Springtime 2014

There is a tree in the front yard of my Meridian home that I absolutely adore.  It is beautiful and white in the Spring, green and luscious in the Summer, and bright yellow in the Fall. 

Ava and Violet.

Easter Sunday; Ava, Violet, Brahm, Simon, and Nicholas

 

Ava's Baptism, October 2013

Ava, age 8

My beautiful Ava

Jess and Ava before the baptism
 

From left to right: Jess, Mandy, baby Violet, Ava, Brahm, Nicholas (peering from behind), Simon, Gramee Rosenthal (Jess' mom), Madie (Laci's daughter), baby Levi (Laci's son), Laci (Jess' sister), and Logan (Laci's son).

October 2013, Green Valley Ward, Meridian South Stake

Meridian, Idaho

Ava's 8th Birthday, September 2013

Ava turned 8 almost a year ago.  She invited all of her friends over for her Fear Factor themed party.  For those who are unfamiliar with Fear Factor, it is a reality T.V. game show where contestants compete for a large sum of money by participating in challenging, scary, disgusting, and stupid stunts. We thought that we would recreate some of these stunts for her birthday.  We encountered a few bumps in the road on the day of her party.  The wind picked up, so we had to move everything from the backyard into the garage.  Secondly, it seemed as though all the flies in North America had congregated in Boise/Meridian.  There were so many pesky flies buzzing around which appropriately added to the Fear Factor theme.

 

My sweet 8 year old, Ava.

Fear Factor was the theme for her birthday party!   

Take home treats.

Gummy earthworms slithering out of Ava's chocolate bundt cake.

Retrieving marbles with one's feet out of ice cold water.

Ava preparing for the dog biscuit race.

Competing in the dog biscuit race on all fours.

Racing to eat an entire jar of baby food. Gross!

Working as a team to put together a puzzle.

Searching for (gummy) worms in a pie (no hands allowed).



The kids loved their pie faces!



This was by far the most popular game. The kids chose an egg from a carton.  They didn't know which ones were hard boiled and which ones were raw until they cracked it on their foreheads.  Simon was happy to get a raw egg.

Aside from the party, Ava got her ears pierced.

Home in Utah

After 3 months of living apart, it was wonderful to be reunited as a family.  My sister, Beth, was a saint.  During the months of our separation, she opened up her home to Jess and allowed him to live with her and her family.  What a huge blessing! We are so excited to live close to her. 

 

For the past 2 months, we have taken every opportunity to enjoy the many splendors of Utah. 

 

Brahm in the brush.

Walking on a neighborhood trail with our cousins, the Blackburns.

 Evening walk to a neighborhood golf course.

 Sunday drive through American Fork canyon.

 Brahm and Simon walking home from church.

Nicholas roasting marshmallows at a picnic site in American Fork Canyon.

 Brahm on a Saturday morning hike.

 Simon enjoying The Sacred Gifts exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art.

 While the boys were at the Fathers and Sons campout, Ava, Violet, and I enjoyed swimming and sushi!

Goodbye, Meridian!

From the get-go, 2014 has been a year full of changes. Jess received a work promotion and was transferred to Salt Lake City in February. While Jess worked and lived in Utah, my 5 children and I stayed behind to sell our home.  It was a bit of a painstaking process.  Keeping our house "show ready" while managing to take care of the needs of my children (including my youngest who is a nursing baby) was something that I never want to repeat again in this life.  Jess traveled home on the weekends which was when I was able to catch up on needed sleep. I think I aged 5 years during the 3 months that Jess and I were separated.  I have the grey hairs and wrinkles to prove it!  By late April we miraculously received a full price offer on our house, and on May 21st we closed on our beloved Meridian home.  We were greatly blessed during this 3 month period of separation.  Many neighbors, friends, and ward members constantly checked up on us, invited us over for dinner, allowed my children to play for endless hours at their houses, and even gave my baby a priesthood blessing when she had a 104 degree fever.  I really felt loved which made it all the more hard to leave.

 

I already miss my neighbors and dear friends, my children's friends, their school and their teachers, the ward, etc. Meridian/Boise will always hold a special place in my heart. 

 

Brahm and his best bud, Alex.

Brahm and his kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Christensen

Ava (and Simon) with her 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Tulleners

Simon and his 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Burke

Nicholas and his preschool group posing next to a Black Hawk.

 

 Moving Day

 

 Moving Day

 

Moving Day

Violet's Blessing, July 7th, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

The Unveiling of Violet

 

My sweet Violet was born on June 14th at 2:46 pm, weighing 7 pounds, 11 ounces and measuring 19 inches long. 

Because I have a history of lightening fast labors, I was induced that Friday morning due to Strep B.  After receiving 2 doses of antibiotics and pitocin via IV, my doctor broke my water with a finger bur.  Not long after, my contractions began to kick in.  I experienced 20 minutes of true contractional labor and second guessed my decision to forego an epidural. I had 2 other children without the assistance of an epidural, so I knew I could handle intense pain for a very short amount of time.  Violet, by far, was my most painful child to push.  She made her way out with her hand by her head and her cord loosely wrapped around her neck.  My nurse immediately layed her on my chest, and I was so overcome with fatigue and exhaustion.  I could barely keep my eyes open. 

My entire pregnancy and labor completely wore me out.  But, I was so surprised by my 2 days worth of "healing time" in the hospital.  I was walking easily without pain,  my cramping was minimal, and I felt energetic.  It didn't hurt that I had a host of nurses waiting on me and a menu of delicious food to eat around the clock. 

It was so nice to have Jess, my children, and my mother-in-law pay me visits at the hospital.  All of the kids are enamored with Violet, especially Brahm.  I hope the novelty of a new baby sister doesn't wear off. 

I feel so blessed to have carried and given birth to five beautiful children.  At 2 days old, Violet is the perfect baby.  I love her cooing and her occasional smiles.  I look forward to a slow paced summer- spending my days with my big brood. 


The night before Violet's debut.

My last picture as a pregnant mom.

The nurse placed Violet on my chest seconds after she came out.

Bathed and beautiful.

Hearing test

Sleeping beauty

 

 

Gramee Rosenthal

Daddy and 5 kids

The crew

Ava cuddling with me in the hospital bed

Mommy and baby

 

Brahm and baby Violet