There and Back again

Two years ago we sent Parker , Jason's younger brother off to the Halifax Canada mission. We entrusted that the Lord would protect him and bring him home safe again.The Lord did just that last Saturday. Parker served a very successful mission and we are so happy to have him home again. The family feels more complete with him home again. Getting him home was a bit of an adventure though. Friday evening when Jason and I were about half way to Folsom CA we received a call from my father inlaw informing us that Parker was not going to arrive later that night. His plane from Philadelphia to Sacramento was canceled due to a crack in the windshield. After two years of patiently waiting for Parker to come home you can just imagine how frustrating that was. After some frustrating flight adjustments the closest the air ways could get Parker to us was San Francisco airport. Thats like three hours from Folsom. So Saturday morning we all packed up in two cars and drove to the city. It was well worth being able to see Parker. It was a dream reunion minus the fact that Jenna's family couldn't be there, that was unfortunate. Parker gave hugs all around and met his niece for the first time. The air ways of course lost Parker's luggage so we were a little lighter than expected going back to Folsom.The weekend was a lot of driving but so worth every mile driven. I must say that going home Sunday was the hardest. None of us wanted to leave so soon after Parker coming home. Jenna and her family came home late Sunday night so their reunion with Parker will be today. The family will be together again in two weeks when Parker speaks in his ward so till then.  

 Driving over the bridge.

I've only been to San Francisco once before this. So this was kinda cool.

 Cool city view

 Another city view

Even though we had done a ton of driving up to this point our kids were in very good moods. Josh especially was a very happy boy. We had no DVD player on this trip so to have them be as happy as they were when we arrived at the airport was a miracle.

 Josh holding the sign for Parker at the air port

 Eric holding the sign. He wanted a turn too.

 Just look at Eden's face. She has no idea what is going on.

 So Parker hadn't eaten in twelve hours by this point and all I had with me was a pakage of fruit snacks. So this was Parker enjoying his first meal in CA.

 Parents reunited with their son.

I love this picture!

 I'm sorry this was a bad picture. Jason and Parker reunion.

 Parker and Josh

 So once we got back to Folsom Parker went over with Alan and Paula to the Stake Presidents house to be released. When he came home he said that he was lighter. The wonderful burden of being a full time missionary was lifted.

So who was the first girl he kissed after being released? His pretty little baby niece Eden. Those two hit it off right away.

A day at the museum

My dad was great a got our family member passes to the Discovery Museum. I personally love the Discovery Museum as do my children, but my husband had never gone so we took him today and just as I love the museum my husband grew to love it too.

 Back in the cave room. This was Josh's favorite place in the Museum.

 Can you spot Eric? hee hee!

 This was Eric's favorite place to play.

 We went during Eden's nap time so she spent most of her time chilling in her stroller on the verge of sleep and not.

 Playing with wind

We tried to get a picture of me and the kids but as you can see they weren't going to cooperate. But the picture still turned out good because this is life at it's best, This is my life and I love it!

Eden's Birthday

Yesterday was my beautiful baby girls first birthday. We made decorations and her favorite meal of hot dogs, baked beans and green beans. It was a quiet party just our family but we tried to make it special for her and her brothers. Can she really be one already? I really don't know where all the time goes but we have been a happier family with her in the family. She is the happiest baby I've ever had the privilege of knowing. Last Saturday while we we're in CA picking Eden up from my parents we stopped in with Jason's parents and had a birthday party for my Father in law but we also did a little party for Eden as well.

 Alan and his cake!

 Well she devoured her cake.

 Then on the morning of Eden's birthday I was awaken by Josh singing happy birthday to Eden. He wanted to be the first to sing to her. Then after breakfast he just randomly started sweeping the floor. Then after that he started to try to clean the kitchen table. I walked in with water all over the table and Josh singing a happy tune. He just wanted to have everything perfect for his sister's birthday.

 The birthday girl all dressed up and ready to party.

 I made her a special princess crown just for the occasion.

 I also made birthday decorations with Josh encouraging the entire time.

