New Years Eve

Hang out all day in our jammies, make lunch for Miss Taryn, and then party with the Fosters and the Powells who are in town from Kentucky. That makes for a great New Years Eve! Best part? We are all in bed by 10pm!

The party was fun! After dinner, I organized two games. One was the New Years ball O joy which was prizes intermittently wrapped up in a huge ball of saran wrap and each person got to unwrap until their neighbor rolled doubles on the die. The other was a great minute to win it game. Then we did fireworks but the seriously chilly weather and the artillery that blew up in our faces when Todd accidentally put it in upside down (terrifying and hilarious at the same time) totally cut the fireworks short. We will do the rest in 2015.











Both girls just loved playing with sweet Issac!








Happy New Year!

Posted using BlogPress

Good News! No, Great News!

In 2014 Riley and I have seen a lot of doctors! A LOT!

Not as many as some years in the past, but compared to the average 6 year old, it's been a ton! And the last doctors appointment of the year was a great one! I'm feeling extremely thankful!



At TCH today we met with the CMV Infectious Disease doctor, Doctor Demmler. This was a big appointment that I have been anxious about. We went to try to determine if many/some/all of Riley's challenges may have been caused by congenital CMV which is a common cold virus that can cause many birth defects.

It was a long appointment that resulted in some seriously good news! It is highly unlikely that Riley has congenital CMV. Dr Demmler is going to do more digging and testing but she seriously doubts it! That means my concerns over progressive hearing and sight loss are all but unfounded! I am thrilled to say the least. And the good news keeps coming! She suspects that Riley's hearing loss may just be due to middle ear disease which can fairly easily be addressed by her ENT! Oh happy day!

As a tired and worn down momma by some hard doctors appointments lately, I needed this one! I really needed this good news and don't take it for granted! I am SO thankful for my sweet Riley girl!

I am also SO thankful that Gama Linda came to the appointment with us! As I had some serious conversations with the doctor who was really great, Riley found the privacy curtain and giggled wildly as she rolled up in it like a human burrito. The two laughed as Riley got Gamas to roll herself up too while I handled all the boring stuff.

Then as a treat we went to ride the choo choo train with Gamas and have lunch in the park to celebrate our good news! I'd rather not mention that Riley slipped off the train before it started because she really had a great time! After such great news we all had a great time despite the cold!

Once again The Lord has really blessed us and I couldn't be more thankful!








- Posted using BlogPress

It's Done!

Hallelujah! All the Christmas stuff is finally down, packed up and put away in the storage unit! That's cause for celebration! Because thats an ordeal when there is one of me and two rowdy six year olds following me around like little ducklings.

So while accomplishing this not so favorite of tasks...Maybe I let them play on the dolly at good ole "Uncle Bobs Storage Facility" for quite a while.

Maybe they looked ridiculous because Keagan was in her jammies, cow girl boots and fireman jacket, and Riley was in her jammies, Doc McStuffins outfit, Princess Anna dress, VBS tShirt AND coat! Yep you read that right!

Maybe after a good 25 mins on the dolly their mom got a little out of hand and started bumping into walls on purpose and spinning them around wildly.

Maybe Uncle Bobs employee came down on his zippy golf cart to give us quite a threatening stare or two.





I'm just happy to have happy girls and to have gotten the job done! Maybe next year we will be a little better dressed to do so. Maybe, but probably not.


- Posted using BlogPress

We Talk of Christ

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

2 Nephi 25:26
The Book of Mormon

I just finished reading the Book of Mormon for 2014.

I know, cutting it close.

I simply have to say I know that every page of it is true. This book teaches me, strengthens me, comforts me, makes me think and brings me joy! Because it does all of that for me each night when I read it, I can't not want to share it with those I love.

Moroni 10:4 and 5
"4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."


- Posted using BlogPress

A Christmas Rhyme!

Christmas blessings all around today!
So much more joy then I can say!





Keagan said it was the "greatest day ever!"
Both girls were so happy, oh I never.








