Curly Kate

I will admit up front - I'm jealous of my niece's hair. Brynnley is only 10 days older than Kate and she has about as much hair as I do, and it's curly. Really cute curly, big sausage curls. Now having got that out of the way, I do appreciate the fact that while my sister was having to do hair for the past 2 years, my daughter has just only grown enough hair that I actually have to do something with it. A nice break for me!
I love the color of Kate' s hair. When she was born it was red. Since then it has lighten to a strawberry blond and now a very golden blond. It is a beautiful shade. And it is mostly stick straight. A few curls at the tips, but for the most part, it's like her Dad's - straight. I always thought if I had a daughter she would have curly hair like me, but no go. That's fine, I'd love it any way it is.
Greg's mom is a firm believer that little girls should have curly hair no matter their natural tendency toward straight or curly. She gave me some sponge curlers a few months ago for Kate's hair. At the time, Kate didn't have enough hair to wrap around the curler, so we put them away. Kate found them last night and wanted to put them in her hair. I wasn't sure she would leave them in, but I wound them around her damp hair.
She was so happy with her curlers, for about 5 minutes. Then, out they came. I can't blame her. I remember my mom putting my hair in sponge curlers (with a cute webby blue hair net) and I had to sleep with them in. Not fun. Truth be told, Kate left them in for about 4 minutes longer than I thought she would.
Her hair had a slight curl to it after she yanked the curlers out. It was mostly wavy. It only lasted about 20 minutes, then back to straight. Maybe we will try it again in a few weeks. If not, she is so cute and fun we could care less what her hair looks like!

We're Pathetic

Kate has a stomach bug and has been throwing up all night. She has lots of energy now (of course, she is 2).
Greg has a stomach bug and has been throwing up all night. So exhausted that he needs to rest every 30 minutes.
I am still hobbling around. Accidentally stepped down on my foot this morning and have been in bed the rest of the day.
Hence -

Enoch is in charge of the house!

I probably should be more worried than I am.

That's My Brother!

Gavin passed the sacrament for the first time today. He did such a great job. He had no idea what he was doing and I could see the other deacons giving him instruction before church started. He did great and was very reverent and respectful. We have two deacon quorums in our ward, so Gavin will pass every other week.
I don't think Enoch realized that Gavin wasn't sitting with us during the first part of Sacrament Meeting. Enoch finally caught on when he spotted Gavin passing the sacrament. He was very excited and, in a loud voice, said, "That's my brother passing the food!" It was very cute. He kept his eyes on Gavin the whole time after that.
PS - I think we will be having a lesson on the sacrament tomorrow for FHE. We'll learn what the sacrament means and that it is not just food!

Our Flying Fairy

Kate has been a jumping bean lately. She jumps off any surface. You really have to be on your toes because Kate will expect you to catch her whether you are ready or not.
While I was in bed elevating my foot and the boys were at a Fathers & Sons fireside, Kate put on her fairy wings and started jumping off the chest in my room. She had a great time and entertained herself for a good 20 minutes. She is so cute!

Hope of America

I am just the proudest Mom out there right now! I feel a bit spoiled having such a great son. He is amazing! So, now I'm going to brag about Gavin (like I didn't do that my last post!).
Gavin's teacher, Mrs. Ahlstrom called me a few weeks to tell me that Gavin would be receiving the Hope of America award. Wow! What an honor. A boy and girl is chosen from each 6th grade class to receive the award. Gavin's teacher pointed out that since her class is a gifted class that each of her students would most likely receive the award if they were in another class. So, Gavin was chosen out of the best!
The award just isn't for academic achievement. It is to honor well-rounded students. Gavin has loved volunteering with Science Demo Team, helping his teacher and fellow students and finishing a physical fitness program. What a great kid.
Greg, Grandma & Grandpa Fowler and I went to the school assembly to present Gavin with his award. All the parents sat on the stage with the curtain closed. A parent told a bit about their student while the kids tried to guess who it was. When they were done, the parents walked out and got a picture with their student. Greg read a bit about Gavin.

