Meet My Mr. Wonderful!!

This is my always mature soon to be 38yr old husband and father of 3!

He is what you would call a giant kid. What we love about Dad is his endless amount of silly faces.

Kelsey is alot like her father and can keep up pretty good with him but she will learn much from the master.

I'm not even sure there was a reason for this face someone just pointed the camera at him and this is what he did. Mr. Serious!
Not sure if you can tell what it is he is holding but it actually a nose hair trimmer. Every man will need one a some point in their lives and I dedciced this Christmas Patrick needed one. This is what he thought about it.
I can't help but laugh when I look at that picture. It cracks me up!

I think this was his version of what Kelsey looked like when she first opened her gift. It's pretty darn close.

I love to load him up with chocolate at the holidays and he LOVES his dairy milk. That is an actual chocolate bar he is holding it was MASSIVE! So was his expression.

If there's one thing I can say about this house is there is always laughter comming from the walls and Daddy is usually the one trying to bring it about.

We love you baby!!

Preschool Christmas Concert!

This year's preschool concert was just as wonderful as last years. They sang, they rang there jingle bells and they showed us yet again how fun it is to be 4 years old.

Kelsey as usual was dressed as festivly as possible and was (in my mind) the star of the show. Well at least everyone knew she was there. She sang the loudest (when she wanted to sing) she stood out in the crowd (when she stood up when everyone else was sitting) and she made us laugh with her charm and cuteness!
She is truly a Diva in the making! I wonder where she gets that from?

She has the most amazing personality wrapped up in such a tiny little body. She knows she's charming too that's part of her problem somedays. I can't wait to see what the years ahead hold for her and see the amazing women she will one day become.

Let's just say the june dance recital will be interesting!

Family Home Evening!

Last year we decided as a family that we would put a better effort into having regular Family Home Evenings and it's become a bit of an obsession with us. Nothing gets in the way of FHE now. It's been a year and a half and we've never missed a week. We love how it gives us time together to talk about the gospel and helps us as parents to give our kids a better understanding of why we live the way we do. We are unusal people in the eyes of the world but we love how we stand out in a world that can be often hard and difficult to live in.

Somthing we started this year was reading the Book Of Mormon reader to the kids. Kelsey is still a little young to understand the scriptures but she is not to young to hear the stories from the BOM. They enjoy listening to their Dad tell them the stories and add his knowledge to an already exciting tale. I love to listen too and learn from what Patrick knows that I don't yet. I decided to really take the time to STUDY the scriptures this year so I can add more to our story time in the future.

We may not be perfect parents yet but at least we do have our perfect FHE record thus far. I look forward to feeling the spirit each week and know that if we continue to be faithful our family will be blessed beyond measure for our diligence.

Not So Little Anymore!

I know the last time I posted pictures of Brinley she was only a coule of months old where here she is now!

As you can see she is on the move so she must have been about 6 months old. (nice mom can't even remember how old the picture is) She has been trying to be mobile since she was born and so it was a great day for her to finally be able to motor around. It's helped that she has always liked to be on her tummy.
Can you see the twinkle of trouble in her eye's. She's like that ALL THE TIME! She gets into everything all day long and it keeps us on our toes. In fact as I type this she has destroyed my file box beside me and escaped up the stairs to see what's going on up there. Welcome to my life.
It's a good thing she's the cutest baby EVER or I might have to put her on Kajiji. lol

A 4 Month Follow-up

I was wondering when the last time I posted a blog post and was not suprised that is was back in September. Alot has happened since then and you probably didn't need to hear the thoughts going on in my head.

I was diagnosed in september with Clinical Depression brought on by post-pardum. Now I have had PPD before when I had Liam 8 yrs ago but it was mostly due to lack of sleep. I didn't sleep for the first 8 months of Liams life and it took a toll on me. No biggie though I took meds for a couple of months, taught Liam to sleep through the night and I was fine. This time is nothing like last time. I started to get really angry with the people around me and it didn't seem who or what they were doing mattered it just all made me MAD! My baby (Brinley) was the least of my problems. She was the only one who didn't make me upset but the other two mastered it in no time. I was a horrible mom and I didn't know what to do. Finally I had my meltdown one wednesday during the kid's dance classes. I was so upset for no reason and I had to fight the urge to run people down in the parking lots. I'm not exagerating either. I cam home sent the kids downstairs, put the baby in the bathtub and sat on the bathroom floor and cried until I could compose myself enough to call Tracy and melt down again. Tracy has walked in my shoes and knows me better then anyone so she wasn't surprised at all, I think she'd been waiting for the call for awhile and knew it was only a matter of time.

