Tender Mercies from the Lord and our sweet BrynnLe

This has been a crazy few months! Our family has been changed for good. We will never be the same. I have contemplated how to share our new adventure with others, not because I am ashamed, but because it has been a very sacred time for us. It has also been a time of sorrow and adjustment for Eric and I. As most of you know we have 4 boys! I love my boys. I love being a mom of crazy busy and loud boys. I never really saw me having a girl after all of these boys. I love football, wrestling, baseball and all the "boy" things. I love watching them play sports and learn and grow. After our 4th son we knew our family was not complete yet! WHAT???? It took some time but we finally gave into the feelings. It took some time, over 4 years to get our next one coming, but what a surprise it was when we found out SHE was coming to our family. friends and family all celebrated with us for the next 6 months. Our life was being invaded by pink and bows and more pink! What a great 6 months we had planning for our princess to come. All the plans of dance lessons, mom and daughter outings and all the fun things I did with my mom and sisters. I would get to buy her dresses, prom dresses and help plan a wedding! I was so excited, but deep down I kept it all to myself. I didnt' want to jinx it and have her really be a boy! It was hard for me to really grasp the concept of a girl. I think this was one way the Lord was preparing me for what was to come. I always had a strange feeling that things would be different, I just didn't know how different they really would be. I am thankful for the tender mercies the Lord has given me and my family. I am thankful for the joy BrynnLe has brought us all. I love her so much...my life is forever changed. Not as I had planned, but that is ok. On April 29, 2013 at 8:45pm BrynnLe Larsen made her entrance into this world...three weeks before planned. Here is her story: Her kidneys had been enlarged on an off and we had been monitoring them with an ultra sound each week. At 36 & 1/2 weeks the dr. noticed that the umbilical cord had herniated and that her left kidney was twice the size of the right. They felt it would be best to induce at 37 weeks, to make sure she stayed healthy. We had a family fast on Sunday and both Eric and I received blessings. We both felt comforted, but I had a strange feeling that BrynnLe was not mine. The Lord poured his Spirit out on me that day. I knew that I BrynnLe was a daughter of God and that she was merely on loan to me an our family. I know that all our children are His, but the feeling I had was overwhelming. I had this feeling several time throughout my pregnancy, but didn’t really pay much attention to it. I said it was hormones! :) A little after her birth, Eric and I sat alone in the hospital room marveling over our beautiful little baby girl. Oh how we felt her strong spirit and a deep love for her. We were talking about who she looked like...she has Eric's eyes, my mouth and round head. She looked a lot like Abraham! She is perfect! And she has beautiful light brown hair. The Dr. came in to check on us and let us know he had a few concerns about BrynnLe. He told us she had some soft signs of Down Syndrome. She has a simian crease in her hands, slanted eyes, small and low placed ears. He wanted to do a chromosomal test and we agreed. Eric and i were then left alone once again....shock, anger and sadness came over us both. We just cried! We were mourning the life we thought we had lost because of her having Down Syndrome, the things we were going to miss out on. Then we realized this was not about us! To us, she was perfect, she is our baby girl, she was going to be fine and have a great life! The next morning I phoned my parents and told them what the Dr. had informed us the night before. My dad assisted Eric in giving BrynnLe a blessing. She was then taken to get her blood drawn for the test. Eric and I prayed and prayed. We received a confirmation from the Spirit that she did have down syndrome. We still waited and maybe even hoped for the results to come back negative. She had an ultrasound on her kidneys and they were back to normal size and working well. What a blessing. Thursday Eric went to work and mom came out to be with me and BrynnLe. Dr. Evans came to the house around 1:30pm. My heart sank as I knew what he was going to say. The test came back positive. He wanted to tell us in person and I was so thankful for his kindness. I texted Eric and asked him to come home. I wanted to tell him in persone. Dad came out and assisted Eric in giving me a blessing...it was beautiful and very comforting. Over 50% of Down Syndrome babies have a heart defect. So her Dr ordered an echocardiogram. Once again we were fasting and praying that her little heart would be whole. This would increases her lifespan and would influence her overall heath. On top of this she was jaundice so we were testing that everyday! On Wednesday May 8th we found out that she has a strong and normal heart. We are so thankful for her health. We count her a one of our choicest blessings. She is beautiful. She is our princess. Her spirit if felt by those who hold her. We could not be more happy with our new addition. BrynnLe is a daughter of God! It is our privilege to be her parents and family here on earth. What a great journey it will be to watch her grow!

Life is so great with our little one. We still have unanswered questions about what life will hold for her and our family. We are so very blest to have great family and friends who offer love and support! We are so thankful for all the amazing people in our lives. We blessed BrynnLe this past week and it was such a great day. We felt the spirit so strong as we entered into the chapel. Eric sat down and turned to me during the opening song and said, "this is not good", he was already in tears. I tried chocking back the tears but couldn't. We were both on a spiritual high. He gave BrynnLe a blessing that was so unique, just like her. I could tell he struggled as to what to say as he was sorting out what he wanted for her and what the Lord had in mind for her. I don't think there were many dry eyes in the congregation that day. It was so wonderful to have most of my family there to share in such a sacred and special day for our family. What a blessing! Then we all ventured to Matt and Lisa Cardons home. What a great time we had there. It was nice to be together and enjoy each others company.

