March- Where did you go?

March was incredibly busy.  Our bantam team took 3rd in one league.  Then three days later- we loaded up patients and Middle's hockey bag and headed to SD for a four state Girls Team Tournament.  It was a great experience and we turned it into a mini family vacation. Got home on Monday and left again Thursday for more hockey- and after way too many years-  our kids finally got it done and took State.  It was a very drama filled weekend- and I didn't get to watch much because every time I was watching, the other team would score- if I walked away, we scored.  So, after a few times- I just went and sat in Middle's dressing room- only coming out to peek- and watch the last period of the championship game.  It was an amazing feeling for my patients and their dad to hold that trophy.  I was so proud of our kids.  We fight a lot of prejudice and discrimination- not to mention flat out abuse from other teams and our kids usually have a lot of retaliation penalties.  This time-  they totally kept their heads and played super clean (for hockey).  We have had some sadness with the team as well-  March 12-  one of the hockey mom's passed away from a rare autoimmune disease.  Then- the week of tournament- the father of one of our long time team members died unexpectedly.  The team wore his number on their helmets to have him "with" them as they played. I have never been so proud of those kids-  and even if they had lost- as long as they played the way they did-  it would be the proudest hockey moment for me.

That weekend also brought a huge surprise trip for Middle-  her Uncle's company borrowed her to use as a Teen Spokesperson at the Pre-Events for the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards.  So- immediately after we got home- we practically turned right back around and took her out to fly to CA for that.  It was an unforgettable experience for her and she got to meet a lot of stars and some of their family members.  Part of the reason she got to go is because she is a 4.0 student- even with all the school she has missed lately for hockey.

Life is not going to be settling down much- so we will see how much I get back to this.  I want to post about SD- so crossing fingers I can post some pictures.  I have traveled over 4 thousand miles since January-  and that is just the miles on my van.  We also put miles on the DR's truck- and my inlaws every so generously let us borrow their much more fuel efficient vehicles as well.

Funny today

This morning I had a phone call from someone who I used to VT (JM) - way back in the day :)-  she was subbing one of Middle's classes and she was looking for addresses that she hoped I would have for wedding invites.

Anyway-  the funny part was she said to me that Middle had told her we just came back from South Dakota from a hockey tournament- and JM asked which of her brothers had played in the tournament.  JM said the look on Middle's face was priceless- and she answered - Neither- it was MY tournament.

Never Dreamed-

The DR mentioned the other day that this hockey season has taken him (us) places we have never been before.  We have spent almost every weekend this month at a tournament somewhere-  with the biggie being South Dakota. 


Never in my wildest did I ever- ever- think I would take a patient to play hockey in South Dakota.  But we did. and I will have to tell you all about it as soon as I get a few minutes :)

January in a Nut Shell-

Well- my blogging hasn't gone well as of late-  hampered a great deal by a huge increase in my hours of employment-  like doubling.  Like full time plus some overtime.  And an increase in hockey activity as well.

We started of the New Year with:

Grandma Bunnie had a birthday.  She is older. Ha.

The DR got the tree taken down and out of my house on the 2nd.  That may not seem remarkable- but the last few years it has still been up when Oldest's birthday rolled around.

PB&J was made a Bishop in a newly formed Singles Ward.

Miss Middle and Oldest played a lot of hockey.

Piano back in session after holiday break.

Then- more and more hockey.

I GOT A NEW OVEN!!!!! A double/ convection  oven.

Baby sister's baby A was blessed- but the girls of this ward were unable to attend because we were snowed in at hockey games.

Oldest turned FIFTEEN!  Not sure who gave him permission to do that.

Baby Sister's baby A had surgery on her skull, and that same day, her beloved dog, Flash, passed away. 

Then the night of the 30th, we received a phone call that a young man Outpatient and the DR had hometaught in our old ward had shot himself.

END OF THE NUTSHELL PART.

A little more detail-

 At the meeting where my BIL was called and sustained as a new bishop- there were two men on the stand from my home ward growing up.  That was rather surprising to me.  What are the odds?  He is going to make a great bishop.   We sent Middle to play hockey in a different state with a friend that weekend.  Everyone but her plays hockey on Sunday.  She had to stand up all by herself  (without even her parents) for her choice to not play hockey and break the Sabbath.  She was shocked to learn that two other members on her team are also members of the church (one she already knew was so there are a total of 5 members of our faith including her, which is a pretty high percentage considering there are only 15 girls on the roster).  It is hard for her to understand why they go to church and yet not only play hockey but do many other things that they have been taught are not good.  I was a little worried about what her choice would be, but she held firm and from what I heard, she did it with humility and class.  Good Girl! Her teammates had some interesting ideas for her, including saying that it was Monday instead.  I think they do respect her for her decision  and her coach told both me and her that he would take her any time he can get her, and he would rather have her half the time then not at all.

