Get Our Houses in Order

View of sunrise from my kitchen, thanks to my early bird S

Warning: This is a long written post.

Just hope I motivate some of y'all to "Get Our Houses in Order."

So, for a while now, I've been really feeling the urge (prompting, if you will), to ramp up our emergency supplies (72 hour kits, 2 weeks of water, food storage, money, etc.). While students, E and I figured 1-3 months of stuff was good and just bought extra stuff at the store from time to time.

We now have a house and room to store stuff as well as a tax return, so there's no better time.

So, I called The Cannery to schedule a time to get some essentials so I will have at least a 6 month supply. They are booked more than 6 weeks out! And they are out of some basics: milk, beans, etc. Can you believe it?!

I worked for our city health department for about 3 years. While there, we had a few seminars on "Sheltering in Place" and ways to prepare for emergencies--mostly rising out of the concern of Pandemic Flu (which, btw, we are bound for one soon).

While working there, I learned that the grocery stores have maybe a 1 week's supply of food. In addition, there is a mob panic mentality that exists when disasters strike that motivates people to horde.

Let's just think about some of the shortages and price increases that are now going on with Japan's crisis: iodine . . .

And actually, things like canned wheat, beans, etc. have a 30+ year shelf life. And even some simple things like cereal, granola bars, etc. have at least a 1 year shelf life if you check the label.

Not to mention the leaders of my church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who have repeated over the years to get out of debt, be self reliant, and prepare for emergencies. Let's review some of their quotes:

Elder Ezra Taft Benson: "Should the Lord decide at this time to cleanse the Church ... a famine in this land of one year's duration could wipe out a large percentage of sloughful members, including some ward and stake officers. Yet we cannot say we have not been warned." General Conference, April 1965.

President Spencer W. Kimball: "The little gardens and a few trees are very valuable. I remember when the sisters used to say, `well, but we could buy it at the store a lot cheaper than we could put it up.' But that isn't quite the answer, is it, Sister Spafford? Because there will become a time when there isn't a store." General Conference April 1974.

President Spencer W. Kimball: "We encourage families to have on hand this year's supply and we say it over and over and over, and repeat over and over the scripture of the Lord where He says, `Why call ye me, Lord, and do not as I say?'... We also hope that you are maintaining your year's supply of food, clothing, and where possible, some fuel and cash savings." General Conference April 1976.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "I stand before the Church this day and raise the warning voice. It is a prophetic voice, for I shall say only what the apostles and the prophets have spoken concerning our day. ...It is a voice calling upon the Lord's people to prepare for the troubles and desolations which are about to be poured upon the world without measure. For the moment, we live in a day of peace and prosperity but it shall not ever be thus. Great trials lie ahead. All of the sorrows and perils of the past are but a foretaste of what is yet to be. And we must prepare ourselves temporally and spiritually." General Conference April 1979.

President Ezra Taft Benson: "Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earthquake ... cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them. Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they will somehow be set aside because of the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion. The Lord has warned and forewarned us against a day of great tribulation and given us counsel through His servants, on how we can be prepared for these difficult times. Have we heeded His counsel?" General Conference October 1980.

Elder James E. Faust: "The counsel to have a year's supply of basic food, clothing, and commodities was given fifty years ago and has been repeated many times since. Every father and mother are the family's store keepers. They should store whatever their own family would like to have in the case of an emergency...store a year's supply...that might keep us form starving in case of emergency." General Conference April 1986.

President Ezra Taft Benson: "I ask you earnestly, have you provided for your family a year's supply of food, clothing, and where possible, fuel? The revelation to produce and store food may be as essential to our temporal welfare today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah." General Conference October 1987.

President Gordon B. Hinckley, ". . . I am suggesting that the time has come to get our houses in order." October 1998

And, as "MOM" and manager of our home, if my kids are hungry and I could have prevented it--shouldn't I????

Thanks to Jamie for compiling these quotes.

Bonding with Dad . . .

This is how we do it after dad's worked one of his 24+ hour shifts . . .

Sorry Pampers . . .

I used to think Pampers were the only way to go. They are the most expensive thus they should work the best right?! Wrong.

While I still do like the Swaddlers for newborns who poop about 12 times a day, my friend, Lynnsey clued me into generic Sams club diapers as the best when I was having problems with the low fluid capacity of Pampers (read 2 year old leaking out pee). I was a little hesitant to buy my first pack of 130+ diapers. But it was worth it. Soooo much cheaper and leak free.

