This Month is such a special one....

It is birthday time for me and the DR, plus it is our Annivesary today. 

Not just any old regular anniversary-  but 25 years.

We spent it working and then at the rink.  Exciting stuff, I tell you.

The DR has been a little stressed about the lack of exciting, seeing as it is a bigger milestone, but what do you do when your life revolves around ice and pucks.

You watch your kids play really well and hard after already having multiple practices already.  And since it was a Monday on top of it all- well, you just can't have the fairy tale every day, somedays are the cinderella work days.

The DR bought me a beautiful picture of the Salt Lake Temple and had the artist personalize it for us.  He also came home with some Hagen Daz- after searching high and low for my favorite flavor.

I wish I could tell you I did something fabulous for him.  I did, I let him live after he bought his snowmobile last winter.

I am tired and need to shut this down for now-  but maybe I will post something better later :)

Dear DR:

you never read this- but I love you to the moon and back.  I love you enough to live through 50plus years worth of stress shoved into 25.  I love you more than chocolate.  True Story.

Back To School 2011

Out of Wisdom (pictures added)

Teeth, that is.

Last week- we added to our already crazy life by taking Oldest out to Cougar Country to get his wisdom teeth removed.  There is a surgeon that comes to Small Town, but it is only once a month and he is booked out for months.  I called on the 2nd and got an appointment for the 10th.  We took him to the same surgeon who did Outpatient.

Now-  I don't know if I have shared the story of his teeth, but here it is, non-cliff notes version.

Oldest did not get any teeth- at all- until he was nearly 17 months old.  I was a tad concerned, but the doctor had a patient not get teeth until 15 months, and my own cousin's daughter who is only 2 weeks older than Oldest, didn't get teeth either.  Finally, what I think made them come in was the fact that his little sister was starting to get teeth, and he wouldn't be outdone by her.  This is a pattern that still exists, I'm afraid.  Anyhow- his first teeth were the top and bottom right teeth-and they took something like 6 months to fully come in.  The remainder of his teeth followed this pattern, taking their own sweet time to show up and be useful.

When he was 10- we went to the dentist to learn that his 6 year molars had finally decided to join the party.  We also got a really good look at what was going on with his adult teeth.  It was not a pretty picture.  Every adult tooth wanted to take the space being used by up to three baby teeth.  So- we went to visit our friendly neighborhood ortho, and began the process of trying to make room for those giant teeth. 

The next problem, his baby teeth didn't seem to be in any bigger hurry to vacate the premises than they were to join the party in the first place.  You might recall Oldest's lovely tooth pulling adventures from Dec 30- 2009.  The dentist pulled 8 baby teeth out then- and left the 4 canines to come out on their own.  Only two were obedient, and it took over a year for most of the permanent teeth to come up into place.

Bored yet?

So- when we went to the dentist last October, we saw that the punk's wisdom teeth were already forming.  Yes- those teeth that most people don't get until they are about 18- were already coming in.  This is in the mouth of a kid who doesn't believe in getting teeth.  To make matters even funner- the wisdom teeth were holding his 12 year molars hostage.  In July, the dentist pulled the remaining baby teeth.  We decided to go ahead with braces because if we wait for his teeth, it will be years!!!! 

So- the oral surgeon removed his 4 wisdom teeth and went on a search and rescue for a wayward canine.  The possible bad news is that his 12 year molars may not ever come in- and may need to be removed just like wisdom teeth are. So not funny. By the time we are done, I think we could have bought a decent car for what we will end up investing in that kid's mouth.

He had a little trouble coming to after the surgery, which made the headnurse-momma a little nervous,  He twitched periodically which was a reminder of the seizure he suffered as a toddler.  He did reach out a couple of times to pet my face (he has the biggest hands!), and fell in love with the office's fuzzy blanket.  Finally- after 5 hours at the surgeon's office, we got to leave.  He has done well, but he did puff up and is now moving on to bruising stage.  He was able to participate fully in his Teachers Quorum Super Activity, and this coming weekend he will get to start the bow hunt.

All is well, until August 31st.  Then we will start the braces.

