My Little Linney

My little Linney isn't so little anymore. She's turning 5 tomorrow, November 5th. This is more for me, than anyone else, so skip this long part if you want to :)

5 years ago I was in labor, already for about 7 hours after being induced due to a major fluid drop overnight. I really wanted a natural birth but I didn't start out in the best conditions. I hadn't slept well the night before and I hadn't eaten anything since then either. I got up to have a non stress test, as I was a week overdue, and they told me not to eat. Then I told them I thought my water broke, so the checked the fluid. They said it didn't "break" but there was a definite loss of fluid. I waited an hour for the doctor to come talk to me and tell me she thought I needed to be started. They still didn't let me eat even though I waited another hour or two for Rick to finish the project he was on and come to the hospital. I was starving by this time and very anxious for a baby. To make it shorter, I was induced and didn't do anything much for hours and hours, so the Doc told me she wanted to "crank my pitocin". This was sometime toward the next morning and while I was doing my hypnobirthing pretty well, I was exhausted already. She said she would recommend having an epidural then because I wouldn't be able to handle the pitocin and I didn't want to put the baby at risk in case I had to have a c-section. I bawled and bawled, but finally got an epidural and was able to rest. After being on strong pitocin for hours and I was still only dilated to an 8 and the baby didn't drop, her heart rate did drop and the doc informed me that we were doing a c-section. NOW. I was scared to death and scared for my baby. Rick gave me a blessing and the surgery went well, but it was rough on both of us and they whisked Carlyn away to help her breath better. She was born about 4 pm and I didn't see her until about 9, I think. Anyway, I finally got to hold my baby girl and she was beautiful. She had the hardest time during birth and had to have an IV to hopefully prevent any infections from the long labor. She also had jaundice and I only got to hold her to feed her in the hospital.

Look at my angel! She worked the IV in her hand out and had to have it in her head later. It made me cry, but she smiled at me and it was okay.

This was a few days later. What a sweet thing, huh?

This began our journey as parents. Sweet Carlyn. We love you so much. We have enjoyed being your parents and continue to love you so much!

A Few Good Things...

I was thinking about what a bummer it is that the store is closing. Then I started thinking about all the opportunities that came of having the store in the first place. So here goes.



1- We got to see Rick "The Computer Guy" advertised on bus stop shelters, in newspapers, and even on billboards.

2- Rick got to make some really good connections with some wonderful people including the mayor, other politicians, advertising and media people, and many wonderful customers.

3- Our family got to participate and help Rick in the Utah Family Expo where he did a little internet cafe. The kids and I got to do a lot of fun things including Carlyn climbing the Rock wall.

4- As part of advertising, Rick sponsored some movie premiere events and we were able to go to some fun movies including Iron Man, Cloverfield, Man of the Year, Marie Antoinette, and Eragon, and others I can't think of right now.

5- A Beach Boys concert at the Gallivan Plaza.

6- We bought a tree from the Festival of Trees in 2006.

7- We had a family trip to Vegas for Rick to work at a business.

8- Rick joined the Murray Rotary Club. He loves their devotion to service and continues to enjoy being a part of their club. As a member we had the opportunity to make many new friends, go to some fun parties, go to Lake Powell as a family, attend part of the Rotary International Convention in SLC last year, and make some good networking contacts as well.

9- Have random people come up and say they have been into our store and really appreciated the good work that we did.

10- Above all, I'm thankful that even though Rick was really busy he took the time to be a great dad when he was home and that I have the opportunity to be a stay at home mom. It hasn't always been easy, but it is worth it.

Rick and the Mayor at his store opening. They were doing a cheer.
The ribbon cutting for the store. Yeah!

The tree from the Festival of Trees.
Us at the expo. Carlyn was excited to see Elmo, but a little scared too.
Still at the Expo with Snow White. Look how little they are!
Carlyn on the climbing wall at the expo.

All About D (a little late)

I just realized that I didn't really make a post for Darren during the month of August except on his birthday. Well, I want to remedy that situation now with a couple of my favorite pictures of him his first year. He's loud and exhausting to keep up with, but he's sure fun and a great part of our family. We love you, little D!

My Annie Bear

Pretend this was posted yesterday because I wanted it posted in July. I wanted to do a tribute to my cute little stinker, Anneliese. I started looking through the pictures and darn, she is just a cute kid :) She was a bit of a surprise, being born only 20 months after her sister, but they've always been best friends and she was just such a pleasant baby. She's got a lot of attitude for a little soul. She's also always been a Mommy's girl and still is, though she really loves Daddy now too. She loves to smile, sing, read books, play in the water, slide, ride on the motorcycle with Daddy, make Darren laugh, & do anything Carlyn does.

This is a funny picture, but this is my first glimpse of my little imp.Wasn't she just a doll? (she still is)

We went to Chuck E Cheese's for her 1st birthday
Here is her party, she loved the cake
2nd birthday-our little princess
3rd birthday-She was so excited to wake up to a decorated bedroom. I love you Anneliese. Here are some other pictures I just love.

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