Bowling Tournament 2008

New Pictures

A few weeks ago when we were in St. George for one of Cole's basketball games we decided we had better get the girls updated pictures. Cole went with the basketball team and I would have been solo had it not been for my sister Jill saving me. The girls did so good! The first 6 shots! Perfect girls, what can I say? These are the cut and paste from the web site, so they're not the best, but you get the gist.

This one was sheer accident, but I love it!

"White Trash" Sledding

Today after Brynlee got home from school, she wanted to build a snow man. We got them all dressed up and they had a blast. The snow wouldn't pack for a snowman, so we did some white trash sledding. Cole really wants to get into biking, so we went all out for Christmas and got us some bikes and a trailor for the girls. We hooked the sled up behind the bike and went sledding. Yes, official "white trash"!

How very bothersome.

As I sit here reading various blogs from close friends and family, to my new found Williams buddies across the country I have never met, I become very disturbed. I realize very quickly how self-centered and shallow I really am. All these amazing mothers who are home for their children at all times I am amazed and inspired by. I have always worked. When Brynlee was born, I took 10 days off work and went back full time. Cole was going to school, so I worked to pay for his education. When Haivyn was born I took 6 weeks off then worked part time for 6 months and back to full-time.

Would I rather be home with my girls? Without a doubt! So why do I work you ask? Because we are selfish. I don't want to go back to the poor house! If I want to buy a pair of shoes, I love the liberty of knowing I can. I love the fact that Brynlee is the cutest girl at preschool, not to mention the best dressed. I love having a cute house, and not having to keep a checkbook. But at what sacrifice? Brynlee is 4.5, delayed, and full of special needs, yet how many times have we ever worked with her? Zero! No speech, no fine motor, no gross motor, nothing. It's sad that the most she gets is 8-10 hours a day of disney and sprout. She should learn something from that, right? All I can say is Thank You to amazing preschool teachers, because we all know it wasn't learned at home!

This is something that has been bothering me for quite some time, and I feel like it drags me into a constant state of depression. I have come to despise my job for the precious things it robs me of. But even more than that, it bothers me that I am not eagerly sacrificing the shackles which got me here in the first place. I will always have to work just to pay the basic bills. It's one of the perks of having an educator for a husband. Who really cares about the new trailor, truck, brand of clothes, etc? Me and only me! In the eternal perspective of life all that will matter is the time I have spent with my family and the relationships that I have created. So why do I have such a hard time having an attitude of gratitude? Why do I feel that my success as a mother and person is based on the things that I provide for my children, and not the time I spend with them? I would like to believe that if I will make the sacrifice I will be blessed, but I find it so difficult to make that leap of faith. I have a hard time surrendering all the things of life that I have worked so hard for. Why? Because I don't want to see my husband or kids ever have to go without! So instead I sacrifice that which is far more important. How very bothersome!

Another growing moment...

Yesterday, I took Brynlee to her first birthday party! She brought the invite home from school and I didn't think anything about it! The next day, with a serious face, she looked at me and said, "Mom, can I go to Logan's birthday party?" I honestly had no idea what she was talking about. Then I remembered the invite which was, to Logan's birthday party. For a week straight, she wouldn't quit talking about it! I was excited for her to experience this, but oh so nervous for her. So I decided that I was going to stay with her, but hide out in the background. Rediculous, I know, but I didn't know if his mom knew about Brynlee and her lack of social boundaries, or her ability to destroy EVERYTHING in a matter of seconds, etc.... Luckily, grandma came right before and took Haivyn, or I'd have been doomed! So we show up at the birthday party, and I go hide in the corner. There were about 15 kids, this kids mom and 8 year old brother. Can we say chaos? As I sat in the corner, I was immediately overwhelmed, once again, at the difference. I remembered this is why I don't allow her to go play at other kids houses or ever leave our comfortable bubble. In our own environment, life is bliss! I suppose I am still in denial. I sat there and fought back tears like I do everytime I see her with other kids. As they sat and listened to the book, she was staring off into space shouting out random thoughts. I couldn't handle it! I so bad wanted to pick her up, take her home and hold her. More for my benefit than for hers. As they broke up into groups I decided to leave and hope for the best. I try not to think about her and life's many challenges because ignorance is bliss, right? But for how long? As she gets older she wants to be involved and do things other kids do. She wants to go to dance and play with other kids, and I know that I am by no means helping her by restricting her. But it's how I handle it and I am losing my sense of control. I so bad want to protect her from ever being hurt or the butt end of a joke. I thought I had gone through all the stages of grieving and realized that it will never get easy, yet it seems like more now than ever I find myself at rock bottom. I know that there will be many more of these growing moments, so I must quit feeling sorry for myself, peel myself off the floor, brush off and wipe the tears and hope that tomorrow is a brighter day. I just wish it were that easy.

