Mom Redemption!

Due to being out of commission for a week and on the couch not feeling well and leaving my kids on the verge of neglect I had to do something fun with them yesterday. So I struck a deal with Molly 3 days ago that if she would get the living room cleaned up then I would put on a new movie and make some popcorn. It only took her two days to get that done and we were finally ready for our movie matinee. I put down a blanket, had both girls get their blankies (yes they both have blankies) and made some popcorn with a special surprise (mini m&m's) in it and then put a rice crispy treat in there treat baskets and we turned on "Rescuers, Down Under" now I'm a fan of the traditional "Rescuers" but being as we have not added that to our list as of yet... Rescuers Down Under was great. They were so cute. Molly was enthraled with the movie and loving her treats, while Stella was more focused on her treats. Stella loved the rice crispy treat but when it came to the popcorn she wasn't interested, i did notice however that she had managed to pick out all of her m&m's. She was so funny she was walking around with ricecrispy treats hanging form her bum. Oh they were so funny. Molly loved the movie and has already asked about 50 times if she can watch it again.

A God Of Miracles.

What a month we have had. Kris's dad was diagnosed with cancer and was told that he should have his kidney out ASAP. With the wedding of his youngest daughter coming up they were told that this is not a hard surgery to recover from. The plan was to have his kidney out ASAP and then he would be recovered by the time the wedding dinner, wedding, and reception was here. Well that didn't really work out as planned and due to other complications from the first surgery Kris's dad was taken in for emergency surgery last night at 8:00 pm (While the wedding dinner was under way.) It was at this point that we realized that Pa (Kris's dad) would not make it to the wedding. A good friend and Physician called Kris's sister Kerry and told her that he knew how badly W. Kris (Kris's dad) wanted to be there, but that he had to get better. He told her that she should be happy and was really sweet. All of us knowing that Pa wouldn't be at the wedding made for a bitter sweet idea for the wedding, but this morning Kris's mom got a call form the good friend and doctor saying "Becky bring Kris's suit down and lets see if we can get him there." He then told her not to tell Kerry because they weren't sure that they could really get him there. Becky hurried down and Pa started talking and saying things like "put some Kleenex in my jacket pocket" That is when Kerry realized that he would be coming. They checked him out and the Dr. and good friend as well as the Dr. work associate accompanied Pa to the temple. They both sat in the sealing and we were all there. I don't think that there was a dry eye on our side of the room. Especially when the sealer (who has been a long time great friend of Kris's family) said that there were truly miracles that we have seen and that last night none of us thought that Kris would be there. He then quoted one of my favorite scriptures of all time

Ether 12:6 "And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

All of us were praying that he would just make it to the wedding. How the Lord listens to specific prayers. Right after the sealing he the family friend and Dr., along with his partner, wheeled him out and took him back to the hospital where he will be spending at least 3-5 more days.

I know that God is a God of miracles and that he is very much aware of us and our concerns and our struggles and the deepest desires of our heart. He loves us and wants us to be happy. I have felt this so many times in my life. How grateful I am to know that God does exist and that he is watching over us! What a wonderful blessing we have seen and felt today.

When It Rains... It Pours.

This summer has been one thing after another. It has just never stopped. Some have been great things, some have been serious trials and stresses, but we have found our strength in prayer and fasting and putting one foot in front of the other.
*It started with girls camp the last week of June,
*then on to Molly birthday party, Chelsey's baby shower, and Stella's birthday party all in the same week.
*Kris's little sister is getting married and so we had a Rosander/Fogg get together dinner in between the shower and S. birthday party.
*We were off to Lake Powell the day after that/ It was a really crazy week and Kris REALLY was not feeling well./ My sister got engaged while we were gone.
*We got home and found out that Kris's dad had been diagnosed with cancer.
*We have had many family get togethers and fasting and blessings (I think everyone just really feels a desire to be together right now.
*Kerry has had wedding showers and other wedding planning that has had to be done.
*Pa (Kris's dad) had his kidney removed.
*Mark and Chelsey had their twin boys on Monday.

Life has really thrown us some curve balls lately and it has really taken us for a ride. I have been filled with emotion toward Kris and his family. This has been really hard for Kris. He has had to work out some work stuff and has been really trying to take all of this in.

