Moments

This sweet girl faces a mountain of challenges sometimes I wonder how she does it. She is eight and has more wisdom than I do and I am 30.

This year has been a difficult one for her. School has become a huge challenge. At the end of last year I could tell she was having some issues processing information she was learning, I could see her lack of comprehension as she was reading and could tell something was up. We went to see a neuropshycologist and after some intense testing he had some answers. We found out she had some processing disorders, the damage in her brain that had caused the Cerebral Palsy was also causing her some difficulty when it came to comprehending complex concepts, he said she tested at grade level but he is not sure how because she had so many issues with learning he could tell that from her determination and a lot of help at home she was succeeding even though she shouldn't be. He told us the upcoming years would be super difficult though if we didn't get her some help at school because the concepts become so complex as you get in 4th, 5th, 6th grade etc. I could already tell she was starting to struggle a lot at school and we were spending hours at night on homework. So for the past few months I have been working with the school to get her some help, it has been difficult, she has struggled in school the past couple months. After the neuropsych. eval. a bunch of different therapies were suggested so I have tried to get her into as much as I can to get her as much help as possible, so between school, therapy, and homework she has a lot to do not to mention she is in a choir and does activities every other week for church. I will admit it has been challenging.

A Month or so ago our stake president announced that Elder M. Russell Ballard was coming to our Stake conference and he challenged us to read the Book of Mormon everyday to prepare for him coming, and to get inspiration for things we need. I have to admit I haven't been perfect but I have tried to read daily, some nights just reading one line as I fall asleep, or remembering the next day that I hadn't read, and reminding myself I need to. Even though I haven't been perfect at it, it has been on my mind a lot. One night in particular It had been a long evening for Kambree and I we had ran to speech therapy, after she jumped in the car I immediately started practicing spelling words with her and she looked up at me and said "mom I never get to play" my heart broke and she was right she rarely especially during the week ever gets to play, even in the car I have her reading, or doing homework just to keep up. Then when we got home Kyle told me about a kid on the bus who told him his sister was weird I loved his response "no she's not she is just right" Love that kid, he really is courageous. Then he told me there was a kid that told one of his friends that she didn't like Kambree and that some of the kids don't like to sit by her on the bus. My heart was just aching for her. After we got home from therapy that night, studied spelling words, got her homework done, her stretched and a bath taken I think she was happy to just fall into bed. I was just thinking about her and all she has to go through not only physical, and mental, but mean kids too and My heart was just breaking for her. I was crying some just thinking about my sweet girl and everything she has to endure and I remembered I hadn't read in my scriptures that day so I got my phone and began reading the sweetest verses, words I needed right at that moment. I just happened to be reading in 1Nephi 18 and came upon verse 2 and 3.

2 Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men, neither did I build the ship after the manner of men; but I did build it after the manner which the Lord had shown unto me; wherefore, it was not after the manner of men.

3 And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did ^apray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord ^bshowed unto me ^cgreat things.

I was reminded to pray often so I did that night, about my sweet girl and then went to bed, the next day I remembered the sweet feeling I felt as I read those verses so I went back and read them again, they hit me so strongly that morning, they were the exact words I needed and brought so much peace. Now you may wonder why this could relate so much to my situation as Nephi was building a ship and I am a mother raising children, to be honest I have read these verses so many times and I had never drawn this comparison but on that day Heavenly Father wanted me to know that this was HIS girl and that he is very aware of her and that Joe and I are not raising her after the manner of men we are raising her after the manner of God. We are building a ship so to speak (a sweet child 6 of them in fact) and we are not building them up after the manner of men we are building them up after the manner of God. Nephi asks God after he is commanded to build a ship, a ship he has no idea how to build, where do I go that I might find ore to make tools so I can build this ship. Well I must ask where do I go so that I can find the best tools to raise (build) these children after the manner of the Lord. It then goes on to say that Nephi prayed often and the Lord showed him great things. I am confident if I pray often the Lord will show me exactly what I need to do to raise Kambree and all my children after the manner of him. It brings tears to my eyes to think about it again it was such a sweet spiritual experience that has changed me for the better. I am so grateful for these teaching moments. I am so grateful for Nephi and he is one of my Hero's. The Book of Mormon is true I have a living testimony of that.

