First Pack Meeting

Ever since Brax turned eight he's been so excited about starting Scouts. He went the first week and couldn't wait to get his book. The second week he got his book and looks at it every day. He tries to see what he can do next. Tonight he earned his Bobcat after only having his book for a week. I can't tell you how proud of him we are. He's an amazing kid and we're so grateful for him in our lives.

The two newest cubs getting their Bobcat. Their leader started crying and of course I followed along.

We were trying to figure out where to put the mother pin.

Since the two boys earned their Bobcat, the rest of the Wolf Den painted each others faces. This is how Brax ended up and he was the one with the least face paint.

Thoughts for the Season

Christmas is a season where people stress out and have had enough. Normally I'm excited, stressed, etc. This year is so very different. I'm not way excited about the gifts or the wrappings. I tried to buy more thoughtful gifts, things people can use. This season has come without the holiday stress and with a whole different thought process.

As Christmas approaches, I have a feeling of inner peace. All I want for Christmas this year is for my family and friends to know they are loved. I'm feeling very grateful for the life that I have. Even Black Friday was different because of all the pushing and shoving for 5 or 10 dollar gifts. Normally I'd get right in there, but this year I kind of stood back. I met some fun people though.

I didn't get Christmas cards done, but oh well! I hope my family and friends know how much I truly love and appreciate them. My mom made a few trips down here to be with me for my miscarriage appointment and surgery. My dad had to sacrifice his secretary and made sure she was down here. I've had people come in and clean my house, listen to me cry, etc. I know I have a Heavenly Father that knows me and knows when to send certain people into my home when I need it. I can't say thank you enough for all the people that have helped in prayers, Brax's baptism, with my calling, etc.

I hope that we all can have a great Christmas and remember why we really celebrate. It's not about the gifts, it's about the birth of our Savior who came in a manger and was wrapped in swaddling clothes. He was born into meager means. I can't say how grateful I am for his birth and example. Merry Christmas from the Anderson clan.

Brax Turned 8

The Monday after Thanksgiving was Braxten's 8th Birthday. He was so happy to be 8. He couldn't wait to be baptized. We didn't get him a lot for his birthday. He did get up early to open presents before Branden left for work. Branden made us all french toast as well for Brax. He also took his car seat out of the car. We did take him out that night to Fiesta Fun for some miniature golf and arcade play. He had so much fun! I also took cookies into his classroom that day.


The rest of the week was spent preparing for his baptism celebration that he planned. Tuesday I made two soups, Wednesday 2 more, Thursday was desserts, and Friday was breadsticks and rolls. One of my soups didn't turn out, but the rest was great. We also had a couple other soups and desserts that family members brought.

The baptism was so spiritual. All I could do was cry. My baby is so amazing! I love him so much and am so proud of him. We had so much love and support here for him. We were only missing one of set of Aunt and Uncle's and one cousin. We are so grateful for everyone that was here. I know it was kind of treacherous travel for some, but I can't say thank you enough for everyone. We also had quite a few friends in attendance. We got distracted with having everyone come over that we didn't take a lot of pictures. I felt really bad, but I know it's a day we will remember forever! I feel very blessed with all the love and support that we have in our lives.

Brax writing in his baptism book after everyone went home.

Thanksgiving 2011

Once again we headed back up to visit family for Thanksgiving. This trip was a little more abnormal than most. We decided to head up Tuesday the 22nd so that we could have lots of time with everyone. We made it up just past Beaver (about 3 miles) when the car died. We couldn't get it started again and it was 10:30 pm. I thought it was the alternator. We called both our dad's. My dad had the flu and didn't answer, but got a hold of Branden's dad. He agreed to come and pick us up for the night so we didn't have to get a hotel room for the night. In talking to him we decided to get towed into Beaver since we were right off the side of I-15. The man that towed us was so very nice. He was also the mechanic that was going to work on the car. We waited on the 23rd for him to call us and let us know what it was. Branden and his brothers were helping decorate their parents yard and Branden couldn't wait to go pick up the car. There for a while we didn't think we'd get it back before Thanksgiving. The mechanic finally called us about 12:30 to tell us the fuel pump had gone out on us. Not what I wanted to hear, especially after hearing the price. He fixed it quickly and Branden went to go pick up the car with his dad while I went to Breaking Dawn Part I with the girls. While there my sister-in-law accidentally knocked my drink over on me so my pants were wet. It was pretty entertaining!


All in all it was a fun weekend. Thanksgiving morning we were able to get an Anderson family photo with everyone for the first time in years. The other thing was we added two new babies this year so it was their first time in the photo. We had a really nice day and a lot of food. So much in fact we ended up eating it at the Anderson's for a couple days. That night I went Black Friday shopping with my sisters from both sides. It was not as fun as normal. A lot more pushing and shoving. If it's going to be like that I won't return.


Friday I was so exhausted from being up all night that I decided to take some time to rest. A lot of the Andersons were heading up on the mountain to go cut Christmas tress, so we hung out in Venice for a while. That afternoon we went to Glenwood. We played some games and visited. We also ate a lot. I think I was so tired I don't remember a lot of that day. Saturday we spent some time with family before heading home. We did make one stop in Cedar. Branden has been wanting a pistol for a very long time and had saved up enough money to finally get one. It's a 22, but can't tell all the details since I know little about firearms. We were able to get home early enough to eat dinner and relax. It was a nice weekend.

