Today in Sunday School we looked down at Elijah who was playing with toys and he was CRAWLING! He has been scooting and rolling around for weeks, but just figured out the crawl today. He hasn't stopped moving since!
What a busy week it has been. After celebrating a wonderful birthday with family and friends, I came down with something and spent the first part of the week wishing I could be in bed, but plugging along with my mommy tasks. I just kept going, thinking it would go away. Monday night, we did Family Home Evening up Millcreek Canyon with friends. On Wednesday night, Dan took Noelle and Corom to see Toy Story 3 so I could enjoy a little R and R. (The kids, by the way, loved the movie and can't stop quoting it) Amazing what one night of semi-alone (Elijah) time can do to heal a body. Thursday and Friday were spent catching up, running errands, taking Noelle to the doctor, etc. Thursday the kids and I met up with Dan at Wheeler Farm for an event hosted by the company he's interning with for the summer. That night we attended Dan's last softball game of the season. Friday evening we drove down to Scofield (up Spanish Fork Canyon) to a beautiful cabin above the lake. The kids played and played and the parents played too. (Settlers- I finally learned how to play and won! Beginner's luck) On Saturday Dan woke the kids up early to go fishing and they caught/released one...scared the kids to death! Later, we four-wheeled back to the lake to let the kids splash around! Later that night, we drove home and attended a ward swim party/dinner. Today we are pooped!
A million thank you's to all who sent birthday cards and gifts. It has been such an overwhelming week, I haven't had a chance to thank you! Also, I can't access my photos- we uploaded a huge file that is taking too long to come up on blogger. Have a great week everyone!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
A Birthday Wish
Happy Birthday to a wonderful woman! I appreciate and love you so much. You are a beautiful person who inspires others to be better people. You have accomplished great things thus far in your life, and you are loved so much. I wish you a very happy birthday.
Dan
P.S. I checked, and Corom is just scratching :)
Friday, July 2, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
How Would You React?
It's Dan,
I wanted to create this post due to an experience I had today. As Tami has mentioned I am completing a 12 week internship at an early intervention facility here in SLC. I get to work with kiddos from birth to three years of age who have severe disorder(s) that hinder their typical development, i.e. down syndrome, arthrogyposis, holoprosencephaly (look that one up, it's interesting), sensory processing disorder, and autism, to name a few. I love what I do because I not only get to see kids make progress and reach developmental milestones, but I get to share with the family the excitement of these accomplishments. There are times, however, when a child doesn't make progress (for whatever reason), and I share disappointment, discouragement, and at times tears along with the family. So today was a discouraging day for a family with whom I met. To give the background on the child, and without divulging personal information, this child had a complicated delivery, which ended up in a brachial plexus injury. This basically means the child lost innervation to the muscles of the affected upper extremity side, and possibly some sensory loss too (it means the child can't use their affected limb, functionally). If not treated medically the child's arm could end up in a contractured position, and without functional use. So here's the deal: one of the child's parents had to quit their job in order to take care of their now medically fragile child, while the other parent continued to work, thus discontinuing their medical insurance . The working parent makes too much money to qualify for medicaid (just barely above the cutoff), and they can't afford COBRA, because it's too expensive. To add to the laundry list of frustration, they cannot find an insurance company that will insure their child, due the child's preexisting condition. One of the parents looked to us, the "professionals," and asked what they should do in this situation? We gave the family three resources to pursue while they worked out the whole insurance fiasco to ensure the child received some sort of therapeutic attention, occupational therapy being one of those resources. I left that house wondering what I would do if I were in her situation. How would I feel? How would I react upon being rejected by an insurance company due to my child's preexisting condition? What would my next step be? Would I accept my child's condition, and not pursue insurance, or would I fight tooth and nail to make sure my child received adequate medical attention in addition to therapeutic services? As a parent of three children, this situation hit home.
I am not promoting a certain political view, because I know the readers of this blog to either support or reject healthcare reform, and I respect everyone's political view. So, what are your thoughts? What should this parent do?
I wanted to create this post due to an experience I had today. As Tami has mentioned I am completing a 12 week internship at an early intervention facility here in SLC. I get to work with kiddos from birth to three years of age who have severe disorder(s) that hinder their typical development, i.e. down syndrome, arthrogyposis, holoprosencephaly (look that one up, it's interesting), sensory processing disorder, and autism, to name a few. I love what I do because I not only get to see kids make progress and reach developmental milestones, but I get to share with the family the excitement of these accomplishments. There are times, however, when a child doesn't make progress (for whatever reason), and I share disappointment, discouragement, and at times tears along with the family. So today was a discouraging day for a family with whom I met. To give the background on the child, and without divulging personal information, this child had a complicated delivery, which ended up in a brachial plexus injury. This basically means the child lost innervation to the muscles of the affected upper extremity side, and possibly some sensory loss too (it means the child can't use their affected limb, functionally). If not treated medically the child's arm could end up in a contractured position, and without functional use. So here's the deal: one of the child's parents had to quit their job in order to take care of their now medically fragile child, while the other parent continued to work, thus discontinuing their medical insurance . The working parent makes too much money to qualify for medicaid (just barely above the cutoff), and they can't afford COBRA, because it's too expensive. To add to the laundry list of frustration, they cannot find an insurance company that will insure their child, due the child's preexisting condition. One of the parents looked to us, the "professionals," and asked what they should do in this situation? We gave the family three resources to pursue while they worked out the whole insurance fiasco to ensure the child received some sort of therapeutic attention, occupational therapy being one of those resources. I left that house wondering what I would do if I were in her situation. How would I feel? How would I react upon being rejected by an insurance company due to my child's preexisting condition? What would my next step be? Would I accept my child's condition, and not pursue insurance, or would I fight tooth and nail to make sure my child received adequate medical attention in addition to therapeutic services? As a parent of three children, this situation hit home.
