Horse Show

Livvy lives for horse shows.  She did pretty well in this one on her Grandma's pony Chaquita.  One of the judges mentioned to her that she was getting a little big to ride Quita, but what does she know anyway?!?!

Baby Alexis is born!

 My newest niece was born and I had to go take a look-see!  She is such a beautiful baby!  Colt and Mason got to test the waters of friendship out!  They don't know it yet, but it's the beginning of a beautiful friendship!  We were happy it was starting to warm up and get out for Spring!

What did you say? Cancer?

 I debated about doing this post.  So many times, a blog shows all the fun things and not the hardships.  My kids pull out my books of blogging all the time and read and look at pictures and I want it to be real to them.  Things happen, good and bad.  We don't have control over what happens so much as how we act when we are faced with a challenge.

One evening as a busy, busy day came to an end, Jeremy and I were joking around.  I can't even remember now what it was about, but then he handed me a diagnosis sheet. I wasn't really sure what it was at first.  Just a lot of medical words I wasn't familiar with.  At the bottom it said the diagnosis was Testicular Cancer.  I think I felt the blood rush to my face.  I was super shocked and didn't know what to say.  So I just responded with a half chuckle, "What is this?"  He nodded towards the paper and the room grew very quiet.  So quiet that you could hear the sound of silence if you know what I mean.

As we started speaking, he told me that he had found a lump and went to the Dr., who then sent him to another Dr. in Utah County to have an Ultrasound, and then met with another Dr.  When the final diagnosis finally came Jeremy decided that surgery was the best option to remove it.  It was scheduled the following week.

That was it.  So we would cut out this lump and be done.  No more.  I felt OK about this.  But Dr's aren't usually definite when speaking about a prognosis.  They add things like "I hope" or "probably" or even "the outlook looks good."  But never "You're done."

 So we went to Huntsman Cancer Institute and met with the Dr. Dechet.  It was an out patient surgery and would be done in a few hours.  We were to stay close for a few days in case any complications occurred.  Jeremy was so great about it.  In fact, he wasn't even going to tell me about the diagnosis until after he had his surgery!  (I would have been sooooo MAD!!)  We went out for the yummiest sushi dinner the night before and hung out all night!  The roll above is my FAVORITE!  It is crab wrapped in cucumber.  

 I didn't want to tell anyone about what was going on with us.  I don't know why, but I felt like if I didn't act like something was wrong, nothing was.  We told our family members and that's about it.  Jeremy's Dad gave him a blessing.  It was awesome and the spirit was strong.  Jeremy didn't appreciate all the pictures I kept snapping away!  HAHA!  A few hours later, it was done!  They were done a lot faster than we had thought and I wasn't there.  I was running around trying to find a bank!  My GPS was not reliable that day and I was in tears racing back to him.  He was more annoyed that he didn't have his phone to check the messages from work!  LOL!  That's my J!  He was doing so well and wouldn't be kept down.  He started walking around immediately.  Now the only thing we had left of this ordeal was to wait for the pathology to come back with nothing to worry about.

Thursdays = Chiquita Day!

Once Aunt Kristi mentioned that Thursday would be a good day to come and ride and play with Chiquita, Livvy had it set in stone on her calendar.  She often invited Averie and off they would go to Grandma's house.  They have this pony trained!  In the beginning it was hard to catch her.  Now she comes to them and Livvy will pretty much jump on her back without a saddle.  It is sooo fun to watch.

Coy Graduates Preschool!

 McCoy is super smart.  He is going to be just like his Dad in the silent way that brilliance will show itself.  It was a fabulous year of pre-school.  He loved his teacher Mrs. Melissa and it was obvious that she loved those kids back!  Mason was not so impressed by the ceremony. He just really wanted several cupcakes.

Cottonwood Wash

Little did I know that bringing home these little tadpoles from Cottonwood would be a summer-long experience. It sure was a nice warm day in the Spring with signs of summer. We love this secret spot of happiness and friends to share it with!

Mother's Day

I love Mother's Day!  Mostly because I get loved on! These notes that Cohen gave me were so funny!  It is always a very real wake up call to what your kids think when they answer questions about you!  Happy Mother's Day!

Lori Graduates!!!

At the last minute I decided to go to Lori's Graduation Ceremony in Flagstaff for the day!  It was a long day but completely worth it to celebrate Lori.  She has worked so hard to complete her BA.  I am so proud of her.  She is a single mom of two and has worked hard for this day.  YAY!!!!!

