Sawyer's TV Pose

Jason calls this pose Sawyer's TV watching pose. Sawyer still does not enjoy sitting still for any long period of time unless he is being read to. I will not complain about this at all. He does love to select dvds from the dvd collection but rarely watches an entire Blue's Clues episode. Blue's Clues seems to be his favorite or it is the only one that we understand him when he says it.

I am sure over the years Sawyer will decide that the TV is something to make note of but I doubt he will ever be allowed to watch it as much as he would like.

Kindergarten Interview

Emerson was interviewed for kindergarten here in Greensburg. Since her birthday falls after the Indiana required birthday cut off date she had to speak with a kindergarten teacher at Greensburg Elem., which is the school she should attend this fall.

After months of practicing her birth date, address, phone number, learning how to read 60+ words, learning simple addition skills and practicing countless other skills that I remember students needing to know when I was teaching kindergarten Emerson was ready for her educational performance. When we arrive in the parking lot I offered a quick word of prayer that she would be calm and would be able to display the skills that she had so dutifully practiced with me. We walked in and she just waited patiently for the kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Mulroney, to come for her. Mrs. Mulroney arrived and Emerson went with her to a conference room in the office as Sawyer and I waited for her to return. She was gone about 15 minutes, and returned with a huge smile on her face. She also had a picture that she had been asked to draw and tell a story about.

When we were walking out Mrs. Mulroney was walking out too. She said she thought that Emerson should be admitted but that the decision wasn't hers to make.

Emerson was excited to tell me what she had been asked to do and as she rattled off what she had to do/say, it wasn't hardly anything that we had practiced. She had to say her name, write her name, tell her birthday, and a few other minor things. What no reading, or math skills! I was shocked that she didn't have to rhyme or identify numbers over 10!

Now we will just wait and see what comes about. What ever it is I know it will be the Lord's will and that is the way that I want it!

College Roommates

This past Saturday my family and I went to Pataskala, Ohio to visit one of my college roommates. Stephanie and I have kept in contact through the years since we were roommates at Ricks in 1996 and both went to BYU-Hawaii in 1997. We have lived in neighboring states for probably 5 years or more but have only made the time to see each once before.

My family and I set out at about 7:30 Saturday morning to make the almost 3 hour drive to her house. I was so excited to see her, Kevin and their kids. I hadn't seen Kevin since they lived in Pocatello, Idaho in 2000, and we had both had babies (Steph had had Cole, and I had had Sawyer)since we saw each other last. Jason had never met Steph or Kevin before but had heard a lot about them.



When we got there it was like no time had pasted. The guys got along great and aside from one minor instance between Saydria and Emerson, all the kids got along wonderfully too. They made some killer homemade bar-b-que chicken pizza and a delicious homemade strawberry pie. Recipes for both were requested. Believe it or not but not many pictures were taken and we were there the entire day. It wasn't until we were getting ready to leave that cameras even made an appearance. We managed to get a picture of the girls together, but rounding up all the boys was nearly impossible.



Kids ages: Brayden 8
Saydria 6
Kai 4
Cole 1

Emerson 4
Sawyer 2

I can't wait for us to get together again. It was so nice to spend time with the Christensens, we only wish we lived closer!

Taking a Break from the Chaos of April

The past couple of days have been beautiful, and the kids and I have been taking advantage as best as we could. We gardened on Monday before the chaos of Ainsley getting hurt took place. On Tuesday we played outside practically the entire day and even squeezed in a visit to the local park. Yesterday we played outside and the kids rode their bikes up and down the driveway. I was amazed at how well they both did pedalling up and down our very sloped drive. We even had some surprise visitors, my Mom and Cooper stopped by on their way to my Mom's. Emerson and Cooper had so much fun playing in the backyard chasing each other around with some type of squirt gun. There was only one so they had to take turns being the chaser or the one being chased. I am so thankful that Cooper, Ainsley and Beckett live so close to us right now. I just wish they lived closer so that we could have more moments like yesterday's with Emerson and Cooper!

Today we again took advantage of the beautiful weather with a walk, a short bike ride and then a picnic lunch on our deck. I was able to snap a couple of cute pictures of them when they really were paying attention. Following lunch Emerson decided that it was too hot for her so she mostly stayed in the shade, when she wasn't trying to sneak back into the house. That being said most of the pictures are of Sawyer as he kept telling me, "NO cheese Mommy, No cheese!"

I am so thankful for moments like today where you are able to forget about all the other craziness in your life for just a couple of sweet, precious moments with your children. Thanks for making my day a wonderful one, Priss and Swee!

How Long is April Again?

This month seems to be so long and full of trials for my family. The highlight of the month has been Valeri and Morgan coming to Indiana for 5 days. We loved having them and are very grateful for their visit for it truly brightened a stress filled month.





