Through the Ringer

The month of February has not been good to Abby. She started a couple of weeks back with a tooth ache. Not long after that cold #1 arrived.

After dental appointment #1 she was not-so-quickly referred to a pediatric dentist. (Adult sized x-ray films don't work in a 4 year old mouth without a sufficient amount of gagging.)

Next came cold #2 bringing a yucky cough and a drippy nose. Monday at 3:00a.m. Abby was in our room complaining of ear pain, to accompany the tooth ache. Poor baby! Monday afternoon we we at the doctor's office getting antibiotics for an ear infection.

Today we were at the dentist office getting the cavities, that seemed to blow in overnight, examined and one that was down to the nerve repaired. She took it like a pro. When she came out I asked if it hurt or if it was okay and she told me it was okay. She will be back in the dentist office later to get the rest of the work done. Hopefully this will all be over soon so I can have my happy, pain-free Abby back. Hang in there girl.

Doctrine and Covenants 24:8

Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.

Happy 50th Birthday!

Today is my mom's 50th birthday.

Even though nothing over the weekend went as planned we were able to have a birthday party for her on Monday night. Our (my siblings) gift to my mom was a plane ticket for her sister, Cathy to come spend the weekend with her.

Friday morning I picked Cathy up from the airport. Friday afternoon my sisters and I took Cathy to lunch. After lunch my aunt was able to spend a little time visiting with an old friend. That night we took my mom to dinner at the Japanese Kitchen. (It is one of her favorites.)

Saturday we were going to have a party for my mom but, as is tradition for my mom, something happened that caused us to postpone her party.

Sunday we were able to spend the afternoon with all of my family.

Monday we decided to have my mom's party. My mom and her sister went out for the day to shop and spend time together. My siblings and I were busy getting everything ready for a party for my mom.

We decided not to tell my mom. Although, somewhere in the mix we forgot to tell Cathy.

So, we had some time to wait around for them to show up. Rachel and Christopher finding creative ways to entertain themselves while we waited for my mom and aunt to show up.


Surprise!!!


My mom with her grandkids. (minus Eli) The kids were very excited to sing Happy Birthday to Grandma.

So in the end, there was cake, there was singing, and there were presents. I call that a birthday party.

Happy Birthday Mom. I love you and I am proud of you.

Baby Dockstader number three is a. . .

Dean has said from the beginning this one is a boy so we have been calling the baby a "him" pretty much the whole time. Abby really wanted a sister but she didn't seem disappointed. We are very excited.

Now one of the things we wonder about is who the baby will look like. Will this baby be another Dean clone, will he look like me or a mix of the two? We are also at complete loss for names. I had a girl name I loved but we can't seem to agree on a boy name.

Mandatory

When Dean comes home if we don't immediately start eating dinner the kids think it is time to get wild.



Last night we had Family Home Evening, scripture study and family prayer and Carter was basically attacking Dean trying to get him started roughhousing. Dean is such a great Dad. Abby and Carter love him so much and love their Daddy play time each night.

I told Dean if he started this wild play with the kids each night, the kids would decide it is mandatory. Now as soon as they hear his keys in the door they run for the living room screaming and ready for action.

January

After the rush of the Christmas season January feels slow. We have been keeping busy though. I have a new calling teaching the Valiant 9/10 class in Primary. (So much for that break the bishop said I would have.)

Dean and I renewed our gym memberships. They have child care so I can go during the day. This kids love getting to play with different toys and I love a little time to do something for myself.

Abby is back in school. Three weeks felt like forever for her to be away from school. (Her words not mine.)

Last week Dean and I were able to go with his family to plant a tree in Jeff's memory. An associate of Jeff's provided this opportunity through Tree Fresno. It was planted on the walking/bike path on Copper and Friant.



Thursday, the 15th Rachel had her baby. She had a beautiful baby boy 8 pounds 3 ounces 21 inches. Of course I forgot my camera so pictures are forthcoming. Luckily after a difficult pregnancy she had a "easy" delivery, if you can say that about childbirth. Welcome to the world Eli M. Schwendiman!

Bittersweet

Sunday I was released from my calling as Young Women President. I have served in this calling for just over two years. I don't know how I feel about it right now. It was a lot of work but it was also a lot of fun. I became close to the girls and leaders I served with.

I am a worrier so my release is kind of a relief. I was high-fiving Dean after the bishop left our home. Here is a list of the top five things I won't miss worrying about or doing.

1. Ward Conference
2. Ward Council
3. YW fund raiser (cookbook)
4. Time away from my family
5. Asking people to do things

There is also so many things I will miss. I had some great experiences. Here is a list of the things I will miss.

1. Girl talk
2. Service opportunities
3. Youth temple trips
4. Watching the girls mature and their testimonies grow.
5. Being silly

I know the Lord is mindful of me and my family and that this is what is best for us right now. I am also so grateful for Dean. He was so supportive through my calling. He never complained about all of the time I spent away from home at meetings, activities and girls camp. He was always a listing ear when I was worried about a situation, one of the girls or an upcoming activity.

I am so grateful for the experience it will always be a time I look back to with fondness.