Sunday, May 20, 2018

Moving Closer to the Life we'll Live

The days move as whirlwinds and it's hard to not be swept up in the chaos, forgetting to enjoy the moments over events; or the feelings we experience vs. the activity itself. 
I'm so grateful for all our days, good and the bad. 

Travis: 
His week has held a lot of trying moments at work with unhappy endings for patients, yet he comes home and tries really hard to leave those moments at work and create happier ones here with his own family. 
He's taken the boys out to practice basketball, baseball, and to rough house on the trampoline. He helps with all the bedtime routines, and has been able to help out with many of our baseball and soccer events we have going on each night. 
He's fighting back the yard so that we can have nice grass that is weed free this summer. He has grand plans for our backyard and patio, and is dreaming of the days when he'll have weekends off and can do yard work with us. 
He made it to YM's this week
He worked a 24 hr shift (boo)
He had a farewell party for his favorite doctor/kindred spirit, Dr. Thorn who is retiring and moving. 
He's also currently planning a 10 year anniversary/graduation trip for he and I this August; and it's shaping up to be a fun trip! Honestly though, I'd go anywhere and do anything with him for our trip, just to have a week alone with him; no kids and no hospital! 

Lacey: 
This was a BIG week for me! 
I coached my last soccer game for Maddix
I got my hair done as a present for.... 
GRADUATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(I mean, I officially don't find out that I passed my classes until the 25th, but I'm confident I did)
On the 17th my last semester officially ended and the beginning of a new life began. I've been a full-time medical wife, mother, and part-time student for four years now, which means I've had to fit homework in anytime I can: 5am, nap times, after bed, on trips, in the car, on my phone while waiting  at piano lessons, in grocery lines, or while feeding Adeline. I even had finals in the hospital just after delivering Addie. This year's finals took place while having pneumonia... but I did it. Definitely not alone, I had sooOoo much help and support, and I'm so grateful to everyone who helped me reach this accomplishment. 
You know, we only started this degree as a way to receive some extra financial help during med school without me having to return to work and put the kids in daycare. It was the "sacrifice" I was going to make towards providing for the family in a way I could. 
I never intended to finish; I was going to stop as soon as we didn't need the extra income, especially once I took my first Stat's class in the program: I. Was. Done. 
But that hard moment passed. 
Then the next. 
And I fell in love with the degree. 
Public Administration was never a degree I would have found on my own, but because I was willing to follow the plan God had for me, he placed it in my paht. I absolutely LOVE the jobs that are going to be opened up to me when I return to work; I couldn't have sought out a better fit for me! 
It's weird to think that when I started the degree I was sharing a bunk bed with Maddix, Aaron was a newborn in the crib next to our bed, and Travis was living away. I was working at Chuck-a-rama. 
There are so many things that have happened and changed since then, 
but I'm so grateful that during Travis's medical journey, I also accomplished something that was for me, and was for my family. 
Anyway, it just feels good now to have extra time. I lay with the kids a little longer at bedtime and soak in their freshly bathed smells. 
I stare at Adeline a little longer while I'm feeding her. 
The dog has even gone on walks. 
Travis came home one afternoon and it was so fun to hang out with him instead of take care of schoolwork. 
Since finishing, I've also de-cluttered some of my house, fought back the garage, and fixed up the yard with Travis. And then I had one morning where I woke up and didn't know what to do with myself. 
I was anxious. Now what? 
Now what? 
Anything we want. It's exhilarating and a daunting task all in one. 
So while I'm 80% on cloud nine to be graduated, there is another 20% that is a little anxious to make  that so long coveted extra time count for as much as possible! 
Enough about me.

Maddix
This was a big week for him! 
He had his first piano concert. He was SOOoooOOO nervous, but he nailed it! 
It was in this large church and his first question was, "Why is there gold everywhere?" He was so proud of himself that he even did his little stutter hop he does when he is excitedly walking. 
Then, in his soccer game, the kid was on fire! He had some incredible stops as goalie and even scored our only goal of the game; he went out with a bang! 
In School he is excited that by having good attitude he has been able to earn all the parts that go into making a hot fudge Sunday, which they'll be having soon. 
In his baseball game, there were many rough moments, but by the end he had a really good hit AND made it onto base, which he was real proud of. 
He's had some good bonding moments with his dad. 

