Happy Birthday, Mac!

Our grandson McKallister would have turned 6 months old yesterday! It's been 6 months of tears, laughter, fear, comfort and family. Thanks, Mac for the best 6 months of our lives!!

What a FANTASTIC Christmas!!

We certainly can't complain about our Christmas this year! We had decided early on to make this a more Christ-like Christmas and not worry about the hustle and bustle of buying gifts for everyone, but giving more of our time, to each other and others in need. It's a good thing, too because I got bronchitis and a sinus infection, and all I wanted to do was lay around. So it was a good thing I didn't need to shop for last minute items - since we didn't have first minute items either!! Mike had to work on Christmas Eve, but got home in time for us to head down to Lehi where some of Josh's family lives and spent a few hours with them. Santa was already there, and handing out gifts. Alex got a light saber - which is awesome since he loves being 'the Star Wars kid.' (He doesn't realize that's not necessarily a good thing!) Then Santa had a special gift for Mac. That's right! Mac got a gift, too. It's a temporary grave marker, which when he gets his real one, this one can just sit on a shelf at Cali and Josh's house. It's beautiful!!

Christmas stockings and decor!

This weekend we had our 'family Christmas party' and made Kierra's and
McKallister's stockings to put on our fireplace, and each kid decorated a Christmas ornament to put on their tree for this year. Our fireplace is getting full!! But it's nice to see our family grow. It was sure fun to watch everyone make their ornaments; Taylor took 2 hours, and it still wasn't up to her specifications, Cali took almost as long and put the whole year's events on hers. Kierra was right up there on the time, but she was extra creative and put crinkled paper in her ornament. Josh and Alex's ADHD kicked in fairly soon so they ended up playing the Wii together after making their art, and Colby just sat and stared at his, then finally decided to make some goodies. After eating dinner, we played a few rounds of Phase 10..... one of these days we're going to actually play an entire game! There is nothing better than spending time with family. I just wish we could do it more often!! I love you, guys!

Happy 12th Birthday, Alex!!

Wow! He's really 12! He woke up soooo excited saying, "I'm 12. I pass the Sacrament!" (We'll see about that!?!) Last night we took his best friends to play laser tag and had a great time! We decided that game is Alex's forte.... shooting guns and hiding. Before we had cake, the workers at Laser Quest 'shot' Alex with their toilet paper gun while we all sang happy birthday. It was awesome!! (You could really toilet paper someones house good with that thing!) Today at school we held a mini party for the last day of school before winter break AND his birthday. First the class sang happy birthday while Alex showed off his fantastic dance moves. Alex passed out Ding Dongs for his treat while big sister Taylor painted a little something Christmas-y on every one's cheek. They loved it!! We then checked Alex out of school and had lunch with Mike and Brendon. So far, a great day!! He's ordered steak for dinner. We'll have to see about that, too! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!!

5 MORE DAYS!!!....

... until Alex turns 12! What's happening to my babies? Two of them married, one of them a mom, the 'first' baby in college, and now this!?! What happened to the kids I used to have to help into the car? Now they help me get things down from high places. What happened to the kids who used to fight if they were in the same room together for too long? Now they set times to actually do something together. And what happened to that chubby little boy that moved into our house 8+ years ago that never talked, had snot streaked from one ear to the other with a thick river flowing down to his mouth, followed by a drip of drool down his chin? He's grown into a fine, young man that still cuddles with his mommy, can blow his own nose and seems to never stop talking or singing. AHHH! Life is good!!

Alex has had it rough lately!

We put Alex on some different anti-anxiety meds because he was dreading school so much he would worry as soon as he got off the bus about the next day at school, but it has done the opposite. It's made him very aggitated, even aggressive. That's not my boy! He was only on it for 2 weeks, but the pharmicist said it may take 2 weeks to get out of his system. I've kept him home from school today, and probably tomorrow, just to let him relax, but keep him in your prayers. The poor kid has enough to go through without having to be frustrated all the time!!

Activities # 2 and 3!

