Our first Christmas on our own

We hope all that read our blog, had a nice, safe, happy Christmas. We definitely did, even though, we found ourselves spending Christmas on our own for the first time. It was different. We found ourselves trying to blend traditions from both sides of the family, as well as trying to create a few of our own. Some worked, some need a little tweaking.

We tried to do our own Nativity scene with the kids, but Evan was not about to have a towel tied to his head with a tie. However, Vanessa really enjoyed being Mary and Ben was a very sweet baby Jesus. I am glad we at least attempted it.

We read "The Night Before Christmas" and then followed that with about ten Christmas Carols.

My favorite part was spending a little one-one-one time with Vanessa just before putting her to bed. Vanessa and I spent some time together on a hammock swing we have sitting in our front window. It was snowing outside, so it was really beautiful. We just sat and talked about Santa and his reindeer and how they manage to make it around the world in one night. It really is neat how kids believe in all these magical things. I felt like a kid again just talking to her.

It's a mini-me!

I love to run. I really do, but finding the time gets more difficult with each additional kid. Unfortunately, I am not one of those pregnant women who just gets a baby bump in the front and nothing anywhere else. Running motivates me to eat better. If I can't run, I eat poorly. I tried to run while I was pregnant, but my back just can't handle it. (My abdominal muscles are next on my list.) When I can't run, I get depressed and anxious, and then I eat. What a vicious cycle!

I am doing my best to get back into it again. It's difficult during the winter months. I can't run outside until it is warm enough to take Ben out in the stroller, so I have to rely on my treadmill. That is my problem right now. One of the things I love most about running is BEING OUTSIDE! Don't get me wrong... I am lucky I even have a treadmill, and it has always been there for me, but it's just not the same. Staring at the wall, is not near as beautiful as staring at the mountains (or the sagebrush :) ). So I found this cool mini-me gadget from nikeplus.com. I am really not trying to show off, or anything(well, maybe just a little ;) )... I am just trying to find some motivation. It is a great way to keep track of runs, set goals, compete in challenges and all sorts of things. I can't wait to get started. I am finally pumped about running this winter!

New haircut (for those who care)

OK, so I feel a little dumb posting a picture of myself, especially one that I took by myself (it is a little more up close than I am comfortable with). I wanted to show my family in Ohio my "new" hair. Since turning 30 yesterday, however, I also have come to realize that I really don't have a lot of pictures of myself; mostly because I am usually the one taking the pictures. I am not always jumping to get in front of the camera either. I guess it would be nice if someday my kids could look back and see what I looked like in my "younger" years.

Along the way...

we enjoyed a lot of beautiful scenery during our drive to Utah for Thanksgiving. I wish I could have taken better pictures, but I can only get so much when I am trying to take the picture through an unrolled window in a fast moving car.

We also enjoyed a nice hotel room with a big comfy couch.

Ben relaxed on some "luxury" pillows.

Then, we spent much of our Thanksgiving in a very small town in Utah where Marty's parents just built a house. It is the town where Marty's father grew up. According to wikipedia, the population was 290 as of the 2000 census. There are a lot of farms, plenty of open space, and of course, animals everywhere. Oh, and Nana and "Kappa" live there with their yellow dog, too. Vanessa was in heaven.

Traveling is never easy, especially now that we have 3 crammed into the backseat of our car, but it is particularly difficult with Evan. Any changes from his normal routine can really be upsetting to him. He did have a bit of a rough time, however, we were able to find at least one thing that made him very happy. He really enjoyed riding on the four-wheeler. We never know how Evan is going to react to anything different, but he loved it.


Vanessa also had a ball riding with her "Kappa".


In the end, it was just nice to spend time with family and friends who we don't get to see as often as we would like.

They grow so fast!

Ben just turned 3 months yesterday and I can't believe how big he has gotten in such a short time. I guess that's just how it goes. He is quite chubby. He is in the 90% for his weight, just like his sister was as a baby. He just loves to eat, what can I say. When I was giving Ben a bath the other day with Vanessa's help, of course, I couldn't help but notice how huge he looked in her arms, so I had to hurry and snap a few pictures.


We sure do love the chubby little guy. It's amazing what a new addition can do for a family. He really is a good sweet baby. He sleeps through the night now and always wakes up smiling. I wanted to share a short clip of what I get to wake up to every morning (or at least most mornings).



