Indiana Downings

June to October 2011

2011-11-17T22:11:00.001-08:00

June happened so fast. Before I made it home, Kate graduated from school. She enjoyed her school & will miss her friend Sam very much. Kate was lucky to have Aunt Joyce to take her shopping for a new dress for graduation. I was sad to miss it, but had to save vacation time for the move.

Kate has enjoyed Girls Camp with her ward, her first youth temple trip (before school last Tuesday), lots of new friends, babysitting, cat sitting & spending time with cousins.

Kate receiving her graduation certificate. She moved on to the 7th grade at South Davis Jr High in Bountiful, UT. She enjoys most of her teachers & classes. Her only complaint....the school is big & people don't even say excuse me when they bump into in the halls.

Spencer completed 8th grade at Test Middle School. He was able to receive his graduation certificate from Uncle Stacy. It was nice to have someone keeping an eye on him at school. He misses his friends, but has found some good friends here in Utah.

Spencer went to High Adventure camp with his scout troop. They went rafting, hiking & fishing. Spencer also attends South Davis Jr High. The 9th grade is part of the jr high schools here. He will attend Woods Cross High School next year.

Chloe & Tam (cousins) came to visit one night. Tam gave Carson his first haircut. Graham had his first haircut months ago. It is great to have them so close & I kinda miss living with those cute Miller kids. Not to mention, they are funny!

We are so lucky to have friends like Mike & Bev Eby. They came to visit us on the way back to Indiana from Reno, NV. We were able to take them to Temple Square & tour the Conference Center. Of course, we couldn't let them leave without lunch at In & Out Burger.

We have enjoyed the beautiful sunsets & mountain views in Utah. I can not get enough of the gorgeous mountains & the thick smog that gets trapped in the valley.

John has taken some great photos of the scenery. I love that is doesn't rain much, the low humidity & the snow. While I know this has been difficult for all of us, we have found that we are enjoying our new life here.

Graham & Carson LOVE to be outside. We do not have the luxury of a completing fenced back yard, but we take walks quite often. The neighbor girls, who are so cute, have become quite fond of the little boys. The boys will follow them up & down the sidewalk in hopes of getting to play. I love watching this little 4 yr old girl pick up Graham & try to carry him around the yard.

We have great neighbors, mostly senior citizens in the cul de sac behind us. They love to watch Spencer play basketball, Kate & her friends & the little boys doing anything. We have a neighborhood breakfast on the 4th of July courtesy of the Olsens & we recently had a block party in the cul de sac. We could not ask for kinder neighbors.

After our breakfast & neighbor visiting, we loaded up & went to the annual parade in Centerville. We met Kathleen & Ken, Missy & kids, Kent, Heidi & the cute Luke, Lilly & Claire, Sarah, Dave & baby Aliyah. Graham & Carson did great! They loved the music. They waved flags, ate candy & had fun with cousins. We came home & watched fireworks 2 nights in a row (Bountiful & North Salt Lake). Thanks to the Novacks for the neighborhood fireworks show too!

In September, I celebrated my 40th birthday! I always thought I would do something great on my 40th, but I didn't. We went to Pei Wei for dinner. John & the kids went to Costco & bought me this killer chocolate cake. I enjoyed more than I should have, but it was delicious!

I don't feel forty & besides, it is just a number. Big Deal! I am ready for another 40 years!

Graham & Carson are getting so big! Where has the time gone? Graham continues to weigh about 6 lbs or so more than Carson. It has certainly helped with the clothing for the two of them. Graham is starting to talk & he loves to snuggle with you. He gives great hugs & wet kisses. He used to let Carson push him around, but he has learned that he is bigger & stronger than his brother.

Carson & Graham both love to have you read. They love to get books & say, " I Read". Carson has taken up biting as his defense mechanism with Graham. Carson smiles as soon as you say his name & is a happy morning guy. He loves milk & tries to say it, but has decided that "MORE, MORE" and shaking his cup at you works too! Carson's yearly check with the cardiologist went well & he is good for another year. He is a picky eater (just like his dad) & throws everything on the floor if he is done with it or doesn't want it.

John & Spencer had free tickets to the Indy Car World Championship race in Las Vegas. Again, we were lucky to have our dear friend, Al Saliwanchik (aka Uncle Al), come for a visit & to attend the race. The guys drove down on Saturday & were able to take in some of the race excitement that night. Kate stayed behind with me & the little boys. We went grocery shopping, ran errands & window shopping at the mall. The weather was beautiful all weekend here & in Las Vegas.....isn't it always?

Unfortunately, the race excitement ended too soon. After about 11 laps, a major car pile up occurred & many were injured. Sadly, Dan Wheldon did not survive the accident. Several hours of waiting took place at the track before the official announcement was made. The cars posted Dan's car number on the top of the scoring tower & completed 5 laps in his honor. What a tragic loss to the racing world.

The kids had fall break in late October. We couldn't do anything big, so we took them on a ride through the mountains. This is where you laugh.....We drove the Alpine Loop, went down into Provo, had lunch & spent the day together as a family. It was not much, but John took some great pictures & we had fun. Also note, we slept in & had pancakes for breakfast before leaving.

The Move

2011-11-17T22:11:00.000-08:00

Before I post my June to October update, I feel I should share the facts about our move from Indiana to Utah. Where do I start? I am exhausted just trying to remember the journey. We have no pictures of the move, final moments, last minute pics with friends, etc. We finished packing & loading in 2 days, drove 2 days, unloaded in 3 hrs (Our new neighbors rock!), unpacked in 3 days & I returned to work.

It was crazy & I am thankful we all survived without serious injury to another. I think these are some of the moments I will not forget.....

1. Within 2 days of arriving in Indiana, I had flown to Seattle for work, back to Utah & then on to Indiana.

2. The humidity took my breath away when I exited the airport. Wow....I do not miss it! It was brutal packing & loading in the heat!

3. John & Al had been so efficient in pre-packing, all my things had been packed up prior to arrival. I wore the same clothes for 2 days. I smelled like a teenage boy who hasn't learned the importance of deodorant yet. Bad.....right, Jen?

4. My sister, Jen, my mom & dad were lifesavers for this event. It is crazy that we had fun packing to move away. Mom only cried a few times. Thanks to everyone who came & packed, loaded & gathered to share in our moving experience!!

5. A bag of M & M's can constitute a lunch full of energy & fulfillment. Good call Jen!

6. John has a lot of wires & cables.....STILL! Thanks to Jen for labeling them Box 1 of 10 and so on for laughs. John did not think it was as funny. Seriously, why did we transport that 1600+ miles?

7. The Christmas tree, holiday decorations, high school memorabilia, tools & various other garage/storage items did not make it even with the extra trailer that we had to pull behind the U-haul. What will I possibly re-gift now?

8. I realized I have too much stuff! Who needs all that stuff? Why do I feel I have to buy stuff? Does the stuff really mean anything to me? Ugh....it makes me want to donate & throw more stuff away right now!

9. I will miss my siblings, parents, family & some friends. Taco Tuesdays are the best, mom's peanut butter pie, loud laughter, crazy stories & lots of memories of days gone by.

10. John & the kids are some of the bravest people. It has been an adjustment for everyone, but they managed to survive without me for months during the "Separation Phase". Lots of Pizza & video games, right Spencer?

Now you know of the moving madness, Here is the update with photos.....

April 2011

2011-05-05T09:58:00.000-07:00

We attempted some family pics when I was home in April. This one seemed to be one of the successful ones of the kids. Usually, Spencer is not the cheesy one. Kate had the giggles, but managed to give an adorable look. The babies are cute no matter what!

