Mile stone

A year ago today was Garrett's 2nd heart surgery. We're happy to say that he is doing very well and acts like any other kid his age. In fact, sometimes it seems like he has more energy than others. We're so glad to be celebrating this great mile stone. Thank goodness he has a couple more years before his last surgery. I'm not looking forward to that one. It will be more difficult when he's older. For now, we'll just enjoy every moment. Thank you for all your prayers and support on his behalf.

Riding against the wind

So this morning I was very pumped to ride my bike with the kids in the trailer over to Michelle's house for play group instead of driving. I thought "I'm going to get exercise and save money on gas!" Well, I heard that it would be windy outside today but I thought I would be able to handle it just fine. Boy was I wrong! What would've taken normally about 15 min on a bike turned into a half hour trip. Even when I was riding downhill the wind was still slowing me way down. Sometimes I had to get off the bike and start walking because it was easier and faster than riding, especially when going uphill.

I was exhausted by the time I reached Michelle's and even though I brought my beading stuff to work on while the kids played, I didn't touch them. So I hung out with Michelle all day resting and waiting for the wind to calm down so I could ride home. Finally around 4pm I looked outside and it started to sprinkle and it was still windy. After much deliberation I decided to leave the bike there and Michelle gave us a ride home. Curtis will be picking it up on his way home.

I learned my lesson. I'm not riding my bike again on a windy day unless it's an emergency! For now, I'm just going to have to wait for the weather to get a little better before getting out on that bike again.

Deedra's hair cut

Well, here's the moment you've all been waiting for....I listened to those who voted for me to cut and highlight my hair. I have to say that I really like it. I wasn't too sure at first but the more I see it the more I like it. Nikki even loved it and wanted to cut her hair too. The first thing she said when I came back was "Wow, you look different. " I added some before and after shots below.

After shots.

Before shots.

I had a black shirt on originally but it was more difficult to see my hair so I borrowed Michelle's shirt for the photos.

Pictures from the last week

Trying to get Garrett to sit still so I could take a picture with the hat on. He finally sat in my lap and I took it from there.

Nikki & Ellie wearing hats from the parade.

Cousin Alex, Nikki, & cousin Ellie at Parade America

Garrett at the parade on Saturday morning.

Garrett loves his water!

Nikki & cousin Ellie dressed in their skirts. Ellie spent the night and they had so much fun.

Garrett wanted to join the fun too.

Pictures of Ellie and Nicole running through the sprinklers on Friday afternoon.

Mom Butterfield and Grandma Port with their Mother's Day flowers. Beautiful flowers for two beautiful ladies!

Garrett sitting under the TV in with the movies and Nikki on the outside. He thinks it's great to be able to fit in there. I remember when Nikki used to do the same thing.

Rocking Horse

So I went shopping yesterday at the second hand stores to find a tricycle for Garrett. And instead of finding a trike, look what I came home with, a rocking horse. It's in pretty good shape actually and it was only $5. So I got it home and cleaned it up. It does only have one ear and a missing handle. So, to improvise for the handle I stuck a cheap wooden handled sponge paint brush in the hole.

I purposefully took the picture on this side of the horse for two reasons; the paintbrush is on the other side and at the bottom on the rocker part of the horse is written "Sarah"(on the other side also). I didn't see that until I got it home, but I decided that we'll just make the name of the horse Sarah. Ha!

So far the kids are loving it and have a hard time sharing with each other. Lets hope they do better when other kids come over to play.

Garrett already looks like a pro riding with one hand on his hip!

Happy Mother's Day Laverne!

Here's Mom with her beautiful Mother's Day flowers from all the "Norton" girls. It was fun picking them out and delivering them to her at work. All the kids who weren't in school (everyone but Blake) were there with us. We decided to take them in early so she could enjoy them at work the rest of the week. We sure love her!

Nikki's first primary talk

Well, this is the day I dreamed of for a long time, the day I would get to be the parent helping their child give a talk in primary. Nicole is growing so fast and just thinking about it makes me tear up. (I know, I've become so emotional ever since I became a mom.) It was such a great moment for me and her. She loves talking in the microphone. We practiced her talk several times at home and kept expressing how even though I was whispering in her ear that she needed to speak loud and clear because at first she kept whispering the words also. She ended up doing great! Luckily for me, I teach the 11/12 yr old girls so I could leave them alone in the class room to be able to help Nikki. And Nikki's first talk was about family. I had such a great day at church today and I pray it can be that way every Sunday!