There's so much we can do...

I have a beautiful niece named Ashlynn. She loves horses, music, family and friends. She's a painter, a 4-h -er, a hiker, an adventurer, and explorer. And she brings absolute joy to all who know her. Ashlynn needs help doing the things she loves and was blessed (and vice versa - as her parents would say) with wonderful parents who strive to make her life have all the happiness it can have. At an extremely young age Ashlynn lost her ability to talk and walk, an incredibly frustrating journey ensued to discover the cause and was finally found. Ashlynn was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome. At the bottom of this post I will put a quick description of what Rett Syndrome is - but to get right to the point is this: how can I help? What can I do?

Ashlynn and her family celebrated her 12th birthday this month with an Awareness Party and sent out this information to all who came. "On Feb. 8, 2007 in a landmark study, Dr. Adrain Bird announced that the symptoms of Rett Syndrome were reversed in a genetic mouse model. Breathing and weight normalized, mobility and gait were restored and tremors disappeared! While this study did not present a cure, a proof concept was achieved. Prior to this study, it was believed that a cure would only benefit girls who had not started exhibiting symptoms of Rett Syndrome. Now it is believed that both girls and women will benefit when a cure is found. The search for treatments and ultimately a cure is more crucial now than ever."

We can go to http://www.rettsyndrome.org/ and vote for Pepsi to donate $250K to furthering research for Rett Syndrome. It seriously only takes 2-4 minutes to do. And we have until tomorrow to get as many votes as we can in. And we may be able to try again next month if we don't win it this month. I wish I could personally introduce each of you Ashlynn. Meeting her changes those hard spots inside of me, she makes it easier to love and see the beauty in this world...she makes giving up 2-4 minutes of my day an "of, course" instead of "do, I have the time...?"

We love you Ashlynn!!!

Rett Syndrome is the leading genetic cause of impairment in girls. it is caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene. 95% of girls diagnosed with Rett Syndrome in the United States have this mutation. A girls is born every 5 hours with Rett Syndrome and if effects all ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups. Rett Syndrome is 1 of 4 diseases primarily affecting females. 20% of all girls and women who have Rett Syndrome may never walk at all, and about 1/4 of those who do walk will lose the ability. 80% of those affected by Rett Syndrome will experience at least one seizure in their life. Approximately 90% are at risk for some degree of curvature of spine. The most severe handicap in Rett Syndrome is apraxia, which is the difficulty to carry out thought to purposeful action. Most girls and women live with near constant repetitive hand movements while awake, irregular breathing and sleep patterns, as well as gastrointestinal issues.

If you would like to help, donations can be given directly to Ashlynn or made on Ashlynn's very own donation page found at http://firstgiving.com/utahangelwalk. On behalf of Ashlynn , her parents and the hundreds of people who know Ashlynn and love her - thank you. Thank you for taking the time to become aware.

How do you stop time...

I was organizing my pictures and found these of my girls...I think most moms look at their children's pictures and want to freeze time and keep that day of "taking your baby to college" from coming too soon. But I can't (and I spent a few insane, post-partum days channeling all my mental energy into trying to freeze my girls rapid growth...didn't work...) and I love all the joy that's come with letting them grow anyway, but not too deep below the surface is still that part of me that tries to tap into the mysterious percentage of our brain that will make it happen... Liberty's blessing day, she was sleepy and tired of being kissed!

MY family!!!

I love seeing the baby fat in my girls' cheeks...mine, not so much...

So much "sisterhood" surrounds and protects my girls. Here is Liberty being held by her Aunt Heidi and cousin Ashlynn.

Look how little they are!!!

Summers ended and as much as I hate endings they help me remember how priceless every moment is. My goal...a cliche, I know, but it is to try not to let the stuff that has to get done get in the way of treasuring the moments that really matter...

"This is the Place" Park

On their last day in Utah Don and I took the Steveson's to "This is the Place" Park. I had never been and wasn't sure what to expect. I left in even greater awe of the pioneers and wishing I had more time to see everything...on a much cooler day. It was hot! But the kids had a lot of fun doing pioneer chores, listening to bloody stories from the old man in the Bishop's Storehouse, running to catch the train, panning for gold, trading their gold for taffy, riding the ponies, watching their cousins volunteer to be punished by the schoolteacher and a bunch of other stuff I never expected...

Isaac tilling the ground

Autumn trying it too.

Liberty washing clothes.

Joel trying to walk on stilts.

Pioneer gardens.

Bizzie and Jenny

Bill,Isaac, Joel and me.

Schoolhouse.

Isaac being sent to the corner...he had to stand on a stump put his nose to the wall and hold books in the air behind his back until the teacher told him he could get down! And he volunteered!

Emma demonstrating what the teacher would make her wear if she didn't do her homework.

Bizzie riding "Honey."

Ethan being helped down from his wild ride.

Autumn riding "Honey."

This is such a classic summer vacation family shot! If you look closely you'll find one crying child, one sleeping child, two lollipops, 3 frazzled parents, and 10 sunburned faces (minus Joel's, he swears it's his natural coloring...hmmm, denial).

And to all those of you who are still with me and wanting more, here are some video clips:

Dutifully doing chores... and playing.

I added this video because 1) I love capturing proof that our children really are interested in history and 2) I love how they recaptured a pioneer home.

Umm...it would seem whenever animals and kids are in the same vicinity there is inevitably a parent filming it...

