Brownie Bytes

Dear family and friends-

2011-09-28T21:52:00.000-07:00

See Update Below!

Dear Family and friends,

Our family has has been working with Deseret Media on a conference special that will be shown between the Sunday sessions of conference on October 2. It is on recovery from a pornography addiction. Ben was abused when he was eight. The shame he felt from that abuse led him into a pornography addiction that he has dealt with it his whole life.
I found out about his addiction a year after we were married. Consequently I was devastated and felt incredibly betrayed. Over the course of our marriage his addiction has cycled. The constant fear and turmoil was very devastating to me. After Gracie was born I hit a new low. Miraculously I found a therapist in town that specifies in pornography addiction recovery. This group of therapists are pioneering an effort to show the world the devastating effects this addiction has on woman. Ben and I have been in extensive therapy for over 2 years now and during that time Ben has been sober.

We were contacted by KSL to participate in this documentary to bring pornography addictions into the light. We feel very blessed to share our story in the hopes that it will help someone. We have shared our story many times to different groups and feel stronger after. We truly believe that this addiction is satans plan to destroy families. Not men or women, their families. I know and believe that our family is in recovery, but it will be something we will always work on and address. We are feeling so much better emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Thank you for your ongoing support of our family. We have been truly blessed, and feel your love. We hope you will watch and share this with your families and friends.

If you have any questions, please ask. We are more than willing to talk. We are amazed at how many people are dealing with this addiction. For years we thought we were the only one's dealing with pornography. That's why we want to talk about it, so women and men don't feel alone. The more we share the smaller it seems. Before, this addiction was a huge scary monster in a dark closet. Now we realize that it is not, and we have the power to destroy it.

Thank you for your love and support,

Ben and Andrea Brown

"Healing the Brokenhearted"

A documentary for partners betrayed by pornography and sexual addiction

Sunday, October 2, 2011 - 1:00-2:00pm

KSL (Channel 5)

KSL Channel 5 is broadcasting a one-hour documentary called "Healing the Brokenhearted", which features messages of hope and healing for women impacted by the betrayal of pornography and sexual addiction.

This documentary has an LDS emphasis and will air between Sunday sessions of the LDS Church General Conference.

The documentary features stories from women in their own healing process and offers encouragement, support, and direction for those affected.

Long time no post

2011-07-11T21:40:00.000-07:00

A wise man once told me that he was sick of reading about our trip to Chuck-A-Rama. This one is for you Uncle Garth.

Here are some highlights and things to look forward to in the next little while.

We adopted a baby! I know. We were shocked, we never thought we would do something like this either. But it just felt like the right thing to do.

Her name is Charlotte. We call her Lottie and she fits in my purse. I give her swaddle baths and she is loved by all.

Stay tuned for the following events-
Potty training Gracie and Lottie. Lottie's training will involve teaching her to ring a little bell with her paw to go outside. Gracie's training may or may not include a bell.

Gracie climbing out of her crib.

Gracie getting a toddler bed.

Turning the large bedroom into a "girls dorm" with two sets of bunk beds.

Tyler sleeping in the toddler bed in his own room (for now. But he is tiny and he fits!) and the "ghosts".

Ta ta.

Chuck-A-Rama

2010-11-01T19:13:00.000-07:00

It is funny how one person's greatest dream come true can be another person's greatest nightmare. Today is Lindsey and Emily's birthday. 10 and 8. I feel old. This year it is a family party, with Emily's baptism to come in the next few weeks. Since Grandpa and Grandma are in Costa Rica and they usually bring all the fun to the party, we had to come up with plan B.
Plan B includes Chuck-A-Rama. Their greatest dream. My greatest nightmare. Grandma took the girls there a few months ago and ever since they have been dying to go again. They could not believe that there was a place to make and eat as much ice cream as you wanted and when Emily discovered the endless supply of mashed potatos and gravy she was sold! When I suggested we come up with an activity to do together as a family they came up with Chuck-A-Rama. I couldn't see the activity in that, but they convinced me that walking around looking at and eating a lot of food constituted as an activity. Hmmm. Since I am a team player I said "why not" out loud, and in my mind said....."oh no, no, no, no, no!"
Birthday morning girls anticipating the all you can eat dinner at the end of the day. Seriously. Birthday presents followed by "when are we leaving for the activity". aka Chuck-A-Rama.

We finally made it and settled in. Emily chose the end so she could make frequent visits to the buffet.

Grace thought it was great. Emily kept her supply of finger foods going the whole night.

"pretty sure this is the best activity ever!"

We paid 5 dollars for Tyler to eat green jello and 4 dollars for Eliza to eat cucumbers and ranch dressing. Super!

Emily ate six plates of food plus dessert. She went to lay down on the bench and knocked her rootbeer float onto her head. She was not impressed.

Mom and dad laughed the whole time because:

1. Their joy- eating endless possiblities of food.

My nightmare- having so many choices not being able to eat anything (hence the green

jello fiasco)
2. Their joy-eating as much as they want and getting it themselves (Emily strategically placed

herself for optimum eating.)

My nightmare- children crawling all over the place carrying heavy plates of food, on their

own, by themselves, through a restaurant.

3. Their joy-Doing it all by themselves.

My joy- letting them do it (gulp.)

We had to give Emily a barf bag on the way home. Lindsey declared that she was SO embarrassed by how the little kids acted. Ben and I laughed because the whole night was so comical. We sure feel lucky to have these five little ones. Don't worry we gave the waitress a BIG tip to clean up after us!

These are the faces of two people who made it through an all you can eat buffet with five children with only two drink spills and one plate drop on the floor do we look crazy? Yup we are!

2010-11-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween from the brownie bytes!
And of course from the crayon teachers at Washington Elementary school. Let me know if you want my autograph I can scribble it in red for you!

Coming attractions:

Arches

Lindsey and Emily's birthday!

be SMART

2010-09-10T17:28:00.000-07:00

Fall has arrived. My windows have been open for two days! Gracie can't get enough of the cooler weather and escapes every chance she gets!

We started the summer off with stitches. Why not Fall? Emily's little run in with the gate (the gate won). Different eye. Different direction. 5 stitches. Hooray!

Today I had a meeting with my Principal. We discussed what my SMART goals were going to be for the year.

Specific/strategic

Measurable

Attainable

Results-oriented

Timely

The goal I set in my mind was, "get the kids names in my class right. " I have two sets of cousins this year who look remarkably the same and two boys with almost the same name. In fact, I confused the boys names the first day of school the WHOLE day and neither of them said anything. They just looked at me like I was crazy! Of course I told my Principal a different goal because there is NO WAY I want him to think I don't know the kids in my class. In my defense...I do...They look A LOT alike.....and I am pretty sure my mental capabilities are shot because I have 5 kids...not that I am making excuses or anything...never. I am pretty sure that this answers the Specific part of my goal. I just hope that it is Attainable.

While I was folding laundry tonight (because that is what I do on Friday night, sooo glamorous) I thought about SMART goals I should set at home. This is what I came up with.

1. Remember my own kids names (you know what I mean, LindseyemilytylerelizagracieImeanben.)

2. Take care of my families laundry better. I come from a long line of women who get their whites really white. Every summer my mom would purchase homemade soap while we were in Canada and attack the soles of our socks. You never ever went outside with just socks on. That was like breaking the ultimate rule at our house. It's not so much a white thing as a take pride and take care of what I have thing. Clothes don't have to be so expendable. What I have taken from my moms white white socks rule is the lazy mans way out. Chuck them. Buy a new package when I have to go up north, then they are always white. Rinse and repeat. As we speak I have several white items soaking in buckets of BIZ on top of my washer. Go me! That was Attainable and Measureable.

3. Be more patient for the Timely things to happen. They will. I just have to be patient.

4. Finally, cancel dish network (really this time) Does anyone else out there think that the Disney Channel has turned into MTV for children? I will miss Phineas and Ferb. The rest can just GO AWAY. I am pretty sure that this is Specific and I will see immediate Results.

And this my friends makes me SMART!

Inspire me...what are your SMART goals? Give me ideas!

In case you were wondering

2010-08-26T18:09:00.000-07:00

Back in school! Welcome to Mrs. Brown's University! 5 cases of Mono...yuck
4 missing pictures of kids on the first day...darn computer

streptococcus Tyler

2010-08-08T15:13:00.000-07:00

Dear Bloggity Blog,

We have strep. A whole lot of strep going on at our house. First the mom, then the kids. Poor daddy has had to be Mr. Mom. I think he will be glad to go back to Mr. Dad. The crazy thing about this round of strep, Tyler once again didn't have any symptoms. The docotor said that sometimes in families one person will never have symptoms but will still have it. Thus never being treated and spreading the germs around again and again. WHAT! Who knew the reason we always had strep was because of tiny Tylers lovely kisses. If you have ever had the pleasure of experiencing one of his smooches you know what I am talking about! Can you say typhoid Mary?!

Break out the Avagard and clorox wipes

love,

the mommy

Sunday Evening Silence

2010-07-25T18:16:00.000-07:00

One more Sunday down, thousands to go. Oh my. I am tired. In case you were wondering, school starts in two weeks. HALLELUJAH! Summer swim is over. The best part about it....Tyler's tiny swim trunks ( you would not believe how small they are!) You gotta love swim cap goggle smiles. SOOOOOO attractive!

When I lay in bed at night I think of really great posting ideas then when I sit down at the computer I forget them all. Oh well I will try again next time!

To the people in CANADA.

Dear tourists,

Puhlease bring us back our favorite candy bars...you know what they are! Don't disappoint. Oh yes, one more thing. Gracie is walking.

Toodles,

the bytes

We have always said she should have two birthdays!

2010-07-06T19:09:00.001-07:00

July 6, 2009
We're home! Last NICU photo!