A few pictures!

Holiday Excitement!!!

Ok, so I have become so stinkin excited for the Holidays it's rediculous! Light FM 100 is all Christmas now, and pathetically, I am all tuned in! I can't wait to go home for Thanksgiving! I can hardly stand it!!!!!

Hey Brian, HAPPY BIRTHDAY big boy!!! Have a piece of cake for me!! Miss you guys!

There's No Place Like Home....

For Halloween this year, I talked my mom, dad and sister into doing the entire Wizard of Oz cast! Ok, minus the wizard! We weren't out much, nor did we get much candy, but we had a good time making costumes and getting a few laughs! Thanks mom and dad, definately a memory!!! If any of you want to join the crew next year, give us a call!!

Isn't jill a great munchkin? She's such a goober!!!

The rest of the clan!

Mom made a very pretty Glinda!

I don't think they'd admit it, but we had a great time and any ideas for next year?

Happy Birthday Haivyn!

Since we were in the hospital for Haivyn's birthday, her and Grandpa Anderson shared a cake and pie!


I can't figure out how to post these as four different pictures, so you'll have to hit the arrow to view them all.

Grandma Laurie gave both the girls Cinderella princess dresses which they love!
While we were getting ready to have cake Brynlee started screaming and had used a fillet knife to cut open her finger under the wrap for her IV. Luckily it wasn't too bad. Wow, we thrive on drama!!!

Enjoyable chaos!

Ok, I'm a picture person, so endure the album!

Day #1... Pretty sad!
Brynnie is a champ with the nebulizer treatments! Wahoo!!!

Do ya think we're feeling better? Man she's cute!

Morning of Discharge killin' time waiting to fly the coop!

This was quite an adventure, and I'm so glad we're doing much better!

I finally got my Brynners back!

Not really our idea of fun!

So last week Brynlee started getting sick. We were heading camping on Friday, so I decided I would take her to the local clinic so we didn't get into the mountains and have her get pneumonia or something. Well, what do you know, they say it's the stomach flu and she should be getting better. So off we go, and she just kept getting sicker and sicker. Cole's mom took her home Sunday night and got an appointment with our pediatrician(50 miles away) on Monday. So Cole and I come home on Monday, take a quick shower and hit the Dr. Monday night he calls us, and we have been in the hospital since with bilateral pneumonia. Not quite our idea of fun! And of course, he calls it "impressive pneumonia". Well of course it is, we put it off for a week! So I didn't get any pictures hunting because I was taking care of sick kids. I am such a slacker, and I haven't done any posts, because WE'RE STILL HERE!!!! We got the pneumonia to finally improve, then her potassium dropped, so we have been doing IV potassium. But discharge is scheduled for the morning. We now begin our journey of 10-14 days of IV and oral antibiotics. We were going to put in a PICC line, but our cardiologist wouldn't approve any sedation, so we're going to baby a peripheral, and restart it if needed. She's been such a trooper, I will post more pictures soon! Thank goodness for my parents who came and got Haivyn! Thanks a ton mom and dad!!!I miss her and am ready to be home again and be partially normal! To top it off, Tuesday was Haivyn's 2nd birthday. Oh man!!!


P.S. Tes, we really hunt Elk!

It's Huntin' Season!!!!

