Our Big Backyard

We live in Sterling Heights, Michigan a suburb of Detroit where, according to Wikipedia, there were 1,297.6 housing units per square mile in 2000.  Needless to say, our backyard actually is not that big, however, we have a lot happening on this little piece of Earth.

Kai loves lounging on the deck and taking in the sun in his new anti-gravity chair he got for Father's Day.  He doesn't get to see much sun when he's working long hours at the hospital so he takes every chance he gets to soak it up.

Our yard may not be that big but with a play structure in our yard, a swimming pool in a neighbor's yard, and a trampoline in another neighbor's yard the fun has grown by leaps and bounds!

Kai had the week off from the hospital but he definitely put in the hours at home.  I'm so grateful for a father who taught me to work hard and a husband who will work alongside me.  The result of a few days labor is a gorgeous play structure and deck.  It's amazing how happy a few flowers, some mulch, and stain can make me.

A mother duck and her little ducklings passed through our yard.  We're not sure how they got in but they definitely had trouble getting out.  The little babes could pass under our gate but unfortunately the mother couldn't and she didn't seem willing to fly over with her little ones still on the ground.  Kai opened the gate from the other side and we watched as she escorted her little family through the neighborhood taking cover behind every bush in our neighborhood.

Then when it seemed our yard just couldn't get any better for a family of boys there was a tap on my bedroom door.  "Mom I caught a toad out in the yard."
"What did you catch it in?" asked the nursing mother.
"My hands."
"Where is it now?"
"My hands."
The toad did make it safely back outside and was curiously examined for quite some time before everyone decided that the Speed Racer took care of himself before and would be just fine if we let him go back into the wild of our big backyard.

Spyder

It's official, I am outnumbered.  It took Dad only a few minutes to convince Samuel, Nicholas, and Sean that having a pet tarantula would be fun.  They worked hard all week to get the enormous "Honey Do" list done, and then begged.  I must be the most patient, loving, and gullible mother in the world because now living in my home is our new pet, Spyder.

The kids do love to watch him and are constantly trying to count the crickets hopping all over the cage to see if he has eaten one while they were sleeping.  However, holding him will take a little getting used to for all of us.  I'm not sure which worried Sam more, the fact that Spyder was climbing up his little body or the look on my face.  He was happy to put him back in the cage but is still constantly begging to hold him again.

Sean's Baby Blessing

Today Sean was given a name and a blessing by his father.  Priesthood holders within the circle included Justin Twitchell, Jay Majeske, Paul Hornung, Derek Freestone, and Bishop Folsom.  Kai blessed that Sean would be sensitive to the spirit.  He blessed him with health and strength enough to accomplish his purpose on Earth.  Sean was also blessed to find a wife and that together they would raise an eternal family.

It was a special day and although grandparents and other extended family were greatly missed we felt both a strong spirit of the priesthood power from men within the blessing circle and the love from a wonderful "ward family."    Following church we had a fun barbecue in Sean's honor, in attendance were the Twitchell's, Majeske's, Hornung's, Freestone's, and Stephenson's.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be married to a worthy priesthood holder who is a wonderful husband and father.  I am grateful that Sean has chosen to be a part of our eternal family.  He has already brought so much joy to our family, and I know that as he puts his trust in the Lord and is sensitive to the spirit his time here will lead him home to his Heavenly Father.

Sean Matthew Elliott - April 29, 2010 11:41 AM

Ten perfect fingers,

Ten perfect toes,

Mommy's eyes,

Daddy's nose,

Oh little baby

How much

You are loved!

Nicholas Kai Elliott 2010

It seems like just yesterday he was little.  Sometimes I miss those days, but the joy and fun he brings us now is unexplainable.  Dad loves hanging out with him, playing video games with him, and during snowball fights and bean bag fights their difference in ages disappears.  He is becoming a responsible person as he chooses to get his homework done before requesting to play video games and is a big help when Mom is in a cleaning frenzy.  He cares for his family and expresses his love and gratitude for us all in every prayer to his Heavenly Father.  Children truly are the greatest joy in our lives.

MATCH DAY

So after months of stressing it's over. Kai matched into Orthopedic Surgery in Warren, Michigan. He had virtually given up on it, thinking that everything he did just wasn't enough, but it's true after all you can do the Lord will do the rest. So we will be official residents of Michigan on July 1, 2009.

First Day of School...

September 2nd was Nicholas's first day of Kindegarton. His first day was a half-day and although Mom was extremely nervous Nicholas was just excited to go to school. His second day was a full day and he was dragging his feet until I mentioned meeting the bus, I've never seen him get ready so fast. We met the bus at 8:30 and the bus driver probably new this was my oldest child with all my questions (Is this the bus to Oakbrook?, Does he have to find his class by himself?, Will he sit up front?) After I put him on the bus Samuel and I jumped in the minivan and followed it to the school. I got separated from it at one point and never saw him get off the bus. I looked and looked but couldn't see him in line for his class either. I grabbed Sam and hurried to his door where he was supposed to line up and there he stood.

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

"Well I just wanted to make sure you made it okay. Did you get off the bus and in line all by yourself?"

"Yes Mom, Room 2. Remember?"