What Happened to My Blog????

A tragedy has happened. It has taken me quite a while to recover and have enough faith to blog again.... My computer betrayed me. It died, but was revived by a very cool, techy brother-in-law, but not without LOSING ALL OF MY PICTURES!!!!! I have tried to be brave about the whole thing (and, please, spare me the lecture about having hard copies, etc.) but my heart is a little broken because I had some really sweet photos that are now only memories. But, never fear, I have rallied and I am going to recap the Thibadeau Family Adventures with words only. Here goes:

FEBRUARY: After recovering from surgery and starting to finally feel better, I was back to work for only a short time before Bella came down with a very high fever and cough. Her asthma soon became uncontrollable. At her first doctor's visit she was diagnosed with croup. At her second doctor's visit she was diagnosed with bronchitis with a touch of pneumonia. At the emergency room she was diagnosed with pneumonia, a bacterial lung infection and a severe case of RSV. Bella has been in the hospital numerous times, but this one scared me. I mean really scared me. All sorts of specialists were in and out of her room and their parting words were always something to the effect of, "Your daughter is very sick. We are not sure how to get her better." The respiratory therapist teared up while I cried over Bella's chest x-ray. We spent a week in the hospital and sent home when her oxygen level finally stabilized. She was still very weak - and skinny! - so it was a slow recovery at home. I am so grateful for the staff at St. Luke's Hospital and the pediatric wing in general. I felt so lucky to be taking my baby home and my heart went out to those parents who live in the hospital, waiting for good news, hope, a cure... As a mother, it is instinctual to care for our young, to make them feel better, to kiss away the boo-boos. When circumstances are out of our control we are forced to rely on prayer, faith and professionals. Isabella is perfectly fine, but I still think often of those children we saw and met who are not. A big thank you to our family, friends, ward members and my boss and co-workers for their support, love and get well wishes.

MARCH: Our little Katie Bug hit the double digits and turned a whopping 10 years old. We measured her and she had, indeed, grown - even though it wasn't very evident. She had her first (AND LAST) sleepover with 16 screaming girls. I was forced to stuff marshmallows in mouth and say, "Chubby Marshmallow" over and over without gagging. Patrick hid. I wanted to. Katie had the very best birthday ever and that made all the noise worth it.

APRIL: April was a crazy month. Patrick turned 38 on April 1st. No party for him, too tired!! Maddy turned 12 on April 3rd and graduated from Primary to Young Women's. Maddy is a beautiful young woman who is 12, but looks... 16? It is bitter sweet to see her grow and mature so quickly, my, how time flies. She has made us very proud with her sweet disposition and always trying her best. She is a great example to her sisters and has filled my shoes countless times. I am excited to see her blossom, but I would like the ability to freeze time as well.
I turned 30 something on April 23rd and Pat and I celebrated surviving a year of opposite schedules by taking a 5 day VK in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. In very lean times, this was quite a luxury, but one we will never forget. I fell in love with my husband again. I almost had forgotten who he was and what he looked like! It was five days of sun, fun and uninterrupted conversation. Ahhhh... Mexico. Now, a shout out to my mom who moved in to take care of our bambinos. I am sure she got more than she bargained for, but she was still intact when we returned and so was the house, kids and even the cats - who continuously used the carpet as their litter box. Thanks, Mom. What are you doing in April 2011???

MAY: Well, May was a dream come true month for me. I checked off one of my bucket list items by visiting Washington D.C. I still think of myself as a stay at home mom, even though I get up and go to work almost every day, so I never imagined I would be participating in an Orthodontic conference, much less, one in the the nation's capital! Dr. Payne and his staff flew to D.C. and stayed for 5 days. We had a blast!! I'm sure if you remember any of my posts regarding Orthodontics at BridgeTower, you can imagine the kind of antics that went on. Again, I feel so lucky to work with such an amazing group of women, oh, and one man. There were many highlights (all of which were on my hard drive...), but the pivotal moment for me was when I visited the WWII monument and the Holocaust Museum. I have a love/passion for learning anything and everything I can about that era and it really was a dream come true to finally be where I had always wanted to go. Thank you, Dr. Payne and his family for a fabulous vacation. Oooops! I mean, business trip. As a sweet friend said to me, "Who would have ever thought that one of your biggest dreams would come true by working at a job you never wanted?"

