Palmyra, Smith Farm, Sacred Grove, Hill Cumorah

Brylee was released from the hospital on July 31st. That night, Alisha, Shae, and Madison flew in to Maryland to visit us for the week. We had been planning this trip since April. We were worried that we would be in the hospital longer than anticipated, and that they would need to reschedule or that Brylee might not be up to it. Luckily for all involved, things worked out and they took the long flight out here. They had some weather in Phoenix so they got in late but I was so glad to see them I didn't care! A week of vacationing was going to be just what we needed after everything that had happened with Bry.

It was a week packed full of everything we could think of to do and have them see. PHEW! I needed a week to recover from everything after they left! This post all took place in the first three days of the visit.

It is 6 hours from our house to Palmyra, New York. We didn't head out of town until 7:00pm that night so we did only half the drive that night. We stayed in some town in Pennsylvania (which is a BEAUTIFUL state I think!), then headed up to Palmyra Monday morning. We had perfect weather with the exception of a little rain that wasn't enough to bother anyone.

First we went and saw the Martin Harris Farm. He mortgaged the farm for $3,000.00 so that the Book of Mormon could be printed.



Next we headed over to the Grandin Printing Shop where the Book of Mormon was printed for the first time. 5,000 copies to be exact. Other than the Sacred Grove, this was my favorite stop. The flooring was all original where the Prophet had walked. The ink that was splattered all over the floor was all original as well. It was awesome to see the actual pages that Oliver Cowdry has scribed.





We made a quick stop at the LDS Bookstore to find a few things, then headed over to the Smith Farm and The Sacred Grove. It's humbling to see what the Smith family had, and yet for them, it was more than enough. Sometimes I think if I secluded myself on a farm somewhere miles and miles from anyone with just my family and lots of open space, I would be the happiest girl on earth. It's amazing how inventive they were to be able to get everyday chores done. Such smarties! I loved Lucy's granite sink!

However inspiring the homes were, the Sacred Grove is the by far the most impressive and amazing place I have been. We talked a lot as we entered about where exactly it was that Joseph knelt and prayed that day. I decided it didn't matter to me. What happened in that grove was the Restoration of Christ's church on the earth. What Joseph did in his life was amazing to bring that to pass, and he was an example for me. He wanted truth, and he sought it. He wanted answers, so he prayed. He believed in the scriptures when John spoke of asking and recieving answers. That's what I have to do as well. What I took from it was his example. It didn't matter where he knelt. What matters is what I do.








(I do have to say though, it was a little eery that we were met on the way into the grove by a friendly snake!)

Last, we headed to the Hill Cumorah on our way back home. Glad we didn't come when the pageant was on. I can't even imagine how many people were packed into that small town! We first went to the visitors center and the kids (either from exhaustion or the spirit being so strong) sat and loved just being in the room with the Christus.

The walk up to the Hill Cumorah Memorial we got to talk together about the night Joseph went to get the plates. The lengths Satan will go to to stand in the way of truth is pretty scary to think of.

I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and for the chance I had to go and experience the spirit that still abounds in those sacred places. An even bigger bonus was the fact that Rusty, Brylee, and I got to do all of this with Alisha and her girls. It was a trip I don't think any of us will forget!

Eternity

On June 15th I received a call that I needed to head to Arizona. On June 20th Rusty, Brylee, and I all boarded a plane bound for Phoenix. We got in at like 10:00pm. Becky and Kyle picked us up. The next morning we drove home. The day after that, I had the opportunity to sit with my sister in the temple for the first time. I wouldn't have missed that for anything!

Justin and Alisha Walker Family
Together Forever June 22, 2010



I remember the day I was married, I left for the temple while my sister got in the shower. I remember thinking that I was kinda sad that she hadn't waited to tell me bye because the next time I saw her I would be a married woman. We have always been close, and I was so sad that I couldn't share that day with her and my Dad. As happy as I was, I could feel them missing in the sealing room. Once we were outside the temple I couldn't wait to hug my Dad and my sister. It made the sweetness of what had just happened complete. Later, Alisha told me that she didn't want to say goodbye to me that morning because she was sad she couldn't be there with me.

With that said, I'm so grateful that I got to finally sit next to her and watch as she went through the temple for the first time. Of course, I lost it many times through the session, but there is something about watching those kids all dressed in white becoming a forever family that melts your heart. It was such a sweet sealing and I'm so excited and grateful for the Walker Bunch! Love you guys!