It is difficult watching your children go through hard things but I will tell you Kambree wears an armor daily, one God has given her to protect her special spirit, and because things are hard she and I, our whole family has grown so so much. Last night I was driving home and I thought, it would be nice if things were easy... and then I stopped to think, all the times I have learned so much in my life is when things are hard, I grew daily as Kayelee was in the hospital and it was one of the hardest things I have ever gone through. Kambree goes through hard things daily strength, wisdom and learning has come when things are hard not easy. One thing I know too is that God doesn't leave us alone ever, he loves us so much and when things are exceptionally hard he is always there.

Courageous

I just love this boy!! He really such a great kid, I don't know what I would do without him. I feel so blessed to be his mom.

A couple weeks ago for family night we watched the movie Courageous (it is a fantastic movie for those of you who haven't seen it, it shares a message about fathers but there is something we can all learn from watching it I recommend it to everyone such a good message), anyway we had watched it and one of the main messages in the movie is to be better, to be the best we can be at whatever we do. Later that week Kyle was telling me about a Lego battle he had with Kapri he was telling me all about what they had created and showing me how they had set up their guys. after he was done he told me Kapri had come up to him and asked him to play Lego's with her, he said he didn't want to super bad but he thought about courageous and decided he should make a better choice and be a courageous brother and play with his sister rather than read his book.

After you watch the movie you will better understand what he was talking about by being a courageous brother, but it was one of those wonderful mom moments. What a good kid he is and what a great brother especially. I love that he caught the message from the movie and applied it in his life. He ceases to amaze me, so glad he's my boy!

Emree

I don't know if I've mentioned how much we love this girl. She is so so sweet, her delivery was not peaceful but she brought such a spirit of peace with her since she has been in our family. Even after 4 months the kids just continue to dote on her, they love her to pieces. Just yesterday Kam's and I were headed to Costco and out of the blue she says I am so glad we have such a sweet little one. She is just a perfect sweet little one.

Service Project

Back in September (2011) right after Emree was born Joe took the kids to a service project the stake put on. They helped paint some apartment complexes. It was such a neat project and a great opportunity for the kids to serve other people, they came home very very painted and later that day we had family pictures we managed to get most of the paint out and it was so worth the opportunity they got to serve.

Peterson Reunion

The Peterson reunion was in September right before Emree was due. We had a great weekend visiting family. I will have to say I have never been so uncomfortable sleeping in my whole life. The beds had no mattresses on them we brought some sleeping pads but 9 months pregnant and a hard bed it not mix well. Everything else was wonderful! The theme was Jedi Training Camp Star Wars theme, choosing light over darkness. The kids had a blast and were even visited by Darth Vader who they defeated:). We loved seeing family and love getting together with them every year!

30

I didn't post about my birthday and I turned 30!!! Thats kind of a big one. I was pretty big and pregnant so I don't think I wanted to post any pictures but looking back I thought I'd be sad if I didn't. It was a great day Joe and the kids made it so speical. I got the new i-phone 4 which I wasn't so so excited for at the time. I love it though it has been an amazing phone and I love how organized it keeps me and I love that I have the scriptures right in my pocket anytime I want to read them. Stuff like that have made it the best little thing for me. The kids also made me the sweetest cards and I loved them!!!

Tan

I am doing a little back tracking from last summer (2011) but I realized I missed some things I wanted to post about. We went swimming a lot last summer. Lizzie got so tan it was so cute. She has already grown up a bunch since we took these cute pictures she is such a cutie. I miss summer!!

Christmas Card 2011

Christmas 2011

A bit about us…   

Joe— Was given the title “Star Daddy” by Kayelee. He is a “Star Daddy” and “Star Husband”. He ceases to amaze me. He is busy with work, his church calling, BYU sports, and us.

Kyle—9—Loves sports, football is by far the favorite. He scored 11 touchdowns this year and I think Joe recorded every game. I would find him and Kyle after every game going over film, already?? He loves BYU sports just like his Dad, he knows way more about the sports world then even I do and will read the paper just to get the details. He is exceling in School and got his Bear award in Cub Scouts this year. He takes great care of his mama and 5 sisters.

Kambree—8—Got baptized this year, she looked like an angel; it was a very special day. She loves her family. I think we really are her favorite thing; I wish it would stay that way forever. She sings in a choir called Young artists and loves it. She loves holding Emree and she is a great help around the house. Some new challenges have surfaced for her with her cerebral palsy, but she has no problem conquering mountains, she’s amazing.

