Never Forget

 I have been reflecting back to September 11, 2001 a lot today.  It started when I dropped my kids off at school and saw the flag at half mast.  I have talked to Avery about what happened on that day, but I haven't talked to my other kids about it yet.  We stayed in the car for a few minutes this morning and I gave them a brief explanation about what this day means.  That people who did not like America, and what it stands for, set up a plan to make us look weak and breakable.  That they put people on flights so they could take them over and crash them.  That on one of those flight the passengers fought back and sacrificed their own lives to save others.  That it put us into a war against terror.  Their response, "You were alive back then??"  Yes kids, yes I was.

It got me thinking that I have never written down my memories of this day 19 years ago.

I was 12 years old and in the 7th grade attending North Ogden Junior High.  I remember being in Mrs. Wood's class listening to the radio about what was happening and not understanding what it all meant, but my heart hurting.  That whole day I don't think a single teacher actually taught their lesson.  In each class the TV or radio was on listening to the continual coverage of everything.  I remember the principal getting on over the intercom and asking the teachers to please continue on with their classes as scheduled, but they didn't listen.  As a 12 year old I didn't really grasp all that was happening.  I knew it was bad, I knew it was scary, I knew it was done by people who hated America.  I remember talking to my friends about what it might all could mean.  Why it happened and what this meant for our country.  

All I remember from that day is the news being on, hearing and seeing footage of all that had happened.  The plane crashing into the first building, wondering how this could have happened.  Then the second plane crashing and realizing that this wasn't an accident.  Then hearing of the pentagon and then later of Flight 93.  Seeing people running, crying, jumping out of windows because they were trapped and knew they were going to die, the buildings falling, smoke.  

All of this caused by people who feared us and didn't like what we stood for.  There was so much heartbreak that day and the days to follow, but there was also so much good.  This brought our country together instead of pulling us apart.  I have since read and watched a lot about September 11th, but this is what I remember as a 12 year old.  

Katie Caroline Brandley-Birth Story

Katie Caroline Brandley

7/12/2020

4:58 a.m.

6 lbs 2 oz

19 1/4 inches

Our sweet Katie girl was born early in the morning on July 12, she was just over 4 weeks early so the whole morning took us by surprise!  Katie's labor started at 3:55 a.m. when I had gotten up to go to the bathroom and my water started leaking.  I went and laid back down in bed to see if contractions would start and sure enough, about 10 minutes later, I had a contraction.  I stayed in a bit of denial and decided to wait to see if more contractions would come, after all, I wasn't even 36 weeks yet!  I couldn't be in labor.  After three contractions I decided, okay, I'm probably actually in labor.  I called my Mom and Dad who were supposed to come be with our kids while we went to the hospital.  Neither of them answered their phones!  I went and woke Louis up and told him I was in labor, he said "really?"  We were both surprised that it was happening so soon!  Since my parents didn't answer their phones Louis called his co-worker Mike to see if he could come sit with our kids.  He said he could so we told him our garage code so he could get in and we headed to the hospital.  Thankfully it was the middle of the night and we could just leave our kids asleep at home for a few minutes. 

My contractions weren't that bad and they weren't too terribly close together yet.  When we got to the hospital they had a couple of nurses at the entrance to take our temperature and give us a mask to wear.  We stopped at the front desk and I gave them my name before the labor and delivery nurse, Megan, came out to take us back.  When we got to the room I changed into a gown and laid on the bed to be checked.  I was at a 7, which for me typically means I'm having a baby in the next 10 minutes.  After being checked I got to have the COVID test done.  It was something I really didn't want to have done while I was in labor, but there I was.  It wasn't as bad as I expected it to be and was done very quickly.  

After the test was done Megan asked if I wanted an epidural.  I told her of course I did, but I didn't know if there'd be time to get it.  She said she'd go call the anesthesiologist and see how quickly he could get here.  Once she left the room contractions all of the sudden were non stop and I could feel the pressure of Katie coming.  I told Louis she was coming and he called out to the hall that the baby was coming.  Megan ran back in the room to help me and had Louis pick up the phone in the room to call the front of the hospital to get another nurse back with us.  He called and passed on the message then came to be by my side as I gave one really long push and Katie was here!  She was born at 4:58 a.m. after just an hour of labor.

The morning was kind of a blur, it seems like it was both longer and shorter than it really was.  There are things I don't remember, the doctor was called at some point, I don't know if it was before or after Katie was born.  I know another nurse eventually came into the room, I'm pretty sure it was at least a minute after Katie was born.  

