I never thought

We think it will never happen to us. We think that when we are parents it will be different. I have news for you...It probably will happen and as much as you want to be the different one chances are you still won't be different. The other day we went to the park for a movie in the park night hosted by South Ogden City. The movie was great and we were having so much fun. Kaily was dancing and making friends, she was being a really good girl. Conner was great too. The evening was going great until Clint looked down at our blanket and there she wasn't. He asked me if I knew where she had gone, but I freaked out as soon as I looked down and saw for myself she was gone. We immediately started looking around and asking everyone around us if they had seen where she had gone. I felt so guilty b/c just moments before she was gone she asked if she could sit on my lap and I said no b/c I needed to feed Conner. We've been having jealousy issues. Clint ran to find a Police man and I walked around with Conner in my arms calling for her. We both went to the nearby playground, the bathroom and any where else we could think of. I prayed that she would be ok and that we would be able to find her. A nice lady then jumped up and ran to the baseball fields a few min. later she came back holding Kaily in her arms. I don't know who that woman was, but I am very grateful she listened to the spirit in behalf of frantic parents. She handed Kaily over to the Police man and then the Police man handed her over to me and Clint. I was crying so hard. I was so scared and all the "what-if's" had gone through my head. I quickly handed Conner over to Clint and took Kaily in my arms and refused to let her go the rest of the night. I asked her why she left with out telling anyone where she was going and she said, as only a 3 yr old can truly say, " I just wanted to look around and I wasn't lost I was just over there." She pointed to where the lady had found her. Needless to say, we have had MANY talks about why we don't leave Mommy and Daddy since then. I never thought I would be in that situation, but now that I have been I can tell you there is not a fear I have felt that compares to that. I pray that you will never have to go through the same thing, but if you do, God bless you.

my "Martin Child"

The other night Clint and rented Martian Child with John and Joan Cusack. After having watched it i have come to the conclusion that I am raising a Martian Child. Every day Kaily comes up with a new way to say things, a new way to express herself or a gives things names that clearly aren't their names. She is constantly making up her own language, especially when she's upset with one of us. I think this is one of her ways of handling the situation with Conner. Her jealousy has gotten a little out of control as of late. Conner thinks she is hilarious, as he should, but it just encourages her to do it all the more. The other day we were at the park and she was dancing around, like she always does, only this time she tried out some new moves. They were really funny and I wish I could find my camera so that I could have taken pics of it. She really does make us laugh all the time and her tantrums, while they are not getting better, are getting less frequent. I really do love this age. She is trying so hard to be adult like and yet so much of her is VERY 3. It makes it hard to remember what age she really is. So, if she wants to be a Martian or whatever else it may be from day to day let her be it. Who am I to squelch the blooming imagination of my daughter, the martian child.

Teeth

Today was wonderful, although it didn't start out that way. Kaily had her Dentist appointmeant today. I LOVE her pedi-dentist; Kaily does not. I should say she thinks she doesn't, she loves it when we get there, it's the getting there that is the issue. Kaily's Dentist is awesome. His office is totally kid friendly and the atmosphere is great. he has bears all over the place and a play kitchen in the waiting area. On the ceiling he has tv's set up for the kids and they can choose between three different movies or something on Disney or Nick. He has head sets for them so they can watch away while they get their teeth cleaned. They are always so good to Kaily when we go in and he is willing to sit down with me and answer any questions I have. I wish we could stay with him, but his office is in Lehi and I am not going to drive there and back twice a year for teeth, although I am considering it. So, because she already had an appointment I kept it for lack of wanting to find another one so soon after moving here. The appointment was a great success. She has great teeth and very clean. Her dentist gave her a gift certificate to Del Taco for a free meal for having such a great check-up. She was really good for him and for us the rest of the day.

