Brotherhood of Love and Laughter

6/15/16
The last month or so, I have realized what a blessing and joy it is to watch these two goons be best buds. They are joint at the hip about 90% of the time and lucky for me there is little fighting, loads of laughter, and a handful of tender moments between them. 

 

We have had a lot of fun escaping the heat by swimming at my friend Cassi's pool. Both are proud when the other succeeds with their back float or superhero glide. Where swimming genetics have fallen short from their X chromosome contributor they make up for in fearlessness. Slowly we have been making improvements to resemble swimming, not drowning.

 

Our swim practice at Snowbird...

Jack's self taught butterfly...

This picture sums up our Brockster lately! He is full of wit and goofiness. He can make the craziest faces by crossing his eyes in all sorts of directions...its a little creepy but keeps us laughing. He thinks he is much older than he is and just started riding Jack's big bike because his is broken. A 16inch bike is way to big for him, but he was determined to make it work. Story of his life.

 

 And this one sums up Jman. He is picking up on tough guy poses for pictures...not sure where he has learned it but this one is his most favorite. We are working on being confident but not arrogant with this little dude. It seems he is beginning to realize he is very talented athletically. "Mom I'm going to play football for the Utes. And Brock is too. But I'll be better than him." Oh dear....

 

Truly wherever we go, these two are side by side. I love it. 

 

Its been quite convenient to have these two watch out for each other and keep each other occupied. Every now and then, they help each other get into trouble, but I've been counting my blessings lately with how well behaved these boys are...most of the time. Knock on wood. Fingers crossed.

 And I keep hoping they will be good influences on each other more often than not...

I'm sure this won't last much longer but it will still melt my heart if they snuggle like this in jr. high.

 

 

It seems like the day is never going to arrive, but one more little rascal will be melting my heart and making us a family of 5 in less than 7 days. At my most recent and last appointment on Monday, I was dilated to a 3 and 70% thinned. My belly has seemed to stop growing but Baby SnotRod has not and does not stopped moving. He is much stronger and acrobatic than J or B were and doesn't seem to care about taking a beating to his mom's organs and multiple nerves. It feels like we have a big boy about to join our fam. Expect some hello pics from him on June 22nd and hopefully but not likely sooner!

 

 No doubt he will be roughed up with love and laughter. 

I'm so excited to watch this brotherhood turn into a threesome.

May Catch Up

6/9/16
Region and State Track....

 

My tough hurdle assistants

and

Some of my adopted kiddos.

 

Here's the group of kids who made it to finals at Region. I had two runners place 9th in prelims so they just missed making finals. We were so close to having all our hurdlers run in finals! Which would have been half of all the lanes filled with Stansbury Stallions! Everyone still raced so well. All the girls ran PRs and most of our boys did too! So proud of them. I miss them like crazy.

Gabby on the left, placed 1st in the 100m hurdle at region and broke the girls school record. She also placed 2nd in the 300m. She will be running on a track and cross country scholarship at Dixie State. Angie (right center) is headed on a basketball scholarship to a junior college in Colorado and ran her best race ever. Alexia on the right tied for 4th in 100m hurdle. The coin toss to decide which girl would be headed to state (top 4 in every region goes to state) did not go in our favor but she is just a sophomore. Next year is hers!

 

These boys have worked so hard this season. They placed 1st, 2nd, 4th in the 110m hurdles and 1st and 3rd in the 300m hurdles at region and two of them made it to finals at State! Injuries plagued Doug (center) early in the season but he was diligent in doing everything physically possible to stay in competitive shape until his muscle healed. It paid off! He was .15 away from breaking the school record and slaughtered his Spanish teacher in race, ending in a new look for Senor Bleazard... a reverse Mohawk.   

 

State Track...

I felt really sick at State so this was the only picture I captured. J and B play hard all day. Our team ran hard all day. We had some great races and did really well as a team. Like always it made me miss my days of racing under that much pressure. 

       

 

In other Bleazard News:

When you are late to a slip n' slide party....

 you strip down...

 to your undies

 and laugh when mom catches you.

 

 

 The boys have been extra helpful with all the cleaning for house showings. Its been a great opportunity to teach them everyone is needed to take care of our house. They both have become pretty good at sweeping.

 

A new favorite job for us all is having J and B water the brown spots scattered across the lawn! It is a great way to keep them occupied for quite a while in a helpful, less destructive way! I remember that being on of my first jobs was to water a dry/almost dead patch of lawn at the old house, right next to the driveway. I believe it ended up getting replaced with brick...clearly I wasn't very dedicated to my assignment...

Jack Knows Jesus Is Real

6/9/16

https://youtu.be/z_j6w4CrfH4

Jack had his first primary talk last Sunday. He was beyond excited and surprisingly confident (he has been getting nervous lately when a lot of attention is on him..unless a ball is involved). We had a great time writing his talk and cutting out pictures to help him remember what he wanted to say. We decided to video his practice for you. Brock didn't want to be left out so he shared one of his favorite nursery lessons.

