cadet in training...

For Warhammer!

Yesterday we had my little niece over for the afternoon. I had a blast and so did Craig. It was kind of neat to have a 3 year old running around the house.

Craig was playing his game warhammer. That's on online computer game. He had Margo sit on his lap and help him play. He told her to look for people who's names are highlighted in red. If she found them then hit the #3 key to kill them. It was so cute to hear her say "red is bad guy, get them." "We get bad guys, we are good." "Let's go get more spiders." "Let's get more aminals." Those two had a blast!

Here they are playing the computer....

see she's killing the red people by pressing the #3 key. "Good job" Craig would reply

Hopefully Jamie and Carolina will not be too upset with us. This game can be educational! Craig was helping her with her colors and numbers. hehehe. We loved every moment with her! I really enjoyed watching Craig with her! Brought back memories to when my kids were little.

cuillard christmas 2008...

Our little family was supposed to go to California for Christmas this year, but due to illness running through our family we decided to stay home. That meant I had to run out and get a quick Christmas tree. I didn't put one up thinking why do we need one if we were not going to be here.


It was 4 days before Christmas and I didn't want to buy a real tree just for a few days. So, I went to Big Lots to see what they had left. One good thing was everything that had to do with Christmas was 50% off. The bad thing was the store was pretty empty. They had one 7 foot tree left but when I saw this 4 foot tree I knew he had to come home with me. I have always favored Charlie Brown Christmas trees! So here is my 4 foot tree sitting on my kitchen table. I thought it was the perfect place, but according to Ashlee she felt it was a ghetto tree. What can I say, "I am proud of my ghetto tree!" (which by the way only cost me 10 bucks!)

Preston left cookies and milk out for Santa...

When Christmas morning arrived we were woken up by my dad calling wishing us a Merry Christmas. This was about 8:30 am and everyone was still sleeping. I was amazed at that because I thought for sure Preston would have been up earlier than that.

We woke up Preston and tried to wake up Ashlee and Cody but they didn't budge. So we went ahead and opened up Preston's and Jessie's gifts.

Jessie was so intent on looking at the movies we got her. She wouldn't keep her eyes off them or give them up.

Preston being his silly self and enjoyed all his gifts. He loved his remote control Jeep and all the other little things Santa left for him.

By this time Ashlee and Cody woke up and graced us with their presence. This will be the only photo of Ashlee for Christmas. She decided to delete all of her pictures off the camera. I do have some with her and the boys. Those will come later in this post.

From this picture of Cody you can tell he woke up on the wrong side of the bed. My oldest 2 are not that patient with me when I have the camera in hand. One day I think they will thank me for these pictures. If they ask me why they always looked like this then I can tell them it's because you always acted like little stink bugs.

For the family gift the children received Guitar Hero Wold Tour...here are some pictures of them playing...

Ashlee was guitar, Cody drums, Preston vocal and Jessie was the back up dancer.

Later on I joined in and while we played my sweet heart was busy slaving away cooking up breakfast. I think some of the kids didn't even stop to eat.

As for my belated Christmas gift we went down and got some new couches. I am so happy to get ride of our old green couches with stains on them. We have had those couches for 10 years and moved 5 different times with them. Now my next adventure is to tile our floor. I want to get rid of the carpet and tile everything. That will be next on my list but later down the road.

Over all our Christmas was very quiet. We enjoyed being together as a family. We missed being with extended family but considering our circumstances we had a great Christmas!

down for the count...ko...

up date from my last post...

It worked and here is the proof!!!
It took about 15 minutes for him to fall asleep.

He looks so peaceful.

Now I can go to bed at a decent time. Good night, sleep tight...

christmas eve...

Now I know how my parents felt on Christmas Eve with my brothers and me. Two of my children are old enough to where they don't care if Santa is coming tonight or not. If they are tired then they just go to bed. Preston is a different story. He's up, down, all around tonight. "I can't sleep." "I have to go to the bathroom." "I need a drink." The list goes on. I am beginning to think this night will last forever.

But the light bulb came on...lets give Preston some Benadryl. It worked when he was little why not try it now that he's 9. Craig couldn't find Benadryl so we settled on NyQuil. He swallowed it up like it was candy. I am counting the minutes to see how long it will take affect. I know what your thinking, but please don't think too bad of me. ;o)

Well, hopefully my solution to my problem has worked. We can put the presents under our tree and then hit the hay ourselves.

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

move over you're in my spot...

Before I went to bed last night I took some cough syrup with codeine in it. I laid in bed to watch some TV but the medication kicked in and I fell asleep quick. Like always my two little boys (puppies) went to bed with me. Craig took a picture and here is what happened.

