“It is always sad when someone leaves home, unless they are simply going around the corner and will return in a few minutes with ice-cream sandwiches.” 
― Lemony Snicket, Horseradish

This is dedicated to my grandparents Hiatt.  They have moved to a lovely retirement community just around the corner from my own house after living in the same home for 45 or so years.  Its a beautiful home it encases many of my fondest memories as a little girl. Swinging in the old tree swing, playing the toys my grandma kept from my mother's childhood, the purple room- yes i mean the room is head to toe purple, learning to play the piano ( for all of 3 months), being read countless stories there, getting sick and having to stay over while my grandma made an amazing Slim Fast shake. ( I mean seriously she did the ice just perfect so it was just a little slushy), being highly over paid to do odd jobs there for both Grandma and Grandpa, having little lunches over there with my kids as they have already started getting older, knowing there was always love behind the suggestions they gave me as we sat around the table.

That is just a tip of the iceberg on the memories of what I will love about that place. I'm so excited that grandma and grandpa are entering the Ice cream sandwich stage of life. They have earned it! Even more important I realize that the memories of what I felt there will never leave me. The house will be passed on to someone new, someone new will get a chance to make some memories there, but the memories we have made we get to take with us forever.

Back to School, Updates, and Whatever else I want to talk about

Today marks the first week of back to school week. I've been out there scrolling social media a lot this summer and I have to say I am surprised about my experiences and feelings on there as of late.

There are a variety of things going on in the world that can create and generate a lot of of opinions. Social media allows people the luxury of stating those opinions without really thinking about the consequences of those actions. Perhaps I look at social media differently, or perhaps I am too easily irritated but some of the things that people post on the internet, but its been down right depressing to me! I liked a lot of people a lot more when I knew less about them. Its kinda a shame that things must be that way. Now, I know a simple solution to this problem would be -hey- stop checking facbebook or block those people or whatever-but the thing is these are people who for the most part I still love (or perhaps at least like) and I don't want to miss out on the other things that they my post. So for now, I am trying to weigh the good with bad and try to let the good show in people.

The other thing that I've been thinking of this week is how back to school time is so wonderful. Not because I don't want my children home with me. In fact, for the first time in my life I considered home schooling my kids (mostly because I was sick of the morning whine and grind) and the implications for what that would mean for our family. I decided against as I realized the sheer amount of work and time I would have to put in for them would not due them justice. But its wonderful to me because it's a new experience each year of their life. Soon in adult hood, days will begin to be very much the same. You will go to work or be taking care of home life or whatever it is you choose to do with adulthood and you will perhaps miss the days of school and variety. So far in my 3rd year (almost) teaching, I realize how much I love the beginning of a school year and meeting crop of students who will enrich my life for 9 months.

so I if I could summarize my thoughts in a few bullet points here they are:

1. I'm so over who you think I should vote for, also I'm so over being told a vote for a 3rd party is a win for the "other"side. This is America! We are on the same side! How about we choose a president who isn't crazy or untrustworthy! How about we vote for someone who stand ups and holds the same values as us instead of worrying about what political party will win!

2. People's views on race in this country are jacked. Maybe take some time and see things from someone else's point of view for a while.

3. Stop crying that your kids are going back to school and being a "mess", how about be excited that they  getting an opportunity to do something kids in other countries do not even have access to or can't even arrive to school safely.

Ok so this is my rant. Just one of those days where it seemed like it was time to unload some thoughts while my house is in rare quiet condition.

In the Midst of Things

Today is a post I need for myself. It's a wonderful day. It's Lucy's 6th birthday and she is having a big time with her new toys and seeing her Grandpa Hiatt today. I'm so glad they are getting to make these  memories together.

I will have a different memory of this day I think.  I will remember this as a day where I felt like a failure. I don't say these things because I am looking for praise or adoration from anyone. I say it because right now in the midst of things I'm having a hard time. Part of me knows this will pass or maybe will even be funny in a few years but right now I'd like to go ahead and skip ahead to the nogstiaclic part.

