My Corner of the World

Back to School

2012-02-15T20:50:00.000-08:00

Cal

First Grade

Mrs. Olsen

Carter
Third Grade
Mrs. McLean/Mrs. Berglund

Courtlyne

Sixth Grade

Mrs. Thomas

Watch out

Riverview

Here we come!

And we can't forget little sis ready to wave us goodbye.

2 years old

Caeden

or our new little brother

Baby Cas

1 month

Goodbye, Good luck, and have a great school year!

(yes, I know as I am writing this the year is more that half over, oh well.)

Snowbird Swimming

2012-02-06T21:33:00.000-08:00

August 2012

I was tired, that is all I really remember, since the baby was only 2 weeks old--But it was SOOO nice to get out of the house and into the fresh mountain air. Yummm...One of my favorite smells in the world...Snowbird in August.

I can't really explain it.

Only my siblings probably really understand the smell... and why we love to be there so much... when really there is not a lot to do. It is just a part of my life that I have always remembered never changing. It was always nice to know that we would always go there and nothing would change. Maybe my kids one day will have the same feelings.

Baby Cas

2012-01-22T14:30:00.000-08:00

At the Hospital

Every one loved him from the moment they met him.

He had to spend a lot of time under the lights. All of our kids have had jaundice but Cas was the worst of all of them. He was so bad that we stayed an extra day in the hospital to keep him under the lights, and then we had to bring home the suitcase lights when we left the hospital. It took a few days but his bilirubin finally leveled out and he turned the right color.

First day home.

He already seems to have

chubby, kissable, squeezable

cheeks.

The day that we came home from the hospital I experienced one of the most horrible headaches ever known to mankind. I am sure of it! It was Friday and I thought I was going to die--literally. Every time I would sit up or stand up my head would feel as though it was going to explode. Just thinking it would pass, since I usually do not get headaches, I rested and tried to sleep. Every time I would lie down I would instantly feel much better. So I just assumed I needed to rest. NO---Saturday it got worse. I asked my sister to rub out my neck muscles hoping that would relieve the tension. NO---I did a little research and diagnosed myself with an epidural headache. Called the hospital. They said take your pain meds, drink a lot of caffeine and water, go to bed, and see if it gets better by morning. It was not better. Booo--I guess that is what happens when your spinal fluid is slowly leaking out of a pin size hole. You get a

HEADACHE.

We ended up going to the hospital on Sunday morning to have Cas's bilirubin checked and I decided that the pain I was experiencing was not going to go away on its own. While Ben was taking care of the lab work I went up to the OB floor and told them the problem. They said "Yeah, you don't look so good." Really??? Hum.. I wonder why.

-My brain is getting Squished-

So they set me up in a nice hospital bed (I love the hospital by the way) and they called the anesthesiologist. Ben and I proceeded to spend the afternoon at the hospital. After a few hours the Dr. was free and able to help me. He performed a blood patch. That is when they take a bit of blood from your arm and insert it into the area that the epidural was in. The blood patches up the hole and the pressure stops.

It was a 5 minute miracle.

I sat up and the headache was GONE..Yes! I might be able to survive the birth of my 5th child after all.

And HE is definitely worth it!

Thanks to my friend SarahWard for her awesome photography skills. I LOVE these pictures.

And then there were....5

2012-01-08T11:24:00.000-08:00

Then there was...

the rest of

July.

Then there was...

me 9 months pregnant.

Then there was....

Swimming Lessons.

Then there was....

Relay for Life.

Then there was...

The Parade.

Then there was...

Peace.

And then finally...
one day late...
he was here...

Number 5!
July 26th 2011

Courtlyne's Birthday

2011-12-27T13:14:00.001-08:00

July 6th 2011

Courtlyne's Birthday

I can not believe that another year has come and gone since my oldest child was born. She is a great girl. Full of personality and spunk. She spends most of her free time doing gymnastics, which is nice since I am there with her. She officially LOVES Jack Sparrow. That is about all she got for her birthday, Jack Sparrow paraphernalia. She invited a few friends over for a pirate restaurant birthday party. After she drew and painted the awesome Black Pearl ship for the backdrop--she insisted on decorating her own cake. Oh... well I guess it was one less thing that I had to do. I am still trying to prepare myself for this stage of life--crushes on superstars, crushes on boys, going to the mall, independence and preteen attitudes. She is a great girl.

