Have I Finally Grown Up?

I have known for awhile now that I needed to change some things about myself. I really realized it after we moved here and I have had ALOT of alone time. So I have really worked on reading my scriptures, studying and praying and doing everything I can as a member of the YW Presidency here in MD. I can tell a world of difference. I don't get upset as much over petty things. I can step back and get an over all view instead of charging ahead full blast. I have met some amazing people here in MD. Even my favorite instructor at the YMC has taught me some stuff about myself. My friend Cynthia has also taught me that as an adult we need to stop getting snubbed by everyone else. As she said, we are not in high school anymore. I know you are all wondering where in the world this is going....

Just today on Facebook there was a comment made to one of my friends to the other. I won't go into details because it really isn't important what was said. But in the end both sides got feelings hurt and of course on Facebook you have everyone else making nasty comments to one another as well. Before you know it basically the whole ward and people who I don't even know had something to say to either one or the other. I was shocked at how horrible this got out of control. I tried to just post a non related comment that had nothing to do with the argument. But then I get an email on Facebook from one of the parties basically saying "thanks for sticking up for me friend" (enter sarcasm here). I have to admit maybe a month ago I would have looked at this and been really offended. I thought I was really good friends with this person. Just because I didn't lower myself to say nasty things to people I also got some harsh comment directed my way. But I honestly don't feel offended. (I know mom, don't fall out of your chair.) I was hurt yes, but more than that I was sad. Sad that the women of my old ward were displaying such hurtful behavior for all the world to see. How are we supposed to lift each other up with such hurtful behavior. I think part of growing up is learning to not be offended and just try to make peace. I don't know if both of these people will read this or not, but I truly hope this gets solved. We need each other right now. With so much going on, with so many people with trials who need support we should be banding together and not hurting each other. You can bet that Satan is having a ball with this whole thing. Stirring up contention....after all "contention is of the devil."

I was sad when we were going to move at first, but I can say that the Lord knew that I needed this to get myself going. I know a lot is expected of me and I needed to grow. What better way then to make you start over and look at things differently. I can honestly tell you that the Gospel is so wonderful and amazing and I am so grateful everyday that I have it in my life.

Kick in the Seat....Get Going

So last Friday we went to a training meeting in Frederick for the women's auxiliaries for our ward. I did not realize that so many people from all over this area were driving to this one particular meeting. I was so glad that I went. Sister Dalton, the president of the General Young Women's from Salt Lake came and trained the YW presidencies from the surrounding wards. It was an amazing experience. I have to say I was so enthralled with what she was saying I didn't realize that almost two hours had passed. I haven't been in YW here for very long, but it certainly made me want to try harder at getting to know the girls and go the extra mile. It was a great experience for me and she made such a great impression on me personally. I remember that she was up on the stand waiting to talk to us and we by some miracle got up in the front of the room. She looked right at me and then she gave me this genuine smile. It was a little thing, but it made such a big impression on me.

I don't know if this experience fueled my enthusiasm, but I have been wanting to do a half marathon for awhile now. I guess I have been putting it off because I realize once I do this then I have only the marathon to consider. I get a little spooked out. I also didn't realize that here in MD there are crazy runners everywhere. They even have a 50 mile race in this area. You have 12 hours to finish. Now that is extreme. So I registered yesterday for a half marathon in May. This gives me ample time to get ready. Then if I am feeling extra ambitious I think I will go for the full marathon in Baltimore in October of next year. The only thing left after that is the good old triathlon that I really really want to do, but I have to afford a road bike first which are way out of our price range right now. I figure I need to do this now before I get too old to do it, or too caught up in what is going on here. I start actual training in December so I will keep everyone updated. If you don't really care to read about my trainings, then I won't be offended if you skip those certain posts.

And on an ending note, Corey is being called to talk with the bishopric today to get a calling extended. It is about time I say. We are anxious to know what it is. I will have to let you know as soon as I find out.

Forces Were Against Me

I am not a superstitious person....not by a long shot. But today I actually felt like I was getting some bad Karma dumped upon me at church. I should have known it would be rough with the boys already have UFC smack down in the back seat on the way to church. Corey was gone, went to get our new car from my folks in OK. So I went to church alone. I threatened the boys to lose the TV in their room so I thought my worries were over. Little did I know the real culprit would be my innocent 8 month old. Hailey has had a cold the past couple of days and a little moody, but nothing a little holding couldn't take care of. Church started and the kids also started out great.

They colored after Sacrament and beside the usual loud whisper across the pew I was going to make it. Well I fed Hailey her bottle and then she got super sleepy. Well she decided she didn't want to go to sleep in my arms and instead wanted to pull my necklace off my neck. I would take it out of her mouth as she was choking me and each time she would scream in terror. Then out of no where she goes ballistic. I think this was her official first throw down fit. She was throwing her body back and screaming at the top of her lungs. Right when the speaker was trying to get his point across. Then of course Lexie is sitting on the floor screaming and crying as well about her finger. I am sure my pew looked like it was going to explode and I was throwing some sort of party in there. I tried to sooth Hailey with her pacifier and even tried standing her up but nothing was working. With Corey not there, I can't just leave three small children unattended in the pew while I walk out for who knows how long. So I just looked at the kids and told them to get up and lets go. I was so embarrassed about two of my kids screaming their heads off that I Beelined for the back doors. Logan was such a great son and picked up all the crayons and the paper and followed me a little behind.

