Payson, Arizona!

Back on June 26th we headed up to Payson, AZ to celebrate my Dad's birthday with him. His wife, Debbie has a family cabin that they spend a lot of time at when it is so hot down here in the valley. When they extended the invite we were happy to get out of the heat for a few days! We had a ton of fun, between the clubhouse and zip line in the back yard, to fishing (and actually catching fish!) to the fun little nature walks and throwing rocks in the stream. Our kids spent the weekend pretty filthy but who cares, they had a blast!

The biggest highlight was the zipline. Luckily we had some strong dads to help the kids by lifting them up and giving them a good push! Andy got a little too fast a few times and fell flat on his face!

Their other favorite thing was the clubhouse right next to the zipline. They spent so much time up there, coloring, cleaning and decorating (they tied the pinecones to long blades of grass and hung them from the ceiling - so creative!)

Meredith and I enjoyed a few games of Scrabble - I was too huge and pregnant to do much else!

The 4 big cousins hanging out together! Love these kids!

Here they were searching for flat stones to try to skip in the stream. It was so nice to just be able to be out in nature enjoying the cool weather and water from the stream.

The kids loved Grandpa and Debbie's new dog Manny. He's a good dog even if he has stinky toots - the kids got a kick out of that!

We all went fishing together. Kate and Zac spent most of the time throwing rocks in the water. Zac started trying to pick up the largest boulders he possibly could, it was very cute. Luckily all of the kids were able to eventually catch a fish. I think Hayden ended up catching 3 or 4 (with a lot of help from Grandpa). Debbie had the honor of cleaning the fish while Andy fried it up for breakfast the next day. It was really good!

Brynley with her fish!

Hayden with his first fish

Hayden and Brynley with Grandpa and Debbie and their fish!

Towards the end of one of the days Zac was pretty tired so he camped out on this chair watching a movie on my ipod Touch. I loved his little jeans and white shirt look, such a cutie!

We had a great time in Payson and can't wait to go back some time!

Janie and Zac

I have a great, amazing friend named Kristen. Well I have a couple of great friends with that name but this one in particular was an amazing blessing to our family over the last week. She offered to drive out from California with her cute daughter Jane (19 months) and help out around the house while I stayed at the hospital with Mia. She was such a huge help, she watched the kids any time we needed her to, did laundry, mopped the floor, picked up after the kids, etc.... Andy was especially grateful!

We (well I) have decided her daughter Jane will need to marry Zac. They were super cute together (and I only got to see them together a few times) but Kristen said they would just play and chase each other. She snapped these pictures of them watching DVD's together on the guest bed. They are so cute!

Monday Girl Date

Brynley had been looking forward to our girl date last Monday while Hayden went on his boy date with Dad. Luckily for Brynley Mommy's take pictures on their dates, Daddy's not so much. Sorry Hayden - no pictures for you!

This is what Mia did while Brynley and I got our pedicures

Brynley getting her little foot massage

She was loving every minute of the pampering!

I let Brynley choose the restaurant for lunch. It was a hard choice but she settled on a
Mexican restaurant with her favorite bean dip, yum!

Brynley got to get her first real haircut (I have cut her a hair a few times but this was way more fun!)

It was a super fun day and I am so glad we had the chance to go out together!

Of course we all know how the day ended... Meredith took this picture for me after I had already left in the ambulance with Mia. Funny, as the paramedics, police, etc. were all huddled around Mia in my family room, I had this urge to take a picture and document it. Of course I didn't but there were at least 12 men and women in my family room, it was quite a sight! Anyway, Meredith had the same thought to document it so she snapped a few pics of the fire truck before it left!

Then Andy of course thought I was insane when I asked him to snap a picture in the ER...

First Day of Preschool

Brynley started her 4 year old preschool today! She has really been looking forward to it and was super excited to be able to choose a new backpack for the occasion. She loved the one with "pirate" faces on it because she said Caroline likes pirate faces. (Skull and crossbones)

I helped her pick out her outfit a few days ago and thankfully Meredith came over to fix her hair for the first day. Andy has done a pretty good job with her hair but she needed something a bit special for the first day!

Striking a pose!

Outside with Kate heading to the car

Our cute neighbor Hannah is in Brynley's class, here they are together

Here they are in Miss Allison's preschool class. I am super excited for her preschool this year and I know she will have such a great time! Brynley didn't seem to notice that I wasn't with her this morning - glad she has an awesome dad and a great aunt to make her feel special today!

7 days in the hospital...

... and she is more alert than ever! Mia has really started tracking objects and she seems to recognize voices and faces now. She is really growing up and it's all happening before our eyes in our little hospital room. She is getting cuter and chunkier by the minute!

A Little Perspective

One Week ago today, Andy and Hayden were having a Father/Son Date at Sunsplash. Hayden was beyond excited and enjoyed a super fun day with his Dad.

One Week ago today, Brynley, Mia and I had a fun girl's date planned. First we took Zac to a friend's house and then we went to get pedicures, lunch and a haircut.

One Week ago today, we put Zac down for a nap, Brynley was watching a movie while I went in the other room to sew as Mia napped in her carseat.

One Week ago today, our sweet babysitter Jagen asked if she could come and hold Mia while she slept and so she did.

