My adorable nephew Aj

This is Aj my adorable nephew. His parents are my brother Jeff and his wife Bonnie. Jeff left about 2 weeks ago for a 7 month deployment. Isn't Aj so cute? I wonder what his new sibling will be a boy or a girl? But I am sure they will be just as cute as Aj. That's right everyone Aj is going to be a big brother. Jeff gets back in the middle of October and Aj's new sibling will make their debut at the end of November.

So if everyone could send extra prayers their way. Some for the safety of Jeff as he is protecting our country. Some for Bonnie as pregnancy is not easy for her. And also for her that she will have the strength to go at this while Jeff is gone. Congrats to Jeff and Bonnie I am so happy. I know that Aj will be such a good big brother, he is such a loving little boy.

Any advice?

I need help with 2 things. I need advice please help. Taylin has a cold after all that she has gone through poor thing. She is suppose to be taking childrens advil for her pain, which I am not sure if she has any. But I have been making her take it cause of the cold. I need advice on how to get a stubborn child to take her medicine. She will sit at the counter for a half an hour sometimes telling me reasons why she can't take it. I would usually lay her on the ground and have to use a syringe and put it in her mouth. I know I am mean, but I can't do it since I usually have to pry her mouth open and she has stitches. Please help.
The 2nd thing I need help on is those EKG sticker things they put on your chest area while you are in surgery. Taylin has 6 of them on her poor little body and they are glued on there pretty good. She has soaked and soaked in the tub and it doesn't seem to help loosen them any. Does anybody know of a way to get these off?
Please help me out and I welcome any suggestions. Just know that bribing does not work for this child.

Blast from the past

I was looking at some photos from the past and came across some that are rather funny. Take a look at how young my girls were, it was about 3 years ago. Take a look at Taylin's hair it's absolutely hilarious. She would never keep anything in it at that age. To think I actually took her out in public.

Taylin update

Taylin's adventure began today at about 7am when we left for the hospital. It was a cold winter morning. Yes, you read that right. It's March 28th and it was snowing this morning, how retarded. We got to the hospital and Taylin was taken up to her very own room. When we got to her room she had a brand new princess barbie waiting for her on her bed. I love Legacy hospital, they have the best pediatrics. After the nurse took all of her necessary info she told Taylin they had a play room that she could go play in if she wanted to. Of course she had to go and play it was so nice. It really took the edge off and lowered her anxiety level. We went back to her room and then the nurse came in to inform me that she was going to give Taylin some oral medication to calm her nerves. Hahahaha. You just don't come in a room and tell Taylin she is going to have some medicine, sorry it's not going to happen. After about 5 minutes she still wouldn't take it so the nurse told Taylin she was going to get another nurse to come help her take it. While she was gone Taylin looked at me and said hurry mommy help me take this. So I gave it to her and she made the nurse very happy. Then the nurse came to transport her in her bed down to the surgical area while we waited for the Dr. and the anesthesiologist. Taylin's medication was kicking in as she was trying to play with her barbie but it kept falling to her bed. Then she would try and tell me something but I couldn't make out a single word and then she would just laugh. Her surgery lasted about 2 hours and they came out and let me go see her in recovery. As soon as she saw me she tried to rip all of the stuff out of her arm and then decided to try and get out of the bed. We then went back upstairs to her room where she slept alot more. She woke up and wanted a grilled cheese sandwich cause that's what Papa had in the hospital and that's what she wanted. She didn't eat it though. She had a Popsicle some jello and some apple juice. I am very proud of Taylin for not causing any bodily harm to the hospital staff. I am more proud of her for being so brave and such a trooper. Here are some pictures of the day. She arrived in the hospital in her normal jammies and then got to put on special hospital jammies.

I bet everyone wants to know why she had surgery. Taylin is stubborn, 3 dentists later she wouldn't let anyone look in her mouth. We couldn't even get her teeth cleaned. So the dentist knew she had some work to be done so he scheduled her to have all this done at the hospital for everyones safety involved. After taking xrays of her teeth here is what they did: she had 4 route canals with caps put on all 4 of those teeth, she had her teeth cleaned, she had flouride and sealants put on all her teeth. It gets better. You know that muscle thingy that attaches to right above your gums and connects to your lip? Well hers connected from her lip to in between her 2 front teeth. So they had to snip that and the Dr. said it was one of the toughest muscles he has ever seen. So that required 2 stitches. But she is home now and just lounging around. What a day.

