Nate's poem for his Faith in God

Poor Joseph Smith, he was confused,

He didn’t know what church to choose!

He read the scriptures by his bed.

He looked real closely and it said,

If you need knowledge, ask Heavenly Father.

Just go and do it! He won’t be bothered.

So he went to the forest and he prayed,

And saw two Men and one of them said,

“Here is my son, he’ll know what to do.”

He said, “None of the churches are right for you.

Go to the mountain, pick up the stone,

Pull out the plates and then bring them home.

Read them, then write them,

And then next step, type them.

Put them in books and bring them around,

Sell it to all of the people in town.”

So Joseph did as he was told,

And wrote the book and on the front, in gold,

It said the title of the book,

The Book of Mormon, go and look!

So now we have the book today.

Let’s celebrate! Hooray! Hooray!

Weekly Update 4-30-2012

Beautiful flowers from a beautiful friend

 Crazy kid!

 Getting ready for the race the night before

 My fun runners

 The 5k runners

Michael couldn't wait to race with the cow! 

 On your mark...

Boys with their "Piston Cups". 

 After we found Nate, he was just too quick!

 My 3rd place runner!

 Silly Head!

 John loves to work in his yard!

 Caught in the act. I hate when he "trims" the trees, and he knows it!

 Trying to add more storage. The kids are testing it out

 Making rock crystal candy

 Yep, you are being naughty!

 Baby-zilla stricks again!

Eating Mom's salsa and loving it!

We did it! We ran the Thanksgiving Point 5k and Kid Fun Run on Saturday. I was able to run just over a mile before having to walk and then ran off and on. I loved feeling the burn, but my knees were totally killing me by the end. John did great with a time of 31:18 and beat his time from last year, which was his goal for this race. He wants to be able to do a 5k in under 30 min and I am sure he will if he continues to train. We went out to dinner that night and then out for yogurt with our friends, the Ryan’s. Thursday was my Oncology appointment and all went well with that (See previous post). I implemented a “no media week” this last week and it was wonderful for me! The kids didn’t ask once if they could play and I didn’t have to hear fighting about whose turn it was, etc. For Family Night we did our treat on Sunday and made rock crystal candy that will be ready next week (if it works), then Monday Nate read us a poem that he wrote about the first vision to pass off his faith in God award. The boys then went to the Garden again to run around and get tired before coming back home to bed. We did our “Cheer you on” before the lesson and again Jakey loved it!

Connor – Connor did amazing in the 5K. His time was 27:40, pretty impressive if you ask me. We lost him right at the beginning and didn’t even get to start with him. He was pretty tired after and very sore. Connor was nice enough to start the Kids Fun Run race with Michael until John could catch up with Jake in the stroller. Connor just came up with his tooth in his hand. Connor has lost 17 teeth now and has only pulled out 2 on his own. Yep, I have pulled 7 and the dentist has pulled 8. Connor was not happy about the no media week, but I do think he enjoyed jumping on the tramp and hanging out with his brothers a little more than he would have, had he had media.

Nathan – Totally impressed with Nate at the Race. He chose to do the Fun Run (because it was cheaper, he is my little financially thoughtful boy, sometimes to a fault) and got 3^rd place in his age group! Nate got a trophy and a metal! Nathan has a biography report to do at school. It is the wax museum project one and he has chosen Jim Hensen. He has spent the last few weeks reading about him, making puppets and getting things ready for his report that is due later next month.

Matthew – Matt did great at the race and ran right along with Michael, John and Jake. They came in just over 15min, about 5 minutes after Nathan. Matt has been going to his friend Owen’s to play this week and has been practicing soccer with him. He spends a lot of time outside and is really starting to get a nice little tan.

Michael – My little racer! He ran the whole time and if there would have been an award for the 3 year olds, he would have gotten 1^st place! Unfortunately, he was in the 6 and under bracket and came in 42. Michael was so happy to get a metal, and he called it his Piston Cup! Later that night Michael told me that he needed medicine because his body hurt all over. I knew exactly how he was feeling! Michael has been asking all week about when he gets to play with the girls again (Hallee and Addie). Michael played with Keaton as much as he could this week and we even got to eat dinner with their family twice this week, once at their house and again at ours on Sunday.

