tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44143212011133301002024-03-18T19:53:06.825-07:00Small Time LivingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger226125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-86645333996512510772017-09-18T10:55:00.001-07:002017-09-18T12:00:35.726-07:00Saturday's are Great!<div>
I woke up to Super Spence! I'm not sure who decided he needed super hero arm bands but they're workin'! I also didn't even realize his pack holder was across his waist like a belt. </div>
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Cutest little super hero!</div>
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<img alt="" height="640" id="id_b2e_148_c8af_2413" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7zRg9frVKJM/WcAIjJO80rI/AAAAAAAAG6E/aVF9ZIlXo84J4glPbTnA7QXrm3RArtoawCHMYCw/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" width="479" /></div>
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Morning walk...ahhhh!<br />
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<img alt="" height="640" id="id_be47_25bf_95c2_b30c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cA506MLlIgw/WcAIjTrmu4I/AAAAAAAAG6I/aocfZroZS3QwrGKjVr51FoGuyJMQNiHNwCHMYCw/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" width="479" /></div>
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Remi snuck into the first date Mike and I have had in a while! Let's be honest though, she just made it more fun! She makes everything more fun!<br />
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<img alt="" height="640" id="id_6381_1c7a_4332_610e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--XCfmh9lOO4/WcAIjFZIclI/AAAAAAAAG6A/g7GKf401xH8Fepp02DoWehUna1K8-6GggCHMYCw/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" width="480" /></div>
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Sal and I tried our hand at candle making. My favorite part is that it has a wood wick...that we found in the yard. #resourceful<br />
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<img alt="" height="485" id="id_46f9_9ece_d96e_d30d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TUA7Ia1BNSw/WcAIimZyGQI/AAAAAAAAG58/iFodhVyTNSkvgmg5k2jbVR0oJh0Xw6EHwCHMYCw/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" width="640" /></div>
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Mike's been stressed about getting firewood. These cottonwood trees have been down, making the property look trashy for a while now. Win, win?<br />
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<img alt="" height="640" id="id_b6cf_7656_21bd_c5ce" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mXtIP_tyY2o/WcAIloAvWUI/AAAAAAAAG6U/ScuUSPThlx89kU47o0SRtYOz6q8bZCX2QCHMYCw/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" width="479" /></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Maybe. It's sad to see it such a mess back there but it made a beautiful and fun mini wood hauling trip to just go get some out of the backyard. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And of course, we had "help"!</span></div>
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<img alt="" height="480" id="id_1c9b_b135_f176_5b3d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dVwC_i2_K0Q/WcAIlqT3S5I/AAAAAAAAG6Q/EuzG09pByJknqORdjzi45zdih5DBKH4WwCHMYCw/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" width="640" /></div>
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<img alt="" height="480" id="id_66a0_c79b_ce9_9ce5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mJX8wJmHeUY/WcAImJw0CPI/AAAAAAAAG6Y/HkffPQr-YGo0qu4Bq-mL-ypm5af9l0ijACHMYCw/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">End the day with sweet baby snuggles and it's safe to say, Saturday's are GREAT!</span></div>
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<img alt="" height="640" id="id_f774_731e_7499_846d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-txjHvuWnErM/WcAIlFuUUsI/AAAAAAAAG6M/zzXNASYmUisWvDF-pePz0qNZyytqMZOMwCHMYCw/s640/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" width="638" /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-72764322244168669242017-08-20T16:39:00.000-07:002017-09-18T16:45:44.286-07:00Easy Low Prep GameWe were feeling antsy and looking for something to do so we came up with this quick, easy, practically prep free fishing game. <div><br></div><div>The kids LOVED it and played with it all day long (which is longer than some of their more expensive toys)!</div><div><br></div><div>Here's what you need:</div><div>•Pipecleaners</div><div>•Yarn or Twine</div><div>•Magnets </div><div>•Sticks (we just found some from the yard, but popsicle sticks would work great too!)</div><div>•Hot glue (optional)</div><div><br></div><div>Directions:</div><div>Cut pipe cleaners </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-29434153757874449692017-03-21T08:48:00.000-07:002017-07-27T20:59:17.311-07:00Happy 1st Birthday, Hyrum!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;">On March 12, we celebrated Hyrum’s first birthday. It’s so hard to believe it’s already been a year! The day we met Hyrum changed the course of our lives. It’s crazy to think that one day can do that! </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;">Just like for his last birthday, we got him a Superman cake...and Blue Bell hit the shelves again just in time!</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;">This picture may not look like much, but it was such a tender mercy for me. Last year, right before Hyrum’s funeral, the sweet ladies at the local flower shop gave me some live tulips. In the card, they explained the significance of them being perennials and that they would bloom every year around his birthday. We were also given several other spring plants around that time so I planted them all together, but they didn’t really survive last year, so I was worried I’d already ruined this beautiful gift. I can’t keep anything alive and that thought kind of felt like an ironic slap in the face.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway…in being anxious about Hyrum’s birthday coming up, I’d totally forgotten about them, but then I walked outside one day to see little green buds sprouting up! It felt like a sign. All is well! We’ve been watering them and they’re getting bigger. And I love all the things that seeing those little leaves are reminding me of!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px;">We got some beautiful gifts from wonderful people! It’s so nice to know that people remember and care, and that Hyrum’s life meant something to them too. I told Mike that I feel like I never got a chance to feel sorry for myself and mope before good people stepped in to make sure we knew we were remembered and loved. Few gifts can compare to that!</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;">Mike made this shelf from the same wood that he made Hyrax’s casket (that in itself deserves its own post!). It came out SO beautiful and I’m so excited it was done in time to display some of Hyrum’s keepsakes for his birthday. Mike has always said he loves making handmade things for our kids. He's done an awesome job including Hyrum in that. He's been such a great example to me of the things we CAN do for Hyrum, instead of moping about the things we CAN'T.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> Hyrum's birthday fell on a Sunday, so the Saturday before, we told our families that we were making a special trip to the temple and invited them to go as well, even if they couldn’t be with us in person or do a session, we invited them to spend time at that special place with their families, as the temple is a place we've always felt close to Hyrum.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px;">Sal was awesome and watched the kids while we did a session and then brought the kids to Snowflake to meet us so we could have some time with our family all together at the temple. I'm so thankful for her selfless willingness to make that day just what we wanted/needed it to be.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px;">I didn't do very well taking pictures that day, but my parents, the Halls and the Boddekers all joined us in Snowflake for the session. We didn't want anyone to feel pressured to come, but man, I can't describe how much it meant to see our best friends there! </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sweet Remi Girl was so excited to make a present for Hyrum. We made this garden stepping stone with our thumbprints in it to take to his spot. We decided we'll make him a new one every year and bring the old one home and put it in our yard somewhere to keep him close.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now we're starting to get anxious and excited for Hy's little brother to show up. My 37 week check up is tomorrow...it's starting to get real....</span></span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;">Emily and Mel sent us these pictures of their precious kiddos at temples around them. Again, I was taken aback at how emotional it made me to see our families taking the time to remember Hyrum. I can’t put it into words, but I hope they know how much them taking time out of their day to do something special for us has made us feel loved. I hope the temple day for Hyrum will continue as the years go by.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;">Sunday (his actual birthday) was a little rough getting going. I went to the beginning of church but didn’t stay. We tried to do some things around the house when we got home, and interestingly enough, the thing that made me feel the most comforted was Mike putting up the new crib.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;">Our awesome friend Bonnie brought us lunch, and it was good to visit with her and then just be with our little family without worrying about too much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 12px;">Sunset rolled around and it was a beautiful one! We’d invited some friends and family for a little party and it felt so good to see the kids running around, happy, excited for the Superman cake and candles as the sun was setting.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlME5YtvS2C1bq4asw05fKi2OY_PQ5wR80BMGPd_-ILeJI8dh9Huq6XbPGxsGOjRfE22YSJF2nnxUelvy9vyhBDDRNvZppNNpnJBVz6IQcFFckwReNm9Ij3QMKIAcz8VvO-KQlL1Ynpas/s1600/IMG_0734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlME5YtvS2C1bq4asw05fKi2OY_PQ5wR80BMGPd_-ILeJI8dh9Huq6XbPGxsGOjRfE22YSJF2nnxUelvy9vyhBDDRNvZppNNpnJBVz6IQcFFckwReNm9Ij3QMKIAcz8VvO-KQlL1Ynpas/s640/IMG_0734.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;">We watched Hyrum’s videos and then headed to the cemetery and let off some lanterns. That didn’t go quite as smoothly as planned, but again, it was good to just be in good company and realize how blessed we are to have so many people care and be willing to celebrate and talk about Hyrum!</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;">As we came up on his birthday, there was such a mix of emotions. A lot of frustration of not having progressed to places we’d promised ourselves we’d go after experiencing such a profound change of perspective with Hyrum.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;">I’d known I’d wanted to make him a video because I wanted to look back at the pictures we had of him with “fresh eyes” per se.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;">As I looked through pictures of our time with him and since him, I couldn’t deny how much he’s changed our family for the good. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;">When I was pregnant with him, we made so many wonderful memories, just us in our little house, happy and grateful for every day he was still with us. When he was born…I was worried there would be some trauma tied into looking at those pictures, but when I saw his little face and his little body, and the way his siblings were looking at him, and his family looked at him, I was overcome again with how much his life has changed ours for the better.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;">And then when I looked at pictures of the kids going to see his graveside, how happy and excited they are to show him or take him something or just tell him they love him…even little Sawyer (who still isn’t talking by the way) running up to Hyrum’s “spot”, knowing exactly where he’s going, excitedly yelling, “Hi Ha-mum, Hi Ha-mum!”, there isn’t too much of me that can be sad. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;">Hyrum brought and left SO much beauty! It would feel like an injustice to not recognize it because of my own failure or grief. His life and the things he left us with have made us better, or at least WANT to be better on the hard days! That’s what I wanted his video to portray. How he brought so much love and light. How he’s made our family closer, how he’s brought precious people into our lives, how he’s brought us to Christ. It’s a better place since he came along!</span></div>
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</style>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-64660418267022468422016-10-11T19:38:00.002-07:002016-10-11T19:38:59.419-07:00Leaps and BoundsMy last post was all about "<a href="http://mikeandashleywiltbank.blogspot.com/2016/05/moving-forward.html">moving forward</a>". I've been collecting pictures to make this post for a while, but I was super surprised to come back to my blog and realize I made that post almost 5 months ago!<br />
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Looking back on the past 5 months, it feels like we're moving forward by leaps and bounds! Much faster than I'm normally comfortable with! But I guess that's the way life goes. And I know that it's good! I just wish we were where we were for a little longer!<br />
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But here's where we've been the past 5 months (I still can't believe it's 5 months!!):<br />
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We got to have <span style="font-size: large;">cousins come play</span> at the beginning of the summer and it was so fun! Remi and Emi are three weeks apart and they are two peas in a pod. They both had to have long skirts, buns and sunglasses<br />
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Saw Man used to LOVE to wake up Remi every morning. He'd jump all over her and yell until she'd wake up.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Grant has gotten into board games</span>, and he's really good! It's taken me a while, but I can finally beat him in checkers! He loves things that make him think!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Grant and Biz both did swimming lessons this year.</span> We have to drive to St. Johns because our lovely town refuses to build a pool, but that meant Remi got to have Wilson be her teacher, and that was awesome! She even made her a friendship bracelet on the last day of class.<br />
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I'm SO proud of Grant! He's my little fish! That's him in the background taking strokes. I can't believe he's 5 and he's already taking strokes! I hope he keeps loving swimming and gets the opportunity to pursue it.</div>
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We had a wonderful <span style="font-size: large;">Fourth of July! </span>For some reason, I can't find any of my pictures, but I had this one from Facebook, and I LOVED spending it with my little family!!</div>
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Coz got to come spend some time in Eagar and we got to go have fun at Grammie Kimmie's. This is the perfect picture of <span style="font-size: large;">summer in Eagar</span> to me!<br />
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Another perfect summer pic! Sammy took us <span style="font-size: large;">fishing</span>! We should've gone more....maybe then Sawyer would've known fishing etiquette, or maybe he's just wild! Either way, next time we go, we need two adults per Sawyer!<br />
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This was taken on Hyrum's 5 month birthday. The Temple was a wonderful place to celebrate eternal families and bear our testimonies to our kids that we will see our little man again!<br />
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This picture cracks me up! We were at Grandma Velda's house and couldn't find Saw. I went into Velda's office and found Sawyer typing away on her computer. When he turned around, he was wearing her glasses. I couldn't stop laughing! His eyes looked HUGE!<br />
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This was a fun Family Home Evening night we had. S'mores and a fire pit. I LOVE spending time with these guys!!<br />
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August and September have brought big/exciting changes!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Grant started playing soccer </span>and we have LOVED getting to watch him play! He is so sweet and just loves playing! He had an AWESOME coach and she did so well with their team!<br />
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In mid-May, I took a part-time job at the hospital and Mike turned in his notice at Little Colorado. It was kind of a <span style="font-size: large;">leap of faith</span>, but we'd been debating for a long time about how we could get Mike through school faster. I kept feeling pushed to stretch out of our comfort zones after we met Hyrum, and although it's been scary, it's been SO good for our family! Mike's taking extra classes and we're hoping to get through school a lot faster!<br /><br />Before too much time went by, we made <span style="font-size: large;">another big change</span>! It has been my dream since I was in High School to get to work at Mountain Avenue Clinic, where I worked in high school. The wonderful people there encouraged me to pursue nursing and seeing how they cared for their patients always made me want to!<br />
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Lucky me, in July, I found out there would be an opportunity to work for them again. It was a little complicated, because I couldn't work full-time, but they've worked with me so well and things have just worked out so smoothly. It was hard having to tell the hospital, but I'm happy to be working days again, and I LOVE working at the clinic! And I do still pick up shifts at the hospital from time-to-time.<br />
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We'd been concerned about how we were going to manage things financially with the change, and there were a few weeks when I was still working nights and training at the clinic on days and when I really wondered if we were going to make it, but it <i>felt</i> like the right move to make, and it's already proven to be such a blessing!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Grant started school!</span> I was a horrible mess of emotions! (Turns out running late the first day is a great remedy!) I can't believe he's so big!! We are so proud of our little kindergartener! He's done SO well! He was presented with a <span style="font-size: large;">character award</span> in the first month. He's made a good little friend and he LOVES school! He has an amazing teacher and she gave him a "magic potion" (kool-aid) to drink the night before school and he was so excited about it. He told me a few weeks into school, "That magic potion Mrs. Hamblin gave me REALLY worked because I always want to go to school!"<br />
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The weekend before school started, our niece Elyse brought over games to play with the whole fam and we got to have some good conversations. I love my nieces and the relationships we have. They are awesome people! Seriously, what high school senior spends her last night of freedom with her aunt and uncle and little cousins?! The kids ate it up! Especially Grant! He's a Chinese Checkers fan now!<br />
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So Mike has a sibling who he does EVERYTHING with! They went on their missions within weeks of each other. We got married within a week of each other. We had our first three kids, all the same gender around the same time. They even lost a pregnancy while I was pregnant with Hyrum. It's just been crazy how they always tend to have the same big life events going on at the same time!<br />
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Well, in July, they called and said they were pregnant...with TWINS! We figured it was finally time to jump off the train! I've still been really wrapped up in Hyrum's world and not wanting to let so much of it go. I couldn't imagine having another baby at that time. But we were SO excited for them! The day after they told us, I started putting together a "doubles" care package for them. I was so excited about the clever "pairs" that I found.<br />
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A few nights later, before I'd gotten everything together to send, I woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and realized it was the third time I'd woken up to go that night. Because of our history and the news we'd just gotten, I decided to take a pregnancy test. And <span style="font-size: large;">would you believe....</span><br />
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(we're not having twins though!!)</div>
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We got to go pick wild raspberries (which I've always wanted to do!) with the Brownings. I was hoping to make a pie out of them, but we ended up using them to make smoothies instead.<br />
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Bonnie and I made these flags for Hyrum and Harley. I'm so thankful to have a friend and example like Bonnie! We decided to make them every year.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This little monkey</span> has been giving us a run for our money over the last few months. A few of his antics include: spraying down the living room with the garden hose, starting a fire in the kitchen, flashing the congregation at church, staying up 'til ALL hours of the night (literally, last night it was 2:30 AM), and still refusing to talk (even though he can). But he has the sweetest face and the sweetest voice and he gets away with pretty much everything.<br />
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Sawyer has a sweet friend named Koley (he calls her Koe-Kway). They are best buddies and we are thankful someone can help curb our rowdy little man! She showed a sheep at the county fair this year and we got to go watch. She did awesome!<br />
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The kids were so excited for the <span style="font-size: large;">fair</span> and their mom is kind of a dead beat! But we still went and I think they had a pretty good time! It's always good to get out and do something fun with these guys!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hyrum's six month birthday</span> was last month. Everyone told us the six month mark would be hard. And it was...REALLY miss our little man! Every single day. I've accepted that that yearning for him will never go away. That makes it a little easier to carry, to just expect it to be there. He brings so much good too, and I love that our kids know and celebrate him with us. Clif gave us a lantern to release for his six month birthday. It was perfect!<br />
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The kids and I went picking wildflowers around our house. I LOVED it! We finally started doing it a little too late in the season, but I'm so excited about it! Remi and I picked to big jars one day and she said she wanted to take one to Hyrum and one to her friend Sami.<br />
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She's such a good sister!!</div>
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I LOVE it when Mike sends me pictures at work! This was one I got one day. Sometimes it's hard to believe these two are brothers because of how different they are. But they look like brothers to me in this picture. They do have in common that they're both such BOYS!<br />
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<br />And Remi is such a lady! She got to meet her baby cousin Layla last month and she was in Heaven!!<br />
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Remi gave us a scare, after she slipped and hit her head on the sidewalk. At first I thought everything was fine, that she probably just had a little concussion, but then she started slurring words, couldn't stay awake, had glassy eyes and threw up about 7 times. I took her to the ER and her physical assessment checked out, but after she threw up a few more times in the ER, they did a CT just to be sure. We're so grateful everything turned out okay. She got to come home and by the time she got back to her brothers, she was her usual, sweet self! None of us know what we'd do without our little Bizzy!<br />
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"Mom's Wild Fella"...yup!<br />
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Saw got to see Sal and he was pretty stoked about it!<br />
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Lately, when he doesn't want to do something or doesn't like what we have to say, he just plugs his ears. I wish that would make all my problems go away!<br />
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For conference this year, we did a little store. The kids got "conference cash" if they were reverent and could tell us what each of the talks were about. I forgot to take a picture until Sunday afternoon, but the kids did great, especially Grant. He helped Remi figure out how much everything cost and how much she needed to have in order to buy what she wanted. They were so good, we actually felt like we got to listen to the majority of it, and it was a great conference!<br />
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So I posted this on FB, but I needed to document it here. I really had big plans for how I was going to announce this pregnancy. I had such a hard emotional road at the beginning that finally feeling like I was ready to put it out there felt like a big step. I wanted to make sure I included Hyrum in the announcement, because a lot of my emotional turmoil stemmed from worrying that Hyrum would be overshadowed by the joy of a new baby.<br />
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Well Sawyer got ahold of the ultrasound picture before I could. So it seemed a little fitting that this was the way to tell Facebook that we're having another baby.<br />
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I showed the picture to Remi and she asked what was in Sawyer's mouth. I told her it was the picture of our new baby and she said, <span style="font-size: large;">"AGHHHHH! That dang Soy-ya! He's such a nut!"</span> For real, Rems!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What??</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-60518252059247481602016-05-12T09:34:00.001-07:002016-05-12T15:35:34.840-07:00Moving Forward<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">It's been two months since Hyrum was born. He'd be two months old today. I still wouldn't be taking him to church yet. </span></div>
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A friend told us after he died that, "you never 'move on', but you have to move <i>forward</i>." </div>
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We've been moving forward fairly well I think. We carry him in our hearts wherever we go, whether the people around us recognize it or not. Our lives have been dramatically changed since Hyrum has been a part of us. </div>
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I've been trying to continue to take pictures and put my thoughts down. It's so crazy that not too far back on my camera roll, there he is!</div>
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This time has been so bittersweet, and I really can see time just always being bittersweet until I see Hyrum's sweet face again. </div>
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Here's what we've been up to and how we've been coping and celebrating:</div>
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For the first month, we visited Hyrum every day. This is a blurry picture I took out the window as we were driving to the cemetery. The moon was rising as the sun was setting. </div>
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Favorite place, favorite people! 👊</div>
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This is what we did for his one month birthday...</div>
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I took this picture of the kids during General Conference. I couldn't get myself to post it at that point because it's missing Hyrum. Conference was <span style="color: #0000ee;">amazing, uplifting and much needed</span> though and we're moving forward...</div>
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Mike's parents hooked us up with a sweet opportunity to come visit them in Moab. I kept second guessing whether or not I was up for a trip, but it ended up being just what the Dr. ordered! </div>
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Mike's sister Emily and her family met us there and it was so good to be in such good company!</div>
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As we drove away to come home, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for family ties! We are truly, truly blessed!</div>
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We've been trying to stay active since coming home. It's finally starting to warm up so we took a hike. Long story short, Sawyer's pants got soaked and wouldn't stay on. Also, our forest is burned up. </div>
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Sawyer finally had his follow up with Dr. Belthur. He's doing great! Which he proved by walking in and out of PCH!</div>
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I've been enjoying some sweet moments with my bugs! I'm trying to savor them!</div>
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This was a rough day...I'm SO glad Saw needed me that day!</div>
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Remi got curls for the first time! </div>
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Mike's started to read the kids Harry Potter!!</div>
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Grant and his friend (technically cousin, somewhere down the line!) Holden have been playing together a lot lately. I found them in Grant's room praying because they needed help finding a toy. </div>
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Sometimes at night I look for the perfect quote and save it to my camera roll. I still haven't found the perfect one yet, but this one spoke to me as I'm looking through my pictures now. </div>
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So a lot of times in the past, I would get an urge or idea and then decide it wouldn't work out or wasn't worth the effort to make it happen. Hyrum has taught me that those discouraging feelings are not true, and they're not the way I'm destined to be. I can do hard things. And the reward for doing hard things or even uncomfortable things is phenomenal. </div>
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Anyway, this particular day, it wasn't anything epic, but I got an urge to take the kids swimming. Then "reality" set in...we don't have time, we don't have money, Sawyer's napping, Mike has homework, I don't wanna drive all the way to Show Low...</div>
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Then I remembered what I've learned. So we went. And it was so fun! A great family day! </div>
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Oh yes. Also, I bashed a hole in our van window when I backed into a mailbox. I couldn't tell the story to anyone without laughing! The insurance fixed it, so it ended okay, except it rained before it got fixed and now it smells like mildew. </div>
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Mike had a birthday! The kids were so excited to decorate and see him run through the streamers we made for him!</div>
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He did a bunch of work in the yard before he came inside so they were waiting like that for a while! Haha!</div>
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Mike took the boys on a Father's and Sons camp out and I got to spend the day with Remster! Few things to<span style="color: #0000ee;">p</span> a day with that lady! Especially when I got to sleep in and snuggle with her the next morning!<br />
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Mother's Day started out rough but didn't end that way. I worked a really tough night shift Sat. night, was SAVED by the day shift that came on, went to see my little man on the way home, cried and felt sorry for myself a little, then heard his song on my way home and remembered his plan and was filled with gratitude for Hyrum and everyone else who's helped me along. Had a great day at church, talked to my friend Bonnie about our earthly babies and angel babies, had dinner with Mike's family and went to bed with the kids and Mike closeby. </div>
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For a while now, I've had this idea to make each kid a "star" for each day of the week. But it required effort and structure so I never did it. </div>
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But now I know I can do things that require effort, so we're trying it out. </div>
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Monday was Grant's day. After they cleaned up, he chose to go to Dairy Queen. We ate outside and after seeing our neighbor Sam drive by, they waved at ALL cars driving by (I'm not the best photographer, but that's what you're seeing here). </div>
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Remi's day was Tuesday and she chose to go swimming again. She's a sweet girl and invited Grant's friend Holden to come along!</div>
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Wednesday was Saw's day. I thought he'd probably want to spend the day outside, but he was just happy it was Mike's day off!</div>
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Coincidentally, on his two-month birthday, today is Hyrum's day. </div>
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I hope we can do something today to make him proud. I still don't know what yet, but I think it's going to be a good day!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-84407415543362113832016-02-28T19:36:00.003-08:002016-02-28T19:36:55.491-08:00Beautiful HeartbreakI started writing this post in December and have worked on it off and on since then. It's long and scattered but I'm finally putting it out there with the hope that it comes out right!<br />
<br />
Two days before Thanksgiving, I went in for my 20 week ultrasound.
