Malak's Surgery

On monday morning we woke up a the crack of dawn to get Malak to Summerlin Hospital to get his tongue clipped. I was so grateful that we were finally getting it done after our insurance denying it once already. I have been fighting since he waw 2 weeks old to get them to clip it but nobody would. I've been worried that it would delay his speech and create problems for him as he got older. So far I think he's pretty good at being on track, but I couldn't understand why something that seems so simple would be so difficult to do. I finally found a doctor that my insurance likes. He's the same doctor that put tubes in Madelyn's ear when she was small so I trusted him already. The actual surgery only took about 20 minutes to do, but we had to be there early so that we could sign paperwork and get him ready for the anesthesia. He was so cute in his little hospital gown that didn't remotely fit him! He couldn't eat after midnight the night before so he was hungry and kept signing for "more" all morning. It was hard to not let him eat. But he did very well during surgery. They didnt have to give him an IV or anything. He didn't even wake up cranky from his anesthesia. I went back there and he points to me and says, "who's that?" It was so cute! I just held him and tried to feed him a little food and popsicles and wait until they would release us. We finally were able to go home so James came back and helped us get him ready and we took him home! So far since Monday he has been pretty good. A little cranky but we kept him drugged with Tylenol and Ibuprofen to take the edge off. He's done remarkably well and I am so grateful that it's over! He can move his tongue anywhere now and stick it out...I don't know if that's good or not:) I am relieved to have it over and have him healthy!!

Madelyn's Performance

I put Maddy in a theatre camp for 4 days that her singing coach was hosting. She had a lot of fun with learning new things and being able to do a performance. They smashed 10 hours of learning into 4 days and they worked hard to get ready to perform . There were 5 girls in her age group and they were all fairly new at singing so it was fun for them all to learn together since they were on similar levels. I really felt like Maddy was comfortable with performing and she remembered all the words and most all of the moves! She actually projected her voice very well and surprised me a little. I'm watching my little girl come out of her shell a little bit and I think it's so great! It was inspiring for her to watch the older girls and see what she can be if she works hard. The older girls voices were really developed and beautiful so it gave us a lot of excitement and dedication to work hard so she can get better. She had a lot of fun!

Vacation in Vegas

James surprised me on Tuesday with a little mini vacation! He got us a hotel room at the Hilton for 2 nights! It was so much fun. I love how you can go on little vacations in this town and never have to leave. James and I went to the hotel on wednesday night alone and went to a delicious dinner at Benihana. I never get sick of Hibachi Table food. We ate ourselves sick and then went to the Sports Book and watched the All-Star game.....I know I'm a good wife. It wasn't my first choice of things to do but he couldn't pay attention anyway knowing that the game was on...so what the heck. After the game we went up to our room and had a good night's sleep for the first time in a long time. We had to get up early the next day because James had to go into work, but I needed to get stuff done at home anyway so we could go back that afternoon. We let Madelyn bring her friend, Taylor. We took them to the pool and let them play for a couple of hours. Malak I think had the most fun! He just loves the water...just like all the kids did at that age. Abuela took him back to the room when he tired out and put him down for a nap. She's been such a lifesaver since she's been here. We went back in and got cleaned up and went to Benihana's again with the whole family to see what Malak would think. He really enjoyed himself...screaming all too often. Thank goodness it was a loud place to begin with.:)
We had a great time and enjoyed our time alone and with the kids. Thanks James!

Memories...

I saw this on one of my friend's blogs and I thought it would be fun to try...

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

4th of July

We've had so much fun over the 4th. We traveled up to Utah as a family because we had to bring Kai up for preschool and I wasn't strong enough to drive him up myself. We decided to make everyove go with us. We left friday mid morning after the church program. We arrived at Grandpa's house around 6 pm. Everybody was there to eat dinner and enjoy the evening. We had a great time visiting with everybody. All the fam was there except Dougie and Stasha and they were really missed. It was fun to have all the grandkids together and see how much they love each other and enjoy playing with one another.

On Saturday we got to go out to Utah Lake and try out Grandpa Kieth's new boat! It was so much fun! Maddy and Kai got to drive the boat....Kai was a little dangerous, he liked to turn really fast and try to give Grandpa Kieth a heart attack. :) But the kids just loved being out on the water. It was fun to play around the boat dock in the water. I didn't want them to get in the water because it was so dirty...but I lost that battle. (Crazy mom!) Malak had so much fun in the water..I think he was supposed to be born a fish because he absolutely loves to be in the water! He was high stepping in the water trying to walk on top of it which cracked us all up. Hariella was very patient when she got all wet from Kai splashing her. And Madelyn went in all the way including her head and was swimming like we were in a pool...yuck!

We loved seeing Ella, Carl and Danielle's new addition. We were also able to see Carl bless her on Sunday. He gave her such a beautiful blessing. Carl has turned into such an amazing man. I am so proud of him and who's he become...you can just feel his spirit and know that he is special. We ate at Danielle's family's house in Nephi after the blessing and that was so fun to spend time with her sweet family. James, Madelyn and Abuela went back to Las Vegas after the luncheon and I decided to stay in Utah for another week with Kai and Malak. I felt like I needed to get Kai comfortable with preschool and enjoy him while I could because he'll be gone for a month going to preschool. He's growing up so fast and becoming a little man...I'm going to miss him!

Happy Birthday James!

These pics are of him when he just joined the Air Force....hasn't changed much has he? OK just the mustache....thank goodness!!

Well my sweet husband is getting very old! He turns 36 today and I coulda sworn it was 35....he just keeps getting better and better with time! I have to say I feel bad because I wasn't in much condition to be celebrating with him. I wanted to do so many things for him but time just got away from me having to have surgery. But I wanted to let him know how grateful I am that I've been able to spend the last 10 years of my life with him. We actually met 10 years ago this weekend here in Las Vegas! He was trying to put the charm on and luckily Hariella caught it because if it weren't for her there would be no Pemberton family. My mom was such a sucker for James...she still is! He just grins at her and she melts. (Ladies man) He has his way with most people because of his sweet personality and tender heart. I married a huge teddy bear with a chocolate smile!! He is an amazing father and husband and I knew by watching what a good daddy he was to Jamie that I couldn't go wrong if I married him. He has proved me right! I couldn't ask for a better man to raise our children with. I love the way he treats Madelyn and shows her every day how she should want to be treated by her own husband. The boys look up to him for so many things. I know he is Jamie's hero...and well deserved. Kai thinks he is one big jumping bag and Malak is learning the way to his dad's heart. He is so kind and tender to our children and patient....he is way more patient than me. Heavenly Father knew I needed him and I am so grateful that he sent James to me!! He is the ultimate gentleman. He ALWAYS opens the car door for me and any door in my path. He walks on the outside of the street to shield me from harm and always pulls my chair out. I am so amazed by him every time and never take it for granted because I always feel special to him. He has such blind faith. He knows our Heavenly Father and loves him. He respects his priesthood and always honors it. I look up to him in so many spiritual ways and learn from him regularly about how to love unconditionally and accept what we don't always understand. He is my rock, my strength and my happiness.

I hope that his birthday is fabulous and that he always know my life is blessed because of him. I wouldn't have it any other way.