Baby Animal Days

I took the kids to baby animal days in Logan the first week of April.  

Lindsey, Avery, Ella, and Grandpa Bowen came with us.

THEY LOVED IT!

 Kaebrie and Avery have a very special bond.  

Avery is such a sweet little thing and we absolutely LOVE her!  

They got to write with a feather dipped in ink.

 They saw all the cute little baby farm animals.  Kaebrie kept asking about a goat pig!  She is hilarious.

We had a very fun time with family and enjoying the cute animals...

Time for Change...

Today has been an emotional day.  One of reflection and excitement for our next journey.  

We are going to move in July, again...

We found the perfect house in the perfect neighborhood to rent until our credit allows us to purchase.  

Jeff and I knew this was the right thing for us the second we went into the home.  The home owners had money down from another couple when we went to look at it, and they had another couple offer $500 more a month. 

Needless to say, we thought there was no way possible that we were going to be able to move there.  Heavenly Father had other plans for us. 

After we prayed and fasted about it, we signed a three year lease. Thus, we will be embarking on yet another journey in a new ward family and neighborhood!

I AM TRULY MORE EXCITED THAN EVER...

I am still trying to sort through my feelings and figure out why I am more excited about this move than moving into a brand new home that I built or any of the other 

NINE moves we've made in the last 10 years!

Kaebrie got accepted into a therapeutic preschool at The Children's Center in SLC.
She started on May 14th and goes Monday-Friday.
I am really emotional about the separation but know that this will help her so much.  

She has been going to a therapist at The Children's Center for her anxiety and has been on a waiting list for their preschool.  When we found out how much it was we quickly realized that it wasn't going to be an option. Until we spoke with the head of finance and she encouraged us to submit a letter regarding our financial hardship and they would be in contact with us if they approved it.
SHE IS ONE LUCKY GIRL! SHE WAS ACCEPTED...

We also started aggressive therapy for her Sensory Processing Disorder this month at Primary Children's Rehab in Bountiful.
I know that because I care about Kaebrie's well being I am doing the right things to help her deal with her issues.  I had very similar issues growing up and just now am getting all the help I need too.  

We are in it together.
In fact, we love the time we get to go play with Ms. Carly and Ms. Theresa.  Kaebrie knows I love her and knows that if she needs help, I will be there for her always. 

Between Owen in school until June 28th and Kaebrie at preschool every day, both in soccer, and Kaebrie in therapy.  I am looking over my new schedule with straight up faith that all will be well if I remain CALM! I am so grateful for my children and all the things they teach me...

Ballet

Kaebrie had her last day in ballet last week.  

It was bittersweet only because we formed some great friendships with the parents and the staff at Creative Arts Academy.  

They did an outstanding job with Kaebrie and were so full of patience.  

Kaebrie loved her teacher Ms. Kristin.  We will never forget the fun times she had in this class.

Her favorite part of going to ballet was dancing with her friends and getting a treat in the ballet store after class.  

She did a very good job in her recital and even did a little unplanned solo for the audience!  

Grandma Camille, Daddy, Owen, and I were there to watch her. 

I seriously LOVE this girl, she is so DARLING!

Mother

DEAR MOM
You have been my source of strength through my whole life.
When troubles knocked me to the ground, you stood beside me and picked me up.
You never left my side, no matter the path I was following.

I am who I am today because of your example of faith in our loving
Heavenly Father.
You taught me the most important things about life and our journey on this earth.

I will never forget the times when you would lay in bed with me and read "Saddle Shoes Blues" or American Girl novels.  And when you would put huge curlers in my hair every night.  The times you let me watch you cook in the kitchen, and let me lick the beaters and the bowl while you baked!  You always let me massage your feet and paint your toe nails.  You put up with me and my friends being loud and obnoxious in public and at home and always encouraged these good friendships.
When you would take the time to help, listen, and council me.
Those moments have been so precious to me.

I know you may never agree with the choices I have made in my life.
But knowing that you understand and are there for me no matter what
 has blessed my life abundantly.

You are a true example to so many of how to be a
MOTHER & FRIEND

The Cruds!

Kaebrie was so out of energy at her Dr. appointment on Tuesday that she fell sleep snuggled up to me while we were waiting.  This doesn't happen much so I soaked every ounce of it up!

Owen's verdict was in last Sunday after two Instacare trips and a chest x-ray confirming, Pneumonia!  Bummer...  

Kaebrie started with a cough and I took her in Tuesday to discover her ear infection.  

One thing is for certain, I hate having sick kids.  I wish I could take away their pain and suffering.  

When you are a parent and you try everything under the sun to help your child and you see no improvement, it's hard!  

This is when you realize that you need to keep the prayers going and have faith that they will heal.  

I asked Owen last Sunday evening if he would like to have Jeff give him a blessing.  

His reply was this "Mom, I can just say my own prayer and Heavenly Father will help me feel better".  Wow, what faith he had and what an example my sweet Owen is to me.  

