Happy 2nd Birthday Lincoln!

Has another year really gone by?

It is surprising how much you have changed in one year.

Just one short year ago, crawling was the preferred mode of transportation.

It seems like only yesterday, standing akwardly was the newest excitement.

And hair was hard to come by.

Climbing aboard play toys was a real challenge,

And enjoying a ride in the stroller was still possible.

Life's little frustrations triggered vivid facial expressions

And occasional tears.

Two teeth were through,
And many others had much work to do.

Standing became an easy affair,

Yet walking seemed a distant care.

As we end this delighful year of one

We must reflect on all you've done.

Running, Climbing, and Teething galore.

We couldn't ask for anything more.

Such a sweet spirit, rarely a cry.

To this year we hate to say goodbye.

Wagon rides were the trend.
Buzz Ne ne, Walle, and Nemo, each a favored friend.

Anything tasty was bound to be savored.

Gum and suckers his favorite, no matter how flavored.

We love little Lincoln, he is such a joy!

We couldn't ask for more from our third little boy!

Happy Birthday Lincoln!

Are You in the Driver's Seat?

No matter what I do this week, the seven days will come and go. At the end of the seven days what will have changed? What will I have accomplished? So many things seem out of my control. Certain messes will be made. Clothes will be dirtied. Floors must be vacuumed. Dishes must be washed. Sick people must be cared for at the hospital. Exercising must be done if weight is to be lost and triathlon is to be trained for.

It is very easy to think, who is in the driver's seat of my life? Time passes so quickly. Children get older. Day comes to an end whether I carefully counted calories or chugged Dr. Pepper's two at a time! Yes, with so many responsibilities and essential tasks of the day, it seems reasonable to think, I am not the driver of my car. It infuriates me when I think I have no control over my life's work.


Oh wait. That's right. I have been down this road before. I do know the answer to this reoccurring question. Who is driving? It is me. It is always me! Even if I am behind the wheel talking on my cell phone, while absentmindedly driving the wrong direction on a one way street. I may not even realize that I am traveling in the wrong direction! Even if I do not consciously recognize the decisions I am making, they are still being made.


Sometimes my inner voice tells me to cut corners. I fell .5 miles into our 5.5 mile run and sprained my ankle pretty good, the inner voice said "Oh you're injured, you should just quit." I knew that I needed to dig deep and find the fortitude to carry on. The ankle would swell regardless, why sacrifice the joy of accomplishment too? Dixie even ran an additional 2 miles along side me, subtly increasing my pace. We can do way more than we give ourselves credit.


I loved that time period from about age 15 to 22. Every opportunity was available. No mountain was too high. Every day offered multiple opportunities for fun. Any career lay just ahead, the road map was available, and could be followed with the proper discipline and attention to the signs.


It is strange to have a huge portion of life entirely self centered, focused only on what I want, then my priorities shifted and I found myself traveling the roads of family responsibilities, church service, and work. While traveling these essential roads of life we occasionally forget to pace ourselves or refuel! When the destination is far from sight, we want to accelerate and disregard the speed limits. Who wants to check the air in the tires? Stopping for gas will delay our arrival.


It is invigorating to unlock that door to the world I loved and embraced, that world of youth, filled with achievement and obvious personal successes. Everyone knows that distant travels require proper car maintenance and regular refueling. Failure to provide physical and spiritual fuel will result in delay and may ultimately prevent us from reaching our desired destination. As time has passed a few of the physical and mental manifestations of years of fortitude, and physical diligence have dimmed. Some of that zest for goal setting and personal achievements have been dwarfed by my mountains of familial responsibility. Can't I have both worlds?

It is well within us to fuse the true joys of the current world of family and spiritual fulfillment with the old world full of self fulfillment and personal accomplishment. Self Actualization is a driving life force that will ultimately lead to maximizing one's abilities and determine the path of one's life. As we properly care for all aspects of our development we will maximize our talents and achieve ultimate happiness.

