February Birthdays and Anniversarys EDITED

Best Wishes for a wonderful day to:

Cony
NEW ARRIVAL: Alison Camryn ( new baby of one of "our kids")

Jerry
Paula

Kristin
HD

Youngest

Buck
Elliot

Ali
Tanner

Kristy and Buck

Jens

Andrew M.

Talmage

Ashlee D.


AND SELENE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Food For Thought

Prince Philip on their 50th Wedding Anniversary-

"Tolerance is the one essential ingredient of any happy marriage"

Think About It- Getting the edges

This week, the patients of the Looney Bin had the opportunity to spend Monday night cleaning the church building. We don't get a lot of chances to do this because of our crazy schedule- and the last time we were able to go, they had so many helpers, that they sent us home, but this time, we came, we cleaned, and I had a "thought" moment.

I was imitating my mother- (she used to be nicknamed Broomhilda because she LOVED to vacuum)- and vacuuming the foyer, halls, and classrooms. As I went along, I noticed that the edges were very dirty- like thick dust on the carpet at every edge and door jam area. I very deliberately made sure to vacuum clear to the very edge of the wall and floor. Guess what? The dust vacuumed right up. I probably could and should have taken the long narrow attachment and really gone to town- but there was such a big difference just by making sure to get right up to the edge, that I didn't.

Anyway- that got me thinking about how many people had run that vacuum down the middle- getting the bulk, but missing the edges when it didn't take that much more time or effort to do. Then I thought about how life is like that- I get so busy covering the "middle" that the edges get completely forgotten. It wouldn't take that much more effort- just mostly paying attention and making sure to get the edges. Like the baby formula drive.

Now, I do not live near my sister, so I did what I could (I sent her to the store to purchase on my behalf, I posted here on my blog, and on my facebook), but what edges did I miss? I could have and should have called all my neighbors, family, and friends and asked for donations so I could send her to the store to purchase more. I know she was able to get a lot- she picked up 30 cans at Cost co, and at least one person collected 58 cans to donate- but those of us who have fed babies bottles of formula, we know how quickly a can goes. I do not in any way want to take away from the great response and assistance- but I could have done better at helping myself- in that small way which might have turned into 30 more cans. I will never know.

Maybe there will be another shipment of supplies and doctors headed over, I don't know. If there is, I will certainly make a better effort to get the edges.

HELP FOR THE BABIES IN HAITI

I COPIED THIS FROM MY SISTER'S BLOG- IF YOU CAN HELP- YOU CAN GET WITH HER OR CALL ME-


If you've been wondering what you can do to personally help the people of Haiti here is something for you. My sister's work is collecting supplies care of Dr. MacArthur. Dr. MacArthur has been down there assisting the medical community. They are having to do a lot of amputations to save lives. Especially on children. They need canes, crutches and wheelchairs. They could also use any type of bandages. Here is something truly heart wrenching. They desperately need baby formula. There are many orphaned babies and they have been feeding them sugar water to keep them soothed but it does not offer any nutrition. If you have any formula at your house or you know someone who might have some at their house or can purchase some, please bring it to my house by Thursday morning. Costco formula is fairly inexpensive as far as formula goes. If you can't donate formula, you can donate money and I will purchase the formula for you. Again, it needs to be brought to Amy's house in CougarTown by Thursday morning. Thanks all!

Officially a Teenager

After a brief hiatus- we again have a teenager in the house.

Today- Oldest turns 13!!!

I know- how did that happen?

A few moments ago, he was delivered into our long-waiting arms, a tiny little bundle weighing a mere 5 lbs- 12 oz. We didn't know what to do with such a tiny one. Never has a baby been more prayed for, longed for, and eagerly anticipated by so many people.

I wish I could scan the pictures I have of Outpatient carrying his new baby brother to meet us for the first time. Someday soon I hope to get that taken care of. The video we have is pretty silent :) because the DR and I were crying but speechless.

Now- that precious little bundle is not so little, and he is a bundle of hormones, with limbs that threaten to take over his body. He is 5'6", and 120 pounds, wearing a size 10 shoe. His voice is deeper than his dad's and his big brother. Some of his aunts like to make him talk so they can laugh at how changed his voice is. There are frequent squeaks that give his mom the giggles.

He loves, loves, loves to hunt, fish, camp- be outdoors. He is doing hunters safety right now- and that is his passion. He has made a lot of progress on the ice, and decided to attempt travel team soccer this year. Since we are already traveling with Middle- it won't be too big of a stretch to add that for him.