The whole family came so we could do some Christmas shopping afterward.
We already knew we're having a boy because we did an early gender
ultrasound in the Valley, but we were a little hopeful that maybe we'd
still be surprised with a girl. We'd felt pretty good about deciding to call it good with four kids and an even two and two if it was a girl.<br />
<br />
The baby was moving around
like CRAZY and Sawyer was being just as unruly. The ultrasound tech was
having a really hard time getting the baby in a good position to get all
the measurements so Mike took the kids out to go to
Walgreens or somewhere where Sawyer could jump around and yell without
making such a disturbance. I hoped that the baby would calm down once
Sawyer left, and started to worry about how I was going to handle two
rowdy boys who seemed to egg each other on.<br />
<br />
After the
ultrasound, Dr. Connelly came in to review the results like he always
does. He said that he wasn't confident in the findings they had because
of how much the baby was moving, but that they saw a few things that
"could be something, and could be nothing". He showed me two bright
spots on the baby's heart but said they couldn't get a good enough look
to tell if was indicative of something serious or not. He also said that
there was fluid on the baby's brain, which is normal, unless it's above
a certain measurement. Again, because the baby wouldn't cooperate too
well, they didn't know for sure if it was cause for concern or not. He
said that his gut told him it was nothing, but that he wanted me to do a
level II ultrasound in the Valley just to be sure. I felt good about
it, I guess my gut also told me it was nothing, and I went out to meet
Mike and the kids.<br />
<br />
Mike was pretty concerned when I
told him, and I wished he could've been in there with me so he could've
seen how un-concerning it seemed. I figured that even if it did turn out
to be something, I couldn't imagine it'd be anything so severe we
couldn't handle it. He'd had a strong heartbeat at every appointment and
we could tell that his circulatory system was working. We decided to
try not to tell many people about it, because there didn't seem to be
any reason to raise concern. <br />
<br />
I got a call from the
perinatologist's office in the Valley a few days later, and they said
they could only do an appointment on a Monday, because that was the only
day they had a genetic counselor in the office and that I needed to see
the genetic counselor and possibly have an amniocentesis.<br />
<br />
After the
appointment was set, I really started to freak out. Why did we NEED to
see a genetic counselor and why would I need an amnio?<br />
<br />
I started
Googling and that really gave way to fear! Apparently, large ventricles
on the brain and "cushions" on the heart are soft markers for Trisomy 21/Down
Syndrome. From what I could tell, most doctor's offices had you meet
with a genetic counselor if they suspected such a diagnosis and
recommended doing an amnio to confirm it. One comfort was that those two
soft markers didn't increase the odds by THAT much. One article I read
said that it increased your chances of having a baby with Down Syndrome
to about 1 in 400. The risk of miscarrying after an amniocentesis is
about 1 in 500. Mike and I decided that even if they suspected Down
Syndrome after the second ultrasound, we'd opt out of the amnio, as it
seemed like it'd be just as likely that I could miscarry as a result of
the amnio, as it was that he could actually have Down Syndrome.<br />
<br />
We
had about two weeks between the two ultrasounds, and I kind of drove
myself crazy during that time with worry and mostly FEAR! I felt like if
we just knew, we could start coping and making preparations, but
wondering was so hard! I kept going down these "worst case scenario"
roads. The funny thing is that in my head, even in a "worst case
scenario", we'd be okay. Even if there was something "wrong" with our
baby, we would unquestionably still love him and he would still have a
perfect place in our family. Still, as much as I told myself that in my
head, I had to distract myself A LOT to make it through the week!<br />
<br />
The
weekend finally got here, and we stayed pretty busy as soon as we got
to the Valley with friends and family. I tried
to fast on Sunday, but didn't make it too long before I became a weak,
angry pregnant lady! But my whole family fasted for us so that put my
mind at ease. Whitney watched our kids for us the next day so Mike and I
could go to the ultrasound alone. (Especially after Sawyer's behavior
the last time, we didn't want to risk them interfering with a
potentially serious situation!)<br />
<br />
We both felt fine in
the waiting room, and even started to get a little frustrated that it
took over an hour for them to call us back. I kept telling myself that
we'd probably just get sent home with pictures of our healthy boy and it
wouldn't matter that we'd waited so long. I also saw lots of miserable
looking pregnant women, who were there alone, and I was glad I wasn't
sitting in a high-risk OB's office alone!<br />
<br />
Finally they
called us back and we did the ultrasound. He was still moving around a
lot, but not nearly as much. When it was over, the tech asked us if we
knew why we'd been referred to them. I told her we knew that there were
possible problems with his heart and brain. She said that she saw those
issues, but that she saw multiple other issues as well. (Mike and I
talked later and both said that we felt that "punch in the gut", "heart
falling" feeling when she said that.) She said she saw a <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/cleftlip.html">cleft lip and palate</a>, micrognathia (or a small jaw), large ventricles on his brain, <a href="http://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/dandy-walker-malformation/">Dandy-Walker malformation</a> on his brain, at least one heart defect and ecogenic (enlarged) kidneys.<br />
<br />
Even with her saying all of that, maybe I
didn't process it or something, but I still didn't know how to react. I
guess I was overwhelmed and confused. What did it all mean? Were these
more signs of Down Syndrome? Could they be a mistake? Could they be
fixed? She apologized several times and left a box of tissues...so I
assumed we were supposed to be crying and that wasn't a good sign.<br />
<br />
We
were supposed to meet with Dr. Pedron, the perinatologist after that,
but he'd been called out of the office for something, so they told us we
could meet with the genetic counselor first instead, and then the
doctor afterward. The genetic counselor (Kelly) was so nice! She
patiently answered all our questions and was very sympathetic. She told
us that all of these issues together were indicative of either Trisomy
13 or Trisomy 18. (I'd seen both of those mentioned on websites that
talked about Down Syndrome, but never looked into them because they're
extremely rare, and I thought the odds were much more likely that our
baby would have Downs, if anything.) Both are chromosome abnormalities
where the baby gets an extra copy of either the 13th or 18th chromosome.
It causes a whole slew of issues that make the baby "very sick".<br />
<br />
I finally got the guts up to ask the question, "if it is a Trisomy, does that mean our baby probably won't make it?"<br />
<br />
She quietly answered, "unfortunately, yes."<br />
<br />
A
lot of Trisomy (13 or 18) babies are stillborn or miscarried early on in the
pregnancy. She said most parents do "comfort care" if the baby makes it
to delivery, which is sort of like Hospice to
help his passing be comfortable, but there are rare cases where the baby survives into childhood. With a Trisomy 13 or 18, in most
cases, the baby's cells just aren't healthy enough to sustain all of the
other issues they have going on. The only way to know for sure whether or not all of our baby's birth defects were caused by a Trisomy would be to have an amniocentesis. If it wasn't a chromosome issue,
we'd be
looking at lots of specialists and surgeries.<br />
<br />
I asked her what she
would do if she were in our position. She seemed like a nice,
knowledgeable person. I was surprised when she responded that she would
do an amnio and that if the results were positive for a chromosome
abnormality, she would probably terminate.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Hearing
her say that was he first time I got really emotional. I'm not sure
why, but I think it was because she was telling us that our baby
probably had issues severe enough that would make even good people not
want it.<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> I'd
felt him kicking for several weeks now.<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> He's already part of our family, he's our kids' brother and our son<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">. </span></span>We already love this little
guy. We want t<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">he chance</span> meet him. We want him to know we love and want him. He'd made it this far, which to me, meant that Trisomy
or not, he was strong. I could barely process that our baby was probably
going to die. I couldn't even fathom going down the road of us being the ones to<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> do</span> it<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">!</span></span><br />
<br />
She said she would highly
recommend doing an amnio, to know
for sure exactly what we were looking at, to see what
preparations needed to be in place when he's born. She said Dr.
Pedron's odds of having a miscarriage from an
amnio were 1 in 1000. We were much more comfortable with those odds, and
decided to do the amnio so we'd know how to proceed. The doctor was
still out, so we scheduled the amnio for a few hours later and left to
go get
some food.<br />
<br />
Whitney was a saint as I kept calling to
tell her we'd be even longer than we thought. I was especially grateful
that we got the time to get out of there together and get some time to
ourselves to process everything. We went to In & Out and Mike
went in and got us food while I sat outside and Googled Trisomy 18 and 13. The harsh reality finally started to set in.
On most of the forums I read, people said that their doctors had told
them that their baby was "incompatible with life" and discouraged them
from continuing the pregnancy. Most of the government or medical
websites I found said that the odds of the baby making it to delivery
are low (about 20%). The average lifespan is about a week if they live, and the odds
of him making it to his first birthday are about 8%. As Kelly had told
us, most of those that make up that 8% are very sick, with the majority
of even that time being in the hospital. From what I could tell, and
what Kelly told us, Trisomy 13 is more severe. The medical issues are
usually more advanced and the lifespan is shorter.<br />
<br />
A huge part of my sadness and
unsurety at that time was about how we could make these decisions
that were going to inevitably come up. How could we as parents, decide to
do comfort care, and not fight for everything we could do to keep our
baby alive? Where is the line between doing everything to keep him here
for our own comfort and letting him go for his?<br />
<br />
We did a little Christmas
shopping for the kids, which was a nice change of mindset, then went
back for the amnio.<br />
<br />
When
Dr. Pedron first walked into the door, Mike and I both thought we
weren't going to have the best impression of him. He went straight to my
chart and started talking to the ultrasound techs without saying
anything to us. But then he turned around and sincerely told us how
sorry he was that we were having to go through this and talked to us
about what to expect in different scenarios. The genetic counselor may
have
already told him that we had decided against termination, but I'm glad
that he never brought it up as an option. I'm also glad that he never
brought up the high possibility that the baby could pass before he's
born. It was good to hear him only talk about options that dealt with a live birth.<br />
<br />
Dr. Pedron had a great
sense of humor and the amnio was actually not that bad. It didn't hurt
and he kept the mood light throughout it. I felt like the ultrasound
techs (there were two, one was being trained, poor girl!) seemed
uncomfortable, like they were just waiting for us to lash out in anger
at tears at any moment. But Dr. Pedron had just the right sense of humor
without being offensive and was compassionate enough to let us know he
was sincere when he said that he was sorry and that this was the worst
part of his job. He said that he didn't think ANY parents, whether they
were good parents or not, should have to go through this with their
child. He also gave us a nice compliment and said he could tell how much
we wanted this baby and that he could tell we were good people and that this always seemed to happen to good people, which made it all the worse. He said that a lot of people would try to
demean the fact that he was our son because he's still a "fetus" with "issues", but
that he believed that he was very much a person and part of our family
and that we should ensure that he was treated that way. After reading
about experiences a lot of other people have had with the doctors who
gave them the news, I'm even more grateful we got to have Dr. Pedron! <br />
<br />
After the amnio, we had to rush back to
pick up the kids from Whitney and get back to Tempe to see a pediatric
cardiologist. We were already cutting it close but having to go pick up
the kids made it so we were going to be at least 30 mins. late. Whitney
was awesome and packed our bags and got our kids ready for us so we
literally left the car running, ran in, threw our stuff in the car and
took off. I called the cardiologist's office on our way and told them we
were going to be late and they were so nice about it!<br />
<br />
I
went in for the echo while Mike took the kids to get some energy out
and then he came back and the office staff put a movie on for the
kids while Dr. Stock explained what he saw. He said our baby has <a href="http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/CongenitalHeartDefects/AboutCongenitalHeartDefects/Tetralogy-of-Fallot_UCM_307038_Article.jsp#.Vqp-Bsq0O8I">Teterology of Fallot</a>, which is a four part heart defect. Basically, his
oxygenated and un-oxygenated blood is mixing within his heart, and isn't
pumping to his body correctly. Most of this is okay at this point,
since he's not really using his lungs yet, but once he's born and is on
his own, it's a little more worrisome. He said if this were all that was
wrong, it's fixable and we'd be looking at doing the first of several heart
surgeries in the fall. He said if we ended up getting positive results for
the Trisomy, he didn't know of a surgeon in the state that would be
willing to do surgery, as it's too risky for what would still probably end up being a short lifespan. Dr. Stock was also very compassionate and
accommodating. He said he wanted to do at least two more echos, even if
we did get positive trisomy results, so we could get a good idea of what
the baby's health would look like at birth. Again, I didn't realize how
much I would grow to appreciate doctors talking about him making it to
birth! We also felt in great, caring hands with Dr. Stock, as he wished
us luck with everything and stressed how much he truly hoped everything
turned out alright. He apologized to us for having to go through such a
stressful day and gave me a hug before we left. <br />
<br />
Heidi
called me as we were trying to decide what to do for food and offered
for us to come eat dinner with them, which was perfect timing because I
did not want to wrestle our kids through another restaurant.<br />
<br />
Mike really wanted to take the kids to see the Christmas lights at the Temple and I almost resisted. It had been a VERY long day and I selfishly just wanted to be done. Before I could though, Mike said he thought that no matter what is going on in our lives, we need to make sure we're still taking the time to make memories with our kids. I'm so glad he had that perspective, because
it felt so good to be there with our little family! It was so peaceful
and kind of a tender mercy as the reality set in that the only times we
may get to go do things as our whole family, may be while I'm pregnant.<br />
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<br />
We
went to Heid and Jake's after the Temple and the kids were stoked to get to play with
Cozi and Piper before we had to put them back in the car for four more
hours. Heidi and Jake were so perfect about everything, they honestly
could not have handled it better! We got to talk about what was going
on, and talk and laugh about other things too. Really, it just felt good
to be in the company of such good friends!<br />
<br />
We called
our moms on the way home and filled them in, since it looked at this
point like either way, this was going to be a much longer and harder
road than we had originally thought.<br />
<br />
It was kind of nice
to get four hours on the way home to talk to Mike about everything, and
again, just be with our little family. The kids fell asleep pretty fast
and we got to talk about life and how this would change things. The
funny thing is that even through the sadness and tears, I asked Mike why
he thought there was some aspect of this that felt so peaceful. He said
that he thought it was because despite the difficulty of it, it was
still so obvious to see how we'd been so blessed. The rest of the trip
was bittersweet as we talked about the hard road ahead and counted our
blessings. <br />
<br />
We got home at around
11:30 Monday night, and at 3:00 the next morning, Sawyer woke up
vomiting and was miserable the rest of the night. Mike had to work that
day but still cleaned Saw's bed and washed everything
while I bathed and cuddled with Sawyer. He was pretty sick for the next
three days and none of us got very much sleep. I kinda started a ritual
of rocking Sawyer to sleep and reading to him and playing him lullabies
during that time, and before long, I realized that depending on what
happened next, this may be the only time Sawyer and his baby brother had
together. After that realization, that time with Sawyer took on a
different meaning, and even though it meant sleeping in a recliner and
getting little sleep, I really started to look forward to it, and kind
of even missed it once Sawyer started feeling better!<br />
<br />
They told us we'd probably get the amnio
results that week, but that it could take up to 3 weeks to have the full
results. For some reason, I didn't drive myself as crazy that week.
Maybe because I could logically, and probably appropriately prepare
myself for the new "worst case scenario", and even though it was worse
that the "worst case scenario" I'd let myself go to before, there was
some sort of closure in it. I couldn't imagine how our baby could have
each of those large birth defects without some underlying cause. I knew
we were in good hands with doctors and we'd already been shown by the
people who knew thus far that we were going to have a great support
system.<br />
<br />
That
Thursday, Sawyer had an appointment and while I was in the waiting room
at the Dr's office, I got the call with the amnio results. I probably
should've waited and called them back, but I couldn't help it, I just
needed to KNOW, so I answered. It was a good thing we prepared
ourselves for the worst case scenario, because the results were positive
for <a href="http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/EN/HEALTHAZ/CONDITIONSANDDISEASES/GENETICDISORDERS/Pages/trisomy-13-patau-syndrome.aspx">full Trisomy 13</a>. They said that normally, they would have had us
come straight back to their office that day, but since we lived so far,
they just scheduled us with another appointment at the same time as our
next cardiology appointment in January and answered any questions we had over
the phone. We didn't have too many (like I said, we had researched and
prepared
ourselves), but they were able to tell us that we weren't "carriers" of
any genetic diseases. They said that this type of trisomy is "spontaneous" and that we
shouldn't be concerned about it happening again in another pregnancy.<br />
<br />
They
again gave us the option to terminate the pregnancy, and said time was
of the essence since I was 23 weeks and 24 weeks is the cut off in
Arizona for abortion. I read a blog
post, written by a woman whose baby was diagnosed with Trisomy 18, and
she said that when her doctor gave her the results, he told them that
they could either terminate, or treat every day as a gift and cherish
whatever time they had. They went with the latter, and we'd already decided that if we were put into that situation, we would too!<br />
<br />
Sal and my mom pretty much gave us an open
invitation to babysit anytime so that Mike and I could have time to
ourselves whenever we needed it. They were both also super easy to talk
to and both called me or texted almost daily to check in. They both also
held it together pretty good, which was so good for me! I didn't want
to come home crying every day and looking at the hardship of it all. I
loved that Mike and I could count so many blessings even after getting
what would probably be the worst news of our lives, and I really wanted
that spirit of optimism and gratitude to stick around, and that's been
supported by everyone who we told.<br />
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<br />
I also can't say enough how much I wouldn't rather be walking this road with anyone but Mike! His perspectives and attitude are the one constant that always keeps me grounded and gives me clarity. His love for our kids and me is overwhelming. I've felt closer and more connected with him than ever before as he sits back and lets me have my good days and bad. I thought I couldn't love him any more than I did when he was taking care of us all after Sawyer was born, but he keeps showing himself up! :)<br />
<br />
We'd thrown around
the idea of naming him Hyrum. We both liked it, but I couldn't quite
settle on it. Grant and Remi kept telling us they didn't like the name,
and I really wanted the kids to be involved in helping pick his name. We
had a Family Home Evening one night and we told the kids that the baby
was really sick and that we may not get to bring him home after he's
born. They asked a lot of questions, especially Grant. He wanted to know
what was going to happen to the baby. We found so much comfort in being
able to tell them that we knew he would be okay and that we would see him
again.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Our
"other parents", the Halls, brought us this picture not
long after we found out there were some issues with the pregnancy. It's
called "In His Constant Care". It's so fitting, and Remi especially was
excited that "Jesus is going to take care of our baby".<br />
<br />
There have been several times since this all started that she's blurted it out of nowhere when it's exactly what I needed to hear.<br />
<br />
"Jesus is going to take care of our baby". He is already "in His constant care".<br />
<br />
A
few weeks later, Grant and Remi both started calling him Hyrum. We asked
if they liked the name now, and they both said yes, as if we were the
hold up! The name Hyrum means "my brother is exalted" and "noble". A
perfect name for our kids to get to call their brother! I've also seen a
few more meanings recently for Hyrum. One is "whiteness/purity" and the
other is "borrowed". Again, perfect! Hyrum it is!<br />
<br />
Mike
and I were able to go to the temple not long after we got back, and
that was an experience I'll never forget! I felt SO much peace and
meaning in Hyrum's life, however long it may be. I felt the reality that
our mortal existence is a tiny moment in our eternal existence, and
that just because Hyrum's mortal life will probably be much shorter than
ours, his eternal life has a purpose that we probably won't understand
until we get to the other side, but I've felt peace in that too.<br />
<br />
Although we are heartbroken, this time with Hyrum
in our lives, having him on our minds, thinking, planning and praying
for him, have been some of the most spiritual and meaningful times of my
life! We love Hyrum so much, and because of him joining our family, our appreciation for our kids and
the opportunity that we've had to raise a family and spend time with
them has grown so much. The peace and love that we've felt from our
Heavenly Father and Savior at this time has been physically tangible.
