A Little Catching Up

Ahh, my first day off work since December 28th, and while I have promised myself I will NOT turn on my work computer today, I thought I would take just a minute to catch up here.
Christmas came to Grandpa and Grandma's house. Christmas Day was spent with Grandpa and Grandma, Grandma Edwards, Grandma Roesner and Jerrie, Toni, Brian and Kylan. We had a yummy dinner, opened plenty of gifts, and went to a movie Christmas night.

We were given some really thoughtful gifts. My dad made each of his children a family history books with lots of stories I have never read before and pictures I have never seen.

My mom and sister have been bugging me forever about reading The Mitford series. Finally this past year I read these books and fell in love with them. They are now out of print, but my mom found two complete sets for my sister and me by working with a used book dealer- I love them!

My mom also made Caleb a quilt out of the same flannel she used to make his Eagle Court of Honor tablecloths- he loves it.

We did not get a cat; however this one sure seems to be trying hard to disguise herself as a gift.

Caleb's birthday was on December 27th, he turned 16 years old. We took him bowling and out for a nice dinner that night. He has quite a year ahead of him. Early in December, he was invited to travel to Sweden this summer for the World Scout Jamboree. We jumped at the opportunity and have already bought uniforms, he's had his physical, and turned in his papers for his passport. He also learned he has officially been hired to work at a scout camp in Alaska for the month of June through the first week of July. All in all, he will be away from home for a little more than seven weeks this summer, but we know he will be gaining valuable leadership skills and having experiences he couldn't have at home.

Caleb will be ordained a Priest in our church tomorrow, will be getting his driver's license this coming week, and is mulling over his dating options. ;-)
 
December 28th marked the ninth anniversary of Caitlin's cancer diagnosis. Nine years! I couldn't even begin to imagine back then where we would be today. While she is not into make-up or clothes yet, we have really noticed some changes in her the past several months. She's found that she enjoys spending time in the Temple, likes being in the Young Women's program, is becoming more responsible with her school work, and has just become the proud owner of her own cell phone (no texting, photos, or school use- thank you very much!).

We have started this year off with a new determination to accomplish our three year old goal of becoming 100% debt-free. We would already be done, but have added $14,000 worth of orthodontics since beginning this journey (expect nice smiles when we achieve this goal!). It's been a long road, one we have been consistent with, sacrificed for, and now it's time to cross the finish line already.

We are grateful to begin this new year with health, happiness, employment, focus, and the desire to better ourselves in all areas. Yay for 2011!

Thanksgiving Highlights

We had such a nice Thanksgiving weekend

• My mom made the yummiest dinner. Everything seriously tasted so, so good.
• We enjoyed being together as a family, including Grandma and Jerrie
• My mom, sister, and I went to Black Friday (midnight edition) to check out the deals. We bought towels. Lots and lots of towels. Between the three of us, over 60 of them.
• We took the kids to Tangled
• We took a quick girls trip to St. George
• We loved on the nieces and nephew
• Clint taught us how to play Texas Hold 'em (I have no idea if that's how you spell it).
• We watched a DVD or two
• Clint taught my mom how to use her computer (anxiously waiting your comment, Mom)
• And, to top off the weekend, it took us almost six hours to get home due to bad weather and tons of traffic. We arrived safely though, so all is good.

Our Weekend in Cedar

We spent the weekend with my family. We had a celebration; my parents 40th wedding anniversary. I can't believe we didn't take a picture! All my siblings were there, my grandma and aunt, and all the grandkids, except for cute Kylan. I'm grateful to my parents for providing us with a stable and happy home; sticking it out through good times and bad. Thanks mom and dad!

My mom, Caitlin, Toni, and I went shopping for the treat bags for the inpatient kids at PCMC that we're going to deliver on Friday. We found some fun things and my mom paid for it all. Thanks again, mom!

My mom's friend, Deb also gave us a generous gift to help out. We really appreciate the amazing people who have supported us throughout our journey. In big and small ways, we have really been touched by the thoughtful support and kindness of so many.

We left for home later than we had intended on Sunday and I was a little concerned about how late the kids would be getting to bed on a school night. Little did I know what we would come home to, a huge fire on the mountain. Our neighborhood looked different, covered in thick smoke. Our neighbors were leaving as we pulled in, going to stay with relatives. Our house was hazy with smoke and didn't smell too great. Caleb's High School was used as the evacuation sight for families displaced by the fire, so school was cancelled for him on Monday. We let Caitlin stay home too. Crazy times. We're happy things are getting back to normal and more homes were not destroyed or damaged.

Thoughts About Our Weekend

Bright and early on Saturday, we headed to This is the Place Heritage Park for the 5k and Adventure walk for our support group, HopeKids. It was encouraging to see the turn out this year compared to last. Caleb was asked to organize a flag ceremony in honor of 9/11 and with the help of our friend, Matthew and a soldier, they did a good job. We are so grateful for those who donated to Team Caitlin and helped HopeKids reach the goal of $40,000.

