I've had better days, that's for sure. It's never a good start to a New Year to be investigating the meaning of gleason scores. I have been bawling my eyes out. Something that doesn't come that readily to me, but if it comes to my Dad----well that might be another story. He has a gleason score of 9 with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a bit mysterious. They can do more blood tests and bone tests, but those are only 30-50% telling, so it is hard to find out how severe it is. He will start radiation soon. I am a bit devastated. I haven't quite made sense of all this, just that my sweet Dad is going to go through a lot of pain and suffering. Prayers are needed.

Sledding Fun

We took the kids sledding this morning. They had a blast! Although, our Ethan didn't want to go sledding at all. I told him he could sit in the van while everyone else went sledding. So, of course he opted to go in his pajamas as he wasn't going sledding. Well, you wouldn't guess who changed their mind and wanted to go sledding once he saw all the fun everyone else was having! Ethan, of course! So, as you can see, he went sledding in his PJ's for a little while, until he was too cold and had to pop back in the van for some warmth. What a fun day! I love the natural elements and all the fun that comes with it!!! I love snow! I love vacation time! Combine the two for an incredible time!

 

Ethanism

Ethan (7) came up to Grandpa and said, "can we play chess?" Grandpa said, "when we get back to my house, we will play chess." And then Grandpa continued the conversation and said, "What will I do if you beat me?" Ethan said, "then you should call 911 and tell them you are not very smart."

Santa baby

Someone is going to be Santa at school today for his class. He is SOOOOO excited! Like father, like son. Brandon is a ham (just like his Dad)---hee, hee. I love seeing his excitement. I love how each child in a family gives different talents to the family. Brandon gives us the gift of enthusiasm, assertiveness, love, and joy. He is such a good little boy. He is a great first born son. A great example for his siblings. Love this boy!

Benjamin's Birthday

Benjamin is five years old! We had a joint birthday party for Maddie and Benjamin several weeks ago, so today, on his actual birthday, we had a family party. My parents brought him a big, beautifully wrapped gift. He was so excited to open it. We also bought him a Leapster and a couple games. He was thrilled! Here are some pictures of the get together.

Benjamin chose out a truck cake. He tried to make the truck go by tipping the cake to one side, which is why it was a bit ruined. But he had a great day. He loved setting up the balloons on each chair. He is my detail-oriented child. He likes things "just so". He likes his pants and clothes to fit a certain way and likes things neat and tidy. Unless of course it involves a cake or making "fun" messes.

Happy Birthday Benjamin!

My baby Benjamin is five years old today. Benjamin is my chocolate eyes, beautiful, Christmas miracle baby! I am so grateful for him. He has always been an easy child. He was born hearty and healthy, with the most big, beautiful brown eyes you have ever seen. He is incredibly smart, has a high emotional IQ, has great balance and coordination, and is just a pleasure of a child.

He has always been a symbol to me of God's love! Through the beautiful gift of Benjamin to our family, I learned that God is a God of miracles and a God of love. I saw firsthand God's ability to move mountains and change our world in a heartbeat. I had so longed for a baby. I knew we were supposed to have a baby at that time, but it wasn't happening. A Dec. 11th phonecall changed everything. My friend let me know of a pregnant Mom about to give birth. The baby was due on Christmas day. Getting together a lawyer, home study, a Dr. for birth mom within 10 days was quite amazing. And the grace with which it all fell into place was another testament that this was meant to be. We were there for his birth. The Dr. didn't want to be away on Christmas, so Benjamin was induced on December 21st. Birthmom was so beautiful, and so were our moments together at the hospital. A little fear; would this all really happen? Would she be willing to place this beautiful child in our family? I was especially nervous when we came to visit at the hospital and she had held him all night the night before. But she knew. She knew we were meant to be his parents. She wanted Benjamin to have a father in his life. She wanted him to be in a family with siblings. She wanted him to have opportunities she couldn't give him.

What a moment! What an incredible moment to learn about gifts of the Spirit, gifts from God, giving us something so beautiful, beyond ourselves. A true gift of love. The greatest gift of all. A baby. At Christmas!

Benjamin has always been such a gift! I love him so much and can't believe how he has grown. Next year he will start kindergarten. Wow, time flies so quickly! I love my Benjamin with all my heart! May he always know that he is the greatest gift I have ever received. My true Christmas miracle!

