Fall Fun

Fall is such a fun time of year, we love all the fun activities but man are we worn out. :) 

Soccer practice continues to go on, Aaron has been a great coach but we are ready for the Friday night practices to come to an end. 

We got so much love from people after Spencer got burned. People sent food and notes and treats, lots of treats. We got this great cookie bouquet. Get "whale" soon. The kids thought it was great. We made hot chocolate and ate our cookies. 

Carson had a cub scout jamboree and had so much fun. It was an all day event and a cold day but he loved it. Can't believe we have a cub scout. 

Running has been so much more fun in the cooler weather. Finally, finally. 

The kids had Fall Fest at their school. Only the girls could go since Carson had cub scouts but they had so much fun. Camilla had soccer that morning and Spencer still isn't aloud outside so Aaron took the girls for an hour. 

Camilla insisted on wearing her costume. 

Nailed it. :) Love this girl. 

With Natalia, her bestie. 

Aaron is such a good dad. 

Face Painting. 

And of course, the swing ride. 

That night we had trunk or treat at our church. We got to combine with the walnut creek ward so the kids were in heaven. 

Carson and Simon. 

Our trunk or treaters. Love them. 

We got lots of candy and the kids loved organizing and counting it all. Carson remembered exactly how many pieces he got last year as compared to this year, by the way. 

Oh and this girl, getting ready for violin practice, she has a performance in December. 

And sweet Brookey really wanted to start reading lessons, so we did. We shall see how this goes! Wish me luck. 

Freeze

Some days I just want to freeze time. Carson, straight from school into his underwear, grabs like four snacks (all fruit) and then heads up to his room to read Diary of a Wimpy Kid for HOURS. He is the sweetest and we love him. 

Happy Birthday Brookey!

Our sweet Brooke has turned 4. Oh how we love our brown eyed girl. These past 4 years have been the best of our lives. We did not want her to turn 4 but she was so excited about it. 

For her birthday she got to go to school and have cupcakes and wear the birthday crown, she thought that was pretty special. Then I picked her up and we went to pick up her BFF Cadey and I took them to a trampoline park. 

The girls had the whole place to themselves and had a blast. 

Then Cadey came over to play and Brooke opened her present from her - playdoh! 

Then we had dinner (Brooke's request was eggs with hash browns and then it was time for cake. I made a pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting. She was so happy. 

Then she got to open her presents, one from each of us. She loved each and every one of them. She was also spoiled because Grandma and grandpa Pierson were here the weekend before and took he shopping for her birthday and out to lunch, she got a doll for her birthday. Then grandma Judy and Grandpa Richard came a few days after her birthday and took her to lunch and the park and she got to open her presents from them. She had a great birthday and we all love her so much. Carson and Camilla put a lot of thought into presents for her and saved up their money to buy them. 

Brooke is so sweet and kind, she is a peacemaker and beloved by everyone she meets. She loves to eat snacks and special treats and loves to watch shows and go to gymnastics class. She loves school and church and proudly swings all by herself at the park. She has her own thoughts and ideas and her own favorites but also loves to do whatever Camilla is doing. When she wakes up in the morning, everyone is happy and she usually gets herself dressed and cleans her room. (A girl after my own heart) she loves to go on walks and run fast and is learning to ride her tricycle. We love you Brooke, thank you for being in our family. 

Ragnar

Aaron got to run in the Ragnar trail race again this year. (I stayed home to take care of Spencer). He had so much fun. This is just his favorite weekend of the year. We had the same team as last year with a few last minute subs. The Callahans' kids ran my legs and a friend of Jamie's, Kristen, ran for Adam. Everyone loved it. 

They got a better camping spot this year making it easier to cheer for our team at the finish line. 

The shirts this year were awesome. 

I tried my best to support everyone by wearing my Hopdoddy shirt (that is our steam sponsor :) and my Ragnar hat. I so missed being able to run in it. 

Aaron spent a lot of time with the Baldwins. 

Aaron crushed his runs! He did so amazing. He rolled his ankle on his first 7 mile leg but still ran his last 2 legs, he was the fastest on the 7 mile leg on our whole team. I am so proud of him, he has worked so hard for this. 

He was on runner's high after this race.

The team did awesome and came in 3rd in the masters mixed category! Way to go hopdizzle fo shizzle. 

We were all happy when he made it home. It was the primary program in church that Sunday and the kids did fabulous and felt a sweet spirit. Love them. 

We are already counting down the days until Ragnar next year! I will be back! 

