NERF CLUB!

I think it was in April when Cameron said to me, "Should we have Nerf Club this year or Lego Club again?" "Whatever you want Cam!" is how I replied. So, yesterday Cameron and Michael spent about an hour on the computer making their flier, then they got on their bikes and took it around. There were 18 boys invited and 17 came! Quite the turnout! Their NERF WAR is going on as I type...I am 'taking cover' in the kitchen nook!

These are such great boys my kids have the privilege of associating with. They are over here tearing this place apart...couch cushions everywhere...they use these as bunkers or sheilds..haha! Oddly enough I am LOVING every minute of this! I love having boys and love that they like NERF guns instead of real ones...ha!

Sooooo Dellllish!

Okay, so I'm a little tired of writing about things that happened 6 months ago...even though they are important events in our life. I'm just going to put this out there for anyone who happens to browse by this blog...

My friend Stephanie told me about a delicious meal that was so quick, so easy and soooo dellllish! Here goes... Fish Tacos


Tortilla Crusted Talapia ( in a box in the freezer section @ Costco)
- they heat up in just 10-15 min
Cabbage
Corn Tortillas
White Cheese
Yummy Sauce - equal parts of plain yogurt and mayonaise

Serve up with homemade salsa- YUM!

Soooo Good! We told our kids they were "chicken tacos" and then once they gobbled them all up, we told them..."you just had fish tacos!" They were sold!!

Thanks again Stephanie!

More to say.....

I wrote the last post around 1am in the morning so, there are more thoughts I should record....
During the time of the cruise I was so blessed with so much support. Obviously, we had Travis and Andrea on the cruise...thank goodness! They took me out for a treat and of course a Diet Coke every night...really late. It was so good for me to get out...and the people watching was very entertaining. haha... But, I also had my family back home taking care of the boys. My Mom and my brother and sister...they just took over. Making life remain normal for the boys. My sister called our Bishop who called me every other day while we were on the ship and when we got to Miami. We are so fortunate to have a Bishop as amazing as Bishop Breinholt!

Soon after we arrived in Miami, the phone messages, and text messages came in like crazy, with many family and friends expressing their love, their support and their prayers. We really felt so fortunate to have such amazing families and friends and a wonderful ward family offering to help where needed and offering their prayers in Robert's behalf.

It is so apparent that Heavenly Father is completely aware of all of His children and their needs.

October- The Cruise

In October we finally decided to leave our kids more than 4 days and go on a 7 day cruise with our good friends Travis and Andrea. I don't really like to leave our kids for too long. Little did we know that we would be gone 16 days!
A couple days before the cruise Robert was feeling a little sick. He got worse, and he felt like he had bronchitis. The day we left for the cruise he went to the Urgent Care to see if he needed an antibiotic. He didn't, but they gave him one anyway and sent him on his way. They said he was fine. We traveled all night and he seemed weak, but we were all so tired and he felt sick. We boarded the ship and took naps! We were hoping he would feel better when we woke. Instead he felt the same. Travis (being so prepared) gave Robert a Priesthood blessing that I'm sure has a lot to do with the fact that Robert is alive today.
The next morning Robert got up, walked 2 steps and collapsed on the bed, gasping for air. I called the medical and they came and got him. He spent the next 2 days in the ICU on the ship. We were in the middle of the ocean in the ICU...it was crazy! There were 2 Colombian doctors on board. They were great. They ran all the tests they could and thought Robert having lack of oxygen to his heart, was going thru heart failure.
The first night I left him in ICU I called Andrea and Travis and met them on the ship. I remember that I just kept asking them..."What am I going to do?" I'm so glad I had them there.....they were such a support to me. I did go back to my cabin and prayed like no tomorrow. Within minutes, I kid you not, I knew exactly what I needed to do. I emailed Robert's sister Debbie. Debbie lives in Southern California. She is amazing and she gets to the bottom of things and gets it done. The next morning she emailed me back and so did her friend who is a Bishop in her stake and just happens to be the Chief of Cardiology at USD. This man texted me everyday at least 3 times a day on the ship. We sent the test results via email from the ship to him. He diagnosed Robert and had the ship start treating him toward the end of our 7 day cruise. Yes, we stayed in the cabin for the full 7 days til we arrived back in Miami. Poor Robert only saw the upper deck twice. Once, is in a photo above. He is in the wheel chair next to Travis. He was in a wheel chair the entire cruise. Once we arrived in Miami, our new Cardiologist friend had arranged for our arrival. He knew some of the staff there. Within an hour of being there, Robert was diagnosed with Pulmonary Emboli ( mulitiple blood clots to the lungs), just as the Cardiologists had thought. He was immediately admitted. They told us he was in critical condition and that they would need to keep a close eye on him. Robert texted the Bishop of our ward and asked him to fast for him. The Ward ended up having a fast for him and we TRULY felt the power of the fast and Robert immediately started making improvements in his condition. Then, it just so happened that there was going to be an expert in his condition in the hospital that week. It was all so amazing how it played out. The Lord truly placed all of these people in our path and we were able to find them because I prayed and He answered my prayer.
Now, the crazier part.....Every single doctor that treated Robert told him he should not be alive. They had never seen anyone survive that many blood clots to the lungs. One of the clots is quite large and sits in his pulmonary artery. Which should have stopped his heart and the oxygen to the lungs.... but it didn't. He did become quite the spectacle. Everyone wanted to see this guy who survived the PE. I would get on the elevator to go downstairs and medical staff on the elevator would be talking about him. Everyone was really good to us there at University of Miami...we have lots of doctors cell phone numbers and email addresses. One of the nurses told Robert on our last day in the hospital..."I saw your chart when you arrived and I did not want to be your nurse because you were going to die...nobody lives through those Pulmonary Embolisms..."
It turns out that Robert has a genetic blood clotting disorder that has just now manifested itself. So, Robert will be on blood thinners for eternity....at least he is still with us, right?

