Never Forget November 2008 - part one

WOW how time flies! It is already December and I didn't post one thing in the month of November...not that November wasn't memorable and exciting, just that there was almost too much going on to stop and blog anything! The truth is I value my sleep sadly more than I do blogging! The following is part one of a very long recap mostly for keeping up on my family history:) not that you can't read it, but most of you already know this anyway! The pictures are cute anyway! Happy reading!

Hannah's Adventure!

November 2nd started out fabulously! The kids and I (Marc was out of town) went to a baby blessing and had a fabulous time! Hannah had been complaining of her stomach hurting the day before but didn't seem to change her appetite or activity level so I didn't pay much attention to it. As we hung out with my family after the blessing her stomach started hurting a lot more and by the time we left, she was in tears! On the way home, I kept thinking that this sounds so much like the symptoms I had when my appendix was taken out! Then the other voice in my head (yes, I have more than one...don't you?) said that I was over reacting and she probably just had a flu bug! For the next few hours she continued to get worse and then mentioned a symptom that made me think it was a bladder infection - which would explain all the other symptoms. I told her I would make an appointment first thing in the morning. A few minutes later, she tried to get up and walk and was unable to. I have never seen her in so much pain! Hannah tends to be a drama queen but this was beyond anything that I had seen! I finally called the pediatrician and he said to take her in to the ER.

We got to the American Fork ER around 7:00 p.m. and they took us right in and got started on tests - the first one ruled out a bladder infection. The Dr. was pretty sure after examining her that it was her appendix. He ordered a CT scan and a complete blood work up to be sure. Everything happened so fast - people pushing papers at me to sign, (I actually told one of the nurses that I could've signed away my car, house and everything I owned since I'd never signed so many papers in such a short time - good thing they are honest!) Even the tests and the test results were fast! I mentioned off hand to the Dr. that I didn't think ER's actually moved this fast! Since my previous experience was anything but fast! He smiled vaguely and simply said "We move fast when we need to!" It was then that I realized that it really was serious! If we didn't get Hannah into surgery fast, she could be in trouble! That was a very scary thought to have with out Marc there with me! Right after I met with the surgeon, the anesthesiologist came in to explain to Hannah and I what they were going to do. The surgeon had done a great job of telling Hannah what he was going to do without scaring her, so I thought they would do the same! WRONG! They got very specific and scared the living day lights out of her! She became so worked up that they offered to give her some medicine to calm her down! I rudely replied "Guess she needs it now...doesn't she!" Sorry I wasn't very nice..have to say I was a bit ticked! Shortly after that, the little men in green suits came in to wheel her away to surgery. I asked them to wait about 10-15 minutes while my brother in law and father in law got to the hospital to give her a blessing! It was the one thing she asked for and I wasn't about to let that not happen! They replied that they really needed to get her up to surgery! The momma bear in me kicked in at that point and I told them that unless they could tell me that Hannah was going to die in the next 15 minutes if we didn't get her up to surgery, we would wait until she had her blessing! They said okay, but I could tell they didn't agree! Over those next 15 minutes I have never prayed so hard in all my life - hoping that I had done the right thing! Although, I knew in my heart that the Lord would watch over her while she waited for the comfort of a priesthood blessing! The blessing was given and she was remarkably better! A greater sense of peace seemed to be with her. She was still scared but she didn't feel alone anymore!

The surgery went fine! I called my sister Jeni to come be with me during the surgery and I can't thank her enough for getting up when she was already asleep and coming to be with me! Hannah was kept overnight and had a hard time managing the pain shortly after surgery. With two doses of morphine, we were finally able to get in under control! She was in bed for a few days and restricted from most physical activities for two weeks - which just about killed her as much as the actual surgery! In any case she is doing great now! Too bad I don't have any pictures to share with you! It all happened so fast - I didn't think about all the photo opportunities that this experience would/could offer!

Hailey's Adventure

About a week after Hannah's little escapade; Hailey mentioned that her gum hurt while she was brushing her teeth. Without looking at it I told her it was a canker (she gets them frequently) and not to worry about it. She replied."I don't think so, it is the size of a pea!" I quickly jumped up from dressing Bensen to look at her mouth and sure enough, there was a huge apses on her gums above her top four front teeth! I called out dentist the first thing the next day and they got her in right away! Thank goodness Marc was here by then and was happy to take her - his turn for drama now!

