A Few Snapshots of Sean...

Halloween 2010

A knight, a viking, and a dragon...

Sam's First Science Project...

Sam is studying the body in his Kindergarten class.  He has taken a particular interest in this science section because he wants to be a bone doctor when he grows up.  His teacher said that Sam has taught the entire class a lot about the body and especially the bones in the body.

This Thanksgiving weekend Sam brought home a blank tracing of his body with instructions to decorate it and label it any way they want.  Kai happened to have the weekend off and between the two of them the finished project was amazing...

Star Wars Day

I know my family is not known for being tall but Darth Vader was really intimidating!

"It's a TRAP!"

Episode after episode R2D2 is always the one who saves the day.

Nicholas thought about joining the 501st Battalion Storm Troopers but decided to go with the Rebel Alliance.

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?"

My Birthday

"Abundantly blessed," that's what I am. After worrying about Kai being gone for a month, worrying about his tests, worrying about Nicholas starting Kindergarton, and wondering what will be happening to our future over the next few months, at times I have felt very alone. However, after the past 4 days I realize that I am actually on the minds of many and am not alone at all.

It all began on Friday when I went to a Amanda's house for what was supposed to be a swimming playdate. I walked into the back door of her house after being half an hour late and found a group of sisters from our ward gathered together for a lunch and cupcakes. Yes, a surprise birthday party. I don't think I have ever had one of those. That is just the stuff dreams are made of.

My husband who was supposed to be gone for the entire month of August appeared Friday night and spent all of Saturday with his family. Who ever heard of a medical student gunning for an Orthopedic residency position spending an entire day with his family.

Saturday night I found myself sitting in a movie theatre with my husband's arm around me and a sweet kiss on the head every now and then. Summer and Brent had taken Nicholas and Sam while Kai and I went on a date. I don't think I've been in a movie theatre since "Cars" came to the big screen.

Sunday was filled with more sisters from the ward expressing their apologies for not making it to my surprise party. How many people did Summer invite?!

Monday Kimberly and Jay stole Nicholas, for what seemed like forever, so he could buy his Mom a gift. Something he'd been worried about doing since Friday when there was a party. "I thought Mom's birthday wasn't until Tuesday!" Not only did he come home with a wrapped present but also a card with a stick-figure family on the front, a stick-figure mom on the back and a child written note "Happy Birthday Mom." Kimberly helped him draw the heart. And a gift of flowers from Kimberly and Jay filled an empty vase with happiness.

Today Kai made sure he was the first to wish me a Happy Birthday at 4:20 AM, and then the usual but very cherished birthday phonecalls from my mother and sisters followed throughout the day. I went shopping with my 2 boys, who were really well behaved. Then Summer took me to lunch at Panera, "Yummm," and Karen met us there as well. When I got home I had a few Happy Birthday wishes on Facebook from thoughtful friends. Then went to Carmen's house for a delicious dinner followed by cake, ice cream, and a movie.

As I arrived home this evening I found a small gift on the front porch, but what was within was by no means small. A gift certificate to Subway and a church CD from another sister in our ward with a note that definitely brought tears.

I am definitely not alone. I have the best family and friends in the world. Words cannot express my gratitude to my friends and family for such a special birthday. I am abundantly blessed.

Oh, Nicholas bought me a cute red shirt. Now what 5 year old picks out a shirt for his mother's birthday? Only the sweetest most thoughtful 5 year old in the world. The one who makes sure his mother has a good night kiss, even when Daddy is away.

Mackinac Island (Pronounced Mackinaw)...

This last 4th of July weekend we took a road trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Michigan truly is a beautiful state once you get away from the city. We took the 4 hour drive North and crossed the Mackinac Bridge to the UP. We camped in a campground along Lake Huron, which aside from the missing waves looks more like an ocean. The mosquitoes were huge and didn't sleep during the day, but the food as always was excellant. I love camping food. We rode a ferry over to Mackinac Island and spent the day on our bikes. Mackinac Island is unique in that there is no way to drive to the island and I think that cars are not even allowed on the island. It is a very historic island with a Fort and some very old Hotels, but a very large tourist trap today. There are carriage rides and horses (street sweepers as well) or you can ride your bike. Most choose to bike it and the trails around the island are georgeous. Nicholas rode over 6 miles and was a real trooper. It was amazing to me to stand along the main street with all the tourist shops and see only bicycles. We had a great time and feel that although we are so far away from what we consider home we have been very blessed to have experiences such as these while we're on this grand adventure.

Father's Day

Father's Day approached after a very long week of being a single-car family because of some unfortunate events and a long night of Sam not feeling well. Kai had to report to the hospital at 5 AM that morning and I decided that there was no way the kids and I were going to make it to church, so I went back to sleep. However, when the kids climbed in bed with me at 8 AM the first, and only thing, on Nicholas's mind was the song he was singing his Dad for Father's Day at church (not even the Wii could distract him). So I drug myself out of bed, Nicholas got himself completely ready for church (something I have never seen before), and Majeskes picked us up for church at 8:45 with their Flip video recorder in tow just in case Dad didn't make it for this much anticipated event. Kai did make it, but since we had the camcorder I thought "Why not?" I have anticipated a bulletin announcment about not using camcorders in church but luckily there has been no such occurence. I'm pretty sure I was breaking the rules, but I thought the Grandpas would enjoy this too!

