2010 pictures

What a relief to have some family pictures to capture this time in our lives. It was interesting trying to get all five of us looking good. Maleena was not really cooperating and that made all of us a bit frustrated, but the boys were angels and we caught some quick glimpses of Maleena's sweetness. It was fun and I am so happy to have it done.

 

 

 

 

Swimming?

For the last four days Maleena has been obsessed with swimming. More specifically her swim suit. She loves the darn thing. She asks to put it on when we put her in her pajamas and then it is a fight to get it off her in the morning. For a while it was her Dora jammies and now it is a swim suit. Should I be concerned about this for the future? She is quite particular for such a young age. I must not care too much because I could always hide the swim suit, but what fun would that be and she is so dang cute! Gotta love this little one.

 

 

 

Beauty and Basketball

Our little Maleena will be two in a few months. She has grown to be so sweet. Such a great personality. She has spunk and I am so proud of that. She likes to put her brothers in their place and she really doesn't let them get away with much. I have loved having the boys and now a girl. It is so fun to see their differences and I do believe that they are different. Maleena looks in the mirror when I am done fixing her hair and tells me whether she likes it or not. She usually says, "Don't like it!" Where did she learn to be so strong willed? It is something I love and will probably hate at the same time. I consider myself so blessed to have the children that I have. They are not perfect, but neither am I. Traeton is old enough to tell me just that on occassion. I will admit that it is not easy to be a parent. I am trying to raise them to be honest, considerate and caring. They are teaching me so much more. I look at my kids and am in awe of their different strengths. I pray that I can be the mom that they need.

Okay, so this is a bit extreme for a one year old, but it looked so cute. The curlers didn't last, but they were fun for a minute.

 

 

Traeton is loving Basketball. He is getting better and better. I am proud of how far he has come. Almost undetectable that he has had a stroke. I took him to a different doctor than his normal a few weeks ago and the Doctor almost didn't believe that he actually did have one. He is a miracle to me. I know where he was at a year and a half ago- I will never forget what a stroke on a 5 year old looks like. I thank my Heavenly Father often for the blessing of all of our health, but especially for Traeton's miraculous recovery. The ability of his brain to rewire itself is not a simple task and I know Heavenly Father played a part in that. Some may think it is all science, but we know otherwise and I am grateful for that knowledge.

 

 

Miguel is in preschool now and loving it. He will be 5 years old in January and it seems like yesterday that he was just a baby. He is so excited to go to school with Trae and I will be forever nervous about him going to kindergarten. He is quieter than Trae, but he speaks up when it matters. I love all my kids. They are unique and different in so many ways. Sometimes it is difficult to navigate their strong personalities, but I am so proud to be their mother. I wouldn't change that for anything in the world.

So, Traeton-Miguel-and Maleena, I love you with all of me. All together you make up so much sunshine in my life. My day is brighter because I get to witness your growth. Please know that I will always love you!!

Halloween 2010

Lately it seems I can't quite keep up with all that life demands. I wanted to post a couple pictures of the kids for Halloween. It turned out to be a pretty nice night. Maleena was very upset that I put something on her nose and it only lasted a minute or so. Trae was the Thing from Fantastic Four and Miguel went as Iron Man. Maleena was the adorable black cat.

 

 

 

 

Ups and Downs

It seems that my emotions have been all over the place lately. I work in a field that comes in during some people's darkest hour. I sat with a mom a couple of days ago as she cried while telling me that she just can't take care of her child anymore. She has a difficult child that justifiably needs intensive mental health treatment and hospitalization, but her agony over deciding that she can not provide him with the love and attention that he needs, was almost unbearable. I cried a few tears myself, trying to maintain my composure. Trying to assure her that she is making a brave decision that is in the best interest of her child, but then I think, how can giving up your child be in their best interest.

I get it, I know why I work for Child Protection and I know why I feel so strongly about what I do, but it doesn't make it easier to justify in a court report why a parent's rights should be terminated. The impact of my words seems so overwhelming. I am learning to accept the good with the bad. I do see lives change and parent's step up for their kids, but I wish sometimes that all the ugliness had a remedy.

Lagoon

What fun we had at Lagoon this year. Maleena stayed close to the wagon, but had a good time, none the less. It was so fun to see the boys enjoying themselves. I loved the getaway and day free of worries and concerns. I am learning to shut work off and enjoy the moments that I have with my family. Next year we are already planning to stay two days, since you really can't get it all done in one day. For anyone wondering if there are enough rides for the kids-there are. We haven't been back for a couple of years and things have changed. There was so much to do and Jeff and I were able to get on the rides with the kids so that was even better. I have to admit, the mini-rides were scary enough for me.

 

 

 

 

Seriously, does it ever end?

So last Friday I took the day off work so I could have some fun with the kids. (Jeff took off to drive to Nebraska for his brother's wedding) The morning started off with a bang. I heard a crash and this is what I saw. Except Trae was standing at the bottom of the stairs covered in paint. I about had a heart attack and then I quickly picked him up and put him back amidst the mess. Of course I had time to grab the camera while I was getting the cleaning supplies. Sweet Traeton. He was trying to grab something off the shelf and stood on the bucket of paint in order to reach it. Obviously, the bucket was not the most secure choice. Surprisingly, the paint was quickly cleaned up and the rest of the day went so much better. Maybe it helped to have the crisis over and done by 9 a.m.