 Livvy was perfect company for me all day.  We got there a little early and had time to get our nails done.  The lady who did Olivia's was a little mean and she kept looking at me so nervous.  HAHA!  We had so much fun!

Mason Helping Grandma

 There is no doubt where this little guy wants to be!  From the moment he wakes up, he wants to go to Grandma's.  Especially if Grandpa is there.  When he gets hurt or wants something he only wants Grandpa to comfort him.  We are so grateful that we live so close to Grandma and Grandpa.  I honestly don't know what I would do without them.

Pushing Cows

Olivia was so excited when her cousin called up one morning and asked if she wanted to help ride and move cows.  This is her favorite thing to do.  It makes me happy to know she wants to be out there doing it.  She is a tender-hearted tough cowgirl that's for sure!

McCoy's Home Preschool

Since January, we joined with some moms to do a home preschool for McCoy.  It was such a good group of kids!  In this picture we went on a field trip to Grandma Lyman's backyard to see all the animals.  They all got to ride a pony.

McCoy's T-Ball

 McCoy's T-Ball pretty much just shows his personality.  He didn't have very much interest in playing the game, more just being social.  HAHA!  I really wonder what these two were talking about?!

Machine Pitch - Cohen

 This was Cohen's first year for machine pitch. He wasn't impressed that it was harder to hit the ball, but he did his best.  Sports have been a struggle for us.  Cohen doesn't love them and I feel like it's pulling teeth to get him to go.  Because of his allergies, it also makes it worse for him to be out there in the grass during spring.  One day after a really hard flag football game, I called my Grandma Bates, pretty much in tears.  So many moms have told me that if my kids do not play sports they will be left out and have a hard time in school.  She really helped me refocus.  I love her for the rock she has been in my life.  Sports is sports and I will love my kids if they play them or not. And more importantly, they are going to be just fine!!!

Fun times with Cam

This is Cam.  She is my beautiful niece.  I love her tons and I was excited to go around with her to do a donut fundraiser for cheer.  This post doesn't have too much to do with anything except I hope Livvy turns out just like her!

Brace Face!

 It actually happened!   Olivia got braces!  She loves them and hates them all at the same time.  Cohen came with us to the appointment to see what his teeth will need.  He will be getting them in another year too.  After they finished we went to lunch and Livvy had her favorite, bean burrito.  She could barely finish before the pain set in.  Yogurt and soup for this girl in the near future!  She is so dang cute with braces!

Happy Birthday to my baby! He's 2!

It's a roller coaster of emotions as my youngest gets older.  I am really enjoying his little personality.  He has so much spirit and attitude you would be entertained by him all day by following him around.  From the second he wakes up he yells, "Wake! Mom, I wake!" That never gets old and is sure to start your day off right.

For breakfast he loves bananas and eggs.  He eats most of his food during breakfast.  It slows down after that.  At his 2 and a half year check-up he weighed 23 lbs.  He is tiny.  Mason adores his siblings.  He is getting to the point where he will play all kinds of games with McCoy. They play so well together.  Mason gets all sad when the kids go to school.  He asks about them all day.

How big is Mason???

Mason was in no hurry to open his presents.  It was driving Cohen nuts!  But really, he has the cutest little voice.  I get compliments on it all the time at how he uses his words in a sing-song way.

We hit the jackpot when we got you this bike for your birthday.  You LOVE it!  You scoot all over the house and out the door!

Mason loves his Grandpa so much!  He runs to him and gives the biggest bear hugs.  When he is having a sad day, he wants his Grandpa to hold him.

Birthday selfies are the best!

Dear Mason,

You, my little friend, are like no other.  Some days I think I might pull my hair out with how demanding you are, but you finish up with the cutest, "Love you's."  Testing your limits for sure.  Your favorite show of all time is Mickey Mouse.  Your most favorite thing to do is ride your 4-Wheeler.  You look so tiny on such a big machine and you shift your weight down so you can reach the pedal.  When we leave the house I have to hurry and put you in the car before you get on the 4-wheeler or else I have to chase you down the street on it.  You don't like to come back!!  One day you figured out that you could go around the block so that is often where you are when I can't find you even though you KNOW you are supposed to stay at the house.  Many neighbors watch for you and will bring you back.  You are an independent little man.  You love your brothers and sister so much.  You bring out the love in all of us.  I am so glad you are a part of our family.  I love you to the moon.

Love,
Mom