Sam's Pictures

Today we went to Portrait Innovations for Samuel's 3 year old pictures. I just love this place. They take fabulous pictures and if you can control yourself and just pick 1 pose you can get a ton of pictures for only $10. I really had a hard time choosing this time, Samuel is just so darn cute and lovable. Don't worry I will be sending out actual pictures to family and friends, but in the mean time enjoy this digital image.



He had a ton of pics with his cheesy camera smile but when I saw this I knew this was the one. This is our Sam, our genuine, lovable, sweet, caring, mischevious Sam! We love him soooo much!

Time Out For Women/Sisters...

I had the fabulous opportunity of attending Time Out For Women in Toronto, Canada and the many things I felt and heard have filled my soul to the point of bursting. I loved getting to know the sisters in my ward better and the love I now feel for them is truly the love of a sister. We giggled, we talked, and we cried. My darling husband kept the boys overnight and I am so appreciative to him for allowing me the opportunity to experience something as great as this. I want to share it all with you but that would take at least a day and a half.



So here's something that I am going to focus on for the week.

In Indonesia, Juru Selamat means Christ or in literal translation it means Expert Of Peace. That is what we are all striving to be "Experts of Peace." We must be peacemakers. For example you're running into Wal-Mart to pick up just a few things and run to the 10 items or less lane to find a lady checking out with 30 items, a large stack of unsorted coupons, and a check book. You just want to walk up shred her coupons and eat them (yes, eat them) while yelling "Can't you read the 10 items or less sign!" But no instead you stand patiently behind her envisioning how coupons would taste and then calmly compliment her on the amount of money she is saving (not to mention the time she is saving by going through the QUICK checkout). Because you are a peacemaker. It's true life can really make it difficult to be a peacemaker but I know that if we can spread peace instead of frustration or contention we can be a little more like Christ.

Georgeous Video...

I saw this video linked to Carmen's website. I typically don't pass things along but you just have to see this.

http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html

Sam Says The Darndest Things...

I just have to say that Sam is truly a "kick in the pants," you're never sure what will pop out of his mouth and when. Here's a couple of examples...

1. Last Sunday we were walking into church and behind us came a nicely dressed man. I had never seen him before but that's not saying much as we've been in Primary for the past year. Sam had been dauttling a little ways behind and found himself closer to this Brother than us. As he's running toward us he points his little finger back at the man and starts yelling "HE'S NOT A FRIEND, NOT A FRIEND!" Of course Kai and I were thoroughly embarassed but as Nicholas is starting Kindergarton where he will have to wait for a ride we had been discussing "Stranger Danger" quite thoroughly. I quickly grabbed the man's hand and explained to him what had been the topic of discussion in our house that week and welcomed him to church. I knelt down next to Sam and eventually got both of the boys to shake his hand and introduce themselves.

As we sat down in Sacrament Meeting I noticed the Brother sitting on the stand and quickly scanned the ward bulletin to find him a member of the High Council and speaking that morning. As the meeting started I could see him and the Bishop exchanging words and I felt as if they were staring at us, but we were in one of the first occupied benches and I must have been imagining things, right? Well Brother High Councilman stood for his talk and his attention grabber went something like this, "Today as I entered your building I greeted by Brother Elliott pointing up to me and yelling 'He's not a friend!'... I have to say I've never received a welcome quite like that before." I felt my face turn three shades of red as the entire ward was chuckling and I was sure that behind us everyone was staring at us as I struggled with the little guy who was trying to climb under the benches.

2. I'm sure you've all heard the Primary B-Day song. After Sam's party we were on our way home and I proceeded to sing this... "Happy, happy birthday Samuel dear. Happy days will come to you all year..." Sam starts crying in the back and protesting that he is not a Samuel dear "But you are my Samuel dear because you are sweet and loving." Sobbing Sam replies "I am not a deer I don't have horns!"

This little guy never ceases to amaze me and others with his quick thinking, witty personality, and heart-melting smile.

Sam's 3rd B-Day Video...

Hope you enjoy the video!

Thanks to Jay and Kimberly for letting me use the camera again!

Sam's 3rd B-Day

Wow, what a month! I have to say that new callings and new ambitions have definitely sent our lives into a whirlwind. We are both starting to get a grasp on our callings... okay I have... Kai still doesn't have any counselors but he's waiting on the Bishopric... he thinks.

I decided to do an actual birthday party for Sam since we are without extended family once again. It started as just a small party and ended up being huge... I didn't realize we had so many dear friends here. I also want to add a special thanks here to Rebecca. She donated her time in teaching me to make a pinata and later volunteered her yard to host more than 20 people for the party and her house to make 10 pizzas to feed all these dear friends. I thought the party was absolutely fabulous. The kids had fun, the guests had fun, my Ninja Turtle cake turned out great (thank you Heather for teaching me this marvelous technique), and Sam felt that he was the most special person in the world!!!