Benjamin's Miracle

Soy milk has saved my baby, literally.
Let me go back to the beginning. Benjamin was born with a milk allergy that first showed up when he was two months old. Before that he was really fussy and we didn't know why. Then for some reason he got a rash and for months we couldn't get rid of it. The Dr. said dry skin, but I knew it was something else. Finally the Dr. gave in and tested him for allergies "To humor me" as I told her. He came up with a list of allergies that in the end (months later) included milk, nuts, apples, and onions. I tried nursing but I gave it up after about 7 months. He was put on Alimentum formula by the Dr. He was doing ok, but not that well. At four months he got really sick. For weeks I could get him to eat little, and keep down even less. There were all sorts of blood tests, samples taken and no one could figure out what was wrong. Then one day he just stopped throwing up and kept food down. But he had lost a lot of weight. He went form being a chubby happy 4 month old that was in the 30% to a skinny lethargic 5 month old in the .01% or off the chart. I had to move him down a clothing and diaper size. I was worried.
But he gained weight again, agonizingly slowly, but he gained. After months of this we were still holding our breath as he was put on the scale, celebrating a few ounces gained or worrying over 1/2 pound lost. At one year he weighed the same as an average 5 month old and he was so skinny and it took a lot to get him to smile or play. Still he threw up a lot. Some times 4 times a day. The Dr. was ready to run more tests to figure out what was wrong. I had been praying for months to know what was wrong, I prayed for guidance to help my baby as he suffered. I had the impression to look at his formula. I found out it was milk based! When I talked to the Dr. she said that it didn't matter the milk protein was broken down, the nutritionist said the same thing. I asked about soy milk and was told it was only for kids with "really bad" milk allergies. After about a month of harping on the Dr to change his formula to no avail I did it myself. I bought a huge thing of soy formula and in November started feeding him that. When we went in for a flu shot about a month later Benjamin had gained 3 lbs. THREE POUNDS! We had celebrated a few ounces here and there, but now I cheered and breathed a sigh of relief. I knew the battle was over when he stopped throwing up, when he gained weight so fast and steady. I can see and feel the difference in just the last 1 1/2 months.
The Dr. diagnosed Benjamin with failure to thrive, but he was fighting, I can see that now. I wish I had listed to the spirit sooner and fought harder for soy milk. But he is chubby, happy, playful and smiley now. He has the energy to learn and play instead of just laying there in my arms. I am so grateful, I am moved to tears thinking of it. And as I held him today and felt his strength, laughed at his smiles and giggled that he laughed so much, I thank my Savior for giving him the strength to fight. I am grateful for Soy milk because it has saved his life and given me another chance with him. I do not know how long he could have held on, I don't want to think about it, he did, he is here, he is my baby and he is alive!!!

Cute boys

Here is my little hobo. I think this picture is so funny. Glen broke the bottom out of his blocks barrel and started wearing it. This was a few months after he kept asking me to kick him out of the house because he thought it was funny to hear he tell him to "Get out of here." I was making a blanket for Benjamin birthday and Glen kept stepping on it so I told him I was going to kick him out of the house to play. I said it in a funny voice and for the next hour I had to do it again and again and if I did not kick him out he would step on the blanket to get me to say it. Silly boy.
Oh my sweet boy I have to tell you how compassionate and aware of others he is. One day I was vacuuming and Benjamin started to cry because the vacuum scared him. Glen immediately stopped what he was doing to put his arm around Benjamin and tell him it was ok, he was safe. Benjamin is no longer afraid of the vacuum because after that the two boys started playing a game to see who could get the closest and not get eaten by the vacuum. I sure do love this sweet boy of mine.