I walked in the door tonight carrying Gracie on my shoulder. Earlier that day my mom had reminded me that today was the one year anniversary for bringing Gracie home from the hospital. During some quiet moments that I had this afternoon (while my kids were at the pool with my neighbor.) I thought about last year. What was going on in my mind, and how we ever survived. I think about "last year" Andrea and wondered how I ever came home and took care of such a fragile infant. I know that I did it, but can't imagine how. My mom reminded me how in tune Ben was and still is to Gracie and her needs. If it wasn't for the spreadsheet he created I don't know how we would have kept track of everything. He always knew what she needed and when. What a difference a year makes. Just like all the other milestones we hit, I say again "we did it!" She is talking and getting ready to walk and looks like a string bean, there is no meat on her bones! What a lucky family we are to get her and be able to reflect on the greatest blessings we have been given. One year ago today I carried her through the door all snug in her car seat. Overjoyed and overwhelmed at the same time. What a great combination of senses to have to really make you aware of your surroundings. And perhaps the best coming home from the hospital birthday present I could receive...(besides Grace, my family, my health, you get the picture)...getting to teach school again! I received the official word today! Hallelujah!!!!!

26 activities/104 days of summer vacation

2010-06-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

There's a hundred and four days of summer vacation, and school comes along just to end it,
So the annual problem for our generation is finding a good way to spend it, like maybe...

Getting Stitches
Playing superheros

Swimming for the first time

catching fish

Playing Rock Band

Watching outdoor movies

going to the zoo

Playing with cousins

wearing matching shirts

posing next to gigantic snakes

building new swingsets

having bird funerals (you were a good bird Jasper...for two days)

Playing at the water park

wearing sun hats and teeny tiny swimming suits

Posing with cousins

eating uncrustables at the pool

wearing goggles and a swim cap for the first time

tanning with shades

floating with momsplashing around

selling lemonade at 8:00 in the morning

having BBQ's with Idaho cousins

enjoying hotdogs

enjoying cousins

sleeping in back yard tents

watching movies

So as you can see, there's a whole lot of stuff to do before school starts this fall. So stick with us cause' the Brown's are going to do it all!

Postcards to Norway

2010-06-04T17:23:00.000-07:00

Airmail:
Dear Mom and Dad,
We are having a good time in Utah here without you. Today we went on a hike, had a picnic, and played in the sandbox. When we got up this morning we sure liked playing with Tyler and Eliza outside. We hope you had a great flight and that your feet didn't fall asleep. We just finished dinner and get to watch a movie outside. Tell Grandma and Grandpa we love them.
We LOVE you...more tomorrow,
Caden and Ellie

Schools out!

2010-05-27T21:55:00.000-07:00

Dear Summer,
We are ready for you! Schools out and we are ready to play. That is after the trip to the emergency room for stitches! Poor Em for falling off the stool. Poor sister missionaries for walking into the bloody mess. Poor me for telling them I am not less active (although I laughed to myself about it!) Bring on the flip flops, sunscreen, and 115 degree weather. We can take it. You can find us at the swim meets on Saturdays and the rec center every other day of the week. Well, as soon as the stitches come out!
love,
the bytes

house cleaning

2010-05-05T17:53:00.000-07:00

Why babies are better than roombas: They are a lot cuter to look at.
They generally smell pretty good.
They make nice smacking sounds when they find something especially pleasing to eat.
They are not scared of eating bugs (like I am.)
When they run out of batteries they are easy to recharge with a nap.

Roomba, not to be confused with Zumba, which is also pretty great!

goldfish and birthday surprises

2010-04-27T22:05:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt like you were feeding your child cat food when you gave them colored goldfish crackers? I have. Here kitty kitty

Caution

This video contains footage of a mother at 7:00 in the morning, whose sleep the previous night was disturbed by a sweaty 4 year old in a monkey costume... who decided to sleep in the middle of the bed... with her furry arm all over her mothers face. This video also contains a women in all her morning glory, which to some may not be a pretty sight (I can't believe I am posting this.) This video may also contain a mother who was too occupied to get out the camera to take a picture of her sons 6th birthday so her husband caught it all sideways on his phone.

YOU have been warned!

Happy Birthday Tyler, I bet you are glad you came to a house full of girls!

In case you were wondering, this reaction is usually the reason I buy everything in triplicate.

New day

2010-04-21T13:45:00.000-07:00

New paint New pictures

New family (well not really) (frame courtesty of the DI and Home Depot)

New sleeping arrangements. I am finally taking down the co-sleeper. Gracie has been sleeping in our closet. She decided she was ready to come out:)

It's a new day. I have had tons of things I wanted to get done today. I think I got about a half a ton done. We have a crawler so that means I need to (want to) get rid of the choking hazards around my house. Poor barbie has no more shoes and Tylers teeny tiny treasures are up on a high shelf. Now that I have rid my house of these things Tyler wants Legos for his birthday next week....hmm not the big ones the REAL ones. This is a huge step in my life. Ask my family. If they can't play with the toy outside I don't want to get it. I will have to debate that one in my head. After I finished working and getting Eliza and Gracie settled down for quiet time and a nap. I heated up my plate of leftover Thai food and sat down in the fat chair in my room to kick my feet back. Then the school called. I should have known it would be to good to be true. Emily fell in a puddle (of course she did, pretty sure the fall looked like a jump) could you bring her new clothes. By the time I got home the Thai food looked like yuck. My house stunk. I have a headache. The beautiful rain has stirred up some sort of pollen and I think I am going to scratch my face off. Bedtime can't come soon enough. School is going to be out too soon. I still have to pick up the carpool kids even though my own kids rode their bikes to school which reminds me. Tyler needs a new bike. Santa made a mistake and bought the wrong size bike. Tyler now rides Emily's old pink bike. He doesn't care. Just the kids at school do:( I have to admit I was a little embarrassed watching my darling boy ride the pink bike home from school. Oh man. And now the big question of the day...

To facebook or not to facebook....that is the question

2010-04-19T20:03:00.000-07:00

Day 1
2 pounds 2 ounces Day 365
15 pounds 11 ounces
Oh what a difference a year makes.

Birthday Itinerary:
1.Visit to NICU to deliver presents to the babies and nurses

2. See Dr. Rideout. Check me out, my head shape looks great...I have fat on my thighs!

3.See Dr. Eggert. I think he is great, I only want the men to hold me!

3.See the nurses. Not so sure about this, please give me back to the doctors!

4.Let my mom reconnect with her friends from the NICU. She loves them for taking such good care of me!

5.I love the respiratory therapists beard. Hanging with my pal Dr. Rideout.

6.Eating at Jimmy Johns. My mom ate a freakin ammount of these sandwiches while she was in the hospital! And yes, Eliza did eat the whole sandwich!

7.Mom and dad went out for Thai food to celebrate making it through this year. The kids ate hot dogs with Grandma. I ate prunes :(

8.Opening presents. Everyone helped me. New toys to crawl after because I do that now, although my mom says my crawling looks more like yoga positions. I say, you try getting your arms and legs to move at the same time while trying to get your new present!

9.Birthday shirt that I will pass on to Sig (I like that it is pink, and no one will forget your birthday which we all know means more presents!)

10.Happy Birthday to me. Cha cha cha!

11.GOOD. That's all I have to say about that!

12.The people I love the most!

We cannot believe that one year ago we were blessed to have Gracie join our family. We know that Heavenly Father has a plan for us and we feel so blessed to have experienced part of it. We know that Gracie is here doing remarkably well because of the prayers from our family and friends. We thank you for remembering us. People ask me all the time, "how is she REALLY doing?" To that I say, perfect.

Year to the date

2010-04-13T14:40:00.000-07:00

Easter, April 12, 2009 I write this for me. To capture the moments that seem so surreal to me. To document our families history. One year ago our families journey took a different path and changed our lives forever. I do believe we have been changed for the better.

