The Knutson 5

Counting my Blessings...

2009-04-11T20:09:00.000-07:00

So as I sit here writing this I am still surrounded by boxes and you know what? That's okay. We have been so busy I've barely had time to do anything in this house, I feel like we are only here to sleep. Mady's visiting so we've been doing fun Spring Break stuff...well not really but she's having fun. We've been to Grandma's for the grandparents to enjoy her visit as well, and we've just spent quality family time together. The kids begged and begged to go see Monsters vs. Aliens so we went to that, that was fun. It's so nice to be in our own place again, I can't even tell you how nice it is. My kitchen and the kids rooms are all that is unpacked but those are the important rooms. The living room would be done if I'd go through the rest of the boxes but it's a bit overwhelming.

Something I've done that has made me feel amazing is I've reintroduced myself to cooking. After living with the in laws for 13 months I was a bit worried that I wouldn't be any good at cooking anymore, but as it turns out, I think I'm better. My enthusiasm has gotten me to try new recipes and ideas...only after I baked chocolate chip cookies first. My big excitement is...I've taught myself how to make homemade bread without the use of a bread maker. Some of you may already know how to do that, but I couldn't fathom the idea until earlier this week. I just decided that I wanted rolls for dinner but didn't feel like going to the store, so I just made some. They are so YUMMY!! Jeff is truly impressed. Matthew is loving the banana bread and has told everyone to not eat the last four banana's because once they get ugly Mommy will make some more bread for him.

Well, that's it for now. I'm enjoying watching the kids individual personalities come out since they've been sharing a room for so long. Regan is doing so much better in her own room than I could ever have hoped for. She had me nervous but she loves her big girl room. Okay...good night all.

Have a blessed Easter and remember to keep God and His Son as your main focus as we remember the resurrection of our Christ.

MOVING

2009-03-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

That's right...the Knutson 5 is moving again...this time just across town (thank goodness it's not across the state again). We finally found a house to rent in a good neighborhood and within our price range. I'm once again a stay at home mommy but I'm actually kind of enjoying it. I have all morning to myself and then Regan keeps me company from lunch time on. It'll be kind of sad leaving Grandma's but we are ready and excited. Our realtor gave us the keys to start moving things in but since our lease doesn't officially begin until April 1st, we can't actually stay there until the 1st. Hopefully, I will have us unpacked and ready to relax...Spring Break starts on the 3rd and the kids will be home with me...Madylyne is coming and Jeff has almost the whole week off...such a blessing...we will all be together under one roof, just us. I can't wait.

My Baby is Growing Up

2009-03-26T16:46:00.000-07:00

Last night I had to take Regan to dance class with her hair done like it will be in recital. She has to have her hair slicked back into a bun with a curly ponytale attached to the bun...let me just say...it completely changed her appearance. I was heartbroken to see her little baby face change into such a big girl face. Our baby is growing up...how sad??

First Game

2009-03-23T20:54:00.000-07:00

Matthew oh excuse me I keep forgetting "Matt" played his first game today. They tied against the other team with 8 runs each. It was interesting watching the kids play...and the rules for little league confuse me. Matthew tried out the catcher position for two innings, I think he would have played one more inning but unfortunately while he was up to bat they had to strike him out because he had to go as he so eloquently put it...I HAVE TO PEE NOW MOM!!! So they struck him out an one of the assistant coaches ran him to the restroom. Poor guy!! As catcher for anyone who knows my son he hates things on his face and really tight on his body...so the mask was driving him crazy. I asked him after the game about the mask and he said that it was so GROSS because Blake (his friend) wore it first and it was sweaty. My poor guy.

I am so proud of him though. When he did strike out there was no

crying, just running off the field and ready to keep playing. He really seems to like baseball more than any other sport that he's played.

Regan

2009-03-22T22:04:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to put a little something about Regan in here...I felt like I was leaving her out. Her feelings would be so hurt if she knew...so I'll give you an update. She's doing really well. Kindergarten is hard for her in the sense that she is just a little social butterfly and wants nothing more than to talk to her friends and play. She has lost many a recesses and spent lots of time sitting with her head down. However, she hasn't been expelled yet so our friend Mike King was wrong. He said she'd be kicked out for fighting within the first week...she's getting ready for recital in June. She's doing ballet and jazz this year and is really excited to perform.

