Introducing Guggy's newest Luvee!

Audrey Jane Wallace was born on May 26th, in Virginia.  It was the first time I wasn't there for the arrival of one of Jamie and Becky's children.  I missed out on Bailey's, Benson's, and Ike's arrivals too.  It is hard to be separated for such a glorious occasion. We will be traveling up to Virginia later this month to see baby Audrey.  This evens the count for us, 4 boys and 4 girls.  Can't wait to fill the empty frame on my wall with Audrey's picture.

I love the fact that her middle name is Jane.  Jane was the name of  one of my Dad's sisters.  She was an amazing women. She was never blessed with children of her own, but that didn't stop her from using her motherly instinct on every child she came in contact with. Her generosity and love could not be matched.  She was like a second mother to my sister and I.  We would spend a week in the summer with her, and she put on a major production for our benefits. She was educated, and served in the Salt Lake City area Assistance League, Alpha Phi, Garden Club, Church, and she was on the Board of Regents of Utah State University.  She was positive, self assured, and driven in the things she loved.

I know little Audrey will do amazing things in her life.  I am so excited to get to know my newest Luvee!

Can't wait to get my hands on her!

"Hope for the best...Prepare for the worst."

That was the saying on the fortune cookie Rick got on Friday, before we were supposed to leave for Florida. If only I had heeded its counsel. I had thought of every detail for our trip. I bought a few new things for us to wear, tip money, treats for the plane, earphones. Made sure we had our chargers for laptops, phones, iPad, camera, ( in all these previously listed items I always manage to forget one of them), plus the usual items you pack for a trip. I had even managed to save some extra spending money. We were ready! We went to sleep Saturday night thinking we were ready to go. Phone call 4:30 am. The kind of phone call you hate to get, Bri was sobbing. She had driven herself to the hospital and was in horrible pain. Jarod was with the boys. She had debated whether to call or not, knowing that we were leaving. First thought was to wake up, and process info. I told Rick to shower while I finished packing. We threw the bags in the car, and headed for the emergency room. We found a very sick daughter, in severe pain. We were hoping for a quick diagnosis, but you know emergency rooms. The diagnosis came 10 minutes before we needed to leave for the airport. She had kidney stone so big that would require surgery. Brianne crying, me crying, Rick was trying to think. Brianne was saying that she would be okay, but we were seeing the opposite. She called the Jensen's from her ward. They have amazing daughters, Bri trusted to watch the boys. For a moment I thought it would be okay, but the closer we got to the airport, I knew I had to say home. Sobbing all the way I dropped off Rick, (who had to speak at a conference) and went back to the Stewart's to take over for a few days.

I got to the Stewart’s and  Jarod had already gotten Rachel to watch the boys. I told Rachel I couldn't leave Bri, and attempted to take her home. Bri's van is fully loaded with every bell and whistle you would want, but a Guggy that had never driven it. I couldn't get anything to work. Open the doors, working the VCR, garage door opener, you name it  I struggled. Finally managed to figure everything out, and got Rachel home. In my thinking, I thought the boys are probably hungry. I didn't know if Bri had groceries or what, so I headed to McDonald's (ox in the mire, right?). Got home, managed to get the van doors to open, and kids in the house to eat some breakfast. Ike did a great job. Jakie decided the big container of syrup looked better thrown all over the kitchen floor. I mopped floor, look over to see laundry. Guess what, had to figure out the washer and dryer too. Then it was off to do the dishes; of course I couldn't get the lids off the sippy cups. If that weren't enough, then it was what input device ran what favorite cartoon or movie for the boys. Are you kidding me! I cried some more.

But, then that feeling of love for my daughter, and her two little boys took over. I prayed at least two or three times a day for strength, patience, and intuition for what each boy needed. And in the end, we all survived. Brianne got home Sunday night, and helped guide me the rest of the time. Her friends from church brought in wonderful meals, which helped us a lot. It was fun to spend time with Bri and visit when we got a chance.

We spent hours coloring at the kitchen table. Taught Jake how to make a circle, spell his name, and his colors. Ike and I painted and practiced reading word families.

Jakie and I spent hours at the table when Ike was at preschool.

Ike and I played army men.

We would set them up and then knock them down.

  

The wounded warriors.

On Wednesday I got a surprise! I was going to take the money I saved and buy one of these this weekend. Thank you Stewarts!

I love these two. We survived, and I was so glad I stayed home. I would have worried the whole time I was in Florida anyway. Bri is doing much better and I have learned a hard lesson. "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." Funny thing, other than missing a few days out of town, I still had the best. A family that needed me!

Spring Is for Sports

Our spring has been fully loaded.  Going to watch, or hearing about what's going on in the sporting world of our grandchildren, has been a frequent thing. First there was soccer.

Ike's league started first.  He was a hoot to watch.  Usually you would find him running down the field admiring his fancy new soccer cleats.