Someday he will be so thankful that we put him through all this, and that I made a record because he better start saving now for his own children, or become an orthodontist or oral surgeon himself.

Thursday- not too bad- only the right side was puffy

Saturday- both sides were puffy-  but hey- he is vertical and functional, much better than I did.

And- when it comes time for mission prep- he already lost his wisdom.  Teeth.

She is home and He is off and they are coming home

Today Middle returned from her first Girls Camp. The DR and Oldest went up the first day to pull our trailer up for the "Priesthood Quarters" (much to Middle's chagrin- she wasn't happy to hear she couldn't go in the trailer at all) and Oldest got to help a lot of Damsels In Distress and set up tents and whatever.  They stayed up the whole evening until Devotional was over and another Priesthood Holder showed up.  The Bishop stayed up the whole week and cooked for the girls-  SPOILED!! Our bishop can cook!  and he was very grateful for my trailer because there were a few things forgotten in the packing. Middle did not enjoy the first night-she did not sleep thanks to freaking out over every little noise thinking something was out there.  I will tell you that we do camp in bear and mountain lion territory- so it isn't like the back yard.  The second night- the DR was up again for the evening for the devotional time and they were able to calm her and give her a Priesthood blessing.  It is just one of many times that I am sooo grateful to have married someone who not only holds and honors the Priesthood, but is willing to use it frequently enough that my patients readily ask for blessings from their daddy. The third night her daddy stayed up the whole night and she slept just fine.It seems that she had a fabulous time and it was good for her spirit as well.  She helped encourage a more recent and reluctant convert girl to go and participate.  That girl was only going to go for one night-  but then she decided to stay- so hopefully those experiences will help her testimony and help them all to make good choices in life. 

On the other hand-  Oldest is off to experience EFY for the first time.  His personality is so different than Outpatient, that it is going to be interesting to see how this goes.  The DR threatened him with needing to bring home at least 4 girls contact info (hah!).  We didn't manage to get his hair cut until today and I gave a quick explanation of what needed to be- and it ended up too short for his taste and he is not happy (understatement) and he looks like a dork and he does not want to go but he will because he doesn't want to pay me back the (approx) 500.00 that it cost.

But he is packed up and he and the DR left tonight with the added purpose of helping G. and G. Larsen- also known as my in-laws- get packed up and moved home. They completed the extended mission last Wednesday and are very ready to be home.  Truth be told I am ready for them to be home as well.  I haven't had the time to deal with my own little yard let alone their huge one and it is kind of a mess (sorry- you should have seen it last year- I did much better).  I only have to finish cleaning  a little more of the house up and I am going to get some basics in their fridge and then we are all set. Not sure what day they are coming but they are anxious enough that I wouldn't be too shocked to see them tomorrow night (I won't, but still- they would possibly) - most likely I will see them Sunday or Monday- at the earliest/

End of set of Milestone Moments

I have written before how great our neighborhood is.  The reality is that many in here are great, close, and social neighbors, but there are a few who aren't too.

Anyway- in particular- there are three families who have raised our families almost entirely in this neighborhood. Yesterday- was our eighth baptismal service for one of "our" kids. He is also the last one. We have been together for 9 kids reaching that grand age of 8- two of them are both January babies and the same age- so they shared their special day.

Outpatient and K were both baptized before we moved into the neighborhood.

  H was baptized before my digital pictures began.

C, Oldest and J.   C was baptized a few months earlier, and Oldest and J shared their wonderful day.

(I need to get a recent pic of these three all together)

 M, and Middle were baptized a few months apart in 2006

(ha- missing quite a few teeth here)

M2 was baptized in 2007

( whose patient is that on the far right???)

Youngest in 2009

And ( Insert picture here when I get it from his mom- alas, in our over scheduled evening, I left my camera at home)

M3- was baptized last night.

We have begun a few other milestones in the meantime- we have had a couple of graduations ( another on the horizon), a missionary ( possibly soon to add another of those), and now- a wedding. 

I am so grateful to have been able to be apart of all these moments in life.  We have had our trials, but these kids are pretty tightly bound and it is a pleasure to watch them all grow up together, and help each other along life's path.

