A Plane Family Story

It's been a long time since I've posted.  I know I need to be better, but life is so crazy right now.  Mike and I are both working full time, I'm going to school full time (16 credits), and we have three small children to take care of.  Both Mike and I have wonderful callings in the ward, Mike teaches Sunday School to the 15 and 16 year olds, and I am the Ward Music Chair Person, which means I am in charge of all music in the ward.  So that keeps us both pretty busy also.  Thankfully we have so much love and support around us to keep us on track. 

Izabella Arrow Plane

Izzy, or Bella, or Feona, or what every name she has decided to be called for the day :) is now 4 years old.  If you ask her she is now a little lady.  She is definitely the older sister.  While she is a huge help to me by entertaining her younger siblings, running and getting things I need, picking up after herself and others, and even making sure her sisters get buckled in her new big girl car seat, she is also bossy and knows everything, mommy knows nothing.   Izzy also has a very creative, active imagination (so creative she loves to tell people that mommy is having another baby.  No she's not, not until I'm done with school.). She loves to role play with her sister and sometimes she gets so caught up in it that it becomes real to her.  She is loving, kind and very sensitive to everyone.  She is always willing to share her life story with everyone she meets.  She enjoys learning, as long as it's not mommy teaching her, and is very active.  She loves doing crafts, coloring, singing, dancing, watching movies with daddy and playing outside.  She is eager for spring to be here so she can get a big girl bike and go riding with mommy.  Bella's favorite color is purple, not just her favorite color, but sometimes the only color.  Everything has to be purple!!  She is such a girly girl, a daddy's girl, and a sweetheart I just can't seem to get enough of. 

 Mommy loves you my little "Skinny Mini".

Abigail Charlotte Plane

Abi is now 2, however, if you ask her she is 4 just like her big sister.  And just like Izzy is definitely the oldest child, Abi is definitely a second child. Adi loves to be the center of attention, however, she can become almost invisible when she wants to.  I think her main objective each day is to torment her little brother, and to drive mommy crazy!!  I know it sounds bad, but that's my punishment for putting my parents through so many tantrums.  Don't worry mom, I'm getting my pay back.  Even though she has her bad moments, Abi is a gentle spirit.  She loves to help, on her own terms, she loves to play with her sister, as long as it's what she wants to play, and she loves to be with her mommy, all the time.  Even when mommy is showering, Abi will come in and sit on the toilet and just talk to mommy the whole time.  Abigail has about five dolls and you almost never see her without one or all of them, along with her purse that is full of the snacks she has horded over the last couple of days, her little blanky, her pillow pet, and her sippy.  Mommy and Daddy now go through all her purses, and toys that can hide food, at the end of every day to find her stash.  Abigail loves to eat, loves to cook and bake, loves to read and loves to cuddle!!  She can completely make my day with one of her big ABI HUGS.  Even though she is "Miss Independent", she has a sweet and charming personality.  She enjoys making people laugh and is well on her way to becoming a little comedian.  Her favorite color is blue, her favorite pass time is eating, and her favorite people in the whole world are Aunt Nicolei and Papa Fred.  "Tum Tum", mommy loves you too!!  (And this week we have finally made a break though on potty training!!)

Miles Delano Plane

Miles is the little man of the house.  At one years of age he rules the roost and keeps us all on our toes.  If it is off limits, it is Miles main objective to seek and destroy!!  I think the first thing he learned to do as soon as he was mobile, was to pick on his sisters.  He thinks it is so funny to make them squeal!  Like Abigail, Miles loves to eat, and loves to make people laugh.  He always has a smile on his face when you go in to get him out of bed, or when he's meeting someone new.  Even though he has a ton of toys to entertain him, unless it is a computer, a phone, a remote control (a real one, a fake one will not fool him for long), or mommies Kindle he isn't interested.  He must be his fathers child :)!  Now that he is running around the house, he is finally at the age that daddy likes to play with him.  Watching Miles and Mike play together is one of the best parts of my life, and I can't wait for them to share all the special moments a daddy and son will share.  Miles has become fasinated with the outdoors, just let him run around outside and he will entertain himself for hours.  Miles is a little boy who knows what he wants, and won't stop till he gets it.  He has a sweet spirit and a blossoming little personality that makes everyone smile.  Mommy loves you "Baba".  

