Darcy and Baby Update

This is Darcy's sister Bobbi giving an update on Darcy and baby Maycee.

Maycee Faith Swanson was born September 29, 2009 at 4:18 am weighing 7lbs 9ounces.  She is 37 weeks and 2 days.  Upon delivery, Maycee was experiencing problems breathing.  Ultimately, Maycee was placed on oxygen and more tests were run.  Her lungs turned out to be that of a premeeies and she had to be medi-vacked to Anchorage to Providence Hospital and their NICU.  The life flight team intibated her before she and Aaron took flight and she responded positively to the treatment before the flight and started have a much needed rest.  Aaron and Maycee landed safely in Anchorage and she was checked into the NICU and immediately started improving.  She is not out of the woods yet, and prayers are still needed, but we are very happy with her improvement.  

Darcy is doing very well considering.  She is healing quickly and preparing to drive up with me tomorrow to Anchorage to be with Maycee and Aaron.  Maycee will be in the NICU for 3-7 more days.  Thank you to all of you that have expressed your thoughts and concerns and volunteered to step in and help.  The family is truly grateful for everyone's help, the gift of the priesthood, and the power of prayer.  

Fair Fun Part 1

Okay, I am finally forcing myself to update the blog. Between being to the tired and miserable stage of pregnancy plus the chaos of trying to get this house finished, I have found blogging to be on the bottom of the priority list. However, I know that I will really want these posts in the future, so it's quick and simple for now. 

We decided to take the kids out of school for 2 days a few weeks ago to see the Broadway showing of The Lion King, and do the State Fair the next day. It was well worth it as we had a blast and the weather was incredible!! I managed to drag Aaron to the fair (this happens about once in three years) and we made it through about $300 bucks poorer, but had a great time. These pics are of the 2 girls getting colored extensions in their hair, now a fair tradition. It has been about three weeks since, and they both still are sporting their colors.  

 

Here is Chloee getting ready for her extensions. Notice the chocolate/ketchup stains on the shirt. 

 

Getting glued...

 

...and VIOLA!! Too cute.

Here is big Sis getting some SoHi Blue in her doo.

Poor little Sis missed out on the extensions, passed out from her sugar high, but next year she will be sporting a few colors of her own.

Chloee's Big Adventure

Yes, it's official. We now have 4 kids in school! Crazy how time flies and things change, isn't it? When we dropped our first off to kindergarten, I must admit I cried. After dropping off the fourth, I cheered! Why is that? Anyway, Chloee has LOVED being in school and is so eager to learn new things. She has already made lots of new girl friends and loves her teacher. Here are some pics from her first big day of school.

 

Big sissy showing little sis her new digs. Jolee really misses Chloee during the day, but she will be the big sister in about 6 more weeks.

 

Chloee is showing us where the class does "calendar time". Doesn't she look so grown up?

Chloee standing if front of her cubby. 

Here she is trying to figure out the marker lid. We are so excited for Chloee's new phase of life as a big kid in school. She has been waiting for this for a while and we are eager (and a little scared) to see what adventures she takes us on.

Back to School

Another summer has come and gone and it's time to ship the kids off to school (4 this year!!) Mind you, we have never had a summer quite like this one with building our new house, selling our old one and being homeless. Normally, I take pictures of the kids on their way out the front door, so this year, the Winnebago had to suffice.

  

This is our home in front of our home. My parents were kind enough to let us use their motorhome to spread out our brood. It really hasn't been all bad, but if we don't go camping for a while, that will be fine with me.

 

Can you believe we have a high schooler now? I am really not old enough to be the mother of a freshman, but nonetheless, we sent Haylee off to Soldotna High while Brady is a big 6th grader and Jaron is a 2nd grader at Aurora Borealis Charter School. Haylee is also experiencing the joys of early morning seminary and playing volleyball for Sohi's C team.  Yes, Chloee started kindergarten this year, a few days after the other kids started, but I will save a post just for her big day. 

Jaron's Baptism

Okay, I am a way-behind blogger, but you all know why and I am sure will cut me some major slack! Anyway, we finally downloaded some pics from our eventful summer to share. A huge event for our family was Jaron's baptism in July. I think I blogged about it in an earlier post, but didn't have any pics to share, so enjoy the following:

Okay, so here is a reality shot if I ever saw one!! This is what it looks like when herding children while pregnant to get some semblance of a peaceful family photo.

 

Can you say "high blood pressure"? Notice Haylee's death grip on Jaron's shoulder! This is when we sing "Love at Home".

 

AAAANNNNDDD....we did it! What a happy family!

Here is the whole crew, minus Aaron's side of the family who were in California at the time. It really was a wonderful baptism and the spirit was strongly felt by all. We are grateful for the gospel and our family!

I am ONLINE!

As of today, we have wifi at our new house...we don't have the house yet, but I can get on the web from the motorhome! I am not a huge web fan, but it is amazing how cut off you are from the world when you don't have access to modern technology. At least something is going right. As far as the house goes, we are making progress. I am currently listening to my tile guy's saw busily cutting through the floor tile. After having to get a little testy with him, our mason is on the job pretty much full time as he should be. I have only had one breakdown (at 3am the other night), so I figure I am doing pretty well considering the circumstances. The weather has been great so the exterior of the house is now receiving its chosen color...and I love it! You never know how paint is going to turn out, but so far, everything we have chosen is coming out beautiful. I am seriously planning on digging the camera out from wherever it is buried to give you all some updated pics. Until then, we are still camping.

We are Still Here!

Okay, we have not fallen off the face of the earth, though at times I wish I could. I am writing this in our local library because we don't have Internet access in our home on wheels, but here is a quick update. We are currently living in our motor home in the drive way of our new house. Needless to say, life is pretty stressful right now, but we have faith that it will pay off soon. As for the house, doors are going in, tile floors are being laid, we have 4 of the 7 toilets in, but they don't have water yet. The bathroom vanities can go in shortly and sinks and counters follow soon after that. Most of the lighting is in and is beautiful! Our trim is turning out gorgeous and really sets the rooms off. We still have no definitive time frame, but school starts in a week and a half, and I don't think we will make it in by then. Sorry Hay, you will have to get ready for your first day in high school in the moty!! As for Haylee, she made the volleyball C team and we are so excited for her. The kids are gearing up for school to start, but so far, we cannot seem to get to bed any earlier than 10:30p.m. Ouch! Keep us in your prayers these next several weeks! We are gonnna need them! Gotta run!!