My visit wasn't long enough, but I did get some more purging & packing done. It has been the hardest thing to live separated from my family. I hope we never have to do this again.

Easter means candy at the Downing house. We
have cut back considerably since we have so much invested in the braces filled mouths of Spencer & Kate.

The Easter Bunny did include yogurt melts for the babies & a small tent with a tunnel. Spencer & Kate love going through it as much as the little boys.

Each year we have an egg hunt at the Mopps house. Then we have a delicious Easter dinner & spend time hanging out.

It has become difficult to hide the eggs from all these big kids. Of course, every year there are eggs hidden & not found. It is just too hard to remember where they were all hidden.

Spencer & Kate Have been getting a picture with the Easter basket on their heads for years. It was time to add the little boys to the tradition.

Carson looks so cute with his little teeth & cute face. Graham loves to smile for the camera, but didn't give his best on this one.

The Saturday before Easter, my family came over for a big brunch. Mom made her delicious peanut butter pie. We had ham, cheesy potatoes & all the works.

We also did an egg hunt before it rained. The big kids helped with the 5 little ones. Yes, mom has 5 grandchildren just over a year old. It makes for some interesting times when they are all together. All boys, except cute Delilah. Don't worry, she can hold her own!

This was my last visit home until we move. It was a great time with family & friends. I will miss the Taco Tuesdays & holiday gatherings. My next return was early June & we packed up everything we own. More on that later......

2011-04-07T18:29:00.001-07:00

Where do I start?

Thank you to the Miller Family for letting me live with them. They are quite a fun bunch of people & I can't imagine living any where else during this transition. I have also learned to enjoy gluten free foods.

Thank you to Tam for making me laugh when I want to cry. Yes, I will make sure if I have a breakdown that you get to watch.

Thank you to my sister for helping with my family in my absence. She is graciously watching my children this weekend so my husband can visit. I am so excited!

Thank you to Spencer & Kate for being the best big brother & sister ever. You are helpful & caring and I appreciate all the things you are doing to help your dad at home. Graham & Carson love you & you are setting a good example.

Thank you to Susan, our gracious & kind baby sitter. She comes to our home & is so great with the boys. She bakes with Kate & keeps everyone happy when she is there. She even cleans my kitchen & makes the kids pick up. Are you sure you can't move with us?

Thank you for SKYPE! It has been wonderful to come home & see my family. Although I have to end conversations because I start to cry & miss them so much. It makes me happy to see all the cute faces!

The biggest THANK YOU......to my husband, John. You are amazing & a great dad. You have managed to survive without me & have been wonderful with the kids, showing the house & working at the same time. You are patient & have been exceptional at handling the chaos.

It will be over soon. We are on the last months of our separation. School gets out in early June & we will be making the move to Utah. I have begun the daunting task of finding a place to live & hope to locate something soon. I never want to do this again. Being separated from my husband & children has been the most difficult thing I have ever had to do in life.

I am so grateful for everyone that has been a support during this transition & separation. You are wonderful people & we are a blessed family to have such supportive friends & family.

December 2010

2011-01-06T00:15:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARSON & GRAHAM

Carson & Graham turned one year old on December 16th. I can't believe it has been a year. This was a very nontraditional 1st birthday. I am in Utah while John is being the best husband/single dad ever. Grandma Debbie came over & brought presents, they enjoyed cupcakes from Uncle Al & Aunt Mer, and Grandpa is taking them to get walking shoes in January when I come home to visit.

This past year, we have survived NICU visits, driving back & forth to Indianapolis every day, numerous doctor visits, Carson's heart surgery, shots, laughs, cries & sleepless nights. Wow! I am kinda glad this year is over because we are exhausted parents.

The boys are doing great! Carson is weighing in at 16lbs 2oz (prior to his December sickness) and Graham weighs in at 22 lbs 4oz. Graham is crawling everywhere & over everything, including his brother, Carson. He will be walking soon I do believe. Carson is slowly gaining on Graham & his crawling speed. He is getting on his knees more & more each day. He can easily sit up now & will stand assisted for a few minutes. However, unlike Graham, Carson waves & claps for just about everything. We started that when he wouldn't swallow & eat. We clapped every time he did eat or drink. It has worked....He is officially off his feeding tube & drinking from a cup now!

Graham still enjoys his bottle, but I think he will give it up soon just to stay with Carson. Graham also loves the camera. Bring it out & he is grinning from ear to ear.

Graham enjoying his birthday cupcake. I am not sure what he thinks, but he loves the icing. Of course, we have discovered that Graham has a wheat allergy & he had red rashy cheeks after having the cupcake. We are hoping this is something he outgrows, but the boys will get tested on their next doctor visit. Right, John?

My favorite picture of Carson enjoying his cake. He has such a cute personality. I can't wait to see what he becomes as he grows up. Carson is a daddy's boy. He knows what he likes & cries when he doesn't get it. Other than that, he is a happy kid.

This chocolate cake loving boy definitely belongs to me.
He needs to gain weight so he can have as much cake as he wants!

We enjoyed the lights at Temple Square.

It was a first for John & the kids. The weather was cold & Temple Square was crowded, but we had a nice time. Carson & Graham loved the colored lights & touching the trees.

We acquired another little girl, Chloe. Who needs another daughter when you have great nieces to take along with you? Kate & Chloe had much fun during their time together. We are so happy that they play well together & love spending time with each other. They were also great with the babies & never complained about helping.

Thank you girls!!

Finally....

2010-10-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

I have twins now & have not mastered the time management...yet! However, I think I owe my few followers a brief update. Right? Here are a few things I have learned in the past 9 months....

Graham & Carson rarely, very rarely, nap at the same time.
The diaper bag for twins appears to look like a small carry on bag.
The money spent on diapers could buy lots of shoes.
A shower on my day off is a beautiful thing.
Spencer & Kate are the BEST helpers. Good thing I had them first!
Carson & Graham almost have more hair than John.
Graham can crawl fast & puts everything in his mouth.
Carson can pull out his feeding tube fast.
Graham can pull out Carson's feeding tube fast.
We are CRAZY about these babies!
They have been so much work, but so much fun!

Carson has a speech & physical therapist come to visit every week. He is making progress, but is very stubborn when it comes to eating/swallowing. He will most likely skip the rest of bottle phase. He rolled over for the 1st time on September 8th. He likes to eat Gerber puffs & will occasionally let you get food in his mouth. We let him try anything in hopes that he will love it & start to eat. He does have 2 teeth & 2 more coming. He is very laid back. He has a quiet snickering laugh. He smiles a lot & is the happiest baby. He is currently out weighed by Graham by about 5lbs.

Graham has mastered crawling & fast. He is pulling himself up & will probably walk sooner than I think. He enjoys food, but has an allergy to wheat. We are hoping he outgrows it & doesn't have any others. Kix cereal has become a favorite snack for him. He gets excited easily. He loves to jump & bounce. He has 5 teeth & will not let you into his mouth. He doesn't want a pacifier any more. He has the cute & loud laugh. He reminds me of Kate when she was a baby....into everything & loves to watch other people.

I should mention the other two cute faces....Spencer just finished football. He played on the 8th grade team for Test Middle School. He didn't get much play time, but loves the game. He does well in school, wants to do something in the sports field as a career & is transforming into a handsome young man.

Kate started piano lessons after a summer break. She enjoys the social aspect of school & struggles with her school work more than I wish. She is tenderhearted & is a good friend. She still plays house & babies, but uses the twins instead of her baby dolls.

