The One About The Apraxia Walk

As most of you know, I recently found out about a walk to raise awareness & money for children with Apraxia.  I am so glad I found out about it in time, I would have been so sad if I missed it this year.  I immediately got excited about it & we signed up.

I have thought about it for a week now, each day getting more & more excited about the walk.  I want to go for me & for Paige.  I want us to know other families who are going through this.  I want Paige to know she has people who love her.

The topic of Apraxia can be a sensitive one for me (thank you post-baby hormones!).  Although it can be really hard at times, but it also brings us so much joy in her successes.  I know that Paige isn't defined by Apraxia, but it has shaped her & made her who she is today.  Even at her young age, she has allowed it to make her a stronger & better person.  I love her more because of that.  She has been so persistent & patient with it... more so than I have been!

Just this morning I posted about it on Facebook, thinking that nothing would come of it.  I still felt passionate enough about it to post it anyway.  In just a few hours, we have had friends & family sign up &/or donate money.  I have had friends post on their blogs & FB accounts asking their friends to join us.  I have even had people I don't know make donations towards 'Team Paige' for Apraxia.  I have been brought to tears many times this morning because of all of this.  Each reaction has meant so much to me.

I just want to say thank you.  Not only to those who will join us, or to those who have made donations, but thank you for your support through the past few years.  We have amazing family & friends who love Paige so much & I am so grateful for that.

I am hoping to make this a tradition each year and we would love to have you join us.  Please do not feel obligated to sign up.  If you cannot make it or donate, I just want to say thank you for your words of encouragement, your advice & your listening ear.  Your support in other ways have not gone unnoticed.  We are truly blessed to have such great family & friends!  Thank you!


If you would like to join Team Paige on April 20, 2013, please click here.  

For more information about the walk, please click here.
For more information about Apraxia, please click here.

Quirky Monday: The One With Things You Should Know About Paige If You're Gonna Be Her BFF

Last week I did things you should know about ME if you're gonna be my BFF, so this week it's Paige's turn.
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 Things You Should Know About Paige If You're Gonna Be Her BFF

She talks about her grandmas EVERY day.  For some reason she thinks insists she has 5 grandmas. (She has 3, plus 4 great-grandmas).  She asks almost every day to go to grandma's house.  She often talks about grandma's dogs.

She NEEDS things in an orderly fashion/routine.

She counts to 7, but she skips the number 4.

She caught onto Santa this past Christmas & she still talks about him.  In fact, she still talks about him and often thanks Heavenly Father for him in her prayers.

She jokes with a straight face, but she's also a very serious person. (I didn't know kids could be so serious!) She has such a dry sense of humor already.

5 is her favorite number. (5 grandma's, 5 more songs at nap time...)

She loves pretending to be a dog.

She's a pretty patient & yet persistent 3 year old.

I'm so glad when daddy comes home is her favorite song.  She often asks me to play it on the computer over and over & each time we lay her down she asks me to sing some version of it (I'm so glad when ama comes home, Jerilyn comes home, Itney comes home, lalasey comes home, hohoho comes home, etc.).  Side note: My favorite is when she wants me to sing I'm so glad when mommy comes home because then she does all of the actions on me & gives me the best great big kiss ever.

She really, really likes it when someone sits next to her while she is on the potty.  Oh yeah, and she would sit there all day if you would let her.

She's pretty good at sharing.

She has always slept more than other kids her age.  I love it.

She LOVES to help.  Especially with laundry & dishes.

She's a daddy's girl.  Through & through.  She was from the minute she was born, too.  I can't explain it other than I could just see it
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I would take a turn for Rick & Lindsey, but Z is a little young to do this & Rick... well, I know Rick well enough that he wouldn't want a post all about him.  :)  Oh yeah, and I love him enough not to do it.

The One With About My Grandma

My sweet Grandma Smith passed away early Wednesday morning.  She was 94 years old.  Amazing.  We knew this was coming for probably 10 years.  She was such a trooper.  She held on strong until it was her time.  I don't think I ever heard her complain once about how hard it was to hold on for that long.

I'm so glad that I was able to visit her as much as I did.  I knew I would regret it if I didn't, so I would take the girls every chance I got & we were never disappointed.  Every visit she would ask lots of questions about us & our families.  She genuinely cared so much about us, even though, at times, it probably took every ounce of energy she had just to ask us those questions.