Our child is kind, funny, honest, energetic, creative and smart. He is an incredible brother and a fantastic son. He is a loyal friend. He loves to volunteer and serve. He is a dedicated Scout. He always tries to do his best.
His favorites include the color blue, brownies, designing and building things, Lord of the Rings movies, playing with friends, Settlers of Catan, Star Trek, chicken cordon bleu, BYU, The Ranger's Apprentice book series and science. His favorite thing to study this year was the Roman and Medieval times. He also enjoyed working on his science project, which went on to Region.
His goals include becoming an Eagle Scout, serving a LDS mission, attending BYU, becoming an engineer or computer programmer and being Captain of the Starship Enterprise.
And remember, it's not over until the gravy gets cold! (Ask Gavin about that. He said he was pretty sure it was him, but didn't know for sure until Greg said that.)
Congratulations! Gavin Fowler.
We are so proud of Gavin!

Talking in Your Sleep

Poor Kate hasn't had very consistent naps lately. She has been shuffled around from relative to friend and doesn't sleep unless she is in her crib. She is quite exhausted.
Today we attended Gavin's 6th graduation party and then we were off to Enoch's preschool to pick him up and then go to Kindergarten Days at the pediatrician's office (yes, my foot felt wonderful after all this!). We had about 30 minutes between the two, so I just drove around until Kate fell asleep and then I parked outside Enoch's preschool and let Kate nap.
I was playing with my Palm when I heard noises coming from the backseat. I turned and looked at Kate. She was clearly asleep. I continued to enter things on my Palm when I clearly heard talking from Kate. She was stirring slightly and was mumbling, "Me do it." She said it three times and then settled back down.
I was trying so hard not to laugh and wake her up. We hear Kate say that phrase all the time and now, even in her sleep!
Sleep talking must be hereditary. Greg says I do it all the time, especially when I'm tired and stressed. Poor Kate! It was quite adorable though!

Enoch's Preschool Graduation

Enoch has had a wonderful year at The Treehouse Preschool. He loves his teacher, Mrs. Skousen. His best friend, Jimmy, is in his class. He has learned so much. He is starting to read and is thrilled about that. He had fun on all the field trips and really enjoyed going to the Fire Station by our house.
His graduation was so fun. The kids were so well prepared and did a great job. Each child had a speaking part and also sang 10 songs. Enoch memorized his part in about 5 minutes! After that I would say, "Let's practice your part." Enoch would reply, "I'm just going to say it in my head to practice." I was very worried that at the program he would just say it in his head. But, he did fabulous! Enoch sang all the songs and his favorite was about a kitty that was actually a stinking skunk.

Now that Enoch is done with preschool, he is very excited for kindergarten. He's ready to start and is having a difficult time comprehending three months of summer - he wants kindergarten to start tomorrow! He is going to be a great kindergartener!

6th Grade Graduation

Gavin is now officially done with Elementary School. Well, technically he still has to attend a few more weeks, but really he is done. His class held their graduation party today and it was so much fun. Gavin was able to present his Black Hole power point assignment. He did a wonderful job. Then, Mrs. Ahlstom handed out awards for the class.
It is times like these, that I am always surprised at how smart Gavin is. I know I shouldn't be. But, Gavin is smart. Gavin recieved five awards:

1. Over 5,000 pages read this year. (Truth be told, it was probably more than that, but he wasn't great at keeping track.)
2. Space Center Dude (Gavin was probably most happy with this one.)
3. Most Improved Language Arts Test Score (Based on the Standardized Test Scores from last year to this year, Gavin improved 10 percentage points.)
4. Best Language Arts Test Score (You can't get better than 100%. Gavin was the only one in his class to get a perfect score.)
5. Best Science Test Score (Just as Language Arts, you can't get better than 100%. Gavin was the only one in his class to get a perfect score.)
We are so proud of Gavin and his hard work. This has been a very challenging year for Gavin. His teacher expected a lot of her students. But, they were rewarded with many fun activities. Their class motto was "We work the hardest and we play the hardest". Gavin's favorite things to study was Roman and Medieval times. His favorite project was his Medieval project, including making a shield and breastplate. He also enjoyed doing the fun Book Reports.
A few of Gavin's favorite this year.

