Sabins life on the mini farm

Can't wait to get our horses to montana!!!

2012-02-15T11:48:00.000-08:00

WARNING some content may be mushy

2012-02-14T16:43:00.000-08:00

Well what can I say? I am one lucky girl. If you would have asked me right after that picture if I could love that man more then I did right then the answer would have been no. But guess what? I was wrong. Through it all he has stuck by me through thick and thin. During the newlywed years when it was rough, we got married at 19 so we literally grew up together. lol Sometimes we were a little childish.....okay a lot childish but it's fun to look back and laugh now. Through sick children, and the healthy fiesty ones. lol He Stuck by me and I him through business ups and downs, job changes and moves. But our love grows and grows. What ever gets thrown our way we have learned to endure.........together. How have we done this? Well most of you who knew us before we were active in the church probably will say that there was a definate change in our marriage after being sealed in the temple. The everlasting promise from our Heavenly Father keeps us going strong. Knowing that the blessing of our marriage is not "till death do you part" knowing that our family can be forever. Knowing that through the covenants we have made no matter how bad it gets, no matter what gets thrown our way we have each other forever is what keeps us going. I love you and this beautiful family we have built!! I am so lucky to have all of you.....FOREVER!!

All of ME

2012-02-11T16:39:00.000-08:00

Today is a hard day for me. For many reasons. I am having a hard time knowing the date of the auction is coming to pass. The auction is the way I cope with having a sick child it gives me hope. With all of the bad news in the news lately it is hard not to get discouraged. But I try to stay positive. I never realized how much courage the auction gives me every year. To all of you who have ever attended the auction - THANKYOU!!! You will never know what it meant to me. Heck I didn't even know what it meant to me until I had a year where I couldn't do it.

Today I heard some news that a parent from a special needs blog I am involved in lost her son due to complications with pneumonia. I can't imagine what that must be like. The only words that came to my mind were the words of this song that has come to mean more and more to me as time goes on. The song is called all of me. It was written by matthew hammit. Excerpt below in the video
"All of Me" from Ryan Lynch on Vimeo.
.

Afraid to love

Something that could break

Could I move on

If you were torn away?

And I'm so close to what I can't control

I can't give you half my heart

And pray He makes you whole

(Chorus)

You're gonna have all of me

'Cause you're worth every falling tear

You're worth facing any fear

You're gonna know all my love

Even if it's not enough

Enough to mend our broken hearts

But giving you all of me is where I'll start

I won't let sadness steal you from my arms

I won't let pain keep you from my heart

I'll trade the fear of all that I could lose

For every moment I share with you

Chorus

Heaven brought you to this moment, it's too wonderful to speak

You're worth all of me, you're worth all of me

So let me recklessly love you, even if I bleed

You're worth all of me, you're worth all of me

Chorus (X2)

Thats all I can think, is that how can I pray that he makes Brody whole unless I am willing to give him all of me. It doesn't just apply to Brody but to each of our children. As mothers and fathers we have a responsibility to recklessly love our children even if we bleed. How much time do we spend on computers, phones, watching tv ect. So my challenge to you this Valentines day is for the rest of the year when your child asks you to read a book, or go play catch, or to sit and cuddle and you are on the phone, or watching your favorite tv show, or every bone in your body is begging you to go to sleep, are you giving half your heart? Or are you giving all of you? Although as special needs parents most of us know we will outlive our children, let me be the first to say you never know when that moment could hit the unexpected person in your life and I want to know that I can say I have given all of me to those I love.

Cammie Jeans matches

2012-01-28T19:57:00.000-08:00

Haha Got ya!!!

I think she is bored out of her mind. lol

Logans wrestling matches

2012-01-28T19:49:00.000-08:00

The score is 9 to 9 here

Logan lost this match. Although the kid got 2 nearfall poitns the last round. Apparently Logan was suppose to get 2 nearfall also but since it was just a fun interclub meet jake didn't want to make too big of a stink. So really the match should have gone to overtime.

In case you can't see Logan won this match, I am really proud of him. Coming into a sport, especially wrestling as a 4th grader is probably hard. he had a blast though!!

Brodys First Match

2012-01-28T18:19:00.000-08:00

The other kid was punching brody in the head. His mom was yrlling from the side line no no punching. It was pretty funny.

Okay before we get started brodys doctor said it was okay for brody to participate as long as he quits when he is tired. We have a signal brody is to give when he is done. We have prayed as his parents about this decision. We have always said brodys life is about quality not quantity. Look at that smile above he is smiling in every picture. Ok now that thats out of the way brody did so awesome. He was smiling the whole time and loved every minute of it. He had to wrestle the same guy twice and he pinned him both times!! He came home with two 1st places!!! Way to go Brody!!

Rafes 1st match

2012-01-28T17:27:00.000-08:00

Hes Happy I swear

Rafe was an animal!!!! Our wrestling club had a interclub match. It was sooo much fun. Rafe loved every minute of it, and even thought he wrestled the same kid twice he came home with 2 first place ribbons, despite having his mom who knew nothing but stay off your back, stand up, and pick his head up, as a coach for the 2nd match. Pretty good since there is only a first and a second. lol

Team Dummy Roping sidney mt

2012-01-28T15:09:00.000-08:00

Well the boys were all excited to go dummy roping in sidney last weekend. As you can see there are only pics of rafe. The other boys fought all day. Against our better judgement we decide to go anyway. We get in the car and the other two start punching each other and yelling so jake put the car in park and got out and went in the house. They followed him and were like dad we need to go!!! And he was like i'm not taking you guys. Why should I take you when you can't even behave? Then rafe walked in crawled up in jakes lap and was like but dad I was good. Then jake was like ah crap we got to go now. Rafe does deserve to go. So that is why rafe is the only one roping. Hard night for us since we had to stick to our guns. Hard night for the other boys as they learned a lesson. But hey looks like Rafe is having a blast. lol

The post of many pictures. And a wedding.

2012-01-28T14:44:00.000-08:00

Grandma playing with the kiddos

Then men hanging out in the kitchen

Now its no secret that kayla steals my camera at most family funtions and takes pics, which is great cause then i don't have too. lol

Me and grandma had to get pics with kayla cuz she has pics of ger and everyone and their mother on the wall except me and grandma. sheesh

If you are wondering why their were no pics of lars and lindsey it is because they were off on their honeymoon!!

Picture taken by brieanna wentzel Yeah my cousin is the bomb.

Partying with the Sabins

2012-01-15T17:40:00.000-08:00

What more needs to be said. lol We are grateful to tab for hosting the dinner so we could see everyone. We miss you guys, and may possible be home for easter!!!

Car ride to Silver Mountain

2012-01-15T17:28:00.000-08:00

So its true I am a photographer and I didnt even take any pics of us at Silver Mountain. But before you critisize I was scared to death to have my camera around all that water. So the pics of the place off of the internet. Another con of being a photographer is I am never in any of the pics. I swear I am part of the fam. lol Now back to my silver mountain report. This place is amazing!!!! Where Great wolf lodge was all uptight and there were no rides that we could go on as a fam, this place lets everyone on every ride as long as anyone under 42" had an adult. So what did this mean? Brody didnt get left out of the big kid stuff!! Also they had an awesome surfing wall which logan rocked at. It was so much fun to see him have so much self confidence. He even surpased all the adults, except for the guy that made surf boards for a living. But he doesn't count. lol Cammie Jean even got to ride the flow rider the life guard took her on with her . It even has a gondola leaving the complex to take you to the top of the mountain for skiing, or tubing. There is also a mini mall attatched with all kinds of good eats. Now if only I had 100,000 then I could buy a condo here. Our condo was amazing by the way. It had seperate quarters for mom and dad, with a huge bathroom, washer dryer, kitchen, couch, fireplace, balcony, upstairs for the kiddos, amazing view. I am telling you if you have the chance this place is well worth the money. Price I would say is comparable to GWF but I would go here hands down over GWF. So thank you gpa and gma trulson for the CHRISTmas present. To say the least it was enjoyed.

