.....dreaming.....

I have a niece. Her name is Sadi. She is so funny and very curious. She is also headstrong and very determined to have her way. Sadi is full of energy and never lets her Mom rest. Sadi is 2 years old. Last night, Sadi was in the ER because after being given her dose of Tylenol, she decided to chug the entire bottle. She went to be monitored for ciezures and death. After 2 hours, when they knew she would be ok, they sent her home. Looks like Sadi is going to be just fine.

Last night, I was saying prayers with Bryan. I was going through my list of gratitude for the day and Bryan quietly pipes in to remind me to bless Sadi. I was only half way done with my prayer, but aparently I was starting to fall asleep. I took Bryan's advice and blessed Sadi. I blessed her to "not get any brain damage or sarcasm".........huh?........After a long pause ..............................................We started laughing histerically. If you just knew Sadi. I know I was falling asleep, and had no clue what I was saying when I said it, but I am pretty sure my subconsious knew exactly what I was doing. I kept giggling off and on until I fell aspleep. I love you Sadi!!!

Blast to the Past- Part II

September was a challenging month. Bryan had been gone for one month and he still had one to go. Alyssa started the first grade and lost her very first tooth. Bryan returned home with a few days left in September to spend one month with us until he had to leave again!! From the first of November until Christmas Eve, we didn't see him. Much of my blogging abandonment came as a result of my loneliness, sickness, lack of energy or excitement, and protecting my family safety. I didn't want any one to know he was not with us, and that is really all I could think about. In that time we were faced with some bumps in the road. Two days after Bryan left, I lost my appetite completely. Within the week, both of the kids got strep throat, and I couldn't stop coughing. Antibiotics got rid the strep, but my cough became worse. By the middle of November, Alyssa didn't seem better, and my cough was out of control. Back to the pediatrician. She had pneumonia. Anitbiotics. After Thanksgiving, I couldn't take my cough any more. To the practitioner I went. Pneumonia. Antibiotics. She said to me....do you have any help at home? I wanted to curl up and die. I was miserable. How was I supposed to help my daughter when I could barely function myself? We were scheduled to fly to Utah on the 17th of Dec. to visit family. On the 13th, my breathing became so bad that I couldn't explain to the nurse what was wrong. She told me to go to the ER. My oxygen was low. After a couple of hours, I was sent home with a z-pack and an inhaler......sweet relief! On the 15th, back to the doctor for Alyssa, who was showing NO signs of improvement. Her stomach aches were worsening and her cough was awful. He ordered an x-ray for the next day. Guess what?....Pneumonia.....AGAIN! Poor thing. At this point I was wondering if life would ever be any different.....Bryan was gone and we were sick. That was all I had known for 7 weeks. I kept telling myself, "just one more day" then to Utah we'd go. We left to the airport with a very sick Alyssa in tow. She threw up in the car most of the way there. She remained lethargic for a few days after we arrived. Finally, on the 24th, we got our Favorite guy back. (I thought September was a challenge....what was I thinking?)

~Some More of My Favorite Things~

Sporting her new bag, Alyssa is ready for the first grade! She got the teacher she hoped for, Mr. Bach.

Before Halloween. Bryan and I took the kids to Shadybrook Farms for a hayride to the pumpkin patch. Alyssa found her favorite! It's a big one!

Mason wanted an equally big one. He FINALLY found his after running off a thousand times picking out pumpkins that had been eaten by animals or that had big cracks in them.....this one would do.

Bryan sporting his new "look". 40 lbs. lighter. Good thing he was there to haul back those big pumpkins.

