Non-Stop Day

Today was another very full day. I had to leave for the CRS clinic at 7:30 this morning so we were all up and moving early. John leaves for work at 6:30 every day and so we are always up early...just not always moving! We got breakfast done and the boys mostly ready for school before I left. Luckily we have found someone to help us out for a short time. There is a girl in our ward who is just here for a couple of months who is basically totally free during the days, so she is able to work with our crazy schedule. She came over last week for a few hours while I was here and then watched the kids and cleaned up a bit while I was out today. It was nice to have someone here so I could drop kids off and pick them up as needed today. I feel like I didn't see poor Annalise at all today though. Maybe tomorrow I'll get more snuggle time with her!

Today's appointment was with an orthopedic specialist. Another Dr. to add to Bryce's list. While we were there, they took X-Rays of his hips. Unfortunately they found that they are not growing correctly, so we will be going back every six months for X-Rays to monitor that. The SWASH that he has will hopefully help that some also. Once we get him a gait trainer (walker) and get him up on his feet more, that should help also. Maybe this new information will help move that process along. I seriously can't believe how long it takes to get things through the system. It's so frustrating! We will also be going back to get Bryce fitted for some splints for his hands. He keeps his hands fisted most of the time and these are suppose to help with that. They say he will still be able to use his hands while he has the splints on, so I hope that will be the case.

On the way home we stopped at Albertsons to pick up a few things that were on sale and made it home just in time to drop Bryce off, pick Spencer up and head to Music class. After music we quickly stopped by the house to get Bryce and Annalise, and headed over to the school to pick up the older kids. Then home to do homework, have dinner, and head to Pack meeting. William received some awards for things he had earned at day camp. It was a very well done meeting and the kids behaved pretty well so that made for a nice evening. We then came home and got the kids down to bed. William has been having a hard time falling asleep the last few nights so he came out a time or two, but has finally fallen asleep! John got together with a few guys to practice a song they will be singing in church on Sunday and was kind enough to stop at Basha's to pick up some milk for us.

Tomorrow looks like another busy day including things like dentist appointments for the boys at 7:45 AM, Bryce's OT appointment, an evaluation for an aug com device or talking board, and Jacob's music class. All good things, just a busy, busy day!

Pink Nightmare

One thing that Sunday afternoons are great for is cooking creations. Some work out, some...well, not so much. So the story of pink nightmare begins. A couple of days ago Jacob was with me in Walmart and he saw this bag of "extra giant" marshmallows. He thought that was the coolest thing and decided to trade in the other treat that was in our cart for this bag of marshmallows. So for dessert today the boys each had one of these marshmallows. Well, they all ate just part of one. No one was able to finish a whole one. I don't blame them, I mean really, who can handle more than a tiny marshmallow in one sitting and these are pretty bad...yuck! Anyway, so I mentioned that it was too bad that we didn't have any Rice Krispies to make Rice Krispy Treats. So John starts looking in the pantry and asks me if I trust him to make something. Yikes! This coming from the man whose specialties include meatloaf made in a frying pan on the stove, and lamb stew that smells like dirty diapers. But hey, why not. I tell him to go ahead. So he gets out the Corn Flakes and Rice Chex and starts his creation. It kind of turned out as a big pink, really chewy blob. As it has cooled, it has become quite hard, kind of like a crunchy hard candy. The taste actually isn't too bad and it did use up some of those marshmallows! John has given this new candy treat the name of pink nightmare.

New Favorite Song

I just heard the song, "Let Them Be Little" by Billy Dean for the first time. This might be an old song, I have no idea. I don't listen to much other than kids songs these days but I went to a friends blog and this was playing. I loved the lyrics and looked up the video and watched it. Ok, I blubbered through the whole thing. Granted we just returned from Phoenix Children's Hospital and I am always more emotional after spending time there and meeting new parents who are there with their children, but wow, that is one powerful song. It is taking every bit of my strength not to go over to the school right now and take my kids out and run to the park to play with them. The fact that it is like 110 degrees outside and I'll see them in about an hour is helping, but I miss my kids while they are away...even for only a couple of hours!

