Kesslyn's Birth Story

It was 12:30 a.m. on Monday, August 31st when I was abruptly awakened by a loud "POP!"

My water had broken and our little baby girl was ready to come!!!
I rolled over to Clint and said,
"My water just broke and this little baby is coming on the school deadline!"
I could hardly believe what was happening...

I remember feeling very excited, nervous, and confused all at the same time...

I got up out of my bed and went straight to the bathroom.

The gushing of water that kept on coming confirmed what I already knew...

Kesslyn Natalia Trickett would be born TODAY, August 31st, 2015!

I stood at the sink brushing my teeth and putting my make up on (Yes, putting my make up on! ;)

But I felt kind of nervous and felt a little unprepared.

With 5 weeks left until my due date, I had not packed my hospital bag nor made any arrangements for my other children...

I asked Clint to go and wake Kierra so that we could tell her what was happening. She too was a little confused as she was half asleep when Clint told her that I was going to have the baby.

She lay in her bed for a minute and then promptly JUMPED out of bed when she realized what Clint was saying! 

She came in the bathroom with Clint and I where I began telling each of them what to do...

My instructions were very passive as I myself was still in shock with what was happening, so I finally said, "Kierra, will you Google What to Pack in a Hospital Bag?"

We all began laughing at the humor in this situation!!! At this point smiles and laughter came easily...

We were excited and my contractions hadn't started....YET...

We packed my bag, got in the car, and headed to the hospital still feeling quite relaxed...but my mind was blazing 100 miles per hour thinking of all of the things that I still needed to do today, the people that I would need to contact, and arrangements that would need to be made...

"I guess the 8 dozen hamburgers and hot dogs we ordered for the block pool party that we were hosting for today won't be needed!!!"

"I'll have to call Lorelei to let the neighbors know we won't be hosting a party since we are kind of busy HAVING A BABY!!! :)"

"I need to call Laura so she can be ready to come take the baby's pictures..."

"How long should I wait to call Laura?"

"Who can help my kids get off to school?"

"The kids are going to be soooo excited!!!"

"I can't wait to finally meet her..."

Those were just a few of my thoughts as we were driving to the hospital which is only about 10 minutes from our house...

THEN, as we slowly walked into the hospital, my contractions began to come...

I KNEW this would be quick, and my thoughts started changing...

"She's 5 weeks early...I hope she will be OK..."

"Oh No...This hurts..."

"I've never had a natural child birth before...with my blood clots and blood thinner I won't be able to have any pain medication or an epidural...Oh No...this is going to hurt..."

We checked in at the nurses station where they took my information and promptly took me to my room...I changed into my lovely blue gown, laid down in the hospital bed, and took a deep breath...

It was now 1:43 a.m.

Upon arriving at the hospital I was only dilated to a 3, but I knew it would probably progress pretty quickly because my contractions began coming very quickly and very strong...

and besides, this was my 6th baby!!! This should be a piece of cake, right???

"Cake??? Did someone say cake??? All I can say is OUCH!!!..."

In between my contractions Clint and I would talk about what needed to be done next...

I let my mom know we were having a baby!

Tell my sister that we are here at the hospital...

Text Laura and tell her it's time...

Up until this birth, it has always only been Clint and I in the room when our children were born...

But I know everything happens for a reason, and this time, because of my blood clot complications and having this baby NATURAL...I needed a little help. I was so grateful not only for my sweet husband who is ALWAYS by my side, but I was also grateful for my Rockstar nurse, my angel sister Tiffany, and my friend and photographer Laura for capturing it all for me...these are some of life's most sacred moments, and with these pictures to remember it by, tears fill my eyes and I have the same flood of emotion return time and time again when I see them. They are priceless.

This is one of heaven's finest moments when the veil is parted and life begins.

After what felt like forever (and it had only been about an hour) I asked the nurse to check me because I was sure with all of the pain I was going through, I MUST have been almost fully dilated...I was soooo discouraged to hear that I had only progressed to a 4... But, there was a moment of laughter as my sister Tiffany pulled up the "Pain Chart" and asked me where my pain level was...
I now knew what a "10" felt like...AWFUL! But we laughed together as I explained that there was no "smiley face" on the pain chart that represented my pain...I told them that it was off the charts and that they needed a "bitter beer face" for pain levels over 10 :) ...

