Surgery

A couple of months before I had Noah, my hand started going numb. It was annoying, but mostly when I was doing things like curling my hair, or (gasp) when I was on the computer. I kept telling myself it was not out of the ordinary to have strange things like your hand randomly going numb when pregnant. So I looked forward to the day that it did not feel like I was actually burning my fingers on a curling iron every minute of the day! I was so swollen that I was sure it had to do with the pregnancy.But the numbness didn't go away like I anticipated. In fact it escalated into full blown, horrible pain! I joked that I had c-sections where I wasn't completely numb that didn't hurt as bad as this did! I knew this was more and had many friends mention carpal tunnel. Being that we live in the modern age where you can actually google every topic under the sun, I did so with carpal tunnel. Yep, that sounded like me! The brace didn't work. Special gloves didn't work... and I was in pain 24 hours a day.

I FINALLY broke down and saw the doctor about it. He sent me off for some test that would provie it 100% that I had carpal tunnel. Sure enough, that's what I have! For the record... that test left huge bruises on my arm!!! Next step was scheduling a date for surgery. He told me recovery was 2 weeks and that I pretty much needed it to be wrapped for that long. So I put it off because I was in the middle of the season of team league volleyball I was playing! Not to mention the fact that peeling 30 lbs of potatoes for Thanksgiving wouldn't be happening if I had to have my hand wrapped. Instead, it is scheduled for tomorrow (I still miss my last two games tomorrow... which I am REALLY sad about!) but the constant tingling/numb/burning feeling needs to go AWAY!!!I am going to miss the use of my hand for 2 weeks... but will be so glad when I have feeling in it again!!!

~ wish me luck!!

Thankful Day 27

Thankful Day 27
~ I am thankful tonight for modern day medicine,
because of the blessing it has been to me to be able to have the family of our dreams.
If it had not been for some really amazing doctors,
my large family dream would have been taken away.
I am grateful for the doctors who take their jobs seriously
and go above and beyond for their patients.
I am thankful that even though I ended up having 11 c-sections
I was able to accomplish the dream I have had
since I was old enough to know!

Thankful Day 26

Thankful Day 26
~ I am grateful for my parents, and for my siblings.
I am grateful to have my parents here for a few days,
and I am grateful for my sister... and for the happiness she has found because of Pete... and that she is going to have another little boy to add to our big, crazy family!!!
I am grateful for 4 brothers... to know each one of their unique personalities and see how they have all turned into pretty great men!
And for their families... and that I got 3 extra sisters because of them!

And I am grateful for taco night with my parents and my brother Shayne, and his family!
It was fun to have them here, and to enjoy the chance to hang out...

~ Love you guys!!!

Thankful Day 25

Thankful Day 25
- Today I am grateful for answered prayers.
I am thankful to know that Heavenly Father is very aware of our trials
and out challenges
and that He has a plan for each of us.
I am grateful He knows our hearts and that He sees the big picture.
And I am especially grateful that He often uses other people to answer our prayers!
I am thankful for those who are willing to give of themselves to be the answer.
And most of all...
Today I am grateful for the young couple
who chose Shalum and Candice to be the mom and dad to their baby.
A forever family for a new little man.
So many stripling warriors joining our family!
My heart is full. ♥

The full story is that a few weeks ago they were told that they had been picked
by the birth parents to adopt their little boy who was due December 20th.
They scheduled a time to meet them,
and were also told that the baby would need a surgery to fix a problem with his heart.

They met the parents, a young couple still in high school...
things clicked and they were sure that they wanted Candice and Shalum to be
his parents!
They got word that she was in labor on Thanksgiving...
A precious little boy was born on Thanksgiving night.
5lbs 3oz
Jared Axel Decklan....
Jax!

Shalum sent us a picture that the birth mom had sent Candice.
With the note attached that told her that she knew without a doubt that
she is supposed to be his mom.
It was so beautiful that I started crying when I read it,
And cried the rest of the day just thinking about it!

My baby brother is finally a dad!
He is SO good to his nieces and nephews.
I can't wait to see him with his own son!!!!
I can't wait for Candice to finally get to hold him for the first time.
This is something we have all prayed for and hoped for and wished for...
for so long!

Happy Birthday Jax!
You have a whole bunch of cousins anxiously waiting to meet you!!!

Welcome to the world!

Thankful Day 24

Thankful Day 24
~ I am grateful to live in The United States of America...
I am grateful for the freedom that I have to believe the way I choose.
I am grateful for those who are willing to sacrifice so much,
for so little,
to keep our country free.
And I am grateful that I get to share Thanksgiving
with family and friends who mean so much to me.

