Preschool, Pumpkins & Parties - oh my!

The kids displaying their pumpkins
A collection of Carter Family Pumpkins

Nati shirtless

Dylan really getting into it

Preschool kids with their fabulous finds

Having fun in the maze

At the Fall Festival

The Storm Trooper, Ninja, and Pirate Princess

We've had a busy week. I took the preschool kids to the pumpkin patch last Wednesday. They had a blast picking out the best pumpkins. They walked from one end of the patch to the other until they each found the ones they were looking for. We also had our ward's Fall Festival this last Saturday night. Jason was determined not to dress up this year - the party pooper. The kids were excited to get to wear their costumes and go hang out. The food was great, tons of fun games for the kids, and we got home at a decent time. The next night we carved pumpkins with Jason's family. Jason's mom makes "dinner in a pumpkin" which is so good. We eat and then get carving. My sister-in-law brought paint for the kids to decorate their pumpkins which required the removal of Natalie's shirt-white, new, any questions! She thought it was great. Half of the other kids had to follow suit and took their shirts off also. It was a fun night and we ended up with some pretty neat carvings. It was a great week to start the holiday off.

My Cup Runneth Over

5 Year Old Picture
Shortly after Braxton was born
First family pictures with Braxton
This last weekend at Kellys Grove
Three miracles

Today is the 5 year anniversary of bringing Braxton home. I call it “Gotcha Day”. I look back over this last five years and am in awe of how my life changed at that time. It took just under 3 years and 3 miscarriages to get him here. Knowing how hard, frustrating, and depressing that time was I wouldn’t change it for anything. I questioned everything I thought I believed. I hated going to church, especially fast Sundays when babies were blessed. I hated watching Dylan grow up alone. I asked “why?” every single day. I watched Jason struggle with how to handle me and how to keep himself afloat at the same time. My answer came, later than I wanted or at times needed, but it did come. Jason & I had our papers in with LDS Family Services for about 5 months when we met with our worker and she surprised us with the news that we had been picked to be the parents of a baby boy. Our birth mother had prepared a package to tell us that we were the ones she wanted to have her baby. She was only 15 at the time. We got to meet her and her mom two weeks later. She was amazing and we fell in love with her. About a week and a half later Braxton was born. We had planned on bringing him home three days after that but were told that she wanted to have the weekend with him. It was the hardest weekend of my life. Even driving to the agency I was literally sick. I worried that my cell phone would ring with news of her changing her mind. I remember getting close to the agency and praying that I could make it through and the song “Calling All Angels” by Train came on the radio. It was an answer to my prayer because I needed every angel with me. We got there and met with our worker first who told us that the papers had already been signed and took us to meet our son. That afternoon my world changed. I looked into the eyes of a heartbroken but happy girl as she gave us her most precious possession. I watched a very young girl make the most mature, important and hard decision of her life, knowing how hard it would be. I don’t know many adults that could have gone through what she did. As I looked at him there was no doubt in my mind that he was ours and that this was the way Heavenly Father wanted it to happen. I watched her walk away and I was torn between my own happiness and her hurt. We got a letter from her about a week later saying that she was recovering physically and that she knew she had made the right decision. We have kept in touch from then on, about once a year. She got married last year in the Bountiful Temple. We were able to go to the reception. It was great to see her again and meet the lucky young man that she married. She was so happy and has accomplished so much. She will always be my angel and I will love her forever. Braxton is such a blessing to our family. He makes me laugh so hard, reminds me to chill out, and keeps me busy. It doesn’t get any better than this. Before he was born all Dylan talked about was “his little brother”. They are brothers in every sense of the word; they fight, play, wrestle, draw together, and amaze me with their ability to be so close yet so much like brothers should be. Braxton and Natalie are what I always imagined a brother and sister growing up together should be. He loves her and protects her, all the while picking on her. He fits in with us and is loved by everyone. It’s amazing that life doesn’t go the way you planned at times but you still end up in the same place, maybe just a different path. I am so grateful for my family. I have a wonderful husband and three fabulous kids. I have two great families and wonderful friends that make me smile every day. In other words “My cup runneth over”.

Braxton's 5th Birthday!!!

