Ear infection and on the mend

Now I have an ear-infection...but otherwise I am feeling a whole lot better. I actually woke up at was functioning at 3 a.m. I dosed off about 6 a.m. for an hour, and I have been up since then. I have kept a heating pad on my ear and the Dr office said that the Zpack should clear up the ear infection. Let's hope!

Troy's sister, Heidi, came to our home today. She made us a delicious dinner of salad with steak and mushrooms, roll, and for the boys cheese and ham rolls. Everything tasted really wonderful and I am glad it wasn't pizza or chinese takeout. It tasted so great tonight. My teeth are still sore and now my ear hurts when I swallow, but the taste was sooo yummy. Thanks a million, Heidi.

Troy was glad I was actually up today. I wasn't a big help or anything, but I was able to fold some laundry and put the next batch in. I picked up the living room and straightened some things in the baby room. I also was able to get the kids to bed. We read for 35 minutes for Daeson's read-a-thon. So 25 minutes yesterday and 35 minutes today. We skipped Monday. We might reach a good number yet. I was glad the Children's Friend came today. It gave us some new reading material. I haven't been diligent about going to the library like I used to be. I can add that to the "How to be a better mom" list.

It is 8:15 p.m. The kids are nestled in their beds. Not quite asleep, but they are on their way. I have my sheets in the laundry...Tevan's ear leaked all over everything last night. Dishes are not done, but they are to the sink and the table is wiped off. Troy's dad swept my kitchen floor for me. Things are good. Tomorrow I would like enough energy to finish folding the blankets for baby and putting a few more things away. I would also like to have the energy to work on more laundry. All of the blankets and sheets need to be washed and rid of the sick germs. Vacuuming would be good too. Just a good ol' wipe down is what we really need!

Saturday I will have the whole house lysoled and cleaned. I get to babysit my nephew for a few hours. the boys are so excited about it. I am feeling confident we will all feel much better by then. Jaxon is one of their favorite cousins and it is a treat for us to get to spend time with him. He truly is a joy and a very easy child. Maybe they have figured something out that I haven't! So we have the rest of the week figured out...cleaning, laundry, reading, and babysitting. I am so glad we are all on the mend..FINALLY!

some families

Some families deal with obesity, some families deal with depression. Some families deal with premature deaths and some families deal with addictions. I feel that each one of these trials are bad in it's own way. In my mind, a struggle is a struggle no matter how small or large. This week my family is dealing with health issues.

Tevan went in yesterday and has double ear infections. He also has an infected toe. He goes in Monday to the Ear Nose and Throat doctor to schedule a surgery to remove his tubes...and possibly get them back in. He might have to get his adenoids out.

I am still sick. My teeth feel like they are going to fall out. My head is throbbing. I went to my baby doctor visit today where he gave me a script for a Z-Pack. Apparently the doctor thinks that I sound horrible. He also told me I have lost 8 pounds but with a diet of water, juice and some occasional cheerios, I would think that the weight would fall off. I start my three week visits this next time, the after that, I go every two. Whew! I thought this would never come!

Daeson had a doctor's apt today with the Ear Nose and throat specialist. He goes in two weeks to get his adenoids and tonsils removed. The doctor said they were pretty large...a size five and four. When Daeson lays down, his tonsils close off his breathing. He is taking the news rather well...Jell-o and the Wii for 14 days...lucky him!

Troy remains healthy, but all of these worries and sick people, it is taking it's toll. he is tired. He is ready for all of us to feel better so he can sleep a night through the night. I must praise him for his continued strength and parenting. He is a great dad and has taken care of the kids fully in the past 12 days. He has also given me everything that I need...toilet paper for my nose, juice runs, prescription pick-ups, doctor visits, trips to the grocery store, trips to school...and I am sure many other acts of service...and tonight when I asked him about it, he didn't complain or murmur. What a guy! I am not that patient and sick people drive me crazy, but he is a good man.

So, by the next few days, I should be healed. We will know more about Tevan, Daeson will have a good night's sleep and all will be balanced and right. Then I can start thinking about the baby room and getting things ready. Sigh...I am just so glad she is in my tummy, unexposed, rather that being susceptible to all of this junk.

rootbeer

i like rootbeer...especially because it is one of the only things that tastes good right now. I am down six pounds, still don't want to eat and I go to the dr tomorrow. Tevan went back today. Double ear infections. He slept well last night all snug in my bed with me...I slept like crap. There is an outbreak of lice at one of the neighborhood schools (not ours but the one the kids in my ward go to) so I thought about that all night. Then Troy is driving me crazy with all this stupid car talk, so i dreamed of that mess. Then I would wake up to snot all over my face...nothing beats a leaky facet! So I texted Troy at four this morning requesting orange juice and played solitaire on my phone. At about eight I tried to eat some toast, but my sinuses hurt so bad I can barely chew. I ate enough to take my antibiotic. That was it...all day...but now I get rootbeer. Delicious rootbeer. Oh how I wish for something more, but nothing even sounds good. Oh, I do take that back...a burger from the SnakeBite sounds absolutely delicious...too bad they are closed Mondays!

still sick...still contagious

If I had to describe myself right now, it would probably be Eeyore. I am not too hopeful that this flu will go away anytime soon, and I am perfectly fine being by myself most of the time, although I do love company. I woke up this morning feeling very very bad. I couldn't sleep past six a.m. and when I got up, the coughing fits began again. I did manage to get showered, dressed, hair done and make up on, but it ended there. We took Daeson to school and drove around trying to find a dealership with some cars to look at. We drove a Subaru Tribeca today. We liked it but they wanted almost $19K for it. It was an 06 and had 80k miles...see what the problem is? I certainly don't want to pay that much for a car with that kind of mileage. So our search continues.

Daeson came home today with a Read-a-thon paper for school. they are trying to earn money for a library. Right now they have like ten books in the entry way of the school. Being the first yr it is open, the school has a lot of things to work on still. So, for the next two weeks, Troy and i will be reading to Daeson every day until he has reached an hour or so. The read-a-thon goes for two weeks. So far he has gotten Gramma Cindy and granny blue to sponsor him. I think it was funny to hear him make phone calls. We will also be sponsoring him. We read to him anyway, so it shouldn't be too hard. I just hope they reach their goal and get the library!