We have other families whose milestones we have also celebrated- but these three have been walking hand in hand since 1998 (we moved into our house in 1997- but the M family moved in the next spring and the S family was already here)

25 years ago- Where were you?

When President Kennedy( 47 years ago) was shot-  where were you?  I wasn't born yet, but my mother in law was giving birth to the DR at that very moment.  My mom was a student at BYU.

25 years ago, I was a student at BYU.  I was walking through the ELWC on my way to my New Testament Class, and paused for a few minutes to watch the pre-launch stuff they were broadcasting before the lift off of the Space Shuttle Challenger (side note- I was in Junior High when the first shuttle was launched and I watched that occur in Miss Laycock's class- can't remember if it was English or German).

I watched as long as I could, enthralled with the idea of an ordinary mom going up into space.  The clock said I would be pushing it to be on time- so I hustled on to my class.  The teacher (a grad student) wasn't in there yet- time for class to start- he still hadn't arrived (I can still remember exactly what he looked like-) about 10 minutes late- he came bursting in the room, and said that the shuttle had exploded!  We all left class that day and headed back to the ELWC to watch the disaster replay seemingly a thousand times.

I have since seen many disasters played over and over again on news reels.  The biggest difference is that most of the rest have been directly caused by man- Oklahoma City, Columbine, World Trade Center, just to name a few.

800 Posts?

This is supposedly my 800th post. That went a little fast :0  I guess I "talk" a lot.

Anyway-  putting a big fat QUESTION out there-

What is the most memorable,  fun,  or creative thing(s) you have seen/ or done at a wedding reception or luncheon?

We are in major planning mode- and due to my constant traveling- I haven't attended very many such events lately- (Bad, I know- wish people would consult me before they plan stuff ;P )

Speak up-  don't be shy-

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.

TWENTY FOUR.

Dear DR.

As we entered into this day over the Pacific Ocean, returning from a wonderful break in our reality, I didn't remember.  As we landed at the Airport in SLC, I didn't remember.  As we visited with your parents and you drifted off into a catnap, which example I soon followed, I didn't remember.

As we were gathering up our stuff to get on the road and start collecting our various offspring,  I remembered.

I was first this year.  But- since you had it announced early when we dined at Roy's,  I guess you can still have the honor of always, always - remembering.

Happy Anniversary.

A Few pics of the main attraction

Singing "Their" song

 

He asked. She said yes- then there was hugging and kissing.

Not sure what she is thinking here-  Maybe the DR was being entertaining

Right after she read the inscription-

Twenty Two Years..........

Twenty-two years ago, life changed for my family. In the blink of an eye, someone chose to exercise their agency by breaking several laws, and it forever infringed upon ours.

I had come home from work, pretty sick from sun-stroke (I think). My phone rang a few hours later. It was my mother. She asked me if I was too sick to go with her to the hospital because my father had been in an accident while riding his motorcycle. She came to get me because the DR was helping his sister move.

There are events in life which make such a momentous change that they are forever branded. Life dates from that moment. This was, for my family, that moment. It took many, many years for us to not refer to everything as either "before the accident" or "after the accident".

Twenty-two years, and there are many times I curse my excellent memory, because I see with all too vivid colors and hear with too loud of volume the sights and sounds of the hours spent in the emergency room. Waiting. I see my brother, the Artist, coming at me through the doors and sinking into my arms. I hear my voice trying to remain calm while trying to locate the DR. I see my mom sitting next to me as we try to absorb what the medical personnel are trying to tell us. I see and hear the police officer giving us details of the accident. I see neighbors asking me where my baby is, and what food he needs. I forgot for a while that I had a child. I felt guilt about that for a long time.

I see our good family friend, Dr Phil Roberts, sitting down with us after the surgery. Severe head injury, hemorrhaging, possible stroke. Not the greatest odds of making it through the night. Dad's wishes to be an organ donor. Please someone- wake me from the nightmare caused by an unlicensed, 16 year old with a record of such behavior. There was little we could do, so we went home in the very early morning hours to my mother's house to get some rest. We stayed there that night, and in the morning, I flew next door to get my 8 month old son and hug him oh so tight.