We didn't get to hang around too long after finishing the 5k because Caitlin was playing in her first double header softball game of the season. We missed her first game, but made it just in time for the second. This is the first sport Caitlin has ever played. It's pretty evident that she's not comfortable in her own skin and even more evident that she's not comfortable with the fundamentals of softball. She's playing with girls who have a lot more experience and confidence and who look so much bigger and older. It doesn't help that she got stuck with a huge shirt. Why do they have you choose a shirt size if you end up with something totally different anyway? Anyway, I hope she will stick with softball and will be patient with herself as she learns and becomes more comfortable. There's something about seeing her on a team that makes me really want her to succeed and find her place.

In the late afternoon, we all headed over to our church for the Jamboree Reunion. We had a BBQ and watched a slide show that was put together out of over 3,000 photos (the cute mom who put together the slide show said she left out the pictures one boy had taken of every animal in the Natural History Museum in D.C. and every plane on the Intrepid in NYC). It was amazing to hear the stories and get a real feel for the spirit of Jamboree. Even though the boys spent time together at planning meetings and camp outs in the almost three years of planning for Jamboree, it was amazing to see how they have all bonded and become close friends after being together for three weeks. One of the Scout Masters commented that this is the only group he's taken that the mom's cried when dropping off the big bags, cried when dropping off their boy, and cried again when picking them up at the airport (I would also admit to crying when picking up the big bag!). The whole night was filled with friendship, laughing, appreciation, and more crying. The last thing Scout Master Hall requested was for the boys to count off for the last time and then he announced with a big lump in his throat, "Troop 610 dismissed!" While we are incredibly grateful for this experience, it feels really sad that it has come to an end. The next Jamboree is in 2013 and right now Caleb wants to go. He will be 18 and just months away from leaving on a mission. For now we are holding onto the registration paper. ;-)

The Last Few Hours of Summer

I can't believe Caitlin starts school tomorrow. Where did summer go? I'm not sure I'm ready for the routine, the homework, the set bedtimes, home lunch. I just want the freedom of summer to last a little longer. And, here's the biggest issue I have... this is the last year I will have a child in Grade School. So... while it lasts, I'm going to keep our little tradition and finish up the-first-day-of-school-teacher-gift before Little Miss heads out the door bright and early tomorrow morning.

19

That's how many years Clint and I have been married today. Happy Anniversary, Clint!

Birthday Stuff

Well, my birthday is almost over, the last one beginning with the #3. Time flies when you're having fun, right?

It's been a good day and I am grateful for the thoughtfulness of family and friends. I walked this morning with my friend, I came home and cleaned and straightened (it is Monday after all!), I laid on my bed to read and ended up having a little nap in my quiet house, then our family went out for an early dinner to P F Changs, and for a walk around Temple Square.

I appreciate the cards from my parents and grandma's, the awesome gifts, the cupcakes from my skinny neighbor who is always bringing treats by, and even though I am not a fan of Facebook, it was fun to receive birthday wishes from friends scattered all over the country.

I was thinking of some past birthday memories and thought I would share-

The year I was born was exactly like this year with Father's Day falling on the Sunday before I was born. I'm sure I was the best gift my dad could ever hope for. ;-) I was born on the first day of summer too.

When I turned 3 (I think) my mom told me I could do anything I wanted to celebrate my birthday. Apparently I was lacking in the imagination department and could not think of one thing to do. I believe I ended up dancing on the coffee table. Does this girl know how to party, or what?

I remember a slumber party in my backyard with all my neighbor friends.

When I turned 16, my parents threw a surprise party for me. I was so surprised and happy, I started to cry.

When I turned 20, I went through the St. George Temple for the first time and married Clint the following week.

Clint threw another surprise party for me after we were married. It was a surprise too, I had no idea.

For two birthdays in a row, Clint and I celebrated without kids. Caleb and Caitlin were at Camp Hobe.

Life is good and I have so much to be grateful for. Goodnight!

Paint, Proud, Proceedure, Painful, Pink Polka Dots, and Performing

The past several days have been strange. Interesting conversations have taken place and a lot has been accomplished.

I met with some of my old neighborhood friends for a painting party in celebration of my friend, Caisa's birthday. It was a fun and productive way to spend time together and I liked having a project instead of going to lunch or dinner for a change. We worked together to paint her daughter's bedroom and would have completed it if only we'd had a taller ladder.

On Monday night our family helped clean our church building for Family Home Evening. We were the first ones to arrive and chose to clean the Chapel. We dusted, vacuumed, and organized until the room sparkled. Caleb noticed that the cloth on the Sacrament table was stained and asked if we could take it home to wash. After getting permission from the Bishop, we did take it home for a good cleaning. I was proud of Caleb for being proactive and taking a personal interest in something so meaningful.