I was really touched by his simple faith. He does know Jesus is real and wants to be like him.

I asked him if he wanted me to come help him before primary started and he said "No I can do it all by myself". Sure enough. He marched up to the stand like he was 24 not 4 and started all on his own. He realized he wasn't speaking into the mic so he stopped, adjusted the microphone, and started at the beginning. It was perfect. I was holding back tears the entire time for so many reasons... I felt the spirit, he didn't want my help, Im 37 weeks prego so... yeah... and He looked and acted so much older than he is! It's sad and terrifying and makes me proud all at the same time.

Too Much Growing Up

5/1/16
Tomorrow marks 6 months since my favorite missionaries left. Is this going by slow to anyone else?? How we miss you and love hearing of your Christlike service all at the same time!

Brock has noticed your absence. Today after dinner, he began whimpering. I asked him what was wrong and he said "I just want Gma and Gpa to come to our house!" I asked him what Gma and Gpa... "Gma Annie and Kerry." And I join in the whimpering with him of course.

He must be missing you because he has a lot of new tricks to he would love to show off. His new bike, which you heard about in our last facetime has been a hit. He proved to himself he is as cool as Jack by learning to peddle.

However after getting Jack a new bike, his was no longer good enough because he didn't have a kickstand like Jack's does. Oh heavens. So we had a heart to heart talk about how you only get a kickstand when you can ride without training wheels. What does our determined, stubborn Pete do? Well see for yourselves....

 

Where do I find a kickstand for a 10in bike?? He clearly slaughtered Jack's record of the youngest two wheel cruiser in the Bleazard household. Jack learned at 3.5 yrs old. Brock's sheer focus and strong will grabbed the title for himself at the tender age of 2.8 yrs old. He sure has set the bar high for little SnotRod. Bring on the crashes, scrapes, and bruises I guess! Stop Growing!

Jack is enthralled with all the new songs he is learning in primary. And mom and dad are extremely sick of "Who Has a Birthday", "Hello, Hello", "Book of Mormon Stories". He has been singing them since we got out of church and hasn't stopped. No exaggeration. 

We do love watching his little testimony grow. His prayers are becoming very heartfelt and he doesn't want our help anymore. He gives so many thanks to our Heavenly Father and always asks baby brother and the cows to be blessed. Today at dinner was one of my all time favorites...

"....Thank you we could go to primary. Thank you we learned about good Sundays. Bless our food. Bless baby brother to be healthy. ..... Oh and guess what? We're moving!! Name of Jesus Christ Amen"

Its very clear Jack's cousins are becoming his best friends. And I wouldn't want it any other way. It has always been rare for Jack to have a massive tantrum. Those have only happened after leaving his best girl and guys presence. We've been lucky to have lots of cousin time these last couple of weeks...along with a couple meltdowns.  

 

I don't have much to share because keeping my house clean for showings has taken over most everything! I'm kind of tired of being an adult. I miss the days of riding the banana seat bike, Deseret Rose, and drawing parking spaces with chalk in the garage. House selling is just about my least favorite thing in the world. I wish I could say I'm developing patience but that would be a lie. I NEED to develop more patience that's for sure. Because of all the uncertainty and 8 weeks until we meet baby SnotRod, it's turned into a rollercoaster of emotions for me, as well as lots of stress and anxiety which is then followed by some depression. Luckily I have a patient, level headed husband who doesn't freak out when he gets on the rollercoaster with me... poor Heath. 

I do know the Lord is here to help us through adversity. Today some sweet blessings came in the form of purple irises and a good chat from our Bishop's wife, Anne. She always seems to know when depression is sneaking up on me and shows up to help me talk through it. I don't mean for this to be a sappy post, but she gave me a big long hug and said "This hug is from your mom, because I know she would be here hugging you if she could. They pray for you every day. I just know it."

I don't share this with all of you to make it harder, but to be real. And most importantly to acknowledge how the Lord is taking care of and loves us. Sometimes it may be harder to see his hand than others but He is ALWAYS there. I struggle remembering that during the thick of it but I know its true. Humbly relying on Him and the angels He has placed in my path is just what I need to learn to do.

I love you family. Oh how I love you! 

Easter, Conference, Spring Break Catch Up

4/11/16
This has been our life lately. Wrestling.

 The boys are obsessed and often ask when dad will be home so they can wrestle him. They wrestling after breakfast, off and on through out the day, on the football field at track practice, and have attempted to in the car and on the bench at church.

My stress levels have adapted and I don't even hold my breath or blink unless there is blood.

The rough and tough, crazy, wild atmosphere they create makes the tender moments, even more tender and heart melting. 

