Ashley

I took this picture of Ashley sleeping last night and wanted to give a little update on how things have been going. She's had the tube for a full month now - and is doing really well overall! All of us have learned so much through the growing pains of this first month and now I'm sure the rest of the summer will go more smoothly (Dr wants her to have the tube three months). After three weeks Ash had gained a pound and a half! Her daytime eating goal is 600-700 calories and she is getting 500calories through the pediasure at night, over 10 hours. But unfortunately she came down with strep throat last week and wasn't willing to eat at all for a few days, so we may be back down a bit. I felt so badly for her!

But she is healthy again and this is her last week of school! She is happy as ever with all the parties they are having. Also, she has been swimming a lot with her tube and it doesn't seem to bother her. The only thing she really dislikes is having to get a new tube put in, which we've done once so far when it accidentally got pulled out in her sleep. That is undoubtedly the worst part. But we've gotten through that and survived! She's just a champ. And a cute one at that - if I do say so myself.

Gila Valley Temple Dedication

Today the whole state of Arizona had no church (LDS members I guess I should say!). Instead, all church members were able to attend the dedication of the new Gila Valley Temple via satalite! It was wonderful! Last weekend Tyler and I took the kids to see the temple at the open house. It is about three hours drive from here. Anytime we can take the kids into the temple to see how beautiful it is and to teach them about the important things we learn and do there, we take the opportunity.

Seeing this temple be built and dedicated has made all of us even more excited about the new Gilbert Temple! There is a neat site(www.ldschurchtemples.com/gilbert/construction)that tells all about it - and I think they are planning to break ground this summer. The new temple will be just 5 minutes from our home. We are so excited!

Tyler and I share our testimonies often with the kids about the remarkable blessing it has been to have been married in the temple for time and all eternity. Our children have felt the peace and joy of knowing that their parents love each other and Heavenly Father so much and that our family is a family forever.

Fathers and Sons

This weekend was the fathers and sons campout with our ward. Since life has been so wonderfully hectic lately, my boys opted for a simpler option than driving all the way up to the real mountains and decided to stay close to home and sleep out on the trampoline! Ashley and I did our regular girls night out (haircuts, some shopping at the Disney Store, and dinner at Sweet Tomatoes) while the boys found a nearby hiking trail and did what little boys and dads do. I thought the pictures Ty brought home were darling!










Both boys came home with wild reports about the many prickles and thorns they found in the dessert. Luke had wounds in his leg to prove it - and Jake was wearing daddy's gym shorts home since he apparently sat on a cactus and had thorns all over in his bum! Ouch.

Baseball wrap-up

Luke played his first year of little-league this year. He enjoyed it - despite there being two -three games a week, 25 in all! It was a lot. When the coach gave him his trophy yesterday he said about luke, "Luke...let's see...didn't you have a grandslam this year?! And I think two home runs?! Way to go little buddy!" Luke was all smiles!

Celebration of Learning

The kids had an exciting night at the school last week where they showed us the best of all their work from the school year. Both Luke and Ashley have had a wonderful year this year in first grade and kindergarten - we feel so grateful for such good teachers and a great school in the neighborhood. They both had a lot of neat things to show us - and Jake became even more excited for when he gets to go to school too in a few years!

I know that my Savior Loves Me

In addition to being a cub scout den leader I was recently asked to teach primary as well. This year all the primary the kids are singing a new song that we didn't have when I was a child. The first time I heard it, my heart felt so full I almost started crying. I love the message of this song. I love that my sweet kids are learning to sing it and know it is true - that Jesus loves them!

All morning this morning I've been playing the words of this song over in my mind. I just love it - so I thought I'd share. Gather your kids around to watch - and enjoy!
Lyrics are below.



A long time ago in a beautiful place,
Children were gathered ’round Jesus.
He blessed and taught as they felt of His love.
Each saw the tears on His face.
The love that He felt for His little ones
I know He feels for me.
I did not touch Him or sit on His knee,
Yet, Jesus is real to me.


Chorus
I know He lives!
I will follow faithfully.
My heart I give to Him.
I know that my Savior loves me.


Now I am here in a beautiful place,
Learning the teachings of Jesus.
Parents and teachers will help guide the way,
Lighting my path ev’ry day.
Wrapped in the arms of my Savior’s love,
I feel His gentle touch.
Living each day, I will follow His way,
Home to my Father above.
Chorus

Ty's B-day pics

The kids were super into gift giving this year for daddy's birthday/Mother's day weekend. It was all we could do to hold them back with secrets and make everything fair handing out gifts!

Luke and Ash set up a treasure hunt for Tyler to find his big gift - the pool basketball hoop. He hammed it up perfectly for them and they were thrilled. He also got a "light show" light for the hot tub, and a shirt and tie from me. His mom got him some great new summer clothes and my mom sent a sonicare toothbrush. He was a happy boy, especially with his yellow cake with chocolate frosting b-day cake - his favorite! :)

Poor Tyler

Recently Tyler has had to travel more often than usual. They are getting close to rolling out a new system and it's a big deal. So we figured out that we like him to take red-eye flights so that he can be home with us an extra evening before he leaves - and then only be gone two nights. It feels much shorter for both of us. The only catch is that he leaves home at 9pm and arrives in Ohio at 6am their time. Not much sleep.

Last night he was on one of these flights and I just talked to him about how it went. He said it was one of the worst flights of his life - I swear, how does he manage to sit by such freaks all the time?!

He was next to a couple that he said looked like Herb and his wife. They had been drinking and smoking and smelled horrible. Before he knew it the lady next to him had fallen asleep and was beginning to lean over on him. Tyler was trying to sleep too and finally said something to the lady's husband so he pulled her back over the other direction. Just then, she threw up! Not on Ty, but all over. He was so grossed out - and got up to find another place to sit.

