Last Hurrah with the Hintzes.

6-7 May 2016

It was a bittersweet weekend heading to St. Louis for our final Hurrah with the Hintzes.  Of course we will see them again (great friendships never die!), but this will most likely be our last time spending time with them in our old STL stomping grounds.  Bry & I attended the temple then met up for a picnic dinner at a beautiful park nearby (silly V8 energy drinks that put a little damper on dinner.)  We tried out custard from Fritz's, swam at our hotel's pool, the kiddos of course needed to watch a cartoon, Laura & I went and got pedicures, I coordinated a few last outfits for her and then we spent the rest of the evening at IKEA before parting ways.  Good times.  Til next time!  In Denver?

Johnson Cousins in Illinois.

We were thrilled when Aunt Julie emailed and said that they'd be coming out to our neck of the woods to help Larry (Uncle Walt's Dad) sort through, dejunk, and pack up his house.  We have gotten so few family visitors here in Normal let alone cousins so we were ALL very excited :0)

Some of the highlights include: Avanti's gondolas for lunch * Having everyone sleepover at our place * late night chat with Uncle Walt & Aunt Julie * watching you kids play with your cousins * seeing baby Aimee and baby Carrie together * Dad & I teaming up to watch Isaac, Thomas and Kyle for 24 hours (I was honestly a little nervous to have 7 kids under our roof, but Dad had a great and adventurous attitude and proposed that we just make it really fun.  His attitude really shaped the time in to something great & memorable!)-- visiting the Caterpillar Visitor's Center in Peoria, free Frosty's from Wendy's, Pizza Party, movie party and sleepover * Uncle Walt & Dad taking all of you kids on the Monticello train while Aunt Julie & I worked on sorting and packing * Memorial Day BBQ * Brie, Isaac & Aunt Julie playing set * the Johnsons gifting us with the Story Cubes game *

26-31 May 2016

Thanks again for visiting us.  We just LOVED having you here!

clapping with each step.

Aimee, you are almost 15 months and have changed so much over the last several weeks.  You finally started taking steps and at the beginning would clap for yourself each step that you took.  It was darling!  You would inevitably fall back on your diaper-cushioned seat every step or two, but would instantly get back up and try again.  I was so impressed by your unphased determination.  This week you have gained a lot of coordination, are taking step after step without falling and are even starting to turn by pivoting.  It is delightful to watch.  We are so proud of you!  I imagine that we will have a similar sentiment as you try and persist and master other things in life.  Way to go, Aimee dear.  We love you so.

Prep & Procedure, Oh Poop!

22-23 May 2016

Sunday morning I ate a light breakfast then was on a liquids fast for the rest of the day.  At 4pm I mixed up my prep drink then chugged that nasty stuff as fast as I could every 10 minutes.  Uggh.  It was HORRIBLE.  It looks clear but is unusually thick and has a slight fishy flavor.  Brie, you were so sweet to stay with me in efforts of supporting.  I tried to distract myself by designing things for Father's Day singing time, but was almost dry heaving by the last few cups. As things started getting moving, Dad took you kids on a walk so that the pot & I could spend some meaningful time together.  When I got to the last .5 oz I was feeling so nausea that I decided that I'd just dump it in the toilet, figuring that that is directly where it'd be going anyway ;0)  That night I scoured all sorts of forums, articles and blogs online to see what advice people had.  I had a pretty good night and woke up the next morning feeling a renewed hope that I could take on the last 64 oz head on.  I prefilled bottles, chilled them in the fridge then used a separate cup with ice cubes and drank through a straw.  It was 100% better!!  In 5 years when I need to do another colonoscopy I will definitely do the whol 128 oz. chilled, on ice and sipped through a straw.

After I was done with the prep part, per my request Dad sweetly made no bake cookies to give to the sitters (Yuling Nowland and Kathryn Kimball) and I had fun designing some ridiculous little thank you notes.  The drs and nurses really got a kick out of them :0)  Checking in to the hospital I was so shaky. I had not eaten anything in 36 hours, and the last thing I had eaten was a small bowl of rice chex for breakfast.  Thankfully they had a chair in front of the sign in window.  I needed it.  Dad was wonderful to be with me as I got my IV and before I got rolled back to the procedure room.  It was my first time being put under and I was a little nervous, but was so grateful I didn't have to be conscious of either procedure.  When the anesthiologist said that I would be asleep in 5 seconds I panicked.  It scared me to think of everything going black, so I quickly closed my eyes and said a quick prayer.  And that was the hardest part.  Next thing I knew I was back in the recovery room with Dad and I was done!  Hooray for modern medical technology!!

