Life in the Durst Home

Yesterday was my birthday, I have one more year to in joy before I am completely out of my twenties. Anthony got me some leather sofas about a month ago, and they got here just in time for him to say”Happy Birthday”. I do love them, they make my house feel cleaner. But I have to tell you the best gift of all was to be able to sit and talk to my husband and share stories with one another that we have never shared. We talked for a good hour, and compared each child to ourselves and shared stories of why we felt the way we did and it was wonderful. I just  can’t tell you how lucky I am to have an eternal companion, that I am head over heals in love with. (yes we have our fights) but at the end of the day he is the one I turn too. And the only one in my family that new it was my birthday.

Friday we went out with our good friends to a small little Italian place. The food was good, but to be able to go out and be with friends was better. I have never laughed so hard, I came home with a head ache. I am sure that the owners weren’t thrilled with us, but oh well. It was also the first time Sammy had a babysitter, and he didn’t like it.

We went to Anthony’s Grandmas house on Saturday. She lives in railroad flat, and asked us about three months ago if we would come out during the lumber jack festive.. We put in on our calendars and showed up as we said we would. She forgot that we where coming… We didn’t end up going to the lumber Jack thing, but we did stay at her house and visit for a while. It is hard to talk to her, because she has allstimers (don’t know how to spell) and it’s getting worse very quickly. He husband died over a year ago, and now she is in her house alone.  I worry about her, but there isn’t much that I can do.

Conference was very inspiring and uplifting for me on Sunday. I had questions, and they got answered.. I know  what I have to work on, and I know what I have to help my children with. I received all the answers I had prayed about, and that has put another marker on my testimony, and I know that Heavenly Father Loves Me, and wants me to be happy…( Conference is when the Prophet and his Apostles speak to us, it happens in Oct & April) www.lds.org

Work is going great for Anthony, He just finished up a Kitchen and Bathroom Remodel, and is now in the process of repairing and updating a rental house.. when he received the “go” on another Kitchen and Bathroom Remodel. He is also receiving calls on small repairs and such- so I was told to take the ad off Craig’s List for a few months. We called on Workers Comp Insurance, and most likely will be getting an employee by the end of the month. He just has NO idea who. He wants someone who knows how to do electrical and plumbing, but he doesn’t think he can find anyone with that knowledge who will work for twenty dollars an hour. We can’t pay anymore then that because workers comp cost way to much! We got a quote for a thousand dollars a month, but the employee can’t paint. Are you kidding me…. We are in Construction of course we need someone who can paint….

I have started walking Zack to school every morning. It’s great for Ava and Aubrey to get the fresh air, and Sam just sleeps in his pack. I figure I can only go to the gym three days a week, so i might as well get my excercise too walking…

I have given up fast food. After seeing how much money we spent in the past two months, I would rather keep my house cleaner. So for the past ten days I have been feeding the kids at home, then taking Anthony a packed lunch. It’s so much healthier. The only thing I am missing is Mc Donald’s has their Monopoly right now, and I love playing it…. I had to say to myself: Jen- over the past five years your have NEVER won ANYThing….. DO NOT FALL FOR IT!

I tried to give up coke again, but I think for right now I have to work on one weakness at a time.

Sam is very spoiled.  He either needs to be asleep in his car seat, or be held by me… I can’t seem to be able to get anything done. I did however put up all the Halloween lights up last night. He sat in his car seat screaming. Sometimes you just have to let them cry….. Right now he is sitting next to me screaming. He just ate, so I know he isn’t hungry.

Oh well, I have written a ton… Hopefully you will hear from me sooner then later.

Jen

Image this.  You are in my car, Aubrey is sound asleep (from a great play date) Ava is crying because she feels she needs another play date, the baby is SCREAMING because he NEEDS to be fed, Devun in the front seat, trying to talk to his friend in the back seat (not using his in door voice). All sitting in the car for 15 min waiting for Zack and his friend Jack to get out of class.

I got the baby out of his seat and began to feed him, then I asked Devun and Marco to go get Zack and Jack and walk them back to the car. Yes I should have gone myself, but I needed to feed the baby and Aubrey are sleeping so they go. Then I see Devun, Marco, Zack & Jack walking through the play ground with no other kids in sight.

