Pictures are worth 1000 words!
We went up to Pinetop after Sacrament on Christmas Sunday and this is what we did that week up there!
Gardner's Garden
Monday, January 30, 2012
Counselors are a Blessing!
Between Dallin, Josh, Brookly and I we are blessed to have awesome counselors to help us through the crazy, or complicated as one of them told us, daily family life.
Funny Ben
So Ben is still learning how to get clean after using the bathroom and still calls for help. "Moooommmm, come wipe me. I'm done going poop." Many interesting things have been said by my comical son during these bonding moments and I just had to record this to remember. Most of the time Ben tells me about his "sharks" and an occasional "whale" he made. Today was different. Today he told me he made a campfire and a little ball. The little ball was the flames. Even grosser, it really looked like it! Too funny!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!
Josh and Dallin left us to go to a dance in Mesa but we sure love them.
Adam and Brennen loved lighting whatever they could
Tashia with the girls.
Brooky, McKinzie, Shelbie and Hannah
Brooky and Hannah
Bekah was afraid of the fireworks and watched from the stairs inside
Jarom loved the fireworks
How blessed we are to celebrate with dear new friends! We had a blast with the fireworks and Martinelli's to ring in the new year!
Ben's Motorcycle
January 15th
Ben decided to make his own motorcycle this afternoon. He worked for hours drawing details and bringing stuff down to add to it. He was so cute! I mean cool! Notice the wheels and headlights. What a creative kid!
Allred's for dinner
Brookly held little 6 week old Aiden all night
Ben loved playing with his friend Rile!
Ooh the handful these two were in Sunbeams when I taught them!
Fun times to reconnect with Sam and Noelle Allred and family! The boys looked at guns all night with Sam and the younger kids ran around while Brookly held Aiden all night.
She just loved him and so did we!
January 28th-Josh's 15th Birthday!!
Ben loves his big brother Josh
Yes!! What an awesome day!! Josh got up early to hike with the Young Men/Young Women and when he got back we had a balloon, poster, doughnuts and presents waiting. He mainly got food but his $50 for his airsoft pistol was a favorite as well. He checks craigslist every day hoping to find the perfect price and gun. We made his ice cream cake and ate it with him after his party for his friend Michael from noon -5pm then 007 with his friends from Mesa all evening.
I can't believe he'll be driving this year! Wow! All too soon my kids are growing up! Josh is amazing! He loves guns and drums and is so sweet to Ben!
Jarom's Pinewood Derby-January 28th
2nd Place!
Won Classic Car!
Won first race down!
Now presenting... Jarom the Pinewood Derby star for the second year running! He has taken 2nd place both years with different cars he built himself! We were proud of him! He had a great time on Josh's birthday racing to the finish! He averaged 3.1 seconds. One of them was 3.09.
Always an Adventure
Positive ANA. Positive Anti SS-B antibody. That's what the results say for Brookly's allergy lab work to rule out anything before they treat for just allergies.
Off to the rheumatologist we go on Wednesday. Funny she got right in when Jarom's neurologist isn't until Feb. 28th. Did I mention Jarom's MRI came back with too much space in his right ventricle in his brain and they want to find out what the shadow is. His headaches haven't subsided after the whole antibiotic round so something needs checked out. Crazy world of specialists!
Praying these turn out alright and we just keep pushin on.
Off to the rheumatologist we go on Wednesday. Funny she got right in when Jarom's neurologist isn't until Feb. 28th. Did I mention Jarom's MRI came back with too much space in his right ventricle in his brain and they want to find out what the shadow is. His headaches haven't subsided after the whole antibiotic round so something needs checked out. Crazy world of specialists!
Praying these turn out alright and we just keep pushin on.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Brookly Allergic to school
OK, I just got a call from the school that Brookly's hand is itchy and swollen and they can't figure out why. A few nights ago Benadryl worked for her swollen lips but this time I think she's just allergic to schoolwork. Just kidding sweet girl! I'm calling an allergist now. We'll figure it out yet. Like a mystery to solve.
