Whirlwind

WOW! Where does time go? This is one big catch-up post full of all the events of our life the past two months. We have had ups and downs and fun and tears. It's in reverse order, so it doesn't make much sense, but I just had to get it up here before it got to be even more!!! I have had so many emotions swirling around inside and so many thoughts in my mind. Between school and life and everything I am feeling very tired, worn, and stretched. I hope to find some peace and calm and new life with the coming of Spring.

I just love Ben's hair!!! He is getting so big.

We had Tressa, Jake, Squirm, and Ben up for St. Patty's Day. They spent the night with us so that we could watch the kids while Tressa and Jake went out to lunch for a belated birthday date. We had a lot of fun and I was able to take Tressa with me to bookclub. We had Reuben sandwiches, green fluffy jello, chips, a shamrock of broccoflower (I don't even know how to spell that...) green kool-aid, pistachio bread, sugar cookies, and a beautiful fruit rainbow. I stole this idea from my friend, Michelle who posted about it last year on her blog.

USU's engineering department set a world record by dropping 20,000 bouncy balls from a helicopter. I took the kids up to watch. It was interesting, but we were too far away to really get in the action.

Just more random cuteness:

On Monday we drove up to Idaho Falls again. I found out on Friday that Grandma had finally been taken to the hospital on Wednesday and on Friday they diagnosed her with terminal cancer. She was discharged Saturday and went to her son's home where they cared for her with the help of hospice. She was given medication to keep her from being in too much pain, but it also made it so she couldn't talk with us. It was such a relief to see her comfortable, clean and cared for, but so hard to know that she wasn't going to get well. I was so grateful for the chance we had to visit her two weeks ago. She passed away on March 10th and we went up for her funeral on March 15th. It has been such an emotionally draining experience. I really loved Grandma Gray and I will miss her. I have felt for Louis and his family and am not really sure how to help. It was ten years ago this month that I lost my Grandpa Manwaring and I remember just grieving for the longest time. I have been so fortunate to have had such wonderful grandparents in my life and this experience has served to remind how short our time really is. I keep telling myself that my own grandparents won't be here forever, but they still seem so young to me and keep busy and I forget that one of these days, it will end. I feel an urgency to spend even more time with them.

We got to celebrate Uncle Jake's birthday here while our family was together for Kaylee's big day.

March 5th:

Kaylee's Baptism

It was a very special day full of fun and family. Kaylee looked beautiful in her baptism dress. She hadn't been feeling well the night before, but she wanted very much to go ahead as planned. She was feeling great until about an hour later as we were eating and visiting. She started feeling yucky again and took a big nap. The poor girl was sick for the rest of the week.

February 24th:

Kaylee's 8th Birthday!!!

I can hardly believe she is eight! What a beautiful, talented young lady. While there are moments that we don't get along or see eye to eye, I wouldn't trade her for the world. I am constantly amazed at her insights, and how smart she is! She is very creative and just a lot of fun. Her new delight is scrapbooking. Tressa gave her a beautiful photo album to create a special book all about her birthday and baptism and she even got her started on some of the pages and pictures. Now I need to hurry and order her the pictures so she can finish it all up. Kaylee's birthday was very busy! I had a big accounting test that didn't end until six and it took me a while to get home. Then we had dinner with Steve and waited for Donna to get home from Relief Society. We opened gifts and enjoyed donuts and ice cream for her birthday treat! She was very sweet to accept donuts since I made her a cake the Saturday before. It was a great day and I think she had a good time.

The following Saturday we went up to Idaho Falls again to see Grandma Gray. She was even worse than before. The doctor had diagnosed her with pneumonia (which she had last year also), but she was in so much pain and just wasn't eating. We left feeling completely helpless and it was very emotionally draining. It is so hard to see someone hurting and not be able to do anything.

February 21st:

President's Day

We decided to head up to Idaho Falls for a "Day of Grandparent's." It had been a long time since we've been able to go up and do this. We like to drive up and visit Grandma Gray, Grandma Eva, and Grandma and Grandpa Hobbs. Usually we can talk a few of them into letting us treat them to a dinner out. Grandpa's birthday is Feb. 17th and Grandma's is March 12th. Gma Eva's is March 27th and Gma Gray's is April 9th. Usually we can get up a couple of times around these special days to share a birthday treat. This trip turned out to be rather bittersweet for us. We found Grandma Gray feeling extremely ill. We spent the afternoon working with Louis' uncles trying to find ways to relieve her pain and get her some medical care. We left after setting up an appointment for an in-home doctor visit the following day. We then tried to get my grandparents to let us take them to dinner. Gma Eva had some other plans that kept her from joining us, but we had a lot of fun taking G&G Hobbs to dinner. The drive home was a good time for Louis and I to reflect on what wonderful grandparents we have and remember some special times with them.

February 19th:

BIG Birthday Bash!

We spent Friday night at my parent's house and the next day we got together for a big party to celebrate Kaylee turning eight and Lily turning one! Big Birthdays for the two granddaughters. (They are one day apart so we decided to share a special weekend with the families.)

Little angel Ben sleeping peacefully amidst the hullabaloo!

The kids got ahold of my camera, and took some great shots!

My cute baby and nephews. These are their Christmas pj's I got for them and I just had to have a picture because they look so cute together!

He loves to play with his carseat. Oh... for Louis' valentine's day gift, I taught Caleb to say "dadada." Oh, yes, I AM the greatest.

February 14th:

My adorable Valentines

The kids always get to dress up for a Valentine Tea Party at school. Kaylee is so cute! Wow, they grow up too fast. Louis and I were able to sneak out for a dinner on Saturday. We went to Texas Roudhouse. An all-time favorite.

Wow, this proves it's been too long since I posted. He doesn't even fit in those pj's anymore. Cute kid!!!

February 6th

Baby Ben's Blessing

We spent the day down in Perry/Brigham City for Ben's blessing. He wasn't feeling well, poor baby. But he is an angel and always very good. Jake's parent's let us all come and party at their house. My kids love it there. They call his mom Grandma Jake and often request a visit. In fact, as we left this time Charles or Kaylee asked us, "When are we going to visit them for Christmas?"

My expression is a little strange because Ben was awaiting a MUCH needed diaper change. I wanted a picture of me and him, but this wasn't the best moment for it. Ah well.

I finally decided that Louis' sunglasses had seen better days, and you'll be happy to know he's got a new set. I laughed so hard I cried when I was taking this picture.

The next morning we all got ready to head to Perry for Baby Ben's blessing. Lily and Caleb were playing together so nicely. Lily is hilarious. Anytime you try to take a video or picture of her, you've got to be quick. She hears the camera and comes after it immediately! I love that girl!

We were super spoiled and had the privilege of celebrating Heather's Birthday (a day late) here at our house. Josh, Heather, and Lily came up and stayed the night with us so we had cake and ice cream and played to celebrate.

Isn't he the cutest thing ever???

Kaylee had to say goodbye to another dear friend. She moved to Smithfield at Thanksgiving time, but then her dad got a job in the midwest... Indiana, I believe, and they are gone. She was a such a sweet girl and good friend for Kaylee. It is so hard when good friends move away.