Easter

Life is still wrapped in the chaos of moving and Easter was no different. It was also conference weekend and I am still trying to catch up on talks that I missed.  Saturday we had two showings so we were basically gone the whole day. We were able to come back home around 3. We caught an hour of conference and then died Easter eggs. They each did four eggs. Last year we did Easter baskets and a hunt on Saturday and I loved that it kept the Sabbath more holy. But that wasn't an option this year so the Easter bunny came on Sunday. Vanessa and Benson woke up and we let them find their baskets as soon as they woke up. But we made them wait to do the egg hunt until Brigham had woken up. After Brig woke up, he looked for his basket. It was coooold outside. And he was wearing shorts and a tshirt for jammies. After Vanessa and Benson had waited a good 30 minutes for Brig, I told all of them not to go out for the eggs until they had jackets on. While I was getting those, Brig busted outside and filled his arms with all the eggs he could hold. Little stinker. It was kind of funny though. He also refused to put warm clothes on so he hunted for Easter eggs freezing his little buns off. I feel really guilty about what a stress mess I am and how I am spending 80% of my time cleaning the house so I tried to make up for that with some more decorative snacks than normal. They didn't take much extra time but the kids thought they were pretty fancy.

I Believe in Miracles

I wrote this last year on Benson's blog but I wanted it recorded here

I Believe in Miracles

Having a son with a very obvious physical disability and living in the Bible belt, I hear at least monthly something to the effect of "miracles happen" or "God heals."  I don't believe God will heal my son.  But I believe in miracles.  Being born, raised, and believing in a faith with every fiber of my being that has the restored priesthood- the same priesthood Christ used to heal the sick and raise the dead- I have no doubt God has the ability and the power to heal my son.  Usually when someone tells me to have faith and believe in miracles, I smile and nod.  But my heart wants to tell them of all the miracles we have seen; though they haven't included him miraculously taking up his bed and walking.
I would tell them of when we were first trying to figure out what was wrong, how the Lord guided and directed our decisions, how he lead us to the right doctors, and how he protected our hearts from utter devastation.
I would tell them of his early ability to communicate.  How he has been blessed to tell us what he needs since he was 18 months, around the time he lost all ability to crawl.
I would tell them of all the people that have reached out to help, how their small contributions of both time, money, and equipment have made it feel like we are less alone; have taken away some of the weary and strain.
I would tell them of the miracle of getting his first manual chair.  How we were in school and could never afford a $5000 chair.  But how we found someone willing to sell one for just $2200 and then our family all chipped in and helped.
I would tell them of days of sickness, when he is coughing and choking and I feel the fear in my heart.  Of God's comforting arms for me and quick healing for my son.
I would tell them when surgery was just two days away; stomach flu was dropping everyone around us like flies, myself included. Then Benson got a fever.  A priesthood blessing, a nap, and four hours later he was fever free and surgery went as planned.
A surgery that was decided on by much prayer and fasting; a gtube- which enabled us to give him better nutrition and brought back strength he hadn't had for months.
I would tell them of days when my heart hurt so much I didn't know how I could go on but found strength in my husband, my children and my God.
And I would tell them of Benson's own prayers.  Of his power chair breaking but working again, if only for Halloween.  Prayers to get better when sick.  Prayers to be strong.

So yes, I believe in Miracles.  My life is a daily witness to them.  And I thank God every day for the miracles he sends me.

All The Babies

Brigham

Benson

Vanessa

Annabelle

A Few Highlights of My Last Few Days

Monday I had to take Vanessa to co-op. Our house has been listed for just a couple days and I'm still trying to figure out how to handle the constant cleaning. Before going to bed on Sunday, I cleaned the house spotless including a vacuum and mop. So Monday morn, we got up and got ready and as soon as I could I sent the kids outside. I picked up a few last things and left myself. I put the ramp down for Benson which apparently took the very last of my battery juice. Dead battery. Awesome. I walked to all of my immediate neighbors and no one was home. Okay, so I know one neighbor was home but they are not nice people and I was afraid to ask. I ended up having to call my VT, who came to my rescue. While we were waiting, I asked Vanessa to water the plants but Brig ended up spraying Benson with the hose. Change Benson. Feed Annabelle. Jump the car. On our way. And only an hour late.

I drop Vanessa at co-op and the. Head to Sams Club. I park and unload everyone only to realize I forgot my wallet! The library is close by so we go there instead.as we are walking into the library I get a text from the Realtor that someone wants to see the house. Glad I cleaned the night before because after getting Vanessa, I will have 15 mins to get my wallet and Rocky and make sure everything is picked up. We make it and call it mission accomplished. 

A few hours later I run to WalMart- by myself!!- to grab a few things Sams doesn't carry. I drove Jon's truck. After parking, I sit in the car a few minutes and think of five billion things I need to do as well as try to remember what I'm getting. Then I jump out and lock the door. They are manual locks. I suddenly realize I don't have the keys. Crap. I just locked them inside. And, is that the trucks engine?! Ya, the truck is definitely still running with the keys locked inside. Awesome.

So fast forward to today. There is an agent showing at 9:30. So again, I clean the night before. Brig has been wearing undies on and off and doing ok with it. So I decide to put undies on him. We are going to the park so if he pees, it'll be outside. At 8:30 I sit down to feed Annabelle. Even though it feels early for her to eat; she's pretty sure she's hungry. I have a text from my realtor saying tour is at 9:15. 15 min earlier than I thought but we can do it. Cut Annabelle off a little early but she's satisfied for now. Everyone's ready. Brig pees all over the kitchen floor. Change Brigham and mop the floor. Put Benson in his power chair. He heads to get some toys and bits of mud fall out of his wheels. Send Benson outside. Vacuum floor. Find Brig on the counter eating a banana with a single bite out of four plums. Load everyone into the car and head to the park. I have to take Rocky. I tie him up somewhere. He starts whining. Of course. Annabelle is crying again because she's hungry again. Move Rocky to a new spot. Sit down to feed Annabelle. Benson comes over and has to go potty. I stop feeding Annabelle and take Benson potty. In the bathroom, I laid Annabelle on my nursing cover and strapped her onto the changing table. That won't work when she starts rolling. Maybe a stroller will be necessary. Potty business done. I finally feed the poor child. The rest of the day was fairly uneventful. Until we heard that the septic repair on the house we are buying will cost $6800. Yikes! Now we have to negotiate who is going to pay that with the sellers :( 

It's been crazy chaos around here for sure. But some fun things going on too. Annabelle smiled several times on Sunday morning(at three weeks to the day). It was during a time that she was awake and looking at us so it was the real deal. She is also smiling tons in her sleep though too. It always makes me wonder what they are dreaming of. 

With the high humidity, Brigham's hair is curly and adorbs.