I have really felt for Amy I know she is far away (K, I just sit here crying just thinking about all of this) but, I know she is far away from family. It's times like these you want to be close to family to be there and see and know what is going on and I have just really thought about her a lot.

I have felt for Mark, who now has two twin boys that are in the NICU (both are doing very well and are strong and healthy, breathing on their own and really are doing well) but knowing that he is worried about his father, his wife and now these two little boys, I know that he has felt stressed. He is so great to always have such a positive attitude. He is so calm and handles it all so well.

I have felt for Jody that has been struggling with sick kids. Has been having to handle all of the questions at work (when we're not supposed to really be talking about it) and I know how she feels about her dad, I know they all feel that bond, but I know that Jody has a special place in her heart for her dad.

And Kerry! WOW! She is one of my heroes! This is a girl that has been planning her wedding and every detail from the time she was little. She owns every bridal magazine that has ever been printed and whether she was dating or not, I don't think that she was even anxious to get married, but just to plan this amazing event, I know this is not what she saw in her vision of her wedding. Pa missed her wedding dinner tonight and will now (due to a last minute emergency surgery) will not be attending her sealing or her reception. Despite how difficult this has been and the many tears that have been shed she has put on such a brave face and has had such a great attitude. I just admire someone that can find a way to do that though what I know must be one of the greatest challenges in her life.

Last but definitely not least is my amazing mother in law Becky. I am truly amazed and in awe of her. A husband that is so sick, a daughter getting marred, twin grandsons that have come and are in the NICU, and having a daughter visiting with her three kids, all in one week! She really deserves a medal.

I just keep thinking of 2 of my favorite quotes.

*In your life there have to be challenges. They will either bring you closer to God and therefore make you stronger, or they destroy you. But you make the decision of which road you take. Elder F. Enzio Busche

*The very act of choosing to be a disciple can bring to us a certain special suffering. This suffering, when it is part of a divine tutorial, can be sanctifying in the sense of developing the very virtues a particular disciple needs to learn." "If we are serious about our discipleship, Jesus will eventually request each of us to do those very things which are most difficult for us to do. sometimes the best people have the worst experiences, because they are the most ready to learn." Elder Maxwell

I have learned a lot during all of this and I think all of us are growing and learning. I'm grateful for the way the Lord knows us and has helped and taught us by example and by those whispering and though trials. He is wise and all knowing and truly knows us well.

This has been a challenge for all of us. In the midst of all of this I have always had a peaceful felling that all will be ok, but watching my husband struggle though this, watching his siblings and his mother, and the pain and worry of his father really is a challenge. I know that each of us in our lives have challenges, some look really big and some look really small, but to each person their challenges and trials are real. The Lord knows us and knows what we need to learn and what will stretch us and make us grow. I have truly been amazed at the out pouring of love we have felt. Kris (pa Kris, Kris's dad) made it clear that he didn't want anyone to know before the wedding as not to distract or take away form the wedding at all and as things have turned out that just hasn't happened that way. But I'm amazed at the love that we have felt from family, friends and those around us, but most of all I know that the Lord is with all of us. It's still a challenge and we are continually thinking of and praying for pa and he is missed and thought of at the wedding events and other family things. We long for the day when he is back on his feet reading Pinkalicious to our little Molly.

To my amazing Husband. Kris, I love you. I am amazed at the strength you have. I love being your wife and I'm sad when your sad. I know that this is not easy and that there have been some really hard days and that there might be some more hard days, but I will be there for you and will stand by your side always. I'm so proud of the man that you are, for the worthy priesthood holder you are and for the testimony and faith that you have. You amaze me. I love you more than anything. We will make it through this and it will be OK. I love you!

Smartie Pants!

Molly has know how to say her name for a long time... and she sounds so cute!

Then she learned how to spell it.

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Today she wrote it all on her own.

I have been working with her for weeks now on how to write her name. She got some letters no problem, her O's and L's, but has not really gotten M's. My mom sat down with her while I was exchanging shoes yesterday and she totally taught her how to write M's. She worked on Y's as well, but Y's are still kind of a hit and miss thing.