John & I are plugging away at work, home, church, etc. John is back teaching early morning seminary at our house. Bowling season has started & he squeezes a basketball game in almost every week. We try to go out for dinner or to Costco to buy diapers & food. I am entering my busiest time of the year...I love it! Aside from work, I don't do much. I try to clean up & stock up the house, read & sleep. We have had a crazy year & we are looking forward to the new adventures that next year will bring.

PS...I promise to post pictures soon!

Carson Surgery Update

2010-07-07T08:49:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to take a minute to update everyone on Carson's surgery. Carson had open heart surgery on June 24th to repair his Tetralogy of Fallot. We were extremely excited for him to have the surgery, but nervous about it at the same time. Pre surgery, Carson had a blue tint to his skin, especially his hands & feet, his oxygen level was 65-70 and he would tire very easily eating a bottle. The surgery went very well. It took about 4.5 hrs and they had no unexpected problems. Immediately following surgery, Carson was a beautiful pink color. I couldn't believe it!

He looked so good, but the recovery is really the hard part. He has had a very slow recovery. Carson likes to do things at his own pace. He took his time leaving the NICU as a preemie & he is doing the same thing now. He was in the PICU for 5 days & is now recovering on the 3rd floor of Peyton Manning's Children Hospital in Indianapolis. John & I rotate each day & sleep in the room with him. One with Carson & one with the other kids....it is exhausting some days.

Carson's incision, heart & breathing are doing great. However, he is not eating well. He is on a special formula that is not very popular with the babies. It tastes terrible & he does not want to eat. The formula has a higher calorie count & has no fat. Of course, it doesn't take good. Fat is what makes food good, right? He now has a feeding tube to help him receive the nutrition he needs. This is allowing him to get rest & we can get some rest too!

We are so grateful for the family (especially my sister, Jenn) & friends that have helped us through this moment. We could not be more pleased with the success of Carson. He is off his oxygen, his fluid drainage from his chest is slowly decreasing & he had his last IV removed today. We are hoping he comes home soon. We are all anxious to snuggle & squeeze on him.

I will post some pictures later this week. Thank you for all the thoughts & prayers.

Family Update #2

2010-05-24T10:55:00.000-07:00

Having twins has been so much fun, but so much work. John & I are finally getting some sleep, but we are having trouble finding time for each other. Spencer & Kate have been SUPER with the babies & help us out every day. We are slowly learning how to get other things accomplished in a day, like laundry, cleaning up & family dinner time. We have survived 6 months!

Spencer & Graham taking a break

Graham posing on the bed

Carson & Graham...They are starting to look more & more alike. Carson is slowly gaining weight & Graham is looking like a little chunk. Of course, they have blue eyes & very little (almost none) blond hair. They are definitely Downings!

Carson & Uncle Stacy at the Mopps house

Graham & Carson at 5 months old

Graham has acquired the nickname Buster or the baby baby & Carson is known as Peanut. The boys are really good & are very happy babies. They love to get baths, are great snugglers & Spencer says they are "awesomely cute" !

Graham grinning while hangin' with his big brother

They are smiling more & more every day. I can't compare them developmentally to my other 2 kids, but they are progressing well for preemies. Our doctors & specialists seem to think they will be caught up by the time they are 2-3 yrs old. We are very fortunate to have great support & help from family & friends. They are truly a blessing.

Family Update #1

2010-05-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Kate's birthday on Feb 18th. She turned 11yrs old. She requested a homemade strawberry cake with cream cheese icing & chocolate shavings. She continues to be my social butterfly. It is hard to get her to focus on anything else, but she does find time to do piano & help with the babies. She is a great BIG sister & makes us laugh every day. She may be more funny than her dad! Kate also got braces in April with another expander. The first few days were torture of all of us, but she is doing great.

Kate was able to celebrate her birthday with a visit from Aunt Maureen, Tamera, Jill & Bea. We are so lucky to have them spend time with us & meet our new additions to the family. We had a good time & wish we could visit more often.

We were also able to bless the babies while everyone was visiting. I am so grateful that John has the priesthood & was able to give our boys their blessing. He did a wonderful job & the boys were great during the blessing too!

We had Easter dinner at my mom's house along with an Easter egg hunt. We got together the Saturday before Easter & had beautiful weather. We brought a dozen eggs each & mom had another 10 each for each child. It was about 100 eggs, but the kids had a fun time trying to find them. There are still a few unaccounted for in the backyard.

The boys are about 3 1/2 months old here. They are good babies & we are starting to see more of their personalities every day.

Family picture on Easter Sunday 2010

We had the NCAA Final Four visit Indianapolis this year. We went downtown Indy & took in some of the family festivities. We were able to watch the All-Star game & we went to Bracket Town. The kids got pictures with the NCAA trophy, played games & other sports activities. It was crazy busy, but a great experience for our sports junkie, Spencer.

Speaking of our sports junkie, Spencer turned 13 yrs old in March. He had an ice cream cake for his birthday, but it wasn't as good as we hoped. We went shopping & bought some new basketball shorts, an IU t shirt, and went to dinner at Noodles & Co. He has decided that he wants to be a sports journalist or sports announcer. He hopes to go to BYU, but is thinking about Ball State University in Muncie. He helps with the boys & loves watching sports with them.

Welcome home Carson

2010-02-15T15:46:00.000-08:00

We have been waiting for this day for 6 weeks . Carson was able to come home on Friday, Jan 29th. He was in the NICU for 44 days. We racked up some serious miles & spent quite a bit on gas driving to Indianapolis everyday. IT WAS WORTH IT! Carson came home weighing 4lbs 11oz and measured 18.25" in length.

Graham & Carson had many great nurses while in the NICU, but Cheryl was their primary care giver during their stay. We could not have been more pleased with the love & attention she gave them in our absence. She kept us informed and educated us on preemie care & info.

Carson is growing well. He visited the pediatrician on Tuesday and had gained weight. He has reached 5lbs and measures 18.25" in length. He is such a good baby. He reminds me of Spencer. He only fusses when he needs a diaper change or wants to eat. He has beautiful blue eyes, as do all Downing babies. It is great to see the boys together. I think they will look more alike than we thought. Graham is the demanding baby, and Carson is the patient baby.

We are adjusting to the 3 hr changing & feeding schedule. I have decided that sleep & showers are a luxury. I am not sure how I will adjust when I have to return to work. Kate & Spencer have been SUPER helpers! They love to hold & cuddle the boys & make sure they are never left alone. Kate has been great at changing diapers & comforting the crying baby too! She will be a wonderful mother someday.

We are so grateful to have all the children at home. It is crazy that we have 4 children, but we are looking forward to the wonderful memories. Kate still wants a sister, but I believe she is out of luck. We are working to make sure Carson gains weight & stays healthy. We now have many doctor's appts...pediatrician, cardiologist, urologist, neurologist & developmental specialist in the coming months. We pray every day for their strength and are confident that they will develop into healthy strong boys. It will just take some extra effort.

Graham

2010-01-28T09:09:00.000-08:00

Graham has been home for 3 weeks now & is doing great. Of course, he gets me up every 3-4 hrs to eat. He has grown 2.5 inches since birth & gained over 2 lbs since being at home. The doctors are pleased with his progress & he has been such a joy.

We are learning about the differences between preemies & full term babies. So many things to be aware of and things we can do to help get them on track. It can take preemies up to 2 yrs to catch up.

Graham is anxious for his twin brother to come home. We don't know that for sure, but we assume he shares our thoughts. Graham has the cutest amount of peach fuzz on the sides of his face, the top of his arms & the tops of his legs. The NICU nurses could not get over how cute he looks with it. It will eventually disappear.

