Christmas Miracles

So, since John has been out of work since February and not able to collect unemployment due to being to sick to be able to work, finances have been tight (TOO TIGHT). Well John helped his friend put in a new server in his office and he paid him for his help. We paid off my credit card (because the annual fee was coming up soon) and closed out the account. The woman from the credit card company was asking me why I wanted to close my account and I said because my husband has not worked since February, and she has the nerve to say well how can you pay it off then, would you like us to lower your interest rate instead? ARE YOU CRAZY! I do not need another bill or added finances. Well later that day my hubby decided to pay on his credit card (too big of a balance to pay if off) and forgot that we had paid mine off and ended up putting us in the negative in our checking account, so negative that after my paycheck was deposited it is still in the negative. So I was stressing wondering how we were going to get the last minute gifts that we still had to buy without using the credit card and I went out to the mailbox the other day and there is a card addressed to us with no return address. It is post marked from Salt Lake but anyone could have gone to Salt Lake to post it so that we could not figure out who did it, well the card said that they understood that finances were tight and decided to give us some help. There was money in the envelope. Then on Sunday night the Bishop comes to the house and I answered the door and he said just the person I wanted to see and handed me an envelope and said Merry Christmas. I opened the envelope and again money. I cried, the Lord really understands are needs and has angels to help him answer our prayers and help us in our time of need. I have prayed for those angels to receive special blessings for being so generous and loving as to donate money to help others. I know I cannot pay them back but I sure can pay it forward when we are on a more financial stability and I will definitely be willing and wanting to do it.

Christmas is a time for miracles and love and I am excited for Christmas and the opportunity to spend time with my loved ones.

I wish everyone who reads this a very Merry Christmas!

A Happy Mommy!

Today I am a Happy MOMMY! Zlee was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I do not say proud, because that is being prideful, but I am definitely happy for her. It is hard to believe that it has been 8 years since she was a little newborn in my arms and I was wondering what I was going to do, now that I became a mom. Now I can look back and be glad that I have made it this far with a lot of help from family and friends. She was so excited to be baptized and after she was baptized, she was shivering from being wet and she told me that the water was kind of cold, my poor little girl. Her dad later confirmed that it was indeed a little cold. The other little girl that was also baptized came into the dressing room after and she as giggling, I am not sure if it is because she was cold, bashful, or just happy, I will go with the happy part. I gave the baptism talk, I was nervous and hoping that I would be able to say the things that I needed to, everyone afterwards told my I did well (including the hubby, my honest critic). I do not remember what I said but I know I was emotional. She chose the song "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" for the opening song, I was leading the music at it just made me emotional, I teared up and could not sing, I had to wait until the 2nd verse to get myself under control. Then after the song and prayer I had to give my talk. All in all it was wonderful and I am definitely a happy mommy.

Evanslee has been a wonderful daughter. She is obedient, loving, fun, playful, smart, kind, always wanting to do her best, I couldn't ask for a better daughter to be my oldest. She is my little friend and I love her dearly. I thought I knew what loving a baby was all about until the day she was born. It was a completely whole different kind of love, one that fills you up completely but there is always room for another one after to add to that love. I think a mom's (or dad's) heart just grows every time a little one comes into their life. So those moms out there with a litter of children must have gigantic hearts, because mine is really big for having 3 children.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Time to reflect and think of the things that I am thankful for. First of all my life. I am thankful that I am alive and healthy enough to do the things that I need to do to provide for my family. I could do better but I am able to stand, use my arms, legs, fingers, toes, and every other part of my body just fine.

Next, I am so thankful for my family. It took a long time to get married and have my 3 beautiful children but they were definitely worth the wait. They keep my going when I feel like quitting. I am thankful that John is still here with us watching the kids grow older and become independent and so cute! It is truly amazing to be a mom and know that I helped Heavenly Father create these wonderful kids. I know of those that have not had the opportunity to be a parent and so I am truly thankful for the blessing that I have of being able to have 3 wonderful healthy children.

I am thankful for my extended family, they also are a huge support to me. They have always been there when I needed help. It could be a shoulder to gripe on, or cry on, advice, giving us a place to stay, taking care of the kids while I take care of John when he is in the hospital, or just being there, it means the world to me to know that I have a whole support system behind me.

I am thankful for my friends. They also are a great support system and help boost me up when I am down (which seems to be a lot).

I am thankful for the internet and the technology of today. We can communicate with loved ones instantly and not have to wait for a letter to arrive in the mail. Blogging is wonderful and I am thankful for it, I can jot down my thoughts and I can read others and see pictures of those special people in my life.

I am so thankful for my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It has been a true blessing in my life. It has given me strength, friends, courage, lessons, and taught me things about myself that I could do that I would not have done so without it. Evanslee is about to be baptized and I am so thankful that she has chosen to do so. John and I have been focusing our family home evening lessons on being baptized. We feel that we want her to understand what she is getting into and not just do it because we said to. We had the Ward Missionaries over last night to talk to her and they were surprised that she was able to answer every one of their questions. It was a proud moment for this mom, to know that she has listened and understands and is ready to be baptized.

I am even thankful for my job. It has saved us many times with John's various job losses, it may not give us the finances we need but it does help get us through. I am thankful that I can work from home so that I can still be with my kids and I am thankful for the flexibility it gives me to work around their needs.

Well, what can I say, I am just THANKFUL for ALL of my BLESSINGS!

Okay I am old but I have EXPERIENCE!