I said in an earlier post that we are doing a bunch of family activities for Christmas this year, and yesterday we were able to do 2 more things. First I must say how proud I am of Mike and Colby. After not picking up a trombone for at least 3 years, they performed at our ward Christmas breakfast with the Johnson men and did a fantastic job!! It was the best part of the party! Then the whole family met at our house for lunch and we headed over to The Festival of Trees. For those of you who don't know what that is, anyone can decorate a tree, whatever size they want and however they want, and then they are on display for a week. People can come and just look at the trees or actually buy one and all the proceeds go towards Primary Children's Hospital. It's a great fundraiser and a good way to get in the holiday spirit. This year was a little different for us in the way that we were looking for ideas so we could decorate a tree next year in memory of Mac! I guess that was a little too much for me, because by the end of the festival, I was in tears. Memories just flooded me; making a tree 9 years ago in honor of my nephew who was barely alive after open heart surgery; the days / weeks I spent at the hospital with Alex the first 3 years after we adopted him; Mac. It was nice spending it with the family, and I think Josh and Cali got some good ideas, but I was an embarrassment to the family once again! Once home, we went up to visit Mac and decorate his grave for the holidays.

All in all, a nice time getting into the holiday spirit. I hope and pray that we can all feel the true meaning of Christmas this year, and enjoy the love of family. I am so grateful for the family I have; the one that raised me, the one I married into, and the one that I have been honored to raise here on this earth. I am one lucky lady!!

Christmas Box Angel - Candlelight Vigil

Last night we were able to attend the 14th annual Christmas Box Angel Candlelight Vigil. It was beautiful!! So many people who have lost children.... and we are honored to be a part of that group. A friend of ours, Julie Williams spoke at the vigil. She is the sweet lady who treated Mac so kindly while she took his picture after he was born. We didn't know her until that point, but she has made an everlasting difference to us and will always be considered our friend. Thanks to all who played a part in this remembrance, and may God bless us all with comfort during this Christmas season!!

Our first 2008 family Christmas activity!!

In my eyes there is nothing more beautiful than the Salt Lake Temple, but add a bunch of Christmas lights, and the result is unbelievable!! (Notice the flag in the 2nd picture is at half staff. That is in memory of Elder Wirthlin who passed away the evening before. Good for you, Elder Wirthlin!!)

As a family we have decided to spend more time together this Christmas season and forgo the busy, hectic Christmas rush searching for gifts. Our first activity was to go to Temple Square and look at the lights. The ride on Trax was most memorable, and a definite 'blog moment'. A young man boarded a few stops after ours, and was very festive; his hair was in spikes all over his head, he had so many tattoos that they all blended together, he was wearing tight, girl pants, which is probably a good thing because he had so many chains dangling from the pockets that if they hadn't been tight, they would have been falling off! Luckily, Alex didn't see him when he got on. I say "luckily" because as soon as we all saw this gentleman, we all were worried about what Alex would say. PHEW! Nothing!! At least for 10 minutes, then he got a good look at this character. Alex turned to me and said, "Nice costume!" The attention was quickly diverted from pokey hair to 2 more men that entered the train; the first a tiny man who looked homeless, and the second man still smoking his cigarette. Wrong thing to do around Alex!! The first man just went 1 stop, so stood up soon after sitting down and walked toward the door preparing to leave, just as Alex got the guts up to say - or should I say yell - "NO SMOKING!!" The smoking man didn't hear him, but the poor tiny man stopped, looked at Al, and said, "I'm not smoking. Smoking is dumb!" To which Alex replied, "You tell him!" This was a very serious confrontation, and Alex meant what he said!!

Well, we thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful sights at Temple Square and headed home later in the evening back on Trax. Alex noticed his reflection in the window and sat and pulled funny faces at himself - and at the people in the cars sitting near the train that Alex couldn't see because they were in the dark. I'm sure more than one person replied, "Look at that funny looking kid!" Then, Alex realized his buddies weren't on the train, and asked, "Where's porcupine guy!!"

Gotta love it!! So, Merry Christmas Porcupine Guy, Smoking Man and Tiny guy!! Hope you enjoyed your evening as much as we did!!

I've been tagged again! Here it is, Ranie!!

3 of my recent favorite purchases:
1. New pants (I'm competing with Colin in the weight gain department)
2. Wii Fit
3. (Soon-to-be) new camera and mattress (Merry Christmas George!)

