SPRING

   The weather has been very Spring-like.  It gives me cabin fever.  I have really wanted to get out and go camping or something.  However, being Spring all my camping excursions have been curtailed by rain.  We were able to get out finally this week.

I think the kids really enjoyed being outside too!

Spring has come

Ingredients

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Last week was General Conference and we started a new tradition with Conference cinnamon rolls.  I had found a fantastic recipe and we made these for breakfast. They didn't make it to lunch.

Buttermilk Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

• 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast or 2 Tbsp
• 1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. In a small saucepan, heat the buttermilk until warm to the touch.
2. Pour the buttermilk and oil into the yeast mixture; mix well. Combine the flour, salt and baking soda. Stir the flour mixture into the liquid 1 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 20 times. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes. In a small bowl, stir together the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out into a large rectangle. Spread the brown sugar and butter mixture over the dough, roll up into a log and pinch the seam to seal. Slice into 1 inch pieces and place cut side up in a lightly greased 10x15 baking pan. Cover and let rise 30 minutes or cover and refrigerate overnight. If baking immediately, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
4. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown. Let stand for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information 

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 315 | Total Fat: 14.1g | Cholesterol: 17mg

The Perfect Cinnamon Roll Icing

Ingredients

• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 7 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Beat together the cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer in a large bowl until creamy. Mix in the vanilla and milk, then gradually mix in the confectioners' sugar and salt until smooth and fluffy.

Note:  If your cream cheese and butter are cold, it won't cream well. Microwave each separately for about 10 seconds and they will be soft enough to work with.

As fantastic as these cinnamon rolls were, they were not nearly the feast that we experienced listening to the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I will be honest with four kids my opportunity to listen wasn't as great as I had hope. (Really grateful for a DVR.) I am thankful that I have leaders on earth to guide me.  More important than that.  I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice that will help me overcome the many weaknesses that I have. I love Him. General Conference is such a gift. (If interested, lds.org.)

Year End Thoughts

I know there are not many people following this blog and that is okay.  I am doing it for myself more than anything. So as I am sitting here thinking about the year 2011, I wanted to share some thoughts.
    2011 was not any easy year.  We had many challenges, as most people do.  The thought that keeps coming to me this week, however, isn't about our difficulties.  It is about our blessings. In Psalm 145:9, it says: "Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works."  In LDS General Conference in April 2005, Elder David A. Bednar gave a talk about the Lord's tender mercies and he defined it as “The Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ”  As I look back on 2011, I am more able to see the Lord's tender mercies in my behalf.   We received help in so many ways.  Our major difficulties have been because of medical bills, so our finances are not what we would like.  Yet, we always seem to find a way through and I know the Lord has touched the hearts of wonderful people in our behalf.  Two such examples this year happened in the last week.  We found a $100 Visa gift card taped to our back door. Then we received a $50 gift card to Dillon's in the mail. I don't know who gave us these gifts but I pray that God will bless them for their generosity.  Someday I hope that we can be in a better position and return the loving kindnesses to someone else in need. 
   I know that God is aware of each one of us and demonstrates it through His bountiful tender mercies. Another example of tender mercies in my life are the wonderful people God has put in my life.  I have a wonderful family, i.e., a loving husband, beautiful children, caring parents and in-laws, and the most wonderful friends.  God bless you all!! 

Christmas 2011

I know that I haven't posted in 2011 at all and there is only a week left, but I would really like to post more often. It is a goal and I hope I will be able to achieve it. A more reliable computer will help and for the time being that seems to be a reality.

     I am going to start by posting some Christmas videos and pictures. This first video is of Ammon, our youngest.  He just turned one a couple of weeks ago.  His grandparents sent him a pillow pet for Christmas.  He loves it to say the least.  Now he will leave his brother and sisters pillow pets alone. (Maybe?)

  

We took this picture after church and before we began opening presents.  What a cute bunch! 

I just want to say that I am extremely grateful for my wonderful family.  Something about this time of year makes me appreciate how lucky I am to have a loving and hardworking husband who strives to make me happy everyday and generally succeeds.  I am also very lucky to have four beautiful children.  Grace is in first grade and excelling.  She is a wonderful girl who always tries to do what is right.  She is a great helper and I do miss her when she is at school.  Kaitlyn is almost five and such a loving girl.  She is very emotional in good and bad ways.  She is the first to share and the first to let you know she loves you.  Luke is all boy and definitely two.  He loves cars, trains, and anything that has to do with balls.  He enjoys life and brings a smile to all those he is around.  Ammon is my sweet mischievous boy. He is a little tease with an infectious smile.  