The Day before Thanksgiving... a year ago!

I just realized that a year ago today I found out about sweet Noah.
It would only be weird to people who are not obsessed
with the love of having babies to know that
I took the test in the bathroom of Curves
because I couldn't wait to do it when I got home! :)
I know I have many friends who totally understand this crazy need!!!
There is nothing better than hoping to see a BFP
and not being able to wait another minute to know!
I was so grateful to see the positive test,
and so afraid of another loss.
I held onto hope that I would get my pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,
and here we are, a year later...
My little miracle man with his big grins and silly laugh.
I spend so much time just holding him
that it's a miracle that I get anything done at all!!!

Thankful Day 23

Thankful Day 23
~ I am grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and for the answers that it gives me to lifes really hard questions.
I am grateful for the peace that comes when the storms are raging
and for the hope that it brings in a world that can often be pretty depressing and hopeless.
I am grateful for the promise of more,
when life shows that it isn't fair
and I am grateful for the peace that comes in knowing
that families truly can be together forever.
I am thankful to know that there is a plan for each of us,
that the questions of who we are, why we are here
and where we are going are answered so beautifully
from a kind and loving Heavenly Father.
~ And I am grateful that there are so many amazing people
that have given so much
and who bless me in this journey called life!

Thankful Day 22

Thankful Day 22
~ I am grateful for modern technology.
I am grateful that every Sunday I can watch my computer
and see a new letter from my son who is on the other side of the world, in Fiji.
That I can know instantly that he is okay,
and that we can carry on a conversation through email,
making it feel like he is much closer than he is.
I love my iPod...
I love that I can have thousands and thousands of songs
available to listen to anytime I please.
I am grateful for the ability I have
to make friends with people from all over.
I have made some of the greatest friends because of the internet.
I love that because of the internet
I have been able to reconnect with friends that I had lost touch with,
and that everyday I can get on and see what my friends are doing.
There are so many wonderful ways
my life has been blessed
because of modern technology!

Thankful Day 21

Thankful Day 21
~ I am thankful that I get to be Wyatt's mom!
I am grateful for his kindness,
and that he never says good bye without giving me a hug.
He is truly a gentle giant!
I love his sense of humor,
even when his teasing makes me a little crazy.
Life would just not be as wonderful without him.
He has the most incredible sparkle in his eye
and an absolute joy of life.
He loves to make people happy...
and I am especially happy because I get to be his mom!
~ I love you Wyatt Thayne

Thankful Day 20

Thankful Day 20
~ I am thankful for my Willie Kade!
I knew him, years before I had him,
and he has brought joy
and fun and laughter into my life from the day he was born!
I love his enthusiasm of life and his ability to make work fun!
He is one of the hardest working people I know,
isn't afraid to dig in and get a job done.
He plays hard, works hard, and makes me laugh hard!
I love his reverence of motherhood and his love of family.
There were moments, like when he had covered himself
in a brand new jar of vaseline
and then sat there until I had the camera and said, "Cheese!"
that I was sure uncle Willie was getting the best laughs in heaven!
I am grateful for what he has added to our family
and I am especially grateful that he has stepped up
as the oldest boy left at home and
tries very hard to be a good example to his younger brothers.
~ Love you sweet Willie!

Thankful Day 19

Thankful Day 19
~ I am grateful for Kalli Shai...
my 20 year old in a 10 year old body!
I love her attitude...
she will take on the world and win!
I love that even at this age she has a mother's heart.
I am grateful for the way she loves her family, how protective of them she is.
She is a great friend.
I love her attitude!!!
She knows what she wants and she knows what she has to do to get it!
I am grateful that she can walk into the room and everyone knows she is there!
She is like a star... she shines whever she goes!
~I love you Kalli baby!

Thankful Day 18

Thankful Day 18
~ I am grateful for Kami Dene...
My beautiful youngest daughter.
I am grateful for her sweet spirit,
her kindness, and her "I got this" personality!
From the first time she told me "I KNOW my business"
I knew that she would take on this world with no fear,
because she knows who she is and she knows what she wants.
Her beautiful eyes haunted me long before I ever conceived her
and every time I look at her I know that she is a gift,
and that she is in our family for a very important reason!
I love your love of life, for your take charge attitude
and I am grateful every minute that you are my daughter!
~ Love you Kami Dene!

Thankful Day 17

Thankful Day 17
~ I am thankful for Kinzee...
I am grateful for her love of learning,
for her joy in everyday living and for her love of family and friends.
I love to see her develop her talents
and always be willing to try new things, hard things, and things that would scare me!
She is not afrad to do hard things!
I am grateful that she is not afraid to stand in front of a crowd and shine!
I am grateful to be her mom,
to witness her enthusiasm for life
and learn from her strengths.
~ Love you Kinz!