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Me

I have to much on my plate right now, but I am enjoying all of it.  I am working at the hospital here in Twin Falls on the surgical floor.  I have just gone back to the night shift which Mike and I are hoping will fit better into our hectic schedules.  Thankfully, I am able to work 12 hour shifts and only have to work three days a week.  I am also going to school.  Yes, after ten years I am finally going back to get me RN.  It's never to late they say: we'll see.  For my first semester back I took far to many credits, 16 total, however I am managing to muttle through it quite well.  This week is Spring Break and I am going to enjoy a complete 6 days off from work and school just to enjoy life.   I was called back in January to be the Ward Music Chair in our ward.  I'm not sure why they thought I was capable of this calling, but guess since I can sing I can be in charge.  I love my calling and I'm glad to say we have only had to sing one Congregational hymn since I've been called.  I love it when others share their talents.  I love being back in Twin Falls.  Even though I am far to busy and don't accomplish to do much with friends other then my monthly trip to Kiwi Loco it is nice to know that they are here if I do need them.  Mike and I are renting a wonderful little home and all I have to say about that is it is great to have a place that is big enough for our family.  I love being a mommy and I'm grateful to be married to such an amazing man.  I really couldn't do all this without him.  Hang in there everyone, only four more years and I'll be done with school and things will slow down, RIGHT?!

Mike

What can I say about Mike?   What a man, what a man, what a man

What a mighty good man!!  On top of working full time, Mike has been mister mom five out of seven days a week, has been doing all of the house work, cooking dinner two to three times a week, helps me with my homework, motivates me to do my homework, and teaching the 15 and 16 year olds every Sunday at church.  Not to mention he even has to take care of the kids all through sacrament meeting while I lead the music, that in its self is a chore.  Now if that isn't the most wonderful man in the world I'm not sure what is.  I think Mike is glad to be back in Twin Falls also.  Even though he had another friend leave this winter, he still has a few around and is even getting the courage to make new ones.  Even though we love spending time together, I think Mike finds much joy in being able to have three nights to himself to do as he wishes while I'm at work and the kids are asleep.  Mike is eager for the summer to get here.  Family BBQ's with friends, driving around with the top down, going to great movies with friends (can't wait for the new theater in town to open), along with a trip to the drive in with Izzy.  Don't worry, I'll manage to squeeze in a couple of dates for just the two of us.   Spring is bring warm beautiful days along with a more happy, peaceful, fun Mike.  Love you Babie!!

So that's what the Plane's have been up too!!

Love you all,

Michael, Stefanie, Izabella, Abigail, and Miles

Echo is loving having a large yard to run around in.  Loves the attention the kids give her, even though I think she enjoys sun bathing on the back of the couch even more.  And she can't wait for the Spring time so she can go on more family walks. 

I can't believe that my baby is ONE!! 

It is so different having a little boy after two little girls.  He loves to pick on his sisters and his dog, eating, being outside, and getting into anything that he should not be into.  Now that he is walking, or I should say running, I can hardly keep up.  I know last year Mike wasn't to thrilled with the idea of having to share his birthday with his son, however, I think he really enjoyed it this year.  He ran out and bought Mile's a birthday outfit, a Curious George shirt and a pair of sport shorts that match his daddies, and carried him around like a very proud daddy.  Since Miles was only turning 1 he couldn't tell me what he wants, I let Mike pick out the cake design (or rather the cupcake design).  Perry the Platypus, or I guess it would be Agent P since he had a hat on was the design choice.  We had a small party with family and close friends.  It was the perfect get together, not the big ta do the girls party was.  Yes, I was very grateful for that.

Watching Miles open his gifts was one of the cutest things I had ever watched.  He would open one gift and be so intent on playing with it that he would try to take it out of the packaging.  When that failed and one of the adults would take the toy to open it he would through a fit, desperately trying to get his toy back.  We would give him another gift to open, but he didn't want anything to do with it.  So his sisters would unwrap the new gift, give it to him and instantly everything was ok, until we would take and open the new gift.  Why do they package toys for little kids so well.  Don't they know that they are impatient and that they need to be able to get to it now.  My sister-in-law says she will take everything out of the packaging before she wraps the gifts so they were already to be played with.  Why didn't I think of that?!

 

Mike's parents and his brother and his family all came down for the weekend.  We had a wonderful birthday dinner, played games, and caught up.  It was great to have the whole family together.  Izzy has really missed seeing her cousins since we moved back to Twin, so you can imagine that she thoroughly enjoyed it.  Thanks everyone for making this such a special day for both Mike and Miles. 

The girls pick this shirt out for Mikey for his birthday.  Izzy was so excited!!

Love you all,

The Plane's
Mikey, Stefi, Izabella, Abigail, and Miles

It has been over a month since I have found time to post.  Working the graveyard shift full time and taking care of three young children keeps a mommy very busy. 