A Useless Organ

I apologize for the graphic photos, but I feel I owe it to my brother. He had his gallbladder out in February of 2009 and I laughed very hard over his bloated stomach. He didn't think it was funny. He said it hurt. I laughed, called him Fatty. About a week later, I had my first gallbladder attack. Payback. I hate karma. I waited until my gallbladder had leaked, sealed itself and leaked again, and again, again... Before I went to the doctor in January of 2010. I discovered my gallbladder was completely useless. It was only good at one thing. Making my back hurt like crazy and making me and everyone around me pretty much miserable. So much so, friends and family were begging me to take the darn thing out so I would quit complaining!! True story.

So, my brother, this picture is for you.

Unlike Taylor, I needed four incisions to take that thing out - so much scar tissue- and they took it out of my belly button!! Gross. Goodbye gallbladder. Wish I could have kept you in a jar to freak people out, but I guess that is against the rules.
FYI, I have been told to get back to blogging, but remember, I am extremely OCD and have to go in chronological order - so I am all better now and have gained all my lost weight, so no offers of dinner :)

A New Year

This just might be my favorite photo of 2010...

To celebrate the New Year, we packed up and headed to the snow filled mountains for a stay at the Thibadeau cabin.
We arrived late and had to dig our way to the door, the girls loved every minute of it.

You know how I hate hats, but I even I had to get in on the snow fun - and in this weather it required a hat.

Welcome to a winter wonderland. It was so beautiful.

The girls were either digging, throwing or sledding in the snow. Oh, how I wish we had this at home!!

The snow was so heavy we all were sopping wet, but Katie was NOT going to wear a hat. I understand...

Bella is in heaven.

Bella, Emma, Katie, Chloe and Maddy have themselves some serious sledding to do behind the four-wheeler. Funny how I am so not concerned about safety.

This idea lasted for about 20 seconds.

Being the baby pays off, you get the best seat on the sled.

That is Papa Bill in background wondering if his grand kids are going to make it back alive.

Happy New Year, Papa. You look great.

Snuggle time by the warm fire...

Oh, wow. There is Pat. I got a glimpse of him on the ride home. How is it I don't see him even when we are together?

~Welcome 2010~Farewell 2009~
My Top Moments of 2oo9:
1. I have to say, hands down, Patrick's baptism was number one

2. Patrick receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood

3. Watching General Conference in person

4. Reuniting with all sorts of extended family at reunions
5. A job found me in a needful time and in a scarce economy

6. Patrick was hired on at Scentsy, working swing shift, enabling us to keep our babies at home

7. Sending Alex off on a mission
Now, My Not Top Moments of 2009:
1. Being a working mom

2. Patrick working swing shift, ensuring we never see each other

3. Sending Alex off on a two year mission

Well, the good outweighs the bad, and I didn't even come close to writing all the tops. 2009 has had it's ups and downs. We have been riding a roller coaster for some time and now I think I can let my hands fly into the air and enjoy the ride.

Meet the Thibadeau's

Every month in the church bulletin a few families are spotlighted. Here is how I answered the standard questions:

Patrick, Selina, Madeline (11), Katelyn (9), and Isabella (5) Thibadeau have lived in the Tumble Creek Subdivision for 7 years and love it! Patrick and Selina were married in 1995 in a remodeled old red barn. They had a live band named Betty and the Be-Bops and Selina's dress sleeves were as big as her hair... and Patrick had hair! When they kissed, white pigeons flew out from a cage behind them - then never left the reception. Selina's dad told her not to worry - soon he and his buddies would get the guns and take care of them.

