Life

I feel like I should re-introduce myself and my ward of patients.  The past 6 months have been pretty tough going for the most part-  with a few scattered reports of joy.

Here it is-  January.  Many things have changed in the Looney Bin- mostly for the better, although the changes themselves felt like the world caving in for a while there.

The best HAPPY of all- is the anticipated arrival of a new patient!  Outpatient and LOL are embarking on that test of all tests known as parenthood- and have already experienced a few stresses.  I was barely adjusting my thoughts to the idea of maybe someday in the grandparent mode- and that very weekend- we received this:

To say that we are thrilled is an understatement.  To say that I feel even remotely like a grandmother is an overstatement-  but all patients are excitedly awaiting the future Princess-  Oldest has  been especially cute with his excitement- although he was hoping for a Prince.  The addition is expected Mid-April, and there is actually hope that she comes a little late- as that is finals week for Outpatient.

Um- Is this thing still working? June Cliff Notes version

So sorry for the unintentional absence of all things bloggy.  My only excuse is that life gets crazy here at the looney bin, and I haven't had motivation in the spare minutes to pull it together enough to post.  To illustrate my point-  I recently FORCED myself to take the time to get ALL my pics off of my camera.  If you know me- well- at all-  you know a few things-  ONE-  I take quite a lot of pictures, and TWO- I usually download them off my camera and have them backed up on at least two sources the same day or within a day of returning home.

Lets just say that I had 987 pictures on my big camera.  I had some of them on the desktop but not backed up anywhere else- so I didn't dare delete them from my camera.  It took me some time to get all the pics from Feb through the first part of July into appropriate folders and backed up as well.  I happened to be doing this while trying to get out the door on one more of my million and one trips I have been on this summer.  The DR was not happy with me for not getting on the road quicker.  I honestly can't remember where I was supposed to be traveling to for that particular trip- it has been that kind of summer. 

When Summer Break began, I had a few major things on the agenda.

One- Oldest going to EFY in June
Two- Middle going to soccer tournament first weekend in June
Three- Middle going to soccer camp in July
Four-  Buzz Reunion in July
Five-  Larsen Reunion in August.

I also planned on squeezing in horse riding lessons for Youngest during the EFY week and Soccer camp week, so that made those weeks busier- but still in the same time frame.

Not too bad, especially considering what our prior 9 months had consisted of.

WELLLLLLLL- that was the plan, any way.

You know what they say about the best laid plans????

They don't work.

In June we added another soccer camp- locally- and hosted one of the coaches.  No biggie- except I was out of town on Friday afternoon when I found out I was hosting - and I knew I wouldn't be getting home until late on Saturday night.  Add to that, the games got an hour behind- so we pulled in to the driveway at about 10- and I dumped stuff out of the car and took off to get a few groceries to get us through until Tuesday.  We also added another soccer tournament and then a rather impromptu trip to Oregon, which I found out was possible on Wednesday afternoon- knew for sure would be happening Thursday morning as I was making food for a funeral and leaving for the additional tournament by noon so I could pick up Middle and her friend from Girls Camp so they could make their first game, then took them back to girls camp so they could make it to testimony meeting.  I have a few Tender Mercies to share about all of this- but that deserves a post of its own.

Tired yet?  I returned home about 9 ish on Saturday night- LOL (she came home with me and Middle)and I ran to the grocery store for basic needs so she could have something to feed the In- Patients while the DR and I drove to Oregon for the week.  The trip was work related for the DR- but it is a long----- drive so I went along, leaving at 1:00 on Sunday.  So- I was home a whopping 15 hours to do laundry and re-pack? We managed to have a nice visit with several of our good friends while there- so that was an added plus!  We hurried home to be there for one of our nephew's wedding open house, arriving with not too much time to spare. We arrived home to a BIG surprise!  All the patients had been very busy worker bees while we were gone- and they had totally cleaned up the toy closet, the food storage room, and the room that will someday stop housing all our hockey gear and become a real live second bathroom.  Holy Cow!  We could not believe how much they had done!  We hurried to help with the open house, and then the next day we were able to be present for another nephew's baptism.  That was a special treat because they live in Washington, and it was held in Utah because he had an aunt get married the day before. 

