{Update on Kyler}

We spent a few days in Iowa with Kyler last weekend. We were able to meet some really good doctors. They spent a lot of time with him helping us to determine what is wrong with his eyes. We didn't leave there with an exact diagnosis, because the docs in Salt Lake never did some of the tests that really need to be done to come up with an exact diagnosis. They think that the problems lie within the muscles and nerves around his eyes. Most likely, the muscles never fully developed to their correct size. Because of this, his nerves couldn't fully attach to them to send the correct messages to his brain. We will be going back to Salt Lake to have a special MRI done where they will be able to see the muscles, nerves, and the messages the nerves send to his brain stem. After that, we will mail the MRI back to Iowa where a pediatric opthamologist, neuro-opthamologist, and a radiologist will look closer at the scan. Then, we will head back to Iowa for surgery. The will attach, repair, and build up the muscles, repair the nerves, and then realign his eyes so that he can see without tilting his head so far to the side.

We feel very confidant with these doctors, they explained everything to us very well and never made us feel uncomfortable or stupid. Kyler did awesome on the plane and the long layover in Denver because of weather. We had a great time visiting Josh's friend and his wife.


We actually spent Valentines day in the Amana colonies. We ate at an authentic German restaurant called the Ronneburg restaurant. It was very good. They serve the meal family style with authentic sides like sauerkraut, potatoes, their special cottage cheese, pickled beets, and breads. We all tried some different main dishes to get a taste of all of them. It was a great experience. Unfortunately, all of the shops in the colonies were closed because their season hasn't really started yet.
We had a great trip and feel we are headed in the right direction!

{Kyler has a surprise...}

...He's Walking!!! We are so proud of him...he has worked so hard. We are very thankful for the many physical therapists that have helped him get to this point!! We made a goal to have him walking by age 18 months and he did it with a month to spare...He is still very wobbly, but has minimal depth perception so he's doing pretty dang good considering!!

{Dance Comp}

Yesterday, we had our first dance team competition. We did well and get to go to state!! This will be the first time a dance team from Filer has ever gone to state!! I am so proud of the girls and how hard they've worked to get this far....

{Remember Me}

I work with kids who have had some pretty difficult things happen to them. Most of them live with their grandparents, foster, parents, or a single parent homes because one of their parents are in prison or not in the picture. They have almost all been victims of abuse. These kids have been through a lot and they continue to go through a lot. This week has been filled with some pretty unfortunate things. First, one of the girls father died. She doesn't live with him but was hoping to be back with him soon. Then today one of the boys best friends dies from injuries he received yesterday when he was ran over accidentally by his father. It's made me realize how short our lives can be and helped me re-evaluate my life. I found this really nice little poem that kind of summed up everything that I've been thinking....

THE DASH
By Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars....the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard...
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they
say about how you spend your dash?




When friends and family sit around and reminisce about the life you lived, what memories will remain; what stories will they tell; what qualities will they have most admired; what lessons will you have taught them before you left this world? Think about what sets you apart from the crowd. Perhaps there are qualities that you don’t currently have but would like to acquire so that they too can be listed among the reasons your memory remains uplifting and inspirational to so many, even after you are gone. Whether it is who you are now, or the type of person you want to be, when all is said and done...What do YOU want to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered as someone who.....

...would put aside everything for family members or friends in need

....loved her family above all else

....had an unfailing testimony of the Gospel and her Savior.

...never gave up when things got hard

So, what do you want to be remembered for??

{Kelsie is 7!!}

Kelsie turned 7 this week. We spent the evening at Hop-2-it with family and friends...
Kyler in the bounce house...

Kelsie and her friend Bailey....don't you love her beautiful smile??!!

Going down the slide...

Jumping....

Blowing out her candles...

In honor of Kelsie's special day here are 7 things abut her:

1. Recently Kelsie's class had an activity where they wrote nice things about each other on a balloon. One of Kelsie's classmates put that she always stood up for others. This particular boy has always been bullied a little and Kelsie always comes to his rescue. I am so proud of her and the decisions that she makes.
2. Kelsie loves to pull teeth. So far this year she has pulled five of her own and one of her friends...
3. Kelsie is a great speller. She averages between a 100% and a 105% on all of her tests because she always gets the extra credit ones right.
4. Kelsie is a great helper around the house. She spent the morning yesterday vacuuming out the heater vents.
5. Kelsie loves to be in the outdoors, especially with her dad. She loves hunting, camping, snowmobiling, 4 wheeling, rafting, and tubing. She is definatly more adventurous than her mother.
6. Kelsie will eat almost anything including shrimp, fish, etc. She especially likes the fat off of steak, prime rib, or roast. Disgusting I know. It's a good thing that we don't eat those things eat those things often, that much fat can't be good for you!
7. Kelsie is a great big sister to Kamrin and Kyler. She is really a lot of help.

WE LOVE YOU KELS!!!