My sweet husband so patiently stayed by my side the whole time...the ice chips helped for about
1 and a half seconds :)...

I remember at one point telling them that I didn't think I could do this...
The pain was so intense, and I knew after I said that, that I really could do it.
 I had to do this.
I had angels by my side and I was so excited to meet our new little angel too...

This picture right here means so much to me.
 Knowing what I was experiencing, and then "holding on"...
and my CTR ring reminding me that THIS is Choosing The Right.
Following God's plan and creating an eternal family with my sweetheart is what I am meant to do.
Being a mother in Zion is what I am meant to do.
Remembering that I can do "hard things" and that in the end it will all be worth it.
Oh so worth it.
(The CTR ring that I wear is the same CTR ring that Clint mailed to me while he was on his mission...it means soooo much to me in soooo many ways...AND it is my Clint Trickett Reminder! :)

I held on tight to my sweetie, breathing and trying to stay in control...
I remember saying "OUCH" a LOT...and although I only progressed 1 centimeter in the first hour that I was at the hospital, the rest went by so fast...
It's almost a blur...
In about the next 2 hours I had completely dilated to a 10 and felt that unbearable urge to "push"...
I only had to push once or twice and in a matter of minutes the intense pain I had been feeling
was suddenly gone...
and I could hear Kesslyn...
The sweetest sound that a mother could hear...

Kesslyn Natalia Trickett was born...It was Monday August 31st at 4:49 a.m.

She weighed 6 pounds and 2 ounces and measured 19 and a quarter inches long...

She is the littlest of all of my angels...but just as sweet...:)

Sometimes, I have no words...

I love him with everything that I have...

These pictures are priceless to me...and speak volumes of the feelings that I experienced that day...
I feel a deep sense of love and connection to my Heavenly Father as I realize that I am helping to bring about an important part in His Plan of Happiness...
I realize that life is precious and we are truly a part of a miracle...

This sweet little baby girl has immediately stolen our hearts.
My "mother's heart" has reached bursting capacity!!!
  I am so blessed...
I love her so much...

Kesslyn's actual due date was October 4th, and so she had joined our family 5 weeks early!
I felt like she heard me talking about her coming to our family and getting to "go to school with Kambriella" by being born on the school deadline :)...
And although we were so happy she was finally here safe and sound we had a few obstacles to overcome...this picture was the last time I saw her that day...
It broke my heart to see her go, but her tiny little lungs were not as strong as they needed to be, so they were taking her away to get her the help that she needed. And although I missed her terribly, I was so grateful for the doctors, nurses, and medical advancements that make life possible.
She is here.
She is precious.
She is mine.
Forever.
:)

6 Kids...

Last February Clint and I went on a trip to Cancun...

It was a little piece of heaven.

But little did anyone else know that it was also a trip that I will never forget... where we spent many late nights talking about our new little "gift from heaven" that would be coming to our family!

Yes! We were pregnant! And soooo excited! :)

It happened late December, and here we were in Mexico only about 8 weeks along...discussing:

"What should we do with our car that only seats 7?"

"I wonder if it will be a boy or a girl?"

"Our kids are going to be so excited!"

"I hope Kambriella will still love it if it's a brother!" ;) ;)

"How should we arrange bedrooms to make room for a little one?"

"No you're not going to be an old dad, you'll just be an even better dad with all that experience!" ;)

"Yes, we will still have our little get~aways just me and you..." ;)

All of this talk of having "one more baby" had been going on for quite some time...

 a couple of years actually. 

I never really had a certain number in mind when we began our family. I just knew that Heavenly Father would be with us on that one, and that we would know when our family was complete.

After Kambriella was born, we were so happy to have another little girl! But, since she had her heart problems and had to have open heart surgery, I felt like the things we were experiencing were all that we could handle for a time...

Later though, when Kambriella was about 4 years old, I would often think to myself, 

"I wonder if we should have another baby?"...

And that was all it was for quite some time....just a "thought."

Then, last summer it seemed like Heavenly Father kept sending me little "nudges"...

I would think about having a baby...

Clint and I began praying about it in the temple...

I began having strange dreams...the kind you only have when you're pregnant!

One of my dear friends even told me that she had a dream that I was pregnant!

My children all kept making comments that we should have another baby...

