An Update On Dad!

Once again I copied this from my sister's blog. Thanks Cassie for always going with Mom and Dad to the apts and for keeping us updated....

"Today I was stressed...No wait I was a mess! I knew that today I would be meeting with the doctor to discuss my dad's cancer. He received a Pet Scan last week. A Pet Scan is an all over body scan that searches for cancer. It can detect it anywhere and everywhere. My dad had received one when he was first diagnosed with cancer. This was the second one-about 6 months apart to compare and see where and if the cancer was growing. The great news is that the tumor on his hip has shrunk significantly, due to the radiation! It is still there, but none the less quite a bit smaller. There also doesn't seem to be any cancer that they didn't already know about, which means it doesn't seem to be spreading or growing!!! Hip Hip Hooray!!! They are going to continue the same Chemo treatment that he has been on and then evaluate in a few weeks. The cancer is not going away but it is not growing either. We are all very happy. Now if he can get his pain under control (he is still in a great deal of pain in his hip where the replacement surgery took place). We meet with his doctor who performed the hip surgery on Monday, with x-rays we should know more then. Any how thanks for the kind words, thoughts and prayers! They seem to be working!!!"

I Have A Passport!

I have a passport! This is kinda funny because I don't usually leave my living room much less the country! But Tara won a trip to Puerto Vallarta through her work and she invited me to be her guest! I can't wait! Thanks Tara for the trip and for a reason to actually get a passport!

Family Home Evening! What A Fun Night We Had!

We have been having a little difficulty with Unity in our family lately. Last week for FHE Ron touched on this topic in his lesson. Tonight was my turn for the lesson and I thought I would expound on the same topic, UNITY.

To begin with I had Ron write each of our names on disposable cups. It was really funny, we decided to use these same cups for dinner (killing 2 birds with 1 stone) and the kids were quite intrigued as to why each of their names were written upside down on the cups. You should have heard our conversation at the dinner table trying to figure out what all this meant. After dinner, when all the dishes (except the cups) were put away and the table cleaned we met back at the dinner table for our lesson. We usually have FHE in the Living Room but tonight we needed the flat table, this just added to the curiosity of the evening.

First I asked if anyone remembered what last week's lesson was on. I was sure they wouldn't remember because if I remember correctly last week was more of a Family Home Grieving, but I guess I was wrong. Porter and Torie remembered it and remembered it well. Then I had Bryn look up the word in the dictionary. Webster described it as ONENESS! Perfect definition! After a little discussion, we took the cups and turned them upside down (hence the reason for writing their names upside down) and built a pyramid. This symbolized our family working together as one toward a common goal of eternal happiness. Then I started complaining, bickering, teasing, etc and tapping the cups with each new negative thing till the pyramid fell. Symbolizing our family failing. It was quite the object lesson.

Then we told them for our activity we would go outside and build a "family" pyramid. But for this to work we had to work together or we would tumble just like the cups. To begin with Ron, Bryndee, and I were on the bottom and the kids tried to climb up while staggering themselves, but it didn't work. They didn't understand where to put their knees or their hands and Taralee kept running out into the road. So I volunteered to come out of the pyramid and be the official stager and photographer. Here is what we came up with.

The cup pyramid!

Ellie was mad because she had to be on Kymber's back. She LOVES Bryndee and wanted to be on her back. She is slowly learning she doesn't always get her way. After the pyramid the kids just wanted to try other stunts (compliments of Bryndee)!

Ellie and Bryndee!

Kymber and Bryndee

Porter Won 1st Place

Porter won 1st place in the chemistry division of the school science fair! He and Ron have been working really hard learning about BIO GASSES (don't worry I don't know what that is either). They made this contraption that captured the gas that was put out from plant and animal matter. He was pretty excited when he found out! He was given a $20 AMEX gift card and 2 tickets to the AZ Science Center. Torie also entered a project to see if seeds could grow in places other than soil. She didn't win anything, but she worked hard and did a great job! Lots of late night were had by all.

