I spoke too soon!

So I thought that last week was crazy once I had posted my last post , needless to say it was just the beginning. Friday Jason worked from 2pm to 10:30pm. Around 6:45 I was on the phone and happened to look outside at my kids who were playing at the park right behind our house. All of a sudden I thought I saw Harrison crying and then all the kids ran over to him. Even from there I could tell that there was something dark all of his shirt. I then saw Payten's face as she ran from his side to come get me. I quickly ended the phone call and braced myself for a trip with all five kids to the ER. I ran to get Harrison and knew he was going to need stitches to his eyebrow because the whole thing was ripped open. I guess they were playing chase and he looked behind him and when he turned around he ran straight into the picnic table corner.
So I took a deep breath told everyone to grab their stuff and we headed to show Jason and get his opinion real; quick before we headed to the ER. Poor Jason could in no way leave they were already short staffed. So he took one look and agreed I would have to take him in,ugh. I then realized I forgot the cell phone and seeing how Addalyn was sick and Harrison is my busiest child there was no point in trying to find a place to drop kids off at. So off I went to entertain 3 starving, 1 bleeding, and 1 very unhappy child. I was able to scrounge up $1.75 so we got trail mix and Doritos out of the vending machine. So after 4 1/2 hours of waiting, delays, Camp Rock, coloring, screaming tired baby, Harrison received 6 stitches. They gave him some medicine which made him drowsy but made it so he was very very relaxed as they patched him up. All the kids were so sweet to him they all took turns doing things for him. We arrived home at 11:30pm. Jason helped carry them all in and I cleaned up and went to bed. Then Saturday our friend and neighbors 4yr old fell out of their two story window landing on the cement on his face. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital but then transferred to Emmanuel in Portland. It was absolutely horrific. I babysat their other six kids, they have 8 altogether. I watched,comforted and fed all 11 kids until their Grandparents arrived at 11pm. He ended up fracturing the front of his skull and both eye bones and developed a bruise on his brain. The kids are always at my house they are practically my adopted nieces and nephews so it was quite devastating. Fortunately little Joseph had a guardian angel with him that day because truly his accident should have been life threatening and we got word today that he was being released today. He still has to lay pretty still for the next 8 weeks but given the alternative it is just amazing.
On Sunday I was so drained I just wanted to rest once we got home from church but instead we confirmed our trip to Hawaii in June! June 24 Jason and i and our two friends will be heading to Oahu for 9 days without children! I am freaking a little, a lot, about leaving my kids especially my baby. I am really hoping it will get easier the closer it gets but am scared it won't. Anyways that wraps up my CRAZY week!

Let this week end!

This week has been CRAZY! It just feels like I have been torn every which way. Payten had her testing yesterday to gain acceptance into the 5/6 homeschooling program next year, Jackson and Brooklyn test next week. Hopefully they will all do well because it is a great program that we really loved this year. For those that haven't followed my blog long it is a two day a week program that allows homeschooled kids a classroom experience and also allows them to pick from a whole list of extras like ice skating, art classes, music, foreign languages,fencing, honestly the list goes on and on! It has been a great addition to our homeschooling adventure. Jenell moves on Saturday and although I know it will make things easier for them it really doesn't make things easier for me. Although they will only be 25 minutes away it is 20 minutes more than now. Michelle had her sweet boy on Sunday and pushed him out 10 minutes before I got there(brat). Jason has been pretty much gone all week between school work and clinical work. One more month and school will be done( for him not me I school the kids all year long=)

See it Through

So I have been contemplating life and how it is perpetually changing. I believe that we all have many times in our lives where we become complacent and take for granted many of the simple things in our lives. Everywhere I turn I am bombarded by these truths. Every person I care about is experiencing changes right now, for example jobloss, house loss, illness, divorce, unstable job, moving, marriage and new baby. I cannot remember a time when I literally cannot think of anyone who is not being affected in some way. Although not everyone is struggling I can't help but feel the effects of the challenging times around the corner for each of us. None of us know when our time of faith and endurance will be put to the test but we can all be assured that it will come. It amazes me how many warnings we have been given for such things but somehow when it happens it can feel so unexpected. I never realized that my greatest trial would be one that would not happen directly to me but to a loved one but honestly that is what in some ways increases the trial because I not only feel the pain for myself but for my niece and my sister. Although I know that there are still many trials to come it truly gives perspective to those trials after enduring watching Avarie suffer. But I have Faith that there is more to it then having a better perspective, How can we be like him if we don't also endure heartache and pain. I am so glad that I don't have to endure anything alone and I am so thankful that I was taught to have an eternal perspective, somedays it is the only thing that gets me through. Here's a poem I found one day when I was struggling to endure it helped me so maybe it might help someone else
SEE IT THROUGH

by Edgar A. Guest (1881-1959)

When you're up against a trouble,
Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
Plant your feet and take a brace.
When it's vain to try to dodge it,
Do the best that you can do;
You may fail, but you may conquer,
See it through!