Christmas program Logan and rafe

2012-01-15T16:56:00.000-08:00

Rafe is in the front row second from the left

Cammie jean letting Rafe know that he rocked it. lol

The boys Christmas program was so cute it had a pirate theme and they had the gym all decorated like a ship. I will try to add videos later.

Brodys CHRISTmas program

2011-12-27T12:00:00.000-08:00

His CHRISTmas program was so awesome. His music teacher had them sing away in a manger, a walk to bethleham, and a few others. I told her how grateful I was that she included CHRIST in the program, and she told me well I haven't been to jail yet. lol She also said if parents have a problem she just says its part of a heritage. That is what CHRISTmas is. It is CHRISTS birth, so its kind of hard to teach them about CHRISTmas with out singing those songs that are part of that heritage. I love it!!! Anyways here are a few pics and such from the program.

A different kind of CHRISTmas

2011-12-27T11:29:00.000-08:00

Well as you all know we moved!!! My brother is getting married in January, so that meant a decision on our part..... Go home for CHRISTmas and miss the once in a life time wedding, or miss CHRISTmas for one year and go home for the wedding. We opted to go to the wedding. Probably a good thing since we are in it. lol CHRISTmas definately was different, not a bad different, just different. It was the first time in 32 years that I missed my families CHRISTmas eve party. First time in 13 years we didn't go to the mountains to sled and get a tree, we had to go to the grocery store to get a real tree. weird!!! I was sooo sad to miss it. But now lets look at the bright side of things. CHRISTmas was on sunday so we got to go to church on CHRISTmas, that was awesome. I mean after all.....

We were able to have new friends over and have a white elephant gift exchange, in which I walked away with a wax toilet ring. (stop laughing Kristen.) CHRISTmas morning we opened our gifts, dad opened "the white envelope" and came home from church and took naps, which was also nice. Haven't been able to do that in forever. Again not bad just different. Then we called our families. I am so excited to see all of you soon!! Although I can't believe I forgot to take pics. I will regret that some day when I am grey and old and wondering what we did for CHRISTmas 2011. lol.

Even with CHRISTmas being different there is one tradition we were able to keep one tradition that is sooo important.... reading our CHRISTmas book every night in December until CHRISTmas. It is so nice to be able to slow the hustle and bustle of the holidays and focus on what matters most. The precious little CHRIST child. After all He is the reason for CHRISTmas. Each and every night no matter how hectic the day we sit down as a family to read out of that special book of CHRISTmas stories and nothing else mattered except for that precious gift from our Heavenly Father. My kids could calm down and they love hearing the stories and for that moment in the day in my home all is calm, and all is right. I love looking up as I'm reading and watching them hang on every word. Watching them all cuddled up. I love the time after the story to talk about what we learned. Some may look at it as a beautiful gift to CHRIST, I look at it as a beautiful gift from CHRIST. With out Him deciding to come to earth, I wouldn't have that beautiful moment with my family each day. That moment when time stops and nothing else matters. So I am grateful that even though CHRISTmas was different, CHRIST continues to be our steady rock.

special needs

2011-12-13T09:32:00.000-08:00

Sometimes special needs can be sooo exhausting. Not to mention expensive. lol This post is funny to me for sooo many reasons.

A) We have been denied SSI for our little man for lack of proof of special needs due to lack of diagnosis. You want proof read this. lol

B) I have heard it said that a lot of people view blogs as peoples Disneyland life, that people only put their best face on. Let me just say if this is disneyland I want no part. lol

C) After he broke the first screen I said no more computer at all. He begged and begged for a couple days and assured me he was sooo sorry. So even though the spirit told me no I let them use the only other computer we have to watch netflix since our tv isnt moved in yet since we are waiting on carpet in the living room. Can you say sucker? So yes now we have two broken computer screens. lol

So 150 dollars later lesson learned, and dually noted. Hmmm maybe the docs can diagnose now. lol

Goofy Girl

2011-12-10T16:55:00.001-08:00

Enough said. lol

Sidney Santa Parade

2011-12-10T16:53:00.001-08:00

Sorry for the cruddy pics it was my phone. The santa parade was sooo cool. They threw candy and the whole town came out, afterwards you could go meet santa at the local grocery store. Loved it!!!

Grateful

2011-12-09T08:33:00.001-08:00

Jake would be sooooo embarassed if he knew I was writing this. This has been on my heart since I first heard the song thats playing. I cried the first time I heard this song. All I could think of was Jake. I am so lucky and honored to be married to a man who is willing to do anything to provide for his family.
We had tried everything in Orting to keep our business afloat. We held on until we couldn't anymore. He had no work in the pipeline,we were not sure how we would pay our mortgage. He heard that work was busting at the seams over in Sidney, Montana. So we prayed. We both got our answer. The same answer. That he was to go. It was scary.

Many of you don't know this story but we took the last $1500 we had bought a camper for him to sleep in and he left for Montana, because he heard there was work. I love the first verse because this is what life was like for Jake. He pulled into the first place he saw in Sidney that did excavation, gave them his resume. That is where he was at, everything about me is on that page. Nothing to hide, just need a job, I will work weekends if I have to, give you 40 and then some what ever it takes. (although he never served in the army)

Gave my last job everything before it headed south, took the shoes off my childrens feet and the food out of their mouths. This line gets me everytime. This man knows what it is like to not be paid for a job. He always paid his subs no matter the sacrifices we had to make as a family because he knew what it felt like to not be paid,and he did he gave it everything before he left for Montana.

I got a strong back, steel toes, handy with a wrench, theres nothing I can't drive and nothing I can't fix, aint to proud to sweep the floors. Again just so proud to have a man who is willing to do whatever it takes to provide for his family. Who doesn't run and hide because the wolves are at the door, but faces them and does his best to feed them and send them on there way.

The Lord has blessed us immensly since we have been here, and I know it is due to my husbands righteous leadership of this family, and his hard work. I am so grateful to be here in Montana, and have a man that is willing to take a leap of faith and follow the Lords counsel even when it seems crazy. Well I guess I will stop bragging. I just had to do it, since my blog is my journal.

Landscape pics/Montana Love hate

2011-12-09T07:46:00.001-08:00

You wanted landscape pics, here they are. And what does this mean oh yeah I am officially caught up!!!!!!!! Woohooo!!!!
Montana Loves:

Sunsets all beautiful everyday.
its sunny
Only rained about 5 times since I have been here.
its sunny
Even though its 8 below outside right now it's sunny which in turn makes it bearable
its sunny
Youcan dress for the cold, but no matter how many layers you put on in WA when it rains you still get wet
its sunny
no mud, because no rain
its sunny
schools are smaller
its sunny
schools say pledge everyday and correctly with one nation under GOD
its sunny
schools have school store that rewards kids for good behavior, good grades
its sunny
my ward is awesome
its sunny
small town feel but we still have 2 grocery stores, jc pennys, lots of cafes with in 5 mins
its sunny
If its possible to believe I live surrounded by hay fields, even more remote then in orting. lol
its sunny
The speed limit is 70 on the highway to my house and people actually do it and will pass you if your not
its sunny

In case you weren't catching on I love that it is sunny here. I love waking up every morning and seeing the sun coming up over the hay fields. Just automatically puts me in a good mood.