So much has happened this month that I would like to give you all just a quick overview.  Mike lost his job at the beginning of September and things have been very stressful at home, both emotionally and financially.  He has been applying for a lot of different jobs and has had a few really good interviews.  Last week he was offered a job in Twin Falls, Id with a small company called Best Notes.  It was an interview that came by word of mouth from a very close friend of ours.  It was Tuesday night when Jared called Mike and told him that his Home Teacher had mentioned that the company he worked for was looking for a computer guy.  So Mike took down the phone number and called the next day.  After talking to them briefly about his qualifications they asked him to send his resume.  About an hour later Mike was called for an interview that evening.  I knew the minute Mike walked in from the interview that this was the job he wanted, the job he had been waiting for.  Oh No I thought!  I knew the job didn't pay as much as some of the others he had interviewed for, and really didn't want him to get his heart set on this one job.  After 12 hours of giving Mike every reason I could think of not to take this job if it was offered to him, it was my turn to meet the guys and wives at Best Notes.  They called on Thursday and asked if they could take Mike and I to dinner.  I have to say after about 15 mins I knew this was the job.  So here we are, moving back to Twin Falls, ID.  Coming home in a way.  We are so excited and just can't make the move fast enough.  Mike will be starting work on Tuesday, November 1st and hopefully we will be moving into a home here on November 5th.  I am currently looking for a job and I'm very hopeful that my interview with St Luke's hospital will go well tomorrow.  I will also be starting school at CSI, College of Southern Idaho here in Twin in January.  Finally after 10 years, I'm going back to school and I'm going to get my RN. 

As you can see so much has been happening.  In about two weeks time everything will finally be slowing down and I will be able to get back to blogging.  I have a lot to catch up on so get ready for a posting over load. 

See you soon,

The Plane's

Izabella's favorite thing in the world is to climb, and climb, and climb...She's my little monkey!!

She also likes to hang on the bars at the top of the slides just before she goes down.

Abigail is not to sure of the slide yet.  She usually needs a little push to go down!!

Just a picture of my smiling "Big Girl"

There is this row of "swinging mushroom", according to Izabella, and getting across them is quite a feet for her.

Abigail loves to try her hand at it too, she just hasn't quite mastered it like her big sissy has.

My beautiful little girls!!

Even Miles gets to enjoy the park!!

Smiling for the camera!!

Man how time flies when you are really enjoying life!!

I have to admit that it's pretty darn cute!!

Love ya,

The Plane's 

This was Izabella just after we got to Lagoon.  She rode one of the small roller coasters just after we got to the park and didn't like it at all.  It took us about an hour to talk her into riding another ride.  Even then she wasn't a big fan.  Mommy and Izzy took the train ride around the park to look at some of the animals and she fell in love.  
After lunch we went on the wet rides and she was so happy.  It wasn't until after we came back from picking up the younger two for our evening as a family that Izabella really got excited about the rides.  So excited in fact that she road every ride in the kid part or the park, twice!!
Izzy couldn't wait to ride the boats and really wanted the purple boat.  Mike and I told her she would have to take what they gave her.  That made her very unhappy until she was given the purple boat to ride in  :)!!
Even though I wasn't really sure about the big faris wheel (I'm a little afraid of hights) Izabella loved it.  She loved being able to see everything

Izabella Arrow Plane in a plane!!
Abigail was so excited to come spend the evening with our family.  She loved the dip and dots we ate just after we got back and she loved all the rides.  Next year will be so much fun when the girls can ride together.  Greatfully Abi was very happy just watching Bella and having daddy's full attention!!

Izzy driving a car...What a scary thought!!
Having sooooo much fun!!

Thank you Grandma Char and Nicole!  We had such a wonderful day and it was so good to see you all.  Erin, Chris and the boys, we were so glad to see you and and glad you could meet Miles.  We really can't wait to make this a yearly family trip!!

Love you all,

The Plane's

For family home evening last night Mike wanted to Make sugar cookies.  So I went to work and made some cookie dough.  Then after dinner we let the girls roll our the dough, cut out shapes, and decorate them.  Talk about a huge mess; it was even more fun though.

 This is Miles enjoying the evening from his little high chair.  He talked and drooled the entire time.

 Abigail made her own cookie by making a ball and squashing it into a sort of circle.  Then she picked this pretty yellow frosting to decorate it.

 Izabella decorating her pink butterfly!!

 The family decorating cookies!!

 So hard at work!! Thanks Aunt Jessica for the cute aprons...We love them!!

 Enjoying her cookies...or rather the frosting off her cookies!!

 Izzy loves doing things like this.  I think she really enjoyed herself.

A picture says more than words...I think Abigail really enjoyed herself!!

