Finding Joy In The Journey...

Physical Therapy #2 - One Week Later

2012-02-10T19:57:00.000-08:00

Friday Feb. 10th -

One week ago since this all started with a trip to the ER with hives.

Had my second trip to Physical Therapy today. I went without a cane. It made Jes a little nervous, but I felt confident in my hip's abilities when I woke up this morning. :)

I made great improvements overnight. (yipee!!!)

Brad didn't let me down. He worked me hard.

15 minutes on the Rowing/Stepper, on level 5! Ouch.

We reviewed all my exercises that I had been doing faithfully and he was extremely pleased with my progress. He said he felt like I had a 50% improvement in just two days!

He started me on a sliding board to do squats. Both legs together = no problem. Left leg (while they held my right leg up) = no problem. Right leg alone? Yikes. For the first rep. of 15. On the second it clicked. I could do it!!

He got out some clips for me to maneuver with my hands... and though it was tough at first... the pathway blazed right then and there! I could do it without much thought towards the end.

Then Brad pulled out my little friends from before: the metal pegs, washers and grommets with their little peg board. At first it was hard. My fingers did not want to keep gripping. He wanted me to put together 10 of them (1 peg, a washer, a grommet and then another washer). The first 5 took me about a minute a piece. All of a sudden I felt almost a instant tingle in my mind... and there it was! I could do it super fast without any real thought! TEARS!

We worked on another 5-6 exercises, mostly to strengthen my shoulder. (still a lot of weakness there and in my hip) He also had me walk high step marching across the room, then backwards back again. Backwards was hard... but only at first :) .

Next, we side stepped across the room. Stepping left first, then pulling my right leg to me was not so hard... but switching to coming back with the right leg first took a great amount of mental power. It was h.a.r.d. When almost back to start on my second rep acrossed it just clicked! It was so pleasing to hear Brad say that this is his favorite part of helping with brain healing... to see the brain all of sudden "get it!" It was a awesome!

Last but not least, he wanted me to grapevine across the floor (stepping across in front of each leg walking sideways) What a let down inside. It was not there. I could not do it, no matter how hard I thought about it. And by the time I quit trying I had sparkles behind my eyes and felt dizzy and sick. That was the end of my therapy for today.

I was limb shaky as we left and I kinda wished I had listened to Jestin and brought my cane, but I just held his arm and smiled as I thought of the progress that has been made in DAYS... not months!! :)

I have tried to write multiple times, and I must hold the pencil or pen with both hands to guide my handwritting, but I can write. It is dark and clear, and painstakingly slow, but I can do it! :) Practice makes perfect! Or as Brad teaches me: Perfect PRACTICE makes perfect. *GRIN*
HUGE improvements!!!!!!!!! I have not used my cane today. (I limp somethin' fierce, but can manage without my cane here at home) And I helped my Mom-in-law fold clothes this afternoon - ok sorta... she did most of it... but I did do some! *grin* I have rested most of the day today. Tomorrow I will continue with my exercises and rest... and I have a secret hope to be able to walk into church on Sunday without a visible limp. :) As well as attend all my college classes next week! We shall see...

First day back to class

2012-02-10T18:49:00.000-08:00

Thursday Feb 9th -
Can I just say I love my mommy? She is the bestest!

I got up early so that I could try to take a shower. I was more sure footed this morning. :) Miracles!
I was able to wash my hair with one hand, and slide my arm up the shower walls to do my cleaning. ;) It was tiring, but the independence was almost like a little bit of euphoria!
I got myself ready, encouraged the kids out the door, and gathered my school stuff.
Ma got here about 9 am. We loaded me and my book bags into the car and off we went.
I was really nervous... mostly for the embarrassment of being a limping, foot dragging fool. (LOL)
She parked the car, and walked me to my classroom. We had to wait a few minutes for the last class to leave. Ma set up my computer so I could take notes with one hand, and got out my book. Then she left me there while she ran home to get her purse (she had forgotten it in her haste that morning :/) I was kind of glad... it made it so she didn't have to just sit there for an hour and 15 minutes.

My professor was SHOCKED to see me, as was my mentor! I had sent them messages about what was going on on Monday before I was discharged. My professor told the whole class "That's it! None of you get to call in sick to class if Heather can make it here after all that!" Bwahahaha! I begged him to not compare me... I was just a super stubborn soul who is afraid to get behind! LOL

Class went well for the first 40-45 minutes. But soon, listening to him talk, and the class make comments, and watch him write on the board, and try to process that, and stay upright in the desk, I started to feel myself be a little too stimulated. The last 15-20 minutes of class I had to keep closing my eyes just to keep from crying. But I was there! I took notes. I got my participation points! And it made me happy.

Ma came in just as it ended and gathered up my things. I stood up to leave and realized I had lost ALL connection with my right leg. I had to just drag it to the car. I was overstimulated and it was not workin' anymore. *pout*

We drove to Costco (and I closed my eyes and shed a couple of tears), so by the time we got there, she could push me in a wheelchair and we could grab the couple of things Jestin needed. We snagged a salad on the way home. Ma stayed and ate lunch with me, then left me to rest. I crawled into my bed and did not move for 4 hours. I woke up feeling better.

I did some math homework - and realized that my number recollections were not as bad as they seemed. It was not as easy as it had been before... but it was not as bad as it was before I regained the pathway last month. So... that's good right?

First day back to class. Not quite epic fail... but I would not really call it a success.

I limped pretty bad all evening.

This has got to hurry and get better!! UGH!

Physical Therapy - Day 2 at Home

2012-02-10T13:53:00.000-08:00

Wednesday Feb 8th - Therapy started at 8 am. Jes left for work at 5:30, so I got up about 7 am and got myself ready. I found I could hold my hair brush... I could only comb half way down... and when I wanted to let go of it, my hand would not... LOL... but I brushed my own hair! I slid my elbow up the wall and used my right hand to hold onto my hair, while I used my left hand to finagle a hair tie onto it to create a pony tail. It wasn't beauty queen... LOL... but it was out of my face for the workout ahead! ;) Go me!

I limped into the kitchen, and talked with my kids as they got ready for school. I even made myself a bowl of cereal. I discovered if I gripped my pill bottles with my right hand, and pushed down really hard with my left hand (so they couldn't twist in my hand) the lids would come off! YEA! Freedom!
By the time Jes got here to take me to PT, I was ready to go!

Getting down the stairs was a challenge (shoot! there were only TWO!) and getting in and out of the car had to be remembered (wrap my left leg around my right to lift it in and out) but hey! I was out in the world! And the sun was on my face! And I was headed to go see one of my heroes! Brad is an amazing PT and I really appreciate how he works with me and teaches me as we go.

I brought my cane and when I hobbled onto the therapy floor Brad's eyes were sad to see me. He sent me to a small room while he finished with the client he was with, then he came in to get the whole scoop. He did a full analysis and was super optimistic for me. (as always) We went straight to work.

Rowing machine for 10 minutes. TORTURE. The opposite motion on each side of my body, plus focusing on keeping my hand gripped on the hand bar, my foot on the pedal, and to just breathe was super stimulating! I had to close my eyes.

Then we did some walking. Phooey.

He moved me to a table to do "clam shells" (laying on my side, keeping my ankles together, but lifting my knees) - not so easy.

We also did "bridges" (laying on my back with my knees up, lifting my hips off the table). My left side totally had to drag my right side up, but I could feel it tugging at something inside my head! Hope!

Next he had me get on my hands and knees and shift the weight of my body from one shoulder to the other, lifting my arm at the elbow on each side. This proved the hardest one, even with Jestin gently stroking my elbow. My shoulder was very asleep.

The last exercise he gave me to do at home was to lay on my back, and interlock my fingers, then use my left hand's strength to pull my right arm up and over my head while keeping my arms straight. This was almost painful. My shoulder was SOO stiff from just hanging limp for days!