I get an email the other day from my supervisor that says that myself and a few others are transcribing a certain doctor's dictation wrong. OH NO WE ARE NOT! The person from the clinic that sent the original email stated that we were typing the the pharynx is injected and it should be infected. I thought to myself, I have been in this business for over 15 years and I know what I hear and the doctor says injected every time. I look up in Stedman's Medical Dictionary and the 2nd definition for injected says "Denoting visible blood vessels distended with blood." HA! That means that if you are sick with a sore throat your pharynx would be red, so injected. If the doctor said infected, it just does not make any sense, infected with what? So it made me so mad to have some person that probably has no medical background or very little (schooling only) to tell me I was wrong. I sent a note back to my supervisor with this definition and she said okay great, I will let them know. Ha! My experience is medical information. Okay so now I get this doctor again and the patient comes in complaining about not feeling well, feeling a cold; again the doctor says CLEARLY "pharynx is INJECTED." I listened to it several times and definitely it was injected. Oh my JOY!!!! I WAS RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!!!! HEHEHEHE!

I love my job but then again I can really hate my job, and that just made my day, I do know what I am doing and it makes me greatful for the experience and the chance to learn new things daily. The pay sucks but the experience and learning capabilities are wonderful. To that end I have applied for a 2nd job and have to go and get fingerprinted Saturday and prove that I am a US Citizen. Wish me luck!

UGH!! I am officially OLD!!!!!

I went to the doctor today to have my yearly physical. I was telling this new doctor that I have been having some pain in my back when the kids try to climb on my back or just bump my lower back. It feels like a sharp stabbing pain so I am thinking it is a horrible knot in my muscles or some weird nerve thing. But alas, it is ol' arthritis!!! YUCK! I also tell him about a pain in my right toe and in my knee (knee I suspected because I injured in back in high school during my one and only ski trip). He has prescribed some naproxen and this evening I am actually feeling a lot better, just hating to have to admit the old part!

On another note, the other night I was up watching TV and Miko was still awake and just jabbering away about this and that and I ask her "Miko, how come you're so cute?" As a mom I am thinking because she is mine and she looks like me but the response I get is..... "Cuz you're not!" I am flabbergasted, and say "Hey, that's not nice!" her reply is "you're not cute, you're a mommy!" From the mouths of babes! I guess mommies can't be cute, we are just mommies. Well at least she had learned to be honest, that I must be happy about.

Evanslee turns 8 this weekend and I cannot believe it. She is getting so mature, she is at the age of wants to play but then feels too old to play with toys. I took her to WalMart to get an idea of what she wanted for her birthday and to my dissatisfaction, no dolls or Barbies, she wants games, animal figurines, and movies. They grow up so fast. The next thing I know boys will be knocking on the door to ask her out on dates, I wonder who will be more upset me or dad, hmmm!

Another funny, this time Caddis, I go on Mondays to his HeadStart class to help the kids pick out a book that they can take home for the week. Some of the books are written in Spanish (most of the class have Hispanic heritage). So I am helping Caddis pick out a book and he insists on a book by Eric Carle with a big gorilla on the front, I do not know the title in English. I proceed to try to convince him that he cannot take it home since it is in Spanish and he insists that that is the book he wants. So finally I give in and tell him well if you take it home only Grandma Alice will be able to read it to you, she is the only one that speaks Spanish. He decides that that is just fine and selects that book for the week. A little while later while I was helping one of the little guys, Caddis comes over and says "don't pick that one it is Chinese!" I about died! The little guy's mom is standing there and overheard our conversation earlier, and I try to explain that it is not Chinese but Spanish to Caddis, his little friend says to me, I can speak Spanish and so can my mom and grandma, even my dad can speak Spanish. I told him that he was very lucky to be able to speak Spanish and he just grinned from ear to ear. I think that impressed his mom. I think she would die to realize that my little blonde boy is 1/4 Hispanic himself. The only clue he has is his brown eyes. I hope that he can one day learn Spanish, his grandmother would be so proud. She did not teach her children to speak Spanish and one of her grandsons served a mission in the Dominician Republic and it tickles her to death to have him call and speak to her in Spanish, she just eats it up. I would love to see Caddis be able to do the same. I just have to get over this hurdle that if he does not understand it, it must be Chinese!

The "SICK" hit our house!

Okay so Sunday night as I got into bed Miko kept saying that she had to go "poo" and so I would take her to the bathroom and she would just "fart." So I kept telling her that it was okay to fart in bed, that she did not have to go to the bathroom to do that. The next thing I know she throws up all over herself and the bed! YUCK! John came and helped me clean up the bed while I put her in the tub and washed her off. We got a clean pair of pajamas for both of us, since it ended up on me to as I was holding her. Then I got her back to sleep. She woke up again about 1:00 and again threw up on herself. I was able to change her pajamas and wipe off what was on her, not have to put her in the tub this time. We had a bucket placed by her just in case it happened again and you guessed it, at 1:30 she was sick again but this time I had the bucket ready. I get her all settled and back to sleep and just dozed off (about 2 a.m. at this point) and I hear someone go in the bathroom, turns out Evanslee is up and had to go to the bathroom. She comes and tells me that her stomach hurts and goes not feel good, OH CRAP!!! Here we go. I start thinking about what I had fed them that day, could this be food poisoning, or what. So the next thing we know she runs back to the bathroom and is sick. So I help her and get her back into bed. Well she was up 3 or 4 more times during the night, I was too tired to keep an accurate count. By about 5 a.m. all is well and we sleep until 8. Caddis never was sick but about an hour before he was supposed to go to Headstart he had a fever and so I told him he had to stay home. He was so disappointed, he did not understand that having a fever meant that you were sick, he did not feel sick. So the rest of the day Miko spent mostly in bed, no appetite, just wanting juice. Evanslee also no appetite and if she ate or drank anything it just came back up. I spent the day trying to work and take care of the kids and John (as he was not feeling so well either). So just before dinnertime I started not feeling right. I had no appetite and trying to figure out what to make for dinner, nothing sounded good to me but I knew I had to make something that the girls could eat. John came out and decided to make dinner (THANK YOU). He made a chicken teriyaki dish with rice and Evanslee and Caddis were able to eat but I could only take a few bites and choke it down. Miko was asleep and did not eat dinner I think she slept from 5:30 p.m. until the next morning. Poor little girl. Just before I went to bed (about 10:30), up came my day's worth of stomach content. YUCK!!! But nobody was there to take care of me, just plain ol' me, I guess that is what happens to all moms, have to take care of yourself. We all had a restful sleep that night and then John woke and the next morning and was sick all day and decided he needed a blessing. It was about 1:00 p.m. and I had the hardest time trying to find someone home to give him a blessing. All of the "retired" neighbors were not home, and I finally had to find one of the High Priest in our ward home to get a blessing. He was able to find another and they came right over. They gave John a beautiful blessing and he was able to calm down and feel a little better. But we did end up going to the ER at about 6 that night. They gave him some fluids and some meds and he was able to go home.