Black may be the clouds about you
And your future may seem grim,
But don't let your nerve desert you;
Keep yourself in fighting trim.
If the worst is bound to happen,
Spite of all that you can do,
Running from it will not save you,
See it through!

Even hope may seem but futile,
When with troubles you're beset,
But remember you are facing
Just what other men have met.
You may fail, but fall still fighting;
Don't give up, whate'er you do;
Eyes front, head high to the finish.
See it through!

I posted this before but needed to post it again dedicated to my sister and her family

The following story is a great example of how the Lord teaches and molds us through life's trials.

There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." (Malachi 3:3) This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. That week this woman called up a silver smith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silver smith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot--then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.

She asked the silver smith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silver smith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"

He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy--when I see my reflection in it."

Author unknow

April's Here

So it is finally April which is my month! I wish it would get warmer though so more tulips and daffodils could be seen. Well spring break is over and we actually did a lot of fun things with them, today was the highlight we went ice skating! We had won tickets last year to go and had never used them yet. The kids did sooo good. I am definitely putting them all in lessons next year. Jason has been reading the Twilight series this week and should finish by morning! I love discussing the books with him it has been really fun. Tomorrow is General Conference for our church and I am so excited to spend two days hearing all the talks. I am so in need of the peace it brings to my life. The last conference in October was the day before Avarie was diagnosed with Cancer and I know without a doubt that it was the most meaningful one of my life. I truly hope that this weekend will bring the same comfort to me as well. I love that my birthday is so close every year to it and this year even Easter shares my birth week. Hopefully one of these times we'll make it to Utah to see it in person. Well I have to get up early to get everything ready for the fun. We print out packets for the kids so they have things to do while watching it. Our rule is they have to be in the same room and sit quietly. So to make that a reality I have lots of quiet things ready for them a long with snacks. Did I also mention we all camp out in the office, we might try our room though this time. Anyways I hope that you all have a chance to watch it.

Spring Forward

I cannot believe that spring is finally here! I have always loved Spring. I love all the flowers especially my favorite flower tulips. I also love that my birthday is in spring! I have been having lots of fun on scrapblog , if anyone was wondering about my new header. Jason has his final on Monday and then is off for two weeks for spring break. Then he will be in his last quarter! General conference is right around the corner and I am very ready for it too. The last most exciting thing about Spring is it starts Garage Sale season and who could deny the absolute thrill of a bargain.My sister Michelle's husband just got an acceptance letter from a PT school today so without question they will be moving soon. I am so glad to see things work out for them. There have been so many changes in my family lately it and the stress has been very apparent. Half the time I want to crawl under a rock so I don't have to worry about what I can't see. It is so hard to watch those you love worry about things out of their control. Sometimes I fantasize about winning a lottery that I don't play just so I could help my family members out. I am queen of brainstorming and seeking resolutions but this time I am up against the toughest problems and seriously the lottery is the only way serious sacrifices won't have to be made. I have faith that there is a plan for each of us and that the refiners fire truly makes us stronger but not much is mentioned about those that have to endure watching their loved ones in the flames.

Our Cookie is 6!

This past week we attended Jason's Grandpa's funeral but we also had our baby girl Brooklyn turn 6! her birthday fell on Jackson's pinewood derby so we opened presents before and hurried off to that. The next day she got to go on her date with dad to see the movie Bolt and to eat her favorite food Mexican! We also had a family potluck in her honor yesterday. So although her birthday wasn't exactly as planned at least she felt loved and was happy. so here we go
1. Brooklyn loves the feel of hair as a baby if you touched her with it she couldn't resist sucking her thumb(still can't)

2. Brooklyn does not hesitate to compliment others, she always tells me how adorable my clothes are or how simply beautiful something is!

3. She has always been drawn to the color pink. At 18 months she loved to color but would only do so with a shade of pink. she would dig through the box until she found one.

4. She did not wear pants until she was probably 5 even now she still prefers skirts and dresses.

5. She is not shy! she will dance anywhere and everywhere and loves to have an audience!

6. She loves animals and has no problem going up to strangers to ask permission to pet their dogs my older kids follow behind her. She has always been the "Boss".

Brooklyn Foushee Gutierrez has such a sweet spirit and seems to have been born with the spirit of determination. She likes to be incharge but has always been very sensitive and I have never had a problem with her hurting others. I love being her mom and watching her dance and sing her way through life!