The Phippen Family

The Land of Sweets and the Sugar Plum Fairy

2011-12-10T19:25:00.001-08:00

About a month ago Claire informed me that she was going to have a Nutcracker party. I asked her what exactly was a Nutcracker Party and she told me quite specifically what it was. "Mom. The Sugar Plum Fairy will come. We will decorate cupcakes and pin the hat on the Nutcracker." Claire held onto those ideas which forced me to figure it out. Thank goodness for Circe and Golda! Golda graciously said yes when asked if she would be our Sugar Plum Fairy. She was the sweetest and best fairy I could ever ask for. Honestly. If you have a birthday party coming up and need an AMAZING helper Golda is your girl! Now you need to know something about me. I may be musical but I am not crafty or creative. Honestly. I remember getting kicked out of 7th grade art because I was so bad. I think the quote from my teacher was "you are much better at the performing arts than the visual arts. I think you should stick with performances." So armed with Claire's ideas, pinterest and my trusty Sugar Plum Fairy I think we pulled it off today. We invited way too many girls and yet I would not change it at all. I won't tell you how many came but let me tell you that thanks to the generosity of Claire's friends we won't need to buy anything for her for the entire year. That includes Christmas! This post includes some phenomenal art work by Kent (the pin the hat on the Nutcracker game and the invitation) and some of my best crafty work. Again, pretty much all the ideas came from various blogs found from pinterest. Without further adieu...Claire's vision of the Nutcracker.

5 years old...where did the time go?

2011-12-09T08:09:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Claire! I can't believe you are 5 today. You are such a sweet and loving little girl who has some fire and sass like no other. I want you to know that we are so lucky to have you in our family. You have taught your dad and me more about strength, humility and prayer than anyone else in our lives. Thank you! You inspire us daily.

We love you so much and hope you have fun tomorrow with your Nutcracker Party and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Love you so much!

Mom and Dad

The Great Disney Adventure

2011-10-03T20:03:00.000-07:00

This post is going to be long. At least I think it will. So you can stop now and just know that the short version is we went, we had fun and we survived. All good things! :)

The long version is that about 6 weeks ago I had this crazy dream after talking to my neighbor that we (Kent and I) could do Disneyland. It seemed like it would be so much fun and that the kids would freak out.
So after checking into the prices and deals I pulled the trigger one Saturday night. I felt both giddy and sick at the same time. Can you feel that?! Well I did.

Then started the great Disney research. I swear I emailed, facebooked and read every website that would give me all the tips and tricks to taking young kids, toddlers and twins to Disneyland. To say I was a bit obsessed would be an understatement!

Fast forward to last Tuesday after school. We picked Emma up from school and had all the bags packed and loaded in the car. We told the kids we were going on a trip and that the big surprise was Disneyland. Emma seemed totally overwhelmed and Claire just freaked out! She kept saying "I am going to meet Tinkerbelle!"

We flew with all 4 kids and it went great. We were a bit of a circus but I am used to people staring at me when I am out with the kids. Kent...not as much.

We spent 3 days at Disneyland. Had lunch at Aeriel's Grotto which was actually pretty good, saw 3 parades, fireworks, the World of Color show and also trick or treated at Disneyland. By the time Friday night hit I had hit my overload button of everything Disney. It was a blast though and I am so glad we did it.

The kids tonight were telling us all their favorite things they did. Emma loved meeting all the characters and getting their autographs. I thought she was going to die when she met Jessie from Toy Story! Claire seriously loved everything. Except for the new Aeriel's ride. It was the first ride she did and I think she was overwhelmed by the huge Ursela and burst into tears! Needless to say she did not want to ride that one the rest of the time. On Friday afternoon she told me "Mom. I think I will give it one more try." She did it and loved it. I was so proud of her!

The boys were seriously so funny. Like total boys they just hung out and went with the flow of what the girls wanted to do. They were thrilled with whatever person they met and whichever ride they went on. They were actually pretty easy since they had no agenda or opinion of what or where to go. They really loved the Aerial ride as well as anything Toy Story related. They were so cute and were so much fun!

Kent was a total trooper and a great sport. He is not a Disney fan period. I think it is a safe bet to say he did not catch the "Magic" but still went through the exhaustion of the trip for his kids and me. I once again have realized how lucky I am to have married him. He was a great support!

My Tips and Tricks for Disney are these:
1. You can plan all you want but seriously it will not work out the way you think. Just go with the flow.
2. Watch out for the people on mopeds. They mean business and they will run over your small child/children if your not watching!
3. Churros and Corn Dogs do taste better at Disneyland. I don't know why but it is worth the $$.
4. Once you are sucked in you will not get out. Try as you might you will need to allow yourself at least an hour to exit the park. You keep seeing things you need to check out or buy or just try once. It is mission impossible!
5. This is a tip I think I will hopefully try the next time we go. (yes. there will be a next time it just might not be for 5 years!) I am hoping that next time we will be able to stay at the Grand California Hotel. I am thinking it will be worth the extra $$ to not have to drive/walk/shuttle anywhere in the morning or at night. Especially with 2 strollers.

If you have stuck with me this long...Thank you! I am totally impressed!!!

First Day of First Grade

2011-08-22T09:52:00.001-07:00

Today Emma started her first day of First Grade. She has Miss Rushton and is in a 1st/2nd split. It was funny because for as confident as she was to go once we got there she was totally shy. I have never thought of Emma as shy but today she showed that side. I am totally anxious to hear how her day was and how lunch and recesses were. I think they do early out day today because the parents (i.e. me) need time to adjust to her not being here.

I miss her but know she will do great. I love you Emms! I can't believe this day has arrived. Big milestone. BIG!

9 years ago...

2011-07-11T20:59:00.000-07:00

9 years, 4 kids,2 continents, 2 apartment, 2 houses and countless cars later we find ourselves here. Today. Celebrating! Thanks for always being there for me. I love you!

Happy Anniversary KWP!!!

love,
MEWP

p.s. how sad is it that this is the only picture I could find of us without children. This was taken on our last trip alone...before the boys were born!

So Many Miracles!!!

2011-07-06T06:16:00.000-07:00

I went and saw 17 Miracles in the theaters the other day. The movie subject always gets me. The Willie and Martin handcart company's story. The thing that struck a chord with me was how many miracles there were. I am sure there were more than 17 but the show could only be 2 hours right?

Well in our house we have had at least 2 MAJOR miracles the past 2 days. I need to write them down so I will never forget.

Our first was with Pocket. Many of you know he made it through surgery. Thank goodness! I was not ready to see our little guy go just yet. The vet came back though and told me that he was pretty certain that the form of cancer he has was a) rare (which really should not surprise us since we deal with rare medical on a daily basis) and b) aggressive. He then told me that we would be in the exact same spot with Pocket next year as far as surgery goes. Great.

The miracle came though when yesterday afternoon Mike (from the barn) called and told me that the biopsy came back and the tumor was benign. Which means that Pocket should be around for a long time! I am so thankful for this miracle since the girls and boys seem to really be loving Pocket and the horses right now.

Our 2nd miracle was more of a "I don't know how that happened" miracle!
On Monday night we were watching fireworks at Kent's sisters place for the 4th. Things were going great and the kids were loving them. Then they lit one of the really big aerial "now legal" ones which in the process tipped over and started shooting right at the family with my kids on the front line. It was seriously the most scared I have ever been for my kids! It felt like being in a gun fight with fireworks going off all around us. I even felt a bit of singe on the top of my ears and hair! Somehow all my kids were not only safe but had not a scratch on them. It made me think of the part in the handcart story where the angels were helping them push the wagons. Well I felt that angels were seriously holding and protecting my kids as I was not with them at that exact moment. The kids did not move or panic. They each had a little bubble around them that seemed to deflect the fireworks. The kids were a little scared (obviously) but other than that just fine. Again, I seriously don't know how they were not hit but am so thankful for safety and protection on Monday night!

Miracles do exist! If you ever doubt them just look around. I have never been so sure of anything like I am now!

A little Blue...

2011-06-28T20:14:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken just after we got Pocket by our great friend Becki.

I am a bit sad and felt like I needed to write about it to just get it off my mind. Does anyone else do that? I am sure you all do it in a more private forum but me...why not just spill it out for the whole world to read?!

Here it goes...
Today I dropped the girls off to riding lessons at G. Simmons barn and went to run some errands. When I went back to pick them up and Mitchell (our incredible riding instructor and friend) told me that I needed to talk to Mike (the barn guru) about Pocket. For those of you who don't remember Pocket is our incredibly small and cute pony that we bought for Claire right after she was diagnosed. He has been a great therapy pony for us.

Anyway- it turns out that Pocket is really sick. We knew he had a small tumor on his nose the past couple of years and it has been not a big deal. Well over the weekend it grew really big and has made Pocket really sick. In short our small pony is going in for surgery on Friday. We don't know what the outcome will be and I am sad.

I tried to not cry but got teary eyed when I spoke to Mitchell about it again. I then told the girls about everything. Man! It was so sad! I told them that Pocket might not make it through the surgery and that we needed to be ready if that was the case. They handled it well for being 6 and 4. I think it is me who is really moved by this experience. I feel like this is one of those parenting moments that I can handle well or really screw up. I am not sure if I have done either just yet. All I know is that I am hoping that Heavenly Father heard the little girls prayers tonight when they both asked Him to help Pocket to be OK.
I hope he hears my prayers as well. To know how to handle this either way.

Man this parenting thing is tough!!!

Madsen Day 1

2011-06-01T12:55:00.001-07:00

I promise he likes it! Really!!!:)

The kids this morning on our way to pick up Emma.

The bike! We will have to come up with a name or something!

So we went to the house last night and got the bike. The family we got it from ended up being some old harp students of mine and a family I LOVE!!! It is funny how we spoke to each other on the phone but didn't put 2 and 2 together until right before we pulled up. THANKS BENNETT FAMILY! IT IS AWESOME!!!

The kids had a great time taking rides around the park last night and this morning Claire asked me if we could take it today on our errands. I told her my legs might not make it to the bank today but maybe someday!:) Our goal today was to pick Emma up from school. I am not sure how far it is but maybe round trip just over a mile or something.

The bike really isn't bad when you get going and me being a total novice at bike riding I am enjoying the gears it has to offer. The only embarrassing thing that happened was when we were at the school picking up Emma today. As we were heading out a couple of kindergartners dodged out in front of us and we toppled over. It was pretty heavy with all the kids and I and needed help from some other moms but I guess if you are going to fall, fall big!:) Nothing like making a total spectacle of yourself in front of all the other moms. The good news is the Madsen totally took care of the kids and no one was hurt. The bad news was I was a bit shaken and had to bike them all home. We will be sure to watch out for those pesky curbs next time!:)

Day 1 of owning a bike that can haul all my kids in one go...SO MUCH FUN!

Soooo excited!

2011-05-31T11:04:00.000-07:00

Hello! It has been far too long to recap the past month and a half. Crazy how May seems like December in terms of commitments that you have. I don't know how all you who have kids in "real" school (something other than kindergarten) do it! To keep up is insane.

So I wanted to post that I am beyond excited. What might you ask has me all hopped up? Well Kent and I recently have been contemplating the move from a suburban as our family vehicle to a minivan. Before all you naysayers of minivans get going please remember I have 4 kids 6 and under and 4 car seats. I love my suburban but am getting really sick of putting the $$ into gas rather than other things. So while we have been contemplating this I have been secretly (and not so secret to Kent) coveting the mini vans of bikes. Yes! You read it right I who have not owned a bike since I was 12 am going to make the purchase today. I am sooooooo excited!

Check out the Madsen cargo bikes. Also known as the Madsen cycles. I found a great deal on one from KSL (don't you love KSL?) and am super stoked to start doing playdates, picnics, ice cream runs and so much more in my new minivan bike.

In preparation for the purchase I went to Robert J DeBry to pick up some bike helmets for the kids. The deal for the helmets was too good to pass up. $5 per kids helmet!!! Now they are set and I am to. If only I could pick it up right now!:)

So if you see a mom with 4 kids in a bucket on a bike chances are it is me. Don't be afraid to wave at the kids as I am sure they will be waving back!

I will keep you all posted about how it moves with 4 kids in the back as I am anxious to do the first kindergarten pick up tomorrow at 11:30.

WE DID IT!!!

2011-04-20T08:53:00.000-07:00

I had the best time in So Cal with my cousins this past weekend. I never thought that the Ragnar race would be as much fun as it was. I am not a hard core runner but would seriously love to do this again. Check out this AMAZING video my cousin Padgett put together of our adventure!

ROCK ON TIBBY'S TRACKSTARS!!! (We have a lot more cousins to help run next year. We might have to have a Roy's Rockstars added to our team!:)

p.s. does anyone know how to make my video fit the screen? It is cutting off half the movie! Thanks!

Crazy or Fun?

2011-04-05T16:11:00.000-07:00

I am heading down to So Cal with Kent and my family to run my first Ragnar next week. This is monumental in the fact that
a) it will be the first night away for Kent and I alone without the kids since the boys were born. Nothing like spending it with 10 other sweaty people for 24hours plus in 2 suburbans!:)
b) I haven't ran a race...or really ran since before the boys were born.
c) I will finally have a visual of what Kent really does!

Thanks Simmons/Morgan cousins who have agreed to this crazy adventure and make our team possible.

ROCK ON Tibby's Trackstars! ROCK ON!

Happy Birthday Boys!

