Pineapple & Olives

Seizures- And we are testing!

2011-12-02T12:18:00.001-07:00

Chey hasn't had a seizure since July of 2010. Sooooo EXCITED!!
She is still delayed in school, but is retaining about 1/2 of what she is taught. Chey is earning A's and B's in her subjects that are adjusted to her 3rd grade level( remember- she is 13 & in the 7th grade....). She started this year on a First to Second grade level. We are not sure why her seizures are causing her delay- but we are so grateful for the improvement!

Today we are at university of Utah Primary Children's Medical Center. (this place TRUMPS Stanford Children Center with friendliness, compassion & remembering we are PEOPLE not NUMBERS!) Cheyanne is undergoing another sleep deprived EEG to see if there is any improvement and if we can reduce her medication even more. We could only sleep between midnight & 4 am last night. We couldn't make it til midnight so we slept from 11pm to 2 am... Oh yea!
The past few months we reduced her Depakote. She was on this for over 10 years. She had to have blood work every 3-4 months to make sure it wasn't killing her liver & other organs while it was controlling her seizures. Although I thank Depakote for the help it gave her, I am soooo relieved to have her off of this! She is a different girl and is finally successful in school... Along with the fact we don't have blood work!
Anyway- this is what they are doing today to test for SEIZURES...

Chey was "fitted" with 32 electrodes at key points in her head to monitor her brain waves and 2 heart monitors. Then warped with the most stylish head wrap... I know your all jealous!

She just LOVES sharing her pictures during these times!

Then they put her thru some tests...
-Keeping eyes gently closed for a minute.
- opening her eyes
- Closing her eyes tightly
- Then doing fast breathing blowing a pin wheel for 3 min.

I compare this to the "Don't push" breathing in Lamaze.

Then she was told to sleep for 25 min

The Nurse then had her go under a strobe light

Supposedly, these lights trigger seizures... It's never happened for us.
These are what brain waves look like:

And they video tape the entire time in case she has a seizure. That way they can see what the body does as well as her brain during a seizure...

The video is the little box.

Still no physical manifestations of seizures. Hurray!!
Hopefully the test will reveal something.....
What fun are YOU having this Friday?

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Subway Art(? Kinda?) chore chart

2011-04-03T18:21:00.001-06:00

My chore charts for my kids were getting "out dated" or rather getting my kids to stay positive and excited about doing chores wasn't happening. So I came up with this. And so far it's definitely exciting!

I took an old cookie sheet and sealed it with Mod Podge. Then I drilled a hole in the top enable me to hang it on my wall.

Then I again Mod Podged all over the bottom and chose some paper from my scrapbook stash...

Then I put an additional mod podge coat over all of it.

Then using my computer, word perfect word art and some Avery Ink Jet Magnet Sheets, I created different size magnet chores. Easy to change around as I want to teach them more skills... And keep a clean house.

Then I made some magnets with our names on them.

Used my Cricut to cut out chore letters...And wah lah! A beautiful chore chart...

And when I get really cranky I can take all the names off and only pay by completed (and approved) chores...

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My New Tattoo... and it's meanings...

2011-03-30T22:04:00.000-06:00

Tattoo's. You either like them or hate them. Reasons for people getting them are as unique as the tattoo's themselves. If you've only met or seen people who have gotten one because "it seemed cool at the time"... or because "I like to see people's faces", then you have only been exposed to a small cast of the tattoo world. My approach and take on tattoos is MUCH different. Maybe it's because I'm truly unique ... or because I'm such an artsy person, I read into creativity more than most.
I currently have 2. I'd like to get one more.... but that is a few years away as I'm still really developing it in my head.
My first tattoo I got in 1994 when I was 18 and came out to Utah to visit my brother. When I came back to his house, he called my parents scared to death that they would be mad at him and disown him for not taking care of their baby girl. I'd actually planned it for 8 months or so I just didn't know where or when to go. The opportunity presented itself, so I went. And I haven't regretted the decision.

Tigger is located slightly above my right shoulder blade. I loved him growing up and then got the nickname my freshman year in high school as the only Freshman on the cheer squad who was equally as loud and bouncy as the seniors.

My second tattoo is an arm bad on my right arm. This is the one that I just had redone. This is a picture of the original. Do you know how hard it was to find?? I'm 98% of the time the photographer not the subject! But I was smart enough to take one before I got it fixed.

This is a little hard to see clearly. As you can tell it was small. It was supposed to be ribbons... one green for me, one blue for my oldest son and one red for my oldest daughter. I got this for a couple reasons. Some too personal to share but the others were 1- a constant way to have my kids with me while I worked. and 2- a representation of how we are each individuals but our lives are intertwining and stronger as we support one another.

I warned you! I over think and try to come up with many meanings for the art I create. Yes I designed the tattoo. But NO(!!!!) the artist didn't do it right.

Actually, I have to correct myself on another point. I said I was smart enough to take a picture before I got it fixed but honestly I did it to "design" on it.

Since I got this tattoo in 1997 and since then I've been blessed enough to gain a hard working, handsome and supportive husband as well as 2 more beautiful children. I wanted to "update" and fix this armband. I've been playing with different options for a few years. But money always needed to be spent elsewhere. This year... with my job and some other things that have happened... I really wanted to get it done. And things worked out for it to happen.

I started researching tattoo studios in the area. I emailed many artists with 3.5 stars or better on google and yahoo search engines rating scales to get their opinion's as well as stopped into 6 places. 4 of which were VERY smelly and just gross dirty places. But everyone who looked at it and responded to my emails unanimously agreed.... the "ribbons" were too small to add to. But all their prices were about the same to get it covered up.

Yes - I did look into removal. It was about $800-$1000. Wwwwaaaaayyyyy outta my price range. I couldn't believe it was more to get it removed than to cover up. Dumb. And since I am not in jail or leaving my "gang", I don't qualify for the free tattoo removal. And - strange as it may seem - I'm TOtally OK with that!

Anyway, research... I called one place that I could see into but they were closed the day I ran by. It was SUPER clean looking in. So I called the next day - and I think the guy had forgotten that he made his living by CUSTOMERS.... holey crap... so rude. So I stopped by the studio that was the highest ranking on my way home from work.

CHRISTINA at LUCKY BAMBOO greeted me when I walked in. This place is BEAUTIFUL and smelled clean. This was seriously unlike any studio I had ever been in. Just looking in their window you'd think it was some sort of Dr. office instead of a studio. Anyway, she was knowledgeable and made me feel comfortable as I was babbling through my trouble and ideas. She showed me each tattoo artists book before she told me which was hers. She shared some thoughts, took a pix of my arm and we swapped contact info. We then emailed and/ or talked on the phone for about 3 weeks playing with ideas trying color combos etc. She was so patient and amazing.

The shop owner & tattoo artist ended up responding to an email a day after I went in that I forgot I sent. He talked with her and gave me some of his thoughts. I was impressed with him as well.

So we designed and played ... tweaked and colored... My girls sat at the kitchen tabled and colored with me.... I had decided to run butterflies along the ribbons and make it a little bigger. But then Christina pointed out that the butterflies would have to be super small and not holding any detail. Then my hubby decided that a BUTTERFLY did not represent him & his manly-ness (no he didn't put it in those exact words).

Here are some of the other "top" ideas...

1- Tattooing "ZOO" and Zebra striping it in different colors over the ribbons (however true it just seems wrong.)

2- Everyone choosing their favorite animal and tattooing them down my entire arm. (Tiger, Lion, Donkey, Cow, Dog, panda bear.... And why didn't I choose this option?)

3- Tattooing "The Fallen" on my chest with his eyes my nipples... (T thought this was the best Idea ever!!)

There were some others "helpful" suggestions of dragons, princesses, unicorns and fairies but this is what I executive decision-ed.

I love butterflies and dragonflies... flowers and beautiful gardens. So in talking with everyone they all picked something "garden-y" they loved. Yes it's much bigger... but it is also beautiful. As a family - and wanting to stick to true nature - we all picked what we liked in colors we liked. But with Christina's expertise she made it all flow n work together. I wanted to make sure we were all individuals but completing a circle of life, love and support. I also wanted a hear to represent the love. Can you see it? Here's the "bug" breakdown...

Jamie- Again - I love butterflies.

My favorite colors are green, blue, red and black. The teal is a mix of the blue and green... but this IS and ACTUAL Butterfly! Its a Coral Hairstreak Butterfly found all over North America. Did you know that Butterflies are as essential to pollinating as Bee's? Here are some more FACTS of butterflies :

The Aztecs saw them as a reincarnation of dead warriors. They are the top insect depicted in art. 2 butterflies in one artistic piece is consider a depiction of love. Japanese believer butterflies are a personification of a persons soul & rebirth.

Joe-

He finally agreed to this. Especially after I threatened a dung beetle... What??? they are extremely hard working bugs... very masculine .. but always full of - well - dung! Hee hee hee. But in all honesty, Dragonflies are also very hard working. They help to keep the insect population under control! They eat flies, mosquitoes and bees but very VERY rarely Butterflies. They are also frequently found in works of art. Native Americans believe them to be symbols of swiftness and activity and the Japanese see dragonflies as courage, strength and happiness... all things my husband is or has brought to my life. Again - this is a "type" you can find in nature. This is a Blue Dasher Dragonfly.

Justice- He decided upon a wasp.

I wont go into all the details on why he made this decision... but to summarize; A wasp is social but is highly protective of its home. They can live just about anywhere and can make it's home out of discarded items of other insects or humans.They are extremely resourceful and hard working. But it's hive means everything. It's defends and then asks questions later! It helps to control overpopulation of other bugs especially spiders by eating them.

Cheyanne - her nicknames are "red" and "sunshine".

She rarely gets down in the dumps and can usually brighten a room with her smile. She wanted a butterfly because "they are friends and go visiting everywhere in a garden. everyone likes butterflies and everyone should like me." Well said! We decided on a Monarch pattern even though you can't find one in nature with this exact fading. It also resembles a California Sister Butterfly which is also fitting for her. The coloring is more like a magnificent sunrise which is her favorite time of day....

Tristin -

"I don't really care mom as long as I'm on there and it's green." The boy has been abscessed with green since he learned his colors. He hates crickets and grasshoppers and I figured a green aphid wasn't a good choice either. So I found this beautiful Green Pondhawk. And I thought it fit with the "hawk" included. He's thrilled. Baby Dragonflies are called nymphs.

Keriana - She spent HOURS looking in books and coloring with me trying to find what she wanted. We'd settled on a butterfly when one day I called her "ladybug". And she squealed and said "When I was a baby you always called me your little lady! Ladybug is perfect because I just llloooooovvvvveeeee red!".

And so it is. How she remembered what I called her more than her name before she could speak, I'll never know. But it works and its true! She is more "lady-ish" than anyone else in the house... She also loves and tends and weeds my garden than I do. That's probably why it lived last year! Anyway Ladybugs are the "GARDENERS" of the insect world. They eat the aphids, mealy bugs and other harmful garden eaters. In the art world they are considered symbols of LUCK. My 'Ana to a T...or rather an A ... but you get it!

As I said, this tattoo (or Fern Gully as my husband refers to it) was incredibly thought out. It has my 2 most lucky numbers intermixed. It has many hidden meanings, thoughts and loves displayed. And all very important. But most importantly, it is a SYMBOL and REMINDER to me of how lucky and blessed I am to have this circle of unending love. Like a garden, it is always growing, ever changing and all inclusive. And uniquely mine....

