Feeling Renewed

It was wonderful to be able to get so much out of Sacrament Meeting today.  (Last week I went to see Sasha in her first Primary/Mother's Day program, unfortunately I didn't really get much out of the talks - thanks pain meds.)  As the High Councilman spoke today he related an experience from his youth of learning to play basketball.  His brother in helping train him required him to wear a weight vest with 32 lbs of lead sewn into the pockets, as well as some ankle weights with 16 lbs of lead in each one.  This visual of wearing a weight vest which he related to our challenges through life, especially those that really make no sense at the time.  These eventually allow us to reach heights that we never thought possible for ourselves really hit home for me.   He was relating it to many types of challenges, and addressed callings specifically, though for me I was thinking of it more in relation to my current period of surgery and recovery.

I don't remember ever wondering "why me" when it comes to my birth defect, it has always been part of my life, while it has presented it's challenges I have tried through my parents and others encouragement not to let it stop me.  Now as I am going through my recovery from this surgery it makes more sense. In a physical way, while many may deal with long term issues from procedures similar to mine it appears that (through a blessing from the Lord) my body has developed other ways of dealing with drainage to keep my arm from developing excessive swelling.   My therapist thinks that because of the compromise that I have always had my body knows how to deal with the lymph vessels and nodes that are now absent from my right axillary region.

Another thing that really struck me today was a passage of scripture that was printed on the front of our program 

 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy

laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28

When I have read this passage in the past I think I have always thought of physical burdens, or burdens that others may carry, but not in a way that it really applied to me.  So for today I need to thank our two wonderful children for being well behaved through the Sacrament, and for Brit holding onto them (so they wouldn't bump my arm as well).  I was able to really feel the spirit touch me today as I thought about this and the atonement of Jesus Christ.  I realized that all of the burdens that I "labour" under are things that my Savior has taken on himself, and if I will just allow him to he will help me.  I am so thankful for the insight that I was able to gain today.  Now I need to find ways to increase my faith and reliance on him that I am able to take him up on his promise.  I am so thankful for these Sabbath days of rest that my spirit may be renewed.

I just wanted to write down a couple of my thoughts of gratitude and appreciation for unexpected blessings in my life.  I am so thankful for so many who have been so helpful to my family and I while I am recovering.  Thank you so much!

"Children learn to smile from their parents."
-Shinichi Suzuki

This is something that I need to remember, and work on.

Nativities From Around The World

I have had the wonderful experience of being part of our stake's Nativities From Around the World for the past two years. We had gone our first year here, thought it was beautiful, but didn't really imagine what could be involved. One of our dear friends was in charge last year and asked me to help out a little bit. I found that I loved being involved and felt blessed to be part of it again this past year. I am beginning to realize how much really goes into putting it together. The annual event is accomplished by hundreds of hours of service by many wonderful people, as well as many donations/things lent by many. Without everyone it wouldn't be what it is, a great gift to the community, a beautiful reminder of what the Christmas season is all about. Even Sasha and Braden were able to help out this year. We stopped by one of the last afternoons, there was final touch work happening, and they were able to help set up the poinsettias. They absolutely loved being part of it. While I was helping with some of the things our friend who was in charge of the children's area let Sasha and Braden spend time in there. It was one of our highlights of the season, they talk about it often. Sasha loved being Mary, and Braden now loves being the cow when they are acting out the Christmas Story. Here are a few pictures from our experience this year. Sasha wanted to take pictures of some of the displays - enjoy.

She loved the "purple" table, I think I have over 10 pictures of it.

We need your help

Our friend Misty is offering a contest on her blog, she said that she has been looking for something fun to do for her clients. She came across another blog that was offering a contest and has decided that is what she wants to do. She has chosen 25 of her favorite shots from this past year's photo shoots (ours is one of them, #8) and is asking for votes. The photo with the most votes by Friday January 8, 2010 by 11:59pm (PST - I'm guessing) will win a free photo shoot. She is also going to give away a free photo shoot to one of the commenter's (chosen by random.org), which can be used by yourself or given to someone else if you don't live close. Misty is our good friend who has been helping me improve my photography skills, and we were lucky enough to have her take our pictures this year as well. We are asking that you might be willing to take a moment and go to http://www.mistyalger.com/blog/ and vote for our photo - #8 Castle Kisses. Thank you for your help in advance.

edit - the link has been fixed

? Our Family Christmas Tradition?