I am not promoting a certain political view, because I know the readers of this blog to either support or reject healthcare reform, and I respect everyone's political view. So, what are your thoughts? What should this parent do?
Thursday, June 24, 2010
A little Glimpse of our Week...
I cannot believe that it has already been a week since my last post. We have been so busy this week. Busy by choice I should add. There have been so many opportunities to get out and play. I have been wearing my poor children out. (Yah, like that is the case) We have been catching up on missed gymnastics classes from sick weeks, did a sprinkler day, have been to the park for free lunch almost daily, went to frozen yogurt last night and much, much more. Oh, and for Father's day we took a drive up the Canyon and got out to watch the boats on the lake at the East Canyon State Park. This state just keeps amazing me with it's beauty and everything is so close. We love summer. Here are some pictures from our week. I sure do love these babies!
My first successful attempt at a making/decorating a cake for my Wilton Class at Michael's Craft Store. This week we did cupcakes, but I forgot to take a picture before they were consumed!
Elijah exercises his senses by picking up his food, looking at it, squishing, looking at it again and then shoving it in his mouth. He loves his summer fruits!
Corom playing in the courtyard playhouse
Our handsome little boy in his new church outfit. Some things just make your heart melt. Corom does this to me.
"The PRETTY WHITE FLOWERED FLIPFLOPS" need I say more? We have limited their use to Sunday for church, as this was the intended use upon purchase. They are the first thing Noelle puts on when she wakes up in the morning and is constantly negotiating when she can wear them outside. (Such as, "When I'm 5 I can wear them to play.") Have you ever had a great pair of shoes? Then you know the feeling.
Doesn't that look like fun? And notice the moving van in the background. Summertime is a sad time around student housing as we watch our friends finish their education and leave.
Noelle in a nutshell.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
My first successful attempt at a making/decorating a cake for my Wilton Class at Michael's Craft Store. This week we did cupcakes, but I forgot to take a picture before they were consumed!
Elijah exercises his senses by picking up his food, looking at it, squishing, looking at it again and then shoving it in his mouth. He loves his summer fruits!
Corom playing in the courtyard playhouse
Our handsome little boy in his new church outfit. Some things just make your heart melt. Corom does this to me.
"The PRETTY WHITE FLOWERED FLIPFLOPS" need I say more? We have limited their use to Sunday for church, as this was the intended use upon purchase. They are the first thing Noelle puts on when she wakes up in the morning and is constantly negotiating when she can wear them outside. (Such as, "When I'm 5 I can wear them to play.") Have you ever had a great pair of shoes? Then you know the feeling.
Doesn't that look like fun? And notice the moving van in the background. Summertime is a sad time around student housing as we watch our friends finish their education and leave.
Noelle in a nutshell.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Summer Fun!
Summer is here and we are having a blast! Dan is doing an 8-4 internship Monday through Friday, so we have been trying to squeeze in our fun where we can. Over Memorial Day weekend we went to Moab where we were lucky enough to bunk with the Blohm's on their campsite. We had mentioned to them that we were interested in going for that weekend and they offered for us to join them. What a treat it was to get our first glimpse of Moab and to do Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. I say first, because we barely brushed the surface, only doing a day in each park. I'll caption the pictures, but our highlights were seeing Delicate Arch, Sand Dune Arch and just looking at all of the variations in the landscapes. We took over 500 pictures between all of our cameras- so many photo opportunities and so many cute- dirty kids. Loved it- a million thanks to all who contributed to a great getaway. Whenever we do anything like this we say, "Why don't we do stuff like this more often?"
A few weeks ago, Corom ran into a speaker box and cracked his head open. It was odd that we had Dan home that morning, and they rushed to the ER where Corom got 3 stitches. It's better now, but is going to leave quite a scare. This is my first experience with such an injury- so sad to see. That following Saturday I had the sweet opportunity to attend Joel and Brittany's sealing to their son Ezra in the Oquirah Mountain Temple. Their story is amazing and I know I've told my family. They have 3 children 2 and under among which 2 are adopted. We love them dearly and their son Ezra just turned 6 months and with the finalization of the adoption, they were able to be sealed to him. It has been awhile since I've been able to attend the temple (since it is hard to part from Elijah). What a special day it was to witness the sealing and to feel the peace that is only felt in the temple.
