Mother's Day Gift!

My friend Cheryl hosted a Mother's Day Swap. This is the first time I've ever joined in on a swap.  I got to put together a fun package of some of my favorite things, and mailed it off to a Mother in Utah. I hope she enjoyed the package I sent her. It was fun putting it together. In return I got a fun package from a Mother named Wendy. Here is a picture of the package that I received. It was a ton of fun!

I got some great coconut smelling shampoo and conditioner, Phase 10, (a card game,  you all know how much I just love games), Burt's Bees gift set, and chocolate kisses. Thanks Wendy, your package was great!

Another Wonderful Mother's Day

  My husband and children are so good to me! They all want to say, and do the most perfect things for me on Mother's Day. McKenzie and a few of her friends put on a Mother's Day play for the moms  Saturday night. It was pretty cute. They are so creative...they had it all planned out, dessert and all.

Mari Bruner, McKenzie, and Cassie Brunner

Mari, McKenzie, Cassie, and Mia Smith

  Taylor had made the cutest little box for me, and wrote on little pieces of paper, some of his favorite memories of he and I.  It was so precious. He called it "A Memory Box".

  Jackson has been making me all sorts of little treasures all week long. I think the favorite thing he made me was a necklace. 

  Brian is just a little charmer! He always goes all out for me. He doesn't let me do anything on Mother's Day. It about killed him to have to go to Bishopric meetings early this morning and leave me to get the kids to church all by myself . He thought for sure his meetings would be cancelled, and he would be able to make me breakfast, help get the kids up, fed, and dressed for 8:30am church for once. Nope! Oh well, we survived, we always do....   I still think he's wonderful!  He makes me laugh!!!!

  I sure do love my little family. I am so grateful for four of the greatest little blessings in my life. My sweet little children. I just love being  a mom. What a joy!  

A bit of a Recovery!!!!

 The surgery went well. I had no idea that I would be down as long as I was. A good week of doing NOTHING..... I about went crazy.  I am so grateful that our good friend Valarie Price came out to help. I don't know what I would have done had she not come. I could  hardly ,do anything. If I moved then this is what would happen.

I kept bleeding out. I don't know how to stay down very well. I learned really quickly that I had to.

This is a picture of one of my left leg before the surgery, ( I've got no pride!!! I know my legs are dead sexy).

   This is a picture of part of my leg after surgery. The healing has begun. Bruising, swelling, and itching! I had a incision of 9 stitches near the groin where they cut open the leg and did a high ligation. ( this is when they cut open the leg and cut and tie off the vein). I then had 22 small stitches down my leg.

 My leg looks and feels so much better. I can't even begin to tell you how much better it feels. I had know idea how much pain that vein had caused me for years. I'm so impressed with the surgery. All the aches and pains are gone. YEAH!!  Finally after 10 years of this. What was I waiting for?

Thanks to my dear friend Valarie Price who came to help me out. I don' t think she knew what she was getting herself into. She did it all, Laundry, cooking, cleaning, babysitting, taxi-ing my children around, you name it, she did it. We were able to get out, and go shopping, visit some old friends, and do a few things towards the end of the week. I didn't trap her in the house the whole time. She was a great help! What a wonderful, and inspiring  friend. She has been such a blessing to our family.It was so nice to visit, and just hang out. Thanks Valarie! 

Going Under The Knife...

Today is the day. I'm going in for surgery. I'm having my varicose veins stripped. It wasn't going to be until the end of May but the doctor had a cancellation and asked if I was interested in doing mine early. So on Tuesday I found out that I was  going in for surgery on Friday. I'm nervous, scared, but excited to put this behind me. My legs hurt ALL the time. They itch, burn, and give off heat. I'll give the update, and possibly post pictures later. The recovery is anywhere from a few days up to a few weeks. Wish me luck!!!!

SPRING BREAK!!!!!

The next few blog entries are a run down of our Spring Break out West to Utah. We decided we had many reasons to head out West for Spring Break. We found cheap tickets, Needed to bless Case, and wanted both Grandparents present to attend, a family reunion, but mainly a few job prospects out that way(I will post more information on this when more information is given). We had a wonderful trip, and can't wait to see everyone again. Hopefully sooner then later. Thanks to Candace and Jason for letting us crash at your house all week. We had a great time!

Our nightly ritual of Jason making his "Faux-Jitos"

The kids making crafts, non stop.... ( sorry Candace)!

Grandma & Grandpa Time

Since we've lived in Chicago land for the past seven years, we've really missed out on spending time with family, especially  Grandma & Grandpa. We were able to spend some time with them on this trip out west. Mom helped Aunt Candace tend the kids while Brian and I went overnight for an " interview". The kids had a ton of fun swimming, cooking, and visiting their Grandparents.

Dad has been battling cancer, and is such a fighter. Brian was able to go to a couple doctor appointments while we were in town. The doctors delivered great news. The cancer has stopped growing. Mom & Dad are able to continue their mission on Temple Square.

Mom trying to teach the Grandchildren how to play the Banjo

How PRECIOUS......

Jacksons 5TH Birthday

Jackson got to celebrate his birthday while we were out west. He thought that was great! We went to Kangaroo Zoo. A fun place with lots of inflatable blow up toys. The kids, ( Lisa, and Brian) could spend hours at this place.

The Birthday Boy

Mom, Dad, and Case

Lisa being a good sport

Brian being wild and crazzzzy.....

Candace, Katelyn, Henry, and Morgan

All the little ones taking a break, and enjoying a snack

His favorite gift...... Money..!

All the kids drooling over Jackson's gifts

Every kids favorite part of the Birthday

Jackson 5 years old

Birthday spankings from Grandpa

And of course from Grandma

Out to dinner with Grandpa,Grandma, the Hull Family.

"ANOTHER" Birthday cake

Poor little Jackson got left on his Birthday......! Yes. You read that right. We got to the restaurant and all but sat down and I got this sick pain in my stomach when I realized Jackson wasn't with us. Backing up a little.....We had gone and visited with Brian's parents at their condo by Temple Square before dinner. We had a short conversation of who was going to ride with who to the restaurant. We thought Jackson was with Mom and Dad, and they thought he was with us. Poor little kids. He was left all by himself in this huge complex.Of couse the worst goes through our minds. A nice little lady found him crying for us, and took him to Mom, and Dad's neighbor's  apartment. The neighbor asked him for a phone number. He remembered it!! Yeah!  However we forgot to teach him the area code. oops!!! A 435 number doesn't work so well on a 262 area code phone. After 25min without little Jackson we found him. Taylor got to him first, and Jackson just started to cry. Poor kid!!!! Traumatized for life.... I asked him about it today and he's already forgot..good thing!

We are so grateful for Jackson. He was our baby for almost five years. He is a great little kid, with a lot of energy. We have had a lot of challenges with him and his health. We feel so blessed to have him in our life. There have been times when we've almost lost the little guy. He's a fighter. He is smart, loving, and a fun kid to be around. He's a great little helper, and is soooo excited to be a big brother. We love our little Jackson!

 Happy Birthday Jackson!!!!