Benjamin is a climber. He can also figure things out, a dangerous past time, I know. One day he wanted to get crackers off of the table. He climbed onto a box, onto the chair, and then tot he table to get the crackers. I moved the box. He reached up, grabbed the box, put it back by the chair, and proceeded to get the crackers again. Another dsay he figured out that he could climb onto Glen's bed if he tried hard enough and from there arrange the pillows so he could climb onto the changing table, a feat of about 4 feet. He is so smart it worries me. I wonder how long baby gates will hold him.
I love Benjamin's smile in this picture. Doesn't he just look so triumphant? He climbed up there all on his own, it took him awhile with those slippery pajamas's on, but he did it and he was so proud. Now he likes to climb onto whatever he can, say "Hi!" really loud and commence telling us how totally awesome he is. :) This little guy brings me so much Joy. I am so happy that he ia a part of our family and that he has such a happy personality. He just radiates joy.
My lie would not be complete without both of my wonderful little boys. I am so grateful for them and their love and for all that they teach me. I have learned so much the past few years about the love that Heavenly Father has for us by loving my children. I know how deeply I love them and that I would do almost anything to make them happy, keep them safe, and help them, and my love in imperfect. It is but a gimps of the perfect love our Father has for us. My desires for my children are the same desires out Father has for us, only more perfect.

Keep Hope burning Bright

I don't often post serious thoughtful things on my blog, it's not really me, but I feel the need to express my thoughts and feeling and they are of a serious nature at the moment.

My heart feels like it is about to burst, and it is strange because I feel such a mix of emotions right now. I feel anxiety, love, peace, and most importantly I feel a deep and abiding hope. I have a candle of hope within my heart, one that I will keep burning forever if need be. Part of me desires to quench this candle, not with hopelessness, but with a happy ending.

You see, I have a friend, a very good friend who I have known forever, who no longer speaks to me. I do not know why, I do not know what I have done or what happened, yet still I hope. I hope that whatever came between us can be taken away. I hope that she knows I still love her, that I miss her, and that I wait for her.

She is like a sister to me, the best kind. The kind you always get along with, the kind you tell secrets too, the one you laugh and cry with, the one that knows your heart and your mind when you are silent. But somewhere along the way that changed, and I didn't see it, maybe I wouldn't let myself.

My heart hurts without her, I still have her picture hanging in my room, and I hope that some day...some day we can be friends again. And until then memories and hope will carry me, and keep me in this feeling of peace.

Lipstick, and snow men, and other cuteness

First of all I have to tell you the lipstick story. It's my own fault really. It was quiet time and so I decided to lay down for a few minutes, which is all it took for trouble to find my make up. Trouble version 1, Glen, found my make-up case and set to work with his new colors. He used my lipstick and mascara to paint his baby boy doll, his rocking horse, the walls, shoe shelf, carpet, and himself from head to toe. I was so shacked that I wasn't even upset, but I am glad I had the presence of mind to take plenty of pictures. Glen sure had fun. Oh and just a side note, apparently he only likes the dark colors, because he left all the light colored makeup alone.

After the "Blizzard" Glen begged me to take him out to play in the snow. So we got his "Snow boy" suit on and

went to build snowmen. Glen sure did have fun in the snow. He loves it. And I am so glad that his grandma gave him a snow suit last year so he can go play in the snow and still stay warm and dry. Glen tried to eat the snow and discovered that it feels cold and tastes cold. Some one gave me a great idea to put food coloring in a spray bottle and let him spray the snow, so I did and he loved that more then anything.

We decorated our Christmas tree tonight. It was wonderful. This is the first year that Glen and Benjamin have been able to help me. Glen helped put on a few ornaments and the gifts to Christ. He also helped daddy put the Angel Moroni on top of the tree. Glen favorite part was all the pictures of Jesus and the Angel Moroni on top. He loves Jesus and angels and wont hesitate to tell you that Jesus came to America and there were angels. (His favorite Book of Mormon story from 3rd Nephi 17:24) This year the boys got special ornament. Glen got a sea horse since he is crazy about horses and going to the aquarium. And Benjamin got one that looked like a gift tag and said smile because I cherish his smiles so much.

