January 1st 2015

This morning we sat down together as a family for breakfast. Not typical in our house! We love to come together for dinner but typically breakfast is fast and simple and we are rushing to get out the door. The last few weeks though, on weekend days, we've been sitting together for breakfast. As I sat with my family enjoying eggs, bacon and toast and listening to the jokes of a four year old (seriously, they are so lame they are funny) I couldn't help but think about what my hopes and dreams are for each of my boys.

2015 has the potential to be amazing. Nothing extraordinary but I know that we can make it amazing. This year we'll potty train Dade and take away his pacifiers. Cameron will finish second grade and start third grade which will make him the big man on campus as he's in a primary elementary school. Joshua will more than likely start kindergarten this year. Cole and I will continue serving in our ward.

As we finished breakfast this morning we talked about some family goals. We went around the table and each picked one thing we thought we should work on in 2015 as a family. Here they are:

AM and PM family prayers: We already have PM family prayer everyday. So our goal is to have family prayer every morning as well.

Exercise together: If it's nice outside we should be playing outside as a family...walking, riding bikes, playing at the park. If it's not nice outside we can do a video or find another way to be active together. Not an everyday goal but an often goal!

Have family night once a week: We spend tons of time together as a family but we don't necessarily have a family night. We'll use family night to discuss gospel topics, play games and enjoy each others company.

Family Scripture Study: We will have family scripture study daily. We were doing really good with this one last fall....it took us 8 weeks to read 16 chapters in 1 Nephi but we were reading nightly as a family and then we got sidetracked. We are back at it and will finish the book of Mormon with our ward in July as a family. Slow and steady wins the race, right?

And Joshua added his own personal goal into the discussion: To go to sleep with the bedroom light off and only the hallway light on.

I'm excited to watch our family dynamic change as we heed the words of the prophets and make family prayers, scripture study and FHE a priority in our home. We always see such a difference when we really focus and try hard and I know that 2015 will be "life changing" as we heed their words.

Hello, 2015!

When I reflect back on 2014, I do so humbly and with a grateful heart. As a family, we were blessed tremendously. I honestly can't think of a low point for our little family of five. For so many years we struggled, financially, spiritually, temporally. But this year was our year. We aren't walking away financially rich, we are, however, spiritually rich.

Here's the thing, I spent most of 2014 with an aching heart. I have so many friends and family members who have been in the trenches this year, divorce, heartache, loss, health (and mental health) problems and challenges, financial losses, spiritual challenges. Seriously! It's been a tough year. But my heart has ached for each and everyone of them. 

And because the challenges I've faced this year seem so minimal compared to the challenges of others I feel blessed, humbly blessed. 

Here's our 2014 wrap-up!

January:

We celebrated Cole's 29th Birthday! 

February: 

I had the opportunity to help with the Valentines Day Party in Cameron's 1st grade classroom. I was called as the Ward Girls Camp Director in our ward and Cole was called in the Sunday School Presidency as the secretary (I know, we didn't know there was such a thing either ;)). The kids and I spent a few days in Oreana with Cole's mom at his sister Mandi's house

March: 

Towards the end of March my Mom, both of my sisters and their sons came to visit for five days! We had so much fun crowded into our little house. I loved having my family here. Spring also arrived and we spent lots of time outside and at the park.

April: 

General Conference weekend we went to Cole's sisters house in Oreana and spent the weekend with her family and Cole's parents and some of our nieces and nephews. There were fourteen of the seventeen grandchildren there. Cameron played his first season of soccer.

May:

I was asked to teach a RS lesson a church, my first one, for somebody out of town. We had friends come visit for Memorial Day weekend. This was also the weekend I was called into our wards Relief Society Presidency as the 2nd counselor. 

June: 

We celebrated Dade's 1st Birthday! And my 28th birthday. We celebrated the end of another school year and watched Cameron receive a trophy for his AR points. Cameron went on his first overnight trip with Cole's sister Mandi's family. He went to Utah to witness his cousin receive the aaronic preisthood. He also stayed the night with his Papa Bruce in a hotel and they stayed up way too late eating kettle corn and telling jokes. He still talks about eating waffles with him that morning and learning to walk on a curb while waiting for Steve to arrive. 

July: 

Cole's sister and I made the trek to Oregon with 8 kids! We stayed for 10 days and had a blast. While traveling, there and back, we faced car problems. It was quite the adventure. 

August:

We enjoyed our last month of summer. I spent the mornings working out with some friends from church. This month marked one year of us living in Jerome Idaho and one year with Cole's job at Century Link. We celebrated Joshua's 4th birthday. We took the family to the county fair and spent the day riding rides and enjoying fair food.

September:

With fall, came a new school year. Our second grader loves school! We also went to Oreana this month to watch our nephew Loyd be baptized. 

October:

We enjoyed Halloween. Each of the boys dressed up and had fun trunk-or-treating.

November: 

Cameron turned 8! We spent the month counting down to our trip to Oregon. We enjoyed a laid back Thanksgiving. The Friday after Thanksgiving we left in the evening for Oregon. After a long 10 hour drive we arrived. On November 30th Cameron was baptized! We also made an ER trip that night because Cameron was covered in hives thanks to an unknown allergy. 

December: 

We said goodbye to family after a week long trip and came home. We spent the month counting down to Christmas. We've enjoyed Christmas break and feel blessed to live close enough to Mandi's family that we get to spend Christmas with them. Right before Christmas, Cole was called as an Assistant Ward Clerk-Membership, He's excited for his new calling and the opportunity it will give him to be useful. Dade turned 18 months and went to nursery for the very first time! 