Porter and his winning project!
One night Ron, Porter, and Torie were working late in our room printing lots of things out for their board and I came in to find this...Torie crashed on the bed and Porter crashed on the floor, but Ron was still going strong!

I don't know who had more fun Ron or the kids!

Taralee And Her Shoes!

For those of you who know me know I LOVE shoes! I always have! Taralee seems to follow in my footsteps. If there are shoes lying around, shortly you will be hearing clomp clomp clomping around. Her shoe of choice seems to be Ellie's Pink Princess Shoes.

The Pink Princess Shoes!

The whole get up! Shoes, wand, and crown! She came out of her room all dressed up this way. She did it all by herself no one was in the room with her.

Three of her favorite things...Bryndee's Flips, 3 Purses, and her Blankie!
Torie's shoes!

I just threw this in to show how long her eye lashes are. I know her face is dirty and gross, we just finished dinner and she enjoyed her spaghetti!

Ron Is A Sleepy Head!

Sunday evening Ron was reading books to the little girls and I guess exhaustion set in. You can see the book he was reading to them resting on his leg.

Torie My Sleepy Head!

At least 3 nights a week you can find Torie sound asleep on the couch at about 7:30. She has always been our sleepy head. She will have friends over for a late night and can't make it to the 10:00 mark, leaving her friends to be entertained by Kymber. She comes by it naturally though. I was just like this as a kid. It would be 8:00 and my Mom would say where is Andrea? They would usually find my asleep in bed. I guess I am still this way. What can I say? We like our sleep!

Bryndee! Isn't She Cute?

Bryndee is really enjoying cheer! Last week they had a Spirit Spectacular! This is show of all the cheer squads in the district, Jr. High and High School. Bryndee's whole cheer squad (Freshman, JV, and Varsity) all danced and cheered together. I tried to upload a video clip of her performance and blogger would have nothing of it. I guess I can just tell you they did a really good job. I am amazed Bryndee has it in her. I was never coordinated enough to dance! I don't know where she gets it from, but she definitely has it!

Beautiful face! This will most likely be her last picture with braces she gets them off in a couple of weeks!

Isn't she cute?

Bryndee and some of her friends! Jessica, Lexi (EFY Roomie), Bryndee, and Yazzie (he always seems to be around but that is OK!)

Braces For The Bug!

Porter finally got his braces! He was pretty excited to get them on and over with. Don't you love his rather large spittin gap between his 2 front teeth? He has been wearing an expander for the past 6 weeks. It was amazing to see how quickly his upper pallet expanded. That spittin gap was not there 6 weeks ago, in fact his teeth used to be quite snug. When he got them on he would say things like... "This isn't too bad! My teeth hardly hurt! I don't know why people complain it isn't that bad!" I never had braces so I didn't know how to warn him of things to come. Well 2 days after he got them on I got a call from the school nurse saying there had been an accident at school. When I got to the school (in all my glory I might add-I was just getting into the shower when the phone rang) Porter's top lip was stuck in one of his braces. He was playing football and he and another kid ran into each other. I guess the impact was pretty hard because his lip was stuck. The nurse refused to mess with it, I tried to pull it off and it was not going to give. After about 45 minutes of Porter messing with it, It finally tore loose. He now has 2 large holes in his swollen and black and blue lip. It hurts pretty bad and he can hardly talk. Poor guy! He now wants his braces off! He does not care what he looks like! Sorry Bug it is not going to happen! Your lip will heal! Porter happy with his new metal mouth!

This picture does not do it justice! You can see a little bit of the swelling, but inside is where the most damage is! It is gross!
Porter trying to smile, but his lip won't let him!

Cross Country...Some Love It, Torie Does Not!