Food: chicken cordon bleu with Mom's special sauce
Dessert: brownies, custard-filled donuts, chocolate ice cream with hot fudge
Book Series: Hunger Games, Fablehaven, Mysterious Benedict Society, Ranger Apprentice, Lord of the Rings
Movie: Lord of the Rings series
TV Show: Star Trek, Jacob Two-two
Color: Blue, Yellow
Thing to do: playing video games, playing with friends, reading
Place to go: Space Center
School Subject: Science, Reading, Math
Hobbies: reading, designing and building things
Video Game: Zelda, Fate
Board Game: Settlers of Catan, Shadows of Camelot

Happy Anniversary

Today Greg and I are celebrating our 15th Wedding Anniversary. Wow! Has is really been that long? I'm so lucky!
I've told a few people this story, but wanted to write it down for our kid's sake. It's a great story. I remember it when I get frustrated with Greg because I know we are supposed to be together!
I was a few weeks away from graduating from high school. I had a lot to do - AP tests, graduation things, parties. My family was going away for the weekend to participate in a 'Clean-Up Utah' service day. Our stake in Lehi had been assigned to help a stake in Tropic, Utah spruce up their town. (FYI - Tropic is located near Bryce Canyon.) I convinced my parents that I had too much to do to go. They agreed and I planned on spending the weekend at home alone getting some things done.
A few hours before my family was to leave, my mom came up to my room and invited me to go with the family. I was a bit frustrated because I thought we had decided I was staying home. She told me she felt very strongly I should go. I didn't want to. She insisted and I grumpily went to Tropic.
My family spent the day picking up trash in yards, along the road and in a very large canal. My sister and I were working in this canal wondering what we should do with a very old refrigerator when two guys came and asked if we needed help. We started talking and realized they were from Lehi too. They were in the singles ward. I didn't believe one of them because he looked so young. He introduced himself as Greg and assured me he was 22 and a returned missionary. I was still skeptical until he showed me his driver's license.
We spent some time cleaning up with each other and talking. I thought he was very nice with a great smile. That night we had a big BBQ and barn dance. Everyone had a great time and Greg and I danced a few times. That night, Greg asked me for my phone number and I wrote it down for him. We won't mention the fact that it took him a few weeks to call me because he forgot my name! Now that I've been married to him for 15 years, I understand that names and faces isn't Greg's strong point, but really!
We went out on a few dates and I knew I really liked Greg. He was so basic - and I mean that in a good way. He was a good person, making good choices and trying to live a good life. He was kind, funny and honest. He was also 22, a returned missionary and not just dating for fun (he never said that to me, but I knew). I was 17, still in high school and not looking for anything permanent yet.
I struggled with that during that first little while. I really wanted to keep seeing him, but didn't want to be in a serious relationship. It was on my mind a lot and I wanted to do the right thing.
I attended a lunch for graduating Laurals and their moms a few weeks after meeting Greg. After lunch there was a guest speaker, a Miss Utah, or something like that. She was slightly annoying and I was only half listening to her. She asked us to close our eyes and imagine where we would be a year from now. I was thinking that I would be finishing up my first year at BYU and maybe staring a summer job. I finally closed my eyes and got quite a surprise. I could see everything so clearly and crisply. I was at the Manti Temple. The sky was very blue with a few clouds. There were yellow and red tulips. I I could see myself. I was wearing a wedding dress, standing next to Greg who was wearing a tuxedo. I was shocked.
Greg and I spent the next year, yes a full year, dating. We got engaged on February 10, 1995. I had a great time planning our wedding. Greg only had one request. He really wanted to be married in the Manti Temple. It is a beautiful temple and I was happy with that. Our wedding day was perfect, wonderful, joyful.
I was looking at an old calendar a few months after we were married. It was only then that I remembered my experience at the Laural lunch (I really hadn't thought about much since it happened, promise!). I became very teary when I realized how everything came true. We were married in the Manti Temple with red and yellow tulips exactly one year from the date of that lunch. It still makes me teary and gives me goose bumps when I think about it.
It has been an incredible 15 years. I have been so blessed. Greg and I have experience many ups and downs. Greg has definitely handled them better than I have. He has been so strong and steady. His faith has carried both of us during many rough times. He makes me smile, laugh and roll my eyes. I really can't put into words what a great father he is. I knew he would be a good dad, but he constantly blows me away with his love and commitment to the kids. It has been a great time. We are so lucky!
PS - I was going to scan in a wedding picture, but I can't walk down the stairs yet. Besides, I don't want to embarrass Greg with how much weight he has gained since we've been married!