Kamren is 8 years old!

I am way behind on the whole blog thing. Computer problems...so this will not have all the cute little photos of Kamren that I would love to post! I am in Tahoe with the family and using Emily's computer!

August 6, 2002 we were living in Citrus Heights, Calf. and staying with Erics family just incase I went into labor, that and they had a better air conditioner than us. It happend to be the hottest summer in years! I recall it was over 105 for over a week...not fun. Finally, almost 2 weeks after his due date I was induced at the Roseville hospital. Eric and Nana Larsen were there for the birth of Kamren, he was so big (7lbs 10 oz) and had a crooked smile and crooked pouty face. He was so adorable! Visitors included, Emily, Katie, Grandpa, Grandma Hill and a few friends from the ward.
Eric had a meeting the day I was released from the hospital so Nana Larsen picked up kamren and I and took us to their home for the day. I remember it being hard to sleep and just wanting to hold my baby, but his aunties and nana wanted him. I did my best to rest!
It was a HUGE adjustment to have a baby again. Kamren was an eater and wanted to nurse every couple hours. He was not a fussy baby, thank heavens. Robbie loved his brother and just wanted to hold him and play with him. A few days after Kam was born Nana Cardon came for a week. we had so much fun with her.
Kamren was a quiet little boy who just wanted to keep up with his brother. When he was 1 1/2 we moved to Idaho, this is where he began his love of animals. He got a kitten when we first moved into our home. Kamren went to speach theropy, he was not talking much by the time he was 2 1/2, and ever since he has not stopped talking.
Kamren is named after my dad, Boyd, that is his middle name.
Kamren loves sports, loves to read, loves to play games, loves to cuddle (I hope he does not grow out of this soon)
He is so excited to be baptised in Sept. He has been talking about it all year. We love Kamren and are pleased with his example that he is to his brothers. He loves to be with his family and is good with his brothers. Kamren is a hard worker and he enjoys school. Kamren has a very tender heart and is such an important part of our family. He keeps us laughing.
- once we were talking about presidential elections and we were saying that Lincoln had ran twice and won. He looked at me and said, "mom, Lincoln must have been a fast runner" confused I asked why he thought that(maybe because he was tall, it what I thought). He replied, "if he ran twice and won both times he has to be a fast runner" We all got a laugh out of that, then explaind what an election was!

I am now at home and things have not settled down! Kamren will be baptised this week end. I cannot believe we will have 2 children that are old enough to be baptised. Kamren is so excited for this day and has been counting down for this to happen.
When Robbie was baptised we had a private service, Eric's parents were in town so it made it easier for all to do our own. Kamren wanted his to be private, but the Stake does not like it, so we are doing it with the Stake. Kam has been a little sad about not being able to plan his service as Robbie did, luckly they asked us to provide the musical number! He asked his aunts to sing!
Robbie was our first baptised, he had his grandpas both talk, his uncle play his chello, and his aunts pray...he had ALL his family there. Poor Kamren is feeling like a second wheel...he is feeling the fun of being the second. My parents are serving a mission and there is no way they can be here, Eric's parents are most likely not coming due to some conflicts at his work. Neither of Eric's sisters are coming, my sister from Utah is not coming...needless to say Kamren is feeling a little down. I am thankful for those who will be here on this amazing day, the Johnsons, Webers and Browns. Kamren knows that it does not matter who is there, he will still get the gift of the Holy Ghost and he will still be washed from all his sins. I am thankful for his great understanding, he is amazing and we love him!

CRazY LiFe

This year Eric and I are in charge of the Cardon Family reunion. This entails getting a place to stay, setting the dates, planning activities and the food! We did delegate a few activities to family members so we are all involved. I spent countless hours searching for the perfect place to hold the reunion. A place we could all stay together, yet have our own room for each couple. After many searches I found a place in Ashton Idaho. Not ideal because it was close, but ideal because it was close! It comes with pros and cons, will people run home or stay the entire time?
I have been planning the food, games, activities, some crafty stuff...all the good stuff the comes with a reunion. things were set and I felt really good about it. The reunion is to take place July 23-26. I needed things to be all set as July is always a crazy month. Already we have had Erics grandmother and dad visit for a couple days, my sister, her kids and her fiance for a weekend, and then my parents for four days! It has been a whirlwind of a month and it is going to get even more crazy!
Last Wednesday the owner of the the lodge we are/were renting phoned and told me that they had lost there permit and could not reopen yet. He offered to help find a new location...right a week before July 24th weekend we are going to find a place. I found and booked this one over a year ago! My mom and I searched for over an hour and could not find anything. The owner could not find anything...we even tried pulling some strings...I felt defeated and beaten down. Of course this would happen when it was our turn! But, the show must go on. Luckily, I have a wonderful sister and Brother in law who offered their home, thus saving our reunion. So, sadly our reunion is now to be in Rexburg. I know that it was a disappointment to many, believe me, I shed my share of tears over this entire thing. I have planned, re planned and changed things again. It has been so stressful and frustrating and heartwarming all at the same time. I am thankful to have a wonderful family that is supportive and loving and understands that it is being together that matters.
I hope that the things we have planned will please most, I know it is impossible to please everyone.
To add to the craziness, I have pack meeting the week following, my sister is getting married...on Kamrens 8th birthday, (he is a little bummed as this is a huge birthday in our home), we are heading to Tahoe after the wedding! Then home in time to get the kids ready for school...then Kamren will be baptised! What a wonderful CRAZY summer we will have had! I love my boys, they are all so great!

