I used to be one of them...

I used to complain about how boring my life was, how monotonous it was. How dreary to do dishes, laundry, and make dinner over and over and OVER again! And although I can still find myself slipping back into that habit, I have also learned a lesson (lots actually...).

I remember talking with a good friend when we were right in the middle of Brian's chemotherapy. So much sickness, so much work, so much worry. I remember telling her that I would do anything to have my 'boring" life back. It seemed so ridiculous to me the things that I used to complain about. So even though I have to remind myself frequently about this lesson that I have learned, I am glad to have a different perspective.

BORING IS A PRIVILEGE!  BORING IS A BLESSING!

bits of my extremely ordinary, BLESSED life from the past few weeks

 Couldn't resist taking a picture of the last bite of brussels sprout sitting in ketchup left on my daughter's plate. We have a rule at our house that you have to take at least a few bites of something new to give it a chance. Brian HATES brussels sprouts-too many great memories from his mission. However, he helped prove a point to our kids and ate them too. (Only after squirting a POOL of ketchup on his plate and our daughter's plate and whispering to eat them with a lot of ketchup and she might not be able to taste them.) So funny to watch him eat them just to be fair! (Thanks Bountiful Baskets, but we won't be eating sprouts again any time in the near future!)

 #2 loves to cook with me-I want to remember how proud he was to crack his first egg- no shells!

 Such a proud big brother!

 Such a pretty sight out our front door!

 Brian and I both have a strong addiction to chocolate chip cookies and cookie dough-too bad we're both trying to drop a few pounds.... too bad we don't have a lot of will power either! 

 Favorite parts of a Sunday afternoon- naps with my little buddy!

Tea parties are common at our house- I'm not sure if it's the fun of the tea party or the treats that they like the most!

Four more weeks...

It has been a great year so far. The kids have been healthy, (keep our fingers crossed) Krew is a joy to have, Melanie is feeling well and I have been given another 4 weeks of good health. I had a CT scan of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis a week or so ago, and the results from my doctors visit were that just about everything looks great. There is still a lymph node in my abdomen that isn't quite back to it's "normal" size and we will be watching it closely for the next three months. Until then I still get the monthly chest x-rays, and blood work. We will repeat the CT scan in three months and see if that lymph node has decreased or increased in size. I still feel very blessed to have had such great response to the treatments, and I will try to live each day as if it were my last. In a way I feel like I am on borrowed time and would hate to waste it.

What would your word be?

This was one of the highlights of our holiday this year. We decided to put our neighbor gift money to better use this year. We bought some Jamba Juice gift cards and went to the same treatment center where Brian received his chemotherapy. (Most people are really sick, or have mouth sores, but they can usually enjoy a smoothie. It lets them have something normal for a change.) We let our kids give each patient there a gift card and tell them Merry Christmas.  Being back in the chemo suite and seeing other people go through what Brian just went through was a shock to both of us. We thought it would be good for our kids to see what other people were going through and help them to remember the true spirit of Christmas. However, I think it ended up helping Brian and I a lot more. I have learned through the year of 2010 was a great deal of PERSPECTIVE. No matter how hard my days at home with my children are, it could always be worse. I could be having a hard day at home with my kids, while my husband is sick and receiving chemo, or worse. So although 2010 was a difficult year for us- it was a year of great PERSPECTIVE.  What would your word be for 2010? What would you like to gain through 2011? That's what I'm thinking about right now.... (I hope I've had enough perspective and I don't need any more for awhile!)
For those of you that are wondering, we find out results from Brian's bloodwork, xrays and recent cat scan on Tuesday. Wish us luck!

December 2010

Throwing a newborn into the mix of a crazy holiday season made for a very busy December. It was definitely a blur!

 Instead of doing every Christmas craft, treat, meal, activity, etc. I had each person just choose their absolute favorite things. Sugar cookies were a must.

 Brian also decided that gingerbread houses HAD to be fit in.This was his "house" this year. It took hours- really- hours! But some of you may think it looks a little bit familiar.

 The older 2 love to play in the snow and #1 is getting pretty good on her snowboard!

 #3 is sure that #4 is going to steal her barbies, movies, etc. Then she has a change of heart and entertains him by making barbie do some beautiful dancing right in front of his face. I'm sure he enjoys the culture he's already having a chance to experience.

 "The top of his head-DONT touch his face!"

 Watching Polar express with hot chocolate and cookies.

 Christmas Day
#1 is getting a little too grown up- she wanted scrapbook supplies, jewelry stuff and books. #2 was THRILLED with his iron man toy. #3 wanted more presents- ANy presents- and by the way they were apparently ALL hers!

 All of the grandkids on Brian's side.

 Making homemade wrapping paper.

 #2 and #3 coloring happily together- admit it- you'd take a picture of such peace too!

 We read the Christmas story from the scriptures by candlelight every year.

Catch up....major catch up!

Our baby boy joined our family on November 19. My water broke the night before I was scheduled to be induced, which is exactly what happened with my other son. To say that we were relieved when he came and was pronounced healthy was a MAJOR understatement. He was bald and sweet and we love him so much!

 Kid #2 is great with #4! He adores his little brother. Even #3 has been pretty good. No matter where he is in the house, if she hears him crying she starts singing "Peeko, peeko, peeko peeko" (twinkle, twinkle...)

 I have loved having #1 be such a wonderful helper. She is now old enough to feed him a bottle. She does not enjoy being spit up on however!

 #4 was 6 days old on Thanksgiving. He was the cutest Indian we've ever had for Thanksgiving.

The cutest, naughty elf we had at this house!