Porter and Torie got the opportunity to compete in cross country. Porter really enjoyed it last year so I was not surprised when he wanted to compete again. But Torie on the other hand I was shocked. Torie does not like to walk across the street much less run a mile, so when she said she wanted to compete I tired to talk her out of it but she insisted. After the first practice she wanted to quit. I informed her that was not an option. I paid $25 for her to participate, $30 for new tennis shoes, and $15 for the physical if she quit she owed me a total of $70. Her mind quickly changed. But my Torie is a smart one! She realized if she didn't get her eligibility form signed by her teachers she could not participate. The first meet comes and she can't run. But her mom is smarter! I informed Torie for every meet she missed, she would owe me $5. Guess what? She ran every meet and participated in every practice. She never won, she never came close to winning but she finished the season and I am proud of her.

Porter and his buddies!

Boys will be Boys!

Torie and her friends!

Torie getting ready to cross the finish line. If you look closely Porter is running along side her encouraging her to the end. I love moments like this when I can see they really do like each other.Anyone got a little crack? I just had to include this. Anytime Taralee bends over this is what we see.

I Love This!

Yesterday while I was finishing up dinner Abby got her library book and was reading out loud to Ellie. They were both just as happy as can be and so was I! I love it when my kids act like they like each other. I don't know about anyone else, but it seems these moments like these are few and far between. Because of that, I had to capture it on film. I am so glad I have a working camera again. :o)

Torie's New Look!

As I said in a previous post Torie got her hair cut. She wanted to have short and sassy! This is not the best picture but it is all we have for now. It is amazing how a hair cut can make a person look so much older. Torie is very pleased with the outcome and so are Ron and I. Love the new look Lue Lue! You're Gorgeous!

The Newest Addition To The Derrick Family!

Meet the newest addition to the Derrick Family! I didn't even have to go through labor for these! All I can say is I Love Them!

I Am Back!

Well here I am! Like it or not, I am back! Now let me explain the reason for my prolonged absence. Yes it is true I was really busy! Usually I shop for Christmas all year long. With 7 kids shopping all year long kinda takes the blow of how much you really spent away. Anyway this year was kinda crazy with being in Utah the whole summer, my couple of surgeries, Ron's work being totally crazy (60 hour work weeks), Going back to Utah for Thanksgiving, My kids being much more active in school so me being a single mother having to cart them all over the world, and so on and so forth! I was also in a funk due to some really hard things I was going through and just could not get into the spirit of Christmas. I decided to start listing "My Gifts" to try to help me get out of this funk. It worked! Every day I was excited to get up and list another gift. The problem was, I was spending too much time on the computer when I would post. It got to be December 13th and I still had not purchased anything for Christmas. So I had to walk away from my computer and leave it behind. I feel bad because I did not finish my Gift list. I had so many more to list: My WONDERFUL neighbors, My Mom, My Dad, All my sisters, Marissa (She left me in January 2008 and moved to Peru), Cherai (she is leaving me sometime in 2009 and moving to New Mexico), All my friends, Rosalie (my mother in law), My testimony of the Gospel, and most importantly My Savior, Jesus Christ! So please don't think less of me for stopping Mid-Gift-List. I am not an ungrateful person, just an emotional busy one.

Another reason I quit posting, especially after Christmas and into the new year, is because my camera quit. It just quit working. I don't know about you, but I think a blog without pictures is really quite boring. Sorry if I offended anyone with that but it is true. In my opinion, pictures make a blog. So because of the no camera business I have no pictures of our Christmas 2008, I have no pictures of my kids in their snazzy new church clothing, I have no pictures of Bryndee and her friends at our first annual New Year's Eve breakfast, I have no pictures of Torie and her way cute hair cut (yes I did say Torie and hair cut! She had a neighbor cut almost a foot off her hair. She is quite styling with her sassy new cut!), I have no pictures of anything that happened in the end of 2008.

I finally broke down and got a camera. Actually I took the camera that was meant for Bryndee for her birthday, but I got desperate. I was trying to hold out for a neat, fancy camera but I decided Beggars can't be Choosy! So now I have to figure something else out for Bryn. But I have till March for that one.

