Myleigh's 8/9 month check up

 

Today Myleigh had her check up this time she only gained 6 oz she is now 15.6 lbs.  Her pediatrician said it could happen if she is getting mobile. And yes she crawls all around the house and never stops. There are times where I turn around for a minute and she is gone.
Her pediatrician said she is an early crawler which he said is a good thing for her but hard for the mommy!!

She is 26.7 in long,  when she was born she was 19.8 in long. She is growing to fast for me, where did the time go? Where did my baby go? Next thing I no she is going to be walking around. 

This time around she only got 2 shots the booster for the flu and another one that they didn't have the last time. She did really good cried only for a minute. Her next check up will be at 1. Oh man time does fly. I love this little girl with all my heart she helps complete this family.

Christmas

Christmas this year was simple, we told the kids don't expect to much for Christmas with 5 kids its getting more expensive every year so we cut it down a lot this year. There response was Christmas isn't about gift. The best response we could have heard.

Kenzie and Braxton had fun making cookies for Santa hopefully he likes a lot of frosting 

This year Ashleigh and Jackson had Christmas morning with there mom so when our kids woke up they were excited to see what they got from Santa even though each kid got 2 presents from Santa they couldn't be happier. After they were able to open a few gifts from under the tree and then waited patiently for Ashleigh and Jackson to come over a 1.

Woke up in there new pajamas

  

Kenzie got her baby alive and Just dance 3, Braxton got a D.S and Avenger costumes

and Myleigh got a learning toy.

Ashleigh got a 22

I think they need to brush there teeth!!!

 After playing with toys and games we went over to my parents house and had a nice Christmas dinner with Josh and his girlfriend, my older sister Marie and her fiance and my Nephew Robert. We played just dance 3 that kenzie got from Santa. I was so worried about it being super sad and hard with the passing of Melissa this year. But while we were over there I felt her love and every now and then I could hear her volume 10 singing and just being Melissa. I sure did miss my loved ones this Christmas. But I am happy to say that even though they are not here on earth I can feel there spirits in my heart. It actually didn't feel like Christmas until I got to my parents house I'm  not sure why that is but maybe Melissa, Mike and Jessica were just awaiting for that moment to come in spirit and fill my parents house with there love.

Merry Christmas to All and to All a good night!!!!

Sitting Here

I'm just sitting her with Myleigh while she is sleeping in my arms, pretty sweet I think.
 I had a dentist appt today so my kids went to my mom and dads house and when I went and picked them up they wanted to stay and play. So when I got home I got my House cleaned and vacuumed and now it is so quiet I don't know what to do. I actually miss the noises of my kids playing and screaming. I clearly don't understand why some people try and always pond there kids off or have them go and watch TV so they are out of there hair. I actually really miss it. Even though ya it is hard to be a stay at home mom with a 7 year old a 5 year old and an 8 month old but I sure do love them and miss them when they are not here even if the kids drive me crazy a lot lately haha. I really don't like them gone that long and its been 4 hours since I've seen them. I don't know what I will do when they decide they want to start going to school.
Yes my house has stayed cleaned for the 4 hours they have been gone, but I would rather have a messy house and have my kids and enjoy there memories than sending them off all time and keeping my sanity. But I am glad that they are spending time with Grandma and Grandpa and having memories with them but I sure do miss them.

Myleigh on the GO

Myleigh has grown so much. She has just started crawling. She is so cute with her little tiny behind waddling while she crawls. She is becoming so independent it kind of makes me sad in a way. She continues to learn new things everyday it seems like. She wants to keep up with her brothers and sisters and loves that she is mobile, now she can crawl to where ever they are at. I love that they always want to play with her. Every time they play house of course Myleigh is the baby imagine that. Myleigh continues to be such a delight and we are so proud to call her our daughter!!!

Melissa

I just wanted to add to my blog what I wrote about Melissa at her funeral...even now that I still read it I cry I miss her everyday and wish I could see her, Mike and Jessica. I don't no when the hurt will go away but it is still fresh on my mind if you couldn't tell. She was an amazing person and sister she would go to the ends of the world for anyone. It is hard to go to family events now that our family is getting littler and littler on this side. I posted on face book that I wish Heaven had visiting hours, oh I really wish that was true just to be able to see them and give them a hug and let them no how much I miss them and love them. It feels like a piece of me are missing but I have to keep going for my family.

Here it is

First of all I just want to thank everyone for coming and supporting my family and I at this time and for all the love that we have felt from everyone.

            I am so grateful that I have a sister like Melissa she has been there for me through so much. Within the last 10 years we have lived with each other for 7 of those years and even though we drove each other crazy one time or another, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I am glad that we were able to live together and have those bonding sister moments. I’m sure going to miss that with her.