3 favorite movies:
1. Face Off (I love John Travolta)
2. Monster's Inc.
3. How to Lose a Guy... (I love Matthew Mc Caun - a -hotty, too!)
(That's quite the range of movies!)

3 things I haven't done yet:
1. Changed a grand-child's diaper
2. Traveled enough
3. Started my own business

3 things I can't live without:
1. Mike
2. my family
3. my pets

3 of my favorite dishes:
1. Olive Garden's Fettuccine Alfredo
2. BBQ steak and salmon
3. Anything made by someone else!

3 of my favorite TV shows:
1. It's Me or the Dog
2. Everybody Loves Raymond
3. ?

3 of the last places I've traveled: (HA!)
1. Idaho
2. Florida
3. California

3 of my favorite treats:
1. going out to dinner
2. Sonic ice
3. Baskin Robbins Rocky Road ice cream

3 things I'd buy if money weren't an issue:
1. My own business
2. a personal trainer that kicked my butt
3. pay off all my family's debts!

3 people I tag:
1. Cali
2. Taylor
3. Rachel

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! FROM MAC AND ALEX

Alex and Mac want to wish everyone a very happy Halloween!!

(Mac has done some extensive decorating for the occassion. Every time I go up there someone has added something new to 'his tree' and Mac and all his pals are covered in a beautiful, golden carpet of leaves. It's absolutely beautiful, Mac!! )

Holy pumpkin,Batman!!

Literally.... a holy pumpkin! So you all know how talented Taylor is, but she continues to amaze (and confuse) all of us. Just check out this pumpkin that she spent roughly 3 hours on last night. If I had just a tiny amount of her talent....!

Hey everyone, this is TJ posting for my mom. So those of you who don't know, the Maughan family shares a talent. My dad is very musically inclined, and he passed this along to Colby and me. For this reason, recent evidence (as you are about to see) has led me to believe that Alex is in fact blood related to the family. Although he is adopted, his musical talent is astonishing, and his hips could give Elvis a run for his money (may he rest in peace). I've always secretly wished to be the next Celine Dion, but now I think I'll give up the dream, and make my millions as the manager of the next child star sensation- watch out Hannah Montana
(you may want to pause the music at the bottom.)

First snow of the season!!

Happy Halloween Mac!

I visited Mac the other day and decided he needed some decor. I had a great time visiting with him and spooking the place up.

Mike, Natalie, Alex and ???........

OK. To start off - NO, I'm not pregnant!! And shame on you for even thinking such a thing! But we have had a little adventure these past few weeks that have made us think.

I got an e-mail from the adoption agency we used when adopting Alex saying they had a birth mom who was needing to put her 7 year-old up for adoption, and wanted to know if anyone was interested before they even took on the situation. I will admit, it intrigued me. But I'm 45 years old, and a grandma for heaven's sake! BUT.... oh, what the heck. I forwarded the e-mail to Mike as a joke. He called me back immediately!! I had to laugh as I answered the phone because I was sure he was sitting in his office at work, saw that e-mail and started hyperventilating!! But he actually said I should reply and let them know we would be interested, and try to find out any more information. OK. Now I'M the one hyperventilating.

So, I replied. Yes, I replied.

My only stipulation was if there was ANY question if he had been sexually abused, I couldn't continue with the process. But they said he was just a normal 7 year old who needed a mommy very badly. Thanks!! Throw in the mommy line!! Break my heart!!

We waited a week. Got another e-mail. They got his results from some psychological tests; yep, just a normal little boy. Are we still interested? YES!! We were one of only 3 families interested in him. Here's the price... $20,000!! (No, I did not accidentally add a few extra zeros to that number!) We were shocked, dumbfounded, amazed. When we adopted Alex it was $4,000. We asked others who had adopted lately what they paid; $1,100, $5,000, and $5,500. So I wrote back and told them there was no way we could afford that, but thanks.

Got another e-mail. "We don't want price to be in the way..." We set up an appointment for today, to meet with them, meet the birth mom, etc. They sent us info on grants, loans, etc. The only problem was that most of the grants needed a home visit done first, and the adoption agency wouldn't progress until we had the finances. We were in a lose - lose situation. Now maybe if this was a usual adoption (which we don't seem to know how to do!) we would have some time as we went through the whole process to save a little here and there. But this was a quickie!! Remember, this boy needs a mother very badly!!