He is wearing newborn sleepers, but they continue to be big. Notice how we have to roll up the sleeves. He'll be wearing these for months.
Graham loves to be held. He sleeps so well when someone is holding him. Spencer & Kate are always wanting to hold & cuddle with him. Spencer lays him on his chest or next to him & they watch sports together. Spencer talks to him & shares all his sports knowledge.

Kate has become quite the little mother to Graham. She helps change diapers (even dirty ones), holds & cuddles him, helps with bath time & is always checking on him. She loves to give kisses and thinks the "baby" smell is the best.

Graham is Home!

2010-01-16T19:09:00.000-08:00

Graham loaded in the car seat

The kids & Graham at home

On Monday, January 4th, we got to bring Graham home. He left the hospital weighing 5lbs 1oz and has no health issues. John & I went to pick up Graham & did not tell Spencer & Kate that he was coming home. They were quite surprised when we came in the house with their new baby brother. They were so excited that he was home & couldn't wait to get there hands on him.

We have kept him at home for 2 weeks now and he has done well. He went for a check-up/weight check & now weighs in at 6lbs .25oz. He has grown 2 inches since his birth day too! He is a noisy baby. He doesn't cry much, just grunts and makes lots of funny sounds. The kids think he is funny & love the faces he makes when he sleeps too!

Carson is doing well. He has moved into his own little suite in the NICU & today was taken out of his isolette. Hopefully, he will be able to keep his temperature up. His oxygen level continues to vary, but is normal based on his heart condition. He is up to 4lbs 5 oz and is more alert every day. We are hoping he will be home by the end of January. It will be so nice when both boys are home together.

Christmas 2009

2009-12-31T09:20:00.000-08:00

Despite our trips back & forth to Indianapolis, we did need to celebrate Christmas with our families & two older children. Spencer & Kate are getting harder to buy for each year. I love that Spencer is a sports junkie & loves to read anything sports too! Kate still loves her dolls & enjoys playing with her American Girl stuff. However, she does have a love for clothes & lip gloss!

Spencer got some new sports games & a new basketball hoop for his room. We do have to restrict the play times because our bedroom is right next to his room. Both kids have been playing Rock Band since they have more time on their hands. They do a much better job than I ever could do! Kate has been hanging out with Maddie (cousin) and playing dolls, coloring, baking & watching movies. Kate has become quite the baker. Aunt Nessa got her a cake decorating set & she can't wait to use it.

John & I did not buy gifts for each other this year. We did each decide on something we wanted & purchased it for our gift. He got a hands-free phone toy for his car. I thought he already had one, but I guess this one is better. I decided to get a Moby Wrap for my new babies. I am so excited & want to thank my niece, Jill, for her blog post that sparked my interest. Thank you!

We don't need anything. We both just want our family together and our boys to be home & healthy. We are looking forward to the New Year! John is worried about getting old & I am hoping to have time with our twins before I have to go back to work. We are hoping that we will be able to take a family vacation this summer & share our twins with everyone we visit. I know, we are just very proud parents! It has been a wonderful year & are so thankful for our many blessings. Look out 2010....Here we come!

Brothers Together...part 2

2009-12-30T04:59:00.000-08:00

Carson & Graham Downing ...Carson weighs 3lbs 3oz & Graham weighs 4 lbs 10.5 oz

Tuesday, Dec 29th ...We finally got the boys together.
I can't believe the difference in size. They are doing well
& we are so grateful for the prayers & the progress they
are making each day.

John & Rae with the boys

Brothers Together

2009-12-30T04:54:00.000-08:00

Graham in his new bed

Mom holding Graham & Dad holding Carson

John & Carson

Rae & Graham

Day 2 Baby Photos

2009-12-19T18:39:00.000-08:00

Graham on Day 2

Carson on Day 2

2009-12-17T11:43:00.000-08:00

Where do I start? It was a whirlwind of unplanned events that brought us to delivery day for our twin boys. First, I had to go to my doctors for a glucose test that morning. Unfortunately, when you ask a pregnant woman to fast for 12 hrs, then drink a bottle of orange sugar water, it just results in vomiting & cancellation of the test. I went home and ate a blueberry muffin & some milk. I was feeling fine until I had a debilitating back spasm. After being on the floor for some time in excruciating pain, I got the pleasure of vomiting again. John helped me to bed & I napped for about 2 hrs.

I decided to get up and had quite a surprise. I immediately called the doctor & they sent me straight to labor & delivery. After my arrival & an examination, they confirmed that I had ruptured, but the babies were fine. I was given medicine to stop my contractions & a steroid shot for the babies lung development. I am only 33 wks & 2 days so the decision was made to care flight me via helicopter to St Vincents Womens Hospital in Indianapolis. Based on our prior visits, we had planned on delivery there. Unfortunately, John had to drive over & didn't get to ride with me. He was a little bummed & I also had envisioned my first helicopter ride being much more enjoyable & breathtaking than viewing the cornfields of Indiana.

Upon arrival in Indianapolis (a 35 minute flight), the goal was to stop my contractions & get another steroid shot in me for the babies lung development. After 2 hrs of consistent contractions & little pain relief, they had no choice, but to do my C section. I took a turn for the worse, and everything went very quickly. I was wheeled to surgery & the babies were born.

On December 16, 2009, at 11:02pm Carson Keller Downing was born weighing 3lbs 1.5oz and measuring 15 inches in length. Then at 11:06pm Graham Edward Downing was born weighing 5lbs 1oz and measuring 17.5 inches in length. Both babies were whisked away immediately after delivery without any sound of a cry. As a mother, it was very alarming & frightening. John was able to find out the babies were doing fine & being taken to the NICU.

I was wheeled to recovery & after 1.5 hrs, I finally got to see my babies. The pictures above show the oxygen they are receiving & all the other monitoring lines that are being used to help our babies.

As of today, both boys are off of oxygen and breathing well on their own. They are eating small amounts and we are taking one day at a time. We are dealing with minor issues and time will help them grow strong. Carson will continue to have heart monitoring and will have surgery when he is around 15 lbs.

We are so grateful for prayers & warm wishes that family & friends have shared with us. We are truly blessed to have our twins here before Christmas and pray for a steady & healthy recovery. Heavenly Father has been watching over our family & we know that our faith & prayers have blessed us well. Thank you & we love you all!

2009-12-12T09:15:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Baby Update

2009-12-02T17:57:00.000-08:00

It started about 3 weeks ago.....We had an ultrasound at St Vincents Womens hospital in Indianapolis. Why? Because I am over 35 yrs of age & having twins. So, during our first visit the tech was able to tell us we were expecting 2 boys & they were fraternal. She also noticed that Baby A (known as Carson) had one kidney holding more liquid than the other. The doctor wanted to watch it and had us schedule a return visit in 2 weeks. At this point, we are thinking the baby will outgrow the problem & it doesn't appear to be anything serious.

At our return appt in mid-November, the doctor again noticed the problem with the kidney & bowel. They also noticed a slight under development in the cerebral vermis (located at the base of the cerebellum). It appears to be a form of Dandy Walker Syndrome. Luckily, our Carson does not show other characteristics such as a cyst on the vermis or additional fluid in the brain. However, we do not know the range of complications that we may experience after birth. The doctors do believe it to be at the mild end of the spectrum which may mean developmental delays. After some discussion & recommendations, we decided to schedule a visit with a fetal cardiologist. It is common that children with Dandy Walker Syndrome have heart defects, but they are not related in any way.