Sorry Pampers . . . Sams club has you beat.

What diapers do you find work best for you? (those of you who use diapers)

Still Winter

First off, I loved the comments I got from the last post. Not sure my brothers loved reading it. But you gals made me feel normal. I especially love the "bump in the back and the front." It's so true.

B was talking to Uncle Nate on the phone a couple nights ago and he asked if it was a spring. B replied, "No, it's still winter." And of course she was right--the high is 43 today. As a comparison, it was 99 degrees in Phoenix last week. Wow.

Here's one of our fun memories from Utah:


Making a snowman with Oma.

Pregnancy Thoughts

Why is it that my stomach is WAY more huge this time around than it was the 1st two?? I feel/look about 2 months bigger than I am used to and am dreading at how big I may get.

Yeah, and my butt too.

My response to bodily changes:
1st pregnancy - "Oh, this is interesting."
2nd pregnancy - "Oh yeah, I remember this."
3rd time - Groan.

Boy oh boy

Alright, well things have settled down around here a bit, so I guess it's time to give the little guy some of the spotlight. Here is the little guy about 2 weeks ago. Yep, it's a boy. Due the first of August.



We are excited and can't wait to meet him.
Although, I am a bit nervous because he was our most active yet on ultrasound, and B was doing flips, so that is saying a lot.
Bring it on. ;)

Survival Mode

Post op day 1:

We think B's surgery went well--her eyes seem better aligned and not as swollen as the last one. Doc thought so too when we saw him today. Itching seems to be her biggest complaint at this point.

Unfortunately her ear started draining nasty bloody fluid tonight just before bed. Get to call ENT in the morning and schedule another appointment. Yippee.

S has been a little beast with constant crying today. She is tired from the past couple days of getting woken up early and shipped around to different friends while we dealt with B's stuff. Hasn't been eating and pretty inconsolable. Plus a fountain of snot and coughing. Fun times. Think her stomach must of hurt her all day because right before dinner she pooped (you want details--I know!) and I think she felt much better because she actually ate breadsticks at dinner.

I'm giving her til Friday and then she wins herself a visit to the Doc.

E's working all tonight. Glad I got him to take off work during the day or I would be in the looney bin right now.

Instead, my nausea just decided to come back for the evening when he was gone. Nice. Did I mention I am prego? Boy. Due in August. Don't worry, he'll get his own little post soon enough.

Fazoli's tasted gross. But hanging out watching Tinkerbell with my girls was fun. S stopped crying for that.

All in all, it was about the same as what I remember about post op day 1 last time. It's usually the Worst day and then it gets better from here.

You should see my house. Then it would make you feel better about your own. :)

And how much I have spent in parking at the hospital in the last week! $$

But gotta say a big Thank you to my friend, Kaicie, who not only watched S all day yesterday but also brought us dinner last night!

And many thanks for the calls/emails from you-know-who-you are. To be honest, I am too exhausted to call back at this point and when S is awake I can't hear over her crying anyhow. But I do appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

And know that I do realize you, true friends, are priceless.

We're Back!

So, we're back in the frozen tundra.

But we did have a lovely time visiting the warmer areas of the U.S.A.

Lots of fun and firsts.

Did a little horseback riding:



Visited Vegas for a night.

Went fishing with Grandpa in southern UT:



Taught B how to ski in the Rockies--firsts for both me (teaching) and her. Oma helped us get her up and down the ski lifts/hills.



Also first ice skating for B with soon to be uncle Doug, aunt Tressa, and grandpa O.


More later.

Since it's still soup season, here's a DELICIOUS twist on tomato soup that Jessica cooked up for me when I stayed with her for a night. Try it out! Add some bread and it's a meal.

Oh yeah, and pray for B since she will go under the knife again tomorrow for her eyes and ears. This is her 3rd in 3 years. Hopefully I can make posting a weekly happening now that we're back.

2 Year Old Escape Artist

So, I am appealing to you all for advice.

In the past couple days my 2 year old has discovered how to climb out of her crib. She doesn't hurt herself (I thought she would and that would be a deterrent) and it is disturbing all our sleep. And she is stealth in action.