Tevan is feeling better and is quite funny today. He has been pulling the funniest faces and saying the funniest things. He took a very late nap today....so he is still up. Troy and Daeson are still holding strong. They have yet to catch this...and I hope they don't. Airborne it up, baby! I have decided I hate the flu. I would rather have a day of throwing up and diarrhea than coughing, stuffy nose, aching body for who knows how long.

So, there is an update...mostly for me since this is the way I remember everything. It is my life on line I guess you could say. I wish everyone health and strength and a flu-less spring!

comin around

So Tevan and I are on the mend...I think. The last few days have been filled with coughing fits, naps, red and runny noses, and very little nourishment. However, today I got up, cleaned the upstairs, and ate some fruit salad so I could take my antibiotic. The doctor said Monday that I had an upper respiratory infection, urinary tract infections and the flu. So there you have it. I am on antibiotics, robitussin dm, sudafed, and tylenol. It takes a lot to ingest that much medicine every few hours! They never gave Tev anything, so he has just suffered through it with some mucinex. Today Grandpa and Grandma brought homemade chicken and noodles, rolls and jam, donuts for the boys, and color books. Tevan devoured his donut...he LOVES maple donuts with sprinkles. Daeson loves donuts too and will have a snack for after school. I am just glad I lysoled everything and cleaned the house so they might escape the bug. I will feel awful if they catch anything.

Troy, once again, has been a huge help since I have not been well. He has taken laundry down, washed it and brings it to me for folding. He has taken Daeson to school and picked up and has run all errands. He even helped me to the bathroom and shower when I was in the "I'm so dizzy I'm gonna pass out" phase. I am grateful to him and to Daeson for being helpers. It sure makes my life a little easier. Troy has also spent a lot of time outside in the middle of the nights with Tevan trying to open his airways. They saw an owl the other night.

So, with the sun trying to shine and a bit of warmth...above 20 degrees...I have the windows cracked and the fresh air rolling in. It is very refreshing. I think we shall be better in a couple of days...I sure hope anyway!

highly contagious

Well, I am full-blown sick. My voice is gone, my throat is on fire and I have bad coughing fits...and being pregnant, coughing fits are not comfortable! Tevan spent a lot of the night wrapped up in blankets outside with Troy. It is the only thing we could do to open his airways up. I am still ticked that the PA didn't just give him a steroid so this would all be over by now. I am trying to get sharing time done...my head is pounding and I can barely sit up right, but if I can get something ready. My neighbor, Heather is going to fill in for me. I would hate to get all these little primary kids sick...and I have no voice. It was a very rough night, but Troy stepped in and took care of Tev for me so I could get some much needed rest. I just hope and pray Troy doesn't get sick! My friend and visiting teacher took Daeson to church. I thought it was him coughing, but it was Tev. Tevan sounds awful...barely audible. He is still wheezy and his little face just looks like he doesn't feel well. Poor baby. He tried to eat mac n cheese and some applesauce but he decided it hurt too bad to eat. He is freezing cold, so I am warming him up with my fevered body. Troy and Daes went to Grovers to get away from the sickness...they will bring us some food home. Tev and I are just hangin out playing PBSKids on the computer. Time for some rest!

Sick boy...and mamma

So my weekend to go see Grandma and to do a bit of scrapbooking has been canceled due to unexpected sicknesses. Last night we took the kids to see Rango...pretty cute but a lot of adult content. Anyway about half way through, Tevan started to get wheezy and started to cough. So, we got home, bathed them, got them ready for bed and I did a breathing treatment on Tev. All night he wheezed, tossed and turned, and finally came to get me about 3. I did another treatment on him hoping it would open things up a bit so he could rest. We headed to his bed and I watched him sleep for a good portion of the next hour. When Troy left at 4 we went to my bed where I tried to prop him up.He didn't improve. I got up at 7 to get ready to pick up our bountiful basket and got Daeson ready. I pulled Tevan out of bed and took him wrapped up in blankets. After we picked up our basket we headed to community care where they tested him for RSV. The test came back negative and we were told we just had to wait it out. Really? He can barely breathe! While I was there, I started to get tight in my chest and I started coughing. Great. Sick mamma and sick boy! Troy and Daeson are avoiding the house today. They went out car shopping and to get some fresh air. As for Tevan and I, we are hangin' out downstairs with the movies and relaxing. I am slathered in Vicks...Tevan gets a rash when he tries to put it on...and I don't think it is doing much for me. We have our box of tissues and humidifier going. Maybe we will feel better tonight, but the PA told me it would take at least a week to feel better. Sigh...I think we will skip sacrament mtg tomorrow and just do sharing time. Maybe if I ask Troy, he will do it for me...yeah, probably not! This is my month though, so I don't want to bail out. Rest today...sharing time tomorrow.

I'm baaack!

Because I have cooked like a mad woman all week, we have a variety of left-overs in the fridge...casserole, roast and potatoes, soup, tater-tots and corndogs...I don't have to cook tonight. I am letting my weekend begin with some scrapbooking. I have not scrapbooked since Tevan was a bitty boy...so about three years. I have a huge amount of pictures to print, but I am getting everything done that I have and that my mom has sent me. I am quite excited about this. I have put it off for sooo long and I am sure I could find other things, like spring cleaning or sharing time, to do but this is just so much more fun. If you know me well, you know that I used to live for scrapbooking but I have become way to busy to spend hours and hours on it like I used to. So, welcome back self! It is so good to see you again...if even for a weekend! I am hoping to get a large amount of it done before this baby girl gets here.

Oh, and for all of you asking about a name...she has one but I have really bad experiences telling people what names we have picked out. They always get taken before my baby is born. I will tell you her middle name is Joy. I combined "J"andy and Tr"oy" to come up with it. She is not named after anyone in particular...just Troy and I.

Another one lost a tooth!

