Our Journey

I'm Not a Baby

2012-07-06T12:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Mom,

I'd really like it if you'd stop babying me and treat me like I am older and I don't need you to come with me to go to activity days or piano on my bike.

From,

Caitie (I'm not a baby)

I found this letter on my nightstand. I read it, decided she was right and started giving her more freedom. I let her ride her bike to horse riding lessons (after practicing how to get there, I'm nothing if not thorough) and I didn't even sneak and follow behind her (I may or may not be known for doing so). When I sent her down the road on her bike in her cute boots, helmet on her head and cowgirl hat around her neck, I thought I was going to pass out. I stood in the road and made threatening faces at drivers as they passed, knowing they'd be passing my girl as well. I strained my eyes until at last she turned the corner and she was gone. When she arrived home, an hour and 10 minutes later, she was one proud little lady and I was one proud mom- proud of her for making the solo trip and proud of me for letting it happen.

Now, I need to go muse over the current letter on my nightstand: price comparisons on horses, equipment, trucks and horse trailers. She has decided that she is going to join 4-H and needs the above mentioned items in order to do so. And believe me, when it comes to something cherished, she is as persistent as I am protective.

I'll keep you posted. I just never saw myself as a rodeo mom?

In Honor...

2012-04-06T16:56:00.011-07:00

of the two feet of snow we got this morning, I thought I would post pictures of the day we went fishing with Jared on Anna Maria Island. It is actually torturing me to look at these pictures of our sunny getaway last summer. I need a trip to the beach...yesterday! It doesn't help that I'm preparing a unit on ocean animals for my classroom (so fitting when it's snowing outside?). Earlier today I pulled out a bunch of seashells, collected during out visits to the beach, and a little bit of sand drifted through my fingers and I almost cried. Really.

It was an awesome fishing day! The kids would drop their hooks and almost immediately catch a fish-

all kinds of fish, too. Colby even caught a puffer fish, impressive! The pelicans figured out pretty quickly that we were doing catch and release and they sat right under the dock for an easy dinner. Caitie was quite upset that her sweet little fish were being gobbled up. Personally, I was rather intrigued by the whole process. The fish totally continue to flail around even when in the pelican's hanging mouth-neck thing (I should ask Colby what that's called, the hanging mouth-neck thing doesn't sound right).

See that smart pelican in the corner waiting to be served his dinner!

Isn't Jared cute with my kids? Funny how life turns around and your obnoxious little brother becomes someone your children look up to and he cares about you and your family and he's really fun to be around and he doesn't give you a wet willy every time he walks by you. But wait, there's more to this circle of life, your teenage son is more than willing to pick up where your little brother left off.

Those are dolphins, not sharks, in case you were wondering. But I did learn an interesting rule of thumb about swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. If you've been swimming in the Gulf ten times, you've been within 10 feet of a shark. Just in case you wanted to know before you planned you next vacation. Kidding, kidding, I'm totally kidding. I still swim in the Gulf even after learning that tid bit- from a real Marine Biologist I might add. I just make sure there is someone else in the water whose out a little further than I am. I learned that trick from my cousin and I think it is slightly more reliable than tapping two sticks together to keep away mountain lions like they did in Parent Trap.

Life Long Dream Fulfilled

2012-04-05T18:12:00.001-07:00

How many people can say that they have fulfilled one of their life long dreams

by the time they were fourteen

Well, this cute guy can!

For his fourteenth birthday (it pains me to write that!) he went to the

Thunder Over Utah Air Show

And there he witnessed, fist hand, the flight of the F-22

If you'd like to know more about the F-22 you'll have to check with Colby, but you may want to set a time limit unless your idea of a good time is a never ending tutorial of military aerial warfare. And if by chance you are such a person or know such a person, please send them our way because surly Colby would be over the moon to meet such a kindred spirit!

I feel that I should include some "stats" at this point. I haven't felt such an urge since my children were infants and the most exciting news I had was what percentile they had reached in height and weight. I guess having a child who has exceeded my height and weight has has brought back the novelty of such information. But lets just suffice it to say that his shoe size is 11. Yep, he's growing up on me!

