Okay so my wonderful husband asked me what I really wanted to my birthday this year. I told him to get my hair done. So on my birthday in January he gave me a card with my appointment written in it. What a sweetheart. So today I got my birthday present. Brendan's cousin's wife has her own shop in blackfoot(bridge street Image) and is forever busy becuase she is SOOOO good. I told her what I wanted in Jessicanese hoping she understood. It turned out better than I thought. So here is a picture of my birthday present. THANKS again honey. I love you. oh BTW brendan also got to watch the boys for 3 hours so i could go get it done. it took forever because my hair was past my shoulders and it's extremely THICK. Have a great week!

Brevan Charles Cox....playing in the snow before church(we have afternoon churc h this year) He reminds us of the little kid from christmas story in this snowsuit. So I am stealing the idea from a friend, I would like to introduce and/or update you on Brevan Charles Cox. Brevan is almost 20 months now. He is full of energy and is our little mischevious guy. He was born on July 1, 2006. He came into this world rather quickly and with lots of joy. For those who don't know, we barely made it to the hospital. From the time our car arrived and the time he was born was 20 minutes! He has been such a joyous addition to our family. He absolutely LOVES cars and his bear bear. The other kids have blankies that they are attached to, He has a bear. He plays well with others and has developed his own mind at his young age. If he doesn't want to do something he will sit down and become DEAD weight. He has a temper....IE if you tell him to get out of the kitchen sink, He will stand in the middle of the floor and stomp his feet rather quickly and scream. It's hard not to laugh, but I gently take him to the couch and he will stop his fit. He will then proceed to fold his arms and puff up his lips. It's rather cute, but we don't let him see our amusement. Brevan also loves to torment his older siblings. He sits on kyle or will touch something of his just to hear him scream. He takes a toy from kenzie and will run away laughing as she chases him screaming. Such a tease. With all of his personality has to offer, we know this little guy will accomplish whatever his mind is set to in life. We his parents wereshocked to find out he was coming to our family so soon after kyle, but we know he was meant to come when he did. OUr lives have been richly blessed by this little spit fire of a personality and he will bless the lives of many others. So this is Brevan. Enjoy a few photos of his life up to this point.(R-L))
1. Just after he was born with mom.
2. Daddy changing the first diaper
3. Brevan, Kyle, and Mackenzie welcome home baby B


4. Brevan on his Blessing day
5.dad and baby napping
6. The Cox family on Brev's blessing day(3weeks old)
7.mackenzie and brevan(months old)
8.Brevan chilling out at 3 mos

9.kyle and brevan after bath time

10.happy baby(he really was always) at 4 mos

11.brevan is ready for christmas sunday at 6 mos

12. brevan at 8 months after his first cross country move eating an oreo!

13. Brevan turns 1!

Okay so I am not this total romantic person, but today my husband had surprised us all and had v-day gifts laying out for us when we woke up. What a sweetheart. Then a friend sent me this email containing a video about a man who had pretty much felt worthless, and then one day he was told how wonderful he was. In the video you can see how his countenance changes. I think as women we have this profound effect on the men in our lives, and we need to let them know that they are of great worth and build them up and not down. I love brendan so very much and know that we can be together forever. We have built a beautiful life together and I am thankful everyday for the life we share together. SO hug and kiss those you love especially today. I attached the video. Have a great day!