            I am so blessed to have so many memories with her like when my mom her and I would have girls day out for our birthdays since they all fall in August. We looked forward to it every year. Whether it was going to Wendover for the buffets just to make it last all day or go to dinner and a movie. This year we were planning on going to Dessert star play house and dinner for our birthdays but I guess the Lord has different plans for Melissa on the other side. It will defiantly be hard to continue having them without her by our sides but I know she will be watching over us and would want us to continue our yearly tradition.

            Melissa was an amazing Aunt she loved her nieces and nephews so much. Anytime Melissa would go to the store, Makenzie my daughter would always want to go to the store with her and by the time they came back Makenzie would have a bag of goodies that Melissa bought for them, she could never say no to her.  I am so thankful that they got to know her and loved her like I did.

            Melissa is now up in heaven dancing and some may say Karoking with Mike and Jessica. I can see her now just talking their ears off and not letting them get a word in. She was one who could talk for hours whether you knew what she was talking about or not. I will sure miss her and all her stories she would tell.

I am so thankful for the Gospel in my life and for Eternal Families and for knowing that one day we will all be reunited as a family. It may not be easy right now to understand why, but I have to have faith in the lord that we will see each other again. It pushes me harder to be the best I can to live my life the way he would want me to so I can be worthy enough to return to them one day.

            I just want Melissa to know how proud I am of her and for the love that she had for her family and my kids. I will miss you dearly Melissa. Thank you for being my best friend and partner in crime growing up. Give Mike and Jessica a big hug for me. I love you and I will not say good bye but Till we meet again….

MOM

My parents are still trying to get there house finished after 2 years of living in it. It has been a work in progress. Anyways this week they are getting there floor done and varnished and my mom couldn't handle the smell so she has been staying with us for the week.
Can I tell you what a joy it has been to have her here she has been so amazing with the kids and I cant even tell you how clean my house has stayed since she has been here she has even gotten the kids to clean with out crying or complaining. I don't know how she does it but I need the secret. It has been such a help to have her here. With me Homeschooling the kids and trying to get other things done during the day and going to our side jobs every night at 5 for a few hours and then coming home to make dinner. There is just never enough time during the day to get things done, but with extra hands my house has stayed cleaned and the laundry has been cleaned and folded and put away. Which when I do it it gets washed, then days later after been being in a pile it will finally get folded and put away.
I can not express how Thankful I am to have such an amazing mom who once took care of me when I was little and did everything for me, will still do the same things even though I am 32 years old. It just shows me that once you are a mom you will always stay a mom no matter how old your kids get.
I may never let her go back home. I can see why people hire help in the house even if you are a stay at home mom because it is true that there is never enough time in the day to get everything you need to get done. Ok at least time to keep your house clean. But thankfully I enjoy spending time with my kids then always worry about a clean house. Kids grow up so fast and life is so short that time spent with family is more important to me the a spotless house. I Love my Mom thanks for being such a great house guest!!!

Braxton's New Library Card

Since Braxton turned 5 he was so excited to get his new Library card. In our house once you turn 5 you can get your own personal Library card.   Kenzie got hers at 5 and now it was Braxton's turn. He is such a good reader and is excelling every day in it. So I hope he continues to enjoy his new Library card and wants to use it often.

Happy Halloween

This time last year Kenzie was in the hospital fighting Rejection so we were stuck in the hospital over Halloween so Kenzie was kind of bummed but we made the best of it. So this year was a much better Halloween since Kenzie was happy and healthy.

Myleighs Halloween outfit (Thanks Roberta)

 

This year we went to a pumpkin patch/corn maze we had so much fun taking so many cute pictures and letting the kids run through the maze by themselves.

Where is Myleigh

In the Corn Maze

Meet the Pumpkin heads

This year Kenzie and Braxton wanted to be Smurfs for Halloween so I got the bright idea to dress all of us up as Smurfs and Kenzie was able to even get Tyler to dress up as Papa Smurf, all she had to do was bat her eyes and she got what she wanted. So then there was Mama Smurf, Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Brainy Smurf and don't forget baby Smurf. When we went out trick or treating we got so many comments on our costumes I think they were a hit.

 

Tyler was such a trooper and dressed up even 

though he wasn't to excited about it.

 

They had so much fun trick or treating with there friends Brock and Karson. By the end of the night the kids ended up with a butt load of candy that will last for a while I hope

Myleigh at 6 months

I can't believe it has already been 6 months. How time flies Myleigh has been such a treasure to us. She is the most happiest baby I have ever seen, she is so social and loves to be the center of attention already (uh oh I think we might be in trouble).  She is so ready to crawl she gets in the crawling stance and rocks back and forth but doesn't quite no what to do next. I am ready for the next stage but sad she is growing up way to fast.

She had her 6 month appt and is now weighing in at 15lbs. She is in the 25% in weight and Height. She is getting so big. I just cant get enough of her and her laugh, smile and the love she gives to everyone. She is one of the most sociable baby I have ever seen. Even her pediatrician said the same thing and was so impressed of how grown up she acts for her age. He said that most babies start crawling at around 9 months so we shall see if she surpasses the expectation of most babies.

summing up summer

This summer was more low key this year with a new baby we didn't do to much and it was deathly hot this year. We went swimming a few times in our pool but the water seemed to get colder every day so we stopped going as often.