He is my best helper- when it comes to his chores. He is doing well in school-and would rather be up and ready to go with his dad early on Sunday mornings than ask anyone to give him a ride.

Happy "Officially a Teenager" Birthday- my son- may we get through these next 6 years with love and peace. And lots of talks.

Love you.

Food For Thought

"No one is guaranteed happiness. Life just gives us time and space. It's up to us to fill it with joy and meaning."



Author unknown- to me anyway.

Unsettling

I thought, several weeks ago, that I wanted to do a few posts about my heritage to start this new year and decade. Specifically, individual posts about my individual grandparents. I hadn't decided yet who to start with- should I do them in order of age? name? gender? I wasn't sure- then I got busy, then sick, then busy trying to get past the sick. Well- today was a weird day.

I listen to books or movies a lot while I work or putter around the house. I usually get in a cycle of something and listen to it several times. Right now, I am on an "Anne" kick. I have downloaded podcasts of the three major books. I was listening to Anne of Green Gables today- the last several chapters. You know- where Anne is triumphant at school, Matthew is beyond proud, and then he dies. I got really emotional- I am not sure why- it isn't like I haven't read, heard, and seen it a hundred or more times. Then I started thinking about my Grandparents- specifically about my Grandpa A. Now, I have mentioned him a time or two- but not really any details. No idea why the story brought him to mind.

Anyway- about an hour or so after this little emotional moment, I got on to check my emails. There was one from an Aunt. It was about my Grandpa. Or more specifically, the man who killed him. My grandpa was murdered nine years ago this June. His death was awful. The man who killed him- I don't even want to go there.

I thought it was very odd timing.

Food For Thought

"If you want to be miserable, keep comparing yourself with others".


*Saw this on a blog- and she was quoting something she heard on the radio- so I don't know the absolute source.

Tender Mercies Tuesday- Marriage

If you want to read something awesome- go here. http://pensievity.blogspot.com/2010/01/because-im-totally-rudeawesome-like.html



As the world was counselled in the Proclamation on the Family- "Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and that the family is CENTRAL to the Creator's plan" (emphasis added).
Marriage and family life is like a riverbed, and we are stones who are working to become smooth. It was never intended to be a piece of cake. It was meant to perfect each individual. And perfection takes work and effort. The rocks in a riverbed become smooth as they bump along through the rough waters together.

I may have mentioned that I love the DR. Several times. That does not mean there are never moments of frustration, or other struggles. There are. Lots. Even after all these years. But- I wouldn't want to be trying to raise children, going through trials, or sharing the joys with anyone else.

Weekend Wrap up-

It was quite a weekend.

Friday- for unknown, brain dead reasons, I decided to clean out the fridge. Sounds benign enough, I know. However, we were leaving for hockey games by 2:15. I had a good reason- I needed to run the dishwasher and there was room for dishes from the fridge. It seemed like a good enough reason at the time. But alas, no, no it wasn't. Enter a bowl of leftover shredded beef that a large chunk got away from me and went down before I could stop it. It stopped me instead. Cloggedeous sinkus major.

Well, two bottles of drano, and lots of tentative plunging later, I just had to leave it. I covered the sink so as to keep smells to a minimum and off we had to go. yuck.

Next up, trauma for the Miss Sophie- and I confess- her momma. We had a problem on our hands because Miss Sophie is in heat, she was not welcome in the hotel, and all of her regular visiting places are home to unfixed males- not of her breed or even close. So- the DR found her a kennel. Very nice place, super nice people, BUT not what she has EVER had to experience in her life! I felt a little like a criminal knowing what I was subjecting her to- and who leaves her baby with a complete stranger?

Anyway- we both survived, and she is paying us back with her trauma tummy- lovely.

Hockey games were both successful. (no pictures- I forgot my camera in the thrill of sink clogging) Then we headed to Cougartown, went to Tucanos, the DR and Oldest went to the BYU basketball game, and then the kids went to Jump on it- where the Outpatient had to defend the patients from a bully guy who looked like he smelled to high heavens and said he wanted to kill the kids. Nice.

First order of business when I got home was to deal with the sink. Now- the DR didn't know he was marrying a plumber all those years ago- but I have saved him lots over the years :) (shush- you don't need to bring up that I am the one who usually plugs it in the first place.) Anyhow- it was not pretty which made me think about how long it takes meat to dissolve in out stomachs- but I digress. No progress. I ladled out the drano- put in some new- left it over night- but no such luck- so I spent the morning ladling out the drano- diluting, ladling, diluting, ladling- you know- so I wouldn't have to deal with a deluge of drano when I took the sink apart. I could hear some trickling- and track some heat but couldn't tell for sure when the clog was. I had to find an appropriate container for the remaining liquid- then I proceeded to take the pipes apart, found the clog- removed it, put the sink back together and now I have a giant mess of a kitchen- but I can use the sink and dishwasher. hurray.