So here I am back in the blogging world ready to document 2009 with pictures to prove it. Just not now, I tried to upload some pictures and it said I have an error. Just my luck! I will have to try later. Until then....

All Is Well!

Yes I am alive! I have been getting lots of calls asking me if everything is OK. Thanks for the concern! Everything is OK, I have been really busy and have hardly had any time to be on the computer. Excuses Excuses I know, but it is all I have. Anyway I felt it necessary to let everyone know all is well and I will be back soon.

Gift # 8 Today

I know this sounds kinda lame, but let me explain myself. Today was a wild day! It seemed like all of us were going in different directions. We had Saturday chores, Ron had to work, we had more shopping, we had kids running in and out of the house all day long, and we have Ellie running all day long. Tonight while we were at the dinner table Ellie announced at 6:00 that she was tired and wanted to go to bed and therefore put herself to bed. For those of you who don't know Ellie, she is a pistol! She does not stop ever! Because of this she wares me out! So for her to choose to go to bed without a fight is a dream. Because of this Gift # 8 is Today!

Gift # 7 Tara

Most of you know Tara. She is my older sister by 18 months, because of this we have always been close. All through growing up her and I played together. We mostly played house and school. Even though Tara insisted on being the Teacher or the Mom all the time, I have wonderful memories of the fun times we had then. In high school we each had our own friends, but my friends were her friends and vice versa. In fact I just ran into one of my friends from MHS, Scott, and he asked how Tara was and then said she was like the big sister he never had.

When I went away to college Tara always came to visit me. When Ron and I started dating she was there listening to me when I needed a sounding board. When Ron and I lived in Morenci, Tara was the only one we could get to visit us there. For a while Tara moved to Colorado and then to Utah and I really missed her, but then she got wise and moved back.

Tara now lives only 5 minutes away from me and I love it. I always say I am so lucky my kids have 2 moms. My kids love Tara also. She is their confidant. She can get them to open up and talk to her when they are closed mouthed around me. Tara is always willing to come over and help me out with my kids when I am in a bind. On Tuesdays Ron has meetings, Bryn and Porter have YW and YM, and Torie and Kymber have gymnastics. For a while there I had to take all the girls (Torie on down) with me to gym and not get home till 8:30. It was a nightmare. Tara found out about this and offered to come every Tuesday and watch my 3 younger girls and put them to bed. Tara gives my kids piano lessons at my house and is willing to work around our schedule. Every Sunday after her meetings are over Tara comes to my ward and takes Taralee to my house and puts her to bed. While she sleeps, Tara finishes up the dinner that I have prepd and when we come home from church we have dinner on the table. What a blessing Tara is. She is a wonderful sister, aunt, and friend! Gift #7 Tara. Everyone needs a Tara! We love you and you can stop crying now! :o}

Gift # 6 To Be Able To Breathe

I have a horrible cold today! Need I say more? Gift #6 to be able to breathe! :o}

Gift # 5 Good Books

I bet you thought I was going to be a slacker today and not post. But I am proving you wrong. It is 11:14 pm (way past my bedtime!) and I am still up. Porter went with Tara to the Sun's game tonight so I stayed up finishing a book while I waited for him. I love to read a good book. To be perfectly honest, I didn't read a book on purpose (I read books all the time for school, but I didn't enjoy it probably because I had to read it. I don't like being told what to do.) until I was bed-ridden while I was pregnant with Bryndee. I got so tired of TV that I picked up the book Anne Of Green Gables and loved it. That was the start of my love of reading. I tend to be fond of series. Yes I have read the Twilight series, but I have to say I didn't love it. Before you all gasp in disgust, let me explain. I loved the first book, I could not put it down. My house was a pit for 2 days. I was so excited to read the 2nd book. When it came out I read it right away. I liked it but I didn't love it. When the 3rd book came out I read it but not right away. I was so done with this story that when I heard there was a 4th book coming I was kinda irritated. I wanted it to be done with the 3rd book. So here it is months after Breaking Dawn was published and I can't make myself read it. I know crazy. Anyway back to some of my favorites...Goose Girl by Shanon Hale-love it! These Is My Words series by Nancy E. Turner-LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT! Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austin-Love It! In fact any story related to Pride and Prejudice I love! There are many many more good series and books but these are a few of my favorites. Gift #5 Good Books! If any one has one to recommend please let me know Thanks!

