A special date with Carter

Carter and I had such a fun weekend together! I have had tickets for Wicked for almost a year and I though since everyone in the family had seen it besides Carter, well, it was his turn! We had listened to the soundtrack for months and I had told him the storyline and he was ready! He was so excited (as was I!) I think this was my 7th time seeing the play ( I know, don't hate me) and it just gets better and better each and every time I see it! Well, the show surely did not disappoint. Man, I left the theater in awe of all the actors and actresses. How I would love to be able to dance and sing the way they do. All in all, it was a fabulous night. I surely enjoyed spending it with Carter. He is my little buddy and I love him dearly!!

Where did the time go?

...and what happened to my little boy?



That was then, and this is now......



WOW! Just WOW is all I have to say right now. It makes my heart hurt a little. They grow way to fast.

Anyone want to play?

So, here's how this game works-the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (or be lazy and copy and paste like I did). Then come back, let me know you're going to play and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift!
Won't this be fun?

Happy Birthday Gabe!!!

I cannot believe this post is already here! My baby is 1 year old today! Time really does fly so fast. I love this little bundle, and by little, I really mean LITTLE! Weighing in at 15 pounds, he is one small peanut! But that doesn't stop him. Man, is he fast! He isn't walking yet (thank goodness) he crawls and gets into all sorts of mischief! He is the hugest cuddle bug, gives lots of slobbery kisses, knows where your nose, eyes and mouth are if you ask him, says momma, dada, hi dad, claps his hands, waves goodbye and lights up if any one of his family members walks into the room. He especially loves his big brothers to no end. Gabe, we love you SO much! You bring us more joy than one could ever imagine! Your infectious smile gets to ones heart and melts it into mush! We all LOVE you and so glad you chose to come to our crazy family! Happy birthday skunk monkey!! We LOVE you to pieces!!

My Brother is engaged!!

And we are all thrilled! Blythe is simply wonderful and I am so grateful they found each other. They bring out the best in each other and truly are best friends. I have such a special relationship with all of my siblings and I want nothing but the best for all of them. Blythe truly is a remarkable woman and I thank her for taking such great care of my brother! I know this is the first of many posts to come with all of the wedding details. Stay tuned for updates! Congrats you two!

Gabe's Surgery Day

Last Monday, Feb 2nd, Gabe went in for minor surgery. For those of you who don't know or hadn't noticed, he was born with an ear tag on the right side of his ear. The medical term for this is Accesory Tragus. He also had to have a revision circumsision (poor baby) and they were able to do both at the same time. I am so grateful for modern medicine and for capable doctors who I trusted my precious baby with. They were amazing and really took care of us all. For those of you who want to read on, please do so, but you've been warned... it's long!

The hospital called us the Friday before surgery to give us the "low down" and tell us when to check in. His surgery was set for 2:30 in the afternoon! We were to check in at 1:00. He wasn't able to eat any solid foods past midnight and just clear liqueds until 11:30. Not a single drop after 11:30. My poor baby couldn't even drink water! I was so nervous all day, but he really was a trooper and was so happy all day. He slept in until 9:00 (that NEVER happens), I nursed him and gave him a sippy cup of juice for breakfast. We headed up to Primary Childrens at 11:45. He slept the entire way there and made not one peep! Once we were there, we was so preocupied with all of the fish tanks, trains, toys, doctors, nurses and kids that it kept his mind (and mine) off of food. The doctor was running late (and hour to be exact) and they finally took him back at 3:45. When I handed him off the the anesthesiologist, I was expecting him to burst into tears (or at least me). But, he amazed me ( and I amazed myself) once again and made not one peep! They even told me he didn't make a sound while putting the mask on him! That's my boy!
Dr. Morales paged us 15 minutes later and told us they were done with the ear tag part. Now onto the revision. That took a little longer, about 30 minutes or so. Dr. Wallis came in and told us the revision went well and we could see him once he had woken up. After 1 hr, I was able to see him. I could hear him crying from down the hall. It took everything I had to not RUN down and grab him, I just walked VERY fast and scooped him up from the nurses arms and held my baby. They explained to me that he had woken up so soon after surgery that he didn't get enough time to let the anethesia ware off, that's why he was so upset. After a little cuddle time with mom (and a little morphine for the pain- again, LOVE modern medicine) he was fast asleep. We were wheeled into recovery and were released about an hour or so after he had something to eat. It was a day of mixed emotions for me. One, I am so grateful that he is healthy and this surgery was minor. It is so sureal to go up to Primary Childrens and see all of the sick kids and know that my kids are healthy. Two, I am so grateful for doctors and nurses who took such great care of Gabe (and me ) during the procedure. All of the nurses and hospital staff were amazing and really made me feel like I was the only one who's child was having surgery that day.

Gabe is doing great. His recovery is going so smooth, it is really hard to believe he has had surgery (until I look at his scars and realize just how swollen and bruised he is). To me, he looks so different. For 10 months, I have seen him with an ear tag and after 15 minutes, it is gone. McKay and Carter couldn't even tell, they just wanted him home and missed him dearly all day. I should mention that I have the most AMAZING mom EVER! She flew up here and helped out with McKay and Carter all day on Monday. Not to mention she took care of EVERY meal the entire week. Ya, I know, I am spoiled rotten! I cannot think of one event in my life, big or small, where my mom hasn't been there for me. I love you so much, mom. Thanks for being YOU!

Happy as a clam- playing while mom was checking in





Me and Gabe before surgery


Right after surgery



I do have a before shot of his ear, but it was taken with my mom's camera. I'll have to post those later. Thanks to everyone for their prayers. They were truly felt.

Why God Made Mom's

This was too perfect not to share. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.


Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:


Why did God make mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.

2. Mostly to clean the house.

3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.

2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.

3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.

2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. We're related.

2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?

1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.

2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.

3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1. His last name.

2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?

3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot.

2. She got too old to do anything else with him.

3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.

2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.

3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?

1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.

2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.

3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.

4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.

2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.

2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.

2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.

3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.