Happy Mother's Day!

This Mother's Day is going to be one that I will never forget.  On Friday Tayton had to go back to Primary Childrens for surgery #6.  We had to be there at 2:15 in the afternoon and we got there and they finally took him back for surgery at 6:30 p.m.  I felt so bad for him because he couldn't eat but he was so good about it and didn't complain too much.  His surgery went pretty good, they ended up removing portions of his vocal chords to help him breathe.  He swelled up again and had to stay on the ventilator overnight and back in the ICU.  Then they took him off the ventilator and he had root beer slushies and played legos.  They moved him out of the ICU and on to the CSU (Children's surgical unit.)  He played video games and dad helped him with more legos.  He finally got to eat on Saturday night and had 3 tacos, corn, root beer float, raspberry smoothie, and a Gatorade.  He was one hungry boy.

This morning he had some fruit loops and he was still hungry so he ordered another taco for breakfast.  That kid is so funny, he loves tacos.  He did really great and was able to come home today on Mother's Day.  What an amazing present to me, I was so excited.

 Here is Tayton leaving Primary Childrens.  We thought we would get to have a summer free of surgeries, but his next one is going to be end of June or beginning of July.  It will be about the same as the last two surgeries.  He just has to do a little at a time and hopefully one day he will breathe normal again.  I just feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel, but our other options are a tracheotomy or the crazy surgery of opening his throat and replacing it with rib cartilage and that is a horrible surgery and I don't want to do that unless these other surgeries don't work.  So we will just keep coming back to Primary Children's as long as it takes for more surgeries until he doesn't need anymore.

Here he is when we got home, he is exhausted but doing pretty good.  He isn't supposed to talk for two weeks.  I don't know how that is going to work but we will try our best.  Tayton has a soft whisper for a voice right now but I feel it will get stronger and louder over then next few weeks.  I'll let you know.

My mom and mother in-law helped me out so much this time.  I feel pretty bad that it had to happen on Mother's Day weekend, but that is what moms do they take care of their kids.  My mother in-law and sister-in-law watched Tanna on Friday and she had a blast with them.  Thanks Cory and Kayla, I love you guys!

My mom was so sweet to help me, she stayed with Blakeli at the Ronald McDonald house so I could go back and forth between Tayton and Blakeli.  I was so sad to have to choose between the two kids, but it worked out really nice. This time we stayed in their other house.  It was this old, victorian style home.  I kept joking with my mom that I got her a nights stay in a bed and breakfast!  Then my poor mom left on Saturday and took Tanna.  Tanna threw up quite a few times and my amazing mother had to clean up my daughters throw-up.  (Happy Mother's Day mom!)    

On my first Mothers Day ever being a mom, the only thing I wanted was a break.  I wanted a day to myself with no kids.  This Mother's Day is a lot different.  I appreciate my  kids so much more.  Maybe that is why I am going through this trial, so I can grow and become a better mother.  There is no other place I would rather be then taking care of my new baby girl, my sickly throw-up 4 yr old, and my recovering from surgery 8 year old.  I am so blessed to be a mom to my three beautiful, amazing children.  I thank my Father in Heaven every night that I get to be their mom.  The past six months have been the hardest six months of my life but I have learned so much and I don't know how else I could have grown.  

Being a mother is the hardest, hardest job in the world.  Satan really knows how to tear you apart to make you feel like you are worthless.  I have struggled so much blaming myself.  I feel like if I would have been a better mother and just picked my son up from school on November 15th, that none of this would have happened.  But it did happen and I am a better mom for having gone through this.  I know Satan tries to tear mother's down because they are the heart of the home and if he can ruin the home he has won.  No matter what your trial may be, don't let Satan win.  Mother's are so important, and I am so happy to have such amazing mother's in my life and to be a mother.  I hope all you mother's out there know how special you really are and how much of a difference you make in your children's lives! 

  Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!!!!!  

Happy Birthday Tayton!

On Saturday May, 4th we had such a special day.  We celebrated Tayton's 8th birthday!

He was baptized on his birthday and it was so special.

Here he is with dad before the baptism.  Our stake normally has baptisms on the 2nd Saturday of each month, but Tayton was having surgery and wouldn't be able to go to his so our stake let us have our own private baptism and I was so thankful!  

He didn't want anyone to see his scars, so we kept his burn gloves on.

                                Both grandmas gave such sweet talks and he really loved them.

 Here we are all together.  It was so fun having our family there, their support has been so amazing during these last six months.  It was great we all got to share this special day together.

                      After the baptism we also blessed this beautiful baby girl!  It was a day that I will
                                  never forget.  I am so thankful for these precious children.

My sweet sister-in-law Kayla even came!  She lives in Alabama and came just for this.  It was so fun to see her and I am so happy she was here!  We just love her!

Levi's grandparents came from Preston, ID.  It was so great to have them there.

  After the baptism and blessing it was party time.  Tayton's birthday is on Star Wars Day.  It is an official day, May the 4th be with you.  Get it, we found this out a couple of years ago and Tayton says it is the best day ever to have a birthday!

                    Levi's cousin is so talented and made Tayton this R2D2 cake.  He loved it!

 

                                                                             Opening presents!

 It was such a special day and so happy we got to celebrate.  I love this little guy so much and I can't believe he is 8 years old now.  Where has the time gone?   This was him 8 years ago.  Love you Tayton and Happy Birthday!