Halloween is almost here!!

We spent a night with Kate and Thomas at the "Zoo Boo" here in Detroit. Check out Josh's facial expression!
We have the Black Spider man, Snow White and a cuddly teddy bear.

Josh just LOVES pictures!

Thank you grandma Netty for the cool Spider man costume with muscles! It has been worn nearly every day for the last month!

Kate was bringing up the rear with Maddie.

My kids are so blessed to have so many people who love them!

Lynnette, these next two pictures are for you!

Josh feels pretty dang cool when he is disguised in his costume.

Tyler was so cozy warm the whole night. He never made a peep in his outfit.

Still looking forward to more Halloween parties coming up....

We sure do miss Kate and Thomas around here. It is good you don't come too often because my kids would get too spoiled going to toy stores and ice cream every day. (Dippin Dots!)

I've been tagged!

I have been tagged by one of my good friends here in Michigan. The rules are: post the rules and list 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, and 3 random surprising facts. Then, tag 3 people at the end of the post by listing them and leaving a comment on their blog. Here I go...
3 joys:
The first one would naturally be my family. I admire and love my grandparents, my crazy aunts and uncles, my generous parents and in laws, my one eyed brother and dog loving sister, my adventurous skier cousins, my sensitive Josh, my sunshine Maddie, and my teddy bear Tyler. Oh, and then, my "better half." Words can not describe that husband of mine. All these people bring me great joy.
My second joy would be this beautiful earth we live on. I love each and every one of God's creations. Mountains, oceans, trees, flowers, snow, rain, clouds, sunsets, and on and on.
My third joy on my mind is music. I met a friend here in Michigan who feels the same way about music as I do. We agree with each other that we aren't happy in our lives unless we are involved with music somehow. So true. I love my music callings in our branch. I actually got teary today conducting the sacrament hymn in church. I have picked up quite a few new piano/voice students this fall and sometimes I can not believe I am getting paid to do something I love so much. I love all music, but most of all I just love to sing........(really loud and really high)

3 fears:
Let me make it known that I am not afraid of spiders, rodents, snakes, or most insects. However, I am terrified of bees!! I am one of those people who starts running in circles whenever a bee is near. I actually got stung this summer and I started hyperventilating. I HATE bees!
Another fear of mine that is even greater than bees is being trapped in an elevator. Whenever I get in a small and dimly lit elevator I have to start taking deep breaths. Josh will look at me and know that I am on the verge of a freak out. I always try to take the stairs when possible. I am a pretty claustrophobic person and if an elevator is taking too long, I am seriously sweating by the time I get out. I hate even thinking about it.
My third fear...hmmmm...I know. I am scared of the bathroom in our cabin up at Alta. We have a pretty sweet cabin in Albion Basin, but the bathroom is just a dark hole with the foulest stench imaginable. I am mostly scared that something is going to crawl up and bite me while I am going to the bathroom. There is a legend of a squirrel who lives down there and every now and then you can see its eyes glowing from beneath.

3 goals:
Right now, my friend Hillary and I are learning the guitar together. It has been a goal of mine for a long time to play the guitar. I think it was Marian, Jodi and Jane that finally got me to actually do something about it. I have been practicing nearly every day for the last two months. I love it. One of my goals is to play the banjo in a band. I imagine myself sitting on a haystack somewhere in Idaho with overalls, pigtails, and rocking to the fiddle and harmonica. Yeehaw!
Another goal or dream of mine is to have my own little diner one day out in the country. Maybe even some kind of a bed and breakfast. I have wanted to own a restaurant ever since I was 12 years old and opened "The Michigan Street Broiler" at our home on 1841 Michigan Ave. We served party pizza, Top Ramon, and peanut butter sandwiches. The whole neighborhood was invited for only a dollar to have lunch.
My third goal is something I dream about, but I don't think it is going to happen. I have always wanted to be a figure skater! My favorite movie growing up was "The Cutting Edge." One day I want to get out on the ice and feel like I am as graceful as they make it look in the Olympics. Or, if that dream doesn't work out, I want to kick some booty playing ice hockey. I just love the ice!