I called my OB right away the next morning and they directed me to a mental health unti here in the city. I told them I needed help ASAP and they sent over a distress team that day to talk to me and give me a few options. I then headed to my family DR and he prescribed some anti-depressants to try and help me get control. They made the anger go away but they also made me soooo tired. The whole house fell apart. I stop cleaning, cooking and taking care of myself completly. So I went back to the DR and he gave me something else to try. They worked MUCH better. I still had bad days but they were getting less and less. I was then sent to the Foothills Hospital to see a specialist at the post pardum clinc there. She upped up my meds and now I feel much better I still have my moments but they are very few. Now the only reason I am tired is because Brinley like to teeth and keep me awake at night.

It's nice to feel more like myself but I still struggle to be the happy person I once was. She pop's her head out once and awhile but it's along process to feel like I'm me again. I feel tremendous guilt for what I have inflicted my family with but I can't change the past. Kelsey really took the brunt of it because she was home with me everyday. She also knows how to push my buttons best. It's her gift. I feel like have so much to make up to her for what we went through. Patrick was supportive but really there's not much he could do. I have to say though when I let the house go he said NOTHING! Smart man I probably would have set fire to him or the house, but it wasnt' necessary. He's glad to have his wife back but she still needs work.

I have definalty questioned my abilitys as a mom but I tell myself that I am only humand and there's a reason why I'm going through this. I haven't figured it out yet but I'm working on it. I think the biggest thing that allows me to keep moving is having an amazing support group of women who understand what I'm feeling. I just with they lived closer. There were some peole who just stayed away. They didn't know what to say or do so they were always awkward with me. I'm not sure what I would tell someone now on how to cope with a person who is struggling with PPD but I would tell them to treat them like a normal person and allow them the time to find out where the problem may lie.

Rib Mania!!

Liam loves meat!!!! and now I have the pictures to prove it.

I'm not bragging but I do make really yummy ribs and Liam loves to dig into a plate of these. This paticular night he went to town on his dinner. The kids are usually light eaters but recently Liam has really discovered the joy of eating. He's a pretty skinny kid so he can use the extra protein.

As you can tell by his plate the meal was a hit and the ribs were his favorite part. (7 or 8 in total). He got so involved while eating that when he was handling th slippery bone it popped out of his hand and somehow he managed to wear it. Thank goodness he was shirtless. If your wondering what that circle on his chest is it's a tattoo that wouldn't wear off but we managed to finally get it off with some elbow grease.

Our Princesses in the Making!! This sweet dress was given to the girls when Kelsey was just a baby and now Brinley fit's it. (thank you aunty tina ). She is sooo adorable in it and Kelsey was excited to share it and get dressed up fancy for church as well.

They were both so beautiful this paticular sunday morning that I couldn't not take a few pictures. I know I have the same picture on twice but it really was the best smile EVER!

I don't have any sisters to bond with this way so I'm a little out of my element some days with these two but so far they adore one another and I just hope most days they stay that way.

Bumbo Baby!

As you can tell we get lots of use out of our Bumbo Baby seat. Brinley loves to be sitting up, she always has.

Yes that's right she is up on the kitchen counter her favorite spot to be. She can see everyone and be apart of whatever's going on this room. If she's awake and I'm doing anything in the kitchen she's always right there with me. She quite often has a sibling up on the counter with her too. Sometimes the island is better then she can be on the top and the others are on there stools.

She really is to cute for words. At least that's her mothers opinion and I would love to hear anyone question me.

A Culinary Masterpiece!!
Liam loves to help me in the kitchen! We try to have him cook a few times a month so he can feel like he's contributing to the family and he always does a great job. He makes homemade pizza, homemade Mac and Cheese w/ ham, and now he's making homemade turkey meatballs with mushroom gravy. They were awesome!

He loves to work with his hands whether it's cooking or creating art or building his Lego creations he always keeps his hands busy.

We always look forward to a meal from this master chef who will one day not need me to feed him anymore and that makes me really sad. Oh well at least when he's all grown up and living on his own I know he won't starve.