Yup, Daeson lost another tooth last night. He was very upset when Troy pulled it because he did not get a chance to brush it first. He thought he had to brush, then pull or the toothfairy would not leave anything. It was quite dramatic. However, she left 8 quarters and a 1957 wheat penny for him to put in a very special place. This morning when he woke up, he came into my room, crawled into bed with Tevan and I...we were chatting quite a lively chat for 7:30 a.m....when I asked him if the toothfairy left anything. He forgot all about it! It was funny to watch him run into his room and search. He was very excited about what she left. I am just grateful to Troy for remembering such important things...I had gone to bed and forgot all about it!

Back to reality

Sigh...the vacation is over and life is back to full blast. Yesterday I spent the entire day cooking and doing laundry. It is a goal of mine to eat out less so I spend a lot more time in the kitchen. I didn't feel very productive yesterday, but ALL the socks that have matches are cleaned and folded. Amazing that it filled a laundry basket!

We had a great time in Las Vegas...once we got there. If you watch the news in my neck of the woods, you may have seen our plane on the news. We got to the airport PLENTY early, thank you for driving us, Kara! Our flight was at 7:50 p.m. and was scheduled to be in Las Vegas at 8:30 their time. We boarded about 15 minutes late and because they charge $60.00 to check baggage, we opted to carry ours on. So did every other flyer. It took forever to get the bags in the overhead storage. I have some anxiety of flying...or mostly leaving my children behind...but I am not my calm and reassured self when on a small plane...or any plane for that matter. We finally all boarded and the plane was de-iced. I have never been on a plane that had to be de-iced and this gave me a horrifying feeling. We started to move, we arrived at the runway and we "powered up." Our airport has a very small runway so the plane has to power up in order to make the end of the runway in flight. Just as we started to go, I was pleading with the Lord to let me see my children again, there was a HUGE noise (like a car backfiring) and a very bright light. I saw this light. It was very bright and big. The captain slammed on the brakes and brought the plane to a stop. Apparently he got a engine malfunction light on the controls and decided to check things out...you think? So, we gathered all of our belongings...it is now 8:15 or so. There was no way we were making it to Vegas on time. We were told that the security had gone home, there was now food to buy and the airline would give us complimentary beverages. How thoughtful. We waited in the airport...and waited. I was a mess. I had texted my sister in law, telling her where our will was, sending her my dad's phone number, telling her to let my kids know that I love them. I was crying, tired, hungry, tired, emotional, tired, and pregnant! Troy thought it was kinda funny and was teasing me a little bit. The stewardess came on the intercom and told us there was nothing wrong with our plane and that we would be reboarding. Really? EVERY one on the plane heard this loud noise, several of us saw a large, bright light and there was nothing wrong with the plane???? I probably would have been drunk if I drank, but I reluctantly got on the plane. I called my parents, who were waiting for us in Vegas, to let them know what was going on. We finally took off and at 1:30 Vegas time, we arrived. I was so grateful to be on the ground again. I was grateful not to see snow. I was grateful that no one was going to have to tell my boys that something bad happened. See? A wreck. My parent's picked us up, took Troy through Carl's Jr and we headed for the condo. We were all asleep within minutes of getting back.

Saturday was pretty nice. It was a bit cold, but there was no snow and I had a light jacket on. Mom, Troy and I took the shuttle to New York, New York. We ate a wonderful piece of Sicilian pizza and enjoyed some cannolis. We walked and walked. We stopped at several casinos and attractions including the magic shop at MGM, the Paris French bakery, and the Coke and M&M factory. Dad got out of class at 3 so we walked to the Venetian to meet him. My feet were a bit sore by then and my tummy was getting hard to carry! We went to the mall off the strip. It was fun. We found some water bottles at the Disney store and I was tempted to buy some super-cute sandals at a great shoe store. Then we stopped at the Riviera for the buffet dinner. It was tasty and I had mashed potatoes, salad, soup, and some not so great pork loin. However, the bread pudding was delicious. We waled a bit more, Troy was trying to find a cheap Craps table while mom and I played a couple of dollars in the slots. We headed back to the condo and did some laundry. We had to wash since we only took carry-ons. I fell asleep and Mom finished up the laundry. I guess I was a lot more sleepy than I thought. Troy had gone over to the Orleans to play more Craps. He was up $160, but kept playing and eventually lost $15. But, pretty cheap entertainment!

Sunday Mom and Dad dropped us off at the Mirage. We checked in and they headed home. Our time with them slipped by way too fast! We were able to check in and the rooms were very nice. We visited the Secret Garden and Dolphins. It was really neat. We saw them eat and do a couple tricks. The lions and tigers were very pretty and very majestic. We ate at Carnegie Deli...owned by the NY owner. It was great, but I did have a hard time paying $36 for one club sandwich! We decided to venture out to find a show. We decided on Blue Man Group. We went to the Fashion Place Mall and Walgreens before the show. I had to buy some band-aids for my feet :). We ate at the Treasure Island. This was tasty. Troy feasted on crab legs and shrimp while I ate a lot of pineapple, strawberries, and watermelon. It was so tasty to eat good watermelon in February!!! The Blue Man Group was neat. Troy really loved it. After the show, we wandered back through some casinos. I think we did almost all the strip-casinos. We are lacking a few for next time, but that will give us something to look forward to. We stopped by Carnegie Deli again for strawberry cheesecake. It was really tasty! We headed back to the hotel room, asked for a wake-up call and arranged for our airport shuttle.

Monday we were up at 7 a.m. We were on the shuttle by 7:45 and at the airport by 8. Our flight was scheduled for 10:30 and we were right on time. I was so glad that there were no problems. Troy's dad picked us up and took us home. We got the kids, visited with Adam and Kayla and came home. I caught a cold while in Vegas so I got ready for bed and crashed by 6. Troy fed the kids and got them ready for bed. We were all in bed by 8 p.m. It was a fun vacation, it has been heard to adjust back, but I am glad we went. We had a great time. The boys did great too. I think Tevan is glad we are home, but he did tell me he wants to go back to Aunt Kayla's. They both really had a great time!

