Wednesday, August 27, 2008

End of summer...

W-O-W, I can’t believe how long it has been since I posted something. I hate it when others allow their blogs to become really outdated, so, sorry about the lengthy gap in time between my last post and this one. August was a very busy month. Bryson kicked it off by going fishing in Alaska with my dad and brothers.He brought home tons of fresh salmon and halibut. I spent nearly every day hanging out with my mom while Bry was gone. All of the “girls-only” trips women seem to long for with their friends don’t look that fun to me. A trip without Bryson sounds downright dull for the most part. However, if I could ever convince my dad to let my mom leave him for a few days, :-) I would LOVE to take a little vaca with her and my sisters. At any rate, while Bry was in Alaska I went to the midnight release of Breaking Dawn.With my husband gone, I was free to neglect my kids and read practically nonstop. (kidding!) The week after Bry returned home from Gov. Palin’s great state, our friends from Spain, Xavi Costa and Anna Soler, came for a visit. They stayed with us for a week. We swam at the Heaton’s pool, went to dinner at The Melting Pot (I really love eating there!), and rented a cabin in Timberlakes so we could play in the mountains and nearby Park City.While they were in Utah, Xavi’s dad, Quim, was in Beijing at the Olympics as an assistant coach for the Spanish national basketball team. We watched Spain play the USA and got to see Quim on tv several times. Xavi and Anna left on a Sunday and the following Tuesday Education Week at BYU started. I had the most amazing time attending classes. I went to one class called “Rock-Solid Families” by Mark Ogletree that I really liked! He has all the Powerpoints he used at Education Week online at http://www.doctreefam.com/ (under Presentations) and I would totally recommend checking them out and discussing them for a FHE. Being back on campus felt great. I miss school.I got Bryson an evening pass too, so every night after work he went with me for a couple of hours. It was really fun to go to classes together. I have such a sweet husband that is so supportive of me. The last week of August was spent up at Primary Children’s so Hunter could start a new treatment for his seizures. The treatment is called the Ketogenic diet. So far it has yielded inconsistent results at best. Bryson stayed at the hospital with Hunter for three days because I didn’t feel comfortable taking Eleyna up to germ central. During their stay Bry was puked and pooped on! He is such a gentle, good father. Anyhow, that pretty much sums up the rest of our summer. I am so sad that the glorious warm weather is on its way out. At least there is still fall to enjoy before yucky winter arrives.Other than the constant battle with seizures, Hunter is doing well. He is getting so tall and handsome.Eleyna is a pure bundle of joy! She is the most smiley baby I’ve ever seen with the cutest little giggle. She sits up great in her Bumbo chair and is starting to rollover. Watching her develop so easily is a miracle. Props to all of you dedicated readers who actually made it to the end of this novel.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Brother and sister



Eleyna's blessing

We blessed Eleyna on Sunday, July 6, 2008. It was such a special day. I got teary eyed watching all of the men I love walk to the front of the chapel to bless my little girl: my husband, my dad, my Grandpa George, Tyler and Grandpa Rassmussen. What a wonderful bunch! The blessing Bryson gave her was beautiful. I had the opportunity to bear my testimony during the meeting and express how lucky I feel to be the mother of two. I am amazed at the faith the Lord has in me to give me such precious children to care for. He must think I have real potential. :-) It is strange to me that the world might think I am exchanging the best years of my life for drudgery as a stay-at-home mom. I'm not saying that I don't have hard days-I DO! But it is worth it. One of my young women came up to me after the meeting and told me she really needed to hear what I said in my testimony. That meant so much to me! Grandpa George bore his testimony too and said a few things about Hunter. The thing he said that stuck out to me the most was that most people come to earth to learn, but a few people come to teach-like Hunter. So true! It was a very sacred, beautiful meeting. I love my ward more than I can say! After sacrament we headed back to our house for food and visiting with the fam. My mom, Janeen and Leigh all helped me with the food so I didn't have any stress on the big day. Thank you so much girls!



4th of July Parade with the Durrants





Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Flaming Gorge camping trip

Bryson took us camping this past weekend to Flaming Gorge. I was very hesitant about going with a four week old baby, but it actually turned out okay. We left Friday morning. After we arrived at our campsite, Mustang Ridge, we set up camp. Thankfully we brought our canopy so the kids had some shade to nap in while we unpacked. It was really hot that afternoon!
That evening we walked down to the reservoir and the boys fished for about an hour while Eleyna and I read. It was pretty windy so the only thing the boys caught was seaweed because their lines kept getting blown back to shore. That night we enjoyed delicious tinfoil dinners prepared and cooked by my husband. After we put the kids to bed we roasted marshmallows for s'mores and did a little star gazing. Bry went fishing the next morning early and caught a fish. When he got back he made breakfast for me-the kids and I slept in. He put too much water in the pancake mix but he added graham crackers to the batter so I didn't even notice. After breakfast we packed everything up and hit the road. A good time was enjoyed by all!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Check-up at PCMC

On Monday we ventured up to Primary Children's for Hunter's check-up with the neurologist. Hunter's seizures have been pretty unstable lately so we wanted to discuss other treatment options in case we decide to make a change. Lamictal, Depakote and the Ketogenic diet were the three alternatives the neurologist raised as possibilities. A couple of families with disabled children have been visitors on our blog recently and I thought I would see if anyone has experience with the above treatments. We are hesitant to dive into anything new because nothing is guaranteed to deliver better results than the meds we are on right now. Though, the possibility that a different treatment might improve Hunter's quality of life is highly motivating. Since summer is such a healthy time for Hunter, we will probably make a change sooner rather than later.

Hunter working out with Tiff (his PT)

Father's Day

The two men in my thoughts on Father's Day were...my HOT husband with the big biceps...

And my awesome dad (who put up with quite a bit of grief from me through the years). What a handsome grandpa!

I love you both.