Valentine Time

We have done a fun activity for many occasions so far, we can't forget Valentine's Day. Our Valentine activity consisted of make cards for Aunt Kim and Aunt Joanie, and making sugar cookies. Cami helped by cutting out some large hearts for the event. The kids enjoyed putting their personal touch on a heart for Kim and Joanie.

Ethan (I love this picture)

Kaden (looking very happy)

Tate (choosing carefully)

Stephanie helping Taylie . . .

and Lindsey (our tornado can never be left out)

I love the process of making sugar cookies; especially when Kaden, my nieces, and my nephews can help. However, I decided that the Valentine cookies were going to be different. I bought the cookies from a bakery. I saved a lot of energy!

Eli was very creative and careful with his decorating.

Taylie just does whatever and licks her fingers a lot.

Tate wanted perfection, with some help from Aunt Mel he was satisfied.

Stephanie and I frosted and decorated most of the cookies.

Can't help but love this taterbug.

Kaden's Birthday

My boy is 14!!! Time sure does fly. I didn't even talk to Kaden before he went to school, so I was very excited when he walked through the door after school. He said he had a good day at school and that he was sung to several times. I am so blessed to have Kaden in my life. He is a super kid! He is very: loving, thoughtful, kind, witty, generous, good with his cousins, laid back, and on and on. Here are some photos from the afternoon/night.

Pass for four sessions to Hardball, a newer baseball facility in town.

Kaden and Uncle Mike trying to figure this one out. They didn't.

Kaden needs lessons on how to ride this thing. If you know how, please share your wisdom.

Kaden with Lindsey, Eli, and Tate.

Oh Tate, who knows what he was doing. Glad Eli, Cami, and Steph could join in the fun.

Lindsey and "bampa"

Mike and Kaden's guitar that really needs to be cleaned.

Kaden loves playing his guitar!

Tate and our white tornado, Lindsey.

Glad Uncle Andrew could make it.

1 year old and livin it up!

After 33 years of life, I turned "1" today. I am the biggest one year old I have ever seen, and I have no problem with it! All thanks to a 27-year-old white male from somewhere USA, I am living. All of the prayers and fasting in my behalf, I believe, were answered with what I consider to be a miracle. I was blessed with the miracle of life on February 6, 2010.

I have decided to not continue my story ( . . . continued . . .) on this blog. It's too big of a pain to edit in the blogging world. I will be working on my story in Word once Kaden and I get settled in our new place. When I get enough written to share, or maybe when I am finished writing, I will let the world know.

Oh, and yes, Kaden and I are moving next week. How blessed I have been to have wonderful parents who have embraced us in their home. How wonderful it will be to reestablish Kaden and I as a family in our own place.

Much love,
Melanie

Mom and Dad's 40th Anniversary (January 30)

Some may argue with me, but I think I pretty much have the best parents in the world. Their love for each other is very apparent in all that they do. My siblings and I are very blessed to have such wonderful examples in our lives. The adults in my family (minus Kim and Joanie) got together for dinner on Saturday, January 29, to celebrate my parent's 40th wedding anniversary which was on Sunday, January 30. We had a great time!

Me with dad and mom

Sister Cami and Bro-in-Law Eric

Sis-in-Law Stephanie and Brother Mike

Bro-in-Law Steve and Sister Angie

Brother Greg and Sis-in-Law Charise

We are such an amazing crew! It takes at least two pictures to get all to look/be in the pic. :)

Let the Baseball Begin!!! (January 14-17)

Kaden and I are blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives. We are fortunate enough to know the Triplett family: Jan, Dan, Spenser, Shawn, and Sawyer. When I was in the hospital last December, Jan visited me and told me that the Providence Diamondbacks wanted to make Kaden an honorary member of their baseball team. Kaden was (and is) too old (by 2 months) to play on their super league team; however, he can join them for RMSB's Winter Baseball Camp in Mesquite. A business, or businesses, or people (I can't remember) sponsored Kaden to go with the team last year when I was ill. This year, he was welcomed to join them again and I got to go. Our dear friend Jacqui joined us on our fun excursion.

Getting ready for Day 1 - this was the only pic I took on Day 1

Day 2 baseball game - Kaden is the pitcher

I was very impressed with the camp and how the games took place. To help the players develop as all-around players, each player had to play a different position each inning. The first position Kaden played was shortstop - a position he has never played. He is usually on first base or pitcher. During the game, there are "coaches" out in the field helping the boys. Kaden got a lot of coaching when he was at shortstop. How wonderful! If an error was made that all the boys needed to learn from, the game was stopped so the coaches could explain what needed to happen, or how they could have improved the play. I loved it!

Lunch time - I loved how all the boys sat on top of the dugout one day

Spenser, Kaden, Cody, Shawn

The baseball stud himself!

I was very impressed with Kaden during the camp. He was a great listener! I could tell he was trying to absorb what he was being taught and trying to apply it in practice and drills. I didn't realize the Jensen family from Providence is so involved with baseball. I am learning a lot.

Kaden had an individual pitching and hitting lesson on Day 2. I can't remember the name of his pitching instructor. Kaden really liked him and I really liked how he worked with Kaden. Look how well Kaden was listening!

The hitting instructor was Jed Jensen. He was well liked by both of us too. I took as much video as I could so Kaden can watch and hopefully remember what he was taught.

Day 3 was another great day. Kaden's first station focused on optional field positions. He decided to hit the outfield. The video is of Kaden fielding a ball in the outfield. He is the one running at the back of the video. I was impressed! Kaden is usually an infielder, so I was in awe.

Game improvement time - they were working on quick feet, catching, and throwing

I don't know who that is telling Kaden good job, but I love the smile on Kaden's face.

Here is the Diamondback team after three days of ball camp.

Kaden was all ears and eyes again when Jan and Dan were talking to the team. I love the spirit and encouragement Jan and Dan give. I also love how Dan gives Kaden big "Dan hugs" and kind words. Kaden's face lights up every time.

At this point Kaden came up and asked me if the camp was over. He was disappointed when I told him yes. He said he wanted to keep going. I am glad he has found his love - baseball it is!!!

Time to go home. I look really tired in this picture!

Me and Jacqui - she was such a great help with driving, packing things around, smiling, laughing, and enjoying Mesquite. She was known as my "caddy." I love her! Mesquite was great fun. The weather was wonderful! I did learn that Mesquite is not a very exciting place if you don't gamble and if you can't stand the smell of smoke - even then, I wonder.