I love her dearly.

Mom-You Raise Me Up.

2011-12-04T20:28:00.001-08:00

I think I have procrastinated on the blogging because I have not wanted to do this post..

but at the same time...

I want to do it.

We had the anniversary of my mom's passing this June.

June 24th 2011

We were attending the family reunion with the Measoms.

It was a day like any other, yet a day like no other.

My Dad sent us all a text saying he loved and appreciated us.

He went on a long bike ride.

We took the kids swimming.

Mom was not there.

Yet...

she was.

One of the most precious gifts that I have ever been given.

My mom's fingerprint and "MOM" sketched in everlasting silver.

Reminding me of Everlasting life.

We all got a necklace.

Holly, Emma, Gregg,
Jessica, Allan,

Dad,

and Grandma.

We wear them a lot.

I can't help but feel like she is nearer when it is around my neck.

People say that the first year is the hardest.

Our lives here go on fairly in the same manner as they did before.

We laugh a lot.

We spend time together.

We love each other.

But some things have changed...

I can no longer listen to You Raise Me Up," without tearing up, and the Hawaiian Ice shack brings back bittersweet memories. But life goes on...

as Mom would want it to

us here on Earth with her close by watching and praying over us from Heaven.

I love you Mom.

Measom Family Reunion

2011-10-10T21:01:00.000-07:00

For our family reunion this year we were able to go to Lava Hot Springs in Idaho.

We stayed here-

Inn at Owl Hollow

We had a great time playing and swimming and just relaxing. I was about 8 1/2 months pregnant so besides not sleeping well anywhere, and not having a swim suit that fit, it was great little vacation. Really the only one that the kids got all summer. The house was fun. We were pretty much all able to stay in it--all including
Grandma and grandpa, Lorin and Sherry and Family, Julie and Mark and Family, and us. Holly and Jared came for a couple nights and pitched a tent on the lawn--and my Dad took the quiet way out and rented his own hotel room.
We played games and watched movies and made s'mores around the campfire every night.
We swam at the pool a couple times and we had a great little walk around town.
We visited a little pioneer town and found some ancestors old houses.

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for providing us with such a great time away.

Magnificent View from our back patio.

Amazing colors

Caeden having a great time just being outside.

All the other fun stuff we did.

-High dive (courtlyne)

-Scary slide (carter)

-swimming

-wiffle ball games

-some other game played with wooden blocks

-visiting with Grandma Donna

Softball

2011-08-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

To me softball equals stress.....
Courtlyne gets stressed
Ben gets stressed
I just plain hate softball.
Carter does not get stressed. She just gets mad if other kids are not playing up to her expectations. And she is not afraid to let them know what the problem is. Carter played her second year of coach pitch and she is being recruited to play on next years teams already.

On the other hand, Courtlyne + softball + her Dad coaching + game situations = STRESS
If you put her in the batting cage, or the back yard she will hit all day long, with perfect form. Once she is on the field she gets a little intimidated----of her peers that she is playing against, and her Dad. She is a great athlete and has a lot of natural talent--just a lot of STRESS on the field.

On a positive note...

she is the fastest runner,

and she stole the most bases,

and she says she likes to play,

(sometimes)

so I guess we will see what happens next year.......I am sure I will be watching more softball and experiencing more STRESS.

Carter's Baptism

2011-08-07T11:55:00.000-07:00

Carter's Baptism

June 4th 2011

I can't believe it, another daughter grown up and old enough to enter the waters of baptism.

I am so grateful for Carter and her choice to be baptized. She is such a good girl, helpful and kind.

I am grateful to have her in my life-she always adds a little spice to everything she does.

She was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by her Dad,

on June 4th 2011.

He then was able to confirm her and give her the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Her friends Abigail Archibald and Allie Tippets were baptized on the same day. It seems like not long ago when they were all turning 3 and having a birthday party together. Now 5 years later they are all 8 and growing up fast.