18 July 2016

Dr. Misra said that my colon looked fine (no polyps, hooray!), but that with a family history of polyps I should have a colonoscopy every 5 years (boo!).  I also had an endoscopy done at the same time and found bile in my stomach.  She said that she suspected it was either from too much fat in my diet or stress.  After a week in Europe eating whatever the heck I wanted and having virtually NO stomach problems, then getting back to Utah with my kids and suddenly having upset stomach, Dr. Misra and I concluded that it is most likely stress that is causing the gastritis.  The hard thing with that now is that thinking about stress making me sick makes me more stressed :0/  I know that the Lord is helping teach me to be calmer and more patient, but it's a process to relearn how to handle life when you're used to be really high strung and easily overwhelmed.

In any case, I am now taking Sucralafate a half hour before lunch and dinner in hopes that my stomach will heal and I won't have so many issues.  It's amazing that this whole process started back in February, but I'm grateful to have trained medical professionals who have guided me in this process. 

Fantasia.

Back in May we did our {Satur}day of dates.  Lij went on the first date with Dad, then Brie went out with Dad in search of a Beanie Boo.  The only ones she could find were out of her $5 budget so (against Dad's advice) she ended up spending all $5 at Walmart trying to get one from the claw machine.  No luck.  Brie, you came home in tears, so sad that you'd spent all of your time and money with no Beanie Boo.  We tried to console you then Alex & I went on our way for his date.  You wanted to go to the Dollar Tree, but I suggested that we expand our horizons a bit and go to Party City.  You agreed.  While walking around the store we came upon a WALL of Beanie Boos that were $5!!  We both instantly thought of Brie.  Long story short, Alex, you decided to use your $5 to buy this adorable rainbow unicorn named Fantasia and I would let you pick out one $1 toy and pay for tax.  I was amazed at your willingness to spend all of his money for Brie's Beanie Boo.  After you picked his Lightning McQueen Rum mix Cube you insisted on checking out and heading home.  I let you know that you still had 40 minutes left of your date and we could go do something else first, but you were way too excited about surprising Brie with the gift, so we headed right home. 

 Once home I snuck inside to get a few gift bags and tissue paper for you to choose from, you selected your favorite, stuffed Fanstasia inside then excitedly knocked on the door!  You couldn't wait to give Brie her gift and it made my mama heart SO happy.

Needless to say, Brie was overjoyed when she pulled the adorable Beanie Boo out of the gift bag and was so thankful for your thoughtfulness.  It was one of those sweet SWEET parenting moments.

Dad & I were so touched by how things unfolded.  It reminded us of how our Heavenly Father must feel.  There are many times undoubtedly where the heavenly law requires our Father to mete out justly, but our Savior and Brother is able to extend us mercy.  How happy it must make them both feel.

Mother's Day--we can NOT contain our love.

18 July 2016

It's sad and ironic that I'm working on this post today.  Today has been one of those can-we-please-get-a-redo-as-a-mom days.  I've yelled several times and louder than I have in almost 5 months.  It makes me sad :0(  THIS is not the kind of mom I want to be or to be remembered as.  I think there is just a lot on my mind and heart lately, part of that trying to make the most of the summer before you kiddos are in school...yet it's such a bummer when my plans stress me out and backfire.  (sigh) This is me telling myself that it happens and that I can move on and make better choices. Heaven help me!

Now for Mother's Day...