Love you Trae-life is never dull with you and your brother and sister around. I can't say that I always like the adrenaline rush that comes with having you around, but I am thankful for you and proud of your independance.

 

 

 

 

Jensen's Grove

Can't believe we have never taken the kids out to Jensen's Grove before. They all had a wonderful time. Traeton especially loved jumping off the dock. It was such a nice afternoon and sooo relaxing. Maleena is a natural swimmer. She loves the water, well all three love the water. I am grateful they are not scared and are actually getting to be pretty good swimmers. Maleena would have walked on out into the deep if we would have let her. Crazy girl-we are working on boundaries. Over all the day was great. We spent most of the afternoon swimming and had dinner with some friends. Thanks Tyler and Kara for the drinks, chips and cookies. We love our little get togethers. Summer is going by so quick, before I know it school will have started and fall will be here. Love days like this one.

 

 

 

 

a few more family pics

These pictures are of the family sitting around after eating ice cream. The kids were being monitored, though they did get a little out of hand. It is difficult to tame so many little boys. I know Trae and Miguel love having their cousins around. I get a bit stressed out when we are around a lot of people or just out in public cause I am constantly worried about what my kids are doing. They did well today and I am proud of them.

 

Uncle Jordan and Kayla

 

what energy these little ones have.

 

Maleena when I walked away maybe four steps to take a picture.

 

summer loving

Today we were able to go to Grandma's house and swim in the ditch. Well the kids swam, I just walked around watching Maleena. They water their grass by flooding the yard so the kids get to go and swim in the grass. They have a good time. Maleena enjoys swinging and seeing the boys run in the water.

 

Kooper was able to spend the day at Grandma's while his parents are at the hospital. Their new baby girl was born this morning at 7:48. They named her McCall and I hear she is just adorable. Congrats!

 

Jared and Tiffany are also in town this weekend, so it was fun for the boys to all get to play together.

 

Afterwards we all went and got ice cream at Farr's. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for a fun filled day. It was so nice to spend some time with you. We really need to do it more often.

 

Camping-4th of July

This camping trip was a bit different in that we had so much going on it seemed like we were in town more than we were on the mountain, but it was still fun to get away. I can't remember camping in a tent while growing up, my memories always involve relaxing in a trailer, so it has taken me some time to get accustomed to doing everything outdoors and sleeping in a tent. Jeff has tried to make it as nice as he can. I think we are finally getting there. I am liking it more and more each time we go. It also helps that the kids are getting bigger and the boys are easier to take care of. It is Maleena that makes the most mess of her clothes, but she has a good time doing it so I give in. Jeff loves camping, he would do it every weekend if he could. I love his persevering attitude, but sometimes his obsession is more than I can handle. He always tells me that I love all of the camping purchases once I am using them, but I don't think of that when he is spending more money on camping gear. I do love him for trying to create something great for me.

He is a good husband and father. I complain from time to time, but I do feel lucky to have found him. I see young couples and love how I can feel the love that they have for each other and I wonder if Jeff and I will feel that again, or if it is normal to have moved through that. Are we losing that or has our love reached a higher level? I would like to think that between the kids and work and school and church, that we have moments of that infatuation. I have moments when I look at him and can't believe he loves me, so he must have those moments too. I asked him the other night, he says he does, but I need to know more. I need to feel it. I need to know that he loves me more than anything else. We have decided to make more time for us. I hate going out after work, because I have been away from the kids all day, but I see it is important for Jeff and I to connect outside of the daily routine. Here's to working on keeping my marriage and my love strong. I work hard on everything else, so it just makes sense that I will have to put some effort into this too. Geez, don't know where all of that came from, but I have had a lot on my mind. I guess this turned into my outlet.

I love this little girl

I can not get enough of this beautiful face. I look at Maleena and I am in awe of her beauty. She is such a sweet little lady. She is unique and I am so grateful to call her mine. I marvel at how much greatness I see in her already. I count my blessings every time I look into her face. She has added so much to our family. I love the boys and will always be thankful for the way they have blessed and added to our family, but Maleena has calmed my spirit. I yearned for a girl and prayed that the lord would grant me my prayers. I still worried that the ultrasound would be wrong, even up to the second the Doctor looked at her and said, "it's still a girl." I know I would have loved another baby boy, obviously, but I needed a girl. She has been a bright light through so many hardships. She has softened her Dad in a way I can't explain. I love to see the boys and Jeff loving her and playing with her. She is not all sweet though, there is some spunk to her little personality and I am alright with that. I know she will take care of herself and grow to be a strong, smart woman. I am proud of her already. I have taken a couple of days off for the holiday and it has allowed me to just hold her again. I wish I could do it always. I look at her and that innocent baby face is quickly changing. Where does the time go?