Our Sweet Angel

i can't believe it's been five years. time goes by so quickly but also seems to stand still.  five years ago we were expecting our second child and our first girl.  i went into labor the morning of sep. 30th.  we got to the hospital and the nurses couldn't find a heart beat.  after i delivered her we found out that there was  a hole in the cord and she had bled out.  we were devastated.  but through this experience, we came to know many eternal truths and and we felt the love of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  i came to see the Plan of Salvation in a different way and how it really affected me and my family. i came to  realize even more the importance of eternal families and what my role is. i came to feel the love of the Savior in a way different from what i had ever felt before.  i know that he lives and that he is mindful of us in each of our situations.  i came to know that he really does lighten our burden and strengthen us when we cannot do it ourselves.  i felt the power that is in prayer-true, deep and  sincere prayer, not only from my prayers but those that were offered in our behalf.  i felt the power of the priesthood working in my life. i felt Lucie's purity and i know that she is doing work that far exceeds what she could have accomplished here. i'm indebted to her and the things i have learned and continue to learn because of her. i look forward with such joy to the day that I will  hold her in my arms again. i miss her every every day.  i think about her every every day. 

because of our Savior i know i will see her again. 

we love you.  september 30, 2008

puddles and rollercoasters

A few Saturdays ago, C told me that it was 24 dollars a car load to get into Darien Lake (like six flags), so we packed up the car and headed out despite the rain.  We were so glad we did.  Yes, it rained the entire time we were there and when we took the kids shoes off that night their feet were white and shriveled, but no one complained and everyone had a great time.

This umbrella was a casualty of the day.  By the afternoon it wouldn't even open.  C tried to use it, but to no avail.  It might have been just as useful to use an umbrella that is used for pina coladas.

Oooh, the excitement.  Don't mind K, he's in a phase where he doesn't like pictures being taken of him.

I didn't realize how much K looked like a raccoon in this picture.

Wishing we were nice enough to actually let them play.

Like I said, if you can stand the rain, it was a great day to go.  We  waited in no lines, walked on every ride we wanted, had pelting rain hitting our face like daggers as we plummeted the 180 feet down the ride of steel, soaking kids (really, not a dry spot on them.  even J's pants were wet to her waist, and the moisture continued all the way up her sweatshirt), we were one of a handful of people who dared go.  The humidity made it so it wasn't cold, just  wet.  The one surprising thing of the trip was K-you know, mr. cautious.  he couldn't get enough of the roller coasters.  we took him on one that I was pretty nervous about and felt my stomach in my throat, we got done and he said he wanted to go again.  i was taken back at his enthusiasm.  it was great.  

Fun at the Park

This is a great park nearby the library that we love going to.  The kids always have fun running on the trails, throwing rocks into the little lake and playing at the park.

The survey says...

Yesterday I was putting on a show for the kids and saw something on Dr. Phil that intrigued me.  Last night I decided to watch it.  The show talked about a lady who had been arrested for leaving her 2 year old daughter in the car.  Now, before you jump to conclusions, let me explain. Her other daughters had saved $8.00 in change to donate to the salvation army buckets (you know, the guys who stand out in front of Wal-Mart ringing their bells).  She decided to run them over to have them put the money in the bucket.  She got there and it was pouring/sleeting and the two year old had fallen asleep in her carseat.  She parked in front of the store, locked her car, walked 30 feet, still had the car in her sights, deposited the money in the bucket (never entering the store) and returned to the car. She could see the car the whole time.  She got back to her car and a rent-a-cop (they called it something else, but I forget) started yelling at her.  She tried to explain and the situation escalated.  She ended up hand-cuffing the lady and taking her to jail.  The charges have been dropped although the sherriff is fighting it and wants to prosecute the lady.  What do you think?  Was she in the wrong or was she justified?  Let me know.

randomness

We have been thoroughly enjoying the weather and visiting some great places-

Becker Farms

We love going to Becker Farms.  They have apples and all sorts of fruits to pick. This year, upon arrival, G managed to slam his fingers in the car door.  I haven't EVER heard him cry that hard.  The only thing that made him stop crying (after 45 minutes, mind you) was the fact that he wanted to go see the haunted house at Becker Farms. go figure.

J loves the animals there-she was truly giddy.  She would point to the animals and then squeal, but if they got too close, she would back up and start whipering

This was a new addition that we couldn't get the kids off of-well, G said it was too fast and hurt his buns, but K was lovin' it.  This slide is buried in the hill side, and they come truckin' out the bottom.  The black shredded tires is suppose to slow them down, but it doesn't seem to help.  A word of warning=have your kids wear old clothes if they go, their butts will be FILTHY!

This slide was more J's speed, it was pretty much laying flat on the ground, but she still managed to have a great time.

OLD FORT NIAGARA

This was our first visit, and it was a lot of fun.  I can't tell you too much of the history of it, because I was chasing 3 kiddos, but it's worth a trip.

Trying to lower the draw bridge.

Sorry about the blurriness of the picture.  They were going to shoot this cannon off, and I wanted to get just the right picture.  I was standing ready. The shot was fired, it scared the crap out of me, and I jumped.  I ruined the picture, but the smoke is pretty cool anyway.

GRAND ISLAND

Another fav-the kids love coming here. Not necessarily to swim, but more to play in the sand. I love that there is a beach, slides, picnic areas, bbq, etc... here.

J coming down the slide

G at the park

J making her way up the sand

So many pictures to include.  I love that fall is coming, but I am also dreading the 7 months of snow and winter that is going to follow. I love snow for a while, but by March I'm done.  This weather has been great, it's going to be missed!

Bitter Sweet

So..if I was high tech and actually had a music player on my blog, I know what song I would put on for today.  It would be Bitter Sweet Symphony by Oasis.  Like so many of you, your kids probably started school today.  I hate that K started school.  It rips my heart out.  I absolutely adore having him home.  (yes, there are still fights and some days I want to pull my hair out) but truly, I triple love having him with me!  I love that we go on excursions, I love what a great helper he is, I love our little talks that we have, I love when the other two young babes are in bed and we curl up on the couch and read books, I love when he climbs into bed with me in the morning and we talk before anyone else is awake, I love spending time with him and just having him, well.. home-I am just going to miss him.  I know, I know, I know he has to go to school.  I am glad that he has friends in his class, that he will have some structure and be learning when he returns, but it's so sad.  It ripped my heart out when I saw his bus round the corner and saw him turn around to get on. I made him give me too many hugs before he left.  I just loved that he wrapped his little arms around me and that I told him I would miss him. I know I'm lamenting, but it's just a sign of summer ending.  The days are over of him playing for hours with friends, of using our couch cushions as islands-boats-mountains-lily pads or forts (even though I always have to complain about putting them back onto the couch), of going swimming, night-time bike rides or early morning bike rides... it's giving up just great summer fun and freedom.  Going back to school is like surrendering to 'real-life'.  I despised that feeling when I was his age.  So, in thinking of all you moms out there, here's to a bitter sweet return to the inevitable.

Fun new camera

WOW-it's amazing the pictures you can get with a good camera.  My friends in Utah bought a new camera before I got there and I was playing around with it.  These are some of my favorite pictures:

G on the lawn mower-where he would happily spend hour upon hour if the chance was given

I love this picture of the kids all holding onto the back of the grass catcher

J eating her ice cream

Fun with the mower

I think this is my favorite picture of J.  Dirty feet, scowly face-clearly not pleased with the state of her feet.

The camera was great...dare to dream.