This year was one full of firsts and fun. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to guide and nurture my children. Watching Cameron partake of the baptism covenant made me all the more grateful for our eternal family. I love that I get to not only serve my family but that I get to work with and serve the sisters in my ward. Our family has been blessed with some great friends and I truly think we are so lucky for that. 

As I look forward to 2015, I have nothing but excitement in my heart, I can't wait to see where 2015 takes us. There aren't any babies planned, no job moves planned (although, if a position opened up we'd take it), and as of now no house moves planned. We are happily content with all that we have and so very grateful for all the has been given. 

We, as a family, pray that each of you can find happiness, peace and comfort and that 2015 can be a year of of success and blessings. 

With love, 

Cole, Amber, Cameron, Joshua, and Dade

More Babies?

You'd be surprised by how many people think that the size of your family is their business. The best part: they each think that they have a right to have an opinion about the size of your family. And they don't!

Here's the thing. I love my boys. Each and every one of them...love abounds in our home. I love them each how they need it each second. Sometimes I have to reevaluate how I'm loving them and change it to meet their needs. My heart is so full of the love I have for them. 

I remember being worried that I wouldn't be able to love Joshua as much as I love Cameron....the moment I held that sweet baby boy in my arms love poured out of me. When Dade became a thought in our minds, I knew that I had what it would take to care for and love the next child. I know that if and when we decided to grow our family that I will have what it takes to care for that new child. 

I have days or even moments during the days when I feel content. This is our family. Three boys. The five of us. But then there are the other days and the other moments when I know that our family isn't complete. If you had asked me 8 years ago how many kids we'd have I'd have said 3. But today, I say I don't know. If we are blessed with another little one or two I'd be elated. If this is it, I'm content. I've spent the last year enjoying my baby more than I have any of the others...it might have something to do with the fact that he hasn't rushed through the different milestones :) 

So to everybody who wants to know, I don't know. We'll see. 

Birthdays, Adventures and Life

One of these days I'll be better about blogging. I love being able to look back and read about life. It's been way too long....I say that every time! Life is so crazy and busy right now that sometimes I feel like I'm standing in the middle of chaos watching everything fly by just like in the movies. I wouldn't trade the activities and busy days for anything though, I am blessed, that's for sure!

I'll just jump right in, starting with Cameron! Cameron finished his first grade year and boy, did he have a great year. Each report card and conference was filled with nothing but praise for our sweet boy. He ended the school year with amazing test scores...way above grade level! He is a smart boy for sure. He is the best big brother and is such a great help with both Joshua and Dade. He's finding some independence which is both shocking and nice. I wasn't ready for him to grow and change so much but he is a joy to be around most of the time and as he's getting older and understanding more and more I feel as though I'm talking to a friend sometimes and not a child. Cole and I were climbing into bed the other night when Cameron came in to tell us he was having a hard time falling asleep. We invited him to come snuggle for a few minutes....he hopped right into bed and began chatting with us. He is so special. My baby is growing up though!

Joshua has embraced the role of a middle child. You'll never forget he's in a room with you but you might forget he's only 3! This kid is wise beyond his years, I think that comes from having an older brother that's so intellectual. He's very social but still a little shy at times. He still hasn't quite settled into primary....he loves his sunbeam class but doesn't care for sharing time and singing time, that's changing though! He's made friends with some of the kids at church and at Zumba (mommy's exercise class) and even says he has a girlfriend. We were hoping to branch out into preschool this next year but working with him at home fits better into the budget. He is a good big brother and loves on Dade more than he should sometimes. He got his very first bike a week ago and loves riding it....he may be ready for the training wheels to come off before summer is over. This kid has a special place in my heart and will always crave our attention.

We have a one year old in the house! Dade turned one last month which just seems crazy. I still can't believe I have three kids sometimes! He is a total joy to be around. His little personality shines through and he makes his presence known. He doesn't have any teeth yet....doesn't walk yet either. He crawls or cruises along furniture faster than any baby I've ever met. He tries his hardest to be sneaky and sly and loves to watch his brothers wrestle...they seem to be the only funny ones in the house these days. He sleeps through the night (has for months) and takes two 1.5-3 hour long naps each day! He wakes between 7 and 7:30 am and goes to bed at about 7:30 pm each night. We are weaning from formula, but he does take one bottle in the morning with about 2 oz of formula and 4-6 oz whole milk. He'll eat almost anything you put in front of him except for tortillas! If he was walking, I wouldn't be able to keep up!

Cole has been with Century Link for 11 months now. He still loves it as much as he did his first week. He's making friends! This Man is such a great Man! I am so blessed to have a husband who works hard all week long, comes home each night and helps care for the kids and doesn't blink an eye when he has to take care of the kids on Sundays too! Seriously, Cole is an amazing father and husband. 

As for me, I'm busy being a mom, a housewife and serving at church. I am serving as the second counselor in our Relief Society Presidency and just finished up as our ward Camp director. The two callings overlapped for about a month there and I was most definitely overwhelmed at times. I loved serving the young women though and helping them get ready for camp. I've meet some amazing people here in Jerome and It's been fun serving in new and different capacities. Relief Society will definitely push me out of my comfort zone but I'm serving with so many amazing women who help guide me. Jerome has been a great fit for our family and I could see us staying here for quite awhile. 

