OFF TO THE HOSPITAL!!!

It's 3:30 a.m. and I'm off to the hospital to have this baby girl!!! I can't decide if I'm more terrified or more excited. Hopefully time will still bring further healing and peace. Love you all!

A CACTUS BROKE MY FOOT!!!

How in the world does a cactus brake your foot?!!! And why NOW?!!!

My shower had just ended. I was still at Amber's when I received a phone call from Erick, "I'm down at urgent care; I'm okay, but I broke my foot." WHAT!!!! "How did you brake it? A cactus fell on it. I gotta go; they just came in to give me a tetanus shot."

Well it turns out he, Jacob, Justin (Organ), Zak, and one of Justin's buddies went out near our house shooting. They were pretty much done for the morning when they decided to show the boys how there is cactus juice inside a cactus you can drink. Next to them was a 12 foot very old saguaro cactus. They picked at it and tasted it. While was getting a piece the cactus actually started falling over. Justin shoved him out of the way, he landed on his butt and the cactus on his foot, crushing it! Absolutely crazy! He has to wait until the swelling goes down to find out whether or not they will have to pin it or just cast it. Mind you he is supposed to baptize Sammy on Saturday!

As frustrated as I am about the whole situation I'm so grateful it was just his foot and not all of him that was crushed. So I am thanking the Lord for my blessings, including loved ones who I know will see to it that we are well taken care of.

SHOWERED WITH SO MUCH LOVE!!!

I feel extremely spoiled and extremely loved!

A few months ago my dear sister-in-law, Andrea, offered to throw me a shower for this new little baby girl. That was before Christmas and every time she mentioned it I just told her, "I don't know; we'll see after Christmas." So Christmas came and went and when the subject was brought up again, it honestly terrified me. While on one hand it sure would be fun and no doubt helpful, I was by no means emotionally ready. It was one more form of attatchment my heart did not want to make. The vulnerability it created was too much. However as the days passed on I continued to move forward thinning that invisible, yet very real, wall of protection around my heart. So it was after Lynn Kimpel's shower, I thought okay maybe we can do this. The next day my mom and sister said, "hey we want to throw you a shower!" So we called on Andrea to head it all up. She did a fabulous job! Thanks Andrea!!! However she had some amzaing help. Amber was so sweet to offer her home. And my mom, Aunt Linda, Kera, and Tara all helped with the food! I love a shower with great food!!! Thanks guys for all the time, effort, and expense!

Now let me just say the food was great but the treats this baby girl and were spoiled with that day went far beyond good food. Lots of adorable clothes, shoes, hair bows, diapers, wipes, flowers, scrapbook, blankets, toys, nursing cover, sling, mommy treats, and not to mention a totally awesome diaper bag (which I enjoyed stocking at 3 a.m. this morning!). Thanks so much to all my wonderful friends and family. I truly appreciate all your love and support! For those who couldn't make it, we missed you!!! But I know it was a busy day for so many and while not there in person I still felt your love and desire to be there.

So how did I handle it emotionally? Pretty well. Only got choked up twice I think. Still tender. But it was good. Thanks to all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CALLI!!!

Today we celebrate the addition of Calli Elizabeth to our family. Many thanks to those who too shared their thoughts with us this day. I am deeply touched by those of you who remembered this day as a special one for our family. We are so blessed to be surrounded by good friends and family.

I decided to make her birthday cake from scratch, and with the help of the girls, used what we had to decorate it. Not sure if it was because of the love that went into it or just a good recipe, but it was very much enjoyed by us all.

I want to keep the tradition of doing some sort of service in her behalf each February. Last year we did our Calli bear service project. This year we decided to participate as a family in the "Two sisters - one heart" fundraiser event being held on Valentine's Day to benefit the conjoined Bailey twins. We are going to "run" (realistically walk) the one mile fun run together. May sound weak, but baby number five is less than 4 weeks away from making her debut, and that's about all my mind and body can handle.

The kids were sweet and thoughtful. This morning mention was made that today was Calli's birthday. Kess's response, "I know I was the first one to tell her Happy Birthday!" Jacob's prayer included, "Thank you we can blow out her candles." My niece Sara wanted to stay home from school on this special day and my niece Sage drew a picture for us.

So how did I handle year number two? I can't say it went without any tears, but they were few and had more to do with the up and coming than the past. I spent a few minutes looking through her scrapbook last night, let my heart hurt and my eyes tear for a few seconds then continued on to tucking my kids in bed. Though she left us in body I still feel her with us often. I know she is doing a great work for our family, one that can be done only on the other side of the veil, one that we don't fully understand. But none the less, I am eternally grateful to her for it. So while, yes I miss her, I find comfort in knowing she is not far and is no doubt the strongest member of our family team!

WE LOVE YOU CALLI!

DUNES!!!

Yes, another dune trip. According to my kids, especially Jacob, there's no such thing as too many dune trips! However, this season it looks like this will be our one and only family trip. Jacob and Erick went in December and might be able to do another one. We shall see. We had a good time. We were, as always, with great company...my parents (Rick and Dianna Jones), Jarel & Amber & kids, and Kera & Wess & kids. Not as big a crowd as usual but a good one. Oh and I can't forget we also brought Dora. Kessa's new dog from Christmas came along too. I really didn't take very many pics. But the on the second day I took a few of the little ones on a walk. We found this nice hill for the kids to play on.

