Hayden in 3D

Fender Benders and Pregnancy Update

I think we set a WORLD RECORD on Tuesday for the most accidents in ONE DAY.

Fender Bender #1 10:00 AM: I was driving to the post office and took a short through a McDonalds parking lot. A big black SUV pulled into a parking spot right in front of me, then decided to readjust and backed ALL THE WAY out right into me. My horn didn't even stop her. It turned out to be a really nice little old lady. BUt the front of our Lexus is smashed up pretty good. Come to find out, Michigan has a NO FAULT LAW, meaning our insurance will have to take care of the damages:(

Fender Bender #2 5:00 PM: After picking up a pizza on his way home from work, Craig was slowing down at a stop light. He hit a patch of ice and slid right into a BMW in front of him. Both cars appeared fine, but we just found out that the damage to the other driver is $750. Good thing for the no fault law:)

Fender Bender #3 6:15 PM: Craig was still filling out a police report from his accident, and it was time to go to The Princess and the Frog (I was hesitant to leave the house, but Addy was dressed like Tiana with her stuffed frog and excited to meet her friends at the movie). So, I dropped Hope off to Craig and we were headed to the movie. I had been driving for less than 5 minutes, when I slowed down because the cars in front of me were slowing, then BAM!@! CRASH! Another big, black SUV hit me from behind. I couldn't believe it! We pulled over and I got the drivers information. We decided not to file a police report since her car had no damage, and my back bumper appeared to have just a scratch. We were 30 min. late for the movie, but still had a fun night!

Since then, I only leave the house when I HAVE TO!

Pregnancy Update
Since some of you have been asking....
I am 27 weeks along.
We are having a BOY!
I'm feeling pretty decent, other than running causes contractions, and bending is starting to be a hassle.
My appointments are starting to rack up because I am being followed by a Hematologist (apparently I have a clotting disorder -MTHFR-for which I have to take a daily shot of Lovenox), a Maternal-Fetal specialist (because I am high-risk), and my OB. My NST's will start next week.
We are getting excited! I will probably be induced the 1st week of March.

Me and Hayden. 27 Weeks.

Hopeless!

Hope went home with my mom yesterday to spend a few days. She is such a funny 18-month-old little girl. I love her and miss her so much!


Hope's favorite things:

An open dishwasher

Un-decorating the Christmas tree

Her Elephant

Wrestling with Addy

Waking up in the morning (she usually says an enthusiastic HI-i-i-i to whoever she sees first)

Ketchup and Ranch

Her "bobbie" (bottle)

Climbing!

What she doesn't like:

Watching TV

Restraint

Addy was so sad when she left yesterday. She cried all the way home from the airport. She said, "do you remember what you said to me when Hope was born?" I asked her what I had said. She replied, "that she was going to be with us forever...(sob, sob)" It was pretty heartbreaking.
We love you Hope. Can't wait to see you on Friday!

First Snow

Merry Christmas everyone!
I just wanted to let you all know how grateful we are to have you as friends and family. We woke up to this

outside this morning and Craig got up early to shovel the driveway. The fresh look of the clean white snow reminded me that I have so much to be grateful for. My mom just left yesterday from a nice visit where she spoiled us rotten. We are grateful to know that our parents and family love us so much.
I am grateful for shelter and warmth, for food and health and a wonderful family. Craig, Addy, Hope (and Hayden...coming this March) are my greatest treasures.

But I especially want to share my gratitude for my Savior at this time. Elder Eyering speaks about how we are "Blessed with His Light" at Christmastime. He said,

"That light is easier to discern at Christmastime, when we are more likely to pray to know what God would have us do and more likely to read in the scriptures and so more apt to be on the Lord’s errand. When we forgive and feel forgiveness, when we are lifting the hands that hang down (see D&C 81:5), we are being lifted ourselves as we move toward the Source of the light.
You remember that the Book of Mormon describes a glorious time when the Savior’s faithful disciples reflected His light for others to see (see 3 Nephi 19:24–25). We use lights to celebrate the Christmas season. Our worship of the Savior and our service for Him brings light into our lives and into the lives of those around us.