Tuesday I helped in Daeson's class. The teacher was gone, so the other room mom and I were really used. I ended up teaching an activity and supervising the kids. There are 24 students and 6 of them have disabilities or learning problems. This was very challenging for me. I think my patience, as I get more pregnant, are getting thinner. It was a very busy day and I was so glad that I had dinner ready to go before school. All I had to do was stick it in the oven to warm through. It was an eye opener...I learned two things at school: Teachers do NOT get paid enough and they really need grown up scissors in school. I have bruise on my thumb from cutting the 500 pieces of papers we had to cut, laminate, and cut again. I have a new appreciation for kindergarten teachers...all teachers for that matter!

Today I will get the rest of my "chores" done and I hope to work on the baby room. Troy is going to get trim up, soon, I hope. I am running out of time...only 14 weeks left!!! I want to have everything done and ready by June 1st. Everything! Ya never know when she will come! That gives me plenty of time to spend with Daeson and Tevan before our lives change.

snow, visits, and Las Vegas

Saturday Tevan and I ventured south for a haircut. My sister in law cuts hair and I needed a new look. I cannot do anything about the way my body looks right now, so the next best thing is a drastic change to my hair. I had it all one length and now it has several layers and thinned dramatically! I like the way it turned out and I really like that I can still wear it curly or I can straighten it. It is barely long enough to pull it up, but that's okay. My mom and I both got cuts. My dad watched the boys at my brother's house and they had fun. My nephew, Jaxon, was there and he was adorable. He is so fun! Daeson actually spent the night Friday night, so he was already down there. He went rollerskating for the first time with my niece, Brooke, my bro and sis in law. He didn't like it much he said and got bored really fast. Maybe next time...practice makes perfect!

We get a lot of snow where I am from. A lot. It snowed and blew Sunday. The power went out on Sunday morning about 5:30 am. The stake president wanted us to hold church still, but after the 9:00 meeting, it was freezing in the building. The Bishop called church off. We have church at 11 and the power came back on at 11:30. I was secretly praying in my heart that it would be cancelled, but kinda sad it was. My kids and I were actually ready at 10:50 and walking to the church when we got the cancellation call. We were ready for church on time. This NEVER happens! However, I was able to get the house cleaned up and ready for my parents to visit.

They got here Sunday night and we had stir-fry and dessert crepes. Delicious! I love crepes and I know that my dad loves crepes! Daeson was out of school Monday for Pres. Day, so we got to see my parents without interruption. My mom and I shopped and Troy and my dad took the boys. I found a cute baby girl outfit at JCPenney on clearance and I was soooo tempted to buy everything I saw. They have their baby girl Easter dresses out right now and they are gorgeous! I wanted to buy one of every size and style! But, I resisted! My mom purchased a couple of things for the baby also. I am getting excited and as it gets closer to her arrival, I pray the ultra sound tech was right! I am keeping my boy things for now...just in case!

My mom and dad left Tuesday morning and we were all sad to see them go. We don't get to visit them much, so when they come we love to hoard them. My dad has an I PAD and quickly became my boys hero when he downloaded Angry Birds. The kids thought that was pretty darn neat. They play on our phones, but the I PAD is sooo much bigger.

Friday we are flying to Vegas for a much needed vacay. We are excited. My sister and brother in law are watching the kids and we cannot wait until Friday night. It should be a ton of fun. Troy needs a break from work and we have some friends keeping an eye on things here. So...nothing to worry about. We are meeting my mom and dad down there. We will come home Monday afternoon. It should be about 60-70* there and for that I am so excited. I am tempted to take my flip-flops! We are still trying to figure out where to stay Sunday night, my parents will be on their way back home by then. We don't really know many of the casinos and hotels as far as where to stay because we usually stay in my parent's condo. We have stayed in the Luxor and Mandalay Bay, but we are not too familiar with the others. We have been in all the casinos for the most part and really wanted to stay at MGM or somewhere like that, but I am too cheap to fork out the money for an expensive hotel. It should be a ton of fun wherever we stay. I will be glad to get out and do some walking! Now I get to concentrate on getting everyone ready. Laundry, house work, and fridge-cleaning are more fun to do when I have a purpose! I will be whistling while I work today and tomorrow! Bon Voyage!

Childhood memories

Over the years I have received, acquired, been handed-down, purchased and inherited many things. I have sold, given away, ebayed, craigslisted, freecycled, and D.I.ed many things. Most of the things I have not regretted getting rid of to make room for our growing family and the kids' toys. However, when I was four or five I was given a pink and white cupboard. This cupboard was given to my mother by, I believe, her grandfather. She refinished it for me twenty something years ago and I got it for Christmas one year. I loved this cupboard. I played with this cupboard, if I remember correctly, daily. When we moved to Malad, it got stuck out in the shed and for the most part it got ruined. I had it here at my home for a while then it went back to my parents where we discovered it had molded and was no longer a safe toy. Now that my baby girl is coming soon, my heart aches for that cupboard. I have a few pictures of it when I first received it, but none since then. I would love to recreate this cupboard identical to the way it was. I wish so badly I could pass on this heirloom cupboard made by my daughter's great-great grandfather.

Doctor visit update

I have had various text messages inquire of the dreaded Dr visit yesterday. I didn't hear back from them, and they say no news is good news. I am weighing in exactly where I thought I would after a weekend of late night eating and unhealthy snacks. That puts me at 8 lbs total gained. I got to the office and they immediately took my blood for the glucose test. Then I went back to the waiting room. A few minutes later I went in to the visit room and got ready for the bacterial test or whatever they check for. I was in there for about 45 minutes, but he had just delivered a baby and was running about six patients behind. I am okay with this due tot he fact that doctors can't always help running behind. I played several games of spider solitaire on my phone while waiting and sent numerous texts to Troy. When the dr came in, he said, "Looks like you are coming up on your sixth month and before you know it, it will be here." I didn't realize that I was that close to six months! Hurray! He said she is measuring perfectly and that I have a great blood pressure. He said everything looked great and that I have nothing to worry about. So, I got back in March putting me at 27 weeks, then in April putting me at 31 weeks. I am almost there! I cannot wait until this winter gets a bit warmer and I get a bit more motivated to get ready for her. It is just so cold that I really just want to sit by the heater and relax. But, he is right...she will be here before I know it!