After I got my homework exercises, Brad had me stand in front of him with my feet off alignment and he did a bunch of balance tests. He was proud of me as I did each one; I remembered his teaching from before of focusing on my center of gravity and getting it in alignment at the hips regardless of where my feet were. :)

I really appreciate his honesty and optimism! He believes this can be a quick recovery. He knows how stubborn I am... and he sees how much I have already taken back. We are hoping for a full recovery in just a couple of weeks!! YEA!

Jestin brought me home and I slept. And slept. And slept. I know that victims of brain related injuries need a lot of sleep... but part of me feels guilt! I could sleep for hours and hours! I was tempted to try and attend my math class that night... but I was still just super wiped out so we chose against it.

Instead after my nap, I went on a short ride with Jes to pick up some parts for a side job, but that was the extent of my outings this day.

Ma has agreed to be my "Little Yellow School Bus", as I am forbidden from driving - obviously - and so we are going to try my class on campus in the morning! *gulp* Hoping for a "breakthrough" nights sleep!

First Day Home

2012-02-10T13:18:00.000-08:00

Tuesday Feb 7th - I woke up the next morning, and I could put one foot in front of the other! My hand and arm did big movements! YEA!

Quickly I realized that the biggest losses still were actually my shoulder (I had nada there :( ) and my hip (it did not want to move or support me). I worked them all all day long on and off with the therapy exercises I could remember.

Jes left for work (reluctantly), but I assured him I was exhausted and I would stay in bed. I did. Jenny had the day off, so she came down and brought me lunch.

My mom-in-law came a few minutes after lunch, and she and Jenny went to work disinfecting the entire house! The bleached the doors, handles, deep cleaned both bathrooms plus the whole kitchen, table and chairs, remotes, Lysoled furniture etc etc etc! I tried to help wipe down some of the game controllers, but quickly fell asleep. I just could not get enough sleep!

Jenny had stripped the kids beds the night before, and re-made them with clean sheets, so MaryJo folded bedding and rotated laundry as well. The weather was beautiful, about 50 degrees, so we also opened the doors, and turned on the furnace fan to let the fresh air flow and get the germs out! My house smelled wonderfully clean and fresh!

Jenny helped me write out some bills. And she also straightened my hair. Between she and MaryJo, they accomplished what would have taken me a couple of weeks. It felt SOOO good knowing all the germs were gone! And that my house was mostly in order for me to be able to keep up on.

Friends from the ward brought us dinner. Since I had been admitted Saturday morning, every night someone has brought my little family a wonderful meal! And someone else dropped by treats, and another paper plates, cups etc and a bunch of kid-friendly-easy-to-make foods! And we could feel their prayers like balm to our souls. Our hearts are so full of gratitude and we are so humbled!! We have such amazing friends and family!! How did we get so lucky??

Most of today was spent sleeping when I could. Everyone here on the home front was completely feeling better. (HALLELUJAH!!) Jes and kids went to work and school. It was wonderful!

School. What am I going to do about school? Hmmm.... *gulp*

I scheduled my first physical therapy with Brad in the morning.

Hospital Stay - Part 6 - Monday

2012-02-10T12:54:00.000-08:00

Sleep came easier during the night. I didn't care what they did to me. I was exhausted! It was a wonderful blessing that Ma's chair laid perfectly flat... and they cuddled her in blankets and pillows too... we both slept and slept. They came in and did their vitals etc, but I did not move much until almost 9:30 the next day!

The hospital physical therapist was the one who woke us up. He didn't even give me a chance to go to the bathroom, wipe the goo off my teeth or really get my eyes open... he wanted me out of bed and seeing what I could do. *sigh* At first I was rickety and slow, but about half way to the nurses station, something clicked. I could lift my foot and place it almost in one fluid motion in front of me. It took effort. A lot of mental effort. But it could be done. I had to tell him to quit talking to me so I could concentrate (the alarms going off in other rooms, the hospital staff etc etc was enough to try and keep out of my mind while focusing!) , LOL, but it was doable! YEA! I rested on a chair at the nurses station and enjoyed the encouragement from my nurse Darin (he was back again). It felt like having a little brother there with my best interest in his heart. That young man was meant to be a nurse!

We worked our way back to my room, where I was able to move more of my hand and arm, and more of my foot. My speech was almost completely back, and my swallowing was almost all better as well! As he tested different parts of my body, I explained that often in recovery before, Jes would gently stroke whichever muscle I was suppose to be using, and the tactile contact would draw out that brain pathway and I could make the move. He started trying it, and before long he was having a good old time! He told me I was his new favorite toy... and that when he wanted me to bend at the elbow, and I couldn't until he stroked the back of my arm... he laughed began calling me "Buzz Lightyear" with "karate chop action!" We laughed... but secretly I thought he was a dork! How could he be helping stroke victims and have never heard of this?? I was grateful I told him... maybe it will ease someone else's struggle some.

When he came back later, he again said he was excited to play with his "new favorite toy". ((insert rolling eyes)) I just hope it helps him be a better doctor... right?

The day took off as usual from there. Busy busy. Doctors with results did not come until late afternoon, but that was ok. I was feeling less brain-strained as the day went on and I was ITCHING to get out of that bed and make some pathways return!

Jes' grandparents stopped by to drop off my cane for me (Mom-in-law had brought it from my house the day before). It seemed naked without the bright blue tinsel with snowflakes my kiddos had decorated it with the year before. But it had the promise of freedom, and I liked looking at it.

They were both really sick, so they did not stay but just a few minutes.

Most of the results were in. The A&A for lupus was negative, but the other tests were inconclusive. Rats. (I know it is common to not get a positive for A&A even though you have lupus... I just hoped for a solid concrete answer!)

They told us they believed it was an "echo" from the previous "stroke" and recovery... that my immune system was just so tapped out it could not keep up and so it shut down the "country roads" I had recently built where the "super highway" in my brain was destroyed before... and the illness was a "huge rain storm" that washed out the roads... so I just needed to let them dry out and my brain would start using them again. *Giggle* it was a cute analogy anyway! and we enjoyed the humor.

They want me to follow up with a neurologist though. They are also really leaning toward/concerned about it being a rare form of migraine, called Hemiplegic Migraine.

I was happier with my "echo of a stroke" diagnosis... though this keeps haunting my thoughts. I have spent a number of hours pouring over any and all information I can find, and though I still in my heart want to believe this will never happen again because it is just an "echo", and I can make myself strong enough, and my pathways concrete enough, that it never will... I know I must see this through to be sure. My family cannot keep going through all of this every 6 months or so! And all the testing for a stroke is EXPENSIVE. Not that a degenerative headache cycle is any better.

I just don't know! :'(

As soon as we had most of the results (there were a few blood tests that still had not come back yet) I told them I wanted to go home. They were very reluctant... I did not have great mobility and you could tell they weren't terribly comfortable with it, but I assured them I would follow up with my own PT Brad, and that I would go see the neurologist, and my primary care doc, and that I would do a lot better AT HOME. I no longer have stairs in my home... so I would be fine.

They required one more visit with the speech therapist, to guarantee my swallowing ability, and when I passed with pretty good results (still a little catch... but that will resolve with practice) I was cleared. Reluctantly they discharged me and let Jes bring me home.

Seeing Jes walk in that door was like nothing I can explain! He looked really tired, but fantastic at the same time! I just wanted to hold him... even if it was only with one arm... and cry. He apologized he didn't bring me flowers... and I just laughed! Flowers compared to HIM??? Who needs stinking flowers??

We got home about 7:30 pm. My kids were so excited to see me. Caleb curled up next to me and let some crocodile tears quietly flow. (I think he hoped I didn't see them) We ate dinner together and then Jes helped me take a shower.

A real shower! We held each other and sobbed. What a weekend!!

Jenny came down to see us and help get me settled. She ran Emma to Walmart to get her best friend a birthday present while Jes and I showered, then she slathered me with oils again, combed out my hair and tucked me in bed. I don't know what I would do without my sister. I tear up whenever I think of all she has done for me and my family... and how little I can ever do to re-pay her. She is a gift!!