 Eden's special birthday cake. I wanted Eden to have a pretty cake all of her own.

 Eden's special cupcake.

 Jason came home with a birthday balloon for her but as soon as we tried to show it to her she cried. I think that she is a little bit afraid of balloons right now since she chewed on one the other day and popped it in her face.

 She had no fear of that cupcake.

 The cupcake was completely devoured and just look at that smile.

 Eden received presents from grandparents and her family. What did she get? Mostly clothes but Josh tried really hard to make a card for her and personalize it to.

It was a very good first birthday party!

Eric

Eric was kinda feeling left out today. I was working on our Lake Powell pictures and he noticed that there weren't as many pictures of him as there were of Josh. That has a lot to do with the fact that Eric doesn't smile at the camera and wont hold still and Josh does. So we went outside and took some pictures of him.

Just him.

 My very independent and bright little man. Who now introduces himself as Eric the kid, NOT BABY.

And his most prized possession, his blanket.

Diet

We just spent an amazing week with Jason's family and pleasure every time. The Kjar's have but one weakness and that is Sweets. Jason and I have been blessed with a son with some extra needs that most little boys do not have to deal with. His little body just doesn't grow no matter what you do. For the last six years I have tried everything from force feeding to giving him crap in hopes that it would jump start his metabolism and help him gain weight so he could grow. All of that was in vain. I finally took him to a Growth specialist. I was tired of hearing everyones opinion on how to get Josh to grow, or from those who were a little more bold telling me what a bad mom I was for not feeding my child. Those people luckily didn't pop up much. The specialist gave us a much better understanding of what was going on. Growth Delay, What is growth delay? Well it is when the body comes out with the program that is much younger than it really is, it can't take in very much food because the stomach is so much smaller. hence the body will be much smaller than all the other children in their age group. My beautiful little six year old boy is the size of a small four year old and brighter than most six year olds. I was educated on nutrition not only for Josh but for the rest of my family as well. The thing with Josh is he won't gain weight even if you give him Twinkies, ice cream, or processed foods such as macaroni and cheese. I know mac and cheese is a mother's favorite thing in the world, or so I've been told. Don't judge me because I don't tend to feed it to my children. He will however get sick. I recall a conversation with my father inlaw, we were talking about diet and shopping, the only parts of the store you really need to be are on the outsides of a grocery store. There you will find your breads, meats, produce and dairy. I choose to feed my family a nutritious diet. Now back to that word diet, the definition for diet is all the food you eat. It's your eating habits, not something you do to loose weight. I love my son and I know that he was sent to this earth with a special body, one we need to cherish with good nutrition and love. I feel this way about all my children. Jason and I are not crazy because we tend to keep out those foods that are bad for our bodies. Isn't it every parents desire to protect their child? This is our way of trying to protect our children, give them good nutrition so their precious bodies are strong for what ever might come their way.

I'm beginning to truly understand the gift that our Heavenly Father sends us when we have children. No matter how they get here we are still entrusted with their care.

