We're Off!

We're off to our family cabin to ring in the new year. There will be snowmobiling, sledding, snowman-building, eating, movies, games, hot chocolate sipping, cuddling in front of the fire, and definitely good times. See you next year!

Painting of our cabin done by my cousin, Dana Love

Cheers to a fabulous 2010!!!

It's a Girl Thing!

When I was getting Chloe ready for tonight's party with some of my extended family, I thought she looked soooo cute!....



But I never would have guessed how well her outfit was going to go with her cousin's unplanned coordinating outfits!....

Julia, Sarah, Chloe, Lily & Caroline

Chloe, Caroline, Sarah, Julia & Lily

Sarah, Chloe & Lily

Julia is exactly one month younger than Chloe. It used to make my heart break when I saw her, to watch her meet all her milestones while we struggled just to keep Chloe from crying. But now that my heart is healed, I just love seeing them together and love the way they interact. So sweet!....






Oh, and we played a really fun game at the party tonight. I thought I'd spread the word. If you need a fun game for people of all ages, 'Snorta' is it!....

Enjoying

We have been thoroughly enjoying this holiday time. Here are a few highlights.

Chloe has been enjoying her Wingbo. Never heard of it? If you have a baby who hates tummy time or a special needs child under the age of 6, you should look into it here.

It. Is. Amazing.

Before the Wingbo, Chloe's tummy time consisted of screaming fits (from both of us) that would last 5 minutes at the most, and she was never holding her head or body in a way that was beneficial during that time. Basically, tummy time was a complete failure.

But now, if I help support her elbows just a little bit, her body is in proper position and she will hold her head high while she swings for at least 5 minutes. I've even got her to hold her head for 8 minutes once. I hope if we keep doing this, we can up the time she can hold her head up!

Even after her head gets too tired, though, she still wants to swing, and I let her because the vestibular input and sensory integration are soooo good for her!

Thank you to Jocalyn and Kendall for letting us know about the Wingbo... We love it!!!!


Oby has been enjoying his new wii game....

I look forward to enjoying my Ninja that Oby's parents gave me. (They'll do anything to get me to feed their son a home cooked meal now and then! LOL!) For those of you who don't know what a Ninja is, it's basically a Magic Bullet on steroids. If you don't know what a Magic Bullet is, then, well, I don't know what to do with you!....

Yesterday Oby hung up two of my favorite Christmas gifts and I have really been enjoying them. One is a watercolor painting of the Logan temple where Oby and I were married. It was given to us on our wedding day three years ago and my parents had it matted and framed as a Christmas gift. It is lovely. They also gave us this collage frame to go over our entry way table and I just love it! Our house is starting to feel more and more like home....

I have really been enjoying the idea of the special needs chair that is on its way. I actually dream about it -- no lie. I can't wait for it to come! That we were able to afford to get this is nothing shy of a miracle mixed with charity and luck. More on that later.

Without question, though, the thing we have been enjoying most is the time we've been able to spend with family....

Chloe with her cousin who lives in Washington, Kylie

I think our family has enjoyed spending time with us too. LOL! If truth be told, they just like Chloe (and they like her A LOT!)....

Chloe has especially enjoyed spending time with Oby's Uncle Jack. The feeling is mutual, of that I'm sure. Chloe will not usually sit with anyone for more than a couple of minutes if I'm in the room, but the other night she sat with Uncle Jack for over an hour and thoroughly enjoyed every second of it!....

Oby's Uncle Jack was told he had 3-6 months to live over a year ago. He has far exceeded his prognosis. We have been so lucky and blessed to have him with us this year. His time is getting shorter, and we know this. It makes us very sad, but it has also been a special time for the family, and during a time of giving and receiving gifts, it has helped us realize that the greatest gift truly is love.

Jack has spent some time in the hospital this Christmas season, but is now home on hospice care. Regardless of his serious condition, he has still been the life of the party. Chloe and Jack have shared some sacred experiences and have a very special relationship. I'm so grateful she has been able to spend this time with him.