This next video is of Luke.  His brother got him six shooters for Christmas to replace the hangers he has been using to shoot everything.  I have been telling him not to shoot people, but that he can shoot bears and deer and such.  Well, Gramma and Grampa Bair got him a reindeer and proceed to shoot it all morning.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Luke Discovered His Tongue

I had to post this because he had us all laughing so hard. I thought anyone who decides to check us out might get a kick out of it too.

Grace's First Day of Kindergarten

Ready for school. She got all dressed up in her new outfit and literally bounced out to the car. Once we got there she couldn't stop smiling. She told me last night not to embarass her (already!). So I tried really hard and she was the one that gave me a kiss before we left. I can't believe she is so big. I was proud of myself, only a few tears on the way home. I couldn't be too sad because she was so happy.

Need a Smile?

This will make smile unless you have a heart of stone. Grace was playing with Luke and the rest is self-explanatory.

New Year

Well, I know I am halfway through January already but I thought I should post something for the new year. We are doing well. Luke is growing like a weed. We went to his four month check up last week and he is 13 pounds and 23 1/2 inches. He finally made the chart for his growth curve and is in the eighth percentile. Yeah.

Grace had her five year old check up and Kindergarten shots. She didn't like the shots so much but was really brave. (I promised her a milkshake if she would behave.) She is also growing. I can't seem to keep her filled up. She is always telling me she is hungry and starving. She is 43 1/2 inches and 45 pounds. She can't wait to go to school next year.

Kaitlyn hasn't had her check up yet. We go next month on her birthday. She is kind of having a rough time right now. She wants to be big like Grace and thinks she can and should get to do everything her big sister does. I have decided with my two girls three is much worse than two. It is hard for me because she is usually my sweet cuddler, but when she is mad you can't talk her out of it. I hope it is just a phase because I miss my happy girl. Her smile will just light up a room.

Well, Sam is really busy. The first of the year is so full of activities for the school that he is gone usually 4 nights a week. (Miss him!) He works so hard. I am so grateful for him. He is such a wonderful husband and father.

Well I will post some pictures and say see you next time.

Christmas Pajamas

Luke's Christmas Outfit (Thanks Horschels)

Getting Bigger

I know some might be tired of baby news but that is basically what our lives revolve around right now. Luke is doing fabulously. He is around 8 lbs now and 20 inches long. He is a very strong boy and has been rolling over from his stomach to his back now for about 4 weeks. He even did for the doctor at his two month checkup. She was amazed and said that term babies don't usually do that until 4 months. He just seems in a hurry to catch up. But for those who don't believe me (Suzzie), I finally got him on video tape.

The girls are loving having a little brother. In fact, they love him so much we sometimes have to just make them leave him alone. He can't hardly be on the floor unless it is after the girls go to bed. The almost literally smother him with love.

This was Halloween. They are all so cute. Grace was Snow White. Kaitlyn was a China girl (she says Kai Lan if you watch Nick), and Luke was the cutest giraffe you've ever seen. My children love Halloween.

So anyway things are going well. I could use some sleep, but most new mothers do. Wouldn't change having Luke for anything!

Home Sweet Home

Luke got to come home on Monday, September 21, 2009 after 24 days in the hospital. We are so glad to have him home. Life can get back to a more normal routine, and we feel like are family is whole now.

The girls love him. Grace can't leave him alone and wants to hold him all the time. Kaitlyn searches the house for him every morning and then tells me that, "Luke is so cute!" He will be very well loved.

In this picture, Luke is telling the paparazi, no more pictures. So glad to have him home!!

Doing Well

Luke is doing really well. In a week, he has improved immensely. He no longer has the CPAP (oxygen in the nose), they took out his IV because he is on full feeding through a feeding tube, he is no longer in the NICU but the NSCU (Neonatal Special Care Unit), and he has been removed from the isolette or incubator. He is doing really well for his age. He is regulating his temperature and respiration on his own. He just needs to get bigger and most importantly learn to eat on his own. Hopefully, when he can eat without the feeding tube he will be able to come home. We all miss him so much. The girls have been able to see him a couple of times, but they really want him to come home, as do Sam and I. A couple of hours a day with him just isn't enough. We sure do love him. He is already a definite member of our family.

It's a Boy!!!

