June at a Glance

Our Summer has been so much fun so far. It has been quite an eventful month for our Lexi...

A Baptism

On June 8th Lexi got baptized. It was such a wonderful day and I am so proud of the decision she made to become a member of the church. She looked so beautiful and Cameron did such a good job. She was confirmed the same day and then we went to our house for a pizza party with all of the people who came to support her. It was such an awesome experience as a mom, I absolutely cannot believe that she is old enough to be eight. It was super cool that Cameron got to baptize her in the same font that he was baptized in seven years ago. What a cool experience for him. I am so proud of the lady that she is becoming. She is such an example to everyone around her. She has a big, kind heart and will always make sure everyone is included. She is such an amazing sister and always looks after Quinn and Hudson. We  are so lucky to have her in our lives.

A Birthday

June 1st Lexi turned eight. I am having a pretty hard time realizing that she is eight. I still fill like she should be toddling around like Hudson! We went bowling during the day and Lexi did awesome! She is quite the bowler. Then we had the whole family over for cake and ice cream to celebrate. What a fun day! She is quite obsessed with Monster High lately, so her Grandma Molly made her this awesome cake, and then she got a whole bunch of new Monster High dolls. I personally think they are a little creepy, but she loves them!

Dear Lexi,

You are eight now. I cannot believe it. It has been an amazing eight years and you have taught me so so much. You are such a good person. A kind hearted, sweetheart who wants everyone to feel welcome and included. You are an awesome student and an amazing dancer. You have brought so much joy to our family and are such a good example to us all. You take such good care of your brother and sister. You are funny, you like to repeat things you see on tv, and I think you would make a great actress. I want you to know how much you are loved by this family. We don't know what we would do without you. Thanks so much for just being you.

Love,

Mom

Camping at Mill Hollow

Last weekend we went to Mill Hollow camping. It was so much fun. We fished, played cowboy golf and just sat around and relaxed. I always said I would not go camping unless we had a trailer because I am terrified of bears. I am so glad we got a trailer, because I had so much fun! There was something so refreshing about getting out of cell service and out of the hustle and bustle of our every day lives. It was a great weekend to get recharged and ready for the week. I have such a cute family and I love doing things like this with them!

Let's Try This Again

It has been a long time since I have blogged. Our life gets pretty crazy sometimes and I haven't even blogged about all of the crazy details....so here goes.

We traveled to St. George in March to watch Lexi compete in a dance competition. She competed in a team dance and also did her first solo. We are so proud of her and she did amazingly well on both dances. Taking first on her team dance, and second on her solo. She is doing great in school and is looking forward to summer. She will turn eight in June and is counting down the days until her baptism.

Quinn is doing great. She has been doing lots of therapy at Shriner's and it is working. She has gotten a few Botox injections in her left side to help us be able to work those muscles and build them up. We have gotten amazing results with that. She is playing spring soccer and is loving it. She is doing well in school and loves all of her little friends.

Hudson is 15 months old now and is cruising all over the place. He literally never stops...I wonder where he gets all of that energy and wish he could share some! He says lots of words like mom, dadda, deer, thank you, love you and lots more. He is getting so big and is learning so much.

We got a new family toy. We took it out the other day and it was so much fun. The kids love it! It is a Polaris RZR and it is all set up. It seats our whole family, has a roll cage, lift kit, new tires, iPod hook ups and an amp with 2 ten inch subs. We are heading to the Sand Dunes next weekend and we are so excited!!

So that's kind of what is going on with our family. We have just been chuggin along and having fun as a family!

Randoms

Random #1: Some of my favorite bands include...Poison, Metallica, Quiet Riot, Guns and Roses, and Def Leopard.

Random #2: Sometimes after the girls go to school, if Hudson is still asleep, I go back to bed.

Random #3: I just took my Concealed Carry Class...it was so interesting. I can't wait to get my permit so I can pack my pink pistol.

Random #4: Swamp People season premiere is tonight, I am so excited!!

Random #5: So I noticed that we have a drive through coffee shop in town, I have never seen it open. Maybe because I am never out and about early enough.

Random #6: I want to read "Gone with the Wind" again. I freakin love that book!

Random #7: I'm having an affair, every morning for about two hours I see him...his name is Hudson. And I am in LOVE!

Random #8: I have a 16 year old daughter now. I love her, she is also my best friend. Gotta love little sisters.

Random #9: Sometimes I have a hard time being nice to people...especially at the restaurant.

Random #10: I went to buy a new shirt to wear on our date tonight and I ended up spending $100.00. I hope that's not a problem.

Special

I got a phone call this afternoon. It was from Jackie, who used to be Quinn's Occupational Therapist who came when she was in Early Intervention. She wanted to know if I could write a letter explaining Quinn's experience with Early Intervention. So I did. As I was writing it I had to think clear back to when Quinn was first diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. It was a whirlwind...

She was 18 months old and wasn't walking and that wasn't normal. We had an MRI and it showed that she had a brain bleed when she was in the womb. I didn't even know what Cerebral Palsy was. It scared me on so many levels. I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to help her or that she would get made fun of because she walks different. And most of all that she would have to miss out on things that kids do. As a mom you only want to do everything you can for your kids and I felt like I wouldn't be able to do that for her.

I kept going through in my head what I could have done differently when I was pregnant. Did this happen to her because I played softball while I was pregnant? Or because I rode a four wheeler and went on a bumpy trail? I couldn't get over the feeling of guilt that it was my fault.

