10 years!

So I've been trying to figure this out. Is life like a roller coaster? Not sure. I get the ups and downs and turns, but I just don't think it fits. A maze maybe? But that may say that you're constantly searching for the "right way" to go in order to find an escape.
I want to say that the past 10 years have been...crazy?...dizzying?...educational?...amazing? A hike! I guess it's a hike. A hike through mountains. Canyons. Across oceans. Noisy, stinky cities. There are many paths. Some paths go through mud. Some water, floating on a cushion. Some flip you upside-down, not sure how you'll ever recover. But you have to keep moving forward. Backwards is no good. You have to help each other. No matter the cost. One may be the better swimmer, one the stronger climber. You learn from each other. You learn to be patient. You give and you take. And you grow.
Then you have kids to take on this hike. And they take the adventure to a whole other level. They complain, they argue, they take more and more when you feel you have absolutely nothing left to give. Fortunately, they also bring joy and pride. They teach you. They make you a better person. One you never imagined you could be.
Isn't it great!

















I am so blessed to have you. Everyday I feel like I don't deserve you. I wonder why you chose me. Yes, I have self-esteem issues. You are my constant reminder that I am worthy and loved. Even when I think you over-do your affection or I feel awkward and undeserving, my heart smiles. It still skips a beat whenever I see you walk into a room.


















Thanks for being my rock. My sure place. My everything. My love.
Here's to the first 10 and a zillion more!
Imagine if I get a little better every year, how amazing I could be in that amount of time!

8...when did that happen?

It's another milestone. One that kind of snuck up on me. Not sure I'm ready to have an 8-year-old around here. It's like he's crossed over in upper-childhood. Cub Scouts. Baptism. It's a big deal for this kid!
Good thing he makes it look good!

Dillan has been crazy busy this spring playing baseball AND soccer. He's been going a thousand miles/hour, and trying to finish up 2nd grade. His soccer team finished with an 8-0 record and he made the All-Star team. He's definitely become quite the soccer player. I believe he has found his spark. I'm glad that he tried a lot of different sports, but it became obvious last fall that soccer was IT for him.

 This month is crazy busy with school projects, baseball playoffs, soccer finished up - now AllStars, cub scouts, preparing for baptism, a birthday party, and trying to fit in Disneyland before summer blackouts!

This year for his birthday, he didn't ask for any toys. He really just wanted a party. Chris came up with a great gift, though. A telescope. Genius! Dillan couldn't believe it. At the beginning of the school year, his school put on a star gazing night with a group from the local planetarium that brought in 10 huge telescopes to the blacktop. Dillan loved hearing about constellations, planets, and shooting stars. Once he saw the telescope, all he wants to do is go out and look at the sky. I also found a puzzle game for his DS and a little propeller car he has to build himself. Kind of a science/learning theme. Grandma and Papa gave him Super Smash Bros. for the Wii. He beat all of us easily.

On his birthday he got to attend his first cub meeting. It was at the park just down the street from our house! Before he left he asked, "Mom, so today at cub scouts, it's just practice right?" "And Cody's mom is our coach?" Not sure how to explain scouts to him, he expected it to be like a team. Once he got home, I asked him how it was. His response: AWESOME! He loved everything about it. They got to run around and do races, read from their book, and had a snack.

Dillan, Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you and the young man you have become. You are learning to make good choices and how to be a hard worker. We love watching you play soccer and hearing about all your successes at school. You have become a great writer and artist this year. You are also the greatest big brother to Leah and Drew and are a great example to them. We are so proud of your decision to be baptized and follow Jesus. We love you more than we can say!
Love,
Mom and Dad

San Clemente/ Spring Break

Two weeks off! I tried for days to think of things to do since our Disneyland passes were blacked-out. I shouldn't have bothered. The kids were determined to stay in their jammies all day and not leave the house! We did manage to get away and camp for a few days with Grandma & Papa and play at the beach. It's tradition, and we love it.










Speaking of tradition, we took the training wheels off Leah's bike so she could try to ride. Not this time. She was not having anything to do with that. She definitely needs more practice riding WITH training wheels. Maybe we'll try again this summer. Drewby took a turn on Dillan's old bike. He liked sitting on it, anyway. Feeling big. Not pedaling yet, but he'll get there.

The family camping across the road from us had a bunch of kids who became instant friends. We figured out later that their mother and I were on the same floor at DT at BYU. We had classes together in the Freshman Academy and in the same ward. "No wonder you look so familiar!" Once she said she was originally from Arkansas, I immediately remembered her.