We had ordered a new oven and it was supposed to be delivered on Dec 23.  It wasn't.  Then it was backordered again.  Well- actually- it was built specifically for us because we ordered white I guess.  Anyway-  I didn't get to do my Christmas cookie baking in it-  but we christened it by cooking lasagna, brownies and then three pizzas all at the same time.  And I have since baked 9 dozen cookies in just a couple of hours.  I need a few more silpats and good baking sheets :)

Oh-  and I taught RS in there too-  I was not at peace with the lesson, and felt that I didn't present it as well as I would like.  It didn't help that my neighbor had her farewell talk that day and our former bishop whom we are very close with spoke as well.  I was emotional, and coughing up my lung- so it wasn't my best.  I hope the sisters felt the spirit though.  Many spoke to me after- so I guess maybe it went better than I was afraid.


The weekend of Oldest's birthday was a crazy one- the girls headed to Middle's hockey.  Outpatient drove out and the boys took off a day to go find snow and ride the machines.  Then Oldest also played hockey games.  The girls got up and headed out of town. nearly had a wreak on snow packed roads and then had to endure the bulk of the trip in a stinky car after Youngest got motion sick and threw up. She gets that from her mother.  Thank goodness that my aunt lives where we were headed and even more thank goodness she was in town and Youngest got a shower.  Miss Sophie wasn't so lucky- but I wiped her with wipes as best I could.  As we headed to the rink, it had begun to snow.  Lots of snow.  By the end of the game there was over 4 inches.  The only roads home are mountainous, dark, lightly traveled, and poor cell phone service at best.  So- after fueling up our tummies and car, we headed to the one remaining open road- only to find it super slick, snowing heavily, and pitch dark.  So we turned around and got a hotel- sneaking in Miss Sophie.  She is a good hotel dog- surprisingly.  I had made the girls grab extra clothes and over night stuff just in case, and I had grabbed my computer so if we got stuck there- we would be prepared.  Well- I forgot to grab clothes for myself- and who knew that Youngest would have used hers up in the first 30 minutes.  So- we made a quick trip to Wally world- and I did a load of laundry at the hotel.  And I vowed to RESTOCK my  car's emergency supplies like wipes and sacks for sick kids.  I also found that I left my power supply at home so I worked like a crazy woman for as long as my battery lasted. The drive home the next morning was bright and sparkly-  very slick and a few scary moments when I wondered what I would do if I could not make it up the iced over hill and I started to slide back down-  but it was all good-  I think we said 4 or 5 prayers for safety- and after the first 30 minutes- the roads were clear. 

In the meantime-  the DR, Outpatient, and Oldest headed back from their trip and got up early and headed out to Baby A's blessing.  I feel so bad that I missed it :(  I haven't missed very many of my niece and nephew's blessings.   The DR and Oldest got home very late but safely.  I am thankful for that.  It was a bit of nutso.

We had Oldest's birthday breakfast-  but because his birthday fell on a payroll Monday- we deferred the rest of his celebrating until the next Sunday. I made his cake in two layers of cherry chip and one of chocolate and it was decorated like the Wild Thing in "Where the Wild Things Are"-  it turned out cute, I think.  I got a little teary as we were singing Happy birthday with our great Neighbor/Friends, and I thought back to the first time we had gathered for his birthday-  the same group- only older and with the addition of Youngest and one other little brother, and a cousin who is living with Grandma and Grandpa.  We have all lived here for nearly 15 years now. 

Friday brought Baby A's surgery on her skull which went very well- but the day ended in sadness with my brother in law returning home from the hospital to find Flash had passed away.  I am probably almost as sad as if he was my dog.  He loved me a lot. :)  He had started having seizures recently and it is probably for the best- as he most likely had a tumor or something-  but still so sad.  My youngest brother and my BIL buried him in their backyard, and in the morning- he and the kids had a little funeral. Baby and Mom got to come home on Sunday- and get on with the healing. 

