One Day at a Time

Kindergarten Registration

Ashlee is officially registered for Kindergarten. Apparantly I blinked and my baby was 5. Now if the state could just make decisions about Kindergarten funding for next year I would be a much happier mom. I REALLY want Ashlee in all day Kindergarten. And by REALLY, I mean, I'm going to pretend like the state isn't cutting it, and that Ashlee is just going to be really lucky and get one of the few spots that will probably be available at her school for all day Kindergarten for a fee. Paying for all day Kindergarten was not in the plans, but I am more than willing to do it if it means she goes all day. I really think Ashlee would be bored in 1/2 day. She's been going to preschool, and her babysitter works with her on school stuff everyday she's there. Also, with our work schedules, it's going to be hard enough to get her to and from all day. So, it just has to work out in my favor. The school won't know anything until the state makes a decision. But I am rambling, the whole point before I vented my frustrations was that Ashlee is offically registered for Kindergarten!

And the best part is, Kelli got a house in our neighborhood, so all of the kids will go to the same school next year. Yeah! TJ and Kaelyn can show her the ropes.

Amazing Jake's

Did someone say there was a recession going on? Well, not according to the CROWD at Amazing Jake's a few weeks ago. Yes, it was Saturday night, but still - it was PACKED. So, rather than chance losing our children in the crowd, we headed to the miniture golf area for some putt-putt fun.

  Here's Ashlee NOT needing help from Grandma

  Here's Carli NOT needing help from Kelli

  Ashlee NOT needing help from Uncle Jason

  Look how well they play together. Never mind, they're just trying to beat each other to the next hole.

  Don't ask me what my dad's laughing at. Apparantly Jason has a funny behind.

  The girls on the teacups.

  Flip that hair Kaelyn. You better watch out mom and dad, those boys are going to be swarming!

  Yes, that's Carli. Wearing ice-cream, putting her arm in ice-cream, and getting ready to drop her whole ice-cream out of it's cone.

Yes, that's Carli. Yes, those are Carli's legs ON the back of the booth, right before she got yelled at by her mean mom.

Kids say the darndest things.....

Okay, here's a true story. To all my friends with little kids who are just starting to talk, beware!

Chris's mom's brother and wife came to visit from PA. (confused yet?) So, Chris goes to his parents the night after they get there so they can see the girls. They saw Ashlee when she was 1 1/2 and have only known little Carli through pictures.

Chris asks Carli, "What's your whole name?"

Carli: "Carli Elizabeth Kush" (Sometimes she says Carli A-Little-Bit Kush because she can't always say Elizabeth, and I just can't get enough of it - love it!)

Chris: "What's Ashlee's whole name?"

Carli: "I don't know"

Chris: "What does mommy call her when she's in trouble?"

(Keep in mind I am not over there to defend myself. And get ready for it.......)

Carli: "Son of a B****" (Oh, it was the whole word though!)

Seriously, never a dull moment at the Kush house. And why not introduce our little adorable Carli to her aunt and uncle this way? Of course they thought it was funny. I was mortified as I read my text from Chris that night on his way home explaining what happened. Seriously.

And for those of you wondering, no, I most certainly do not call my children that! These kids, where do they come up with this adorable stuff that wants to make their mommy bury her head in the ground?

New Year's Eve

  The pictures say it all. It doesn't get any more rockin'-er than New Year's Eve with kids. Hey, we still had a good time playing spoons, Guitar Hero, Karaoke, and ringing in the New Year with all of the kids still awake and kicking except Miss Ashlee.

The girls....Miss Abbie (will be 2 in April), Ashlee, Kaelyn & Carli

Justin, Trevor & Carli rockin' it on Karaoke and with the Hannah guitar

  Yes, Kelli will want to kill me for this picture!

  Kaelyn, you're starting to look tired!

  Bring it - Chucky gonna knock you out!

TJ & Trevor duking it out in Chris's boxing gloves

My mom, a cool party hat, alcohol & zapper things. What more do I need?

