More New Posts Below

I'm trying to keep things in chronological order, and I am a binge blogger, as you know, SO...

if you would like to read about Kellen's preschool adventures, and see some cute pictures, keep scrolling down.  There is also a new post just below the tonsillectomy post.

Sorry so confusing!  It will happen again. :)

Trials and Blessings

Back in 2004 a doctor told me I should have my tonsils removed.  I didn't even consider it because we were poor college students without health insurance.  I just took the antibiotics, and hoped for the best.  Then I started having kids, and lets face it!  Is there ever a convenient time to have surgery when your a mom?

Nope.

Well, here we are, six years later, and after years of getting sick, losing my voice, and not being able to sing the way I know I should, we finally bit the bullet.  I had the tonsillectomy yesterday.

OUCH.

Not pretty, people.  Let's just say I felt better after childbirth.  This is insane.

On the other hand I have never felt more blessed.  The outpouring of love from friends and family has been overwhelming.

Taylor has seriously been superman, taking care of me, the kids, the cleaning, the shopping, the babysitting situation, my eating and medicine schedule... He is the best.  I love him so much.

My parents have offered to come stay with me, even though they have tons going on right now, but I don't even think we'll need them, because we have such good friends here in Idaho.  Yesterday the phone was ringing all day with people calling to express their love and concern and offer selfless service.

My good friend, Lindsay, who just happens to be the best cook in town, made me the most delicious, comforting, chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles, plus her famous Lion House rolls, that I can actually swallow cause they are so melt-in-your-mouthy.  Mmmmmm...  She is so sweet.

My kids went to a friends house yesterday, and they are being sat by two other good friends today, and there are more offers on the table, depending how the next two weeks go for me.  I just can't believe how wonderful everyone has been!

Most of all I have felt extremely close to the Lord these days.  Taylor has given me two blessings this month, and both were so beautiful, and a true source of comfort and strength to me.  I had been looking for my patriarchal blessing for a few months, and really felt that I needed to read it before the surgery.  Well, the night before, as I was tidying up the den... lo and behold!  There it was!  It felt like another tender mercy.  I was almost glad that I had lost it for a while, because I found it when I needed it most, and was thirsty for that guidance.

I've been having some personal struggles with the spirit in my life these days.  Not that my testimony was fading or anything, I just was having trouble finding a balance.  Before having kids I took for granted how easy it was to seek after the Spirit, increase my gospel knowledge, ponder the scriptures, meditate, etc.  As all you parents know, there is rarely a moment of peace, when you are not exhausted from all the craziness.  Plus, I'm the primary chorister, which I love, but sometimes I miss the ease of just going to church and being "fed", you know?

Well, for some time now, I've been pleading with the Lord to grant me the spiritual strength (and the physical/mental strength) I need to continue to progress in the gospel.  I don't want to be content with where I am at.  I want growth!  Yet, like I said, it's so much harder to put in the time.

Since my blessing from Tay at the beginning of the month, I have felt a real difference.  Somehow I have found the time to study more.  I am also finding little quiet moments where I can find a secluded place to pray vocally.   I don't know if these moments were always there, and the Lord is just now helping me recognize them, but each time it feels like a little miracle, and I am again assured that the Lord is mindful of me and my small life.   He loves me, and I feel it.

I am so grateful for a loving Father in Heaven, who will never turn us away.  He waits for us to come to him,  ready to pour out his blessings.  When we turn our hearts to him with love and gratitude we can feel peace and joy, no matter where we are in life.

A Gorgeous Day

The weather has been so lovely lately, so I took the kids to one of our favorite parks in Meridian.  I didn't tell Kellen where we were going, so when he saw the park he said, "I can't believe it, Mom!  I can't believe my eyes!"  What a nut!  Most of the pictures are of Jane, simply because I was standing by to help her the whole time.

Don't you just love Spring?

PS:  The date on these pictures is wrong (don't know why my camera keeps falling behind!)  It was the 23rd!  Just FYI :)

Soup Anyone?

Last month we got a small blanket of snow on the ground, and I knew that it wouldn't last long, so I hurried the kids out to play.  We made snow angels and I pulled them in the snow tube.  Then when we were all cold we thought some delicious soup would be just the thing...

Kellen would add ingredients (snow, dirt, grass, twigs,

leaves, rocks/ veggies in all there varieties) while Jane stirred.

(Doesn't Kell look like a little dutch boy with his funny hat?)

"I'm Chef and you're Sous Chef!" 

 " No I'm Chef!"

 

Such serious business.

 

"Are we really gonna eat that?"

I think Jane was a little confused by the convincing make-believe of Mom and Kellen.  We kept saying, "Ooooh, this is going to be soooo gooood!  Yum!  Delicious!"

I guess her curiosity finally got the best of her! 

Why yes, those are princes boots and pink snow pants on my son.  We have hand-me-downs from cousins, and they just so happen to fit Kellen right now.  I swear, I would buy him his own gear if we had real snow more than 3 times a year around here!  As it is, he didn't care.  In fact, he thought it was hilarious!