For those of you who don't know, our family was expecting a new arrival this fall. We were due October 20, 2009. In June, we received news that we had placenta previa. For those who don't know what that is, it means the placenta was covering the cervix or as Sam likes to tell guys: the baby had no exit. Our doctor informed us first that as the baby grows the placenta could lift off the cervix, but he wanted us to be aware of the dangers. For some reason, this condition can cause heavy bleeding. If that occured we were to go directly to the hospital. Well we went on business as usual. For about a month, we had no problems. Then July 21st about 10:30 I twisted my body to move and I began to bleed heavily. To the hospital, we went. We were only at 27 weeks and I was really freaked out. The bleeding stopped eventually and after beinging monitored for a few days, I was released to go home. However, I was given the restrictions of no exercise, no heavy lifting and rest. Also, our doctor, Dr. Bammel, informed us that now he sure that a C-section would be the eventual outcome. About three weeks later(August 13th now 30 weeks), (I'm thinking no problem we are doing great) I roll over in bed about 3 a.m. and think that I peed my pants. No such luck! Another episode of heavy bleeding. This time we scared the resident bad enough he was about to send us for an emergency c-section. Thankfully our doctor came and the bleeding stopped and we were bound for a few more days of monitoring then home with more restrictions: bed rest with bathroom privileges. I made it through the weekend and things were looking up. I was trying to figure out how to take care of my girls and be on bed rest. We did well Monday. Then Tuesday morning as I am eating breakfast with Grace and Kaitlyn I feel my stomach tighten and I have a little contraction. No big deal right, I am at 31 weeks. Braxton-Hicks happen. Well, contractions are not good for placenta previa. I start bleeding again. Not near as bad as the other two times. Well, back to the hospital we go. This time I have contractions off and on and the bleeding starts and stops. We moved from the labor and delivery floor to recovery about four times. My doctor tells me after three days without incident that he doesn't feel safe letting me go home. He had told us earlier that we would not go past 37 weeks. So I prepare myself for the long haul. I was doing really well. I only got out of bed to use the bathroom or shower. Then Thursday night (August 27th) I have another contraction and pass two very large blood clots. They send us down to labor and delivery and I start bleeding heavily. Once again the bleeding stops after awhile. Sam and I figure we are in for a few more days being monitored. I get up and use the bathroom that morning and the spotting is almost gone. Then as I get back in bed I start feeling more contractions and I think the bleeding is starting again. The nurse checks me and doesn't think it looks quite right. They check out the blood and find that it has amniotic fluid in it. So I am now on their super monitor mode. They start antibiotics and want to watch and see. Of course, Dr. Bammel has gone out of town for a week. So one of his partners, Dr. Brantley, is watching out for me. My contractions start to get harder and closer together. Soon, Dr. Brantley comes in and tells that everything has finally presented itself and we need to have the c-section now. So they prep me and in a very short time (about an hour) Lucas Bair Zogg was born. He was born at 9:27 a.m. August 28, 2009. He weighed 4 pounds 3 1/2 ounces and was 17 inches long. He was born at 32 weeks 3 days and had to go to the NICU.

Luke is a fighter and they had to sedate him to get him on the respirator, but he wasn't on it for long. He is doing well and trying to get stronger. We can't wait for him to come home. His sisters can't wait to see him. He is adorable and we know he will fit right into the family. We don't know how long he will have to be in the NICU. We just hope it isn't too long.

I'll Try to do Better

We are having computer problems again. Our home computer is just not working. It truly limits my time online and working on projects. We have Sam's laptop, but it is also his work computer. So I can only get on when he is home, which lately is not a lot. He is very busy with his job. There are so many extracuricular activities going on at this time of year that he has to be there for that he is gone practically every night. (Yes, I miss him more than the computer!!)

Well, we are doing well. The girls both had birthdays recently. Grace is four and talking about going to school everyday. She is a wonderful helper and loves to help clean the house (wishe she would rub off on me). Kaitlyn just turned two and her tantrums prove it. She is starting to talk like crazy. They are both so wonderful. I love them and love being with them most of the time (except for the tantrums).

Well I have to go now. Sam needs his computer and is off to school. I will try to post some pictures next time.

Halloween

Grace and Kaitlyn had a great time for Halloween. They went to a trunk or treat on Thursday and then got to go trick or treating with Daddy on Friday. Princess Grace and Little Gypsy Kaitlyn. Halloween is fun at these ages.

Long Time No Post

So I finally found my battery charger, but our computer is down so my online time is limited to whenever Sam is home with his laptop. Hopefully or home computer will be repaired soon and my post will not be so few and far between.

This is our new house a week before we closed on it so the final grading had not been done yet.

The back of our house also before the final grade.

So we are loving our new home after being here for two months. The girls love all the extra room, as do I. It is still hard to believe that it is ours. Of course, Sam always tells me it's the banks. Well, at least they let us live here.

We have had a busy fall, but it has been very enjoyable except for maybe the 10 inches of rain we got in one day. Gramma and Grampa Bair came to visit us in early September. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed every minute until it was time for them to go home. The girls were really sad. They love playing with Grampa and Gramma. Grace keeps telling us we are going to Idaho to see them next week.

