Playing With Dad

James has been working long hours the past few months. This last month has been completely crazy. We're talking 80 hour work weeks. So needless to say, the kids have been missing him like crazy. Whenever he gets home, they run to him & jump all over him. Then it's "Daddy, play with me. Daddy, play with me. Daddy, throw us up in the air. Daddy, play hide & seek. Daddy, catch me." So every night before we settle down, James takes some time to play with the kids. The other night, they decided they wanted to fly. They piled all the pillows onto our bed & then James would launch them from the floor up into the air onto the pillows. It was so funny to watch. They were making the funniest faces & striking poses when possible. At one point James starts chanting "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy..." Apparently they want me to take a turn. So when I realized they were not going to stop the chanting until I took my turn, I stepped up to the plate. I trustingly let James throw me into the air & onto the bed. It brought back some memories of the cheerleading days:) Of course, the first thing I hear after hitting the pillows is my kids hysterical laughter soon followed by James'. They thought it was so funny to see me do it. Fortunately, no one was available to take a picture of me. Phew!! They absolutely love their play time with James. It's so nice to see how much fun they have.

Things will be slowing down a bit now for James & I know the kids are looking forward to having their Daddy home more. I think I'll enjoy having him here just a little bit, too:)

My little flyers...:)

Give A Girl A Break...Sheesh!

Yes, there is a particular girl in this household who could use a break from life...no, it's not me. My poor little Madelyn has been through her fair share of ordeals in her short 8 years. You may remember that in April 2008 she had her last of 6 surgeries that had started the previous March. We were so excited to be done with it all (at least until her teen years, which is when they'll fix her jaw). Yeah, well...wishful thinking. This past Friday, we had to put her through one more, bringing the grand total to 11. It was a fairly easy one compared to some she's had. She had bladder reflux, which is where one of her kidney lobes was letting urine back up into her kidneys & causing infections. They were hoping she'd outgrow it, & with the absence of any infections for a while, we thought she had. After getting several infections in a few months time, we had her retested & sure enough, there it was...still there:( They have such cool techniques now days. Normally she would have been in the hospital overnight & she would have had more stitches to keep clean & put ointment on & change bandages, etc. Not to mention the cramping from having your bladder cut into...yikes. They were able to do it like they do scopes. They simply injected something called deflux into the tube & it lifts it & supports it & helps it correct itself. No incisions, no scars...a 30 minutes procedure & home the same day. Nice, right?! Once again...wishful thinking. The surgery did go well, once they got to her. It was supposed to be at 3:00, then it was pushed to 5:00, then to 6:00. By the time she went into surgery she had been 10 hours without food instead of 6, she was tired, worn down & simply sick to death of being in that same old waiting room. Fortunately, the surgery went great, she woke up really quickly, we got her home & all was well. And again...wishful thinking. After every one of her surgeries, her throat gets a little sore from the tube. It gets a little dry & scratchy for a few days, she coughs a little & then it goes away. So when this started happening on Sunday, we figured same old stuff. It slowly progressed through Tuesday, but was never anything out of the ordinary. Wednesday morning I checked her out of school because she couldn't stop coughing. From that point on, it just got worse & worse. The coughing was constant & became very wet, obviously breaking up mucus somewhere, she couldn't catch her breath at all. When James got home from work he told me he felt like she should get to the doctor soon. I knew he must be concerned & that "someone" was telling him something because it's usually me that is rushing off to the doctor & he's telling me to feel it out for a day & see if it turns into something. So...it's too late to make a long story short, so I'll wrap up the long story:) Madelyn & I spent the entire night last night at the doctors office & then at Timpanogos Hospital getting chest x-rays. The poor thing has Pneumonia. She had no air at all passing through her right lung. We're pretty sure the surgery is a major factor in her getting it. They say it's common for this to happen, especially to kids who have to wait all day with no food & their bodies just get worn out & then you irritate their windpipe & lungs...add two & two together & poof.

I can honestly tell you, I have never seen her so frightened in her life. I, myself was scared to death as well. I was trying my best to not let her see my fear. I knew that would only send her into panic mode, which surely would not help the breathing issue. Holding her in my arms, watching her gasp for every breath she took, was completly agonizing. She kept asking me if she was going to die. I told her that was not going to happen & if I thought it was a possibility, I'd be doing something right then to make sure it didn't. Try telling your child that, keeping your voice from shaking, while you hold back the tears that are trying to break lose because every worst fear is running through your mind. So horrible. Then add on top of that the fact that you have watched her go through so many things. Remembering every time she's had to put her fears aside & be brave. She's just been through so much and this one tops them all. My heart just breaks every time I think of what she's endured. So yes, I think she is in need of a very long break from things for a while. She deserves to just be a kid...fearless & carefree!! I really hope she gets it:)

She's been doing much better today. She's on a really strong antibiotic & I'm pretty sure the prayers from every member of each of our families has helped as well. I've always appreciated having such a big family (mine & James'), but it's times like this that make you feel so blessed to have so many supportive, wonderful people who care for you. She's not out of the woods yet, but she is improving. And I'll take that.

Welcome Baby Peyton!