Wheelchair Clinic

Today Bryce and I spent most of the day in Phoenix at the CRS Wheelchair clinic. He was measured and fitted for a Kid Kart. It's a little wheelchair/stroller thing that is going to be wonderful I'm sure. All the regular strollers that I have tried just don't give him the support he needs anymore. They said that it will take 2-3 months to get his chair which seems ridiculous, but I'm beginning to realize that this is just how it works. I'm so glad that Heidi Steele, a lady from our ward, found him a high/low chair at DI for $35! It is an answer to prayers. It doesn't have the tray anymore, but it has wheels, supports him well, and can be pushed up to the table when he needs a tray. This is the type of chair we have been trying to get approved though the insurance since May without any luck. I am so glad she found this one and now with the Kid Kart coming for outside of the house, we should be set on those items. Now to work on getting a walker, a stander, and a bath chair for him...ah, all in good time I guess.

While in Phoenix I stopped in at St. Joes Hospital to see a member of our ward who was suppose to be in there for another 8-10 weeks. When I asked about her, they said she wasn't in their system so I made a phone call and found out that she had been released. That's great news I guess, but a little strange at the same time. I'll have to find out more information on that one. I hope she is doing well.

We also stopped at IKEA on the way home. I love that place. I only needed a couple of things and I knew exactly where to get them, so it was a quick trip. Then I headed for home, picked up the kids from three different houses where they were being taken care of, returned an overdue video to the library (good thing we found that one!), and returned home to warm up some leftovers for dinner. Unfortunately it was a bit of a stressful evening and I wasn't a very nice mommy while trying to get everyone's homework done, dinner finished up, and getting everyone into bed. I really don't like times like that. I always feel guilty once they have fallen asleep and I see them lying so peacefully and looking so sweet. I do love my kids. I hope they always know that...even when I'm mean. =(

Tomorrow Bryce and I head back up to Phoenix bright and early. This time we are going to PCH for a skin biopsy to rule out yet another disease. We have to be up there at 6:30 AM, so hopefully we will be home before too late. I plan to make a quick stop at Walmart while I'm out to pick up a few important things that we are almost out of. You know, diapers, good nights, pediasure, bread, milk, ICE CREAM...important stuff like that! Spencer has music that afternoon and William has Cub Scouts that evening, so it looks like another busy day. Oh, by the way, I am on the hunt for another Mother's Helper. I think I will be a lot more picky this time around, but I sure struggle on days like these and could use some extra help. I have to say though, even though it's a bit more of a juggling act right now, I know we made the right decision on letting her go. I continue to find things out that I was not aware of and wow, Wow, we'll just leave it at that for now! But anyhow, if you know of anybody interested in making a few extra dollars while working for a crazy family...let me know! Our guest house will also be available for rent by September 1st. So please, spread the word!

Other August Happenings

I can't believe we are half way through August already. Weather wise, I can't wait for it to be over, but other than that I'd be okay with time slowing down just a bit. The boys successfully completed their first week of school. The first three days were great. The last two were a little bit harder. It's too bad they didn't go back to school on a Wed. I think that would have helped the transition a little bit. But they made it and so did we at home. Annalise seemed to have trouble taking her naps the first few days and I really believe it was because she missed all the noise and activity that she has become used to. Luckily she seems to be settling down a bit and is able to sleep in a quieter house. =) I was beginning to think I would have to tape the boys voices and play them for her while she slept. She sure loves her brothers! We all miss them while they are away at school.

We continue to hear good news from Grandma and Grandpa Clayton. They are doing many wonderful things while on their mission in Tonga. We miss them, but are looking forward to seeing them and the rest of the Clayton clan at the family reunion in July 2010!

Very exciting news for Jacob is that he lost another tooth. This was number 3. He currently has 4 more loose teeth just waiting for the right day to fall out. He lost this one during his primary class on Aug. 2nd. When we got home he was all upset because he had not gotten a chance to tell the primary president about it. We called to tell her and she was nice enough to make a trip over to our house to see it. How great is that? Thanks heather! You made his day!

Bryce finally has gotten his SWASH. We are working our way up to wearing that thing 24 hours a day. It seems to help him a lot especially while sitting and during his therapy sessions. He can even sit up a little bit on his own in a shopping cart which makes that part of my life just a little bit easier! It is harder to snuggle and hold him though when he is wearing it. He also has a hard time falling asleep with it on. Once he is asleep he is fine, but getting to sleep is tough.