Now- as I might have hinted- I am on a - d- word. So here is my report. I have lost 5 pounds exactly this week! which brings my total since the holidays to 10 pounds. I am happy about that- especially since we were on the road and ate at two of my favorite places this weekend. I know it won't continue to come off this fast, but it is a great start.

Somedays

It is not any wonder why some animals eat their young.

What have I been doing?

Seriously? Not much. The Family Reunion = colds of a violent nature. I think 10 or so of us got sick. This was a cold unlike one I have had for a while. My body sort of felt like 200 pounds of sand was clogging it, plus another 50 pounds in my head. Basically, I spent Friday, laying on the floor. or the couch. or the bed. and being achy. Then, because my body works in contraries, I was up all night with quite the unhappy ovary. I had female removal surgery nearly 7 years ago, but due to my young age, they didn't want to remove those parts if they didn't have to. Well. Let me tell you, I ovulate at least twice as often as I ever did before. And it usually isn't too pretty. Long story short, even with the help of medication, I did not sleep until 5:30 am- which, ironically, is after I woke the DR, Oldest, and Middle and got them off to the first hockey game. I skipped that game, by the way.

So, Saturday started with hockey at 6:15 am, then a second game at 8:45 am. Youngest and I made it to that one. Middle was pretty sweet- she wondered why on earth I dragged my body down to the rink because I was so sick. I told her, that is what we do- we support each other if at all possible. I miss quite a few games because they are too far, or too early for Youngest to be even remotely wakeable to say nothing of being pleasant . I went back to bed for several hours, then tried to function at least a little. The DR had the chance to go ride snowmobiles for a few hours.

Oh- and they won both games.

Sunday, we started the 9:00 am schedule. It is not my favorite. I have to get up just as early as regular days. Although- now the DR and Oldest are out of the house by 7:30- so as long as I remember to make the girls shower on Saturday night, it shouldn't be as bad, and I am not teaching- so no last minute lesson stuff. hum- might be okay to sleep in at least 30 minutes.
I stayed home, and went back to bed after getting the girls up and the DR came to get them. I don't know the last time I was hit this hard.

Monday, I started an "eating plan". Basically, my sis is helping me do W8 WTCHRS without actually having to sign up. It was probably not the best day, but really, is there a good day to start making yourself follow a "health plan". (I am avoiding the "D" word). Sis is doing really well on it, and has lost quite a bit overall- and since she didn't worry about it during the holidays- she has done really well. My thoughts: I miss my pre-surgery days, where I was carrying maybe 10-15 pounds more than I wanted, not 40 more than I should. I could down a bag of chocolate without gaining 5 pounds. Speaking of which, why does a pound of chocolate make a woman gain 5 pounds? I don't miss- at all- the reason I had surgery, I just wish I could have it both ways.

Mondays (and Thursdays) I go to the inlaws' during hockey practice. This serves a couple purposes- I check on everything, water the plants, and gather up anything on the list that my MIL has that she needs sent out to her. Once a month, I run the appliances to keep them lubricated, and flush the toilets, put a little bleach in there, that kind of stuff. It keeps it looking like people are there. It also makes it so that I don't have to sit down at the rink freezing. I am going to start using the time on their elliptical- since my tread mill is dead. I can also go for a little while on Tuesdays. This week, I only grabbed the list items- but next time.... bringing the shoes and the ipod.

Monday night, there was a reporting of some awesome Tender Mercies. The DR had to drive out to Cougartown, then he and the Outpatient got to hang out together for a little.

Tuesday, I started to feel a bit better, and managed to do some laundry and scour the bathroom. That was about it :).

Today- I am feeling better, and most reports concur- this is a four day journey of sickness. Stuffy nose aside. Maybe, I can get Christmas taken down tomorrow?

Weekend Quick Report

I am currently out sick. When I return to the land of the living, I will have to catch up all over again.

FYI--****almost caught up****

I have been working on catching up- but I am trying to do it in order- so you will have to scroll back to catch up :) get it?

The Tale(s) of the Teeth

So I don't forget, here a few funnies in relation to the recently departed parts of the Oldest.