Crue took over my pillow and Max was taking over my side of the bed. These two are just about as bad as my children. Maybe more spoiled then my children, but then maybe not. Depends on who you ask.

I can only imagine what my life is going to be like when my children are gone and It's just Craig and I home by ourselves.

shop til you drop...

I am not sure why I always wait until the last minute to go Christmas shopping. I stress myself out every year. Worried about what to get, what not to get, did I spend too much, did I not spend enough, the list could go on and on.

I left work early today because I was not feeling to well. I still have this cough and praying it will go away before our trip to California. Nobody wants someone who is sick to visit them. I got some antibiotics so I have started those, hopefully they will help. I took a 2 hour nap and boy did I need that! I am grateful my husband takes care of things so I can nap. He's awesome.

I woke up around 5 and heard Jessie fussing. I figured it was time for dinner. We need to feed her before she gets too hungry or she wont eat and will be really up set. Craig and I went to McDonald's for the kids and then we went to dinner together. I sure enjoy going to dinner with just the two of us.

I told Craig if he would go shopping with me tonight then he will not need to go with me tomorrow. We headed to Costco and got a few things there. Then off to Walmart to finish up our shopping. We pretty much got it all done.

We arrived at home and I thought well It's still early and I have a few things left to get so I asked Preston to go to the mall with me. Preston and I went to the mall and had a great time. We got a few more things that was left on my shopping list.

Preston is a funny kid. He was trying to get me to tell him what we got for him. Of course I didn't budge. He then told me, "mom, I need some underwear, because my underwear that I have now I think is shrinking." I couldn't help but laugh. I told him it's not your underwear, its you, your growing.

Well, as of now I am pretty much done with Christmas shopping. What is left is getting odds and ends and that is easy to do. I can do that when I get my groceries. I began to think why did I stress myself out? I do this every year and every year it turns out ok. Tis the season I guess!

one proud mama...

because... Preston is "Student of the Quarter"

Today we went to the flag raising ceremony at Preston's school. He received "Student of the Quarter" along with other students throughout the school.

Preston is like me in many ways. One way is he works hard for his grades. Schooling doesn't come easy for him like his brother and sister, but he sure will do his best. I don't have to remind him to do homework. He is always studing for tests.

I know he is only in 4th grade, but I sure hope he will take his study habit with him through high school.

All I want to say is....Good Job Buddy! Mom loves ya!

sniff, sniff...cough, cough...

Yep...it's that time of year again. I have the sniffles and a cough. Of course my voice is going. Every year I lose my voice. All I can say...it better leave now because I can't have this over Christmas. I want to go to LA and visit Craig's family!

So lots of Emergen-C, cough drops, nyquil, etc..etc...Oh and I love Puffs tissue with vicks plus lotion! That stuff is the bomb!

^5 to Cody...

About 1 month ago Cody joined Rhodes Jr. Highs' wrestling team. He is in the 90 lb weight division. He usually can not wrestle because there are no kids in his weight group. Today he was able to wrestle in his first tournament. They had other wrestlers in his weight division. He was excited to finally get his chance to strut his stuff.

Here he is...

Waiting to begin...

Below are some of his moves.

1st Match...

2nd Match..

At the End...He came in 3rd for his weight division. High 5 Cody! But he told me don't get to excitted mom...there were only three kids today that was in his weight division and he was one of them. What I told him that counted the most was he tried and he tried real hard. He really didn't do to bad for his first wresting match! I am very proud of him! He never gave up and that's all I ask!

sometimes i wonder...

why we have animals...

Last night we had to put Bruno down. He's our Sharpei. He was about 12 years old and that typed of breed doesn't live that long. He was going blind and he just didn't act like his young self. Due to his blindness he was getting a little aggressive. We didn't want to take a chance in case he bit someone.

Ashlee went with us last night and she witnessed it all. She wanted to see the process because she wants to be a veterinarian. It wasn't as bad and I thought. They gave him a medicine to sedate him and then gave him the meds to shut down his system. No pain at all. Looked like he was sleeping.

All though we are sad to see him go, we knew it was the right thing to do.

husband tag...

1. Where did I meet my husband? Combined Ward Halloween Party..hmmm it was about 1983-1984.

2.How long did you date before getting married? The first time was about 3 months. (we were 14 yrs old) then in 1990 we got back together...3 months until we got engaged...6 months of engagement.

3 How long have you been married? 17 years as of July.

4.What does he do that surprises you? Well after 17 years of marriage I pretty much can tell what he is up too. It's like we can read each others minds. We say what each other was going to say. That is the scary part.

