Hi Everyone

So an update... We have been pretty busy lately. We started the month of June off in the hospital with a fever of 105*. I was so scared for Joe but all is fine. Then we spent a couple uneventful weeks at home away from all life forms to stay healthy while our counts were low. Then when we got "clearance" I went crazy at the grocery store. I was so excited for fresh food that I went to the grocery store twice in a week to get more produce.
Then I got a tiller/cultivater from Joey just because he loves me and was hoping this would help me to get the yard more in order. It does help but the thing is so powerful.
Joey has been working in our yard a lot lately. It is looking like someone actually lives there. Joey is so darling. He often looks at the yard and gets ideas of what needs done and just goes out and does it. I often envy this. I enjoy yard work but the kids do not cooperate with the neglect of them that it results with.
Last night Joey decided that our dogs needed hair cuts. It was 10:30 at night. I was exhausted but Joey wanted my attention, I am quite thrilled when I please him. So we cut the dogs hair on our back patio. When we came in it was 11:30, I about died, because today we are getting yet another test done at the hospital, and I had to leave the house at 6:30 to be on time.
So even though a lot has gone on. I am sorry I can't post right now because my computer hates me and won't let me on, even though Joey gets on just fine.
Life is so good!!!! My parents, bless them, came over on Sunday so that Joey, Sophie, Gus and I could go to church together. It was so lovely. I didn't want to see it end. I am excited for next year when Joe can join us and we can all go to church every week as a family again.
Thanks for reading and have a lovely day:)

Computer Problems...

Michelle wanted me to let you know that she hasn't intentionally been neglecting you. She has had a lot of computer problems which are making it nearly impossible for her to blog. She wishes you all well and will post as soon as she can!

A day of TEARS

My computer has been broken all month. HMPH.
So today I am trying. Each of my children have had their turns for tears. Joe just could handle being outside while I was doing yard work and threw a royal tantrum for over 45 minutes, I hope I have the courage to go out and try again tomorrow. Then Gus has not been satisfied with the amount of milk he is getting. He is definitely getting enough but he sure doesn't think so. Sophie threw a tantrum because I wouldn't let her take the measuring spoons I was using.
I bake more when I need an escape. I made bread and cookies. I got a new recipe at enrichment and I have been experimenting. I really like it. I have eaten more bread in the last two weeks than in the last two months if not longer.
Anyways. I will hopefully write again soon.
Wish me luck, that the rest of the day will not be full of more tears.

Part 8: Tribute to Mother's week, my mom Lori

I have been blessed to have the best mom in the world. She is constantly helping and loving me and my family. She has done so many wonderful things for others in an anonymous way. She loves to help others and to not get the acknowledgment for it. She is such a great example to me. I feel so bad that this wasn't written before now but I wanted to save her for last. She has patiently read all of the other tributes and not asked when it was her turn. I am afraid that I do not do her justice. Who can? Mother's love their children in ways that no one understands, even their own children. I never even knew you could love someone so much until I was blessed to have children of my own. A mother would do anything for her children. Sometimes you think that it is so embarrassing the things that a mother will do, but I believe that in most mother's hearts they are only doing what they believe is right. My mom has always followed her heart with her children. I am grateful that she is my Mom. I love you SSSOOOO much Mom. I am grateful that Heavenly Father knew that you are who I needed as my Mom so that I could be the best me. Happy Mother's Day, you ARE the best!!!

Part 7: Tribute to Mother's Week, my mother-in-law Sallyann

I know I have 2 mother-in-laws. This is Joey's stepmom. She is so fascinating to me. I do not know her well because she lives in California, but I always enjoy a vacation to visit her and the rest of the family there. Sallyann grew up in England, this is a place that I want to go to so very badly. If Joey and I hadn't gotten married I was planning on going to England to live for a couple of years. Sallyann is a very kind, loving, patient, forgiving and accepting person. When we go to California she tries to make us feel at home. She spends as much time with us as possible and makes me feel like she is pleased we came. I love her and consider her one of my friends. She is always concerned about Joe and calls to check on him from time to time. So to Sallyann, thank you for all you do, especially for loving Joey so much. Happy Mother's Day.