I've never felt this close to my Savior. He truly is the Peacegiver, who
can make darkness light, soften hearts and change lives!<br />
<br />
Every
morning I get to wake up and feel him kicking, every time I get to read
the kids a story and know that Hyrum is hearing it too, I'm overwhelmed
with gratitude and love for my little family, especially Hyrum! It's so hard to watch the
kids when they're playing so well together, to know that their little
brother isn't going to be there with them in a few years, and most
heartbreaking, that they may not even really remember him. But I'm
determined to use this time to ensure that that doesn't happen! We use
his name like he's already a part of our family, because he is!<br />
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<br />
One
of my best friends, AK sent me this video after we told them what's
been going on. She lost a baby boy a few years ago. It describes so
perfectly the beauty and joy that is still present in awaiting Hyrum's
birth, and the time we've been able to have with him. We are so sad but
so, so blessed!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-9783520251366107082016-02-22T21:03:00.001-08:002016-02-22T21:03:18.338-08:00Today<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Today was a good day! I'm frustrated with myself for getting behind on my pictures again! Mostly because Sawyer deleted them all last month!! </span></div><div><br></div><div>So I guess I should take the opportunity to start over, starting today (even though I do actually have some pictures from earlier in the month to post...but later, this is about today!). </div><div><br></div><div>Today was a good day! I tried to get back on some sort of schedule, and with some flexibility, it went great!</div><div><br></div><div>I wanted to be up by 7, but didn't drag myself up til 8. Everyone had a rough night so I still got some time to myself to get laundry done and things straightened up and in some kind of order before the rest of the house was awake. My schedule:</div><div>*Check calendar/To-Do List/Menu</div><div>*Start laundry</div><div>*Get dressed and ready to shoes </div><div>*Eat breakfast and read/Daily Learning</div><div>*Kids routines</div><div> </div><div>Here's what the kids routine looked like:</div><div>*Make bed</div><div>*Help with breakfast/clean up</div><div>*Brush teeth and get dressed</div><div>*Go for walk/play outside</div><div>*Help mom with project area</div><div>*School</div><div>*Snack</div><div>*Quiet time</div><div>*Individual play time</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukLoJsO6FnQBdcfeIfJzj37BIe-f-pf5S5D2zpyvYesSlKnDBUOLuL2aL7zjMXH5xClXLhaigs9NJeU-3d-BkXzKC0p-SwPtnNknsVpU3ZpV1q1Gffcr2JqCVXkei4kGE8ZleyetSnK4/s640/blogger-image-1582983984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukLoJsO6FnQBdcfeIfJzj37BIe-f-pf5S5D2zpyvYesSlKnDBUOLuL2aL7zjMXH5xClXLhaigs9NJeU-3d-BkXzKC0p-SwPtnNknsVpU3ZpV1q1Gffcr2JqCVXkei4kGE8ZleyetSnK4/s640/blogger-image-1582983984.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREjZQWN3FXsXXnMfq0ySRsPy2tnTBZ3OCaziMtkF2htOQ4QH_RE7MFgqdlmqBU811seYpQfDdFTe5BWY67Eq621OiwQm_Q0gw8-Hu9VZd1rqQQai7U-_3XtPu2A1KDibqCY86vuUePUU/s640/blogger-image-2087567808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREjZQWN3FXsXXnMfq0ySRsPy2tnTBZ3OCaziMtkF2htOQ4QH_RE7MFgqdlmqBU811seYpQfDdFTe5BWY67Eq621OiwQm_Q0gw8-Hu9VZd1rqQQai7U-_3XtPu2A1KDibqCY86vuUePUU/s640/blogger-image-2087567808.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I think a few key things made it successful. One was making the kids eat breakfast all together. Usually I make them each a separate breakfast as they each wake up. I got frustrated feeling like I was making meals all. Day. Long. </div><div>When the first kid woke up, I'd let them do an activity until the rest of them woke up and we all ate together and cleaned up together. </div><div>The next was getting outside as soon as we were dressed. It made it feel like we were getting ready for something and getting dressed had a purpose. It also helped to get our blood pumping after we ate and not just lay around and get too tired to do anything the rest of the day. </div><div><br></div><div>I know all days may not go as well as today, but I wanted to document it to remind myself of what seemed to work!</div><div><br></div><div>When Mike got home, we took the kids to DQ because they'd done so well! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1VYhavJU9-0o1-oASQflAbuNxPMkKnV0qG1_DMiXcYrhsSasi6coDCi-Iqp1q6MH5vNwUrt3JkoWqIG7gVThDTcWDX6gnLpui9RQdJlsx4rBYPTxlUeK-PuYrzAfrVEZEEIGfUfkN_o/s640/blogger-image-1723265978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1VYhavJU9-0o1-oASQflAbuNxPMkKnV0qG1_DMiXcYrhsSasi6coDCi-Iqp1q6MH5vNwUrt3JkoWqIG7gVThDTcWDX6gnLpui9RQdJlsx4rBYPTxlUeK-PuYrzAfrVEZEEIGfUfkN_o/s640/blogger-image-1723265978.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXP65uh7ot5fz2UKHyY_7jD15rugfL1b1W1V5q8lbzkTAgRLahUcQq5DlR5hG2X2vXkgU21oHDU6k-y9HwynY5Mr3MG4iRXdLls9RdSKipz942mVxC1JdyPhWULvifJyCREkn5CUeC60/s640/blogger-image--1491256476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXP65uh7ot5fz2UKHyY_7jD15rugfL1b1W1V5q8lbzkTAgRLahUcQq5DlR5hG2X2vXkgU21oHDU6k-y9HwynY5Mr3MG4iRXdLls9RdSKipz942mVxC1JdyPhWULvifJyCREkn5CUeC60/s640/blogger-image--1491256476.jpg"></a></div>(Saw kept waving as the cars left the Drive-Thru and saying "bah-bah caow!" ("Bye-bye car"))</div><div><br></div><div>Grant and Remi stayed outside playing so well together most of the rest of the day. Grant came in and did his schoolwork when he was asked and watched the clock for when it was quiet time. I really think kids (and adults) thrive on a schedule, when they know what to expect. Now if I could just make it last more than a day...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-55703013734466851812016-01-07T12:56:00.001-08:002016-01-07T12:56:51.604-08:00Back to December<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is the first in SEVEN years that we actually failed on the Christmas calendar! That was a sad defeat, but I feel okay in the fact that this was also probably the craziest December we've ever had since we've been married and we still managed to get a lot of Christmas activities in and more importantly, feel the peace and love from our Savior and celebrate his birth!</div>
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<br /></div>
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The beginning of December took us back to the Valley for Avery's baptism and more doctor's appointments.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love you Ave! Thanks for letting us be part of your special day!</td></tr>
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We made a last minute decision to squeeze in Temple lights and I'm so glad we did! It felt magical to be there with our little family, celebrating our faith and the Savior's birth!<br />
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We went Christmas tree hunting and made the quickest, most productive trip ever! I think we were on the mountain maybe two hours and came back with three trees!<br />
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Tammy is way funner than me, as evidenced by this picture! I sat in the car with Remi most of the time and reassured her that we're buying a tree next year! Meanwhile, Tammy happily packed up all three trees and brought three of her girls to help out with our kids!</div>
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More evidence of Tam's fun-ness...she made us dinner and gingerbread ornaments for the kids to paint that made our house smell nice and Christmas-y!</div>
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Surprisingly, this was about the only time Saw-Man tried to get into the tree! He did great! He would always break out into "Oooo"s every time we turned on the lights! He learned a new word in December because of all the Christmas lights. A very enthusiastic "WOOOOOOOW!" <br />
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I love all the Christmas programs at church! Our Ward Choir had a beautiful sacrament meeting planned and then the Primary kids performed a Nativity for the ward. It was crazy seeing Grant amongst the primary kids singing the songs he'd learned throughout the year. Our kids are getting big!<br />
Sawyer also went to nursery for the first time and fit right in when we peeked in on him (especially since it was snack time!)!<br />
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I guess I failed miserably at getting any more pictures, because we also went to the live Nativity, watched LOTS of Christmas movies, the kids saw Santa in Quemado, baked Christmas goodies, and survived the inevitable sickies that always show up around this time of year!<br />
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Luckily, we were all (mostly) well enough by the time family started rolling into town and still managed to have a fun Christmas!<br />
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Grant has been looking forward to Star Wars for MONTHS, it was almost written as big as "Christmas" on his calendar in his room. He was SO excited and the movie did not disappoint, especially since he got to watch it with some of his favorite people!<br />
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This girl reminds us a lot of her Uncle Chase with the crazy get-ups she's always wearing. She looked like this almost every day after Christmas for about a week! <br />
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EVERYONE (except me!) was SO excited for snow!! Sawyer kept toddling over to the glass doors so he could look out and yell "Ooooooo!". Remi was happy to add an umbrella to her ensemble. <br />
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I worked more than usual in December (which still wasn't much, but it still seemed to take up a lot of the month!) and by the last shift, I really got to missing these guys! One morning before I left, I went a took a quick picture of each of them so I could look at them throughout the day when I got to missing them. Their sweet little sleeping faces made me miss them all the more! I'm one lucky lady!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-80821916995496807332016-01-05T11:57:00.001-08:002016-01-05T11:57:35.437-08:00Happy Fall!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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FALL 2015 was good to us!</div>
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In no particular order, here are just SOME of the things that made our fall special!</div>
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We celebrated Thanksgiving!<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_X1ow9z7GpUM1zNsv2RZetwGtfh8HYrwX9ScqTlirhpudnARyc1l1dYFEGSjCF8QQlozRf3DH05tcyplqd9CxnVaIieBsz9KFQobq0rIxwcU75HXJmGMQSeR7EvcMjdOfF89GJuak-6gY/s400/IMG_2938.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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Sawyer took his first steps!!!<br />
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We enjoyed the gorgeous scenery and weather!<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7xzES_zJRE14Nqp20tjcCxdqvB95hX0Z8JtVv08_bA8YS2WcrNmllfNn9Rb6VOIDPSoP9R_5_tltQedhNN15uhmS353uW0G-h0vq_4MnKZkmrz90KyU8cb1YTolMD9J81qgPs8nnbpEN/s400/IMG_3744.jpg" width="300" /> </div>
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We worked to prepare for winter<br />
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We celebrated our Veterans<br />
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We celebrated celebrating our Veterans! :)<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdqMWbVZzx5dVty1Rb3R9z-0NRN-Hf39Kr5BPxns78qX_wgOdX4I9UwI5OKBWajSlZ2XgIYucRKPHvMNAPQqLSSE09H5_r5Lr7CPN8bEtG6_ryQSxn0reNjOInYztbZYsqj2jqPQlbM4b/s400/IMG_3764.jpg" width="300" /> </div>
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We got to spend time with some of our favorite people and Zacky got BAPTIZED!!)<br />
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We passed time at home...<br />
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Grant had his first Primary Program<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHj6GApDGjYAm_XOLz1IuS5zQVeuzcYu8mgdP68U0HkFdUBAWFjht9nBtOAHtV4C1GS4l_DLXW4l4wQY7mx9Tcg50ON84sxS5uoJH0ulPxXhByA8AeBwWpEZzfdv0kMPhDx0x63CQTAoWh/s1600/IMG_4033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHj6GApDGjYAm_XOLz1IuS5zQVeuzcYu8mgdP68U0HkFdUBAWFjht9nBtOAHtV4C1GS4l_DLXW4l4wQY7mx9Tcg50ON84sxS5uoJH0ulPxXhByA8AeBwWpEZzfdv0kMPhDx0x63CQTAoWh/s400/IMG_4033.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
We raked (and played in) leaves<br />
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We learned a bit about medicine...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMelmdfzbyTFughal2S3Qx8_bzkOhQ3-GQJEFqBevyrzTHNYlfhI9u7_pkfGLlRbqmp5sLUpYQkS7bKRBsdiOK2FCtsZxAC_Y5bvteb3tK5YBlK1-meZPTfcZIJAClcNQ8sWgIug3MaU9o/s1600/IMG_4068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMelmdfzbyTFughal2S3Qx8_bzkOhQ3-GQJEFqBevyrzTHNYlfhI9u7_pkfGLlRbqmp5sLUpYQkS7bKRBsdiOK2FCtsZxAC_Y5bvteb3tK5YBlK1-meZPTfcZIJAClcNQ8sWgIug3MaU9o/s400/IMG_4068.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Remi FINALLY gave up her paci!!<br />
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We checked out potential Christmas presents<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLiXkcNnnJIrSYNyjFlS-KAosGtukr8utj8w7JB5Nr6nnFA7nNdkDczh6YuHUQ3ghkwnShHGeNvZL9F6MUXHG8IbeQGL1L_YYSMFfBZZtQKYZjdCIzsnbqnRYtI2a3YI1n2Lzq2SK9cY6/s400/IMG_4108.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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We spent more time in the Valley, doing "Valley" things (like hitting up the mall for a carousel ride)<br />
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We did fall activities with Grandma<br />
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We celebrated Remi and Zacky's birthdays</div>
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We shared lots of love and counted our blessings!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-79050321224446694082015-12-21T12:30:00.002-08:002015-12-21T12:30:29.810-08:00Halloween and a Japanese Princess Tea PartyI wonder how much longer our kids are going to let us do themed costumes for them? This year took a little convincing with Remi, but it all came together pretty well. Grant's been wanting to be a ninja all year and Mike was so excited about the idea of making him and Sawyer characters from Mortal Kombat. He got Grant excited about the idea of being SubZero (because he wears shiny blue) and having Sawyer be Raiden. Once I found out what Mortal Kombat is, and what female options there were, the project was almost trashed! :) Mike's sister suggested a Japanese Princess. Rems was pretty disappointed she didn't get to be Elsa, but once we told her she could wear a pink dress and be a "princess", she agreed!<br />
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We also got to go trick-or-treating with Batman! :) </div>
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Raiden tried to get away<br />
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Remi had said she wanted to have a princess tea party for her birthday. I saw this awesome idea on Pinterest to do a Japanese tea party so we did a Japanese Princess Tea Party. We tried to go smaller this year and just invite a few girls from her nursery class at church and it was much less stressful than in the past and still just as fun!<br />
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Mike made little kimonos for each of the girls and we hung sheets from the thrift store to look like those fabric room dividers.<br />
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My dad served his mission in Japan and brought back this doll for my mom. She let us use it for decor. I also saw the idea on Pinterest to make "sushi" out of Twinkies and Rice Krispie Treats<br />
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The girls had a little Frozen karaoke party afterward so Remi still got a dose of Elsa! :) <br />(Mike had wanted to stuff their kimonos with pillows and do sumo wrestling, but we didn't know how to pull that off in our tiny house!)<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-71245766330921432572015-12-15T16:02:00.000-08:002015-12-21T11:37:26.770-08:00DISNEYLAND!!I'm finally getting around to putting up the rest of our Disneyland pics! We went in the middle of October, and we had SO much fun!<br />
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These are kind of in random order, but...I tried!<br />
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Grant's favorite ride was Star Tours. He rode it at least three times, and once, he was even the rebel spy our ship was trying to hide from Darth Vader! He's on a HUGE Star Wars kick right now, so we were really excited to see Star Wars at Disneyland!<br />
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Mike made him ride every ride he was tall enough to go on. That was fun for a while... </div>
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Poor Grant! After a while when Grant didn't want to go on ANY rides anymore, and Remi broke down crying, asking to go to Disneyland, we had to regroup and decided that our kids may still be a little too young to be doing all the big rides!</div>
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We decided to hit up Toon Town and it finally started to feel like the happiest place on earth! :) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting at the wishing well to see Minnie</td></tr>
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Remi LOVED Minnie's house! She kept running from one thing to the next, excitedly showing it to us. I even caught her primping in Minnie's mirror. :) </div>
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We sat on Minnie's back porch for a good 15-20 mins waiting for Minnie to arrive. When Remi caught a glimpse of her, she announced to the whole house "THERE. SHE. IS!!!!!!!"</div>
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Sadly, she was a little more shy once she actually got to see her.</div>
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All the lines to meet the characters were pretty long. Minnie was the only one we decided to take the time to wait for. Grant happened to be in the right place at the right time and got to shake hands with Goofy. </div>
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Nothing says "strength" quite like a paci and blank! <br />
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One of the few rides Remi rode willingly without crying...<br />
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But the teacups were her FAVORITE! She rode them four times and they're all she'll talk about even still when you ask her about Disneyland.<br />
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We also got lucky enough to meet the princesses. There was a Frozen show going on that everyone went to, which left the princess line wide open! Grant was such a good sport to do all the "girly" things Remi wanted to do! He never got a chance to take a break in the stroller like the other two and walked the
WHOLE time! He was good about doing whatever everyone else wanted to do
and he never complained! <br />
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Our good friends the Kelepolos were there one of the same days as us. They saved us spots for the first parade and it was AWESOME! We love their family and we're so glad some of our Disneyland memories include them! </div>
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The second parade was just as awesome! You can't tell, but we're sitting in front of a trash can. It was the only little strip of space in the whole park where there was room to sit. We were tempted to just forget about it and go back to our hotel, but we're SO glad we didn't!</div>
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It's impossible to describe how awesome it was!! Even Sawyer was going nuts, bashing his little head around with the music and lights.</div>
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After the parade, we rode a few more rides and barely made it back to It's a Small World for the fireworks show which was also too amazing to describe! Remi was so excited because the finale was to "Let it Go" and it "snowed"! </div>
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It was a quick and exhausting trip! We got there Monday night and went to the beach (which only Grant liked), then spent the entire next day at Disneyland, then woke up early the next day to get home in time for a doctor's appointment for Sawyer. Grant and Remi were completely exhausted, but not this guy... </div>
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Story of our lives...</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-9991938852021030462015-10-26T07:58:00.001-07:002015-10-26T07:58:15.511-07:00The Traveling WiltbanksI can't believe it's already fall! We've been enjoying some BEAUTIFUL weather and for once, I'm actually excited about winter!<br />
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It seems half of our summer was made up of ho-hum "everyday" activities, while the other half was filled with new things and experiences. Since I haven't blogged in several months (AGAIN!), here's a run down:<br />
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The Traveling Wiltbanks <br /></h3>
I think we made more trips this summer than Mike and I ever made as a newly married couple (which was a lot!). And now we did it with 3 kids! You'd think it'd be exhausting-which it sometimes was-but I LOVE going places with our little family and we had some new adventures!<br />
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More than half of our trips were to the Valley. First, my sister went to the Temple for the first time so we got to go through with her. I got to be her escort and it was one of the spiritual highlights of my life! I'm SO proud of her! She wouldn't let me take a picture with her, so all I got were some pictures of our kids with Cozi at a splash pad, since the Boddekers are always kind enough to take us in!<br />
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Next, we headed to Salt Lake to spend some time with Mike's family in Utah. Again, I didn't get many pictures, but it was SO good to see everyone and SO hard to leave! We got to take the kids to see some model trains and they got to spend a lot of time with their cousins! We stayed up too late talking with Emily and Nate most nights, but that's what makes it fun, right? </div>
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Then, we headed back to the Valley again for a follow up for Sawyer's feet. He's not walking yet, but the doctor says everything looks on track and we got a prescription for new boots since he's grown out of his old ones. This time, the Strouds were generous enough to put us up, and the kids had a great time swimming and rocking out. Here's Remi giving us a stirring rendition of "Let it Go".</div>
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Another important purpose of the trip, we got to meet baby Elsie for the first time! She's SO perfect and wonderful and made me a little baby hungry! :)<br />
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After that, we headed to Colorado with some friends for a family/friend vacation. It was beautiful! We got to visit a train station and take the kids to a petting zoo. I took a lot more pictures, but had to narrow it down!</div>
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<b>DISNEYLAND!</b></div>
This deserves its own post, and I'll probably make one once I get all the rest of the pictures on the computer (we just got back this week), but I had to at least mention it! We met our friends the Kelepolos there and it was pretty close to a perfect trip (if there is such a thing!)!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzVQRpfO9QEmMpbi6_NZ-JqNDqFunyzd_8Xz2ULVRjI7EpXH8SvkZLtMMbfu3G4TmiZt8q6c7nMpy005fI9w6JkX_19c0LeyrxvVTiq4dSbDBJN3maz7sntTxS2Zn4AezsOzlfFkafwc/s1600/IMG_3604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzVQRpfO9QEmMpbi6_NZ-JqNDqFunyzd_8Xz2ULVRjI7EpXH8SvkZLtMMbfu3G4TmiZt8q6c7nMpy005fI9w6JkX_19c0LeyrxvVTiq4dSbDBJN3maz7sntTxS2Zn4AezsOzlfFkafwc/s400/IMG_3604.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawwWCxyy7pAayDNgp5hhBB-ne0u-Zz_0-YwbybxhJsM2oySUnE5UqAo4zy0WXHBI5_lzk9pq3ipEbttl3AUSd7m_SRZnyqpHU2FyBNAmvr8rp4DTVDqMOiOtHRfU9AoSetzBL-mJVp4Y/s1600/IMG_3646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawwWCxyy7pAayDNgp5hhBB-ne0u-Zz_0-YwbybxhJsM2oySUnE5UqAo4zy0WXHBI5_lzk9pq3ipEbttl3AUSd7m_SRZnyqpHU2FyBNAmvr8rp4DTVDqMOiOtHRfU9AoSetzBL-mJVp4Y/s400/IMG_3646.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Morning Walks <br /></h3>