EMBARRASSING!

It is quite embarrassing that I have not posted since the 1st day of school and now school is almost over. I started this blog so I would be able to record our life's experiences and our family would be able to look back at them. I also thought it would force me to take more pictures of our life. So, I'm going to begin with a recap from September on.... In September we celebrated my 40th birthday. My amazing husband threw me a surprise birthday party! (with some help of good friends and my family). It was really fun and I honestly had no clue what was coming...I attached a video of the big Surprise! I don't know who was taping this...but they either have the shakes real bad or they were just very excited! :)
It was so fun to have a lot of my friends and family there. He had even invited some of my old friends from school. It was a super fun time! Thanks again babe!

PAAARRTTAAAY!!!

I absolutely LOVE the first day of school! The boys are excited to go. They get up and get ready for school before the crack of dawn. Even before scriptures begin. I need the schedule bad. They need the schedule. Our family functions so much better with a routine. Even if the routine seems to be a little crazy at times. I love cleaning up the kitchen knowing that nothing or noone will destroy it before 330p! Why this matters, I have no idea. I just feel less stressed. I love a little peace and quiet. I love that it's just Ryan and I hanging out. However, I do love when they come home from school. I love to hear about their day. I want to know everything...who they sat by at lunch, who they played with at recess.....and of course what they learned.

This year Brandon has started High School. I cannot believe I have a kid in high school. He is not even nervous, he doesn't have one friend in any class, but yet, he is excited. Seminary. He loves seminary. He came home from seminary and read 5 chapters in Mormon. Who does that? I love it!

Cameron has entered the 5th grade and is in a class with his 2 buddies. He has never been so happy to start school! He had to get glasses this year, but again he was very excited. Here he is on the first day of school with his buddies....
Michael was excited until we got to school...then he became extremely nervous. He told me he was going to throw up. We said another prayer and pushed on. Michael is so crazy and acts like nothing ever bothers him, but things really can. Here he is outside his classroom right before class started. I had to ask him about 10 times to smile before he actually did. Ryan and I are living happily ever after right here in the house. Getting back to the gym after being gone all summer, running errands and doing laundry. All with my little buddy. Preschool doesn't start for a couple of weeks. Next year, I will not be screaming PARTY! Next year I will be crying my eyeballs out as my baby will venture onto kindergarten. I will be on some kind of muscle relaxer I'm sure. It will be too much for me to handle.
Oh the joys and sorrows of being a Mom...I love it!