What more could I ask for.

4 out of 7 were a little better in Ohio

Well, the new computer is finally up and running just in time to post some Halloween pictures. I must say that I miss trick-or-treating in Ohio. People really get into it there. Since Vanessa was born we have spent 4 out of 7 Halloweens in Ohio. Vanessa's first Halloween was spent in Utah, but that didn't really count because she was a little too young to go door-to-door (only 5 months old). Then we spent two in Ohio, then one in Arizona, then two more in Ohio, and now our first in Washington. (I know we move way too much). At of all those years, this year was definitely the most disappointing. Only about half the houses we went to were giving out candy. Maybe other neighborhoods around here are better than the one we live in. Anyway, we then went to the trunk-or-treat in our ward. I will say I have never seen such a turn out for a trunk-or-treat in any of the other wards I have attended, but it still just isn't the same as going house-to-house. Oh well, it was still fun getting the kids all dressed up and they still ended up with PLENTY of candy.

Vanessa insisted on having a green face. I'm not sure how great it looks, but it is better than the alternative. This is the second year Vanessa has wanted to wear one of those scary white ghost Halloween masks (you know, like the one from the movie "Scream"). I have no idea why. Luckily she is willing to compromise.







I can't believe Vanessa wore that same red devil costume 6 years ago. They grow so fast!



This is the first official picture I have of just Ben and Evan together. Shortly after this was taken Evan grabbed Ben's cheeks, and Ben burst into tears. Even Evan can't resist those chubby cheeks!



Trunk-or-treating is so much fun!



I had to get in this picture of Ben smiling at his Dad just before bed.



Well, I hope all of you had a fun and safe Halloween too!

broken monitor

I wanted to let everyone know, (while I have access to Marty's laptop) that our computer monitor died on us just over a week ago. We just ordered a new one, so I hope to get back to blogging again soon. Hope everyone is doing well.

Something a little personal (A Re-post)

I first wrote this post in 2008.  I have gone back and forth (as I do a lot with many decisions in my life) as to how personal I want my blog to be, but entries about our own personal experience with autism keep creeping their way back into my blog, so I guess there is a part of me that wants to keep sharing.  For a while, I thought I would just have a separate blog for those experiences, but hey, who am I kidding?  I barely have enough time to write in one blog.  So I thought I would re-post this entry, and start over again with an occasional experience here and there for the same reasons I gave below- I just need an outlet, so bear with me...


At first, I really wanted to keep my blog very basic. I did not want to post anything too personal or revealing to anyone who actually knows me (I tend to be somewhat of a private person). I even decided to start a separate blog for these "personal" thoughts. However, I think I have changed my mind (and I hope I don't regret this). Before, I get into anything too deep, I must confess that I am not a writer (maybe you have already noticed). English was never one of my stronger subjects. Luckily I have a husband, who is much more gifted in this area than I, who has been able to help me improve a bit with this weakness over the years. However, I still have a long way too go, so just bare with me.

For some time now, I have wanted a place where I can go to share my feelings, thoughts, experiences about my life and family with a son who has autism. I have kept most of these thoughts to myself for various reasons. However, I think everyone probably needs an outlet for something. We all have unique experiences, challenges that change our lives forever. I have definitely had my share of those experiences, as I know many of you have, but nothing has struck me like having a child with autism. This has truly been a life-changing experience, and yet I know I still have a lot to learn from it. I know my life will continue to change, be challenged, and be blessed because of this special experience with my son.

My view on this disease has also evolved and I feel the need to share this simple, non-scientific perspective with others. I know everyone's experience with autism is unique. Everyone deals with it in their own way. I am not here to judge anyone on how they have chosen to tackle this disease.

So, basically, every once in a while I am going to break from my usual family update, to share an "autism experience". I think that this is just something I need to do.

"We need two babies"

I have gotten requests for some more recent pictures of Ben. I don't really have a story to go along with them, except that trying to get all 3 kids in one shot is almost impossible. I know I am eventually going to get that perfect picture of all of them together. I won't give up!




