Merry Christmas!!

I just LOVE the magic of Christmas!!  The kid's eyes are all lit up with anticipation, Trent and I are going over our lists making sure that we have batteries and all of the extras that we need - I'm still waiting on one package to arrive hopefully today.  I'll be baking sugar cookies and decorating them with the kids, we will watch Mr. Krogers Christmas, and will be doing a special devotional to help all of us center our attention on the true reason we celebrate - Christ.  I am so grateful for my knowledge of my Redeemer and Savior.  He truly gives me reason to hope, to dream, to believe, and to try to be a better person.  Without Him in my life I would be a miserable person...I wouldn't have my wonderful husband and children, I wouldn't know of the plan of happiness that makes life worth living, and living well.  I wouldn't have so many wonderful friends who are shining examples of how to be more Christ-like.  I have the knowledge of eternal families and that death isn't permanent - I will see my loved ones again.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to renew my covenants each week - as I am so very imperfect and need the chance to repent on a VERY regular basis.    I have the opportunity to hear my darling little girl tell me that she misses Jesus and knows that she will be able to kiss him on the cheek again.  Yes baby girl - we will see him again, and we will all be so very happy.  It is an exciting thing to look forward to.
Thank you to all of my wonderful friends and family who have been here for me through thick and thin.  I love all of you and think of you often.  Merry Christmas!!

Christmas dance!!!

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This is so much fun to do - but I don't know how to get this centered so you can see the entire screen.  If you know how please let me know so I can fix this and any future ones :)  - Oh and you'll want to put my playlist on pause so you can listen to the 'cool' disco music :)

Merry Christmas!!

I just had to add one of the "oops" pictures.  Donavan was being so darn cute - everytime I said 'smile' he would yell smile and come running over to the camera to see the picture.  So I ended up taking the picture 1st and then saying smile so he could see it.  I just love those kids! Life would be REALLY boring without them -   I hope all of you have a fantastic Christmas this year.  So far so good for us (if I can just make it through pack meeting, Jax's birthday and party, Christmas, Donavan's birthday and party (sniff, sniff - he'll be 2!!!!), father-in-law's birthday, Trent's birthday, mom's birthday, sister-in-law's birthday, plus the concerts, ward parties, family parties, Christmas cards, neighbor gifts, teacher gifts, friend gifts, etc, etc.  Wish me luck!!

Party time!

Maddie's princess party was a great success!  The girls just had a blast - and so did I.  It was so much fun to have her friends over for her 1st real birthday party (outside of just family).  They all dressed up and we did makeup, nails, pretend earrings (for those who didn't have their ears pierced), we played princess games, decorated cupcakes and tiaras, and danced.  I'm so thankful that the Lord saw fit to bless me with a little girl - they are a handful, but OH so fun!!

To be grateful - sorry it's a long one!!

Why is it that I tend to take things for granted so often?  I forget about the many blessings that I have in my life and focus on only the things that I perceive and being 'wrong' or not going as well as I'd like.  I have 4 beautiful kids - with no complications during pregnancy or delivery.  They are all very healthy, smart, and sweet.  My husband is the best man I've ever known.  He is a wonderful father, husband, and bread-winner - allowing me to stay at home with the kids.  I have a beautiful home, plenty of food to feed the kid's bottomless pits, clothing to wear, shoes for our feet, scriptures to read, family home evenings together, church callings that are good for me, friends to good to be true, health and fitness, the ability to go on a run when I need or want to.  There are so many things that are so right in my life.  I was talking to my mom yesterday and she told me that she wished that all of her kids were doing as well as I am.  I hadn't thought of that before (being as selfish as I am) - so many of my siblings are struggling right now - with jobs or spouses - or both.  Sometimes I complain about my callings when I KNOW that I am in them because I have something to learn from them.... 

Some mornings I just don't want to get up for scripture study - but I have been SO BLESSED with Piercen who gets himself up in the morning and ready to go, then comes into me to wake me up to come out with him to read scriptures before he goes to school.  How in the world did this beautiful kid come to me??  Even Jax has been getting up without problems to read in the mornings.