The last 11 months have flown by...I think it's been about 7 months since the last update. We are blessed and have nobody to thank but our Father in Heaven, without his guidance, strength and spirit we wouldn't be where we are!

Babywise, our experience!

I have a friend that blogged about Baby Wise. I've been meaning to blog about our experience and thought now was the perfect time! Ari blogs at The Patient Mama Diaries and has a basic understanding of how the "program" works. Here's how we implemented it, our how's, why's and when's, as well as how it's worked for us.

For the record, Cameron was 18 months before he slept through the night and Joshua was a couple weeks shy of his first birthday when he slept through the night. Cameron would wake every 3-4 hrs and Joshua woke every 2 hrs. A baby is considered to be sleeping through the night when they are sleeping at least one six hour stretch. Neither, Joshua or Cameron liked napping, in fact, I felt like I was pulling teeth to get Cameron to nap and Joshua only napped in my arms.

I first heard about Babywise when I was pregnant with Joshua. I read the book and then re-read the book and then kept the book at arms length and would refer back to it for several weeks. I came to the conclusion that it was too structured for me and that I wanted my baby to be able to sleep anywhere, not just at home in his crib.

Fast forward to June when Dade was born. I was still bound and determined to do it my way and we were NOT doing Babywise. I brought the kid home from the hospital sleeping 5 hour stretches at night. At one week old, he slept one 8 hr stretch and then one 4 hr stretch. He did that every night from then on. He's just been a better sleeper since the beginning, period! He's always slept in his own bed unlike his older brothers who would only sleep with me. By the time Dade was three months old, I was exhausted mentally....we had been through so much with all of the moves and I was fighting depression. I felt like I didn't have control over anything and my hands were tied up with breastfeeding on demand. I was always trying to figure out how I was going to feed if we were picking Cameron up from school or needed to pick Cole up from work. I weaned Dade to formula over a two week time frame. I just couldn't breastfeed and have control over my life. This was a game changer for us. By the end of the two weeks he was sleeping 12 hrs a night....literally going to bed at 7 pm and waking at 7am. He was still sleeping in his own bed but was in our room. At our four month well-baby check his doctor recommended moving him to his own room because he was no longer waking at night and would sleep more soundly. He said it would be easier now than it would be at 6 months. That next weekend we set up Dade's crib.

The transition from our room to his room was a breeze. So easy! I had never had any of my babies in their own room, ever, so this felt like a dream! A week or so in, Mr. D started waking up in the night. And by started I mean he went from sleeping 12 hrs straight to waking 8 times! This went on two nights, I was dead tired. I phoned my sister-in-law, my resident Babywise expert, and asked for help! I was ready. This had to change!

Side note: His naps were great but I HAD to rock him to sleep and that last week or so by rock I mean violently throw my body around while holding my swaddled baby until he was asleep.

She walked me through Babywise. Step-by-step. At 4 months old I let my baby cry-it-out, something I had always fought and had only ever tried and failed at. We started that first day at 7 am. He ate upon waking that morning. He played or had his wake time and then went down for his nap. And he Cried. And I went in after 5 minutes and gave him his pacifier and shsh'ed him and left. And he cried. And I went back in after 10 minutes and repeated the whole processes. He was asleep 35 minutes after we started his nap. He slept whatever his normal nap was and I was hooked. His next nap he cried for 15 minutes (I went in and pacifired and shsh'ed after 5 minutes but didn't need to go in again). His third nap of the day he went right to sleep. Same with his quick fourth nap. And he went to sleep on his own at bedtime and woke a handful of times. Thing got better quickly!

I just knew for sure I would hate being scheduled. I knew he wouldn't nap in his car seat. I knew this was going to be torture. I was WRONG! We were SUPER scheduled for about 6 weeks. I wanted to make sure we both had our schedule down pat before trying to deviate from it. Dade would still nap in his car seat if we were out doing errands and it was time to nap. This was the best thing I could have done for me and for him.

Present Day: Our day looks like this:
Wake between 6:30 and 7 am and eat.
Play while brother and Dad get ready.
We take them to school/work.
Home for more play or church to play while mommy worksout
9 or 9:15: Nap
10:45/11: Wake and eat
Play
1pm: Nap
2:30: Wake and pick brother up from school
3:30: eat (I break and babywise cardinal rule here by not feeding when he wakes and waiting but it works for us!)
Play
4:30 : pick daddy up
5: solids, play, bath, bedtime bottle
6:30: Bedtime

He's sleeping through the night 90% of the time. Now that he's mobile he can find his own pacifier and 5 or 6 nights a week I don't hear from him till morning. Once or twice a week he'll wake between 2 and 4 and I quickly and quietly give him his pacifier, re-swaddle and shut the door and he doesn't make another peep till morning.

I'm a Babywise believer but I don't think it's for everyone or every baby! I would never have stuck with it if I had started from birth....we were too busy during summer to try to be that scheduled!

I have traveled since starting Babywise and because we are scheduled it always throws us off just a bit but it's been very easy to re-train and fall right back into our schedule.

Each new milestone or stage throws a baby off as well. Babywise gives helpful advice and solutions when those things happen...sometimes you need to extend your schedule and such.