Last night, 1:22 am, I wake up cause think I hear her calling my name. Then my door hinges creak. Standing there is little S with her paci and blanket in tow who has turned on the kitchen lights and is wandering around the apartment. She said she wanted to sleep in our room. Luckily, we had the portacrib up in our closet from when we had visitors and had to squish, so I stick her in there and after a few songs, she agrees to be quiet. I go to bed but stay awake for an hour thinking I hear the closet door opening. Let's just say, I don't sleep very restfully the rest of the night as I keep hearing noises that could be her sneaking around the apartment.

I didn't switch B to a normal bed til she was closer to 3 and she stayed there and would call out in the morning to get out of bed. She wandered maybe one night but was easier to deal with since she could understand more, etc.

HELP!!!

Any advice for getting her to stay in her bed?!! I have heard of crib tents or locking the door from the outside but have never tried this. What do you think?!!

p.s. 2 year old in our bed is Not an option.

Beautiful Cakes in Phoenix

So, I was trying out a new neighborhood store and came upon this cute little European pastry shop in the same strip mall. From the outside it didn't look like much. But once I walked in and saw the walls lined with rows and rows of beautiful cakes, it took my breath away.

And of course, my girls and I had to try the pastries they had, which were delicious.

So if you're in the Phoenix area and looking for a gorgeous cake try:

http://www.icingonmycake.com/

Where The . . . .??

So, I've been absent for some time. Where? you say.

Well, immediately after the hustle and bustle that comes with Christmas, we tried to pack up our most essential items, clean our house (which had turned into a post-Christmas disaster), and winterize our home (i.e. roof rake, furnace tune-up, etc.) since we are in sunny AZ for TWO months!

It's an all-expense paid vacation (for me) to the desert while E works hard at Mayo Scottsdale for us. Thanks love! Our internet connection is less than stellar here, and we're just having too much fun enjoying the warmth to blog, so we'll see how much I do.


But here's a DElicious recipe for those who like Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo. I have never found a recipe I love (insert yummy & easy) until this. And it's crock pot!


Michelle Cardon's Cream Cheese Chicken Fettuccine:
Cook for 6hrs in Crock pot on low:
4 boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cube butter
1 packet Italian Dressing
Then cut chicken in to bite sized pieces place back in Crock pot and add:
2 8oz) packages Cream Cheese
1 Family size can of Cream of Chicken Soup
1/2c water
Cook for 45 minutes on high
Serve over cooked noodles.

Merry Christmas!

For a little reminder of the Reason for the Season watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNQpnoLmZ7A

Empathy

Here's a good article I came across last week. Short and sweet.

I also listened to a lecture by Craig Hart, a BYU MFHD professor, who summed up a lot of his research on parenting/discipline and how it is reflected in the child's social interactions (i.e. if you use intimidation/guilt your child is more likely to be the queen bee and "mean girl" type of person, etc.).

I remember my own experience of being bullied in 4th Grade when I changed schools. I'd cry into my pillow at night quite often. Besides the verbal assaults leveled against me, I can still remember a boy spitting in my face. That being said, there were a couple other kids who had it far worse than me and I remember a group of kids kicking or pushing this one boy in particular. Often. I've often regretted not doing something to stop them and have since written him an apology. But let's be honest, my own sense of self worth was a bit low at that point.

I hope my kids are never the one to throw verbal or physical punches at someone. And so I begin my journey to help them discover EMPATHY . . .

How Parenting with Emotional Intelligence Can Weaken Bullying

December 8, 2010

by Keyuri Joshi of "On the Ball Parenting Blog"

Share

Somewhere out there is Laura. I don’t know anything about her except that she wrote this poignant poem titled “I Am”. The poem has been used in anti bullying campaigns around the world, and today I’d like to share it with you.

I AM

I am the person you bullied in school
I am the one who didn’t know how to be cool
I am the person you alienated
I am the person you ridiculed and hated

I am the person who sat on their own
I am the person who walked home alone
I am the person you scared every day
I am the person who had nothing to say

I am the person with hurt in their eyes
I am the person you never saw cry
I am the person living alone with their fears
I am the person destroyed by their peers

I am the person who drowned in your scorn
I am the person who wished they hadn’t been born
I am the person whose name you don’t know
I am the person who just can’t let go

I am the person destroyed for ‘fun’
I am the person, but not the only one
I am the person who had feelings too
..and I am a person, JUST LIKE YOU!!!