Kayelee—7—Hasn’t been in the hospital all year!! Yahoo! She loves dance and is in the young artist choir as well. She excels in school, she is a great reader and is learning Spanish so well, she sounds like a native. She loves life and keeps things fun at our house.

Kapri—4—Is our princess, she loves everything girly and princess. We continue to tell her that the deciding factor on what really is a princess is what’s on the inside not what’s on the outside. We hope it sinks in. She is so fun to have around and is a huge helper when the kids are at school, she is very excited to go to school herself next year. She is doing pre-school with a group of friends and really enjoys it. I am sad to send her out the door next year for school.

Lizzie Brittlee—2—Wow what a girl. Sweet and sassy, she runs the show a lot around here. She is quite the talker and knows exactly what she wants to say 100% of the time. She is so fun to watch and listen to. She still goes by Lizzie and Brittlee so we will see what sticks as she gets older. She is such a sweet girl We love having her around.

Emree—Joined us just over 3 months ago and is nothing but sweet and angelic. Her entrance into this world was a bit scary but she made it and we are glad she is here safe and sound. She broke her collar bone during birth and is recovering nicely from that. All the kids love her to pieces and even Kyle said he wouldn’t trade her for a brother.

After reading about all these little people in my life you know what I do every day and I love it, hands down best job in the whole world, I love it even when I am exhausted at night and realize I have to get up and do it all again tomorrowJ. I also serve with the Young Women in our ward and have enjoyed that new calling. I love running too, it’s a great outlet for me. Life is great and I love living my dream.

Merry Merry Christmas to you all, we hope this letter finds you very happy and healthy. We are so grateful for the birth of our Savior and his sacrifice. We feel so blessed, you being among some of our greatest blessings, best wishes and blessings for the New Year.

P.S. we will be changing our home phone number come the first of the year to 208-968-1987; we also have a blog that you are welcome to visit, if you don’t have an invite and want one, email me and I’ll send one your way dfreeman300@hotmail.com. The blog address is www.jdaustin.blogspot.com.

Halloween

A fairy, a ladybug, Cindrella, a ballerina fairy and Harry Potter

aka Kayelee, Brittlee, Kambree, Kapri, and Kyle

Dancing with Daddy

Emree's first dance with daddy. I love these moments.

Emree's Blessing

Joe blessed Emree in November. He gave her a beautiful blessing telling her how special her spirit is and how much peace she has already brought and will bring. He talked about what a blessing she will be to her siblings, among some other beautiful things. My sister Amy made her dress and it was absolutly beautiful. She came along with my parents and Joe's mom. It was a great day.

A Baptism and a Blessing

It was a special year... Kambree was baptized in July and Emree was blessed in November. Below is  a letter I sent out to the family after these two sweet occasions.

Last week Joe blessed Emree, he gave her a beautiful blessing and it was a wonderful day, thanks to all who came and all who were there in spirit. In July Kambree turned 8 and was baptized it was a beautiful day as well as she made the decision to be baptized and join the church. Kambree gave a lesson in Family Home Evening about the sacrament and renewing your baptismal covenants and things we can do to remain faithful. She sometimes amazes me at what she knows and I know she is trying to take her baptismal covenants very seriously.

With Emree being born this year and Kambree getting batized I thought it was so special that these sisters could share the opportunity to each wear one of their three white dresses together. These moments are some I will cherish forever. Two sweet beautiful girls, one brand new from Heaven and one becoming clean in the waters of baptism. Kambree has a special mission to bless the lives of many I have known that since she was a small girl, some very challenging things have surfaced for Kambree this year and yet her attitude and charcter remain the same. She tries so hard and never gives up she smiles with optimism all the time. She overcomes challenges I view as mountains, things that would take most of us minutes take her many minutes and even hours at times and yet she is happy to do it. Honestly she amazes me and I often feel like she is the teacher and I am the child.

When my friend sent me over these beautiful pictures this morning that she had taken I couldn't help but be so grateful for my family I feel truly blessed with the richest blessings. I love my family so so much. My greatest joys and my greatest blessing come from being a mother and a wife, and with that I'd like to add daughter, daughter-in-law, step daughter, grand daughter, aunt, sister, sister-in-law, and niece.

Love,
Deborah