April 13, 2009. One year ago to the day. My world changed. I changed. My marriage changed. The doctor told me my blood pressure was dangerously high. He talked about pre- eclampsia, strokes, death for me and my baby. Go straight to the hospital. Get tested. Wait. I called Ben and he came. For 6 days I lay in the hospital bed with the lights off. Nurses came and went, whispered instructions, administered medication. Doctors came and went. It is too soon for the baby. We will try to keep her in for as long as we can, as long as you are healthy. Be prepared for what ever comes. Breathe deeply. Move your legs, lay on your side. The steady heartbeat of my baby filled the room until I couldn’t even stand the noise of that. A blanket was placed over the monitor so I didn’t watch it. The blood pressure cuff went off again. I relaxed, waiting for the unbearable squeezing to begin. Praying that it would show the numbers I wanted. My arm was bruised from the incessant squeezing. The nurse switched arms every few hours. Pleading to go outside I was granted a wheel chair ride into the sunshine. I soaked in the fresh air and squeezed the new grass between my toes. My senses were acutely aware of every sign of spring. My heart was grateful to experience it. Back to the room, exhausted buoyed up. Everything was going to be fine. I could stay here for three more months, for as long as I needed to. Tiny tapping shoes racing down the hall. Four children dressed in their Easter best tiptoe into my room. Stop, and gradually warm up to me again. I pull out the rice crispy I had kept for lunch and bribed them to my bed with it. How was church? How did the kids do? Who will watch them tomorrow? Ben looking exhausted steadily answered “fine, we were late. We missed the sacrament. Your mom.” I need to be home. I need to help my family. I am in charge. I know where everything is at. Hugs and kisses and the visit is over. I am physically and emotionally exhausted. My prayer, “please bless my family. Please keep them safe. Give me strength to do this.” Ben arrives with Sunday dinner from my mom. I can’t eat it I am too sick. Something is wrong, my head hurts so badly. I can do this, my pain is nothing. Ben goes home my dad comes to keep watch. He reads. I lay still in a dark quiet room. He taps his leg against the bed. The movement sends shock waves through my body. Something is changing. Hold on the pain will go away. Nurses bring icepacks and administer more medication, high blood pressure, pain. Nothing seems to be helping. It is getting worse. Ice packs are wrapped around my neck. Surely this will help. The doctor comes and watches my blood pressure reading. It is high too high. IV drugs are administered while he watches. Nothing works. I cry for Ben to come. Dad holds the icepacks on my neck and head. I can’t see anything. Where is Ben, I need him, make him come. I can feel him enter the room and take over my dads place. People whisper. It is not working. We can’t give her any more medication. The doctor explains that Ben would be dead on the amount of medication they have given me. Phone calls are made to doctors in Salt Lake. We can’t wait any longer. The baby has to come now. My brain is swelling. Please, I beg. Please stop. It is too early I can hold out. No. We have to decide now. The room breaks apart. Bright lights are turned on. Nurses and doctors hurry in. My clothes are gone. My body is being shaved. This isn’t happening. I already decided that I could do this. I could keep my baby where she needs to be. This isn’t happening. A bitter liquid is forced through my lips, a catheter is inserted. I am completely in the control of other people. Sign here. Are you allergic to anesthetic? Ben yells from the corner of the room “she wants her tubes tied.” Sign here. This can’t be real. I am going to die. What will happen to my family? The gurney moves. People shout. Get the OR ready. I am so sick. I can’t move my head I think it will explode. Please give me something for the pain. Just take the part away that is hurting. The OR looks like an unorganized closet. It is so bright. I ask for sunglasses. The light hurts my eyes. My body is shaking, bouncing off the table. Finally a nurse brings a warm blanket and wraps it around my head. Thank you. Turn over. Place the spinal. Pain rockets through my body and I yell out. I am so scared. Try again. The pain soars through my legs, my body shudders. Can my family hear me screaming in the hall? Sit up. Try again. I gripped the nurse until it was done sobbing the whole time. Andrea, we are sorry we have to start. You might feel something. Pain, searing, pain and then blessed numbness. Stay with us. How is your head? Is the pain going away? We are almost there. Quiet. Quiet. One faint kitten cry. She’s beautiful. We will take her to the other room. She will be fine. What’s her name? Grace. Fitting. Please make my head stop hurting. Make it stop. We are done. I look over and see the blood soaked table. What happened?
Recovery. New medication for the pain, stern reminders from the nurse, breathe Andrea breathe. Slipping into unconsciousness.
Awake, watching the IV. This will make you feel very sick. You will want to crawl out of your skin. It will help your blood pressure. I am burning from the inside out. My nose and throat are on fire. I need a fan. I can’t stand it. I can’t move. I cry. The nurse asks what she can do for me. The anesthesiologist comes. What can he do? They bring me diet coke. Fluid pours off my body. All of my organs are finally releasing it; they don’t need to be protected anymore. 2, 5, 10, pounds and more of fluid.
It is time. Time to see Grace. I can go for a little bit, and then rest. Surreal. We enter the dark room. In an incubator are wires and wires and tubes and things and a tiny bird like baby. My heart leaps into my throat as I cry out. My body retches and pulls at my incision. She was ripped from my body. Oh my baby. My baby. I can see her ribs. Her skin is transparent. Her head is so tiny. Her feet are so huge. She moves like she did when she was in me. That’s what she was doing. It is time to give her a bath. Here is the cloth. It is so rough. I think it will hurt her. Pick up her head. It fit into the palm of my hand, the size of a mandarin orange. I cried. I am so sorry, so sorry that I failed you that I didn’t keep you in longer. What will your life be like? Hold her. Placed on my chest. Relaxing into the sheer joy and pain. Leaning into Ben. We can do this, together.

Try feeding it to the baby

2010-04-09T21:54:00.000-07:00

Waste not

Want not

Just in case you were wondering!

p.s.

see post below to see why my last born is gumming an old apple :)

Eating the leftovers

2010-04-09T10:41:00.000-07:00

Photography by Eliza

Any takers? I was sitting at the computer this morning and looked over and realized that this apple has been sitting on my counter for two days. I keep thinking that someone is going to want to eat it. And I am tired of cleaning up messes. This is my way of rebelling. I will pick up the rest of the house, but the darn apple is going to have to stay unless someone else does something with it. Do you feel like your kids waste a lot of food? Mine do. My dad just said that we should just throw dollar bills away instead of feeding the kids. The funny thing is that my kids have been known to eat worse (than the apple), the latest find was the bag of goldfish crackers floating around the bottom of my car floor, with bits of grass and rocks mixed in. You should have seen Tyler and Eliza duke it out from their car seats. I never knew their arms could reach that far. This prompted me to scour the floor of the car and come up with a slightly sticky lolipop from the bank that I could buy Eliza off with. Who am I kidding. The other day I found a peppermint patty (left over from Christmas) once again, on the floor of the car and ate it. I needed a little sugar rush to make it through car pool.

Back to the apple. My kitchen would be clean if it were not for this apple floating around. I think I subconciously want Gracie to pick it up in her tiny hands and gum at it for awhile. At least it wouldn't go to waste! The weird thing is that it didn't even turn brown it just kind of mummified. I guess I could carve a face in it and have a shrunken head in a few days. I guess I could, if I had a art bone in my body. I checked. I don't. I am going to look for a snack in my car.

March for Babies

2010-03-30T19:03:00.000-07:00

We did it! We couldn't have done it without you! Thanks for all of your support!

My life and LIFE

2010-03-21T21:21:00.000-07:00

I love life. My family life and my Discovery Life. Have you seen it? It is awesome. Check it out on the discovery channel. I have already figured out that my kids strongly resemble baby orangutans and teeny tiny waterfall frogs. Seriously I think it looks like Gracie! When I am not watching Life on the Discovery channel I am watching my life unfold before my eyes.
A glimpse into my life this week.
Emily has been mothering Eliza this week. They found matching pajamas and headbands and Emily gave Eliza homework to do while she did hers. Last week we swam everyday of the week. At the end of the week I looked at Eliza and Emily's hair and it had turned green! I tried washing it in special shampoo and nothing worked. Aunt Rachel came to visit and gave everyone a haircut on my front porch. Both girls had their long curly hair cut off. Perhaps that is what brought them together this week.

They even wanted to sleep together. Sleeping children are one of my favorite parts of life!

Lindsey decided it is high time that Gracie learns to crawl. She demonstrated while Gracie watched patiently, very patiently.

We went to the park tonight where we are holding the March for Babies to map out the walking route. We took a minute to preview their Easter clothes. I can't believe how much my life has changed over the last year. With the Easter holiday fast approaching I am reliving last year at this time every day. Easter weekend is when everything went down with Gracie. One thing I do know is that I have a good life. I feel so privileged to help bring the March for Babies here to St. George. If I can help one other life that is all I need. Thanks for your support. Please spread the word so we can reach our goal. If you come to the walk on Saturday I will give you Blue Bunny ice cream and you can listen to an awesome live band. Plus you get to hang out with me and my orangutan/waterfall frog babies. I love LIFE!

Newspaper article

2010-03-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

Check out our newspaper article in the Spectrum. Wow.
I went to Maverik this morning and bought the paper so I could read it. I left it on the kitchen table and about 1/2 hour later Tyler saw it and started yelling that Gracie was in the paper! He was so excited. They all hugged and kissed Gracie and told her that she is famous!

big boys don't cry, unless you live with all sisters!

2010-03-14T22:07:00.000-07:00

I was browsing through my photos tonight and found this priceless gem. Oh Tyler, you will be a good man being raised in between all these sisters. One day you will appreciate them!

We are coming off a week of spring break, and are exhausted from traveling to Henderson (not Las vegas!) and to Bloomington. Bloomington? What's that you say? Isn't that a meer 15 minute drive on I-15 from your house? To that I say, yes, yes, it is! We had the best vacation at a condo with a heated pool! Thanks to my awesome Aunt and Uncle! The cherry on top was a visit by the president of the Psychotic Mothers Society, Penelope Gertrude (aka Becky B.) for the first annual conference on psychotic mothering and how we LOVE it! A huge thanks to our husbands who put the kids to bed themselves for two nights! You are both the best!

p.s.
The Walk for babies is in less than two weeks! We can't wait!

two cute little things

2010-02-24T18:48:00.000-08:00

A big gigantic thanks for the donations to the March of Dimes! Don't forget, there is still time to donate! Every little bit counts!
We are so excited to get a March for Babies down here in St. George! Gracie is quite possibly the most excited about it! She is greasing up her stroller wheels and practicing drinking out of a sippy cup in preparation for the big day! I am busy talking to family's and groups to get sponsors for this awesome event! Come and join us on March 27, the weather is going to be great!

Oh my word! Check out this tiny diet coke can...I am quite possibly in love! Thanks Sara!

a new march of dimes me!

2010-02-11T20:30:00.000-08:00

WOW! All this fundraising for the march of dimes has really toned my thighs! I must say I am looking pretty great! Check it out!

over there.......

keep looking......

down a little more.....

Here I am!

One more thing...

She broke 13 pounds! Grow Gracie Grow!

March of Dimes Ambassador Family for Washington County

2010-02-03T11:19:00.000-08:00

On April 19, 2009 our baby girl was delivered by emergency c-section. Born at 26 weeks gestation she weighed only 2 pounds. Her head fit perfectly into the palm of my hand. Her arm was so tiny my husbands wedding ring fit clear up to her shoulder. Her skin was transparent and every breath was a struggle. I was in awe that anything so tiny could live outside the womb.

When she was one day old my husband got to hold her for the first time. This experience started the journey for our family. Her growth and development was foremost on our minds during the 79 days Gracie spent in the NICU. We felt extreme gratitude that we could be with Gracie. The close proximity of the hospital helped our children to bond to their sister. The NICU nurses and doctors provided an environment that our children could share with us. Weekly visits eased their fears about what was happening to Gracie, as well as mom and dad.

