Another season of FOOTBALL!!!!!

So It has begun again. Flag football. This season they are the Browns. Layton was not very happy about that because he really doesn't care for the NFL team. But I was excited because I like the colors better. Hee Hee!

This was the first game and it was hot that day. Layton was playing very well and they beat the other team pretty bad. Of coarse I forget the score but it was bad.

I brought lots of water that day because it was hot and the kids went through all of them before half time. This was a sweet moment between brothers and I couldn't help but document it.

I'll keep you updated on the success of the Browns. It should be a great season.

Ear Surgery Again?!

Poor sweet Kelland. He has had so many problems with his ears. He has had 2 sets of tubes already and his adenoids out. But he still had ear infections. This time they put permanent T-tubes in. These wont come out until they are taken out And that wont be for at least 3 years. Which, by that time, we hope he can be over this stage of his life.

We had his hearing checked because he wouldn't listen very well. For about a year he had significant hearing loss in one ear because it was blocked. He has never had good balance and because of that he is very clumsy and he runs funny. I hope that this will help him and he can start to run normal. He is starting school and kids can be cruel. (Yes his run is that bad)

I could tell when we got there that he remembered. He was walking like he was going to his doom. Head down, dragging his feet and sighing every once in a while. I felt so bad for him. I have to say he did great though. Very brave. He took his goofy juice like a man, which was a big deal because the last 2 times he would spit it out everywhere. Also, after the goofy juice started working and they were ready to take him I would walk half way with him in my arms and they would have to pull him away from me with that confused, groggy look on his face. This time he just hopped into his bed and they wheeled him away. He barely seemed to care that I was still there. I actually missed him clinging to me. It made me realize he is growing up. And I miss him.

Waiting for all the doctors to come in can be pretty boring. But we made up for it. Oh the fun you can have when you have a camera. (he always likes to play like he is asleep for the camera. I know, I don't get it either but it sure is funny)

He had the camera for a while. This was the only picture that made sense. I sat there and posed several times but he wouldn't take the picture unless I was waving. Funny huh?

I took this picture because he was starting to act real funny. And you could just see on his face that the goofy juice, as they put it, was taking effect.

So into bed he went.

And off to dream world. Sweet dreams my sweet baby................ Oh they grow up so fast.

Just to prove it here was is first ear surgery. He wasn't quite 2 yet I don't think. But really in the space of 3 years he has changed this much. That is mind-boggling! Don't you think? (Isn't he so cute and precious! I could just eat him up he was so cute!) Also, just on a side note........ This was taken before he started getting treatments for his Immune deficiency. Look how pale he was. I knew then that my 3 boys were pale and that this was the cause of it but to see how different he is now is kind of amazing. I just found that interesting. (See Natalie and Tiffany it does help)

I put these two pictures in because it goes to show that some things don't change. Just funny that I got the same picture without knowing it.

What a cutie! He recovered very well and I am happy to say that we are already seeing improvements in his balance and hearing. Thank goodness! Hopefully we wont have to worry about it for a long time.

I am Grateful for music!

I don't know if you have noticed my list to the right of all the things I'm grateful for. Well I just added another.....Music. What would life be without music. Everybody enjoys it. I know people who always have a tune in their heads and I've gone to school with people who dreamed of being on Broadway and would sing their way through life. Even my husband, as he drifts of to sleep, starts tapping his foot and moving his fingers to the silent beat in his head. (always makes me laugh, that's a musician for you) I was never one of these people but music is still something I don't want to live without. I love the little things in life and music seems to be part of those little things sometimes. Like when your really having a bad day and all of the sudden you hear an up beat song and it puts a smile on your face and you just have to move and dance. Like this song for me..... SUDDENLY I SEE, from KT Tunstall.

Or songs that empower you. Like DARE YOU TO MOVE from Switchfoot.

Switchfoot has a lot of songs like this but I manly like them because Don likes them and we have been listening to them for years. We've gone to a few of their concerts and the songs hold a lot of different memories. Another thing I love about music. Everywhere we've lived we have music to go with it. On road trips we like to pull out our CD collection and reminisce about all the songs and where we lived when it first came out. Don and I have known each other close to 20 years now so we have quite a collection. This is one of my favorite things to do.We also like to watch TV together. One of our favorites is Scrubs on NBC now (I think) Anyway this song HOW TO SAVE A LIFE from the Frey is on one of our favorite episodes. And when I hear it, it will always remind me of my husband and the fun we have being together watching simple TV. Oh how I miss this when he's gone. That feeling I don't ever want to forget. Also music that I hear when I was growing up like the whole JELLYFISH album. So many memories with cousins and family road trips. Thank you Natalie for finding them again.

When a song comes along that fits your life perfectly in that moment, It's magic. This happened to me a while back when I attended Time out for Woman. Michael McLean sang a song called Lullaby for me. The song to me was very moving. It was a long summer without my husband and every word he sang rang true and I couldn't stop crying. It explained my feelings so well. May be you have felt this way before.

