Our Eternal Family

I have never been good at blogging, but I think it's important for my family to have this years down the road.

 Last July Aaron, Cordellia, and I traveled across the country to move to Fort Lauderdale Florida, as Aaron was to start optometry school in August. We were so excited and scared, but eager to move on with this part of life. I was 12 weeks pregnant with our little boy when we moved out here, so there were changes all over the place. We finally got settled in, with a huge thanks to my parents who are serving as mission presidents out here. The fall quickly passed by as Aaron finished up his first semester, Cordy was potty-trained, and I grew very fast. We were so excited for Christmas to come because our little guy would be here early January. Family came for Christmas, and we loved all of the company, but I just couldn't shake the anxiety the began setting in as our little guy's due date grew closer.

 Just as Aaron's second semester started our little boy Everett Lyle King was born on January 11th via c-section. We were heartbroken, and so lost in finding out that he had quite a few health problems, that would keep him from living on this earth for very long. Those moments are some of the worst any parent can ever imagine. I have never been so confused and frustrated knowing that I couldn't keep my perfect little boy. We spent hours and hours in the NICU soaking up every bit of time we could have with him. We got to hold him and love him, and spend hours holding his little hands through his little isolet. It was so hard to not have him in my arms like we were planning, free from his tubes and wires....His nurses and doctors couldn't have been more loving, caring, and inspired, after 18 long, but oh too short of days in the NICU they gave us the OK that we could bring him home with us. We were so excited to have our family all together, to just be a family (Cordy wasn't allowed to spend much time in the NICU).

Bringing him home, was amazing, but also so hard: knowing that the time we had wouldn't be enough, it would never be enough. I can truly say that we had a little bit of heaven on earth though: having our babies together. As a mom there is nothing better than to see my children love each other. So much of our little boy's life on this earth is sacred, and we hold it so close to our hearts. We had a little over 5 days at home with our angel before his Heavenly Father called him back home. Life has never been so hard....

 Life is oh so hard. It's hard to sleep, hard to wake-up to a reality you were hoping was just a nightmare, hard to go to the grocery store, hard to talk to friends or even family, hard to cook, or laugh....it all hurts, and at times it makes me so bitter and just ready to give up.....But through these sleepless nights, never ending streams of tears, and a heart and arms that ache to hold and love my sweet little boy, I have found that my Heavenly Father loves me. I know that as much as I ache and long for my baby, somehow he needed him more than I do, which is hard to imagine, but I have learned I need to trust him. I have gained a testimony of the Plan of Salvation, I KNOW I will see and hold my angel again, and I fight through the tears with that knowledge, that he is mine for eternity. 

Everything is hard, everything hurts, and I hate that it all hurts, I sometimes try to fight that fact that this is my new life, but I am trying so hard to be at peace with it. To put my trust in God, and know that his plan is perfect. The pain can just be so immense at times, and I have never felt more alone than I have these past 6 months. It's strange how life is so different, we were so carefree and happy. I miss that. It's hard to make friends here because no one gets me, I don't even get me. I feel so fragile at times, I long for love and support and hugs, and whenever someone does have the courage to hug me or genuinely ask how I am, I just breakdown.

 Through this all, and so much more, I have found a deeper love for both of my babies, a purer, and even greater love, as well as for my husband. I have come to know without a doubt that my Heavenly Father knows and loves me, and that every detail in our son's short earthly life was orchestrated by him. I hold onto this as I begin another month of working on becoming strong, because that is the only option I have right now.

These are some quotes I have read over and over again this past 6 months, I'm not sure of the authors though, I will have to look them up

-I can do hard things

-This is my new life, and even at times it doesn't feel 'oh so good' it truly is

-Gratitude on a daily basis means we express appreciation for what we have NOW without qualification for what we had in the past or desire in the future

-Expect nothing, appreciate everything

-There is a sacred relationship between suffering and spirituality

-We should not ask God to lighten our loads, but to strengthen our backs

ahemm.......we are still here

Wow, what can I say about the last 6 months.....Let me recap as much as I can

August
We went to Michigan for a week! It was a blast. We went camping with Aaron's family, Cordy's first time, and had a blast with his family :)
Cordy and I went down to El Paso to spend time with the Herrmann family, and for me to squeeze in some more photo shoots. While we were there I got a terrible phone call from Aaron, telling me he got hit on his scooter, and that he had a concussion. Of course I freaked out, he wasn't wearing his helmet, and he was in the hospital. Not to mention he called me 17 times telling me over and over again the same things because he didn't remember anything. So we changed flights and flew home a couple days earlier to nurse poor daddy back to health....needless to say Pegasus is up for sale

September
Aaron started applying for Optometry schools while he was finishing up some classes at UVU. He applied to 2 schools in California, one in Florida, Houston, and Michigan.
He celebrated the big 2-6.

October
Cordy was Minnie Mouse for Halloween. She loved getting candy, but got pretty tired after a few houses. But daddy carried her along, determined to fill her little bucket (not only for her benefit :)

November
The Herrmann's came up to visit Creighton's family, but we got to keep Kristen and Haiden for a few days before they went up. We had a lot of fun. Cordy enjoyed her little cousin.
We drove out to San Diego to spend Thanksgiving with the Schrocks! We had a blast, and Cordy taught Jovi (doe-doe) some new tricks, like how to throw toys off their balcony.....haha yeah
Found out Aaron Had an interview in FLORIDA! Wahoo
I finished editing a book of poetry, and started editing a novel.