The phone rang at 11:00  pm on Monday night, and it was Outpatient telling us that V had shot himself.  I wrote about him a little bit here.  He is currently stable and Outpatient and LOL are going to try and visit him.  I was so sad for him that night, I couldn't sleep.  I though about the bond formed with Outpatient during those months when Outpatient and the DR were hometeaching, and the little extra effort for friendship that Outpatient made.  I hope that this will be a turning point for V- and that somehow- that bond can be strengthned and he will find his way out of the darkness he has been living in. 

In all- January was a rather rollercoaster month- super busy, and now on to February.

Weekly ReCap- Dec 3-11

Well- possibly one of the busier weeks we have ever had- or at least in a really long time.

Saturday the 3rd there were games in a town 7 hours away. Thanks to the weather and mountain passes, it took closer to 8 going and 9 coming back. Youngest and I stayed home. 

We have had the regular lessons, practices, plus extra for special numbers, and then Oldest decided to scare us by getting sick- so we hurried him in to the doctor to be very proactive and head off pneumonia before it got him again.  So- on Wednesday- we had a dr appt, hockey, piano times 2- ward Christmas party for which I had not one- but two food assignments, Middle and Oldest's SEOP's, Youngest -Activity day.  Fun stuff.

We also threw three haircuts in there on Thursday and Friday, and dress rehearsal for TaVaci Christmas concert- which Middle couldn't do because she and I were on our way for her to play hockey with the team from my birth town.  She hasn't had games in a month with them- so of course it was this weekend.  She played very well-  she plays defense- and had a rating of +2 in both games- which means her team scored two goals while she was on the ice- and no goals were scored against her line.  This is a very good thing.  They tied the first one on Friday night, and won the second one on Saturday Morning.  She and I then jumped into the car and sped the couple of hours home so she could get to the TaVaci concert.

Meanwhile, Oldest and the DR were also doing hockey in Small Town on Saturday morning and made sure that Youngest made it to the rehearsals.  Luckily LOL was here to help with hair or we wouldn't have made it to the concert in time.

Friday we finally forced in time to get the tree decorated- it has been standing in the corner for a week, waiting for someone to love it-, and to get our Christmas decorations out and set up.  Only the 10th-  gee, we are so on top of it  :)

We were supposed to have a company party-  but we said there was no way possible we would be attending that- since it was scheduled for Saturday night and we just had enough going on without traveling a couple of hours out of town just to turn back around and be home that night.

 Middle also had to speak in Sacrament Meeting. The DR spent all of Sunday at the church with Tithing Settlement.

One more week of out of the ordinary, super crazy, and then Christmas will be here.  I am not ready. Can't imagine why.

Hockey 2010 - 2011

Done.  Finito. Over.













hurray.

Week in Rewind

Well-  still sick sick sick-  although Oldest got to return to school.  Middle missed one day, and I have felt like garbage warmed over, and Youngest has finally succumbed to the hacking cough.

We did very little hockey this week-  Oldest of course was off the ice completely, and we had Middle take a break for most of her practices to give her lungs a little rest, but she had games this weekend and she played awesome-  especially for how sick she was-  she would come off the ice,  cough until she threw up- then skate some more.  Her coach sat her as much as he dared-  but when she is one of the best defense- what do you do?  She just is a really smart player and they rely on her a lot.  I wish I could have recorded both of her games- but maybe next week I will remember the tripod.

The Bantams did well in their games-  it was kind of funny to see Oldest pacing on the bench. I better rephrase that-  they managed to save a victory from the claws of defeat in the first game when they played crappy- and then they pulled their heads out of the sand and played hockey the second game and won easily.

Pee Wees won the first one-  but lost the second one, in large part because we had several players spend a lot of quality time in the box with the result that we spent a large chunk of time playing 3on 5 in the second period and they got two goals in that time.  Middle took that pretty hard-  but it is hard to play with only three against 5- especially as long as they did.  She feels like she lets her team down if she is ever scored on- no matter the circumstances.  The last goal scored was a two on one breakaway-  she was all alone trying to skate down two of their players-  and she played it really great, keeping close to the skater with the puck and keeping tabs on the second skater- ready for a possible pass-  the goalie just didn't get the shot stopped.

It was not a good game- both with players making stupid penalties and crappy fans on the other team- so I got pretty upset and left the game to watch from the team tunnel.

