Random Happies

Our life is full of so many good things!

Here's some exciting and fun things that have happened the past few months (in no particular order :) )...  

Mommy's Get-away

My mom turned 50 in January (you wouldn't know-- I think she looks great.  I don't think she looks nearly 50, but that's what the calendar says, I suppose).   Fifty is a pretty monumental birthday deserving a very special celebration.  Her request for this celebration was to have her daughters, sisters, and mother all come to her home for a weekend to play-- no husbands, no kids-- strictly girl time.  Needless to say, all us girls were happy to oblige!  The weekend that worked best for us all (my mom, me, my two sisters, my four aunts, and my grandma) was at

 the beginning of March.  We each made special arrangements for our

 

families (my wonderful mother-in-law and sister-in-law kept my kids for most of the time--- Dustin was an angel husband and held down the fort as much as he could) and had a really

 wonderful time together.  My sister just

 younger than me and I came a few days earlier and we had a great time doing the classic girly stuff-- pedicures (my mom's first!), theater chick-flick (Confessions of a Shop-a-holic), shopping, and talking, talking, talking... ;)  Then my aunts and grandmother arrived and the party really

 started!  It was an amazing weekend hanging out with amazing women.  We toured the city, ate ice cream, played games, watched movies,

 and stayed up late laughing every night. :)   They even let me practice my photography skills and we had a blast perusing the historic main street, taking pictures.  

Each of these women-- my mom, my sisters, my grandma, and my aunts-- are so uniquely beautiful, good, strong women and it was a memorable, wonderful experience to spend sweet, quality time together.

Grampa Kelly Visits!

A week after I got back, my dad came to visit us!  How I LOVE family time!   

Grampa Kelly always brings with him a wonderful whirlwind of fun and excitement.  Two mornings, we went

 hiking (Benjamin was an amazing little hiker, practically running up the mountain--  Jonathan, however, enjoyed it as long as Grampa carried him).   We also went to a baseball game (lawn seats for spring training!) and Rawhide Cowboy park.  We missed Dustin (workin' his crazy surgery rotation), but both the boys loved being with their wonderful Grampa and all the fun he brought with him.  Daddy-- thanks for a fantastic time!  Finally, here's the pictures and videos from your trip to our place. 

We LOVED having you here with us!!  Come again soon!

Benjamin's Superhero Birthday Party

Benjamin turned four in February (can you believe that??  He's getting so big!).  Since he's still very obsessed with superheroes, I put together a superhero birthday party for him and his close friends.  I really had such a fun time planning it all-- it was my project of the month-- and, all things considered, it turned out great. :) 

Here's my recipe for a superhero birthday party:  

Superhero invitation

(Can I just say, I LOVE photoshop?  PSE, to be specific. :) )

Superhero cupcakes 

(Benjamin's favorite superheroes are Ironman, Superman, Batman, and Spiderman)

Since I'm low on cake decorating skill and low on $$, I took the easy route in making theme cupcakes.  I printed little toppers and taped them to toothpicks.  They turned out pretty cute!  Best part-- Benjamin thought they were the coolest. :)  

Superhero costumes

I think the best part about a superhero party is becoming a superhero!  The first thing the kids did was decorate their superhero apparel.  Part of my project prep was getting capes, headbands, and gear ready for our little superheroes.  I found some fun discount fabric and cut out capes and headbands, using sticky Velcro for fasteners.  For the cape and headband emblems, I cut big ovals and smaller circles out of foam.  The kids decorated their emblems with letters, stickers, and markers.  I also found some fun goodies at the dollar store for special gear, like a glow bracelet, ring, and telescope.   The prep work sounds like a lot, but, honestly, it wasn't too bad.  I actually enjoyed it, and it was fun so see the kids enjoying their stuff.

Superhero games

Once the kids had transformed into superheroes, they were ready to save the day!  We had four groups of "people in distress" with a classic Superhero who needed their help to save them.  I made a little book where the kids put a sticker after they helped each superhero.

Ironman:  Oh, no!  A group of lost safari tourists need our help!  (aka: a bunch of those fat Little Tykes people hid in the bushes, etc. (Egg-hunt style))  The little superheroes' job was to help Ironman find all the poor, lost people.  

Batman: Oh, no!  A group of short-sighted mountain climbers are stuck on the top of the mountain!  (aka:  a row of those vintage little people on the top of the slide)  This time the little superheroes helped Batman save them by "flying" to the top of the Playground and bringing the stranded people safely home.

Spiderman: Oh, no!  A princess is imprisoned in a castle guarded by vicious dinosaurs! (aka: a borrowed barbie in B's toy castle with B's plastic dinosaurs placed in front).  The superheroes helped Spiderman free the princess by spraying the dinosaurs with silly string.