5.What is your favorite feature of his? His smile. His smile is also a very helpful tool..I can tell when he's telling a fib or up to no good.

6.What is his best quality? He's a hard worker. He takes pride in his work. He is always giving a 110% at what ever job is thrown at him. This goes with his church callings too. He is very charitable too.

7.Does he have a nickname for you? I don't think so. He does call me Jody Lynn when I am in trouble

8.What is his favorite food? Chinese from Beijing...inside joke...lol but he like Chinese or a good steak.

9.What is his favorite sport? Football. He loves to watch football.

10.When did you first kiss? at church in the nursery room... we were 14 years old...

11.What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? I love being around him. He's gone so much with work that when he is in town I try to spend most of my time with him. Those long weeks of him being gone is hard for me and the kids, but we appreciate the time he is here.

12.Do you have any children? Yes...4...2 girls and 2 boys.

13.Does he have any hidden talents? He is really good with little kids and they love him too. (he wont admit it...but he is.)

14.How old is he? 37, but in Jan. he will be 38

15.What is his favorite music? Heavy Metal, but he does listen to all types of music

16.What do you admire about him? how he will protect his family. he is always thinking of our safety, when he's home and gone.

17.What is his favorite color? Blue

18.Will he read this? Yes. He started to blog and then he showed me...so he stopped because I took over.

19.Who said "I love you" First? I said it first and then he hasn't stopped ever since.

20.Who do you tag? whoever wants to take the time to do it and have it in their blurb book!!!


I got this from My Sister-in-Law, Liz's blog...thank you Liz...I was bored and needed something to blog about.

it all started when 2 people fell in love...

2 babies born into 2 different families...

~Craig Michael Cuillard~

Jan. 17, 1971

&

~Jody Lynn Sharp~

Dec. 06, 1970

they both grew up...found each other and fell in love...

they decided to get married for time and all eternity...

on July 20, 1991

they decided 2 was a little boring for them so, they started their own little family...

on Aug 25, 1992

~Ashlee Lynn~

made her debut...

then on Sept. 19, 1994...

~Cody Michael~

our 1st lil boy...

next on Feb. 14th, 1997...

~Jessie Noelle~

our 3rd lil joy...

last but not least...Aug. 13, 1999...

~Preston James~

arrived...

So far this is my little family...they are far from perfect...but they are mine

I did this post because I found all the baby photos and loved them. Plus it gave me something to do because I was bored of watching football for the 100th time in the past 2 days. (love you Craig). I also can't believe how time flies. One day I had little ones running around with snotty noses...now I have big kids with snotty attitudes...well...not all the time! ;o)

hip hip hurray...

for Jessie...

Stage 1...sitting on the couch...

Stage 2...standing with daddy's assistance...

(as you can see on her face she really enjoys this)

Jessie's teachers at school have been working on her standing for a long time now. They hope to have her walking some day. That will be a miracle if they do.

When you don't see Jessie standing every day you don't realize how tall she has gotten. She is now 4'10" tall. That's pretty tall. She has finally gotten to my mom's height. I can't believe my mom and Jessie is that tall.

This week Jessie got a new bed. First we had to clean her room. We had to take down her old bed to make room for the delivery of her new bed.

Here she is on the floor with just her mattress. Max and Crue wanted to hang out with her and she loved it!

Craig and I have been trying to get her a new bed for almost a year now. Craig called her pediatrician for assistance and it was like an act of congress to even get in for an appointment. We felt we should get another doctor for the kids. On Monday, Craig called another pediatrician. By Wednesday Jessie had an appointment and then by Friday....

Wallah...

A New Bed !!!

Her new bed is a hospital bed. You can use the crank to crank her bed up or down. This will be very helpful with lifting her in and out of bed. Then the head and legs will go up and down. This will be helpful when she is sick. We can lift her head to help with her breathing, especially now because her nose is still deviated from when her nose was broken. She still has trouble breathing and this is always a worry for us.

We are pleased with our new pediatrician. He and his office are on the ball. I can't believe how helpful they were compared to our old pediatrician!

you don't see this every day....

Craig is typically Mr. Macho. He rarely shows how sensitive he is. I know he has it in him. Ashlee took this picture at the right time...Now we have proof he can be Mr. Softy

...Like Father...

...Like Son...

a day with special friends...

Today for church our ward, well, youth and who ever wanted to go went to "Randolph." Randolph is a State funded home for adults with special needs. The wards throughout AZ take turns going and having church with the special friends. Each person was in charge of a special friend. Some of these friends could walk but not talk. Some where in wheelchairs totally dependent on others. Then we had others who could walk and talk but have a mind of 6 years old or less.