As her tiny body grew and developed we were told of the advancement in medical technology and understanding of premature babies. Things that they learned as recently as five years ago was saving our babies eyesight. She was kept warm and comfortable in an incubator we lovingly referred to as her "womb with a view." We made progress in grams, not pounds. Daily rounds reviewed her needs and how to best meet them. Two steps forward, one step back. Slowly she grew until the day she was released to us to care for her at home.

Words can not express how grateful we are that an experience that seemed so daunting could be turned into one of our greatest joys. As a family we bonded and grew right along with Gracie. By sharing the story of our family's journey with you, we share our hope along with the March of Dimes that "some day all babies will be born healthy."

Fly on the wall

2010-01-23T20:35:00.000-08:00

Tonight I stood outside Lindsey and Emilys bedroom door and listened in on their conversation. Emily is going to have 12 kids. 10 girls 2 boys. She then proceeded to tell Lindsey the names she has been thinking about. Paige, Angelina, Izzy, Anna, Maribelle, Mon, Leah, Daniella, Kayla, Shannon. Chad for a boy and she is undecided on the last one. Lindsey loves the name Paige and is trying to trade Emily for another name so she can use it. She has even gone as far as to say "I am older than you, so I am going to have kids before you and I am going to take it!" The concensus tonight is that it is a lot easier to come up with girl names. Lindsey wants 5 kids. Oliver and Evangeline and hopefully Emily will give up Paige. She is working on the other two. Ben asked if I used to talk about the names I would name my kids when I was little. Doesn't every little girl? I can vaguely remember my "Mc" phase. Mckayla, Mckenna, Mckay... I loved being a fly on the wall tonight listening to my girls.
Last night I walked into the room to find this. Ahhhh contentment. You gotta love a binkie falling out of a sleeping babies mouth. And the lips, Bens lips. It is the only feature we recognize on our children during the ultrasound. The Brown lips. They all have them. Gracie has finally started to roll the last two days. Poor thing rolls as far as her oxygen cord allows and then gets hung up.

she's not cordless anymore

2010-01-21T15:50:00.000-08:00

We are home. Ben says she isn't cordless anymore. We forgot what it is like to carry a baby around with oxygen. A couple of times I have picked her up and forgot the oxygen tank which made for some pretty squished faces when I walked away. Poor baby. It looks like she has viral pnemonia. She received another steriod shot today and we will see how she is doing tomorrow. She is starting to perk up a little bit and act like her self. While we were in the hospital she was fussing around and I nearly gave her the oreo cookie wrapper to entertain herself but I didn't think the nurses would appreciate that. She found the next best thing. Her oxygen hose. It's handy and doesn't fall on the floor. It's a good thing she doesn't have any teeth because she would bite right through it.
I had an interesting conversation with the house keeper at the hospital yesterday. She was the kindest woman. She looked a lot like grandma Wilkey and had a thick German accent. She radiated the most wonderful spirit. She reminded that there is joy in life no matter what the circumstances. She was born during the war and she said that to this day a simple chocolate bar thrills her. I concurred because I am thrilled by chocolate too! Mostly I sucked in the positiveness that came from her. What a simple blessing for me. It was also Eliza's fourth birthday yesterday. Thanks to a great mom and sister she got her presents and her little birthday party. I was all set to make these awesome pink lemonade cupcakes when everything came down with Gracie. Check out the picture below. A candle makes anything pretty! Thanks mom and Sara for cutting your vacation short and coming at the drop of a hat when I called. You are the BEST! Thanks for all the phone calls and prayers. We have really felt them.

Again

2010-01-19T21:02:00.001-08:00

I just realized that the cup they brought me a drink in tonight is the same one they used to collect the gallons of urine that poured off my body after Gracie was born. mmm I love a product that will multi task, but gross, really.

I come to you tonight from Dixie Regional Medical Center. We are back. Gracie has some sort of respiratory virus. It's not RSV. We just don't know what it is yet. Hopefully the test results will come back tomorrow afternoon. I want to go home in the morning! It's amazing what a little oxygen will do for your coloring, poor thing, she is pink again. Suprisingly, I am holding it together. I thought the sounds of the monitors would freak me out...they are not. Hooray ( I think that is a tender mercy.) It helps that I know how to run the dang thing. So I used to love staying in the hospital. I had a new baby. I could have things brought to me in bed by the push of a button. I loved the nifty way you can elevate your legs and head at the same time and turn yourself into a human taco. The juice and graham crackers. Who wouldn't love that? Then I was sick in the hospital. Yuck, what a icky place. Tonight I am hoping to make it through and maybe convince the nurse that Gracie needs some cranberry juice and Graham crackers!

Its that time of year again!

2010-01-18T11:54:00.000-08:00

Brownies selling cookies! I just love that the girl scouts start selling cookies in January and deliver them in March. Just in time to realize that the diet I started in January will be over with in March when my will power is destroyed by a box of thin mints.

Greetings from the fifth

2010-01-13T15:59:00.000-08:00

Gracie says hi! I've said it before and I will say it again...Spoons and fruit snack wrappers make the best toys! This weekend Michelle tried to throw away the swedish fish wrapper I have kept in my purse for three days. I nearly had a come apart, do not throw away Gracies favorite toy! As for the Bumbo, what a great invention. I only wish it had a different name like, well I don't know. Just not Bumbo, that word makes me cringe.
Is it possible to be allergic to the cold and snow? The last two times I was up north I have itched and scratched myself to death. My poor nose was raw :( Today it is cold and overcast and I am itching again. Maybe it is psychological.
Two more things.
1. I am now enrolled at Dixie state. Oh boy, I feel old.
2. We are the March of Dimes Ambassadors for Southern Utah. Wish us luck!

Merry Christmas 2009

2009-12-25T19:07:00.000-08:00

We wish you a Merry Christmas! And a happy new year!

Away in a manger...
He's making a list. Checking it twice. Going to find out who's naughty or nice...

All I want for Christmas
barbies...

ipod dock....

Unicycle....
umm a bike...a hammer...a let me think.

to be back with my mom!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Dear Lori,

Thank you for the book about our kids. What a wonderful surprise to get in our mailbox. It is such a treasure to see what our kids were doing last summer "while Gracie grew." You are one amazing sister in law. THANK YOU!

Ben and Andrea

Dear mom,

I love the cupcake book! I can't wait to get baking!

Love,

Andrea

Dear Ben,

ooo la la. The earrings are beautiful, and shoes are the way to my heart.

I love you

Oh Joy!

2009-12-16T14:25:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer for reader:
Pretend these pictures are at the end of the post. Somehow I uploaded (downloaded) my entire post to the family web site instead of mine. So I had to put the pictures on again. Oh joy! Last Friday Dropping everyone off at school, stopping at Maverick for a diet coke, putting cute Gracie down for a nap and just sitting in silence.

Yesterday, figuring out that Gracie doesn't need expensive toys. A bag of fruit snacks will do . Waking up this morning to this. If you can believe it I was sleeping in between the two of them :)

Waking up this morning to this. If you can believe it I was sleeping in between the two of them :)

This afternoon having my very own rudolph come knocking at my door.

This is for the two Becky's in my life. Both of whom I have had about the same conversation in the last two days. After telling the tales of our children and their mischieveous, somewhat funny behavior. After talking about how we can't believe we have 4 and 5 children. How we cry nearly everyday and wonder how we are going to do it. How we want to teach our children the principles of the gospel and how to squeeze everything in between homework and stuff. The question is posed. How do I find joy in what I am doing everyday?

I can tell you how I find joy. It is getting up every morning, getting dressed, going to school, seeing the teachers and my kids at school. Coming home to a lazy afternoon to my little kids and starting the day over again. I have said before, I am not a great stay at home mom. I think I am a good stay at home mom, but it isn't my favorite thing. After Gracie was born and I made the decision to stay at home this year I knew I had chosen the right thing. I also knew it wouldn't be easy on me, thankyou post partum depression. Last August When school started I decided I wanted to really find joy everyday staying home. Now in December I realize I don't have to feel "joyful" all day long, I just have to choose to look at the things that come up differently. Becky B. reminded me of this. She said to me today. "I will always remember when Lindsey broke her leg when she was little and you called me and said. well she broke her leg, but at least I get to sit for awhile in the quiet waiting room." And when Tyson was a baby and pooped in the bathub everyday for a month she said to me "well. At least I have the cleanest bathtub in the neighborhood!" So here's to feeling joyful.

Maybe not every single second of the day but through bits and pieces.

Kirby,Kirby, Kirby

2009-12-10T21:26:00.000-08:00

I let the Kirby salesman into my house tonight. He came by offering to clean one room of carpet in my house and I took him up on it. When I went to Logan to see little Sydney in October a huge mysterious stain appeared on the girls bedroom carpet. Nobody knows what happened including Ben, Grrrr. Everytime I walk by the room I see it. So tonight I jumped on the chance to remove it. I also didn't realize he was a vacuum salesman until he brought the Kirby box into my house. For all its worth it is one awesome vacuum. I couldn't believe the stuff it pulled from my carpet ewwwww gross! My 45 minutes of time was totally worth that stain getting removed. Thank you Kirby guy. My only suggestion is to not smoke right before you go try to sell a allergen reducing vacuum. I had to open the window to get rid of the smell.

On another note. Ben and I are the parents of three children instead of five for the next two days.
Can I tell you how great it is?
It is awesome! This is the life.
How do you feel Becky to be the parent of six kids? You are a saint! Thanks for the great snow pictures!

A conversation between mom, Tyler, and Eliza
mom: Stand together by the tree so I can take your picture.
Tyler: Okay
Eliza: Tyler, you smile for the picture and I will cry.
Tyler: Okay

Its all part of the plan...right

2009-12-07T20:22:00.000-08:00

Does the plan include riding in the car with 5 unhappy/angry/crazy/crying children? I think this must be what hell is like.