Colby was totally thrilled to attend the Air Show with his dad, it was a special father son outing. We'd learned from a prior birthday trip to Hill Air Force base that when it comes to Colby and military aircraft, it isn't really a family affair. Well, unless a family affair includes you sleeping in the car with your other two children, who only found the exhibit interesting for an hour, while your somewhat obsessed child looks at everything 15 times and then once more to make sure he didn't miss anything. Although I do recall Krispy Kreme doughnuts being in the car... No, not worth it.

I met with Colby's history teacher not long after the Air Show and he said it was all Colby talked about. So I think we can call this one a success! And just to brag, his teacher is pretty awe struck by my son's history knowledge. He said Colby is the only person he's ever met who watches more history channel than he does. Yep, that sounds about right.

Happy Birthday, Colby!

We love you and your unique abilities and talents. You're such a kind and caring person, especially when it comes to members of your family (like new baby cousin, Fran).

We are so thankful you are ours.

I'm Back...

2012-04-02T17:48:00.000-07:00

Because I have a lot to say, like this:

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

The number of shoes that my daughter leaves out in the SAME room on the SAME day.

Oh, and I'm running a half marathon in August and I want to record my declaration publicly so that I can't back out of it. So, every time you see me ask about my progress so that I am guilted and shamed into completing the darn thing (and keeping up with my sister who is 10 years younger than me, kinda like when I tried to keep up with my sister who is 16 years younger than me and I couldn't walk for five days because I was trying to do a higher cannon ball, yeah like that).

And thank you to my loyal followers, my brother Jared and cousin Amy, who are convinced that I have something of value to say and should start posting again.

The Hike

2011-06-23T12:54:00.000-07:00

We hiked the Y mountain yesterday. It's a 2.4 mile hike, elevation 980 feet.

Translated that means: quite a difficult hike (for some).

We went with our cousin friend, Tristan and our friends the Sandersons.

I decided to hike with Carter to offer encouragement and support, to stay with him if he couldn't keep up with the group, to turn back early if it became too difficult.

Wouldn't you know it, I couldn't keep up with him!

He reached the top of the mountain first with his friend, Wyatt.

He was delighted at his accomplishment.

Waiting in all his suaveness for the rest of us to catch up to him, he declared, "I've been waiting like an hour"!

Colby hiked with his 20 lb. pack because you can never be too prepared:

Flint & Steel

Signal mirror

Whistle

Survival kit

Leatherman

Rope

Flashlight

Water

Food

First aid kit

Extra pair of clothes, including a jacket

Caitlin had a great time and enjoyed the view at the top!

I. made. it.

I remember when Carter couldn't complete a shopping trip without resting.

I remember all the surgeries and complications and hopelessness.

I remember being told he would likely always have some pain and difficulty walking.

I remember questioning the choice to have his birth defect surgically corrected

I remember that difficult decision to seek treatment all the way across the county.

Today I looked back at the blog to remember our life in June 2010.

It is a truly amazing journey and worth every bit of hardship!

You Might Be A Redneck If?

2011-05-11T18:53:00.000-07:00

You have this in your backyard

And your children and dogs spend much of their free time chasing the chickens

Your children sleep in a tent compound on your lawn

AND call you from their cell phones at 3:47 AM when it starts raining

You own a pool ladder but NOT a pool

AND your significant other uses it for access to the chicken coop

You have deer antlers soaking in a bucket on your patio

AND that's all I have to say about that

Take it from me

I know what I'm talking about

I'm married to one and raising three lil' rednecks

P.S. They all think it's hilarious to torture me in this way

Happy Birthday, CARTER!

2011-04-09T12:03:00.001-07:00

We celebrated Carter's birthday, like a month ago. I NEVER should have blogged about Colby's birthday on the actual date... I really set the bar too high for myself. And that only contributes to Carter's moments of suffering from "middle child syndrome". Oh, yes he does, on occasion, go there with complaints of privileges beholden to Colby and not himself. Wailing about Caitlin's utter lack of responsibility and how her parents allow her to get away with everything save murder are common. And when these moments come, I usually take Carter into my loving arms and saying something inspiring like, "Just remember my boy, you got the short leg, and think of all those surgeries that you alone have had, and nobody else in the family can take that from you!" Then he looks at me with unbelief (and a twitch of his lip that he's trying to hide ) and asks, "What mother would say stuff like that? Seriously?" And by this point we are both rolling in fits of laughter.