I serve in primary  so I very rarely go to Relief Society these days. Today after making sure my sub for singing time and Bry (the primary pianist sub) was all ready to go I came into the Relief Society room to sit down. Within about 30 seconds someone brought Aimee for me to hold because she was crying. No joke about a minute after that a brother comes in with Elijah who had peed his pants in nursery. I quietly walked him across the building to the restroom so I could get him cleaned up. Thankfully Bry was a thinker and brought an extra pair of pants in the Sunday bag, thank heavens!! As I took off his little shoes and pants and his undies I noticed remnants of pooh in his underwear. So I sat him down on the toilet so I could start assessing the damage. As I stepped forward to place him on the toilet I felt a squish with my shoe. "Oh great" I thought "what in the world did I just step in??" I lifted up my foot and there was the missing pooh. Apparently it had fallen out onto the floor when I had lifted him on to the toilet. Now the bottom of my shoe was covered in poo as was the floor. I couldn't help but laugh at the predicament. Of course I had decided to wear a nice skirt today that happened to be floor length. Just picture my skirt pinched between my legs as I waddled back and forth between the sink & paper towels and toilet stall where lij patiently sat. Long story short after I got everything all cleaned up and disinfected, lij put together and back to nursery and sat down in relief society there were 20 minutes left. But a sweet sister, who has been holding Aimee all the while handed Aimee back to me and she slept in my arms while I enjoyed the remainder of a beautiful lesson on empathy.

You all worked to make Mother's Day SO special for me!: Breakfast in bed, singing to me while I led all the primary in "Mother Dear" for the congregation to hear during sacrament meeting, yummy cupcakes decorated by Lij, cute tiles with your hand prints (oh I love those sweet, small little hands!) from primary, reorganizing the family room and making a special little corner with my gifts and balloon :0), and a delicious chipotle steak salad dinner followed by strawberry oreo milkshakes.  Wow.  Now that is love.  Also have to mention the package Mémé sent me (with the cute grey sign with the white lettering), the ADORABLE May package I happened to find on our porch on Mother's Day that was from Aunt Emmie AND the beautiful necklace & earrings that Grammie Ruth sent me.  

You sweet, energetic, loving, fun kiddos (+ napping Aimee) are the ones who have made me a mom.  I love each of you uniquely and greatly.  Yes, as we all know TOO well, I definitely have my monster mom moments :0( but please know that I am trying SO hard and I hope you can focus on the good times that we have together.  Thank you for making my life rich, entertaining and so funny!

And have to put a plug in for my Mom and mother-in-law Julia.  I am blessed to have them in my life.  AND for all the women that I am privileged to associate with.  Each of your examples helps to shape the person that I am.

This was the card & envelope template I  came up with (thank you, Pinterest, for the inspiration) to send out for Mother's Day.  Then we all worked together to get them ready to mail.  I love working on these projects as a family.

According to Motorola, 17 (May).

Sweeping = Second Breakfast or Snack time in Aimee's mind, I have to be quick or she helps herself.

More Paris love :0)

I opened this book to read to you Lij at Easter Seals and someone had written in the French translation below.  How cool is that?  I of course had to read it in French to you!

Alex riding his bike during Lij & Aimee's afternoon nap, while I contently watched from the front porch rocking chair.

Alex trying on glasses just for fun

Alex's Kindergarten eye exam.  It turns out you have a slight astigmatism (like your mom), but nothing to be concerned about at this point, thankfully.

Sweet Aimsey & Alex.

Brother Cash arranged for 3 of us returned missionary sisters (Kathryn Kimball and Sarah Dickinson) from the ward to come and chat with his pre-missionary daughter, Antonia, and her friend before leaving on their missions.  The Cashes brought DELICIOUS speciality sandwiches & cheesecake for us chatting ladies and pizza & cookies for Jason, Bry and the kids.  It was a fabulous afternoon of sharing stories and testimonies.

Bernadette holding Sarah's new baby while we chatted.

Aimee being a chocolate chip cookie monster :0)

Here's the group of us girls:

Bernadette & Antonia Cash, Sarah Dickinson, friend, me and Kathryn Kimball

Our new "please take off your shoes" sign...since I can't help but give explanations and disclaimers ;0)

A postcard from Marlene Graden from their recent trip.  We're getting SO excited for OUR trip!

Alex drew and taped up that little collection of drawings next to my bed <3 p="">

Heading to STL for our final hurrah with the Hintzes (and to attend the temple)

Sweet, sweet girl.  We're done with nursing :0(

A CUTE thank you from Aunt Emmie for Dad doing her taxes.  It's been 6 or 7 years now.