I think society has led us to believe boys aren't sensitive or nurturing. But that just isn't the case. Jack and Brock recognize the miracle about to join our family and tenderly talk to their little bro often.

They are so excited for him to come, especially Brock.

 

We don't have many mornings without J and B greeting SnotRod and reminding me of how big my belly is getting.

   

For Heath's spring break we took the boys to Temple Square. 

The original plan was to go to the top of the church office building. The boys were so sad when we were told there is construction at the top and weren't allowed up. That sadness didn't last long as we continued to explore the beautiful grounds around the temple. 

 

Easter was a blast with these little cowboys. The Easter Rabbit (not bunny, according to Jack) brought cowboy hats and they haven't left their heads for days. 

 

This year the boys really seemed to grasp the story of Christ's resurrection. It prompted hundreds of questions that I never expected a 4 year old to ask. I should have written them down because my prego brain can't remember them now. I do remember being stumped on how to answer some!

 

The boys' weekly guitar lessons with Heath have continued. Brock is very intrigued my music and learning to play like daddy. The new cowboy hats made for some perfect pictures!

 

I know I've mentioned before how physically difficult this pregnancy has been. I think some of the pain could have been avoided if I didn't try to sprint like my 18 yr old self back in October with the winter track kids... I must have torn my hip flexor. It hasn't ever fully healed and made it difficult to walk and get dressed like a normal person. I finally went to a physical therapist and have a therapy routine now. It seems to be helping. I can lift my leg now to get my pants on!

 

General Conference with these three was joyful. Honestly, it was near impossible to focus on a full talk but I enjoyed having a slow down pace surrounded by my favorite boys in the world and the spirit that filled our home. 

 

Track is in full swing! I'm usually on the couch when I get home because I can't walk the rest of the night after practice but I love it. 

This year has been especially challenging for me, because of the number of hurdlers I have...20+! 80% of them show up every day and work really hard. The challenge has come when race day approaches. For invitational/varsity meets we can only enter 4 athletes in each event, usually the 4 fastest.

I committed at the beginning of the season that it wouldn't be just their time that gets them the chance to race at varsity meets. Showing up to practice, working hard, not making excuses, supporting teammates etc played an equal role for being considered varsity... unlike some of the other coaches on the team who put in the fastest no matter what...I think for their personal egos...

I thought that would help when it comes down to deciding who gets to race. But nearly all of them are doing those things! Its been heartbreaking for me to basically tell kids they don't get to race because they aren't fast enough. Many of them are less than a second short of that 4th place spot and work they're butts off every day. I've been really impressed that these kids don't give up despite the fact they don't get to race. They actually seem to work harder.

Alexia has been one of those. She was one of my faithful winter track athletes and her dedication hasn't wavered since. She is quiet and isn't ever in spotlight even though she works harder than nearly everyone else. It has been hard to see her work so hard and still not make it into the top 4 on our team. But one of the girls faster than her in the 300m Hurdles was of the few who didn't consistently show up to practice. So I made the call to let Alexia run and take this less dedicated girl out of the race. 

I was so glad I did, despite the disapproval of another coach. Alexia dropped 5 seconds in the 300m hurdles. 5 seconds!! This made her the 2nd fastest in that event on our team. It felt so good to be able to teach the rest of the kids through Alexia's example that hard work doesn't go unnoticed and it does pay off. For some it may not pay off immediately by being able to run varsity this year or next year or ever. It will pay off years down the road. 

 

 

The head coach ordered my two little assistants shirts this year. They are very proud of them. Jack told me he can run the fastest now with his new shirt. 

 

We are putting our house up on the market this week. In preparation I've slowly been cleaning out the basement and closets, mowing, repainting the back deck and resting on the couch thinking of everything we need to do! I'm ready for this to be over or want to give up, but then I think of Alexia. Hard work and dedication will pay off. It will all work out...right?!

Big Changes for the Bleazards

3/20/16
Well...WE ARE MOVING! I just didn't want to only worry about coaching track, coaching Jack's soccer team, starting a landscape curbing business, and having a baby so I decided we should throw in selling our house and moving too.

We had a great opportunity come up to rent/take care of Heath's cousin's house in Grantsville while she and her family move to Rome. Her husband is helping finish the temple there. Renting will give us the time to build again, hopefully in Erda where we want to end up for good. It is a financially smart move.

Truly I have been dragging my feet and fighting the spirit's guidance. It has been a test of my faith and obedience that is for sure. I adore all my friends in our neighborhood, I like our house, and I love that the boys have some great friends, so I was frustrated that the Lord was telling us to move.

I finally realized that this was an answer to prayers I was offering months ago! It was not the answer or timing I was expecting. My testimony of how all-knowing our Heavenly Father is has grown. I know He knows what is best for us. And what is best for us can often be something that is extremely challenging for us.

