More Blessings

I know it has been a month since we went to Boston where Todd and Ashley blessed their little Chase. But maybe you will forget that you saw similar pictures on Ashley's website a month ago. We love these three darling boys who really give Ashley and Todd a run for their money. They are so smart, charming, and boy all the way through. Chase is growing so fast, but beginning to sleep through the night and make his mother's life a little easier.

Todd gave Chase a beautiful blessing. Sam as well as Todd's parents were also there for the blessing. We had a good time just being together. We went out to dinner Saturday evening and it was fun in a different way.

Ann and Randy Harris get to see these guys all the time. I am so jealous. The boys are definitely more comfortable with them than us. Sometimes dinner is fun with them there and sometimes it is a trial! It was mostly fun, depending on what end of the table you were sitting at.

Thanks, Sam, for coming all that way for a special day. He spent most of Saturday in the airport trying to catch a stand-by flight but persisted and made it. It wa fun to have him with us!

Papa has always been a welcome place to snuggle up to...


...and sometimes a comfortable place to nap. What's a man to do but join him?

Todd is such a good dad--

He gets up early in the morning and gets the boys breakfast...and often finds his arms full.

He takes the boys to the skate park as often as he can, weather and work permitting.

And sometimes has a little time for fun himself.

Then in the evenings, he patiently finds things to keep those active boys busy and learning.

Blessings

Jack is back!

How we love this little boy!

Mostly, I am not much of a blogger. This blog is primarily a place to post pictures of my family and journal the major events and little special moments in our lives. I still intend to chronologically post the events and pictures from the past month that I have neglected this far. However, this past weekend I rushed up to Utah to stay with the Tobler children so that Lindsey and Harmon could both be at Primary Children's Hospital as much as they needed to while Jack recovered from an injury to his lungs and the RSV pneumonia that developed from it. His recovery proved to be the "best case scenario" for this condition. With vigilant action from Lindsey, miraculous antibiotics, tests to show his progress, good doctors, priesthood blessings, and the faith and prayers of many, Jack came home on the mend in quick time. If we had known the end from the beginning, I would not have needed to go up to assist. But I was glad to be there and witness his recovery, feel the strength of his family, and be with the three girls during this time.

How fragile our lives are! How many times did my children get knocked down, cry, get a hug and bounce back to rough house some more? How many times do parents warn their children to be careful, but miss the strange moment when an accident actually occurs? We cannot build a wall around them, or ourselves, and protect us from so many things that life throws at us. Life is sweeter for the challenges, but who would ask for them? It is almost a year since Alan's illness and surgery. That was the most devastating, awesome experience for us both as he lingered near death, but was almost completely restored to health by the advances of science, a skilled surgeon/caring physician, intuitive talented ICU care givers, and mostly the faith and prayers of countless loved ones in his behalf to a loving, generous Father. I will forever be grateful for the many arms that supported me during that time.

I had a very complicated weekend planned with many important and stressful activities causing me much anxiety. But when one you love is sick, and your family needs you, nothing else is that important. I wish there was another way to get my priorities straight than going through a crisis. But when it comes, it helps to put the big picture back in front of you and put all the other "stuff" in its proper perspective.

Alan and I have been so blessed with a large and loving family and many dear friends. I never want to take their health, well-being and spiritual commitment for granted. It is important that I tell each of you and my Heavenly Father how grateful I am for you and how you live your lives. I know this blog is filled with cliches, but the feeling behind it is dear and precious and unique for me. I am grateful for Jack's recovery and for the blessings I simmer in each day but don't always acknowledge.

Some Catching Up

It has been a long time since I posted anything. In fact, I have taken 183 pictures since the last time I put anything up. Don't worry, I will only put a few. Maybe I will do it over a few days so it doesn't take so much of my time but gives something new to look at for a few days.

Alan spoke in church on Easter, so JR and Casey and kids came to our Sacrament Meeting, which was so nice. The Hadleys were taking pictures after the meeting so we had them snap a few of JR's family in their Easter clothes, too. Casey put the best ones on her blog, but here are a couple of other cute ones. I took some pictures of the girls hunting for Easter eggs, but had the camera on the wrong setting and they didn't turn out so these are all we have.

Mackenzie was a little shy with Su taking the picture, but Kayla will always smile.