For a while there, Saw Man was the first one to wake up in the morning. I was having a hard time staying awake once he woke up, so we started going for walks. It was a GREAT way to start the day! I need to get into the habit again! He's been sleeping in later lately, so it's not as motivating to go, but I got some good documentation of some of our mornings.<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AIn3icqj5OtE1KEXzK1SuMEb3LzjyxcE6RZxBXiVqxIQtBtKnqyEbR0QFXrUlD2G9lGBMTNsLIB4bW2qjs7Uc_cyRhaN91iYVM9TrTMO7gugsH3ZZV-m4ZscOI6Jhczw4fTsIIxePKY/s400/IMG_2968.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEOrZ7treJbfrP246WLKvlPMrGaz5VPlKYV0ExmzDw7i2zVERlW8kJu_Qi0TfAGyyO7odQ6Psm5bFLYykg125oFAUgTZK9VQn2Zz22JHaPjytKBRyCikIFQe24qfgvMMWouw1fVK1TYM/s400/IMG_3469.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remi woke up early enough to join us one morning...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeCoyEUkThmHbncp3psBrkOsw-wdZzoP2kjeKsVjfKlE8kFxfNoSG9n6meRp9IDdSs5cjUM-eBAtPhRPngHQbddMrsPuNwjxJ98qfk6KHdGEYwCiNCRagGnjlqngdx6XvPh8ItP2Ctb0/s1600/IMG_2908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeCoyEUkThmHbncp3psBrkOsw-wdZzoP2kjeKsVjfKlE8kFxfNoSG9n6meRp9IDdSs5cjUM-eBAtPhRPngHQbddMrsPuNwjxJ98qfk6KHdGEYwCiNCRagGnjlqngdx6XvPh8ItP2Ctb0/s400/IMG_2908.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw our little buddy "Trey"almost every morning. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK1eihbSGjKfvW8NAKyX5OH2SK7Mg3pVjnlN4JqZXZEfMiWzivbt96ecgYGmxvbpjXHjv0HZ2oDVZhrrHk7xV-eogNYjaSZ2FfNpEEDqZJc29b5djEbeDOVC54xM9RXj0_6wRdEEU6lw/s1600/IMG_3039.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK1eihbSGjKfvW8NAKyX5OH2SK7Mg3pVjnlN4JqZXZEfMiWzivbt96ecgYGmxvbpjXHjv0HZ2oDVZhrrHk7xV-eogNYjaSZ2FfNpEEDqZJc29b5djEbeDOVC54xM9RXj0_6wRdEEU6lw/s640/IMG_3039.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a while, he knew us well enough to let us get pretty close. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PUXpFJZHASqmDZGK4EMqHWAy-QE9jKR8unW2gtvY2oyvSMV5BZZ52Ch021z2hGWSuQOkrqRO_lqUdY36Ut2YNtBrMNfX8ChmhWMO6PVd0caJIMTv_Y0P8peCO0VaH3jONIZaVn_YW34/s640/IMG_2925.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view of Home</td></tr>
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Outdoor Fun and Projects</h3>
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Mike's had this idea to make this playhouse for his kids ever since he was a kid. It's been fun seeing it come together (especially since I was mostly a spectator!)! It's not QUITE finished yet, but here's a good progress picture! We attempted a sleepover in it one night. It got too cold to stay out
there all night, but it sure made us excited for next summer!</div>
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I've always wanted to plant a garden and that's another dream that came to life this year. We were SO excited when our food started to come up! It was awesome to need a tomato and be able to just go pick one! We're so excited to go for it next year too!</div>
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We finally took the opportunity to spend some time at the park. I'm so excited to have our backyard finished next summer and hopefully we can spend all our time there!</div>
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Every year, around the end of September, these vines in our yard turn a gorgeous red, before any of the other leaves start to change. I never seem to get a picture of it because it doesn't last very long (literally only a few days in its peak), but we finally traipsed out there and did it this year!<br />
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This isn't an outdoor project, but it's a project that's been in the works for a LONG time! It doesn't look like much now, but this is the future home of our laundry room. I'm realizing that I really need to post some "before and after" pictures of some of the projects we've done around here...they just never feel like they're actually DONE enough to call an official "after"!</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Sibling Fun</h3>
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I LOVE how well our kids get along! For the most part, they love to be together and look out for each other. I've seen Grant stick up for Remi to his friends and it make me so proud! They definitely have their days where it seems like I'm breaking up fights every two seconds, but luckily, most of the time, they're happy to be together!<br />
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Even rough, tough Sawyer has a soft spot for his brother and sister.<br />
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<b>Do you think he's ready for a BABY BROTHER in April????? </b></div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Lf7YsQ90G5Gi6AiVpEmbGIy4aXYSip8g_OEDC4CsqJkAUCmKqR8hUyvzttZjB8e3I1Bk_G80OJ8d7s5UeYfx1VPeKH8ch_lABZ3j6pN2Xhyphenhyphena6t2nGgeHK_V1MLcm4KecxvJJArlg6dU/s640/IMG_3163.jpg" width="480" /> </div>
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Cause I took this picture in July, and on our last trip to the Valley, we found out, IT'S A BOY!! </div>
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**Did you notice Velda's face in the picture from Utah?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-54620499978798908972015-08-03T13:42:00.002-07:002015-08-03T13:42:29.850-07:00EVERY Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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EVERY time I've recommitted to blogging this year it just hasn't happened...maybe this time? </div>
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Here's a huge post I've compiled to make up for all that I've missed this summer!</div>
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Grandma Reed's 80th Birthday</h2>
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In April, we planned a big birthday bash in Pima for my AWESOME Grandma! It was so fun! We surprised her and it was SO good to see my family all together for the first time in a LONG time! It was a lot of work, but she's SO worth it!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole crew, minus a few</td></tr>
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We had a photo backdrop with props, TONS of new and old photos from her life, LOTS of good food (thank you Aunt Sheryl!), games, cake, stories from her life and tons of fun!</div>
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We also got to make it to Spring Sing to see Uncle Ry's last performance! The kids did great and it was good to get to see Ryan!</div>
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Grant Plays TBall</h2>
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Grant played his second year of TBall this year! He loves it and he's the cutest little player! He was on the Athletics and was coached by Yours Truly. It was a disaster. Don't think you're a cool mom by coaching your kid's tball team. You're not. All it means is that your kid's friends and parents get to see you be crazy! Celina helped me and I couldn't've done it without her! We also got to have Chase on our team, but never got a picture of the four of us. I love that Grant loves tball, and that I'll get to go WATCH the games next year! :) </div>
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Saw Man Turns 1!</h2>
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I can't believe this happened!! He's my BABY! We had a Tom Sawyer themed birthday. His birthday kinda snuck up on us, so we didn't have much time to plan, but most of the stuff we already had so it came together pretty easily. Really, i just wanted some cute pictures, which I think we got!</div>
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My dad baked us some homemade pies so we had pie and ice cream, lemonade, watermelon, a "fishing hole", a cave and treasure and a fence to whitewash. Sawyer slept through the whole thing, but the other kids had fun. Our friend Bonnie is about as loyal as they come and took the time out of her day to bring their kids to a one-year-old's birthday party! She and my family were our only guests. :)<br />
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4th of July 2015 </h2>
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I don't think I need to go through the whole song and dance of how AWESOME the 4th is in Eagar! Everyone knows it! I will say though, that I'm enjoying it more and more every year and this year didn't disappoint! We're excited to start starting some new traditions now that our little family is getting older.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpiHsAm_rPgP2DE4q6aLNnCCL_VhDhRwPBs0SvthzQTWpsOHfgHDfI95FfVCbBiqeZTP6Tp8Bv0wa3SE236KMvLyQ5rOqoRV4qoupKib30pb3_mQ_r1D9ACrRqVKnI1vXJmJ8kamAXps/s1600/IMG_2040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpiHsAm_rPgP2DE4q6aLNnCCL_VhDhRwPBs0SvthzQTWpsOHfgHDfI95FfVCbBiqeZTP6Tp8Bv0wa3SE236KMvLyQ5rOqoRV4qoupKib30pb3_mQ_r1D9ACrRqVKnI1vXJmJ8kamAXps/s640/IMG_2040.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was excited to get a picture of my brothers and their mini-me's! Everyone ALWAYS tells us that Saw is a mini Dallin and Grant is a mini Ryan. I never think our kids look like Mike or me, but I can totally see how these two look like their uncles (minus the beard! ;))</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie34yvS8SMBU5t7y89YoftTWFYQ9EgLsbi_RZw6gd6A1zsLILXS-igGPz9B2wWgUtcSCmZzJySJlIFnni-7jyEIH1d6pGXCsDj3bbUFi0q3rN-bK26e1GTpX0GkN3rJerPQVm2PHB-WpA/s1600/IMG_2064.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie34yvS8SMBU5t7y89YoftTWFYQ9EgLsbi_RZw6gd6A1zsLILXS-igGPz9B2wWgUtcSCmZzJySJlIFnni-7jyEIH1d6pGXCsDj3bbUFi0q3rN-bK26e1GTpX0GkN3rJerPQVm2PHB-WpA/s640/IMG_2064.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids felt so cool getting to watch the fireworks on the top of the car with their older cousins</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheS2VF0TTruDcDpqM6KMORiZJ09R9NKSpmltCLmsfDOd2w-VVQzgkR6pmk4K6g35KSiv5w8LGInc3i1pLzhyphenhyphenneViBt7go7crCSt8w794chvPVLh-ESBbVQ62HyqJaxtLJ8sGCuOSbXR-Q/s1600/IMG_2065.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheS2VF0TTruDcDpqM6KMORiZJ09R9NKSpmltCLmsfDOd2w-VVQzgkR6pmk4K6g35KSiv5w8LGInc3i1pLzhyphenhyphenneViBt7go7crCSt8w794chvPVLh-ESBbVQ62HyqJaxtLJ8sGCuOSbXR-Q/s640/IMG_2065.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Grant </h2>
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"Sweet" is always the first word that comes to mind to describe Grant. He's the BEST big brother and I don't think we could ever be convinced that there's another kid that would be a better oldest kid for our family. I don't have very many pictures of him alone. Mostly because he's just such a good brother, he's always taking care of his siblings.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKqK-NU128nIPCAzk_rNrgBStTohCYvXjHc7kphr0qkuyVlXI_IjlMEcKtWb8B8qAxoneWQERB71hPMO_AoDwt3ZCJHLCHYZHu26jv20Ob3FeAB6HVG5Rjcc6_0yJc6uAJc-K4J14EIg/s1600/IMG_1528.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKqK-NU128nIPCAzk_rNrgBStTohCYvXjHc7kphr0qkuyVlXI_IjlMEcKtWb8B8qAxoneWQERB71hPMO_AoDwt3ZCJHLCHYZHu26jv20Ob3FeAB6HVG5Rjcc6_0yJc6uAJc-K4J14EIg/s640/IMG_1528.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIj5fz484vbiG_8cVjY9jIVwApZWHh0rdosreRoK2ODjbk06om2EF1pzwdf0Lcp5cjod5SmQ-09GMb-a45_0Hu3NUfRzg0RV5wrjp8wqQcuPUGkVzVlOQgq2B9LVOqGMbRv7WCpyOkKw/s1600/IMG_1829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIj5fz484vbiG_8cVjY9jIVwApZWHh0rdosreRoK2ODjbk06om2EF1pzwdf0Lcp5cjod5SmQ-09GMb-a45_0Hu3NUfRzg0RV5wrjp8wqQcuPUGkVzVlOQgq2B9LVOqGMbRv7WCpyOkKw/s640/IMG_1829.jpg" width="488" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1FKE5c5JRdpmOCdBDEplZ-Wzxq1pYEiy31bI1tVBBWMxbGgAG0m_fgNf43cb8_5xSX8wDSc4UaGwkwHNWzX6Ww6MODbTsd9xmv1_ZTB5kPNWgVOlho7fz2bFrF1_hVTZe6Xs9_SOAyo/s1600/IMG_2047.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1FKE5c5JRdpmOCdBDEplZ-Wzxq1pYEiy31bI1tVBBWMxbGgAG0m_fgNf43cb8_5xSX8wDSc4UaGwkwHNWzX6Ww6MODbTsd9xmv1_ZTB5kPNWgVOlho7fz2bFrF1_hVTZe6Xs9_SOAyo/s640/IMG_2047.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He LOVES Sawyer and loves to make him laugh</td></tr>
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Grant is so teachable and very literal. He loves to learn and he loves to share what he learns. I always worry about how sweet he is, and that someone could easily take advantage of him. However, when he knows something is true, he's pretty stubborn about it and he doesn't cut people very much slack with excuses or misbehavior. I hope that sticks with him! He knows the first three Articles of Faith and has started really getting into the chapter books Mike reads them at night. He loves doing science experience (experiments) with Sal, being a helper and catching bugs! I'm SO not ready for him to go school.....next year!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEd26_HC20sSuAuW86-I8kOm1WUPjVsQ1eX800et4JbZ3UXh1aOMDpDA3eDVgIncleJb-HzXQgltLeNKWMXf5c0386lb2sB0MsugCTG40YynLiqu4hsE6u9zvF-B9iwViqcegyjKzn8c/s1600/IMG_2050.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEd26_HC20sSuAuW86-I8kOm1WUPjVsQ1eX800et4JbZ3UXh1aOMDpDA3eDVgIncleJb-HzXQgltLeNKWMXf5c0386lb2sB0MsugCTG40YynLiqu4hsE6u9zvF-B9iwViqcegyjKzn8c/s640/IMG_2050.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He loves Rolly Poleys!</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Remington E.</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Biz, Bizzy Bot, Lizard, Riz, Rizzy, Liz, Rizzo, Remster, Remi Girl, Remi Roo, Rems, Blitz......</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Remi still has a million nicknames and a personality to match! She's ALWAYS talking about princesses or following her brother and uncle around. The common sight is her in a dress or tutu, doing some boyish activity. She's sworn off pants and is always showing me princess poses.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-OlhdkWZsjD2sFc8jzQpaRxzwPS2ckcBcc_apGv21Zup6M6qRS44MH7EttpcP6orcpopMnT5Li9EIkWVm-WRIYxJleQd6UpFgkRL3M9OKG-QqKkgBM14fAoQLtniKKk7-WD0mxKQcGI/s1600/IMG_1521.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-OlhdkWZsjD2sFc8jzQpaRxzwPS2ckcBcc_apGv21Zup6M6qRS44MH7EttpcP6orcpopMnT5Li9EIkWVm-WRIYxJleQd6UpFgkRL3M9OKG-QqKkgBM14fAoQLtniKKk7-WD0mxKQcGI/s640/IMG_1521.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Princesses go like this"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3UxNjinWTaMEI4ZSq0VwpbqLkREhrdLvMtZaPYRobejn9FV1shwoLlJvLLowT3b6YHo1F-iMCMZerkINxKev3AOYMA9W3pn8aTQlIA8bQBFUQ3ESvIFjLq_oJEMJI4qWdtGRqAe_MIk/s1600/IMG_2055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ3UxNjinWTaMEI4ZSq0VwpbqLkREhrdLvMtZaPYRobejn9FV1shwoLlJvLLowT3b6YHo1F-iMCMZerkINxKev3AOYMA9W3pn8aTQlIA8bQBFUQ3ESvIFjLq_oJEMJI4qWdtGRqAe_MIk/s640/IMG_2055.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She LOVES watching versions of "Let it Go" on YouTube and knows every word and choreography move. She's also obsessed with toy reviews on YouTube?</td></tr>
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The other day, I'd gotten her out of the bath and she had her towel around her and kept whining,<br />
"I cold, I cold, I cold!"<br />
Then all of the sudden, she threw her towel off behind her and exclaimed,<br />
"The cold never bothered me anyway!"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QoYLEV5MSUkkWzwY1p3G-tUux9-2eWwMBtjp8CCP9UpTNYi2T2zC-xvVqVKHXF-Pca3RqAnMP09naa2cIWA71FXS5rKsJzqIGen3Y9REzDA6KFvZf_7HqzyHjewVvoVS-oQcld-l2sM/s1600/IMG_1999.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QoYLEV5MSUkkWzwY1p3G-tUux9-2eWwMBtjp8CCP9UpTNYi2T2zC-xvVqVKHXF-Pca3RqAnMP09naa2cIWA71FXS5rKsJzqIGen3Y9REzDA6KFvZf_7HqzyHjewVvoVS-oQcld-l2sM/s640/IMG_1999.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of her pajamas are Grant's old ones. She gets bummed every time she has to wear shorts instead of a dress.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zh9Pg2XVvDrsTTwN5wV4EOvO-WgznmloWNVChtm9VXD_fPKTRMpJK9L0agvhNbG-BWVPZrgpZp8ZuOAVkssYk97gvKoxN_KOlWkiLPI7eVwIoNcsBATDCFuzDCXKmKzpeCdnnEGZJ-g/s1600/IMG_1834.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zh9Pg2XVvDrsTTwN5wV4EOvO-WgznmloWNVChtm9VXD_fPKTRMpJK9L0agvhNbG-BWVPZrgpZp8ZuOAVkssYk97gvKoxN_KOlWkiLPI7eVwIoNcsBATDCFuzDCXKmKzpeCdnnEGZJ-g/s640/IMG_1834.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only way she'll wear pants is if they're pink. She dressed herself on this day. I tried to help her turn them around, but she wouldn't have it. She's pretty stubborn too!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXU-PplRRk_ASysWZ7uJhCMfQACksQGAf1FpsGi4ORE7JoIrHoC2XWoBweCkc5XG3H20BbT3Grdd_Vi9inYpW9cja7n9NZqnT6-dzpnH5OpElgTbbbw_wUNnmUatqkhE1795pRIurJxk/s1600/IMG_2056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXU-PplRRk_ASysWZ7uJhCMfQACksQGAf1FpsGi4ORE7JoIrHoC2XWoBweCkc5XG3H20BbT3Grdd_Vi9inYpW9cja7n9NZqnT6-dzpnH5OpElgTbbbw_wUNnmUatqkhE1795pRIurJxk/s640/IMG_2056.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She LOVES sweets! She used to wake up every day and go through the list of sweets she wanted to eat for breakfast. When I'd tell her we didn't have something, she'd move to the next option. I was surprised how many sweets she could come up with first thing in the morning! <br />
"I wanna brownie", "I wanna cookie", "I want ice cream", "I wanna donut", "I want cake", "I want candy", "I want pie", "I wanna cupcake", "I wanna popsicle"...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWVqJ3YNTLvOQTj8Jx3ppTblzcrE686yi-EAku1bH1QmosCgtPuzz1uQQAy2iQwwyu877mRsW7r6ihZbtNpZkAuP1fW28rIG1l5uscnpuLHf6df1Qrs9ToJlZcg3R8jzXYgQQAzwio1g/s1600/IMG_1951.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWVqJ3YNTLvOQTj8Jx3ppTblzcrE686yi-EAku1bH1QmosCgtPuzz1uQQAy2iQwwyu877mRsW7r6ihZbtNpZkAuP1fW28rIG1l5uscnpuLHf6df1Qrs9ToJlZcg3R8jzXYgQQAzwio1g/s640/IMG_1951.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other day, I KNEW I put underwear on her, but after she went to the bathroom (by herself), I couldn't find them. We put some new ones on her and finally realized where the originals went.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;">She's pretty spunky and does not hesitate to tell you where you stand! A while back, she wanted some oatmeal with brown (her favorite breakfast), but we didn't have any brown sugar so I told her she couldn't have it. She stomped into her room, but came back to tell me, "I am MAD at you, Mommy!!" with a huge scowl on her face. She's also a Daddy's Girl and goes to him with her sob stories when I'm "mean". Usually, as much as he <i>wants</i> to support her, he knows he <i>needs</i> to support me, in which case she usually runs to Sal next to try to get what she wants.</td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNmIdvBoukDhPRZt_D4zGt8WHoXSq5d1FeB2UYPNAfEof_zGmfRLW9oobDOJfT99DhQbigF3Cy1DwiLRqWsEQFLh5gfjWnhkpTIHvK0r_VYc_8ORWO6vElyioZKF1XQgDLtNV1YXGi8g/s1600/IMG_2057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNmIdvBoukDhPRZt_D4zGt8WHoXSq5d1FeB2UYPNAfEof_zGmfRLW9oobDOJfT99DhQbigF3Cy1DwiLRqWsEQFLh5gfjWnhkpTIHvK0r_VYc_8ORWO6vElyioZKF1XQgDLtNV1YXGi8g/s640/IMG_2057.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She goes to Jean to get all gussied up from time to time. Jean did her nails and made her some jewelry.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwO4qpV05TthM2eoWuIsVuyo1ws7vKjCuL1xupSSPg8CD8JAn9to5nyDPhueAHrPVxDL64q6dmtAbeL0YN9ulwg3Lj40d5wVqVC8aD-v_bjsAsxaH4mBFt4RGZHV4c7MQhYp8eZGPs_1c/s1600/IMG_2062.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwO4qpV05TthM2eoWuIsVuyo1ws7vKjCuL1xupSSPg8CD8JAn9to5nyDPhueAHrPVxDL64q6dmtAbeL0YN9ulwg3Lj40d5wVqVC8aD-v_bjsAsxaH4mBFt4RGZHV4c7MQhYp8eZGPs_1c/s640/IMG_2062.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She also gives Remi her hand-me-downs, which Remi wears with pride (usually all at the same time)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpz4WytSQmuxiKm6fmVghytbPiJpyuLT7KXoPixpTE7a8gaQYuwmq_wgrmT9sWh5rVonEAbJ9Uvo42vHJgXTV-HGAuAGqSYS6wdXYAxZLXaR5oUWOOzjCcbDJQUK6VE5et73nW9yL0G7k/s1600/IMG_2049.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpz4WytSQmuxiKm6fmVghytbPiJpyuLT7KXoPixpTE7a8gaQYuwmq_wgrmT9sWh5rVonEAbJ9Uvo42vHJgXTV-HGAuAGqSYS6wdXYAxZLXaR5oUWOOzjCcbDJQUK6VE5et73nW9yL0G7k/s640/IMG_2049.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She LOVES being a helper, especially if she can help Mike</td></tr>
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Saw Man</h2>
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This kid is impossible to describe in one sitting! I pretty much just sum it up by telling people he's a nut! He's goofy, energetic and EVERYWHERE!! Once he gets his mind set on something, he NEVER stops until he gets it! Even if it's hours, or even days later!</div>
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He went through a phase of having these TERRIBLE rashes and the only thing that seemed to make them feel better was an oatmeal bath. It got to where I was giving him 3-4 oatmeal baths a day, so I finally wised up and got this big bowl from the dollar store and just kept oatmeal water in it and put him in it every time I changed his diaper. As you can see, he loved it! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhYpN23SW75AnuyVrc17MrbnEXBma-k2GrwRGK_hib1LIK53GkDY3tBKp9tjEcbELkG3pgchgEEJj1wuAr1yxqP9kszRdS92c3zUrBbiEBehCAKYPO-Vo-orJ1JmG9dB1PiS4OjBYOIs/s1600/IMG_1932.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhYpN23SW75AnuyVrc17MrbnEXBma-k2GrwRGK_hib1LIK53GkDY3tBKp9tjEcbELkG3pgchgEEJj1wuAr1yxqP9kszRdS92c3zUrBbiEBehCAKYPO-Vo-orJ1JmG9dB1PiS4OjBYOIs/s640/IMG_1932.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
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He's had a hard time with his poor little tummy from the get-go. I felt like I REALLY had to watch my diet when I was breastfeeding him because SO many things I ate made him uncomfortable. Then, after I started him on formula because breastfeeding just was NOT working, he kept getting those bad rashes. With my other kids, I SO looked forward to cow's milk but I was really worried about what we were going to do for Saw once he turned a year. I'd had lots of moms tell me to try goat's milk for Grant because he had some lactose sensitivities, but I never found anyone who sold it. </div>
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I mentioned it at Young Women's one night, and one of the girls said they had a goat. That night, I got a text from her mom and they brought us a quart of it to try. He LOVED it!! He drank the whole quart that night and has gained 4 lbs in 5 weeks of being on goat's milk! Considering the fact that he'd only gained like a pound a month in the past four months before that, we've been ecstatic!! It FINALLY feels like he's being properly nourished! ;) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He can't get to it fast enough! He flaps his little arms whenever he sees me pick up the jars and he's really grown to love the Shumway family for being the "founders of the feast"! And so have we! We can't thank them enough for helping us keep our little Saw Man healthy!</td></tr>
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Speaking of people lending their help and support to Saw, Rusty and Ashley Wilkins sent us these new boots for Sawyer's brace a few weeks ago. I'm so thankful for Ashley taking the time to message me and get me through some of the tough spots of this clubfoot thing! I almost wanted to cry when I saw all these boots in the box she sent! Each of those boots costs between $400-$500. To know that someone was thinking of us and willing to give up making a buck or two to help our little family was so touching and we can't thank the Wilkinses enough!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCYtfl64AWKu9in1d40l7tMjK18T510Y9CGF3IGIb-Y-jrrURnL3j0OOAjGke9iTTxxLTS36gScvR0EV5Nesr59rShTyoKLiZgfxHcJVSx-GswTGhduMvHnphSqUC3nCYS2sCx5AEryA/s1600/IMG_2017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCYtfl64AWKu9in1d40l7tMjK18T510Y9CGF3IGIb-Y-jrrURnL3j0OOAjGke9iTTxxLTS36gScvR0EV5Nesr59rShTyoKLiZgfxHcJVSx-GswTGhduMvHnphSqUC3nCYS2sCx5AEryA/s640/IMG_2017.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div>