 Carli's ringing in the New Year with Grandma & Papa

I love you man....I love you man

We call her Chucky

At work one day I was talking to my friend, and we were talking about how everyone says Carli looks like a baby doll. Like everywhere I go people always say, "She is so adorable, she looks like a little doll". So we're laughing because adorable yes, innocent like a baby doll - ummm - hell no. So, Gina, my friend at work said, "Yeah, she's like the Chucky Doll". Well, that name pretty much stuck, because gosh darn, it fits her to a tee. She's got a little bit of angel, and a little bit of devil in her. Depends on the day which comes out more.

       

Here's her latest Chucky update.....

I was putting all the girls Xmas gifts away in the playroom and there was stuff everywhere. All their little barbie boxes had to be cut open, etc. So there were boxes, dolls and garbage all over the room. I had scissors in there, but only left the room to help Chris get the girls out of the bath. So, I'm brushing Ashlee's hair in her room and Carli comes in from the playroom to which I immediately ask, "What are you doing in there?" "Cut hair" she tells me. So, I think she cut a Barbie's hair and is going to get in trouble so I ask her to show me. She walks me in the playroom and show's me HER HAIR on the floor. Chucky's back! Thank goodness it was just a little bit and it doesn't show because she has so much hair to blend in. Big trouble was brewing that night, I was not a happy camper.

3 days later, I hear someone in my office, in the dark, on my computer chair. I turn the light on and there's Carli sitting at my desk cutting up paper on my desk. I mean, I thought it was pretty cute. Oh wait, I was ready to send her to grandmas so I didn't kill her. She was in pretty big trouble that night. And now, every pair of scissors in my house (EVERY PAIR) is up where she can't reach them. Not I think for one second she wouldn't crawl up the counter and get them.

So that was our scissors experience. Only Carli. And I totally think if she knew she could still get to them she would probably cut something again. Probably my hair in my sleep. You have to sleep with one eye open with that kid!

Then Chris and I went to dinner Monday night for our Anniversary. We just went to Chili's with the girls because we were supposed to go out last night with no kids, but Ash got the flu so we spent date night watching a kid's movie on the couch. Awesome. Anyways, we go to Chili's...like a good mom I get some toys to take to keep the kids occuppied while we wait for our food. Ashlee and I are playing with Little Pet Shop animals on the table and Carli leans over and bites Chris right on the back part of his arm (the really tender part). I think it shocked him so bad, and hurt, that it took everything he had to hold it together. I mean, who isn't expecting their daughter to lean over and bite them on the back of the arm for no reason? Who knows why she did it. Her answer was, "I don't know." all while her arms were crossed looking at Chris. She ain't scared! But it was our anniversary, and we were in public, so Little C got off easier than she should of, because if we were home I would have bit her back, hard.

For those of you, my dear friends, with little girls who are smaller than Carli. I pray for you. I pray your little girl will grow up to be like Ashlee, my pleaser. Naughty sometimes, yes. Hair cutter and biter, no. Good luck!

I can't believe Ashlee is 5

Here are some pictures of Miss Ashlee's 5th Birthday Party. We had a Hannah Montana party. All the girls got boas when they came in, we made sand art, played games, ate cupcakes, opened presents, then the girls jammed out on my sister's karaoke machine. Good times.

                 

 

Ashlee's New Word

Ashlee and I were driving somewhere the other day, and I thought I would try to teach her the cool word every one learns sometime or other out of Mary Poppins. Did you guess it?

Well, she did pretty good. By the time we got to where ever we were going she was saying, "Super-corni-fragilistic-expi-ala-docous". And she still hasn't seemed to loose the "corn", but I still think it's pretty good for an almost 5 year old. She loves saying it too! She doesn't break it out like I did, I just don't know how to spell it, so I did it like it sounds. Don't you hate when you know you're kids are going to be smarter than you soon. I can't even spell that simple 300 letter word!

Portrait Innovations

Say Boogers! That's what the girl kept telling Ashlee and Carli. Hey man, whatever gets a 2 and 4 year to smile.

                                    

What's not to love?