Part 6: Tribute to Mother's Week, my mother-in-law Lisa

In keeping with my direction of thinking, I must continue even though I am not sure how to do this best. I realize this was probably not a very good idea, but here is to my mother-in-law. I am always afraid of offending my in-laws and so I hope I don't but I do not think that many of my in-laws read this.
Lisa is my mother-in-law. She spent about 8 years as a single mom to Joey and I believe she did a pretty good job. Joey is such a sweet and loving husband. I can tell by some of his little quirks that are so cute to me that he was raised by a single mom. Lisa worked hard to try to do what she could for the kids and since Joey's dad lived in another state it wasn't like he could be to involved all the time.
Lisa is a hard worker and always has such a well kept yard, something that I do not do too well, due to my paranoia about Joe and being outside. She also has a very cute store on Main Street in American Fork, you may have heard of it, Mona Lisa's she spends countless hours trying to make the store a memorable experience for those who come in to shop or visit. I admire her for her hard work and her keep on going even in hard times attitude. So Happy Mother's Day.

Part 5: Tribute to Mother's Week, My sister Rachael

First off, Happy Birthday. I am hoping that you do not read this until tomorrow.
I decided that since my sister is my little girls other mommy (nanna) that I would pay tribute to her. And since May 3 is her birthday I thought this would be the most appropriate of days to accomplish this tribute thing I am doing.
My sister and I did not get along the best growing up. She is only 5 years older than me but I was still the rival sister. I wanted to be like her, I wanted to dress like her and would try to borrow her cloths (I was always big for my age and she was petite for hers) She rarely let me borrow but on the few occasions that she did, I thought that I looked very good. I remember when she went to college and she sent me one letter. I was so excited. During this time frame of our relationship we did not make time for building a friendship with one another. I was glad to see her leave when she left for college and I thought that she did not like me when she left. But the letter helped me realize that she cared about me. I believe her leaving was the best thing for us. She was in and out a lot for the next few years. Then when my brothers started leaving on their missions she came back for good. When she came back our relationship started over with me being more mature and her more willing to try to get to know me. I now consider her one of my best friends. She has two beautiful step-children who she loves more than anything and a wonderful husband who understands her quite completely.
I want to tell her thank you for being Sophie's Nanna, I am grateful that you sacrifice so much so that I can be there for Joe while he has been so sick, and I have been so very scared that I would loose him.
I know you don't want me to say this but Happy Nanna's Day to you.
Love, Chel and Sophie

Part 4: Tribute to Mother's Week, Mema Ely

Joey's mom's mom is our Mema Ely. We see her quite a bit due to the fact that she comes over to our house pretty much whenever we ask her to. She has been a widow for over a decade, I am not quite sure the exact amount of years but I know that she misses Grandpa Ray so much. I was liked her from the very beginning. She always has a lot to talk about and I don't have to hardly do any of the talking. I have found that my life seems quite dull to me, and I would rather hear about anyone else. She comes from a artistic family and she enjoys drawing and singing opera. While growing up she took lessons and then as an adult she has sang at anything she is asked to sing at. She loves children and to this day she still works with the children at Mountainville Academy. I love you Mema and Happy Mother's Day.

Happy Anniversary

WOW!!! How the last 5 years have flown by. Joey and I dated for a year before we got married and that time seemed to creep by so slowly. Then we get married and every year goes faster and faster. Joey is a very loving and patient husband. He loves me and puts up with my opinionation and part perfectionistic ways.
If you ask Joey he would say I am the best mother, but I think he is the best parent. Our children love and adore him. If Joe is sad he can cheer him up and if Sophie is being naughty he knows how to get her to behave. Our children are night owls because I can't bear to not let them see their daddy and have his most optimistic attitude in their lives every day.
I love you, Joey and Happy Anniversary.

Part 3: Tribute to Mother's Week, Grandma Nelson

My mom's mom is my much loved Grandma Nelson. She is one of the sweetest woman in the world. She has gone through a lot in her life and yet keeps going forward. Like Mema Di Regolo, I don't see her very often. Growing up one of the main family vacations was going up to Afton, Wyoming to visit her and Grandpa. My grandma use to crochet the most beautiful doilies but the Christmas after Joey and I got married she suffered a stroke which took her crocheting abilities away. I was lucky enough to receive 3 doilies from her for my wedding and I treasure these, I don't think that Joey knows how precious they are to me, anyways. I think she has felt lost without the full function of her body, but she still tries hard. I love her. She has the warmest eyes you have ever seen, and the most giving heart. She would do anything she could for anyone. She is strong willed and has taught me the meaning of commitment. So Happy Mother's Day Grandma, I love you and thanks for the awesome example.

