Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
"Attitude of gratitude."
So, I know it has been a little bit since either Alyssa or I have posted anything on here. I also remember that i promised pictures from Landen's soccer games, which still have not been posted. Alyssa is planning on posting soon so hopefully they will be up within a week or so.
Recently we swapped family picture taking with some friends. That in conjunction with the fall and winter holiday season has brought me to reflect on all that I, and my family, have been blessed with this past year and throughout the almost five and a half years that Alyssa and I have been together. Over the past three and a half years I have been able to attend school full time and work full time to be able to sustain my family. A position opened up and with a recommendation from a lieutenant, I was able to change shifts. Even though I am working a graveyard shift and I am quite tired almost all of the time, I am now able to spend more time with my family. This is where I had been failing the most and it was really taking a toll on us. If I wasn't working I was at school. We did not see much of each other and we are all very glad to now have our time back.
Even though we have been through some tough points, through loving discussion with Alyssa and many hours of prayer and fasting, we had opportunities and choices placed in front of us that pulled us through virtually unscathed, yet so much wiser. I am a worrier, especially when it comes to finances. Alyssa even grounded me from the bank website by changing our passwords. Even so, I have come to trust her so much over the years. It has been her that has kept us afloat even though at times we may have been barely treading the water. I find my self far less worried about our finances now. I have been truly blessed with such an intuitive woman as my wife. I feel so comfortable with being grounded from complete knowledge of our finances because I know that she will never allow anything to upset the situation we find ourselves in now.
I also focus on the little things. Dade hasn't really started talking yet. He is almost two and we were getting a little worried. Then he remembered that he knew how to say mom and dad, and now he doesn't stop. He is picking up some words here and there. What touches my heart more than anything else is to hear his little voice say "hi dadda!" when I call from work to tell him goodnight. He is a true joy to have around.
Landen loves spending time with Alyssa and I. He always wants to play and help me whenever there is some work to be done. The other day I was tyring to take the battery out of my motorcycle to store it inside for the winter. I made three trips back inside looking for the right tool. After the third trip Landen held up a tool and said, "Look at this daddy. See that right there!" I looked at it and said, "Hey thanks buddy. That's the tool I needed." Leave it to the child to find the right tool, which just happened to be one of the tools that came in the tool pouch with the motorcycle. Go figure! He is going to a joy school that a few of the moms are doing in our apartments. He is learning so quickly and loves to go to school. Even though we might get a little frustrated with him some times, it is truly amazing to watch him grow. I must say that I take pride in the fact that he knows which building is the library and he loves to go there. He also knows the church and the temple. Because of a certain addiction that Alyssa and I have, he now knows and loves TCBY.
We are happy and we are growing as a family. We could not ask for more. Although, we are very anxious and grateful for the opportunity to move back home. We truly miss our families and are grateful for the love and support they have given the past...almost four years. We have been blessed. We will be blessed. We are grateful for the Lord's loving hand which we can feel and see in our lives daily.
Recently we swapped family picture taking with some friends. That in conjunction with the fall and winter holiday season has brought me to reflect on all that I, and my family, have been blessed with this past year and throughout the almost five and a half years that Alyssa and I have been together. Over the past three and a half years I have been able to attend school full time and work full time to be able to sustain my family. A position opened up and with a recommendation from a lieutenant, I was able to change shifts. Even though I am working a graveyard shift and I am quite tired almost all of the time, I am now able to spend more time with my family. This is where I had been failing the most and it was really taking a toll on us. If I wasn't working I was at school. We did not see much of each other and we are all very glad to now have our time back.
Even though we have been through some tough points, through loving discussion with Alyssa and many hours of prayer and fasting, we had opportunities and choices placed in front of us that pulled us through virtually unscathed, yet so much wiser. I am a worrier, especially when it comes to finances. Alyssa even grounded me from the bank website by changing our passwords. Even so, I have come to trust her so much over the years. It has been her that has kept us afloat even though at times we may have been barely treading the water. I find my self far less worried about our finances now. I have been truly blessed with such an intuitive woman as my wife. I feel so comfortable with being grounded from complete knowledge of our finances because I know that she will never allow anything to upset the situation we find ourselves in now.
I also focus on the little things. Dade hasn't really started talking yet. He is almost two and we were getting a little worried. Then he remembered that he knew how to say mom and dad, and now he doesn't stop. He is picking up some words here and there. What touches my heart more than anything else is to hear his little voice say "hi dadda!" when I call from work to tell him goodnight. He is a true joy to have around.
Landen loves spending time with Alyssa and I. He always wants to play and help me whenever there is some work to be done. The other day I was tyring to take the battery out of my motorcycle to store it inside for the winter. I made three trips back inside looking for the right tool. After the third trip Landen held up a tool and said, "Look at this daddy. See that right there!" I looked at it and said, "Hey thanks buddy. That's the tool I needed." Leave it to the child to find the right tool, which just happened to be one of the tools that came in the tool pouch with the motorcycle. Go figure! He is going to a joy school that a few of the moms are doing in our apartments. He is learning so quickly and loves to go to school. Even though we might get a little frustrated with him some times, it is truly amazing to watch him grow. I must say that I take pride in the fact that he knows which building is the library and he loves to go there. He also knows the church and the temple. Because of a certain addiction that Alyssa and I have, he now knows and loves TCBY.