Just when the little stinker does something naughty, she sneaks in being all goofy and cute. In these pictures she is sporting a dance dress (yes, it's put on half way like a necklace maybe, I'm not sure), talking to her interactive Barbie phone, and showcasing her beautiful "I'm a flower" headband my sister gave her for her 2nd birthday as a joke. Gee, thanks Kelli, she's still wearing it. I spared you the Elmo panties, yes, that's the only other thing she was wearing! I mean, come on, what's not to love?

 

My Good Friend - Brooke Jarrett

View/Sign Guest Book
Brooke Jarrett
Brooke Jarrett 1979 ~ 2008 Born in Salt Lake City on October 6, 1979, she was the first baby her father delivered.She died peacefully in South Jordan on November 3, 2008 of complications from a long term illness. Daughter of Arlen Kent and Jody Lindquist Jarrett, South Jordan, Utah. Graduate of Bingham High School and Westminster College. Those who knew her will know that she was caring, talented and beautiful. Her long list of accomplishments includes performing as first flutist with the Utah Youth Symphony, flute performances at Sundance Summer Theatre and other venues, and serving as Poetry Editor for the Westminster College Ellipses literary publication. She found fulfillment in her service at "The Sharing Place," a grief support center for children. She loved children. Her fondest role was that of Aunt to Bailee, Austin, Carter and Sami. Her love and generosity for them knew no end. Survived by parents Arlen and Jody Jarrett; sisters: Carly (Brandon) Robison, Riverton; and Ashley (Matthew) Miller, Napa, CA; brother: Nick (Tiffany) Jarrett, Orem; nieces and nephews: Bailee, Austin, Carter and Sami Robison; grandparents: J. Ray and Elaine A. Jarrett, Herriman; Janice Lindquist, Ogden. Also many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. Preceded in death by grandfather H. W. (Nick) Lindquist, Ogden. Things we will miss most about Brooke: her smile, her laugh, her big brown eyes, her sensitivity and intuition, her style, her creativity, her vocabulary, her near perfect memory, and her harmony when singing with her sisters. But most of all we will miss her companionship. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Fri., November 7, 2008 at the Country Crossing 8th Ward (10860 So. 3200 W., South Jordan). A viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008 at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway (10600 So.) and one hour prior to the services on Friday at church. Interment at Herriman City Cemetery. The family wishes to gives thanks to all who gave loving medical care to Brooke. We would appreciate donations made in honor of Brooke to "The Sharing Place" 1695 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84106. Condolences may be shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com Brooke and I - inseperable. When we were 5. And 6, and 7. Our families were best friends, we were best friends. Then life happens, we moved, everyone was busy. The Jarrett kids were so talented. Brooke could sing and play the flute so beautifully, even back then. And her sisters were just as talented. It's hard to stay in touch like you should when lives are busy and you live so far away. But Brooke was my first best friend, which means, in my heart, she will always be my best friend. If I would have bumped in to her today, I bet we could have carried on like no time had passed at all. She was that kind of best friend, that kind of person. I think it's been almost 10 years since we've talked, which when I put it in writing, pretty much seems like forever. How could we have gone 10 years without talking? Or e-mailing at least? We just lost touch, simple as that. But she would pop into my mind more often than not, even after all these years. Her sisters names: Carly and Ashley. Notice any similarities to my girls? It's just one of those things. I guess becuase we were so close growing up I have just always loved those names. I love the name Brooke, and whenever I hear it I look for the "e" at the end and always think to myself, "just like Brooke". The thing that hurts the most, Brooke "died peacefully in South Jordan on November 3, 2008 of complications from a long term illness". I read that and was just sick. I don't even know what was wrong with her. How long term? Was she in pain? Do you know how many times I've thought I should get in touch with her? See how things are? Now I can never do that. It's too late. I heard the sad news on Tuesday, and I think I have thought about her, and her family, about 20 times a day, every day. She just pops in my head, all day. I think it wouldn't hurt so bad if I had some closure and could have said good-bye to her. I have learned that every day, every friendship, every family member, needs to be a priority. Life is busy, life is always busy. When is there ever enough time to do what is on our "big to do list"? Well, I am reprioritizing my list, because I have learned, the hard way, that life's too short. Brooke had just turned 29 years old. She still had a lot of living to do. I will miss you Brooke, I know you are in a better place.