School's Back in Session

You might think with two out of the eight gone on missions, life might slow down a little. Not so in the Huston home. The 2011-2012 school year will include one in high school (Mckenzie was not available for 1st day photos as school starts at 6:45am!) One in Jr. High with Zane in the 8th grade. Two in the elementary, Ammon in 4th and Emily in 2nd. And little Rebekkah makes her debut in preschool. To add to the chaos, we will throw in dual enrollment courses for Mckenzie at MCC, Zane's college courses at Rio Salado, and I will be taking a full load again this fall as well. Oh and lets not forget daddy who is now teaching at Rio online in addition to his day job.

Rebekkah is Four Years Old

Our little princess is four!
She's no longer a baby and is sure to make that very clear. She loves the movie Tangled and the colors pink and purple. She enjoys swimming, reading books and playing dress up. We can often find her playing with her toys. She fills back packs full of her favorite things and finds quiet (and somtimes not so quiet) places to empty her pack and sing songs to her toys. Her favorite song currently is Book of Mormon Stories. She is excited to start preschool in the fall and wants a Rapunzel backpack.
There have been times when we weren't sure if we would be able to celebrate this day. Her heart continues to worsen, and yet she amazes her doctors time and again.
I am so grateful for good doctors, medications and a loving Heavenly Father who has given us another year with our beautiful little princess!

Another Elder Huston

As I stared out the window
the tears still in my eyes,
I saw the vision of those I love
as we said our last goodbyes.

The ride was long and trying
as two questions plagued my mind,
"Do I want the life that's up ahead,
Or the one I left behind?"

Two years is such a long, long time
for going door to door.
In my reflecting I thought to myself,
"There really must be more."

I dragged myself down off the plane
and started smiling at the beach,
When a man turned me the other way
saying,"Elder, go find and teach."

I sit reflecting one again
as this day is my last.
Please Lord, this isn't fair,
the time goes by so fast.

And I stare out the window
the tears still in my eyes,
I see the Elders and friends I love
as we've just said our last goodbyes.

The ride was long and trying
as two questions plagued my mind,
"Do I want the life that's up ahead,
or the one I left behind?"

This one isn't removable!

It all started last summer. Our house had caught on fire, we were living in another home and were preparing for a trip to a family reunion in Utah. We'd been trying to get out the door all morning. I was frustrated. The luggage shell on the top of the car wouldn't close. We stuffed it too full (9 people's belongings for 5 days). I'd had it, so I climbed on top of the Excursion, slammed the shell closed, and came back down...much too quickly and not at all gracefully. We still went on our trip. But three weeks later I finally had it x-rayed and had broken it in two places. Doctors put me in a boot. Which I wore faithfully...except when it wasn't convenient. And it healed. But it still hurt. I went back. Cortizone shots (more painful than child birth and no I did not have epidurals for all of them, so I know) It worked! For a while. Then back for more shots. Again it worked, but not for quite as long. Decided I needed a second opinion. Got an MRI and found that the tendon had separated and the cortizone only made it worse. So lucky me...one month with a 6 lb piece of (un-removeable)pink plaster to drag around. But my very favorite part....wait for it...Lovenox shots daily to ward off blood clots. Moral of the story...WEAR THE BOOT!

A 3 day break???

My friend posted this question...What would you do with a three day break. No kids, no hubby, just free time.

I can dream and say I'd shop, paint the bathroom, organize the basement, maybe even have lunch with a friend, or get a manicure.

But I think if I were to be truthful, I'd just go nuts! I'm never without kids, except dates with my sweetheart. I feel anxious and worried when they are not around. The school day is a little long for me, and I still have two at home. Maybe I'm a control freak. I'm sure they would be in capable hands, I wouldn't leave them otherwise. I'm still struggling with Tres beinging gone, and he's in the Lords hands, how more capable is that!! Now Zach's about to leave and I sigh every time I think about it.
So to me, even a day would be weird, but three, nope, not for me.
(I would like to sleep through the night once though, haven't done that in years!)

The Call

Can you beleive it?! Two missionaries.
Yep, Zachary got his call on Friday. With family and friends gathered at home or via the phone, he opened his letter and read us every word...seriously, even the address. Wish I had a picture of Dan's face when Zach said, "Dear Elder Huston, we regret to inform you..." He has his dad's sence of humor! He reports to the Provo MTC on June 22nd, and will then leave for Boise, Idaho to serve two years for the Lord. Congratulations Zach.

You can watch the video at www.http//youtube.com/watch?v=tBnm4Wymrxo

Merry Christmas

The year is nearly over, and what a year it’s been!

On January 24th, Tres got his mission call to serve in the Church and Family History Mission in Salt Lake City. He was to report on February 5th.

Twelve days after the call, Elder Huston, Mom, Dad and a very sick baby Jackson all flew to Salt Lake to drop him off.

February 17th Mom and Dad celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

March came and Jackson’s health continued to worsen. Testing from oncologists, rheumatologists, and immunologists have only revealed more questions than answers.

In April, Zachary performed in the Red Mountain production of Beauty and the Beast as the baker.

May came only to find sweet Emily in the hospital with a MRSA Staph infection that had to be surgically removed. The day after she returned from the hospital Zane and Mom burned the kitchen down. We left our home in the hands of a restoration crew and moved to another home. Two weeks later Zach graduated from high school with honors, Zane was promoted to the 7th grade with a handful of awards, and Emily graduated from kindergarten. Mckenzie was awarded the highest Mathematics and Choir awards for 8th grade and was elected 9th grade class president.

June came and the summer started out with girls camp and for Mckenzie followed by a trip to Utah for a family reunion where the whole family got the flu and spent 7 hours together throwing up in the car. Mom sported a fancy walking cast when she finally had her ankle x-rayed and found that she broke it in two places when she fell off the top of the Excursion. Jack’s health began to improve and we were thrilled when doctors ruled out Leukemia and Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.

July rolled around and Dad, Zach, and Zane had a wonderful time on Catalina Island for scout camp. Mom and the rest of the kids drove up for a surprise trip to see Grammy in Utah. Meanwhile back in Mesa the very large shade tree in the back yard broke in half and fell out over the wall and into the street blocking traffic. Thanks to our ward family it was nearly all hauled away by the time we arrived home.

August came and we moved back home two days before school started. Zachary started college at MCC and was hired on at an alarm sales company.

September was Bekkah’s cardiology check up. Doctors say the structure of her heart has worsened, but miraculously it is still functioning, which was a great relief to all. We ended the month with Ammon receiveing his Wolf badge.

October came and life seemed to be calming down a little. We spent a much needed break at Sea World and the beach and had a wonderful time together. A few days after break Mcenzie got a Staph infection, but thankfully was able to avoid surgery as we caught it early.

November brought birthday parties and family gatherings.

Here we are in December. Zachary is preparing to turn in his mission papers, and we are all excited to talk to Tres on Christmas (especially mom). We are all healthy and are gearing up to have a very UNEVENTFUL 2011!