Thanksgiving Blessings

We hosted Jed's side of the family this year at our home. It was a great experience, I can't take any credit for it's success other than providing a semi-clean house. The happenings truly felt like a family on taking and each person contributed and helped all along the way to make the transition so smooth.


I love the tradition with the kernels of corn and I really feel like I have been more grateful this year than I have been in my entire life. I'm 25, I suppose it's a little late in coming; but I will run with it. I bought a box of tissues especially for myself. This was my 3 thankfuls:

1) Dr. R and Dr. N for helping my son live a normal and full life. We got really great news back on Wednesday that means his 2 weeks of treatment did exactly what it was supposed to. His smile is back and we have so much hope.

2) My mom and dad. As far as their children go, I don't think they have ever asked what was in it for them. With every year that passes, I find more and more that I want to be like them.

3) Experience. Even when it is painful and causes us to worry and sorrow it can be for our good.When we come out on the other side we can see that it has the power to make us stronger and better for going through it.

I got some amazing(at least I think so) shots of my kids this morning before I sent them downstairs to watch the parade so I could peel 17 pounds of potatoes in peace. :) I love and cherish these little faces and personalities. They truly are one of my greatest blessings. Jed would have been involved in said photo shoot but he was out participating in the Turkey bowl. He is a blessing too.

These pictures scream personality to me. If I were to post the 5 pictures I got of each of them, you would easily to see the personality that fills these little bodies. I think I am going to have to print a montage of each of them.

It was wonderful to have GG Romig with us. She astounds me, she is so spry from recently recovering from her broken hip and for being almost 91. She is amazing. I got some sweet shots of her with Emma and Eli. She was singing to them, it was a moment I will not soon forget. She also brought her sucker tree. All of the grandkids loved it and on of my favorite sounds was Brody walking around all afternoon asking for a sucker.


One other highlight I feel is important to mention is that in my duties as host, I failed to procure a salt shaker. It was comical/embarrasing to see my 2 pound can of salt being passed around the table and watching salt being very carefully dispensed so no one ended up with a cup of salt on their potatoes.

T and Chase were the last ones here and we invited them to stay and play a game with us. I was so happy they stayed, we have a truly wonderful time and it was so fun to see the girls have so much fun with "Melissa" and Ashlyn. Seeing my girls make those sorts of memories with their cousins evokes so many memories from my own childhood. I love it.

Beauty all around

With all that has been going on, I realized this morning that Bustaloo is 7 months old and continues to be that sweet boy that entered our lives in April. He is starting to do baby push ups and is rolling (slowly) around the floor. It is fun to see since the girls rolled from their tummies to their backs and were content. We truly are so blessed to have him in our home.


The girls have given us some very amusing moments that I would be most sad if I forgot. Each one has a little bit of preface, so bear with me.

- We were learning Latter Day Prophets in Primary and I asked the children if they knew of any other presidents of the church other than Thomas S. Monson, and Gordon B. Hinckley. Some kids were able to name some, and then when I called on Ruby she said in a fog horn voice "George Washington."


Emma and I were looking through some photography shots of peoples favorite four legged friends on www.thepioneerwoman.com and she would tell me what each picture was of. We came upon some dear in a graveyard and I asked her what those were and she said "Oh, it's a Bambi." I told her she melted my heart and she said "It's ok mom."


Ruby gave FHE on Captain Moroni (her choice) a few weeks ago and as we were reviewing the story about the title of liberty, she said "I want to go to his land and marry him. I love him." I told her that he was in Heaven and that he was already married, she said "To who? What's her name?" I said that the scriptures don't tell us but I was sure that she was a beautiful righteous woman." (Maybe my mom was visiting that day and told her that but I can't remember.) Anyway on Halloween I was doing her hair for church and she looks in the mirror and says "I'm a beautiful righteous woman, why can't I marry Captain Moroni.?"

At the end of what felt like to me a completely exhausting day, Ruby came up to me as I was putting dishes away and she told me "Mom, you are so beautiful everyday and you make the most delicious dinners." Those small words meant more to me than she could have possibly have known that day.

These little faces melt my heart. We truly can find beauty in the simplest places. So grateful for the beauty I experience daily.

Dr. visits

Eli had his 6 month checkup on the 19th. (We are a little behind...again.) He is looking good, Dr. R is a good sounding board for me and takes time to listen to all of my concerns, no matter how legit they are.

As for his stats they are as follows.