a breath of fresh air

Today it reached a whopping 54* in my fair city! I am so glad it warmed up! Tevan had preschool today, his Valentine's Day party and he had a blast. While he was gone, Daeson and I put vinyl decals on our baby girl's walls. Unfortunately, they are not sticking very well. Troy got home just in time to get Tevan while I made lunch...open face sandwiches with mashed potatoes, peas and pears. The kids ate really well and Troy did too :)! I love a meal that I can make everyone happy! Then I made tomorrow's dinner: shepherd's pie. We took Daeson to school, picked up Troy's work truck from the shop, got Tevan a bed frame for his bed...finally and then I vacuumed and wiped down our car. Oh this felt so good to be able to do!! I got out Tevan's Diego bike and let him cruise the drive way. When Troy got back from picking Daeson up, I vacuumed his car too. I must admit I did his car half-heartedly since I am not the one who drives it and it is not very clean anyway. Sorry, Troy! The boys and I headed to the church parking lot for a nice snowless bike/scooter ride. The kids had a blast and by the time we came in, it was chilly. I loved the sunshine today. I think it was so good for the boys and I to get out of the house. Everything was melting, the snow was turning into water, and the sun was shining bright. I even secretly hoped I would have gotten sunburned. We had some friends stop by the parking lot to play, too. It was a lot of fun to have some mom time while we watched the cute rug-rats play. I made a fantastic dinner of left-over french toast and bacon and orange juice. The kids bathed eagerly and we had a lazy night. They finally got to sleep and I gave myself a mani-pedi. I must admit it is not as relaxing as going to the spa, but it will do just fine. My feet are starting to swell. I was happy to get the six-month old nail polish off my toes!

I am grateful for sunshine. We are supposed to get snow or rain tomorrow. But, hey, we will take the sun while we can get it! Some days you just need a breath of fresh air to get you through the upcoming months!

Happy Valentine's Day! 2011

Well it is that time of year again when love fills the air. This morning the boys and I met Troy for breakfast where he surprised the boys with chocolates and me with flowers. They were very excited and I was very relieved because I had forgotten to get them something due to the cabin rush. We enjoyed our breakfast and Troy had to rush off to work.

I am volunteering in Daeson's class today for their Valentine's Day celebration. It should be fun. He mad all of his Valentine's Day cards with stamps, heart-cutouts, markers and crayons. They turned out well, but I did not have very many patients working with him. I turned the responsibility over to Troy towards the end. Tevan gets to hang out with Dad while Daeson and I are gone.

I have a doctor's apt today...the strep test and the blood-glucose test. I am not thrilled. I am sure my sugars are high due to the lack of responsible eating habits this weekend. AND...I am only four pounds away from where I was when I delivered Daeson! Yup...there goes my 15 pound goal. I guess as long as she is healthy. I am trying to get back on that treadmill, if only I can find 30 minutes to walk!

I hope that everyone has a great Valentine's Day. Love is in the air! For those of you who have no significant other, I am thinking of you and sending my love!

Running around wild

Well, this morning I got up, ready, fed the kids, got Tevan to school, dropped off a couple of things to a friend, got the oil changed, filled the car with gas, picked up a couple of forgotten items at the grocery store, did two batches of laundry, got Daeson ready for school, packed while Troy picked up Tevan, folded some laundry, ran to JoAnns for some snaps for an unfinished project, cheated and went to the deli for lunch and took Daeson to school. Daeson and I enjoyed some delicious sushi for lunch...he even had an orange roll. If you are not sure what an orange roll is, it has some crab, cucumber and I think avacado and cream cheese in it then rolled in fish eggs. Yup. Fish eggs. He loved it and even continued eating it after I told him what was in it! Tevan stuck to mac and cheese :).

I just loaded the car for our fun cabin trip and it is stuffed to the brim. I just realized the suitcases are waiting for the laundry in the dryer and they are not in the car. Hmm. If I ask Troy, he will tell me to leave my sewing projects home. This is not going to happen. I would rather leave the carb-filled junk food home than my sewing machine and projects. Where to put the suitcases?? It is a good thing this baby girl still fits in my tummy...we would have to leave some major gear home to fit her in the car. :) I hate packing and unloading for trips, but I try to take everything that I can think of...it never fails. The one thing you forget is the one thing we end up needing. It should be a super fun weekend.

There are a few necessary things we have to do while up to the cabin: Daeson has to prepare and make 24 Valentine cards for school Monday. This I have packed stamps, paper, scraps, glue and heart hole punchers. He might protest that the paper is PINK, but it is Valentine's Day and pink is a must. I do think that having a girl gets me into the pink mood, too! Also, we are in charge of a couple meals. I have breakfast one morning. We are having french toast, hashbrowns, bacon and sausage. The other meal we are splitting and it is hawaiian haystacks. Delicious. I am in charge of the chicken gravy, rice and cake. The cake is a Valentine's Day/ brithday cake. It is my other mother's birthday on Saturday and it should be a fun celebration.

So, without further delay, I must get the rest of the packing done and loaded into the already cramped car. Sigh...just to unload it all in a couple of hours!

Tax time, again

Yuck. The piles and piles of receipts and papers have been staring me in the face for sooo long now. I hate preparing tax information (luckily we take all the prepared stuff to the tax man so I don't have to do that part). I have filing cabinets and binders full of junk that needs gone through. Why is it again that we pay taxes? All of our states are going broke...education has gone to the pot...I pay out the wazoo for medical care and I drive everyday on pot-hole filled roads. Tell me again why I go to the grocery store and pay taxes on all of the food that is already priced too high, and why I pay taxes on my money, get to write off a PORTION of my expenses, I pay our employees and they pay taxes on their income that I have already paid some kind of tax on. I pay taxes on clothes, food, houses, land, cars....I am tired of taxes. I am just glad Troy is not a CPA and that I get to spend some time with him! I am sorry to all of those who do have CPA's for husbands...I am sure you cannot wait until April!

So, it is early. I have been doing tax stuff since 6:45 this morning. I was a bit under the weather yesterday and didn't do much of anything. Tomorrow I have a friend coming to learn a bit about cake decorating and I have a ton to do before we get to that point. Today is also the day that I start PFA (parent-faculty-association) work in the class room. I am so excited about it. I will be there all afternoon! Finally, I get to do a little bit with Daes at school!

