Thanksgiving Nov. 2008 - Oh, what a trip! Family pics as well.

Journal to Madeline: Dec. 6, 2008

To My Dear Ms. Madeline,

You scared me this trip. As I told you before in your previous journal you had pneumonia. For the most part you were better, however because you had pneumonia your immune system was down. When we got to CA you contracted some sort of stomach virus. You were throwing up and pooping a lot!!! We figured you just had to get through this, since there was not really any medicine that could cure you. Well, on Thanksgiving you were very moody. You went diharrea about every hour. No matter what we did we could not get you to go down for your last nap either. Finally you fell asleep for about a half hour. We had about a half hour to shove down some Thanksgiving food at Grandma and Grandpa Deters house. You started crying again, so we went and got you. You then started crying uncontrollably. I was so scared and so was your Dad. Your Dad called the Urgent Care and tried to get us in at the last minute. Unfortunately they left before we were able to make it. We were quite angry about this by the way. It ended up being ok because we had to take you to the hospital anyway.

The hospital checked you out and decided that they needed to give you an iv. You were so dehydrated. You did not pee for about two days straight. When you cried you did not even cry tears. It was the saddest thing. In order for them to put the iv in, you had to be very still. Being the curious little girl you are, that was not very easy to do. I basically had to lay on top of you to keep you still. You were screaming so hard. They could not find a vain, so they had to poke you in your hand and both of your arms until they found one. You were of course crying, but you handled it so well. You are so strong. They had to put a catheter in you as well to see how dehydrated you were. I was hoping you would not have to experience that until you had kids of your own. I can't tell you how miserable it was, watching you got through so much. It makes me wonder how our Heavenly Father does it. I have to say however, the nurses were so sweet. They even put on Elmo for you, which you loved. I was scared they were going to make you stay over night, but they released us at about 11pm, after they filled you full of fluids.

By the time you read this I am sure you will know that I was hospitalized when I was 11 months for spinal meningitis. Of course what happened to you is not nearly as bad as what I had, however the thought did run through my mind. Since your Uncle Nicholas passed away at such a young age as well, I have to admit that I have a lot of fears inside me that can haunt my mind at times. In addition this is the time of year that he passed away, therefore some sad and difficult memories tend to be at the back of my mind as well as your Grandparents minds. It made me reflect on how strong my parents (your Grandparents) were and are. I love you so much and could not imagine life without you. I really don't know how my parents did it. I know they could not have done it as well as they did if it were not for their relationship with God. We have a lot of burdens to deal with in this life and if we are faithful and deal with them to the best of our ability, Heavenly Father will make those burdens lighter.

At the same time that all of this happened I was very grateful. I am not one to pray for trials, really I do not know anyone who does. However, I do know that there is a reason for everything and trials truly are blessings. With each trial comes a lesson and new found strength. Depending on how you react to your trials they can bring you closer to, or further from your loved ones. There have been many times in my life where I have heard people claim they are the way they are because of something that happened in their life. While I agree that the certain situations that take place in our lives definitely contribute to who we are, I believe that how we choose to react to those situations is what really shapes the person we are. I am trying to say that no matter how difficult the situation may be you still have choices. If you end up being a person who morns there entire life, or who attempts to get revenge, you can blame yourself for those choices. I hope that you will always be your own person and not use a scape goat to excuse any wrong doings in your life. When my brother passed away your Grandma and Grandpa could have reacted completely different. They could of gotten a divorce, they could have left the church, they could have blamed God, they could have neglected or become over protective of me. While I am sure all of us made our mistakes after he passed away your Grandparents stayed together. They kept going to church and we were in fact sealed in the temple, as a family for all eternity. They encouraged me to be anyone I wanted to be. They always supported me and I always knew and still always know that I am a very loved daughter. What great examples your Grandparents are.