I was unhappy/angry/crazy/and crying until I decided to shoot this little video...life is always better through my camera because you can edit out all the yuck and laugh at the little picture on the screen!

I guess this is part of the plan.

top ten Thanksgiving 2009 highlights

2009-12-01T15:14:00.000-08:00

Top ten Thanksgiving 2009 highlights

10. Making yams for the first time, and making everyone at Thanksgiving dinner tell me how great they thought they were!
9. Having only minor Squabbles between the 20 children bursting from the seams at my parents house!
8. Black Friday shopping and buying baby wash and new bottle nipples because I couldn't find anything I really wanted, and then waiting in line for an hour to buy them.
7. Eating breakfast at McDonalds after black Friday. I think our family enjoys McDonalds breakfast more than any other family I know!
6. Hanging out with my sisters.
5. Kissing Signey, Siggy, Syd NEY, as much as I wanted.
4. Kissing baby Randy's chubbiness as much as I wanted to.
3. Rapelling, actually doing it myself!
2. Rapelling, cheering for everyone else to conquer their fears!

and the number 1 Thanksgiving 2009 highlight

being with my family (doesn't that just make you want to say awwwww!)

chrysanth E mum

2009-11-22T18:27:00.001-08:00

Today I introduced Emily to the wonderful world of Anne of Green Gables. She had a "fake" sore throat and needed to stay home from church today. I'm pretty sure she just needed some mommy and Gracie time! I put on the old video of it and while she watched it I watched her. Her favorite part was when Anne mistook the cherry cordial and gave Dianna current wine instead. Emily loves anything naughty and seeing Diana so sloshed and tripping all over the place really gave her a thrill!

Emily is my shy girl. We have started many activities and then quit because she is to petrified go by herself. This is the first year of school that she has not cried every day and hung on my leg when I drop her off. You can imagine how primary goes every Sunday. I blame myself for her shyness. When she was a baby I was holding her during a thunderstorm when a blot of lightning struck in our back yard. I screamed so loud that she literally went into a daze and took quite a while coming out of it. After that anytime there was a loud noise she would hit the floor and lay there. Poor baby. To compensate for this she looks for anything daring and crazy that she can do. She climbs and Jumps off of everything. Last year she had a broken foot and I didn't do anything about it for a month because she kept doing all her usual activities! She was popping wheelies on her bike at four and rollerblading down the hill at top speeds by five. Right now her favorite past time is hanging off my plant shelves. She wants a unicycle, and I am sure she can master it. She is kind and spunky. When you can get her to sit down and open up she is delightful.

I give you Emily

I have been thinking about Christmas presents. Have you? I found this and I think it could possibly be the most perfect present for any parent. I am really hoping that I get one for Christmas and kicking myself for not thinking of it first! Check it out and let me know what you think! Seriously the best parental invention ever!

All Hail Queen Gracie

2009-11-19T17:56:00.000-08:00

I came into the living room tonight and this is what I found. A throne and three loyal subjects. When I saw Randy in his exer saucer I thought "hey Gracie could sit in one of those." Long story short. She can't. I always think she is bigger than she is. Today I proped her up with 4 blankets. It helped a little, now if she could just cooridinate her hands. I have high hopes that one day she will love this.
On another note she is 7 months old today. Tomorrow we go to the NICU graduate clinic to see all of our favorite doctors and nurses. She started her Synergis shots today. She will get one a month until next April to help her get through the RSV season. When they weighed her today she came in at 11 pounds 8 ounces! Wahoo she is growing!

How she spends most of her days, minus the exer saucer! Tyler has suction cup kisses. Check out the pucker on that boy!

baby love

2009-11-17T20:37:00.000-08:00

Don't you just love it when you can get your baby to laugh, and talk to you?

And then tuck them into bed wrapped up all warm and cozy? Especially when you can use the silky blanket from Grandma Brown.

I do!

SHOES

2009-11-10T19:44:00.000-08:00

I will do just about anything for a pair of cute shoes. Tonight this includes going to a teeny bopper store (DEB). Wearing Bens Sweatshirt, ugly cargo pants, no make up and sporting a Dorothy Hammill hair style, (I too have been blessed with fabulous hair like Sara's.) When I got there the only pair left was a size 10. Too big. When I asked the 16 year old where they have other stores so one of my great sisters could go buy me some she said " I think they have a store in Ogden, Sandy, Provo, and Sandy." Then she said "We didn't get very many pairs of those, they really aren't the style of this store." No kidding, next time I need a pair of hooker boots I will be stopping by. I bought them anyway because drum roll please... for $3.50 I COULD NOT pass them up. So here's to you Becky my sister with size 10 feet and absolutely no time or will power to shop for shoes, Happy Thanksgiving! And to the rest of you with a little time on your hands and you live in Ogden, Sandy, Provo, or Sandy, I wear a size 8.

Sunday, Sunday

2009-11-08T16:56:00.000-08:00

Sunday, November 1
We have a saying in St. George.
What happens at grandmas stays at grandmas! That is until grandma emails the picture to me! Eliza got to have a sleep over at grandma and grandpas last Sunday night.
The highlights.
1. Wearing grandpas shirt to Costco, and nothing else (at least she had a bow in her hair!)
2. Putting grandmas lipstick on herself.
3. Drinking a whole can of Diet Coke by herself. Birthday pie at Grandmas and Grandpas

1st day of being 9 and 7. We love new birthday clothes and boots.

Sunday, November 8

A letter to mother nature:

Dear Mother Nature,

Today was not so bad. Usually Sunday is on of the craziest days of the week! Today was fun! We went outside and enjoyed our reward for making it through yet another St. George summer. 70 degree weather in November! On the days we thought we were going to die of the heat I thought of you, lovely November and your cool, sunny, blue skied days. We celebrated with a picnic, bike derby and game of tag. Please enjoy the enclosed pictures. A token of our gratitude for the cool weather.

Love,

Ben, Andrea, Lindsey, Emily, Tyler, Eliza, and Gracie

Sporting the appropriate attire for a fall day.

note to self: Stretch before playing tag with the kids, it doesn't hurt so bad after!

Do all 9 year olds make bunny ears in pictures?

Practicing for Thanksgiving.

When you are tired of swinging on the swing, climb on the roof.
Grandma was the designated Gracie holder.

Is it mean to think my baby looks like Dopey?

Lining up for the bike ramp.

Grandpa KineevalThe leaves are finally changing colors

p.s.

when I was downloading the pictures from my camera I found this one. I let Lindsey take my camera one afternoon and she must have taken this the day my new washer was delivered. The funny thing is is that the Lowes delivery guy must have taken the picture. Make a delivery, take a picture, all in a days work!

2009-10-31T18:35:00.000-07:00

Look what we got trick-or-treating!

Sorry for the blurry- I think you get the idea, way too much candy!

Halloween meomories 2009

What is your favorite part of Halloween?

Lindsey-going to everybody's house and gettin' candy.

Emily- mine too!

Tyler-That you get lots of candy.

Eliza-going trick or treating.

Grandma-seeing all my cute little kids dressed up.

Grandpa-handing out candy to the trick or treaters.
Ben-eating the kids candy!

Andrea-bedtime, so I can eat their stuff!

Spiderman, Elphaba, Cheeky monkey

Punkin' butter

Princess Lindsey

Happy Halloween from our house to yours!

Happy Birthday Party!

2009-10-30T15:48:00.000-07:00

Sunday is Lindsey and Emilys birthday. Now I Know I am crazy, 20 friends, 2 birthday girls! Today Hannah Montana drove by our house in a limo and left a note in our mailbox for the birthday girls (it's ok to tell little white lies, right?)

Dear girls,

I am so excited that you are at Lindsey and Emily's birthday party! Will you please help them find some things for the party? Stay together and only go to the houses you know.

When you are finished come home and be ready to start pumpin' up the party!

love,

Hannah Montana

xoxoxo

Who would of thought that letter would have been such a big hit! You should have heard them SCREAM!

The hunt was on.

birthday candle Check

balloon Check
paper cup Check

Cute Brother Baker didn't realize he had to give only one thing on the list. He rounded up the whole list and presented it in plastic bag. Poor guy must have thought we were crazy. He said to me "you wouldn't mind if I don't invite them in?" Hey, even I wouldn't invite all of them in!

Emily-banana cupcakes

Lindsey- chocolate cupcakes

Happy Birthday Party my big girls!

never underestimate the power of a man, on a bicycle, with no teeth.

2009-10-28T19:56:00.000-07:00

Gracies first taste of the cold. I think she finds it a bit shocking!

Last night I ran out of gas. I was on the freeway and barely coasted off the ramp. It was one of those times when I thought, stop for gas before you go. I ignored myself, because I didn't want to take the time. The two minutes it would have taken me to stop turned into a hour. Sometimes I wish I would listen to myself.

I called Ben and he said he would be right there. I sat back and texted a few people I was thinking about. Ben got there with Eliza and Tyler in tow. I had Gracie and Emily with me. Lindsey opted to stay home because she thinks she is so big! He put the gas in, I turned the key and it wouldn't start. I tried to start it over and over. Pretty soon the battery died. Oh no. Ben squeezed his car next to mine and jumped it. Nothing happened. I started to panic, Emily needed to go to the bathroom, Gracie was screaming, it was getting dark, and it was freezing outside. We were just getting ready to call a tow truck when a man rode up on his bicycle.

