We had SO much fun in Indiana visiting Ben's parents!
We were there right after the flooding in Southern Indiana happened and it was neat to see the church step up and get help to all those people (25,000 lost their homes) and how organized they were getting everything done. Ben's Dad sent lots of missionaries down to help and lots of church members also came. There were about 500 people there from the church helping out. They showed up at a stake center and 3 BIG semi's were there with: water, hygiene kits, and cleaning kits that they sent from Salt Lake. And they had surveyed the area to see who needs/wants help (some people refused help from the 'Mormons', but most welcomed it.) So when the volunteers showed up they got right to work! It was pretty humbling to hear stories of people that lost everything, and neat to hear stories of the missionaries (and members) helping out.
Samantha actually did OK on the plane, we brought lots of stuff to keep her busy. The hardest part was actually the layovers in between, all she wanted to do was ride the 'moving sidewalk' over and over and over. :) She's pretty cute. She is turning two this Saturday!!! Wow, I really can't believe it. Well...except for the tantrums and fits she all of a sudden likes to throw. :)
Mantha and Dad playing in the basement of the mission home.
Helping 'Gama' in the yard.
Happy Father's Day!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Indiana trip
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Porter's T-ball game
We went to my nephew, Porter's, t-ball game when we were in Farminton this last weekend. He was so cute in his little outfit and it was his last game, so they got medals. His favorite part of the game was the 'treat' he got afterward! So cute!
By the way, Porter is my sister, Elisa's youngest boy. For those of you that haven't heard yet, Elisa is PREGO!!! And she just found out that it is a.......BOY!!! We are super excited for them!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Stints in!
Yesterday we headed back up to Primary Children's Hospital to redo Samantha's eye surgery. This time they put stints in and they will stay in for 3 months (if Samantha doesn't pull them out before that) and then we can see if they worked. The Doctor told us only 5% of kids that have the surgery have to have it redone and stints put it, of that group the success rate is very high that the stints will work.
Samantha had a much harder time this time because she remembered the last surgery. Medical things are much harder now that she knows what is going on. She would start to cry every time someone in 'greens' would come up to her, she wouldn't even let me change her clothes into hospital pj's. These are both in the surgery waiting room. Grandpa Anderton was there every step of the way making sure she was ok. So nice!
Here we are post-op. She was pretty grumpy to the nurses here too. Later that day she was running around happy and full of energy and I was so ready for a nap. Getting up at 5 is really hard for me and a day in the hospital always wears me out! Today she is doing great!
Quick Trip
We went down to California this last weekend to see Ben's little sister, Marisha, bless her baby! It was so fun and Samantha did way better in the car then I thought she would!
Samantha putting on Chris' shoes :)
There was lots of sleeping, movies, and wii.
Can you see what movie is so exciting that a toddler, AND 2 adult males, are totally sucked in?
Ben's brother Mike was able to drive down with us which was so fun!
Thanks Chris and Marisha for letting us stay at your house!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
REDO
Her eye surgery that she had a few months ago DID NOT WORK! :( This Friday we are headed up to Primary to try it again. They put a wire down and stretched it out with a balloon last time, so this time they are going to 'up the stakes' and put stints in (little tubes that will keep the ducts open). The stints will stay in for a few months and then we can take them out in the doctor's office, no sedation is needed to take them out. Yea.
This surgery will be pretty similar to the last one so I know what to expect. I am sending Ben to work and having my Mom come with me to the hospital. (He has missed more work than he has been to since he started his new job, and we are going to Indiana for a week this month too, so I feel guilty about him missing so much and I will be fine if my Mom is there.)
So, just like last time the hardest part will be sedation-both the night before issues (having a short-gut kid go without food for 12 hours is HARD) and coming out of sedation-just the groggyness and such. This time she won't be able to rub her eyes because we don't want the tubes to come out, and that will be hard, cause they bleed a lot and they hurt.
We are also having insurance issues! So, there is a possibility that we will have to reschedule, but it will take months to get an OR slot again, so I really don't want to do that!
Wish us luck!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Property clean-up
We went up to my family's property this weekend to do some clean up work. The boys spent 5 hours (no break) Saturday morning hauling wood into piles and burning. Samantha loved it with so much going on! I spent the morning keeping her away from: the fires, the chainsaws, the crazy 4-wheeler driver (Eric), and all the cow poop. She only picked up big handfuls of poop 2 times!!
Grandpa sat by the wives and kids trying to be in charge, but his sons all had their own ideas and didn't listen much. They are all very alike wanting to be in charge.
I LOVE this one of my Dad and his brother filling up their chain-saws!!
I know she looks like she could be on a postcard in that beautiful field!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
End of an Era
Benj started his NEW JOB today!! He is a web developer for a pretty new small company in North Utah county, his brother Adam works there too. They have done well in the past and Benj will enjoy the work that he will be doing for them. He will also be paid more and we are excited about that!
Even though this new job is great, we had a really hard time leaving Eclipse. They have always been so good to us and we loved all the people there. Friday was Ben's last day there and they made such a big deal out of it! They had a big company lunch (Chili's-yummy), and we watched 'The Office' (Ben's favorite TV show). Then his boss gave a speech about how much they will miss Ben and how wonderful he was, then he whips out an XBOX 360! And says he just wanted to get Benj a little something!! Then a few hours later we all (the entire office and their families) met at Thanksgiving Point to see the new Indianan Jones on opening night!
That is Eclipse for ya, never do anything 'little'. They were so good to us when Samantha was in the hospital, giving Benj TONS of paid time off, visiting often, bringing several car-fulls of food for us to live on, are just a few things. We will also miss the annual cruises.... :(
We have been with them for so long it is weird to be 'moving on'. Thanks for everything Eclipse!
Ben and Jason (his old boss) with the XBOX360!
We have 'card night' once a month with these guys (and a few others) and their families. This is also the group that got me addicted to the Twilight series.
Here are some pictures of the gaming room we have to leave behind. Benj and Mantha have spent many an hour here. :) When we would go to his work she would always want to go up the elevator and through the door to this room.
Benj was so proud that she knew what to do with these.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Good times
We went to a birthday party for Samantha's friend and had so much fun. I am so glad the weather is starting to get warmer so we can have more outdoor activities. Dad and Mantha enjoyed swinging, Mom and Mantha played baseball. :)
Playing in the dirt
We were out pulling weeds in the yard, which to Samantha looks like we are playing in the dirt so she joins right in and is so proud to be helping. Playing in the dirt is very messy!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Mother's Day