This morning I am happy to report that all is well (knock on wood) in the house this morning. Kids are going to school and have pink cheeks again, YEAH!!!

I am FINALLY reading the Twilight series!

So after reading and listening to so many people about the Twilight series I decided to give it a try. I have so far read the first 3 books and I have to say that they are good but not my most favorite books. I am intrigued by the whole vampire/werewolf situation but at the same time freaked out by it. Okay personally, I HATE being COLD, so reading about hugging a stone cold person just makes me cold and I want to get a blanket and warm up. I LOVE to be WARM and so if I were Bella I would chose Jacob on just that fact alone, I know, silly, but cold is not my thing. I have had to put my name on the list at the library to get Breaking Dawn, it shows that I am #100 on the list but hopefully everyone will be finished soon and return their books back early so that I can get up the list faster and be able to read it for myself.

It has been a while since I have had the pleasure of reading a book for me and not for the kids. It is nice and then I have this husband that doesn't like to read and cannot understand my desire to read again. I have to control myself and put a book down, I always want to finish a book the same day I got it. I was terribly hooked on romance novels in my single days and would sometimes stay up until 3 of 4 in the morning because I had to finish the book. I definitely do not have the stamina or energy to do that now, I NEED MY SLEEP!

I would like to find another series to read after I am finished with this one and it will be a joy to me to go to the library and scan on the books until I find something I want to read. I cannot wait!

39 years, what have I accomplished?

I turned 39 yesterday so that means the end of the 30's. I remember a time when 30's was just approaching and how scary it seemed. In the past 9 years I have gotten married, had 3 children, worked for 3 different companies, moved 8 times, lost my father-in-law, grandfathers, had a couple of nieces and nephews, husband sick for 8-1/2 years. I have been a Primary teacher, Primary Chorister (loved IT), Boy Scouts Den Mother (didn't like it), visiting teacher, and now a Librarian (LOVE IT!). I feel that life has been full of ups and downs but I like the quote I found "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." I am making that my life mantra. I am learning to dance in the rain, and as I watched General Conference this afternoon a comment was made that if you feel your trials are overwhelming you look around and find someone else to help through theirs. It is so true, I know my trials are hard but they are no different then anyone else's, even all of the prophets have had trials and we need to learn how to get through them. I am so thankful that we are studying Joseph Smith's teachings this year. They have made me realize that we all struggle and go through trials that how we build up our character and grow closer to the Lord is by putting ourselves into his hands and letting the Atonement work for us.

I am greatful for my life. My parents were told when I was born to not name her, she will not live out the week. My parents were not living the life that they were supposed to, and they both may a covenant to the Lord that if he let me live they would change their ways. I was given a few Priesthood Blessings and I am still alive 39 years later... or it has been a really long week. I love my family and I am greatful that they are a part of my life. I am greatful for my health, after watching my husband suffers all of these years I am so appreciative to have my health. I could do better like lose weight and exercise to keep my health. I am greatful that I have 3 healthy children; John and I have said many times that we are greatful that it is him that is sick and not the children, it would tear us up to have one of the kids be sick. I feel so sorry for those parents that do have sick children and the struggles they must endure to take care of those little ones, but I know there will be a special place for them in Heaven. I am thankful that I have a job to help support my little family. It has kept our heads out of trouble many times. Of course I wish it paid more so that I could support the family but it does help and I am greatful for that. I am greatful for all my friends who have supported me and gave me encouragement, it really means the world to me. I may not be able to see them or hang out with them and have a "Girl's Night Out" but just to know that they are then when I need them means so much to me!

I look back and I am greatful for having the 39 years here on earth and hope to have another 39 years or even more here on earth. I hope to look back and smile at the things I have accomplished by then.

I have accomplished the goals of life that I wanted to by this time and I am greatful for all that I have done.

OH BOY what did I get myself into? Part 2

Okay, last week I went to the Policy Council Training meeting for this new Heartstart class Chair position. It was an enjoyable but stressful time. When I first got there everyone was in the parking lot and they had it decorated like a circus. They were handing out free Cotton CANDY!! One of my FAVORITE CANDIES!!!! While I was enjoying it Suzanne (the FSW) came over and said hi and as we were talking she asked me how I liked the cotton candy and I said that I was enjoying it especially since there were no little hands saying MOMMY I WANT SOME! So enjoyable!! hehehe. Next they had one of those boards where you stand behind it and stick your head through the hole, where there was painted on the board a clown, monkey (down low) and an elephant. They insisted that each one of us get our picture taken in that and there was no way that I was going to be an elephant (I already look like one) and I was not going to crouch down low to be the monkey, so I chose the horrid clown. UGH! I hate having my picture taken. So we had our meeting and had a lovely dinner of Dave's BarBQ and then they wanted to have officers elected for this Policy Council. They have someone from last year be the Chair, and she was not there as she had just had a baby but then they asked for nominations for the Vice-Chair, and Suzanne (the FSW) said I think you should be it, you will do a wonderful job, and since she cannot nominate she told the other lady at the table about it and she nominated me and no one else wanted the position, so I was the lucky recipient. But this job seems to be easy, unless the Chair is absent, then I have to take over but other than that it is just an extra meeting a month to discuss plans for the next events coming up. Hopefully I will be able to do this.