In other teeth news, Conner's first tooth has popped through. That would explain so much of what we have been experiencing with him. I don't know if I should be concerned though, it's either his lower right incisor, or his right cuspid tooth. He has been so grumpy and rubbing his ear like crazy lately. Now that I know what it is I finally gave him some Tylenol to relieve some of the pain. Poor guy, first shots and now a tooth. I'll take a pic when it gets higher in the mouth.

OUCH!

Yesterday was a L O N G day for us. I have been putting off Conner getting his 4 month check-up and couldn't wait any longer. I made the appointment, not remembering that Clint has the car all day on Mondays. I looked up the address where we needed to go; it was only 2 miles and I needed to get out and exercise anyway. So we walked. I should say, I walked, Kaily was really ornery and refused to walk. The other part I kind of knew was going to bad were the hills. Did you know that hills are a ton different when you walk them rather than drive them? I felt like I was hiking while pushing a 48 lb stroller. It felt so good to get out there and be working hard though. When we finally got to the Dr's office Kaily was throwing fits b/c she didn't want the Dr. to give Conner any shots. She would tell any one who would listen to her that they were NOT going to give him shots. The Dr was very patient with her and tried to explain why Conner needed them and it was ok. "IT IS NOT OK THAT YOU GIVE HIM SHOTS!" I finally had to put her in the stroller and lock her in while she screamed because when the nurse came in to do the shots she about ripped the needles out of her hands. I'm glad she is so protective of her brother. She actually cried louder than he did. We left with both of them screaming, yeah for me. *SIGH* When we got home I saw my face and neck, I was fried! I covered the kids up, but forgot me. Conner slept great until that night. Now you can't even touch his legs or he freaks out. Kaily was great after a very long nap. By the end of the night I had a headache and Conner wouldn't stop screaming. Maybe the Dr. should remind ME why they have to have the shots that make them so sick. Sometimes I wonder if it's all worth it. I know it is, but sometimes I wonder. Oh, other news, Conner is 25 inches long and 16 lbs. He's 50% in weight and 75% in height. Thank goodness or he'd look way more chunky than he is.

To the Fathers in our lives

This is a tribute to my husband and wonderful daddy to my children. Clint wks so hard for us! Even when it's supposed to be his day off he still helps me out with dinner, the kids and more. I truly don't know what I would do with out him. He is a great dad. Kaily tells me daily that she is going to marry her daddy and when she is super tired and wants some one to cuddle with, she calls for her dad. Conner loves to play with him, although he can't do much yet. I am so proud of Clint's determination to do what he feels his Father in Heaven would want him to do. He is a great example to me of service and hard work. I am grateful for his testimony that helps to strengthen mine daily. He gives himself far too little credit for the great man that he is and that just makes him greater.

Now a shout out to my Dad, I love you and am so thankful to you. It's no secret that I have always been a daddy's girl; I too wanted to marry my dad when I was little. Thank you dad for showing me how to cook and being my constant reference guide on "how to". I thank you for always working hard so we could have the things that we need, for being patient with me (even when I didn't deserve it) and for loving me always. Through your example you have taught me how to teach and lead. Thank you for your honoring the Priesthood and always being willing to give me a blessing when I needed it. thank you for being there for the birth of my children. Thank you for holding my hair when I puked and for staying up late all those nights just to watch the Nutcracker with me. Thank you for never telling me to be quiet and stop asking so many questions. Thank you for staying up late and listening to me go on and on about the latest boy in my life when I was younger.

A shout out to Clint's Dad, Clint will write this. I just want to tell him Thank you raising such a wonderful trustworthy, loyal son.

Clint here Hello To all, This here is my first time writing in this here blog... I have never felt myself much of a writer but I have been constrained by my wonderful wife to write a tribute to my loving father this late evening of fathers day. Dad I love you... I tried to call you today a couple of times but every time I called the line was busy. SO... I write to you now in hopes that you will read this. It has always been easier for me to express tender feelings in writing rather than in person, or over the phone. Dad I want you to know my love and the deep respect I have for you. Having two children of my own has granted me greater understanding of the sacrifices you have made for the nine children you have. Dad I have Many favorite memories of you that have taught me great lessons through out my life. It is not so much of what you have said, but more of what you have done which has meant the most to me.