And so was being home, in my own bed, with my sweetheart next to me, and my babies close by. :)

Hospital Stay - Part 5 - Super Bowl Sunday

2012-02-10T11:32:00.000-08:00

I don't know how anyone can get better in a hospital. Just sayin'.
Sleep was anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes at a shot.
So many interruptions!
I was woken up at 5 am for a blood draw. (in my other arm from my IV ??)
About an hour later, I woke up with water trickling down my arm. My IV was leaking.
It was shift change, so the nurse just turned off the IV and said she would be in to fix it as soon as she could. I tried to go back to sleep, but woke up about 20 minutes later with blood all over me. My IV had pulled out, and with the blood thinners in me, I was makin' a mess!
Go that cleaned up.
A really nice older male nurse (Bob) came in and tried to get a new IV started. He stuck me 3 times. My veins kept collapsing on him.
Finally, the floor's charge nurse was called in and she had to dig around, but found a vein (shoot me now!) and I was all hooked back up, and blood cleaned up. Just in time to start the questions again: "What's your name? What's your birthday?" Neurological tests. Vitals. Etc etc.
I could push down more with my foot, but could not pull my toes back. I could squeeze fingers a little more. And my smile seemed more even, and my speech less slurred.
Breakfast. Bathroom. Speech therapist = not swallowing well enough, I got switched to an all soft diet. (yuck) Physical Therapist came in, and his assistant was a fellow I knew!! He walked in and I said, "How do I know you and why do I like you so much??" (I could not at all place him!) He is the nephew/grandson of the people we rented our house from (our dear friends the Wilkins & Berrocals) and we spent weeks working together to get them moved to St. George! He helped with my therapy that morning. I was able to walk to the nurses station (3 doors down), rest for while and walk back. I drug my foot, but I could stabilize myself enough to stay standing and rotate my weight to move. It was a good morning!
Dad came by after his meetings at the MTC and took Ma home to take a nap. Jenny came and spent the day with me. It took us 4-5 tries, but we finally got them to leave us alone long enough to have her help me do a quick sponge bath, and some lotion, and brush my hair. She also put some more essential oils on me. We visited and dozed. She read. I tried to sleep on and off.
Jes' parents stopped by to see me for a few minutes as well as they headed down to my house to help Jes. It was nice to see some family. :) They were awesome and went down to have the Super Bowl snack fest my little family had planned on doing, and played some games with the kids, while my poor sick sweetheart slept and slept some more. Cody had some body aches this day, but that was a sick as he ever got.
I had a great nurse while I was there. His name was Darin. He was super kind, and reminded me a lot of my brother-in-law Greg. He teased me about my lack of interest in turning on the TV to watch the game - see how I was?? LOL I could not do the lights and noise. The only time the TV came on was on Sunday evening, when we heard about the murder Josh Powell committed on his 2 innocent babies, and his selfish suicide. It was heart wrenching... and perfectly distracting. Nothing I was going through was as bad as this. The Cox family lives in my brother's ward and so it hit close to home for them... and for us. I can't imagine the test of faith they are experiencing! Words fail me.
Ma came back to spend the night with me again. The neurologist did not have any answers for us yet, and most of the blood work had not come back. So we were there for at least another night. *sigh*
I called to say prayers with my little family over the phone and tell them all goodnight. About 30 minutes later, Jes called to say goodnight again, and let me know that my Cameron had started a migraine suddenly, and was hiding from light within 15 minutes, and 10 minutes later throwing up from pain. He had fallen asleep... but his monthly migraine had struck while I was away. :( My poor boy!

Hospital Stay - Part 4 - Sat. Eve / Visitors

2012-02-09T21:03:00.000-08:00

The day did not slow down much. I had not slept but for a few minutes of dozing in my 2 different trips in the MRI machine since I got up Friday morning! Jenny spent a few hours with me, she put oils on my feet and just tried to keep me company and comfortable. Ma came back to spend the night with me. We were still waiting to hear results from the 2nd MRI, confirming for SURE that there was no new stroke, and they also began a myriad of tests to exclude all kinds of other things that I dared not even think about, including one I DID want to know about: Lupus.

They have said I am borderline Lupus most of my life. I have many of the symptoms. (hives for one, strange rashes, unexplained low grade fevers for weeks at a time, and unexplained to-the-bone fatigue, bouts of extreme muscle pain, sensitivity to sunlight, heat and cold, just to name a few). I was hopeful maybe my phantom symptoms that make me feel like a hypochondriac would finally have a name.

The physical therapist came in and helped me take some steps. I could take 6. Only six! I was frustrated! The good part was that as the day went on, I could make more words work. And that gave me hope!

I spent the day working my hand as often as I could, as well as trying to flex my foot. It was infuriating to be strapped to the bed and not be able to do much more. Both legs had a little attachment that inflated every 20 seconds or so and then deflated. One arm had an IV, and the other had a blood pressure cuff and O2 sensor. Added to all the heart monitors, I was not going anywhere without a large amount of unhooking and alarm making. LOL

Earlier in the evening, I had sent a message to one of my FLYSistahs (a group of my dearest friends) and she spread the word. After 9:00 there was a knock at my door...

Patty (from Murray) & Allie (from Roy)

I could not believe it! Talk about a wonderful gift!!

Being without my little family was torture!

And these two dear friends brought love, laughter and hope.

Suzie stopped by as well, and Ma and I and my 3 dear friends chatted late into the night.

We shared our faith and hope.

I felt so encouraged and uplifted!

After Suzie headed home, Allie & Patty did a HUGE gift for me. They drove to my house, picking up my cell phone charger, but more importantly, giving my sick little Emmalee the hug I could not.

(possibility of getting sick and all!)

Emma had been texting my mom all day... and was really worried and wanted to be here SOOO badly!

They also took her her favorite drink of choice when sick - a Gatorade.

They acted in my stead... something that can never be repaid.

Priceless.

It was nice to hear that they saw my sweetheart too.

Patty said she was going to ask how Jes was... but she told him she may as well not - cause he just looked "like hell" LOL

Then they came back and we laughed and talked with my Ma and I for a little longer.

They snuck out about 2 am.

I went to bed with a lighter heart.

With some hope.

And knowing my family at least had a "touch of my love" before bedtime.

Hospital Trip - Part 3 - Admittted/ Day 1

2012-02-09T19:13:00.000-08:00

I was wheeled to a room on the 3rd floor, where my dear sweet Suzie was waiting. It was just after 5 am - Feb 4th. Neurological test, after test, after test, were performed. Everyone that came in seemed to want the answer to 3 specific questions: What's your name? What's your birthday? Do you know where you are? *sigh* I don't think Suzie and I had more than 10-15 minutes alone at a time! It was non-stop. I don't know how she stayed awake! We talked and tried to keep our minds off it all... though the conversation kept going back to the crisis at hand. What was I going to do now?

They feared it was a new stroke. They were almost certain.

I could not stomach it. Memories of how hard hard hard it was to recover last time... and the toll it took on my family, and the amount of work it would be... not to mention the loss of all that I had worked SOO hard to regain... and then my newest pathways with regards to school and numbers! I just couldn't stomach it. I had to believe it was not a new stroke! I HAD to.

Sometime that morning, Suzie and I called my mom. I knew she was planning to go to Idaho to see my Grandpa that morning... and I knew she would turn the car around the minute she heard, so we called her before she left. She and my dad immediately came right down to relieve Suzie. I was not going anywhere anytime soon.... and my sweetheart was at home fevering in bed.

Beyond that phone call, no calls were made for a while. No exchange of information. My mind could barely keep up with the events in the here and now... and I had to close my eyes to process each one as they happened. "What's your name?" - "What's your birthday?"

Yeah. Scary huh? That is a FULL smile.

And YIKES my hair looks fantastic post MRI! LOL

At some point, Suzie headed home to take care of her own family and get some sleep. My mom came and stayed. She took over all the information gathering, and I was able to allow that stimulation to diminish. It was a never ending entourage of doctors and specialists. Neurologists, cardiologists, internal medicine doctors, nurses, aids, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapist.