They would even remind me that the rides at Disneyland would be much funner with 

an even number of riders!!! :)

Kambriella began praying for a sister...

Then, she began praying for 2 sisters...

I could see very clearly that someone was trying to tell me something!

"I think there is one more sweet little spirit just patiently waiting to join this family!"

But I was till scared.

I had so many different thoughts...

"What if we have more heart problems like Kambriella did?"

"It was too scary to have to go through again"...

5 kids is a lot!!! I've done my part... right???

"I want my children to all be close to each other...what about the gap??"

"Don't I have too much grey hair to think about having another baby?"

As you can see, these thoughts were silly, but nonetheless, they were my thoughts. The more I would question myself the more I realized that I was letting fear and NOT faith direct these thoughts...

So, one day after a very meaningful and spiritual conversation with a dear friend I turned to my scriptures. I don't remember what exactly I had read or where in the scriptures I was even reading...but I do remember the Holy Ghost filling my soul and then I had a very distinct thought...

"What are you afraid of? Faith and fear cannot exist together...show your faith..."

From there on I knew what I needed to do...our family was not complete.

So, prayers continued from Kambriella... :) and they were not in vain!

I knew we were expecting and I could hardly stand to hold the secret in! The only part that really kept me a little scared was the fact that Kambriella kept praying for 2 sisters!!! Would I have twins???

No. There was just 1 baby in the ultrasound and that was perfect for me. :)

This ultrasound picture was from when I was 34 weeks along...and the most clear of all the pictures that I had throughout my pregnancy. I just love how you can see her little arm snuggled up by her face and her perfect little features...

Baby bump... about 14 weeks.

Baby bump...about 18 weeks.

When I was about 20 weeks along I was able to have my big ultrasound where they were able to check everything on the baby to make sure it was developing properly. After the heart problems on Kambriella it was a sure relief to see that there didn't appear to be any problems of any kind. 

I was so grateful.

The Dr. also decided to send me to Primary Children's Hospital to have a fetal echo-cardiogram, which is a detailed test of the baby's heart. This is something that they routinely do when there is a history of any previous heart problems, like Kambriella's.

Let me just tell you, after going in for the test, and anticipating the results, I was completely overcome with love from Heavenly Father as I was leaving the hospital.

After the finished test, the Dr. came in and told me that everything looked great and that our little baby's heart looked as healthy as can be! 

As I entered the elevator that would take me down to my car, tears welled up in my eyes...and as the elevator doors closed, I sobbed out loud...in complete gratitude as I heard the Spirit whisper to me once again...

"What were you afraid of? Your faith is stronger than you think..."

I knew that Heavenly Father was blessing me for bringing one more of His sweet children into the world, and I was so grateful to be His partner in this eternal endeavor.

What a privilege...

AAANNNDDD...with the 20 week ultrasound, we found out that we were having a GIRL!!!!!!!!!:)

This is so awesome. Now the Trickett score is tied ~ 3 to 3!!! (3 girls 3 boys;)

Here is how we told the kids:

I bought Hershey's chocolate bars and colored the "SHE" part with a pink permanent marker and then wrapped them up in a neutral gender baby gift wrap. Then I went to pick Kambriella up from my friend who kept her while I was gone to my appointment. So, lucky for her, she was the first one to get a candy bar and unwrap it...I don't think I need to tell you how excited she was to find out that she was getting a baby SISTER!!! :)

Next, Kambriella and I drove to the High School where I knew Kierra and Carew were waiting for me on their lunch break. They were so excited! They had been watching for me to pull up in front of the school, and as soon as I did they both came out. Kambriella and I handed them their candy bars, they opened them up, and both of them literally squealed out loud for joy!!! 

 Then, Kierra began doing the "Happy Dance! " :)

By this time, Dallin and Gavin were due to be home from school. So, we drove home and presented them with their gifts as well...Happy??? Let's just say that there were Smiles all around. :)

Baby bump...about 23 weeks.

Baby bump...about 33 weeks.

Sunday, August 30th ~ The day before she was born!!!

35 weeks to the day. :)

(Clint was watching me get dressed this morning and said he wanted a picture of my big belly...I'm so glad he did! I think he was prompted to...I'm glad he listened to the Spirit!)

I don't think I will ever forget this weekend.

