4th of July 2013

We spent the Fourth of July in Coeurd'Alene with the Sampert's We went to the Lake one day. It felt so good to get in it. And to sit on the boat. It was soothing.

 Jay and Jaiden

 Jappy fell in the pool.

 Fun at the Lake

Learning to ride and work together.

Passed

Pax Passed his EKG Today!!!!

                                We don't need to see the cardiologist for One Year. 

 Finding time to blog has been impossible. We are all still alive.... Just busy. Everyday is something. Piano, gymnastics, activity days, volleyball, friends, meetings. And all the normal things like cooking, clean up and laundry.  Sometimes I wish time would go by faster and my kids would grow up and that maybe I would have less to do. But other times (far and few between) I wish time would stand still.
Pax is 6 months and is the size of a 1 year old. He always sleeps with at least one arm up. Isn't that so sweet? He's finally rolling over and will sit up with little support. He is in the 97 % for his height and weight. And is just the happiest baby ever.  He had a well baby check up. The Dr. listened to his heart quickly and moved on to something else. I asked him to humor me and listen again. He didn't hear the murmur at all and wouldn't give it a second thought if he didn't know to listen.  We meet with the cardiologist in a month for his next echo. But we feel so Blessed  how this little imperfection is turning out.

 Every year I have great expectations of dyeing Easter eggs, and then I get too many things planned and it goes by the way side. NOT THIS YEAR. We dyed eggs and the kids loved it and were pretty creative

I Even Got everyone to pause for a picture after church 
Last week Jappy and I left our kids with the exception of Pax and flew to Arizona for four days.  We haven't left our kids in 5 years. It was good for everyone. We left the kids in very capable hands, and  they had a blast!! Jappy drove race cars, I laid by the pool and enjoyed warm 85 degree weather. We shopped ate lots of gourmet food, had a formal night. And best of all I didn't do any laundry.  Jappy works hard to provide for our family. And the bank recognized him for it. Jappy is in the top 10%   for production in the country for USBank. They paid for our entire trip along with lots gifts throughout our four days there. Not to mention our luxuriouss stay at the Phoenician. It's hard to come back to reality after being pampered. But it just makes Dad work just has hard so we can go again next year. 

Odds and Ends

I'm struggling to find time to update The boys are all napping so I thought I better do it before one wakes up. While praying before dinner last night Jay says " Bless Pax that he will be big like my daddy"  That kid says some pretty cute things lately that make us smile.Since Jappy is constantly at Church meetings Jay thinks he needs to have meetings too.  He'll put on his church clothes so him and his dad can have a meeting.  He likes to say " And now we will turn the time over to Daddy Jeppsen  He'll do it at random times. Just makes us laugh. Paxton has been smiling and cooing and making all sorts of cute baby noise. He prefers to lay down to sleep but insists on one arm above his head. He surely is growing. He is in 9 month clothes, some 6 month I can put him in. As long as they don't have feet in them.  He is a long baby.  Random people have stopped me and said "Looks like you might have a line backer" I tell them " that's what his dad is hoping for" It won't be long before he passes Jet in weight. 

 Jappy and his Brother Brian and Pax.

 We took everyone to Idaho Falls a couple weeks ago. for a Great nephews baptism. We did some shopping while we were there.  Keep in mind that this was our First family of Five outing. Oh my word. I was exhausted by the time we got home. But I am happy to report we didn't lose anyone or purposely leave them.

Sonic Is all the rage at our house lately. U can't beat half price slushies and limeades and late night half price milkshakes. We've been driving through car lots at night, as to find a car and dodge the salesmen. So the other night we took the kids car lot hopping, and stopped at Sonic on the way home.  The three big kids slurped away on their drinks and all three instantly grabbed their heads and yelled "Brain Freeze"  Hilarious. It happened more than once that night.  Goof Balls.

Guilt is a funny thing.  After the shooting in Sandy hook I heard a lot of parents talk about survivors guilt. Parents who were relieved that their child was spared but saddened by those who were not.  Yesterday I felt this same way.  A friend of ours 2 month old baby passed away due to complications of SIDS over the weekend.  I have survivors guilt. Every time I hold our baby, or he smiles at me, or even when I just walk by him while he's laying on the couch. I feel guilt. Guilt that our friend won't be able to hold her baby, or hear his first laugh, or experience the million other milestones that come from raising him. Our Girls fasted this past Sunday for the very first time. They fasted for their friends. That they would be comforted.  I was amazed at the faith that they had,  They did not complain once of their hunger, but were so focused on the Savior easing this families heartache. 
Jappy and I have talked about how quickly our lives could change. That this unspeakable heartache just as easily could have been ours. We have mourned with those that mourn. We have prayed for Peace and comfort Be with this family in their time of Need, and Loss.  And we have held and kissed our baby a million times. For we don't know when our mission on earth is done.

Christmas 2012

The ward Christmas Party. The girls were too fast and I missed them on Santa's lap. Jay is all about telling Santa what he wants.  His List got longer as the month of December went on.  Jet wouldn't have anything to do with the jolly bearded man.

 Christmas Eve in their new pajamas. We were lucky enough to have the missionaries spend Christmas evening with us. We had dinner, had a ping pong tournament, a nerf gun war, and a couple hands of Skip-bo. It was a fun night with the Elders.
 We made it through December!!! It never fails that things start to fall apart through the winter season. We had the Durango break down (its gone for good, sad) , the water heater go out, and a broken tailbone. We will not miss the month of mis fortune.  

Jay and Jet are obsessed with the ipad.  They are sitting behind the couch together.

I took Paxton's pictures a couple weeks ago. He is one cute Chunky little guy.  He is in the 75% for his length and weight.  we met with the Cardiologist again earlier this month. His Heart continues to mend itself.  The murmur is still there but is getting smaller. He will have another echo cardiogram in 3 months. The doctor is very pleased with his growth this past month.  He is very confident in Paxton having a full active normal life.

We are enjoying Christmas Break, and are happy to have snow. The kids have been outside everyday for hours at a time.

We met with the cardiologist today to have another echo. The murmur is getting better and Pax has been released from his oxygen. We couldn't be happier.  The murmur although still there is only mild we will return for another echo in 4 weeks to track its progress. We will be keeping a close eye on him to ensure that his heart is working properly. But for now all is well. He is a 'TANK' weighing in at 12 pounds. We feel he skipped the newborn phase. He is into 3-6 month clothes and some 6-9. He's grown so fast he's skipped sizes. He still sleeps well and is a good eater. What more could we ask for. The kids love him and have adjusted well to him.  Jet feels left out and follows me room to room, and gets upset when anyone puts on their shoes. Hopefully he'll settle in soon.  Jay LOVES Preschool and so does MOM. It's been good for all of us to have him at school 2 days a week.  It's just down the street so we walk him to school. He has such great teachers who plan fun activities and crafts for them, all while learning It's so GREAT.
 Mady just graduated from the DARE Program. She enjoyed the program and learned a lot. At times I didn't think it was necessary and felt that shielding her from such things was a better way.  I hate that she's growing up and that some day I won't be there to tell her what's good and what 's bad, and what friends she should play with. Letting go is so hard...
Brooklyn...Loves school and is in a class with lots of her friends.  She's miss Bossy around our house. The poor boys have so many moms under one roof telling them what to do.
We've been homebound for the last 2 months it doesn't seem like it should be Christmas time. The months have flown by and I'm feeling behind in all categories. Someday I'll catch up.