February Happenings

Nothing like cotton candy and bubbles for Valentine's Day!


Sharing the Love.


Should be sleeping but he is not.


Preschool Valentine's Day cards.


Dentist Field Trip.

Although the month of February has been full of love, it has also been full of sickness at the Bowen Casa. In one day, both Judd and Jon went to insta-care for sinus infections. In all my years of marriage to Jon, he has never gone to the doctors for being sick so I knew he must have felt horrible. And, poor Remi. Another ear infection that completely made his eye bulge. Thank goodness for tubes in April. I bet the kid will feel like a new man with those babies in his ears.

Valentines was low-key. I opted to make dinner at home so we didn't have to find a babysitter or fight the crowds. The following night we went to dinner. We found a little Mexican restaurant in Saratoga Springs, which was good and they had excellent service. Judd loved his new Spiderman t-shirt he received for Valentines Day and Remi was head over hills for his bubbles and cotton candy. One thing I remember about my childhood is the little treats my mom used to set out for any holiday. I get so excited to do the same for my boys.

This month was a little traumatizing for me because I had to take a two day class at the University of Utah to start renewing my teaching license. The older I get the more of a nervous nelly I become. "New" things stress me out. I am ok once I get there but the whole idea of it being new sometimes paralyzes me to the point that I can't sleep days before. Luckily my sweet mom and Laurie (sister-in-law) took my kids. Even though I graduated from the U, I couldn't remember where the building was so my mom (bless her heart)offered to drive up with me the night before to find it, which actually relieved some of the stress. I am such a weirdo. Anyway, the class was on Microsoft Excel, and I loved learning about it. Prior I had never used it and oh how I have been missing out. I was so proud of the student project I came up with using the program.

For the last couple of months I have been reflecting as a mom, wife, sister, and all of the above. I have started to realize things about me that are odd. For instance, I have become a total home body. I used to love going out, shopping, seeing new movies. It's not that I completely hate going out, but I prefer to stay home. Also, I am not partial to any laundry detergent. When I buy a new brand or scent, I rush through the old stuff, adding extra so I have an excuse to open the new one. I am learning that getting old is hard. My back is constantly hurting, especially after the treadmill. I am realizing that I need to step up my game as a mother, sister, wife, and friend. It can't just be about me. I wish life could slow down. I love watching my boys transition to different phases, but oh how it happens so fast. When I start to think about my childhood, I now know why my parents made the decisions they did...because they loved us. Becoming a mom makes you see things so much differently.

Judd and Remi tag team me all day. If it is not one, its the other. However, I remind myself everyday to enjoy it and don't freak out. My friend, Amanda, gave me a cute idea with jars of marbles to help Judd behave and it has helped tremendously. He has already earned a full jar, which allowed him to pick out some pretty cool Spiderman pjs. Remi's personality is developing strong, and I mean strong. He is learning that with Judd, it is about survival of the fittest. If you don't fight back it will be taken out of your hands. Remi also has perfected his arched back with a high pitched scream when things aren't going according to his plan of action. I love my boys!