Carson's violin concert

This is Carson's last violin concert.  He decided to go to Smith Junior High next year (instead of staying at the academy), and he does not want to continue playing violin.  Cade got accepted to go to the academy this fall, but we decided it would be better for him to stay at Noah Webster with Cheyanna.  It was a tough decision to make because Cade really wanted to go to the academy, and it is such a good school.  But we prayed a lot about it and felt it would be best for him to stay at Noah Webster.  Having all four kids at different schools would've been crazy anyway.  4 different school & bus schedules?  No thanks!  3 seems much more manageable for some reason.  We'll miss the Mesa Academy, but for now it's time to say goodbye to the school and to its violin concerts.  :)

Cade's Endoscopy

Cade has still been having really bad reflux.  It has been 3 years now, and we can't seem to figure out what is causing it, or how to get it to stop.  His pediatrician put him on Prevacid, a prescription strength acid blocker.  That didn't help at all.  So she recommended that we go to a pediatric GI specialist.  The GI said that looks like Cade has seasonal allergies, and it is possible that allergies could cause reflux.  That would explain why Cade's reflux disappears in the fall, and flares up every Feb.  The GI Dr. wanted to do an endoscopy to see if there is anything structurally wrong, and to take some biopsies of his esophagus to check for internal allergies.  So on May 18, I took Cade to Phoenix Children's Hospital for an endoscopy.  He had to go under general anesthesia for the procedure, which scared me, but he did fine.  When he woke up, he was loopy for a few minutes--it was funny.  He kept saying that he didn't feel right.  Afterwards, everyone said he wouldn't be in any pain, so we were really worried when Cade complained of severe pain in his chest that night.  Chuck called the Dr, and the on-call Dr. that called back said not to worry, and that Cade would feel better tomorrow.  The next morning, after eating breakfast, Cade was in so much pain again.  I was really worried that something major was wrong, but it turns out that Cade's reflux was irritating the open sores in his esophagus from the biopsies.  I don't know why that possibility never occured to any of the doctors & nurses who told us that he wouldn't experience any pain.  The results of the endoscopy were that the doctor could not find anything wrong or any reason why he has reflux.  I had mixed feelings about that.  Of course I'm glad that there is nothing structurally wrong, but I'm frustrated that we paid $600 (and just got another $400 bill for it) to be no closer to finding a solution to the problem.  The GI referred us to an allergist next, so stay tuned for the continuation if the reflux saga.

Dinner with friends

Rebecca, Colleen, Lani, Me, Sara, and Tera

At Red, White, & Brew with some good friends in May.

Breakfast with Mom

At Noah Webster with Cade & Cheyanna for the nutritious breakfast of donuts & chocolate milk in April.

Carson

Carson is 11, and he is growing like a weed.  He has lost six teeth in the past six months, and has grown 3/4 of an inch in two months.  These pics were taken in March.

Scares Me!

Ok, I don't know how well you can see this pic, but it is our little hamster, Dozer, sleeping.  The little guy likes to sleep on his back with his arms in the air and his mouth open!  I can't tell you how many times I have gone in to check on the hamster, and seen him like this, and my heart stopped, thinking he was dead.  But then I look closer and he's breathing.  The little stinker just likes to sleep that way.  Most hamsters like to ball up in their burrow to sleep, but Dozer is his own hamster, and likes to sleep his own way!  :)

Cade's party at Amazing Jakes

Here are some pics of Cade's birthday party at Amazing Jake's over Spring Break.

Dogsitting Lea

When my friend Lani goes out of town, she lets us dogsit Lea.  My kids LoVe Lea, and think it is such a treat to have her visit!  Here's Charlie with Lea over Spring Break.

Seeing Tangled

The kids love this giant turtle outside of the Dollar Theatre

One night in late Feb when Chuck, Charlie, and Carson went to a Suns game, I had dinner & a movie with Cade & Cheyanna.  They chose Krazy Subs for dinner, and then we saw Tangled at the dollar theatre.

Field Trip

I am trying to figure out how to post pix from my phone on my blog.  These pix are from a field trip with Cheyanna's class to the Science center in Jan.  Cheyanna's two best friends from her class were in our group: Kimberly & Madison.  It was fun!

Memorial Day Weekend in Tucson

 We spent Memorial Day weekend in Tucson with Granny, and the Kendalls.  The cousins had fun hanging out, playing Diner Dash, going bowling, going swimming, shooting hoops, and chowing down at Eegee's! 

 At the bowling alley, from left: Charlie, Chuck, Carson, Megan, Ashley, Cole, Granny, and Blythe

Cheyanna, Grace, and Cade

Charlie, Gavin, and Cole

Carson and Cole

Days Go By

And kids grow.  And time doesn't slow down.  I was planning on taking a class this summer (my only required class left before internship), but it was M-Th from 11-1pm.  I was really stressed about leaving the kids alone for 3 hours a day, 4 days a week the whole month of June.  The weekend before class started, I was feeling so stressed and unhappy about being gone so much, and it hit me--I can just take that class this fall!  It is a night class (on Thurs nights) this fall, which I hate, but then I realized Chuck will be home with the kids on Thurs nights, but no one would be home with the kids if I took the class this summer.  So I decided to drop the class, and it has been such a huge relief!  I know it was the right decision--I just don't know what took me so long to make it.  So usually I really dread summers--so hot, the kids are all home stuck inside, bored all day, week after week...  But now I feel free.  I'm so relieved that I don't have to be gone that I am looking forward to summer, and enjoying every minute of it (so far).  I have a whole different (much better) perspective on summer.  I don't know why it is such a constant battle for me to put my family first when it comes to school.  My family is my first priority, always.  But sometimes I get caught up in what everyone else is doing, and what is convenient, and forget that I always need to put my family first.  I know I'm doing the right thing by going to school right now, but I know that I can't lose sight of what is most important.  Days go by.  Kids grow.  I know they won't be young forever.  I can hardly believe that Charlie is starting high school.  Four more years, and he'll probably be leaving home for school, then his mission.  Four years!! When I think how fast the last four years have flown, I want to cry!  But instead, I commit to be there for him (and all of them) when they need me.  I will be there for the important moments.  I will be there for the every day moments.  I will be there for my kids, and I feel so blessed that I can be.  I know what a tremendous blessing it is that I have a choice, and I can be there for my kids.  I just need to always make the right choice because days go by...

Awards

 Cade got award for being on the top honor roll all year in 3rd grade. 

 Cheyanna's on stage with her class members who all got on the top honor roll all year. 

 Here's our first grader showing off her medal. 

Obedience

Charlie has had his hair a little on the long side for over a year now.  At a Teacher's Quorum presidency meeting last month, Bishop Stephens complimented the boys on their nice white shirts and ties, and then asked them to get nice, short haircuts to complete the look.  I was proud of Charlie that he was willing to give up his preferred look at the request of the Bishop, and I gave him a haircut.  I was surprised at how much different he looks without the long locks.  You can see his face much better, so he's more handsome.  :)  Plus, I think it makes him look younger (more his true age of 14), and of course he looks more clean-cut.  Maybe he'll feel cooler in the summer (temperature-wise) too.  Have I mentioned that I'm proud of this kid?  :)