Jarom's Rollercoaster Emotions
One minute our Jarom is telling me he had a great day at school after an emotional one the day before, and then I go to YW New Beginnings with Brookly (yes, my little girl will go to mutual in May and get to go to camp and I'm going as a cook) and Jarom was supposed to work on his Science Fair Proposal due the next day. Wes had to run around for permission slips for Scouts for his campout this weekend. I get home and he's asleep on the couch with a hate letter in my room about being here, the science fair, all he wants is to move back and he'd like to be dead. Pretty dramatic from my son who signed the letter , Someone. He really is hot or cold in his emotions each day. When he's tired or stressed there's a lot more negative emotions. Which, really is how I react as well so I'm trying to understand and help where I can. I do feel the book report in class, science fair, book report on France with parts due every few days, poem to memorize by next week are excessive in addition to his daily hour of spelling, reading, math, etc. But where else would he go? He loves Gifted and his friends he has made at Legacy. Hmmm...another dilemma to deal with.
Brennen's Audition
Brennen made 1st Chair and is now the Section Leader for Trumpets! He was so excited and so cute! I guess at 13 you don't want to be cute but he tried to tell us with a straight face it was a hard day and then told us he made it. See, practicing really does help, even if we can't figure everything out:)
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Half Full or Half Empty
So it's been a long while since I've had a moment to update and instead of going back I'm looking forward and starting with what we are now pushing through. We've been in San Tan Valley just over 6 months. We moved in on July 8th. Our entire lives were turned upside down in a matter of 30 days from deciding to move to follow promptings of the Lord. This was the most difficult life change we've ever been through. It has shown up many different ways for each of us as we adjust to a new life. Our recent challenges have been medical and emotional. For now the scorpions are hiding and we are grateful. Over 60 that we found at first but only 3 inside. 2 little ones dead and one we killed. Nice to concentrate on other things for a while. Like the 5 loads of laundry I finished and the 8 loads left. Or the dishes left in the sink or calling another specialist for an appointment. Or the short week for school:)
Today is January 17th, 2012
Half Empty: Half Full
We are still waiting to hear on Wes's job as Operations Manager at Orbital... last interview was December 21st. We really need this job. Wes will have to get a part time other job without it.
Half Full: We are still waiting and there is a chance he'll get this job he really wants and can use his MA in Business. Less travel for Wes is a huge blessing right now. Wes finished his Masters and the knowledge will help him no matter what happens with this job. He loved it! His travel earned us our free hotel, flight and car rental for San Diego for our 20th Anniversary this year in June!! We may not make Hawaii but a free weekend away from the kids will be awesome!
He enjoys his Young Men and is getting to know them more. I have good friends here even though I miss my old friends dearly. The Lord knew I needed women to talk to and feel connected to and that's a huge blessing here! I love the Primary kids and am learning to be a better Secretary all the time. I love watching my little ones who are still in there. All too soon they will also be grown.
We got to go to our nephew's mission farewell Sunday in Tucson and it was a beautiful meeting! What powerful testimony of the convert who spoke before he did and then Neils gave a great talk as well. Emma sang beautifully. It was wonderful to connect with family we don't get to see very often. Reminds us of what is truly most important.
Dallin: Emotional turmoil from events beyond his control that have changed the dynamic of his friendships for his Senior year. The most difficult decisions of his life so far are in process causing ocular migraine headache and temporary blindness last week. Opened and read the Eagle packet yesterday...informed us he doesn't think the project he met with Parks and Rec to do is good enough. His first project idea for A New Leaf homeless shelter in Mesa was denied after he met with them and got what they needed. Hasn't applied for many scholarships. Still basically lives in Mesa, only sleeps here. He didn't get the job at the cafeteria for his gas money. Terribly misses his Scout leaders and old ward. Didn't get asked to the Winter Formal next week.