Montana Dislikes

My family and bestie arent here
There are rattlesnakes (although I have yet to see one)
My family and bestie arent here
hmmmmm cant think of anymore.

I do miss you all, but I am also so excited for this new chapter in our lives. Montana is where my little family is suppose to be, and those of you that are close to me know I asked the Lord repeatedly before I left hoping He might change His answer but He didn't. Although I miss you all I am so glad He didn't. I have learned soo much from this move,and being here. It was a bumpy ride at first, since we were living in a 19 ft camp trailer for awhile until our house was ready. But as I am sitting in my house writing this, I would not have changed a thing. I am so grateful to be in one of the only parts of the country with a flourishing economy, a place where my husband can have steady work, a job that he deserves and is good at, better medical, the list could go on, and on. I will do my best to keep the blog updated so you guys can see what is going on in our lives, and more then anything it is a journal for me. We miss you all!!

Logans Vetrans Day Concert

2011-12-08T19:11:00.001-08:00

Can I just say vetrans day here is what I have always imagined it should be in every school. It's not a day off in Montana. In montana you go and sing patriotic songs to the vetrans. How cool is that. Did I mention they meet as a whole school in the library every morning to say the pledge, and sing I am proud to be an American. Man I love this school.

Homecoming parade

2011-12-08T19:08:00.001-08:00

Homecoming is a huge deal here. Have you ever seen Friday Night Lights well that pretty much sums it up. Even the elementry schools get out early for the parade. All the businesses shut down and put out their camping chairs and watch the parade. And yes the games are even on the radio here every friday on an FM station.

Sometimes a kid just has to be a kid

2011-12-08T13:30:00.001-08:00

Logan is my kiddo who is so reserved so when I can catch him being a kiddo, not thinking about who is watching, or if its going to matter, it is a moment I cherish. Even more so when I can capture it on camera.

2011-12-08T13:18:00.001-08:00

Rafe doing a running skid. Grabbed this pic just at the right moment. lol

Montana is so beautiful that sometimes a families just got to go for a walk. I thought I would miss the orting trail soooo much, and I do, but out here we have dirt county roads that I can just go for a run right out my front door and run forever. I love it. The sunsets are awesome too.

Our visit to fort buford north dakota

2011-12-07T12:44:00.001-08:00

One of the coolest things about moving is getting to know the area. So like a good mom I found the most boring historical site I could find and took the kids for a drive on what had to be the hottest day since we had been here. lol. No it was fun. I think the funnest part was when daddy said he got off of work early and we went swimming.

Kids first day of school 2011

2011-12-07T12:19:00.001-08:00

rafes u fish bday

2011-12-07T09:56:00.001-08:00

Everytime one of our children turn five they get to have a u fish bday and it was a blast!!!!

Me and kiddos trip to montana july 2010

2011-11-04T13:15:00.000-07:00

This is the pond that jake lived at this summer

Auntie Heidis Pool With Grandma

2011-11-04T13:12:00.000-07:00

Bike Jumps Summer 11

2011-11-04T13:07:00.000-07:00

Random Cammie Jean

2011-11-04T13:05:00.000-07:00

Feb 2011

2011-11-04T13:03:00.000-07:00

Valentines

Date only way to get us both. lol

Great Wolf Lodge Jan 2011

2011-11-04T12:57:00.000-07:00

Misss Jessica got to come with us!! Love that girl!!!! Incase you cant tell it is snowing in the lobby

Ward Christmas party 2010

2011-11-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

More Christmas tradition 2010

2011-11-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

Christmas tree 2010

2011-11-04T12:45:00.000-07:00

Hey look at that I remembered to get out from behind the camera.

Rafe getting his sled on

Cammiejeans all pretty in purple

Logan building a jump

Rafe is gonna "push that tree right over"

November 2010

2011-11-04T12:40:00.000-07:00

Because who doesnt need a rooster in the snow. lol

Uhhh yeah where was mom on that one?

My little logan wants to be just like daddy

So we got to go on a trip just Jake and I thanks to some very generous friends and family who watched the kids so we could get a little one on one time and this is what we came home to!!!

Trunk or treat 2010

2011-11-04T12:34:00.000-07:00

My little teenage mutant ninja turtle

As you can see the boys are thrilled that there is dancing

Daddy and Cammie jean

Wheres mommy? Oh thats right behind the camera. lol

So it's no surprise........

2011-11-04T12:27:00.000-07:00

Uhhhh yeah I got so busy with photography that I forgot about the most important......my kiddos!!!! So here is my new theory (especially being so far from family) Sunday is a day for the Lord and family so I am going to blog each week on Sunday, now I know I have made these promises before but, im new in town and since we should be settled into our new house next weekend I should have lots of free time. lol

So without further procrastination here is cammie jeans first curlers OCTOBER 2010 (only a year behind, but hey whos counting)

Hope For Little Hearts

2011-02-21T21:58:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year again. I try to update my blog at least twice a year about Brody. For those of you who would like to follow closer we have a site set up that will notify you about his conditions every time I update. It is www.caringbridge.org/visit/brodysabin .

Well with the Hope for Little Hearts auction on its way up I thought I would do a little update. For those of you who don't know Brody has Left Ventricular Non Compaction (it is a rare form of Pediatric Cardiomyopathy.) Brody was put on spironolactone to release the fulness in his heart. Many of you who have spent any sort of time with Brody know he has had a unexplainable croupy cough since birth, well the doc saw that his heart is full (we already knew that though.) As far as I understood it fills with more blood then oxygen which creates a fullness in the heart, which in turn maybe causing him to cough to get more of a oxygen flow. His left ventricle also has late filling which is a sign of heart failure. He also has a atrial septal defect, which doctor has said would be silly to repair and put his heart under that stress because it won't "fix" him. Below is a little bit more about the disease and auction.

I just want you all to know why I put so much effort into HOPE for Little Hearts. You all deal with my endless facebook postings and emails promoting the auction. Here is why: We live each moment to the fullest. If there is one thing this situation has taught us (in the words of my good friend, I kind of stole her family motto) "Prepare for the worst and HOPE for the best" HOPE, one of my favorite words. Some of you ask why I put so much effort into HOPE for Little Hearts, that one word is the reason. HOPE for more funding for research, HOPE for a cure, HOPE for all the families around the world, HOPE for one more smile, HOPE for another hug, HOPE for another "I love you", HOPE for another day. That is what each of you give our family. Each letter, each ticket bought for the auction, each volunteer, brings HOPE. If there is one thing I have learned through this trial it has been to look for something positive. With the dismal facts of this disease that was difficult. This auction brings HOPE not only to my family but to the many around the world waiting for a cure. When we feel like our lives are upside down, we always have HOPE to hang onto. We are so grateful for all of you and the HOPE you give us to hang onto.

What does Left Ventricular Non Compaction mean?
It means his Left Ventricle does not compact. It sometimes sticks together instead of pulling back apart and compacting. Which puts him at high risk for cardiac arrest.

Is this Common?
Effects 1 in every 100,000 children (according to www.childrenscardiomyopathy.org)

Is there a cure?
Search for a cure continues. Unlike other congenital heart conditions, there is no surgical treatment or cure that can repair the damaged heart or the stop the progression of the disease.