We can with confidence set a goal to make this Christmas brighter than the last and each year that follows brighter still. The trials of mortality may increase in intensity, yet for us, darkness need not increase if we focus our eyes more singly on the light that streams down on us as we follow the Master. He will lead us and help us along the path that leads upward to the home for which we yearn.

There have been times, often at Christmas, when we have felt parts of what we will experience when we at last come home to the Father who loves us and answers our prayers and to the Savior who has lighted our lives and lifted us up.

I testify that because of Him, you may have an assurance that you can go home not only at Christmastime but also to live forever with a family whom you love and who love each other."

I feel like I need to more earnestly seek for the light, share the light with others, and my share my gratitude for the light in your examples and the example of my Savior.
The snow this morning brought back fond memories of my dad waking us up and having us look out the window on a magical transformation of the world. The brightness reminded me of this "light" we can feel and share not only at Christmastime, but all year around.
Love you all! Merry Christmas.

Thanksgiving Service

So I came home thinking that this was a total waste and I was wishing I had bailed out of this little service project. BUT, Craig could not stop laughing at my story and told me I had to write it down, so here goes. (I'm still a little bitter, although I'm starting to see the humor in it..:)

A friend and I decided to go serve a Thanksgiving Feast to some homeless/poor people at a local shelter. It was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving so Craig couldn't come because he was at work. So, I got a sitter for my girls. I still had Summer however and thought they would still let me help, but they said, "what's the baby doing here? You can't help with a baby!" So I told them to work Amanda double hard and I would just wait until Summer's dad picked her up.
In the mean time I decided to mingle and wish people a Happy Thanksgiving...
First I talked to a family that had to get home to pack for their flight to Colorado (???) This made me wonder how you get a ticket to this free Turkey dinner event.
Then, a lady started talking to Summer and I in Chinese. She said something in English, so I asked her about her language and she said that God taught her Chinese, Arabic and Spanish. I asked her if she was Chinese to which she gave me a funny look and said, "honey, I'm BLACK!" Woops. She then started to predict things about my life. She said, "you have 2 children, don't you?" "Yes," I replied. Then really loudly she said, "and your name is Samantha!" Ummm, close... I moved on...
I talked to a family that had a little girl (maybe 11-12) with buck teeth. She LOVED the baby. And she was playing with barbies. Ann Marie.
I really don't want to sound like I'm making fun of people, but Craig told me I wouldn't want to forget these things.
The next lady couldn't stop eating long enough to talk to me. She kept spilling food on her HUGE boobs that were propped on the table, so she'd take a little break to stop and pick all the food off her chest and eat it....

So then I got a call from my friend watching Hope. Apparently Hope hadn't stopped crying. It was time to go. So I bade farewell to the folks there and left shaking my head. I arrived to a very angry Addy because I picked her up just before she was about to eat her favorite meal, Spaghetti. She yelled at me all the way home.

When I arrived home, Paul was there to pick up Summer. Addy was still lecturing me and Hope was throwing a tantrum. I'm sure I looked a pleasant sight.

Craig called at about 9 pm saying he was on his way home. He called back 10 minutes later stating he was stuck in stand-still traffic on the freeway. He got home around 11.
After fuming about the night's events for awhile, I decided I was still going to be grateful for my opportunity to "serve." Craig and I talked on the phone for his LONG commute.
When he got home, we ended up having a good laugh and ate some peanut butter toast to make the day complete (at least I did).


Here is Amanda, working double:)

Busy September

So it was a busy September...
I went back to Utah for my Brother Braden's Wedding. I ran the marathon with my whole family. My mom, dad, brothers, and sister all ran it. It was awesome! My great friend Amber did a 2:52!! My mom stopped and gave Addy a kiss. I ran just about the whole way with my dad. It was a great race! They even did an article on my mom and our family the local newspaper.
Right after the marathon we hurried up to Cedar mountain to Craig's cabin for His sister Mikel's wedding. We barely made it before they said "I do." In our haste, we only got one picture. Hope had a blue face from a popsicle at the finish line of the race.
I spent a couple weeks in St. George, but Craig flew in and out a couple times. Not sure if I ever want to get on an airplane with Hope again! (In fairness, the way back she was pretty good).