Benjamin, my sweet smiley boy, loves hats. He will put one on, take it off. For quite awhile he will do that on again and off again game. Then he will bring it to me so I can play and he takes it off so I can put it on. He also likes to put hats on other people. I just love this picture of him. He is holding the hat, so cute and smiling his sweet little smile that I love so much. I just can't get enough of his smiles

Forever

It has been forever since I have posted on the blog because it takes forever to upload a picture and most of the time it doesn't even work. So lets see if I can tell you everything of interest hat has happened in the last month or so without losing your interest. (I'm quite enjoying using the same word twice in a sentence:)

Halloween was a lot of fun. Glen was a cowboy, no he was NOT Woody, and he was quick to tell everyone. He was a cowboy and had a bucking bronco named Mustang. Silly me, I forgot to get his horse in the picture. Benjamin was my little stinker. I think he made an absolutely adorable skunk. His hat was a little too small and so it pushed his cheeks forward and I couldn't get enough of those sweet chubby things. I really do miss the chubby cheeks he had as a small baby.

The most memorable part of the night I believe was watching Benjamin figure out how to get to the bowl of candy. The bowl was set up high on a plant stand so that Glen could not help himself. Benjamin figured out quickly that if he climbed up the stairs he could reach through the railing and grab handfuls of candy from the bowl. Benjamin likes to work things out, he likes to figure out how to get something to work and do it himself. An affinity for climbing helps as well.

I seem to have only told you about one occasion, but all of the little stories have slipped my mind at the moment. I am also in what my dear husband terms a "Jane Austeny mood" and so I feel inclined to use large words and think very romantically of happy ending, heroes and heroins, and just a little of how scandalous it was of me to wear a dress that not only showed my ankles, but my knees as well *Gasp*

But now I am only becoming silly which tells me it is time for me to retire to my bed for the night. Good night friends.

Random catch up

The computer or the internet is on the fritz so I haven't been able to post for awhile, I know I won't be able to get a picutre, I may try any way though. Since it has been so long here is a bit of randomness to entertain you.

• We have discovered a great way to start prayer is by playing the crawling game. For a few minutes everyone get down and crawls in a circle, that way we are all on our knees and in a circle. Glen loves the game, he requests it even, and kneels better if we play it first.
• Benjamin likes to head butt and wrestle. A lot.
• PS, Benjamin can eat peanut butter now. I'm going to try apples next, but I have also added onions to the list of allergies.
• This week I am going to try to make cushioned strap's for the boys' car seats so the straps do not cut into their neck. Lets hope my friend can make something of my nearly non existent sewing skill.
• John is hoping to survive the Zombie Apocalypse this week. You can join him at SLCC if you want.
• I never thought I'd say it, but I miss summer. I am cold.
• Seriously, it's only mid terms? I want my husband back!
• and most importantly invictus amor

Benajmin's first birthday

Wow! I can't believe it has been a year already. Time has gone by so fast, so very fast. A year already. The thought of my sweet Benjamin never fails to bring a smile to my face. Benjamin is my special little guy. He the one that sees me, and runs into my arms with a smile one his face, he is the one that lays his head on my shoulder just because, then jumps on me and wants to wrestle. He is the one that misses me when I am gone, who smiles just for me. He is my little ray of sun.
It took Benjamin the longest time to smile for anyone else, he would reserve his smile just for me. Now he shares his smiles more, but there is a special light that I only see when he is smiling for me. It's almost like he is sharing something with me, a secret or something.
Benjamin's favorite things are: dogs, cars, balls, mommy, putting toys into containers and bags, home made fries, wrestling with daddy, following his brother around, and playing with him. He has a ten word vocabulary, signs three to five words, walks, tries to run, climbs stairs and everything else like a regular mountain goat, and loves to make others smile. He has started to enjoy playing more and will run away when I chase him, jump on Glen or daddy to help tickle, and play ball in all forms.
I love my sweet little Benjamin so much, I cherish every smile. I do not know why it was so important to have Benjamin be a part of our family right now, but I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for the gift that Benjamin is in my life. He brings me such joy, he is my sunshine, my toothless, my smiley boy. I love him so much.