I decided the other night that I'd start helping Donavan say his prayers at night.  He is SO cute about it.  He doesn't try to say the words, but points to things that he wants me to say thank you for.  He laughs, hugs and kisses me, and is just beaming while we are saying his prayer.  What a darling little angel.  He is still so close to his Heavenly Father and is SO happy to have a prayer said for him.  He doesn't act that way when we are saying Maddie's prayers right before his.  How could I not say my own personal prayers?  Why don't I feel so privileged to be able to talk to my Father?  I take it for granted!!  Here is my baby teaching me about how I should feel about prayer!!

Jaxton taught FHE this past Monday.  We have been taking turns teaching out of the Preach My Gospel book.  I really didn't help him out - I just showed him where he needed to look in the book for scriptures to use.  I've got to say - I was SO impressed with him.  He did a FANTASTIC job teaching about the plan of happiness.  He didn't read out of the book - he made himself some notes and used the scriptures to teach us.  He then explained what each scripture meant and asked questions that he came up with himself.  WOW.  I couldn't have taught such a great lesson at only 10 yrs. old - let alone 33!!

And my little Maddie is SO cute.  She says her prayers with NO help from me.  She ALWAYS prays that our little friend Spencer who is suffering from cancer gets better soon.  She will look around the room and thank Heavenly Father for everything in sight.  She then asks him to bless those things - like 'thank you for my toys, and please bless them.'  So cute!  She gets her little set of scriptures out and asks where we are and tries her best to pay attention while we are doing our FHE or scripture reading.  She tries her best to take care of her little brother (who doesn't always appreciate it).

Trent works his GUTS out.  His company is taking advantage of him right now - he has too many things to do and not enough time to do it in and they just keep adding more.  But he knows that if he doesn't do everything he possibly can he may be on their chopping block.  His work is just ruthless right now because they know that they can be.  He still does his best with his calling in the Young Men's even though by the time he gets home on Tuesday nights after their activity its almost 9pm and he hasn't been home or eaten anything yet.  He spends time with the kids that he really doesn't have - he tends to fall asleep if he sits down for very long because he is so exhausted.  Poor guy!!  I am so grateful that he is putting in so much effort though - so that the rest of us can have food on the table, clothes on our backs, and shoes on our feet.  He is a wonderful husband, father, and priesthood holder.  I couldn't ask for more!! 

I must remember to be grateful to the Lord for all things - and to stop taking things for granted!!  I must re-commit myself to doing better, trying harder, and being better than I am right now.  If I'm not improving and going forward then I am slipping back.  There is no stagnant sitting still!!

Happy Halloween!!

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Donster Monster's 1st coloring spree

Whilst I was busily doing laundry, and Madds was busily watching her fav. cartoon, the Donsters was busily coloring all over everything with a piece of chalk he snuck out of the garage earlier that day.  Thank-goodness it was only chalk!!  Madds came up yelling "he's colored all over everything!"  I came out and couldn't see him at first - he was hiding behind our big chair finishing his artistic creation on the wall - he was sure proud of his work.  Silly kid! ;)

And my darling diva just HAD to have her picture taken too....

5K winner!! Plus some crafting ;)

Piercen participated in his Jr. High School's 5K race this week.  He was so excited that he woke up early several days last week to go down and run on the treadmill before school just to be ready.  He was nervous before the race, but excited.  Trent was able to work from home that day so he took a break and was able to come down to watch Piercen run with Maddie, Donsters and me.  There were a lot of kids running - including some really big 8th graders (that kids only an 8th grader??  SERIOUSLY??  Some of them are HUGE!).  We figured he'd do okay, but really didn't think he'd win.  The race course was just around the Jr. High school and field - 5 laps.  In order to prevent cheating they had to have their hands marked with a marker by a volunteer parent (it seriously slowed down their times - there's gotta be an easier way!!)  By the 2nd lap Pierce was in 3rd place, just behind another boy.  Then the 3rd, there he was just trailing the same kid, 4th - he was catching up.  We stood and cheered him on - letting him know how many laps he had left.  And while we were waiting we cheered on a bunch of his friends and other kids in our ward.  (I was suprised that there were NO other parents there to watch - just those who volunteered.  Kind of sad really!)  Then on the last straightway of the last lap we were screaming and cheering and Pierce sprinted and overtook the boy who was in front of him - totally blowing the kid out of the water!  It was FANTASTIC to see him do his best!  The only kid that beat him was one of those gigantic 8th graders...  He came in 2nd overall and 1st for the 7th graders  -   I'm so proud of him!!  Pierce had tons of friends come over to congradulate him.  It was fun to see Pierce in a different atmosphere - he's such a good kid.  There's a boy who has NO other friends.  He is really geeky - not that I'm being mean or anything, I was able to hang out with him for a little bit - he's very immature for his age (asking Pierce if he watched and liked Garfield and then telling him all about the last cartoon he watched.)  Pierce is just a sweetie and takes the kid around with him while he talks to his other friends.  What a good kid- I wouldn't have done that at his age.

