Christmas 2008

This will be a long post with even more pictures so beware!  Christmas was great this year it started on the eve at Brandon & Meghan's house.  Very rarely do we have the opportunity to go to their house so it was a special treat.  However from now on I am petitioning for their residence because they have a full finished basement otherwise known as "a children's haven!"  We banned them to the basement and they had a blast.  So did the adults having some alone time upstairs! Dinner was great and so was the entertainment, we had a talent show, a gift exchange game and some story sharing.  There was a casualty at the talent show when Crew got kicked in the face during a cartwheel by his older sister.  Of course that boy rebounds from anything so it hardly hurt him.  During the gift game everyone got to participate and take home a lot of fun games and toys.  Honestly I think everyone had a great time!  On Christmas we arose way too early for me and the grandparents came over with breakfast in hand to watch the children open their gifts.  Navie got an I-Pod and Blakelys gift was her swim baby while Jag got a bicycle.  The kids were thrilled and opening presents regardless of what they are is always fun for children!  That afternoon we went to Gail and Lennas house and had a chili dinner followed by lots of goodies.  We watched the Suns play then had a cousin gift exchange followed by all of Grandmas gifts.  Our kids were really spoiled this year and hopefully as a mother I am teaching them the real meaning of Christmas and praying that they remember it.  I am thankful for everyone this season especially during the birth of our precious baby Greer.  So many have reached out with love and kindness during this time for us.  I cannot express my gratitude enough and am touched by the true meaning of giving and love.  I love you all dearly and pray that everyone had a wonderful Holiday and that the New Year that follows can be as blessed as the one that passes us by!

A few explanations about some pictures...

Ryan made all the kids a fort in Lennas bedroom for Christmas I think they loved it until it was time to clean up!  Those are the things Ryan loved to do as a kid and enjoys showing all the kids how to do stuff like that.

Tanner got a barbie with a money outfit on for Christmas from us because he refused to tell me what he wanted so I told him he was going to get a doll!  Look how excited he was for that. hmm.......

My deepest gratitude!

It is hard to explain how much I am thankful for all that everyone has done for me.  To start my family has gone above and beyond to help this hectic few weeks.  My parents and sister came in town and that eliminated all the stress off of my shoulders.  My Dad would get up early every morning and take the baby from me so that I could go back to sleep.  For all of you that truly know me you would understand that sleep is the best present anyone could EVER give me.  I also gave him a "daddy do" list of things that needed fixed around the house and without any hesitation he took those tasks on and completed them all and then some.  My mother took care of all the meals, laundry, dishes, cleaning, entertainment for the children, she even went to volunteer at Navies school.  I am amazed at the energy that she has and I hope and pray that I will be the same way when I am a grandma.  My sister who constantly keeps me entertained and who picked up the slack to help with the kids and get my errands run.  My husband who knows how very hard it is for me to get through those "baby blues" and who understands that when I am crying sometimes it is best to just take the kids and let me have some quiet time.  He is also very good about letting my family stay with me. He understands how very important they are to me and puts up with our extreme volume for days!  My extended family who copes with my cry baby, hormonal, slacking attitude and for some reason loves me unconditionally anyway.  They have always been there for me and I have leaned on them more than enough throughout tough times.  I love them like my own!  I am thankful to all those friends who have brought meals, gifts, and have called to check on us and make sure that we are being taken care of.  The birth of a child is so life changing and emotional that I am glad so many could share with us.  Especially this Christmas season I have been humbled to think of family and friends and just how much they truly mean to me and my family.  For all of you that think you are being left out on Christmas cards from us this year don't worry...  I am doing birth announcements/Christmas cards sometime in January.  I just didn't want to leave out the newest addition and send stuff out twice.  We love you all and once again are grateful for so many people in our lives!  Happy Holidays!!!

Greer Mae Burkinshaw

She is finally here!  On Thursday morning we went into the hospital for our induction early in the morning.  I will give you a step by step but you don't have to read if you just want the pictures...  I went in dilated to a 2 and 60% thinned and around 6:30 they started my pitossin.  Around 8 my doctor, Dr. Beck came in and broke my water and said that he was guessing around noon that he would be back to deliver.  Once I got my epidural which was right around 9am (which I might add hurts way more when you are not feeling pain) things moved quickly.  They checked me and said I was only a four and that it would take some time until she was born.  My parents just so happened to come down around 9 to see how things were doing and Jacqui had been with us all morning.  Right around that time Ryan decided to run home to get his charger for his computer and said he would be right back.  Not even 6-7 minutes after Ryan left I turned to Jacqui and said that something felt different.  She quizzed me and decided that the best thing to do would be to check and see what I was feeling.  I had a great epidural and just felt "like something was there" I really had no idea.  After a check from Jacqui she ran over to the intercom and paged the nurse and said we were having a baby!  I think my dad went into instant shock and all that I could think of was that Ryan was going to miss it.  I made my father instantly start calling Ryan and letting it ring time after time.  They called the doctor but they also brought in a nurse to "catch" it because they didn't think I would make it that long.  They had me try to breath and not push and relax so that the Doc could make it!  Sure enough Russ ran in and got his gown on just in time.  By the way still no Ryan!  Dr. Beck looks around and asks if Ryan will be joining us and just then he walks in the door.  He got there in time to come hold my hand and tell me to push twice and she was here!  I tried to tell everyone that things move quickly with me, maybe they will believe me now!  After a short struggle with the delivery of the placenta things were all done!  She was beautiful and I am sure I am bias but I just think she is perfect.  She was 6 pounds 14 ounces and 19.5 inches long born straight up at 10am.  Thank you to all that have shown such friendship and help to us during this time.  I am so grateful for all that the Lord has given me and my family we have been truly blessed beyond all expectations.  All I can pray for is that Greer can grow up to be a wonderful woman just like the one she is named after.  We love you Greer and your whole family is excited to watch you learn and grow.  Thank you for choosing to come to our family and brighten our lives!