Here's the thing, with Dade, I needed to be scheduled. I have a preschooler and a first grader that demand my time and attention as well as a home to care for. I didn't have the luxury of holding and snuggling this little guy all day because my attention was need elsewhere always! Babywise hasn't taken the snuggles away but it's helped restructure my day so that I know when I can get my daily chores done or schedule appointments. Each day looks the same for us schedule wise and it makes this mom of three happy to know how my day will go. I get early morning snuggles from my sweet boy, sleepy hugs and kisses when he goes down for each nap and bed, sleepy-just-awake snuggles while he eats and then I have a happy baby that will play, talk, and explore during wake time. He is my happy, easy-going, baby. Is that because of babywise? Probably not, I think he would have had this demeanor no matter what. I believe babywise was more for me....it helps me work through the sleep problems and gives me structure.

Would I use it again, say on our next baby? Maybe. If I did, I think it would just come naturally. Now having done the eat, wake sleep routine I think we'd probably just fall into it. As for being super strict and implementing all of the other guidelines, I'd probably do like I did with Dade and as long as that baby is sleeping okay I'd wait until we had a problem. Letting my babies cry just doesn't come natural to me, especially when they are so little. Four months was the perfect starting point for us and I'd probably shoot for that again.

Babywise is controversial, and isn't for everybody. I feel as if I've been able to adapt it enough that it fits for us. I'm not going to cancel an appointment because my baby is sleeping or rush home because wake time is over. We've made it work, I'm truly grateful for the insight and guidance and am overall happy with how it's worked for us. I think I just got lucky in the baby department though!

  

New Years Eve happenings

We spent our New Years Eve with some new family...or new to us family!

When we moved to Idaho we met Cole's 2nd cousin. He and his family live about 15 miles north of Jerome. They were nice enough to open their home to Cole for a couple of nights during our transition at the start of his job. They showed up, without being asked, to help unload the trailer when we moved into our house. When they found out we were in need a a refrigerator (our rental didn't come with one), they GAVE us their extra fridge and would only accept a thank you in return. They had us over for dinner our second weekend in town and have been more than gracious to us.

We had plans with them for Christmas Eve, but decided to spend Christmas with Cole's sister so we cancelled with them. We felt terrible but we couldn't be in two places at once and because there was travel time involved in getting to Mandi's we couldn't do Christmas Eve with the Henderson's (I know, it's kinda weird to spend time with another family with the same last name!). Any how when we cancelled with them we were invited out for New Years Eve, but we had tentative plans with our friends the Doshier's in Utah....that fell through Monday night and within minutes we had a text from the Henderson's asking if our friends were coming or if we'd like to come out there....So we went!

We had a blast! They have 8 kids....their two youngest are about Joshua's age. Cameron and Joshua were in heaven having kids to play with. Cole and I spent the evening visiting and laughing. So much fun. Games were played, food eaten and tears from laughter shed. When we left just after 10 pm Cole and I both looked at each other and said at the same time "we needed that!"

We came home and put the two youngest to bed. Cameron claimed he wasn't tired and snuggles up on the couch with me and watched part of A Walk To Remember. At about 11:47 Cole and I found a video of the ball dropping, showed Cameron and than tucked him into bed...He got my last kiss of 2013. 3 minutes later, at midnight, Cole got my first kiss of 2014. I haven't stayed up till midnight on New Years Eve in years!

We had a great night ringing in the new year. So excited to see what this year has in store for us.

Good Bye, 2013!

As 2013 comes to a close, we've spent some time reflecting on this last year. It was a year full of ups and downs and tons of changes. When we welcomed 2013, we had no idea we'd be where we are and we are genuinely thankful and humbled by the changes, blessing and love we've felt this year.

Here's a short recap:

In March, Cole accepted a transfer with the company he was employed by for a little over two years. Once back in the lower 48, he realized he was ready for a career instead of a job and took matters into his own hands. While waiting for answers to prayers, he spent a quarter of the year living in a separate state waiting anxiously for changes. Being so far from his family was hard and lead to him missing the birth of Dade. We were able to see him often throughout the summer though, which was in and of it's self a huge blessing! Our prayers were answered when Cole received a job offer from Century Link (we owe tons of thanks to Cole's Dad, Bruce, for continuously putting in a good word for him!). Rather than relocating to Yakima, Washington, we ended up in Jerome, Idaho! He loves his new job and all that it entails. Once again he was given the task of finding a home for us in our new town and did a great job! He definitely settled in the fastest, but has been a great support to Amber during all of the changes.

Amber started the year 3 months pregnant hoping for some pink to add to the family. We soon found out that our new bundle of joy wouldn’t be dressed in pink, nope, we were adding a third boy to our family. We were surprised but definitely thankful to be trusted with another Child of God. Moving 3,000 miles at 29 weeks pregnant was no easy feat....she packed, sold and got rid of all of our belongings. Thanks to some great friends, we managed to clean and avoid preterm labor before leaving Alaska. Once in Oregon, Amber sought out care with her previous obstetrician and was glad she had a familiar face taking care of her and the baby. There were a couple of minor complications in-utero, but once born, Baby Dade was thriving even though he arrived three weeks early! Amber enjoyed spending the summer with family even though she missed Cole while he continued working in Washington. She was a nervous wreck when they loaded the horse trailer with all of their belonging and moved to Idaho. Now, four months later, she's made a home for her family and couldn't imagine being anywhere else.

Cameron is thriving! He's such a smart, good-natured boy. He is reading, loves spelling and is a math whiz. His claim of fame at 7 years old is being a “video game genius”. He's made several great friends a school and is the BEST big brother his little brothers could ask for. He's such a goofball and has his dad's sense of humor.

