Our Christmas Letter 2008

We are so excited for this holiday season. There are so many things that we are thankful for, and lots of things that have happened this past year.

We moved to our new home in West Haven, Utah at the beginning of December last year (which is why there was no Christmas letter). We love our new home and our new ward. It seems that we have been blessed to move into a place where there are lots of children with speech issues like our Paige has. It's been a blessing to be able to have people to talk to who understand what it's like to have a child who is delayed.

Doug has been really busy the last few months. He still works for the Church doing web development for the Newsroom website. He loves what he does and is glad he works in the environment that he does. He really loves the FrontRunner commuter train, which is only a mile from our house. He spends his time on the train relaxing and watching shows that he downloads to his iPod.

We have had a little work challenge pop up though this year. The church has decided to move Doug's whole department to the old Intel building in Riverton. This means in June this year he will have to add another 25 minutes on to his commute making it one and a half hours each way. We are having faith and hoping that we can work something out so he doesn't have to go down there 5 days a week. Doug's calling in the ward is Ward Clerk. He likes being in on all the action. (I think he will like it less when we move to the 9 AM time slot.)

I have kept busy being a mom. My calling in the ward is Primary teacher for the 7's. Next year I move to the CTR 5's. (Sadly this is because no one but me can keep my daughter sitting still.) I am looking forward to a new challenge. I am grateful for the moments I can have some time to myself at the gym, or go to dinner with the girls. As much as I love my kids, it's nice to spend some time with grownups.

Paige is in preschool at the elementary school this year. She loves her teachers and the helpers in her classroom. She doesn't like the bus ride very much. Her speech has grown by leaps and bounds this year, and I can understand everything she says. She is a talker, and likes to sing Jingle bells, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, I am a Child of God, ABC's, and Jesus wants me for a sunbeam. Recently she started writing her name, and that does a mother's heart good. She's an artistic little thing. She loves painting, drawing, coloring, and play-doh. She likes to play computer (she's her daddy's girl) and eat cookie dough and cheese.

Matt is 2 1/2 and growing fast. He is a boy through and through. He loves cars, trains, and balls. He also loves dirt and mud. He is going through his "I'll do it myself" phase, and I get the biggest kick out of it. He is in nursery and finally to the point where daddy doesn't have to be with him the whole time. Matt's favorite food is Doughnuts and chocolate, but he will stuff any kind of candy into his mouth.

We are so thankful this year for all the many blessing that our Heavenly Father has given us. We have been blessed with Doug's job not to feel the pinch during these economic times. We are blessed with the friends that we have, and the support system they are to us. We are so blessed with our wonderful family. We have amazing parents and grandparents who are always there for us. Most of all we are thankful for the gospel and the knowledge that we have of being an eternal family.

We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and pray that you find joy in the coming year.

Good Moments

Yesterday Paige wrote her name for the first time with no help from me, I had to tell her the letters, but she did the rest by herself. The look of that name was just too precious. My heart melted a little. Again, wish my camera was working so I could post such a cute picture.

Worrying Mom

I guess being a worrier comes along with being a mom, but there are times when I worry more than others. (I am hoping writing it down with take some of the pressure off.)

These past few weeks I have been worrying constantly about my sweet Paige. She has the sweetest kindest disposition, but not many people know it. She is really delayed. When I think about things she should be doing I put her at a 2 1/2 year old level instead of a four. Don't get me wrong. She is really smart and can pick up on anything, but there are things she really struggles with. Her speech is a HUGE one, but I know eventually she will get that. She gets better everyday and has wonderful people working with her.

The thing I stress about with her is her social delays. The speech has something to do with it as she can't talk well enough for kids her age to understand, but she also has a really hard time at church. She is is sunbeams and every Sunday I sit and watch her go sit by her teacher (I sit on the back row with the 7's) I watch them struggle to get her to hold still, keep her quiet, and just behave in general. She doesn't sing or listen to what is going on around her.