2011-03-28T21:02:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow Mack and Morgan turn 2. I really can't believe it! Kent and I were talking about how the memory of their birth day is still vivid in our minds and that 2 years really does seem to fly by. In hindsight. The reality of having the boys these past 2 years has been slow moments and days but quick years.

We have been through a lot the past 2 years as a family and looking back I feel like the Lord blessed us with the boys so that we couldn't worry to much about the day to day things. We have just been in survival mode and have not had a chance to worry at details really. Probably a good thing!:)

These guys are so adorable and fun and sweet that I feel extremely lucky to be their mom! I still don't know how we have done it and honestly can't believe most of the time that they are mine. I love them both so much though and can't wait for more years and more birthdays!

Happy Birthday Mack and Mo! We love you!!!

love,
Mom, Dad, Emma and Claire

Need Help!

2011-01-27T08:24:00.000-08:00

Before you get worried we are all just fine in our house! All is well and by some miracle we are all healthy.

I need blog lands help though. I want to teach my harp students this year about classical composers. Not just famous harpists but really open their eyes to a bit of the amazing classical world. I want to somehow help them be well rounded musicians not just well rounded harpists (if there is such a thing!)

So I am trying to come up with a list of AMAZING classical composers that we can learn about. I am thinking one a month (at group lessons) then possibly having a little quiz the next month or something like that.

There are so many composers that I love and want to share with them but the ages of my students range from 3-18. I want to somehow keep it light and memorable. Does anyone have suggestions?

I know the greats like Beethoven, Mozart and Bach but what others do you like?

Kids say the craziest things...

2011-01-20T12:51:00.000-08:00

Claire has been so funny lately I can't help but write a few of her "moments" down.

So the other day she was telling me that tomorrow she would be going away to college. She was very adamant that this was going to happen and even packed a box with all the things she would need. Her pillow pet, her doll, some dishes from a tea set, her blanket and some clothes. She was then getting ready to go to bed and I told her I would miss her a lot while she was away and she told me "mom. I just received a text from my dear friend who told me that we are not going to college tomorrow. So I will be staying home!" It had me laughing so hard I couldn't say good night to her. Thank goodness she is not even going to preschool yet. I would miss her terribly!

She has also been watching a lot of this bear movie and they always ask the viewer "what do you like to practice every day?" and Claire's answer is, "Harp." Yep. Claire started harp lessons two weeks ago and has been such a joy to practice with. Whether or not it will last when the newness has worn off I don't know. I am just riding the good wave with this one.:)

Then today she had to get two shots. After the deed was done she told me with tears coming down her cheeks, "mom. Dad is going to hear it today. Shots are NOT fun and I am not having a good day!" Seriously. Where does she get these lines?!

I think the best news and biggest step for us is that this past week was her last speech therapy. Yes. She has officially caught up to her age group and our therapist told us she didn't need to come anymore. We are sad to see Jean go since she has been such a HUGE part of our lives but thrilled that we made it to this point. AMAZING!

Hope you have a great week! We are.:)

Memories

2010-12-15T08:12:00.000-08:00

Kent put our Christmas card together this past Sunday. We are still planning on mailing the actual card but sometimes they don't always make it in the envelope and mail before the season is over. I can't believe this year has gone bye so fast. CRAZY!

Updates:
Morgan and Mack are now really walking all the time which means I am going slightly nuts chasing them around. They also have 3 official words. Sucker "gucker", car "ca" and cracker "gacker". Only the essentials. No mom or dad here!
Claire had her 4th birthday (pictures to follow) and also we found out that she has caught up with the typical 4 year old speech. That means we get to start to phase out speech. HAPPY DAY!:)
Emma is the best big sister! She has been such a great helper the past couple of months and I don't know what I would do without her. She is so mature for her age that I forget she is only 5. I guess that is the curse of being the oldest in the family!

Hope your having a great holiday season with plenty of Nutcrackers, snow, hot chocolate and lights!

Big Steps

2010-11-11T20:03:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the kids meeting Kent at the airport after his race. They were so excited!

Claire after she had a successful trip to the potty!

Mack taking his first steps!

Morgan clapping since Claire and I were freaking out after he just stood up and walked!

We have had big steps happening around here lately!

Mack and Morgan have started to take their first steps. In true twin/boy fashion Mack did it first and it seemed like Morgan was literally a step behind. Mack is such a physical kid who just tries and tries until he finally gets it. Morgan on the other hand seemed to study Mack trying and then just got up and did it. They are so darn cute I can't stand it!

Claire has finally got the hang of using the potty! It has truly been a miracle to watch how easy it has been for her. I am constantly amazed once again at how well her brain and body have worked together. AMAZING!

Emma had her first trip away from mom. This was more of a big step for me than her. She went with Kent last weekend to California to see Kent's brother bless their baby. I was so nervous and sad to think that I was missing out on things with her but the idea of driving to and from California with all the kids in one weekend was enough for me to miss those events in her life! She had a great time though and I am so proud of the girl she is becoming.

Kent had his first race in that he was in charge of in September. It was amazing for me to see how much work really goes into every single race at Ragnar! I had no idea and am happy to say that we survived as a family and he survived as the race director!

Me...well I am doing a first since I had kids which is perform solo in public. This has been a big stretching moment in my life this past year. I have loved reconnecting to performing and practicing. I am performing tonight at the Assembly Hall on Temple Square at 7:30 as part of the Temple Square Concert series. I am looking forward to it and hopefully enjoying the experience! All are welcome that are 8 years old and older!:)

Claire

2010-09-29T19:57:00.000-07:00

(I am warning you now that this is a slightly long and rambled post. I have so much in my mind and heart at the moment I just can't seem to organize it into a nice short post.But since this is my best form of family journal I feel I need to get it out. Ever feel that way? Sorry!:) )

I am constantly amazed by this little girl. She is teaching me so much about life that I can't even begin to tell you. This past Monday she started her 3rd round of constraint therapy. That is where you cast the strong arm to force the weak arm to work. This time has been a bit rougher for her than other times. She is now pretty independent and I just took away her only form of independence. In short I suck as a mom. She hasn't said that but I think she feels a bit betrayed. Every day she asks me to take her back to Shriner's so that they can take her cast off. I keep telling her that she needs it on for 2 more weeks and she will get big tears in her eyes and say "OK mom. Just 2 more weeks!"

I am amazed at the wise and determined personality that is in this little girl. I feel like I am going to cry every time she falls or can't keep up with the other kids. My heart broke tonight when she started to cry and ask me to read her one more story. You see every night she "reads" to herself books until she falls asleep. Without the use of her right arm she can't hold the book up so she just waits in the dark until she can fall asleep.

I don't know how to be a parent to a child with special needs! I am trying to do what I think is right and trying my best to follow the advice from the professionals but sometimes I want to say to the therapists that work with us, "Can you tell me what I am supposed to say to my little girl when she comes in crying because she can't keep up with the other kids?" or what to say to my 5 year old who the other night told me, "Mom. Tomorrow I think we need to teach Claire how to walk normal. You know. Like not drag her feet anymore." None of them have covered these topics with me. I wish they would.

The thing is that I am learning, as I am stumbling along this road that I don't need someone to tell me how to respond. Because Claire is showing me how to respond. Daily.

This past Sunday was the Primary Program. She had one line and to be honest I didn't know if she was going to say it at all. As her class stood up and took turns to say their parts Claire got right up there and said her part loud and clear. She didn't even hesitate and didn't care that the others could not understand her as well. She was proud to do it and I was proud of her! My mom and I sat in the audience and both just about started to cry. I couldn't believe that my little girl who was not supposed to talk or walk just did both in front of an audience.
She had just taught me once again how determined and independent she is and will continue to be. I am so thankful for this little person who continues to teach me daily what I need to be grateful for and what I take for granted. Thanks Claire!

Pants are NOT leggings

2010-09-01T08:01:00.000-07:00

I just had a phone call from my husband. He was taking Emma to school and on the way (the whole 2 min) she told Kent that she was supposed to wear pants today and not her beautiful fluffy pink skirt. Kent then called me and I ran upstairs and got what I thought were pants. Ones she would be thrilled about as well as her Twinkle Toes shoes since the sandals she was wearing were probably not right. (The Twinkle Toes are another story completely. Another blog another day!)

So I am thinking I am being the super mom and run out to meet them with the extremely cute pants and her twinkle toes expecting a huge "Thanks so much mom!" Instead I was greeted with a "Those aren't pants mom. They are leggings! I NEED pants." Stupid mom. What was I thinking?

Since when did my 5 year old become the authority on pants?

Emma with the infamous (at our house at least) Twinkle Toesalt="

Emma is in the system

2010-08-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

Today Emma started Kindergarten. It is a big day for us as she is our first in the school system.

It was fun to see her pick out her clothes, tell me how her hair was to be done decide how to wear her backpack and realize the none of it would be what I would pick. She is our oldest and therefore we have had to learn through her how to parent. She has taught me over and over again that she has her own personality and her way of doing things and they don't coincide with mine most of the time.

With that said I was 100% proud of her this morning. She just stood in line waiting for her class to walk in and get going. Kent and I stood on the sidelines watching her with complete awe. We said good bye and she waved, blew me a kiss and walked away. Kent told me to run up and give her one last hug since in that moment we both realized that she is not a baby or toddler anymore. She is a grown little person who is now in the system. Ready to make friends, learn fun and hard lessons and a little bit out in the world now. Congratulations Emma! Good luck for a great year!

Sumer Catchup

2010-08-23T12:57:00.000-07:00

Where did summer go? I can't believe it has come and gone and I didn't really post anything about it.

Here is a quick catchup.
June:
We went to Jackson Hole and spent the best few days at my Aunt's house. Their hospitality was so kind and the weather and animals we saw were AMAZING. The kids had a great time and the girls most favorite thing was having a sleepover together and being able to watch TV while eating breakfast in bed. Thanks so much Hokes! It was such a great trip!

July:
4th of July was great. Kent and Ragnar were in the Kaysville parade which was so long and hot. Claire and Kent sat on the semi and had fun tossing candy. Emma bailed once she saw me and the boys on the side. She wanted to get the candy not give it.:)
We also had harp camp in July. It was such a great week and so much fun to see how much Emma grew in just one week. Thanks to my brother Pete we were able to get great press coverage. The link from the Deseret News was especially fun since it gives those of you not familiar with harp camp an idea of what it was. A lot of work but seriously such a great week!

http://www.deseretnews.com/photo/slideshow/8046/Plucking-at-heart-strings.html

August:
The Watkins Family weekend. This year we did a "staycation" in Kaysville with track and field events at G & G Simmons house. It was so much fun to see the kids race against each other. My favorite moment was when Claire was struggling to finish the lap around the arena all the cousins and family starting to cheer her on. I about started to cry and was reminded once again how much our life is cheered on by our family and friends!

We had a lot of fun this summer and I can't believe it is over. Sad but so much fun! Here is onto the school year. Our first!:)

My little guys

2010-06-22T08:17:00.001-07:00

How do you get mad at a face like that? Morgan is definitely the dominate twin of the two. If there is ever anything that he wants he has no problem taking it away from Mack. Take a look at breakfast this morning?:)
Twins are so much fun...a lot of work but FUN!

Major Update!

2010-06-19T07:40:00.000-07:00

OK, it has seriously been way too long since I updated. I guess that is what May and June bring. I don't even have kids in real school to use as an excuse. It has just been crazy around here and it doesn't look like it will let up anytime soon.
In May Kent was out of town for 2 weeks to NY and I feel like we handled it pretty well. He was helping with the Ragnar New York race and worked so hard he came home and broke out into shingles. Lovely! At the same time all the kids seemed to be getting sick at the same time. What a life!:)
After that memorable week Emma graduated from Pre-school. I really can't believe she is 5 and going to Kindergarten next year. It seems like we really just had her. She is growing up to be such a beautiful little girl who is sweet, social and sensitive to those around her. There isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't ask for a friend.
She loved Apple Tree School House and especially Miss Michelle. Congratulations E!
Then I took my harp student to the Utah Symphony for the All Stars Evening. It was so much fun! I gave them each a ticket to the Symphony for Christmas and we did it in May. It was such a great experience to be able to take these girls (most of them for the 1st time) to see Symphony Hall, the stage the lights, the musicians and the 3 harps! Yes, there were 3 harps playing in the concert. It was so much fun I think it just might become a tradition.

Another fun thing we have done the past month was the Dream Night at Hogle Zoo. At the beg. of May Claire's hippotherapist asked if we wanted tickets to the Dream Night. I had no idea what it was but free tickets to the zoo sounded pretty good to me so I accepted them. Well, it was one of the most amazing, fun and humbling experiences I have had in a long time. If you google Dream Night you will see that it is a night that zoo's all over the world sponser. It was started in Amsterdam in 1996 and has grown to 224 zoo's. It is a night where the zoo closes to regular patrons and opens its doors to kids and families with disabilites or sick children. To say that we were inspired was an understatement. As we walked around the zoo with Claire and Emma it was amazing to see the families with kids in wheelchairs and feeding tubes and braces like Claire's and so much more. We came away humbled once again and realizing how lucky we are to have Claire in our lives. Without her and her trials we would not even be aware of this whole new world that so many people are a part of. The girls had fun getting their faces painted and having a night out with mom and dad minus the boys. I hope we have the chance to go again next year. It was truly AMAZING!