Bucket-o-fun

My junior prom, I went with a big group of friends. It was one of my favorite formals. We spent the day at the Crosby's cabin and my date, Eric, had brought a "bucket-o-fun". It had a ton of different activities to do. Most of them were pretty corney, but we still thought it was fun! That's what this summer reminds me of. Summer-o-fun for sure. It's like things keep coming up! So, I thought I would do a synopsis of all the events. This is our "Summer 2010".

We finally moved our stuff out to D.C. We hesitated at first but Brylee was sure glad to be back in her own crib instead of that pack-n-play!


Swimming since it was so dag-gum hot.


Trips to the zoo!







4th of July in D.C. We didn't go to the capital since we thought we ought to go to church instead, but we did go watch fireworks with some good friends that night!







Hung-out shopping with Ligia and Madi. These girls are such great buddies. I love it when Madeline calls Brylee "chunky"! It's the cutest!



Our bank account doesn't love our summer escapades but I wouldn't change anything. Money comes and goes, but these experiences I will always remember. Hope you all have been having as much fun as we have!

Brylee turned 1....

...like two months ago! There has been a lot going on for us this summer, but I don't want to forget to post about her 1st Birthday. I wrote this post a long time ago, and just needed to add the photo's when Brylee got sick. Once you read it, you will see how ironic it is. Thought I would keep the original posting...I kinda liked it. Here it is:

Have you ever wanted something to be just absolutely perfect that you almost miss the most important stuff? I almost made that mistake on Brylee's very first birthday. Luckily Rusty was here to ground me.

Bry and I had just returned the day before from a two week long trip to Arizona. I had huge plans for her birthday cake which involved blocks and fondant and a cake fit for beautiful pictures.


However, when I went to Walmart to finish shopping for her presents, the cake decided to crash in on itself and ruin any chance of my picture perfect cake. Then, when we did finally get a cake for her with a candle burning, the camera wouldn't work to capture the moment, so we didn't get her blowing out the candles. And then my husband pulled me from the depths of selfishness to make me remember that it wasn't my day, that Brylee didn't care what her cake looked like, and that she only has one 1st birthday so lets let her live it up. So I threw all my plans out the window and that's what we did!

I didn't do a real cake, just one block that I saved from the rubble and decorated it with the cheap icing you get in the can. I didn't put bows or ribbon on her presents, and I didn't invite anyone over.







I made her favorite meal ever, YUMMY chicken. It was just the three of us...and I think she LOVED IT and I know Rusty and I loved having her all to ourselves to fuss over and spoil.

She dug into her cake like a total pro! We hadn't really given her cake before so this was a first of sorts for her. She would take a handful of cake in her hands, grind it between her fingers, then stick her tongue out as far as she could and just smear the cake on it. It was dirty, nasty, awesomeness. Her bath that followed was full of cake bits and tears because she could have sat there licking her high chair all night.



Her dad and I tried like crazy to get her to help unwrap the presents. She wouldn't. She would wait until that was done, then take the present and shove it in our faces until we stopped everything and opened it up so she could play with it.






When she was a few weeks old and crying all the time, I had people tell me that if I could make it until she was 4 months old that I would be in the clear. But see, that was the problem. I couldn't see myself making it that far without some serious medication to make me not care about the crying. We did make it though, and I know Rusty and I have learned so much throughout this 1st year. You learn a lot while you watch your child open up the secrets of the world one by one.

I have told people this before, but Brylee is my nemesis.She brings every fear of mine out in the open and makes me confront it head on. I have thought many times that I don't know how moms sit and read the same book, or play the same game, or sing the same song over and over again. Even now, I know that some days I do better than others, but she makes it easier with the fact that I worship the ground she walks on.

I worry that I don't teach her well enough, that my lack of patience is something she will pay the price for. When she is sick, every weird medical ailment that could possibly afflict her comes to my mind. I have seen sad, heart wrenching things. I have seen things happen that people tell themselves would never happen to them or their children. I have asked parents how they deal with children hooked up to ventilators and tubes. I have held children's hands through tough procedures I never want Brylee to even know about. So my mind never sleeps when she has an unexplained fever.

She is my nemesis but she is also the reason why all of those fears are worth fighting through.