Getting things done

I'm a bit bored. I know I shouldn't be complaining. I really am not. I've had a chance to relax and recover with the gracious help from family and friends. I've taken a few naps. I am definitely hurting more now, so I'm grateful for the chance to be off my foot. I've also accomplished a few things.

1. Figuring out my new Palm. Greg got me a new phone/Palm and I've spend some time programming in lists, phone numbers and getting acquainted with it.
2. I've done some cross-stitching. I've been working on the same pattern for 3 years and I'm almost done.
3. I read a book.
4. I finally had updated my blog. I started my blog in May of 2008. I want to print my blog out into a book and I wanted to do it in complete years. I needed to finish from Jan - April of 2008. I finally finished. The hardest post - Kate's birth. I wanted it to be perfect and I cried while typing it up.

I think I have enough drugs in me to feel a bit fuzzy. I hope this makes sense.

My Left Foot

This is what I've been looking at for the last day.
Enoch is a bit worried about my yellow iodine toes and Kate keeps telling me my band-aid matching my skin!
I had out-patient surgery on my left foot yesterday. I was pathetically excited to have this operation done. I'm in a state of constant prayer and hope that it worked and I'll be able to walk pain free (something I haven't done for about 7 years). After years of orthopedics in my shoes, awkward stretching, cortisone shots and just a lot of pain, I finally made the decision to have the surgery. I really couldn't walk anymore without limping and by the end of the day I was in tears. Greg was very supportive and told me the choice was mine, but I think he would have dragged me into the operating room if he had to. No need - like I said, I was happy to be there.
I went in yesterday at 8 am to check in at American Fork Hospital. I was a bit nervous, but as I hobbled into the hospital, I knew I was making the right choice.
We didn't have to wait too long to check in. I'll admit, I was most nervous about the IV, but that went quite smoothly. It is always so hard for the nurses to find a vein, especially when I've been fasting. Not much later, the anesthesiologist came in, put on my party hat (hospital cap), gave me my party drugs and we were off to the operating room. All I remember after that there was some funky rock music playing in the operating room and the anesthesiologist telling me to keep breathing. I think I was taking a deep breath and then holding my breath (yoga training, I think).
My podiatrist, Dr. Stan Phillips, was great and apparently the surgery went well. He released my plantar fascia (the tendon that runs along the bottom of your foot) by cutting some of the tendon away from the bone. He also shaved off a bone spur, which is caused from irritation from your plantar fascia being too tight (I think, that is how I understood it). After looking at on X-rays, it's amazing that something so small can cause so much pain. I'm just glad to have it gone! I have the same problem with my right foot, but so far, cortisone shots have helped that foot, so no surgery on that foot (yet).
Apparently I didn't embarrass myself too much coming out of the drugs. Dr. Phillips, a nurse and Greg all had conversations with me that I don't remember at all. Greg said I kept saying, "I'm just going to take a nap." or "I'm really sleepy." Once I was awake, it didn't take too long to check out. I was wheeled out of the hospital, loaded into the car and off to home.
I spent yesterday in bed with my foot elevated and iced. It was numb still most of the day, but I can now feel it starting to tingle and come out of it. Dr. Phillips gave me a choice of Lortab or Percocet for the pain. Lortab makes me so loopy and dizzy, so I took the Percocet. I think that makes me a bit wired and hyper. I had a hard time sleeping last night because I was so awake. Hopefully I can nap today. I'll be in bed for about 5 days and then into a walking boot.
I am so thankful for all the help our family has received. Grandma Fowler, Aunt Annette and Aunt Julie are talking the kids for the next few days and we have dinners being brought in for a few days as well. It is very humbling to be on the other side of service. Everyone was so willing to help and it makes me want to do more when it is my turn to serve.
Greg and the kids have been wonderful. Enoch made a paper stop sign in preschool yesterday while learning about walking to kindergarten safely. He said whenever I try to get out of bed, he will put up his stop sign and he will get me whatever I need. So sweet! Kate will crawl into bed and snuggle with me in the evening. Gavin is such a big help to Greg and things are going well.
I'm confined to bed excpet to change out ice packs and bathroom breaks. I try to get up a few times to avoid blood clots, but for the most part I'm in bed, bored. I'm updating my blog, cross-stitching and reading. It was fun for about 2 hours and now I'm ready to be done. But, I'm determined to follow drs orders and stay off my feet as much as possible.
I'm so grateful for modern medicine that can fix problems like this and hopefully improve my life!