Part 2: Tribute to Mother's Week, Mema Di Regolo

If I am going to write about each of the Mother's in my life I will have to do more than one post a day all week.
Joey has two Grandma's they both go by Mema and both are wonderful. I am going to tell you a little bit about Mema Di Regolo tonight. When I met her I instantly adored her. She is one of those people who you meet and you want to know better. We share a few common interests. She is one of the best cooks I have ever eaten from. I have thought she should go on Hell's Kitchen for a few reasons:
1. She can cook like a pro.
2. She could hold her own against him. I don't think anyone could scare her.
3. How cool would that be, a 70 something woman winning a restaurant that she has no need for.
We also share the love of gardening. I don't think my neighbors would agree that I like to garden, I just don't have a lot of opportunity for that kind of wonderful adventure. Mema has lemon bushes and orange trees, and she goes to the farmer's market every week so that she can get fresh produce and try out the new kinds of fruit the farmers are experimenting with. She also (I know this is selfish) but she calls my phone to talk to me over calling Joey, and I love it. I am not in competition with Joey and honestly until just this last Sunday I thought that she called him too. This aspect of her calling me helps me to realize that she likes me too, and I don't know about anyone else but as a daughter-in-law I want my husbands family to love me like one of their own, and with Mema I feel that way. I think that Mema is great and I can't wait to see her again and get to know her more. So Mema if you read this I love you and Happy Mother's Day.

Part 1: Tribute to Mother's Week, Grandma Bennett

This week I am going to write a little about the different mother's in my life.
My grandma Bennett, is my dad's mom and one very special woman to me. From the third grade to the tenth we lived 2 doors and across the street from her. I would go early to church every week so that I could get the honored seat next to her. I adored her. I would try to sit like she sat, sing how she sang and I even wanted to dress like her. She has good taste but as a child you should probably dress like a child not an adult. Anyways, I love her so much. I don't go and see her as much as I should but I think about her every day. I had a pet name from her, or so I thought all growing up. Some may be offended by it but she called me 'little shit'. I loved it. I see nothing wrong only affection from this term coming out of my grandma's mouth. My grandma Bennett works hard everyday. She worked on her father's farm growing up and now she helps my grandpa with he and my uncles farm. Mostly sorting fruit and going to the market without ever complaining. I hope to be like her in so many ways. I know she reads this and I just want her to know that I love her, and I feel so lucky that she surprised us with a lovely visit yesterday. How lucky were we? I love you Grandma and Happy Mother's Day.

Polygamist

So this morning I asked Sophie as I was doing her hair. "Sophie are you a polygamist?" She quickly responded, "Yep". I asked her this because when bangs are growing out I tend to put them into twists, which remind me of polygamist woman's hair style. I do this even to my own hair. It just seems better to me than a bobby pin. So here are some pictures of Sophie with her polygamist hair style. I think she is darling, but if you think I disgrace her with the hair style let me know so I can try a new style next time. :)

I usually don't do this...

How darling, they match.

Sophie and her much loved Aunt Nannie. Playing outside on the swing set. Sophie was so excited.

Gus sleeping next to Joe. How cute, Joe doesn't quite know what to think.

Apricot Tree

So last year we planted 8 fruit trees and our goats ate them all, so we planted 3 more up front and well, they got to them to but it looks like they may have survived. We enjoy our goats except for their lack of tree hugging abilities.
This morning when I opened the front blinds I saw 'Popcorn popping on the' on the street trees. I am not quite sure the variety of tree but I realized where the all to famous children's song came from. I love this time of year, not to hot, and not to cold. I love it when it is 70 to 80 degrees outside and the sky is clear blue. There is always so much beauty to be found in the world and I tend to forget alot. I am a home body and am nervous that with Joe being sick and my germaphobia getting worse all the time that soon I will forget to go outside altogether. Thank goodness that Sophie want to go out, and Joey insists we do things outside as a family.

Forgot to finish with my pictures

I think that Sophie has gotten the hang of opening presents.

Lately...

Here are some new pictures.




So Sunday we finally celebrated Joe's birthday. I decided to do two combined birthday parties. One for the Bennett side on this last Sunday, and one for the Ashby/DiRegolo side on Sophie's birthday next Monday. I figured that way my mom could be at one and Joey's sisters could be at the other. It seems like with Spring Break someone is always out of town. I can't wait for Joe to be healthy so we can go on vacation and not worry about if there is a hospital close by.

Pictures from the hospital on Joe's Birthday

Joe was in such a good mood in the hospital, once he woke up. He is so cute that I thought I would show off some of his pictures.