"What's your name?" - "What's your birthday?"

Finally the words I longed to hear.

It was NOT a new stroke.

Another set of words I didn't know I longed to hear:

It is not M.S.

So then what?

Another MRI... this time of my neck and blood vessels.

And an echo cardiogram.

(My Daddy loved that one!

Watching the bubble shoot through my heart as it pumped was pretty cool! LOL)

My Daddy bought me a little friend.

Meet Cleopatra - "Cleo"

The heartache of my little family being at home, sick, without me, the mommy!, and unable to come see me, or me see them, while facing all of this, was almost more than I could bear.

So, this 35 year old mother of 4, held onto her little stuffed puppy, which my sister Jenny rubbed down with my favorite "feel better" essential oil (Theives) and smelled her... and shed some tears.

Jenny came at one point in the day and let Mom and Dad go home to rest. At some point my mom called Jes' mom... after we realized that Jes had spent the entire day asleep in bed, with Emma asleep on the couch, and the boys watching movies all day... and no one had called her! I sobbed. I knew she would be heartbroken to find out almost a day later. And to know that Jes was so sick he didn't even leave his bed, when he knew the kids were fending for themselves... (he hates to leave them to fend for themselves and is SUCH a good dad!) I knew it was bad. And I was strapped to a hospital bed, unable to even walk to the bathroom. I only called him once or twice. There was never anything definitive to say... unless he wanted to know my name or birthday!

And I could tell hearing my voice, and my inability to talk was breaking his heart. When I finally called him that morning after my MRI's and he was awake for a minute... he has been sobbing. We could barely communicate. We just listened to one another breathe and felt each others presence. It was excruciating.

Hospital Trip - Part Two - MRI/MRA

2012-02-09T18:32:00.000-08:00

Suzie and I sat and visited happily in the ER room. We had planned to get together that week for a breakfast meeting, since we are so busy lately, so it was great to catch up! As they prepared to let me go, the nurse came in and explained my discharge papers to us. I had them in my left hand.

I went to reach for my cell phone on my lap... and realized that my right arm would not move.

At all.

I looked up right as she asked if we had any last questions.

"Is it normal for the shot to make your arm not be able to move?" I asked.

(The benedryl shot had gone in that arm)

She said no, and immediately went to get the Dr.

Within minutes, they had done an assessment and realized not only did my arm not move, but right leg as well. It was like horrible flash backs of the morning of my stroke!

Things started moving fast. I made a trip to the bathroom (my own little test of how bad it really was) and could barely hold it together as my right leg drug behind me, and I could not maneuver my own britches! NOT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!! I did my best not to burst into tears.

They had to call in the MRI team, as they were not on that night, so we had to wait a little while, but the nurses and doctor kept that time filled. In between their visits, IV's and blood draws... Suzie and I were kind of quiet. There was not much to say. Just fear. And fighting tears. She sent Jes a text for me... but he didn't respond. He was sound asleep... sick as a dog.

At one point the Dr. came in to talk to me... and the paralysis had moved into my face and speech. Suzie looked really scared as my face did not move when I spoke, I could not say "g", "b", "th" and any other sound that moves your tongue forward in your mouth. Words became hard to find and I had to speak slowly to make sure I said what I was trying to say. Suzie quickly told that Dr. that "This is NOT normal!!" *smile* I think he realized that. My smile was crooked. My eye didn't close well. My tongue would not stick out straight. And soon I realized... after asking Suzie for a piece of gum to clear the "dry mouth of fear" out a bit... I could not chew on my right side, and if the gum got pushed over to that side (out of habit when chewing gum) I had to use my finger to move it back... or it would not budge and I got close to chocking.

About 2am I was whisked to the MRI machine.

They strapped me down (since I struggled to hold my dead arm against me with an IV in the other arm) and I was shot down the little tunnel of noise. It was loud, and stuffy, and slightly painful (my IV burned when they shot me with contrast). I had 2 MRI's - one with contrast and one without - and an MRA of my brain and head.

I was in the machine for about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

I dozed a little here and there - (heh heh - I did have benedryl in me after all. But otherwise I tried really hard to think of songs to sing to keep me distracted. I could only come up with the first lines of my favorite hymns... then my brain lost what I was doing. "Come thou fount of every blessing..." was a phrase that kept playing my mind, though I could not find what was the next line after that.
So did "Nearer my God to thee... Nearer to Thee..." but that is all I could conjure up there. I was loosing the pathways to finish a thought processes. It was so frustrating!
I could barely pray... and not enough to even consider it a full prayer.
It was more feelings from my heart... without words.
I just didn't know what to say.

Hospital Trip - Part One - Hives

2012-02-09T18:12:00.000-08:00

My fever broke finally on Thursday morning (Feb 2nd). What a relief! However... I was covered in hives. I get hives on a daily basis if I do not take my antihistamines, but this was excessive. I still was coughing, and now I was itchy... but I finally felt better! Yea!

Sorry it's crooked! LOL

Emma was still fighting it. And slept most of the day.

Jes and I decided that we really wanted to attend our Stake's Couple Fireside the next evening. He was feeling a little tired, but that's all. I was still hiving and coughing, but figured I would be coughing for weeks... So we sat in the back, I kept my mouth covered when I coughed, and we enjoyed one of the best firesides we have been to ever!

Later that night, about 10pm, I realized that the hives were now going down my throat and taking over! I had some in my tongue, and it began to feel stuffy to breathe. I asked Jestin if he would take me to the hospital for a shot. He got teary eyed and said he couldn't. Within the last 3o minutes the influenza had apparently taken over and he was I.L.L.

Emma and Cody had both gone to bed already, so the littles were still awake and couldn't be left alone anyway. I text the above picture to my sister, asking her opinion, and she said GO NOW. I called my friend Suzie who lives right here close, and donned a mask, and off we went.

We arrived at the ER, and they took one look at me and whisked me back. I couldn't have an ephedrine shot (remember the EPIpen? LOL) so they gave me a bendryl shot and some prednisone. After observing me for a while, they prepared to let us come home. I was going to stay on steroids for a few days and hopefully the hives would calm down. It was just after 1 am - Feb 4th.

14 months to the day (and almost the time) since my stroke.

The Influenza Flu

2012-02-01T17:04:00.000-08:00

Cam started coughing last week. We kept him home from school Tues-Friday because he just couldn't seem to get enough air. We thought it was more asthma related. I took him to the Dr. on Thursday, and he did not have a fever, and his O2s were ok (thank heavens!), so we continued our regular regime when he is in a flare and went on with life.

We had the Daddy Daughter dinner here on Saturday. *gulp* I was extremely fatigued that night, but that often happens to me... so I just figured it was recourse from a very busy week + school.
We all went to church Sunday morning.
We had been up REALLY late from the party and so the aches and pains that I felt, and Jes felt, and the whiney kids, we just brushed aside.
The longer we sat in church, the worse I felt.
And I started to cough.
So did Caleb.
We decided to go back home after Sacrament Meeting, and only let Emma and Cody stay
(they both felt fine, and had no symptoms)
All our friends tried to shake our hands or hug us, but we shyed away and tried to get out of there as quick as possible!

Within hours Caleb and I were running fevers. Cam as well. Jes had the aches, was weak and pale. He would not allow me to take his temp.
And here we are... almost 4 full days later... Sick... SiCk... SICK!!

Symptoms       COLD                     FLU
Fever              Rare               * Usually
Aches            Slight              * Mod-Severe
Chills            Uncommon     * Fairly Common
Fatigue          Mild                * Mod-Severe
Coughing    Productive        * Dry, Unproductive
Sneezing       Common         * Uncommon
Stuffy Nose Common      * Uncommon
Sore Throat     Common      * Uncommon
Chest Pain     Mild-Mod      * Often severe
Headache      Uncommon    * Common

This is a chart issued to us a couple of years back by the CDC. The ones that have stars are all the symptoms we are dealing with.