Aaron
I went to his PTC and his teacher had an amazing portfolio that I could look at and see just how much progress he has made this year; he is seriously a little smarty pants. She kept saying how as smart as he is, she's going to miss how well he does socially in class. That on top of having above average aptitude from numbers, shapes, and letters, he has an off the charts understanding of social and communication skills. 
Sorry, I just have to highlight how smart he is because sometimes I feel like we're always talking about Maddix, but Aaron, "You are so smart squeaky! And kind. And I want you to know how much we love you!" 
He also had a baseball game. He was able to hit it off the coach; he did well staying focused while running bases; helped a kid on the other team figure out where to run next; and didn't even play in the dirt... much :D 
Oh, and he's definitely expressing his independence and use of decision making... in that it took him four days to decide that he finally WOULD clean his room. 
He had so much fun at his little friend, Briella's birthday party at McDonalds the other day
And then he has been LOVING riding his bike, going for walks, and hanging out with his buddy Jackson:)

Adeline:
I'll update her weight and sizes tomorrow after her apt
Height: 
Weight: 
Head Size: 
She rolls where ever she wishes to go
She has started belly hopping, which ends up scooting her backward 
She has began growling, and it's so cute
She eats all flavors of baby food, mushed bananas, and today she ate avocados for the first time
She can tank an 8 oz bottle, barely spits up, and only poops like once a week (but they say that's normal) so she's keeping everything in her and is just growing! 
She is a bit spoiled and recently decided she wants to be held ALL the time
She has been a pill and hasn't been napping well. Then, she's been waking up really early and talking/crying for awhile before either staying up and being ornery, or falling back to sleep and throwing off the morning... sigh, babies. 
She has been pretty grumpy this past week, and we think it's because she's not getting enough milk from me and that we might have to figure out if it's time to be done breast feeding or not
She LOVES her daddy and starts hopping around until he picks her up, at which point she becomes shy and buries her head for a moment. 
She has a little stranger danger developing where she just wants ME to hold her; I don't love that
She chews everything; people keep asking me if she's teething, but we don't know
The funniest thing about her is how she's been forming some habits: Lately, I walk in her room and she instantly looks up at her chandelier and stretches her arm up toward it. As I move her up, she gets SOOOooo excited for the chance to grab the hanging crystals. Then, because she found her bedtime book (Jimmy Fallon's DADA book from my friend, Tuare) super funny the other night, she has began laughing the moment I put her in her bed, in anticipation... before we even start reading!!! And as I read it, she just laughs more with each page; I absolutely LOVE IT. She's done this three nights in a row, so I keep reading the same book. 
She's been missing some naps so several times she's been in the middle of giggling and then it turned into tears because she just can't handle it anymore. 
Tonight is the first time she's started ripping her bows off her head.... boo. 
Her favorite things right now are being outside in the grass and watching the dog run around; and you know she must love that lots if it moves above her dear brothers who constantly go out of their way to make her laugh. 
Well, I think that's where we're at! 
Go Aaron, go!

Chopped my hair again



Hanging out w/ the puppies while eating lunch outside



Last soccer Game!












Sunday, May 13, 2018

Pneumonia, Finals, Spring Cleaning, Mother's Day, and more....

Coming home, I was hoping to hit the ground running. 
Instead I found out I developed Walking Pneumonia, and I was down for days.
Maddix was also diagnosed with early symptoms so he was kept home, and he saved me! 
There were times I couldn't lift myself from bed and I remember hearing Maddix get the baby out of bed and play with her. 
Other times he'd bring her to me to feed her and then make lunch for Aaron; I don't know what I would have done with out that incredible young man. 

After vacationing and being sick, I was left with a very short amount of time to complete my finals. My wonderful husband took over bedtime routines. The boys spent the majority of three days at other's homes. Addie grew accustomed to seeing me sit in the same spot in front of the computer, with my books and pencil, unmoving for days. 
My house fell apart. We ran out of food. And I didn't sleep much. 
But I did it. 
My last final ended up 38pgs long (the 3rd case that was over 30pgs this semester. The longest was 56pgs). It also had to have a professional PowerPoint Presentation attached. Now that my portfolio is done and submitted I have to wait for it to all be graded and returned to find out if I passed or failed my capstone class; it's an all or nothing deal, and I just CAN'T imagine having to repeat all the work I put into that class... so PRAY that I passed!!!! 
And my other final was a cake walk compared to that. 
So, the semester ends on the 17th and for better or for worse I'll be officially done, and as long as I passed, I'll be GRADUATED WITH MY MASTERS!!!!! 
So, next blog I'll discuss that more, once I know for sure.
And Thanks Travis, for brining my home some lunch as a Congrats, the next day! 

The very next day after I finished finals it was time to turn my attention to New Beginnings (an event we hold for the girls in our church that are entering into our Young Women's program). While I was at the church decorating, I heard a ThUd. This beautiful little bird had flown into the glass and was now stunned on the ground. When I left, it was still there, so I did what any sane person would do and built it a mini shelter and left it a capful of water. When I returned that evening I brought it a worm, but happily discovered it had recovered and flown away; yay! 

