We are going to miss Grandma and Grandpa!!

All of us with Grandma and Grandpa Annis
(can you believe how tall Connor is?)

Aidan with our newest family member, "Princess."

So, my dad and step-mother, Rhonda, came into town back in September. They have been living, along with their adorable dogs, Piper and Sophie, in their RV, in front of our garage. They were going to be here until after Connor's birthday in March, and we have loved having them here. Besides the fact that Rhonda has done almost 100% of the housecleaning and laundry since their arrival, the kids have just loved having their grandparents here that they don't see very often. After all, the last time we saw them was when Korbin was just a baby and now he's 3! Unfortunately, due to some issues back home, in Iowa, dad and Rhonda have to head back much sooner than expected. In fact, they will be heading out early Tuesday morning, and we are sad!!!!
Since grandma and grandpa are leaving we decided to go over to Mimi's house so that she could take some pictures of all of us. The last time they were here, we had pictures taken of the boys and grandma and grandpa Annis, so we wanted an updated version. The pictures turned out pretty good...thanks, Mimi!
We really will miss having grandma and grandpa Annis here and we hope they come back soon! Thanks for all the help while you have been here, we appreciate it! We hope you come back sooner rather than later, or that we can find a way to come to Iowa to visit. We will miss Piper and Sophie as well, but we are happy that we were able to enjoy this time with you!

Grandma and Grandpa Annis with the boys.

All of us again...what cute boys we have!

"My three sons!"
(goofy, as always.)

Happy birthday, Aidan Bryant Ireland!!!!!!

Aidan, our 2nd child, turned 7 today. He chose to have a "Wii bowling tournament" for his party last Saturday. We had the party at our church building because the gym is much more spacious than our living room. I made him a bowling lane cake, which was fun. We had a tournament that started with four competitions and went down to the final two competitors. The final two ended up being Aidan and his big brother, Connor. Connor won, but not by much. Tonight we had family party at my mom and step-father's house. My mom and my step-mom actually made lasagna together for the party and I made a 3 layer chocolate cake. Aidan wanted a new pocket knife, which he got from Mommy and Daddy. He also really wanted a Zhu-Zhu pet, which is apparently the most popular toy this season. My mom found him one on line. He as thrilled! If you don't know what a Zhu-Zhu pet is, look it up, they are cool. Aidan also got some cool marbles and a marble mat from Grandma and Grandpa Annis. He is a lucky little boy!

I still can't believe that it has been 7 years since Aidan came into this world. Aidan was supposed to enter this world, via planned c-section, on November 26, 2002. However, he felt the need to come the day before. I woke up at 5 a.m. that Monday morning, in labor, not liking it. I sat in the bath tub, I moved around, I tried everything I could think of to stop the pain. I finally called to doctor's office at about 9 a.m. and they told me to go to the hospital if the contractions continued or became closer together. About an hour later I took Connor to the Hamilton's house, next door, and left to the hospital. My mom had just started a new job that morning. John and I got to the hospital and checked in. The anesthesiologist came and checked my lungs, telling me he would see me the next morning. I told him I was having a baby that day, not waiting another day!! Dr. Anderson said that he wanted me to walk around a little bit and he would come over to see me at lunch and decide then if we would deliver that day. The contractions continued. My mom arrived. Mimi arrived with Connor. Papa arrived. Dr. Anderson came in and talked to me. He said there was no reason to wait a day. The nurse started prepping me for surgery. I was so excited to meet our little boy!! Dr. Anderson asked Dr. Cannady to assist him, and I remembered that he had assisted in my appendectomy when I was 6. Only in a small town would that irony take place. Aidan entered the world at 2:39 p.m., weighing 8 pounds 1 ounce, and measuring 19 inches. I had to go to ICU because recovery was packed. I had a nurse that I had had when I was recovering from my appendectomy, another irony.
I got to my room about an hour after Aidan was born and what a beautiful sight!! Connor and daddy had helped bathe him for the first time. He was wrapped up all snugly in a blanket with a cute blue hat on his head. I held him for a few minutes. It didn't take long for Papa to take him from me. That was the beginning of a special bond between Aidan and his great grandfather. They were almost inseparable most of the time. Aidan still lets us know, at least once a week, that he misses his Papa.
Aidan is still as sweet, kind and beautiful as the day he was born. He is funny! He is smart. He is active. He never really stays still, even when he is sleeping. He has more freckles on his nose and cheeks than his brothers. He has beautiful blue eyes. He is the smaller, in stature, of my boys, but what he lacks in height he makes up for in personality! Aidan makes me laugh everyday, and I am so thankful for him.
We had a few names chosen, but knew the moment we looked at him that Aidan was it. His name means "fiery spirit" and that he is! His middle name is my grandparents surname. We gave it to him because we had told Papa when Connor was born that if we ever had another boy, we would give him Bryant as part of his name. Bryant is a name to be proud of and one that Aidan will always live up to, I am sure. We have always called him "Bug," a fun nickname for a fun boy.
We am grateful to have Aidan as part of our family. We cherish each moment with him and look forward to continuing to watching him grow up to be a great man!!
Happy 7th birthday, Aidan! You are the best Aidan in the whole world, don't you ever forget it! We love you for always and forever, Aidan Bug!