Weight: 20 lbs. 4 oz. 90th percentile
Height: 27 1/8 in. 75th percentile
Head: Can't remember but is average-ish.

We love the little squish.

Eli had an EEG this morning, due to some things that we have been seeing, I get worried but am trying to just focus on the now until we know more, and if it is anything at all to be worried about. I think no matter what stage you are at, you are constantly worry about them in one way or another.

Eli loves to jump and bounce and does little baby push up's which will help his hands. He has been working to get his top teeth in for a couple weeks now and is constantly chewing on his thumb. I think they are getting close to coming through and Tylenol is the boys new friend.

As for Halloween I will state here and now that I am quite possibly the worst mama. We were in such a rush that we didn't take any pictures. I am going to pull a costume recreation, if for nothing more than documentation. Can't believe that November is here and looking forward to all of the holiday excitement.

Halloween cousin party

My Mom, Erin and Meg came to our house yesterday, for a little Halloween get together. My mom and Erin did the planning, and we had a great time. The girls made witch puppets. Each were unique and cute.


They played a dice game called Spooky eyes. It was funny to see the 3 younger ones "roll" the dice(shake it and then lay it down on the side they wanted up) and get matches. Ruby asked why she didn't have as many matches as the other girls.

My mom cut out Halloween masks for each of the girls and Delphia picked who would get what. They were so funny with them on and I think it turned out to be the highlight of the party. Ruby and Chloe are werewolves, Delphia a vampire and Emma was Frankenstein.






They each made a ghosts, marshmallows dipped in white chocolate with milk chocolate eyes. They had fun playing together in the basement and being together. It was a fun afternoon and I really enjoyed some adult conversation.



I love the Holidays!

Peg leg and thoughts

Had my Dr. appt last week. The Dr. said he could still see more of the fracture line than he would like, but has to take into consideration that I had a baby in the last 6 months so my body is still playing catch up. I will stay in my walking boot for 1 more month until the bone is stronger. I feel like I have a new lease on life being able to carry Eli around. I am turtle speed slow but the ability to do things for myself is makes that not even matter. I am loving this new freedom. This is what it my leg looked like 2 hours after I broke it. Now all the swelling has gone away, we have laughed about how skinny it looks compared to the other. The beauty of atrophy. :)



The girls have had a great time playing outside with friends and enjoying the cooler weather. As I was preparing dinner a few weeks ago, I looked out the window and spotted the girls playing red rover with the neighbors. It made nostalgic as memories of my own childhood flooded back to me, we spent hours playing games like this. It warms my heart to see Ruby so willing to take Ruby along when she gets invited to play with friends. I hope their sweet relationship will continue. Don't be fooled though, this sweetness coincides with plenty of tears and cries of "She's hurting my feelings!"


My mom made a really cute Halloween advent calendar for the girls and they get to pull a little surprise every day. One of their favorites so far is a simple little game called Ghost Chase. They love it. We also had a Amish friendship bread start that I somehow ruined. I have to petition my sister for a new start but the girls loved mushing the bag together.



We had Dallen, Spencer and Melody over for dinner last night and had a lot of fun. We love having visitors, and I think we will start doing Sunday dessert with families in our ward that we have wanted to get to know. Time feels like it is going so quickly and we are happy.

6 months

Today my boy is 6 months old. It seems unfathomable that 1/2 of a year has past. He truly has made the transition to 3 a breezy with a fair amount of showers(due to his love of blowing raspberries.)


At his last neurology appt. we met only with the PAC. We got his meds figured out and as we see any sign of his seizures all we need to do is call up to Primary's leave a message and they will get back to us quickly, as his meds are based on weight. So when he grows we will just have to up his dose as needed. She didn't seem all that impressed with his hands, but we talked about his seizures for 30 minutes and then she held toys out for him to try to grab and observed him for about 2 minutes. I came away discouraged because at home he grabs for things that are placed out in front of him. Then I decided that the last time she saw Eli he was 2 weeks old, so not to worry to much. I felt like as long as I am seeing improvement we have something to feel good about.



Here are some words to describe Eli at this point: happy, drooly, observant, hungry, gentle, and sweet.

He is sitting up now and loves it. He is content to just hang out on a blanket and play with toys for a decent amount of time. We have also nicknamed him Bustaloo, a term Ruby coined when she mistook it for bust a move. But when ever we say it to him in a Vegas lounge singer voice he smiles.


I think his saucer has helped him as far as reaching for things goes. When we first started putting him in it, I don't really think he knew what to do, but now he pulls things into his mouth and spins the toys. It has been exciting to see.