There are a variety of reasons that life has been stressful. I could list them, but I won't. Some of them are things I can work on. (such as helping the kids be better organized) Others are things I can't. Today Rex was just having a day. It may have started because we didn't go straight home after school or because he has a runny nose or because I didn't have the train that he was hoping for with me, but he spent a good 10 min trying to smack me in the face while we were at a frozen yogurt shop.  It's a defeating feeling, later when he wet his pants while in the car and I had to listen to him scream that he was wet the whole way to drop Claire off at dance class. Moments like these are known as meltdowns. My child is not throwing a tantrum to get what he wants. Meltdowns usually build over a time and result from something in the environment becoming too difficult or stimulating or when expectations in situation are not met.

In this journey of our family I try to stay positive and upbeat and in few days I most likely will feel better. But I wanted to write today about how sometimes things suck, especially in the midst of things, and all parents feel like this. I think the hardest part is not knowing what to expect for my son next. Will he still do these things in Kindergarten? Will I ever be able to potty train him?

This leads to another aspect of my life that needs some TLC. Right now, I am thinking of going to grad school to become a behavior therapist. I'm praying to know what path I will take in my life as my teaching license comes up for renewal in the next 3 years. I am both excited and terrified of the idea. I know I want to be able to learn and help other parents, teachers, etc who are feel the way I do today because I know how alone and out of place they can feel. There are many factors to consider with this idea and I want to make the best choice.

For now, I'll be content with my feelings. I'll hope for a good night's rest and I'll pray for each of my children to be happy and successful.

This maybe the closest I'll ever get to a detailed travel log of our trip. It was memorable for sure. From the 15 passenger van, no hotel on our first night, and a long drive. There was plenty of trouble for trip up. We ended up loving the van and everything working out just fine.  Universal Studios was great for Claire to soak up every second of Harry Potter World. Rex was less impressed was much of that area, although he did get to go on a super fast ride called Flight of the Hipogrph. In Dr. Seuss land we found lots of fun rides he could enjoy, including Cat in the Hat , which he rode 6 times in a row.  The 2nd day we hit more Harry Potter areas and the Curious George area, we also took a ride of the Revenge of the Mummy and one last (somewhat unfournate) train ride on the Hogwarts Express.

Disney was magical in the sort of after its over your sad kind of way. Getting in and out of that place was a bit wild. We got to ride 2 rides just to get there. The Disability Pass, made it all worth it though. We rode an incredable amount of rides without waiting in line by using our pass and coming back when during our assigned times. Buzz Lightyear, Winnie The Pooh, Tales with Belle, Teacups, Peter Pan's Flight and Its small world, and Dumbo, plus Mickey's Philmaric. Not to mention the fireworks and parade.  Thursday we hit all the rides hard and did Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Show about the Presidents, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Meeting Anna and Elsa, Areils Journey, its Small World, Buzz Lightyear and the People mover, in one day. It was so incredible and we ended the night with some great bugers and shakes at Fudruckers.

Videos of Universal and Disney

IN some what off order here is a few Videos of from the trip

Hogwarts train pulling in

Enchanted Tales with Belle 

Its a small world (my favorite ride)

All about Rex

With Rex's 3rd birthday approaching, and more alone time for me on the horizon I decided to take a few minutes to talk about my sweet boy.

We are currently in the process of diagnosing him with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Often, people ask me how I knew something might be a little off and I thought I could shed some light on the topic.

It really started when Rex was about 14 months.  I knew he really seemed to enjoy the TV show Thomas the Train and it really held his attention even at a young age. Prior to this age, Rex was an amazing baby. He slept through the night. He never fussed about much and seemed generally happy about most things. I noticed he enjoyed movement and watching things go fast but it was not something I was concerned about.

