The Many Faces of Ty

Post-Christmas/Surgery Update...

Well, we survived! Here's a quick re-cap...

* The night before my surgery, I really wanted to do something fun with our boys. So we decided to take them to Peter Piper Pizza where they could play and get all of their energy out. All 3 boys had a great time...as for mom and dad...we definitely did it for the kids! I had a headache by the time we left, but it was well worth it to see the boys having so much fun.

* Tucking the kids into bed that night was rough on me. Luke was crying because he was afraid I was going to die. My heart breaks for him. We did our best to comfort him and to let him know that I was going to be ok. Luke wondered how Noma knew she was going to die. We explained that the doctors gave her medicine and it just wasn't working and she wasn't getting better. It's a tough tough lesson for our little boys to learn, but I can only imagine how this experience is going to mold them and help them to become the men that God wants them to be.

* Marla (Grandma Holbrook) stayed with the boys while we were in the hospital. She then took them to stay at her house once Luke started his Christmas break.

* On Curt's 29th b-day, I was in surgery for about 11 hours. Curt and Rich (my father-in-law waited in the waiting room the whole time. We were hoping they had some recliners or couches for the guys to rest on, but they didn't! Curt had a couple of his buddies come visit him and bring him food while he was waiting.

* After a day in ICU, I was moved to the regular floor. They discharged me on Friday, December 21st. The doctors were amazed at how well I was recovering. I was and continue to be amazed! I thought I would be in so much more pain than I am, but I guess I have a high pain tolerance.

* The boys came back home so they could sleep in their own beds when Christmas morning came. The Pajama Elf dropped off some jammies for the kids on Christmas Eve. Luke was so excited because he peeked out the window and saw the elf's leg as he was running away! I'm just glad he didn't recognize that leg! Luke was saying, "Mom!! I saw the pajama elf's leg! He's a REAL person!". It was cute. The boys were excited to get their new jammies, except for Jake. He was ready for bed, so he wasn't a happy camper. When Luke opened up his jammies he was so excited..."NFL!! NFL!!" and Ty said, "It's TARS (Cars)!".

* Christmas morning, everyone had fun opening their presents. Rich, Marla, and Alayna then came over with breakfast burrito fixins'. That evening, we went to Rich and Marla's for yummy dinner. By that time, I was pooped and ready to hit the sack. The boys stayed over at their house for the next few nights. They've had a lot of fun spending so much time with their grandma and grandpa. We are so grateful for them and their willingness to take care of our boys for us. As sad as it make me sometimes, I know that I cannot recover without some help with the boys. Jake will be spending the most time at their house because I can't lift anything for another 5 weeks or so. It's impossible for me to take care of him by myself and I hate that! But, this is only temporary and I know Jake is in good hands. He's been such a happy boy, except for when he was sick, and it does do my heart good to see him having a fun time with grandma.

* Each day I continue to feel better and am anxious for life to get back to normal. I meet with both of my surgeons next week and on Wednesday will get the oncologist info.

* We continue to feel extremely blessed and are so appreciative to all those who have helped our family. From the phone calls, to the prayers, we thank you so much!

On a Lighter Note...

There have been a lot of other events happening in the Holbrook household...fun and exciting ones that I've been meaning to post about. So, in a nutshell, this is what we've been up to for the past month...

* We got a new van! Buh-bye, Suburban. You are no longer a pain in our sides. We all LOVE our van ('07 Kia Sedona) and Curt and I are relieved to have a car with a warranty in case something breaks down!

* We spent Thanksgiving at the cabin in Snowflake! We had a fun time there riding the 4 wheeler, decorating the gingerbread house, eating the delicious food, playing Chicken Foot, and sitting out by the fire pit. Grandma and Grandpa Holbrook, Alayna and her friend, and Ashlie were there with us, too! Good times.

* Our baby is now walking!! There's no stopping Jake now!

* Luke turned 6 years old on December 4th! He had a blast with all of his friends at the party the Saturday before his birthday. We met Grandma Holbrook (Grandpa was out of town.), Alayna, and Ashlie at Texas Roadhouse for dinner on the 4th. Luke was so stinking excited to be able to sit on the sadle and have the waiters sing to him! It was so cute!!

* Ty (and Luke, too) has grown about 2 inches in the last 2 months! Ty has always seemed so much shorter than Luke was at his age, but now he is starting to shoot up.

See photos below...

A Life Full of Learning...

Looking back at our crazy pictures from our anniversary celebration last month, how glad I am that Curt and I spent that time together! Especially now that our lives have changed drastically since that post. Our lives are forever changed because of the news we received last week, but it has changed for the better. I was diagnosed with breast cancer last week, for those who don't know. I don't know much else at this point, but hope to find out more this week.