Class Thankful Quilts

2010-11-09T20:31:00.001-07:00

My volunteer art lessons this last week were on Pilgrims and what little they actually had.
We talked about fabric and where it came from. How they made different colors and then what they did with clothes when they wore out and couldn't be fixed.it was really interesting to watch their reactions.
I found this cute book at the library. Its called " That Summer" and written by an imaginative guy by the name Tony Johnston and beautifully illustrated by Barry Moser.
There was no way I could read the whole book because it is a story about a boy spending the last summer with his Grandmother and his really sick brother - who died- but this part of the story I could make it through without sobbing. Plus it is a great description on what goes into a quilt.
.... "How do you make a quilt?" Joey asked. "Cut scraps into shapes of all the things you love," Gram said," then join them with thread."
So in the hallows of the night when he could not sleep Joey pieced a quilt - a patch with an owl because he loved it's call, the cow he squeezed from clay (first grade), and his fishing pole and a lightning bug and a country road and his baseball glove."......
Since I knew that I didn't have time to actually teach kids HOW to sew and how to MAKE a quilt square, I came up with this idea. I gave them 9 3" squares in a rainbow of colors, 2 5" squares - they could choose their 2 colors and one 12"x12" black square. These were the instructions I gave each class.
1- You have to stay within your 12"x12" paper.
2- Anywhere on your quilt square you need to write 1 thing you are thankful for.
3- The square needs to represent you in some way. And you need to have fun and be proud of YOUR square.
It was so fun to hear the quiet chatter of little brains at work. They were so cute creating. They are thrilled with their squares. But they were even MORE excited to see their squares made into a quilt. Even if it's a paper one.
1st grade:

2nd grade:

3rd grade;
Pix to come

Special Ed: 3rd-6th grades
Pix to come

I'd like to encourage you to borrow that book... And even more - to make a quilt with your kids... Even if it's a paper one.

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Reflections... Great program. Greater mess!

2010-10-28T21:45:00.001-06:00

Now that all the finishing up, cleaning up and refinding tables that were long buried, I'd like to share my kids projects. Well... A couple of them anyway. And I'll have to update this when I get their literature back up on my computer.
The theme was "Together We Can....

Cheyanne;
Wrote "Me and My Sister". A little poem about things she can do better when with Keriana.
I got a call yesterday and this piece has won at her school level and will advance to District competition. Of course I started crying and her smile got that much bigger... She really needed that news. She's had a rough patch lately.
Chey really wanted to sew something. But just could not work everything. -though she tried... Then she said she wished she could just make cupcakes. Wah lah!
This project won at school level as well.

Keepable cupcakes by Cheyanne. I think she could start a business!!
Chey did a visual art but I didn't get a pix of the picture. I'll post it when I get it back.

Tristin:
He went sports theme..
Together we can score a touch down.

His 3 d was "...play ball together"
Pix to come I forgot to take one. Bad mom!
Literature

Photography

Keriana
Visual Arts

3D "...help flowers grow"

Liturature:

Photography
"...plant flowers."

Yep!! I'm pretty dang proud my kids have a little bit of my love of arts nestled in them somewhere.

Now you think about it... Together we can.....????

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Bedroom safe Jack-o-lanterns

2010-10-10T20:27:00.001-06:00

I ran across this cute project in a magazine. My kids love it- but they couldn't cut it. Older kids could.

Wonder what could be done with Milk Jugs? Here's an idea!

After your kids have drained a gallon, wash with soap and let dry. Then peel off the sticker as best you can.
Spray paint orange and let dry 24 hours.

Hold can 6" from jug and let coat one dry about 15 min before adding coat 2 or you end up with drips. The drips DO add to the spooky -ness though.
Have your kids draw what they want their jack-o-lantern to look like.

Using an exacto knife, carefully cut out your shapes. NOTE: the jug does weaken with every cut. Go slowly and carefully.

Get a small flashlight and duct tape it to the top of your bottle. I used a piece 1/2 width and I stuck it to my pants first to get rid of some of the sticky so the tape wouldn't leave residue on my flashlight.

The original instructions said to use brown craft foam for the pumpkin stem. Since I didn't have that, I used a paper towel roll cut to the size of my flashlights. I got three stems from one roll.

We then added chenille wires for vines. We curled them around pencils, but you could leave them straight or use raffia or whatever you have laying around. Quick, fun and mold free! Yea!

My kids are thrilled to have their "Halloween room spooky pumpkin things"..... Keriana says. And Tristin told me "you just have the best craft brain".... I'm a smiling....

Happy Haunting!

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Discovering Mod Podge

2010-09-19T20:21:00.001-06:00

I have to admit that the saying most often associated with me is " Always late but worth the wait." I love crafts and often use them as my stress reliever.... When I get the time! For the past few years I've been on a quilting kick. Which could be why I've missed the Mod Podge rush. But I've discovered it now! And I'm enjoying every minute of it...
3 years ago for Christmas, my sister -in -law gave me a little sign holder and some wood plaques. She is so talented and I've loved changing around the signs. I've needed a few more to round out my seasons & holidays so I got cracking. I asked her what she suggested for glue - having just discovered spray adhesive as well (told ya I was slow!) and she told me about Mod Podge. Yea!
I had my Dad cut me out some wood pieces. 8"x8" and 8"x10" and he put the hanging holes in them for me too. I was just going to paint some pictures on them but then I found some cute scrapbook paper and decided to use that.

I got a piece of 150 grit sandpaper and smoothed out the sides and holes.

Then I got a small sponge brush and yellow paint and created "heat waves".

Then I grabbed my paper and fussy cut what I wanted where.

Then I used another sponge brush with my Mod Podge and used it like glue to put down my pieces.

After this dried for about 5 to 10 minutes, I applied a topcoat of Mod Podge. A lite coat just for sealant purposes. As a note for anyone who has not used this before, Mod Podge will make your plain computer paper bubble. When it dries, this bubbling will go away.
I thought the sign was missing a little something so I found some sparkly paper at Walmart for $5 a pack and used my cricut on different settings to cut out some letters.

Some of the paper covered my hanging holes and so after it had dried 24 hours I went back with my exacto knife and re-cut the holes.

I happened to go into the Dollar Tree on a day they had just gotten in some spooled of wired ribbon. Yippie! Lucky me!
I cut off the length of ribbon I wanted, thread it front to back thru the holes...

And tied it in triple knots tucking the extra under the knot.

And wa la! Fun little signage....

Here's a couple others I completed. Still working on some other ideas. I'll share those when I'm done!

I got these leaves in a big bag from Dollar Tree as well.
Then I needed to make a piñata for a school reading program class party prize. I'll post more about it another time... But here's the end result. Yes I did utilize some Mod Podge in it as well!

Happy crafting!!

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We have injections!

2010-09-15T20:36:00.001-06:00

Chey and I have decided we have the BEST horror imaginations. We need to partner with some movie makers or something. But then again when you receive this...

... I think we are entitled to some horrific thinking!
But today went great. Our "lesson" was very good. Cheyanne even got to practice mixing her medicine. Though I will not let that happen for a while. ;•D
The nurse practitioner -Kristie- is just fab-o! She walked us thru it a few times and then, while I still wanted to practice and avoid it... Chey announced, " ok! I'm ready. Do I get to poke me?" ugh. So i get the machine ready and as I place the machine on her skin and it starts making it's noises Chey scrunched up her face in anticipation of the pain. My insides are flip flopping... The machine stops making noises and she peeks at me and says " when is it going to poke me?" I was dumb founded because I thought it had. And then I figured - with my super great luck- I did it wrong or broke the machine... Or both. And when I looked at Kristie she had a big smile on her face and announces " it did!" and sure enough, I pulled the machine away and there is a little medicine oozing from her arm. Whew.
And as me and my sweet girl are leaving she says " thanks kristie! Tomorrow mom I want you to poke me in my butt!" and skipps off. Only in a Dr.s office! :•D

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Answered prayers

2010-09-05T21:24:00.001-06:00

This week has been so full of happy phone calls it has just a bit overwhelmingly sped by. Wednesday we got the phone message that Medicaid had decided that Chey is indeed disabled and will cover her. Thursday we got the call that our insurance approved her for the hormone treatments and that we have been accepted by Connections For Growth and their distributor -walgreens ( not affiliated with the drug store on the corner) and that we should be getting all of that stuff next week.
Then Friday we got the absolutely AMAZING call that United Health Care actually changed their policy regarding the MEG and that Chey was approved for that. And they had an opening next Tuesday Sept 7 for her to get that done.
I can not even begin to tell you the amount of happy tears shed; or the heaviness that has been lifted. It is just amazing.
I've been writing a .... Grumpy (?) blog in my head and heart this week though. I have to admit that. And it is because of a (I'm hoping) innocent comment that was made to me. I was asked by someone if I was going to attend a school function. And when I replied that I was not - was asked why. I try hard not to lie, fib, white lie, skirt around the truth - whatever you want to call it - but I also try very hard not to complain or talk finances with anyone. 1) because it really isn't anyone business and 2) I don't want to worry anyone. Things could be so much worse for us. We have truly been blessed in so many many ways. Anyway, when I replied that with all Chey's summer tests and upcoming needs it just wasn't in our budget to go, I was confronted with "don't you have insurance? It can't cost you that much more for you. Besides your husband is a store manager." I honestly was completely dumbfounded. This person - having more children than I do ( I think! I don't know them well) just doesn't get it. I just replied " more than you'd think but definitely better than it could be" and I then lied to get out of there before my anger got the better of me.
This situation has gotten me thinking. I've come up with all sorts of financial break down blogs. Maybe I should post it. I think it would make some peoples jaws drop. If you don't have a child with a special need you just may not understand what sacrifices it means. Ignorance is not bliss. Well maybe it is to you, but to those of us going through something with your child - no matter what the % is of people afflicted with the same issue - it sucks! And you truly feel like you are alone!
I have decided against the financial break down because I think that's going a bit overboard. Maybe I'll change my mind again in the future because part of the reason we started this blog is so that people could understand more about dealing with special needs.
But I am done complaining. My heart is so full at the news this week that I am refusing to let the dark enter again. We are so lucky and blessed that Chey is as functional as she is. We don't need helmets, wheelchairs and diapers or bibs. We still have hope for an independent future for her. And maybe even a solution to end her seizure fight. This week of miracles has reminded me of that. We may not have the best of everything, we may not have huge overflowing Christmas's with lights in every window & covering our house, and we may not be able to buy something at every fundraiser or school function. (I volunteer enough to not feel guilty about not supporting the schools. Haha! ;•D Just TRY and beat my 25+ volunteer hours a week. Go on! I triple dog dare ya!)
My blessings are abundant and we have more happiness in our house than some may ever have in their lifetime. For that - I will forever be eternally grateful...

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Update

2010-08-16T10:22:00.001-06:00

I realized that I might have people checking this blog for Cheyanne updates. We've started a blog for her and her travels. Please add her blog to your list! And feel free to share with your friends. The more that know about her plight the more tolerance will spread for disabilities.
She'd LOVE to have you say hi!
Thanks!

Cheyjourney.blogspot.com.