My First Grade teacher brought us the helmet which had landed in her yard. She was traumatised. My baby sister went to WA to live with Favorite Aunt for a while, which ended up in a call from social services, because, you know, we didn't have any other stress in our lives. We had to go to court twice while the judge tried very hard to really stick it to the driver. Since my father didn't die, $2,000.oo was the most they could do.

My son learned to walk in the halls of the hospital. He went trick or treating to the nurses stations. For a few years, he called the hospital "Grandpa's House". I ran into one of my good friends, Todd, from high school at the rehab center, his father had a stroke and was put in the room next to my dad's. Todd had been one of the responding officers to the accident, but didn't know it was my dad. They had never thought my dad would live to make it to the hospital.

My dad's coma was rated a 2. If you don't know, comas were ranked in severity from a 15 being the lightest to a 1- the deepest. He was in a deep coma for over 6 weeks. He didn't get to come home from the hospital for almost 6 months. He is legally blind, mentally handicapped, and the stroke caused him to lose the use of the left side of his body so he is physically handicapped as well.

He was 43. My age now.

He was very smart- he went to college to study physics. He was very physically active. He played softball-both city league and church, he played basketball- both city league and church. He was a referee and umpire and taught both. He coached multiple teams. He golfed and had recently embraced the concept of being a grandpa. He had two married daughters, two sons-in-law, two grandsons, and four children still at home, 17, 13, 10, and the youngest was turning 6. My parents had just had their 25th wedding anniversary two days before.

There have been many medical issues and emergencies over the years, always something. Last weekend, someone asked me how my dad was. Almost like there could possibly be a change. Other than being worse- there will not be a change. He fought back out of being confined to a wheelchair but the day will come when he will have to be back in it.

I hope we are stronger because of this. I hope we are each earning the rewards that come from this trial. It will really stink if we don't, since we have to go through it anyway. I am often amazed at my mother because she can always find someone whose shoes she does not want to walk in, while there are a great many who wouldn't want to wear hers. My sister in law- Tiff, gets major kudos for being such a trouper and helping so much with dad's care.

Twenty-two years.

What is it about the last day of school?

I realize that life very seldom goes according to plan, but for some reason the last day of school seems to take it to a whole new level. Last year, for instance, we had the shirt causing security alarms problem, the nearly forgotten baked beans which were so kind as to decorate my shirt and house with ketchup, and a host of other incidents.

This year, Middle's friend who always has a last day party- DID NOT, Oldest was sick and we couldn't go to our nephew's graduation (the DR still went, though), and when I showed up at the school to take the annual Last Day pictures, I found that Middle had invited 9 girls to go the waterslide with her. And I would drive them all. She did graciously consider that I wouldn't be too excited to pay for them, so she announced that they had to bring money. Holy Kamoly Girl! For the record, we do NOT own a 15 passenger vehicle.

Look out Middle School- here they come

The DR was supposedly leaving early to take care of work stuff, so when Outpatient called to ask me to send something out, I told him he was too late, only to have the DR call me back over an hour later (after I had tried to call him FIVE times) and tell me he hadn't left yet. Good thing, because the computer he was supposed to be taking to the hospital (aka- the I T guys) was still sitting in my house. As was the graduation card and check for our nephew. That is- by the way, still here. He did get the computer and stuff for Outpatient and finally headed out around noon. So much for his early start. And due to his inability to answer his phone or call me back in a timely manner, I will now have to mail the grad card.

I did get all the errands that I needed to do- so yeah for me on that one.

School gets out. I have tried to find a number for the waterslide- no can do- so after about 20 or so calls back and forth, we are down to 6 girls. We picked every one up, drove to the waterslide. It opens tomorrow. Great. So, we drove to the Rec center. They are not open because they are getting ready for grad night. Lovely. I forgot to mention that the wind has blown fairly hard all day, but it is at least warm.

We head to K-Mrt- buy a slip and slide, waterballons and snacks and head back to our house- home of sickie boy. We had spent over an hour just at that point. Jeesh- tons of fun? Well- the girls did manage to have a good time, although it felt like a hurricane came to take up residency, blowing over glass pop bottles partially filled with pop that shattered on the cement, blew the snacks, clothes, and towels everywhere, and finished off with tipping over a gas can that then leaked all over. I finally decided they had enough of a good time and took them all home around 4:30- some of them had graduation to go to and other things, but I couldn't let the rest of them hang out in the house, and it was crazy weather outside.