Half Full: Dallin is learning responsibility. He's learning we don't always get what we want. He does want to finish his Eagle. He did get accepted to a few colleges. He is going to graduate and is on Honor Roll. His eyes were fine after all the testing last week and scary blindness. He gets to go hunting with his old leaders and occasionally still attends mutual there. They share his love of guns and outdoors. He texts them more than he talks to us. He has a testimony and enjoys Seminary. He is learning leadership as 1st Assistant to Bishop. He has great Bishops past and present. He wants to serve a mission. Although he may have to live at home the next year, he will go to college and save for his mission. He's a great young man trying to find his place and become independent. He doesn't like the move but seems to be giving it more of a chance now.
Josh: He's not sure where he fits in here in San Tan Valley. Quit Band. Only close friend here is always on travel with family. Birthday in 2 weeks and wants $300 gun or $500 watch. Hoping he chooses something within budget. Mad at me for wanting to call his friend's Mom over Brennen's head injury. Doesn't like the school schedule and getting up at the crack of dawn for Seminary. Misses his friends and how he thought this year would be. Life changes are harder the older you are I think.
Half Full: He tried Band here and is finding out what he likes to do. He still plays drums at home and is quite good. He has met a good friend even if he can't hang out very often. He still gets to go up and do airsoft wars every few weeks with his old friends and lives for this time. He gest up on his own for Seminary and hasn't missed a day. He enjoys Seminary. It may not be how he pictured but he's learning valuable lessons in flexibility. He's an amazing YM Teacher's Secretary. We pray he finds more good friends and something else to enjoy for the rest of High School.
Brennen: Intense headache from close range airsoft bb to forehead yesterday. Huge knot and bloodspot from impact. The boy who did this is the same who targeted his head from behind last airsoft war and hit his head 5 times. Totally unacceptable from such close range and I'm debating how to handle telling Braden's Mom. Science Fair soon and 1st deadline tomorrow for proposal. Major audition on trumpet today and we just couldn't figure out the counting with the clapping for the difficult rhythms. Misses his friends and old school. Had a few emotional meltdown moments of his own with the changes.
Half Full: Brennen still loves airplanes and has more space and Wes has more time to do this here. He too loves airsoft and getting to hang out with old friends. He has some great new friends that have accepted him and welcomed him in their group. He is an amazing runner and pushing for Track at his school. He's excited about the Science Fair and working with Wes on it. He's great at trumpet and will be fine no matter what chair he places.
Brookly: Allergic reaction to unknown agent last night. Blue swollen lips and itchy throat and hands. Possible she touched Jarom's antibiotic with Amoxicillin in it that she's allergic to. Will make appointment with allergist as soon as recommendation is made from anyone. Still fighting with anxiety from mental breakdown a few months ago after we moved. Prozac is her friend. That is hard for me. Also has Science Fair, poem memorization and Book Report due in few weeks.
Half Full: My little girl will be in mutual this year and go to Girl's Camp. I hope to go with her. She is so excited and loves making jewelry and doing nails and anything musical. She is adjusting well to switching schools and has good friends from old school, new school last year and current school. She also has friends in our ward. She sings with me in Choir and loves violin and piano.
She has a great counselor and is learning to control her emotions and thoughts. The projects are spaced out and little bit due at a time.
Jarom: One month ago was in the hospital overnight from a cut he got at Thanksgiving. Simple cut, nasty lymph infection. MRI from headaches last few weeks came back with enlarged left ventricle and has to see neurologist for further testing. Hates the taste of the antibiotic from sinus infection. Emotionally not doing well the last few weeks. Constantly tells us all he wants is to move back and he hates it here. First 5 months here had no Bear meetings for Scouts and didn't really connect with any boys here in Ward. Hates getting up in the morning for school. Wouldn't do a huge assignment before Christmas and got the first C of his life. Left his best friends that he's known his entire life. Also has Science Fair project, book report and poem memorization due in few weeks.
Half Full: He has awesome Scout leaders now and loves it! He can't wait for Pinewood Derby in a few weeks! He has some good friends in his class and in our ward. He did just spend the day with his dear friend Cam. He is in Gifted and does great in school when he's not so emotionally overwhelmed. We will wait and see what the neurologist says about the MRI and what we do before we panic. Handles the emotional rollercoaster well most days but still struggling to find joy here because of what he misses. Time will help. Prayer does.