Happy Halloween

Witch, a Vampire witch, and a Kitty. Hope had a great elephant costume, but she fell in the mud at the neighborhood party.

It was another busy weekend in Detroit. We went to our ward trunk or treat on Friday where we met the angle Moroni, and Adam and Eve. Craig was at the hospital all Friday night, so he missed out! Friday was Addy's soccer game where we stood in the freezing cold blustery wind. She scored three goals that earned her three dollars.
Our neighborhood has a halloween party every year. It was fun to see all the neighbors. For us it started at 4pm. For the serious drinkers the keg was tapped at noon. Addy went to pour her a glass of "apple juice" right by the keg, but was saved from drinking the beer from one of our neighbors. Addy says "I smelled it, and I was like...Grosss!"
We had an awesome time trick or treating with the Arrehnius family, and Addy and Hope(for Me and Craig) pulled in a hawl. Addy is now too old for us to be claiming the rights on her candy. The weather turned out okay, and it was so enjoyable walking down the streets under the sound of fallen leaves.

Addy Sets up her Clothes

So Addy sets up her clothes, make-up, and accessories the night before school. We may be in for it with her.

Erwin Orchards

When Craig's mom was in town, we went to a place called Erwin orchards. It was a blast! They have the best donuts, and I don't think I've ever tasted anything better than the cider. We ran through a corn maze, a haunted (spooky) barn, picked our own fresh apples, picked up a pumpkin, and played on some hay bales. It was probably one of the best days we've had in a long time. We are so glad Farol could come and join us.
Also a couple photos of Addy's soccer team and her friend Maddeline. Couple pictures from our backyard in our Sunday best.

Cranbrook Sunday Afternoon

We spent a Sunday afternoon at this great place close to our home. Cranbrook is a private school for the wealthy of the wealthy in Detroit. It is a beautiful campus. There just aren't many places like this anymore. Fall here in Detroit is beautiful, so here is a taste.

Mackinac Island

We spent the weekend at Mackinac Island in Northern Michigan. Aubree and some friends, Mary Williams and Rachel Barton, ran the half marathon around the island. Its a fascinating place. We had the best time!

Addy's Adventures

So Addy has done a few things that we want to be able to remember:

She ran the Swiss Days 5K. She did it by herself, and was quite pleasant. Her time was 35 min. Not bad. She just barely turned six and was the youngest in the 6-8 yr olds, so she didn't get a medal. We were still proud.
She went repelling with Papa Dennis and her Uncles. The first time was a little slow going, but after a little while, she got pretty brave. She also got to go flying with Papa Dennis in his Powered Parachute. She is fortunate to have a great extended family with loving uncles, grandparents and great-grandparents. Hopefully pictures will be forthcoming.

New News and Old News

If you didn't pick up lesson #21 in our previous post, I'd like to take this opportunity to more formally aNnOuNcE that we are EXPECTING in March! I am currently 13 1/2 weeks along and thankfully no longer nauseous. I crave sweets.
We are so excited, but a little scared of a 22 month spacing!
I had an ultrasound a couple weeks ago and the tech said, "oh, look at it's little nubs..." I got a real chuckle out of that and was excited to tell Addy about the "nubs" because she LAUGHED and LAUGHED when we read Junie B. Jones, A Peep in My Pocket (supposedly the farmer's head gets pecked into a NUB by a rooster.) I highly recommend this book (or any of the Junie books) if you want a good laugh.
SO, our baby and all it's nubs will be joining our family after the LONG winter!


So this slide show is of some of the things we've been doing here since graduation. I included some pictures of graduation since I never did a graduation post. Congratulations Craig!! (uh, a little late). We did much to celebrate that fantastic event!

