Fall Break- Monday

Monday the kids had to go back to school. We were so sad. But we knew we wanted to play a bit. So we had one activity planned a day for while we were there. We got up and Grayson wasn't feeling so well. And he spent his morning throwing up. I was so frustrated. He has not been doing awesome the last little bit and his energy once we got to Utah really dropped. ( After we got home, the hematologist was a bit worried and he said that it was because of the elevation. So it wasn't a surprise)

We got him feeling better and we went to the park, where we happened to run into the Fire Marshall for the town. So he took us over to the fire house. Where Grayson was in fire man heaven. He was so excited. I was just hoping no one else would puke!!

I knew the fireman that belonged in the coat above and he was the smallest one of the group, so I put it on my kiddo. He was so in love. He loved it. 

We were sitting on the inside of the blue fire truck and we were trying to honk the horn. The fire marshall said you have to pull hard, so I pulled hard..... and broke the fire truck. It was awesome. I think I was Grayson hero that day. 

After we saw the fire trucks it was almost time for the kids to come home. So we went to grandpa's and hung out till the boys got there to play. My kids chased the naughty cat named Beckham, They loved it. 

Day 2: Sunday

Sunday morning brought on bouts of laughter and loving on Nicky's dog, Oreo. The kids ( Kayden, Koy and Lexi) were with their mom until later, and Nicky was still there to play with us. We took full advantage and after conference session we went to the local park at my moms.

My parents live in Small Town USA. I grew up there. My mom grew up there. Her dad Grew up there ( kinda) and it is LITTLE!! The local park, however, is KILLER. Nicky and my mom and I went down after the boys left on the side by four wheeler. The boys loved it.

At the park we played with Nicky's dog and had him chase the ball and since he can't drop it, Grayson and Tyler would run circles around him trying to get it out of his mouth. We were all laughing so hard.

During the second set of Conference, the boys played outside, non stop. Grayson also realized that my moms neighbor has a cat that is really fluffy. He also likes to be petted. But doesn't like to come with called. We also thought that there was a possessed cat. Turns out that Cat was Grandpa's and he loves Grayson.

Later that night, my dad went to pick up the kids and my sister left. My kiddo's took off outside to play with the cats. I went out to check on them and do my homework and they were missing. I got in my dad four wheeler and went looking. Sure enough, the boys were lost. They were right in the middle of a HUGE field full of piles of dirt. They were almost to the river. Luckily they were stuck.  They were crying and screaming to help! I saved the day by climbing over the piles and saving my kiddos.

The boys said they were looking for the cats and then they couldn't find the right place that was our house. In other words, a blind kid and a 3 year old can't find their grandparents house, that they don't visit very often. Thank goodness the town is little. And thank goodness they didn't get to the river.

The rest of the night was spent with Kayden and Koy and especially Lexi. I love them so so much!

The Fun Part

While we were in Utah it wasn’t all meant to be doom and gloom and sadness and surgeries. Our whole plan was to do the surgery and happily play the REST of the week with every person that we could pack into our lives that loves us and we love them.

Wednesday was the day that I was planning on going to UVU and U of U to get my transcripts and get them sent to ASU. You see, I am going back to school. I have about a year before my bachelors is complete and I am aiming towards the Physician Assistant schools here in Arizona. I have passed all the classes needs, my GPA doesn’t suck and I need to do 2 classes and take the GRE as I apply around. So that is our “goal.”  Well, that didn’t work out to get to the schools. Do to some poor management of time I ended up doing nothing that day until my mom and dad got up to the city.

Us at Grandpa Browns. Ipads were the BEST invention in my entire lifetime. THANK YOU STEVE JOBS!

We pulled into my sisters house and I just started crying. I had had a very emotional 2 days and between Tyler’s  surgery and the accident back in Arizona I was a mess. Just low, low. My dad had been invited to a basketball game with my brother and his two cute M and M’s. We were hoping that his wife would come down with the other 2 boys, but they didn’t. So, we all packed up into 2 cars and went to Chuck A Rama Buffett. ( and eatting at a buffet ensured I could eat my feelings:) )That way I didn’t have to worry about finding food for my kids, neither did anyone and my kids are insanely picky and loud and crazy. So why not let them go someplace that had room enough and people enough to make sure no one died!

We had the BEST time. I LOVE my sisters. Holy crap are they insane people. We are like every other family and we have sister fights and we are mean and terrible sometimes. But at the end of the day, we have all three come to realize that we are sisters. We only have each other. And my mom was there.. laughing harder than she has in a long time. My kids LOVE her!