Carter asked her aunt Holly to give a talk on the Holy Ghost and she did such a marvelous job! I hope Carter will remember the talk she gave and the spirit that was felt there.

Courtlyne also sang a song (under duress) with the older sisters of the other kids.

She did good too!

We had a great turn out of family and friends at her baptism and we followed it up with a yummy BBQ in the backyard. Thank goodness for good weather that day! Such a blessing to be part of a wonderful family and to see my kids grow up! I love every step of the way that we encounter together. I love you Carter and and I am so proud of you!

School's Out!

2011-07-23T18:27:00.000-07:00

The school year officially comes to an end.

Cal had a marvelous time in Kindergarten. Being able to spend everyday with his best friend Kyson, playing outside at recess and having Mrs. Price for a teacher made going to school easy!!!

He is excited for next year when he can eat lunch in the lunchroom, have 2 recesses, and take computer class.

And I am excited that I do not have to take a trip to the school in the middle of the day.

YEA!!! For 1st grade!!

So we have a strange tradition at our house where we invite the kids teachers over for dinner at the end of the school year. MY husband thinks this is REALLY weird--he is a teacher and he said he would never want to be invited over to dinner. However this tradition stops usually by the time they hit 5th grade or so...

Carter's teacher Miss Amy Nelson came over for a lovely time.

Dinner and kickball in the backyard.

Thank you to all those teachers who make a difference in the lives of my kids.

She's got some wheel's

2011-07-12T21:16:00.000-07:00

Hersey Track Meet

May 2011

This little girl of mine can FLY!!! I mean really fly. She ran the 100 meter and took 1st in her heat so she advanced to the semi-final race. Then she took 1st in that heat so she advanced to the finals. In the final race she placed 3rd allowing her to move on to the district meet in that event. But that is not the amazing part. The amazing part came later in the 400 meter run.

Good starts Excellent form

400 meter run

She is just a natural at this. Look at her lose fingers, her great stride, her good arm action, and if you could have seen the photo finish--AMAZING!

This is what everyone was seeing as she ran about 10 yards in front of them ALL!

She took 1st in the 400 and qualified for the district meet. Yipee!

I could watch her run all day. Problem is she doesn't want to run. WHY???

After a little cajoling and bribery Ben and I talked her into running in the district meet. She really didn't want to. She said she just doesn't like running. How do you not like it when you WIN???

That we did not understand. Anyway, we all went to watch her run at the district meet. Since the 100 was right before the 400 she opted out of that race to save her legs for the 400.

Oh MAN I was so nervous......and so was she when she found out who she had to run against. As the girls were called for the race to the starting line we saw the competition for the first time. THREE extremely tall girls--all wearing their SF track club uniforms--all looking 12 or older---all at least a head taller than Courtlyne.

Naturally I panicked... I know what it is like to run against people whose legs are longer than you are

tall

IT IS HARD.... and usually the short people do not win.

So I admit I was skeptical about her chances for success, let alone a win. I told her just go out and do your best. (To bad she heard all my thoughts out loud on the video that I took of her race, OOPPS) I will share that to if I can figure out how to post it.

BUT SHE KILLED IT!!

I mean she not only beat those tall, track runners, she came in first by at least 5-10 yards. Yes, my little girl is a runner, a runner in denial. She qualified for the regional meet and she would not go. I mean would not. All the uncles and aunts and grandparents and parents could not talk her into running again, so I let it go...my dream of her running. I wish she would embrace this talent of hers, because I love watching her run. Maybe if I do not force it, and she keeps winning she will one day want to run.

How can you not want to run when you WIN???

I still don't get it.

Mother's Day

2011-07-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

My Crew of Kiddos

1,2,3,4, and almost 5 of them.

They make me the Mom that I am.

They make me smile.

They make me laugh.

They make me cry.

They make me worry.

They make me wonder.

They make me crazy.

They make me marvel at all that God gives us.

They make me the Mom that I am.

My dear Mom

Helped me become the mom that I am.

Taught me to love.

Taught me to serve.

Taught me patience.
Taught me to love God.

