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 :).
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
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
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
Saturday, October 4, 2008
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
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