 While the boys were out last weekend camping Maddie and I had a girls night.  We made pumkins out of 2x4's - she had a BLAST painting and gluing.  We watched Letters to Juliet (cute movie) and did a make-over.  I put curlers in her hair (this pic is from the next morning).  We pained her finger and toenails, put on blush, eyeshadow, and lipstick.  She has asked every night since when we can have another make-over night :)

I found this fireplace at the DI - it was a little banged up so I painted it black (to match my decor) and destressed it.  I think I like how it turned out - I may end up staining it too - maybe.  The kids just LOVE sitting in front of it already :)  Well  - time to get Maddie going on something more productive then watching tv.  Luv yr guts!!

Sniff, sniff - my baby is getting too big too fast!!

Last night Donavan put 2 of his 'words' together for the 1st time!!  I call his binki a bink and when he says it it comes out bee.  I'm trying to slowly get him off of it, he saw it on the couch and while he was in the process of climbing onto the couch to get it I snatched it and put it onto the side table.  When he got up he started looking for it and then said 'bee go?'  Oh my goodness!!  I just had to give it to him!!  I'm not ready for him to be so big already!  He has also figured out how to 'die' when his brothers or daddy 'shoot' him.  Here's a video of what they were doing last night - too funny (please ignore my dirty house)!

Conference weekend

We had a fantastic weekend!  I was able to go out for a run alone for the 1st time in a long time.  I was feeling great so I just kept on running - I ended up putting in just under 11 miles!  Then we were able to watch the 1st session of conference, then we ran to the boy's flag football game (which they won).  Then we ran home, made a picnic and drove up the canyon.  We found some fun trails and took the truck up pretty far before finding a great spot to stop.  We then had our picnic in the truck and listened to the 2nd session.  After the talks were done we ventured out of the truck and went on a hike (we couldn't go too far with the 2 little people) and took some pictures.  The pictures just don't do it justice!  I wanted to take a bunch more, but- it's too hard to take pitures of everything while inside the truck and being bounced all-over the place! 

We found a great rock wall and let the boys go exploring up and around it - they had a great time but ended up covered with dirt.  We hurried home and threw them into the shower so that Trent and Pierce could make it to the priesthood session on time.

  Piercen was so excited to get to go with his dad.  Trent was pretty excited too - he finally had a buddy to sit with!  They both really enjoyed the session - the rest of us cleaned up the house for Sunday and ordered pizza.  Sunday we stayed at hime and watched both sessions.  It was nice to not have to go anywhere!  It's too bad conferece doesn't last longer!  I can't wait until the talks come out in the Ensign.  I do my best to pay attention, but with the 4 kidlets I do end up missing things.  I love how I feel so energized and renewed after listening to the talks!  I have so much to work on and re-start.  I really needed the kick in the pants to get me going again!  I'm so grateful that my Father in Heaven knows me well enough to know that I'd need this every 6 months - if not sooner!!

Because no one should have to suffer....

