We're So Proud!

Windsor Elementary held their annual awards assembly today. I was able to attend with Andraia and Chloe. We weren't sure if Spencer was getting any awards or not, but decided it would be fun to go and atleast see all of the kids from our ward!

Spencer received two awards today. The first was for Top Academic Performance in his class. The other was for scoring in the top 10% in the NATION on the standardized testing for 5th graders! Wow! His areas of expertise were: reading, social studies, math, science and his overall composite score!

Of course, I say that he takes after me! But his dad is such a good influence on him. They are quite the team!

Way to go Spencer!

Dream Night!

I am so excited! Just had to share!

Our family was picked to go to Hogle Zoo Dream Night. This is a special event for families with children who have special needs. Not everyone who signs up gets to attend because it is so popular, so we were thrilled to be chosen! The event is Friday June 6th. We will be able to see the Zoo after hours. It will be really fun for all of us. We can't wait to go!

Don't be "Ugly"

We had some new friends over for dinner last night. Troy and Vicki Smith are from Texas. Troy just started working with Earl at Arkona. We were so happy to have them over because they have been staying at a hotel in Salt Lake while Troy trains for this new job. The Smiths are from Texas. We had a great time with them. Especially getting an earful of their fun Texas accents and different sayings.

Andraia enjoyed talking to Vicki about her 'grandbabies' who are just about the same ages as our kids. They are such awesome people and really loved having kids around to remind them of home. It was so nice to be able to cook for them and they were so tired of eating at restaurants. I know I always think it'll be great to eat-out for a week when we're on vacation, but I sure miss home-cooked food!

One of our favorite words that Vicki and Troy used was 'ugly'. Not in describing a person's looks, but their personality. Where I would have called someone 'rude,' Vicki says "He is such an ugly person." So remember, don't be 'ugly!'

It was so nice to enjoy the time getting to know Troy and Vicki better. They loved Utah and are talking about moving here rather than having Troy fly out for installs from Texas. So, maybe they'll be new neighbors too!

Wonderful Weekend

I had a great Mother's Day Weekend!

The week was a bit crazy because of Brayden's accident. He still isn't able to walk, so he is home from school. I didn't realize what progress he had been making in doing things for himself until he wasn't able to do them anymore. He is slowly getting better. The process would be faster if he would let us put ice and a wrap on his ankle, but with his sensory issues, that is impossible. So he takes warm baths and crawls around the house. Hopefully he'll be back to school next week!

 

This pic is of Brayden's foot the day after he fell. The picture doesn't actually do justice to all of the different colors in his foot, but you get the idea!

While Earl was home during the week helping me take care of Brayden (I sure needed the help, its hard to carry an 8 year old and 1 year old at the same time!), we got some projects done around the house. He surprised me with a new patio set for the backyard as an early Mother's Day gift, and I got him a new BBQ grill for his early Father's Day present. We are really looking forward to using the backyard a ton now that Earl isn't traveling!!!

We also set up the kids' trampoline and a fun bench around our maple tree in the front yard.

My wonderful friends really helped me keep up my spirits this week. Ariane was wonderful at remembering what Brayden likes to play with and brought over some beads and a cup for him. It definitely kept him entertained! And Mindy called to check on us. I couldn't have made it through without everyone's help! I had a hard time keeping Brayden happy. Poor boy. He can't tell us what he wants or needs, so he has been a bit whiny. He is also sad that he isn't at school. Mom's routine just isn't as much fun as Ms. Warnick's. And this is the first time I have felt blessed that he is so small for his age. I would hate to be carrying around an average size 8 year old. His little 45 pounds is plenty!

Saturday we attended the opening reception for Spencer's Art Show. It was wonderful! My parents, brother(Mike), sister-in-law(Shannon), sister(Trisha), bother-in-law(Robert) and my awesome friend(Mindy) all came to see his artwork. Spencer really enjoyed the attention and especially hearing from Greg Olsen. He really encouraged the kids to never give up on their art.

On Sunday I had a really fun day sharing Mother's Day with Andraia's 5th birthday! I can't believe she is five. And I am so lucky to have her share Mother's Day with me! She was born on Mother's Day and that was such a wonderful present.