Dad, you may not remember the dark stormy night in Hyder, I was about 3-4 years of age... Mom was on her way home from Buckeye. The power to the Leavitt House we lived in was out. As we were retiring to bed, you were having fun telling ghost stories in the dark. It was then that you scared the hell out of me grabbing my belly. I cried and you must of felt terrible, you then took me into you arms to comfort me. You carried me into the kitchen, lit some candles and poured me a bowl of rice crispies, you also put a few banana slices into it. I loved it... My first candle light dinner. Another occasion when you demonstrated a fatherly role is the time the car died out in the middle of the desert we all had to walk a couple of miles back to the house. You carried me most of the way on your back (very symbolic). My arms were around your neck and my feet... a foot in each of your back pockets. You were skinner then and your pants were probably hanging half way down your backside. I rode on your back watching Aaron shoot a stick from a bow made with bailing wire. It was shortly after that that we moved to Tacna... That is where I have the great three wheeler experience... The one where I left you in the jojoba Field... I ended flipping the three wheeler in the wash up by the shop... Thank you for not beating me to bad for that... It was shortly there after we moved to Show low. There I have a great memory of a hike up Show Low creek one winter. I was wearing my little red snow boots, they are often called moon boots. I remember your warning to not walk to far out onto the ice... but being the curious little boy that I was I did not heed your warning. I thought I was light enough to walk up to the edge of it, after all it was really neat seeing the water flowing underneath me through the clear ice. I fell through. I remember screaming... You came for me... Of all the sweet memories this is one of my favorites... I was very cold and wet, yet you still sat me on your lap. You took off my red boots and warmed my feet in your gentle loving big hands, and again carried me to safety. I remember very well in Snowflake the night I burned my arm with hot grease while frying frozen corn tortillas... Mom bandaged my blistering arm up with the aloe, but the pain was still severe. I couldn't sleep because it hurt so much. The burns you have had in your life time I'm sure have given you an understanding of pain. You understood how I felt. you took me in your arms and again, dad, you took your big gentle hands and placed them on my head and gave me a priesthood blessing. I will be forever grateful for having you as a father, and forever grateful that you have shown by example the priesthood in action. In so many ways you are to me a leader and a man who has so many Christ-like qualities. I see in so many ways the masters image in your countenance. Dad I could go on and on about the love you have shown by example to me, my brothers, sisters, and to my mother. Father, Thank you so much for loving us and taking part in our lives. With the way the world is today there are some pretty crappy dads out there. With the knowledge you have of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the time you have dedicated to it. You are Precious Priceless and rare. Dad I know you are in a time of pain, with all that has been happening to you. I know you are depressed, tired and you want to give up. Dad I want you to know that I hate to see you miserable. I want what is best for you just as you want what is best for all of us kids. Dad you have endured much... I see it in your eyes... You can't hide your hurting... I am sorry for many of the things I have put you through... I have often been a sorry excuse for a son. You have heard "what goes around comes around" I'm getting whats coming to me. Karen gave me a gift today. A book called "The Race" sub-titled Life's Greatest Lesson by Dee Groberg. In it is a sweet poem. As I read it I started crying because it reminds me of my father cheering me on in the race of life. I want to finish first, I want my father to be proud. I want to honor his name. In so doing I have often fallen on my face and have come short of the glory. Dad I'm going to have to send it to you. Again what goes around comes around. Dad you have always been there to cheer me on, cheer me up. You could make me laugh when no one else could. Your love for me is understood. Dad you are my hero. A champion unique. A fine example of a life of service, but it is not over yet. You are getting old its true, but your race is not finished, life is not finished with you. Pick yourself up from the depths of despair. You still have more to give. Get up dad; finish the race. It does not matter to me if you win first place or come in dead last. You are a winner and I will love you forever.

Love your Son Clinton