We got a text from my dad Tuesday night saying she was in the emergency room, then later said that the doctor said she didn't have much time.  I originally planned on going Wednesday morning, but my mom called me and told me if I want to come, I better come now.  I'm so so glad my mom called me because I wouldn't have gotten there in time.

There were many of us that met Tuesday night.  As sad as we all were, it was a really neat and special experience.  We were able to share memories with each other & say our goodbyes.  While I was driving there, I felt my grandpa (my guardian angel) with me for a short moment, then I remembered something...
(sorry, this is a bit long, but I never want to forget these special memories)


Rewind about a week and a half ago.  I was getting ready one day & I instantly was overcome with the thought & feeling of how happy my grandpa would be to see my grandma when it was time.  It was as if his happiness & bliss was placed directly into my body & it became my happiness.  I didn't know she would pass away so soon, but that experience has helped me so much.

A few days after that experience, I was thinking about how my grandpa was taking really good care of me & my family.  Then, I caught myself thinking that I wanted my grandma to take care of me.  I was surprised by that thought, but I couldn't deny that it was genuine.

Then, Monday night, Rick & I were falling asleep & I mentioned to him that for the past month or so I have been on cloud 9 & felt like my life was perfect.  I also told him that I knew that something hard was coming. I had no idea that it would start the next day.

I got home Tuesday night/Wednesday morning at about 1:15 am, and couldn't go to sleep (which is so not like me).  I surprised myself because although I will miss her so much, I couldn't help but feel extremely grateful for knowing my grandma & having so many memories of her.

The last time I saw my grandma (besides Tuesday night) was on Valentine's Day when we delivered her Valentine.  It was my idea to make Valentines (I try every year), but it was Rick's idea that we hand deliver some.  I don't know why that thought didn't even occur to me, but I am so glad he suggested it!  When we delivered Grandma Smith's Valentine, she was eating.  At first I felt really bad that I interrupted her lunch, but someone pointed out that she was more awake because of it (she's been so sleepy for years).  She was so cute and the happiest I have seen her in a long time.  She shared her food with Paige & was so excited to see us.  I loved seeing her smiling & interacting with Paige so much.  To say that my grandma loved babies & kids, is an understatement.  It was tradition to take my newborn babies to her.  It always seemed like a special experience to do that.

Paige's newborn visit

Lindsey's newborn visit
(she's not sleeping, she's looking at the baby because she loves them so much!)

My grandpa died before I was born, so my grandma hasn't seen him in almost 37 years.  Her face still lit up when she talked about him.  No doubt in my mind she was still madly in love with him & I know they are dancing together now.  I know this sounds weird, but I have noticed that my grandpa hasn't been with me as much as normal, but I know that he's busy being with my grandma right now, as he should be!

When Rick's grandpa passed away, we told him it was his job to help our next child come to us (because my Grandpa Smith helped Paige come to us).  I wanted so badly to ask grandma to do something similar, but something was holding me back, and I just couldn't even ask.  I told my mom & my mom said that my grandma's job was to take care of my other children who haven't come yet.  It was perfect.  So, I did.  I also told her I wanted twins next (I know, I'm crazy), and she made a concerned face right then, even though she was unconscious   She didn't like the sound of that, I guess :)  I also told her that my mom wanted a little red-headed girl but that Rick didn't, so I would leave that up to her.

My grandma loved dancing, babies, the Lawrence Welk Show and visits with the family. She always made everyone feel so loved in a way that I don't think I could ever explain.  To be genuinely loved that much is amazing to say the least.  It makes me want to be extremely loving to everyone.  It makes me sad that most people in this world will never feel a love like that, but also that I am so very grateful for being able to feel it from her.

My cousin worded it perfectly... "my grandma tap danced her way to our Father in Heaven."

I just keep typing hoping that something will scratch the surface of how amazing she was, but I don't feel like I am doing her justice.

She's just... simply amazing.

Love you more, grandma!

Quirky Monday: The One With Things You Should Know About Me If We're Gonna Be BFF

One of the blogs I follow has done a couple of posts called Things You Should Know About Me If We're Gonna Be BFF.  I liked it both times, so I decided to do my own.  Especially since I post so much about my girls, I think it's time I took the stage ;)
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When I am single, I can be wild & fun (& rather careless with spending my money)... when I am in a relationship, I am a homebody.

