Kristian and Kinderstartin

I really can't believe how quickly your children grow! It seems like yesterday I was in the hospital delivering Kristian.. 7lbs,6oz, 21 inches...thick dark black hair, "my little monkey"! He was such a tiny, sweet little boy!!

...Then he grew up! How does that happen so fast?!? There are days when you wonder what you ever got yourself into as you ponder the option of selling your child on EBAY! And then there are days that they amaze you by how sweet and tender-hearted they can be. Full of such wonder, amazement, and love for life!! Each day truly brings its own set of unique memories and learning moments. Its the moment when you send your kid off to his first day of school that you realize how quickly time flies and just how precious each and every hectic or sweet day is with your children!

Here is Kristian's first day of preschool...or Kinderstartin!!

Kristian and Mommy... I'm so proud of my sweet little boy!!
He may look upset here, but he wasn't...he was giving a "Thumbs up scowl" for the lack of not really knowing what to call it.
Kristian picked out his backpack by himself..he chose "Tony Robot!"
Love these pictures of the kids... Addison is helping to walk Kristian to his first day! They were both excited and both looked so cute!!
Oh...he looks so big here as he confidently walks up to head to his first day of school!!!
His teacher's name is Miss Ari!! She is a petite little thing and looks like she's about 12 years old!! She is so sweet and so fun with the kids!! She has a blog that she posts pictures on of the kids doing their school work.. I'll add it to the blog soon so that you can link over and see Kristian doing activities in school.
There are a total of 6 kids in his age group of preschool.. 2 boys, 4 girls... Miss Ari said he was really quiet and shy his first day, but we'll see how things go once he warms up to everything!


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"THE GUN SHOW"
We've been meaning to catch this on video and I happened to get it this morning as we were taking pictures before school... This is Kristian doing his "GUN SHOW"... he talks in such a low voice, its too cute and too funny not to share!!

Newest Family Member

Ok..I know many of my family members aren't "puppy people" but for those of you who are and who will love us and our new puppy anyway... WE GOT A NEW PUPPY!!!

He is a Coton De Tuleur, he is hypoallergenic, non-shedding puppy. Cotons typically range from 9 to 13 inches in height and weight between 8 and 20 pounds. So he's just a little fluff ball!

We went through quite a few names and I was really having a hard time deciding what to name our new little guy... got some good suggestions from family: Xavier, Thor, Leonidias, Rocky, Napoleon, Toby, Magnus, Capone, Maximus, Dante, etc.. etc.. We really liked Charlie (which I'm still partial too), Koda, Bear, Rocky, Taz, Blaze, and Maverik....

So, we let Kristian decide...

Introducing our newest guard dog (hey, someone has to help guard the house when Jon isn't home!!) : Our new little puppy is BEAR! Still deciding whether to make it "Koda Bear" or "Charlie Bear" (since I like both Koda and Charlie so much)...but, if you ask Kristian he'll tell you his puppy's name is BEAR!!! Grrrr!!!

We have talked about getting a dog for a while, and the only way I'd agree is if we got a small dog...and since this one is non-shedding thats all the better!! He really is a sweetie and tolerates the kids well. We are still adjusting and learning how to leave the puppy alone, not carry him all over the house, etc... Bear loves his mommy and follows me around the house...he comes and cuddles in with me when he needs an escape from the kids! And, on a plus side... he is doing very well at the potty training thing...so far not a single accident in the house!! Lets just hope it stays that way!!

A Special Thanks

I really would like to express my gratitude and appreciate for the amazing family that I have, especially to my sister Jodi. Jodi.. thank you so much for taking my kids for me while I attended my Scentsy Convention. It is something that is very important to me and you are always so willing to help! I love you so much and I just want you to know how much you are loved and appreciated! Kristian keeps asking when we can go back to Aunt Jodi's house!

The kids had a blast!! Kristian got a hair cut, they went to the Dinosaur Park, and went and say the airplanes and helicopters at Hill Air Force Base, and went to the park and went shopping!!! They had a wonderful time! Jodi will be sending me pics, so I can post them soon and share with you the fun they had, but hey--maybe she'll post them on her own blog and you can check it out then.

THANKS JODI FOR BEING SUCH A WONDERFUL, LOVING, FUN, SUPPORTIVE, AND SIMPLY FABULOUS AUNTIE, SISTER, AND FRIEND!! WE LOVE YOU!!

Shine in '09! Scentsy Convention!!!

This year was the celebration of Scentsy's 5 year anniversary! I have been selling Scentsy since January 2008! I love being a part of this wonderful company! Scentsy convention was held at the Salt Palace here in Salt Lake City this year... there were over 2,500 consultants (out of the nearly 40,000 consultants Scentsy has).. and it was wild and crazy!
(Tamara, baby Ryker, and Amanda... "Scentsy Spirit!"... our candy necklaces are because we are part of the "Sweet Scentsations Team"!)


Scentsy is now branching outside the country. Scentsy CANADA!!! This is such an exciting new thing!!
Scentsy has a lot of fun and exciting new products as well! They have a new selection of warmers, amazing new scents, cute new plug-in designs, and new and cuter than I could ever fully express, mid-size warmers!! Larger than the plug-ins, but smaller than the standard warmer! I LOVE THEM!! ... and I know you will too! The also have more "Bundle and Save" packages including ones with plug-ins! Perfect for gifts!! (wink! wink!) Oh... and they also have DIY.. or Do It Yourself Wamers that you decorate yourself! SO ADORABLE!! I'll post pictures soon!!