Tess, Riley, & Jacob

However, Erick, Wess, & Jarel soon found us and put on a show. They are amazing!

Erick

Wess

Jarel

GOOD TIMES!!!

Much to Be Grateful For!

I have so many recent events I would love to post pics and journaling of, but right now my mind and heart is overwhelmed with things I am so grateful for. For some reason I feel as though I would seem ungrateful or neglectful in some way if I didn't ackowledge these simple yet important things in my life...

ERICK... We had a relief society social tonight. I was torn between wanting to stay home with the girls (Jacob's out of town) and wanting to spend some time with the sisters in my ward and supporting our relief society's unity efforts. Mid-day Erick asked what time the social was tonight. I expressed concerns about going and concluded with I just need to stay home tonight. He was considerate and thoughtful. He responded, "I think it's important that you go. So you go and I'll hurry home from work and spend the evening with the girls. No TV, we'll just spend time together." Still a little reluctant, but grateful for the offer I eventually agreed. Indeed I enjoyed myself, the girls enjoyed their time with dad, and I'm sure he enjoyed his time with them.
I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR A HUSBAND WHO CARES ENOUGH ABOUT ME TO MAKE THE EXTRA EFFORT TO SEE THAT MY NEEDS ARE MET AND I TOO AM HAPPY!
I'M SO GRATEFUL MY KIDS HAVE A DAD WHO IS GREAT AT BALANCING WORK WITH PLAY!
I'M GRATEFUL FOR A HUSBAND WHO ENJOYS SPENDING TIME WITH HIS FAMILY!

MOM & DAD... There is so much I could say here. But more recently my thoughts and heart have been drawn to my parents as they undergo their challenges. Last week mom went into the hospital for what they technically called "brain surgery." Recently, the doctors found a tumor growing on a bundle of nerves on or near my mom's brain. While not expected to be malignant, due to growth, current problems, and potential future problems the tumor needed to be removed. And so it was, mom went in to surgery last week for the removal. I spoke to her Wednesday night and she seemed in good spirits. It brought reassurance to me seeing her peace and confidence. However, I woke Thursday morning in tears. My mom was lying in the hospital with her head completely cut open and doctors working inside to remove something foreign. She who was ALWAYS busy serving, serving, serving now lay helpless at the mercy of our Father in Heaven. While I had previously been praying for her and the doctors, suddenly my prayers turned to pleading with the Lord. While ultimately I knew whatever the Lord's will was would be best, I still hoped that perhaps by some chance maybe my pleadings could make a difference. In addition, what else could I do. My heart ached for my mom... for her pain, for her future, for her recovery, for my dad, and for all the unknowns. However, the Lord blessed me with peace. After a few days in the hospital mom is now home. She is amazing. She is anxious to return to her normal activities. However, she currently is suffering from paralysis on the left side of her face and unsure what damage is temporary and what is permanent. Each day her balance gets better as the body is learning to do without its lost balance nerves. Mom has always been amazing and still after all these years she still amazes me.
I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY MOM. FOR MY DAD WHO STANDS FAITHFULLY BY HER SIDE. FOR THEIR EXAMPLE OF FAITH, SERVICE, AND ENDURANCE!
I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE PEACE THE LORD ALWAYS GIVES TO ME ESPECIALLY WHEN I NEED IT MOST!

SISTERS... I have three amazing sisters. Penny whom I'm excited has moved less than four miles away. Who through much adversity amazes me with her peace as she puts her faith and trust in the Lord. Who is constantly seeking to learn more about the gospel and inspires me to learn, read, and grow for myself. Chrystalyn, who was blessed with an amazing gift to see a need and fill it. She, like mom, is always busy serving. She is teaching her children well and watch them follow in her footsteps. She inspires me to look for the need without being asked. Someday I can only hope to be half as amazing as she is. And Sandy, a ray of sunshine. She teaches me to enjoy the journey. She with her own full plate drops it all to come in town to love, to help, to support. She's been staying with Penny for the past few days helping her. However, I had the pleasure of having her stay the night with me last night. She always makes me feel special by claiming she wants to stay longer and at times she does. It means so much considering how much I know she loves to be home and how much she misses her hubby. We love it when Sandy comes to visit, which of course is never often enough! We love it so much we cry when she leaves. This time was no different with the exception that Jacob's tears got him a ticket to Safford. Yes, Sandy took him home. I miss him already! But I know he is in great hands, having a great time, with a great family! If only I were four again and my tears could buy me a trip to Sandy's house! However, I am needed here and we will come see them all on Saturday when our dear sweet Kieva will be baptized! Again Sandy inspires me to enjoy the journey!
I AM THANKFUL FOR 3 SISTERS WHO ROCK!!!

I AM THANKFUL FOR A LOVING FATHER IN HEAVEN WHO IS PATIENT WITH MY FAULTS, GIVES ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HOLY AGAIN AND AGAIN, AND HAS GIVEN ME MY MANY, MANY BLESSINGS.