Let me stop the story and tell you where my mind has been the last few weeks. I have felt completley alone. I know, crazy, when you have five kids. I wonder how I can get the things done that I need too. How I am supposed to take care of the physical and spiritual needs of my family when I can barely take care of myself. I hate H1n1, and how confined it makes me feel to my house. I really feel like I might be at my breaking point. I have been singing the song from The Sound of Music in my head over and over lately except I skip to "when the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad. I simply remember my favorite things. And then I don't feel so bad."and then I say to myself "too bad I can't think of my favorite things." Sad to say, my first thought when the car ran out of gas was "chalk it up to the things that aren't going right." And then the man came. Really he looked like he was homeless or a meth addict. My first though was don't stop. My next thought was, Ben is so nice to even talk to him. He suggested getting the car to coast to a parking lot and he would take a look at it. Seriously, he had rotted teeth and a ratty bicycle. Needless to say I was very skeptical. Why couldn't some higher power send a nice respectable police officer? He pulled out his backpack and just happened to have the tools he needed, just happened to know what to do, and just happened to fix my car. He said that he has a 8 year old and always tries to help people with children. Wow. That was a little smack in the face. Good things do happen. So heres to you Julie Andrews, eat your heart out, a few of my favorite things.

El Sol, the cheese enchiladas ( my mouth is watering)

Eliza saying "seriously mom, I need you to come right now!"

Cold weather

Logan in the fall, it was snowing leaves.

Remembering all the places Ben and I have lived.

Little babies, and cousins.

Thinking of great Christmas presents and having people who can make them for you!

Friends who bring me beautiful red flowers.

Tyler saying "Lindsey be careful with me I am tiny."

Ben Brown

Now I don't feel so bad. Thanks bicycle man for making me remember.

two things for my very pregnant sister

2009-10-09T16:16:00.000-07:00

First:
Sara, guess who got to practice holding a baby today?! You should have heard my kids scream "NEIL" when they opened the door. Currently he is giving Eliza a ride around the block in his car (Rachels car.) What a great Uncle. We sure love him (especially since he brings great treats!) Second:
I went to see this movie last night. I really like it. If you are bored while Neil is gone tonight grab Rach and go see it!

One more thing. I can't wait to see your baby!!!!!!!!!!!!

dog strollers and hot lava

2009-10-07T18:38:00.000-07:00

Today I was looking on Target.com for birthday presents for Lindsey and Emily. I don't leave the house that much with Gracie, so I am hoping to find everything I want online. Wish me luck! Lindsey handed me a birthday wish list the other night. One of the items she wishes for is a "carrie okie" machine. Since I know she loves to sing I thought this would be a great present. The only problem was I didn't know how to spell it. I typed in what I thought was right and started my search, this is what I found. At first I thought to myself "I haven't seen a stroller with a built in net before." Then I looked closer. Its a dog stroller. WHAT! Doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of walking your dog? My next thought was "hmmm, that would actually keep my kid from climbing out." Just put em in and zip em up! Brilliant! I think I would zip tie the zipper pull so they really couldn't get out! I did see a show the other night on TLC about people who have monkeys for babies. And since people frequently tell me that my babies look like monkeys I just had to watch. One of the ladies had her monkey in a stroller like this one. People would come up to admire her "baby" and recoil in horror. Pretty sad! I wonder what people would do if they saw my kid in one of those?!
For your information I did find a karaoke machine (after calling sara to see how you spell it.) I am still looking for a unicycle for Emily (seriously, that was on her list!)
After the birthday shopping I started to get ready for 4:00. What's 4:00 you ask? Well it's when Oprah comes on. Just for the record I used to watch Oprah All the time when Lindsey was a baby. Then with the birth of each child she was phased out to Blues Clues, Charlie and Lola, and my personal favorite Spongebob Square Pants. Today she was going to have a guest on that I really admire. I was dying to see it. I set the DVR last night. I had my dinner ready to go in the oven (sweet and sour chicken, cousins you should make this from our cookbook, yum) I had said hello to all the kids and given them a snack and sent them out the door to play. I sat down to nurse Gracie and turned on Oprah when the back door opened. All the kids filed back in, its too cold outside! I looked, it was 60 glorious degrees. My kids have problems. They will play outside when it is 115 degrees. The minute it drops past 79 they have to pull out the winter clothes. I paused the show. Set them up with movie. Settled back in and wham! Tyler drops a full container of family sized yogurt all over the carpet. I held it together and cleaned it up, asked why he would carry the yogurt around (he doesn't know) and settled back in. By now poor Gracie was starving. I watched half of the show and it was amazing! Then I heard a ruckus and went to look. This is what I found. Eliza standing in the middle of hot lava! The pillows are the rocks the floor is hot lava. Imagine three kids bounding from the furniture to the pillows!

It was over, my carefully planned afternoon. Don't worry I finished watching it after they all went to bed. As for Oprahs guest. Do you read Nie Nie? If you don't you should. She has truly inspired me. More to come!

marathon bubbles

2009-10-03T20:25:00.000-07:00

First things first. We hit a milestone at our house. It has been five months in the making. Drumroll please...Gracie graduated to size 1 diapers! Hip hip horray. The progression of diapers. Micropreemie Preemie Size 1

We went to the St. George marathon today. It is one of my favorite things to do in St. George. The weather is perfect and the air is filled with excitement, encouragement, and hope. For me it marks the beginning of fall. We like to stand at the finish line and cheer the runners on. It is amazing when a runner is coming that doesn't look like they are going to make it. The crowd goes wild cheering them on. I have seen people pass out, throw up, and legs buckle like jello, stand up and make it because of the support from the crowd. It is a truly amazing experience. Emily was getting restless today so I gave her my camera to take pictures. This is the marathon through a six year olds eyes.

Self portrait

Way awesome mid air stride

There were quite a few random pictures of feet, legs, and an especially great one of my behind!

picture of a girl in the readers digest that she brought to entertain herself. She also took a closeup picture of the bagel bites, very artistic!

Emily and grandpa

Huge popsicles, one of the reasons we go to the marathon.

I took this of gracie the other night and I thought it was priceless. Ben and I are still amazed every minute of the day that this little baby is ours. The red spot on her chest is a strawberry hemangioma. We like to think of it as her identification mark!

postcard from Carillon Beach, fast forward 25 years

2009-10-02T15:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Becky, Ryan, Amanda, and Carlos.
I thought I would give you a taste of what we will look like when we are vacationing 25 years from now. I don't know about you but it looks awesome!
see you soon
Andrea Hey Randy, Do you think any of these things are swimming around Lake Powell?

No Garth, those were craw dads! Maybe I should give it a little smooch. It is soooo cute!

Wait, I didn't know that Derek went on this trip. Oh wait, thats Uncle Walt, the backwards hat through me for a loop!

Hey Ann, don't you have a purse made of one of these things?

No Stephanie I don't, but maybe I should it is pretty awesome!

Wow, I can't wait for this!

10 pounds and 120 dollars

2009-10-01T19:07:00.000-07:00

Can you believe this girl weighs in at a whopping ten pounds now? Way to go Gracie! 4 kids selling lemonade

1 mom and baby supervising

1 cute sign holder

1 lemonade tester

120 dollar profit, priceless

We have a friend who is nine years old. Last December she was diagnosed with bone cancer. A few months ago her foot had to be amputated. Lindsey wanted to have a lemonade stand and donate the profits to Darby's family.

4 kids+4 gallons of lemondade=120.00

Today I saw the goodness in people. Today I was a proud mother.

Highlights

2009-09-30T18:18:00.000-07:00

Tonight after dinner the kids were working on their homework. Emily told me that she was feeling tired. When I turned around this is how I found her, completely asleep! First grade is hard work! At dinner we take turns giving our highlights for the day. Tonights dinner included these:
Lindsey: going to school and eating dinner with my family.
Emily: Playing with friends and eating dinner with my family.
Tyler: Making applesauce at school and eating dinner with my family.
Eliza: Going to school and eating dinner with my family.
Gracie: Lindsey answered for her in a high pitched baby voice...sleeping!
Ben: Having Eliza being so excited to see me after work and eating dinner with my family.

So before I could answer this I had to think hard for a highlight, It's been one of those days and we were eating tater tot casserole again (eww)....I was surprised that everyone liked eating dinner as a family. Usually dinner time is my least favorite time of the day. The kids are tired, I am tired, I have already made breakfast lunch and snacks. The last thing I want to do is make dinner. I looked around the table and realized that my highlight was eating dinner with my family too. I am making an honest effort to feed my family so now I need your help. I need some new recipes, and I know you have them! I am counting on you people out there in the blogging world to step up and give me some recipes! Post them in the comments or email them to me a bena_brown at yahoo.com.
I am super excited to try new things so don't let me down!

home again, home again, jiggety jig!

2009-09-24T09:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Grandma and Grandpa,
We love the sand and the shells that mom and dad brought back. Could you please bring us some more? Thanks,
The Brownie Bites

We're back.

Here is a rundown of our trip home.

8:05 pm arrive in Salt Lake

Ben: That was a great trip, I miss the kids.

Andrea: It sure was, let's get going to Fillmore and see them.

10:15 pm Fillmore

Ben: Grab the kids and lets get going, its a good thing that they are all asleep, it will be a nice trip home.

Andrea: Look how sweet they look when they are sleeping, I missed them.

10:25 pm In the car

Ben: This could be the best trip to st. george ever, wait I spoke too soon.

Lindsey: I am hungry, why can't we stop at a gas station and get something to eat?

Ben: Because it is too late.

Lindsey: But, I am starving, I think I am going to die I am so hungry, why can't we stop.

Ben: I already told you.

Lindsey: (crying and talking way too loud) Why, I am hungry.

Ben: Why don't you try telling me something fun that you did at grandmas?

Lindsey: I can't, I am too hungry.

Andrea: I think you are tired, try to go to sleep so you don't wake everyone else up.

Tyler: Why is everyone talking so loud? I want to go to sleep. WAIT, I left my shoes.

Andrea: no you didn't, I got them.

Tyler: (crying) are you sure?

