Last of 2006

Well, it's my last post this year! To round out things - our date went well - we caught a wedding reception, dinner at Red Robin and an Adult Stake Dance (not a single Adult). It was nice - we even stayed out til 10:30! I'm still recovering from that much exhertion!

This past year - I've referred to as the Wilford Woodruff year - I had decided before 2005 was over to keep a journal this year - and this blog has taken over that purpose. I've found it chronicles most of the things we're involved in and I've already edited it content-wise realizing that it will be read by others. I'm really pleased with myself for doing this - not that I've written every day - but the vast majority of the days I have. I guess I feel like it's a resolution I've kept!

With that in mind - it's tricky to decide what the one or two things to work on this year will be. I'll try to come up with something and post it here so I'm accountable - it helps when someone else knows what you're doing. I want to thank those who read my blog and comment on it! It's nice to feel like someone is interested in what we're doing - especially when I think it's not really interesting! I try to get around to everyone's blogs weekly - that's about my speed nowadays - so forgive me when I comment on things that are several days old :) Just catching up. I'm grateful for my family - even when I get frustrated and am not the mom I truly want to be. I'm grateful for my friends who add so much to my life! May this next year - 2007 be the best year yet!

Another go at a date....

Tonight we're hoping to have another date! I know we need to get away from the kids - but an ideal evening for me is early in bed - enjoying some TV - with some popcorn - then falling asleep as the Tylenol PM kicks in. SO...we told our sitter not to expect us back early. I have no idea what we're going to do that whole time. I'll have to let you all know!

Off to get Kimball now - she's had a fabulous time at a day-camp offered at the local wildlife refuge.

Wish us luck with the date! UGggg! It's almost as hard as dating before marriage!

So funny!

Today we had to go to the doctor for immunizations (again!). I had Biscut scheduled for a regular visit - and asked if they could make sure Pinks was up to date as well. We ended up getting 3 shots for Pinks, 2 for Biscut, and Shuggie got the flu mist. The funny part happened when after seeing Pinks get sticker band-aids (they put disney stickers over the band-aids) - and even though Pinks was crying, Biscut was pulling up her pant leg - she wanted stickers too! She didn't even cry either.....crazy little kid! Each time, I think we're closer to being done with these shots!

We took Christmas down today - the girls had energy that needed used up so we plunged right in! It was really nice to feel like things are getting back to normal - whatever that is!


I'll close as Red/Green would say - Hang in there - we're all pulling for you!

A Christmas Eve

Things have finally calmed down and Dj is home - although he doesn't know what's wrong with his truck :(
Considering the events today - I jotted down some thoughts - imagine these words to the music of Away in a Manger (it's a bit rough - but close):

The presents are opened, they lay on the floor
The wrapping paper just isn't there anymore
We're tired and cranky
I'm ready for bed
But Taylor's not sleepy
Hinckley just hit her head -
Again, Again, Again, Again
Again they just snitched some candy again!
Again, Again, Again, Again
Again - I can't wait for next Weekend!

It's been a nice day, really! I'm not just trying to convince myself either. We spent some time at Dan and Kaye's - she's doing really well - we just hope she gets more sleep tonight than last night. My girls are tucked into the air matress blown up in the living room watching Santa Clause 2 - I hope they're asleep before it's over!

Yes - the picture yesterday was of all my girls - you can see why we call Hinckley "Pinks" - she wears a lot of pink! They had a wonderful time - and I was so glad DJ got this picture - on my sick day (Friday)!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

A Fancy Tree!

DJ took me Thursday night to Lowe's for side tables but since their trees were on sale (artificial!) for 50% - I got me a fancy tree! It's not totally decorated - and probably won't be this year - but the stars go on tomorrow! I'm really pleased about this! And - It looks like it's going to be a White Christmas here! It's snowing again - and I've noplace to go (other than Church tomorrow) - so LET IT SNOW!

Yesterday was a sick day for me - just a stomach bug so I'm feeling better now. Just a little leery of food...it always takes me a little bit to get back into eating after stopping. Probably sounds strange - Oh well! I know my trials ;)

DJ's truck broke down so he's been busy working to find the problem - and it's not found yet - they have to take apart the transmission (it's already out of the car : ) I know it would cost way more than the truck is worth to fix it, at a shop - so I'm a bit grumpy that these repairs take so much time and he keeps working it along....But it does give us 2 vehicles - when they work. I'm glad it broke down here and not up in the hills.

Have a sacred Christmas Eve!