Today we met with the fetal cardiologist and upon review she found a moderate to large hole between the right & left ventricle. It may close some before delivery, but will not close completely. Therefore, open heart surgery will be required at 4-6 months. This discovery sparked some additional conversations and the doctor recommended we do an amniocentesis. Luckily, we were able to go to lunch & return to the office for the procedure. It was slightly uncomfortable, but the little guy cooperated and it only took about 15 minutes from start to finish. We will have some preliminary results on Friday afternoon & all the details from the test in about 2 weeks.

Plans have changed drastically.....I will now deliver in Indianapolis with a scheduled C-section. I am 31 weeks and the doctors want me to get to 38 weeks. We are looking at mid January for delivery. Of course, I will also be switching my care from my current doctor in Richmond to Indianapolis too.

What a whirlwind of information. We have tried to keep the kids informed and keep ourselves from over analyzing the information, but it is difficult at times. We are truly grateful for these little ones, and can only hope & pray for a healthy outcome. Your thoughts & prayers are greatly appreciated. Our family is very blessed to have such wonderful friends and family to support us. Thank you and we love you!

Thanksgiving & baby update

2009-11-30T06:57:00.000-08:00

We had a busy holiday week. Our family celebrated Thanksgiving with my mom & grandma the weekend before, then we spent Thanksgiving Day with John's sister & family and then we had another dinner with my dad this past weekend. John took this picture at the end of dinner. We didn't eat till about 4pm Thanksgiving Day due to a turkey cooking problem, but it was worth the wait!

We have been blessed again this year and are looking forward to starting the year with the arrival of twin boys. We have greatly appreciated the extra thoughts & prayers for our little ones. As some of you may know, one of our twins is smaller than the other. Our doctors have expressed some concern that he may have developmental problems. We are undergoing some tests and will keep everyone posted. We do not know the details, but we have faith that he will be blessed with the strength to overcome these problems.

I cannot begin to list the many things I am thankful for in my life. I hope I continue to recognize these things each day & make the most of each moment. We hope everyone had a beautiful Thanksgiving and we wish you a wonderful holiday season.

They are BOYS!

2009-10-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

Finally....an update

2009-09-18T16:38:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy & just haven't taken the time to post. I shouldn't assume that my life is that uninteresting to everyone out there in blog land. Here is an update of our family....

Spencer started jr high this year. He is doing great and loves it! He is running cross country and just started swimming. He went to some races with John this summer & has a new interest in auto racing. He is addicted to sports (still) and is glad that football season has started. He is really excited about having more brothers or sisters and is looking forward to it.

Kate is in the 5th grade and at a new school. We decided to switch her to a different elementary school and she is doing great. I know the principal and a friend of mine is her teacher. She has had trouble with school due to her seizure medicine, but the school is working to make accommodations. The neurologist says if she is seizure free this next year she may be able to stop taking her medication. She is our social butterfly and is always on the go. She decided to opt out of dance, but is continuing with piano lessons. She also started swim team this year and is doing very well. She loves to get pedicures and is always trying to get me to take her. She is slowly welcoming the idea of twins. I know once they arrive, she will be overjoyed & telling us all how to take care of them.

John has attended some races this summer, played basketball & golf, and is busy with the start of bowling season. He is bowling 2x a week and has realized he has arthritis in his ankles. Thank you Miles for the laughing diagnosis. He thinks he is getting old and he may be right. Ha Ha ! He is great at helping me out at home & with the kids. We are so lucky to have flexible schedules!

I am 5 months along in my pregnancy and just gaining weight(only 13lbs so far). I am working full time & feeling good. I haven't been sick, just very tired. I have missed eating cereal with milk, yogurt & ice cream. They make me feel terrible. I drink lots of water & of course, am always going to the bathroom. I am trying to work as long as possible so I will have more time off after the babies get here. I am fortunate enough to have 6 months off at full pay for my maternity leave. I go for a 3D ultrasound on Sept 29th and hopefully, we will learn the sex of the babies.

My youngest sister just had a baby 3 months ago & both my brother's wives are pregnant. One of them, Larrin, is having twins too!

Our life has been very simple this year. We have forfeited all of our vacations and have visited places & friends close to home. I have to say I have enjoyed the relaxation and free time spent with the kids.

I promise to post some pictures from summer & will keep you updated on the baby news.

It's Twins!

2009-07-27T19:47:00.000-07:00

Where do I start? John & I always thought we would have 3 or 4 children, but somehow we stopped at two. About a year ago, we decided we really wanted to have more children. I wanted two more, but John would only commit to one more. He said he was too old...ha ha ha!
I told him we will just have to have twins so we won't have to worry about it. I started telling myself everyday we would have twins & said lots of prayers. Well, I got my wish! I had my 1st ultrasound last Wednesday and it was confirmed. John could hardly believe it when I called him.
Kate has been a little less excited than Spencer, but I know she will come around. She loves babies & bossing little ones around way too much! We are having another ultrasound late September. We will find out the sex of the babies this time. I have lots of preparation to do before January.

O Remember, Remember

2009-06-02T18:28:00.000-07:00

I just thought I would share this video from Henry B. Eyring. I have always struggled to keep good journals and notes of great & funny things about my kids and my life.

About a year or so ago, I found http://www.lds.journal.com/ . It allows me to log in at my computer or on my phone, jot down things about my day and even answer questions about my life & childhood. It has been great to know that I don't have to do my journals handwritten to share my memories & thoughts. You can add photos & even print out your journal entries in bound book form.
I hope my children appreciate the scrapbooks and journals I leave behind. They will allow them to see His hand in our lives every day.

Staycation 2009

2009-04-05T17:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, we stayed home for spring break this year. It was actually quite nice not packing up a suitcase, waiting in lines or finding a house/dog sitter. We enjoyed the freedoms of sleeping & eating whenever we wanted, having friends sleep over, and relaxing with a good book or a movie we have been meaning to watch. I did come to a few realizations while on this staycation.....

Having no schedule for an entire week is really quite liberating & relaxing

I do enjoy cooking & wish I had more time
I'm glad we have family dinner together almost every night
We don't really watch that much television when the weather is nice
Car rides are quiet when the kids have ipods
I can read a lot when I am not working

The Zoo was great even though we were cold all day

We own too much stuff & don't need it
I have a great husband & kids
We are all looking forward to summer vacation

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

2009-04-05T16:19:00.000-07:00

I am always trying to find new recipes for my picky eaters. We eat a lot of chicken & it's hard to find creative ways to serve it up. This was recipe was a hit, so I thought I would share.

4 chicken breast halves, skinless & boneless
4 slices of Swiss Cheese
4 slices of thin ham
1 can cream of chicken soup plus 2/3 cup milk
2 cups of fine seasoned stuffing or bread crumbs (not cubes)

Mix soup & milk in a bowl with whisk. Set aside. In a baking dish, sprinkle bottom of dish with about 1 cup of seasoned stuffing. Top with chicken pieces, then ham (I cut mine into 3rds) & then top with Swiss cheese (also cut mine into 3rds) Pour soup mixture over all. Sprinkle rest of seasoned stuffing over top.
Bake at 300* for 1 1/2 hrs . Cover with foil if getting too brown.

We enjoyed this with a salad & crescent rolls. What an easy meal!

Spencer's Birthday

2009-04-02T11:25:00.000-07:00

Well, I had almost forgotten to post for Spencer's birthday. I can't believe how much time has past since we had our first child was born. He turned 12 yrs old this year.

Spencer Davis Downing was born on March 11, 1997. He shares his birthday with my mother too. He was such a great little baby & we couldn't believe we were parents. He made it very easy for us.

