Christmas 2008

(Tavis- here are your pictures. It did not take Scott long after you left before he started enjoying the laser tag and rock band.)

We had a great day and enjoyed spending Christmas Eve and day with my parents and Nathan (Heidi) and Leslie (and Tavis, Mia and Parker) and Grandma Doris. It was a very laid back time but we made some fun memories and enjoyed spending time together and eating a lot of food. Here are some of our photos (thanks to Mckenzie and her new camera)

The kids have had a great time chasing Scott around with the laser tag (he slipped and twisted his knee down the stairs), playing bingo, wii fit (and 'we' are not fit :) ), legos doing our annual treasure hunt and just family time in general.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and are going to enjoy more time with your family.

Beautiful Christmas Card

Here is a beautiful Christmas card that Holt International put together. Holt is the agency that paid for Lili's foster care through generous donations of kind people.
Enjoy the sweet faces of these children who benefited from Holt's programs.
http://www.holtintl.org/christmas/
We are truly grateful for the kindness and sacrifice of these donors.
Merry Christmas!

addresses please

hey, I know everyone is swamped but ...please... will you send me your address so I can mail you a Christmas card???...please :)
I am trying to redo my address book and I am missing many family and friends (as far as cousins go - I could use all of the jacksons, jeffs, heiners (larry too), wards, damerons and browers - pretty much everyone- i think I have all of Scotts except for the canada bunch (darlene too) and mckees)
Friends, I'd love your addresses too- many have moved and I'm sorry to say that I have not kept very good records (if you havent moved Id love yours too )
Thanks for your help.
Hope you are ready for Christmas.

cute moment

Davis came running up to me this morning and gave me a tight squeeze and said, "mommy, mommy, mommy I love you cuz you adopted me."
It has never occured to me that he would think that he was adopted as well... so, we had a quick discussion on different ways children come into families.

I owe my mother

My mother sent this to me and I got quite a chuckle from it - so sad they are true :) but... I owe my mother :) and soon my kids will owe me.
1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. 'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.'
2. My mother taught me RELIGION. 'You better pray that will come out of the carpet.'
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL. 'If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!'
4. My mother taught me LOGIC. ' Because I said so, that's why.'
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC. 'If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me.'
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT. 'Make sure you wear clean underwearin case you're in an accident.'
7. My mother taught me IRONY. 'Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.'
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS. 'Shut your mouth and eat your supper.' 9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM. 'Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!'
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA. 'You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone.'
11 . My mother taught me about WEATHER. 'This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.'
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. 'If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!'
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE. 'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.'
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. 'Stop acting like your father!'
15. My mother taught me about ENVY. 'There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do.'
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. 'Just wait until we get home.'
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING. 'You are going to get it when you get home!'
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE. 'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way.'
19. My mother taught me ESP. 'Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?' 20. My mother taught me HUMOR . 'When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me.'
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. 'If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.'
22. My mother taught me GENETICS. 'You're just like your father.'
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS. 'Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?'
24. My mother taught me WISDOM. 'When you get to be my age, you'll understand.'
25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE. 'One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you !

I am so EXCITED!!!

Just a quick post to show you how cute my kids are.... :) My brother-in-law and sister took photos of my kids last weekend. Take a look. http://www.tavisjohnson.blogspot.com/ If anyone is in need of a wonderful photographer - they do a fantastic job!!! (Ok... I'm feeling a bit braggadocios about my comment about my kids being cute... oh, well ... I'm mom ... take it as a mom comment :) )

Date night

We convinced our boys last night to come on our weekly date. They chose McDonald's for dinner and we went to Scott's office to remove the 100 yr old wall paper. The bottom layer is like cardboard. They had fun until it got past bed time, then they needed a break so they headed for the Mckenzie's pop fridge (her job) and candy bin and went and played office. It was a fun night. Scott and Reese took off first thing this morning to continue on... I'm suppose to be cleaning and then off to help... got a little distracted :) I should have taken the pictures when we first started to get smiles instead of tired stares.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do!!

Reese's class has been studying Roman history this year. He has absolutely loved every second of it. History is his 'thing' he will say and Rome is his favorite. To end the unit the teacher had a celebration of Rome party. She had the room decorated like the Colosseum, the kids dress up as Roman God's, gladiators, or soldiers, had the slaves (parents) bring Roman food and serve them,

they performed "Androcles and the Lion", had to purchase their dinner by bartering (the women) and the men discussed legal matters... It was amazing!!! The kids had to bring pillows, rest on their left arm and eat with their fingers just like they would have in Rome. Reese had a wonderful time and I did too! I am amazed with the incredible things that take place at our school. His teacher is wonderful and when I ask Reese each day how his day at school was, he answers saying, "it was the best day ever." Love it!!!!