So, I better get busy preparing taxes so I can have them turned in before our Grover cabin retreat. I also have loads of laundry and bathrooms to clean, floors to mop and vacuum. Dishes to unload and reload...breakfast to cook and ironing to do. I have cakes to bake and projects to prepare for the cabin. I have a desk to clean and bills to pay...do I need to go on? I get to have all of this done by Thursday afternoon! Anyone wanna take bets on if I get it done or not???

new week

Yesterday we had fast and testimony meeting. I have been very uncomfortable in fast and testimony meeting since last July due to some things that happened at Girl's camp. My testimony has been very dim since then and I had no intention of bearing my testimony yesterday. There was five minutes left to the meeting and Daeson leaned over and started asking questions about his testimony. He asked if he could bare his testimony and if I would help him. I told him that I could not tell him what his testimony was and that it was something that he had to do for himself but he was welcome to bare it. Then he asked something that crushed me: Mom, do you have a testimony? Why don't you go share it? So, completely unprepared I made my way to the front of the chapel. I had not given a lot of thought to my testimony lately and I had some bitter feelings in my heart due to some things happening in our home. I decided, because my five yr old was watching me very closely, that I would keep it very basic and simple to set an example. I told him that I did believe in my Savior and I know that the scriptures are true. I shared with him that I am grateful for the gospel in my life. I found myself saying some other things that right now I cannot recall, but I also found myself really wondering what my testimony included. Because it has dimmed over the last few months, I wasn't sure what I believed. I have always had a strong testimony and I have never been afraid to share it. I could not understand the feelings I was feeling. They were not feelings of doubt...I do not doubt the gospel or the teachings within. I do however doubt my dedication to the gospel at certain times in my life. I grew up knowing the gospel was true. My parents did not force me to attend and they never were strict about it but they always went and set the example. My mom held FHE and I would often find my dad reading his scriptures. No matter what mistakes I made in my teenage yrs, I always came back to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I always have known it was true. So what are these unrecognizable feelings we have sometimes? Are they feelings of inadequacy? Are they feelings of being completely overwhelmed? Are they feelings that we have because we are supposed to be perfect and be examples to all those around us? And if we have such feelings, what do they mean? How do we overcome them? I am positive that each member of the church has had feelings such as these. I am sure at some point we all step back and analyze our lives and try to understand what we are supposed to be doing and how we are supposed to do everything we have been handed as saints. It is a huge responsibility to be a member of the church. It can be overwhelming. Meeting after meeting, being away from our families, fighting with children in Sacrament meeting and constantly shushing them...the stares of the older couples in the ward who claim their children were never like that. Sitting week after week, alone, having multiple callings because there are those members who actually say no because they have" done their part". Or those who are never asked for whatever reason. Do we have such feelings because we doubt the gospel? No, we have these feelings because we are human. Because we constantly doubt ourselves and our own abilities. The gospel of Jesus Christ has not changed. The priesthood in which so many hold should be honored and kept sacred. That is why we sit week after week alone in Sacrament meeting, fighting and shushing our children. That is why we are overwhelmed with callings and meetings...because we know the gospel is the only solid thing that we have in life. There are several who call themselves Latter-Day Saints who fall short, who even set a bad example for the church, but the gospel is solid. I guess that is what my testimony boils down to: I do believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Simple. I do all the extra stuff because I want to do what is right. I want to set an example, like my parents did for me, for my children. I want my kids to know that I have a testimony. I don't ever want Daeson to ask my again if I have a testimony. I should be happy to share it and I should let it burn bright. I should not let the doubts and fears get in the way of being a good latter day saint, no matter how inadequate I feel. I am so far from perfect and I have so many short comings that I cannot even list them all. But all I can do is try to be a better person...to start a new week every week and pray that I can be a better person, mother, wife, friend, and member of the church. Being a member of the greatest church in the world is not easy. It is time consuming and very task oriented...but it can bring such happiness and joy.

So for every week, I am going to set a new goal to bring me closer to a brighter testimony. This weeks goal: read my scriptures every day.

I know by taking tiny steps such as prayer, scripture study and attendance testimonies burn brighter and we take the baby steps to understanding the gospel. Line uppn line, precept on precept. Right?

grover family retreat 2011

Every year the Grovers get together and take a mini vacation to a cabin. We chat, eat, snowmachine, eat, eat, and play games. This year Troy and I were put in charge. It is coming up quickly and I need to post the assignments for food and lodging. So, here are the assignments:

Thursday we check in after 4. Everyone is responsible for their own meals that night.

Friday:

Breakfast: Jandy and Troy (french toast, sausage, bacon)

Lunch: Peggy and Richard (soups and pizza?)

Dinner: Dani and Todd (street tacos?)

Saturday: Happy Birthday Peggy!

Breakfast: Heidi and Kaden (?)

Lunch: Kayla and Adam (french dip?)

Dinner: Hawaiian haystacks

Jandy: gravy, chicken, rice and birthday cake

Kla: cheese, almonds, Chinese noodles

Danielle: celery, green pepper, coconut, pineapple

Heidi: green onions, marchinio cherries, tomatoes, olives

Richard and Kaden: Ice cream for cake

Sunday check out is at 11, everyone is responsible for own breakfasts. We are responsible for washing the towels and putting a set or two of sheets in the wash. I know this is odd because we have a cleaning deposit, but if everyone takes care of their family, it will go smoothly!

There will be approx. 13 adults an 7 children. Please plan your meals accordingly. Room assignments are as follows:

Richard and Peggy: Master bedroom and bath (Yes, I gave up my king for you)

Adam and Kayla: Downstairs bedroom with 2 queens and bunks.

Danivan and Toddly: Downstairs bedroom with 2 queens and bunks.

Jandy and Troy: Upstairs 2 queens

Heidi: Upstairs with 1 queen

Kaden: Downstairs with 1 queen

The cabin does not provide toiletries (bar soap, shampoo,conditioner), please bring your own.

