Elder Andrew Pettit - Called to Serve

Elder Andrew Pettit was called to serve a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  He is going to be serving the people of Japan, in the area of Fukouka and will learn the language of Japanese. 

We are so proud and excited for him. 
Andrew is such a great example to our family and we couldn't be more happy of the choice he made to serve a mission.  He is an example to Max and Dexter and someone they will always look up to. 

On Wednesday Andrew entered the Missionary Training Center where he will spend 8 weeks learning the language of Japanese and learning how to teach the gospel.  The MTC is in Provo so we got to see him before he left.  Andrew will not have contact with his family for two years except on Christmas and Mother's Day where he is allowed a phone call home.  We can send letters, packages, and emails to Andrew while he is in Japan.  His primary purpose is to serve the Lord and the People of Japan for two years. 

I know that mission work is a blessing from the Lord.  I know that the Gospel is true and that it can bring so many blessings to your life.  I know that Elder Pettit is going to enrich the lives of so many people and I so proud of him and his desire to serve the people of Japan.  What a wonderful experience this is going to be for him and our whole family. 

Dexter Andrew and Elder Andrew Pettit

Uncle Matthew, Elder Andrew Pettit, Me, Dexter and Will

I LOVE this picture!!

Dexter Update

It seems like we do a lot of updates about Max.  And we do.  But Dexter is improving and deserves an update. 

Last month was a hard month for our little man.  We tested him for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and bunch of other scary illnesses.  It was heart wrenching to watch the nurses up at Primary Children's conduct the tests.  Dexter hates doctors.

Dexter does have ear tubes and got his adenoids out in July.  Since then he has ruptured his eardrum, again, and had three more ear infections.  This isn't good and is so frustrating.   He has been tested for everything under the sun.  So we need another avenue, because being this sick for this long isn't normal.

We at first got a postive result for the CF test.  Then two hours later the doctor called and told me the nurse read the results wrong.  Holy S*&T are you kidding me.  Who reads those life threatening results wrong???

He follows the following pattern:
2-3 weeks of being sick, and then a week of improvements.  But he is so dang happy.  He doesn't sleep well at all, but when he is up he is happy. 

Three weeks ago we saw "Dr. House"!  Yes they exist.  Karin Chen specializes in rare disorders and we love her.  She was so patient with us, examined Dexter and we now have a plan.  I am so grateful for her and for Primary Children's in Salt Lake. Dexter does has a rare strand of bacteria growing in his ears, that is problem number one.  And the bacteria grows off of antibiotics, so all those antibiotics we have been giving him.  Not good.  We are waiting on blood test results right now. They are testing for rare blood disorders and genetic issues.  Doctor Chen knows something is wrong and she said that she will figure it out.  We have another appointment with the ENT that did his tube surgery on Tuesday.  Dexter is most likely going to have a scope of his tracheal in the next month to make sure things are functioning properly.  The ENT will perform this and also check the status of his tracheal malacia that he was born with.

Patience.  Lots of Patience. Prayers.  And more prayers.

Never a dull moment in this house.  Never.

Pumpkin Patch with Poppi

We went to Rowley's Big Red Barn for the 4th year with my Dad.  It was really fun to have Poppi in town, and the boys had a blast. 
Max is really into "Pu-kins" this year and was excited to pick his own. 

 Then my Dad and Will carved pumpkins while I took a nap.  The nap was great. 

We have a walker!

Just shy of his 15th month of life Dexter decided to take his first steps.
We were getting ready to leave California and Dexter thought that this would be the best time to try. 
Right away he took five steps. 
Then stopped.
Then about a week later took some more steps. 
Now he is half walking half crawling. 

I have been trying to catch a better video of his walking.  But alas, I can't catch it in time. 

October has been busy

Between Conference Sessions we went to the Scera Park and met up with Will's siblings and cousins.  It was really fun.  I feel so lucky to live so close to Will's family.  (At least half of them...)

Dexter and Cousin Luke

Max and Cousin Charley being ADORABLE. 

Dexter got sick again.  What else is new? But he loves to stick out his tongue now.  Which is awesome.  

We have a stander.  Hasn't taken one step yet, but he is standing. 

Dexter LOVES books.

 "Oh no, where fish?"  That is right, the fish are gone.  But...they will be replaced. 

Our fish died.  It was our fault.  We had WAY to many fish in the tank we had.  So, for my birthday we got a new tank, some cute decorations and Bike and Bus (our fish) will return.  But for now, Max thinks they are on a walk.  

Dexter

Dexter is now 14 months. 

He is such a fun and energetic little guy.

September, you snuck up on us fast!

I can't believe it is already a week into September.
Preschool is in session for Max.  He is doing pretty well thus far.  He cries everyday, but his teacher says he stops within 5-10 minutes after I leave.  He comes home happy and tired, so that is great.
He is learning, we can already tell.  He is saying more words, trying to mimic us more, and is playing pretend more than ever.  This is so promising.  It is a huge blessing.
I started work at Walden this past month.  I have really enjoyed teaching again.  I missed it.  I am loving 6th grade math and my small classes.  I have a chatty group of 6th graders, mostly boys, who have already stolen my heart.  I feel so blessed to have this job. 
Dexter is a ham.  He loves being the center of attention.  He loves food, and still is a great nurser.  He is very attached to Mom, but when Dad is around he wants to be with him.  He is a chatterbox, and has said multiple words:  Mom, Dad, Baby, All-Done, Max, Bath, and Makes the cutest car sounds when driving cars.  He loves to scream, giggle, and yell at the top of his lungs.
Will is teaching a comics class at Walden twice a week and has a group of 6th - 8th grade students.  They are learning how the comic world works and they are having a lot of fun with Will.

Life is in full swing, and we are busy, but it is fun and exciting and I love this time of year!

Dexter is such a ham. 

Max and Cousin Charley have had such a fun summer together.  Charley is so great for Max. 

Grandma was "base" for Charley and Max.  They chased each other for over an hour.

Watermelon.  Fruit of the summer.

Charley and Max

Mater gets a lot of business in the summer. 

Bailey, Dexter and Hayden

Watermelon, the sticky goodness of summer.

Dexter loves Uncle Matthew.  It is really cute.

My Etsy shop purchase that I didn't pay for.  It took it 6 weeks to get to our condo, I canceled my order, and then the Etsy shop sent me two outfits for free.  I don't think they wanted negative business. And the outfits are so cute!