http://www.maniacworld.com/Phone-Salesman-Amazes-Crowd.html

Okay, so I am blogging the day and life of Jessica just so I can try to lessen my business by getting feedback on how to cut down on daily things! So this is how my day goes. I get up at 7 am m-f to get Mackenzie up and ready for school. We have to be out the door by 7:50 so she's not late. That means from 7 a. until 7:55 a I have to do her hair, pack a lunch, get breakfast for her, and if the boys are up Get diapers changed and a cartoon (oh yea and their drinks) on so I can get kenzie ready. I pack them up and we are out the door for school. Then from 8-9 I get the boys dressed, Check all my computer stuff(bank account, emails, blogs, and news), read my scriptures and play referee once in a while. From about 9-9:30 me and the boys eat breakfast. After breakfast until 10, I do my daily house cleaning chores. I am very anal about this time and what gets done. I have list of what will get done during these 30 minutes...I.E. mondays it's clean the bathroom , start the kids laundry, and make my bed. After 10 the day is pretty relaxed until 3pm when kenzie gets home from school. When she gets home she (we) has homework, chore(she has one everyday), snack and finish up the kids laundry and think about dinner. Kyle no longer takes naps so I have found things from daycare i use to use to keep him busy with his homework. Brendan is gone late on mon and tues so I get all the evening chores with the kids too. I also work out 60 -90 minutes m-sat, volunteer un thurs at school, have library day, playdates, and brendan is off on tues and wed so entertainment days. Plus i am our family accountant, nurse, house cleaner, launderer, grocery buyer...you know "moms". I now regret ever asking my mom growing up what she did all day long. It's amazing what us moms can accomplish in a few hours each day. It's hard work and some days I am ( as I am sure many of you are too) just plain exhausted when are husbands come home and want that "alone" time with us. How do you get it all done is usually Brendan's question to me.....Well it's like this you JUST DO IT! there's not a lot of tv watching, cross stitching(like I do that...i hate it), sewing, scrapbooking...you know just relaxing. So I think I need to tidbits on how to do it all and have relaxing time. I feel bad cause brendan is so busy and is gone alot again, but sometimes I need mor ethan just exercising for my down time, but what? Anhyways I am just rambling out my incoherent thoughts. I have enclosed a few pictures of other things us moms do on top of our daily tasks:) Have a great day!

Take cute pictures of our dear children!

Kyle in November

planning that perfect birthday party. Mackenzie's 8th birthday

Cleaning up those unexpected messes,and then capturing them on camera. So you can ENJOY them much LATER!

fdcBrevan letting me know he was finished with breakfast!

So the last few days have been filled with sickness in our house. On wednesday of last week, I couldn't find Kyle. I went downstairs to the family room, a found hime curled up in a corner with a pillow and blancket sound a sleep at 4:30 pm. I laughed at his ability to make his own pallet. It was so cute. I was a littlke scared he wouldn't sleep taht night, but he did. Then thursday he wouldn't eat and started running a fever. In kyle's case a fever is never good, Because HE never runs one even when he had strep last year. So i was a little worried and called my brother-in-law who is almost a NP. He brought over a strep test for kyle, and sure enough he tested positive for strep. Friday we were suppose to go to boise for brendan's monthly drill, but he was able to get out of it. That evening kyle feel alseep and i figured he's slep all night since he was so sick. NOPE he woke up at 10pm, and didn't go back to sleep until 4 am. I was SOOOO tired but managed. It was niced to have brendan home for the wekend and go to church with us after months of not having hime due to work. Kyle is feeling tons better(at least better enough to be honory). Iam so thankful for my dear husband who took vacation to help me out and for kensie being a big help for brevan. It proves once again that we all have important family roles. i love my little family so much. Have a great week.

So I usually don't do these anymore, but this is for my dear sister-in-law melissa. I have been tagged.


A:The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B: Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C: At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

What were you doing 10 years ago?
fEB 10, 1998...I was taking the semester off from Ricks and probably going through one of the worse events of my life.....Rape counseling...I am okay about it now that it's been 10 years!


5 things on my list today:1. Clean the bathroom
2. wash the kids laundry
3. Make a few phone calls
4. work out(did I mention I was training for a hlf-marathon the end of april)
5. Bathe the kids.


5 snacks that I enjoy:
1. Jello pudding snacks with reddi whip(yummy)
2. SF jello with r eddi whip
3. carrots and ranch
4. Crackers
5.fresh fruits and Veggies


3 bad habits:
1.picking the skin around my fingers when they crack which is always since moving to idaho!
2. Being anal about cleaning days(what gets cleaned when )
3. Repeating myself at least 3 times before it clicks that I've already asked or said this before

If I were suddenly a billionaire:I would pay all of our debts off. Then I would pay off all of our families debt off, then food storage for everyone! Then I would finally take that cruise to the bahamas with brendan alone!!!