Anyway, we went on a vacation with my inlaws and family and we took Rex out of his own environment for the 1st time and the trouble began so speak with his attention span in the car. He was fussy and insisted on watching the same show over and over and would scream if I wasn't showing him books or pictures related to Thomas the Train.  Then as the weekend progressed, he was just very agitated about everything and was not interested in doing much of anything except for train related activities.

Then, Rex began to exhibit other unusual behaviors with toys (trains, and cars mostly as that was the only thing he showed interest in)   He would line them up over and over again for what seemed like hours.  Not always hours but for a much longer time than would be fun for any other child. Also, he was very non verbal.  Some people thought maybe he was shy (he isn't) or maybe that we was just really big train fan but I began to think differently.  I began to notice that he showed little interest in interacting with other children socially (except when kids were say running at the playground).

Also, one other clue was he did an unusual hand movement/face movement when he got really excited. At first we thought he was just really excited, since then, it is known as a stem.  Stemming is a repetitive movement.  Some kids may do excited fingers (almost like spirit fingers) or sort of flap their hand back and forth near their face.  Rex's is not very noticeable but when he is very excited, he will do some unusual finger movements by his side.

Anyways, all the things led up to me giving Early Intervention in my state a call to evaluate his speech delay and my other concerns. They came over evaluated and then decided if Rex would qualify for free in home therapy from the state of TN. We mostly focused on his speech and some other changeling behaviors that included: hair pulling, head banging, and biting.

Through these wonderful therapists and through working with medical and neuropsychologists to help rule out any medical causes, we are closer than ever to helping our sweet boy navigate this world.  Will some things be harder for him in life?  Yes.  Will people not always "get" him? Yes.
Will that ever change how I feel about my son or his potential in life?  No.  

Heavenly Father sent him to me because I need him in my life to learn that I can be stronger than I ever thought.  I love all of my children but Rex has helped my find the validation as a mother that I have always wanted my whole life. There is nothing that I won't do to see him be the very best he can be.  Our family is beyond blessed to have him in our family.

So Happy Birthday to my sweet son on Saturday!!! Thank you for being the best little boy in the world!!!!!

Rebirth in 2015???

I've been locked out of this blog for awhile since I couldn't remember my password to get into to it. I thought I might give it another try but for now I'm just trying to see if I remember how to work this thing.

Ok I've figured out a few things. Thats a good start.

10 Years.... My Top Ten Highlights.....

Claire's Blessing 2005

 Where did these kids go!? 2007

 Disney Cruise 2009

 College Grads 2006

 A Family of 5-2010

 Best 4 kids ever

 Just the 4 of us. 2007

 Just Married!!!!!! 2003

1. Leaving the Memphis Temple together after our wedding heading to our wedding luncheon and thinking... Uh... I don't feel any different but we are MARRIED!!!

2.  First time I tried to make spaghetti (as our first meal) and realized we didn't own a can opener. So I had to call my grandparents who lived close by and borrow one.

3. Our First Condo with our sweet puppy Max.  How simple our life was then.!!

4. The first positive pregnancy test!!!

5. You losing your first job and how sacred we were! Amazing now how that one thing set us up for the great job we have now.

6. The second positive pregnancy test.  

7.  Leaving our Germantown condo behind for house with a yard.

8. Driving 14 hours to Orlando to take our 2 cuties on Disney Cruise

9. The third positive pregnancy test. < Insert Lucy here.>

10.  The 4th positive pregnancy test. < Insert Uh-oh here and then insert my sweet baby love Rex>

What had happened was.....

Well you see what had happened was i got pregnant and then I went on a trip to chattanooga and then it was Easter and then we celebrated our 9th anniversary and then we found out we were having a boy and then we went to ST louis and then we had swimming lessons and then school started again and then on 9/20 (2 weeks early) Rex Michael was born 7pds 10 oz. Here's to 2012 being even more fun!!!

I'm Not Giving Up

So I know I haven't blogged in 3 months but I thought I would say that I am not giving up! I'm just giving in to alot of other things that are going on in our lives.

