Monday, September 29, 2008

Mouse Paint

This week for Muffin Tin Monday we read Mouse Paint. So her lunch was different colors. She had red Spagetti O's, (or Baby Spagetti, she calls it.) yellow corn, green apple sauce, blue jello, white milk and an orange and pink starburst.
Brooklynn love Muffin Tin Monday and eats her lunch all up.
On Wednesday we won't be home so we did her art project today instead and painted. Berkie loves to paint and was very excited.

She gets very serious with her art work. (Note the tongue sticking out of her mouth). Sometimes she will even color for 2 or 3 hours. I bet she would paint all day if I let her.

Here is her finished product. She first drew an owl then it changed into a snake on a Puma's head, it ended up being Minnie Mouse.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Pajama Storytime

Thursday night we went to Pajama Storytime. Brooklynn always loves going and listening to the story and then they do an activity. This week there was a special guest. They read the Cat in the Hat and he was the special visitor. Caleb really liked him and thought he was funny.

Brooklynn was really scared. She started to warm up during the story. and even would lean over and tell Caleb "It's ok Caleb, he's nice." But then after the story when they let everyone go and hug Cat in the hat Brooklynn wanted no part of it. Then he left and Brooklynn was fine and couldn't stop talking about the Cat. What a silly girl. I am afraid Halloween will be a little scary for her.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Muffin Tin Monday

Monday's theme was The Giving Tree.Well I stole this idea from my friend Heidi... It is called Muffin Tin Monday and you read a book and that is the theme and then you put their lunch in a muffin tin. I thought it was a great idea. Since I haven't been working I really wanted to do a lot of fun things with Brooklynn but with trying to get ready for the baby, I haven't done as much as I wanted.
So this week we are starting Muffin Tin Monday, Work of Art Wednesday and Feature Film Friday. I think Brooklynn will love it and it will make sure I take time out and spend these special days with her. Also usually every Thursday we go to Pajama Story Time at Barnes and Noble and that is fun too.
In this picture Brooklynn told me that the brocoli looks like a tree. Brooklynn thought it was a very special meal and time with mom. It really made her eat almost all her lunch also. She loved it and I can't wait for next week.

Today we did Work of Art Wednesday and Brooklynn got to glue everything together and color it. She really loved it.She loves art projects.
Don't you love this picture with her feet up, tongue sticking out. She is quite the little artist, she consenrates so hard on her work.
Here is the finished product.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Miracles

WARNING: Extremely Long post, you don't have to read it if you don't want to... 22 years ago my mom woke up to me screaming in the middle of the night. I was panicked, I started explaining that something happened to Josh and I described that he was in the mountains in a hole and he couldn't get out. That everyone was looking for him but couldn't help him. I described more of my dream to her. She explained to me Joshua was okay and sleeping in his room. That it was just a dream. Well 3 years later when I was 7 this dream became very real.

Well today is a very special day to my family. September 22,1989, 19 years ago, my older brother Josh who was 10 years old at the time went on a scouting trip with our ward. He was a little young but since my dad was a scout master and most of his friends were older so they allowed him to go. They went to Tooele, Utah to explore an old abandoned mine, the Hidden Treasure Mine.

They all went in the mine with several adults and the boys. What boy wouldn't enjoy exploring a dark, dangerous mine. At one point the leaders even had the boys turn off all the flashlights. Darker than you can imagine,you can't even see your hand in front of your face. Well they continued on with the exploration and one of the boys was already partially blind and even with a flashlight he couldn't handle it any more. My dad was going to take him out, so he told Josh to come with him. Josh of course wanted to stay with his friends who were right in front of him. My dad let him stay since he was with other boys and adults. So my dad left and Josh turned to be with the rest of the group. Josh didn't have a flashlight but could see everyone else's and was running to follow the light. It seemed to get farther and farther away, he turned to see my dad but that light was gone completely. He turned back to follow the other boys and suddenly the light disapeared. (the group turned a corner). Josh just couldn't find the light after that. (Two of the searchers (Ray Guyman and Gary Christensen) with Josh.)

Josh decided to turn around and follow the wall to go back towards the exit where my dad left. It wasn't that far from when they entered and he had felt the wall the whole time walking in. What Josh didn't realize is that since he turned and again used his right hand to feel his way out, it was the wrong wall. The tunnel forked and was leading him further and further away from the entrance. He trudged through cold puddles and stumbled over rocks. Josh was feeling disoriented and at one point it was getting steeper. Josh remembered a thing my mom always told us. "If you are ever lost hug a tree." So Josh just stopped and stayed right where he was.

