2013 Year in Review

In the back of my mind I knew I still had a blog, to be honest, I had forgotten about it for a long time now. At the end of what has been a very different year for us, I am ready to write about it.
I am so thankful this year for the Priesthood in my home and family.  I am thankful for inspired people who invent such marvelous things to help people and save others lives.  I am thankful for love; love of others who we never knew and will never know who prayed for us and many who still keep us in their thoughts, love for others, love from my children and spouse and love of family.  I am thankful to know that family isn't always blood.
It's weird to think about this time last year, when I was preparing to bring home a little girl in a couple months.  I can't believe she'll be 11 months on Monday.  It's weird to think of time before her, as if she has always been.
Kaily is such a great sister to all of the siblings.  She helps out and is a big tease as well.  Conner is so serious and cracks everyone up when he's not trying to.  Corbin is starting to talk more clear and is thirsty for knowledge.  Kambrie is growing too fast and she brightens up any room.  Each of them are such a joy to me.  I saw a sign the other day that read, "I didn't know how much love my heart could hold until they placed you in my arms."  That's how I feel everyday about my kids.  I'm not going to win any awards on being the most talented, creative, soft spoken or well behaved mom in the world, but my kids know I love them and I do the best I can.
I hope this new year brings each of you the happiest of memories and that you find dreams to make come true.

Vindication

I love it when I have thought something all along and then find out that I was right.  We got a call from the allergist today with the boys results.  The blood work they did only tested them for the most common food and household allergies, none of the grass, weeds or tree hay-fever type allergies.  It turns out that Corbin just has hay-fever most of the year and is not allergic to any food or common animal.  Conner, on the other hand, while not allergic to any common animal and not allergic to most food, he is allergic to peanuts.  When he was 18 months old we gave him some peanut butter and he developed a rash.  I decided to not give him any peanuts from that point on, not really knowing if that was the reason for the reaction.  When he was 2 he ate some M&M's, just the plain ones, but again he got a little rash on his face.  So we drilled it into his head that he could NOT have peanuts and figured we get him tested when he got older.  He recently ate some plain M&M's again and he was fine.  I've been less safe with the peanut butter, but he still doesn't eat it.  It's nice to know that my mother's instinct was right all along.  He did say that we could just keep doing what we're doing with him and have the Epi pen on hand just in case.

Alergies

Don't fall over cuz I did two posts in a row...

These cute boys of mine suffer from allergies.  I know how miserable my brother and I were growing up so today I took them to see an allergist. He took one look in their noses and said, "yep they have allergies."  He gave me a nasal spray and told me to keep giving them children's Claritin.  He also said to come back in 2 weeks for the results of some blood work he would like to run.  So we went to the lab and I felt like the worst mom EVER because I had to hold them down while this lady took some of their blood.  I was so proud of how brave they both tried to be.  Corbin kicked the lady in the shins while she was doing Conner, defending him against her.  I hate it when my kids cry and have to go through hard things.  It makes me ever so grateful for a loving father who has had to endure more heartache than I can even imagine.  It makes me want to say thank you in so many ways.  Hopefully we can figure out what they are allergic to and hope that I can always help them.

Changes

This year seems to be about change.  As many of you know Kambrie was born on Jan 23.  It's been a ride so far with her, but we are so excited that she is doing so well. Clint graduated from Weber State in April and we are both supper excited to be done there.  He might go on to get a Master's but that's a bit down the road.  Kaily finished the 2nd grade with top scores in Reading and Science.  She is looking forward to a summer filled with Girl Scout camps and family reunions.  Conner graduated from Preschool and is so excited to go to Kindergarten this fall.  Corbin got tubes placed in his ears and will start speech therapy sometime soon.  There's noting new for me, just trying to keep up with everyone else.

A few weeks ago we were able to bless Kambrie and baptize Kaily.  It was a great day filled with lots of family and friends.  I can't believe my baby is 8 now.  I was looking at the kids her age that are in her primary class and remembering when they were all in nursery together.  It made me tear up as I saw the great people they are becoming.  We have been in this house for 5 years now, way longer than we thought we would, and it's been a great thing for us.  This year, however, we are planning on moving.  We don't know where or when yet.  All we know is sometime between now and a year from now.  Out little house is getting too small for us and this family.

A New Year

2012 in Review...

Many of you received our Christmas newsletter, so I won't bore you with the same details, rather I would like to focus on goals accomplished this past year and new things to come for 2013.

Kaily finished soccer and chose not to play again.  She bridged from Daisy scout to Brownie scout in Girl  Scouts and was able to receive most of her badges.  She reads at a 3rd grade level and is a great friend.  Her goals this year are to be baptized a member of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, improve her math and science skills as well as choosing a variety of books from the library.

Conner started preschool and is doing great!  His accomplishments for 2012 are that he learned to write his name all by himself, has started reading basic books and tried a variety of new foods.  His goals for 2013 are that he would like to continue to improve his writing and reading skills.  He also, reluctantly, agreed to continue trying new foods is new ways.  He wants to be ready for Kindergarten in the Fall.

Corbin accomplished lots of fun things this past year being that he just turned 2.  We are excited that his speech is improving and we can actually understand what he is trying to say,  He learned how to do somersaults, jump with both feet and his new favorite thing, besides my phone is to color.  In 2013 I'm sure he'll amaze us even more as he continues to grow.

Clint finished another year of school and in 2013 he will finally graduate.  He beat his time on the sprint triathlon we did in Snowflake this past fall and would like to beat his time again with another one.  He improved on his painting/drawing skills and is excited to start creating his own work.  In 2013 he would like to graduate and perhaps get a different job within the church.

I ran a half marathon pregnant this year, did part of a triathlon pregnant and have grown, from what we can tell, a healthy little girl that is due to be born in February.  This year I would like to read more and watch movies and tv less.  I would like to loose my baby weight before the end of next year, maybe run a 5k or something come the fall.  I would like to yell less at my kids and be more understanding.  However, while these goals are all great the truth is, I'm having a baby and if I can accomplish at least 2 of these I will be a happy mama.

Stay posted for pics and more things to come as the year progresses.