"A Book"

"Meow"
"Mommy, you're not a kitty."
"Am I a cow?"
"No."
"A horse?"
"No."
"You're right, I am a mommy."
"What kind of mommy?"
"A human mommy."
"No, not a human."
"Not a human? Well then, what am I."
Glen thinks for a minute...then with a look of intense concentration "You're a book!"

Some days

I tell ya...

Spaghetti or the kitchen?

This would have been Benjamin's first time eating spaghetti, but I had to give him noodles without sauce because there was milk in the sauce. He has had noodles before. So I will have to put up another picture after he has had spaghetti for the first time. The real story behind these pictures is the kitchen. You see, I had just spent hours deep cleaning the kitchen and it was so clean. Then I went and made spaghetti for dinner, brilliant I know. I decided that too keep the floor clean a little longer we would eat outside. There is just something about eating spaghetti outside that is a lovely thought, maybe it's the fact that eating spaghetti outside means the dogs clean up the mess and not me, ya, that is a happy thought.

One Big Question

January 2010, 3 months old. 50th percentile, pre-RSV (which he had twice.)

September 2010, 11 months old, 2nd percentile, finally back to his pre-RSV weight.
(Yes, that is the same outfit)

I sorta miss the chub, I mean he wasn't the chubbiest kid on the block, but he had enough to go around and then some. I had a hard time getting a bib around all his chins when he ate. But on the plus side (I accidentally typed plus size and had to fix it :) carrying Benjamin around is more like carrying around a 6 month old instead of a one year old. He weighs the same as Glen did at six months and I am grateful for that when my arms are full trying to carry Benjamin, the diaper bag, a bag of books from the library, Glen's toy he didn't want to carry, and Glen. And As Benjamin nears his first birthday one big question enters my mind...Will he still be wearing 3-6 month clothes?

Another moment

I had another moment today, one of those times when I stop and think about life. It was while I was giving the boys a bath after dinner. Benjamin stood up and pressed his hand against the shower door and I could see his hand print through the door. I thought "His little hands won't be little forever, I wish I could keep them like that." I thought of getting a pad of ink and preserving his hand print forever. There are times when I wish they would stop growing for just a little while. I wish I had more time to enjoy them while they are small. I just can't get enough. I am beginning to understand why memories are so very precious. These two sweet things will not stay small for long and before I know it all I will be left with will be my memories. I will gather all the memories I can, put them in journals, photo albums, and my memory and hold on to them forever.

Wanted

Glen "Sweet Cheeks" Hansen was last seen stealing the heart of a young redhead. If you see him contact your local sheriff. Sweet Cheeks is considered cute and flirtatious, exercise caution.

Triple layer waterfall cake

This cake sure was fun to make. Glen loves to bake with me and so we made it together. I measured out the ingredients (we made the cake from scratch) and he dumped them into the bowl. He even mixed with the mixer, his favorite part. The top two layers are funfetti and the bottom is chocolate. My favorite part was frosting the cake. This cake I did not have to worry about the frosting being smooth and looking perfect, I wanted texture and variation. I frosted the cake all in white and then dripped gel food coloring in random spots and used a knife to smear the frosting around. This made for a really cool look with the different shades. It also gave the frosting a kind of swirled look that i really liked. I used crushed Oreo cookies for the rocks near the pond edge and sides of the water fall. The flowers were made by my sister in law, she used gum past. The lilly pads are also frosting. I think next time I want the layers to be a little thicker.
My next cake? I want to try a lopsided one like this. I think it would be fun.