Thank goodness for football season. The baseball season hasn't been too kind to us. (Marty is a Rangers fan, and I am a Reds fan.) Go Cowboys! (We still need to get the kids some BYU gear.) Now, if only the Bengals could maybe win at least one game. :)





Vanessa is like a little mother to Ben. I can't get over how much she loves having a new brother. She is already begging me to have at least one more baby. I said "What if it's another boy?" (She really wanted a girl) She said "I don't care, I just want to have two babies." We'll just have to wait and see...

Beauty at the river

Pasco is not prettiest area I have ever lived. I grew up in southwestern Ohio, where things are usually very lush and green and the hills are always rolling. Here, there is a lot of brown and sagebrush. (This is the view from our back porch.)



I wouldn't say this is ugly, it's just not my definition of beauty. It doesn't look like this everywhere. There are some really nice parks along the Columbia river. We thought we would try to get some pictures of the family with the river in the background, rather than the sagebrush. We also just wanted to show others a little of what it looks like here.









Ok, so the river isn't behind him, but this picture was too cute to be excluded.

I've been tagged

I just realized today that I have been "tagged". I have never been tagged before, so this is kind of exciting. I am supposed to answer a series of questions about my husband. I will do my best. I also think I am supposed to maybe tag someone else. I don't have a lot of choices, so Tami it's all you. :)

What is his name? Martin
NICKNAMES? Marty, Mart, Daddy
How long have you been married? 10 years
How long did you date? 9 months
How old is he? 33
Who eats more sweets? I think it's a toss up.
Who said I love you first? I am pretty sure I did. Can you believe that? I guess I was feeling pretty bold.
Who is taller? He is.
Who can sing better? Probably him.
Who is smarter? I would say he is. He has a lot more patience and endurance. He can spend hours studying and taking tests. If I don't get it immediately, I usually move on to the next problem.
Who does the laundry? I do mine and the kids. He does his own.
Who pays the bills? We have taken turns. Right now, he pays the bills.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? If you are facing the bed, I do.
Who mows the lawn? He does, but I wouldn't mind doing it either. Right now we don't have a lawn to mow.
Who cooks dinner? I do most of the time, but he has a few special meals that he makes every once in a while, like his chili and awesome black bean soup. He also loves to grill.
Who drives? He does.
Who is more stubborn? He would probably say me.
Who kissed who first? He kissed me.
Who asked who out first? He did.
Who proposed? He did.
Who has more siblings? He has 5, while I have 3.
Who wears the pants? I think we take turns, depending on the situation.

First day of school

Well, I am a little late, but Vanessa did start her first day of school a few weeks ago. Time does fly. I wish I could have soaked up the moment a little more.

The first day was a bit chaotic. I didn't even have time to be a little sad to see my daughter go off to school for the first time. I had imagined I would watch my little Vanessa, climbing the large stairs to the big yellow bus, before waving goodbye to her through the window as the bus took off down the street. I know that was how Vanessa had hoped it would be. She has desperately wanted to ride on a school bus for a few years now. However, her first day was much different than that. We live just close enough to her school, to not qualify for bus service, but just far enough that walking is not an option right now. I had to drive Ben, a very grouchy Evan, and Vanessa to an extremely crowded school on her first day. The thought of getting emotional didn't even have a chance to cross my mind as I dropped Vanessa off. The parents were invited in, for a "good- bye" story, but there was no way I was taking Evan into that environment. He had been on the verge of a meltdown all morning. I basically got there just in time to watch Vanessa line up with her class and then disappear into her school. That was it. She was gone. Other parents were taking pictures, were going inside, or peering through the windows into the classroom. I, on the other hand, couldn't get out of there fast enough. Oh well,... at least Vanessa isn't the clingy type and never has been. She was just excited to be there and I honestly don't even think she cared if I was there or not.

Through all the chaos I did manage to get one photo of her on her first day.

Life just got a little busier

I have forgotten what it is like to have a newborn around. Now that I have three kids, I feel as though I suddenly have very little time for anything. However, it is very exciting to have a newborn in our family again. It is especially neat because we have two other kids who are old enough to enjoy Ben and share in this special experience with us. Vanessa can not get enough of Ben. She absolutely adores him. Evan is very curious about his new little brother. At first, I think he was a bit jealous of Ben, and probably still is to some extent, but lately I have caught Evan looking down at Ben with the sweetest of smiles. I can only imagine what Evan must think about how this little baby suddenly came into our lives. Evan may not understand it all, but I am sure that he knows that Ben is something special.