Cam just barely tried school today. He made it ok... but is pale and weak now. He still coughs, but I am sure he will for weeks. He has not had a fever since Monday.

Emma started with a "tickle in her throat" she said this morning, and refused to stay home from school. This evening she is chilling, headache, coughing etc. The fever just hasn't started yet.

I can't get my fever below 99.8, though it prefers 101-102.6 . Everything hurts. My heart protests and does funny rhythms randomly. We also have had nausea on and off and both boys threw up a couple of times... but I think it was coughing related?

The worst complaints are the aches, the chest pain, the burning cough, and the fatigue.

All in all... It has NOT been a super fun week at our house.
I have missed 3 days of class.
Caleb has missed 4 days so far.
Cam was sick for 8 days.
Jes seems to be fighting it on and off - thankfully he usually doesn't not catch stuff like this
((knock on wood!!!))
Emma will not be going tomorrow.

Cody needs a foster home!
Bwahahahaha

I went out to check on Caleb watching a movie this afternoon and this is what I found:

Caleb was on the couch, but Rexie, his beloved stuffed dinosaur, was tucked comfy in his pillow and blanket.

You see...

Rexie has the flu too.

Here's to appreciating the healthy days a little bit more...

and praying with all our hearts we did not spread this like wildfire before we realized what it really was!

Cause YIKES! It's a doozy!

(And PLEEEASE let us get warm and stop coughing til our eyes are reds and bloodshot and our chests burn! :P )

Daddy Daughter Date

2012-01-29T11:15:00.000-08:00

ALA sponsored a Daddy-Daughter Night

The theme was "Rockin' Around the Clock"

50's Sock Hop

We invited the "couples" to come here for pizza and salad for dinner.

The Nuttall's

Sierra, Cory and Sadie

"Daddy! Smile BIG!"

The Girls

Emmalee, Megan, Sierra & Sadie

Emma borrowed this darling skirt from her friend Kaitlyn -

It's not a poodle skirt... it's a Beagle skirt!

LOL

Daddy & DaughterS

Oh wait! Sophie! You don't get to go!

LOL

AWE! They looked so cute!

They had a blast at the dance! There was a live band, a soda fountain, games and more!

This little group had a rockin' good time!

Thanks Daddy for a wonderful date!!

"Vanillika"

2012-01-21T11:06:00.000-08:00

Thanks to a wonderful friend, I learned a homemaking skill that is so yummy,

I will never buy store bought again!!

I made a bunch for Christmas gifts this year :)

Only two ingredients and some patience!

1st you need a 5th of good Vodka.

This is the one I was told is the best for vanilla.

I always just remember the red and gold label since I can't say the name! LOL

Yes... it was a little strange to go to the liquor store, but I knew I was not looking to break any commandments with this bottle of proof... LOL... so I worked past my "taboo" discomfort and found what I needed!

They are really nice there and put your bottle of hooch in a brown paper sack!

(surprised? LOL)

Keep the bag.

And you need 5-6 vanilla beans.

I found these are the Sunflower Market.

(you can keep the glass vanilla bean bottles to put your finished product in if you would like!)

First you dump out about 3 T. of the vodka (so the beans will fit in the jar).

Take each bean pod and slice along one side to open it up to the beans.

Then drop the whole pod into the bottle of vodka.

Repeat with all your beans.

Put the cap back on...

and place the bottle back in the brown paper sack you got from the liquor store.

*wink*

We wrote "Vanillika" on ours to make it look a little less "suspicious"!

bwahahahaha!

Keep in a cool place...

we just kept it on our fridge or countertop so we would see it and remember the next step:

SHAKE your bottle daily, if you can, for ONE MONTH.

(see? I told you it would take patience)

My whole little family would shake when they saw it and thought about it!

Cooperation at its best! :D

After a month look how lovely!

You are half way there!

Next, dump the entire contents of the bottle into a glass bowl.

(I used a pyrex bowl so I had a pouring spout, but you could use a funnel if you needed to)

Take each bean pod and scrape out the mushy beans inside them and put (aka: scrape) the goo back into the bottle.

(this phase made my hands smell divine! :D)

Discard the empty vanilla bean pods.

Pour the lovely brown alcohol back into your 5th bottle.

Replace the lid and put back into the brown paper sack.

Shake for DAILY for at least another month.

I left mine for about 6 weeks, each cycle, just because we were so busy.

The longer it sits the better the flavor.

;)

Now here is where you can make your own decision:

The recipe I was taught said to strain the liquid through cheese cloth or clean nylon stockings to remove the vanilla bean goo.

I did strain it for the gifts I was giving, but for my own vanilla I just left the beans in there!

It makes pretty vanilla icecream with little flecks of brown, and keeps the flavor getting stonger and stronger so I use less and less each time.

It's entirely up to you!

And so there you have it!

Leave it in the bottle or put into small glass bottles.

Store in a cool, dry, mostly dark place.

(I wrapped my bottle with a damp kitchen towel for about 15 minutes and the label peeled right off)

A whole fifth of vanilla - not watered down - or full of strange additives/flavorings!!

AWESOME!

The total cost was:

Vodka $21.00

Beans x3 $6

_____________

$ 27.00

Now I don't know about you...

though it seems like a lot,

this bottle could last up to 2-3 years if you don't use vanilla like I do!

LOL

And for the peace of mind to know exactly what was in it, plus the simple joy of knowing I made it myself was worth it!

It is DIVINE!!

ENJOY!!

(p.s. they do have the vodka in a smaller bottle - not liquor lingo savvy but would think it would be called a 10th? (lol) - so you could just use less beans and that bottle was only $15 or so.)

Cameron's Bear

2012-01-20T20:42:00.000-08:00

Cam received his Bear this month!!

He's a happy boy!

BEAR CHEER!!

Onto Weeblos cute boy!

Proud of you!!

College started only 2 weeks ago??

2012-01-20T20:35:00.000-08:00

WOW! Can't believe school started 2 weeks ago! It has been a crazy busy fun time LOL
I did post to my FLYSistah's site one night last week... and thought I would copy & paste here and then add from there (Time Saver *wink*)

(copy)
Jan 9th - Tonight was my first class... Math 0990. I have known all along that Math was going to be the hardest thing for me. I knew I struggled with remembering numbers! (Its one of the last major losses from my stroke!) I knew, even though I really need English for prerequisites to many other classes, Math had to come first. I had to conquer it!

I did well the first part of class. I took notes of all the school rules, the syllabus and whatnot. I even understood the vocabulary and remembered information I used to know... long long ago (heh heh)! I was excited! This might be not so bad! I am remembering concepts! And verbage! *happy*

Then my teacher started doing samples "on the board" from a projector thingy, and talking about number this and number that. I was scrambling to thought process the numbers he was saying and writing, and then copying them all down to my notes to make sense! I could feel the overwhelm start to take over... but I kept pushing. I KNEW I HAD to learn this or I would get behind! So I just kept fighting and pushing myself. I spoke to the teacher after class, giving him my Accessibility letter explaining my disabilities (and that was emotionally hard in and of itself) but I was still level and ok on the outside!

I got into my car to come home, and burst into tears. I sobbed all the way home. I came home to an empty house (the family was cleaning the church tonight) so I walked (ok... paced!) around the house flapping my hands. I felt completely crazy!!!!!!!!!!! I could not calm down! I finally decided to call my friend Amy (her hubby is the therapist) and talk to her. She helped me talk through some of it and I realized something! It is NOT that I cannot remember numbers! I CAN!! It's that when I am given numbers verbally or have to process them from a computer to a piece of paper... my mind cannot take that information and turn around and put it in the right order! It's similar to someone trying to speak Spanish to me too fast! I was once fluent in Spanish (all through elementary school)... but as an adult I have had to slowly process the words and translate them into English from the Spanish I used to understand immediately and fluently and it is stressful! (Perro, de verdad, mi espanol estas volviendo mas rapido despuez de mi "stroke" - hay momentos quando todos mis pensajes son en espanol!) ("However, in truth, my Spanish is suddenly returning very quickly after my stroke - there are moments when all of my inner thoughts run in Spanish!) ANYWHO... long story short tonight SUCKED!!

