Fourth of July

Drove up to Utah for family and the Oakley fourth of July celebration.

On the road again

The Ranch, my absolute favorite place to spend the fourth. We went to the rodeo the night before and took the kids down for the parade the morning of. Salt water taffy, cowboy hats and rodeo queens- all the great American traditions.

The extended Cannon clan meets up at the Cannon Ranch for a one-day family reunion on the 4th so I got the chance to see cousins and their growing families and my aunts and uncles. Aunt Melissa saddled a horse and the kids got to ride. And Jamie rode his first horse. My dad teased him that if he did well with the child saddle, he might give him a man's saddle next time. Jamie's good to tolerate my family's traditions and hobbies. Actually truth be known I can't even the remember the last time I got on a horse. I'd probably have to stick to the corral myself now.

Cute patriotic girls- Brooke and Emma

With as handsome as he is with a cowboy hat, scruff and tough look, you'd think he'd of spent more time in the saddle in his lifetime.

After the rest of the local extended family went home, we took the kids up to the ditch for some tubing.

And Nate enjoyed a quick stop at the rope swing. For some reason Angie wimped out.

Surgery

I've been putting off blog catch-up for months because the next event on the timeline for our lives is one I wasn't sure I wanted to discuss on the blog. I didn't tell a lot of people when it happened and I wasn't sure I wanted to post it on the blog but it was something for the journaling part of my blogging purposes and I decided that the few people who actually read it already know about this. So I thought I'd document it and then quickly follow-up with some happy posts with cute pics of my kids again.
For months I'd been having pelvic pains and other excessive woman issues that were driving me nuts. I had seen a doctor who found a uterine fibroid in an ultrasound that would cause some of the symptoms I described but not to the degree that I was experiencing. We tried treatment and it made things worse. My doctor suspected I had endometriosis and suggested a laparoscopic exploratory surgery. Because unfortunately the only way to see that stuff is to get in there and take a look. She did not find endometriosis but she did find adhesions that were pulling my intestines out of place (never have had a surgery before so where did those come from?). My appendix had been moved well out of place so she put that back in position. And she found another fibroid. We had hopes that removing the adhesions would improve things, but I continued to have pains and discomfort from the fibroids. We did our research, fasted and prayed and finally decided to have a hysterectomy. I'm way too young and too few children for this sort of business and it was not an easy choice to make so I only told family and a few close friends. I figured the only opinions that mattered were the Lord's, my husband's and my parents'.
My sister flew in to take the kids up to my brother in Dallas so the cousins could play while I went to the hospital (June 21). I found a highly recommended and skilled surgeon that does the Da Vinci method (robotic laparoscopic hysterectomy- I only have four tiny scars). Things went well and I was home 24-hrs later. Brooke and the kids stayed in Dallas a couple days then Brooke brought Dave and Emma back here and my boys stayed the rest of the week with Deborah and Jesse, my heroes. Two weeks later we headed up to Utah for vacation. Six weeks post-op, the estimated recovery time, I was called as Relief Society president. The Lord promptly answered my question of what he wanted me to do now if he didn't want me having babies anymore, besides the obvious answer of caring for the ones I already have. I know He is watching over me and has a plan and a work for me even if it's not always what I would have expected but blessed all the same.

Like my bracelet collection?


I had to smile to make up for my lunch lady hat, poofy vest, and unmake-uped face

Emma's card to me. I felt I needed to explain to her why she won't be getting a sister. I guess this was her interpretation of it.

Missionaries

I was trying to get all my pictures as post drafts on the blog to edit later and this one accidentally posted with no explanation , sorry.
Just after our reunion in July my parents reported to the MTC to prepare to serve as missionaries in Accra, Ghana in the Self-Reliance Branch of the Perpetual Education Fund. Emma was so pleased she insisted on teaching the FHE lesson and taught about missionary work and how we can do our part. She made everyone write thank you cards to Nana and Pop. I would say they've been a positive influence on her, certainly leading and not leaving their grandchildren (as my mom tells me they say in the MTC to the senior missionaries). Here's Emma's picture and card. I love Pop sharing a Book of Mormon with the giraffe.

 

 

A few more from Weston

I found a few more treasures from Weston

"It would be...the best day ever!"- sorry we got cut off here

 

 

 

 

Weston's writing

Here's some sample artwork and writing from Weston that perfectly captures his personality. They make me smile.

Mother's Day card.

He's so literal and straightforward. "You make me laugh when: you are funny."Let's not get too deep here and just go with the natural response.

He's a momma's boy, I love it! You make fun of him and I'll beat you up.

the best

 

I love reading his stories, they make me happy. His teacher was trying to get him to stop writing "The End" at the end of his stories but he just couldn't stand it so he writes "TE" really small as a code but his teacher knows and it makes her laugh at the sneaky stinker.

Rocket Day

Every year at the end of the year the first graders from Naumann Elementary head over to Milburn Park to shoot off rockets they made, eat lunch and play at the playground. This year was Weston's turn. Can you tell he was excited? Andrew and I walked over to the park to join them for the fun.
 

 

Weston's class this year. His good buddy Sammy that I hear about a lot is the one just in front of the teacher.

This is Weston's teacher Mrs. Bouldin. She was perfect for Weston! Last year Weston had a rough start to his school career with a tough teacher, a long-term sub and some rocky "friendships." He didn't like school and I think he was feeling like they didn't much like him either. But Mrs. Bouldin loved and encouraged my boy. She saw intelligence and talents in him and recommended him for Pace math and Quest. Weston respects her and wants to be good in her class and likes school again. He could tell Mrs. Bouldin cared about him and he tried to rise to the occasion. Teachers can make all the difference. Love this lady! I hope Andrew gets her (if he can make it through Kindergarten first).
 

Preschool class 2012-2013