But-  The leprechaun made it to our house on Thursday and it didn't snow even though it threatened to. 
My sister in law, T, and her family were here for her MIL's funeral, so although the reason wasn't fun, it was still nice to see them a little because we usually only see them once a year.

And tonight, I made brownie covered Oreo's.  They were not a success so you won't see those on the wedding food list.  Bummer.

LAST WEEK OF HOCKEY!!!!! 

Well- that's a First-

Today started out rather interestingly.

We slept through the first half of Oldest's hockey game.

Yep.

I was up late last night driving home and talking to my oldest sister (we have simultaneous wedding plannings going on, and family drama moments-- we talked for at least 4 hours :)  ) 

I set my alarm on my cell phone for 5:00 so that the DR and Oldest could be at the rink by 5:45.  AM.  I awoke at 6:38 and it took about 1.2 seconds to realize the enormity of the situation.  I went into the bedroom and woke the DR with "IT IS 6:40 and we are missing the game!!!!!!).  Well- there was nothing to be done as far as Oldest was concerned.  If you are not on the bench at the start of the game-  you can't play unless the coach wants to take a 2 min penalty.  The DR flew up and began to dress frantically. I told him there wasn't much point but he said that Oldest wasn't the only one which I took to mean he was reminding me that Middle was supposed to be at the rink in 15 min.  I got her up and the DR headed out the door to start the car (or so I thought)- I told her to grab her bag and stuff- when I saw the DR pull out of the driveway.  HE LEFT HER!!!!

So-  I quickly threw clothes on myself and hurried her to the van and she had to dress as we drove down to the rink.  I went into the rink and the Pee Wee team mom says good morning and did you remember you have team treat today.  No,  No I didn't.  I didn't even bring my purse :(

So-  I head over to the bench where the DR is coaching, and grab his wallet-  mention-  "oh, by the way- why did you take off without Middle?"  - to which he replied- OH- I did!!!

He had not even COMBED his hair- or even grabbed a hat!

Anyway-  the off-course ship righted itself eventually-  but wow.  In fourteen years-  that is most definitely a first.

My cell alarm went off at 5:00 PM--Not that I needed it to.

I really need glasses!

Hockey Mom- The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

This time of year we are starting to get a little burnt out- and we still have two months to go :( .  I miss the days when Outpatient played- we started in December and were done by the end of February.  Now we have ice in September and we keep at it until the end of March. 

This past week had more drama than I wanted to deal with- but deal with it I had to; complete with a multi-day migraine.  I really love it when parents start in on coaches who donate so much of their time ( and quite literally- money).  After all- this is tax season and every time the DR leaves his office- it costs our family income- and all people want to do is gripe and complain. - Side issue-  WHY are they griping to ME????  Am I less scary than the DR?  I don't think so!   It is especially ridiculous when someone complains about something they themselves are more than just a whole bunch guilty of. (personal knowledge- trust me)  I admit I swore about this very thing this week.

Here is the deal.  Hockey season is 6 months long.  It costs a lot of money.  It takes a lot of time.  And very very few people want to help out.  Trying to get a parent or two to help out with concessions once a month is a pain in the rear.  What is wrong with people????  I am about to buy a billboard to take a few parents to task.  Sort of along the lines of either step up and help out or get out of the program.

The good is watching my patients play, and the joy the DR gets from coaching these kids.  He is good at it and with the players- and to be fair- most of the griping this week is supposedly aimed at a certain coach- not the DR-  but the coaches stick together- as they should.

The bad is the time it takes, and the pressure on our finances.

The ugly is ungrateful and judgemental parents who don't have a clue what they are talking about and are unwilling to find out for themselves, and players who behave in such a way as to undermine all our hard work at building the program.

Is it worth it?  Right now is not the best time to ask me-  but when my kids are on the ice and playing great- absolutely.

To Do List Dec 20th to Dec 25th.

Play in massive snow piles-  Check.

Outpatient and Oldest play hockey together for first time EVER---- Check ( Outpatient got a hat trick- kid's still got it- albeit a bit rusty) 

EAT..... Check.  Check.  Check.

Wear our Pajamas a lot... Check.

Dress up....  Check.

Elf Shoes.... Check.

Double Check. (those shoes belong to LOL.)

Receive wonderful surprises.  Check. Check. Check.

Bust out the new snow gear and ride the new powder... Check.