Apparently we have been counseled to create our own family traditions and Braden has decided that he has one that he wants to be part of our annual Christmas routine. He has decided (on his own) that a tradition that he wants to share with our family involves his annual hospital trips at Christmastime.

His first Christmas he decided that going to the instacare while we were in Salt Lake would be lots of fun. We got ended up with a nebulizer, and were in the ER at the hospital back home within a week.

Last year he decided that if he was dehydrated enough then we would take him back to the hospital. Since we stayed over Christmas Santa visited him in the hospital in Utah. He must have decided that he really liked all of the attention that he gets while he is there, or something.

Tuesday he decided that he really wanted to pull out the big guns this time. He had a mild barking cough sporadically through the day, so I called the doctors office to have him seen (since Sasha had been though it last week, and his history with croup). I was told that the practitioner didn't feel that it was pertinent to see him. He was doing just fine when we put him down for bed. I started working on some Christmas projects and Brit headed out to play some basketball. When he got home we talked for a little while then heard a little coughing from Braden's room. Brit was going for the humidifier when he realized that the coughing wasn't stopping, Braden was really struggling to breathe in. We ran him outside to see if the cold air would help. I checked his chest for retraction, it was prominent. I called 911 for help. When the medics arrived he was "cianotic" ie, turning blue. We are thankful to live within a couple of blocks of the fire station, and for their quick response! (even though it felt like a long time - I'm sure it does anytime there is an emergency). We are very thankful for the Racemic Epinephrine that they quickly got into his system. Then we got to take our first and hopefully last ambulance ride to the hospital. After a couple doses of steroids and a couple of hours of monitoring we were able to go home. His energy level is back up, he is probably feeling a little jittery from the meds, other than sleep schedules being really out of whack things were back to normal by Wednesday.

He got his new buddy "Cotton" on the "amulanc" ride, and has hardly put him down.

Thank you to one of our good friends for being willing to come over when we called after midnight so someone could be here with Sasha so that she didn't have to be woken up. Thank you to others who stayed up waiting to be informed of the events of the evening and more than willing to jump in and help in anyway they could.

I am smiling in this picture because Braden was breathing ok by now, and we were at the hospital.

His new buddy "Cotton"

If you have any opinions on Braden's idea of great holiday activities please share with him, maybe we can change his mind.

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a wonderful time this Thanksgiving. We were able to keep a secret from the kids for a couple of months that Grandpa and Grandma "Anesen" were coming to see them. When I picked them up from the airport I found out that they almost didn't get here, apparently the weather was such that they were going to land in Lewiston (that would have thrown off plans for dinner a bit). Thankfully the fog lifted enough that they were able to make it. We had a wonderful dinner with some close friends, and their family. Thank you "Nock-nees and Dao" for inviting us to join you, it was wonderful. I forgot to take my camera on many of our excursions for the week, so you will see a few of the things that we did. Friday we got some of our Christmas shopping done (not at 4am), we picked up our sitter for the kids, met Mom and Dad for dinner, and then were able to see Lion King. It was an amazing performance! We would HIGHLY recommend going if you have the chance. Thank you Ann and Stan for the recommendation, and opportunity to go.

We heard that there was a great light display in Coeur'd Alene at the resort. We decided that it would be fun to walk around and see what they had. We got really bundled up, thankfully we grabbed a couple of extra gloves, blankets, scarves, and hats to keep everyone warm. It was a long cold walk around the boardwalk, the kids were so focused and loved it! Thank you Grandpa and Brit for carrying the stroller up and down the stairs so we could walk all the way around and see that lights. It was beautiful. We could have taken a cruise to the other side of the lake to the "North Pole" to see another light show and meet Santa and Mrs. Clause. We decided that wasn't in the budget for this year, maybe another time.