Devun, did you walk into the class room to get Zack? Devun” yes”

Devun, do I go into your class room before school is over?

Devun: NO

so long story short, the kids were in the middle of singing the goodbye song, and Devun interrupted them, took Jack and Zack and walked them out to the car…

So today I worked in Zack class and the first thing I did was apologize for Devun, but I said Sons behavior and she thought I was talking about something else and explained to me that Zack and another boy had to go to the principals office for hitting and kicking each other at lunch. I was very surprised. You could probably image that Zack would fail to give me that info……

The teacher was fine about Devun walking into the class, she really didn’t listen to what I had to say. So am assuming she was busy and I did my part, so I won’t worry about it anymore. Now I have to worry about Zack and fighting??????

Zack loves that I come in and help out in his class room.

Anthony went on Marissa field trip today, they took some fun pictures that I will share when I get his phone from him….

Devun got a min progress report yesterday, he is doing great!

Ava, Aubrey and Sammy got a babysitter today while Anthony and I volunteered at the school. I came home to a clean house, sleeping baby and Aubrey NOT crying… I think it was a success.

Anthony is doing really great right now with his business. It seems like everyday he is getting a new referral, and he has lots of small projects going on right now. Our Calendar is full. Mobil Me was the BEST purchase that we have made all year. I am able to see what he has planned, and he can see what I plan for him and myself. So now there are no more little arguments about each others schedule. we can see it on our phones.

We are back to the stage where we think we should hire a part-time employee- we just don’t really know anyone that we trust- or who is willing to work on there own. We need someone with Anthony’s skills and work ethics who doesn’t expect a TON of pay…. any ideas?  I didn’t think so.  Oh well he’ll just have to turn some work down, or people will have to wait 6-8 weeks to get a project done. Either way Heavenly Father is blessing us, and we are Thankful!

You can tell I am bored when I blog about nothing.  Heres another post about nothing.

Getting to know Jen’s likes and dislikes.

I love to get a big glass of milk and break up Oreo cookies into it. and eat them with a spoon. (just did it)

I love my cats, I just hate when they pee and pooh in the house. Not really a big dog lover (lucky for our dog, Anthony is 100 % animal lover)

I love listen to country music

I Love singing, and I have a horrible voice… But I love to sing…. My poor husband (Marissa and Ava sound & sing just like me)

I know the words to LOTS of songs, but I don’t always or ever know who sings them or what the name of the song is

My favorite holiday is Christmas… Mostly because I LOVE to shop for my children, and it’s the one time in the year besides birthdays that it’s Okay

I Hate being home alone

I hate when it’s too quit

I hate when it’s too loud

I hate returning things…. to stores

I hate talking on the phone to people

It’s hard for me to make eye contact when I talk to people

I worry about what EVERYONE thinks, and always asumes’ that its bad.

I always wanted to have ten children, and be a foster mother when I was young.

I know this sounds crazy because I have had 6 children, but I HATE being pregnant.

I hate foot ball

I love reading the scriptures with my family at night before bed.

It’s hard for me to leave the house alone, Especially at night.

I love being at the gym, I just hate leaving to go their & coming home

You already know that I can’t spell, but I can type…. (spell check is my best friend and worst nightmare)

I would rather shop for my kids & husband then buy something for myself …(unless I really need something)

I love going to and being at Disneyland with my Husband & Children…(it really is the happiest place on earth).

I am not a responsible pet person, I wait for an issue then I deal with it… Example… My cat having Kittens

I hate cooking… about 3-4 times a week my family eats fast food for either lunch or dinner.

I love watching movies

I hate watching TV

I have always wanted to write a book about my life, grammar kind of has stopped me on that progress

I am very bad at returning phone calls

I never like to commit to a date example (play date, party, going to friends/family ) in advance, just incase I can’t make it or if I am being honest don’t want to make it … (some days I don’t want to do ANYTHING, and I never know when those days will come).

big groups of people make me uncomfortable, Mostly because I don’t know how to be sociable without saying or doing something really stupid

I want to help friends and family, but most of the time I don’t get hints or even receptive to someones needs as I should be. (I am working on it)

My best friend is and has always been my husband.

