forever swaner family: Treading Treading Treading

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Treading Treading Treading

I'm not a great swimmer, and I'm even worse at treading water. I just don't get it! We went swimming this last week out at Lava Hot Springs, and I learned that pregnant mamas don't float! I got into the deep end, thinking I'd let go of the edge of the pool for just a second, and I sunk like a rock! Just an interesting fact. I'm not sure why this is my fifth pregnancy, and I'm just now learning this law of physics.

Speaking of treading...I feel like for the past couple of weeks, Derrick and I have been treading water just trying to keep our heads above it. We made a list of 'things to do before the baby comes', and we are working our hardest to cross things off the list. The list is getting much much smaller. I can't say I've done much better at this example of treading, than I did in the pool, but thank goodness for husbands! He has had to step up and take on all of his responsibilities, plus most of mine too! And better yet, he never ever complains about it.
One really huge (but not dreaded) item on our list, was preparing for Tannon's baptism yesterday. We knew that we needed to keep it simple, but Tannon is such an awesome kid, and we are so proud of the decision that he made...we just wanted to make sure that he knew exactly what a special day it was for all of us! Skyler even managed to catch a ride home from scout camp a day early to be there for his little bro. It happened to be Tannon's birthday, and since so many extended family members made the effort to come and support him (some travelling really far), he really had a great day. When we all sang happy birthday to him, I was pretty amazed to hear so many people celebrating with us! When you come from families like both of ours, the kids most definitely know that they are loved! Thanks everyone for coming! Congratulations and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TANNON!!!

David and Gabrielle (Derrick's brother and sister in law)

Johnny

Tyson and Mandi (my brother and sister and law)

Shawn and Yuri (my brother and sister in law)

Myah and Kira

Even Myah helped prepare for the big day!

I think we're all worn out!

In tribute to my big 8 year old, I have to post this picture of Tannon probably around age 3. I love this picture since it shows my little Tannon before he shot up and got really skinny. What a cute little chunk!

As for us, we'll keep treading our way through the summer...and hoping we don't sink! They are planning on taking the baby on the 18th of August, and then school starts on the 21st. So in more ways than one, we can see the finish line ahead, and I think we're going to make it!

9 comments:

Unknown said...: That is a cute picture of his chubby little cheeks.Congrats to him!; August 3, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Huffstuff said...: I'm so glad Tannon had a great day. I don't know what it is about that kid but I always get a lump in my throat when I see him. He is special. As for you and this baby coming, you are in my thoughts and prayers and I know that all will be okay. Please let me help in any way!; August 3, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Maria said...: Wow, you really can see the end in sight! August is much sooner than September!
Congratulations Tannon! Wish we could have been there.; August 4, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Vanessa said...: Good luck with the baby! I'm glad we are blogging friends. I've gotten to know you so much more than when you lived in Vegas!; August 4, 2008 at 9:00 PM
jennaloha said...: That little picture of Tannon is the Tannon I remember. He and Claire were such cute little buddies! He'll always be frozen like that when I think of him, maybe a little older but pretty similar.; August 4, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Nicky said...: The end is really just the beginning! Then come the sleepless nights. Hang in there, treading isn't so bad when you get used to it! :); August 6, 2008 at 8:45 AM
The Pili Aiga said...: Okay, tons to say here :) TEN DAYS!!! Are you so excited to see what he looks like? I can't wait at the end of my pregnancies to just see my baby. Your kids are all so cute... Secondly, about the treading water. Wayland and I went with my brother out on his boat. Everyone was jumping of the boat and swimming around etc. Celine wanted to go in too so I told Wayland I would get in, then he could give me Celine, and then he could get in. Can you say "drowning people". I don't know what we were thinking, but neither of us could tread very well and I almost drowned my daughter and myself. Nice mother I am. And lastly, that picture of Tannon is exactly how I remember him. I cannot believe he got baptized. WOW!!! You have an awesome family :); August 7, 2008 at 10:48 PM
The Pili Aiga said...: by the way....have you thought of a name yet?; August 7, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Anonymous said...: Sounds like a great day! Congradulations Tannon, I wish we could have been there. I love that toddler picture he was a little chunk but so dang cute.
Kelli- I hear the baby is coming very soon...goodluck I will be thinking of you!!!; August 11, 2008 at 10:02 AM

Crazy Things Our Kids Say

'Mom, Desmond needs to be changed. He smells like a waffle'. -myah- I've heard all sorts of descriptions, but never a WAFFLE!
'Mommy, How come all of our prophets names start with "President"?' Myah
'Mom, baby boys are special too'. Myah's words of encouragement shortly following the boy ultrasound. Thanks Myah!
When talking about what to grow in our garden this summer, Skyler said, 'Oh, I know...let's grow more zuccini so we can have more pickles!' Pretty funny coming from a really smart kid!
'Mommy, I want my armpits to look like yours, with all the black pokey things in them!' Yep, that's Myah!
'...Thank you for Santa Clause...and thank you for his reindeer.' Myah's prayers last night
'Daddy...You smell like Grandpa!' (Myah) Derrick has picked up a new second job, working with my dad doing sheet metal construction...aka 'manual labor', and apparently, he's starting to smell like hard work!
'When I grow up, I want to be....A MOMMY!' Myah
"But sleeping makes me tired!" Never heard this excuse for a later bedtime before!
'How does my water turn into pee?' Myah
'My eyeballs are melting!' Myah...We built a fire for fhe and made smores...apparently it was pretty hot!
'Can I pet the baby?' I was babysitting for a friend the other day, and Myah was so happy to have a baby around!