And- Thus ended June 2012. Possibly one of the crazier months in my life.

Oh- and that tooth that I had the root canal in April??  Well- it has not been my friend. More on that to come too.

I will get back to May at some point.

September's gone Already???

Wow- did the last month fly by or what?

Middle has played a lot of soccer-  all out of town.
Girls are back to TaVaci
All patients are back to Piano Lessons- after a 2 year break while Grandma was gone.
BYU Football has been a little bit Bi-Polar.
Outpatient turned 23
Neighbor/ Friend opened her mission call. To Germany.
Relief Society Tea Party
Nephew TC returns from Chile
Our first- born niece got married **-
Nephew TC reports mission.
Science Fair Project
Service projects

DETAILS:

Soccer-

Lots of traveling but they have won all but one game-  they are doing well. 


TaVaci-

Middle changed her other mind (at least 6 times) and decided to finish out her last possible year.  She will be glad, I hope.


Piano-

Regardless of what my patients might say to your face, I think they have missed it and are enjoying the progress they are making so quickly in trying to get back up to speed.  I have spent a small fortune in new books and music for all of them to work on.



BYU football.

Well- it has had its moments.  They have been few and the DR has/will miss more games this year because he doesn't want to miss his meetings on Sunday and that is hard to do with games getting over so late on Saturday nights-  the night of the Utah disaster- he and his dad didn't get home until 2:00 AM.

So far, only the girls have had a turn to accompany the DR to the games, because the one other weekend was too crazy with the wedding and our nephew's mission report- so the DR opted not to add yet another round trip out in that week.


Outpatient turned 23-

LOL had a party for him- and it was adorable! Woodland Theme- thanks to the acquisition of Rufio to inspire the theme.  Hedgehog cake balls, owl cupcakes, "acorns" from kisses and pretzels, and a cake like a tree stump.  Gummy bears and "sticks" as well.

 LOOK AT RUFIO'S PARTY HAT!!!!!  Seen anything cuter?

stole the pics from LOL's blog- since I wasn't packin that day-


Mission Call-

Friend opened her mission call- which has quite the story behind it- and it said Frankfurt Germany.  She is way excited and we are excited for her.


Relief Society Annual Tea Party-

Caused way more stress than it should have for us.  They had a fun idea to bling out shoes for a fashion show.  Thanks to our busyness, we didn't get to start until almost the last possible minute to create our blinging fashions.  We only did the girls.  We tried our hand at making cake balls (those take more practice- although they looked okay once we got them on the cake plate to display.  Only got pics of Middle's shoes-  Youngest had silver blingy healed sandals and she attached gold bows and big curly ribbon streamers which trailed behind her.

Middle's shoes actually turned out pretty good- but thanks to soccer practice, she and I missed the Youngest's play that she did at the tea party.  I felt bad about that and wonder why they didn't wait until later into the party to perform- since a few of us weren't there yet.  Oh well- other than Youngest being disappointed- it was fine.  Our cake balls disappeared quickly- so that was good.

Elder C returns.

Our nephew TC returned from serving a mission in Chile- he left 6 days before Outpatient had returned from Brazil- so it has been 4 years since these best buds had seen each other.  I didn't go to the airport- it was on a Wednesday and the week of the wedding, but the DR drove out and back that afternoon with his parents.  He said he looks great but thin.  Might mention here that he was serving 60 miles from the epicenter of that horrendous earthquake a couple of years ago-

Wedding

Our niece is one of the sweetest gals ever- She was married once before which was not a good situation- divorced a little over 8 years ago.  She has had such a struggle- but finally- she is so happy- and we are so happy for her and J-  it was a long time coming- and I have to say that wedding was possibly pulled together in the shortest time I have ever seen-  it was so creative and fabulous and I was so happy to help with the set up and during the reception.

Mission Report

We got up dark and early to drive out and back for TC's mission report-  it was so nice to see him again!  He did a great job speaking- even though I couldn't hardly keep my eyes open :)  There was another person speaking that day who was preparing to leave for a mission- to Frank furt Germany- and so of course I had to run up and speak to her immediately after the meeting was over and tell her about our neighbor- so maybe they will even end up serving together down the road.