Making Progress

Today I didn't hop right up - I was a bit lazy. However, the kids were lazy too! Kimball will be home tomorrow and the real entertaining work begins! I hope to just be able to take it easy and enjoy my kids! I think as you go along - you try and make plans as to how you want to parent and then life comes and you end up sounding and acting just like your mother! I love my mom - don't think I don't. I just want to be myself and not get pulled into reacting like she did. How to do that - that's the trick. Hopefully, I can make some progress - little by little on that.

Funny thing - kind of related: Someone called about a week ago thinking they were calling Kaye and it took me a couple of seconds to realize that. They were so sure I sounded just like her! Now, I've never got that before - sounding like my MIL?!? I take it as a compliment.....She and my mom have both mellowed with age - so I hope I'm already sounding mellow...

Make it a mellow day!

Our own Everest

DJ & I have been watching a show on Discovery Channel about climbing Everest. Today I watched several of the first episodes that I had missed previously. It really gave me some perspective - thinking about life as I was watching this. My favorite line had to be "You have to get used to suffering" That's what a crazy thing climbing Everest is. As they talked about how difficult it is, how hard on your body and mind - your digestive system quits working when you get to a certain level- I couldn't help but think that we all have things that are really important to us - but seem unimportant to others. Choosing to have a family, to make it work, to tough it out through difficult times. To me, there is no other option. It really helped to think that those things that I think are character flaws in myself (lack of patience for one) may not really be that - they can just be the results of climbing my Everest every day. I've also heard - it's not about who loses or wins it's how you play the game.

I think sometimes getting the kids to bed without getting totally frustrated and frazzled can be an Everest event. We are all tired - we're coping with people (our kids) and trying to convince them that they need sleep when their rational minds no longer work (ours don't really at that point either). It's not been too bad of a day today, but I'm always tired this time of day - 4:00 on....and thinking about all the things I have to do (not just today) makes me want to cry and just climb in bed. Somehow, I have to keep going - and only focus on the task at hand, not the huge "list".

I got an email that really topped off my thinking - a friend summed it up at the end with "don't run faster than you have strength" That's a challenge for me. But even in saying that to me she reminded me that I have a say in how fast I run. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone but me - but today it was a nice reminder. - It made me ink!

Well, enough ink. I've got a party to go to! Have a great day all!

A calm Sunday evening...

Yesterday DJ & I went to see Kaye as part of our date. Even though she's in ICU, we were allowed in. She's still really sleepy - and has an epidural still hooked up! I don't know how long she'll keep that, but it was good to see her try to restrain a laugh here and there (it probably hurts to laugh!). Everything went well and the cancer wasn't spidery (good news!). We'll keep hoping that she doesn't take too long to recover! It's going to be strange having the family Christmas party tomorrow without her. She planned and purchased the food in advance - though! What a crazy, wonderful gal!

We went out to a place called the Little Kitchen. They have the best cocoa - a bottomless cup! We had some lunch and had hoped to get to a movie, but time was against us - maybe next time. We did exchange one of our recessed lights - that had stopped working for a new one. I got it installed and it's working great! Those lights are so wonderful - the food looks more appetizing!

Well, we're trying to get everyone to bed early here - we like a 6:00 pm bedtime on Sundays so I better get going!

Have a great week!

Just another day

DJ's home again - working on finishing trimming out the moldings. We keep talking about Kaye - wondering if the surgery is done yet, how Dan's doing, etc. We're going to have to get over and check on him before we go crazy! Kimball is back at school - all normal she says. I think she really wanted to go to the December birthday party - as well as the upcoming chior tour next week. I wish I could post video on this - I'd put some of the monster concert on so everyone could see how well she did!

The phone just rang again - I think we keep hoping it's Dan with an update. I'm just glad that we don't have times like this very often - a person could go crazy!~

Talked with Jacob last night and had a great visit. It's always wonderful to hear how they are doing! I worry that if I call It'll be at a bad time or whatever so I tend to wait for them to call me. We love our family so and enjoy hearing how things are going - as well as giving encouragement!

Have a great day - or as Becky says ' Make it a GREAT day!'

I have work enough to do!

DJ's home today - and working along great! We had fun at his work party last night - and slept in a bit this morning. Kimball is home sick - again! Hopefully she'll feel better soon!

My mind is occupied thinking about Kaye - she's heading in for surgery tomorrow morning - a lobectomy. The recovery sounds long - intesive care followed by a hospital stay then off work for a month! I hope things go well. Our thoughts and prayers will be with her....

I hope your day is great!

I got the day off! Well, mostly..

I was supposed to go to Kimball's school today - but my friend cancelled and then Kimball called and said the teacher didn't need me - and that was all the permission I needed to smoosh my recently curled hair straight in a quick nap!