There is the long story short......but I left out the endless counts of those who helped us see through it. I had to save that for last because it's so great it deserved a place of it's own. We had many meals brought in by friends who were aware of what was going on. I had friends clean my home several times. One couple came for family night just to clean the house. Trust me.....IT WAS BAD! Some grocery shopped, others cleaned my car, several took Mason while Alyssa and I went back to the doctor. Even though I didn't have Bryan, and even though we were as sick as we were, I would do it all again if I had to. It taught me compassion and humility. This was a very humbling experience for me. I didn't even have to swallow my pride, I had already coughed it up! I received many blessings for the health of the baby and for our recovery. I also was told how angels would be present. I can attest that each person who helped, was indeed, the specified Angel. Words can't ever express my gratitude. Thank you a million times over! And I am so happy to have Bryan home for good. Aside from his interviews in Chicago......but that's only 2 nights.....totally do-able! I'll catch up with Christmas later.

Blast to the Past- Part I

I am really behind! These last 6 months have flown by. I want to go back and highlight my favorite things from 2008 for personal reasons. I'll start with trips and fun things that we did starting with Upstate New York. Bryan and I took the kids and went to Palmyra for the pageant. Bryan served his mission in Buffalo, so it is always fun for him to go back to the area. This was our 3rd time back, but my first time to see the pageant. It was incredible and really helped me understand the Book of Mormon better. I am visual learner! We also went to Niagara Falls to take in all of its splendor. The last time I visited was for Shaun and Amy's wedding. I was with my Mom that trip. I have fond memories of where we stood and what we did......for obvious reasons. It was good to be back there. We enjoyed the company of the Hamilton, Taylor, and Khuene families. Friends are so great!

Molen's, Hamilton's, Taylor's, Khuene's

Randy Hamilton, Brigg Taylor, Alyssa, and Hailey Hamilton
I love that they buddy up....so sweet!

Alyssa and Mason enjoying the mist and the breeze on a hot day

This is the New York side of Niagara on the left. The buildings on the right are in Canada. We couldn't go over becasue none of us brought our children's birth certificates. We did take the Ferry Ride on the Maid of the Mist and it took us right up to the biggest part of the falls. It was so wet my camera didn't get great pictures, but from the Canada side you get an incredible view (which I did 9 years ago). Stay tuned.....I am really, really behind. :o)

Welcome to a Same Old New Year

I always have so many expectations of myself with a New Year. Do better. Be patient. Be nicer. Work on family. Work on self- spirit, mind, and body. But this year, my only resolution is to do all the things I should be doing every day, regardless if it's a New Year. Because all the things I would set as resolutions have to do with the same OLD stuff. Nothing is new about it. But....I will embrace all the NEW things that will happen this year. Bryan will get his Doctorate. I will embrace a NEW figure. We will have a NEW baby. We will celebrate our first decade together. We will see NEW places.

Today I start the year off embracing my NEW hair-do!

Confirmation

The other day, I went for a doctor visit. I finally got to hear the baby's heart beat. This is always so exciting for me as I think it is for most. I can't believe there is a life inside me with it's own beat! It makes all the sickness worth it.

Low on energy= Little blogging! eventually life will return to normal again.

3 Strikes..........

We've done it again.......

Baby #3 arrives in June! We are so excited! Morning sickness is now setting in..... a good thing, just not so exciting. It's now an official announcement if I can blog about it.

Alyssa is really excited and hopes for a "girly boy". This way she says we can have a little of both. I am glad she is keeping an open mind about things! We are just hoping for a healthy baby!

Better Late than Never!

Labor Day Weekend, the kids and I drove to Pittsburgh to visit Shaun, Amy and the kids. It was really great to be with family for a much needed break. One last summer getaway before Alyssa went back to school.

For those that didn't know, Bryan left on the 4th of August to go to Detroit and then on to San Antonio until the 27th of September. After one week of finally having him home, I still get "stupid" just looking at him. He lost 25 lbs. while he was gone with a lot of hard work. He looks amazing! And he's all mine!!!! I am just really happy to have him home. I have never been so tried and tired in my entire life......physically, mentally, emotionally. Two months without him made me grateful that this was temporary! Thanks to all my wonderful friends for their endless support and help. Every phone call, dinner, time spent distracting my kids or helping me with them was priceless! Thanks again for everything! ....................More to come, I swear...................

Maria, Olivia, and Alyssa
Ezra and Mason
enjoying the pleasures of childhood!