Happy Father's Day!!!

It's Father's Day....a day to celebrate father's and fatherhood. Perhaps even a day to reflect upon what makes a father a father and what does fatherhood consist of? Every person in existence has a father, even if they don't know him, talk to him, like him or see him. Some people, like myself, are blessed to have a father and a step father, both of whom are equally considered a father. My boys are blessed with a great father, who they love and admire. John never knew his father because he died when John was only 5 months old. But, John had a great foster father during his teenage years who made a great difference to a life that might have otherwise turned out.
I have been thinking a lot about what makes a father a father. After all, not everybody has their biological father living with them. I see "broken" families on a daily basis where I work. I technically came from one of those "broken" families. I never once felt, as a child, that I came from a "broken" or a different family. I am sure that I never felt that way because I still had a "dad" in my dear grandpa. Papa always made sure that I knew how much I was loved and he supported me in everything I did. He did all of the things with me that a father would have done. From taking me to father/daughter functions in Girl Scouts to teaching me how to drive and how to pitch softball, he was the "dad" when I needed it most. Even with all of this, I still knew that my father loved me just as much. I always knew that he would have liked to be the one to do all of those things with me, but circumstances were out of his control. I loved getting letters and postcards from him, seeing the new places he was living while serving our country in the Navy. I loved seeing him when I could. And now, as an adult, I am so happy that we still talk through e-mail and on the phone. We look forward to having them come out this year and spending time with them. I am even more blessed to have a step-father who truly loves me and supports me always. Jay loves our children beyond measure and is truly their beloved "poppi." He lets them stay the night as often as they want to, and he teaches them things that the rest of us never could. He often has more patience with my boys than I do.
My boys are blessed to have a father who loves them without end. Sometimes I think part of fatherhood is knowing how to act like your children, because John does it so well sometimes. In all seriousness, though, John does love his boys and he wants only the best of the best for them. I have heard it said that the most important example in a child's life is that of their same gender parent...a father has a great task ahead of him from the beginning. I know that my dear husband is up to such a task, even when the going gets tough. I believe we all have great expectations for our children, and I know that it takes an entire family to help them to achieve their goals. I am thankful for the fathers that I have had in my life and the many great examples that my own children have in their lives.
Happy Father's day to my husband, my dad, Jay, and of course, to my Papa! Thank you to all the fathers who strive everyday to help their children to become great adults.

NEWS!!!!!!

I forgot to add to my last post...no I didn't. This needed it's own post.

John got promoted to manager of GNC. He is excited! I know that he will do well. This is a huge blessing for our family and we know that it is truly only by the hand of God that we have been blessed.

Congratulations, John!!!!! We love you!!!!!

Remembering.....

Somehow Memorial Day weekend always feels like the real ending of Spring and the beginning of Summer. Perhaps this is because it is so close to the end of the school year or perhaps because the weather seems to get a little nicer about this time. I don't know exactly why, but it feels that way every year. I love that I get a 3 day weekend and that my boys have one too. And, I love what Memorial Day really celebrates. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father created us with minds that hold memories and that we can thus recreate so much history.
One of my favorite memories of growing up in truly "small town" America is the Memorial Day parade that takes place every year in Ferndale. I still remember watching the parade each year of my childhood and placing flowers on the "grave of the unknown soldier" each year. And now my own children get to do the same. A very special part of my memories of the parade have everything to do with the fact that my grandpa was a part of the parade for as many years as I can remember. He proudly walked in the parade with the VFW for years, and then as he grew older, he rode on the VFW float. My grandpa was always proud to don his army hat and show his patriotism. He was truly Proud to be an American and I am grateful for his example. For years, my grandfather put his flag out every morning and then he would carefully bring it in at night. Aidan loved to be there to help Papa put the flag out or bring it in.
This year we will be going to watch the parade, having missed it last year since we lived in Utah. (Instead we went camping in Southern Utah, where it was much colder than expected.) My boys will all take flowers with them, probably from Mimi's yard. It will be hard not to see Papa sitting on the VFW float, and I will probably cry. But, I am so grateful to live in a place where I am free to watch a parade that truly honors and remembers those who have fought for me, and you, to have such freedoms.
So, in honor of all who have fought and all who continue to fight for our freedom....check out this cool video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0mm4u2VzDs

Enjoy your holiday and remember to enjoy your freedoms always!