This poem evokes immense empathy by the preponderance of those who read it. The dictionary defines empathy as“understanding” or “a deep emotional understanding of another’s feelings or problems”. Having researched the value of emotional and social intelligence (ESI) skills in our youth, I can tell you that development of empathy as a key competency renders positive results for personal satisfaction and healthy relationships. Though some believe that empathy is innate, I’m with the majority and believe that empathy can, and should be, taught to children at the earliest cognitive opportunity. I envision empathy as a tool for carving out a kinder world in which there is diminished bullying and a population of children that is happier to the core. Reading this poem with your kids and creating dialogue of what it must be like to be a bullied person is one approach to create awareness and fruitful action, but we need more.

Please contribute to our comments section and share your positive ideas or rewarding personal stories on how we, as a community can increase empathy to decrease bullying of any kind. Then, consider sharing the article with anyone and everyone you know who can make a difference at home and beyond. Ask them to participate too. It does take a village!

Keyuri Joshi RN, MSN, is a Certified Parenting and Emotional Intelligence Coach. A “personal trainer” for parents, Keyuri assists moms or dads build and use a toolbox to achieve any goals they desire. She also teaches parents to build emotional and social intelligence skills in children. These are research proven “must have” skills which schools do not teach."

http://www.mamapedia.com/voices/how-parenting-with-emotional-intelligence-can-weaken-bullying

5K

So this year I got back into running.

It's been awhile.

I used to run for exercise in college, but that was Forever ago, and since then I would just do the elliptical and think "ugh" about lacing on some running shoes. Not to mention the knee problems (overuse injuries) I always encountered due to trying to jump back into it too fast.

SO, Let me tell you about this awesome program that can get you off the couch, GRADUALLY, and into shape: Couch to 5K

Mauri, me, and Lisa - Oct. 5K

And a book that will inspire you to run: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall and challenge the way you think about this exercise.

When I started back into things in March, I ran for time--a treadmill kept me on track. I made my goal a Race in May for a skin cancer, since that has affected me personally.

Then, I realized the benefit of the gym we go to where I can drop my kids off and take my cell phone with and run on the trails OUTside! There are some awesome hills that I would try to run weekly as a goal. So much more fun than a treadmill! It is way easier than it sounds with starting out alternating running and walking for 20 minutes 3 times a week.

I grew to LOVE my time outside by myself running through the trees, listening to whatever inspiring music (or nature) I cared to. I could choose to run along a river, by some woods, or in a gorgeous historic neighborhood.

I ran my first 5K in May. Never done a long distance race before. I was more a sprint person as a teenager. Then, another one two weeks later. My final one was this fall on October 30th, after running all summer. It was awesome. You can't tell from the picture but it was cold enough to see our breath when we started out that morning. My time improved by over 2 1/2 minutes! That is amazing to me. I am still a beginner, but I feel so empowered and discovered the fun in running again.

Here's to running in the future! It is harder in the winter now that I am having to retreat indoors. But I have read up on winter running, and may brave the sub-freezing temperatures on of these days to get my outdoor solace back.

So, try it. I dare ya.

You may even join me on one of my barefoot runs come this summer. ;)

Birthday Season

Growing up, it seemed Spring time was birthday season my family. But me and the girls have ours all in the fall. And between those, back to school stuff, and the fun holidays, it is a BUSY time. Especially now that I'm the mom doing the birthday stuff. I can totally understand why we had an every-other-year friends' birthday party policy. They are So fun and So exhausting.

Here's some highlights from B's Princess and Prince/Knight Party:

It was a success in every way!

Post Thanksgiving

Quote from Bella as she and her sister were sitting on the couch preparing to watch a movie with me:

"Sisi, you need to scoot all the way over next to me cause mom has a BIG butt."


Ah . . . from the mouths of babes. :)

Because We All Need iNspiration

This 20 minute video on John Tanner, an early Mormon pioneer, is worth every minute:

http://www.byutv.org/watch/2040-100

Chunky Milk is Gross to Clean Up

Yep, you've guessed what I've been doing today. :(

Actually, it was just this morning. The littlest chunky monkey didn't eat or drink too much today so there wasn't much to come up. And I must say, this girlie is quite the champ when she's sick. No crying. I always feel like crying when I throw up. She was just retching while playing dollhouse and continued to make believe with the plastic figures as I put her in the bathtub so it would catch the rest of what was coming out. She only told me her "tummy hut" and wanted me to "cairwy ewe" a few times (which is pretty normal since she says that when she has to poop or wants medicine--yes, it's yummy). Oh yeah, and she fell asleep standing up. Sad.

