What's up?

Other than trying to keep up with Taylor and her wedding plans, life around here has been same-old-same-old. That's ok with me. I don't like surprises anymore!

Mike is still on the look out for a job. He's doing everything he can to get his name to everyone, so if you know of someone in hiring mode, let us know!!

Another example of how we are watched over and so taken care of is this little guy in the picture below. He is our neighbor's little boy and a very good boy at that. I had volunteered to watch him if they needed me to while she was pregnant, but it was while Alex was going through surgery and body casts, so they took him to a center. Until a week before Mike got laid off - then they asked if I was still interested in watching him. He is such a good boy and I guess the only way I'm going to get blue eyed children around here is if I babysit them, so he hangs out with us Monday through Wednesday. You know we like him because he got a nick name the very first day he was here...

...say hello to Uncle Fester! Yup! Uncle Fester, or Fes for short. I hadn't told Taylor I would be babysitting him, so she comes home from work and notices this random child playing on the floor and asked, "What's with Uncle Fester in our living room?" It stuck. What can I say?

I guess we didn't have enough to worry about with the wedding coming up and Mike being out of work, so we all decided to get a cold. It's more because of the goopy air in the valley, but it's still disrupting sleep and making our noses itch!

Al has been hooked up to the breathing machine a few times a day to keep his lungs clear. I don't want him being sick on Taylor's wedding day! The rest of us will just bumble through it. But if we don't answer the phone, it may be because we are taking a nap. Yeah. Right! You think we're napping around here with 3 babies and Brendon? Not a chance.

I would like to thank all those who have helped us in so many ways. I'll probably start crying while writing this, but It's so important that everyone knows how grateful we are for them. I won't mention names, because I know these people wouldn't want the recognition, but please know we can't thank you enough for the food, the money and the support. Thank you!

I shouldn't be alive...

... and yet, here I am writing about it.

I was driving southbound on I-15, barely passing Thanksgiving Point. Good weather, not a lot of cars on the road, music on the radio. I was in the carpool lane, wanting to get out of it. The car to the right of me passed right by, I looked over my shoulder, no cars so started to proceed over as I looked back towards the front. The car that had passed me had slowed way down and I was going to hit it. I turned quickly back left to the carpool lane and that's when it started. I don't know if I over corrected too quickly, or if it's because I touched the brakes so suddenly and I was in cruise, but all of a sudden I was only on my 2 left wheels heading straight for the middle barrier. Of course I tried to turn right to avoid this which made me go onto only my two right tires, but for a quicker amount of time. Then I was spinning. It felt like I circled around 100 times, but I didn't even make a complete circle, all the while skidding across all four lanes. I ended up stopping almost completely backwards toward traffic, which had all stopped with no problems at all. I had done all this without touching any part of the barrier, or any cars whatsoever. I hadn't contributed to another crash - obvious to me since I had a great straight shot at the traffic that was 'behind' me - so I turned around and continued on my way. I think that was the freakiest part. In my mind I kept thinking of the stupid things; "How will we pay for the hospital bills?" "Do I have my phone so I can call anyone?" and the question that I hope I NEVER have to ask is "Did I hurt anyone else?" But when it was all over within just a split second, I just drove away as if nothing happened.

A few drivers that had seen all this stared at me as they went past me, but I think they were just as stunned as I was. I definitely had an angel helping me that day. I am very blessed to be here. Treasure every moment!

Al's new glasses

So neither of these pictures are very good, but I wanted to show you the difference in Alex's new glasses from his old ones.
This is a picture of a picture, that's why the funny glare. but notice how far down on his face his glasses sit. They're almost at the bottom of his nose! (Thank goodness for nostrils or they'd be all the way off his face.) If the camera angle had been more straight on, you would see he looks over the glasses more than through them. Still, a very handsome man, but....

...check these out! He's actually looking through the lens! They are sitting on the bridge of his nose!! It's quite the geeky smile, but the glasses look fantastic!! The differences? The ear pieces come off the lens near the middle / bottom instead of the top, and the nose piece is very wide. I'm sure there's other more technical things that are different, but all I know is Alex actually looks through his glasses not over them, and he wears them more often - probably because they actually do him some good! This is one of those "why didn't I think of that" things. I'm so glad someone thought of it!!

I'll be walking~ but it's definitely for love!!

