It is 5:30am and I can't stay asleep. Yesterday was John's first day of kindergarten and yes, I cried. It is no secret that I am attached to him. Betsey was giddy when McKay finally entered kindergarten she did a happy dance and then skipped off to lunch. The beginning of a life long tradition, "where should we go to lunch?" But I cried. I remember when he was born as do most of you, not an event easily forgotten. I was so happy he miss the school deadline so that I could have him one extra year. Six years before he would go to school. In six years Emily would be a senior and John would be in kindergarten that day seemed like an eternity away and that it would just never come. But here it is. Emily is starting her "last year" and John is starting his first. My attachment to John didn't come like the rest of my children. They were born and I immediately was smitten. I fed them and bathed them, rocked them and couldn't get enough. But with John, I was in a drug induced stupor for nine days. It was so painful just to hold him let alone nurse him and then on the second day I had a cat scan and because of the dye I had to take I couldn't even nurse him anymore. I watched from what seemed like afar while everyone else took care of him. Melissa slept with him snuggled up to her when he was fussy in the night. He was bottle fed by whoever happened to be on watch at the time. I never changed a diaper until we arrived home on the tenth day. I wasn't even sure he was that cute. He was bald with a receding hair line and that took some getting used to. And to top it all off the baby blues hit hard and fast. So when it was finally my turn I fell hard. I was smitten. By the time he was two weeks old He smiled at Grandma in direct response to her cooing at him and he never stopped. From that day on I thought he was the cutest baby in the world. And I just couldn't get enough of him. I have loved everyday with him. I couldn't even send him the preschool I just wanted to be with him all I could. I know I've lost it but I don't even care. So, on the first day of kindergarten for the baby, I cried. I wonder what it will be like when he enters the MTC?

Victoria

About two weeks ago Kathryn called with a desperate plea, "I need Victoria! Please let her come to Las Vegas and hold Jane while I move." I was in shock. No one has ever asked me if they could have Victoria. Now, Emily, she is helpful, charming and easy to be around. Allison has asked for Andrew, he entertains himself and gets along great with Matthew and Peter. John goes without saying, who wouldn't want him? But Victoria? Victoria gets into things, she asks too many questions, she interrupts, she obsesses about everything but especially where her next meal is coming from. Generally she consumes most of my energy. I always knew that I would have a child with special needs but I wanted a child with downs syndrome. It would be so much easier I thought to know what you were in for from the beginning. There would be no questions asked. You could tell by looking that something was wrong and the path would be obvious. Simple, I would have a special needs child with none of the pain of not knowing what was wrong. I wouldn't have to search and obsess (like mother like daughter) until I found something to help my child. Oh how simple it would be! But this is not my life. I have Victoria. Victoria was born happy. She was my easiest delivery, my happiest child and I felt confident as a mother. She was the perfect baby. Charming, happy, darling, perfect in every way. This was the honeymoon. As soon as she was mobile all hell broke loose. She smiled her way through every disaster she created. No lock was challenge enough for her. Nothing was out of her reach. She was stealth. She created havoc before you even knew what was going on. Since she was 2 and a half I have been on a search to help Victoria. First she needed help with her speech, then reading then math then behavior the list goes on and on. Just when I think I have mastered one problem another arises. She takes constant vigilance and one thing I am not is constant but I too am learning. If you think that Victoria is not wanted or loved from my description you are wrong. She is lovable, caring, fun, funny, energetic, and darling. And one thing about Victoria is that she loves babies and babies love her. She is the baby whisperer. Victoria not only loves babies but she knows what to do with them. She isn't ruffled by them. No crying baby is too much for her. She just keeps going until the baby is calmed down and asleep. So back to my original thought, Kathryn calling for Victoria. I consented. Even though Victoria was going to miss three days of school how could I say no to the first person who had ever asked to have her. I was nervous I thought for sure Kathryn would call the next day and say it isn't worth it. Take her back! But no. Day after day I called and the report was the same, "she is great!" She wasn't bugging anyone, she didn't ask for food all day long, she wasn't getting into things she was just holding Jane and loving it. Wow! I wanted to cry. Someone actually needed Victoria and she was rising to the occasion. All of my fears about her future seemed to disappear. I could see Victoria spending her life rocking babies and being totally happy and mothers dying to have Victoria be the one to love their baby. Little did Kathryn know what her request would mean to me or to Victoria. So, thank you Kathryn for seeing Victoria's potential and appreciating it. You have always had a place in my heart but now it is permanently secure. But the story doesn't stop there. This week Emily and Victoria went to Las Vegas to help Kathryn and Lauren with their babies. Lauren called today to see if she could adopt Victoria! She said she made a deal with Victoria, she would make the babies and Victoria could take care of them. Watch out Lauren you might be giving birth to a whole football team and the cheerleaders! Lauren you too have secured your place in my heart. And anyone else that wants a place Victoria is available anytime, especially if you have a baby.

