diagnoses...

Today was the big day. We traveled up to Salt Lake to have a psychiatric evaluation for Zane. He has been struggling (as have we) for awhile, and we finally decided we had to go this route. We filled out mounds of papers/behavioral questionnaires, and his teacher did one as well. The Dr. met with Zane first and then we all met with him. He asked us a few questions, and then announced that he fits the criteria for ADHD and probably Oppositional Defiant Disorder but it could possibly be a mood disorder (i.e. depression) given family genetics. He also said that the regular behavioral things are not going to work, and he figured we had probably already tried it all anyways. (so true!). He told us to really focus on the positive reward techniques like the marble jar we started recently. You earn a marble for positive things and those can be turned in for privelages - instead of focusing on taking away privelages. Then, the rest of the hour was spent talking about medication. I started out feeling really good, like ok, I have some validation that it's not "normal". But, it's really still sinking in, and I'm starting to feel overwhelmed by it all. Of course, my personality is to research and read everything I can about it. I've already been to the library and checked out every book they had. We don't have to make a decision about medication today, tomorrow, or next week. I am not against medication if that is what is best, but I also don't want to start throwing pills at him. Our course of action right now is to read, research, and lots and lots of praying. I welcome those with experience in this to offer support and wisdom.

good deals...

This week I have had fun doing some bargain shopping. And I do mean BARGAIN. I've been to the DI twice, and to Kid-to-Kid twice. We are "financially challenged" right now, and I've needed to get some clothes for my little ones for fall. I have fallen in love with these stores! It feels REALLY good to be frugal. Next stop: yard sales or dare I say, coupon clipping! Here is what my little model will be wearing this fall:

labor day and the little stinker...

Labor Day weekend was a little rough, but we made it through. On Monday we headed to a park nearby to have some fun in the water. It's actually a pretty neat park with some different kinds of equipment than most parks have. It's great for toddler kids too. Lily actually got in the water at the splash pad - usually she is too scared. Very fun!

This little stinker.....

(love this face!)

will not eat cereal. We have been trying for a few weeks now. Almost every night. We've tried it with breastmilk, formula, and water. He sure doesn't seem interested.

This is the face he makes, and he won't really even open his mouth. I'm going to start trying during the day to see if that makes a difference. No worries. He is a cute cute little stinker though!

oh, to REALLY have a day off...

Well, I've been meaning to blog - so this is going to be a long one. My sisters, my mom, and I all got together this past weekend in Phoenix. It was so much fun to just hang out and shop (sorta). Little Evan got to come too of course. So I didn't get to do much sleeping in, but other than that - it was relaxing. We got a pedicure (my first real one ever!) and our nails done. We went to a fun movie, played jewelry/beads, and of course, lots of eating out. What we girls do best! I brought my camera, but managed to not take pictures, duh. Oh yeah and I turned 29 again last Sunday too! John made me a great cake - that yummy toffee chocolate one - when I got back. What a great guy!

This week was parent teacher conference and of course Zane is crazy ahead. Of course she talked about how smart he is, and that he makes her laugh every day. She also said he is having trouble finishing his work - staying on task, is inattentive quite a bit, talks a lot, and easily distracted. Yup. That would sum up Zane! He scored a 64 on a spelling test they gave him. She said that by the end of last year, she had a few of her students score as high as a 74. So - yeah that is WAY up there. There is one other kid in first grade that scored super high too, so they will most likely make up their own spelling group. He is also reading at an end of 2nd-beg. of 3rd grade level. She is pretty sure he can read at an even higher level - just isn't sure about the comprehension. (Zane really doesn't like to answer questions about his reading - who knows why).

We are having an evaluation done in a couple of weeks up in Salt Lake - so we are hoping to find out if there is any underlying condition that we need to know about concerning his behavior at school (not staying on task) or home (the aggression and anger as well as the poor attention). I'm extremely nervous about it. I guess mostly because I'm afraid I won't be taken seriously, or that I will over or under play the situation. Also - I just don't know what to expect.