The most recent trial occurred yesterday and it also was Cooper's 5th birthday. This was the first year that a party wasn't planned on his actual birthday, so we weren't planning a trip down there. However, a trip was made to Indy in lightening speed when Erica called saying that she needed me to come and get Beckett. I had already heard that Ainsley had been hit in the head by Cooper's newest birthday present....golf clubs (metal ones). Ainsley had bent down when Cooper was getting ready to do his back swing and he caught her in the forehead. Initially Erica and Matt were told that she needed stitches, then they were told that she had a skull fracture, followed by she needed to be rushed to Methodist via an ambulance and they were going to have to put her under to stitch her gaping wound closed. I rushed from my home in Greensburg to Indy, a little over an hour away, so that Erica could have peace of mind about little Becks. The power of the priesthood once again blessed our lives. Matt gave Ainsley one on their way to the first hospital and I truly believe that because of her blessing she was able to come home today, and game through receiving 3 layers of 20 stitches each with flying colors. Thank heavens for Ainsley's hard head.



What a fifth birthday for Cooper! He spent the majority of his birthday in hospitals with his little sister, who just wanted to go home. WE love our Coopie and it is so hard to believe that he is 5 years old already.



Happy Birthday Cooper Matthew!

Coaches vs. Cancer

Jason competed in an charity basketball game tonight to benefit the fight against cancer. It was sponsored by our local YMCA and four of the surrounding schools were asked to participate. Jason readily volunteered and was excited to be on the other end of the coaching tonight. He put on his shoes and he was off. At the end of the first quarter it was a pretty poor showing of basketball play but by the end of the game Jason had turned on the juice and lead Batesville to a victory.



This was our first experience with Coaches vs. Cancer and we really enjoyed being a part of it. For the break between the two games Coach Hoeppner's widow, he was the IU football coach who passed away from brain cancer, spoke about who he was and his legacy that he left behind. He truly was a tremendous man who lived each day with the goal to make someone else's life better. If only more people in this world would take on that attitude. Her message was very well received and it was wonderful to hear of how out of adversity she has been able to be an inspiration to others.

Back to Jason playing, I really appreciated the example he set for our children and his players that when we are given an opportunity to help others we really should embrace it & not shy away from it. Thanks Babe!

Weed and Mor

Weed and Morgan made it safely to Indiana yesterday and we have a wonderful time with them. We all went out to eat in Greenwood and then they left with Mom and the three oldest grandkids. The oldest grandkids spent the night with them so that they would have some special time with Uncle Morgan and Aunt Valeri.

It was so great to see them and Miss Penny! Emerson had a great time with them last night and Sawyer totally loved the attention they were passing out. Sawyer loved Penny and Emerson was warming up to her. Maybe one day Emerson will be over her fear of animals, but then I will probably then have to deal with her constantly asking for a pet. Which is worse? I am not sure I have made a decision on that question.

Glad to have the three of you home, just too short of a time!

Spanning Several Weekends

I would be ungrateful if I failed to mention all the time that Jason's parents spent at our home helping us install new flooring throughout the kitchen, living room and hallway between the kids' rooms. We had been wanting to take the carpet out of all rooms in our house except for the bedrooms and we decided to begin this task as Jason's Spring Break came to an end.



We removed the carpeting with the help of the cutest assistants ever. Sawyer and Emerson got so into ripping the carpet and pad up that we had to beg them to stop so we would still have it in the bedrooms. I captured them in some really cute shots.



The remodeling took over 4 weekends to truly get it completed. It looks beautiful and I am so glad that it is OVER! I am not the best about having my kitchen torn apart and have to cook in it. I guess and big kitchen remodel is not in our near future or at least I hope not.



Thank you so much Ed and Pat for putting your lives on hold so that we could complete a home improvement project. I know it won't be the last one that we need help with. Lots of love and appreciation!

Weedie is 26

It is so hard to believe that my little Weedie is 26 today. I remember when Dad, Erica and I went to the hospital to get her and Mom. I was allowed to hold her on the way home, since there weren't any car seat laws. I couldn't imagine allowing Emerson to hold a newborn baby in the car today! Scary!

Happy Birthday to My Littlest Sis! We love you sooooo much!

Not Expected

Yesterday I went to the OB for a follow up appointment since when I went last week they were unable to get a heartbeat. I returned yesterday to have the heartbeat checked. Needless to say, no heartbeat was found and I was informed that an miscarriage had occurred. It was not expected news, of course, but as I drove home it made me think of all the wonderful blessings that the Lord has given me, and that he truly knew what was best for the baby.

Late yesterday evening Emerson got to talking about a dream she had had about the baby. It was so hard to tell her that the baby would not be coming to live with us but that Heavenly Father had needed it back. We explained that the baby would have been really sick and Heavenly Father didn't want it to be sick. She quickly replied, "But Mom it did get sick." Emerson really struggled with understanding why Heavenly Father would take our baby away from us. At family prayer she prayed that he would give us another baby soon. The innocence of little children is beautiful to behold.