This is my Day, my Baptism Day

This is my day my baptism day. Yesterday was so wonderful. Cole turned 8 on Friday and on Saturday we had a very suspenseful baptism. :) For those of you who know Cole well, you know this was going to be very difficult for him. Would he go into the water or not? Would he cry or not? He is terrified of water. He has a really hard time dealing with stressful situations and he was the center of attention dealing with his biggest fear. When the talks began he was so excited. He looked back and saw all the people that love him sitting there to support him! He wanted to talk to every single one of them :) This is why I love that kid. The people that came were Grandma and Grandpa Porter, Grandma Knudsen, Aunt Linda (Cole has this LOVE for her), Cousin Timmy and Kris Angle, Dawn and her cute kids, Chris and Shawna with Dane, Julie and Kent and their kids, Lindsey came with most of her kids, Shellee and Curt and their kids, Gena and Doug Berky with their kids, Stephanie Shumway and kids, Valerie Shumway, Jeff and Trish, oh and Stephanie and Gerry came from Tucson as did Melissa and Justice. If I forgot anyone I am sorry but I had to write these names down before I forgot. Now back to the story...

So, we got into the baptismal font and you could see the color drain out of Cole's face. He was visibly shaken. I walked into the little cubby where they prepare to go into the water to talk to him and he started to hyperventillate. He came rushing over and we talked about what was happening. I offered to have the kids scoot back and he said it isn't them it is the water! :) Poor guy. So we tried again and he couldn't do it. Grandpa came back and tried to talk to Cole and that didn't seem to help either. He wanted to do it but it was so hard. Andrew and I had been preparing for just such situation and we decided that we couldn't force or dunk him. This was afterall the first major step in the church for him and we didn't want his memory being us forcing him in. We had decided to not make him and just go have a party and come back another day just our little family. Cole was determined to have it done that day so he asked Brother Ray and Speelmon if he would be able to grab the sides and do it. They said to try it. So, after the prayer Cole walked to the front of the font in front of his cousins (I thought he was going to climb out!) HE grabbed the side and proceeded to do an excellent bob in the water and at the last second Andrew pushed him the last two inches in. He came up so happy and there was an audible sigh of relief. Andrew stood there and pointed at the witnesses "did I get it?" When it was confirmed he went all the way under we were so happy! Thanks to some quick thinking wonderful women we had singing going on. Thank you for your help with that Valerie and Shawna and Shellee. You ladies helped a lot. I was overwhelmed with love and support from the people we love most. I appreciate the lengths people came to to be there for our very special and original day. Later I talked to Cole about how he conquered two very important steps that day. Yes, he got baptized but he also faced his greatest fear and overcame it. That doesn't mean he is cured from being petrified of water. It just shows him he can do it. He can do anything. I love him so much for figuring out for himself how to get the job done. That is the story of his life. He is independent and creative and determined. I love you Cole!

Blind Leading the Blind

So...today I take Kiley and Wyatt in for a routine eye exam. This was my big mistake! Not really, Kiley now has ambliopia just like Cole and Andrew. How is this possible. She was perfect two years ago! She even has to have bifocals. Luckily she doesn't need the same kind of therapy for her eyes that Cole did. They are going to give her lens therapy. Wyatt is a whole different story and is also getting glasses. He is extremely far sighted. This is why he can hit a baseball and make a basket in a regular hoop but he can't feed himself cereal. His fine motor skills are lacking because he can't see what he is doing. I feel so bad for them. Am I horrible for not having noticed these things? What is even worse is I am totally depressed about having all my kids having to wear glasses, not to mention the expense. This better be pregnancy hormones or I will feel really bad. Kiley picked out a cute pair of pink glasses and Wyatt chose some green ones. I will post pics as soon as they are ready.

Baby Update

Well I am now about 8 weeks from having this little boy. We got an amazing ultrasound and when I can figure out how to post it I will show you pictures. I am still seeing the Oncologist who said I have to have more IV's. I am starting again on Wednesday. Luckily I am getting really good with needles :) It is going to be a very exciting holiday season and hopefully I won't be too miserable to make it special for the kids. Cole has been wonderful. He is always helping me around the house. He has learned to love to vacuum and also to do the dishes. He helps with laundry too. Kiley woke up and cleaned her room today without even being asked. What a good girl. I love that they love to help out. What special gifts the Lord has blessed me with. Where would I be without them.

Excitement!

So, for the last session of Conference we went to a friends house to watch it with them. The kids were all great. They had to listen for key words and if they heard it they got a M&M. Cole and Kiley were especially excited for this game :) After the session ended we had dinner and the kids played out in the backyard while the parents all chatted. All of a sudden we hear screaming and Cole is carrying Wyatt into the house. I look over and there is blood dripping down his chin. Now, normally I would FREAK out! Especially since Andrew had gone home to do homework. We got him all cleaned up and upon closer examination he split his gums open and both lips. Poor Kid! After a few minutes of crying and me shoving ice on his mouth he wanted to go back outside. Thats my little tough guy. However, during this whole ordeal Cole came running in with his mouth bleeding a tiny bit because he pulled his tooth out. Normally I would sit and cheer for this big accomplishment but as you can see my hands were busy. Now both boys have sore mouths but they are as happy as ever!

ODE TO THE AUNTS

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...
1. We love them in small doses :)
2. They make us laugh till we pee our pants. (of course it is usually at them. Oh wait I mean with them.)
3. Because without them there would be no Turkey on Thanksgiving.
4. They have awesome nephews that marry cool chicks!
5. Because they fight over us on Facebook!
Love you both Aunt Vickie and Aunt Linda!

Thankful Heart

I am feeling very grateful today for the blessings in my life. Namely Andrew. He is so wonderful and good to me. During this pregnancy we have gotten even closer and we have a bond that is amazing. I am so thankful that he is in my life to support me and love me during trials in my life. For those of you who know him you know what I am talking about.
Also, I am thankful for my wonderful kids. Cole is such a huge help in my life. If I am not feeling well he will help me pick up the house or vaccuum or he even sweeps and mops and occasionally helps with the laundry. What a great guy. Kiley is great at keeping Wyatt happy and entertaining him. She is always singing and making up new songs. Sometimes this also drives me nuts but today I am grateful. Wyatt is such a sweetie. He makes everyone smile. I feel blessed to have these three amazing kids and can't wait to meet our new addition.
I am also grateful for some really great friends. I love that we can sit and talk all night and not get tired of being around each other. It is good to have a support system that will love you for who you are. You know who you are :)

99 days and Counting

Today I officially only have 99 days to go til this baby makes his appearance. WAHOO! It is so close and yet so far away. We are all getting so excited. Wyatt talks to the baby and then if he sees him kick he will flick my belly saying "Be nice to our Mama!" It is so endearing to me. I find it funny that I have to tell him to be nice to his brother when they haven't even met! Too cute.