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He's finally started to pull himself up on things and take steps. I was so worried because of the clubfoot, he's been a little developmentally behind my other kids. Now that he finally has the braces off for most of the day, he's rapidly catching up! (Not that he would've let the braces stop him from getting into trouble!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdbpUrD8YtL_q9tP3JuVh6RRjQn3W1K_y9Cu7MUWxPqTNkNrNYpPjUXvaoAZ9teme_CNt7uljGnAr8MAUO1Y_U8PyK9x6cUy8lx1sgwzbqYkbUmKzTkW_buuKXn2HeoeA0VYXkNwD_rw/s1600/IMG_2063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdbpUrD8YtL_q9tP3JuVh6RRjQn3W1K_y9Cu7MUWxPqTNkNrNYpPjUXvaoAZ9teme_CNt7uljGnAr8MAUO1Y_U8PyK9x6cUy8lx1sgwzbqYkbUmKzTkW_buuKXn2HeoeA0VYXkNwD_rw/s640/IMG_2063.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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He's so playful and in-your-face! He's always pounding on the back door to let you know he wants to come out and play. He's also the loudest baby ever! He's never complaining, he just likes to tear things up and make NOISE! I don't think I've sat through an entire Sunday School class since he discovered his pipes! They're all happy noises, but disruptive nonetheless! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLAAQhq_R441BUZuuewtLy8ZaG35LQ9ku3Wqp6My2Sar56f4L84ws-FSNJL0jXzgBg-awum39FQhOh-XpMLZgvu8cZ29L7OkU4TSAU9KNVIjRohX2Xlyp3Bao45Hjw3Ke9md7Ky275ZY/s1600/IMG_2046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLAAQhq_R441BUZuuewtLy8ZaG35LQ9ku3Wqp6My2Sar56f4L84ws-FSNJL0jXzgBg-awum39FQhOh-XpMLZgvu8cZ29L7OkU4TSAU9KNVIjRohX2Xlyp3Bao45Hjw3Ke9md7Ky275ZY/s640/IMG_2046.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Summer Fun</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAprwv6BzTlb2cZWPvEntE0aZelexvD4q3iHn319GId2C7vtLvSV6k4Xi0cm4XVrYXR-Yum8YR8xjc4LsgdxJzV1qM-7RBTv5g9dbYDJAgiHu9ytBd5VXN87vsGt90_ieCRPJ2ZhTo36c/s1600/IMG_1752.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAprwv6BzTlb2cZWPvEntE0aZelexvD4q3iHn319GId2C7vtLvSV6k4Xi0cm4XVrYXR-Yum8YR8xjc4LsgdxJzV1qM-7RBTv5g9dbYDJAgiHu9ytBd5VXN87vsGt90_ieCRPJ2ZhTo36c/s640/IMG_1752.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Q-Town for my dad's play!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCtX5y3SE2Qx3ydG-Kw0ZItkWDBYKrmtZd_BQTAqWLbI9typ87KRAVFvdJovs8cQS6ielLmtTrX-uYGcHjhOxyd1omEO3QQIDgBJtVE2KseKhwa5pk1-ysDzJQ4hd8e4RTdZamp1744s/s1600/IMG_1938.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCtX5y3SE2Qx3ydG-Kw0ZItkWDBYKrmtZd_BQTAqWLbI9typ87KRAVFvdJovs8cQS6ielLmtTrX-uYGcHjhOxyd1omEO3QQIDgBJtVE2KseKhwa5pk1-ysDzJQ4hd8e4RTdZamp1744s/s640/IMG_1938.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our driveway in the summer...it makes me never want to move!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVQi2j3T8IReFTMex58v6phxDD2zvolEnA1hk575ZdEIKwcZPnB2WN1CIDq3IxDX0vsfZCcH8F2-KK2UseXj4vmPW-tGNO_UmhMyEE4MYZgiR_-UJZ7RgIAvtmJJYbaAiJiSudK_V5Fs/s1600/IMG_1988.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVQi2j3T8IReFTMex58v6phxDD2zvolEnA1hk575ZdEIKwcZPnB2WN1CIDq3IxDX0vsfZCcH8F2-KK2UseXj4vmPW-tGNO_UmhMyEE4MYZgiR_-UJZ7RgIAvtmJJYbaAiJiSudK_V5Fs/s640/IMG_1988.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Young Women made pies for Father's Day to raise money for Girl's Camp. It was a lot of work, but in the end I thought, a smashing success! I LOVE my calling and our girls!!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike's making the kids a fort and we've been spending a lot of time outside!</td></tr>
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Whenever I see the three of them together, it's overwhelming! My cup runneth over!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is progress in the fort!!</td></tr>
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Other Happenings</h2>
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*We planted our first garden this year! I'm SO excited! It's been my dream for a while now! Thanks to my dad and Mike for making it a reality! It's not as hard as I thought! (Especially when it rains every day!)</div>
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*Mike went to working part-time in May. It has been SUCH a good decision for us! I was a little nervous about how we'd survive at first, but now, I'm sad he didn't do it sooner! He gets to spend a lot more time with us, he's less stressed and we're getting lots of projects done that have been on the back burner for YEARS!</div>
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*Mike finished the <a href="http://www.byui.edu/about/defining-aspects/pathway">Pathway program</a> and will be starting on his second Bachelor's Degree in software engineering through BYUI SOON! Another blessing we're SO excited about!! If you're looking into schooling options, look into Pathway! It's been such a blessing for our whole family!!</div>
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*I did another goal weight challenge and my sister won by losing 15 lbs in 8 weeks!! I'm SO proud of her!! Now if I could only follow her example!</div>
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*Mike has started a group to read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It's tough! But I LOVE being married to someone who's always seeking improvement and pushing us both to be better.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-64792433893840798902015-04-19T16:31:00.000-07:002015-04-19T16:57:33.910-07:00Reasons to CelebrateThe end of February/beginninf or March was a time we'd been looking forward to for a long time!!<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4414321201113330100" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4414321201113330100" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>My baby brother came home from his mission on February 28! It's been so good having him home! He's always been so cool and easy for me to talk to! I really missed him!<br />
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It was fun to go meet him at the airport, spend some time with the fam and welcome him home!<br />
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My sister-in-law Melody is so awesome and brought all her kids to the airport, even though my brother Brian was stuck at work (and she's pregnant!)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grant, Chase and Brig</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0MCFF0s71VaOuq0ViWKXLvD5BFDo5jPYFdggU4BIg969tqJYQep2uybHQ1x-zJxAvUAG6WmW_hDR9LiGj6-PfulMLiUrQawk6irwSpsT2wZA8nSRxhxiC2nkus6Kxt_eU78hi6NWBo8/s1600/IMG_0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0MCFF0s71VaOuq0ViWKXLvD5BFDo5jPYFdggU4BIg969tqJYQep2uybHQ1x-zJxAvUAG6WmW_hDR9LiGj6-PfulMLiUrQawk6irwSpsT2wZA8nSRxhxiC2nkus6Kxt_eU78hi6NWBo8/s1600/IMG_0018.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins really do make the best friends! Emmy and Remi are so cute!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was especially glad Grant got to go meet Dal at the airport when I realized he'll probably be the last missionary Grant will get to see step off a plane until these two get home! We got to go to their baptism and that was equally good for Grant to see! As soon as we got there, they gave Grant a big hug and started to ask him if he was going to get baptized too when he was 8.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnis-sTB8zvm3s7VjBaDfBYX91n2Y8uju3C0y5ICW2bD4o3XBAEHPM6z6fS4BOIL7u3Y7bJ8HZKHLAO-0nokixgi6lDuG_Qo7ubUMC9UDkfr12zAffrCTsKygQcUaBTvXHFImpQ1PSXY/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnis-sTB8zvm3s7VjBaDfBYX91n2Y8uju3C0y5ICW2bD4o3XBAEHPM6z6fS4BOIL7u3Y7bJ8HZKHLAO-0nokixgi6lDuG_Qo7ubUMC9UDkfr12zAffrCTsKygQcUaBTvXHFImpQ1PSXY/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm so thankful for the good examples my kids have to look up to!</div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The other long awaited event this month was</span>...</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhNBIFJhqoJnsd72ZePyN7zU3ToXjNjBB-1YMRVyRwty-ZbCz8sZr9B66Y5JgbnbL8GC_1S7BGPDukKQ8ovaRZGJjcM0fjhTAIkKGL9HABa3UL9ki0SKlMtaM2vOEhxuZr3mbNC9Vbrk/s1600/IMG_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhNBIFJhqoJnsd72ZePyN7zU3ToXjNjBB-1YMRVyRwty-ZbCz8sZr9B66Y5JgbnbL8GC_1S7BGPDukKQ8ovaRZGJjcM0fjhTAIkKGL9HABa3UL9ki0SKlMtaM2vOEhxuZr3mbNC9Vbrk/s1600/IMG_0024.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
</div>
<h2>
Our little Saw Man is brace free!!</h2>
For 12 hours of the day anyway! He's doing SO great!! I can't say enough how proud I am of his long suffering little spirit! I love getting to hold and snuggle with him finally, without the casts and steel holding me back! And I'm definitely making up for lost time...poor guy! ;)<br />
<br />
We got to spend a few consecutive weekends in the Valley and see friends and family. Grant and Remi got to see their BFF Coz (who happens to be my BFF's daughter)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGe9ZviGYMqRxqN5k_Z3Vrz62dNgNfq1HrVxNMR9D9ohcD5nwrtTKHT0f-LQAle7PccYmaPW3JI3r0ACk4BDtdHt61S-tf_zWc0dQ9xfjI4FMzJKcWg-_8TzwbrH4XLOEHVDN71vFNhMo/s1600/IMG_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGe9ZviGYMqRxqN5k_Z3Vrz62dNgNfq1HrVxNMR9D9ohcD5nwrtTKHT0f-LQAle7PccYmaPW3JI3r0ACk4BDtdHt61S-tf_zWc0dQ9xfjI4FMzJKcWg-_8TzwbrH4XLOEHVDN71vFNhMo/s1600/IMG_0021.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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The kids were so excited that we got to spend some time with Grandma Mary too!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXl7U4hhhxXwzUVOjKRRQVvExa-HjTqPNXJk69LvgEMIb4aWgtyshkBP1Fgss_Jx_zy4zizzkNYQByX6H60OoUkdUeAd83sAsUuGcTPQX7dVh_fp6CMZC0ee_Qx3XYecUTtdHKuieANIw/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXl7U4hhhxXwzUVOjKRRQVvExa-HjTqPNXJk69LvgEMIb4aWgtyshkBP1Fgss_Jx_zy4zizzkNYQByX6H60OoUkdUeAd83sAsUuGcTPQX7dVh_fp6CMZC0ee_Qx3XYecUTtdHKuieANIw/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And they even got to see their UT (now AZ) cousins!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsilyE8fq_NfoXkvaUEfDF0plfZbGN9Xy99pwyLCmEO3zPdFW5XoJpur7dDhjo9phEFoGR_JDlBW4ygCXlq5JDgwzUfizwm7r5F19xQqMf86t-bLSoTmuU4IHPPl4UDTASbZYp3XnV2M/s1600/IMG_0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsilyE8fq_NfoXkvaUEfDF0plfZbGN9Xy99pwyLCmEO3zPdFW5XoJpur7dDhjo9phEFoGR_JDlBW4ygCXlq5JDgwzUfizwm7r5F19xQqMf86t-bLSoTmuU4IHPPl4UDTASbZYp3XnV2M/s1600/IMG_0020.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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It's hard to believe that the time we looked forward to so much, and at times felt like would never come, has already come and gone! I seem to get caught up in the little stressors of the day and so often forget to sit back and live in the moment and count my blessings. Even looking at these pictures of things that are happening in our life RIGHT NOW already makes me miss these times!<br />
<br />
There are a lot of material things we'd like to have that we don't, but we definitely have reasons to celebrate every day! Things like....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwK5M5p8zHVa3BVQXSeRVDJ8L6IJOkkmcQkNu_MPjAoLgz_6iIpSd0iuabif3P7ObgLBTnTifUujfOPt93SnLRqH0_Ef3td5Pik9jZWA9dJJQOAHTRD8u9MJOXeNghZYNuFz1drJyZrzU/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Biz walking out to the woodpile to help her dad chop wood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-dCGQabSyruBS582sh2bvJtJlFnZ140Ffe5LWLQ4Qqu3mqvj7kfBK3RypY9PnqCHHE0bHvvmBV6K_ZVp8ZlkOlsXjxo0JUeUulPKrSX1Tinebm_S2K3z6W5z8R4q79umgmSTz4bS6c4/s1600/IMG_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-dCGQabSyruBS582sh2bvJtJlFnZ140Ffe5LWLQ4Qqu3mqvj7kfBK3RypY9PnqCHHE0bHvvmBV6K_ZVp8ZlkOlsXjxo0JUeUulPKrSX1Tinebm_S2K3z6W5z8R4q79umgmSTz4bS6c4/s1600/IMG_0006.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone wants to take a ride with Sawyer!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2Roh-YZfV902kv4W7mRYSbXNpQs9DifDADVM4iDXk3BQPMBfeCqFls26hNsED_K7MHxmL2TIjybrvC6QgDig6fkkBDmEsyTHFAeEP9zVZjcUPoeOGXUzS3Fx9P7OJLz-cg12fWN7zpQ/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2Roh-YZfV902kv4W7mRYSbXNpQs9DifDADVM4iDXk3BQPMBfeCqFls26hNsED_K7MHxmL2TIjybrvC6QgDig6fkkBDmEsyTHFAeEP9zVZjcUPoeOGXUzS3Fx9P7OJLz-cg12fWN7zpQ/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxoongW_fZs4kay9EviUEBQzvUd_0BSKm1KrQEbzpD22C3M2xeKqJ7Gy6oUyMtbJGXZgVsPVoYhYiOsdvunHCBjDqs9X9jRjIRfwKG86vf_XYB6z4fVtdYLEH0_CQsp2tBhsV-gCUA9w/s1600/IMG_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxoongW_fZs4kay9EviUEBQzvUd_0BSKm1KrQEbzpD22C3M2xeKqJ7Gy6oUyMtbJGXZgVsPVoYhYiOsdvunHCBjDqs9X9jRjIRfwKG86vf_XYB6z4fVtdYLEH0_CQsp2tBhsV-gCUA9w/s1600/IMG_0010.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting to play in the snow</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPV9JX4YSHMkE_hsyo40_bUTML10yM8E55qr_fY5XzXzT_8WGsV0UNz6hri_O4Me9gC3aVxiYWEsIirG5Eh2lNmbllsWlfv-wIbjpFT6RMtVXBdNMxB7YZ95IXWcC_Y7krNJUp8TGSMaA/s1600/IMG_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPV9JX4YSHMkE_hsyo40_bUTML10yM8E55qr_fY5XzXzT_8WGsV0UNz6hri_O4Me9gC3aVxiYWEsIirG5Eh2lNmbllsWlfv-wIbjpFT6RMtVXBdNMxB7YZ95IXWcC_Y7krNJUp8TGSMaA/s1600/IMG_0011.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A LOT of it!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34R2yDtD8O_wDF42mfdbhStDVlzyTjBWPCGgYMwKc-U2ju-eiuArkWCY3UmWdmj8Ga_h6T4EA_e7B0z63q2Zh_YE4pWD18-RL0xSZe9EqjYkhbTtZ_q8eGsluOB-bP1BzDBuc0hfQl14/s1600/IMG_0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34R2yDtD8O_wDF42mfdbhStDVlzyTjBWPCGgYMwKc-U2ju-eiuArkWCY3UmWdmj8Ga_h6T4EA_e7B0z63q2Zh_YE4pWD18-RL0xSZe9EqjYkhbTtZ_q8eGsluOB-bP1BzDBuc0hfQl14/s1600/IMG_0015.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then we got to go bask in the sun in Mesa the next weekend</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzXgIFWMTgk9zZiK3UL6aJOhpDm8z8fDVtkl3xAnaNeAnuRlu5n_HKIGrIGv3t9PP7iNqX9ZfacxWICJ90c-k6vYCeaJFDf2hWkFMGVs7mXeQRPgYo2cG57ASFGD0p6wiYilJHdwJRls/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzXgIFWMTgk9zZiK3UL6aJOhpDm8z8fDVtkl3xAnaNeAnuRlu5n_HKIGrIGv3t9PP7iNqX9ZfacxWICJ90c-k6vYCeaJFDf2hWkFMGVs7mXeQRPgYo2cG57ASFGD0p6wiYilJHdwJRls/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyr6Z3GjULUpeDBl2oUEHbenhUUma7u5m6lI7FX7GsB-eBC5EYHizpCyxoXGHe_yP1uhY9b7E-TyjuEPc3YXFFDuhZziDNW62thrzrltX2lHNvpjNvi78eobFkTvLDQI7sC66Mq8Aa7Ug/s1600/IMG_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyr6Z3GjULUpeDBl2oUEHbenhUUma7u5m6lI7FX7GsB-eBC5EYHizpCyxoXGHe_yP1uhY9b7E-TyjuEPc3YXFFDuhZziDNW62thrzrltX2lHNvpjNvi78eobFkTvLDQI7sC66Mq8Aa7Ug/s1600/IMG_0009.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remi's hair is finally getting long enough to start having fun with it</td></tr>
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Rembos continues to keep the mood light around here! I saw her playing with these crayons and she kept yelling "Help! Help! Help, Mama!" I told her she didn't need to yell, I was standing right ethere and could hear her. She looked at me and irritated like and said, "No. DIS (holding up a crayon) is Mama!"<br />
<br />
My Mistake.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7q0wRhBLvh95ZMU8-1tunlyj0e182EG07p3iXnbX3fUGHLE1063Jk9K58YMm0lXBK0kNJ9jFOtkkDlmgMpv90XaGODDD5FeO0bRq5DhL8j6czv6X2nj06qI_TBQRS88fv4PzEWthTDo/s1600/IMG_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7q0wRhBLvh95ZMU8-1tunlyj0e182EG07p3iXnbX3fUGHLE1063Jk9K58YMm0lXBK0kNJ9jFOtkkDlmgMpv90XaGODDD5FeO0bRq5DhL8j6czv6X2nj06qI_TBQRS88fv4PzEWthTDo/s1600/IMG_0012.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
Later on, I saw her rolling "Mama" off the edge of the table as she yelled, "Look out Mama! It's dangerous!"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7Xs1By9vU8KK7rvgIwW0VtGEjCY5BSpNQgp_8jgj-ooACXXJyTBlv13ttLQ7AKBKKsF3MQz2kLoGvb5esVWmdTJvSP4eLq4kaKJDriQepFRvndlwsInSF3mYJJryXk5hWGULztoKzUA/s1600/IMG_0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7Xs1By9vU8KK7rvgIwW0VtGEjCY5BSpNQgp_8jgj-ooACXXJyTBlv13ttLQ7AKBKKsF3MQz2kLoGvb5esVWmdTJvSP4eLq4kaKJDriQepFRvndlwsInSF3mYJJryXk5hWGULztoKzUA/s1600/IMG_0022.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grant started wrestling. This is his stance :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAAxCFlrKGEVBJy615XGfSwJlde1FVc58VEBZfsrpuL25xfne9gmj3URSXGgtNTIEOlQ9Hi2N4gWlj62T2otELK0ipp5x_UNPwXCH0LZHlOorJamNdT_Dc2g8QmdfWLDzFVSYjHtnfWo/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAAxCFlrKGEVBJy615XGfSwJlde1FVc58VEBZfsrpuL25xfne9gmj3URSXGgtNTIEOlQ9Hi2N4gWlj62T2otELK0ipp5x_UNPwXCH0LZHlOorJamNdT_Dc2g8QmdfWLDzFVSYjHtnfWo/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The results of Remi, my "helper". (That's garlic powder and the whole house smelled like it for a week. Not to mention the breadsticks were SPICY and we're now out of garlic powder!)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspndI0NPjBWvEXAz7z8unemPXR2CHbIZjveZT_iaw2BErERXuS-Qz11MF5pFxfQnGe4Gmri4u9d2w-NaIN-etCiMOt-D_u7_KkJLrqu8_jq8yq9Ty0NS826suNNJ3PrKlECPaVwEuzGc/s1600/IMG_0993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspndI0NPjBWvEXAz7z8unemPXR2CHbIZjveZT_iaw2BErERXuS-Qz11MF5pFxfQnGe4Gmri4u9d2w-NaIN-etCiMOt-D_u7_KkJLrqu8_jq8yq9Ty0NS826suNNJ3PrKlECPaVwEuzGc/s1600/IMG_0993.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously, now! How can I not feel like the luckiest mom EVER?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJ-bhJLdZjySmM8zjkr6b-lqCUeDGJGu1BYqqwQuieOztebjjW7-pOP-pkhoX1-IqBJFK7BCXD5M_MxMoOIm468v5aoNWk56pC8j7RLrGhxlnf4E95DAX36ljjePQBVfAUjCEmpjYBOQ/s1600/IMG_1034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJ-bhJLdZjySmM8zjkr6b-lqCUeDGJGu1BYqqwQuieOztebjjW7-pOP-pkhoX1-IqBJFK7BCXD5M_MxMoOIm468v5aoNWk56pC8j7RLrGhxlnf4E95DAX36ljjePQBVfAUjCEmpjYBOQ/s1600/IMG_1034.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's FINALLY eating solids! Here he is all spaghetti-faced, getting clean.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7htC5IysfqLkcHloj59d0D2H_1RAy5uzvV_0vtnMJj39U7D83lIoH2snFXijXMS2n1-VaBoUyw8c91eqaexwh1PRxWFc5VqrfJ4U8VmmbuQCPH5_68pAdwQVQ3-J6phSngiziqZemic/s1600/IMG_0413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7htC5IysfqLkcHloj59d0D2H_1RAy5uzvV_0vtnMJj39U7D83lIoH2snFXijXMS2n1-VaBoUyw8c91eqaexwh1PRxWFc5VqrfJ4U8VmmbuQCPH5_68pAdwQVQ3-J6phSngiziqZemic/s1600/IMG_0413.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess she's made her stance on stuffed animals clear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Remster got to come visit my work with me the other day, so I could turn in some paperwork. She had to take a picture by the purple fishy. She looked so cute in her brother's pagamas, I let her wear them all day (and maybe a few more days after that! ;))<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ow5zGDSp99oth0B37Q0qseAvUa5A11dBY7Bga77VVIjxDrA_J37YCKwM1OO8OSSQdsGp9kFFLXjEZA5M7aBt3KxOF3mBw3rY7qnmYUmu2Ksh6jnMR9M4wY08ri0PEDsEWhaLaHCID1U/s1600/IMG_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ow5zGDSp99oth0B37Q0qseAvUa5A11dBY7Bga77VVIjxDrA_J37YCKwM1OO8OSSQdsGp9kFFLXjEZA5M7aBt3KxOF3mBw3rY7qnmYUmu2Ksh6jnMR9M4wY08ri0PEDsEWhaLaHCID1U/s1600/IMG_0026.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
While we were gone, Mike sent me this picture of him and the boys at home. I think it's one of my new favorites!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomIL9hxPhvJhXQW0gEFuYaSvT43WDLA8PBMkYYJp1DUJ4jSLDF_peq3i9Tk5nbIvoV1ZEnNbJyk-PSju5iztCI3cRJAbMYu6eT_PttCu70ClTtCL9O3s0izFP-kz-CtyX2kvp77ZJN8s/s1600/IMG_0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomIL9hxPhvJhXQW0gEFuYaSvT43WDLA8PBMkYYJp1DUJ4jSLDF_peq3i9Tk5nbIvoV1ZEnNbJyk-PSju5iztCI3cRJAbMYu6eT_PttCu70ClTtCL9O3s0izFP-kz-CtyX2kvp77ZJN8s/s1600/IMG_0027.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4414321201113330100" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4414321201113330100" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
I came in the living room the other day, after putting Sawyer down for a nap and found Grant and Remi like this. That alone is enough to make a mom want to celebrate!!<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVpglrJckWcZNYbsZF7ZaVTe82v7xFqNn6eZNsBovmJvEA107A1CGZ3_HOsuL3uABRqUZUxmmx8G4kiIRF3xsVPZPqk6qktfEFrIDQH3EECrY-uPhSmObEJbJN9-RGwpfjyDBk-_FsKY/s1600/IMG_0016.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-90952728953435165662015-02-19T20:47:00.001-08:002015-02-19T20:47:53.626-08:00We've Been Sick<div>So I feel like the title pretty well sums up the past few months for us!</div><div><br></div><div>When I think about what we've been doing since the new year...it kinda feels like that's pretty much it!</div><div><br></div><div>Really, when I think about it though, January was just a blur! I didn't make any New Year's Resolutions and it seemed to go by busier than any other month. I picked up a shift every week last month and it actually went pretty well. The kids like the daycare more (AKA their "school") since they moved and now there's "a real playground with slides", in Grant's words.</div><div><br></div><div>Sawyer had been on this spell since Christmas where he wouldn't sleep for more than 2 hours at a time! Just when I was bordering between declaring myself clinically insane and/or just accepting the fact that I would have to learn to run and function off two hour increments and get used to people constantly commenting on how tired I looked (thanks a lot!), he seems like he's finally getting back into a normal rhythmn (knock on wood!!).</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HJYqNYHZixzXWEF7XkaypkM29-761PRsjNcZbjUekfdHyQPzQH8o7S1V0xFhoEz0v5vNWR3LwQcHuRdEdvEFwe-zaC4pZT0FH7A48qysI5sYYuKc_IxPusZ82tZY0aZIHPz2yov8rDg/s640/blogger-image-374632031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HJYqNYHZixzXWEF7XkaypkM29-761PRsjNcZbjUekfdHyQPzQH8o7S1V0xFhoEz0v5vNWR3LwQcHuRdEdvEFwe-zaC4pZT0FH7A48qysI5sYYuKc_IxPusZ82tZY0aZIHPz2yov8rDg/s640/blogger-image-374632031.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>So in reality, it's just been ALL of February that we've been sick. Grant turned up with pink eye at the end of January and slowly each of the kids went through red, diachargy, swollen shut eyes. It was sad to see them waking up in the morning. They'd sit there with their eyes stuck shut for hours, feeling their way around and groaning like little zombies.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsSOU5799ERaUAN_AzoaQg4x-BH1tr8qmg348Nf6WoYxRUW7y7fLSp2KCVGgZ8Z2JMB5ljIuRPndhGB3h-CAboIpV357N-5lXj3N_K7gExYuvokx4afp3ryOGAk2Snq43ZEQV2vcpB9s/s640/blogger-image-1477102743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsSOU5799ERaUAN_AzoaQg4x-BH1tr8qmg348Nf6WoYxRUW7y7fLSp2KCVGgZ8Z2JMB5ljIuRPndhGB3h-CAboIpV357N-5lXj3N_K7gExYuvokx4afp3ryOGAk2Snq43ZEQV2vcpB9s/s640/blogger-image-1477102743.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxKbiDyxSs12fOKGGAPZZLJy77KKLsXw15prqhcqY8oBiu4M6Nt9pxQshnBI4tCjial55MtotPUV_rr4bXyxaLZYqGZ0-KA6a9Kn-HTZg5SGM43JByVjKsJAMX7zRfIVVcEHrq85wPZQ/s640/blogger-image--1569688895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxKbiDyxSs12fOKGGAPZZLJy77KKLsXw15prqhcqY8oBiu4M6Nt9pxQshnBI4tCjial55MtotPUV_rr4bXyxaLZYqGZ0-KA6a9Kn-HTZg5SGM43JByVjKsJAMX7zRfIVVcEHrq85wPZQ/s640/blogger-image--1569688895.jpg"></font></a></div><div>Remi got pretty good at eating with her eyes closed. Mike's been bringing home the Star Wars movies and we've been going through the whole series since Grant's birthday. Grant liked them, but Remi's the one who surprised us by becoming the die hard Star Wars fan! Every morning, she'd sit on the couch with her eyes stuck shut and say, "I want pancakes and Sta-ee Wa-ees".</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBoZlIHJecNHmQjhsRpcMtBfSMBo8cJaZ6QYz5ZVCziR02_W5MClWKJi_0JGIBp_Ey4Bu2tu8y-fHv1jtudaXE8Sy56eIp5JJ8e5QZb6mxZa1ChmqWlS596Wqi6f19IyhsI_CodnFJXM/s640/blogger-image--1473682695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBoZlIHJecNHmQjhsRpcMtBfSMBo8cJaZ6QYz5ZVCziR02_W5MClWKJi_0JGIBp_Ey4Bu2tu8y-fHv1jtudaXE8Sy56eIp5JJ8e5QZb6mxZa1ChmqWlS596Wqi6f19IyhsI_CodnFJXM/s640/blogger-image--1473682695.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div>One morning, Grant staggered out of his room with his eyes stuck shut and very matter of factly told me that he was never going to be able to open his eyes again. It was like he'd accepted it and wanted to be able to help me accept it too. I reassured him that his eyes wouldn't be like that forever, but it was like it didn't matter to him to hear it because he'd already coped with it.</div><div><br></div><div>A few days later, he came out of his room with clear eyes and exclaimed, "Mommy, you were right! I can see again! But..WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY VOICE?! IS IT GOING TO BE LIKE THIS FOREVER?!?!"</div><div><br></div><div>Apparently a congested/nasally sounding voice is a much more traumatizing notion than the thought that he might never see again!</div><div><br></div><div>Anyway, that day started the fevers, earaches, coughs and congestion that we're still trying to ward off now. Every time one of us starts to get better, someone else comes down with something new. And as much as sleep looks like no place I'd rather be, it's pretty much out of the question with the coughs and inability to breathe (now that Saw's finally sleeping well...go figure!).</div><div><br></div><div>Our awesome friend/neighbor Sam took the kids for several hours on her day off so I could get some much needed rest! She painted Remi's nails and when Mike got home and asked Remi what she'd done that day, she said, "Nails. Sam. Eat chicken."</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5PIU_x-fDFC4v7MzK7MPhmTeRZaTmqsAb9e6o8GcRkM8Mghui3irDaL-xZ3-JOs0RjNtt6zDmmHG9kURIFIObFJD3TWzOlh-n6woMpl19vHdnC8wn2nfr7Q-dbCPU5TUZbH6OtkvfLA/s640/blogger-image--1484841018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5PIU_x-fDFC4v7MzK7MPhmTeRZaTmqsAb9e6o8GcRkM8Mghui3irDaL-xZ3-JOs0RjNtt6zDmmHG9kURIFIObFJD3TWzOlh-n6woMpl19vHdnC8wn2nfr7Q-dbCPU5TUZbH6OtkvfLA/s640/blogger-image--1484841018.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The days have given us some BEAUTIFUL weather though, and as crummy as we feel, we can't seem to resist going out to enjoy it a little. I love when the weather's nice! I'm realizing that it really affects my mood and drive to get things done.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-o96djhsAclH9H86BJZvwC29mKAkvsR3d0V2PSEevggVbEL1_zrNqJz4QcYYSQKmqwwrkCsm4VopnBGAYI5NI2FpSbijE48gPaS4PJlMxzS4fvCVjEsoAFkdQ6NIZ0J99CaUuosNUaE/s640/blogger-image-1427507091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-o96djhsAclH9H86BJZvwC29mKAkvsR3d0V2PSEevggVbEL1_zrNqJz4QcYYSQKmqwwrkCsm4VopnBGAYI5NI2FpSbijE48gPaS4PJlMxzS4fvCVjEsoAFkdQ6NIZ0J99CaUuosNUaE/s640/blogger-image-1427507091.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWnz1i5POHq0svLju8t8u6USPPH8MjjB44j70GS-deL-uOCq15g6zIXZ9H9AAsNgttpwxegPKweZ7Se3yOvGtk7f19z5O9q0yndjv1uQpKeceCrXgTFdU5l_WQlK0oqH9JpWWlVHm_Dk/s640/blogger-image--1413181151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWnz1i5POHq0svLju8t8u6USPPH8MjjB44j70GS-deL-uOCq15g6zIXZ9H9AAsNgttpwxegPKweZ7Se3yOvGtk7f19z5O9q0yndjv1uQpKeceCrXgTFdU5l_WQlK0oqH9JpWWlVHm_Dk/s640/blogger-image--1413181151.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Anyway, that about sums up the last few months...it looks like quarterly, novel-ish posts are my new style.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-80822721029937248842014-12-29T12:36:00.002-08:002015-01-05T10:12:15.535-08:00Lazy/Efficient Blogging