Today she found a crayon and wrote an M. I told her to keep going and do an o and then and l and then another l and then she totally did a y on her own. She just amazes me and loves to learn. I have had a hard time getting her to do a y since that but she is just amazing to me that she can pick stuff up like this so fast. She is so excited about preschool and keeps asking when she can go. I'm really excited for her, I just know she will eat it all up!

St. George

Oh we had a nice get away. We were able to go to St. George and spend a few days down there. My two little sisters Katheryn and Whitney came with Molly, Stella and I. We had a good time. We did some swimming, eating out and a little bit of shopping. It was fun to have Kat and Whit come with us. We stayed up late talking and they were such good helpers with my kids and my girls loved having them there. What a blast. Molly was thinking the little pool was the best and we really did just have a blast. What a great weekend.

Do You Ever Have Those Days?

Holy cow! The girls have been on one for the last two days. Kris got home from work and I told him that I'm 29 years old so I get a 29min time out. I went outside on the back porch and sat until I couldn't stand to hear Stella crying.

"Mom, can I ride a pony?"

Sweet Molly sometimes comes up with the most random stuff. Last week she asked me "Mom, can I ride a pony?" She was so nonchalant about the whole thing you would have thought she was asking for a snack. I really don't know where she got the idea of riding a pony, but I have been really trying hard to stop and think before I answer or just rattle off a no. I had remembered a place that is close by that does pony rides for just a few bucks and thought that there was no reason she couldn't ride a pony so I said sure. It was kind of a crazy week, but we found some time last Wednesday to head out to ride a pony. I thought she would be scared and would just cry and not get on, but she went with the girl that was helping and got right on and just kind of sat there taking it all in. After the first time around she kind of loosened up and said to the girl "Do you want to come ride ponies with me?" She is so funny. That wasn't the only time she asked either. She is just getting so big. She really did love it and I was glad that we went. She didn't ride for long, but I think it was just what we were looking for. She keeps asking me if she can go back, so I think she like it. She was so awesome. I'm so proud of her for not getting scared, the kid is scared of everything, from flies to the garbage truck, but not that pony! This most likely will not be our last trip to "ride the pony"! After our pony ride we did a little shopping and then stopped to have lunch. I got the girls a hot dog to share and chips and a drink. Stella was eating so well until she got a taste of Molly's sprite and then she was done and just wanted that drink, oh boy! That girl is quiet a hoot.

Family Picnic!

We really haven't done much fun family summer time stuff, so the other day I saw these baskets at World Market that reminded me of old time fish and chip baskets and thought that those would be fun for something, you never know, but they were on sale and so I got them. Then I was running late one night and hadn't gotten dinner and it had just been a busy day so I decided this was the perfect opportunity to do an outside picnic style dinner. As I started to think about what I would do for the picnic and thinks that would make this fun and memorable for my family I remembered my baskets. So I wiped up a really good and healthy chicken salad. I got this from my sister in law she uses tuna, which I do if it's just for me, but chicken is more kid and Kris friendly, and she also added pine nuts, it's so good and really healthy. (you just put a can of the Kirkland canned chicken, 3 sticks of celery, 1 red pepper, about 3/4 cup of raisins, some olive oil, salt and pepper, top with tomato, soooo good!) then I put it on bread for Kris and the Girls, but thought I would like the pita better. I did pretzels for me and the girls & Kris had chips. While I whipped up this fast and easy dinner Kris and the girls played outside with sidewalk chalk and played in molly's little table pool (best outdoor toy ever, thanks mom!). They pulled out the blanket and were ready for me when I brought out the food. We finished off the meal with some water all the way around and Stella was just excited that she got a big girl cup. Molly kept doing "Cheers" with Stella and she loved that. They walked around the backyard and would come back and forth to eat. All in all it was a really relaxed dinner and it was really fun. These are the things that make summer fun for me, just the relaxed atmosphere. I really appreciate Kris and his going with the flow and not complaining, I know that he was not in love with the "chick" meal, but he is always such a good sport and will just go with the flow. that is just one of the things I love about him. After we were done I did baths and Kris did the clean up. Oh the summer nights!

July Lake Powell Trip.