He was so good & John loved taking him to the race track. He would talk to anyone & was such a good car rider on our trips.

I love this picture. After he got his glasses, they were always hanging off the end of his nose. I think that is when we started calling him "little man". This is one of the bunnies we found in the back yard.

As he got older, he loves to be outside. He enjoys riding his bike, playing with friends & developing his love of sports. How many jerseys can a boy have?

Spencer is a true sports junkie. He can't get enough!

He remembers all the facts he reads & loves to watch games 24/7.

Now instead of just watching sports, he plays. He loves playing football & basketball.

He is crazy about his dog, Wayne. They sleep together & hang out watching

sports. He is a growing & changing boy. He got braces this year, wears contacts & now has an attitude.

Overall, Spencer is a good kid. He has nicknamed himself "Beast" hence why we had to take

this picture at the Beastly Bazaar. He loves his sister & his family, is great with his younger nieces & nephews, and makes us laugh.

He makes the move to jr high school this fall. He plans on trying out for football. It makes me nervous, but he will probably be just fine. He has had a rough year & is looking forward to a great summer of swimming & fun with friends & family.

Spencer, we love you & Hope you had a great birthday!

Kate's Birthday

2009-02-25T17:26:00.000-08:00

Katherine Audrey was born on February 18th, 1999. She was
so adorable and such a beautiful baby. We couldn't begin to imagine the joy & laughter this little girl would bring into our lives.

She didn't have much hair and we let her play cars with her brother. She was a messy baby, but she was so funny too! She grew up fast, but still loves to snuggle & tells us she loves us about 5x a day.

She finally got some beautiful blonde curls. I couldn't have been happier to have a daughter with curly hair, but it soon would straighten out & disappear. Some even got cut off by her brother.

She has a great smile and loves to get her picture taken. She loves to watch people, make silly faces, and loves to draw & color. She is a daddy's girl and knows how to work her magic on him.

She is a smart and talented girl. We are very proud of her. Don't all parents think their kids are the best?

Of course, they do!!!

Now, She is 10 years old. She is a social butterfly, loves music & High School Musical on every level, American Girl dolls, loves to bake, help in the kitchen, and shop for clothes. She has great friends, still loves to snuggle and play with her baby dolls.

She had a little sleepover this year for her birthday. We made strawberry cake with vanilla icing, played school, and watched High School Musical 3. She makes me laugh everyday & we are crazy about our little girl.

Happy Birthday Katie Bug!
We love you!

(She really does sleep like this every night. Crazy. huh?)

Happy Anniversary

2009-02-16T18:34:00.000-08:00

It was 16 years ago on February 12, 1993 that John & I decided to spend eternity together. We were married in the Chicago, IL temple on a cold & snowy day.

We had a wonderful reception with family & friends. We spent our honeymoon at Disney World in Orlando and have been addicted ever since.

We have been blessed with a great life & two beautiful children. I am so glad to be married to John & look forward to another 16 years. Then that's it....just kidding!
Happy Anniversary John! I love you!

This photo is me with my grandparents. I am so lucky to have known & grown up with my grandparents and my great-grandparents.

In this photo...My maternal grandmother, Thelma Snelling, myself, my paternal grandmother & grandfather, Barbara & Bill Hughes.

My family at the reception from left to right....

My brother Rob (15), my sister Jennifer (17), my sister Vanessa (10), John & me, my mom, my brother Keith (12), and my dad.

I am the oldest in the family & it is crazy to see how young they were when I got married. It was sad that I was leaving home.

John's family at the reception from left to right....

His sisters, Kathleen & Elaine, John & me, his mother, Audrey, his brother, Mike and his sister Joyce. Maureen was unable to make it.

Notice I did not include the age at the time of our wedding. John is the youngest in his family and also 6 years older than myself.

They have been a great addition to my life.

Spencer gets braces

2009-02-15T13:20:00.000-08:00

About two weeks ago, Spencer got his braces. We spent about 3 hrs at the orthodontist getting the mold and braces put on his teeth and I got to read for 3 hrs and watch periodically. He has done a great job taking care of them and doing all the brushing.

He was pretty grossed out by the pictures of the bad brushing and puffy gums. He lost a tooth today and only has one more baby tooth to lose. He chose red rubber bands for this time,but will get them changed every 12 wks at his regular visit. After our orthodontist visit, I took Spencer to get Maid Rites for lunch. He had no problem eating, but had a lot stuck in his teeth at the end. His mouth didn't start to hurt and bother him until the next day. He wanted to eat cereal, but couldn't do it. I have been fixing him scrambled eggs for breakfast and that seems to be his thing now.

Kate has finished her expander stage and is now in the retainer stage. She will be ready for braces in about 18 months when Spencer will be getting his off. How lucky are we?

Science Fair

2009-02-15T12:21:00.001-08:00

It's Science Fair time every year in February and I hate it! My kids have been required to do science fair projects for the last 4 years and I am over it. Every year we spend weeks trying to come up with a project, then how to do it, the report, the board, the presentation prep, and the stress of it all makes me crazy.

Luckily, both kids have done well. This year, they both achieved 1st place honors for their projects and we don't have to go to district science fair. We did this last year and I think it was one of the longest days of my life. Spencer did his project on Heat & Evaporation. He tested different light bulbs and the rate of evaporation over a period of time. Spencer will not be required to do one next year in junior high and I could not be more excited.

Kate did her project on Hot & Cold magnets and does the temperature effect the magnetism. Spencer did this project a few years ago & we were able to adjust & reuse it....good idea huh? She was so excited to get a 1st place ribbon and very proud of her project, despite the small amount of work she actually had to do. Kate also had to do a class presentation and did very well.

The Holidays

2009-01-11T12:11:00.000-08:00

I know it has been forever since I updated my blog. I have finally recovered from my 70 hour work week, and feel almost normal. In no particular order, here is what happened during our holiday season. We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

We did Christmas with the Downing Family at Aunt Joyce's house early in December due to the Mopps family vacation trip. We had a good time & played American Idol on the Wii.

On Christmas eve, we got together for Pizza King & Rock Band!

Bryce, Shannon, John & Spencer rockin' it out!

Elaine, Shannon, John & Bryce with
a total Rock Band Performance!

We give the kids new pajamas every year on Christmas eve. I love how they act surprised

and I love how we make them smile for a picture every year. I think they really

love each other.

Christmas morning at the Downing House

You'll notice our skinny tree in the background. Our 9 ft tree was

pre-lit (Don't waste your money!) and the lights gave out this year. Needless to say,

I did not have the time or money to relight the entire tree this year and at the last minute.

Christmas with the Davis family is a breakfast on the Sat after Christmas. We had the usual

egg casserole, pancakes & bacon, fruit and mom's homemade coffee cake.

John & I did find time to attend a Christmas Party at our neighbor's house.

As always, Beau & Julie are great hosts & we have a wonderful time every year.

Maddie, Kate, Allison & Spencer enjoying hot chocolate at Fort St. Clair. We did get to

enjoy the lights, hot cocoa, and cookies, but Santa had already left for the evening. We drove through Story Book Lane before heading back home. We even had snow flurries that night.

Kate & I went to the Yuletide Celebration at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

We enjoyed lunch at PF Changs before the event and went to Circle Center Mall afterwards.

John & Spencer opted to attend an Indiana Pacers game

instead of paying for a nap at the symphony.

Kate has acquired a love for baking. Santa brought her a denim cupcake apron & cupcake baking kit. She could hardly wait to get into the kitchen.

Kate mixing her icing and waiting for the cupcakes to come out of the oven.

She hasn't perfected the icing yet, but she still loves being our little baker.