But I redeemed myself by writing "Carter the Awesome" on his birthday cake, a title that he frequently uses to describe himself. He's working on humility.

Charismatic and charming - everyone wants to be his friend
Abounding in energy
Risible (at times to a fault and sometimes as his sisters expense)
Tolerant of all people and kind to everyone
Efficacious - probably because of that charisma and charm
Resolute and determined, even when the journey is tough

And for his birthday he got approval from the man himself (Dr. P) to resume normal activities - no more restrictions. I promptly discovered him outside trying to ride two scooter at one time! I screamed at him so loud ("That's not a normal activity for most people!") that I gave my elderly neighbor, tending to his yard, a heart attack. Abounding in energy. No?

Carter still has a hard time bending his knee. He has to ride his bike standing up because he can't peddle fully if he's seated. His walk is a bit awkward since his knee doesn't bend all the way and he can't really run, but don't worry, he'll get there. Resolute. No?

He's up to his usual antics. I sat down on the couch today and noticed that my exquisitely decorated shelves (cept for that empty picture frame) had a new addition.

Risible. No?

Happy Birthday, COLBY!

2011-03-07T17:45:00.000-08:00

Consistent (see, same cake as last year)

Oasis of knowledge

Loves his family

Best memory of anyone I've ever met. Ever.

Yearns to fly

P.S. Jason was here but the poor guy is sick and not feeling very festive. But he went to the store and found an SU-37 Super Flanker which Colby has been longing to add to his collection.

Did you know Celine had her twins at "Carter's Hospital"?

2011-02-28T20:00:00.000-08:00

That's what we call St. Mary's Medical Center around here. Anyway, she really did have her babies there and I was watching her on Oprah the other day and thinking that she would probably get a kick out of being around me and that we should be friends and I should visit her in her Palm Beach mansion and hang out in her pool. I'm fun. Really. Fun. She would like being my friend.

But, that's not actually what this post is about.

CARTER IS FIXATOR-FREE! And has been for TWO WEEKS (and nothing has broken)!

The last two weeks have been riddled with anxiety and the overwhelming fear that something could go wrong. Just ask Dr. Paley, the recipient of the frantic email I sent a few days after Carter's return home. I included pictures of Carter's hip (and his hiney, which made him pretty mad) along with my plea, "Are you SURE everything is okay????" They reply was a simple and reassuring, "Looks good to me." Even though the answer brought some reassurance, I still wasn't convinced. I kept checking his leg, looking for abnormalities (Dr. Mom), yelling anytime Colby or Carter got NEAR his leg. Finally, Carter told my that I was being overprotective of his leg (ya think?) and that I needed to calm down. And while I knew he was right, I just couldn't find peace and the nightmares I was having of broken bones and rods pushing through skin weren't helping. It's been a long couple of weeks. And when I'm feeling that way I like to keep to myself.

Then yesterday I realized that worry and concern weren't consuming my daily thoughts and the nightmares were ceasing and the anxiety was lessening its hold and a sense of normalcy was returning. And I knew it was time to do a post.

Besides having the fixator removed and a metal rod inserted into his femur, Carter also had a special plate placed near his knee to help straighten out the deformity in his tibia. It will need to be removed in a year- can you believe a WHOLE year without surgery! For now, Carter is not able to put weight on his leg while the bone continues to heal and his leg gets stronger. In about a month, we will begin physical therapy and from there I don't think there will be any stopping this kid. No shoe lift, no brace, ALL Carter. Watch out!

Carter made the trip with his Dad, insisting that I always accompany him for his surgeries and that, "Dad isn't as overprotective." So, I stayed here and kept things running smoothly (and shed five pounds because nerves affect our bowels on my mom's side of the fam. TMI) but my heart was with my sweet husband and brave little boy and I'm just so glad that we are all back together again. I like it that way. All of us home, together. But, we'll still go visit Celine when she asks!

New X-ray, New Cousin, New Glasses, Not So New Cat

2011-01-10T18:50:00.000-08:00

Carter got new x-rays, I didn't even take pictures 'cause it just seems like old news. Anyway, Dr. P looked them over and reported that good progress and healing are being made. He advised us to send another set of x-rays in a month. Blah. We are in the midst of our EIGHTH month of fixator wearing. Blah, again. (Minus the one week without it, but that doesn't count as a hiatus...) Such is life. In other news, we got a new cousin and she is a cutie. We'll have to borrow her often because that's as close as we're getting to a new infant in this household even if Carter continues to beg.

