A Child's Prayer

There is nothing sweeter or more precious than to hear a child's prayer. It is amazing to see how beautiful and loving their sweet little spirits are. I am so thankful that each day I have the opportunity to hear my little one's pray.
I am reminded of one of my students in San Diego. He was quite a challenge. He was my size and could be quite aggressive at times but other times was so much fun. I would talk to his mom daily when when she picked him up. She told me one day that he included me in his prayers. It was such a sweet moment. Here is a child that had so many challenges going his way. Limited in his language to say the least but he had remembered me! Sometimes I think we learn so much more from children than they learn from us.

Another Satisfied Customer

Jaxon loves Bumblebee from Transformers. He has Bumblebee underwear. Every time I wash them he says, "Mommy you wash my Bumblebee underwear for me. Thank you." He has a huge smile on his face and gives me a big hug. If only everyone was so easily satisfied.

Mothers...

Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors, well used ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?' and get their answer when a little voice says, 'Because I love you best.'
Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it .

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Call Mom, she can answer that.

55 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

My sweet hubby

I have been wanting homemade chocolate chip cookies for 2 weeks.  Everytime we went to the store I forgot to pick up chocolate chips.  Yesterday, Shawn brought home all of the ingredients for me with flowers!  Pretty Sweet, right!  Shawn planned on making them for me.  He made me call to see if  Michelle would share her yummy recipe.  She agreed Shawn said what he really wanted was Catherine (her 8 year old daughter) who makes great cookies to come over and make them.  She called us back shortly after and Catherine came over and helped Shawn make cookies.  They were delicious!

  

I woke up to a beautiful picture that Ashlin had drawn and pink heart shaped pancakes and eggs.  Shawn sure is spoiling me!  I wonder what he needs to confess to!

Ashlin went back for her follow up to see if the UTI cleared up.  No such luck.  She has to go on a stronger antibiotics and then change her daily antibiotics.  They think she may have built up a resistance to it.  We talked to her urologist's office, they still had not heard anything from our pediatrician.  That was a bit frustrating.  Medical care don't you love it!  

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

I have chronic fatigue syndrome (aka motherhood).  Do you ever feel like you are tired all of the time?  You are always trying to play catch up?  You wish that your kids would slow down just a bit and snuggle?   That's how I feel.....but I would not trade it for the world.

Just a thought...

I love my family!  They are the greatest!  They bring joy to my life...... occasionally a few grey hairs as well!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We wanted to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day! 

May your day be filled with lots of 

Love and Chocolate!

Jax in a box

Not only does Jax love to play with his Mr. Potato heads. 

He loves to play with the tote their stored in. 

A trip to the Dentist

All 3 kids have now been to the dentist. Ashlin thought it was fun. She laid back with her sunglasses on and watched Dora. Jeron had no desire there. He protested initially and then laid back and was calm. He did shoot us a dirty look or two. Jaxon went a month ago and he was pretty neutral.

Jeron's Birthday Party

We had a small party for Jeron at Larry's pizza last Friday night. After 2 weeks of being homebound.....we were all very ready to have a chance to be out. Jeron shared his Elmo birthday cake with Elder Hill. It was his birthday as well. We all had a nice evening. Jeron got lots of great gifts! The siblings of course enjoyed them as well. We are so fortunate to have friends to share our special days with us!

The Results...

I finally got through to the doctor's office and told them I wanted her to be seen. Of course, you have to leave a message for the nurse. I left details and sat by the phone anxiously. So, the nurse finally called us back. She said, "So Ashlin has a fever, is it mild?" I was very polite and bit back by sarcastic response and said, "NO, it's been 104." Nurse says, "Well she definitely needs to be seen." Once again, I bit back my sarcastic response. She then transferred me to the appointment center and they asked can you come in a 2:40. Finally with a sigh, I said, "Yes unless it's the lousy doctor we saw on Saturday (won't mention names to protect the useless). We were in luck our pediatrician was available. We went in and he checked her out and could not find anything. He had her blood drawn and order a urine sample (sorry if it's more details than you wanted). Of course, I could not get her to go to the bathroom in the doctor's office. We came out and they didn't find anything with her blood. The report once again viral unless something was found in the urine. We would have to wait till we could get that back into them. If she had a fever in 2 more days return for a chest xray. I left with tears in my eyes. Finally, we got home Ashlin sat down on the toilet. Next, Shawn held Jax up like a puppet and entertained Ashlin. Finally,she laughed and we had our sample. We rushed to get it there before they closed. We got a call soon after we returned she had a UTI. It was such a relief to be able to do something for her to help her feel better. If there going to be sick can't it be something treatable? There is one other thing to make things a bit frustrating. On Saturday, when Shawn originally took her in he DID mention that she had told us it hurt when she went to the bathroom and that she HAD VR Reflux (puts her at risk for UTI & has to be on daily antibiotics) and he did not even acknowledge this! Honestly, do you have any people skills Mr. Lousy Doctor? If so maybe Ashlin would have felt better 5 days ago.
After all the drama, our friend George Oliver came over and assisted Shawn in giving the children a blessing. It was a very sweet experience for all. I am so thankful for our Heavenly Father's love!
The boys have a little more energy and bounce in their step I am hoping they are trending upwards. If you wouldn't mind including us in your prayers. We would sure appreciate it. Also, we have turned in all of the information for Jaxon's hearing aid grant! We really need the approval if not I am not sure how we will pay for his hearing aids. So, if you say a prayer for that at well. Our family would appreciate it more than you know.

Yes, we are still sick!

In case you were wondering how the Charlton's are doing...they are still sick! Ashlin has been running a fever for 8 days and of course a couple of days later the boys followed her lead. We broke down and called the nurse Friday afternoon and they wanted to see her on Saturday. The on call doctor for the weekend was lousy. He said it was a cold and did not want to his authority questioned or to listen to anything that might lead him into a different direction. For the record, it probably was a cold but with her asthma we have to be very careful. We have been down this road before trust me (at least he did not write a random prescription to make me feel better...yes this has happened). Monday she seemed to be feeling better. She woke up yesterday with a 103 fever and today it's 104. I am now waiting for the doctor's office to pick up their phones again after their lunch break. I hope this time they will take me seriously but what do I know I am just the parent? Here is a question for you, How do you decide when to bring your child into the doctor?

Happy Birhday, Jeron!!

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear Jeron,

Happy Birthday to you!

My first day here!  2/2/07

 

My Daddy & Big Sister

Coming Home from the Hospital

First days hanging out

Me & My Big Brother

Yummy, My 1st Birthday Cake! 

Mom & Me

I love my friends!

Today, Jeron is 2 years old.  I can't believe how time flies by....cliche but true!  Jeron spent his birthday in the Doctor's office and coughing not the best birthday ever.  Although, he did love his gifts (Elmo movie & Spider man jammies).  It's a good thing we planned his birthday party for Friday.  We are really hoping he feels better then.  

We are so grateful to have Jeron in our lives.  He was very much a surprise and came at a time that was not the most convenient....but it didn't matter we knew he was meant to be with our family.  He had the sweetest little face looking up at me at the hospital right after birth.  I knew then (and earlier) I would not change a thing.  He is a very sweet boy whose smiles lights up the room.  We will be forever thankful Heavenly Father sent him to our home!