When I came home I had my arms full. They gave us binders with all the paper material from the meeting, a new bag (very nice) with lots of pockets and room, I won a book with a matching dog, and a handful of candy that they used to decorate the tables with. The kids LOVED ME!!! hehehehe.

I've been Tagged!

List: 5 joys, 5 fears, 5 obsessions, 5 surprising facts, 5 people to tag.

Joys
1. My kids.
2. My husband.
3. Long car rides in the mountains.
4. Camping.
5. A good laugh.

Fears
1. I am TERRIFIED of snakes!! EWWWWWW!!!
2. I am afraid of spiders and creept crawly things.
3. I have a fear of drowning. I joined the swim team my freshman year in high school to help overcome that fear but it is still there. I panic if I am in deep water, I have to mentally tell myself that I will be okay. I know that I can swim in the deep water but the fear is still there especially in lakes and oceans, SCARY!!
4. I am claustrophobic and being in closed in spaces or in large crowds bothers me. I even had a panic attack once when John and I were engaged and we went to Las Vegas with some friends and toured the Hoover Dam, I could not get through with the tour soon enough!!!
5. I am terrified of heights. I have tried to overcome this also but to no avail. It is still there, I get the butt tingles whenever I try to be brave! I like to go up things, but then when I look down, I lose all control and panic.

Obsessions

1. Coca Cola, I know bad habit but I enjoy it and it helps me deal with the stress of life.
2. Chocolate, need I say more girls?
3. Purses, I love to look at new purses and styles, can't afford new ones but when I am in a new store, I automatically go to the purse section and look at the different styles and try to decide which one I like the best. (it is even on my wish list for birthdays and Christmas, I know terrible).
4. Reality shows like Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers, Dog the Bounty Hunter, Gene Simmons Family Jewels, America's Toughest Jobs (I know manly shows, but I like them) and one girly one Jon and Kate plus 8 (I think I watch to realize the blessings of 1 child at a time for me).
5. I am a slob but I still like things to be in order when I do get around to putting them away. I could be OCD if I was not such a slob.

Surprising Facts

1. I have recently realized that many people think that I am a goody 2-shoes, but actually I have my wild side. I used to go to Wendover for the male strippers show! Yeah BOYS!!
2. I love to get my hands dirty, working in the dirt, working on a car, fixing things. I had an aunt once tell me that the first time you pick up a tool is the last time he will. Well I did not give him a chance to be the man, I told him that I would be right there by his side working with him, and I enjoy it.
3. I LOVE going 4-wheeling.
4. I am shy but I enjoy going to social events and watching people. I am a people watcher!!
5. I love shopping at Wal-Mart, etc., and HATE malls!!!

People to tag
Anyone reading this that has not been tagged!

Look forward to seeing what you all have to say! Have fun!

Just when I wanted to go to bed early!

I had just gotten my pajamas on last night and was taking my pills when John called me into the bedroom. He said "look at me," and so I looked. He had sweat pouring down his face and when I touched him he was clammy like he had just stepped out of the shower. I asked why he was clammy and he said that he just did not feel right. I had this thought pop into my mind about the scene from Steel Magnolias where Julia Roberts is getting her hair done (It looke gorgeous) and then she started convulsing and sweating profusely. She was having a hypoglycemic reaction (low blood sugar). So I asked him to check his blood sugar and he had me get his monitor and get it ready for him. It ended up being 77, normal for the rest of us but low for him. So I went to find the candy corn I had just bought that morning for the kids (okay and me too) and gave him a large handful. He was not really acting like himself and I asked him if he wanted a drink of juice (again the movie in my head) and he said he wanted a glass of icy water. When he finished eating the candy he decided to go upstairs and was unsteady on his feet but made it upstairs. He was telling his mom what was going on and told me to call 911. I tried the phone next me and the battery was dead. So I went downstairs to use the phone and try to find my computer to look up my suspicions. He then called me and said not to call. So I just looked for my computer and took it upstairs.

Then he decided to have his mom call 911 and she went into her bedroom to make the call but she was not giving them the correct information so I had to get on the phone and describe the situation. It seemed like forever waiting for the ambulance to arrive, a lot of dead air on the line waiting with the dispatcher. They finally arrived, 2 EMTs shortly followed by 2 Sheriff/Paramedic vehicles with 3 personnel. They came in helped John, and decided that he needed to be seen in the ER because his blood pressure was way too high 220/160 (I think).

I followed behind in the car so I had transportation home and was so relieved when I got there that he came by ambulance. You see, if you come by ambulance you get right into a room immediately, if you come by personal vehicle and the waiting room is full, it make take a while even upwards of an hour or more to get into a room to be seen.

Well they ran tests, put him on monitors, and drew blood. They call came back as no problems at all with his heart, his blood pressure eventually went down, and the diagnosis was hypoglycemia. It was a record time for us in the ER only 2 hours. We are usually in there at least 5 hours if not more.

Today he seems to be doing well and neighbors and ward members have called to check on us and make sure that everything is okay.

I am happy to report that it was really nice to go into the ER and not have them look at us like we are seeking drugs, because he was not in any kind of pain and did not need any meds. Also his nurse was an old schoolmate of mine and it was fun catching up with her a little bit. Ended up being a decent visit to the ER.

Okay, here we go again!

I went with John to the doctor's appointment yesterday. We told him that the nerve block is working but that John is still getting sick and having nausea and sometimes vomiting. John told him that his blood sugar levels are getting better, even that morning it was down to 60 (scary for John, normal for the rest of us). The doc said that was good, he did not think that John would get down that low, Whew!

Bad part is that the Doc said that he talked to an old college buddy who is a GI doctor and they think that John should have the LapBand. Well we have been down that road before, been to at least 4 different GI group classes and each one was: A) Too expensive, B) Feel that pancreatitis is a big risk, C) if you are a violent vomiter (John is) it may not be the procedure for you.

So Doc wants John to have this procedure, he feels that and also has seen other patients, that after losing significant weight they have led better lives, many medical problems gone, and so forth. Now, just where are we going to find the money do to this? No money tree in the backyard! So here we stand (or lay down in John's case). I guess we pray and let the Lord lead us where we need to go.