I way overdid it yesterday. DJ had a work-dinner thing that he was going to but where it was FHE and all - I thought I should stay home. So - he popped in for a quick FHE - delivered goodies to the neighbors and then had to leave. The girls took it into high gear and I just got more and more frustrated. Finally they were in bed, but the adrenaline was going strong. So - instead of doing something sane I moved 2 file cabinets and a sewing machine upstairs. I have a few strange bruises today - I'm sure they'll show up better in a couple of days...and I think a cold is comming on! I plan on sitting in my chair snuggled in a blankie as soon as I finish this up! I can't complain! I bring it on myself - if I was just nicer to me.....who knows?

We are going to DJ's work party tomorrow - and his sister Eliza is babysitting for us - so I guess that counts as a date....DJ has Thursday and Friday off to work on the house - so I'm excited to see how far he gets on my list! Hopefully we can get out again - maybe Saturday. Any good must-see movies out there? It has to be pretty good for me to want to see it in the theater rather than wait for it to be out on pay-per-view (my bed is so comfy!) I think maybe a Saturday matinee with hot cocoa afterward....Hmmmm. I'll have to see what DJ thinks.

Yesterday - earlier in the day was pretty productive. I've had things socked away for so long that it was almost an early Christmas for the girls. I finally found/made a place to put the games, activities, etc. that we do at the table - a low shelf in the cabinet by the table works great! Well, every new thing I got out - they wanted to play with, of course! Kimball was home so it was quite the adventure. I think most everything is put away again. It's amazing the difference when dinner is kind of like a resturant - with something to do while you wait for the food! They were really good last night and commented on how nice I had been all day :) That really makes you feel like a good mommy!

A real highlight was getting a card from a babysitter off to college. She had made snowflakes for each of us - with our names on them even, and tucked them in her card! We have laminated them already! We haven't made snowflakes of our own this year so it was a really nice surprise!

This morning Hinckley wanted her hair cut - so I cut it. I'm a little sad now but she really likes it! Have a great day everyone!

Some fun, some rest

Well - We've been busy - Kimball had a piano monster concert yesterday and did really well! The other girls made it through 45 minutes of the 1 1/2 hours. DJ (thankfully) was there to take them out to the car! Dan and Kaye were there and got to enjoy hearing Kimball and about 110 other youngsters playing. Kimball was really glad to see them there!

Friday, DJ and I got out on a date - and ended up home at 8:40! Are we pathetic or what? I guess we're out of practice at what to do on a date (we had left home just after 6). DJ says we just need more practice. We'll see!

Today I'm home sick with Kimball - She's the one really sick, I'm just a bit achy. I am going Visiting Teaching this afternoon so that will give me a big of a pick-me up! While we were home we watched a great show I recommend - Road to Zion. It's a series that visits Church history sites (1/2 hour each program - several sites in that half hour). It was a really nice show to watch on Sunday - and see places that we hope to see in person someday.

DJ and the girls will be home soon - so I better get going! Have a great day!

Today was busy - running errands all morning then back to the store this afternoon because I got the wrong size lids for my new totes. Oh well! And I felt so clever about doing so much shopping before the holidays! I got some rope lights that I plan on putting on top of the cabinets and puck lights for under the cabinets. We'll see how long it takes to get those up.... I kept thinking about Kaye today - with her biopsy. We wait for the results now...

I decided to answer Granpa's Questions in the blog today:

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate
2. Does santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He sits them under the tree - no time to wrap
3. colored lights on tree/house or white? Both
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No - but probably just because I don't have any - memo to self - pick up some mistletoe....
5. When do you put your decorations up? Soon after Thanksgiving - this year the girls did it for me.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? I really like stuffing
7. favorite holiday memory as a child. I remember when Santa came to the house on Rosewood! It was still somewhat real for me then...
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Don't remember - Kimball was questioning last year but figured it out - and is amused by us encouraging belief in the little ones.
9. do you open a gift on Christmas Eve. No - you can never stop with one...
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? I let the girls help with the "family tree" - someday I want to have a fancy tree downstairs.
11. Snow, Love it or dread it? Dread - it leads to ice, icy roads, anxiety for me.
12. Can you ice skate? No - I tried once and couldn't stay up. Haven't tried in years.
13. Do you rmember your favorite gift? I got a glow worm - a plastic glowing thing that helped me not be scared at night.
14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? Feeling peace
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Probably a strawberry trifle. We try to avoid the sugar...
16.What is your favority holiday tradition? Putting the kids to bed early... just halfway kidding :) I do like driving around looking at the lights.
17. What tops your tree?A lighted star
18. Whichdo you prefer, giving or receiving? giving - definately! I am never disappointed when I am giving!
19. What is your favorite Chrisstmas song? Melekelekimaka (that Hawaiian song - it really perks me up!)
20. Candy canes! Yuck or YUM? YUK!