So not much has been happening over our way here in Ferron, so I really don't have much to update. However, this weekend is the big Pitchforth elk hunt, so I will definately get pictures and have some excitement next week. We took our trailor down the other night and I didn't want to come home! And even though the girls do get filthy dirty, they love it, so it's worth it. We're hoping to get quite a bit of backpacking(with the girls) in if the weather will cooperate. However, it's quite funny, because usually I end up with Brynlee and Cole takes Haivyn. LOL!! Hey, who can argue with burnin' a few more calories? Not me! Hang tight, catch ya next week!

Melon Days!!!

So this last weekend, we made the trip to Green River, Ut., for the final campaign parade of the year! No offense Grandma, but YEAH!!! It has actually been quite fun. We all put on our "Grandma shirts" and Brynlee calls them and have a blast!

Now, for those of you who have never experienced Green River, mark your calendars for next year! Not because it's a great amazing event, but because it's like Colorado City, AZ., (pologamist city) just something you have to see! I have never in all my adventures smelled so much cigarette smoke. EVER! (Including Vegas!!! LOL) Nor have I ever seen so many bellies, butt cracks, etc.... The people watching is absolutely amazing! I should have taken some pictures!!! They give out free melon all day, so everyone is just stuffing their faces with melons! It really is quite pathetic. Classic white trash gathering. I'm just so sad that none of you were able to fully experience it!

This is funny, because Brynlee doesn't like watermelon! We handed it to her, she gave a courtesy bite and threw it on the ground and said "I don't like watermelon"! But I wanted a picture, so I handed it to her and said "just smile for one picture"! She humors me well! LOL!!!

They had one of those train kiddie rides and the girls had a blast!

Until we had to get off, of course!

And ultimately, without fail, the way the hour ends! Yep, we only lasted one hour!!!

The many blessings!

Bad haircut!

So in the last five years that Cole and I have been married, other than a few times, I have always cut his hair! So I had to work again tonight and when Cole came home from school he asked me if I wanted to cut his hair before I left. No, not really, but sure, why not! So I had it all done, and was doing the final inspection, when I seen a few hairs on top. I extended the blade, and thinking the guard was on the clippers, went to town. I instantly realized what I had done, and you see the damage! Ever since we've been married, Cole's always threatened me with shaving his head. Needless to say, I ended up doing the job and ruining my beautician career. I guess it's a good thing I'm a nurse! He's been so embarassed, I feel awful! On a lighter note, it's not as bad as I was expecting, but yikes!!!

Slackin'!

Ok, so it's a good thing that I have to go to work every so often, or I would never update. Ok, I will get my tags done as soon as I can! Promise! We went to Salt Lake over the weekend to visit Cole's Grandparents and get some shopping done, so I packed the camera and left it in the truck! Man, I amaze myself! Seriously! But, we had a good time, was able to find the girls a new bed, and a toilet that fits the basement! Yes everyone, I finally have 2 functioning toilets. I never thought I would be so excited! It's all about the small stuff!!!

Peach Days!

So here in Ferron, they have this wonderful things called "Peach Days"! This event is bigger than the 4th of July or any other celebration in Ferron. So, Cole's mom is running for County Comissioner, and all summer we've been doing the parade thing, so this event was no different. So we got up early, got the girls all cute and we all dressed up in our "Vote for Grandma" shirts and hit the festivities! Ok, really, we hit the parade and went to the park! We lasted about 10 minutes before we had to leave or there was going to be a public thrashing! They had those big blow up slides and bouncy things that we thought the kids would like. There is one big problem though, Haivyn is a fearless dare devil. She will do anything, go anywhere without reservation! But hey, she's almost two and has no sense of other people or taking turns, so it's a battle to get her off them. Brynlee would like to think it's fun, gets there, can't climb the little makeshift stairs, other kids are pushing and bouncing her, and before we know it, there is a public outburst that won't quit! Not to mention that anytime we go out in public where many people are, like church, the mall, Cole's basketball games, anything, she is awful! The stimulation is too much or something, and she acts out with a WS meltdown. We leave with both girls screaming, kicking, man it sounds like fun! Ok, so back to Peach Days, the funny thing about the whole thing is, there aren't any peaches! I haven't even seen a peach tree in Ferron since I married Cole. Hhhmmm. So I got the camera and everything so I would have pictures to post, but surprise, surprise, running late and left it in the car. Oh man!

