and I feel so blessed

Jaynee Lee Knight

 

She was by far my best delivery. She only weighed seven pounds ten ounces and I got my epidural at a two.She was however one of those blessings,I will forever cherish. When she was finally out of my belly and Dr. Murphy who has delivered all of my children and even my little brothers said there is a true knot in this cord and called my husband over to look. If the knot would have tightened so many things could have gone wrong it even could have been fatal for Jaynee and she is so treasured by our family I hate to even think about that. It is a strange phenomena how your almost three year old who has been beyond cute turns into a complete germ infested snotty mess once you have a newborn. It seems as if you are either changing diapers nursing or guarding this baby from his grubby little paws 24/7 and you are. I wouldn't have it any other way though. It is definately worth it to watch the love that is there between my children.

Knight Family Reunion 2009

So I did have my resevations about going to a DUDE RANCH 8 monthes pregnant. But overall it was a great time. I really loved watching my kids enjoy themselves and really if they are around cousins and family, aunts and grandparents that spoil... How can they not be filled with joy and as a mother there really is nothing better than watching the sparkle in your kids eyes when they are enjoying themselves. Seth was so happy soaking everyone with the little water guns his Aunt Karie got for all the kids. Brianna was happy to be doing everything with Brenna and Isaac was happy to be there with all of his cousins and danced like a mad man and even rode a sheep at the rodeo. Besides no cooking or cleaning for three solid days there is absolutely nothing to complain about there!

Trying to get ready.

Four it really didn't seem like that many until now. I am getting anxious and nervous. I am ready for this scene all over again. I can't wait to see how Seth reacts to his new sister. He is obsessed with my oversized belly wants to pull my shirt up and says baby baby baby. My mom has declared that he is going to be an OBGYN. He jumped in the baby moses basket in the crib a couple of times already and has said I a baby I a baby. I can't wait to see how he loves his little sister. Funny that with Isaac and Bree I was worried about how they would react to the baby. I am not worried about Seth and so maybe I should be... we shall soon see

JUNE is gone what wait really?

Life so chaotic right now. This moving thing has been so all encompassing that I not only missed some important Birthdays but I also forgot about my anniversary. YIKES. If it wasn't for my mom calling and wishing me Happy Anniversary Rob and I would have probably both completely spaced it. I still feel the need to make it up to him. My mom asked me the other day if I felt so lucky she says I didn't even know what I was getting. I guess that is really true to an extent. She thinks no one ever really knows what they are getting. I did get the best. I really could not ask for a better man. He is a loving husband and father and he is kind and patient with everyone in his life. He is hardworking and always attentive. I am so greatful to have had him through the thick and thin of the last nine years and I am looking forward to the rest of forever by his side.


June is also birthday month to some of my favorite in laws KERI and MATT
Keri is so talented she is everything that I am not when it comes to crafts and creativity I would be completely jealous except that she blesses me with the most fabulous gifts and cards all the time that I really get to share in her talent to an extent. My kids can not get enough of their cousins and would spend everyday with them if it was possible.
Matt is a great husband for Tiffany I think that she has a great life and he makes that possible. Matt went out of his way when we got our new house to fix the landscaping He spent several weeks gardening and planting and creating an easy to maintain beautiful yard for me I will forever be greatful for those many Saturdays he sacrificed in my behalf.

CHERRY

I really couldn't have been blessed with better sisters I guess that is why I am feeling cheated that I didn't even get to wish Cherry a happy birthday on her birthday yesterday. I tried to call but she had already gone up to girls camp. I finally got to talk to her and she said don't worry it is still June. We finally got to celebrate Sunday for a delicious dinner. Then we hiked from her house to the beach it is really such a short walk it was very fun. Her house is so nice. It was so great to get out of the hurricane we have created trying to move into my parents and spend time up there. Cherry is someone that I have looked up to my entire life. I know that her heart is always in the right place. She is so talented at absolutely everything and she is very generous with me. I love spending time with her and that is probably the most difficult part of working outside of the home for me is that I don't get as much time as I like to play with my sisters. We did get to go to the movies the other night and it was fun to sit next to her. We saw My Sister' Keeper and shed many tears. She says we are not pretty criers and that is an understatement for sure. My nose runs big amounts and we cry loud and full heartedly infact I guess when Dave and Cherry were first married they watched something that made her cry and he was really concerned about her.

Pregnancy woo ohhhhhhhs

I am not sure I can handle two more monthes of my butt cheeks touching... I think it is just wrong.. I hate to whine I know it is all worth it in the end but seriously can I just put my order in for one of those freek of nature cute little pregnant bodies where they are just all baby and none of the rest of them explodes for the next life... or do you really have to carry children in the next life??? maybe that is HELL...