Here you can see a little bit of how it looks while he is wearing it. He seems so much taller with it on. This picture was taken at Makutu's Island. He loves watching the fish in this fish tank.


I pulled out this toy for Annalise, and Bryce decided it was fun as well. He really seemed to like the fact that he and Annalise could be under there together.

Also this week Jacob and Spencer started their music classes. Jacob is in the third and final year and Spencer is in the first. Jacob has Marci Flowers again and Spencer is taking the class from Robyn Maloy. They both seem to be excited about it. I really need to find a piano teacher for William before he forgets what he has learned in the past three years.

Today we attended Nicole Millspaugh's baptism. She was beautiful and the spirit was there. Since John and the boys were out of town, I took the two little ones with me. Luckily Dixie Jenson was there and held Annalise throughout the meeting. Bryce was very interested in what was happening when Nicole was baptized so I held him up so that he could see. He watched her with a huge grin on his face the entire time. I am glad we got to be there!

August 2, 2009 Blessing Day

So this post is a little out of order here, but hey, better late than never right. Life somehow just keeps happening and it's so hard to stay caught up with it. Anyway about two weeks ago, on Aug. 2nd, Annalise Michele Clayton was given a name and blessing at church. It was a wonderful blessing. Unfortunately the microphone wasn't working, but many people who had been sitting in the back told me that they were still able to hear what was said.


Here is Annalise right after I dressed her. I waited
until we got to church to put on her white dress.
Mornings seem to be the time that she has diaper
explosions and I wasn't taking any chances! Luckily she
made it just fine. This beautiful dress was made
by Vickie Judy, a friend from the ward.


At our house after church.

Here she is just waking up. She sleep though most

of her little party.

Grace Brooks, a friend from the ward, enjoying

Annalise.

Our Precious Princess! The Bracelet is from

Grandma Stephens.

Proud Daddy! He's loving his first little girl!

Annalise and my dad admiring each other. Jacob

and my mom looking on. It was nice that my parents

were able to come down for the special day.

Back to School

The boys started school today. This time of year is always a little bitter sweet. I really do miss my boys while they are away at school, and I don't like all the additional stress that comes along with it, but it was nice to have a little quiet time this morning while they were all at school and the little ones were asleep. William is in third grade this year, Jacob is in first, and Spencer started kindergarten. They were all very excited this morning and were up way too early! They all like their teachers and had a really good day although it was a little long for Jacob. It's hard going to a full day.

William had chosen a very grown up looking bag
for this year, but when they saw the Mario backpacks,
he quickly changed his mind. These were 3 very
excited boys!


Our kindergartner!


Mr. Cool


Fun loving Jacob!

The Trip Home...A Trip Within a Trip

The return trip was quite an adventure. Actually it started out great. Since our car had been having trouble, my sister had to return home to work before we were ready to leave. My parents didn't want me to go alone, so my dad offered to drive down with us. My sister Sheri works for the airline so my parents can fly for cheap. So the plan was to drive to Indio on Friday the 24th, spend the night, drive on in to Phoenix Saturday, drop my dad off at the airport on the way in, and be home by Saturday evening. Well, our van had a mind of it's own. Luckily it did great for us on the way to Indio. We safely arrived at the hotel, went swimming, had dinner, and went to bed. We got up and ready to leave early the next morning and the van would not start. I was not too happy! I called John and he hunted down a repair shop that was open on Saturday. The owner agreed to have the van towed to his shop and take a look at it. He said that if it was something easy to fix, he would do it on Saturday otherwise we would have to wait until Monday. Well, it was the fuel pump = big job = two extra days in the hotel. So, here we are My dad, me, and 5 little kids stuck in a hotel, in 115 degree Indio. What do you do? Well, the hotel was inside of a country club area so other than homes and golf courses there was nothing within walking distance. Luckily there was a little kitchenette in the hotel with a refrigerator and microwave. So we decided what we would eat for the next couple of days then I called a cab and Annalise and I made a trip to the nearest grocery store a little over a mile away. It was ridiculously expensive, but cheaper than renting a car and actually worked out quite well. After that we spent the time Swimming, watching TV, and playing with the little toys Grandma had sent in the boys travel bags. Here are some pictures of our adventures.

