Fathers & Sons

Jonah and I went on his very first Fathers & Sons campout this weekend.  Treven had baseball and Wyatt is still to little, so it was just my Jonah Bear and me.  We had a lot of fun.  We left in the early evening and stopped at the Train Station in Heber for dinner heading up to the Heber Valley Camp.  We spotted many deer up there and even had three different moose sightings.  Overall, he had a great time, but every once in a while, he would ask, “We go home now?”  He did not seem to understand that we would be sleeping over, and I am sure he missed his Mommy and little brother.  We had a great time, though we did not sleep much (does anyone at these things).  It was fun to spend some one on one time with my little buddy.

Mother’s Day 2014

On this Mother’s Day I cannot express my gratitude for my beautiful and amazing wife.  I don't know how she shows so much love, gives so much of her time, worries so often, and shares so much of herself. Her life is full of service and kindness towards others.  I am lucky that I have married a wonderful companion who dreamed of one day growing up and becoming a Mother.  She takes amazingly great care of each of our children.  She constantly worries for Treven and Ady when they are not here.  She worries that they are getting all that they need.  She does so much for them and worries and prepares for the times that they will return.  She loves and laughs with our little Jonah.  She helps him to be happy and to make good choices.  The happiness of that little boy should be a testament to what kind of Mother she is.  She loves and cuddles and cares for Wyatt so much.  She makes sure that he is getting every little bit of medical care necessary and she constantly does therapy with him to help him.  She worries about the house and my well-being as well.  She is a supportive and loving companion and I find peace throughout my day knowing that she is home with our children.  All of us are so lucky to have her. She has truly partnered with our Heavenly Father in raising these four great kids.  She seeks his guidance, she follows his ways, and she is doing everything necessary to draw four of his spirits back towards their eternal home.  Words cannot express my love and appreciation for my wonderful eternal companion.

 

My Mother has been watching over us for three years as an angel in Heaven. She earned her wings long before she left this earth by raising all seven of us children. She taught us right from wrong and loved us beyond human capability.  She was tough when she felt it was necessary to see us do our best, but she showed so much compassion and love when times called for it as well.  I do not know how she had time to attend to the needs of seven children.  I have no idea how she found the strength to push forward when I knew she was beyond her limits.  I remember her staying up late to help me complete school projects I had procrastinated.  I remember her contagious laugh and how much I loved being the cause of it.  I remember how sweet and gentle she always was to each grandchild.  She truly is an angel and I cannot wait for the day when I hold embrace her again and tell her how much I love her. 

 

Ashley's Mother has loved me as her own son.  I am so grateful for this second Mother in my life.  There is nothing that requires her to love me this much, but she does it anyway.  I love to be in their home, to share experiences with them, and to laugh with them as well.  I am blessed to have another Mom in my life to talk to.  I am blessed that my children have such a wonderful Grandma.  I am blessed that she has raised such an incredible daughter that I now get to call my wife.  We are blessed by her continued love and support in all that we do.  I love her and am so thankful for all that she does.

Graduation

Today was the commencement for my graduation from Utah State University.  My Dad and Arlene, and Ashley’s parents were all there to celebrate the big day with us.  Afterwards, we went to the Bluebird Restaurant for lunch.  The commencement was a great experience and the speakers were excellent.  I cannot believe the day has actually come and I was not sure it would ever arrive; it still feels very surreal.  I am actually really proud of myself.  I do not want to compare myself or wish for the challenges of others, but I feel that I have had to work with a lot of weight on my shoulders to get to this place.  That is not to say that others had it easier, or that I had it harder, just that I am happy with what I have been able to do.  I have to acknowledge that things would have been even harder had I not had such an amazing wife in Ashley, a supportive family, the blessings from a loving Heavenly Father, and many other things to help me.  I started school as a single Dad with two kids.  I was working full-time and the children were with me the majority of the time.  Early on, I often even took them to my classes with me at SLCC.  Since then, I have been diagnosed with a chronic medical condition, I have dealt with people who would seek to harm our family relationships, I have often worked 60+ hours per week, I have married my amazing eternal companion, we have had two additional children, and we have dealt with the challenges of having a child with medical conditions of his own, just to name a few.  I don’t journal these things to brag or to complain, but to show what we are all capable of if we only persevere.  While some of the these things were far more blessings than burdens, each one brought increased pressure or responsibility.  Each one of these pressures, challenges, or responsibilities, at times, has caused me to feel a crushing weight on my shoulders.  Some times I wondered if I would survive.  Some of these pressures still exist and new ones come along all the time.  The point is that if we use our strength for a good goal, eventually, we will make it.  Accomplishing this degree has shown me that I am capable of accomplishing anything.  The thing is; I am no different than anyone else.  If anyone had told me the challenges I would face, I am not sure I would have believed them.  I certainly would not have believed that I would survive them.  But, just like anyone else, we get through some things because we have to.  We survive by finding the joy in the little things.  We survive by taking a breath, a drink of water along the way, or talking to someone.  In the end, nothing can stop us but ourselves.  No one who is still living has been killed by a bad day.  We all have a perfect record for surviving even our worst day.  While I may not have been the valedictorian at my commencement, I feel no less accomplished than anyone else in that room, because for me, this was a huge victory in my life.