Hope she feels better tomorrow. . .

after "playing" in the sandbox, yum.

Back to her Sassyfras self.

1st Day of Preschool

I know, I know. It was a long time ago.
And sadly this is the best picture I have of the day.

Of course we were running late so me, being the awesome mom I am, whipped out a few blurry photos and figured they'd work.

Glued

We are too cheap to pay for cable right now.
So this is how we watch football:

They must not be winning. :)

Good Morning Sunshine!

It Could Be Worse . . .

After I read this article on CNN, I realized that although we, as Americans, do have our share of challenges when it comes to healthcare. It could be worse.

And thanks to a fellow resident wife who received this letter yesterday and chose to share it with us:


"Dear Mrs. Millar,


Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding health care reform legislation. I appreciate your interest in the issues facing our country and state, and I am glad for the opportunity to respond to your inquiry.

During my time in Congress, there may have been only a handful of issues that have captured peoples' attention and generated as much passionate debate as health care. For the last year, our country has been engaged in an intense conversation about how important healthcare reform is and about how important it is to get it right. I certainly respect the passion that is out there, and the emotion around the health care issue. It affects everyone so personally, including me. Now, after so much debate, a new healthcare policy has been signed into law. The emotions remain and I hold out great hope that more work can be done on reform.

Ever rising costs and growing ranks of the uninsured illustrate why health care reform is needed. There are policies in the new law we all embrace. Now, in our country, people will not be denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition. And that is a blessing to so many. Now, in our country, more children and young adults will have coverage. For so many families, that will mean peace of mind.

However I want to be clear about a critically important goal that still remains. After all the wrangling, the new law is too expensive, contains too many special deals, does not do enough to contain health care costs and?"according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Actuary?"will result in increases in health insurance premiums for many Utahns. For those reasons and others, I could not support the bill.

Controlling rising health care costs, increasing quality and value and improving access to health care and to affordable health insurance coverage are critically important to me. But the wrong kind of reform?"reform which increases health care costs for individuals and for large and small employers?"does not accomplish these goals.

I rolled up my sleeves during this debate. I spent hours in health care hearings. I have met with White House officials and Congressional leadership for hours to work toward language that would not just lower the growth of costs, but drive down costs to consumers. I have talked with thousands of Utahns about health care reform in general and this legislation in particular and in important areas, it falls short. It does not come close to eliminating Medicare's long-term budget deficit. Special deals benefiting Louisiana, Tennessee, Connecticut, and Montana were left in the bill?"benefits that were not extended to other states. The pilot programs for medical malpractice reform don't help doctors who are forced to practice defensive medicine, nor patients who are trapped in a dysfunctional system where 54 cents of every malpractice awarded dollar go to pay legal fees. The bloat and waste contributing to the fact that we spend 50 percent more on health care than the next industrialized country?"while our medical outcomes are merely average?"isn't addressed.

You might think these concerns are too pessimistic, until you look at what has already happened in the case of one state that opted to implement increased coverage without implementing reforms to rein in the high cost of health care.

It has been three and a half years since Massachusetts enacted bipartisan legislation to provide health care coverage to nearly all state residents. It imposed an individual mandate for the purchase of health insurance. Since its inception, 430,000 people have gained coverage?"a good thing. However, Massachusetts did not enact reforms to address rising health care costs.

Since then, the demand for care?"particularly in medically underserved communities?"has increased. But escalating health care costs are already preventing some newly-insured residents from getting care. In fact, one in five residents went without needed care in the past year because of cost. People with disabilities and those in poor health experienced the greatest barriers. Also, Massachusetts now suffers from some of the worst primary care wait times in the country, despite having the highest concentration of doctors nationwide. One state health plan and its hospital?" Cambridge Hospital ?"had some HIV and Hodgkin's lymphoma patients experience an interruption in their care, because they couldn't afford increased co-payments. In Massachusetts, growth in health care costs has compromised the effort to provide health insurance coverage.

While it is important that a means be found to enable everyone (including those who are currently uninsured) to be able to afford health insurance, achieving that goal cannot occur at the expense of people who are presently insured. The challenge of reforming our health care system?"especially cost containment?"still confronts us.

The passion around this debate is important. We need robust debate to make good policy and I embrace those difficult conversations. A year of debate is a long time, but there is a decade of work ahead to move this policy to a place where it can meet the ultimate goal of increasing coverage and lowering costs to Americans.