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/57361/California-young-mother-uses-love.htmllove.html They did an article on Cherry in the church news click on it to see I am so lucky to have her as an older sister. I got to watch her and Tiffany run the LA marathon yesterday morning. It was fun to be there. I got the first text that they were right on target for a 4 hour marathon. I thought how nice that they will be together. Then we waited at mile thirteen and we saw Keri and Jared and then Cherry we thought we must have missed Tiffany and almost went on to the next stop but I got the second text and Tiffany's time had fallen behind Cherry's so we stayed and it was a good thing. Tiffany did not know what was wrong but she did know she was in pain and she was sprouting water like a faucett She was drenched from head to toe. She did not look good. So I think worrying about her helped ease my disappointment that I couldn't be there running with them. Tiffany ended up in the ER and was treated for a 3mm kidney stone. YIKES I know it was a disappointment timing wise to have to suffer physical pain instead of endure miles she had trained for but dang she ran 10 more miles through the pain because she knew we would be there. I am so glad we were there. I can't imagine if we had decided it would be too crowded and didn't show up

Fears

Sometimes, I have to laugh at my little Brianna she is so funny and sometimes a little too much like me. I remember as a child laying in my bed an imagining the shadows on the wall were different things. Sometimes I feared them. The other night Brianna came in to lay down with me then she all of a sudden started crying. I said what is wrong and she pointed to the shadow I said oh that is the shadow of my arm see and I made a fun shadow shape with my hand. Then she had to come close and do the same. We made shadow shapes for a few minutes. She has decided she does not want freckles and she wants brown or black hair. She asks if she can change her hair color almost daily. I have to laugh cause I had two blonde sisters and always wanted blonde hair. I was a lot older than 5 though. I never liked my freckles and remember crying one day because we got a new video camera and my brother did one of those too close shots...

Decisions Decisions

Do you ever feel like there are just too many choices. I do. Like when Seth has to go to the bathroom at Isaac's basketball game... public restrooms are repulsive and even more so when you are potty training. So I chose to take him to the restroom (mistake number one) and mostly only because Brianna had to go too. As soon as we enter the stall he says look mom someone peed on the seat and of course being the two year old that he is puts his finger right in it....urgggg Then I wash his hands reminding my self that next time I think I will take a wipe to the toilet before he notices anything tangible... Then when he finishes up and washes his hands yes second time now, he runs out of the bathroom and right onto the court in the middle of the basketball game right toward the ball.... oh my...do I run onto the court after him then it is even more of a disruption prego lady snatching up toddler in the middle of the game.. I let it go, hoping for some other option.. There to the rescue on the other side was my sister who ran after him and snatched him quickly off the court. Who knew all that training would pay off for me. I do like it when I chose to not make a choice and it turns out okay for me cause really there are just too many decisions to make on a regular basis.

Equals

Beach ball blast + Isaac Bree and Seth = happy children = happy mommy!

American Mothers Convention + Cherry + Tiffany + Mom + me prego+ woman who think Cherry and Tiffany look just alike = me feeling like the red headed stepchild

Easter 2009

 

Isaac

 

Seth

 

Brianna

 

sometimes my kids make me laugh

quotes of the week
Seth My favorite is Dad and Lucky Charms... not you lovely that Rob ranks up there with lucky charms but I don't
Brianna I think that I know why God made plants and flowers... me why is that Brianna? ... so the world would smell nice
Isaac you know I once watched that movie about Dwarfs (little people big world)with Jake's mom (his Aunt Candi) and they are like little people did you notice that you have a friend that is one cause I noticed that.
there is one time when it is okay for a Mom to weigh more than a Dad that is when she has a baby in her belly. (lovely commentary on how fat I get when I am prego)

My little princess

 

MARCH 23

She has never had it easy. Her life started out hard and continues to be and yet she has no idea how grateful I am to call her mother. All of my life I have been blessed to be surrounded by extremely beautiful and talented women. I am not sure why this is but of all the women I know I respect and admire her the most and always have. Even as a teenager when most girls couldn't stand their mothers I knew that mine was extraordinary. Perhaps it has been the trials that have refined her to who she is. Just when I think her life should get easier something overwhelmingly trying comes along. Perhaps she is just too capable. I have never known her to give up. I look at my life at times and wonder if I think that I can do so much because I watched her do it. Reality is I have never faced the kind of difficult trials that she has and probably never will, because she has sheltered me from them. Her sacrifice has always blessed my life from the very beginning. She would drive miles to come back to the hospital to nurse me. I am so blessed in my life to be raised by sister to and friend to so many supreme examples of woman who are strong. I hope with all of my heart that my daughter will grow up to be this kind of woman. Perhaps that is one of the reasons I chose to have her on my mothers birthday! Happy Birthday Mom and Brianna.Brianna, I hope you always know how much you add to my life and how glad I am that you were born in our family that stems from some very remarkable women. It seems like your Dad gave you a name and a blessing just the other day and yet here we are today you are 5.