Chey's Test Results

2010-08-12T22:28:00.000-06:00

Today's appointment went well. We got a lot of useful information BUT we are still no closer to "fixing" the problem.
The recorded seizures were very clear. Unfortunately, they still consider the area too big to go into and blindly operate. The seizures originate in the Parietal lobe.
"The parietal lobe is a lobe in the brain. It is positioned above (superior to) the occipital lobe and behind (posterior to) the frontal lobe. This area controls sensory and small motor..." Which kinda explains Cheys issues in some areas. A positive.
Where does this leave us?? Pretty much in the same spot as before the test. So here are the options they gave us.
1) The Dr.s still want the MEG imaging. I got precise clarification on this today. An MRI takes pictures of the brains "electric" waves. The MEG takes pictures of the "magnetic" waves. These are more fine tuned waves. Like the difference between a movie ( MRI) and a 3D movie (MEG). So they want to re-push United Health Care with updated test results to try to get them tocover this. If they won't...
2) We pay for the MEG. Approx. $10,000-12,000. .... Oh yes. Let's just do that because I have that right here in my purse. (very heaving sigh) I wonder if I could hold a bake sale?
3) We forgo the MEG and go in and do the "mapping". To "map" this area means that she would be put under anesthesia, open her skull, place all those electrodes from the video EEG she just went through directly on her brain, tape her up and let her sit in bed, take her off her meds and wait for her to seize again. 3-5 seizures. Again. Some people don't feel those things on their brains, others are in so much pain they are morphined till they seize and have enough seizures the drs are sure what to cut out in the surgery. --ssssaaaawwweeeeaaaaattt! Where do we sign up?? (yes I am totally sick to my stomach by this point).
4) We forget about brain surgery and we go for the VNS (Vegas nerve stimulator). This is basically a pacemaker for your major nerve. Every 3 +\- minutes an electric pulse is sent out and has been proven to help with seizure control. The success statistics: 2%-3% become seizure & medicine free. 60% have a decrease in seizure activity and are able to cut medicine needs. 25% are able to have more control but have to stay in meds. 15% it does nothing for. - lovely news! Thanks for that hope. (insert eye roll here)
5) We do nothing. When her seizures become worse again we can change medicines. 2 new ones have come out and there's about a 20% chance they might work. - Cheyanne is on her 11th medicine/ combo. Remember she's had seizures for 9 years. Yep the medicine is really successful! Whatever.
I do need to let you know the brain surgery success rate. 85% become seizure free. 10% the seizures become maybe one a year and significantly decrease in duration & intensity. 5% have little to no change. - I just LOVE statistics. They are yummy friends!! But I appreciate the honesty of my doctors. They really inform us about everything and then give us their suggestions. And I do like the fact that they sound hopeful, positive, and want in running every test to see this thing at as many angles as possible before we jump into ... Well... Her.
So what do we do? No clue. I really don't. No option is prefect. When we ask Chey she says " I just don't want to be broken anymore. Whatever it takes to make them go away." wow. What do you say to that? We try hard to make her understand that "they" may never go away... But we don't want to dash hopes of normalcy either. I think both Joe and I are slowly giving into the "this is as good as it's going to get" mentality. The mentality of big celebrations of small milestone reached and kept is where we are at. Like she can remember how to tell time on a clock but doesn't understand its passing around her. But it is truly hard to accept that your child, who you love to death but are trying to teach to be self sufficient, is never going to be able to be that...... Free.....

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Gun Safety and Intro to shooting

2010-07-27T22:26:00.001-06:00

Joe has been talking for some time about getting our kids out to learn how to handle and shoot some guns. He was raised around them and has wanted to do that with them. Our biggest fear is that we put a gun in Chey's hand, a seizure hits and rapid firing commences while she stiffens and we can't remove the weapon. Plus I've been a bit uneasy about putting a loaded gun into the hand if a 6 year old... We found these as compromises. 1 BB pellet riffle and 1 BB pellet gun. Both simulate the loading of a gun. Both have safeties like real guns. Training without explosive power. And both have a bit of recoil when fired. Again great training without complete damage power.
This afternoon, since Chey is off playing at Grandma'S, Joe gets the kids all excited about going to " find" a place and go shooting. We don't know where to go. We haven't lived here long enough to have explored back country areas... But off we go. We drove toward Morgan, took a turn off, drove thru herrison (?), past some resivore lake thingy (there were boats on it but it was small. I don't know!!), past a monistary ( not kidding!!). We drove by some national forest campgrounds and a dinner that advertised cold burgers and warm beer with a life-sized Indian teepee behind it. During the drive we went iver gun safty and whys and hows and found out later we were being tuned out anyway.
Finally, after about an hour ( the country was beautiful tho!) we found a big atv/snowmobile parking area with some great trails. There were even concrete outhouses! Sweet! We packed our arms and off we went.

We found a nice little outcove and set up our waterbottles and cardboard boxes and started loading our weapons. Joe tried a few shots then handed the riffle to Tristin. He got his bottle sighted in and POP! Missed.. But succeeded in hitting himself above the eye on the recoil and started crying. Then he says "dad. I think the little gun is made for me."

After a quick lesson from Dad, he was right and did great.
Then it was Keriana's turn. Dad helped her hold the riffle ...

... And sight it all in and POP! One water bottle sprung a leak... She started giggling so hard and I was seriously releaved that Joe was holding the gun and that it was a single load weapon. Someone would have lost an eye. And you have to admit any military person or avid hunter is going to be seriously envying her outfit.
Ana then got a turn at the hand gun.

Same outcome as the riffle. A great shot. Both kids were about 50/50 on shot accuracy.

But Ana's arms got tired... And found that this was still a safe and easier way to shoot. They were Pretty psyched.

Until the bushes started shaking and Ana needs to go potty and we find the bathrooms locked tight. So I got to teach her the fine art of wilderness urination. Ahhhhhhhhh... The joys of parenting.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The LORD's time...

2010-07-22T23:11:00.001-06:00

Somedays I despise the LORD's time. Today did NOT go how I had planned. I had a school meeting in the am and a church visiting teaching meeting in the early afternoon. Joe had to close tonight so he was home most of the morning.
A few weeks ago, cheyanne mis-placed her iPod shuffle. This is pretty typical for her with all her things - as it is with most kids. Play with something, see something else entertaining, swap toys right where you are standing... Anyway toy one always shows up again. Right? No worries.
My sweet husband tends to forget that. Or doesn't have the patience to wait for toy one to show up again. As i do too some days. And he decided today that the iPod was to valuable for us to "just wait" for it to show up. And I am sure he wanted to motivate me to clean because I just haven't wanted to lately. So he put us all to work to find this iPod. And he threatened us with " no more fun for anyone til it's found". Honestly, I am still non- shall-ant about this. I " know" that it is in the house. I am sure all mothers know what kind of "know" I am talking about. The "gut" feeling... The sixth sense... Whatever.
Anywho, after an hour of looking here and there ( and joe's had to go to work by now) the girls and I are in their room and I get the ingenious idea that I can use this to teach them about prayer. So we all pause our efforts and I talk with them about feeling a prayer in your heart and letting the words come out. I said the prayer and we started looking again.
A 1/2 hour later, still no iPod. Now I am a little disappointed that no iPod has reappeared. But I keep telling the girls that God will help us -and is helping us. We just have to calm ourselves and be open to him. But inside, I am getting a little bit more pissy with every tick of the clock. Honestly people, I even said a few little chastising prayers including " heavenly father, I am
Trying to teach my kids about the power of prayer here! Your not helping!!". Seriously. HE missed a great & totally deserving opportunity for lightning bolts of humility.
My visiting teachers came and gave me a great lesson on strenghthing the family. Again - the Lord missed some great strike me down opportunities because I was sitting there thinking "I am trying! And I am trying to strengthen their faith in prayer and getting no support here!!" zap zap zap... But nothing Not one single inspiration.
Two hours later I has " fit to be tied". I had pulled tristin from his games, made him pray with us. Again. And I was not exactly using a calm sweet voice this time. Honestly... I was mad. I was angry that HE wasn't helping. It's a stupid little easy thing to pray for help for. He could just pop a picture into one of our minds. And poof! There. He helped me teach. If HE can do something as amazing as heal the sick, HE could help us find this iPod and help strengthen 4 faiths in the process. At this point I knew I had to step back so we went and did the shopping I needed to and ate dinner. We again prayed and commenced with looking. People I unhooked our sectional couch and had each piece on it's side cleaning& looking for this dumb thing. Cheyanne thought she left it at the doctors office a few weeks ago so i called them.
It's 630 now. We started the search at noon. I AM MENTALLY done. I sent the girls to their room to pull out every drawer and dump it and go thru every pant pocket. Tristin was sent to the closets to go through every jacket pocket. I had just finished going through the garage and my gardening shed in the backyard because at this point I don't even know. Beds were torn apart and remade. Furniture was moved and cleaned behind. Gadget drawers were reorganized. My house is pretty organized now. I even went thru my craft room. I moved the washer and drier people...
Then I walk into the spare/ barbie room. I check drawers and under everything.... Then I put my hand on the top corner of an armoire, look at my dogs and tell them I must have done something wrong. My Heavenly Father would not add a lost iPod to my overfilled plate right now. I must not have prayed right - or quieted my heart enough... And I must be needing to learn something. ( I am sure my husband is rolling his eyes about now... Actually any non- God believing person is... Especially as I finish this)
... As my hand is up there on that corner I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. And start drumming my fingers- that always helps me focus... And I feel something hard so I get up on my tip toes. There I find a pile of hard dog jerky treats that I had used for luci in her puppy training class. And right behind that pile is the stinky iPod. 6 hours and 45 minutes after the search began. 5 hours-ish after the first over-confident prayer... I learned my lesson of patience, humility and prayers are answered in GODs time... Not mine. Dang it all... Not mine.
I went running up the stairs and all the kids jump around and are sooo excited. And Chey yells "prayer answered" and Keriana says " HE's listening".... And Tristin " hurray! Now we can go to Grandma's"....
Yes babies... You are right.

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Easy cheesy chicken salad

2010-07-21T10:28:00.001-06:00

I love this! When my kids want chicken and fries I can throw this together in the same time frame.

Ingredients
4-6 strips of pre cooked chicken strips. ( I get tysons grilled strips in the frozen section at Costco)
3 tbls Extra Virgin Olive oil
1 1/2 tbls sesame seed oil
Garden salad
Cheese
Whatever else you like in your salads!

Add sesame oil & olive oil to medium fry pan. Heat up. Add chicken strips. - this will sizzle n splash so be careful- simmer with lid on for about 8 minutes flipping the strips every 2 min or so. At about 6 minutes, if I want my chicken more seasoned, I add my seasoning. In the one I pictured above I added fajita seasoning and sesame seeds. Remove from heat and let sit in the pan while you fix your salad.
Cut the strips in the pan to bite size pieces and add to your bowl.

Enjoy!

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Down east basic giveaway

2010-07-19T18:09:00.000-06:00

My sis in law is doing a blog give away... Check it out!
http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/

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Aprons, aprons and aprons

2010-07-16T23:32:00.069-06:00

Hand Towel Apron

I went to the Dollar Tree and bought a pack of towels in their auto department. Took two and sewed them together lenghth wise.

Then folded them in half Lenghthwise. I measured my daughter from inside of each shoulder across her chest and from center chest to waist.

Then measured that lenth on the width of the top of the towels and pinned.

I then cut a tapered cut from top to waist.

Then I sewed on a cute ribbon and walla!!

I also added Velcro around the neck for multiple use and it was a little long on both my girls so i folded up the bottom and sewed and added ribbon to make it " fancy"!

Easy Cheesey 1/2 Aprons

I had so much fun with that one that I decided to make one for my Mom. I measured from my waist to mid thigh and then from hip to hip.

I added 1/2 inch to each measurement to allow for a 1/4 inch sew seam all the way around.

Then I added a pocket and some ribbon!

