Brady's Bunch

October 2013 :)

2014-01-29T15:13:00.002-07:00

October started off busy!!! Who am I kidding? Every month starts off busy LOLOL But - we were frantically trying to get J ready to head off to Ukraine on his mission - so much to do, so little time :) He kept working til a week before he went into the MTC and still managed to get to the temple 30 times :) So proud of him. He is a great kid! We still managed to have some fun, and take some pictures though :)

One of Littlest K's first outings was with friends to the farm :) She loves animals AND her friends :)

Would you look at the size of that horse??????

One of the funnest parts of having a little girl? Cute little girl clothes :) I saw this Halloween outfit and just couldn't resist :) She looks so cute in orange!!! Okay, okay - she looks so cute in allll colors ;)

J is leaving soon - so we HAD to take some pictures with him!!!!

Pretty in pink!!!!

These kids sure do love the ball pit!!! I am not sure I love cleaning up balls 20x a day ;) I miss all the unhygienic ball pits they used to have in playlands - they were so fun!!!!

We paused to take a few more family pics - since we missed a few usual poses in the professional ones we had done!

Sisters!!!!!

C and Big K got to hold their little sissy for the first time :) They were soooooo happy!!!!!

Brothers!!!!!

All too soon it was time for J to get set apart as a missionary!!! He is going to do such a great job in Ukraine. I am excited for the adventures he is going to have and the people he is going to meet. He is so excited to learn Russian!!!!

Littlest K was lovin' C's boots!!!!

That's it - he's Elder J now!!!

Goodbyes to Big K and her C :)

Hugs for his littlest sissy - she will have changed so much when he gets back in 2 years!!!!

Hugs for Lacey - who probably will not be here when he gets home. She has become so frail and ill over the last few months. She is 13!!!

Looking sharp - Elder J!!! My heart is so full of love for this son of mine. He is such a great kid. So many experiences in his life have shaped him into the young man he is now. He suffered a lot of bullying through elementary, jr. high, and high school because of his size and nerdiness. But through it all, he kept his sense of humor and sense of self and has never tried to be anyone different than who he is. He is confident and kind and compassionate and understanding and non-judgmental. He has so many amazing character traits that I know will help him so much as a missionary. I am sure he will annoy some of his companions, but I am also equally as sure some of his companions will annoy him ;) He is a hard worker and a great kid - I am so glad I have been blessed to be his momma!!!

Our last lunch before dropping him off. The kids loved the buffet!!!!

Hugs to last for two years!!!!! That's a long time!!!

And - he's off!!!!! Go change the world - Elder J!!!!

Daddy did a bunch of work on the playset in the backyard - which had settled in the sand over the years - and it's PERFECT for our littlest K, who ADORES being outside!!!

We tried to get some matching jammies for the younger sisters :) Unfortunately, Little K might be just a little TOO big for these footies LOL We thought it might be worth a photo shoot though LOL

We watched the leaves turn red and fall. Fall is soooo beautiful here!!!!

We hit a Halloween fun spot with our disability support group! The kids had lots of fun!!! Littlest K got introduced to some new friends :)

I think their measurements are a little off - Brady is definitely OVER 4 feet :)

The weather in October here is still soooo nice - one of the reasons I love living here :) Some ring around the rosies fun!!!!!

Brady occasionally gets some homework in -we are working with his all new (again) special education department to get his programming a little more settled and challenging - sighhhhh...... He struggles with writing so much - but - he did pretty well with this assignment :) Go Brady!!!!

We did a fun pumpkin painting project :) Littlest K though it was fun to paint herself ;) ha ha ha

Hunter got asked to Sadies :) It was a Disney theme :) They went as Ariel and Prince Eric :)

More backyard fun :) The littles sure love the trampoline!!!!!

We hit October 21st - which was the end of the 20 day appeal period after the court in Latvia granted our adoption :) No one appealed it - and Littlest K is ours forever!!!!! We had to celebrate with a few pictures ;)

Kisses for Littlest K :)

Kisses for Brady :) I love how much these two love each other (mostly......)

It's almost HALLOWEEN!!!!!

We are getting to relive all sorts of adventures that we went through with Brady when he was little - including the crawling into the tub with your siblings fully dressed....... I hope she learns the appropriate way to bath is getting undressed and by oneself, soon ;) It does make for some funny pictures though.....

Look at the leaves on the bushes now - soooo gorgeous!

Pumpkin carving and birthday celebrating :)

We missed having J there - it's the first thing he hasn't been to yet - but we are so happy that he working so hard to learn the language and culture to serve the Lord by sharing the gospel. We have had weekly emails - we live for Wednesdays when we hear from him :) He is doing well :) We carved a pumpkin for him - so we know he was here in spirit :)

Our Big K is 23!!!! How did that happen? Seriously - she can't be that old already!!!

And finally - it was Halloween :) Littlest K dressed up as Agnes from Despicable Me (and Despicable Me 2) - of the "It's so fluffy I think I'm gonna die" unicorn fame.... She makes a pretty darling Agnes - right????

And Brady was her faithful Minion :) He loved his costume!!!

Look at my Dora pumpkin!!!!

I helped out at Brady's class party :) He loved his day - even put frosting on his cookie and played all the games. He was sick earlier in the week and isn't 100% - but - he didn't want to miss this day!!!

He hearts his aide - K :) We should probably adopt her - her name fits right in with our girls LOLOL

Halloween Pizza!!!!

After trick or treating hanging out :) Brady LOVES trick or treating!!! Not for the candy - he could care less about that, but to say hi and meet people. He just loves talking to people on Halloween :) We went trick or treating at the Hubs office building and every time he came to an office with just candy and no people, he would get a sad look on his face and say - They're ALL GONE!!! ha ha ha And he wasn't talking about the candy LOLOL

Little K thought a super hero was in order - and nicely recycled one of C's costumes :) Woot Woot!!!!