Joshua is a typical 3 year old. Some days we have to remind ourselves that “he's only 3!”. He's constantly thinking and always has some of the funniest things to say. He has grown into the middle child spot in our family...he doesn't let you forget about him though! He is just as smart as Cameron but definitely has his own personality. His brother is his hero and he is our very favorite, strong-minded, loving three year old!

Dade is 6 months old. He is our best baby by far, sleeping through the night like a champ. He's in love with his big brothers, seems to think his mom is the best and loves morning and evening snuggles with his daddy. He is always smiling, rarely cries and loves the attention from his brothers. We are anxiously waiting for him to become mobile so that he can chase his brothers and join in on the crazy fun.

We are definitely looking forward to 2014 and all that it has in store for us.

We are so grateful for the love and support of our family and for our Father in Heaven. We pray that this next year will bring joy and happiness to all those we love and cherish. May the Lord fill your hearts with peace and comfort in this coming year.

With Love,

Cole, Amber, Cameron, Joshua and Dade

First Grade

I can't believe Cameron is in first grade! We were spoiled last year at Machetanz in Palmer. I really wish we were still there. So far, we like Camerons teacher. Cameron says she's funny. I am disappointed in a couple of things, namely the lack of homework, three recesses and the pick up/drop off process. I'm excited to watch Cam grow this year, to see where the year takes us and to follow along as he continues to improve his reading and spelling.

Our summer in pictures

Cousins sharing cupcakes 

Cameron tried his hardest to rescue a chick...
the poor little thing didn't make it though and Cameron was devastated

While in Oregon, Cameron helped Grandma Pat take care of the chickens

Joshua did too!

There was a lamb born in early May and the boys loved holding it!

Joshua got a tick!

We spent lots of time at the splash pads...this time we were with Cousins

Joshua sent pictures to daddy!

He also napped with his Great Grandma Pat

And enjoyed peeing outside! All the time!

Dade was born

Brothers!

The boys spent as much time in the pool as they could

And they loved it!

Joshua developed his own sense of style

Cameron grew up!

Cole blessed Dade

We spent a week in a hotel due to flooding at the Farm

We enjoyed smoky sunsets

We moved into the motorhome on the farm after a week in a hotel room
while the house was being repaired after the flood

We made a huge career change and rather than moving from
Alaska to Washington we moved from Alaska to Idaho

We celebrated Joshuas third birthday three weeks early!

We enjoyed time with family!

And became obsessed with the new baby!

3 kids and 3 adults in a truck for 11 hours!
Our trip to Idaho!

The horse trailer held all of our belongings!

Again, obsessed!

Idaho sunsets are so beautiful

Cole picked a nice three bedroom one bath house for us!
It has a great fenced backyard and garage!

Mr Dade started smiling! 

Dade is here!

I feel as if I fell off the face of the earth. I have so much to update our friends and family on.. I *ALMOST* don't know where to start.....

*Excuse the typos and this is a warning...a labor and birth story follow...the may be too much information shared!*

I will start with: We have a baby!

Dade Olin was born Friday June 21st weighing 6lbs 3 oz and measuring 19 1/2 inches long. I could go on and on about what a great newborn he is--he eats and sleeps like a champ and I feel spoiled because of how much sleep I am getting! Since I'm starting with this I will share the story---

The last several weeks of pregnancy were great. We finished packing, moving and got settled fairly easy. I started seeing my OB here in Medford the second week of May and was so happy with the choice we made for me to finish out my pregnancy here. Because of my blood pressure I was having weekly ultrasounds to watch babies growth and the fluid levels. During a few of these ultrasounds it was noted that Dades right kidney was enlarged. We were assured that it would most likely work it's self out and that it is actually fairly common with boys in-utero. It was something they would keep their eye on and that the pediatrician would need to know but that there was nothing to be done until he was born. Also, around week 35 my fluid levels started to significantly drop. I was now being seen twice a week to keep an eye on my fluid but managed to keep it at a decent level with lots of rest and tons and tons of water! On Monday June 17th I went in for my 37 week check up (technically I was only 36 weeks and 5 days). Dr checked to see if I was making any progress or showing any signs of labor...I was only dilated to 1.5 and to say I was disappointed would be an understatement. He went ahead and stretched my cervix and sent my on my way with instructions to give the little guy his eviction notice. With my blood pressure issues, low fluid levels and the babies enlarged kidney it was time for him to make his way into the world. I left the office cramping and having mild contractions....this lasted for four days!!!!

Thursday June 20th we hosted a carnival for the kids and some friends. The boys had a blast but I was so tired. I hadn't slept the two nights before and woke with a terrible headache. I was definitely still cramping a losing tiny bits of my mucus plug but definitely nothing notable. That evening the boys and rode with Lorie out to Lake Selmac to drop the motor-home off for my sister-in-law. I was definitely having mild contractions but they weren't much different than what I had been having all week long. When we got home I tucked my munchkins into bed and got ready for bed myself. I noticed that I had lost my whole mucus plug and did a small little dance. I was glad that the contractions I was having were actually making headway. I knew that you could lose your plug weeks before baby comes so going into full blown labor wasn't something I was expecting.