BOY APRON

I measured my son the same way as above. Wrapped a piece of fabric around him and added velcro for growth. Also after adding the pocket I sewed in some sections for pencils.

He Loves it!

TUTU APRON

I measured out the fabric top the same way as I did the afore mentioned aprons. I sewed on the pocket and sectioned off some spots for pencils. Then I hot glued on foam letters and shapes ( which she chose).

Then using a yard of toole, I sewed the tops and one side closed. The top is done with a loose stich that I could bunch up later.

In between the folded layers I stuffed sparkly ribbon. I have tried glitter and it tends to bunch together. but it does look pretty when not in a glob. Then I pulled the string together at the top to make the toole bunch.

I then sewed the top and tool together.

Added some fat ribbon for ties.

Happy Girl!

I'll post my denim aprons later....

Please tell me what you think!

Our family July Fouth fun

2010-07-04T22:22:00.001-06:00

*************************************** I'd like to start off this post by thanking all of the past, present and future military personel ( and their supportive families!!) for all they have done to ensure my freedom and that of my family. Thank you for your sacrifices and unconditional love for your fellow men. You are amazing and we are endepted to you. Thank you!!
***************************************
Today the kids and I finished up our escape & celebration at my parents house. How fun it was to be there fir a few days. Thank you!!
We got back about three and Joe had cleaned the whole house ( minus dishes but that's ok!) and had dinner started. He makes these amazing new potatoes! Anyway, it was awesome to come home to clean looking and smelling. He BBQ cheese burgers and stake and I nuked some corn. He even made my favorite garlic bread and then tried a new cheese bread concoction that turned out way yummy!! Thanks honey! It was awesome. Especially to have you with us and feeling better....
After we cleaned up, we set up a new game thing in the backyard. It's a 5 game set I found at walmart. It has smash ball, badmitten, volley ball, easy version of lacrosse and some other kind of ball catching game. Anyway, I had found some other rackets and birdies at the dollar store, so we all played outside together for a few hours.

It was awesome to be together. Something that has been rare the past few weeks and will not change for the next week or so.
:•(
Then we went in for brownies and ice cream....

....Another Joe sponcered surprise!!
Then we played a rousing game of mini golf on the Wii. Tristin won by one point! Yea!
Yesterday evening Chey and I painted our finger nails

..... And toe nails.

Thanks Grandma for the fun polish!!

... And for the last pix I want to share what I caught on my sad little camera phone...

... But I think my bat image is pretty unique!

HAPPY 4th EVERYONE!!! I am soooooo happy to be FREE!!!

-----Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Fun Fourth pix

2010-07-03T19:31:00.000-06:00

Fun face paint from carnival today.

Kid entertainment... Our friend & adopted family member KC teaching them how to make cake balls, rice crispy squares and peanut butter rice krispy roll...

Yummmmmmm

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Relaxing and preparing

2010-07-03T18:03:00.002-06:00

We are enjoying 4th of July celebrations. The kids, dogs and I came to Sandy to be with my parents and brother & family. It's been fun and relaxing and a great and welcome distraction. We've had fun being in the parade, the youth carnival and now a BBQ. Can't wait for fireworks. One of my favorite holidays...
But my mind keeps reverting back to the upcomming - currently planning for 7 day - hospital stay with chey. They are running a video EEG study on her. What is this you ask??? They hook her up to 36 - 50 individual electrodes (wires) and wrap her head with stickey gauze stuff. Then -remember this is for 7 days- she is monitored 24/7. Monitored and video tapped. She will not be allowed to leave the room for 7 days.
I have been told that there are volunteers that come around to do projects or read with and visit with. There is also a tv in the room with hospital channels and a VHS player. We will be able to request videos but will be sharing with every other kid at primary Childrens. I've also been told that there are a few playstations that we can again request while there - in rounds with others. I'm ok with sharing but my goodness.... 7 days (that is 158) in one small room. What are you to do with a small active girl who also has ADHD??
So I am trying to come up with activities, snacks - and food items for me- projects, educational things to help her retain all she learned at school... Crazy and a bit overwhelming. But well - we'll make it.
Open to suggestions!!

Raising well rounded kids

2010-06-22T10:32:00.002-06:00

Today I took my kids to see "Water Horse". When talking to some other people about the movie the past few days they we're shocked that I was ok with having my kids see such a "dark" movie. These separate conversation have started me thinking.... How do we really know what is good for our kids? Well, this is my thoughts.
I don't want my kids to grow up scared. And as much as I hate to say this, I don't want them to think life is going to be like a Disney fairytale. Unfortunatly life is not always rainbows and butterflies and happy endings. You don't always get your hearts desire. Life has some pretty sucky things that happen and it's what you make out of those situations that empowers and shapes you. I love moves whose endings are not what your heart wants to happen but you can see the logic of why that thing happened and how - for future purposes - it was the best thing for all that it happened that way.
We don't allow our kids to watch blood n gore, or graffic romance, but I do not thinkkids should be raised with rose colored glasses on. Because when something tragic does happen - it is made worse by their inability to understand and the wishing of Disney fairys to correct the tradgitey.
I also like to introduce my kids to new things. We happened into the dollar store and found som badmitten rackets & birdies... We're going to the park today on a picnic and then I am going to teach them the basics of badmitten ( that's all I know!). I want to give them a taste of everything I can so that they can decide what they want to learn more of.
Do you have any suggestions of fun things to do with kids???

Checking in again..

2010-06-18T18:51:00.002-06:00

One of these days, I'll figure out how to post to this using my phone. My laptop is old and slow and our main computer seems to take forever to upload photos. And I have so much to share! I've made some cute blankets but also some easy and way fun aprons for the kids! Oh well... I'll get there.
Cheyanne is going in for some more tests. Her surgical team wants to re due/ update her tests from 2006. And hopefully our insurance will not be lame and cover this. So far they have declined the hormone treatments her growth specialist has requested. Mean while I am filling out books trying to see if we can get her covered on medicaid. Holey cow! I feel like I am starting an auto-biography! Grrrrrrr. Oh well. If it means she'll get what she needs, I'll get it done.
Joe has had some major visits this past month and worked major hours. And I just realized- since my last post- has been transferred stores. He is now working at the Brickyard store. He gave up his 10 min commute for a 45 min one. But this could be a great thing for his career. Keep your fingers crossed!
Tristin is going into the second grade. He loved first grade! Hopefully we'll get a great teacher to keep him excited and moving fast educationally. He loves the summer weather but enjoys playing xbox -especially with his dad and online with justice.
Keriana is 6! And had a fabulous year in kindergarten. She is helping both tristin and Cheyanne with their homework! She volunteered with me in tristin's class and fell in live with his teacher. This is the first time I have ever requested a teacher- but I felt I should considering Ana and her "stranger danger" issues. She has lost 2 out of her 3 lost teeth this year in a subway sandwich. She has decided that is the best way to loose them.
Myschief has finally gotten out of her depression and accepted Luci. And Luci is fitting in this crazy place just fine. It's taken us - her & I -longer to bond. And that was all my fault. Just wasn't ready after the loss of max. I still miss him a TON... But it's getting easier and my sad days are fewer and further between. I feel so stupid to get that way over a dog a barley knew... But then again I cry over hallmark commercials.
So besides working thru emotions, I have been busy volunteering, fighting for Cheyanne and her needs, normal household cleaning & kid teaching, I've redone cheys room and put the girls in bunkbeds in there, refinished a dresser (what an adventure!), different sewing and craft projects, and I just sanded down and watersealed our back steps. I've been learning many new house fixing techniques! It's been really fun & rather empowering. I've also been called as a nursery teacher ( we have 5 nurserys and our ward was just split in janurary. Scary right!) anyway, I was super scared at first, but now i just love it. And my kids are awesome! We have "run out" of adult women to hold callings - so I have Bern alone since janurary with these 9 wonderful little spirits. I just love them! Anyway, so because I am alone my door has to stay open. I don't have escapees and have been given the nickname " toddler wisperer". Kinda proud of that!

Things I've learned from my kids today...

2009-11-17T20:10:00.005-07:00

A question in Cheyanne's book - "If you could go camping, where would you go?" .... Her answer. " To the mountains. With a camper - Mobile home thingy". A true Californian girl answer.

Keriana while playing dolls... "You are so freakin' good at hiding!" - huh. How expressive.?

Tristin has been playing Halo ODST too much with his Dad when I heard him - while upstairs - holler out... " I own you! You freakin' Basterd!".
Yes. The game was turned off. In which he responded lovingly with " Mom! You aren't playing nice! You didn't give me a warning! Now go to your room!" As his face turns purple with rage and spittle (?) is flying out of his mouth. He stomped at the end and pointed up the stairs for emphasis.
No. I was not the one who ended up in my room. I think I would have liked it if I had! :)

What have you learned today?

Weigh in

2009-11-16T16:20:00.003-07:00

Ok..... So I have been trying to loose weight. I am by no means OVER weight - but I just don't feel my best. So I have been trying to loose some poundage and inches. Thought I was doing pretty well. Been loosing about 5 lbs a month for the past couple months. Exciting right??
Well... I stepped onto my scale a couple of days ago and couldn't believe my eyes. 12 lbs gone! In a month! Wooo HOOOO! I moved the scale around my house just to make sure! Then I did an "I'm getting skinny dance!" Yea! I started texting a few 'supporters' my great news. Celebration right! I couldn't exactly figure out why my pants hadn't gone down a size but figured it was water weight or something. Actually I was too giddy to even really care.
That night I got on the scale again to prove to Joe - and for another set of eyes to confirm the scale. In case my eyes were going or something.... He agreed. The 12 lbs were gone. So I performed yet another "Skinny Celebration Dance". Keriana decided she needed to join the celebration and climb on the scale..... she went to the Dr. last week and weighed 42lbs. On my scale - she weighed 35.

My celebration balloons popped.

Joe promptly got on the scale.... he lost 20lbs in a week from his last Dr. apt.

Nice.

Yet another reason why I hate scales. crrraaap.

I proptly went out and bought a bag of TollHouse Chocolte Chip Cookie Dough. Still not feeling better. :(

Good-Bye Max

2009-10-22T20:16:00.003-06:00

My sweet Max. We miss you so. From our heads to our toes. You were so sweet and smart and nice. You were our dog and smooth as ice. We miss your kisses, licks and nips. We miss your warning growls. You were the best and will always remain - apart of ours hearts and in our brains.

K- don't make fun of me. I needed to write that ok!

I have been having a heck of a time! Morning the loss of this stupid dog. And he wasn't stupid I am still just mad.

He was out playing with Myschief in the back yard and somehow hurt his leg. After taking him to 6 different vets and it was determind that to fix him it would cost 1500 to 3000 dollars and 3 months of physical therapy and no stairs (we don't have a door outside with lesss than 8 stairs) we just could not give him the help he would need. So many many many phone calls later to no kill shelters who would not take him from me, we gave him to the Utah Humane Society. As I sat and blubbered and snotted all over myself as I was filling out the paperwork my heart just broke. Anyway, 3 weeks later I got brave and contacted the shelter. They told me they were able to find a no -kill shelter for him. He got the surgery to repair his leg and is doing well. They said that he was a special dog with a great personality and know that he will make a new family a great life long friend.

I am so glad for him... but am still so sad for me! I didn't realize what an attachment I had/have for him. I am STILL missing him so much. He's been gone for 2 months and I am still sad at nights without him. What a boob I am.

Joe and the kids seem to of healed well. Joe found a new "family member".

