Melody snuck my camera

Every now and again I'll pull up pictures on my cell phone that I don't remember taking.  Melody sneaks my cell phone and snaps all kinds of photos.  She's actually really good at it too!  She took a bunch of photos on April 12th that I thought I'd post on here.  Melody is becoming quite the photographer!

Reading A Banner is Unfurled

I wanted to share a part of the book that I'm reading.  This book is about my pioneer ancestors and I hope you get the chance to read it.  On my mom's side, we are descended through Benjamin Franklin Johnson, and his second wife.  His brother, Joel Hills Johnson, was the eldest son of Ezekial and Julia Hills Johnson.  Joel is also the one who wrote "High on a Mountain Top" and built a sawmill in Kirkland that is still standing today.  This part of the book that I'm about to share talks about Joel Hills Johnson and his thoughts after reading the Book of Mormon.  It touched my heart and I wanted to share it.

"As he studied and prayed, he came to four conclusions.  First, that as all protestant churches had sprung up from the Church of Rome, they had no more authority to administer in the ordinances of the Church of Christ than the Church of Rome had.  Second, that a supernatural power did attend the Mormon church.  It had risen independently of all denominations.  Therefore, its origin must be of heaven or the devil.  Third, it seemed unreasonable to Joel that God would suffer the devil to bring forth a work with the gifts and blessings of the ancient Church of Christ, corresponding to that which He promised to bring forth in the last days for the gathering of the House of Israel.  Fourth, the principles taught in the Book of Mormon corresponded with the Bible, and the doctrines of the Church were the same as those taught by Christ and his apostles, with signs following the believers.  As Joel voiced these conclusions and recorded them on paper and in his heart, great peace filled him.  He embraced the work of God with his whole soul." (pgs. 128-129) 

Although, Joel would not attend meetings for a period of time, he allowed Annie (his wife) to go.  He writes that he "never would abridge any ones liberty in religious matters" (J. H. Johnson, Diary, 6).  He did use his personal Bible to compare the teachings of this new sect to the ancient Church of Christ.  The actual words, the four different points of comparing doctrine, are taken from his journal.  He was baptized on June 1, 1831.

I wanted to record these 4 points so I could remember them.  I'm not able to go to church today so have been doing some family research, and doing some studying on my own this morning.  I was so excited when I read this part in the book, but realize not everyone who reads my post will agree.  My blog is my journal and I hoped to remember this as a point of reference for myself. 

The kids first Diamond Backs Game

Christian is always getting Diamond Back Tickets or movie tickets from work  for being a good worker.  He got 4 tickets to go to tonights game a few weeks ago and the plan was for he and I and the kids going but I cant be there with them tonight.  I'm a little sad about it since this time around we could have all gone together.  Usually he only gets 2 tickets and then we still can't go to the game because it's on a Sunday, or some other reason.  Christian is there with the 3  older kids and texting me pictures of the kids on my blackberry. I'm uploading them to the laptap so I can post them on the blog.  They are having so much fun.  I'm sure Christian will get more tickets in the future so I can go with them next time.  He's spoiling them with cotton candy and icecream in helmet bowls.  I'm sure he won't forget the caramel apple because he loves to get those when he and I go.  Dane is so into sports so I know he's got to be thrilled to be at the baseball game with daddy.  Christian and my first date was to a Diamond Backs game so it's always fun to go back and remember that. 

Dane very inently watching the game.

Radioactive Iodine

My apologies for anyone that has had to be around me the past 4 or 5 days.  I've been having my blood drawn weekly to check the TSH levels in my blood, trying to prepare to take some radioactive iodine.  I've been off my medications for a few weeks now and each week that has gone by it feels like I'm dragging more and more.

Sunday rolled around and I could tell I was very much not myself anymore.  Mind over matter really does work though, I'm pretty amazed I was functioning at all.  A week ago Monday, my TSH levels were at 24 and I needed them to be at 50.  This past Monday and Tuesday got really hard for me and I knew my levels were to 50.  The nurse from the radiation oncologist office called me this morning and said your levels were at 213 yesterday and we need you to go tomorrow to the hospital to get this done.  I asked her if 213 is high and she said that's extremely high and started laughing at me.  Not a courtesy laugh mind you, like a shocked laugh.  I laughed back and said "Oh, I guess that's why I'm not feeling well huh?".  She agreed and said lets get you in. 