It just won't be me.

So... pray for the adoption agency to have the spirit with them as they make this tough decision. And keep Jordan in your prayers. We may not be his family, but we are sure glad to have had the chance to think about it.

NEW FAMILY PIC!!

We now have a family picture with the whole family in it - Kierra and Mac have been excluded from our other picture, and we are soooo glad to have one now with them in it. Thanks and kudos go to Ranie and Colin for taking their time and using their 'expertise' in taking so many wonderful pictures that it was hard to choose a favorite. (So, Ranie - no, we don't need re-takes!!)

TIME TO VENT!!!

Look at this adorable, little creature! This is Moose; aka Moosey Face and Stupid Kitty. Let me give you some background on Moose: He was named Moose because of the very prominent M on his forehead, not for his size, although he has 'grown into' his name and it fits very appropriately now. He is a very affectionate cat, and has even won over the forever-cat-hating Mike. He is not as light footed as most cats. In fact, you can hear him coming down the stairs over the TV. He broke his hip a while ago, which has added to his distinctive footstep. His purr is also about as loud as an army helicopter hovering over our house. So, he's big and loud.

He's also not 'our' cat. He's Taylor's cat, but the stupid thing doesn't seem to know that. He sleeps with us. 'Ok,' you say, 'a lot of animals sleep with their owners.' But do they sleep on their faces? No kidding!! He waits until I'm comfy and half asleep and then he jumps up onto the bed, paws at me until I'm on my back and then he PLOPs down hard onto my chest with half of him landing on my face. Push him off, you say?!? I've tried!! Mike's tried; the other night Mike came to bed later than me and found me asleep on my stomach, hands and arms covering my face and Moose digging at me trying to get me to roll over. Mike took him off the bed, laid him down on the couch and came to bed.... with Moose right behind him. WHY the insanity of it all!! And that's not all!! Oh, no no no! Once he's in position, he has this behavior he has inherited from his mother; he licks the tip of my nose 3 times, and then takes a gentle chomp into my nose and sits there - mouth open, teeth barely into my skin - for about a minute. Don't talk to me about nurture vs. nature!!! I live with Moose and Alex!! How does a cat learn this from a mother he was taken from at 6 weeks of age??? WHY would a cat learn this??

And THIS is Angel; aka Angel Girl and Devil Woman. She really is a good dog, if you can look past the neediness, and the loud barking and the hair.... everywhere! OK, I admit, she's my baby and I spoil her rotten!

Her and Mike have had this little war going on for a long time that I think is hilarious. She knows Mike doesn't like her on the bed, so when she hears him coming downstairs, she jumps up onto the bed (yes, she really does wait until she hears him!) and lays down on HIS side of the bed and pretends (yes, she really does pretend) to be asleep!! I've watched her do this! Then Mike does his little "I'm the boss and you better get off my bed" voice and she so, very sloooooowly will 'slide' off the bed. Oh, she's good!!!

Now that I've introduced you to the stinkers in our family, you understand why Mike is bald, and I am crazy!!

Finally.... autopsy results!

I hope Josh and Cali don't mind that I write about this on my blog; I've mentioned before how this blog is becoming like a journal to me, and this is something I want to remember! Sorry kids if I'm overstepping my bounds! It's not the first time, and probably won't be the last!

Cali and Josh received a copy of the autopsy results in the mail the other day, and we had the chance to sit down as a family and have it explained to us by my brother Shaun. (He's an Occupational Therapist, so he understands the terminology better than we do.) The cause of Mac's death was a cord accident, which is what we all thought, and I think secretly hoped for, since this whole event happened. Cali and Josh seemed to receive this with such calmness and strength - but that shouldn't surprise us. They've been strong this whole time. There are a few questions that they will have the chance to ask a specialist on the 23rd, and then the gentleman that performed the autopsy happens to be related to a relative, and has offered to sit down with them and explain anything and everything if they would like him to.

All I can say is I'm glad to have the results and that the Lord has his hand in all things!!

'How to survive Lasik surgery' STARRING Mike

First you cuddle your teddy bear.... this is the most important step of the whole process...

... next allow a stranger to cut your eye with this 'cookie cutter' contraption...