Reflections

I have been thinking today, a dangerous past time, I know... I had such a great day today. I wasn't stressed or impatient, I wasn't irritated easily, or counting down to nap and bed. Why? My house was a mess, Glen threw some major fits at the library and store, and John was late getting home from work, so why was today so great?
I know the reason, I have known it for a while, but I keep forgetting. I should stop making fun of the people in the Old Testament for being so quick to forget the Lord, because I am right there with them. Today was such a great day because I woke up earlier then the kids to read scriptures ans pray. I did something to make my husband happy before he left for work and when the kids woke up I put away the book I had been reading. Then all day we spent time together, doing chores, during meals, playing, running errands, reading, talking, hugging, and learning about the gospel.
I have discovered over and over again, I hope someday to stop forgetting this, that when my focus is on spending time with the kids, teaching them, doing as the Lord would have me do that my days are wonderful. Whole weeks will go by where I do not lose my temper or become irritated all because I put the Lord and my children first. When I put way the book and the computer, when I stop spending so much time on the phone and more time with them we all have better days.
Even when the house is a mess and the kids are cranky I do not feel stressed, and when I do not feel stressed I am a better mother and wife. I find I can discipline without anger, teach with patience, and get more done around the house. When I focus on what is the most important and put the important things first every one is happier.

On My Mind

Life has gotten crazy busy lately. I have found myself rushing from one thing to the next and before I know it I am putting the kids to bed. I feel like the time goes by so fast even when we spend our days lazing around the house just playing, I don't want to much it up with anything that distracts me from my boys. They grow up so fast that I don't want to miss anything while I stare at a computer screen or have my nose buried in a book. So I hope you will understand my lack of blog posts. There is tons going on, and maybe someday I will blog about them, but right now I just want to enjoy it all with my kids.
Here are a few tantalizing hints for those of you on the edge of you seats:
This is the Place, pony rides, Lagoon, hugs and kisses, jumping on the trampoline, parks, a family reunion, more hugs and kisses, taking time to talk right before bed, scriptures after meals and snacks, a few tantrums, hugs and kisses, rolling down hills, horse races, kiss betters, jammies, love, haircuts, shopping trips, potty training attempt, family cuddles, and hour at the library reading about horses, wrestling matches, forts, play dates....The list is endless. As you can see my days are packed full, and this doesn't even include things like the Dr. or errands. I want to catch everything. I feel like I miss enough being there most of the time, I can't let anything less important distract me. I love these sweet boys to much to miss anything or go wrong because of a book or Facebook, or blogging.

Cakes of all sorts

July was a busy month for me, a lot of birthdays, a baby shower, two holidays, and two kids...I may even go so far as to call July a crazy month. Here are a few of the cakes that I made in July.


Here is a cake I made for a girls dogs when she threw them a birthday party. It was way fun to make this cake, partially because I had never made a cake for a dog and had no idea how. I made the cake out of crushed dry dog food, though I am sure canned food will work great, pureed meats (ham, pepperoni, bacon, basically a little of whatever I had laying around) a little rice flour, water and a bit of honey. I had also planned to include shredded carrots, but I ended up short on time. Lets not forget the rawhide "candles" The shape is made from a brad pan in the center and small round cake pans on the outside with two sides cut off. My house smelled like dog food, but the party was a hit and the dogs loved the cake.
And lest you think the party only involved a doggy cake here is the ice cream cake I made for the people. I used a box mix and added a bit more flower to firm it up a little (an extra egg works well in addition to the flour as well.) I poured the mix into a sheet pan and after it had cooled cut it in half. The I sliced into a brick of ice cream and arranged it on one of the halves, then I put the other half on top and frosted the cake and decorated it. It tasted yummy.Here is my favorite. This cake is probably the pretties cake I have ever made. I used about 50 diapers, various baby items and a spool of ribbon. I love how it turned out and so did my sister in law when I gave it to her at her baby shower. I was hoping it would stay together for her to look at for awhile until her little guy needed the diapers, but alas, the cake met its demise due to eager children in need of entertainment. Farewell..I can't wait to try another one. Maybe this one will be a little sturdier.
All in all a fun month full of baking, creating, and experiments. =D