Since then life has had swimming lessons, harp lessons, tennis, arts & crafts, Wasatch Back (not running but Kent working) and this week the ballet recital.
Yes. This week has been crazy (when is it not?) with Kent working extremely late and hard for Wasatch Back. It has been like he is out of town but just comes home to sleep. Weird to say the least.

So amid all this Emma has been dancing the past couple of days in her recital. To say she has been in heaven might be an understatement. She loves everything about ballet. She has enjoyed getting her hair done, makeup and especially wearing her beautiful costume and pink bow. She is a Music Box Dancer and has a 30 second dance that is sheer joy. The best part for me is seeing her dance with her friends and really start to grow up. The funniest has been watching her in dress rehearsal push the other dancers on stage. When she was done and we were walking out to the car I said "Emma you can't push the other dancers on stage." Her response was " Mom, they just didn't know where they were going and needed a little direction." Thanks for clarifying E. She told me last night at the dress rehearsal she only pushed 1 kids this time rather than 3! :)

Mack

Morgan
I couldn't do an update without a little M & M action. They are doing great. They are so adorable that I can't stand it. I feel slightly bad that their entire day consists of going from the cribs to the car seats to the high chairs. They don't really have a lot of time on the floor which is probably why they are not walking yet. I am thankful they aren't! I don't think I am going to be able to keep up with them. Morgan is so sweet and inquisitive and active. He keeps me on my toes. Mack is really starting to be either totally happy all day or just miserable and crying all day. It is like he makes up his mind in the morning that he is going to be a delight and joy or totally hard. I love him so much though and am having so much fun watching them really grow into their own personalities. the best part is when they realize the other isn't around and seem to panic. They really love each other and it is like they are both half of one big person. Oh they are so much fun!
If you have stuck with me this long in reading this insanely long post I must tell you that it will probably be another long time before I post again. I am going slightly crazy with teaching and Institute that I don't think I will have anything sane to add. I am so grateful for my family though. How boring life would be if it was just Kent and me! Happy summer, swimming and snowcones!

Emma's first Harp Festival

2010-05-09T19:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a very exciting day at out house. At least I think so. Emma performed for her first time at the harp festival/federation held at BYU. Her number was #5471 and she played Lavender's Blue (LH) and Lightly Row (RH). Other than forgetting to announce her pieces and number she played them flawlessly!

It is funny though. Growing up having these moments in my life. Performing the exact same pieces, in the same room at the same time of year back in the 80's brings back so many memories for me. The difference though is the way I am looking at them. Through fresh eyes. With a better understanding of how it was for my mom.

My mom was a pro at harp things. She never once let on to me if she was nervous or worried that I wouldn't do a good job. Because of her total confidence in me I never remember being worried that it wouldn't go well. I just always expected it to work out. Man I really hope I can instill the same confidence with my kids. Judging from yesterday and the entire last week it will be a miracle if they get any confidence from me.:) I was a nervous wreck! You would have thought I was performing in Carnegie Hall or something. I had been nervous the entire week and couldn't really sleep the night before. I couldn't eat the whole morning yesterday and just kept saying to Emma "your going to do great! I love you and just want you to have fun!" I hope I can get better at this. I would gladly perform in front of thousands of people and make a fool of myself than have my little girl have a bad experience performing. I can't explain why but perhaps it is just that I totally love her so much and hope that she knows that.

In spite my total heart attack for the brief 2 minutes that she performed she seemed to enjoy it, to not be stressed at all and to own it. Well done Emma! Well done.:)

Coupon Class

2010-05-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

Do you collect coupons? Does your coupon drawer look like mine? On Wednesday May 12 at 7pm I am going to learn what to do with this mess. If you are interested in coming all are welcome! It will be held at my house in Farmington and will cost $2.00 per person. That is to cover the cost of the coupon guru who is coming to teach all the tricks to the business.

If you are seriously interested please know that all are welcome I just need a small head count if that is OK. Check your schedules and leave a comment for this post. Also, if you need my address you can leave a comment of needing my address and I will get it too you.

Hope to see you there!

Claire's sweet prayer

2010-04-22T20:53:00.001-07:00

I had to post this since I use this as a form of journal keeping for our family. Claire and Emma got haircuts this past week. Emma got a trim and Claire went for the bob and bangs. Kent is out of town right now so I can't post a picture of the new do but tonight Claire had a very sweet prayer.
When she prays you can only understand probably 50% of what she is saying. So tonight when I heard her slow down and very clearly say "Thank you for my beautiful bangs from Kia" I couldn't help but smile. She is such a little sweetheart!

Emma vs. Claire

2010-04-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you, hate you, hate you!!! and your crossed off my list FOREVER!"

That is what my sweet 5 year old yelled at me yesterday when I told her she had to go to time out. It was so funny I couldn't stop laughing.

In the other room Claire was cleaning up the dolls like I asked her. After doing it her response was "I get a treat now mom?"

What happened to listening to your parents and just obeying without rewards? I know I did that ALL the time!:) (For those who don't know me this is where you insert a ton of sarcasm)

We made it to 1!!!!

2010-03-29T14:06:00.000-07:00

Today is the day that one year ago our lives changed. The day was super snowy and cold and unexpected weather for March. Unexpected has been the word to describe these boys.

The boys are such a joy! From the first Dr appointment that was unexpected to their early arrival they have been a pleasant surprise. They have been a joy to have in our house and I wouldn't change a thing.

Happy Birthday Boys!!!

We had a nice day yesterday celebrating their "big #1" as my dad put it. Thanks to family who helped with the food and the fantastic presents.

love,
mom, dad, Emma and Claire

Pros and Cons

2010-03-23T09:39:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have a day where you feel like you need to list the pros and cons of the day to realize that it really isn't that bad? I had one yesterday.
Kent has been out of town since Thursday morning and comes home this Friday and yesterday was the half way mark. That means that it was pretty much a crappy day. I don't really know why it was but the entire day just felt "off". You know what I mean?
So in order to combat it by the end of the day and countless moments of losing my patience with my children I listed the pros and cons.

Here is what I came up with in no specific order...please don't judge me!:)
Cons:
-I am flying solo which means no down time.
-Emma is sleeping now officially in my room on the floor which means she goes to bed with me and wakes up with me. I don't know about you but with the down time I need my alone time. Selfish I know but that is the truth!
-Claire's fish died and I had to be the one to tell her and dispose of him. She did not take the news well...ask Aunt Hannah. RIP Bobby!
-Mack and Morgan both have double ear infections which does not make for pleasant babies. Need I say more?
-I had McDonald's for breakfast and dinner. No lunch. (this could be a pro as well I am not really sure!)

Pros:
-I have an amazing family on both sides who call and check in to see if I am still sane.
-I have a wonderful bed which when I finally crawl into I can't keep my eyes open for more than 2 seconds. Not to mention a home and food and clothes. ALWAYS a bonus!
-The girls bought the boys birthday presents with coupons I got in my first Sunday paper. (see it is all ready paying off!)
-I am healthy and well.
-I have a wonderful mom who came and helped me fold every clean article of clothing that I had in the house!
-I have a wonderful husband who is working hard to provide for our family
-I have a great job that enables me to work on something besides kids which in essence gives me a few moments of sanity.
-I bought "New Moon" the DVD and watched half of it. I plan to finish the other half today. (again please don't judge! It is like candy to my brain. No need to think just sit and veg.)

I found this to be incredibly therapeutic and helpful to my mental state.
What are your pros and cons? Do you ever have to do this?

My new obsession

2010-03-17T15:24:00.000-07:00

I have a new obsession. Coupons. I have been watching these blogs that people have and am amazed at how much $ they can save. How do they do it?!

I have officially subscribed to the Standard Examiner for the coupon special. 5 Sunday papers every week and one weekly paper for the low price of $19.99 per month. So the way I figure is if I can at least save $120 a year then I have paid for my papers. I think that is feasible. I don't know for sure.

So here is the deal (no pun intended)I need your help. Does anyone know of someone who would teach me a coupon class? Does anyone want to come to a class if I can find someone? I would be willing to host it I just don't know of someone who would teach. I have emailed a couple of people with no response. I would love to learn how to use all my new "specials".

I am also open to ideas or encouragement as this is a whole new world to me!:)

Thanks everyone!

It's my birthday shout HOORAY!!!!

2010-03-09T11:49:00.000-08:00

Emma had her 5th birthday last Saturday and it was such a milestone!

She had a date night on Friday with mom and dad and we went and got her birthday present. Kent and I decided that she needed a bike so that is what she got whether or not she wanted it. Lucky for us the store had a princess bike. She died when she saw it and was able to ride it out of the store!

On Saturday she had a beauty shop party. Thanks so AMAZING family (Hannah and Allison) and friends (Allie, Madeline and Abby) we were able to set up a little salon with hair, nails and makeup. The little girls loved it and Emma was in heaven. It is amazing how much personality these kids come with. I would have never thought of the beauty shop idea but Emma was all over it!
The other things she wanted to do at her party were a fashion show (which Allison took pictures like real paparazzi!) play go fish off the balcony and break a pinata. It all came and went so fast that I was not sure if it went well but we had no one crying so that is always a success! (We did have one little girl trying to put her shoes on to go home right after the party started but were able to distract her long enough to keep her here.)

Then today we went in for the Kindergarten checkup with Dr. V. It went pretty well and Emma is 100% ready to go to school next fall. I can't believe how big she is getting and am so happy that she is my oldest. I admit that I get a little frustrated sometimes because she is so strong willed but I think she needed to come down first. She has to put up with all my mistakes as a first time parent over and over again and teach me how to be a better person and more have more patience.
Thanks Emma for coming to our home!
Happy Birthday girl!!! We sure do love you!
love,
mom, dad, Claire, Mack and Morgan

Part 3....What to do when your child is smarter than you?

2010-03-05T11:59:00.000-08:00

I GIVE UP!

I just want to state it here and now. I have come to the conclusion that I have no idea what I am doing as a parent and that Emma is smarter than me. There. I said it! Don't get me wrong, I am laughing as I write this because I can't even believe it. Perhaps I am in denial...hmmm....there's a thought?

Today I did the last ditch attempt to keep her in her room. I bought the baby door knob handle and tried to lock her in her room. She has 2 hours to do and she was fighting me tooth and nail to do it. So after a couple of agonizing guilty moments (which was not helped with every article on the internet telling me that I should not lock my child in her room for fear of emotionally scarring her for life!) I went back up stairs to chat with her.

I knocked on the door quietly with Morgan in hand, you know, to keep me patient, and went in to find that she had successfully taken the lock off her door knob(because she couldn't figure out how to open the door!) and was laying on the floor eating a sucker. A sucker that she had smuggled in with a bunch of other treats for moments like this one. Yep. She had unlocked her door had a treat and was just hanging out until her time is done. I just laughed and hugged her. Really. What would you have done? So I have now thrown in the towel. She is smarter than me and there is nothing I can do about it!

Well played Emma...well played!

Doing Time

2010-03-03T15:18:00.001-08:00

Emma in fighting mode!!!

So in response to all the well wishers of our bedtime problem I thought I would do a follow up post. Emma has not really figured out the whole staying in bed thing yet but has figured out that her daily routine now includes doing time in her room.
I kid you not! She has spent EVERY DAY at least a minimum of 30 min in her room. Saturday it was 5 hours (down from 7 because Kent sprung her early!) and today it is 35 min. On top of that I have not let her watch TV for a week since the days she does time means no TV. WHAT DO I DO???? Let me know if you have any other brilliant ideas.

On the positive she has now figured out how to go to bed and stay in her room when we put her down. It is the 12:45am wake up call to Kent and I that we have. I am getting desperate. We have tried sticker charts, threats, rewards, bribes, timeouts (obviously), spankings, yelling, being nice and going with the flow,the super nanny things where you just ignore and even letting her sleep in our room on the floor.
I feel like that part in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory where Veruca Salt is being tested by the squirrels to see if she is a good nut or not. Am I being tested by my child to see if I am a good nut or not? It sure feels like it!:)

Happy week to you all who are getting more than 4 hours of sleep. Those of you who are not, you may call me anytime from 12:30-2:00am. I am up!

I think I figured it out....I hope!

2010-02-23T21:00:00.000-08:00

Oh Emma....I love you soooooo much but would you please just go to bed?

So I have had a problem the past few years with my oldest child. It is the problem of bedtime. It goes in waves of good and really, really bad. Like fighting 5 hours and putting a pillow over your head and trying to just survive. (Don't judge...all of you that have kids know you have been there!!!)

I think I have finally found the solution...I think! Let me start by explaining that we have tried everything with the exception of locking her in her room as Kent was very adamant that we would not do that. The solution came to me Sunday night while fighting yet again at around 10:30pm. I simply told her "Emma, I don't care where you sleep but from now on how ever long it takes for you to stay in your room and go to bed will be the amount of time you will stay in your room tomorrow."
So for instance on Monday had you come to our house you would have found Emma sitting in her room for 5 hours since she took 5 hours to go to bed the night before. Today she spent 1.5 hours in her room. Tomorrow will be 45 min. It is getting smaller each day and I have hope that tomorrow night will be less. I just wanted to blog about this as I feel like we have finally made a huge milestone with her. Let's hope I am not speaking too soon!!! Anyone else have bedtime problems with their kids? What do you do?

My most amazing babysitter

2010-02-18T14:46:00.001-08:00

This afternoon Emma took it upon herself to entertain the boys. Also known as the "trap". Emma is either the best babysitter and big sister or the most unhelpful person around. This must be the curse of the oldest or of being 4. I am a novice parent so I haven't made up my mind just yet.