Since my breakage, Jed has been getting up with Eli at night to feed him. They are so fun to watch together, and Eli cuddles right into Jed's shoulder which he rarely does with me. Jed attributes it to middle of the night bonding. :)



Love you so much Eli.

For Angie

I feel like I have lacked much to write about, and pictures to go with it. As I look at the date on my last post I find myself blushing and how long it has been. I really do love my blog and am feeling sad that it has been so terribly neglected.

And so it is for Angie that I write today. I know what ever I consider to be boring ramble, Angie will like it.

My life in the last couple weeks on paper looks a little like this, not a huge amount of activity that I am used to, but much more thoughtful and gratitude filled for the things that I used to do, that now someone else does for me, or that I have found a way to do even though it takes 3-4 times longer than it used to. In short, I think we often forget how amazing our bodies are. When I am finally free of my "shackles" (Hopefully I will be off crutches by next Thursday and just in the walking boot for a few weeks. It would be very nice to no longer have my hands involved with the walking process.) I will make a post more specifically about what I have learned from this experience.

Jed passed his insurance test on Tuesday! That was such a relief. It has brought a lot of unspoken stress for both of us that we didn't talk about until Jed passed. I am so proud of him and how much time he put into his studies with all of the motherly duties that have been heaped upon him, due to my clumsiness. He is a jewel and I am glad he is mine.

He will attend his 2 weekly company meetings, schedule his hands on training with his team leader and then I think we just have to wait for his License to come in the mail. I told Jed he should make an appearance on the blog to explain his work stuff to all of my faithful readers. He politely declined and with a smile and said "No, I don't want to blog." So there you have it.

Jed has a job it's just all of the certification and all of that jazz that seems to be delaying what most consider the definition of having a job; making money. We foresee that being in sight soon. Which will be a nice change.

Like I said, I don't really feel like I have much quality blog material to write about, but years from now perhaps I will read this post and be grateful that all though lacking in brilliant content, I wrote anyway. Thanks for the encouragement Ang.

Truly though, my heart is just filled with gratitude for people who are in the right place at the right time and remind me that Heavenly Father is in the details and that with each new experience we have it can be for our good.

Coming home

As of yesterday, we have lived in our home for 1 year. We love it here. I knew that when we moved it would take me a while to get comfortable and get to know people, but I have been out of that transitional phase for a while and I know that we were meant to be here. Our ward is so amazing, and I feel like we have just been so readily welcomed and accepted.

We said for years that we would never move out here and when it came down to it and placed bids on some homes, we would place our offer and then I would feel anxious yet very relived when we were told that it didn't work out. We started looking into building and I feel like this is the street we were meant to be on and the ward as well. It feels like home to me and I would be content to stay here for the rest of my life, unless Heavenly Father has another course for us.

It is always so interesting how things just fall into place, and something that felt wrong for so long, felt right when the time was right. Does that make sense? I love how quiet it is here at night and the millions of stars that we can see, we have so many people here that are our age with young children.

The one thing I don't love is the weeds. :) It is amazing how something that is given no water or nurturing can flourish so easily out here. It gives me a greater appreciation for Adam and Eve. :) Gratefully, Jed and I spent 9 hours a week and a half ago clearing our yard of weeds, it was so much work, but I am so glad we got it done otherwise Jed would have been out there alone, getting them all up. When we finished I told Jed "I don't ever want to have to pull all of those again."

1 year ago, when we moved, I was so emotional. I was happy to be here, but sad to be out of my comfort zone and I missed our previous ward. So much has changed since that time. I have so much gratitude for the place we came from, and also the direction we are going. We are home. I love that feeling.

*As a side note, all of my recent posts have been done on Jed's lap top which doesn't have a port for the memory card from our camera. I have pictures to post, but I haven't been going downstairs very much to use the desk top. So sorry for the lack of pictures. I will go back and update each post with pictures when I get around to it.

Wednesday in the park

After finishing my previous post this morning we had plans to go to the park with Sarah and Brody. Eli fell asleep in his exersaucer so I decided a nap was in need. Jed kept him while he studied and I took the girls with me.