Gift # 4 Mom's Rolls

Gift # 4 is my Mom's Rolls. My Mom is known for her rolls. They are light, they are golden, and they are delicious. It does not matter how many times I try to make my Mom's rolls they never taste like hers. Today I spent the afternoon making rolls as a trial run for Christmas Dinner and guess what? They are in no way like the rolls I had for Thanksgiving Dinner that my Mom made. They are good, but they are not wonderful. So my Gift #4 is my Mom's Rolls.

Mom making her rolls for Thanksgiving Dinner.

Gift # 3 Sunday

I went to bed last night with a different gift in mind, but when I woke up I thought of a different gift that I felt was perfect for today. My gift #3 is today, Sunday. What? You may ask? I have not always viewed Sunday as a gift, in fact there are some Sundays that I view as a trial. I learned to like Sundays when Ron was serving as Bishop. I think it was because inorder to survive, we had to come up with something quick! When Ron was called I had 4 kids and was due any day with Abby, my 5th. My oldest, Bryndee, was 8 years old. My thoughts, as well as many others I am sure, were how in the world am I going to do Sundays? We learned to rely on each other, and enjoy the day.

When our meetings permit, we all take naps! I love Sunday naps. Those of my kids that do not want to nap just take time in their rooms and read, play legos, color, or whatever they can find that is quiet. When we are not napping my kids are playing, together! On every other day we have to compete with TV and friends. On Sundays we don't have either. I also look forward to a wonderful Sunday Dinner. Tara comes over while we are at church, and with our combined efforts (my prep time before church and her getting everything together while we are at church) we come home to a meal sitting on the table ready to be eaten. While Ron was the Bishop we didn't get to sit by him for 5 years, but we did get to see him every Sunday. He was sitting on the stand always smiling down at us. Sometimes shaking his head at us, and sometimes giving a certain child the look. Now with his new calling we don't get to see him during church very often. But because he is the 2nd counselor in the Stake Presidency and the 1st counselor is also in our ward, when they both visit at the same time Ron gets to sit with us as a family. We love this. My kids ask every week if he will be attending our ward. He usually has 2 kids on his lap and another one leaning on him. I love it because I get to listen and enjoy the meeting. Like I said not every Sunday is view as a gift, but for the most part they are. Gift #3 Sundays! Happy Sunday Everyone!

Gift # 2 My Family

Wow! I don't realize how large my family is until I see us all in a picture! There are alot of people in this picture!


This is my family! I think they are a wonderful gift that I have been blessed with! Let's start with my dear husband, Ron. He is an amazing blessing in my life. He is my best friend and the person I want to spend eternity with! Bryndee has jumped head first into the teenage years, and I am really enjoying them with her. She is a perfect example for her younger brother and sisters. She is a huge help to me with the 2 younger girls. Being my only boy, I have always considered Porter my bonus child. He is alot of fun to be around. When he smiles, his whole face lights up. He is such a good boy and is always trying to do what is right. Torie is my happy child. Her smile is so contagious you can't help but smile with her. Kymber is my artistic child. She has been drawing since she was 3 years old. I can't wait to see this talent develop more. Abby is my sweetheart. So kind and such a peacemaker. Ellie is my spunky, feisty girl. She is definitely the boss of our family, but we all seem to be ok with that. Taralee is my baby girl. I kinda feel sorry for her because she will always be known as our baby. I have really enjoyed having her and her easy going attitude. It is amazing you would think being the 7th child we wouldn't be too interested in her "firsts", but that couldn't be further from the truth. It is like she is the only baby we have had in our house. Well there you have it my gift #2 MY FAMILY!

