Pictures of last two months

Catching up

It has been a while since I've last blogged. It seems that since school started life has been way too hectic. We are finally building a house and that also seems to consume a lot of my time. I drive my kids to school everyday, 15 minutes each way, on a good day. We just got our first snow of the season and it was so crazy driving the freeway! Updates on each of us:

Greg: Happy Birthday last week! Greg is always looking to do a business deal. He and his partner just closed on our Hawaii house and he has flown out there to check it out in between his long hunting trips and helping our awesome (a friend) electritian with the electrical work in our new home. He has been a trooper in the past few months with all that he has gone through.


Melinda: I already updated myself in the first paragraph

Hunter: He started a new school this year and is loving it. He made honor roll his first semester, which is awesome because it is quite a few steps up from the school he transfered from. He has been playing basketball the past few months and his coach has recruited him for "competitive" league basketball. That starts soon. He has been doing choir and cross-county running at his new school (I might add he gives up his recesses to do some of these activities). He has been in piano since January and he seems to like to play. Hopefully he'll stick with it.


Austin: He is also loving his new school. He did cross-country this fall also and ran in the jamboree with Carter Newell. They loved it! He also earned grades high enough to be on honor roll. He is playing basketball through YMCA. He plays hard. He has a soft heart and loves dogs, too bad we don't have one!


Ryder: He has such the sweetest smile that gets him almost anything he wants! The age that they are at now is so much fun, but still so demanding and exhausting. He has a little girlfriend "Abbi". He was so upset the other day in the car and after he had calmed down he put a pretend phone to his ear and talked to Abbi for over 1/2 hour. Ryder and Peyton still have a special language that they use, and I can't understand. Somehow they are both on the same page. Ryder has learned how to houdini himself out of his carseat, so now I use zip-ties, which he has gotten out of a few times. But mostly it keeps him be.



Peyton: Peyton plays dual roles in the twinship. He is very mischievious but also obey's everything I tell him. He never tries to get out of his carseat. He pretends that he is shooting everything. If Ryder is not following the directions that I gave him then he yells out "DYDER" in the highest pitch voice. If I tell Peyton to do something he says "Peytie do it?". He is a parrot and copies the last word of everything you say. I love that for the most part Ryder and Peyton play well together.

Life and Death

I must say these past few weeks have been very spiritual, but also very hard. We went to Utah for a family reunion that we have every year over the 24th. After a few days of being in Utah we got news that Greg's mom's cancer in her liver was shutting her body down and she only had two weeks to a month left to live. I decided that since I really had nothing pressing for me to do in Alaska that I would stay and help with as much as I could. I am so thankful for that choice. I feel like I was able to spend some very valuable time with a women that I've always admired. I imagine that when you know you are going to die soon that many thoughts go through your head. You start to have regrets on how you lived your life or choices that you've made. Not Janet. I never once heard her talk about regrets. She just pled for us to forgive others and spend time with one another. Greg's family is amazing! Someone was always there to rub mom's back or feet or just lay by her in bed. Greg has five siblings and about 37 nieces/nephews and almost 7 great neices/nephews. Every person has been touched by this wonderful women. I must say that what I have learned from her is how much she cared for others. When you talked with her she only had ears for you. She made you feel like you were the most important person at that moment, plus she was always on my side if Greg and I had a disagreement. She will be missed!

We got home late Wednesday night and was Thursday morning we were trying to get back into a routine until we got news that Greg's third oldest brother, Bruce, was coming back from picking his trailor up from Fish Lake and it fishtailed so bad that they (Bruce, Ali and her three kids) crashed. Bruce died on impact. The children were not hurt badly and Ali has some head injuries. August 13th is Greg's mom's birthday and Greg's dad was making a special trip to the ranch to have some alone time and try and sort out his thoughts about losing a wife at age 68. He came upon this accident and knew it was his sons van. Life throws you curves that change your life! Greg flew back last night, not 24 hours after being home to go be with his family. A lot of "why" questions are being asked, but all I can say is life has been put into perspective. Life is so short and we don't know what is in store for us. As Greg's mom would say...Forgive and love all you come in contact with.