Opening Ceremonies

2009-03-22T21:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Matthew excuse me I mean "Matt" as he wants to be called now had Opening Ceremonies for his first year of Little League. He's playing for the Blue Jays and has come such a long way since try outs or even the first day of practice. After his second practice he told Jeff he didn't want to play anymore because he's just not good enough. He's actually pretty good now, according to my dad "Papa" Matt has the Peterson natural ability to be good at baseball, so we will see how that turns out.

He really loves going to practice and if he strikes out or misses a catch he just keeps going and strives to do better next time. Jeff said that at practice this afternoon he did so good and that Matt was ready for his game tomorrow. That's right tomorrow is the first game for him. He was too excited to go to sleep tonight. How he will sit through school all day tomorrow is beyond me. I'm sure I will get a call from Mr. B, letting me know that my dear boy is getting antsy.

Hannah got new Glasses

2009-03-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

First of all admitting that Hannah is going to be ten in less than six months is pretty much heart wrenching. But looking at this picture she looks just like my sweet little girl. Hannah is posing with Elizabeth, her "Just Like Me" American Girl Doll. Grammy got Elizabeth blue glasses for Christmas so of course as soon as it was time for Hannah to get new glasses she had to get blue ones too. Isn't she adorable?

Whoops, I got behind again

2009-03-17T14:56:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. I was just sitting here and realized I could not remember the last time I posted a blog. So I looked and of course it was back in December, which was explaining November. Seriousley, you'd think I'd get better at this. So now I have to give a huge update. Not really, it's probably not even that exciting.

December was such a hectic month, with Christmas and Mady came to visit. It seemed like we were constantly doing something or going somewhere. But it was a GREAT month. To have Mady spend Christmas with us so shortly afer having open heart surgery was such a huge blessing. She did amazing and was finally filled with energy. We spent Christmas in Lemoore with our family and I was able to fully appreciate having my family here with me. Don't get me wrong, there are still many days when I dream of renting a U-Haul and making my escape, but our family is awesome and always ready to lend a hand.

In January I celebrated my dreaded 30th birthday and had the best time ever. My husband and friends really made it a special evening. Jeff took me to a romantic dinner at an Italian Steakhouse and then took me to my favorite hangout Lush where all my friends were there waiting for me. It was probably one the best birthdays I've ever had. The kids (with the help of Daddy) got me a new digital camera and Jeff bought me a laptop (no more homework excuses). I also went back to work in January but no need to go into details on that because I already quit.

Now it's March and not a lot happened in February and March. In February we went back to Blythe for a long weekend, just Jeff and I. It was our romantic get away....I know it's sad. We watched the superbowl at the Kings house...and just hung out. It was so nice. It was great seeing all our friends but it also gave us the clarity we needed that we are meant to be in Lemoore and this is where we need to stay. March is going by so fast I can barely think.

The kids are doing so good. Matthew just started baseball and he's got his work cut out for him, but he's picking it up. He's playing for the BlueJays and Jeff, the girls and I all have matching shirts and hats to cheer him on. The girls are getting ready for their first recital here. Both have two dances and my checkbook is crying from the cost, so next year they can only choose one class. Lessons learned.

Jeff and I were hoping to move out of his parents this month but since I quit my job we are waiting another few months to pay off some more bills. We are officially two months from being credit card debt free and so we are keeping the focus on that.

So here's our update. I will try and do better Trish.

November has come and Gone

2008-12-17T17:18:00.000-08:00

Hello all! So it's been forever since I've posted anything, so thought I should catch everyone up on our life. November was fairly busy with lots and lots of things going on. Matthew finished his flag football season. People in Lemoore take flag football very serious...but Matthew did really well and played center the whole season.

He played for the Bengles and his team only lost one game the whole season. He did so well!!! We were very proud...