No Internet!

Ok, I haven't posted in forever because my stinkin internet is MIA!!! I just love unreliable internet, but we don't have a home phone line(and I really don't want one), so Clear Sky Wireless is our only option without selling our firstborn to pay for it! Oh well! I will try to get more up when I can! Until then, hang tight!

Duh!

Sorry, duh moment, it's late! I tag Joni, DeAnna and Ashlie!

Picture Tag!

Ok, sorry I'm slow! My internet went on vacation for 3 days, unpaid that's for sure!Picture Tag! First warning, I'm computer stupid...

My Name...If it's Janis, they always spell it Janice. If I say Jan, then I end up being called Jen. Hhhmmm, which do I prefer?



Where was I born???
Big surprise!



FAVORITE COLOR...



Perhaps because I have girls! Hmm!

FAVORITE CITY...

I haven't been out much, but I really like



PLACE I WANT TO VISIT...

I've never really been anywhere, so I would LOVE ANYWHERE! Possibly when the kids are gone! That gives me 30 years to look forward to!


BAD HABIT...

My worst habit is opening my mouth before I think. I love to talk and have a hard time shutting up! Has gotten me in trouble more than once!

FAVORITE ANIMAL...
I'm not a huge animal lover, but I like my dog Nala who stays out of the way in her pen! She's also a great running companion!



PAST LOVE...

At the time, I sure didn't think it a priority, but man I miss sluffing Accapella with Ali, Liz and Shai and listening to the Dixie Chics in the old brown car and getting McDonalds 26 cent ice cream cones! Man what I wouldn't give to be in High School for one week again. (No more though!) I sure would have done lots of things different! Sorry guys, I was a slug and one heck of a crappy friend! Wait, I wasn't a friend. I had priorities all backwards! Sorry!






FIRST JOB...

If I could get paid what I make now, I would go back to Lynndyl Amoco in a heartbeat! I loved this job!




CURRENT JOB...

Registered Nurse at Castle View Hospital...Honestly, I aspired to bigger and better!

So much to be grateful for!

Cole, sorry I just barked at you! I love you!

So as I have this new found circle of support, I am really feeling so humbled and grateful for my challenges. Brynlee is doing so well considering how she could be doing, and often times it is hard to look at it that way! I have never had any other WS children to compare her to so it was always poor me. But once again I am reminded to enjoy this phase of life before the next one comes. As I commented on one of their blogs, wallow in the tantrums, give them the best life has to give and celebrate every day we have them! We really are the luckiest family in the world. I sure don't deserve her, but Haivyn really loves her "siser", so she had to come be with us! Brynlee, I love you!!!

Williams Syndrome!!!

http://littlejohnfam.blogspot.com/
Ok, Brynlee was diagnosed in June 2005. I have never met another kid with this, only heard of a few. I have tried to find different groups, or links, or anything, but have never been able to! I discovered this tonight while I was at work!!! I have been so stinkin excited! I'm not the only crazy frustrated mom out there! Wahoo!!!! She has links to lots of Williams Syndrome kids! I love it!!!

Best Grandma Ever!

So we're over at Grandma Pitchforth's to visit. The grown-ups are in playing a game when we hear some funny noise! A look around the corner beholds this....story time!!!



She lulled Haivyn right to sleep!
Isn't she the best Grandma ever!

My mom is awesome!

You know, it's interesting how as we get older...we change! I have a hour commute to work everyday which gives me time to think...and think and then I start to think!

The other day I was cruising along listening to my ipod, jammin out...literally, then this song Everybody's Hero came on!(click on it...to the right mom!lol) I have listened to it at least a thousand times, but for some reason when I listened to it this time it hit home. It reminded me so much of my mom and I couldn't help the tears. Until you're a mom you don't realize how much time and money is sacrificed for your children. (Let alone 7 of them!) My mom is truly amazing! She was always and still is an excellent example to me of the person I should be. Now that all of us are gone she dedicates all her time and money either to driving cross country for one of us, doing her stake calling(Releif Society Pres.), or helping someone in the ward. She always has an agenda! The only problem is that I don't thank her near enough! She was one of those who went everyday to the nursing home when my grandma was in there. She's just awesome! So mom, thanks for everything that you sacrificed not ony for me, but also for the rest of us. Times were often hard, but as children we never realized it. I Love You so much! Thanks for always being there for me, and for being my hero!

