November/December update

I sent this out via email, but decided to post it here, as well.

The most recent news is that Matt finally had surgery to correct severe sleep apnea. He had his tonsils out, and the doctor cauterized / removed his adenoids, uvula, and the back of his tongue. Matt has not slept much in two days, but we're optimistic that someday he will be happy to be alive again and this pain will all be worth it.

I felt myself growing restless these past few months, so I am in the middle of writing a children's book (I'm thinking of actually trying to publish it - I've heard rejection is good for the soul), singing in our stake Christmas choir, and I just finished repainting the girls' rooms. NIcole is now situated upstairs, away from our bedroom.

Sierra is having a great year of school. She entered the reflections contest and WON! We collected her trophy and Target card this week, and her entry will go to the district level. She is so excited to have a real trophy on her bookcase, and we're proud of her for writing such a creative story.

Matthew, when we actually see him, is also enjoying school. He brought home his best report card ever. Matt rewarded Matthew and Sierra by taking each of them and a friend of their choice ice skating. I was sure they'd come home with somebody in a cast, but they all survived with minor injuries. Matthew has decided that reading is lots of fun and came home with a five pound Harry Potter book a few weeks ago.

Scotty is adjusting to school five days a week. He prefers to stay home with me. I had no idea how hard it's been for him to leave until he burst into tears on Monday and said he doesn't want to leave the house, he wants to stay with me. Lucky for him he was sick with the flu and I let him. We spent some quality time decorating our Christmas tree and reading.

Dallin. Hmmm. He's four, and he's definitely Matthew's little brother. He let's us know what he wants, when he wants it, and in what color dish. Dallin is learning his letters and writes random words across papers, then wants to know what it says. He gives me presents daily of wrapped up pieces of cut up paper (shavings are always strewn across the floor) with pictures of happy people. I love this age - he is still happy cuddled up in my lap, but is quickly learning that we live in a big, exciting world and he wants to be a part of it.

Nicole is growing WAY too fast. She comes up with new words daily. Her first sentence came last week. She said, "No, Matthew. Stop it!" We were so proud, and Matthew deserved the reprimand so he laughed. She calls the bird "Baby". When it's time for bed she trucks off to her big girl toddler bed and says "Night, Night" in a very high voice. Sometimes she disappears in the morning and we have to find her. She seems to prefer sleeping in Matthew's bed, so as soon as he vacates it, she fills his spot with a big grin on her face. And oh, the messes! She's in the running for the most destructive child yet, and we thought that race was over a long time ago.

Last night I took Sierra, Matthew, and my brother Jim to a Jazz game (Matt politely declined coming). Scotty quickly found the score board and gave me minute - to - minute updates on the score. Every time the Jazz made a basket, he cheered. I glanced at him halfway through the game, and would have cried if nobody was around. My cute little five year old was curled up on his seat with a huge gallon size bucket of popcorn, a drink, wearing his new Jazz T-shirt. Matt let him wear his Jazz hat. He was the picture of a very happy, content child. Sierra sat on the other side of me, happily examining her tooth, which came out midway through the second quarter. She ate ice cream till her stomach hurt, and chose the game over a friend's birthday slumber party. I love the fact that our children all love sports. I never dreamed I'd be taking two of our kids to a game, without Matt, and love every minute of it! We also appreciated Jimmy coming so I didn't have to walk from the car to the Delta center in the dark and snow with two children. He didn't seem to mind!

Well, I guess the next update will be in about six weeks when/if I finish the family Christmas newsletter!

Bye for now!

Heather