This blog is meant to help keep intouch with friends and family members who are near and far from us!!
The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck
So much time has gone by since I last wrote and I feel so bad about that! I feel like my life has been insane. Let me start from the end of May...I was coming home from the park with kallie in tow, driving in the right lane, and the car in the left lane changed lanes into me on the free way, I swerved and lost control of the car. We spun twice and then ended up facing the wrong direction on the free way. It was not pleasant, but Kallie and I were both just fine, not even a scratch on either one of us. I am so grateful for that...we were all surprised, it should have been so much worse. Now almost two months later, we just got our car back from the shop, and now I just don't want to drive it anymore...it scares me. I guess I missed a little detail about the recent happenings...the beginning of may we found out that I was pregnant, was being the key word there, so now continuing on. July 14th came, and we went to San Diego for a family reunion with the Harlow's. We got there on Friday, and on Sunday I started having some spotting. It stopped, and my doctor told me that it was probably alright, and to just try to enjoy the vacation. I knew that something was wrong, and I could just not deal with the waiting. I made Danny take me to the Doctor, and sure enough, they could not find the heart beat anymore. We has seen it three times before this point, so I knew that it should be there. It was like I was getting hit with a ton of bricks. We have waited so long for this. My heart broke that day. BUT on the bright side, I have the most amazing husband who sat right by my side the entire time and told me he loved me and that he was sorry. I needed him so very much at that time. It was such a tender mercy from Heavenly Father that I was able to be in San Diego with my Husband. He had the week off, and I had family members who were ready and willing to help at the drop of a hat. I love you all so much and thanks for the support that I so needed at that time. SO-I went down that path of what do I do now??? Oh believe me I did. That first night I went to bed just sobbing. When I woke the next morning, I had a most tender experience, and I will say that I have gained such a strong testimony of the ability in which our loved ones who have passed before us have, to comfort us, and be near us in times of trial. SO-that is the BAD...and enough with that. There has been plenty of good that has come out of the bad, and that is what I have to focus on.
THE GOOD...somewhere in this blog I have the quote "Life is is shipwreck, don't forget to sing in the life boats..." That is what I have felt like I needed to do. I have a wonder little family. I am so blessed. I know that Heavenly Father does not want me to be sad, he wants me to find joy in all things. I know that there is a reason for everyrthing. Right now I think that one reason for my experience was this, I needed to know that my body could do it, that I could conceive and have more children. I now know this. I am so grateful to my heaveny father. I know he is watching out for me, and I do know that I will have more children. The other good news is that we closed on our house on June 5th. I love it sooooo much....I have been able to keep busy with decorating and making it mine. There will be pics to come. I am so blessed I am so grateful. My cup runneth over!
Danny and I are currently living the life of teenagers...I feel like we have traveled back in time! We are living with my mom and dad until we close on our house...and this whole buying a short sale thing has not been very much fun!! Here are a few things I have learned over the last few months:
A- you can get awesome deals on houses right now
B- short sales are even better deals
C- Short sales require ALOT of paper work
D- I am grateful we are in the position to buy a house
E- I do not like buying a house
F- If I had to start this whole thing over again, I don't know that I would chose a short sale
G- It is a waiting game....oh so much fun
I- I am grateful we are almost done
J- I am not going to do this again for a long time
K- Buying a house must be like giving birth...you do it once, and then you think..I will never do that again......and then a few years down the road you find yourself in the same position!! I guess it is a good thing we are qiuck to forget, or else we would get no where in life!!
Kallie is doing great. She said something in her prayers today that I thought was worth noting. I have told her a few weeks ago that she needs to pray that Heavenly Father will bless us with another baby...so today she says something that I just know was meant for me. I am sure that she had no clue what she was saying but it was like Heavenly Father was giving me a little friendly reminder...she says this " Please help Jesus to remind us that he can give us another baby." I just thought that showed such child like faith. I know that the lord is in control of all things...thanks for the reminder Kalls!!
When mandi was out of town, I had these taken of the girls...I am in love with them!
