Hmm....

It feels so very.......strange that church has been cancelled for the second week in a row because of the snow. Hmm?

Here's a good laugh...

Mr. Weatherman told us it was suppose to snow Tuesday night and then all day Wednesday. So Tuesday we ran around like mad getting Christmas done and grocery shopping out of the way and all those little things that needed to be done. When we woke up Wednesday school was closed but still no snow. Mr. Weatherman told us once again that it should snow all day Wednesday. So I decided that we would get all the last minute packages shipped and go to the store to get boots for the boys before the snow started. We did just that and still no snow. By 3:30 in the afternoon there still wasn't any snow so we dropped Jonah and Tate at a friends and the rest of us decided to go walk around Target to kill some time. As we were getting out of the car the people next to us were getting in and she said to us, "you should probably hurry my husband says he is in Tacoma and the snow is on it's way here." Someone (I'm not mentioning names) scoffed at this and we went inside and preceded to wander. Tony and Kiegan separated from us girls for a minute and quickly came back saying it is dumping outside we need to go. I truly thought that they were pulling my leg until we got up to the checkout. Sure enough it was coming down and hard. We hurry as fast as we can but no one really knows how to drive in the snow here because it rarely snows. We decided that we would just go the normal way home which is the shortest way but up a hill and around some blind corners. We are doing fine and then all the sudden we turn a corner and there is a wreck. So of course we have to back down and somewhat around this corner sliding here and there. Very stressful for Tony. We finally get turned around and decide we are going to go up the back way to our neighborhood. Well, that road was closed. Tony by this time is unnerved and asks me to drive. We are trying to avoid the freeway at all costs and a friend suggests this other way that has a steady hill but not so bad. I'm driving and it takes FOREVER to even get 1 mile to this other way. We are doing good, we have enough momentum and I decide we are just going to go for it and try to go in between the cars coming down the hill and the cars going extremely slow "trying" to get up the hill. So what happens? An idiot driver from the slow side goes in front of me and I have to slow down which of course causes us to spin out and we are toast. We proceed to slide backwards down this hill, and yes I admit I said a few choice words. I finally get the van stopped and over to the side but by then we are toast. We can't go back down the hill and try again because there are too many idiots now who are stuck in the middle of the hill and street. So we sit. Thinking that we are in an interesting predicament and being very grateful that Belle managed to fall asleep even though she should be awake screaming for food. I of course am cringing inside that no one knows how to drive in this weather and I who do know how to drive in snow has to suffer because of their stupidness. We sat there awhile trying to decide what we could do. Should we walk, do we try it again, do we try the last option...the freeway. Then my sweet sweet friend calls to check on us and to see if we want her to come and get us. The heroine to our snowy adventure. Katie K. came and saved the day. She not only entertained Jonah and Tate for the afternoon but she was brave and came out by herself to rescue us. She is so great! One more hero that needs to be recognized is Bryan P. To the few of you who don't know him this guy is the king of the snow. He loves and often stays out until all hours of the night helping stranded people when it snows. We were thinking that maybe he could help us in the morning or something but he came straight over and drove, yes drove our van up the hill and straight home with no problems. Thank you thank you Katie and Bryan you saved our day. You guys are the best! We appreciate you guys so much.
At the end of the night when I was climbing into bed I was so grateful for great friends that look out for each other, a sleeping baby amidst the chaos, family, warmth, and a watchful eye from above. I was also humbled a bit that I being raised in 10 foot snow couldn't do it and had to ask for help. Yes, stubborn me had to ask for help and I would do it again.

6 month checkup

Belle had her 6 month checkup yesterday which is actually closer to 7 months. Nonetheless she had to get 3 shots 1 was the flu shot. YEAH!!! Last night was not good though, she woke up at 3 am with a fever of 102. I felt so bad for her. After the medicine kicked in she pretty much moaned all night long which meant both of us were awake the rest of the night. She finally went down for a nap this morning and I am looking forward to one this afternoon. She is completely miserable. I feel so bad that something so good for her is making her feel so miserable.

Here are her stats:
24 1/4 in. ........35%
14 lbs. .......60%
head 15 7/8 in. .......4%

This is the closest smile I could get all day yesterday. Poor girl.

Thanksgiving

A few pictures from Thanksgiving.

Jonah and Kiegan love the huge turkey legs. (GAG)

The boys spent the entire day sliding down the stairs in their sleeping bags. Tony and I thought for sure we would be making a visit to the E.R.