And - that was it for our October :) The Hubs went to Latvia the first part of the month for our 2nd court date, and now it is official in Latvia - Littlest K is stuck with us :) We love her so much and are so grateful to have her in our family. She and Brady teach us so much and bless us so much - things we wouldn't learn without them. I am grateful each day for ALL my children :) What blessings they are. We miss Justin - it seems weird without him and not being able to text him. But - we send him weekly packages while he is in the MTC and still stateside until December :) We are blessed by him, as well. Hope you had a wonderful October!!! Let the Holiday season begin!!!

November 2013 :)

2014-01-18T14:26:00.001-07:00

I love November here - the temps are still bearable, but we usually get our first snow. Thanksgiving is the hubs favorite holiday. There is still sunlight a lot of the day :) It is GOOD :)

Littlest K continues to do well and be cute as can be!!! We've had all our therapy evaluations and will hopefully be starting therapy after we get home from Latvia and she has her tonsils and adenoids out :)

Our sweet dog, Lacey, at the age of 13 years, became very ill and passed away. Little K has been begging for a puppy for years - and we always told her - after Lacey dies. Well - here you go. Merry Christmas early Little K :) Meet Miss M :)
Here she is getting her first bath :)

A little sister, a puppy, and new futsal shoes and soccer ball? Little K's life is complete and perfect!!!!

Littlest K is loving her "inside" slide for days that we can't play OUTSIDE :)

Look who is actually ENJOYING her swing now :)

Yah - anyone want to venture a guess at how many more years I have of this???? I was sooo happy when Brady learned that he had to undress before getting into the tub LOL :)

Littlest K's first go at stitches/glue.... A nasty cut on her chin from a run in with the bath tub (naughty naughty bath tub :( Cutie pie can still smile :)

Brady is loving the warm weather - jumping on the tramp with his trusty iPad :) Also - experimenting with cheerios?????

Littlest K's dress for our sealing came - of course we had to try it on :) She is just so adorable!

Warm days led to our first snow! Littlest K thinks it's A-OKAY :)

Drawers for playing? SURE :)

M's shoe stash - one of each pair - what the what????

More fall cuteness!!! She sure loves her sticks :)

And then - it was time to decorate for CHRISTMAS!!! I know, I KNOW - before thanksgiving??? But - I just HAD to - because we were headed down south for Thanksgiving then leaving immediately to Latvia for our final adoption trip - yayyyyyy! So- yup - we decorated before Thanksgiving....

Littlest K got into it :) She was loving all our different Christmas hats!!!

Taking a yoga break - cause you know - decorating is hard work :)

ALWAYS on the nice list? Well - mostly ;)

Littlest K's ornaments that we brought back with her to have from Latvia :)

I "may" have been enjoying dressing a little girl again :) It is just so fun - I can't resist buying her cute things. For so many years she didn't have ANYTHING that was hers alone - I "might" be making up for that :) ha ha ha But seriously - she is so beautiful - she deserves to have beautiful clothes too :)

We love visiting Grandma and Grandpa at their "winter" residence for American Thanksgiving :) They are always so gracious to invite us :) I loved having all the kids except J together. Less than 2 years and he'll be back to join us!!!

December 2013 :)

2014-01-16T17:42:00.001-07:00

December was a crazy busy month for Brady's Bunch!!! We started the month with our 3rd and final trip to Eastern Europe for Littlest K's adoption :) It is final - complete - done!!! She is ours - FOREVER!!!!!

Packing for 5 for a week required as much luggage as 3 for a month ;)

This crew was a bit tired :) Our whirlwind Thanksgiving trip, then home and ready to go again!!!

Airplanes are AWESOME!!!

Littlest K is already a world traveler ;)

Brady says "THUMBS UP" for Amsterdam!!!

Dutch pancakes - YUM!!!

Taking some time for selfies!!!!

Breakfast in a giant teacup? YES PLEASE!!!!

Train ride from the airport into Amsterdam :)

Headed to catch a canal boat!!!!

The train station - modern on the back and very cool-y restored on the front!!!

Soooooo many bicycles!!!! We thought about renting one - but -it was a bit rainy and cold :(

Loved the architecture!!!

Kickin' back :)

Jet engine display? AWESOME!!! They also had all these cool plush chairs for Santa's - although we didn't see any Santa Claus' - just a lot of travelers taking advantage of the comfy chairs ;) ha ha ha

Big K found ice cream cones all over on her trip - we thought these french fries were pretty cool!!!

Lunch! Those won ton thingies? FRIED CHEESE. Different - but strangely tasty with the sweet sauce!

interesting food - right????

What we spent most of our first day in Latvia doing ;) ha ha ha Little K woke up at 6 at night (when it was looooong past sunset) and thought it was 6 in the morning LOL

Brady might have come and climbed in bed with us. Our apartment was very cool and well - possibly a bit "interesting" :)

The owners definitely have green thumbs - there were live plants EVERYWHERE!!! I wish I could get OUR plants to flourish like all of these ones!!! I was so impressed. Little K thought they were kind of killer plants LOL

Little K was a little freaked by the mannequin, but now that I think of it - the owner seemed like a big seamstress - she had a big sewing table and sewing machines and accessories in the closets - so maybe the mannequin was for trying things on????

Another scary plant????

Great TV for SigningTime :)

YUMMY fruit! Latvia has the BEST strawberries. I don't know if they import them from Spain or where - but WOW - they are so sweet and yummy - wayyyy better than ours ;) ha ha ha

This apartment had something we could have used on our first trip - a dishwasher :) and a dryer for clothes - both were sorely missed on our first trip. Although it didn't have something we loved in our apartment on first trip - and ELEVATOR. This apartment was on the 6th floor - only 135 stairs up up up!!!!

Little K's playdough creations :)

BREAKFAST :)

Walking in the park!!!

The Freedom monument - erected to commemorate Latvia's independence from the Soviet Union :)

The Lock Bridge!!! There are so many locks here - from weddings and adoptions! We were soooo excited to place ours this trip - now that Littlest K is truly ours forever!!!

That's it - our lock!!! We locked it on and Brady and Littlest K threw away the keys!!!!

Photo ops at the Christmas Market :)

Are these the coolest garbage/recycling containers ever????

Pelmeni!!!

Sisters - must have matching jammies :) Aren't they cute????

