Christmas 2010

It was the night before Christmas, and the cleaning elves visited my house!! What a blissful 2 hours that was =)I was so nervous about everything turning out right for Grant. This is the first Christmas that he has understood things, and I wanted him to have good memories!

Months ago I knew I wanted Grant to have a train table. But I wanted it to have a race track on the other side... so we were left with one choice, build it ourselves. Mark has a rocking horse that his mom painted, and he has always been proud of it (yes, Ruth, he loved and cherishes those things you did for him). So with that, we did it. And I am so glad that we put forth that effort!! I feel the table came out ok, but Grant LOVED it, can I say more??

Santa wanted to bring Cami another barbie... which she wouldn't be playing with for another 2 years, but Santa wants her to have a collection. Feeling bad, a last minute decision was made, and she got a little slide. GREAT MOVE, she has so much fun with it!!

Cami had so much fun!! There were toys everywhere, not to mention the chocolate too!

Grant pretty much played with the table ALL day. Santa also brought him some new trains and tracks. I love seeing him so happy!! And he kept telling everyone, Merry Christmas!!

We did not make it up to see my family, and because of that I was sad. But I am truly blessed with a wonderful husband and two wonderful kids who filled my day with love and joy. I hope your Christmas was just as great!!

Busy Saturday!!

The last Saturday before Christmas!! There is a million things I still need to get done, but I really want my children to enjoy this time of year!! Our ward had a "breakfast with Santa Clause"... HOW COULD I TURN THIS DOWN??!! The best part was that Grant woke up asking for pancakes!!! Bonus number two!!

I texted Aunt Shelby last night to see if she was going... And she came, just to spend time with the kids!!! What an awesome Aunt!!

Cami was NOT having any part of Santa!! Which didn't surprise me.

Grant just loved seeing Santa again. As soon as he walked into the room, Grant got so exited!! And when it was his turn to sit on his lap, the two just talked and talked. It was great... I am so glad he is old enough to love and enjoy these things!!

After that we needed to go get some things to finish up Grant's Christmas present. As we were walking into Lowe's, Mark noticed that their workshop was building a train today. But we didn't "preregister", and wasn't sure if they had room...

Yeah, they did and Grant was SO excited to build something with his daddy!! It was such a fun day for Grant!!!

I just LOVE this little girl!

Yes, my little girl is eating a pickle... And has to have one if she sees one.

I just love her!!!

Christmas Tree!!!

It's a few days late, but we got our Christmas tree put up! My mom has in years past bought a new Christmas tree "theme". One year while I was spending Christmas with her, I really wanted to do a old time Christmas theme, with wood ordaments and all that jazz. Last year I borrowed that theme, and still had it, so I put it up. I love it!! I makes me want to put in White Christmas and watch it over and over and over and over ;)

Grant offically LOVES everything about Christmas! He especially loves the lights. I surprised him by putting some up in his room, which he loved. I sooo like this time of year!!

Happy December!!!

We started the month out by going to see Santa! Grant was so excited, and talked his ear off. It was very cute, Grant sure does have the ability to make instant friends!! Cami on the other hand, was not as comfortable with him and she cried and cried until I took her. Grant can't wait to go back to and see Santa!!

Black Friday worthy

This is not my picture... But it is pretty close to what I saw, except these people look like they are being nice.

I told Crispin, my brother in law, that our experience on black Friday was "blog" worthy. Seriously, I have the best brother and sister in laws. They crack me up and there is never a dull moment! Annie wanted to go to Walmart on black Friday. So at 9 PM, I decided to go with them. When we got there, hardly anyone was there! Crispin really wanted to get a power wheels for Marcus. I just kept saying to myself, it's going to happen, it's going to happen. I WANTED to get that for Marcus! Then the crowds came. OH MY!!! We decided to spilt up and watch out for them, since no one knew where they were going to be. I had teamed up with a few girls I knew from HS, and around 11:40 we saw the power wheels coming... WOW, I have NEVER seen a frenzy over a toy like this!! People just started grabbing, even though they weren't suppose to touch them until 12:01. I just happened to be right there, so I grabbed one, surprisingly they weren't as heavy as you would imagine! So I'm trying to carry this bulking box around, trying to find Annie or Crispin... All of the sudden, I hear Annie screaming at me and so I started screaming!!! I was shaking so bad, it was kind of funny. Soon after Crispin showed up and he was all excited. He said he saw some coming out and that he was heading to get one, when he heard us screaming. HAHA, it was a fun night with them!!! And I am glad that Marcus is going to get the coolest gift ever!!

Just another day

OK, by far, today was one of the HARDEST days as a parent.