Home...and a Quote

First of all while at the cafeteria in the hospital I met a mom who had a 20 month old who sat still the whole time during lunch. I was so impressed that I asked her if she ate meals at the table. This question was with some inspiration from my mom. The mom said that she makes it a point to have all the meals at the table with all other distractions turned off. I think I am going to try this, because Sophie will not sit still for anything. So maybe if she learns to sit still during meal time she will sit still during church when we go back as a family next year.
Now for an interesting quote that goes along with my 'Scrooge' blog entry. It is from Well, DUH! Our Stupid World, and Welcome to it, by Bob Fenster pgs. 256, 266.


33. What is the dumbest holiday?
In the spirit of Christmas, we go to overcrowded sores whose merchandising would have appalled Christ. We waste precious resources wrapping presents so the wrapping can be torn off and thrown away. We spend too much money for things we don't need and wonder why the holiday leaves us feeling empty.
On Easter and Halloween, we overdose our children with candy, knowing that within the hour we'll be yelling at them to stop tossing baby brother up against the wall to see if he sticks.
On Groundhog Day, we celebrate the ability of a rodent to predict the weather.
But clearly the favorite holiday of idiotologists everywhere is April Fools' Day, when we celebrate the fact that we are stupid enough to hold a celebration of how dumb we are.

I agree with the concept not necessarily the wording but I enjoyed the quote and thought I would share.

Update...

Joe is doing a little bit better. He no longer is hypothermic or feverish. He is doing something unfamiliar to us now. He quits breathing for a couple seconds when he wakes up and so his oxygen levels go into the 80's, apparently this is not good. So when I left tonight they had a oxygen funnel next to his head so he could turn his head an breath in the oxygen if he wanted, he was trying to eat it, it was so cute.
I just called mom for an update, I can't stay overnight because I breastfeed Gus and he isn't allowed to stay overnight. Joe is keeping his feeds down and sleeping well. His room is called "the cave" this is the perfect description, it is so dark and has zero windows looking out the only window is in the door so no natural light comes in. It is perfect, because Joe can sleep without the sun telling him what time of day it is. Anyway, I am tired and I don't feel like I am making any sense. I will post tomorrow night when I get back from the hospital. Thanks everyone for your prayers and support. I love you all.

Naptime...

Sophie is being so good about not crying at bedtime so to compensate for her goodness I have not been having her take unnecessary naps, since these include crying and more crying when she wakes up. Last night around 7 o'clock she was tuckered and fell asleep on the floor in the front room. I was hoping that since it was her idea she would wake up nice, but no, she was crankier than ever. Maybe next week I will start with naps again.

Blessings of the Holiday

At Christmas time Joe had a chemo treatment and as a blessing of Christmas he was not sick from that treatment. Now for Easter we are having yet another Holiday Miracle. He is so chipper and still eating and playing with toys I am so grateful. I don't know why he is doing so much better, but I am so grateful that he is being blessed to feel good. I am also grateful for all the prayer that have been offered on behalf of Joe. I am grateful for Christ's atonement for all of our sins. I love the reason for the season, I do celebrate Easter because how could I not celebrate the reason that my family will be together forever. I hope this year that I can be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend to others. I am grateful for the Savior and his self sacrifice to die for our sins, and to be resurrected so that we to may be resurrected someday.

Here's to AWESOME daddies...

So it has been forever since I went to any store I wanted and spent long hours shopping. Since it was to cold to play outside this morning I decided that it was time to go get some not so, but seem to be essentials. Sophie didn't know what to think and Gus just slept the whole time.
Joe is at chemotherapy today and since Gus is so young he isn't supposed to go to the ICS unit at Primary Children's Hospital. My sweet husband traded days off so that he could go and spend some one on one time with Joe in the hospital. I really appreciate how good he is with the kids. I know that Joe will have as great of time as is possible when his dad is around. Joey is always so cute and fun with the kids. The children have learn how to play hard from their dad. I sure Love Joey.

Finally...

Joe is sort of low on red blood counts (thus why he is so pale) but he looks so relaxed I had to show him.

Gus loves to sleep on his stomach.

Joe and Sophie never liked to sleep on theirs so I had to take a bunch of pictures.

So I finished the Twilight series today. I feel free from the book now. I don't know what it was but I had to finish, like it held some stupid power over me. I enjoyed the book and I now plan to finish reading Believing Christ. I am hoping to get really into it this time. I have valued what I have read of it so far, but I have a hard time reading things without a definite story line. Anyways.
So a few blogs back I wrote about how Joey seems to always get the better chore when two things need done at once, well as luck would have it I won this time. The options were a blow out or unclogging the toilet. I washed the baby with the blow out and Joey unclogged a very stubborn toilet. I feel pretty lucky about my choice tonight.