There's nothing like a little girl time! Kelsey is a true middle child and being one myself I know how hard it can be to find your place in the family. Middle children are unique. They tend to like to be the center of attention but can be quite shy when put on the spot. We are boisterous and excitable and if your a girl your VERY girly! As is Kelsey and hopefully Brinley too. Brinley and Kelsey both have matching earrings and most of the time matching toes.

I have been know to spend way to much time painting my own toes and nails and now I get to do it for my little princesses. Kelsey has had a bit of challenge adjusting to a new baby around the house, It's been just her and I for so long now during the day that sharing mommy can be hard so we try to have some time each day to focus some attention on just her and this was one of those times. I love having girls to pamper, I remember my mom and I doing it when I was young and I love those memories with her I just hope I can give the girls as many wonderful memories as my mom gave me.

Awesome Great-Grandma! The kids decided that great-grandma deserved a status far greater then just great-grandma. So she is now affectionately known as AWESOME great-grandma. I think this title is well deserved as she is the foundation of this family and loved by all who know her. The kids love there visits with her as do mom and dad. She is always so full of love and affection for her great-grand kids that who wouldn't want to spend time with her. We cherish every moment we can with her and I am so glad to be able to give her the one gift she never complains about getting. More Grand babies.

Mommy Brain!!!

I just noticed that I have now posted twice about the baby blessing so please excuse my mommy brain and just enjoy the photo's and my lack of observance.

A Blessed Event!
The first weekend in July we blessed our sweet baby girl Brinley Evelyn Hanson. It was a wonderful day full of wonderful friends and family. Since we have no family here in the city we never know who will show these type of events and this time we were overjoyed by the turnout.In attendance we had the Brown family, the Dosko family, Grandpa and Grandma Hanson, the Klaussen family, the Mckinnon family and the Knaus family. It was soooo wonderful to have the people we love so close to us on such a special day. Brinley's gown was the very same gown I wore 32 yrs ago when I was christened and she was an angel in it. My dear friend Becky Ackroyd took some wonderful shots of her after the event so we could remember our baby B in her fancy gown.

Unfortunately this was the only picture I took all day. We had everyone back to the house for a BBQ after and I was a little preoccupied. Our family has grown so much in so many different ways but I will always be glad for these spiritual occasions that remind us who we are and what's most important.

Now we have a baptism to plan for next so stay tuned for those pictures soon to come in a few months.

The Baby Blues!

For anyone out there who has ever had kids you know exactly what I'm about to talk about.

I have three beautiful kids who I adore to pieces but since the birth of my last baby (Brinely) I have had a few rough days. Mostly the last month has been a bit of a challenge. Is it the baby causing me this grief NO! She is a wonderful baby. She rarely fusses, eats great (no nursing this time), sleeps like a dream and makes me smile all the time. The other two are busy and make me crazy but I really don't think there the issue either. No this time I really understand what chemical imbalance is really all about.

I am moody and wheepy and cranky most days. I have no problen speaking my mind and get really pissy when people question what I'm feeling. I don't get mad very often but when I do get away from me and let me have my space. I've always been that way it's a family thing. So why this time, why now am I having this problem. I had post-pardum with my first baby but it was mostly sleep induced. I had no problems with my second and now with #3 I want to crawl into a hole. I don't feel like I need drugs or therapy I just need to work through it but some days I really just want the world to go away. For example today I was fine, lot's of work to keep me pre-occupied and then the evening was over but yesterday I was quite content to stay home and ignore everyone. What the heck!!!!

I know this will pass and I will be back to myself soon but I feel bad for my kids who get the brunt of it on the bad days. Thank goodness for school days. If you have any idea's I would love to hear them and perhaps as we women do, we can figure it out together. Thanks

Brinley's Baby Blessing!

We blessed Brinley the beginning of July and had the most wonderful turn out of family and friends. The Browns, the Dosco's, the Mckinnons, the Knaus's, the Klaussens, and of course Grandma and Grandpa Hanson were there also. It was so nice to have so many loved ones in attendance as we live so far away from our family. We didn't get many pictures on the actual day so I had my friend Becky come to the house to take photo's of Brinley in her gown.

The gown she wore was the very same one I wore when I was christened as a baby 32 years ago. It meant alot to me to have in my gown and makes up that much closer. She was perfect for the blessing and her dad did a great job blessing her.


She wasn't to thrilled to be having her picture taken this paticular day but she warmed up to it after awhile.