Today was a day off of school - so things quickly got out of hand at our house, from the get go. Unfortunate. So - I decided I have to get the kids out of the house for a bit, and we headed to the library. Zane picked up quite a few books about Hurricanes, and one about Taiwan (?) and a couple of stories. We came home and put up the play tent with some blankets and pillows and had a reading tent. The kids enjoyed that (even if it was for only 20 minutes). I'm already tired, and we still have Labor Day too. Ugh.

just what I need...

After school yesterday, the neighbor boy was outside driving his golf cart up and down a dirt hill. Zane begged me to see if he could have a ride. I told him he could go outside and ask. As soon as he got out there, 3 other boys from the neighborhood arrived. All 4 of the boys jumped on the golf cart, and the 5 of them took off going up and down the hill. The boy driving was very careful and made Zane sit in the front, so he wouldn't fall off. Zane had so much fun!


After he got back - he ended up having a little bit of a melt down. While I was in the kitchen, making dinner, trying to calm down - and Zane was in his room cooling off - Lily comes running in, grabs the dish towel off the oven, throws it over her shoulder and starts running around saying "Super Bunny!". I died laughing. It was just what I needed. Thanks cutie!

you want me to eat what?...

You've been waiting, I know it...

Evan has embarked on new food tasting adventures! Still not sure he is into it. Most of the time his face looked like this:

But, I still got lots of smiles out of him!

update...

Now I remember why you put crib bumpers on a crib. We woke up last night at 3 am to a screaming Evan. He had his leg stuck in between the slats on the crib. Awww, poor thing! And btw, he didn't slept any better last night in his own room than he did in ours. I had to get up twice before 3 am to get him back to sleep! Oh well, it's a work in progress. But I am going to put a crib bumper on the crib - even if it won't match.

We had a great time last night in Pine Valley at a work party for the families at John's office. One of the attorney's family owns a place there. It was so nice to be up there away from the heat. I quite enjoy it there, and if we ever have a ton of money to own a cabin and we stay here in St. George - that is where it would be. It's only about 45 minutes away - but 15-20 degrees cooler. There were some stray cats that the kids had a good time feeding hamburgers and they had fun playing on the swingset. Lily walked around the whole time barefoot (she has taken a real dislike to shoes lately). Thanks for letting us share your cabin!

a place to call his own...(sort of)

Finally, Evan is moving up in the world! Since he has been having trouble sleeping through the night (and the Dr. said he really doesn't need to be up to eat at night, he's only 18 1/2 pounds, ya think??)...we decided it's time to move him to his "own" room. We struggled with where to put him. We have 4 rooms in our house, so each kid CAN have their own room. Problem is that we've been using the spare room as a play room/craft room. We are definitely outgrowing this house! We were going to have the boys share rooms - but for so many reasons, we decided that will not be a good idea. So - Evan is now in his own room, that is still my craft room and a little bit of a play room. We have an extra tv in there that the kids (or John) can watch or do playstation while I am working. This picture is only Evan's side of the room - the other side is...well let's just say "scary" right now.

I feel good about the move, let's hope Evan does!

four months!...

My little guy is four months old! He weighs...(you might need to sit down for this)...18 pounds 5 oz! and 27 inches long! He is actually still on the chart at 95% in both height and weight. Wow. He's a football player. He was my smallest at birth, and my biggest at 4 months. The Dr. said to start him on cereal, and I'm feeling a little sad at how fast he is growing up. Love you little smiley guy Evan!

the first first...

Yay! We have a first grader in the house! Zane was so excited...he woke up at around 7:15 and came out of his room already dressed. He said "Mom, I forgot that I can't sleep in!" (yeah, sleeping in is 7:15...sad).

Zane: (Brushes his teeth, gets his shoes on as fast as he can, and starts running for the front door.)

Me: "Whoa, buddy, the bus doesn't come for another hour, you don't have your backpack, and you didn't eat breakfast!"

20 minutes later.... (and every 5 minutes for the next 40 min)...

Zane: (opening the front door)

Me: "No, you can't go wait for the bus yet."

When it was time to go, he ran the entire way to the bus stop. So funny.

I made him a special lunch - just like his favorite lunchable. Tortillas with pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperonis, applesauce, fruit rollup, and a water with a kool-aid mix. I wrote a cute little note and put it in his lunch sack. Did he see it? Nope. Aww.

