January 2013

In January 2013---

Chloe came home from the hospital

She was treated to lots of love from her darling friends & family.

These are just a tiny sampling of the many cards & gifts sent my mail or left on our doorstep.

Thank you so much for so much love & support.

Unfortunately this illness is not something easily resolved. It will take time, lots of time, lots of work, lots of therapy, lots of doctors, lots of trust & lots more love. Just like any other illness- it is real- it is hard- it is complicated & it takes time to get better. Thank you for your prayers- fasting- please continue to pray for her and for us. We can always use it. 

In January 2013 Chloe was also asked to the Valentine's Dance!

In this photo she had just gotten home from the gym with her dad (thus the work out gear) to find a dozen roses & box of chocolates!! Seriously? Smart, smart boy.

Her first words- I Have Always Wanted to Get a big heart shaped box of Chocolates!

What girl hasn't?

In January 2013 -- All of the kids were home for Sunday dinner.

Minus the wonderful Tony & Laura- that was a bummer.

But- fun to have everyone at the kitchen table-- and loud.

Jack was up from BYU a lot to see the boys & Meg.

Oh how I love my boys!

It snowed a lot (still snowing here in February.)

Lots & Lots of snow. 

I have mostly loved it.... but it's getting old people. 

(Spring I am looking forward to seeing you again)

We took a few trips out to McDonald's to play & here we are at Cafe Rio- just to get out of the house with the boys. They play outside everyday! Being at Nana's house is fun-- but it was starting to get old.

 We are still feeling cooped up in all this snow & inversion.

This is a bit of my view driving home from work

I love this street headed up to the capitol. 

(ingredients for homemade ice cream & root beer)

Every Friday in January my kids cooking classes were in full swing!

Except for one Friday - we had a snow day-

 THE FIRST SNOW DAY OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS HAD IN 30 YEARS!

They were so successful I am adding March, April, & May classes!

They are nearly full- one spot left.

I'm taking February off because of the twins. 

I am hopefully today finishing the bedding & they will be here..... you know- Friday?

Some very exciting news-

In January 2013 I Won this!

There was a competition at work in my region & 20 people won mixers- I was one of them!!

Woo! I of course have a mixer & use it nearly EVERYDAY- but I don't mind having two. Heck I already have been using it & frequently use both on the same day. Also, it will really help me with my cooking classes & next week I am teaching the Boy Scouts how to make bread- so YES- it's crazy but I can use both mixers.

January 2013 was an eventful month.

and now we are nearly half way through February!

amazing

postponed

Yesterday Laura came down with a terrible sore throat & cold... again.

Poor thing! She has been sick & miserable this whole winter.

So

her c section 

has 

been 

postponed.

until 

Friday

Better safe than sorry.

a shower for 2

Two weeks ago

Laura had a baby shower-- well a babies shower.

(DOES SHE LOOK AMAZING OR WHAT?! I can't believe there are two?!)

That's right!

TWO BABY BOYS

are 

ALMOST HERE!

 the Lovely Johnson ladies were there

-Ella, Caroline, Lily, Karen, Larkin-

Wende, Lisa, Lauri, & Kristy

The shower was at Laura's parents house

and her sweet mom made the most delicious rolls!

All of my sweet friends made salads & they were fantastic.

I can't believe I didn't take a picture of the food?

probably because my mind was on these

the dessert-

Cupcakes!!

Have I told you how excited I am that these babies are coming?

Probably not, because I have been in denial- trying not to think too much about it. 

I hate waiting... BUT NOW I CAN BE EXCITED BECAUSE

LAURA IS SCHEDULED FOR A C-SECTION ON FEBRUARY 12!!!

THIS COMING TUESDAY!

(c- section because they are breach)

She is 37 weeks along & 38 weeks is full term for twins.

The last time they were measured (over 2 weeks ago) they were each over 5 lb.

We are talking- she is going to have these babies full term & she is going to be able to bring them home.

 Oh Heavenly Day In the Universe

Good news in an otherwise cold & dreary winter.

My boy- and his sweet wife-

are having babies. What could be better than that?