So she made a homemade baby gate since the boys have started crawling and this is what she came up with. Pretty ingenious really. The only thing she didn't factor in was Morgan and his desire to not be stopped at any cost. Seriously. He made it through all of the holes to emerge victorious on the other side. It was really a sight to see!

In other news...Claire got a cast on yesterday. The therapists and Dr decided that she needed to do some constraint therapy so they put a cast on her good arm to force the weak arm to work. I am once again amazed at the resilience and good nature of my 2nd daughter. She complained once when she got it on and then I haven't heard her complain since. She hasn't been able to feed herself, drink from a sippy cup or really do much of anything that she is used to. She also hasn't let on how hard this must be for her. I really am amazed! She even told me last night as I am not feeling great "mom, I hope you feel better tomorrow." Can I learn from her how to not complain?

My Cousin's Giveaway!!!

2010-02-16T18:35:00.000-08:00

My amazingly talented cousin Padgett is having a giveaway on her blog of the most phenomenal dishes. I would say they are the best cooking dishes you can get and if you check out her etsy shop you will see the BEST jewelry you can buy.
Just think...you could be cooking with the BEST and look your BEST while wearing the BEST jewelry around. Any questions???

check out her blog on:
www.padgetthoke.blogspot.com

Good luck!!!

2 years ago...

2010-02-07T19:14:00.000-08:00

This week marks a big milestone for our family. It was two years ago on Friday, February 12th that we found out about Claire. It was 2 years ago that our lives changed and that we entered a new world. It was 2 years ago that my love for my husband, little girl and faith grew to a new level. Amazing how much can happen in 2 years!
I don't know how many of you have had the missionary experience in your home. It is amazing how long those 2 years seem! I remember the 2 years Kent was on his mission in Switzerland and I was living in London. I remember walking along the streets and out of the blue thinking to myself "Kent is only an hour time difference from me but _____ months/years away." It really seemed like it lasted forever!!!

The past 2 years have at times seemed the same. There have been moments that seemed to last FOREVER and yet the days and weeks and progress flew by! Claire is a miracle! I know that I talk a lot about miracles but she truly is. When the Dr's told us that she might not ever walk and speak I didn't really know how to comprehend that. Now I am grateful I didn't really ever have to comprehend that. Claire is speaking like any other 3 year old and walking like a champ. She still has her moments of needing help that a 3 year old doesn't have and I am starting to have the "mom" moments where someone asks me whats wrong with her. The greatest thing I have learned from Claire though is that you need to be happy no matter what. Seriously. There is something very special about this little girl that just touches and melts hearts with everyone she meets. I love her soooo much and am grateful for her sweet spirit in our family and the lessons I learn from her daily. Thank you Heavenly Father for blessing me with this sweet little angel! I feel honored to be her mom!!!

My little problem...getting bigger everyday! ;)

2010-01-28T14:57:00.000-08:00

Morgan right after he was born...3 lbs 14 oz

Me holding Morgan for one of the first times. He was was so little I couldn't believe it!

Mack and Morgan at 6 months. Morgan is on the right.

Morgan is our youngest child. I say youngest because he came out 30 seconds after Mack. It is not much but 30 seconds is 30 seconds.
I used to think that Morgan was going to be the runt of the family. So frail, fragile and weak. Boy was I wrong!!!
Morgan is our smallest child still but he is the most lively, quickest learner, and the dominant twin of the two. He has no problem stealing Mack's binky, toy, blanket whatever. He also has no problem rolling and crawling right over Mack. He is a tease to Emma all ready and makes her so frustrated sometimes. (like yesterday when she was throwing a tantrum and he just laughed!)
The thing about Morgan is he is so dang cute. I know I am biased as his mom but he is. He is going to get away with sooooo many things because he will just smile his little cheeky smile and look at me with his big brown eyes. What am I going to do?

I thought Emma was going to be my biggest challenge as a parent. I think this little guy is going to give her a run for her money!:)

Morgan crawling so much his shirt is falling off. He only army crawls but is VERY fast!

Morgan today after crawling right over Mack. Mack doesn't seem to mind.

Utah Suzuki Harp Institute-2010

2010-01-17T20:40:00.000-08:00

As if life isn't crazy enough I have said "yes" to being in charge of institute again. What is institute you might ask? It is a week long camp for Suzuki students where they get to come together as fellow music students to learn and play and perform together! It is seriously some of the BEST memories I have as a child.

Every summer my mom, Hannah and I would load up the harps and head to wherever we were told Institute was. Some years is was Logan, then Ceder City, then St. George, then Colorado...one was even in Australia! We were serious about Institute in our family.
The days where I got to play with others who were as excited (I think?) as I was and friendships I made I will never forget. There was also the added bonus that it was the one week every year that I got to have just me and my mom with Hannah to myself. Those of you who grew up in a big family understand this. I loved being able to drive down together just the girls. Eat together and have my mom with me. Almost all to myself. I really cherish those moments.
So...that is why I said "yes" to do this again. I want to hopefully give the opportunity to a new generation of young harpists, Emma included, to make those memories with their moms/dads/grandmas or whoever attends with them.
If you want to check out what we have planned check out the AMAZING website my friend and neighbor put together. www.utahsuzukiharpinstitute.com
Adam and Becki- you guys are the best to do this for me and fellow harpists. Thanks for taking the time out of your lives to put the website together. I OWE YOU BIG TIME!!!!!

My famous little sister

2009-12-22T12:21:00.001-08:00

This is my famous little sister Hannah. I was walking through Layton Hills Mall today with the kids to see Santa(that is another story, another post!) when Emma and Claire at the same time screamed, "Aunt Hannah! Aunt Hannah!" I had totally forgotten that Hannah was chosen to be the rep. for the LDS interior design program because she is the BEST student!
The girls were so excited and couldn't believe that Aunt Hannah was so big!:)
If you are at Layton Hills Mall check her out. I think she will totally kill me over this post but I am so proud of all her achievements and successes I couldn't help it!
Well done Hann!

Christmas=Nutcracker...

2009-12-19T20:55:00.001-08:00

Tonight I had a moment of realization of how lucky I feel to be a musician. More to the fact how much I love to play the Nutcracker!
For those of you who aren't musicians you must know that a lot of professionals hate the Nutcracker. Year after year they trudge to the pit to play yet another 2 hour ballet that they have been playing since they were 15!
Me...well I have a different view point. I LOVE it! My story of the Nutcracker begins when I was probably 8 years old and my cousin Jordan took me to see it at Capitol Theater. I was hooked. More importantly I wanted to be on the stage. I was not a great dancer...in fact I did get on stage but I was a soldier. The epitome of non-graceful dancer. I was a red soldier in 6th grade and the riffle-man in 7th. I didn't care. Those were some of my most memorable Christmas's as a kid.

Fast forward to 2003-Christmas. I had just moved back to the states after a 5 year stint in Prague and London. Music school had pounded into my head that you always said "yes" to every job that came and figured out how to do it after. So that is what I did when the principal harpist at Ballet West called me to play "one or two" performances. I said "yes. I know it!" The truth was that I had learned the harp solo but had not ever seen the rest of the part.
She then continued to tell me that there was only one rehearsal for the orchestra and she was already doing that so I would just jump in on the 2 dates.
OK...I was panicked! To say the least. Talk about baptism of fire!!! I had never played a ballet let alone the Nutcracker! I just figured though that I would practice hard and make it work!

I made it through thanks to my former teacher ShruDe who loaned me her old music and listened to me play the part. She also gave me the sound advice of getting to the pit 45 min ahead of time so I could be alone in the pit. After the longest 2 hours of my life (I don't think I breathed at all!) I made it. More importantly I made it through the performance without anyone noticing that I had never done that before. The other thing they taught us at the Academy was to act like you knew what was going on all the time rather than ask someone a question. I think the motto was JUST FIGURE IT OUT! By the end of that run I got to do 4 performances.

I have played every year with the exception of 2006 (Claire was born) and it has only been this past year that I have found to really enjoy the part. In fact, I love it! It is so much fun to have something that challenges me and that I honestly don't get sick of listening to every time I play it.

I wonder if Tchaikovsky knew when he wrote this ballet that it would become iconic. I dare say the most famous ballet!

He probably didn't but I for one and so grateful he wrote it. It doesn't feel like it is Christmas to me without a little Sugar Plum Fairy and a little Waltz of the Flowers.

What happened when I turned my back...

2009-12-11T20:30:00.001-08:00

This is what happened today when I turned my back on the girls.
They decided to play "beauty shop" in the bathroom. They got out all the Q-tips and started to apply the lotion...at least what they thought was lotion.
I heard a panicked Emma yelling, "Mom! Can you help me? I can't seem to get this lotion off my hands!"
I ran to the bathroom to find that both Emma and Claire decided to put "lotion" on otherwise known at diaper rash medicine. Of course it doesn't come off with water! It is meant to repel water!
Lucky for them I started laughing rather than yelling. At least I had the sense to grab my camera!:)

Happy Birthday Claire!!!!!

2009-12-09T09:41:00.001-08:00

Happy 3rd Birthday Claire!!!
We love you so much and are happy you are a part of our family!

love,
Mom, Dad, Emma, Mack and Mo Mo

What a week!

2009-12-05T21:28:00.001-08:00

This past week Kent was out of town and you would have thought I would be a reasonable parent and stay home with my 4 kids 4 and under. Not me! I had too many things on my list to do and being the only person who can put shoes on, coats on, clothes on and everything else it takes to get out of the house did not stop me. Man am I glad it didn't!

On Thursday we went to the Festival of Trees with my mom and sisters. I love this little tradition that we have going and the girls love getting their nails painted. It is the only time of the year they get that to happen with my blessings. Claire also had a great time calling Santa's elves. I hope he brings her a baby doll with a bottle!

Then that night I had to play the Nutcracker. Liz and Glen had 2 free tickets and since they couldn't use them I took them off their hands. Emma had her first Nutcracker experience with our great friend and former babysitter Chrislyn. She met us before the show for some dinner and then they went to the show while I played in the pit. Oh my gosh! I had no idea how delighted Emma would be. It was general admission and so she got to sit right on the front row and the entire show she would stand and watch between the pit and the stage. At the very end she yelled into the pit "Good job mom!" and gave me a thumbs up. That made me laugh and a bit of a celeb with the other musicians. They were really quite jealous that they didn't have a fan club!:)

Then on Friday my studio combined with 4 other harp teachers had a recital at the Farmington Community Center. It was so much fun and a lot of work but well worth it. Emma performed along with 55 other young harpists from the northern Utah area. They all did a beautiful job and I am so proud of them. Well done everyone!!!

Then today we had Claire's 3rd birthday party. She doesn't officially turn 3 until Wednesday, but she wanted to have a "gymnastics" party and they only do them on Saturdays. It was a blast and Claire was in heaven with all her cousins. Thanks everyone for coming and supporting her! I can't believe she is going to be 3!!!

After all that Kent got in last night and made it to the birthday party and I am grateful for that! It was a lot of fun this week and I would totally do it all over again but I do realize once again how much easier it is when you have at least one more set of hands to help get 8 feet,and 4 bodies dressed and out the door!

Tickets are gone!

2009-12-04T09:54:00.001-08:00

If you were interested the tickets are now owned by my lovely neighbor. She has never seen the Nutcracker and is excited to go!

Thanks!

Two Free Tickets to the Nutcracker!!!

2009-12-04T06:12:00.000-08:00

I have 2 free tickets to the Nutcracker is Salt Lake for tonight if anyone wants to use them. I can't and would love to not see them go to waste.
The show starts at 7pm and it is opening night. Kids can go as Emma went last night and it is so much fun. So if you want them let me know by noon today or something like that. I have to leave for a harp recital by 1:30 so you would probably need to come and pick them up.

Thanks!
Maria

End of a long day...

2009-12-02T21:31:00.001-08:00

Kent is out of town this week and I think Mack has captured my feelings exactly!

Thanksgiving

2009-12-02T20:02:00.000-08:00

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving and a lot of firsts in our family.

We started off the day with the 1st ever Turkey Leg 5K in Farmington. Kent's brother Darrell put it on and it was SO MUCH FUN! Kent and I ran the 5K with all the kids. (I had never ran with a jogging stroller so that was fun) and the girls ran the kids 1K. Well...Emma ran and did great and Claire ran half of it with Kent. It was the most amazing thing and I swear I was holding back tears as she ran across the finish line. She kept saying to Kent "Dad. I'm running Dad, I'm running!" I can't tell you how happy it made me feel to think a year ago she wasn't even walking and now she is running! (I am kind of tearing up now as I think about it!)

Then we went onto my mom's house for dinner. My brother Pete introduced the first ever Pie bake off. (I was not very smart and didn't take my camera but if you want to see all the entries check out Peter and Dree's blog on the side.) The rule was that each adult in the family could enter a pie. I took this to heart and made 2! Apple and banana cream.

Not many people in our family had ever baked pies including me and it was really fun to try and compete. I was lucky to have Kent's family secrets and sisters. His family used to own a pie shop back in Pocatello and they had all the secrets. I am proud to say the Heather's recipe for Banana Cream Pie won! Thanks to her I made the crust, filling and whip cream all from scratch! No one was more surprised than me. To be honest though I am not sure the votes were really accurate as there were 2 banana cream pies and everyone who voted were not really sure which one was which. :) I will take the win though and hope that I can compete again next year.

I just want to say one more time how thankful I am for a loving husband and fantastic children. I feel totally blessed and know that I am extremely lucky to have what I have!!! Now onto Christmas!