Ben: Impossible to get him to do homework if I don't sit down next to him. I'm not always home or available so we have a lot of last minute rush and stress. Misses his friends from Preschool who we have a hard time connecting with. Used up all the Pullups so we tried to stay dry at night. After 2 nights of soaking sheets and bedding and cold little boy we bought more for the time being.
Half Full: Loves Kindergarten and pleasing Ms. Isaar. My baby is growing up and still wants time with me. He is amazing at letters and spelling and phonograms. He understands new concepts quickly and keeps us laughing. He is a handful and a heartful of joy for all of us and it keeps us sane.
So between the challenges and the joys we are surviving but some days my patience runs thin or I overreact too quickly instead of stepping back and looking at the whole picture. Please be patient with me because now you see more of our whole picture. This is only a snapshot really of a few weeks. If I had time I could fill more pages with the in between emotional drama daily. We feel blessed and know we are supposed to be here. Prayer is what gets us through. Hope is our lodestar. Faith our foundation. We try to look at life as half full.
Today is January 17th, 2012
Half Empty: Half Full
We are still waiting to hear on Wes's job as Operations Manager at Orbital... last interview was December 21st. We really need this job. Wes will have to get a part time other job without it.
Half Full: We are still waiting and there is a chance he'll get this job he really wants and can use his MA in Business. Less travel for Wes is a huge blessing right now. Wes finished his Masters and the knowledge will help him no matter what happens with this job. He loved it! His travel earned us our free hotel, flight and car rental for San Diego for our 20th Anniversary this year in June!! We may not make Hawaii but a free weekend away from the kids will be awesome!
He enjoys his Young Men and is getting to know them more. I have good friends here even though I miss my old friends dearly. The Lord knew I needed women to talk to and feel connected to and that's a huge blessing here! I love the Primary kids and am learning to be a better Secretary all the time. I love watching my little ones who are still in there. All too soon they will also be grown.
We got to go to our nephew's mission farewell Sunday in Tucson and it was a beautiful meeting! What powerful testimony of the convert who spoke before he did and then Neils gave a great talk as well. Emma sang beautifully. It was wonderful to connect with family we don't get to see very often. Reminds us of what is truly most important.
Dallin: Emotional turmoil from events beyond his control that have changed the dynamic of his friendships for his Senior year. The most difficult decisions of his life so far are in process causing ocular migraine headache and temporary blindness last week. Opened and read the Eagle packet yesterday...informed us he doesn't think the project he met with Parks and Rec to do is good enough. His first project idea for A New Leaf homeless shelter in Mesa was denied after he met with them and got what they needed. Hasn't applied for many scholarships. Still basically lives in Mesa, only sleeps here. He didn't get the job at the cafeteria for his gas money. Terribly misses his Scout leaders and old ward. Didn't get asked to the Winter Formal next week.
Half Full: Dallin is learning responsibility. He's learning we don't always get what we want. He does want to finish his Eagle. He did get accepted to a few colleges. He is going to graduate and is on Honor Roll. His eyes were fine after all the testing last week and scary blindness. He gets to go hunting with his old leaders and occasionally still attends mutual there. They share his love of guns and outdoors. He texts them more than he talks to us. He has a testimony and enjoys Seminary. He is learning leadership as 1st Assistant to Bishop. He has great Bishops past and present. He wants to serve a mission. Although he may have to live at home the next year, he will go to college and save for his mission. He's a great young man trying to find his place and become independent. He doesn't like the move but seems to be giving it more of a chance now.
Josh: He's not sure where he fits in here in San Tan Valley. Quit Band. Only close friend here is always on travel with family. Birthday in 2 weeks and wants $300 gun or $500 watch. Hoping he chooses something within budget. Mad at me for wanting to call his friend's Mom over Brennen's head injury. Doesn't like the school schedule and getting up at the crack of dawn for Seminary. Misses his friends and how he thought this year would be. Life changes are harder the older you are I think.
