Looking back at 2011...

Here I am again trying to catch up...please forgive all the pictures...

Looking back as we've said goodbye to 2011, I am so grateful for the many blessing we've received. It's been a year full of cherished memories, answered prayers, times of putting your arms around family members grateful that they are in your life, and new additions :) As a whole I think it's been the best year ever!!! Even though we've gone through some hard times as everyone else has...we've learned and grown from it all!! I look forward to the upcoming year excited to continue on this great journey of life... My 3 sweet angels. What a blessing they bring to my life... it's what keeps Erik and I smiling each and every day.
This has been one of the best parts of 2011!!! Kynlee Elizabeth joined our family on April 24th and growing up so fast.
Our 2 little Hams!!! (nephew Shakobe and Kynlee) It's official...I now have a teenager and the aliens have definitely taken over... just kidding bud...love you!!!
Love spending time with family...Devin (nephew) received his mission call...Japan!!! So excited for him. He is the oldest grandson on Erik's side so this is a new adventure for us all.
Kynlee go to meet Santa for the first time and to our surprise she didn't cry...in fact she actually kinda liked the guy. She loved his bells and beard...
More time with family...the kids love to go ice skating!!!
Halloween....what scary little people!!! Bryson went as a dead Tony Romo, Rylie as a Rock star vampire, and Kynlee as our little Dalmatian.
Love this picture...Erik with his little girls!
And last but not least...my wonderful little family! This is the best part of 2011!!! All of us together, loving the time we get to spend with each other, and cherishing every minute of it! Thanks 2011 for being so good to us...we look forward to making memories in 2012!!

Life...

I heard this song today and couldn't help but share!!! The words explain the last 12 almost 13 years of my life! From at the beginning wondering why me...to now being so grateful and honored that it was! To my 3 sweet little angels...

Two weeks ago tonight at 10:30 pm I got the phone call that we all hope we'll never get! As I said hello...I knew something was wrong, my dad in a quiet, frightened voice said "Jame just rolled the truck with the kids" I can't express the exact feelings that I felt at that second...all I can remember is my heart feeling as if it were in the pit of my stomach. I remember thinking oh know this can't be happening and what is my dad going to tell me next"... Is he going to tell me "we had lost them", "they are severely injured" or...in my mind praying..."they are ok". Then the words came, "they are ok...kids are crying...not sure how bad they are all hurt...I will let you know more once I here". To be honest, even though my dad said they were ok...I knew I wouldn't be content with that answer until I could see it for myself and put my arms around each and everyone of them!!!

My dad called me back minutes later letting me know the cops/ambulance were there and they were all being transported to the Soda Springs Hospital. My parents were going to jump in the car and go...I knew I needed to be there too so I jumped in with them. It was a long car ride but I tried to keep spirits high, even though inside I couldn't get there fast enough.

Looking back after hearing my sister story and boy does she have a great one to tell, you can't help but know there is a Heavenly Father watching over each and every one of us. From her going off the road where she did, to no one knowing how they didn't actually roll but slid on there side for what she said seems forever. To her calling 911 only to have her able to hear them but them not able to hear her...getting out of the truck to make her way up a muddy hillside that she literally had to hold onto grass to pull herself up only to turn back because her sweet 9 yr old was yelling that his 5 year old brother wasn't breathing and pleading with Heavenly Father as to why this had to be happening to his brother. Turns out Kanyon (5yr old) was really just in and out of consciousness but needed help soon.

A big thank you to a group of 4 high school students who happen to be coming down the road as Jamie made it to the top of the hill. They stopped and took over...calling 911, getting kids out of the car and making sure Jamie was ok!!!

I was so relieved once we reached the hospital...I couldn't wrap my arms around them all fast enough!!! Kanyon was getting CT scan of head when we arrived and still having trouble breathing and not wanting to stay awake...so I couldn't see him immediately.

I stayed by my sisters side most of the night! What everyone may not understand is the fact that not only did I almost lose my wonderful sister, but I almost lost a best friend as well!!! We do everything together and the thought of almost losing her and her sweet kids was almost too much to wrap my head around so for me I needed to be right by her side.

My dad, Ryan (Jamie's husband), and Ryan's uncle slipped in with Kanyon to give him a blessing...remember Kanyon at this time was in and out of sleep/consciousness and was struggling to breath. Within seconds of what was a very powerful blessing...Kanyon looked up and said "Oh...hi Grandpa" and he was awake, breathing better and we knew he was going to be ok.

For me, that was another testament of the power of the priesthood and that our Heavenly Father is there to help us in our time of need!

I truly believe this was a learning experience for us all. Not only did we quickly learn the importance of seat belts etc. But how quickly loved ones can be taken from us. How important it is to live each and everyday to the fullest and take every opportunity to let your loved ones know how much you love and appreciate everything they do!!! Most importantly, we grew spiritually...there were too many things that if changed just a little, the ending to this story would have been different. For instance...as Jamie went to the crash site the next morning, someone living close came out and told them she was the 4th person to wreck in that area and the only one to walk away from it. To me that says it all!!!

This is where she hit the pole and started heading off the road

This is the big ditch they landed in and slid on their side for what she says seemed forever

Close-up of the ditch

You can see her tire trail coming off the side of the hill...and believe me when I say these pictures don't do justice in showing how steep this hillside is. You have to see it in person...there were many people, even the cops shaking their head in ahh as to how they didn't roll.

This is what's left of the truck...