New Years Eve we went to the Saliwanchik's house. Kate brought her friend Hailey & they had a great time. We do a gift exchange, play card games, have fireworks, and stay over night. After a big New Years Day lunch, we head home & rest up.

Hope everyone had a Happy New Year!

Downing Disco Elves

2008-12-04T23:02:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Tribute to Halloween

2008-11-02T17:12:00.001-08:00

Halloween is my favorite holiday. I just have such great memories of all the fun & candy. I decided to take a look back of Halloween photos.

Halloween 2003

From left to right...Chelsey, Allison, Maddie,

Spencer (The cutest Harry Potter!), Adam,

Kate ( A adorable little lion) and Jarrod at the church Halloween party

Kate and her best friend, Skylar

I had to share this one...Ken with the mullet.

What do you think Sarah?

Another great photo I have to share...Josh as Spider Man scaling the walls

Halloween 2004

We made a trip to Disney World that fall and attended

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Halloween 2005

We couldn't resist making a Mystery Machine too!

Scooby Doo, where are you?

Our neighbor's house all tricked out for Halloween.
He gives out a 10 pack of candy bars to every kid that comes through the house.

Halloween 2006
Kate as the traditional witch & Spencer has a NBA basketball player
We realized he was a total sports junkie this year!

Halloween 2007
Allison, Kate & Maddie
Spencer stayed home to pass out candy, but later threw on a basketball jersey
and made a run around the neighborhood. He couldn't resist!

Halloween 2008

My burglar, mullet man (hot, huh?), and my crazed HSM girl as Sharpay

Halloween candy 2008

We hope everyone had a great Halloween!

Fall Break

2008-11-02T15:47:00.001-08:00

The kids were out of school Thursday & Friday for Fall break. After school on Wednesday, we left for the Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio. We were able to go with John's sister, Joyce & her family. We had 2 nights there & the place was pretty vacant.

I have to admit the water rides were fun & the kids had a great time. I don't think I could go when the place is over flowing with people. The capacity is 3700 people...that's crazy! The temperature is a balmy 85* which is great if your swimming, but not so good when you want to relax & read a book.

We had PF Changs for dinner Wednesday night & again on Friday for lunch. Kate & I love the lettuce wraps. John & Spencer can't get enough of the Kung Pao chicken. We went to the bookstore and managed to leave without buying any books or magazines. That's a first!

Overall, it was a nice get away & not too far from home.

High School Musical 3 Premiere

2008-10-24T07:12:00.001-07:00

Last Thursday, John & Kate were able to attend the High School Musical 3 Premiere in Hollywood, CA at the USC campus. This picture is was taken before leaving for the premiere at the hotel. From left to right... Shauna, Kate, Gabby, Chloe, and Don Schain (co-producer for HSM3).
In the theater, they were able to get a photo with Paula Abdul. If you look over Kate's shoulder, you will see Blair Underwood. Can you believe that Kate is almost as tall as Paula Abdul?

This shot was taken on the Red Carpet prior to the premiere. From left to right...Dana & Gabby, John & Kate, Tamera & Chloe, and Shauna. Everyone had to wear the HSM3 movie credential to attend & walk the Red Carpet. Kate brought home HSM3 pom poms, popcorn buckets & an autographed picture of the HSM3 stars.

On the Red Carpet, the girls also met Roshon Fegan (Sander) from Camp Rock. They not only were able to get a photo, but they got to chat with him too!
The girls stopped for one final pose on the Red Carpet before taking their seats in the USC Galen Center. The center had the East High Wildcat logo painted on the floor. The pre show entertainment included, the Wildcat mascot, USC cheerleaders & the Laker Girls. The movie was shown on a giant movie screen covering one side of the center.

John and Kate did have time to go to Universal Studios & Santa Monica beach. Kate loved having time with dad, visiting with Chloe & Tamera, and making new friends.

On the video below watch for Tamera, Dana, Shauna, John & Kate (only the back of her head) in the background. Look over the right shoulder of the interview with Zeke Baylor.

Special thank you to Tamera Miller & Don & Shauna Schain for making a lifetime memory for Kate. She had a GREAT time & it would not have been possible without you. Thank you so much!

Another interception for Spencer

2008-10-24T06:40:00.000-07:00

Spencer played his last regular season game Thursday night. They beat the Jaguars 19-6. They lost to them 2 weeks ago in the final seconds of the game.

This win qualified them to play in the championship game this Saturday. They will play the Bears team. The Bears only loss this year was to Spencer's team, the Packers.

We are looking forward to a great game.

John took this shot of Spencer right after he intercepted the ball. This was his 2nd pick of the season. Unfortunately, he was forced out of bounds and the time ran out.

Despite his knee injury early in the week, Spencer played well. He can't wait to play Saturday.

Is that another $5 Uncle Ken?

A Good Read

2008-10-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

This is the second year I have read this book. At the end of each day, I read the daily thought and find it relates perfectly to me in some way. I have given this book as a gift & am always amazed at the response it receives once it is read. I read this thought a few days ago & thought I would share.

October 14

The Ultimate Result of All Ambition

To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition.

---Samuel Johnson

The wisdom contained in this sentence is worth meditating on for the rest of our lives; it's probably the reason Dr. Johnson earned his final resting place with the "Immortals" in Westminster Abbey.

Why are you working so hard? To be happy at home. But you're never at home--in mind, body, spirit--because you're always working. So why are you working so hard? To be happy at home.

This is not a Zen koan. Life is a paradox, but we don't have to make it any harder than it is already. We've been on this path for ten months, but if you're on the cusp of grasping this insight, you're miles ahead of most of us.

Hold this thought: the ultimate result of all ambition is to be happy at home. Engrave this truth on your consciousness. Lay the track deeply, so that even when you're on your own version of automatic pilot, you'll be homeward bound. Write it on the palm of your hand; sneak a peek at it three times a day. Mutter it under your breath before attending a budget review that starts a half hour before the children need to be picked up; before agreeing to entertain out-of-town clients on your anniversary; before answering faxes on Sunday or leaving voice mail messages at midnight.

What is the ultimate result of all ambition?

You know.

Inscribe it on your heart. Needlepoint it on a pillow. Say it out loud when you get up and just before retiring. Make it your mantra--that personal phrase that brings all things into focus. Doing so will help remind you that the greatest adventure of our lives is finding our way back home.

Spencer loves Football!

2008-10-06T19:08:00.000-07:00

About two years ago, I lost my little boy. He left behind his Toy Story toys & Legos, and morphed into this sports addict. He not only loves to play Madden '08 on his PSP, but he loves to play the sport like crazy. He couldn't wait to be old enough to play tackle football. He remembers every sports fact & statistic, ESPN is his favorite channel, and he truly loves the sport. I could not be more proud. John & I are football fans & enjoy talking with him & sharing in the excitement & frustrations of his games.

He is playing for the Packers team this year. They are 1-1 so far. We have two games this week. Spencer has been playing as a receiver, punt return & corner back. He isn't always as aggressive, but he plays with a lot of passion. I think he is still scared he will get squashed to the ground or the wind knocked out of him. Who knows? It is so fun after the games to hear him talk with such intensity and analyze the plays. He tries really hard and wants to play in college some day.

High School Musical Scream

2008-10-06T18:42:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, we informed Kate that she would be attending the High School Musical 3 Movie Premiere in Hollywood, CA. Her cousin Tamera was kind enough to get an extra ticket for her. She will be joining one of the producers (who is related to Tamera's husband), Tamera & Chloe.

She is so excited to go to the premiere, but equally excited to spend time with Chloe.