Jacob – This crazy kid is so busy all the time. He loves to go down the stairs, sneak the remote or phone and push the buttons and empty the recycle bin. He still likes to sit on stuff and is now climbing onto things to sit on, like toys and boxes. He likes to watch “Signing time” and has picked up baby, all done, and of course eat! That is his favorite and will run over to the cabinet where we keep his food and sign “eat”. We found out on Sunday that Jacob loves mom’s salsa. I will have to make a double batch from now on so we can all get what we want of it! Jacob is getting very smart and will fold his arms when we say it’s time for a prayer and if I say it’s time to say nigh night everybody, he will go to the shelf that we keep the pacifiers and reach for one. He will then walk to his room, get his blanket if he can and wave. Love that kid. This is one of my favorite ages and I look forward to feeling better soon so that I can enjoy it more.

I am going in for a blood transfusion this Wednesday. I am hopeful that I can get feeling better very soon. This illness has really put a strain on my family and marriage lately and I really need to get back on my feet before everyone gives up on me completely.

Oncology report

Thursday was a scary day. It actually started Wednesday when it really sunk in that I was going to see a Cancer doctor! I had no idea that an Oncologist was a cancer specialist until Tuesday night, ugh! I tried to keep busy all day, but friends and family would call and tell me that they were thinking and praying for me and that would set me off. I am so grateful for the love and support that I have had through all these months of tests and doctor visits. I have amazing friends that help with my kids and don't let me feel like I am putting them out, though I feel horrible guilt about it.
The time to leave came and I found myself a little numb. I shouldn't admit to this but I put my foot on the gas as I was getting on the freeway and got the van to go 100mph.  I wasn't going to hurt myself or anyine else, it was just on the onramp and I slowed back down right away. I think I was just feeling so alone and wished that I someone was there to tell me that everything was going to be okay. It was even harder when I drove to the hospital and had to enter in through the "Cancer Center" doors. There I was relatively young and looking healthy, walking in by myself and seeing the word "cancer" everywhere! I saw people that looked very sick, with family by their side and wished I had someone with me too.
I finished the paper work and sat and waited. They called me back and drew blood, asked questions and took me to my room. On the way I could see a larger area with lounge chairs and patients getting treatments. More waiting and then the doctor came in to go over my labs that I had brought and the ones that had just got taken. As he went over everything, gave me an exam and we spoke about the last few months, he determined that there was no real cause for concern, mentioned that the Gilbert's syndrome was probably the cause for the bilirubin issues and that the blood issues are probably a chronic anemia and that there is no cure for. Dr. Bott also said that there is usually a chronic illness that causes the chronic anemia, but he can't see anything in my labs. I asked him about the breathing problems and he said it was probably just anxiety. (I don't know WHY I would be anxious about anything...!) He said he wanted to see me in a month and sent me from more blood work. Yes, of course I am thrilled that I don't have anything scary like cancer, but I still left frustrated that there is no cure for what I am dealing with. The doctor said that I will probably just have to rest more than others and feel more tired than others. Not such a good answer for a mother of 5 boys!
I got a call Friday from doctor Bott's office. The remainder of the test had come back and everything that should be negative, was negative, so that was great! We ran our race Saturday morning and it felt so good to be active again. I look forward to doing more things now that I know I will not be damaging my body in anyway. I am going to be more conscious of the things I eat and the amount of sleep I get. I need to just figure out how to deal with the body that I have been given and do the best I can with it.

I told the kids tonight about the Oncologist. I didn't want to scare them, but just let them know how grateful I am for their love and prays and that everything was going to be okay. I also didn't want them to hear it from anyone else that I had been to a cancer center and freak them out! I told them about all the amazing support that we have been receiving and Nathan said, "So many people have been so nice to us." I could not agree more. I don't know how people that are not members of the LDS faith get through things like this. We have had so many prayers, meals, kids watched, flowers, treats, and countless other blessing. I wanted my kids to know that the service that I have done for others has come back to bless us in out time of need and wanted to encourage them to continue to serve others.
I am grateful for my great family and amazing friends that have stood by me and loved me no mater the circumstance. I look forward to being able to serve others with love and compassion as I have been served.

Belated Easter Sunday pics

Weekly Update 4-23-2012

We had another crazy fun week. Pinewood derby, more doctor appointments for me, fun with friends, Soccer game, birthday party, Fireside, date night at Walmart, and family night at Thanksgiving point gardens.

Connor – Connor has been my number one helper through all that I have been going through. Not that the other boys haven’t been helpful, but Connor has really stepped up and tends the kids, gets them to bed and takes care of thing (including me) when he is asked and even when he’s not. He is enjoying the jumping and climbing that he does every chance he gets. Connor told me a few things he is struggling with right now and I hope that John and I can be a better example to him and what he needs.