Lucky Charms

I've discovered the way to get all of my kids to breakfast at one time... tell them the box of Lucky Charms is ready. They all have to come at one time for fear that they will miss out. After they each had their bowl I had to get out my camera - it was a pretty cute photo op for me.

Homework and bed time

Mckenzie spends hours doing homework each night. Meili snuggled up to her and fell asleep - pretty priceless! She has to lick fabric to fall asleep and looks like she was enjoying Mckenzie's shirt.

Wheat Bread

This week I have been trying new recipes. Davis ground some wheat in our blender and we made some yummy whole wheat bread. They enjoyed kneading it to help. Davis is still home sick with pox and Lili is still refusing to wear clothes.

Good Sam vest

My grandma and grandpa use to take Ryan and I on lots of camping trips. Many of my younger memories are of hanging out with Ryan and my grandparents at Good Sam meetings, sitting around their table eating Raisin Rice and Rye (Ryan's favorite), motorbike riding and swimming. We always had a wonderful time. My grandma made this cute Good Sam vest for Ryan (she made me one too). We thought we were pretty cool because we were apart of the group and looked like all of the people in the club.

My grandma gave them to me. Davis discovered them and thought he looked pretty hot in Ryan's. He wore it proudly.

Family Home Evening and Chicken Pox

Reese had the chicken pox a couple of weeks ago. Now Davis does. Both have been immunized so I'm told they are not as bad as normal but still they have to stay home from school for way too long. Lili fevered a few days ago (has not been immunized, yet) so we are waiting to see if bumps show up on her. Mckenzie had them a long time ago - also immunized. By the time it goes through all of them I may be insane... :) Maybe we'll have to get a hotel for a change of scenery and Lysol it down when we leave.

Davis and Reese have been anxiously waiting for time to play with Austin and Ian. They were suppose to get together next week. Davis has come up with a quick fix to getting over the pox - he is going to stay in bed all day and have me bring his food to him. The "healthy menu" that he has created is, "for breakfast a healthy bowl of cereal, for lunch macaroni and cheese and for dinner a frozen burrito." He is going to go nuts (which means that Kristi and I will too) if they are not able to go.

I loved a few moments last night at Family Home Evening. Lili loves to participate just like the older kids. She loves to lead us in "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". I've included a few pictures of her at the 'podium' leading us in the song. Davis loves to sing "Book of Mormon Stories" and Meili loves to do the actions. Oh, and Lili is totally against wearing clothes so this is her look most days... I do get her dressed but the clothes come off shortly after.

Our new celloist (am I spelling this right?)

Reese decided he wanted to play the cello this year so he could participate in the school orchestra. After a few weeks of orchestra he began asking for private lessons as well. Today was his 3rd private lesson and he was so thrilled to learn how to bow. I love going each week with him to take notes and watch his mind work. Hopefully, he will continue to enjoy the cello... this reminds me of President Allen's talk at Stake Conference on finances... when we buy one thing (free orchestra classes) we end up buying 10 things to go along with it.... ie, cello, books, lessons, stand, chair, and on and on...

But, if he continues to enjoy this it will be well worth the investment of the 10 items. I love his cute hair today - apparently he made it through the door without me licking my hand and smoothing it down ... :) I love the boy!

Our baby is growing up

Mckenzie was asked to give her first talk in Sacrament meeting today. She did an amazing job - we are very pleased with all of studying she did to prepare for her talk and that she wrote the whole talk by herself. Her topic was repentance. Way to go, Kenzie!!! ( ... nothing like a fridge to make a lovely background- hey, and if you want to feel good about your clean house click on the picture and you can see our dirty water tray -I'll make sure that makes it in the dishwasher tomorrow :) )

Saturday fun

(I finally broke down and bought a new camera... wish I would have done it a few weeks ago so I'd have pictures of halloween...)