Josh was all alone in a cold, musty, dark mine. Josh prayed and felt an overwhelming comfort that he would be alright. He knew someone would find him. Outside of the mine once everyone was out and getting settled my dad couldn't see Josh. He asked everyone. He asked the boys who Josh was suppose to be with and they said, "No, he went out with you." They realized that noone knew where Josh was. Panic struck the leaders and my dad. It was now night and the boys fell asleep as well as Josh inside the mine. While the leaders continued to search for Josh. The next morning on Saturday, still no sign of Josh and now the authorities were involved. The scout group left and some of the leaders stayed to help. It wasn't until late Saturday afternoon that word finally got to my mom. And someone offered to take care of us 3 kids while another drove my mom to Tooele. (John Skinner with Josh at a BYU game afterwards.)

Inside the mine Josh prayed, sang songs, and slept. Josh was cold and hungary at one point he dreamt that he was eating a Big Mac from McDonald's and woke up and it wasn't a Big Mac.

There was one man named John Skinner who grew up around the mine and his grandfather was the superintendant of the mine and he knew it well. On the second day he came to the mine to help and for days was turned away. The authorities didn't want anyone except Utah Power and Light Rescue team in the mine for safety reasons. Dailey John went back begging to help inside the mine and still was turned away. One day he even snuck around the other side to go in a different entrance but it was too dangerous so he had to go back. (At the hospital)

Wednesday, 5 days later, was going to be the last day to search and they would close down the mine. At this point there was no way a young 10 year old was still alive. That morning my aunt Teresa looked out her front window with the Oquirrh Mountains in clear sight. And she saw a rainbow right over the mountain. There was still hope. John attempted one last time and happened to talk to two of the UP&L rescue. They told him that they need his help. John had 3 places that he felt strongly about. They checked the first two and didn't see Josh. They were looking at the map and Ray Guyman, who was deaf in one year heard something. They kind of laughed since they didn't hear it how could Ray. But they all listened and there it was. Josh was yelling for help. There was markings showing that this area had been checked over and over again but Josh was missed. They climbed a 30 degree angle and Josh was sitting on a steep ledge. If he didn't fall all those feet to his death, surely after 5 days and nights dehydration, cold or hunger should have gotten him. But he was still there. Gary Christensen grabbed him and told him they have been looking for him for a long time and explained that they would take him to his mom and dad. Josh explained, "No, my mom is not here only my dad." Josh was blessed with losing track of time and really thought it was only overnight.(This was the first picture of them lifting Josh out of the mine.)

My mom, dad, the bishop and his wife were at the hotel praying and they felt this overwhelming feeling come over them. Interupting their prayer there was pounding on the door they got up and opened the door and someone screamed. He's been found and he is alive. I remember sitting at my grandma's house and the doorbell rang. We were making pictures for Josh to give him when he was found, cause we knew he would be. The neighbor began crying to my grandparents that Josh was found. We couldn't believe it, we were all so happy. (This was a year later at the mine. Me, Terra & Jacob)

When my mom saw Josh he whispered to my mom. "Mom, I wasn't alone there were angels with me." We all knew very strongly that it was true. He was being protected and comforted. A while later John Skinner was up at the mine. He was walking around the mountain and found a porcelin angel. He kept that and knew Josh was being watched over also. There are so many more stories and experiences that people had relating to my brother's. I wish I could share them all but there are too many. This experience that happened to my brother and our family has really helped me in my life with my faith and testimony. I was so young when it happened but I will never forget it. I know that prayers are answered and miracles do happen. (After he came home from the hospital)

This is cuttings from a plant at my grandma's house that was given shortly after Josh was found. My grandma still has the original plant but I have some of the cuttings and I also got a pot and gave Josh and Johana some as well. I can't believe after 19 years this plant is still alive and so beautiful.Sorry it is such a long post.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Gracie K will be 1 year old

Happy Birthday Gracie K
My neice Gracie is turning one year old next week. I can't believe that she is getting so big.
Today I took her one year pictures and she was so good and very smiley.
I can't believe that she lasted through 4 outfit changes and several different poses.


Gracie is very photogenic. Happy Birthday Gracie & Jeff! (Her daddy Jeff who shares a birthday with her. Gracie actually looks just like Jeff but with Red hair like her mama.)

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

What to name this boy....



