Sick

Sick -
and it stinks.
I really hate throwing up.

This Is a Long One, But Hopefully Worth the Read

I must admit, I'm hesitant to post this story, no one, not even James, has heard it in its entirety...but, every couple of months, I get the urge to write it up. Up until now, I've resisted those impulses because it's a story that has become a little sacred to me, and also I don't want people to think that I'm am trying to build myself up. That is not my intent! It is my hope that by sharing this with you, you will know that no matter who you are, or what circumstances you may be living in, you can do something to help others. That you will know that prayers are answered, that with the Lord all things are indeed possible, and that miracles still do happen. Like I said, this isn't a story about me, it's a story about a loving Father in Heaven taking care of his children in need. I feel humbled and blessed that I was able to be a part of it. Hopefully, by me sharing it, it will in turn help others.
It all started back in April of 2007. I was listening to a talk during General Conference. I don't remember what talk it was, but while I was listening, I was struck with the thought that I could be doing more to serve those in my community. The thought came with such force that I wasn't able to dismiss it, and within a couple of days, I was researching charity organizations in our area. From the beginning, I wanted to find some way to serve young mothers and their children, but I was having a hard time finding a way to do it. I searched for several days on the internet, but I didn't find any organization that fit exactly what I was looking for. I decided to pray about it, and was led to the Primary Children's Hospital website. I went to their donations page, and found pages and pages of things that you could donate, but nothing that included the parents of the children, as well. I was starting to get a little bit discouraged, and then I saw a link at the bottom of the site for its "sister" hospital: McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden. When I saw that, I got really excited because that is where I went to deliver my babies, and if I could find a way to serve through them, I would be doing something that directly impacted those in my own community.
I went to their donations page, and found a listing for "mother and baby packets". These were baskets that you could put together that included things not only for the newborn babies, but mothers as well. Once I saw the listing, I knew that was what I needed to do.
After contacting the woman in charge of donations for more details (she explained to me that this was an area of great need, since more and more mothers were showing up to have babies who had NOTHING), I put together a "wish list" of things to include in the basket, and then went to the store to figure out how much it would all cost.
When I got home and added it all up, I was a little disappointed. It would take A LOT of money to get everything on the list. James and I easily had enough money for things that we needed for our family, but we didn't have a lot of extra. So, I figured out how much I was able to put towards it every month, and discovered that it would take me about 8 months to collect all the things. As much as I wanted to go out and just get the things all at once, that really wasn't a financial possibility for us, and I committed myself to patiently collect the items as we were able.
Well, time went by, and I bought things with the allotted money for April and May. Then, I started to feel some urgency towards the project. I began to feel like the basket was intended for someone in particular, and that I needed to have it done and delivered to the hospital by the beginning of July.
At that point, I felt a little bit panicked. That meant that I would need to collect the rest of the items in six weeks, not six months. So, I took it to the Lord. I explained how I had been feeling that I needed to have the basket done by July, and that if this was the case, I needed help. I had already spent the allotted money for April and May, and I needed to be able to come up with six months worth of money in a matter of weeks. I didn't know how this would be possible, and I asked for help.
After that, I decided that the first thing that I would need to do was get started on the baby blanket and baby dress that I had been planning to crochet. But, like I said, I had no money to buy the yarn. As soon as I thought that, the idea came to me that I should check my wallet for the money. Now, this may not seem like a strange thought to anyone else, but it seemed strange to me. James and I don't carry cash. If I have cash, I spend it, so I simply don't carry it. I knew, I knew that there wouldn't be any money in my wallet, but I looked anyways. I found a couple of tens and a few dollar bills where I had been so sure I would find none. I couldn't believe it, but I also knew that it wouldn't be enough to buy all the yarn. Then the thought came to check the couch for money. For those of you familiar with our old couch, you know that it "ate" anything and everything it came in contact with, but again, James and I don't carry cash, so I reasoned that there would be no money to get lost in the couch. I checked anyways. To my amazement, I found several dollar bills and a handful of quarters, dimes and nickles. (To any of you that may have lost money in our couch, rest assured that it went to a good purpose!).
With the money safely tucked in my purse, I headed to the store to buy the yarn. Lo and behold, the yarn that I needed was on sale. I was still a little nervous that I wouldn't have enough money to buy it, but I waited in line to buy it anyways. When the cashier rung it up, it came out to the exact amount of money that I had found in my wallet and in the couch.
After that, things just started happening. Within a couple of days, a long lost rebate check for $50 (that I had completely forgotten about) showed up in the mail. Then came the two checks from our health insurance company (when Ethan was born the year before, somehow we overpaid our bill, and the insurance company had been sending us reimbursement checks as they got the problem straightened out). A few days after that, my mother-in-law called and asked me to make her several cards, which she paid me for. Also, at that time, I was making and selling cards out of a boutique in town. My sales soared in May and June, doubling my profits for those two months. Then came my birthday. People that didn't normally get me anything sent me money in the mail. Money was coming in every couple of days from unexpected sources. By the middle of June I had all the money that I needed to fill the basket. But it didn't stop there. Whenever I went out to buy the things on my list, almost without fail, those things would be on sale...unbelievable sales. Just one example is when I went to Mervyns to find some baby items, and practically everything in the baby section was on clearance. I was able to buy several outfits for $1.99 a piece. Because of that, I was able to buy many more things than had been on the original list.
By the first week in July, the basket was assembled and delivered to the hospital. They were so grateful especially since it was during their slow season for donations.
I really can't take the credit for what happened, but it strengthened my testimony of service and prayer. All I did was ask, and I was given above and beyond what I had asked for. It was one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever had. All things are possible with the Lord.

