Where have I been?

WOW!  It's been a while since I've blogged.  Let's try to catch up a bit...

School is out and the hot summer weather is here!  It's been 105 degrees the past few days.  Anything over 90 is too hot for me! 

But before summer we had some fun things happen at school...PROM! 

Of course, we had to start with a haircut...

 



Al and I went out to Olive Garden (thanks to a gift certificate from Ken).  Al ordered Sausage Penne and LOVED it!  The night got off to a great start!

 

 Then we met everyone at school....notice the "yellow limo" in the background?  Yup.  We went on a bus!  This group cleans up nice!

 

 Here's a picture of their group picture.  Only 11 of the kids pictured are in Al's class and the others are peer tutors.  They had a great time and I was very impressed with how the rest of the school treats his class.  A lot of people were coming up to Alex to say HI and then when he asked them to dance, they all danced.  The person saying HI, their date, and Al!  I have loved having Alex in high school.  Between him growing up and trying so hard to be a big kid and the teachers and peer tutors, I have to say that high school has been a great experience for Alex.  Next year he will be an "almost senior" (Junior - but he's stuck on the senior part), he will be on the wrestling team again (and now that we've been through a year I will feel more comfortable letting him be more involved (meaning go to some away matches), and thank goodness he will have the same teachers.  I'm so proud of him and all he's accomplished!

 

 

As you can see from the big picture at the top of our blog, we got our family pictures taken!  I am so excited to show these off!!  We had them taken by Melanie Isaac and I would suggest her to anyone that is looking for a photographer.  She did a great job capturing everyone's personality and has great pricing.

 

 

 A, Kierra, M, Colby

  O, Josh, Cali, and the balloons represent McKallister and Quincy

 

Taylor holding C, Brandon

 My baby!  He's becoming a man; he's shaving and everything!  He has to or else he has this really sparse, icky hair patch growing off his chin.  But, man, is he handsome!!!  And I have to tell you my secret about him driving.  NO!  He's not driving!!  I have told him when he's as tall as his brothers he can get his license.  When he gets his license he can get a phone.  I have it all figured out.  And I'm pretty sure I'm safe.  Thank goodness he hasn't figured out that I'm no where near as tall as his brothers!  If he ever does....well, I'm a girl.  The rules are different for girls!  BUT he mows our lawn with grandpa's riding mower!  I walk in front of him (yes, I'm dumb brave!) and he follows behind driving the mower.  He does pretty good, too!  He's only taken our 1 of our sprinklers and demolished one bird house.  Not bad!

 

We are so proud of our little gaggle of girls!

 

 

 

Oh.  My.  Beautiful!  Thank you Melanie!!!

 

And, of course once we got our pics taken, we had an addition to our family. ...

Meet CR.  He was born a few weeks before we had pictures taken, and we had met him, but birth mom had not signed adoption papers, yet.  Let me fill you in....

 

Our neighbor's daughter's friend's dad's fiancé (whew!!) was pregnant.  It wasn't a planned pregnancy and they were having troubles financially to raise the kids they already had.  They were considering adoption so they were told about Josh and Cali.  (That's really the only way to adopt anymore - word of mouth.  Even going through an agency there are just so many couples waiting and not enough babies available.)  So Cali and birth mom met one Friday evening and got along great.  When they were saying their good-byes birth mom made a comment that made Cali uncomfortable so she pushed that baby to the side.  The next day, Saturday, Cali got a text; "I am 15 and have a 5 week old baby.  Are you still looking at adopting?"  After texts and phone calls, they met Sunday evening with birth mom, her parents and birth dad.  They had been looking at their blog for the past 6 months and birth parents were just realizing they couldn't raise this baby.  They were so convinced that they wanted Cali and Josh to adopt this little girl that they brought ALL of her belongings and left her with them that night!  The plan was to meet them at the adoption agency on Monday evening for parents to sign papers.  So, they have this sweet, little girl in their home for 24 hours, they bond, they fall in love and they even had spiritual confirmation that she belonged in their family. 

 

Monday around noon, birth mom's dad called Cali and said that things were changing.  Birth dad's mom and her partner both had to give children up for different reasons, and had convinced this young couple that they could do it with their help!  It was more than heart breaking for Josh and Cali to put this baby in a car that smelled of drugs with this young couple and his mom's partner.  They got a few texts from birth mom over the next few days, but that was the end of that story.  A big affirmation of how we all have our agency, even if it's not what God planned.

