Valentines!

Our Valentine's Day might have been somewhat unconventional. Here's what we did.
Nate made pancakes and eggs for breakfast. A yummy way to start the day! Nate headed out on a longish run (13 miles-two weeks 'til his next marathon) and I headed to the grocery store with Emma & Rebekah. We needed to get the rest of our supplies for Ronald McDonald house lunch. Once back Emma had a friend over and Nate and the boys headed out to fix a geocache that they had placed a while ago. I worked on laundry and my Sunday lesson for YW.
Emma made up mac & cheese and hot dogs for the kids. Nate and I headed to our favorite dinner spot-Bernadinos. Not super romantic (especially having Rebekah with us) but boy the food is good!
On the way home Nate mentioned that we should go star gazing. I had never seen a shooting star and he decided that needed to change. We headed home, grabbed camp chairs and a blanket and drove out of town away from the lights.
Unfortunately with it being a long weekend our desert was full of RVers. Still with no moon we had a pretty amazing sky to look at. It was chilly and Rebekah wasn't a fan, but I saw my shooting star. I love being able to enjoy and appreciate the creations of our loving Heavenly Father and the night sky is surely one of those!
We grabbed Reece's Freezes on the way home and found a movie on Amazon Prime-The Italian Job. Rebekah slept through the whole thing! She the promptly woke up after the movie and kept me up for another 2 hours...
We spent the day doing things as a family, getting things done. What better way to show our love for one another than spending time and being with them. I love my family and am especially grateful for Nate. We've commented lately how CRAZY life seems. 5 children, Nate's job, PTO and Stake President...and it's not slowing down.

We are loved completely...something to work towards as we strive to be more like our Heavenly Father.

6 months...

This little lady turned 6 months yesterday!

It's just crazy to think that 6 months ago we were here:

  Here's a little Rebakah update:

• She now sits up all be herself! She loves that she doesn't have to lay down on the floor.
• This past week she cut her first 2 teeth! The 2 bottom middle.
• She has tried rice cereal and doesn't care for it. She also has tried pears & sweet potatoes and she's a fan.
• She's petite. The last time we were at the Dr (last week) she was 14 lbs 11 oz (Her older siblings were close to 20 lbs at this age).
• She only likes mommy milk and not from a bottle. 
• She still is nursing close to every 2 hours--around the clock. 
• She's had 2 ear infections and we're a little concerned she might have reflux. Something we're going to be asking about at her 6 month check up.
• She does not like to be left alone in a room and will let you know!
• She's ticklish, but every time she laughs she gets the hiccups!
• She has tons of personality :) Lots of smiles and wants to see and be into everything.

We love her so much and are so happy that she is part of our family. 

When ye are in the service of your fellow being...

Today I sit here sipping on a soda from McDonalds. It's not where I want to be. I want to be down in Loma Linda at the Ronald McDonald house. After Nate and I stayed there while Rebekah was in the hospital, we knew we wanted to continue to lend support and service to the house. My friend Megan noticed on their facebook page last month that they had a day open for providing a meal. It happened to be a Monday-no work-no school-day! I quickly messaged Nate (who was on travel) to check and see what he thought and we got signed up.

All meals at the Ronald McDonald house and provided on a volunteer basis. If no one volunteers for that day, no meal. There is still a pantry with food items, but you have to take time away from being with your child at the hospital to prepare it. The meals at the house while we were there were a huge blessing and service to us.

 

  

We enlisted the help of several other families in Ridgecrest that had also stayed at the house at various times-the Cushings, the Rossers and the Bernadinos, planned a menu and got to work organizing.

We planned sandwiches (bread, meat, cheese, tomato, lettuce, mustard, mayo), pasta salad, potato salad, chips, drinks and brownies. A simple menu, but something that could leave really usable leftovers for families at the house.

This past week Henry got strep throat and Rebekah got an ear infection. We had a week for them to get better. Yesterday we noticed Henry having watery eyes, then buggery eyes. I missed urgent care by 10 minutes and had to go to the ER. I missed a pharmacy being open by 16 minutes. Sick kids are not allowed in the house. Parents don't want to be sick or they can't visit their kids in the hospital. And there are children receiving medical treatment that stay at the house.

So, I sent Nate, Benjamin, Emma and Mo off this morning and I stayed home and got a $45 prescription filled for eye drops. Henry was super sad that he didn't get to go to Ronald McDonald, so we got McDonalds for lunch instead.

There is always next time...