<p> I really love blogging! But I seem to frequently get to this point when I'm so behind that I keep putting it off because catching up is:</p>
<ol> <li>Time consuming</li> <li>Overwhelming</li> <li>Annoying (nine zillion pictures with much less emotion in the descriptions)</li> <li>Evidence to everyone (including my posterity) of how unorganized and what a procrastinator I am. </li>
</ol>
<p>However, like I said, I love blogging. And although looking back, catch up posts are annoying, in the long run, I'm always glad I at least wrote something and got some pictures. So here's today's solution to attempt to keep the "catch up" short and sweet!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Remi Turned 2!!</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And had a Jake and the Neverland Pirates themed birthday party to go along with their costumes.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pmCWfbLv7gY/VKG68g8eWTI/AAAAAAAAFT0/2mTyVJJv1us/s1024/Photo%25252020141229133433263.jpg" target="_blank" style=" "><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pmCWfbLv7gY/VKG68g8eWTI/AAAAAAAAFT0/2mTyVJJv1us/s500/Photo%25252020141229133433263.jpg" id="blogsy-1420481535352.238" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1. Walking the plank 2. Cannonball fight 3. Treasure hunt 4. Treasure piñata </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Halloween 2014</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Right after Remi's party, we rushed home where we hosted our Ward Halloween Party</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kHjUbVkCMNo/VKG7Dj6RlJI/AAAAAAAAFUA/cpNK11yaXhk/s1024/Photo%25252020141229133433355.jpg" target="_blank" style=" "><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kHjUbVkCMNo/VKG7Dj6RlJI/AAAAAAAAFUA/cpNK11yaXhk/s500/Photo%25252020141229133433355.jpg" id="blogsy-1420481535368.3174" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1. Remi and her meena moush cake 2. Eating chili at the ward party 3 & 4. Playing games and trick-or-treating at the ward party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Sawyer Gets His Brace</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tPi9q7cOd8M/VKG7JzasRHI/AAAAAAAAFUI/kph1gtDCKQo/s1024/Photo%25252020141229133433457.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tPi9q7cOd8M/VKG7JzasRHI/AAAAAAAAFUI/kph1gtDCKQo/s500/Photo%25252020141229133433457.jpg" id="blogsy-1420481535322.8503" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <strong>Thanksgiving in Utah</strong></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qCSiAbb2JXg/VKG7QyJmcPI/AAAAAAAAFUQ/neb9BxDMsjk/s1024/Photo%25252020141229133433559.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qCSiAbb2JXg/VKG7QyJmcPI/AAAAAAAAFUQ/neb9BxDMsjk/s500/Photo%25252020141229133433559.jpg" id="blogsy-1420481535307.285" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <strong>Christmas Calendar 2014</strong></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_74bIQQu8b4/VKrT475whPI/AAAAAAAAFVM/N46Gkm1ecW8/s1024/Photo%25252020150105111118842.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_74bIQQu8b4/VKrT475whPI/AAAAAAAAFVM/N46Gkm1ecW8/s500/Photo%25252020150105111118842.jpg" id="blogsy-1420481535356.1914" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7CuMpPvISZk/VKrT-yR5-cI/AAAAAAAAFVU/Ym-a-0cX3Vk/s1024/Photo%25252020150105111119218.jpg" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7CuMpPvISZk/VKrT-yR5-cI/AAAAAAAAFVU/Ym-a-0cX3Vk/s500/Photo%25252020150105111119218.jpg" id="blogsy-1420481535304.5295" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Other</strong>:</p>
<ol> <li>Remi and I both got our hair CHOPPED! (pics pending)</li> <li>I worked my first day shift in 4 years and am now PRN on DAYS!</li> <li>Sawyer mastered taking a bottle</li> <li>We've gotten started on our food storage</li> <li>Sawyer had a follow up for his brace and is doing great!</li> <li>I managed to fall way behind in pretty much every aspect of life</li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-3173739232655452522014-10-23T12:28:00.000-07:002014-10-23T12:28:17.706-07:00Whew!This last Friday, we left for our last trip to the Valley for Sawyer's treatments. It was sad to leave such gorgeous weather!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFH-E-bnV-s3bEvJHQCiQ-gfc08cehzI6SBjHLfjr9oZa69waBN_Bof5qRcgG5AICGRKQ-GfMCkzcluZlNH2M2Ks4TVzeZssH7TsCUxNBDGnD5O_ZOha0x4OuQHp8npObW1x11xgIX1RE/s1600/image_1.jpeg" height="640" style="text-align: center;" width="478" /></div>
Usually, Sawyer's appointments are on Fridays so I'd pack up while Mike was at school in Show Low and then meet him there and we'd go on to the Valley together. This time, Sawyer's appointment was on Monday so we had a full weekend in Mesa.<br />
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I got a new calling in The Young Women's program in our ward and we were able to go to the Phoenix Temple open house with the youth on Saturday. It was so beautiful and awesome that we got go tour it as a little family. To say it felt very "eternal" is the best way I can describe it! I love these four people so much! I'm also so excited about my new calling! I love being around the girls in our Young Women's! They strengthen my testimony so much!</div>
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This time Sawyer's appointment was on a Monday because he had to get a <a href="http://youtu.be/AOx2QEis1_E">tenotomy</a>, or "heel cord lengthening" on his Achille's tendons (Caution: don't watch the video in the link if you have a weak stomach!). Here's Dr. Bethur removing Sawyer's casts before they took him to the OR.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUy1P884ASH__AnWTNDBfM4kZn6wu4C0O2YsuJ1UjPj7m9T4XuKwYsEagz2PjK1n_nFCMbgREoICD23rd-EvnOn_GFhbo4fDCFaIAFDpEjsxDIj4KPiG4yS9m7yJysgHzQtTu9O2qpg4/s1600/image_5.jpeg" height="640" width="478" /></div>
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Mel was once again generous enough to watch Grant and Rems so Mike and I could go together. We're confident they had a much better time with their cousins than they'd have had with us!</div>
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She even watched Grant for an extra few hours so Mike and I could take a nap with Remi and Sawyer. We're sure glad Brian talked her into joining our family somehow!</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PSVL2bYbmA0Jz9j3DlhpAIdlqELMIKDn7le17nJxCA4BAAKRA1qTCsgESHVHeJgRO5BcKJABN9M7fVXwcv9VWwcE-NT9hkoBHkYKIgl9T2lIKGTmw6ZB1UQdrUwYPcCyx09exRciZo4/s1600/image_4.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></div>
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Although the tenotomy is a pretty low risk procedure, I was really nervous to have my baby go under anesthesia! I did feel much better after the anesthesiologist came and explained to us how it was going to go. He said he'd put him under by having him breathe through a mask, and then give him what was similar to an epidural to numb the bottom half of his body. That way, he could have pain relief without having to administer narcotics through his IV. The whole "going under" thing was still scary, but hooray for no narcotics in his bloodstream!</div>
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Mike and Brian gave him a blessing the night before, and I know we had a lot of people praying for us because I felt very at peace that next morning when we got to the hospital. It seemed like Mike and I had barely gotten a chance to eat breakfast and start up a conversation when they called and said he was out!</div>
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I thought he was going to be pretty lethargic afterward but he was pretty active and seemed to just be angry! The nurse reassured us that he wasn't in any pain but suggested we give him demerol to help calm him down. This made no sense to me! Up until now, I've always kind of let healthcare professionals do what they think/say is best but I feel like I learned a lesson in making informed decisions and being an advocate on this trip. Why, after taking precautions to NOT have to give him drugs IV and after preparing us so much that he might be irritated coming out of the anesthesia, would we add MORE drugs to the mix? And a narcotic to boot!</div>
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So we said "no thank-you" to the demerol. And wouldn't ya know, all he needed was a big burp and he fell asleep in my arms a few minutes later. </div>
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Sawyer 's castings and tenotomy are done! Woohoo! Now he's in one final pair of casts that will stay on until mid-November when he'll get his brace.<br />
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Standing at the beginning of his "adventure" was super overwhelming, but as the weeks went by and we were able to check each appointment off, it seemed to get easier. Now I'm just looking at the piles of things that have been stacking up in the last 6 weeks, hoping taking babysteps toward them will show results just as quickly!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-27149340595701908832014-10-09T11:40:00.004-07:002014-10-09T12:11:03.253-07:00ProgressThis little guy has had quite the drama with his feet!<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMnEI1wdQf-K-Goo7CXRqQvAnaVKK7YMaAEiB-uY_dIBfXGZwrIikRlZTwFmxieRQ4K2EUOOyIaj62S_ajujha3_1xTGa3w25wonB8Plh1z2Wlp4iMBTVJvYW4BCKOoimXnoakYvWsL0/" height="640" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /><br />
After the 8th cast with our podiatrist in Show Low (he was only supposed to have 6), we were told that Sawyer still wasn't making much progress and that they wanted us to do a consult with the orthopedist on the mountain.<br />
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I'd had some doubts and uneasy feelings early on in the casting wih the podiatrist because the casts didn't look anything like the ones I saw when I would research club feet. After the 8 casts with little progress, I was REALLY feeling uneasy and unsure about what we should do. Sawyer was supposed to have surgery the next week, but it seemed obvious that he wasn't ready!<br />
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After a lot more research, I decided after my walk with Sawyer one morning that he needed to be doing the <a href="http://www.ponseti.info/">Ponseti</a> method of treatment. It's only come about in the past 10 years and there are apparently very few doctors who've been correctly trained in it. I came across a story of a family with a similar story as ours. They had done several casts with a doctor without much progress, and off of a whim they decided to email Dr. Ponsetti himself. Surprisingly, they got personal response from <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/24/health/research/24ponseti.html?_r=0">Dr. Ponseti</a> telling them to fly to from California to Iowa to do treatment with him.<br />
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That day when I got home from my walk I told Mike about it and we said a prayer to try to find out what we should do. Up to this point we had talked about praying for direction but put it off and never actually said the prayer and asked. After we prayed about it I told him maybe I should just call Phoenix Children's Hospital and see what they recommended. I explained the situation to the front desk of the pediatric orthopedic department and he recommended that we schedule an appointment with their club foot specialist. The problem was, the soonest they could squeeze us in was in two months. I told him how grateful I was that they were squeezing us in but asked what we should do in the meantime. Sawyer was still wearing casts from the previous doctor. Should we let him take the casts off and go without casts for two months or should we let them go ahead with the surgery and keep doing castings? The receptionist put me on hold and went to the back to talk to the doctor. He came back and asked "can you come tomorrow?" I quickly said yes, we would cancel whatever we had going on and we made the trip.<br />
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The good news we found out was that no harm had been done with the casts he was already wearing. The bad news was we'd have to start from scratch. Sawyer's legs were a little irritated from being in the casts for so long, plus they didn't really have appointments since they'd just squeezed us in in the first place, so he went without casts until we could be seen again after three weeks.<br />
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This is what his feet looked like right before the first appointment at Phoenix Children's:<br />
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And this is what they looked like after this last cast was taken off:<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymwzCatJyIIx1sFOymoutFdiusGMzMVPwDHFDoM55xCpVvaTY_ChrskNL2mZKLRaHOmJuyIdGyP6SLYSqDr16wZo32rE2izahn0pkHzPAohL-nSg6k35RJXx0WREQVesNvX5IU2_n1ek/" height="640" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /><br />
Here he is in the full leg casts he's been sporting now.<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzgSk5k__YN9NNTdwNL31pTrqGbAk9OUNzYujTmNeziN-l-48pUSQZPfQ0ISOmKuT_TJYsfFtlgQB5EEyzt1BM19spGYQIil2GZ3zUjhQGuTDXmbAAY2fFhVLCNu42CDGQpNEAm8ssVQ/" height="640" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /><br />
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We're going back to the Valley for one final casting this weekend, then he'll have surgery to release his Achilles' tendon the next week. After that, he'll wear a final cast for three weeks, then a brace for up to four months full time, and then just at night for up to four years.<br />
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Driving to the Valley every week after he'd already been in casts for two months and waiting over two hours at every single appointment has been rough. We never had to wait more than 15 minutes at the doctor in Show Low and he treated Sawyer like he was his own son. However, I think now that there's just something to be said for specialists! Our new doctor is so methodical in the casting and seems to know club feet inside and out! He even trained with Dr. Ponsetti personally! I'm so glad we feel on the right track and I can so easily imagine Sawyer running and keeping up with his brother and sister!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxlU5DOTZP8pGREZgwq6ffq98PCTpqm1Bc7dfgW6gczfnnGLH8Oyo_EgGRccsfygcxAG3RHOpC9Qmhl5LHUaj9Yh-gbDzt2731IM0SMSWaoyB4K7AApGi9hJW6oSAfpCzkfc01d72tSE/" height="640" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="478" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One leg down, one to go!</td></tr>
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There's also something to be said for having such great friends and family! The amount of support we've gotten from so many of them is overwhelming! We'd talked at one point about doing the castings in Flagstaff since it's a little closer. I'm so glad we didn't! Our friends Adam and Melissa let us stay with them every weekend for almost a month, Heidi and Jake let us stay in their new house without supervision all last weekend and have provided much needed emotional support and entertainment. Brian and Mel usually feed us at least one meal on every trip we make and Mel's been watching the kids so Mike and I can both go be with Sawyer (keep in mind, I said we've never waited less than 2 hours to see the doctor. Then there's casting time and driving time...last time, we dropped the kids off with Mel at 3:00 and didn't get back until after 7:00!). And my parents have been giving us a discount on rent to help pay for gas. I have no idea how to even begin to thank everyone for their help! So far, Blue Bell's been about all we can come up with!<br />
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Other than that, we've been trying to make the most of our trips down there and the kids have enjoyed swimming, riding the carousels at the malls, playing with their cousins and friends and Mike and I've been trying to make up for years of no places to shop or get things done! We still come up with a full to-do list for every trip!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1Nl7tmmTsiedzuSdLxAQWleKxsM8pok8eSLAt4x9lMEggaya-m7yvnAewUJGhT1Vo3y6oWMqHEX3LDd1a19nO4k_h20ie2yrojkQvdoTxBLnVW7QlGc9Al-ZgqvThBvNS456Mk_mkCI/" height="640" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remi wouldn't ride the carousel. Grant never wanted to stop!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwlPBWtMi_XQBA8V9Xn9qP93p7S6lsFN-IYvSyhkq85tVv4P6jM6ObQlkhG2xysYe_KlggPK5gKoiiF4eFr5yIZcbfnYucSU9GT_z0F_OT-oT8rStM3VnlF7txdwhGluM0sPDxYkaknQ/" height="479" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our kids are acquiring a talent for making themselves at home when we're not at home. Here they are at IKEA.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEL3EJlaN8ikSpzBDOnz7hoWUVJHyuTCYDWX8Zs3SXFxtIEyb36iVLettzTEjMavPIO731s7lwGwoNYWMTidALvzpuIR9w6yBSMb59BRYxmxYFLzH00BcOkcD8O_0A1qIoDfQiL07gcpA/" height="640" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="478" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for a swim at Adam's. Remi doesn't swim though...one of her only fears!</td></tr>
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It's been an adventure, that's for sure! Luckily, our kids travel well and are excited to go. I'm also so happy that the trips have kind become a time for Mike and I to get to catch up after busy weeks and that after talking the whole way, it really doesn't seem like four hours.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-18935171994483383122014-08-27T17:06:00.001-07:002014-08-27T17:11:43.532-07:00Exhausted<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 24px;">Remi fell asleep like this on the couch the other day. Lately, I feel like I can totally relate! This post is pretty much a random mish mash of events that all run together, or in the midst of each other, but here's what we've been up to:</span><br />
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My parents are officially residents of Quemado now. We've made a few trips out there and no offense to all you New Mexico natives, but I'm surprised by how beautiful it is!</div>
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These three are bonkers! Some days, I feel like there's not a minute that goes by when at least one of them isn't crying or needing something that I can't get to. Other times, we're all smiling and I get lost watching them and wondering how I got so dang lucky! I guess that's typical with little kids though, and My heart starts to break every time I realize how quickly they're growing up!</div>
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Mike's building a swing set/sandbox/fort in the backyard for the kids. This is a halfway picture, but Remi couldn't handle being without a swing for even a day, so Mike rigged this one up for her in the meantime. She's got all of us pretty wrapped around her little finger (if you can't tell!)! </div>
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My brother Tanner has been living with us for the past month and a half. He got a job in town right before my parents moved and Mike suggested he stay with us while he saves some money and tries to see if he can get a place of his own. Mike's much more supportive than me, to say the least! I love his perspective and insights! I'm a better member of MY family because of him, and I've learned a lot from having Tan here. I do have (too many) days though where I'm overwhelmed and need an attitude adjustment. Tan's doing SO well in so many areas, and we're so proud of the progress he's made, but there are just enough setbacks to discourage me and make me question how much longer we could/should continue...I guess time will tell and we'll have to just wait and see. </div>
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Mike's been working so hard, he's the man! He's been juggling some really demanding tasks at work, helping me with the kids,</div>
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being Tanner's personal counselor, not getting behind despite having to take lots of time off for Sawyer's treatments, his church calling, helping his family and my family, and trying to find time in there for a little recreation and keep me happy. I don't know how he handles it all, but I'm grateful and lucky he does! I would crumble under the weight of one of Mike's average days!</div>
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This little man is getting SO big and greets us with a big smile almost every morning! He's been holding his head up during tummy time and rolling over and is adored by his siblings. He is the sweetest little man and is still my little buddy! I love how much he makes me feel like he needs me! (Although it would be nice to be able to do some things alone from time to time!)</div>
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We go for a walk together most mornings and it's one of my favorite parts of the day! SO therapeutic on so many levels!</div>
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I'm doing another goal weight challenge and am super motivated to not only reach my goal weight, but get into the best shape I can right now. I'm hoping I'll be able to start running soon!</div>
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She's a nut! It's always interesting to see what Remi's up to!</div>
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Like when she peed her pants one one of our recent trips to Show Low and had to wear a pair of Grant's shorts we happened to have with us. I told her she looked like a thug, so then she kept walking around saying, "I fug!"</div>
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Sawyer's treatment for his clubfeet have kept us especially stressed and busy (but that merits a post of its own), along with fighting with our insurance about all the bills that've been rolling in since he was born. We went to the Valley over the weekend for a doctor appointment for him, and it was nice to get away, but it's great to be home!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-27652418384334930552014-07-21T22:18:00.002-07:002014-07-21T22:18:43.245-07:00No ThemeI'm driving myself crazy because I feel like every post I've made lately is just a "catch up" post with no real theme. Maybe after this one...<br />
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A lot has been happening in this first month of Sawyer's life!<br />
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First off, he finally got going on treatment for his feet! He's on his third set of casts now, but here's a picture of him in his first set.<br />
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We LOVE Dr. Hall and are SO happy with how his treatment has been going!<br />
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Sawyer got to go on his first outing to his cousin Hallie's baptism this month.<br />
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Hallie is a super awesome girl and our whole family loves her and having her around!<br />
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I'm still a little weary of taking Sawyer out, but it's getting better a lot faster than it did with the other two kids! Maybe because it's summer? I don't know...but I still didn't feel comfortable enough to take him to all the 4th of July festivities so my mom and Sal were nice enough to fight over snuggle time with him so I didn't have to miss out!<br />
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Anyone will tell you that the Fourth of July in Eagar is always awesome! But for some reason this year, as I looked up and down the road at all the red, white and blue, I had a greater appreciation than I've ever had in the past, to be born and live in such a wonderful place! It truly felt like a patriotic celebration to me this year, even though compared to years past, we didn't really do much!<br />