There is no shortcut to true happiness. There is no end to the amount of work required to reach that desired paradise. Why not enjoy the air conditioning and radio along the way? When taking a long trip it only makes sense to pack snacks and rest when necessary. Play games. Sing Songs. Take pictures. We get so obsessed with reaching the destination that we forget to enjoy the journey. If you get there first, but all that is left is a one armed, one legged, five haired, shell of a person, will it be worth it? No! Let's take the time to enjoy the journey, meet our needs, and develop ourselves. As we do, there will be far more we can give, more joy to share, and everyone will arrive happily at the desired destination. Time to stop kicking and screaming, shouting from behind the wheel, "who's driving this thing?" I am setting goals, and taking time for myself.

Take a look in your rear view mirror. Are you the driver or are you the person laying in the road that you just drove over with your SUV? It is time to make sure we are doing what is necessary to make ourselves truly happy. What is keeping you from true happiness? Do you have the courage to capture it?

Life is a Highway...

The boys all went to Las Vegas this weekend.

Brian was having his unbirthday. When your birthday comes but once every 4 years, it rarely ever feels like your birthday. Time with his favorite people was sure to infuse birthday bliss! We are not the biggest of cake fans, so what better solution than Papa John's a glow with birthday candles?!!Uncle Justin thought it was a clever idea!

This picture cracked me up. Griffin has definitely embraced his inner race car driver!! These boys love going to Vegas to see the Daw's. One thing is for certain, the Daw's know how to show the love! The kids never seem to lack for something to do.
What would a Vegas trip be without the Bellagio Water Show? Griffin was a fan.

One day we were walking around the Daw's neighborhood and saw this cute purple car sitting by the trash can. I said to Brenda, "Do you think they are throwing that away?" As we approached the house the owner stepped out and it was someone she went to church with. When she asked about it he said, "It doesn't work most of the time, but your welcome to have it." Sold! We took it back to Tutu and Papa's and it has worked during every visit. It may be a purple car that says, "Princess," but that doesn't keep My 3 Daw's from having fun.
Who doesn't love licking frosting from beaters?

Yes everyone had a wonderful time visiting the Daw's in Las Vegas. Sports were Played. Members were assembled to create the ultimate "Rock Band." Cinnamon Rolls were ingested. Sports Cars were driven. Yes, I would say everyone enjoyed this vacation, except for maybe Ginny Dog! She probably thinks it is possible to experience too much of a good thing!

Swaddled with Love

Recently two friends very dear to me have had babies born with little hearts. They were born with a condition known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Essentially these infants are born without use of the left ventricle, the chamber that performs the essential functions of receiving oxygenated blood from the lungs and then pumping it out to the body.

My friend Liz lost her little baby Jake after a few precious weeks and a very valiant fight. St. Joseph's Hospital has an incredible unit designed to help support these special infants and their families. One of the neat things that they do is give soft, minky blankets to the babies. With all of the hospital equipment. and at times because of the tenuous condition of the infants their families aren't able to hold their precious baby. It provides comfort to baby and family to have this soft, special, nurturing blanket. At times, this special soft blanket is the major comfort and nurturing item amidst the entourage of wires. Baby Jake's mom is raising funds to make more of these blankets in hopes of sharing the loving comfort she experienced during those tender moments of her son's life.

My best friend from nursing school delivered Ethan February 18 and he also has this heart condition. He has just had his first surgery of 3 to make the needed conversions of his heart.

He is still in St. Joseph's as he continues to improve from his first surgery and travels this essential surgical path that will enable him to go home with his loving family. The picture above is little Ethan. I would appreciate it if you could remember baby Ethan in your prayers.

Doesn't he just have the cutest little foot you have ever seen?

I know these are very difficult financial times, but Jake's mother made a plea for even $5 to help make these special blankets. She asked if we could add this request to our blogs to get the word out for their project. Liz, her family, and church friends will help her make the blankets. Let's all see what we can do to help. Their deadline is March 8th.

edennison78@yahoo.com with questions
You can address the donations to:

Bishop Anderson
Summerfield Ward (purpose: Jakey's Blankies)
2791 E Los Alamos Ct
Gilbert, AZ 85295

Make checks payable to: Summerfield Ward

This does meet tax deductable criteria for charitable donations.

Thank You!