3 current obsessions:
Zac Efron.....is that bad? It's ok, Dave is cool with it. I really am pretty obsessed with "Highschool Musical". I am dying to see the new one, but all the mom's in Michigan think it is lame. So actually, I am obsessed with ALL musicals! The last two I have seen are "Wicked" and "Mama Mia". There is nothing I would rather do than see a live performance of any musical or big production on the stage. That will always be an obsession.
I would say Dave and I both are pretty obsessed with running right now. Sometimes, I don't feel I can have a good day if I don't get out there for at least 30 minutes. Fall is my favorite time to run. Saturday mornings are the best, and yesterday was gorgeous. I can't do it without music though. There is no better way to clear my head.
Last obsession: I guess the only thing I can think of is Halloween candy. We have so much freaking candy in our house, and I eat more than everyone combined. No wonder I had 5 cavities this last summer! I love candy and I have absolutely zero self control. (Dave likes to remind me of this!)

3 random surprising facts:
I am a terrible swimmer. I actually have a deviated septum and have to plug my nose whenever going under water. I tried to swim a few laps last summer and it was an absolute joke!
At my last eye doctor appointment, I was told that I am legally blind. My vision is so horrible and in the mornings Dave used to think I was kidding when I couldn't find my glasses. Now he understands that I really can not see anything more than three inches from my face.
And last of all, I am a little embarrassed to admit that I, for the most part, do not like to shop. Last week Kate and I were talking about what we would want if we had a lot of money and could have one luxury. Kate said she would like a weekly massage, and I said I would like a personal shopper. I just don't enjoy shopping unless I have a specific purpose. I am pretty sure having 3 kids and no money has a lot to do with it also. However, I married into a family that loves shopping like it is going out of business!

Wow, I did it! Now I am going to pass on the challenge to not only 3, but 4 of my lovely sister-in-laws! Nancy, Lindsey, Jessie, and Ashley........it's all you!!!

A day picking pumpkins

Josh's preschool had a field trip to Blake's orchard to pick pumpkins and apples. It worked out perfectly because Kate and Thomas were here to come join in the fun. One thing I will really miss here in Michigan is Josh's preschool. We love his teachers and can not believe he will be starting Kindergarten next year.
Do you think Maddie loves Thomas?! He was chasing her for at least 20 minutes in a haystack maze. She was squealing at the top of her lungs the whole time.

Kate and Tyler

Wow! I have an awesome body, don't you think?

We all went on a hay ride!

This is Josh's best friend Wyait. He is at our house just about every day. We love him!

One day Kate and I were laughing in the car and Josh shouted up from the back seat,

"STOP LAUGHING YOU SISTERS!!!"

It is funny how whenever Kate and I are together everyone says that our

voices sound exactly a like. One lady could not believe we were 5 years apart. She thought we had to be a year apart. And let me publicly announce that Kate said she IS starting to get excited to have kids! Not ready.....just starting. I told her it will be hard for me to live up to the kind of aunt she is, but I will do my best.

We had a great time at the orchard, but the best part was when we went home and made Carmel apples with all the fresh apples we picked. Kate and Thomas loved getting to know all of Josh's school mates also. They got to be the "working parent" one of the mornings. Josh felt super special having his aunt and uncle spend a day in his classroom. Thanks guys for the awesome week! More pictures will be posted......

What a face!

This little girls cracks me up! Doesn't that face say it all? Last week was a big week for Maddie. Ever since Maddie turned two I began to realize that she was falling behind in expressing herself verbally. She is so expressive in other ways and Dave and I never doubted how smart she is, however, we have wondered when in the world she will finally start talking. Many people have said to try to comfort me, "She will start talking as soon as she decides she wants to." I knew this was not true, because she tries her very hardest to say words, but they come out all wrong. A good example is what she calls my sister. We said the word, "Kate" over and over again, and the best she can do is, "duck".
So, last week I took her to a speech therapist to have a verbal assessment done. Watching her take this test was one of the cutest things I have ever seen. She sat in her little chair and was loving the one on one attention with the therapist playing little games, getting out toys, books, flash cards, etc. I have not gone over the results from the assessment, but the woman told me that Maddie is indeed ready for speech therapy. She is many months behind in what she can say, but months ahead of what she can comprehend. This makes a huge gap in her communication. Maddie sat and followed every direction for an hour straight. The woman said, "Maddie is a speech therapists absolute dream! There is no doubt she is going to do very well, very quickly." I am so happy that my little girl is going to finally be able to tell me what is going through her mind. We love you Matts!