This trip to Lake Powell seemed to be a long one. We had a great time, it just seemed to be really hard this time. I don't think that the girls were getting enough sleep which is never a good thing. Kris wasn't feeling well and I wasn't perky myself being as everyone around me was ornery. I had had 3 parties that week before, one Sat, Thurs, and then the next Sat and then we left on Mon. Kris had some things to get done Monday morning before we left, so I was in charge of packing and getting the car packed for all of us. So I think I was just a bit run down and really in need of a vacation and Lake Powell is never really a vacation. You make every meal, clean up every meal, camp; clean the whole time. So now that I have gotten all of the downers out of the way, It was really nice to just be with the family. I love when Kris is not working and gets to spend extra time with us, and the girls like it just as much as I do (total daddy's girls). We just did a lot of Boating, went to the beach, and just spent time together. It was really cute when we were going for a long ride up to Dangling Rope and I was driving Kris was sitting up front with both girls and he looked at me and said, "Did you just hear what Molly said?" then he went on to say "We're almost at the Marina." We were both amazed that she would know that we were close when this is a marina that you really can't even see and is tucked up in a little cove. She is one smart little girl. It was really fun to be with the family. I do think that Kris and I will try to make it down one more time by ourselves. (I'll keep my fingers crossed.) We did also get to celebrate Stella's birthday. We didn't do cake or ice cream being as we had already done 2 cakes, but we did do a lot of singing (all day long). I can't believe my baby is one, and my other baby is 3! REALLY!

Crash & Burn.

I don't know that more needs to be said about this... That's right another great crash and burn for Molly. We were in serious need of getting out of the house on Sunday so we decided to go for a walk. Molly was ecstatic about the walk, but we told her she had to go potty before we could go and so to get in there quick and go. She ran in and I'm not quite sure what exactly happened. I'm assuming that she face planted into the stool. Well needless to say how bad it was. I don't know that you can tell that she got a bloody nose, sorry these picture are still kind of bloody, but this was after she stopped crying. We did still go on our walk, and cute Brooke gave us not just one but 2 Popsicles. The funny thing was that not even 5 minutes before Molly did this, Stella had head butted me and got her gums on my tooth so she had had a bloody mouth, and I was talking care of Stella when Molly took her face plant, Molly's was just much more severe and note worthy.

Happy Birthday Stella!

We celebrated Stella's Birthday a few days early being as we were going to be out of town over her birthday. It was kind of a cray week being as we had Molly's Birthday party on Sat the 4th, Chelsey's Baby shower on Thursday the 9th and then Stella's party on Sat the 11th. Holy cow. Can I tell you what my house looked like, and Kris's poor family may have been partied out. We kind of did a low key party for her.

For Stella's Invitations I went to the cannery to get some cans and then filled them with candy and pink and yellow confetti and then the actual invitation on top and then sealed the can and put wrapping paper around it with curly ribbon and the little note that said "CAN you come to my party?" So you had to open it to see when and where the party was and who it was for. Kind of fun. They turned out cute and we hand delivered them!

I wanted to incorporate the table setting into the meal so I painted a mural (mind you i'm not an artist. Steph I should have had you do the painting for me) but it kind of turned out fun. I made a tree the top of the tree was all green bowls and green food and then trunk was a brown wooden bowl full of pretzels. I panted a car and the wheels were small pizzas and then the painted flowers, and put little bowls of fruit in the middle for the center of the flowers. Then I painted a sun and filled a bowl full of yellow chips and put it on top and then for the last part I painted a B.B.Q and put mini hamburgers on it. I love the little sliders they were so cute. We also had little mini waters, being as Stella is just mini we went with the mini world theme.

We had so much food left over. Then for the cake we had crazy cake with chocolate mousse on top.

Stella was so funny the whole party. I just let her roam around... YES! She is totally walking and just likes to go where she wants to go and do what she wants to do, so I let her! I gave her some pizza and she loved it. She was so funny with her cake she kept putting her head back and opening her mouth like a little bird... I have never seen a kid get her head back that far. She also tried to eat the cake dog style. Oh this little girl keeps me smiling. Then she found a mini water bottle and my mom was helping her for a bit, but independent Stella wanted to do it all by herself. She loved it and it was so funny to watch her.
At one she is doing so much and is just a busy little girl. That will be a later post, stay tuned