theater for 6? um not quite.

we decided to attempt the movie theater to see Horton hears a Who with all 4 children today. definitely not the wisest parenting decision we've made! the older 3 have been enjoying "theater" movies for as long as i can remember and we just thought it would be fun to all get to go, instead of one parent staying home and the other attending the show with the kids. we talked it all out. we'd go at nap time when he'd be more likely to not be full of energy. not to mention there are days we he doesn't nap and he isn't overly crabby. we'd take not one but 2 sippy cups. and of course we'd stash the diaper bag with all his favorite candies. oh, and of course there would be popcorn. we knew he might not make it all the way through and we were okay with that, we wanted to give him the exposure though and hope that a few times and he'd be hooked and we could now do family movies. he isn't one to totally zone out in front of the tv like justin and ashley were (which i confess i loved) but he will sit on my bed in the mornings and watch barney. i figured he would be mesmerized by the big screen for at least 20 minutes. honestly, i don't think he looked at that big screen for more than 3 minutes. he was constantly shuffling in his chair, turning this way and that, down on the floor and up again. wanting to sit with ashley and then wanting down. he did sit and eat some popcorn and gummy bears, but could never allow himself to zone into the movie while doing such. so, after about 45 minutes in the theater (half of which i think were previews) josh took him out and the big kids and i finished the movie together. we were bummed. i knew he wouldn't be great, i expected to leave part way through, but i did think he would watch SOME. oh well. lesson learned. i want to say "one day" like it is so important that we do this or something. it is really not such a big deal. he's 2 and i still love him :)

one month anniversary.

mom reminded us all that today was she and josh's one month surgery anniversary. it has been quite a month for us. we are happy that all of josh's reactions have subsided and he seems to be on the mend and has returned to work. he is not quite 100% but is doing much better. still sore and more tired than normal, but all in all doing really well.

mom's new kidney is working nicely and we have loved seeing the sparkle in her eyes and her chipper disposition return. she is still regaining strength and is not totally out of pain or discomfort, but she is doing so much better. she has an appetite and her hope of the future is bright. this makes me happy beyond description.

it has been quite the experience being an "observer" to this whole process. really can't be put in words.

mom is already back in action with her selfless giving. she called just after dinner and said she had josh a surprise. he went and picked it up and returned with this.



the little note says, "cheers to the kidney king"! josh came in the house grinning from ear to ear and said that made his whole day, maybe week. mom has always been a fabulous cook, but she is really getting good at making everything from scratch since she cannot go to the store! i am here to say she is making some tasty stuff.

not to mention, last night she cooked me dinner - i dropped her a movie to watch and she gave me my favorite meal - quiche :) have i mentioned she is simply incredible? she amazes me. i'm so lucky she is my mom. she said she is getting little bursts of energy. it is so exciting.

crayons and puzzles.

the essential ingredients to an enjoyable evening for kids and mom. doing puzzles and coloring with the kids are 2 of my favorite ways to spend time with my kids. i love that they are calm and quiet things to do together and simply put, they are things i enjoy doing.

sometimes i get so caught up in the chores of keeping the house clean and laundry etc. that i put off just enjoying being a mom. i couldn't help but watch their little faces, catch their fleeting expressions, take note of the little fingers and hands.... when i looked at mitchel's hands i couldn't help but notice that they are still small. sometimes i forget that even the "big" kids are really still small and i need to remember that when i am parenting them.

looking for pictures of justin? well, i was letting him play PS3 :) he actually did join in on the coloring after his game, but the camera was put away by then. sorry for all the pictures... i just couldn't leave any out :)

Easter Sunday.

We had an enjoyable Easter. it was filled with lots of good times, just not many photos.

the thought occurred to me to get out my camera and snap some pictures that morning, but i was just too lazy and wanted to enjoy the moments without trying to capture it all. in hindsight of course, i'd love some shots.

we did manage a family picture. i think it is impossible to get a photo these days that i like of everyone, but that is life right now and i can't forgo all photos just because someone is always looking so not natural!

Josh's brother Johnny and wife Kaley came up from Salt Lake. It was great fun. We enjoyed dinner out all together on Saturday night. we played lots of games and snacked way too much. the kids LOVE them and love all the extra attention they are given. As they were packing to leave today, Ashley asked why they couldn't live with us. She said they could be like her big brother and sister and she needs a big sister. she was so serious. she then said Kaley was her best friend. man, it is so good to live near our families. seriously, look at the pictures - my kids look way better with aunt and uncle - so happy and carefree, do you think they like them more?? :)

we missed our fun time we had last year with grandma and grandaddy on our first Easter in Idaho, but are so glad mom is healing and regaining her strength and will be ready for a great celebration next year! we did drop by, washed up and masked up and took them some Easter goodies.

i always think of some great ideas at the last minute, things i could do to make it more special or fun and memorable. my new self-talk is always, " add that to the file and I'll do it next year!' if i really come through, next years holidays will be amazing :)

good morning.

in the hustle and bustle of getting everyone ready for work and school and babysitters , I saw that the sunrise was beautiful. so i stepped outside and snapped these pictures from my from step. the scene kind of brightened my day, even if it was cold and more windy than I prefer.