I put all the kids in the car and went home. I know I should have stuck it out, but I was so frustrated and upset and I needed to cry in private. I did not want a bunch of strangers seeing me struggle with my four kids. I didn't want to be one of those mom's that can't handle what she did to herself. But after driving the 20 minutes home I was calmed down and back to myself. And Hailey was asleep. The kids looked scared and asked if they were in big trouble. I guess I looked pretty manic getting out of there. But I told them they were not in trouble. But I did have a little chat with Lexie about screaming and throwing a fit during church all over a small paper cut. If only the little chat would have worked on Hailey. Then I think I would have been set.

Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet

I am sorry that I am behind on blogging....I just seem to have one day blend into the next. Before I know it I am down another week. I still can't believe that it is November. Where has the year gone? I do love the fall. All the holidays and the cooler weather. My kids loved Halloween this year. Since Corey of course worked late as usual I went with some couples from the ward. I didn't take any pictures while trick or treating just because as a single mom of four trying to keep the kids from getting ran over, I didn't really have time to think about pictures. But I did get them before we left. The kids had no choice this year on costumes. I bought what I could find super cheap on Ebay. So this is what we got.


Lexie wanted to be a butterfly and so I got this cheap wings and headband set. She already had the dance outfit for her dance class on Thursdays so all I needed was the cute tights and we were set. I love her little butt out pose here.

Logan got spider man...of course I bought the size 8 at the time and it ended up being too small. It wouldn't do up in the back and of course we got high waters. I swear that boy grows every month. I can't keep up with him. At age 7 he is in size 10 clothes. Sometimes I get sad to look at him and see him so grown up. I wish I could slow him down a little bit.

Oh and Gabe, I don't think being Robin would suite him, he would most likely be the one in charge. But batman was not on sale, so he got to be the sidekick. He owned that costume though. He was hyper before consuming candy, you can imagine what he was by the end of the night.

My sweet precious baby...oh what a blessing she has been. She is so happy all the time. She laughs at everyone and she just will smile all day. The Kid Watch at the YMCA just adore her. She has been such a great baby. I tried to get those super cute costumes on Ebay for her, but I got outbid every time. I got so frustrated I just got one at Walmart. It still looked super cute on her. Those cheeks are just too cute. I still like to pinch them like kids hate from old relatives. They are just so chubby.

It was a good Halloween....if only Corey was able to go with us, but I know this is a step he needs to further himself in his career. His Master's is almost done and then he will get his own Warehouse within the next couple of years hopefully. But I am grateful for our blessings and everything that we enjoy.

Chop It Off

Every now and then I get the urge to do something drastic....well that happened last night. I just couldn't take it anymore. So I just went down to the hair salon and got my hair chopped off. I really like it. Plus I am much better at handling short hair than long hair. Corey was not too thrilled. He has this eternal image of me with long flowing locks that blow in the wind.

Corey had to get in a shot looking his sexiest for our photo shoot.

And here she is.......

http://www.radley.net/Photography then click on the Kory Esquibel button.

Here is the link for our family photos in the process. He has done a few and more will be posted later. The password is KoryJane and it is case sensitive so make sure you use a capital K and J.

Pumpkin Patch

Could I possibly say how much I love fall enough? What is not to like about it. The changing colors of the leaves, all the wonderful holidays, and the brisk air that just seems to smell that much better. I am kinda bummed to not be around my family this year. We had some really great traditions going on, but I know I can keep up with them and we can still have a great time in our own little family. We went with the ladies from my church to Reynolds Farm Pumpkin Patch. It was great!! For four bucks a person we got to ride out into the pumpkin patch and pick whatever pumpkin we wanted. Lexie went right for the green one, but I went with the traditional orange.




Ever since we have been here, poor Lexie has felt picked on because she couldn't go to school and the boys seem to do all these fun and exciting things at school. Well today was her day, and did we make a day of it. Her sense of fashion is somewhat crazy, but I chalk it up to iCarly...thanks Nick.

After we got back, they had this really cool playground there. Lots of stuff for the kids to do. Of course there were kids by the bus load there from the schools, so it was jammed packed, but we still had tons of fun. Lexie loved this slide. How creative can you get? Made it to look like a Caterpillar. She stood in line the most for this one.



The farm was located on a pretty big hill surrounded by trees which were changing colors. I just sat there and was in a trance with how beautiful it was. There was just a bunch of farms, and the houses were really old. It made me feel like I had traveled back in time. This picture really doesn't do it justice. I really need a nice camera. Oh but never mind we had to spend that 600 bucks on registering the car.

It really was so much fun, I am excited that we have lots of things going on for the next couple of weeks. It keeps me busy and it also gives me great opportunities with the camera.

Life really is good.

When Hailey Smiles

I can't believe 8 months have already come and gone. I remember really vividly how Hailey was born, the excitement and of course I was eager to hold that soft cuddly newborn. That was the worst epidural I had ever had, and it was a good thing she was my last. Since I swore I would never have one again because of it. Now she is moving and grooving and causing disaster wherever she crawls. I have to say I love this part about kids. They are too young to argue and they just look so dang cute when they want you to hold them and love them all the time. Corey and I are both big softies lately. Nothing Hailey does is wrong. I think we have both gotten really lax as we have gotten more kids.

I love Hailey's sweet personality. Always quick to smile, it doesn't take much to get her going. And the best part, is anyone can get her to. Strangers in the store love her because she just smiles and coos with anyone willing to give her attention. She will follow me everywhere, and I have to admit her excitement at seeing me just makes my heart melt. It almost seems like she just can't wait for me to hold her again. There is also the fact that the three older kids adore her and want to help her with everything. She has been wonderful and I can't think of a better baby to end our child bearing days.

Getting into her sister's toys....that mess is all her.

Helping mom with the dishes, at least she tries to help.