October Recap

Haivyn's Birthday Party

Haivyn's Birthday Cake. It was my first attempt with fondant. Some was good, some bad. I learned a lot and actually had a lot of fun!

Haivyn wanted her ears pierced for her birthday. When you ask her, she said it didn't hurt. What do you think?

Halloween!

Brynlee wanted to be a flower and I had a rough vision. I found one with the flower pot on the internet, then the vision was complete. It turned out just like I imagined. It took me about a month to really get it done, but once again, it was a lot of fun. I don't think my mom ever thought I'd sew, but from a distance it looks pretty good.

Haivyn wanted to be Belle. Thank goodness it was easy because all my time was spend on Brynlee's. Thank you Disney!

We weren't going to dress up, but at the last minute started feeling bad, so we went with the easiest thing we could think of. Chet wasn't too excited, but he was a good sport and really looked the best.

I'm amazed I made it through the elk and deer hunt without a single picture. Hhhmmm... Mom of the year award, please. I guess better luck next time!

Where has the time gone?

Seriously. Where has the time gone. It seems crazy to think that it has been three years since we've had a new baby at out house. Having Haivyn was a very big and scary step for us, considering what we already had with Brynlee. However, it was also the best thing we ever did, and had I have known how much easier it would have been I'd have done it sooner. Haivyn and Brynlee are really great friends. Sure, they have their run ins, but for the most part they play together very well. Nothing makes me happier than hearing them laugh and giggle together. Haivyn is a good little mother to Bryn and I truly pray that she can continue to be there for her and help her through life and it's many challenges.

Haivyn is such a spunky, energetic, loving little monster. She has unconditional love that is truly amazing. She has a tender little heart and gets her feeling hurt very easily. She is truly a princess in all aspects of the word. She loves all princesses. She has many gowns and can almost always be found in one of them, or at least a pair of butterfly wings. I hate to say this, but she has taught us what it is like to have a "normal" child. They're a lot of fun! She brings so much joy and enthusiasm to our house, and I really cannot think of how boring our life would be without her. Haivyn, we love you!

Having Haivyn turn three also marks so many milestones for us. Cole started teaching in August of 2006. Haivyn was born in October. I was carrying our insurance, so I stayed in Cedar City working and waiting. We had also built a house that we were planning to live in until Cole got his job in Ferron. So, we had listed the house for sale but really weren't having any luck. Needless to say, that's a whole other story. We couldn't buy another house in Ferron, because we still had the construction loan on the house we were building. We were essentially homeless. Cole was living with his parents and I was in our apartment. The day Haivyn and I were discharged we packed up the air mattress I had been living on and drove to Delta. The next day we drove back to Cedar, signed the closing papers on selling the house, then drove to Ferron and were staying with his parents until we could find something to buy. Yes, this was my worst fear. I had just left a beautiful new house to live with the in-laws. So Cole was finally done with school, and we were leaving Cedar City where we had previously been for the last 3 years. Life was finally beginning. Or so we thought. When Cole was laid off in March of this year we were devastated. I suppose you never really know what life has in store for you, and I know something good will come from this. Although I'm not sure what it could be, other than unemployment, there are worse things that working in a coal mine. The money is almost double and I'm now only working 2 nights a week. Will he ever get back into teaching? I'm not sure. Will he go back to school for something different? The thoughts are nauseating. Will we move to find a different job? I doubt it. Ferron has truly become home and we have met so many wonderful people, not to mention Cole's parents are here. Despite many challenges, we have truly been blessed and are very lucky. Life is not always as it seems. We have become more grounded, humble and grateful for the simple things of life.

Brynlee started kindergarten this year. Has it been a good experience? No. Does she like school? No. Have I been disapointed by the school district? Utterly. I become too angry and frustrated if I get into details, so I will spare you. I would like to say that it will get better, but I truly don't believe that it will. It breaks my heart to know that not everyone thinks she deserves the best. My goal for her is that she can read, write her own name, dress and feed herself, and be a semi-functioning individual. I know resources are not always abundant, but I wish others had the same goals for her.

I have many pictures to post, but am at work. I will try and post when I get a spare minute. I know you're all still in shock to see that I actually did post something. More to follow...

My baby is three!!!

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About Time...

Well, that just about sums it up. It's about time I do a lot of things, beginning with a post. It seems as though things have been so busy, yet nothing has been accomplished. Summer is almost over, which doesn't hardly seem possible. It's strange to think that Cole will not be going back to teaching this fall. The reality of it has really hit home to me lately. But life goes on, prayers are not always answered how we want, and blessings come in hidden ways.