I just had my first "physical therapy" session since I graduated from physical therapy!!

My mind HURTS.

After my family got home, and we did a quick Family Home Evening, and put kids to bed... I dissolved into tears once again as I explained the evening to Jes. He cried too. He said he thinks that is why I am suppose to go to school. To continue my healing.

To continue my healing.

*sigh*

I am so mentally exhausted, like I haven't been in months, I wanna just keep crying until I can't cry anymore. (which kinda makes me thankful my emotions were taken from me whilst I did my other recovery stuff... good grief! I think my eyes would have been swollen shut and my nose would have never stopped running! Bwahahaha)

SO there you have it girls. My first class. I am not sure I would call it epic fail? But maybe just "holy crap that was hard". I look forward to tomorrow! (heh heh heh... um... yeah....)
(end)

It WAS hard. I cried after the next math class as well.

My other classes have gone well. I am keeping up, and though I am incredibly fatigued, it is expect-able fatigue and I am dealing with it well. This week, I only had Math once, but I didn't cry after class and it only took me 20 minutes or so to clear my mind and decompress. The ability to copy down numbers is coming faster and with more accuracy. And all the concepts have returned. It will be ok. It is just going to take work.
College homework is BIG. LOL. Lots of busy work. I feel like juggling both home and college is an intricate dance - with just a few breaks. It is going to stretch not only me.. but my little family as well. We are getting into the swing of it all though... :)

On a happy bragging note:

Today I finished all the homework for chapter 1 of my Math - 9 sections with 15-30 problems each - and the chapter test today... and I got 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAHOO!!!!!!

It may hurt like hell ('xuse my french) but it is coming back!!! :D
(With much thanks from my cute Jr. High kiddos who answer their Mommy's questions and helps her whenever she needs it *wink*)

Wow! 3 posts in a row!

2012-01-04T12:35:00.000-08:00

(Aunt Becky will be so proud!)

So... sleeping last night was torture. Aches, chills etc. This morning I took somemore Tylenol and fell back asleep (this time in my bed ;)) after the kids left for about an hour or so.
:) Better! :)
I have a wicked cold sore all of a sudden...
but I feel better.
SO...
whatever.
I will look fantastic for the first day of school.
(heh heh)
Acutally - that is why I thought to blog!
School.

College.

I am old.
Ok... maybe not super old, but post stroke? Lemme just tell ya...I feel O.L.D.
This is a little bit craziness as I try to get my ducks in a row for a life experience I clearly should have pursued at age 18!

(Oh wait... I was a sluffer. A slacker. A 1.2 cumulative GPA? solely because I did not engage in my high school career... I had a super hot boyfriend after all! They would have laughed me off campus! *wink* Who had time for homework and attending classes? Drooling over Jes in metal shop was MUCH more fun. Hmmm... which: #1 - WHY exactly did the Shop teacher allow me to hang out you ask? I did his busy work for him... and really... I am sure he figured that if he let me stay... my hottie of a boyfriend would stay too.
BTW... Jes' GPA? 3.5+.
*sigh*
Girls... don't sell yourself short for a boy! Just sayin'!)
Distracted paragraph aside....

I waver from complete and utter excitement...
to complete and utter fear.

It's very similar emotionally to preparing to go to the Physical Therapist's office during stroke recovery and wondering how epic of a fail it will be... and how much it will hurt before it gets better.
Yeah.
It's similar.
*wink*
OH! But to conquer it!

To succeed!

To smother the echo of a 1.2 GPA... and have proof that I can be brilliant and succeed if I put in the work.
This is SOO not going down on the epic fail list.
NOT AT ALL!

(remind me of this post when I am gasping for air wondering what the heck happened ok??)

Lost my blogging touch?

2012-01-03T21:54:00.000-08:00

Maybe.
I am not sure.
I just can't seem to get the juices flowing, the words to say what I want and the emotion behind them to shine through.
Weird!
Maybe it's my perfectionism and the knowledge that I have about a dozen or so post that I have not written, so I would be out of order if I did... blah blah blah.
Ok.
Whatever.
Starting tonight... here is my randomness... revisted. :)

Today I have felt like I haven't slept in years. Years.
I mean it!
I got up after 7 hours of sleep, and promptly fell asleep on the couch while the kids got ready for school. It was like tearing two cloths covered in molasses to open my eyes to tell them goodbye and say prayers with them! Oye!
I was out like a light after they left.
I fought the sleepiness for over an hour and a half... knowing a repair guy and Jes would both be here at 10 - and I had to have a smoothie ready for Jes when he got here to take back to work.
(Did I mention we are drinking green smoothies? We had full intentions of juicing, even bought a juicer in mid-October, but we returned it to have some Christmas money, so we are thankful for my Dad's splurge on a REALLY nice blender he never uses and is allowing us to play with. I am in love. But... I digress...)
Back to my story of today.
So, I pulled myself off the couch with 5 minutes to spare - just enough time to make 3 quick piles of the misc stuff on the livingroom floor and rush them to their appointed places of residence in our house, and comb my hair, wipe the mascara from under my eyes and put on a bra. *sigh*
After the repair guy left, Jes helped me make a smoothie for us and headed back to work. I had guilt. I FULLY intended to surprise him with an Uber tasty spinach, orange, strawberry, blueberry shake. Instead we used Swiss chard, and pear sauce, with oranges and apples. More fiber... less tasty. LOL
On being left alone again, with the promise that I would try to have all the Christmas packed away in the totes that litter the main living areas before Jes got home so that he could just take them to the shed, I promptly curled up in my recliner, with my new calendar for the year, our various spheres of influence on our daily schedules, my computer and a blanket.
I spent the entire day working on our calendar (which looks great... but still needs some stuff added so I can keep my head on straight LOL) and then rumaging the college's website trying to figure out my schedule, my map, my necessities, my books to buy and my game plan for getting ready for school in a few days.
And it took me...
All day.
I got up just to rotate laundry and drink water.
I feel wrung out like a old dishrag.
Poo!
As my people's arrived home for the day, I elicited their help and believe it or not it took us a whopping 20 minutes to pack up Christmas, outside decor and lights included, and take it to the shed!! Something that would have taken ME alone ALL DAY!
Moral of the story?
When you don't feel good...
Curl up with a warm blanket and work on the not so hard stuff.
The hard stuff will get done... eventually!
*grin*
Now... where is my blanket, my Tylenol (bummer I gots me some body aches this evening) and my sweetheart?
Let's go to bed!