By now it was about 1am and he had taken two tylenol PMs (five hours ago) and was trying desperately to sleep. About 2am he heard the captain make an announcement that there was an emergency on board and that they were making an emergency landing in Denver. A passenger was having a heart attack.

So they arrived at 8am, two hours delayed - and Ty headed straight to the office. I love my man so much. He works so hard and puts up with SO much. I would probably cry often if I had his life. And he never complains.

Friends

I thought these pictures were cute because they capture who my boys are. Both are posing with one of Jill's daughters, Annie and Luke are three days apart and Hannah and Jake are both three. Jake is always so silly around Hannah - but she watches everything he does and copies him. It is funny.

Boxing Shorts at Bedtime

I changed the rooms around a little bit so that the boys can share now when they want to - I brought Luke's clothes up from his own room in the basement so that they are closer for both of us to get at. Jake was thrilled with the prospect of getting to wear "boxing shorts" like his big brother to bed. Ty took these pictures and later by night-light I went in to kiss the boys and Jake climbed all the way out of his covers, stood up and declared "look mom!" I said, "Wow son, you look so awesome - just like Lukey". He climbed back under the blankets and said "yeah..." as he closed his eyes and cuddled his blankie. It was so sweet.

Mother's Day 2010

Today was a day filled with love. The kids couldn't hold themselves back from giving me their gifts, wanting to be first, and having trouble deciding WHO got the be the one to hand me my presents... My, I felt loved having to help them work all that out! They are at very sweet ages being so into gift giving now. It is really cute. They managed to get breakfast in bed to me - even before 8 am church (well done, Ty!), Ashley had a sweet note and Luke had a homemade bouquet for me. After church they gave me a food processor which I had asked for, a picture frame, some hershey's hugs and kisses, and this most precious drawing and letter from Luke. Oh, and when Ty took them shopping Jake picked me out some of my very own magnet letters which he promptly took back and went to use. I feel like a lucky mom to have such precious children and a sweet, supportive husband. Also, to have such a wonderful mom and mother-in-law who mean the world to me. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Ocho de Mayo

Our friends the Spences have an annual Cinco de Mayo party at the park - but for the last few years it's fallen on the 8th so now we're calling it the Ocho de Mayo party! We BBQ carne asada, enjoy great tacos and let the kids crack open a pinata. It's a good time for everyone.

Everyone's a Growin' and a Changin'

The caterpillars are in their chrysalis'! They got big and fat fast and we woke up one morning to them hanging from the top of their little jars. We moved them into a bigger home and are waiting for the butterflies to emerge in the next few days! Very cool.

Luke's growing up - with graduation from first grade he has been busy with a school concert and Let's Play Music Recital. He's so cute and sings and plays piano so well.


Daddy's growing up - he turns 32 this week. We went to celebrate at Texas Roadhouse last night - the kids' choice because they love when we get "mortified" (as Luke puts it) on the saddle. Ty obviously enjoyed it. The kids have set up a big scavenger hunt for him to find his gifts. I think he'll have a great birthday


Jakey's growing up - he is in primary now at church and is beginning to learn his first lessons in sitting still and listening/singing. He has had a hard time since leaving nursery or the "toys class" as he calls it. But this week his music teacher gave him his first STAR - not quite for good behavior yet, but because Tyler took him over to her house to say sorry after we got a poor report about his behavior in church. He's trying...
Ashley Marie is growing bigger - doing just awesome with her tube! She even says she likes it because it makes her tummy feel good in the mornings! She is already starting to gain weight - and hit the 32 mark on the scale - a first for her!

And mommy is also growing bigger - I'm pretty sure I was 20 weeks along when I looked like this with Luke, but what can I say. It's okay to be showing, even at 13 weeks..right?!

Grateful

I have so much gratitude in my heart for all the love and kindness that has been shown to our family this week. I laid in bed last night thinking about all the nice things that have been done for us - and I want to write them here.

THANK YOU to Shelly Bell for coming to stay with the boys. You took such good care of them and the house. You were a lifesaver!!

THANK YOU to Krista and Cara for bringing meals in. Food is the key to this pregnant woman's heart - especially when I am high on stress and low on time. Everything was delicious!!

THANK YOU to Todd and Natalie for the beautiful flowers that arrived for Ashley! She loves them and they make the kitchen look so nice.

THANK YOU to Ali and Nana for the pink tutu, coloring book, crayons and puzzle. She toted all her new stuff around all weekend.

THANK YOU Katie for your package. She loves the Dora sticker book and Fancy Nancy story.

THANK YOU grandma for your fun activity book and for hearing me out over the phone so much.

THANK YOU Maddie for your sweet letter - and the beautiful drawing of mittens. That was a hit...

THANK YOU Elder's Quorum for the plate of really good lemon poppyseed cookies. I ate almost every one.

THANK YOU Brianne for taking care of scouts for me last Wednesday when I was borderline stable. That would have put me over... :)

THANK YOU Tasha for the bags of hand-me-downs that you brought by - Ash loves them!

THANK YOU Hailey and Olivia for bringing balloons and homemade cards over. That was so thoughtful. You are nice friends to Ashley.

Tyler and I were talking this weekend about how great everything has gone. We have been able feel the help of angels answering prayers in our behalf. Ashley has done so well adjusting to having a tube hanging out of her and being patient and understanding. And my pregnancy symptoms basically disappeared the whole time we were in the hospital - it was remarkable -and then they reappeared this weekend!

This has been a good experience for our family. THANK YOU!