Emily: "Tyler stop crying, I am going to hit you"

Andrea: Don't hit, Tyler stop crying, Lindsey we are not stopping for something to eat it is 11:00 pm, that is the middle of the night!

Ben: Go to sleep!

lots of screaming and crying, lots and lots.

12:30 am

Andrea: Ben are you still awake?

Ben: Yes, stop asking me!

Andrea: (looking at the kids in the back of the van.) That was a short vacation (sigh)

Ben: Way too short!

1:15 am St. George

Ben: We're home

Andrea: yipee

Ben: let's haul the kids in.

Andrea: They are pretty cute, when they are sleeping.

Ben: Let's go back to Florida.

Andrea: I couldn't agree more.

postcards from Carillon beach

2009-09-21T17:50:00.000-07:00

Dear family and friends,

Hello from Carillon beach. Today I saw this little bird. It reminded me of Tyler. It had teeny tiny stick legs, like Tyler. It ran really fast, like Tyler. It picked up little things, like Tyler does. I guess it is time to go home when the local wildlife reminds you of your children!

Love and stuff,

Andrea

Dear sisters,

Gracie and I are feeling very rested. Are you sleeping at night Sara? Becky, is Randy sleeping at night? Are you still flirting with the dental student Rachel? Can't wait to see you all.

xoxox Andrea

Dear Tarre and Michelle,
We missed having you here. Ben and dad needed a rip roaring game of settlers. I needed someone to drink diet coke with, wait I can do that by myself. It's just more fun with my fellow rock star! I wore the traveling skirt and thought about you. Can't wait to see you. Is softball over?

Love,
Ben the snorkeler and Andrea the rock star

Dear kids,
Just sit right back and you'll hear tale, a tale of a fateful ship. That something,something,something,something.....a three hour tour, a three hour tour. I will sing it to you when I get home.
Today daddy and I went on a catamaran boat to swim with the dolphins. We snorkeled at shell island and then we went to find the dolphins. We found them and we got in the water but they didn't come to us. Too bad. See you tomorrow night. Are you ready to leave Fillmore?

Love,
dad and mom

ps please find your shoes so we can bring them home with us.

Dear mom and dad,

Aren't you glad that you have such a sassy daughter? Thanks for letting us tag along on your vacation. We had a blast! You are the best. Enjoy the rest of your time at the house and come home well rested (you will need to, my kids will attack you the minute you walk in the door!)

Love,

the oldest one

Dear Lloyd and Alice,

Thanks for raising such a nice son. I am really glad that you sent him over to meet me, and that the Sandersons had the birthday candles you needed. Our kids love you both so much. They are so glad that they have a grandma who teaches them things. Thanks for all your help this summer.

love,

the girl with the short brown hair and your son.

Dear Tyler and Eliza,

lets play eye spy. Don't cry if you don't see it right away. You will still get a turn.

Eye spy with my little eye something that is gray.

Is it a dolphin?

Why yes, yes it is.

Your turn.

love,

mommy

Dear Becky B,
Tonight we went biking around Carillon beach. I felt like I was at New Orleans square at Disneyland. The houses look like the haunted old mansion, only A LOT nicer. I am writing this hopping that one day you will make a comment!!!!! Remember when we didn't have 4 and 5 children? I miss you.

The girl teetering on the edge,

Andrea

Dear Becky W.

Today ben and I saw some wave runners on the ocean. Remember when I threw you off the back of the wave runner at Lake Powell and the stream of water hit your backside? :( I am so sorry, that is a powerful stream of water. Although, while I am writing this I am laughing a little, just a little.

see you

Andrea

Dear Uncle Walt, Aunt Ann, Uncle Garth, Aunt Linda and Grandma,

I hope you are ready for a awesome time here. It will be everything you want it to be! Thanks for coming to see Gracie in the hospital. It meant a lot to me and Ben to have you there.

Love,

I am pretty sure your favorite niece and granddaughter.

Andrea

Good night, sleep tight, tomorrow we go back to reality. Hip, hip, hooray!

oh my!

2009-09-20T17:10:00.000-07:00

The two most frequent words said in this house, oh my. Everytime I turn around I find those words escaping my lips. When I walk up the six flights of stairs, oh my. When I walk into the living room, with its crisp white walls reflecting the emerald water, oh my. When I sit on the beach, oh my. When mom spots a pod of dolphins from her third floor perch, oh my. When the sun sets, oh my. This place is amazing, restorative, and soul stirring.
I love my hat, Gracie, not so much

beach, hat, sunglasses, diet coke, book (thanks becky m) oh my.

body boarding at sunset, oh my

how romantic, oh my

good night!

I do believe I have been changed for the better

2009-09-20T10:41:00.001-07:00

I stood on the beach today and cried. I cried for all that has happened in the last five months. For a baby born to soon. For children crying and needing their parents. For parents who were so overwhelmed they could barely hang on. For grandparents who stepped up to take over and were exhausted.

I cried tears of joy for doctors who cared for my baby when I couldn't. For nurses who are true friends. Who whispered to my baby terms of endearment, pumpkin,honey,little one, when I went home. For the prayers I felt from so many people. People I knew and people I didn't.

Everytime the waves washed over my feet and then receeded back into the ocean I let something go. It is as if the waves were pulling the sorrow from my body. Grounding me with every surge onto my feet. I anticipated the waves, for they brought joy. I couldn't wait for the water to hit me and bring me memories of all the good as the bad was washed away back into the emerald green waters. Maybe things were not truly bad, maybe I was so overwhelmed with everything I couldn't see outside of the box. I can now. The gentle tug and pull of the waves brought me closure. I am sure there is more to come. But isn't that Heavenly Fathers plan? To learn from our earthly experiences? How tough we are. How savvy we become. How blessed we are. People always say someday we will learn from this. I think that this is the day. I think about all the people I love, who have been through this experience with us. I wish you were here. I love you all.

the napping house

2009-09-19T18:02:00.000-07:00

thoughts on today.

1. today was a day of rest

2. Tranquility, mother knows best

3. I can still read a book in one day

4. Accomplishing nothing (everything I wanted to do)

5. napping during the day to the sound of the surf is highly underated

the napping house

don't you just love a deep sleep?

finally dressed at 4 pm to venture out into Panama City

mother daughter team

enjoying a much needed vacation

My sister sara has a gift for finding funny signs. I am learning from her. Here are a few for her (poor girl, nesting in the final month of her pregnancy.)

If you are caught in a rip currant tips. My favorite

1. Know how to swim

how about don't go in the water let alone the ocean if you can't swim. You are just asking for trouble!

What happened to those bumps

Seriously. Ben wants to know how much knowledge it takes?

very big shark

the funny thing is that I didn't know that ginormous plastic sharks swim in the ocean

okay

Sharkys

mom: fish tacos

dad: seafood diane

ben: fish plate

andrea: fish tacos

gracie: breast milk on the rocks

the battery died in the car.

Gracie praying please start!

upcoming events:

1. more napping at the napping house

2. one more book to read in the series

3. night time walking on the beach

4. Snorkeling

5. swimming with dolphins on a three hour tour

See you tomorrow

changes in attitude/changes in latitude

2009-09-18T10:30:00.000-07:00

I am about to have a change in attitude. For five days I can do nothing but sit and read and think with a daily nap thrown in here and there for the mom. Today the veranda tomorrow the beach.....

What can be better than that you ask? Maybe a baby with humidity hair.

The view from my napping spot today

The stairs to my own private beach.

Toes in fresh unmarked sand. Yes my feet are swollen.

My very own footprints.

Tomorrows napping place.
Sundays napping place. Pretty soon these babies will be decked out with pillows and umbrellas and diet coke and oh yes, me!

The napping house

Can you feel it? Can you smell it? Close your eyes....and relax!

first dip

seashells for the brownie bites who are living it up in Fillmore.

Self portrait.

Tiny Blessings

2009-09-07T20:25:00.000-07:00

We did it! Check one more thing off the list! We blessed Gracie! Hooray! She is getting bigger and better everyday. She is off her oxygen completely and only on the other monitor at night. A friend said to me "she isn't a project anymore, she's a real baby!" It's true. We have been waiting to bless her until we felt like she wasn't so fragile. I went to church late (so people couldn't touch her) with her wrapped up tight in a blanket. We left after she was blessed, again so people wouldn't touch her. I was a tiny bit panicked when the little girl behind us started to cough up a lung. Oh boy, I am a germaphob now. We figured out that 33 years ago to the day I was blessed in this dress that my Grandma Joyce made. Grandma also made the white blanket that I have used for all my childrens blessings. Now little baby Schmalz will get to use it. Thanks Gigi. I know she was watching us from heaven.
The Dress

The shoes
The tiny star

The family

Grace Elizabeth Brown

I think I am excited about this!

The food, thanks mom.

The people.......

The sisters

The Grandma
The birthday present from Michelle. Awesome (kind of naughty:) ) birthday present! I am a ipoder and a blogger now!

The skinny girl (not me, Michelle :) )

The nap, on cousin Sydney and Auntie Sara

The end

2009-09-03T19:43:00.000-07:00

Today it rained. For the first time in months. For all of 10 minutes. The first 25 drops fell and then the wind blew the red dirt from the construction behind our house and coated our windows. Do you know why it rained? I washed my windows yesterday. The doorbell rang and I answered to find this. The Desert children. Who don't really know what rain is, or any cold weather. Tyler cried when it snowed at our house last year,...he was scared. The drops were not quite enough to cool them off so they ran under the neighbors drainpipe to get a thourough soaking.

Rain in St. George is hot and muggy. Not cool and refreshing like the raintorms of my childhood.

Free from the hot dusty wind, they dance.

Keep dancing the cement isn't quite wet.