Belated Birthday wishes....

So, the hard drive in our Macbook crashed and burned last weekend. Bummer for us on a few levels, but especially since it meant that birthday wishes for our Mimi would have to be belated. However, we did not forget Mimi's special day...........

Wednesday was my grandma's birthday. I won't tell you just which number birthday she celebrated, because that just isn't my place. Suffice to say, she became a grandma at a fairly young age, making her still young today, in my opinion. Mimi was 2nd born to her parents and the only girl. She grew up in Ferndale, married my grandpa, became mom to a daughter and two sons, later became grandma to me and one other granddaughter and even later became great-grandma to my sweet boys. She and Papa were married for 53 years, practically their whole adult life! She's my Mimi! Mimi is a great example of hard work, dedication and love. She really is wise and wonderful. She is truly our family's matriarch in every sense of the word. I truly believe that Mimi is a remarkable woman! I am grateful for her love and support always, and I am grateful for her strong example of being a wife and a mother.

Happy belated birthday to you, Mimi!

Happy Birthday to Grandma Annis!!!

Today is my step-mother, Rhonda's birthday. We were lucky enough to have my dad and Rhonda live here for a few months a couple of years ago. Korbin was the only one of the boys they got to see a baby. It was the first holiday season I got to celebrate, in my whole life, with both my parents together. I am not only blessed to know that both my mom and my dad have spouses who love them, but I am blessed to have two extra parents! On top of that, I have parents who not only support, but completely understand the relationship that I have with the other of the two. And, the best part is, my boys get to have 4 grandparents just on my side of the family! We miss having grandma and grandpa Annis here and hope that they will come back and stay for awhile in the Fall. I hope Rhonda knows that I love her...and that our boys love her too! Happy birthday, Rhonda!!!!

Happy Birthday to Pop!

Today is Pop's (my step dad) birthday. The boys have all called him Pop since they could talk. Very seldom do I actually refer to Jay as my step father when I talk about him, but almost always refer to him as simply, my dad. Because, in all reality, he is as much my dad as my biological father is. He has always treated me like his own, from the very beginning. He has loved me, supported me, and always cared for me. He loves each of my children without hesitation or condition and I am confident that he would do anything for any one of them. Jay loves my mom so much! He has been a part of our family for so long now that it is hard to imagine life without him...though I wouldn't want to! My grandfather loved Jay as much as he loved his own sons and I know that the feeling was mutual. I hope that Jay knows just how much I love and appreciate him. Happy birthday, Jay! We love you forever!!!!!

A year in time makes nine???

You know that old saying; "A stitch in time saves nine...."? It doesn't work with years! Our first born son will turn nine tomorrow, and yet there are days when it really feels like only one, small, quick and unreal year has gone by.