Glen

I love my sweet Glen. My horse loving, hug giving, talking up a storm boy. Glen is a very compassionate child. He will rush to give you a hug if you are crying and he wont hesitate to ask you if you are ok if he thinks you are hurt. I can never get enough of his hugs and kisses.
Glen has such a love for learning. He is so excited to do his homework every day like daddy. Daddy works on computer programming and Glen works on phonics. "Ocapus starts "O" says ah" What a smart little guy.
Glen loves to jump on the trampoline with mommy, run, read horse books ("Go wibrary, get horse books.") wrestle with daddy, and play with his cousins. Last night he was running all over the house and outside non-stop for almost an hour. Grandpa said we should put him in track as soon as possible. I swear Glen never runs out of energy.
Glen is also a night owl. I put him to bed around 8:00 and he almost never goes to sleep before 10:00 or later. He just lays in bed reading, softly talking or singing, or just staring at the ceiling. At least he is quiet so Benjamin can sleep. Sometimes when I go in there to check on the boys and Glen is still awake he tells me "Shh, Benjamin sleeping." Glen loves his brother so much. I am so grateful for my sweet Glen and his hugs and kisses.

Benjamin

Oh how I love this sweet boy of mine. Glen has always been a daddy's boy big time, but Benjamin is a mama's boy all the way. Though he spreads his smiles more evenly now, they used to be just for me. I love when he crawls into my lap and buries his face in my hair, I love how he reaches out to me and holds on so tight when he is in my arms, almost like he is asking me to never let go. Benjamin has such a loving personality. He loves to cuddle and play, he is patient and he loves to smile. Benjamin loves life. He loves to be outside watching people, he loves animals, especially dogs, and he adores his big brother. I am amazed that such a little person can be full of so much love. No wonder we are told to be as little children, where else can you get so close to perfection in mortality?

Sleepy Head

There is something very special about a sleeping child. It's not just that the kid is finally asleep and now the house is quiet for a little while, but a sleeping child is serene and lovely. There are tender moment as you hold your sleeping new born, scary moments after nightmare, funny times when he talks in his sleep or you find her but sticking up in the air (Ruffley butt tights and all :)
Some times I sneak into the boy's room and I hold one of them for a few minutes, just to hear them breath, to feel their warmth, and have a few minutes of squirm free cuddle time. I must admit I get as much comfort from them at times as they get from me.

I want to create a sleep book for my kids. A collection of my favorite sleep pictures. I will put poems, stories, or sayings with each picture. I hope it will be a soothing night time book, but also a look at how they have grown and a reminder of how they were. I will have to really pick and choose, I have so many I would make it a novel if I didn't narrow it down to my favorites. There are all the new born pictures from the time when all they did was sleep, cute poses in the crib, funny little positions, the transfer from crib to bed, there are so many already, how will I ever choose. Here are a few of my favorites.This is one of my favorite from when Glen was a newborn. He and his cousin fell asleep right next to each other.

Glen when he is about two. He learned to take off his PJ's
I love it when they fall asleep eating. (Benjamin about 7 months)
Benjamin could sleep anywhere (6 months)
Benjamin didn't like moving to the crib, he stood up and cried until he got too tired and fell asleep like this. (9 months)
When Benjamin was a newborn we thought the light bugged him so we made him this pillow tent for him to sleep in.
Glen loves his new bed. (two years)
Glen fell asleep hugging his "eyeball car" The first night he fell asleep clutching two horse books, but I couldn't find my camera. (two years)Nap time, he pretty much played til he dropped. (two years)

Benjamin played til he dropped. (3 months)