He is my fearless little boy. He loves to play with tools, disassemble things around the house, loves motorcycles already (which scares me), loves football, and sports! He also loves to go to great heights and climb high, do tricks, and has great upper-body strength for a little man. He loves his Daddy, especially. He has told us he always wants to live with us, even when he is a Daddy. He has already told us he gets to live in our basement with his Mommy (referring to his wife when he gets married). I am sure she will be thrilled:)

Out of this world dip!

And I am not talking about myself:)

I went to my friend Miss Melissa's annual Christmas party. At the party, she had this dip. I practically inhaled this dip. It is the best dip I have ever tasted. And this is coming from a big girl who enjoys herself some food. So you can trust.....this will be worth the couple minutes it takes to throw this together. SO scrumptious with crackers.

2 boxes of cream cheese
1 cup of mayo (real---not Miracle Whip_
1 can of jalapenos
1 can of green chiles chopped

Mix it all together, heat it up for a couple minutes in the microwave, and then add some fresh grated parmesan cheese.

You will think you have died and gone to heaven. And then you won't really care about a touch of weight gain over the holidays:)

Ethanism

Kids just have a way of instantly cheering you up. I was feeling so sad about my Dad and worried about the situation. The water works were flowing. Little Ethan instantly cheered me up by asking me, "What's wrong with your eyes Mommy?" You got to love the way little children can just change the world around.

Prayers Welcome

My Dad has results back from a biopsy that he has "a little bit of prostate cancer". Scares the daylight out of me. He will be meeting with a Dr. on the 31st to discuss treatment options. Weighs on my heart. Please pray for my Dad. It would mean a lot to me.

Santa checking in.....

Santa was so nice to stop by at our house. I think he is trying to decide whether our family is on "the good list" or "the bad list". We must be right on the line. Grateful for sweet people in our church!!! You should have heard the kids squealing with excitement as Santa showed up at our house!!!

Ward Party Santa

What fun the kids had seeing Santa Claus at the Ward Party!








We had a great Santa visit to the Ward party. The children loved it. Here are some pictures of the kids with Santa at the Ward Party!

Uh-oh! Someone (Dylan) might be on the naughty list!!! Look at all that 3 year old attitude. We are in trouble!!!

Ward Christmas Party

I have to laugh. My oldest son Brandon is not shy. (Just like his Daddy:) Let's just say he is my child who insists on bearing his testimony at the pulpit every fast Sunday without fail. Anyway, they were looking for a not-so-shy child to play Joseph in the Nativity. They didn't want a boy who would be shy about being "with Mary". They are at that age where they can get mortified by such things. Well, Brandon fit the bill, so he was the "Joseph". And of course, as usual, he was not shy! brandon is the one with the white bathrobe and teal towel on his head!






I am grateful for our ward and all the wonderful people who make it a great place to be. The ward party was a lot of fun. Thanks for all who made it so wonderful!

The chorus children and my Maddie.

Ethan Playing Basketball

Ethan Makes a Basket

My baby makes a basket!

Ethan---my basketball boy!

My little Ethan (7) just loves basketball. In fact, he is my Mr. Enthusiasm. He gets all excited for basketball, chess, computer games, etc. He has such spunk, it is adorable watching him play basketball, play chess, etc. He brings that childlike joy and happiness to things. He made a basket during practice and looks forward to his basketball games which are on Saturdays! He is my lucky number 13.

Enquiring minds want to know..........

"How do you turn pee water and poop water into real water?" -Benjamin (4) He is amazed that flushing a toilet can create clear water. It is pretty amazing when you think about it.

Temple Square 2009

Playing with all the old-fashioned toys!







Some of the Nativities on display from around the world:





I love seeing all the Nativities from around the world. So beautiful.

Every year, my Dad enjoys going to the Church History Museum and Temple Square to celebrate his December birthday! We have fun as a family enjoying the sights and Christmas lights! It's always inspiring! Part of the fun last night included running into some sweet sister missionaries from Korea and Hong Kong. They were so kind and sweet. The children were thrilled to get a picture of Jesus from them. So sweet. We also found a lost 9 year old boy. I saw his scared face, saw noone around him, and I knew this poor boy was lost. We kept trying to dial the memorized phone number he had to no avail. After talking with him a little longer, I learned he was from Idaho and didn't know the area code he was from. Luckily, his Mom came and they were reunited!

The kids always enjoy dressing up in the Nativity dress ups at the Church History museum and playing all the other games. There are always the pretty lights at night on Temple Square. Anyway, it was a fun afternoon and evening. Afterwards, my parents took Brandon back with them to help them decorate their tree. He was thrilled! Here are some pictures of our adventures!