Little dude

When I was expecting Spencer, Ben would call Spencer "little dude". It was so cute.  After Spencer was born we tried calling him little dude... But the nick name never really stuck...

Dennis

Dennis is my older brother (the oldest kid in my family). It's his birthday today!  When I was little he was just my big brother that baby sat us (I'll save those stories for another day). These days he's my friend.  I was lucky that during my college years he only lived a few hours away with his wife.  During those years I was lucky enough to go down and visit Dennis and Jill often. That time together brought us to be more than brother and sister, but also friends. I'm glad I got the chance to get to know my "older" brother. Happy Birthday Dennis!

Swim season

I love watching my boys swim.  The swim season starts for them soon.  I'm so excited!  Josh Jr didn't get to swim last year because of his arm. I'm excited to see both him and Ben swim this year!

My hunny

I know I posted recently about my amazing husband...

 But I can't say it often enough.  He is amazing!

The boys

The boys...

Back when there was just two...

Girls

Old picture of my (older) girls.  They were so little then!

Books

Myra loves to read!

  I remember fondly the days we would find Myra like this,

 having fallen while "reading". 

Can you sleep on your back?

I had a sleep study last night.  I have episodes of kicking in my sleep that we are trying to figure out.  It was a different evening, going to the hospital and "checking in".  The paper work I got for the sleep study said it was like a hotel. I'm not sure I'd call it a hotel, but it was nicer than a normal hospital room.  As I was trying to fall asleep (actually almost asleep) the technician came back in and asked if I could sleep on my back.  I told him I probably wouldn't stay that way, and he said it was ok, if I could just go to sleep,on my back... Turns out, I can't go to sleep on my back 😝

Cruises

 Almost six years ago now, Josh and I went on our first cruise. It was fantastic! I loved it!

 I became a little addicted to cruises... We went on a second cruise later that year.

We haven't been on a third cruise yet, but the itch to go is strong!

Swimming

 We are a family that likes to swim!  One of favorite family vacation destination is a little town in Wyoming called Thermopolis. Thermopolis has a couple different pools that you can choose from.

 All the pools are filled with hot springs water.  The pools are hot tub warm, even when it's snowing.

We haven't been in the last several years (since before Spencer was born).  I think we need to go again soon :)

Cat

Cat has always been curious... There was a time whenever I picked up my camera there would be new pictures that Cat had taken (above picture is one of her selfies).

Mom fail

This silly kid has always made me laugh. I think Spencer finds true joy in making people laugh.  He wants people to be happy.  He is also forgiving... Like when he's suppose to bring snack for preschool... And mom doesn't remember until the day after 😣

Myra

Sometimes it's good to see old pictures... And be reminded of the destruction other kids have done...

Trolls

In my post yesterday I shared that the last year (plus) has been a hard time for me.  Today at church we were talking about many things one being how we often beat ourselves up for not doing more or being better.  I know that I am guilty of doing this to myself. It has been something that I have been trying to stop for awhile now (some days I am much better than others). This afternoon I was reminded of a song that has helped me on tough days...

From the movie Trolls (not the whole song)

Hey! I'm not giving up today. There's nothing getting in my way. And if you knock knock me over, I will get back up again. If something goes a little wrong, well you can go ahead and bring it on. Cause if you knock knock me over, I will get back up again.

Amazing

I have been so blessed when it comes to my spouse. Josh is an amazing man.  He is a wonderful, kind, loving, patient  (so very patient), funny, fantastic husband. He is also an amazing father. The last year (plus) has been a very hard time for me.  As I have struggled through many trials (some self imposed), Josh has been there to help me any way he can.  He has listened as I've cried or yelled or thrown a fit.  I am constantly amazed at his love and patience for me and a houseful of kids. I am so very blessed!

Time flies

I can't believe how fast they grow!  As the time (quickly) approaches for Josh junior to graduate high school, I find myself reflecting back on the years gone by. Josh junior and Spencer have always had a special bond.

Funny Kids

Kids say the funniest things...
Myra to Spencer... Let's pretend you're a human.
Myra to Spencer about the stockings... He's (Klayton) littler.  He doesn't need as much stuff. He still thinks Legos are food

Ben's Birthmark

Ben was born with a birthmark above his left ear... Not really a huge concern until the pediatrician tells you that this type of birthmark can cause cancer later in life if it's not removed... Not something a new mother wants to hear!  This news caused a mild amount of concern (and maybe a little panic), until the pediatrician assured me that it wasn't urgent that it be removed.

When we switched pediatrician later, the new pediatrician didn't know about the birthmark causing cancer and sent us to the first dermatologist. That dermatologist confirmed that the birthmark (which are oil glands that formed on the top of the skin, instead of in the skin where they are suppose to be) coin lds cause cancer later in life.  But he also said that we should wait until Ben could sit still for it to be removed so that he doesn't have to be put under for surgery to keep him still.

Fast forward several more years to Ben being 13 and tired of the birthmark... We see a new dermatologist (because I couldn't for the life of me remember the named the first one we saw when Ben was 5 or 6). This dermatologist agrees with all the other doctors that the birthmark needs to be removed (at some point) because it can cause cancer down the road.  But at this time he suggests waiting until,Ben has gone through his growth spurt so that the scar will not grow with Ben.

Fast forward three more years... To today... Ben has been asking for months to go in to a dermatologist to see if the birthmark can be removed. Ben has grown (he's almost 6 feet tall) and he's not really concerned with a scar (chicks digs scars right?). He just wants the thing removed. It itches and bugs him a lot. So today we went to talk again to a dermatologist (not sure if it's the same one he saw last time, it is the same office though). I told Ben that nothing would happen today, it was just talking and figuring out when we could have it removed. I was wrong!  The doctor gave Ben two choices... Have it shaved off (they numb the area first, and then use a razor to shave it off, leaving a little indent where the birthmark had been) or schedule surgery (they would go in and cut the whole area out and then stitch it closed).

Ben decided to go with the immediate option and have it shaved off. And so the doctor shaved it off!  Surprising Ben. He didn't realize when he picked that option that they really meant right then... Not days away. And so the birthmark is gone! And Ben has an ugly wound that needs to heal ;)

*pictures coming
*maybe - some people won't want to see the pictures

Spencer pictures

You know when you haven't blogged for awhile it takes time to remember how to make it work... Like adding pictures... I'm not sure why it won't let me add many pictures from my phone (OK iPad). But I am enjoying the pictures it's showing me.

2018

I thought I would try blogging for a year again... Fingers crossed ;)

2017 was a very different year.  I will share more over the next several blog post, but tonight I will just share a picture from Christmas Eve.

Ok, not the picture I was looking for... But how cute is Spencer?  How could I not post these pictures?