Around 9 AM, Grant started crying and screaming. I went into his room and he was curled into a ball on his bed. I tried to soothe him the best that I could, but nothing worked. He told me his tummy hurt him. I had no clue what to do. My first thought was pepo, but I couldn't get any answers on whether it was safe to give him, and so I called the nurses hotline. By this time Grant had a fever of 102.5 and I was told to take him in, NOW. This scared me to death!! So as calmly as I could, I got the kids ready. I am so thankful that my Mother in Law could help out and watch Cami, because it ended up being a much longer day than I thought it would!

We went to the urgent care, and I knew the Dr there. Grant wasn't as hot, but when he touched his stomach Grant was not happy, and began to cry. Dr. Z wanted him to get labs and an ultrasound done, and so he sent us to the ER.

A parent should NEVER have to see their child go through so much pain. When they put the IV in, they asked if I wanted to step out of the room. Of course I didn't, I am his mom and I needed to be right with him!! Grant was such a brave little guy!! Even though he was in pain, every time I put my head down, Grant wanted to know what was wrong. It was almost like he was helping me through it!!

I was there with Grant alone for almost 4 LONG hours! I had to be alone (& strong) when Grant got his IV, and had his ultrasound. I'm grateful that Randy came over, and I wanted to cry just at the sight of him. He gave Grant a blessing, and Grant semi woke up for him. Right after he left, Mark came in... Relief.

By this point they ruled that the ultrasound was inconclusive, and so Grant would have to have a cat scan. Wait, run that by me one more time?? Scared, I weighed the options. Could I live with myself if it was in fact his appendix and something happened? Could I live with myself knowing full well that he was being exposed to radiation? We went a head with the CT. They had to sedate him to calm him down enough to hold still. After they gave it to us, one of the guys from radiology came in and he sort of looked like Randy, but to Grant that was his Grandpa... Funny #1. Then they wheeled him into the room, and once Grant saw the machine he was like, "WOW", funny #2!!! After waiting an hour the results came back. Grant hadn't held completely still, but from what they could tell, he was ok. So we got to go home!! HURRAY!!! After spending 6 hours there, we were both ready. We were just instructed to watch him closely.

Last night Grant ran a temp all night, and being a paranoid mother, I slept with him all night. I am so grateful for medicine and the technology we have today!! I am so impressed with the strength Grant had and the example he set for me. I love him to death, and it was the hardest thing to watch as a parent!!

Ensign Post

I usually don't post religious post, mainly because I often fear that people will roll their eyes or judge me. I realize that this is something that I need to get over, because I am not ashamed of the church, nor am I ashamed of my testimony. This has been an interesting week, as far as testimony growth goes.

Last Sunday was a general stake conference for Arizona. My in laws, bless their hearts, had the kids sit with them. This left Mark and I with the ability to listen! Sister Barbara Thompson (2nd counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency) spoke about faith. She told a story about how she wanted to know the Book of Mormon was true before she started seminary. She read it over the summer and as she finished the last few chapters, she made sure everything around her was in order. She had cleaned her room, and made sure she was in a place where she could receive revelation about the truth of the book. She knelt down and prayed about it, but to her amazement nothing came. She just felt at peace about things. Some times you have to just recognize that you already know the answer.

On Monday I received an email letting me know that my cousin, Katie, would probably be passing away within the week. Katie is the oldest of the cousins on the Bingham side... And my memories of her are limited. But I know and remembered how incredibly awesome she was. As I heard this news, my heart sank and I was left with a surprising ache. My cousin, Alison, summed it up best... If I were in her shoes, could I have the faith that she had? Could I leave my children, knowing that it was the Lord's will?

That night I sent a text to a friend of mine asking her how someone has unwavering faith. Her reply was that she didn't know. I am extremely grateful that I get the ensign!! That night I happened to pick up where I left off the night before, which was a talk which was given by Bishop Richard C. Edgley. With all of my questions regarding why Heavenly Father would take Katie away, I read, "If confusion and hopelessness weigh on your mind, choose to "awake and arouse your faculties" (Alma 32:27). Humbly approaching the Lord with a broken heard and contrite spirit is the pathway to truth and the Lord's way of light, knowledge, and peace." And he later went on to say, "Because of my faith, I approach the unknown, unseen and unexplained with unquestioning assurance."

Wow. I felt as if a little of my sadness had been lifted, because I do have faith that the Lord know why he is doing this, and that there is a bigger plan. The next day I went and visited with my mother in law. I brought the topic up, and like a brick it hit me!! I would like to think that I would have the same faith she did, but the reason I struggle so hard about it is because of Grant. There are details about my previous marriage that I hate to think about. But it is because of that marriage that I have Grant. If anything is to happen to me, I cannot say what would happen to him. I know that Mark would fight for him, but in the end, it's up to the court. I'm petrified that Grant would go to be with someone he does not know, and would be scared. I would not be there physically to help him, and to love him. I know he would not get the love and attention he so desperately needs. Because of this reason, I fear death.