Patrick is serving as a Family History Consultant and Selina is a teacher in the Relief Society and loves what she learns from her sweet sisters. Patrick is currently employed with Scentsy. Selina works very hard to be the Hostess with the Mostest at Orthodontics at Bridgetower. Has she mentioned what a fabulous boss she has? (My boss is in our ward, and obviously, I have no shame) Patrick and Selina both grew up the Boise area and are blessed to have all of their family near - except their very first missionary in two generations (Selina's nephew, Alex). Patrick is a convert to the church and was baptized May 30th of 2009. Their family is anxiously awaiting the day when they can be sealed in the Boise Temple. Patrick loves college football, hockey and vacationing in the sun. Selina is an avid collector/reader of books and loves Pepsi, chocolate, her husband and her babies. Maddy is very excited to turn 12 this year so she will graduate to the Young Women Program. She is very impressed with an IPOD Touch she received for Christmas and is a daily FaceBooker. Katie Bug loves to collect American Girl dolls and is now interested in photography. She also LOVES to play with her friends. Bella loves all things girl. Barbies and babies top her list. She has finally given up the habit of cutting her (and other's) hair. PHEW! The Thibadeau's are very grateful to members of this fabulous ward family.

And that is the truth!!

Our Buggy

Katie has always marched to her own beat, even when it seems she just is following her big sister. She came home one day and wanted to join YBall. I called the coach and without one day of practice he put her in a game.
She didn't even know the rules or half the people on her team, but she worked her little heart out. Did I mention that there were only 5 people on her team? 5 players = NO BREAKS.

She did awesome, and with her muscles she is one to stop the ball.

Good job, girl. I am so proud to see you try something new and show no fear.

That's our Buggy.

Pretty Girl

OK, I am a little biased, but this girl is pretty!!
Look at those eyes!!
(Except boys, don't look - and stay away.)

Merry Christmas, Babies

(Yep, still catching up...)

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is opening our new Christmas jammies before we head out for all the Christmas Eve Festivities.
And, of course, the individual photograph in front of the tree. It is funny when I compare each year, my children have grown right before my eyes!!

Katie is so happy Christmas is FINALLY here.

Bella really likes to dress up these occasions.

Maddy is too big for feety jammies :(

Monkeys for a monkey.

Bella has worn these pajamas almost everyday since Christmas. Really. She has no use for clothes, only jammies.

It's off to my sisters, I didn't do very well at getting pictures of everyone this year, but this one of Melisa telling Taylor how it is ~ is, well, CLASSIC.

There is my hubby!! Hi Honey.

Bella and Anna showing off their matching vests.

Bella showing off her new lip gloss. Oh, drat. More make-up to clean off the furniture.

Katie just figured out that Kimm's present was money!!

We are gearing up for the Fiesta Bowl and Melisa made hats to match.

Mariah got one that will keep her warm as she rides her bike around the BSU campus.

Mariah painted this beautiful picture for Maddy.

But look who gets the biggest smile, Edward - AGAIN.

Thanks Chainey and Kimm for always hosting a relaxing, fun Christmas Eve. It gives us a chance to spend time with mom and see our girls get ready for the big night ahead. Alex was very much missed and I am happy that there is only one more Christmas without him.

Now we are off to the Thibadeau Bash.

Emma, Bella and Lili

Bella is always looking for a chance to pose. If my other girls hadn't grown out of this stage, I would have another 50 pictures to post!!

My favorite gifts.

UG. I have to explain why I look so awful. My gallbladder has been troubling me for about a year. I had been able to just deal with it until October, when it really flared up. Unfortunately, Christmas Eve ended with me sick upstairs. I missed most of the party and was home sick on Christmas Day and missed Christmas with my parents. It was really a bummer.

Amie and Eric are always good sports for pictures and always look fabulous.
Now, let's get these troops home and to bed!

I love how everyone looks Christmas morning. Sleep or no sleep the kids are up.

They have been waiting for the magical time of 6:30 a.m. - when they have permission to wake us up.

Oh, for heavens... Now we have to deal with a life size Edward in the house. What was Santa thinking??

IPOD touch, nice.

Is Bella even awake?

Sweet moments of "I love yous and thank yous"

The coveted American Girl doll. MJ had one from her childhood in brand new condition and sold it to me for Katie's Christmas present. (Thanks, friend!) That little turd, Katie, found it about two weeks before Christmas.

Hmmm. What are we going to feed him for Christmas dinner?

This is my very favorite kind of present. To my sweet family: I love you and may the Spirit of Christmas fill our home all year.