Count your blessings

Words do not do justice...

Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you Chris!  I don't even know where to start.  Tuesday I was on instant messenger with Jen telling her how messy my house was and I was too unmotivated to get up and do anything :)  The doorbell rang and I opened the door and my mouth dropped open.  I was speechless.  I thought, what is mom doing holding Kiki?  It was Chrisanna and she totally surprised me.  I had no idea she was coming.  She came in and I hugged her for awhile.  It felt so good to see her.  I was so shocked I didn't even shed a tear!  So from the time she came in to the time she left this morning she was working.  She came to help me and she did plus so much more.  We accomplished so much while she was here.  We completely cleaned out our garage.  We packed stuff up I am keeping and made a HUGE yard sale pile.  Plus while we did this we went through the kids' clothes and sorted them too. (the yard sale clothes were priced at the same time, what a relief because I ended up with six rubbermaids full of kids clothes to sell!)  Chris would wake up and start laundry, make sure the dishes were done and really just did anything that helped.  It meant a lot to me that she stayed here and it was really all about me and my family.  I cannot tell you Chris how much it meant to me and helped me.  Your love and support was felt in everything you did.  I love you so much and I know it was a huge sacrifice for you to come.  THANK YOU!  I waited until after you left to shed a few tears that way we both weren't crying when you left.  I hate that!  We are also so glad you brought Kiki.  It was fun having her here and the girls had a blast :)

Also, my mom and sisters also helped while she was here.  THANK you too!  I love you and I am so blessed to have you in my life. 

By the way, I forgot to blog this but last week, or maybe it was the week before, Gracie made her first goal!  It was absolutely adorable.  She is such an aggressive little thing out there.  Too cute to watch. 

Today was a busy day with two soccer games this morning and so this afternoon I took a short nap.  It felt really good.  Dusty is cleaning out my car right now and that makes this momma happy!  I love a clean car.

I rented Dejavu to watch tonight so I am hoping it is good.  I love to end the day watching a great movie :)

suRprIse

Totally shocked.  Chrisanna and Keanna came to town and surprised us with a few day visit.  She wanted to come and help me with some things and I can't tell you how much it means to me.  My blinds were closed when she came up to the door and so when I opened the door I was speechless.  In fact, I did not say one word, my mouth just dropped open.  I kept thinking why is mom holding Keanna?  :)  The really fun part is that they are staying with us too.  I don't have the best sleeping arrangements (sorry Chrisanna I couldn't give you my bed :) but it will work.  It is such perfect timing.  I know the Lord used her in coming already and I can't wait to spend more time with her.  It is fun having Keanna here too.  The girls are so excited.  So thank you to Keith and the boys for letting the girls come, anyone who watches the twins to help Keith out and anyone else who had a part in them coming!  I am off to type a little bit before everyone gets up so when they do, we can get ready and go a few places.  ;) 

Randomness

We are jumping into a very busy weekend :)  It all starts with today.  I have a ton of errands to do today.  My aunt Cindy called and wants to take the girls for a few hours either today or tomorrow, so that will be nice.  My girls hate running errands.  I don't know why?! :)  I try to make it fun for them, get them a special drink or treat, doesn't matter.  They still hate it, just hate it with a special treat or drink!  Tomorrow Gracie has a soccer game at nine and Sydney's is out in Selah at 10:10.  So I will have to leave early with Syd, Audrey and Colton to go to Syd's game.  Should be interesting.  Actually my kids are pretty good.  Audrey loves "going", it doesn't matter where, she just loves it.  So she will be fine and Colton, he usually doesn't make a peep.  Then Dusty has to work for the Sheriff's office.  He will have to bring Gracie out to me and drop her off so he can get to the first annual motorcycle poker run.  We have no idea what he will be doing so it should be fun to hear about later :)  He will probably be gone about four hours so that's not bad.  I can't complain.  He has been really good to try to let me get breaks lately. 

