Feeling Gratitude

As we have announced we are moving, we have been overwhelmed with the amount of love and support we've felt from our neighbors and ward members. Isn't it funny how you never realize the effect you have on others? Neighbors have come to me with tears of sadness that we are moving, telling me how much we have been a constant in their life. We've been told we can't move because we are one of the down-to-Earth families in the ward and we're needed here. It's odd to hear such things but it's been such a wonderful feeling knowing that our family has been able to touch a few hearts, especially when we didn't know we had.

Last evening Sage and Chad (our neighbors) hosted an openhouse in our favor so people could say goodbye to the family. We were astounded by the friends that came to say goodbye. It was a wonderful evening and it was a really great way to end our time here. We will be forever grateful to have known so many amazing people in this area! They have enlightened our lives in their very own special way.

We are in the count down now. Friday I realized this was the last Friday night we'd be spending in our home we've come to love so much. I don't usually count myself as sentimental but I really am feeling it right about now. Each day this week will be our last Monday, Tuesday, etc. It makes me want to celebrate each day, yet life has a different plan for us. We will be cleaning, packing, loading trucks, and trying to keep our sanity throughout the process. ...At least trying to hold the tears in a little on my part. I feel like I'm saying goodbye to a dear friend; which our home has been just that. A friend that has sheltered us for nearly 7 years, has been there to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and other wonderful occasions like first words and steps, first time riding a bike, etc. etc. etc. I'm going to miss our dear friend who didn't ask for much in return for always being there for us, just a lightbulb or two. :)

CELEBRATE!!!

Today we get to celebrate a significantly historic event in the Fuller household! Tonight is Corban's last dose of medication for seizures!!! We have come so far since his first seizure in November of 2007 when Corban was two and a half. That day will forever be imprinted in my head and heart as one of the scariest days of my life. It's so vivid and I can even remember the feelings of helplessness and panic that day holds.

As time has past us by, we've been through MANY ups and downs with his medication but it's finally time we get to meet the REAL Corban. We will celebrate that we get to see Corban's true personality with nothing altering his thoughts or feelings for the first time in 4 and a half years!!! I'm so excited! Brandon asked me if I was nervous, and I can honestly say that I'm not. I feel so peaceful about this that there is no room to be nervous. I know there is a chance that Corban may relapse. I know that we still have another EEG in 2 months time that may tell us he's still having seizuric activity in that noggin of his, but I can't help feeling like this challenge for our little guy is over. SO WE WILL TAKE THE GOOD AND CELEBRATE!

Maybe not quite like this time, but we'll figure something fun to do!

A Momento on Moments

Wow! Can you believe that it's been eight months since the last update to this family blog. I assure you, it's not because we fell off the face of the Earth, lost connection with the outside world, or are all dead. It's actually the opposite. We have been living life. Living life to it's (sometimes boring) day-to-day fullest. -Even if that meant homework for a 5 hour stretch after school, we've done it!

Don't get me wrong, we've had some pretty darn fantastic moments! Crazy moments, awkward moments, pee-your-pants-laughing moments, and some truly dishearteningly sad moments. We've been living it all. In the thick of life taking it day by day. And sometimes when you take it day by day, it's easy to let something go. My *something* was this blog; even though I cringingly regret losing those memories, I had to sacrifice something for my sanity.

I'd love to recap on everything we've done these past eight months. Things like Brandon's and my anniversary trip to beautiful Paris and other things like Kellan's more-than-once-daily witty comments, the day we adopted a dog, Javen's and the other kids' growth milestones, and especially the moment we made the decision to uproot our entire family to Idaho. It's this last moment that brings me back to the blogging world. We will be picking up our entire tribe of seven, throwing out all comfort zones and whisking them away from our roots here in Utah. I need a way to keep those Roots (aka family and friends) updated on what is going on in our little world. As I said before, I'd love to go back and write about everything we've been doing but I refuse to lose the moments we are going through right now so I can write about the past.

So I'll give you a weather update on what to expect in the next few months. Eighty percent chance daily posts and pictures as we set out on the biggest adventure of our lives, with a thirty percent chance of blog posts from the past eight months. This news reporter/mom will be kept busy for sure! It's going to be fantastic!!! All that's left to say is WELCOME! -For some of you, WELCOME BACK! We hope you enjoy reading about our crazy tribal moments. We can assure you, even the day-to-day is never dull in this household; no matter where we live!

