I have some news. I bit the bullet and got a website... A REAL LIVE WEBSITE!!!!!!! I can't believe my luck! I was really nervous about taking this step, but I went for it and well, here it is: www.alysonraephotography.com 

Now, please go easy on me. This is not a professionally built site, just a site that was put together in spare time by someone who knows nothing about building websites. It goes wonky on mobile devices, but it's still usable.

You're going to see lots of pictures of my family and my kids. Some may say that's cheating, and I say: do you know how many family members I have? Besides, it shows a lot about me. My family is important to me. So if you want, go take a look. Or not. I'll still love you either way.

This Man

This man is a hard worker. This man takes care of us. We love this man.

A Magical Christmas Eve

Speaking of Eyes...

Today was our Christmas program for Sacrament Meeting and Trevor and I were both heavily involved. We had to be to church an hour early, so I was racing around the house and steaming everything I could get my hands on, and brushing everything, and bathing everything. Not in that order of course. Just before we left the house I mentioned to Trevor that Carter and Sami's eyes looked suspiciously red. He hurriedly brushed it off and said they were fine.

We raced to church with me driving while putting makeup on and Trevor putting on his socks and shoes and tying his tie. We got there exactly on time and ran inside to get everything ready and do some last minute practicing and warming up. yada yada.

It was then that Trevor really took a look at their eyes. Hmm. Yes indeed. It did look suspiciously like our kids had pink eye. Of course, even if we had decided they had it at home, which I had, it wouldn't have changed anything. Trevor was narrating the program, and I had multiple numbers to sing in.

So hopefully no one at church comes down with pink eye, especially the lovely family whom I love so very much that were sitting behind us and took care of our kids while we were both on the stand. We left directly after Sacrament Meeting was over. Maybe, just to show our gratitude, we should bring them some sweets... after the pink eye has cleared up of course.

Eyes

Logan has strep throat. Sami has a nasty cold she's had since before Thanksgiving.  Phoebe has been in and out of both,  and Trevor and I have managed to dodge it all.

This time of year has me so incredibly busy. My head is spinning from the time I wake up in the morning until I go to sleep at night. But still, I love it! I love giving gifts!! Makes me so happy!

Houses

I'd really love to buy a house. Oh well. Some day. Merry Christmas everyone!

Carter Update

I've been meaning to do an update on Carter. We've taken him off gluten and he's been doing a whole lot better. Mysteriously though, he will still have the occasional bout of diarrhea. I looked into it, and didn't find a whole lot. I was stumped.

Then today while sitting in sacrament, Trevor looked over and randomly asked if I had ever thought that my milk was making Carter sick? Hmmm. I came home and hopped on the computer, because you know you can believe everything you find on Google.

As of tonight,*sob, I am going gluten free. *WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH*

Ahem, sorry, I'll get myself together.

Anyway, according to Google, gluten is indeed transferred through breast milk. Which makes sense.

Sooo, it looks like I am going to try this stupid no wheat thing. I am not bitter (only a little).

I'll give it a few days and hopefully we can get the diarrhea to go all the way away. If it works, I guess I'm stuck until I wean Carter.

You know, I really like bread. Also, cinnamon rolls. Crackers are not my favorite, except goldfish. But you know what's really good? Multi grain cheerios. Mmmmmm. I really don't eat these things often, because I don't buy them/make them often... maybe once a year or so. But just the thought that I can't have them if I want them? Urg. It's a sad day for me. Oh no! Ramen noodles! *sob DOUGHNUTS!!!

Sorry, pulled myself together again. I am now going to go search pinterest for more gluten free recipes.

Also, if you have gluten free recipes, feel free to e-mail them to me. I'm looking for a tortilla recipe, bread and also pasta. I'm not afraid of the extra work making your own pasta and bread is. I'm more afraid of the expense of gluten free products.

So in conclusion, gluten is transferred through breast milk, I like doughnuts, and Google is a bottomless pit of information.

and you know what? I just figured out that if you butter your toast lightly and sprinkle a little garlic powder on top before sticking your bread in the toaster, you can make the most wonderful instant garlic bread! So good...

sorry.

