Navigating the Monkey Bars

I've learned something about myself the past few months: I write best when I'm happy. It took me a while to start writing again after the miscarriage. Then Dad had his stroke. I fell across the monkey bars of life for a while, but now I'm back swinging! Thanks so much to my friends who gave me a gentle prod to start writing again.

Speaking of monkey bars, Lizzy just learned how to swing across them, and she has been showing everyone! Take a look:

Thank you, SANTA! HO HO HO!

After Lizzy and Jenny opened their presents on Christmas morning, I said, "Say thank you to Santa. He can hear you." They mumbled a halfhearted "thanks" and kept playing. A while later, I spied them in the backyard yelling, "Thank you SANTA! HO HO HO!" Apparently, they didn't believe me when I said Santa could hear them, so they took matters into their own hands.

The Silly Show

Last week, Maia, Lizzy, and Jenny decided to produce "The Silly Show." First, Maia said, "Ready, Set, Go!" Then Lizzy and Jenny ran across the family room, slid into the kitchen, and dumped their faces in bowls of whipped cream. The funny thing is that Lizzy and Jenny wanted to do it several times! We all got a kick out of it. Thanks for planning that one, Maia!

Messiest Car Ever

Our family is notorious for having the messiest car ever. I have one friend that is hesitant to allow her daughter to ride with me. I try to tell her that I clean the car all the time, but when she looks inside and sees the pit of despair, she doesn't believe me.

Before we left for Utah for Christmas (to see the fam!), we cleaned the car. Look at what we pulled out before we put suitcases in! My next-door neighbor, Mandy, was horrified and awestruck at the same time--and made me take a picture.

12 Years Old!

Jake just turned 12 years old on December 12! Can't believe he's so old--and I'm so old!

Jake enjoyed his birthday party: about 20 12-year-old boys making pizza and watching a movie. I think, though, that they liked Pin the Tail on the Donkey best! He also loved receiving the priesthood and going into the Young Men's program. He is really excited to be able to pass the Sacrament and go to all of the youth activities!

Wearing the Christmas treats

Tonight, for family night, we delivered Peppermint Jo-Jo's to neighbors for Christmas. First of all, if you haven't had Candy Cane Jo-Jo's, you are missing out on one of the best things in life! Jake, Maia, Lizzy, and Jenny had a great time delivering gifts to neighbors. Hailey was a little bored, so we gave her chocolate-covered marshmallows to keep her happy. She certainly was!

Sad news

It has been three weeks, and I can finally write about it. After seventeen weeks of being pregnant, I miscarried our little boy. Jeff and I were devastated. I lost a ton of blood, had a D&C, and had to stay overnight in the hospital until my blood pressure was high enough to send me home.

Jake and Maia were sad, but it didn't seem to affect them too much. Jenny didn't really process it. But Lizzy has kept talking about it. Three weeks ago, she said, "Our baby died. But we already have a baby [meaning Hailey, 8 months old]."

I thought that was all she would say. But then last week she said, "Mom, I miss Jesus. I want to see him. Maybe when we see him, he'll give us our baby back." I thought that was cute and told her that she was right--our baby was with Jesus.

Two days ago, she said, "Mom, what's our baby's name that died? I want to name it 'Asher.'" Jeff and I thought that was a good name, so we're going with it.

It's amazing how attached I became to a baby I never knew. But, we love baby Asher and are looking forward to meeting him one day.