About a week ago Elder Wirthlin, one of the 12 apostles, died at the age of 91. His wife had passed away 2 years earlier. This was a bitter sweet time for his family and for the members of the church. We are happy that he can return to be with his wife and our Heavenly Father, but we will surely miss him here. He gave such an amazing talk called "Come What May, and Love It."
I absolutely love this talk. I love what a sense of humor he has. He speaks about how we need to learn to laugh. We need to realize the eternal perspective of our trials, rather than say "why me." The answer to that is that our Heavenly Father loves each and everyone of us and therefore allows to suffer that we may overcome obstacles and draw nearer unto him. I hope you take the time to read this talk whenever you may be going through adversity.

To continue on with our trip, it did not stop at your sickness. Every single person got sick besides me and Grandma Deter. Aunt Linda and Uncle Rich came to visit and to be able to meet you for the first time and even they got sick. It was so sad, but it will make for a trip that none of us will ever forget. I am sure we will look back and laugh sometime. I must say I rather be sick with the fam than be sick alone.

Despite all the germs going around we got to spend some good quality time with both sides of the family. One of the nights at Grandma and Grandpa Deter's house you entertained us all. I really like this band called Cold Play. Grandpa Deter had one of their concerts recorded. He put on the concert and then placed you on his stomach while he was laying down. You two were rocking out together for about an hour or so. It was absolutely hilarious. You were amazed with the lights on the television and you were seriously shakin it. I can't tell you how excited that makes me feel. I need someone to go crazy and rock out with me around the house. I am very happy that you like Cold Play as well. You already have great taste in music. While we were at your Grandparents house you picked up this hilarious laugh. You would laugh like crazy every time you saw or heard your Grandma Deter. The laugh was kind of like a cackle. I called it your curtious laugh. It made you sound like a little teenager. Here are some pics of our visit with the Deter side of the family.






One of the nights your Grandpa Peach got to babysit you alone. He has always loved you, but after this night he had this adorable attachment to you. He wanted to make sure he was there when you woke up in the morning. He would walk you around the house and show you family pictures we took when I was younger. You loved it and you loved being with him.

Us girls, Grandma Laurie, you, and I went to have your pictures taken with Santa. It was such a special day. Grandma bought you the cutest dress from Nordstroms, some tights and these adorable shoes to top it off. You were one stylin little baby. You didn't seem to mind to look at Santa, but you were not very happy when he held you. You cried a bit, but it was still so cute. I was mortified of Santa when I was little, so you did a lot better. After we saw Santa we went on the Merry-go-round. You loved it. What made your Grandma and I crack up was your little cheeks. Your cheeks were jiggling as the merry-go-round was moving. It was so adorable.




We also went to the the beach, we went shopping and we went to Ruby's diner with your Great Grandpa Rubin and your Aunt Patty. Your Dad and I went to a Ducks hockey game one night as well. Here are so pics of that night and our visit with the Peach side of the family.











So lately you have been very attached to me. This is very not like you. You have always been one of those babies who will go to anyone. Yet towards the end of our stay in CA you will not let anyone hold you if I am in your site. I have to hold you and then you will play with everyone around you. I must say I feel so loved by you. I wondered before if you recognized me as being your Mom. Now I know that you do. At the same time I hope this phase does not last too long. It is not that I do not love your affection and your love for me, but I always wanted to raise you to be independent and to be happy no matter where you are and who you are with. This is a very normal phase that most babies go through though and I know I need to enjoy it while I can. I am sure in the future I will be dying for your love and affection. You are my little snuggle bunny and it is so adorable. I also think you've been like this because you are teething like crazy. Your little gums are so white. I feel so bad for you. I can tell you are in a lot of pain.

While we were in CA I had the opportunity to go to church with my parents. You had to stay home both Sunday's because you were sick. Anyways, while we were there the man who married your Father and I, brother Rossiter, spoke. He gave the most amazing talk that I wanted to share with you. I will post the talk a little later.

We love you so much our sweet Madeline Rose. We will always be there for you no matter what. Thank you for being our daughter.

Family Pics:

Before we left for Thanksgiving we had some family pictures taken by my wonderful friend Kelly. She did an amazing job and she was done in just 15 minutes. I love them so much! If you like what you see you should check out her amazing, creative, simplistic and homemade blog: click here