Little Miss Caitlin got glasses! She's being saying that her vision gets blurry but I just figured she needed a little extra TLC - a fact that I mentioned to the Optometrist. Go figure, she really isn't seeing as well as she should be (the eye doctor told me so in a slightly condescending tone). Either way, she's adorable. Don't you agree?

Remember Bandit- the Birthday Cat? He disappeared last week for two nights and we were sure he was a goner. Fortunately (I think?) for good neighbors, Bandit and Caitlin were reunited and continue on in their mutually mischievous ways...

Caitlin!

2011-01-02T14:34:00.000-08:00

Caitlin

Cautions and certain (indeed a bit indecisive) about all of her choices

Animal lover

Independent and strong willed, definitely a leader more than a follower

Tenacious-some may say ferocious- when she knows she's right

Loving and loyal to her family

Incredibly empathetic with understanding beyond her years

Nurturing and kind to all she meets

And patient when it takes her mom two months to post about her special day!

Let It Snow!

2010-12-21T09:10:00.000-08:00

Do you know how often we have "snow days" in Utah? NEVER! I can remember as a child living in Virginia and hoping for a snow day each and every time there was even a skiff of snow. We'd wake up and huddle around the kitchen radio and listen as the announcer would list the districts that were cancelled. It was so exciting when we'd hear ours called. Yeah, that doesn' happen here. We just bundle up real well, dig ourselves out of our driveways and continue on with life!

The kids were beyond excited today when they leaned that school had been cancelled. Luckily, one my friends called and shared the news because I was preparing to send my kids out the door (since I'd just told them that we don't do snow days in Utah). So, the kids are out the door romping in piles of the good stuff and I'm cleaning up the mess they made while roasting marshmallows over candles (don't ask). And I'm left pondering if my parents secretly shuttered when they heard the news of closed schools. Here all these years I thought we were ALL celebrating together, but now I'm left a wondering. So here's to a jump start on Christmas Break - Happy Holidays, everybody!

Home & Healing

2010-12-05T20:53:00.000-08:00

We are home and Carter is healing very well. Colby and Caitlin were pleased to see their brother return in much better shape than we he left abruptly for surgery in Florida. Carter is "all put back together again" and though it was a disappointing setback, we are back on track and things are looking up!

I had a hard time deciding if I should to post pics of his leg after the break, the whole thing was rather emotionally draining and I just wanted to forget it. But, I've been faithful at recording his story and well, this is an important part. The pictures are hard to look at, you can see the metal rod pushing against his skin at the top of his leg and that bump that looks like his knee- yeah, it's not- but rather where the bone had broken.

Today actually marks the one week anniversary of the whole debacle and, truthfully, we are doing much better than I ever would have imaged (especially if you'd asked me last Sunday when I felt like our world was crashing around us). We were reminded, once again, that Carter has been blessed with an amazing strength, that our family can get through hard times together and that our prayers are answered!

A Bump In The Road

2010-11-29T18:34:00.000-08:00

This is a hard post to write. Jason and I find ourselves sitting in the waiting room while sweet Carter undergoes surgery once again. The rod inserted into his femur migrated back out for some reason. When that happened, it left his new bone growth unprotected and his leg fractured. Last night we traveled to Florida for emergency surgery this morning to repair the broken bone and to remove the metal rod that was nearly breaking through his skin. Admittedly, not the best traveling circumstances.

Carter did remarkably well considering all the pain he was enduring and, yet again, we were blessed by the kindness of friends, family members and complete strangers. The flight attendants worked so hard to make us comfortable (not easy when you have metal rod coming out of your leg). Other passengers offered to move seats, carry our luggage and help in any way they could. My mom and sisters pretty much put their lives on hold to come and assume the care of Colby and Caitlin. The mom in me is heartbroken at having to leave those two behind again, the only thing that eased the pain was knowing they were in good hands.

Isn't it amazing when you are able to get through a situation that you had believe, only a short time ago, would have been the end of your sanity? Today I sit here with Jason, thankful to have him by my side, and I know that we will be okay. Carter will be okay. This from a person who only 24 hours ago was sobbing on the bathroom floor, unable to breath or even move.