Lots of hugging and smooching.  (well- for these two).... Double Check.

Christmas Memories 2010-  Check.

Four Games- Four Wins- (three were hockey)

Wild and crazy Saturday.  Day started with hockey game for Oldest at 7:30- then another at 10:00 and because we are crazy!!!  we had another game set up with a travel team for 1:00.  So- by 2:30- (7 hours) our boys had played three games.  Very few of you can truly appreciate what that means-  but lets say it was a safe bet it was a VERY quiet ride home for the parents :)  All three games were wins- the boys played great!!!! O and Outpatient made it to the first two- then O stayed with me for the third while Outpatient pouted because he had work to do- and she got a little more introduction to the world of hockey.  There were a few oooohh's from hits and the like- I dare say that I think she just  might be starting to understand the attraction of the sport.  

Then- the DR and Middle headed to CougarTown to watch the Cougs win against NM and the rest of us went for food (Oldest had O and I laughing with his random and plentiful if not always well thought out conversation- he likes Metropolitan Ice cream, in case you wondered ).  The weather was kind enough to not start raining or snowing during the game and that is about all that can be said for that.  It wasn't so nice for our drive home.  But we are home, safe and sound.  And tired.  I will add pics later-

Happy Halloween (Eve, that is)

This weekend, we spent Friday night and most of Saturday at the rink.  Surprise.  Middle had a game Friday night and then Oldest did.  Middle's team won 4-1, and Oldest's won 7-1.  Oldest's team was holding back- big time.  It was 4-0 within the first 6 minutes. We got home after 11:00.

Saturday we began our day at the rink- although thank goodness we didn't have a super early game.  Middle's team won 5-2 and Oldest's team won 10-2.  Again, they were holding back, but other than not taking any shots at all (which is super obvious), there wasn't much they could do.  These kids are going to do well in High School.  We got home after 2:00 and before I knew it, it was time for costumes and make-up.

This year's offerings were steps back in time:

Youngest is Athena, Goddess of Knowledge or Wisdom- or something like that.  It was this or a go go girl.

Middle is an 80's chick (Think the Material Girl in the early part of the decade only without the bare belly or bra showing)

And Oldest went way back in time to Caveman days.  He isn't too happy because I enforced the "you are too old to trick or treat".  But it wasn't like he didn't have access to our stash.  Thanks to a couple of Trunk or Treats and the rain that decided to start at 6:00- we didn't have too many come so he has plenty of sugar to rot his teeth.

Just a few friends along for the fun-

Done for the Year

Sorry in advance for all the hockey talk- but it is our life and Grandma, DR and Outpatient were not there so this is to bring them up to speed.

Other than a team party in the next week or so, hockey is over for the year.

They lost the championship game 4-5. It was sad, but they played well and that is the only game they lost all year in that league. So they were really disappointed. Some of them ridiculously so. I had to get all mean mom on them to get them to stay on the ice for a team picture with the trophy. Good thing they knew not to mess with me at that point. Geesh. Really, I know they are disappointed- I am rather competitive myself- but to act like sore losers wasn't going to cut it with me and a few of them found that out. No one gets to win every time. Every one of the other teams have lost to our team multiple times and most of them were by a lot. That is something that the board will be discussing because our Bantam team won their game by 6-1 and their celebration was a lot too much- so the same problem- bad sportsmanship.

Anyway- it was a nail biter waiting to see if we even got to play in the championship game in the first place. The way the tournament was set up, is for every win- you get two points. If there was a two way tie- then they went to the goals scored against you (we only had one)- but in the case of a three way tie- it went straight to penalty minutes and we had 18. Yikes. Second game was called by penalty happy refs rather than the type that feel like "let them play unless..." Anyway - down to the wire, but we got to play because of one penalty difference (bummer for them- but it would have been more of a bummer for us because really- how do you explain that the only undefeated team in the league doesn't get to play in the championship????)

After the game, Oldest was really bummed because he felt it was his fault- the 5th goal was scored on his line- but I reminded him that it had been 4-2 in our favor and the other line was scored on twice in a row, tying it up in less than a few minutes. They had all played well- it just didn't work out in their favor this time.

It had been snowing pretty good all day so I was really glad that I hadn't planned on driving home. Plus the game started almost an hour late. Then when we got up this morning (yuck to the spring forward) and we checked the road conditions- they didn't look all that fab- so we held off until the afternoon and I was glad we did. The roads mostly dried up, and it was much nicer to drive than it would have been.