This is Luci. She is 14 weeks and is really catching on to life with this crazy busy family. She is definitly Joe's dog - but is good with the rest of us. Although lately her and I have had to have "words" because she is trying to find her place and thinks that she should rank above me in the order of the pack. But I guess I am acting rather "out cast" as I get over my Max Trauma. Oh well (big sigh).

Let me end with this story Tristin just wrote for the Reflections Program....

Me and Max
By: Tristin Murray

I had a dog named Max. He was my best friend. We played lots of things together. My favorite thing to do with Max was playing Star Wars. Max would be my R2D2 and I was Anikin. We would play in the back yard and the bugs were the bad guy clones. Max and I played catch. I would throw the ball and he would run really fast and catch it in the air! Then he brought it back to me and I would throw it again.
The day Max came to live with us Mom took us for a car ride. We went to a house on a big farm that had lots of animals. They had Horses, cows and sheep and lots of dogs. We met a nice lady who brought out some puppies. They were all cute and fuzzy and different colors. This boy puppy came up to me and licked me. He kept following me around and whining at me. My mom said that I could keep him and we brought him home. I decided we should name him Max because it is my middle name and it is a good, strong name.
Max was a very smart dog. We taught him to do tricks. He could sit, fetch his ball and give kisses when asked. Max hurt his leg and doesn’t live with us anymore. I miss him a lot.

THE END

And yes - I did sit and cry the ENTIRE time I typed this up for him. Thanks for asking.

Fun Friday- Crafting

2009-07-17T13:37:00.008-06:00

As I promised, here is the quilt that I made in March.

My wonderful aunts gave me the pattern and fabric Xmas 07. I messed up cutting it in April of 08 and actually cut enough shaped to do two blanket. But because of that mistake I didn't have enough to do the colorful border. I was lucky enough to find enough fabric colors that matched the original fabric to complete the blankets. The other blanket will be the REVERSE of this one (black stars with a colorful background). Was trying to make them for the girls birthday's but didn't make it. Here is the fabric for Keriana's backing...

We're still working on finding the right one for Cheyanne. But since I haven't even started the blocks, I am not in any rush to find the backing. But if anyone finds any cupcake fabric let me know!

The other thing I wanted to share with you today is my latest project. I have one hall .... the "hallway of love" that doesn't have anything on it and looks so plain. I found a poem and wanted to get it in the vinyl wall letter and put the kids yearly school photo's above it. However - upon talking with Joe- realised that the poem was long and the letters would be within kid reach. And Tristin LOVES to run his fingers along the walls. So I did these! They each have the poem AND I can take the pages and put them right into their scrapbooks - which I keep up about as well as I do this blog. I actually haven't had out my scrapbook stuff since we moved. I take lots of pictures, but I don't do the books. BAD JAMIE! Anyway, thought I would spread this creative spark along. ....

I gathered my supplies and took the kids outside.

I bought these cute frames from Target for $3 each. Cut my card stock to match my frame and marked on the card stock how far the frame came over so that I could get the hand prints to show.

I grabbed a 5x7 most recent school photo and cut it to fit the left over space.

Tried my "hand" at Calligraphy and was so crappy at it that I decided there was NO WAY I was going to attempt to write the poem on each of their pages. (NOTE: I've been told by many people that I should have been a Doctor or professional athlete to have penmanship as bad as I do.)

So I grabbed my husbands computer - and MY printer I just got for my birthday (Thanks MOM AND DAD! I loooooovvvvvveeeee it!) and printed out the poem in different colors and founts.

Pasted everything together and......

WWWWAAAAAHHHHHLLLLLAAAAAA! The finished projects....

Simple, easy and relatively cute. And it will be fun to see their hand prints grow! Wish I would have thought of this idea years ago!

Happy Friday!

My Biggest Accomplishment (Next to Child Birth, Marriage and home buying)

2009-07-16T14:08:00.012-06:00

Whoever decided to turn on the summer heat is not my friend anymore. I am all for above 60 degree weather but this 90 degree stuff sucks!

I decided to share my most recent BIG . . . HUGE ... project with you first. Not saying that the inside of my house was not big - just not as noticeable because I didn't change wall colors. I didn't realize till I went to write this that I had not taken any pictures of the front of the house for the BEFORE foto. Shame on me. Actually I think it was because Joe got a "bee in his bonnet" one afternoon and by that night it was changed. So I found this "before" picture by using GOOGLE MAPS. And it is way old. As you can see we got a fence, took out the middle of the grass "thing" and you can't see the weed growth but you can use your imagination with the backyard photos.

So armed with our trusty tools.....

FRONT YARD BEFORE:

FRONT YARD AFTER:

THESE are my beautiful flowers in my front garden area. I am so proud that I finally am able to grow some flowers!

BACKYARD BEFORE:

BACKYARD AFTER:

.... and because I got soooooooo focused - I forgot the sunscreen....

My husband thinks I'm a total dweeb for sharing my sunburn blisters with you. Of course he doesn't understand the purpose of blogging either.

Anyway, I am so glad to have a place to enjoy my 70 degree mornings. Watching the birds .... when Max is too busy chewing tanbark to chase them away! ;)

Have a great Thursday!

So Sorry!!

2009-07-14T14:33:00.004-06:00

Hello All!

I am sorry that I haven't been on for a bit. I have composed so many posts in my head it's hard to remember which one I wanted to start with. .... Anyway you are probably wondering whats been going on! Here's a recap.....

I am just going to highlight the past few months in this posting. I WILL write some further in depth posting WITH PICTURES(!) later on. Most of my big projects are done and my deadlines for the projects I have left are up in the air so I should be on more frequently...

In February we had Tristin & Joe's birthday's. And shortly after Joe's b-day he came home and said that he was up for a promotion. YEA! But if he got the promotion we would be moving. Kohl's was going to send him in April to Phoenix for interviews and then we would know within six months if we were moving. So we had to get the house in order. This of course meant painting. But me - always with good intentions but desperately ignorant of the TIME things take made projects bigger than what needed to be. I went around the house patching little dents in the walls and door frames. Painting base bored and ceilings and removing wallpaper borders. I need to remind you here that I tend to get bored easily so I had a different stage of the projects going in almost every room of the house until Joe came home and lectured me for an hour or so on how things should be done - and that if he was home everything would be run more efficiently. I promptly ceased all projects including laundry, meals and daily house keeping. But I was so pissed I didn't blog because I didn't want to bad mouth my husband... at least that publicly. So I just got engrossed into TV shows. He apologised a few days later. And so did I. Even though his logic made sense - it's just hard for me to stay in one room for a while. Anyway the majorly lived in and FINISHED portions of the house have newly cleaned and painted walls, ceiling, borders, window sills, windows and such. It feels pretty good. I also finished a blanket top.

When April arrived we had the girls b-days and found out that Joe's interviews had been pushed back to May. Fine but now I have the outside to weed. Joe made the mistake of saying the since I wanted a garden the yard should be my and only mine responsibility and that all he had to do around the house was mow and occasionally vacuum. HA! so we had a long battle of the wills on who could go the longest and ignore the weed growth. Needless to say I won - but gave in and helped. Until the backyard came up and then I did the majority. Ah well. It looks beautiful.

Boy! For a recap this is pretty long!

Anyway, Joe's interviews were again postponed and looks like they will happen sometime in October. Along with all birthday's celebrated but Myschiefs' (yes we DO celebrate dogs b-days at our house) Joe and I celebrated our 8 yr. anniversary, Tristin "graduated" Kindergarten and Keriana "graduated" pre-school. We had school fields trips, vacations, new hair styles, baseball games, lots of books read as well as the day to day cleaning, laundry and health hurtles.

I'd like to end with......
CURSE YOU HERSHEY'S PEANUT BUTTER EGGS!!!!!!!
Easter came and went along with my diet and weight loss. I can't help myself when I pass those cursed eggs! I need to find a good hypnotist because my will is lost when those things hit the shelves. And once you get started on the chocolate..... there's no turning back! ARGH!

I will leave you now with this picture I have taken sitting on my new patio set! YEA ME! Every new post will be of my - our - adventures over the past few months. Again sorry! I will try to do better at posting!

Poor Woman's Valentine's

2009-02-09T18:50:00.006-07:00

Thank you all for your well wishes. Sorry I have been gone all weekend but when your sick it's hard to be creative. Joe surprised and TOTALLY FLOORED me when he announced Sunday that he had taken the day off for me to get better. And I slept pretty much the whole day. I am doing much better today. I even had the DRIVE to sanitize my house! And that is what I did. Swiffered floors, scrubbed and cleansed bathrooms, wiped down walls with Clorox wipes and did all bedding and sprayed them with Lysol. And I hate the smell of Lysol... but desperate times call for DESPERATE measures! Hopefully with all the antibiotics and disinfectant we will be better for all the birthday's coming up. Valentines and 4 b-days in one week! Wheew.

After spending 5 hours wiping down my house I was in the mood for some creativity and since our funds are small this year I decided to make crafts with the kids.

We used construction paper, glitter, glue and pens.

Then we used tape and thread and hung some of the hearts from the ceiling. We made a 'Hallway of Love'....

We had tons of fun and talked and laughed.... It should be interesting to see Joe's face when he gets home from work!

(Addition- Joe thought it was cute and that we did a good job.)

And I just have to share this with you too....

I found out where the new Star Wars Rebel base is today.....

Happy Monday!

Fun Friday

2009-02-06T12:34:00.006-07:00

Needless to say, still being sick and dealing with a sick child, I am not feeling the "fun" vibe today. So I thought that I would 'catch-up' with awards and /or challenges that I have been sirking from other sites/people.

Jenjen at Tatertots and Jello gave me this the other day....

The award states: "These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

Still being new to blogging I don't really have 8 but I will try...

Amanda at Keeping up with the Jones

Sarah at Clover Lane
Carrie at Carrie's Little World

Jen at Adventure's in Mommyland

Crissy at Come Ye Ladds and Lasses

This is a game:

Picture Fun-

1. I choose the 4th folder where I store my pictures on the computer. 2. Select the 4th picture in the folder. 3. Explain the picture. 4. Tag 4 people to do the same. 5. No cheating (cropping, editing, etc.)

This was taken in California at an event called "The Pumpkin Walk". This was during set-up but I have no idea why I took it. OOOOooooo really exciting I know. Now for the 4 people to tag...

Chrissy at Come Ye Ladds and Lasses

Amy at The Jensen Trio

Amanda at Keepin' Up with the Jones

Sarah at Clover Lane

To Share a Laugh:

Joe and I were watching a rerun of AFV and Joe got this idea for kid torture. Put whipcream on the kids belly and let the dog lick it off. The only trusting child we have left is Keriana. ... Who found it hillarious. ...... And Myschief liked it too!

Have a great Friday! I am going to do a giveaway soon so check back!

-Jamie

Thoughtful Thrusday

2009-02-05T09:10:00.005-07:00

The Play Area...
BEFORE

AFTER:

I went to Target and bought these bins to go in the shelves. And on them I painted likenesses to the toys they had the most of and then their names for any toys that didn't go with the other bin names. Hopefully this will help with the organization issues.

After all this cleaning up of my house, it has really started me thinking about "things". And why we have so much or think we have to have so much. I got rid of so much stuff! But why was I so attached to some of it that I couldn't get rid of it before? And why am I still holding on to baby clothes that the kids will never wear again? I tell my self it's for memories. But who's going to remember? Who's going to care about my report card from 4th grade with all my A's or my dog's baby teeth (yes I have their baby teeth! Who doesn't save baby teeth?) The tooth fairy has left me all my kids baby teeth, why not keep the dogs too? Their my kids!
How many shoes do we really need? OK so this is not my soft spot but I know it is for some...
Who's going to care that I went to see Raider's of the Lost Arc in the Movie theater? Yes, I did actually part with this and other ticket stubs. Some I actually wrote who I went to see the movie with...
I finally parted with my "Slam Books" from my middle school years. HELLOOOO!!! I paid to MOVE those suckers. And why? ??? I have no idea. Do you remember "Slam Books"?