Superman: Oh, no!  A giant transformer attacked the city and ate the entire city police squad! (aka: plastic police man toy figures thrown in a transformer pinata-- along with candy, of course)  Finally, the little superheroes helped Superman save the police force by bashing the pinata to "free" the policemen (and the candy ;) ).

Superhero goodies

I figured the costume and pinata candy (and cupcake) were probably plenty of party treats, but (and this was my personal favorite part of my project) I included a little thank-you party favor with a note and a picture of Benjamin in one of his favorite superhero costumes stapled to a Spiderman fruitsnack package.  Isn't Benjamin the cutest?!

It was a really fun party, if a bit chaotic (the kids are pretty little).  We had a good time and took tons of pictures. :)  All the prep work and whatnot was, not only fun for me, but totally worth it as Benjamin had such a wonderful time.  Watching him enjoying himself was pure happiness on my part.  And the kids were the cutest bunch of little superheroes!  I'm very pleased how it all worked out.

Hurray for superheroes!

PS: If you have a child who loves superheroes, too, and you like any of these ideas, feel free to try them out.  There's quite a few links of things to download, too, if you'd like. :)  Have fun!

On a sidenote-- we also had a combined family birthday party for Dustin

 and Benjamin (since their birthdays are only a day a part).  It was really important to 

Benjamin to have a "pirate cake" for his family party.  It was also very important to Dustin ;) to have a Coldstone Creamery ice cream cake.  So I improvised.  Thank goodness for color printers! :)  We unintentionally spoiled Benjamin again this birthday with a nice pile of fun gifts (he just gets so excited about EVERYTHING-- it's so fun!).  I also intentionally spoiled Dustin (again this birthday :) ) by fulfilling his request for an iTouch-- but splurging on twice the memory (16GB).  

Can you tell I love birthdays?  I also obviously, absolutely LOVE these boys!!!!

Mommy's Birthday

Speaking of birthdays, my birthday was earlier this month.  My husband totally spoiled me!  I loved how giddy he was when he was planning the surprises for the weekend.  :)  My day started out fantastic because Dustin happened to have the day off (YAY!  That alone is one awesome bday present!)  He woke up with the kids and pretty much exclusively took care of them all day-- I didn't have to make breakfast, lunch, or dinner!  Sigh, what a man. ;)  If that wasn't enough, he had made dinner reservations at a local "fancy" restaurant and took me out for a romantic date with great food and dancing (we LOVE dancing).  The restaurant even gave me a complimentary birthday dessert-- super chocolatey deliciousness!  Afterwards, we went to the duck pond to relax and sit and chat and reminisce.  We had a wonderful time together.  Dustin made me feel so special!  

On Sunday, we had the traditional family birthday party.  The boys loved decorating and Benjamin was over-the-top excited for presents and cake.  Dustin again took over with the boys (man, he's so great!) and made a DELICIOUS dinner and cheesecake.  He also spoiled me with gifts-- accesories for my camera, an absolutely fabulous camera instruction book, and, best of all, a couple photography backgrounds (black and white).  I am SO 

excited about all my gifts-- 

I've experimented a little bit, and look 

forward to trying out more different types of pictures.  I'm so grateful for such a thoughtful, wonderful husband who really put a lot of thought, time, and effort into making my day (weekend! :) ) a special one.  It was definitely one of my very best birthdays ever. ;)   

General Conference Weekend

My birthday weekend and conference weekend were the same (making my birthday all the better-- I love conference!).  I am so grateful for our good, faithful Church leaders and their inspired, timely counsel, testimony, and encouragement.  I am also grateful that we have the opportunity to have Conference broadcast to our own home!  We love that quiet, spiritual time together.

I really want our children understand the importance of General Conference and the opportunity to learn from the Prophet, the Apostles, and other Church leaders.  So, we've begun to establish special General Conference family traditions.  

The Monday before conference, we had a special Family Home Evening dedicated to preparing for and getting excited about General Conference.  We reviewed the names and faces of the First Presidency and Apostles and discussed why conference weekend is such an exciting and special time.  Then we put together a special conference activity for the boys (Benjamin mostly, since he's old enough now to listen more) to help them pay attention to the talks and stay involved and interested throughout the conference (see "activity" details below :) ).  

On Saturday morning, we had a special breakfast picnic in the living room as we watched the first session.  We also tried to maintain the Spirit of the weekend by cleaning/shopping, etc. beforehand and spending as much time together as a family as we could between sessions.  