On top of my awesome sisters, Tyler was the lively hood of the party. He has a wonderful song about Becky. He will sing it if you ask him.  Her name is Becky from Sir Mix A Lots “I like big butts song” and that song is his favorite to start singing in public. He has so many things he says that just makes everyone giggle.

Every time someone would ask him to stop, he would say “ Hammer time” or “Stop collaborate and listen.” Just making the rest of us bust up longer.

After dinner we dropped off my sisters kids and we went to Nicky’s house. We were lucky to catch a glimpse of M and M before they were dashed away to Logan. We sure miss them, when we are all together. Little Max is my best friend. I love that kid. His little sparkle in his eyes really just melt me.  And I REALLY miss my Brother a lot. He is such a smart and loving guy. He has helped me so much and been a great inspiration for wanting to go back to school and excel. He is a great guy.

It was getting late, and so my sweet dudes were ready to go to sleep. Nothing horribly exciting, just emotional. But I was exhausted and needed a good nights sleep.

When you wish upon a star

My nephew Kayden has Hypoplastic kidney disease. His Kidneys never really grew. A few years ago he was given and AWESOME gift from a family who was going through the worst time of their life. He was given a second chance of life by this family who donated their loved ones kidney.

This last year he was finally big enough to make a wish. He was big enough because he was healthy and all that fun stuff. He wanted to meet Buzz Light Year. So they went to Disney World in Florida for a week.

The wish was sponsored by some pretty remarkable people. LOTS of remarkable people. The student body at West Jordan High raised money to give to Make a Wish. This remarkable donations was able to fund 3 FULL wishes.

Kayden was the first wish to ever get to meet his wish makers. It was an awesome experience. It was very emotional and very amazing. I can't wait for us to get one of our own!

Kayden... Raising his star. When you wish upon a star. It doesn't make a difference who you are!

Listening to Kayden and Tammy tell about their trip. Kayden was HILARIOUS!

These are 2 of the girls from the High School that came to be with Kayden for his star raising. They were so sweet. I am glad they got to see it.

A wish wall. A sobering thing to see. We have 3 chronically ill children on my moms side of the Family. Between Kayden, Ty and Daphne we have seen and will be seeing a million miracles. This wall is one of those. There is a story for everything. These Hero's have a story that should be told.
This is Kayden's wish Cake. It had Buzz on it. He asked me to hold up Ty Ty and let him see it. Ty stuck his hand in it. Kayden thought it was SOOO funny and wasn't even mad.

Ever had something....

Ever had something you really wanted to get off your chest but realize that you just can't seem to write it down. Even if it is YOUR own blog and no one else HAS to read it. Or that you might be judged harshly from something you say... Yeah... that would be my head right now!

I literally have SIX blogs I have started that I just can't bear to finish. I want to express so many things and feel that I need to write but haven't had a chance to really express them correctly or in a way that might not come off as negative, angry, upset or hateful.

So I am sticking to a few safe posts.... With lots of pictures. Cause I like those.

This past week has not been the best of weeks. It has been better in regards to my mental health and the Lupron and my endometriosis but I kinda sorta got sick with a cold. Dallas also got it and Mr. T didn't. I am almost certain that the little Toot that was sitting next to Mr. T on the bus sent it home with T.

Monday's therapy left me impressed with Tyler and sad that we are looking at a few months of NO therapy. Not sure what to do with out having SOMETHING. So I am on the look out for something. If not a lot of swimming is gonna be in our near future.

This week went by fairly quick though and we were back to early wake ups from Mr. T and school and all the fun stuff. Because I was sick my poor house keeping skills really suffered. And I don't get enough sleep.

Dallas has the crud and we are heading him into the docs tomorrow!

The week came and it went. Saturday we were having a Aunties lunch with my moms sisters in Provo so me and Nicky and my mom head of there. My dad and Dallas get to hold down the fort. Lexi, Koy and Kayden and Tyler are here playing.

Ty had a blast with his cousins.So that is what we are writing about. And posting photos about...

So here you go!! The kids playing...

And then after we went to Cabella's, feed the fish, walked through the free aquarium and then sent everyone home... HOORAY for quiet.

The day was good. The day was long. Tyler was EXHAUSTED. He has so much fun with the kids. I half wish we would have "Started" a little earlier in our endeavor to produce more spawn so he would have more friends. But I guess that is what it is.