Braden wasn't to sure about the giant reindeer, snowman, elf, nutcracker, and moose. Sasha thought that they were really neat. We stopped inside the resort to see if Santa was there to visit. We found his sleigh, and Sasha went to work directing desired photos in the sleigh. (our budding photographer)

We happened to be there when the Dickens Carolers came through singing. (Braden was "glued" while they were singing, he is our budding musician.) It sounds like there are a lot of great things that you could enjoy while you are there. There was a beautiful display of a gingerbread house that the kids were fascinated by. Braden thought that this (see picture above) was the best way to see, not to mention that it is now his favorite way to ride the stroller.

Thank you for coming to class with us, we had a wonderful time dancing and rocking with "Gamma and Gamma Anesen"

Who doesn't love an early Christmas?

She loves her new clothes, and wears them often
(all the time if we would let her)

Braden loves his boots, and has worn them often. (Tonight I think he was the only one with warm toes while we were caroling in freezing temperatures.)

Thank you so much for coming, we miss you and are excited to see you again soon.

Our 2009 Family Pictures

Thank you so much Misty, we had a great time with you taking our pictures. We love them!

An Eventful Week

Last Friday Bar results were mailed... it was a long weekend waiting for a letter, or results to be posted. Nothing was online in the morning before I had to leave. Brit was home with the kids, they were feeling a bit better than the day before, but he wasn't quite up to heading back to work yet. When I got home from canning (we got 13 quarts of applesauce that we are excited to enjoy as the year progresses) there still wasn't anything on the WSBA (Washington State Bar Association) website. I was more anxious than Brit appeared to be as he was laying on the couch reading to the kids. After he let me search the site for about 5 min, I frustratedly announced that there wasn't anything there he asked me if would be better to read it in a letter. He handed me an opened envelope, as I pulled out the folded letter the first thing that I saw was CONGRATULATIONS! I had never questioned if that would be the result, but seeing it in writing was a wonderful relief! According to Brit he heaved a sigh of relief, and felt a burden lifted off of his shoulders. We are well on our way to him being officially Esquire (a few more technicalities, minor in comparison to where we have been).
Brit I want to let you know how proud I am of you for all that you have done, all of the hard work you have put in, and many, many, many countless hours of class time, reading, studying, and taking tests through out your college career. CONGRATULATIONS!

Friday we were able to have a fun evening with some good friends celebrating our husbands birthdays! Then Saturday Brit was able to play in our stake flag football tournament, and had a couple of great games. Announcing the 2009 Spokane Stake Football Champions... 6th ward. Thank you to those who have made it possible, and especially thank you to the teams we played yesterday, there were no tempers that flew, it made for a wonderful day of games. We are also so thankful for no injuries this year.

The kids have been anxiously awaiting picking out their pumpkins this year. We have actually been out to Green Bluff three times this month, and didn't get pumpkins until this week. Last week we were going to, but the farm we went to didn't have a good selection, we think the frost destroyed a large portion of them. This week we went to another farm, that we have loved going to in the past, unfortunately this year it felt more like a carnival or fair than a farm, so next year we will be seeking out a smaller location. The kids loved it, which was the whole point of going, they got to play in the pumpkin patch, and ride the ponies! They couldn't have had a better time, so all in all it was a success!

We enjoyed a great dinner at Red Robin as a family, it has felt like a long time since we have had time together, that isn't truthfully accurate, it is just different when everyone has been sick and under the weather, we are glad that it hasn't been really serious.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIT!
The big 3 - 0 this year.
In celebration I wanted to make a list of 30 of my favorite things about you sweetheart
1. You are a worthy priesthood holder
2. You exercise your priesthood to bless our family
3. You are a hard worker
4. You are wonderful at seeing the best in others
5. You are always able to find the positive around you and in others
6. You are so committed to our family, we are the most important thing to you
7. You value our marriage and are completely committed
8. You put up with me and all of my quirks
9. You value my input
10. When you set your mind to something you accomplish it
11. You have put in countless hours studying, learning, testing... to finish school and take the bar exam(s - patent and law)
12. You know that I need time with the "girls" and you make sure that I get time out with my friends
13. I love that you enjoy playing basketball, football, and being active.
14. I love watching you play with the kids, they love spending time with their Daddy!
15. Thank you for taking dish duty (most nights)
16. You are committed to doing well at your new job
17. I am so thankful for the love you have and show for Sasha and Braden
18. I love watching you while you are playing with Sasha and Braden
19. I love watching you as you are growing and learning, and I am so thankful that we are able to do so together
20. I love that you are willing to dress up for Halloween, thank you for being willing to let me make our costumes (even though it doesn't end up saving money)
21. I love that you encourage me to find things that I enjoy doing and support me in doing them
22. Thank you for giving the kids the opportunity to participate in music classes, and going with them
23. Thank you for taking the time to sing to the kids each night, they love their time with you
24. I love that you enjoy singing, and are happy to be part of our ward choir
25. I am grateful that you have as much fun as the kids and I do playing at Greenbluff
26. I love cuddling with you, thanks for keeping me warm
27. I love that you never raise your voice with me, that we are able to work through things very civilly
28. You are so handsome and really sexy
29. You understand me better than I understand myself, and have helped me get to know myself better
30. You picked me, you took me to the Temple, and we can be together for all eternity

