First day of Jr. High

Yesterday, Zach went to his first day of Jr. High.  The seventh graders get to go a day early so the can find their way around without the crowd.  The class officers are there to help them when needed.
Zach said that he only got lost twice and that was because he asked directions to a class.  The students told him the wrong directions.  He also said that he couldn't get his locker open but his locker partner (Josh) could.  So things were great.  Thank goodness he is a easy going kid or the day could have been a disaster.
Zach loved it.
Today will be the real test with all of the students there.  We will see what he has to say today.

Great news!!

I took Zach in to the Doctor's to get the news about his MRI and what the doctor thought should happen next.  Great news... the tumor is very common in growing children.  It is basically just extra bone growth that isn't cancerous. He said that it will continue to grow as long as Zach continues to grow. But that they don't remove them unless they start to hurt or get in the way off his performance.  So we will keep track off it for the next few years and pray that he will not need surgery.

One great Bishop

Braden gave the prayer on the sacrament bread for the first time yesterday.  He had to start over 3 times.  After he messed up the first time, I could tell that he was really nervous.  He was talking really fast and would repeat words.  After the 3 mess ups, there was a long pause, okay it seemed like a long pause to me, the Bishop got up and walked over to the table.  Quietly knelt down by Braden and put his hand on his back.  He quietly talked to Braden.  I could see the tension leave Braden's body and he started the prayer over, the Bishop staying right there with him.  It was one of the sweetest things I have ever seen.
It was really hard for me to sit in the congregation, seeing my son struggle and not being able to do anything.  I'm sure it was hard for Loren too.  But the Bishop saved us and Braden by being the loving person that he is.  We love you Bishop Spencer!

 Braden told me after words, that some one had taken the bigger card with the prayer on it and he was using the very small one.  He kept losing his place and had to start over.  When the Bishop came over, he handed Braden a big card and that really helped.

Zach scout camp

Zach survived Scout camp at Bear lake.  He said that he had a blast!! He even enjoyed wilderness survival.
He said that he and another boy in the ward went looking for a good spot to build a shelter for the night when they came upon a nice one left behind by some one else.  So they threw their things inside of it and went to help the other boy make theirs.  One night the leaders took them out for ice cream.  Sounds like roughing it to me.  He was glad to be home and take a shower.  Even boys, can only go so long living in dirt.

Zach's test results

Got the phone call about Zach's leg.  He has what is called a Distal femur osterochondroma or in real language--a bone tumor. It may or may not need to be removed.  He also has some joint fusion in his knee. So back to the doctors we go next Thursday to see what the doctor decides.

Still raining

They say that trials are great learning experiences. But may I have a break for awhile.

Hope got a stomach virus last week and was throwing up.  The next day Ethan and Parker got the same thing.  After the fever left the throw ups did too but diarrhea followed.  The boys got over it quickly. Hope wasn't so lucky.  She was doing great Saturday so we went to church on Sunday.  Loren then told me he wasn't feeling well.  Monday Hope was grumpy and today she is throwing up, again.  Poor girl.

Parker came out of his room just before lunch crying that the cat had opened his bedroom door and ate his new bird ( yes the cat can actually open doors, the silly thing). I went up to his room to find the cage on the floor, bird seed everywhere and feathers on the floor.  A very content cat laying on the floor.  So I consoled Parker and cleaned up the mess.  Later that evening I heard shouts of joy coming from Parkers room.  The bird was a live.  I don't know where it had hid because we all looked for it and I cleaned things up in the room and vacuumed and didn't find it.  But yeah, it is a live. That is if it doesn't die of stress.

Yes, we now have a parakeet and a hermit crab for pets.

The dogs were giving me too much stress. Everyday, I stressed about them getting out the front door or out of the backyard somehow and what the neighbors would do if they saw them out of the yard!  I have enough to worry about without dogs and neighbors so we found new homes for the dogs.  They are being very spoiled!!

I was supposed to get Zach's MRI results today. I even called and left a message. But they didn't call back. So I'll bug them again tomorrow.

Braden Survived Scout camp

Braden went to Moab for scout camp this year.  They went rock climbing and repelling. He repelled 135 foot cliff and loved it!!  Says he wants to go again.They went white water river rafting and for a mountain drive in a unimog--Straight up and straight down the side of a mountain. He had a blast, even when they had a flash flood and their camp got flooded and things where floating around.  He said that they had gone to the store to buy seasonings to put on the steak they were going to BBQ for dinner and when they got back everything was under water. So they went out to eat at a pizza place.  Their tents didn't get wet inside-miracle.  The boys were worn out and another big storm rolling in so they packed up early and headed home.  They got home around 11 p.m. Thursday night instead of coming home Friday morning.  But they didn't mind.
Friday they spent the whole morning washing muddy tents and other supplies and getting things put away.

The leaders took pictures and I will add them as soon as I receive them.

Thanks wonderful leaders and Bishop Spencer for your time and effort to make this a great learning experience for my son!!

Hope is 11 months old

                                                    Our little Hope isn't so little anymore.
she is now 11 months old and thinks she's at least 3 yrs old.  She is doing her best to keep up with all of her brothers and sister.
She walks, as long as she can touch something, a wall, the back of a couch, chair, etc..
Her newest word is DUMB. can you believe it.  She also says nummy for yummy.
She thinks that she needs to play with what ever the other kids are playing with. And will often try to take things away from them.  She has crawled up 2 steps and come back down. She loves to go to sleep listening to...hula music.  She is a hoot. We love her to pieces.

Zach's Dr. Apt.

Zach had his Dr. Apt with the specialist today.  They had more x-rays taken and decided that he needs an MRI with contrast.  So that is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.

Test results

We got a call from the doctor today.  The results for Braden's ECHO are... all NORMAL!  What a relief.
It is a good thing since Braden went to scout camp this morning.  I won't have to worry about him as much.