Please don't confuse my resolve with understanding. I don't know why Carter has to go through these trials, I just know that this is his journey and he has the strength and resiliency to see it through.

*I was interrupted by Dr. Paley's P.A. coming out to give us an update on surgery. The news was not what we wanted to hear. The words translated into my head like this: Carter's bone was fractured to the point that external fixation was required and he lost some of the length he'd gained this summer. Upon hearing the news I swore (sorry but it's true) and Jason's eyes welled up. And then I thought about what I'd just typed in the blog... What was I thinking??? Forget strength, forget resiliency!!!

But then, I was able to go back and spend some time with my precious Carter and my understanding was once again made a little clearer by my son. Isn't it supposed to be the other way around? Carter was lying in the hospital bed with a puffy, itchy face (he's sensitive to all those meds), teeth chattering, and an external fixator attached to his leg by metal pins that extend into his bone. His amazing strength radiated from him even as he lay there. How do you see your child like this and not find the resolve to support him the best you can?

So my quest is to be as strong as my Carter boy, but I'm going for baby steps. Like right now, I'm going to focus on sleep, something I've had little of in the last two days! And from there I'll just keep putting one foot in front of the other... (resilient, no?)

Thankful!

2010-11-25T21:27:00.000-08:00

Today I sat gratefully at our really long, make-shift table surrounded by the people I love most. Carter and I had arrived home from Florida at one in the morning; we were beat. We arrived to a houseful of sleeping family members, tired from traveling and holiday meal preparations. This year everyone came to us and they brought all of the food. All I was required to do was show up and provide ice water. Nice.

Once we were all FINALLY settled in our seats, we paused to offer a prayer upon our food and to give thanks for our many blessings. I took a moment to look all the way down the long table at the family members surrounding me and my heart was full of gratitude to them and also to those who weren't with us today. Our little family has been strengthened and supported by so many people this past year!

You see, I believe in miracles, but I believe that some miracles occur through the hands of ordinary people. The kind hands of a stranger willing to donate to a fundraiser, the hands of little friends writing letters of encouragement to a boy who needs it, the incredibly skillful hands of a surgeon, the welcoming hands of family and friends, the healing hands of a gentle nurse or therapist, the folded hands of an entire community praying for one little boy. These are the hands of heaven on earth.

And now.... FIXATOR REMOVAL recapped:

Carter and our sweet lengthening friend, Emmaline, had their fixators removed on the same day. They shouted well wishes to each other as they were wheeled to the operating room!

Carter got to keep his fixator as a souvenir- lucky considering the questions we got from airport security as we tried to fly home with it!

Doesn't that look like a boy who is ready to conquer the world? Carter has two feet on the ground and a stable hip and knee for the first time in his life.

We are THANKFUL!

Paley Miracles

2010-11-20T11:39:00.000-08:00

Check out this amazing video. Love it!

Birthday, Halloween, Surgery

2010-11-16T19:01:00.000-08:00

I'm going to take a lesson from my friend, coincidentally another CFD parent whose blog I love to read, and not even ask for forgiveness for my lack of blog post. It's been a bit hairy around here lately. We are still heavily involved in P.T. and I started a new little job. (Have you noticed that I always use the word "little" when I'm feeling overwhelmed, as if making it sound like no big deal will ease my mind?) Provo School District was experiencing an overload in their Pre-K Special Ed. Program, and so I now find myself each day in a classroom of special three and four year olds that REALLY keep me hoppin'! As if my own kiddos weren't already doing that...

Carter has been having quite a bit of pain lately. Muscle spasms is our best guess as what's going on. I was totally convinced that he had fractured his bone a few weeks ago. So sure in fact, that we had an x-ray taken and sent it to Dr. Paley. Of course, I had looked over the x-ray and took the liberty of explaining to Dr. P that I noticed some peculiarities in the image. He sent back a reassuring note that everything was looking perfectly as it should. He left out any mention of his hysterical laughter at my attempt to interpret the x-ray and then give him instructions on what to look for. I thought it was nice that he didn't feel it necessary to drive that point home. In the end, he will always be the expert and I will always be the mom who will do anything for her boy (even if it is a little over the top at times!).