The joy of losing weight...

Last year on Dec. 3rd, Dave turned 30. This was kind of a big deal in his mind and he made the goal to be the same weight entering into his 30's as he was when he entered his 20's. My husband has always been active and fit, however, he did gain weight (10-15 pounds) after two years of studying day and night in Med school. Well, last December he reached his goal by getting into running. Now it is my turn. I have two and a half months before I turn 30 and I am working my bu** off to get my extra pounds off. Do I think I am going to do it? Heaven's no. I will do my best, but I don't think it is possible to lose it that fast.
It is amazing how frustrating it can be to lose weight after having a baby, but at the same time, I do enjoy the challenge of it. Weight gain is a small price to pay for the marvelous blessing it is to have a baby, so, I am not complaining. However, it is weird to think about how much our bodies go through when we have children. I have gained and lost approximately 150 pounds in the last 4 years!
I have been going to the gym for the last few months, and although I enjoy starting my day off with a good work out, there are also times when I want to start cursing the treadmill. This last week I was offered to go to a free "boot camp" as he called it. The kid teaching it was a pothead looking white boy, long hair, major attitude, and couldn't be over 25. He started asking me about my "goals". I told him I wanted to lose 20 pounds, but I have to be careful how I do it because I am breastfeeding. He looked at me without a clue as to what that meant. He started asking me some basic questions, and then said, "And, how long do you plan to...to...to... do that?" I told him for at least a year, but my goal is two years. He gave me a look of bewilderment. He said in a repulsed tone, "You can do that? I mean, is that ok? That's not normal right??!" So, needless to say, my personal trainer thinks I am a freak.
I have no idea why I feel the need to write this. It just makes me laugh thinking about it. Sometimes in Salt Lake, my friends or family will say, "Wow, Kristine your weight comes off so easily." I just want you to know that it is hard, hard work for me (and most of us) to get back in shape and feel good about our bodies after having a baby. It takes consistent effort. I know there are a lot of us turning 30 this year, so let's all make it a goal to eat healthy and stay in shape.

"So this is what it feels like!!"

Today I was at Josh's third soccer game, and as I was screaming and cheering on the sidelines, I thought, "So this is what it feels like to watch your son take the ball all the way down the field and score." It was an amazing sight and feeling.

Dave and I were hesitant about putting Josh on a soccer team at the young age of 4. After the first game, we were not sure what to think. Josh was an emotional roller coaster. If he got the ball he was smiling and on cloud nine, but within seconds he would lose the ball and to his knee's he would fall in frustration. I could hear him mumbling, "I HATE soccer." But within a few minutes he was loving it again.

After three games, he is starting to figure things out a little better. I am sorry to have to brag about my son, but he was rocking the field today! Totally dominating. He was like a mini Dave out there, running circles around players, scoring, and pushing himself like Dave and I have never seen. He even had a chance to play goalie, and as I watched him, I truly could not believe he was my kid. Needless to say, we were extremely proud of Josh today.

By the way, Dave is one of the coaches.

For those of you who may not know, although I assume everyone does knows, one of my husband's greatest passions is soccer. When I first fell in love with Dave he was playing soccer for Westminster. I loved going to his games. Once I was watching Dave play soccer just after we were married and a guy said to me, "So, you are married to Dave? Do you play soccer?" I said without hesitation, "No, I don't." He then said in a loud voice so that everyone sitting around us could hear, "I can't BELIEVE Dave would marry a girl who didn't play soccer. That is just crazy!" Thanks a lot jerk-off!

Dave is the only coach who doesn't wear a braided belt and collared shirt.

Does he look like a doctor yet??

