Christmas Blessings

Phew!! It is over. I love Christmas but it is always chaotic. This year we got to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my family. It is true though that 13 grand kids in one house for any prolonged amount of time is CRAZY!! The kids and I were the last ones to leave last night and Dad had gone to bed at 7pm. He said he could just not fight it anymore. :) We wore him out. It was great to see Sam we never see each other. Christmas miracle--Lorri and I even got along. :)

I am continuously in awe of how much my Father in Heaven blesses us. So many people around us love us. From the tree and the vacuum left on the doorstep to the many other countless acts of service rendered to us. Thank you to all that participated in it. While it is true that Heavenly Father will not take away our trials He WILL and does help lighten the load.

The children have had a great vacation thus far. We especially love to pull the tube around the block with the car!! At one point we had all of the cousins here doing it with us. It was a blast.

I truly with all my heart hope that all of you have had a great holiday season and I love each of you. Thank you for all you do!!!

Ward Breakfast

Visiting Santa!

Our ward had a great Christmas breakfast where there was a "special visitor" on last Saturday the 13th. I don't know who planned an activity for 8am on a Saturday, but seriously someone should have a talk with that person! :) We all had fun. Rebekah would not leave Santa alone. She was leaning on his knee when he was talking to the other kids. Then she got on the stage behind him and was petting his hair. Funny.

Unfortunately Courtney was not able to go with us. Her Aunt had to take her to see the doctor. She has an infection in 2 of her pin sites and that was the only time that he could see her. She did get to see Santa on our latest trip to Portland. Thursday we went up there the airline delays were unreal!! Everything is going great with her leg and we will be done lengthening the day after Christmas. We just have to let the new bone harden. It was great news!!!

Holly's Birthday Party

Holly's Birthday

Tonight we had a family birthday party for Holly. She is 7!! This afternoon she thought that would exclude her from having to take a nap. I told her sorry, you have to take them until your 8. Then I will tell her that she will have to wait till she is 9. LOL I don't think she will fall for it but hey it is worth a try.

Sam and his kids got to come. It was great to see them. I certainly don't get to see my brother often enough!!! Grandma and Grandpa Eckhart both came also. Aunt Lorri had sick kids and so she just stopped by to give a gift. While the kids played (and I am sure destroyed) in the bedrooms us adults enjoyed the First Presidency Christmas Devotional on the internet. That was really nice!! Again we had a great evening where no one was fighting just a night filled with love!! I love it!!

She got some fun gifts. She got Pixos and a Bug's Life jewelry box from mom. A Princess comforter from Grandma and Grandpa will used well tonight. At the moment there is a massive tea party going on with the set she got from Aunt Lorri. Uncle Sam's gift was the gas he spent to come and that was just as good as anything else.:) It was a great birthday!!

About the cake, as hard as I tried to make this "her birthday" and not mix it with Christmas she choose this cake. She even wanted all the lights up for her birthday.

Cheerleader Nicole

Funny little blurb

Today we were driving around town and we passed some policemen. Jaycee all of a sudden said I am going to be a cop when I grow up. Rebekah said, well I am going to be tinkerbell. I had to laugh at the innocence of youth. Wouldn't it be great if life were that easy. :)


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NEWSFLASH!! The uniforms are in!!!

Nicole is finally fulfilling her dream. Ever since she was in first grade she has wanted to be a cheerleader. She has endlessly made up cheers and dances to the count of 8. It has been very common for us to see her teaching them to her friends and the neighborhood. Even this past summer she was teaching the neighborhood kids to do cheers.

Now she is a Kuna Middle School cheerleader!!!! She even has the uniform to prove it. Here are a few pictures of her in it. I would take one and she would say just one more. And as Rebekah would put it and then two more so it is three. Her poses were endless.

I am very proud of her and extremely happy for her too. You go girl!!!!

Gingermania

Traditions, we love 'em!