Taught me that nothing is greater than being a Mom.

Taught me to put my whole heart into it.
I LOVE YOU MOM.

Mother's Day was not the same without you here.

BROKEN

2011-06-18T16:32:00.000-07:00

So you know when the kids are playing and someone gets hurts and starts crying and comes in and says I think I broke my arm, or leg, or foot, or finger, and your first thought as a parent is...Yeah right, you will be fine, let me look at it and give it a kiss and everything will be better. Well, this wasn't one of those times. Cal walked into the room, quite calmly I would say, crying, but not freaking out--and he said "I think I broke my arm." and I started to say "No you didn't you will be fine," and then I looked at it and I said,

"Yep, it looks like your broke your arm."

Of course it was a Sunday evening--Isn't that the only time something happens--so we loaded Cal into the car and took him to the ER, while Holly and Jared took the other kids home to bed. Fun Stuff!! He was such a good sport--never crying, really, until they had to take the x-rays and move his arm all around. That HURT! Then we went back to his room, got some drugs stuck in his butt, and waited for him to fall asleep so the Dr. could set the bone back in place. That all went smoothly. Then we just had to wait, and wait, and wait for him to wake up. While we were waiting, our pediatrician arrived at the ER with his son. That made me feel a little better knowing the Dr. gets to visit the ER occasionally too:)

SO.... about 2 hours later Cal starts to come out of his drug induced sleep--He didn't wake up very easily, since by this time it was 11:00 and he was ready to go to sleep for real.

-He had the splint from the ER on for 2 weeks

-Then the awesome RED cast for 4 weeks

-Then the BLUE cast for 2 weeks

This was the only time that Cal seemed concerned that he had a broken arm, when they had to take the cast off. He had to call is friend Kyson, who had already experienced a broken arm, to ask him how they did it and if it hurt.

He would not take my word for it--He had to call a friend.

Funny Feeling Floppy Arm

The entire first broken bone adventure started on April 3rd, 2011. Eight weeks later he got his last cast off, and was free man. Cal did not complain about his arm, or his cast, or being uncomfortable one time.

Seriously, he didn't. He was quite the trooper.

As parents this is the first broken bone we have encountered. We have had a couple sets of stitches, but this is the first break. I was fine the entire night. I am always calm and patient in situations like this. I am not bothered by the hospital, in fact I quite enjoy it. I have always liked visiting the hospital. I like the smell, the things to hear, and the people to watch. I am not bothered by blood, shots, stitches, having them set Cal's arm, or whatever else might come along. SO... I was feeling fine through the whole ordeal--

minus the thought of having to pay for it.

And then we got home, and I got into bed, and I started to BAWL my eyes out!! This was the first time in my life as a mom, that the realization hit me that I CAN NOT PROTECT MY KIDS 100% of the time. And when they get older it will be even harder. So I lay there thinking, and crying, and needing my Mom, and realizing that the FUN was just beginning.

Carter's 8th Birthday

2011-06-05T15:55:00.000-07:00

May 1st, 2011

I can't believe that my little Carter has turned eight years old.
This is a pretty big birthday with a baptism coming up and the beginning of the end of yearly friend birthday parties. After the kids turn 8 I only let them have friend party every other year, so this was the first year that Carter did not have all her friends for a birthday party.

She had crepes for breakfast,

grilled cheese and straight noodle soup for lunch,

and Shepherds pie for dinner--She is easy to please.

Some of Carter's favorite things are:

horses

the color blue

school

swimming

playing with her sister

spending time with family

DESPICABLE ME

her friend Kate

Carter is such a great spirit in our family. She is always ready and willing to help her Dad outside. She loves to tag along with him when he is working on any project. She is also willing to help with Caeden whenever I need a spare hand. She loves to play with Courtlyne and do stuff with her, and she is so good to almost always play whatever Courtlyne wants. She has some great friends that she has known for a long time and it is fun to see them grow up together. I love her and her sweetness very much--She is a great blessing to me!!