Thanks for all the love and support that has been with Greg and myself and his family through this all. We love you all and know that we are in your prayers. Thank you!!

Chicken Fried

This past May we took Hunter and Austin to Disney World, along with our friends the Russell's. They have four kids, the youngest, Carter, is five. We were at the pool one night and they had karoke going. Carter realized what they were doing and he wanted to go up and sing, with some egging on by Greg, of course. Carter said he loves Chicken Fried. So he went up and sang Chicken Fried in his cutest little five year old voice (I think he even had some little girls following him around the pool after he sang). He knew every word and was very proud to be singing. His dad is in the military and I thought it was a very appropriate song for him to sing. Katie, his mom, missed the whole thing because she left for a few minutes. That was a fun trip and we can't wait to do it again.

More pictures of our summer to come...soon.

Happy Birthday to 2 lil' Monkey's!!

I can't believe they are two!! Time flies!! Happy Birthday to my cute little monkey's.

E-mail fraud!

I can't understand why someone would want to delete all the email addresses that I had in my email account, but they did. Infact if you got an email from me yesturday about shopping, well it wasn't actually from me. I don't know how someone got my email account information. So I've changed my password, but I have a feeling that whoever got into my account could do it again no matter that I've changed the password. Thank goodness that a friend emailed me about what I sent and I was able to see that it wasn't something I sent. So I suggest that if you haven't taken extra security measures on your email account, you should!

If any of you reading this email have my email and have two seconds, could you just shoot an email out to me so I can save your address. You don't even have to say anything! Thanks.

Thank You!

I want you all to know that I didn't post about my miscarriage to get sympathy...because this time around I was almost expecting it to happen. But I posted because I knew that there are so many great people that would have something of their own to share or have some great advice for me.

Thank you so much for your caring words, cards and dinners (that was going the extra mile, Chablis!!). What a great support system we all have out there and what would I do without you all?

Good News...and...Bad News

The good news is we get to try again. The bad news is I've had another miscarriage.

We hadn't told anybody our news because of this very reason. I went to the dr's yesturday (Monday) thinking I would have a 10 week fetus growing inside me. When he measured it and asked "when was the first time you had a positive pregnancy test because this baby is not measuring 10 weeks". I knew then that things were not good. He told me that it measured 6 weeks and he could find no heartbeat. It was like dajavue all over again...even the time of year! With my first miscarriage the dr said that possibly I have low progesterone and so the next time I get pregnant to call him ASAP. So with the twins I called him immediately, they took my blood. My progesterone was low and so I was prescribed supplements. And my body held onto that pregnancy.

As soon as we got back from Hawaii I knew that I was at least 6 weeks. So I called the dr's, got my blood drawn, and again my progesterone was low. But the blood results don't come back for a week. So I think my body couldn't hold onto that pregnancy. That was the week I needed the supplements. I've had no symptoms of miscarriage, until today, which only confirms what the dr told me yesturday. The only hard part is that I wish that my body would show sign of miscarriage immediately. I have gone an additional 4 weeks thinking I am pregnant. Although, I was very leary this time around. So I go in on Friday to get cleaned out.

I called Greg when I got home from the Dr's. I was really stong until then. Then when I heard his voice I just couldn't hold back the tears. I think I only was crying because I have to go through the whole process with the hospital again and I knew Greg had a CE course that he had already paid for. I know I wasn't crying because I miscarried, because I have been so blessed with 4 healthy boys who make my life so happy! I put the babies down for a nap and just laid in their room until they fell asleep. I guess I did too because the next thing I know Greg is right in front of my face. I must say it scared the crap out of me. Again I started crying. I knew he was sad for me and he decided that he needed to be at home with me, not at work. Then he found a babysitter all by himself and took me out shopping and for dinner (we celebrated my birthday early). I have some pretty great friends and family that I know would have been very supportive about this whole thing, but I didn't realize how much I needed Greg for this moment. Thank goodness he was taking the CE course on Friday because his whole schedule was already cleared at work and he thought he had paid for the course, but they don't accept the credit card he gave them. It all worked out perfect, for the best. He gets to come with me Friday. Last time this happened he was only able to be there to drop me off. But then I had an amazing friend (you know who you are) that stayed with me and took me home. See I have such supportive friends here!

