That's me! My name is Heidi and I am the wife and proud mother of four! I am almost 29 years young. I'd like to sit here are tell you I love doing all the motherly things like cooking, cleaning, and laundry. . . but I don't. In fact, I dread it all! LOL I'd much rather sit with my kids on the couch and watch a movie, or take them to the park or zoo. When I do get a few moments to myself I enjoy the peace and quite of the Internet. If I'm not on the computer or out with the family, I can be found at Walmart. I have worked for the company over 8 years now... currently a RSR Lift Driver for Freezer/Dairy/Deli Shipping at the Walmart Distribution Center. I work 3 days, 28-33 hours, a week - making more than I did at my 5 day / 40 hour job in the stores. So it's great for the family time!
Before marriage and kids my life was boring and true, there are times when I sit here in the middle of chaos and think of how easy things used to be. I married my husband, Jerry in June of 2004... he is absolutely wonderful to me. We have our moments but no matter what he's my best friend and soulmate. I can't imagine my life without him! We have four children together, three boys - Jacob, Jaxen & Tyler and a girl - Chloe. Live is crazy and wonderful all at the same time and I can't imagine a day without any of them.
Besides the kids, I have our hands full with animals. We live on 5 acres outside town, so we have plenty of room to house our animals! We currently {and this changes frequently!} have 5 outdoor cats... Tinkerbell, Tee-J, Andromeda, Jasmine and Bella. We have 4 dogs... Bandit (he is a Beagle), Kairi (she is a Lab/Shepard Mix), Lennox (he is a Shepard/Boxer Mix) and Zinzi (she is a Shepard/Malenmo Mix = police dog). I love them to death but life would be a lot simpler without them. . . we rescued the last two Lennox and Zinzi from an animal shelter. Both at risk dogs who just needed a place to run and a family to love them. Zinzi was a bite dog. . . and even though I had worries bringing her into a family with kids, she hasn't NEVER even play bit anyone. I think she was just loosing her mind in the shelter. And since my husband and daughter has such HUGE hearts - we also foster dogs from the Kansas City Animal Shelter. Right now, we currently are fostering a female with a huge heart and playful soul. Our foster dogs can range from one adult dog to a completely litter of puppies!
Besides the kids, I have our hands full with animals. We live on 5 acres outside town, so we have plenty of room to house our animals! We currently {and this changes frequently!} have 5 outdoor cats... Tinkerbell, Tee-J, Andromeda, Jasmine and Bella. We have 4 dogs... Bandit (he is a Beagle), Kairi (she is a Lab/Shepard Mix), Lennox (he is a Shepard/Boxer Mix) and Zinzi (she is a Shepard/Malenmo Mix = police dog). I love them to death but life would be a lot simpler without them. . . we rescued the last two Lennox and Zinzi from an animal shelter. Both at risk dogs who just needed a place to run and a family to love them. Zinzi was a bite dog. . . and even though I had worries bringing her into a family with kids, she hasn't NEVER even play bit anyone. I think she was just loosing her mind in the shelter. And since my husband and daughter has such HUGE hearts - we also foster dogs from the Kansas City Animal Shelter. Right now, we currently are fostering a female with a huge heart and playful soul. Our foster dogs can range from one adult dog to a completely litter of puppies!
The Dad - Jerry, 30
Jerry is an awesome husband and father. He works 3 nights/36 hours a week for Walmart, in the same Distribution Center as me, as a systems and billing operator. Working nights while the kids sleep is hard on him for 3 days but is the perfect situation for our family. The best part of him working three nights and me working three days is that we ALWAYS have our days off together. Jerry has big plans in moving up in the company, and his goal is to be the sole bread winner and allowing me to stay home with the kids. Which is very sweet, but I enjoy working outside of the house, and I'm a little leery about completely quiting my job. . . but that decision is a ways off. Jerry also fixes computers on the side, which makes pretty good play money.
Jerry plays Mr. Mom with me during the week, so he's a really good cook and can clean up a house quite nicely! I love that about him, we are a complete partners in everything. And I believe together we are unstoppable. The kids love that he's home every morning, and Jerry's the one who gets to get Chloe ready for school and on the bus in the morning. Jacob and Jaxen are total Daddy's boys and they hate it when Daddy leaves for work.
In his spare time, Jerry likes watching movies, reading books and playing video games.
The Oldest Child - Chloe, 6
Chloe was born in the middle of an ice storm 7 years ago and she's been a live wire every since! She is too smart for her own good - some people would call her a smartass. I totally blame her father! Chloe's also my only girl and a total drama queen. . . everything has to be her way or no way. But as wild and crazy as she is, she's my baby and I wouldn't trade one hair on her head!