The Dentist, "Uncle Rob" as my kids call him (he is my cousin's brother n law and is always at our family functions) After taking some x-rays he found that her permanent teeth were trying to push her baby teeth out, but because her baby teeth were in so tight, they weren't budging! They in fact had twisted and were now trying to come out above her four front teeth. The apses was created by a small pocket of space that had filled up with bacteria as the teeth rotated and started coming out above her other teeth. Needless to say they had to pull all four of her front baby teeth in hopes that the permanent teeth would then return to their normal position and drop into place.

Hailey was such a trooper! Marc said she was so good, she never cried! Even when Rob gave her the shot! That didn't surprise me really because Hailey is becoming an old hat at this getting teeth pulled by the Dentist thing. All of the teeth she has lost thus far- have been pulled by the Dentist! Her mouth is so small that there is no room for the permanent teeth to come in naturally! Most all of her teeth will have to be pulled by the dentist as well as her jaws widened so that her adult teeth can come in properly. With Hailey's quiet and shy personality I am really grateful for a dentist that she knows, trusts and feels comfortable with - otherwise this could be a very dramatic situation!

Here is Hailey showing off her mouth after they were pulled. She called herself vampire girl! She looks like a super cute vampire girl 'cuz when she talks all you see are her two canine teeth! Now she sings all the time..."all I want for Christmas is my four front teeth, my four front teeth!" She gets a kick out of saying "s" and other explosives letters in the alphabet and laughs like crazy when she can't say them right! I am glad she can laugh about this as we are never sure when we will have to go back in for another round of teeth pulling!

I've Been Tagged!

My sister Melissa tagged me a while ago and I am supposed to list 6 random things about myself. The problem has been trying to think of those random things. Most of what I do is weird and random so how in the world am I going to narrow it down? Well here goes nothing!

1) I eat lunch or dinner things for breakfast. I am not a big breakfast person in the morning. My favorite thing for breakfast is actually a tomato and cheese sandwich on toasted sourdough bread.

2) I feel like a rebel if I don't make my bed. My mom drilled into our heads that before we left for school our beds had to be made. She even came and checked me out of school once because it wasn't made. Needless to say that never happened again!

3) I talk to myself out loud all the time about anything and everything. It has gotten worse since Marc is not around all the time to have some adult conversation; so I carry on both sides of a conversation and sometimes I think my kids think I am really weird! I am surprised that none of my neighbors have called the pros to have me committed!

4) I always read the last page of a book before I start reading it. I have no idea why really other than I can!

5) I almost never follow a recipe when I cook - which has its advantages and disadvantages. It allows me to be creative and in the moment when I am cooking, but the down side is that I almost never can recreate exactly what I made in the first place - a real bummer for my family at times!

6) I got my first (yes there have been a few more since then) speeding ticket just a week after I got my license! It's that talking to myself thing I am sure of it! If I wasn't talking to myself so much I could actually pay attention better! Never fear I have been ticket free for over 6 years and counting!

Well that is as much randomness as I could come up with! Hope you all laughed a little!

My Grandma!

My friend Karin recently (okay a few weeks ago!) tagged me - it's a photo tag. You go to your picture files, choose the 4th file, go to the 4th picture and post it and explain it and then tag 4 people. Since Marc has been home my blogging has declined, but he is off helping a friend with some of her "honey do's" since her husband is in Iraq, so I thought this might be a good time to catch up on some blogging. So here is my picture!

This is my grandma Ellen Coon looking at a picture with Hannah and Hailey, my niece Addison and my nephew Steven. It was Christmas time and they were looking at a picture that Grandma had received. They just love to be around her and that hasn't changed either!

This picture was taken almost four years ago on 12-18-04. Hannah was four, Hailey and Addison were two (almost three) and Steven was eight almost nine. Grandma was 90 in this picture! At the time she was still driving, living on her own, reading a ton and doing cross word puzzles like no one else. She played Canasta on Thursdays, walked at the mall daily, and told the rest of us to keep up!

Grandma just turned 94 in August and is still quick as a whip and as sharp as a tack! She drives less - but still drives, lives with my Aunt, walks most days either at Target or around the neighborhood and still does cross words. She is amazing! She is such a great example of unconditional love and service. She loves without judgment and serves with no thought of reward or recognition! She is genuinely concerned for the well being of others and makes sure to express her love often! I am sure that this is in part, her secret to longevity~ I hope I am half the lady she is when I am that age~ I love you grandma!