Unorganized Dr's office

I really don't like to go to the Dr's for me. I don't mind taking my kids in for check ups, but for me I don't cherish those times when I myself am the patient. It means I have to admit I need help from someone other than my husband. After yesterday I really have little trust for the office staff at my Dr's office. Now I know what my husband is going to say, "Let it go Brianne they made a new appointment for you." but heck I just really need to vent and this seemed to be a good place so that others can avoid the same experience. I know that I'm blowing it all out of proportion more than it needs to be that could have something to do with the fact that I'm tired. I just got back from a fun but energy draining vacation. So here it is..... Yesterday I had an appointment with my Dr. I just changed Dr's recently and this was to be our first visit. You know the visit to establish trust. I walked in and signed in with the front. The lady who was sitting at the desk asked me to come over that there was a minor problem. I asked her what the problem was and she responded with, "honey, you have come in on the wrong day." Sounding like she is talking to a small child who doesn't understand her. I was very confused and tried very hard to think back did I make a mistake? I didn't think so I'm usually very good at dates but I could have been wrong. She then says, "your appointment isn't till August 27." still keeping with the voice that you would use with a small child. I felt very wronged at this point I needed to see the Dr. and only family would understand why it was that important. I kept looking towards the door waiting for my husband to come in a save me as he usually dose but he was busy trying to park the car and get the boys up to the office so I was on my own. I kept trying to explain to this lady who I felt was the one loosing it that my appointment was for the time I had come in, but she would not budge from her stance that I had come in on the wrong day. Finally giving up I asked her to please move my appointment to a closer date and had to leave the office. I was very upset by the fact that I was leaving the Dr's office without receiving any of the help I had come seeking. I had made the effort to see that my husband could come with me and I was having to leave. I went home and looked at my appointment card and it read, appointment 7/12 at 12:00pm. I then got mad all over again. It was still eating at me this morning so I called the Dr's office and talked to the lady in charge of scheduling and she told me that it showed that I had rescheduled my appointment yesterday for a later time. I lost it at that point and told her what had happened that I had come in for my appointment and that I had been told I had come in on the wrong day and given the later appointment. I told her that I felt that I had been wronged and that I really did need to see the Dr. and asked if this kinda thing happened often. She responded with of course it never happens.
So now I must wait to see the Dr. for another time. I must now see the nurse practitioner because the Dr's schedule is full. Now tell me how is trust suppose to be established after this incident?

Okay I've vented for my day and learned that I should always bring in that little appointment card when I see the Dr. because you never know when you will meet a front desk lady that is two apples short of a full basket.

Family Vacation Part 3

 The three amigos heading out on the banana boat for the hundredth time. They really liked riding that. Josh was a little nervous this time because he had just watched uncle Doug throw his six year old son off and Josh wasn't sure he wanted to fall off like Bronson.

 Jenna and Jason ready to see if they could stay on the banana boat. They didn't they fell off many times.

 Brooklyn is one of Doug's twins, they are the same age as Josh but because their birthday is in the summer they are one year ahead of Josh in school. The entire trip Josh and Brooklyn spent most of the time playing together. They really enjoyed jumping off the house boat together.

 

 They did it over and over again. Bronson spent much of his time going down the slide with his brother Hunter. 

 My little man chilling on the back of the house boat.

 Brooklyn and Josh making a sandcastle. 

 

All the kids worked on this big sand village except for Eric and Dilyn. Dilyn later destroyed it using a water gun but at least I got a picture before that happened.

 

Josh and Brooklyn playing together. Those two were inseparable most of the time. You've got to love having cousins. Or in their case second cousins.

 I think that Doug who by the way is my father in law's youngest brother. Went out on the third night fishing and this was what he brought back. Eric's response was icky and Josh thought it was cool.

 More pictures of the three amigos. They did a lot together on this trip.

 On one of our outings Eric fell asleep in the boat. He looks so cute.

 This is a random picture of Lake Powell. I love Lake Powell it is one of the most unique places I've been to.

 Josh and Grandpa found a cave to get out of the sun.

 This was our traditional kipper snacks and sardines trip. We always go and find a place to sit down and eat our fish this place was really cool. We also found a lizard on our cooler bag.

 The Kjar clan trying to get out of the sun. One of Alan's brother's family couldn't come and we missed them.

 This bug was really cool. It hissed when you got near it. Josh sat and watched it for an hour.

 This wasn't a very good picture of me but I played on the knee board. I crashed really bad the third day and it took me two days to talk myself into going back on it again but I was to chicken to go out of the wake.

Of course Jason the pro skier had a blast on one and two skis. He took a couple of falls but he managed to get right back up again each time.

The entire trip was so much fun and we look forward to it next year there were spiders on the house boat but after three days on the boat I started to just pray that a spider wouldn't be on a towel I was using or in my bed. I got lucky most of the time. The trip was worth having to battle spiders, crazy party animals and save our bedding from a crazy hurricane. Now I'm looking forward to Saturday when I can go and pick up my baby girl from Nana and Papa and settle back into our home and wait for the next trip that takes place in two weeks when after two years Parker, Jason's brother comes home from his mission!