Grandpa Jim and Grandma Carol

Great Grandma and Grandpa Measom

Great Grandpa and Grandma Carlson

Grandpa Gary

Birthday Time

2011-05-24T13:11:00.000-07:00

Cal's Birthday

April 23rd

Once again he wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese, so we invited his bestest buddy Kyson to go with us and we spent the afternoon eating pizza and wasting our money on awesome games and tickets.

-It is nice to have a quick easy party without a lot of planning or worry on my part.

-Don't really love Chuck E.Cheese--but he does.

-He ate so much chocolate cake while we were there, and then later that night when we invited over the grandparents and aunts and uncles he ate even more chocolate cake. Finally, a kid after my own chocolate heart!!

Right now Cal loves:

-to play video games, computer games, Wii, Nintedo, games on peoples phones, anything electronic he can get his grubby hands on, (much to my dismay).

-the color red

-hanging with his buddy Kyson

-riding bikes and scooters

-anything Thor or Ninja
-eating straight noodle soup
-chocolate cake and ice cream

One Smart Cookie

2011-05-13T21:56:00.000-07:00

My Smart Little Cookie

Smart COOKIE!!!

YUMM!!!

Since my sister just moved her spa Azalea Day Spa and Salon to the shop right next door to Smart Cookie, there have been a few dollars spent there on some delectably, delicious cookies. When cookies are this good I think that I could eat them for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. If you have never had a Smart Cookie, now is the time. Then you probably should drop by the spa for a pedicure, facial, or a massage. Can't think of a better day.

YUMM!!

March Madness

2011-05-05T21:07:00.000-07:00

*Caeden having a complete meltdown*

Cat in the Hat for Dr. Seuss's Birthday

And a day of sluffing school to visit the Discovery Gateway museum.
Courtlyne has been begging to go here for the longest time. The last time we went she was about 5 and she loved it. Yeah--she didn't love it so much this time even though it is bigger and better.
She is almost 11 now and it just isn't the same.

The other kids had an okay time--I do not think it is an amazing place to take kids or worth the money--If we had not had discounted tickets I would not have gone. I wouldn't really recommend it, unless they could guarantee that there wouldn't be anyone else but you and your kids there, then it would be FUN!

It's A BOY!!

2011-05-03T20:44:00.000-07:00

On March 16, 2011 Ben and I went to the doctor to have an ultra sound to find out if our baby #5 was going to be a boy or a girl. I felt like all along it would be a girl, simply for the fact that we just seem to do well with girls. But I was wrong, and Ben was right. Another little boy for our family of 6 to now become a family of 7. I never in all my years of growing up and such, imagined myself having 5 kids. Never imagined it. But it was just right to try to have one more, we didn't have to try very hard either. I remember my mom saying when I was pregnant with Caeden that she hoped she would be a girl because then we would try one more time to have another boy--I told her no way we will be done with 4 kiddos--Well, I think my mom met this little spirit up in heaven and sent him to us pronto so we would not change our minds. Ben and I came home to the kids having set up this awesome display for dinner. They were anticipating the announcement!!

Well, i'ts a BOY!! Everyone was excited except for Courtlyne. She did however send everyone a great email that I wish I would have saved forever--It said something about my mom is having a BOY! And guess what I saw a picture of his wiener! I have got to see if she still has that on her email, it was hilarious. She was hoping I guess for another sister.

Things like this make me happy and proud to me a MOM of such great kids. I love you guys!

They used the nice tablecloth, the fancy glasses, and an amazing display of Kool-Aid in the punch bowl. The Kool-Aid didn't get quite enough sugar, but we helped them out with that after we tasted it.

Had to show Caeden's little cheesy smile.

CHEESE!!!

So does anyone have any good ideas for a boy name that starts with a C?
These ones have already been eliminated--
Conan (which was honestly Ben's first pick)
Colin (sick kid in Secret Garden)
Cash
Cadillac (Ben's 2nd pick)
Cobra (Cal's first pick) Maybe if I were married to Jackie Chan and we were ninjas
Crew

I like Coah, Coen, and Cannon

We both like Cael--Is it too much like Cal?? This is tough, so any unusual or usual names that you know of shout them out there!