 

While Cali and Josh were working through this fiasco, they got a bunch of calls from the first mom (that she met with on Friday) saying that she had given birth to a baby boy and she wanted them to have him!  Of course with the comment this birth mom had made that had made Cali uncomfortable, and then with getting and losing this little girl, their emotions and nerves were raw.  Cali texted her and told her they were sick and they would call her in a few days.  When Cali did call her she made it very clear that if birth mom wouldn't go through an agency, that they weren't able to continue.  Birth mom said that was great!  Come see him! 

 

He was premature  not sure how premature but guessing a 34 weeker) and in the NICU but they had saved a wrist band for Cali.  Cali visited him almost everyday after that, with Josh going as often as he could.  All of us grandparents even got to go see him a couple of times!

 

 Whenever Cali walked in the room and said his name, CR would turn his head towards her!  They fed him, changed him, loved him, all while he was in the NICU.  Birth mom didn't sign her rights away until the day he was released (3 weeks later) so there was still some concern that he would be theirs, but he is home with them and growing like the great man he will become!  So even though we knew about him when we got our family pictures taken, since papers hadn't been signed and Cali and Josh had already had a baby slip through their fingers, we didn't dare wait to have our pictures taken.  It just means we have to do it again real soon!!!

 Papa and I LOVE holding our little man!

 

Alex and I went on a hike recently with the Maughan family up Bell Canyon.  It was really hard for Alex but he pushed through it!  Every once in a while he would rub his hips and say, "Yup.  They're still there."  He was real hesitant.  I don't know if he was scared of getting hurt or what, but like I said, he persevered!!

 

A is a climber and is walking all over the place now!... I think she's crazy!!  And I have NO idea where that would have come from??

 

 

 OK, OK, OK.... she may be a bit like me.

 

Remember N's hairdo?....

 

...she got a big girl's haircut and looks soooo good!  We loved the wild look, but she looks like a 2 year old now!  AND...

 

 ...she's crawling!!  It's a little unorthodox, and this video was actually taken when she first started crawling but it's so cute I couldn't resist sharing.  I will put a more recent video of her crawling soon.  She's really improved!  But this is so cute!!!

 

So.  Life is good.  Life is busy.  Life is grand!  And I'm the luckiest lady in the world!!!

 

My Sneaky Boy

Every other Sunday all the kids come over here for dinner.  Today as Brandon and TJ pulled up, Alex saw them and thought they didn't see him, so he hid...

 

 ...but obviously not very well.

 

Then, just to make sure they didn't see him...

...he snuck a peek to see if they realized he was gone, yet. 

 

And, yes.  Those are Cookie Monster pants he is wearing.  It's Sunday - my kids have always come home and put pj bottoms on as soon as they get home.  My girls even kept their skirts on but put pj bottoms on.  We are a stylin' family!

 

So next time you're in the neighborhood, look out because Alex might be hiding from you!

What's up?

 

First of all, Baby C is growing up too fast!  She just passed her 2 month birthday! Where does the time go?  She's getting strong and showing her personality.  She seems to favor her dad, Papa and Alex.  She's got good taste!

 

 

As you can see, A and N can't get enough of her....

 ...we do have to watch them to make sure they don't love her too hard!  N especially.  She will just grab C, not realizing she's scratching her or pulling on her.

 

 

I've gone through a very klutzy phase lately.  

 Yes, that's my ankle.  No, it's not supposed to look like that! 

 

 I have to stand on the one bed to open the curtains - a hazard of being short - and this one day the kids had pulled the blankets off the bed onto the floor to make a hut.  When I stepped down on the blankets I also stepped on a ball.  My foot rolled and I was down!  I sat there for about 5 minutes with thoughts going through my head; "I could have M go get my dad to take me to the hospital.  No, I could have her just get the phone.  But TJ isn't working this morning.  I guess I could ask Jill to watch the kids no matter who took me to have this checked."  I just knew I had to have broken it!  Then I thought, "Well, dummy.  Stand up and see if you can walk on it before you call anyone."

 

I was fine.  Just a good sprain and a pretty bruise.  I wore one of Mike's ankle braces for a few days, more to remind myself to be careful than anything else, and it was fine.  But I have an emergency plan all figured out in my head for next time I do something that stupid.

 

 

Yes, that's my van.  No, it's not supposed to look like that!

