Daddy's Birthday

April 5th, 2013

My wonderful husband is now 35! We've officially celebrated 12 birthdays together.  When we were first married I thought I couldn't love him any more than I already did.  But just yesterday we agreed with each year that passes we love each other more and more deeply.  Now I understand what it means to grow together.

Brian and Branson have back-to-back birthdays which means a lot of delicious food and fun activities!  This year all he wanted were sunglasses. We went on a date and picked out the perfect sunglasses.  I also bought him new shirts and ties - he always seems to need them.

Happy Birthday, handsome!

Branson's Birthday

April 4, 2013

My growing boy just turned 7!  Where has the time gone??  It feels like years pass in minutes.  

Branson is a special little boy with many talents.  He uplifts those around him and thrives on making others smile and laugh.  He is known for being a peacemaker.  He has a sense of  tolerance and compassion for others that shows he is wise beyond his years.  We are blessed to have him in our home and look forward to watching him grow into a righteous young man.  

This year our family is not having traditional birthday parties.  Instead, we decided to take our kids to a restaurant of their choosing and buy them one nice gift that we wouldn't normally have purchased because of the expense.  We agreed that by saving on not throwing a big party (they can be expensive!) we would justify getting them the "big-ticket" item of their choice.  

Branson could not have been happier!!   He chose to eat at Red Robin as a family.  Yum!  And he has had his heart set on a Nintendo 3 DS XL for a long time.  It was a super exciting day :)

Although we didn't throw a party, but we still made it special.  Blue and orange are his favorite colors, can you tell? 

Seeing that we only had one present for him to open, I wanted the fun to last as long as possible. So I found several different sized boxes in the garage and nested them according to size.  I wrapped them in all sorts of different wrapping paper.  Instead of opening just one box on his birthday morning, he opened at least 5!   

 Something silly for him to wear on his special day...

Donuts for breakfast!

Red Robin for dinner and Double Chocolate Chip Cake for dessert.   

The calories were totally worth it, haha!  Because as you can see, he never stopped smiling.  It was a great day.  :)

DeHart's

April 3, 2013

We were so lucky to have our dear friends, the DeHart family, return to Las Vegas and visit us while they were in town!  Our kids feel like cousins.  

Left to right in age-order:
Natalya Reeve, Jacob DeHart, Branson Reeve, Zech DeHart, Irelynn Reeve, Judah DeHart, Annika Reeve

And I recently discovered that there will be another addition to their family in February!  Yay!  Our children make the cutest little stair-steps :)

We miss you, DeHart's!! 

E. B.

March 31, 2013

The Easter Bunny arrived! He even signed his name... in Jelly Beans, of course.

The kids each found their hidden baskets.  They were filled with a book, a movie, a small toy, chalk, bubbles, Silly String, Play Dough, and some gum.  

We took this picture just seconds before Irelynn vomited.  When the color drained from her face and I knew she was sick.  The flu on Easter morning stinks :(  Poor girl!

The Easter Bunny is very clever. 

It was nice to have Easter after Branson and I were sick for so long.  We needed something uplifting.  It was too bad Irelynn contracted some form of the virus that Branson and I had.  She had a massive stomach ache all during Easter.  Thankfully, hers only lasted on and off for a few days.   

Easter had good timing this year.  With so much illness in the house over a short period of time I really gained an appreciation for Christ's resurrection.  I look forward to one day having a perfected resurrected body with no chance of sickness.  

It's hard not to see the Lord's hand in your life when you go through trials.  He's always there.

So, SO Sick

March-something, 2013

We all get sick.  It's a part of life.  But never in all my years have I been this sick.  Like, if-it-weren't-for-my-faith-in-the-Lord-I-would-have-thought-I was-seriously-dying, sick.  

Branson got it first, complaining of a terrible stomach ache.  We tried to comfort him as best we could.  Bath, PJ's, pillows, water, Sprite, Pepto, "BRAT" diet, Pedia-lax, and a bucket on the off chance that he might throw up.  Nothing seemed to appease him.  

The next day, I got it.  

Oh. My. Goodness.  I immediately ached with sympathy for poor Branson.  This was no normal stomach ache.  My insides felt like boiling water.  No, it was more like lava.  And it felt as though acid was eating away the inner lining of my stomach and I was dying from the inside-out.  In all my life I've never experienced anything like it.  