Thankful Day 16

Thankful Day 16
~ I am thankful for Jace...
for the little boy that always protected his mom's heart,
to the man that he has become today,
still a protector of hearts and still so very kind!
We have been through some pretty hard stuff together but through it all,
he has always rose above the tough stuff and let his integrity come shining through.
I am grateful for his example to his siblings
and for being so very good to them.
I am blessed to be his mom
and am thankful everyday that he gave us Caitlyn.
~ I love you Gordon Jace!!!

Thankful Day 15

Thankful Day 15
~ I am thankful that I am Tanner's mom.
I am grateful for all that I have learned since I found out I was pregnant with him...
and for the adventure it has been to watch him grow up.
I am grateful for his tender heart
and my only wish is that he will one day understand his greatness
and know of all of the things he was sent to this earth to accomplish.
I am grateful that he lets me mother him even if he doesn't think he really needs it
I appreciate his gentleness,
his ability to put great feeling into written word.
I am grateful everyday the lessons I learned about faith from him.
Love you Tanner James...
so grateful that you are my son!

Thankful Day 14

Thankful Day 14
~ I am grateful for Garrett...
especially for coming to his sister's rescue today!
I am grateful to see that he has grown into a wonderful father and husband.
Sometimes it is amazing to see him with a child of his own
when I remember him so clearly as a little boy!
I am grateful for his strength and his love of family.
I love watching him with Gabe, to see him teaching him the...
important things in life and raising him with such faith.
I love to see him as a husband to Tiffany
and am grateful that he picked such a wonderful woman to be his wife!
I appreciate what a hard worker he is,
and that he has never been afraid of hard work...
I am grateful that he came to me...
he made me a mother and that has been the greatest blessing of my life.
~ Love you Garrett.

Thankful Day 13

Thankful day 13

~ I am grateful for Matt.
My favorite son in law.
I am grateful for him being such a good man
and for loving my Kimi so perfectly.
For giving her the life of her dreams.
I am grateful that he is so kind and accepting of this big crazy family he married into.
The first time I saw him with Kimi
I knew she had found her soul mate, and I was so happy!
Thanks for being so good to Kimi
and for being so wonderful to the rest of us.
~ Love you Matt!

JV Soccer

Willie started high school this year. HIGH SCHOOL!!! I can barely even go there, but he did, and he was thrilled... and the one thing he especially looked forward to was high school soccer! To tell you the truth, Thayne and I were kind of excited about it too. The last time we really got involved in high school soccer was when Jace was playing and it was a LOT of fun!

This year was kind of double fun... Willie was on the team and even better was that this year, his brother got to be his coach! Yep, Jace was the JV coach this year. Talk about crazy! And really amazing. It was fun to go to the games and see Jace coaching and Willie playing. It was definitely a building year, and Jace worked the boys hard. He wanted them to have the experience he had in high school soccer and to make sure that they played with class. Sadly some of the teams in the league worry less about the whole 'class' thing. You could definitely see the improvement as the season progressed and I am just glad that we got to watch such a great bunch of young men play a really great sport!

Coach Jace keeping a close eye on his boys!

I really have no idea what Willie (#9... because when they got their real jersies he wanted to be 9 because that is where he falls into the line up at home! Crazy boy!) is doing here but the picture makes me laugh!

Thankful Day 12

Thankful Day 12
~ I am grateful for my sweet Hyrum Craig... my little Bummy!
I am grateful for his gentle spirit,
for the way that he loves me so unconditionally.
I am grateful that he is still 'mama's boy'...
I will forever be grateful for all that I have learned in becoming his mom.
He is gentle, and kind, and sweet and I love his sense of humor!
I am so very thankful to have him,
our family just wouldn't be the same without his sweet spirit!
Love you little buddy!

Thankful Day 11

Thankful Day 11 ~
I am grateful for Kailee Anne...
she was my shadow when she was small and is now one of my dearest friends,
as well as my daughter!
I am so grateful for her goodness,
for the way she loves her friends
and for the kind heart that leads her to care so much for others.
She is so good to me, so good to our family
and such a great example to her brothers and sisters.
She has the funnest personality...
when Kailee is in the room you know you are going to be laughing!
Thank you for being my daughter
and most importantly thank you for being my friend...
life wouldn't be the same without you!
Love you pretty girl!!!

My Superstar!!!