Prayers ARE Answered!

So Friday around 5:30 John tells me that he needs a blessing and I had heard the familiar sound from the bathroom (him calling out to Ralph) and so I grab the ward directory and get to work. I first of all called our WONDERFUL home teacher but no one was home at their house. Next I called the neighbors again no answer or busy signals. I looked out the window to the 1st counselor in the bishobric and his truck was gone, (he works on Friday nights). Then I tried calling the Elder's Quorum President, agan no answer. So I finally called the Bishop's house and his wonderful wife answered and said that he was not home she had just gotten off of the phone with him and he had just gotten onto the freeway to come home. She then asked me if she could help and I said that I was trying to find someone to give a blessing to John. By this point I was starting to get into a panic, that it was Friday night and most people like to go out Friday night. She said that she would make some calls and call me back. That sweetheart was able to find someone and they came with another gentleman in the neighborhood and they were able to give John a blessing. They told him that he should go to the hospital, but John said that he knew that he would be okay, that the blessing had calmed him down. I am proud to say that it did work and that all is well.

Also this weekend lovely Hurrican Ike swept into the Gulf Coast and into Texas, where my dad happens to live with his wife. He called me on Thursday and said that they were going to ride out the storm, that traffic was crazy in their area. Also that they had to take care of the dogs and could not leave them behind. He said that if it got real bad that the church would be opened up and people could go there to wait out the storm. SCARY!!! Well I prayed for them and my children prayed for their Papa Gordie, and I am happy to report that all is well. My dad was able to call me tonight and let me know that they were fine. They decided to go to his sister-in-law's house since she was all alone and scared. There was a tree branch that fell on her house and knocked a hole into the roof above her bedroom but no other damage. They went home and had to go 3 different ways to finally find a clear enough path with all of the knocked over trees, fallen branches, and other debris in the roads. The only damage on my dad's property was a fallen down tree, in an open space, some fallen branches, but no damage to their house. See prayers ARE answered.

I'm cool and piggy chicken

So today I went and picked up Caddis from Headstart. He was wearing this necklace he had made in class out of foam shapes, kind of like a flower lei. I had to stop at Wal-Mart to pick up some prescriptions. As we were walking in to the store he said "Mom, I think girls will like my necklace and think I'm cool." I just about lost it, but I kept my cool. He is just too cute.

Now tonight I had just put the big kids to bed and went into the front room where John and Alice were watching the food network channel. Miko was sitting next to me and the program was talking about different types of protein, beef, pork, chicken, etc. Now Miko looks at me and says "mom, I don't like piggy chicken, it's NASTY! This time I lost it, I don't know but piggy chicken is but is does sound nasty and I told her it was disgusting and she repeated with "yeah, it gusting." Kids just crack me up. When life gets you down, talk to a little one and they will make you smile.

OH BOY what did I get myself into?

Okay yesterday I went to an orientation for Headstart. Caddis is starting Headstart, or I should say he started today. So they were going over the curriculum and what it was all about then at the end they said that they were going to hold elections for the parent committee (like PTA only for the class). Well nobody was raising their hand for the Chair position so I decided if no one else is going to I might as well and I raised my hand. The instructor said okay Penny wants to be Chair, and the GUY sitting next to me says, I do too! THAT IDIOT!!! I was not going to if someone else did, he waits until I raise my hand befor chiming in. So they decide to vote and I end my winning by a very close margin. GREAT! NOW WHAT HAVE I GOT MYSELF INTO? They decided to give him the Vice Chair and then another woman decided to be the Secretary. So now I have to go to a training meeting in a couple of weeks to really find out what I got into. I will have to hold meetings, plan monthly family activities, and such along with volunteering in the class. This is not ME! I normally do not volunteer for things like this, I like to be behind the scenes, but be in charge!

Now, this afternoon I took Caddis to his first day of Headstart. He was so excited and when we walked into the school he said "Mommy my tummy is nervous." I told him that it was okay, that everyone else is nervous their first day of school. He decided that it would be okay and walked right in. We found his nametag and put it on and then he went and sat down with the other kids, no bye mommy, no crying, no hugs or kisses, just a BIG BOY, sitting down and joining the group. Oh my baby boy is growing up fast. I went and picked him up a few hours later and he was so happy, had the biggest smile on his face, and he gave me a GREAT BIG HUG!!! OHhh how I love that boy!

Then the poor guy tells me that one of the boys beat him up in the playground. I wanted to KILL SOMEONE! John had warned him that if anyone tried to hurt him he was to tell the teachers and he remembered and told the teacher. He said that the boy was sitting by him in the classroom and was nice but when they went to the playground he punched Caddis a couple of times. I know it must be something in the testosterone of males but it makes me MAD! The alpha male showing his dominance, well this mom is ready to show her dominance and take care of that little boy, but I won't. I will be good and try to let the teachers handle it.

Miko was with me when I dropped him off and she thought that she was staying too. She kept trying to go in and sit by Caddis, and I had to explain to her that it was Caddis' class. One of the teachers came up and said that she was so glad that I volunteered to be Chair that I would love it. I said I an nervous and that I went home in shock and realized what I was getting myself into. She said that she would be there to hold my hand and help me along the way. Oh how nice, I needed that.

What a mom does for her kids, loves them and tries to do the best for them!

Haircuts are Wonderful!

This morning I went and got my haircut, finally!!! It feels so much better. Amazing how a haircut can make you feel better. I feel like now I can actually style my hair again. YIPEE!