We love you, Uncle Jack!

Musical Monday: Firekites

I can't decide which I like more, the song or the video chalk animation. You decide....

Christmas is Love

I loved watching Chloe this Christmas. She lit up like a Christmas tree wherever she went. She felt the excitement in the air and loved every second of it!....



She loved being around family we don't get to see very often....


She loved hanging out with her Papa's in their "ugly sweaters"....




She loved opening presents, especially the ones from Santa!....




She loved playing with toys with her cousin Isabella....





She loved being loved....






We hope you felt the love of Christmas....

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

We had a few experiences this holiday season that are too sacred to share on a public blog, but I feel that I have to share the message that there are angels near. I know this because Chloe communicates with them and brings their message of love and peace into our lives and into our home....

I hope if there is anyone feeling sad or alone this Christmas season, that they will be comforted by the love of heaven that is actually not so far away.

"I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." D&C 84:88

He's Comin'!

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not {pout}, I'm tellin' you why....

{Santa Claus} is comin' to town!....

Musical Monday: Follow the Arrow

Love this!

The Spirit of Christmas

This Christmas season, I've been really trying to teach Chloe the correct spirit of the season.... joy, faith, love, tradition.....

Normally if we didn't have any obligations on a Saturday, I would want Oby to get things done around the house (it's still a work in progress). But today when I realized the day was free, I decided we should go do something fun as a family instead of focus on projects. We decided to take Chloe to see a movie.....



(I'm really not sure why she looks like a scraggly homeless child in this photo. She actually looked really super duper cute!) This was the first time we attempted to have her sit in her wheelchair for a movie. She did really great for about 45 minutes -- that is IMPRESSIVE! She was in awe at how loud it was and how big the screen was, she loved the snacks, and of course she loved our movie choice (and so did we!)....


This month, at night I've been snuggling Chloe up in festive pajamas....




And trying to spend less time with hobbies and projects, so I have more time to just be with Oby and Chloe and enjoy the season! Chloe and I love singing Christmas songs and listening to Christmas music. Whether we're in the car or at the house, there is always music playing -- everything from oldies to Handel's Messiah and kid songs to pop hits. We can't get enough of the festive tunes!....


I've been trying to spend a little more time reading to her as well. It is, after all, her favorite thing to do. Here are a few of our favorite picks right now....




Spending time with family, cute pajamas, music, books.... they're the simplest of things, but they have helped me feel the Christmas spirit in my heart more than ever this year!

I have a confession, though. Even though I've been feeling the warmth of the Christmas spirit, today I did have a slight meltdown. I'm emotional and sad about my friend's child's death. It makes my heart hurt. And when we were at the movie theater, I felt everyone in there just looking at Chloe with so much sadness. It made complete stranger's hearts hurt to see Chloe in a wheelchair unable to run and jump and dance like the rest of the children who were there. Just when these things were weighing on my mind, Oby asked if we were all done with our Christmas shopping. I mentioned an item that I'd really like to get Chloe that would be beneficial and therapeutic for her little body. When I mentioned the cost associated, Oby reminded me that we just couldn't afford it. And this caused my emotions to boil over.... I just cried and cried. I don't want babies to die, I don't want little children to be unable to speak and dance, I want to be able to afford things that my daughter needs.

Later I was feeling guilty about my breakdown, because I truly do know how blessed I am. I was thinking about everything while I sat in front of the Christmas tree, and I prayed that my heart would be healed and that I could have the Christmas spirit back. It was then that I realized that the reasons my heart was heavy could all be healed by the reason we celebrate Christmas -- Christ. He overcomes death. He heals the sick and lame. He blesses us with the things we need if we have faith, patience and trust Him.



And then I cried again. This time, they were tears of joy.

Here's a short video about the spirit of Christmas....



I hope you are feeling the true spirit of Christmas this year!