Friday June 21st I woke at 1 am with contractions about 5-7 minutes apart. I timed them for just over and hour. At about 2:30 I called Cole to let him know that I thought this was it and that he might want to think about getting ready and heading our way if he wanted to come home to be with us. Cameron woke around 3 to pee and when standing up to help him to the bathroom I felt a tiny drizzle and thought that I could possibly be leaking fluid. I didn't think to much of it and went ahead and went back to bed. Cole and I talked a few more times and around 5 am I started timing my contractions again. Now they were coming about every 4 minutes. I knew at that point that this was it and that I would be spending my day at the hospital. After feeding the kids breakfast and gathering the last minute hospital bag things I made my way to the hospital per doctors orders! I checked in right at 10 am and was hooked to the monitors immediately. Upon checking, I was still only 1.5 cm but I was leaking fluid so they had to keep me. At 2 the nurse checked me again and I was dilated to 3 cm.

I sat back and relaxed as much as possible while contracting every two minutes...the nurse had told me that before being discharged with baby in the next 24-48 hrs I would have to have watched two different videos. So I went ahead and watched those two videos to get a head start on discharge (being a third-time mom I knew that I wanted out of there as fast as I could once baby arrived). At about 3




pm the nurse came back in to start my IV per doctors orders....by this time the contractions had moved down my legs and I was becoming VERY uncomfortable. I asked if I could go ahead and take advantage of the jetted tub for a while and was told that we'd wait on the IV and take care of that after I was done in the tub. I was in the tub for about 40 minutes when my water broke all the way! *Side note: I've never experienced my water breaking....the doctor has had to break my water during labor with both Cameron and Joshua! So this was a very new experience for me!* Once my water broke I felt as if I wasn't getting any relief during contractions...before they were every two minutes and painful but after they were every two minutes lasting about 1.5 minutes and terribly painful...I knew to expect this and it was with-in about 20 minutes of my water breaking that I asked to be checked again so that I could go ahead and get my epidural. I had discussed with the nurse previously that I wanted to TRY to do with out the epidural but that if the time came and I wanted it then I wanted it! Upon checking I was dilated to 6 cm. I had the most amazing nurse...she gave me the option of getting out of the tub, getting my IV and then getting the epidural....but she KNEW that I could do this and just had a feeling that I was going to fly through the last 4 cm. The thought of getting out of the tub was terrifying so I decided to keep going and see what happens. Within 20 minutes I felt the pressure to push! She checked me again and I was 8-9 cm.

Because I had gone through those last few cm so fast the room wasn't ready to have a baby delivered in :) After checking me the nurse told me I had could wait through two more contractions in the tub but after those two I had to get out. It was then that the on call doctor came in to meet me. He'd be the one delivering the babe and wanted to introduce himself. It was perfect timing, although he didn't know that, as he was able to help get the room set up. I believe I had four more contractions in the tub, stood up and had another, walked to the bed as fast as I could because I was pretty sure the baby was going to fall out on the bathroom floor if I didn't get in bed fast enough....once in bed I dialed Cole's cellphone number (he was stuck in traffic outside of Tacoma) and put it on speakerphone...and then informed the Doctor that if I didn't push I wasn't going to be able to stop the baby from coming on his own...Two minutes later and a total of 1.5 pushes and I was holding my little guy! Cole was on the phone the whole time and his mom was giving him the play by play! Dade came so fast that his skull compacted onto it's self...the different plates overlapped. I was able to hold him for quite a while before they took him to weigh him. He was covered in vernix being only 37 weeks gestation.

Dade Olin 6lbs 3oz 19.5 in long

Once things were cleaned up, I was up moving around pretty quickly! I felt great and was so glad I didn't have to recover from an epidural! The nurse never had a chance to put in the IV before I delivered which posed a problem when it came time to control the bleeding. Being my third baby, I was at higher risk of hemorrhaging. After delivery the doctor order cytotek to help keep the bleeding under control and the nurse was under strict advisement to keep on eye on me. I was blessed with a couple of great nurses....at about 7:30 pm my nurse noticed that my uterus wasn't contracting like it should and was actually filling with blood. She asked me to get up so that I could empty my bladder as that would allow the uterus to release as well. Upon standing I was very dizzy, had to take a minute to catch my breath. I sat in the bathroom and proceeded to pass out. I had passed a clot the size of a football and was most definitely hemorrhaging. I was wheeled back to bed in a wheel chair and given a shot of pitocin to help control the bleeding. At this point, my IV was still not in but the nurse took care of that right away in case the bleeding didn't slow! Slowly it did slow and the IV wasn't needed!

Cole arrived right around 11:30 pm and was able to meet our little guy! Dade is the most laid back easy going baby I've ever met. He eats, sleeps and poops and rarely cries. We had a few minor issues that have all been resolved and he's as healthy as can be! I feel blessed to be getting several hours of sleep each night and to have a baby who actually sleeps during the day too! Breastfeeding came naturally to him which was also a blessing!

Sweet boy loves to sleep

Cameron loves being a big brother and is a natural!

Being that I'm 4 weeks late posting this I can tell you that he now weighs 7lbs 5oz and his sweet little cheeks have started to fill out! He's still a great eater and sleeper and still rarely cries. The big boys LOVE him and can't get enough of him. He's so laid back that I haven't even pulled out the swing and bouncer for him yet because he's content with out being held. The longest stretch we've gone at night was 8 hrs. He's averaging about 5 hrs a stretch at night and takes a solid 3 hr nap in the middle of the day with a 2 hr morning nap and a 2 hr evening nap. He spend quite a bit of time awake in the mornings and evenings. I love my moby wrap and so does he!

Mr Dade in a milk comma...4 weeks old!

Cole blessed Dade on July 14, 2013

Thoughts, clarification and random thoughts.

I couldn't begin to tell you how many times a day I get asked if I'm excited about the move.