Just Keep Chuggin!!!

Ok, so I haven't updated because some things never change, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. No complaints. Cole was at a Utah Geography class in Logan all last week and is working his last week at the Forest Service for his summer job. I will be so glad to have school start and life slow down a bit. I work every weekend through Labor Day, and have since Memorial Day, so it seems like we just pass and trade the kids! In any spare time we are adding a bathroom/laundry room to our basement which also has been keeping us busy. Needless to say, I feel quite dizzy, but hey, look at the bright side...it's August. Holy cow, where did the year go. Just over 4 months until Christmas...oh my, best get shopping! No, kidding! Anyway, this picture pretty much sums up any excitement from our direction! Brynlee spends all day banging on this drum. She loves music in any form, thanks to her Williams Syndrome, and will tap out tunes on this little thing for as long as I will let her. Imagine the headache! Haivyn is Miss Independant and thought she did a pretty good job with this macaroni salad. It's too bad the picture doesn't begin to show the damage! Any of you with kids will understand this one. (Girls anyway!) They think this is the absolute funnest thing to do, and will play for hours. It's quite comical, since Cole wears a 14. They look like orphans, but I sure do love them!

Wells Dallas Anderson

These are pictures of my brother Brian's baby. Wells was born June 12th(ish??) but had had a stroke one week before he was born. They didn't know about it until well after he was born and having complications. To make a long story short, it affected the left side of his brain, thus the right side of his body. He was not expected to make it out of the hospital and it was a very difficult time. Brian and his family was getting ready to move to Vancouver Washington to attend Med School and the thoughts of burying a child was overwhelming and life stopping. Life sure gets put into perspective when things like this happen, and suddenly nothing else really matters. As difficult as it was, it was an awesome and humbling experience for the entire family to pull together. I am so proud of Brian and Liz and the awesome parents they are. Wells is now almost two months old, beginning to smile, and beating all odds. I am so lucky and have been given endless blessings to be thankful for. I have such an awesome family, they're all the best! Brian, I love you and Liz so much!!!!! Give Wells and Kayley hugs for us!

Does this look familiar to anyone???

Princess Cake!

Ok, this is the awesomest cake ever, so I had to post it. For the girls birthdays each year, I make their cake and try to be as extravagant as my pathetic talent will allow. We've had an easter egg, elmo, pumpkin and the absolute best, this princess cake. I found it online and bought the kit. It took me hours to make the cake and assemble, and these pictures do it no justice! No, kidding, but it was cute as heck. Brynlee loved it and that was worth it.

School Begins!!!

This is Brynlee on her first day of pre-school last year!!! She loves to go to school with the "big" kids. She is trying to show you that she is 3! Man she's cute, and the best part is that she'll be with me forever!!!

Trying to catch up!!!

So I decided that I'm going to get better at this blogging stuff, and perhaps someday I may figure out how to do something with my template. But for now, I'll focus on the pictures and posts because I struggle with just that! Since it's been so long, I'm going to do new posts for each event. Since we went to Disneyland, here is what we've done.....

Haivyn's first trip to the ER

May 12, 2008, I was at work and Cole was

at home with the girls. Cole had been busy mowing the lawn and doing other daddy tasks. The girls had been playing with the front door, and Haivyn went outside. When Haivyn started screaming, Cole ran to find her walking up the sidewalk with blood on her hand. It looked pretty nasty, so he wrapped it in a towel and called me. Brynlee had a sleepover at Grandma Laulie's while Haivyn took her first trip to the ER. What you see in the picture is what her finger looked like when she got to me at the hospital. To make a long story short, it

ended up being broken and required 5

sutures. Since it was broken, it was considered an open fracture. She received one dose of IV antibiotics in the ER and we brought her home with the IV and I did 2 doses the next day. We then had to take her back for them to look at it and we switched her to oral antibiotics. It looks great now, yeah the fingernail fell off, but it took her quite a while to use it again. She's such a nut!!!!