So life goes on and we try again as soon as the dr okay's it. I hope this isn't a trend...miscarriage, twins...miscarriage...????

Funny kids!

I have kept little journals for Hunter and Austin of lot's of funny things they have said/done when they were smaller, but I haven't done as well now that they are older. Here are some funny things they have said lately:

From Hunter-

Me: We are going to fast for g-ma tomorrow, so don't forget when you wake up.
Hunter: I'll tell Aust.
Me: No, he's not 8 yet and doesn't really need to fast yet.
Hunter: God doesn't care how old you are! G-ma will get more blessings if more people fast for her.

There's a part in "Evan Almighty" that Hunter really liked. Evan was talking to God and telling him that the things going on weren't in his plans for his life and God just laughed at him. Well, the next day Hunter came to me and said "in my prayers last night I told God my plans for me, do you think he's laughing at me? Because I know he would want to know my plans and think they are important" I didn't even think to ask what his plans were.

At scouts they have a little boy who is very crude and is on the verge of being asked not to come anymore. Hunter is getting frustrated with the situation. As we were driving home from scouts he was venting to me. So I said "Why don't you just punch him?" I just wanted to see what he would say. I got a very long lecture on how that goes against everything that he has learned at scouts. Sorrrrrrry!

From Aust-

On St. Patrick's Day Aust made sure he was in green. Later that night he was really worried about taking the shirt off to get into his PJ's. He asked me if it was okay to take his shirt off since St. Pat's day ends at 6pm. Who knows where he got that idea!

I will admit that I am not the best cook. I burned meatballs one night (I think of the Shania Twayne songs about her burning her food, and they still eat it) and I think it put fear into Austin. He likes food, but not burned food. So I was attempting meatballs again a different night and he wouldn't leave the side of the stove and every few minutes he would yell to me "mom, I see a burn from the meatballs!" I am thinking he saw steam.

The other night he was making a journal for himself. I don't know what motivates him, but I am glad he does stuff like this. As he was making it he told me "mom, I am making my own diarrhea!" I couldn't stop laughing at that one!

From the twins-

I heard them playing in my toilet. I was on the computer and didn't want to walk 10feet to get them out. So I yelled "come out of the bathroom and shut the door!" Next thing I know the door is shutting and they are coming out! That means when they ignore me...they are doing it on purpose!

Hunter's short essay...really cute!

Hunter asked to type a paper for school (3rd grade, didn't have to, just likes to use the computer) and after he printed it out I asked to read it and he told me not right now. Well, he forgot to delete it after he printed it. This is really cute. He has always liked to write and draw. I have a nephew, Ethyn, who Hunter totally reminds me of. Ethyn also likes to write books. So here it is....word for word his own typing...oh, it is from when we went to Disney Land in 2007.

It is titled "The Matterhorn"
“RRAARR” “AAAAA” “Come on, you’ll love the ride. Just because people are screaming- it’s not going to be scary”, Dad encouraged me. This all started when my family went to Disney Land. The first ride I saw was The Matter Horn. It looked like a mountain and was tall. My Dad kept encouraging me to go on it.

“All right, I’ll think about it”, I told Dad. If I go on it, I thought, it might be freaky. And I don’t know if it’ll be fun. But if I don’t go on it, I won’t know what it’s like.

So I told Dad “Okay”. I went on the ride. “RRAARR” I heard it again. Then I saw a pair of bright red eyes. And then I saw a hairy white body. It was a mechanical Abominable Snow Man. “You were right, Dad, this is fun”, I admitted. I felt good about going on The Matter Horn. “I know, I’m always right”, Dad told me.