There was a great little 1/8 of a mile walking path around the field by the playground we made a few laps and by the end of our second to last Emma started to cry that she wanted me to hold her. I told her to be tough and finish it and that I knew she could. She continued to cry and so I told her if she could finish the last stretch we would all cheer for her. Ruby was at the end and as we finished she shouted out a big cheer for Emma. Then Ruby asked that if she finished one more lap could we cheer for her at the end. I told her that most definitely we could, and with that she started off. I started to follow her and Emma came along. As we got to the end Ruby started to run to the "finish line" I wanted to be there when she came in so I picked Emma up and started to jog with her on my hip. There was a bit of mud on the path, and if you know what Eagle Mountain mud is like, you know you don't want to step in it. I made my way around it, and in what seemed like a split second, my foot went off the lip of the path and my leg went out from under me.

Emma popped out of my arms and landed on the path and I knew that I was hurt. Sarah was walking towards us with Brody and asked if I was ok and what happened. I explained and we tried to get me up. It hurt to put any pressure on my left foot. Sarah helped me bear my weight and I jumped on my other foot, but I could feel the impact in my left foot. Sarah insisted that she could carry me to the car. In any other instance I would have done it, the girl is wonder woman for Pete sake, but with her being 24 weeks pregnant and me lacking the ability to even jump that high, I asked her if she could get the kids on the car and I would meet her there. I got there eventually by crawling. It was the least painful way.

I drove home and Sarah called Jed so he would be waiting to help me out of the car. By the time we got home the area right above my ankle was the size of half a baseball. Jed helped me in and I rested on the bed and fed Eli while Jed helped the girls get some lunch. I think they both cried enough for the 3 of us. We had to keep reminding them that the best way to help me was to eat their lunch so we could go to insta care.

When we arrived they got me in pretty quick. Jed stayed in the waiting room with the kids. I was embarrassed but appreciated the offer of a wheel chair. The Dr. looked at it and then I was taken back for 3 x-rays. They told me I had fractured my fibula and that they were going to splint it and then I needed to make an appointment with a Orthopedic specialist as soon as possible.

I have been pretty ok, but I have been discouraged as I have wanted to do things. It is so amazing to me the things I take for granted that I could do for myself just this morning that I can no longer do. I am just like my mom, I don't like to sit still for to long, or I will see something that needs picking up and I want to get it. Jed assures me that as soon as they see me and figure out what needs to be done, it will be easier. I think the hardest thing for me is not being able to pick up Eli. I can follow the girls around on my crutches, but I can't transfer Eli and myself. Jed has completely stepped in and is now running the show.

We went to the orthopedic this afternoon and they said it is a clean break but it is a 1/2 inch from the bottom of the bone. So as long as I keep weight off of it and it doesn't shift than it will be able to heal itself in the walking boot. I go in next week for x-rays to make sure it hasn't shifted and then we will go from there. Like I said before, life goes on and I shall indeed be fine.

Life goes on.

No matter what our circumstances may be, time marches forward and life continues. It is a good thing. Jed has had a couple interviews and yesterday he had one in the morning, and was asked to come back for a second that afternoon. So he stayed up in Sandy and I got a call about 4:30 where he told me he accepted the position. He will be working for a multi-insurance broker firm, that helps people customize their insurance to their exact needs. I could go upstairs and ask the companies name but don't want to bother Jed while he is studying for his insurance license. It is commission based, and normally that would make me anxious, but Jed felt good about it, and he is happier than I have seen him in a while. Not that he has been grumpy or anything like that but more so that his sense of purpose has returned and he is looking forward to this new challenge.

Eli turned 5 months on Sunday. He is such a joy to us. He is back in his hard casts at night to help extend his fingers so they are less curled. He is doing well with them and we are seeing so much improvement. Well it is improvement to me. He is starting to lay his hands flat during feeding, grabbing his clothes and blankets, he took the spoon from me yesterday whilst eating his pears, and he is gaining strength in his hands, I can see it in the way he can hold his toys for longer periods, and can also pull his jiggly elephant down. All of these things to me are the glimmer of hope that he is going to continue to improve. He tries so hard and I love this gentle boy so much. he also cut his second tooth that afternoon after conference, I then understood why I didn't catch a word of Boyd K. Packer's talk. :)



As for his seizures we started his medication on the 15th of August and he had a month period of respite from them. Then on the 4th of September he started having them again. Not the kind where he convulses and falls asleep after wards for long periods of time, which is good but they are still happening, he has been having about 3-4 a day the medications seems to subdue them but it's not stopping them. My guess is that he he went through a period where he wasn't having them and then when he started having them, his med dose isn't high enough to stop them. It is frustrating to me, but I am grateful for the mildness of them. We have an appointment next week so we can discuss the options with the PA.