HOME AGAIN HOME AGAIN :)

All tuckered out from 24 straight hours of traveling!!!!

A special day for us, as Littlest K was sealed to our family in the temple for eternity. So grateful for eternal families and the knowledge that we can be together after this life! We love our Littlest K and feel so blessed to have her in our family!!!

It was a cold and very snowy white day - but so appropriate for our white day! It was such an amazing thing to have Brady and Littlest K in the temple and almost our whole family together! J was not able to join us, but was with us in spirit. We know he is where he is supposed to be, but we missed him just the same!!! It was so special to be in the temple with Brady - he was just in awe. He was so quiet and good during the ordinance and loved looking into the mirrors and just kept saying 'YES, YES, YES' over and over. I do not know if he will ever be in the temple again, we will have to see what he understands as he gets older - which makes it even more special!!!

Grandma and Grandpa came to share our special day with us. Oma too - but she had to rush back due to the weather!!!

We finally got a GOOD snow!!!! Not a snowman snow - too powdery - but a good enough to play in snow :) Brady was excited to wear his new Angry Birds hat that he got in Latvia!!

Littlest K is an outdoorsy kind of gal - she doesn't care what the weather is like (although she would prefer it to NOT be rainy ;) ha ha ha

Snow angels!!!!

Snow balls!!!!!

SNOW MUCH FUN!!!!!!

Homemade Pizza's for our family Christmas dinner - pre-christmas - because C and G were traveling to G's family for Christmas (did I mention I am not good at sharing :(

And of course we had to do family Christmas Pictures!!! Much to G's chagrin ;) He thinks we take toooo many pictures. To that I say - PFFFT - you can never take too many pictures ;) ha ha ha

These two crack me up!!!

Grandma made the boys these risque pillowcases LOLOL It was tooo funny!!!!

Gingerbread house decorating time!!!

Littlest K says - frosting and candy? This is MY kind of activity!!!!

C and G's apocalypse zombie gingerbread house - cause you know - nothing says "Christmas" more than zombies ;)

Our "who" house :) Complete with a tree stealing Grinch :)

K and C went for the "Love Shack" :)

Then it snowed again - and THIS time it was snowman snow!!! YAYYYYYY!!! This next series is titled - the making of OLAF :) (yes, yes - we have some Frozen fans here......)

And then - we had a special visit!!! The littles have been so sick - so we missed any opportunities that we could have had to greet the man in red (who Brady absolutely adores.....) So - when an opportunity arose to have him come visit us- you bet we jumped on it!!!!

I'm Brady!!!!

I've been soooooo good!!!!!

Littlest K was not so sure. In fact, she was down right wary of this stranger!!!!

Get me away from him MOM!!!!

Even Miss M - our puppy - got in on it!!!

And then it was CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!!

Sisters making cookies??? YES!!!!

Crackers and cheese and meat for our candlelight Christmas dinner?? Nice arranging Little K :)

Mary and Joseph and our little angel - for the Christmas nativity pageant.....

Our little shephard!

Our little "angel" :)

My pillowcase was much less risque than the boys!!! Tropical Santa? Yup - that's right up my alley!!!

Christmas jammies!!!

Ready for bed :)

The Present parade!!!! Love our tradition of not putting presents out until Christmas eve :)

Yes, yes - I do have big muscles :) ha ha ha

Christmas morning!!!!

Skyping with J in Ukraine!!!! It was AWESOME!!!!

Santa brought Brady a karaoke machine :) This boy loves to sing and dance :)

Littlest K got a cool ride on Minnie airplane!!!

We got Littlest K for Christmas :) Best present ever!!!

Puppies for Christmas - er - maybe a few months early - but still awesome!!!

SPRITE!!!!!

Who knew someone could be so excited about sewing machine feet ;) ha ha ha

H was pretty into his Santa gift - although he was wishing for Ben Franklins instead of Washingtons ;) ha ha ha

Even little Miss M got something from Santa :) He must not know about her "potty" problems ;) haha ha

Grandma put this really cool present together for Daddy. It had a million boxes and a lot of tape and silly gifts.... and when he got the final package......

It was a belly button cleaner!!! Apparently it really works - ICK!!!!

LIttlest K loved her castle.......

A great end to a great day!!!! It's off to Canada tomorrow!!!!

Grandma and Grandpa's house!!!!!

Congratulations cousin K on your wedding!!!!

Awesome accommodations at Grandma's :)

We had lots of fun with cousins :)

And some adventures on New Year's Eve day.... Poor Little K :( An accident at the Wave Pool after being there for only 20 minutes :(

But she was done in time for New Years Eve festivities!!!!

The Littles were still going strong at 1 a.m. :)

Happy 2014 everyone!!!

Brushing the dust off....

2014-01-15T17:17:00.002-07:00

my poor poor blog..... I am sooooo sooooo sorry you are so neglected!!!! So much to do..... So little time :(

I guess I always thought that once my kids grew up, I would have more time. I think may be a myth. Not that I have a ton of experience - only 1/2 my kids are grown up and gone ;) ha ha ha But - I don't seem to have a lot of time to spare right now :) I guess it could be because I have a three year old now ;) haha ha

So much has happened - I just don't even know where to begin :)

Of course in my last post I explained about our growing family :) 7 kids plus the son-in-laws :) Yup - we are definitely growing :) Although it is weird to have had only 3 at home for the last year and a half. This letting your kids grow up and leave is for the birds, I tell you! For.the.birds ;)

J flew the coop and went off to college and is now serving a full time mission for our church for the next two years (or rather 21 months - 3 down - 21 to go) in Ukraine, speaking Russian! He is going to be an awesome missionary!!!! He reported to the MTC on October 9th! We got to skype with him for Christmas - so that was fantastic!!! It was so good to "talk" to him :) We discovered the joy of skyping while we were in Eastern Europe adopting Littlest K :)

H is loving high school and is very involved in the drama and theater department. He recently got his drivers license, so that is sooo helpful to me!!!

