Manilla Shamila!

We all thinks it's BOGUS! Ya, a great opportunity. Yes, they seem to be wonderfully happy! True, that is what we want most for them BUT must they really move to the other side of the world!!

We miss our Shaynee, DW, Becky and Bret!

Christmas 2007

Cousin Band!

A group of 4 undeniably adorable cousins rock out!

Flynn is going to be a DADDY!

How in the world does something like this happen?! I mean I am well aware of how this 'happens'--I have 4! But my Beaner! My word! I am so very happy for he and Krista! And how wonderful it is to hear the excitment in his voice as he relays this information. He is going to be such and Amazing Father! Patient, consistant, loving and warm! Wow! I can't wait to meet the newest addition of our family. How wonderful!

Hi. My name is Erica and I am a Coke-aholic!

I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be doing what I love as "homework!" Drawing floor plans and furniture placements, cabinets and kitchen lay-outs-- I do that as free time! Lucky me!

Carly made THIS for our dinner! It was AMAZING! How come she does Everything well? Cause she's Carly!

Photo Shoot

Grace decided she would set up a Photo Shoot this morning with Michael and Noah as her muses. The couch was draped with the perfect floral background aka her blanket and all sorts of wonderful props were brought in to really give the pictures life. The best part though, in my humble observer's opinion? The two darling boys huddled together in each shot!

My NoahD

The most darling, loving, affectionate, considerate, enjoyable young man you will ever meet and a character to boot!

Go T-Birds!

My Sweetest Lexis! Lexis and her friend slept here last night! YAY! The girls are getting ready for the big football game tomorrow. We went to Cozy's to get some orange and blue earrings. So cute! Lexis and a group of friends are going up to Rice Eccles Stadium with Verl tomorrow because TimpView is in the State Championship game! They canceled school because they sold so many tickets and Lexis said some kids bought half a dozen to help ensure school would be canceled. The game is at 11am and I guess pretty much everyone is going up. Lexis and her friends are getting all dressed up in orange and blue! I'll post pictures! Tonight Lexis came and gave me a hug and said "You're the best Mom!" I love her so much! LOVE having her with me! LOVE IT!

IEP Meeting

Today a USDB Family Plan Coordinator came to the house. She met with myself and Miss Terry to create a Student Profile for Michael to use as part of his IEP and introduce to his class. We went through a time line of events since his birth. It was honestly hard. Hard to remember all that has gone on from finding out Michael was blind to hundreds of sleepless nights and terrible fits. It reaffirmed the positive steps he was taking this summer with Maggie coming. What a blessing that was! I long for my happy boy. What struggles he has been asked to face!

A special envelope

This was sitting on the couch for me tonight after Verl picked up the kids! A beautifully colored envelope from Grace with a stack of coupons inside. "Make Brekfast!," "Paint Nails!" and "Musash!" No special occasion! Just a loving, special child! What an amazing girl I have! So thoughtful! I am so very lucky! I love you, Grace!

3 plus Hours in the "Salon"

Michael Ethan just before a haircut! His hair was getting so long! Mama loves it that way but we must see his eyes so after 45 minutes sitting with him in the bath and another hour on my lap once he settled down, the hair cut is done! But, Oh, what a handsome boy!

A new trick!

Feet of the ground as he stands against the couch! Michael has also learned how to get off the couch by himself. And all done in his fireman Halloween costume!

Pumpkin Carving

Noah quite serious about pumpkin carving and apparently we do it shirtless out our house!