On Saturday the 29th of August, my Sister~in~laws Ginger, Laura, Cherie, and Sara, and my Mother ~in~law Gerry came to my home to give me a baby shower.

 Little did I know that instead of them coming and bearing "gifts," they had come bearing 3 coolers full of freezer meals for me and my family!!!

They had all been sneaky about setting this up...talking to Clint, sharing menu ideas and what I would want to make for my family if I was the one doing the cooking...

So, as they came and we visited for a bit, I kind of thought it was strange that they had all met up in the garage. (Not the coziest place to chat ;)...

But then as we stood there for a minute making small talk, I began to realize what was happening!

Laura said, "Susette, instead of buying you presents, we all decided to make you a bunch of freezer meals for you and your family, to help you out when the baby comes!"

I think I was literally in shock at first. I really didn't know what to say!!!

As we began shifting things around in all of my freezers, emptying coolers and watching my shelves become PACKED with dinners for my family, I then began to get emotional.

SERIOUSLY???

Dinners for my family for HOW many nights???

Every mother knows how priceless this kind of gift is because TIME is one thing that raising a family takes...and with dinner covered for the next few months, this was only yet another blessing from Heavenly Father delivered to me by the angels in my family.

I remember I didn't really have the words to thank them, and I kind of became speechless as I handed out hugs, wiped my tears away, and expressed gratitude in my heart.

It was the perfect beginning to a beautiful day...I was able to go with them all to lunch at Zupas where we laughed and talked. It was so fun.

Then, as we finished up and I headed back home, Clint and I hopped in the car and drove to the Payson Temple where I was able to go through the temple for her first time with my sweet friend McCall Gill. I was her Temple Prep teacher and today was the day she went through the temple for herself. I remember sitting in the celestial room watching her and her family, looking at my sweet husband with admiration, and thinking of our sweet little angel that would soon be coming to earth...

Then, the next morning was Sunday, August 30th.

We woke up early, got ready for church, and drove to Peterson where my dear friend Lisa was having her son's mission farewell. We were so happy for her family, and happy to be able to be there for this milestone celebration in her son's life. We talked, we ate, and after a while we drove back to Bountiful where we stopped at my sister's house. Later that day as we all sat out on her back patio, I will never forget the conversation we had...

I had been thinking so much about this little baby girl that was going to be born soon.

I specifically remember saying,

"Do you know that if this little girl were to come tomorrow, she would be born on the school deadline!?! Then she would be able to go to school for one year with Kambriella!"

(Little did I know what the next 12 hours would bring!!!)

After dinner with my sister, we headed home and got everyone tucked in bed pretty early that night. Being 8 months pregnant and doing everything we had done over the weekend really made me tired and I was so happy to finally be going to bed early for once! 

Clint and I both couldn't believe that we were actually in bed by 9:00 that night! I also remember him saying to me just before we fell asleep,

 "Wow, I don't think we have been to bed at 9:00 in at least 15 years!!!"

It was a great feeling.

I slept so sound. 

But only until 12:30 a.m.

I had been sleeping so peacefully (which was rare for me these days) when I was abruptly awoken by a firm kick, a loud "POP," and a gushing of water!!!

I was in immediate shock and disbelief as I woke Clint and exclaimed,

"My water just broke!!! And our baby is going to be born on the school deadline!!!"

(The rest of the story to come in the next post!)

  :)

I Love the Gospel of Jesus Christ

There are some things in life that remain constant and unchanging for me...

1) The love that I have for my precious eternal family, and my Savior Jesus Christ ~

2) My testimony and the love that I have for the Gospel of Jesus Christ ~

3) My unfailing devotion to both of these!

Life is full and both rewarding and yet challenging at times too.

But the consistency and devotion to these important things in my life, always keep me focused on what matters most, and where I want to be going...

I have forever loved the simple and pure examples that have been set for me by 

our prophet, apostles, and other church leaders.

 I love listening to their rock solid testimonies every general conference. Then, I look forward with great anticipation to reading and re-reading their talks in the following months.

 My soul hungers and is fed as I continue to listen, study, and implement their teachings into my life.

As their loving words are impressed upon my heart and mind, so are their sweet voices, personalities, and testimonies as well.

Since the last general conference, 3 of our beloved apostles have completed their mortal journey, and have passed through the veil into heaven. I can only imagine the great reunion of loved ones that occurred on the other side.