I have signed a petition to get the company who makes the IUD Mirena to disclose all of the possible side-effects to women BEFORE they have it inserted so that they can make a more educated decision.  I wasn't given a chance to read the information that IS included in the patient's information (although what I have read on their web-site sure doesn't sound too bad).  My OB just told me that after a few months of getting used to it I should no longer have any periods - for 5 years.  She told me that I might have some cramping, and spotting for a few months and then shoudn't have to think about it until it was time to get it replaced.  And if I decided to get pregnant again I could get it easily removed and within a month would be ready to try again.  I have found out since that there is a lot more information given in the physician's pamplets - with more possible side effects listed (although not all of them - which is why the doctors are unaware that so many women have had such horrible side-effects from this!)  If you are thinking of having an IUD placed - don't.  Here is what I have been through - all of which is due to this darn device.  This is what I posted on the petition to hopefully help others who don't have any idea that their symptoms are due to this device - I had no idea that they could be related. 

I'd had my IUD in for 16 months before experiencing any problems with it (which is one reason that my doc's didn't even consider this as the cause of my problems).  My hair suddenly started to fall out in huge handfuls, and what was growing back in was dull, frizzy and very brittle.  I had terrible acne on my face, back, and chest.  I had severe dizziness and lightheadedness, with headaches that were bad enough that I couldn't open or use my eyes.  All of a sudden I was sweating for no reason and had mood swings and depression and I felt like I was just walking around in a daze.  I had horrible short term memory loss - I'd turn a light on and then get upset at my kids because they must have left the light on....  I gained 6 pounds in 4 weeks, felt heart palpitations and shortness of breath on my daily runs (I'm a long distance runner and have NEVER had any problems with my heart or breathing before - I have since cut my regular mileage to less than 25% of what I used to do.)  I had no sex drive, suffered from insomnia and a total lack of energy.  I was feeling very depressed, but thought that it was due to my weight gain, hair falling out, acne, and other symptoms.  My doctors thought it was my thyroid so I had lab tests done.  Nothing - so another lab was done - everything came back at great levels.  I was sent to an endocrinologist who looked at me like I was crazy because there was nothing wrong with my hormones.  (He sent me home without doing ANYTHING!  I was very frustrated that I now have to pay him hundreds of dollars for NOTHING!!)   I had an MRI done to check my pituitary - it was functioning as it should.  My doctors were completely confused and didn't know what to do with me.  It makes you feel like you are crazy!!  Thank goodness my RN sis-in-law put it together that all of this might be caused by my Mirena.  After reading about all of the symptoms I had mine removed 2 days ago.  My OB was skeptical of everything but agreed to remove it for me if that was what I was sure I wanted.  She couldn't find the strings and had to use an ultrasound to finally remove it (NOT something I would recommend - it was very painful to have her try to find it).  During the ultrasound she found 2 large cysts on my right ovary - now I have to go back in 3 months to make sure that they have gone away on their own.   I have always been very healthy -  I never get sick, not even the flu.  I have always been in very good shape and try to eat the right foods.  I am hoping that I can finally return to my pre-Mirena health soon.  The dizziness and lightheadedness make it very hard to function - not to mention the depression, mood swings, insomnia, lack of energy etc. that make it hard to be a mother to my kids.  This has put a huge strain on myself and my family - my insurance hasn't paid for any of this so Christmas this year will be much smaller than I'd have liked, but I have to pay the price for being dumb enough to get a foreign object placed into my body.  All women should know of the possible side effects of this medication.  I feel that it should be pulled from the market.  I will no longer be taking anything for birth control - my husband will have to have a vasectomy.  After all of this I don't feel that messing around with my body is worth it.

The petition site can be found at:  http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/mirena-awareness-part-ii/

You can read about other's experiences with this IUD there.  I know that there is a lot of mis-information that can be found on-line.  I was skeptical at first, but after getting NO answers from my doctors, and finding so many women who were experiencing the same/similar symptoms I just could not deny that there was definitly a link.  I am hoping now to regain my health.  I have never given my health a second thought - I'm in good shape, I'm not allergic to anything, I've never broken a bone, I hardly ever get sick, I've never had problems with anything until now.  In a way this has been a blessing in that I am so very grateful for good health - and will be paying much better attention to my body and keeping myself and my family healthy.  I will no longer take good health for granted!!

Oh bother!!