-The pictures on the carousel, by the train, and in front of the covered bridge are at Greenfield Village. It is a part of the Henry Ford museum. You can ride Model T's and carriages, watch shows (like "The Best of Gershwin"), and learn about all the cool things Henry Ford did

-Some pictures are at a race I ran last weekend in Milford, MI. It was beautiful! One thing I am loving is the contrast of scenery while I run. For those of you wondering, I am still planning on running the St. George marathon next month. My OB gave me the go ahead...I just have to watch my heart rate. I'm excited to run this year! My whole family is doing it!

-Hanging out with our friends Paul, Lora, and Summer

-At a Labor Day parade at the Franklin Cider mill. If you know anyone from Michigan, they will tell you that the way to kick off fall is at the Cider Mill. Yummy Doughnuts!!

Things learned in Detroit

Its been a while since our last post, so we decided to do an abridged version of the last few months experiences in Detroit. Many of these are from Craig.

#1 Generally, gun shots to the head are hazardous to your health and can lead to certain death.
#2 Hope loves to run in the street.
#3 Addy is more excited about soccer than school.
#4 The people here are incredible, both in and out of the church.
#5 Alcohol is a religion and is a common topic of conversation. People make plans around alcohol, more so than in Phoenix. People discuss alcohol here like people in Utah discuss movies.
#6 Evolution is a true phenomenon. Aubree has grown a third arm in caring for Summer Rigsby (Summer's parents are our close friends; both are interns with Craig)
#7 Lakes are beautiful, especially when surrounded by green trees.
#8 Lightning bugs are real.
#9 Teeth are sometimes a rare commodity, and apparently you can still be obese without teeth.
#10 Saving lives is pretty sweet.
#11 Losing lives is sometimes crappy.
#12 You can be dead, but your heart beats. This is difficult to explain to family members.
#13 People pay good money for good schools, as is the case of Addy's school where parents will pay $13,000 for a child outside the boundaries to attend.
#14 Hope has already begun her repertoire of facial expressions, none of which get old.
#15 Interestingly we can be closer to the temple here in Detroit than we ever were in Utah or Arizona.
#16 Sleep is overrated.
#17 If someone is beat up the story is always the same: "There I was, minding my own business, and THESE TWO DUDES..."
#18 The leading cause of death in Detroit is lead poisoning (knives and bullets).
#19 When preforming CPR, breaking ribs is a sign that you are doing compressions properly.
#20 Check for a pulse before starting chest compressions.
#21 Pregnancy is beautiful.
#22 If there was a more complicated way to make a left hand turn, Michigan would institute it.
#23 Guilt is a great way to market a car.
#24 There are many beautiful places to run, but you need MACE.
#25 If you are an a$$hole, leave the hospital AMA (against medical advice), and come back even sicker; Craig will still treat your illness.
#26 People die when you make mistakes.
#27 People die when you do everything right.
#28 Beer at the end of the 30K (18 mile) race is a necessity. Sometimes knowing it is at the end is the only thing that keeps people going.
#29 Our neighbors can smell if we have fruit snacks. Cole: "I can smell that you have fruit snacks." Or, "Mrs. Hunter, I haven't had any fruit snacks today."
#30 You don't need an irrigation system for your lawn. When it stops growing, you stop cutting it.
#31 The DMV still sucks, just like everywhere else. Mental note: if you take small children bring plenty of treats. If the treats run out, run to next door store and buy more treats. Now your kids will be in perfect storm of sugar crash and rush that when it is finally your turn, everyone in the building including yourself want to strangle your kids.
#32 We pay attention to the weather report now.
#33 Humidity is not fictional and has gross implications.
#34 The Detroit Lions stink, but hey, so did the Arizona Cardinals when we first got to Phoenix.
#35 A Nintendo Wii makes for memorable family times.
#36 If you don't want to lose any of your appliances (Oven,microwave, A/C, lights, ceiling fans, alarm clocks), you should shut off your power during a storm surge.
#37 The Woodward Dream Cruise is an extraordinary sight; when 40,000 classic cars drive up and down the street by our house, it gonna makes a big splash. It also tends to bring out some rough folks. One of the nights of the dream cruise we had a double shooting and one death in the hospital parking lot. Craig performed CPR and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) on him. He didn't make it.
#38 Kids grow up whether you want them to or not.