To my sweet Chunk-o-monk....I speak for your dad as well when I say that we love you Brylee! You have been our miracle baby from the very beginning. You roll with the punches with a smile on your face and a sweet giggle in your heart. You laugh out loud at everything, especially yourself. You think you are the funniest person alive! It just so happens that we do too! Please keep laughing and loving life like you do right now. It makes this whole adventure the best ride ever! Love you Chunky!

Mama, I'm coming home......

(elmo curtesy of our maryland BFF's the McQueen's, you are our life savers, love you guys!)


I know she looks like an orphan, but what do you expect when she has been in the hospital for a week? I mean really! I tried to think of all the songs with "HOME" in the title, and Ozzy is what came to mind. Wonder what that says about me?

We were discharged this morning, a day and change ahead of the previous schedule. Bry had pulled out her IV yesterday so they figured they could give her the medication via shots in her thighs for the last two treatments. As sad as it is to say, I think I much prefer that method. She was like a bear who was trapped when hooked up to the IV. I was even worse trying to keep her in the crib. Pateince.....patience.....pateince.....yep, it's just not my thing. In any case, this turn of events helped to speed up the discharge process. Yet another reason I am in favor of this method.

Our house smells like garbage that needs taking out and the last candle I burned mixed together. I guess that's better than some things it could smell like.

For the next two months Brylee will be on antibiotics until they can determine if the abnormality with her right kidney is something that will cause recurring problems or if she will be ok. Do you know what antibiotics do to children's digestive systems?

Ya for me.

For the next two months.

Ya for me.

My daughter is a roll with the punches kind of gal. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday that he sent me a million dollar baby with the guts to go through it all with a smile. Well, in all fairness, I'm not grateful that she will cost me millions by the time she is 2, but blessings don't always come the way we think they will.

And she is definitley a blessing.

Update

(phone camera pics, not very good quality)

Ok, so our little one is MUCH better today! Luckily, the antibiotics have done their job and she is back to running around the Peds unit giggling, smiling, and waving to all the nurses. Unless, of course, they are coming to do their routine assesments and then she kinda freaks. I think she has had it with strangers touching her....she has Rusty's personal space issues.

Last night, Rusty stayed with her so I could catch some sleep. I had been up with her for the past week with his help but I had just about had it. My patience and sanity were severely compromised. I know they both had a really bad night with no sleep, throwing up, lots of crying, and some yelling at some grouchy night nurses. To top it all off, we had had a huge storm yesterday and the power was out in the hospital so there was no A/C. Needless to say, my husband is my hero!

As for Brylee, she had a UTI that went undetected by her pediatrician. Because it lasted this long, she now has a kidney infection and the bacteria has also infected her blood. They did an ultrasound of her kidneys today which told us that Brylee is even more unique than we thought. The reason she ended up with a UTI is that her right kidney has a defect she was born with. Instead of one ureter going from her right kidney to her bladder, she has two. Apparently, in cases like this, one drains properly and the other does not....leading to bacteria getting caught in there. We will have to see another specialist about that to see if they will just watch her for further complications or if they will remove one surgically.

As for right now, we will be in the Peds Unit for 5-7 days for her antibiotic treatment then home with a bunch more meds just to make sure we are clear. Thanks for all the well wishes! We really appreciate the prayers as well. I promise, we have seen miracles with our little girl time and time again that can only be answers to prayers. Now, lets just hope and pray that we don't all go insane in that tiny room with a 14 month old monkey!

Prayers for our little Chunk!

I am sitting at home alone right now. I just got home from the hospital and our home sweet home is eery with how quiet it is. Brylee was admitted into the hospital today after a 7 day battle with what we now know is a blood infection, UTI, and possible kidney infection.

Just wanted to let people know where we are if you are calling and not getting through to us, plus, I am totally not ashamed to ask for prayers on my daughters behalf. This is something that should resolve itself with heavy antibiotics and lots of care, but having the power of prayer on our side is something I truly believe in. So, if it's not to much trouble, please pray our little one. I will update as much as I can but we will be in the hospital for the next week. Thanks!

It won't be like this for long....

I was listening to that song in the car this morning on my way home from the doctors office. Brylee has been running a temp for the last two days and goes through spells where she just can't stop shaking. I called to make sure that it was just the chills from the fever and nothing I should worry about but they decided I needed to go in anyway. Of course she is just fine...just a virus..or teething... or a bladder infection.....man, I really wish she could tell me where it hurt already!

