From Our Arms to God's Arms

We are sad to report that on the evening Saturday, March 21 our little Calissa Norine was born but she didn't look at us nor respond to our kisses. Saturday morning Kathryn went to hospital because she hadn't felt Calissa move for a couple of days and they couldn't find a heartbeat. They believe she had passed away earlier in the week. After she was born we both had an opportunity to hold her and talk to her and remind her to watch over us from the other side. To us she is perfect and will always remain such. She won't be forgotten in family and individual prayers with us. She is ours for eternity.
I never thought it would be so hard as to make those phone calls to tell people what had happened. It was extremely hard to tell our children that their sister had passed away. Thank you to those of you who have offered help and condolences. Thank you to those of you who have prayed for our family. We know that some mourn by seeking to comfort while others seek to give us our space as a family. Know that your prayers and words do not fall on deaf ears. We don't intend to do this alone nor would we ever try.
We find comfort in the promises of the Lord that we will be reunited with our daughter at the right time and we will enjoy a family reunion that will be joyful and much anticipated. Our family will be whole once again. No parent should ever have to bury a child and we now understand better the feelings of those who have. We also heed the admonition the Lord gave in Doctrine and Covenants 101 to be still and know that he is God. All is according to his plan and we are grateful for that knowledge. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh, blessed be the name of the Lord.
Goodbye my sweet Calissa, may God stand near you and hold your hand as we go through this together. We will see you again but in a better setting. Keep your great-grandparents on their toes and your brothers and sisters in line.

Friday Video - Cool New Movie Trailer

At least that is what Kathryn and I thought when she saw it on TV the other day (mind you, I was in the room changing diapers, NOT watching the TV). I racked my brain and could not think of a Dumas novel with a 6 year old sword-fighting boy. So here is what you need to see-

(Vanessa will now type her part of the blog entry, although she should be laying down for her nap)
jijuk uiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiuiuuuuuu

Happy Birthday Abi!

It was Abi Babber's first birthday yesterday. Of course, the new Glowworm toy she received was immeadiately claimed by Vanessa, Savannah, and Dallin. We had cake and ice cream for FHE dessert and she loved it. Tubby time after that treat!

Yummm, cake is good!

Josh Throws Down the Gauntlet

Last week Joshua and Granddaddy worked on his pinewood derby car while I came along for the free lunch and company that came with it. We are starting this car well in advance of the much-anticipated March race and we hope to produce a winner this time.

Josh has watched his older brothers over the years and has really wanted to participate, now it is his time.

No next-to-last place like last year with Brennan's car.

No near misses like Zachary's car always seemed to have.

This is serious. He is claiming victory now with the greased lightning he barely contains in his hands.

His cousin Nick (Granddaddy will probably help make Nick's car too) will be in for some tough competition. Both cars, with help from Norman Motor Sports, should take 1-2 in the race.

Gentlemen, start your engines!

Thursday Music Video Feb 12 - O Captain My Captain!

In light of Abraham Lincoln's birthday today, a movie clip was chosen instead of a music video clip. This comes at the end of my favorite all time movie Dead Poet's Society. Robin Williams has been fired and the boys show their respect for him as he exits the classroom. They say the first line of Walt Whitman's most famous poem "O Captain My Captain!" about the death of Abraham Lincoln. For the full text, see the entry on my other blog. Brings chills and a lump to my throat every time I watch it.

A Joyful Noise

I came home from work yesterday and the kids were loud. Dinner was ready to be served but they were loud.

And I loved it.

Our TV broke down Friday night, kind of has wavy lines and the people move very slowly. The sound is still on but it is not a pleasant thing to watch. Not that I care anyways as it has been over a month since I have watched it. But when it happened, the kids thought they were going to die.

Then they discovered each other. And how much fun it is to play with each other.

They don't have any other place to really play right now except for in our small living room. Imagine 10 kids (plus a cat that wants to hide but there is no safe haven) trying to play hide and seek on our 700 sq ft first floor and they are not allowed in the kitchen.

Heh, not all that difficult to find somebody in Hide and Seek when 3 people try to stuff themselves in a coat closet in the hall and 3 more are in the 1/2 bath by the front door.

But they weren't fighting or arguing with each other. They were having fun with each other.

Eventually we will get the TV fixed but we are also enjoying the new found freedom that comes without it.

Turn off the TV and discover each other. For Kathryn and I, it is like date night every night now.

Excelsior Academy Groundbreaking

The kids and I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Excelsior Academy on Saturday morning. It was successful as none of the kids were run over trying to cross the road and none of them made a bad enough impression to be immediately expelled from the enrollment lottery. The kids liked it because they had donuts and hot chocolate, plus they got to see pictures of what their new school looked like. I enjoyed it because I was able to see and meet like-minded people who want to take their childrens' education in the same direction that Kathryn and I want to take it. We will be hearing if the kids were chosen in the enrollment lottery over the next 8 weeks so we are waiting on pins and needles. Cross your fingers!

By the way, balloons cause huge problems at our home. There is never enough to go around and touching another person's balloon is like a declaration of war. Anything goes if you touch a balloon that is not yours . . .