FHE

"So there was this big tornado. And this little girl got stuck in a big hole, so Jesus came down and saved her. Then a ghost forgot how to fly and fell into a hole, too! So Jesus came down and saved him with his marshmellow. Then that is me jumping with my parachute. I went to the moon to save the balloon."-Ethan on how Jesus helps us and how we can help others

Memory Lane

Grandma O'Haver was my card playing, canasta loving, elephant collecting great grandma.

Alice's resemblance to Larissa in this photo is uncanny. Thanks to my older sister for scanning.

UPDATE: Send any stories about Grandma to azlarsen@cox.net to be included in her memory book. You are officially in the know.

Me, Myself, and Larissa

Almost everyday, someone says that Larissa is just like me. It is true, but as long as there are no surprises, and I give her designated hug time, there is still peace and happiness. I am so glad that we have become friends lately. Dare I say I am learning to love myself.

I am glad this is supposed to be old fashion because they never smile in those pictures.

Her personality is very obvious in this picture.

Sometimes

Sometimes, on really bad days, I remember when they wouldn't guarantee I would even be able to take him home. I remember praying by a baby on a ventilator for two weeks because he wouldn't breath on his own. I remember how they wouldn't let me touch him because it was too much stimulus. I remember finally holding him again after several weeks.

I remember not wanting to take pictures of my baby because he was so swollen and sickly. I remember not wanting to remember any of it.

And then I remember saying I would do whatever I needed to do to keep him. I knew I was signing up for a battle.

His swallowing is getting worse; there is more deteriation...but he knows how to smile.

Primary Carnival

I am one of the achievement day leaders for our girls in senior primary (children's sunday school). Our group hosts a carnival for the junior primary. Besides being uncharacteristicly cold, I think it was a success.

He told me so.

Neighborhood Chili Cook Off

I love my neighborhood. We have so many parties this time of year. Last weekend, we had a chili cook off. There was food, games, and even an inflatable jumper.

Apparently, this is what the party looked like to our 5 year old neighbor friend.

The Hayride Tradition Continues

This week it was finally Larissa's turn to go to Mother's Natures Farm with her preschool class.

I think it is funny that Larissa is the only child represented in every picture. I would have still had 3 kids in the photo (ie not school age), but Ethan was on his own fieldtrip. I also think it is symbolic that this year is the first time I am not wearing a baby.

Math Master

Raea was a math master for this quarter...(and the posing master)!

Thanks for the picture Jessica and supporting Raea while I was the fieldtrip queen. Horrible details to follow some day.

Frank Kush 5K

We had a 5K this morning with friends. My parents came along to help support with the kids.

I think my Dad thought he was getting off easy by taking Ethan on the 1 miler. Turns out that Ethan wanted to be an athlete today and ran the 1 mile in 12 minutes. (Great time Ethan AND Grandpa!)

Thanks to everyone!

Notes for next year: This is a very family friendly run. It was cheap and not insanely busy. We actually parked in the Tempe Town Lake parking lot. This is a great run to get your kids excited about running, And next year, I will dress all the kids to run.

The Balloons of Hope

Last year on a day that was particularly hard for me, this miraculously fell into my backyard, and I borrowed a little hope for myself.

Did you see Oprah yesterday?