What Rachel is Reading

Everyone is Beautiful by Katherine Center
Lanie is a wife and mother of 3 (gee, that sound familar) that packs up her home and heads to Boston so her husband can pursue his dreams of becoming a professional musician. But, Lanie realizes that she too has dreams, or did, at some point. She sets changes in motion, joining a gym, signing up for a photography class-all to help her feel like her "old self" again.
I 100% got this book. I identified so much with Lanie, it could have been me in that book. Occasionally (okay, more than occasionally), I do feel drained with the day to day care of my children and husband, and wish I could be just me. This book helped me to see that I have changed-and change is good, but I can still be me, and Mama, and Jeremy's wife. In fact, it is important that I find me in the midst of everything. And most importantly-I am beautiful-in every walk of life I am currently in. And now, I quote from that book that I love and am going to hang up on my mirror-
"Laughter is beautiful. Kindness is beautiful. Cellulite is beautiful. Softness and plumpness and roundness are beautiful. It is more important to be interesting, to be vivid, and to be adventurous, than to sit pretty for pictures. A woman's soft tummy is a miracle of nature. Beauty comes from tenderness. Beauty comes from variety, from specificity, from the fact that no person in the world looks exactly like anyone else. Beauty comes from the tragedy that each person's life is destined to be lost to time. I believe woman are too hard on themselves. I believe that when you love someone, she becomes beautiful to you. I believe the eyes see everything through the heart-and nothing in the world feels as good as resting them on someone you love. I have trained my eyes to look for beauty, and I've gotten very good at finding it."
This is a book that needs to be on my bookshelf. (Caution: there is some language in it.)

Aidan's Favorites-age 6

So, I sat down with the new 6 year old to interview him about his favorite things over the last year. (I hope to find or take a much better picture in the near future.) Favorite color? blue
Favorite foods? watermelon, french fries, roast (grilled) cheese sandwiches
Favorite movie? Everybody's Hero
Favorite TV show? Spongebob Squarepants
Favorite actvity? play with my Legos
Favorite video game? Lego Harry Potter
Best Friend? Gabe
Favorite Subject in school? playing at recess and doing homework

Favorite Primary song? A Child's Prayer

Favorite candy? lollipops

What did you like about being 5? going to school

Favorite restaraunt? McDonalds

What do you want to learn this next year? karate

I also like to go camping. I also like to read the Magic Treehouse books with my mom.

Aidan is 3 ft, 7 in. tall and weighs 38 pounds as of August 17, 2010.

Wyatt's Kidney Update

I just thought that I would update on Wyatt's kidney's and share some pictures of our trip. We had a real fast jump down to Salt Lake City so Wyatt could have a follow up renal scan of his kidneys. Wyatt still has hydronephrosis in both kidneys. His urologist said because he was born this way, the kidneys will just never shrink down to normal size, and that is fine, as long as they are operating okay. Wyatt's right kidney is working just fine, but his left is only operating at about 15%. Again, this is okay. Something that we need to keep track of, but his doctor said that kids are born with 1 kidney and they never have an issue. So, all in all-he's fine, but we are still going to monitor occasionally. Next test he needs is an ultrasound next summer, so we have a while. Now, some pictures. . .

This one breaks my heart. They had to strap him down for the scan. Wyatt had to stay still for 45 minutes, with an IV in one arm and a catheter. Poor little man. This is my least favorite test for him to do. He had a rough time. About the only saving grace was they let him watch Cars during the test and he fell asleep because he cried himself out. But, he got a 5 pack of Matchbox cars as a prize afterward. That was way cool.

After the renal scan, we went upstairs to talk to his urologist, Dr. Cartwright. (We really like him. He is a nice guy and very helpful.) Jeremy and Wyatt in his waiting room. They covered his IV sight with wrap that had cars on it. Even though it was just fine, he insisted that he keep it on to show Aidan later that night when we got home (Aidan and Lydia were at Grandma and Grandpa's so we could keep all our attention on Wyatt.)

Eating at the Rainbow Cafe at Primary Children's Medical Center. Yum! We were so happy that he was finally eating!