In high school I didn’t have any (girl) friends, they were all boys.

I don’t know and never knew who my father was/is

My grandparents raised me

I grew up in a house that was filled with kids (6)

My grandmother was a foster parent

My mother has 5 children (all different fathers)

I am so happy for my very large and loud, and beautiful family. Heavenly Father as truly blessed me in my short time on this earth.

I really wish that I had a before picture.. But lets just say before you could walk and seriously hurt yourself if you fell.

Now it looks like this

Visiting teaching was an exciting experience. Before we could get a prayer in Zack had to be rushed to the Minor injury client at Kaiser. I guess he had a stick in his hand and wasn’t watching what Devun was doing. Then Devun threw a ball at his face and the stick cut him right under his eye. Zack had to get the glue and 3 sterile strips put over it. We missed Devun last Boy Scout Summer Party, Due to the fact that Zack cannot get it wet for 7 days. Anthony ended up taking Devun by himself. It was probably for the best, seeing how Aubrey is not afraid of the water and neither Anthony nor I really wanted to get wet… (Weather was too cold). But the worst part is we are going camping this weekend. All there is to do is swim…. We are going to have to come up with something cleaver so Zack can get his waste wet only. I will post pictures later. Other News, Anthony is officially working for himself. I know as long as I have faith things will all work out. He starts that Kitchen Remodel on Monday, and the following Monday he will start another Bathroom remodel. So he will have two of his own projects going at the same time. Sad news is I was starting to get used to him home in the evening again. The past week, he has worked lots of little projects just from referrals. (Thank you family and friend. WE LOVE YOU)! Anthony has worked part time for the past three and a half months, and with out these referrals & projects who knows where we would be. Thank You, Thank You! Like I said in my talk, have faith and Miracles will come! Today is the first day I have my mothers helper come and help me with my kids. I choose smartly. I had two of my friend’s children over last night and most of today. I honestly have not had to entertain them AT ALL! My room is clean (Miracle) and I was able to clean the rest of the house. Now I just need to get off the computer so I can pack our bags! Talk to you soon Jen

Marissa lost her first tooth last night. Or should I say Anthony pulled out her first tooth.
I don’t know what it is about my kid’s teeth, but the only way they really fall out is by force. Marissa has another tooth growing behind the one that just came out that was causing the tooth to be really wiggly; but the other tooth was pretty far back not really pushing the baby tooth out, Devun’s did the same thing, and now he has to wear a retainer to push the teeth forward. I blame Anthony for this.

Did you know he still has 2 baby teeth that haven’t come out yet? The dentists said he needs to pull the baby teeth and get braces to force the adult teeth to come down. Anthony doesn’t want to deal with braces at 30, so he is just ignoring the problem. I have issues with keeping my adult teeth, and he can’t get his baby teeth to go…

Anyways the tooth fairy was very generous this year, $10 dollars for her first tooth. Mostly because that is the only thing the tooth fairy had in her purse. But I think Devun got that much for his first tooth, just because Grandma was living with us at the time, and thought “she” forgot and stuck an extra $5 with what the $5 that the tooth fairy had already left …..

Grandma was a good Grandma, always worrying about the kids.

Today I dropped my kids off at preschool; as I was driving home my mind starting wondering, like it sometimes does, I couldn’t help but feel gratitude to my father in Heaven for all the blessing he has given to us these past few months. I thought that my trials where to learn to save money, which a BIG part I am sure was. But the most important lesson I have learned was Gratitude. I always thought I deserved or was owed major blessing in life. I very BIG mistake… I have been given so much that I never really looked at as a blessing. However, MY eyes have been opened; I am seeing things so much clearer. And I don’t think I deserve anything that is happening to our family. Blessings that where once promised are now coming true, and it doesn’t even seem real. I feel like I don’t deserve any of them. But I am very thankful for all of them. I feel like I should be doing more in this world, when all are in need of something; let it be a friendship, food, clothes or just someone to listen to their burdens. I want to help, and I know that I will NEVER be able to do enough to repay my father in Heaven; however I am going to start trying!