FLAG FOOTBALL

So we signed up Mike and Cam for flag football this year. I thought Michael in all his aggressiveness would take the field over and dominate. He wasn't quite ready for that. To our surprise Cameron really got into it and did a great job....not that Michael didn't, he just wasn't as into it. :) Anyway, it was fun to watch them both play on the same team. What was not fun to watch was some of the coaches and parents screaming their guts out at these kids... C R A Z Y!!

FINALLY!!

A few of my friends have now begged me to write a new post....no more hidden Mickeys! haha! I have really slacked in the Blog department. I have had so much to write about, yet no time to write.
I do need to go back to April when I attended Womens Conference with Andrea and Jen. Best trip EVER. Perfect company, perfect weather, perfect everything. Here we are with our friend Shawni who was working her booksigning there.
One of the best parts of the trip, besides the break I got from my kids and being spiritually and emotionally uplifted, was meeting Sis Elaine S. Dalton. She is the General YW President. She is incredible..a great speaker and very inspired. I felt like I was 14 yrs old when Andrea took my pic with her. But, seriously, she is Amazing.
Oh, I also need to jot down that Brandon and Robert attended the Priesthood Session of Conference this last April as well. They had an amazing time. Just the other day, Bran and I were talking and I asked him, "When do you remember a time where you know you felt the Spirit?" He quickly replied..."When the Prophet walked in the room at Conference." That brought me so much joy and tears....I will never forget that. I am so glad they had the opportunity to go. More to come...I have a ton to catch up on...

Hidden Mickeys

So, my kids saw the last post, and said, "Mom, what about the Hidden Mickeys?" what is a Hidden Mickey you ask....A Hidden Mickey is an image of Mickey Mouse concealed in the design of a Disney attraction (ride, resort, etc...). Originally, it took the shape of a head and ears silhouette, , i.e. one large circle with two smaller circled on top in the appropriate place, but Hidden Mickeys can take on many forms.

In designing, constructing or adding the final touches to an attraction, Imagineers subtly "hide" Mickey Mouse silhouettes in plain sight. Soon, it became a tradition, and as the word spread, Disney fans everywhere went on the search for Hidden Mickeys in Disney movies and theme parks.

So, we heard about this, bought this book........
and made a game out of it....it was fun! Ryan actually got pretty good at it! I'm not gonna lie though....some of them you would never have found unless you had the book! Just look.....this is on the Astro Blasters ride...ya know the Buzz Lightyear ride.....

Quick Trip

Randomly, I decided to take Cam, Mike and Ryan to Disneyland the week before spring break. I can't stand going to Disneyland when its crowded...so I pulled the boys out of school and took off with my sister after church last Sunday. My Mom joined us at the last minute. We had such a great time. I felt guilty leaving Brandon home but, it ended up working out great for everyone. Especially Robert who is NOT a big fan of the Magic Kingdom. Robert and Brandon had a great time together, they went to a youth fireside Sunday night and then out to dinner every night that week which was such a great bonding time for them. And, on the other end....Cameron and Michael had to hang out together, which doesn't happen so much when Brandon and their other friends are around. So, it was great for all.

Here is our TOP TEN MUST RIDE list;
1. Tower of Terror
2. California Screamin'
3. Space Mountain
4. Splash Mountain
5. Thunder Mountain
6. Midway Mania (see pic below :) )
7. Soarin' Over California
8. Astro Blasters (aka..Buzz Lightyear Ride)
9. Maliboomer
10. Matterhorn

It was a great trip!

Michael's Baptism

Michael has been so excited about his baptism. I love how my kids really have a desire to get baptized. Michael could not wait to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Michael has always had a love for church and the gospel. I really think it had a lot to do with his nursery teachers. (Thanks Kemptons) He loves church and he loves FHE. He loves learning from the scriptures and the stories in them. He retains everything he learns so well. I'm so grateful for his desire to learn the gospel.
His baptism day was so great! We had all of our family and close friends there. Quite of few of you all had already left when we took this picture,I feel bad about that...sorry. Funny thing about this picture. We asked this older gentleman to take this picture for us so we could all be in it..... turns out he was partially blind! So, we will just take this picture and be happy that we have it. haha!! I'm just so grateful for a loving, supportive family and close friends who shared this special day with us!

Incredible Weekend! (Catch-up Post #1)

So, I don't know, maybe I should actually write a post on this blog of ours! It seems like there is no time anymore! It is already the middle of February and I have not posted so much of our lives. So, over the next couple of days I vow to 'catch up'. Let's go back to December and our INCREDIBLE weekend.