Jeremy and I decided that we would take him to Build a Bear to make his own stuffed animal as his own prize. He chose this cute little dog that he named Ruff Ruff. He thought it was so cool. Wyatt pushed Ruff Ruff around in his stroller all over the mall.
The fountain at the Gateway Mall. We stopped to play to get our wiggles out before we headed home. We were only gone 24 hours, but we were tired. I am so glad that Wyatt is doing well. Hopefully he grows out of it and we don't need to worry anymore.

Happy Birthday Aidan!

Aidan turned 6 on August 9. I cannot believe that I have a 6 year old! Where the heck did time go? And what a sweet, wonderful 6 year old I have. I really lucked out with my Ace. Here is how we celebrated his big day.

It was difficult for Aidan to decide what he wanted for a birthday party. He has so many things that he loves, he couldn't narrow it down. So, I helped him out and we decided to do a fun Phineas and Ferb party. We could play some fun, wet and messy games. And I made him a Perry the Platypus cake. I think it turned out pretty awesome. First time using fondant and everything. Aidan insisted on inviting all of his friends, and we sent out 16 invitations. Everyone but 1 made it. It was a huge blast! About 1 hour before his party, the clouds and the rains came. Everything was going to be outside and Jeremy and I were scrambling to make alternative plans. But Aidan just told us that he prayed that it wouldn't rain, and what do you know? It stopped just in time for the party and stayed nice for it.

Here are some of them eating cake and ice on the trampoline. Aidan has the greatest friends!We had some really fun games. We played with the parachute, had egg races, ate donuts off of strings and played with water balloons. Here, they are searching through a swimming pool full of jello for pennies. This was a big hit. Aidan, with a mouth full of donut. Water balloon catch. We didn't get too wet, but it was a lot of fun!After the party, we made Aidan's request for dinner (waffles, eggs and bacon with chocolate milk) and then had Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Julia and Uncle Neil over for presents and cake. Aidan was so excited-he wanted to eat Perry's tail. Aidan got so many presents. He loves to play with Legos and he got a whole lot of them. He also got lots of school supplies, a new backpack and some new clothes for school. And Lego Harry Potter for Wii. Another fun thing he got to do for his birthday was he went with his Grandpa swimming and to the zoo. They had so much fun doing that together! He also got a gift card from his other Grandma and Grandpa and picked out a light saber.
He wanted a red one so he could be a Sith. Now, he wants to be Darth Vader for Halloween!

Aidan had a fantastic birthday-we are so blessed to have this sweet boy in our home. I have so enjoyed seeing him grow into this boy! I love you Aidan!

What Rachel is Reading

The Walk by Richard Paul Evans

In the space of 6 weeks, Alan Christoffersen literally loses everything. He wants to end his life, but instead, he decides to walk. To Key West, Florida. The furthest place in the continential USA from where he stands. The people he encounters along the way, and the lessons they share, will save his life.

I love Richard Paul Evans books. They are easy reads, and usually very inspiring. This one was no different. Al's situation had me in tears at several points and I really felt for him. I have never felt the kind of loss and tragedy and betrayal that he had, but I felt like I was right next to him on his journey. The tinest little part of me even wanted to tie on some hiking boots and head for Florida myself. Best of all, The Walk isn't finished. The rest of the trip will be continued in April 2011! (I love sequels!)

Sleeping on the Trampoline

Jeremy has been promising Aidan to sleep outside on the trampoline all summer. So a few weeks ago, they hauled all the blankets outside to campout. No, Lydia wasn't sleeping with them. Neither was I. Us girls had our own little indoor sleep out in our nice, soft, comfy, warm beds.All hunkered down. However, about midnight, the winds and the rains came and 3 wet, cranky, cold boys came running in. Aidan was really disapointed, but the next weekend, they tried it again, and this time, the weather cooperated. And I had pictures of that, but I can't find them anywhere. Jeremy is such a good daddy!

The Mischief Makers

They found the food coloring. Three baths later, they were closer to their original color. However, the jammies were not to be saved. I am just thankful that they took it outside to experiment with. These 2 are not to be trifled with. I swear, they play off each other!