Our family went and it was a great experience. My special friend was "Gloria." She couldn't talk but she was able to walk and boy did she love to walk. We walked all over the room we stayed in. She had beautiful brown eyes and loved to hum.

Cody and Preston's special friend was "Maggie." Boy was she fun for the boys. She started out in a wheelchair and then she transferred herself to the chair. The boys sat next too her. She loved making noise. Perfect person for my boys. She loved to snap her fingers, clap her hands and scream. If she would make a noise then the boys would copy her. The more they copied her the more she loved it. The thing I really loved about Maggie was she had my boys under control. Preston would get up and move chairs, she wouldn't let him. She would push him back into his seat. If Cody was too close she would move him to another chair. Maggie was in total control! I asked if she could come to church with us for now on.

Ashlee enjoyed her special friend. She was more talkative and active then others. Ashlee's friend loved being with the girls. She felt she was like one of the "in crowd."

Another friend would love to come up to you and poke you in your side and would say boo. If you would act all scared she would give you a big smile. She loved scaring people. I tend to do that to my kids too ;o). This same friend loved to spank Craig's butt and then would run laughing.

We took Jessie too. At first I thought we shouldn't take her because maybe it was not appropriate. Craig convinced me other wise and I am glad we did. Some of our special friends loved her and she them. One was very concerned about Jessie's well being and would let others know she may need some assistance. For example. We give Jessie a plastic bag to play with (best and cheapest toy we could buy for her) Jessie loves the feel of plastic. The special friend would take the bag away, but then Jessie would grab it right back. It was really cute. We also ran into one of Jessie's teachers she had throughout the years. Jessie hasn't seen this lady for about 3 years. When Jessie saw her she knew who she was right away and gave her a big hug.

The sad thing is the state wants to close this place down. I have a new mission to help those keep this place running. It's one of the best and cleanest in AZ for our new special friends. I hate to think of it, but we may need to put Jessie into one of these homes. We will keep her in our home as long was we can, but when Craig and I are 60 years old and she is 44 how am I going to lift her? I guess I will live one day at a time...

Over all we had a wonderful and spiritual day!

haunted mansion 4 sale...

Buy This Haunted Mansion

By Preston Cuillard

Have you ever heard of a spooky haunted mansion to buy? I will give you five good reasons why you should buy this magnificent mansion.

1. It has more room for your children and extra space in the house.

2. It is not expensive it is only ten dollars.

3. You don't have to do all that clumsy work because you get a free butler. but do not make him crazy, because he might kill you.

4. In the backyard it is a nice place to relax but do not go by the graveyard because you do not want to awake them.

5. Last there is a game room for the family. It has a basketball hoop, pool table with hockey and soccer plus a plasma screen TV. Oops I almost forgot the basement has a mad scientist, but he is nice. So buy this house now!

Go to http://www.hairymansion.com/ Call 480 spooky This mansion can be found at Blood Street & you Cannot Escape Ave.

This is one of Preston's project he had to do for Halloween. I had no idea he was working on this. He always amazes me with the stories he can come up with.

Note: website may not be a real website...something Preston made up...

jitterbug...

I was watching TV with the kids today and a commercial came on. This is the commercial we saw...

If you have seen this commercial then you know this cell phone is for elderly people. The buttons are bigger for them to read. Well, my lovely 9 year old (Preston) said, "hey mom we should get you that phone." Now I know my birthday is coming up and I am getting older, but I don't think I am old enough for this cell phone. I am thinking you need to be over 65 years old or at least unable to read the small print. I haven't reached that disability yet.

I am grateful he hasn't asked what it was like to live without electricity.

Oh children....what do you do with them...I guess love them.

gas relief...and it's not ex-lax...

I had to get some gas in my van...I was Excitted to see this.....

I got more Excitted when I saw this...

The vans tank was pretty close to empty. This is the first time in a long time that I haven't had to pay over $60 for a full tank of gas.

That means an extra $30 for something else. I think maybe getting my toes done!?

my lil shadow...

Here he is....Maximus (Max)...this lil guy will follow me everywhere. I can't even get up to use the rest room without him close behind. Not sure why he loves me so, but he does. He's my lil buddy.

It was great to have Craig home for a little while. A total of 32 hours. That is how long I will see of him until Thanksgiving day. He just got back from California and now he's off to Florida.

There are times I hate his job. This is one of those times with Craig gone for over a week and a half. I have to look at the glass half full on these accounts. The half full... is he has a job.

I am grateful he works so hard for our family and he does this without complaining.

I Love you Craig! Be safe! Thanks for all you do!

I miss you already!!!