First, let me tell you, this was not planned! During the first week of March, Cole applied for a position at corporate in Utah and was in the top two for the position. The hiring manager chose the other dude and we were both a bit disappointed but knew that ultimately it was out of our hands and what was to be was being. A couple of weeks later Cole was discussing the hiring process with his manager as well as voicing some of his concerns with said process. Cole was reassured that it was nothing to do with him and was told that if he wanted to work in Washington doing what he's doing now he could move "next week". Cole and I spoke about it briefly that same day...actually minutes after it was said and it was vetoed...why move if you aren't "moving up"? I left to pick Cameron up from school and on my way phoned or landlord to express our interest in renewing our lease which would be up at the end of April. This was March 27...the very same day the"joke" was made from Coles manager about moving to Washington. I scheduled our annual inspection with our landlord, walked into the school and picked up Cameron and drove home...when I walked in the door, not even 30 minutes after finishing that conversation with Cole, he told me that he found a 3 bedroom 2 bath house for rent for $900 a month. I asked where, because there was no way he found that her in the area we live. He said, "Washington", And I laughed. Long story short, we talked it over briefly, and came to the conclusion that if we were going to do it now would be the time...I wasn't too far along in my pregnancy that traveling would be difficult and our lease was up in just about 30 days, add to the fact that Cameron gets out of school mid May, it really seemed too perfect. He emailed his manager expressing interest and agreed to the move by the end of the evening. I'm not joking when I say we had no plans of moving when we woke on March 27th but by the time we went to bed that night Cole had agreed to move to Washington.

We've hit tons and tons of bumps in the plan the last 3 weeks. Seriously, for the first week I wasn't even sure where we were going to end up...if we would even end up in Washington. Quite honestly, it could still change. To say the last three weeks have been a roller coaster would be an understatement.

I've sold everything in my home...if you remember, we moved to Alaska with essentials...clothes, diapers, a box of toys. That was it. We've been here two years and have some how managed to turn our empty apartment into a home. We are leaving Alaska with the essentials...clothes, toys, pictures and a carseat for baby Dade. It's the cheapest way to move so far...3,000 miles is a long way to drive a u-haul.

To say I'm excited would be lying. At the end of the day, when the kids and I leave Alaska, we'll be saying good-bye to Cole for an undetermined amount of time. We have a plan, but honestly we are all flying by the seat of our pants on this roller coaster ride. I know that we will see him at the beginning of July when Dade arrives, but if he arrives early, Cole will miss it.

At the end of the day, I'm pulling my 6yr old out of full day kindergarten where he is excelling and changing on a daily basis. I'm turning his life upside down. Yes, kids are resilient and no, in the long term this won't effect him, but it doesn't make it any easier on him or me right now.

There's the fact that we all love Alaska and really don't want to leave!

There's also the fact that when we leave next week, I will be 29 weeks pregnant. I have pregnancy induced hypertension and could develop preeclampsia any day. I've been blessed with a great doctor here and am returning to a great doctor in Oregon but it doesn't make the transition and wait as well as moving any easier!

The question is, why? If you aren't excited, if there are so many cons why are you moving? Because it's what we are supposed to do. Heavenly Father has been directing our lives for years. Our move to Alaska was in his time and I truly believe the move this time is in his time. I see his blessings around us on a daily basis. I honestly believe this is what we are supposed to do. I can question it all I want, I can fight it all I want but at the end of the day both Cole and I know that this is it. There are some pros and I know that the pros are what make this bearable and they are what will make it easier to settle down once it's over.

So, I will continue to smile and nod pretending to be excited. I will raise my voice in excitement when I talk with my family. But, I will also continue to shed tears for the solitude we are leaving, for the beauty we are leaving and for the friends we are leaving. I will most definitely cry when I hug and kiss my husband good-bye at the airport...and while I comfort my crying 6yr old after passing through security. I will most likely shed tears as we land in Medford knowing that this chapter in or lives has come to a close and a new one is beginning. The weeks will fly by and we will be reunited as a family...of 5. We will be living in a beautiful state where we won't have negative temperatures in the winter, but will still have some snow. We will be better off, if not for the pay raise, then for the blessings that come from following our father in heaven's plans for our family.

This month's motto: I've done it once, I can do it again!

10 years!

As I was laying here in bed catching up on some blogs before the sand man visits I realized that tomorrow (April 12) marks a very special day for Cole and I.

Cole and I met while rehearsing for the musical grease. We both had supporting roles...I was a pink lady and he was a greaser. I had a huge crush on him and thanks to my best friend he was aware of it. One day he asked for my phone number....but he never called. I dropped a couple hints about hanging out but honestly he was quite the ladies man so there were a couple other girls he was hanging out with at the time.

Long story short he ended up calling one Saturday morning.... April 12, 2003. He asked if I wanted to get some lunch and hang out. This also happened to be closing night of our show. Of course I said yes :-)

Our "date" wasn't really anything special...I remember it like it was yesterday though. We had some lunch at a diner and then walked through a park. We went back to his house because he needed to grab a couple of things before curtain call. We hung out before the show back stage. It was really low key and honestly nothing special.

After the show, after the curtain closed for the last time (really for him it was...he was a senior so it was his last show!) we gathered our belongings and he rode with me to the cast party. It was on the way to the cast party that Cole told me he enjoyed the day we spent together and wanted to do it more often...that he liked me and that he wanted me to be his girlfriend.