The Man and Baby Lincoln

Kim posted a picture Tag. I usually don't do these, but my camera took a swim, and I just worked 72hours in the last 7 days, so I figured what the heck! My Pictures, folder 6, picture 6. I adore this picture, Brian looks extra rugged and handsome, and Lincoln is making a hysterical face!

I love this man! He's a leap year baby. I married him when he was 5 years old. He is the ultimate dad. Not many dad's have been home for 6-12 weeks to help care for newborns. He used to work for Chase Bank and had 12 weeks paid paternity leave with our 1st child. He to sacrificed and had just 6 weeks fully paid to stay home with Griffin. By the time Lincoln rolled in He was self employed and was home for 3 full months with him.

This man knows how to care for babies, make bottles, not waste breast milk, rumble with boys, give a mean foot massage. Yeah, he is the man. He has a fun, playful, easy going nature. He doesn't yell, he rarely gets angry, and he is very supportive of my favorites: movies, girls nights, shopping and scrapbooking.

Happy Birthday Brian!

Build a Bear

Last time we were in Vegas my Mother in Law took us to Build a Bear. I was naive enough to think that it was okay if my husband stayed behind to play with his brothers. Let me just say, I will not make that mistake again. We had 2 nieces and my 3 boys, and every child needs their own personal assistant to survive this place! Did I also mention it was Christmas time and someone was doing a 12 kid birthday party?

The bathing station was by far the favorite! Griffin carefully brushed and bathed each animal with pride. I was quite surprised! Who knows maybe he will want to take an active role with the new baby, the next time I am crazy enough to brave 8 months of puking.

The novelty of this experience had definitely worn off for the Build a Bear employees. They skipped right over hearts, and just started cramming stuffing as quickly as possible. I started to wish I was an expert so that I could ensure my children did not miss out on any of the little joys this adventure had to offer.

Initially, Lincoln was only mildly interested in his new bear. However, once he was all pimped out with skater wear, Lincoln was in love! He caught Griffin giving him a bath and had to rescue him. Brian named his football loving Dinosaur something that involved Rex. I came up with names I considered fantastic for the youngest animals. In the end Lincoln's bear is affectionately called, "Bear,Bear," and Griffin calls his penguin, "Happy Feet."

Although 2 sister in laws have sworn off having children for several more years, and Brenda and I grew gray hairs, we all survived the experience. Each boy loves their Build a Bear creation. I love that their grandmother thought of a special way for them to remember her. It is precious that Lincoln hugs his Bear Bear and sleeps with him every night. Many nights after putting Lincoln to bed I hear his bear singing "You are My Sunshine" in a distorted version of my voice. Each morning Lincoln ensures all special items are removed from his crib and he cuddles with them on the couch.

Happiness is Home Made!

It's Valentine's weekend and love is in the air.

I thought to myself, what fantastical, romantic thing could I do on this fine occasion?

As the fourteenth of February fell on a Saturday, and this is the only day of the week I can really work, my choice was simple.

Work!

What better way to show my family I love them than by helping to provide for us?

How could I share love with others in a more profound manner than attending to their every need while improving their health?

I did my best to make life a little nicer for my patients.

• I drew a heart on my patient's message board and wrote John Loves Allyce inside.
• I offered drinks to a patient's family and made a fresh pot of coffee for her son.
• I quickly checked blood for my coworkers and promptly helped them with their patients
• I was kind on the phone with all Dr.'s and staff and expressed thanks for all help received

By 3pm I had hung countless medications and blood transfusions. I had spent 7.5 hrs of the last 8 in direct patient care, sitting only long enough to chart absolute essentials. All of a sudden I heard the excited whispers of a coworker saying, " Over here, over here." I look up and see 3 adorable little boys dressed in red shirts. Each boy had I "Heart" Mom on their cheeks. Each boy carried a poster board sized, lovingly painted valentine for mom.

That was it, my Valentine's Day was officially perfect!

Little Brian and his Valentine Master Piece!

Lincoln had just as much fun painting himself!

Griffin had no difficulty expressing himself!

Yes, there is no question that I am loved. All of my friends at work were amazed that a husband would undertake an hour drive and finger painting with three spunky boys, just to shower their mother with love. In these tough economic times it is important to remember that Happiness really is Home Made!