Nathan – The Pinewood Derby was Wednesday and again it ended in tears. Nathan’s car didn’t even make it over the finish line. He was devastated and had to be consoled several times. (I hate the pinewood derby.)

Matthew – Matt got to go to Zach’s Birthday party on Saturday and had a great time with his friends. He also had a soccer game on Saturday, and after John told him he would give him a dollar if he would kick the ball, Matthew looked like he finally woke up and even kicked the ball. Twice!   

Michael – Today I got to take Peter Pan to the doctor, the hospital and even Thanksgiving Point Garden. Michael loved all the attention he was getting in the costume and even felt let down when someone didn’t mention that he was Peter Pan! Michael has so much fun at the Gardens tonight playing with Hallie and Addie Ryan, our pediatrician’s kids. He even said after we got home, that he wanted to “…go on a ride at Disneyland with him, cuz he’s my doctor.” He wants to go on Haunted Mansion with him. Too funny. He just might change his mind next time we go in and he has to get a shot. haha

Jacob – This little monkey had a fun day today too. Michael wanted him dressed up as well so Jacob got to be Eeyore. Jacob spent most of the day in the stroller at the doctor, hospital and garden. He did get out and sit on the grass with Mike and Meg while I did cartwheels and front and back walk overs with Hallie. Jakey got his finger smashed in the big heaven door at the deli and luckily we brought out doctor with us to look at it. Haha It was fine, just sore. Jacob has gotten to be such a good little walker and runner. He loves to run up to the stand at church and have Connor or I chase after him. I was exhausted after church!! Jacob has also learned to go down the stairs. Life just got a little harder for all of us!Jacob loves to be outside and rode the lion bike around the whole block last Friday.

Well, I have been to the doctor once more and the Hospital twice. Last weekend I had an ultrasound at Timpanogos Hospital to check my stomach for anything out of the ordinary. They found a cyst and a large vein wrapped around my uterus that they will not do anything with until it is really causing pain. The blood tests show that my thyroid is normal but my WBC, RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit are now all low. I have an appointment with an oncologist this Thursday and we will discuss the upcoming bone marrow biopsy. I went into the doctor today because I have been having difficulty breathing. That is when they sent me back to the hospital for a blood test to see if I had any blood clots, which came back negative. So I was given a steroid and inhaler to help with it. I will pick it up tomorrow.
Our home teacher came on Sunday and I asked if he would help John give me a blessing. I am so grateful for the priesthood in my life.
I finally got to pick up my dress that I ordered from Thistles (my new favorite store) and got to have our Easter Sunday picture on the porch. I missed last week and Easter Sunday was fast offerings so Connor didn’t get home until after everyone had changed. I love the picture so much that I made it into my new debit card.
Someone stool our credit card and charged over $600 on it. John is trying to get it resolved, but it is so frustrating and I don’t know how it happened. I have the card so it has to be someone that copied it or stole it from some site. Ugh! As if we need one more thing to deal with right now.
John went to the Doctor today to have a physical and get his thyroid checked. He had given the diagnoses a few years back that he has a thyroid issue and has not followed through with treatment, so along with me this year, John is going to get his health in order and we are all going to be better for it.

Derby Day

Going down?

Outside fun!

Dressing up!

Health Update

4-21-2012 Well, I got the results back from my most recent Doctor visit with Dr. Egan. I had them do a CBC, bilirubin, Thyroid, antibody and cortisol test. Those all came back normal, but my hematocrit was again low. I also had an ultrasound on my stomach and they found a left ovarian cyst and a large varicose vein wrapped around my uterus. I thought for sure that the problem was going to turn out to be my thyroid and when it came back normal, I didn’t know what to think. I am so frustrated of not knowing what is wrong with me and why I can’t just get better. It has been 5 months of fatigue, weakness, and pain. I am too young to feel this old! I will have to go to the hematologist and get a bone marrow biopsy, which sounds absolutely miserable! Hopefully they can just sedate me and I can have a nice little nap like the other tests. I also will be following up with my OB to see what she thinks we need to do about the cyst and vein. Good times!