Again, thank you for sharing your concerns with me. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact my office.


Best Wishes,

M

JIM MATHESON

Member of Congress"

Classic S Girl

Just like her daddy!

Quotable

I've been thinking about this a lot lately and trying to REprioritize and simplify my life:

“I used to think I could do everything, that my babies would be fine squeezed into the rest of my To Do list. Today I know that children must rise to the top of the list, and that list must dwindle considerably.” ~ Iris Krasnow

For more on this and an interesting read anytime, visit 71 Toes, written by a woman I've looked up to since I can remember.

1st Amusement Park Ride

This summer we (or I should say grandpa Freeman-thanks!) took the kids to Lagoon. I loved going here once a summer as a kid.

B loved the rides. S did not.

Here is B on her 1st ride:

Dad volunteered to go while I corralled S and took pictures.

"Who is this guy pushing down the bar on my lap?"--don't we all think that?!

Excited!

LOVED it!!

SIU

Here's something I wrote a few weeks ago that shows the reality of my life. I finally got the courage to post it:


" . . . But the truth of it is that this very busy time of year has me pooped.

It's Bella's birthday week. So, besides gearing up for that and the festivities it brings, Eric's been working a few 24+ hour shifts that have us all tired.

So, here's to being more patient tomorrow, since I can always work on that.

A story for you:
While cleaning up the kitchen, a mom (who shall remain nameless) was getting sick of her older daughter tattling on every little thing her YOUNGER sister was doing to her while they were on the couch together watching a show. As in tattling, I mean yelling up the stairs, "Mom . . . she's bugging me." "Mom, she's touching me." "Mom, she's pinching me." "Mom, She won't give me fish." Etc. etc.
The mother gave the usual replies, "S, don't do that." "S, give your sister fish." "S, we share." "S, do you want to go to time out?" etc. Finally, after an excessive amount of this, in the spirit of Monk (as in the TV show), the mother yelled down, "Suck it Up!"

I am in shock. I still have no idea what would possess a mother to say such horrid things to her daughter!?!"

~~don't worry, we are better now. :)

Redemption

And just to redeem myself so that you can see
the true Beauty of our only female Eating Contest contestant.
Here she is as her petite, cute, sparkly self surrounded by tall strapping Free - men:

Love ya Joyce!

Eating Contest

So, I've been debating posting these pictures for a while, but every time I see them I just laugh. And so I thought I should because I know EVERYONE just loves to see themselves in an eating contest. ;)

A little background: the Freeman Family Olympics were held this year at E's fam reunion. Us 20+ peeps were divided in 4 teams as fairly as possible. We tried to divide it up so everyone got to do 2 events. There were many events listed here such as Bocce ball, "roll the ball," card games, float the river, etc. etc. AND an EATING CONTEST. Props to Joyce who was nominated as her team's representative and was the only female Eating Contest contestant.

Pictures speak for themselves:

Pre-donut anticipation!!

The FIRST bite--(love how the little boys are so excited that their parents are doing this!)

Working at it!

I think I hear gagging and laughing going on here:

Father vs. Son: Josh--have you even taken one bite yet?! ;)

And to be honest I don't remember, but I'm pretty sure Uncle 'Teve was our winner!!!

And in case you were wondering how Joyce felt after eating a donut in less than a minute, here's a picture for you. Seriously, wow. I would want to gag too:


You go girl.

the Patch

Truth be told, I am not a fan of the patch.
The eye patch.
Bella's eye patch.
Those of you who have had to have this annoying bandaid thing cover your eye or convince your child to wear it on their eye for 4-6 hours a day know what I'm talking about. And those of you who don't can imagine, I'm sure.
Here she is wearing it on her birthday last year:


It seems like around this time every year we are told she needs to patch her eye again for a 6 week trial period to see if it will do anything to help her eyes. And it doesn't. But we do it anyways.

So here we are again, doing the patch to see if it will help her again.

Cross your fingers that this time it works so we won't have to do another surgery.

Family Pictures 2010

Bella's bday was great this week. When I get the chance I'll upload the pictures. But for now, here's some pics I've been promising some of my gentle readers.

As you can see, S did not thing fam pics were fun. She HAD to be held by ONLY mom. No grass poses. No dad. No anyone. And we were lucky to get B to look at the camera. We found out afterwards she had Otitis Externa (Swimmers Ear) and lots of stuff was draining from her ear. I hear it kills. No wonder she was not into it.