Of course I am scared and nervous about having such a radical surgery and going through chemo, but I am more focused on the important things in life....my family, the gospel, Jesus Christ, my friends, serving others... I know I wasn't living up to my potential as a wife, mother, and friend before "the news". I pray that I can become who my Father in Heaven would have me be.

Below is a copy of an e-mail I sent out.

To all:



I am finally able to sit down and collect my thoughts and make sure I express to you all that I’ve been feeling.



I am so extremely grateful for all the prayers, meals, phone calls, e-mails, flowers, and concern on my behalf. I feel bad that I haven’t been able to thank most of you in person or to even be able to respond to each e-mail I’ve received. Please know that I have been touched beyond what can be described into words. I have never felt so much love from my family, friends, and church members as I have this week. This week, I have also been blessed with such a strong feeling of love FOR each of you, too. It has been incredible and I am determined to do what I can to influence those around me through my latest trial.



I keep asking myself…”What can I learn from this experience?” and I have felt such a strong desire to be an example to those around me. To help lift others up through my example and to maybe help strengthen their faith and assurance that God does love each one of us. I know He loves me and I have felt his love. He has sent each one of you to me at this time in my life. I have no doubt that my family and I will make it through this trial, but I also know that we will be ok no matter what the outcome is. I am going to put up a good fight, but I also accept His will for me and my family. I can’t see the “big picture” like He can, and I have total faith in Him. I know there will be days when I will struggle, both spiritually and physically, but I hope to keep those to a minimum!



So, thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you have done and all that you will do for me and my family in the future! Just know that no act of kindness goes unnoticed and I have been praying that those who are helping us at this time will be blessed abundantly for their efforts.



Love,

Charlene

Random Photos of our Crazy Boys

Happy 7th Anniversary to Us!!

**This is what 7 years of marriage has done to us! Ha!

Curt and I got back today from a 2 day vacation to celebrate our anniversary (which is actually tomorrow the 18th!)!! Grandma Holbrook came over on Thursday afternoon to stay with the kids and as soon as she arrived we were OUTTA THERE!!

Curt had made reservations for us at the Doubletree Resort in Scottsdale, so we didn't go far! We had such a great time!! I haven't laughed that hard in y-e-a-r-s!! We went to the movies (twice!), shopped, ate, played Skee Ball, air hockey, and lots of other fun games at Dave & Buster's, rented movies to watch in our room, and just really truly had an enjoyable time!!

It is so easy for me, as a mother, to focus all of my time and energy on our kids and neglect my dear hubby. It was such an awesome opportunity for us to just focus on "US", and we hope to do that more often.

My mom wrote this to me shortly before she died: "...November 19, 2003... Yesterday was your 3rd wedding anniversary. It was so nice that Curt's mom watched Luke part of the day so you could spend some time together. It's so important to never lose focus on the two of you, or someday you wake up and realize you have nothing in common...just kids."

How right she was.

Of course, none of this would've been possible without Curt's mom and her willingness to take care of our rambunctious boys. The boys had a lot of fun with her and Grandpa and I didn't have to worry...I knew they were in good hands.

I Can Snugll Wif Mom

I knew that Luke likes it when I climb up into his bed with him and snuggle. I just didn't realize how much until I saw this drawing in his backpack after school the other day! It was sooo sweet and brought tears to my eyes. If you look closely you can see the ladder going up to his bed and I think those sticks are my arms sticking up in the air. Very cute and made me feel very happy that I made his night by climbing up there with him. It is something I will definitely do more often now.

My Fabulous Life...as of late

This past weekend I made my 2nd attempt at cake decorating! My friend had a baby shower over the weekend and I volunteered to make the cake. As it got closer to the shower date, I was in a panic and thought for sure I would screw it up! I decided to just do my own design at the last minute and am very pleased with how it turned out. I was so nervous at the shower and really wanted to make my exit when they were ready to cut and serve the cake! After lots and lots of compliments and encouraging comments, I was able to relax.

Along with starting up cake decorating, I have recently taken on babysitting full time during the week! I watch a neighbor's baby girl and will be adding at least one or two more kids to the mix soon, too. I am extremely busy now (and tied down more than ever), but I am enjoying it and am excited about the extra $$$ !!

We also have a new roommate! Ashlie moved back in with us last week and will be staying with us until she transfers to the U of A in Tucson. We're excited to have her around!

Halloween 2007

Breakfast in Bed

Yesterday morning when I was getting the kids ready to go to the bus stop, Luke really wanted to surprise me and make breakfast for me. I told him he could another morning when we didn't have to get ready for school.