I tend to be lazy, but I recognize that & try to be more active because of it.

I have a love/hate relationship with bangs (on me).

I have addictions to Target, sugar, my cell phone & my pinterest app.  No joke.  Addicted.  I need rehab.  Well, I would if I had to stop them.

I really would love long hair, but my hair is so thin, it just doesn't look good.

I have the shortest toes you ever did see... and they look like they all got chopped off because they are all so close in length.

I hardly read books.  It's a super rare occasion when I pick up a book.  Did I mention my husband is writing a book?  His is one of the few I have read in the past 10 years.  In fact, besides reading the scriptures, in the past 10 years, I can count on 1 hand how many books I have read.  Maybe 2 hands, but it's pretty close to one hand.

I really like to spend money.  Especially when it's a good deal.  Like so much that it's possible it should be combined with my addictions above. 

I love Target commercials.  (hahahahahaha, inside family joke, but it's still true!)

I have only have broken one bone... but I broke it 2 separate times.

Because of the house we are currently living in, I will forever be a gardening nerd.  (it has a huge garden with soil made of gold or something)

I think I am pretty darn funny sometimes, even though I know I think I am funnier than I really am.  I really don't care that other people don't think I am as funny as I am.  I just enjoy making myself laugh.  :)  Did that even make sense?

I like to be in the spotlight (not on a stage, just in smaller groups), Rick used to joke that I wanted kids so the attention could be on me.

The older I get, the more I realize I can be pretty OCD.

The thought didn't ever occur to me that I didn't have to match my socks when I put them away until I married Rick.

I'm terrified of heights.  I don't even like being on a bridge big enough for cars to drive on.  Although, I do pretty good on air planes... weird? Yeah.  Oh yeah, and I'm a big, big wuss when it comes to rides.  Like amusement park rides.  Except for Disneyland rides.  :)

I blog for journaling's sake, but I'm not complaining that some of my posts have been repinned a total of 600 times & counting... but who's keeping track of that?  ;)

I have dreams like once every 2 months that I have a loose tooth.

When I was younger I used to collect toy pigs (stuffed, banks, etc.) and umm.... panties.  Yeah, as much as I would like to brag, I'm not going to expound on that one on the internet...

I grew up as the baby of 6 kids, but the 5th child is 5 1/2 years older than I am, so I kind of got the best of both worlds - kind of only child & big family all at once.

I'm 5'7.5 inches... but it's just easier to say I'm 5'8" :)

I would be so scared (and I know I am crazy), but I would LOVE twins.

I often say things that sound a lot worse than I mean them.  Then I obsess in my head for a week or two being embarrassed that it sounded so bad.

I'm super indecisive.  I'm getting better, but I still would prefer that all of my decisions were made for me.
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I thought of a lot more than I thought I would!  Next week I'll post Things You Should Know If You Are Gonna Be Paige's BFF.  :)

The One With Februaury's Friday Photo Dump

We sure were busy this month!  Even though there are fewer days in February, there's not a shortage of pictures & updates for you today.

We started out the month with Lindsey's blessing,

We also took Lindsey to the little piggy doctor because her pediatrician was a little bit worried that she had clubbed feet.  The little piggy doctor gave us the thumbs up & said she should be okay.  He gave us some stretches to do for her to help, though.

We took some cute pictures to add to our Valentine's Day card,

 (thank you pinterest)

Paige made her first snowman,

(I loved their tiny little snowman!  He made me smile every time I looked out the window)

I discovered that I have the best little helper in the kitchen,

She helps me make dinner almost every day now, which is good because I have been trying to be more organized & trying new recipes.  I can use all the help I can get.  :)

Paige graduated from DDI (speech therapy) & will be starting preschool soon,

It was such a bitter sweet day when we had our final visit with them.  

bitter: she's growing up so fast!

sweet: she's come such a long way & made so much progress because of DDI!

bitter: she had some amazing girls helping her, and we are so grateful for them, but we will miss them so much!  

Paige was a fabulous big sister this month (each day she gets more and more interactive with Lindsey & is always so willing to help!).  She even made sure Lindsey had company one day. :)

She also invited Lindsey to a party in her bedroom.

On Valentine's Day, we decided to hand deliver the valentines to some of Paige's grandparents.  So we prepared them...

