Tuesday March 3, 2009

March 3rd last year was a Monday. I went to work as usual while Taylor spent the day with Grandpa and Great Grandma. I stopped by my parents after work to pick up Taylor and enjoy a meal prepared by my mom. Then it was back home and time for Taylor to be in bed. Really nothing eventful, thank heavens, as I definitely made up for it today.

Today was one of those days that just does not seem to end. You spin your wheels trying to accomplish everything and it seems as though you just do not get anywhere. However, I must say, that what I did get accomplished today must have been just what I needed to do as I had too many places to be and someone had to lose out somewhere. Oh well, it is just the beginning of many days of similar events. I am sure that my lovely wife can attest to something similar...

Monday March 2, 2009

March 2nd last year was a Sunday. Taylor had been sick the night before and slept fairly well. After alternating Tylenol and Ibuprofen throughout the night we thought that she felt well enough to go to church.

Later that afternoon after lunch with grandma and grandpa Taylor and I enjoyed an afternoon sleeping, watching TV, and just generally laying around. The weather was once again being kind of funny in the true sense that if you did not like the weather wait for five minutes and it would change. Last year and this same time this year is quite comparable.

Carmen is trying to sit up by herself. She needs the assistance but has an awesome army crawl. Breagan is standing up on his own but does not like the continual fall to the ground. Ayden is getting better at standing on his own and is even trying to take a step or two on his own. Through coaching from his mother Ayden has walked as many as three steps on his own.

Sunday March 1, 2009

Here is a full circle for you... Just stay with me...

A year ago Melissa was in Boise with her sister and family. March 1st last year was a Saturday and a busy one at that. The night before, Friday night, I had a dashing trip to Boise as Melissa thought she was going into labor. After a quick trip to Boise I returned home to pick up Taylor.

Saturday morning we had breakfast as usual, I ran Taylor by my parents for the morning while I helped a friend move. Yes Mark, can you believe it! You and your wonderful wife have been in the new house for a year. What a miserable day. It snowed, the wind blew, but we were having a typical Saturday. After helping move furniture for a while a couple of dear friends from Utah were on their way through town on their way back to Provo. My parents, my sister and her family, Taylor and I, and Dale and Linda all met for a quick lunch before they continued on down the freeway towards their home.

Not long after Dale and Linda left, I checked on Mark and their progress and ended up responding to an accident towards Sweetzer. I returned to pick up Taylor and on to the Annual show of the Snake River Flats. Taylor decided later that night that she was sick and that her cold would take over her little body. What a night...

Thinking about Saturday March 1, 2008 makes me feel as though it was just yesterday. We were a family of three separated by miles of interstate and only a couple hours of drive time. Little did we know about the events that were to transpire in the week to come...

The theme for our family this week is "A Year Full of Firsts." This week we will celebrate the babies "First" birthday. Stay tuned for more firsts...

Tuesday January 13, 2009

This past week was a tough week for our family. Melissa's father unexpectedly passed away on Sunday January 4th. Last week was spent with family in Hagerman enjoying the great life that her father lived. Many friends and family joined us for the funeral on Thursday. He will be sorely missed but we know that he has been called to a higher calling as the Lord only takes His most faithful servants early in life.

We continue to watch the babies grow. Their personalities continue to shine through as their individuality blossoms. There really is no new news but I knew that the pictures would be enjoyed by all.

Saturday December 20, 2008

"We Believe in Miracles!"

Once again prayers have been answered for our very blessed family. It is not that we have been trying to keep this secret by no means, but it does amaze us how fast time can get away from us. We found out in one of the last check-up appointments with the kids that Carmen has a sacral dimple. The doctor had us all lined out with a neuro-surgeon at Primary Children's in Salt Lake. We decided though, with assistance from Mecale, that we should look once again towards Boise and St. Luke's. Things happened fairly fast and we were in Boise this past Thursday.

The Doctor that we met with was just short of amazing. He was very interesting to listen to and explained everything to our satisfaction. Because of Carmen's age it would be best for us to wait until after she turns a year old before having an MRI completed to verify the depth of the dimple. Currently, the end of the dimple cannot be found which is a cause for concern. The location is different than the other 60% of people out there that have a sacral dimple, which is another source for concern.

We walked out of the office Thursday knowing what we need to look for before getting too excited. Also, we will be able to schedule the MRI to fit our busy life so that we can dedicate the time needed without worry. We were once again feeling overwhelmed with the time of year plus the overall anticipation of not knowing what to expect. The Good Lord has once again smiled down upon us and the special spirits entrusted to us.

We were able to travel without incident. Our family was once again on alert and more than accomodating in the event that we would have needed to stay the night in Boise. There is not enough space to brag about the caring and giving of our many family and friends. Thank you for being there, supporting us, and your many prayers. Thank you to our Heavenly Father, then One that gives us strength, courage, and the will to survive. Melissa and I literally cannot imagine our lives any other way. Poort Melissa though, she has been cursed with a husband that knows no other way to learn than the hard way... She truly is my (our) angel.

Sunday December 14, 2008

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" So many of the songs that get sung around Christmas time remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. I find it amazing that we seek after this reminder only during the period of Thanksgiving through New Years. If we were reminded on a daily basis it would be human nature to ignore the continual giving spirit and become immune to the promptings. Thank heavens there is a plan in place.

I know that I am so much more in the Christmas Spirit with snow on the ground and the lights around the house reflecting into the atmosphere. Tonight the clouds are heavy and there is great anticipation of more snow falling between now and Christmas. I remember playing outside in short sleeves as a kid on Christmas Day. The Spirit was not lessened but I definitely prefer snow and white to remind of me of everything clean and pure.

The requests of the children that come to see Santa are pretty much staying line with what I have written of before. Some of the new requests are horses, dogs, kittens, and skate boards. However, there has been a request for loving Grandparents to be able to visit for the Holidays. Piece at work was requested by a child at heart that reported back that her wish had been granted and just knows that Santa is the "bomb!"

Whatever your request or wish may be this Christmas, I promise you that it will be so much sweeter if you are available to make someone's wish come true! Thank you for allowing us to count you as family and friends that have helped make our dreams come true this past year and in the years to come.

Melissa had the great opportunity of taking the kids to the Christmas NICU party for recent graduates. Melissa met up with the kids primary nurse and her husband that made the whole trip worth while.


Taylor performed at the Festival of Trees in Burley with her preschool group. Melissa and I showed up to show our support and was pleasantly surprised to find out that Taylor had her own part in leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.


The sappy side of me has purchased a Christmas Bear each year that Melissa and I have been together. Taylor helped to recruit a model to show off a couple of the bears that we have. Ayden loves to play with the bears and rub his face on their soft, plush fur.

Monday, December 1, 2008

With the Christmas season fast approaching it is once again time to help the jolly man. Santa's sleigh, if given the opportunity of delivering each and every present asked for by all, would contain Nintendo DS's, Wii's, Ps3's, a pony, and several puppies.

However, the one item that Santa can not deliver is the wish of one dear little girl... She first wished for the health of her mother as a family friend brought her into town to see the lights turned on by Santa. When I tried to get her to focus on something for herself her next wish was for an older sister's family to be able to find a place to live for Christmas. After hearing her latest plea it was all I could do to thank her, hug her, and send her on her way with a candy cane in hand.

Believe it or not, these precious spirits do not always think of themselves. They are highly sensitive and completely aware of all things around them. During this Holiday Season may we all please remember the "reason for the season."


"Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night!"