Slacker / Family Update

Yes, that's me...a blogging slacker! I haven't posted in 10 months and I'd even forgotten how to log in. I'd love to be so ambitious that I'd post all the fun and adventurous things we've done since that last posting but I'm still not done with a Christmas letter so that's not going to happen. What I will do is post the most recent family pic's, maybe post some pic's from Cade's accident, and then be re-dedicated to keeping the posts updated at least monthly this year. :)

As for our family, we're all doing well. Cade is back to his normal self (or as normal as he was prior to the accident) except for his taste and smell. I count this as a blessing because it's the only thing that makes the accident real to him and it's still oh too real for me. I'm actually writing the experience down like a book so we'll see what comes of that. His business is going well and he'll be traveling out of state a lot over the next few months because of it.

Leah, turned 8 and was baptized (in our religion, children are not baptized until they are accountable for their choices and this is deemed to be 8). This was such a wonderful time with many family & friends making it to support her special day. She also got her ears pierced which was exciting for her. She's so tough she didn't even flinch. Her final palate surgery, the bone grafting, will be March 4th which will be good to be finished with.

Carter, is quite the stinker! He's been experimenting with alternative behavior at home and at school...swearing, not listening, throwing tantrums (most of which are quite poorly acted out), etc. We've started a new system in both places to stop this behavior quickly and get my sweet boy back. The tantrums are slowing, he does not like the taste of soap so no more swearing (darn that YouTube), so we're just working on listening. If he wasn't so cute we'd have traded him in long ago but thankfully he's "stinkin' cute" as we call him.

As for me, I'm an very, very grateful for the blessings of this last year! From Cade's miraculous healing, well that's the biggest one right there. I've struggled with doing a traditional Christmas letter recounting the travels, fun, and accomplishments of the year because quite frankly nothing is as important to me as the daily life together as a family. I appreciate so much more, I am grateful for simple things, and I am especially humbled by the love and blessings of our Heavenly Father. He has drawn our family closer to Him this year and for this I am eternally grateful!

May 2010 be absolutely fantastic for us all!
Love,
The Galloway's (Cade, Jill, Leah, Carter, & new arrival coming in August) That's an awesome blessing too, only 5 years in the making! :) hee hee

Introducing "Super" Bella!

We got a "Porkie" puppy today, whose 7 1/2 weeks old. That means she's half pure-bred Palmeranian and half pure-bred Yorkshire Terrier. So no barking, no hair, & lots of cuteness! Carter even loves her & he's afraid of every animal. Leah named her Bella but Carter wanted to call her a super hero name like "Super Man." So he started to call her Super Bella and I think it'll stick. I'm hoping she'll potty-train faster than Carter did. :)

Leah has off school for the next couple of days and I'm sure she'll get no shortage of attention. Carter was already wondering when she could sleep with him. :) Cute!

Kids in 20" of fresh snow

Ok, where have I moved to? Seriously, one day Leah comes home with mud freckles because it rained mud. I can't even see out of my car or house windows. Then it warms up so much that all the snow melts and we're starting yard work. Then in 24 hours it dumps 20" of snow. Aaah! The kids did have a bunch of fun though and that is what it's all about...I guess. :) I did get to make hot chocolate at least. Yes, Carter ate snow until his face was red and freezing.

Cousin Weekend Extravaganza!

We got to have several days jam packed with cousins on both sides of our families. We had a blast and the kids all got along great. No drama, no fights, even over toys. Loved it. Mom Galloway watched Tom & Suz's kids while they were gone for a wedding so she brought them up for a few days. LeAnn came over with Nora and then Trish came over with her 3 boys to play too. All the kids played, the husbands worked or snowmobiled, the women worked out and went to "He's not that in to you" movie when husbands came home. Fun! Then my Bassett cousin's came up for a visit and caught up on the last couple years. Cade & Nick re-lived the BBQ fest they had in Lovell. Carter loved teasing Nick until he'd get tickled. Love these guys!

Carter's kissy face lined with pizza sauce...yum!

Draper Temple Open House

This was awesome! Thanks to Melissa for hooking us up with tickets and planning this. We got to tour with Mom Galloway and the kids did fantastic being reverent. I got choked up a couple of times explaining to the kids the different rooms and their purposes for when they get older and come for themselves. Talk about make a Mom cry! They each got a brochure, cookies, and picked their favorite rooms. A wonderful opportunity that we'll take again.

The Day of LUV!

What a nice day, and of course Cade made us a lovely dinner. Leah made homemade notes and cards which are always sooo cute too.

Hangin' out with the Hansen's

It is well known that we love to play with John & Torrie (with new baby Chase to come). We ate at the Czech restaurant (with Chip & Melissa, and Q & Brian too), came to their Super Bowl party, and Cade has been snowboarding with John as well. We like any excuse to play with these guys. Next time, hopefully when Chase arrives!