We are happy and we are growing as a family. We could not ask for more. Although, we are very anxious and grateful for the opportunity to move back home. We truly miss our families and are grateful for the love and support they have given the past...almost four years. We have been blessed. We will be blessed. We are grateful for the Lord's loving hand which we can feel and see in our lives daily.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Soccer Time!
On Tuesday Landen had his first soccer game! Alyssa and I were both really excited to get to watch him play. The only problem was...he didn't really play. :-( He had gone to bed the night before saying that he didn't feel so well. The next morning he woke complaining that his stomach was hurting. We had him take a nap hoping that it would help him feel better, which unfortunately it did not. We went because he was a little trooper and still wanted to try to play. He did fine just walking around but when he started running it would jostle his stomach too much and he would start crying like he was about to throw up. So, needless to say his first game was kind of a bust. Next week he should be doing a lot better and we should get some pictures to post for everyone to see.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Camping and swimming
I don't know why I have waited so long to update but I was getting frustrated with the kids so they went to bed early and I figured this was a good time to finally do it. We have all been doing really well and have had a lot going on. We went camping last weekend at Box Elder Campground outside Mantua, Utah. We had a lot of fun. The boys enjoyed playing in the dirt and getting all dirty. Landen's favorite thing to do was throw rocks in the river. He was also freaking out about the bugs and I am not exaggerating, I really mean "FREAKING OUT!". Dade liked finding all the trash and playing with it, or just putting it in his mouth.
Last Monday Landen started his swimming lessons and Dade started on Tuesday. Landen is learning to be comfortable in the water, arm movements, floating and to put his face in the water. He is doing really well and he loves his classes. He asks me everyday if he gets to go to swim class. He is already a lot more comfortable in the water. He still has a hard time putting his face in the water but the teacher has been having the kids jump into the pool and he has no problem doing it. He has 4 more classes but I think we are going to put him in more classes as soon as we can. Dade's class is a mom and tot class so I am in it with him. His class is to get him use to the water and to be more comfortable with it. He has only had 2 classes and has only 2 left. As soon as we get into the water he wraps his legs around me and holds on for dear life. He likes to splash and that's the only way I can get him to have any fun. At the last class I had to put him under water. I am always so scared to do that but he did alright with it. He didn't like it very much but he didn't choke or cry so that was a big plus. We will probably get Dade in another class soon too.
Drew is down to one class now and its his photography class. He is really enjoying it. His work schedule is working out alright. It definitely can be hard at times but it sure is nice to see him more, especially with him only having one class. We will see how it goes when the fall semester starts.
I don't have much going on for me, just everyone else. I have read a lot of books lately. That's all I do on my down time. My house has even been getting neglected. I have a few projects that are started or that I want to do, I just haven't finished them or even started working on them. We try to spend a lot of time outside, especially when Drew is home sleeping and that's usually the time that I read. I think that's about all that is new with us so here are some pictures.
Playing at the park in Mantua
relaxing at camp
Our new tent. It has a lot more room.
Just relaxing in the big chair eating pretzels
I have been trying for so long to get this face he makes on camera and I finally got it.!
Taking a walk before leaving
My handsome boys
The boys after their swim lessons trying to warm up
After swimming on Thursday we went to the Gateway Mall and let the boys play in the water fountain
Landen had his hand just in the right spot so when the water shot up it hit his hand and sprayed in his face
Dade didn't like it as much.
Last Monday Landen started his swimming lessons and Dade started on Tuesday. Landen is learning to be comfortable in the water, arm movements, floating and to put his face in the water. He is doing really well and he loves his classes. He asks me everyday if he gets to go to swim class. He is already a lot more comfortable in the water. He still has a hard time putting his face in the water but the teacher has been having the kids jump into the pool and he has no problem doing it. He has 4 more classes but I think we are going to put him in more classes as soon as we can. Dade's class is a mom and tot class so I am in it with him. His class is to get him use to the water and to be more comfortable with it. He has only had 2 classes and has only 2 left. As soon as we get into the water he wraps his legs around me and holds on for dear life. He likes to splash and that's the only way I can get him to have any fun. At the last class I had to put him under water. I am always so scared to do that but he did alright with it. He didn't like it very much but he didn't choke or cry so that was a big plus. We will probably get Dade in another class soon too.
Drew is down to one class now and its his photography class. He is really enjoying it. His work schedule is working out alright. It definitely can be hard at times but it sure is nice to see him more, especially with him only having one class. We will see how it goes when the fall semester starts.
I don't have much going on for me, just everyone else. I have read a lot of books lately. That's all I do on my down time. My house has even been getting neglected. I have a few projects that are started or that I want to do, I just haven't finished them or even started working on them. We try to spend a lot of time outside, especially when Drew is home sleeping and that's usually the time that I read. I think that's about all that is new with us so here are some pictures.