Gavin's Priesthood Ordination

What a special day! Not only was it a great Mother's Day, but more importantly, Gavin received the Aaronic Priesthood. Aside from a minor glitch regarding Gavin Dee Fuller (haha), it was a perfect day.
Gavin is such a great kid and Greg and I know he was ready to receive the Priesthood. He has an amazing testimony of the Gospel. He loves to serve. He makes good choices. He is excited to go on a mission. He has a testimony of Jesus Christ. He has been exceptionally diligent at reading the Book of Mormon everyday. Greg and I, along with Bishop Estes, were impressed with Gavin's testimony in his Faith in God book.
Gavin was very excited and nervous for this day. We met Grandma and Grandpa Fowler and Uncle Jarom in the Bishop's office after church for Gavin's ordination. Greg did a wonderful job with the prayer. After confirming the Priesthood upon Gavin, Greg promised Gavin that as he used his Priesthood to minister and teach people, angels would be ministering and teaching him. What great blessings!
Afterward, we had a yummy lunch with Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Jarom. Greg and the boys fixed cream cheese chicken for Mother's Day. It was fun to visit with everyone and hear about Jarom's recent trip to Africa to visit Grandma and Grandpa Randall.
We are so proud of Gavin - proud that he is worth to receive the Priesthood, that he made the choice to do so, and that he understands how to honor the Priesthood and use it for good. We love you, Gavin!
PS - I can't believe I forgot to take pictures!

Mom for Hire

YIPPEE!
I've been fired.
Enoch fired me yesterday. I told him no.
Just kidding. I really was fired, but I think I'd better stick around to see if the family wants to rehire me.

Pretty Girl

Kate is obsessed with make up. I have to lock my bathroom door to keep her out. If I ever accidentally leave it open, she is in there, putting on make up. Her favorite is lip gloss, but she also really likes mascara. I keep telling her she doesn't need make up, that she is so beautiful, but she insists on wearing it. Maybe one day, she get it right!
PS - I love Kate's smile; you can see most of her teeth!

May Birthdays

We celebrated Greg and Gavin's birthdays this weekend. It was a fun time for all.
Gavin invited over his best friends, Cayden, Jaden and Trey for dinner and a movie on Friday night. Mom made fettuccine, baguettes and brownies for the boys. They loved it and ate quite a bit. They also watched the movie Return of the King. We could feel the floor shaking upstairs!
The next morning, we measured Gavin. He is now in the 5 foot range. He opened his presents while wearing the birthday crown. He got a BYU quilt and a book about building Medieval weapon replicas. He is excited to built some crossbows and a Viking catapult.
Greg went into work after presents and Gavin spent the day watching TV and playing with friends; a perfect birthday for him. The next day was Greg's birthday. He had to go into work again (even though it was Sunday) so we waited to do presents. We attended Stake Conference and Greg made it to about half of it.
After church we had a yummy lunch of salmon, rice, peas and grapes. We celebrated birthdays with the Randalls that afternoon. We had a relaxing party with visiting, opening presents and eating chocolate cake. Greg got a scooter from the boys. I think they are going to have lots of fun riding scooters together.
Happy Birthday Greg and Gavin!