I"ll go to the hospital tomorrow to take the radiation then I'll finish up the week radioactive at my mom's house.  I still have to stay on my low-iodine diet until the nuclear scan is done.  My mom read and studied up on the things I can and cannot eat so hopefully she can help me because I've been a little bit of a mess yesterday and today.  Between my mom's, mother in laws, and my friend Jolene's books, I think I'll have enough reading material to keep me sane for the next week.  My hope is that I'll be concious enough to read them.

Melody was a huge blessing to me today.  Today was an early release from school and when she got home she sat down to do her homework at the table and kept an eye on the babies for me.  I was dead to the world and pretty close to being in a coma if you ask me.  She kept the house running until Christian came home from work.  Thank goodness Bestamor is coming tomorrow to stay with the kids. I love my hubby, but I struck gold when I married into his family and got my mother-in-law.

Next Thursday I'll have my nuclear scan uptake done and I'm hoping to close this chapter of not feeling well, shut for good.  I'm hoping to feel great just in time for summer so I can play hard.

Abby's 1st Birthday

I think I know what Abby's party themes are going to be most every year...Easter!  We put together a last minute get together at my house for her birthday. I went to the store to buy a cake mix to bake her a cake and all the Easter decorations and candy were being clearanced.  I bought decorations between $1-$4 to have for her "get together".  Even the Easter cake mix and frosting were being clearanced.  Here are pictures of her on her birthday. 

2011 Easter!

This year we went to my parents office on Gilbert Road near University in Mesa.  We hid somewhere around 150-200 Easter eggs filled with candy and prizes for the kids to find.  My mom put on a ham and there was potatoes, corn, watermelon, and other delicious things to eat.  The roses bushes were blooming like crazy so I cut another bunch of roses to take home.  They are so fragrant and beautiful!  It was wonderful to be with so many of my family to celebrate one of my favorite holidays.  I took some pictures of the Easter egg hunt.  I didn't get any of Abby though because she was chowing down on some yummy food and hanging out with her Grandma, Aunts and Uncles. 



After we left the office, Christian, the kids, and I went to Bestamor's and Bestafar's house. She had prepared some more deliously yummy food. Lamb, potatoes, asparagus, her home-made rolls that I love so much. And she made one of the best desserts ever, pound cake, berries, and cream. The kids had another egg hunt in their backyard and got $3.00 each! My mother-in-law has so many beautiful flowers growing in her yard as well. I love spring time and it made for a neat Easter Sunday.

A Saturday at our House

Christian bought a water toy to play with the kids in our backyard.  It was a little cold still to be doing this but they had fun while it lasted.  A few more weeks and the weather will be perfect.  I put Abby in our baby swing and Baylee went over and wanted to push her in it.  Baylee loved pushing Abby in the swing.

Christmas letters in April...whaaat?

Hello Family!

I found a stack of Christmas cards I never mailed off and the kids just got their school pictures today.  I thought I would send a letter with updates about our family as well as some pictures, and those of you who never got their Christmas cards...here they come! 

Christian: is still working for APS and tries to get all the over time he can right now before that all goes away.  He and Melody are getting ready to go on their annual daddy daughter camp-out this weekend to Globe.  He just took me and the kids to Las Vegas and we stayed at Circus Circus.  Christian has a really fun talent of being able to win the carnival games.  He won helicopters, guitars, and lots of stuffed animals from very small to very large for me and the kids.   We all had a lot of fun and Christian asked what we’re doing for our next vacation.  He likes to have fun things to look forward to.  Christian has received a fairly recent calling in church as the Gospel Doctrine teacher. 

Emily: has to go for another radioactive treatment in about 3 weeks.  I have to stop taking my medication for a while and have my blood drawn weekly.  Good news is, in 2 months I should be feeling better than ever.  I was getting ready to get a part time, evening job at the Olive Garden close by our house but I will have to wait a couple of months now.  Stay tuned though.  Today I was outside digging and shoveling, getting ready to put in another garden in our backyard.  Each year we add a little something more to our backyard.  At this rate, our backyard will be finished in about 6 years but it’s been fun to work on it together.  As for church callings, I’m the 1^st counselor in the Relief Society Presidency.