She has the funniest expressions this girl it makes me laugh every time.

Brinley dress was bigger and longer then her 4 year old sister's dress was. Kelsey really wanted to wear her sisters but I managed to talk her out of it.

Brinley I hope you know how much your family adores you and I can't wait to see you grow up to be the beautiful woman I know Heavenly Father sent to us. I love you!!

Welcoming our New Baby Girl!!!

I am proud to introduce the newest addition to the Hanson Clan!
Brinley Evelyn Hanson
Weighing in at 9lbs 9.5 oz
22.5 inches long
Born on May 20th 2:30 ish in the afternoon

This is her very proud big sister Kelsey who loves to shout her baby sister's name at the top of her lungs at least 100 times a day and would touch her all day long if she could!

Patrick is a very proud Dad once again. He once told me that if we win the lottery we would have a dozen kids. I think after watching this one arrive (not pretty) He will just savor the moments he has with Brinley. He was a great coach again and I wouldn't trade him for anything. We have a tradition with each baby born I get a HUGE greasy burger that night for dinner and this time was no different. He got me a meal from a joint called FATBURGER!. The name say's it all. I couldn't even finish it. It was sooo worth giving birth for!

Here she is moments after being born. I won't go into all the gory details just know she came fast and furious and with a vengence, just like her big sister did. She was beautiful from the moment she came screaming out and only gets more gorgeous each and every day.

I love this little girl soooo much and can't belive she's all mine to love and adore. I know I'm a little late with this post and will have more pictures soon, just bear with me. 3 is definalty an adjustment especially when I only took 2 weeks off work and now I'm back at it. Thanks goodness the other two are well trained.

In case anyone missed the last year of my life, I was busy making a baby. It was definatly an eventful pregnancy one I am in no hurry to repeat anytime soon. Being pregnant is not one of my favorite things to do but the reward in the end is really all worth it.

I experianced some challenges along the way, nothing to serious but I really had to slow down and if you know me at all that's not something I do very well. In the end I learned alot about my limits and also learned to say no. Yeah me thats come in handy even after having a baby. My dear friend Becky took these pictures of me near the end of my pregnancy and I have to say I looked the best this time around. I was very round and had some very cute hand me downs to wear. Maternity clothes have come a long way since my first go at this.

Do I miss this belly of mine... No, but I have to say in hind sight I was really cute and my baby is also. At least it's been documented.

Trying something new!!

So what do you think? I'm probably the most non-technical person on the planet but I got brave and tried a new website and now my blog has a new look. Tell me what you think so I can get a second, third and fourth opinion. I make no promises but I'm hoping that this will inspire me to keep up a little better on my blogging.

Wish me luck and enjoy the new picture!

A New Freedom!!

I'm not sure if anyone even checks this blog anymore but for those who do, I am attempting to return once more. I have been given a new freedom that is quite liberating to say the least. I now have my very own computer!!!!! YAH!!!!

My dear hubby has finally gotten his own computer to play his games and not have to be slowed down by any of my own stuff in his machine. We share the office still which I must say is nice as we are still together but doing very seperate activites. I can now enjoy the freedom of hoping on line when ever I darn well feel like it. I can watch him conqer the world while I catch up on facebook and read my friends blog posts. It's the only time I really feel connected with the world. So bear with me as I try to make my blog a priority again but with the ver soon arrival of baby number three I make no promises.

Wish me luck!

I STILL EXIST!!

Welcome to the official time of year where I cease to exist to most people around me. My family thinks I hate them, my friends think I'm ignoring them, and the rest of the world thinks I am a snob. Please be assured that none of the above is true it's just Christmas. This the time of year when I hole up in the basement and unless you come and see me for one beauty reason or another then I don't have time for you. I'm sorry if that's harsh but unfortunatly unless you pay me to spend an hour with you ($40.00 an hour) I am swamped. I love my job and it's not normally this demanding on me but hey tis the season to work around here. Not only am I doing hair all day, I also have Arbonne flying off the shelves so I am trying to appease those customers as well. On top of all this I am 16wks pregnant and just starting to get back on my feet. Heaven help me or at least swallow me whole.

I always think well you can't blog without pictures but if you wait for that we may all die a ripe old age so I am going to let the whole piture thing go and try to just let you know my thoughts. There not very profound but there mine and those who truly love me will still be interested somewhat.

So wish us luck this holiday season and I will try to keep you posted.