Took one to Great Grandma Tippets, then Grandma Tippets (at school)...

We took a lunch & reading break at grandma's house...

Then we took one to Great Grandma Smith & Grandpa Brunson.  It was such a busy, but fun day.  Everyone was so surprised & excited.  It was so cute to see everyone's reaction.  I meant to get pictures of every visit, but of course I forgot.  Doh!

Later that night we went bowling as a family.  It was Paige's first time bowling & she beat me!!!  We had a lot of fun.

Then the next night, I got all purtied up because Rick & I went on a date.  A real, live date.  You know, the kind where you don't have to take the kids along with you???  (our first date since baby Z was born).  We had fun.  Oh, and we got a shake.  Our fave.

Paige also had her 3rd birthday this month.  Last minute, my sister invited us to Jump Around Utah since her kids were out of school, so we went to play.  Paige had a blast & I'm sure she wishes she could live there.  

We had a special dinner that night & made a special cake.  Paige picked out red velvet with sprinkles (I didn't even offer her the sprinkles, but she got so excited when she saw them at the store, I couldn't resist).  She even helped me make it.  It was pretty tasty (thanks to this frosting recipe), if I do say so myself...

She also got spoiled by her extended family & got some really fun toys.  Including a snow white dress up outfit, complete with the headband, crown, bracelet, necklace, earrings, rings & mirror).  She loves the mirror.  My favorite part is the headband.  I could die every time she puts it on.  She is so cute.

(ps- don't you think it's cute how she's watching the movie through her mirror?)

A few days later Paige got sick, it's always so sad to see her not active (since she's always so busy).  I loved how she had to have her 'friends' lay down with her since she was bedridden.  

She also had a rash this month.  The doc said it was a viral, contagious rash.  Yuck.  Including the rash, Paige has been sick 3 times since Lindsey was born.  Super sad for Paige, but I've been so relieved that Lindsey didn't get any of them.

We also, um... maybe tortured Baby Z a little bit...

Speaking of Lindsey.  She's been a really good baby!  I was expecting the worst since Paige was a good baby, but Lindsey surprised us.  Phew.  She's starting to get on a routine, which I am loving.  She sleeps through the night more than half of the time (do you hear those angels singing, too, or is that just me?).  She's been rolling over for like a month now, and of course holding her head up almost perfectly (both of my girls were trying to hold their heads up in the hospital).  She's really close to sitting already, too. 

She does THE cutest little coo's and she's been smiling and kind of laughing - it's so close to a laugh, I probably could get away with calling it a laugh, she's trying so hard!  I feel so lucky to have 2 of the cutest & sweetest girls around.  My life is so good right now (I wasn't trying to brag... I promise!).  I am just loving every second of it.  I hope I always love life this much.

The baby weight hasn't been as easy to lose this time around.  So, I've been trying to be so good - eating right & exercising (you know, cuz I have so much free time on my hands...), and it's finally starting to make a difference.  A little difference, but I'll take what I can get!

Oh yeah, and I learned how blind I am this month.  So we went and bought me some spectacles.  Just call me four eyes.  Or nerd.  Or smarty pants will work too.  8)

And lastly, Paige started PRESCHOOL!!!  Oh my goodness.  She is loving it!  It's a really weird adjustment, but I am so excited for her.  They will be helping her with her speech there, so that's a bonus, too.

Paige has been doing great, too.  She's getting so helpful, silly & so fun.  She already has a dry sense of humor (I didn't know kids could have that!), and she can count to 7 (she usually skips #4, though).  My favorite is when she says, 'oh yeah', after we tell her things.  We finally got all of her hair (minus the bang-ish things) into a pony tail, instead of a pebbles-styled pony tail.

Sheesh.  She's growing up.  I wish both of the girls would just stop growing & stay at the stages they are at forever.  I love Paige's silly & fun stage, and I love having a baby around.  My soul feels complete when I have one of my babies in my arms.  I don't want to lose that feeling.  Oh well, I guess we'll just have to keep having babies (eventually....).

My camera battery died (won't charge) this month & I am so bummed since I just got it.  At least it happened after the Valentine's Day pictures.  :)

All in all, we had a really busy and fun month.  

Next month we are looking forward to better & warmer weather!  I can't wait to be able to take the girls on walks again.