Hawaii

So we did a few things this summer, that we haven't had a chance to record here. I was playing around with my iMac and Garage Band/iMovie and decided to put my voice on the world wide web. Kinduv weird with me narrating; I was just experimenting.
This was a sweet trip we took with our close friends the Greens, Hemphills, Adams, and the Faulkners.
Good Times.

Bloomfield Hills.....home.

So I know I have a lot to catch up on, but for now you get to experience our new home and what we've been doing here.
Our departure from St. George was on June 19th in the afternoon. Craig and I drove with Hope, while my parents drove our other car with Addy and Lauren. We drove to beautiful Green Springs, CO and spent our first night. It was beautiful driving through Colorado the next day. Some day I will raft the Colorado!
Then we spent the next few days crossing Nebraska-blah, Iowa-blah, Illinois-a little better, then Michigan! Somewhere in Iowa Hope got carsick (or so we thought). She threw up several times along the way and we had to stop and clean up...I lost count how many times. To be continued....
So we drove straight to our new home even though it was 11pm to check it out. The neighborhood seemed darling as did the house as far as we could tell in the dark. To be continued...
We spent our first night in MI at Paul and Lora's. They were so nice to take us in and treat us so fine.
The next morning we came to our new home. The neighborhood was darling as I had expected, but the house was a little older and more rickety than I had envisioned. It was lacking central air which our landlord had previously told us but stated it wasn't a problem because she never needed it while living here. Plus, there are portable units just in case. Well, our first few days here were blistering! I thought Phoenix was bad. Humidity does make a difference, wow! My parents, Craig, Lauren, the girls and I sweated out a few days getting moved in. Once my parents left things cooled right down and I'm starting to enjoy the home now that we have all our stuff situated. We are going to try to negotiate central air...we'll see what happens.

Back to HOPE--she continued to be "carsick" after we arrived here. Then she got diarrhea, which progressed to anorexia and lethergy. The poor thing was dehydrated. She had picked up a bug some how and was really sick. We almost took her to the hospital one night when we struggled to wake her up just to drink. But after we got a little pedialyte down her, she began to perk up. She's back to her old self now, playing in the toilet every chance she gets saying "na na (no no)" while she's doing it. She's also into pens...writing all over herself and anything else she can reach before I catch her!

CRAIG
As for Craig, he oriented the first 4 days we were here and just began his first day of residency today! He is on the ICU and on call today. He left at 5 this morning and I don't expect him until tomorrow afternoon. I talked to him briefly this afternoon enough to hear that he likes the resident he's working with, and his patients are all fine....so far.
The first week we arrived here there was a banquet at the Detroit Athletic Club for the graduating resident for this year. They put on quite the production for him. A fancy buffet, speeches by the program director and other doctors that worked with him, and gifts. Something we have to look forward to in 5 years! It was really great to meet all the people Craig will be working with. The program directors, attending physicians, PA's, residents, and new interns were all there with their spouses.

Here he is the night before the most dangerous day to go to the hospital. (All residencies begin July 1st)


ADDY
Addy is adjusting and doing really well. She likes having her own room. She is really helpful around the house and with Hope. She often tells me how she misses her family and friends. Today she took me to a park (she and Craig had gone there previously). It was beautiful! Several playgrounds, forest trails, and lakes. It is really close to our house too! We went to the library yesterday--it was incredible! It was beautiful and had little reading rooms decorated for children to go read in. I can't wait to go back.

That's my Addy



ME
The sweetest Target you have ever seen is about 3 minutes from my house. It has underground parking so in the winter you never have to step outside while visiting Target. Then you just put your cart on a special escalator for carts, and wah lah...our winter retreat! There is also a Costco right across the street from it.
I joined a gym yesterday and have been there twice already. I LOVE it! It is a great facility also really close to my house. I am training for St. George so I've got to keep up with my running! I am a nanny for Paul and Lora's baby, Summer. She is such a cutie. I had her last week during orientation, but won't have her again until I get back from Utah mid-July.