Katie was able to be laid on my stomach for a minute or so after she was born as Megan and I rubbed her back and tried to help her breath and cry.  She would cry off and on, but it wasn't consistent and her coloring wasn't great.  After Louis cut the cord they took her to the other side of the room to suck her lungs out, give her oxygen, and continue to rub her back to encourage her to breath and cry.  My doctor came and helped deliver the placenta and to check me out.  They ended up giving me a shot to help with my bleeding.  (I can't remember what it is called, but I don't suggest getting it if you have an option!  It made me nauseous for hours and I ended up throwing up on my way into the recovery room)  Once the pediatrician got to the hospital they moved Katie into the nursery to get her some more help.  Louis went with her and I was left alone with just a nurse in the delivery room.  

It was hard not knowing what was going on with Katie, but I knew she was okay.  About an hour after the took Katie I was able to be moved to the recovery room (this is when I threw up) and make a stop at the nursery to see Katie.  She was hooked up to high flow oxygen, a heart rate monitor, and was laying on a warming bed.  She also had an IV set to start giving her antibiotics and fluids.  I was able to hold her and nurse her for a little bit before going into my room to rest.  Louis headed home at this point to go relieve his co-worker and wait for my parents to wake up and see their missed calls.  Funny story:  Louis' co-worker's wife is a nurse and she ended up being called in because of me!  They said "We just had a 'stop and drop' we need you to come in"  She responded with "I know, my husband is watching their other kids!"  

After some rest I went to see Katie again and they had switched her to a CPAP machine to get her more oxygen.  With that in I wasn't able to nurse her anymore, but I was still able to hold her.  I ended up having a connection with the pediatrician that was on call.  His aunt was in my ward growing up, her and I even share a birthday!  Dr. Capener is a really good doctor and I was very happy he was there because we were able to ask him to help Louis give Katie a blessing.  At this time with COVID-19 still very prevalent in our community they are not letting any visitors into the hospital when you have a baby, so we wouldn't have been able to ask my Dad or someone else to come help with it.  Just before lunch time Louis and Dr. Capener gave Katie a blessing.  It was short and very sweet and a moment I am grateful we were able to have to help Katie get stronger.

The nurse that delivered Katie

The afternoon that Katie was born another baby was brought into the nursery, so we had to start wearing a mask when we went in to be with Katie.  Katie did really well with Louis and me holding her and it increased her oxygen levels.  Late that night she was able to be taken off the CPAP and put back onto the high flow oxygen.  That night was rough getting up every 3 hours to go into the nursery to feed her, I didn't sleep well in between and so I ended up getting very little sleep. 

The next morning came with good news!  They had started weaning her down off of the oxygen and she was mostly on full room air!  Later that day she was able to be taken off of it completely and come be in the room with us.  She still had her IV in, but other than that, she was cord free!  They were having us stay at least 48 hours to hear about her blood cultures, but with how things were progressing it looked like we would be good to go home after those 48 hours and not have any extra time in the hospital.  

Katie is now off of her IV, she has a car seat test to pass and has to get her blood sugar tested one more time, but then we should be good to go home!  For a preemie, this has definitely been the best case scenario.  We are so grateful for all that prayed for us and for her and we are so grateful for the wonderful doctor and nurses that we've had here!  

Our Favorite Hero

Last week was Father's Day and I have been thinking a lot about the wonderful father my kids have been blessed with.  Louis does so much for all of us, without thinking of himself.  He is endlessly serving us.  He is patient, he is smart, he is kind, he is strong, he is fun, he is silly, he is Christlike, he is selfless, and so much more. 

Glamping

Last year we started the tradition of going on a mini vacation in the summer, something just overnight and within a few hours from us.  Our original plan for this summer was to go to Logan, Utah and do some of the things we enjoyed when we lived there.  Under the circumstances of this year though we had to come up with something else.  For a while I was thinking we wouldn't be able to do a mini vacation at all!  With COVID-19 and with being due with a baby later in the summer it wasn't looking likely.  In May my friend Kristy was telling me about their upcoming trip "glamping" in Bear Lake.  Glamping is glamorous camping, glamorous+camping=glamping!  Real beds, electricity, and a flushing toilet right in your tent, that's my kind of camping!  Even better, the company was running a 50% off deal for May and June.  I talked it over with Louis and we decided to go forward with it.
Like last year we kept the destination and activities a complete surprise for the kids, they saw on the calendar that we were going on a mini vacation in June, but didn't know anything else!  We headed out on a Sunday afternoon playing some car games until we came up to Bear Lake and the kids knew where we were.  Most of them anyway, Wyatt was convinced we were at the ocean.  We pulled into the glampground, Conestoga Ranch and the kids were so excited to see the wagons, tee pees, and giant tents and wondered which one we would be staying in!  I went into the lodge to get us checked in and they sent out a golf cart to take me back to our car and load us and all of our things up to take us to our tent.  I think riding in the golf cart was one of the highlights for some of our kids.