Dusty went out to the property last night and pushed over the last of the trees.  He got all the trunks put in a big pile to be hauled off (by the people who cut down the orchard) and made a pile of brush to be burned next Saturday.  This is where it gets exciting.  You can see our view and it is spectacular.  We are so blessed.  I feel like I am living in a dream sometimes because it is really going to happen.  Some people never even get a home and we get to build our dream home.  I will try to go out and take some pictures and post some for you later this weekend.  I want to get pictures of everything because I am going to make a scrapbook for the whole process. 

I am so excited about a few finds I got when I was out the other day at Borders and Inklings (a cute little book store in our town).  Well, actually the first one was at both these places but I picked it up at Costco.  Way cheaper.  I just started it yesterday. 

 

When I was at Border's I found a cookbook, shocker I know, called Lady and Sons too.  It actually is an older cookbook but I loved it because it had very practical recipes.  Like a recipe for mushroom sauce.  A recipe that can be used for anything, over pork chops, steak, et cetera.  There was also a recipe for cheesecake with a praline sauce that caught my eye.  I might be able to eat the praline sauce!  I did have to pass up a few recipe books I really wanted so I will have to remember that for later :)  I also got a book on positive discipline.  I want to use very positive reinforcement with my kids and especially lately it has been a little harder.  My patience is not as high as it should be so hopefully if I get some ideas/inspiration that will help!  I will let you know as I read the book if it is any good.

The last book I bought was a book on skin type solutions.  Sounds funny doesn't it?  I have always struggled with my skin, being dry and breaking out, but when I didn't have four kids I would just go get a facial and take care of it.  Four kids later, that doesn't happen anymore!  So I bought this book that gives ideas on products to buy based on your skin type, that actually work, some you can buy at the drugstore (or Walmart :) and some from a department store (Macy's).  So I am excited to try one of the moisturizers because I have always had a problem with dry skin and it would a miracle if I found something that actually worked!   

I love worship music and always have.  But lately I can't get enough.  I have a mix on my computer that I love that I listen to.  Matt Redman, Facedown, is playing right now.  I also love David Crowder Band.  I want their new CD.  I am so influenced by music.  I just need to get my hands on some more worship music.  I especially love mixes.  I love having a mixture of artists/music.  lately I have been putting it on in the morning and starting our mornings out that way.  The girls and I really like it.  Any suggestions?

I have a new niece, Laramie Jean Brownell.  She is pretty sweet.  She was born last Wednesday and she was a whole whopping 6 lbs 15 oz.  I look at her and can't believe how fast it goes.  I have had four but you never get over the miracle of life.  So sweet.

I hope to scrapbook this weekend.  I have been telling myself to stop and do it.  Maybe blogging about it will hold me accountable?  Probably not.  Maybe Jen will :)

I love my grandma.  She has been on my mind lately.  I wish I could do more for her.  If I had my house built and she had to be taken care of, I would.  If I have learned anything thus far, life is so unexpected.  I hope I show my love to all my family, not just that they know it, but that I show it.

   

Before noon

I meant to post this yesterday but got too busy with Awana Grand Prix.  So here it is.....

Yesterday before noon I.....

• worked out from home (it felt so good)
• had prayer time
• took my vitamins/calcium supplements (which my husband can tell you how bad I am at this)
• ate a nutritional breakfast
• played frisbee/bubbles with Gracie and Audrey
• load of laundry (in part because Colton had the most massive poopy diaper I have ever seen, yes EVER, and I have changed a lot of poopy diapers!!)
• dishes/picked up the house

It was nice to try to start a new routine.  I decided instead of getting up early to type, I would get the things done that are most important to me right now.  I will fit work into my schedule instead of fitting my life into my work schedule.  Sounds obvious and silly, but it is true. 

