Baptism Day

Our sweet little boy, Spencer, is growing up. Today he was baptized. He has been so excited about this day and has been praying that it would come fast for weeks now. Well, it finally came. I can't believe my baby boy is old enough to be baptized. It was a good meeting with lots of family helping out with the program. He got to have his own service which made it more special for him. When it came time to go down into the font, I don't think he was nervous at all. I remember being afraid that Uncle Jerry would hold me under too long and I worried about it for weeks. But Spencer was totally calm. He commented on how warm the water was and how weird it was to go in water with clothes on. He understands so much of what he did today and I am impressed with his commitment to do what's right. As I sat through his interview with the Bishop last week, I was amazed at the depth of understanding he possesses. He has an inner drive to be good and is such a fast learner that he knew more than just the basic answers to the questions he was asked.

He was confirmed today also. When he wrote in his journal, he wrote about how he felt like he just couldn't frown. I'm so glad he had a good day and felt so happy with his choice. He loved how everyone told him he was making a good decision. He really values what other people think of him and never wants to disappoint anyone. We have always felt like he has such a sweet spirit and is just a very GOOD boy. I am so proud of the young man he is becoming. Today was his first step in along walk through life and I pray that he continues to follow the path he's on. He has a lot of potential to impact those around him for good. And thanks to some very good friends, they can all help each other along as they grow up in this scary world we have now. Spencer, I love you and I'm so proud of you!

Pneumonia

Well, what started out as the flu has turned into pneumonia. I finally went in to the doctor on Sunday when I was still having fevers, a bad cough and trouble breathing. They took a chest xray and I couldn't believe how bad it looked. Basically, half of my right lung and the bottom part of my left lung around my heart were filled with fluid. No wonder I feel so bad. The doctor said that I caught a second infection on top of the flu because my defenses were down. If I had taken care of myself to begin with, this may not have happened. But since Moms never stop, they get sick. So here's my lesson for all you Moms out there. If you're really sick--TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! I have been of no use to my family the past few days. Dave has had to play both Mom and Dad, and he's sick too! After a big nasty shot in the butt, a breathing treatment and more antibiotics, a night of very labored breathing and a blessing from Dave, I'm finally now starting to breathe a little easier. I still feel pretty crappy- I cough all the time and I'm really tired - but things are sooo much better than they were. I never really thought about someone my age and normally healthy getting pneumonia, but it really does happen. I'm just so thankful for modern medicine and Priesthood blessings. Without both of them, I may not be around to see my kids grow up. That thought has made me think twice about how much I try to push myself to do when I'm not feeling well. Sometimes it's better to say no and take some time for yourself so that you can be there to say yes the next time.

I let them poke me for WHAT?!!

For the past 6 DAYS I have been totally clobbered by the flu. I started feeling sick on Friday night and it's still going. I told Dave today that I need a nanny so that I can rest and get better. I've always gotten a flu shot so that I didn't have to go through this, but thanks to the brilliant dummies that make the vaccine, they goofed this year and targeted the wrong strain. I don't know how many of you have had the dumb luck to get it this year even with a shot, but I'm so sorry if you did. I've never had the flu, that I can remember. Most people have no idea how bad it is or they would run to get a shot every year. I have had a fever, chills, body aches, fatigue and horrible cough since Friday. Today seems to be a little better, at least my fever hasn't gotten over 101 yet. But I sure wish this job of mine had sick days. Maybe if I could have stayed in bed since Friday I'd feel better now. But all I want to do now is lay in bed and sleep my life away. Kim offered to help with the kids (Thanks, Kim) but most of what I've had a hard time doing is stuff no one else can do. How do I get someone else to go to see the kids sing in Sacrament Meeting, see Seth's program, go on Davis' field trip and the to kids' ball games. They would be heartbroken if I didn't show up. As long as I can muster enough energy to take a shower and be to their events, I'll be there. I really get bugged by those moms (and dads) out there that don't care to go to their kid's things. They proudly call themselves good parents, but their own agendas come before their kids. Poor Dave has listened to me gripe about this for 10 years, but I just don't get how a dinner with friends or going to a movie can rank above watching your kid play ball, even if the strike out every time and never catch the ball. With Mother's Day last Sunday, it reminded me of the important parts of being a mom. And that is being there for your kids ALL the time, even when it's not convenient.