After Scott worked and we cleaned the house (and I went to a class that Don Aslett spoke on cleaning :) ) and the boys went to a Primary activity, we took the kids out to our lot. We bought the 5 acres at the end of last year... about 5 days before Scott was called as a counselor in our ward. Our intentions at that time were to build immediately but after the calling we felt like we needed to wait and so we are still waiting... then we thought we'd start this next spring... but, we really like our ward and who knows what is going on with the economy and the housing market so we may continue to wait. While we wait we enjoy going out and spending time together. My dad brought a tractor down a few weeks ago and they knocked the weeds down. We wanted to make a bike trail with the tractor but it had a flat (one Saturday when everything seemed to go exactly opposite of how you would have hoped) so Scott made some jumps with his shovel and the boys are in Heaven. It is fun to go out and enjoy being able to be loud. The dog loves the space.

Scott started to pick up the few rocks that we have on the land... we will need to make another Saturday activity to pick all the rocks up.

Weekly update

My camera is broken so I'm not able to update with photos. It hasn't worked quite right since our trip to the Oregon coast... think it has some sand stuck in it.

Life is good.

Last week Mckenzie finished her last dog training class. The teacher thinks that she and Lady have potential to be good dog trainer and dog. So, she has us... we will continue with more dog training classes.

Happy birthday to my dad! We had a great day with him eating at his favorite restaurant and then hanging out watching the debate and bbqing. Love you dad! You are great!!!

Also, Happy birthday to Scott's mom!!! We hope you had a fun day and wish we could have spent it with you! Love you! You are amazing!!!

Mckenzie is doing well with her violin. She is still taking private lessons but has also joined our schools orchestra. I am happy that she enjoys it and practices without being asked. She is also enjoying Young Women's. She was just asked to serve as the 2nd counselor and was bouncing off the walls excited... she was pretty nervous when her dad told her she needed to talk to her. Young Women's is keeping her busy. She has served at the soup kitchen, served Elder Walker and presidencies for dinner before conference, picking potatoes from a field and then bagging 250 bags to pass out. We are starting to get the tween attitude - so she is not perfect but I do enjoy her a ton.

Reese is doing well since his surgery. He started playing the cello. He started with orchestra but has convinced me that he wants private lessons as well. Reese loves school. They are studying a lot about the Roman empire and astronomy which are two of his favorites! Yesterday he helped bag the potatoes and also helped my dad, Scott and Nathan mow the weeds from our 'farm'. It is a lot bigger than I thought... we are going to have to be creative when coming up with ways to fill the acreage. Friday after school he went out to his friend, Tyler's house, and they rode 4 wheelers... he had a great time. He also has spent a few weeks enjoying the chicken pox.

Davis is learning to read and spell. It is fun to watch him read his stories to us. He is so proud of to be able to read them. His class went to the Pumpkin Patch last week and he loved playing with his friends. They all bought a pumpkin and were assigned to go home and paint it. He painted his like Patrick on SpongeBob. He then had to take the pumpkin to school and they walked to a retirement center and gave them their pumpkins and read stories to the people. He had a great time.

Meili and Lili enjoy going to their toddler lab together. Meili is way older than the rest of the kids and enjoys taking care of them. Lili enjoys having Meili there to watch her.... and I enjoy my hour and 1/2 twice a week. They either are the best of friends or enemies... usually, when they are great friends I have to be on my toes because they are usually getting into some sort of trouble. An example or two... I put them in the tub while cleaning our room... they were quiet and I should have known... they enjoyed putting ALL of our towels in the tub and then putting them on the carpet outside of the tub... another one, I was vacuuming and went to Reese's room to vacuum to see the wall painted RED, the curtains AND THE CARPET... ahhhh... I luckily had some Juice Out (bought from Don Aslett's store) and all of the paint came out of the carpet and off of the wall... the curtains still have some paint but that was the least of my worries at that point and time. So, maybe someday they will just enjoy playing quietly in their room while I clean but I think this is pretty unlikely - usually they are creating more of a mess then I'm able to clean up :) .... enjoy the moment..... right...????
Scott is very busy at work. It is audit time and that leads right into tax time. Six day a week work weeks have started... we are very greatful that he is busy :).

Holy Cow... 3 great years!!!

On October 8th, 2005 we received one of the greatest gift ever, Meili. What a joy she has been. She keeps us all on her toes with her silly little comments and joy for life. As you can see she loves doing hair. She is such a girly, girl. loves fingernail polish, jewelery, skirts, high heals, purses... She loves to build tinker toys and put diapers on all of her babies... she loves being the mom of all of us. She is such a huge blessing and we are so grateful that Heavenly Father led us to her. She is right where she needs to be helping us all along the way. Love you, sweetie.