Our day to day life is crazy. If you ask anyone who has daily contact with me, they would probably tell you that I'm a maniac. Seriously, most days that's how I feel. From the second I wake up, I am on my feet all day. Its exhausting! I wouldn't trade my life for anything. 3 chubby-cheeked kids make me the luckiest lady in the world, but boy, I put in my time during the day. We've been taking part in some smaller summer fun such as: park days, gymnastics, Heritage PioneerPark, (loved this) Dan did a shooting day with the elder's quorum, shopping in Park City with Noelle, Dan is playing softball, Costco sampling, (did this today) and lunch in the park. I am taking a Wilton Cake Decorating class at Michaels with 3 other girls. (FUNNN!) We love to be out and are always looking for chances to do fun things. For all of our out-of-town family and friends I wish I would have taken footage our our lightning storms these last few nights. The weather has been intense! We are back to sunshine today, but boy this weather is strange! Thanks for checking in with us- enjoy the pictures! These babies are growing fast! Love you all! (Sorry I uploaded the pictures in reverse order)
Noelle and Corom spend hours in this sandbox-this is actually my preferred play area. I think it sparks creativity. Noelle loves to make "Dog food"- go figure!
The kids loved the red soft sand under Sand Dune Arch.
These little boys love playing together and giggle every time they see each other!
All the ladies under Sand Dune Arch. They were sweet to take a picture below as I was too chicken to climb it when everyone else did!
THE COOLEST ATV! It seated 5! I WANT ONE! The girls did an "All you single ladies ride", yes lead by Emily! Noelle had a blast!
I was just saying at our family dinner the other night that I thought Delicate Arch was tiny. No, I guess we were just far away from it. We did all of the kid-friendly scenic walks.
Red Rover, Red Rover, send Corom right over!
This little girl brings out the best in Noelle. There is a whole sequence of photos of them playing like this.
More of Delicate Arch
The Boys
Best Buddies!
A few weeks ago, Corom ran into a speaker box and cracked his head open. It was odd that we had Dan home that morning, and they rushed to the ER where Corom got 3 stitches. It's better now, but is going to leave quite a scare. This is my first experience with such an injury- so sad to see. That following Saturday I had the sweet opportunity to attend Joel and Brittany's sealing to their son Ezra in the Oquirah Mountain Temple. Their story is amazing and I know I've told my family. They have 3 children 2 and under among which 2 are adopted. We love them dearly and their son Ezra just turned 6 months and with the finalization of the adoption, they were able to be sealed to him. It has been awhile since I've been able to attend the temple (since it is hard to part from Elijah). What a special day it was to witness the sealing and to feel the peace that is only felt in the temple.
Our day to day life is crazy. If you ask anyone who has daily contact with me, they would probably tell you that I'm a maniac. Seriously, most days that's how I feel. From the second I wake up, I am on my feet all day. Its exhausting! I wouldn't trade my life for anything. 3 chubby-cheeked kids make me the luckiest lady in the world, but boy, I put in my time during the day. We've been taking part in some smaller summer fun such as: park days, gymnastics, Heritage PioneerPark, (loved this) Dan did a shooting day with the elder's quorum, shopping in Park City with Noelle, Dan is playing softball, Costco sampling, (did this today) and lunch in the park. I am taking a Wilton Cake Decorating class at Michaels with 3 other girls. (FUNNN!) We love to be out and are always looking for chances to do fun things. For all of our out-of-town family and friends I wish I would have taken footage our our lightning storms these last few nights. The weather has been intense! We are back to sunshine today, but boy this weather is strange! Thanks for checking in with us- enjoy the pictures! These babies are growing fast! Love you all! (Sorry I uploaded the pictures in reverse order)
Noelle and Corom spend hours in this sandbox-this is actually my preferred play area. I think it sparks creativity. Noelle loves to make "Dog food"- go figure!
The kids loved the red soft sand under Sand Dune Arch.
These little boys love playing together and giggle every time they see each other!
All the ladies under Sand Dune Arch. They were sweet to take a picture below as I was too chicken to climb it when everyone else did!
THE COOLEST ATV! It seated 5! I WANT ONE! The girls did an "All you single ladies ride", yes lead by Emily! Noelle had a blast!
I was just saying at our family dinner the other night that I thought Delicate Arch was tiny. No, I guess we were just far away from it. We did all of the kid-friendly scenic walks.
Red Rover, Red Rover, send Corom right over!
This little girl brings out the best in Noelle. There is a whole sequence of photos of them playing like this.
More of Delicate Arch
The Boys
Best Buddies!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
She's a better blogger...
So my sister in law posted a really cute post about our Park City Trip. Let's face it, it blows my Park City post out of the water! If you want a good chuckle- give it a read! Read Here Thanks Gina!
I have some updating to do. We did Moab last week and our sweet little baby Lij is now 9 months. Too tired tonight. Check back later. I promise I haven't forgotten about my blog.
I have some updating to do. We did Moab last week and our sweet little baby Lij is now 9 months. Too tired tonight. Check back later. I promise I haven't forgotten about my blog.
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