I thought he would forget about it (I should've known better!), but this morning he and Ty were up at 6:30am and I could hear them padding around in the kitchen. I knew what Luke was up to! I stayed in my bedroom so that he could "surprise" me.

It was so cute when he came into my room carrying a waffle, and it even had butter on it! He, of course, got lots of hugs and kisses in return.

Luke can be so thoughtful and sooo darn sweet. He is setting such a good example for his little brothers.

Girlfriends and Pancakes

I ran across some old pictures last night and found this one of Luke. It blows me away how much it looks like Jake!! Crazy.

Now on to explain my title...

Luke informed Curt and I tonight that he has a girlfriend. He was saying that he needed to find his Pokemon cards so that he could give one to his girlfriend tomorrow on the bus. Huh?? I asked him to repeat that again, and sure enough, I had heard correctly. He says "Yea, Mia's my girlfriend and I'm going to marry her." He just "met" her 2 days ago on the bus, and now they're talking marriage.

I told him no girlfriends until he's 30.

**I also had my 2nd mammogram done today, hence the pancakes.

Priceless

Luke and I were snuggling on the couch tonight spending some good quality time together. The other boys were already in bed alsleep and Curt was at Scouts. The house was nice and quiet.

We had read about Nephi in the Scriptures and then read a wacky Dr. Seuss book that Luke had checked out from the school library. We went through all the months of the year and discussed whose birthdays were when. He can hardly contain himself when he talks about turning 6 on December 4th!! He still cracks up every time we talk about how he and Grandma Debbie share the same birthday. I don't know why it's so funny to him, but it makes me laugh that he's so tickled by it.

And then, there were the snuggles. I love to cuddle with my boys, but Luke is usually the only willing participant. Occasionally Ty will cuddle with me, but he usually doesn't last very long. Tonight, though, Luke said..."Mom, I just really love you too much. I think I have a crush on you." It was funny that my almost 6 year-old is already talking about crushes! So, I tried my best to explain what a crush was and that he didn't have one on me. It reminded me of when my nephew Andrew was around Luke and Ty's age and had determined that he was going to marry me when he grew up.

Little kids are so innocent, and I wish I could freeze my kids at that stage forever!

A Must Read!

My mother-in-law Marla gave me this book to read. I thought it sounded "interesting", but was not expecting it to be life-changing by any means. It has totally done that...changed my life! I feel so much more at peace with how my life has unfolded so far. Since reading this book, I feel an even stronger desire to dedicate my life to my family, my Heavenly Father, and to serving others. I have read and re-read this book as to not forget the messages in it that have touched me so deeply.

This book may not impact others as it has me. It may have been just what I needed at the time to get my priorities in check and to get my life back on track. I would highly recommend it to anyone, especially to those who have lost a loved one.

Jake Turns ONE!

Our little (or should I say "big"?) Jake turned one on October 9th!! We had a fun party for him, although he had no clue what was happening. Grandma & Grandpa Holbrook, Aunt Alayna, the Clemons family, and the Anaya girls (all of our favorite neighbors!) joined in on the celebration.

Jake had his 12 month check-up the next day and had to get 4 shots...one in each arm and 2 in one of his legs. He was very ticked off about it, but was fine after a minute or two. He is now weighing 24.5 lbs and is 30 1/2 inches tall!

Jake doesn't seem too interested in walking just yet, but is keeping up with the big boys none the less! He loves to show his affection by smacking people (mainly ME)in the face. He likes to scream, wave bye-bye, and shake his head "no" while he's crawling like a mad man...or "crazy crawling", as we like to call it.

Such fun, this kid is! We love you, Jakey!

The Dreaded SCHOOL PICTURES!!

Clearly, I was nervous for no reason. Luke's first school picture turned out SOOOO much better than I was expecting! And for that, I am grateful. Just look at my handsome little dude. He looks so grown up...(sniff sniff).

Thanks For the Great Pictures!

Debbie and my dad sent me copies of the photos they took in July when we were all in Ohio. Debbie always takes the cutest pictures of the boys.

More Ohio Pictures!

This is my favorite photo! I LOVE Jake's blue eyes that match his and Papa's shirt. Not to mention the sweet kiss on his noggin from my dad.

I actually see some resemblence here...Jake's smile looks an awful lot like Papa's!

Ty, being the clown that he is, is demonstrating for Papa and Grandma Debbie how the dog was going pee.

Ty eating his Ring Pop.