Taylin's surgery

Taylin is having surgery tomorrow. I am not worried about the surgery itself, rather the whole knocking her out and then when she comes too. The hospital called to tell me everything that was going to go on and said they would give Taylin an oral medication to calm her before the real stuff. I couldn't do anything but laugh on the phone and I told the nurse good luck with that one. She said they wouldn't give her her IV until she is all the way out. Poor little girl. She hated me after her immunizations of few days ago and I can only imagine what she will think of me when this is all done. I don't think she will be happy as we have to check in to the hospital by 7:30, that means leave the house by 7:00am. It's not even here yet and I am stressing, she is not a morning person and then the whole going to the hospital for surgery. It will be a very long day to say the least. Please keep her in your thoughts and also pray that she doesn't beat anybody up or tell them off.

Albertson's

There is an Albertsons in my area that is going out of business. They were advertising some good sales of some things up to 50% off. So I needed to pick up a few things, I normally don't shop there cause it's a rip off. I prefer the cheaper grocers, not Super Walmarts, I use to work there and well yeah. So I went to Albertsons looked around and of course they didn't have the things I needed they were already out of those items. I looked around at the prices and they were beyond outrageous. Even after the discount they were still extremely high. My cousin Erica would love me cause I did score on chocolate chips and well I now have to make lots of cookies. Sorry you weren't closer as I have been told my chocolate chips cookies are the best. I was just in awe of the prices there, they were very high. By the time the discounts kicked in you were still paying an arm and an leg for some basic stuff. And yet we wonder why they are closing? Maybe they should take a look at their prices and they should lower them to keep up with the other grocers in the area. This is the 2nd Albertsons in the area to be closing in the past 2 years. Yeah I am bored and have nothing to do then to blog about Albertsons and the great deal I found on chocolate chips.

American Idol vs Dancing With the Stars

I have been a fan of American Idol since the very first season. I have a pretty good ear and I usually guess the winner early on. I haven't missed a season yet. Then there is Dancing with the Stars, I love it. But why must these 2 be on at almost the same exact times? Whoever thought of this idea? I have to switch back and forth back and forth and hope I don't miss anything. My dad was watching DWTS so I knew he had my back in case I missed who got kicked off while I was watching AI.

This season of AI is awesome. I think it is a very talented group and it's kind of hard to pick the one. My favorites are well just about all of them. There are a few that really need to go, for example the girl from Oregon. She just needs to go. She had a good performance tonight according to the judges, I felt otherwise and she just has to go. I think it's going to be tough to decide the winner this year, but like I said about half of them need to just be gone.

Well that's all, I was just bummed that these 2 shows have to be on about the same time. I am even more upset that the girl from Oregon is still on AI. I have to go now to watch DWTS.

Taylin loves me again

Today Taylin didn't love me, but she does again. She had her pre-op appt today which was just her well child check. I knew in the back of my mind that she needed her immunizations for school in the fall, but I didn't say anything to her. I didn't say anything cause I wasn't sure if they would do it with her procedure coming up in case she had a reaction or something. So she had her full exam and she is progressing as normal. I told the Dr. how I think she has ADD. Taylin is a very active child and being from a family full of ADD people I know what it's all about. There are times where we get her a Mt. Dew just so she will fall asleep, this is what caffeine does to people who have ADD. I told the Dr. I wasn't willing to medicate her and asked what my other options were. She said she could see someone about her behavior, but I told the Dr. she wasn't that bad with her behavior. She said as long as we can tolerate her than she is fine. They don't typically diagnose kids with ADD until they are in the 1st or 2nd grade. So then it was time. The Dr. told Taylin she needed to get 5 shots. I was really sad and thought how many people were going to be needed for this process in holding her down. However, it was just the nurse giving the shots and myself. She did such a good job I was so proud of her. So 2 things good came of this visit. She got the go ahead for her surgery on Friday and she is now ready to start kindergarten in the fall. What an exciting day, but I must admit it was sad for my baby to get her kindergarten shots. Let's just say it was a day full of chocolate to make up for it all.

