our miricle

I am writing this so I will never forget that Heavenly Father loves us and cares about us. After 5 miscarriages in 2 years we were beginning to think something was wrong with me. I would get to be seven or eight weeks along and then miscarry. So pretty much I was just figuring out I was pregnant and we were getting excited and then it would happen.

We kept getting impressions everything would be all right and we just had to wait. But why was I miscarrying so early on? Then we got pregnant again and we went to a doctor that had been referred to us. I had talked to her previously and she told me to come in as soon as I knew I was pregnant. So we went in at 6 weeks to see if she could see anything wrong. I had to go in 3 times in the previous days to get blood drawn. I had an ultrasound and the tech couldn’t see anything, but said it could just be still a couple of days too early. Then we went back to talk to the doctor. She said because there was nothing on the ultrasound and the levels in my blood were not looking good, that this baby would not be born alive. She said it would just turn cancerous. So she had us set up an appointment a week later to terminate the pregnancy.

We were devastated. But as the week progressed I didn’t feel right about it. So towards the end of the week I cancelled the appointment and called a specialist my friend had recommended. It took three more weeks for us to get in. Those 4 weeks were the hardest. I felt like the pregnancy was progressing but I was told the baby was dead so I was pretty much just waiting for a miscarriage. But at the same time I had a feeling of peace and that everything would be all right. I was so confused and thinking the baby was just dead inside of me was really tough and it was hard to function properly.

So when we went in to see the new doctor we were elated when he looked at everything and said the baby was fine. He told us that by now he would be able to see if something were wrong and things looked good. This new doctor was awesome. He was caring and for about the next 4 visits (about 2 months) he always did an ultrasound to make sure everything was alright.

The pregnancy was a typical one for me. I am a really bad pregnant lady. It is so not enjoyable. I get so tired and sick and don’t want to do anything! But we were so grateful that this baby was going to join our family it made it easier to deal with.

It wasn’t until Cooper came out (with the fattest, curly umbilical cord you have ever seen) that I realized I was still kind of doubting this baby was coming to us. Then we had a few more complications before we could make it out of the hospital. They couldn’t get his oxygen levels up, then they didn’t like where his blood sugars were. Then another day because of his bilirubin levels. But then we got to bring home our precious baby.

We are so excited that he is part of our family. We are so glad we listened to the spirit instead of a presumptuous doctor, who was going to terminate our baby. I am not writing this to diminish others miracles or say I am better than anyone else. I know others have much bigger trials and hardships. But I am truly grateful for my Heavenly Father in this and never want to forget how lucky we are to have our Cooper.

How to go completely crazy

Ok, so I am already crazy but, this is beyond that. I saw a picture of an igloo made out of milk jugs on the internet and wanted to make one for preschool. The site said they used over 400 jugs, so we started collecting. I have a smaller class and a smaller room so I didn't want to make ours quite as big but, it still turned out pretty big.

First you start by bugging everyone you know to save milk jugs. Then running around to the Starbucks every morning for their used jugs. (This is about 2/3 of the jugs.)

 Then you employ the help from your whole family to get to work

 We wanted to make sure it would fit all 5 kids at once, so cute Chez was more than willing to help.

 And it starts...

 Holding the thing together!!! This is where it got tricky.

 And then when I could not fit in it anymore.

 And the finished product. It took 327 jugs, and we learned a lot from the experience!

And add the cute kids of course.

Ok I think i can do this with out crying at this point

In the beginning of February Adam got laid off from his job, because they were closing the position in Rock Springs. I say laid off because of how they treated him and they messed up our insurance and forgot to pay us our  next paycheck. But they did want to keep him in the company so they offered him another position, just not one we wanted or would even work for our family, as a traveling tech. So he would be doing what he was in Vernal but would be going where ever he was needed for 3 weeks at a time and be home one week.  And they were paying him less, so I couldn’t quit my job. I had no idea what to do with the kids. So for two 3 week stints, I was a single parent and either taking my kids to work with me or they would go to a friend’s house. This did not go over well with the kids either, they were super grouchy and clingy. Did I mention I am a huge wuss and I am terrified to be home alone?

That did not work out, I quit my job and decided we would travel around with Adam (at least when we could). 

So Adam was in Oklahoma City at the time, so the kids and I drove, yes Drove, to Oklahoma. It took 2 days and actually was not as bad as I was imagining. Adam was almost done with that stint, so we spent a few days there. We have been wanting to go to Nebraska where I served my mission. So we took a few extra hours and drove to Omaha. It was so fun to go back and see how things have changed. And be able to show my family around. I didn’t want to tell the missionary at the Trail Center that I had served there, but Adam did when I took Cheznie to the bathroom. So the Sister’s were too nervous to take us around and wouldn’t really say anything. But it was fun anyway and I told what I could remember.

We also went to the zoo because that one is sooo good. Cheznie just loves animals so much so it is lots of fun taking her. Poor Gage never fell asleep the whole time we walked around so he was exhausted by the time we left.

We had to drive through Columbus, NE. I tried to point out places but I couldn’t remember where a lot of stuff was. Then we headed back to Rock Springs expecting Adam would be called again in a couple of days.