Science Fair-

Middle had her project due- and that was shocking to the system-  I am used to trying to help with those in the spring months- not immediately after school starts-  but we got it done- doubt she will be going to the main fair-  but that is what I said last year too.

So-  for the most part-  That was our September- Cliff Notes Version-

Fill in the Blanks- New Family member

As I mentioned- Outpatient and LOL have a new pet- a hedgehog-  because they are cute and unusual- and the landlord won't let them have a Sophie Dog.

His name is Rufio- and he is growing rather quickly.

He is cute!  Even if he is a bit pokey.

Buzz Reunion 2011

This year- the reunion was bigger than it has been in a long time.  We had lots of newer attendees- like LOL, and plenty of old timers.  The weather cooperated with no rain from Thursday evening on.  There were plenty of mosquito and buffalo gnat bites for those who didn't religiously apply bug spray, but for those of us who did, we were good.

Middle trying out her new bow.  She is a pretty good shot already.

Theme for this year was fairies- and it was a HUGE hit with all the little girls in particular-  but the older girls and Outpatient and LOL painted canvases and found other fun things to do-  here is Youngest's face after "makeup"  She was a Garden Talent Fairy and helped the younger fairies make garden stones.

The water was HIGH!  that boat would usually be docked at least 50 to 100 yards further away.  The patients and cousins were bummed because they didn't get to make their traditional mud pit.

But where there is a will- there is a way!  They had to go a bit further around the lake- but find some beach front property they did.

There was also the regular shooting of the breeze ( this is just some of our own branch of the family tree)

The boys- and Norine- created a flotation device.  They called it a raft, but my vote says it was too hole-y to constitute a raft.  There was also lots of fishing.

And downshifting.

A hugely successful auction.

Youngest always entertains and she did not disappoint the crowd this year with a skit from an episode from That's So Random.  She was totally in character!

And- for the second straight year, Middle and Cousin Am did a wonderful job dancing to a parody they worte about the reunion.  I unfortunately couldn't find the charger to the video camera, forgot to grab the iphone, and didn't have either Middle or Oldest's cameras so there is no video record of these acts this year.  BOO! Oh- and the word "shoebox" will never be the same and no- you really don't want to know.

When talking to my sil about some of the missing cousins who currently reside in Europe, I said without any doubt that my patients ( with quite likely the exception of Out and LOL) would far rather go to the reunion that take a trip to Europe.  And for now- that is the absolute truth.  Maybe as the girls get older it might change for them- but for Oldest- it never will.

Dear Larsen Family Aunts:

Fabulous as usual!

Thanks!

Wedding Weekend Wrapup Two

The day started with rain so we could finally commit to having to go to our backup- indoor location.  Of course the weather was fine later- but too late.  Then I found out that it did indeed rain where we were supposed to be- so it worked out for the best.  I only wish we would have committed to indoors the night before and got most of the setup done then like I had hoped to do.  Especially when I woke up Saturday- explanation to follow.  Now on to the photo tour- although the pictures can't quite make it feel like it did in there.

I found these yard stakes in purple and gold-yellow and we had those going up the walk.  They are now happily residing in my yard.  Win-Win situation.

The guestbook table

Visiting area, candy buffet and tables when first entering.

Looking a little more to the right (that is Middle putting out food)

you can kind of see the drink station- we had water with lemon slices, lemonade and grape juice.

More view to the right and family milling about. We also had music set up in that back corner- which seemed to be a big hit- people hung around and talked and visited way after the time frame for the reception.

We borrowed the pillar idea from Yvonne in Canada and used the pillars to separate the room a little bit.    I am not going to lie-  it was awesome and the pictures do not do it justice- but a funny thing about it was how many people forgot they were in a church gym and tried to lean against the pillars.  They were pretty stable thanks to the AWESOME efforts of the DR, his brother PB&J, Grandpa, and LOL's Dad.

Gift table and trunks (stole those out of my front room), DVD to watch while coming up the line. Setup compliments of the newlyweds.  Those two are both very artistic. The ribbons with L O L on them all over the walls were done by my aunt and uncle- a few more awesome rescuers that day (THANKS!)

Super cute bicycle that the DR's cousin's wife lent me- also up the walk.