Guess who weighs more?......The turkey at 16 lbs.

Our Thanksgiving was nice and small. We wanted to be with family but we made the best of it at home. Which of course meant that I stayed in my pj's almost all day while Tony cooked everything. So I'm not complaining. It was great and it all tasted so good. We are thankful for so many things this year.

Angels

Warning: This post is not for emotionally challenged people.

A year ago on the 26th of this month is the year mark of when we found out about our angels extra little chromosome. It came by surprise. Without going into the whole story, I was scared and felt very alone. I wasn't alone by any means because I have such wonderful supportive family and friends. But it is a really hard thing to digest and accept when you have a different dream of what your little girl, your only little girl's life will be like. Then you get told it will be something totally different. Only someone who has been through something similar to this knows what I'm talking about. Many of you know the story (if not, the short version is at the bottom of the blog) Tony was out of town and I had my Aunt Linda here with me. I don't know what I would have done without her. She held me when all I could do was cry. I am so grateful she was there for me while Tony was away. She was an angel at the right time and the right place. Learning that something is "wrong" with your baby that you can't do anything about is a horrible feeling. The feeling is indescribable. Through my pregnancy I came to accept that this extra chromosome isn't going to run our lives. Of course not a day will go by that we won't think about it, but it doesn't determine us or our lives. And above anything it doesn't determine who Belle is or what she can become. By the time she came I couldn't have been more prepared or ready for her and this new journey. Just like the song playing I believe there are angels among us. Sent down to us from somewhere up above. Sent to each of us to touch our lives and make them better. There have been more good moments than bad but in those dark moments I know that my Heavenly Father is reaching down and showing me the way, guiding me with his light. I know he loves me and my little family. I know that he knows I needed to be blessed with this little angel. She brings us so much happiness. There are so many angels around us that we can and can't see. I first heard the song Angels Among Us, by Alabama about 13 years ago. It was after I met an adorable 7lbs. 13oz little boy. But I remember listening to this song knowing beyond a doubt he was an angel among us. I have felt this with others since then but none like I feel it with Belle. I know I am the mom and very prejudiced but she truly is an angel. She has taught my rough little boys so much love and compassion already. She has taught Tony and I that life is precious and we need to slow down and enjoy the present. We have so much to learn from her. This month has been a very emotional one for me. Poor Tony. Looking back over the last year and how much I have grown is very emotional. A year later though I am very happy and can honestly say that I am more than ok with her extra chromosome. This past year has definitely had it's ups and downs but I can truly say that I am at a place that I am ok with it. I love her so much and that means I also love her extra chromosome. I know my Heavenly Father loves me and in the last week I have been reminded once again how much. I have a dear dear friend that just gave birth to a little girl who also has DS. I know that Heavenly Father introduced us two years ago for a reason. She is an amazing woman and I couldn't be more excited to go through this journey with her. I do have to admit though that the freshness of her experience has brought up a lot of feelings. I was reminded of how scared I was and how at times I felt alone and that I wasn't worthy of this perfect little angel. Feeling this again and the year mark since we found out has been very emotional for me. At the end of the day I can honestly say I think I am a better person because of Belle. I think I am stronger, kinder, and more positive. My life is so full and blessed with her in it. I have a new outlook on life. I know the first year was probably the hardest. Not saying that we won't have ups and downs in the future but we have a year under our belts and we made it. We ended up on top and things are good. I am so grateful to all the angels in mine and my families life. I am so thankful for all of you that have been so supportive and loving during this past year. You all are angels among us. Thank you for your friendships and kind words. Thank you for just smiling when I needed a smile. Thank you for all the many phone calls and prayers our way. This past year would have been so hard without all of you. I cherish all of you. My angels.......

Happy Birthday Jonah

50 pounds to me

No, not me but Tony. We have decided to "get healthier" not skinnier, healthier. To stick with our goal Tony has decided to be brave and bold. He has started a blog about his weight loss and journey to being a healthier person. http://50poundstome.blogspot.com/ Check out his hot pictures and watch his progress. Knowing Tony, I'm sure it will include some good humor along the way. I am so proud of him with this decision. I need him to be around for the kids and I. I already tried being a single mom and I didn't like it. (When Tony moved here before we did) Actually I hated it so go Tony go!! You can do it Austin and all of us will be here to cheer you on. Not to mention hold you to it since it's public now. Good luck!