The boys with their Uncle Marcus (or Untle Watiss as Ty used to call him). I was having troubles getting rid of Ty's red eyes, but decided to just leave it as is. It is rather fitting, I might say. He has a streak in him. I don't know where he gets it! (sarcasm? Who, me?)

Fall Break!

The kids' Fall Break has officially started. I am looking forward to just chillin at home and not having to run around dropping off/picking up kids throughout my day. Luke always gets so bored when he's not in school, so I will have to keep him busy. Fall Break is when a lot of families I know go on vacations, and I sort of wish we were going SOMEWHERE. But, then I remember what it's like to travel with Jake and how he doesn't sleep well if he's not in his own bed. We'll have plenty of opportunities to take fun trips when the kids are older...at least that's what I keep telling myself!

On Wednesday, I had parent/teacher conference with Luke's teacher. It went really well. He is excelling on every level and, of course, I was so proud of him! She praised him for being so kind to the other kids and the teachers. Apparently he always talks about his "baby brother" at school and how he loves to play with him. His teacher also told me that Luke's reading level is a lot higher than the other kids, so she is going to start having him read different books during the day. Luke is a very intelligent kid, but it isn't because of us. He has always had an interest in learning and, sadly, Curt and I don't really sit down with him to try to teach him more. Luke has learned mostly on his own. Perfect example...he was about 18 months old when I discovered that he knew almost the entire alphabet by sight. One day, I drew an "A" on his Magna Doodle and asked him what it was. To my amazement, we went through the whole alphabet and he only missed 4 letters! Had I worked with him before?? Uh, no.

Anyway, I love all 3 of my beautiful boys! They bring me the most joy and frustration I ever thought possible. I wouldn't trade them for the world.

Our Ward Family Campout

On Sept. 21st, we drove up to Payson for our yearly ward campout. This was actually the first time I have ever camped with Curt and the boys. He usually takes them while I stay home because either: A) I'm pregnant (which I am NOT right now!)
B) we have a wee baby that I don't want to camp with
C) or because I need some "mommy" time and a break
from the two older boys
I decided it would be fun to go this time and make some memories with my boys. Our first camping experience as a family of five was pretty much what I had expected. I had a feeling that Jake wouldn't sleep very well in the tent, which he did NOT. He woke up several times during the night screaming his head off, while in the meantime, waking up his brothers, who then started crying because he woke them up. Sounds like great fun, eh? That was a loooong night, but once the sun finally came up, we were ready to go hiking and explore a bit. After the men cooked up a yummy breakfast, we packed up and headed to the service project. We have a kid in the ward who is working on his Eagle, so most of us pitched in to help that morning. We were to dig up this plant called Star Thistle (I think) which is actually taking over the other wild plants in the area and causing a lot of problems. Luke and Ty had fun playing in the stream alongside the pasture that we were weeding. I'm sure I was a sight to behold. I was so sore the next couple of days from digging up those weeds with the shovel, all the while with a 25 lb. brick (aka Jake) strapped to my back. It was a lot of work, but very fun and rewarding. As always when I travel, I was glad to be home.

Our tent was nestled in the trees just above the stream.

On our drive home from Payson, I looked back to find Luke holding Jake's hand as he was falling asleep. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen! Luke is such a gentle and loving big brother to Jake...and Jake thinks the world of Luke. His little face lights up whenever he sees Luke.

Awww...

The Highlight of Our Camping Adventure

We were parked along side the road waiting for others to get there so our service project could start. Curt spotted this gross thing going across the road. After living in AZ for over 5 years, this is my first "wild" trantula that I've seen! I was grossed out, especially when Curt picked it up and was letting it crawl all over him! What kind of freakazoid did I marry??!! Just kidding, babe.

I know. Disgusting.

40-something Anniversary

Today was my parents' wedding anniversary. They would've been married for 40-something years...I can't remember for sure and am too lazy to get up off of the computer chair to look! I have always loved this picture of the two of them and I want to thank Dad and Debbie for sending me an 8x10 copy of it last week!

You can't tell by this photo that my mom was going through chemo, can you? Sick or not, she was always so beautiful. I remember vividly (shocking, I KNOW!) when this picture was taken. It was during one of mine and Luke's trips back to IL to visit my parents. My siblings and I had made reservations at the Sears portrait studio for Mom and Dad to get their picture taken. It had been yeeeears since they had that done. So, we decided to surprise them, as a gift from us on their anniversary. Since Luke and I were staying at the house with them, I helped mom decide what to wear. Dad, on the other hand, was a little more difficult. Mom and I had decided on what he COULD NOT wear, which was his gray suit (Sorry, Dad!). We weren't the biggest fans of that one, at least not for photos to be taken. It took some coercing, but he choose one of the ties we had picked out for him. Mission accomplished!!