Thanksgiving went really well this year. We went to my sister Lorri's house to eat dinner and then we spent 2 nights there. Her husband had gone hunting in Northern Idaho and she didn't really want to be alone. The only thing missing for dinner was my brother Sam and his family. They went to his wife's family this year. All in all it went smoothly.

A few years ago the kids and I started a tradition that on Thanksgiving night we make gingerbread houses and watch a Christmas movie we have not seen. It was so busy at Lorri's that we did not get to our gingerbread houses until Saturday night but we did watch a movie. It was called "Snow". It was a very cute movie about a man who had inherited the job of Santa from his father and then he lost a reindeer. He had to figure out how to get him back after he ends up in a zoo. It was fun for everyone!

The best part was Saturday night!! The kids and I made our gingerbread houses. This year we included a train, 3 houses, and a tree. We had SO much fun. We laughed so hard. Nicole and Holly were in charge of the train. They struggled keeping it together. It was very funny. As you can see in the pictures soon to follow. Grant and I started a house together and Grant kind of took over. He did a great job. Courtney and Jaycee did another one of the houses. It was hard to reach both sides of their house without moving around so one side definitely got favored over the other. :) Amber and Rebekah did the tree. Once they could stop laughing and get focused it turned out really cute. Surprise surprise, this year I got to do a house all by myself. It was fun!! I love to do things on the kids level. The best part? No one was fighting, no one's feelings were hurt, and we laughed a lot!!

I love this time of year, as many of you know. I love the decorating, I love the family time, I love the traditions, I love the music, most of all I love that we can take the opportunity and share the Savior with people who we might not otherwise get to. I hope that all of us can keep Him in mind during the mad rush to celebrate the way the world does. There is so much to celebrate!!!

Our Shriners Experience

Jaycee's creation

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving Jaycee's kindergarten class had their feast. First they had to make their party attire. The girls got bonnets, pasta necklaces, and really cool bracelets with many shapes on them. She got to take the carrots. It was so exciting for her. When she came home she wanted me to take a picture for the blog. They now love to pose for the blog. Well, except Amber. She still hates to have her picture taken.

Home Sweet Home

Ahhh we are home. The kids are glad we are here! The little girls have been on top of me since we walked in. :) I imagine that I will have bed mates tonight! That is ok cuz I missed my teddy bear Bekah. I told her I missed my teddy bear and she said no, I said my baby?, she said no. Maybe tomorrow ok mommy. So funny!

So last night we finished out our stay with a game night. We went down to the school room and we played several board games. We had a lot of fun. Would have been more fun if there were more people there but hey can't win 'em all. We do hope to stay in touch with some of the friends we made there!!

The trip home was hard for Courtney. She slept while we waited for our flight. Then she slept while we flew. She has had a few visitors since we got here so she is still exhausted despite all that sleeping. Her really good friend came over and spent a while with her. That is the first thing she asked for when we got here, someone to go get her. :) She is medicated, foot up (because of the swelling she got coming home), and sleeping now.

We are very glad to be home! It is after all the best place to be!!

Blessings, Blessings, Blessings

Yesterday we spent the day watching movies and playing nintendo. We did not have to do any physical therapy per se. Herb came in and changed 2 of the struts that were not long enough. That was it. She has been getting up enough that he didn't see the need to "toture" her. :) Lisa, her care coordinator, came in and taught us how to change the bandages, easy! By 6:30pm she was exhausted. She had not napped all day. So we went to bed. Joe called at 7:30 and I asked him why he was up so early. I thought it was morning. LOL

Now let me tell you what a really good night sleep does to her. She is fiesty and teasing and laughing again. She is confident on her crutches this morning. She is back to herself. A thourough inspection of her leg has been done and she thinks it is not as bad as she thought it would be. SUPERSTAR!!!!

The other kids are doing well, I talked to them yesterday. I miss them and will be glad to get back home tomorrow. Amber and Nicole have really stepped up and helped a lot according to Grandma. I have some super awesome kids that is for sure. I am sooo blessed!!!