We got our things situated in the tent and then Louis and the kids went on a walk to explore the campground(or should I say glampground?).  When they got back we had our fire started by the staff and roasted some hot dogs for dinner.  After dinner we played some games that we had brought along before roasting s'mores.  The s'more supplies are provided by the Ranch.

After the s'mores were eaten the kids got ready for bed, Logan and Wyatt got laid down for the night, and the older three kids gathered on our bed to watch a movie on the laptop.  During the movie Louis and I sat by the fire and watched the sky change colors as the sun set.  It was getting chilly out so Louis walked down the the lodge and got us some hot chocolate.  It was a nice hour alone together.  When the movie was done we had the kids come outside to sit by the fire until we saw the first star come out.  We found the first star around 10:00, made our wishes on it headed inside to go to bed.

Louis and I stayed up past midnight playing card games, I wish we hadn't because we ended up having a rough night with some of the kids!  Logan woke up sometime before we went to bed, but thankfully went back to sleep on his own after a while.  Around 2:30 Mary woke up to go to the bathroom and said her stomach was hurting.  I gave her a TUM  (more of a placebo really) and sent her back to bed.  Then at 3:30 Wyatt woke up and was not going back to sleep.  Louis ended up bringing him into bed with us.  This is when I moved to one of the twin beds for the rest of the night.  At some point in the early morning Ethan woke up, he is our earliest riser at home, I told him it was not time to get up and to go back to bed.  Thankfully he actually did go back to sleep.  Then Mary was up again, she went to the bathroom and got into bed with Louis and Wyatt.  Avery was the only one who actually slept all night.

That morning we ate breakfast, got ready for the day, packed up, and headed back to our car on the golf cart.  We drove to the viewpoint that is up Logan Canyon a little ways and read about Bear Lake and enjoyed the view for a bit.  Then we went to drive go carts!  I had seen it on our way to the glampground and thought the kids would have a blast trying it!  Louis drove with Wyatt, Avery drove with Ethan, and Mary got to have one to herself.  Avery and Mary started out going so slowly, thankfully it was just them and one other Dad with his son on the track.  After a couple laps Avery sped up a little bit as she figured it out a bit and got more comfortable.  Mary on the other hand was so slow the entire time!  It was definitely a highlight of our mini vacation!

Even with the rough night, it was a wonderful getaway as a family.

We all enjoyed ourselves and made memories to last for years!

Home School Thoughts

I wanted to ask each girl some questions about their thoughts and feelings about doing school at home.
I hope it will help them in the future looking back at this time.

Avery

What are some things you've felt since school closed?
Stuck at home it's a little sad.  You can't like go anywhere.  You can't have play dates!  Hopefully this ends somewhere during summer break so we have lots of summer break still for play dates!

What have you liked about online learning?
Being on my computer for hours and seeing my friends.

What have you not liked about online learning?
It's boring and the teacher can mute you and make it so you can't unmute yourself.



What do you miss about going to school?
Recess, seeing my friends in person, and we didn't get to do our multiplication ice cream party or our division pizza party!

If you could, what's one thing you would change about online learning to make it better?
If the teacher reads a book she'd have to send it to the kids!  We've been reading Spider Kane and it's good!

What are you looking forward to next year when you're hopefully back at school?
Harder math.  The math in third grade is easy!


Mary

What are some things you've felt since school closed?
I kind of got stressed sometimes because at home Ethan can annoy me and at school he can't!  Sometimes happy, no homework.

What have you liked about online learning?
I at least get to see my friends again.

What have you not liked about online learning?
We have to sit at the computer for three hours.

What do you miss about going to school?
I miss recess and lunch time.  I don't really get to see my friends in person anymore.

If you could, what's one thing you would change about online learning to make it better?
We would get play dough and Miss Downs would tell us what to make and we would make it.  For two hours!

What are you looking forward to next year when you're hopefully back at school?
Meeting my new teacher, seeing my friends from class again if some of them are in my second grade class.

Homeschooling 2020

The girl's last day of school was March 13.  They left school that Friday thinking they'd be heading right back again on Monday, and now it has been over two months since they've stepped foot inside of the building.  It was Sunday night when I got an email from the school district that schools would be closing until at least April 13 when they would reevaluate and see what would be done from that point.  I knew that the school district was getting together to talk over things and decide what to do, so I had told the girls of the possibility of school closing.  I wanted them to be prepared for that possibility, especially Avery who is so social and absolutely loves school!  The decision to close the school wasn't made until late Sunday night when the girls were already in bed, so it was on Monday morning when I told them they wouldn't be going to school for at least a month.  They took it pretty well, but in reality I knew it shook their whole world.  All of the sudden there was no church, no school, no play dates, no visiting aunts, uncles, grandparents, or cousins, no going into the store for them.  So much changed and continued to change daily.
I tried to make the best of it, I set up a "Home School Schedule" for us to follow while we were at home.  Each morning they still had to follow their checklist to get ready for the day and once Logan went down for his morning nap we would start on some school work.  I had a simple activity for the boys to do and a few different subjects (math, writing, social studies) for the girls to work through.  Once they were done they could head outside to play until lunch time.  After lunch we would have reading time then they would head downstairs for quiet time for an hour and a half to two hours.  It worked really well and the kids all did great with the schedule and loved school time.  I loved it too, our school time gave me time to just sit with the kids and spend some nice time with them I otherwise wouldn't of had. 