Brady is in 5th grade now - where did the time go? He is included in a general education classroom with pullouts for language arts/reading and math. His speech is coming along - he still struggles with his severe articulation and language disorder and is considered mostly non-verbal, although he can us 4-5 word sentences. His speech is fairly unintelligible to those who don't know him or aren't willing to listen. We keep plugging away at it though. He is a very smart little boy. He loves youtube and computers and iPads :) Technology has been a boon to him and he is very savvy with it - he can navigate his way around youtube with amazing skill :) Educating Brady is still the hardest part of him having down syndrome for me - the low expectations, the dumb things people say, and the difficulty of implementing a good inclusion program - no matter how willing everyone says they are. I need a magic wand :) It doesn't seem like it should be so hard :) He is still so joyful and wonderful and amazing and we wouldn't trade him for the world!!!!

Littlest K turned 3 while she was in our care. I am still sad about the 3 birth days we missed having with her - including the special day of her actual birth. We had fun celebrating number 3 though and are so happy she didn't have to spend any more in her orphanage! She is an amazing little ball of energy and sunshine :) She is smart as can be and has picked up English and sign language so well! She amazes us every single day :) She is adjusting to having a family and bonding and attaching with us. We love her :)

Little K is still playing soccer and hanging with friends. She loves to be social :)

Big K graduated from college and her hubby, CD, has as well. They will be off to another state for medical school in the summer - boo hooo :( I am happy for them, but sad for me!

C has about a year left for her undergraduate degree and her hubby, G, is working on finishing up his undergrad and taking some classes for his masters program at the same time.

Well - how was that for an update? I feel kind of like I just wrote our Christmas letter LOL

I think I might do better to just do a post for each month of the last year :) You might not be that interested, but I would really like to have it to journal one of the most amazing years of our lives!!! So many blessings, so many tears, so much joy, so much stress, so much love, so many frustrations, so many many MANY blessings!!!! What a year 2013 was for us!!!! Looking forward to what 2014 will bring!!!!

Wowwwww - my last published post was in January 2013????

2013-11-15T06:43:00.001-07:00

That is pretty darn lame for a blog I started to share our lives with T21 with family friends and even complete strangers. I am a terrible online advocate :( BOOOOOO!!! I admit it!

There is a good reason though, that I haven't blogged much!!

Brady's Bunch has some BIG news......

Are you ready for it????

Are you sure???

Really sure????

Well - our news is this......

See that cute little girl standing next to Brady? Well - she is the newest member of Brady's bunch - making him a BIG BROTHER!!!! :)

Let me introduce you to Littlest K ;) Our 3 year old newest addition from Eastern Europe :) It's been an interesting and adventurous ride since we picked her up in June - but one we wouldn't trade for the world :) She is spunky, fun, adorable, smart as can be, sweet, strong, determined, and beautiful :) We are so blessed to have her in our family :) Brady loves her to the moon and back :)

We are blessed!

So - yes - that is the reason for my lack of posting ;) I did post some over on our adoption blog - www.familyforfiona.blogspot.com :) if you would like to go read about our story and journey :)

So - I will try to be better :)

Life is crazy - Life is good :) I will write a catch up post - SOON!!!!!

Really - I will....

I think......

Life is busy......

2013-01-30T06:43:00.000-07:00

and crazy and happy........

.........unlike my poor neglected blog :(

I will be back someday to chronicle our lives - but for this exact moment in our life - I am just going to have to live it - cause it sure is a roller coaster ride and I am holding on tight and smiling through it all and enjoying the ride (well - mostly ;)

I WILL be back - soon......

I think ;)

Okay - I admit it....

2012-10-01T12:05:00.000-06:00

I lied - I wasn't really back. I have turned into a lame blogger. It's just that life seems to get in the way. There is so much I want to share - but - I just don't seem to be able to MAKE the time to do it. I have the time - I just don't take it - I choose to do some other time sucking activity - like catch up on FB or check out pinterest or something. It is lame of me - for sure.....

I will try to be better - but - I can't promise anything - cause - well - I've turned into one of those lame-o bloggers - neglecting my poor, but still loved, blog. I feel like it has happened to a lot of bloggers - or a lot of my friends who have kids with ds, anyways. But, I think it is important to share our kids and their lives as they grow - as that always seems to be a theme of people looking for information when they are deciding whether to terminate or not - where are the stories of all the older children and young adults.....

Soooo - I plan to start blogging again - soon - really....

REALLY REALLY!!!!!!

I'm Grateful!!!!

2012-07-22T08:19:00.002-06:00

that C is coming home today. Soooo behind on my blog posts - but, as you recall, C and G got married in April, and G whisked her away to work in Washington state - sooooo she has been gone since MAY!!! For a momma who has never gone more than a few weeks without seeing her kiddos, 2 months is a loooooong time :(

Sooooo - today - C is coming home for a few weeks, and I am soooooo excited to see her! I have missed her so, so, SO much!!!!

Can't wait!!!!!

Sunday Grains of Gratitude :)

2012-05-27T18:10:00.002-06:00

I'mmmmm back!

Well - maybe LOL I'm trying to be back - is that good enough? These last couple of years have been so dang busy, I just haven't had time to blog - I am sure I will regret that some day, when I look back and don't have any record of our day to day or week to week - since I use my blog as a journal, of sorts :( Of course there are things I don't want to remember - icky school years and frustrations, disappointments, frustrations, sadness, anger etc.... but - those are all things that are part of being human, and living, and part of the journey. Things that help us learn and grow and know that we can overcome - so in a way, it would probably have been good if I had included all those posts. They just weren't very fun to write - so I figured they wouldn't be very fun to read either. Sooooo - no posts :)

But - how appropriate that my first post back is a grains post? Because, isn't that one of the most important parts of our lives - expressing gratitude? Don't things always go better if we do this on a regular basis? I really believe so - looking for all the good, because it is there, when things are NOT going so good, is never an exercise in futility - it's always worth it!

Soooo - here it is!

This week I'm grateful.....

That my 3 younger kids are done with school - woot woot! H will never have to wear a uniform again (well - until he goes on his mission, then suits and ties will be the outfit of the day - er - two years). Brady can put an awful and frustrating 3rd grade experience behind him - and hopefully we will move on to better and healthier years - starting NOW :) I am so happy to be out for summer!