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I must just be getting old! Which was proven by this being my ten year high school reunion! I don't feel that much older than when I graduated, but I remember when I was a sophomore, the seniors doing a skit of what their ten year reunion would be like and thinking "man, when they're graduated ten years, they're going to be SO old!"<br />
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I dropped my camera on the lens and it broke right after the parade, so I didn't get any pictures, but I'm surprised how good it was to see old friends and catch up! I grew up with some really good people!<br />
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I did manage to get these pictures of Grant and Cozi with Mike's phone because it was just too funny to let pass by without trying to get some sort of photo documentation!<br />
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Remi fell down (in these giant goulashes she insists on wearing everywhere!) and was yelling "Hep-me! Hep-me!" at her brother, who was holding hands with Cozi.<br />
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Grant didn't think too hard before he made his choice.<br />
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He even said "Tum on Tozi" like he was rubbing it in. I've really been trying to work with him on making Remi's well-being a priority...looks like we've got some more work to do!<br />
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I was determined to ensure that Sawyer has just as many pictures as his older siblings, but it looks like I've got some work to do in that area as well! (I'm going to put that on him though, because even when he's in a deep sleep, he rarely lets me put him down!)<br />
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Even though it's not documented as well, we LOVE our little Sawyer Man more than a million pictures could show! He's SO wonderful!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-23218171641008661052014-06-19T19:44:00.002-07:002014-06-19T19:44:57.906-07:00Exciting Things<div>
Maybe it's because I've been pretty confined to the couch, or because I'm not worrying and stressing about all the things I "NEED" to get done, but I've noticed some things this week that may seem small, but I'm deeming them blog-worthy! (And I actually made this post yesterday, but never got it up.)</div>
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Remi said "ah lub ooo" for the first time! (In case you don't speak Rem, that means "I love you")</div>
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She also says "cue me" (excuse me) and "charry" (sorry)<br />
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Grant showered for the first time after Remi pooped in the tub. He's saying he's going to take showers from now on. He's getting so big!<br />
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We discovered that not only are there 5 seasons of Shaun the Sheep, but they're ALL on Amazon Instant Video now! Grant and I will be busy this next week!<br />
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Remi calls herself either "Ray-me" or "me-me". It's so cute! We're always trying to ask her questions about herself to get her to say it.<br />
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Grant goes looking for Sawyer as soon as he wakes up in he morning. He's super protective of him and reminds people to use hand sanitizer before they hold him (IF he lets them hold him). He's already been showing him important things in life like how to watch Scooby Doo and Shaun the Sheep. The other day when he was holding him, he said "I love Sawyer! He's so tool (cool)!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grant with his bed head snuggling with Sawyer first thing in the morning.</td></tr>
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Mike took a few more days off work than he had planned and it's been so nice having him home! I hate it when he's gone! I want him to find a job where he can work from home. :)<br />
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We took the kids to watch How to Train Your Dragon 2. It was a little crazy, and Sawyer did the best of all three kids, but it was so fun and I'm glad Mike talked me into going (I was pretty apprehensive with a new baby and knowing I wouldn't be able to do much to help if the kids got crazy). Spending time with Mike, Grant, Remi and Sawyer is by far my favorite way to spend my time!<br />
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Last night was the first time since we've been home that Mike and I got the chance to sit down together and watch a show and eat some Blue Bell. It was so nice!<br />
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I'm feeling SO much better every day! Don't get me wrong, I still require a nap at least once a day and I still can't even think about taking a leisurely walk, but I am able to help get the kids dressed and get them yogurt or chicken nuggets without feeling like I'm going to pass out. I took for granted before how nice it is to be able to just be a mom and take care of my kids. I actually miss and am looking forward to being able to take them to the grocery store and make them dinner and wash and fold their little clothes-all things that I kind of loathed before.<br />
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Sawyer is TWO WEEKS OLD today!! I can't get enough of his sweet little face! He looks like he's going to have more red in his hair and he has dimples!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture is actually from last week-he's already changed so much since then!</td></tr>
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We're pretty attached to each other (sometimes I feel like I'm still pregnant with him because he's always with me!) and I already can't imagine our family without him! It's been nice to get to have so much quiet time with him. He's SO wonderful!</div>
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We've been talking to doctors and getting appointments set up today to hopefully get treatments started on his feet soon. </div>
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I told Mike on our way to Show Low yesterday that if I had died, I couldn't have felt cheated. I would've died happy, my life has been so blessed! But I'm beyond grateful that I'm not missing these times! These times are the best!</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-81325315028996401162014-06-11T19:04:00.001-07:002014-06-24T16:56:30.034-07:00What A Difference A Day Can Make!<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our little Sawyer Clark made his arrival on June 4! He is SO wonderful and has really taken it easy on us so far! He seems to have such an easy-going little spirit and has been so resilient and non-demanding! Mike and I always try to analyze what kind of spirits our kids have and we already feel like he's going to be a quiet, humble teacher to all of us.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At my last appointment, 2 days shy of the 39 week mark (Tuesday), I seemed to have progressed a bit since my previous appointment, so Dr. Connelly said he'd try to "help me along" and he was fairly confident I'd go into labor soon. I was REALLY hoping he was right, because he was leaving that Friday for the whole next week and I was really attached to him!</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sure enough, I woke up around 7 the next morning with contractions 5-7 minutes apart that had a bit of a kick to them. I got ready to leave, then woke up Mike and we called Sal to come stay with the kids. We got to Show Low around 9 and just as we got into town, my contractions completely stopped. I told Mike it was because Sawyer might have a prankster type personality. Mike said he was just being cooperative. We wanted to get to Show Low in plenty of time (Remi gave us ZERO time!) and we were hungry so Sawyer was just giving us time to have breakfast-which we did. The contractions started up again but not very regularly so we went to Wal-Mart so I could buy some headphones (I planned on listening to George Strait for pain management) and then we went by Home Depot so Mike could look at materials for the fort he wants to build the kids. I kept feeling like we could kill some more time before going to the hospital and we considered going to a movie, but the next showtime wasn't for another hour and I couldn't imagine anywhere we could go where I could walk around for an hour without alerting employees and patrons because although the contractions weren't getting any closer together, when they did come, they hurt!</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We finally decided to just go to the hospital and they did end up admitting me. I had high blood pressure the last two weeks of my pregnancy and the nurse seemed alerted by it, but I assured her I'd been walking around like this for several weeks and that I felt okay. Sawyer tolerated the contractions really well, but despite my best efforts to stay calm and use George to get me through, my blood pressure spiked every time I had one. Even though I wasn't spilling protein, my uric acid levels came back elevated and the nurse said she felt that with my high blood pressure and the uric acid levels, it was enough to treat me as a patient with preeclampsia. At this point, the nurse highly recommended I get an epidural because of the pain of the contractions spiking my blood pressure and the fact that I'd probably have to be put on magnesium to prevent seizures and then pitocin to keep the contractions strong because the magnesium is a smooth muscle relaxant.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just as she said, the contractions pretty much stopped once the magnesium was started and my doctor came in around that time and broke my water. After that, the contractions started coming strong and hard again and I was so happy to see the anesthesiologist walk through the door! Once the epidural was in, I progressed a lot faster (even though I could still feel a lot of pain on my left side) and we pretty much just hung out with the nurse until I was ready to start pushing...which was not long after the doctor had left for another procedure. He said he'd be back by 3:45 so we set a goal to have Sawyer be born by 4. We thought 6/4/14 at 4:00 would be a cool birthday!</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He walked in the door at 4:00, so we thought that was out of the question, but he had me push right away and Sawyer was born at 4:03! He was the tiniest baby I've ever seen! 5 lbs. 15 oz. and 18.5 in. I still worry that it may have been my high blood pressure that caused him to be so small. I got to hold him for a while before they took him to get assessed and cleaned up.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">He was born with clubbed feet, but we were told that it could easily be corrected as a baby and he should be able to do everything a completely healthy kid can do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">The details of everything that happened after that are a little foggy, and some parts I can only piece together what I hear from Mike and what I remember, but I feel this weight on me that I feel like might be lifted if I just put it out there and try not to analyze it and think too much about it anymore.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As they were getting Sawyer checked out, I told the nurse I felt a big gush of blood after I moved. I'm SO thankful she took me seriously and didn't give me the "oh, well you just had a baby Honey, it's normal to bleed" response! I'm also thankful I either could still feel on the left side, or that the epidural had worn off by then so I COULD feel what was going on!</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, the nurse came and checked me out and yelled out to the hall to see if the doctor was still close. He was and he came in and said my uterus must not be contracting like it should be and they gave me some drugs and he massaged my stomach to try to get my uterus to contract. At this point, the room started to get fuzzy and my whole body got really cold. I could feel the doctor and nurse rushing around me but I just tried to stay conscious and find and focus on Mike. I think at that point, I was too confused about what was going on to be too worried about it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finally, the room cleared up and I was feeling a lot better. Mike's parents and his sister and her family happened to be in Show Low and all came by. Mike and his dad gave me a blessing and I felt a lot better. My family was on their way with our kids and we were so excited to have them meet their new brother!</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As Mike's family was gathering up to leave, I felt another gush of blood and tried to catch the nurse as she was coming in and out to let her know. Again, as soon as I told her and she checked me out, she got the doctor in the room and the experience repeated itself, only this time, I was shaking uncontrollably because of the medication they had given me the last time and it seemed like it went downhill a lot faster. I was so frustrated with not being able to control my body and the situation. All I could do was concentrate on Mike being there and I was so thankful they hadn't tried to make him leave. He kept going back and forth to check on Sawyer and try to stay with me and even though I would've preferred him be with Sawyer, I panicked every time he left. I was starting to get scared that they wouldn't be able to get the bleeding under control, but the doctor and nurse working together and their conversation made them sound like they knew what they were doing and that was very reassuring. Finally, things cleared up again and as the doctor and nurse were finishing things up, I could hear Mike correlating what was going to happen with the kids coming to meet Sawyer because they were already at the hospital.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Mike's mom had caught a glimpse of what had happened and went down and told my mom she might want to come up by herself. It was so good to see my mom but I was feeling really crumby and I don't remember really interacting with her much beyond giving her a hug. I remember my sister coming up to get some keys and saying she wanted to take the kids somewhere to give us time to get things under control. Mike asked my mom to stay and hold and be with Sawyer so he could stay with me. I'm SO glad he did because things got crazy again really quickly after that.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I remember getting super cold and thinking "oh no, it's happening again"! I told Mike to go get someone because no one was in the room. Just when it seemed like they were getting things under control, I felt a huge rush of cold again and got really hazy. This time, I was terrified because no matter how hard I tried, I felt like I had no control over my body or my consciousness. I just knew if it was happening again, this was it and that I was dying. I was so scared because I'd always heard that dying was a very calm and peaceful experience, but this was terrifying and chaotic. I remember coughing a lot and hovering over a basin and then everything closed in and went black.</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I woke up even more terrified because now the room was flooded with people and I could only make out partial conversations. What REALLY scared me was one of the doctors asking to call a code, someone answered that it was a rapid response, but I heard the word code again after that. I heard the order to start a second IV and was proud to hear whoever started it compliment my veins. :) (of all the things to be concerned or flattered about!) I also heard someone yell "I have a BP 60/40" (that's bad) and "I've got a thready pulse". I wanted to yell at them that I wasn't coding but I couldn't talk. I heard everyone talking to me, and I could respond to them in my head, but I don't know if I ever got any words out because they kept asking me the same questions. Mostly "are ya still with us?" I remember begging Mike not to leave me and him reassuring me that he wouldn't and that my mom was here with Sawyer and that his mom and my sister had Grant and Remi. I heard Dr. Connelly tell Mike that I hadn't responded as expected to any of the interventions that would normally have gotten my bleeding under control and someone came in and had Mike sign some consents (for surgery I'm guessing because I heard a lot of conversation about an OR and blood being prepped). I kept trying to tell Mike I didn't want to go to surgery, I was scared I wouldn't wake up if they put me to sleep. I heard Dr. Connelly say they could keep my epidural in place and just numb me again and not have to use general anesthesia and I was SO GLAD I had gotten it! I heard orders being called out for different meds and fluids and I'm still not sure what all those were. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finally, things started to clear up again, and Dr. Connelly said he knew I was coherent because I'd laughed at something he said (something about giving him more gray hairs, which was funny because his hair is almost completely white). He hung around for a while (which I was SO grateful for! Every hospital employee who came into the room talked about how busy they were, except him) and explained quite a bit of what had happened but I didn't compute a lot of it. He said he'd put a balloon in that would put pressure on the uterine wall (kind of like putting direct pressure on a gushing wound) and that that was kind of a last resort before taking me to surgery for a D&C. He said I'd lost more than half of my blood supply and that they were going to keep monitoring my labs to make sure I wouldn't need to be transfused because I couldn't afford to lose any more. Luckily, I started out with more blood than the average person, being pregnant and all, and the fact that I was in my twenties and healthy meant I should be able to build my supply back on my own. He said they'd given me three bags of pitocin and about 7 liters of fluids and that I'd probably look in the mirror the next day and think "Holy sh*t! What did they do to me??" (I really appreciated his humor through the whole thing!) </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Things felt pretty stable after that and Grant and Remi finally got to come meet their brother. Remi immediately started shouting "Mama! Mama!" as soon as she saw me and it was SO good to hear her little voice! They both did great, especially Grant, who seemed so eager to help introduce him to Remi and show her the ropes of being an older sibling. After they took pictures and took turns holding Sawyer, Grant came and stood next to my bed and timidly said "Um, Mommy, I love you". I about lost it and was so tempted to ask if they could stay the night too! Celina ended up taking them home and my mom stayed to be on Sawyer duty, while Mike stayed for my reassurance. My dad came and gave me a father's blessing and that was very comforting. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">I only slept about an hour that night, and couldn't shake the feeling that I could still die (very rapidly this time, because I didn't have any blood left). Being alone with my thoughts and fears was awful! I kept wanting to talk to Mike but knew he needed the sleep he was getting. Sawyer was doing great and slept most of the night, despite not having eaten much. At one point, he did stir and my mom and Mike both got up to attend to him. Mike noticed I wasn't asleep and came and talked to me through the rest of the night. I'm SO glad I married him!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The next night was pretty rough as well. Grant got sick so Mike came home to stay with the kids, and Sal was nice enough to come back to Show Low to stay with me so I wouldn't </span></span>have to spend the night alone. I got to FaceTime with the kids and my best friend and that made the night go by a little easier too. The pediatrician came in to check Sawyer out and said she heard a murmur and that Sawyer had failed two oxygen tests and she wanted to get an echo of his heart to make sure everything was okay. I appreciated her thoroughness, but that sent things spinning again into "what ifs". The pediatrician said she'd make sure we got the results that night, but when the night nurse came on, she said she didn't think we'd know until the next morning. That was SO frustrating to again be so worried and feel like there was nothing we could do to control the outcome. Thankfully, the doctor came back in several hours later and informed us that everything was normal!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I feel like looking back, despite all the things that went wrong, there were so many things that went right! One was having Dr. Connelly for my doctor and me going into labor before he left town. I'd started out this pregnancy seeing the midwife I saw with Remi. At 20 weeks, they sent me to Dr. Connelly's office for an ultrasound and I decided, for whatever reason, to switch to Dr. Connelly instead. I'd never met him and I LOVED my midwife, but for some reason, when I called to let her office know I had switched, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my chest. It felt like CLEARLY the right decision. I now know why that was. Another blessing was him still being in the hospital the whole time and being able to quickly come back into the room. I SO appreciated his level-headedness and how he handled everything. I felt like every time I heard his voice in the midst do the whole chaotic fiasco, it was reassuring because he </span></span>was calm and <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">what he was saying was exactly what I wanted to do (like dismissing the urge to rush to the OR or administer blood). I felt like he truly advocated for me as a patient and that he saw me as a mom and a wife and not just "the hemorrhage in room 3". We both felt the same way about our nurse, who called twice after she'd gotten home from probably one of the longest shifts of her life, to check on me. I know after this experience, I will be a different type of nurse and I'm thankful for their examples of excellent, compassionate care. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">Sawyer is a week old now and we've been home five days. Coming home was the best feeling in the world! I really struggled during the nights at the hospital because I couldn't convince myself that I was out of the woods. The thought of never coming home to Grant and Remi, and not even getting the opportunity to be a mom to Sawyer made me so anxious I couldn't sleep at all during the nights and only for 1-2 hr bursts during the day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">I think the whole experience has startled me into the reality that death can come at any time. There's no guarantee that I'm going to be able to see my kids grow up or grow old with Mike and those are some of the most terrifying thoughts to me! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">I've really struggled with having the faith to know that everything is in the Lord's hands because of how much MY will is to be here. It's made me want to live more in the present and try to do all I can to find my faith and accept God's will over mine. I'm SO thankful that for now, He has let me stay here! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Mike has taken the week off work and has been taking care of all of us tirelessly! I don't know how he's doing it all! The house looks better than it normally does with me taking care of it and he's been making me green smoothies with fresh juice and steak and eggs every morning (the doctor said I need to eat as much iron as possible) and he </span></span>hasn't complained about it once! I<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> can barely walk from room to room without getting severely winded so I've been spending most of my time in bed or on the couch (they said it'd take about 3 weeks to gain back my strength after losing all the blood). That shows you how much Mike has to take care do EVERYTHING else. Every day feels like a drastic improvement </span></span>from the day before, and when I think that last week, I was barely strong enough to hold Sawyer and couldn't even get out of bed, I feel like things are getting better fast. I can't imagine how families get through tragedies and trials that are so much longer and harder than this! It's been very eye opening!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">My mom and Sal have been calling every day to see if the older kids want to come play so </span></span>Mike<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> and I can get some rest (and it's even Celina's birthday today!) and our ward has brought in dinner every night. I usually pass up the sign-up sheet for meals when it comes around at church because I'm intimidated by not being a very good cook, but I've felt so overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone's service and concern that I might just sign up from now on. Even if I end up having to take someone McDonald's! :)</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-24730348170150509042014-06-02T23:30:00.001-07:002014-06-02T23:41:37.584-07:00Life Right Now<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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I keep getting after myself for letting these times go by without documenting them! I was looking back at some old pictures on my iPod last night and I can't believe how fast things (especially these kids) are changing!<br />
