Holiday Action of Plenty

I have yet to actually contribute to this blog other than suggestions that I have given my wife, however since I've been taking the computer to work with me for the last month. I feel obligated to update the world on our little family. We had a great Christmas season with parties and activities of plenty. Most importantly Jensen and Israel had a blast with cousins and friends. We had the chance to have Santa come to Grandpa Casey's. Israel tried to feed his candy cane to Santa and Jensen was so excited to sing jingle bells with Santa. Jensen also got to see his cousins from Colorado, especially Josh who he really relates too, they got matching batman jammers and had to were them constantly. They would tell everyone, "look were twiners."  and his cousin Amanda from St. George who he missed greatly. As Amanda was leaving to go back to St. George, she said to Jensen, "I love you like a million bucks!" and he said to her as she was leaving, "I love you like five bucks!" Nicole and I were rolling on the ground laughing at him. So of course in typical 2 year old comedic fashion he starts repeating it over and over to get a few more laughs. other than a great Holiday Season we are still doing great. Nicole is feeling  better on her new medication, she is so tough, but anything to ease her burden is great. We both are starting new diets to re coupe from all the Holiday goodies we ate. We also had two birthday cakes for Israel since he was born on Christmas day last year. and his friend Kiley made him a very special cake that took many hours. Thank you! it tasted amazing too. Most importantly, we want to thank everyone for their continued love, prayers and support and we wish you all a fruitful new year. 

siblings

Nicole, pouring water on Troy's head as he sleeps...

Growing up, we have to put up with our siblings.  We have to endure whatever form of torture they feel like submitting us to.  I was teased relentlessley, left out, manipulated... Just like every other kid.  I sometimes thought that I must have been adopted, and that the real family that loved me, would show up any day to get me and we would live happily ever after.   I am sure every single one of my siblings felt the same way at one time.   We had fun together too.  I loook back on some of the chores that were done together as the best times of my life.   Now that all of us are grown up, and I get to see who my siblings really are, I am amazed at the amazing people I grew up with.  I know Jared feels the same way.  Some of our brothers and sisters are fighting off huge dragons everyday.  We watch them go through what is happening to them, and what has happened to them with awe.  Each of them have great courage, and strength, and it is amazing to see people that we already thought were great become even better through their hard times.  I am so glad for each one of mine and Jared's sibblings, and want them to know that we do notice your courage and admire your ability to smile against the odds.  Thank you for being our family!  

Questionable Therapy

As a preface...  I am posting this at the urging of Jared, it is not my idea. 

We have alot of therapists come to our home.  Today the vision specialist who comes three times a month needed to bring her professor for an evaluation  to get her Master's degree.  Usually these vision therapy sessions include stories, looking in the mirror, and playing with different textures, sizes, shapes colors at different distances to help strengthen Israel's eyes.   Today's session was much the same, except for the addition of the visiting proffessor.    The therapist and professor each, in turn brought different toys out of their bags, let Izzy play with them , wrote down the response.  The therapist pulls out metallic tissue paper, Izzy loved it....  Blah Blah... Until.... the professor pulls out... a vibrator.  I don't mean a toy that vibrates.  I mean a full blown adult novelty toy.  She says to my baby... "this is a vibrator!"   Then she turns it on, and hands it to him.  I was so shocked.  The therapist eyes about popped out of her head.  She kept trying to look at me to see my reaction, but I was fluctuating between asking if I was on candid camera, asking her what in the world she was thinking, and laughing my head off.  I just focused on Izzy's face, and hoped she would put it away soon.   As my son played with it she asked me, " do you ever let him play with a vibrator?  You should! "   What on earth!  NO! I just said... no, not really.    After a minute or so... I got my wish because it stopped working.   She said, " oh, it should be working, it was working just a little while ago!"  Once again.  I just looked straight forward.  

Lake Powell

Jensen, Monique catching some air,and little Izzy

For the fourth of July my side of the family always goes down to Lake Powell.  This year Jared had to work, so I was a single parent!  It was pretty tough till my niece Monique and  her friend Kiley got there!  They were great!  We had so much fun, and Jensen LOVED being with his cousins.   He was so brave, I think he would have tried wakeboarding if I let him. He rode on the tube, and the water weenie and spent every second he could building things in the sand.  When we had a skier out he would yell instructions to them  everytime the boat came back around.  Israel was very patient, and liked to swim, but mostly he liked all the loves and snuggles he got 

Triathalons!

  Finish Line in Sandy
    Jensen up early to watch daddy
    Jared, Ben, Jeanie(go girls!), Phil and Chris
   Chris, Ben, Jared and Phil
In the spring Jared's brother Ben told him that he was doing a triathalon, and asked if he wanted to too.  Jared told me he was doing it... and I have to admit I thought that he would probably back out, or his enthusiasm would fizzle out or if he did it, it might not end well.  That is a pretty intense work out!  I am so proud of him!  He ran, biked or swam almost every day during the spring and summer!   He did the Logan triathalon, and did so great!  (I would have made it about 100 ft. running, and drowned swimming.)    Then he did the Sandy triathalon too!  He lost about thirty pounds and feels so much better now!  He doesn't feel right about his day now if he doesn't get a workout.  Way to go Jared and the triathalon-ing Casey's!

Grandpa, Jensen and Tanner

Counting Blessings

I feel like in the last six months or so, my eyes have been opened for the first time. I have never been so aware of the beauty of the world, and the people around me.  I have never really thought much about the great things that happen to me everyday.   Lately  I have realized that the ordinary things, are some of the most beautiful things.  I am so thankful for my wonderful husband,and the example he is to me everyday.   I am thankful that I am able to stay home with our great kids and watch and help them grow.  Having them in our home is like being able to see right into Heaven.  I have said before that some people said that they were sorry when Israel was born.  Some people might look  at a child with special needs as a hardship.  It is different than having a baby that doesn't need the extra attention.  It might even be harder. However, every second of hardship is outweighed by an hour of pleasure.  I am so thankful we were given the opportunity to raise him.  I am thankful for my family and Jared's family, and the unconditional supportive love they give us.  I am thankful that my sons have a grandpa on both sides. and the amazing men they both are. (Their grandmas are pretty amazing too.)   Now for the surprise.  I was talking to a friend the other day about my MS, and I realized that I was thankful for it.  It is a blessing in disguise.   I think it is the reason that I am becoming aware of all my blessings.  I never know when I won't feel good.   I never know if the next day will bring a relapse with new symptoms, or what will be happening, and so I see the world for the joy it holds  now.  That has been an amazing change in my life. I am so thankful for the sun that shines, the chance that I have to wipe a dirty face, change a diaper, or deal with a temper tantrum.   It is crazy to think that being able to do those things means so much to me, but it is amazing how wonderful even the most mundane task can seem when you don't know what your tomorrow holds.  Another blessing that has come from my MS is how many amazing people have been there for me.  There are nurses that have spent much longer than would seem normal talking to me, and actually caring about me.  One nurse  told me she would pray for me while I was getting an MRI because I was so afraid (claustrophobia).  Another one worked for the whole time I was there to try to get my insurance figured out so I wouldn't have to do it myself  or pay out of pocket.  I am amazed by my niece and my mom and the willingness that they show, even with their busy lives  to help me, and tend and love our kids.   Sometimes in this crazy world and all the news I think it is easy to see the bad.  Let me just tell you as someone who sees the world in a different light.  The world is so beautiful, and it is full of beautiful people, who are being an example to me and I am thankful I get to stay here for a while and learn from them.