Fun in the Sun!

For Christmas the boys got a skim board, this is like a slip and slide only longer. You fill it with water and then you have a board that you stand on and try to skim across the 26 foot slide. The boys have had so much fun playing on this. I even tried it one day! I made it about 1/4 way down before falling! I love summer and I love having the boys all home, even the times they are fighting!





We had two visitors yesterday, Grandpa Larsen and G.G. We went to Bear World. We had a lot of fun loking at the animals and petting them in the petting zoo. Abe loved dancing and chasing all the chickens, birds and anything with feathers. The moose they have there is one they adopted in 2005. It was in the petting zoo as a baby and kamren did something to irritate it and it went after him!
Summer alway seems to go by quickly. We have already done so much and have a fw more things to look forward to!

David it 4 years old!

Our little David Cardon Larsen was born four years ago today. It was a rainy day, Eric was the only one with me at the hospital and my dear friend Rachel was with our older two boys! It was a wonderful day. Our first red head joined our family! it was a shock to us all, but we love his great personality.
David loves Toy Story and Cars and all that goes with them. He loves to wrestle around with his dad and brothers. His latest thing he loves to play frisbee with his dad. He likes riding his bike, jumping on the trampoline and playing with his friends.
He is a true boy who keeps me running all day long. I love this little boy more than you can say. He is a ball of fire that keeps us laughing. He has his little quirks, but we love them. Happy Birthday David! You have been waiting for this day for a long time, we started the count down about a month ago.

A treat for the older boys!

So a package came in the mail today! It is a special gift for Robbie and Kamren from their Nana and Grandpa Larsen! Red California Singlets! They are going to be so excited! I can't wait for them to get home from school!


They came home and I sent them to their room for "not making their beds" and a few minutes later, they were both upstairs in their new singlets! They were so excited, and wore them for a bit. It was fun to see how much they loved their gifts! Great idea Nana and Grandpa! We hope they bring them some luck next month.


Two cute boys!

Showing the California on the side!

Cuties!

Robbie wrote this report for school. I thought he did a great job, also I remember this day. I remember sitting in class watching this happen. Then I remember in our year end program singing a song about it.


Robert Larsen
The Challenger

3…2…1…the Challenger takes off in Florida at 11:38a.m. The Challenger had been delayed many times, but not on January 28, 1986, despite the weather conditions. NASA managers did not listen to the warnings from engineers about the dangers of launching that came with the low temperatures of that morning and they failed to report these concerns to their bosses. The cold weather caused o-rings to crack, this was not known before the launch. NASA managers also knew that contractor Morton Thiokol's design of the SRBs had a potentially fatal flaw in the O-rings since 1977, but they failed to deal with it correctly. Inside the three engines, liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen mixed. If these two substances mix, they will explode.
Things seemed to be going perfect until black smoke suddenly came from the right SRB (solid rocket booster), it had failed at liftoff. Hot gasses came through the booster seals. Booster seals are also called o-rings. O-rings are made of rubber so the o-rings began to burn and wear away. The NASA officials did not notice the problem before takeoff. Seventy-three seconds into the flight, the Challenger broke apart as a result of the leak in one of the two solid rocket boosters that ignited the main fuel tank. The spacecraft exploded over the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of central Florida at 11:39a.m.
The explosion became one of the most significant events of the 1980’s. Billions of spectators, including school children all around the world watched live as the Challenger fell apart. The seven crew members did not survive the incident. The exact times of the deaths are unknown, several crew members are believed to have survived the initial breakup, but the shuttle had no escape system. They are believed to have been killed on impact with the oceans surface. The crew consisted of: Dick Scobee, the flight commander, the pilot, Michael J. Smith, three mission specialist; Ronald McNair, Judith Resnick and Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis was the Challengers payload specialist and Christa McAuliffe, the first member of the Teacher in Space Project.


A Memorial to the Challengers crew stands in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The Challenger had taken its last flight. It was a sad day for our nation.