5 places I've lived:
1. Blackfoot, Id
2.Hanover, Pa
3. Ft. Meade, MD(near Balt/DC)
4. Bicknell, In
5.San Angelo, TX
6. Sorry there's more.....Monterey, Ca
7. Rexburg, Id


5 jobs I've had:1. Stay at home mom (by far my hardest)
2.Nurse for a pediatric home health agency in maryland
3. Family Child Care provider in california liscensed by the good ol' US army!
4. preschool teacher in rexburg.
5. shift manager at mcdonalds(yuck!)

5 things people don't know about me:
1. I have 2 sisters named LISA!.
2. I used to be a girl scout!(me too melissa)
3. I kissed brendan first when I was somewhat engaged to a real jerk(a non member who I never intended on marrying).
4. I broke off an engagement from the SLC airport....all for my new love Brendan!
5. I had my gull bladder removed at the young age of 17 and have it on video!

People I'm tagging whoever reads the post and feels inclined to follow suit!

So do you all want to know what a dimwit I am....Last friday school was canceled and I din't even have a clue. I took Kenz to school and she asked, "mom why are there cars here?" Of course I said we just took a nice ride. LOL then today my mother-in-law called to let me know school was closed again, but guess what I was already gone. ARGHHHH! So the moral of the story is that Idaho schools have no consistencies with school closings! Or I need to be more aware. This whole thing of Brendan working FT and in school FT is making me feel like I am running around with my brain half gone(maybe I really am!)
So Kyle finally pooped in the toilet this past week, but just one..hey atleast it's a start even if it's a slow one! He is getting so big and maybe one day his good personlity will help him actually stay in primary! if only...that would be too easy for mom on sundays if he'd stay.
Brevan is now 19mos old, and it's nice to not be thinking about a new baby like i was when kyle was this age. He is alot more independent than kyle was and sure likes to talk and we can actually understand it!! what a miracle considering the other 2 were over 2 before we understood. anyways we are doing great and enjoying life again that things have slowed down emotionally. Have a great weekend and for all the idahoans....enjoy the snow and WIND, jess

I just wanted to let everyone know that my sister-in-law sent me this awesome tribute video to Pres. Hinkley and I posted it at the bottom of our family blog. Be prepared to have some tissues ready. Enjoy and thanks Melissa.

Holy Cow! I cannot believe first that it is 2008 and second the the first month January is almost over. This week has taught me a lot about relationships and love for others. I want all my family and friends to know that I love and care about you no matter what may happen in life. This past Sunday, President Gordon B. Hinkley died at age 97, he was the Prophet of the LDS church. I have been thinking about what the last decade and a half have been like with him as our Prophet. The church has grown in so many ways and member and people around the world have been blessed by his love and wit. The counsel to stand a little taller, be a little kinder, and do a little more is one of my favorites. I know if we ALL did a little more than society would be a little kinder and a lot less crazy. I am attaching one of my favorite photos of him kissing Sister Hinkley's coffin. I am sure there was a happy reunion between them in heaven. President Hinkley will be greatly missed by the world, but I know we will have another prophet that I will sustain and we all will grow to love. Have a great Day!

So, I am writing this blog a bit aggitated. I had a family member post a blog about cheating/adultery. I know that many people on society believe it is a new sin and one that is nor forgivable. We know that it has been around since the beginning of time. It the new testament, A women "taken in adultery" was brought to Christ to be judged according to the law. The law stated she must be stoned. The pharisees that brought her wanted Jesus to cast stones, but instead he said, "woman where are tine accussors?" This He asked after stating, "he without sin cast the first stone." I have learned over the past few years the reality and miracle of the Atonement and forgiveness. I have known several cases where families could have been completely destroyed by sin if there wasn't an understanding that the Atonement is for the sinner and those whose hearts need mending. Society says that those who support adulterers are weak and allowing themselves to be abused emotionally. I SAY they are some of the strongest peoplein this world and if society had more people willing to forgive others we just might not be where we are today regarding morals and family relatinships! So I say yes to supporting families staying together no matter what. All families are worth the hard work that it will take to become an etrnal family. For those who think that when someone commits a sin that it is about the other...YOU are wrong. Most cases it's selfishness and lovingyour spouse isn't even a factor. Youcan read in most health journals that adultery in today's society has a lot to do with the rapid growth of Pornography and it addictive results on those involved. Like addictions the addict has to realize there is a problem before there can be resolve to fix the issues. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ that teaches all men that no one can make it through this life without the Atonement and recognizing our reliance upon it to recieve forgiveness no matter how small or large our sins may be. I love my little family so much. My children help me understand everyday the concept of unconditional love. My husband is so dear to my heart and is definitely my BEST FRIEND. remember none of us our perfect and let's not cast that first stone.
\have a great day!