One Week ago today, Mia began to shake, her lips pursed, no air was going in or out, she looked at me with panic in her eyes and I couldn't help her. Liquid began to stream from her nose and saliva started oozing from her lips. I was terrified, screamed, begged the 911 operator to help her; that she was not breathing. I held her as she turned her head, went blue, and went limp in my arms.

One Week ago today, for a few minutes I imagined my life without one of my children in it. As I looked at poor Mia's lifeless body, I pleaded with my Heavenly Father to save her. I begged him, telling him that 4 weeks was not enough time for me to have her here and I prayed for more time.

One Week ago today, Mia took a shallow breath and I sobbed. She was alive. I thanked my Father in Heaven for saving her, for entrusting me with her a little bit longer. I did not know how I would go on if she has been taken from me. That is something I hope to never experience.

One Week ago today, I experienced the most terrifying event of my entire life. Our 4 week old baby Mia was rushed to the hospital after an apparent seizure and going 3 minutes without breathing.

One Week ago today, I spent my first night at the hospital with Mia. And here we sit today... still in the hospital for 5 more days but knowing that she is going to be okay and knowing that the seizure was apparently caused by a bacterial infection in her blood stream. An infection that began with no other symptoms, an infection that was detected 24 hours after entering the hospital when Mia spiked a fever and when her blood results came back.

Today I realize that had it not been for that life threatening event which brought us to the hospital, the infection may have gone untreated too long and Mia would have suffered severe long term effects. I am thankful for divine intervention that caused the events to occur the way they did that day. That brought Mia where she needed to be for the help that she needed to receive. She will be ok.

I am grateful for that day. For the fun that Hayden and Andy got to have and for the special day that Brynley and I shared with Mia. And for a Father in Heaven who answered my prayer, one week ago today.

Amazing Jakes!

I started this post a few weeks ago and didn't finish...

About two weeks before Mia was born, we took the kids to Amazing Jakes! It's an indoor kids amusement park and arcade. Intel rented the place out so it was really fun because we didn't have to pay the crazy prices to get in! Hayden has been asking to go to Amazing Jakes forever... unfortunately the thing he wanted to do most - bowling - we didn't get to do because it was too crowded. Oh well ,they had fun any way.

They got a kick out of this ride that went around and around. I was sick just watching it!

Hayden loved the carousel!

Zac wanted to go on this little train over and over... notice how I hardly fit with my big old belly?

Hayden and Bryn on the teacups, Brynley loved making it spin super fast!

Zac and Daddy on the carousel

Hayden and Brynley waited in line for these bumper cars for almost 45 minutes. I was amazed at their persistence! Then I couldn't even get a decent picture, oh well.

Zac loved the miniature golf

Hayden did pretty well on the rock climbing wall. Unfortunately a lot of the hand holds were missing so he was doomed from the first step. He didn't seem to care too much!

Poor Bryn really wanted to try the rock climbing wall but she was wearing sandals. So we put Hayden's shoes on her, it was very frustrating for her and she was too scared to let go of the rope holding her so she couldn't grab the hand holds to actually go anywhere.

It was a fun night out with just the 5 of us before Mia got here!

First Day of Second Grade!

Hayden started 2nd grade today! He is growing up so fast and has really matured a lot this summer. He has been so excited about starting this year of school. I was sad that I couldn't take him to school this morning as I was occupied at the hospital but Andy did a good job getting him ready for his first day. What a handsome guy!

Walking to the playground
Here is Hayden with his friend CJ ready to walk in.

Hayden got super nervous at the Meet the Teacher night last night and I was really worried about him going to school today, especially with all that is going on in our family. But... he did great! He had an awesome day and is excited to go to school tomorrow. I had to help him choose an outfit over the phone tonight - let's hope he gets it right and actually matches tomorrow!

1 Month Today!

Mia turned 1 month old today! Unfortunately we are spending the day in the hospital, oh well, she is in good hands and we are just grateful to have her here with us. We love our little doll, and aside from the seizure/breathing incident on Monday, she has been super healthy and eating really well. She was starting to sleep pretty well during the night and even being hooked up to monitors at the hospital, she is still doing pretty well! Today she weighe in at 9 pounds, 8 ounces. She has gained almost 2 pounds since birth - she is definitely chunking up!

Mia's favorite way to sleep - wrapped up like a burrito on daddy's chest!
Mia - picture taken 2 hours before going to the ER

Her one month pictures

What sweet thing!

Happy Birthday sweet thing - we love you more than you will know!

Happy Birthday - 3 weeks is a birthday right???

I wanted to post some cute pictures from this week...

2 Weeks old - taken just before going to the doctor

Taken after the doctor - are those the cutest, scrawniest legs you have ever seen? And look at the size of her hand - weird.

Seems like a comfortable position for sleeping I guess!

Now this is more like it - very cozy on Daddy's chest!

Or how about cuddling up to that cute two year old? Sounds good to Mia!

Today marks 3 weeks since Mia's birth and her first time going to church... Below is the best picture I could get of her with her eyes open.


Hayden loved that he sort of matched her!

Brynley before she was actually ready for church

Our very first family picture as a family of 6. Not too bad for an impromptu photo before church!
Me and my girls!

Today we also had to say goodbye to Aunt Shelly who has been staying with us for the last 9 days. The kids loved having her here and I certainly didn't mind! She got up many mornings with them so I could stay in bed which was heavenly! They got to do a lot of swimming and movies and playing together with their fun Aunt Shelly, I know there will be some withdrawals this week!