THE END

Isn't that cute! I am glad that he is learning that dad is always right.

It's still cold...

Two weekend ago's was the beginning of the Ididarod. It's where you kind of cheer on all the participants in the race. I think there were 80 participants, but we only made it through the first four. It was five degrees and the babies didn't love seeing the dogs as much as I thought they would. Greg was on the phone most of the time...surprise, surprise. So we left and went down to see the snow sculptures. I let the boys pick out their most favorite and we all got a picture by it. In my body I feel like it should be spring, but alas it is still in the 20's-30's. Soon, right? I guess when you have a really cold winter, then you have a very nice summer. I hope that's right.


Snow squirrel from Ice Age

Hunter & Aust with sled dogs in the background. (Hunter and Austin shaved their heads while we were in Hawaii. They tried cutting it by themselves and really the only thing to do was shave it off)

A lady thought it was funny that I was feeding Ryder his sippie, but he couldn't move his arms, she thought that we needed a picture of it.

Sweet little Peyton

Hunter, Aust and Greg (on phone)

Aust is now missing his two front teeth. When his first tooth was loose daddy numbed it, tied a string to it and the door and out it came. Today he came home from school with one buck tooth. It looked too horendous that Greg held him down and pulled it out. Not on the top ten list of how to take out a kids tooth, Dr. Harr!

Greg thought this would be funny...Ryder, not so much.

Ryder and Peyton playing in garage. They were in heaven with brooms, dustpans, hats and shoes to try on.

Peyton fell asleep on Greg. I am not sure if Greg has noticed at this point. Peyton sure is a daddy's boy!

Aaaagggghhhhh!!!!!!!!

Hunter and Austin never had a chance to crawl out of cribs. They were sleeping in a big bed and adjusted just fine. The twins have started climbing out of their play pens. I am not ready for this. I put them down for naps and 45 minutes later they are finally asleep. I went in every two minutes and put them back in their cribs, before they could destroy the room. Finally after just about giving up (yesturday I gave up, and after awhile they were quite so I checked on them and they were both asleep on the floor, amongst all the disaster) I decided that I would lay in Austin's bed. That way they would see me in there and wouldn't try to get out. Worked like a charm. Within a few minutes they were dead asleep! Now what do I do? Do I put them in a big bed since they can get out anyway? I used to love nap time because they were so good at laying down. I am sure this is just another phase that will end soon, right?

Hawaii 2009

Our trip to Hawaii was amazing. I think we utilized every minute. We were wide eyed every morning around 6am, ready to go, even though the boat wasn't docked yet. We visited Maui, Kona, Hilo, Kaui. We tried to do lot's of fun things, in case we never get the chance to come back. On Kaui we got to spend some time with Jason and Ann Reed. That was fun! Sorry about so many pictures, but I really couldn't choose and I still have so many more that I didn't put on the slideshow.

I hate Valentine's Day!

Normally I do. It's so grey outside and if you try to go out for a date, so is everyone else in the world. Not this year, a few of us made dinner for our hubby's. It turned out great, and no kids were involved! I must say Greg and the boys were really sweet to me. I felt like it was mother's day. They made me breakfast and did a cute little scavenger hunt to find my gift (which was an ipod, I broke Greg's running in the rain). Since the boys are getting bigger they can actually write fun things in the cards they gave me. Greg even spent the day downloading music to the ipod (he for sure gets to borrow it :)

Here are a few pictures of our night, and some not of our night. You know I always need to throw in a few of the babies being crazy.
Melinda and Greg

Randy and Katie

Robyn & Kent

David and Cindy

Greg, Kent & Randy

Katie and Robyn

Our new batman, Peyton, crying because he wants to see himself in the camera!

Ryder's new thing, sneaking in the bathroom and eating the toothpaste.

He's happy he got caught!

The babies are wanting to be just like their older brothers. Check out Peyton with his arms behind his head!