Chloe will be a second grader next fall! I watched my daughter transform from a closed-up mommy's girl to a beautiful, self-confident young lady during her years in school. I can't even imagine what the next couple years will do for her. . . I can't believe how much she is growing up before my eyes. Can someone please tell her to slow down? Chloe is also active in Girl Scouts -- she is a 2nd year Daisy bridging to Brownies. I am the local troop leader, so I get to see first hand her volunteerism at work. She loves doing things for other people and always put her friends feelings above her own. I am so thrilled she's growing up to be a wonderful young lady!
Jacob is a total Boy! I grew up with sisters and didn't have much contact with little boys, so I am learning a lot about having a son. Looking at my kids, I can see a lot of similarities in them. But just as I see a lot of likeness, they are complete opposites!
Jacob is a loud, crazy, lovable, mischievous, and a total troublemaker. He's into trucks, fighting, tools and super heroes. He loves "helping" you do stuff - even if he's more in the way. We are in the middle of potty training and he is doing wonderful. Until his little brothers was born, Jacob was an only child during the day because Chloe goes off to school every morning. And since Jaxen and Tyler sleep a good portion of the day, Jacob is ruler of the house.
Having three boys is a little scary to me. . . I have no idea why. I guess I'm scared of the unexpected! When Jacob was born Chloe could of cared less, she liked him but as long as he wasn't bothering her then she was good. I think Jacob is a great big brother, but he doesn't keep to himself. He wants to share toys and play with the little guys before they're old enough! I can't wait until Jaxen and Tyler are older and these boys become best friends.The Second-Youngest Child - Jaxen, 1
Baby Daily #3 made his official debut on December 17, 2010 at 6:14pm!! So much for a 2011 baby like we had planned! Jaxen was born 6 pounds 3 ounces and 17 inches long at 36 weeks. . . exactly 4 weeks early. Jax spent 6 days in the NICU, which to this date was the hardest thing I've ever had to go through. But in the end, I have a 100% healthy bouncing baby boy. He came into this world in his own way - on his own terms, and I'm sure he has a lot more in store for us over the next 18+ years!
My little NINJA has been a complete joy! I thought my life was complete with Chloe and Jacob, but never did I imagine that Jaxen would bring so much more to it! He has been a total and complete blessing. I have grown so much as a mother, and this time around I am literally enjoying every single moment. . . difficult nights, endless crying, and pure chaos! This little Guy is definitely going to fit in with the other two in the craziness department!
Jaxen is a non-stop, got-to-stay busy all-the-time type of kid. He loves playing with cars, balls, and blocks. He was my earliest crawler, walker, talker, etc. He's bound and determined to keep up with his older brother and sister. . . he doesn't let his size get in the way!! And it's that determined personality that gets him into trouble/hurt all the time! By 15-months, Jaxen has already given us not only our first Emergency Room visit - he's given us our second Emergency Room visit, our first life flight, and our second stay in the ICU. :-\
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I know that this is a little outdated, but I am leaving it in here. I love telling people about the meaning of my son's name!** After much consideration and a few heated discussions with family member on a good vs. bad name. Jerry and I have decided that our newest addition will be named Jaxen Ryder - pronounced just like Jackson - even though an explanation isn't necessary, I will say we thought long and hard about the name of our second son and we just didn't come up with is overnight. Jaxen (spelled with the "en" ending instead of the "on" ending) is an English name meaning "God has been Gracious" - which in our eyes is very fitting for son #2. I am very blessed to be having child #3, let alone boy #2!! I've totally fallen in love with this name!! Chloe and Jacob's name came fairly easy to us and honestly we never considered the meaning to be very important. Of course, we checked to make sure it wasn't anything with a crazy meaning, but the meaning didn't hold any weight. Jaxen's name, as unusual as it's spelled, was very thought out and the meaning sold me 100%!! (On a side note, Jackson means "Jack's son" so you can see why I picked the "odd" spelling) Then of course, Ryder is the name Jerry wants and has wanted for all three children. I can't promise that we will even have another child, let alone another son. He was very understanding and compromised with me while we named Chloe and Jacob, so I feel it is important and I want to do the compromising this time. I don't regret it, I love it. Jaxen Ryder sounds awesome to me and I will be proud of the name we picked for our son. As wild and crazy as he is, I think it fits him perfectly!!The Youngest Child - Tyler, due June 18, 2012
Baby Daily #4 is due this Summer! It will be our last baby. . . it's just becoming unsafe for me to carry anymore babies. The 3 prior c-sections really put me at risk for some pretty significant complications. Jerry and I have a wonderful team of doctor's behind us and we are confident that we will have a happy and healthy baby this summer!! Our c-section is scheduled for Monday, June 18th at 8am.