Today was Katie's funeral, and I have yet to hear how things went. I am positive that there were many tears shed, and many great memories shared. I am sad that I was unable to attend. But I know that some day we will meet again, and I will be so happy to tell her how much her faith has helped mine.

OK, there is my ensign post. I'm sorry my thoughts are all over the place!!

Date Night

Have you seen the movie "Date Night"? It is a pretty funny comedy about a husband and wife who go out on a date... A well needed date. Since I'm sort of in the Young Women's, I had to go to the stake dance last night, ugh. But my wonderful in laws came to the rescue and watched the kids, so that my wonderful husband could go with me.

He was so sweet all night. He took me to Denny's for an omelet, we went to Walmart and looked at toys, he got me hot chocolate and then whisked me off to the dance. The dance made me appreciate my old leaders and all they did for us! But over all, I had a great time with my husband, and felt semi younger ;)

Thanks Mark for a wonderful night!!

It's Grant, minus a body part

I know you're wondering why such a brutal title... It's been that kind of morning! Grant hasn't been happy these past few days, mainly from lack of sleep, and this morning was no different. After trying to get him to calm down from one of his melt downs, he was sitting in front of one of our sofa's. The next thing I know he's screaming because he "hurts".

I, being the "wonderful" mother that I am, just thought it was part of him having a hard morning. He didn't give me much of a chance to see anything, because he ran off into his room. Moments later he came out with blood everywhere, which then sent his mom into a panic. I, at first thought he had bit a hole through his tongue, but after closer examination, I realized that he had in fact pulled his tooth out, roots and all. I would LOVE tell you how, but he didn't do anything that would cause this... Except biting. He bits things when he gets mad, and all I can think of is that he bit the blanket on the couch and it got stuck.

I called around to all the dentist here in Sierra Vista, and to our luck, everyone was closed, except one! The good news is that they were able to get him in right away. Everything I read previous to this said that if a child loses a tooth before they naturally fall out, they then need to put a spacer in. This dentist said that we should just let it be and let it heal without anything in it!! That means Grant will go 4 years without a tooth there!!!

So how is Grant?? He calmed down pretty quick after this happened, and was sooo interested in his missing tooth. At first he wanted me to put it back in... Then he just wanted to just look at himself in the mirror, and he wanted to show his friends his tooth. I guess boys will be boys and moms will be worrying moms!!

Is it just me??

Since turning one, it seems as if everything about Cami has changed, or is it just me?? She is getting bigger, and just doing TONS of things she wasn't doing before. It makes me sad, because she is no longer a baby, but I am excited to keep watching her grow!!

Can you believe she eats Mexican food?? She even held her own at Pancho's... She out ate the boys, of course they were to busy being boys, BUT still!!

I love everything about this little girl!! She has definitely captured my heart!!!

Cousin Time

I had to come up to return my dad his truck... Megan had asked if I could come up Thursday night and take Marcus to my parents with us on Friday. I agreed, knowing that the boys would have a great time together... I decided they needed to do something, other than wrecking my mom's house. My suggestion was to make a pie, and Marcus was game from the get go.

Nothing beats the laughter!!!!

I am sure the pie will come out wonderful, because it was made with love by 2 little boys!!!!!

Birthday Potty

Since it has taken me a day and a half to download these pictures, I am not going to even try to explain them all.

On Saturday we had Mark's family and my mom over for dinner to celebrate Cami's birthday. When everyone got out here, Grant was sooo excited for the potty. Everyone kept telling him to go use the bathroom, and it took me a minute to figure out that he was saying party!!
On my third trip to the local gas station (I live 20 miles out of town), to woman finally asked me what I was doing. I told her that I was getting things for my daughters cake, and I hated that I felt like everything needed to be perfect. She was really sweet and told me that's how you can spot a good mom, they want those things to be great for the kids. So, what was the story on the cake??

The Maroney's are NOT cake people. But I like that you personalize cakes. So with that, I decided MONTHS ago that I would make Cami a kitty cat cake. I made the cake the night before, and didn't even bother checking to see if it was done when I pulled it out. I put in on the cooling rack, and the next day, around noon, I figured out that the cake hadn't cooked all the way through!! I was devastated!! I had made a chocolate silk pie earlier and used regular sugar, and it was grainy... WHAT WAS I GOING TO DO WITH A NOT COOKED CAKE??!! I am not going to lie, I pouted and was really upset. So that prompted a trip to the little gas station for a new cake mix. Then the frosting I had used came out weird, so I had to go back for candy to put on it... It was horrible, and I wanted to cry.

Cami had a great time. This was the dirtiest she got!! Grant basically bathed in his 1st cake... Guess that is the difference with boys and girls.