Now my friend who cuts my hair, I have not talked to in months, and when I called her yesterday to make an appointment she told me that she had breast cancer and that this was a good week for her to cut hair. WOW!!! SHOCKER!!! She is a year younger than me and has 3 kids, an 11 year old, 4 year old, and 18 month old. She has had a couple of treatments of chemotherapy and has lost her hair. She had a wig on this morning and if she had not told me beforehand I would not have noticed. The wig was amazing. It was slightly lighter in color than her original color and shorter, she usually wears long curly hair with bangs, and this was a shoulder length with bangs and straight. It looked so natural. She has been depressed about the whole situation but who wouldn't be. But then she also has a positive outlook on it and sees that this situation may improve her marriage. She was telling me that she has a strong family history and they have done tests on her and it is not a genetic trait that she will pass on to her children. What a blessing! She should be done with the chemo treatment and then they will check to see if the lump is gone or if they need to remove it, but no mastectomy. She has a small chest. If it were my I think I would be devastated to have to have a mastectomy. The "girls" have been such a part of me that I would have to have implants put in right away. I pray that that will never happen to me. I do not have a family history of breast cancer, now skin, brain, and colon cancer are in my family, and possibly a couple of others but not sure. I do not know what we would do if I got sick. I pray that my health will continue to be good and that I will be able to take care of my family and my husband. This experience really makes me realize that everyone has their own trials to go through. I heard it once said that if we all put our trials into a pile and we could pick up any, after looking we would pick our own back up. I believe it is so true. I know that I am blessed in so many ways and I am so greatful.

Oh, so after I get my haircut I go to get some lunch and after I had placed my order, John calls and says that his mom has passed out and he does not know what to do. Under his breath he says that he thinks she is faking. He tried yelling, pulling her eyelid, cold washcloth, and finally smelling salts, those brought her to. I told him that he should call 911 and I would get home as soon as I could. He had me call his sisters since I had the cell phone with everyone's numbers. So I called Martha and she said that she would call everyone and be right over. When John told his mom that he was calling 911 she said not to and when he told her that his sisters, nieces and nephew were coming she was not happy, but they showed up anyway. She said that she did pass out and that she could hear him but couldn't move. She says that this has happened a few times in her life and that she just needs about an hour and she will be just fine. When everyone showed up, she was embarrassed and told them that they should not have come, but they told her that they would have come anyway. I think that she just wants to die and stresses herself out. I also think that this episode happened because of low blood sugar, she only had a granola bar for breakfast and this was 1:00 in the afternoon. It is almost 7:00 and she is just fine now. She has had something to eat and had family visit, so now I have to wonder too, was this for real or was she faking it, only she knows!

School's in Session

Evanslee started 2nd grade Monday!!! She is growing up fast. She has a "BOY" teacher this year and is excited because he has promised those that are good and do not get in trouble until Christmas break they will get a drawing of any animal they want, drawn by him. She is so excited, she is already trying to decide which animal she wants. She is a GOOD kid and I know that she will accomplish it. She is so quiet and shy (like her parents) that it sometimes worries me but she seems to enjoy school and has friends. She was so excited to see her friends again, but they have a different teacher so they made plans to meet under the big slide at recess. SO CUTE!!!

Today we had an appointment for the Headstart teachers to come and meet us and Caddis so that he can go to Headstart. He was so excited, he gets to go to "school like Evanswee! (that's how he pronounces Evanslee)." They gave him some tests and he was so proud of himself. He would concentrate so hard that his little tongue would be sticking out and going back and forth across his lips, so cute! He got that from John. Evanslee does it too! So CUTE!!! They were so good with him and told him that he was so smart and such a good little boy!! His little chest was all puffed out and he wanted to show one of the teachers his spiderman wall in his room, which was a total mess (coming from me that says something)! He cannot wait until next week when he gets to go to school, he evens gets to eat lunch at school, such a big boy!! What will Miko do with 3 adults all to herself? A spoiled princess for sure!

I am so greatful for my kids and I am so thankful that they are healthy and have no physical or mental problems. I saw a neighbor this morning at the bus stop and her little daughter who is just starting 1st grade this year has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and has to have CHEMO therapy once a week!!! So sad. She has to really watch her and during the winter they have to be extra careful with her. The poor little thing is so cute with a head full of blonde natural curls that look like a perfect little perm, and then she has to wear a medical mask so that she does not get any infection. I am greatful that John is the one sick and not one of the kids, that would just break my heart! I feel so sorry for her.

Now it is time to get the kids to bed, for another school day!

WHY OH WHY!

So this Sunday morning I had the opportunity to sleep in, and my stupid body decided to wake up at 6:00 a.m. UGHH!! My chance at catching up on sleep and I wake up earlier than I have in weeks. Today is Stake Conference, and I know that I should go, but with 3 little ones it is hard to keep them behaved for 1 hour in Sacrament Meeting let alone the 2 hours or so in Stake Conference. Also we have been invited to a family birthday party at 1 p.m. If it had been a regular "church day" I would take the kids to church and go late but since it is not we will be going to the party. I have issues with it being planned at a time when they know that we would be in church, did they not want us to be there, who knows! So now I am playing on the internet catching up on emails and such since I have this extra time this morning. I also came across the scripture that I added in my title, it has become my favorite scripture and gets me through my trials of life. It keeps me on the right path, back to my Father in Heaven.

Doctors can be idiots!

I went with John to his follow-up procedure the other day. Well the pain is gone but he is having pain in other parts of the body and he still gets sick, so now what? The doctor says great you feel better (uh still sick). Then the IDIOT tells us that his labs showed high triglycerides and that could be a serious problem causing the pancreatitis. DUH!!!! We told him the last time we saw him that John had pancreatitis even though the levels that they test for it were normal. He said at that time that there was no way that he could have had pancreatitis. He knows of only 1 person in his 12 years of practice (yes PRACTICE) that had pancreatitis without the lab levels being elevated. Now this visit he is saying that the high triglycerides could cause pancreatitis and that John needs to watch what he eats and take medicines to control them! DUH!! We have been there, done that! A few years ago John developed these bumps that kind of looked like pimples on his elbow and knees, were very tender to touch, and could not be popped like a pimple (he tried many times). It turns out that his body was trying to get rid of the excess triglycerides in his system by creating these "pimples." Well once we got them down to a reasonable level the bumps vanished, left scars, but no bumps, and not tender any more. So we have used those as determinations if John is getting sick again....yes, they have come back but now not for a few years but still the pancreatitis comes back.

