Update on Cosette's ears

Just before we moved to Utah our ENT in Houston advised us to have tubes put in Cosette's ears. She had had numerous infections in both ears and neither had been clear for 6 months. The ENT was concerned that the fluid was causing some hearing loss and would effect her development. We went ahead and scheduled the surgery.

I left the ENT's office feeling very unsettled about the decision to go forward with the surgery. So, the next day I called and cancelled, wondering if I were doing the right thing.

Shortly after moving to Utah Cosette got another ear infection. The pediatrician again suggested putting tubes in her ears. I still didn't feel good about it and asked to wait a little longer.

Just this past week the twin had their 15 month check up. I was reminded that all things are best done in the Lord's time frame when the doctor told me that her ears are clear! I am so grateful for the prompting from a loving Heavenly Father which kept us from the possible complications of tubes. And for a Father in Heaven who is ever mindful of us - even of the ears of our little Cosette.

Santa

 

 

 

 

North Pole Express

 

Here in Lindon there is a small neighborhood that runs an 1/8 scale model train through the land. Each year they set it up to be the "North Pole Express" and invite the public to come ride. The remarkable thing about it is that it is free. Any donations collected go to help a local charity. This year they will have over 8,000 people ride their train.

Last week we had the opportunity to go. I was impressed with the organization and the set up of it all but, most of all, I was impressed with the reminder that everyone that rides that train is given. The first part of the train ride was set up as one would expect. There were lights and figurines portraying santa, his elves and reindeer etc... The train made a short stop at the North Pole where the kids got to sit on Santa's lap and take a picture. While at the North Pole, Santa reminded us all of the true meaning of Christmas. We then got back on the train. Instead of the Polar Express soundtrack playing, as it had been before, as song called Mary Did You Know? began to play. As the train started down the track there was a picture of Joseph with Mary on a donkey, a picture of them in the manger, and then a manger set up. All around the tracks were beautiful paintings of Christ's life.

We all had a great time and left having felt the testimony that Our Savior lives. He IS the reason for celebration at this time of year.

Loving the snow!

Pucker up Buttercup

 

I love to watch the twins interaction with each other. I had to take this picture because they love to play footsie with each other. If they are in their chairs, facing each other their feet are constantly touching.

The Gift

As I was reading in the December Ensign today I was touched deeply by an article called "The Gift". The article speaks of the true meaning of Christmas. The author writes about what Mary's experience must have been. But, the part that touched me the most was the simple reminder that the most treasured gift EVER given is not one that can be found in a store, it is not one that only the rich can obtain, and it didn't come wrapped in "shiny wrapping paper." The greatest gift ever given was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. He was sent to the humblest of circumstances.

As I read this I thought about how I desire to give my children the world. I can't do this by showering them with temporal things. I am grateful for the reminder that we are richest when we have a testimony of Our Savior and the gift He gave to us.

Another thing that struck me as I read this article was the weight that Mary must have felt on her shoulders. What would it feel like to know that you were the one chosen to raise The Savior of the world? What a great blessing and responsibility. Thinking about this, I wonder what it is that each of my children have been sent here to accomplish. What is the part they will take in the plans of Our Heavenly Father?

Even though I do not know exactly what they are to do, I do know that it is my responsibility to raise them in such a way that they will be willing and able to follow the will of The Father. Looking at them, I feel I can catch just a small glimpse of their potential. I know that they have each been given special gifts and talents that will help them.

It truly is the greatest gift to know that Our Savior lives, that He died for us so that we might all live again. I am grateful for His atonement, for His life and the example he was, and for the Holy Spirit which teaches us what those in the world cannot!

A little bit of peace and quiet

We took advantage of a week John had off in October to spend some time at a family cabin in Idaho. We had a great time playing games, reading, riding the 4-wheelers, taking the paddle boat out on the pond, and just being together as a family. It was great having no phone service, no TV and no internet. It gave us the perfect opportunity to spend time together without any distractions! You can see a few pictures from the trip here.

Growing so big!

 

In the past several weeks Anne-Loren has let us know that she wants something do to that is all her own. She is very much a middle child, being stuck between the two older who are close in age on one side and the twins on the other. Because of this, John and I decided that it might be good for her to have something to call her own. We decided to let her try preschool a couple of days a week. Yesterday was her first day. When I went to drop her off she looked at me and said "Mommy, I'm growing SO big!" Indeed she is.

Halloween 2010

How time flies! John's first semester in the MBA program will be over in just 6 short weeks. We have settled seamlessly into life here in Utah. While I greatly miss the good people we left behind in Spring, I have found renewed friendships here.

Brian plays regularly with Bryce Gubler who lives in the neighborhood. They love to play baseball every afternoon. I am sure they will be sad when the weather turns too cold to play outside. He is doing well with his school work. He continue to amazes me with how quickly he picks things up. He is also a great help with the twins and Anne-Loren. Aupreille and Teairsa have been staying with us this week. Teairsa has grown to love Brian and often asks for him. I think she, as well as the twins and Anne-Loren can sense Brian's tenderness and love. This afternoon when Brian was doing his reading he sat his book down (Harry Potter) and asked if he could read the scriptures. He seems to have a wisdom beyond his 7 years. How blessed I am to have him to teach me and remind me what is most important.