This Mandi and Mike's little angel Sara
I forgot that I have been wanting to add this picture to my blog...this group of girls....plus one, Gretchen, made up my high school years. We had the chance to get together over Christmas...I know I am late making this posting, but I wanted to just take a moment to tell them, I think they are all awesome, and each one is so fun! We had 5 years of cheering together, and we grew so much during that time. I learned lots from each one of them-
Ashley taught us to laugh, no matter how stressed you may feel. I often think about the time you threw that tube of chapstick out the window...that's not comin' back!
Tara C-taught us to be organized. She was always on the ball...she had it together even from a young age...she was the first to drive, remember that old Jimmy??
Tara M-taught us to relax and just enjoy life...you were always so chill, and brought tons of entertainment.
Sara-She was tough!! Man she could do whatever she put her mind to...she worked on those basked tosses so much....CATCH ME...nice work Chandi.
Megan taught us to trust each other, thanks for letting me catch you so many times...I don't know if I would have trusted me!! But you made me tough because I knew you were relying on me!
Gretchen taught us determination...remember when she got that heal stretch...she worked so hard.
Chandi was such a peace maker, and she was tough...man the girl can hold her own...I love her!
Juliann just made us giggle, she was the entertainment!! I love you!
We have been so busy, we have moved in with my mom and dad who are so great to let us stay with them! I hope we are not cramping their style too much! I wanted to post pictures of Kallie's fourth birthday, but that will have to wait until we close on our house, which should be next week sometime!! YEAH!! I will update at that point...I don't know if anyone reads this blog, but if you do...we love you, and will share the recent happenings soon!
I was talking to my sister Heather yesterday and she told me that she had found some blogs that were dedicated to hair styles for little girls...so I decided to take a look and see what I found. I found a really fun one, and I wanted to share it. Kallie normaly gets angry at me when I am doing her hair, but she thought it was really cool to be able to look at the computer and see what I was going to do to her hair. We had a really fun time. Here is the website:
What have we been up to?? I can not believe that I have gone for two months without writing anything. We are doing well...we are buying a house, and I have been so OCD about it...yeah I can admit it. Lets just be real right, why deny it! When I get something in my head, I can't relax until I get it done...I even drive myseld nutty. BUT I figure at least I know I am kind of a nut, right??
Kallie is doing really well. The other day she came home from pre-school and layed down on the couch and let out a huge breath...she said.."I have had a hard day...my energy hurts me." She makes me laugh. I love her. It is just so hard for me to believe that she will be 4 next month. How come we can't just stop time? Some day I just know I am going to look back on this time of my life and wonder where in the world all the time went. I just want to enjoy every minute that I have with Kallie because I know this time is not going to last forever. I sit bere talking like this, and then Kallie just came out of her room from her quiet time, and I am getting mad at her because quiet time is not supposed to be over yet...I am so mean! I love her to pieces, but alone time is essential! Well I better go spend some time with her!
Kallie has been so excited this year because we have a holiday visitor. His name is Mr. Peeps. I will attach the poem that explains who he is. She is not to touch him, so the first day he was here, she stood in the hall and just stared at him for about 5 minutes. It was so cute. He is the first thing she looks for in the morning when she wakes up.
Christmas is approaching and this is the day
Santa has sent Mr Peeps to your house to stay.
He sends this small elf to your house and mine
The day after Thanksgiving, he must be on time.
Mr Peeps has a purpose. His purpose will be,
To whisper to Santa all the good that he sees.
From Thanksgiving to Christmas he watches to see
If your presents should number thirteen or three.
Soon after he gets here he moves only at night,
To high places, low places, he stays in plain sight.
In the kitchen, for instance, he sits high on a shelf.
Mr Peeps can sit anywhere, for he is an elf.
He holds very still when he thinks you are watching.
His magic is precious, it fades with one touching.
He sits on the tree on Christmas Eve day.
He knows that Santa is soon on his way.
He waits and he waits without making noise,
He waits until Santa arrives with the toys.
From his notes they determine the number of toys
Placed under the tree for all girls and boys.
So you better be nice and mind what you say
Because Mr Peeps will tell Santa when he comes in his sleigh.
Once Christmas is here and Santa has come
Mr Peeps must leave, for his job is well done.
But, he will return next year on the very same day,
To watch your behavior as you work and you play.
When I asked her to stand by Peeps so I could get a picture, she was affraid she would touch him and take away his magic. I had to put my hand between the two of them so she would stand within a 12 inch radius of him.