Then, with New Beginnings done it was time to return my attentions to my neglected family and neglected home!! Cuddles, riding bikes out front, actual meals, and a MASSIVE amount of cleaning and we've pulled ourselves back together!! 
As an added bonus, for Mother's Day, Travis took my simple request to get some bike hooks for the garage and bought a whole shelving system so we could get everything off the floor and away from the car doors so I don't have to tip Addie at weird angles to fit her in the car since the doors can't open (We have a very small garage, but HEY, it's an attached garage! So I'm not complaining). 
After a soccer game, an emoji bday party for our little friend Keaton, and then a nerf gun battle that Maddix hosted at our house for a few friends, we found some time to get the garage all picked up and completely organized!! 
Guys, spring cleaning at my house is feeling sooooOOoo good. But now it's rainy and cold again, so I've lost a little steam; man we're dying for the sun to return. 
This brings us to Mother's Day: 
The boys were so excited to give me their beautiful and thoughtful gifts, that almost made me cry. They had genuine pleasure on their faces, and innocent hope in their eyes as they watched my react to their gifts they prepared on their own. I loved them. And they loved that I loved them. 
At church Travis spoke in sacrament meeting and.... it's safe to say his talk was the most MEMORABLE of the MEETING.
He shared several funny stories about his uncle and grandma, but the real attention grabber was his sharing of my Regina George story (you can find that in a previous blog). I knew it would be a doozy of a story when he began it with the disclaimer, "My wife is going to kill me for sharing this story..." 
Needless to say, he received many many compliments over his talk (which he did relate back to scriptural lessons and it was really on point), and people asked me,  
"SO, how dead is he???" 
After church they gave me more wonderful gifts, along with questionnaires they filled out about me that make me giggle. 
For lunch, we had Susan over for waffles and enjoyed her company until she had to return to the hospital to check on our sweet Glenn. Maddix said the most touching prayer, and in that moment I don't think I could have loved him more. 
Travis made us Steak Fajitas for dinner before having to head to work (boo). 
At bedtime, I had the wonderful opportunity to sit on the porch, holding Addie while she drank her bottle and chatted with Maddix. Then, tucking Aaron in bed, we just snuggled and he wrapped his tiny little arms around me and I just drank in the smell of my freshly washed little squeaky. 
Then, with the others tucked in, Maddix and I snuggled on the couch and talked for a half hour after reading the book he got me, and I truly enjoy the walls that have been broken down for him since our trip to Cali/Utah; he's more loving, open, vulnerable, trusting, and relaxed. I'm so excited to have more time with him this summer break. 
Now to end the night I've drank a cup of blueberry herbal tea, wrote in my journal, blogged, and enjoyed my movie that I always watch when it's just me. 
Safe to say this has been a Mother's day for the books. 
I'm so grateful for the people in my life. For the family and friends around me. For the mom's in my life, whether by blood, or adopted in. 
I'm grateful to be a woman. 
I'm grateful to be a mom.
I looked out and they were reading a "magic spell" book.
They then ran in the house and Maddix transformed me.
As they left, Aaron ran back in, very concerned, and reversed
the spell so that I'd be normal again :) 

A treasure hunt 

Kazoo and Harmonica band.
I'm not sure how much she liked it

Not feeling too well


Travis got the trampoline set up! 


Final day of finals! 

I thought I might not make it! 


We brought the piano back with us! 





















~Happy Mother's Day~

Sunday, May 6, 2018

OUR UTAH/CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE!

Our Whirlwind of a Utah/California trip!!!
Thursday (before we left): 
Maddix's 1st grade music performance was Awesome... especially when the kids were given kazoos!
I stayed up until 2am getting the house totally cleaned, and healthy snacks prepped for Travis and the boys who would be leaving that next night while Addie and I would be flying.

Friday: 
Adeline and I flew from Mason City to Minneapolis. Unfortunately, as we were landing I realized my next flight was already beginning to board!!! The pilot grabbed my bags and helped run me across part of the airport to a golf cart that was waiting to drive me to my terminal that was miles away! 
That driver got special permission to take a short cut! 
When I got to boarding I was missing a ticket for Addie but the worker helped me out while another one wheeled my luggage down to the VERY crowded plane! 
I would have never made that flight if it hadn't been for the kindness of all the ppl who helped me, and the tender mercies from the Lord. 
That night my sister and a friend came up to my dad's where we had a ball! Delicious dinner. Water chugging contest, push-up contest, running contest... we're not competitive at all... :D

Meanwhile Travis and the boys started their drive and spent the night in Kearney, Nebraska.