Mom the amazing trainer

Kellan is by far, one of the funniest characters in our tribe. He's quick to spout out things. Random things, that make you chuckle because the either, 1) Don't make sense or 2) Make perfect sense pertaining to the conversation and you wonder, "where did he get that witty sense of humor?"

Today at the hair cutter's was no exception. While I was helping Kellan jump down from the seat, Amy our hair stylist said, "Hey bud! I like your cool shark shirt!"
Kellan, quick as ever and so matter-of-factly said, "Thanks! My mom trained it."

Yes.... I will take credit for being that awesome. I can train sharks and plow down mailboxes all in the same week and walk away unscathed. ;)

Unconditional Love.

Lately, part of my brain is missing. I've had trouble remembering things and whats worse, is I continue to do absent minded things. Texting a friend so she could have my number..... I sent her a text with solely my number in it. Attempting to place milk in the pantry. Backing up in the school parking lot and hitting a fellow parent's car. And today, I backed up from dropping off Tarryn's friend from school and hit their mailbox!

I immediately called Brandon who had just picked up Corban from school and was headed home. He has bluetooth in his car so the call goes through the speakers for all to hear....
Brandon: Hello.
Summer (crying): I should be grounded from driving.
Brandon: What's wrong? What happened?
Summer: I hit the Starr's mailbox when I was backing out of their driveway.
Brandon: Is everyone okay? Is the mailbox still standing?
Summer: Yes, we're all okay. The mailbox is crooked but still standing.
Brandon: As long as everyone is okay...... at least it was a mailbox and not a kid or something.
Summer: There's a big old scratch in our car though now.
Brandon: Good thing we haven't gotten the car fixed from your other accident then huh?
Summer: Yes.
Brandon: We'll talk when we get home.

As soon as they got home, Corban, who had heard our conversation and was very concerned said, "Mom, I still love you even if you hit other people's mailboxes."

.....And the world was set right again.....

Bursting Love

It has been quite a battle with our stubborn "roost-of-the-hen-house" Kellan when it comes to his ideas and our ideas on using the potty. When Kellan turned 4 I used it as the perfect time preparing him weeks in advance that "four year olds ALWAYS poop in the potty." The first few days of turning 4 went well. He was using the potty like a champ, but somewhere along the line he must've decided that he needed to test the waters and see what happens when a 4 year old "goes" in his pants. -I took away his right to be 4 telling him that he still had to be 3 if he was going to act like a 3 year old. Ever since, we've been having hit and misses with the potty but we're getting there. It's always Brandon or I that have to "catch" Kellan in the act and rush him to the toilet for the "messiest" part of potty training. It's very rare that he ever offers to go "number 2" on his own.

I only tell you this so you can imagine the elated feelings I had when Kellan announced he had to go potty and sat right on the toilet and did the "dirty" deed. I was so excited that I wrapped Kellan in my arms and squeezed with quite the enthusiasm. After letting him go in my warm and animated embrace Kellan said, "Mom! I thought you were going to pop me!"

Your Classic Upgrade

Sundays mornings can be quite a rush in trying to get ready for church. There have been times where we've thrown all 4 of the boys in the same shower or tub to be washed, or we've forgone the bathing process at all. All of this to hectically dart into church to be between 5-20 minutes late each week.

Part of the slowing down process (along with NOT preparing and ironing clothes in advance, hanging out too long on the main floor stating, "Well I guess it's time we should start getting ready", etc. ) is after we get the boys out of the largest tub in the house. What is it about boys loving being exhibitionists?! They think it's hilarious to jump on our bed in their birthday-suits or rub the towels on their heads repeatedly to get the funniest hair-do possible. Our bedroom becomes quite the streak show for the 3 youngest on Sunday mornings.

During this process (the after the bath one) on no particular Sunday, I was trying to wrestle in Corban to get him dressed. "Corban, please come get your underwear on." trial and error says yelling at the beginning of this process doesn't get you going any faster than starting with the kind words we're trying to teach the children to use. (Plus, it brings added contention that we don't need OR WANT.)
Shockingly, my 6 year old skipped right over while saying, "Okay mom. I'm ready for my upgrade."
"Upgrade?" I asked confused as to what he was talking about.
"Yes, I'm upgrading to underwear."
"Well why stop there?" I suggested. Feeling triumphant that this was going to be a day to write in the books that we got to church on time. "Why not get a double upgrade and get your pants on too?"
"Mo-om! You can't do that! You have to wait till next year for the better upgrade."
Triumphant feeling gone.