Ally and Bobby

2009-11-09T13:49:00.001-08:00

Where has the time gone? I can't believe it has been over a month since I last posted but a lot has been going on!
Here are the two newest pets in our family. Let me explain. About 2 months ago Kent and I decided that it was time to let Go Motor's go so to speak and as of October 1st Kent joined the ranks of unemployed. To say the least it was a bit stressful. Kent told the girls that when he got a new job they could get fish. So here are the two newest members of the Phippen clan. Claire named her fish Bobby and Emma named hers Ally. Don't ask me why but they are good names and I am so happy that Kent found a job.
His new job is with Ragnar events. They are the guys that organize and put on the Wasatch Back relay race every summer. This is an amazing road race that requires teams of 12 runners to run different legs of a 200 mile course from Logan to Park City. They start on a Friday morning, run through the night and end on Saturday. It is a crazy experience but one people tend to do over and over again because they have such a great time!
Kent will now officially be in charge of their Washington D.C. race that is held every September. It does require some traveling and since we have never had a job that requires that I am a bit nervous. We feel like this is such a blessing in this economy and time of our lives that we will be helped along the way. He started today and like I said before we are sooooo excited for him to be part of such a great company and experience. Thanks Ragnar!!!!

Besides that the boys are now 7months old, Claire started at Shriner's hospital, and Emma now can officially hit 5 balls over the net both forehand and back hand. Let alone Halloween. Hannah made the M & M costumes. She had no pattern and had to make something that Claire could wear to hippotherapy. I had no idea that she was so AMAZING at sewing and I want to thank her once again for making my kids so happy. Especially Claire. Her "lellow n&M" costume was perfect!!!!

Boys are 6 months old!

2009-10-06T21:45:00.000-07:00

Mack on the left, Morgan on the right

I can't believe they are all ready 6 months old. Where has the time gone? These guys are the cutest boys in my life (next to Kent of course:) and I can't believe how lucky I am to have them.
Mack is 15 lbs and is such a sweet little guy. He is still on heart meds as well as thyroid meds but we are going to start to ween him off the heart meds these next 6 months. Yeah! He is the cool, calm, collected one of the boys and is so smiley that it just makes me grin. What can I say...he is a cutie.
Morgan is 14 lbs. and is our live wire! He is going to be the outgoing one who will put me through my paces and keep me on my toes. He is the one who rolled right over Mack while in the same crib making me realize that it was time to separate them. He will be my feisty boy as well as the heart breaker! He is soooooo cute that I can't stand it and will probably give him everything he wants!

So there you have it. It is funny how the longer I am a mom the sooner I realize personalities in my children. I just want to say how grateful I am that these two decided to come down together and be in our family. I truly am blessed to have the experience of twins with these two. They will be the best of friends and are lucky to have each others backs!

A Chorus Line...

2009-09-24T13:23:00.000-07:00

This is where I will be for the next three weeks. I will not be viewing the show but will be underneath the stage in the pit. It is NOT a family friendly show so kids under 18 don't go but the music is fantastic! I can't help but smile when the number "One" comes on...that is if I could stop counting all the bars!:)

Playing until October 10th at Pioneer Memorial Theater, U of U, Salt Lake. Opens tomorrow night. If you need anything...ask Kent. He is the man in charge of our chorus line at home!:)

Halloween help!

2009-09-19T15:20:00.000-07:00

So I just visited my friend Circe's blog and realized that Halloween is coming. Crazy I know but in seriously a couple of weeks I will need to figure out all the kids costumes. I need help! I am putting it out in the blogosphere for help with the costumes. Claire has decided she wants to be Scooby Dooby Doo. Honestly I have no idea where that idea came from but she has stuck with the idea for awhile now so I think it is set. The boys are going to be M & M's. Any color I think. I haven't decided.:) I know, not that creative but I haven't been able to find a pattern or baby costumes that would work. Emma...well she hasn't decided yet but I am sure it will involve some fairy wings or princess something or other. I have never made my kids costumes so the buying or borrowing variety works best for us.
There it is. The problem out in the air and hopefully some ideas or solutions. Thanks everyone!

Last days of summer, First day of Preschool

2009-09-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

The past weekend was our last weekend before school started for our little family so Kent and I decided to take the girls to Thanksgiving Point. The girls had a pony ride. I know we have our own little guy to ride but for some reason it is much more fun when you don't have to brush and tack up your own horse.:)

Kent and the girls went on a wagon ride while I waited with the boys. Seriously, if you live near Salt Lake I suggest you go visit the Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point. So much fun!!!

On the same day we decided to start the boys on their first taste of solids. They were not sure at first until we added pears to the cereal. Of course like all my kids the slightest hint of sweet taste and they are all over it!:)

Mack tried it first and loved it...after awhile.

Then Morgan had a go.
At first he was not convinced but after a few tries he decided it was OK.

Last but not least Emma started her first day of preschool this morning. She told me after meeting her teacher on Wednesday morning "that was the happiest moment of my life!" So happy to accommodate!

Emma moment of the day...

2009-08-30T18:34:00.000-07:00

Today I found some stray snips of hair. I say snips because I guess she didn't learn her lesson from cutting Claire's hair the other week. When I asked her if she had cut her hair she paused for a moment, looked at both Kent and me and then decided to tell the truth. I guess she figured if I was asking I knew the truth. Smart girl!

End of Summer

2009-08-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

Today we went to the zoo with Grandma and Grandpa Phippen as well as cousins Grace and Gabe. Emma doesn't get to play with these cousins very often as Grace lives in California and Gabe...well he lives in Salt Lake and we have not one good excuse as to why we don't play more. We need to work on that! I have never seen such happy 4yr olds who just thouroughly enjoyed every aspect of the zoo. When asked what her favorite thing was Emma responded "the baby Giraffe!".
Thanks Grandma and Grandpa P for giving my girls such great memories!

This is what the boys did while we were at the zoo. Thanks Danielle!
(I know I post a lot of pictures of them sleeping but honestly, it is so adorable how they fit together like puzzle pieces!)

Kitten Update...Part 2!

2009-08-22T21:30:00.000-07:00

I am sorry to keep posting about these kittens but you will never guess what happened now. I was doing some dishes tonight and looked out my kitchen window to see the mom cat with 2 MORE KITTENS! She was wearing this smug look that seemed to be telling me that she had not left and that she was in charge...not me. VERY CRAZY! So now our offer still stands. Until Monday morning when I call animal control to reunite the family we have 2 little black kittens if anyone wants them. We also have a mom cat so you can choose!:)

Kitten Update

2009-08-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

OK, I feel really bad! I called animal control and they came out and picked the little guys up. Why do I feel so bad? I HATE cats and yet the girls loved playing with them last night. I also saw the mom this morning but she ran off. I guess I just feel sad for the mom who just lost her babies and the girls who didn't get to say "good bye." I can't explain it...
I hope no one wanted them. They were cute. If you do want them they are at the animal shelter in Fruit Heights!

Kittens anyone?

2009-08-20T19:47:00.000-07:00

Tonight the girls were playing in the backyard when 5 little kittens came out to see what the noise was. Yes...I said 5! 3 are solid black and 2 are black with white paws. One is very interested in the girls and let them pick him up and pet him and everything. Kent and I are NOT animal people in the dog/cat sense. We are however new parents and have a soft spot in our hearts when it comes to babies of any living thing. So...does anyone want a kitten? They are adorable and the girls have been playing with them for the past hour. Like I said before, we are not dog/cat people so we are not keeping them. As far as we can tell we can't find a mom so if I don't have any takers I will be calling animal control. Let me know if you are interested or know of anyone who would like one.

Davis County Fair

2009-08-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

Claire had no fear even when the goats were ready to eat her fingers!

Emma liked only the smaller animals

No Fair is complete without a go on a dodgy ride!

Today we went to the Davis County Fair. Lucky for us it is literally 2 minuets away from our house. The kids and I had such a great time and wouldn't have been able to do it without the help of Danielle...our most amazing babysitter. I am able to go to Costco and Target by myself with all four kids but two strollers and live animals you can pet and feed is a whole 'nother thing!:)
Thanks as well to Aunt Hannah and Grandma Watkins who joined us to see the world's largest pig named Harvey and the smallest pony named Dolly.

Todays Test Results are IN!!!

2009-08-10T18:54:00.000-07:00

This is what good test results look like! Yes...today we had more tests done on Mack and they came back much better than last week. We are not 100% back to normal but we are getting there.
What a blessing!!!

Sometimes all you need is a friend

2009-08-06T21:32:00.000-07:00

Maya and Taylor (born 9 days before Mack and Morgan)

Mack and Morgan

Emma and Claire

I am just so grateful that my boys have each other and my girls have each other.

Update on little Mack

2009-08-04T21:06:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note. I found out that the results from yesterday's blood work were not good. His thyroid numbers have gone up even more and now they think he just has a non working thyroid. The Dr's seem to believe that the heart meds just sped things up for us to find out about his thyroid but that he has always had the problem. His liver has also started to not work so great which just adds to everything else.
Now we are onto more specialists, more meds and more prayers. What more can you do?

Thanks everyone for your sweet comments. I will keep you updated.
love,
mewp

Dear Mack....

2009-08-03T21:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Mack,
As our 3rd child by 30 seconds, you must feel the squeeze being between Claire and Mo because you are currently our biggest problem as of right now.
You have been on heart meds since you were born. For the past four months you were on this medicine called amioderone and it basically controlled your heart. It did it really well as you had not had any heart episodes since you came home from the hospital. AWESOME!!
Well, at the first cardiology visit they told us that the medicine has some pretty strong side effects such as liver failure, thyroid issues, blindness etc. but not to worry as they are usually common in adults who take the medicine over years of time. I repeat...YEARS of time.
Well, since you are only 4 months old this awesome medication has completely stopped your thyroid from working, (we found out Thursday), helped you get thrush in your mouth (killed all the good bacteria) so you have stopped taking feeds daily for the past couple of weeks, and made you so blocked up that you have not had a messy diaper in at least a week. (OK, I know that last part is too much info but honestly, as a parent you just get used to talking about all these much needed functions on a daily basis with anyone and everyone. The grocery store clerk, the random receptionist at the Dr.'s office, your neighbors, really...everyone!)
So now here we are on a new heart medicine to control the heart (3 x's a day) and medicine for your thrush (4 x's a day). Plus with our stethoscope we are supposed to listen to your heart at least 3 times a day. The cardiologist told us that basically if we can't count the number of beats then we just need to take you into the ER.
I just don't know if I can handle this!
This is what I have come up with and correct me if I am wrong. Kids are hard! There is no easy way around it. I didn't realize how hard and how many Dr's I would be going to but with all these crazy moments, and I mean crazy, I don't really think I would trade it at all. Sure, I wouldn't mind having less time in the hospitals but what can you do about that?
As much trouble as you, my 3rd born is giving me lately and many sleepless nights as I have had recently I would not trade you in. Nope. You are stuck with us so just get over it and give me a break OK! Please let your thyroid start working and just take a break from exciting news at every visit. I would appreciate it greatly!!!

Love ya!
love,mom

Claire's new do..

2009-07-28T21:57:00.000-07:00

I guess when I go upstairs to pump and feed the boys I need to make myself very clear. I told the girls no fighting, treats, Popsicles, whining etc. I didn't say no cutting your sisters hair with the kitchen scissors. Honestly! What was I thinking?!
When asked why Emma cut her sisters hair her response was "I just didn't like Claire's bangs anymore!"
What do you say to that?

Do you ever have this problem?

2009-07-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

I am thinking of things to blog about nearly every day but when the time comes that I can sit down and do it I am either a) too tired or b) forgot what I was going to blog about. Seriously! I wish it wasn't so hard but honestly I can't explain it any other way. :)

So this past month we have been doing a lot of things and yet not much.

The girls are doing great. Claire is speaking and gaining momentum in the attitude department which I thought Emma had all to herself. The other day I asked Claire to pick up some toys and she turned and said in a very sarcastic way, "No, you!" I tried to put her in time out but I couldn't stop laughing so that didn't work.

The boys are getting really big. At least to us they are. Mack is 11.5 pounds and Morgan 11 pounds. They are sleeping through the night now and for a brief moment I thought about separating them and putting them in their own cribs but I couldn't do it because they wake up every morning all snuggled up to each other. I just couldn't stop that!

Here are some pictures that represent July for us!

A day of 3 kids in diapers at the same time...yes, that is all from one day!

The boys snuggling up to each other after a nap.

The girls preparing to feed the boys. Such great helpers!

Emma after too many late summer nights

The girls jumping on the tramp

7 years ago today....

2009-07-12T09:15:00.000-07:00

Seven years ago today Kent and I were married in the Bountiful temple. I can't believe it has been 7 years because it seems so long ago and yet where has the time gone?!
When we were married we didn't have the usual courtship that most couples have. Kent and I met in our sophomore english class and with a couple of rocky moments in high school (let's be honest, who doesn't have rocky moments in high school!) I left for Prague and he went to college. We then had 4 years apart while he went on a mission and I went to London and we had about 2 1/2 months face time in 4 years before we got married. Many people thought we were crazy. I even had one professor in college ask why we had to get married at all! Why couldn't we just live together?:) But I am grateful that we didn't listen to those people and went ahead and just did it! I have never been more happy and felt more blessed than when I reflect at everything we have been together as a couple and how it has only brought us closer together. I love Kent and am so grateful that he has stuck with me through the years.