James' brother Mike & his wife Diana had their first baby today! He was 6 lbs 8 oz & 19 inches long. Born just one day after his due date. Poor Diana had been having contractions for 48 hours. Thursday morning (her due date) they got within 2 minutes, so of course they went to the hospital & guess what...the doctor sent them home. She had already been losing her membrane slowly over the last week, but because she didn't dilate any within the hour she was there, they said "see ya". Nice, huh? I don't know if this doctor was aware that a first time labor can take a whole day? So they went home & finally at 11:30 pm when she was in complete tears, they went back. This time the nurse saw how much pain she was in & stripped the rest of her membrane so she would dilate a little. Thank goodness for nurses who care about their patients:) So after 8 hours of overnight labor, little Peyton was born. His beautiful eyes were very alert. He has such cute little features & dark hair.

Our precious Peyton...isn't he beautiful!!!


One tired Mommy:)


Proud Daddy & Grandma


Mike & Diana are going to be such wonderful parents. James & Mike have always been very close & so we see them pretty often. I have watched Mike with my kids over the years, & even though he did dodge the diapers we would toss at him to throw away (ha ha) it was always obvious that he would be a great Dad! As for Diana, I still remember the day we met her. It was a Sunday and I had just delivered Trey on Wednesday. Mike brought her by to meet us & see Trey. She was so nervous to hold him. You could see that she was, but she handled him with such care. I had to go to a choir practice (at the time I was the director & couldn't get anyone to fill in) & when I came back, Diana was sitting on the floor with Maddie building blocks & laughing with her. I watched her with the kids throughout the day & saw they same caring, loving, sweet interaction that I would have seen from someone with several kids. She was a natural!! I have always felt that James' siblings are my own, not just in-laws. When Diana joined the family, it was an instantaneous fit. Another wonderful, fun SISTER:) My kids have continued to absolutely adore them both as do James & I. They are incredible, strong people. They are the kind who will literally drop everything to be at your side if needed, ready to help in any way. We feel very lucky to have them in our life & now their sweet, little boy, too!! We love you guys...CONGRATULATIONS!!!

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:)

Happy Birthday Madelyn!!!

Today is Madelyn's 8th birthday! It's so incredibly hard to think of my little baby girl as being 8 years old. Another short 8 years & she'll be dating:( No boy will ever be good enough:)...seriously!!!

With each birthday, it's impossible not to think of the day they were born, right? Madelyn was 2 weeks early. She hadn't grown & so I was enduced at 5:00pm on December 27, 2000 & my sweet, little angel was born at 10:22pm. She waws 5 lbs 5 oz & was 19 inches long. She had huge, brown eyes & was so alert. She kept her eyes open much more than most babies do & she would turn to look at any & every sound she heard:) She was a very calm baby. Hardly ever cried & when she did, it was such a soft sound:) Her big, brown eyes got bigger, & when she smiled, her little dimples & wide grin would light up a room:) She had a very strong spirit about her.



She has had more than her share of struggles... from medical testing, to monthly appointments, semi-annual appointments, annual appointments, 10 surgeries, follow-ups, the list goes on. She has fought her way through & become even stronger along the way. I'm very proud of who she is & what she has accomplished already in her short life!!

Her day started out pretty simple...opening her presents from us. All she wanted was a Nintendo DS. At 8 years old I was asking for barbie dolls & things like that. Oh, how things have changed!! I'm pretty sure she liked it:) She was miss perma-smile for a while! For her party, she wanted to go sleding. She loves sleding. So that's what we did. We took a group of girls from her class & some cousins to a hill in Draper, right at the point of the mountain. We left our house...no wind at all, we get there & the wind at the point is so bad even the adults were having a hard time standing up:) The girls braved the weather for a while & then decided they were ready for hot chocolate. So we brought the girls back to the house & had cake & hot chocolate, opened presents, played the Wii & my neices, Cali & Taylor, came over to do the girls hair & paint their faces all cute:) I just have to say, these girls are incredible. They are so talented & sweet. They made Maddie's day when they said they'd come & do that for her:) Thank you again, girls!! After the party, Madelyn finally got to relax & play her DS. We got some pizza & watched the Jazz game (which she absolutely loves to do...her dad's got her trained). She got the gift she wanted, the party she wanted & time to hang out with the fam & watch a game with her dad!! She said her birthday was great:) As a mom, that's all I can ask for.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANGEL MADELYN!!!

My Little Reindeer!

Madelyn's school had their annual Jingle Jam last week. Each grade sings two Christmas songs for the parents. It's something Madelyn always looks forward to, she loves it. It's so cute to watch her as she walks into the gym. You can see her cute, big eyes searching the entire audience until she finds us. Then a huge grin spreads over her face & she waves excitedly:) She is almost always on the back row & always behind someone taller than her. It bugs me to death. You would think they could step back & make sure that all the kids could be seen. It wouldn't take long for them to even put the taller kids toward the back & make sure some of these tiny ones were towards the front. But they don't. So unfortunately, it's always hard to get a good angle of her entire face. But I did get one song at a pretty good angle. So here's a little video of one of the songs they sang..."The Reindeer Rock". Madelyn is in the back row, fourth one from the right! I'm probably a little bias, but I thinks she looks adorable:)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

My Little Reindeer!!