Can't he just get a heart transplant?
Getting a heart transplant is much more then just simply getting a transplant. In order for a child to get a heart transplant, the doctors have to approve. Heart Transplant Facts- Each year 80% of diagnosed children listed for a heart transplant receive a heart in time. Of the more than 100 children per year that undergo a heart transplant, the average three year survival rate is 77%. Late survival remains to be determined but is expected to improve with further research.

Doesn't the government fund research?
Federal research spending is disproportionate to the severity of the disease. In relation to other serious diseases, research on pediatric cardiomyopathy continues to be extremely under-funded even though the years of potential life lost in a child with heart disease is 2-7 times that of an adult. While the mortality rate for pediatric cardiomyopathy is higher than childhood cancer, and each year the number of children in the U.S. diagnosed with cardiomyopathy is 3 times that of pediatric AIDS, Federal research spending on pediatric cardiomyopathy is only a fraction (less than 3%) of what these other well known diseases receive.

How can I help?
Go to www.hopeforlittlehearts.org and buy your tickets and come to our 4th annual dinner auction March 12th, 2011. Tickets are 2 for $35 and include catered dinner from Branks BBQ. All proceeds from this event benefit The Childrens Cardiomyopathy Foundation

Also we need 5 more volunteers for The One Big Kiss for Childrens Hospital. It is a telethon. We will be answering phones and taking pledges on March 2nd from 6am to 8:30am at Childrens Hospital. All Proceeds from the telethon benefit Seattle Childrens Hospital.

Contact melissa @ melissa@hopeforlittlehearts.org

Signs

2010-12-28T08:42:00.000-08:00

I read this and could not help but post it. Judgement is something I have really been working on. In this society we are so quick to judge, and take to long to stop and think. Think about what someone else might be going through. I read this, and cried, cried because I have been the person being judged......and the person judging. If only we could all take the time to stop and think like this before judging. It's kind of long but well worth the read. (I borrowed this from http://bravegirlsclub.com/blog/?p=1411)

After a dear friend telling me about a hurtful experience she’d had this week…..I began thinking again about a story I have told a few times….a story that my children will tell to their children, and maybe even beyond that… because it was such a learning experience in our family….maybe even a turning point…it’s a story that I think about often because we were the main characters in it 3 or 4 years ago, and even though it was something that lasted less than 15 minutes….it changed all of us….and now I see others differently, especially when it seems that they might be main characters in the same story…or one a lot like it. I used to be too embarrassed to tell this story….but I am not anymore. This is a human story that everyone needs to hear, I truly believe this…I hope you will stay with it, it’s kinda long.

As we move along…I want you to think about some of the big signs with big messages that I bet you wish you could wear around your neck sometimes so that people would be more gentle….or even that you could put around the neck of someone you love….so that you didn’t have to go into a big long story to defend yourself or someone else….so that people would just stop judging and and just be kind.

First, if you don’t know my history because you are brand new to Brave Girls Club…welcome welcome welcome! I need to start this story by giving you a little bit of background….. you see, my husband had an accident in 2004 that injured the frontal lobe of his brain……it has taken 6 years to get him back……but in the middle there, between 2004 and now…lots and lots of stuff happened. He was essentially out of it…but not just that….he changed to someone else, we lost him. His personality changed completely, he could not work, he was angry and depressed and could not cope with human beings. He did not feel love or affection, really he only felt anger…rage…and he was suicidal most of the time. He did not remember a lot of things. He could not take care of our family or even himself, really……..(and I want to mention again that through lots of miracles, he is 100% recovered now…we are so thankful….he is even BETTER than he was before his accident)
But……during that time…..he would have these confusing and amazing glitches of time when he would be totally normal. It was bittersweet. They would last for an hour sometimes, and sometimes for days…or even weeks…then he would sink back down into that horrible place. When he was sick, I protected him fiercely. I didn’t want anyone to see him like that…I had faith that someday he would recover….but man oh man it was lonely…I wished every single day that I could just walk around with a sign like this….

….because on the outside…I looked like I had EVERYTHING GOING FOR ME…I looked like I might just have a perfect life….but I was hiding a very painful secret….
Well…a lot of other things happened too………you can imagine what might happen over the years while we have a 7 acre farm, a pretty big international business that we own with lots of employees…..a life that HE managed before his accident, while he just let me do the fun and creative stuff….now we had lots of medical bills…lots of sorrow and lots of distractions……we also had LOTS of kids…..and no one competent managing the business…
Well…after a few years, I couldn’t hold it all together…our business was suffering for all of the reasons listed above and a few more reasons on top of that……..and we discovered that we were really SINKING. Well……one day when he was partly lucid….he was THERE…he was coherent….I told him the condition of our life.
He kind of panicked and he went straight to work figuring out what he could do. It was insanely heartbreaking when he would “wake up” after weeks or months and I had to tell him how much things were deteriorating financially, etc. It was very hard. But when he could, he did what he could….before his mental illness sucked him back into the prison it kept him in most of the time.
He called a sign place and had a huge sign brought out to our house…the kind that you can put letters on, and it was electric and lit up…….He put it by the road in one of our horse fields……then he drove our Suburban….both of our trucks….my classic Thunderbird that he got me for my birthday a few years earlier…..our tractor…all of our tractor implements…the boat that I worked 10 years to get for him (and that caused his brain injury, incidentally)……….and he lined everything up along the fence and he put a price tag on every single thing. Then, he put the letters on that big huge sign and plugged it in.
You have to understand that we had worked for MANY years for those things. We started a business in our twenties and we sacrificed everything we had for all of those years to make it work. We owned almost all of it outright…….but, when I told him that the business was struggling….this is what he did….
Sooooo…..there it was….all in a row……all of our stuff…..out in our field.
All of the neighbors driving by…our friends…the community…..people who knew us most of our lives and people who knew nothing about us…..we were just the young family who lived in that beautiful little farm house on Beacon Light road with the perfect lawn….or what USED to be.
You see, in addition…for months….our once beautifully manicured yard started to be filled with weeds that were now several feet high. I just couldn’t keep it up. The lawn was a nightmare. Everything was just falling apart all around me and my heart was broken over my husband, too. It was humiliating and exhausting and horrible, really.

Well, the sign was not up in the field for more than a few hours…….when my husband’s phone rang….it was someone who saw all the stuff and my husband’s phone number on the big huge sign. We were sitting out in the yard while he was still coherent and he was feeling devastated about the condition of our lawn…..I was apologizing that I just couldn’t do all of it………..he was so heartbroken at his limitations and that he had left me to try to handle our life alone……we were trying to make a plan…..
He answered his phone…I saw that he was just listening…I could hear that the person’s voice was getting louder and louder and louder………..my husband just listened. He turned his back to me a little so I wouldn’t hear. But I could hear it….It seemed to go on and on and on……..
These were the things I could hear on the other end of the phonecall….
“You are bringing down the value of my property with that ugly sign!”
“What are you doing?”
“That is the most obnoxious sign, do you have a permit to have that out there?”
“Are you starting a used car lot?”
“You have got to get all of that moved and out of here or I am calling the authorities”
I sat there, mortified, embarrassed, humiliated, mad, sad, devastated. I was certain that this would snap my husband back into his dark hellish place.
But, when the man was done ranting, my husband waited a second and then very calmly said something that I will never, ever forget…….
“Sir,” he said, “There was a time in this country, in this community…when if you drove past your neighbor’s house and saw every single thing they own was for sale in front of their house…and that their lawn had not been mowed for weeks….that you would stop and say….WHAT IS GOING ON, SOMETHING MUST BE TERRIBLY WRONG, WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP YOU?”
The man was silent…..and then my husband went on to tell him a few details about what was going on with our family….
The man waited a moment and then his tone changed…..he apologized….I mean, really apologized and then said…
“I am going to call all of my friends and see if any of them need any of this stuff….”
***************************************
I wish with everything in me that we could have put a sign up on that big stupid lit up billboard in our field that said OUR LIFE IS FALLING APART…. but all that we really could put up is a sign with the price of everything that we owned that was worth any money…….
WHAT IF we could all wear a sign that said what WE REALLY MEANT? What if we could go straight past the small talk……..or the masks…….and we could actually go straight to the heart of the matter…….what if our friends and family wore signs like this?