Goodnight.

Disorganized Blobs

 Today I met a goal. I got up in Sacrament Meeting and bore my testimony. It was so simple and silly, but I normally reserve this for Relief Society. That way there are less people to make me feel like I'm going to have a heart attack. I'm fairly proud of myself. But while looking out over everyone and feeling a great love wash over me for these people, I also realized something else. I'm lonely.

So while I am so happy to be here, I really wish I had some good friends to call any time I want and do stupid idiotic stuff with. It's ridiculous to think how close in distance I am to my old friends and yet it has put the cabosh to our friendships. Makes me sad but I don't feel like I'm missed at all.

Full circle on this thinking brings me to a new goal: time to go after some friendships. Serious. It's time.

Milestones (Updated)

Carter takes his first step: http://youtu.be/JeZQLM5i_VU

Side note: I do most all of my blog posting while laying in bed at night just before dosing off. Last night I was so very tired and couldn't figure out youtube. Truly it was easy tonight to fix the problem with the video I was trying to post last night. But just so you know, that's why my posts are sometimes plain old random or have nonworking links. I also do my best deep thinking in the shower.

The Experiment

The diarrhea continues... with Carter I mean. But I've got it narrowed down. I think this boy has Celiac Disease. Pretty sure on this one.

I'm going to take him completely gluten free for the next week and watch his diapers. I feel really good about this diagnosis.

I'm fairly certain that this is what is causing his failure to thrive and also he has been getting dry rashy patches of skin on his body. Dry skin in winter is normal, but not like this. My kids have never had skin problems like Carter's.

I feel so very calm about this. I really feel like I was led to this conclusion by the spirit. So thankful. Only time will tell. I'll keep you all posted.

Snow {man}

We had our first snow fall and what a fall it was! The perfect PERFECT packing snow!!! So we raced outside to use it while we had it.  Now a few days later, and it's still around.

My little redhead

He loves baths. Loves them. Also he loves writing utensils.  See the smiley face on his knee?

Ward

This is another post about my ward. Even though I know it has its faults, I cannot say enough good things about my ward. This ward has been so amazing! I've been going to choir, which is held during the week. It is the most fun I've had in a long time. Everyone kids around and has fun with it. I am so absolutely in love. I would do anything for these people. I've been singing tenor which is totally not even close to what I normally sing (soprano) but since we are short on men I will help out any way I can. Hahaha! It really hurts trying to sing that low and trying to sing loud enough to even make a difference. I get to sit by the basses and those guys are super funny. They treat me like I'm a member of the family, but honestly it has been a really long time since I felt like I belonged in a ward. Everywhere I go in Gooding people are starting to recognize me and greet me when they see me. We saw our kids swimming teacher yesterday and phoebe gave her a great big hug. The Ace Hardware lady recognizes me when I come in. I realize I'm still an outsider, like when we had a trick or treat thing with all the businesses downtown on main street last week. I took my kids and ran into a couple ward members with their group of friends. It was kinda hard to swallow that I was by myself and not invited by any of them. At the same time, I realize it's a two way street and I could have invited someone to come with me. It's still a bit lonely out here, but I'm sure I'll find a friend soon.

Carter my sick baby

Something is wrong with carter. My worry meter is up at its highest point. Yes he is little and that's not what I'm worried about, but he's had diarhea off and on since we started solids a few weeks ago. It's gotten progressively worse and this week has been non stop.  Carter has also had a fever, which leads me to believe he's actually sick. He hasn't been eating either. But maybe it's a combination of both sickness and perhaps a food allergy? Ugh. If only I had a doctor to take him to that I actually had faith in. And that's a whole nother story. I was referred to a PA by my most beloved midwife. I was extremely unimpressed with her and our ideals clashed in every way. She was extremely unhelpful and if anything I could say of the visit that she let her experience as a mom of one 18 month old child cloud her opinion of doing things any way but the way she was raising her own child. It was frustrating to me to feel scorned by this woman because I had made the decision to put off feeding my child solids. And as she went into her shpeal about the importance of shots, I cut her off and told her that although she thought me a granola, I did indeed immunize my children. I will never go back to her. Never.

