Our Month

A Month In Our Life

This month we had Spencer's 11th birthday, our 15th anniversary, Chloe decided standing up is her new favorite pasttime, Andraia and Brayden were just their happy selves, Spencer's science fair.....busy, busy, busy....but also, fun, fun, fun!!!

Science Fair

Spencer participated in the 5th/6th grade science fair at his school. Dispite being pretty sick the week before, he was able to do a really good job. We all learned about batteries. It was pretty interesting. He made a battery out of a lemon. It wasn't strong enough to light a bulb, but he was able to test the volts with a multimeter. I didn't realize this, but no matter the size of the battery (AAA,AA,C or D) they all produce 1.5 volts of electricity. Interesting!!

Pres Hinckley

We will miss him so much, but we are so happy that he has been reunited with his sweetheart. He was so sad without her. What a wonderful thing for them to be together again!

Also, a story from my brother, David. He was working at the Salt Lake City cemetery getting ready for a funeral. Glanced up from his work and saw Pres. Hinckley standing at a grave across the cemetery. At first, he wasn't sure it was him. You see, President Hinckley doesn't always wear a suit, but because that is how we are used to seeing him, Dave was taken by surprise seeing him in his casual attire. David realized that Pres Hinckley was standing at Sister Hinckley's grave and it just about brought tears to Dave's eyes to think of our Prophet missing his wonderful companion and going to visit her. Dave waved at him and the prophet waved back. I'm so jealous!

More Snow!!

Wow! More snow. My kids are loving it! I love it, too, until I have to go somewhere and realize that our cul-de-sac is a nightmare! Some awesome person came around the neighborhood with their 4 wheeler/snowplow. That was so great! So we only had to shovel part of the drive.

We had a really fun week! Spent FHE with the neighbors, went out to dinner for our 15 year (gasp!) anniversary, took care of sick kids (ear infections for the girls, colds for the boys), spent some time with my parents, and tried to keep the house from becoming a disaster area. All in all, we were busy, but I'm really realizing how nice it is to have Earl home and not on the road working!!

Game Night and Guinea Pigs

I sure hope I spelled Guinea Pigs right! We had a blast at our neighbors house last night! We took the kids over for game night. They played Hullabaloo and Twister. They had a great time. It was so nice to get to know the Montroses better. They are such a cute family. I don't know how they do with with 5 kids (triplets included) but they are so much fun!

Andraia was scared of their Guinea Pigs at first, but once she got to hold them and feed them carrots, she thought they were the best. She even asked this morning if she could go see them again. Its so neat to see her trying out new things!

15 Years With My Best Friend

Wow! 15 years! Earl and I were married in the Provo Temple 15 years ago. It has been such a wonderful ride! We have been through so much together. And I wouldn't have wanted to share it all with anyone else. Earl has been there for me when times were rough, supported all of my dreams, laughed with me, enjoyed all of the good times with me, and been my true love and best friend through it all. I can't imagine what my life would be like without him!

Our kids are so lucky to have a dad who loves them so much. He truly enjoys being a dad. He is the ultimate provider. He doesn't just bring home the money. He is striving to give them the best emotional and spiritual foundations for their futures.

We are all so lucky!

Bitten by the Travel Bug

Yes, the travel bug has bitten me once again. I don't know what I find more fun, actually traveling or planning all of the trip details beforehand. Either way, I love it! I have thought for several months that we need to make a return to Disneyland. We completely enjoyed our last trip (April 2006) , but I know Andraia would enjoy it so much more now! So, plans are in the works for a trip in September. Not Labor Day weekend. I have to hit the park when it is much more quiet. We only traveled there in the summer when I was younger, but after Earl and I traveled there in January 1994, I decided the 'off' seasons are the best times to go! In fact, our last trip being over Spring Break was busier than I had hoped, but we all survived.

So, I'm finding it very hard to contain my excitement and wait the next several months!

Earl has also talked about a Parents-Only trip to NYC this summer to see a game at Yankee Stadium before the team moves to their new digs. And he isn't even a Yankees fan. I guess that's what happens when you spend too much time with your Yankee-loving company VP.

Two potential trips to plan??? I'm in heaven!

A Public Thank You

I just wanted to publicly thank my awesome hubby, Earl, for letting me be a stay-at-home mom. I just finished reading an email from a family who has a child with disabilities. This sweet mom lost her job because their daughter's respite care isn't working out. I can't even imagine how frightening that must be.

Earl has always made it a priority that I stay home with our kids. In our early marriage, this was mostly just convenience and trying to follow what we were taught, but now, it is a definite necessity. I don't know how we would ever find a reliable and affordable caregiver for Brayden. Thankfully, I am not in that situation.

Earl...thank you for your hard-work, your willingness to put up with all of the politics at work, and your wonderful attitude about giving me a break at the end of your own long, stessing day.

Welcome to the Blog World

My friend started her own blog that totally rocks! It is so funny. She is just being herself, and it totally cracks me up! That's what I love. Someone who isn't even trying, but can make me laugh. Not only with her....I also laugh at myself because she reminds me of all the crazy little stuff that happens in my own life. Laughter is so wonderful! I need it more than I can tell you. Thanks for the giggles and chuckles!!

11 Years Ago

Spencer was born 11 years and one day ago. 1997. Wow! He is such a mature young man. We love him to pieces. He is wonderful with his siblings. Who would have known that he was going to be the ultimate big brother. He is so accepting of the situations that life has thrown his way. Brayden needs Spencer's love and understanding, and Spencer is always there for him. His little sisters can count on him for anything. He watches out for Andraia and includes her in his games and projects whenever he can. And he has been Chloe's best babysitter. From when she was born and Mom needed a helper so she could get dinner on the table to now when he is sometimes the only one who can make her laugh....he has always done what we need him to.

What an awesome young man. We're so proud to be his parents!!

PS This pic was taken by Andraia!! She's good!

Brayden's Battle

Having never had a seizure myself, I don't know what it feels like to be the person having a seizure. One thing I can tell you is that as the mom of a sweet, innocent little boy who continues to have seizures, it really kills me. Despite our best efforts to adjust meds and help his life be less stressful, they continue. Prayer seems to be our only defense, but I wouldn't want to fight this battle without it.

Chloe's Check Up

Chloe went to the doctor yesterday for her 9 month check-up. Of course, she's more like 9 and a half months now, but that's what happens when your check-up time falls around the holidays. She is doing great! Crawling all over the house!! Climbing all of the stairs! She can do two levels of the house (that's 14 stairs) in no time flat. She weighed in at 19 lbs 2 oz and is 28.8 inches long. She is getting taller more than she is putting on the weight now. She has a personality that will melt hearts! But, that runs in the family!!

New Year's Eve with the Family

Happy New Year

This year we had Teri's parents over to celebrate with us. Of course, since our kids are young and wear us out, we called it quits before 11:00, but we had a blast anyway. Andraia's favorite part of the night was telling everyone to "Go Fish!" We played Book of Mormon Go Fish with Nana and Poppy, and she loved it when you had to take another card.

We also broke in Spencer's Disney Pictionary DVD Game. He is a great artist! But, of course, nobody beats the DVD animation! We had a great time trying to recall different characters and titles from Disney productions! Andraia 'drew' with her own marker and had the blue hands to prove it at the end of the night.

Brayden and Chloe just enjoyed hanging out with their Nana and Poppy. It wouldn't have been nearly as fun without them!