Can I get a hallelujah for the end of hockey? Hallelujah!

Nothing if not eventful

That is my life :)

Yesterday, we arrived at the rink in plenty of time. As per usual, I had to go ask for a dressing room for the girlie. They checked their list, asked me which team we were, traded me keys and sent me to locker room number 2. Imagine my surprise to open the door and a room full of girls (thank goodness- cause we surprised them too) from a different team. All much older (obviously) than Middle. They were very nice- the girls have to stick together. Anyway, I did try to change her room to one that was in the same hall as the team, but other people were in every one- so we just left it as it was. She went in to dress after the girls were done. (She is a tad shy- I could tell you funny stories about her and the maturation program).

So- first game, the team played really well after about the first period- by the second period the score was 2-0, then they got in the groove and the game ended up 9-1 our favor. Not a big surprise, we have played them several times. However, toward the end of the game, Oldest headed to the bench, his coach grabbed his stick and chucked it behind the bench. I wondered what in the world was going on- Oldest is not a hot head at all with other people, so I couldn't imagine him doing anything that would make the coach mad. Come to find out- his stick had broken when he got checked into the boards.

So- we had a big problem. Oldest doesn't have a back up stick. Especially when we are not in Small Town where he could at the very least use one of the DR's. I also know NOTHING about hockey sticks, other than we needed a blade, and that Oldest shoots left. So we headed to where Oldest had gone the last time he needed a new blade. It had gone out of business. So I headed to my baby sister's to drop the girls off before I headed somewhere else. Luckily I got smart enough to call the next store first. The guy I talked to had played hockey for 10 years, told me they didn't have a left blade, but they did have a used stick that would work, plus a few new one piece sticks. With no way to contact the DR and Outpatient to somehow educate myself, I headed out into the wide and scary stick buying world :). Oh, and they closed in 40 minutes and were clear across the valley.

When we got to the store with 20 minutes to spare, the guy I talked to was not available to help us, but the gal was also a hockey player, and she found us the one and only left blade they had. Not quite the same pattern as the old one- but it would have to do. We also ended up buying the used stick- just in case. As we were leaving the store, the guy was out front moving some inventory- low and behold- he played hockey with Outpatient, and was coached by the DR. He was rather surprised and so were we! Nice guy, chatted a bit about what he and we were up to these days. Funny thing though, he really doesn't know that much about hockey sticks either, LOL! The girl was much more knowledgeable. Even I knew the flex on the used stick was way too high as it was a senior stick- but for the price- it was worth it to me to buy in case we have another misfortune and the length was perfect.

We were able to talk to the DR and Outpatient on skype last night. Then this morning, they are both feeling under the weather. Just great. The Outpatient already knows there isn't much they can get medicine-wise. Hope they figure something out-

Off we go to the next round of games, new blade and back up stick in hand. Now for the dressing room.

They have arrived

Just heard from the DR and Outpatient- they have arrived safely in Campinas-

Now if we can get pulled together, we will head out in a couple of hours for hockey in Cougar town.

Will be a wild weekend-

Weekend Wrap-up

Yesterday was THE day. Party Day for Youngest. Like I may have mentioned before, she and Oldest have a tendency to get a short shift around here for birthday celebration. We (I) could have put it off for yet another week- but we didn't find out until a couple of days ago that our hockey games would be in town this coming weekend. By then, the invites were out, and I just decided to get it over with.

Youngest had a mixed party- boys and girls, along with a mixed age group. I was browsing through some blogs and came across instructions to make chef's hats for kids and voila- there came my inspiration for this party. We had a cooking party. Although, ironically enough, the very thing that inspired me didn't get finished- I had to cut back somewhere, and 8 chefs hats did not make it into reality. I did make chef's aprons by cutting some kitchen towels in half and using quilt binding to make the ties. One of the boys wouldn't wear his- and so the other boy decided it wasn't cool and took his off - boys!

We invited them by giving them a wooden spoon and inviting them to be sous chefs for Chef Youngest. I decided I would try to make a cake like a chef's toque- not all that successfully- but oh well.