What are you keeping that doesn't make sense to anyone else??

P.S. My Daughters class has started a program on feelings. They are bring home papers called "Putting a drop in someone's Bucket". They write about something they like about another person. I decided that we all need more of that! Whether it's getting or giving. So I had added - on my side bar- "Putting a BEE in someone's Blog". As I am searching the blogging world for new friends and fun things I will share with you what I find. And I hope you will stop in and visit them! Let's make this world a smaller, friendlier, happier place!

I Didn't mean to JINX myself...

2009-02-04T17:40:00.003-07:00

When I wrote my post on Saturday defining my day's, I honestly didn't want anymore things to write about for my Wellness Wednesdays! I was just going to cover the topics we already had! HUH.
Tristin developed a dry cough and clear runny nose last week and - with the warm weather - I just figured that it was allergy's. Over the weekend the running nose turned the yummy green color and the cough increased and got "thick". His energy levels plummeted a little. Joe came home early on Saturday and stayed home Sunday because he was sick. He even fell asleep during the Superbowl so I KNOW he was sick. Sunday night Tristin could hardly sleep because of his cough and I kept him home from school on Monday. OH! Was he off the HOOK on Monday. But his nose eased up and went back clear. And by Monday afternoon I felt like crap and was nauseated and everything else pleasant. So keeping up with Tristin and him terrorizing his sisters... well my patience was just not happening. Anyway, he had another rough night and by Tuesday morning I was ready for some non-Tristin time. When Joe found out that I was going to send Tristin to school he just about ate my head for breakfast. And informed me that I needed to call the Doctor. Excuse me? Who's the mom here? Who knows best?? Well he ended up being right. (GASP! Oh the HORROR!)
I took Tristin to the Dr. and he has "Almost Pneumonia". Was I really so sick and out of it that I couldn't see the need my son had? And what the heck is "Almost Pneumonia"? And if I am that out of it, why isn't someone taking care of me? Oh that's right, I'm the MOM and no one takes care of me when I am sick. AND it doesn't matter that I am sick because there are things to be done around the house, meals to be made and no one else knows where things are and how to do them. Humph. LIKEOHMYGOSH! Unfair!
Anyway, Tristin is on antibiotics for 5 days but CAN go back to school tomorrow. YEA! However, Keriana has picked up the sickness and she seems more worse off than any of us. But the Dr. wont give her an antibiotic until she's had the cough for at least 7 days. We're on day 3. I am worried because I can't get her to eat or drink much and she is asking for medicine every 3 hours or so. She has very little energy and is pretty pale. But we're limping through as best we can. We're both fighting temperatures and aches. I am just grateful I DON'T have the cough and runny nose.
So today I thought I would do a post on PNEUMONIA.... just for the heck of it since I was looking it all up anyway.

WHAT IS PNEUMONIA?
Pneumonia is a serious infection and/or inflammation of your lungs. The air sacs in the lungs fill with pus and other liquid. Oxygen has trouble reaching your blood. If there is too little oxygen in your blood, your body cells can't work properly. Because of this and spreading infection through the body pneumonia can cause death.

CAUSES OF PNEUMONIA
Pneumonia is not a single disease. It can have over 30 different causes. There are five main causes of pneumonia:
Bacteria
Viruses
Mycoplasmas
Other infectious agents, such as fungi - including pneumocystis

VIRAL PNEUMONIA (This is the one Tristin was diagnosed as having)
Symptoms: The initial symptoms of viral pneumonia are the same as influenza symptoms: fever, a dry cough, headache, muscle pain, and weakness. Within 12 to 36 hours, there is increasing breathlessness; the cough becomes worse and produces a small amount of mucus. There is a high fever and there may be blueness of the lips.

BACTERIAL PNEUMONIA
Symptoms: The onset of bacterial pneumonia can vary from gradual to sudden. In the most severe cases, the patient may experience shaking chills, chattering teeth, severe chest pain, and a cough that produces rust-colored or greenish mucus. A persons temperature may rise to as much as 105*F

MYCOPLASMA PNEUMONIA
Symptoms: The most prominent symptom of mycoplasma pneumonia is a cough that tends to come in violent attacks, but produces only sparse whitish mucus. Chills and fever are early symptoms, and some patients experience nausea or vomiting. Patients may experience profound weakness that lasts for a long time.

To read further information and to find out about the other kinds of pneumonia you can go to The American Lung Association.

Hope you are all feeling better than we are!
JM

Ravioli Lasagna

2009-02-03T19:32:00.003-07:00

Family-Friendly Recipes by Smith's

Ravioli Lasagna - serves 6

10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
15 oz carton ricotta cheese, divided
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
1 jar spaghetti sauce or marinara sauce
1 pkg (25 oz) frozen cheese ravioli

Preheat oven to 400*F. Combine spinach, 1/2 cup mozzarella, ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning, egg and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Spread marinara sauce on bottom of 9 inch baking pan. Arrange frozen ravioli in single layer on top. Top with cheese mixture, then ravioli again. Finally top with additional marinara. Top with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Bake for 30 minutes. Let stand about 15 minutes to cool and set up. Refigerate any leftovers.

I found this in "My Magazine" sent out by Smith's food and drug and thought it sounded so delious I had to share it. Let me know what you think and if you make it- how it turned out!

Memory Monday

2009-02-02T12:58:00.002-07:00

I remember when I was young tearing out of my house to go play with my friend Emily. It was a warm summer day and I was barefoot - as always. Half way across the lawn I stumbled a bit but kept going. When I was two houses down I realized that my big toe really hurt. I looked down to find my toe nail almost completely ripped off! It was starting to sting really bad but I couldn't figure out what to do. Do I run down to my friends house to get help - I WAS half way there... or do I turn around and go home? I remember actually wondering who would give me the most sympathy? Emily was the middle child of 8 kids. It was only me and my brother at my house.... I don't remember how long I stood there trying to figure out which way to go, but in the end I decided on my house. And I did get lots of sympathy....

When I was 10 My brother went on a mission to Finland. I really missed him and had a hard time. One day I was home from school sick and both my parents were at work. The phone rang and when I answered it, it was Jeff! I remember how excited I was. He had found a pay phone that only charged 25 cents for him to call anywhere. We talked for about 5 minutes. And then we were cut off. But I was so happy to have been home to talk to him. After the phone call ended I remember crying and crying because I missed him so much. I called mom at work and she thought something was really wrong because I could hardly talk I was crying so much.... but when I got it out she told me she was glad I was there to take the call.

Tristin was born at 32 1/2 weeks and spent 10 days in the NICU. I spent most of the time at the hospital but would come home at least once a day to shower, change and pump. After day 4 time ran together and I remember being so exhausted. But I had to keep going. My baby needed me! Anyway, this particular day I came home mid-afternoon. I took my shower and then sat down on the bed to pump. I had one of the electric pumps. I was so tired I decided to lay back on the bed. Next thing I remember was Joe walking in and waking me up. He said "Jamie honey you need to get up!" I looked at the clock and I had fallen asleep for about 45 min. With the pump still pumping away! I was soaked, the bedding was soaked and the mattress was soaked from the top to about midway down on the bed to almost the center of the bed. I started to cry thinking about what a mess I'd made, the milk that Tristin needed that was a waste and now I had to waste more time at home doing the laundry so that Joe could sleep on the bed that night. Joe tried so hard to not laugh - it really didn't work.

Walking with GOD

2009-02-01T12:18:00.003-07:00

Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”
Mary Stevenson, 1936

I thought I would start this off with my most favorite poem. There are actually 3 different versions of this poem with 3 different authors claiming to be the 'original author'. This version was the earliest so I went with it.

There are many days and times that my challenges get so "heavy" that I constantly question if my GOD is really with me. I wonder if I really will make it past this challenge and what it is that I am supposed to be learning. This poem brings me peace. You'll find it in many different places around my home.

We didn't get the opportunity to go to church today because of illnesses, so I don't have any quotes from there to share with you. But I did sit down and do some scripture study on GOD'S LOVE. Here are three scriptures that I found most comforting today. I hope you find peace in them as well.

D&C 76:62 These shall dwell in the presence of GOD and his CHRIST forever and ever.

Genesis 21:22 ... GOD is with thee in all that thou doest.

Exodus 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give the rest.

Aren't those scriptures awesome? Just to be reminded that GOD is with us in all we do - rather all good that we do. That HE is sitting next to us in the car on those stormy days... that HE is 'carrying us' thru our trials in which our legs would give out. I just wish I could feel HIM - more physically than I do most days. But I just have to remember that HE is there... and that I have to lean on HIM though I am not able to see HIM right now.

May HIS peace and love surround you this week...

Please tell me - How do you remember HIM?

A New Direction....

2009-01-31T19:58:00.002-07:00

I am not a person who likes to make plans. I rarely think out things and do them. I spend lots of time thinking of lots of things but by the time I get to the end of my thought process I decide I am too tired - from all the thinking - or no one would like it , want it, care about it.... yada yada yada. I've never planed a pregnancy, a trip to the store an outing with the kids (outside of the week before birthday parties). And I LOVE surprises. I am a fly by the seat of my pants type of girl and I am happy that way. Most of the time.
I do not know if it is the Gemini (take up new activities enthusiastically but lack application, constantly needing new interests, flitting from project to project as apparently purposelessly as a butterfly dancing from flower to flower. To them life is a game which must always be full of fresh moves and continuous entertainment, free of labor and routine. Changing horses in the middle of the stream is another small quirk in the Gemini personality which makes decision making, and sticking to a decision, particularly hard for them.*more information can be found here) in me, the Bipolar or if I have undiagnosed ADD/ADHD but I flit around from subject to subject, place to place, person to person.... And I have noticed that I am doing it with this blog as well.
In my meanderings around in this new to me blogging world I have had an epiphany. Though I started this blog as a journal and way to keep in touch with family, I also want to meet new people and develop new friendships. As I have found myself in many other's blogs, the most "popular" seem to have a set theme or theme days.
Knowing a lot of things but not a lot about them I decided that one particular thing is not going to fly. That would involve research and honestly - sounds pretty boring. So I have decided to try something new. PLANING. Therefore, as of February 1st 2009, I am establishing the following schedule....
Spiritual Sundays. This is a time when I will blog about something I heard at church, scripture I read, poem I encountered.... you get the idea.
Memories Monday. A blog time for me to share a childhood memory, photograph or something that I want to document that my family did.
Tantalizing Tuesday. Time for me to share a recipe I've found.
Wellness Wednesday. Our lives are touched so much by different afflictions that I want to spread some knowledge about it.
Thoughtful Thursday. This will be my day for expanding my perception of life. Contemplation and input from YOU!
FUN FRIDAY. These days I am going to encourage my creative and humorous sides. Crafts jokes and the like...
Saturday Sunshine. I am honestly not sure what I am going to use Saturday's for. You didn't really think I'd make it to plan EVERYDAY, did you?

Now I am going to ask for your help. I have tried to make it simple to let me know what you think of my postings. I am not going to ask you to leave a comment (though I do REALLY REALLY enjoy them.) At the end of each post it a little question of whether you found the post interesting, funny or cool. Please mark a box so I know what to write more about.