I live in Idaho and I know this is how spring is, but I want warmth! now. i do not feel like being patient. it has lasted long enough.

snacktime. in pantry.

turn stock pot upside down for stool and help yourself to all the snacks your heart desires.

I laughed so hard when I found him - he thought he was so clever. he jut grinned at me and said he was hungry!

he must have been listening to me and josh informing the older kids they could start helping themselves a little more and relying on their servants (aka mom and dad) a little less. I guess Coleman was just trying to comply with the rules!!

movie night.

we are slowly building traditions with our kids. I desperately want traditions that my kids will remember forever. I seriously look forward to one day hearing, "hey mom, do you remember when we....". so we're slowly adding to our list of traditions - ones that happen frequently enough to forge those memories. Movie night has been an almost weekly tradition for nearly 5 years. This isn't to say we've never missed a weekend, but the kids look forward to it and that makes me happy. So, on either Friday or Saturday night, we have "Movie Night". This involves blankets, and popcorn and water bottles and candy and some movie that the entire family will enjoy. the lights are dimmed and the volume is turned up and we spend 2 hours just enjoying the movie and each other. Tonight's feature was the Bee Movie. Cute show. Another memory. Happy mom.

Christmas PJ's. in March.

I know, it is March, spring is around the corner, and I post a picture of my kids in Christmas Pajamas! well, here it still feels like winter. Its been snowing again and christmas pj's are warm and cozy! okay, that is true, but in actuality, I realized I did not have a picture I really liked of my kids in their Christmas jammies. So tonight when they put on their jammies for movie night, I took the opportunity to take a picture. Christmas Jammies are our special tradition with Grandma Susan. (my mom). Each year she searches store after store and catalog after catalog in search of the perfect christmas pajamas for the grandkids. she finds the perfect ones every year.

parenting decisions.

Video Games. I like them. I wonder if I should like them less. It isn't so much that I like playing them, I like the fact that they can occupy a child for any given amount of time. In fact, I often find myself wishing that all of my children liked them as much as Justin did and they would want to sit for hours in front of it just hanging out and giving me some quiet. I can't believe I am admitting this. But sadly its true. Justin would play for as long as I would let him, and some days I know he plays for an hour, maybe 2. Granted the games are all appropriate. Only e games are allowed. Justin is mainly into sports games (surprise). In my head I tell myself to limit his time. Then the other part of me says, he is a straight A student, he reads for a minimum of 45 minutes a day, he does his chores when asked, and if given the option of going outside or playing with someone he will usually turn off the PS3 and go to it. For example, today he spent one hour playing basketball with his brother inside and then another 45 minutes shooting baskets outside. So I tell myself its okay. I am wondering what to do about this during summer when he definitely will have more time to spend playing. perhaps a time limit will have to be put in place. hmmmm all these parenting decisions. I feel like parenting is somewhat like performing a science experiment - you try this and try that and take away this and you just hope it turns out right. For the time being, I think he's okay and I'll just let it be. Am I alone in this? Am I ruining my child?

owies.

Coleman is very into knowing all about "owies". for months he has pointed to my moms owies (her dialysis ones in her neck) and kissed them. then it was her tummy owies after her nephrectomy. now it is his dad's owies. he always wants to see them and touch them and make them better. his dad was reading him a book on the 2nd day he was home. coleman wanted to keep his hand on the "owies" while they read. it was so cute.

Wednesday morning Josh woke up with a serious allergic reaction to the tape used on his incision and holes. he was covered with hives. As the day progressed they worsened - becoming totally inflamed and spreading all together. ( I am debating whether to post more nasty abdomen pictures to show you....hmmm ) When Coleman saw them he looked up at his dad and in all the seriousness his 2 year old self could muster, he said, I sorry daddy. it was so sweet.

Ashley and Cat.

Have I mentioned that Ashley loves her cat?






history of Ashley and her cat.

we've had this cat about a year and a half. Ashley went with her dad to the humane society in Sioux Falls to pick it out. Coleman and I tagged along just for fun. Ashley really wanted a girl cat. We must have played with a dozen kitties that day. Josh and I definitely had in mind which was the best, but we were letting Ashley decide. When she continued to have problems picking one out, we decided to tell her which one we thought was the best. she disagreed. we tried telling her that he was playful but liked to be held and he had the best purr. she didn't really care. finally it dawned on me why. i then told Ashley that she could pretend he was a girl if she wanted to. her eyes lit up and she said he was the one she wanted. she named HIM Diamond and that was that. it really has been the best cat. she moved with us, pink collar and all! she loves to play but loves even more to snuggle and cuddle with the kids on their beds. out of habit, we mostly call him a "she" but he doesn't seem to mind! he is fixed, so i gues it doesn't really matter! Josh calls her "lynx" b/c of her little ear hairs and the fact that he loves the snow. the boys like to call him this too, b/c its not a girl name! Ashley still calls her diamond, although somedays she says i wish her name was moonlight and she'll call her that for few days! I just call her cat. It's easier. Cat likes baskets and tight places and we often get a kick out of where we find him. Most of all though, he loves the kids.

birthday.

love their grandaddy. we are thrilled that we get to share birthdays together now. we sure missed grandma.




uncle david teaching Ashley how to play Catz.