Digital TV converters

In case you have been hiding under a rock for sometime you know that the government has decided to switch TV's to digital. This change will come in February 2009. All TV's will have to be compatible for this change. You can always buy a brand new one like Eric really wants. I however, would rather spend money on something else other than a TV. I was watching the news this evening and they gave a website where you can go to get 2 coupons to be used for the converter boxes. The coupons have a $40 value, so your converter box would be about ten bucks give or take. Eric is bummed as I once again saved us money and he of course loses on a new TV. The coupons do however, have to be used within 90 days of receiving them. Like I said you can receive 2 coupons per address. The website is www.DTV2009.gov. Once you get on there go to Apply for coupon. I am really glad I watched a second of the news tonight and saved us on not having to buy a new tv.

What's up Doc?

So I don't scrap book but the girls and I made a bunny cake for dessert. It required coconut for some added texture, but if I put that on then it wouldn't have been edible. The girls did a good job decorating it.

Happy Easter

I hope everyone has a Happy Easter. Enjoy all the great food. Yummy.

Easter eggs

Last night we dyed Easter eggs, it was so much fun. I am not one to get super excited about holidays, but I always make sure the eggs get dyed every year. I don't ever remember dying eggs as a child. In fact the first Easter of dying eggs that comes to mind was in 2000. I was 6 months pregnant and went to Utah to visit my family for Easter. All my family was there except for Shannon. I get this wild idea to dye eggs. The only takers at first was my dad and I. We went to get eggs, I mean alot of eggs. When it was time to start my dad and I sat like little children dying Easter eggs. Those who thought it was un cool later joined in. It was really fun. I started dying eggs with my kids before they could sit up or talk. Then we hide them. It has always been my kids, my kids and Jeffy pooh, or my kids with my mom and dad. This year, however, it will be my kids and Tabitha. But something tells me Eric and Toby will somehow have more fun then the 3 sweet girls. Toby, Abby, and Tabitha came over last night to dye the eggs, it was so much fun. The 3 girls are so different. Hailey making sure her eggs turn out just right, Taylin trying to see how much dye she can get all over the counter, and Tabitha putting her eggs in the cup and then taking them out standing up and saying, "I did it". Here are some pictures of our fun night.

Sad Accident, but no injuries

Today I had a sad accident that literally almost brought me to tears. Those who know me well know it's almost impossible to do such a thing. As my sister Trish would say I am dead inside. I cry at the appropriate things though I must say, births, deaths, seeing my brother leave on a ship, you know stuff like that. But today it almost happened, we came very close boys and girls very close.

Let me set the scene up for you. Taylin slept in, the best thing ever. I cleaned the downstairs, imagine that, how odd. I pull out my nice beautiful new vacuum cleaner and I start to vacuum. I splurged on this vacuum and I am so happy I did. It has the most amazing sucking powers (the vacuum people get your heads out of the gutter). So I vacuum. Did I mention the Vacuum was named after me? It's called the boss. Hehe

Then I get close to the computer desk. Our last house was really really old and they didn't believe in having a phone jack where I needed one obviously right next to my computer. I don't know why they didn't have me in mind when they built the ugly thing. I just insulted myself cause I said the house was really really old, it was built the same year I was born:( Ok so we had a really really long cord to satisfy my internet addiction at the old house. I am a believer in not replacing things if they aren't broken so I have my really long cord for an area that it really doesn't need to be that long. But it's ok it looks like a snake coiled up in the corner.

I started to vacuum and what do you know the vacuum sucked that cord right up and it went around for what seemed like miles. I thought oh crap I ruined the cord which means I can't get on my computer. That's ok I could finally get a new short cord and I could live with it. But then there was that smell. My nice new vacuum was smokin'. Seriously I could feel the tears coming, but I held back I was not going to cry over my vacuum. I pulled the miles of cord out of the vacuum and to my amazement they were perfect. I didn't ruin them. Then I looked at "the boss" and no way was it going to end its short lived life. I stood that thing up turned it on and it worked as if it had never even smoked. I continued to vacuum and it continued to suck. What a good day it turned out to be. The internet and the vacuum cleaner still work, 2 things I can not live without.

Help

So I want to change my background and I really do know how to find one. But why is it when I am about to change it it seems like it deletes everything. I don't want to delete my links or my pictures every time and then have to add everything again. Can somebody please give me some advice and tell me how to change my background without losing all my stuff. Thanks. Well today Hailey has a dentist appointment. grrrrrr. I hope everyone has a fantastic day.