The Main Attractions (with their yellow doors and LOL)

Looking back from the doors.

Beginning the food setup- the dessert end of the table- we served mini eclairs, cream puffs, jam filled tarts, brownie bites with a divine topping, mini cupcakes, and fruit kabobs.

Awesome people like LOL's mom, my mom, the Lunch Lady, a friend-Chris, and Middle helped put together the fruit kabobs ( we found really cute sticks for those- yellow even)

Down to the hot stuff / more savory end- we served  meatball mini subs, cocktail sausages in homemade sauce, sweet and sour meatballs, spinach dip on shaped bread, and chicken salad on mini croissants.

Close up of some of the candy buffet containers

Now-I started feeling under the weather a little on Wednesday, and when I started to have a froggy voice on Friday- I didn't worry too much, but come Saturday morning- I felt like I had been severely abused and my voice was gone- along with my energy. 

 THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

To my awesome help- some of whom were recruited last minute.  It could not have happened without you- I would have been crying in a corner somewhere as Murphy's Law was determined to override this reception..

Dear LOL-

Happy Birthday!

If we were in town, we would for sure go out to eat. 

Today, you turn 22.  Outpatient was 2 months old when I turned 22.  I had almost been married two years. 

You have already :)  been married for 12 whole days.

Enjoy and really take in the moments because it goes super fast.

Love you- and we hope you have a great day- even if you have to work and go to school.

This Just in...

Tomorrow-  this lovely girl is going to go through the MT Timpanogus Temple.  Then, in one week from today, she will marry this darling but crazy boy.

pic from EFY-  summer of 2006.  That's right-  they met nearly  5 years ago

There won't be 2.4 million people on earth watching.  There will most likely be a very crowded sealing room.

There won't be a horse drawn carriage and the groom won't be wearing a bright red military uniform. There will be one of three vehicles which have spent the last few months as storage facilites and the groom will be wearing a custom made grey suit.

There won't be Royal titles and palace.

There will be Eternity.

P. S. Nine Days :)

Dear LOL-

I want to tell you a story. 

Once upon a time, there was a young wife who wanted to become a mother.  It was not going well, and there were other medical issues going on, and she was discouraged.  She had to get her blood tested so she could start some medication.  When she didn't hear back from the lab, she paced a lot, stressed a lot.  Finally, she got fed up and called them-  hearing the words, "well, we won't have the final results until in the morning, but it looks like you are pregnant" sent her over the moon with happiness.

Thanks to the medical issues, there wasn't a way to know when the baby was due- so she went to have an ultrasound.  Not a common practice like today, she had to sign lots of legal documents releasing the hospital from any liability because they didn't know what effect - if any- it would have on the fetus.  The ultrasound began.  The doctor was a very well known Neo-Natalogist- which would come into play later. Almost immediately, the doctor asked if she wanted to know what the gender was which should have been a clue-  she did but her husband didn't.  However, he couldn't stand the idea that the doctor knew and he didn't, so he caved ( they were pretty poor college students so she wanted to be able to plan- she didn't like surprises)


It was a Boy.

(which she "knew", but that is another story for another day)

Those words rocked her world in ways she never could have imagined.  She began getting weepy at FTD commercials.  Every single Mission Farewell or homecoming no matter whose it was- was emotional.  She borrowed all sorts of future tears from that day on.

But- she never thought past that farewell day.  Never pictured the day when he would call and say, "Mom, I found someone."  Not sure why because she was a pro at over thinking things and preparing for whatever.

As her baby finally came into the world, following a very stressful and dangerous pregnancy, she tried hard not to over protect him.  To teach him to be a good person. And eventually, as he began to date, to realize that someday in the not too distant future, that phone call was going to come.

And it did.  In September of 2010.

All that mom had ever wanted for her son was for him to be a great person (he is) and for him to find someone totally worthy of his heart (he has),  because there was no way she wanted turn him over to someone who didn't love him like he deserved to be loved.


Thank you from the bottom of his mother's heart for being that person.

It is coming along-

The location (and backup) are reserved. The decor details are filling in. The girls and my dresses are in hand- so are shoes - except the girls are too big :(-  so I will have to keep my eyes open for something else- the ones we picked are out in Youngest's size-  Need to get the menfolks stuff ordered.