Crazy hair day

This morning I woke up an hour early to make this happen. That means 5 am, and after going to bed at 2 am. Ugh. But it was worth it. Look at this awesome crazy hair!!

Distractions

Phoebe, Carter and I are cleaning the house today. We've lived here since June and we are still not unpacked. Ugh. Too much stuff going on I guess. But today I am determined to finish my bedroom. If only I could stop getting distracted.

I took Carter in for his shots yesterday and set a last minute appointment for myself too. I haven't been feeling good at all lately. Luckily I am just worn out and stressed out. Lack of sleep is taking its toll. After a prescription, I was instructed to get special glasses for my poor eyes... oh yeah, and to get some sleep.

Can't wait for Fall to be over.

Ancient History Continued

I'm not sure what is going on with blogger and my phone, but it won't let me post words with my pictures. So anyway, I will find a way. I always find a way.

I'm in scouts with Logan and yesterday we went to Gooding ' s museum. It was pretty cool in the fact that it was very hands on. The boys had fun and it's always good to see how my child fits in with his peers. It's a big worry for me when we've moved around so much. Logan is not doing 100% great with this move as far as school goes, but I'm very grateful for our ward and the friends he has made there.

Ancient History

Addict

Oh yeah! I'm a frame addict! And I love color too! This just makes my heart so happy!

A walk down memory lane

I had this random thought today, like I do all the time, about how when I was little I remember overhearing a conversation my mom had on the phone with someone. The conversation was something about a lady at church who had found a rat in her toilet. Unfortunately for the lady, she found the rat when it was a bit of a compromising situation and too late. This is where my memory gets a little hazy. I believe the lady got her bum bitten by the rat. This is the part that has tormented me for all of my life. I was TERRIFIED of using the toilet as a child.  I thought a rat was going to swim up from inside the toilet and attack my bum. It wasn't until I was a teenager that it dawned on me that there was no way a rat could make it that far underwater unless it had scuba gear on. How relieving, and yet, to this day I still check the inside of the toilet before sitting down.

Follow up

I met with Logan's teacher. I cornered her in the classroom after the group discussion.  Guess my mothers intuition was spot on, because guess what his teacher had to say? No really. Guess.

I have a lot of thinking to do.

Surrounded

Oh heavens. There is a frog in my laundry room. A FROG!!! I found it late tonight while everyone else was sleeping soundly. So I couldn't even scream. Yeah yeah. It's just a frog. But do you know what it's like to have frogs everywhere? And I haven't even told you about the snakes.  I guess that's for another day.

Did you hear me?

Did you hear me? Did you hear my scream? It was loud enough to wake the dead according to Logan.

I was going out to the garage to feed our kittens and took a step barefoot into the garage from the laundry room. I stepped on something furry. It took a total of 2.1 seconds for it to register in my brain

Picture the following conversation happening in my head in super high speed:

"the cats are locked in their pen. Did they get out? Of course they didn't get out. That thing is locked tight. What am I stepping on then? A MOUSE!!!!"

*SCREAMING!!!!! SCREAMING!!!!!!!!!!  MORE SCREAMING!!!!!!! AND EVEN MORE SCREAMING!!!!!!!!

Meanwhile sir mouse decided to get the heck out of there and scurried away. The problem is I'm not terribly sure which direction he went because I was too distressed. Plus it was dark.

Lesson learned. Next time: wear boots: huge thick boots that go to my knee. That will be adequate protection. Also TURN ON THE LIGHTS BEFORE STEPPING!!

Question

Yesterday Logan walked in the door from school and plopped a paper in front of me. "Mom, you need to sign this."

"Group Parent Teacher Conferences" is what the paper said. I read a little bit more: "Your child's teacher and the rest of the third grade teaching staff will be leading a group discussion about your child's curriculum and answering any questions you may have. Your child does not need a one on one parent teacher conference."

Cue the anger. Cue the outrage. Cue the shockedness (made that word up.).

In what school system do they not do parent teacher conferences with each child and each parent one on one? This is crazy talk! I am so baffled right now. But now I'm wondering, is this happening in other places or just here in our small town?