Sweet Baby Spencer

We had something sad happen in our family this past week. Sweet baby Spencer climbed on top of the counter in the bathroom and turned on the hot water and then climbed into the sink and pulled up the stopper. He stayed in there until the water got really hot and then started screaming. I was downstairs and he was upstairs and when I got up there I found him sitting on top of the bathroom counter screaming. His leg was red and the skin was starting to peel. I wasn't sure what to do and couldn't get a hold of aaron. I tried calling the pediatrician but couldn't get a hold of anyone there either. I tried giving him some pain meds and putting aloe on but he just didn't stop crying. The blisters began to form and at that point I took him to the children's ER by our house. It was a traumatic experience. I was crying, he was crying, Brooke was along for the ride. Aaron came as soon as he heard from me and Jeana came and got little Brookey. At first we thought he was going to have to go to the burn unit in San Antonio but then they ended up transferring him to Dell Children's in downtown. It was heart breaking to watch my boy be in so much pain. 

After the cleaning and they got his leg wrapped up he passed out while I was talking to the doctor. 

He had to ride an ambulance to Dell Children's. He was so good. Laughing and talking, everyone loved him. 

He was still climbing all over at the hospital and being crazy. 

They ended up needing to put him under to do a good scrub and clean. I lost it when they were doing the IV but got to hold him until he woke up. My little angel boy. 

We spent a night in the hospital, a long, long night and then the next day they said we could take him home. He was so good at the hospital and loved his stuffed animal from Grandma Judy. He looked so cute in his gown. 

I ended up having to check him back into the hospital to be put under again for another cleaning and then we were officially moved on to outpatient care.  

I have been taking him there a few times a week for the past month and he continues to progress and get better each time. Priesthood power is real, prayers are real and we feel so blessed that he has healed so quickly. It will be a long road ahead of us and require care and attention for over a year but he has been so tough. 

We also saw many blessings and tender mercies along the way. Aaron's Mom wrote a great letter about it.  We would never have survived without their help. 

Miracles

Best news-our sweet baby Spencer Richard is healing well from his very extensive leg burn.   His very tough parents are weathering it so well. We are grateful for the hand of the Lord in their lives.   Their example allowed the other children to handle the situation calmly.  

From our perspective, Many lessons were reinforced from this experience.  

Our story.  After our time in the temple, our plan was to take several weeks exploring the northeast part of the country.  That didn't happen.  It just didn't feel right  

Instead, when Aaron & Haley asked if we could watch their children the weekend of Oct. 20-21, so they could run in the Ragnar adventure race, we were all in.  

Since we were not familiar with southeast Texas, we planned a few extra days getting there, with a day or so in the San Antonio temple.  Last Tuesday, October 17, We toured historic Arkansas/east Texas sites but on Wednesday, for some reason, we pushed through Houston toward San Antonio,  forgoing our planned bird-watching on the coast.  

While traveling on I-10, we received Aaron's call from the ER.  At first it seemed Spencer's burns would not require hospitalization.  Everyone was -hopeful that he could come home that afternoon..  Aaron encouraged us to continue to San Antonio but, of course, our hearts were with their family.  

We had assumed that the spirit telling us to head toward San Antonio meant that we should spend more time in the temple.  When Aaron called, we were just a few miles  from the Austin turnoff and were able to get there in about 90 minutes.   By that time, they had learned that little Spencer would be admitted to the children's hospital in downtown Austin.  Things were much more complicated and we were needed.  

Another miracle.  In our sightseeing more than 24 hours earlier, Dad's corvette high centered over a tree root. Dad was concerned but it seemed to drive fine so on we went.  Soon after our arrival in Austin, Dad pulled out of the driveway to take Haley to the hospital & discovered that the transmission wasn't working. No gears.  So embarrassing to helplessly back into Aaron's neighbors garbage can but the neighbors were so nice about it. 

The problem?  A ring linking the transmission to the linkage was gone, probably knocked off when we ran over the tree root, more than a day earlier.   How did the car continue working over those many miles?  We were so grateful to be near a dealer where it could be repaired and help at home with Carson, Camilla and Brooke.  

Our small contribution was added to so many who continue to bless this family. 

My point.  The Lord didn't cause little Spencer to get hurt but I know that he was aware of what this wonderful family would need when it happened & everything was in place to give support.  I know that the Lord is aware of our needs & Angels will always be there. 

I love this from Elder Holland.  

