Brinlee Kay Skousen

So finally posting about the baby. She was born March 24th, 8pounds 3ounces, 19.5 in. long. We love her so much. The recovery was rough this time, probably just because she was my fifth and all. I am on the up and up now, so glad! She is such a good baby, sleeps well at night. The kids love, love, love her. Jett is still feeling out his place in this family but is getting better.

All in all it was a good experience and alllllllllll worth it to get her here. Feels so good to have my family complete. Moving on from here.

Oh Happy Day!!! The 5th and Final is on it's WAY!!!!

These are the words I sing to myself at least once a day. Being pregnant with our 5th baby has been quite an adventure and I am only at week 15. This pregnancy has been so wild and different from all the rest right from the get go.

I was happily moving forward in my life with my four Crazy and Fabulous children, when out of no where I had THE experience. You know, the one where that little person still up THERE whispers loudly in your ear, "Please don't leave me up here, you promised"!!!!!!!! I was Shocked to say the least and felt unprepared. It was one of those things that I will never fully be able to explain, how powerful and intense it was. My first thought was, I am NOT telling my mom, she would kill me!!!

So that was that and we were pregnant within in the next few months. You can imagine my surprise when I started miscarrying the baby. I went to the doctor and they were pretty positive the baby wasn't going to make it based on what they saw in the ultrasound. The baby had a heart beat but it was weak and irregular. I couldn't believe it! I knew I was doing what I was supposed to be doing. I knew that I was supposed to be pregnant with this baby. I was so confused.

A few days later I went in for another ultrasound. The baby's situation had slightly improved and that's when they saw IT! The second sac. I had been pregnant with twins AGAIN but the second one didn't make it. So Crazy! That would have been my second set of twins, and twins to make a total of 6 kids! Wow!

So here I am now at 15 weeks and everything is going great. The baby looks good and the other sac is slowly deteriorating. It has been such a crazy experience. My testimony has grown. I have had to focus on what my Heavenly Father was telling me despite what the doctors were telling me. Such a humbling experience. Heavenly Father gave me exactly what I needed when I needed it. I am so grateful that he knows me so well and I am so grateful to be having our 5th and final.

I feel like I am entering another stage in life. There is no more guess work on whether or not to have more children. After this baby is born we can sell off all the baby clothes and accessories and never look back. It feels good, and Right! I feel like I am in a really good place in life right now.

Tween and Teen Craft Class

This month we are doing something a little different. We are hosting a craft class for all you teens and in betweens. We are excited to help your girls make some awesome decor for their rooms. Remember that all saying can be customized and all rhinestones and ribbon ARE included this go around.

Hope to see your girls there.

This past weekend was an adventure. We went camping with a few friends. It was really fun for us and the kids. We went up to Bear Flats up on the rim. It was beautiful. I have never seen it that green up there before. We got up there a little later then we wanted on Friday night so we just set up camp and decided to play some games. It was interesting because we could not have a camp fire because of the restrictions. It was all good though. That night Matt and I decided to let the kids sleep in the tent and we would just be outside on our cots under the stars. Little did we know a storm was coming in and it started to rain on us. So we ran and got a canape put over us. Then it blew off and that was it for me. I went and slept in the suburban the rest of the night if you can call it sleep. The next day was great. Matt decided to take the kids fishing on the Tonto Creek. It was good times. It was amazing. After we went fishing we went up to the fish hatchery and watched them feed over 36,000 fish. It looked like the water was boiling.

Seriously. . . Go Charis!!!

Dear Charis,

You are seriously amazing. What an incredible accomplishment. Fourth Place in your Figure Competition! We are all so proud of you. You look so amazing. All of your hard work and dedication completely paid off. You are in inspiration to us all.

I just want to say that you are one of the most kind, beautiful, and funny people that I know. No one makes me laugh like you do. I love being around you as do so many other people. I am so glad Heavenly Father made us sisters. He knew I would need you. I love you so much! You R-O-C-K, and so do your buns! Yes!