One step at a time

You know the Christmas favorite show that many of us waited all year to watch because it was only on once a year, "Santa Clause is Coming to Town"? One of my favorite songs on that show was the one that the wizard sang when Santa gave him the toy. You know where he says just put on foot in front of the other soon you'll be walking out the door... Well, that is what we did today. Herb came in today and had Courtney up walking down the hall, around the corner, and up 3 stairs and then down them. It was very hard for her!!! She was so scared that she would fall. We reassured her that we would not let that happen and after a while she built enough courage to get up those stairs. Again, awesome.

They have a department called child life here. They are the people that keep the kids minds off of their situation. As much as possible anyway. Cyndi has been on Courtney's side all along. She brought her a BIG stack of movies this afternoon. Some of her favorites and I have to admit mine, too. Included? Yup you guessed it Christmas movies! YAY. We have had a great time.

After dinner they came by and tempted her with a painting project in the school room. She loves to paint and actually got out of bed for a hour and half and did TWO projects. She had a great time but now she is out like a rock. It was good for her.

Have I mentioned I love this hospital and staff? Well I do! I am so very thankful for the opportunity to come here for this. Good night.

Therapy begins

Well, Courtney sure has shown her superstar colors today!! This morning we got her in some real clothes, HER clothes. She was so glad to be out of that dumb gown. That quite possibly is her least favorite thing. However, as soon as we did that here came the therapist, Herb. He is so kind and patient. At the same time though he expects the kids to push themselves. He made her put on her own socks and shoe. He then showed her how to grab ahold of the rings and move her leg with them. Then she took a walk about 10 feet and back to bed. It was very hard and very painful not to mention scary!!! It was equally as hard for me to stand back and watch her do it. I wanted to run over pick her up and carry her to the door and back. I can't. Needless to say she did it and she is doing great. She gets up and goes to the bathroom. Only when absolutely necessary mind you. She even got in a wheel chair went down to the second floor to pick her own dinner and back. Talk about supergirl!! Tonight she is very tired and so she is watching a movie and going to sleep early. Me too!!!

You know it amazes me how Courtney going through this and me having to stand back and watch is so very difficult. I have no idea how our Heavenly Father stood back and watched his son hang on the cross. So much pain He himself must have felt. I want to thank you all again for your prayers! It has been so helpful to us. We have talked about it several times. Thank you!!!

Joy

Our journey has officially begun

Well, today was the day. We have definately started something that can not be stopped now. Her surgery was scheduled to begin at 9:30 this morning. So we got up at 7 and slowly got ourselves to the bath for her disinfecting bath with special hipiclense soap. She lingered as long as she could because it was her last bath for a while. :)

Joe came up to see her not long after we got back to the room. We just hung out. Joe and Courtney played nintendo and watched a movie. I did some much needed leisure reading to entertain myself.

The case before her took much longer than they thought it would and so her surgery was 2.5 hours late. She was so hungry by the time they took her down. They started at 12 noon and finished at 1:50pm.

Courtney has made a great friend. There is a new 3rd year student here. New as in he just started his rotation yesterday. We met him in clinic and they really hit it off. He is LDS and so when she went to pre op he told her if she got scared he would sing her primary songs. When he came up this evening to check on her she woke right up and smiled and when he left she even waved. That is more than most of the staff gets from her. So, thanks to Corey Rood she was very calm and did VERY well in the operating room. No fights this time. It was awesome.

This morning we talked about how she is like the prophet Nephi. When Heavenly Father asked him to do something hard he did it!! I told her that she may not have to kill anyone (let's hope not) but this is her trial and Heavenly Father knows that she can do it. She agreed. Her new anthem is the primary song I will go and do. (I think that is what it is called)

Thank you everyone for all the prayers!! We have felt them and their power have helped so very much. We love you all. Joy

ps there will be pictures soon I promise. :)

We landed safely! Phew!

