I LOVE My Short Hair!

The boys were in desperate need of a haircut so off we all went to Great Clips. Cora wanted her hair cut as well and this was the first time I let her decide what style and how short she wanted to go. I urged her to cut it up to her chin and then she could go shorter if she wanted. Every time the stylist asked her what she thought, Cora kept saying to go shorter. Go shorter. Go shorter. She gave Cora a lot of layers, the shortest of which goes to her eye.

The next day was therapy before school and as soon as she got to therapy, she took off her hat. She proceeded to flip her hair, do a fancy spin around, flipped her hair again and asked, "How do you like my hair?!" She had a gigantic grin on her face and the therapist just laughed. Apparently she did the same thing that morning when I dropped her off at school and her teacher thought it was just the darn cutest thing. She said Cora exclaimed, "I LOVE my short hair!" and was happy to see Cora come out of her shell like that.

 

Cora Graduated Speech Therapy!!!!!!

Last Wednesday I was in for a major surprise as I took Cora to her usual speech and occupational therapies for the morning. Her speech therapist said Cora has met all of her goals and discussed options with her other therapists about discontinuing speech. They all concluded that Cora has made great strides, met all speech goals, and her reading therapist could work further with her if the need arose.

 CORA GRADUATED SPEECH THERAPY AFTER 9 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS!!!!!!!

I was shocked and truly never thought I would see the day. I'm so incredibly proud of her hard work from her ENTIRE LIFE!!! She's been in speech since infancy. Her first speech therapist was Jan from the Guild School, and I will always credit her with helping to save Cora's life. Jan was the one who backed me up knowing something was seriously wrong with Cora's digestive system and helped me get a referral to a Gastroenterologist Specialist. Because of that appointment Cora received the life-saving surgeries needed on three different areas of her stomach. Jan's chemistry background also helped me get the consistency of Cora's liquids *just right* when she was aspirating all the time and was the one who got me into the hospital for countless swallow studies and came with me to each one. She helped me get the hang of different techniques to start feeding Cora solids and to strengthen her tongue musculature. Jan was incredible! We've had many other speech therapists through the years and all of them have been so good to us. How thankful I am!

Cora darling. I'm so, SOOOOO proud of you and your fighting spirit. There aren't words to say how grateful and proud I am, only feelings. To celebrate her accomplishment, Cora chose to go bowling. But the bowling alley had a 45 minute wait time so Cora's second choice was mini golf. The indoor mini golf was closed for renovations so we golfed outside in the freezing wind without proper coats. Her treat of choice was a slushie but the slushie machine was down so we went to a gas station where their slushie machine was also down. She settled for a gigantic XXL fountain soda since that was the only cup size available. It was an interesting day celebrating her achievement that certainly didn't go as planned but we rolled with the punches and made the best of it. 

 

Valentine's Day

Lance spent the majority of Valentine's Day with his quartet singing telegrams. He even visited the kids' school and sang in their classrooms, except Cora. There was no way she was going to let her Dad embarrass her like that! But Kimball and Ezra loved it and so did their teachers. When he got to the kindergarten center, Ezra's class had just gotten to music class and the substitute teacher was the school counselor. He sneakily asked Lance if Lance would sing for a good 30 minutes so he wouldn't have to teach music which was not his forte. That made me chuckle. All of the class parties were a hit and their teachers emailed me pictures of the kids.

This was Ezra's valentine to me, complete with snacks and candies from around the house. The back of it made me laugh, "I am epic!" How does he know what epic means no less how to spell it? Ha!

 

Black and Gold Party

Our friend, Laura Ives, invited us to her 35th birthday party which was black and gold themed. The fancier you dress the better. Lance resorted to his plethora of barbershop accessories and found a sparkly gold cummerbund, black bow tie, top hat, and tuxedo. I did what I could without buying anything new, haha. It was so fun to be there around other adults and meet new friends, play games, and eat a yummy spread of food. Happy birthday, Laura!

Jason Koyle's Funeral

 Last week Mom called me with shocking news that Tara's husband had passed away that early morning. I was so shocked and literally speechless. I just stood there in silence trying to process what she'd said and my brain just couldn't accept what I was hearing. I was so shocked! Jason and Tara have had so many difficult trials their whole adult married lives, I just cannot understand the why to this newly devastating trial.

I was able to quickly make arrangements for Lance and the kids so I could fly down for the funeral, there was no way I was going to miss it. Scott and Brad's families, Joseph and 3 boys, and I all made it safely to Christine's house and had a little slumber party. I wish we'd had more time! The boys got there late in the evening and everyone was exhausted so we didn't stay up late visiting or playing games. I wish we'd had just one more day together!! But it was so fulfilling to feel that closeness of family and support.

The funeral was lovely. The viewing had a line snaking completely around the church and out the doors, it was amazing to see Tara have so much support and outpouring of love. I broke down crying as soon as I saw Tara. I just can't imagine her loss and pain. Such a tragic loss! As we were walking into the chapel I immediately broke down again seeing Jason's boots, belt, and rope on the display table. That had very significant meaning to who he was as man, husband, and father. Wow.

It was a very fulfilling weekend in that I was able to gather with family to "mourn with those that mourn and to bear one another's burdens." It was a humbling and holy experience. I felt the spirit so strongly at the funeral and Tara's home which were akin to the temple-such love and gratitude and holiness! It was amazing to visit with Tara and hear her recount the blessings and tender mercies that has been poured on her since Jason passed. She has an incredible testimony and outlook on life as she now continues as a single mother in raising her five sweet babies. I'll continue to fast and pray for Tara and her five children! 

Kimball's First Temple Trip

About a month after his Aaronic Priesthood ordination, we took Kimball to the temple for the first time. Two other families from the ward joined us who were also newly ordained Deacons. Kimball asked all kinds of questions in the weeks leading up to the appointment so he was very prepared and very excited for this trip. Dad did the baptizing and I also was baptized for the dead along with Kimball. It's amazing to me to see how much has changed in the procedures of the temple versus when I was a youth. I love that anyone baptized can be a witness to the ordinance, more chances for the youth to be involved with different aspects of baptism. It was such a good evening and Kimball is already asking when we can go back to do more.

Kimball has been loving his new responsibilities as a Deacon and holding the priesthood. He's quick to help and eager to learn. He just eats up the words during our scripture study time and it all soaks into his spirit. I've been amazed to see how much he has grown spiritually in the last month. I can't wait to see the young man he becomes through the years as he prepares for a mission. He's such a great kid!

Ezra-isms

Ezra is often featured in the school's newsletter so I always get fun pictures of him. It's neat to watch their kids in their element and see who they are as people outside of home.

Ezra's scribble monster

For Cora's youth activity she made rag dolls and the girls immediately started to put on a play and used the chairs as a stage. It was really cute. Ezra was happy to be with all those girls and join the fun.

More school art for Ezra.

Last week while bathing Ezra found one of Dad's used razor heads on the edge of the tub which hadn't made it to the garbage yet. Curious Ezra quickly found out what it was for, shaving the side of his head and cutting his thumbs up.

Ezra is such a sweet boy. I think the best word to describe him would be pleasant. He is just so nice to be around, very energetic, very muscular and fast, has a great imagination, and loves school especially the alphabet. His favorite food is oranges and would eat them all day long although he's picked up on Kimball's picky eating habits. He gives the best "monkey hugs" wrapping his legs and arms around me very tightly and still snuggles with his Mama which is my favorite!