More Christmas Pictures

I didn't do a very good job at taking pictures while my family was here over Christmas. I think I was too preoccupied with being the hostess. Here are a few that I don't want to get lost in my sea of picture files, never to be seen again.

Nose Plugging Alternative

During the months of November and December, Thomas and Nicholas took evening swimming lessons. About a week before Christmas, they were conversing about their upcoming lesson. Thomas just recently mastered the skill of going underwater without plugging his nose. He loves to dive down and swim as far as he can underwater. Nicholas is still hesitant about going completely under the water with or without plugging his nose. He'll do it, but he doesn't like it.

Thomas was trying to convince Nicholas that it is SO FUN to go under the water. Nicholas replied by saying he didn't want the water to get in his nose. Thomas told him to just not breathe through his nose and kind of plug it up inside. Nicholas thought for a minute before excitedly replying, "Oh, yeah...like this!"

I didn't know it was physically possible for someone to plug their nose with their upper lip! I sure can't. I thought I had birthed a unique wonder and excitedly showed Jackson as soon as he walked in the door from work. He shattered my excitement by saying, "You can't do that?" and he proceeded to plug his nose with his upper lip with minimal effort. Crazy.

Here are a few more classic Nicholas faces for your enjoyment. He is a delight!

Vomit at Church

Yesterday was an adventure Thomas and I will not forget. Sunday morning everything was completely normal. If anything was different it was that Thomas was extra-energetic. All seemed completely normal through sacrament meeting and when that was over, Thomas and Nicholas dashed off to primary as usual. There were no surprises in Sunday School. And then Relief Society came around...

About midway through the announcements someone taps me on my shoulder and points toward the door. Thomas was standing there with his teacher. I knew instantly that we were in for something. His face was COMPLETELY drained of color and there was an ominous green ring around his mouth. I immediately jumped up and rushed to him. I had just layed my hand on his shoulder when the volcano erupted.

He was holding his sweater in his hand, so as I scooped him up in my arms I tried to position the sweater in front of the flow. We had about a basketball court length of hallway between us and the toilets. It would have been so nice if it were a deserted hallway, but that wasn't the case. There was a class (Nicholas' class) of about 10 4 year olds taking turns getting a drink. I was desperately trying to keep the mess from hitting the floor (or worse, hitting any children). When I realized the sweater had reached it's capacity I began directing Thomas's face toward my body. YUCK. I quickly got the attention of the 4 year old class's teacher by saying "Throw up! Watch out! We have throw up!" She frantically cleared a path and I think we made it through them without any splatters. I thought everything would be fine once we made it into the bathroom, but it somehow still got on the floor and all over the seat of the toilet.

After poor Thomas was finished, I surveyed the damage. Thomas was covered. His sweater was completely saturated, his shirt was soaked down the front, his pants were splattered, his shoes had drips on them, somehow a big chunk of his hair was messy! As for me, I was lucky to be wearing a jacket. One side of my jacket was covered, my skirt was splattered, but the worst was my hair. My hair was draped in front of my shoulder and was full of grossness! I took off Thomas' shirt, wiped off his pants and shoe with a wet paper towel and then had him sit by the wall. I took off my jacket, rinsed my hair, and wiped off my dress. Then I tackled the toilet and surrounding floor with wet paper towels. About three people came in during the cleaning process. As soon as I saw them I would say, "Throw up...you might want to find another bathroom." Not one of them stayed.

Just as I was trying to figure out how to get the hall cleaned up and get home before another eruption, the RS president walked in and asked what I needed. She was a lifesaver. She said someone had already cleaned up the hall. She went and got Jackson, a garbage bag for our dirty clothes, a pail for Thomas, and my bags from RS. Jackson and I grabbed the other two kids out of their classes and we were out of there!

Poor Thomas was sick at least six times through last night, but is doing much better today. Nicholas threw up this morning, but is acting like he feels good now. Thinking back on it, I feel very thankful he was able to wait until I was there to help him. I'm glad it didn't happen in the middle of primary. I feel bad we exposed everyone at church, but we had no idea. I am sure this will be a day we reminisce about in the future.