Memories of Ryan

A talk was given in Conference last weekend that I keep thinking about. I'm not sure who gave it - I'm thinking maybe the Prophet...???
Anyway, he talked about the tears shed over a grave were because of things we wish we had done or said... and to live life so we have no regrets with our loved ones...
I realize this talk was meant mostly for us to enjoy our families who are alive. But, it has made me stop and think and wonder if this is why I shed my tears or if it is something else.
I am happy to say that most of my tears are for regret of him not being able to experience all of his hopes and dreams - but as I write this the thought comes to me that he IS living his hopes and dreams... Ryan and I were good buddies growing up. I loved to play trucks just so I could play with him. We had our times when we were closer than others. After he got married we lived next door to each other and spent a lot of time together while going to school. Then he moved and they divorced and he really struggled because he missed his daughter. He was always a good man with a great heart but during these years that he struggled, we did not keep in best contact - but I don't really regret this because the last year of his life we did. We loaned Ryan a good sum of money that he intended to pay back. After his death Scott told me (and I completely agree) that the money we loaned him was the best use of our money. We are so glad that we did this for Ryan and trusted him that it would be used wisely... and it was. I think of our phone conversations during this last year and am grateful for them. Sometimes, I wish I would have made more of them... but, I also realize I spoke to him way more than I ever had and more than I spoke with most of my other family members (except for my kids and Scott). I think of the time last Halloween that Scott and I took to go visit him. Scott had classes to take and we thought Vegas would be a great place to go. Ryan took off tons of time to just hang out with me. I'm glad that I was able to see his home and places of employment and his favorite hang out spots. I am glad that we took him to a play and he enjoyed it. I wish I would have paid more attention to why he loved the play so much. I am glad that (while it might sound odd) that I got to watch a totally exhausted brother take a nap on our hotel bed (how sweet and perfect someone looks when they sleep) and to hear him talk about how comfy the bed was. I love the fact that he wanted to take me shopping. He hated to shop because of his bad back... but, he insisted we go.. he wanted me to go in and shop and to enjoy myself and he would rest on the benches outside the stores. I remember being in one of my favorite clothing stores (while Ryan was outside waiting) thinking ... this is silly, I really want to be with him and not shopping... he wanted me to be happy shopping and to be doing something I wanted to do but I am so happy and grateful that what I wanted to be doing was spending all of the time I had with him ... so, we left and he took me on a show and tell drive around the city. I am grateful that I watched him be so kind and caring giving a man who needed some extra cash his last five dollars in his pocket. I am glad that I got to watch him eat and enjoy eating some lunches... i am glad that i was able to go refill his pops when he wanted more. I am glad that we went on the roller coaster (and even though I regret not buying the day pass because I'm too tight and I had a terrible head ache), I'm glad we went on the ride. After the ride he taught me how to relax and take care of my head aches... I'm glad I get to think of him every time I get a head ache and try to relieve the pain. I wish I had purchased the picture of us on the roller coaster but need to remember that it was not a great photo and be grateful for the picture I have in my mind of us totally enjoying ourselves. I am grateful for the memories of this trip and how incredibly kind he was to me. and am grateful for the memories I have of wanting to call him the whole way home and talk to him because I missed talking to him. When I think about wishing I had spent Thanksgiving with him, I remind myself that I am so grateful that we headed home a day early so we could see him and take time to celebrate Rylee's b-day with him. Typically we would not have cut our stay short to make sure we saw Ryan but I am so grateful that we did this. Now, every time we go to our favorite pizza place I am able to picture Ryan and myself talking and laughing and I'm grateful for this. I am grateful that he and I talked and we decided to loan him some money so he could fly home for Christmas. He spent time with each of us. I can still picture him sitting at our bar and writing out a prescription for me to sleep while in China. I am grateful that he spent Christmas Eve with us and that he loved the ham with Uncle Forests yummy mustard sauce. I am so grateful that I remember his sense of humor while he was dinging the chime the loudest while we played Christmas songs with our chimes. I am grateful to see his smile in my mind as I remember him doing a cookie in dads car as he drove away with my kids and the time he spent with them. I am grateful that when i see Alvin, Simon and Theodore I remember the kindness he showed by taking my kids to the movie with he and Rylee... even though he said it wasn't as good as they use to be (the chipmunks). I am grateful that while at New Year's Eve dinner with friends I talked about how to get Ryan a job at the hospital here and when I talked to Ryan for the last time on the phone one New Year's Day that he was excited with the thoughts of moving home and practicing medicine. I am grateful that I could here the excitement through the phone. I now am grateful for the knowledge that I have that he is able to watch over and protect me and my family and that I know he was with me the whole time while I was in China... particularly in the scary moments at the orphanage (except I think he was probably enjoying the fact that I was living on the edge).
I love you, Ryan. When I woke up this morning my thoughts were about him. Thank you for the peace that these wonderful memories give me. I am grateful for the thoughts I have had about being grateful for the times I had instead of the times I did not have.
Peace xoxoxooxoxoxoxooxoxo

