Reaching a milestone we didn't know we'd reach.

Today is Ivy's fifth birthday.  I am so happy.

I keep finding myself overcome with emotion today. Not while I'm busy with the kids, but in moments of reflection. I silently cried while I drove Ivy to preschool this morning, and wept openly as I cleaned the kitchen this afternoon. I don't know what the deal is. In these rare, quiet moments I get lost in my thoughts and feel so overwhelmingly grateful for these last five years. 

When all of this started back in June 2008 I didn't know what to feel. I feared that I would lose the tiny baby growing inside of me. I cried myself to sleep more times than I care to admit. I was devastated. But then she was born, and she was the most beautiful little baby. somehow Scott and I found the strength to make it through those hard days. And believe me, that first year of her life was HARD. And now I find myself 5 years later and I wouldn't change even a moment. My daughter is special. I am special because I am her mother. Heavenly Father gave us a beautiful gift and our entire family is better for it.

Ivy's heart will never be like ours and she will have to struggle with the ups and downs that come with it her entire life, but she is strong and she is amazing. I wish I could do these hard things for her, but I can't. I can only stand by her side, hold her hands, and tell her how much I love her and I know everything will be alright. I just have so much love for her.

I still fear what the future holds for Ivy, but I also have an abundance of hope.  This little tiny girl has already accomplished so much and I know she will do great things whether she lives to be 100 or not. I am so happy to have Ivy in my life.  She is a beacon on light and hope for us and I am so proud of her.

Happy 5th birthday, Ivy!  I love and adore you!

Grandma Jensen and More Fall Stuff

Last week was Fall break from school, so Corbin and Dexter took a quick trip to Bear Lake with Grandma and Grandpa.  While they were gone Scott and I took the other three kids to visit Scott's Grandma Jensen, who is turning 90 in December.  We wanted to thank her and Grandpa for the stock money that paid for our garage, and also just to visit since we hadn't been to visit them since moving back to utah.  

Echo let Grandma hold her for a long time (which is rare, because I swear this girl hardly ever stops moving).  It was so sweet.  I think Echo almost fell asleep.

 I made an afghan for Grandma, as a birthday gift as well as a thank you gift.  She loved it.  I hope it keeps her warm as the weather gets colder.

 All of us with Grandma.

It was really good to see her.  It had been a while since we'd been to her house to visit, and we enjoyed getting to see Christine, Roxanna, and Grandpa as well.

Now here is more of the same old stuff. We have been playing outside a lot this week because the weather has been so warm.  Also because the big tree in our front yard is dropping a thousand pounds worth of leaves per day and I am trying to rake everyday so that I don't feel overwhelmed.  Anyway, here are some pictures I took of the kids playing in the leaves.

These were taken on two different days. The first day Ivy wasn't there because she was at school and both days the boys were at school.  Alas...The boys are still around, just not in as many pictures I guess.

We also headed over to Wheeler Farm again.  This time Daddy and the boys got to come with us.  The boys had never been and Scott hadn't been since elementary school, so it was super fun for everybody.

See, I told you they were still around...

 That white goose in the background behind Ivy started to chase us.  Ivy nearly pooped her pants and literally jumped from the stroller to get away.  It was really funny.

Don't I have the CUTEST little family!!!  I love these guys!  (And Malcolm's facial expression is the best!)

And one last thing.  Malcolm started walking this week!  He's such a cutie boy!

We Really Missed Having a Garage....

So we had our carport converted to a garage.  It's finally finished, so I thought you'd want to see some before and after pictures, because I love that kind of stuff!

The carport side of the house BEFORE....

 AFTER....

Looking straight at the carport BEFORE...

AFTER its been converted to a garage

A view of the carport from the south side of the yard BEFORE...

The same view AFTER...

View from the back corner BEFORE....

Same view AFTER...

And finally, The house BEFORE we moved in...

And today.  So much better!

PS.. We just wanted to give a big thanks to Scott's Grandma and Grandpa Jensen who have been giving him stocks for Christmas for his whole life which we used to pay for this little construction project.  So thanks Grandma and Grandpa Jensen!  We couldn't have done it without you!

Other Fun, Yet Slightly Random, Things

I painted our door for Halloween this year.  I haven't done a Halloween window painting in a few years.  It was fun to do one again.

Right after I took this picture Scott claimed he wasn't sleeping.  Liar.

 I have spent so much time crocheting in the last month that my family probably feels neglected.  This is a blanket I made for a friend who's having a baby in January.

 This zebra hat is for the same friend.  I think they both turned out pretty cute.

 Scott and Ivy get ready for Halloween by being SUPER creepy.

 Someone (either Echo or our ghost) thought it would be funny to have this little guy greet us when its time to use the restroom!

Just one of the several ninja turtle hats I am working on.  There are 4 total, I'm almost done, just 2 weeks left til Halloween...

While I was dejunking some stuff the other day I found this Halloween bucket, with Halloween candy still in it.  How we made it through our move without noticing candy in this bucket is a mystery. 

 Echo and I had a deep conversation and bonding moment while Ivy and the big boys were at school and Malcolm was taking a nap.  There's something about chocolate milk that really makes a toddler open up about what's going on in her life!

Loving Life in the Fall

Our Fall has been nearly as busy as our Summer.  We've tried to enjoy the cooler weather as often as we can.  There are still many fun things you can do in the Fall.  Here are some of the things we have been enjoying.

Not technically a fun activity, but something we have done a lot of. We have been eating fruit like crazy!  I think Echo and Dexter have especially enjoyed it.

Jumping on the trampoline in the sun!  In this picture Ivy is pretending to be a zombie.

Enjoyed an afternoon at Wheeler Farm with the Bollwinkel's.  Echo liked chasing the ducks.

Ivy's preschool had a field trip to Jungle Jim's.  I decided to take Echo and Malcolm to enjoy it too.  They had so much fun!

Ivy with her teacher,  Miss Courtney

You can't tell from this picture, but I really felt like "throwing cookies" after this ride.

We took one last trip to Bear Lake over conference weekend so Scott could learn to close it up for the Winter and be more helpful to his super generous parents.  It was cold, and nearly deserted, but as always, a great time!

And just yesterday we went on a "hike" up Temple Quarry Trail (where they got the rock to build the Salt Lake Temple), with the Bollwinkel's, of course.  It was more of a very short walk than a hike, but it was cool.

 It was pretty much freezing and rained most of the time, but the fall colors were gorgeous and made it worth it.

 The kids had a blast exploring the rocks and climbing things that they probably shouldn't.  I felt okay with it until Echo joined in.  Then I was nervous.  Everything worked out fine and no one was hurt.

This is why Echo made me nervous.  This is one of the flattest parts she was climbing and I snapped this picture right as she fell.  So grateful it wasn't on the bigger pile of rocks she climbed.

 After we left we got a perfect view of a rainbow over where we had just hiked.  What an awesome day.