This past week the primary president asked me if I wanted to be Paige's teacher or move up to senior primary. I immediately told them senior primary, then had the strongest feeling that I was the one that should be her teacher. (Sorry my team teacher, you're coming along for the ride.) After I told the primary president this I cried for about two hours. How selfish of me to want to have some time away from my daughter. I always thought that Sunday would be a time to get revitalized spiritually, but with Paige it's all about just teaching her how to behave and listen in church. I feel that Heavenly father was telling me that I was the one who knows my daughter best, and would be the best at making her understand what's going on in primary. (Also the only one who would physically hold her in my lap instead of letting her run around the room.)

Still it breaks my heart when I see other little girls sitting quietly, or playing with other kids. I keep telling myself that although she has some delays she has ALWAYS hit her developmental stages, just a lot later than other people. It doesn't stop you wondering if you are being the best mom that you can be or if she would be different if I had done something different. I want people to love Paige like I do, and not look at her as someone who is different. I just have to be patient and make her feel loved and stable at home, and hopefully one day I will be worrying about all those teenage things. If I am still worrying about the delays, then hopefully I have become a stronger person than I am now.

As an after thought: We had parent teacher conferences for Paige at her preschool yesterday, and they are soooo proud of the progress she has made since last year, so there's lots of good things happening too I also feel like we were blessed to move to the area where we did because they have a lot of GREAT speech programs to help her.

New Hair cut

So, tonight I had a spur of the moment drive to get my hair cut. I drove to Great Clips and got the best hair dresser there. She had a lot of fun with my hair when I told her I wasn't picky, just wanted it to be about four inches shorter. I think it turned out rather nice, and love the feel of it off my shoulders. I will for sure go back to her. (Sadly, no camera to show off the work of art.) You'll just have to take my word for it, and wait for our Christmas blog to come out.

Hope you all are thinking about this November and the things you are thankful for before you jump to Christmas. I have thought a lot about the things that I am thankful for, and there is so much that I take for granted. It's good to remember just how much we have here compared to those who came before us and those living in other parts of the world.

Halloween

So I was going to take some really cute pictures of the kiddies and our Halloween fun, but our sweet little Matt decided to break our camera! Oh well, I was wanting a new one for Christmas anyway, but until then we won't have anything but our camcorder. I guess I will have to figure out a way to take pictures with that.

So, Paige was a black cat for Halloween. We went to a ward party on Thursday night, and she went around to everyone giving them loves and telling them she was a cat and meowing. It was pretty cute, and for once Doug and I let her run free. She had so much fun, and it made me feel a little bad we don't let her just go where she wants more. We will have to try to be better about that.

Matt was a monkey this year, and he could have cared less what he was in as long as there was candy involved. We have been practicing saying trick or treat, so now he thinks if he knocks on a wall, smiles and says trick or treat he deserves a candy. At least he says thanks after he gets the candy. I wonder how long after this holiday it will continue. (Probably until I run out of left over candy.) Another thing he has been saying that is soooo cute is whenever I tell him he isn't allowed to do something or have something he says "That make-a me bery upset" It is so cute and I laugh every time no matter how upset he is. He had better come up with a different saying if he wants me to take him seriously.

Back to Halloween. We went up to Huntsville to see Doug's parents. His mom made us home made corn dogs and some chicken stuff. It was really good. The kids fed the horse, took a walk through the leaves and trick or treated, then we went to Aunt Darla's house. Let me tell you. The kids cleaned up there. She had planned on them coming and had two cute cute stuffed ghost pillows for them, a box of gold fish crackers, and as much candy as they wanted out of her bowl. They are so spoiled. They then watched Rio (the dog) do tricks.

By that time it was well past the time we wanted to be home so we hurried home. I dropped the kids down the street a ways with Doug and went and answered the door. About 5 minutes later the kids were at my door. I guess it was more fun to give out treats then knock on peoples doors, which is just fine with me. We answered the door the rest of the night and ate candy out of our bowl.

I am so excited for the holiday season to kick into full swing. I am going to try really hard this month to focus on Thanksgiving and not jumping ahead to Christmas. I want my kids to learn how important it is to be thankful, and how blessed we really are. We'll see how we do.

Just Stuff

It's been a while since I last blogged, and although nothing much has happened in the last few months, I thought it would be good to let you all know I am still out here.

I have really been enjoying the days that Paige has been in pre-school. I have found more time to get my house straightened (not cleaned), play a little more with Matt, and best of all I can do my grocery shopping with one kid!!! I don't know how all you guys do it with more than 2 kids. You are all amazing. I did get to buy 2 new dresses this past week. It has been WAY too long since I have found the time to do that. I love picking out what I am going to wear to church now.