Adorable present from Aunt Em for Alex's birthday.  He was over the moon when he saw the rocket ship card and wrapping paper :0)

My sweet friend Melanie (who I visit teach) totally surprised me on Mother's Day with this truly ADORABLE sign for our kitchen that she had made.  I couldn't get over her thoughtfulness. And I just LOVE the sign!  Once again, makes me think of our upcoming trip to Paris and my forever love for all things French.

Monday morning, well hello.  Yes, our house is definitely not always in order! Especially after road trips.  And don't mind that most of the stuff in the laundry room is mine.   (Shhh, don't tell)

Alex flying a kite :0)

We purchased 2 comfy terry cloth bathrobes for our guest bathroom.  Anyone want to come visit??!

We finally bought you, Lij, your own copy of the Book of Mormon to use during family scripture reading at breakfast.  You were so excited!

Cute outfit (from Bompa & Mémé) on a cute girl..who is almost done with 1st grade!

Dad & I at the Peoria Zoo.  Brie, your class was heading there for a field trip.  You had asked if any of us were going to meet you there and I told you that we hadn't planned on it so no.  After you were at school I asked Dad how quickly he could have his grades submitted for the semester.  He quickly finished up and we called for an impromptu trip to the zoo to surprise you!

A gorgeous walkway there by the African animals.  I love how GREEN the Midwest is.

Sisters (in coordinating outfits) :0)

Brie eating lunch with her class.

Miss Sassy pants :0)

Bola, a mom that I met at Halloween time in Mrs. Kauten's class.  We got a picture then of both of us expecting (me with a bike helmet to make my halloween costume more believable), and here we are with our not so little babies now.

Booked our hotel for our last night in Paris!  Sorted through DOZENS of hotels and settled on this one because of the sign "bonheur" because Bry = bonheur (happiness) to me.

Aimee got the biggest kick out of Alex shooting the plastic darts up in the air and then chasing after them.  Her laugh was the cutest thing ever!

Nicely done, Brie.  I love to see your artwork even on a basic assignment.

Reading with my Alex :0)

My new Vionics came in the mail! (thank you 6pm.com)  Now to get them broken in before Paris.

Family walk to school, look at this little love muffin!

It's so fun to see the tiny plants start to grow.

Getting Em's ocean package ready to send for her May package (monthly subscription).

Oh my, the kids would LOVE these stamps.  Me too!

Found that little beauty of a travel bag at a garage sale for $10.  I was so excited and felt so blessed!  You can't tell that I am just a little bit  TOTALLY excited for our upcoming trip!!

One of favorites from this last round at the library

Brie's 1st grade class

Our cowboy hats arrived for the ranch (thank you Amazon Prime)

Heading to Olayan Nowland's birthday party 

Dad hung up my sign.  Just lOVE it!

Out to Starbuck's for Chocolate Chip frapuccinos and a pastry...trying to get in the café spirit.

Prepping to teach "Praise to the Man" in primary

Look at Aimee's beautiful dress from the Nowlands

Feeling slimmer and healthier these days...after months and months and months and months...of calorie counting (+ some exercise)

At Mothers & Muffins in Brie's class

A (random) succulent plant I bought for Mrs. Goelitz in a pinch.  We didn't do anything for her during teacher appreciation week and I wanted to thank her for being Brie's "school mom".  I didn't want a bouquet of flowers to die on her desk during the day and I couldn't find a good potted plant.  Hopefully she at least appreciated the gesture ;0)

Alex & Brooke on the last day of preschool!

Good ol' Mrs. Thomas, we LOVE her and the preschool program she is running at NCHS

We all have our boots now.  Ranch here we come!...in a few weeks.

Brie's pre-2nd grade dental check up

Cute littles playing in the waiting room at Easter Seals.  We're here 2x/month for 1 hour.

Alex & I at Orange Leaf to cash in on Alex's free frozen yogurt for having NO cavities

Getting nightly gifts ready for the ranch

Little flower arrangement for Brie's last day of school

Aimee's 1yr check up, wearing one of my baby outfits

Look at that smile!

I love the time Dad spends with you kids.  You have such a wonderful father.

Picking out glasses and sunglasses online from Zenni Optical.  You can not beat the price.  I am so excited to finally have (polarized) prescription sunglasses and a second pair of glasses.  