When John and I got married, we were going to wait for a year or two before having children. Then, the month after we were married, I had this overwhelming feeling that we were supposed to start our family right away. Honestly, it did not take as much convincing as I expected for my husband. The month after that, I took a test one day at work...and it was positive! I remember calling my mom and Jay, who were pretty excited for grandchild #1 and John calling his mom who was thrilled at the thought of grandchild number 17. My dad and Rhonda were pretty excited, too. And of course my grandparents were very excited too! I was pretty sure that everything was perfect and would go perfect for the entire pregnancy...
At about 14 weeks into my pregnancy, not long after seeing my awesome OB/GYN, Ken Larsen (who I had nannied for prior to being married) for the first time, everything changed. I stood up at work and felt a weird gush, like I had just wet myself. Only it wasn't that I had wet myself, but that I was bleeding, A LOT! Good thing my best friend, Sarah K. worked with me because John was out of town (that's a story for another year) and my family was two states away in CA. So, Sarah K. took control and got me to Ken's office where he checked everything out. He showed me my perfect little baby with his very strong beating heart on the ultrasound machine...I was so glad to hear him say "the baby's fine, he is perfectly fine." Ken then told me that my cervix was incompetent and would have to be sewn closed if my baby was to stay where he obviously needed to be for awhile. My mom came out a week later and stayed with me while I was stuck on bed rest, cooking and cleaning and being mommy to me.
Fast forward 6 months and I was at the hospital, in labor, wishing that this sweet little boy would enter this world sooner rather than later! I had woken up in labor on March 14 at about 6 a.m. and had gone to work at the State of Utah. Since I had been to the hospital two times before, only to have my contractions stop, I was determined not to return until it was absolutely necessary! I made it through work until about 4 p.m., when I just couldn't do it anymore. I went home, called John and ordered pizza. Sarah K. and her then boyfriend (now husband) came over. I remember David made me the best ever grilled cheese sandwich! Then, at about 1 a.m. I was going to go to bed. I had two contractions in the first 5 minutes of laying in bed and John said we were going to the hospital no matter how I felt. Off we went...I was checked in and about an hour later I asked for the epidural...I was done with pain! Ken checked on me early, around 7:30 a.m. and he broke my water and placed a monitor on Connor's head. I remember him telling us that Connor had dark, curly hair...how could he know that? There, in that bed, I stayed all day long. At 5 p.m., I was finally completely dilated...but the baby wasn't really staying down where he should have been...we were both getting tired...Ken said I could try pushing but if the baby didn't move down by at least 1 cm, I was going to have a cesarean section. I could not make my baby budge! I was tired, I had a fever, I was ready for the baby to come out...I did not care how it happened at that moment! I barely remember having the doctor show me my little boy...the nurse asked me shortly after if I wanted to hold him and feed him...I said yes...my recovery nurse said that it was probably not going to happen...then I remember being wheeled into my room to see Sarah K. holding my baby....I slept that night, for the last full night in many months to come! The next morning, I held my baby for the first time...he did have brown, curly hair...he was beautiful...8 lbs. 3 oz. and 21.5 inches...clearly his height comes from his daddy, even today....he was perfect in every way!!! And to think, I could have lost him before I knew him....I have always been, and will always be, thankful to Ken for all that he did to save my baby, and for delivering my perfect little boy!
Today Connor is still quite tall...he will pass up my mom, grandma and me, probably within just a couple of years. He is still pretty near perfect...still beautiful...and darn it, he is still my baby! Connor amazes us each day with his knowledge, his love and his sweet, sweet spirit. He has a great love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and lives up to the promises he made when he was baptized last year. Connor James Ireland...he is amazing...he is awesome...he is a great big brother...he is a great son...and he is loved!!!! From before he was born, he has been loved more than life itself...and forever he will be!
Happy birthday, Connor Boo! We love you!!!

Our baby is turning 3!!!

I cannot believe how time flies! Just 3 short years ago we were welcoming our baby, Korbin, into our family. He was supposed to come on January 31, 2006, via a planned c-section, but there were a couple of emergencies and surgeries taking longer than planned that day. So, we were moved back to Wednesday, February 1, 2006. Just after noon, Korbin was born, via c-section, and almost immediately I knew that there was a problem. They quickly showed me his face and whisked him away, out of the room. I didn't hear his weight or his cry...not like the others before him. Then, there was Dr. Anderson, talking to Dr. Wolff, about getting my bleeding stopped. John left to be with Korbin and the rest of our family and finally my bleeding was stopped and I was sent to recovery. Not long after, my mom came into the recovery room. That is when the reality of something being wrong really hit, and I knew it was going to be bad. She told me that Korbin was having breathing problems and that Dr. Killfoil was there and planning on staying all day. I asked her to send John in because I knew that we needed to call someone to come and give our baby a Priesthood blessing. And as I waited for my husband, I cried. Never before had I felt such pain in my heart, the thought of my beautiful little boy hurting made me hurt more. We called for two members of our Church ward to come and give Korbin a blessing. They dropped everything to come and administer a blessing to Korbin and to me. Korbin very quickly recovered and Dr. Killfoil said that Korbin was doing well, so he was going to go home for some dinner but was only a phone call away. Within a few minutes, one of the nurses called the doctor back because Korbin had had a seizure. It was then that we knew Korbin would have to be flown to San Francisco to the NICU. I spent several hours in the nursery holding my heavily medicated baby that night, weeping when he was taken from me for transfer to the NICU. The next day John and I headed to UCSF to be with our baby. We spent a week there, with Korbin not having another seizure after February 2, 2006. When we were told we could take him home, one week after he was born, I cried again! This time I cried happy tears...my baby was healthy and we could take him home to join his brothers. What a blessing for our family!
Today, three years later, I am even more grateful that Korbin is a part of our family. One would never know by looking at him, that he spent his first week in the NICU. He is healthy, happy and continuously busy! He is a necessary part of this family...we would not be whole without him. He brings joy to our hearts and home. His smile lights up any room in seconds...and his mind and body are quick and whole. What a blessing we have been given!
Happy birthday my "Bubbie," we love you today and always!!!!

