So Big

Just a couple quick pictures this morning. I have what I believe is a sinus infection so I can't think straight, let alone walk straight, ha ha ha.

It's almost everyday that little things make me realize how fast these boys are growing. Pretty soon Kaleb won't be able to sit on our lap anymore with his head tuck under our chins.
And this is how Xander was patiently waiting for me this morning as I got his big brother and myself ready for the day.


So handsome! Kaleb all ready for church yesterday.
He still doesn't like nursery one bit and cries through most of it. He is usually brought to us after an hour. Yesterday they said he was fine as long as he didn't run out of cheerios, ha ha ha. Although we still ended up with him during the third hour since he was stinky. I wonder if he did that on purpose? That's our challenge right now that we're working on, staying in nursery, and being happy about it.
Yesterday he was with Jake during the last hour and Jake is pretty sure Kaleb yelled out "I want to go home now!" Kaleb is talking a lot more. If only we could understand 95% of what he says.

The weather is gorgeous today. Too bad I don't trust myself to carry these boys, especially up and down stairs. Here's to hoping next week I write from an infection free house.

Enjoying the Moment

How wonderful and amazing these boys are, and how quickly they are growing up.
Kaleb has such a sweet disposition and is so kind to his brother (most of the time).
Take the example in this picture. Alexander was crying and wanted me to hold him. As I ignored him, Kaleb went and found his pacifier and brought it to him. He was patting him on the head and trying to get the pacifier in his mouth.Oh I love these boys!
This was the scene last night during bath time.
Kaleb was jabbering away to Xander, who was laughing hysterically. Makes me wonder what his big brother was telling him. They were both laughing pretty hard until the camera came in and distracted them. And you get a lovely Jake hacking up a lung scene (the reason why I made him sleep on the couch for two nights).


My how these boys are growing.

Kaleb is starting to communicate so well with his words.
He is using silverware more often, which has been a huge help for me. Meal times are pretty crazy around here. I have three bowls and three spoons, one bite to Kaleb, one to Alexander, one to myself, and back around the circle.
He is definitely in the stages of toddler-hood. He loves running and is getting pretty quick and hard to catch. He makes messes faster than I can clean them up. He is so happy most of the time and such a joy to be around.

Alexander seems so big to me all the sudden. He is getting more independent. He can pretty much sit up by himself. He rolls likes crazy and I have to remember that I can't just lay him down on a higher surface and walk away. He has already rolled off the bed once.
He is getting really into food and so far hasn't rejected anything new that he's tried.
We are so blessed that he too is such a happy baby. Now if we could only get him to sleep at night.

We came home from Arizona coughing and sneezing and so stuffed up (Kaleb started it!) This past week the weather has been gorgeous but I just didn't have the gumption to get the boys outside...although I know that's what they needed, a good exposure of sunshine.
Jake and I had quite a few plans this weekend that we had to cancel so we could stay home and keep our germs to ourselves.
Saturday we walked around an outdoor mall, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. It certainly helped me feel better!


Kaleb took this picture on Jake's phone. Not bad for someone who is 19 months old.
We had a babysitter planned and a reservation at a restaurant. Having to cancel all that we got the boys in bed and then ordered Mexican food from our favorite local establishment. I even pulled out a tablecloth and the candlesticks.
We weren't able to attend church the next day. I don't feel too bad though because no one wants our germs!
I feel like I'm on the upswing of my cold. The boys are still coughing and are pretty stuffed up but I'm thinking we're all on the upside (I hope!)
I really don't like being sick - ugh!
On a side note - I seriously have the best visiting teacher ever. She called to see if she could stop by, last Wednesday I believe it was. I informed her that wasn't a good idea since we were all sick. She stopped by anyway with a pot of chicken soup and some cookies. YUM!
What an amazing thing this gospel is. I feel so loved and well taken care of even if my mom is 10 hours away.
Opening the windows now and letting in the California sunshine. The only thing I like about living here (besides certain people and friends of course).