…we would treat each other differently.
I think we should just try to imagine it………that when a friend is quiet…or not showing up to stuff she usually shows up to….or acting a little “off”….or a family member is wearing pajamas to the grocery store for weeks on end……or not answering the phone…..or the lawn is not mowed…..

whatever it is……….
IT IS A SIGN. It is not a sign that can be read in words and letters, but it is a sign that someone needs to be treated gently…that they need help….most of all, that they need love, understanding…and that they DEFINITELY DO NOT need to be judged.
Every time I think of this story….I want to be better…I want to do better, I don’t want any silent signs to go unread before my eyes or my heart…..I don’t want to make up my own answers to what must be going on…I don’t want to assume………..

Let’s be gentle with each other.
Let’s read each other’s signs.
HAPPY NOVEMBER….so much to be thankful for!
xoxo
melody

So my challenge to all is next time you judge someone, stop see the sign, and ask what you can do to help. I know if we all do this the love, and light of Christ will radiate through us. We will become better happier people if we do this. I leave this message with all of you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

4th of July 2010

2010-12-10T13:05:00.000-08:00

Love, Love, Love 4th of July. It is such a fun laid back day. Jake of course likes ot scare me with all of the fireworks and the kiddos, but it is fun none the less.

Grandma came to visit!!! July 2010

2010-12-09T16:34:00.000-08:00

Logan is my little monkey he loves to climb the trees!!!

Cammie Jean being a little lady (not) while eating her ice cream.

Bellla

Grandma came to visit!!! Yeah!!! The kiddos love their grandma. She is soooo much fun. She always likes to come and go on the trail with us!! We decided we would go from my house to mcdonalds to get the kiddos ice cream and back. (it's about a 7 mile trip.) So off we headed with the strollers. Well we got to mcdonalds and everyone was hungry. Then when it was time to leave I got a bunch of i'm tireds, and how far is it back? Then grandma felt a blister coming so she stayed with the kiddos at the park and I got to run back to the house pushing no stroller. It is definately a special treat to go running with no stroller for me. So thank you for getting a blister Glorya. lol.

Brandon and Abbies Wedding July 2010

2010-12-09T15:49:00.000-08:00

This was a fun, fun wedding. Man I am so glad Abbie is a part of our family. Oh yes and you too Brandon. lol. Brody was the ring bearer. He did such a good job. The reason there are not any pics of the reception is because Cammie Jean had a major blow out, and I brought no extra clothes. I know, I know you would think by the fourth kid I would know better. But she hadn't had any blow outs in a year. Anyways we had to leave the reception right after dinner. We were so sad. Poor cammie jean had to get a quick bath in the church sink and a diaper and then ride home naked. Poor girl.

Grandpa Sabins 25th (haha) Birthday June 2010

2010-12-09T15:30:00.000-08:00

(Sorry for the bad pic the kiddos begged to take the pic and its the only one I had)

What can we say about Grandpa Sabin? All kinds of things!!! He is a amazing man. He loves all of his chidren and especially his grandchildren. My kiddos love to spend time with him when he is here!!

Logans Field Trip June 2010

2010-12-09T15:07:00.000-08:00

We went on a field trip to the marine life center in Pt townsend. It was soooo cool. There were all kinds of cool animals, and we got to walk the beach together. It was good fun!!

Scouts June 2010

2010-12-09T14:57:00.000-08:00

Logan has been loving scouts. He recieved his bobcat!! Woohoo!!! Here he is conduction the flag ceremony. We are so proud of our scout!!!! I love the picture below, boys just being boys. lol.

Hair only a daddy could love May 2010

2010-12-09T14:50:00.000-08:00

Cammie Jean got into the stickers, and well did her hair. Hair only a daddy could love.

Logan the dare devil. May 2010

2010-12-09T14:37:00.001-08:00

So for those of you that don't know my dad or brother, dare devilness runs in the family. I don't know how my mom use to watch them race motorcross. lol. Logan got a new bike for his birthday, and I like to go on runs so we often run/ride to the bike jumps in Orting and he does his jumps and I take pics. He is getting pretty good. But man oh man ity is hard to watch as a mom. lol.

Logan and Brody Science Fair May 2010

2010-12-09T14:24:00.000-08:00

The kiddos bot worked really hard on their science projects. We are so proud of them.

The Airplane Show May 2010

2010-12-09T13:43:00.000-08:00

I am bound and determined to catch up on blogging. UGH!!! You know how everyone always says when your kids say funny stuff write it down or you will forget. Well the older I am getting the more true it is becoming. SO I am bound and determined to be a better blogger. We will see how long this determination lasts. lol. I took the boys to a cool airplane show in may. It was so much fun. I was however surprised Logan chose not to go. So it was me and the 3 little ones. It was so much fun. It was hot and sunny and the boys loved it!!!!!!!

Mommy goes to Florida

2010-12-09T13:42:00.001-08:00

SO here is what happens when I get behind on blogging. I forgot that in May mommy went to florida to visit her friend des for 7 days. Wow!!! I have never been away by myself without the kiddos or Jake since I've been married. So I guess I was due. It was a fun trip. We went to Busch gardens, way cool. Except for Jason said whether I wanted to or not I had to feed the birds. I was so scared and didn't want to but he said I had to. But as you can see below he got his. lol. We also took a trip to the beach. So much fun. I also got to hear Elder Anderson and His wife speak which was way too cool. Me and Des also took the girls to get their pics, and that was fun too. It was a great growing experience for me (mostly Jake though. hehe) to be away from the kiddos and to know everything would be fine. One of the nicest parts was coming home and seeing how much I was missed. I don't get that very often due to the fact that the kiddos are always with me. I have to say though after seeing these pics I may contemplate moving to Florida. lol.

Logans 8 year old birthday April 2010

2010-09-28T12:24:00.000-07:00

The 8th birthday is a big one in our family. It is the beginning of scouts, and when you can be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have to say I am so proud of the decisions logan has made. He decided to be baptized and commit to his Heavenly Father, and to actively participate in the scouting program. He is a good boy, with a generally helpful attitude, he excels in his school work, and tries hard at everything he does. But probably the one thing I am the most proud of is that he tries hard to live the standards of the gospel. He knows that if you do that everything else will fall into place. I'd say he is definitely wise beyond his years. We love you buddy.

Boys end of year June 2010

2010-09-14T12:47:00.000-07:00

This little girl is such a cutie

Rafe and his class

Boys at their end of year bbq

Daddy and his girl.