Ashley let Coleman enjoy her brand new toys as soon as they were opened. sweet girl.

magical birthday.

Thursday, March 6 was Ashley's magical birthday - i just say magical b/c she turned 6 on the 6th! i informed all the kids that you only have one magical birthday. Mitchel quickly said, so mine will be when I am 17? i said yes, better than 30 like Justin! They were excited that Coleman would only have to wait until he was 4 and Josh and I realized we had both missed ours and didn't even know it. It amazes me what is "exciting" to a child. I had hopes of really making it magical, but the day kind of crept up on me and it was Justin's blue and gold banquet for scouts so I didn't make it as magical as I had in my head. Fortunately, she is easy to please and tells me how great her magical birthday was. I had planned to photograph all the little things, but didn't so here is a run-down of her day.

I did manage to wake up a little early and head to the grocery before anyone was stirring and get her favorite bakery donuts for breakfast. i returned with a dozen fresh donuts - 6 glazed, and 5 chocolate frosted, and 1 chocolate frosted with pink icing stripes. this seriously thrilled her! gosh I love her.

she wanted to wear a dress to school. she has been telling me lately that girls just don't have to wear pants and jeans to school, that they can wear dresses too. mostly i am afraid of her freezing to death in a dress or skirt, but she picked it out and was pleased. (her brothers did inform me after school that she was crying on the playground before school b/c her legs and feet were freezing in just tights - sometimes us moms kind of know our stuff!)

at 5pm Granddaddy and uncle David came over for cake and presents. She was happy about each of her gifts. she got 2 new dresses, some pet shop animals and a new "house" for them with moving gondola, a disney princess music CD, a my little pony movie, catz 2 for her DS, a hello kitty drawing set with "magic" pens and a new strawberry shortcake coloring book.

she thought her cake was so cute - it was white frosted with pastel polka dots and a big pink ribbon bow -

then we had to go the justin's blue and gold banquet, but she loved it! she saw some of her friends there. the theme was chinese new year so she made some cool crafts.

Friday afternoon she had a girlfriend come to play with her new toys. they played for hours. i'm so glad she has a girlfriend that she loves so much. Friday night she got to choose dinner and she chose mcdonalds so she could get a happy meal and she and her brothers could play on the playground. that was easy enough.

she's told me a million times, thanks for my wonderful parties mom. pretty sure she is the sweetest thing ever. since its been such a crazy month, i'm so glad she is so agreeable and happy. however, i'm already thinking about how to make next year more special. I keep telling myself not to dwell on what I didn't get done and just be satisfied with the fact that she is content with her "magical day" but its kind of hard....

technical difficulty.

I am experiencing technical difficulty. If you have emailed me and are wondering why I am being so rude as to not reply, well you are not alone! we are currently having some technical difficulties sending email. we did not know this for a few days as it appears that the emails are sent. and we are still receiving email, but none are going where they should. please be patient and we hope to be up and running soon. so no thinking i'm just ignoring you. i am now going to update my blog. man, its been a while.

incision pictures.

Many people have been interested in josh's incision. The kidney is removed through a surgery known as hand assisted laparoscopic surgery. most all the work is done through small holes in which the laparoscopes are inserted. the surgeon's hand goes in at the end through a fairly small incision near the belly button to remove it. pretty amazing. he is not experiencing much incision pain, just soreness mainly. his main discomfort and pain continues to be from the large amount of gas still trapped in his belly - it sticks out so much and almost comes to a point. i guess the technical term is "distended". every time he moves the gas pains shoot to his shoulders and other places and cause very sharp pain. the doctors said that just takes time, probably a few more days. He also continues to be on a liquid diet until his bowels wake up. there is a phenomenon that when your bowels are touched during a surgery they go to sleep. the more they are handled and moved around the longer it can take for them to wake up. his were touched a fair amount, so it could still be another day or so.

home.

We arrived home last night around 5:30pm. Josh was really uncomfortable, but was so happy to see the kids. Of course, they were happy also. About 7pm Ashley crawled in bed with him. She started looking sleepy so I told her to get her jammies on and then she could get in bed and fall asleep if she got tired. she snuggled down and had her daddy "tickle" her neck and I think she was asleep within minutes.




Coleman didn't want to be left out.

surgery day five.

the PA just finished examining josh and despite his stomach problems, josh is being released today. we are just waiting for the paperwork. he told josh that it just takes time for the bowels to wake up after they have been moved around during surgery and he would probably do better getting home where he is more comfortable. so, as soon as we get the papers we are off. they also don't want him staying longer than necessary where he is at risk of catching al the junk in a hospital. more updates later.

hospital view.

The hospital has amazing views. these shots are taken from the window in josh's room. so when he turns to his side this is what he sees. pretty sure it speeds the healing process. it's beautiful. We are extra lucky and have the helicopter landing pad outside our window (we're on the 10th floor, but its directly below us). its been a fun diversion at times.