A Year In Review - 2011

2012-01-01T22:42:00.000-08:00

Tons of physical therapy for Heather, as she recovered from a mild stroke, effecting her right side, suffered in Dec 2010. She gained back most all that was lost by early April. The day she could drive again was joyful, as was the day her cursive came back, and the day her emotions came back (Oct) as well. It was SUPER hard work, for our whole family (as everyone helped with her exercises & therapy) and it taught us our new motto... "I can't do it... Yet!"
Closed the doors on JWD Electric, as our mortgage company forced us into bankruptcy as we attempted to keep our home after they did their "bait and switch". We also turned in Jes' work truck.
Heather's Realtor's license was place on in-active status for a season, by divine intervention, just before her stroke. It was perfect so she could 100% focus on recovering. She is still a licensed real estate agent, and may, at some point, reactivate her Realtor status by paying the crazy amount of dues the Assoc of Realtor's require. We shall see... time will tell.
We turned in our camper trailer after the bankruptcy. It was hard - it was our family's escape and joy - but we are grateful for the debt relief from it.
Tons of job applications, more than can be numbered, and any and all side jobs he can muster for Jes. In April he gained a full time job in maintenance at a local manufacturing shop. He enjoys tearing their machines apart and figuring them out and fixing them. The pay is less than desirable, but we are thankful for a steady paycheck. He still must to do electrical work to make ends meet. He was released as Elder's Quorum President in February, as the toll of taking care of Heather and looking for a job became suffocating for him. The Stake President gave him a "new calling". He told him his calling was to find a job to care for his family, and help his wife heal. He had torn emotions about it... as he loved serving the men of this ward, but the relief from the stewardship was huge.
We spent the better part of the year uncertain if we were moving or not, and of how quickly we would have to do it - our martgage company was wicked. It was finally all said and done mid August. The bank won and took our family's home.
We were blessed to move into a smaller rambler rental here in the neighborhood (the kids didn't have to change wards or schools) and have found great joy in our new little place. We can easily maintain it (when I say we...I mean Heather. She is LOVING feeling like she can fully be the homemaker without putting her health at risk). And we are closer as a family. It has been a blessing in disguise! This little house is perfect!
Emmalee (14 yrs) began 8th grade. She loves choir. Misses art. Enjoys her friends. Active in Youngwomen's - loved girls camp at the new Heber Campground. Her room is decorated in Lime Green, brown, and she loves purple! Saved all her money for over 5 months, seeking any and all extra income makers she could (including babysitting and mowing grass) to earn enough to purchase an IPod Touch - 4th Generation - 32gb. She loves it! She has an amazing testimony & loves her Father in Heaven very much. Her spirit is incredibly sensitive to anything that interferes with her relationship with the Holy Ghost. She is an inspiration to all who know her. She has a very strong love language of "quality time." This year her Christmas Ornament was a purple swirly peace sign - her favorite colors, and her desire for life.
Cody (12 yrs) began Jr High - he is in 7th grade. William (his first given name) is what he chose to go by in school this year. He finds great joy continuing his Drama classes. He also is in honors math. He struggles a little in school - but only because he doesn't always turn in his work... LOL typical 12 year old boy! He is an honor student - when his work is turned in on time - "busy work" annoys him. He has found a great joy in Scouts, and was nominated to join the "Order of the Arrow". He completed his "trial" this fall... and continues to work towards completing all that lay before him. He can be found almost always with his nose in a great fantasy fiction book... or his DS playing his Pokemon games. He is the family alarm clock and gets us all up in the morning (except Jes of course... as he is up at 4:30-5am to make it to work so he can be home around 3:30pm and have time for side jobs.) Cody has grown a mustache - ok... really dark peach fuzz - and has grown 5+ inches this year. His voice is deeper than Jes'. Heather loves that he is officially taller than her! Cody was diagnosed with Scoliosis this year - double curves - one in his upper spine and one in his lower. It is not such as yet that he needs a back brace, but we are keeping an eye on his rapid growth. Cody's love language is "physical touch" and he loves to hug those he loves, and he gives Em and I kisses on our cheeks every night before bed. His Christmas ornament this year was a pair of glass flip flops in a pretty shade of blue - his favorite color - and because we tease him that he is no respecter of shoes - if he needs a pair to go outside, he will snag whomevers is closest, girl shoe or not!
Cameron (9 yrs) began 4th grade this year. He felt on top of the world to be able to have the same teacher he loved so much in 3rd grade. Mr. Anderson is one of the best teachers I have ever encountered. Cameron is in the top of his class. He began and enjoyed the first 3 Harry Potter books this year! We have only allowed him to watch the first two movies though - still too much for a boy his age. He would play video games all day if we let him, but once outside to play he has many friends and would stay outside all day too if we let him! Chicken Pox were an ailment he got to endure this year - he had a pox on his face that he struggled to leave alone and it is now a large pink mark (scar) which we pray will lessen with time. He also got an infection in his nail bed that destroyed his fingernail, and now as it grows out he has no nail! Cam loves to tease, joke and laugh. He loves tradition and spending quality time together, though his love language flits between "quality time", "physical touch" and "gifts". His Christmas ornament this year was a glass slice of pizza - the answer ALWAYS given when asked what to have for dinner... even if he had it for lunch! LOL
Caleb (age 6) began 1st grade this year! (All my babies gone all day! :O) He is a math whiz!! Loves it! School is a struggle for him though in other ways: he was completely on track and had begun reading before Heather's stroke, but after, anything to do with letters was forgotten. His kindergarten teacher did not mention much to us (she knew what was going on at home) and so when he started 1st grade we were surprised at how little he knew! He is taking extra tutoring and the letters/words are starting to come... we have NO doubt he will catch back up. All at home was too emotionally trying for him... but he is bouncing back now as our lives calm down. The boy LOVES to be outside, all creeping things are his friends... even scary black spiders. (ewww) He is passionate about weather - loves to hear the 7-day forecast and ANY show or book about it. He cannot read, and yet he checked out an encyclopedia on weather from the library and studied it front to back, asking questions when he could not figure it out from the pictures. He eats anything... and rarely complains about food. Pickles, peppers and anything his Daddy is eating is a food of choice. Caleb broke his arm this summer - in two places - and spent the better part of the summer and first few weeks of school in one of 3 casts. He dodged surgery by the skin of his teeth. Caleb tears things apart to put them back together all the time. LOVES it! He is also known to make anything from anything... his latest creation consisted of 2 tissue boxes, 3 toilet paper rolls and old dryer sheets... which, with some tape and cutting became a train engine! He can also build anything out of Lego's! He is a mini Jes to a tee! His love language is "acts of service", as he *loves* doing things for others. He also makes wonderful notes for everyone... even if we aren't sure what they say without his decipher. This year for Christmas his ornament was a beautiful shiny glass train... he loves them and can't to ride Traxx someday soon!
Sophie, our Yorkie, is still the baby of the family. She has adjusted pretty well to our new home and loves having a fenced, grassy backyard all her own! She helped Emma and Heather, as they started Couch to 5k together this summer. They made it to week 9 together. Sophie still completely loves us all in this order: Jes 1st, Emma 2nd, everyone else last. LOL
We have 7 chickens. Love fresh eggs. Fun to watch. The neighbor kids stand on the utility boxes on the other side of the fence near their coop to watch them... we joke we are the neighborhood zoo!
Heather was in a car accident in Aug, a couple of weeks before she was to start school (a freshman at UVU! *gulp*) and though not hurt from the accident, she lost all the new brain pathways learned from her stroke and was thrown back to square one! It took almost 2 full weeks to have all the symptoms go away and be "back to normal" - and it was disappointing to be taken to the hospital via ambulance since the EMT's we not pleased that she could not move her right side, close her right eye, speak without a slur and smile with her whole mouth. She was allowed to go home a few hours later once they realized it was simply an "echo" from her former stroke. The 80 year old gentleman that hit her, ran a red light, and blessedly no one was really hurt. Our family car (Expedition) spent a month in the car shop and it completely restored - $7800 later. Thank heavens for insurance!! Emma and Heather stopped their 5k training post accident, and once we started the moving process, never got back to it. Looking forward to jumping back in in 2012.
Starting school was put on hold for Heather until Spring semester, so we will be learning how to re-vamp our family routines to accommodate and support in a week or so. After this last year... as a family... we can do anything!!

We anxiously look forward to a new year... less stress... more time together... more growth... and lots more joy!!

The 12 Days of Christmas

2011-12-29T20:11:00.000-08:00

December 15th, 2011

Cody's (aka William) Christmas Drama Performance

They acted out the comedy "The 12 Days of Christmas" - each day is a short skit.

Cody (the Salesman) was selling Santa a battery operated sled - he ordered a bunch - as Santa was in ca-hoots with the battery salesman! LOL

He had many little small parts, but was a main character in the skit

"Two Turtle Doves"

It never ceases to amaze me at this boys talent!

He struggles to communicate in regular settings, and is quiet and shy,

but give him some lines and put him on stage and he is AMAZING!

Great Job Cody!!

The Spirit of Christmas

2011-12-29T19:56:00.000-08:00

December 9th, 2011

Em's behind the purple feather :)

Emmalee was in the Spirit of Christmas at her school this year.

(She is in Concert Choir)

We had never attended one of the school's Christmas programs... and I am not sure we will miss one again after this!

It was like unto a mini Tabernacle Choir concert!