Jeff started working 12 hours shifts in October so he was home a whole lot more in the month of November then we were used too and it was GREAT!!!

For Thanksgiving we stayed here in Lemoore and it was lots of fun hanging out with our family. Not something we've been able to do the last few years, however we really missed our Blythe family.

So lets see i've updated you on Jeff and Matthew so guess I will talk about the girls and I. We've just been hanging out! The girls are very busy with dancing and I am busy with school. As busy as November was it was just same ol' same ol' for us.

Well I will post another update later with all our December update.

Madylyne Update

2008-10-23T18:52:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. Just giving the Mady update...she's out of ICU...Praise GOD!!! She moved to the third floor today, got one of her lines removed, and finally ate something and has kept it down. The day after surgery there was talk of going back in, something was crazy with the pace maker, luckily the pace maker lady was able to fix it with her computer. Mady is doing amazing, her color is awesome and she's got the most beautiful smile.

She's been an inspiration to another mom there, Alice is the mom's name and her baby Javier has the same heart disease, tetrology of fallot, as Mady. So it was good for her to see another child who is older and that has survived the first major surgeries. Javier is 8 months old and he is soooo adorable. I got to play with him and talk to her (the mom) quite a bit.

Jeff and I are home, with our babies and I have to say after spending so much time in ICU I was so ready to hold my three in my arms and just love on them.

I will write more later...

Madylyne Aimee

2008-10-20T21:41:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, so it's 941pm and we just got back to our hotel in Stanford, Ca. We've spent the entire day in the family waiting room of the surgical center of the Lucille Packards Children's Hospital. For those of you reading this many of you know that Mady (Jeff's daughter) has a pace maker. What many of you may not know is that she had to have open heart surgery today for a valve transplant. Can't really call it a replacement since she didn't have a valve to begin with. After several hours in the OR the Dr's finally came out and said she did fine. The valve was sewn in and is a pig valve, Mady is convinced that this means she should never eat pork again, for fear of eating the brother...silly girl. The Dr is hopefully that it will be at least a year before she needs a new pace maker and at least 10 - 15 before she needs another valve transplant...and hopefully, God Willing she will never need a heart transplant.

We just returned, Jeff and I to the hotel (we have the early morning watch) and Cynthia (her mom) called to let us know that Mady is really struggling and the ventricle has low pressure, something that shouldn't be happening after the surgery. Hopefully it's just her body adjusting to the trama. I will let you know more tomorrow. Jeff and I return tomorrow morning at 7am to have our turn sitting by the bedside.

Those of you have that have prayed for us and Mady...THANK YOU!!! God is GOOD and is GOOD all the time! At times today I found myself struggling to pray but I know that all of you had her in your vigil. I will write more tomorrow (I promise Trish) to keep you posted.

Thanks and God Bless,
Heather

September and October

2008-10-14T16:40:00.000-07:00

Now to update on the rest. The end of August brought a very emotional time for me...The "FIRST" day of school. The past two years weren't so bad but this year brought a new and exciting thing for Jeff and I...we sent out baby to school. Regan began Kindergarten...Can you believe it? She was so excited and ready to go with her new back pack! Hannah and Matthew were a bit nervous since they had to start yet again another new school. However they are doing GREAT! Hannah is struggling a little bit...her teacher is very strict and so that's new to her. Matthew's teacher is an amazing Christian man who isn't afraid to share his faith. Matthew was was baptised the end of August and his teacher came to the baptism which made Matthew feel very important and special.

September was busy for us...but we did just fine. In September our house finally closed and is no longer our burden. Thank you Lord! Also in September we found out that Madylyne has to have open heart surgery for a valve replacement and to get a new pace maker. So that was kind of stressful. She's doing well and really doesn't understand what's going on. Just that she needs another surgery.

October has been a blessing and I am so greatful for the Lord in our lives. We didn't have to make a mortgage payment this month since the house sold, so we were able to deal with some much needed bills. Plus that gave us the money we needed to travel back and forth between Lemoore and Stanford for Mady. Her surgery was originally scheduled for the 6th of October but will be happening hopefully and God willing on the 20th.