John will be flying out with her. Unfortunately, he will not be able to attend with the girls. They will have time to sight see the Hollywood area, relax, and enjoy the movie hoopla. I was so excited for her I thought I would cry. This will be a memorable experience for Kate.

You can check out her reaction on the video below. John gave her an envelope that told her she would be attending and it unfolded from there.

2008-09-02T11:42:00.000-07:00

I am always struggling to write in my journal. I know my own handwriting would make it more personal, but it seems I rarely take the time. I have found my solution...www.ldsjournal.com.

Check it out. It allows you to make daily entries, answer "all about me" questions, and then you can print it out in a hard bound copy or put on DVD for your family. It really is an amazing thing.

First Day of School

2008-08-19T09:42:00.001-07:00

Well, it has finally arrived...the first day of school. Yesterday, the kids had back to school night. Spencer's teacher, Mrs. Phillips, was a no show and the principal seemed quite disappointed. I can't wait to hear about his day. He is in the 6th grade this year. It is his last year at elementary school. He will be signing up for football this week and can't wait to get on the field.

Kate is in the 4th grade. Her teacher, Miss Shelford, could not be more perfect for her. Kate already thinks she is fun and will have no problem getting her to do her work & reading. She is excited that her good friend, Micaella, is in her class this year. She will be starting dance after Labor Day & hopes to get started with piano lessons too!

John had his first day of early morning seminary. He has 5 students that arrive around 6:15am and they catch the bus at the corner. He has a good bunch of kids. Wednesday mornings will be rough since he works at the bowling center in Anderson & doesn't get home till midnight or later. Yes, bowling season is underway.

No school for me. I am able to enjoy some free time and tackle some projects that I have put on hold. I have lots of scrapbooking to catch up on, Christmas gifts to make, and books to read. With the kids at school, I don't feel as guilty when I scrapbook or read for hours.

That's our back to school update!

Park City, Utah

2008-08-19T09:15:00.000-07:00

Spencer & Kate in Park City

We took some time to ride the alpine slide & the alpine coaster. We had a really SLOW, afraid and wimpy boy in front of us on the coaster and he caused all of us to check up several times. Unfortunately, Kate was the one who drilled into the back of John. It was much faster than I thought and was so much fun!

John & I decided to do the zip line. After a 30 minute wait, we took off! Kate & Spencer watched from below and captured a few photos of us.

We had a really great time in Utah. The weather was beautiful and the kids had so much fun hanging out with the Walker gang. Thanks Melanie for taking in my kids! Kathleen always takes care of us, and I figured out how to make Grandma Downing's butterscotch pie. I'll get John to post more pictures this week.

Olympic Opening Ceremonies 2008

2008-08-11T18:53:00.000-07:00

Clutter Control 101

2008-08-10T17:53:00.001-07:00

I decided to start my own blog of tips & tricks to get organized. I am an organizational freak bordering on the line of being obsessive-compulsive. It drives John & the kids crazy, but guess who they come looking for when they can't find something?

I think everything has a place & everything should be put in that place. I have limited my sleeping & television watching because I am always cleaning something up or re-organizing something.

I am always up for a challenge & am willing to help any of you tackle that BIG CLUTTER MESS you keep avoiding. Thanks to those of you that let me feed my desire for neatness. I have organized play rooms, cleaned out garages, and set up new bedrooms this past year and loved every minute of it.

Crazy, right? Maybe it is a gift, but I really enjoy helping people find solutions that work.

Check it out.....http://cluttercontol101.blogspot.com/

The Grand Tetons

2008-07-28T16:25:00.000-07:00

A beautiful landscape shot of the Grand Tetons. This mountain range is south of Yellowstone National Park.
John is learning more about our new Nikon SLR camera & he has enjoyed taking photos of our many excursions.

John & the kids stayed in this cabin while in the Grand Tetons. It was rustic, but did provide them with indoor plumbing.
They survived a night without WI-FI & television. Amazing, huh? They were also able to take a hike to Leigh Lake. However, they forgot to spray themselves with bug spray & ended up with multiple (Spencer says a jillion) mosquito bites.

As they were leaving the park, they noticed several cars along the road. Someone had spotted a grizzly bear.
After talking to many people, they were surprised that we saw bears on our trip. Amazingly enough, we were able to see a black bear & a grizzly bear. Kate thought it was cool to see the bears.

This is a picture of John & the kids in front of the Grand Tetons.
Overall, the trip was a great experience with beautiful scenery.

Our Trip West

2008-07-28T15:45:00.000-07:00

This year, John & the kids left for Utah almost a week before me. I didn't have to tolerate the 1600 mile drive & got to fly out.
They were able to make a stop at Devil's Tower in northeastern Wyoming before reaching Yellowstone. Spencer loved climbing the rocks
up to the base of the tower. Although you can't see it, there are actually people climbing on the face of the tower.

While driving through Yellowstone, they saw this black bear about 10 feet from the road.
They were excited to see this at such close range and got some great pictures.

One afternoon, on the way back to the hotel (Grants Village) Spencer spotted a double rainbow in the sky. I beautiful result from a brief storm. It is somewhat rare, but an amazing site.

John says sarcastically it was "visually stunning".

This is the kids in front of the Yellowstone sign. It's funny how much they enjoy going here. We spent a day here last year, but the kids wanted more. They had a really fun time & weather was pleasant.

It's almost here!

2008-07-21T16:16:00.000-07:00

I love the Olympics! I am counting down the days until opening ceremonies.

Just in case you haven't been paying attention, it's 08-08-08.

I am amazed at the stories of dedication & the commitment given by the athletes. I find myself watching them day & night. I read all the info & the stats of each event. Thank goodness for the DVR too! This way I don't miss a thing.

I really enjoy watching beach volleyball, gymnastics, swimming & diving, triathlon, and everything else. Who am I kidding...even table tennis makes me happy! Who would have thought that would be an Olympic event?

This is a part of my inner nerd coming out. I won't bore you with all the details, but I will remind you to watch this spectacular sports event. Go Team!

Dinner Thanks!

2008-07-17T21:24:00.000-07:00

Last night, Spencer had a friend stay over. They wanted something to eat at 9 o'clock and they wanted cheeseburgers & fries. Being the good mom, I made them and they devoured them.

Spencer came upstairs later while I was on the computer. He stood on the couch & said, "This is to you, Mom! When me & Eric said we were hungry you didn't come in with a bag of chips, you busted out the cheeseburgers & fries. Thanks for takin' care of us! I love you Mom!"

I laughed so hard. I really am enjoying his sense of humor and development of sarcasm. I can hardly wait to see what is next!

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

2008-07-17T20:42:00.000-07:00

Kate loves pancakes, but she loves chocolate chip pancakes even more. She decided today that she would make her own breakfast. She prepared the mix, heated the griddle, made the pancakes, and shared with her brother. It was so cute to see her doing all this on her own. We have helped her in the past, but today she went solo. Way to go Kate!

Wayne & Jane

2008-07-05T16:07:00.000-07:00

Wayne just turned 1 year old, but one beagle was not enough. A friend of mine from work, Kat, had beagle pups and I couldn't resist. They are so cute together!

The kids are having so much fun playing with them and watching them chase each other.

Wayne sleeps with Spencer every night, but Jane sleeps in the cage. She does not like that! Kate carries her around like a baby & Jane loves to lick her face. It makes me laugh every time.

Finally, we have a blog!

2008-07-05T15:58:00.000-07:00

I decided this year to start a blog. It has taken me 6 months to
complete this task. John did not even help me. Okay, maybe a little!
Enjoy!