We just got back from California for thanksgiving. We had such a great time. We miss our Harlow family. We went bowling, out to eat...as if we needed it after the wonderful dinner that Big Grandpa Chet cooked for us, and we just enjoyed ourselves. I wanted to tell a quick story. Rich (Danny's Dad) is over the theater department at the high school. He gave us a tour of their new auditorium...it was great. He turned on the lights, and we gave Kallie a microphone. She stood in the center of the stage, which was quite large, and she sang "I am a Child of God" and "Teacher will you love me" with all her heart. I was so proud of her. I would be lying if I said I did not shed a little tear. I love her so much.
We also went and got a christmas tree for Grandma and Granpa's house. Kallie had a great time. One thing I love about the Harlow's is that they are always down for a little challange. As we were looking for a chistmas tree, we had a cart that was to be used to carry the tree after it was cut down. Well...we decided that we needed to take turns having Danny pull each of us on the cart. It was great. Danny and I also got to take part in the Cinnamon challange. Rich made us take about a tablespoon of cinnamon and put it in our mouths. That is all I am going to say about that...try it for yourself!
I just wanted to add that we have so much fun with Danny's family, thank you for a great weekend. We miss you!
yeah...I don't know what Danny and I were doing. We make each other laugh!
This was over the summer, but I just found the picture and I thought it was cute of Kallie and Her Grandma.
Thanksgiving with the Harlow family.
Kallie and I were making Halloween cupcakes and she decided she needed a taste. She can crack eggs all by herself!
Danny is the king of fort making. I had been out shopping and when I came home, Kallie was thrilled to show me her fort that Daddy made. I think he is the best dad!
Kallie, and her friends Ali and Lexi were all already to go trick or treating. I was so proud of all three of them, because they went right up to the doors, and were not affraid to trick or treat all by themselves!
Kallie is in a gymnastics class with her friend Macy. She loves it! Here she is getting ready to go!
Back to the baking of the halloween cupcakes...she loves to help me out in the kitchen. She is going to be a great cook someday!
I was lucky enough to get her to give me a big grin. We were in the front yard one afternoon, and I just had to get a picture of Kallie in some of the leaves. I love this time of year.
My niece and nephew, Sara and Luke. They are Mandi's kids. I think it is so funny that Kallie and Sara who live half a country away from eachother, chose to be the exact same thing. They are so much alike!
Kallie got to have Paige spend the night on Friday, and they played so hard, I had no trouble getting them to fall asleep. They were so excited to sleep in the same bed!
They love to play together. I asked them to hug, and this is what I got.
We went bowling for her little friend Gwendolyns 4th birthday. kallie was so happy to get to use the pink ball. It was her first time bowling, and she did really well. She would sit on the floor, and push the ball as hard as she could. She got a spare once!!
We went to my sister's ward trunk or treat, and Kallie was very happy to get to put her costume on for the first time! I think she makes a great super girl.
We were at the mall the other day, and I looked down at Shonda's little Sam, and this is what he had decided to put on!!
We went to the pumkin patch for pre-school and the girls had such a blast...I really like the pumpkin Paige chose!
I am so glad they have each other!
she wanted to play in the rain, it was quite cold outside...but the girl wanted to get wet so we improvised!
Kallie is a fun little treat!
she wanted to show us how she could swim in the tub. Grandma has showed her that she can see underwater with the goggles on!
She and her dad were playing hide and seek!
Danny and I at the game.
We are making them cheer for BSU whether they want to or not!
I can't figure out how to rotate the video yet, so I guess it just has to be sideways! She learned this about a year ago, and I just now got it on video...she is only 3. I love it!!
She has made friends with the neighbor girl next door. The other day I found that she was taking all sorts of toys outside wih her...she said she was building her house.
I think this might be my all time favorite!
They were so cute together.
she loved these dresses because she could spin!
Man she loves this kid!
Summer really wanted to be a part of the picture!
She and Paige were so excited! I could not be sad, because she was so happy. I did want to cry after I dropped her off though!
There are plenty of these
oh how cute!
we got so close to a few different glaciers as we were in the bay. The were so beautiful.
We got really good at self portraits by the end of the cruise.