Our neice Brittany got married in the San Diego Temple. It was an amazing couple of days we spent at my sister-in-laws home. As a family, we looked forward to this event. I got all the boys new suits and they were so excited to wear them. We drove over on Thursday and helped my SIL set up for the wedding reception in their beautiful home. They were married Friday at noon and it was such a beautiful sealing. Brittany was a gorgeous bride and Scott couldn't be more perfect for her. He just fits right into our family. Brittany is an incredible young woman. She was so prepared for this day, spiritually and really just so mature. The San Diego Temple is great, it has a little waiting room at the front of the Temple with a tv and church DVDs to watch. Our 4 boys watched Mr. Krugers Christmas and Legacy! That's how long they were in there!! Yikes! Cameron told me that the Temple worker came in to tell some other children they should try to be like these nice reverent boys (meaning our boys). Yeah, I know! Unbelievable! But, it just goes to show that the Temple is such a sacred place and our Heavenly Father's spirit dwells there. Once inside, my boys could feel that and were reverent and respectful of the House of the Lord. And...this might of helped too!
Here are some pics after Brit and Scott came out of the Temple.....




Here are some from the reception....Ryan and my neice Brinley were a definite attraction that night as they started out just sitting on the couch and then fell asleep..so cute!
This last picture is of Michael and Alyssa. Alyssa is such a cutie. She was one of Brittany's bridesmaids. Michael was INFATUATED (is that how you spell it?)with her! He followed her around like a stalker...hahaha! Anyway, turns out Alyssa is Ariel at Disneyland...she looks totally familiar to you now, huh?

I LOVE this time of year!

This is definitely my favorite time of year. I love the cold, and that everyone wears jackets and flip-flops. I love baking with my kids...taking treats to neighbors and just the excitement my kids get when they bake and take all the goodies around! This year in the month of December we have read a couple of books. The first one was 'A Christmas Bell for Anya' by Chris and Evie Stewart. Such a sweet story of how to remember the Savior this time of year..

We started reading 'The Christmas Jars'...we are in the middle of that one right now. But, our all time favorite this year is......'A Christmas Dress for Ellen'! Retold by our Prophet...Thomas S. Monson
What a great story of hope, faith, love and service! We cried! It was so sweet! We loved, loved, loved it!
Its such a great time of year, just the feeling of love and happiness and appreciation. An exert from this book tells it all......

"If there is one common denominator, perhaps it is this: Christmas is love. Christmas is the time when the bonds of family love transcend distance and inconvenience. It is a time when love of neighbor rises above petty day-to-day irritations, and doors swing open to give and receive expressions of appreciation and affection. If to our Christmas gift list is added the gift of service-not only to friends and family, but also to those who badly need help-then our giving can be complete. "

Merry Christmas to all.....

Happy Birthday Ryan!

(Special guest blogger...sister)

It has been too long since my sister has posted a blog. And to be honest, I don't even know what to discuss! I will say this, however. Last week was Ryan's birthday! He is beautiful and everyone's favorite for sure. He absolutely adores his mama and does not like to share her with anyone! Since he turned one, we have had dinner at Mango's and then gone to see the temple lights. This year was no different (except his birthday was on Sunday so there was no Mango's). We had dinner and opened his presents. When I (Jaime) got to the house, he was all about the bike his parents had bought him. He was so excited about it. And then he opened MY gift. A Wall-E that transforms into a cube! I didn't think he would love it so much but he most definitely did. He took it with us to see the lights and he even managed to transform it silently while we were in the room with the Christus statue. At one point in that room he looked up at me and asked, "Jaime, why isn't Jesus speaking"? It was hard not to laugh. He is awesome! Unfortunately, my gift was trumped by Joshy suzuki's gift a few days later! Something called Bakugans...I'll never forgive him for trumping me. (Just kidding) My sister and her family look forward to this Friday when their niece Brittany is sealed for time and all eternity to Scott. I will make sure she updates a lot sooner in the future! I know I missed a lot of events! Hope everyone has a safe holiday!

Catch-up Post

Wow! It has been too long since I have posted. It looks like Robert likes posting....hehe. Life is crazy isn't it? But, the craziness is so good! It seems like since school started, our life has gone full speed ahead...but in a good way.