Hope for Little Hearts 2010 (March 10)

2010-09-13T15:47:00.000-07:00

So for those of you who don't know about Hope For Little Hearts here is the run down. Hope for Little Hearts was started in 2007. It was started because of Brody. Brody has Left Ventricular Non-compaction. It is a rare form of Cardiomyopathy. It affects the heart. There is no cure. The only cure if the heart starts to go downhill is a heart transplant. So while we were relieved that there was finally a diagnosis, we knew that there was a long scary road ahead. I had to put my fear to work in a positive way or I was going to go crazy. So we formed Hope for Little Hearts. This was our 3rd annual dinner auction. I have to say our attendees amaze me every year. This year was especially special to me. Rafes pre school helped out. They did an amazing job. They made cookie dough, and passed out the desserts. I was also touched by a little girl, and dear friends who made some desserts for the dessert auction. Most of all I was touched by how giving and wonderful all of the attendees were in this economic time. We are so grateful for all of you in our livs, and the many ways which you support this charity. We can not even put into words the hope that it gives us. Thank you so much!!!

Are we a little redneck? (March 10)

2010-09-13T15:33:00.000-07:00

Are we a little redneck? I guess so. But my boys really love the outdoors. They love animals, they love the thought of being cowboys. Can I honestly say I'd rather have it any other way? No I can't. Who can turn away a smile like that with a handful of dandelions. If you had of asked me 15 years ago my answer may differ. But I love our simple way of life.

Jacob and Rome (March 10)

2010-09-13T15:26:00.000-07:00

Jacob has a true gift and passion for horses. I think it is important to improve the things we are good at. Horses is one of the many things Jacob is good at. I love to watch him work the horses. They flow together so well.

Grandpa Trulsons Bday (march 10)

2010-09-13T15:20:00.000-07:00

What can I say about this man. My dad is an amazingly hard worker. He taught me how to be honest, loyal, and caring. He always made sure that we kids knew how lucky we were. There was not a prayer uttered in our house that did not include "we are very fortunate, please help all those out there with no food or shelter." He worked hard to make sure we had all that we needed. He never missed a soccer game, even if it meant a long drive. He love his children and grandchildren. Happy bday dad and grandpa!!!!

You might be a Redneck if.........

2010-09-13T15:12:00.000-07:00

Your kids practice their horseback skills on each other. Just sayin.

Great, Great Grandma's 102nd Bday (Feb 10)

2010-09-13T15:05:00.000-07:00

Lots of fun was had at Great, Great Grandmas 102nd Bday. This woman....... is amazing!!! She has lived through so much, and has given so much love over the years. It is so hard to put into words. We love you!!!

Brody's 5 and 1/2 Bday celebration at school

2010-09-13T14:50:00.000-07:00

Brody was soooooo excited to share his bday with his school friends. It took quite a bit of convincing to let him know that he wasn't quite 6 yet though. lol.

Michaela's Baptism (feb 10)

2010-09-13T14:25:00.000-07:00

My little sister decided to take her relationship with the Lord to the next level and get baptized. I am so proud of her, and the young woman she is becoming. (man I sound Old). She truly lives her life as a Christian, and stands firm in what she believes. We are so Proud of you Michaela.

Random Cammie Jean February

2010-09-13T13:10:00.000-07:00

Her first drink of pop.

Bath in the sink before church when we ran out of Hot water!!

Daddy's home!!!!!

2010-09-13T13:06:00.000-07:00

Jake went and worked in Idaho for a couple of weeks and we didn't tell the kiddos he was coming home. They were so excited!!!!

Random sunsets in January

2010-09-13T13:02:00.000-07:00

Brody Field trip Jan 10' Childrens Museum

2010-09-13T12:53:00.000-07:00

What a fun field trip!!!

So it's been awhile. January 2010 Fun pics

2010-09-13T12:40:00.000-07:00

Here's some fun and crazy pics, of my fun and crazy kiddos!!! As you can see I have quite a bit of catching up to do. One of my "new school year resolutions". You would thik as a photographer I would love, love, love to blog. I do, I really do. It's just hard to find the time.

You are for me

2010-04-27T16:27:00.001-07:00

This is my new favorite song. It is amazing. Just reminds me He is for me. Even in my darkest deepest trials, He is for me. He is there. I know He is on my side. I know He loves me. I know it is just a simple testimony. But that pretty much sums up how I feel about this song.

Sabin Photography

2010-04-13T13:13:00.000-07:00

So as many of you know, photography has always been a passion of mine. If you ask Jake what he hates about family trips he would say, "Melissa never puts her camera away" lol. I decided to make a little more then a hobby out of it. Check out my blog by clicking the link above. I have a couple of specials going on:

Join my blog and get a 1 hour family shoot for $30, includes all pictures on CD, with edits, and you will have all printing rights.

Leave a comment on my photos, or put my blogspot (http://www.sabinphotography.blogspot.com/) as your status on facebook, twitter, or myspace, and recieve $5.00 off any family session.

Refer a friend and recieve a 1 hour family photo session for $15

This is to show how much I appreciate your help in building my business. Thank you so much!!!

Yes You Can!!!

2010-02-04T16:44:00.000-08:00

No this post is not political. I watched these two videos, I was having a hard time wanting to work out today. Lets just say after these, it wasn't so hard. I swear I could have run 20 miles on the treadmill. Anyways The videos are a little long but definately worth watching.

Dick Hoyt on raising his son, and racing.

Footage of them racing, trust me you want to watch this. It is amazing what this man does for his son.

It is amazing to remember yes you can!!! You can do anything. There is no more I don't think I can, just yes I can. As Jillian Michaels says "you have no idea what you can do until you try." Well I think I will just leave it at that.

Grandpas Bday

2010-01-30T21:51:00.000-08:00

My smiley no front tooth boy.

Here he is again!!!

Brody and aunt Melinda Cheers!!!

Cammie Jean and aunt Melinda

Cammie Jean and aunt Melinda again

Cammie Jean and auntie Kayla

Uncle Lars and the boys.

Lars and logan

Mom and Dad acting like newlyweds.

Grandpa opening his gifts.
Grandpa and Cammie Jean

What can I say about this man. He is sooo wonderful. He is a loving, loyal, man. He is proper, and respectful. He is a great listener, and has wonderful advice. I am soo lucky all of my grandfathers all have/had this wonderful way about them. They were/are all so funny, and also quiet, but when they talk you best listen because you are going to be learning something important. I can almost guarentee it. I love you grandpa. You are amazing!!!

Cammie Jeans First Date

2010-01-30T21:34:00.000-08:00

Do I look okay mom?
All pretty and ready to go. Pretty sure I approve of the guy. HAHA

Cammie Jean had her first date. She went to the hardware store. Got pics of it, so she knows her daddy was her first date.

New Years 2010

2010-01-30T21:26:00.000-08:00

Pots and Pans at midnight!!!!
Brody is out like a light in Cammie Jeans Rocker. HEHEHE

Well this year was a first for us. We always told our kids at 10 that it was midnight. Well Yeah try telling that to a 7 year old who can tell time. That did not go over so well. So we had to wait until midnight. Guess we arent as sly as we thought we were. Will have to make sure to move the clock forward a couple hours next year. HEHE

Grandpa and Grandma Sabin visit

2010-01-30T21:16:00.001-08:00

Grandma and Logna playing the WII

Grandma TRYING to beat Logan.

We just love Jimmy and Glorya soooo much. It is always sooo fun when they come and visit. The kiddos have such a good bond with them. Grandma is always sooo good about playing with them. It is soo cute. We miss them when they are not here. But man when they are it sure is a blast!!!!!

Trip to Paradise

2010-01-30T20:39:00.000-08:00

Just some pretty spots. Explanation below of why there are no pics of the fam.

I loved this bridge.