"I ask everyone within the sound of my voice to take heart, be filled with faith, and remember the Lord has said He “would fight [our] battles, [our] children’s battles, and [the battles of our] children’s children.”10 And what do we do to merit such a defense? We are to “search diligently, pray always, and be believing[. Then] all things shall work together for [our] good, if [we] walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.”11 The latter days are not a time to fear and tremble. They are a time to be believing and remember our covenants."

Our Texas time was wonderful as we saw  the Lord's hand in this challenging experience for sweet little Spencer..  Even with his pain, he was the same happy, ever-inquisitive little boy.   Aaron and Haley remain calm and full of faith.  Thanks for all of your prayers for Spencer's continued healing.  

In both the Austin Pierson's and Dallas Pierson's homes, we felt the same sweet spirit we feel in all of your homes.   Watching the Primary program in Austin, we felt again our deep gratitude that all of our primary age grandchildren are learning these same truths and feeling the same spirit. I love the happiness in your families.  

I continue to pray for Spencer daily that he will heal and feel better. We sure do love our sweet, crazy boy. 

Buffalo Stampede Half Marathon Recap

Last weekend I ran the Buffalo Stampede Half Marathon in College Station. It was a warm morning and I had a bad attitude going into the race because it was going to be so hot but I just decided to do the best I could. This was a training run to get ready for my marathon in November. Well it turned out I won! It was pretty exciting. I drove down by myself and did an air bnb and it all worked out great. Here are the notes I sent my coach:

"Thanks Sarah, it was super fun to win a race. I had a bad attitude going into the race the week of because it was so hot and I just wanted to have a cooler race after melting in my 5 k but after some encouragement from my people I just decided that it wasn't going to be the best I could possibly run but I could run my best I can possibly run for that day. 

The heat really wasn't awful, low 70s is not terrible (for us)  it was the humidity that was awful, people's glasses were fogged up and everything. After my 3 warm up miles I was already sweaty. I decided to carry my own fluids to make sure I took in enough. I started off conservative and backed off the first four miles, it was out and back and it didn't take long to realize that the first half would be harder. These miles felt relaxed and comfortable (7:05,7:33,7:32,7:26) then I started to pick it up a bit (7:19,7:17) after the turn around I said it was time to get to work (7:10,7:12,7:15,7:11) and then I tried to pick it up for the final 5 k (7:04,6:59,6:55,6:28 to the finish) happy with the race strategy, thanks for reminding me how important it is to hold back at the beginning and not be afraid of those 7:30 miles so I could feel strong at the end. I kept reminding myself that you said to wait until the final 2 miles or so to really push, the cyclist was super nice and kept encouraging me those last 2 miles. While it was a small race, I don't care, ha ha it's fun to win no matter how small the field. And I just felt like 1:34 on that day, I'm chipping away at this half marathon thing and I just feel like a 1:30 isn't crazy anymore, and I want it now, I can do it. 

Thanks for believing in me and for encouraging me when I get frustrated! Can't believe my marathon is just 5 weeks away! "

It was such a fun experience to win a race and even though hit was a small race I still lived on cloud 9 for awhile. I wouldn't wait to call my kids and tell them. Aaron continues to support me in everything and did a great job taking care of the kids while I was gone. 

They were even early to soccer game. 

It was such a humid day, my hair post race was in bad shape. :)

A few shots from the race, coming into the finish line. I kicked it in and felt strong. It was a great race. Just the confidence boost I needed to get ready for my marathon. 

The awards ceremony. 

I have enjoyed training for these races so much!

October

October is flying by and I feel like I can hardly keep up. We have finally started getting some cooler weather and we are taking full advantage of that. Just some things going on lately.

Spencer continues to fall, all.the.time. He loves to play this game where he picks the leaves off the tree next to the trampoline and then bring them to me. One day he tried to reach a leave too far away and fell right off. He is such a trooper. 

We hit up the playground during Camilla's gymnastics class. The kids really look forward to this. 

Spencer likes to push the kids down the slide. 

The girls continue to adore Spencer. They both want to sit by him all the time. They push their chairs so they can be right up next to him. 

And yes we are still swimming. Crazy to be swimming still in October but here we are. 

Camilla is loosing teeth like crazy. The tooth fairy just put up a camp in our yard. She looks so adorable with her toothless grin. I really love it. I will be sad when her huge teeth come in. 

One day after school it was so nice so I packed dinner and took the kids to the park. We had so much fun. 

There is a reason I get nothing done during the day. This boy has my whole heart. 

Camilla had 50s day at her school and looked so adorable.  

October is always one of the busiest months of the year!