Hair

I brushed through my hair for the first time in a month. 

I had my friend, Rachelle, come to my house to take a picture of it. 

(Actually, she came over to play with her new camera, and take pictures of the baby . . . more pictures to come later.)

Maybe I should brush my hair more often?

Tempting.  Real tempting. 

Before Blogging

A blog used to be called a journal.

Back in the day, I was a very diligent journal writer. Not daily, but often. I had little journals from the time I could write, and then I started keeping a binder. My binder was in kind of a pre-blog format, with pictures and everything. It was a big mess, I just used what I had around, but I kept track of my life and history. 

I would print off e-mails and save them, especially the ones where I described my feelings about Charles to friends, before we were married . . . 

I would write (scribble) feelings, even when I was on vacation. 

Anyone want to analyze my horrid handwriting? Terrible, I know. I even got an "N" in grade school. I am sure it is because of something deeper inside of me -- an outer manifestation of an inner sloppiness. I try, my hand just will NOT do what I want it to?? Oh well, thank goodness for computers. 

Once I got a computer/printer I would type down my feelings and immediately print it out and throw it in the binder. Much better than handwritten slop. 

 I would even add images, to fit in with the timeframe. I was just preparing for blog days to come. 

And then, in 2004, my brother started a family blog that we all contributed to. I LOVED IT, and updated often. (Is that still floating out there Johnny?) And not too long after that, I started my own blog. I was hungry for it. I had already been inclined to write and keep record, and the blog format made it that much more fantastic. No more sloppy binder for me! 

In my opinion, the best part of blogging is inviting others to view your life. Not that I am that ego-centric or anything -- but it is fun to share, it makes writing/picture-taking worth it. When I look at blogs, I always feel like I am stepping into someone's personal domain, almost like entering their home for awhile. Each blog makes me feel a certain way. I know when I click on particular blogs, I will be viewing and reading a certain "tone", the tone of the author. Some are colorful, some insightful, some are depressing (try to avoid those!), and some are just fun. There are many days when what I have read by a blog-author rings in my ear -- I am affected by it, for better or worse. It is powerful. Blogs are powerful. They give you a voice, no matter how small. 

I have a great hope that when you enter my blog, you feel warm and welcome. We are all friends here. :-) I hope that when you read my thoughts and view my pictures you have positive feelings. I hope that it is a happy place for you to be and spend any amount of your time. I am just a regular girl sharing my life and voice, but I hope it influences you for good. I hope you feel comfortable in my "home". 

Oh, and though I may paint life in perfect photo-shopped images from time to time, just know that my reality is poopy diapers, pony-tailed hair, and pink pajamas pants -- there is no perfection here. Just me. 

Just Mari. 

Mari4u

Thank you blogger.com. You have changed my life! 

Les Miserables

Favorite Musical of ALL time!! 

With some of the most beautiful music ever created.

Coming to Boise on the stage, and to the movie theater this year! 

Yee-HA!!!

Do you hear the people sing?

KID HISTORY

Mormons can be funny. 

We started watching these silly videos a few months ago. Our kids LOVE to watch them with Daddy and laugh, quote, and mimic the stories. There are 8 "Kid History" episodes on youtube, and the 9th one is going to be shown here in Boise, this Saturday -- with the creators coming and everything. As a special end of the school year treat, Charles is taking the kids to the event. They are TOTALLY EXCITED!!

Watch the video. 

It may take a minute to get into it . . . but just let yourself love it . . . it is OK. :-)

HOORAY FOR KID HISTORY!!!!

Henry's Kidneys

Surgery.

That is the verdict. 

We have known since way back in December that kidney surgery was a likely possibility. I know many have hoped and prayed that it would not be the case (especially my kids) -- but I knew, in my gut, it would be necessary. The verdict was a little sad, but I was prepared for this news. 

Immediately after finding out about his complication (back before he was born), the Spirit whispered to me, "It will be hard, but it will be OK." I shed a few tears for Henry back then, while driving the winding roads home from the hospital. But now, I am just going through the motions. If he needs medicine, I give him medicine. If he has a doctor's appointment, or a visit to the hospital, I take him. If he has a procedure, or ultrasound, I hold his hand through it. 

It is just life. 

You just do what you gotta do. 

One day at a time. 

Henry was tested for kidney reflux on Friday. They did an ultrasound and X-Rays and ran dye through his system to test for reflux (pee going the wrong way back from the bladder into the kidneys). I watched the X-Ray results on a screen in a separate room. He is refluxing. Not good. 

So, for the next year Henry will be taking a daily antibiotic to fight off infection and scarring in his kidneys. He will have additional ultrasounds in a few months, and we need to watch him carefully for infection. When he is one year old he will be big enough for the surgery, and they will go in and repair his broken plumbing. The incision will be a few inches below his belly-button. It will be an eventful time, this time, next year. Poor kid. 

 My main concern is for his comfort. I asked the doctor if the refluxing hurts him and she said they don't know. After the surgery all should be well, as long as it goes well. (It should.) He will need follow-up for a year or so, and then he should be good to go. 

Looks like our little Henry Indiana Jones is going to have an adventure! 

He will whip this thing. I know it. :-) 

A Glut of Pictures

I thought I would take a "few" pictures of my sweet children. 

I sure love these cutie-heads. They are mine forever! Each one is so unique and special. I feel privileged to help them become who they are born to be -- children of God! 

I love you van Ormer babes! 

(Images not really in order) 

Dan the Man

 He loves to be "cool" 

 I am seeing his future unfold before my eyes . . . 

Yeah, he is awesome . . . 

Sweet Sammi

 Her brothers adore her, as they should

 From her birth she has been called Sammi Sunshine, and she has lived up to her name . . . 

She is so smart, and witty, and pretty, and fantastic

 Though she can be "Sassy Sammi" too . . . she is a little too good at sarcasm. Wonder where she gets that? 

Her childhood has been filled with the Magical World of Harry Potter. 

She LOVES it!! (She is obsessed with it would be more accurate.) 

Sammi is a crazy-reader, too . . . she LOVES to read and she wants to be, "A mom and an author." 

This year Sammi played the clarinet -- she did great. Next year she is going to play the saxophone (since she has grown enough to play it).

 It is kind of scaring me how much Sammi has grown-up lately. She is more young woman than little girl now. YIKES!! 

Brothers . . . sure to be best friends. 

Henry (April 24), Daniel (April 25), William (April 26). 

They will have to have one big birthday party!

 Love these!

 William (Silly Willy)

He is the comedian of the family -- no doubt about it. He loves to be helpful, too. That is  a bonus for me! 

The van Ormer children

My precious(es)

Henry 

Is the center of attention right now . . . his photos are in the post below. 

Families can be together forever . . .

Friends Forever

How I LOVE them!! 

I am so grateful to be their Mommy! 

Just looking at all of them together makes me want more . . . maybe just one . . . maybe . . .

:-) wink!