Reminiscing

I was going through some pictures and came across these. It is of our Halloween Bunco, while living in Phiily, at Holly Sanders. I am not sure where Deb, Allison, Annie, Alyssa, Callie and Traci are (maybe it's my last year and that's why your not at Bunco. I am losing it), but I loved remembering back. I truly miss my Philly friends.

Little Helps

I have found a few things that have made life so much easier for me. If you have something, please put it in a comment. I am always looking for ways to simplify my life!

1. Plastic bowls with straws in them for .99 cents! Now the twins don't dump as much milk all over the place. Dried milk is a pain to clean up.

2. Rubberbands on my cupboards! Life saver. Even if it is loose and they can get in it, they won't even try. Plus rubberbands are great for days when my pants feel a little too tight! Bonus!!

3. It's called "Present" from Philosophy, it's a face product. It temporarily takes away wrinkles. You put it on, let it dry for over 2 minutes and wa-la! Magic in a bottle is what I call it.

4. Hair putty styling paste. No matter what kind of hair day I am having, this stuff makes my hair do anything.

5. Thanks to Jessi for this one: SmartMouth Mouthwash. It's amazing. My breath doesn't reek near as bad as it used to!

6. Bag-a-bon: It's so great! I put it on the babies everyday because their skin doesn't quite agree with any weather. It's amazing stuff, I think it's for cow's utters, but the babies are so smooth a little later in the day.

7. Cold water, an apple and a cheesestick. I like to eat when I am in the car. If I carry these things in my car with me then I WILL eat them.

8. I have this brush made out of cactus. You rub it all over your skin before you shower and it's supposed to help with your circulation and cellulite. Even though it probably doesn't work, my brain doesn't know any better and it feels good to brush the crap out of your skin!

9. I love to get a pedicure, who doesn't? But I can't always afford to go everytime my nails chip. So I found these awesome strips, and a french manicure set at Walmart and now I can do it myself. It's not as relaxing, but definetly affordable.

10. I love the internet! I know there is a lot of scary stuff on it, but there is also so much great stuff. I don't ever have to leave my house to shop. It's all categorized. You can find anything on the internet. Can't live without it!

If you have anything to share, please do!

Heaven!

So we are in heaven here in Alaska! The kids have been off school for two days now because it has been 45 degrees! Do you wonder why the kids have school off? Well, we had tons of snow last month, then last week we were in the -20's, this week our degrees climbed up to 45 which makes it a 65 degree difference! Awesome, huh? The only thing not awesome about it is now the roads are ice, I can't even get into my garage because it's so slick. I did venture out today and picked up some friends for the boys. It's kinda funny, most kids get off school for too much snow. Not in Alaska! You get off school if the snow melts too fast! Gotta love it!


This is how the kids celebrate no school. Austin, Carter Russell, Hunter, Hunter Russell. Thank goodness for X-box...even the babies think they can play. We let them have a remote with no battery.


This picture was taken about two weeks ago. It's on my deck and we had tons of snow.


This is the same table on my deck today. The snow is melting fast.


This is my beautiful picture of Jesus that Greg got me for Christmas.

Happy 60th Birthday, Mom!

My mom turned 60 yesturday. My sister put together this slideshow of my mom in her prime. She has the brown, flipp-out hair. She also has the black swimsuit on. I forget that my mom was young once, not always mom. It's funny that our kids are going to think of us as only "mom" and not someone who had another life before them. My mom won a beauty contest in Spartenburg, South Carolina. She danced the Charleston for her talent. It was fun to see these pictures of my mom. Happy Birthday, mom, love you!

Christmas Break

I finally got my camera to down load some pictures to share of Christmas Break. I finally took a ski lesson with Robyn. That was fun, but then my bubble burst when we (Greg & two older boys) went to Aleyeska ski resort and I about killed myself. I will go back to the bunny hills at Hilltop from now on. Sadly we have no pictures of that. We spent Christmas Eve & New Years Eve at the Newell's. We had a lot of fun and love having them in Alaska. Although, everyone needs to tell Greg we need a bigger house so we can entertain at our house, we are running out of room!