Branson went on and on like that for about 5 days, and I lasted for 11.  Eating and drinking was excruciating.  We lived on mostly Otter Pops.  I lost 8 pounds in the first week and continued to lose more after that.  Anything that we ingested just aggravated our stomachs and created more pain.  Branson's body healed more quickly than mine.  I don't function well on little food.  On any normal day, I'm used to eating almost 5 meals a day.  So when I couldn't eat or drink without terrible pain, my body shut down.  I preferred not eating over nightmarish stomach pain if I did eat.  It got so bad that I couldn't walk without support and guidance.  I know what you're thinking, pathetic!  

So I spiralled downward until we had to seek help from a quick care facility.  IV fluid seemed to help, but the doctor said I needed an ultrasound of my gallbladder.  I went home.  Days later, I was so miserable I went to the emergency room.  Tests and tests.  Nothing. 

I went to my primary care physician and he referred me to a gastrointestinal specialist.  He sent me to get a CT scan with iodine contrast.  My organs appeared healthy.  Then finally he performed an endoscopy (scope down my throat into my stomach with a camera to search for ulcers, etc).  He took 8 biopsies and had them tested for the H Pylori virus.  All he found was gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach) and a hiatal hernia (probably from carrying babies).  

So after heavy medication that coated the lining of my stomach and allowed me to eat again without terrible pain, I began to recover.  I'm grateful that I had no major problems, yet frustrated that nearly all my test results came back inconclusive.  Between my $1,000 deductible and 80/20 after that, we will be paying for my many inconclusive test results for a looong time.  

Having gone through all that, I gained a greater appreciation for modern medicine and greater sympathy for those who feel hopelessly sick.  Maybe this experience will make me a more compassionate friend. 

What Am I Going to Do With Her??

Oh, Annika.  Sweet, little Annika.  Your big blue eyes don't fool me.  You are my little girl who's always up to something.  Usually something naughty.  And the funny thing is, I don't think you honestly believe you're doing anything particularly wrong.  You're busy and curious - and always into trouble.  

February 18, 2013

She emptied the large rainbow sprinkles bottle on the floor in the pantry.  Then spread it around as though she were finger painting.  Hm.  

February 20, 2013

Annika believes syrup is so good that it should have its own place on the food pyramid.  So when she felt like a snack, she scaled the pantry shelves and located the syrup.  Then she squeezed the bottle all over the floor and herself.  I actually found little syrup footprints leading away from the pantry.  

Then with her very syrupy hands, she ran her fingers through her hair in effort to keep it out of her eyes.  I've never seen such a sticky situation.

I think we have an artist on our hands!  She obviously loves to finger paint.  

Oh, Annika...

One-on-One Time with My Middle Child

February 20, 1013

Natalya is my oldest.  Branson is my only boy.  Annika is my baby.  That makes Irelynn truly the middle child.  I don't want to be that parent that neglects the middle kid.  I want Irelynn to have the same attention that the others get.   Due to circumstance, she naturally doesn't get the same amount of time from me that my older ones had - instead, we work hard to give her quality one-on-one time at every good opportunity.  

For instance...

My big kids were at school and Annika was napping.  Instead of doing dishes or paying bills I decided to play a favorite game with Irelynn.  Irelynn and I love playing Camelot Jr.  It's a puzzle/strategy game where you try to get the prince to the princess using blocks.  We laughed and played for a good half hour.  Then we practiced some of the things she's learned at gymnastics - hand stands and cart wheels.  

It wasn't much, but a little love goes a long way.  

In fact, just today Irelynn was bored so I painted her nails a lovely pattern of pink, blue, purple, and green.  I have to remind myself to take a little time out of each day to connect with my kiddles.

Valentine's Day

February 14, 2013

Because Valentine's Day fell on a Thursday this year, we didn't have any major plans to celebrate.  Instead, we stayed home and made it special.  

When Brian got home after work, we surprised him by "heart-attacking" his path from the door that let to the garage (below), down the hallway, and all over the kitchen/nook area.  The hearts were plastered with love notes and pictures from the kids.  

I made pink pancakes with pink fruit smoothies for dinner.  (Per our children's request.)  Our kids LOVE it when I make breakfast for dinner.

You make it so easy to love you, Brian.  Loving you is like eating or breathing or sleeping... nearly effortless.  When you proposed to me 11 years ago, I thought I couldn't love you more.  I was so wrong.  With each year that passes, I seem to love you more than the last. You'll always be my Sweetheart.

Annika Turned 2 !!

Considering it's almost May, I thought I'd get caught up on my blog posts.  Starting with...

Annika's 2nd Birthday!

February 8, 2013

My baby is two.  Seriously crazy.  I'm having a hard time digesting the fact that I don't have a little baby anymore!  She is all personality - our little spitfire.  Mischievous?  Yes.  Malicious?  No.  Sweet as pie and cute through and through?  Absolutely.  Here's a peek at our little stink on her second birthday...