Hyrum informed us that he wanted to play basketball...
As in, he wants to be a superstar!
John Stockton like!
So, like the good mom that I dream of being,
we loaded up and went to the school the last night, 5 minutes left
of the last sign up for the season.
Silly me... what was I thinking!
It's never a good idea to wait until the very last minute...
We were the only people there besides the PAL people.
Those same people informed me that they needed a coach and I was it!
After I picked myself up from laughing, I noticed that they looked somewhat... well,
SERIOUS!

Now, why have I never learned to say NO?!?!
It's an easy 2 letter word. NO... just like that... NO!
But I said, "Well, really, you don't want me to. I haven't played in years and I certainly do not know how to coach. Really, you do NOT want me!"

They were ruthless. They wouldn't let up!
In the end, GUILT won.
Who was I to destroy my son's dream of being a SUPERSTAR?!?!
That would be worse than the humiliation I was sure to feel coaching!

So I did what any mom would do... recruited her daughters!!!
Kailee and Kassi became my assistants.
Can you only imagine the thrill of having 2 pretty teen girls as your coach?
Yep, they were thrilled!!!
And we did awesome!
It's one of those games where they do not keep score, at least...
Not OFFICIALLY!
Because you know those boys knew how many baskets each team had made.
We won a LOT of those games!

It was really a great thing!
We had a lot of fun.
It was a blast to get to see those boys play,
and to be their coaches.
The boys were so cute at the end of the season and said they wished we could be their coaches forever.

Thanks girls for helping me.
You make everything fun!!!
And Hyrum is quite the little superstar.
Watch out world...
Here he comes!!!

Thankful Day 10

Thankful Day 10

~ I am grateful for Kassi ShyAnn...
for her enthusiasm for living,
her joy in just about everything and for the fun she brings whenever she walks into a room.
I am grateful that she can have fun,
while choosing to live by the standards she believes in
and that she can see the best in people, but also demand the best FROM people.
I love to watch her dance into a room
and for her love of family and friends.
Her joy is contageous and I am so very thankful that she is my daughter,
and more importantly, my friend!
~ Love you beautiful girl!

Thankful Day 9

Thankful Day 9

~ I am grateful for Hayden...

I am grateful for his love of learning,

for his desire to know how things work and to learn all that he can.

I am grateful for his sweet heart,

and the fact that he never goes to bed without kissing and hugging us goodnight.

I am thankful that he always keeps me on my toes

and makes me think a little deeper about things than sometimes I would like to!

I love how intense he is about life

and even though there are moments

when I am pretty sure he is going to make me lose my sanity,

I wouldn't want him any other way!

~I love you buddy!

Thankful Day 8

Thankful Day 8

~ Part 1
~ I am grateful for Tiffany.
I feel so blessed to be able to be her 'other' mom and to have her as part of our family. I am grateful for the way she loves our family,
for the way she walked through our door and was instantly a part of the madness,
and that she accepted us
and became one of us without question.
I am grateful for her kindness.
I am thankful for her willingness to give life to our sweet Gabe,
and for giving us another grandson to love and cherish also.
I am grateful for the way she loves Garrett
and for helping him be the best man he can be.
I remember thinking the first time she walked into our home
that I hoped Garrett realized it quickly that she was the perfect one for him
because I didn't want her to get away!
She has blessed our lives many times over and
I am grateful that she is part of our family!

Thankful Day 8
~ Part 2
~I am grateful for Caitlyn.
I am grateful that she just slipped into our lives in a way that blessed us all
and became such a part of our lives
that it just wouldn't be the same without her.
I am grateful for her kindness, and her sweetness
and that she loves Jace so much.
I am grateful that she was his friend when he needed one more than anything
and that she never gave up.
I am grateful that she is so good to all of the kids,
and to Thayne and me.
I am grateful that she is a 'big sister' to all of the kids-in-law
and that she loves them so much.
And I am very grateful that she lets Jace still be a mama's boy!
Thank you Caitlyn for being such a wonderful and important part of our family!

I mostly love that I have 2 amazing daughters in law that will hang out with me on a Tuesday afternoon waiting for the tv guy to install the directv.
You both are seriously the greatest!!
And I love you both!

Thankful Day 7

Thankful Day 7

~ I am grateful today for Kimi. My oldest daughter!

For her sweet spirit, who accepts people for who they are

and sees the very best in others.

I am grateful for her love of life,

for her innocence and her joy in the small things,

but the things that really matter.

I am grateful for her joy in becoming a mother and for recognizing the worth of a soul I am grateful that she will be giving me another grandson very soon

and for the joy that THAT knowledge brings to me!

I am grateful that she has found joy in her marriage.

She has taught me much about faith, and hope,

and that Heavenly Father is very aware of each of us

and that He has a plan for us that is far better than the plans we make ourselves!