I have sat down to update my blog several times in the last week, and every time I do, Ben takes this as his cue to start crying and demanding my attention. So, quickly, I will try to post some pictures of Ben (with his eyes open).



Vanessa has made sure Ben has been properly introduced to all of her favorite animals.

Little Benjamin has finally arrived!

Benjamin Kirk Memmott was finally born on August 17, 2005 at 12:56 pm. He weighed in at 7lbs. 15 oz. and was 19 inches long. I definitely would like to say more about the birth of our latest edition, but right now I just barely have enough time to get some pictures posted. (I know there are many who are anxious to see Ben.)



Our first family photo.


I think I am still a little out of it.


Daddy with his new little boy.


Vanessa absolutely adores her new baby brother.




Finally going home...(his hat is a little too big).

A quick baby update

No, I have not had the baby yet... I just wanted to let everyone know that I am scheduled to be induced this Friday, Aug. 15. There is a small possibility that I could get called in a little bit earlier on Thursday night. We will definitely keep everyone posted with the birth of our new little boy, and we will also be sure to post pictures as soon as possible.

Rewinding back to July 4th

While I am waiting to have this baby, I wanted to rewind the clock a bit to post some pictures from July 4th, our last holiday in Utah before we left. I didn't have time to post them right after, or I would have. I thought there would be some family members who would enjoy seeing these pictures even if it is a little late. We really had a great time, especially Vanessa. She loves playing with all her cousins. She already can't wait until we see them again.

I'm almost there!

Well, I am finally nine months pregnant and counting down the days until our new little boy enters this world. I had forgotten how uncomfortable it is to be this pregnant. I feel like a big bowling ball just rolling around from one place to the next. Sleep is pretty much non-existent at this point, (I long to lay on my stomach or back again), and my feet and ankles are starting to swell a bit. But, we are very excited to welcome a new addition to our family. Vanessa is especially looking forward to meeting her new brother. She is going to love helping me out with him, even if it isn't the little sister she was hoping for. I am also very anxious to see how Evan will react to the new baby. We will keep everyone posted when our little boy arrives. Hopefully he will arrive much sooner, rather than later. I have an ultrasound on Aug. 4, to see how big he is. If he looks like he is getting rather large my doctor may set a date to induce.

Well, I swore I wouldn't do this, but I guess I will post a picture of myself nine months pregnant. This is mostly for Todd, who has never seen me pregnant and has been hounding me for a picture.





Vanessa can't get over how big I am, either.

Evan turns 5!

Evan turned five today. His birthday was pretty low-key this year. I bought him some of his favorite treats and some mini cupcakes, hoping that he would find some enjoyment out of them. We got him a few gifts and that was it. Overall, it was all fine for Evan. I still can't help but feel a bit guilty for not doing more. Having just moved two weeks ago and also with me being nine months pregnant, it was difficult to do much else.

While we sang "Happy Birthday" to him, Nessa held his hands away from his lit candles, (Evan doesn't quite understand the dangers of fire yet), and then she helped him blow them out. She is a great big sister. She is constantly looking out for Evan.



Evan did seem to really enjoy his cupcakes, or at least the frosting on top.







Evan's birthdays definitely bring about a lot of mixed emotions for me. It's always exciting to celebrate another year of his life. Our lives have changed so much since he was born. He has been a blessing in so many ways and I know he will continue to bless us in ways that I can't foresee. At the same time, I realize that to Evan, his birthday is just like any other day in his life. He doesn't get excited over his cake or presents, nor does he really even seem to comprehend anything that is going on. It's another year when I reflect back and think to myself that I should have done more for him, that he should be making better progress. But, no matter what, we love him and I know he loves us even if he can't tell us with words. He is a very special child who touches the hearts of all those he comes in contact with.

A few new pictures of the kids

I thought I would put a few of the "untouched" photos we just had taken of Vanessa and Evan for those in my family who have yet to see them. Pictures can be exhausting. Vanessa has a very difficult time just being natural and it is can be like pulling to teeth to get Evan to smile on cue, but we got through it and the results weren't too bad.