This was hilarious (scared Bizzie to death, she was afraid to move in fear the teacher would punish her for something...) but, again, Isaac volunteered!!!

What a fantastic day! Steveson's we miss you guys horribly! Thank you for the memories.

First Day of School

I love it when my girls feel really good about the way they look. Autumn was giddy about her new outfit and it made starting school again that much more exciting. She loves horses and we were grateful we were able to find an outfit with horses on it for the daughter who doesn't care that much about clothes...

Along with starting school is the rejuvenating, after-school homework treat. Liberty and Bizzie had a lot of fun helping me make these chocolate chip cookies and everone had even more fun eating them (especially Don). This recipe has always been my favorite, it makes thick, you-can-bite-into-me, round cookies. Such a great comfort food!!!

Rachel's Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup/ 2 sticks of margarine
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 12 oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• (Optional) 2 oz chopped up semi-sweet baking chocolate squares

Directions:

• Stir together flour, soda, and salt. In a mixer bowl beat margarine together on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add sugars and beat till fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, beat well. Add dry ingredients to beaten mixture, beating till well combined. Stir in chocolate. Drop on ungreased baking sheet 2 inches apart. Bake at 375 degree oven for 8-10 minutes. Remove; cool.

Simple Summer Pleasures...

What a summer! Many big things have happened but mostly the summer has passed by in a lazy concoction of simple pleasures...

Sandbox Fun...One of the best investments Don and I made was in the wood we bought to construct a simple sandbox under our large shade tree in the backyard. The girls and their friends will spend hours making tunnels and make-believe lands in the sand. It makes for a lot of sweeping and vacuuming when they come inside,but well worth the happy expressions!

Taylor and Autumn digging a tunnel.

Bizzie found a spoon for a shovel and Liberty just wants to be part of the fun.

Isaac made a very impressive mud mountain.

Ice Cream and Popsicles...Lots and lots of cold treats this summer! You'll note that in most of the pictures it is rare to find Liberty in anything but a diaper... the laundry became too much...

More Time with Dad... With all the girls home all the time (no swim lessons, fewer play dates, etc.) it's been easier to do more spontaneous things with Don. Liberty has developed an interest in books lately and wants the same book read over and over, this is a picture of Don's 4th time through a book on animals and Don had begun to add his own storyline that had more to do with destroying the animals....



The initials on the tree are Don's grandparents. They loved this area of the mountains.

Beautiful Autumn.

Small as she is Molly is full of energy and loves our hikes.

Bizzie and one of her famous poses.

I love Liberty's expression in this!

New Beginnings... We have been waiting and working for quite sometime for Jenny and Bill to join the Raymer family from the Congo. A sincere thank you for all who cared for, supported and prayed for them as they made their journey to America. And though, as you'll see in a minute, this is out of order here is their first hike into Utah Mountains and their farewell to Congo friends and plane trip here.

Bizzie and Bill looking at the Payson Grotto waterfall.

All of us with the Utah County Valley behind us.

Devil's Kitchen: Julia, Jenny, Bizzie, Rachel, Liberty, Autumn & Bill.

Autumn warming up in the sun after taking a soak under the waterfall!

Bill

Jenny and Don messing around in the Congo at Bernard's home. (Bernard's family watched over the kids until we could get them here.)

Jenny, good friend, and Bill.

Jenny and Bill with Bernard's family.

Bill and Jenny in the Paris airport waiting for their connecting flight to Utah (11 hours done, 11+ more to go...)

BBQ's and Fireworks... The 24th, and any other occasion we can think of is cause for an Olsen BBQ. It's one of Don's and my favorite summer activities. The smells, the foods, the families and friends - all create a high enjoyment factor!

Grandma Raymer and Bizzie at our house.

Jenny and Bizzie

Jessie

Autumn trying to get her sparkler going.

Bizzie protecting her ears from the noise (she hates loud noises) while showing me the firework she was going to light.

Grandma Raymer protecting Liberty's eyes from the flashing strobe fireworks.

Here's just a quick nod to our TRUE BLUE blood. Autumn spent the week at a BYU Cheerleading day camp. She loved it!

Pretty Girls and Water... I understand that I am bias but I think my girls are gorgeous (inside and out)! Here are pictures of pretty them and a glimpse of Liberty discovering the joys of a dripping hose.

Bizzie

Autumn

A good ol' boy picture of Liberty and our dog, Molly.

The fascinating drip.

Liberty and the drip:)

More drips and wetness...

Storms and Minnows... This was a fun day. There was a freak storm on a hot, muggy day and the girls wanted to watch it while they ate popsicles. I managed to snap a shot of them before they caught on and looked around at me. Then later that day, between soaking rains and lightening storms, we went to a park and caught minnows in a bottle.

And finally the highlight of the summer... Cousins and Freezing Water... We were so excited to have the Steveson's here with us for 3 weeks. This is the day we went up to the Spanish Fork Resevoir, the water was...invigorating... Jenny and Liberty

Mary studying for her Human Anatomy Final which she got an "A" on!!!

Ethan spent most of his time digging.

Bizzie posing...

Emma and Bizzie (who is posing...)

Sadie, Autumn, and Isaac

Frozen Autumn

I had to get a good picture of Isaac's cool teeth!

Bill

Emma soaking up the heat form the sand.

Finally Sarah and I took the plunge, it reminded us of our younger days trying to enjoy ourselves in the glacier lakes of Washington!