Quotable Quotes

'Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, Today is a Gift. That's why it's called the Present' -kung fu panda...master uguay
"The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude." William James (borrowed from Katie)
"As long as it stays outside" -my grandpa joe- let me explain this one, he was a farmer and was referring to the problems and trials we have. I interpret this to mean that as long as we don't let them into our homes and our families, it's all good!
"Remember, a good attitude produces good results, a fair attitude fair results, a poor attitude poor results. We each shape our own life, and the shape of it is determined largely by our attitude." Jeffrey R. Holland

Hmmmm....

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.

'Well,' she said, 'I think I'll braid my hair today!'

So she did, and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.

'H-M-M,' she said, 'I think I'll part my hair down the middle today!'

So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.

'Well,' she said, 'today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail.'So she did and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.'

YEA!' she exclaimed, 'I don't have to fix my hair today!'

Attitude is everything. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Derrick

Derrick goes by many names around here, including Honey, Big Fatty (only when Zac is really mad or really tired), Babe, Appocolypse (his wrestling alias), Abomination (another wrestling foe),...but my definite favorite...Daddy (or Dad as the big kids say). I also think that to everyone in our home, Derrick is considered a great friend. He has a talent for turning those tense moments into funny and lighthearted memory makers. I guess that he is the perfect balance for me, since I have a hard time letting go of my 'schedule' and just having fun!
The man of our house stays very busy with work, play, more work, and a little more play! He still works as part of a management team of an imaging center, where he also does nuclear medicine, ct, x-ray, and lab work. When he's home, he acts as teacher, barbeque king, friend, companion, tutor, priesthood holder, elders quorum president, bedtime tucker-inner, and daddy!
So yes, Derrick wears many hats, and I have to say, I love every one of them!

Kelli

I am a middle aged stay at home mommy to five kids. I rarely get out, and I don't always manage to get a shower in every day. I cook, I clean, I sew (well, not really, but I wish I could sew!), I tutor, I clean some more...and I love my life! I am a wife, a new mommy, and an old mommy, a wannabe runner, a friend, a neighbor, a sister, a daughter, an aunt, a food network junkie, a inventor (of recipes, since I can't stand to follow a recipe as given), a hiker, a taxi driver, a librarian (my new calling in church...are you jealous???), and a really great sports spectator!
My goal over the next year is to try and be 'happier' on the outside while I'm with my kids. I'm always happy inside, but don't tend to show it as often as I should. Also, I hope to be able to give in service to those around me as much as they have done for me! I am so thankful to know that I am a daughter of God, and that he not only loves me but is totally aware of my trials and my weaknesses. I truly believe that he has surrounded me with special people to help me through those trials and to help me become better! How cool is that???

Skyler

Skyler has a whole variety of hats, and it's hard to know from day to day which ones he'll pull out! I guess that's all part of being a teenager! Skyler is a big brother, a babysitter, a son, a priesthood holder, a scout, a basketball player, a friend, a football player, an excellent student, a reader, an artist, a musician, a help (when he wants to be), a tease, and a future (and current) missionary! I appreciate Skyler's committment to the gospel and to living the gospel standards. I know that sometimes, we butt heads, but I have never ever been worried about him not honoring his gospel standards and covenants! What a great example to the younger brothers and sister!

Zacary

Zac is so often my life preserver! On days when I feel like I'm drowning, he is able sense that and jumps right in to save me! I often refer to him as our 'resident chef', since he absolutely LOVES to cook! He can follow a recipe pretty well, but he can also 'taste cook' (a boy after my own heart). Zac also wears many hats...soccer player (almost any position), student, resident chef, babysitter, big brother, cousin, scout, maid (really, the kid can clean...when he wants to!), missionary in training, manual laborer (loves to work on house and yard projects), and friend! I love Zac and so much appreciate his awareness in knowing when to jump in and help out!

Tannon

Tannon may be a skinny little thing, but his heart is HUGE! Tannon is a big brother (a fact of which he's very very proud), a son, a friend, a soccer player, a tease, a wrestler (just as home with Derrick), a student, a reader, a cub scout, a future missionary, an example, a food critic (since he doesn't like much of anything!), and a very tender hearted little boy! I love Tannon, and I think that his quiet, peaceful nature brings a smile to my face and makes his Heavenly Father very happy! I really and truly hope that we can instill in Tannon, exactly how special and amazing he is!

Myah

Myah is the cream on top of the Swaner family sundae! We are all just crazy about the only girl in the family! Myah's hats...big sister, little sister, daughter, friend, social butterfly, artist, student (preschool!), dancer, singer, comedian, peacemaker, and helper! If I can teach her one thing that she will never ever forget, it is that she is a daughter of God, and that alone makes her so incredibly special! She often says, 'I am a princess, because my Father in Heaven is a king!' I hope that she remembers that always!

Desmond

Little Des, is a true blessing in our family! He is the cherry on top of our Swaner family sundae. I never knew I wanted a cherry on top, but once he joined our family, I can no longer picture it any other way! Just when I thought we were moving along to the next 'stage' in life, there was a quick little u-turn along our path, and just about 10 months later...here we are with a new sweet spirit in our family.
So Des's hats...a little brother, a son, a sweet little spirit, a peacemaker (and he doesn't even know it), and a HUGE blessing!
Desmond joined us on August 18th, 2008 in Blackfoot, Idaho. He was born via planned c-section, and the whole process was an answer to many prayers! We are very thankful for our newest addition!