Love,

Candee

Welcome Nick Sherman Johnson

Finally a REAL post and not some Lame-Brain advertisement! HA

So Mark called us at about 5:00am this morning and said, "Can Kaden come over"? We were so excited!!! They left our house around 5:10am. Nick came into this world at 5:29am. Mind you the hospital is about a twenty minute drive from our house. I believe Mark made it in about 8 minutes. We don't ask questions, all we say is HECK YEAH MARK, YOU ROCK!!! By the time they arrived at the hospital Nick was already well on his way. Five short mintues, and four pushes later, he was here.

Nick came weighing in at 7 pounds 15 ounces, and 20in. long. He is so adorable and we love him so much already. Shalice looked great and that of a queen, the only thing she was missing was her Hot Red Lipstick!!!

We are so excited to have Nick as the newest addition to the family.

and yet another CRAFT NIGHT!!

So thanks to allllllllllll the women who made our last Craft Night so successful! I had a blast and definitely enjoyed the time away eating and crafting. We are working on making more space for everyone. It will be good. Anyway here are the next months products. Let me know if you are interested.

My Mom "The Photographer"!!!

I finally figured out the small picture issue (Thanks again Mom). I added a few of the girls!

I am totally laughing right now because these pictures are so small. I know there is a way to fix that but like I know what that is. HA! Anyways, here is Jett at 8 months old. My mom did such a good job. She pretty much has her own studio in her house. It's Great! THANKS MOM!!!! Your the Best!
Jett is so special to all of us. The girls can't keep their hands off of him, Brik always says, "Mom, I can't believe how cute he is", and Matt's heart melts every time he looks at him. My feelings are, well, everything combine plus so much, much more.
He is always, always smiling. Even if he gets hurt, he cries for a second and then smiles. It's so awesome. He is our ray of Sunshine! How can you be upset or grumpy when you have this little baby always smiling at you.

In Loving Memory of Shane Figueroa

Our hearts are breaking today. On Oct. 25th Matt's cousin, Shane was killed in a car accident while on duty as a Phoenix Police Officer. He was 25 years old and leaves behind a beautiful wife and 3 month old daughter. What a sad, sad day for us all. We find comfort in the gospel. I am so grateful that Aunt Jeanine and Uncle Lavar are home from their mission to provide support for Cory, Jerilyn, Austin, Bronson, and Cassidy. We visited with them all on Sunday night and felt their sorrow and strength. There was ache in their eyes as their heads hung. Uncle Lavar's home was peaceful, there was a source of strength there. Jerilyn's family was able to go there and be fed spiritually and physically. What a blessing!

Shane was loved by so, so many. I think about all the stories that I hear about him and I know there are no regrets. He always did what was right. Such an example to those around him. As Popsie said, "He has moved Upward and Onward".

I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and the "Tender Mercies" He bestows upon us here. In times like these I believe He surrounds us with more angels to provide strength to handle those things that He knows are going to be hard for us. He doesn't abandon us He carries us and tries to prepare us. His heart aches with ours. We are so blest to know what we know. The power of the Priesthood surrounds us.

I pray that all the Figueroa's will be blest with an added measure of strength this Friday and Saturday. They will need it. They will be surrounded with love.

I am grateful that Shane's legacy lives on through Kenzlie!

crAAAAAAfty!!!

So here it is. One of the many reasons blogging has so been on the back burner. Anyone who wants to come and enjoy is more than welcome!!! No pressure!!! I am doing a Craft Night on Oct. 21st featuring the items above. Check out the kick bum prices. YEAH!!! We love cheap especially right before Christmas. Let me know if you see something you like. Thanks Y'all!!!

Things To Remember...

I love it when my kids say off the wall things. I suppose that when they say something incorrectly a good mom would correct them and teach them to say it right, BUT NOT ME! I figure they are only little for such a short time and I would rather enjoy those moments rather than spend time trying to correct them. So here are a few of my favorites.

Sadee - "Who's that?" (Pointing to a picture of their Great Grandpa Robinson)
Savannah - "Ummmm, Meet The Robinson's"
Sadee - "Ooooooh!"