We will be putting our house on the market in roughly 3 weeks. We are trying to sell without a Realtor...  pray for us! We can move into the house we will be renting on July 5th. I will likely have a 2 week old....and if Snotrod comes like his brothers he will only be 1 week old! We are crossing our fingers and offering lots of faithful prayers that the timing of selling and moving all workout smoothly so we aren't homeless and the market doesn't crash.

What's in Bleazard Blood.

3/4/16
Our weeks all seem to fade into one long exhausting, emotional, fun, want to rip my hair out, and my heart is going to burst with love kind of day. Probably because I have pregnancy insomnia so the days blend into one!

MEDICINE FOR MAMA'S SOUL:
This view is becoming more frequent each afternoon now that the weather is improving. Aren't those white lined lanes beautiful? Jack is my consistent assistant for track practice. I'm secretly happy he would rather be on the track with me than at the barn with cows...shh...

This particular day my track kids were running 1.5 miles followed by a good stretch session. Jack didn't want to be left out of the workout. He grabbed my hand walked me to a spot on the grass and said, "Stand here and watch ME run." There was quite the emphasis on ME. I think he wants Coach Bleazard's attention just like the HS kids get. I stood there and yelled at him like I do the big kids. Jack proceeded to run TWO laps of the track...in cowboy boots. The HS kiddos and I were shocked. He got a big cheer as he crossed the finish line. He thought he was pretty cool and of course his mom did! Running is in his blood!

The track season officially kicked off on Wednesday this week. I couldn't be more excited. The small group of 3 I started working with in October has into a group of 16 the last couple months. I loved seeing the commitment they are put in before track even starts. These kids are hard working and so much fun.

DAILY CHORES:
Heath has been feeding cows every day all winter. Brock is his consistent right hand man. Heath loves that Brock is obsessed with the bovine just like him. I have loved going to feed as well. It feels good to get away from subdivision life and feel peace like this...

 

Brock truly loves these cows. He is an expert (without touching the gas pedal) truck driver while Heath feeds and has a few baby cows that are called "his buddies". He isn't afraid of them at all. Brock the Builder comes out when Heath asks him to come to barn to help fix a fence or do a job. He gets his tool box, bob hat, and sprinkler boots on and proudly says "Mom, I got to go help Dad dig some stuff. I got to go." Cattleman is in his blood!

All the boys were at the field this morning, when I got a call from J and B excitedly saying they just "sawed a baby get borned". Sure enough they saw the whole thing! Heath said Jack was a little wide-eyed and kept asking why the baby cow was so wet! Jack later told me the baby cow was just "hanging out of his mom and then popped out". They loved watching the new calf try to stand up and walk too.

ABC AND 123:

Brock, Jack and I have been much more consistent with preschool these days. After a couple days of thinking I would never be able to teach Jack simple math (1+1) He surprised me. He is definitely starting to catch on. He is excited to be 5 because Grandma Annie and Grandpa Kerry will come back when he is 5! I about cry every time he tells me that! Learning is in his blood!

 

Brock on the other hand, doesn't like to learn anything except letter B, number 2, and favorite colors white and brown. He may not be classroom smart right now, but he is definitely a smartie pants. The manipulate, street savvy kind of smart. He is definitely better drawing and coloring than Jack ever was at this age. And much more skilled at throwing tantrums. Stubborn and strong willed will make this kid successful some way or another! ...if you can't tell we are still struggling with this handsome hard head! Determination is in his blood.

 

CHLORINE GOGGLE EYES:

Pregnancy the third time around has been physically hard, to say the least. Since about 18 weeks, I have been having the aches and pains that came around 30 weeks with my first two pregnancies. Some days I can hardly walk. Even though I can't kick because of ligament pain, a little chlorine time has been my only saving grace. The pool at the gym is a lot like yours, mom and dad, 8-9 strokes and I'm at the wall! Chlorine is in my blood!

 

 PEANUT, PEANUT BUTTER...and Jelly:

J and B eat PB for lunch and dinner nearly every day lately. I even catch them sneaking spoonfuls if its been left on the counter. Look familiar grandpa? The pics says it all... peanut butter is in their blood! 

 

BLUE BLOODED BOYS:

Heath would deny it, but I've heard from so many students on the track team or in our ward, that he is one of the favorite teachers at the HS. There are new evaluations all teachers have to do to not get $2000 penalties against their salaries for next year. He passed with flying colors. He was also asked to be the adviser for the Student Body Officers next year. So grateful for his hard work in a career that isn't his biggest passion. Commitment is in his blood.

Heath took his Latinos In Action students to Utah State last week in efforts to help them see what college is all about. Many of these students come from homes where they are the only one in their family who will have finished HS. I was very jealous about missing a trip to USU, but he came home with aggie shirts for us all. The boys have worn them to bed and all day the last 2 days. Aggie blue is in our blood!