 

I take Al to school every morning and when I leave I turn onto State Street going north.  The truck in front of me started to go because there wasn't any traffic, I looked and saw there was plenty of room for me so I started to go, too.  But the truck had stopped.  I don't know why.  He just did.  Not one scratch, bump or bruise to his truck, but my van had over $3,000 worth of damage.  Talk about doing something stupid!  And then 2 days later, someone rear-ended me in the exact same spot pulling onto State Street!!!  I didn't go and stop, I was just slowly eeking out to see past the cars that were turning, and the lady behind me was just going faster than I was.  I think she was texting.  Anyway, this time no harm, no foul!  Whoo!!

 

This wasn't because of anything stupid.  I had my sinus' cleaned out, adjusted and fixed.  I had Cali add a moustache to the bandage because I felt it needed some décor.  The surgery lasted a couple hours and I haven't had any trouble with my sinus' since!!  AND I've only had one headache since the surgery and it was a mild one. 

 

 I've always had my share of headaches and once in a while I would get a migraine bad enough that I had to sleep it off, but I was starting to get them so bad that I had to go to the emergency room just to get some relief.  I'm really hoping this surgery will stop that!



Remember a few posts back I said I was getting my house redecorated by one year olds?  Well, one of those kiddos - I won't mention any names Miss A - has decided that N can handle all the messes on the floor so she needed to start climbing on things to get the decor at a higher level.  She's not walking yet, even though she can.  It's just faster to crawl or walk on her knees.  But any obstacle in her way, she climbs.

 

It's a darn good thing she's cute! 

 

 

This is just a little genius idea I had a few years ago....

...you take an inflatable pool you can buy at Wally World, add air and a few toys... put an umbrella up or put it in the shade for comfort...

 



...and let the kids have fun while you do yard work or do the dishes.  The kids that are big enough to climb in and out are old enough you don't have to worry about, but those that would either eat dog poop or crawl into the road, this has saved my sanity and their lives!!  And it's tall enough that even A can't climb out of it.  It's big enough that they have plenty of room to crawl around, and they can see what everyone else is doing, yet they are contained!  Genius, pure genius.  Plus, it doubles as a pool when the weather gets hot!

 

Al is still doing really well in school  His class will be going as a group to Prom soon, and I will definitely post pictures and any funnies that happen. 

 

He keeps reminding us how tall he is and that his foot can reach the gas and brake pedal in the car, but we have told him he can't drive until he's as tall as his brother (who is 6'2")  and that's NEVER gonna happen!  Again, pure genius!

 

Mike got a new job!  He loved the people he worked with at his old job, but the way it was managed was ridiculous!  Not any business sense there at that company.  So, after looking and talking to a whole bunch of people he started last week as a cemetery director!!  Yup!  He's the guy you go to to buy your coffin and burial plot. 

 

We've come up with, and heard quite a few 'dead' jokes since he got this job.  But he's so much happier.  Knowing that he's helping people is a huge plus, but the others that work there are all great people and he's already been a recipient of some positive reinforcement (gift card!) - something he hasn't seen in a long time!!  I'm very proud of him and even though it's kinda scary working for commission, I feel very confident this is the direction he should be going.  And so does he.  That's always a bonus!

 

I will definitely keep in touch with Prom pics.  But I'm hoping to be spending my time outside with the girls enjoying the nice weather so I might go a bit longer between posts than I used to do. 

 

Spring has finally sprung!



Just checking in...

I just wanted to say HI and let you all know we are good and fine   Just busy.  Between babysitting during the day, doing home visits at night (special needs kids ages birth to 3) and Mike being in the Stake presidency, our life is full.  But good!

Colby and Kierra and M & A just put a cement slab down in their backyard to put a hot tub in.

Cali and Josh and O are still anxiously waiting for a baby to come their way via adoption.

Taylor and Brandon and C are getting into the swing of things with a new baby in the house. 

Mike, Alex and I are glad that spring has sprung and hope it stays!! 

I will write more later.  I usually write when all the kids are slddping, but lately A has decided she doesn't like to sleep.  I just might have to do a late night post!  Lots to tell...

Long Overdue Post

What's up?  I've been negligent in my blogging and I apologize.  Let's get caught up a bit....

 

First of all, C is growing and developing well and her mom (MY baby) is doing a great job at being a mom.  It shouldn't surprise me because she does well with everything she does (and obviously she makes gorgeous babies) but still, she's MY baby.  And now SHE has a baby. 

 

 

I'm a proud Nanny!

This picture below is when Cali was here and A decided she didn't like how much attention C was getting so she climbed up on Cali's lap and made sure Cali didn't forget she was still there.