Doug just found out they were moving his whole department down to Riverton. That just really sucks because we just moved 15 miles closer to our parents, which puts us 15 miles further away from Salt Lake now. We are crossing our fingers that they will work something out so he doesn't have a 2 1/2 hour commute both ways 5 days a week. He is also working really hard on passing the Java test. The church really wants to keep their programmers up to date on the new stuff. He also just bought himself a new ipod touch, and we all have enjoyed playing with it.

Paige and Matt got to spend the night at Aunt Angie's house the other night while Doug and I got to stay in a hotel room in Logan for a wedding. They struggled a little, but it's good for them to get away from their boring parents for a little while, and learn to live without us.

I will post pictures of Halloween costumes after Halloween, and hope to see all of your kiddies or you all dressed up.

The State Fair

So, we spent a few hours at the state fair tonight, and as I say every year... Why do people go to that thing? The crowds are horrible, and the price of everything is outrageous. But having said that, it's a family tradition, and this year for the first time we tried a funnel cake. It was pretty darn good! I wouldn't mind having another one of those.

We had to walk through the animals twice as that was the favorite part for the kids. They also wanted to ride the rides and play games, but we were able to get out without doing those things. The highlight of the night for me was when we forked over 8.00 for the kids to ride the ponies. I have never seen Paige so excited and happy. I guarantee we will be doling out the money again next year.







I guess when all is said and done, we were together as a family and neither of the kids got lost or injured. It was a good night!

After the Vacation....

So, here's the update after the big Cali Trip. We left on Sunday, and had a full day of driving. It actually turned out to be a pretty darn good day. The kids traveled really well, and we all had a lot of fun. We went to Circus Circus that night in Reno, and of course won some stuffed animals. I told Doug we had to stop after 4. We were really proud of Paige though. She won her own flower from a game. It was actually quite amazing.




When we went to lay down that night I looked at Paige's eye, and it looked swollen. I looked at Doug and said "Paige is getting Pink Eye." Doug didn't believe me, but of course the next morning her eye was gross. Luckily I have a wonderful source for emergencies such as this, and she hooked me up with some medication. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!



We made it to Solvang, CA after another long day of driving. We stopped at the Jelly Belly Factory and had a tour in the middle of the day so it kind of broke up the day. The kids again drove really well, and we thought we were through with the hard part. Sadly, this was not the case. Paige got a fever and then began throwing up. She did not get better until we got home, although the throwing up only lasted 24 hours. Needless to say, it pretty much killed our trip. Doug took Matt to the beach, we got to go out to dinner while our dear friends watched our kids, and then we all got to go to the beach on the second to the last day there. Paige also liked the toy stores in Solvang so we went there often. We pushed her in the stroller making everything she came in contact with a germ magnet. We really didn't care at this point as long as she was happy. Paige was whining the whole time, and didn't really have any fun. We just prayed that she could make the drive home and eat something. One night at 2:00 in the morning I ran to the store to try to find anything that would unclog her nose. I found myself 40 minutes away before I found a store that was open. Boy was I wishing for a Walgreens.







We left for Vegas on Saturday, and the drive was again a blessing from heaven. Don't know how they did it but the kids were champs. Paige still was whiny, but we took them for a drive on the strip to see the lights, and then found a Walmart and a sticker book (which by the way made the whole last day of driving a breeze).

When we finally pulled into our driveway we were all relieved to be home. Paige ran onto her bed and just sat there with her toys piled around her. Matt climbed in his bed to be like Paige, and Doug and I collapsed on the couch. After about an hour of that I took Paige into Wee Care to see if she had strep. None..Thank Goodness. We were glad for Labor Day to have another day to recoup.

Doug woke up the next morning with pink eye, and a bad cold, and began throwing up today. I am beginning to think someone has one of those Voodoo dolls and thinks it's pretty funny to see how we react to all of this.

If you're still reading I'm amazed.....