The Candy Garland

Yesterday was really nice - DJ worked on the house and I ran and did some shopping. I enjoyed the CD's Aunt Sharon had let me borrow so much - I had to pick up some of my own. If you haven't heard the Daughters of Eve by Lund talks - you need to check them out! They are wonderful!

I also did a good deed and felt good about it all day - don't you just love things that make you feel like that? I have so enjoyed getting my cards out - I think I only have 4 left to send - just tracking down some addresses. Now if I was real organized I'd make a complete list of who I sent cards to this year with addresses - all ready for next year. ....Well, there's always next year to be real organized ;)

Last night we did one of our yearly traditions - I think going back about 3 or 4 years - THE CANDY GARLAND. The pictures show us having such fun putting it together. The picture of the long garland needs a bit of explanation - I'm not doing something crazy with my legs - I figured out that it's Mckay bending over (in half). Taylor really enjoyed the snitching. That's the best part of this - it makes the tree interactive and gives them something it's OK to touch. I have learned not to put in chocolate (unless it's up out of the kids reach - for adults) and definately no foil wrapped candy. You could use anything you like to snack on really! This year its jelly bellies.

It's a real process to identify what we want to have for yearly traditions - we need to write these things down! It's fun to hear what the girls like the best, though....

Have a great day!

Weekend fun

Yesterday was the best Sunday ever! I don't say that lightly either...The girls woke up happy. They even wanted to make us Breakfast in Bed (fast Sunday - Ugh!). They got their own breakfast while we slept in a bit - getting ready for church seemed really easy. Sacrament meeting wasn't too bad - Taylor was a handful and had to go out - but everyone else was good. Got home - and the delay start, cook time, etc. functions on the stove worked just as we had hoped and we had a cooked meatloaf just waiting to be eaten! The missionaries came by - that was fun for the girls. Low key afternoon with no TV (we did watch the Christmas Broadcast, though)! All in all a great day!

I'm almost scared to see what today brings - one step forward, three steps back....

DJ has the day off and is going to tackle my list of things to get done as he doesn't seem to have time otherwise :)

Have a great day everyone!

Finally the Picture

I want to thank you, Becky for that info - I wasn't aware of the change! $65.00/hour is the going rate here too - some of which is covered by our insurance :) What a blessing Family Services is! I haven't heard of a Family Services Representative before either. You'll have to tell me more about that sometime....Also Thanks for the addresses. It really was nice to get them all into my address book - mostly in pencil because I know no-one is settled yet ;)

An update on my MIL - Kaye: The PET scan showed that it is growing - so now they are planning a biopsy. I don't know when yet, but we remember her and her health in our prayers.

Last night we had Jared, Cory & Crew as well as Mom and Dad here - it was really nice to visit and enjoy everyone! I didn't get this picture taken last night (DJ had my camera and wasn't home until 10:30pm) but took it this morning. It really is a massive beanbag!

Have a great day!

Dec 1

I can't believe I've let two days go by without posting! I did end up going to Kimball's school - and got to correct homework. It is always fun to see what's going on in the classroom and get a feel for the tone of the school. They had a State-wide math test and were given an hour. I don't know how long it took Kimball to finish - I looked up fairly early in the test and saw that she was reading a book - speedy test taker girl!

Yesterday I did take it easy. I decided to go ahead and mail my Christmas cards - without a newsy letter or family picture. I just didn't think I could pull it all together in time - so we're pressing forward. It was such a relief to get the first ones in the mail! I have more to do - and some addresses to find - but progress is being made!

Last night, DJ and I went to our counselor. We have been going for several months - I think we started in July. I hadn't planned on writing about this - but want to encourage anyone who thinks they might need a bit of help (or even those who think things are OK) to go get that help. Several factors led to my seeking a referral from my bishop (yes - just me). I won't go into those - just want to say that it has been a good experience. I don't know how many more sessions I have to go - or if there's really a set number (at the first I remember 12 being mentioned - it isn't long term therapy). They are kind enough to allow DJ to come in (or not) at my discretion. We have been communicating a lot better since going (I didn't think we were doing that bad to begin with). I am also looking at things from a different perspective - hopefully a better one. I think we all have times in our lives when things get tough and we may not have the reserves to deal with them effectively. This was the case for me.

Anyway, I'm off to a friend's house this morning (our Friday get-together). She is going to watch my girls while I get my teeth cleaned at the Dentist this afternoon. Mom and Dad are comming this evening for Dad's last weekend of class! I know they are both so excited - and we're excited for them too! The roads are white - so I hope the drive isn't too treacherous. Jared and Cory and kids will be over later tonight - so I'll try to get some pictures of them on the beanbag (perspective).