Today I feel a little like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh.  Just feelin blue.  I thought that for sure I'd be getting some answers - after 2 sets of labs, an MRI, and being sent to the specialist.  But .....no.  He's stumped - everything comes back in normal ranges (which is good, but doesn't help me out!)  Urg.....he tells me that maybe I should just wait a year and see if things improve.  A YEAR???  I think that I'd rather find out why I've been dizzy, faint, gaining weight and have had my hair falling out - back to the drawing board I guess.  It might not be so bad if I didn't have horrid insurance that doesn't pick up anything until I've paid $4000.  It is what it is I guess.  Maybe this is just another chance to help me gain the virtue of patience (of which I have none.)

The queen and the princess

There once was a princess who didn't like to go to sleep in her own bed.  The king of the house just adored his little princess and would allow her to cuddle with him until she fell asleep every night.  Then the overly tired queen would have to pick her up and carry her into her princess bed.  Time and time again the queen would try to convince the king and the princess that she should go to bed just like the prince and the 2 jokers would do each night in their own beds...but to no avail.  Finally after much whining on the part of the king, the queen told the princess that she couldn't be a princess unless she went to sleep in her princess bed - and that all princesses sleep in princess beds.  To the queen's surprise the princess agreed and took the queen's hand and climbed into her bed.  After the prayers were done, the queen sat on the princess' bed to say goodnight.  The little princess whispered to the queen:  "Mommy, you can still be a princess even if you sleep in your bed."  The queen went away that night and thanked the Lord for sending her such an angel.

I love you Maddie!!

Just life

Why is it that life can't be more predictable?  Why is it that curve balls have to be thrown our way?  I know that it is all part of being tested, and that if we aren't tested we wouldn't grow - right.... But when the unexpected things turn up I still am surprised at them.  Shouldn't I be expecting those things after all of the Sunday school lessons we've had on the subject?  I guess those things make me more appreciative of the blessings that I have in my life.  Like how Donster's figured out how to say air plane, tells me no-no, is obsessed with cars.  How Maddie is such a good little mommy, how she is obsessed with lip-stick and anything sparkly.  How Jax is amazing at creating things out of garbage, and what a kind, caring and responsible kid that Piercen is.
Speaking of Pierce......Piercen was able to pass the sacrament for the 1st time yesterday.  It was an emotional experience for me - seeing him up there in his suit, he just seemed so grown up.  He smiled almost the entire time - with that cute little grin and dimple.  I'm so proud of his decision to take on the responsibility of the priesthood.  He has set a good example for his little brothers, and I hope that they will follow in his footsteps.  He is having a hard time right now in school.  His best friend moved, and right now he doesn't have anyone at the Jr. high that he feels are good kids to be friends with.  Sure there are kids around the neighborhood that he will go out and play football with, but they don't have the same high standards that he has so he never spends very long with them.  He sighs and just tells me that at least he can hang out with his little brother and his friends.   I pray that he will be able to meet another kid like him, one who prays morning and night, reads his scriptures because he wants to, thinks of other's feelings and is careful not to hurt them, one who has a real testimony of the truth, one who won't even listen to someone swearing.  I told him yesterday that I know that he is lonely, and feels like he is the only kid that is like him.  I told him that there are more with him then there are with those who aren't acting the way that they should.  I pray that the Lord will open his eyes so that he is able to see and know that there are more of us pulling for him and helping him along then he knows.  I wish that I could make this hard time go faster for him, or that I could find someone for him to be friends with.  I am proud that he is holding his standards so high, and that he realizes that friends can make a huge impact on him.  It's just hard for me to stand by and let him hurt - and feel sad.  Someday all of this will pay off for him, if he will just stick it out - please stick it out Piercen!!

Ok - so here's my new hair cut....

So - what-cha think?  I'm still unsure about it - but it's permanent so I guess I'll adjust :)

I'm playing around with it everyday to see what I can do with it.....