That J was able to get his grades up enough to still be eligible for a significant scholarship that will pay his half of housing for a couple of years (if he keeps his grades up) - woot woot - that will be so helpful - with our two weddings 4 months apart :) He has worked very hard to stay on top of things and to do well on his assignments and tests this last month (okay, okay - he was under a little duress from mom and dad) and I am proud of him for actually knuckling down.... Now on to his eagle... I think he thinks it will never end.... Ummmm- yup - welcome to real life :)

That we were able to go out to Missouri for C's and G's open house/reception. It was fun to see G's home and the state where he grew up. I loved going to church history sights and the spirit we felt there. I can only imagine the distress of the pioneers when the governor issued an extermination order - how did those sweet mothers and fathers bear it - so much hatred :( I am glad that although members of the church still suffer from bias and misunderstanding and some persecution, it isn't nearly as bad as it was in those times. It probably is still just enough that there won't be a LDS president in the US this year ;) They are working out of state this summer and I am going to miss them a lot - C has never been so far away from home :) She is very excited for the adventure though :)

That K and C are moving along with their wedding plans. K got her engagement ring this week - it is very pretty :) They are just so in love and excited, although K says she doesn't think planning for one day should be so difficult ;) ha ha ha It's a big day, sweetheart :) We got to spend some time with them last night and it was fun to chat and talk :)

That I get to see my parents this week - woot! They are coming in for J's HS graduation :) I am so grateful that they are healthy enough and have the means that they can come celebrate his special day with him - it means so much to all of us! Love you Mom and Dad :)

That tomorrow is Memorial Day - I am so grateful for all those who have fought, and continue to fight for freedom and liberty in the world and at home. Grateful for those who died, who gave their lives for freedom. I include pioneers, and ancestors who sacrificed everything to come to the US, along with servicemen and women. When you think about it - soooo many have gone before us, and sacrificed much to help us have the freedom that we have now, the lives and luxuries that we enjoy that so many many others around the world don't have, the relative peace that we live in. I am grateful, so very grateful.....

What are YOU grateful for today?

Changes, changes, changes - but change is good - right????

2012-05-17T12:53:00.003-06:00

Wow - you can tell it's been a while since I've blogged - Blogger has totally changed! I'm not sure I am tech savvy enough to blog anymore ;) ha ha ha

But - Blogger isn't the only one who's gone through some changes! Take a look at our KIDS! See anything different? Ummmm - like maybe a few more?

No, no - we didn't adopt them (well - maybe our daughters did ;) ha ha ha But - they ARE now a part of our family! C and G were married last month, and K and C will be married this summer!

I know - crazy eh??? I'm FAR too young to be a mother-in-law :) ha ha ha

And, of course, I won't be one of THOSE mother-in-laws anyway :) I promise G and C :)

Soooo - there you have it - the boys now wayyyy outnumber the girls :)

Just thought I should share our big news with our friends not on FB :) Brady's bunch is GROWING!!!!!

Hoppy Easter!!!

2012-04-08T11:18:00.001-06:00

May you all have a blessed Easter! So grateful for my Savior who atoned for my sins, gave his life for me, and was resurrected and made it so I can live with Him and my Heavenly Father once more. He is risen!!!! Happy Easter!!!

You know those nights....

2012-04-01T05:24:00.004-06:00

the ones where you sleep - then get woken up - then can't go back to sleep?

Those ones?

Well - tonight - actually last night - actually right now - yup - it's one of em.....

I hate it when they happen - but yet - the quiet, the peace, the stillness - and knowing that each one of my babies - and a couple of other people's babies - are safe and sound and off in dreamland, under my roof - is a comforting thought. After all - soon my one baby (who is TWENTY today) will officially fly the nest and belong to someone else. 3 more weeks and she won't even share my same last name. She is, of course, totally over the moon - and rightfully so. We are also so excited for her - and at the same time, it is a little bittersweet - because after all - just like my momma said - and you hear so much and think - oh that is soooo cliche... it goes soooo fast. Don't blink - or you might miss it.....

Missed opportunities - I think about those all the time. This song from Mama Mia! goes through my head on occasion......

but at the same time, I realize that I have tried my best to be the best mom I can possibly be to my kids and I hope that they know how much I love them and how wonderful I think they are. Being a mom to them has been my greatest gift, and I am grateful that I had the chance - even if we didn't get in everything I would have liked, and even though it went too fast! I am so proud of each of them and the people they have become :)

So - as I sit here - not sleeping - and thinking about the past, and the future - I wish for the very best for each of you- my sleeping babies - all grown up, and on their way to being grown up. I love you - and I'm grateful that I got to have you for a little while!

A GREAT cause!!!

2012-03-18T16:29:00.002-06:00

Hey everyone - just wanted to pass along a great cause!

My friend, Heather, and her family are adopting their second daughter with DS and they are doing a GREAT give-away to raise money!

Head over to her blog - http://www.gatheringoursunshine.com/2012/03/06/the-hoping-for-hazel-giveaway/ - Gathering our Sunshine - and check out the awesome prizes - including an iPad 2!!!!

Let's get the word out - get some funds raised - and get Hazel home, out of the orphanage!!!!

:)

Cub Scout Day Camp!!!!

2012-02-01T10:31:00.002-07:00

This is the first time Brady has gone to cub scout day camp - I think he was sick last year - but the hubs went along with him and he LOVED it!!!! I mean, of course he does, what little boy doesn't love sling shots, guns, making boats, running around beating each other up with foam swords - I mean really - cub scouts is just heaven on earth for boys ;)

Brady's Boat!

I get to shoot this rock in a sling shot? SWEET!

Learning to fold the flag.....

Train cars - cool!

Knights of the round table? Let's roll!

Boys and their guns - I'll never understand the attraction ;)

Bows and Arrows are pretty cool too.....

Awwww - a great day!

Brady's 9th Birthday - Blast from the stone ages - DINOSAURS :)

2012-02-01T10:10:00.003-07:00

better late than never right? I figure I will just kind of go backwards and post stuff til I am allllll caught up :) Sound like a plan???