Good Morning!!  

The balloons are almost as cool as the presents.

Fisher Price's Little People are one of her very favorite things.  She loves the movies, the books, the toys, and the music.  (Anything Little People is super cool when you're two.)  

Slightly cooler than Little People... Monster's Inc. She LOVES Sully and Mike.  It's one of her favorite movies and for sure her favorite ride at Disneyland's California Adventure.  

I think her face says it all!

I struggled trying to pick a theme for her birthday party.  (She likes so many things equally.) So I decided that her theme should be, "These are a Few of My Favorite Things".  That way I could choose... everything!

Some of her favorite foods are: strawberries, GRAPES, apples, fishy crackers, juice boxes, and macaroni and cheese.  So we ate them all.  

Her favorite animal: the owl.  We can't pass by an owl at a store without her pointing and calling, "OWL!!  Hoo-hoot!!"  

So I made a bundt cake to look like a nest (using shredded wheat cereal) and put a ceramic owl piggy bank in the center.  

Grandaddy helping serve gourmet Kraft macaroni and cheese.

We never really need to invite friends to a party - not when you have a house full of cousins!!  

(Not pictured: Rosalie and James.  I think Rosalie was on the potty and James was cruising around - probably in my pantry.  He really likes it there.)

Annika must have sensed that the party was getting a bit dull.  So she thought it would be fun to pull her pants to her ankles and walk around like a penguin.  (Do not underestimate her.) 

Then when I said it was time to play games, she thought it would be better to hide in the cubby behind the couch until someone found her.  Unfortunately, I did not plan on hide-and-seek as one of our party games.  

Instead, we played a game I made up.  I called it, "These are a Few of My Favorite Things".  (Yes, a very intense and complicated game.)  I hid 10 tiny objects around the living room that represented 10 of Annika's favorite things.  Each cousin got to find one and bring it to Annika who was holding the collections basket.  Some of her favorite things included: a ball, a My Little Pony, Sully from Monster's Inc., a baby doll, Mini Mouse, a Barbie, a rubber duckie, etc...

But when Annika saw that she had an audience's attention, she wowed them by balancing the basket on her head instead of using it to play the game.  That's our Annika!  Oozing with personality :)

We finished her birthday party with a piñata.  Since Annika was first to take a turn, she wasn't sure what to do.  So she just poked it.  

It turned out to be an extremely strong piñata.  But we eventually got it open...

It was filled with M&M's (her favorite candy) and little toys.  

After that we sang, "Happy Birthday" and ate spice cake with cream cheese frosting.  She LOVES blowing out candles.  I think I let her do it twice.  

Silly glasses from the piñata provided fun for the whole family.

Once the masses had gone home, Annika got to her chores.  I let her since one of her favorite things is sweeping.  

Thanks, Annika, for being my little whirlwind.  I wouldn't have you any other way.   

Daddy Daughter Date

February 7, 2013

My kids attend Somerset Academy.  Somerset puts on an annual Daddy Daughter Dance each winter.  Natalya was so excited to participate!  She put on her favorite party dress and high heels and met daddy at the dance.   

They had a fabulous night!  Natalya said that they even danced "Gangnam Style".  Haha!  I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for that one.  

She looks SO grown up. 

When the dance was halfway over, Natalya said to her daddy, "This is the best night of my life."

This is a picture of them after the dance - home late and tired.  All that dancing made them hungry so daddy treated her to dinner on the way home.  A great way to end a great night.  :)

Dear Devon,

February 3, 2013

My nephew Devon recently left on a proselyting mission for our church.  He was called to serve the people of Lima, Peru.  He has already had a fantastic experience and loves spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.  My kids drew pictures for him that were included in a package he received after his arrival.

From Natalya, age 8:

Dear Devon, 

The Book of Mormon... is true.  I love you!  

Natalya Reeve 

From Branson, age 6:

Dear Devon, 

I hope you actually know how to say CTR [choose the right] in Spanish.  I will tell you, "Haz Lo Justo". 
Love, Branson 

From Irelynn, age 4:

I love you.  

Dear Devon, 

"I love to see the temple.  I'm going there someday!"  

Love, Irelynn 

From Annika, age 1, translated by mom:

Cousin Devon, 

I hope you like being a missionary!  Maybe I'll get to be a missionary one day too.  Guess what?!  I turn 2 this Friday!  When you get home I'll be almost 4.  

I love you, Annika

I heard he loved getting the letters - and it was a good experience for my kids to write to him.