I love you Kimi

and I am grateful that you are my daughter!

Thankful Day 6

Thankful Day 6

~ I am so grateful for Tallin Scott...

our missinoary!

I am grateful for his willingness to give up 2 years of his life to serve the people of Fiji,

and to serve the Lord.

I am grateful for the changes I have seen in him through his letters,

for his love of Heavenly Father,

for the humility and desire to be the best he can be.

I am grateful for his fun personality,

and his kindness,

and for being such an amazing example to his little brothers!

Only 9 Fast Sunday's left!

9!!!!

I can do this!!!

~ I love you Tallin!!!

Thankful Day 5

Thankful Day 5 ~

I am grateful for the knowledge that my Heavenly Father loves my children even more than I do,

and that He is willing to show me the things I need to do to teach them,

and walk with them through some of life's harder lessons,

and gives me wisdom when I am lacking.

I am grateful for the love that I feel when I am overwhelmed

and feeling like I am simply going to mess these amazing people up!

I am grateful to know that I do not have to do this alone

and that the answers are always there

if I just take the time to look.

Thankful Day 4

Thankful Day 4 ~

I am thankful for Nathaniel Adam... my sweet miracle boy!

I can't count the number of times we had to fight for his life.

What we gained through the experience was life changing.

What he taught our family is priceless.

I am grateful for his fighting spirit, his gentle nature and his ability to love unconditionally.

I am grateful for his sense of humor and for his unselfishness.

I am grateful for the way he teaches me to appreciate the little things.

Sometimes it takes my breath away when I think of that night when I fell asleep with him on my chest.

I felt someone push my shoulder to wake me up.

Nobody was there, but he was not breathing and I was able to get him to take a breath again...

and I will forever be grateful for the angel watching over him that night,

and many more.

Thank you for teaching our family the value of life, and of love.

You are amazing.

Your name means "Gift of God"

and I thank Him everyday that He gave me you!

~Love you Nater bug... you are amazing!

Thankful ~ Day 3

Thankful day 3...

I am grateful for Noah Grant.

My sweet baby boy,

who taught me to believe a broken heart will be mended if you wait on the Lord.

His sweet smiles and silly laugh fill my heart to bursting every day.

There is nothing greater than to see him watching me from across the room

and when I make eye contact he bursts into a grin.

I love what I have learned being an 'older' mom

and find myself enjoying this time so much.

I hold him more, worry less about what didn't get done,

because I know how quickly they grow up

and I don't want to waste one moment.

He is my rainbow after the storm

and has brought more peace to my heart than I ever thought possible!

~Love you sweet boy!

Thankful ~ Day 2

Thankful day 2...

I am grateful for Gabriel.

I love being his grandma!

I love that I got to witness his birth and welcome him into this world,

and have been able to watch him discover the world around him since!

I love when the phone rings and I hear, "hi grandma!"

or have him walk in the door and see his excitement when he sees us!
The greatest words in the world was hearing him say, "I love ...you grandma!

I am grateful for this amazing opportunity to be able to

sing the same songs to him that my grandma sang to me

and my heart melts when he puts his head on my shoulder when I do!

I am totally in love with this little boy

and am so grateful that the love of our family continues to grow!

~Love you Gabe!!

Thankful ~ Day 1

Thankful day 1...

I am thankful to be married to my best friend.

He is still the man of my dreams and I love that I fall more in love with him everyday. He makes me laugh when I feel like crying.
No matter how hard life gets, it is better because he is beside me.

I love how hard he works for our family,

and how he has the ability to do what can't be done.

I love him for the kind of dad, and grandpa he is,

and how he has never let anything keep him down.
He is the kind of man his children can look up to.

His humility humbles me.
I am constantly left in awe of him, of his kindness, of his tender heart.
I love that I feel so secure in his love,
so safe... knowing that he has given me his heart so completely
and how everything revolves around this family we have created.

I am grateful that I have forever to spend with him.
Because everyday we spend together makes me know that
forever won't even be enough!

~ I love you Thayne!

Sweet 16

Kinzee Jo turned 16 on October 4th!
Amazing how the years have flown by.
I can't believe that tiny, beautiful girl is now 16
and ready to take on the world.
Next comes driving and dating.
She has big plans for working on early graduation
and has big plans for her future!

I wouldn't mind if she slowed down just a little,
and wasn't so anxious to grow up.

Kinzee has the biggest heart.
She loves her friends and family.
She is strong willed and is not afraid of telling you
exactly what she thinks!

Happy Birthday sweet girl...
May this be the beginning of all things wonderful for you!

But your dad is still in charge of teaching you to drive! :)