Stay tuned for some fun and exciting honest, blunt and raw feelings.

Christmas with Tyler

After 4 Christmas mornings with Tyler you would THINK I would realize that he just doesn't care once he opens that ONE gift he really really likes. For him it seems any book or movie will about do him in leaving the rest of the gifts for Dad and I to open for him.

We decided that like last year, we would buy one big gift and then little gifts. BUT the big gift, which I think should take a lot of thought into getting the "right one", couldn't be so obvious that he doesn't play or open the other stuff. ( like last years ball pit he wouldn't get out of) We decided not to put together his big gift till after he opened the rest.

Overall, he was OK with opening presents but he was even better once a book and a movie was opened. The big gift didn't phase him until it was put together.

Here are the pictures of Christmas:

Our Christmas tree pre Santa.. I didn't really get one POST Santa..

Christmas Eve Dallas was putting Tyler to bed and they were talking about Santa and if Ty had been good. When he woke us up and we took him downstairs and we waited to see if Santa had come he saw the presents and said " Oh cool."

The stocking was to pretty to fill so we put his big stocking toy IN the tree. We were pointing it out to him. It was pretty funny to see him see something new in the tree that he didn't put in the tree.

Ty really likes the super sleuths and Tiger goes right along with his big present. He loved the tiger and we had a hard time getting him back to opening presents.

A microphone so he can sing with Annie. He loved this thing in the store to. He will go get it any time Annie sings.

Ty got a cute little trampoline that has a handle so he can jump. He loves it. His face is priceless. Of course we had this in the box so that we would sort of get his attention. He has contently played with his new movies, books and jumper for hours and hours of fun.

Christmas Day we also got to have Max and Morgan and Kayden, Koy and Lexi here for a little party for Max. They brought their parents to! So we had a house full with Grandma and Grandpa Labrum. I don't think grandma and Grandpa could have been happier to have everyone together again. I thought Grandpa was gonna BURST!

That afternoon we went to Grandma and Grandpa Browns. Ty was/is sick. He has a nasty cold and cried all night Christmas eve so he was pretty done pretty fast. But we had a great time with his cousins there. He is a pretty spoiled kiddo!

This Christmas season I was especially humbled by Dallas and love him so much. He has worked very hard for us this year and we are so thankful for him and for all of the things that we have. I am also thankful for my Savior and to remember the reason for the season!

With Grandpa passing very close to Christmas and most of us being together, I can't help but remember how incredible the power of family can be. That no matter how many gifts are under the tree that we should remember Christ and our family should be the first things on our mind.

Merry Christmas!

I guess it is my turn

Our Thanksgiving was so much fun. Mostly the Friday after but Thanksgiving was really yummy.

We had dinner at Dallas parents house this year. It was the first year back and it was nice to spend it with Family. I worked until 2 so Dallas and Tyler went without me. Dinner was held up an hour for me to get there but it worked out great and Tyler did awesome. Dinner was yummy and I even rocked the yams/sweet potatoes with a made up recipe that pretty much every at least tried.

Friday was the best! I worked at 4:45 am and I swear on my life I HATE Black Friday. What makes me the most sad is that women are nasty nasty when it comes to "saving money." ANYWAY. I went home, got Dallas and Tyler going for the day and I napped for 2 hours. It was great! Got a turkey started and vacuumed the house. Ty was having ALLLLLLLLLL his cousins over. Not just the Gales but the LABRUMS!

We got family pictures ( ok just the kids) and I fell madly in love with the Labrums. I haven't seen them in almost 4 years. Morgan was 2. Max was 0. I have only "met" Max ONCE. They live far far away and it makes me sad. But I got to take their pictures.

We ate dinner at my house and then went swimming with all the grand kids. Morgan has her own fan club named Tyler and I think she secretly liked it. Max was just cute. And Tammy's kids ( especially Lexi) are so sweet with Tyler. Morgan kept saying " I LOVE this" when we would all laugh. I think she mostly liked that you could trash Nana's house and she never yelled :)

I am really thankful for my family. We had a really great time. I am thankful that I have become friends with my sister in law! She would laugh and no one would EVER guess we would be friends but she rocks. And she makes cute kids. I can't WAIT for them to move back .

( one you haven't seen... I know I know HURRY) They should be done by the end of the weekend.. maybe ;)

Kayden

5 years ago a sweet little boy was born. This little boy is seriously the most kind hearted little boy that I have ever met. His personality matches his triumphs. He is sweet, kind, soft spoken, smart, loving and determined.