This is Jamie the next day gathering personal items from the truck...what a trooper!!!

Love you Jamie, Daxton, Kanyon and Saylor!

Favorite Phone Pics

So I've had my cell phone for almost 2 years now and just barely figuring out how to actually get the pictures off of it...I know...get with the times...right!!! Here are some of my favorites...enjoy! Grandpa gives the best 4-wheeler rides...Thanks grandpa!

Monster Jam...SLC!!! Had a blast!

Rylie loves to swing! This is at a family reunion...Erik's Aunt purchased a special swing to make this possible for both Bryson and Rylie!

Just minutes after baby Kynlee was born!

wow...was she really that tiny?

Bryson and Rylie still agree with this shirt! It says it all on how they feel about her.

Baby Kynlee taking a nap with cousin Shakobe...

They love playing and spending time together. Kyn is so fascinated by him!

Shakobe decided he wanted to take a turn at holding Kyn. Remember Kynlee's 2 weeks older then him... but looking at them, you'd never know :)

loves her green beans!!

This is how I found her one morning...guess she wanted to play peek-a-boo!

Fun times!!!

Smiles!

I love Smiles!!! This past month my little Kynlee has really taken it on. She even giggles a little, which of coarse makes us smile a giggle back. So with her smiling and all of us smiling and giggling back...what does that equal... A Carpenter home full of smiles and happiness!!!

We tried to catch some of these cute/fun times on camera...but for some reason, as soon as the camera goes up, Kynlee gives you a look of "What is that weird thing you have pointed at ME"!! So we did our best...

Loves cuddle time!!!

Ok...so this was not planned. In fact I didn't even notice them both making the same face until afterwards when I was looking through pictures...so cute!!!

So Erik is trying to teach her how to stay/get out of debt...starting a little young I'd say, but she seemed very interested!! :)

Cuddle time with big sister

Smiles are Wonderful!!!

Kynlee's Blessing Day (June 5th)

Our sweet Kynlee Elizabeth Carpenter was blessed on June 5th, 2011. What a special day! I'm so grateful for all of my wonderful blessings and to my Heavenly Father for allowing another one of his spirits into my home. We are truly blessed.

We were able to share this beautiful day with baby cousin Shakobe which made the day even more special. I've loved being able to share this wonderful 9 month journey with my baby sister.

After the meeting we were able to enjoy each others company while filling our tummies down at the park. Thanks to all those who helped with the luncheon!!! It was delicious!!!

Having a new little baby in our home has been so much fun. I'm loving every minute of her. Every morning as I look down at my baby Kynlee, I smile and my heart is filled with complete happiness!!! Still feeling a little disbelief that she is mine.

I love all my kids so much and so thankful they are in my life!!!

Baby Kynlee

Our sweet little bundle of joy finally joined our family on Easter Sunday (April 24th) at 9:18 pm weighing in at 5# 9oz and 19 in. long!!! What a wonderful day!

Contractions started the night before but settled down around 4:00 am allowing me to sleep for a few hours. I then got up around 7:00am to start Sunday preparations... the contractions started again. I was in a little denial that this was the real thing...you see, sweet little Kynlee had teased me throughout most of the pregnancy. I had contractions all the time...the only difference this time was the consistency and timing. But even with that I didn't want to get my hopes up. Off to sacrament meeting we went...and the contractions didn't stop. All through the meeting they continued...3 - 5 minutes apart...is this the real thing...no...they aren't getting stronger, this is just one of Kynlee's little tricks. So I thought!!!

After Sacrament meeting we ran out to my parents house to attend their meeting along with some of my siblings and their families...contractions continued...getting a little harder and some were two minutes apart. Now the anxiety set in...this may be the real thing...

I was determined to get through the Easter fun with the kids before letting myself believe this may be real. We had dinner then an Easter egg hunt...the kids had a great time!
Around 4:30 we decided to head home, let me rest, and then make a decision on going to the hospital or not...around 5:30 I wasn't able to talk through the contractions anymore so we called in those that could help administer a blessing and began that drive to the hospital. I left two little smiling faces at home that would wait anxiously by the phone for the ok to come join us.

At the hospital I was only dilated to a 3...I had to show progression of labor while there to get my epidural...and boy did I ever!!! They said they would come check again in an hour, but after only 45 minutes and contractions right on top of each other I had Erik run get them to see if I had progressed. Ummmm....ya...I sure had!! Now to an 8 and people scrambling everywhere. Had to call the anesthesiologist from home and my worst nightmare was coming true...would I miss the epidural completely and have to go without??? Not if I can help it...and thank goodness my body listened to me!!! Because my water did not break on it's own it held things a little longer. I got the epidural and little Kynlee was born about 1/2 hour later.

I cannot express the joy of looking at this little miracle, hearing her first cry and seeing these little arms and legs moving about...instead of asking if she's got all 10 fingers and toes...we were asking "how is her muscle tone"!!! To have the nurse look at us with a smile and say "her muscle tone looks great"... I can't express the feelings...just pure happiness!!! Not that the joy and happiness would be any different with a different outcome...but a relief that another one of our sweet children wouldn't have to deal with the day to day challenges and health issues that comes with muscular dystrophy.

Kynlee joining our family has been nothing but pure joy!!! We all adore her and can't get enough of her. The love and happiness I feel inside is hard to express in words...all I can say is this was truly a miracle and we have been blessed greatly!!!

Being a mom is the most wonderful role I could ever ask for!!!