Caitlyn continues to find joy in her art and crafts. She is constantly creating new things. She has been taking an art class in Provo. She is by far the youngest in the class but is still able to put out they same quality of work as the older kids. I love to watch her passion and excitement for life. Everything she does, she does in a grand way. She reminds me of her Grandma KK that way, nothing is done half way. She, too, has become a great help with the younger three. She often take the younger three under her wing and tries to teach them new things. Just this afternoon, she took Anne-Loren outside to play in the leaf piles. I can't describe the joy I felt as I watched them play together and heard their laughter.

Anne-Loren has become quite the character. She talks non-stop and loves to make us all laugh. I would say she has a good mix of Brian and Caitlyn's character. She is spunky yet very sweet. She finds great joy in saying "shanksyou" when someone gives her something or does something for her. At the same time she is very much the middle child and is grasping for anything that she can call her own.

Nora is slowly beginning to take steps. She is generally very laid back and happy. Cosette has a definite fire in her. She is walking everywhere and is much more strong willed than her sister. It is so much fun to watch them interact with each other. They love to play chase, hide and seek, and to wrestle each other. It is quite funny to see Nora tackle Cosette to the floor and then Cosette kick her off and tackle her in return. Their play is usually accompanied by a lot of laughter. Every once in awhile they will fight over a toy. It is amusing to her their grunts of frustration as they each try to overpower the other.

As I think about how quickly time passes by, I am reminded of how precious each moment is. While our family can be forever, the moments are not. I often wonder about my ability to raise there beautiful children that Heavenly Father has entrusted to me. I am grateful that I do not have to do it alone. I have a wonderful husband who goes out of his way to help and support. I also have a loving Father in Heaven who will guide me as I allow Him to do so. For this, I am tremendously grateful!

Brian, the guardian



Sweet sisters



Caitlyn's work of art



Double Trouble

Nora's first steps

With Cosette walking all over the place, Nora decided she had to get up and get moving.

Cosette's first steps!

Twins 1st birthday video

This free slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Blessings that there is not room enough to receive

On June 3rd I started having serious doubts about our plans for John to go to BYU to get an MBA. I was feeling like maybe we hadn't done our part to be fully prepared. The birth of the twins completely drained our savings account and I was feeling like, maybe, we were being irresponsible not saving more before going back to school. Since John is not allowed to work at all during the first year, I am unable to see how we will be able to pay for the things we need.

I did/do know however, that we prayed about this decision and felt it to be right. So, we these feelings of unease continued I said a prayer and asked Heavenly Father for a reconfirmation that this, indeed, is the right move for our family. The next day I received a phone call from the hospital telling me that Nora's $750 hospital bill had been paid and that we owed nothing else. This, I knew, was an answer to that prayer. I had been trying to work this bill our with the hospital for at least 2 months.

The next day, June 5th, we went to spend the day with Mom and Dad in Galveston. They took us all out to eat at Joe's Crab Shack. There was a couple sitting at the table just behind us. I noticed the woman watching the twins but thought nothing of it as that is the norm when we are out. When the couple stood up to leave the woman - I later found out her name is Gail - came over to talk to me. She spoke with me for a minute and then grabbed my hand. I could tell that she was trying to give me money. I thanked her and told her that we were okay and tried to give it back to her. She refused and told me that she really wanted me to take it. I thanked her and she left. She had given me $100. Again, I felt the love of the Lord and the confirmation that our decision was the right one. I knew that things would work out.

On Monday morning, June 7th, we received yet another blessing. John and I have been making monthly payments to the anesthesiologist that we used when I had Anne-Loren. Monday the office manager called me to tell me that we no longer needed to make payments. I told her that we still owed them almost $700. She said that she knew but had decided to write the remainder of our bill off. As she told me this I was overwhelmed with the knowledge that Heavenly Father is very aware of our situation.

While I may not understand how things will work out, I know that they will. I am grateful for a Father in Heaven who is so patient with me in the moments when I lack faith. How I love Him. I am so very thankful for the knowledge that I can pray and receive answers to my prayers!

a day at the office

Somehow it ended up being me and 5 HR/accounting ladies having lunch in the break room at work the other day. For at least 30 minutes I sat quietly eating my sandwich while the conversation went from hair coloring to the value of a chi to make-up to … Thankfully another guy finally came in. As he walked by the table I asked if he was going to stay and eat? Hint. Hint. He said no, but stuck around for a minute and started drinking his soda. The mere presence of more testosterone in the room seemed to lift my spirits and provide a ray of hope to my drowning soul. By this time the conversation had shifted to different types of cookware, the value of each and who sells it. To my utter dismay, Doug the spec writer (a big NASCAR fan and all around man’s man) joins in the discussion about how nice the Rachael Ray line of cookware is with its orange handles and glass lids and how nicely it cooks…
As quickly as it had appeared, the brief glimmer of hope passed into oblivion and I was once again left a lone man in the wilderness.