Matthew turns 7 on the 23rd...how depressing?! He's birthday party will be on the 18th so that we are sure to celebrate in case we aren't home from Stanford yet. Jeff and I celebrate 11 years of marriage on the 25 and have decided that spending time with our kids is more important than doing something alone so we are going to a birthday party for our friends son with our kids...and get this for those of you who know Jeff...he's even going to wear a Halloween costume for the party!

Well that's all for now. I will hopefully get better at this and post more in the following weeks with party pictures and all of that.

August Birthdays

2008-10-14T16:29:00.000-07:00

August was an extremely busy month for the Knutson's in Lemoore. We celebrated so many birthdays...well 4 and that does seem like a lot since they are so close together. The first birthday was Jeff's he turned 34. We just had a small family dinner (Wait! I don't think you can call of us Knutson's a smally family anymore). Jeff got his liver and onions while the rest of us had chicken. He's brother and sister in law made him a Hooters Girl cake and I have to say she was well stacked. Hee hee.

Madylyne Hannah and Regan were the next birthdays even in that order. We were able to have Mady spend two weeks with us in August so she was here for the "BIG" Birthday party. Madylyne is now a teenager so her daddy bought her, her very own cell phone (my bill has barely changed at all), Hannah turned 9 and got a new bike sans Barbie, Regan is 5 going on 30 and got her very own Kitchen. The girls had an amazing time at their Lua complete with palm trees and tiki torches.

Our House!!

2008-07-26T15:25:00.001-07:00

So one more quick posts, I can't believe I forgot this...our house in Blythe finally sold!!! Escrow should close the end of August, so please keep us in your prayers that things go through and we will be in our own place by Christmas!!!

July 21-25, 2008

2008-07-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

So this past week, I had the greatest opportunity to serve in our church's Vacation Bible Adventure. I was a crew leader assinged to five kids out of 38 in my whole group. Matthew and Hannah were in my group which was nice to get to enjoy this week with my kids. Some of you may know that when in Blythe, I was the VBS director for our church, 1st Southern Baptist for four years, I had never actually worked one on one with the kids and I have to say I LOVED IT!! The kids were amazing. All in all this week there were about 400 kids in attendance. Totally amazing.

The theme was kind of like Indiana Jones where "Indy", "Anna", and "Jones" were trying to find the Lost City of Gold hoping to get eternal life. Of course there were many obstacles with "Wiener Schnitzel", "Jack-in-the-Box", "Hans" and "Gretal" blowing things up and keeping them from their goal to find the city. Turns out that Indy found eternal life in Jesus and realized finding the treasure wasn't as important as having Jesus in his life.

The best part of the week for me was Thursday night when my son Matthew went forward and prayed to receive Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Very exciting night!!! Now I know my son has a place in heaven for eternity.

However, I must say I am thankful for the week to be complete and life to get somewhat back to normal. I am super tired and my body feels like I put it through a pasta dough roller...back to my accounting classes and looking for work.

The Knutson 5

2008-07-15T20:49:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Hmmm...blogging huh? This should be interesting. Well I thought this would be a great way to keep our family and friends updated on what's going on in our lives. Right now...not a lot and then again quite a bit.

We are still living with Jeff's parents waiting for our house in Blythe to sell...we know it will happen in God's perfect timing, but now would be okay with us. Being patient is not one of my strongest points as many of you already know.

The kids are doing amazingly well. Hannah is counting the days until August 10th when she will finally be 9 and only one year from her double digits! Matthew is upset because he wants his birthday first and not after the girls but we have assured him, not sharing his birthday month could mean better presents for him....cannot believe he is starting 2nd grade this year. My little Power Ranger is growing up so fast. Baby Regan isn't so much a baby anymore. In exactly 30 days she will be five and starting kindergarten just a few days after her birthday. Where has the time gone.

Of course Jeff is loving his job. He says Coalinga is a good office, however, I know he still misses his Blythe buddies a lot. Me too. I am in between jobs but actually enjoying the summer with the kids. We've been having adventures :)

Well that's all for now. I'll have to see how well I do this.