... then scrape the lens off your eye with another sharp object...




... now that your eye is 'naked' , have the stranger apply extreme heat in the form of lasers to your eye. Yes, your eye looks dull and dead, but, hey, you're paying this stranger to do this, so....

... once the laser has blasted your eye, allow the stranger to lay your lens back down over your eye. He uses that white thing to push your lens down and make sure the lens has no folds in it...

...go home looking like a complete dweeb, but able to see dweeby self in the mirror...

... two weeks later go back to said stranger's office for an eye exam. Find out you have 20 / 20 vision!! ...

...be so grateful for things like small print, beautiful sunsets, and a knowledge that you still love your wife even though you can now see her first thing in the morning!!

FLOWERS AND SHROOMS, BABY! FLOWERS AND SHROOMS.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAC!!

If you're not interested in reading a long blog, I'll warn you now! This may take a while!

It was 2 months ago today that we finally got to meet Mac. Two months ago and a little boy's death changed all of our lives. It's a day I will never forget. So many emotions; excited, scared, happy, heartbroken, love, anger, confusion. Not to compare what we went through with what Christ did by any means, but it does help me understand how He could have felt all of our pains, trials, and happiness's in the Garden, because in such a short time those feelings rushed through me.

One thing I have been so grateful for is how well we got to know Mac before he was born. He was quite the character!! Even at his debut with his first ultrasound, he let us know, "Hello! I'm a boy!! So stop calling me it!" He was Mac from that day forward. He let me sing to him, much to his mother's dismay. I read to him. Alex would give him zerbuts (where you blow on someones skin and make a crude noise) and Mac would "run" to the other side of the womb. He hated those! He loved to play 'poke-a-boo' - that's the in-utero version of peek-a-boo and you play it by poking Cali's tummy, and Mac would always poke back!! Cali said he would even follow the water in the shower; if she was facing the water her stomach would stick straight out, and if her back was to the water, well, he would try to get there, too! Side to side, it didn't matter, he loved the shower! He was a mover and a shaker. I used to joke that he was going to be born my size and hyperactive and I didn't know if I would be able to handle him!! How I wish I could have had the chance to try.

I went to visit Mac tonight. I love going to the cemetery. I know to some of you that sounds morbid, but I feel such a comfort and a peace when I'm there. I know he's not there - at least not all the time. But it's still so peaceful, and quiet that it's nice to go there to get away from the noise of life and contemplate .... well, life. I always leave there with the desire to be better. A better daughter, a better wife, a better mother, neighbor, friend, and even a better stranger. How much greater would the world be if we treated each other 'better?'

Anyway, I de-shroomed him first of all - meaning I picked all the little mushrooms from around his grave. Those mushrooms are a bother to Cali. But I like them. No, I don't take them home and eat them! I mean, I like that they're there. I joke that it's Mac's way of saying hi, because he was a little mushroom head when he was born. So, I like seeing them. I never thought I'd say this, but those mushrooms make me smile! I didn't throw them away like I usually do, instead I left them in a pile by his little marker. I did that to bug Lou!! I arranged the flowers I brought, then just sat and cried. I cried for Mac because he hasn't had the chance to be raised by his great parents, even though I know he will be. I cry for Josh and Cali because they have to wait to raise him, and that breaks my heart. I cry for me. I was going to be the best darn grandma there ever was!! We were going to be buddies, pals, snuggle partners. I was going to teach him how to love being messy, but then teach him how to clean up. I was going to give him ice cream, just to see him pull 'the cold face'. I was going to dance with him, sing with him, laugh with him and cry with him. I was going to teach him how to ride a bike, how to read, and how to treat a lady. I was even going to enjoy the poopy diapers!

There is one thing I can still do even though he's not here. I can love him, and, oh, I love him soooo much it hurts. I am grateful for my knowledge of where he is and who he's with. Since I can't be his babysitter, I am glad that I know he's being watched by a loving Heavenly Father and a big brother who is also MY Father and brother. I'm grateful for the Holy Ghost and the comfort he lends me when I need it most. I'm grateful that there are times the veil is thin and I can feel Mac's spirit beside me, laughing with me (or at me!), and reminding me to be better!