This is a picture of 3 of my favorite people in the world! Colin (Mike's brother), Ranie (one of my best friends) and McKay (the handsome one in the middle!). Ranie has been there for me through - well, through everything! And now I want to help her by letting you know about a fundraiser they are holding. Below is a little of their story, but please visit http://www.irunforlove.com/ and see the whole story and all the information. Please help in any way you can! We know how beautiful adoption is, and now they do, too!!

In February 2010, Colin and Ranie, after nearly a decade of trying to start their family, completed an in-vitro procedure. They had three embryos implanted but at 4 weeks found out all three were unsuccessful. Their sorrows were very high at that point. A few weeks passed when a friend notified them of a little boy that was born on March 26th and was not placed in a family yet. After a week of miracles and paperwork they were able to adopt and bring home McKay on April 7th. They have been in "heaven" ever since. McKay has brought them so much joy and love into their home.

Colin and Ranie have recently been notified that McKay's birth parents are expecting a little boy again on March 29th. They asked the agency to contact Colin and Ranie and ask if they would be willing to adopt McKay's little brother. Colin and Ranie accepted without hesitation. However, with a costly in-vitro cycle, and adoption of McKay within two months time and now another adoption within that same year, it has put a strain on their funds. They are in need of financial help to get McKay's little brother adopted into their family.

They are hosting a "RUN FOR LOVE" fundraiser on February 12, 2011 that will include a 5k run/walk, 1/2 mile fun run for kids, raffle and silent auction. Donations are also welcome!

It's been a while...

...too long, actually.

Since Mike got laid off he spends a lot of time on the computer. When he's not looking for a job, he's either figuring out finances or doing bishop stuff. Makes him a busy guy! No job, yet, but I still feel comfortable about things. I'm sure something - in fact, I'm sure the perfect thing will come soon. But since he's on the computer I haven't been able to take a few minutes here and there when babies are sleeping to write down some notes, so I thought I would while he's stuck at church. Hehehe!

First off, can I just say how much I love my husband? I LOVE having him home! I adore being with him, talking to him while eating lunch, or just knowing he's in the next room if I want to steal a hug or kiss. I'm very blessed to be married to a man I love and like. And even though he can't stand it if I have to let a granddaughter cry while I'm feeding or changing the other granddaughter, he's learning they will live and don't need to be held 24/7. Yes, he's a sucker for those two girls! When he does get a job they won't know what to do! I have to lock him in the office so they don't know he's home or else they are wanting his undivided attention. They eat his food, they want him to read them books, and they just want to be with him. Oh, wait. That sounds like me! ;-)

Taylor's wedding is right around the corner and things are coming along nicely. I will admit, I don't have the vision that she does, but she's being patient with me and I'm just doing what I'm told. She is such an artist that details I don't even think of are a top priority to her. We talked this morning, though and she's to the point now that she realizes the sealing part of the day is the most important part and no matter how specific you are with colors, details, food and clothes what matters most is who you are spending eternity with.

I guess I have weddings on my mind because I thought of a funny story about Alex that I thought I should put down for Daddy Ernie and family to read. When my brother-in-law was getting married he asked Alex to be the ring bearer, a great honor, right? Luckily, a neighbor girl was getting married a few weeks before him and we were invited so I took Alex and talked to him all the way there and before the ceremony started about his "job" and how we would watch Amanda's ring bearer and see what he did.

The music starts and down the stairs comes the flower girl; "See how she's being quiet. She's doing her job good! Oops! She shouldn't stick her tongue out to that kid, huh?" Then comes the ring bearer; "See how he's all dressed up? You'll get a tux, too. He's being very mature and quiet." Alex is craning and stretching every which way to watch this ring bearer, so he knows what he's supposed to do at his uncle's wedding. He starts to climb up on the chair to get a better look. When I get him down, he's truly perplexed when he asks me, "I don't see bear! Where's bear? He eat me?" He had thought all this time that he would have to be a BEAR at Bryce's wedding, and he just didn't get it. After that, his job assignment changed because he didn't want to be the ring bear. He became the ring keeper and giver instead.

So Christmas is done and put away. We rang in the new year by going to bed before midnight. We've been passing around the stomach flu and colds left and right. I started babysitting a neighbor boy 3 days a week. And Mike is still on the prowl for a job. Life is good! I wouldn't have it any other way, because I get to spend my life with my best friends!!