Playing at the park in Mantua
relaxing at camp
Our new tent. It has a lot more room.
Just relaxing in the big chair eating pretzels
I have been trying for so long to get this face he makes on camera and I finally got it.!
Taking a walk before leaving
My handsome boys
The boys after their swim lessons trying to warm up
After swimming on Thursday we went to the Gateway Mall and let the boys play in the water fountain
Landen had his hand just in the right spot so when the water shot up it hit his hand and sprayed in his face
Dade didn't like it as much.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Good News
We had Dade's Doctor appointment today with the Urologist. Dade first had an ultrasound then a nuclear test like the one he had before where they filled his bladder with a medicine to check the reflux. After the tests we saw the Urologist and he said that everything looked great. Dade's kidneys are no longer swollen, which means there is no blockage and he has grown out of the reflux. They gave him a 60%-70% chance to grow out of the reflux in 5 years and he did it in 1. We were so excited to hear this news. We do not have to go back for any more checkups and he is done taking the antibiotic. The only thing we will have to be careful with is when we are potty training we will have to make sure he is totally ready and that he completely empties his bladder so that he won't get a UTI. We are so thankful that Dade has grown out of his reflux so quickly.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
I like free family activities
I keep falling behind and I am sorry. We went ice skating on Thursday! The Olympic Oval had free ice skating and free pizza for an Olympic appreciation day. They had ice skates that actually fit Dade. He wasn't sure about it at first but after putting him on the ice a few times he kept wanting to get back on. He even started walking on the ice with us holding him. Landen was walking in the ice skates really well off the ice but didn't care as much for the ice skating, which was kind of disappointing because he did so well and absolutely loved it the first time we went. We tried to have him use a walker but he had a hard time pushing it on the ice. Here are some pictures of the boys and there is also a video of Dade.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
A lot to update
I keep falling behind on my posts and a lot has happened. Starting May 1st Drew's schedule changed at work. He is now working from 6PM to 6AM. He works for 2-4 days then has 2-4 days off. This last weekend he had a 4 day weekend. It has been nice to see him more and spend more time with him. Drew worked on the 1st and 2nd but had the 3rd and 4th off. My parents were in Kanab teaching a class, so we made a last minute decision to drive 5 1/2 hours to Kanab. We left on Monday around 6PM and stayed until Wednesday morning to get back in time for Drew to go to work that night. It was so nice to see them. It took Landen only a few minutes to get comfortable with Grandpa and not too much longer with Grandma. It took Dade about half the day before he was comfortable with them both. It was a long drive and a short visit but it was fun. Every time we see family it makes us miss them all even more. I have a lot of pictures from our visit. On Friday the 7th Drew had his graduation from Salt Lake Community College. Drew's cousins, Mandy and Amber, were able to come to the graduation. I am so proud of him. I had a good Mother's Day. Drew had the day off so I enjoyed spending the whole day with him and the boys. I also want to say that I love my mom and my mother-in-law. You both are wonderful women and we are so thankful to have you both in our lives. On April 30th Mandy Graduated from Utah Valley University so here are some pictures from after her graduation at her house.
Levi is Amber's son.
Drew with his uncle Dennis.
Us with Dennis' kids. Travis, Mandy holding Levi (Amber's son) and Amber holding Kaleb (Amber's other son).
On our way to Kanab.
Giving me his cheesy smile.
He never quite got comfortable with the dogs.
Landen and Grandpa playing at the park in Kanab.
Dade loves to swing, even though he really didn't look happy here.
Dade would not look at him at all but you can tell he thought Grandpa was funny.
Grandpa gave Dade a Ladybug and he kept trying to grab it.
Landen loved walking the dogs.
I got Landen to swim all by himself. He would only tred the water but its a start.
Dade was quite curious about grandma's drink. My mom was teaching the class so we didn't get to spend as much time with her.
Drew and I at his SLCC graduation.
Mandy, Amber and her kids with us. It was nice to have them there to help us celebrate Drew's accomplishments. We hope that all our family will be able to be here next year when Drew graduates from U of U. I am so proud and thankful for all the hard work he does to support our family.
Levi is Amber's son.
Drew with his uncle Dennis.
Us with Dennis' kids. Travis, Mandy holding Levi (Amber's son) and Amber holding Kaleb (Amber's other son).
On our way to Kanab.
Giving me his cheesy smile.
He never quite got comfortable with the dogs.
Landen and Grandpa playing at the park in Kanab.
Dade loves to swing, even though he really didn't look happy here.
Dade would not look at him at all but you can tell he thought Grandpa was funny.
Grandpa gave Dade a Ladybug and he kept trying to grab it.
Landen loved walking the dogs.
I got Landen to swim all by himself. He would only tred the water but its a start.
Dade was quite curious about grandma's drink. My mom was teaching the class so we didn't get to spend as much time with her.
Drew and I at his SLCC graduation.
Mandy, Amber and her kids with us. It was nice to have them there to help us celebrate Drew's accomplishments. We hope that all our family will be able to be here next year when Drew graduates from U of U. I am so proud and thankful for all the hard work he does to support our family.
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