Hero

So last night was not quite so different than normal. I was up 2 times with Gus and Sophie came looking for me while I was nursing him and she couldn't find me so she decided that she would camp in the family room. She turned on the light and curled up on the rocking chair. I had watched as I was nursing going in and out of my room like, she was thinking "Why is mommy playing hide and seek right now?" I wanted to call to her, but I did not want to wake up Joe. So I went looking for her after I finished with Gus. She was so cute all curled up. I turned off the light and rocked her for a little while then put her back to bed. She said, "No mommy, no." So I picked her up again and held her until she was asleep. I love these moments when she prefers me. I know how dumb, but when I take her anywhere she is acts like I am such an embarrassment, and so when she wants to be held I do it.
Needless to say I was pretty tired this morning and since all the children were still sleeping, Joe now in my bed, hmmm, when will I learn? So I was sleeping too. When I heard a bang on my back door. I almost didn't answer. I went to the door, in all my just waking up glory, and my neighbour Larry was there. He said that he thought the goat was dying. We both go running into the 'pasture' and sure enough cute little Chuck Norris is unconscience. Larry starts to unwind the leashes,(the goats have knocked down the fence so many times we are in the process of putting in a more permanent fence. We just bought all the stuff.) While I just sit there all unhelpful. Larry then starts pushing on Chucks chest like CPR, without the mouth to mouth, Chuck starts to belch and then comes back to life. It took him a while to stand (about 5 or 10 minutes) then he got up tried to nurse his mother, but I imagine he has a terrible sore throat. I hope that he fully recovers but thanks to Larry he is not dead right now.

THANKS LARRY FOR SAVING CHUCK NORRIS!!!

The neighbours that I have taken the time to get to know are all excellent people. All very understanding and kind to our family. We are lucky to live where we live.

Petting Zoo

Okay so call me a tight wad but I think that we enjoyed the goats as much as anything at the Thanksgiving point petting zoo, and we can step outside for free and play with them.
So I am only being not funny. We enjoyed the other animals too. I did decide that pigs stink worse than stud goats and look very disgusting to me. Therefore, I do not think that I will be getting a pig like I had planned on doing in a few years.
The cow loved Joe as you can see. It was a beautiful thing.

Milestones

Hurray!!! We have had a week of accomplishment. 1st: Gus can now sit. 2nd: Sophie is now potty trained. She has only had one mistake yesterday because she was locked in the car seat and it was tiny, but still that is the only one. The day before one and two the day before, not that everyone needs to know what her potty is like but I am so tickled that she is all done with diapers. 3rd: Joe only has one more round of chemo and then we are done. We are done with A treatment and the last is called B (original aye). 4th: Joe gets to go back to school so much sooner than I had anticipated. He will probably get to go in October sometime. His counts have to just drop and then come back up. He loved school so, Hurray!!!
Until another day, tootles

I don't know how all these great bloggers do it but I never know which picture goes where. So I thought I would just put in some of the pictures I like from when the computer was sick.
The captions I would have said are, "Sunday naps with daddy." "Sophie is such a daddy's girl". "Mema with Gus, they best friends from the get go". "Go Joe, go. Look at him walk. It has been so long since he didn't cry when we put him in the gait trainer".

First Food

This is Aunt Nannie...Chel asked me to share this with you so here you go. Last week Chel, Sophie and Gus went to the zoo with our family while Joe and Joey were at chemo. Michelle couldn't find Gus's binky so she improvised with ice cream!!! Gus LOVED it! We all had a really nice time at the zoo...here are a few of the pics...if you want to see more visit my blog at http://zrfitz.blogspot.com/

All ready to visit the zoo!





On the carousel.

Gus and Mommy's ice cream!



Sophie loved her ice cream too!

I see

So this is the family picture my friend had posted of me. I think I now know how to take pictures from somewhere else.