March 16th Birthdays

Happy Birthday Grandpa Knight and Chloe. Grandpa Knight One of the things that sealed the deal for me when I was dating Robert was hearing his Dad pray and feeling the spirit. I thought that it was important to marry someone who had parents that were rooted in the gospel so my kids would have spiritual strength coming from both sides. Jim is a good example of someone who tries hard to study the doctrines of the gospel. I am greatful for his example. He struggles with his health but is never too tired or in too much pain to enjoy our children and I am really glad that they have such a loving Grandfather and I know if they ever need spiritual advice he will advice them well.
Chloe
What can I say about my Chloe she is so smart and fun and energetic everything a four year old should be. She is sensitive and full of excitment I am pretty sure that someday I will look up to her as Brianna does now and not just because of her height!

Brenna Elizabeth Knight

Brenna had a birthday and she is now 5 she was a delightful hostess and the cutest fairy ever. Brianna and her may just take over the world someday. They are both so sassy and cute. They are only three weeks apart so Brianna has started planning her 5 th Birthday party I don't have the energy so I may just let her plan it. The closer it gets the better the idea seems to me.

So it is true I am not just getting fat cause I eat too much!

You may not want to read this post if you are opposed to whinning cause I need an outlet and guess what at the moment this is it. I can't wait to be out of this nauseous stage I feel like I am going to puke unless I am stuffing my face and the problem is it is not usually snap peas and carrots that I am craving. I wish that I was one of those cute pregnant people but that is just not how it is for me I just turn into a rolly polly big butt big boobed is she fat or is she pregnant looking woman. Really my first pregnancy I was eight monthes along gained 72 lbs and people were coming up to me an saying oh I didn't know you were pregnant so most people just think that I am getting fatter and fatter and fatter still and I guess I am just that the reason is because I am pregnant. I did feel a need to try and have another if We were going to and so we tried and my first Dr. appointment he informed me that I am advanced maternal age... yikes I am glad that I didn't wait any longer really I am advanced maternal age? CRAZY!

Four Shots!

Sometimes I wonder how Heavenly Father could possibly trust me with my kids when they are so very different. Can I really be a good mother to all of them when they are so very opposite? Or maybe Rob will make up the difference. It does boggle my mind sometimes. I took Brianna to get her last set of immunizations before kindergarten. As we were waiting in the waiting room she was flipping through a magazine and stopped at a picture of a fashion model and said mom is she cuter than you. I said yes she is but she is probably not nicer and I think that is more important. Then she said I told you there are people hotter than you. Man is she really 20 in that little pint size barely two percentile frame? Brenna has earings and so Brianna thinks she should have her ears pierced. I never really had a set time when I would have it done for her except I just wanted it to be when I knew that she wanted it. So I told her if she was brave enough for her shots she could get her ears pierced, it is a similar pain. So she was excited to go get her shots. Well until we were actually there in the Doctor's office and it was about to happen. She started crying even before the Doctor came into the room. He said what is wrong with her. I told him she knows she is getting shots. He said okay I will have my nurse give you the "little ones" that helped a little until the first needle pierced her skin and then her shriek could be heard three counties away in either direction. The nurse said it is okay you can scream. She did. I barely made it through the shots. Isaac just sat there when he got his a few years ago and didn't even make a peep. I really wasn't expecting that from Brianna but I didn't realize how dramatic she would be either. I asked if she still wanted her ears pierced and she said "Not today" so I guess I will wait until she asks again.

Leah's Birthday

Leah is 8 and was baptized on her birthday. It was a nice baptism despite the fact that Tiffany asked me to speak. I guess I should look at it as a blessing cause it really was nice to be an important part of her special day. She had Rob baptize her and my Dad confirm her and the spirit was there. Leah is so sensitive to the spirit and she walked up and stood right next to me as I spoke which was a huge comfort to me. Leah is such a sensitive and motherly child. She likes to help out and is so capable, of course she is she is Tiffany's daughter. I love Leah and am very proud of how excited and ready she was to be baptized.
After the baptism we were waiting for Rob out in the car and waiting and waiting finally in effort to distract the kids I asked them what they thought he was doing. Brianna said maybe he had to take a call from the President of the United States. Isaac says yeah right Brianna. Then Brianna says well maybe he wanted to talk to a girl that is hotter than you! Can you believe that my 4 year old came up with that. What??? So Rob finally gets out to the car and I tell him what she thinks he is up to and he said You didn't tell her there is no girl hotter than you. He so redeemed himself I was no longer bothered by the long long wait.