I've been tagged!

So I was tagged by my sweet cousin Cassidy. I love reading other people's, so I posted it in my side bar for anyone who is interested.

Women's conference

Sorry, this might be kind of long... I have a lot going through my head...
I don't really have any pictures to post, and actually that is my favorite part of other's blogs. But, I just have to comment about today's women's conference. If anyone went, I would love to hear your thoughts.
You know how sometimes it feels like you go, not really sure what to expect, but then you realize there is something that feels like it was meant for you? Well, that was my experience today.
A musical power point presentation introduced the theme for the conference. It was so good. A quote from President Benson was in the middle and I had to search the Internet to find it. He said, "Men and women who turn their lives over to God will find out that he can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life to God will find he has eternal life."
Eleven blessings are promised if we turn our lives over to Heavenly Father. Eleven. All eleven are blessings that I desperately need as a mother, a wife, a friend-- a person. Today I have a new-found resolve to try harder to do those things, to make those changes, to live my life in such a way that I am turning to God. It seems like it should be simple, but somehow I get caught up in the everyday.
Almost two years ago, I was called to teach the Sunday School lessons in our ward. I was SO scared to teach the adults. I couldn't figure out how they would move me from the nursery, where I was teaching two-year-olds, to Sunday School for the adults. It ended up being a huge blessing for me. I am not sure how it worked out for those who had to hear my lessons every other week, but it was a blessing for me. I have since been called back into the primary, but today during the women's conference I remembered preparing for one of my Sunday School lessons. A Kenneth Cope song I had just become familiar with weighed heavily on my mind throughout that week, and I decided to share it with my lesson. The words to the song have been revolving in my mind ever since the quote from President Benson sunk into my emotions. I won't share all of the lyrics, because I guess this is getting long, but I will share the verses that I feel especially appropriate:
"Weak and wounded sinner, lost and left to die. Oh, raise your head for love is passing by. Come to Jesus, come to Jesus, come to Jesus and live! Sometimes the way is lonely, and steep and filled with pain. So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus and live!"

Funny McKay

I have so many things that I want to post about, but for now I'll have to talk about McKay. Especially after tonight's conversation. Today was one of those "no nap" days and he fell asleep on the couch at 5:00. GREAT! I hate that. Anyway, he woke up a little after six and so he is still awake... at 10:00. I went to go tell him to get back in bed and he wanted me to sleep with him. (For your information, this is a frequent request) So here's how the conversation went:

Me: McKay, you are a big boy. You need to sleep on your own.

McKay: No, I not big. Wook, I'm stiw wittow.

Me: If you are still little, then maybe we need to take away all your big boy things. You can sleep in a baby crib like Benson, and we'll take all your big boy toys away too.

McKay: (shrugging his shoulders) You can put them in a basket if you want.

PERFECT! My three year old has just outsmarted me, again. So, I just gave him a love and a kiss and told him he needed to go to bed. Then I gave him one big squeeze. He looked at me and said, "Mom, don't squish out my eggs." (He had eggs for dinner)

Second story: this will explain the pictures. If anyone remembers a previous post called, "Men in tights" McKay has this weird fascination with nylons and tights. I guess because it makes your legs look different, but not too different. Because of a previous conversation with my Mom, he keeps calling them church socks. He took some from her house and one day put them on without my knowledge. When friends came over, they noticed before me. Embarrassing? Yeah. So, I decided to buy him some church socks of his own. (By church socks, I mean literally, dress socks for boys) So these are the before and after pictures.

Puffy, Pale, Paranoid

I promise that I am not trying to post only about Benson, but good grief, he can't catch a break. I tickled his toes to get him to smile for me, and I don't know if you can tell, but his poor little eyes are all swollen. He is pale and has had a fever for the last several days. I took him to the doctor yesterday and they drew blood to see if we can figure out what is wrong. He is getting strong antibiotics through his PICC line and shouldn't be getting sick... again! The good news is that his ears look better. The bad news is... we have no idea why he has had such a high fever. Hopefully the blood tests will shed some light. As a paranoid mom, I keep thinking about worse-case-scenerio, but I have to keep telling myself that I am just that: paranoid.