Bon Appetite!

I was glad that we seized the moment,  because in the time it took us to shed our snow clothes and have some real soup, the snow was history.

Just Some Fun Pics

 These are just funny. What a cheerful little pal he is. :)

I'm having so much fun with Jane's hair now that it's

long enough to put into little piggies and ponies. 

The only way I can get those piggies and ponies in 

is by letting her play at the sink.

And finally, my little proteges, playing a duet!  

They take me right back to my 20th century music 

class with all that random noise music! ;)

Rubba-Dub-Dub, 2 Painters in the Tub!

I bought these finger paints a while ago, but Kellen wasn't that excited about them.  It's like trying to paint with hair gel or something.  Not too great with paper... but perfect for the bathtub!  Kellen and Jane had a great time painting, and even more fun cleaning up.  We'll definitely be keeping the paint in the bathroom now! :)

Fire Station & Graduation!

Kellen's preschool took a field trip to the fire station.  Kellen was sooooo excited!  Here he is "driving" the fire truck.

Kellen has been attending preschool this year, and has just loved it.  It is just two houses down from us, which makes it extremely convenient for Mommy.  Kellen calls it "Jaden School" because his teacher, Jennifer, is Jaden's Mom.  He is four years old now, but even when he was just three, he could recite all the letters of the alphabet, the sounds they make, and even sound out small words.  Being such a high energy kid, I was worried that he wouldn't retain the information, but he's been amazing.  Every time he came home from school he would whip out his homework, eager to share what he had learned.  He loves reading and counting with me.  He's a super smart kid!  I hope he will continue to enjoy learning throughout his life.

Checking out the awesome gas mask.  Kellen was so forward with the fireman, telling them all about his ambitions to become a fireman someday too, and that he was going to grow tall like his dad.  They all got a kick out of him, and knew him by name by the time he left.

 Starting from back-left:  Fireman, Jennifer Heiner, Me & Baby Jane, Fireman,
Addy Heiner, Jaden Heiner, Bradley King, Ashley ?
Kellen, and Easton Simmons

Days after the field trip we were driving, and saw a fire truck whiz by.  Kellen exclaimed, "Mom!  We know those guys!  They are our friends!" :) 

And now... Graduation:

Kellen's graduation was held at Wahooz!  It has a water park, miniature golf, arcade games, lazier tag, and an indoor playground (which is what we were there for).  Before play time Jennifer gave a short presentation, having the kids perform a couple of their educational songs.  Kellen wasn't at all shy about that.  (no surprise there!)

 Jennifer Heiner, Brynn Heiner, Easton Simmons, Kellen, Addy Heiner, Ashley ?, Skylee Simmons
Preston Jackson, Bradley King, Addison Lies, and Amelia Jackson

After songs Jennifer had them come to the front one by one to receive a diploma and a bag of treats.  She then told about something special that each child contributed to the group.  Kellen's was enthusiasm and energy!!! :)  She told a quick story about a feild trip to the Library.  They kids were doing story time and the teacher asked them all to get up and dance to some music.  Most of the kids were a bit timid, but Kell got up and busted a move without any inhibitions!  He sure loves life, and although it makes me feel tired keeping up with him sometimes, it is sure fun to be his mom.

Kellen being an awesome big brother, and holding Baby Jane on the Spider Man ride.

"When We're Helping We're Happy, and We Sing as We Go!"

As crazy as Family Home Evening can sometimes be with these little ones, I'm so grateful for this precious time.  They don't stay little for very long, and pretty soon I'm really going to have to twist some arms to get kids to want to hang with Mom and Dad.  Yesterday, when I told Kellen it was Family Night, he gave me a classic, "Yesssssss!" sounding just like Napoleon Dynamite. :)

Our lesson was on work.  We pulled different household items out of a bag and let Kellen try to guess what they were with his eyes closed, using his hands to feel them.  We then talked about how each item helps us keep our home in good repair and clean condition  We then put on our superman shirts, cranked up some crazy tunes, and cleaned Kellen's room together like fast superheros.  We cleaned it in about 5 minutes, then spent about 20 more minutes just goofing off and dancing.  The kids had a great time, especially Kellen.  Afterward we did our Team Ras cheer and had family hugs.   It's happy moments like these with my little family that bring to mind the old saying, "Heaven on Earth".

Today I came downstairs to find Kellen and Jane "cleaning" the floor for me with some wet (very wet) rags.  So cute!  Kellen liked helping so much he didn't stop there.  He then took his dirty, wet rag to my glass  french doors that lead into our front room and reeeeally "cleaned" those for me.  I had meticulously shined them yesterday with Windex, but how could I be mad?  He was so proud of himself!  With a smart little grin on his face he said, "I cleaned these for ya, Mom, cause kids help der moms, ya know?"

     "Thanks, Buddy!"

     "Awe!  Yer-wehcome, Mom!  I loooove you!"

I love this kid!  He just melts my heart like butter!