October Kick Off

When I talked to Erik yesterday I told him I was setting the table for our October Kick Off dinner. "What, is that just some excuse for a party?" he said. "Well.... yes...yes it is..." said I.

Each girl got a Halloween shirt in their bag with some spooky colored nail polish. I made the mistake of just running into Peerless Beauty. I didn't realise OPI nail polish was $8 a bottle...

The table was set with lime green, black and white with purple and orange accents.

We had a Spook-tacular menu...

The grilled cheese was cut into pumpkin shapes after being grilled.

I opted for the Tomato-Basil soup from Costco while the girls just had Campbell's.

My cute little striped tins (target) will be used throughout the month as we hold additional dinners, with skull candy treats and surprises to fill them with.

I'll add a photo of the girls in there cute shirts -- Estelle wasn't up when McCall left for school so we'll have to grab one when she gets home!

Elizabeth's Brithday (from July)

So I realized I never posted pictures from Elizabeth's birthday... sorry princess... Erik was over picture's this day and while I must express my love that he jumps when told - but I only have video of the whole cake thing, no pictures...

Yesterday, driving home from Pre-school I asked "How was your day, Elizabeth?" She said.. "Today I'm cinerrrella Momma!" Today, when I picked her up as we came in the house I said, "hang your backpack up cinderella" to which Elizabeth replied, "I'm snow white today, Momma".

Elizabeth picked out The Sound of Music DVD the other weekend and wanted to watch it. Everyday since then she wants to watch it... she gazes and smiles as the characters sing and dance... her eye's get bright and her head tilts with a smile as they serenade each other in the garden... she is my romantic.

The other day Grandpa was over and asked her how old she was... she said "two"... we both replied "no Elizabeth, your are three now"... Elizabeth held her stance on being two... (I think she's got a bit of me in her -- I'm never wrong, I just change my mind!).

Elizabeth can shake it... when dancing she just loves to get in and shake and twirl. She is colorful and I'm speaking of more than just what she wants to wear.

Elizabeth tells me she loves me dozens of times during the day. She will be playing with toys and stop everything and say, "I love you Momma".

One day I got on her response to picking up toys or something and explained that when we respond we should say... "okay mom!" in a happy tone and go do what was asked... since then when I ask something she consistently says "Okay Momma!" in a very bright, very happy, grin across her whole face manner.

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Hey, check out McCall's dance The Pointe (right column scroll down under list of people links) you can access their blog under the right to dance link...

why don't I just send you there http://thepointeacademy.blogspot.com/

Baptism Day - Part II

I left out pictures at the church for McCall's baptism... she looked so pretty... I like the jump suit look on Erik too... I've always said I have a cute hubby!!

Baptism

Saturday may have been a cold and rainy day, but it could not have been better. I was doing fine until McCall came out of her room after having prayed alone to ask Heavenly Father if this was the right thing to do. She came out with little tears welling up in her bright eyes and told me that it was right and that Heavenly Father loved her.

That set me off and then when Erik asked me to say our morning prayer before heading out to the church I again choked up. Typically, I try to keep my tears in check but this morning Mom was such a gush!

Everything turned out wonderful ... I wouldn't change a thing. McCall sang "When I am Baptised" and it was so beautiful to hear her sweet voice singing while dressed in her white baptisimal clothing.

When I am Baptised

I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain,
And ponder on the beauty of an Earth made clean again.

I want my life to be as clean as Earth right after rain,
I want to be the best I can, and live with God again.

I know when I am baptised my wrongs are washed away,
And I can be forgiving and improve myself each day.

I want my life to be as clean as Earth right after rain,
I want to be the best I can, and live with God again.

I gave a talk on baptism and McCall's cousin, Samantha, who is a little over 9, gave a wonderful talk about the Holy Ghost. She did and awesome job! Erik did great at the baptism other than McCall said he didn't wait for her to plug her nose -- "but that was OK". The confirmation and subsequent blessing was beautiful. We all know McCall is a choice spirit and this day just confirmed it.

Afterward we just gathered at our house for some muffins and fresh fruit and juice. (Nothing too extravagant -- we wanted the focus on the event of the baptism.) She recieved some special gifts from family to remember the day.

As I stated in my talk from the words of Joseph Smith...by chosing to be baptised she has planeted a seed... She has told Heavenly Father that she will have faith and try the expirement. And from the mouth of Alma...As she nurishes that seed it will beging to sprout and grow and that seed will grow firm and strong and one day produce fruit which is white above all that is white...

We are so happy with McCall's choice and for the good things she is doing in her life. She is becoming such a powerful influence in the lives of others and I can tell she will be a strong positive influence in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ... one day to be recieved into the loving arms of our Savior - who will reward her for eternity for her diligence and faith.