His pure and simple statement of prayer has stuck with me all week.  

This reminded me of the talk given by Richard G. Scott In Nov. 1995 Ensign article that states:

"His invitation, "Ask, and ye shall receive" (3 Nephi 27:29) does not assure that you will get what you want.  It does guarantee that, if worthy, you will get what you need, as judged by a Father that loves you perfectly, who wants your eternal happiness even more than do you."

Soccer and Croup...

 About a month ago, my little Owen awoke in the middle of the night gasping for air.  

He had a croupy cough and truly was not breathing.  

After a priesthood blessing I had him in the car and we went to the E.R.  

They took him back and gave him a breathing treatment and some steroids to get him breathing. 

  My nebulizer was not working or I would've used it.  

Today, we are dealing with this same yuck!  

Last night was miserable for our household.  Owen awoke once again, out of air.  This time I was prepared with a fixed nebulizer and had his humidifier already saturating his room for the humidity.

Today has been a long sick day.  I am hoping and praying he can get over it this time without any major trips to the E.R.  

Owen and Kaebrie started soccer.  It has been quite the ordeal that I didn't realize I signed up for.  They each have one game and one practice every week.  They love it though and I am glad they are learning a sport.  Kaebrie doesn't understand that you can take the ball from others.  She is the mother and tries to make sure everyone is not crying and at least running by her side.

On Tuesday, Owen scored his first goal.  HE WAS THRILLED!  Jeff and I were so excited for him too.  He couldn't quit talking or smiling about it.  

Owen has grown up so much this year.  As I look back at pictures of the first day of school he looks huge and has really grown socially.  He is starting to read and is very interested in space.  As of right now he wants to be an astronaut on Thursdays, Policeman on Fridays, and a Firefighter on Saturdays.

He is such a good boy and so smart.  

He told me the other night that he wanted to read a book to me.  So, he read it alright!  From memory and counting the apples up on top.  Silly kid!

30 years of learning and growth!

I turned 30!  

I have been married for 10 years as of February 28th this year!

REALLY?

I have anticipated turning 30 only because I feel like the last 30 years of my life have brought me to an incredible place in my journey on earth.  

This year I have made some powerful changes emotionally, spiritually, and physically.  

Regaining good health has been a bonus as I enter into middle age!

Yes, I said middle age...

I felt that I needed to  make a list of 30 things that I have learned on my journey here in honor of me turning 30.

I HAVE LEARNED THAT:

1. The Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on the earth.

2. I am a doer not a dreamer.

3. Faith will lead me to happiness, Fear will lead me to darkness and failure.

4. Children are a vital role in my earthly experience.  They are such great blessings to help me with my journey.  They teach me more than anything else in life.

5.  Being a mother is the hardest and most rewarding job.

6. Being a business owner is not for me.

7. Compassion for others and rendering heartfelt service completes me.

8. STAYING well is easier than GETTING well.

9. Past experiences are positive lessons that I accept and have grown from.

10. I found my soul mate.  He is perfect for me in every way possible.

11. Sugar is more addictive than cocaine.  (I now know what withdrawals are).

12. If you don't challenge yourself to change then change will challenge you.

13. My parents taught me well, provided for me, loved me, and I must follow the commandment to   honor them and respect them.

14. Satan is real and very powerful.  He wants to destroy me and will try in any way (big or small) to make me believe that any sin is worth it.

15. Heavenly Father has a plan for me.  I am not here to compete with anyone. I am working out my own salvation.  

16. Following the Word of Wisdom is vital to leading a happy and healthy life.

17. I was a silent child who craved to have peace in my life at all times.  I give anything to help anyone who is struggling.  

18. Natural healing saved my life by providing me the emotional support I needed to progress in life.

19. I can do anything I set my mind to.

20. Being blessed so abundantly made me take for granted what I had.  Loosing my business, my home, and my financial freedoms helped me gain a whole new perspective and meaning to my life.

21. Friends are forever.  Even though I don't see them or talk to them daily, I will always cherish every single person who has come into my life to uplift and inspire me.

22.  I think way too much about everything.

23. I am not perfect and will never be perfect.  So, I must make the most out of each trial and blessing that comes my way.

24. Winners in life think in terms of I can, I will, and I am.  Less fortunate concentrate their thoughts on what they should have or would have done or what they can't do.

25. There is a reason why I am commanded to pray, read scriptures, go to church, and do what I am counseled to do.  The blessings I receive are so powerful and life-changing by following such simple things.

26. I need to see others as Christ sees us.  He doesn't judge us.  He loves each of us no matter what and is there to help us through each and every trial.

27. Life is as hard as you make it.

28. I function better in chaos because I love to set goals, reach them, and reap the rewards of feeling accomplished.

29. Everything happens for a reason.  

30.  I want to be a writer when (if) I grow up...