Thanks! I can't wait to start this new PLAN! ;)

The End Result

2009-01-30T16:42:00.004-07:00

So after all that worry about what I was going to wear 2 things happened.
1- She called and asked if we could go take our kids on a walk/bike ride on our walking trail. So I ended up wearing a jacket anyway.
2- As I was getting Max to lock him up in his kennel, he decided I was really frightening and promptly pee'd all over my arm as I picked him up. He's never done that before. So I ended up in wearing a long sleeved white t-shirt.

Go Figure.

Where is my husband when I ACTUALLY nneeeed him??

2009-01-30T12:22:00.005-07:00

... Well he is at work where he normally is but that is not the point. I am half tempted to drive up there to get his ok on my outfit. ... Yes I said outfit. My husband dresses me - per my request (most of the time). Why? Because I have very little fashion sense.

My husband is a store manager for Kohl's Department stores. He is engrossed in his work. Therefore he knows more than jeans and a t-shirt style... which is my comfort zone - if I even get out of my pj and/or sweats.

No I do not really enjoy shopping either. Especially for myself. I get lost in the racks, things that look cute on the hanger seems to shrink by the time it makes it on me and color coordination - well I think brown and green look ok together. Joe lovingly reminds me that it doesn't. Unless I want to look like a tree. Needless to say my closet consists of mostly solid color shirts and black or denim bottoms. And shoes - same and tend to be added to by my mom and dad. I just don't do shopping!

So why am I stressing out today? Because my neighbor/ primary presidency has invited my kids and me over for a play date. And to talk with her about Cheyanne's seizures so that they know more about them and what to do if one happens during primary. Awesome right? Yes - in the sense that I have been craving neighbor connections as well as the fact that someone cares enough about my kids to learn more about them. We've been here almost 2 years so I am excited about this break though!

However this means that I need to get out of my pj/sweats and into real clothes. And I want to look nice! So it's a play date. That just means I know it is fine to wear jeans.... but I want to look nice.

This is what I have put together. The tank top is new. I just loved the color. But does it actually go with the cream top? I don't know. But after an hour, this is what I have come up with.

What do you think?

Conversations...

2009-01-29T18:00:00.002-07:00

Keriana- Mom, you are my bestie-est best friend.
Me - I am?! Great!
Keriana- See I have lots of best friends. But you are the bestie-est. You're even better than Grandma ... but just cause you live closer...

Tristin- Mom can I go play with XXXXX?
Me- No. You have to finish your homework and have something to eat first.
Tristin- Moooooommmmmm! You have the stupidest rules. Your rules smell like Dad's farts.
Me- I didn't know rules smelled. (trying desperately hard not to totally loose it)
Tristin- Well they do. And I hate stinky rules, farts and school! (stomp stomp stomp)

Cheyanne- So there's this boy at school and he likes me and wants me to be his girlfriend.
Me- You aren't supposed to have boyfriends.
Cheyanne- I know and I told him that. But....
Me- But what?
Cheyanne- But I like him to.
Me- And what would your father say?
Cheyanne - That if he was to bring him one shark, two giraffes, a tiger and a kangaroo he could be my boyfriend.
Me- I am NOT cleaning up their poop.
Cheyanne- No. That is Dad's job. He wants the animals.

Tristin- Mom. Cheyanne made me kiss XXXXXX in the summer.
Me- Yes I know and we've already talked about how that was wrong
Tristin- Mom. I think I want to marry XXXXX when I grow up like you.
Me- Ok. We'll talk about it when you get as old as me.
Tristin - K. Will it be ok to kiss her then?
Me- Yes. But you have to get permission first.
Tristin- Who do I have to ask for THAT?! This kissing stuff takes a lot of work!
(Ummm Heeellllllllooooo! He's 5!)

The Latest Activities...

2009-01-28T16:28:00.007-07:00

I have decided that if it is not one things it's another... If I am not picking up a mess from my kids it will be one from my dogs. This was a super soaker ball...

They are lucky they are cute...

Today Tristin and I killed off waiting for the girls to get out of school time by going to the mall. Joe needed some new jeans. So I treated Tristin to a Pretzel from Pretzel Time. And of course he chose to sit at the children's table so I got to hug my knees. But he entertained me with his "smiles".

I've found a couple new things and I thought that I would share my review with you...

Pomegranate Super Anti-Oxidant Cream

With Himalayan Goji Berry. Made by Grassroots.

Joe actually got on one of his business trips. They only sell it online at grassrootslife.com and in Kohl's stores! It's kind of expensive when you are used to buy Neutrogina and Mary Kay but I think it is well worth it. I use less and it seems to do more. I also don't seem to have the dry spot or extra oily spots that I did/ do with other creams. My face also seems to have stayed less "chappy" with the cold dry weather. I haven't noticed a difference in my acne issues.... but I have decided that I may never be acne free again.

Anyhow, I really like the cream and urge you to check out Grassroots!

Popchips

I stumbled across these at a sampling booth at Costco. I really liked them so I bought a bag. They claim to be "baked" like popcorn. I think they are really light but packed with flavor and filling at the same time. I just looked them up online and they come in a variety of flavors and can be found at Target and Whole Foods too!

Have a great day! And please let me know what you think of these products by leaving a comment!

PS.... I am working on some blogging things so be sure to check back for the fun!

Why Bother???

2009-01-25T15:53:00.002-07:00

Have you ever had one of those days where you wonder WHY exactly you even made any attempts at living?
Today was one of those days for me today.
I started off by deciding to brave church today. 3 hours of church is a long time... and when you do it with three kids all by yourself it's really long. But I figured since I had my visiting teachers (2), relief society president, a neighbor, the missionary's and another person on my block ask me if I was OK and if I needed some help that I had obviously missed church long enough. So I decided to go.
Well the ward had changed times and locations so it was almost like going to a new ward. I had no idea where I was going much less where my kids classes were. We made it through Sacrament meeting with very little issues. I made my kids each a little bag big enough for their own box of crayons, a couple coloring books and a snack. But we were running late this morning and so I didn't have time to check the bags. They had asked me if they could have some crackers while I was getting dried off from the shower and I said they could if they were in a plastic bag... that they couldn't take the whole box & bag... So what did they pull out as soon as we sat down?? A gallon freezer bag full of crackers. Ah well... it kept them happy - until they got thirsty. Wheat Thins and Saltines. Not exactly the greatest without some form of liquid. So we had many trips to the water fountain because - of course - they couldn't all go together.
Because we were late we got on the last row in the overflow/ gym area. Consiquently it was hard to hear but the worst part ... Keriana. See, she loves to dance and thinks that any song is meant for dancing. And she does. So no matter what I did or bribe I gave she proceeded to "dance" her way through the hymns. And yes, today she was the only one. Then I was helping Cheyanne with something and Tristin sneaked out of the row and challenged Keriana to a race. This took place during the closing prayer. Oh such excitement.
So off to Sunday school. We followed the mob to the Primary room. Two found their rooms. Yeah! Then we wondered the building looking for Cheyanne's room and ended up back at the Primary Room to get instructions. Finally we found Chey's room. Rid of #3. Time for some spiritual renewal for me. Ya whatever. Once I finally figured out where I was supposed to go I would have had to climb over people for a seat. So I didn't. And I really struggle with going to Sunday School anyway because they don't have a 'beginner's' class. So most of the time I come out feeling smacked in the head with information that I couldn't repeat anyway. And I don't feel comfortable going to the bishop and asking for him to call someone to teach a Gospel Principals class just for me. So honestly I wasn't that disappointed I couldn't sit in a class I most likely wouldn't understand. Perhaps it was for the best and I sat in the hall and read some of my scriptures. Unfortunately I am in 2nd Nephi with all the "Refer to Isiah"s. Not exactly the best place for someone who can't keep focused on the "therefore", "thou" and other scriptural wording.
Finally it is time for Relief Society. A class a usually really enjoy. Even if it is just for the simple fact that I am surrounded by women... even if they don't talk to me. 5 minutes in the Primary leader came in to get me. Cheyanne had a headache. Fine- no big so I get her an aspirin. 10 min later they came to get me again because Cheyanne was tired. I got her talked out of that. 5 minutes after that a different leader came to get me and informed me that they let her sit by the previous leader in the front of the primary thinking that might help and Cheyanne decided to show everyone her middle finger. AHHH! I was so embarrassed. I have no idea what that behavior is about. So this primary leader said "She seems to be having a bad day in Primary. Why don't you keep her with you." Yes this is exactly what is best for both of us right now. But I did.
Then right before church was out Joe surprised me by texting me and asking us to come visit him at his new store before we went home. So we did. But it was a very interesting ride there. I told the kids that I had a surprise for them and Keriana and Tristin took turns guessing where we were going.
The highlights:
We're going to Grandma's so she can read us a story - yes I frequently drive 50 minutes just for story time..
We're going to Disneyland
We're going to Burger King
Going to the Park - Yes it's a great day for going to the park... in the SNOW!
Goin to the airport - ??? They've never been on a plane!
We're going to drive around til we end up up my butt - oh the greatness of boy humor.
Joe's store is beautiful. It's a new design by Kohl's and it makes it seem really open. Yes it could also have been the lack of ANYTHING but fixtures .... maybe maybe not. Anyway it smelled of fresh paint and it was just ... clean. Big windows cover the front and they have put guest services at the front too. They have changed some of the kitchen displays and modernized the Jr's and young men's. I am really excited to see it finished. But I have to wait a month!
Anyway the kids ran all over and were little terrors so our visit was short. I just couldn't face fixing dinner my stress level being what it was so we hit the new Carl's Jr. on the way home. Totally against my diet but I needed something substantial. Plus I weighed myself yesterday and I've lost 7 lbs! Yea me! So this was my celebration meal.
I have 2 more hours until the kids bedtime and I am counting down.... Cheyanne got a spanking (I haven't done that in - well I don't remember the last time) and is grounded to her room and from her DS. I don't know what is going on in that little brain of hers. And I am not sure we'll go back to church...
So much for our wholesome spiritually uplifting day!
Hope you had a better Sunday!
JM

Friendship

2009-01-24T15:01:00.005-07:00

I seem to have this great talent for disappearing off the face of the planet. Then I get lonely and think that no one likes me and I have no friends... where really I am more to blame than anything/ anyone because I don't return phone calls, emails (though sometimes this is because I change my email address because the spam people found me) or letters. And sometimes it's because I've moved. But regardless of the reason, I still find myself sitting at home and feeling friendless, unloved and reciting Dora.

So today I went on a blog that I like to frequent and got inspired. Quincy Cottage wrote a great piece on friendship and what it CAN mean. So I have tried today to touch base with people on facebook and different blogs that I have stopped by. I've thanked them for their friendship and/or told them that I appreciate them. Thanks Quincy Cottage! Those who have stopped by here, please go visit Quincy Cottage. Hopefully it will inspire you and the world can be a more positive place.

I also got a blog award from a rekindled friendship the other day and have been trying to figure out how to post it all. Thanks again Chrissy!

Here are the rules for the recipients:1. Put the logo on your blog or post.2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!***3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

Since I am new to blogging I am going to fall short of the 10... but here are my nominees. Please check them out and make new friends!

1) Come ye Ladds and Lasses - She's new to blogging but it's fun to read! And very creative.

2) Tatertots and Jello - she's doing a giveaway! And is so creative.

3) Quincy's Cottage - explained above why I like her blog.

4) Wenderful - She has an amazing way of describing things. I rarely visit without cracking up!

