silly kids

Kids are so great! They keep you entertained all day. While taking a shower today Benson completely unrolled the new roll of toilet paper I had just put on, then as I was fixing the toilet paper Reece walked in with powdered sugar covering his face!! Crazy kids! The boys have become partners in crime!

sleep deprived--Reece style!

I tried to put this video next to Bensons but couldn't figure it out. So check out Benson's video--it's after the white coat ceremony post. Oh, please turn your computer on MUTE--I sound like i'm crying but I'm really just laughing.

White coat ceremony

Last Friday was the official white coat ceremony. All the medical student received their first "doctor's white coat"! It was a really nice event. Spencer's parents, Grandparents, and My Dad and Natalie came to the event! We started the day by picking up my Dad, Chad, and Natalie at the airport and then having a picnic at the part in Pullman. We introduced our favorite family game--Frisbee golf! It was a blast! We then piled into our van (all 8 of us) and showed the family both campuses (U of I and WSU) which Spencer attends. Then we relaxed in our cozy apartment until dinner. Dinner was delicious (we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant here in town) and then were off to the big event.

Each semester the students spend 3 hours a week shadowing a doctor. Spencer's doctors weren't able to make it and so one of his instructors gave him his coat. His instructor gave some impressive remarks about Spencer and told him he will make a great Doctor!!! He commented on how well he has done this semester and how impressed he was with how Spencer has dealt with the unexpected health issues we have had lately (that being diabetes).

Thanks family for coming to Moscow for this special event! We had so much fun with all of you and you definitely made the event more special! We are so proud of Spencer and all the hard work he has put in this year. Although school life has been extremely consuming, he always finds time for our family and puts us before his studies! What a great man! Love ya Spencer!

Sleep deprived

Thanks to the early rising Sun--Benson has been waking up extra early. Consequently he has been taking his nap from 10:30-12:30pm and then Reece takes his nap/quiet time from 12:30-2:30pm. Obviously this is a TERRIBLE schedule. Today I decided I was going to keep Benson up until 12:30pm. Check out the video to see our success story/or not so successful story.

diabetically speaking...

To those who "get me". You have to watch this movie about a mom who has children with diabetes. It is HILARIOUS! I laughed so hard I cried--I know you will too! enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDATgiMwRNA&feature=related

Happy appointment!

Well, it's only been a week and we are back at the doctors office. Luckily this time it was for Benson's 1 year old well baby check. Our doc was happy with his progress and said he looks great (minus the black poopies he has had lately--hopefully that will clear once he's off antibiotics!). Here are his stats:

Head: 90% percentile

Length: 75% percentile

Weight: 25% percentile

(picture taken after diabetes dx)

This picture sums up Benson. He is the happiest kid no matter the circumstances. I poke his fragile fingers 8-10 times a day and give him 5-7 shots a day and in return he gives me hugs and kisses all day long. What a man!

Precious moment

Sunday Morning before church-

Me: Reece, do you know why we celebrate Easter?
Reece: ya, because the Easter bunny comes.
Me: Is there another reason we celebrate Easter?
Reece: ya, Jesus Christ died.
Me: you're right. Then what happened?
Reece: he cried and then blessed the children!

Easter week

We started out the week with Krystle and Josh over for family home evening. We dyed eggs while watching the NCAA National championship game. Then on Friday the boys and I went Bowling with Jackie and Nicki. After bowling we went to Spokane and did a little shopping and played in the swimming pool at our hotel. Sunday morning the Easter bunny surprised us with some Easter baskets which the boys LOVED! After church we went to Krystle and Josh's for dinner (which was delicious!) and luckily the Easter bunny stopped by her house so Reece was able to go on an Easter egg hunt! Benson pooped THREE times at her house and never stopped grinding his teeth!! Oh joy!

EASTER MORNING!

Bowling: Last year I went bowling with Reece and ended up chasing him down the lane with my 9 MONTH BELLY (yes, Benson was born just weeks after that). This year we continued tradition by pouring Benson's food all over the floor!

Benson is the biggest mama's boy--so I had him on one hip, and the ball on the other.

Reece & Jackie

Josh and Krystle (pic taken by Reece)

Benson eating an egg that fell on the floor

Conference weekend

I can honestly say we sat down and watched SEVEN hours of conference. Although we were sitting for 7 hours--most of it consisted of the boys being super whinny, crazy, and just out of control. So to be honest, if I want to remember ANYTHING that was said I will have to read it in the Ensign. I can probably blame most of the craziness to a nasty bug that has taken over my children. Reece and Benson are currently on Z-packs (they have AWFUL coughs and fevers). My goal is to make it at least a month without seeing a single doctor. Wish me luck!

Before I take the boys to the doctor I use Spencer's equipment on them so they know what to expect. It's works like a charm!

The boys after getting a hair cut from Mom. We have two traditions during conference-Haircuts and German Pancakes

Reece feeding Percy.

bOiSe FuN!