It's worth it

A few nights ago as I tucked Glen into bed and told him I loved him he surprised me by saying back "Love you mommy." I have never heard such sweetness. I melted into a puddle right there. I picked Glen up out of his crib and held him for a few minutes longer. It is moments like this that make all of the mom struggles worth it.
Since then Glen has been asking for hugs and kisses, telling us he loves us, and I think enjoying our reaction when he does. Can I help it if I squeal and run to give him a squeeze when he says "Love you mommy," those words make my heart feel so happy, I just can't hold it all in.
In the midst of the two year old turmoil, in between all of those No!'s and tantrums there is a bit of sweetness, just enough that we keep our sanity and love it. It is the times when he says love you and gives me a hug, when Benjamin shares his binkey, when I get hurt and Glen asks if I am ok, when Benjamin smiles, it is the times like this that make me never want to trade motherhood for the world. It is times like this when it is worth it and I love it.

Glen's birthday

Blah...I have been so tired lately I haven't wanted to do much of anything. It takes all the energy I have just to keep the kids clean and fed, the house clean, and everyone at least semi-happy.
But here I am with out any excuse. The kids are healthy and happy again, Glen is asleep, at least he was...ok, still is, and Benjamin is playing happily by himself.
Boy what a month. The kids got sick, again, Benjamin has RSV, again, and a nasal infection that is making it all last so much longer. and...well, enough said. BUT...there have definitely been tons of positives. Benjamin has learned to get himself from laying to sitting, and he has become expert at rolling around the floor to get what he wants. This makes for a happier baby and happier mommy. He has learned to crawl...sort of. This morning he was crawling backwards, but that is the first step, right? He is still gaining weight even though he has been sick and I am so relived about that. I was a little worried when he dropped from the 30% to .05%
Funny story real quick, as you can see the boys are wearing the same shirt. I had no idea they had matching shirts until one morning I tried to put Benjamin's shirt on Glen. I knew Glen had a shirt like this to match the shorts he was wearing, but when I put it on it so did not fit. So I looked at the size 3-6 months? Checked Benjamin's drawer and found Glen's shirt and switched them. Too cute.
This month was also Glen's birthday. He turned two...time seems to fly at times and crawl at others. For a week I think the day will never end, then Saturday I look at Glen and wonder where the last 6 months has gone. Glen is so smart and active. He loves horses, ponies, riding horses, talking about horses, Racing Stripes, jumping horses, kissing horses...I could go on forever. Glen counts to 11 all by himself and can count to 15 with a few reminders, he knows all of the alphabet and is learning the letter's sounds, he speaks in full sentences and I am pleased to report that "Please, may I, excuse me, sorry, and Bless you" are all often used terms. He is also exhibiting his two year old self.
Glen are you tired? No. Hungry? No. Thirsty? No. Happy? No. Sad? No. Orange? No. Blue?...Yes.
Glen also discovered how to unscrew caps. I was worried he would find the tooth past, but he surpassed even my expectations and took the child proof cap off of Benjamin's Amoxicillin and drank the whole bottle. I was freaked out until I called poison control and found out he would be fine, now I am worried about getting a new persecution for Benjamin without missing a dose, teaching Glen not to touch medicine and, all that will follow an antibiotic...fun, fun, fun...
For his birthday he had a horse cake, went on a pony ride, got lots of great gifts from family and friends, and played hard all moth. I love to stretch birthdays out. All month anything fun we have done has been to celebrate his birthday. The part Glen enjoyed the very most was the pony rides though. He was so happy, smiled so big, screamed so loud at the end, went again and repeated the process. It's a good thing the ride is only $3 so I can hopefully take him often as a treat.
Well, not that this post has far exceeded what most people like to read I will end, add a few pictures and try to post again soon.