Happy Birthday Sweetheart I LOVE YOU!!!

Cute things kids say.

The kids are more and more talkative each day and the things they come up with are so funny and cute. Sasha was telling us about how the other day we went to the "fraggit" store (fabric store). And yesterday, she was telling Hilary about the big mosquito eaters that we have buzzing around the house. Sasha told Hilary that they eat bees and spiders and that we better let it out of the house (it had gotten in through the door) so that it could eat the bees and spiders and then we wouldn't get stung or bitten. Hilary tried to explain that they eat mosquitoes but she was determined that it ate bees and spiders.

Braden is starting to put two and three words together to form his own little sentences. Sometimes its hard to understand him. I just figured out on Monday that "way-seh" means 'wait-a-sec'. That one took me a while to finally get. It is so much fun to watch them grow and develop. They are so smart! And their favorite books to read are the ones with any pictures of Jesus. They get so absolutely excited about it!

Now we just have to get Braden to stop biting his big sister and also Sasha to stop sending him those loving, sibling invitation of bites. But I guess that will be a lifelong process.

Introducing...

We would like to introduce the newest member of our family. We have always wanted to have our family grow this way, then we started discovering all of the troubles that Sasha was dealing with and didn't think it would ever happen for us. Shortly after we moved here for school we fell in love and knew what we wanted, due to living conditions at the time it wasn't an option. About seven weeks ago Brit cam home from class and told me that one of his classmates introduced him to her new best friend (who was hiding in her purse), and he decided that was what he wanted. Still I didn't really take it to seriously because we didn't know if it would be ok for Sasha, and I won't keep her medicated just so we can have a four legged family member. For some reason I decided to start looking around to see if I could find a breeder that had a King Charles Spaniel that we could introduce Sasha to and see if she would be ok. Through the course of the afternoon I ended up calling an add on Craigs List about some rescue dogs, the woman I spoke to didn't have one that we were looking for, her friend Gena did (though her puppies wern't King Charles Spaniels they were hypoallergenic...Shimas - Shitzu/Malteeze), and she just happened to be sitting right there with her. Through our conversation I found out that she had a puppy available that she had only had back for one day. He had been adopted, but the family, due to health and other issues (of the family, not the puppy), had to give him back after only a couple of days. Because of the situation she gave us a discount on purchasing him. She told us that her pups are usually all spoken for by three weeks. I am so happy that he was a little older so that we were able to get to know his personality a little better, and really find out how Sasha would do with him. She had no reaction either time we got them togetherUnfortunately the kids and I were on our way out of town, Sasha was devastated to leave him at the breeders, she couldn't stop talking about him. We were able to pick him up on Monday, and he now has a name...

WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY

MIKO

(Meeko)

Yes he is tiny, 2 lbs 13 oz (as of this morning) he is 11 weeks 5 days old today. We love having him as part of our family. He is sleeping well, house training is going great. He is a smart puppy. Sasha is smothering him, he has hardly touched the ground since he has been here, she loves carrying him around. He and Braden had an equal fear of each other, they are getting along much better now. We are all getting along well, and loving being together. Thanks for picking us Miko.

Thank you Ann, he LOVES his toys (almost as much as the kids), and his collar looks great on him as well.