In spite of the pain, Carter is healing amazingly well! So well that he is having his fixator removed next week! Can you believe that? We weren't thinking that would happen until December or January, but Dr. Paley has looked at his x-rays and confirmed that, "Carter has healed beautifully." If I'm being completely honest, I must confess that I'm scared to death about the whole thing. If you know Carter's history, you know that his last lengthening and fixator removal was nothing short of horrific! But, I remind myself everyday that that was our past and this is our present and we didn't have Paley in the past! So, to sum it up, Carter and I will fly to WPB on Sunday, surgery to remove the fixator and insert a metal rod into his femur is on Monday. We'll return home really late Wednesday night, just in time for Turkey Day (or for me, "Pie Day"). I promise to keep everyone posted. Really I will.

Now I'm coming to the point in my post where I will in fact, ask for forgiveness for the lack of pictorial documentation of Caitie-girl's birthday. I'm pretty sure I remember taking pictures, I just can't find them at this exact moment. But, I did include pictures of Carter and Caitlin's Halloween costumes. Sadly, we have left the years of "cute" Halloween costumes behind us and now it's all about the gore! Carter was a deranged surgeon (no semblance to Dr. P) who liked operating on his own leg. Come on, work with me here people, it's not easy to create a fixator-friendly costume! Caitlin was a vampire with fresh blood running down her lips and chin. Lovely. And just as soon as I find those birthday pictures, I'll post them (I'm so glad I didn't go for that fourth kid...).

Here's a picture of Carter, that he told me NOT TO POST, but I'm doing it anyway because someday we'll want to remember all of this, at least that's what I tell myself. This picture pretty much sums up how he ends his days. Curled up on my bed, leg hurting, heating pad on his hip, mom rubbing his foot until he falls asleep, then Jason carts him (awkwardly) down the stairs to his bed. If I'm still awake, doesn't happen often, I shed a tear or two as I watch him being carried away. It's not all sadness, rather a mix of emotions. I'm proud of him for being so strong, sad that he hurts and worried that something is going to go wrong. But mostly, my heart is just so full of love and admiration for him!

A Little Bit of Drama

2010-10-22T12:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was supposed to be an uneventful day.

P.T. in the morning, then Carter went to school.

And I headed home to clean the house (because I have a glamorous life).

BUT, things didn't stay uneventful for long.

I got a phone call from the elementary school.

One of Carter's pins was falling out.

Not good.

I assessed the damage.

See that red cap?

It is supposed to be touching that metal base part.

No, not good at all.

I called Dr. Paley's P.A. (yes I was freaking out).

He told me not to worry, "It's not a big deal."

"You work in the operating room everyday... this is a big deal to me!" (yes, I said that)

He chuckled and apologized and gave further instruction.

Carter cried when I told him we had to remove the pin.

I thought I could handle things.

Then I cried, too.

So, we called Jason.

He came right home- cause he is like that.

Really, the pin was already practically out.

But, the part that remained in the bone had to be unscrewed.

Carter held on real tight while his Dad did the turning.

He is one brave boy!

Then, he surveyed the damage.

And called his buddy, Cas, to tell him about the ordeal.

I heard him declare, "It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be!"

And there you have it.

We have one less pin site to clean each day.

Now, that's what you call turning lemons into lemonade (thank you very much)!

What Do You Get...

2010-10-21T15:54:00.000-07:00

When the Princess of the family is having a birthday (and her parents are suckers)?

One of these:

What Do You Miss About Florida? (Interview with myself- fascinating)

2010-10-20T12:42:00.000-07:00

1. I miss that, when doing laundry, I had to walk down the breeze-way to the laundry room and I could see the ocean waves and feel the ocean breeze all around me. Looking out my window at the neighbors garage just isn't the same.

2. I miss that Caitlin wore her swimsuit all day rather than 4.5 outfits that will all end up in the dirty clothes basket.

3. I miss wearing the same three sundresses everyday. Not only did it cut down on laundry, but they were much more "spare tire" friendly... if you know what I mean.

4. I miss that we survived with just the necessities and, quite frankly, it made life so much easier! Maybe I would have enjoyed living in pioneer times, relishing in a meager, simple lifestyle. Scratch that, I like indoor plumbing A LOT!