Kristi and Paul are getting MARRIED May 21st in the Boise, Idaho Temple and will have a reception at the train depot the next day. We are super excited for her and Paul. They make an awesome couple and we love them tons! To celebrate the engagement Jamie and I went down to Boise to help Kristi find her wedding dress (it's tradition that all us sisters go together to find the perfect dress)! She looked HOT in so many dresses but we found one in particular that is stunning on her! It was fun to be with the sisters and have some crazy girl time together.
Kristi and Paul at Jamie and Matt's wedding a couple months ago:


On Thursday my family went to Utah and so I stayed with the Millers and was planning on leaving the next day--but then I was pleasantly surprised when Clarissa and Colby showed up Thursday night! We had a BLAST together and I was super sad to say good-bye. Love ya Riss! Benson and Colby are 7 weeks apart and so it was fun to see them interact and play together.
Colby and Benson


Watching Colby eat is a gas--he opens his mouth as wide as he can for every bite--it's so dang adorable!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY BENSON!!!!

Benson turned one last Thursday!!!

My top 5 most favorite things about Benson:

1) He's a champion and will fight for anything

2) He's the strongest and braviest little guy

3) He has the the best cheezy smile

4) He's a mama's boy and cuddles with me all day long!

5) He has a sweet spirit and will laugh at anything

Benson: March 26th, 2008

Benson: March 26th, 2009

Benson LOVING his frosting

Drugged by his spaghetti

Mr. Cheese

Benson was hilarious tonight. He was ALL CHEESE. He had black beans, green peas, whole milk, and baby food covering his face.

Computer junkies & old man Benson

The other day I found Benson sitting in front of the T.V. looking like a total zombie. I had to quickly capture the moment because he has NEVER been interested in the T.V. He LOVES to turn the t.v. off and on (mostly because he gets a reaction out of his brother) but will never pay any attention to it. I love this picture because he looks like a sweet old man! LoVe HiM!!!

For the past two mornings Reece has woken up and asked, "mom, can Kennedy come over and play ABCD's with me?". There's a really good website called "STARFALL.COM" that is free and teaches you the letters and sounds of the alphabet. They would sit here all day if I let them. I usually give them popcorn and juice while they play. I've started giving them time limits because the other day they played for THREE HOURS. We have a new computer rules:
*They can't play on the computer until we've gone on a walk.
*After an hour on the computer they are DONE. Time for something new.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Our awesome neighbors

Today I get to watch Kaiden and Kennedy while Miller is at the hospital getting his tonsils out. So far we've had a great day; french toast in the morning, ABC's and computer games, Hairspray, Mama Mia (their favorite), ice cream sandwiches (smartcookie style...yum!!), and a photo shoot which I loved! Kennedy is the perfect girl to play dress up with. She LOVES jewelry, make-up, high-heels, and dresses. What more could I ask for. Check out the pictures!

Super-star Kennedy

Boys glued to the computer

My little model

The fort took up our whole living room. But, it was well worth it because they spent almost 3 hours in it and thought I was the coolest neighbor ever!!

Quick update

It's been a month since I last updated my blog so i'll just give a quick update:

The boys and I went to Boise for 2 weeks to play with the fam and babysit the Hastings kids. we went snow skiing with my family and bought a double stroller! yea! I also met with two other ladies who have boys with diabetes. I felt 100 pounds lighter after talking to them for a couple hours. I have a better idea of what to expect in the future plus I have two new friends who completely understand our new life.

Benson had his first appointment since the hospital with his endocrinologist. I was a nervous wreck going into the appointment. I thought for sure I had messed him up for life. Luckily, the doctor was super impressed with his numbers and said he is doing great. At every appointment they take our BG (blood-glucose) monitor and download his numbers. So when our doctor came in he looked at me and said, "you a little tired? You need to sleep more". He saw I was checking him 3-5 times during the night and told me that was a little excessive and I needed to stop worrying and go to sleep. I'm still working on that!

Reece just had his 3 year old appointment and we found out he is severely allergic to peanuts (we have to carry an epi-pen with us everywhere we go and I had to give away everything that had peanuts in it), he had a double ear infection, and he is being sent to the Shriner's hospital to fix his big toes (his big toe curls under his pointer toe when he walks). We aren't sure if he will need surgery yet, hopefully they can correct it some other way.

Spencer has been super busy studying. He dissected the brain and face last week. He found it to be interesting, I thought it was disgusting. That sums up his life!

As for myself, I might move to California for a couple weeks if it doesn't stop snowing in Moscow. I have to be honest--Moscow has terrible winters. It's not the weather that makes it so bad, it's that everyone hybernates during January and February because there is NO WHERE to GO (except Walmart...honestly) and it is to cold to be outside. Other than that life is good. AND...I have another support group (childrenwithdiabetes.com) that meets every year at Disneyworld around this time. So, unfortunately I HAVE to go to DISNEYWORLD next year! :)

Persee our fish is happy and very spoiled. Alaina and Traci took great care of him while we were in Boise.

Precious! If you look closely you can see his bottom teeth!

Reece on his new scooter from Blow!

Baby Jake. He is sooooo handsome!

One moment they are best buddies reading books...

and within a blink of an eye they are typical little boys wrestling one another.

Someday I'll be big like Daddy!

Reece and Natalie--this is one of my parents wild rabbits. Nat and Reece chased it around for about 15 mins before capturing it.

SISTERS!