Ashton's 6th birthday

Six years ago, I was two days past my due date and big as a house. It was Sunday morning and as I got out of bed my water broke - yeah! We drove Garrett and Lauren to their cousin's house and headed to Jordan Valley Hospital. Upon arrival, I was assigned a grouchy nurse and an even grouchier doctor (on call doc.) who wanted me to hurry up so he could leave. My doctor was taking her twins to the circus that day and wouldn't be able to come in. Anyways, I called my mom and dad who lived in St. George so they could try and make it for the birth. Jacki, my mother-in-law and Tracie showed up to check on us at the hospital too. We were in a tug of war with the on call doctor because he wanted to put me on pitosin and my reg doc. said no pit. since I was a v-bac. She had previously explained the risks of pit. and vbacs. and she agreed to let me labor 6 hours before she would insist on a c-section. I won the battle of pitosin because my labor pains became intense. I tried to get an epidural, but I had waited too long and Ashton was ready to arrive. I remember crying to the doctor and saying there is no way I can do this, and he calmly said, "You're the only one who can do this." After about a few hard contractions and pushes, Ashton arrived. He was 8 lbs 15 oz. and 21 inches long. He was filled out and beautiful. I truly felt great since I didn't get an epidural and wasn't numb. Travis cut the cord and gave Ash his first bath and we all climbed in bed together!

Out of all my babies, Ashton was the best baby. I'm not sure if it was that I was experienced/older or that he was just a sweetie. He slept through the night by 7 weeks. He nursed like a pro. He wasn't colicky or ornery.

Shortly after Ashton turned one, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I immediately had to stop nursing, have many surgeries, chemo and radiation. I lost my hair, and spent many hours at doctor visits. Ashton was cared for by many wonderful neighbors, friends and family during this rough year. I am grateful for their influence on him.

The other day, Ashton asked me if other moms go to treatment. It occurred to me that he has only known a "sick" mom. Although I know I don't look sick, our lives are scheduled around herceptin treatments, zometa treatments, scans, and doctor appointments. Ashton attends them all with me. Last week at treatment he finally noticed that he was the only kid that comes to the chemo room. I just told him that the other kids are in school. He is comfortable in this room. He gets himself juices, crackers, licorice, and his favorite - jolly ranchers. He remembers to lock both doors on the bathrooms and always asks me if I have to pee in the cup today.

Ashton had a super fun kids birthday party. It was lego themed and fun. We had 17 kids. We built 3 different "fav's" of Ashton: ships, guns and buildings. We then played Hot "lego". Following hot lego, we did a lego car pinata. Finally, the kids painted some homemade legos made of plaster paris. I created cake that looked like legos, not professional, but fun.

I love my three kids, and am especially enjoying every minute with my Ash. He just started kindergarten this year and is the VIP today. Below are a few things about Ashton.

Favorite Food: Pepperoni cheese Pizza
Favorite Dessert: Brownies
Favorite Movie: UP and Star Wars
Favorite Musician: Taylor Swift
Favorite Song: Love Story
Favorite Sport: Soccer or baseball
Favorite Dad thing: Wrestle after work
Favorite Mom thing: Play Catch Phrase
Favorite Garrett thing: Play legos
Favorite Lauren thing: Jump on the tramp
Favorite Restaurant: Red Robin
Favorite toy: Wolverine Glove
Favorite Book: Arthur's Eyes
Favorite Scripture Story: Jesus getting baptized by John the Baptist
When he grows up: He wants to be a Full Wizard
Wants to go to college: UTAH

Happy Birthday Ashton!

Mesa Verde, CO - Sept. 4-7, 2009

If you are following along with us this summer, by now you are ready to stay home! It has been a crazy summer and not quite over yet. This spring we had originally planned to hike down to Havasu Falls, but we had several things that wouldn't allow us to make it this year. We really wanted to take the entire family to somewhere not many of us had gone to, so we decide to go to Mesa Verde, CO. and see the cliff dwellings of the Anasazi Indians. We were so excited to head down there with our good friends the Andersons and Kimballs. There were 18 of us total. We left late on Friday after work and drove through Moab, Monticello, Cortez Co. and finally arrived at the Morefield Campground in Mesa Verde. We attempted to set up camp and realized we left an important part of our Springbar tent. Yikes! We piled our three kids in the small tent and blew up an air mattress and slept in our car.

Saturday morning we all headed down to the Cliff Palace guided tour. We learned something new, I had told the kids that the people that had lived in these dwellings were Anasazi, but we learned that morning that they are being referred to now as Ancestral Pueblo. They lived in this area from 500 AD to 1100 AD on the Mesas. Around 1150 AD several hundred moved into the cliffs and built these amazing dwellings in the cliffs and lived there until around 1320 AD when archeologists think them moved down into the valleys of New Mexico and CO. due to a severe 24 year long drought. We learned so much and got to climb tall ladders, crawl through rock slots, and hike in great temperatures. We spent the enter day on that side of Mesa Verde. That evening we cooked taco salads and hunkered down for a wicked rain storm. Sunday morning we went to the Wetherill Mesa where Long House is located. We took a tram and hiked down to see Long house and Step house. They were amazing and we got to hike into pit houses, and Kivas too! After a long day going through ruins, we went back and cooked dutch oven chicken and potatoes and peach cobbler. The kids played scum and we all chatted. No campfires due to high fire danger :(. Monday morning we packed up and headed to Moab to see the dinosaur tracks and Petrogliphs. We then had our last supper at Wendys and got home around 7pm. We had a blast! We have all been friends since we lived back in our first homes in West Valley 15 years ago! Mesa Verde was educational and very cool!

Yard Sale For the Cure - August 22, 2009

On Saturday, Aug. 22nd our Komen 3-day Team pulled off an amazing "Yard Sale for the Cure". Although I have raised the $ 2,300 required to walk the 3-day Komen Breast Cancer walk in AZ, most of my team hasn't. We decided to do a massive garage sale. We asked for donations from friends and family and we rec'd A LOT of stuff. (thanks by the way!) We also decided to sell scones and ice cold water bottles. We made over $ 100 in just food sales! Aunt Jack and my friend Andrea manned the food booth. Nanc was the cashier and Aunt Jane was in charge. She priced, she haggled but most of all she made the AMAZING signs and posted them everywhere! They were super cute (see pics below!). She is super creative and always so helpful. Tracie and I priced items and sorted things for two days prior to the sale. Our other team members (minus my sister who lives in AZ.) helped too. When all was said and done, we raised $ 1400 +. Each walker will receive $ 350 to help them reach their $ 2300. I so appreciate everyone's efforts to crush this crappy disease! Only 9 weeks to go until the walk!!!!