The Monday after, we had a great FHE reviewing the talks (using the activity again) and discussing our own insights and thoughts and sharing our testimonies.  I hope to continue to develop General Conference traditions that will truly help us cherish and rejoice in the unique and precious opportunity to hear the words of our inspired leaders.  I feel so encouraged, grateful, and spiritual strengthened.  Hurray for Conference!  And hurray for my sweet little family as we enjoy that special weekend together. :)

Kids' General Conference Game

Supplies:

Pictures of First Presidency

Pictures of the Twelve Apostles

Several copies of generic speaker pictures (for Seventy, etc.)

Several copies of color sheet of "keywords" or "topics" (one & two)

Cardstock

Holepunch

Yarn

Lots of sticky velcro

Assembly:

 Cut out the speaker pictures, and color and cut out the keyword pictures.  Stick pieces of one

 side of the velcro on each picture.  

Stick strips of the other side of the velcro on cardstock pages.  Punch three holes in one side of each page and tie pages together (like a book). 

How to Play:

While watching General Conference...

When a new speaker gets up, find their picture and stick it in book.  Then listen for "keywords".  Whenever you hear one of the special keywords, find the picture representing that word and stick it in the book.  

This little game really helped Benjamin get excited about conference.  And, all things considered, it worked really well!  Even when I thought Benjamin was totally distracted with something else, he would suddenly say, "Hey, he said prayer!" or temple or something else and then excitedly find the picture to put in his book.  The activity also helped Dustin and I listen closer, too, as we wanted to help Benjamin listen for keywords.   I'm excited to try it again this fall-- perhaps Jonathan will be ready to be a bit more involved, too. :)

PS: If you like the game idea and would like to download the "supplies", feel free.  It's fun to share. :)  I hope it works for your family, too. 

Family Day at the Zoo

Dustin had a Friday off a week ago (his rotation schedule was awesome!  I'm sad it's over...).  We decided to make it a family fun day!  With the weather so nice, the ZOO was the outing of choice.  We had SO much fun!  Both the boys LOVE animals and were fascinated by all the different kinds.  We spent all day touring the entire zoo.  Our favorite parts were feeding the lory-birds, feeding the giraffe, petting the sting-rays, and playing with the deer and goats in the petting zoo.  We also really enjoyed the new aquarium (I find marine life so fascinating-- I especially loved the seahorses!) and the monkeys.  We were able to get a great view of almost all the animals.  Best of all, though, was that we were able to relax and hang together as a whole family-- a very rare treat with Dustin's crazy-busy schedule.  I love love love making family memories.  These are definitely wonderful times to be cherished! 

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, everyone!

Today is a beautiful day!  I am so grateful for this special Holiday which helps me more fully remember and ponder the mission and life of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Last weekend was our church's world-wide General Conference.  It was encouraging, uplifting, strengthening, and all-around wonderful to be taught from on High through the Lord's leaders.  I know that the Prophet, apostles, and general authorities and Church leaders speak truth and divine, inspired counsel for our day as we strive to become a better, happier people and prepare for the time when Jesus will come again--- what a glorious time that will be! :)  Despite the apocalyptic signs of the times, I'm pretty excited! 

During the conference, one of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, bore a very powerful and insightful personal testimony of the true meaning of Easter by recounting our Savior's last mortal week-- particularly the profound influence of His Atonement and Resurrection.  Elder Holland's conviction of and obvious deep love and appreciation for Jesus Christ pierced my heart-- and now I understand that much more how much Jesus Christ loves me, what He truly did for me, for my family-- for all of us.  

I love my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I know He lives.  He is my patient, loyal, perfect Friend who helps me everyday as I try to become the person He wants me to be and obtain that fullness of happiness He intends for me, for my family-- for all of us.  He truly is my Redeemer-- I know through Him I can repent and be clean and relieved from the burden of my mistakes, sins, weaknesses, and shortcomings.  He understands my pains and hurts, big or small, and perfectly and lovingly empathizes and then strengthens me with the peace and rejoicing that He has overcome it all and will enable me to do the same.   

I hope you have a wonderful Easter Sunday-- that it may be a truly special day, of fun and family, but most of all, of joyful reflection, sweet rejoicing, and renewed gratitude for the One who loves and lives for us all.  

All's Well That Ends Well-- Our Crazy Day!

Thank you again, for your prayers, encouragement, and support. We felt that blessing, more than you know!

Jonathan's surgery went very very well-- exactly as it should (we knew it would, didn't we?). I realized that no matter how major or minor a medical procedure is, as a parent, you are going to worry the maximum capacity... I suppose it's just how validated the worry is. ;)

    

After checking in early that morning and waiting awhile, we talked with the nurses and doctors in the examination room.  They were very kind, considerate, attentive, and thorough in answering ALL of our questions and concerns.  We felt much more confident that they would take extra care with our little guy.  This is soon before the surgery.  Check out that right eye stuck by his nose!