Piercen and the priesthood

I am so very proud of my big man in his decision to receive the priesthood this weekend.  He wore his new suit and looked very grown up when the bishop called him up onto the stand to be sustained.  I was able to be there when the bishopric took him out of primary for the last time and marched him down to the deacon's class.  Then after church most of Trent's family was there to be witnesses to his ordination.  Trent gave him a beautiful blessing - the spirit was so strong it moved me to tears.  I sure am blessed to now have 2 priesthood holders in my home!!  He has also completed his Faith in God requirements and should be receiving the medallion next Sunday.  I can't believe he is already 12 and in Jr. High.  He is already looking forward to his mission.  Sunday was also a farewell for one of the young men in our ward.  He did a fantastic job and will make a great missionary.  I am so glad that Piercen has good role-models to look up to and emulate in our ward.

Back to school 2010

This summer has gone by so fast!  Much faster it seems than summers in the past - does that mean I'm getting old???  Piercen has gone to Jr. High!!  He is such a great kid - I really hope that he finds some really great kids like him to be friends with.  His best friend moved to New Mexico over the summer so he is really going the Jr. High route alone.  It makes me nervous for him.  He has already heard all of the swearing and the rude and crude talking in the halls.  Hopefully he will remember who he is and what he stands for.

Jax is a big ol 5th grader this year.  He has a new teacher and just LOVES her.  He was asking all day yesterday if he could go back to school.  I just about fainted!!  He has never really liked going to school.  Whatever this new teacher is doing - I hope she keeps it up!!

Maddie has many of her friends from her Primary class that are going to school this year - so she has been feeling left out.  So we decided to get a pre-school book and start learning here at home.  She is SO cute about it!  When it is 'school' time she calls me teacher.  So far we have been working on colors, cutting, and sorting.  She even gets stickers and treats for a job well done.

Donsters is OBSESSED with the Cars movie.  I don't think the work obsessed is strong enough!  He seriously watches the darn movie every day!  He is just so cute about it I can't tell him no.  He takes you by the hand over to the TV, points at the dvd player and says please.  Then as you get down to put the movie in he almost jumps out of his skin with excitements - jabbering and giggling - pointing at the tv and saying "ar" (that's as close as he gets so far.)  Then he tells you thank you - it's his best phrase so far and he says it for everything!  I just LOVE to hear him talk!

I've got another pack meeting tomorrow so I'd better head off to get the awards and get my plans finalized  :)

Vacation!!

We had a great vacation this year!  We took the kids to Lagoon for their 1st time  they just LOVED it!  We had to convince Jax to ride several of the rides, but once he tried them, he loved them.  Trent and I switched off for the first couple of hours between the little ones and the big ones, then we all got together and went on several rides.  Then - the boys watched the little ones and let Trent and I go on a few rides together.  I don't have too many pictures of the big kiddos, because we kept the cameras with the stroller.  Donavan just LOVED it.  He went on most of the rides with Maddie, but after a while I let him go on one by himself.  It was so cute!  He was just thrilled to be able to steer by himself, until the ride really got going - then every time he passed me he yelled out MOM!!!  I felt bad, until it came time to get him off of the ride and he wouldn't let go!  Maddie is fearless!  She went on the Bat - the one where your feet are dangling freely - you have to be at least 42" tall and she is exactly that so she rode it with the boys and Trent.  It was so much fun to have time with my boys riding the big rides.  Jax always rode with me and made Piercen sit alone - but he didn't mind.

The next day we went camping up at Trent's parent's property.  It was just beautiful up there - the second day it rained so we stayed inside the trailer and played games and talked. 

The next day we went up to spend the day at Bear Lake.  It was really nice up there!  When we first got there it was packed, but by about 5 we almost had the beach to ourselves.  Donavan went into the water 1st and was up to his chin before he decided to turn around.  We went in a little further and sat down in the water - he laughed and giggled every time a new wave hit him.  Then we played in the sand with trucks and dug holes, and threw the sand around.  After a little snack we decided to feed the seagulls - they got fairly close.  The boys spent their time wave jumping and seeing how far out they could go.  Then they built sandcastles and threw sand at eachother - Trent had a blast dunking the boys into the water.  Maddie played a little, snacked a lot, and made sandcastles too.

  It's too bad the week went by so fast, but it was a really good vacation for having nothing planned as of the Monday it started!!