Christmas Thoughts

I just have to take a moment to thank my family for making this season so special. It didn't really feel like Christmas came and went this year. Kevin and I didn't really do much as far as presents went this year. It was just so easy to focus on Christ as we thought about the wonderful gift that Jami gave Dad and the rest of the family this year. With all of the prayers and opportunities to serve, we have been blessed with the Spirt of Christmas. I just have to thank Jami and Dad for being so positive and for pulling our family through some crazy moments. It is you we have to thank for touching our hearts and allowing us to focus on what is really important this season. How deeply greatful I am for the gospel. How greatful I am for eternal families and for the opportunity that I have to be with my family forever. I am also greatful for my wonderful Kevin. Wherever I go people are always noticing how willing he is to serve and to give freely. You are the most generous and wonderful husband. How lucky I am to have you forever! I think there is no greater love that a couple can have, or greater gift that can be given, then wanting to be sealed for all eternity together. I love you all! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Day

We were able to take the kids to the hospital on Christmas Day to see their mom. You can see that Brooklyn was sad in one pic. She hated to say goodbye to mom. The kids have been so strong during all of the craziness that has been going on. Jami and BJ sure raised wonderful children!

Christmas Morning

We were so lucky to have Brooklyn and Taylor with us on Christmas morning. Kids make Christmas special! We sure had fun with the kids even though they only got 2 presents (they will celebrate with Jami and BJ when Jami gets home from the hospital). Jami has the best kids. We have really enjoyed having them in our home!

Update on Dad

Dad is looking incredible! Just hours after the surgery we all thought he looked almost 20 years younger! He was doing better then most doctors have seen their transplant patients doing. He went home on Sunday, but he is really feeling the pain now. His first few days were great, but it is catching up to him. The other hard thing about Dad is that he has no immune system. That means that he can't go in public for months, you can't touch him or even come around him if you even have a small sniffle. That will sure be hard on my very social father! Jami will be in the hospital until atleast Monday because her body is going through so much. Thanks to everyone for the many prayers offered!

Update on Jami

Jami had it pretty rough. I had no idea of the sacrifice she willing made as she selflessly dontated a kidney to my dad. It brings me to tears when I see her! She never complained over the huge amount of pain that she has been in. It has been 6 days since the transplant and they are hoping that she will start to feel a little better each day. We think you are pretty amazing Jami! Thanks for your love and sacrifice for Dad and for each of us. We love you!

Presents

Jamin sure enjoyed opening his fun presents! He also enjoyed the towel that Mama and Papa Biorge gave him. He enjoys being a Lion! Thanks again for spoiling us!

Vikings and Princesses

Mom and Dad got the grandsons viking hats and the girls princess hats. They talked about their Norwegian heritage and family tradition of being a Viking and Princess. I had to grow up hearing all about it, and now I get to teach my son about his ancestors. Isn't parenthood exciting?!?

Box Fun

I think the kids had more fun with the boxes then the presents!

Happy Birthday Holly!

We just want you to know how much we love you! You make us all so happy! You are such a great mommy! I can't imagine life without your friendship and love. You mean so much to us. Thanks for letting me babysit and share this day with you! WE LOVE YOU!

Biorge Party

We celebrated Christmas with the Biorge's Saturday night. We were spoiled and had tons of fun! It was loud and crazy, but we had a blast! Thanks to everyone for all they did for us! We have such a wonderful family! The presents were too much! We are excited to read Dad's book- thank you for writing that for us! We love you all!

This is a pic of Jamin with his toys. You can tell that he was sure enjoying them!

This is the Gilbert clan that came for the Christmas party. We missed you Jarett and Megan!

Gilbert Party

We celebrated Christmas with the Gilbert's on Saturday the 20th. Jamin enjoyed sitting on the boxes more then anything! We were spoiled with all of our wonderful gifts. We missed Jarett and Megan because Kimberlyn was sick. We hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

Our Tree

Jamin thought our Christmas tree was the greatest source of new adventures! It was fun to watch him stare up at the lights. The only sad thing was that he enjoyed eating pine cones more then his real food!

Transplant Date

The transplant finally has a date! My Dad and Jami will be having the surgery on the 23rd of December. It is good to finally have a date, but the sad thing is that they will both be in the hospital for Christmas. I like what Jami told her kids about being in the hospital on Christmas Day. She said that Christmas is about giving and what better way to give then to sacrifice for Grandpa by giving her kidney- even if it is during Christmas. Her kids are so good about it! They are more then willing to put off opening presents. I am excited to have Jami's kids for a while while she is in the hospital and recovering. What a special reason to remember Christ during this season. We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas! We love you!