5) JensenTrio - This is a friend of mine's little sister whom I went to church with. I just love her blog though and her boy is so cute!

6) LynchFamily - She is new to blogging but we have been friends for 8 years. She has a great sence of humor and cutie kids.

7) Fat Cyclist - He's a friend of my brother and I love his blog. He is really funny and just got a new helmet cam for his bike rides. Fatty is sure to have more great posts!

8) Lynn's Lines - He's my cousin but has a much better way of wording things than I do.

9) Blogging - He's a funny guy with a cute family. And many adventures!

Well... I almost made it!

Again - thanks for visiting and I look forward to making and rekindling many friendships. Please leave a comment so we can keep in touch!

Hugs,

Give-A-Way

2009-01-23T14:26:00.001-07:00

My sister-in-law (and brother) is doing a give-a-way on her fab-o website. Check it out and enter to win! http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/

Finally Finished!

2009-01-23T09:15:00.006-07:00

I did it! I finally finished cleaning my craft/ storage room. It only took about 9 hours.... I went thru each and every bin and threw out another curb side garbage can full of junk and made another trip to DI.

Before:

After:

It feels good to be clean... but it was hard. I ran across a lot of memories - so happy some sad... and some things that I couldn't remember why they were so important to keep. Ah well...

And during the organization I did the 10 loads of laundry, vacuumed and dusted the house, fixed meals , made beds, cleaned bathrooms... and remembered to breath.

Today isn't such a good day. My first phone call of the day was a collections call from Davis Hospital. My insurance company is being horrible about paying my surgery bill. They paid my Dr. the pathologist, anesthesiologist and... some other one that I cant remember but now they won't pay the Hospital. They are saying it was a pre-existing condition. Um HELLOOOO!!! How can the Hospital stay be pre existing but the surgery isn't?? I don't get it. And every time I call the insurance company I get a different excuse on why it can't be paid, why it is still being considered, missing paperwork... oh it is just a mess. I've been in tears so many times today. I just don't know what to do and the Hospital is getting ready to turn the account over to collections. I have excellent credit... just not $6,000 + to pay for a bill I shouldn't have to pay for. It's killing me. I just don't get it. I feel so helpless. But anyway... enough bumming. But if anyone has any suggestions I would really like to know.

Take Care all,
JM

First Trip to the Dentist

2009-01-23T08:40:00.005-07:00

Tristin's first trip to the dentist was on Wednesday and he had a blast. As we were walking in he said " Cool. I finally get to try this. Awesome." After that I was a little worried that he might get disappointed... but he didn't.

He thought the camera was weird at first but then he decided it looked like a Star Wars clone. He was very excited every time he got a "ride" on the chair. To clean his teeth they used green (his favorite color) bubble gum toothpaste and he got a green parachute guy when he was finished. Plus they had cool tools. What more could a guy ask for??

Catching up

2009-01-21T07:56:00.005-07:00

Good Day!

I did absolutely nothing yesterday.... and it felt good. Until this morning when I realized how much I have to do today! Argh!.... A mother's work is never done.

Well, technically I shouldn't say nothing. I just didn't do my "normal" chores. I did make meals, got Joe off on his business trip (yea!!!) spent 45 min on the phone AGAIn with my insurance company who are still trying to get out of paying my hospital bills, let the dogs in and out and paid bills. So I guess I did DO stuff....

Anyway, I took Chey and the kids to a birthday party over the weekend to Classic Fun Center. This place was huge!! It has a rock wall, Pirates Cove play structure... thing 7 inflatable bounce houses, laser tag, roller rink and arcade. It was very kid safe and mother boring.

I forgot my real camera so these are taken with my cell. But It gives you an idea.

Also started cleaning out my craft room. Need to finish it so that I can post my giveaway.... but I won't do that til I have a place to create!

Today's plans:

Laundry - the never-ending chore. Just when you see the bottom of the basket... you see your kids and the state of the clothes they have on.... or your husband comes home from work.

Grocery shopping - We need a cow. My kids love their chocolate and milk!

Tristin's first Dentist Appointment - this will be interesting! Can't forget the camera!

Preschool/ school Carpool

Today's usual chores - Make beds, clean bathrooms, run dishwasher

Finish Cleaning Craft room

.... and have a shower! Whew. I am tired already!

Funny's heard over the weekend:

Tristin to Cheyanne - "Stop running away from me and take my orders!"

Keriana to me - " I don't want to put my jammies on. So it's just plain old me under these clothes."

Have a great day!

Sunrises & Sunsets...

2009-01-15T18:38:00.001-07:00

I went to my adopted Grandma's funeral yesterday. Here are some pictures of my drive south. It was a beautiful drive down watching the sunrise....

Here's the proof that I was up before the sun! Here is some pix of the weird fog that stretched from American Fork to Provo...

The Funeral was beautiful. My cousins did a great job. Even though I brought my camera, I never knew an appropriate time to take pictures... so this was the only picture I took. It is of the family dinner table that the Mount Pleasant 4Th ward provided (Thanks so much again! It was really yummy). If anyone got any others, I would really appreciate some so please email me with them! Thanks!

Questions I got to answer:

Keriana- Why are we going to Grandma's funjournal? .... Obviously too much Dora & Diego for her.

Tristin- So who killed her mom? This was said during the viewing...

Cheyanne- Why does she look so scary dead? .... Um couldn't think of an answer for this one so I told her to be quiet...

Tristin- (during the funeral as he lay on the floor stomping) I need to eat now or I am going to die like Grandma!

Keriana- Why did they put Grandma in the ground? I explained and then ask if that was ok. She said " No. They should have put her in a glass box like Snow White so that her prince could come wake her and we could play again. Wouldn't we all like that!

The following are some shots I took the other night from my back porch. Even though they weren't taken yesterday they are glorious and a fitting end to this day's blog.

Hugs n Kisses!

Bumming it....

2009-01-12T18:08:00.001-07:00

Today has been a really off day for me. Maybe it's because the sun was hiding behind the clouds today... I don't know... but I barly had enough energy/ drive to have a shower - at 230pm. Anyway, nothing new to report other than life itself. I did fold 1 load of laundry! That's something I guess.... did get the kids to and from their busses... Keriana didn't want to get out of her pj's either today. So we just cuddled on the couch watching different things on the Disney Channels. Hopefully tomorrow I can find my happy place again! Hope you had a better day than me!

Back in Action...

2009-01-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

Ok... sorry I've missed a few days but I have been a busy bee! Dr. apts and house cleaning. Whew! My biggest project was my storage. I pulled everything out and went thru it all. I have about 8 bags of clothes that I can part with now as well as misc. junk that I don't need. Thru away about 3 garbage bags worth of stuff and gave away a garbage bag of boys clothes to my neighbor, a box of baby toys to another neighbor and filled 2 1/2 garbage bags of baby clothes to give to my neice in Reno. I am so proud of myself!

Storage Room before gutting:Storage Room AFTER gutting:

The other big project I did was my closets. They were an eyesore....

Before:

After:

There are only 2 rooms left that I have to reorganize. 1) The kids toy area.... the kids just don't get organization! 2) My craft room.... Actually it's the unfinished basement area that holds my crafts, food storage and any other unused stuff that wont fit in the other storage area. But mostly it's a mess from my christmas crafts that I didn't clean-up very well... as well as the projects I ment to finish for Christmas and didn't get to.

I have decided that my life is quite boring! Ah well.... at least I am trying to keep this page updated....

TTFN

Never a Dull Moment

2009-01-07T08:35:00.000-07:00

Last night I finally get all the kids tucked in and asleep, the dogs quieted and myself finally warm .... about 1030pm or so. I had taken a sleeping pill (Dr. prescribed so these are no weak over the counter crap) because I don't sleep sound when my husband isn't in the house with me.... and "it" started. "Beep"... "Beep"... "beep".... that lovely, high pitched, ear piercing squealing that only fire alarms can make when they need a new battery. And of course it has to be the only alarm I have located at the top of the vaulted ceiling in my bedroom.

I got up and made it to the garage to get the 7 ft ladder and hauled it up the 2 flights of stairs and into my room. The battery was changed after semi drugged deliberation on how to put the new batter back in and getting tangled up in the same spot in the hallway both on the way up and back down. This would have been challenging for me with out the added help of the sleeping drugs. I can never seem to balance a ladder without marking at least one wall. But it is done, the walls don't look worse for ware and we are safe from dying in a fire. ;)

I finally got Max to hold still for a picture. He is such

a funny dog. Apparently I wasn't paying him enough attention last night and he got into the laundry basket. He brought me one of my dirty socks as I was putting Tristin to bed. Then a different dirty sock as I was putting 'Ana to bed. At least he brings them right to me without mauling them over...

The clouds have finally lifted for a while. I actually see blue sky around me. I have decided not to complain about the snow this year. Last year, it seemed, the more I complained - the more fell. And because I don't have the "male" gene - I am guessing - I can not competently operate the snow blower, I shovel. I have decided to take a positive outlook on it this year. The more I shovel, the more I exercise, and the more weight I should loose. It's a perfectly pliable thought process... So this is how much is sitting in my yard. And because we live on the end of a cult-de-sac I have to go 1/2 way around my house... not just the normal front walk and driveway....

Its a bit above the 7 inch mark and this also proves I have scrapbook supplies!

Well I am off to start my day officially. Got Chey to her 730am bus, Tristin to his 815am bus and beds made. I have big thoughts of getting started on pulling out the storage stuff and the spare room stuff and start 'de-junking'. But I had plans to start that yesterday and got derailed by this blog and Keriana wanting me to hold her hand. I figure that I'll have many years to de clutter, clean and craft but only a few years where my daughter will actually want to hold my hand and watch Dora.... But I don't think I'll miss watching Dora repeats.... Then we have a birthday present and deicer to buy and preschool to go to and bathrooms to clean! Such excitement!

Have a great day, thanks for visiting and for your comments!

Creation

2009-01-06T13:48:00.000-07:00

Welcome! .... To you AND me!

My Sister -in -Law and her family have such wonderful blog spots and enjoy it so much I thought I should give it a go. Enjoy... and I promise to get better at it! I've never done this before and feel that I should give it a try. I am not good at journals, spelling or scrapbooks (though I have bought enough supplies I could open a small store) but I figure if I don't start I never will. So I am starting. Resolution #1 -- CHECK!

My Family and I live in a cute little place in Utah that is about a half hour North of Salt Lake City. Joe, Jamie, Cheyanne (10), Tristin (5) and Keriana (4). We have 2 dogs. Myschief (1) a schnoodle and Max (6mo.) a miniature Australian Shepherd. Max has yet to hold still for a good pix.

Christmas and New Years were fun. We spent some time with my parents and brother and his family. My creative and talented at most everything sister -in law did a yummy fondue party for New Years. She has great pix & recipes on her blog site (tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com) so I won't bore you with repetition.

Resolutions For 2009: #1 Start Journal & Scrap booking, #2 Loose some of this post surgery weight (anyway I am blaming it on the surgery) #3 Read & finish reading the scriptures. (Started plenty of times. ... need to actually make it thru them this year) #4 Learn to use my new camera. (My poor kids will end up thinking I have the camera glued to my eye if I can manage it!)

I don't have a set plan in how I am going to do this blog. I am open to suggestions! Thanks for visiting. Keep checking back as I will try to update as often as I can. 3 kids 2 dogs and a work-a-holic hubby doesn't leave too much time but I am determined. And this will be the most improved site you will visit as I get to understand this blogging thing better!