After a week and a half of this (it felt like longer) the girl's teachers sent home some packets of worksheets for them to do so we switched to doing those instead of what I had gotten together for them.  After another week and a half it was spring break and the school had announced that they would not be going back to school until at least May 1.  Since the closure was extended they had figured out how to "distance learning" and got everything organized for that.  Each student in the district was provided a Chromebook and we went and picked up their school supplies and work packets from the school.  We also worked to get things ready here at home.  We moved the furniture around in our front room and set up a folding table for the girls to share.  We bought them both headphones so they could listen to their class without being distracted by each other.  I put all of their supplies in a bin for them to easily access it as well as keep it organized.  We blocked off the front room with our large playpen/gate so the boys would stay out during school hours.  We were ready to go, and on the Monday after spring break, April 13, the girls had their first day of online school!
Pretty much every school in the country and in several parts of the world has been doing some sort of distance learning.  Each district is doing it a little differently though.  For my girls, they are doing school through Zoom each day.  The school day starts at 9:30 and ends at 12:30 with two breaks in that time.  They do math, writing, and reading.  Their teachers have prerecorded lessons as well as live instruction, the girls do worksheets during this time, and they have break off sessions for their reading group.  So it is three hours on the computer, but it isn't them just sitting there staring at the screen.  I have zero complaints, I think their school and teachers have done such a fantastic job at organizing everything and communicating with us, I have been very impressed!  As for the girl's specials classes, (science, music, media, and P.E.) the different teachers each put together a prerecorded lesson and an assignment for the students to do once a week.  They generally take 20-30 minutes to complete.  I have the girls take time to do one a day, with one day off, in the afternoon after quiet time. 
The first day of online school went well for about an hour.  Then our internet went out and we couldn't get it back on.  Thankfully someone was able to come out that same day and fix it.  So the girls watched the recorded lessons and did their work later that day.  Since then it really has gone well.  I don't have to help them with much, they don't complain about having to do school, I think they have really enjoyed being able to see their teachers and classmates.
My kids and I do well with schedules so I put together a "block schedule" for each girl to help organize our day and help them get done what they need to.  We start out with a morning block where they eat breakfast, get ready for the day, and read.  Then it is the school block, I have their individual school schedules written out here so they know what they'll be doing and when their breaks are.  After this is our afternoon block, we eat lunch then it is quiet time either downstairs or when the weather is nice, outside.  When quiet time is done it is snack time then they move on to their evening block.  They go and do one of their specials during this time then we eat dinner and have family time.  The last block is their bedtime block, they clean up, get ready for bed, then can go downstairs and play in their room until it is time for bed.  It has been good to have our day broken up into these "blocks" and has helped keep some structure and to get the things done that we need to. 

We got Mary some blue light blocking clip-on glasses

because she was getting headaches

Sometimes Avery ends up on the couch

Schools were officially closed for the rest of the school year a few weeks ago, so we have continued with our online schooling.  We have one more week to go!  Mary's teacher has told them that this last week will be a fun week, no assignments!  She is excited about that!  I hope the end of the school year is good, I don't know what emotions it might bring out in them.  I think it is going to be weird to end the school year by closing a laptop instead of having a class party and field day!  I may have to come up with some kind of special celebratory dinner that night.  I sincerely hope they are able to go back to school in the fall, especially with Ethan starting Kindergarten.  We will see what the future holds. 

Logan is 1!

We have had sweet Logan in our home for one whole year now!  He has been a dream baby.  He sleeps great, he is almost always happy, he loves everything you feed him, he loves his siblings and they love him.  At the age of one Logan weighs just over 20 pounds and is 29 inches long.  He can take several steps by himself.  He has kept his blonde hair through out this first year.  He can wave hello.  Loves to play peek a boo.  And can say Mama and Dada. 

We had a dinosaur themed party to celebrate him yesterday.  There are still gathering restrictions in Wyoming so we didn't invite people over for his party.  We had dinner together and then my parents came from up the hill for cupcakes and presents.  Logan loved his cupcake, he went right in for it before the candle was even blown out!

Logan has been the best addition to our family.  He has brought so much love and happiness into our home.  I have loved watching the kids love on him and try to help teach him things.  We're so thankful to have Logan in our family!