Well about 3 years ago we decided that we would name our first boy Cooper. Well not too long after that Brooklynn was born and she was a girl. But we still were set on Cooper. Now that we are acctually having a boy we aren't sure if it is what we still like. I had a list of about 100 names and Ryan has narrowed it down to these 4. He still isn't dead set on any of them. And let me tell you he is quite picky. (I understand though his first boy maybe his only. You never know with me if we can have more or what we will do...) Anyways. I am acctually leaning towards Nolan lately, but we may have to wait to see what he looks like. So answer the poll on which name you like best Cooper, Nolan, Easton, Cameron. Or if you have another suggestion leave me a comment.

Thank you!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Had to post these

Well I was on the computer looking through pictures for my brother and came across these pictures of Brooklynn when she was little. She sure is a silly girl. Also the last two were taken in the last couple days. Brooklynn has quite the personality. Our silly little dramatic girl.

This was taken when she was around 7 months old. She sure loved to eat.

This was Christmas morning right before she turned one years old.

This was last year. Still a messy eater.

Yesterday Brooklynn was playing in her room and came out all dressed. (She even put her shoes and socks on her self and her glasses. Don't you love the one sock up and one down.) She told me "Come on Mom, let's go to Grandma Oldroyd's house."

I must say I love fall weather, but this morning it was freezing when we got up and Brooklynn had to have a blanket while she ate breakfast.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Combined Baby Shower/Family Party

Well my cousin Matt and his wife Ashley are expecting a baby boy. My cousin Rachel and her mom Teresa have ALWAYS been so supportive through out Brooklynn's adoption, court and sealing and done so much for me. They were so excited when they found out I was acctually pregnant and that I have made it this far with no problems. They told me that they wanted to give me a shower. Of course I told them that I didn't need one and this is my second child and I had one for Brooklynn etc. But they insisted I be part of the shower. So we had a combined baby shower and family party. We had a lot of fun and I appreciate all they did for us.

YAY! I got a basinet/play yard from my mom and brothers and sister. We had to borrow one from Allyson when Brooklynn was born cause we didn't really have time to go buy everything. Everyone was very nice bringing us a gift for our little baby.

Ryan and I got Brooklynn a gift. She got a shirt that says "I love being a big sister" a book called "The new Baby" and a littlest Pet shop Toy. She was excited to get her own gift.

Both Ashley and I opening gifts.

Matt and Ashley got a really awesome hiking backpack to tote their little baby around in, from Matt's parents and Rachel, Shane, Sara and Eric. They are big time outdoors people and will use it a lot. They were really excited.

Jim, Teresa, Shane, Rachel, Eric and Sara got us this cute laundary basket and when I opened it there was a line of a ton of clothes. It was so nice and very creative.

After the eating and shower we went swimming and they had beach volleyball and some of the guys played ultimate frisbee. We had a good time at the shower/family party. I really appreciate how kind everyone was to us. Thanks so much!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Trip to St. George

Last week we took a trip down to St. George to stay in Ryan's parents time share. We had a lot of fun. There was this little river water area that is in downtown St. George and Berkie loved it.

Ryan enjoyed himself also in the fountain.

Brooklynn wasn't too sure about the fountain. She had fun, but she preferred the river.

Ryan and Ron had a flip flop race down the river. Ryan won twice I think but then they asked me to join in on the race. My flip flops won them by a mile.

Here is a picture of us 3 (and baby) at the river place.

Last year Brooklynn really liked swimming but this year we haven't had a chance to go as much. She was scared to death. She absolutely was terrified of the life jacket and wasn't too sure how safe the floatie was. We tried them separate and together it didn't go so well.

She liked the noodle but knew that it wasn't as secure. By the 3rd day she realized that she loved the life jacket. She could swim around the whole pool with no problem or help from us.

Day 5 she was done with the life jacket and was practicing swimming with out it. She loved it.

While we were down there Susan was going to decorate aunt Chris' grave for fall. Susan's sister Barb had a bunch of decorations for Susan but she forgot to get them. She asked me to help her decorate it with her. So we took a trip to Michaels and went crazy. (WARNING: Don't ever take me to a craft store.)

So I thought it would be really cute to make these balls of flowers. (that was before we realized how many flowers we would need and how much it would cost) Well I helped make the flowers but couldn't stay to decorate the grave. I think it turned out really cute. Susan did a great job.

Overall we had a great trip and were glad we got to go and spend time with Ryan's parents.