When I pointed out to Doug that he had completely let me down, everyone told me I’d better get used to these kinds of conversations with 4 daughters. I politely informed them all that they should not worry on my account, and that Brian and I would find ways to keep our sanity. Somehow the topic of dating was brought up so I shared with the group my plans of getting my blind eye replaced with a glass eye, which I would then use strategically in various ways to frighten/disturb the would-be suitors enough to never come back. They appreciated the creativity of the idea but did not think that the girls would feel the same way.

How I would love to be able to sleep like a baby. Seeing Cosette asleep in her Bumbo reminded me that babies really can sleep anywhere.

It seems ironic that since deciding to move to Utah for John to pursue a higher education, I have been contemplating taking my children out of public school and teaching them at home.

There are several reasons for this. From the research I have done, the elementary schools in and around Provo prove to be average at best. The student/teacher ratio is around 28 to 1. I don't know how even the best of teachers can be expected to properly teach that many children. I really want learning to be an exciting thing for Brian and Caitlyn so I feel like the public schools are not an option.

I looked into Charter schools in the area and found a few that looked to be great schools. However, I had missed the lottery application deadline for all but 2 - one in Draper and one in Springville. The school in Draper notified us quickly that neither of the children were chosen through the lottery. Because of the unlikeliness of them getting into the school in Springville, I assumed that if the got in that would be our answer,that would be where they should go to school.

On Saturday I received an email telling me that Caitlyn had been accepted to the Kindergarten program at Reagan Academy and Brian would be put on a priority wait list. Immediately I felt unease instead of the excitement I thought I would feel. Just after reading that email I watched General Conference. It seemed most of the talks in that particular session were about teaching children in the home. Coincidence?

The following day I continued to mentally go through the pros and cons of homeschooling. I realized that if we were to put Caitlyn in school her schedule would not coincide with John's. Normally this would not be a big deal. But, John will most likely have an internship in the summer that will take him outside of Utah. If Caitlyn is in school we will have to be separated from John for 6 weeks. This was another push toward homeschooling.

While I recognize that there would be many benefits to having Brian and Caitlyn in public school, I have prayed about and feel strongly that they need to be taught at home next year. Who knows if this will be long term or if it will just be for the 2 years that we are in Utah.

I am excited for the extra time it will afford us as a family and for the added experiences it will give to Brian and Caitlyn. I am excited to be able to taylor fit their schooling to their individual needs. Even though I am not yet sure how this will all work out, I am confident that Heavenly Father will continue to direct our path.

Happy 2nd, Anne-Loren!!

It seems that with each child time goes by faster and faster. We knew from the moment we saw Anne-Loren's eyes that he was going to be an expressive child. She is also very loving. She is quick to say sorry and quick to forgive. She loves to say please and thank you.

I have found it quite interesting that already she is not completely happy unless all of the family is home. The first prayer she ever said by herself was "Heavnly Father, daddy home, amen." (Heavenly Father, please help daddy to get home...) When we load up in the car she immediately starts asking for all of the other family members, wanting to make sure that we leave no one behind.

She loves her baby sisters. When they first came home she called them both Nora. After meeting Cosette and giving her the nick name "Coco" she started calling them "Coco and Nono." Just recently, she has done away with two names and has started calling them both "Dodette". When she sees them she says, " I hold Dodette?" She always wants to be near them.

Like her Grandma KK, Anne-Loren loves flowers. She particularly loves them in her hair. When she wakes up she often feels her head to see if she has a flower in her hair. If she doesn't she will hold both of her hands up, give me a questioning look and say, " My flower? Hair?"

She also loves music and loves to dance. I love it when she sings the small bits of songs that she knows.

What a blessing she is in our lives!!

Birth annoucement

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY, CAITIE!!

If there is one thing that I have learned as a mother it is that time passes too quickly. There is a quote that says "Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again." As I put together these pictures of Caitlyn I was reminded of the passion that Caitie has for life. She is able to find excitement and joy in the smallest aspects of life. One of my favorite things about Caitie is her imagination. She spends a good part of every day creating and imagining. Her imagination is part of makes watching her so much fun. For Christmas we were given "The Elf on the Shelf". The first day the kids saw him Caitlyn was so excited to have "a new friend." She played hide and seek with him and brought him snacks throughout the day :) Caitlyn's preschool teachers have told me how much they enjoy her imagination. One day at school they made a gingerbread man. The gingerbread man lead them on a chase through the school. When some of the other students were being skeptical about the gingerbread man truly being alive, Caitie said, "He really is alive! Magical things happen this time of year!" Caitie spends the better part of every day drawing, painting, creating new things. Her ideas constantly amaze me. This year she has learned to watercolor and draw. She is also quite good at making something out of nothing. One day this summer she saw a string hanging off her shoe and she immediately asked me if I could cut the string so she could use it for a project. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father sent her to our family. How I love this little girl and all that she teaches me!

 

COSETTE 3 MONTHS

 

NORA 3 MONTHS

 

3 BABIES