So now we are in limbo of what to do, doctors are done with what they wanted to accomplish but John is still getting sick, it is enough that he does not think that he could hold down a job yet, so the trouble continues......UGGHHHHH!!!!!

9 Years, I can't believe it!

John and I celebrated our 9th anniversary a couple of days ago. I cannot believe that it has been 9 years already, but then some days it seems like we have always been married. We do not have much money so we went out to a movie (have discount tickets) and went to dinner at our FAVORITE Japanese restaurant in Ogden. Grandma watched the kids so we went to an early movie and then had reservations for an early dinner. It was very nice. I so loved the food.

I was thinking back to the beginning when everything was wonderful, we had jobs, love life, place of our own, and no icky ucky disease!!! And now here we are with this disease that has changed our lives and I remember the first attack, driving him to the hospital as he is screaming "LET ME DIE, I WANT TO DIE." I was racing down highway 89 trying to get to McKay-Dee Hospital and shouting back "SHUT UP! YOU CAN'T DIE ON ME, THE DOCTORS WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU!" Well he was in the hospital that time for 11 days and I spent all the time I could there even sleeping there, a couple of times on chairs pushed together for a bed (and I was about 2 months pregnant, you know, not feeling so swell). I kept having horrible feelings of I am pregnant and I am going to lose my husband, what will I do? Well he came home and everything was good except he had lost his job just before going into the hospital and so we had to move in with my in-laws for the first time. It was okay, then at the end of my pregnancy (yes, 9 months along only 3 days from my due date) he has his 2nd attack and I think OH NO, this is a chronic condition and we are going to be dealing with it for a LONG TIME!!! Little did I know what was coming. He had a scare this time and ended up in the ICU for a couple of days, I was really sweating it and thinking about funeral arrangements, YUCK! Well it has now been 8-1/2 years of our marriage that we have been dealing with it and I think that I am better prepared for his death now but I still want him to be here for a long time. I love him and I love how he is with our kids and I want them to know their dad and not just memories. My brother sent me a link today about an artificial pancreas, SIGN US UP!!!!

3 vehicles and all not working properly!

So last week my dear husband was feeling okay and went down to Salt Lake to take care of a client's network problems. He called me to tell me that he was on his way back around 1 p.m. So about an hour later he calls and says that he is having problems with the car and to borrow his mom's car and come immediately to follow him home. So I rush out the door and drive down the road looking for him. I find him a lot sooner than anticipated and he gives me the thumbs up, so I turn around and follow him home. He tells me that he stopped in Layton at his friends' warehouse to chat with the guys, but it was too hot in there so he decided to go home. He could not get the car started so had his friend jump start the car, it worked but there was white smoke coming out of the hood and therefore he called me. He got home okay and figured that the car had overheated (as it was 95+ that day outside). The next morning he had me go outside and help him start the car to see what was the problem, car will not turn over at all. Well after doing some internet research he fears that the car engine has ceased. GREAT! We spent the last of our savings instead of replacing the Suburban's engine, since it would be TOO EXPENSIVE to drive with the price of gas now and only 14 miles to the gallon on a good day. Also the license expired and so to be able to legally drive the Suburban we are going to have to at least fix some minor issues with its engine. What to do??

Well John woke me up this morning to help him in the garage. I handed him the proper wrenches and sockets so that he could pull the starter out, and I also turned the key to see if the engine would start. He has deduced that it could be the starter and that is where he should start and try to fix it before having a mechanic do it and charge us so much money (that we do not have right now).

Now on Sunday, I went down to Salt Lake in Mom-in-law's car for a family party and on the way home I was having a lovely conversation with my kids about what they learned in church and so I turned off the radio and turned down the air conditioner. Well as I exited the freeway to come home I heard this horrible grinding sound and knew that the brakes were going bad. Great, the last working car at the house is now sick. So I listened carefully as I drove the 5 minutes to home, a few stop lights and stop signs and sure enough each time I touched the brakes, the same horrible grinding noise, the kids even said that they could "feel it."

Well I told John and he sent me to Checker this morning to get the replacement brake pads. Now it would seem strange to some that I (a female) going into what my son terms as "A BOY STORE" and feel comfortable doing so. The girl behind the counter was impressed that I knew what I needed, I felt good about that. I was raised by a dad that did not have a lot of time to teach me everything but he did teach me the essentials on cars so that I would not be stuck on the road somewhere with a flat tire, etc. I have replaced brake pads, changed oil, filled washer fluid, installed a radio and speakers on my cars before I got married, but it sure is nice to have a husband who knows how to do those things and is WAY BETTER at it than I am.

I guess the next alternative will be to ride bikes everywhere, well at least in the area, WalMart/McDonald's and Wendy's are around the corner so I would survive, hehehe...

How I deal with husband's pancreatitis

I have many people ask me how I can be so positive with my husband being sick, well it is very difficult, but if I am not, I would have to be institutionalized. We have lost count of how many hospital stays he has had in the last 8 years and definitely how many trips to the ER. We are recognizing nurses, doctors, techs, etc., in the ER now, I feel like I should be working there. In fact the first time John was hospitalized for it, he was in the hospital for 11 days and I would stay there all day (and night) with him. I would go down to the grill and one of the workers there keep giving me an employee discount. I think because he saw me every day that he figured I worked there. Hehehe.

Well I have learned so much about the disease but there is so much more to learn. When John had his first attack in 2000 the doctors kept referring to the books (doctors DO NOT KNOW everything!). This is not a common disease, especially in Utah. When he had his 2nd attack and was again hospitalized for another 11 days, we met his primary care physician. He had done his residency in Las Vegas (Alcoholics galore) and so was very familiar with the disease. He has been able to have John stay in the hospital for only a few days instead of weeks (except the last stay in February).