Melody: is in the 3^rd grade and very smart.  Now if we can just get her to do a little more work and lot less socializing she'll have it made.  She has lots of friends and loves to spend time with them almost as much as she likes spending time with us.  She loves to be outdoors and loves animals.  She just got a couple of rabbits which she/we named Ginger and Dillweed or “Dilly”.  Christian built her a really nice rabbit hutch to go in the back yard.   She’s always giving us hugs which I really appreciate, and is great at saying “I love you”.  She can do laundry, wash dishes, change diapers, make bottles, there’s nothing that she can’t do and she’s a big help to her mom with her baby sisters.  She found my Percy Jackson series that Christian got me for Christmas and has been asking if I’d read them to her, so right now I’m reading the series to her each night. 

Aaron: is a super smart little boy and is in the 1st grade.  His teacher does an awesome job of making sure he's challenged enough in school.  He moves to different classrooms to learn reading and math. He’s also a great help to his mom and can be very enthusiastic about vacuuming or picking up when he wants to, which is often because he knows it makes his mother happy.  Aaron can also put up a good argument for why he doesn’t have to do things when he doesn’t want to, but I'm still the best at arguing ;).  He is a good money saver when he earns money for doing his chores.  Melody is always trying to borrow from Aaron’s piggy bank.

Dane: joins his very first soccer team this Thursday.  He loved watching Aaron and Melody play soccer and can’t wait to start playing too.  He’s our big time sports player and loves to play soccer, football, and basketball.  His wardrobe consists of mostly jerseys and he won’t let me switch it up for him.  Sometimes I just want to see him wearing a t-shirt or collared shirt, but nope!  Dane is our night owl and he likes his one-on-one time with his mom and dad in the evenings. 

Baylee: is almost old enough to go into nursery.  She’ll be 18 months on April 23^rd and we can’t wait until she can go into nursery each Sunday.  Right now she wanders all around during Sunday school class and the last half of church with Christian.  Our ward members try to pick her up but she’s strictly a “just look and don’t touch” kind of baby.  She slaps the chairs with her hands and has a lot to say.  She started a snack exchange with the other toddlers in Sunday School class.  The other mom’s and dad’s in the room try to coax her over to them with snacks and toys so they can hold her.  She’s our little “tank”, she may only be about 18 months but she’s wearing size 3T and 4T clothing.  She is so busy at home.  She’s constantly letting the chickens out of their coop and filling their water bowl full of dirt so they have mud to drink...she's so considerate.  I pull her off the kitchen table at least a dozen times a day.  Other favorites of hers is emptying out the toy box, emptying out the bottle drawer with the lids, getting into the trash can, and what we like to call “attacking” the toilet paper roll.  I watch her as she walks around the house with a very mischievous look on her face just looking for the next thing to get into and entertain her. 

Abby: has been catching up to other babies her age, finally.  She was a few months behind developmentally but has had a lot of things click for her the past couple months.  She’s still a very little baby and we like to tuck her in our arms like a little football. She’s started crawling now, clapping her hands, feeding herself, and just started to say momma a few days ago.  Her foster case is moving towards adoption on April 25^th and we’ll be able to adopt her by the end of summer, hopefully.  Christian and I are shortening her name to just Abby and giving her the middle name of Jane.  Abby Jane is the name of my great grandmother so we’re pretty happy with it.  She has a half brother or sister (we don’t know which yet) being born in about 5-6 months time.  I’m not sure if I’ll be well enough to take another baby as a placement but we’ll be the first home they call when he/she’s born.  I’ll have to update you later on what we decide to do.  I’m having a hard time imaging 3 babies in 2 years.  Abby turns 1 year old on April 26th.

 

Love,

Emily, Christian, Melody, Aaron, Dane, Baylee, and Abby Hughes 

Rabbits for Easter

Christian and I were driving away from my mom and dad's house and the neighbor had a sign out for baby bunnies.  We stopped to look at the babies and they were adorable.  We ended up buying two and used Easter as an excuse to do it.  What were we thinking??  I have no idea, sometimes we just leave our brains at home.  Christian built a hutch for them lickity split though and did a fantastic job.  So meet Ginger and Dillweed aka "Dilly".

GINGER

DILLY