When your child starts school things just change! It seems like your life begins to revolve around that because you want to take all the kids to the zoo not just one or two and then those activities take over your Saturdays and all the other days you are trying to catch up from those days.

So, anyways, my point is that I am still committed to the blogging but in a new way. Only the really good stuff! Hope it won't be too long till I write again.

Ways to kill a boring new years day

We had a great time yesterday when Jed came up with an idea to have a dessert contest. We had to go to the store with no recipe and come up with something. Claire and I bought puff pastry and got vanilla pudding and whipped cream. Then added some fresh strawberries. Jed and annie made a cherry dump cake. It was a dark chocolate cake mix made with a can of cherries and butter. We had a blast and it was a great way to kick off my diet.

Cause I'll Forget this One day

Annie quotes:

"Mom, this year I really can't wait to go see the peanut cracker"

Annie getting ready to go somewhere- "my booty feels like a skirt today"

Some of Lucy's first words/phrases- "open dis" open this
shelby- abby
folds her arms for prayers and shuts her eyes tight. Its so dang cute I have to get on video.

50 day

This year has been flying by. Claire is loving kindergarten and is doing great. She was tested for her reading and she is reading almost two grades ahead. Annie just turned five and is still so funny and smart. She loves to spend hours playing barbies alone. Lucy is a mess she is currently in color all over everything mode and point and grunt and stuff she wants. She says lots of words like mommy baby I wanna milk (sounds like ick ). She loves the story good night gorilla and goggies. (doggies). Jed and I recently have had a nephew born to my brother it's fun to see how people change when they have kids.

Blogging on the iPad

10 Year Reflections

Senior Photo. July 2000


This weekend I am going to a football game to celebrate 10 years since I graduated High School.

For me, ten years is marks many important events in my life and I thought I'd share with you.(or my mom who may be the only person reading this;)

1. May 2001- The sweetest baby I've ever seen came to earth. I got to know her for two days. What a joy! She turned 10 this year. AMAZING!

2. Aug. 2001- I met Jed Wheatley. NUFF Said!

3. Sep. 2001- September 11, 2001. In a dorm room, headed to class..... watched tv for hours. What a different place the world has been since then.

So much changed so quickly for me in a few months......those events shaped the next 10 years I've had thus far and they have been my favorite thus far.

Tonight, I'll run into old friends , I wonder if for them.... so much has happened in 10 years.? (other than come on, lets be honest, I hope some people got fat... like really fat...)

Also here's a few pics just for the heck of it! ( see above!)

Once Upon a Time I had a blog.....

Once upon a time I had blog.... a blog I updated..... then...............

Summer came and went

Claire started Kindergarten

I was asked to become Primary President (for all the non mormons out there.. just a funny title to say I am in charge of running the children's sunday school program now)

Once upon a time I thought I would play catch up.......... then...........

Dance Recital UP

More Easter Pics

Coming Soon: The girl's dance recital

Happy Easter Ya'll

As usual, blogging has not been #1 or #13 on my list of things to do. But I know I have a few faithful readers out there so I thought I'd do a quick update!:)

Things are going great. Jed just spent a week in San Antiono for work and brought back pink sheriffs hats. Claire chose the hot pink one and Annie said her's was the cold pink one.

Lucy really likes Candy! She has been eating it with the paper and all. We are getting ready to head out of town again for the Nashville Half marathon. I'm so blessed to be this busy and hope you are too! I'd like to think along the way I'm doing some good too.

Much love,
Val

Pictures One at a time!

I finally got pics up but had to load them one at a time! What a pain. Above is a cake I made a few weeks ago just for fun. It was soooo good. Devil's Food with real buttercream and choc. ganhance.
My cousin Danielle made the cakes for Lucy and Grandpa Hiatt. Lucy's matched her birthday shirt.
Grandpa Hiatt's cake had some interesting problems later but still looked amazing!

The very special birthday buddies. Lucy wasn't to keen on taking this photo but we managed to get one in before she screamed! haha! More pics of the birthday to come... stay tuned!:)