Scrapbooking......Should I or shouldn't I????

This post may be alot of rambling and it may not make sense. I have A.D.D and my thoughts are going much faster than I can type. This is why I love having conversations with Trish cause we both talk really really fast when we are together. I love watching my dad when Trish and I talk cause he gets really lost and confused. Anyways as you can tell I have A.D.D and in no way did that piece of information go along with my post.

I have a problem. My sister Trish thinks I should start scrapbooking. I like the idea of scrapbooking and I like to look at others fine artwork. But I don't think it's right for me here is why. I have OCD along with A.D.D, I self diagnosed myself with the OCD. I like everything to have a place and everything in it's place. I don't like the idea of printing all of my pictures cause it's just so much nicer having them all on my disks. They aren't messy, but I do want to print them.

Another problem. I am not crafty or artsy. Don't make me even attempt to do an art project a will pay triple to pay for it to be completely assembled in the store. All the things that go along with scrapbooking just giving me a stomach ache. All those little crafty stuff that I would have to use to try and make something somewhat presentable. Seriously and the mess it makes can you imagine. You get glue and stuff all over your hands then you have to cut and then you have scraps all over the place.

Then I might be able to come up with one page that may look cute then I have the need to duplicate the same design page after page. Not very exciting if you ask me.

I feel part of my Mormon stay at home duties is to do a scrapbook for each of my children (phew good thing I only have 2 not a whole herd of them). Are my girls going to be really mad at me that they don't have a cute scrapbook? Would they even appreciate that it took their OCD mother 1 year to come up with one page because of the great big mess it made?

So here is my goal. I am going to print off all the pictures that need to be printed. Sort them out into groups and then match them up to all the pretty crap at the scrapbook store. Easy enough right? No it's very hard for me. I happened to walk by a scrapbook store that was moving and everything was on sale. So I went in not even knowing what I was looking at. I was overwhelmed almost on the verge of a panic attack cause there was so much stuff. So I got some paper everyone needs paper right? I even got some other things and I spent a poor pathetic $4.05. Good job Sandy way to go. At least I won't feel bad if I don't use it.

Anyways so I will go print off my pictures on Friday and there is a reason they are still on disk too. Those big printers intimidate me, I am always afraid I am going to break them. Well, I am going to go this whole subject might cause me to break out in a rash if I don't stop.

Blog worth bragging about

This blog I am going to brag a little, no not about me don't worry. This is about my sweet daughter Hailey. She makes me so proud. She is awesome. I would have 10 of her if I had a guarantee they would turn out like her. I never have to ask her to do her homework, I never have to beg her to get out of bed, etc etc.

Hailey is in the 2nd grade and each year the 2nd graders have what's called a Young Authors celebration. This is where they work on a writing piece and then they have a day where they celebrate in class and they all share their stories. I volunteer every Monday at her school (just about every Monday), and Hailey brought home a paper asking for volunteers for this day. I along with Eric decided we would go and help for that day. I signed up to bring food and I signed Eric up to help decorate (this is his special talent). I filled out the paper gave it to Hailey to put back in her backpack, (this girl is extremely intelligent, but if I don't make her put things back in her backpack right away she loses them). I then decided to check my email, something I have done alot more these last few days since I can communicate with my brother that way. Remember I just filled out my volunteer paper and I opened an email from Hailey's teacher. I will sum it up, but this is what it said......

Each year, teachers invite two students to the Young Authors Conference. The students go along with their parents and their teacher to this special conference. They will get to read their completed work to small groups and then listen to author Eric Kimmel. Her teacher said she thinks Hailey deserves a place in this special, honorary Conference.

I couldn't be more happier and proud of the accomplishments Hailey has made thus far in her education. I am so happy that she inherited my "smart" genes. School has always come easy for Hailey and she loves to learn. I hope that she will continue to love school. Hailey we are so proud of you. Keep up all of the good work and we can't wait to hear your story.