Okay, no more stalling, I've got to get my chores done :)

Carter's Story

2010-10-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

I've been a poor blogger... please forgive me. I think today's post will make up for it! I've been working on a slide show of Carter's Story with Limb Lengthening. Now, when folks click on his picture in the side bar they will be connected to this slide show (if all goes according to plan and my technology challenged self refrains from messing anything up ;) Let me know what you think (typos, too long, remove the "chunky mom just had a baby" picture, cutest kid you ever did see, stuff like that)!

Family Movie Night

2010-10-08T20:45:00.000-07:00

Our kids love Family Movie Night, especially Carter. Something about everyone piling up on the couch bed, squishing each other, inevitably someone lets one loose, someone else gets elbowed, it's just a good time. Tonight we watched Over The Hedge. I had to remind everyone that the last time we viewed that movie as a family we were at Provo Towne Center Cinemas and Caitlin barfed about 3/4 of the way through the show.
Most normal families would pack up and leave after such an incident. Not us, we just moved down a few seats (movies are expensive, ya know) and finished the show. Don't worry we booked it out of there so people wouldn't figure out we were the ones responsible for the stinky mess. And really, it was better than the time that Carter had diarrhea running down his legs and puddling onto the floor as we attended a Christmas Eve showing of Polar Express. Yeah, that was bad. And the fact that the bathroom was completely out of paper towels and the place was deserted so I had to jump the concession stand counter in search of towels as Jason waited in the restroom with a "nakie" boy in the sink...

I guess we should stick to Family Movie Night at home!

Things To Celebrate

2010-10-04T12:09:00.000-07:00

Jake arrived home safely from Afghanistan

Carter has two feet on the ground

Joy is playing her first season of college volleyball

Adeline wants to kick your trash

Caitlin and Tristan only "left-out" Maggie a couple dozen times

Rocko and Jack were just happy to be invited

Grandma's shuttle made it from Idaho without much drama

Mom didn't make us join in song, accompanied by the piano and flute

Dad, Jason and Jake are no longer the sole representatives of the male gender (perhaps part of the reason we don't sit around and sing anymore???)

Caleb found a way to turn all conversations into a dirty joke

The Fisher-man Price weren't lonely this weekend

We didn't play Rummy-O, so I didnt' have to embarrass my sisters with my highly enviable skill and unbeatable-ness

P.S. Something is telling me to censor the comments to this post ;)

What I Want You To Know

2010-09-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

Your Mom & Dad are as proud of you as any two parents could be! Deciding to go to Jr. High after two years of online school was a big choice to make, one that you chose all on your own. The truth is, in many ways it's easier to have you home, under our roof where we can protect you. As you are learning, in Jr. High kids all want to be the same, but you are different. They are scared to be unique, feeling better about themselves if they can just "fit in" with the cool crowd and doing anything to be accepted. And that is where bullies are born, insecure about themselves and not brave enough to be their own person. But you are different and someday those differences will set you apart in ways that are beyond anything we can imagine. It's the different thinkers in this world that truly hold the power; the power of forward looking and change. These are the people who discover cures to rare diseases, invent the latest and greatest in aerial warfare, and maybe someday even make regular old cars fly, you get the idea.

Right now it may seem better to just be like everyone else, but you aren't and your uniqueness will serve you well one day. The strength of your character was apparent as you forged ahead with a bruised cheek and wounded heart, determined to keep going despite the unkindness of some children. And, in the end, you learned that there is good in the world....yes, even in Jr. High! You are now surrounded by a group of boys that heaven (and your mom) smile upon for their devotion to choosing the right. Keep your chin up and know that if you stay the course, you will be blessed!

And seriously, there ain't nobody who can compete with your creations, like the jet pictured above with retractable landing gear and all. That's my boy.

*Post Edit: For those of you that don't know, Colby has Asperger's Syndrome, a form of Autism.

Good Bye Summer...

2010-09-28T17:36:00.000-07:00

HELLO, Fall! We are enjoying the nighttime chill in the air and the changing colors on the mountain side. We've also been eating lots of corn on the cob and peaches (tomorrow I'll let you know if eating five peaches in one day wreaks havoc on the digestive system). The changing season signals a change in our lives; from hot summer days and painful nights to cooler temperatures, healing and growth (literally ;) And most importantly, it reminds us that we are moving forward- which is always better than sliding in the other direction.

Watch out, Autumn, here we come! We'll be enjoying your harvest and holidays (which will include trying to find a fixator-friendly costume) and remembering to take each day as it comes and to enjoy our journey.