Savannah and Sadee - "We love Terra"biffia" - meaning Terabithia

Savannah - "Daddy is coming back from Cha Laa."
Mom - "Oh really, what's Cha Laa?"
Savannah - "Where daddy works!"

Mom - "Brik you should try not to wake up at 5:30am."
Brik - "Why?"
Mom - "Because that is too early in the morning."
Brik - "But mom, that's just the way I roll."

Savannah - "Mom, Jordan Riber"
Mom - "What?"
Savannah - "You know, Jordan Riber"
Mom - "Oh, you mean Jordan River where Jesus was baptized?"
Savannah - "YYYYYYes!"

Savannah - "Mom, what's the Holy Ghost?"
Mom - "It's something that you feel in your heart that helps you know what's good and bad."
Savannah - Gasp "THERE'S A GHOST IN MY HEART?"

Savannah - "Mom, I want to go to Magic-Stakes." (Gymnastics)

Sadee and Savannah - "Mom look, Light-Ling" - (Lightning)

Mom - "This is a yummy lunch!"
Sadee - "Bomb-Diggity!"

There is not so many from Brik I guess because of his age. He spends most of his time being so bugged that the girls don't say things the right way. That's funny to me too.

Sorry I have been slacking. It has been one crazy month. First with family reuninons and then me starting my business back up. It really makes life crazy for us around here.

I have re-started my business.

Family tuge of war. Grandchildren, under the age of 10 vs. kids over 10. The younger kids won.

Typical Sadee. I do not even know what she was mad about. I think it was because her cousin would not let her ride his bike???

Brik and his 2 best friends, Sammy and Kalab.
Savannah just loving her french toast.

WELCOME ADDILIN JOE CORTEZ

She is just so Beautiful, I can't stand it!!!

Sometimes in our lives we are blessed with moments to be in the presence of babies who were so valiant and faithful in the pre-existence they didn't need to come to this earth to be tested. Addilin "Addi" Joe Cortez was born on July 15th, 2008 weighing 6pds 13oz, 19in. long. She is so beautiful and strong. She has already had to overcome trying challenges and obstacles but is doing so good. I just want Kami and Steve to know that we love them and we have learned so much from their strength and courage through this whole process. Addi couldn't have been blessed with better parents. Kami is such a good mom. Always paying attention to details and making sure that everyone is getting what they need. Steve brings such a strength to the family. I can't forget to mention that he already has plans to take Addi snowboarding when she gets older. So Fun! You guys are Amazing!

Lines Reunion 2008

Savannah saw me with the camera and decided to throw a few dance moves for me.
One thing you have to know about Makenzie is that she has the biggest and best cheeks. When she smilies you almost can't see her eyes because her cheeks cover them. hahaha. It is so dang cute!

These are the boys playing the slap game instigated by Matt, of course!

Shila and Makenzie!
Shila, my step-dad Steve and Makenzie.

Jason makes the BEST Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler. SOOOOO Good!

Jason's war wound. I would have gotten a piture of mine but it was on my booty. HA
Matt's war wound!
Shannel and Heath!

We played a whole lot of paint ball. It was so much fun and such an adreneline rush! It was hard for me to even get up the mountain and by the time I found a spot to hide I couldn't breath! I was dying! It was crazy. These are the boys coming back from a game. We saw them all walking back looking war-stricken so we had to get pictures.

We were all excited to go campimg on Mt. Graham for our Lines reunion this year. This picture is us traveling to Safford. Side Note- Sadee wanted to wear Savannahs shoes that light up to go camping, and of course Savannah didn't want her to. So after 15 mintues of crying I told Savannah that I would get her a fun sucker if she let Sadee wear her shoes. So, of course she chucks her shoes off and says "SURE"! Then as I was getting some last minute things from Wal-mart I saw that huge sucker. I couldn't resist! I was laughing in the store when I picked it up. I wish I would have gotten a picture of her face when I gave it to her. Needless to say she was so glad she went without her shoes.