The Computers Fault, Or Mine?

I know I have been absolutely awful at updating my blog lately. I thought things would slow down after the holidays...ya right. It seems like there is always something that is keeping me from getting caught up. Then add sick kids on top of everything and nothing gets done. I swear, if Spring doesn't come soon, I'll go crazy. One kid gets sick & gets better, then the next, then the next...then the whole cycle repeats itself with a different illness. This is how it has been since November. AAAAHHHHH!!!!! Everyone knows that when your child is sick, you pretty much run to their side whenever they make a noise, right? Which means nothing else gets done. Well, now I'm wishing I hadn't been so good at running to their side (not really, but...). No, I'm not sick, but I kept putting off updating the blog, backing up pictures & music...& it came back to bite me right on the butt. Hard, I might add! A virus somehow got past our security & attacked Windows. James tried everything he could. Eventually the only way to get rid of it, was to restore the computer back to "factory settings". I lost EVERYTHING:( Every song on my iTunes (which is more of a bother really, I just have to locate the CD's & I'll be good to go), but what has me in complete & utter heartbreak is the HUNDREDS of pictures I lost:( Every picture I had taken from May 2008 was just sitting in My Pictures. I know, I know. I should have had a hard copy...I was getting to it. I had just organized them into files & was all ready to put them onto discs. I was literally hours away from having it all done. I was going to update the blog with all our holiday activities, some very cute pictures of the kids with cute little stories to go along with them, etc. Now it's all gone. The holidays over the summer, the start of school, all 3 of my kids last birthdays, (thank goodness for my mother...she asked me for a copy of Madelyn's baptism pictures & I did get those to here, so I still have those) Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, my extended family party at a cabin for three days in Aspen Grove, New Years, my kids holding their newest cousin, a nephew coming home from this mission, the kids building a fort with James in the snow after dark, and countless little things caught on camera...EVERYTHING! What I hate the most about it, is that I know there are pictures I can't remember all ready. And when pictures are forgotten, so are the memories. I am so devastated. I'm mad at myself for putting it off. So many fun, cute pictures...gone:( I keep walking around the house in tears, because a picture will pop into my mind & make me all cry again. From now on, they go right onto a memory stick that then gets put into a safe, for crap sake!! Does anyone know, can the "Geek Squad" fix this??? So, my new year resolution (a month late) is to be better at blogging (because if I'd posted them after they happened, I'd still have most of it) & not getting behind on making hard copies. Well see how I do, won't we!?!

Madelyn's Baptism Day!!

Saturday, my little angel baby was baptized:) It was an incredible day! Madelyn was glowing & beautiful & so excited. There were several times throughout the day when I realized how much she has grown...in size & in confidence. Just before the baptism, James & Maddie went to a little orientation & they had all the kids stand up & introduce themselves & who was baptizing them. For those of you who have known Maddie for a while, know this kind of thing hasn't always come easy for her. But James said that when it was her turn, she stood right up & very proudly & confidently told everyone her name & then pointed to James & said "this is my Dad, James." Again, for those of you who have known her, will understand why this brought tears to James' eyes. There was no sign of shyness, no hesitation at all! Then during the program, they had each child walk to the front to get a scrapbook page that had been made for them. She walked so proudly to the front to retrieve her page & then very proudly back to her seat:) This may sound like a small thing, but it's a huge accomplishment for her! Those moments had me tearing up before things even got started:)

Between my family of 50+ & James' family of 20+ & then some friends, we had quite a show of support. Madelyn was the first to be baptized & when everyone (half the congregation) got up to follow, the rest of the congregation was in awe:) As I followed her out, I could hear people saying things like "Wow" & "That's a lot of people" & "Look at that". It was one of those times when you feel very lucky & proud to come from a big family. To know that so many people love & support you & your child...their grand-daughter, neice, cousin, friend!!

Madelyn's baptism & confirmation was beautiful! James gave her an amazing blessing! And after it was all done, she was glowing even more, even more beautiful (if that's possible) because of the happiness & pride that she felt for herself!! It was radiating from her! It really was an amazing day, a day a parent looks forward to for 8 years. And when it comes, the feelings are so overwhelming...I can't completely express how much I love her & how proud I am of her for always doing the right thing & always being so compassionate & caring toward others. She really is our little angel!!!

Her beautiful announcement pictures!!




Madelyn & James before the baptism...looking all cute in white!!


Look at that beautiful, big smile:)


My dad sat Madelyn on his lap afterwards & talked to her for a minute. Probably something about how proud he was of her & how much he loved her, etc. Things that will surely stay between them:) It was a very sweet Grandpa - Granddaughter moment!!


James & Madelyn after the confirmation


Madelyn & one of her very best friends, Lexi:)


The fam:)


She was all excited to wear her new dress to church. She looked beautiful, once again!!


She wanted her hair done up all cute like Cali does it. AAAAHHHH!!! To my surprise, it actually turned out pretty good! It's a good thing I've watched Cali do it a few times:)