When the kids arrived, they began by making fruit kabobs, and yummy fruit dip. Then they made pigs in a blanket for the appetizers. I had pre-made the homemade pizza dough- so they helped to make homemade sauce, then they rolled out their dough and made personal pizzas with the toppings of their choice. After they were done cooking and eating all their yummy food, we gave them small cakes and frosting in real decorators' bags to decorate their own dessert. This cost me three bags because they squished them so hard, it burst the seams :( - oh well- they seemed to really enjoy it- and bags are easily replaced.

By the time the party was over, I was exhausted and my kitchen was quite the disaster area, so the DR took Oldest and Middle to the Percy Jackson movie which they liked as far as a movie but not as an adaption (warning- if you go to see it, it is apparently not even close to the book- a point that drives me crazy- and in this case- even bugged the DR whom the free reign in Harry P doesn't bother). Youngest stayed home to play with her new stuff, and I seriously couldn't keep my eyes open and crashed on the couch for two whole hours!

Today we over slept and were nearly late for church. Have I mentioned that early church is not my favorite? I did? well- it isn't.

We also had three hockey games this weekend, but after the first one, in which Middle took a pretty good hit- she didn't play again because we thought it wasn't a good idea on the heels of

last week's soccer injury. Oldest played quite aggressively, and they did pretty well for two of the three games. This team was a traveling team they played against so it was kind of like playing an all-star team. They got clobbered in the second game because they refused to play as a team. You would think they would learn! Anyway- they repented :) and played much better again in the third game. I missed the 2nd and 3rd game due to party prep.

I have yet to figure out how to be in multiple places at the same time. I think I need Hermione's time turner :) When I asked Youngest if she liked her party- She declared that she "Loved It!" I think most of them had fun anyway- but I remembered back to my 10th birthday party and the boys who ruined it- (do you remember that, Grandma Bunnie?)

This year it will be family parties for one and all- whew- I am glad for that :)

Weekend Wrap up-

Good Morning!!!

I have been up since 5:30- (yuck) because Oldest had travel team soccer practice this morning. It is a beautiful sunny day FINALLY- the fog has been very draining and annoying- so- today there isn't a cloud in the sky. Wish I had time to sit and bask in my window- maybe I will squeeze that in somehow.

This weekend- hockey here- two games- both wins. Side note- the BYU hockey coach was here and again talked to the DR about Outpatient coming to play for him. Biggest problem with that is the lack of school support- so you get no breaks from classes or assignments- plus the Outpatient has been very blessed in his current situation. Oldest finally finished his hunters safety- missing playing in game two so he could shoot. He is very happy! He killed a paper squirrel and a paper rabbit- especially considering that he really needs a new prescription in his glasses- he did super awesome!

Youngest was registered for soccer (the AY SO local chapter is ticked! about the new soccer association that my older kids are playing in now- it is quite funny. For years back even to when the Outpatient started playing the leadership has badmouthed and completely ignored the kids who want to play travel team- so NOW that we have taken the cream of the crop from them- they are trying to put a travel team together with their full support- hillarious!) And Youngest also got to go bowling with her buddy for his birthday- she was none too happy that she didn't get a single strike! I am not sure what she expects- it might be her third time EVER to bowl :) She did get a spare though, and I am assuming she was using bumpers hehe-

SuperBowl- Super bummed- we were cheering for the Colts- most specifically Austin Collie- but oh well.

We now have morning church. This means the DR and Oldest are out the door by 7:20- which you would think it would be a cinch to get the remaining three of us out the door by 8:45- yeah- well- I found out that ALL keys to my van are M. I. A- good gravy- I drove the thing last Friday afternoon- my biggest fear is that I threw them out with the grocery sacks or other garbage while trying to make dinner for a family. Where the other one is- I have no clue- it has a large green number one key chain- but I can't recall the last time I saw that set. I have also misplaced my inlaws' dvd remote. I am getting very concerned for my poor brain.

I am currently eating some warm oatmeal, and enjoying the sun before I get on to the chores at hand, and- I have already been on the scale today. Down 2.8 pounds from last week- so even taking into consideration the .4 I had left from the pound I gained back, that is still an additional 2.4 pounds towards the goal-

Now- if you can spare a prayer- we are cutting it very close to get the DR and Outpatient VISAs to go to Brazil next month. The DR's passport STILL has not arrived- and when the DR called the VISA agency- they told him it takes 20 business days to get a VISA- which basically means we need that passport here tomorrow :) I was given an offer to take care of my kids so I could go too- but it came a week too late. Sadness- but it is ok. I fully plan on my boy taking me there soon- just at better timing for a momma-

And - keep praying for the missionaries- they need them!