Jake loved this canyon

Jakes Canyon again

The mountain up close!!

Jake forgot his sunglasses so.....
He used mine. HAHAHA

So our trip to Paradise was not all it was cracked up to be. Lets just say once we finally got there it got off to a rough start. Then the sledding hill was so far away that we couldnt just leave Cammie Jean in the car. So we had to lug all the baby paraphenelia with us. Then it was too cold so one of us had to hang at the car with her while the other played with the boys. Then the sledding hill line was forever long, so logan only got in two runs in like 45 minutes. So needless to say we are definatley Greenwater people. You can pick any hill you want, and park right next to it. Cammie Jean gets cold she can go in the car, and we are still right there. You don't see another person pretty much all day, which is nice. But I do have to say the scenery is definately nicer at Paradise.

Christmas Eve

2010-01-30T20:00:00.000-08:00

Lars and Brandon enjoying time with their mothers

Kelsey and Liam singing with their grandpa and cousin doni

Liam dancing to the music

Cammie Jean singing and dancing

Logan enjoying a pop.

Daddy and Cammie Jean opening gifts

Grandpa Rice and Brody reading the Christmas Story

I just love this time of year. I love the special feel in the air. I love my family, but most of all I love the most precious gift, the birth of my Savior Jesus Christ. I love teaching my kids about the baby in the manger. I love teaching my kids what Christmas is really all about. So to all I say Merry CHRISTmas.

Misc pics

2010-01-30T18:43:00.000-08:00

Jake working on the barn. Yeah that looks safe. I am sure OSHA would approve.

Cammie Jeans first curler use.

Cammie Jean after the bath.

Jake and Logan, again I am sure OSHA would be happy.

See they do love each other

2010-01-30T16:52:00.000-08:00

Christmas Tree Trip

2010-01-30T16:18:00.000-08:00

Daddy Mommy and Cammie Jean

Mommy and Loginator

Logan and Cammie Jean

Rafe sledding down the hill on a old footstool top. Yes we are that redneck.

The Fam

Cammie Jean loves the snow can you tell?

Rafe and Brody figuring a way to get up the hill.

Logan playing peek a boo.

Rafe had a little to much fun!!!

We go up to the mountains every year for our Christmas tree. I love it. It is a day for the whole family to be together, we sled, and get our tree. I love, love, love this tradition. I hope it will carry on once the grandkids come!!!

Thanksgiving

2010-01-28T21:05:00.000-08:00

Cammie Jean uncle Lars

Brody and Uncle Doug!!!

Uncle Doug and Cammie Jean

The Lady who makes it all happen!!! Grandma is amazing she makes miracles happen!!

Brody chowing down on dessert!!!

Logan in a food coma!!!

Cammie Jean being a social butterfly. Theres something new.
Brody messing up cousin bries hair.

These two have such a special bond. He just absolutley adores her!!!!

Rafe hard at work cutting his food. Does he look excited to eat?

I love this time of year. It is so nice to see all the family. It is so nice to remember all the things we SHOULD be thankful for. There are so many things that get overlooked in our daily lives. so here are a list of just some of the things my family is so grateful for:

Eternal families

Family

Healthy Family Members

The gospel

A home

Transportation

Food

Horses

School

Sun

Hugs from dirty hands

The chance to learn and grow form trials

exercise

FHE

Chidrens Hospital (it is so nice to have such a great hospital so close.)

Of course there are many many more, but these are some of the everyday simple things that I think get overlooked. What are you thankful for?

Rafeisms

2010-01-28T20:54:00.000-08:00

These posts were just too funny not to share. Rafe is my rough tough dirty boy. See below for examples. Mind you all these pics were taken within about 2 weeks of each other.
So brody and rafe were running and playing and yep you guessed it.... they collided. Too bad this didn't happen at halloween he could have gone as a star trek guy.

So when Rafe colors, as I said he is my dirty boy, there is no being careful. How he got it on his face? I am not entirely sure.

So this pic didn't turn out very good, but I told Rafe to go get dressed and he came down wearing Cammie Jeans pants. I guess capris are the new thing for boys huh?

Our anniversary. November 7th 2009

2010-01-26T14:34:00.001-08:00

Granted our anniversary was November 7th, but I still feel the need to post how lucky I am. I have known for a very long time that this was the man I was going to marry. I used to go underneath my bed with my friends back in junior high, and we would write "so and so is going to marry________" the only name that isunder there for me was "melissa trulson is going to marry Jacob Sabin" weird huh? Even in my high school annual lots of people wrote "see ya in 10 we know you and jake will get married and have a bunch of kids and be living on a farm." I wasn't even dating him then, but they couldn't have gotten any closer to the truth. I know my parents did too. Any time I would break up with him, my dad would always say "melissa he is a good guy." Of course I was in high school then and knew everything. So I never listened. My parents would have him over for dinner even when we were broke up. One time I came home from a date (because my date could not pay) to get my wallet and there was my x boyfriend having dinner with my family. Talk about awkward.

But the last time we got together at 18 and 19, we told each other either this ends in marriage or it ends. I will never forget the day Jake asked me to marry him. It was Christmas Eve. I had been eyeing this coat, and the pockets were sewn shut on it. So he got this brilliant idea to buy the coat, put the ring box inside the pocket. So on Christmas Eve I opened my coat and thanked him, and he was like try it on. SO I did, and he said "oh yeah I had them unstitch the pockets for you." He said this of course knowing I would reach my hands in and check. Of course I did, and I pulled out the ring box, and he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes, and the rest is ancient history.

I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful giving husband. Of course we have our ups and downs, but I wouldn't want to have them with anyone else. He is a wonderful caring father. A man who would do anything for his family. A man who is a good example to his kids. A man who loves his wife, and makes sure she knows it. I know that this marriage was meant to be, and I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for giving me such a wonderful eternal companion. There is not another man on the face of the earth I would want to spend eternity with. I love you!!!

Porters Bday

2010-01-26T13:52:00.000-08:00

Uncle jer teasing brody.

Chili being the good big cool cousin!!!!

Tab playing with rafe.

Auntie Heidi and Cammie Jean.

Porter had a fun bday!!! It was fun to play with everyone!!!

Back to my hobby.

2010-01-26T13:41:00.000-08:00

Cool sunset from my house.

Another cool sunset.

The light was hitting the trees just right, and I thought it mage this pic especially cool.

I know most of my pics are sunsets. But I really love sunsets. Maybe thats why I love, love, love maui so much. Anyways here are a few more photos, just goofing off with the camera.

Halloween

2010-01-26T13:08:00.000-08:00

I swear he was happy.

Me and the kiddos and my half buttoned shirt. In case you can't tell Logan was a log.

I swear she likes her Grandma.

Snow white and Grandpa

Brody the monster bucket head.

Cowboy daddy and snow white

Fireman rafe

Snow white loves her suckers!!!

Michaelas Soccer Game

2010-01-25T18:35:00.000-08:00

Grandma Trulson (i.e. cammie) and Cammie Jean!!!

Kayla Scoring A Goal.

Great Grandpa and the boys.

Logan concentrating really hard.

Grandpa and rafe

grandpa and grandma and brodster staying warm.

Halloween Cookies at Aunty Heathers

2010-01-25T17:52:00.000-08:00

Typical Rafe dirty, and trying to get the very last crumb!!!

Rafe likes his pumpkin. Can ya tell!!!

The men being ever so helpful by keeping the couch in place and making sure the TV doesn't go anywhere.