My Mimi

So I know I already posted today, but I have been wanting to do this post for more than a week. I just wanted everyone to know how great I think my grandma (Mimi) is. I have realized in the last few weeks and months, just how strong she is. My grandpa was 10 years her senior, and I am sure that in the back of her mind, she always knew that he would likely leave this earth before her. I am sure that somewhere, sometime, she realized that she would spend some time taking care of him, and I know that she made that commitment without reservation. She is truly one of the greatest examples of pure and unconditional love I have ever known and I am eternally grateful to have been sent to this family! John and I were married on my grandparent's 44th wedding anniversary. I asked John if we could choose that day because I sincerely admired the example of love and faithfulness I had seen in their marriage over the years. I only hope that I can be even half as successful in my own life as Mimi has been. My grandmother has sacrificed much over the past few months as she has cared for her lifetime companion, though I don't know that she would ever call it a sacrifice as much as she would call it love. I have been truly amazed by her strength and poise as she has said good-bye to her husband, and by her complete and total love for him. I have seen the twinkle in her eyes when we have talked about the wonderful memories of her true love and I have watched her gracefully cry her tears of grief. My Mimi truly amazes me! I hope that I can one day be even half as strong as she is, for then I will be truly blessed!

A Day of Historical Importance

What a wonderful day in the history of the United States! I will openly admit that I did not cast my vote for our new President, but that does not in any way negate the fact that he is our country's Commander in Chief. It also does not change the fact that today is a historical day for our country. Whether or not President Obama was my personal choice, I have the opportunity to witness the first African-American President take office and lead our great nation.
I was not able to watch the Inauguration this morning because I had to work, but I did record it (how wonderful is DVR?) to watch it tonight. Connor watched it at my parent's house (he was home from school sick today) and Aidan was able to watch it at school. How wonderful that we live in this age of technology that allows each of us to witness today's events if we so desire.
So as I was driving to work this morning, I began to think about how much of history I have witness in my short life. I mean, I am almost 36, (which, by the way, I do not consider old) and I have lived in a democratic country my entire life! During my reflection, I was reminded that we each have a different view of history and we each have our very own history. For me, my own history includes events such as my wedding, the birth of each of my children, and my graduation from HSU among many other events. Of course I also remember events such as the space shuttle "Challenger" exploding and the Twin Towers being blown up on September 11, 2001. Some historical events are joyous and some not so much. Nonetheless, each of these events help to form us, as individuals, as families, as towns, cities, counties, states and countries, and these events help to form us as a society as a whole.
As I took this time to reflect today, I was again reminded of just how grateful I truly am to live in this great land of freedom! I am able to vote for the candidate that I want to vote for, without the fear of persecution or physical harm, I am able to voice my opinion without repercussion, and I am able to choose how and where I will worship without fear of having to hide or flee because of that choice. How truly blessed I am! I have a rich history, both my own personal history and that of the world around me.
I AM TRULY GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN A WITNESS TO HISTORY TODAY!

A Sad Day For Our Family

Today is a sad day for us. My grandpa passed away this morning. We have lost a wonderful man, the patriarch of our family, our greatest supporter and probably the best husband, dad, grandpa and great-grandpa ever!
My grandparents have been married for 53 years! John and I were married on their anniversary, almost 10 years ago. They had 3 beautiful children, one of them is my mom. They have two granddaughters, one is me. They have 3 great-grandsons, they are my boys. It is hard to believe that Papa won't be coming home anymore. We all love him very much and we will miss him dearly!
My grandpa was a great man! I don't think he ever met a person who did not become his friend and I am pretty sure that he never had an enemy! I want to be like him when I grow up. I have many memories of my Papa. We used to watch Gilligan's Island together when I was a kid. I used to go on trips with my grandparents a lot. Papa taught me how to swim. He went to Father/Daughter banquets for Girl Scouts with me. He taught me how to pitch a softball. He loved me and supported me in everything I ever did, even if he didn't agree with it. He loved my Mimi with all his heart, always and forever. He loved each of his children forever and for always, and he loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren the same way.
I am so very grateful that I had my Papa as part of my life for 35 years and that each of my children met him and were loved by him. I am truly blessed because I had him in my life. There will long be a void where he used to be....one that can not be filled by any other person on earth. I only hope that I made him proud, that he always knew how much I loved and admired him, and that one day I can be like him!