My New Toy

Seth gave me an amazing new camera for Christmas. I have wanted one forever, but when I actually got it, I realized I was scared to use it. I didn't take a picture all day on Christmas. But, after my brother showed me what to do with it, I decided I was going to have to at least try.
The day after Christmas some friends came up to go sledding with us & I thought that would be a perfect chance to try it out. I think I got some great pictures, and the kids had so much fun! The thing about a small digital is its incredibly hard to capture that look on your kids face when their doing something like flying down a mountain at mock 10. With my new friend, though, I got it every time! I love you already!!!!!

A Christmas Miracle

This Christmas, I struggled with my kids bad behavior, the excesses of Christmas, and the general lack of “Christ” in Christmas. So, when I was able to be a part of a true Christmas miracle, my heart was overjoyed, and lets just say- it made my Christmas!
It started about 10 years ago. My sister, after trying for years, was able to have a child. They were a happy little family for awhile, but soon they began wishing for more children. When the doctors determined she couldn’t get pregnant on her own (their first child was deemed “an impossibility of science”), they turned to medicine, shots, hormones, whatever it took. Truly, their family was put through the ringer, enduring thousands of injections (literally), 10 unsuccessful rounds of artificial insemination, 1 unsuccessful & very expensive round of invitro fertilization, and one horrible pregnancy that kept Janna in bed deathly ill for several months and ended tragically with stillborn twins after only 14 weeks. After all that, it had been 7 years since they had Lauren, and their hearts & home was feeling empty. Finally, they turned to adoption, and received the most amazing little girl, Lillianne. She fits amazingly into their family, and I know it was meant to be that she was there. Still, after all that, Janna hoped in the back of her heart she could somehow have more. People told her about babies that needed adoption that maybe were for her, she underwent two surgeries to try to repair her defunct uterus, only to be told that the abnormality had grown back, and finally, gave up. At 35, she had finally realized her family of 4 was a blessing in and of itself, and it would be ok.
Christmas day Janna & Andy announced to our family that she is, by the grace of God, pregnant. After 10 years with a barren womb (she jokes that cobwebs are growing in there), there will be life again in the once hostile environment which is her uterus. I could not have been more happy for her & her family. It is the best gift I received this Christmas.




By the way- I am also pregnant, but really, who is that surprising to? No one. I am the exact opposite of Janna. The very picture of fertility. So, there’s not really anything shocking about that announcement. Still, I am so happy we’ll be able to do this together.
FIVE kids. What was I thinking? It’s going to be a wild ride.

I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas, and if but for one brief moment, were able to feel the joy that is the true spirit of Christmas.
Love,
Mandy

Merry Christmas!

The makings of a photo shoot

I had to post these pictures of Smurfy because I think they're hysterical. The kids had some new $5 sweaters from the Childrens place, so I thought I'd try to get a few photos of them in their new getups. Things went really smoothly, considering, but for some reason, when you tell a 2-year old to smile, that's usually not what you get. At least, not at first. So, here we have the "stages" of the process of getting Smurf to smile. Enjoy.

STEP 1- Scuzz.

STEP 2- Close Eyes.

STEP 3- Close eyes & open mouth?

STEP 4- Close eyes & smile
(getting closer!)

STEP 5- Smith with mouth open
(ALMOST!!!!)

THERE IT IS!!!
Good boy!
Here's your sucker.

Merry Christmas from our Elves

I Love my Balls......

This is one of those moments when you realize how precious your kids are.....
Sparky brought home the following paper last week. It was his journal writing assignment for the day. He wanted to write about Balls. You know, soccer ball, basketball, etc.
But when I read the page, I couldn't help but laugh hysterically. I mean, like when you laugh so hard real tears come out of your eyes. Like that. He said "Whats so funny mom?" Well, you tell me what you think. Funny?
How does one explain that to a 6-year old?
I didn't. I told him it was a great journal entry. And then I vowed to save it until he was old enough to understand the humor.

Lake Powell- October Style!

Yep, I'm finally posting about Lake Powell. I know, I'm the last one of our friends to do it, but that's just me.... a slacker. Lucky for me, though, I got to read all of your blog posts about our trip & I have to say, the winner was Jen. (P.S.- Jen I didn't know you had a blog till I read this. Its quite good!) Anyway- it was so clever, I thought I'd go ahead & plagerize. So, in the words of the Westenskows.....


"You know you've had a great trip to Lake Powell when...."

* Your family agrees to watch your children while you are away.

* Your boat(s) work.

* You find a great place to park your houseboat.

* Your houseboat has anchors and you know how to use them.

* Your daytime high temperature is in the 80's.

* Your nighttime low temperature is in the 50's.

* You get to sleep under a gazillion stars every night.

* You see a shooting star before you fall asleep.

* Your air mattress stays inflated.

* You can find a dry towel

* You find the water may be shocking ice cold when you get in it, but then, somehow, becomes quite pleasant.

* You have a toilet.

* You listen to LOTS of music.

* You DONT fall off a cliff......

* You can usually find your camera.

* Your expensive sunglasses don't sink to the bottom of the lake

* Your hat floats long enough to retrieve it....visors, not so lucky.

* As far as you know, the rats stay on the outside of the houseboat.

* You get to spend quality time with your spouse around the campfire.

* You have time to lounge around and read magazines about celebrities and fashion.

* You eat..... A LOT of amazing meals, with reckless abandon.

* Someone in your group makes homemade onion rings!!!!

* You only have to cook ONE meal and no one complained about it.

* You have a giant pile of soda on board.

* You you see your friends helping each other into their life jackets.

* Your swimsuit stays in place when you take your life jacket off.

* Your new white swimsuit isn't see-through.

* You experience very little wind. (double entendre intended).

* Your best wake boarder of the group is a woman.

* You get to see some awesome rock formations and Indian ruins.

* You play a game of "Twilight" so competitive, Mrs. Meyer herself wouldn't have won!

* You wake up every morning and hear someone say, "I don't want to go home!".

* You have a professional hairstylist on board who braids your hair and paints your toenails.

* You do NOT hit a rock and sink.

* Your houseboat DOESN'T catch fire.

* You don't have to seek shelter in a cave.

* Your tent isn't broken and full of sand.

* You aren't pregnant. (Sorry Rach....)

* Your boat window doesn't shatter over your head.

* You wake up willingly at 6am to ski on water that looks like glass.

* You become so sore and wasted from skiing, but continue to ski some more.

* You see "rooster tails" and you are able to make them

* You are sad to leave.

* You get home safely and all of your kids are happy and safe and, BONUS, all of the kids are asleep.

* Your crying is from laughing so hard.

* You did NOT, at any time, fear for your life!

* You got to spend 5 days with 16 of the greatest people ever!!!!!


Pictures will soon follow.