When Kayden was just a few weeks old he was diagnosed with hypo plastic kidney's or kidneys were to small. He was in renal failure and there wasn't really anything they could do till they got him healthy, fat and to the ripe old age of 2.

Kayden is sweet. So sweet. He wants so many things for others. He is so sweet. He Loved sharing tubies with Tyler when he was little. And he still thinks often about how to include Tyler.

( that picture makes Tyler look like a doll)

This past few months of getting to see the boys more and getting to have them here I am so thankful for the organ donor that sacrificed for Kayden. He is here with us. He is here to be sweet and thankful to our children and to bless our lives with his spirit.

I hope Kayden has a sweet birthday. He is a big boy now.. 5 is a good age.

And remember......

Happy Birthday NICKY POO!!

Some people call her *peanut*, Sticky, Poo Poo, Stinky butt, Nicky the girl and when we can convince one of kids to call her NINI she will be all set. But none the less it is her birthday today.

Some amazing things that we love about Nicky

1. She doesn't like School buses. Especially ones numbered 911. She tends to hit them with her car. * despite the joke she was VERY lucky that she leaned over or she would not be here to laugh about it*
2. She is the only person I know that didn't need to unzip a size 0 dress for junior prom.
3. She is very caring and is willing to do almost anything to help.
4. When I was in labor, my mom called Nicky to let her know I was having Tyler. Because it was so early Nicky thought my mom was kidding. Nicky was living in Provo and she had taken sleeping pills. She had her roomates bring her up and she went from LDS hospital to The U waiting for this baby to come. ( the docs couldn't make up their minds where we were going) She waited all night and finally sometime after 2 or 3 am Ty was admited to LDS and Nicky was able to see this little guy.
5. After having Ty I had some major complications that included a nurse coming to my house 2 times a day. A few times the nurse couldn't come. She had made sure that someone was trained to do what she did. Well, Nicky was one of them. Now, let me explain this wound. It was DEEP and it was in a *private* place. There was no way to sheild the *private place* from view. So here was my little sister dumping saline in my wound and shooting me up with lydocaine in hopes I wouldn't beat her up * it hurt like hell* all the while my * private place* was open to her. Sad... I have no secrets. ( I was also pumping during that time so she has seen ALLLLLL my private places. POOR Nicky!!
6. Nicky came up to the hospital all the time. Even during the times that she could only LOOK at Tyler. BUT the day that I told her he was able to be held. I am almost sure she dropped everything to come over to PCMC and hold him. I got him out of his warm *condo* and put him in her arms. She was crying so I had to warn her that he was VERY light. She asked for a pillow. She felt like she was holding just blankets. She just sat there Looking at this little boy.




7. She has saved my sanity LOTS of times. There were times Tyler wouldn't stop and I needed a break and fast. She would come and sit there and play with him even when she knew he was going to cry the whole time.
8. She calls when she needs a buddy. Ty is more than willing to say I love you and blow kisses and quack like a duck for her. He laughs and *Fake laughs* for her everyday.
9. Last but no least. She is my sister. I have some pretty great sisters if I do say so my self. She will make someone a great wife and for sure a mother. She will find the person she will marry and that warm bread and Jam will be waiting for them. What a great person.
( Aunt Nicky's 2 boys!!)

Happy birthday NICKY POO!!!

Wordless Wednesday ( Today is not so wordless)

So I am going to explain my picture today. There is a special little girl that I love like my own that I was looking forward to visiting in a few weeks. Since we are not going to be there I thought I would show everyone a favorite picture of her. It was on my wedding and she was so sad the whole day because I was busy doing things and she wasn't able to do them all with us. So here is Alexis and her VERY chubby brother Kayden on my wedding day.

Some things about Lexi!!!

One thing about Lexi is she is such a sweetie. She is so aware of her surroundings and the things going on around her. Her little brother had a kidney transplant to make him "better," In her own seven year old mind she was talking to her mom about Tyler and what is "wrong" with him. She asked why he can't just get a brain transplant to make him all better.

She calls Tyler "TyTy" and I am Nana. I was the first word that she said. ( I did it with coaxing and chocolate pudding but she still loved me!!)

Her first full sentence was on a tape that her and Grandpa made me while I was on my mission. I listened to it over and over. She said "Nana I milked a cow!!"

She is a very special kid. I love her and hope she knows that I will miss her till she can come and visit!!