Half Full: He tried Band here and is finding out what he likes to do. He still plays drums at home and is quite good. He has met a good friend even if he can't hang out very often. He still gets to go up and do airsoft wars every few weeks with his old friends and lives for this time. He gest up on his own for Seminary and hasn't missed a day. He enjoys Seminary. It may not be how he pictured but he's learning valuable lessons in flexibility. He's an amazing YM Teacher's Secretary. We pray he finds more good friends and something else to enjoy for the rest of High School.
Brennen: Intense headache from close range airsoft bb to forehead yesterday. Huge knot and bloodspot from impact. The boy who did this is the same who targeted his head from behind last airsoft war and hit his head 5 times. Totally unacceptable from such close range and I'm debating how to handle telling Braden's Mom. Science Fair soon and 1st deadline tomorrow for proposal. Major audition on trumpet today and we just couldn't figure out the counting with the clapping for the difficult rhythms. Misses his friends and old school. Had a few emotional meltdown moments of his own with the changes.
Half Full: Brennen still loves airplanes and has more space and Wes has more time to do this here. He too loves airsoft and getting to hang out with old friends. He has some great new friends that have accepted him and welcomed him in their group. He is an amazing runner and pushing for Track at his school. He's excited about the Science Fair and working with Wes on it. He's great at trumpet and will be fine no matter what chair he places.
Brookly: Allergic reaction to unknown agent last night. Blue swollen lips and itchy throat and hands. Possible she touched Jarom's antibiotic with Amoxicillin in it that she's allergic to. Will make appointment with allergist as soon as recommendation is made from anyone. Still fighting with anxiety from mental breakdown a few months ago after we moved. Prozac is her friend. That is hard for me. Also has Science Fair, poem memorization and Book Report due in few weeks.
Half Full: My little girl will be in mutual this year and go to Girl's Camp. I hope to go with her. She is so excited and loves making jewelry and doing nails and anything musical. She is adjusting well to switching schools and has good friends from old school, new school last year and current school. She also has friends in our ward. She sings with me in Choir and loves violin and piano.
She has a great counselor and is learning to control her emotions and thoughts. The projects are spaced out and little bit due at a time.
Jarom: One month ago was in the hospital overnight from a cut he got at Thanksgiving. Simple cut, nasty lymph infection. MRI from headaches last few weeks came back with enlarged left ventricle and has to see neurologist for further testing. Hates the taste of the antibiotic from sinus infection. Emotionally not doing well the last few weeks. Constantly tells us all he wants is to move back and he hates it here. First 5 months here had no Bear meetings for Scouts and didn't really connect with any boys here in Ward. Hates getting up in the morning for school. Wouldn't do a huge assignment before Christmas and got the first C of his life. Left his best friends that he's known his entire life. Also has Science Fair project, book report and poem memorization due in few weeks.
Half Full: He has awesome Scout leaders now and loves it! He can't wait for Pinewood Derby in a few weeks! He has some good friends in his class and in our ward. He did just spend the day with his dear friend Cam. He is in Gifted and does great in school when he's not so emotionally overwhelmed. We will wait and see what the neurologist says about the MRI and what we do before we panic. Handles the emotional rollercoaster well most days but still struggling to find joy here because of what he misses. Time will help. Prayer does.
Ben: Impossible to get him to do homework if I don't sit down next to him. I'm not always home or available so we have a lot of last minute rush and stress. Misses his friends from Preschool who we have a hard time connecting with. Used up all the Pullups so we tried to stay dry at night. After 2 nights of soaking sheets and bedding and cold little boy we bought more for the time being.
Half Full: Loves Kindergarten and pleasing Ms. Isaar. My baby is growing up and still wants time with me. He is amazing at letters and spelling and phonograms. He understands new concepts quickly and keeps us laughing. He is a handful and a heartful of joy for all of us and it keeps us sane.
So between the challenges and the joys we are surviving but some days my patience runs thin or I overreact too quickly instead of stepping back and looking at the whole picture. Please be patient with me because now you see more of our whole picture. This is only a snapshot really of a few weeks. If I had time I could fill more pages with the in between emotional drama daily. We feel blessed and know we are supposed to be here. Prayer is what gets us through. Hope is our lodestar. Faith our foundation. We try to look at life as half full.
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