He was a good listener when coach talked.

He had a fun season.

Bailey's game however were a little more interesting to watch due to the age difference.  She has learned a lot and was a good player.

She scored several goals this season and played an awesome goalie.

Then it was on to baseball. Papa thinks they are still too young, but as an official "Baseball Mom" I beg to differ.

It breaks my heart we can't watch Gavin. I am so grateful for Becky's blog. It helps keep me up on the kids accomplishments. Gavin is an Oriole. He is learning all about where first base is, and if you hit the ball, run!

He is the entertainer!

He has great grounder skills according to his Dad.

Today Benson played, it was a riot.  I have never watched 4 year olds play T-ball.

All the Dad's or Mom's were on the field with their children.

He was so cute.

When he got up to bat, he hit the ball then stood there. We were all screaming for him to run.  It didn't matter.

We finally got him on 1st base.  They had already tagged him out.  Rules don't apply to the  4 year olds. I missed him coming to home plate.  All smiles!

This has been so fun, it brings back so many memories.  We spent countless hours watching our own children participate in sports. It is so worth watching the next generation!

You might ask what the siblings do?

A little of this.

And this...

I think we will have a lot to look forward to.

Hoppin' Down the Bunny Trail...

Had a great Easter Sunday.  Attended church, and went over to Brianne's and Jarod's house for dinner. We all brought something yummy to share, and filled eggs for the kiddles to find.  My assignment was to bring fruit and funeral potatoes.  I can't remember where I saw the idea, I think it was at the checkout stand at the grocery store.  I noticed a cute way to wrap up Easter place settings.  I told Bri I would try it out.  I thought they turned out pretty cute.

Looli came through with the Easter Bunny cake, everyone loved it!

After dinner we thought that the kids would like to go out and find their eggs,  Their Dads did a great job spreading them all over the yard.

Katelyn, Jakie, and Brynley were assigned to the patio area so the older kids wouldn't run over them.

Katelyn

Jake

Brynley

Ike

Benson

Bailey

We took a family picture of everyone but Rick and I.

Brandon and Elizabeth's Family

Jarod and Bri's Family

Israel and Sarah's (my niece) Family

After the kids had settled down from their egg hunt, Papa called them all together, and told them about Christ and the Resurrection.  They were a little distracted, but did a good job at trying to listen. Probably my favorite picture.

We had a good time. Thanks Jarod and Brianne! Missed our "Virginia Crew," saw cute pictures of their Easter, on their blog.  Need Beck to send them to me, so I can post them on mine. Hope y'all had a "hoppin' down the bunny trail" kind of day.

Never a Dull Moment

Rick ask me on Friday, what we were doing this weekend.  Off the top of my head,  I couldn't think of any one thing we had to do.  YSA were having a day of service, and evening of "water balloon battleship" which we opted out of this time.  We usually try to go to most of the activities,  but like the group to have their own space once in awhile.  Move forward to Saturday.

Jr and crew came to mow the lawn, we had them do some extra work that we knew we weren't going to be able to do. Took 4 runner to be serviced. Phone call = bishop stuff until noon. Phone call during bishop stuff, from Rick's Uncle Bill, saying that they were down in Houston visiting and would like to stop by.  Finish bishop stuff, beelined it for home to straighten up the house. Vacumm, dust, wipe up the kitchen, made sure the bathroom was clean, and started some wash.

Company arrives.  So good to see Bill and May, Julie (Rick's cousin) and Bill (a Vernalite),  their son Parker, his wife Emily, and their little daughter Adelynn. We had a great visit remembering Grandma and Grandpa Jorgensen, and fun times in Castle Dale, Utah. Rick spent a lot of time with Bill and May's family growing up.  We even visited  them while we were dating, and later on when we were married. We really liked spending time with their family. We had a great visit, and nabbed a few pictures.
Rick and  Uncle Bill

Uncle Bill's Family- Emily, Parker, Bill May Bill and Julie and baby Adelynn

Me, Rick, Bill, May









After they left, we scarfed down a burger.  Rick had put off doing our taxes,  because he thought we owed money.  He did however, really need to do his Mom's!  So off to the computer to finish taxes.  He got his Mom's done rather quickly and started ours.  While doing our's  he realized that he had  forgotten to add in the deduction for property taxes!  SCORE!  We got some money back! We are excited about the good news, but it is getting late.  We needed to gas up both cars to make our drive to church the next day. I think we got home at 9:30 pm. Got all settled in my comfy chair and realized that Rebecca, one of our gals from the YSA, had ask if she could hangout at my house until church.  She lives in Katy, and had an early Stake meeting. She is the Stake Music Director.  It is a long drive to go home again before church.  I was going to get some muffins and fruit,  and had forgotten all about it.  Back in the car we went.  Finally, we arrived home at 10 or so. I had to laugh at what went on yesterday, because I thought it was going to be a pretty boring Saturday!