Costumes and FHV

Saturday we went trunk-or-treating at our church. The boys of course had a blast. Kiegan and Tate both have masks but because they weren't allowed we painted their faces. It was fun. I'll post a picture after Halloween with their masks. Thanks Kathy for making the wizard costume years ago. Jonah got so many compliments on it.

Yesterday I spent the day on one couch or another because of a headache. But I got lucky and the boys wanted to snuggle while watching Funniest Home Videos. Why is it that watching people fall or get hurt over and over again is so funny? It was nice to snuggle with the boys and all hang out. They are getting so big and won't want to much longer which makes me sad.

Ronan & Belle

I was so lucky to be able to watch our friends adorable little boy the other day and couldn't resist snapping some pictures of the babes. He is such a cutie. Ronan is 2 months younger than Belle and weighs more than her. When I look at Belle I think she is getting so big until she is next to another baby. She is such a little thing. I think her chubby cheeks and rolls throw me off. By the way her feet still haven't grown since she was born.

Highlights from Utah

It's been a couple weeks but I finally got around to making a video of our little trip to Utah. From family night at the Birch's with Dustin entertaining us with music and guitar playing, meeting the Haymond and the Steel cousins, to getting four generation pictures with Grandma Peterson and everything in between. It was a great week. I miss everyone terribly all ready. It was so great to see so many people we love. We definitely left feeling very loved. Thank you all!

I'm an ESME, who are you?

TwilightersAnonymous.com. Which Twilight Female Are You? Take the quiz and find out!" src="http://www.twilightersanonymous.com/files/files/banner_ima_esme.jpg" width=200 border=0>
Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

You are thoughtful and care very deeply for your family. A loving home is of great importance to you and you always try to make people feel welcome. Although you have a great capacity to love, you also have a great capacity to hurt, so at times you can be sensitive. You are firm when you need to be, people trust your judgement and appreciate the kind way you handle things.

The 10th day of the 10th month, 10 years later

4 kids, 4 states, 8 moves, and 10 years later, here we are. I love you more than life itself. Everyday I thank Heaven that you chose me. You are my soul mate, best friend, love of my life, and the best dad around. Thank you for putting up with me and all of my short comings. I love you. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BABY!!!! I look forward to many many years to come.
(this song is for you)

Wendi

SISTER

noun,
1. a female offspring having both parents in common with another offspring; female sibling.
2. a female friend or protector.

3. having a close relationship with another because of shared interests, problems, or likes.

There are many definitions for sister. I listed a few but none of them describe Wendi good enough. She is beautiful, dependable, loving, kind, reliable, true, trustworthy, and most of all real. She is one of the best friends you could ever want or need. Last week is exactly what I needed. Perfect! We had such a good time together and I left feeling very.....

LOVED

adjective,

1. held in deep affection; cherished: much-loved friends.

2. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, friend, (or sister).

Thanks Wendi for having Belle and I at your house. I love you and your family so much. Thank you for entertaining and spoiling us. You are the best sister and friend any girl could ask for.

Meeting Calder

Here is our adorable new little nephew Calder. Kathy (Tony's mom) was staying with Raven while I was at Wendi's. It was perfect that we got to see her too. Grandma and her two newest babies.

We couldn't resist this picture. Calder's feet are already bigger than Belle's at 6 days old. He is definitely going to be tall like his dad. He is absolutely adorable. He is so mellow and his sweet little voice melts you. Congratulations Raven and Bryce you've got another keeper!

Happy Birthday Tony!!!!

Last night we celebrated Tony's birthday. Kiegan set up a little treasure hunt to find us hiding in the back room with the presents and cake. The boys picked some funny gifts which included growing monster capsules, a stuffed monster, Toblerone, stuffed gorilla, and fun pens and notepads from Tony's favorite show The Office. He asked for Chocolate Crazy Cake with cream cheese frosting and a spaghetti dinner. So we did it.
We love Tony so much and appreciate all he does for us. He is such a hard worker and he is constantly making us laugh. Happy Birthday we love you!!!

Sister time

I am currently in Utah this week with Wendi and we are having a blast. We are having SO much fun. She took me to my new favorite store Tai Pan not to be confused with my favorite restaurant in Seattle Pen Thai. I wanted to buy the entire store and the only thing stopping me was that I can't fit it in my bag. I love that place and wish we had one in Seattle. We made an adorable tack board for Ellie and then covered the piano bench in matching material. It turned out so cute.