December
We all flew out to Florida for Aaron's interview. Cordellia had fun with all of the missionaries, and got to swim a lot in Nana and Papa's pool (this was December mind you). We went on an airboat ride, and saw lots of aligators. Daddy and Papa got to sit on one, and Cordy got to hold a baby one. We did lots of shopping, and had some fun making some holiday treats! (I can't forget our awesome toffee experience, I was stirring the toffee and noticed towards the end there was white chunks in it, and pulled the spatula out and it was gone....haha)
Spent Christmas up in Utah at our little apartment. Cordy got a bike, a mrs. potato head, and a barbie she named Congo...don't ask. Those were her favorite things anyways. She LOVED opening presents, and opened most of mine and Aaron's too ;)
She has been loving to help me bake...it is so cute. We put our aprons on, hair in pony tails, and wash our hands (she reminds me if I missed something) She sits on the counter and helps to pour and stir. We get a lot of ingredients spilt, but it's a lot of fun. Ha, and when I'm not looking the little stinker sticks her fingers in the bowl, shoves them in her mouth and lets out a very audible mmmmm. She is really just too cute.

January
Aaron got an interview for Michigan! So once again we all packed our bags, and left to go see grandma and grandpa. Cordy got everyones name down, even the dog, ha, she bossed "Miggie" (really Maggie) around quite a bit. We had lots of fun with grandma and grandpa (we surprised grandma, which was a blast!) And pulled Cordy around in a sled.....overall had an awesome time.
Aaron got excepted into FLORIDA!!!! We were SOOOOO thrilled, and feel extremely blessed. So we will be moving in July!!
Cordy had her second birthday! ahhh, I can't believe she's a toddler now. She talks so much, and just makes friends with EVERYONE. Even on the plane, as we're walking down the aisle to get to our seats, she pats everyone on the knee as she walks down and says "Hi," "Hewo" they all just laugh and get big smiles on their faces. One even asked her if she was running for office. Thats our little girl. We're thinking of giving her a can to go around with :) haha

anyways, here are som photos :)

AHHHH, LIFE!

It has been forever since I have posted here. And here is a recap of our past two months.



June—Cordy and I both went to our first carnival! It was a lot of fun, she rode a few rides with daddy, while I took pictures. This child loves adventure, she would seriously go on roller coasters if she was allowed. She now makes multiple animal noises (duck, snake, monkey, dog, cat, bird, fish, donkey, chicken, cow...) She loves her animals. Aaron took her to petsmart yesterday and she about freaked out, wanting to touch all of them. We have to be so careful with her! Just the other day we were playing outside, and a lady was walking her dog—Cordy squealed, and ran as fast as she could towards it, saying whu whu whu (dog noise). She gives the cutest kisses now too, and is obsessed with putting her doll to bed, and telling her "nigh nigh." And she's a pro at blowing bubble now too, she calls them "buh buhs" She absolutely LOVES books. She would rather read than even play outside or watch tv. She points at everything, wanting me to tell her what it is....

My parents came up to Utah to go to the MTC for less than a week, before they headed out to Florida. We had so much fun with them, and it's been amazing how the spirit has entered out lives since then. They are experiencing so many incredible things, and it strengthens my testimony every day! We were sad to see them go, but we are excited for the opportunity they are having.

We also roadtriped with uncle Seth up to Turlock to visit Cordy's first King cousin, Baby Beckham. We stopped at the Salt flats and got some fun pictures. We were able to make it for Beckham's blessing. It was great seeing Grandma and Grandpa, and Nate and Mckae; we had a blast. We also said goodbye to some dear friends of ours who moved back to Idaho! There is so much transition happening to everyone but us right now!

July—Aaron got a scooter...he's been begging me forever for one. I finally broke down and told him if he could find a GOOD one at a certain price he could get it. I didn't think it would be possible, but less than 24 hours later he had one. He ended up bargaining the ksl owner down %60 of what she had listed it on KSl for! That crazy kid. I also photographed my first wedding, and attended an all day long photography class, which was so helpful! Things have been really picking up lately, and I couldn't be more excited. I also edited my home bishops book, which was amazing. And I am now editing my neighbors book. Hence why I haven't been blogging! But I couldn't be happier because I feel so blessed. Oh, and I also highlighted my hair!! Ahh, it is so light to me, but I think I'm liking it. And while I was getting that done, Aaron spoiled our little girl :) he got her a mini pink camleback (on sale too)! It's the cutest thing ever. She loves her dad's and is always sipping water out of it when she can get a chance, so he broke down and got her one too. He also bought her a dog bed...haha, she loved the (clean) one at Mckae's parents house, so he thought it would be a fun big pillow for her....oh boy, it will be a while until I leave them alone together again ;)

I just love my family!

MAY

This May was crazy, but oh so fun. We had a reunion down in El Paso, fo my parents last hoorah, before they go to their mission. My wonderful hubby let Cordellia and I fly down early to spend a little quality time the the rents. We had a blast! The kids all had fun playing together, swimming, walking to the park, playing at the cabin, going to the zoo, fishing....you name it, we did it. It was fun this year because all of the babies are now almost one and a half! And little Bennie is already eight months! I just love my nieces and nephews, they all have adorable personalities, and are the cutest things you ever did see. Cory did amazingly well too, sleeping wise she did incredible, and she played rather nicely with the little ones. She finds other little kids just hilarious, she giggles, and sometimes laughs hysterically if they are acting silly.

We all had a sack race, jumprope contest, and a few evenings ALL the adults played dance-off... Talk about a good time :)

And on my birthday, Cordy actually said birth-day.... it was so fun!!! She only said it like three times that day, and then decided she didn't want it to be part of her vocabulary....but it made the day that much more special!