While these beloved apostles will be greatly missed here, their legacies will live on...along with their words of wisdom that will echo through time.

Elder Boyd K. Packer

One of my favorite quotes that he gave :)...

Elder L. Tom Perry

I personally met this gentle giant up in Cache Valley one summer morning at a hotel that we had both been staying at. Our families woke early for breakfast and headed down to the little restaurant where breakfast was being served when we recognized him immediately. Dressed in his khakis and a plaid collared shirt, he was in an intimate family atmosphere, but his countenance shown as bright as ever. I truly see the spirit reflected in the faces of these good men that serve the Lord with all their heart.

As we said hello and passed each other I felt so happy to have been by him. What a neat man...

One of my favorite quotes that he gave :)...

                                                          Elder Richard G. Scott

                                             One of my favorite quotes that he gave :)...

I love general conference and am looking forward to remembering these great men 

and the legacies that they have left...and am looking forward to supporting and sustaining the men 

that will be called to serve after them. What an honor and a privilege!

Each time conference rolls around, I try to find meaningful and memorable ways to celebrate conference...Last conference was actually held over Easter weekend and so our little family did something that we had never done before.

Each one of us would listen to the talks given, and each time we would hear a quote or a phrase that stood out to us, or meant something to us, we would write it down on a tiny little piece of paper...a tiny little notepad.

Then, on Saturday night we collected all of our individual notes and folded them and put them inside of plastic Easter eggs along with a piece of string to hang it with, and we included a note explaining what this was all about!

Then, early Easter Sunday morning we sneaked over to a neighbor's house and hung the eggs on their tree and gave them a "Testimony Tree!"

We chose a neighbor who we knew would love and appreciate the tender messages inside of each egg...then, we crept back home to listen to the last 2 sessions of that general conference.

They will never know WHO planted their "Testimony Tree"...

AND they will never know how much our own testimonies grew as we planted it for them!!!

                                     

The "Testimony Tree"

Can't wait for the next general conference! :)

Carew Joins Riverton High School's Cross Country Team!!! Yippee!!!

When Carew came home from school and told me that he was going to join the cross country team I almost fainted! ;) I thought to myself, "I wonder what her name is? You know, the cute girl that is on the team that he wants to get to know...:)"

I teased him about it and he laughed at me. Actually it was his friends that told him he should do it with them and how much fun they would have...so he joined! And his friends were right. 

It had been so good for him, and they have had such a good time together, surrounded by some amazing, self-motivated, leader type of kids.

I love it!

The team started the season off right at the beginning of the last school year by practicing every morning all summer long at 7:00 am! Do you have any idea how hard it is for a 16 year old boy to wake up at 6:30 in the morning 6 days a week for their entire summer????

Needless to say, Carew slept in a few mornings, but overall has become a champ!

The team had a 3 day Cross Country camp in August where they went camping up the Little Cottonwood Canyon. they went running all over those mountains! I kept telling Carew how jealous I was! I would have loved to do something like that!

On the last day of their camp they invited parents to come and watch and support the kids in a team relay event. Carew's team ended up taking 1st place! It made him feel so happy!!!

And, although this picture doesn't do it justice, here is what one of Carew's very first meets looked like! A bazillion boys lined up on the football field waiting for a shotgun start where they would all funnel down the field and out a fence to the race course. It was crazy how many kids were there!

Clint and I took a walk around to the other side of the course where we stopped and watched all the runners as they came barreling through  these hurdles of hay bales! Some boys flew through tripping and smashing to the ground into the hay, while others, like Carew never missed a step!

Way to go Carew! :)

High knees!  High knees! You're awesome Buddy! :)

Here is a picture of Carew after he came through the finish line...feeling awesome and accomplished!

I'm not even sure what place he took, but at this point with thousands of other racers, you learn to be happy with your own personal goals. I think Carew finished the course in a sub 13 time which was what he wanted! Great job Carew!

I could not be more pleased and proud with Carew's decision to join the cross country team! He is setting goals, achieving them, learning healthy life style habits, becoming much more self motivated, and hanging around with one of the best group of kids in the entire school. He's becoming more and more strong, happy, making sooo many friends, and all while learning to do something that his mom absolutely loves!!! Maybe now when I ask him if he wants to go on a run with me he might actually want to go! AND he will probably even beat me!