After I sat and cried, I walked around and said hi to all of Mac's little friends. There were a lot of flowers around tonight. (I asked Mac why, but he didn't answer!) I said hi to Maverik and commented on the 'bling' his parents left for him. I walked up to Tonya - with a few flowers I stole from the little garden there - and said 'hey'. (She's the sister of one of my best friends who also happens to be my sister-in-law!) I looked for Collin and ? - I forgot his twin's name!- but I said hi to them. (I know their grandma and I taught their cousin). Then went back to Mac. Trimmed around his nameplate, took a couple pictures (Thankfully TJ helped me put them with this post) then sang our song; Skin-a-ma-rinky-dinky-dink. Skin-a-ma-rinky-doo. I LOVE YOU!! I love you in the morning and in the afternoon. I love you in the evening underneath the moon. Oh! Skin-a-ma-rinky-dinky-dink. Skin-a-ma-rinky-doo. I LOVE YOU!!

*kiss* Good night, Big Mac!

Tag... I'm it!?!

I got tagged by TJ! The only problem is... who do I tag??

3 joys:

1. MIKE - spending time with him, looking at him, making him laugh.... he is my #1 joy!!

2. FAMILY - this isn't fair! I only get to list 3 joys and I have 4 children, as well as multiple extended family members, and a dog and a cat who all bring me great joy. So - they're all lumped together in one category. I love my family!

3. SLEEPING. What can I say, I love my sleep. But we're not talking the go-to-bed-late-wake-up-many-times-to-pee-being-kissed-by-the-cat-every-hour-having-multiple-dreams-hand-keeps-falling-asleep-and-waking-up-early-kind-of-sleep! Oh, no! I love the kind of sleep where I get to bed at a good time, cuddled up to my husband and cat (not in any particular order), perfect temperature in the room, comfy, comfy, comfy, and then not moving or being aware of anything until I wake up when my body is ready to. Now that's what I'm talking about!!

3 fears:

1. Unfortunately my biggest fear has come true; I fear losing someone close to me.

2. I don't know if it's a fear of heights, or dying, but I hate those rides / activities where you start 30 stories above ground and fall. GAG! Makes me want to violently hold onto a tree just thinking about it. We went bungee jumping a long time ago, and I'll never, ever, ever, ever do something like that again!! My family can just make fun of me!! (Hence the reason I didn't do the half pipe at Seven Peaks. Sorry to have ruined your b-day Lou!)

3. I have a fear of hurting someone (anyone) that I am close to. I tend to open my mouth before my brain can stop me, and I fear that one of these days the hurt will be so bad that I won't be able to make up for it.

3 goals:

1. I want to travel!! Anywhere! OK, Idaho doesn't really count.

2. Clean my house and keep up with it.

3. Teach Alex how to read.

3 current obsessions:

1, 2 and 3. Sonic crushed ice. Yummy! Mike would probably want me to add graveyardmall.com but that's just a huge like, not an obsession.

3 random facts:

1. I have ugly feet. My fourth toe is longer than all the others.

2. I had to give up my lunch money to Esther in the 4th - 6th grades for "protection". I also had to leave school campus during recess to keep watch while her gang stole car tires. (Can I just say I hate Montana?)

3. I used to be a cheerleader in high school - and my whole family despises cheerleaders!!

I tag - oh, I never really was good at this game. Hopefully, you'll just enjoy this exciting blog.

Yoo-hoo!! Al's at school!!

So, it's 1:00 in the afternoon and I've only gotten one phone call from Al's school!! And that was the teachers and nurse calling about his lunch shot. You see, Mike and I have been so excited - and scared to death - about Alex starting a new school year. Let me explain;

EXCITED; We're lucky because he has the same teacher he had last year (that we love) , with an assistant (that we adore) that he had a few years ago. Plus, since I have been in survival mode this summer, I have done nothing to further Alex's IQ score, unless they now have a section on the IQ test about watching movies or playing the Wii. He needs more structure than I was giving him. And I need to get back into the swing of things. (I guess life really does go on, Huh?) So, we're excited to get back on track.