We then all drove to Burlington, IA where the studio was, and after their photos, we went to a buffet-style restaurant called Ryan's. A good time was had by all.

My sweet momma died just 3 months after this picture was taken. Her smiling face and loving persona that radiates in that photo is how I will always remember her.

Today's 6 year anniversary of 9/11 is a sad one. Curt and I were living in Nauvoo still at the time. I was 6 months pregnant with Luke. That morning, I remember watching CNN and seeing the first tower burning and then watching live...the 2nd one being attacked. I remember the knots in my stomach.

Not long after that, I had the priviledge of taking my dad to the ER and ended up spending about 8 or 9 hours in the hospital with him. He was so distracted because of the terrorists attacks that he darn-near cut a couple of his fingers off while working in his wood shop. After surgery to repair them, and making sure he was okay, I got back home about 8pm that night. I knew that our "small" ordeal with my dad was nothing in comparison to those affected by 9/11.

I GIVE UP!!

Ever wonder why I don't post many pictures of my older boys??

THIS is why. To get them to stop monkeying around so I can take a cute picture of them is impossible! I was trying to get a nice picture of them with their new ties on yesterday before church. My sis Christie sent my nephew Andrew's old ties to the boys and I knew they would love to see the kids wearing them. Well, this is as good as it is going to get.

11 Months Old!!

Jake turned 11 months old on the 9th!! This boy is one of a kind. He is already doing things that he shouldn't be doing at this young of an age!! I keep telling him he needs to S-L-O-W down and be a baby, but he doesn't listen. He is such an intense kid and screams at anyone who takes something away from him. He's always going full steam and I'm afraid...very very afraid! I think he's going to be a mix of Luke and Ty both....LOTS of energy, like Ty, and very interested in learning about anything and everything, like Luke. He also picks up on things very easily, just like Luke. He is such a handsome little guy and I love his super blonde hair. He has 8 teeth and I'm sure it won't be too terribly long before he'll be walking.

Rub-A-Dub-Dub...Two Monkeys in the Tub

Ty and Jake having fun in the tub!

My Boy

I can't put into words how proud I am of my Luke. This kid has come such a looong way in the past two years. He has always been a tender and loving boy, but I have really been enjoying some of his most recent acts.

Lately, as soon as he steps foot in the house, after a long day at school, he is instantly shouting for me! "Momma......Momma!!" And then, as soon as he sees me, he gives me the biggest bear hug. I absolutely LOVE it.

At any given time, almost daily, he will come up to me out of the blue, with a big hug and tells me he loves me. Is that not sweet or what?? Maybe he knows that is exactly what I've been needing lately because I have really been missing my mom a lot. Luke is at the age where I start to have memories of my mom and how loved I always felt. I want Luke to have those same feelings when he looks back at this time in his life.

I remember coming home from Kindergarten and it just being Mom and I at home. All of the other kids where still at school. I remember the "afternoon snacks" she would make for me and how she would watch Sesame Street with me. She would lay down with me while I was falling asleep when it was time for my afternoon nap.

I have accepted the fact that my mom is in a better place now, but I still miss her like crazy. I hate not being able to hear her laugh at something my boys have done or said. The last few times she sang "Noma's song" to Luke, she would have tears rolling down her face. She knew and I knew that she wasn't going to be able to do that much longer.

I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing "Noma stories" with Luke, since he has no memory of her now. He asked me last night as we were on our way to the store..."Do you remember when Noma would peek at me through her bed rails?!". (She spent her last couple of weeks in a hospital bed in my parents' family room and would play peek-a-boo with Luke.)

I hope these memories never fade. I know Luke will never forget anything I've told him. That kid has an AMAZING memory! I will probably have to rely on him within the next few years, I'm sure!

I love you, my sweet boy Luke. I know Noma would be proud of you and the big boy that you've become.

Ty's First Day of Preschool!

Our big boy started preschool this week! On Wednesday, Ty was having a rough morning...tantrum after tantrum. I was sad because he wouldn't let me take any pictures of him before we left. But once we pulled up to his school, he hopped out of the car and was a completely different kid. I helped him put on his Diego backpack, after which he said,"Thank you!". He even let me take a few pictures of him... although he wouldn't smile, but I take what I can get with this kid! Ty walked right into the building and didn't even look back. I did get a little teary-eyed, but I am very excited for him to be able to go to school just like his big brother. He wants to do everything Luke does, of course. So now he feels just as "big".

My Three Sons

Luke at one year

Ty at 11 months

Jake at 10 months