My Friend, and more

Whenever certain people that I really like call, I answer, "Hello, Friend." One of these people is my friend Natalie, her link is on my blog. I would like to say if you need a GREAT photographer she is the one. She took pictures of our family and they look wonderful, there is a preview on her blogspot, Lehi Wrights. I met Natalie through our mutual friend Jana, we all walked when our 4 year olds were tiny babies. I would talk to them about all the shocking news Joey and I were receiving from the doctors about Joe. There wisdom and friendship helped me through a very difficult time. I think that I wouldn't be so positive about all of Joe's health issues if I hadn't had them to talk to. I don't think that I ever told them thank you so, THANKS LADIES. I would wake up so excited to talk to them and I usually did most of the talking and still they would keep coming, Thank You.
I believe that Heavenly Father puts people in your life when you need them and usually I believe that they need you as well. I know that I have had some very wonderful influences in my life and even though I tell Joey that I want to move, I think it is just because I am bored of the same walls day after day. I can't paint or construct until Joe is cleared by the doctors, the fumes can irritate. So I sometimes think we should move but I don't think that I could ever be in a better more loving ward than the one I am in now. Thank you everyone for you love, prayers, kindness, and patience.
Love, Michelle
P.S. Our new operating system is different and I haven't figured out the picture thing yet, hopefully soon.

YUCKY

Preface:
This is disgusting!!!
So how yucky can something be? I have now had a puppy, a child and a GOAT urinate on me. I was untangling Stanley the goat this morning when he decided that I was standing just where he wanted to relieve himself. I was in the process of telling him how musky he smells and I must have offended because he immediately urinated on my leg.
I know this is gross but you must admit it is very funny and ironic (due to what I was telling him) at the same time.
P.S. Anyone want a goat, our baby goat is starting to wean and could use a new home.

Heat Wave

So all of June the weather was lovely. Then July hits and wham, a heat wave, I can remember year to year that July is the hottest month, but still I am surprised by the amount of warmth the 90's and 100's bring to the earth. At times like these there is nothing so glorious as a cool dip in a lake. Growing up we always went to Lake Powell, for the being years I was terrified of the water. I was sure a fish would pull me under, but by the time we quit going I loved it and would request it for a birthday present get away. I don't know why I was so blessed that my parents would actually take our family on vacation for my birthday but if I haven't said it before, THANKS DAD AND MOM. The last time I went I was 18 and I went with the single adults ward. It was fun but you know once you get through the teen years when your family "isn't so cool" and you realize that your family is the COOLEST trips are far better with the people you love.
I remember that it was all about devotionals at night and flirting during the day. I did make some great friends on that trip that I really enjoyed for that last year of singlehood after that trip. I miss my single friends and wonder what they are up to.
Well,the babies are needing attention, so I may finish this thought another day.

Sophie Jane

Sophie has moved into her own big girl bed this last month, actually the last week of June and she has done pretty good. If you count staying up until past 11:00 as good. She loves being in charge of herself a little bit. Joey has had to put higher locks on both doors so that Sophie doesn't escape (prison) and go outside and play at night. She also does quite good late at night with the potty training even if the rest of the day she doesn't do quite as well.
Sophie did the cutest thing the other night. She has a baby buggy, from aunt Nannie, and she decided that she would put it on her bed next to the wall so that her baby (Elmo) could sleep on her bed but in his own protective bed as well. I discovered her mischievous first and quickly called to Joey to come see. We busted up laughing right away. I love to hear him laugh, he promptly got the camcorder and recorded it. I am so glad he is the daddy so that our kids will have a piece of their childhood recorded or pictured.

Hopefully back for a while

So our computer has now been reformatted or something like that.
So far July has been uneventful, well until last night. I was wanting ice cream because it has been so hot and Joey finally fixed the swamp cooler last night after he got home from work. So when he said that he wanted to go to the church and help set up chairs I asked him if he would please pick up ice cream. Well, he called right before check out so that he wouldn't forget anything, how considerate, then 30 or so minutes went by and he still wasn't home then he called, the van wouldn't start. So I called my friend Fiona across the street to have her watch the boys, Sophie was with Joey and so were the car seats, and she came right over and then Joey charged the van battery enough for us to get it home and then it died again in the driveway. Joey says that it is nothing. I hope that the curse of July doesn't hit to hard with the van.
I will post pictures soon I just want to make sure that the computer stays healthy a little bit longer.
Tootles for now.

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.