On the way back, Rusty and I were driving quietly listening to the song, Bry was asleep in her car seat, and tears started welling up in my eyes. Last night, Rusty rocked with Brylee for a long time while she trembled and grunted and cried. He never got impatient, never sighed in frustration, he just rocked and "shhh'd" and cooed in her ear. It's as if she hand picked Rusty so that someone could laugh when she falls on her face, and when she destroys my house, and when I want to boot her in the butt.

And the words of the song came like a bolt of lightening into my mind..."it won't be like this for long."

I have a husband I take for granted. At random times throughout the day I look at my phone and there is a sweet text from my hubby telling me how much he loves me or how beautiful he thinks I am. I randomly check my blog and he has sweet messages for me....you all know what I'm talking about. I'm a lucky girl! I hope I can make sure that Bry knows how lucky she is to have Rusty on her side. He is the best cheerleader and friends there is. I have always known he had my back no matter what. (I say cheerleader in the most manly of manly ways I possibly can imagine.)

So, I know we won't always have Brylee how she is right now, I know she will grow, we will add to our little mess, and they will grow and walk (or run) away to share their lives with others...but I'm glad I'm in this foxhole with you, babe!

Longing for the time....

Oh sweet Blogger, so much to update you on but no time. Brylee turned 1, I took a two week trip to AZ, and we moved into a new house with no internet. I will be back soon though and we will chat like old friends!

1825 Days Ago

It was actually 1826 Days ago. (I forgot Leap Year) Anyway, that was the day that my life started to make sense. I married the worlds most AMAZING woman! I thank the Lord everyday for letting me con Ash into marring me. All of you that know her, know I do not deserve her. Ash I just want to say I love you and thank you for being my Eternal Best Friend!

I Love you!

86% of stuff

86% Humidity in the air in Maryland

86% Done with my To-Do List for the day/week

86% Sick of having no air conditioning in our apartment.

86% Drained of energy.

86% Thrilled that we finally found a place to live. (More like 100%!)

86% Dreading flying back to AZ with Brylee to move our stuff out here. BUT...

86% Excited to see my awesome families, friends, and Dr. S for Brylee's feet.

Like I mentioned before, we made the decision to move into an apartment instead of a townhouse. We signed for it yesterday. I'm extremely uplifted with the fact that we will be out of this apartment in a week and a half. It has served us....well....let's just say it was a place to stay, but the time has come to part ways.

I will miss the guys out on the stoop smoking pot who are so sweet to smile and wave at Brylee every time.

I wont miss the sound of the train, the constant sirens, and the aforementioned lack of air conditioning.

I will miss the sweet Indian couple that lives across the stoop, but I will NOT miss the smell that protrudes from their apartment and seeps into mine. Seriously, it's like an onion patch grows in their kitchen!

The new place is great. I have to say, not many times have I felt as good as I do about a decision we have made as I do about this apartment. Rusty and I both made multiple comments about that yesterday. As much as I wanted a beautiful brick front townhouse with a backyard, we are saving a lot of money for future endeavors this way. Plus, I don't have to worry about Brylee taking a dive down the stairs.

So, goodbye sweet little crack house.

In other news, a member of our family didn't make the trip out here with us. For as crazy as it is to me that I love our damn dog as much as I do, he has become a major part of our family. I know I have said it before, but he was exactly what Rusty and I needed at the exact right time. I was able to stop thinking about our infertility constantly and focus on training and exercising Bronx.

If you ever wonder what my feelings for that dog are, the movie Marley and Me pretty much sums it up. There were times that I was sure I was going to drop him off at the nearest grocery store with a "free" sign around his neck. But something about the droopy, sad eyes would always pull me back.

The decision to move into an apartment had two factors. #1- What would be the best financial decision in the long run? How could we get our cars paid off, and live in a townhouse, without draining the savings?

#2- Are we willing to give Bronx up? We knew an apartment is no life for an animal.

Luckily, there are two 60 year olds back in RV that love that dog as much as Rusty and I do. My parents have decided that Bronx is now their dog. As much as I hate to think that we no longer have a "Bronxers", I know he really does have a dog's life there with them. Plus, I truly believe that "older people" really need something to take care of :) (WINK, WINK!)

First day with Bronx


Best to cuddle with.



Cuttest Puppy EVER!



Training



He went from man's best friend......




....to baby's best friend


Bye, buddy! We love you and will miss you being in our family!