The first thing he said when he got home: "You were right, that WAS all day!"

He loved his first day. He said his teacher is very nice. He was so excited that they had THREE recesses. Kindergarteners only get ONE he said. Haha!

You're such a big kid Zane, love you!

blessed to be a forever family...

It's been a long busy couple of weeks. John's grandpa died a couple of weeks ago. He had been ill for quite awhile with numerous diseases. It is nice to think that he is well again and able to walk and see loved ones who have passed.

We made the trek back up to Logan this weekend to attend the funeral. It was nice to be around family again, and see some that we haven't seen in a long time. More were able to attend the funeral than had attended the family reunion, so it was neat. Grandpa Ellwood was a really neat man, and it was fun to hear stories about him and memories that his children have of him. Zane was especially curious about the viewing and had lots of questions to ask (of course!). I was glad that he was able to be there and I know that he will remember it. We are blessed to have known Grandpa.

When we found out that Grandpa had passed, Zane said "I have a splendid idea....We should give Grandma Fawn flowers." I said that was a great idea, and maybe we could make her some flowers. He said "Yes, sunflowers!" So, Zane made her a sunflower (with a little help from me), which she so sweetly displayed at the funeral.

School starts on Thursday - the big first grade for Zane. I'm nervous for him being there all day. I know he will do fine - I just worry about silly things like - will he actually eat his lunch, etc. We did our school shopping this week, and have back to school night tonight where he will get to meet his teacher. So exciting.

Today, after John had left for work, I jumped in the shower. Zane was working on a "project" at the kitchen table, Lily was watching a movie, and Evan was safe in his playpen. I got out to see Lily with some purple marker all over her lips. Hmm....so I expected to find purple marker on furniture or somewhere just as scary. No, instead I found large chunks of hair strewn about various places in the living room and hallway. This time she gave herself a haircut. We might have to cut it now - but I'm not sure, it might make it look worse. We'll see.



Evan rolled over yesterday from his front to back for the first time. He did it so effortlessly he has probably been able to do it for awhile - I just hardly get him his tummy time. He's close to going from back to front too. He can be propped up in a highchair pretty well too. Oh, it's so fun to see him grow up. I love that happy smiley baby!



I am so blessed to have such a great family - not only my husband and kids, but my parents and in-laws and all those that come with them. We love you so much, and appreciate everything you do for us. We pray that we will be able to serve you as much as you have helped us!

the quiet chair says...

is it time for school to start yet?

pioneer day 2009...

Pioneer Day! The 24th of July! Isn't it so fun to have a 2nd fireworks holiday in July? We spent the morning having a nice breakfast at our stake center. Yummy dutch oven potatoes, loved it! It reminded me that we have a dutch oven, that has never been used. So, we dug it out and made a peach cobbler for dessert after dinner. Super yum!

We spent the day swimming in our little pool, and hanging out around the house. We grilled for dinner and did our little sparklers and very small fireworks. We can see the city fireworks from our front yard, so Zane stayed up to watch them. We had put Lily to bed, but woke her up to see them. As soon as John brought her out, she looked out at the fireworks and then said "night-night". I asked her if she wanted to go back to bed and she said "yes I do". Lily says this all the time right now in this cute little sing song voice. Love it.

(ignore the very splotchy skin and gray hair - post pregnancy is not pretty)

While Zane and I were setting up our chairs to watch the fireworks, Zane noticed something on our front steps. I got a picture of it right before the camera battery died. I believe it's a Rocky Mountain Toad from what I could research from the internet. Pretty fun!


John and I got to go see Annie Get Your Gun last night. I think it was fitting for the Pioneer Day weekend. Unfortunately I am sick again. I have been coughing the past few days, and while sitting in the theatre, noticed that I had a fever again. Sorry to anyone that was in the theater last night!

We are thankful for the pioneers and all the sacrifices they made coming across the plains. And I'm thankful that I wasn't one of them!

friends, family, FUN!...

John's extended family had a family reunion in Logan this past weekend. We got up to Logan on Friday evening (finally) and spent the day Saturday at a park (in the heat) visiting with family. I had been sick since Thursday with a fever and flu-like stuff, so it wasn't so great for me, but the kids had a lot of fun playing with cousins.