And speaking of Mother's Day, Dave and the kids tried to make it a good day for me. But all I wanted to do was sleep and pop pills so I could feel just a little bit better. It was a miserable day for me. But I am so thankful for Dave and for each one of my beautiful children. They are all so unique, each with their strengths and weaknesses, and I love each one of them. I also thought of my own mom, who went through so much while trying to raise a family alone. While she married several times, there wasn't one husband she had (until now) that helped her raise her family. I've gotten frustrated and impatient with her so many times over the years, mostly because we have such different personalities, but she did the best that she could with what she was given. And now with her so far away, I realize how much I love and appreciate what she sacrificed for all of us. She's had a hard life and I'm so glad that she has a good husband to share the rest of her life with. I look forward to her coming home next year.

Job Hunting

We are looking for a job. Any of you that have something, let us know. The only hitch is that it's for a 6 year old! Last week, Seth announced that he wanted to get a job so that he can earn $400. He thinks he absolutely NEEDS an Xbox 360. His first idea was to work in the snack shack at the baseball fields because, "It's easy work. All you have to do is ask people what they want and then tell them how much it is." When I told him that he wasn't quite old enough to do that, he couldn't understand why because he's good at math and money. So, now he's looking for a job. He's thought of babysitting, selling all his toys, and mowing the lawn. Unfortunately, his mean mom has shot down all of them. Last night, after much frustation with no job for him, he asked,"How do you MAKE money?" Yes, he's thinking of starting up a counterfeit operation. What 6 year old thinks like this? And to top it off, he's started forging my initials on his homework papers (and quite well, too!) I'm afraid if we don't find him a job soon, he'll end up in jail. Anyone know an employer that hires child labor?

Long lost cousins

Last week I got a phone call out of the blue from my cousin Janine. She and her sister, Shannon, were in Provo for the women's conference at BYU. It was so fun to hear her voice on the other end of the line - she sounded just the same as she did last time I talked to her--10+ years ago!! We got together on Friday night for dinner at Cafe Rio (my personal FAVORITE place to eat!!) and catch up. We talked for a couple of hours, but probably could have kept going all night. I haven't seen either one of them for so long and our families are so spread out across the country that it's easy to just lose touch. (Not to mention that we're all so busy raising kids!) We had someone take a picture of us (don't tell anyone at CR) but had to be sneaky about it. It was fun to reminisce about the past and growing up together. It's hard to believe that over 30 years have past since we lived close to each other in Davis County.

PARTY!!!

Davis is in heaven! His best little buddy, Hunter, is staying with us this week while his parents are out of town. These 2 little guys are so much alike it's not even funny. Kim & I have often said they were meant to be twins, but Heavenly Father knew neither one of us could handle it. Anyway, Hunter is here and Davis thinks it's party central! He gets to have a sleepover all week and play with Hunter all day long. What neither one of them realize is that it's okay to go to sleep - the playing will continue the next day. They were both so excited to get to sleep together that we finally had to separate them and put Davis in our bed so they would go to sleep. They quickly fell asleep, but not for long. About 6:45 this morning I started hearing giggling and talking from Davis room. They've been nonstop ever since. Davis has met his match, though. He's usually the one doing most of the teasing, but Hunter is giving him a run for his money. It's pretty funny to see Davis put in his place and to hear him complain because someone else is teasing him. There IS justice in the world!!

Sleep (or lack of sleep!) Update

We got the results from Davis' sleep study this week. But we're still just as frustrated. Basically, he doesn't sleep. He had 110 arousals during the night, which resulted in him not sleeping much. We already knew that! His pulmonologist thinks it is possibly reflux related. He had a few desats, but nothing too major like he did as a baby. He has some mild obstructive apnea, but it's unknown why. So our next step is to treat his reflux and see how he does. Hopefully, this will help a lot because the next step is to try taking his tonsils out and put him on some oxygen at night. This poor kid can't catch a break. He goes in to see his pediatrician tomorrow and we'll see what he says. Everyone cross your fingers for him!