Eight Years

Just hours old

6 weeks

8 years ago, at 1am I woke up the morning of my due date, to the concern that I had just wet my pants. I wasn't quite sure what was going on so I changed and went back to bed and then felt my abdomen tightening and more "leakage" and realized my "water" had probably just "broke". When I called the hospital the lady seemed relaxed and said I should probably come in and get it checked out. Thinking there was no urgency (hearing the horror stories about hours of waiting for that first baby to come) I showered, packed a few things to make sure I had everything in my bag, cleaned and wiped down the babies room, did some wash, replaced the tin foil on my stove, dusted, all the while having contractions where I would have to stop and hold my belly, lean over a bit while feeling fluid leak out. As they got more consistent Erik showered and we hopped in the car.

On the way to the hospital I called my office to tell them I wouldn't be in for my last day of work.

When we arrived at the hospital the nurse seemed upset that I had waited 6 hours before coming in...they should have expressed their concerns better over the phone...anyway, they got me in a room and hooked up to millions of cords and monitoring equipment and the day started. I was barely dilated and since I was working against the clock to get the baby here within the acceptable time after leaking fluid, they started me on medication to encourage my contractions. At about a 3 1/2 I asked for an epidural (go women who can do it all natural!!). The baby was having some trouble so they started me on some oxygen and started pushing fluid back into my uterus to lift the baby off the umbilical cord. I was told to lay on my side as she seemed to do better in that position. I spent the day crunching ice chips, begging for a mint or gum or just to brush my teeth to no avail.

By 4-ish I was getting sick of everything and felt like my epidural was wearing off so they had the anesthesiologist come and re administer the epidural. I was still feeling a lot of pain so I told the nurse and she said lets check you, as it had been a bit. When she did I sensed her reaction. Surprised eyes quickly running out to call the doctor with a passing "You're ready to go!" The nurses clamored to bring in all the necessary tools and equipment, started me doing some pushing before the doctor arrived, when he did we pushed for about 10 minutes and at 5:01pm out came the most beautiful little girl with fuzzy dark hair, skinny little arms and legs and long toes and fingers which equalled 10 of each! Her ears were perfect and because she dropped so quickly and came so fast her head was beautifully shaped.

Words cannot fully express everything which goes through your head in a moment like this but I remember being so amazed that we brought this life into the world and being consumed by the love I immediately felt for her. They placed her on my chest immediately after she was born and it felt amazing to have her close. I instantly wanted to protect her and give her everything possible to thrive and succeed. Erik's eye's were bloodshot and red and as I saw him cradle her with the utmost care and love, I quickly saw the loving and good father he would be.

Everyone laughed and joked -- "of coarse Ashley would have her baby one her due date" -- but it is totally McCall. She is so easy and just does what she is supposed to do when she is supposed to do it. She was such a sweet baby and that hasn't changed. She has remained beautiful and sweet. As the oldest she devoured our attention and grew in love. At six weeks she began to grin and show excitement at seeing us and she continued(s) to amaze us with her charm and intelligence.

Eight years later I look back at the time spent with this sweet spirit and wish I could slow time down or capture each moment in a bottle. It seems like it's gone so fast and I just wonder what the next eight years will hold. Will they fly by as fast? McCall is the sweetest girl. She has a huge heart for people and for her family. She is vivacious for learning and in all subjects. She wants to know how everything works. She is naturally intelligent and book smart but she is really street smart and can figure things out and spends time considering how things work. She loves to be right beside me and wants to fix things, make things, create things. She loves to try and learn new things. I could go on and on about her amazing talents, traits and skills.

As I told her this morning, the day she was born was the greatest day!

The Big First Birthday

Claire turned ONE this past Sunday. I knew when I delivered her that her birthday would always fall around Father's Day and I was worried that she'd always have to battle it out with a husband who thought it was his day to be catered to -and- low and behold on her very 1st birthday we had to contend with Father's Day...but our families were supportive and came to wish her the best on this most important first year. And Erik was fairly good about jumping in to help set up and get ready for the party too. So there is hope.

Claire was super cute (of coarse) and we all enjoyed seeing her expression with the first bite of cake. She didn't seem to want to get too dirty with cake but still seemed to enjoy it pretty much. Claire seemed pretty confused about the whole gift think. We are always telling her not to rip paper (usually the paper is attached to a book), so I think ripping the paper off confused her but she is enjoying the gifts (and the monetary gifts from grandparents to put in savings).

We are so blessed to have her as a daughter and can already tell she is bound for amazing things.

More Birthday Pictures

We tried to get some photos with her sisters but Claire just wasn't in the mood -- but we still adore them!!!