Aunty Heather gave Cammie Jean her own plate and spoon with frosting. Thanks alot.

Cammie Jean Loves frosting. Can ya tell.

Jake and the Brodster.

Brody being, well Brody.

Logan really getting dirty!!!

Logans pumkin is so big we need all the help we can get!!!!!!!!!!!!

MMMMM!!!! Yum!!!!

3rd annual Hope For Little Hearts Auction

2010-01-07T14:40:00.000-08:00

Here is a little info about our Hope For Little Hearts Auction. It is a good time if you can make it. You can click the link to the right of my blog to get to the website!!
Hi- We hope everyone had a very Happy New Year. It is that time of year again. Hope for Little Hearts is gearing up for their 3rd annual dinner auction. Heres the info

When: March 20th 2010 5pm

Where: Mt View Junior High Bonney Lake WA

Cost: 1 Ticket $20.00 or 2 for $35.00

For those of you who pre-purchased your tickets at last years auction I still have the guest list and you can kick back relax and just show up!!! If you haven't bought your tickets yet, hurry and do so. You do not want to miss out on this night of fun and excitement. Also please feel free to forward this email and print out the attatched flyer and post and hand out as many as you want. Even if you want to donate but can not attend we have a donation button on the website this year. www.hopeforlittlehearts.org/tickets_donations

If you are looking for facts about the disease you can visit http://www.childrenscardiomyopathy.org/ or view the fact below. If you would like to stay up to date on Brodys condition feel free to go to www.caringbridge.org/visit/brodysabin and click on subscribe to journal and it will update you every time I update. Also we are looking for new unused items for the auction. Your donation is tax deductible. If you have any questions feel free to email melissa at melissa@hopeforlittlehearts.org

We want everyone to know that we really appreciate all of the past and present support. We know it is not easy in this economy, and we appreciate your choice to support this charity.

Warmly, Jacob and Melissa Sabin

Facts about Pediatric Cariomyopathy
Affects 1 in 100,000 children

Search for a cure continues. Unlike other congenital heart conditions, there is no surgical treatment or cure that can repair the damaged heart or the stop the progression of the disease.
Federal research spending is disproportionate to the severity of the disease. In relation to other serious diseases, research on pediatric cardiomyopathy continues to be extremely under-funded even though the years of potential life lost in a child with heart disease is 2-7 times that of an adult. While the mortality rate for pediatric cardiomyopathy is higher than childhood cancer, and each year the number of children in the U.S. diagnosed with cardiomyopathy is 3 times that of pediatric AIDS, Federal research spending on pediatric cardiomyopathy is only a fraction (less than 3%) of what these other well known diseases receive.

Heart Transplant Facts- Each year 80% of diagnosed children listed for a heart transplant receive a heart in time. Of the more than 100 children per year that undergo a heart transplant, the average three year survival rate is 77%. Late survival remains to be determined but is expected to improve with further research.
(Facts taken from http://www.childrenscardiomyopathy.org/)

This is why it is crucial to raise funds for the Childrens Cardiomyopathy foundation, so they can help to further research. That way no parent will ever have to face loosing there child to this disease.

Leslie and Son Pumpkin Patch

2010-01-02T14:38:00.000-08:00

Every year we go t a pumpkin patch and the rule is you have to be able to carry your own pumpkin. It is a lot of fun.

Logan and Brody trying to push the wheelbarrow.

Cammie Jean loving the ride.

Brody found his, can he carry it?

Logan finding the bggest one he can carry!!!!

Sunset and rafe.

2010-01-02T13:12:00.001-08:00

So maybe it is time to start a photography blog.....hmmmmm well we will see between this one and the workout blog, that may be to many. I can barely keep up with this one.
Sunset from my house. Too pretty not to share.

Here is Rafe. This is what happens when you bring your kiddos with you to work, but can't watch them every second. Him and Logan were playing bouncy ball in the concession stand at the arena, and they boh went for the ball, and well...... rafe lost. He slid in to the sharp corner of the table and was bleeding everywhere!!! All while I was announcing the horse events. Logan came running out to me screaming (mind you I am holding a microphone) emergency!!!! emergency!!!! So I tell him to wait a minute, because sometimes he over reacts, well not this time out comes Rafe being carried by the baby sitter. Blood squirting out of his head. I am just glad he was okay. Let's just say this along with some other factors helped our decision to close the arena.

More Marris

2010-01-02T13:02:00.001-08:00

So I swear I was there too, but as usual I was behind the camera.

Daddy and his girl.

Logan on the Hay ride. We just thought this sign was funny. Lost Goat. Only in Buckley.

This is the perfect way to end this post. Enough said.

Trip to Marris Farms

2010-01-02T12:42:00.000-08:00

Every year we go to Marris Farms corn maze. It is a lot of fun, but becoming a little too comercialized for us. But we still had fun. Here are some of the pics!! PS anyone know how to post more them 5 pics at a time? can't seem to do it.

Logan climbing the milk barn

Rafe pretending he's not having fun.

Brody being........well brody.

Rafe with his hard core face.

Make A Wish Grantor!!!! (and arrival home)

2010-01-02T12:35:00.001-08:00

Our Make A Wish Lady was amazing. Brody Loved her!!!! We love you Julie!!!

Time to head for home!!!

2010-01-02T12:22:00.001-08:00

I just loved this pic of Rafe.

Theres my logy bear, all cowboyed up 80 degree weather and all.

Proof that I did actually go on the trip. We all know how much Jake loves to take pictures.

Photography is a, well i can't really say hobby because with 4 kids it is hard to have a hobby, but a hobby of mine. I just loved these pics.

More Luau

2010-01-02T12:09:00.001-08:00

A very bad pic of the fire twirler.

Logan in the zone, paying attention to every last detail.

Boys with the "fire twirler"

This was taken from the beach at the Luau, well at least something from the luau turned out.

Make A Wish Luau

2010-01-02T11:42:00.001-08:00

Pictures turned out blury. I was still learning how to use my new camera. Darn it!!!

Here are the boys getting tatoos. Logan decided not to get one because there was a girl giving them. HAHA

Heres Cammie Jean just having fun on the beach.

Me and the boys playing a game.

Brody going for a good throw.
Cammie Jean being goofy.

More of Make A wish

2010-01-02T11:32:00.000-08:00

So yes it is true I am very far behind. But hey I am completing New Years Resolution# 2.......catching up on blogging. I will be better at blogging!!!! I only have 4 months to catch up on. Get ready for a wave of posts.
I love this picture. This was at Sea Life Park!!!

This was the sea lion show. AMazing!!!!

Choose This Day

2009-10-20T21:23:00.000-07:00

Choose This Day

This video is amazing!!! I won't ruin Presidents Eyrings words with mine. Just watch it. I promise you will be uplifted.

Sealife Park

2009-10-04T10:28:00.000-07:00

The Boys loved the turtles. We got to feed them. It was awesome.

I loved this pic!!!

Not sure what they are looking at. More pics of sealife park to come!!!

Pool and More

2009-10-03T10:50:00.000-07:00

The manual focus was still on. Dang it!!!! Boys kept leaning down to see where the water went and then it would splash them in the face. It was funny.

Me and the kiddos.

Jake is smiling now, but little did he know that brody was out like a light and he peed on him. HAHHA Jake just thought he was sweating. HAHAHA

Turtles on the beach!!!

2009-10-03T10:46:00.000-07:00

We saw turtles right on our beach it was sooo awesome!!! Pics are kind of blury I accidently had it on manual focus instead of auto. Dang It!!!