In June we had our yearly get together at Red Lobster with Tyler's siblings (Char and Nate you need to move back so you can join us). We get Red Lobster gift cards every year from Jay for Christmas, so we all use them together then after words we went to Jerica's house and played board games. I always look forward to it every year.

Myleigh also got blessed by her daddy, which was his first baby blessing and he did amazing.

 We also went to the zoo with the Hope kids and it was awesome because they closed it from the public so we were able to get through everything. We saw the new Rocky Shores they built this year which was pretty neat. The kids had so much fun.

 

In July we started out going to the Riverton parade which the kids love because they throw candy like no other, they came home like they just went Trick or Treating. This year we sat at one of Jerica's friends house and had a BBQ and watched the parade. Then the next day we went and watched the Riverton Fire works at the Park with Jerica and Neal, Jennifar and her kids and Melissa.

The next day Jennifar and her kids, Melissa and my kids and I went to a Unrodeo which is where the audience becomes part of the rodeo if you wanted to volunteer. Besides the rain storm that soaked us it was fun. Melissa and Jennifar and among other girls there did one of the events which was diving for money in a hay stack . They said it was fun. I think they each got $2 lol. 

 

 If you don't no I like coupons and Melissa thinks I'm crazy when it comes to couponing. So one day I planned and cut coupons and wanted to go to double coupon day in Utah county so I decided to drag Melissa along to show her how much fun and a rush it is to see how much savings you can really save. All through the store Melissa kept calling me the crazy coupon lady. But hey I did pretty good only spent $23 dollars for 45 items not to bad Saved $40, worth the trip I think so. ;) Melissa also had fun whether she wanted to admit it or not lol. I just had to add that in because I thought it was a fun time with Melissa even if it is cheesy!!!

 

I took Kenzie to a Princess party on July 11 where she got her nails done, planted magic beans where suckers grew later ;) and decorated princess cookies. She loved it and it was fun to hang out with just my girls.

 

Later that month We went to classic skating with Neal and Jerica and all the kids, we got Ashleigh and Jackson from the middle of July to the middle of August. So we tried to do some fun things so they weren't so bored. Here are some pics

August was a hard month but I will get into detail later. I will share some of the fun memories. Ashleigh went to Young Women's camp and had a blast while she was gone I had the chance to take the little one's to a Prince and Princess party with the Hope kids. Braxton didn't want to go so he hung out with Jerica. Kenzie got her hair done we had dinner and played in the waterfall.

 

One August 4th I woke up to Melissa having a hard time breathing and moaning and having seizures and non coherent. I didn't know what to do or think it was one of the most scariest thing I have seen. I am not good in emergency situations that's for sure. Tyler took the boys camping that weekend on the father and son camping trip, so he wasn't here. Luckily Neal came home that weekend. I called him and Jerica and Neal came over and Neal had to help Melissa open her mouth so she could breath while we waited for the ambulance to come get her. It was one of the longest moments of my life waiting for them to come.

They arrived and I followed the ambulance to the hospital and it took the Dr for ever to come tell me what was going on but when they did they told me she had Bacterial Meningitis and is in critical condition. And on top of that I couldn't get a hold of my mom and dad after 32 phone call attempts they finally answered and I told them they needed to come to the hospital and that Melissa was in critical condition.

I was finally able to see Melissa in the ER and it was so hard to look at her with all the tubes and wires. brought back memories when kenzie had her transplant.

To make a long story short. She was in the hospital for 5 days in her own coma and in those 5 days Melissa kept having multiple seizures even being on 3 seizure medications and caused brain damage. So my parents decided to let her go after many prayers and family discussions and talking to the Dr's.

Jessica and Mike came and took her to heaven on August 9th. ( just writing this makes me cry). I don't know why it keeps happening to our family but we must have faith in the Lord that families are forever and we will see Mike, Jessica and Melissa again some day. I don't know if this is our trial in life but man what a hard trial our family has gone through.

Her funeral was on August 22nd which every one said it was a good tribute to Melissa and it turned out well all things consider, all I remember is tears.

Life is so short on earth so be grateful everyday and tell the ones you love what they mean to you. You never know when it will be your time or your loved ones time to go but cherish every minute with them. The past years we have certainly learned life is precious and when the Lord needs you they will be done. I sure do miss and love my brother and sisters.

Here are just a few pictures of Melissa. What an amazing person, Sister, Aunt and friend.

 

 

 Melissa and some of her friends hanging out

 

  

At Kenzie's Make a Wish Party at classic Skating

 At my Wedding the Maid of honor

On a happier note We finished off the summer by going to the Rubber Ducky Derby at the Lindon Aquatic center and watch rubber ducks race for prizes. Our duck didn't win but we had fun in the sun swimming with Grandma and Grandpa Lehwalder.