Humbled

Tonight I had the chance to go with the youth of our ward to The Road Home in Midvale, I have never done anything like that in my life. I was nervous all day long but felt like I really needed to go, we went to spent the hour playing with the kid's in the shelter.
We drove up to this warehouse looking building and walked into the main doors to where we dropped off the donations we all had brought then they told us to walk all the way to the back. Through that door we went into a huge cement room filled with cots lined up in rows and families sitting on top just looking at us as we walked by, and my heart just sank. As you walked I could see where they showered, slept, and ate. There was not one ounce of privacy for these families. The last room was where we got to play with the kid's, we set up our activities and then they brought the kid's in. The majority of the kid's were 8 and under, they came over and started to do the craft activities we brought. There was a sweet little boy who wanted me to help him make a turkey for his Mom. He told me she was really sick and this would make her happy, he was only 7 and probably one of the cutest kid's I have ever seen. There was a sweet little girl who was coloring and gave it to her Dad, she told him she made it for him and he was such a cute Dad to his 2 little girls, and he told her he would get a frame to put it in. She then asked one of our ladies if she could have a box of crayons. We ended up leaving all our supplies there, the main lady at the shelter just said how much they love having those items to help keep them busy. One of the Mothers was holding a baby and I had asked how old he was she told me 8 months and then began to tell us that because the floors were cement they could not let them down to play, it was so hard to see those babies just struggling because they wanted down to play and move. She told us they were trying to get somewhere to donate carpet and a gate but there is so much need this year it has not happened yet. We told her we would see what we could do and she just hugged me and started to cry and cry.
I can't even begin to explain how humbling it was to be there. I can't get it out of my mind, I am so very blessed and the sad thing is I know I am but at times I forget, I do not want this feeling to ever leave. Walking back into the room where they live and seeing beside each bed garbage sacks full of everything they owned just takes your breath away. Trust me if you were to see most of the families in a store you would have no idea they were living in the shelter.
I hope each and every person gets the opportunity to have that experience, it was great to see how it affected all the teenagers. If nothing else you realize how blessed we all are. I know if anyone is looking for someone to help out this time of year they would love anything you could.

WORST MOM... part II

Kalli was playing on the top bunk bed a blasted week and a half ago and jumped off then came running in holding her arm. She cried for just a bit then went on her merry way, playing just fine with her friends. Then Sunday my Mom was putting a dress on her and she just cried out and of course again I did not think anything just that maybe she bruised it. Then last night we went to my sister's for Loni's birthday dinner and they were wrestling and sure enough she came to me just a crying about the same arm. Today I took her into the doctor and sure enough, she broke her wrist...can you say I probably won't be receiving the "Mother of the year" award anytime soon. Kalli we are so proud of how brave you have been, we love you!!

p.s. that is a hospital gown NOT one of her shirts

Kalli is 5!!

Our Kalli is 5 years old, she reminds us that she is now a WHOLE hand! She had such a fabulous day, she wanted to take her friends to go and see High School Musical 3. My sweet Mom was going to come out and watch the baby while we took her but ended up getting sick so Jett and Riley got to take Kalli and her friends all by themselves(brave souls). He said it was such a hoot because they were up dancing and singing through the movie.

Here are "5" little facts about Kalli:
1. She LOVES animals - even the kind Dad is allergic to. She informs us that when she moves out she will own a cat and Dad will just have to "deal with it!"
2. She LOVES to learn - she loves school and hates to miss, they are learning to write and read. Wants to be a teacher and practices on us all the time.
3. She LOVES life - she loves to play ALL the time and makes friends easily. She is always happy and can tell by the smile on her face at all times.
4. She LOVES to be a sister - she in now a big and little sister and is very proud of it, and loves her brother and sister very much!
5. She LOVES to dance and sing - she is constantly dancing and singing everywhere we go, and picks up on things very quickly, we are always entertained with her little performances.

Kalli we love you so much! You keep us on our toes and in stiches, we are so proud you our are daughter, Happy Birthday!!

Halloween 2008

The kid's chose to be Iron man and a pink poodle. They had so much fun trick or treating this year because it was actually warm. Every year they love to see what Dad dresses up as and this year we got a Rock Star with a pink Barbie guitar (does it get any better?). He is so proud because he won the funniest costume award, if you are dying to see it just come on over it is sitting on our shelf and we are not allowed to take it down any time soon (it may just disappear while he is at work :). Ashley and Loni came out before they went to a Halloween party and Loni thought it would be fun to sit on the porch and scare the little one's, trust me we had a few "super heroes" in tears! My Mom and Dad were nice enough to bring out pizza, cookies and a HUGE bag of candy that is still sitting in my cupboard calling out my name while I am supposed to be loosing the baby weight (good luck to me!).