Wrap up: This vacation was definitely one I would not want to repeat, but it's also one I will never forget. I was good being with our family and friends, and getting out of the state for a while. You always appreciate what you come home to. I am so so so so sorry because the friends we were traveling with daughter got sick when they got home. (Her first pukes...but not her last...) We are thinking that we will have to tame down the vacation plans a bit for the next few years. Stick to camping, and quick trips to Yellowstone or somewhere where we could come home if we needed to. Maybe in 2 years we can begin to think about Disneyland with the kids. Until then, my sister said she would watch the kiddies next year while Doug and I take a vacation with just each other.....I CAN'T WAIT.

Crazy Summer!

So I know it's been forever, but summer has just flown by. We haven't even done much. We have done a few family activities, childrens museum, dinosaur park, and camping, but nothing that should wear us out like we have been. I think it's mainly because of the nights. The kiddies won't go to sleep until it is dark so we have had many a late night. Thankfully it is now getting dark again so hopefully we will be on a better schedule soon.

We are still loving the new house and yard. It's so nice to have somewhere to play. Doug and the kids have set up a hummingbird feeder, and we watch our buddy Max come and eat every morning and night. It's actually more fun than I thought it would be.

Yesterday my sister and her brood came down and we played hard for two days straight. Boy, if I ever thought I could live with six children (no matter how good they are) this is the way to change my mind. The thing I really love about having them come (besides the sister time) is that Angie always leaves my house cleaner than when she came. Doug loves that too, and I work while I talk so we get a whole lot done. Also the kids are so good to play together and it's so good for our sweet Paige to play with Jess.








The family camping trip was a great time. We were the smart ones of the bunch coming to camp then going down in the night after campfire to a hotel. There is no other way to enjoy a camping trip with a 4 and 2 year old. We had a great nights sleep, cleaned up in the shower, then headed back up for some more fun! Next year we may try to do it the REAL way. We'll see.










We are getting ready for our big family trip in two weeks. We are DRIVING to Solvang, CA, and staying there for a week. Doug gets more and more excited as I get more and more ready to freak out at the thought of driving my kids to Cali. We are stopping in Reno for the night so at least it will be broken up a little. I'll let you know how it goes. At the very least, I will have Doug with me for 10 days 24/7 (except for golf time). That in itself is vacation enough for me!

Long Time

It's been a long time since I've sat down and taken the time to write about life in the Ensign home. Nothing much exciting happened this past few months.

Easter was fun. We always head up to Beaver Dam on Saturday and have the annual Bowcutt family easter egg hunt. My nephew went up to my mom and said, "Thanks Grandma that was fun but it didn't last very long." No one tells the truth like a 7 year old. We all ate until we were "sick". That's pretty much the Easter holiday. The next day the Easter Bunny came. He had no idea that it didn't take much candy to fill up 2 baskets. We had a huge bowl left over.

For Easter Dinner we had Doug's parents over. It was good to see them, and watch the kiddies show off to people they don't see every day. It was actually fun to cook dinner.

The kids have spent everyday rain or shine outside. We are fighting colds, and the only way I can keep them inside is to put big things in front of the door so they can't get out. I will be very happy when we have grass and the rest of the fence. Hopefully in less than a month. We also have been lucky enough to take care of the neighbors dogs the past few days. The kids have been in heaven. We bought some doggie snacks at the store, and the kids just have a riot playing with them.

I've Been Tagged!

I am not going to pass this along, because I just don't know that many people that haven't been tagged, but it looked like fun to do, so here goes.

Ten years ago......hmmm think back. I was a Junior at Weber State University. Working at the Bookstore. Dating a guy I thought I would marry, but in hindsight was just crazy to stick with for soooo long.

Five things on my to do list.....
1. Find a landscaper
2. Put away laundry yuck
3. clean my kitchen
4. go to sleep
5. excericse

Jobs I've had..

Taco Time in High school. WSU Bookstore in college, 5 years as a foster care worker for the State, 1 year as a ICPC specialist for the state, and now a mom. I think MOM is the hardest job I've had, can't wait to get back out into the workforce when the kiddies are in school.

If I was suddenly a billionaire..