 

This video is when C was only 4 days old. Yup! She's a genius like all my other babies!

The weather here has been typical Utah spring; 3 foot long icicles one day...

 

...then outside swinging with no jacket on a few days later! 

Grace is loving being a part of our family and we love her!  She is so careful around the kids and loves to snuggle.  Below she is holding HER baby.  If you ask her to get her baby, she walks calmly over and picks up one of her stuffed animals then brings it to you with a huge grin on her face like she's so proud!

 

 

This was in December, and it's only a 'before' picture but Al got his braces off! Woot -woot!

 

 

We went up to Idaho for a quick trip to see one of Mike's favorite people; his Uncle Darwin (whose son got married so we went to his reception).  I say a quick trip because we went up Friday morning and were home by Saturday evening.  But in that short period of time Al created a great memory for us...

In this pic is a bunch of the Maughan men at the hotel pool.  All the baldies are brothers and all the good looking ones are their kids!  (l-r Derek, Mike holding M, E in Colin's arms and then Alex)

 

 I guess I packed Alex an old swimming suit.  As we were walking down to the pool, Mike and I were behind Alex and his butt end was almost busting out.  We didn't think anything about it, other than, "He has a great J-Lo!" (which is becoming more of a "Kardashian" as he gets older) until he had to go to the bathroom. 

 

Remember how hard it is to pull up wet swimming suits?  Well, it's hard to pull off a wet swimming suit, too, when it's already 2 sizes too small!  After he was in the restroom for 10 minutes I went to check on him and he was pulling all kinds of contortions to try to get the suit back up.  I worked on it for another 5 minutes before I had to escort him - via towel held over him - to the hot tub so Mike could shimmy Al's behind back into the suit with help from the warm water.  Thank goodness we were the only ones at the pool!!

 

When Alex got out of the hot tub to get in the pool, we realized Mike had pulled Alex's suit too high in the front!  So what did I do about it?  I took a picture!!!  (After the reception we went to Walmart and bought him a new swim suit.) 

 

Just a little side note here.  Alex is a total fish!!!  He LOVES to swim!  He doesn't do much swimming on top of the water but he dives under and swims under the water.  One impressive move he does is he will walk backwards in the pool while making backstroke movements with his hands.  I must admit, it looks like a real smooth backstroke when you see it.   He would have been in the pool the whole time if we had let him.  And the water in the pool was cold, but he didn't care!

 

While we were in Idaho, Oak (L) and Mo (R) went to Disney on Ice and saw the Disney princesses.  I'm sure the Disney princesses were put to shame with the beauty of these two!

And I'm getting my home re-decorated - for FREE!!!

OK.  Maybe re-decorated is a little misleading.  But I have an almost 2 year old (N) and an almost 1 year old (A) who have taken it upon themselves to...

 ...organize the CD's...
 

 ...clean (kiss) the mirrors....
 

 ...taking inventory of the baby wipes....

 

...and of the kitchen towel drawer.  They do a very thorough at their job!

Then one day, A found a box of tampons stuffed in the back of my bathroom cupboards....
 

 

...took a taste, and when she realized they weren't delicious...

...she showed them to N .....
 

...who tried to read the instructions.  (No!  She can't read silly!  She's not even 2 yet!)

 

Then A tried to dig deeper into the cupboard to find more fun.

 

 

And what was I doing while they were trashing the place?  I was following them and taking pictures!  I'm a cool Nanny.  So cool that I even FORCE the kids to make messes.

 

Here's a good example...

 ...here is abanana cream pie that Al dropped while bringing it in from the fridge in the garage.  What do I do with it?...

 

 

I put some on the high chair tray for N and let her go to town!  At first she looked at me like, "What am I supposed to do with this?"  But quickly....

 ...she realized it was a ton of fun!

 

 

 This past week N was put in the hospital with pneumonia.  She is a very sick little girl.  In the picture below you can see the concern on mom's face.  This was when she was still in the ER still, but they very quickly took her up to the ICU....

 

 

 

 

 ...where she has been for the last 5 days.  The picture above was from today when I got to see her this afternoon, and even though she had no idea I was there (they are keeping her pretty sedated) it was good to touch her, talk to her and even smack her.  (That's what we do at our house when someone is in trouble.  But we don't hit them, we kiss them.  Get it?  A smack?)  Oh!  She got smacked alright!!!

 

Get better N.  I miss you! And I am so worried!