Rainbow cake

This cake turned out so fabulous. I love the bright colors and my silly putty fondant. I have been wanting to try a marshmallow fondant recipe, but I must not have added enough powdered sugar because the fondant was a little, well silly putty like. It was firm enough to stay put, but soft enough to be molded into the arch shape so it turned out perfect for my needs. It will also be fun to play with and eat later on with the kids. I will be putting the recipe right next to my peanut butter play dough recipe.
So to make the cake I used a basic white cake mix (I wanted to make one from scratch, but it didn't happen this time.) and then I divided it up into six bowls. Then I used gel food coloring (it works so much better then liquid food coloring) to color the mix in the bowls. Then I spooned the mix into a bundt pan. I tried to do a few cool designs, but they didn't stay when the cake baked up, that's ok though because it still looks AWESOME! I really like the bundt pan because I was able to cut the cake in two and have two arches to make into rainbows.For the fondant I melted a bag of marshmallows with a few Table spoons of water and stirred it all together. Then I separated it into six bowls and again used the gel food coloring. You need to make it a little brighter then you want the end result because the powdered sugar will lighten it up a bit. I mixed in some powdered sugar then kneaded in more until I had what I wanted. (I used crisco like the recipe said to keep the fondant from sticking to my hands.) Then I rolled it into little "snakes" and patted it flat onto the cake.
After refrigerating the cake for a few hours to stiffen the fondant up again, (you do not need to do it that long, but I had time to spare and it needs to stay refrigerated. ) I set the rainbows up and piped clouds around the base. I really like the way it turned out and now that it's finished it's off to my friends rainbow themed birthday party.

More holiness give me

More holiness give me, more strivings within.
More patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin.
More faith in my Savior, more sense of His care.
More joy in His service, more purpose in prayer.
More gratitude give me, more trust in the Lord.
More zeal for His glory, more hope in His Word.
More tears for His sorrows, more pain at His grief.
More meekness in trial, more praise for relief.
More purity give me, more strength to o'ercome,
More freedom from earth-stains, more longings for home.
More fit for the kingdom, more useful I'd be,
More blessed and holy, more, Savior, like Thee.

Benjamin has been really sick for about a week now. Lots of throwing up and diarrhea. At first I thought it was food poisoning, but now I am not so sure. The Dr. said there is nothing she can do to help him get better, just treat the symptoms.
Today as he threw up yet again I felt like I just couldn't handle it. I am so worried about him, he has lost so much weight and has been hurting and crying so much. There had to be something I could do. So I called my sister in law who always knows just what to say. Whether she listens and sympathies or tells me straight up something I need to hear, she says it. She told me to pray. She reminded me that as a mother I have the divine right to receive personal revelation for my children and how to help them. I knew this, I had prayed about it. But I did not like the answer so I forgot about it. The Lord told me to wait and have faith. My sister in law and best friend knew just what I needed to hear to remember what the Lord wanted me to do. Now I just need to do it. It may not sound hard, but I am really having a hard time just waiting and having faith. My baby is sick and I don't want to wait, I want to DO something. But I WILL wait and I WILL have faith.

Race for the cure

To day I completed my first 5K. I was so excited about this one because of the cause. All proceeds from this race went to research in the hop[es of finding a cure for breast cancer. It was so moving so see all of the people out there in support of this race and cause. I was teary eyed as all of the survivors, including Glenna whom we raced for, paraded around the fountain and lined up for a picture. And there we so many who entered the race. The estimate was around 20,000.
I took the boys in the stroller and we walked this time, but I hope to run my next 5K. I will try to do another one at the end of the summer. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to take part in this race. I wish I had my camera so I could have gotten a picture. I was also very happy to see my mother in law waiting at the finish line to show her support for me with a sign and balloon for Glen, oh ya, and the "victory grapes."
A few facts about breast cancer;

• Although rare, men can get and even die from the breast cancer.
• 192,370 U.S. women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009.
• Studies show older women have a higher risk of breast cancer, as well as those with a family history of cancer, excessive drinkers and those who are overweight.
• More than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors live in the US.

Imagine a world without breast cancer.