The hotel was actually quite nice. It had this king
size bed that 4 kids and I shared...


and a pull out queen size sofa bed where the boys
took turns sleeping with Grandpa. They thought
that was great. The beds were actually very comfortable.


The last night there, William decided that he didn't
want to sleep at the foot of the king bed, so he made
himself one out of the couch cushions. This is how
I found him during the night. By morning he had
the cushions all level and seemed much more comfy.



Jacob of course loved watching the guy hook up the
car. He was especially interested in "how' he was
doing it.


Off it goes to the shop...again!

Spencer in the pool. He became quite a little fish

while we were there.

Jacob learned how to dive...sort of. Many of them

turned into belly flops, but he just kept doing it over

and over.

William acting silly

William and Jacob loved swimming the length of

the pool over and over.

Jacob

Bryce came out with us a couple of times. He loves

the pool! He really enjoyed putting his head back

and letting the water run over his eyes. He was also

able to kick and just plain move a lot easier in the

water.

Annalise working on her tan!

Here is Bryce with my dad. My dad was SO good

with the little ones. I wish I could have brought

him home with me for good!

Since Annalise needed to be fed and it was

dinner time, we stopped at Wendy's on Ray Rd.

in Chandler for dinner before driving on home.

We got home just in time to wrestle a bit with Dad

and then head off to bed. Very happy to be home!!!

The Lord works in mysterious ways. Spending a couple of extra days in a hotel with no car actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Thanks to my Dad, I was able to spend a lot more time with the three older boys (mostly in the pool) during that weekend than I have in a long time. There was no where that I could go or had to go, so we just played. Luckily the boys got along really well also. That makes a big difference!

Trip Down Memory Lane

So I ended up staying with my parents one extra day since my car was in the shop. Since I had extra time, my sister Kim and I drove down to Turlock to see the town where I grew up. Tanner and Annalise tagged along.

This is the house where I lived during my teenage years.

They have changed the color of it, and taken out the

big tree in the front, but I still recognized my old house.

I would have loved to have gone inside to see it again.

Donnely Park. We use to love going here to feed

the ducks.

One of my Elementary schools. I still remember

that Mr. Haydock was the principal.

This was my Jr. High. They have changed the name

and painted it, but I would know that school anywhere!

Turlock High School!

They had these signs all over by the

High School. I knew it was old, but I

had no idea it was 100 years old!

See those men working on that wall? That is where

my locker used to be. And those brick things around

the bushes, that's where my friends and I would sit

and hang out to talk. They didn't have the picnic

benches there when I went to school there.

It was amazing how much Turlock has changed since I was there 21 years ago! They even have a Qdoba there where we stopped for lunch before going back to my parents house. I wouldn't want to live there again, but it was fun to visit and see the place again.

Riding the Train

One day while in California, my parents treated
us all to a ride on the train. There is a train station
in Modesto, not far from my parents house. We rode
the train from Modesto to Merced and back again. Not
too far, but the kids LOVED it!

Grandma and the kids waiting for the train.


I love this picture of the kids waving
as the train came into the station.


On the train.

Grandma, Grandpa, and Bryce

My sister Kim with Tanner and Annalise

Maddie and Jacob

Spencer thought it was great that

he didn't have to wear a seat belt

on the train and that he could get

up and walk around. Here he is

"surfin!"

The whole gang inside the train station in Merced.

We had about an hour wait in the train

station in Merced before heading back

to Modesto. My sister Sheri helped keep

the kids busy by playing games with them.

Here they are hiding their eyes while someone

hid the raisin box.

Aunt Sheri found a great hiding place

for the box. It was in plain sight, but

since they had to look up to find it,

it took them a while. Spencer was

the first one to spot it.

Here they are playing sardines. Fun game, but

this was really the only hiding place, so they only

played it once.

Red Light, Green Light!

Bryce even got into the games. He loved watching

the kids come running toward him during red light,

green light, and Mother May I...which soon became

Bryce May I.

Simon Says. Sheri was such a great sport!

The kids were all intrigued by the pay phone. You

just don't see many of these anymore.

On the way back, Grandma treated everyone to a

treat of their choice. The kids all thought they were

in heaven with giant cookies, ice cream, or a bag

of skittles.