Ten years ago we embarked on this journey....I never thought it'd be forever! It's been a crazy ride of fun, sadness, laughter, devotion, trust, unconditional love, heartbreak, strength, lessons, blessings, and adventure. We've had our share of ups and downs...trials and lessons. We've spent nights crying with each other and for each other. We've spent years praying together, praying for good times, praying through hard times. Some of those prayers have been for guidance and in thanks. We've caused each other pain, we've helped each other through pain. For ten years, he's had my back and I've had his.

Although I had no idea that my high school crush would be my forever partner, I sure am glad it worked out that way!

As we embark on yet another journey, I am forever grateful that this journey is with Cole, he's my rock, my partner, my lover, my friend, my children's father, my husband, and the one I count on to follow the promptings that guide us to where Heavenly Father wants us.

It hasn't been easy....it's taken lots of work! All of that work has been and continues to be worth it. I love you, Cole. Thank you for taking care of me, of our children and for being my calm against the storm!

Another adventure?

As most of you know, the Henderson family is getting ready to embark on another adventure! We are making a lateral move within Cole's company. It's a big, giant, scary move though. Moving back to the lower 48 is a catch 22....definitely bitter-sweet. We are looking forward to being closer to family, yet still far enough away for our own sanity. Washington....hmm! The boys and I have a side trip planned for the first couple months of the move, easier to transition with kids if one person settles and the rest follow. Cole will be the one settling again while we play (and I have a baby) and then we will join him at our new home as a family of 5! Thoughts and prayers would be appreciated...we are all struggling with this move even though we know that it is what is necessary, right and supposed to be! The countdown is on....15 days!

Photo dump! March 24-April 6

Spring Break *updated*

Our spring break was last week! We had crazy wind all week and the kids had to stay inside. We tried to make the most of it...the boys discovered forts and realized they LOVE them! We spent the week in limbo waiting to hear whether or not Cole had gotten a position at corporate in Provo that he had applied for (He didn't :( ) While waiting for that news I kept busy with house work and my never ending pile of laundry! Now that the nausea is GONE and some energy has returned I've been able to catch up on the little things I let slide for the last few months :) We ventured out a couple of time to get the kiddos out of the house! While Cole was working on Wednesday, the boys and I finally made our way to Bouncing Bears. It's a heated warehouse with 6 different bounce houses/slides and a giant inflated pillow to bounce on. The boys had a blast and I was pleasantly surprised that we were able to waste two hours of our day running and playing! I was a little put off by the price ($5 for Joshua and $7 for Cameron) but after all was said and done it was definitely worth it! In fact when Cole got off early Friday we surprised the boys with a second trip! They were thrilled ! Overall we had a great week. I am glad we are back to the grind though! The countdown is on for summer break though! 9 weeks!

Cameron and I were snuggled on the bed one morning and I had to snap this picture! 

Cameron enjoyed our trip to bouncing bears!

Joshua had the biggest smile and kept asking over and over "just one more time mom"!

Joshua told me this is how he likes to lay on the couch! Seriously kid...if you weren't so cute!

As a mom, I have many hopes and dreams for my kiddos. I loose sleep at night worrying over big and little things. I want the very best for my kids. I love that each of my children have very distinct differences in their personalities. I know by looking at a mess who made it. I know by noises who did it! I can sit in the hall at church and hear my child whether it be by the laughing or crying coming from a room. I pray daily for the strength to raise bright, worthy, boys...boys who will grow to have a sense of self, boys who will cherish a woman and treat her with respect and compassion. I pray that my boys will have a strong work ethic and know where they come from with dreams of where they are going. I pray that my boys will be courageous young men who will stand up for what they believe in. I want nothing more than to see my boys succeed in life.

With the distinct differences in my kiddos, I find myself worrying about different things for each of them. Joshua has definitely been more challenging than Cameron was as a toddler. Cameron has always been more focused...more determined. He has the characteristics of a first born child who had almost 4 years of one-on-one time with Mom! Joshua is as bright as can be... definitely the jokester in the house. He keeps us on our toes because he can be kinda crazy.

One of the things I've always worried about with Cameron is the fact that he's so introverted! I've seen this change over the last year or two and it makes me proud to hear him answer questions from doctors, friends and even his teacher. I've worried that his shyness will hold him back at school...not academically but socially.

Last night we had the opportunity to attend Cameron's open-conference...basically an open house at school. I assumed that we weren't scheduled for a conference because Cameron is doing pretty good at school. That was indeed the case and it thrilled my mommy heart. I believe every parent wants to see their child succeed and although I was thrilled because he is indeed succeeding I was more impressed by the way Cameron was described by his teacher. She touched on some character traits we've been trying to instill in him. I want my children to be kind, I want my children to have friends. Cameron seems to be friends with everyone....he's very patient, very kind and finds the good in each of his classmates. Cameron would be the kid that is placed at a table to be a good example to those around him.

As happy as I am about the glowing report over his handwriting, reading, math and ability and willingness to try new tasks that are placed before him, I am through the moon happy over the character traits that he is building.

While I realize that we are only in kindergarten, I can't help but feel proud. I've said before that my biggest concern with moving from Oregon to Alaska was how it would affect Cameron. I am shown time and time again how Cameron has benefited from this move. I am truly blessed with a Father in Heaven who hears my prayers and guides me each day...he shows me how to care for each of my children. He has helped me to see their differences and has shown me what each of them needs. Cole and I have been blessed with a marriage that is filled with friendship and partnership allowing us to raise these special spirits in the way that they need.

Now to get Joshua to count from 1 instead of 8 :)