Here are a few pictures of my family at our house the Sunday after Christmas.

I am thankful for tutus

Praying for Darts

Yesterday, while Thomas was at kindergarten, Nicholas was away from my side for a much longer stretch than usual (about two minutes) :) He came running to me from his bedroom with a big grin that showed he was very pleased with himself.
Nicholas- "I just said a prayer Mommy."
Me- "That's wonderful Nicholas."
Nicholas- "We can say prayers anytime we want, right?"
Me- "That's right."
Nicholas- "I really want my darts back, so I asked Heavenly Father to make me some new ones."
Me- "Oh."
Nicholas- "I am just going to wait because he is making them for me now."

We then commenced a discussion about how Heavenly Father wants us to do everything we can for ourselves. Like when something is lost, we need work hard by looking for it the very best we can, then Heavenly Father can whisper to us where we should look.

Nicholas- (Holding very still...waiting quietly) "He needs to whisper a little bit louder. I can't hear him."

I just love the complete and literal faith Nicholas has. It must be strong faith because even though Nicholas wasn't interested in looking for the darts at all, we found one last night when we were putting on his pajamas. They have been missing for a long time and we have been putting on pajamas every night, so faith is the only answer I have to why it showed up last night. Maybe I can convince Nicholas to work a little for the next one.

Cheerful Breakfast

Jackson cracked the eggs and they landed like this. Are these happy eggs or what?

I am thankful for...Nicholas

Christmas day we had our first real emergency doctor's visit. Nicholas needed stitches...bad. My stomach is doing flips right now just thinking about it. Not because of the blood, but because it could have been so much worse.

My mom, dad, two sisters, brother, and brother in law were here with us for Christmas. Everyone except Mom and Dad decided to go sledding during the afternoon of Christmas day. We didn't want to drive very far, so we went to a hill in a nearby neighborhood. We parked on the south side of the hill (much of the snow had melted off this side) and trekked to the top to sled down the north side that was still covered in snow. A few people went down and we were having a pleasant time. Nicholas was laying on his stomach getting pulled up the hill after a fun ride down. When he reached the top, somehow he had just enough momentum to start down the other side of the hill, back toward the road. No one expected it...we all just stood there and watched him head down. We hadn't even thought about the obstacles on that side of the hill, so we were all chuckling, thinking it would be a fun little ride. There was also so much grass, it didn't seem like he would even go very far. Boy were we wrong.

After the initial slow take-off, he gained speed fast and was heading head-first, straight for a tree. Somehow, the sled turned and he swung wide, well away from the tree. I breathed a sigh of relief, because there seemed to be no other obstacles ahead of him besides the deserted road, but he just kept turning in a slow arc and slammed right into a metal multiple family mailbox.

I don't even want to describe the thoughts and feelings I had. I feared the worst. He was going so fast. But we were blessed, and he was fine. He didn't loose consciousness, he was just bleeding...a lot. Luckily we had taken two cars, so Jackson, my brother, and I jumped into the van with Nicholas and my sisters and brother in law took the other kids home. Our doctor's office has an afterhours care facility called "Docs on call." I REALLY didn't want to go to the emergency room for a varitey of reasons, so we went there hoping they could treat him. They led us directly to a room, with no wait and took great care of Nicholas. I had a very hard time seeing him bleeding and in pain. I had to keep leaving the room to put my head between my knees. He got 10 stitches.

Here are a few pictures that day after we got home.

And this is in the doctor's office just before they removed the stitches. I am amazed how fast such a deep, large gash healed.

So I am thankful...thankful that Nicholas is okay. Thankful for skilled doctors and excellent facilities. Thankful that Nicholas didn't hit the tree. Thankful that he was wearing a thick snow cap. Thankful that my family was with us and I didn't have to take all the kids with me. I am actually also thankful for this experience. I have learned multiple things from it. I discovered a new depth of love for my children. I learned how quickly accidents happen. I better understand that our Heavenly Father is in control. I saw what a brave, kind, forgiving, sweet sweet boy I am blessed to have in my home. I love him so much I could burst.

