Going and Gone

Shots are no fun!

Back in Business

I was finally able to purchase a new camera! It's so nice for my blogging, and for the two people out there that actually read it.
So to catch up on the past month or so:

Dan is officially in his third year of Dental School! (I know, it's flown by) They start seeing patients in another week! Yay, and congrats on all his hard work!

Danielle is officially out of the second grade and considering entering the third grade at some point.

Avie's skin is looking better all the time, she's still a hand full, no doubt that will not change.

Rayce is now sporting a seasonally induced buzz cut, he's a cute boy with or without hair.

Our garden is actually starting to produce some produce.

So, we took off this last weekend to go to St. George, Utah. It was a much needed break, and although it's not exactly cool, it's still "cooler" than good old Arizona. I may be crazy, but I enjoy the road trip part of it all. Dan and I are actually able to talk and for the most part the kids do okay. We stayed with Dan's sister and just had a great time. Our niece Claira, celebrated her 4th Birthday while we were there, so we we able to celebrate with her.

On our way. Kinda, anyway, we we're stuck for an hour on the Hoover Dam.

Awesome view though.

Atticus, Danielle, Raycey, and Birthday Girl Claira, at the pool.

And then there's this little cutie!

We also rode motorcycles...

and went for a couple of walks...

and just enjoyed the beautiful Southern Utah scenery!

33

Happy Birthday to an amazing man!

A devoted, caring...

fun daddy.

An accomplished person.

An all around catch (yowza!).

My best friend!

What Makes a Mother

It's funny, I'm not sure how often others out there think about their own personal roles as mother, I think about it everyday. This is mostly because I feel like a big giant failure everyday! Not even like a little failure, but like "I should create a therapy fund for my kids" failure. I'm not saying this to garner any sympathy, motherhood for me has been really hard. I realize right now I'm in the "trenches"; my kids are completely dependent on me, and that's not only physically draining but I feel emotionless by the end of the day (poor Dan). I'm also starting to truly understand how hard I am on myself, and as Dan says to cut myself some slack. It just doesn't seem like there's much room for error when it comes to another human being. Am I wrong?

For as much as I do wrong, I spend equal time at my kids bedsides at night apologizing and praying for more patience, understanding, empathy, etc.

Maybe your thinking, she has three kids, shouldn't she have it figured out by now? Okay, first of all I'm a slow learner. Secondly, every time I think I'm starting to get the hang of it, one or more of my kids find a new way to push my buttons, so really they're to blame...right...hmmm...maybe not, but that's my story...

The truth is I love my kids! They're funny, and smart, and sweet! Danielle takes such good care of her siblings, and of me, she's so in tune with everyone's needs! Raycey is so giving, he is such a sweet boy! He's taught me to give without condition. Avie Jo makes me laugh, what an endearing soul! She's strong and feisty! We've affectionately nicknamed her "two feet of terror".
I've been a mom for 8 years and I learn everyday and not just motherly kind of stuff, my kids teach me about everything!

This picture was taken right after I delivered Rayce. I had always wanted to have at least one of my kids completely drug free. It was a great experience, and I love how I look like I'm high on natural labor! I almost look a little crazy.

This was Danielle's first day of kindergarten, not my finest hour! I cried like I would never stop, I embarrassed Danielle and she asked if Dan could take her the next day!

Hawaii

Something about mommies and little boys

4 days before I had Avie Jo. This is one of the only picture's I've ever taken of a bare preggo belly. Truth is I don't like my bare preggo bellies.

One of these days Avie will sleep in her own bed. Hopefully, before preschool comes a 'callin.

At least they're asleep, even if it's in the middle of my laundry.

If I know anything about motherhood, it's because I have the best mother in the world. She was/is, will always be the best example of giving unconditional love. She adores her kids and her grandkids! My mother in law Diane has also been another great example to me and I love her dearly (She's a little camera-shy). I have so many great friends who I get the opportunity to watch parent daily, they inspire me to step up my game and be a better mother and person!

An unknown author once said "The thing about motherhood is usually once you're experienced you're usually unemployed". My thoughts exactly. Isn't motherhood great? Sometimes frustrating but always rewarding whether we feel it in the moment or not. Happy Mother's Day!