The cabin does have dish washing detergent, linens, towels, laundry soap, dishes, pots and pans, and the basic necessities. Please throw in a couple of rolls of TP just in case we run out. Also, please bring a roll of paper towels and a couple of garbage sacks.

We are looking forward to this trip! I will be emailing each of you a rental agreement for the stay. Everyone is responsible for printing and signing this agreement. Please look over things carefully and bring them with you. Troy and I have to make sure everyone is aware of the rules. If you have any questions, let us know! Yea for the cabin trip!!! Troy is bringing up some board games...please bring some favorites! The cabin does not have the pool table or air hockey, but there is a hot tub and a television. We should have plenty of things to do!!!!

Stake conference

This morning we attended stake conference. We live across the street from the stake center, so I was able to see that at 8:30 this morning the parking lot was FULL. We hurried to get ready, the boys stayed at Grover's last night so it was just Troy and I, and we rushed over. We were able to get a seat on the last row of the overflow. We were blessed today to have the temple President and Matron, a member of the stake primary presidency, our stake president, a member of the 70 and Jeffery R. Holland speak to us. Everyone gave a wonderful talk and we were left with an Apostolic blessing. He spoke of the old testament where James and John went to the temple to figure some things out and saw the lame man sitting on the stairs asking for handouts. James and John blessed this man and he was able to walk. He told that the Pharasies did not want to believe what had happened and they were upset that these miracles did not cease after they crucified Jesus Christ. They could not deny the miracle. It happened. He then talked about how scholars have tried for 180 yrs to destroy the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. They have all failed. Why have they failed? because it is true. You cannot deny it. You can choose to practice or not to practice, to believe or not to believe, but it does not change the fact that it is TRUE. I loved that. It was such a wonderful talk. He talked about missionary work and he challenged the youth to stay with the church for the next 10 years and diligently study the scriptures and they would not fall away. He called this their Tithe. Give it ten years and they would be so involved that they will not fall away. He blessed the men in our stake that they would honor their priesthood. he blessed the women that they would stay strong. he blessed our youth and the children that they grow up strong. He blessed that we would read and study the scriptures. He blessed the sick and afflicted. He did a wonderful presentation and I loved every minute of it. They all did a great job. I was happy that Troy went, but I missed my boys. I wanted Daeson to hear a man of God speak to us. I wanted him to feel the Spirit that was present. I am not sure Tev would have lasted, but I now that Daeson is such a spiritual child that he would probably never forget the talks.

I am grateful to belong to this wonderful church. I know that sometimes we take offense or we offend others, but it is not the people of the church that are true...it is the gospel that will not change. I firmly believe that we have this amazing gospel on this earth and we have the full authority of the Priesthood. I know that Joseph Smith would not have died in vain. I know that those serving missions, callings, and those whom preside over this church would not give up their lives to do so if this were not a true church. The only true church on the earth today. I am lucky to be able to take part in such a wonderful gospel. I am grateful troy was able to attend conference with me. It was so nice to have him there.

Sick

So Saturday night we took a break from all the painting and remodeling and decided to go to dinner with Jaimen and Kara. We had a sitter go to their house because ours was such a HUGE mess. Well, there was a visitor that night who was sick. Yup, a little friend came over and played with Tevan...she was sick! Well, needless to say that Monday Tevan started to feel yucky and that night he threw up and threw up and threw up. Poor kid! The funny part was that he came down to find Troy and I. We were downstairs watching The Office and Community on Hulu. After expressing that he was sick, he threw up on me. Then I started to throw up. So Troy was trying to help both of us...one garbage can, two puke-ees. After bathing and getting Tev back to bed, I laid by him all night. It was so fun laying with him, my fat belly, and my cramping legs on a twin sized bed. He threw up a good six times. He did really good,only once throwing up all over the bed. After bathing him and getting him in the third pair of jammies for the night, he went to sleep again. Tuesday he felt better but I kept him home from all activities. His eyes were bruised from the pressure of throwing up and he looked sickly. Wednesday he started to feel better and act himself again.

Thursday Troy picked Daeson up from school and he started crying and telling Troy he had a bad ear ache. So, we gave him some eardrops from a previous infection and hoped for the best. He really didn't feel good and anyone could tell. I finally called to get a perescription and we got him settled. He was accidentally given too much medicine and I was freaking out. I was told to watch him and to make sure he was peeing okay. He did really good for a bit. I finally finished quilting a quilt I started years ago (Susie Q, it will be on it's way shortly!) and I checked on the boys. He had thrown up all over his bed and himself. I was grateful that he didn't get on the new carpet:). We bathed him and got him laying back down on the heating pad. He slept pretty good last night and I was pleased that for the first time in a week he slept past six a.m. He went to school today and I asked his teacher to keep him in. We will probably end up taking out his adnoids and tonsils the first week of April (Spring break). That way he will be healed up for school the next week and it will be done before the baby comes. I will set up an apt on Monday. He is terrified, but I know he will do great. He will breathe, sleep and feel better. He has been so stuffy since August and he does no sleep at all. He tells me "It is not my fault I can't sleep, Mom. I just can't sleep very good." So...something has to give! We will find out what the verdict will be.

On the way home from school today he apologized for keeping me up all night. He is such a sweet boy! I told him that I was just glad that I felt good enough to take care of him. Troy was out with his friends until late and I was grateful I could hold it together while cleaning up the yucky stuff. I am grateful that both of my boys are feeling better. I am glad that, other than surgeries and colds, my boys are relatively healthy. They are sweet and loving and for the most part...perfect ;0. Troy has been feeling a lot better, too. His back is doing a bit better only giving him pain on his big delivery days. He is going back to school for his master's degree in Networking Securities or something like that. He has a very large brain and he is very, very smart. I know he will do well and I know he can pull it off. We are putting the computer store on hold for the time being. It was getting to be a bit too much. I was going crazy with his schedule and he was getting a bit worn out. He is a hard worker, but even Superman has to take a break! I am thankful for my family and friends. I am grateful for the support I get on a regular basis. I am one lucky girl...even through all the sickness and drama! I love this little family of mine!!!