Courtney and I got up this morning about 7am (our time) to get the last things packed. When we had done all of our last minute things I sent her around to lock up the windows and back door. I was outside and she came out to see what I was doing and she was so effective a locking up that she locked us out of the house!! :) I called mom (whom I had already given the house key to) and she hurried in to open it up for us. Thank heavens for moms!!!! Who would of thought we still need them in our mid-thirties. LOL

Our ride was right on time and we got to the airport in time for them to throw away one of my 2 liter bottles of mountain dew. You would think I would have learned my lesson when they made me throw away my favorite lotion. I totally spaced it and was just thinking oh Courtney has more room in her carry on let's take more. Silly me!!

We got on the plane and I am getting pretty good at sleeping on those silly one hour jaunts. Courtney just watched a movie on the computer. When we were about to land she told me mom we are going to land soon. I was somewhere between sleep and awake when the tires hit the ground and I almost jumped out of my skin. Go ahead laugh, Courtney did!!

When we got here to the hospital one of my dear friends from The Dalles came to visit. It was great to see and visit with Roxanne. We had a meal in the cafeteria. (yes that is all I can say about it. I am sure glad I brought my own food) Then it was check in time. We started at 2pm (pacific time) and for the next 3 hours we talked with no less than 9 different people about tomorrow. By the end she was zoning and I was sleeping (literally). When the last guy came in I had put the headphones on and was listening to Christmas music and was asleep. No worries I woke up when he started talking.

We got into our room and she had her first prep bath. She took one tonight and she has to take one in the morning before surgery. Her surgery is at 9:30am (pacific time). Dr. Aiona said it will be a 2 hour surgery. It is not difficult, just tedious. We are in room 310 at the Shriners in Portland. I don't have a number, sorry. I do have my cell here so you can all get updates by calling me, if you want. I will try to get another post on as soon as I can after surgery tomorrow to let you know how it is going.

All our love and please do pray for my little Courtney!!! She is being so brave.

Trying to get ready

I am sitting here taking a breather from getting ready to go. Courtney and I only have a little packing left to do and we are physically ready to head to Portland. I am getting stressed so I know she has to be!!! We are going to fly out tomorrow and return home on Sunday the 23rd. We tried everything possible to avoid this surgery. Evidently someone has something to learn and this is how. (Probably me!!!!) I have complete confidence in the doctor!! I am a mom though and I am totally dreading watching one of my babies going through the pain she will no doubt incure in the next week! It makes me tear up now just thinking about it. I am trying to stay strong for her though.

During the week we will do some updates on her status and what is going on in the great city of Portland. So, stay tuned. Hold on tight this may be a bumpy ride. Joy

Tonight the girls made dinner for Grandma and Grandpa. They made meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli, and apple crisp for dessert. They did a very very good job!! They are getting quite good at this. Maybe someday I won't have to cook at all. LOL!! Nicole said the apron made her feel "special".

Halloween/birthday party 2008

Halloween/birthday party 2008

This year for Halloween we combined the party with Abby's birthday party. It was a lot of fun!! All of the cousins were there, including Janessa (Nanette's daughter). We had dinner, carved pumpkins (yes I used my saw), and did a pinata. The kids had fun taking the guts out of their pumpkins. Some of them did not like waiting for me to get to them with the saw, but we got them all done. Yes, all 14 of them!!! :) I was still doing faces when they headed off to hit the tar out of the pinata. Abbey got to hit first since it was her /b-day party. Then we went by age. Amber almost got hit a couple of times with the stick. There were some seriously wild swings!! :) Holly knocked its head off and caused the first run for candy. Corey was the lucky one who broke the body. In the end, everyone got to take home their pumpkins and a ton of candy.

It was a lot of fun to have Aunt Norma there. We had not seen her for a long time. We got to trap her in some pictures and that is always good to get everyone on film. Hope you enjoy the slide show from this fantabulous party!