Awesome!!!

I love you Carew!!!

Our Dancer Moves On...

Here are just a few action shots from Kierra's Dance Company Concert...

She's beautiful and amazing...a talented dancer!

(Front and center in a Needle)

Above: Front and center

Below: 2nd from the right with long hair flowing

At the end of the year, all of the dancers got together for the final Awards Banquet where Kierra was honored with kind words and gifts that described her to a "T"...

She is a leader among her peers in so many ways, but most importantly, as a pure and virtuous young woman who always stands for what she believes in...

She was able to perform her 2nd pau de deux (solo partner dance) 

as a finale' to her dance with Canyon View Arts Center as well.

Kierra is a Senior in high school this year and has set some very lofty goals for herself...

One of which is to increase her ballet skills to try and go for a scholarship in Ballet. 

With this goal, she felt like she needed to push herself, and so since has decided to join the 

Ballet West Academy at Thanksgiving Point. 

She is growing exponentially in her dancing skills and loving every minute of it! 

Graceful!

Beautiful!

Take a Bow!

What I love about watching Kierra dance is that it really moves her...She feels the music and it fills her soul, and it shows in her grace, fluidity, and movement. It is absolutely stunning to watch.

And, not only is it beautiful, but inspiring and almost magical to see...

Here is a candid shot of Kierra, Kambriella and I delivering smiles and a Box of Fudge (not flowers) to our favorite Prima Ballerina! :)

With the closing of Kierra's high school dance career and the opening of her next step in the Dance world, she is working hard, being brave, and pushing herself to heights that she has never been to before. She no longer has practices before school, but she has practices 4 to 5 days a week, along with CNA clinicals, classes at the JATC,  and 6 concurrent enrollment classes,

She is a hard working, fun loving, go getter of a girl!

She is more than that though...

She is MY daughter, and one of my very best friends.

I love you Kierra!

No matter where you go or what you do, 

keep reaching for the stars and you will achieve your dreams!

A Land, Air, and Sea Animal Birthday Party!

Oh my!!!

 How quickly time flies!!!

Somehow life gets so busy, and the little things get "pushed aside"...(like keeping up on my blog!)

But to me, it's the "little things" that really matter! 

So, I am going to try to get back to recording some of my favorite things...

after all, it's all of these "little things" that make my life so incredibly enjoyable :) 

and, help me to see just how immensely blessed I am! :)

On June 2nd, Kambriella Noel turned 6 years old! 

She had every element of her birthday planned weeks before it was actually here, which made the planning part pretty easy for me! I simply had to follow her wishes, and I KNEW that I would have one happy little girl!

Kambriella wanted a "Land animal, Sea animal, and Air animal" Birthday party!

Yes, my friends, my children have unique, sophisticated, and complex birthday planning skills!  ;)

Thus we had pink cheetah cupcakes with each of those animals represented on top.

Great idea Kambriella! ;)

Kambriella also had picked out little "Wild Cat" accessories for her and her friends Emrey and Mya to sport during their birthday party activities! Don't they look like a true bunch of "Party Animals?" ;)

We all headed to the new Living PlanetAquarium for par tof our "Sea Animal" celebration...

The girls loved getting to actually touch the Starfish and Sting Rays...

And I think the underwater observatory was one of MY favorite parts to see! The girls sat in front of the huge window watching all of the sea life swim by... I could have sat there for hours...

They also had cute little penguins that were so fun to watch!

There was even an area that had different exotic birds...which made me soooo happy since I knew that would satisfy Kambriella's "Air animal" portion of her little birthday wishes! They even had this fun little rope bridge over there that they loved crossing time and time again! :)

After the friends went home we had our own little celebration with just our family.

Here is Kambriella with one of her classic favorites...Her Birthday card from Grandma Panter with her very own money tucked inside. :)

And then how could any little girl have an "Animal" themed birthday party

 and NOT get an animal of her very own???

            

Aunt Tiffany and Uncle Colby have a special place in their hearts for little Miss Kambriella. They knew how much she loves animals and got the OK from me to give her a pet fish for her birthday...

She was sooo happy and lit up the room!!!

And...just about melted everyone's heart in the mean time...:)

What a special little birthday girl! We love you Kambriella!!!