When we did get home though Brax convinced me we were going to set up the Christmas trees and some decor which we did get done about 11:30 that night.

Birthday, Baptism, and Baby Blessings

The 4th of November we headed back up to see family. On November 4th it was my dad's birthday so we made sure to be up there that day. My mom took us all out to dinner at South China to celebrate. Following that, Cara, Branden, and I went to get cake and ice cream for back at the house. It was a lot of fun. My dad enjoyed the time spent with all of us.


Saturday we spent time with friends and family. It was the weekend of the beginning of the pheasant hunt. Branden went hunting and I rested at the house. Following that we all hung out at the pheasant hunter's dinner in Venice. It's a full Thanksgiving meal for not a lot of money. I truly enjoyed it and ran into friends and family. A while later was the baptism of our niece Brinley. It was very fun to be there with everyone. We are so proud of her!
Sunday we woke up and headed to Glenwood for two baby blessings. Paxton and Payton were born within a few weeks of each other and were blessed on the same day. It's fun that they were able to share the special day. Following the blessings, we headed to the dinner. We celebrated the baptism and baby blessings together. It was a great time. I was exhausted because it was the weekend following the surgery, but glad I made the trip with my family.

The Car Ride Home

Mixed Emotions

Today was the big day to return to the doctor. I was cleared from doctor's care today and told that I have bronchitis. I'm just glad it's not pneumonia again. I just can't wait to get feeling better. I'll start a Z-pack again and should feel better soon.

Now to what everyone really wants to know about. The stuff they got out was precancerous all the way around. I'm glad it wasn't cancer. I am going to be on birth control for 4 months. They don't want to run the risk of pregnancy and uterine cancer. They want to see if I can continue to shed the rest of the precancer on the lining. At that point I will have another biopsy, not looking forward to that, it hurts! If the biopsy comes back with no precancer we will move forward with fertility drugs and trying to get pregnant again. If precancer still appears the only other option is hysterectomy. I will go in right before my 30th birthday. I told Branden maybe that could be my 30th birthday present.

My feelings are kind of mixed. If we do the fertility drugs then it's back to the guessing game and the emotional roller coaster that goes along with it. At the same time, if I don't have regular cycles I have a high rate of developing uterine cancer, but they have not way of telling when. He said it could be 6 months from now and it could be 20 years. Even with cycles I still am at high risk. If I have a hysterectomy the guessing game is gone and all the PCOS issues along with it. At the same time, that means we're absolutely done. I guess then maybe we'll explore other options as a family.

Either way, I'm happy to be alive and to have a good husband who is always there to help and support me and assure me that the money put into my health is well worth it. I'm also grateful for a wonderful son who loves me unconditionally and is quite helpful. I love my family so very much. I'm also grateful for a mom and dad who are always watching out for and praying for me. I know they are always there and I really couldn't ask for better parents. I'm grateful for my siblings, in-laws, grandparents, and friends who help give me the strength and support that I need. I am one blessed girl and truly grateful for all that I have.

Hiking, Birthday Party, and Halloween

The week leading up to Halloween was kind of a crazy week. We carved pumpkins, went hiking twice, and celebrated Shanelle's 21st birthday. Carving pumpkins was fun, but I never took pics when they were done. Brax, Shanelle, and I spent a few hours outside carving. Shanelle made a ghost, Brax made a dragon and vampire, Branden's was an angry bird and Mario, and mine was a smurf and Happy Halloween. I decided next year I'm going to go get a carving kit to do more detailed work. It was a lot of fun and nice to have Nellie here to help me carve.


For Shanelle's birthday we made a cake, went out to dinner, and tried to make the day all about her. My parents also came down and took her to Thriller. We went hiking at Red Cliffs the day after with them as well. She has now moved out since things with her job didn't work out, but it was fun to celebrate with her.




The Saturday before Halloween Shanelle, Brax, and I decided to go hiking because it was the last time I'd be able to go for a while. We did the same hike at Red Cliffs, but went further. It was interesting. Brax was crying once we got to the foot holds because he was scared. Shanelle got him up and over. After that on our way back, the camera fell in about 3 ft. of water. I slid down and couldn't catch my footing and fell in also up to my waist. The water was cold, but we saved the camera. We took out the battery and memory card to dry them out and put it all in rice that night. Amazingly enough it survived. I was cold so we came home, but glad we went.


Halloween was an interesting adventure around here. We got up and got Brax ready for school and dropped him off on the way to the hospital. I went in for my surgery and was at the hospital for about 4 hours. My mom and Nellie went to the school to watch the parade which I was very grateful for. I spent most of the day on the couch and did give candy out from the couch when Branden let them in. Shanelle and our friends took Brax trick or treating and did the trunk or treat. Brax was Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon. He struggled with the wings a little, but had a great time. Shanelle spent four days here to help me and moved home after that.

The surgery went quite well. I'm still tender and nauseated, but trying to rest. Branden says I need to do less, but it's very hard. I'll keep trying. I'll update more after I go to the doctor on Thursday. In the mean time, I can most likely be found on the couch.