I would pay off my house and finish my basement, pay off all my siblings houses, make a huge old mountain with a waterfall in my parents back yard to cover up the power substation that they just put in the field behind the house. Also a playland fit for a king in their back yard as well. I would probably take Doug on one of those 6 month cruises or just travel whenever we wanted to. Shower my dear friends with things they always wanted but could never afford. Do fun little acts of service for people quietly. Hire a maid and a cook, and buy new cars. OO and have a personal sylist come shopping with my or better yet pay someone to make my clothes for me so they would fit perfectly. I', sure I could think of more, but this will suffice.

I enjoy.

Being with my family. Laughing, being with friends, not worrying. Curling up with a good book or a mindless TV show.

Things you might not know about me.

Hmmm, I'm pretty open about my life in general. I share anything. I easily get my feeling hurt by people I love, but if I don't know you, don't try to make me care if I offend. I know rude. I enjoy my kids very most while I watch them sleep or play without them seeing me. I am scared of trying to make friends, but once I make them I tend to keep them. My sister and I talk on the phone at least 2 times a day.

Time

I have actually had some time this weekend to just be. It has felt really nice, but now (Sunday Night) I am feeling like I have neglected my kiddies. Doug played hard with them today after church, but I just made dinner and then relaxed. Also, for the first time in probably 6 months Doug and I pulled out our little portable DVD player and watched a movie in bed. Can I tell you that I felt like I was on a date?? Crazy. It's amazing the time you feel you have when your littlest one starts sleeping through the night on a regular basis.

I have started getting bids for landscaping on our yard. I have already had my first mud tracked in experience in this house, and don't want another. I don't even know how it happened as our mud is still covered in snow. Oh well, just glad I got dirt colored carpet.

Things are soooo much better!

I have to say that getting my gall bladder taken out has been a wonderful thing. There was plenty on the World Wide Web that had me concerned (namely things like explosive poop, or your stomach really hurting after you eat) Happily I can say no such symptoms for me! And I didn't have an attack this month. First time since July! I feel so much better, and am not stressed out about if tonight is going to be the night of an attack.

My family has benefited as well as I am much happier and can do more. I even feel like I have more energy. Tonight I actually cooked meatloaf and REAL mashed potatoes. Sadly it's the most time I have spent in the kitchen for quite some time. The hubby was actually thrilled to have food like his mom used to make (or Stacey)! It's been a while since that has happened too.

Chunk after his bath with mommy

Petunia is going on her first field trip tomorrow with her pre-school. She is getting sooo big. Chunk is actually really getting words down. The other day he actually sat and repeated lots of words that I said. He is so smart (said just like a glowing mother)! Petunia is being a good little girl, she is learning to take her plate to the sink, and most of the time shares with Chunk really well (Candy, which is in short supply now, is what we are working on sharing.) Chunk actually has been putting himself to sleep for naps now, and sometimes at night. (Yes, he is 19 months old and still has problems with this, we're still waiting for him to sleep through the night.)


One of Petunia's new favorite show is Yo Gabba Gabba. Here she's dressed up as Plex the robot. If you know who I'm talking about, how sad. You must have a toddler, too.




Well, kids are getting out of the tub now. I better go give daddy a hand.

I'm such a wus!

Hello all my faithful blog readers. you know who you 3 lovely people are. Things here are rockin' (okay not really) It's been a pretty uneventful week. I am recovering from a traumatic loss of my gallbladder that wasn't unexpected, but the loss of the bathtub privileges were very traumatic for such as I for 2 weeks. (Totally hopped up on Lortab as I write this)

Hubby has been totally awesome in all this, and is slowly catching up on the diaper duties I have held him too. It was his first day of work back today, and it's been pretty hard on my tummy muscles. Still too weak to pick up the kiddies, and I ran around for 25 minutes today trying to get Petunia's shirt on. She knows I'm not up to par on chasing and is taking full advantage of it.

I should totally be cooking dinner right now, but I can't bring myself to do it so we will be having soup and grilled cheese tonight for dinner which will make the kiddies happy.

I am totally in the mood to cook for people and want to have dinner parties at my house now. Curt if you're reading this comment and I will totally get on the invites. My hubby is going to have a fit when I tell him I want to have three different dinner parties for 3 different sets of friends. I hope to have all of the partying done by March. It will be good to see all the old friends that I haven't seen for a while.

Better go, Yo Gabba Gabba is over and the natives are getting restless.....