Riding bikes, campfires, playing in the sand, playing baseball at the park, flying kites with Papa.
As an added bonus this year, we had cousins come see us!
That's what it's all about!

Drew & His Tummy

Many months ago I noticed a small bump above Drew's belly button. It didn't seem to bother him, and never got bigger and I would only notice when I changed his diaper. At his 2 year appointment I pointed it out to the doctor. She said it was most likely an umbilical hernia. She ordered an ultrasound just to be sure, and assured me if that was what it was, he wouldn't require any kind of repair until he was 4 or 5. The results were negative/normal.

OK...now what?
She said they sometimes do not appear on an ultrasound, you have to catch them at the right "moment." I thought that was strange since it was clear to me anytime he lifted his shirt! We were then referred to a pediatric surgeon. As soon as he lifted Drew's shirt, the surgeon said "Yup! He's got one!" Only it wasn't umbilical in nature. More intestinal-y. And there was no waiting till he was older. Umbilical hernias sometimes fix themselves over time. He assured us this one would not get better and would definitely get worse. So we were scheduled for surgery a few weeks later.

The surgeon is a really nice guy and promised it was a simple out-patient surgery and he would be good to go. I was mostly concerned about the anesthesia. And the recovery. Especially since we were supposed to camp at San Clemente starting the day after surgery.
Thankfully, everything went great! And Rady's Children's Hospital? That place is better than Disneyland for Drewby! There were motorized trains, fishies, a playhouse, bubbles, cartoons, tons of fun! Each patient is given a pager (for the parents) during each step of the process. There were kids all over in their cute little hospital gowns and bracelets. Drew didn't get any time off between his pre-op and the procedure. Once we went to the back they tried to take his vitals, but he held his breath. That's when the bubbles came out. Those guys were prepared for everything kids could throw at them. He was even asked what "flavor" anesthesia he wanted. I chose strawberry for him. Then the nurse came to take him away. I thought for sure he wouldn't go with her willingly, but he did once she mentioned "candy." We were told it was a 40 minute procedure, but it was more like 20.

The next few minutes we were paged and watched the screen that told us he was being taken to recovery. When we saw him he had a cup full of juice and a big red popsicle. He had been fasting a LONG time and was not giving up anything to let Mommy hold him. Three cups of juice later and his IV removed, we dressed him and were ready to go home. He ran out of there and straight for the train. He was perfect. Just fine, like nothing had happened. Not really even noticing the bandage on his belly.

He loves to show off his little scar.
Such a brave boy!

Mini Trip to France

Took a little trip to France with Mom and Shannon. It helps to have relatives that work for an airline. I didn't think it possible to drop everything onto Chris and up and go. Although he did say I should and he'd be angry if I didn't!
Good: Spending time with Mom and Shannon. Discovering I still understand as much french as I expected. Exit rows. Not being a missionary there. No cell phone.
Not so good: Losing contact lens. Not enough time to take in culture. Not having Chris with me. Jet lag. Discovering I don't speak french like I expected. Paris smells the same. Short trip. It is still winter in France.

Since when are kebabs called greques? They don't taste the same. At least this one didn't.
Also, I didn't set foot inside a boulangerie! Not even for a bagette! Unbelieveable!

Some who went with me mentioned they probably won't ever be back. But for some reason, I'm pretty sure I will. France for certain. Paris most likely.

Thanks for a lovely trip! We should do it again soon!

soccer and baseball

Dillan is crazy busy this spring. He was determined to play spring soccer, I was determined not to let him give up baseball. So we're doing both. This makes for crazy practice schedule and game time conflicts. We deal with each as it happens. Of course I want baseball to be the priority, but Dillan would choose soccer. What has been nice is that he seems to enjoy baseball still. I know it's not his favorite and he still needs more practice to boost his confidence, but he's trying and wants to be better.

Go Pirates!

don't forget Leah!

 Leah finally had her chance to go up in front of the whole school at flag salute. I wasn't sure how she would do, but she seemed to be ok, although obviously shy and not sure what to do.
 She earned the KC Award from her class for the month of January. She got another dog tag for her necklace and got to put her handprint on the wall of the cafeteria.
 Later on that day she asked Dillan if he saw her when she got up. His response: Yes! I heard the last name Anderson and then saw you and I was like "Go Leah!" Proud big brother.

Since it was also the 100th day of school, she had her 100 beads necklace she had made specially for that day.
We are so proud of you LuluBee!
Keep up the good work!