First...
He so would not quit bugging us about their location while at the dentist. They were cleaning them for him, but finally just handed them over. Gross. The teeth are his trophies or something. Anyway, so he handed me a baggie filled with 7 of the 8 teeth- one sadly was sucked up accidentally- and his orthodontic appliance. Oh lucky me. All I need is to add the teeth from the DR's elk- and I can make me quite the necklace.

Second...
He wanted to go with me to drop Sophie off to be dog sat. Not a surprise, but he also had the ulterior motive of showing off his trophies to his cousins, Christopher M. and Nate. The look on Christopher's face was priceless! The boy can't stand for his own teeth to fall out one at a time, and to be confronted with the baggie full of still somewhat unclean gems was more than he bargained for.

Third...
He also had to show off his collection to his other cousins. I was not around for that so I can't report on their reactions- however, that set up the fourth.

Fourth...
He lost his teeth! as in- the whole baggie. We did wonder if maybe that is what stunk up our room- but since we hauled everything out- and had looked everywhere for the teeth in there, we were pretty sure it wasn't.

Fifth...
Called Grandma begging her to call and at least put the Aspen Grove people on the lookout for teeth. She was embarrassed (come on- what is worse, a missing bag of baby molars and a wire appliance or two adult cross-dressing sons?) but she- and I quote-"loves him so much that I did it". Can you just imagine the person who got the message? I am sure we made it into the folklore stories of Aspen Grove.

Sixth...
After all that, teeth were found. Not yet turned in. Giant teeth like those may break the Tooth Fairy's bank. Seriously.

Seventh...
While he and I were driving in the car to buy the both of us soft foods and painkillers, he said to me in all seriousness- "I wonder if I can get the tooth fairy to let me keep the teeth".

Um- I think that can be arranged.






psst- hey DR... I think you have some 'splaining to do.

Family Reunion -Day Three (well- one half)

Saturday, we had to be out of the cabins by noon. I took no pictures. I was busy being sickened by the smell in our room, stripping beds, distracting babies who wanted to cry, and repacking my junk. Had to say goodbye to some of my favorite people for who knows how long. Favorite Aunt lives in WA. Artist lives in FL. Wish I was wealthy and could fly us all over to visit whenever we wanted. Sorry I was such a crank.

Anyway-
Miss Sophie had spent the two days with Aunt Ju and Uncle Beent- and they had graciously taken her in to get groomed- so we had to be back to get her, and get Outpatient moved into his apartment. Thanks to the crazy timing, holidays, and whatever- we did a terrible job of thinking through what he needed or could bring with him from home- so I made a major shopping spree of the rest of the afternoon while the DR went to the movies with my sis and her hubs. Got all the necessary, I think.

Met up with the DR and Sis & hubs for dinner, then went to baby sis' and ended up being the 5th and 6th wheel to a set-up blind date. This was funnier than it sounds, because I had assumed earlier the couple was just that- a couple. When we returned and I saw that the gal was baby sis' BFF, I realized differently- and had no real opportunity to explain this to the DR- before he put his foot in it. He never did pick up on it until after they had called it a night- but luckily his full personality was not on display- so no harm, no foul. Could have become a tad awkward-

Sunday- we didn't hurry too much, and finally got home a little before 5:00pm.
It has been an incredibly fast two weeks, but at times, not so much. Patients back to school. Outpatient starts his classes. And the DR and I back to reality.

January Birthdays- Anniversarys

Best Wishes to:

Grandma Bunnie

Sam :)

Peter

Oldest

Carey and Ellen

Jeff P.


I don't have my calendar with me- so I might have to edit this- but January is one of the smallest months -

2009 -Year in Review

In January:
Oldest turned 12, and continued growing at a fast pace. He was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood, office of a deacon.
Outpatient had 9 months left of the mission.

In February:
Youngest turned 9. She was baptized, confirmed, and got a new girl cousin all within a few short hours.
Outpatient began shipping stuff home.
Rest of the Looney Bin attended the Draper Temple Open House.

In March:
Lots of blessings as two sweet cousins, girl and boy, joined the ranks. Few trials there as well, but overwhelming blessings accompanied them.
It was a real roller coaster of a month.
Lots of miles.
Finished hockey season.

In April:
More trials and blessings. More trips to Cougar Town.
Niece has baby girl.
6 months remaining, but who had time to count?
Few fun things for Youngest- first successful Flat Stanley project. Major part in the 2nd grade play.
Camping season officially started.
So did soccer.