St. George

2011-04-24T20:58:00.000-07:00

Really, why do we go to St.George? It is all about the swimming. The pool, the pool, the pool. The only real reason we go to St. George. Thank goodness the weather was warm enough to swim and the kids had a blast. I sat in the sun since--the water wasn't quite warm enough for me, and I am in no shape for swimming right now. Caeden had the best time, she jumped and swam and could have cared less if anyone was with her and her water muscles or not. It was a little scary to watch her confidence grow and grow as the weekend went on. She loves the water. I can't wait until summer when we can just fill up the backyard pool and be warm in the sunshine. If the sun ever decides to come out and stay awhile.

A quick stop at the St George temple usually rounds out our trip. It was a really quick trip this time as one of the baseball coaches called and his car had broken down on the side of the road on his way out of town. We quickly loaded up the kids and headed out to see if we could help him and his family. We ended up with all 11 of us riding to Cedar City together in our van. We piled in and cozied up. They had some family there that helped them get fixed up and on their way.

Just a little stop in the sun

Mi Tio

2011-04-14T15:07:00.000-07:00

Mi Tio Es El Mas Bakan

So, Allan was so excited to send Caeden this shirt for her second birthday. Only we couldn't really translate it--Bakan, was an unknown Spanish word to even Grandma Carol who speaks fluent Spanish. We pretty much guessed that it meant that my Uncle is the coolest or best, or something to that affect. When Allan emailed me that next week he said that is is more of a gangster/slang word that is used only Chile and it basically means my Uncle is a Bad-A.

So, in a tribute to our favorite Elder Allan Measom, the Bad-A, we wear this shirt! Here are some pictures of him working hard in the mission field--Love you Uncle Alli.

White girls can JUMP!!

2011-04-05T11:07:00.000-07:00

Split Jump Extraordinare *February 2011*

So proud to post this picture of Courtlyne

This was a picture of her at her first level six meet.

She is growing into quite a fine gymnast, if I do say so myself!!

I love that she is at the gym most of the time that I am there and that she loves this sport.

I am amazed at her talent and drive to compete--I know I did not have that competitive spirit at her age.

Caeden Turn's Two

2011-03-29T12:48:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that my little human is TWO years old. I think she is the most adorable little human EVER!!

Of course I am a little biased. I call her the little human because she is so small and she thinks she is so capable of doing whatever any other human could do. She gets her own food. Wants to do her own hair. Moves the stools to wherever she needs to be. Opens the fridge. Gets her shoes. Gets in the car. Reads books. Plays puzzles. And generally feels as if she belongs with the big kids ALWAYS!! She is quite a character. I have not had a child like her yet. Into everything---all the time. Writing on walls, writing on herself, and not stopping for a minute. Until nap time and then she hits the bed and crashes for a few hours everyday.
Thank goodness.

I am amazed every time I look at her. Her little body, with her little muscular legs that walk and run her
non-stop all over the place. I am thankful that she is mine, that God has given me her special spirit and amazing human body to raise in this troubled world.

I love her--she wears me out--but nothing makes me smile more.

An Elmo Cake to celebrate the occasion.

We had a great turn out for the party--Thanks Grandpa Gary!

A cute little sheep from Great-Grandma and Grandpa Carlson

Lots of loves and kisses for the sheepy!

JUST A Sample of the Mischief.

Halloween make-up, how did she find it?? GOOD QUESTION!

Love you Caeden

January 2011

2011-03-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Me

THE CAKE

I kept telling Ben that all I wanted for my Birthday was a BIG FAT CHOCOLATE CAKE.

You know the kind that is so gooey and yummy and chocolaty that you have to have the vanilla ice cream on the side or you would die from chocolate overload. That is what I wanted.

The dear sweet husband of mine--Baked me not only 1 but 2 chocolate cakes. He found the recipes online and couldn't decide which one would be better so he made them both. The cakes were good--Bless his heart

the frosting just didn't turn out so great....but a great big Thank You for my birthday wish!!

Yes,

Courtlyne did wear this to school today.

I am glad that she is not afraid to show off her individuality

and style.

Kids got a hold of the camera, and the funny faces commenced!!