This hasn't been a day that I would call my best.

I'd give myself a failing grade if this had been a test

I did not comfort you when you were all alone

I was to busy crying through some problems of my own

Today I have not been the Mom you needed me to be

And tonight I wish that you could sing a lullaby for me

I'm glad that you can sleep. I wish that I could too

I'm sorry that today I wasn't really there for you

I must have slipped away to some far distant land

Where I'm the child who cries until her mother takes her hand

Tomorrow I'll reclaim my proper place

I'll tuck you in and gently kiss your face

I'll do the things a mom's supposed to do

And I'll know what those things should be

Cause now I need them too

This hasn't been a day that I want to repeat

I'm sorry I could only say I'm sorry while you sleep

Today I have not been the mom you needed me to be

And tonight I wish that you could sing

A lullaby for me

Tonight I need someone to sing

A lullaby for me

And then he started playing the hymn

("Oh Savior stay this night with me, behold tis eventide")

And even now I get teary eyed because it felt so real to me. I left there feeling understood and loved. Yes, I had my days where I wasn't exactly the Mom they needed. But it was ok. I'm not alone in this feeling. What a wonderful blessing to have this song to remind me of this. I'm so grateful.

This song LUCKY from Jason Mraz was another that truly hit home for me. And I played it over and over again singing my heart out with mixed emotions of love and heart ache. I'm so lucky to be in love with my best friend but I missed him because he was across the ocean like the song says. And it has become our NEW song. Every word fit the situation. And I love it when that happens.

COME HOME By One Republic was a hard one to get through. Just after he left I went to a One Republic concert with a good friend of mine and he started this song with an explanation that he wrote this for a friend who's other half is in the desert fighting in this crazy war. And when he started to sing he was singing just to me. And it took everything i had not to loose it right there. I would later play it over and over singing (more like pleading) the chorus "come home Come home." I know it sounds so sad but it did bring me comfort. And Church music always brings me comfort. And it calms me more then any other kind of music can. Sometimes when I'm rushing here and there and the kids are fighting and whining I turn my church music on and it calms me. And I am sane again. The power of music has entered my life, yet again. And it consumes me. I hope you enjoy my play list. There are some really good tunes in there. Some you could truly be grateful for. I know I am.

Thank you for calling Pizza Hut. May I take your order?

My sister Natalie challenged all her readers a while back to post one of their embarrassing moments. And I meant to get to it but other things kept coming up and really, I forgot about it. She was even nice enough to create a very well illustrated drawing of that wonderful moment in my life. And I found it yesterday as I was cleaning out my email. So here we go...... Thank you Natalie for pushing me to humiliate myself. I can always count on you.

After giving my sister a hard time I have to admit that this really isn't that bad. It was more funny then embarrassing. But my face still turned a nice shade of pink, non the less. It was one of my very first jobs and I was working at Pizza Hut calling services. You know, "Will this be pick up or delivery?" It was just this big open room with rows of tables with computers and phones.Well it was Friday night, our busiest night, and I was getting tired. I answered the phone with "Thank you for calling Pizza Butt! OH I MEAN..." immediately I heard the guy on the other line burst out laughing. Also the person next to me started laughing and I was so flustered I just hung up on the guy. The person next to me was a friend (thank goodness) and we just laughed about it. I didn't live that down for a long time after. You would think that they would have heard somebody do that before. But they assured me no one had. Whatever! I was a legend in the eyes of my coworkers, or so I told myself. When I got home to tell my family, everybody enjoyed it. Again it was really just funny. A mistake any one of us would make.........Right? Anyway,That was one of many embarrassing moments. If you feel so inclined to do so, Post one of your embarrassing moments for all of us to enjoy. It's fun. And everybody always likes a good laugh. Maybe you're as talented as my sister and can create an image to illustrate to help visualize the moment better. Thanks again Nat. I hope you enjoyed it!

calico Give away!

These little monsters are exactly what your kids need or just what you need to help get into the Halloween season. Cally of calico is a good freind of mine and I remember her doing this sort of thing when we were younger. Who knew it would become more then just a fun hobby. She is extremely talented and I am so proud of her for expanding this wonderful gift she obviously has. So check her out and leave a comment. You wont be sorry!

I have a 9 year old! Yikes!

Happy Birthday Layton!

My oldest son turned 9 on Saturday and I really can't believe that time has gone by so fast. There is only a year left before he gets into the double digits in his age and I'm sad to see these years go. He has always acted older then he really is. Even as a 2 yr old he was getting in trouble for saying things to people he didn't understand. But because he acted like a child who would know better he was misunderstood a lot. Unfortunately, this hasn't changed much. His mouth is still running faster then his maturity level. I'm sure he'll grow out of it eventually but not without some hard life lessons I'm sure. Because of this though I think I feel him slipping away into independency quicker then I had anticipated. I am truly proud of the way he has grown. It isn't easy for either of us, but well worth it when I see the man that he can become.

