Ready and Willing

For the sake of journaling I need to start at the beginning.

A massive, 7.0 earthquake hit Port au Prince Haiti on Tuesday Jan. 12, leaving the country completely devastated. I read that 80-90% of the buildings/houses are destroyed, leaving those who survived homeless, without food or water. I don't think they know how many have died, it's probably safe to say there will be many who will never be found under all the concrete. I read an article a few days ago that said there were over 1,500 bodies piled up outside the Port au Prince General Hospital and more being added every day. I cry when I watch the news stories, I would love to go and hold those little ones who have lost parents. I would love to comfort parents who have lost their children. My heart goes out to the country.

Aaron is a member of DMAT (disaster medical assistance team). It's a team set up by the federal government for this exact purpose. There are several teams located all over the country. who respond to the big disasters in the US. They have never been deployed outside of the country, until now. We have already deployed 3 DMAT teams to Haiti. 2 have set up field hospitals and another has been teamed up with the Coast Guard. Aaron has been put on alert with bags packed, passport, and stethoscope in hand for the next 6 weeks. He has his hand raised, "take me, I will go." This is the kind of stuff he dreams about.

The hospital also called him asking if he had a passport. The hospital was contacted by the government and placed "on call" with our transport teams. The plan is, when they get the signal, our teams will fly to Haiti pick up those in the field hospitals, load them onto big medical airplanes with all the equipment needed to keep them alive, and transport them to hospitals who can care for them. Aaron wasn't told which hospitals, I'm assuming some in Puerto Rico, Miami, and other big places who can handle them. Once again his hand is raised saying, "take me, I will go."

I hope he gets to go. It would be a chance of a life time. Although he really wants to do it over and over again. I was talking to a friend of mine and she said, "are you going to let him go?" Seriously??? Do you have to think about that?? A two week deployment is nothing when you look at the devastation in Haiti. There isn't much I can do for these people. I can't fly down and hold them, I don't have any money to send...so if Aaron gets a chance to go, I feel like we as a family are helping. Doing some good to people who need it.

Last night Aaron had to take new applicants to dinner which meant I had to take all the kids to Isaac's late practice. It's from 7-8 not too late, but my 3 little kids are usually in bed by 7:30. I let Caite and Hayden take a ball to play in the gym...not such a good idea. Halle was a MANIAC! She kept throwing the ball on the court and running after it screaming at the top of her lungs. So I had to keep running after her. I tried to entertain her on the side lines, but she was a complete mess. One of the other moms was watch and started to laugh.

I responded, "Do you want a 2 year old?"

She responded, "I know your are worn out, but it's better than my 16 year old who is trying to make me a grandma."

Enough said!

Yes, I'm worn out, yes I get frazzled. By the end of the day I feel like I have nothing else to give...but my kids are still young and I can still control their environment. We will continue to have family scriptures and prayers...even if Isaac is mad and covers is hears most of the time. I pray that the things we are doing now to teach them the Gospel and strengthen their testimonies will really take root so they can be strong and confident in their choices as they grow. I want them to understand that living a the Gospel makes life so much easier and truly brings happiness.

New Do

Aaron has been asking me for weeks to cut Caites hair off. He LOVES her hair with a chin length bob. So...do to an unfortunate gum mishap, Aaron's wish came true. It didn't take any convincing of Caite, only mom. I love doing her long hair, but I do have to admit, she looks pretty dang cute sporting her short bob.

What I have been ENJOYING so far

Last night we went across the street to the Rose's to watch the Cowboys play. Because it was late the kids went in the pajamas. The kids ENJOYED playing in Alex's room, and I ENJOYED spending time with Becky. Not much game watching was done. However, Isaac informed us every time the Cowboys scored.

Last Sunday as we were getting in our car to go to Church, it started snowing. The kids were very excited to see the flutters. Unfortunately that's all it was. Although it did call for school cancellation that next day. Go figure. We got to ENJOY an extra day of Christmas Vacation.

How can you not love these sleeping beauties. I think they are super cute. I also ENJOY our quiet house when everyone goes to bed. It is much needed after a house full of crazies all day.

This is the youngest of the Crazies I watch. He's super cute and fun to have around the house. Watching him and 2 other Crazy boys allows me to stay at home and ENJOY my own kids.


You will find us ENJOYING Isaac play basketball every Mon, Tues, and Sat. He loves it and is doing quiet well. But, I think I will ENJOY next month when we can have those evenings free again.

Halle Speaks

Halle can now say EVERYTHING. Her favorite word is Mama, mama, mama. I probably hear it a thousand times a day as she follows me around. It's cute in the morning, but by evening I don't want to be mama anymore. Today I got my coat on to take the trash out and this was my conversation with Halle:

H: Where go Mama? Go Chuch?

Me: No we went to church this morning, I'm taking out the trash.

H: Oh, I yike chuch.

Me: Do you like nursery?

H: I yike sing. "Sumbee, Sumbee, Jesus Sumbee."

She's a pretty cute little girl! We all adore her and are very happy Heavenly Father sent her to us. Isaac asked me the other day if "we could have another Halle." My answer, "No, because what if we get another Isaac?"

My Word for 2010

A Friend of mine has a "word for the year" that she chooses and then works all year on developing the appropriate characteristics within herself or her family. I have thought about what word I would like to choose for the year. After much thought and evaluation of my personality and situation I have chosen:

Enjoy!

I have a tendency of taking on too much and doing more than I need to. Which leaves me feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and frazzled. I find myself rushing through my obligations or tasks so I can get on with the next. I rarely slow down and ENJOY what I'm doing. Although daily life will still take place around here, I can slow down a bit. It hit me hard when Halle turned 2 that our kids are growing up very fast. I can't make time slow down, therefore I need to enjoy this time I do have.

I was reading in 3 Nephi a while ago and was reminded of a great lesson. Christ was teaching and visiting with the Nephites. It is about time for him to go and administer to other tribes, but he stays to "tarry a little longer with them". If He had time to tarry and enjoy the moment, I think I can also.

May this year be ENJOYABLE for all of us.

A Visit from Papa and Nana

Nana and Papa came to visit! We love having them here. They spoil us.

Highlight for the kids: Children's Museum of Discovery and their robes.

Highlight for me: Not cooking (very much) and new shoes.

Highlight for Aaron: Staying up late talking with his Parents.