Night Nurses #givethanks

 Tonight I'm grateful for our night nurses. We didn't have one last night, for the first time in a long time. I forgot how much we depend on them! Thank goodness we have full time nursing. It's such a necessary blessing.

Temple Prep

#givethanks 

This must be why I don't blog anymore. The kids are older, life is busier, and it's hard to find the time! But I'm committed not to miss a day!

Tonight I am grateful for my children. Specifically Sarah tonight. We had a temple prep class together at the church. She will be old enough to have a temple reccommend in January. I am grateful Bishop did the class in person. I think we needed that. I am grateful that Sarah was SO excited to go. She was just popping her little hand up and answering all the questions. Even one question that I didn't know. She is developing perfectly and she makes me SO proud. Young Women's here she comes!

 Tonight I am grateful for...

An opportunity to go up to Apple Valley and spend time with friends and family. How I love that place. It will probably always be home...

#givethanks

Also, here's the most recent photo of Sophia. She is doing great ❤

#givethanks

 Our prophet encouraged us to give thanks for the next 7 days on social media. Since I'm not on social media I decided to do it on my blog. Sophia is alive and doing well. Life is really busy. Tonight I'm grateful for my cool 11 year old daughter who likes to watch Gilmore Girls with me and my shiny bedtime face ;-) 

Three Amazing Months

Hey all! Sorry for the drop off there! It was actually for a good reason this time! Sophia's health has been SO good that we have been busy busy getting out and enjoying life! We even took her on a week-long trip to Idaho and then up to Yellowstone! I don't have anything profound or spiritual to say today. Just wanted to catch up. Life is fun. Life is hard. We have our ups and our downs and we are trying to make the best of all of it. 

Some happy developments for Sophia are.....

She has said a couple of words! I know! Can you believe it?! It actually started with "Mom" a while ago, but she only says that when she is really sick and suffering :-( Then the amazing moment this summer when she was trying to get my attention and said "HI" clear as a bell! It was a one time thing, but SO amazing. AND Lately when she is in the right mood... she will repeat "uh-huh"!!!!! It is SO FUN to go back and forth saying "uh-huh" with her!!

Some sad developments are that we are pretty sure she has bronchiectasis. It's a chronic condition because her pneumonia's have caused damage. It basically means she will FOR SURE have a cough for the rest of her life :-( Which we BASICALLY already knew, but it's still difficult, that moment when you know for sure :-( She did get a new machine to help us manage the symptoms. It's called a Shaker Vest and it's pretty cool. Her machine count is up to 8 now. We're grateful that they help us keep her comfortable, and buy us more time with her.

What fun we've been up to...

Manti Pageant...

4th of July in Kanab...

 (4th of July Nails :-)

Sibling Reunion...

My brother Chris came down for the first time in years! :-)

 We took the kids to Sand Hollow on Grandma and Grandpa's boat

 Cousins :-)

My sister Holly and I took our kids swimming at Hurricane Pool

Idaho/Yellowstone Trip...

Said Goodbye Grandma and Grandpa Hayes.

They left on their mission to South America!

 Met up with Jay's siblings at the Henry's Lake Cabin

And took the kids to Yellowstone!

Went to the annual UtahPCH reunion at Nicole's!!! There are 6 PCH kids in this picture.....see if you can find them :-)

Went on a "staycation" at the Marriot in Cedar ;-)

Took the kids out to Navajo Lake (my favorite place to camp as a kid)...

Met some friends at the Veyo Pool for the day...

Took Max to the fair...

Max's first day of Kindergarten...

 (and his first day on the bus)

More random cute pics...

Met a BEAUTIFUL family in Logan with a little girl with similarities to Sophia. Gave Sophia's wheelchair to her as she has grown out of it :-)

 And here's Sophia and I waiting for her appointment to get a NEW wheelchair!!!