Thats better.

for the Aunties

2009-09-02T21:35:00.001-07:00

Auntie Sara,
Here is a little preview of me before the weekend starts. Get here quick, just slow down in Cedar City.
Love and stuff,
Gracie
Auntie Rachel,
My mom says to come prepared to show her how to download songs on her/your ipod. She says she doesn't know any of the songs she has listened to so far and she needs to be able to sing along.
xoxoxoxo
Gracie

Auntie Becky,
Did you get the mouse?
Love,
Gracie

Sugar and Spice...

2009-08-26T15:31:00.000-07:00

It is a well known fact in my family that I cried for three days when I found out Eliza was a girl one month before she was born. I thought she was a boy. I was ready for a boy. It was one more head of hair I would have to do. I got over it fast. She is wonderful. I am really enjoying this time with her. Today she helped grandma and I make strawberry jam. Her job was to stir. And I must say she did a great job!

another skivvy picture at pine valley

Our easy going girl

trademark bows, doing her hair isn't so bad! Lindsey and Emily used to tell people that I didn't want a girl because I would have to do her hair!

...And eveything nice. Thats what little girls are made of. Thanks for not being a boy! I am sure glad that Aunt Becky had a boy so she could use the boy blessing outfit I bought for you!

A few weeks ago the photographer who did Sara and Neils wedding set up a photo shoot for Gracie. She called today to tell me they were finished. She did a fantastic job. It is so good to see my little Gracie photographed so beautifully. Check out this link to see a slide show of the pictures, just put brownbaby in for the pass code. Thanks Shellee, this means the world to me
http://www.photographybyshellee.com/pickpic/gallery/login.php

Enjoy

snips and snails...

2009-08-25T21:10:00.000-07:00

I like to laundry. I know its weird, but I have come up with a really good system for doing it. One of the reasons I enjoy it is because after I wash the kids darks I am sure to find stuff like this resting on the bottom of the washer. It amazes me what little things Tyler finds to stuff his pockets full with. I am not great at checking pockets (just ask Ben about the time I washed and dried his blackberry :( ) so I always get a little surprise from Tyler. I love love boys. When I found out Tyler was a boy I filled the dresser with blue things. I would go into the nursery numerous times throughout the day and drink in the blueness of everything. It was so nice to see something other than pink!

He has to have spikey hair, and likes to pretend he is poking me with it!

Tyler is known for his hugs and kisses.

Kindergarten boy, wow five!

Swimming in his skivvys :) That's what happens when mom forgets the swimming suits.

...and puppy dog tails, thats what little boys are made of. Boy I am glad that I have a boy. I love you more than Disneyland:)

NICU clinic

2009-08-21T14:16:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that she has gone from this... ...to this? I sure can't! What a miracle. Today I took Gracie to the NICU graduate clinic. We met with the lactation specialist, the dietition, and the neonatologist. We rotated from room to room and got an update on Gracie. Her adjusted age is one month and she now weighs 8 pounds 8 ounces. They are so happy with her progress. The only thing we need to work on is getting her to turn her head to the left, because she favors her right side. It was so great to see the staff that we worked with for so long. It was like having a family reunion! Our favorite nurse came in on her day off to see Gracie. We cried when we saw each other. I am so greatful for her for taking such great care of Gracie. They also scheduled our appointments back to back with our friends the Roemers who we shared a room with. Their daughter Abbey was born two days before Gracie. After the clinic we all went out to lunch and got caught up on our darling girls. The NICU nurses referred to Abbey and Gracie as "the twins that never were." Because they were doing the same things at the same time. It was so good to catch up with good friends

Jenn (holding Gracie) was her primary care nurse, and we love, love, love her! Kerry Ann the lactation specialist who cheered me on!

The twins that never were sporting the cadillacs of carseats!

Ben, Stephen and the girls.

Just like Grace.

2009-08-20T17:08:00.000-07:00

Gracie hamming it up for mom. 4 months old .
Napping in her crib for the first time.

Beautiful baby

Today Emily and Eliza found gracies canulas and decided they wanted to be like Grace. They even made oxygen canisters to hook the canulas into.

The hospital room

Funny girls!

brownieisms/ the honeymoon is over

2009-08-19T14:58:00.000-07:00

Our house is small. Very, very small. Lately the only quiet place for Gracie to sleep is in my closet. It is dark and quiet, and she won't remember sleeping under all the clothes! She is back on oxygen after a day and a half without it. She just couldn't keep her saturation levels up. On Friday we go and meet with the Nicu doctors. I think that the "honeymoon" is over with Gracie. This week she has finally started demanding things like a "real"baby. I think it is kind of fun to have her cry and try to figure out what she needs. She also reached another milestone this week and she is finally smiling! Hip hip hooray! A few conversations with the Brown kids...
Mom: Liza, do you want marshmallow mateys for breakfast?
Liza: No, I don't eat the mateys, just the marshmallows.

Mom: What did you do at school today?
Tyler: Everything Mrs. Shelley told me too.

Emily: I have a new boyfriend.
Mom: Oh really, What's his name?
Emily: I don't know. He just does everything I tell him to.

Happy birthday to me!

2009-08-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to me!
Happy Birthday to me!
We made it through the summer!
Happy Birthday to me!
We did it! It is finally here! The first day of school! My kids are just as excited as I am. I love school. I love backpacks and lunches. I especially love, love, love the way the school smells. There is just something about it that brings peace to my heart! I am so happy that my kids have a great school to go to. I ran into tons of people today who are so sad that I am not coming back:) I really put a wrench into some poor kindergarten families this year...oh well, I know I made the right decision. As I sit in my super quiet house this morning I am reminded that at some point during the week I will be alone with Gracie Brown for two full hours! Oh sweet school system thankyou!!!! The Brownie bites all ready for school.

Lindsey third grade

Emily first grade

Tyler kindergarten

Eliza preschool

New face!

2009-08-11T14:53:00.000-07:00

hmm, something feels different... Thats what it is, theres nothing on my face!

We are doing a trial run today without oxygen! One of the last steps we have to take at home. She is doing so great. The funny thing is that I don't recognize her without her canula in her nose. I think she feels pretty good!

where we have been, how far we have come.

2009-08-10T19:35:00.000-07:00

I feel the need to write. To share our story. My precious baby. I look at her everyday and can see the miracles handed down from Heavenly Father. My heart can not even begin to express the profound love I have in my heart for my children. For the miracle baby that is ours. During family home evening tonight the kids were trying to get Gracie to fold her arms for the prayer. How sweet that ones so small are trying to teach someone smaller than them. Gracie has been home for three weeks now and is thriving. Sometimes I sit and hold her and marvel that I got to see her grow so much. I have watched her change and have the looks of each one of my children (right now she looks the most like Tyler, who knows what next week will bring.) Sometimes I am so mad that my body is so depleted and that I have no energy, I want the old me back. And then I kiss her tiny "brown" lips and smell her sweet breath and I gain a sense of peace. Today I went to the breakfast for the teachers at the school. It felt good to go there and get the confirmation that I made the right decision to not go back to teaching this year. I am excited to get to stay home with sweet Grace. I keep telling my kids that even though I love them, the best birthday present I will get is when they all go back to school on the 13th (Washington Elementary is the happiest place on earth!) I can't believe that we made it through this summer. I didn't think we would. Through this whole experience I prayed that my children would be safe and cared for. They were, thanks to all of you. I know that my prayers were answered. Even in the darkest times when I wonder how this happened, and why anyone so small should have to fight for their life, I am reminded of the plan. That we chose this. I am so happy I chose to be a mom. Thankyou Ben, Thankyou Linsdey, Thankyou Emily, Thankyou Tyler, Thankyou Eliza, Thankyou Gracie for making me realize my true calling.

we've had a wilde week!

2009-08-07T21:17:00.000-07:00

Becky and her kids came to St. George for the week. One of the highlights was a outing to Tuacahn for the play Annie!

Some women are dripping with diamonds. Some women are dripping with pearls. Lucky me, lucky me, look at what I'm dripping with...little girls!

Stopping at grandma Browns on the way to St. George for a little good clean fun!

summer daze

2009-07-29T18:03:00.000-07:00

When you wake up in the morning and your house looks like this... And your kids are cleaning the playground with their electric toothbrushes like this....

It's a good thing there is a place like this...thank you Washington community center!

When the mom looks like this...thank you, no shower for two days...

and the baby is as sweet as this...

The twinsies are super swimmers like this.....

Lindsey is a nacho eater like this...

Emily our freckly fish like this....

We are sure glad we enjoyed the pool while it lasted because Eliza cleared the pool like this...when she had a attack of diarreah like this. We got out of there as fast as can be and mom declared it a Bajio grill night. Oh sweet cheese enchiladas!

Welcome to our blog:)

2009-07-27T14:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my fabulous sister for keeping all of our family and friends updated on our darling Gracie! I couldn't have made it through the last 3 months without her support...thanks Sara! A ginormous (as Emily Brown would say) thanks to everyone for their support to our family while Gracie has been in the hospital. She has been home for two weeks and she is finally eating!!!!!!! I pulled her feeding tube on tuesday and we haven't needed it! She was 40 weeks on July 23 which might explain why she is FINALLY kicking it into gear! We have a home health nurse come once a week and last time she weighed her she was a whopping 7 pounds. Wahoo!

We have had a great week at Grandma and Grandpas. Since we can't leave town with Gracie I decided our summer vacation would be to drive to my parents house which is an astonishing 15 minutes from where we live! By the time I packed and got there I felt like we had traveled all day! Phew, we made it and had fun swimming with the Egbert kids and playing with my side kick Michelle! Calli and Court loved holding Gracie.

Michelle and I bought new exercise clothes and broke them in running around the house!

This Blog is dedicated to you Becky M. (or should I say Becky B.) my fellow blog stalker. I have now been sucked into the blogging world. We shall see how long this lasts! Make a comment, I know you are out there!