Grampa Bair and Grace being silly on our visit to Cowtown.

Grace giving Gramma a push on the swing at Cowtown.

I'll try harder to post more but life sometimes takes me in directions I can't forsee. I am truly grateful for the many happy blessings we have received lately.

We're Here

We are in our new house. We closed on it Wed. August 27, 2008 and moved our beds in that night. Saturday we had lots of help moving the rest of our stuff in (thanks friends!). Now we have lots of boxes to go through because we haven't seen most of this stuff in six months. I love it here. I just can't believe it is ours. Well, when I get some new batteries for my camera I will try to post some pictures.

More Summer Pictures

I am finally getting back to posting some more pictures. I have not had access to the computer for awhile, but I am not sure anyone but me ever looks at this any way.

Fishing with the Evans in May. We are so sad that they moved away. Gracie can't go to the "Heavens" anymore.

Grace and Kaitlyn with Papa Zogg.

Kaitlyn on vacation. Gracie was throwing rocks in the lake, so Kaitlyn found something bigger.

Kaitlyn and Grampa Bair on the swings.

Isn't she cool? Just waiting for the train.

What a group! This was our ill-fated yet scenic train ride on the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge railroad.

Well, I guess that should do for now. I'll try to post more later.

Summer Photos I

Summer has past quickly here. Sam is back at work, so it feels like it is already over even though the temperatures are hotter now. Circumstances (a computer, Sam's work laptop, ours is in storage) finally allow me to post some pictures. Oh by the way 25 more days until we close on the new house. I'm not counting or anything.

Kaitlyn thought the bear might be hungry and need a snack. Toes really are delicious!

Grace and her friend, Kate in the Jungle at the zoo.

This is from our trip on the Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. It was breathtaking.

Husband and kids are in need of some attention, so I will post the next edition of summer photos later.

Catching up on a quickly passing summer

Well, where do I begin. The roof issue on our house was finally resolved and closing reschedule just in time for us to discover a leak in the basement. This leak was caused by a combination of the unusually wet spring and the new sewer line that was put in in January. So after paying to have that fixed. We finally sold our little house June 5. So we had already signed a contract on a spec home in Turkey Creek right off of 119th W. and Pawnee. Closing date for our new home is August 27th. We are so excited. It is everything we have wanted but been unable to find. It is a 3 bedroom 2 bath house with a 3 car garage, an open kitchen and dining room area, and an unfinished basement. So that is the good news for the summer.
We went on vacation June 6th. We had an enjoyable time. We met my family in Durango, CO. We went on the Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. We had an interesting time. The views were breathtaking but we managed to breakdown halfway to Silverton. All in all a 3 hour trip took us about nine hours and the return trip ended up being mostly in the dark. You can't say we don't have an interesting time. We then went to Mesa Verde National Park. It was also a very enjoyable and interesting time. On our first tour, Grace managed to get a way from me took a tumble down some stone stairs. She cut her lip open with her teeth and we were very lucky that was it. She healed quickly and tells everyone she can about how she fell down the stone steps.
While we were gone, Sam's parents were supposed to finally have their manufactured home placed on their basement and permanent foundation. Due to all the rain and some other issues it took them more than two weeks to get it placed. Needless to say, we had nowhere to stay when we returned from vacation. So we became nomads. We became the official ward housesitters and bounced from house to house for almost 4 weeks. We are finally back with Sam's parents. I really feel for them though. Our bouncing around the ward was nothing compared to the problems they had. All the rain caused some serious issues with their home. Water, I mean lots of water leaked in and did thousands of dollars worth of damage. The ceiling in their front room fell in and there is water damage in every room on the south side of the house. They are leaving on vacation and the repairs will probably start when they get back. I hope they have a wonderful and restful time. They deserve it.
Well, that is the short version of our summer. I will try to add some pictures when we get our computer unpacked. With any luck, my next post will be from my own new home.

Well, we are coming to the end of the school year. For those who don't know, Sam was offered a job as assistant principal at Wichita South High School and will sign the contract this week. We are very happy. This is really what Sam wanted. We also have a contract on our house. It is supposed to close on May 23rd. Right now we are trying to work out some little problems and some not so little problems that the inspector found with a 55 year old house. (Imagine that!) We have fixed just about everything but a roof issue. Our insurance says that there is nothing really wrong with the roof except that it needs to have some of the shingles restuck. Of course, the composition shingles were put down over shakes which is now apparently not a good thing. So the ball is in the buyer's court. She is trying to find out if her FHA loan will still cover it as is. So it is just hurry up and wait. Hopefully, by the end of this month everything will be taken care of so we can start finding ourselves a new home.