    

The worst part was definitely letting Jonathan go alone with the nurse to the surgery area.  It was more that I knew he felt abandoned and would be alone and scared with strange things happening to him (the gas mask, etc.) than that we were concerned something bad would happen (though that was worrisome, too).  

After about an hour, the doctor happily greeted us in the waiting room explaining cheerfully that everything went perfectly.  Hurray!  Jonathan woke up pretty quick from the anesthesia, so we were able to go to him in recovery soon after the surgery.  Jonathan was very confused, exhausted, and overwhelmed, so he just cuddled with Daddy (he's a ridiculous daddy's boy).  He slept for a long time when we got home, but, thank goodness for Tylenol, he was back to his own happy, crazy self by that afternoon.  

The doctor said it will take another week or so for his eyes to totally heal, but they're much straighter now (yay!), and as they continue to heal, they will continue to straighten.  

What a wonderful day-and-age to live, with such remarkable medical miracles!! :) :) :) 

 We feel so grateful a procedure fairly brief, low-risk, and non-intrusive can save our son from a potential lifelong physical and emotional impairment.

What a handsome little fella!  This is a few days later.  Check out that NOT-stuck-by-his-nose right eye!  Amazing!!!

Well-- I suppose that was enough of an adventure for one day, but alas, the craziness continued...

Benjamin was still at a friend's house for the afternoon when he accidentally ate a Reese's Pieces candy.  Yeah, yikes (for those who don't know, Benjamin is very allergic to peanuts).  He's been peanut-free for about two years, so the initial reaction wasn't that bad.  My dear friend called me immediately and said he seemed fine, besides trying to gag and throw-up the "spicy" candy, so I had her give him some Benadryl and went right away to pick him up.  He had a rash on his face, and seemed very tired (he did wake up at 5:45am that morning), but not much worse for wear.  When we got home, I let him watch a show for quiet-time and continued to check on him.  After almost an hour or so, I realized that the "sleepiness" was NOT due from the extra-early morning.  I went to pick him up and he was extremely limp, lethargic, and drooling.  Last timehe ingested a bit of peanut-butter candy (two years ago), the symptoms were heaving and wheezing--obvious trouble breathing, but these symptoms were really weird to me, but I felt that they were very very BAD.  Gratefully Dustin had the WHOLE day off and was still home.  It didn't seem like Benjamin was struggling to breath, but rather just too tired keep trying.  Dustin rushed him to the ER and I stayed behind with Jonathan, still recovering from surgery that morning.  Dustin's phone didn't have reception in the hospital, and I think that 20 minutes waiting for him to call to let me know what was going on was the absolute scariest time in my life--- 100x worse than all the anticipation of Jonathan's surgery-- at least that was a controlled, fairly predictable situation.  

Dustin did finally call and said they emergency rushed Benjamin into treatment and immediately gave him an epi-shot and then a breathing treatment.  The medical staff took very good care of him (they even gave him a little video game, which he LOVES) and he was released a few hours later, with only a bruise on his hand from the IV and a prescription for a steroid to take for a few days-- and some very drained, relieved, and massively thankful parents.

As a matter of note, yes, we have epi-pens, but have never had to use them.  Apparently epinephrine is a pretty intense treatment and to be given under careful judgement.  I think if Benjamin was obviously struggling to breath, we wouldn't have hesitated, but, like I said, we didn't really recognize the symptoms he was having and weren't sure what was going on.  BUT now we know.  He was going into Anaphylactic shock and his throat was closing up.  And that means stab him with the epi and then rush to the hospital.  Sigh, live and learn.  This experience definitely serves as a profound reminder of the seriousness of Benjamin's allergy.  Granted it could be worse (and we're grateful it's not), but in a moment it could be fatal.  So we will be all the more vigilant

However, there is SO much to be grateful for!  Epinephrine, for one.  Without that, Benjamin would have died.  Also, a hospital nearby-- one with a pediatric ER unit who took such wonderful care of our little guy.  And, that it happened on a day Dustin was home and available.  I don't think I could have handled this alone--- maybe I could have, but, man, I am VERY thankful Dustin was there!! 

Most of all, a Loving Heavenly Father who is so watchful of our little family.  We are so often protected from so much pain and sorrow.  I hug my boys a little tighter, play and laugh with them a little more often, and pray a LOT harder, both in gratitude and supplication.  There are angels among us, I have no doubt, and I am grateful they watched over and helped save both my babies from irreparable harm or worse that fateful Tuesday.   

Obviously we don't have pictures from Benjamin's hospital experience, but we do have a nice collection of hospital bracelets!  Sure, it was a scary day, but all really IS well that end's well--- and I'm grateful for a day like that that helps me much much more appreciate the days that follow...