It is Braxton's 5th birthday today. I can't believe that he is getting so big. I told him last night that 5 years ago he was causing me some serious stress. Anyway, we had a "friend" party this afternoon, this is after I had preschool here this morning (as I sigh and sweat). He was having a naughty moment or two so he spent the morning in his room. I tried to write it off to being excited but seriously- he was so naughty. The Batman Party - He had to invite all of his preschool friends along with several others so we had 15 kids here including Dylan and Natalie. We played musical chairs, pass the M&M's, bean bag toss, and the kids made Batman masks. Then the real fun started with hot dogs and opening presents. The present part was insane. He will be playing with new toys for a month. Why didn't I save some for Christmas, he wouldn't know at this point. He had fun & I hope the kids had a good time also. I made him a Batman cake and batman cookies for the kids to take home. In my opinion his party was a huge success. Then about an hour after the kids left we had the grandparents over for dinner and cake. They always give him exactly what he needs and loves. Oh to be that age again! Happy Birthday Braxton - We love you so much!

Fabulous Friday

The holiday magnets
As the night was wrapping up
Sisters just visiting
picture blocks minus the ribbon

Another Fabulous Friday has come and gone. I survived it-stress, worry, sleep deprivation, & complaints- and retained most of my sanity. Much to the dismay of others, we decided to follow the advice of our leaders and make things more simple this year. We only had 2 wooden crafts, one other non-wood craft and two classes. The first wooden craft was holiday magnets. I got the idea from a friend that actually gave me a set for Christmas last year. I loved them and decided to make them for each holiday. There were 3 in a set and they turned out so cute. The other wood craft was a picture block, which had 4 wire hooks on each one so that pictures could be put in them and they were tied with a ribbon. We also did was glass pan etching. I don't have a picture of that but it was really neat. Image having your name etched on the bottom of your cake pans so that there was no question as to whose it was. I have lost so many pans due to the lack of having my name permanently put on pans. We also had a chocolate dipping demonstration from a sister in our ward. She is so talented with making such yummy treats. Last but not least we had another sister come and talk about keeping things in perspective. We laughed hysterically, and learned a lot from her (she even flipped the bird to prove a point). Our ward has been encouraged to get 72 hour kits done for each household so we had those available to put together. Oh, did I mention sweet pork Cafe Rio salads - so yummy. We had a good turn out and the night ended on a good note. I am so relieved that its done and Jason is right there along with me. He was such a good sport by cutting 135 wooden magnet blocks, 20 picture blocks and drilling the holes in the blocks (all after being gone on a work trip for 5 days). What a trooper. If anyone knows my bishop, feel free to remind him that I have been doing this for 2 years and a break would be greatly appreciated.

This isn't a temper tantrum, is it?

Just thought I would give you all a sample of my Tuesday and Thursday nights. After watching this you will sypmathize with my thoughts of "Not again", or "Could I get $5 for her on E-Bay?", or "This is what I get for judging other parents", or "Please don't let anyone from DCFS be watching (Angie)". Not to mention Jason egging it on and reminding her time and again that we are going home - nice. These are moments when I feel as though I have 4 children. Luckily we only have one more game - yes there is mercy. Not that I don't love watching soccer, just not the thought of taking Natalie off of the playground. Braxton had a fabulous first season and Dylan did so much better than he has ever done. All in all - good times, but I'm ready for winter. Not the snow or cold, just the relief of running from game to game and braving my daughter.

Hobble Creek's Fall Festival

Tonight was Dylan's schools', Hobble Creek Elementary, Fall Festival. I loaded the kids up, seeing as Jason left this morning for Chicago for a business convention, and braved the wind and rain for the outdoor carnival. It was great for the first hour, then the wind kicked up and it got cold. I had to help with a booth - the Pirate Treasure Chest, which Braxton went nuts over. My mom and dad came to take Brax and Nati home and left Dylan with me. Before the kids left I put Natalie and Braxton on a blow-up jumping thing. Natalie loved it. She couldn't stay up for too long but squealed and giggled the entire time. The were able to stay in there for about 3 minutes and then had to get out. Braxton got out just fine, but Natalie threw a huge fit. She screamed at me, told me "no,no,no" and wouldn't come out. I had to climb in there and get her while a large number of people watched and laughed at the scene. It's amazing that something that was embarrassing to me was so hilarious to other people. They all commented on how cute she is. She's cute alright - cute and spunky. Anyway the night was good, the turnout was great and the kids had a great time. Hooray for the PTA!!