Thanks sweets for the last 7 and here is to 70 more!:)

love,maria

Blessing Day

2009-07-06T19:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Mack and Morgan's blessing. It was such a great day and we were very lucky to have most of our family there. Kent and I both are the 7th of 8 kids so you can only imagine how many people make up our families together in one place!:)
Kent did a great job and it was a nice moment in time to reflect how much our lives have changed in such a short amount of time. Looking back at the photos of the day Kent commented on this photo that we are a really big family now. It was one of the moments when reality hit. Crazy!!! We have 4 kids!!!! Thanks to all our family for coming and helping us with the food! We felt very loved and supported once again!:)

Mack and Morgan after the blessing. They were zonked!

W. Mack holding Mack W.

The boys in their outfits. They were happy the entire day until I tried to take a picture of them.

text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0lhU2hW9H28/SlK6UXATk_I/AAAAAAAAARU/XQU7Y1iTF2c/s320/IMG_2206.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355547765832389618" />

The boys post party. What a great day!

Morgan holding Mack...

2009-07-01T21:42:00.001-07:00

No matter how far apart I put these guys in their crib they always end up together...linked. I can't explain but just thought it was cute!:)

Summer Fun

2009-06-30T20:39:00.001-07:00

I never really post two times in one day but I had some cute pictures of summer so far so I thought I would just include them today.

Go Motors 1 year Anniversary

2009-06-30T20:12:00.000-07:00

GO Motors Car Show. Thanks to all the friends who loaned their cars!

The girls having lunch and enjoying the sun.

Emma and the Tesla. Notice all the men behind the car? They couldn't stop drooling!

The boys. Sleeping on the job!:)

So I am a bit late posting about Go Motors anniversary but it was so much fun and a great success! Kent worked so hard to get everything ready and thanks to our friend who loaned us the Tesla we had a great crowd of car enthusiasts. If you want to know more about the Tesla google it! It is an amazing electric sports car that require no maintenance really as well as no gas. I will be honest...I didn't really know much about the Tesla but the 150-200 people who came to see it knew what they were talking about and drooled all over it!
The girls loved hanging out with dad at his work and we want to thank all our friends and family who showed up to support us. It was a fun day and I am so proud of Kent who has worked so hard this year to get the business up and running. Thank goodness we made it through the first year! I really don't think we will ever be able to top this day with anything more fun than the Tesla but here's to many more years of trying!:)

Go Motors and Tesla Roadster featured on KSL tonight!!!

2009-06-16T21:21:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let you know that Kent's shop, Go Motors, was featured on the news today along with the Tesla roadster. (actually it was more like the Tesla featured with Go Motor's) Check it out if you are interested at www.ksl.com. It is all in preparation for Go Motor's 1 year anniversary on June 27th. Everyone is welcome!:) Check out his website for more information. www.drivegomotors.com

Way to go Kent!!! Congratulations!

Sisters

2009-06-08T20:01:00.000-07:00

Emma and Claire at Grandma Simmons, Nov. 2008

Me and my sisters minus Liz...I don't know where she was!

I am blessed to have 4 sisters in my life. Blessed it the right word because they are my best friends, mentors, confidants, and inspirations.
We were not always like this. Growing up I was like all other siblings and fought with them about clothes mostly. But as we all have grown up we have really become each others biggest support system through our new lives of being wives, having children and becoming adults.
So, you may wonder why I am writing about my best friends but I think it is because I have been thinking a lot about them lately.
Right after I had the boys I was waiting in the recovery room and Kent was bouncing back and forth between me and the boys and then all of a sudden my mom and Sarah peaked around the corner of the curtain and I just started to cry! After Kent had called my mom to let her know we were in the hospital but never called her back, my mom then called the hospital and they told her that I was in surgery. So I guess Sarah and my mom jumped in the car and raced up to be with me and Kent thankfully! They also took care of the phone tree to get the word out that we had the boys and that Mack was being life flighted to Primary's. On top of all that Liz then came to the hospital and Hannah called and Katie came the next day and I felt so much love! Since then I have not gone a day without talking to at least one sister and really probably two or three. Every day! I am so lucky!
So today I watched as my girls worked on their own sister bond. Claire had some therapy today at the house and before it started I told Emma that it was Claire's thing and that as long as she was quiet she could stay and watch and hopefully help out. I then sat on the couch and watched while the therapist worked with Claire. It was so amazing to watch Emma say "yah, Claire! Good Job Claire!" every time Claire was able to use her left hand and do what the therapist was asking. It was so sweet for me to think that they are building their relationship at such young ages. I don't know if they will have the same fights I did with my sisters...I am sure they will. But I do know that they are lucky to have each other.
There is nothing like sisters. Don't you agree?

Groundhog Day!

2009-05-23T20:00:00.001-07:00

I realize that I haven't written in awhile and I don't really know why. I guess it is because life is a tad bit crazy and also it feels like groundhog day every day.

I am still loving having four kids and realize how lucky I am to have 2 girls and 2 boys. Thankfully everyone has someone to play with and keep them company! Emma and Claire work great together and the boys get cranky when they are not together! So that leaves me with a day that keeps on going and going and going with feeds, naps, diapers, getting kids dressed, combing and doing girls hair (multiple times a day!!!)washing bottles, picking up all day long it seems and the list keeps going. I know all you mom's out there understand our life and day!!! I guess that is why I haven't written lately. There are some things I want to update on. Beware...this is a long post so you can stop reading now if you want. I won't be offended!:)

Emma has officially gotten to start the right hand twinkles on the harp! That might not seem like much to most of you but honestly, it has been a year of left hand twinkles before this day has come. I am so proud of her and realize that it is not about the amount of pieces she learns, it is about the skill of sticking with something and learning that I am happy about! She also finished her first year of preschool and is asking daily when she can go back. I hope this enthusiasm keeps up when real school starts!

Claire is starting to string words together. Now you have to tell her everything to say but she is mimicking everything and that gives Kent and I so much hope! Hope that she will one day be able to speak for herself and that she might be able to communicate like everyone else! I have had a little bit of a realization with her this past week. I am so used to her disabilities that I don't really even notice them anymore but this past week we started a little mom and tot gym class with just "regular" kids. This little class once again brought home to me the reality of her weakness's that I had forgotten and made me realize that I have no clue as to the future of my sweet little girl! It all hit home when they asked the kids to wiggle their toes and she was wiggling away her right foot like normal while her left just sat there. Such a simple thing that I take for granted and yet it made me remember the bumpy road we have ahead. I just hope I am up for those challenges that are to come with her socially. Who knows?!

The boys are doing awesome! They are both now about 6 1/2 pounds and are sleeping pretty well. Other than the fact the Mack's heart medicine is very hard to come by (long story!). He has not had any episodes and for that I am truly thankful! We had his first cardiology appointment this past week and I asked him what I should do if he has an episode. He calmly told me that if he has an episode that lasts 30min or longer to take him to Primary Children's ER. Lovely! He said don't bother with any other ER because they won't have a clue what to do with him and his condition. Again...Lovely!:) Morgan is such a little sweetheart and he and Mack are just such great blessings in our lives.

I have asked myself this past week many times what it was like to have healthy kids that didn't have specialist, meds, a billion appointments etc.? I realized though that with all the appointments and time spent going there I get the opportunity to spend quality alone time with each child. I get the opportunity to have these challenges and I just hope that I am learning the lessons I am supposed to be learning.
I once had a harp teacher in London who said that if you didn't learn the lesson that you were supposed to the first time, then the opportunity to learn it would keep coming back until you learned what you needed to. I thought that was only about hand position and music.:) I think my life right now is a bit like groundhog day...these trials will keep coming back until I learn what I need to. Wasn't that the gist of the movie with Bill Murray? It has been a long time and unfortunately I don't have the time to watch again! Have a great holiday weekend!

Let me introduce you too...

2009-05-11T14:14:00.000-07:00

My cousin Liz Hoke gave me this shirt and it fits Mack completely! Not just in size but in personality as well.:) Let me explain...

Mack was the one in my stomach who wouldn't stop moving and kicking making Morgan seem very mild. Mack was the one who at the last week turned breach so that had we not had to have the emergency C-section we would probably would have had to have one anyways. Mack was the one who decided that he and Morgan needed to be born 2 months early. He was the one who needed to be life flighted both ways, to and from Primary Children's. He was the one who when the boys got circumcised last week the Dr. told us that it was "official" that Mack was definitely going to be the trouble maker in our duo! Mack is the one child I have had who will not take a binky to save his life and mine. Mack also seems to be the one who wakes his brother up almost every time, and today he was the one who had the first blow out of many to come!:)

I don't want to label my boys all ready but I must agree that the evidence seems to point to Mack in all directions. With all this being said though we love him and wouldn't trade him in at all. Just thought it was funny that Liz had given us this shirt and it fit him all too well! Thanks Liz!!!:)

I hope you don't think I am being a mean mom! I really love my little guy it is just fun to see the personality traits in the boys develop so early! Do you think personality traits are visible this early in babies?

Happiness

2009-05-08T16:01:00.000-07:00

Brotherly love!

Fun girls tea party!

Just thought I would show you what happiness looks like to me today. :)

Have a great weekend and Happy Mother's Day!

Boys home week 2

2009-05-06T14:14:00.000-07:00

We are having a great time with the boys home and adjusting to life with 4 kids! I must say that having them home has been a bit easier than I thought it would be. It does help that the NICU put them on a great schedule and that the girls are a HUGE help! I was telling Kent last night that before I had them I could not comprehend having two babies at once! Now I could not comprehend having only one of them at a time. I couldn't imagine what Claire and Emma would do if they actually had to share a baby. This way they each get their own!:) Every morning Emma comes into our bed after Kent and I have fed them and asks to hold one of them. Kent always asks her who and she will yell out randomly whoever she can think of. So yesterday it was Mack and today it was Morgan. Her day I guess can't start without her boy fix!
The only difference between 2 and 4 is the amount of free time I have. With 2 I had a little bit of free time when Claire went down for her nap and Emma watched her show. Now I have zero free time from 6:30am-11:30pm. It just never lets up! That is an adjustment I am learning to make!

I did venture out myself with all the kids twice last week. Once to Target then to Costco. It wasn't that I needed anything so desperately that I needed to brave the stores. It was more about me knowing that I could do it if I needed to. Kent thinks I am crazy and he is probably right! It is easy right now I think because they are just sleeping and not mobile. Check back with me when they are actually moving and having a voice.:)

On a small update of how they are growing they weighed them last week and they were 5 pounds and 2 ounces exactly. That is the 16% on the preemie charts. Not even close to the "normal" baby charts. They are getting bigger though and other than not having enough preemie clothes to fit them life is great! I defiantly can't complain!!!!

Also, yesterday all my sisters and sisters-in-law came over to "help" but really it was just a good excuse to get together and have an awesome lunch and let the kids play. It was so nice and thoughtful of them to come and a ton of fun. What would I do without family and especially sisters/sister-in-law? Thanks you guys!

(still can't figure out the pictures! Honestly, I need help!!!)
1.Mack and Morgan in custom made onesies. Thanks Ellen and Liz Hoke!
2.Emma holding Morgan (I think?!)
3.Hannah holding cousin Charlie
4.Sarah holding Mack, Mom holding Morgan
5.Action shot! Mack wouldn't hold still. Custom made onesies thanks to Aunt Dree!

We survived night #1

2009-04-28T10:37:00.000-07:00

The boys are officially home and I can't believe how nice it is to just be able to sit with all my kids and Kent and just enjoy home for a change. We have 1 outstanding helper in Emma who even woke up at 2:30 to help us feed the boys and then wouldn't go back to sleep since she was just "so excited!" If someone would have told me that the first night home would be more about keeping your 4 yr old in bed and not the newborns I would have laughed!

The boys did great though. They only woke up once and that was because Kent and I woke them up to feed them. The NICU said not to let them go longer than 4 hours between feeds. Claire is very suspcious of them and only takes peak at them when she thinks no one is looking. It is very funny.

In all we are very thrilled that they are home and all seems to be well. Thanks to everyone who helped us this past month as well as all the thoughts and prayers. We feel extremely lucky and blessed to have such great family and friends!

Our boys are coming home!!!

2009-04-26T20:36:00.001-07:00

We just found out this morning that they are coming home tomorrow. I can't even believe it! I must say that I am quite excited and very nervous because "real life" will start. Being in the NICU has been an interesting experience to say the least and I am grateful for all the doctors and nurses who have been so great to our boys and to our family! With that said though, the NICU is like baby jail.:) We have to complete baby CPR training and monitor training and have had training all day long today. What ever we need to do though I will do!
Mack will have to come home on a heart monitor which will scare the life out of me if it goes off...but other than that the boys are doing great! They are both 5 pounds now and eating like champs.

Just thought I would celebrate and now I am going to sleep as this might be the last night I sleep for the next 6 months!!!:)

One of the best purchases recently...

2009-04-23T11:53:00.000-07:00

Since I have been spending a fair amount of time in the car recently I found myself buying this CD the other day. I know I should have just downloaded onto my i-pod but if you have been following my blog then you know that I am not super good at technology. Honestly, I am like my mom and need help attaching things to emails!:) (seriously though, if anyone can help me figure out the picture thing on the blog I would be very grateful!!!)