We started doing lots of therapy with Quinn and she made huge strides. I look at where she is today and can't even believe it. It hasn't come easy, she has worked so hard. But she has come so far. I look at how much she has gone through and it makes me sad, but...she is strong. And she has made me strong. And I can look back now and see that there was nothing that I did to make Quinn this way. She was meant to be this way, this is her trial in life. And she was meant to come to our family. She has such a special spirit that is felt everywhere she is. I am so glad Heavenly Father sent her to our home, I am so glad for the amazing girl that she is and how strong she is.

Hudson 1 Year

Dear Hudson,

You are one year old today. I am kind of having a hard time wrapping my head around it. It seems like just yesterday that you came into our lives. You are the most amazing little man. You have been learning so many new things so fast! I can't believe how fast you are. Especially when you are doing something you aren't supposed too. I have never seen anyone crawl so fast! You haven't started walking yet, but you cruise all over the place if you have something to hold on to. Soon I bet you will be walking. You used to eat your baby food really well, but since we have started to introduce you to more human food, you want nothing to do with the baby food. 

You weigh 22lbs. and are really tall. You love to take baths, I will sit in the bathroom and do my makeup while you are in the tub. You hate to get out when it's time, even if the water is freezing! You like to play the dropsy game and you will say "uh oh" before you throw it. You then expect me to pick it up. You know I love you little man, but this trick is getting a little old! 

You have two cute little teeth on the bottom and two on the top. I love that little smile so much!

You really like to play with balls. You have already learned how to throw them and like to roll them back and forth with me or daddy or your sisters. You are a wild little man and like to get into mischief. We have found you unraveling all of the toilet paper, playing in the toilet bowl, taking all the cans out of the cupboards and constantly crawling up the stairs! 

You sure are a special little guy and bring so much joy to our home. We love you very much and can't wait to watch you learn and grow some more. 

Love,

Mom

A Week of Milestones

Last week was kind of an overwhelming one with lots of Milestones...On Monday, November 12th, Cameron and I celebrated our eight wedding anniversary! Eight Years! Wow, I wonder where the time goes. It is so strange because it seems like it has gone so fast, and yet it seems like I have been with Cameron forever. I guess that is because we work so well together. I can honestly say that the last eight years have been wonderful! I feel very blessed to have a husband who loves me so much and is so in tune with my needs. He is so good to me and the kids. I can't believe the amazing life we have together. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to see if I am dreaming. I feel so fortunate that I never have feelings of wanting other than what I have. I am perfectly content with our lives. So Cameron, I love you more than anything. Thanks for being my best friend and being so good to us. You are an amazing husband and father and we are very lucky to have you!

Happy Birthday Quinn Vera

This cute little girl turned four on Wednesday, November 14th. We had a great day that started out with bringing cupcakes to all of her school friends. We then hopped in the car and headed to Provo. We had lunch at Chili's and took the girls to Build a Bear. It was so much fun. Then we came home and celebrated with cake and ice cream with all of our family! It was a wonderful day! I absolutely cannot believe that she is four. 

Dear Quinn,

You are four now. I can't believe it. You have learned and grown so much since you were three. You go to school every day and love your friends. You are a beautiful little girl and lots of people are drawn to you. We can be anywhere, whether it is at Target or McDonald's and someone will always come and say how cute you are. I know they are drawn to you because of your special spirit. You bring that special spirit to our home and I am so glad that Heavenly Father chose me to be your mommy. You have made HUGE strides in all of your therapy and you do so well. You are a little spit fire. I am glad you are so it can help you deal with all that you have to overcome. You like to antagonize your older sister, but you always say you are sorry and give her big hugs. I know you two love each other a lot. You have had a growth spurt and have gotten very tall! You are such a good girl and we adore having you in our lives. Thanks for the example you set for all of us!

Love,

Mom

Hudson 10 Month

This handsome little man turned 10 months on Tuesday, November 13. He is getting so big! At his nine month appointment he weighed 19 lbs. 8 oz. and was 29 inches long. 

Dear Hudson,

You are 10 months old now, and I can't believe how fast the time has flown. You are getting to be such a big boy. You pull yourself up to the couch and anything you can get your hands on. You even pulled yourself up in your crib and went right over the edge! We had to move your mattress down so you won't do that again! You are a very good eater and love your veggies! You like to make noise. Lots of it. And you will sit and kick your bedroom door against your wall just to hear the sound it makes. You make silly faces and noises and you like to smile. You have got two teeth on top and two on bottom. They are so cute! You have this CRAZY curly hair and everywhere we go people just swoon over it. Especially the ladies! You have started waving, and have almost got the clapping down. You are the sweetest little boy a mom could ask for. You are adorable and we love having you in our family!

Love,

Mom

November

I love November. It is one of my very favorite times of year. I love the weather, I love the time change, I love that my little Quinn celebrates her birthday, I love Thanksgiving and I love that 8 years ago on November 12, I married my best friend! So again, I LOVE NOVEMBER. But I have been a little frustrated the last six days of this November 2012. The day after Halloween, we saw on TV a Christmas commercial. On Saturday November 3rd we ventured to Kneaders for breakfast. They have the best breakfast by the way. Anyway...they were playing Christmas music. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! Something that has been brought to my attention the last few years is that Thanksgiving, one of my very favorite holidays, is getting run over. How unfair to the great Holiday of giving thanks! It is now instead of a time to get together with your family and having a great meal and being thankful, a time to go shopping and get a great bargain on things. Bitch please....is it worth standing in hour long lines and fighting with people to save a few bucks? I am not going to lie, I have been one of those crazy people who have ventured out on Black Friday, or even Thanksgiving night. But here and now, on this the 6th day of November 2012, I vow to celebrate Thanksgiving, and not let it get run over by Christmas.