For those of you who may not know, this is my husband Dave. Pretty hot don't you think? Sorry, he's taken. (By the way, when I used to be in the music department at the U, there were a number of guys in my opera workshop class who had a crush on him. They would talk about him openly, and it kind of weirded me out. That's beside the point.)
This is a very exciting next couple months for us. Recently, Dave took two big tests that are a big determining factor in which residency he will get into. Yeah.....he passed! So the next step in this long and grueling process is applying for residencies all over the country and waiting for interviews. For the last two weeks we have received quite a few positive responses. He applied to over 30 residency's for Pediatrics. Over the month of November and December he will fly out to the interviews, take a look at the cities, check out the hospital and get to know some of the doctors/residents.
The places that he has been called back for an interview, (and this is very exciting because one of these cities is where we will be living for the next 3-6 years,) are: Indiana, Pennsylvania, Virgina, North Carolina, Ohio, Nevada, Florida, and good 'ol Salt Lake.
The count down is on! By middle of March the match will be made and he will start making some $$$ by July 1st. (only a little $$$)
I am so proud of my husband for all his hard work and drive over the last few years. I know that being a doctor is "in his blood." There is nothing else I can imagine him doing. (Besides perhaps him working in a hair salon. Ok Dan, I know that was a dumb joke.) But I know without a doubt he will be a great doctor. I love you honey. Props to you.

"Oh Dave, give me some of that sweet lovin."

"Thanks babe!"

Tyler Joseph Orme

Look how adorable and sweet this little guy is. It is really a strange thing how Dave and I can feel so much love and joy for our baby, but yet there is sadness behind it as well. No one wishes to have a baby with problems. I think of all the grandchildren and great grandchildren on both sides of our family, 70 plus at least, and none of them born with any major abnormalities. We are the first to have a "disabled" child on both sides. I know the blessings of having a baby with Down's will outweigh the painful emotions that go along with it, but I also think Dave and I are just starting to get over the shock of it all. I love Tyler. I always speak about him in a positive tone, but I do want to share how it is hard too.

I have a close friend, Alta Hales, who, in a way prepared me for what was to come. Her baby boy Elliot was born with Cystic Fibrosis a few months before Tyler. It was the first time something was "wrong" with one of my friends babies. I felt so much grief for her, but at the same time, her little Elliot is one of the cutest babies I have ever met. I really don't know how to express a lot of my feelings about Tyler and sometimes I think I have repressed a lot. Dave and I had one of our first real conversations about our feelings about Ty this last weekend. I don't even realize how tender my feelings actually are I talk about it out loud. It is just weird how I feel so happy and sad at the same time when I think of Ty.

This weekend we spent with Jessie, James, and their three kids. Naomi is 5 weeks younger than Ty. I feel like everything with Tyler is normal, until I am around other babies. Just holding Naomi makes my heart sink. To feel her core strength, to watch the way she plays with toys, to see her rolling around, to feel the firmness in her muscles. I don't realize how different Tyler is until I am around other babies. There is one word I hate more than any word when describing Down's babies, "floppy." I felt like I was going to strangle the next person who used that word. In my mind, the word "floppy" is what comes to mind after you catch a fish and it is flopping around before it finally dies. What a horrible image when people describe my son that way. However, when I held Tyler after holding Naomi, the only word that came to mind was just that.

I don't really know why I am writing this, other than I think it will be helpful for me to admit that it is hard. People are now approaching me at the grocery store and at the park asking questions about Tyler's condition. I am glad I can answer questions without getting emotional, but sometimes it was easier to pretend he was just like every other baby. Pretty soon everyone who meets Tyler will know that he is different. Many people seem to be accepting and comfortable, but often they are not.

There is a pretty hilarious Seinfield episode where Jerry, Craimer, and Elaine meet the "ugliest baby they have ever seen." The first time Craimer sees the baby, he nearly falls over just looking in the crib. During the whole episode, they each give horrified and disgusted looks if they even catch a glimpse of the baby. That episode keeps coming to my mind, and it is not so hilarious now. They over dramatize everything in Seinfield, but I don't want people to be scared to look at my baby. Some people are. I can feel it.

