Madison is 15 going on 16, where does the time go?

The day you were born we were in the middle of a wicked ice storm here in Kansas.  When I got to the hospital my labor all but stopped.  I was devastated when they wanted to send me home.  I begged them to break my water with the promise that I would have you before lunchtime.  The bargain was struck and the deal done and you came into the world at 11:46 am….plenty of time to spare!

You have been a joy and delight in our home since that icy day you made your debut 15 years ago.  Your kind heart and compassion for others makes you stand out, not to mention that gorgeous and generously given smile of yours.

It is a blessing to be your mother and you inspire me daily to be a better person.  I am so glad that you are mine.  I can’t wait to see what this year brings for you!

Happy birthday Sweetheart!

Updates…only 18 months later!

Ok, I have so many excuses as to why I haven’t posted for 18 months.  I know you are dying to know why…so here are a few of my reasons:

• Landon graduated from High School.  I was in denial that I had a child old enough to leave the nest.

• Landon left home and attended school at BYU.  I was in denial that I had a child old enough to attend university.

• Landon received his mission call to Los Angeles, CA.  I had to get him ready to go.  I was in denial that I had a child old enough to go on a mission.       
• It was Christmas.  I had to get that put together and I was in denial that it was already Christmas and that I was a year older 
• Madison turned 14!  That was crazy….and I was in denial that I had a daughter who was 14 already.

• Then before I knew it Patrick turned 45.  How could that be?  Denial again…

• March rolled around and guess what?  Alex turns 16!  Woot Woo!!!  Its about time we have another driver in the house.  Denial gets outweighed by relief.

May comes and Ethan turns 12!  How can it be that my baby is 12?  I feel really old and then the denial really sets in.  School ends for the year and I can’t believe that Madison will be in High School next fall and that I will have 2 kids at OE.  Ethan graduates from Elementary school and will start 7th at CT.  Where does the time go???

We have Girls Camp, Youth Conference and then Scout camp in June.  Then before we know it, July is here and I have to deny that I am actually another year older as well. 

• July also brought a two week trip to the Philmont Scout Reservation for Alex and Patrick.  It was an awesome experience for the both of them and one that will not be forgotten any time soon.

• August rolled around and we took a quick trip to the Lake with the Masilionis Family.  It was a much needed getaway.  Then it was back to school and routines.  It was a busy month of back to school events and trying to get ourselves organized again.

• September flew by and before we knew it was October.  Alex received his Eagle Scout award and we began planning his court of honor for November.  Alex, Madison and Ethan all had concerts and we had multiple soccer games to attend.  September also brought a new sport to our gang…Cross Country!

• October we celebrated Landon’s 20th birthday and once again I found myself in denial about the fact that I had a 20 year old child.  I just can’t seem to get over myself.

• November flew by and with it came Alex’s long awaited Eagle Award Presentation and Thanksgiving.

• Oh December, you came so quickly.  You mark a year for Landon on his mission!  Ahh the tender mercies of the Lord who has filled the empty space in our hearts with other things so we wouldn’t miss him too terribly much.  December had us by the collar from the get go.  We celebrated a Page Turner Christmas at Shadow Glen.  We also had a lovely evening at the Gas Light Grill with PMG.  We had packing and driving to do and Christmas to Celebrate in Canada.  It has been a whirlwind for sure. 

And in between it all I worked full time (notice I said worked. that is a story for another blog post) and happen to be the YW President in my ward.  But the most important reason of all is that I am also a wife and Mother trying to stay on top of my game.  Hey, I am not superwoman, but I like to think I can do it all. Not keeping up a blog for 18 months is proof that you just can’t do it all and stay sane.

So all my reason’s for not blogging are legit! Denial was the cave that I choose to live in.  I am ready to come out and play.

Landon Receives "Duty to God" Award

Landon received his "Duty to God" award at a court of honor this week. It is the culmination of many years of dedicated church service and diligence in being an honorable young man. Congratulations to Landon for this recognition.

Alex is 15

On March 31st Alex hit 15. He is very excited to be closer to the legal driving age.

The Flesh Is Weak!

Ok, I caved! I was doing so well and I blew it! When Inside Edition called I freaked, I needed something to soothe my frazzled nerves and curb my taste for chocolate. I needed a DC in the worst way and so I am back on the wagon, chugging my 2nd one for the day. I am weak. I am human. I am addicted. I need help. I need another one. By the way, taping for Inside Edition was awesome. I will post about that tonight when I am drinking a DC with lime from a frozen cold glass......

Sick Leave

As if there was such a thing...I wish! We have been away on sick leave for the past month. I have had a nasty infection that I've been battling now for 2 months. Now on top of that a lovely bladder infection. I AM NOT EVEN DRINKING DIET COKE!!! I have no idea how that came about. I drink more water than my whole family combined. Maybe I should drink diet coke again.....

Patrick, Alex and Madison all have sinus infections (which is what I started out with early in the year) and are miserable. Landon has bronchitis and has been so, so sick. I haven't seen the boy voluntarily nap for 17 years. He even stayed home again today from school. Can you spell LOTS OF HOMEWORK?

Ethan, wants to be sick so he can stay home from school. Every morning he wakes up and has a sore leg, or sore tummy, or headache. I gave in last week and said, "okay then, stay home!" so he had a fun day calling me every 10 minutes at work asking me a question. Oh the joys.

Here's a warning. Stay away. Even though we are medicated, we are a mess. I am grumpy. The laundry is needing to be done, menus are neglected and bathrooms are gross. I am going to find out if there is a magic pill to make it all better. I will let you know if it can be purchased legally.

Alex Eagle Project

Alex chose to perform a service project on behalf of the Ronald McDonald House of Kansas City. He organized a project to tie 12 quilts for sick children and then deliver them with a spaghetti dinner to the families in residence at the house. It took a lot of people to pull this off in the three weeks that he had to get it done. He learned a lot and did a great job. The staff at the house were so impressed with the project and the children love the quilts.

We are proud of Alex and his accomplishment. Great Job.

It was a labor of love.

Scout spaghetti. Yum.

Landon might get a job at a soup kitchen.

Ethan was a hard worker.

Grandma JoAnn helped a ton with sewing and teaching.

Scout quilters.

Family Home Evening at the quilt rack.