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So here are some random things I'm not wanting to forget...<br />
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REMI continues to be our interesting, rambunctious, spunky little girl! She's accumulated even more nicknames (Blitz, Rembo, Bizu, Riz, Rizzo, Lizzy, Lizard...) and doesn't seem to mind that she's always surrounded by a pack of boys, she just tries to keep up. I'm wondering if she's going to start deciding to potty train soon. The other day, Grant and Chase were lined up to pee off the sidewalk outside. Remi waited her turn in line and when she was up, she was so frustrated that once she got her pants down, she couldn't get her diaper off to pee standing up like them. She's always wanting to do everything they do, and she's usually allowed to because she's SO tough! She LOVES to jump on the trampoline with them, even though she spends about 80% of the time trying to recover from falling down from their bigger jumps. Despite her spazzy attitude, she's actually very obedient and loves to be a helper! Anytime she sees me start to do anything in the kitchen, she immediately starts pushing a chair over to come help. She loves to help clean up and patiently sits still now whenever I do her hair (so although it's super cute, I think we'll let the pixie cut grow out).<br />
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Mike is still her favorite person ever and it's pretty much a legitimate celebration every day when he comes home from work. For whatever reason, she calls him "Nana". She can say "Daddy" and will point to him when we ask who Daddy is, but then we ask her his name and she gets this mischievous little grin and exclaims "Nana"! (Grant, who can't stand nicknames always tries to tell me she's asking for a banana) She also loves my mom and has to go over to see "Dama" at least once a day. She loves to look at my mom's huge collection of kid movies and usually convinces someone over there to turn one on for her, even if we're only going to be there for a few minutes. (Watch out if you don't put a movie on that she wants, she's been known to throw several movies at people if they don't oblige!)<br />
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GRANT seems to be growing up every day! He seems much more like a little boy than a toddler now and is still the sweetest kid I know! He's so smart and is always impressing us with the things he notices and seems to understand. He's pretty shy and usually has to have the security of Chase, Remi, Mike or I in social situations. I'm surprised by his bravery though! Even if he has to be coaxed a little, he'll usually be the first of the kids to go down the big slide or jump in the water. He's been watching Scooby Doo a lot lately and I don't understand why he likes it so much because he stands there literally biting his nails and jumps when the ghosts pop out. But he won't let me turn it off! He must definitely get that from Mike!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinz_9uM5sXFEYLDxLA5tcLJiklgrC2RKeatyRyq6UDAwSxH1-j9qDIX-X70F6md9q1kyWod26Oy5yvziFlJwZQAyufU-dQzxOPyK9llL3htJd-rNBpmHA_r2mMPU2CK6en8OVrWRoeSE/s1600/02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinz_9uM5sXFEYLDxLA5tcLJiklgrC2RKeatyRyq6UDAwSxH1-j9qDIX-X70F6md9q1kyWod26Oy5yvziFlJwZQAyufU-dQzxOPyK9llL3htJd-rNBpmHA_r2mMPU2CK6en8OVrWRoeSE/s1600/02.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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We were SO stoked that he got to play tee ball this year and had so much fun going to his games to cheer him on!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-S1K28c3r75ML0275-YfJkoaqDggnKr9aTwiAOWSsyeTlTPhtu6rq2h28S1ns35X2UkPe8bJBmz81bat6tYAYE-mqfb_gaz5OAtrzsG5WNzvW1JuqIoLuPjqn6GS8OkTo2rFiGRv7aLo/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-S1K28c3r75ML0275-YfJkoaqDggnKr9aTwiAOWSsyeTlTPhtu6rq2h28S1ns35X2UkPe8bJBmz81bat6tYAYE-mqfb_gaz5OAtrzsG5WNzvW1JuqIoLuPjqn6GS8OkTo2rFiGRv7aLo/s1600/13.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's him waving his hat, number 3 ("because I'm 3!" he said)</td></tr>
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He was the littlest guy on the team and we're not quite sure how much he understood...he could TELL you what he was supposed to do, but he seemed to struggle when it came to actually doing it in the excitement of the moment.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObHZwLhYVwII5N2VIFPGdVBa4gulmM99dD3DVT-4eW8MAb80b8jyLUjIPmmWWKrWgJ8FINHFmjPmnoIFANZQgVT1AwZtqWKcP82YER5d-oNN1q6l4K6LlN4jrKE6p7rVoRRNt-WH-IEw/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObHZwLhYVwII5N2VIFPGdVBa4gulmM99dD3DVT-4eW8MAb80b8jyLUjIPmmWWKrWgJ8FINHFmjPmnoIFANZQgVT1AwZtqWKcP82YER5d-oNN1q6l4K6LlN4jrKE6p7rVoRRNt-WH-IEw/s1600/14.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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He definitely seems to understand that he has a little brother coming and, just like he is <a href="http://www.mikeandashleywiltbank.blogspot.com/2014/01/her-name-is-remi.html">very protective of Remi's name</a>, he is adamant about the fact that this baby's name is Sawyer!<br />
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He insists that he works with Mike at Little Colorado, and when I asked him what his job was, he said, "pickin' up toys", which he does earn quarters for so I can see how it makes sense to him! When asked what Remi's job is, he says, "makin' messes"...which tends to be true as well!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRS9E4vo5VcTzMu5wz2jQZS3Dnss4mPAHRn-NfOl9pZuCdnHl4O-8VGaHOORqlSNdCsRHY0-FTBBc5RgJmKGD9BXi6XVazDAqsUuzXxeRgKcxi3fOFZ1mcJj5Tp4vu3xbrzhgGDExKIHw/s1600/08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRS9E4vo5VcTzMu5wz2jQZS3Dnss4mPAHRn-NfOl9pZuCdnHl4O-8VGaHOORqlSNdCsRHY0-FTBBc5RgJmKGD9BXi6XVazDAqsUuzXxeRgKcxi3fOFZ1mcJj5Tp4vu3xbrzhgGDExKIHw/s1600/08.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In their Easter clothes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzR-AM_ciy6Zz3gf8mF6Xb37qWLEGZGjfe8nyEzgMubYba8hVerc8njcJpTjG-xgykLtRFLHk7ODMNUznp49weZzTnkDaKWhLmBtFgpvT9SN08E0PEB1otU5WsYQa0dO07HNDvx1U8Vzg/s1600/09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzR-AM_ciy6Zz3gf8mF6Xb37qWLEGZGjfe8nyEzgMubYba8hVerc8njcJpTjG-xgykLtRFLHk7ODMNUznp49weZzTnkDaKWhLmBtFgpvT9SN08E0PEB1otU5WsYQa0dO07HNDvx1U8Vzg/s1600/09.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell they don't like to look at the camera very well??</td></tr>
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Mike played City League Basketball again this year and he had a fun team and they did pretty well! Last year (and at the beginning of this year), I was extremely naggy about Mike playing. I thought he was gone too much and it forced me to have to get the kids settled in alone for two additional nights a week. One of the more supportive wives convinced me to bring the kids to one of the earlier games this season and lo and behold, we all ended up having a really good time! We ended up making really good family friends with some of the other team members and I ended up looking forward to Tuesday and Thursday nights as good family time for us. Thanks Kara for convincing me to go! We're already excited about next year!</div>
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The downside of city league was that Remi took her first big spill down the bleachers at one of the last games and ended up in the ER with stitches. She is SO tough and handled the injury better than I did! She sat SO still while they stitched her up. The doctor let Grant get up on the stretcher with Remi while he "put the string in her eye" and Grant was so eager to be a "helper" to Remi and entranced by the whole thing. They both did so well and we left the ER super proud to be their parents!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KM8peF1BoOF-KGQEkRGNtipMaKHvN79tZeM2YMEDLnbAOBIYtVIfL7Hvj_BoH3BC4ZV6hVjyY17w46-NmSSOoUwBT10oyKqMsRdo4MfVoOY6g70xvkLq6hFzmA808NG6WmIqvFFx_Jk/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KM8peF1BoOF-KGQEkRGNtipMaKHvN79tZeM2YMEDLnbAOBIYtVIfL7Hvj_BoH3BC4ZV6hVjyY17w46-NmSSOoUwBT10oyKqMsRdo4MfVoOY6g70xvkLq6hFzmA808NG6WmIqvFFx_Jk/s1600/16.jpg" height="640" width="358" /></a></div>
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She got pretty spoiled after the incident, but just kept going along as usual. She really could've hammed it up and gotten a lot more out of us!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhY7CIRQiHOSgh9yYrdoUNswOnBlbdZ4nGGWRCej-1WHjQ51iuXo9exnHpj2CrbeAy7ujk0txIWgoH0J93pgmXmv7Ek9ghoQmddLxix-MwFJpPwTrSmRMN_ia4v6S5-OTxJ6PpT8qTkQ/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhY7CIRQiHOSgh9yYrdoUNswOnBlbdZ4nGGWRCej-1WHjQ51iuXo9exnHpj2CrbeAy7ujk0txIWgoH0J93pgmXmv7Ek9ghoQmddLxix-MwFJpPwTrSmRMN_ia4v6S5-OTxJ6PpT8qTkQ/s1600/10.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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Ever since I can remember talking about having kids with Mike, we've always thought it would be cool to get them each their own tree. It seems cool to have it "grow up" with them and be able to show their kids and grandkids "their" tree. We FINALLY bought a couple for them this year and Mike's been so good about having them go out twice a week to water them.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlvUPlPb1xqTMDa-QGPXHqkVwMwau95KEa0_cAy8RAdaP5iHTrK7ktxRSfH0of5trFRtLpn43ynl7u_CZav4ULMneFGfxSvS-LZAtVXmI81JtLGeD5Ohp4uQ3lalEFcCWE_2JeIdVb6w/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlvUPlPb1xqTMDa-QGPXHqkVwMwau95KEa0_cAy8RAdaP5iHTrK7ktxRSfH0of5trFRtLpn43ynl7u_CZav4ULMneFGfxSvS-LZAtVXmI81JtLGeD5Ohp4uQ3lalEFcCWE_2JeIdVb6w/s1600/11.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grant's Tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFvsd2QMZxRCaGKuuEcBLqJIgXW3J9eXTIGy_ZLhKDekdczJ0R7wjUkNiD_w-lR_Wbn0qoGiYurdHXyzZHwKVpsj-8ODcm0jBhpUZBYPty6qu3WC859VzO6VUU0-T4q1NmBAcZuZh7lo/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFvsd2QMZxRCaGKuuEcBLqJIgXW3J9eXTIGy_ZLhKDekdczJ0R7wjUkNiD_w-lR_Wbn0qoGiYurdHXyzZHwKVpsj-8ODcm0jBhpUZBYPty6qu3WC859VzO6VUU0-T4q1NmBAcZuZh7lo/s1600/12.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remi's Tree</td></tr>
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We're (meaning Mike) still making progress on the rest of the yard and will hopefully have some nice before and after pictures to post by the end of the summer!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-17161772668583234072014-04-07T13:32:00.002-07:002014-04-07T13:32:35.160-07:00Puppies, Cousins and Siblings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been REALLY bad about taking pictures lately! However, thanks to my trusty iPad, there has been some documentation! </div>
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Life usually seems to be about the same around here, but when I look back on these pictures, I see how much things really have slowly been changing!</div>
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This probably deserves its own post (and maybe I'll get to it), but last month, we gave our dog Cooper away. He was just jumping on the kids (and me) too much and we kept feeling guilty for not giving him the attention he deserved. He was such a good dog and we knew if someone who took the time to train him right and give him the right amount of attention had him, he'd be better off. We took Grant with us to meet his new family and we asked Grant if he was sad we were giving Cooper away. He replied, "I get sad when Cooper jumps on me". I guess we made the right decision...only time will tell I guess! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAM3MVV_3fYVToa8wnYV5mfVloIR6lSb6_Chx9KtHsTElh1Ex-Xb8446CY3NLH_inNoDZ7n1nzO2CEJ7YUorTHr93ivJImmXMIxh7SgvfGk3e9En34P6FbBGZdcdjVEUSiqluEXsQRMl4/s1600/image_1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAM3MVV_3fYVToa8wnYV5mfVloIR6lSb6_Chx9KtHsTElh1Ex-Xb8446CY3NLH_inNoDZ7n1nzO2CEJ7YUorTHr93ivJImmXMIxh7SgvfGk3e9En34P6FbBGZdcdjVEUSiqluEXsQRMl4/s1600/image_1.jpeg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard to believe we were able to say goodbye to that face!</td></tr>
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At the grocery store a while back, both kids said they wanted to walk instead of ride in the basket. I told them they could if they would hold hands. I had to get a picture because it was so cute!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2x2b3lrmTpWAioi-foiOtko004IafrLxzHrUgkI3_njTZpF6qFfYOl6DUQv41bOvFFL_pRi0V5Ud6lzUsleGIxNS5eEPEV1vlO4xHxVHAcCbsLGZNJOzkcNf_IfTBdwISnEz02ktwVQ/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2x2b3lrmTpWAioi-foiOtko004IafrLxzHrUgkI3_njTZpF6qFfYOl6DUQv41bOvFFL_pRi0V5Ud6lzUsleGIxNS5eEPEV1vlO4xHxVHAcCbsLGZNJOzkcNf_IfTBdwISnEz02ktwVQ/s1600/image.jpeg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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This shirt describes Remi perfectly! And I love that she always picks to wear it when I let her choose what she wants to wear. I also loved that on that day, she chose to wear the pink tutu because she spends the rest of the day following her brother and uncle around, dressing up like army men or superheroes!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggur-c7k_PIDvAFXNarYAdFnR1HL1_XYCEYc0ClXOFJnpC55ugteCNkHWKU87r2Vet2Q0DBWfW0igyS3j1o62yAXTE88qKlklOgopzLipROlhND7qYPyG-_CReatkQfX3xprzGpDakwQo/s1600/image_5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggur-c7k_PIDvAFXNarYAdFnR1HL1_XYCEYc0ClXOFJnpC55ugteCNkHWKU87r2Vet2Q0DBWfW0igyS3j1o62yAXTE88qKlklOgopzLipROlhND7qYPyG-_CReatkQfX3xprzGpDakwQo/s1600/image_5.jpeg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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Remi LOVES her brother! She's spunky and hard to pin down, but whenever he wants a hug, she always obliges! She also HATES seeing him sad and will always come around to try to make things better when she sees him upset. She also always makes sure she gets to sit by him when we say family prayers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKrRZ5psgwJqmyIDIAr1VGJAXNWxz5kHGZGG-2V1k9WWhlqwrKohH89QE3r-kOe0ZGbKMmp7EHG3A8ivqT7s4_kgARUcONF-P9CBSXlJLlPhPH72FAC6o-tvr-o38dAhsXO6PtpyJExE/s1600/image_6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKrRZ5psgwJqmyIDIAr1VGJAXNWxz5kHGZGG-2V1k9WWhlqwrKohH89QE3r-kOe0ZGbKMmp7EHG3A8ivqT7s4_kgARUcONF-P9CBSXlJLlPhPH72FAC6o-tvr-o38dAhsXO6PtpyJExE/s1600/image_6.jpeg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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Last month, my brother's baby girl (who's the same age as Remi), unexpectedly had a cluster of seizures. We were all SO worried and praying that things would turn out alright. It was so scary! I can't imagine what Brian and Mel had to go through, up all night, hoping she would make it through the night okay and that they'd find a way to figure out what was wrong and be able to fix or control it. They are such great examples of patience and faith! She hasn't had another one, and we're all praying she won't have another one again.<br />
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The week after everything happened, the kids and I went and stayed with them for a few days. We had SO much fun, and as always, after being around Mel, I came home with a better attitude about being a mom and a wife. She's such a good example of those things!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sXZQtPC3Pvyr0v6MVuJfyE2HiMHTt6QKhGBylDdTE1GqecAwgSDPMEmtSu9ltVf-bo1AY9DQpQWaWg7joHs3LlWcSCUQ75QEQUynC6YBy6-glk-AGSKFYUDltz6pYEjZgTjSex9Xd1k/s1600/image_7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9sXZQtPC3Pvyr0v6MVuJfyE2HiMHTt6QKhGBylDdTE1GqecAwgSDPMEmtSu9ltVf-bo1AY9DQpQWaWg7joHs3LlWcSCUQ75QEQUynC6YBy6-glk-AGSKFYUDltz6pYEjZgTjSex9Xd1k/s1600/image_7.jpeg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brig and Grant</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzEiCH4ay5hgEeC7lY-HYaFKVKECYLGkEfNWz8gTqBvaGyEaV6olqQzXoNPzZi4v1sOunITal6T6unibx-jNkjeWqPu4sgDvyGmHQK-zB6VsMbyFS84za7HZb6t8Rr-TAoaJ1qgr0Ko4/s1600/image_8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzEiCH4ay5hgEeC7lY-HYaFKVKECYLGkEfNWz8gTqBvaGyEaV6olqQzXoNPzZi4v1sOunITal6T6unibx-jNkjeWqPu4sgDvyGmHQK-zB6VsMbyFS84za7HZb6t8Rr-TAoaJ1qgr0Ko4/s1600/image_8.jpeg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remi and Emy. They're the only two girls so far, and they are spunky!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnmzPfOW_N9xJmSzqjOtyL5Zgjxe_dQaLoLXnI4WI1yDu5D776JHpNJe-eOj13uP6qrpqHsic0upOZ1izsg5Qh0v_sqsc3ciytQtONWcNJwnpxEgakph4y24mF3Sm69PidS6r837Ux-c/s1600/image_9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnmzPfOW_N9xJmSzqjOtyL5Zgjxe_dQaLoLXnI4WI1yDu5D776JHpNJe-eOj13uP6qrpqHsic0upOZ1izsg5Qh0v_sqsc3ciytQtONWcNJwnpxEgakph4y24mF3Sm69PidS6r837Ux-c/s1600/image_9.jpeg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made popcorn one night and watched a movie.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcgnEYQWhaVyGH74_QYD8mWHDLoHzBKgXXIWMpcWGFoI1p_7JpNsr4qFdAcwLK8GkmXdndD3HX5jur5XZfDAF1kgNxItVtEum7wYdGF1xfeBkDrjLy0cnyGvabwkp-3IJJiaASt-2G9U/s1600/image_11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcgnEYQWhaVyGH74_QYD8mWHDLoHzBKgXXIWMpcWGFoI1p_7JpNsr4qFdAcwLK8GkmXdndD3HX5jur5XZfDAF1kgNxItVtEum7wYdGF1xfeBkDrjLy0cnyGvabwkp-3IJJiaASt-2G9U/s1600/image_11.jpeg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole gang (minus Zacky, who was at school). </td></tr>
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I'm not sure if I've mentioned this or not, but Remi is a Daddy's Girl! She LOVES Mike! The second he walks in the door, she's attached to him! She'll do anything with him, as long as it means she gets to be around him. And she loves listening to him play the guitar! This picture of them is so fitting!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEosV2QNrNUEUel0U8HwipWl6u9CtggmFRJ9kojNK-NxwomYe2lZQyrKQfcCpcBSngEQ1NNq1hLzJV2XKrliBFS9IsBg7U-Mi9fVr88_sBa0jkeusFmvr6uyYq4tW2A_suPAc_Lzr8SJY/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEosV2QNrNUEUel0U8HwipWl6u9CtggmFRJ9kojNK-NxwomYe2lZQyrKQfcCpcBSngEQ1NNq1hLzJV2XKrliBFS9IsBg7U-Mi9fVr88_sBa0jkeusFmvr6uyYq4tW2A_suPAc_Lzr8SJY/s1600/image.jpeg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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I've wanted to have sort of a personal separate blog for a while now to help me keep track of different goals I'm working on and ways I want to improve myself. Also to maybe vent things that don't really have a place on our family blog.<br />
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Anyway, I finally started <a href="http://somedaygoals.blogspot.com/">one</a>, and along with it, I'm hosting a <a href="http://somedaygoals.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_5.html">"Goal Weight Competition".</a> I'm so excited about it! It's been a lot of fun keeping in contact with friends and having a common goal to try to get healthy! The competition is already about halfway done, but if anyone's interested in still following along with what we're doing, you can read the blog or even just get the menus I'm making <a href="http://somedaygoals.blogspot.com/search/label/Healthy%20Menus">here</a>.<br />
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Grant and Chase helped me with some pictures for a post I was trying to make about green smoothies one day and they were SO cute! I'm glad they thought it was fun and hope they're always such willing little helpers!<br />
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Lately, Remi's hair has been a little out of control... </div>
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So I finally (very stupidly) took matters into my own hands and after a few hours over a few days, I think the end result is pretty good! (The problem is it only lasted a few weeks, and now it looks more like the above pictures again...I guess I need to just be patient and let it grow out!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDY0-sxwJINvenjFc6NNBI6zOs45TNvebvd_FDq4gppj3rwpH6F2e0nduElHiW_hmtNEt2i6q2YKCaqe-xP-XVo_4CnlCPyPX2Zt_Syt_ZwEDyAbfOKEibwINOml3ZzU581hcPAyVNWbk/s1600/image_5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDY0-sxwJINvenjFc6NNBI6zOs45TNvebvd_FDq4gppj3rwpH6F2e0nduElHiW_hmtNEt2i6q2YKCaqe-xP-XVo_4CnlCPyPX2Zt_Syt_ZwEDyAbfOKEibwINOml3ZzU581hcPAyVNWbk/s1600/image_5.jpeg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't she darling though??</td></tr>
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She's apparently been watching Grant go to the bathroom lately, because I keep finding her in here trying to go like he does. She's been mimicking him a lot lately. Good thing he's such a good kid!<br />
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They are the BEST little helpers! And mess-makers! They spilled birdseed all over Grandma Velda's floor and they insisted that they be the ones to clean it up!<br />
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Mike is SUCH a good dad! Do I say that enough? He's always thinking of the kids and always tries to make the most of the time he has with them when he's home. He surprised them with the "Hungry Hungry Hippos" game the other day when he got home from work. Grant was in HEAVEN and has been obsessed with it ever since! He ALWAYS wants to play it and lights up whenever anyone else suggests playing it. We found an app for it that he's also obsessed with, and when he's not playing one of those, he wants to watch the old commercials for it on YouTube. I tried to get a good picture of his face when Mike brought it in, but it came out pretty blurry.<br />
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These past few weeks have been kind of tough, with irregular schedules for various reasons and a sick bug that we can't quite seem to shake. On this particular night, Grant was the sick one and had been running a fever all day. He went to bed WAY before any of the rest of us and Remi struggled with some insomnia for most of the night.<br />
When I was about at my wit's end and decided that she WAS going to go to sleep, regardless of how much she fought it, she stood by her door and kept saying "baba, baba". I asked her "Do you want a bottle?"<br />
She'd shake her head all frustrated like and yell "Baba! Baba!"<br />
After this went back and forth several times, Mike came in and figured out she was trying to say "Bubba". When we asked if she wanted "Bubba", she excitedly nodded and ran back into our room and laid down by him. It was SO CUTE, I told Mike to take a picture. As soon as he got the camera out, she pulled out her pacifier and started giving us all these cheesy smiles...I think it's one of my new favorite pictures though! These two make our lives infinitely better!!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4414321201113330100.post-53535918110654460992014-03-13T22:23:00.001-07:002014-03-14T01:49:54.131-07:00Fashion is a Faux Pas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Remi's ensemble of choice today (really, she insisted on wearing this or I wouldn't think it were cute and be posting a picture of it!). Striped shirt, Christmas PJ pants (that will fit Grant next year), cowgirl boots and ratty hair (the bow she was wearing was dramatically eliminated). But don't worry! She still chose to accessorize with a pink paci, a Mac mouse and a few dabs of chocolate on her cheek instead. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">She wouldn't let me get a good picture because she was on a mission to get to Grandma's house. She's been escaping there a lot lately without permission. As soon as the front door opens, that's her invitation to bolt!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some days, I really don't know where this crazy little girl with all her spunk and determination came from. We're SO grateful she's ours though! She makes our days SO much brighter and full of life! I don't know how we survived those boring days before our little Lizard came along! </span></span></div>
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