So this CD has seriously been so much fun to listen to the past couple of days. Emma's favorite track is #14 while I find so much joy listening to Come thou Fount of every Blessing. It is probably because I recently played the harp at my Grandma Simmons funeral with Hannah and we played that song in a medley of hymns. There is something so moving about the simplicity of the melody to me that just goes straight to my heart. If you do happen to buy this CD, read the story about the song. The author of the words was 23 when he penned them. Really amazing!

So anyway, if you are looking for a uplifting but not too Sunday school CD for your drive I highly recommend it!

Claire's debut on Youtube

2009-04-22T14:37:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to post this quick link to Claire's debut on youtube.
A couple of months back the National Ability Center asked if they could share Claire's story along with other participants stories for a little video they were putting together. The video was shown at their big fundraiser and hopefully helped them raise money and awareness for the programs we have enjoyed!
If you want to check it out you can view it (hopefully, if I did it right:)) at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTpj26qDnsg

3 weeks old!

2009-04-18T22:14:00.000-07:00

The boys are 3 weeks old tomorrow. I can't believe it! In some ways it has felt like we have been in this no man's land of life forever and in others I still can't believe we have had twins. It is a very odd feeling and completely surreal and I think it will feel this way for awhile regardless of where they are. I do want to add that it has been very nice to only have to drive to one hospital this week though. Primary Children's is a distant memory!

I am happy to report that Mack is 4lbs 8oz (so 4 1/2 pounds) and Morgan is 4lbs 5 oz. They are gaining weight and are doing sooooo well. Morgan has really started to eat from a bottle pretty well. Today he ate 2 feeds completely from the bottle so tomorrow he gets to try 4! Mack has eaten 1-2 feeds completely as well from the bottle but they are not consistent so he will be 1 more day before they let him try 4. In all though we are looking at hopefully 2 more weeks. Possibly 3 but I am praying for 2.

I know it will be hard (like I really know, but I can try and guess can't I?) and crazy but I am starting to feel like I am ready to take on crazy! I am ready to not have to explain to Emma that 1-2 more days is not the same as 1-2 more weeks. I am ready to cuddle and enjoy the boys and not have to ask permission to hold my babies. I don't know if I am ready for the sleepless nights but I am ready to start them so that they can be over (hopefully in a couple of months!)I know I keep saying this but I want to thank my family and neighbors and friends for all the love and support we have been given the past couple of weeks! AMAZING!!! Thanks so much!
Here is to another week of driving and feeding and everything else!!!:)

On these pictures Mack is on the left and Morgan on the right. I really liked the one with Kent looking at the boys. We are finally starting to think that they look slightly different.

Easter Eggs and Boys Together

2009-04-10T21:41:00.000-07:00

This week has been crazy to say the least. Not as crazy as last week but a very close second!
Thanks to all our babysitters this week. Both Kent and I have amazing family that stepped up this week and helped make sure our girls had a great time and were very well taken care of. Aunt Hannah even dyed Easter eggs since of course I forgot! Thank goodness to great aunts!!!:) I just honestly want to thank everyone who has helped out this week and offered help to us this week. We have been really blessed! I don't know what I would do without all of you!

Today Mack and Morgan were reunited! It was so much fun tonight to go up for our date night to only one hospital and get to see both boys! The Dr at McKay actually called and said that their NICU received another "bundle of joy" (his words, not mine!:)). He also told us that Mack must have enjoyed the ambulance ride so much that he ended up getting off oxygen en route. Also since Mack came back they let Morgan out of the incubator so they are both in the open air crib together!!!

We have another potential problem though. Kent and I both thought we would know who was who but honestly, we were a little bit stumped at first. The nurse asked us if they were identical and we told her that we didn't think so. She was surprised and said that she would have guessed that they are identical. What do you think? Can you tell who is who? (Mack has the little jacket with the hood and Morgan doesn't).
I won't lie to you. I also felt an overwhelming sense of tiredness! I can't believe we have twins let alone boys and that I get to take care of them with my other girls!!! Exciting and very overwhelming! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kent was especially great tonight. He took the boys in his arms and gave them a little "pep" talk for the future. I won't tell you everything he said but he did tell them that when their older sisters start to date that they need to be pests and scare off any other boys that might be coming into our house. I just laughed and told him that the girls will be the ones who are watching out for the boys not the other way around.

In all we are really grateful though with everything so far and look forward to having the entire family under one roof. For now though, we will take 2!:)
Happy Easter!!! Hope you all have a great weekend!

One big step for us!

2009-04-09T21:17:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let you know that we found out today that Mack will be back transferred to McKay Dee hopefully tomorrow. That means that our twins will actually be in the same city, county and yes hospital! I will let you know if it actually happens but I never thought it would be such a joy to have your babies in the same NICU and not a different one. It is funny how when you think the worst thing would be to have your baby in the NICU you don't take into account 2 different NICU's. That's just life isn't it?!
Now we hopefully only have 2-3 more weeks before the new chaos happens at our house. Oh and they are also both about 1-2 ounces away from 4 pounds. Yah!:)

One week today!!!

2009-04-05T21:27:00.000-07:00

So it was one week ago today that we had the boys! I can't believe it has only been a week as it has felt like a month at least. Kent and I are surviving and the girls have been absolutely wonderful! Other than the fact Emma and Claire haven't seen the boys yet they are perfectly happy playing with cousins and grandmas and friends everyday. To them it is like a little vacation!

Mack is doing much better. They finally found a medicine that is working for his heart and he hasn't had any episodes since 3/31 which is fantastic. He is actually starting to try and feed from a bottle and is in an open air bassinet which is really great. He still weighs just under 4 pounds but in all we couldn't be more happy with his progress in one week. He will probably be in Primary Children's until he comes home but we can handle it for a couple of more weeks. I think!:)

Morgan is great as well. He is still in an incubator which is kinda a bummer as it is a lot harder to just sit and watch him like we do Mack. He has gotten his IV out of his head and also a major IV which was in his belly button out the past 2 days and that is great for us! Both boys are off oxygen and breathing room air which is a huge step for us as that is one of the requirements for them to come home. We still have a long way to go but I will take any progress as a blessing.

One quick little story which I would like to share about this week was a pretty special experience for me. On Friday night Kent and I had our date night by going and visiting the boys. We visited Mack first and then rushed to Ogden to make it to Morgan's 8pm feeding. After having a romantic meal at McKay Dee cafeteria we headed up to see how he was doing that day. The room was quiet and Kent and I were just saying how much Morgan looked like my Grandpa Simmons. (It could possibly be the hair from the eyebrows up to his hair like:)) and for those of you who don't know which is probably everyone we decided to name Morgan, Morgan Simmons Phippen. Very fitting! Anyway, back to the story we got to talking to his night shift nurse and it happened that she grew up in Kaysville as well. We were talking about where we both grew up and I had said, "Do you know where the barn in on Crestwood Rd" and she said " Oh the Simmons place." I was surprised that she knew and she continued to tell me that she happened to be one of my grandpa's nurses a couple of years ago and told me some great stories about my grandma and grandpa.
I left the NICU on Friday night almost crying. I told Kent that my grandparents were watching out for us and especially our little guys. I could possibly be "reading into" this experience too much but it is a very big coincidence that the nurse on Morgan on Friday night was one of the same nurses for Grandpa. To me it was a miracle. Thanks G & G!!! I miss you and love you!

Throughout this entire week Kent and I have felt peace and miracles and blessings bestowed upon us. I have been carried through this week and I want to thank you all for your prayers on our behalf!!! We are doing great and it is because of our family and friends who have supported us this week!!! THANKS SOOOO MUCH!!!!

Here are some updated pictures of Mack Williams and Morgan Simmons. What do you think? Do they look alike?

On the top is Mack and on the bottom is Morgan.

Update on M & M

2009-04-01T20:49:00.000-07:00

Things are going well. Morgan is doing so well and other than a bit of jaundice, with billi lights he is eating well and seems to be doing good. This morning I got to do what they call Kangaroo Care which basically means that I got to hold him for almost an hour with him all nestled on my chest like any newborn who fell asleep on their parents. It was AMAZING! It also made me think about the days ahead that are going to be hard but so worth it. It also made me realize how much I needed to get out of the hospital and see Mack. I can't explain how much I felt he needed me as well. Does that sound crazy?!
So with my Dr.'s blessing I got out today and this afternoon went to Primary Children's to see Mack.

Little Mack had a rough day yesterday since they were still not able to figure out his heart. It would just not stop shooting up and he was having around 30 "episodes" with his heart every hour. So yesterday afternoon the Dr decided to try a different medicine and I am happy to report that since yesterday afternoon he has not had one episode! Kent was also able to hold him which I personally think helped Mack as well.
I was able to hold Mack this afternoon and fell in love again! I can't believe I am so blessed to have 2 little boys that are such fighters! I want to also tell you that Kent has been amazing! He has been so good at the whole running back and forth thing the past few days. I don't know how he has been doing it but I am so grateful that he is my companion in these crazy moments of life! He has been everything to everyone and that is pretty much impossible!
Thanks everyone for your love and support! We are so blessed and I feel a real sense of peace at such an out of control time in our lives! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

Here is a brief explanation of the pictures (if anyone wants to tell me how to write text under the photos I would love to learn how!)
1. Kent holding Mack for the first time!
2. Maria holding Morgan for the first time!
3. Kent and me saying good bye to Mack before he left for SLC
4. Morgan right after delivery
5. Mack right after delivery

Mack and Morgan are here!

2009-03-31T08:03:00.001-07:00

Well, we are officially a family of 6! On Sunday night Mack and Morgan decided that they needed to make their appearance. I went in on Sunday with preterm labor thinking that they would just give me a shot to stop the contractions and then send me home but Mack decided that he and his brother needed to come. Actually Mack was not doing well inside so they did a C-section at 5pm. Mack was born at 5:03 and was 4lb 5 oz, 17 inches long. Morgan followed at 5:04 weighing in at 3lb 14 oz and 16.5 inches long. They worked on the boys for some time before the NICU Dr came and told Kent and me that they needed to life flight Mack to PMC. So after waiting for the transport team come they let me see him for about 2 min and then off he went to SLC. His little heart would not slow down to a normal heart rate and that is why he is there still. Morgan is doing great! We got to hold him last night and he is such a fuzzy little guy. Both boys are off ventilators and other than being preemies and of course little Mack's heart they are healthy.
In all we are doing well all things considered. I guess if I can put a little plea out to the blogging world for some prayers for our little guys especially Mack we would not turn you away! I will post some pictures as soon as I get home. Just thought I would let you know that they are here!

Emma's 4th Birthday

2009-03-11T15:42:00.000-07:00

Last week was Emma's birthday and I am just now posting about it. I am not a great mom but since this is my form of journal keeping I feel the need to still celebrate her day by telling you what she decided we would do as well as her party on Saturday.

We decided that we would try and celebrate on her day by going to dinner just our family and that she could have a party another day. So she told us that she wanted to go to El Matador in Bountiful for her birthday dinner. Now I was very grateful that she didn't ask for McDonald's because she only wanted to El Matador for the rings. That is the rings that you pay 25 cents for in the machine by the door. She got 3 rings and Claire got 1!:) It was a great dinner and she opened her present which at her request was a sippy cup. Man, I got lucky this year, 25 cent rings and a sippy cup! I am not complaining!:)

Then on Saturday she had decided a few weeks ago that she would have a French Pink Poodle Party. What you might ask is that? Well, I don't really know because I have never been or heard of or seen a Pink Poodle Party. So we made it into a tea party with little finger sandwiches and cheese and crackers and apple juice. We also went fishing off the balcony and played the game poodle,poodle pup also known as duck duck goose. We finished the party by playing in the backyard. It was a great day and I was grateful for all the help I received from my mom, Kent's mom, sisters and friends. I also want to say how thankful I am to have a happy, healthy, unique individual. She is such a joy and keeps our life entertaining. Happy Birthday EMMA!!!!

Twins Baby Shower

2009-03-09T15:05:00.000-07:00

I am a bit late posting this even but I wanted to thank all my sisters and sisters in law for throwing me a fantastic family shower last Thursday. It was so much fun to sit around and talk and just hang out with the girls and eat such great food that I was sad to leave at the end of the night. Hannah and Liz organized it but everyone helped out! The food like I said was awesome, chicken enchiladas and Mexican rice. Hannah and my SIL Dree put together the cutest craft. They had plain white onesies and loads of cute fabric and stencils and people decorated and ironed on the fabric and stencils to the onesies. I got sooo many original onesies that are soooo cute! I was also given so many sweet outfits and diapers and wipes and essentials.

Thanks family for coming and for all the time and effort and energy! I felt soooo loved!:)

How big are you really?

2009-02-23T17:06:00.000-08:00

OK folks, it has officially happened in my life. Last week on the same day I had 2 different people ask me when I was due and then start to laugh when I would tell them at least 2 more months. :)(lovely!)

I know I am having twins and I get that you have to get bigger than you do with just one, but come on....do you really have to get so big that every maternity shirt and pants and basically everything in your maternity wardrobe doesn't fit? I don't really want to buy anymore maternity clothes as my budget for babies is all ready shot with the arrival of two! (Did you know that a newborn uses 8-10 diapers a day and that twins use 16-20! Does that mean I will be buying the whole shelf of newborn diapers every month?)