It was such a fun night and I think the girls learned a lot of good skills.  I love being able to spend a relaxing evening with my family, laughing and enjoying each other completely.  However, if you ever get sugar cookies from the Plane family, you may want to check each one for little tongue marks.  I can only see so much!!

Love you all,

 The Plane's

I can't believe how quickly my babies are growing up.  I have gone back to work for a couple of months, and I'm working graveyards so we don't have to find a sitter for the kids.  I am so tired some days that we are spending a lot of time cuddled up in Mommy and Daddy's bed.  But when they're this cute it really is ok!!

So I was told by my cousin that she needed to know what was going on and why I was having surgery so here it is (the short version):

 About three months ago Izzy decided she was going to color on the walls.  Not just one wall, no, not her, but on every wall and door of the upstairs in our apartment.  After making her scrub by her self for about a half and hour I decided if it was going to get done, I was going to have to help.  Three hours later my walls where white again and my doors brown.  Talk about a work out.  The next day my left elbow was killing me.  I figured it was something that would go away eventually.  However, two weeks later the pain was even worse.  I decided I should probably go in and have it looked at.  The doctor diagnosed me with Tendinitis of the elbow, and sent me to physical therapy for six weeks of therapy three days a week and six cortisone patches and no improvement I had to move to the next step, cortisone shots.  After my first shot I felt great, for the next two days and then the pain was back and even worse than before.  I was told I could try three or four more shots and another 6 weeks of therapy to see if I had any changes, and I was not up for that.  So I called on a family, adopted family, of ours who just happened to be an orthopedic surgeon, thanks Fred.   He said with all that I had already done for it he would suggest surgery to take care of the problem because it sounded like one of those rare situations.  So I said set it up.  And believe me for anyone who doesn't have a strong stomach you don't want to explain what this surgery entails.

Come to find out it was a very good thing we decided to go through with the surgery.  I had a few injuries to my elbow years ago playing softball in high school.  And through out the years my tendon had started to stretch and tear slowly where it attached to the elbow bone.  Cleaning Izzy's arts of the wall was just enough to bring all the problems from over the years to the surface.

I spent one week in a splint, which is really a half cast, from my wrist to my arm pit, keeping my arm at a 90 degree angle.  Then wore a splint to keep it against my torso.  You could imagine that taking care of 3 young children was impossible.  So I have spent the last week and a half in Nampa, ID with my in-laws who have helped see to my own and my children's every need.  They have been GREAT!  Thanks mom and dad!! So just Wednesday I had the cast removed and I have my arm back.  Even though I still have a lot of limitations with what I can and cannot do, to pain is already so much better, as long as Abi doesn't poke at my incision.  It will be another 2 to 3 months till I will be able to do most normal activities, and another 2 to 3 months after that before I can do anything really strenuous, but I am healing.  They gave me an electro stimulating machine to bring home. It's so cool. I have to do 4 40 min sessions a day for pain and 3 20 min sessions for strengthening.  It's nice I can do my physical therapy in the comforts of my own home.

So that's my story.  Surgery on my elbow to repair a torn tendon.  I'm on the mend and feel better then I did before so I would say that's a great outlook for my future.  

Love you all,

Stefanie Plane

I am so impressed by all all of you who can keep up with your blogs, by making posts every week or even a couple times a week.  You all amaze me!  I really thought I would be better when I was a stay at home mom with nothing to do but take care of my kids and type spend time on my computer Blogging. WRONG!! Kids are a lot of work, especially when you have three, Three and under.

Anyway,  I know it's not January, however, I need to set myself a new goal to write on my blog at least once a week to post updates and pictures of my wonderful family.  So my goal has been set and I promise that starting next week (this will have to count for this week since I'm having surgery tomorrow and will need some time to recooperate) I will be posting weekly, religiously, without fail. 

I love to blog, and it is my time, so I'm just going to take that time and do it!!

Here's a picture of my three beautiful babies.....

Stay tooned for so much more Plane Family Stories!!

Love,

Stefanie Plane

This was a beautiful theatrical art to High on the Mountain Top and it was so elegant.  Shannon is pictured here on the right side.

This was a great Cha cha danced by both Shannon and Shane.  

Shannon is in the middle in yellow while the company performed the Lindy!

You are so beautiful Shannon!!

This is a picture of Izabella's favorite dress the girls whore.  She loved the rainbow colors.

This was an amazing tribute dance to America.  It was so beautiful and I love the way the flag was incorporated into the dresses.

This is a picture of Shane performing a amazing lift. "GO Shane!"  Bella thought you were so strong and keeps asking her daddy to lift her up so she can pose.