John has had many procedures to check for reasons why and he has baffled the docs a few times. His common bile duct has been scarred over and they have sliced it open, drained out the nasty thick bile that was backing up, he would feel great, and then a week later he would be sick again. There was one time when the doctor had done a sphincterectomy (cutting open the scar tissue) at the common bile duct that he had to stop what he was doing and look at the computer to make sure that he had done the procedure before, because it had completely scarred over. They have put in several stents and even done a few nerve blocks.

He had his last nerve block on July 3 and so far the pain is diminished but he is still getting sick every morning and not being able to function like a normal human being. We were hoping that blocking the pain would take away the nausea but it has not. We will see the doctor in a few weeks and find out what to do now or not.

It gets frustrating but I have learned that there are reasons for trials in our lives and that we need to rely on the Lord and he will get us through this. I know that having this trial it has made me stronger spiritually and I cannot ask for a greater blessing. John and I have said many times that we are glad that it is him sick and not one of the kids. I know many people have to deal with sick children but it would break my heart not to be able to kiss the "booboo" away for them. I am grateful for all of my blessings and thank the Lord every day for them.

SUNDAY MORNING CHAOS

So last night I decided to stay up and watch a movie with John after the kids went to bed. I did and it did not get over until after midnight. So I went to bed...

Now let me explain this next part, we live with my mother-in-law in her 3-bedroom home, so John and I have a room, the kids have a room, and Grandma has a room. So John was hospitalized for 3 weeks back at the end of January and most of February (with 1 week home in between). So since he has been home from the hospital he has his body clock all messed up and sleeps all day due to drugs and is up all night (because of sleeping all day) so I have been sleeping upstairs on the sofa bed with Miko (her bed broke about the same time and we have not been able to replace it yet)...

So I go up and get in bed (already made for Miko before watching movie). As I crawl into bed I realize that I can sleep in since church does not start until 11:00 a.m. Well I am sound alseep, dreaming when...... I am awakened by my mother-in-law laughing so hard she is choking on some food! I immediately sit up to make sure that she is not choking and look at the clock (by the way the TV is on and she is watching a movie) it is 6:30 AM!!!! I wanted to scream, but instead I make sure that she is okay and since I am startled awake my heart is pounding and I cannot in no way go back to sleep, so I sit up and watch the stupid movie that made her laugh so hard.

Next, Caddis comes out of his room at 6:45, saying that the mommy kitty is in their room (because Grandma let her in when she let Lucy (the black lab) out to go potty) and so he woke up Evanslee to take care of the situation. We do not "OWN" the mommy kitty or her baby we named Bullet, but we have adopted them to help with rodent control. Well Caddis is for some reason afraid of the cats and so has to have Big Sister take care of the cat so that he won't be afraid. So because of all of the noise now Miko wakes up and John comes up stairs to see what all the fuss is about. Definitely no way of going back to sleep now. Well we sit and finish watching the dumb movie. Then I decide since I am up I might as well make a nice breakfast for the family instead of just cold cereal. Breakfast goes along smoothly enough.

Then when I decide it is time to get ready for church and get the kids ready, I get the shower started for Evanslee and start getting the little ones dressed, and then get myself ready. Evanslee comes out of the shower and says "mom, how do you put curlers in your hair?" I asked why and she said "I want my hair curled for church!" I just about had a heart attack, my little TOMBOY wants CURLS! YIPEE!!!!! By this time it is about 1/2 hour before we have to be at church (I have to be their 1/2 hour early because I am the Ward Librarian and I need to be there for those that want to get their supplies and copies before church). So I am so excited that we CAN be LATE for church today. Well we do her hair and it looks beautiful. We were only 10 minutes late so not too bad.

The kids and I go to church (daddy and grandma stay home for medical reasons) and Sacrament Meeting was nice, but it was "DRY" Council day and so I had to concentrate on all of the talks so as not to fall asleep, if you know what I mean. Well I do my assignment after the meeting and then I have to go to Wal-Mart to pick up John's anti-nausea medicine, very uneventful. The worst part about that is that the pharmacy was NOT BUSY!!! I want to go every Sunday to pick up prescriptions (but I know it is just the devil tempting me) and not stand in line for like forever and a day. So I go back to church and back into the library for the changing of the classes and more supplies handed out and supplied returned. Then went to Relief Society and actually really enjoyed the lesson.

When we got home the Home teachers showed up shortly after and so we spent time with them and then I had to take Evanslee to her friend's birthday party. I came home, fed the little ones, and put them down for their naps. OHHHH how I wanted to take one, but if I did I would not be awake to pick her up. Now I have spent the rest of the evening playing on the computer, making dinner, and playing on the computer some more, hopefully I will be able to get to bed after 10:00 p.m. and get a good night sleep without interuptions, one can only dream.

What am I doing?

So I have been looking at friends' blogs and thinking what a wonderful idea, but instead I am finding my blondeness coming through. I am not technically smart. I can do my job, because I have been shown the way, and I can even play on the internet and do email but for the life of me setting up this blog is giving me blonde moments.

So let's see if this works:

I am a mom and so being a mom you find the little things that kids do amazing. For example, my youngest child, Miko, has finally been potty trained. Yipee!!! No more messy diapers! I know, boring to those who do not have kids, but a Milestone for me. I thought that being an aunt years ago was the most wonderful thing in the world, but I have to say that it is not as wonderful as being a mom. They are the joy of my life. They are truly blessings and I thank the Lord every day for them.

There was a point in my life where I did not think that I would ever hear a little one call me mom, and now I have 3. It makes my heart sing to hear that simple little word and know that it is me they are referring to.

They amaze me with the differences in personalities, looks, mannerisms, etc. I can just be amazed that what the 2 of us created in those 3 can come out to be so different but yet so alike. I see myself in them and I am truly amazed that I was a part in their creation.

Okay so I think I have this part tackled but now what?