So I just can't believe the week has gone by so fast. I just wanted to tell a quick story. We have been talking about Kallie's Grandma and Grandpa Harlow to her a lot, because they are coming to visit us. WE CAN NOT WAIT! So, anyhow, the other day she was in the shower. We always have her shower with the bathroom door open so we can hear her, and keep a better eye on her. So-she was in the shower, and suddenly Danny and I hear her singing-"I love my Grandma, I love Jenn, My Grandma, Grandpa on the train, Kari...." It was sooo cute. I love that they have made such an impression on her life, that she talks about them, and even sings about them when they are not around. Family is the best.
Well our day yesterday was not so great. I went to bed the night before with the beginnings of a sore throat. I woke up yesterday morning and was not feeling so hot. So Kallie and I watched alot of movies! I love my husband because he came home early from work so that he could be with me, and help out. I am grateful he has a job that allows him to do this. I went to sleep around 5 and woke up a little before 9! When I woke up, Danny had cleaned the entire house. I mean it was spotless...he is so good to me!
I have had some time this week to think about the blessings of family. My family has been through so much together, and we have held on to eachother. I am grateful for a wonderful family unit who loves and supports one another. Each one of us, wants the other to succeed in this crazy world full of temptation and trials. I have been blessed.
Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats. ~Voltaire
This one speaks for itself!!
I am addicted! I have been playing around with this all day. I feel a sense of accomplishment. I have been thinking for so long that I wanted to get my pictures organized, and I did it! I have been working on Kallie's photo books today. I am now on her third year of life-so I am up to date! I was just talking on the phone to my mom. She has such a positive attitude. I am grateful for her fresh outlook on life. Today Kallie and I went to my nephew's football game. It was great. I kept thinking, I would be so nervous if it was my 10 yr. old playing out there. We also walked to the park as family. Danny plays along side Kallie like he is 5 years old. I am so grateful for a husband who loves to play. Danny is such an easy going, and fun loving person. I love him so much for that. He went scouting today for his first hunting trip. He really is an Idahoan now. I think he is excited about it. He drew an elk tag with my brother-in-law and cousin.
I have realized today, as I have been looking through pictures and such, that we have the most wonderful support group. Danny and I have the most wonderful families, and for this I am truly thankful. Danny's mom and dad are coming to visit us soon, and Kallie can't wait. Today she started crying for her Grandma! It was so sweet. Yesterday she asked if Grandpa Rich could come and ride the choo-choo with her...I don't know what choo-choo she thought she was going to ride. Whatever it was though, she wanted her Grandpa to come and ride with her.
So, here I am. This is my 3rd attempt at creating a blog that will allow our family members who are far from us, be a part of our lives! I hope this one works. What is going on in our lives...
Danny-well he is starting a new job! We are excited about this new opportunity. He is working for a property managemnt company as one of their two property managers. He is crazy busy, but he thrives on being busy. He is such a hard worker, and I am happy to see him enjoying what he is doing. Man I love that guy.
Mollie-What is there to say about me? I am going through what I like to call the fall re-evaluation period. Every year at about this time, I start to realize that time is going so quickly, and there is not much I can do about it. Kallie is growing so fast, I keep telling her I am going to put a brick on her head so she will stop. I decided that I need to stop telling her this though, because she now asks me.."Mom why are you going to put a brick on my head?" That does not sound too good! My Grandma has inspired me. As some of you may know, my Grandpa Christensen passed away recently. We were all taken by surprise, and will miss him very much. My Grandma is such an example of fath and steadfastness. She is now taking an institute class. I keep thinking, how could she possibly need to learn anymore. She is so wise, and seems to know so much. I find it truly inspiring that she is trying to learn more. I want to be like her.
Kallie- Has just started pre-school. She loves it. I am so proud of her. The other day we were going through her work, and she had written the letter A. I wanted to jump up and down! Who would have known you could be so excited over the letter A! She is starting gymnastics with a few of her little friends, and she loves that as well. She has so much energy, and she tries so hard. I do not know what I would do with out her. A few of the things she says that makes me laugh are:
"Mom we have a problem here."
"Mom can you do me a favor and clean my room?"
"I am not sure if I have to go to the bathroom."
When talking to her little cousin she says, "Come here sweet boy."
We are loving life. She is such a blast.
we were having a photo shoot! She is beautiful!