2X Concentrated

I love to clean, I mean really love to clean and I do not love change. Change is good but not when it's my regularly used cleaning supplies. I went to Target last week to get some Tide. I normally buy the great big one at Costco, but didn't want to drive all that way to get some so I got a little one to hold me over. I use the same Tide and Downy fabric softener all the time, I never change. Since I never change I don't have to be one of those annoying people in the laundry soap aisle who park their shopping cart in the middle of it and stare at all the bottle of detergent. Seriously what takes people so long to pick it out and why do they have to park their cart in the middle of the aisle. When I got home from Target I was a bit moody, upset, pissy, whatever you get the idea. Eric asked what was wrong cause I obviously wasn't my normal self when I got home. I said that Tide had really really upset me. He laughed cause he is a guy and really he has no idea, but went ahead and asked why. I said they decided to change the detergent into everything 2X concentrated and not only that but they added Dawn crap to it. I could feel myself getting flustered as I had become that person looking at all the bottles of detergent looking for one that was "original scent". That was like finding a needle in a haystack. I found it after searching for quite some time.

Today I went to Costco to get my really big one that lasts about a month and guess what I found? The 2X concentrated one. I get the idea about the whole "use less" thing I get that, but I don't like paying 19.99 for what looks like a gallon of milk. I like it to be really big so it looks like I am saving alot of money, but no it was literally cut in half. I guess I should be happy that they still have my scent available and it still washes the same and all that good stuff, but it has me wondering. Are they going to change my Downy fabric softener too and make it 2X concentrated? Can you imagine? They would have to change the size of the Downy ball to the size of the golf ball then that would be a bigger problem. Imagine all the old ladies with arthritis doing their laundry, they wouldn't be able to open or shut the Downy ball.

This is my new big size thing of Tide. I just feel ripped off.

Oh and to Shannon I know you know exactly what I am talking about. Remember when you were 9 months pregnant and you had just washed your jacket and it smelled so good? Remember how you had your head buried into it? Oh that was funny.

Sad Goodbye

This past week the girls and I went up to Everett. For those of you who don't know where that is it is about 20 miles north of Seattle. We went up for a rather sad reason. My little brother Jeff is in the navy and he left on a 7 month deployment. We had a fun time though considering the reason. Jeff took us all on a tour of his ship. The thing is huge and the fact that it actually floats is amazing. Jeff has a pretty cool job working on the flight deck assisting the jets in take off and landing. He also showed us his living space. Lets just say for those of you who do not like small compact places this is not for you. There are 3 bunkbeds and he is on the bottom. I don't know how to explain them other than they are really really small and tight. I am not sure if he even has room in there to turn over. If the ocean gets pretty rough the guys actually fall out of their bunks. The final goodbye and waiting for the ship to leave were pretty hard. Hailey and him have a pretty close relationship and it was pretty hard on her. The boat pulled out at a really slow speed and I explained to her that's why he is going to be gone so long cause the ship doesn't go fast. She believed me. I know it's going to be a long 7 months and I hope he remains safe. We can't wait to see him again!!!!!!!!
* I will add pictures later as I have huge piles of laundry staring at me

My Dearest Daddy

For those of you who don't know my Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer about a year ago. In August he chose to have his prostate removed so he wouldn't have to endure chemo or radiation. They were able to catch the cancer early enough and his surgery was a success.

A few weeks post surgery my dad wasn't really feeling well. He could hardly make it down the hallway to the bathroom without becoming out of breath. My dad just thought it was all part of the recovery and even had his post-op appt. where things were looking good. My dad really didn't feel well. One night he could not walk and was very winded and told my mom to call 911. For my dad to even take himself to the doctors is a hassle, so for 911 to be called my dad knew something was wrong.

My mom and 2 of my brothers went to the hospital with him. My mom called me early the next morning (I had bronchitis and didn't have much physical contact with my dad). My dad had developed numerous blood clots. He had some in his legs, his lungs, and one even shot up through his heart. He had a device put in to block the clots from going up to his heart. After that procedure he was on watch as his vitals were kind of all over the place. Anymore of a dip in his heart rate he would have been rushed in for surgery on his heart. The strain from the clot passing through his heart had one of the chambers really weak and the others working harder.

He spent a few days in CCU and then was moved to a normal room and remained there for about a week. This was so incredibly hard to watch my dad be the one in the hospital bed. It is hard to see my dad in pain. He is the one who tells us kids everything is going to be ok when we are sick. Now the roles were turned and it was so hard. I can't imagine what life would be like now if my dad wouldn't have made it through all of that. I have a theory that my dad will be here forever and nothing will ever happen to him. I know that is not true, but I am so happy we were given more time with him.