I tag Misty, Alision, Jen Mackay, Kim Mackay - can't wait to see what is in your files!

Bensen turns 1 today!

Happy Birthday burgers! You have brought such joy into our lives this past year! Your laugh and smile are contagious just like Hailey's. You are as determined as your older brother! And you have Hannah's ability to snuggle and show love to others. Your are as handsome as your dad and as independent as your mom! The world better look out - with qualities like that, there is not telling what you fabulous things you will do with your life! We celebrated his birthday on Sunday with some of our family. Bensen sure enjoyed his cake, but didn't really have a clue about the present thing. He was actually more interested in the boxes and the wrapping paper. We love you and look forward to the many things you have in store for us!

Resident Artists

I have always known my kids had artistic talents but the past few weeks some of them have more than proved their love for and ability in the "not-so" fine arts.

Braiden, a very rambunctious little guy is very focused here on his finger painting. Although I am not so sure he is that focused on what he is drawing as much as figuring out how to eat as much of this as he can...it is chocolate pudding...his favorite medium!

One night before going to bed I noticed that Hailey had a pencil in her hand and was drawing on her head board. I looked at her from across the room and asked "what are you doing?" At that point I had not really seen her "masterpiece". She looked at me and with a slight hesitation said.."drawing?" I immediately said "you are kidding me right? On your new headboard! (okay so it is a year old - but still) I walked over and saw what she was drawing. To be honest I must say my first thoughts were not the most pleasant ones, however I surprised myself and asked "what are you drawing?" With a grin Hailey said, "It is a picture of me! Do you like it? This way I won't get lonely at night!" I just giggled and told her to go get my camera so that we could take a picture of it before she washed it off. Thank goodness for Magic Erasers!




Bensen is just beginning to take an interest in holding pens and pencils, crayons and draw with them. Most of the time I am close enough to monitor him. Well, not so much this time. I wish I had a video camera because when I found him he was giggling and laughing as he was writing on his little tummy. Not sure if it was because it tickled or because he thought he was doing something he's seen his older siblings do - in any case it was the cutest little laugh!

Let them be little!

I have been reminded recently how vital it is to focus more on my relationships and let some of the other stuff just go! You all know what "other stuff" I am talking about: the dishes, laundry, floors, school stuff, blogging, reading etc - not that these are things aren't also important aspects of our lives that need to be taken care of but they pale in comparison to what really matters most - family relationships!

Four of the most important people in my life can bring me the greatest joys but at times can cause me great frustration and concern. This struggle, I am sure stems I think from my desire to help and guide them to be the individuals that Heavenly Father wants them to become. They have so much potential! I am so blessed to be their mother! However, I think that many times I get way to zealous. I need to just let them be little. In fact I need to be more "little" myself! I need to laugh more with them, be silly and crazy with them, trust and forgive more, read more with them, dream and create more with them, relax more with them, and above all express my deep love and appreciation to them for who they are right now - not for who I see they have the potential to become - but for who they are right now!

What it boils down to is my need to enjoy the journey along with my children instead of always looking towards the final destination. Not that aiming for the final destination is a bad thing, but there is a need to keep both the here and now as well as the future in proper perspective. So hopefully I can strike a better balance and just let my kids be little!

Soccer Time!

Hailey just loves playing soccer! She is learning a ton and is having a ball with her friends. Here are a few of her favorite soccer pictures with her and her friends.

Marc's Adventures

Loads of you keep asking me how Marc is doing on the job. How he likes it, where he is at, what he does, what do the rigs look like - so this post is dedicated to explaining that as best I can. He works for N.O.V. (can't remember what it stands for exactly) - but they just bought out Intelliserv - which from what I know so far will be a good thing. His company provides communication and I think some sort of networking systems (really knowledgeable huh!) that is attached to the drill pipe and will allow the driller to see in real time where they are drilling at as well as all the take all the readings that they need to take while drilling. I'll be sure to make sure that Marc reads this to make sure it is accurate. You will all have to wait until October 2nd when he is scheduled to return. He is currently in Trinidad and is loving life on the rig - apart from being away from his family of course! Here are a few pictures of the rig.