Our Family Pictures

My friend, and fellow photographer, Kelli, offered to do a family photo swap with me. The deal was, I would take pictures of her family, and she would take pictures of my family, and then we would each do our own editing in Photoshop. I'm really happy with how ours turned out. These are the pictures we're using for our Christmas card this year, and I'll post more pictures on my photography blog as I get them edited. Thanks Kelli!! You're awesome!
P.S. Click here to see her photography blog.

A Small Christmas Miracle

The MBA program sponsored an angel tree this year for Christmas. For those who may not know what that is, names of children from the community who might not otherwise get any gifts for Christmas, are put on a tree, along with their clothing sizes, favorites, and things that they may want. Then, you can take an angel, and buy the thing listed on it. The MBA program had it divided up so that you only had to buy one thing if you wanted, but you could take as many papers as you wanted. James chose one for a little boy Matthew's age who wanted a Transformers book. We got a late start, and by the time we picked up the paper, I only had one day to shop for the gift. So, I packed up the boys and headed for Barnes and Noble.
Who knew that finding a Transformers book would be so hard?! I looked on my own for quite awhile, and didn't find anything, so I went to the service desk to see if they could help. Their computer listed several Transformers books that they supposedly had in stock, but none of them were shelved in the right places, so we came up empty. We knew that the books were in the store somewhere, but had no idea where. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack. The one book that we were able to find was in the comics section and it was really for someone older. It was basically a whole bunch of Transformers comics bound together in a book. I just didn't think that a four year old would like it much, and as a parent, it would be pretty monotonous reading to my kid.
I called James and asked what I should do. We were both pretty bummed that that was the only book I could find, but thought it was better than nothing. I just really didn't want to buy that book, and I knew that there was something better right there in the store, if I could only find it.
So, after surveying my children, one of which was singing Christmas songs at the top of his lungs and performing his signature "stomp dance" up and down the aisles of the store (Ethan), another sulking because I wasn't buying him a book and losing patience with the whole shopping thing (Matthew), and the last one a wriggling 22-pound bundle of energy who was dying to get down and wreak havoc on the orderly rows of books (Justin), I decided to take the plunge anyway and start going over every aisle of the store until I found the right Transformer book. Crazy? Maybe, but I couldn't stand the thought of disappointing a little kid on Christmas. It was slow going, and I think other bookstore patrons and probably some of the employees wished that I would take my unruly children and GO! But, I refused to give up. Finally at one point I stopped wrestling Justin and put him down...Ethan was now a dog...barking Christmas songs and crawling around on the floor, Matthew was sprawled on the floor, trying to take a nap, and then the inevitable happened: Justin knocked over a display of gift book box sets. I had about reached my breaking point and was planning on leaving once I picked up Justin's mess...
But, as I stooped down to pick up the first box that Justin had knocked to the floor, I came face to face with the perfect Transformers book. Not at all where it was supposed to be, but I FOUND IT!!!! If Justin hadn't knocked over that display, I might not have found the book. I was so happy, I actually scooped up a very surprised Justin and gave him the biggest hugs and kisses right there in the store in front of everyone, saying "thank you! thank you!" I'm sure I looked like an idiot, but I didn't care. I finished picking up the boxes, paid for the book, and left. It may seem like a small thing, but I really do think it was a miracle. Heavenly Father blesses us, especially when we are serving others. It may not seem important to anyone else, but it was important to that little boy and so I'm sure it was important to Heavenly Father. It really was a Christmas miracle of sorts.

These pictures were too cute not to pass along. In the top picture, Ethan and Matthew are singing Christmas carols in front of the tree.

I know, I know

So, I realize that I haven't been the greatest at keeping up with my blog lately. Sorry. I've been swamped, frantically trying to get family pictures edited for clients in time for Christmas cards. I had to stay up very late three nights last week (going to bed anywhere from 2:30am to 5:00am...crazy, I know). I've really enjoyed it, but I'm glad that at least for now, I'm done. I plan to take a nice long break!

So, are you ready for the updates?