I hate to admit it but I was a little disappointed in the birthday gifts from my sisters.. I mean usually my sisters give me something that I really enjoy like some great books, or new make-up that I would never buy myself, or a free massage, this year I got these...

Really guys... I like chocolate and everything--the jam was horrible, but I was grateful that I had gotten a gift at all and that they were there to eat cake with me. Little did I know... this was just a preview of a great surprise. The next day I was minding my own business at work and my three sisters showed up with a bunch of balloons--I was like UMMM...you are a little late with the birthday present. But they had arranged for me to leave work--run away to Heber/Park City and escape for the night. We stayed at the Swiss Alps Inn---hence all the Swiss treats. It was a great surprise. I am now only sad that because I am usually the camera man, and I was caught off guard, I did not have my camera to take any photos of the adventure. We just hung out--laughed, played a game, ate a lot of junk, watched a movie, stayed up late, and enjoyed the time. It was amazing to me that they worked out the logistics of my life for me.

The job, the kids, the husband, and the home were all taken care of without me worrying about a THING. Amazing!

2010 The Year

2011-03-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

January

I celebrated my 34th Birthday!! My Mom made me the most delicious chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. YUMM!! It was big enough to have leftovers for a week. Nothing compares to that homemade chocolate cake.
Courtlyne started competing Level 5 gymnastics. I now have had the role of gymnast, gymnastics coach, and the most stressful, gymnastics mom. She was a little nervous and I was a lot nervous.
Tie-dye fest. We just needed a colorful picture on a drab January Sunday. YES-- we made them all!

February

More gymnastics meets. I am getting a little more settled in watching her compete. She is a natural. I wasn't sure what kind of a competitor she would be--all girls are different. Some rise to the occasion of competition while others freak out and mess it all up--She definitely takes it seriously.
Caeden turns #1. Wow my little baby is one and she is such a character.
Caeden learns to walk. Watch out!! Running and climbing are not far behind

March

Courtlyne and Carter were super excited to be the little Misses for Christie Cerenzie and Candice Wride at the Miss Spanish Fork pageant. We spent a day at the salon getting their hair curled and all girlied up for the pageant. That is stuff that we are not especially used to at our house. They had a lot of fun escorting their pageant girls. And---Christie won 1st attendant and Candice won 2nd attendant. Fun night for all!!
Crazy hair day for the second graders
Caeden always, always wearing Dads hats.

Cancun Vacation

So we needed a little vacation--It had been almost 8 years since we had gone for an extended vacation without the kiddos--We booked it in January with some good friends of ours so all through the cold months we had something to look forward to.
The best water I have ever been in. Body surfing and sun and the sand and oh...I could have stayed on that beach all day.
Hot husband in the waves.
Our pool view.
The large iguanas that I was dared $10 dollars to try to touch. I got close, and then a little iguana started to run at the big iguana and then it started to run at me. I RAN. The locals say they are just like chickens and will not hurt you, however, we have chickens and I don't really like to touch them either.
Rai-Rai--our topless neighbor. AUGGHH
Snorkeling--I loved it!
The pornovator--This elevator was so trippy I wish I could have captured a decent picture. Wall to wall mirrors--flashing lights, it was HUMMM...Not sure what it was really.

April

Cal turns 5. Ready to start school this year--Wow, the boy is growing up. We celebrated with his best friend Kyson at Chuck E. Cheese. Man I hate that place. Transformer cupcakes, and lots of boy toys.
Pictures with Great-Grandparents.
Pictures with Grandma Linda, she made him a sweet cozy blanket, and Grandpa Gary.
Birthday Spankins!!!
Then we had Easter---Amazing to wake up on a bright Easter Sunday to a good 6 inches of snow--WHAT!! The Easter Bunny always brings the kids swimsuits for Easter... so being the picture taking Mom that I am I had to get the photo... in the snow, in the swimsuits. YES!!! LOVE IT!!