But don't worry, we had some cute ones in the end:

Here B was able to play with my bracelet: (but you can't tell right?)

These are courtesy of our friend, Monica, who drove all the way with her baby and husband to E's family reunion in Morgan, UT in July and took pictures.

Which one do you like best?

I love this one except I think I look bigger than the E in this pic:

Go here to see more pics of the shoot.

Happy Birthday Bella!

Our cutie is turning 4 this week!

We are so excited for her!

Just hoping I can survive it. The party I mean. :)

I Saw Things Going Differently in My Head . . .

So, for a long time I've been thinking of having some gals together for lunch. While visiting Ohio, I was invited to a "lunch bunch" which consisted of 5 gals who rotate homes for a gourmet lunch every week. It was fun, classy, delicious, and the kids just seemed to do really well too.

So, I thought, no big deal, I can do this.

Plus, one of my friends is due to have her 3rd child, so I thought it would be good to combine a lunch or "brunch"--which sounds more fancy--with a little shower for her. Turns out she didn't want the attention of a shower. So that idea was partly nixed, although I still thought I'd try to make it more for her with her friends, etc.

In my mind, I envisioned a nicely set table, people arriving to piping hot food. Interesting, fun conversation, with all our children playing together in a quiet, nice way. The food done at the exact hour that the brunch should start. We (as in the adults) eat, with kids in and out. And then the second half, the kitchen gets clean super quick (by itself) while we chat and make these cool bracelets from soda tops. So, I called some friends and we set it for 10 today.

This is how it went:
I wake up at 5, toss and turn for 1/2 hour and get up at 5:30 and work on the computer for about an hour. Then realize the kids aren't getting up anytime soon and fall asleep on the couch til 7:45 when I hear Sierra calling out from her crib saying that she pooped. Good thing: sleeping in. Bad thing: sleeping in and not ready.
Get that all cleaned up and try to read my scriptures while giving S her milk. S keeps wanting me to read her books instead. I try to clean up the kitchen and straighten the house while Bella still sleeps (she never sleeps this late!!!) which I figure is good since it's her first day of afternoon preschool with no nap today. Finally, I wake her up at 8:30 since Sierra waits to eat her breakfast til Bella's up and she just can't wait longer. Bella is in a grumpy mood and puts a pillow over her head for a half hour while S plays in her room and I try to throw myself together. No shower. No time to do hair. Just trying to make myself look presentable at this point.
By 9:15 B is at least up and getting dressed and has a meltdown because she wants her braid down and I tell her I need to redo it. She won't "come here" so I can do it. Crying continues until she looks in a mirror and decides she likes it. Well, at least I'm pretty much ready at this point although I still have a pj shirt with no bra.

I start clearing off the counters and mixing up the crepes which then have to refrigerate. Finally at 9:25 the kids are having breakfast and I'm starting the dishwasher and figuring out the Kisag for whipping cream. We say a prayer for breakfast since I've already lost my temper twice with the kids and am a little stressed at this point. The kids finish up breakfast surprisingly quickly (in 10 minutes) and I look out the window to see a friend pulled up in her car! It's only 9:35! I run downstairs and throw a shirt (and bra) on and joke with her at the door about telling her a half hour late next time. :)

Of course, the table is not set with nice plates or glasses, the crepes are not cooked, the fruit is not cut up. I haven't had a chance to run a hot iron through my hair, so it's a bit crazy. And there's still milk all over the table from breakfast. I come up to the kitchen to find that Bella has spilled a pint of cream all over herself and the floor. Ahhh!!

Needless to say, things did not go as planned. I think Sierra had a few fits during the time frame. In fact, at one point she was screaming so loudly over a string cheese in her hand that she didn't want me to open for her after I had already opened it, and I just decided to tune her out. Luckily, the other moms have multiple kids, so they seemed to understand. In my mind, I thanked them. Plus, I have never made crepes before. I don't think we even ate til 11.

Oh well. Welcome to reality.
I think people had fun. At least I hope they did, even if I was a bit self conscious about everything going smoothly. And I'm glad that this was not a shower for my friend or I would have been embarrassed.

But, I guess this is a learning experience for next time and how I should plan ahead and lower my expectations. . . :)

Jeni's Ice Cream, Columbus, OH

Mmmm . . . . now doesn't that look tasty?! A memory from June.

Except for the super tall person on the end who has a bad hair day and was wearing her husband's shorts. lol.