We have had Halloween
The next day (Nov 1st) the kids were swimming....
That same day, I put up the tree...well, I put it up and my good friend Susan who owns Poppy's Home Decor decorated it! Thanks Susan! (I had to put it up, we are going to be so busy)
The following Saturday we split up. Brandon and I went with the youth to Phoenix to paint a man's home who has been down on his luck, sorta speak...and has health problems. We had about 45 youth, it was amazing.
Robert took Cameron, Michael and Ryan to the Temple where all the primary children in the stake met. All the primary children had donated money for new trees at the Temple with their own money. They were able to go to the Temple and take part in digging the hole and planting the tree. Robert and the boys said it was an awesome day at the Temple. I love that the boys LOVE to go to the Temple. I know they will have that desire forever.
There is so much more...there will have to be a Part II! There is a lot going on but its great that our family is engaged in all GOOD THINGS! I love it! Its a great time of year to be engaged in good things!

GO UTES!

Special guest blogger: Rob

So we were at Dodger Stadium a couple of weeks ago. This complete stranger comes up to Kelee and me all freaked out telling us he thinks Ryan looks exactly like the kid in the movie The Shining. I've seen that movie many times, but I never made the connection between Danny and Ryan. Take a look at the picture. What do you think? There are definitely some similarities, although I think it may just be the long hair. Ryno is clearly more adorable, but appears to lack any psychic abilities -- at least so far.

I've taught Ryan to do the "Danny isn't here Mrs. Torrance" thing with his finger, which I find hilarious and entertaining.

Bummer that the Dodgers lost to the Phillies and got knocked out of the post season.

Gotta Love Disneyland!

For fall break we decided to head to California. The kids love going to Disneyland, what kid doesn't? We usually come over at Christmas time, but we have a busy December this year. We are glad we did. Yesterday, we got off the Big Thunder Mtn train ride to find 2 Disneyland employees handing out 'Dream Passes', which are badges that hang around your neck that give you fast pass privileges for the day. It was pretty nice at times to have that. These guys love Indiana Jones...they can't get enough of it!
Ryan was also picked to participate in the 'Jedi Training Academy'! I thought he was going to cry when Darth Vader came out and stood right next to him! He did great though! It was so fun to watch him! So, we had a pretty fun day!Today, we are taking a break from Disneyland. Robert is flying in today and we are headed to LA for a Dodgers Playoff Game. All the boys absolutely love going to a game at Dodger Stadium. Part of us hopes they do not lose and most of us doesn't care....we are just excited to go! GO DODGERS!

Not Just Another Day......

My sister Jaime is 9 years younger than me. She is so funny, because she always wants a big birthday bash when its her birthday. Who can blame her, right? My response to her every year is..."Sister, the older you get, its just another day." Well, this year I was wrong. I turned the big 3-9 last week. I was not too excited about it. I knew I was going to have a really busy day of piano lessons and pack meetings, etc. But, the night before the YW in our ward along with the YW leaders I serve with heart attacked/streamered our house! (pics below courtesy of Mendy who told me they were blog worthy) On my actual birthday I was inundated with phone calls and text messages from friends and family and friends I haven't gotten the chance to catch up with for a long while. It was really fun! Then again, who can forget you when your birthday falls on a day where there was the worst terrorist attack in history of this country. Right? Our YW Presidency had a fabulous lunch together. Katy, Mendy, Caryn and I have served together now about a year and a half. We have become the best of friends and I am grateful for our friendship.
Robert and the boys also made this day special with small acts of kindness throughout the day and evening and flowers and gifts. The boys really get excited about our birthdays too! I am so grateful for them, they always make me feel special. Since then I think I have been to lunch about everyday and probably gained 3 pounds with all the treats given. So, yeah, this year, it was definitely not just another day...It was a fun day! Thanks to all who made this one so special!

I finally finished it!!

Well, I bought this book on the day it came out. It seems like I never have time to read, but I finally just finished it over the holiday weekend up at the cabin. I have to say I did not really like Jacob too much before, and I kinda like him now. At times, I would think.....yeah, right. But, I liked how in the book that it was clear that the family is most important. I loved that part of the book. It was good. I really liked it.