Ellie, Jace, and I also made a spooky gingerbread house. It was so much fun. I love those kids. Belle is being smothered in love and adores her cousins. We will be going to meet her brand new little cousin Calder tomorrow (Congrats Bryce & Raven). Then off to meet Great Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Shawn and boys. Wendi and I love to read books together and are reading The Secret Life of Bees. So far we are really liking it. We have been busy busy with fun. I will post more when I get home with tons of pictures.

Husband Tag

I was husband tagged. I rarely do tags but thought I would give this one a try:

What is his name? Anthony Kent Austin
Nicknames? Tony, Toner, Gringo, his friends have nicknames for him that I refuse to post.
How long have you been married? 10 years
How long did you date? 8 months
How old is he? 32
Who eats more sweets? depends on what it is....me on candy but definitely him on donuts, pastries, chocolate and such.
Who said I love you first? He said it. But it was both of us talking about it leading up to it.
Who is taller? Tony a whole foot taller than me.
Who can sing better? Definitely Tony, have you checked out his music? (http://www.silentmonk.com/) He laughs at my attempts to sing along in the car
Who is smarter? Tony is more book smart than me but I think I'm more practical smart than him.
Who does the laundry? I always do.
Who pays the bills? I used to but hate it so luckily he does it now.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do. It's further away from the door.
Who mows the lawn? Our landlord. We both miss mowing my grandparents huge lawn.
Who cooks dinner? Me during the week, Tony on the weekends.
Who drives? He does if we are together. He hates my driving.
Who is more stubborn? Depends, we both have our moments.
Who kissed who first? He gave me a nice little kiss on the cheek.
Who asked who out first? He always asked me out when we were dating.
Who has more siblings? He does with 4 brothers and 1 sister.
Who wears the pants? I think we both equally wear them.
Kiegan just said, "that I mostly wear pants more because dad always wears shorts." You got to love a kids perspective.

The gerbil game

Jonah: Mom I want to play Gerbil
Me: Gerbil?
Jonah: Ya, you know the gerbil game.
Me: I don't know that game. How do you play?
Jonah: You know you spin it and get things.
Me: I have no idea what you are talking about. We don't have a spinning gerbil game.
Jonah: Mom, you know.....Gerbil, gerbil, gerbil, I made it out of clay, gerbil, gerbil, gerbil, my gerbil I will play.

4 month checkup

Belle's stats:
23 in. ......50%
12 lbs. 6 oz. .....75%
head 15 in. .....3%

Weekend with Than

Last weekend Tony's brother Than came to visit us. More like visit Tony but we got to enjoy him a little bit too. The Yankees and BYU were in town so they got to go to both games. They lost their voices, got sunburns, and the Yankees lost, but they had a blast together. It is really to bad we live on opposite coasts. We miss him and his family.
I love this pic of Than and Belle. So cute!

Belle's evaluation at Children's was great. She is doing everything she is suppose to be doing. We have a few little things to work on but she is doing so good. She is 4 months today! YEAH!!

Beautiful Belle

I took Belle to her first evaluation the other day. It was at this wonderful place called the Kindering Center. They have a fabulous program for infants and children with special needs. The evaluation was very interesting. They somehow assessed communication, motor, self-help, cognitive and social-emotional development. (I know, bizarre to be able to do this with a 3 1/2 month old) Nonetheless it was an eye opener. She is right where she is suppose to be on all of them except cognitive. They gave some suggestions on what we can be doing and we will be working with an occupational and physical therapist once a month. The best part.....they come to my house. This silly extra chromosome sure makes us look at things in a different light. She is truly our little miracle. We are all still as smitten with her as the day we brought her home. Next week she has a whole other evaluation at Childrens. It is an all day thing 10 to 4. She is a good sport and loves the attention so it shouldn't be to bad. We will see if they say anything different. I'll keep you posted.

First Day of School

The boys have been so excited to start school. I have to for my own reasons. Number one reason... to be back on a schedule. I admit, I'm a freaky schedule girl. It was so nice to have one today. I loved it. What I didn't love was watching my baby go to Kindergarten. I can't believe Tate is in the big K. Another thing to admit, I may have had a few tears as I walked home after dropping him off. I know not a big surprise, I cried with all my boys on their first day of school. But Tate still seems so little to me. It didn't phase any of them that it was the first day today. I am so proud of them. Here they are posing this morning. It looks like I caught them all praying. Monkey see, Monkey do.