I love seeing you guys read!  One of our favorite past times around here.

Assume the pooing position.  Poor girl, this is when you are constipated and straining :0/

Cute book!

Earlier this day in the Talbert's backyard I put Aimee down on the grass and she instantly curled up in a ball because the grass prickled/tickled her little bare legs.  We had to reenact it here to show Dad and get a picture.

Date night: trying on and picking out our outfits for Paris & Berlin :0)

At one point Aimee decided to join us

We can't WAIT for our trip <3 p="">

Dropping off the Nowlands at Saturday morning soccer games while John was out of town

Tyler Seader, Tom McCann, Bry and Josh Jensen practicing a quartet piece that they'll perform sometime late Summer

How grown up and handsome are you getting, Alex??

Our thank you notes (& adorable picture that Brie drew) for Mrs. Goelitz.

We got up early to paint your nails for the last day of school

Walking to school, for your last day of 1st grade!

Kelly snuggling baby Deacon while visiting teaching

One more from the last day of school.  Two cuties.

Just TOO cute in that Summer outfit....

...and those sweet chubby legs just kill me! 

Brie bouncing by with braids on a bouncey horse.  I was in a bad mood, this was hilarious and totally cheered me up!

This kind man helped Bry to strategically install a HAM radio antenna in our back yard

Getting my hair done, finally!  Blond highlights, dark brown lowlights and a touch of bright red!

Sweet Whitney delivered these beautiful flowers & card from her mom to thank us for carpooling this year

Playing at the Kimballs, great way to ring in Summer!

In Kathryn's kitchen, just love it.

Kathryn and her two cute daugthers, Savannah and Millie.  I just love Kathryn and the friend and great example she is to me!

You kids & I making a (boxed) angel food cake for the first time, thanks to Sharon Sagers saving the day, lending us her pan and educating me about bundt vs. angel food cake pan. Had no idea.

Sweet Yuling let me come over one afternoon to look through ALL of her jewelry to see if there was something I wanted to wear for our photo shoot in Paris.  She is forever thoughtful!

Cake box cake or not, you can't go wrong with fresh berries.

I had A LOT of fun designing and putting together this singing time for Rachael Winsor to use on Father's Day while we will be in Berlin.

One kid came up to look under a tie to see the song to be sung.  If they did a good job singing it they got to help the singer get clean shaven for father's day by removing his facial hair.  Silly, but fun, eh?

Our sun glasses came.  Now I'll admit, I feel like we look a bit like flies.  Mine are not as sophisticated as I would have liked, but alas...$40 is a steal of a deal.

Dad helping me get envelopes and cards ready to use on our trip.

One day I was teasing Lij about not eating his fruits & veggies so he could shrink and I could keep him in my pocket forever.  SO silly, I know.  For our trip I made a pocket version of Dad & I for you kids to keep and a pocket version of you four for us to take with us on our trip :0)

We LOVE you sweet, Aimee.  These are two doting parents indeed.

Memorial day, remembering some of our loved ones who have passed on.  We included Uncle Walt's mom, Celia, as well since the Johnsons joined us for dinner.

Our little fam

Talk about feast.  Tamara Johnson brought TONS of food to contribute to dinner. 

Our first tea party with the very dainty and beautiful crystal sets we got from the Johnsons while sorting, packing and dejunking before Larry moves to Utah.

You boys helping to get roadtrip antics ready for our trip

Some fun books we read leading up to our trip to the Tumbling River Ranch

Oh my sweet babe.

Olivia saved the day AGAIN by coming every morning for about a week so that I could get final trip details in place in pack.  It would have been one thing to prepare for 1 trip but we had so many facets to our trip.  2 day road trip.  1 night at a hotel in Colorado.  7 nights at the ranch.  1 day roadtripping to Utah.  2 nights in Utah.  Our 7 day trip to Europe while the kids were 3 days at Aunt Rachie's, 3 days at Aunt Emmie's and 2 days at Bompa & Mémé's then 1 more night at Bompa & Mémé's, 2 nights at Grandpa & Nana's then 3 days road trip back to Illinois.  Talk about complicated!  Anyway, yes, she saved my bacon while I feverishly got everything in place.