Maybe we will try again, when we have nothing planned. Maybe it will go more smoothly.

End of an Era

Yesterday, Outpatient's best Friend since Fourth Grade married his high school sweetheart. It was a whole lot of memories, and with Outpatient as Best Man, and Kaylen as Maid of Honor, a bit weird. We weren't at the sealing, which was sort of odd too, because it really felt like I was missing the wedding of one of my family. That was pretty sad after all these years, but I am trying to not be bummed about it any more.

I spent the day cleaning my house to prep for company that I was totally not expecting. Outpatient, in true Looney Bin form, called me Thursday night right before he got into town to see if a friend and his girl friend could stay at the house. Then he showed up after the sealing with another would-be guest. Ironically enough, the regular inmates of the Bin were headed out of town right after the reception for soccer games so the house was available- just not exactly ready for company at all. So the patients and I scurried around and cleaned the house up.

So- Bo is married. Bo and Kla will be living in CougarTown instead of Bo living downstairs. The boys haven't had much time together since their missions. They won't likely be playing hockey or soccer together any more. Weird.

Best of our love and wishes Bo. We have loved watching you grow into a great young man. (not that you will likely see this :) ) Wish we could have been there for the sealing.

Happy Bloggy Birthday

Two Years-

Milestone 600

600 posts. At least of the published variety. I admit to having a few drafts, but I even cleaned those out, leaving only things I put in there to keep a copy of. There are some funny things in there- like a blog post from a lady who spent the better part of her morning running her errands only to find out that after putting on her cami- she neglected to add her shirt. She is an endowed member of the church. Can you just picture the "Going to school in your underwear dream" coming true? There is also a thought provoking post on changing perception from negative to positive by where you use "but"- for example, I went to the gym 4 times last week, but I gained 4 pounds vs. I gained 4 pounds, but I went to the gym 4 times last week (totally an example- I did not go to the gym 4 times boo)

Anyway- I had hoped for a lot of thought provoking questions to answer so I wouldn't have to provoke my thoughts on my own- but alas- not. Either I have scared all of you or I have pretty much let it all out on here.

Amber wanted to know what my favorite post was. I wasn't particularly sure- but the first one that came into my mind was the one about Middle and her money jar for Grandma Bunnie. here. I am glad I documented the proof that she can be generous and sweet, because we don't get to see a lot of evidence of that here in the Looney Bin.

Out of curiosity, I went back and read quite a few posts, like nearly a whole years' worth. I am going to have to say that there were several that I hadn't remembered but that I am rather proud of. Think about its, and tender mercies, and one about my really awesome neighborhood. And I love my missionary posts :).

My patients posted several questions which I deleted because it looked like I was asking myself questions :)-

Why did I start to blog- well, it is their fault, actually. I was reading several of your blogs long before I started my own. Then my SIL started one, then one sister, then another who totally surprised me when she did even though she is an English major. Generally speaking, she is not one for sharing information like that. Long story, but after many proddings from all my patients- not the DR, though, I finally caved and set to work. Then quite a few months into it, I got smart and realized that if I sent the link to Outpatient, he could read my blog and see more pictures than ldsmail would allow. Then my mom got sick and I made sure to post every day for her entertainment.

What are some of our family quirks- Geesh- kind of hard to limit down to some- but here goes-

The DR-
- he sniffs everything! Clean clothes out of the drawer or closet as if I fold and put away dirty clothes. He sniffs food- like condiments when he makes a sandwich, he will smell the bottles of mustard, ketchup, pickles, you name it.
- He eats nearly anything with ketchup. I finally did find someone more addicted, but he is pretty bad. He is also a-chip/dip- aholic.
- He is also addicted to lotion. he can not stand for his hands to be dry or dirty. He wears work gloves for anything and everything. I keep a bottle of lotion very handy. He also does not do bare feet.
- He showers- (well used to until I harassed him majorly)- both before and after mowing the lawn. He is very clean- in case you haven't figured that out- but not in a germaphobe way.