Medical updates

After my hysterectomy a month ago, I remember thinking... this is it... I'm sick and tired of medical problems... we've had our share and I'm done. I need to figure our how to stop having these thoughts.

Update on how I'm feeling - GREAT!!! It was a long, hard couple of weeks but I'm glad it is done and over with!!! I went to the doctor this week for my post op appointment. When I got home Meili asked me if the doctor said that I could pick her up... I told her yes and picked her up and she squealed with delight. Felt so great to be able to hold the kids and to vacuum :)

Reese is doing well after his tonsillectomy and adenoid(? ectomy). The doctor warned us that day 3 and four would be the worst, so I must say he was right and we are loving day 5... except for the stinky breath (we will enjoy this until about day 10 :) ). Anyone who knows Reese, knows he is theatrical. When coming out of anesthetics he said to me that he'd rather jump off the Empire State Building or be shot in the chest than to have the pain he was in - glad it was just the meds and he is feeling better.

Lili has two appointments scheduled this week. A week and half ago after hearing of the stupid melamine poison being added to formula and foods in China I decided to put my mind at ease by having a renal ultra sound done. I never, ever imaged that they would find kidney stones in her kidneys but they did...definitely did not put my mind at ease. Now we have to find someone who will know how to get this poison out of her little body (not the typical calcium stones). Stupid, stupid, stupid.... so frustrating!!! We have 2 other friends whose little girls have the same problems so at least we can all work together and find the best treatments. Meili did not have any stones but our pediatrician suggests we test her every six months to make sure she does not develop problems. Please keep Lili (and our friends girls), all of the little kids in China, all of the little kids here that have been adopted and for the doctors that are going to figure out how to help us all through this mess. I am so grateful that we found the stones before they passed and caused problems, grateful for insurance and grateful for great health care - and now grateful that I have had tons of medical experiences to help us through this... and most thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who has given these sweet kids to us. so sad for those little ones without families.

Any families concerned that their child was exposed to the tainted milk should join this yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChinaMilkIssue/

Peace xoxo

Is this you? (borrowed from Criders - lots of pictures below - keep going)

You KNOW you should/did adopt if...
1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's "real" parents.
7. You have ever been "pregnant" with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth.(2 years!)
8. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.
9. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.
10. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
11. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
12. You know what the word "Dossier" means, and you can actually pronounce it!
13. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.
Author Unknown

1st day of school

Wow... a few things I'm having a hard time believing...I can't believe that my kids are already back in school, that they have been in for almost a month, that I have 3 going all day, that one is old enough to wear light eye shadow and mascara on the top lid and can go to Young Women's, and that I'm lucky enough to still have 2 angels to keep me busy during school. Life is pretty good.

The pictures are of the kids 1st day and I've put one of Mckenzie and Scott (separately) after a Young Women/Men's bbq that turned in to a big water fight - they both came home drenched... Mckenzie thought it was pretty cool... Scott wasn't too impressed....

Sorry for the blurry pictures - something is wrong with my camera - sand from OR, I think - I need to get it in and fixed.

FYI... no pictures needed or wanted... :) Here is a web address for anyone having or possibly having this surgery in the near future... http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/register.php . Thanks to all of my friends and family who stepped up and helped me through the last few weeks. Recovery has been much harder than I thought but I'm feeling great now. I wish I would have had this web address prior to surgery to know what to expect (thanks so much Kari)... and I'd be crazy not to say a big, big thank-you to my sweet brother and sister in law (Greg and Kristi - although the others are sweet too) and my mom and dad for taking our little girls for us - what a life saver and for the many, many meals that we received (and phone calls - even if I can't remember them... sorry, Lora :) - I don't remember much during the week right after-guess I had some good medication.)

Now that I'm feeling better, I'm going to TRY to promise to stop being such a charity case. I don't know what I would have done on my own for the past 9 months and the year prior to that (with my mom's cancer). Thanks to everyone!!! You are great and we are blessed!!!

Peace xoxoxo