My Gifts

Lately I have been kinda in a funk if you will call it. There have been so many things going on around me that have affected me personally or my family that I have had a hard time just being happy, which had added to my funk. This is supposed to be the happiest season of the year. We have just completed Thanksgiving and I have so many things to be thankful for, and we are just starting into the Christmas Season which is wonderful. So I have been trying to think of something that will help me be happy again. I got a wonderful idea from a friend I have just reconnected with. Erin was challenged to list and describe 1 "gift" everyday for the month of December. Reading her "Gifts" made me realize this might be just what I needed to remove my funk. I hope Erin doesn't mind me taking on this challenge as well. So here we go and in no particular order...

Gift #1

Shelley Conway

After a short courageous battle with cancer, Shelley Marie Conway, 47, was called home on November 26, 2008. A native to Arizona, Shelley was born May 15, 1961 and was named Shelley M. Shelley and nicknamed “Shelley Squared”. She married and raised 8 children and one husband! Even though a full time mother, she always made time to help and be involved with serving others in church, school, sports, politics and scouting. She knew by serving others she was serving God which fulfilled her life in every way. Shelley is survived by her husband and best friend Michael, first daughter Britney; sons, Taylor, Gannon, Colter, Lincoln, Prescott, Briggs and her last daughter Zaida Coleen; father, Eldon (Bobbie) Shelley; siblings, Robert Shelley, Richard (Debbie) Shelley, Lyn (Allen) Bracken and Eldona (Jim) Stevens; over 150 nephews, nieces and brothers and sisters-in-law not counting her many aunts, uncles and cousins. Preceded in death by her mother, Zaida Marian Shelley and brother, Asael Reed Shelley. Visitation will be held 6-8:00 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 1, 2008. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008.

Shelley was the mother of my Porter's best friend. Shelley was a wonderful mother to her 8 kids. She was very supportive of each of her kids. I never knew how she did it, but she was at every event her kids had. Porter spent alot of time at the Conway home. With 6 boys in their family we liked Porter to be around other boys so he could see how boys really act and function. Porter was treated as though he belonged in their family. We felt the same way about Prescott.

When I got word of Shelley's illness (2 months before her passing, and just weeks after news of my Dad's diagnosis of cancer) I became physically ill. I questioned how this could happen to someone so wonderful. I had the opportunity to visit Shelley in the hospital a couple of times and never was there a word of complaint from her. In fact she always asked how I was, or how Porter was doing. I always came away from our visits feeling better.

Shelley's funeral was beautiful! I was not surprised to see the amount of people there to celebrate her life. The entire stake center was packed to the back of the gym. Her dear husband, Michael, choose to speak and invited his kids to share with everyone what they loved about their mom. Talk about a tear jerker! But what a lovely tribute to their wonderful mom. I truly think of Shelley as a gift in my life and am so thankful for the wisdom she shared with me and the wonderful example she was to so many people.

My Talented Daughter

Tonight I was working on the computer (OK wasting time on the computer) and Bryndee came out of her room very excited. "Mom you have got to hear this!" Putting her cell phone to my ear she proceeded to play We Thank Thee Oh God For Our Prophet by pushing the buttons on her cell phone. She can't play the piano, but she sure can play the phone. I am so proud! She is so talented!

Abby's Christmas List

I woke up this morning and found this list on the table:
1. A giant paint set
2. A Nintendo DS
3. A Barbie House
4. About 5 more Barbies
5. Nail polish
6. Lipstick
7. DS Games (If I get a DS)
8. Pet Shops
9. WebKinz: Bunnie, Rino, Duck, & a Raindeer
10. High School Musical 3 on DVD
11. GRANDPA ALLAN TO GET BETTER!!!!

Isn't she a sweetheart? All I want is number 11 also! I love you Dad!