Soooo - on to Brady's party :) Brady is in love with all things Dinosaur! Well - maybe I should clarify that - Brady love the Land Before Time series. You know the one, Little Foot, Sera, Duckie, Petrie, Spike - the band of eternally constantly getting into messes and then screaming as they run away little dinosaurs from the 90's.... Yup - those ones. It's just a bonus that we have so many episodes on VHS, and that they are so cheap on DVD - AND that they even made a TV show for a bit of those darling little dinosaurs (oh save my poor ears.....). But, I digress and ramble - sorry - bad habit of mine - it hasn't changed in all these months that I haven't updated my blog ;) Brady loves dinosaurs - so he chose to do a dinosaur party!!! Yayyyyy :) Lots of work - but lots of fun! Unfortunately he came down with the stomach flu the morning of said party - which we had anyway - although he was still feeling a little under the weather right up until cake time :)

Here you gooooooo.......

What's a dinosaur party without bones and a little excavation? In advance of the party we prepared a little archaelogical "dinosaur dig" :)

Welcome to a land before time :)

The finished dinosaur dig and kids in action - excavating their bones :) Oriental trading company actually does a pretty good dinosaur skeleton and this was a BIG hit :) Only one injury from the excavation tools....

Hot Lava Rock!!! - you know - kind of like hot potato :) Played to the song Do the Dinosaur ;)

Dinosaur Egg hunt :)

Dinosaur egg grab :)

Protect your dinosaur egg - this game was a hit - Little T here was a pro ;)

Presents are always a big hit - and spongebob ones? AMAZING!!!!

Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaur cake - PERFECT!!!!!

Sooooo fun - dinosaurs, volcanoes, friends, food, games and fun :) What could be better???

How am I doing with my new years resolutions...

2012-01-31T08:44:00.002-07:00

including writing on my blog - well - not so great- hey???

There is definitely room for improvement :) It's been kind of a rough year - and I haven't felt all that positive - hence - not very many blog posts.

But - hopefully things are on the up and up - and I will be posting more often and finally do a picture post catch up from the last year ;)

If anyone still reads LOLOL

Have a happy week!

wow - how did I miss that?

2012-01-17T02:44:00.001-07:00

hmmm - it was supposed to be a New Years Resolution - concerning my blog....

wow.....

well - that's about how things are going here - so I guess I shouldn't be surprised LOL

Happy 2012 y'all......

ummm - I'm a little...

2012-01-11T11:56:00.001-07:00

behind?

Don't worry - I have a news resolution about my blog....

Stay tuned ;)

Thank you for your prayers....

2011-09-09T16:15:00.002-06:00

my amazing big brother, Brant, passed peacefully away on Tuesday September 6th. He fought valiantly to stay with us, the surgeons and doctors fought valiantly to save his life, but in the end, Heavenly Father called him home.

I have so many thoughts and emotions about it all. I can see so many tender mercies from the Lord in his life and our lives over the last year - things you don't really notice or see the Lord's hand in, until you start looking back and realizing how many things that you may not have thought were blessings, really were.

Brant endured several really difficult trials during his life - but he was always positive, always loved life, and always looked forward to the future. He was optimistic, he was fun, and he was always funny! Even though his last year was filled with pain and hardship after the accident last summer - he was always grateful and he loved that he had more time to spend with his family. He made the most of every single minute and showed his love and kindness to everyone around him. He was, without a doubt, an amazing man, an amazing, father, an amazing husband, an amazing son, and an amazing brother. His death leaves a big hole in our family - but we are comforted by knowing that we will see him again in the eternities - he was such a wonderful man - I know he's got it made :)

I love you Brant, and will miss you! Thanks for being the best big bro a girl could ever wish for :)

Prayers - pretty please???

2011-09-03T22:31:00.002-06:00

Hey everyone who reads this blog - who I imagine are not very many in number LOL Just wanted to ask for prayers on my brother's behalf. He is critically ill and needs a miracle - and I know the power of your prayers!! So - if you could spare one or two or three or more, that would be sooo appreciated!!! Thanks so much!!!!

Sunday Grains of Gratitude....

2011-08-07T09:51:00.002-06:00

Hello friends! Sorry about my delinquency in my grains posts :( I promise it isn't because I am NOT grateful - just busy! I know, I know - that is a very lame excuse :( But - it IS the story of my summer! It really has been a crazy busy one! And - it is drawing to a close :( School starts in 2 short weeks :( I am DREADING it :( I hate it when school starts :( And - Brady is going into 3rd grade - which is such a HUGE jump in all areas - it is going to take a lot of support to help him be successful, and I am worried at how that is all going to pan out this year. I know I am on board though LOL Whether BRADY is on board - well - that is a different story - hopefully it will all be great and he will amaze me as he often, but not always, does :) I guess it will all depend on his teachers and aide - none of whom I actually know. And, hopefully he will transition better this year - I am keeping my fingers crossed!!! I know he is excited to see his friends - so that is a bonus....

So much to be grateful for in the last few weeks! I just don't even know where to begin!

I am grateful.....

that C was able to go on trek at the last minute! Grateful that her boss and co-workers were willing to work things out so she could go. She missed going several years ago for soccer tryouts and has been wanting to go ever since. She said it was an amazing experience, and I love her perspective - she really really appreciated the experience and the things the pioneers went through to make it to Utah, whereas many of the youth in her group just grumbled and complained and didn't help at all with pulling/pushing the handcart and complained that their parents MADE them go on trek - instead of taking in the experience, appreciating it and learning from it. I am glad she had the experience - and the boys too! I think they learned a lot too, and I think the day they trekked 15 miles was an eye opener for them..... C said she really missed Brady, and that she thought of him constantly, especially when they were talking about all the little children who died or were carried on older siblings backs on their way to the valley.

that my trio of teens were safe on Trek! There were lots of thunder storms and rain storms while they were in Wyoming, so I was worried for my kiddos. I am glad they were protected and survived. Of course that is nothing compared to what the Willie and Martin handcart companies endured - but maybe it helped them be a little more appreciative, and me too!