Family

I know that this picture has been on my blog before, but I just keep thinking about how wonderful my family is. My best friends are really my parents and my sisters. For those of you who know me know that I would rather hang out with my parents and sisters then anyone else in the world. Kevin is my best friend, but he knows that I will always need my sisters. We drive clear out of our way just to talk or watch a movie with my parents. My sisters and I are always finding excuses to get together. I am so blessed to have each of them! I just wanted to let my sisters know how much they mean to me.
Jami- I tear up every time I think of the sacrifice you are making for Dad. You are my hero! You are the mother that manages to do everything, but makes it look so easy and natural. You have the most adorable kids who couldn't be more perfect. I will never understand how you do it all and manage to look like such a hot mamma everyday! I am a stronger person because you are in my life. Thank you for keeping me going each and every day. I know that I will never stop looking up to you. You are the rock of our family. We all have reasons to thank you!
Heather- I can't imagine what you are going through with your little family and the many problems Keegan has, but I have always admired your quiet strength. You try to solve every problem with love in your heart. You would give anything to anyone. You inspire me with how hard you work on being healthy. You are looking so sexy!
Holly- You have always brought laughter and love into our home. It is so incredible to see you as a mother now. You are so sweet with little Ty. I always knew you would be a great mom because you are so good with the other kids. I am so glad that you know the crazy side of me and love me anyway. I love your honesty- you always make me smile! You are so adorable!
Ash- I just can't say enough about my beautiful and talented little sis. You could never even come close to looking bad. She sings, dances, plays the piano and violin, etc..etc.. She is such a talented little monkey (she is my monkey because she used to hang all over me, and I loved it!)! I have always loved your hugs, your smiles and your adorable little laugh. What a fun opportunity it was to watch you grow. You are sure beautiful!
I honestly know that I could not have made it without my sisters. I love you guys!

Transplant Update

I am not including a photo in this one because my dad is not looking his best, and knowing him, he would not like a picture of him in the hospital anyway. Dad had to go in on Tuesday night to the hospital to have emergency dialysis. His blood was so toxic! His creatinin levels were up to 11 (for those of you who don't know, most people are dead if their level reaches a 10)! It is a miracle that he is still with us. Him and Jami (who is donating) have had all kinds of problems with the doctors, tests and scheduling. We are just praying for both of them to just make it through this. We are hoping to get dad's transplant soon, but his body has to be stable and the toxins have to be lower so that he can even survive the transplant. Dad will be in the hospital until we hear that his levels are better. We are hoping that all goes well and that the transplant will happen next week. Just keep them in your prayers!

PJ Party

We got to wear our PJ's for the Jenkins family party. What fun it was to see everyone in their PJ's!

Gilbert Clan

Here is an updated photo of all of the Gilbert's. We took this at the Gilbert Family Christmas party. We love you guys!

Baby Tyson

Baby Tyson Lee Traugher was born on December 4, 2008. He weighed 6lbs 14 oz and was 19.5 in long. He is so adorable! We just can't get enough of holding and loving him. What a treat it is to have him in our lives. Congratulations Holly and Willie. We sure love you guys!

Baby Ty

New babies are so precious! We are so excited to have little Ty in our family. I just can't get over how adorable he is!

Fun Faces

Jamin has such fun expressions. How lucky we are to get to enjoy his smiles everyday!

Day at the zoo

We were able to go to the zoo with all of the girls and grandkids the day before Holly had her baby. What a fun adventure!

Zoo pics

Jamin LOVED all of the animals at the zoo. How fun it was to see him walking around trying to get the attention of humans and animals alike!

4 Generations

This is Jamin with his dad, grandpa and great-grandpa. Pretty cool!

Daddy Dilemas

Here are some more pics of what happens when Jamin is alone with Kevin. In the top pic you can see that Kev put Jamin in his 1st Halloween costume (it was much too small!). Poor Jamin!

Adventures

Here is my little guy on some of his adventures. How fun are little boys!

So grown up!

This is what happens when Kevin has alone time with Jamin. I had to laugh though because he is posing!

So grown up!

This is what happens when Kevin has alone time with Jamin. I had to laugh though because he is posing!