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?

Alumni Victorious

Tonight the Outpatient, Cousin T, and Bo got to play with many of the guys that they started playing with years ago. It was a nostalgic night and lots of fun! The Alumni won 7-4, and I talked to a few of the moms of the high school team. They didn't have anything to feel bad about- it was a pretty darn talented team on that Alumni bench. Many of whom hadn't been able to play together because of the age gap- but of the guys on the team, 10 of them played when Outpatient started. I miss those days and the families we got to know.

I did get a laugh at the "Old Men" about dying from being out of shape! The age gap was from my age down to 19- and they aren't skating 5 or 6 times a week these days :)

The younger patients had hockey games in the morning, where Middle took a major and illegal hit from a beast bully who was bigger than the Oldest. Outpatient was ticked, DR was impressed because there was no crying in hockey :), her teammates came out for blood, the ref was beyond ticked at the kid and his coaches, and the kid was lucky that Momma Bear wasn't at that game. I had many reports that night at the alumni game from many players and parents about the hit and about how she just bounced right back. Funny side note- when she got home to tell me, she said "I got hit hard, and he got a penalty" guess she didn't know how bad what he did was :) And now, the menfolk in her life kind of understand why this needs to come to an end for her- sadly.
Then we spent the middle of the day riding snowmobiles and tubing, and trying out Oldest's snow skate/ski thing- with some of our neighbors (Kaitlyn, where were you?)

Weekend Wrap-up

This weekend, I stayed home.

Moment of silence for this minor miracle. :) We didn't all stay home, just me, Outpatient, and Youngest. The DR took Oldest and Middle to the middle of nowhere for hockey games and took a couple of other players whose parents couldn't go- so darn, I got to stay home. I actually told my SIL to come take a picture of me, in my house on a Saturday. LOL!

Anyway, I braved the not quite so balmy as Cougartown weather (downright freezing) to do some more shopping and a few errands. Youngest played uninterrupted on the computer whenever she felt like it since her computer hogging siblings were out of the way. We did house cleaning, and mostly had a relaxing day. Bummer deal though- they lost both of the Saturday games. Team skated poorly and played crappy- not as a team. First losses of the year. Hopefully they learned something from the experience, because on Sunday- they only had 6 total players and the team that beat them the worst they ended up tying because they HAD to play team- there was no way with only 5 skaters and a goalie (most of our kids don't play hockey on Sunday which is why there were only 6 players) When the other coach called to tell the DR about the game- he said they tied 4-4 (they had lost 6-0), because they couldn't play puck hog hockey, they had to pass and share because there were no breaks for them. We shall see what happens next time.

Outpatient didn't go because he had his own hockey game here Saturday night so Youngest and I went to watch. Not sure what happened, but they only had 5 players to each team too. No goalies. They just laid the nets down and shot at the little top part to score. It was pretty sad. They played 4-4 so one was resting at all times. Outpatient's team won 13-11. He scored a lot- not sure how many.

So, weird hockey weekend.
Sunday was my nephew's mission talk- and we had some family come out to be here, I made cinnamon rolls, and two salads for my SIL. I noticed that my recipe for the C. Rolls in my MEDFORD OREGON Cookbook left out the 1/2 tsp lemon extract in the dough- so if anyone has that cookbook still- you can edit that :) I don't use that book to cook them- so it was kind of funny that 13 years later, I noticed that :)

Then, the DR came home with a needs assignment from the bishop, so we planned a dinner/ shopping evening for tonight with his presidency members and their families- so we could plan and make a shopping and delivery trip to a family in need in our ward. It was fun- but we are in such a different place in our lives than his whole presidency. One is expecting their first child, one has a one year old, and the other has two small boys- the oldest is 4. Yeah- I am pretty sure we have a couple of decades or so on all of them. :) Outpatient is nearly the same age as some of them. They seemed to enjoy the event, so that is bonus on relieving the stress for someone in need.

My friend/daughter Mickie's family is having a tough week- her niece has been diagnosed with a rare disease on top of a cancerous tumor. We have had them in our thoughts and prayers throughout this weekend. It is a little strange sometimes to find that things you would never think could be tender mercies turn out to be just exactly that. I will post about that tomorrow. Prayers for Baylee Bragg- and her family during this time of trial. Love all of you guys soo much!