Benson is a year old!

Saturday was Benson's birthday. I have to admit, it's a fun time to have a baby's first birthday, but I was feeling rather emotional. It seems like with each one of my boys, the first year flies by faster. How does that happen? My mom, sister and I watched the video of the day he was born and the following days in the hospital and at home. All those feelings came rushing back. When I first got to hold Benson Mac and look in his sweet face, I felt an immediate connection. It was like we knew eachother. I know that might sound cliche', but it is sincere. I felt overwhelmed with love with Kimball and McKay as well, but something about Benson was a little different. Forgive me for being so personal, but I can't help it... even today I am all emotional about it.

Because Josh was going to be out of town, we had is party on Monday before he left. Then, we had to have a get-together on his real birthday, of course! The cake I made is supposed to look like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups because Benson LOVES them. It was so fun to watch him go after the cake. He didn't waste time trying to use his hands, he just went face first. It was hilarious! Happy Birthday Benson! We love you!

"PICC"ing on Benson

For any of you who remember a previous post, Benson has had chronic ear infections. On January 10, we had tubes placed in his ears to help. The infections persisted. I got over my chiropractophobia and took him to the chiropractor. The infections persisted. The Ear, Nose and Throat specialist determined he had severe mastoiditis. (Mastoids are the bones right behind your ears) Since oral antibiotics haven't helped, we had to take the next step. On Friday, my dad and I took Benson to Primary Children's to have a PICC line put in. (A PICC line is a more permanent IV. It is about 22 inches long, starts in his arm, follows a main artery up past his shoulder and across his chest to the top of his heart.) Yes, I was super paranoid. Yes, I was stressed because Josh couldn't be there (since he was in CANCUN!) Yes, I was SUPER grateful to my dad for going with me. (Not sure if I've ever mentioned it, but my dad is FABULOUS! He is the BEST!) After EIGHT attempts, (yes I said 8 attempts) in both his hands and feet, the IV team finally got the IV in place to sedate him. It was so sad. He was just shaking. Poor baby. Fortunately, the PICC line went in alot more smoothly. We've had home health care come to help me give him his antibiotics and we'll see how his is doing after two weeks of treatment. Believe me, I could write so much more about this... but I'll keep it semi-short and post a slide show. By the way, per my previous post about Benson's ears, has anyone found that instruction manual???

Tagged!

Sha tagged me, and since I have been neglecting my blog for two weeks... I thought I better start catching up:
4 jobs I've had: Other than the 24/7 title of mom, my most recent jobs have been: Financial Manager for Soveriegnty Investments (my newest adventure), Maurices (fun), power tumbling instructor (probably my true passion. I totally miss it!), public affairs with USDA (Uinta and Ashley forests)
4 places I've lived: Vernal, Rexburg, Provo, Springville (yes, Provo and Springville are two different cities)
4 places I've been: I am not much of a traveler, so how about if I list the four places I have been most recently? The couch, the chair, my bed, the floor. (I've been sick)
4 people I'd like to get to know better: Sha (right back at ya, girl!), Chandra (can you tell I'm missing you?), Kristin B (in our ward), the Spirit.
4 reasons I love being me: I have the best family (immediate and extended) in the world, I have had the blessing of making true, lifelong friends, I have the blessing of knowing, (really knowing) Josh and I are meant to spend forever together, three little boys call me mommy.
4 favorite foods: Chicken (fixed any way), prime rib, fresh fruit, BROWNIES
4 classes I wish were offered to me: interior design, parenting for dummies, massage/reflexology therapy, culinary arts.
4 friends I'll tag: Tiffany, Whitney, Candy, Hope.