A Shout Out

Dan and I were able to live in Sugarhouse, Utah for 4 years and both go to the University of Utah. We lived about 5 minutes away from the school among quaint pre-war bungalows and mature trees, a vast contrast from our current surroundings. When we first moved to Sugarhouse, Danielle was soon to turn 3 years old, and we knew no one. We've moved 5 times in our 9+ years of marriage and this was the only move that felt like we were moving home. It was effortless. We lived in an 1100 square foot duplex that was built in 1957. It was cold in the winter and hot in the summer (although, not AZ hot). The fireplace didn't heat the place at all. The bathroom was teeny-tiny. The kitchen had original appliances and the ugliest linoleum you've ever seen, and there was no back yard for Danielle to play, but we didn't care. We loved EVERYTHING about the place. It's funny, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances don't necessarily make a place home.

This is a picture of our actual street back in the twenties, our duplex would be built and is located on the far left in this photo. The trees are now taller than the homes. They are now trying to designate the "yalecrest" (as it's known) area as a historical district. The grassy area in the middle is where Danielle would play because we didn't have a back yard.

One of our favorites, The Blue Iguana. Dan and I frequently daydream about all our old regular eating spots. Have I mentioned we like food?

Mostly, I miss my friends. We had some amazing people in our area that we were fortunate to be able to call friends and I miss them. Just wanted to tell them how much they mean to us, by the way, none of them have blogs so they probably won't read this, but just in case, we love you, and miss you.

We moved from Sugarhouse when Danielle was 6, Rayce was 1, and I had just found out we were expecting Avie. A lot has changed in a short time, I thought living here a couple of years would take away this home sick feeling, and it has faded, but I still miss Utah I can't lie. Although, I can say I also really love Arizona and I'm glad we have the opportunity to have these experiences. How else would we know where we want to end up living if we don't experience what's out there? Okay, I'll stop whining now. Thanks for reading my self indulgent rant!

Blessings

Since the beginning of October, Avie has had recurrent ear infections. It seemed every time we went to the doctor (which was like every week) Avie had another ear infection. So about the fourth infection they decided to send her to an ear, nose and throat specialist, who then recommended to put tubes in Avie's ears. This was back in February, but today was the soonest they could get her in for the procedure.

It felt a bit overkill to go to the hospital for a five minute procedure, but I guess in case anything goes wrong, it's better to be in a hospital. Avie was super agitated because she couldn't have anything to eat or drink this morning, plus waiting around for a couple of hours is hard for an adult not to mention a one year old. Like everything else she's faced in her short life, she was a complete trooper. It's sad to me everything she's been through, but there are kids who go through much worse a things. I'm grateful there was a solution for the problem and that we were able to take advantage of it. God has carried us through this last fourteen months since Avie's been born despite my lack of faith and unwillingness to humble myself and surrender to his care. Maybe one of these days I'll learn what I'm meant to learn from my trials, and hopefully become a better mom in the process. I've felt so much love and support from friends around me, and if that's what has come from the craziness then I'm nothing but grateful for the experiences and difficulties we've had. Much love to everyone, thanks for your friendships!

Diagnosis

So today was the day that I had been both anticipating and dreading for the past month. Avie had her skin test today to determine if she has any food allergies. Depending on how many foods they're testing for, they mark little dots on the patient's back with a sharpie, and scratch the skin next to the dot with food being tested. It wasn't as bad as it sounds. Avie was tested for 56 foods, so her little back looked like a dot to dot. I wish my camera was taking better pictures, but this was all I could get.

It turns out Avie has allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, soy and milk. I'm a little overwhelmed with it, but so grateful that we have the means and technology to find out. Hopefully we can control her diet enough to bring her some relief. I'm relieved that her peanut allergy isn't severe enough that I have to carry an epi pen around.

So, in other Nelson news...well there's not much going on. We had a great Easter weekend, I wish I had pictures of the Easter egg hunt at the ball field. Rayce had so much fun. The 7 and 8 year olds were a little too aggressive for Danielle, but she was a good sport anyway.

We recently got a sandbox, well I should say Dan built one in the midst of the building frenzy going on over here. It's HUGE! The kids love it, and now the bottom floor of my house is like a beach, so awesome. It forces me to vacuum everyday, and to bathe the kids twice a day, but they're having fun. We didn't want to pay for the sand to fill it up so Dan rented a trailer and we drove out a way on bell and found some great desert sand!

I'm not sure if I can think of anything else I'd rather do on a Saturday, although there is something about manual labor that is greatly satisfying.

And here's a picture of Rayce and Avie that I posted because I love that Rayce is sharing his Popsicle with her...and showing her how to open her mouth to eat it!