for my sweet hubby who took time off for a little weekend getaway with the kids to the southern part of the state for a little R&R family getaway :) We had lots of fun with the younger kids and it was a relaxing, if hot, getaway! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for letting us stay in your playhouse :)

for H, who has been a great weeder this week - for making the front beds look somewhat presentable after having a summer of being too busy for yardwork! He has also been our lawn mower extraordinaire this summer - I am grateful that he is always willing! Thanks H!

that we got to play with the cousins on the hubs side of the family. That doesn't happen super often, so it was fun! And - so grateful for my neighbor for letting us swim in her pool. It is so much easier to keep track of Brady there than at the big public pool with it's many slides, diving board, etc... I am also grateful that Brady is such a good little swimmer these days - he really does well and I am grateful for his cute swim teacher, Katie, who worked so hard to get him where he is! I hope she is having an amazing time on her mission in Italy!!!

for my friends! I haven't seen much of them this summer - but I know that once school is in session and we have a few hours in the day, we will be able to reconnect!!! I love how comfy we are with each other that we can do that - that we understand that family comes first and that there will be time for friends in a few weeks!

for perseverance! for the lessons it teaches my kids. Soccer has been so frustrating for Little K this summer. She did not make the team she wanted to - for various reasons - some political, some of her own making, and it has been a hard lesson for her. She has shed lots of tears and been bummed and angry with herself over things. Some of the reasons she didn't make the team she can't change, I don't think she's going to grow a foot anytime in the very near future - give it a few years ;) but there are things she CAN change, and she is seeing that and really working hard to achieve her goals. I sometimes think those are the lessons that are much better learned and experienced and make a lifelong difference, rather than just easily landing in the situation you want to be in. We grow the most when we experience trials... not that I want to see my children go through trials - it is so hard - but I am grateful to see them overcome and rise above the adversity that comes their way....

for Big K! This has been the most frustrating summer for her, and she has showed a lot of fortitude and perseverance, as well. Things have definitely not gone the way she had planned them to, either with school or in her personal life, and she has had to deal with hard things, do hard things, keep plugging along, and going in a forward direction, even when things are hard, and she doesn't understand why they have turned out that way. I think that is a big lesson the Lord teaches us - that even when we can't see the whole picture, or why things are happening to us, trials and adversity, even when we are living right and being obedient and faithful - HE can - and He will guide us in the right direction if we trust Him and have faith in Him. I am grateful that she understands this and is trying so hard to see past the things that have hurt her and frustrated her. She is an amazing young woman and I love her to pieces!!!

for J, and his willingness to tend Brady for me while I have been crazy busy this week. Brady is not a DS superstar, and still needs someone to keep an eye on him so he doesn't go wandering, or help himself to a pantry smorgasbord ;) J in all his sweet nerdiness is always willing to keep an eye on his little bro and spend some quality time on Youtube watching funny videos ;) I am not sure who likes it more, Brady or J - but I am grateful for how great all my kids are to step up and show their love both for Brady and for ME!

What are YOU grateful for today????

Sunday Grains of Gratitude.......

2011-07-17T11:42:00.004-06:00

Sunday again! This week dragged and went by so fast - at the same time! I can't believe it is over - it was such a whirlwind! Sooooo much to be grateful for this week though!

This week I am grateful.....

that I am back, safe and sound on American soil :) I don't think I have ever been soooo ready or so excited to come home from a trip, as I was this one.

that my family was so great to step up and care for one another while I was gone. My hubby has almost all the laundry done, the house was clean, the kids met me at the airport with a welcome home sign, Little K decorated to celebrate my return :) They were real troopers and really stepped up to help with me being gone last minute :)

for my friends that helped with my kids while I was gone - getting them to the things they needed to get to, and helping with swimming, soccer, etc....

for the strength of the Lord. This trip was definitely a lesson on relying on the Lord and seeing his hand in things. Lots of lessons learned, and hard things accomplished.

for all the blessings I enjoy, and sooo much gratitude for the many things I take for granted - food to eat, schooling for my kids, a democratic government, houses with central air and heating ;) and enough room for my family, a good job for my hubby (now that I don't take for granted, and I am grateful for it every single day!) and the opportunity I have to stay home and raise my kiddos. I am so very, very blessed and so very, very, VERY grateful. I am humbled by some of the experiences and things I learned over the last week, and I am grateful for them - even though they were hard ;)

for the hugs and kisses and love I received on my return. I missed my family sooooo much. I am not used to going places without them, and I am just so happy to be back at home with them.

that I DID get to have some interesting adventures and see some really cool things while I was in Australia :) It really is a super cool place - and I am grateful I DID not run into any of the world's most poisonous snakes or spiders - except at the wildlife park, where they were very nicely living behind glass :) The koalas, wombats, and platypusses were soooooo cute. How can a continent have so many cute and interesting animals and so many dangerous ones at the same time ;)

I am grateful that I had the chance to go and be with a friend and help with some interesting and hard experiences, and I know that when we look back in 6 months, we will see the Lord's hand, and his blessings, and hopefully have learned the things He wanted us to learn through the experiences we have had - now that will be a good grains to write!

What are YOU grateful for today????

Sunday Grains of Gratitude.......

2011-07-10T13:28:00.002-06:00

Sunday again!!! Well - actually I missed blogging on Sunday, I guess that's what happens when you fly to the other side of the world ;) on a spontaneous last minute adventure :) So, I will be interested to see if my post shows Sunday or Monday when it posts :) I have so much to be grateful for this week - so I better get started!