Also, I have to share this story because it made me laugh.  Yesterday my mom watched the girls while I just got out for a while.  (thanks again mom)  My mom was eating these salt and pepper chips (which are one of our new fave things) and Gracie asked if they were the "hot chips".  My mom told her they were and so Gracie says "those are too hot for kids' tongues, I can't eat those".  So then my mom tells her "they are too hot for adults tongues too but I am just too stupid to stop eating them".  So this conversation took place while I was gone and when I got home my mom and I were talking about something funny that had happened earlier with Audrey.  (I'll get to that in a minute)  So Gracie perks up and was acting like she was going to tell this story about Audrey.  So my mom and I turn to Gracie and she says nana said I was too stupid to stop.....she didn't even get the rest of the sentence out.  We DIED laughing.  So nana had to explain that she was calling herself that and she shouldn't have used that word.  So stinkin funny.

Okay, next the Audrey story.  Audrey, Gracie and my mom were having lunch at the kitchen table and Audrey lets out several loud toots. (we do call them toots around here because fart out of a little kids mouth just sounds so harsh)  So they start to laugh.  My mom says "Audrey, what do you say?"  So Audrey tells her proudly, "I tooted!!"  They all laugh again and my mom says no you say excuse me :)

Well, that is it for now because Gracie has a doctor's appointment this morning and so I have a few things to get done.  I will write more later.  Hope this makes sense.  My mind is working faster than my body this morning!

Life at the moment

Where do I even begin?  My life has taken a curve I was not expecting.  That was the problem.  Just when you think you have it figured out or you expect something, life changes.  Colton has had some symptoms we have been watching for quite some time now.  It actually started back when he was born.  His eyes would move back and forth (like he was speed reading) most of the time.  It is called nystagmus.  Once the doctor noted it to be something that was ongoing he referred us to an ophthalmologist.  I am not even sure I put this on my blog but I thought he would need glasses to correct it.  The doctor had told us that when his eyes move back and forth it is because they are not able to focus so the brain tells them to keep moving to find a better image.  I assumed he would have to have something to correct his vision and possibly even have a lazy eye like Gracie.  I actually pictured my adorable little blonde haired boy with some cute little glasses.  That is where I went wrong.  I assumed.  I don't know why I assumed I knew what was going to happen, especially since we have been through so much with Audrey.  I went to the appointment with Colton  and the doctor did a regular eye examination where they dilate the eye and so forth.  He then sat down and started to tell me about what he believed to be his diagnosis.  He felt he had a form of albinism which is little or no pigment in your eyes, hair and skin caused by an inherited gene that does not produce enough or any pigment.  I was speechless.  I was holding in tears that once they started would go uncontrolled.  There I sat with Colton in my arms and I had to hold it together, I had no choice.  I needed answers to questions.  I sat and talked with him for a few more minutes and then went home.  From that point on we were referred to a genetics counselor and doctor.  We met with the doctor, Dr. Pagon, who was very nice and actually had special training in genetic eye disorders.  She knew based on his examination that Colton met the criteria for this disorder and was able to explain things more in detail to us.  My mom went with me to this appointment and I am so thankful she did.  She was able to jump in when I needed her and help me to remember certain questions.  We both have become pros at thinking of all the questions you forget once you leave the office!  Needless to say, it is still something we are working through all the details.  There are things we will not know until we face them, such as his vision.  It cannot be corrected by glasses/contacts.  He will have impaired vision, we just don't know to what extent.  They tell us he can see but not in detail.  We won't know the full extent of his vision until he is able to respond to a visual test.  So, that will be three or four years down the road.  He has always loved it when I "ate" his neck and would give him kisses.  Now I know why it was his favorite, he can see me better.  I cannot describe the feeling I get when I get up close to him and his face lights up.  He is such a happy baby.  A really good baby.  I couldn't ask for more. 

I have been away from my blog to help collect my thoughts, reprioritize and simply just be.  I would appreciate your prayers for my family at this time.  I know this does not just affect Dusty, myself and my kids.  I have a whole family who loves us and is praying for us.  We are so blessed to have each other and ultimately God in our lives.