So Brevan has been our little firecracker since he was conceived. He came in with a boom and still lets everyone know he is around. His new favorite thing to do is wear the big shoes in the house. This is him wearing his daddy's. He's got quite the shoes to fill:)! Another one of his things he does alot is sign and talk. I tried with him to sign when he was about 7 mos because kyle through tantrums for a year because we couldn't communicate well. Well I didn't think Brevan ver got it. now that he can talk he signs all those words that I tried teaching him a year ago. I guess he caught on after all!





Kyle is our little Betty Crocker. He loves to help make and bake things. As you can tell he's all ready to make those cookies daddy promised! He is the best big brother ever. I keep telling him he better be nice to Brev because he just might grow up to be bigger like daddy and his older brother.

This is what I couldn't wait for when I first learned shortly after kyle was 1 that I was pregnant again. @ kids close in age but the bestest buds in the world. They play so well together. When brev can't find kyle or he wakes up before kyle(which is everyday almost) he says, "where kyle go...sounds like while go?) So finally I am glad that they were close in age!

So we survived Brendan's first week back to school after seven years. I say we because he has a couple of pretty late nights and that means the kids don't seeat all on Mondays and very little on tues-thurs, but it's what we need to do for a few years until he gets his masters finished in counseling. I am getting use to the late nights again. That's the way it had been several months until October, so we'll see if I handle it as well as before. At least now Brendan and I are on the same page concerning family andour responsibilites. Mackenzie ws so funny on Sunday. She asked Brendan, "Are you nervous about your first day of school daddy?" I had to laugh because if you could see him pacing around it was very noticeable that he was definitely a tad bit worried. The fact that she even noticed was proof how evident it was. I 'm sure he'll be fine once het gets into the swing of things. So wish him luck!

Okay here I finally have the picture of the Rexburg Temple uploaded! Are family was able to go to the open house where anyone of any faith is able to go through the temple before is dedicated. Once a temple is dedicated only member with a worthiness reccomend are able to enter. So we took this opportunity to take our three children to see what a temple looks like on the "inside" and why it is so important to mommy and daddy. This picture was taken at the top of the hill and as you can see it was snowing. it was absolutely beautiful inside and out. As we toured the inside of the temple the kids were able to see the forever mirrors(mirrors are placed directly opposite so you can see"forever"). mackenzie was so impresses and understood the importance of a forever family and marriage. She said, "I want to get married in the temple so it will be forever like the mirrors." what a sweet spirit she has. The boys like the oxen or as they said "no they are
cows mom." It was such a spiritual event for our little family to experience. Especially after the past few horrible months. It gave us a glimpse into eternity and what we are really striving for...a covenant marriage not a contractual one. We really do want a forever family and all the joy and sorrow that comes from enduring this life "together". hope you all enjoy the pictures. Especially steph ballard. We would have gotten a family picture, but the rexburg wind was TOO cold!. have a great day.