Those couple of days came and went with no calls. And a couple of more days came and went with no word. Finally his supervisor called, “this position was also being closed. “ But they still wanted to keep him in the company. So when no other shops were hiring and lots of them were letting people go. Brighton, CO (just above Denver) was needing people and we could go there. We really didn’t trust this because why/how was everyone else hurting when Brighton was going strong? (Still don’t know the answer) So we knew a few people there so Adam called and talked to them to verify the work. Supposedly it was legit. So we said yes we would do it. So 3 days later we packed up for a week and went to a hotel. While Adam was at work, the kids and I looked for a place to live. Finding somewhere to live was a lot harder than you would think. The first week Adams job paid for our hotel, gas and some food. But finding a place to live took me 2 more weeks and we still couldn’t move in for another 2 weeks. So we stayed in a hotel for over a month! On the weekends we would go home and pack and get ready to move.

So now we are in Brighton, CO I am not sure if I trust we will be here for long but I would love to be proved wrong. So far we seem to like it here.

Someone turned 1

My baby just turned 1 (I am only a week and a half late putting these on)

 Brand new

1 Month

 2 Months

  3 Months

 4 Months

 5 Months

 6 Months

 7 Months

 8 Months

 9 Months

 10 Months

 11 Months

 12 Months

 We started off by filling his crib with balloons. Gage was not the only one who loved this.

 We had a big bug party at our house, I didn't get many pictures of it though because it was crazy and we were having way too much fun. But I did get pictures of Gage eating his cake.

 Gage does know how to eat!!!

This is what was left

 We let the kids dig in the dirt for bugs. Cheznie thought this was great (this dirt was all over my house, but I kind of knew it would be).

 Adam made a 'Pin the Head on the Praying Mantis' game.

 Gage really did not like that we gave him a new toy and then took it away so we could just give him another one.

 Sister is so good at sharing Gage's toys with him

Photo dump from summer

So it has been a while so I am going to kind of do a quick over view of our summer and a photo dump of my favorites from this summer.

I just cannot believe summer has gone so fast, but we kept so busy it is not really a surprise. It all started off with Adam getting a promotion, we were moving to Rock Springs, WY. Yeah we were so excited for this new adventure, but it came a very busy time. Adam’s brother, Jacob, was getting sealed in the temple in New York and at the last minute we decided we would go and also celebrate our anniversary at the same time. So Adam had training Monday through Thursday then I met him in Las Vegas so we could fly to New York; after dropping the kids off with my sister (unfortunately Gage was having a bad reaction to something and it was not a good week for them).  It was a very busy but a great time in New York.

Palmyra Temple

Smith Family Home

You can see the top of the temple from the Smith Farm

 Niagra Falls (amazing)

These ponchos are a joke we got soaked! But it was so much fun! You can stand right under the falls

This place was incredible! It was called Watkins Glen and the pictures do not do it justice! There is a river/stream that runs through this canyon and it is covered in foliage and moss. There were waterfalls that you could be right under.

 

 Seeing Adam's Grandma and Uncle

 The top of the Empire State Building

 A miniture of Statue of Liberty

 Manhattan Temple

 

When we got back we headed to Moab for my Step Mom’s family reunion over the 4th of July. We thought it would be fun to spend some time with them and get to know them a little better. And I was hoping to see her brother who happens to be my Allergist to look at Gage who seemed to have gotten worse while we were gone (very small world). So we did get to go down the river with some of them but our car was not acting right so we decided not to drive up to the cabin. We were a little sad about that.  So then Sunday we finally go to head back to Vernal.

 My cute kids for the 4th of July

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next week our baby girl turned 3. She is so stinking cute but truly knows how to push my buttons. She is pretty easy going and loves balls, books, coloring, animals (stuffed or real), princesses, tv and movies, her brother, being outside, water, helping out, music and dancing. She is such a big helper especially with her brother.

 someone stole my ice cream cone

 my cute kids in the garden eating green beans

Then a week later was the Scow reunion. That was a lot of fun with going down another river and taking the kids this time. Cheznie absolutely loved being on the water of course and after Gage took a nice nap while floating down the river, he kept trying to climb in the water.

Then we had a couple of weeks in Vernal before Adam’s company moved us up to Rock Springs. If anyone ever gets the chance to have a moving company move you, do it! It only cost $8600, just a little out of our price range. It was great I didn’t have to lift a finger, they packed everything up in 2 days and the 3^rd day they put it in our new house. The only issue is some of the things they put in different boxes and so some things were lost for a little while (like our silverware).

 

 Then Adam had another training and I was not going to stay in the new house all by myself so I went to see Lindsay and the new babies. It was a ton of fun but a lot of work traveling with 2 kids. 

 

Sorry could not get the pic of all the babies to work but here is Chez helping out

Then we headed up to Salt Lake to spend some time with some friends

 This is Cheznie at Lagoon (sorry the picture quality is so bad and sideways) on one of the roller coasters, by the look on her face you would think she didn't like it right?

This is her at the end. She asked to go on this over and over. Her face looked the same each time. Terrified while moving, then asked to go again!

 

A few weeks after that was the Holyoak family reunion. We had it down in Bluff and that was lots of fun and Cheznie loved playing in the dirt the whole time. Then we actually stayed in Rock Springs for a few weeks. And then back to see the new babies again for their blessing.

And now we are in Rock Springs for at least a few weeks. Which is good since I am now in the primary presidency and can't really get away much. It has been a very crazy summer and now we are looking forward to just being home for a while. We are liking Rock Springs so far, our ward is really great and we are finding fun things to do around here.

 My children love the water

 So much so that Gage climbs in the bath tub by him self, this time i was actually showering when he did it. So of course his sister also had to get in and play too!

 Watching the trains

 Cheznie helped make Adams birthday cake

 My cute boys

 Found Chez alseep on the treadmill, but notice her ice cream on the table, she must have been tired

Cute Kids