In May:
More trips. Baby blessings and blessings for babies.
More soccer.
Year end performances for TaVaci and school, and practices for dance.
Little bit too eventful Bike Trip.
One nephew farewell, one called.

In June:
Final performance for dance. Missed Family reunion.
Sewing classes.
Travel Team Soccer. Lots of success.
Three months? How did that happen?

In July:
Surgeries.
Camping.
More Soccer.
Niece has baby girl.
Reflections on past, and evidence of lessons hoped for.
Household projects. Reminds me- need to get back to those.

In August:
Middle turned 11. Augh!
Still more soccer.
Inlaws mission call. Nephew mission call.
Toughest month of my life, I am pretty sure.
And speaking of month. !ONE!
and Back to school.

In September:
Nephew leaves.
My firstborn turned 21!!! Double Augh!
My firstborn came home.

In October:
Giant change of plans.
Arrival of iMac brings some sparkle back.
BYU Football in full swing.
Hockey beginning.
Several friends returning.

In November:
Another year for me, another year for him, and another year for us! (try not to get married in the same month as birthdays- kind of overkill)
New girl in the life.
Hockey, Hockey, Hockey.
Family. Good and Bad.

In December:
More miracles!
Traditions!
Nephew's wedding.
Lots of travel and family time.
Niece has baby boy.

emotional.

Family Reunion -Day Two- New Years

Day two was spent by most out in the snow. Tubing and sledding, with a little snowmobile riding- right up until the DR showed up shortly before lunch to inform me that MY machine had just broken. :( Sadness. So that ended the snowmobiling, and a rescue team was dispatched to bring it safely home to the trailer. Not sure how they got it loaded- but nobody threw their back out- so that was good.





We loved on babies, Youngest helped Grandma string paper cranes, ate more food than was good for us,

and played games and watched a few movies.Don't think Nephew T was watching too much, but he made a great couch for Ava and Rainier. Outpatient's GF joined us, and so did a friend of Nephew J.

The game center has lots of space and has ping pong tables, pool tables, air hockey and fuss ball, it had a bigger kitchen and large enough eating area, plus a big gathering room with a big tv. It was nice to spread out.

Day two also brought the realization that there was something dead in or under my room. I blamed it on the chili and the DR- but after several major airings- it wasn't getting better- it was worse. We searched everywhere and hauled most of our stuff back out- but to no avail. I can only surmise that there is a dead animal of some sort under that part of the cabin. Hope it wasn't Fatty the Raccoon from year one. We didn't see him, but his cousin, Fatty the orange cat ate my loaf of bread.

Family Reunion / New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve marked the start of my family's reunion, started off by the before mentioned family pictures. Can't wait to see those. I have gained 20 pounds since the last time I allowed such torture to occur, plus my lovely dental adventures. Hope she will give us the files so that Outpatient can photoshop to my heart's content. If models can be airbrushed, then why not me?

The pictures actually went relatively well considering all the little kids and babies. Not to mention my cross-dressing brothers. Not kidding, but it was an inside joke. Artist looked ravishing in a lovely red, while Younger Brother was demure in basic black. Glad it was just family around. Then we got our stuff unloaded and began to celebrate by opening our gifts to each other- the grandkids all draw every year, while the parentals rotate. There was a "gag" gift this year, as when we last did this three winters' ago. That time it was my turn to be harassed- my brother bought me a burka- because I sent his family a link to a Moms for Modesty blog. This year, the other brother bought my sis- Favorite Aunt and her hubby Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch shirts. This brought LOTS of laughter:)

When everyone had opened gifts (Ava Grace is not a fan of taking turns) Artist made his appearance as a bird? we cleaned up the mess, and Grandma Bunnie did what she loves best- decorate :) She was really glad we brought the snowmobile trailer because she bought the biggest balloons I ever saw that were regular type balloons! Bigger than an exercise ball. We played various games, and rang in the New Year, followed by celebrating Grandma's birthday. It was a long day- ending around 1:30am for most of us- and longer for some. Like this turkey-

Best part of the day? Snugging on these three... S, Elle, and Niko

Happy New Year and Birthday to Grandma B

Happy Senior Citizen Birthday to Grandma Bunnie. 65 years ago- she was the New Year's Baby at the hospital she was born at. I don't think she was rewarded for that quite as handsomely as some New Year's babies are today. In Small Town- last year it took three days to get a New Year's Baby.

I had intended to spend some time catching up on this blog while at my Family Reunion, but alas- there is no internet- so- I will have to postpone the update. Have a safe weekend.