A few orders are on the way, and a few things purchased.  Still a lot to do - but so far- so good.  I am pretty excited about a few things we are going to do- but I can't divulge them right now-

Middle made the comment that if it was this much work to marry off the Outpatient- just think how much more it will be when she gets married.  Um- Hopefully have a few years before I have to contemplate that, (and crossing my fingers my girls don't do what my sister and I did or worse) but I don't know that it will be that much more- since we are doing a reception in Small Town as well.

Every time I look at LOL and Outpatient's pictures, I am so happy for them.

1-1-11- and Reflections on 2010

 Happy New Year!

Happy 66th Birthday to the One and Only Grandma Bunnie!

Happy Baptism Day to Addie Reese! Known to the Looney Bin affectionately as Binx

 

Happy Blessing Day to Pierce.

We have started this year off in a good way.

This past year started out pretty good- My mom had good news with her cancer- and won't need PET scans as frequently as they had thought. My sister made year three since diagnosis- and also was accepted to grad school to become a Nurse Practitioner. We have added a few more babies- a niece, a nephew, a great-niece, and a great nephew just barely yesterday.  The DR's side is probably going to hold steady at 39 grandchildren- they range in age from 32 down to 6 months.  My side may add a few to the mix- but not too many, but we will add to the next generation faster and faster now.

We made the time and effort to take some actual trips that didn't involve soccer or hockey.  The kids enjoyed our semi- staycation, and the trip to Moab.  We have also enjoyed the traveling for our sports for the most part.

Of course- the biggest change for the year is the addition of LOL.  She and Outpatient will be married in May and we couldn't be happier for them.  She is such a happy and sweet person and I am so grateful they were led to each other.  Outpatient's only lament is realizing that their children aren't going to have too many cousins- but he will just have to "borrow" his littlest cousins or his oldest cousins' children :)

Our biggest trials this year came from within.  Choices that have been made by family which has caused great turmoil and heartache..  There is a lot of truth that the trials caused by our human-ness are often the hardest to bear.  We pray often for the resolution and repentance, as well as the softening of hearts.

My D-word is still that- a d-word.  I can say that I have done fairly well- although my body seems pretty determined to hang out in the weight zone it is at-  but that is 15 pound lighter than last year at this time.  I will keep working on it. I haven't been obsessive or super dedicated, but I have tried to make changes in my eating habits and in my physical activity that will stick.  I know I have made changes in my eating, because when I "junk eat" any more- I feel junky.  I still crave chocolate- but I have cut way back.

Outpatient is happy, and progressing in life and school.  LOL is learning a lot about the "joys" of younger siblings.  She is going to be living with my baby sister and her family for a while and going to school at BYU. I think she is happy too ;) 

Oldest is taller than me. Shaving much more frequently :( .  He is still my best worker around the house and has worked this year in taking care of his grandparents' yard and cleaning the DR's office every week.

Middle- well, she is growing up too darn fast also.  She has adjusted to Middle School, and the different teachers/schedule quite well.  She will be making a trip soon to try out for a girls hockey travel team.  I am not sure how I feel about that, but her coach is thrilled.

Youngest- smart little turkey.  We have seen a little improvement lately with her medical situation, and we pray that the worst of it is behind us.  She is so full of life and creativity- I just need to find her another outlet or two.

My goals for this year are in part the same-  become better.  Better at taking care of me.  Better at taking care of my family.  Better at being forgiving of those who hurt me.  Better at following the leaders of the church.  Better at being a friend, Aunt, Sister, Sister-in-law, daughter, and daughter-in-law.

I still need to work on the D-word- I need to do better at the five Power Principles - which are:-  personal prayer, family prayer, personal scripture study, family scripture study, and temple attendance.

Worldly goals include new flooring for my house (and I wouldn't say no to new light fixtures- but they are less needed)- and I would love to finish the downstairs- for another bedroom and bathroom to use. I want to paint some more and replace a few pieces of furniture that have been around for quite a few years.  Not holding my breath on any of that- time and money have a way of slipping out the door.

The New Year is a time for reflection and also for looking towards to future.

I hope and pray that this year brings much of good and joy to each of you.

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.