Weekly update 4-17-2012

Spring Break just about did me in this year! I figured we needed to have some fun so on Wednesday my niece Natalie and her son Dax came and spent the night. After she attended a short meeting we went to the Living planet Aquarium with the rest of Utah County. It really was fun and I am so grateful that Natalie thought to ask if she could stay with us. That night I had 3 of the Duggars come out to sleep over and spend some time with the kids. After the kids stayed up past midnight (Jacob woke up screaming a few times too), Michael flooded the basement bathroom and the kids continued to fight, I decided that the “play date” needed to end an hour earlier. I don’t think I was quite ready to have that much commotion after having the kids home all week. I ended up relaxing with a little retail therapy. When I returned home Jacob was still acting pretty sick and I thought for sure he had an ear infection. Took him to the doctor only to find out it was just the flu. Ugh! John and I went to dinner with the Ehat’s and had a great time. Saturday was my quilt class and then a 31 event. I was texting a friend on the way home, pulling over every few minutes (I don’t text and drive) and just started crying. Then I started bawling! I could not stop and started hyperventilating (because I could not get a good deep breath) and just about passed out! I had no idea why I was such a mess and cried off and on the rest of the night. I think I have just been keeping everything in for so long, tried to be “fun Mom” for my kids and didn’t do such a great job at that, and just couldn’t keep it together. Sunday, after getting ready and being able to listen to Connor’s blessing, I stayed home with Jakey while John took the boys to church and got some need rest. Monday’s family night activity was going to Thanksgiving Garden for the Tulip Festival and rolling down the big hill. Matt brought his soccer ball that we kicked around a little too. Connor – Connor had a pretty neat Sunday. He got his Patriarchal Blessing. John and I were able to attend and listen to the amazing promises that he was given, if he continues down the path that he is taking. He is such an amazing boy and is growing into a fantastic young man. We gave him an Old Spice gift set so that he can now smell like a man too. That was the silly gift. We gave him a CTR ring to remember the amazing month that he has had with becoming a teacher and getting his blessing. Connor has gotten some great responses on his latest YouTube video “Doritos fixes everything” and that makes him very happy. Connor has been a great sitter for his brothers this past week and I really appreciate all that he does for me and all of us! Nathan – So the song by Cake came on the radio tonight that says, "I want a girl with a short skirt and a long jacket." Nate then says, "I want a pretty girl." I love that kid! Nate preformed in the Hope of America in Provo. He did a great job and it was fun to be able to sit and actually watch the whole thing. It was just John, Matthew and I, and Connor stayed home to tend Michael and Jake. Nate spent Spring break sleeping in and watching movies in his room. We found a video that he had made back at Christmas time of him lip syncing to “Once there was a snowman”. We about wet our pants watching it and ended up posting it on YouTube so Nana and Papa could see it too. John and Nathan have been working on his Pinewood Derby car and we get to see it race tomorrow! Matthew – Tuesday Matthew took his turn being sick and was throwing up, spending time on the bathroom floor and in front of one of the little TV’s watching Harry Potter. It was over by the end of the day and we were able to get on with our holiday. Matthew was cute, wanting to go to the Hope of America with us. The program had not even started and he was already asking if it was over. After they sang a song about the meaning of the Red, White and Blue, Matt leaned over and said, “I wonder why they chose the colors red, white and blue for the flag.” To which I replied, “Matthew, they just sang a whole song about it!” Michael – I love when kids say words wrong. When Michael wants dessert, he will ask if he can have “rassert” and when he wants to play computer, it’s the “raputer”. Michael was a mess last week with the boys home all the time. He wanted them to play with him and when they didn’t want to, he would throw a fit! Michael’s best friend was gone all week so there was no chance for a break even from him! Friday morning Michael flooded another toilet. This time it was the basement and it was about an inch deep! I was not happy. Luckily he is doing a lot better after I gave him the “squirt up the bum” stuff and liquid stool softener. Monday he did get to play with Keaton and even got to go to Keaton’s Great-Grandma’s and ride “4 liller” (4 wheelers). Jacob –Poor Jakey was waking up screaming from naps, at night, and so I thought for sure he was sick with an ear infection. I had talked to my friend Jami whose son was having the same symptoms and took him into our doctor only to find out his ears were fine and it was just the flu that my kids had had. Well, how dumb did I feel when I went in at the end of the week, only to find out that it was what Lincoln had! Ugh! I just love paying $25 to find out that my kids will be fine after a few days. Jacob is so funny. He is learning to sign and will sign eat or food all day long. He will run to the pantry if anyone leaves it open and bring me any container that he can’t get open. I found him digging into the raisins the other day and he just sat there eating them on the stool like it was a table. Spring Break!

My cute great-Nephew Dax

Living Planet Aquarium

Matt reading to Jake

Snack Time

Michael and Keaton at Grandma Scott's

Connor is ready to smell like a man

Rollong down and running up the hill at Thanksgiving Point

John showing Nathan how to roll

Connor sitting and reading his blessing aafter it came in the mail

Hope of America

My hopeless American

Ice Cream at Sub Zero after Hope of America