For his Birthday he wanted to keep it simple. A sleepover with 10 kids. Simple right? Luckily only 3 of the 10 could spend the night. Everybody else left around 11:00. And all I want to say to that is Hallelujah! It made my night a bit easier. I think he had a good time. The party started at 6:00 and didn't stop moving until 2:00 in the morning. In between pizza, opening presents, singing and blowing out candles, the kids played our new Wii and the X-box. A boys heaven! And if those were taken then we also had a play station set up. After awhile I took the boys out to play ghost in the grave yard and other silly night games. It was fun to see them run around hiding and seeking like I did when I was that age. It brought back some fun memories. I hope he will have the same wonderful memories of his childhood like I do mine. Then I'll know I did something right. Here are some pictures of his party. There were so many boys in my house We could barely walk around. And there was a lot of rough housing that we definitely did not have room for. I told Don we need a bigger house for next time because this party (in Layton's mind) was a bit on the small side. Go figure!

They were SCREAMING the happy birthday song in the most annoying way only ten 8-9 year old boys can. Note to self: We will be skipping this part next time!

Now for my favorite part of the night! This truly was a lot of fun!

Happy Birthday my sweet Layton! I wont let another year go by without making sure you know how much I love you on a daily bases. This is my promise to you! I love you sweet pea! ......... MOM! Don't call me that!...... Why?.......... Because I'm 9 now and that is what you called me when I was a baby. It's embarrassing........... Can I call you that for just one more year ? PLEASE?........ NO MOM! You call Brigham that and I am to much of a Man for that........... OH REALLY! OK, I get it, I get it! No more sweet peas. How 'bout "My Little Man"? Hee Hee......... MOM Seriously!

Granny, I love you!

Boy, It's been a long time since I've blogged. I have to say I miss it. Life after a deployment is not always easy. A lot of adjusting going on whether we like it or not. And just when we were getting things back to normal wouldn't you know our lives got flipped upside down again. I received a phone call from my mother explaining that my grandmother (Granny) went in to surgery, had a massive stroke, and wasn't going to survive. I haven't seen my Granny in over 2 years and all I kept thinking was "NO! not yet!" I wanted to see her one more time. Get that final hug that could never be mistaken. Losing a close family member is something I haven't had to do yet. Everybody has their time I know but it has taken me awhile to write this post. It seemed more final writing it down like this I guess. And I didn't want to face all the emotions that come with it. We immediately had to change our planes for the funeral. I was so grateful that Don could be there with me along with the kids. I knew she was happy to see all of us there. Along with my family, my sisters were there and my brother. My aunt and uncle from Utah and two of their kids and my other aunt and her family and uncle and his children who live there. It was a beautiful funeral, If there is such a thing, and we actually all had a wonderful time just getting to know one another again. I know that is exactly what she was wanting for a long time. A family reunion. And she got us there.......But we missed her, In the kitchen, making every southern dish you can think of from scratch. The kitchen was here domain. She knew it like the back of her hand. In fact in the last couple of years she had become pretty blind I was told but you never would have guessed it as she moved about making this and that for family and friends. As I was looking through the cupboards for some jam for the kids I found a whole stash of plum jelly that she had made 2 weeks before. I wanted to take one with me and savor it, never letting her memory fade. My grandpa Evan (Pa) was so strong. I wasn't expecting that but I should have known that he would be that way. That's how she would have expected him to be. My Pa told me that after he came home from the hospital and started off to bed he went in to his bedroom and saw the bed all done up and made just right. It was then he knew that she knew she was not coming back. And he almost didn't want to pull down the sheets. I wouldn't have, I know I'm not as strong. She was in a lot of pain and despite everybody asking her not to get this very risky surgery, she decided she just couldn't live that way anymore. And for that reason alone I am grateful that she is where she is, happy and safe from any pain. For my mother and her two sisters I decided to make bracelets that were all the same. I also made one for their mother to ware for all eternity. I was hoping this would help in the healing process for them. But it turned out that it was for me as well. I got to place the bracelet that I made for her on her. I was a little leery at first. I think any funeral is hard that way. But it became very personal and I knew she loved it. Oh, I miss her! She was good to us all and now she is just getting everything ready for when it's our turn to pass through the Vail. She's just like that. That's what I like to picture any way. I cant wait to see her again and receive the hug I'm aching for. I miss you Granny.

This is my mom and her dad, my Pa.

Me, Sister Tiffany, my Mom Faye, Sister Mandy, and Sister Natalie.

My Uncle Harold and his kids: Alisha, Timmy and his wife Leandra.

Cousin Alisha, her mom Aunt Brenda, My wonderful Pa, Sister Mandy and her son Tyson. My mom, My awesome aunt Linda, My sweet, sweet aunt Margret. Sister Tiffany, cousin Cami, daughter to Aunt Linda, Cousin Lindsey,daughter to aunt Margret. That's not the whole crew but you get the point.