Wyatt is a Crawler

 

Our baby Wyatt is growing up too fast.  He just turned 8 months and we are so excited to announce that he crawled for the first time tonight!  This little boy has beat all odds.  With the very serious (and worrisome) medical conditions this little boy faces, we have been worried about how he would develop.  It is amazing what a happy disposition, a strong will, and an amazing Mommy will do to combat the medical challenges a little boy faces.  There are only 140 diagnosed cases worldwide of people with Wyatt’s condition, and one would be very hard pressed to see one without severe to devastating disabilities.  This little boy never ceases to amaze us, and has met every normal milestone.  Much of the credit goes to a Mommy that works tirelessly to help her little boy and give him all the time and attention necessary.  When she is not working with him, playing with Jonah, cooking and cleaning, etc. she is busy worrying about what she could be doing.  She is the best Mommy ever!  He has learned and grown and we feel extremely blessed for the amazing progress this little boy has made.  We could not be happier to see our little Wyatt become a crawler!  Way to go Wy Guy!

Tulip Festival

This afternoon we went to the Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival with Grandma & Grandpa Haberle and Aunt Alicia.  The tulips and grounds of Thanksgiving Point were beautiful as always.  We had a great time walking around and talking, and watching Jonah explore everything.  The boys were happy and had a great time.  Afterwards, our little family made our way to the Thanksgiving Point cafe for dinner.  The food was great, and since we were all good little eaters, we decided we could all share one of Thanksgiving Point’s famous banana splits.  It is a little slice of heaven, and enormous.  Surprisingly all of the food actually cost less than the entrance fee to the tulip festival for just Ashley and me…which is probably why we don’t make it down there every year.

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

This morning we went to our neighborhood Easter egg hunt.  We have a big breakfast with everyone bringing food, then we have Easter egg hunts, where different ages go to different neighborhood yards.  Afterwards the kids all cash in their empty Easter eggs for a fun prize.  At the end of the hunt, there are age appropriate games at many different homes.  It is always a fun event and it is great to spend time as a family and as a neighborhood celebrating the Easter holiday.

Weekend Getaway

Ashley and I went away for a much needed break this weekend to Park City.  Ashley’s sister Alicia was so awesome to watch the boys for us.  We walked around Park City, shopped a tiny bit, slept in, and relaxed.  It was fantastic!  Some of our friends even drove up one of the nights and went to dinner with us.  We had a great time on our much needed break.  We missed our little guys, but made up for lost time by playing with them the minute we got home.

Biking

  

We decided to invest in a new bike trailer/jogging stroller for our little boys.  We both enjoy biking and we both want to get back in shape.  With us, that only seems to happen when our exercise involves our kiddos.  We have been biking almost every day and we feel ourselves getting slowly stronger each day.  The boys fall asleep more often than not, and it is cute how they cuddle up to each other.  We also prefer the trailer to our regular strollers as it can handle almost any terrain and actually folds flatter.  We have a lot of fun and we are grateful for the opportunity to exercise in a fun way together.

Six Month and 2 year old Pictures

We had to take the opportunity to get some pictures of our two little boys before they grow up even faster.  These are Wyatt’s six month pictures and Jonah’s 2 year old pictures.    This was our first visit to “Pic Couture” and we could not be happier.  They don’t play games about selling you all sorts of prints.  They also don’t make you feel like cattle that they are just trying to get in and out.  They give you a 45 minute session, and give you every photo they take on a CD.  They release the copyright to you, so you can make your own prints.  They offer prints if you want them, for only like $5 each.  We were impressed with the photographers and the end result.  We would recommend them to anyone.  Overall, they did have some amazingly cute little boys to work with, so I can’t give them too much credit.  We love these two little boys and we feel that these pictures capture so much of their cute personalities.  We have been blessed with such cute little boys with such fun personalities.  It is so fun that we get to raise these choice sons of our Heavenly Father.  Unfortunately, we have not been able to get the twins in to have the pictures taken at this time, so we will have pictures of all four kids taken when they are here more in the Summer.