Brynlee begins all day kindergarten this year. I've waited for this, yet now feel as though our bubble of safety is being crowded by the realities of life. The older she gets the more her differences are apparent. As a parent, I can no longer be her protector from others or the challenges that life holds for her. It tears me up to think that others will not look at her as the perfect angel that I see. I know that she will be teased, hurt and ridiculed and I almost cannot bear it. Trust in the Lord I know, but my heart still aches. Every stage of this journey is difficult.

Haivyn will be three in October. Three. That is so crazy to think about. She is so independent and must do things her own way. She loves her thumb and her "lalie", but must have the two together. One is not without the other. We tried to break her of this but I quit. I suppose I'm holding on to the slightest bit of infancy that is left. She is my snuggle-bug, and loves her sister. I hope this never changes.

Since it has been so long, I will post a little bit of what we have been up to.

After school got out in May, we went camping. We had fun fishing and hiking.

The beginning of June my parents came over and we went four-wheeling down Eagle Canyon.

June 29th Cole turned 28. Holy cow, we're pushing 30. Yikes!

July 4th fun!

Haivyn was not so into the parade!

All the kids lined up.

Constance Marie Anderson

On July 10th we loaded up with my parents on a trip to Washington. We stopped half way in Idaho and arrived on Saturday. My brother Ladd blessed his baby Constance. She is such a beautiful baby. We stayed there until Tuesday then headed to Vancouver, WA to stay with Brian's kids while him and Liz went with my parents on vacation to Canada. We had such a good time.

Ladd is an Engineer. He is the project manager for this wind farm in Washington. They sure are huge!!!

Multnomah Falls and Bonneville Dam.

The kids loved watching the fish swim up the fish ladder.

In Astoria at the Meritime Museum

Wells loved playing in the sand

At Seaside playing in the beach

We stayed at this Oceanfront hotel at Cannon Beach. This is from our hotel window. Jill was pretty excited.

At the Tillamook Cheese Factory. I'm not going to lie, I thought this was much cooler than the kids did.

I wish these pictures could have captured all the fun we had. We all rode up together and I can honestly say that it was a blast. There wasn't one moment that was long or unenjoyable. It was fun to have nothing to do but enjoy one another, laugh, joke and have a good time. Life is good, we have been so blessed.

Until the next adventure.... Hopefully it's soon!

Just what have we been up to you ask???

Ok, it's true. We have dropped from existence for a short time, but I will now grace you all with our presence! I cannot belive how time has flown. I realize everyone is just as or more so busy than us, but man, I just cannot seem to keep up! For any of you who don't already know, Cole was laid off teaching for next year. I joked that I hoped this would happen so we could move but when it really did we have been devastated. It just comes to show that there is no real job security anymore. There are very few other teaching openings for the subjects he is endorsed to teach so for now we're looking at other alternatives and possibly pursing a masters or other endorsements. If any of you have any advice or good ideas let us know!!!:) So to make a long story short, with the prospects of selling the house, all of the unfinished projects (mind you there are many!!!) are now trying to get completed. This has kept us busy, not to mention the yard and usual homeowner joys. I think that the biggest worry is making sure that Brynlee continues to have insurance, because you all know how expensive these kiddo's can be. Not to mention if she ever looses insurance than noone will pick her up again. Oh, did I mention she's on antibiotics again for another ear infection??? It truly never ends.

So enough about our whining, here's a bit of what we've been up to. I decided a slideshow was the best way to post a lot of pictures. Do enjoy!!

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Reflection

With Brynlee's Birthday this month, I can't stop reflecting upon the last 5 years and the way in which our lives have changed by the words "Williams Syndrome". When you find out you're pregnant and even when they're placed in your arms for the first time, you have so many dreams and aspirations for your children. I think that one of the hardest parts of life with Williams is the everyday realization that Heavenly Father has a different plan for her.

But with so many of the challenges come the blessings. She has taught us a new meaning for the word "patience", as well and kindness. It's not always easy to celebrate life's small accomplishments, but when she first started walking at 18 months, counted to 20, or knew the date of her own birthday, I was so proud of her. Everyday I see changes and growth in her, and everyday of life with Brynlee is a celebration.

We have done, gone and accomplished many things both as a family and individually. We haven't done everything we would have liked, but our memories are endless. It's been a wonderful 5 years. Not always easy, but nonetheless wonderful. Now I have new dreams and aspirations for her, which is more self-fulfilling, becuse I also know they are His dreams for her. She is my sunshine.

Happy Birthday Brynlee!!

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