With that all said this pregnancy has been remarkably well all things considered. I haven't been too uncomfortable just yet and can't believe that we really only have 2 more months to go. Sorry to rant...I just can't even imagine how big I am really going to get in the next 2 months! :)

Brain Injury Association of Utah 5k Run, Walk, Roll

2009-02-22T09:12:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,
I just nicked this off Charlie Cooper's website (see the side bar) and thought I would try and pass along the word. This is a great opportunity to support an organization that helps kids like Claire. I don't think you need to be "in shape" to do this so we would love to see you there!!!:)

Brain Injury Association of Utah
5K Run, Walk & Roll 2009
When: May 16, 2009
Where: Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, Utah
For Sponsorship or Registration information please call the Brain Injury office at
801-484-2240 or 800-281-8442 or you can look on their website.
Hope that some of our family can be there! (Maybe not me and the boys but Kent and the girls? But who knows?)

Mack and Morgan

2009-02-19T21:26:00.000-08:00

We have done it. I think we have decided on names for our boys. Please feel free to agree or disagree if you feel so inclined!:)

2 weeks ago we went for the big Ultra sound and I am so happy to say that they are very healthy and doing well. The tech looked specifically at their brain development since Claire's condition happened in the womb and I am so relieved to say that so far everything looks 100% normal. She also said that she hadn't seen twins that were as healthy as our little guys in a long time. Thanks goodness!!! They also did those weird 3D pictures (which I have no idea how to post so if someone wants to tell me I would try!). One looks just like a Watkins and the other a Phippen so that is why we decided to name one Mack after my dad and the other Morgan after Kent's grandpa. Initially we didn't want to do double initals but honestly they just work for us and feel right so far. We are still working on middle names and will let you know.
Bring on the M & M's!!!

I am trying to make it to the end of April and at the latest May 9th. It is coming up and then the true CRAZY will hit our small family! I am nervous....very nervous!:)

It's Official!

2009-02-02T11:35:00.000-08:00

The past three weeks have been miracles after miracles. The biggest one in our family is that Claire is officially walking! She has now decided that walking will be her main mode of transportation and I couldn't be more relieved and happy. She walks everywhere now and like any regular 2 yr old she wants to now do everything by herself. She has also started trying to speak more as a result of walking (the Dr.'s think). She still isn't really communicating in a form that you can understand,but she signs and points and tries to get her ideas across and they usually do make it.

I just have to say that these things are miracles in our family and I am so thankful for them!
Congratulations Claire! We couldn't be more happy for this huge milestone!:)

Weekend trip to S.F.

2009-01-24T10:37:00.000-08:00

Kent and I went to San Francisco last weekend for our last "hurrah!" before the twins come and no babysitter will want to answer our phone calls.:)

Thanks to Hannah and Toby who watched the girls, Kent and I left Thursday morning and came back Sunday evening. It was so fun so be in San Francisco with Kent. He had never been and as I had only ever been with my sisters I had never really made it out of Union Square and the surrounding shopping areas!:)

The weather was beautiful and we had a great time riding the cable cars (a first for both of us!), walking down the warf and eating the best food we have had in a long time! To tell you the truth the days were centered around the food, not the activities!

The first night we ate at Scoma's which was a fantastic seafood restaurant on the warf. Kent is not a seafood person but his beef was the best he has ever had! The atmosphere was great and so relaxing! After I took the advice from a friend, (Becky A) to head on over to Ghiradelli's (sp?) for ice cream. Kent loved seeing the old chocolate machinery and to be honest I have never noticed them since I was enjoying the ice cream!

The other fun thing we did that weekend was Alcatraz. I had never been there and the weather was beautiful so we decided to take the boat out and have the audio tour. How interesting! I think this is something that you need to see once in your life. I don't know if I would do it again but it was very fun with not too many crowds and beautiful clear skies.

In all I enjoyed sleeping in, eating (did I mention that all ready?) and getting to see 2 movies. They weren't very good so I won't tell you what they were but the 2 movies in one weekend was awesome!:)

Thanks Kent for a great weekend and thanks Han and Toby for making it all happen! Hopefully we will get to do this again sometime in the next 5 years!:)

Dr.'s "Mistake"

2009-01-06T11:46:00.001-08:00

Hello 2009! So it has only been what...6 days of 2009 and all ready we have our first big surprise. What gives?

We went to the Dr. today for the 21 week appointment and the boy and girl we were having have now turned into the 2 BOYS! Yes, I am freaking out just tiny bit as I have not had the experience of having a Boy let alone 2 but am thrilled that they are healthy and happy (I think:) anyway).

I need your help! We couldn't even come up with one boy name and we need two now so please bloggers, family and friends. HELP! We need ideas!

Hope your 2009 is starting out as well as ours is!:)

Dr.

2009-01-06T11:46:00.000-08:00

2008 wrap up!

2008-12-31T12:16:00.000-08:00

So today is the day to think about what the past year has been and how we are going to tackle the next year. It is really amazing how time seems to fly by but then the moments, every day seem to go VERY SLOW!

For us 2008 has been a very crazy year that honestly we did not expect most everything that happened. That is life though, right? Let me warn you now that this post is extremely long and a bit boring so please feel free to stop reading now if you don't want to. We understand!:)

This is a medium size summary of 2008 for the Phippen Family:

Jan: Claire had her MRI at McKay Dee Hospital...I thought I was the most paranoid mom and felt horrible to have my little baby girl undergo the whole sedation process.

Feb: Claire got diagnosed with porencephaly and left sided hemiparesis. So started our journey of having a child with special needs.

March: Emma turned 3 with the craziest Princess party. She is still talking about it!:) Claire started physical, and occupation therapy once-twice a week. New schedules for us all!

April: Maria starts to investigate hippotherapy and looks into buying a pony. Kent decides to quite his current job at the time and start working on the opening of GO MOTORS!

May: Kent graduates from the U of U (yah!!!) and Pocket arrives to Crestwood Farms and becomes our first official pet. (We don't go half way in this house...no fish or turtle for us!:)

June: Maria turns 28, Hannah gets married to Toby (about time!) and Go Motors officially opens! Claire is diagnosed with speech apraxia and we are told she might not ever speak.

July: Kent turns 28 and we celebrate our 6th year of marriage! Maria is in charge of the Utah Suzuki Harp Institute and Emma attends her first Suzuki Harp Institute. She does tip over her harp but thankfully no other harps fell!!! The whole family runs in the Kaysville 4th of July 5K. Kent and Maria attend the DHS class of 98 10 year high school reunion. It was really fun!

August: Watkins Family trip to Portland, Maria's first time traveling alone with the kids as Kent got sick. Maria and Kent went to Maine to see Wheeler get married! What a fun weekend. Anyone looking for a great place to visit I strongly suggest Camden, Maine. BEAUTIFUL! Maria finishes her 1/2 marathon which was the main goal.

September: Claire starts hippotherapy at the National Ability Center and LOVES IT! Emma starts pre-school and wishes she could go all the time. Kent starts to take every other Saturday off. Yah!!! Maria plays "My Fair Lady" at PMT and starts teaching harp lessons in the morning and not after school.

October: Claire starts to take a few steps and can say "GO"! Emma switches up costumes a million times so we don't really know until the day before what she wants to be for Halloween! Kent and Maria find out we are having twins!

November: Claire starts to walk a bit more and say a few more things. Thanksgiving at the Kreiger's and Maria trying to struggle through the first few months of pregnancy. Kent and Go Motors are still in tact and weathering the economy.

December: We find out we are having a BOY and GIRL! Claire turns 2! Claire really starts to walk almost all the time now and can say more than 5 words! (See June post where they told us she wouldn't speak!) Emma performs in her first harp recital and does great! Kent and Go Motors has the best month they have had since opening!!! HURRAY! Kent gets his Wii for Christmas and is thrilled. (Maria is also thrilled and enjoying MarioKart much more than anticipated!)

That is our year in a nutshell. If you have made it this far in reading sorry it reads more of a Christmas card but since I didn't get them out this year then consider this it.

We love all of our friends and family and are looking forward to 2009 and all the craziness it will bring. Happy New Year!
love,
the phippens

Christmas Symphony and Emma's First Harp Recital!!!

2008-12-22T21:36:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we went to the Santa Symphony with the Utah Symphony. If you haven't heard of it or haven't gone it is a really fun tradition we have started last year with our girls and LOVE IT!
There are tons of kids and families and we decided to take both girls this year. The orchestra plays some really fun numbers such as Nutcracker Suite and Sleigh Ride. They also have a sing along at the end which Santa comes and sings/conducts the kids to sing carols. Emma was thrilled to see him and took his order of Chocolate chip cookies without nuts very seriously. You all know what we are going to be doing on Wednesday!

Then tonight was my annual harp students recital. It was especially fun since Hannah's studio joined mine. Emma also performed and it was the first public performance for her. I have to tell you that for all the hard work we have done this past year on Taka Taka Jump Jump, the thing I was most worried about was her knocking her harp off the stage! She did AWESOME!!! She was totally careful and just got up and did her thing. She played beautifully and even smiled when she bowed. What more could I ask of my 3 yr old? I was totally proud and very happy to have an intact harp at the end!

The rest of the students did a great job as well and we had 32 total students perform. I am relieved it is over though until next year...

Claire Update

2008-12-19T14:35:00.000-08:00

Claire one year ago...before we knew

Claire 2 weeks ago

Today we had an appointment with a Pediatric Neurologist at Primary Children's Hospital and I am happy to report that all was well. I have been trying for about 10 months to get into this Dr. that I had so many people tell me was great and I just want to tell you that he was as good as people told me. If any of you have a need for a pediatric neurosurgeon/neurologist Dr. Filloux is the one to go to!

He spent 45 min with Kent and I looking over all of Claire's MRI's from last year and explained exactly what he thought she would be capable of doing and why certain things were happening. Can I just tell you how great it was to have someone who really knows the field explain to us about our daughter! AMAZING! He told us a couple of things that just brought a smile to both our faces. One is that he thinks she will be able to speak all in good time. He is not 100% sure as nothing is certain with the brain but he thinks that because of the size of the hole the other side of her brain (the side with the language) is probably overworking to compensate so the things that should be coming naturally such as language is just going to take longer. I am happy to wait with the idea that it will come in it's own time. He also said that the part of her brain that controls cognitive thinking such as learning disabilities, reading, etc. is totally fine and that as long as her speech develops then she should be good to go to "regular" school. (I put it in "" because come on, is there ever anything regular?)

Another good thing he told us is that she is at low risk to have seizures as the hole is inside the brain and not on the outside. What a RELIEF!!!! In all it was such a great appointment and I can't say that for every appointment that we have had on this journey but the good ones make it worth all the bad ones.

In all to sum it up this season has been a season of tiny miracles in our life and this appointment and the info we were given would be one I would chalk up on that board of miracles! Merry Christmas everyone! Hope your season has tiny miracles scattered throughout as well.

We are having.....

2008-12-10T14:08:00.000-08:00

So I was told this week by a few people that you don't blog about having twins and then just never respond after that! I apologize that I haven't posted sooner about the pregnancy but seriously I have been so tired and just void of telling you all anything that those of you who have been pregnant before don't know! Morning sickness sucks! Being tired sucks! Having your kids being babysat by Dora and Max and Ruby sucks!

However today we found out information worthy of blogging as well as making all the above complaints about pregnancy worth it. We found out this morning that we are 100% sure that we are having a BOY and 90-95% that we will have another GIRL!!!!

I am thrilled to experience motherhood of a son and more than happy to have another little girl. They are also healthy and measuring totally on schedule. They are about the same size and are measuring about 16 weeks. (I will be 17 weeks on Saturday~) The Dr. told us that they are two totally different people and that they both decided to come down at the same time rather than take turns. I laughed because they both probably knew that if only one would have come then the other might never had made it here. We might have stopped at 3!!!

So, now we need some help. Does anyone have any name suggestions at all? We are totally stumped especially on the boy front. We are open and would appreciate any ideas! Emma has offered Clementine and Hal and those two are both out of the running so sorry for those who were going to suggest them!

Thanks everyone. I have included a picture of me pregnant at 13 weeks and one at 16 weeks. (As a apology to those who have actually wanted to know how it is all going!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAIRE!!!

2008-12-09T12:09:00.000-08:00

Today Claire turns 2. It has been a bit of an emotional time with me (hormones I think:) but to look back on the year we have had with Claire and our family I can't help but be amazed at how courageous and unbelievable my 2nd daughter is.

It has been fun to watch her grow and learn and discover new ways to do things that most of us take for granted that our kids just know. Such as walking and talking. I am happy to report that our goal was to have her walking by her second birthday and while it is not the mode of transportation she chooses on a day to day basis, she can walk down the hall when she needs to. She has also started to say a couple of words such as "go", "whoa" and most recently "bye".

I know all of you who have kids will understand my next statement...My daughter has taught me more in this past year than I feel like I have learned the past 5 years. I am so grateful to have her in our family and to have her smile brighten my day!

WE LOVE YOU CLAIRE!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

love,
mom, dad and emma

New Additions

2008-10-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

Does life ever stop getting crazy or do you just have to adjust?

For the past couple of months I have been trying to wrap my head around the prospect of having 3 children. Yes, Kent and I are expecting. I feel like it took me a couple of months because of how everyone tells you how hard 3 is. So you can only imagine what happened last week when the Dr. told me that we are actually having 2 babies! TWINS!!!!
It is very crazy and I can't believe it but that is what is happening in our house. We are only a couple of months along so hopefully everything will go well, but we are looking at doubling our family in late April, early May. We have no idea how we are going to do it and are once again just realizing that we will have to adjust and just go with it. We feel that if Heavenly Father has blessed us with these two babies then he has faith in us so we should have faith in ourselves.

So here is to having 4 kids 4 and under!!!!