This week I'm grateful......

that the planes I traveled on didn't crash :) I always worry about that, and even more I am terrified of flying over water, and there was plenty of that on my trip here :)

for good friends, and brave ones and the opportunity I have to accompany one of them on a grand adventure, so she didn't have to go alone :) I can only imagine how scary it would be to be here all alone - not that it's scary, just really different LOL

for my family - who are way more adventurous than I am, and who were so supportive and helpful to get this last minute trip off the ground :) Who are helpful and loving and supportive. Thanks guys - you are the best!

that Brady is feeling sooo much better from his surgery. His first few days at home he was still under the weather and suffering from some icky side effects and set-backs to potty training, but things seem to have worked themselves out and we are back on track - phewwwww. I thought I was just going to cry those first few days home when it looked like we were going to have to start all over. It has been a long two years of teaching and working hard to get where we are and I really really didn't want to have to start over.

that little miss K played well in the soccer tournament she was invited to guest play in. Her soccer team placement has been a bit of a frustration for me, so I am glad she had a chance to play up for a little bit and I am hopeful that they will see her potential and skills and let her move up, or even double roster or something. That whole situation has been kind of hard for both of us. So, I am glad she had the chance and worked really hard and tried her best :) She is a scrappy little player :)

that we had a fun 4th of July weekend and that Brady did so well with fireworks - he ended up really loving them and even holding his own sparklers! It was so fun to see him get over his anxiety about them and really really like them for the first time! I am so happy for him. It was great to have the whole family together for a bbq and Big and Tyler back from his family vacay with us for a few hours. I love it when my whole family is together!!!

for all my blessings. Being away and seeing different places alway ALWAYS make me grateful for all the things the Lord has blessed me with. The US is an amazing place and I am so grateful for the freedoms we enjoy there and the blessing it really is to live there!

What are YOU grateful for today????

Sunday Grains of Gratitude.....

2011-07-03T15:34:00.003-06:00

Another week has zipped past and it is July already! Summer has been so crazy busy and it is just flying by, and I don't want it to! Well mostly I don't, my kids have fought more this summer than I can ever remember, and are constantly provoking each other, but other than that, I don't want summer to go by soooo fast! I have so much to be grateful for this week!

This week I'm grateful.....

that Brady's gall bladder surgery went so well. This little boy is just so amazing. I think of the things he has been through in his short little life, which I know are NOTHING compared to a lot of kids with special needs, but so much more than anything my other typical kids have had to endure. I think of the number of surgeries (9) and procedures, and specialists, and blood draws etc... that he has had, and the grace with which he takes everything that comes at him, and he inspires me. He charms doctors and nurses, he goes with flow, he calms himself, he holds his own mask to put himself to sleep for the anesthesiologist :) He works through his worries and anxieties and trusts me completely to keep him safe and be there for him. I know people might say, why would I want a child to go through all that, that people think his life isn't worth living, that they are "saving" their children with DS from a life of "pain and suffering" by terminating them - but I would argue that Brady doesn't think he is suffering, that he doesn't think his life is not worth living - that in fact he appreciates and lives his life more fully than the rest of 46 chromosomers, because he doesn't get caught up in all the unimportant things, and he enjoys the things he loves with an abandon and passion that we would never allow ourselves. He is an example to me every day, and I am grateful - even on the days when I am feeling sorry for myself, because I may never be the mom who can sit at the edge of the pool and visit with friends without keeping an eye out for a fleeing Brady, or be able to freely go out without finding someone to keep an eye on Brady, or make sure I have an extra change of clothes in the car for my 9 year old - just in case - that Heavenly Father let Brady be a part of our family. What kind of people would we be without him? How would we have ever learned to appreciate the small things? How would we have learned patience? How would we have ever learned to appreciate and celebrate a statement as simple as "thanks C for watching funny videos with me" when he walks out the door - to his 9th surgery, in as many years. How would we have ever learned to love someone so completely, to forgive so perfectly, to trust so completely, to believe so innocently - to be like Heavenly Father wants us to be? Without Brady's example? I'm not sure we would ever have learned those things. I am soooo grateful for my sweet boy.....

for my brother! It has been almost exactly a year since that horrible accident that almost took his life. A year of miracles, and lots of hard work and pain and endurance for him. I am grateful for the miracle that allowed him to live, for all the prayers and positive thoughts from real life friends, internet friends, and internet prayer warriors that I don't even know, that pleaded with the Lord for his life and recovery. I am grateful for his continued recovery and that I still get to have my big brother - I love him so!

for my hubby and kids. They are awesome. I am grateful for them stepping up to drive each other places and look after each other when I am away. For taking such great care of Brady when he is in their care (mostly - the boys could use some work - but man I will have them whipped into shape by the time they get married, or die trying ;) I am grateful to them for being patient with me when I am stressed or worried and not being very patient with THEM. They are wonderful kids and I am grateful for them each and every day!

for the service men and women who serve around the world every day to help not only the US be free, but other countries too. Who work and sacrifice for the freedoms that we enjoy, and to make the world a better place. I am grateful for the free country that I live in (even though I am not a US citizen :) and the freedoms and privileges that I enjoy every single day.

for my hubby's job. His company has been so up in the air for the last year, and I am grateful for his continued employment and the insurance benefits that we enjoy, as I know there are so many people out there who do not have the same benefits. I am so grateful....

for so many wonderful friends and family who love and support me, my kiddos, and Brady. Who pray for him and believe in him and love him - and ME - in spite of my many, many faults and shortcomings. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

What are YOU grateful for today?

Brady's 9th birthday Dinosaur Expedition :)

2011-07-02T07:17:00.003-06:00

Dinosaurs are one of Brady's most favorite things right now :) He loves the Land Before Time movies, he loves the dinosaur museum, he loves making his toy dinosaurs eat each other and run away from the "sharp tooths" :) Soooo - what better party could he pick but a dinosaur expedition?

We got dinosaur fossils and encrusted them in "sandstone" and sand....

We made dinosaur tracks and decorated our "land before time...."

Complete with a dinosaur sister, a volcano and everything!

The kids had fun "digging" their fossils and seeing which kind of dinosaur they would find - three horn, velociraptor, spike tail, flyer, duck bill, sharp tooth :) We had em all :)

We played pass the Lava rock.....

Had a dinosaur egg hunt.....

Did a pterodactyl egg grab :)

protected our eggs from other dinosaurs wanting to smash them :)

Then it was Brady's favorite time (good thing he was feeling better by this point - he came down with a bug the morning of his party and wasn't feeling well til almost the end!)
PRESENTS!!!

and CAKE!!!!

Happy Birthday Party Brady :)