On Sunday - we decided to take a little side trip up to Minnetonka Cave in Idaho by Bear Lake. Zane is very interested in caves, and we figured this might be the only close by cave that we could actually go into with the kids. Timpanogos is too hard of a hike for the little ones (and us!). I didn't realize that although there is no hiking to Minnetonka - there are 444 steps over just a 1/2 mile of cave inside. Up and down. And you have to go in and back. So 888 steps total. Including one really steep 71 step staircase. A lot of these steps are uneven rock steps as well. So - I would recommend - do not take your kids unless they can walk it themselves (and NOT at nap time). John carried Lily almost the entire way, and I carried Evan in the baby Bjorn. John had to leave early with Lily - she was DONE. I stayed with the baby and Zane. Zane did fabulously. He loved it and didn't complain. I have to say that I am STILL sore 3 days later.





Monday was Lagoon day. It wasn't really smart of us to go and kill ourselves doing that cave the day before. We were pretty sore to be walking around Lagoon all day. It was a very hot day, and I wasn't fully recovered from my illness (I'm sure the cave the day before did not help). John and I, Lily, and the baby all stayed as long as possible, but left late afternoon. Much too hot to have a baby out. I don't know what it is about nursing in the heat, but it's just really NOT fun. I really don't know how the pioneer women did it. We left Zane to ride the rides with some of John's cousins. He had an absolute blast! He rode all the roller coasters and just loved it. I felt bad that we weren't there to see his excitement and share in it, but I'm so glad that he was able to enjoy himself.






We had a lot of fun being able to spend time with family and old friends. We miss you all and wish we could see you more often. Thanks for the fun times!!

summer fun...

Can you believe that school starts in one month? Wow. The only way to survive our summers outside is to live in the pool. We have a little pop-up pool that we got last year, and it has been sooo great. Zane, Lily, and I spend a couple hours out there every day. It's perfect for the kids. Evan's not quite big enough to spend time out there this year - but the pool should make it to next year. When (if) we are ever able to get a new house, my requirements (let me clarify - these are NEEDS, not WANTS) are: a pool, mature shade trees, covered patio, and at least 2 floors. Is that too much to ask? A girl can dream...

I posted a picture of myself in a swimsuit? Seriously?

the long road from phoenix...

We spent the 4th of July in Phoenix with my family. We had a lot of fun swimming, eating, going to the movies, and just hanging out together. Arizona is not keen on fireworks, and we didn't have it in us to go to one of the big shows, so we just lit our black snakes, and threw our poppers on the ground. The kids had a lot of fun playing with aunts and uncles and of course grandma and grandpa. I didn't get enough pictures, I always forget to get out the camera when there is a big crowd.

(The kids did have really cute 4th of July outfits, but Lily was already in jammies, and Zane had changed his shirt after swimming - so I didn't get a picture of them, doh!)

On the way home, we decided to take the Laughlin way and avoid the traffic going over Hoover Dam. We were stopped for quite awhile going TO phoenix that way, so we knew it would be bad going back. So, of course, about 6 miles outside of Laughlin there was an accident that shut the freeway down for over 2 hours. Nice! We sat for over an hour, and watched as some cars ventured off onto a dirt road and disappeared. We were iffy about trying that, so we called my dad, and he googled for us. Since the road was going to be closed for at least another hour, and that road didn't look to be long, we decided to try it.

We got going, and my goodness I was scared. It was a jeep challenge course I kid you not! We said a prayer, and a few minutes later Zane said to me "Mom, the Holy Ghost told me that we should be careful of the big rocks." Thanks! I tried not to cry too hard, and tried my best to hold it together for the kids. They really didn't seem to care. They just watched their movie, and occasionally Lily would say "Bump!" and laugh hysterically. We made it through, with my Dad on the phone the whole way telling us which direction to go. Thank you soo much Dad, you really helped us so much.

Although everything turned out fine, I doubt I will ever do that again. We had some snacks with us and not much water. Really, not a smart idea to take your family out into the desert - unprepared - in 100+ degree heat. Just really not smart.

View Larger Map
(we took the dirt road from 68 at the top of the map to the subdivision at the edge of the map near the A marker)