We had Stake conference on Sunday. It was broadcast from the Marriott Center on the BYU campus. It was incredible. I have been thinking so often about the impressions I received there. I am grateful that the words that were spoken helped me personally. I truly believe that the speakers were inspired to deliver the messages they did and I also left with a greater appreciation for our pioneer heritage. The Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses my life everyday. It brings me so much happiness.

That afternoon we took so pictures of the kids. Eli refused to sit, hence the look on his face, he was arching up so he could stand. I have a feeling that future picture takings will be in this likeness. They are all in such a funny stages, and I know that these very poorly composed pictures will bring me giggles and sweet memories for years to come.

My calling

Some of you may know about my calling, but perhaps there are some that don't. I am the primary chorister in my ward. I officially started on July 4th. I love the primary songs and being with the children. There are a few things about the calling that made me apprehensive at the beginning.

-The previous chorister was still in primary and I didn't want to let her down, she did a great job.
-I don't know how to read music or lead to save my life.
-I love to be silly but was worried what some of the teachers would think of me.

When I was first called, people would ask if I liked my calling. I would be honest giving them an answer that usually sounded like this: "I like it but..."

After having been in there for two months and wearing my purple wig as a reward for the children learning their song, I am feeling more confident than ever. I LOVE my calling.

Here are some things that have helped me greatly.
-The sister that was the previous chorister has told me that I am doing a great job, I needed that affirmation for some reason.
-I have to learn songs that I don't know by hearing them repeatedly. Jed has made it a super simple process by putting them all on the ipod and then I just listen to them while I cook or am doing something in the kitchen.
-I realized that even though I am always off beat when I lead and my Relief Society arm waves hello to the children sometimes, as long as I am enthusiastic and we are having fun it doesn't matter.
-We have amazingly kind teachers in our primary. Eli always comes along for the third hour since Jed teaches in Young Men, and occasionally for second hour as well if they need Jed to help with Sunday school for the youth. At times I have lead while holding Eli when he is sad and without fail, a teacher will always come up to me and offer to hold him, or take him out in the hall if needs be.
-If I just be myself, the week goes well. Primary is the place to be, my testimony is strengthened by the beautiful music, and the powerful words. I also always enjoy the enthusiasm of the sunbeams. They make me happy.

Ripe

If my blog were a fruit it would be overly ripe. I have had a post swirling around in my head for a while now but just haven't got it out until now. I also haven't been getting on the computer as much since Jed has been home, which I consider to be a good thing.

We borrowed Coraline from my mom and it came with 3-D glasses. I was amazed that it worked on our t.v. the girls love it and one of their new phrases is "Don't go in the rain Coraline Jones." It make us all laugh due to the inflection in their voices when they say it.


I took this picture on Eli's 4 month mark and I decided that a lying down picture would be best. When I prop him up against something his neck disappears. I guess that is what happens when you weigh 17 lbs at 4 months.



A couple weeks ago Ruby went to the Utah County fair with her friend Hannah. I was initially going to go and then when Eli started having seizures I decided it would be better not to. Hannah's mom then offered to take Ruby with her. She had a wonderful time. She loved the face painting the most and it was so fun hearing her description of things. Tina told me that Ruby saw a woman in the bathroom with short spiky black hair with red tips. Ruby approached her and told her how much she loved her hair and that she looks like Rufio. Coming from Ruby that is a big compliment.


Eli started solids about 2 weeks ago and is loving it. I think it is amusing that I always forget how messy they are in the beginning. I always think that they aren't ready and then give them a few days and they have it down. He has also had squash. He loves it. I make his baby food and I love it, when Brody was a baby I had Sarah save his Gerber food containers they work perfectly for storing and freezing the food.


Very often I find Emma in the Exersaucer. She probably still meet the weight limit. But when ever she gets into it she is on her knees.



Eli loves being in his Johnny Jump up. He enjoys being either upright or held, he has been rolling over ever since he as a little under 4 months. He is so good at it but gets mad that he can't get back over. He was having a sad day last week so I decided to get his jumper out and it made him so happy.

I recently finished my wall hanging. My mom gave me a gift certificate to Pineneedles and I was able to get everything I needed for it for .15 cents over what the certificate was for. I got it finished a little after my birthday so I got it quilted with my birthday money. The pattern name is Simply Silly. The thing I love about it is that the fabric line is called Make Life... and then it has different words all over it like, simple, silly, fresh, beautiful, happy, sunny ect. It is now hanging in my kitchen. It reminds me to try to make life exactly what I want it to be. I am so happy with the way it turned out.