One week after Tyler was born I was out in a crowded museum and I saw a woman with a severely disabled little girl. It was obvious that the girl would never be able to walk or talk. I approached this mother and asked a question about her daughter. That was the first time in my life that I chose not to look away and actually found the courage to ask about a handicapped child. When I told the woman about the baby in my arms that was only 5 days old, she said, with a loving smile on her face, "He is going to open a whole new world to you." She was so right. There is a whole new world out there.

"Life is beautiful"

I don't feel like I am too good at this whole blogging thing. To tell you the truth, the "blogging world" still freaks me out a bit, as does facebook. Yea, it is cool to see what friends and family are doing, but it also feels weird to let people into my little world and into my head. However, I realized, after talking to my wise sister-in-law Jessie, that I am not happy with the way I write. I feel as if I am always wondering, "Who will be reading this? Is this boring? Am I bragging about my "perfect" life? (I hate that) Am I going to offend someone by saying how I really feel?"
Basically, I don't say anything of importance because I worry about all these things. I want my blog to be totally my own thoughts, good or bad, right or wrong, happy or sad, etc.. So, no longer will I think about who might be reading this, although there is a good chance I will just go private anyway. I love to write. Dave and I write in a journal for each of our children, and I know they will cherish it just as I cherish the words my father left me. I also was an avid journal writer my whole life....until I got married. This I deeply regret. I want blogging to be a way for me to express things that are important to me that I can pass down to my children. Just as the movie says, "Life is beautiful". I couldn't agree more!
I am in Akron, Ohio right now. General Conference was awesome as it always is. I always look forward to conference. Last night I thought it would be fun to watch Jessie and James wedding video. It was super cute. Why is it that I always get emotional when I watch someones wedding video?? So, all of a sudden all of these pictures start coming on with Geoff and Lynnette. All of a sudden tears started coming down my face. I feel like I have the greatest in laws in the whole world!!! I can talk to Lynnette about anything, she loves my children more than I can imagine, she is so patient and kind. My mind is flooding with all the things I love about her. Lynnette, I hope you know how much I love being around you. You have so much personality and spunk. How many people can live with their in laws for 3 MONTHS and not get annoyed??? Honestly, I loved every second of being in the Orme house. I had the pleasure of eating breakfast every morning with Geoff as he drank his two cokes, (at 9:00 a.m.) ate his toast and eggs while reading the newspaper. I was talking to a friend the other day who told me how her father in law has never plays with his grand kids. I thought, "Boy am I spoiled!" No one plays with their grand kids like Geoff. He has turned his backyard into grand kid central. Not only does he take his grand kids to do cool stuff like fishing, skiing, and swimming, but around the house the games never stop. It was his daily ritual to chase Maddie around the whole main floor about 5 times until she was out of breath....or maybe he was out of breath. What more can I say? I love you Geoff and Lynnette. When I saw that video of you last night it made me realize how much I miss you. I hope you are gearing up for us to be with you the whole month of December!!! You guys are the best!

Florida with Andrea!

What a great little get away. I have to thank my husband for the wonderful idea. He wanted to play Mr. Mom for 5 days while I visit one of my best friends Andrea Derrick Tyler. Dave had a week off (which never happens) So, I am taking advantage of a cheap plane ticket and some girly girl time. These pictures are at Blue Springs National Park. So beautiful. We went swimming in the clear water, but don't swim where it is murky or you may run into an alligator. Andrea taught me all about Manatees too. They are the world's only totally aquatic vegetarian mammals, and are facing extinction.

Tyler thought the water was a little chilly, but he had fun splashing around anyway.

It has been great to have some baby bonding time.

And here is Andrea with her adorable 18 month old Max. Max loves baby Ty. He is totally hinting to Andrea that he wants a playmate.

Why is it that baby's are so cute that you just want to eat them?

It is so fun hanging out with this little buddy.

Do you want to see what Andrea is holding in her hands!!

Check this out, after it rains there are little frogs like this hopping all over the ground. They are about the same size as mosquito's. Aren't they absolutely adorable!!!

Can you see how clear that water is? People tube down the springs, it is like a lazy river.

Thanks Andrea for such a fun adventure. It feels like we are living on an island. I love the humidity and sea breeze. I will be back to visit again!