Friday, October 1, 2010

Happy October!

Can you believe it is already October? It is amazing how time flies. I think every year goes by way too fast for me. Although, I love the end of the year. I love Halloween, Thanksgiving, and of course Christmas. There is also my birthday in December, and now I have a daughter who celebrates her birthday in October.

The weather is nice. It is pretty hot for October, but it's cooling down, and I think it will be really nice for Emery's birthday party. This weekend is Conference and the Giant Pumpkin Festival in Elk Grove. Next weekend is Christa's wedding. I absolutely love temple weddings. I love being at sealings and getting to listen more closely than I did on my wedding day. The following weekend is Emery's birthday, and her cousin Ethan's birthday and birthday party at Chuck E Cheese. Following that is Emery's party weekend (which is outside, so I'm hoping the weather is still nice) and the following weekend is Halloween!! Busy October...it's going to be a lot of fun.

I'm especially excited for the wedding. My sisters-in-law and I made a whole bunch of dresses, skirts, and ties for all the neices and nephews and they are going to look wonderful as a group. I still need to find something for me to wear. I'm sure I could find something from my closet, but what's the fun in that?

We upgraded our TV to a flatscreen, and got rid of our bulky entertainment center for a small one. It has really opened up our front room. I like it. Except that the other center held all of our games, printer, movies, etc. and now I just have those things piled up on the wetbar and kitchen counter. Still slowly re-organizing and cleaning up after the upgrade.

Our family has been doing really well. A lot of love in this home. I'm grateful for that. I hope you all have love in your home as well. Enjoy your October!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The Miracle

Short Story: My nephew almost drowned. I was there. He is now alive and well.

Now for the whole story...

Saturday the 14th of August was the Going Away Party for my little sister Sammi, who is now in Utah getting ready to start school at BYU. (miss you!) The party was actually an open house from 1-5. My family (husband, kids, and I) got there early so I could help clean and Chris could help look at the broken car. When it was getting closer to lunch time, my parents went shopping for snack food, Sammi, made a gift run to a pregnant friend, and Chris went to pick up In N Out for everyone. I was alone at my moms with my two babes, when my big sister Jennifer got there with her two babes. Bailey is 9, and Ethan is almost 2...same age as Emery.

We were talking in the front room, when Jennifer began wondering where Ethan was. He had been quiet for too long and it made her nervous. Her and Bailey went to look for him, and I was sitting on the couch. I heard Bailey yell for me, "Auntie Netty!! Come here!!" and I walked to find them, thinking Ethan was doing something funny.

I walked through the sliding glass door to find my sister kneeling over her son, who was blue and not breathing. He had fallen in the pool. I ran in the house to grab the phone and dialed 911. I remember freaking out. I think I was jumping up and down because I didn't know what to do. Bailey was crying and Jennifer was pumping his chest. When I got a hold of 911, I had never in my life been more frustrated at the calmness of someone. I understand that they need to stay calm, but I was devastated and I felt like everyone around me needed to be rushing as well. She connected me with the fire department, who got on the line and told me what to do while I waited. So I knelt next to Ethan, with my hand under his head and tilted his head back. After he threw up, I rolled him to his side. The man stayed on the line with me until the paramedics arrived. At this point, he had begun to breathe, at least one breath every 10 seconds was good, the man told me. Jennifer was praying, and Bailey was looking for help from a neighbor. Sammi and Chris had gotten home at the same time, and came to comfort Bailey. My parents arrived soon after yelling "Call 911!" I seem to remember everyone yelling that, while I was already on the phone with them. I think it's just instinct to yell that in an emergency. Your really not thinking at all. No one slowed down to ask "Has anyone called 911 yet?"

The paramedics arrived soon after and helped Ethan breath with one of those pump things in his mouth. They cut off his clothes, asked a bunch of questions, and wheeled him away to the ambulance. Jennifer and Bailey met him there, and the rest of the day was just really weird. Although Emery was too young to truly understand, I believe she was affected by the effect it had on everyone else. She is now scared of sirens, and I believe it's connected to this event. She was also really clingy for the next few days.

So Ethan went to the hospital where he eventually woke up, and was acting normal. He was released early the next morning, within 24 hours!

It's really amazing that he survived this, and that he was back to his old self so quickly thereafter. I know that God was watching over us, and that he blessed our family. I was blessed by the fact that I witnessed a miracle. It strengthed my testimony of his very existence. I know that I had the faith that was needed while this was occurring that he could save lives. I felt the Spirit tell me that he would be fine, and suddenly I knew he would during that ordeal. I looked at Jennifer and I said "It's ok. He's ok." I later promised Bailey, "He will be fine. I promise you that." And I knew what I was saying would be true. What a blessing! What a blessing that my whole family has now to really appreciate the lives of our family, and the breath that God grants us.

Some may say in a situation like this, "If God was real, none of that would have happened in the first place." I completely disagree. God gives us trials, he grants us miracles. This event happened if for NO OTHER reason than to bless me with all that I have mentioned. To show me the faith that I have, and to strengthen my testimony.

I believe there is no way to deny God this miracle. It was all him who saved my nephew.

However, even if you do not believe in God...you can still learn from this. Do not take your breath for granted. Do not take the lives of those you love for granted.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Aunt Carmel's Flowers

So, we went on a rafting trip with Auntie Sammie, Auntie Foo and her family, Rachel, Elana, and the Kutys. It was a lot of fun. We were trying to spend time together before Sammi moved to Utah. Also, she had never been rafting. Crazy girl. Aunt Carmel watched my kids for me very last minute. Thanks Carmel!! When I got there, Emery was just waking up. She slept on Carmel's bed and had gotten into all her flowers before she fell asleep.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Water Park 3

We LOVE water parks in this family and circle of friends. My sweet little Avi enjoying the sunshine.


mmmm...popcorn

Mason is the best little jumper EVER



My little model
Mina (Amelia) showed them how to float leaves down the creek.

They put little insects atop the leaves to float them down the creek.




The kids learned how to pour water on each other with the cup. It became the new favorite game.




They even wanted to play with Avers.


Emery getting Mason.

Mommy's Makeup

So, the other morning I woke up and Emery had already gotten up. I found her here....

Looking innocent? Look again.



Note to moms everywhere: Keep your mascara out of reach. ;)

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Pioneer Day

Our Stake put on a Pioneer Day Celebration and it was awesome!! There was a lot of musicians and a bouncehouse, face painting, pioneer games, cotton candy, and more. It was a great free event on a saturday night. Emery was the cutest thing. We went with Erick and Amelia and Mason of course.






She loved the cotton candy...Mason didn't care for it. Silly boy.




Share....

I thought it would be fun to have her get her face painted. But I wanted something simple, because I knew she wouldn't sit too long or keep it on too long. The little cat was purrr-fect. She actually sat really well while getting her nose and whiskers.

Mason and daddy. So cute.





Not to sound cenceited, but I actually really like this picture of me. Why can't all my pictures look like this? Hmmm.

Emery and Emerson (her cousin) going in for the hug.

So cute!!