Saturday: 
Got to go on a morning run with my dad
Thanksgiving Point 
The boys and Travis rolled into town! 

Sunday: 
Adeline's Baby blessing was wonderful. 
When we walked in to the church I was overwhelmed by how many friends and family members were there! It was so wonderful to be able to catch up with everyone. 
Addie's blessing highlights: 
That she'd always be able to feel the ample love from her parents and brothers
That through her life people would always be able to see her light and know that she's a daughter of God. 
That night we ended up having a large F.H.E. at the park where we played a game of whiffle ball! 
Ended the night with a walk around the neighborhood with Vaughn

Monday: 
Woke up at 4am to start our journey to California!!! 
Went to breakfast at Ruby's
Played at the beach (Aaron and I stepped in Oil)
The boys got to long board with cousin Derek
We bird watched with Lee and his family
Enjoyed dinner and conversation with some of our Cali family

Tuesday: 
Disneyland!!!!! 
The crowds were insane. Awful. 
And it was supposed to be a "ghost town" that day. 
Dinner at Mexicasa. 
Boys fell asleep on the shuttle and we ended up carrying them to the room where they stayed asleep until the next morning. 

Wednesday: 
More Disneyland!!! 
Perfect weather. No crowds. Back on our game. 
We killed it. 
Ran into some friends. 
Travis's favorite ride: Haunted Mansion
Mine: Space Mountain
Maddix's: Space Mountain
Aaron: Guardian's of the Galaxy
Family Fav: Thunder Mountain Railroad
Family souvenirs: 
Travis- Rocket (Guardian's of the Galaxy) shirt
Me: Gamora shirt for the gym
Maddix: 80's style baseball game
Aaron: Mickey Mouse bubble wand
Adeline: sparkly pink Mini Mouse Ears! 

Thursday: 
We flew back to Utah where I was dropped off at BYU to attend my sister, Tayla's BYU Graduation! We are so proud of her. 
Cafe Rio Dinner while hanging out with the Bride and Groom to be. 

Friday: 
WEDDING DAY!!!!
We got to see Garett (Trav's youngest brother) marry his bestest friend, Gloria for all time and eternity in the Payson temple. It was a beautiful day, and we are beyond thrilled to welcome her to the family! 
We had the temple session in the morning, a wonderful luncheon at The Wall on BYU campus, and then a beyond gorgeous reception in the backyard of a family friend in Orem. 
Congratulations Garett and Gloria!!!!!! 

Saturday: 
We picked up a trailer and met up with a group of family to help us move my piano out of my gma's and into the trailer to bring home with us! 
Thank you Gpa and Gma Wells, Dad, Vaughn and Lori, and Simon and Porter for helping out with the Piano!!! We love you all! 
We rolled into Kearney around 1:30am with a wide awake baby!!! 

Sunday: 
Woke up LATE... enjoyed a nice breakfast and finished our drive home. It took much longer thanks to the slower speeds with the trailer, and getting distracted for an hour in Cheyenne... but we finally made it home Sunday evening to find.... SPRING IN MASON CITY!!!!!!!! 



The day before we left... THIS is how much snow we had


Maddix's 1st grade music performance

Meeting Grandpa for the first time
when he picked us up at the airport!

Water chugging contest

View from my morning run with my dad
(Let's blame the altitude for how badly I struggled)

 Thanksgiving Point with my Dad's crew

 Addie's blessing day


Lori made this beautiful dress. The bodess is
made with scraps from my wedding dress.
The bows are from my baptism dress.


 On our way to California! 
(Addie sat this vacation out and stayed with Gma Lori and Gma Donna)
Early morning plane watching

He was lookin' so ganster







Cousin Derek is the coolest







"Try the gray stuff, it's delicious!"


Safe to say, I know which of the boys
enjoyed himself the most ;)


They fell asleep on the shuttle and didn't
wake again until the next morning

In 2 days we walked almost 20 miles


We ate too many goodies!




My mom made sure to dress her in Mini
to support our days at Disney


Hanging out at Gma Donna's :)

About 10 mins into the drive after
returning back to Utah


Way to go Tayla for graduating from BYU!
We are so proud of you!


I actually had some color in my skin;
how i've missed it!

Grandma Lori made all these gorgeous little
dresses

It was a beautiful day for a wedding



We love U. Lee

The beautiful couple

Our Goodbye party; it never gets easier to
say goodbye

Our road in Wyoming

Maddix did this himself. Put her by him
and turned on a soccer game!

Her genuine reaction to Aaron!


We came home to Spring!!!