And call me one of those parents, but we WILL be having a normal one on one parent teacher conference.

Happy Birthday Baby

My baby is one today. What a sad and happy day. We love you Carter!

For Uncle

My uncle is an amazing photographer in Utah. If you have a second, you should check him out at www.sagebrushconnection.com. These are some pictures I just got ready for sale. I know it's not David Whiting caliber, but I'm proud of them nonetheless. I collect old frames at garage sales and thrift stores, and then fix them up, put a picture inside and then put them up for sale. It's been working out so far. However, not to dis my pictures which I think are nice, his are absolutely beautiful.

Be Brave

Guys, let's talk about my ward. The women of my ward are a phenomenon.  Every.  Single. One. is confident, brave and lacking any ounce of self consciousness. I know you think I may be over exaggerating a teenie bit, but I assure you... I am not kidding. There must be something in the water here.

Where does this leave me? Ha! They don't know how to take me. It's funny because I've been told many times that I am confident and self assured and also that I am a city gal who is a bit snooty. That last part was from a friend telling me of her first impression. I am being read 100% wrong.

Still, I love my ward and I love the people in it. No matter how they read me, they are making every effort to support me and my family. I. LOVE. It. Here!

Because the people of Gooding are so humble and kind, they are allowing me to grow in ways I've never had the opportunity to grow before. I now have two callings. They are easy callings, but one puts me front and center every Sunday. I don't enjoy people looking at me, but I'm growing and changing and learning that these people love me; faults and all.

My Bishop told me that I'm good for the women of this ward and that he hopes a little of my modesty (for lack of a better word) would rub off on them. Like I said before, this ward has a way of making people feel important and wanted. Plus, my Bishop and I are kindred spirits. I love this man so very much. I felt from the moment I looked in his eyes that he cares very deeply for the people of this ward. He has a similar personality to mine. He is shy to a fault. What a calling for a shy man. But even shy people can be great leaders and I love that he doesn't just write me off like past Bishops.

I've decided that the abundance of self confidence here in my ward must come from the amount of love that is shown on a daily basis. If you want a lesson in service and kindness, you have got to come visit me. People are constantly stopping by and doing nice things for us. Everyone waves as they pass by. This is absolutely the friendliest place in the world. I truly feel blessed to be living here.

Frogs

I hate frogs. I hate them.

One got in my house the other day. We were leaving the house for church and it decided to hop on in the front door. I screamed. Logan freaked out. I grabbed a plastic colander with a long handle and threw it at Logan since he was closest to the frog.

"Get it Logan! Get it!!!"

It took him a few minutes of chasing it around the living room. He finally caught it in the curtains and then threw it out in the front yard.

But seriously. I really really think frogs are disgusting. I don't understand why anyone would want to eat their legs.

Vacation!!!

I am going to attempt to show you in pictures my excitement over my upcoming vacation to the Coast.

YES!!!! We are going to the Coast!

I can't believe our good fortune!

We should get Voodoo Donuts!!

It's a long drive!

We will have to drive all through the night

oh yuck that's a long drive.

I bet Trevor won't let me drive

I must have Voodoo Donuts!

I can't wait to go on vacation!!!!

We celebrated Logan's birthday

We celebrated Phoebe's birthday.

Carter loves these "ears"

Funny story about this picture: Carter loves Trevor's laptop. He is always trying to play on it and is constantly annoying Trevor. We were recently given a Barbie laptop which I was saving for Christmas for Sami and Phoebe, but Trevor had a great idea to let Carter play with it. And guess what? It totally worked! He loves it! The girls haven't noticed it yet, so I will probably still make it a Christmas present.

We went to a friend's house to watch him wean the baby horses from their mamas. It was so sad!!! But Carter loved the guy's boots.They are pretty cool, right?

Finally finished the couch. 

playing around with the phone

I woke up with this face beside me. She had lovely morning breath which she thought was soooo hilarious and kept blowing in my face.

We went to Jo Mamas car show. Our most favorite ever. Sadly, this year there was no free ice cream like all the years past.