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!

A Sick Little Brock the Builder

2/15/16
Brock has become obsessed with Bob the Builder, especially these last couple months. He always been very hands-on building towers, houses, and garages out of his blocks or "ficking" things in our house with his tools. We don't go many places without his Bob hat on. The HS track kids love it and often sing the Bob the Builder theme song with him.

 

Brock the Builder watching Bob with his "Bob the Builder worker clothes" and with Muck and toy Bob. This is frequent sight in the Bleazard house.

 

Brock the Builder playing with his best bud. 

His sturdy construction hat could keep him from getting sick. All his hard work building and fixing things must have led to a yucky cough a week or so ago. 5 days into the cough, Brock developed a fever that night. The next morning he seemed pretty normal, but the fever returned that the next evening. And the next. The third day of fever also brought wheezing and his abdomen sinking in each time he inhaled so you could see his ribs. 

Too many red flags for me, so I took him into the Dr. Saturday. I'm so glad I did. His oxygen was low and sure enough he had an infection in his lungs. The Dr prescribed breathing treatments, a steroid, and an antibiotic. 

 

Brock's cool mask for breathing treatments that he hates and cries the whole time.

 

A scary night of a high fever made my heart break for my little builder.

 

I have liked the snuggling and 4+ naps every day lately.

I am praying this doesn't last long, but Brock isn't letting modern medicine help him get better. He puts up a dang good fight when its time for medicine, one that my prego body isn't up for winning.  We've only successfully had one fully dose swallowed by Mr. Brock. And a few drops taken in while hidden in ice cream or juice. But the kid is a bloodhound and has figured out my tricks.

Church : A Hazardous Place

1/24/16
Last Sunday was one I was thankful for to have 1pm church. Brock and I didn't sleep too well...stomachs still uneasy. Poor kid has lost a lot of weight and didn't eat for over 48 hrs. I was determined to be early to church to get a comfy seat because I felt so crumy. 5 minutes early doesn't cut it in our ward. The closest we got was 3/4 of the way back in the gym. But at least we got a seat. If you are late you stand.

The boys were behaving abnormally good during Sacrament mtg. Probably because Brock was a zombie in Heath's arms. During one of the talks I sent Jack to throw away some wrappers from his snack. Of course he ran. When doesn't he run? Apparently he tripped and propelled his head right into the edge of the metal door frame. I saw him running back to us crying and thought he got a good bump. About the same time as that thought entered my mind I heard Heath let out a profanity...****! I instantly knew it was worse because he never swears. I then saw the blood running down my Jackie boy's face. Heath swooped him up, headed out, with Brock and I close behind.

Heath's white shirt was saturated and he told me we needed to head to the ER. I went back, grabbed our stuff, and wiped up the trail of blood along the gym floor. One of the nurses in our ward was quick to come the rescue with her first aid kit. She helped stop the bleeding and bandaged him up. The physician's assistant that lives around the corner from us also came out. After taking a look he said we definitely needed stitches. We had several others out offering assistance. While loading up in the car, a member of the Bishopric came out next! We are so grateful for the people we live near.

On the way to the instacare in Tooele, Jack was really making me nervous. I sat next to him trying to keep him conscious. He was not very responsive and very glazed over. It was the only time I cried through the whole thing. I've never seen him like that and it scared me. I asked him if we should say a prayer and he nodded yes. After the prayer, my nerves were calmed but he got really sleepy. Once we arrived he snapped back to normal Jack. He was playing with the toys, asking questions, and happily met nurse Annie who would be taking care of him. He was glad her name was Annie. She must be nice because he has a grandma Annie.

 

 

 

Jack was amazingly tough the rest of the time. He seemed to like the special treatment a bit. After a good hour or so of waiting, it was finally time for stitches. They rolled him up in a sheet like a burrito. One nurse held onto his legs. I held onto his arms and kept him distracted. And a second nurse held his head still. They placed a bunch of towels over his entire face. The Dr warned us that is when most kids freak out, but not our Jack. He thought it was nice because the light shining on him was so bright. Before the Dr started Jack, said in a nervous voice, "Wait. Do you have a knife??" After being reassured she didn't he chatted away. We played our favorite 'Guess what song' game, Jack told them about how he was going to start soccer soon, and that his gma and gpa haven't seen dinosaurs in Africa...oh he was so funny! The last stitch must have hit a nerve because he tensed up and said "that's really hurting. I want it to stop!" and began screaming. Completely broke my heart.

He and Brock got popsicles for the drive home. And the craziness of it and lack of food gave me a bit of blacking out on the way home and thought we would be headed back! On our front porch was some cards, candy and a teddy bear from Kelsey and her sisters. Jack also got phone calls from Kelsey and cousin Hank. And he later called Emily because Bec told us she was worried about her best boy. I'm thankful this kid is loved.

 

I watched him tell his cousin Hank the story. I was overwhelmed with how old he seemed (how can stitches make you look 14??) and how much I love him. I knew pretty soon it was anything too serious, but it still was enough to make me squeeze all my boys a little tighter, tell them I love them over and over, and thank Heavenly Father for blessing me with them and keeping them safe. 

The rest of the week was a bit of blur besides a facetime chat with my favorite missionaries and Friday I made up a special workout for my birthday. 27 minute walk on incline 7, 27 reps for 7 different arm weight lifts, and checked off week 17 of pregnancy.

 

I got treated to a delicious lunch from Salty 1 and 2. It was so nice to have them visit. Thanks Salts! Birthday partying also included track practice, taking Jack to get stitches out, dinner at Cafe Rio, Brock throwing up at Cafe Rio, and Heath feeding cows until late. Having Emily stay for a sleepover was probably my favorite part of my birthday. These two were in silly heaven the whole time!

 

On our way to track practice.

 

Playing "tickets" while I coached.

 

Whispering silly names for the new baby.

 

Getting stitches out!!

 

Sleepover time!! Emily kept telling me she loved Jack's jammies.

 

Two silly kiddos.

 

These goofs woke up at 6am. Jack came into my room and said, "Mom we have been awake forever and have just been talking." I continued to sleep while they jumped off Jack's bed, played animals and a matching game.

 

Emily tried to do Jack's hair to get him ready to go to his cousin's baptism.

As we were leaving to Idaho for cousin Bayden's baptism, I had the feeling I needed to stop and get my migraine prescription refilled at the pharmacy that I had forgotten to get all week. The drive-up window was opening as we pulled into the parking lot. I told Heath that was a sign I was going to get a migraine and Heavenly Father loved me enough to make sure I had my drugs. I said it jokingly but really had the impression I would be getting a migraine. No doubt it was a tender mercy from the Lord because 15 minutes later while passing the airport a migraine hit me. I'm so glad the spirit gave me that inspiration. I would rather have the flu, strep, pink eye and cold sores combined rather than a migraine without medicine! He really does care about the details of our lives.