Christmas Garland

I decided to go old school and make a garland for our Christmas tree out of popcorn and cranberries. It took a long time, and it's not as long as it should be, but I actually enjoyed it. Ethan and Matthew helped by handing me the popcorn and cranberries, and James helped by popping the corn on the stove

Justin

I took Justin in for his 9 month check-up (just a little late) and he looks good. He weighs 22 lbs. and is 27 inches long. He's finally starting to stretch out...at least a little. He jumped from the 5th percentile in height to the 25th, so he's made progress! (In case anyone is wondering, he's in the 55th percentile for weight, so he's still short and fat!)

He's finally tall enough that he's been pulling himself up on anything and everything, and is so proud of himself when he does. He's also learned to climb the stairs with his two older brothers cheering him on and keeping him safe. Matthew climbs up the stairs behind him to catch him in case he falls, and Ethan climbs the stairs ahead of him encouraging him the whole way. It's pretty cute to watch!

Oh, and one of the things that we've been concerned about with him is his eating. He pushes food around in his mouth and then spits it out. He's wanted nothing to do with baby food for the last couple of months, and the only foods that we've gotten him to tolerate are avocados and mandarin oranges. Since he'll eat those two things, the pediatrician thinks he's just a picky eater, and that it's not a bigger problem like he doesn't know how to swallow or something. ANYWAYS, we're supposed to be trying out tons of different foods to see what he'll eat. I think the doctor had more nutritious things in mind, but we can now add chocolate doughnuts, candy canes and m&m's to the list of things he'll eat.

Ticket

I got a speeding ticket on Wednesday. I guess I technically deserved it, but it was still kinda cheap. I was driving in a part of town that I don't normally drive in. I was driving 37 mph on a 35 mph road...at least I thought it was 35. I guess I wasn't totally paying attention and drove through a school zone at that speed. It was at lunch time, there were no children in sight, no cones in the crosswalk, no crossing guard...the street was practically deserted. I didn't see any flashing lights to signify the 20 mph zone, and there were four of us cars all going the same speed. I just happened to be the last one line, so I'm the one that got pulled over.

When I saw the police lights, I pulled over, but I fully expected him to drive right by. I was shocked, shocked that he had pulled me over, the girl who has NEVER gotten pulled over ever, and prides herself on ALWAYS going the speed limit. I was embarrassed to say the least, and I cried, of course, but it did me no good. I either have to pay the ticket or go to traffic school. Not awesome.

Just to make things a little more interesting, I was on my way to a friend's house for lunch when I got pulled over, and I was a total, embarrassing wreck when I got there. Thanks, Kristen, for being so nice and understanding about it all!

Since We've Been Home

Life has been CRAZY. What with my photography, James' school, Dr. appointments, Christmas functions, MBASA activities, and life... well, I would take a picture and show the state of our house, but I'm too embarrassed. Think of the messiest house you've ever seen, and multiply it by 300,000,000.33(repeating, of course).
I finally admitted it to James, and I will admit it to you. I hate cleaning. I hate it. I love having a clean house, but I don't like to be the one to do it. Actually, there are times that I enjoy cleaning, but I hate having to pick up after other people. I actually went down to the play room and threw out two bulging bags of toys and games because the boys can't keep things picked up...yep, I'm one of those moms. Matthew caught me trying to sneak out to the garbage cans, and asked while eyeing the bags suspiciously (they're white, so you could clearly see their toys and games), "Hey mom, whatcha got there?" Anyways, I clean, I enjoy it for all of five minutes, then I could start the whole process all over again, and again, and again (.33 repeating of course). I don't enjoy spending every waking moment cleaning. There, I said it.

Yesterday, I went to the doctor about my gimpy finger...finally. So yes, I did not jam my finger, I tore some tendons. I braced it on my own for several weeks, but it's still not better. My options at this point are give it a go with a "real" splint specifically designed to cure the problem (apparently if you get the brace on your finger within 3 months of the incident, it can still work...I'm at 2 1/2 months right now), or go to an orthopedic specialist for surgery. We're trying the splint first. I have to leave it on for eight weeks, and I cannot, under any circumstances bend that finger. If I do, I erase any good that's been done, and we're back at square one. Surgery, with our "insurance" would set us back about $2000. Yeah. Oh, and don't even get me started on our "insurance". The fact that they will actually research loopholes (I kid you not) to get out of paying for Justin's appointments up at Primary Children's burns me up inside. Burns. Me. Up.

Enough rant.

Well, I have dishes and laundry calling my name, and we're trying to get decorated for Christmas (yay!), so ...

The end.

Our Thanksgiving...

...was awesome! We drove up to MT, and brought my brother, Brett, along. Robb was in CA with a girl (woo-woooo!). I hadn't been home for Thanksgiving since '99, and Brett since '98, so it was cool. We lucked out with no snow and clear roads...yay!!