Sunshine and Rain

We got back yesterday evening. It was an uneventful drive, a scary rainy one, but, good none-the-less.
We were mentally and physically worn out and ready to be home but so glad we were able to be there to support Hailey and Cameron.
I am so grateful we were able to stay at the Ronald McDonald House. I can't say it enough, what an amazing charity.
There weren't any bathtubs so we did the best we could with the boys nightly baths. We tried to give Kaleb a shower one night and I fear we scarred him for life the way he was screaming. We resorted to the laundry room sink, which was just as traumatic.

One day a couple stopped by with their ranch therapy animals. Kaleb and Xander both weren't so sure about having anything to do with them.























I wish we could have seen Jesse as his usual smiley self. But, it was nice to see him, although very hard not being able to scoop him up and hug him.
This is a picture sent to my phone a few weeks ago.

I think these boys are related. I see so many similarities in their mannerisms and facial expressions. Can't wait until they can play together.
The house had plenty of stuffed animals and blankets to snuggle up with.
Kaleb's favorite part was all the rocks. Every rest stop he wouldn't eat, just go straight for the rocks and start throwing them behind him. There is rocks in about every landscape in Arizona so it was hard to go anywhere with Kaleb because he would plant his feet and want to just sit down in the rocks.

It was a good trip. We found time to laugh even amidst the storm clouds. There is nothing like a game of 'hand and foot' late at night.


















We love you Hailey, Cam, and Jesse. Hugs and prayers as you make some of the most difficult decisions. Know that no matter what, you made the right decision. All will work out as it should. Lets pray for the miracle that it will work out how we want it to.

Weekly Ramblings

I didn't have anything to post last week. I grabbed the camera to see if I could at least put up a picture. 'No images' flashed across the screen. Wow, my life is boring.
This past Monday Jake and I decided we needed to be in Arizona to support Hailey, Cameron and Jesse.
Jesse had a surgery last week that didn't accomplish what is was supposed to. It was decided that he needed another surgery to try again.
We were able to get away on Thursday morning as soon as the boys woke up. It was an uneventful drive and the boys did so well traveling during the day. We only had to stop a couple times for Xander and us to eat and Kaleb to play in the rest stop dirt and rocks. We arrived in a timely manner and met Hailey at the Ronald McDonald House. I am so grateful for this charity. I never really knew much about it before. I had seen the donation boxes at various McDonalds but never paid them much attention. This is a house for families to stay while their children are in the local hospitals. There is a full kitchen/ dining room (with I think 4 stoves, like 8 fridges, etc) laundry rooms, bedrooms with private bathrooms (like a hotel room) and most importantly there is a spirit of love here. I feel the spirit so strongly here, He is definitely a central part of this house. There are so many volunteers in and out of here. More often than not there are three hot meals provided each day by many different volunteers; local families, churches, school groups, even operating room nurses the other night. I am so grateful Hailey and Cameron have this home away from home while they focus on their baby and his needs. This is truly an amazing place.
I went over one evening with Hailey to tell Jesse goodnight. After the surgery Jesse wasn't breathing very well (during surgery they had to move his lungs and reposition them) He was on a ventilator and they were giving him lots of drugs to keep him asleep since they couldn't have him moving around. He wanted to be awake so bad and was really fighting the drugs. It was so hard to see him strapped to the bed with tubes and wires coming out of every part of his body. They haven't been able to hold him due to all these tubes and wires, and that was really hard to experience. You just wanted to scoop him up and give him the biggest hug and tell him all would be well.
As Hailey tapped bubbles out of one tube and explained all the different medicines to me (I think there were 6 or 7?) I had to smile. She probably knows more than the nurses. She would do real well in medical school after all this.
Right now the boys are asleep and I'm awaiting news. Jake is at the hospital with Hailey and Jesse is in surgery (again).
We were able to do a family fast yesterday. Jake and I found a local ward and attended their Sacrament meeting. I got the strongest confirmation that with faith united all things are possible.
Let us pray for the miracle.
I'll update with pictures when I get home...not sure when that will be. We're taking this one day at a time. Jake has some amazing bosses who are just letting him do what he needs to do. We'll go home when we feel it's time.