Pumpkin Carving 2007

Playing in the snow! January 2008

We have joined the blog bandwagon!

Hello family and friends! I decided just oh let's see about an hour ago that I needed to do this. We have so much going on in our family now that it is hard for me to keep up, let alone you. I am quickly learning that the older the kids get the more hectic life gets.

Amber is very involved in her FFA and soon rodeo club. She has been working on training her horse. She will be ready to ride in the spring when she is 2. Did I mention she is a wild mustang? Amber did such a great job with Star that grandma and grandpa want her to train the 2 colts they got this spring and another mustang they have. She is looking forward to doing barrells and she might try pole bending too.

Nicole is finally in middle school where she has wanted to be for at least 3 years. She is definately 13 going on 30. She is a cheerleader for Kuna Middle School. (how long has she wanted to do that, since she was invitro!!!) When I was pregnant with her and I would go to Sam's football games she would kick when we cheered. Needless to say she loves it!! Their uniforms should be here in a couple of weeks. I will post a picture of her in it then. In her social studies class Mr. Usog has them do debates every Friday. She writes an opinion for both side so she can always argue the less popular side. Recently they have changed from debates to mock court. She is playing the lead prosecutor and she is LOVING it!!

Courtney loves to play soccer. She had to sit out this fall season though because they won't be done before her surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery that we did last year to try and avoid this one wasn't enough. On November 18 she is going to be having surgery to put the external fixator on her leg. We have to lengthen and straighten her right leg. She will be wearing it for 6-9 months and will be on crutches the whole time. We are going to Shriners in Portland to do it. We will have to go there every other week for the first couple of months or so. Just one more thing to add to the schedule. :) We are also very excited that she got her very best report card ever this last quarter. Yay, Courtney!!

Grant, hmmmm. Just kidding. He is a boy. He loves to do a couple of things sports and bug his sisters. But when they bug him, look out! He will be starting basketball soon and then he will be going straight from that to wrestling. He wrestled last year with the Melba group. He was really good at it. Not to mention he got to get out a little testosterone. For once it was not on his sisters. I feel bad for him being the only male in the house. Since we moved into our new house there are several boys in the neighborhood he can play with.

Holly has learned to read. Yay!! She gets so excited she can't even sit still. Her teacher loves her!! She says that she is a wonderful girl. She is nice to everyone and everyone loves her. Which led me to the obvious question, are we talking about Holly Garrison. At home she continues to be my challenge. I am looking very much forward to overcoming this challenge. When she wants to be sweet she is the sweetest thing ever. She can be so willing to help. Just don't call when I am getting her up for school. :) She too loves soccer!! She is awesome at it. The coach and other parents could not believe how good she was for her first season. I love it when they find something they can excel at!!!

Jaycee beams everyday she gets to go to school!! I can not believe that she is in kindergarten already. Oh my gosh she is just so excited to be there. She comes home everyday and tells me about the new friend she made or the things she learned. We will be laying in bed at night almost asleep and she will say mom there are 3 segments in dog or some other word she has been laying there thinking about. Who would have thought my shy little Jaycee who screamed at the thought of people talking to her would turn out to be a social butterfly.

Rebekah is 3 going on....I don't even know. She is growing up way too fast!! The other day she was thinking about something and she folded her arms, put her elbow in her hand and her finger to her mouth and said hmmmm. It was so cute. This does not change the fact that she is my baby. She tells me that she will have to just be my teddy bear when she gets big. We are loving the fact that we get to have one on one time every morning. We love to cuddle!! She is a little sponge, picking up on all the letters and sounds as quickly as Jaycee. Why do they have to grow up so quickly?

As you can probably tell I am very proud of my awesome children! I think this whole blogging thing is going to be fun! I will do my best to stay current. I have some pictures of the kids from the last year or so that I will post now and and then keep it current. All our love, Joy