But here are Tate's true feelings about today.

A Summer to Remember.....

The Good, The Bad, and The Very Ugly

This Saturday was an interesting day to say the least. First of all I decided that I wanted a different piece of furniture in my kitchen. You know for some reason I think I need another space to collect clutter and drive me absolutely mad. Truly I just really wanted a new look there and thought why not? So I bought some paint and found an old piece of furniture that I almost gave to the D.I. last month and went to town. You all know the whole primer, layer, layer, sanding bit. It literally took most of the day but I was so thrilled at the end result. I had to run right out and buy some adorable trays to go on it. I think it turned out beautiful. Here is the overall look and the close-up. I love it with the chalkboard and the clips. (Soon the clips will be holding homework) YEAH!!! That was the Good......







The Bad........Because I'm not very strong and this piece is quite heavy I convinced our dear friends to come over and help carry it upstairs and then hang out. I was just straightening up and decided to do a quick vacuum job just because. I get the majority of the upstairs done and I'm doing the stairs and all the sudden my vacuum pops and dies. I initially thought I had blown a breaker and we tried to plug it in somewhere else. Numerous somewhere elses. No, it didn't start working again. I totally blew up my vacuum. What the heck? I know and now my house is half vacuumed and I have to buy a new vacuum. UGGH!! At this point I am furious and now running like crazy to clean (I clean when I'm mad) before our friends show up. Not 10 min. later I'm downstairs straightening up and Tony comes down and says "Uh.....



The Ugly............. there is something creepy on the clock upstairs." For some unknown reason I asked if it was a bat. To the few of you who know mine and Tony's phobias, this was bad, really bad. I went upstairs and sure enough clinging to the fireplace brick on top of my beautiful clock my mom made me was an UGLY little bat. I have never dealt with bats before and instantly was thinking of all the things it must have touched that I now have to sanitize. AHHH!!! We sent all the kids and the dog downstairs with the door closed and then freaked out. The longer we stood there freaking the closer the time got to when our friends would arrive. We finally decided that neither of us were about to get close to that ugly little rat with wings and called the neighbor. He of course was more than willing to come and save the day. After a little bit of bat shrieking it was over and we tried to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening with our friends. Only to think in the back of my mind where that bat had been and how long it had been in the house.
So in the end I got an adorable new piece of furniture out of an old one, my vacuum blew up and now I have dirty carpets, and we had a germ infested flying rat in our house.

Blogs

I'm so sad.....one of my all time favorite (secret) blogs thethingsidon'tknow is gone. I loved that blog. She was so clever and witty and just real. I crave real people. I could always count on a good laugh when I read her blog. Her blog was all about the things she didn't know (obviously) but they were ALL things I didn't know as well. I learned a lot from her. Her blog will be very missed with all her wisdom and character.

Another blog I stalk of a really talented woman married to an old friend had this on her blog and I couldn't resist. Mulan? Do you think? I'd like to think that I'm determined and strong but they missed scatterbrained and crazy. What are you?


You Are Mulan!

Strong and spirited. You're no one's girly girl; actually you are very determined person with a strong sense of self. Never let go of that! The only thing that equals your sense of self is your family, but the traditions of society can always be bent to protect something or someone you love.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Belle is 3 months

I can't believe Belle is 3 months already. She is doing so many things now. She finally weighs 10 lbs. She has been rolling over for a month now and loves sleeping on her tummy. She also loves her swing and her vibrating chair.

She loves hanging out on her belly and bath time.

And she absolutely loves being on any ones shoulder. She is all smiles. She has the sweetest little voice and can now get pretty loud when she is hungry or tired. She is still just the sweetest little baby ever.

Fun at the pool!

I'm trying to catch up on all the summer fun that I didn't get posted. So I'm sorry these are now out of order. I don't know how to switch the posts all around. You'll be seeing a couple more from the summer then hopefully I'll be back on track. Sorry.




Belle once again slept through it all.

Alki Beach

We spent a day at Alki Beach while Aunt Linda and Alaina were here. It was such a blast. A few of us ended up with sunburns but it was well worth it. The kids had a lot of fun in and out of the water and little Belle slept the whole time on Linda's lap.

Jonah & Tate
Kiegan and Lainie
Belle


Smiles all around.