Pictures of the Day

I made the boys THIS fort kit for Christmas. It wasn't a gift they were immediately excited about. But now that they've figured it out, they love it. And it's been used not just for forts, but also for super hero costumes (which I didn't get any pictures of) and for a puppet theater. 

And by the way, I got to hear my mother-in-law's voice yesterday, a sound I've been wondering if I'd ever hear again. Absolutely amazing!

The Holiday Season

I feel like the holiday season completely got away from me this year. I think I was in a daze. There are so many things I didn't do. Like Christmas cards . . . which is something I totally love doing! Any of you mind getting Valentine's Day cards instead? Because that's what I'm thinking . . . and I'm getting kind of excited about the idea. Hmm.

Anyway, here are some pictures of our festivities over the last month or so.

We got together with some friends on Thanksgiving morning for our first annual Turkey Trot. It was FREEZING, but a great way to start the day.

Grandpa E. came along . . .

Thanksgiving Dinner

When we went to see my mother-in-law in the hospital, we made sure to get out of the waiting room and do something every once and a while. 

Thank goodness for the ipad. I don't know that the boys would have been so good in the waiting room without it.

Hanging out with Grandpa (and our new cousin, Kason). Grandpa rarely left the hospital, but he did come spend some time in the waiting room with us.

Squish loved Grandpa from the moment he met him. In fact when we got there and came out of the airport, he immediately reached up to a Grandpa he had never met and sat in his arms smiling. 

Back home and back to normal. This is Peter's preschool class doing their Christmas program.

I loved watching Charlie fill out his Christmas card to his teacher. Watching him write makes me happy.

A snowball fight and Grandma S's house.

Twas the night before Christmas. The boys got to open their presents from each other on Christmas Eve. 

Playing Cards with Grandma & Grandpa

Loving the snow.

And now that the holiday season is over, it's time for birthday season. And it starts earlier in 2013. I can't believe this little guy turns ONE next week!

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Progress

She's making progress, but it's been very slow. And it seems like every time I start to feel really good about how she's doing, there is some sort of setback that gets us all worried again. I'm amazed that she's made it this far. She is still in and out of a self induced coma, but she opened her eyes last week and I was able to bring Squish in to meet her. I have no idea if she knew we were there or understood what was going on, but her eyes were open and little AJ reached right out to touch her arm. I hope she knew that at the time, even if she doesn't remember it when she fully wakes up. 

We came home on Sunday. I figured I needed to get the kids back to school. But we left Mike behind to be with his family. I'm glad my father-in-law has some of his grown children there. I doubt he would ever leave the hospital if they weren't there. 

We continue to expect miracles, but also remember that our Heavenly Father is fully in charge. Thank you for your continued prayers. It means so much to all of us that there are so many people out there praying for her and her sweet family. 

Giving Thanks

I don't really know how to start this post, or how to write it. I debated posting anything about it, but decided that the more prayers we can get at this point, the better. We had quite a week. And don't get me wrong, our Thanksgiving was happy and the time spent with my dad was wonderful. It's been too long since we last saw him.

But Mike's mom has been in the hospital since Wednesday. They spent a few days trying to figure out what was wrong before rushing her in for major heart surgery on Saturday and then another on her brain Sunday. Basically it could go either way at this point. Hopefully she'll wake up and they will know what they are dealing with. One doctor said that she should have opened her eyes by this point, but the other doctor said that he's okay if she goes three or four days before waking up. He says her body had been through so much and it needs the rest.

We hopped on a plane Sunday with the help of some wonderful friends. It feels so much better to be here where we at least feel like we are doing something, even though I know there is nothing for us to do. Except pray. I know it is all in His hands.

I'm thankful though, for my wonderful family-in-law. They are all being so strong through all of this. Especially the girls that are still at home. They amaze me.

I'm thankful for my family, who have been an outlet for me to talk through all of this.

I'm thankful for my in-laws' ward members who have brought tons of food, offered so much help, and even brought us a pack 'n play, stroller, and a booster seat for Andrew. Someone even loaned us a minivan to get us all where we need to go.

I'm thankful for the family & friends who have gone to so much trouble to help get all of RaNae's children here to be with her. All 10 kids are here, 4 daughters-in-law and half the grandkids too. We're still working on the rest. ;)

It's so strange to be here in these circumstances. It's not the happy trip we had planned when we found out where they would be serving their mission. But there is a hopeful air in the house. We eat together, laugh together, play cards together, and we spend some time in the evenings singing for RaNae and praying for her on our knees in her hospital room. Hopeful is definitely the right word. We have no idea how this is going to all play out, but we know miracles happen. We've seen them over the last week. And we fully expect to see more of them here, in one way or another. Please pray for a miracle.

He Walks

Just a little video for the grandparents . . .

School Stress

So the other day after the kids were all in bed, I heard Peter yelling at me, "Mom, come quick! Charlie needs you!" I ran up the stairs thinking the worst, and I get to their room to find Charlie sobbing uncontrollably.

Me: What's wrong Charlie?

Charlie: (sobbing) I think I'm going to get in trouble at school tomorrow.

Me: Why would you get in trouble?

Charlie: Because I wrote 100% and put a star on my paper . . . two times!

Me: Why would that get you in trouble?

Charlie: (still sobbing) Because only the teacher is supposed to put hundreds and stars on our papers.

Me: Well why did you do it?

Charlie: Because I've LOST MY MIND!! (And then he was practically in hysterics about the thought of getting in trouble.)

Come to find out this happened on like Wednesday of last week. It took me about 15 minutes to convince him that if he was going to get in trouble it would have happened already. And then we had to sing two songs together to calm him down. I'm about ready to call his teacher and ask her to actually get him in trouble. It would be traumatic for him, but at least he'd learn that life goes on! But I am grateful that he works so hard to do well in school and to follow the rules.

Picture of the Day

This is Berk.

 While other places have ponies or parrots . . . WE have dragons.

I hope everyone had a magical halloween!

It was that kind of weekend . . .

Picture of the Day

It's all coming together, but there's still a lot more to do before the school carnival, which (thankfully) they moved to the weekend.

Makes me happy . . .

Family Night at the Symphony

with an Instrument Petting Zoo

Photo by Charlie

Peter's reaction

.

We practically had to drag Charlie out of there, but not before he got to try the violin, cello, french horn trumpet, timpani, snare drum and cymbals. Peter on the other hand was ready to leave almost the minute we walked in. I think the noise was just too much for him. The concert was a different story though. They both loved it . . . well most of it. The 10 minute piece in the middle got a little long, but you should have seen them bouncing in their seats for Stars and Stripes Forever. In fact, most of the audience was happily bouncing all over the place.

Let the season begin!

It's October! The decorations are going up today and we are officially making a decision about costumes tonight for FHE. And while I'm glueing magnets to plastic spiders for my front door, you can enjoy these Halloween memories . . .

2004

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