Highlights of Summer

One Monday night we went on a really cool hike up to Battle Creek Falls in Pleasant Grove. It is pretty short hike about 1/2 mile (I think) and really pretty. The kids had a great time taking turns being the "leader". Well okay maybe not such a great time....if Braiden wasn't the leader, he threw a fit! He kept saying, "I am the boy!" "I am supposed to be the leader!" After a few times of trying to argue the point, Hannah and Hailey finally just gave up.

Even though we went during the early evening, it was pretty hot that day on the way up to the falls so by the time we got there, the water from the falls felt really, really good!

On the hike back down, you come around a point and you see the valley below and utah lake. With the sun starting to set at the time we saw it, it was really a beautiful sight. Too bad at that point my memory card was filled - in any case, just imagine the most beautiful sunset you have seen over a valley and then just add a bit of smog and haze and you will have a pretty good idea of what we saw! Just kidding, despite the little bit of haze, it really was a beautiful sight.

On the way up the kids also found a cave "just for kids"! Meaning mom and dad were not allowed to be in the picture. Which if the truth be told, that was okay with me!












Every year our city sponsors a celebration event where they is a ton of activities, games, booths, food, concerts, fireworks etc. It is really pretty cool! This summer they had a rock climbing wall at this city days. When my kids saw it I thought they were going to flip! They all wanted to try it. So they did it and to be truthful I was a bit hesitant, but they impressed me! Nanna and a few of their aunts were they to see them and cheer them on!

The last and probably the most cherished for me is the countless days we either rode our bikes or walked to the park right by our house and just played!

There is nothing quite like being silly with your kids. I think the funniest part of it is actually seeing the look on your children's faces when you are silly. It's like they are surprised that grown-ups can do that.

Freaky Fridays

On Fridays after school, we have "Freaky Fridays" which means we have an adventure of some sort. We have gone to museums, BYU creamery, bowling, movies, farm country, farmers market, hiking etc - the main goal is to get out of the house and spend time as a family. Since the girls get out at 12:30 p.m. we pretty much have the entire day to play. It is really nice! These are pictures of a recent trip to good 'ole Chuckie Cheese where we had not so great pizza but had a blast with the kids! All caged up and nowhere to go - Oh darn!~

Here we are...again!

Well it seems that blogging was a bit more difficult than I first expected! Well actually it took more time than I first expected. It doesn't blog by itself..darn it! At a friends gentle prodding (thanks Karen) I have set a goal to blog every Monday night after the kids go to bed. This way when Marc is out of town he can know and see what we have been up to.

Speaking of Marc, loves his job! He is currently in Trinidad, a welcome switch from Mexico where he has traveled the last few times. Not that he didn't love Mexico, but change for Marc is always welcomed!

Hannah and Hailey are well into the swing of things at school. Hannah is really enjoying 3rd grade. She is becoming obsessed with reading! (not that I mind) If her head is not in a book than she is practicing the piano, going to dance practice or playing with her many friends! Hailey is loving 1st grade! She loves her teacher and is a wiz at spelling. She is doing really well at soccer where she frequently plays goalie. She loves that she can block a shot or two each game! Her uncle Bryan would be so proud!

Braiden is well Braiden! He is the sweetest 3 year old little boy! He is a great helper his little brother. He has just started pre-school (Joyschool) and before the other kids came to our house; he said,"Mom, I am really nervous for my friends to come over. I want them to like our house" I assured him that everyone would have a great time! A little later that day when the kids had left, I asked him if he had a great time. He said "sure did!" Then he asked, "mom, how did you learn to teach so well?" (I have to admit that made my day!) I told him I have had lots of practice." to which he replied "oh, that's all? Then I am going to practice then so I can teach better than you!" I smiled as he ran off and thought to myself...good for you...you go little man!

Bensen is almost one! He will be one in exactly one month! I am not ready for this! He is my baby! He is walking and trying to talk. He is so dang cute I just want to squeeze him all the time! The other day when Marc and I were watching TV, Bensen picked up the remote and put it to his ear and said over and over again, "hello". It was the cutest thing. Of course neither one of us thought to go grab the camera to take a picture of that, hopefully it will happen again.


This blogging thing is a bit contagious! I may have to do this more often!

Welcome to my Blog!

I am so excited that I have a blog! I have needed a hobby for quite awhile. Since I am always at my computer I figured that this would be a great way to keep our friends and family posted with what is going in our family! I am still learning the ins and outs of blogging - but I recently mastered "texting" on my cell phone, so this can't be that much harder...could it?