It was a great night, but I can wait for the next birthday!!

Happy 1st Birthday, Cami!

At 7:25 AM, Cami was officially 1 years old today!! I had preschool today, but afterwards we all went down for a nap, and I just laid there holding my little girl. Cami has brought so much happiness and love into our family and into my own life. I couldn't have asked for a better daughter and I enjoy her so much!!

Cami has grown so much these past few months. I still can't believe how fast this year has gone by. Today I noticed that she is cutting her last 2 teeth on the bottom, which will give her 8 chompers. She loves to talk, and scream if she can't be heard. I would say that 95% of the time she is smiling, and BOY does she smile and flirt with everyone. She is very out going, and loves the attention. Grant has a push/ride tonka truck, and her favorite thing is to get on it and push herself around. She is getting so she likes being with Daddy more and when he comes home, she can't get out of my arms fast enough! However, she still loves going shopping with me, and is so good at just hanging out while we're out. She still is not walking, and I can't see that happening for a while. She'll stand on her own, until she notices what she's doing and she'll fall to the ground. She still loves Grant to death, and for the most part, Grant still loves her too. I hope she knows how much she is loved!!

We are not doing much today. We will have her favorite food for dinner, roman noodles and brownies for desert. On Saturday the Maroney's and my mom will be out here for dinner and cake/pie. I am so excited!! HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL, I LOVE YOU!!!

Sound

Not sure why it didn't post with the sound on the eariler post.

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

I am now finding out that Cami has a new love... CLIMBING. It's amazing how much she actually does. I don't think Grant was this bad, and as good as she is. She is all over the place... Let's not forget here... On Friday, I found Cami here... I guess she just really wanted in her high chair! Yesterday, I was making dinner, and I looked into the living room... To find Cami had moved a box over to the chair and was trying to use it to get onto the recliner.

But come one, she is SO cute, I find it hard to tell her no.

All in a days work

For conference weekend, my parents came down. I told Mark that I had 2 projects that needed some work... The bathroom and enclosing the water heater (Cami likes to pull the insulation out). I think Mark is tired of working on the bathroom... So he and my dad started working on the water heater.

I must say, it makes the house look SOOOO much better!! I can't wait to replace all the doors, it will give the house a more cozy feeling. Thank you Mark and my dad for doing that for me!!

Art in the Park 2010

This past weekend was Art in the Park, here in Sierra Vista. My parents, and us, decided to stop by and see what was going on. It was a hot day (87 degrees)... So we weren't there for very long. BUT I did find this for Grant!!! It is the cutest little apron, and it has Cars on it!! He loves to wear it. Today we made french bread... Or, we attempted.

Poor 24 hours for Cami

1. Fell into the bath tub, resulting in a huge bruise on her forehead
2. Haven't been able to take a good nap, because her brother keeps going into her room
3. Brother found a bottle of febreze and thought it would be great to spray Cami (HEAD TO TOE) resulting in red eyes

My poor baby girl has had a rough 24 hours. I hope tomorrow is better for her!!

Well that's one way...

Getting Grant to take a nap is HARD work!!! For 3 weeks now, I have been taking them on walks with me everyday. Today, I wanted to walk 3 miles... And this is what happened.

It's one way to get him to take a nap!!!

Cochise County Fair

There was SO many things going on down here this weekend!! First we had wanted to go to Casa Grande, but decided it wasn't the best thing right now... So I figured we would do something fun anyways!! There were 2 kid friendly things going on, the fair and fun in the park... We decided the fair, because there were animals and more things to do.

The best part of Grant feeding the animals was that when they gave him the food, he just threw it at the animals!! I was surprised at how well he did with being in there! His favorite was the bunny rabbits.

Preschool

Where does the time go?? I only got a quick picture of Grant at his 1st day of preschool. We are going to be doing joy preschool this 'semester'. I figure he can get use to it, and maybe next year go to a real preschool. We'll see how things good. But he did love being there, and I had to drag him out of the house to come home!!

Sunshine

Growing up, I remember my parents calling me their 'Rae of sunshine'. I can honestly say that now I have my own 'sunshine'... Though her name isn't Rae, it's Cami. She is such a good kid, and is almost always happy. I love going and getting her out of her crib in the morning, because she's usually laughing.

Mark and I were talking today, and we can't believe she is almost a year!! It has flown by so fast!! We were in her room after her nap, and she stood by herself for a good 10 seconds. Am I ready for my baby to not be a baby anymore?? Not really, but I do enjoy her!!

My brave little pumpkin!! She is getting fast on this thing!!! And wants to go everywhere her big brother goes... Off the porch included.

Eating her bubbles.

This is probably my favorite outfit so far. I am so glad that she is part of our family. I could use another one of her... Maybe two.