Last week I was flossing my teeth and ended up breaking a small piece off one of my bottom front teeth (I knew there was a reason I hate flossing!). I went to see our dentist to have it fixed and he was astonished to find how much my jaw has moved and my bite has changed since our visit in late January. I don't know what is going on, but he said my TMJ symptoms are going to continue to get worse and he's afraid of the wear on my teeth. He highly recommends I get braces ASAP. What a decision. Clint and I have made the decision not to go into unnecessary debt and I have to decide if this warrants $4300. Bleh!

We have known a young mother with the same type of brain tumor as Caitlin's for the last five years. Unlike Caitlin though, she has had continual symptoms, tumor growth, surgeries, and treatment. Her extended family has found encouragement and hope as they have watched Caitlin grow and remain unaffected by her cancer. Brain cancer is weird though and depending on the location, grade, and general health of the patient can have varying symptoms and outcomes. A few weeks ago I was told this young mother was in hospice care and wasn't expected to live more than a month. I tried to decide what and how I should tell Caitlin. I didn't say anything though. Earlier this week, I found out Heather had passed away. I waited a day before I said anything to Caitlin. When I finally had my little speech figured out and had enough courage, I told her. Guess what she said? "I already know." One of her little friends had told her a couple of days earlier and she didn't say a word. Now I have to wonder if Caitlin was coming up with her own little speech and working up her courage to tell me. Interesting how we can want open communication and honesty, but we mess it up with the desire to be brave and protect. Again, bleh!

Today I went out for lunch and pedicures with my friend, Jen. It is so nice to have friends in my neighborhood who I enjoy spending time with. We did something a little different with our pedicures this time- hot pink polish with white polka dots. I love polka dots!

Tonight was Caleb's last middle school choir concert. He has loved being involved with the concert choir and has had good experiences performing and competing. His new High School is supposed to have a wonderful choir director and plans are in place for a good music program.

The Eagle has Landed

What a wonderful sense of relief, Caleb’s Eagle Scout Project is over and in my opinion, it went very well. He organized a private performance by Jason Hewlett (motivational speaker, comedian, and impressionist) for Hopekids, a support group we belong to for children with cancer and other life threatening illnesses.

While it didn't go off perfectly (miscommunication with the janitorial staff at the school we rented almost made this an outside event…eeek!), the performance made up for the glitches in a big way. The theme of the day was hope and finding your unique talents and gifts. There was plenty of laughing and singing along too.

We have learned a lot of things about Caleb through this process; he’s a procrastinator, doesn’t care much for details and is all about keeping things simple, he is not intimidated to speak to adults or in front of groups, he is cool under pressure and he takes problems in stride. We are so proud of our (almost) Eagle Scout.

Now, Clint and I have to follow through on a little promise we made… time to allow a certain young man to get his Driver’s Permit and practice, practice, practice.

Caitlin's To Do List

Caitlin is going off track this week and she has a lot of things she wants to accomplish. Her List:

• Send emails to all my friends
• Play on the computer
• Read for 15 minutes a day (this has since been crossed off)
• Call to see if anyone can play
• Make an animal book
• Watch TV
• Watch a movie
• Color a coloring book
• Make my teacher a pencil holder
• Have fun off track
• Research about volcano's and stuff
• Make a book about what I research
• Play at the park
• Weed the backyard (another item that has since been crossed off)
• Water the plants (crossed off)
• Clean the house completely (crossed off)
• Practice dividing and multiplying (crossed off)
• Go to Disneyland
• Create a blog

Random Stuff

Today I went to a meeting and heard this quote- Life is not about waiting until the storm has passed, it's about learning to dance in the rain.

Anyway, with that in mind. Here are some interesting things about this week.

• I was just called as the Cub Scout Den Mother. What the? I told Clint now that our ward has split and all the big callings are filled, I'd be fine with anything but scouting. Ha Ha Ha!!!
• I have gained 5 pounds since the beginning of the year. Wow! Nothing like that little nugget of info to jump start my motivation.
• Caitlin graduated from the DARE program today. This is one of my favorite things about Fifth Grade.
• Things are slowly coming together for Caleb's Eagle Scout Project.
• I have gone out to lunch everyday this week with someone different (this couldn't have anything to do with the weight gain, right?)
• I have no ideas for my kids Easter gifts.

A Good Thing...

Having two kids in school and a Wednesday afternoon date with the hubby for lunch and a movie.

Christmas 2009

Every Christmas wish came true...

Cousins played together...

Daisy found a comfy place to nap and hide...


Clint fixed one computer after another...

Dinner was yummy (although this little one would rather eat a banana)...


Grandpa got a rockin' new hat (that freaked out the cat)...


We had a big, loud, houseful of family...

Family pictures were taken outside in smile-freezing-17-degree-weather (think we'll try again in the Spring)...




I received three mentionable gifts, a new laptop (that I haven't figured out how to use yet), a cookbook compiled by my dad of my Grandma Roesner's recipes (including some of my dad's memories and pictures of my Grandma), and a written history of childhood Christmas memories from my Grandma Edwards...

And, Clint and I had our second totally debt-free Christmas (thanks, Dave Ramsey)...

All in all, a very Merry Christmas!