Happy Birthday Elliot!

Today we are celebrating Elliot's 1st Birthday. Wow, what a year. It has gone by so fast and yet if I think about each day it has been the longest year and days in my life. I have felt so many emotions, good and bad, happy, excited, overjoyed, sad, concerned, desperate, depressed, alone, and heartbroken. All of these are all so familiar. When I was making this slide show, I couldn't help but get sucked in to each emotion I felt at the time each picture was taken. Tears would fall, then I would be laughing out loud. I love Elliot so much and he is such a blessing in my life. It is so hard to put it into words how he has changed me. I feel like a different person, I look at life so differently, some of you might know how I feel. Living life knowing that your child isn't going to have a normal life, knowing that he will be sick about half the year, torturing him every morning and night by doing his therapy in hopes that it will prolong his life. Keeping me up at night thinking about hearing the rasp in his voice, or the difficulty of breathing at night. It breaks my heart. Going to doctor appointments and getting bad news, or being told that he isn't growing. Having a G-tube threat hanging over my head. It hits you like a Semi going full speed. Don't get me wrong I wouldn't change him for the world, it is just so hard. I feel like I am Fanny in "Fanny's Dream." It is a children's book, that I love. Her life isn't quite the way that I dreamed it would be, but the life that she got she would change it even when her Fairy Godmother said that she would. She loved short little Herby and wouldn't want her life any other way. I feel that same way, I have 3 beautiful children, a caring loving, and patient husband, a very supportive family, a good home, wonderful neighbors, great ward, and perfect friends. What more could I ask for?
This is suppose to be a post about Elliot, so here goes...... Elliot is such a happy little boy, and loves life. You won't find ones that is better natured. He loves his big sister and brother, and tries to be just like them. He loves to sing, and play with cars. He gets into everything and is great at making messes. He took 3 steps this morning before breakfast. He loves to eat sweet things, and has 2 new sweet little teeth that just broke through last week. He can say moma, dada, thank you, and a-ohh. He loves to try and mimic what we say, and is great at yelling as loud as he can to get our attention. Happy Birthday sweet boy! Moma loves you so much.

I have decided to try and make a quilt with the theme of "65 Roses". For thoses of you who aren't familiar with this phrase, I have posted a story that will explain. It is a sweet story, and have found it useful with my little ones. I hope to finish the quilt in time to enter it into the auction at the "Taste of Utah". A HUGE fundraiser for the Utah Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis. I will post pictures of the quilt as soon as I figure out how I am going to make it. Love to you all!

"Sixty-five Roses"
Have you ever heard the expression "65 Roses®"? Many haven't, "65 Roses" is what little children suffering from Cystic Fibrosis call their disease. As the following story illustrates, the words are much easier for children to pronounce....

Mary G. Weiss became a volunteer for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 1965 after learning that her three little boys had CF. Her duty was to call every civic club, social and service organization seeking financial support for CF research. Mary's 4-year-old son, Richard, listened closely to his mother as she made each call.


After several calls, Richard came into the room and told his Mom, "I know what you are working for." Mary was dumbstruck because Richard did not know what she was doing, nor did he know that he had cystic fibrosis. With some trepidation, Mary asked, "What am I working for, Richard?" He answered, "You are working for 65 Roses." Mary was speechless.
He could not see the tears running down Mary's cheeks as she stammered, "Yes Richard, I'm working for 65 Roses."

Since 1965, the term "65 Roses" has been used by children of all ages to describe their disease. But, making it easier to say does not make CF any easier to live with. The "65 Roses" story has captured the hearts and emotions of all who have heard it. The rose, appropriately the ancient symbol of love, has become a symbol of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Lost My Cell Phone in Disneyland, and I need your #!

So last week when I was in Disneyland with my family I lost my cell phone. Lizzie and I were on Space Mountain and having a blast. I put my phone in the pouch in front of me so that it wouldn't fall out of my pocket. As the ride ended we got out and decided to go on it again. Just as we were about to the exit where they show the pictures they take of you I realized that I had forgotten my phone on the ride. So I rushed back to ask if the ride people could help me. They were super nice and check the ride 3 times over. It never showed up. Total bummer. I borrowed my brother in laws phone to try and call my just incase someone picked it up and was willing to help me. Nope, someone did pick it up, but decided that they needed my phone more than me. Mind you it is one of the ugliest brick phones out there. When I would call it someone would pick it up, and then hang it right back up. So I called AT&T and asked them to disconnect the phone so that this person wouldn't use all of my minutes taking to someone in some other place in the world. Needless to say, I don't really care that I lost my phone I am just so upset that I lost all of your numbers. So if you would please send me you phone numbers, I am so sad that I have lost you. Please email me with them to my xmission account. Thanks guys!

It's Almost Done!

So we are so close to being done with our kitchen and I can't wait to finish. I will have to post some pictures of the old one. YUCK is all I can say. I find my new kitchen inspirational, and find that I am wanting to cook so much more. It is always nice to know that you are in a clean kitchen and know what is under those cabinets. What we found under the old made me sick for a week.

Mill Creek Canyon Fall Colors

On Sunday during the last session of Conference the kids were getting totally bored, so we decided to take a drive to see all the fall colors. We ended up going to the top of Mill Creek, and it was breath taking. The colors were so vibrant and beautiful. These pictures don't give it justice. We all had a great time, and I think that we should go out hiking more often. The kids were in heaven. To bad the weather is starting to change so quickly.