I've always wanted a play house for my children. Emily found this one at Hamley's. I'm thinking of ordering it. It's a bargain at 25,550.00 pounds British sterling.

I have been shamed into posting. I get weekly (they feel like daily) calls from Kathryn and Melissa reminding me that I haven't posted yet. Kathryn set up my blog and so she feels like she has the right to reprimand me but Melissa hadn't even posted herself until 2 days ago so she really didn't have a leg to stand on.

Now to clarify the pickle problem. Melissa came up with this hair brained idea on her own and then proceeded to drag me into it. She worked like a wild woman making Grandmother's Sweet Pickles. It is no easy task I assure you. Then she sat back and informed me that I was the one who was in charge of marketing. Maybe she dosen't remember that I majored in SPECIAL education and not marketing in college. Then not only did she proceed to blog (melisca.blogspot.com) about how I hadn't done my job she posted my telephone number all over the web, which I might add she posted incorrectly the correct number is, 801-232-1428. I would be happy to fill any and all orders that you send me. We are offering a FREE tasters bottle to anyone who calls the above number in the next 365 days. Again that number is 801-232-1428. The pint bottles are $6 and the quarts are $8 (US). You won't want to spend another Sunday dinner without them, let alone your next tuna sandwich. Melissa has assured me that we will be millionaires selling pickles and that she won't have to be a therapist anymore. So please order your pickles today by calling 801-232-1428 to start us on our road to wealth.

Ouch dude!

Most of you guys have probaby heard by now that Andrew broke his leg when some huge polynesian kid tackled him in football. Right on his Femur, ouch! just look at that cast!! He actually got sick for a while too but he's feeling alot better now and finally got to school last week, but for the rest of the time he has pretty much taken over my moms room and he play's the Wii all day. Every day he gets people bringing him candy and movies and stuff. Its pretty funny to watch. Hopefully he'll be fine soon but for now I really dont think he minds all the attention. (and candy) feel better Bud!

Snow already??

Okay, so it wasn't that much and it only came for about 5 minutes, but it SNOWED today!!
Here we all are in the "snow"





-Emily
(yep, me again,I have a feeling that alot of these posts are going to be from me... dont stop reading ok?)

Happy Birthday to Johnny!

September 11th was John's 3rd birthday. He was so excited and loved every minute of it. Besides getting his new "big boy pants", we celebrated by taking a trip to Skywest where daddy works, to see the airplanes: every 3 year old boys dream.

Dad helped John start the engines and push all the buttons on the plane, he just beamed the whole time.

Heres all of us standing outside on the runway, isnt that picturesque?
Yum! cake! Happy birthday to our brand new three year old!

Lake Powell

Sorry Its been so long sinced we last posted, and sorry you have to hear from me (Emily) again! Stuff has been really busy around our house, with school getting started, Football, dance,and so much more,but we promise to try our hardest to post more often. Recently, I discovered the many wonders of Smilebox, they're so easy and fun to do, and they look really cute. So, I made one for all of you all about our trip to Lake Powell, just to show you how cute they can be!
-Emily

Make a Smilebox scrapbook