The car ride up was great, thanks entirely to Brett who brought coloring books and crayons, let the boys play with his ipod, and entertained Justin. We want to take him on all our trips...I'm not sure he'd agree, though!

Thanksgiving was nice and relaxing, only because I didn't do any of the work. I know I was being lazy, but thanks for indulging me! While there, we launched rockets, saw Brooke and Al's new house, fed ducks, saw turkeys Thanksgving morning (live ones, running around on my parents' property), took lots of pictures, built a TTV contraption with my dad for my new hobby, and...

saw the Twilight movie with James - DID. NOT. LIKE. IT. I liked the books, especially the first one, but the movie was terrible. I even went into it with low expectations, and was greatly disappointed. I know I know, let's all make fun of me for liking the book, but don't dis it until you've read it. You really only need to read the first one. I think she should have stopped there. There. That's all I'm going to say about it.
I can't believe I'm going to say this, but being home almost, almost made me wish we lived there.

Classic Ethan

Matthew opening up his fancy cloth napkin

Feeding the Ducks

We went out to Brooke and Al's property to see their house that is almost finished. It will be so nice when it's done!

While we were there, we fed some ducks that they have raised from little ducklings. They boys loved it!

Justin and Grandma Hays

Isn't he cute?

Pictures just turn out better when I'm not smiling...make of it what you will

Hold still Matthew!! "It tickles!" he said.

Here ducky-ducky

The Rocket Launch

One of the fun things that the boys did, while visiting MT, was shoot off a model rocket. My dad and brothers have built quite a few over the years (I even built one, but it got lost during one fateful luanch...ROBB!!), and they are all displayed in the room that the boys sleep in. Matthew and Ethan were asking about them, so they decided to have a good, old-fashioned launch!

They couldn't find a battery that still worked, so they hooked the launcher up the the truck. Awesome.

Almost ready!

Matthew's turn

Chasing down the rocket after blast-off

Found it!

Yay for Ethan!

It says "love the headset", in case you can't read it

Ethan's turn

He wasn't so sure about it all

*All pictures courtesy of our handsome guest photographer, James

A Tale of Triumph and Tragedy

I forgot to post this, but better late than never, right?

As you know, we splurged at the beginning of the school year and bought BYU football tickets. We took the boys to all the home games, except two. One we got a sitter for, and just James and I went (sheer joy!) and the other, Matthew had a practice for the Primary Program, so James took his brother and one of his nephews.
It was hard work to bring the boys, and I didn't get to see much of the games (boo!) but, I'm glad that we did it. Matthew and Ethan are now true-blue-dyed-in-the-wool Cougar fans. They both know all the words to the fight song, and sing it on a regular basis...pretty cute, if I do say so myself!
Well, for the boys, seeing the team run out onto the field at the beginning of each game and watching for Cosmo were the highlights of their football watching experience...especially watching for Cosmo. Matthew told me at the first game that he would really LOVE to meet Cosmo..."set that up for me, will ya mom?" Right. But, lo and behold, on the last home game that we attended, I spied Cosmo doing a meet and greet with the fans just a few rows behind us. I grabbed Matthew, RAN up the stairs, and reached the landing where Cosmo was, just in time to see him turn around and start running further up the stairs. But I was not about to be thwarted! I set Matthew down, and lunged for him, grabbed his furry arm, and gave it a good tug. He turned around and gave me a puzzled look (now I know he wears a mask, and couldn't really give me a puzzled look, but trust me, it was there) and so I pointed down at Matthew and said "This little guy really wants to meet you. " Cosmo then stooped down and shook his hand and they started conversing (now I know Cosmo doesn't really talk, but trust me, they were communicating). I felt pretty darn proud of myself. I was the best mom in the world. I, I arranged a meeting with Cosmo for Matthew. Right at the height if my triumph, as I was basking in the wonderfulness that I was, something caught my attention. I turned around, and what I saw wrenched the heart right out of my chest: there was little Ethan trying with all his might to climb the massive stadium stairs, shouting "Mom, wait for me! Don't forget me!" as he went. I glanced at Matthew who was still conversing with Cosmo and surveyed the crowd of other anxious parents waiting for their turn, and swiftly ran back down the stairs, scooped up Ethan, ran up the stairs AGAIN, and got there to see Cosmo disappear into the crowd. I felt terrible. I don't know what I felt worse about: that Ethan didn't get to meet Cosmo, or that I didn't even think to bring him in the first place. And, just to rub a little salt in the wound, Matthew said "Hey mom, next time bring your camera, you didn't even get a picture." I was crying, but trying to hide it, as I brought them both back to our seats, I cried when I told James what happened, I cried when I told my mom about it later, and I'm tearing up as I think about it now. "Don't worry," Matthew told Ethan, "you'll get to meet him when we go to the basketball games." Right.