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!