May

May 1st Carter turns 7. We had a spa birthday with a couple good friends and the amazing work of the Azalea Day Spa! Thanks to HOLLY. Pedicures, and fancy gift bags and cute presents.
Then a family party with Grandmas and Grandpas.
Hersey Track meet. Courtlyne crosses the finish line first in her 400 heat. I LOVE watching her run--and she hates running. But she is so good at it. I hope it is a talent that she will someday want to develop.
We had a little Cinco De Mayo on Mother's day with a great piñata for the kids.
Grandma Betty, Mom and me
Me and my kids.
Mother's Day 2010. I didn't know at the time that this would be the last Mother's Day that I would spend with my Mom. I think we all knew that she was not getting better but reluctant to admit it. We had a great day just being together and spending time. I guess none of us really knows when that day may be the last time--Cherish Each Other.

June

Courtlyne finishes out the season at the state meet. Becoming one of the top 3 in the state for her age group.
Swimming lessons. A must every summer--although it always seems so cold!!!
Relay for Life- This years Relay was quite emotional for all of us. Originally they asked my Mom to speak at the big ceremony to start the luminaria walk for the event. She said she would be glad to. Then Mom got sick. Really sick. To me it actually seemed like it happened over night. The cancer that was in her body finally won the fight. Regardless of the fact that my Mom became so sick and incoherent she still thought she would speak at the Relay. My Dad told her that he would take her place if she was not able to go. He ended up having to do the job, and he was amazing. It was refreshing for so many people to hear what he had to say about being a caregiver to someone who is sick. It was pouring rain ALL night and we were wet and cold--Dad stood up there and did a great job making people smile. For the first time we ended up leaving the Relay, we packed up our tents in the middle of the night and took our soaking wet selves home to bed. It is a good thing that we did because we surely would have drowned at Payson park that night.

July

At the end of May my parents went on a trip to Washington D.C. and when they got home my Dad immediately took Mom to the hospital. My sisters and I went to visit them on a day that they just happen to be counseling with a social worker about Hospice. I am so grateful for the insight that we had to go to the hospital and to go together. We all were able to talk about things that Mom wanted and where treatment would go from there. I remember us all having to be at work and just sitting there not going anywhere. It was horrible and sad and at the same time we were still laughing, as Mom requested that we all sing at her funeral. Not just any song but "You Raise Me Up" By Josh Gorban.---WE DO NOT SING and if we do it sounds horrible. So we were all just laughing because she was still making jokes. It was hard.
It seems like from that moment on at the hospital that I knew I needed to or should speak at my Mom's funeral. I started thinking every night about what I would say and how I would say it. I told my Dad I would like to do it if he wanted me too---I hope that I did not take over by offering to speak. I just knew I needed to do it. It felt good to be able to stand up there and honor the amazing, spiritual woman that my mom was, and to remember the good times.
Caeden said "I love you" for the first time ever to my Mom during this time. I know she heard her little voice.
About a week before she became bedridden she was outside with me and the kids, dragging her oxygen tank and teaching them the art of dipping fries into your slushie.
I felt inspired to call my brother who was able to come out a couple weeks before Mom passed away. I recall that the last real semi-coherent day she had was the last day that he was here.
Emma moved in and sacrificed her time and energy to help out at home. THANK YOU.
She couldn't bath herself, she couldn't get out of bed, she couldn't talk.
We had to move her to a hospital bed downstairs where she was to stay until she passed away.
Dad called us all to come over and talk taking Mom off of her oxygen. We knew she wasn't really with us anymore and her spirit was ready to go home. We decided to meet that next day and be there together. The hospice nurse said she could possibly live a few minutes to a few days without the oxygen.
We prayed together-My Dad asked specifically that she would not suffer and that she would be able to pass quickly with out pain. We cried.
She passed away peacefully in minutes after the prayer on June 24th 2010.
I felt relief for her and her suffering and sorrow for my Dad and our family.
We talked to Allan in Chile on the phone for a few hours. He had great support there while serving his mission--My Mom did not want him to come home. He honored her wishes by honoring the Lord.
My sisters and I were able to dress and prepare my Mom for her viewing--it was a very spiritual experience that I will cherish forever.
The viewing was held at my parents home. At first we all thought it would be a little creepy and weird--but it was perfect. Like my Dad said where else would she rather be? No where but home.
All the family came.
The funeral was held July 1st 2010.