Loving it

Well, minus a couple of doors and a few feet of trim, we are finished. It is so wonderful! I absolutely love the way things turned out. Troy's cousin is going to help me make a frame for the picture that I want to hang, and we do have some touch ups, but it is livable. It looks so much bigger and it is lovely. The other night Troy's bro and Adam stopped by to take a peek...we borrowed Ryan for a couple/three hours and picked his brain with out wiring problem. If you turned on one light, the other wouldn't work. Now, after much trial and error, all the switches work. come to find out, the way they were wired was a huge fire hazard. I am glad that is fixed! Today my goal is to do laundry and to vacuum all the yucky dust from downstairs. It is a real mess down there, but with a little elbow grease and some time, it will be gleaming just like upstairs. The kids love having the house put back together and we can walk around without stumbling around! I really enjoy getting up in the middle of the night and going to the bathroom without hitting my toe on boxes and totes of items. It is wonderful. We are ready for visitors, just please remove your shoes upon entering! :) Troy even asked the Qwest guy the other day to remove his shoes! If planning a visit, please keep in mind that we have trim left to be put up and a couple of items that need to be redecorated with. But come on over and visit for a moment!

She moves

Last night Troy was able to (with a bit of prodding from me) feel the baby move. She gave him some great little kicks and I was so excited. I feel her a tiny bit once in a while, but she is still small and very padded right now. I think Troy is getting more and more excited. I hung some girl clothes in the closet tonight and showed him. He just replied, "I don't know about all this girl business". I know secretly he is very thrilled and just won't admit it!

Finished...almost

I love that word ALMOST. it is a very positive word meaning "I can see a very close light at the end of the tunnel and I am so excited!" It is 10 pm on Sunday night. Troy just finished the wood flooring and I just finished putting the finishing touches on the paint. It looks pretty good if you ask me. I am very excited for the carpet tomorrow. Troy's cousin and my friend, Holly, is coming over to help me clean everything and move it back where it should be. We still have trim to buy and paint, but we ran out of time. This will have to wait about a week until I can get things settled a bit. However, we do have some trim that will go in. It will look marvelous and I cannot wait. We did it. We made the deadline no one thought we could make! I love it when things wrap up and finish out. So, tomorrow I will have a semi-cleaned up and dust free home. YEAH for deadlines! I do want to tell Troy thank you so much for letting me go crazy with this project. It was HUGE and we did it with very little help...just the two of us bickering and fighting...but we made it through! Thanks to everyone else who helped, too. We really appreciate it! Oh, and I better put a note in here that the kids have been so great through all of this! They try to keep things clean and they have been great little helpers. They both even earned a bit of money for helping. They have been very low maintenance only complaining when they were hungry or tired! I love these little boys!

Dust and more dust

I expected a remodel to be dusty. I expected everything to be slightly out of sorts. I expected that it would cost more than what we had planned for. I expected bumps in the road. So, having said that I am ready for this to be over. We had a very nice Lance Ricks sheetrock for us. He did a great job. Someone told us the going rate was $90.00 a sheet...we hung nine sheets...and he only charged us 250 for the whole dang thing (plus supplies). I was very impressed with how quickly he accommodated our needs. We actually had a couple of sheetrockers fall through and not work out and were given his name. He did a wonderful job and I can start painting the living room tomorrow. I put one coat of paint in the baby's room today and worked on the trim. I have everything painted that we have purchase. Unfortunately we have several more feet of trim to purchase and paint. However, the carpet should be in Monday and I will be ready for it. I have a very optimistic feeling about this. Where there is a will, there is a way. (Pound Puppies).

It was not so long ago that I could not will myself off the couch and I am thinking in some respects Troy wishes it was still so. As soon as I was well, we started the remodel. I feel an urgency to get things done. I just want to be back to normal and enjoy the next couple months. I feel much better and I can do so much more than what was possible just a month ago.

This baby is doing great. I neglected to give an ultra sound detail. We all went to the appointment. We were very excited and anxious to find out what the baby's sex would be. Daeson is going to be an amazing big brother as he has wanted a girl the entire time. Tevan will have a very hard time adjusting. If I even look at another baby or child smaller than him, he does everything to get my attention. Troy. What to say about Troy? I think he is excited. I think he thinks I am going to go overboard and spend everything we have! But I think the thing he fears most is that he will turn into a big softy! I think he is going to fall in love with this baby girl as soon as he sees her and it will be the end! As for me, I knew it was going to be a girl about a month ago. I had a strong feeling that she would be a gift for me. This is our last baby due to many aspects and I am grateful Heavenly Father sent me a little girl. At first I was terrified to have a daughter...but I am so grateful now. She will be a joy in our lives. The ultrasounds we got turned out wonderful. The silhouette is absolutely perfect. She has her hand near her face...as if she were posing. She was shy at first, but then she was so fun to watch. Tevan desperately wanted her to talk to him, but then I told him she couldn't talk. This made him very discouraged. All in all, we are very excited for this new addition.

So tomorrow morning I will get up, put on my paint overalls and paint. I have walls to wash, priming to do, painting to do and I hope, Troy will put the trim up. After all of that is dry, Troy has the wood floor to install and then the carpet. After carpet comes, we have crown molding to paint and attach to the ceiling. Then I get to fill holes and touch up. Then we will be ready to clean and move furniture in. I am not sure how they get everything on Home Makeover done so quickly, just a semi-large remodel takes a lot of time and prep. I guess they have 100's of people working on their stuff and we have only a couple. So for now, I am going to turn in. I just got back from my Grandparent's 56th Wedding Anniversary party. We went to dinner then visited for a moment. The roads were slicker than snot, but I made it in double the time it normally takes. The kids fell asleep and I should be sleeping too.

My nerves are shot and my patience are thin. I am getting worn out and I am getting tired of comments made about me pushing things. I like deadlines. Things get done with deadlines and I can see an end with deadlines. Yes, I stress out with deadlines. but only until things are done. Then it is fine. I have learned one thing: if Troy and I were ever to build, we would not stay married! We are so different and I don't think our marriage is strong enough to handle and entire house!!! We are barely puling through this mess! We are pulling through though. Tomorrow is another day. I can and will make it through. Thank Heavens for lights at the end of the tunnels!