This year, we had the fam over for dinner and birthday treats. We played on the tramp, ate yummy Shepard's Pie, opened presents, ate cute, pink, girlie cupcakes (thanks Trish), and enjoyed everyone's company.

So, we have been busy, things have been crazier than normal, but we are feeling very blessed! Love to everyone!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!!! I know I'm a bit early, but we will be (and current are) very busy. Trying to get Brayden's ankles to heal, attending the Family Fun Night at Windsor Elementary, playing outside on the new trampoline.....the list goes on!

So, I'm taking a chance to sit down for a couple of minutes and reflect on Mothers Day. I am so lucky. My four kids are such a blessing in my life. And that extra, older child (also know as my hubby) keeps me happier than I probably deserve to be.

5 years ago, I had the best Mother's Day gift ever. Andraia Marie was born on Mom's Day. It was such a great day! She gets to celebrate her birthday on Mother's Day again this year. It is so special to celebrate with her. She is a great little girl.

So, I hope everyone takes the time to really enjoy this special day. I know I will be enjoying every minute of it!

Someone is Watching Out for our Boy

Oh my goodness! What an emotional day. I can't believe that we made it through unscathed.

At about 7:40 this morning, a very noisy truck came to pick up a dumpster that we had rented and filled with a bunch of junk left behind by the former owners of our house. While it was here, I headed downstairs to talk to Spencer before he left for school. Just after walking into the kitchen, I noticed Brayden. Not coming down the stairs from his bedroom like I would expect, but walking in the sliding glass door from the backyard. HOLY COW!!!! HOW DID HE GET OUTSIDE!!!

After a quick glance at Spencer (who looked just as confused as I felt) I realized Brayden hadn't walked downstairs before me.....he had fallen out of his bedroom window. If he made any noise while falling, I sure didn't hear him because of the loud truck.

Now, this isn't any short fall out of a low window onto nice, soft grass. This is a two-story fall onto yucky, hard concrete.

Don't ask me how he fell, or how he walked across the yard to the door. He has never opened a window in his life. He has never had the hand strength to open the latch on this particular type of window. And as for getting to the door....I swear, angels must have carried him.

I scooped him up....checking for broken bones, bleeding, etc. Decided not to call the ambulance because it would panic him and take too long to get him to the hospital. Earl, who was on his way to work, turned around and drove home faster than I could have called 911. He has excellent driving skills!

At Orem Community Hospital, they heard crackling in his lungs and his oxygen saturations were pretty low, so they secured him to a backboard with a neck brace and transported him to Utah Valley Regional Hospital in the ambulance.



Now, Brayden has had to be transported because of seizures before, but those were rather leisurely drives. This one was full on lights and sirens. Earl rode with him, while I drove our van and bawled my eyes out.

Once I arrived at the hospital, I was met by a crisis manager....not a good omen (I thought). But things were actually better than expected. Earl said there were about 10 different people ready and waiting in the ambulance entrance when they arrived including the head of pediatrics. They were definitely playing their A game today!

The doctors had already assessed him and said his lungs sounded great. They were just worried about his ankle and the bump on his head. So, after chest, neck and ankle x-rays, and a CT scan, we found out that the worst injury he sustained was.....................................................................
a TWISTED ankle. Not even broken.

We know that he is very close to the veil. Heavenly Father watches out for him all of the time. And so do all of the angels we know, especially Grandma Rainey. He is such a lucky boy. We are such a lucky family. I can't believe he is OK.

Now the hard part is getting him to stay off of his ankle and allow it to heal. He is doing OK today, but it hurts horribly when he tries to stand on it. He is also still a little sedated from the CT scan.

So, we have had a very crazy day. Not one we want to live over again, but one we are very thankful for.

Our family and ward and friends were really there for us today. Mindy came over to stay with the girls, my dad ran to the hospital and helped Earl give Brayden a blessing, my Relief Society President met us at the hospital for moral support, our Elders Quorum President is coming over tonight, my brother, Mike, is coming over tonight, my sister listened to me bawl on the phone....I know the list is longer than that. We love everyone. Thanks for all you do.

Spring 08

Just some pics of the kids enjoying the wonderful Spring weather!

Zoo Trip

While the kids were off for Spring Break, we took them to Hogle Zoo. We had a great time! Chloe called all of the animals 'Max'. Like she yells at our dog. She was really excited to see them!