So we found out that we are having a little boy on Sunday… I was very shocked, but also very happy… Today I decided to start cleaning out closets and drawers for the summer. I have about 10 big bags to give to the DI, which includes new born baby girl clothes that I sadly won’t need anymore. We have no idea what to name this little guy; the kids have come up with a bunch of crazy ideas. I guess we still have a few months to decide. Anthony is busy working on a kitchen Remodel, once he is done with that he will quickly start a bathroom,  We have been truly blessed. I get to sign Devun up for Soccer on Wed night, he is very happy about this. HE has wanted to play for the past three years, but at sign up we NEVER had the money… He can’t wait, and reminds me everyday. He also got two awards today at School… He is doing great in Math. I hope he can keep it up, I am very proud of him and what a great student he is. Tonight we had a lesson on fathers for FHE. I think it was a good reminder to them on why their dad is working so hard, and how we need to be very loving and appreciate all the hard work he puts out each day to provide for our very LARGE family.. , Anyways other then that, Anthony is still coaching the kids baseball game and working in between, we find time at night to catch up, and the kids wake up early in the morning to eat breakfast and be with him before he is off to work, all in all things seem to be working out.

Today is Anthony and my 9 year anniversary… I never thought it would be possible to love him more today, then I did the day we got married. Of course we had our rocky points leading up to that day, but I new he was my soul mate…. Then we got married, boy oh boy was the first few years HARD… Two very stubborn people, trying to live under one roof and do what they wanted too…

We were able to work it out, and soon after he joined the church, and I have to say since are sealing day, I have never seen a more committed husband. He wants to serve us so much; he works so hard to provide for us spiritually as well as physically. He always tells me how happy he is, and he just wants to make me happy…. (Shows you what a spoiled brat I am)…

I just wanted to share with you; what I lucky girl I am, to have such a wonderful, hardworking, Great Father & Husband that I have.

So, I emailed a few days ago about Anthony not getting that Kitchen remodel due to cell phone issues… She called Tuesday and they changed there mind… Anthony will be starting their kitchen in the next 2 week…He was a little shocked, and came to me and said “why when there is No work there’s no work for days… Now that I have work, we have tons of it??? 

I answered him by saying; I think this is a lesson to us to save… If we didn’t have any money in our savings the past 4 months we would have been nearly homeless… And I am sure I would have had a few emotional break downs… But I kept my cool, and was thankful for all we had, & the time we had as a family & Anthony being home with me during the sickest time of my life (pregnancy) I think the kids needed him home during those 3 months I know my house did….

Now, He has work to keep him busy from now until August. I just hope that we can save enough money for a down on a house, and still have money in the bank.  On paper it should work out, but I have been saying that for the last 3 years… It’s not my will it’s Heavenly Fathers, I need to just accept it. Either way we will be moving in June/July…. We need a bigger house for this baby. And I want to find one before school starts incase the kids need to go to a different school. (Even thought I don’t want that to happen).

Updates:

Ava is no longer crying when we drop her off at preschool or play group… The sticker chart as really worked for her. Last Sunday she even walked to her class at church with her teacher and left Anthony and I still in our seats.

Aubrey is talking a lot more, she loves to be out side and most of all she loves her brothers and sisters… It was really hard for Aubrey last week as Zack and Ava started preschool. She cried every day that they left. Now she is having fun with her friend at the gym…

Devun has earned his Bob Cat, and Wolf for scouts, I have to go and get him a Bear book so he can earn that before he is 10. (I will be busy)

Zack loves going to preschool, I think he just loves getting out of the house. He also really enjoys his play group with his 3 best friends…

Marissa reminds me so much of me as I was growing up, Anthony and I KNOW we are going to have problems when she gets a little older. But she is doing GREAT  in school. He reading as improved so much, she is reading chapter books now.

I have been going to the gym everyday. I am hoping that I can work up to a 5k run/walk, that is going on in May with the Young Women’s. Only time will tell.

Anthony, as you know is on the Church Basket Ball team, Last night they went to regional and Won… He came home very happy. Then quickly got started in writing up his first contract for this kitchen.