Overall, so far we are happy here. Craig has been telling me, "you bloom where you are planted." It was very difficult for us to decide where to live. It was quite the roller coaster. But I'd say we're already starting to bloom.
Here are a few pictures of the house.

Master bedroom. I love the rug we got for our room! Good pick mom.

Addy's room will have some remodeling soon with new bedroom furniture and a bright new quilt made by Grandma Juanita.

Hopie's room

Family room

Backyard

Kitchen

Bathroom


I neglected to post pictures of our big empty living room, the laundry room in the basement, and the dining room/office for reasons identified. Hopefully we'll get it all straight soon!
Thanks everyone for your support and love. We couldn't have made this move without you! We miss all of our family and friends and look forward to your visits in Detroit! (Don't buy into that armpit of the nation stuff...it's not true!)

One more picture. This is Addy with the Swans at Kensington Park. We went there for a run the other day and it was one of the most beautiful runs I've ever done. The trail is an 8.5 mile loop around the lake and through the forest. I can't wait to go back!

More of the Cuties

Since I'm trying really hard to put off packing, here are some more pics of the girls. Thanks Heather for your time and patience. They turned out darling!

What we've been up to....

BABY BALLERINAS



Heather took these awesome pictures of my girlers. I LOVE them. Especially the one where Hopes hands are like a bunny (that one's for you Mom & Lauren!!) and the one where she's pointing her toe. She's talented. Addy was a little sickly that day so most of the ones of her turned out a little groggy looking, but she perked up for a few of them!
Well, there is way more than I can to blog about now, so Ill give a recap and hopefully give more details later.

DISNEYLAND 2009 #1...
We took a Spring Break vacation to the one, the only Disneyland! It was great fun to be with my family, the Fries, Junior, Kaely and Adrienne. Addy decided she liked Space Mountain after she realized in runs on a track (I guess she thought we were really just soaring through space!)

Addy got to go on stage with Cinderella!

Standing in line for Soarin'.

Hope with Nana and Papa



DETROIT
Since we matched in Detroit we took a trip out there to look for a house. We had a fun educational adventure although it was very stressful at times. It snowed (in Apirl!!) We visited the beautiful Kensington park where I hope to do many a long run. We made 2 offers on 2 houses neither of which were accepted. We have decided to rent for awhile and hopefully something will come up while we're there. We sure missed Addy....we didn't see her for 11 days! That was way too long.

The snow...



EASTER
Easter was fun! It was hard to spend it in the absence of our usual traditions with extended family. I miss the "Egg Bust" in Santa Clara, the "adult" Easter egg hunt with the Hunters, and the impossible-to-find Easter baskets my dad, I mean the Easter Bunny, always hides.
We went to 2 easter egg hunts. One here at the apartments with lots of friends and the annual Easter egg hunt that the school always puts on. The Easter bunny was there and boy did Hope love him! Most of the kids were afraid of the oversized rabbit, but Hope couldn't get enough.
We started some of our own tradidtions...we colored Easter eggs as a family. Craig taught us a cool trick that if you color the egg with a crayon before you dye it, it looks really sweet!
We had an awesome day with the Hursts and their family. YUMMY food and GREAT company! I went all out and decorated a cake to slightly resemble an Easter egg basket. Go me!












SEDONA camping trip with friends.
The Pecks, Danterfields, Thomas', and Frosts and us took a trip to Sedona for a last hurrah before graduation. It was so much fun!!!! Although cold in the night, I got a good nights sleep thanks to Craig. He and Hope shared a sleeping bag and....well you know about that if you've ever shared a sleeping bag with a baby on a cold night in the wilderness.
Addy had a blast with her friends exploring nature and going on "adventures" a plenty. We spent the next day at Slide Rock. It was a beautiful canyon that reminded me a lot of the back country Subway hike at Zion. There were natural slides in the rocks making it a fun recreational area. The water was FREEZING, but Addy and I braved the frigid temperatures to try out the slides, it was worth it!!!