So our little family had this wonderful faith building experience. Last weekend we had to go up past Boise(300 miles) for Brendan's drill weekend. We took Princess(our dog) with us, but left the cat(tiger lilly) at home. Since she is an inside cat and we have no problems with messes in the house we didn't feel it would be a problem. As we were loading the car she escaped and climbed a tree. She loves playing outside but she climbed a 200 foot tree and wouldn't come down. So I was mad and put her food, litter box, and bed in the garage. I decided she could sleep in there for the weekend and teach her a lesson. wemleft the garage opened about 2 feet so she could slip in and out as she wanted. She has been gone all night before and always came back. When we got home Sunday night, she wasn't here and never came back Monday morning. Needless to say Mackenzie was very upset that her cat was gone and mad at mom for making her stay outside. I told her to say a prayer and maybe Heavenly Father would help her come home soon. Thursday Kenz asked when I was going to put up pictures of her(I had no planned on doing that). She said that she prayed and she had a dream that tiger liily came home. I told her if she wasn't back by saturday we should give up and put away the cat stuff. I was actually happy not having the litter box inside! Saturday morning came around and it was chore time so I had her put it all away. She said, "this doesn't mean that I am giving up mom. Heavenly Father showed me a dream that she came home." Well guess what...Last night(sauturday) When we got home from our date guess who came in right behind us. That's right. the stinky tiger lilly. It made us all realize that God is aware of us and all the things we need no matter how trivial they may seems to others. My little 8 yr old showed me that faith can open doors for miracles. Most cats don't come back after a few days let alone a week. I know that our prayers are heard and answered in the Lord's time.

picture of mackenzie after she got tiger lilly last april.

Okay this is the family picture I really wanted to show for New Year's where we are actually smiling and not being silly!

The kids have already used the aprons several times as well as the spoons(the spoons haven't always been used for mixing a lot of sword fighting).

So my In -laws wanted to do a live nativity this year with the grandchildren. Mackeznie was Mary, Kyle was a Shepard, Brevan was a wiseman, and Brendan was the Donkey!

this picture is of the shepard riding the donkey...I don't think that was really part of the nativity story, but Kyle made it a part this year!

This is a picture of the wiseman visiting the Christ-child. Brevan was too busy trying to play with the baby to actually listen to the account told.

this is a picture of Princess with her santa present....a Bone abd it was gone in 2 hours. She is still a active part of our family and we love her the same. Even though she chased the cat up the tree a few times over the holidays.

We hope you all have a great 2008. We have some pictures of the new Rexburg temple. We went to the open house last night as a family and had lots of fun. I'll give more details when I post the pictures of this once on a lifetime oppurtunity for our kids.

Have a Great DAY, Jess

Happy New Year from the Cox's! Jusrt wanted to wish everyone a great in 2008. We have had a wonderful season full of holday celebrations with loved ones. To be honest we are definitely glad they are over and we are getting back to our normal family routine. Mackenzie was glad to go back to school yesterday and see her friends. The boys did miss her and kept asking where she was. This is a family picture of our wonderful familu aprons that were made by my mother-in-law for Christmas. The kids LOVED them!.


Kyle and Brevan got the playschool's crash and go car set from santa. It has been the gift of the year for them and daddy! Brevan didn't have any problems this year learning the art of unwrapping gifts. kyle taught him well!
I received this beautiful
bracelet from my Brendan santa. It was a beautiful Christmas this year!
Brendan got a little saw from the kids. Kyle just couldn't keep from telling him what it was. He did keep it quiet for 2 days:).


After a long night of trying to keep mom and dad up, mackenzie ws finally able to open presents. She even puked the night before from too much chocolate at g-ma's house. She loves her little pet shop gift and so do the boys!




We hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season and are getting back into the swing of things. I know that our 2007 wasa horrible year for us as a family*(couple) and as individuals emotionally. I know the healing power of the Atonement is real and that in 2008 we will have many miracles happen in our little family. We love and miss all of of friends and the family that isn't near.

The kids are finally enjoying the snow in Idaho. This is the field we have out back. They love the snow! not the COLD





Brevan reminds me of the little boy in A Christmas Story. He can atleast get up if he falls down!





Brevan loves to mimick the dog. He spilled his milk just so he could lick it up like the dog!






Brendan is such a good sport to let the boys paint on him for art time. The boys really like to paint.





the boys snuck into the brownies. I had to take a picture so I wouldn't beat them:) They both said Cheese.





I am so happy to be a mom. We all went sledding yesterday. It was SOO much fun. It gave me a glimpse into eternity. Watching Brendan playing with our kids and his nephews, gave me a view of how important a family is. I once heard a statement that the only thing that is iportant are those things that last...an ETERNAL family. We love you all! We had a great christmas. The kids all loved what they recieved. I have to thank our SECRET!! santa for the LOVE he gave our family. Without you there would have been no Christmas this year. You know who you are and WE LOVE YOU!!! Have a great day and we hope to have Christmas pictures up soon.

