One year mark

This weekend marks our year anniversary in Texas. As we boarded the plane in San Diego loaded to maximum capacity with our 4 kids, 12 carry on bags, a stroller, and snacks I wondered, had we finally lost our minds? What we were doing? Why were we leaving our family, friends, neighbors, and all of our favorite places? A small voice in the back of my head, and an even quieter one in my heart reminded me, "you are leaving because this is where you need to be."

Admitedly, the first few months were awful. It rained as we moved in and continued to rain for the entire month. I was lost everywhere I went, even with my GPS, alone without friends, homesick for good weather and just confused. Why had I dragged my kids all the way across the country? Why had I felt this was the right thing to do? It didn't feel so wonderful.

Then time passed. We moved into our home at Christmas time and the homesickness began to fade. The area became more familiar and I learned where to find the necessities and entertainment. Each of us started to make friends- in our church, school, and neighborhood. Among those friends would emerge crucial people who helped us in the crises of the next few months. A diabetic friend to give direction and clues to help Tyler. A ward family to bring meals, tend children, and give support while we were in the hospital. A celiac friend who showed up with gluten free M&M cookies and a box full of gluten free foods when Tyler was diagnosed with Celiac and I was overwhelmed. A school nurse who is very kind and extremely talented. Teachers and friends who give help so freely. I cannot help but count my blessings for I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Yes, we are exactly where we need to be and thank heaven for heavenly direction and guidance that led us here. Our children are thriving in their schools. Our home is a comfortable and happy place to be. Our neighborhood is safe and filled with good people. Our church is overflowing with wonderful people. Of course we miss our family, but we are mostly thankful for the blessings which have flowed so freely in the short span of one year.

Precious Birthday

Megan means precious and each year she grows more and more precious! She was very patient as our family's eating habits changedher birthday week and was very flexible as we searched for a gluten free cake we could all enjoy. She choose a caramel chocolate fudge cheesecake - it was a hit with everyone. The brownie crust was from a gluten free mix and cheesecake is naturally gluten free- hooray!

Megan loves babies. She seeks them out and plays so naturally with them. She is very patient with Trent and finds loving ways to play with him, teach him, and mother him. Her personality naturally nurtures and seeks out ways to love and give. So for her birthday we wanted to find something that would encourage her natural tendencies.

Just love that smile!

Whoops- this is the after birthday picture. Anyhow, she received a bitty baby with a diaper bag full of diapers, sippy cups, toys, and a changing pad. I am proud to report she is a very loving mommy and takes very good care of her daughter.

Megan also loves dresses and wears them everytime she doesn't have PE. Her closet is full of dresses and this one was on clearance at American Girl. I loved the lines and she loves the color- pink!


Megan has been pining for a bitty baby from American Girl and saves all their catalogues dreaming of the ways she would play with them. So, I gave in. And surprisingly, they are better constructed and feel more like a baby. She has played with her bitty baby Lily daily.



Happy 7th Birthday Precious!

Things we love about Megan:

Her moves as a dancer- wow has she got moves!

She is very feminine and loves to wear dresses.

She loves to read and is an awesome, voracious reader.

Her soft, soft cheeks- I love to rub them.

If I were sick, I would want her as a nurse.

Her striking green eyes.

Her excitement to be baptized next year.

She is clever and a good problem solver, especially at math.

The adorable way she plays house and school.

Her sweet laugh and giggle.

She loves to cuddle!

Her imagination.

Her love of zebra strips and leopard prints and bright bright pink!

Tyler's 9th Birthday

I confess Tyler may have inherited my inability to wait for surprises. So I understand the angst Tyler suffers trying to wait patiently when he knows there are presents hiding in the house. This year he convinced us to let him open one present early which worked out well because it gave all of the kids a chance to experiment and play for a day. Our kids love the show Myth Busters. Watching the show is their reward after chores each week. Trent is convinced he is Adam- I think he might have similar tendencies. Anyhow, Tyler recieved a Mythbusters kit with a marshmellow blaster and several experiments. I sacrificed my kitchen but their joy and delight was worth it. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of them all dressed up in swim goggles, cleaning gloves and various aprons.

We may have to alter our birthday donut tradition. This was our failed attempt to make homemade gluten-free donuts. The dough disintegrated in the oil and no matter how we tried we just ended up with slop. Donut holes were slightly more succesful but not much. Needless to say all the kiddos were late that Monday morning for school and it took all morning to remove the grease from the kitchen. Oh well!

Something like a donut or perhaps a doorstop . . .

He's such a good kid he didn't mind though they were inedible.


The candles worked at least.

Megan surprised us with her tribute to Tyler written on a her homemade scroll and her gift to him- her chore money . Aww . . . melted my heart.

Our gluten- free chocolate cake with pirates all over. It was rather exciting because one of the pirates caught on fire and melted during the Happy Birthday song. Kind of made the pirate battle feel more authentic!

The birthday loot that has already brought lots of creative play and fun for everyone- neighbors too!

Things we love about Tyler:

He has courage to do hard things.

He can make anything with paper and tape.

He is so patient and kind, especially with Trent.

His imagination.

The way he flits and skips and hops everywhere.

His giggle- irresistible.

His testimony and faith.

The way he prays.

The fact that he keeps a daily journal.

He is a fast worker.

He loves socks wears them day and night no matter what.

Singing in the Rain

Life is just too short to pass up the chance to dance in some puddles. When the torrential downpour hit suddenly my children's first thought was "puddle time!" I wish in life when the rains came pouring down I spent more time thinking about how much fun the puddles will be. These fun-loving kiddos grabbed ponchos and their parents boots and went to town splashing and stomping and completely covering themselves. Tyler thought it should count as a bath, though I thought otherwise =) And afterwards, as always, following a storm, the most beautiful sky. Breathtaking. It stopped me in my tracks.
Celiac has been a struggle. It felt like a nonstop torrential downpour but today I felt like dancing in the puddles. I discovered that almond flour is more nutritious than wheat flour, has a lower glycemic index, which is better for diabetics, is easy to cook with, and tastes delicious. Splash splash! What a discovery. Perhaps we will all benefit from celiac.
A good friend delivered an almond flour cookbook and the recipes are simple, healthy, and delicious. Stomp stomp! I am loving this sky! Goodbye rainstorm- the puddles are fabulous!!!