Funny Boys

Jonah has developed quite a cute and funny personality over his first 2.5 years of life.  We were driving in the car and Jonah said “We need to go to the store MOOMMMMMYYY!”  Ashley said, “Okay JOOONNNAAHH!”  Jonah then said, “say sorry Mommy.” 

He loves to say that he is going to tickle someone’s guts.  “I tickle your guts!” He then proceeds to do it.

He claims that everyone is his.  “Mine Mommy!” or “Mine Wyatt” or “Mine Trevy” or “Mine Ady”

He regularly asks if he can have a Slurpee.  Thanks for the free Slurpee day 7-11, as if you didn’t know how addictive these can become to a 2 year old!

If Wyatt is awake before Jonah, and cuddling in our bed, Jonah will excitedly say, “HI WYATT!”  He then will pull himself up into our bed and at the last second hold Wyatt’s hand at the wrist.  He will then grunt, and come over closer to Wyatt and say “Thank you Wyatt, pulling me up, thank you Wyatt!” as if his 7 month old brother had done all the work while Jonah was dangling perilously from a cliff with his life flashing before his eyes.

 

Last week in the twins’ Primary class they were talking about service.  When the teacher asked about service, Treven must have misheard her.  He teasingly said, “Sacrifice?  Ah, you can have my sister.”  The teachers said, “No Treven what act of service could you do?”  Treven then responded, “Probably hug my sister.”  When Ady retold the events to us later she said, “Apparently my brother wants to hug me…right after he sacrifices me!”

First Surgery for Wyatt

 

Today Wyatt had the first of what will likely be many surgeries.  It is amazing to me that the first time I ever had any kind of surgery or procedure involving anesthesia was when I was 30, and this little guy is having surgery at 6 months.  As with everything else, Wyatt was an amazing little trooper.  He took a while to wake up, but otherwise was fine.  The surgery went very well and we are so grateful for the excellent care that we constantly receive at Primary Children’s.  We are so blessed to have this hospital and its skilled doctors right in our backyard.   We know that the Lord is constantly watching over us.  We are so grateful for Wyatt and for the way the Lord has blessed him through the prayers of so many.  The Lord performs miracles around us each and every day if we only stop to see them.

Big Brother

Treven is such a great big brother.  He is so willing to help his little brothers and his little (by one minute) sister.  He is always willing to comfort or help Ady when she is sad.  He helps and plays with Jonah and Wyatt.  He will come over to one of them in a quiet moment when they are all alone and spend time with them, or he will get them running all over the place and excited.  He really loves to help them, to teach them, and to play with them.  Jonah especially cannot wait until Treven and Ady come back.  The boys have started sharing bunk beds and Jonah reminds us each night that Treven’s bed is above his.  These two little boys really look up to their big brother Trev.

EKG and Echocardiogram

Today Wyatt went in for an EKG and Echocardiogram.  Like the MRI, he had to be sedated.  The procedure took a while and went well.  We were so relieved that despite all of the other health challenges our little champ is dealing with, his heart looks perfectly normal.  What a blessing!!!  Wyatt sort of babbled in Ashley’s arms while the medicine took effect.  He was just happy and cute as he drifted off.  When we decided on Wyatt’s name it was just because we liked it.  We had no knowledge of any health challenges prior to his birth.  A few months after his birth I found out that the name Wyatt actually means “brave warrior.”  How fitting as our little guy has been every bit a brave warrior in all that he has had to deal with in his short life.

Happy Anniversary

 

Four years ago today my life was changed forever.  I am so grateful for you Ashley.  We have been through a lot in only four years and I cannot imagine doing it without you.  I am so grateful for all that we have shared.  I am grateful that you have stayed by my side.  I am grateful for your compassion, your friendship and your support.  I am grateful for your love.  You have been an amazing Mother to all four of our children.  You are constantly putting the needs and desires of others before yourself.  I am inspired and in awe of all you do.  I love you so much for all that you are.  You truly are my best friend.  Thank you for loving me and being by my side.  I intend to stand with you forever both in good times and bad.  There is no one I would rather spend eternity with.  Thank you for being my incredible wife.

Safe Kids Fair 2014

 

We love to go to the Safe Kids Fair each year.  It is free, it lets kids run around inside during the winter, we learn a lot, and we even win prizes or get free things.  Treven and Ady served as photographers and unfortunately did not think to take any pictures of themselves.  We had a fun time and won prizes and learned.  They had fun things for all of the different ages.  The kids even won some fun activities and some karate lessons.  It was great to get out of the house.