SCARED; Well, I have certainly 'earned' the mommy of the summer award!! "Mommy, can I watch a movie?" "Sure." ...... as was said before, that was the extent of our summer. Unfortunately for everyone, I just let him watch what he wanted. I'm usually good about checking up on him, commenting every now and then about what he's watching, and certainly only allowing one movie a day, max. Not the past few months! So now Alex has some great habits that he had to have picked up from movies. Yes, the same ones I allowed him to watch, and re-watch, and watch again, because it allowed me to go to 'my happy place', which means take a nap, and not worry about where he was, when I should have been worrying about something! So..... Alex has picked up 'smoking'. And cussing. And rebelling. GREAT habits, huh? He couldn't pick up habits like cleaning the house, or saving the whales, or even raising a better mother? So, I'm waiting with baited breath for that phone call telling me that Alex was 'smoking' a pencil during reading time, or he called the librarian a bad name.

But, like I said..... 2 hours to go on his first day, and no such phone call! I think we can call this day a success!!

Cali's birthday!

A week ago - Cali's birthday - we were able to go to Seven Peaks Water Park with the Hinckleys and celebrate one last hoorah for the summer as well as my baby girl. What a blast! The Hinckleys are fun to be around, as well as they love Alex and I got an hour without him (that sounds harsh, when it just means I wasn't constantly attached at the hip with him) and I got to play with two of the cutest boys (hi Bryson and Brock!!) and enjoy the great weather and fun companionship. The night before, we went to 'Mac's Park' as Alex calls the cemetery, and had a picnic with the Mower family for Cali's birthday. Again, beautiful weather, great company and food - who could ask for more??

Happy Birthday Cali Lou!!!

My Playlist...

So I feel the need to explain my playlist. Why? I don't know! But bear with me...

First of all, they're supposed to play randomly so you get a new one each time you stop by. (Again, thanks to TJ). So, I'll just pick randomly to tell you about them.

OPEN ARMS by JOURNEY; The absolute best, greatest, most fantastic love song ever written! I know the lead singer is butt-ugly, but when he sings, he sings to me. And anyone that knows me knows that that's what makes a great singer. Besides, it takes me back to the days Mike and I were falling in love....

BUBBLY by COLBIE CALLIET; (I think I spelled her name right.) Cute song that says what I feel about Mike. "It starts at my toes, makes me crinkle my nose...." Besides, how could I not love a singer's name who very closely resembles 2 of my own children's names.

GRACE KELLY by MIKA; I love Mika's songs, and this is the first one I fell in love with. He just makes me happy. And after all the weight I've gained from comfort food the past few months I especially love his Big Girls song. You should check out some of his songs if you like this one.

HARD TO SAY I'M SORRY by CHICAGO; Another song that reminds me of my honey. Chicago could be considered 'our band' in a way, and this is a great love song that ends with spunk!

ABBA; I don't even know what song I have of theirs. I just love their music!! Reminds me of the good old days. (Saw Mama Mia the other day.... if you like their music, and if you go to it knowing the movie is supposed to be funny, you'll love it!!)

SHORT PEOPLE; Don't know who the artist is, but you all know how annoying those short people can be!! :)

YOU'LL BE IN MY HEART by PHIL COLLINS; This one is mine and Alex's song. The first time we took Alex to a movie at the theaters (Tarzan) he was scared to death of the dark and the loud speakers. I took him out and came into the theater very, very slowly. By the time we were sitting back down, he was holding onto my neck, staring into my eyes with our noses touching and this song came onto the movie. It was one of those 'spiritual' experiences I can't explain, but if you listen to the words and think about Alex (being a new member of our family, having Down Syndrome so he's 'different') you will hear the song in a different way.

Hope you like these songs. I'm sure we'll dd to them eventually. These were just the first ones that popped into my head! Thanks for letting me ramble!!

My Playlist...

So I feel the need to explain my playlist. Why? I don't know!

Thanks, TJ!!

Well, my darling little girl has done it again!! We wouldn't have this blog at all if it weren't for Taylor. She did all the work (with very minimal input by me) and I really appreciate it. She has so many talents... painting, drawing, singing, writing music, crocheting (which she taught herself from the internet!), and she's becoming quite the computer geek... I mean whiz! Taylor, thanks for all your help, not only with this blog, but with all you do for me!!

Thanks, TJ!

I can't thank you enough, TJ, for creating our blog (with very little help from me!!) You amaze me with all your talents and skills, and I hope you share them with as many people