{Stomach Flu}

Our family has had its share of the stomach flu this past month. I get exhausted just thinking about it again. The endless laundry, the scrubbing carpets clean, the following my kids around constantly with a bowl "just in case". Ugh! I am happy to say we have had two days in the puke free zone. J and I were talking last night at how much weight K has lost (I wasn't that lucky). She feels a lot lighter and her chub is gone. I miss her chubby legs. It's great to see all my kids laughing and playing again. You don't realize how wonderful the chaotic noise of children in your home is until it's quiet with little sickies.
In between the sickies, we were able to take a couple days and get away to an indoor water park hotel. It was great! We had a blast with all the water fun. I will post pictures soon. I am having trouble with the red eye editing right now. Soon, I will find the patience to try again.

{Field Trip}

E had a field trip this week to "fair school". They learned all about farm animals and growing fruits & vegetables. He was able to see brand new baby chicks and even one that was just pecking out of its shell. He was able to pet rabbits and run around with the goats. It was a lot of fun.

Another very exciting thing about this field trip was that he was able to ride the bus. He always wants me to let him ride the bus, but I am just not ready for him to. (Yes, I'm one of those Moms.)

I am so happy I was able to go on this field trip with him. Thanks Granny and Papa for watching the girls.

{11 months}

K will be 11 months old on Monday. I can't believe how time is FLYING by. As her first birthday is fast approaching, I have been reflecting on these past amazing 11 months. What a journey it has been.

Some of you know our little K was born with a hole in her heart. The first week of her life we were left wondering how this would affect her and what the future would hold for her. Then, miraculously, the hole in her heart closed, and besides a slight murmur, no one would even know it once existed.

Then she went through that three month phase of congestion where she couldn't breath easily if we laid her down. She spent most of her time in the baby carrier and thankfully loved it. J took some teasing from some of the guys in the EQ for always wearing K in the carrier at church...but it was such a nice break for me. It wasn't until we took her to a Craniologist, who adjusted her skull, that she was finally able to sleep (six hours that night!).

Then there was the first giggle... it came when E did something silly. And the first smile that melted all our hearts. Then, those first two teeth...they were painful. Oh, and we can't forget the time I gave her food poisoning by ignorantly feeding her old butternut squash. That beautiful, fall-orange color will never look the same to me after that experience.

We've had 11 months full of firsts, some of which put a smile on our face and some that required some Tylenol (for me too!)

Words cannot even describe how much our family loves K. E adores her; L is thrilled to have a real-life baby-doll to dress; J melts every time K smiles at him; and I...well, I think she is perfect, of coarse.

{Can You Hear Me Now?}

As a mother, I often feel that my words fall on deaf ears. Sometimes I wonder if my children listen to anything I say besides, "Come eat" or "What game should we play?" However, this past week has taught me that my kids DO listen...and not just to me.

The first validating moment came on Sunday, during Sacrament meeting. After the sacrament prayer was said, E opened his eyes and looked at J and I with a strange look on his face. He said, "Huh? That's weird. Usually we have the bread prayer first." J and I looked at each other and wondered if they really did the water prayer first. We couldn't recall. Now the boys were in the congregation passing the bread, so we figured E just misheard. A few seconds later the boys were called back to re-say the prayer, because E was in fact right... they said the water prayer first. He listened!! I was so happy he was paying attention and very humbled ....seriously, what was I thinking about that I didn't pick up on it too?

Then, yesterday E and I were having a talk about faith and he wanted to know what it is. I told him faith is believing in something that is true that we cannot see. I gave him some biblical examples of people using faith. One of my examples was when the brother of Jared asked the Lord to turn the stones into light so they could see in the boats as they crossed the ocean. Only, in my example, I accidentally said it was Nephi, not the brother of Jared. E immediately corrected me and did so without hesitation. I loved it!! I love that he listens and retains the information.

And so, the lesson I learned this week is that my kids do hear me...I hope I can always give them good things to listen to.