My dad had his 6 month check-up and I am happy to report that all is well. He has to back every 6 months for a very invasive procedure to check his "stuff". My dad will be 60 on Halloween and we are so happy he will be there for it. I know my dad probably won't read this, but I want my dad to know how much I love him. He means so much to me and I am honored to have him as my dad.

*the pic of my dad was a few weeks after he got out of the hospital. He grew quite the beard and mustache being in the hospital. He was bored one day and shaved it while my mom was out one day. That is what she came home to.

Fashion Designer?

I think Taylin has found her true calling in life. I think she might be a fashion designer. Just kidding, I don't think she could ever pull that off. This is the Taylin who never like to match and the one who refuses to sleep in anything but her underwear. She will not wear pajamas even if it is freezing outside, oh well. This morning she was cold when she woke up obviously since she slept in just her underwear. I told her to go upstairs and get something on. I told her some pajamas would be a nice choice, something warm. But oh no that would have made too much sense. Instead this is her outfit she chose......

The head band I think added the finishing touches. The dress is actually the dress she wore to my grandpas funeral a year and a half ago. The shirt well it speaks for itself. The tights are a nice cotton material with polka dots on them. The sad thing about all this is that she would actually enjoy wearing this outfit out in public. I could almost bet that if she did leave the house she would wear her blue rainboots that have cherries on them.

It seems like all my blogs are about Taylin and not Hailey. Tonight Hailey gets to go see the Blazer game with Eric. They had a reading program at school and if they read a certain amount then they received a ticket to a game. Eric chose to go to tonight's game cause they are playing the Suns and Shaq is on that team now. We all know Eric chose that game cause he is the "white" version of Shaq. They are also excited because Eric purchased the tickets and well we never received them. So he called and there was an error in his favor and the seats that he purchased were no longer available. So Eric and Hailey are sitting 19 rows off the court how exciting. Keep in mind Hailey's ticket was free and they messed up on Eric's so they get to sit that close for only 40 bucks. I will send the camera with them and hope that they can get some pictures.

Qwest

There is something about Qwest that really bugs me. We have been customers with Qwest for about a year now and there is one thing that doesn't make sense. You know they are a profitable company, seriously think about it. So why is that a big company like Qwest can't get the appropriate envelopes to mail the bills in. If you were to hold the envelope the correct way then my mailing address would be upside down. Doesn't really make sense to me. Anyways. I am just glad that they gave me my credit finally. When we moved we were without the Internet for about 3 weeks. I am so happy they were finally able to get it straight. Now if they could only get normal envelopes I would be happy. Ok so obviously my life is very boring right now if I have to blog about Qwest. Oh well

Seriously

Ok I know it's just not me, but I need a well deserved moment to vent. (breathe) Do you ever have those Sundays where you get yourself up extra early so you can make sure your family is dressed all nice and pretty and make sure they are happy before you leave for church? I swear I do every Sunday. We are going to a new ward now and the first week Taylin did just fine going to class. She loved it and couldn't wait to go back. Hailey is awesome and goes all the time. So last week Taylin had the need to sit in the row with her class only to sit there and cry, red splotchy face and all. ( I sat on the side waiting for her to stop) Then today as we were walking into church she started crying I don't want to go to class. Super I spent the first hour listening to her cry. Then it's time to go to class. She has a death grip on me and she didn't even make it to her row, but rather she sat with me on the side. Once again crying and doing her thing. So I thought wonderful, you have a substitute and I am not going to let you scare her away so after an hour of this I decided she would go with me to Relief Society. I was thinking you will be so bored out of your mind child you will be begging to go back to your own class. So I pick her up carry her out to the hall and then the Primary President came out. Oh I love that lady. She said she didn't mind taking Taylin kicking and screaming if I didn't mind giving her to her. I said no you can have her that's fine with me. Ok so now you are thinking by now that I am the worst parent alive. Don't be fooled. Taylin is the most social girl alive, she would leave the store with a complete stranger if I let her. So I didn't feel bad knowing that she was putting on a pretend sad sob story. She went to class and said she can't wait to go again and see her friends. That's what she says now, but next week she is going to put her acting skills to use again. At the end of the day I am glad that I woke up extra early to make sure my family was ready for church.