Outpatient-
- Hair fanatic! from the time he was little, he has been unbelievably fanatical about his hair.
- This one he shares with his dad- very particular about his clothes and how they fit.
- Gets wound up about things and cannot sleep. I started giving him benadryl the night before school started when he was in about 6th grade. If I didn't, he would not fall asleep for hours.
- He feeds off the energy of others. I had to start driving him to school when he was in kindergarten because he got too hypercharged during the whole less than a mile long bus ride (there was a super busy highway intersection so they couldn't walk)

Oldest-
-jumps to outrageous conclusions. For example, I say I think it would be fun to go to Florida, he tells his sisters that we are going to Florida in the summer. I say that a vehicle looks cool, he tells the DR that I want him to buy me that vehicle.
- scared silly of spiders. No other bug, snake, scorpion, nothing bothers him but spiders.
- won't sleep in the new bed in his room because it is by the window. Even though the only thing that has gone through that window is his brother and a mouse.
- is addicted to reading one of the grossest looking book series. He has read them all- now what.
- oh, and hates cheese. Except on pizza.

Middle-
-has an impulse to constantly mess with her fingernails. Clips them almost daily. Paints them so she can pull it off and paint them again.
-hates peanut butter. Jelly. Jam. Honey.
-hates chocolate (whose child is she?)
-loves to wear her socks mismatched. everyday socks, hockey socks, soccer socks. Matching socks is bad.

Youngest-
- loves to be a performer unless you want her to perform.
can't really think of anything that would be considered an idiosync- just annoying stuff most kids do- like doesn't want to eat hardly anything that is on the menu either at school or home. Always wants her own way, and is the slowest turtle in the world.

Me-
- I am a walking idiosync- just ask the DR.
- I hate crowds- going to church is a task that I force myself to face.
- I don't like meeting new people- true story. When we moved to Oregon, I forced myself to overcome that little weirdness because I knew that unlike Washington, the DR didn't know people there already either(other than the co-workers) and it was pretty close to the best 18 months of my life.
- all of the things I love best to do involve just me. reading, sewing, painting or crafts(although that can be a blast with a friend). It seems to be genetic.
- One more- I have written about this before- but I am a laundry na zi-

Sophie-
-well- she is just weird. But we love her anyway.

And- my favorite blond (ish) sister is Amerinkus (she used to be blond for real), my favorite baby sister is SmAsh, and my favorite oldest sister is Favorite Aunt.

What would you like to know or ask?

I am coming up on 600 posts. Wow. Now- most of you know me pretty well in real life- so I don't know how much fun this will be for you- but...

Is there something you would like to ask me or know that you don't already?

I promise to keep it as real as possible only protecting the innocent as neccessary-

You can ask as many as you feel like too- either in the comments or you can email if you wish.

In the Eye of the Beholder

Today was a big day for Oldest. He deliberately stuck his finger with a foreign object on it into his eye. It took a few attempts, lots of blinking and tearing, but he did it! I do have to say that I couldn't watch him put them in for some reason, and then watching those big hands and long fingers try to put that little dish in his eye was rather odd.

He is wearing contacts and boy is he a happy patient. He won't get to wear them to school for a few days, because the adjustment schedule has him wearing them for only 4 hours at a time so we will have to wait and see how that goes next Monday- but for tonight, he is glasses-free, and not blind for the first time in three years. The person helping him learn to care for and use the contacts made the comment that many kids get them because of vanity reasons, but those kids who really need glasses (like Oldest- poor blindy boy) sometimes decide that glasses are just so much easier- so we will see. He is in a 2-week trial period, and his right contact is different than the left, and a little harder to get used to- but I will be surprised if he changes his mind in the next two weeks.

He left a short while ago to go skating for Young Men's- first time on ice without glasses in quite a while and yet still being able to see where he is going- he was just a little excited :)

Happy Special Anniversary

Twenty Four years, one week and one day ago, you bought flowers for your girlfriend. At the flower shop where I worked.

Twenty four years ago today, we went on a semi-blind date. I was blind. You were not.

The rest, as they always say, is history.

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.

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.