Resolutions

It's January 2nd, I know. I have a love/hate relationship with New Year's Resolutions. I love the concept...reviewing the year, resolving to do better in specific ways the next year, becoming a better person...it is just the execution that is the problem. A year is SUCH a long time to carry out a goal. I set the goals and remember through January...maybe into February if I am lucky. I don't have any great way to be sure that this year will be any different, but I am going to set some goals anyway.

1- SPIRITUAL
My scripture study program will be as follows...
2 days Book of Mormon
2 days Relief Society lesson (Gospel principles or Teachings For our Times)
2 days Old Testiment to coordinate with Sunday School
1 day free choice

I know, I know...it sounds like a lot, but I want to better participate in Sunday classes (I actually can because all my children are currently in Nursery or Primary!!!). I also want to read the Book of Mormon through every year, so I have to include that also.

2- EDUCATIONAL
I will write three family experiences weekly on the blog.

I want to become a better writer. Writing has never come easily to me. I have such admiration (and also envy I have to admit) for those people who can put words together in beautiful ways that paint vivid pictures and evoke vivid emotions. My dear friend Mary is one of those people. If you are lucky enough to know her and read her blog, you will know what I mean. Beautiful words! This goal to write family experiences will, I think, do more than force me to practice writing. It will also give me the opportunity to record in more than just pictures, the precious memories that are happening each day in our family. Memories that might fade and be forgotten if not recorded.

3- PHYSICAL
I'm not going to set a physical goal this year. I have some great running buddies and our system has been working so well I am not even going to mess with it. So instead I decided to set a goal of my choice.

I will photograph something that I am thankful for at least three times a week. I will try (I am not committing...I don't want to overcommit) to post these pictures weekly. I would REALLY like to make a book from my blog this year. I say that every year and then don't post enough to make it worth it. Perhaps this year it will be. We shall see.


Hurray for goals. Hurray for New Years. Hurray for becoming better people!

Christmas Letter

This is the Christmas card and letter we sent out this year. The family photo was taken by my sweet friend Monica (http://monicahudsonphotography.blogspot.com/).

Dear family and friends,

Hurray, it’s Christmas! Jen, Thomas (6), Nicholas (4), Estella (2) and I are still enjoying life in Grand Junction, CO. If you don’t already live here, you are welcome. Jen’s been studious about her photography and I’ve been studious getting my MBA from Mesa College. We enjoy the process of learning and the prospect of putting the knowledge to good use where we can. Thomas started Kindergarten at Appleton Elementary and rides the bus every morning. Nicholas is part of a rotating preschool, and we are starting to see Estella’s feminine differences from the boys.

2009 in some respects has been a rough year for us, but we have felt Heavenly Father’s guidance and are enjoying life. We have felt closer to each other and to friends and feel that these relationships are the most important and have provided a great source of happiness. Thank you for your kindness.

It’s comforting to know that my family is always with me and on my side. Essie says things like “luh-boo daddy,” and “read this book a me?” and rubs my face and says “scratchy.” Nicholas wakes us up in the morning saying “can I snuggle with you?” and when I tell Thomas he’s a good son (which he is) he tells me “you’re a good dad.” Jen encourages and supports everyone, keeping things fun, I love her. We wish you a merry Christmas, and a happy 2010.

Love,

Jackson, Jen, Thomas, Nicholas, and Estella

Thanksgiving

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving at Jackson's parent's house here in Grand Junction. It was a lot of fun. Michelle (Jackson's mom) had gingerbread houses for everyone to decorate after dinner. I was amazed at the self control Thomas and Nicholas showed. They definitely put more candy on their houses than in their mouths. Estella, on the other hand, did not.

We are still here!

I can't believe it has been so long since I have posted anything! We are all happy and healthy and loving the Christmas bustle. I have lots of pictures to share. Here is one for now :)

Sweet Angel

This little girl just melts my heart!!!

"Cool Tricks"

Today I had the privilege of documenting a "Cool Trick" show, starring the Berry brothers.

Happy Monday

Whenever he sees the camera he starts making faces like this. He cracks me up!