The Trampoline, a marble run, big Anna and Elsa dolls.
Scooters, new shoes, games, dress up and not least of alls..
iPads from their dad, they each got one!
They are both so grateful for all the fun!
A delish Pakka breakfast with the Fosters then.
And everyone played with all the gifts when.





Addie and Kellie then came home with us.
And I got to take a nap with no fuss!!
That's a great gift and also a few others
My sweet girls made homemade gifts for their mother!


After the nap the scene was quite scary!
But I forced everyone to be a clean up fairy!





Then a simple dinner was in store.
We all didn't need anything more.

So I end the day with a heart that could burst.
Because I think about that Christmas of first.


For unto you a child is born.
Eventually this King would be battered and torn.
To be my Savior, Christ The Lord.
Without Him no mistakes I could afford.
But with Him, I am once again whole.
I know that He already saved my soul!
So on this beautiful Christmas Day,
I'm so grateful for Him, nothing more to say!

Merry Christmas!


Posted using BlogPress

Christmas Eve

Today's Christmas Eve may go down as my best one in recent years. But there is no grand reason for that. It was just time spent with those I love that made this day before Christmas really great.

All day the girls and I took it easy in our jammies. We cooked, made giant gingerbread men, played games and visited with Gamas and Auntie Jenn.








While I was cooking, Keags did a little banana pops experiment of her own!


And then we had a fantastic time at the Fosters house for dinner! It was a tastey meal with the Fosters, Houston Ginns and my cute friends the Reisbergers. Sa went all out on the hosting duties and we played several games that of course got loud and crazy in true Ginn fashion.





Then several kids sang Christmas songs including Keags singing "Jingle Bells" and an incredible "O Holly Night" by Sami. We ended the night right with a video of the nativity, dessert and then our traditional Christmas jammies.








We put out our cookies and reindeer food and the girls are fast asleep while Santa came.





I know they are bursting with excitement for tomorrow morning! And I can't say they are alone in that. But I'm thankful that they also know the real reason for the season. In our family prayer tonight Keagan said "thank thee SO much for sending Jesus! And Santa too!" That about sums it up! Merry Christmas Eve!

Posted using BlogPress

Christmas Adam!

Happy Christmas Adam! You know, because Adam came before Eve.

We had Kellie and Addie sleep over last night so the festivities sure started early today! Why not make a "maze" on the carpet at 6am to maneuver the wheelchair through? That was interesting to wake up to. But I'm just thrilled they didn't wake me up that early!


And then it was on to a Christmas time highlight! Making gingerbread houses at the Cook's house with Auntie Andi and Auntie Jenn! So much frosting. So much candy. So much fun! Kellie and Riley made a darling more traditional house and Addie and Keagan got creative and piled on as much as they possibly could!











Then I had to take Miss Riley to the doctor. She had Pulmonology today and the rest of the girls begged and pleaded to come with us. It was a four hour trip of loud silliness that I'm just happy to have survived! We were quite the crew!








And the night ended with a nice family dinner with the Fosters at Cheescake Factory where we stuffed ourselves silly. Isn't that what you are supposed to do during the holidays? I think Sami mentioned she may not be hungry again until Valentines Day!





Happy Christmas Adam! Now let's do this Eve!

Posted using BlogPress

Christmas Sunday

I always look forward to Christmas Sunday! I picked out the girls Christmas dresses in September and Aunt Vicki bought them for the girls birthday. I anticipated a great three hours of church full of the focus on the real reason for the season, the Savior. And I couldn't wait to load up on the Spirit that this Sunday usually brings.

And then my Riley decides she is not going to cooperate at all today! Some people don't believe me but that girl really can be a stinker despite that killer smile. She wS furious to have to get ready for church and threw a major fit that she can't wear her dirty VBS tShirt over her Christmas dress. Then she was super naughty during sacrament meeting and we spent most of it in the hall totally frustrated with each other.

The good news is they did look darling, Keagan was such a great sister and helper all day, I did still totally feel the spirit and shed several tears if joy, and I got a report back that both girls were great in primary and at one point Keagan held Riley on her lap!

Not really what I was hopin for but I guess I'll take what I can get! Happy Christmas Sunday!















- Posted using BlogPress