I love being a part of Scentsy for so many wonderful reasons! Scentsy feels like a big family, Orville and Heidi are such wonderful people! They live by the theory "Give More Than You Receive!" They gave each of their office staff money to spend at various small businesses in Merdidian, Idaho (where the company is based)..so basically in one day $1000 was spent in various stores maximized at a $100,000 give back to the community donation! It was such a fun and exciting way for Scentsy to reward their office staff, yet give back to their community!
These are 4 of the members from my team: Holli, Valerie, Glynis, and Jen
Glynis, Jen, Amanda, Valerie, Holli-- I was so glad that these few members of my team decided to attend convention. You always come away feeling excited and motivated to move forward and grow your Scentsy business! (not to mention the mounds of free stuff you get just for attending)
Tamara Whitehead and Amanda Middleton...Awards Banquet!

CHALLENGE YOU ALL: Because Scentsy is such a giving company, they are encouraging all of us to give back to our community as well. Please visit: www.scentsycontribute.org and read about how you can pledge to "Give More Than You Receive" ... I'd love to hear how many of you take the pledge, so please leave a comment here if you joined me and Scentsy and pledge to "Give More Than You Receive!!" "www.scentsycontribute.org"
My loving and supportive husband attended the awards banquet with me. They gave away several trips and about 4 cars to winning consultants!! Such exciting incentives!! They announced the new company incentive trip (Hawaii) as well as some others... and they announced: Next Year's Scentsy Convention will be in Denver, Colorado!!

I am very close to making the level of Director! If I can reach this goal by December 2009 then I can take my husband on a cruise to Mexico! If I work excpetionally hard this year then I have a change to win a trip to Hawaii next year as well!! Please help me reach this goal! All you have to do is host a part (even you who are out of state), win free stuff, and have fun! Its simple and easy, and Scentsational!

5 Year Anniversary Party: Carnival

As Scentsy is celebrating their 5 year anniversary, they wanted everyone to celebrate with them. This was such a fun and incredible event!! It was a huge carnival! Free food, free entertainment, games, music, dancing, candy, fun... The kids had a blast! I couldn't have done it alone so I was grateful Aunt Jodi came with me! Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Tall helped too! Kristian played a lot of games and won lots of prizes...






Little Addison was that "Dancing Queen".. We couldn't get her off the dance floor! She was so cute!! Here she is with one of the dancers!
Kristian however, just stood there.. a dancer girl came up and tried dancing with him and he just gave his classic blank Kristian stare! He did have fun, but dancing is definitely not his thing!
Thank you Scentsy for letting us help you celebrate your 5 year Anniversary! What an exciting company to be a part of! I feel blessed and lucky to be a part of what is being called the fasted growing party-plan company in history!!! Wow!!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

For a family night of fun we were able to get some discount "Bee's" tickets to tonight's game through Dave's work (thank you Dave). We had a wonderful time. The Bee's lost 8-4, but it was so much fun! Kristian was so excited and cheered and didn't want to leave until the game was done. Its fun to break away from the daily routines of life and doing something fun together as a family!!

Happy Anniversary! 6 YEARS!

OK, so I know I'm a little late posting this... I told Jon it was his job to remind me, and now a few days have passed.
YEP!! We've been married 6 years! Its amazing how time flies when you're having fun. I just want my husband to know how much I truly do love and appreciate him. I know that the past 6 years have brought a lot of joy, and laughter, and fun, but it has also had its fair share of heartache, trials, and pain. But the love we have for each other is strong and it bonds us together and gets us through all the ups and downs of life. Sometimes marriage isn't easy, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I truly believe I am married to my best friend, my soul mate, my companion for life and all eternity. I am truly the luckiest woman in the world and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Thank you Jon, for an amazing 6 years!! I love you the world over!!

Bear Lake Fun

We decided to spend a week at Kami's cabin at Bear Lake... the cutest thing, as we walked in when we first got there Kristian said, "I can't believe I remember this place!" It was so cute!! Our last trip to the cabin was a year ago.

We had so much fun! I didn't take as many pictures as I usually do...so even with that I couldn't decide what pictures to share so I added the slideshow. We had a great time! We were sad to send Dad home early in the week... he had to work and to take his National Paramedic Tests (which he passed by the way-Yahoo!)
Fun water time with Daddy! Loved this picture!!
Mom and her two beautiful kids!! Love every minute I get to spend with them (especially the challenging moments)...

New Paramedic!!

Congratulations to Jonathan Mark Middleton!! You've officially completed your Paramedic program!!! We are so proud of you and we are so excited at the great accomplishment in your career! Way to go!!

In the beginning it seemed like it would be a long 7 months and we weren't sure how we'd survive being a single mom, fatherless children, and a "gone so much I'm starting to forget what my wife and kids look like" dad...
But as we got through a week at a time, then a month at a time, we soon got into the groove of things and we adjusted just fine as we watched the months roll by. 7 months of long hours, classes, clincal hours, hospital rotations (Emergency Room, Operating Room, Labor and Delivery, etc).... many long hours put in.
Now, looking back it didn't seem that bad... maybe that's because its all over and done with and we no longer have to worry about it. Who knows... either way... WE'RE DONE!!!

Jon we are so proud of all the hard work, commitment, and sacrifices that brought you to this great accomplishment. We love you so much!! We are so happy for you!