Sweet Boy

This sweet little four year old is the cause of pleasure and pain. He is soooooo curious and wants to see how everything works. He loves to help and will make a mess to help clean it up (luckily this shows up mostly at preschool). Cooking is something he ALWAYS wants to be involved with, much to my dismay. He will yell and cry when it is time to change directions and do something else, and once he starts on the new project is very content to keep doing it. He loves to have books read to him and will sit for a long time being held and go thru book after book. All of a sudden he will decide he wants to give you a kiss or a hug, and melts into a puddle if you start stroking his hand.
Unfortunately we are in the process of figuring out if he has autism, some sensory issues and if he is having seizures. Grandma C spent the day with us at Primary Children's hospital meeting with the neurologist, and having blood and urine tests (looking for possible genetic issues). In two weeks we go back for an EEG and an MRI. Tomorrow we head to Provo for the ADOS test to check for autism. Next week is the sensory testing.
He will be five in two months and acts more like he is three, and is still not potty trained (possible sensory issues). He doesn't really want to talk to people even though he can. He chooses to play alone most of the time. All the testing sounds daunting but if we can figure out the best course of action for him it will be worth it.

My Angel

Thank heaven for good friends. I've been a scrooge this year and haven't really done anything for Christmas. We finally put up the tree yesterday :( So I was baking away tonight and not celebrating anything when one of my BFF's called and asked what I was up too. She decided to share her holiday spirit with us. She got a great deal (my favorite) on gingerbread houses, shared them with us, and even used up her remaining energy to involve the kids in her merriment! I stood around and took pictures and she jumped right in and helped them play. Of course the kids all had a sugar high and the littles started kung fu fighting in the living room. She deals with controlled chaos way better than I do. I worry too much about keeping it clean, not eating the candy, and she just smiles. She is a great mom and inspiration to me all the time. She has a crazy life but still makes time to do things for others. I really want to be like her when I grow up. Thanks so much Mitch your awesome and I love you!

Home again

Adam is home safe and sound. He smiled a lot when we talked about being home. He was so ready to see his family and friends. He is all grown up now. I was 18 when he was born and he has almost been like my son instead of my brother. Him and Miss T are only three years apart.

I remember holding him hours after he was born. He has held a special place in my heart since his birth. I am so glad I decided to go to Oklahoma and pick him up. I think he was almost as excited to see me. He will be home for a few short weeks and then off again for his AIT. He actually seems a little excited to be going again. I realized this week, our time of raising him is over. He is now a man and WILL make his own decisions no matter what we may say or think.

We made it home safe and sound. The weather cooperated and the roads were good. We didn't even get in an accident this time WAHOO! Ironically our lawyer called while we were in Oklahoma to finalize the settling of our lawsuit, finally. Hopefully it will be over soon.

My honey missed me a lot and is very glad to have me home. He did a great job with the kids and every one made it to school and lived thru the week. Tay decided he missed his mommy and had to have some snuggle time Saturday morning. My kids are getting older and the frequency of affection is slowing down, but it's good to know they do miss me sometimes.

OOOOOKlahoma

So I am off, at the butt crack of dawn, to OOOOOKlahoma! I vowed to never drive thru this state ever again after the last horrific time I did. My dad, brother and I were in an accident (not our fault) that totaled the truck, left us in the WORST hotel I have ever seen and in pain since 2003.
There were very few things that would get me back to this place. Fortunately there is a very good and happy one. My baby brother is coming home this week for Christmas. He has been away from the family for the first time in his life, for basic training in the National Guard. His graduation is the 18th, and then home for the Holidays, then he's off again for 12 weeks to Georgia for AIT (specialized schooling). I am excited to see him, so I guess the five day and 20 hour drive one way will be worth it.

I thought of another good reason to go, I don't have to change diapers! Woohoo! Maybe OOOOOKlahoma won't be so bad.

Christmas Lights

I love to look at Christmas lights as I am driving around. This time of year is so beautiful and sparkly. Sadly the lights are not even on my house yet or my tree up. You would think I would be the first one sparkling but sadly no.

Tonight was my father in laws birthday party so we spent some time with the fam and then we drove home. Roger figured if we drove home slowly and looked at some lights, that maybe the littles would fall asleep. So we drove by the house on 8th south in Orem, and enjoyed their large picture window display. We drove by the Bastian home and enjoyed her trees all wrapped in lights. It was so beautiful. I don't think the kids enjoyed it as much as I did, there was quit a bit of whining at first. But the oldest two littles finally did fall asleep. Of course they woke up when we got home and the whining started again. Oh well, I choose to remember the sparkles.

I feel better

I should have done this before! Our Stake decided to have temple week and our ward chose tonight to go as a ward council. It has been five months since I have been to the temple. I was going regularly once a month until June this year. Then in July the littles showed up and that was that. I forgot how much I enjoy the peace of the temple, how much the spirit surrounds you and comforts you. I really needed to go, and I really need to start going once a month again. It will help me deal with everything that has been going on in my life.
I could go Saturday mornings (I hardly ever get to sleep in anyway). Anybody interested? I'm taking applications :)

Ready or not...

I want to have the holiday spirit, I really do but it is so hard this year. I am so concerned with finishing my shopping and making sure there is something for everyone that I am missing the point. I am also working part-time this year and trying to accomodate the kiddo's, while I am gone.

Lucky for me, we had a Christmas program last night for Enrichment night. It was wonderful. They read some of the Christmas story from the bible and then had musical numbers -instrumental and vocal interspersed. The talent some of the women and young women in our ward have is incredible. I am so grateful for these sisters and their willingness to share. I know it is something I would be reluctant to do in front of a group.