Well It's been 2 weeks since I have updated our family blog. A lot has been going on. Brendan and I finished out couples counseling with LDS family services this last week after 6 sessions. OUr counselor said he couldn't do anymore for us and reminded us of the things we learned through counseling. I have to say I think every married couple could at some time or another benefit from counseling. Especially if you are a family with any amount of distance separation. I learned a lot from counseling about myself and how to better communicate with my wonderful husband. I love him so dearly and pray for him evreryday that he can overcome the obstacles that are coming his way!

Okay now for the other updates. There are pictures here of the children at brendan's NG unit's Christmas party with santa. It was lots of fun, but it made me REALLY miss active duty. We hope you all have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. Oh btw brendan is FINALLY registered fir classes next semester at ISU in Pocatello. He is getting his masters in counseling(go figure). I guess we all need to help others after we get helped!




Kyle and santa-He really did get his cars from "SANTA"



Mackenzie and Santa





Brevan and Santa--"okay mom and dad who is this hairy guy?"

















Brevan and mommy posing for a fun picture while daddy and kyle make cookies!















Daddy and Kyle after making som YUMMY chocolate chip cookies. They sure dudn't last very long! Darnit



Once again Merry Christmas from the Cox's

I can't believe that it is December and only 15 days until Christmas! Last weekend we went to Wilder, Id for Brendan's National Guard unit's Christmas party and Santa came. Kyle got up on Santa's lap and said he wanted a race car track and a race car for Christmas(that's all he's been talking about for a month). Well Santa gave him his present and Kyle's first reaction was "IT"S NOT A RACE CAR!" before he even opened it up. After opening it up he found a 10 pack of hotwheels....and that MADE his day. He oes believe in SANTA.

Brevan was next to see santa and he was given a stuffed animal...he was not happy he wanted Kyle's cars. About 10 minutes later the Santa realized he had given brevan another real baby boy's gift to him. So Brevan ended up with hot wheels too. All Ican say is I really didn't want 20 more hotwheels added to our collection.

Mackenzie still believes and was excited to tell Santa what she wanted. She is so easy to please and doesn;t ask for a lot. She got some polly pockets there and was completely happy to play with them all the way home 350 miles...ARGH!
I will post some holiday pictures this week.
Oh yea brendan and 2 of his family members sang in a double quartet last night at the stake Christmas music fireside. They has sang last week at the community music thing. They sound AWESOME. it was so cool and upbeat music. I can't remember the names of the songs...baby born in bethlehem and good news i think.
Have a great week, Jess

Dog food....so brendan has a younger brother that use to always eat dog food and puke up his other food on demand. So I am trying to figure out why it's MY kids that do these crazy things. Brevan's new thing to eat and then tell us all it's yummy is DOG FOOD. and we all know how well my two older childen puke on demand, so mic can you help explain genetics to me and why your children don't do these crazy things that you did? Do I get blessedto have all the cox traits in MY children:) No brevan really did about make me vomit today when he came to give me a kiss and all I smelled was the dog food in his mouth, and his sweet little voice said, "Ummy mommy Ummy!". anyways just a little tid bit about my sweet children

mackenzie came home from school today all excited about her upcoming Christmas program at school. So I asked her if it was a holiday program. She told me quite frankly," no mom it's a Christmas program. Not a holiday like in Pennsylvania. Our school lets us celebrate Christmas." How funny is that. Finally a school that's not so set on being politically nice to everyone.

Another milestone....Kyle finally went pee in the potty!!!!! I have been trying for months and nothing....ever! brevan has peed in the toilet more often than Kyle. Maybe he will finally want to quit wearing a diaper at almost 3 1/2. Mackenzie was SOOO easy and this has been a nightmare for me. He is such his father's son. if it isn't his idea it's not gonna happen until he thinks of it...ARGH!! he is such a sweet boy, just independent which will be a great tool as he gets older.

Have a great day....Jess