FAMILY PICTURES!

I have to thank my friend Stephanie for taking these photos of us and Ashlie for coming along to help with kids! Steph did an awesome job and even put together a cute slide show on DVD for us! I really do have great friends. What a lucky girl I am.

Jake was not in any mood to smile, as you can tell. Ty was such a big boy and sat very still (for the most part). Luke was his usual photogenic self and had fun posing for Steph.

And best of all, we survived! The kids were all in one piece when we were through. Amazing.

Jake's 15 Month Stats

At 15 months, Jake weighed in at 26.6 lbs and is 31" long!! He is a tank and I love to nibble on his chubby cheeks. Grandma Holbrook went with us to his dr's appt. because I still cannot lift this kid (dr's orders...grrr!). Jake had to get 2 shots and it was so hard for me because I was there, but I couldn't hold him to console him. That was rough, but luckily he only cried for a minute.

He's usually a pretty happy kid, and is so fun to watch! He's contantly on the go and insists on doing everything his big brothers are doing. He's pretty darn cute, too!

The Latest Happenings

In a nutshell...

* One of my best buddies drove all the way from northern CA to spend a few days with me last week! It was GREAT to see her and I am so bummed that I didn't take any pictures! I miss her...sniff sniff

* My sister Christie also came to see us! She flew in on Friday evening and left again for Ohio that Sunday. Although it was a quick trip, it was so good to see her. The boys loved having her at our house for a couple of days. Hopefully she'll come back soon because almost everyone was crying when we dropped her off at the airport.

* It is our family goal this year to have Family Home Evening every week for the WHOLE YEAR! We're going 3 weeks strong so far! Our reward for reaching our goal......a trip to San Diego!! The boys are stoked to go to Sea World, the zoo, and the beach! Ty prays for Sea World every night (so cute). We may even throw in a trip to Lego Land because we've heard so many people raving about it. NOW all's we have to do is save $$$$ for the trip. That's the hard part.

* Curt got his first "break" from the kids on Saturday! That is certainly worth noting because he's taken on a lot since I've been recovering from my surgery. He spent several hours golfing with some of his buddies.

* My dad and his wife Debbie are coming to spend a few days with us this week! They should be here in a little while and I am very much looking forward to seeing them. They are going to help with the boys so Curt's mom can have a little break. The boys are so excited to see Papa and Grandma Debbie!! Luke keeps begging me to let him sleep with them! Oh brother.

* My first round of chemo starts tomorrow...and I am a bit nervous, to be honest. I'm just looking forward to getting it over with and our lives getting back to normal (if that's possible!).

Ty's Picnic at the Park With Mommy!

Christie's Visit From Ohio

A Beautiful Quilt of My Boys!

I feel bad that it has taken me 3 weeks to post about this because I am still so touched by it. One of my best friends, Trisha, made this quilt for me so that I could take my babies with me while I was in the hospital! This was her first time ever at making a quilt and she tackled it in a week and a half! I am still amazed every time I look at it and I can feel the love that she has for me and my family. A-mazing.

My Wonderful "Falyim" and Friends

I have received countless cards, flower bouquets, e-mails, phone calls, treats, meals, prayers, visits.....all from my amazing group of friends and my incredible family! It has, without a doubt, been the most humbling experience for me personally. I continue to say that I have been touched beyond words, and that I have gained an even greater desire and excitement to be able to, in turn, do all I can to serve them when I am able to.

Now, on to explain the photo above...

One of our dear friends (you know who you are!) has a cleaning lady coming to our house once a week. I am sooo grateful! The day after the cleaning lady and her crew had come, I was at the kitchen sink and happened to glance over at the shelf in the family room where I had set the cute "F-A-M-I-L-Y" block letters that Alayna made us for Christmas. I tried not to laugh too hard because my tummy is still tender when I do, but it was so hard not to! Apparently, the cleaning crew rearranged the letters after dusting the shelf....obviously, they no speaka English!

We Got Our Baby Back!

Hip Hip Hooray! Yesterday Curt and I picked up Jake and brought him back home! Even though he has been well taken care of at Grandma's house, I was just missing him way too much to be without him for another second.

Jake seems so happy to be home and to be in is own bed. His brothers missed him, too. I think Ty is happy to have someone to tease again.

I can't put into words how happy it makes me to have our family all together again. These past couple of weeks have definitely made me realize how much my family means to me and how blessed I truly am.