I just have to tell you- Laura has been absolutely amazing through this. She is so miserable & never complains. She is one tough cookie & she is going to be the best mom to these little boys. They are so lucky- we are so lucky.

cookies and uncles and cousins and uncles... again

Charlie & I made cookie monster cookies.

(smile)

Trent approved.

They were delicious!

 

Joey & Brittany agreed- they were YUM.

The boys LoVe Brittany.

She put them to bed several times & Joey let her hold him - all the time- especially while eating. Which took me back to when Jack was Garrett (long story) and her dad would hold him on his lap during meal times.

 So sweet. Jack loved that & joey does too.

 

While waiting for the morning carpool

Uncle Trent read books to Charlie.

Just a few moments here I don't want to forget.

our first ice storm

Where Megan lives- Ice Storms are not uncommon.

But--- at our house-- They Are!

It's been a frigid winter & here is more proof

(up close-- ice covered car)

On this morning- Brett needed to be at the airport for a day trip to Vegas. I took him at about 5:45 AM. On my drive home from the airport-- about 6:15 AM- the ice storm hit. 

It was white knuckle driving, to say the least. The freeway speeds slowed to 30 MPH. Cars were off the road & I was just a little nervous. I MADE it home & then-- 

I was determined to pick up Chloe. 

She was to be discharged at 10:00.

 I didn't care if I had to crawl all the way to the University of Utah- I was picking her up & bringing her home! It only took me an extra 1/2 hour to get there. The ice wasn't as bad.

 

We got home alright-

but then I couldn't get the car up the ice covered driveway-

then we couldn't get ourselves up the ice covered driveway!!

Chloe finally decided to climb through the snow.

The soft snow was covered with crunchy ice. It was like creme brulee- that's what we called it.

A crunchy coating on the soft snow.

Thank you so much to all of you who have been praying for Chloe. 

And double thanks for those who have fasted & put her name into the temple.

Thanks for the good mail packages & cards. 

Thanks for the anonymous packages dropped on our door.

Everyone around us has been so kind & generous to our family.

Chloe has had an extreme increase in Tourettes tics which has increased her OCD & affected her mood & overall anxiety. She spent 10 days in a treatment program in the hospital. She is now in an out patient program & working with new meds & a lot of therapy. It's been a very emotional month for all of us. I can't even imagine how much for her!? Through it all she remains our sweet Chloe. I adore her. She is amazing. She has decided to beat this- and someday-- become a motivational speaker.

 If anyone can do it- she can!

while the boys were here

Papa actually had to go to work- bummer.

I took 2 weeks off. 

so we sent him pictures like this one.

Uncle Brian came over & started pillow fights. 

We looked at snow & snow falling.

Joey worked on our computer- it's in the kitchen- which is great when you have teenagers, but not so great for toddlers. But I didn't care. Trent can always fix it.

updates

On January 19th--

Megan & the boys came to visit!

Tony was chosen to be on the recruitment team for Walmart (he was down at a BYU job fair) so they came a couple of days before he did - then stayed a couple of days after he left.

It was SO GREAT TO HAVE THEM HERE!

Grandpa picking up Joey at the airport.

Joey only wanted Papa.... 

It was late & we went home & put the boys almost immediately to bed.

The next morning we headed right out into the snow!

It didn't last long & I didn't get very many pictures-

Joey stuck his hands in the snow & started bawling.

Charlie was just too cold.

It was bitter cold in the teens- can't say I blame them.

They got plenty of snow time when their daddy came up & it was a little warmer.

Chloe was still in the hospital so we went up to visit everyday.

She came home later in the week. It's been quite a January. 

waking up aunt Hailey

Playing in Chloe's chair--

then finding her new bbgun she got for Christmas.

Oops I had to quick put that up in the closet.

What is it with boys & guns?

A three year old boy could find the last gun in the corner of the universe- I swear it?! 

We played the piano lots

and played with all the old toys.

 

It was so refreshing to have them here.

We are back to quiet now.

Well, if you can call our house quiet with Trent around?

More to come- I promise.

I have a lot to catch up on- but I'm just so emotional these days.

working on it