The dance companies, the orchestra, the band, all the choirs and the drama department were invovled and all performed together!

Emma flanked by her closest friends.

One of our favorites was the 12 days of Christmas...

It was charming!

The talent found at the kids school is awe inspiring!

The program included more than 400 of the students!

What an undertaking!

FANTASTIC!

My favorite, favorite part was the closing number.

Complete with a live nativity... which I can barely even mention without my eyes tearing up.

Emma's glasses are reflecting ;)

We were sad to end up right up front to sit, as Emma was on the other side of the stage, but the Spirit that we felt sitting right there in the thick of it... it was perfect!

MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL!!!

And let us never forget the reason for the season!

A Perfect Christmas

2011-12-25T21:22:00.000-08:00

This year was on my top favorites list. All day the feeling of peace, calm, joy washed over me again and again. So many things contributed to this being all I could wish for, I am not sure I could account them all...
* Most of the presents my children wanted this year were within our ability (and blessing) to provide. We wanted for little and hoped for less. They relished each gift with gusto, as the number of gifts received was small, but wished for. Why we ever tried to do more than they ask for I will never know.
* BIG: For the first time in over 3 years... all the bills that were due this month were actually PAID this month... (before Christmas!)... and we did some Christmas (with some special angels help) for our family and even though our first bill is due at the begining of January... there will be no bills carrying over to next month. PEACE. A.m.a.z.i.n.g. I could not ask for more. And no credit card bill waiting for us come January. I had forgotten how *important* something so small is to the well being and peace of mind of a soul.
* We were happy with what we have... instead of wishing for more.
* Each of our "events" with family were on seperate days. There was no hurting anyone's feelings, no rushing from house to house, no schedules to keep. We got to enjoy each family event to the fullest, without stress and guilt. It was perfect and it made me so very happy inside. We have the best family to love and support us. We are so very blessed.
* Emmy and I got to sing the Ward Choir today... the program was perfect! I could not keep the tears from steaming down my cheeks. How very choice to be able to attend Sacrament meeting on Christmas Day. *LOVED* it.

So many other tender mercies made this holiday one I will never forget. It was completely perfect!!

Ward Christmas Party/Seeing Santa

2011-12-12T21:04:00.000-08:00

Our ward Christmas Party this year was a breakfast. Jes arrived early early to start cooking on the camp chef outside - since we can't cook inside the church building.

I stayed home and made some Cinnamon Rolls to share.

Cody went early to set up chairs.

Emma went early to decorate.

The little boys and I joined them later.

While Jes cooked, I set up my camera (Ward Photographer) and tri-pod and hunkered down to take photos of all our Primary Children with the best Santa ever!

My little guy is getting so big!!

He wore his jammies to the party *grin*

Cam did NOT want to sit on his lap in case his friends made fun of him... but once offered a candy cane that quickly changed! LOL

WOW! I have gotten big :P

* Santa and his Photographer *

It was a long, hot morning... but the photos we got were worth it!

The kids were darling!

I was glad Emma and Cody got my littler ones something to eat while Jes and I worked...

and thank heavens for cereal when we got home... nothing was left when we were done

Bwahahaha!!

Typical Ward Party.

Too much good food to make it last very long...

We heard it was a successful event though and it is always so fun to love and serve the people of our ward. We have the best group of people!

Dorius Kids with Santa 2011

Our Week in Review

2011-12-08T20:02:00.000-08:00

Hello from the Dorius'!!

Things here have been crazy!

Jes has been working crazy long hours

(I think in hopes of making Christmas not so tight)

Monday he worked 5am-3pm at his regular job.

Then he worked on a side job from 4pm-10pm.

He was in bed by 12:30am.

Tuesday he worked 5 am-3pm at his regular job.

He then drove to Park City and worked at the Mansion,

not getting home until just before 1 am.

Wednesday he worked from 4am-3pm - regular job.

He took his big ladder over and hung "Grandma Carolyn's" Christmas lights on her house.

Then went to his side job again, getting home just after 10:30pm.

Believe it or not today he slept in!

*gasp*

He didn't leave for work until almost 6 am!

*chuckle*

*sigh*

He didn't get home from his regular workthough until 5 pm.

He ran back over to "grandma's" to add an extension cord and get them lights glowin...

He actually ATE DINNER WITH US...

and then headed back to his side job in American Fork.

Emmalee has been working crazy long hours as well!

She has Concert Choir at school, and then are doing a "Spirit of Christmas" program.

She has had rehearsals almost everyday for the past 6 school days.

(It is not just the choir, but it is the whole fine arts program together!)

(so it's BIG)

She has gone to school at 8:30am.

She gets out a 3:15pm and stays at the school working on her homework as best she can because rehearsals start at 4:00pm.

She is suppose to be done by 9pm... but her best friend is the President of the Concert Choir, and multiple times she and her friend have had to stay late to clean up the classrooms that the students wait in until it's their time on stage.

It has been A LOT of work for her.

After so many days, she crashed yesterday and called in an "Honor Roll Hookie Day".

(if the kids are on the honor roll they earn 1 Hookie Day a Semester - a free day)

We ran errands together, but she spent most of the day desperately finishing the homework that has been piling up so she won't mess up her honor roll status.

(some day off eh? LOL)

Performances started tonight and so she will be back at the school from 5pm-9pm today, tomorrow and monday, with another program on Saturday from 2-4!

The boys and I have done some Christmas crafts and kept up on the household stuff, homework stuff, & reading, playing games & guiltily being kinda lazy comparatively!

During dinner tonight, when we did our "Best Part/Worst Part of the Day" - without Emma because she had just left for her performance - but Caleb said his best part about today was that

"I gots to see my whole family all at the same time for a few minutes today"

*sniff*

He is such a sweet boy.

It has been rough!

The boys have been in bed everytime Em and Jes have come home for days!

I can't wait for NEXT TUESDAY!!

Oh wait!

That's Young Men/Young Women's Night.

*sigh*

Ok.

I can't wait for next WEDNESDAY

LOL

It's the most wonderful time of the year.......

Christmas Traditions

2011-12-06T17:27:00.001-08:00

I copied my post from years ago to bring it forward so that I may have quicker access to the ideas I need for this month! I also updated it a little and added one or two

*grin*

ENJOY!

(copy below)

I sent this email to a friend who wanted to know more about my Celebrating-Christmas-All-December-Long list. I thought maybe it would be fun to post here! They are all mostly free ideas that just make the season a little more fun! Hope you enjoy it!

Christmas all Month Long Ideas:

* Sugar cookie day
Cut out/decorate the sugar cookie dough I made while they are at school. We either share them with neighbors or leave the on the counter to snack on for the week ahead.

* Bless the Birds Day
Take pine cones and spread them with peanut butter and roll them in bird seed. We hang them on the trees for the birds holiday season

* Snowflake day
We each cut out a bunch of snowflakes and hang them all over the dining room ceiling from sewing thread. (It's really pretty because the heater vent in the ceiling makes them "dance" all month long.) If we can afford it I try to find snowflake designed paper plates/cups to eat on for dinner that night.

* "Muppets Christmas Carol" Night
(our most favorite Christmas movie!)
We watch the DVD while eating pizza and drinking root beer.

* Secret Santa Night
We always give a Nativity Set, one piece at a time, for the 12 days of Christmas - 1 piece from the Nativity set for each night with a story telling about each piece - so this night we read them all together (take turns reading), wrap up each piece, get it ready and under the tree for quick delivery in the nights to come (I have copies of the stories for them if you would like them)

* Christmas Puzzle Night
I bought a couple of puzzles from the Dollar Store and we spend an evening putting them together and snacking on pretzels and M&M's. Caleb is a puzzle whiz!
* Best Decor Award
We take a box of Chocolate Orange sticks, or other store bought wrapped treat and a computer generated certificate with us in the car and drive around the neighborhood and deliver it to the home we think has the Best Lights/Decor - we usually do this the week before Christmas as some people wait until then to put up their lights! The families are always SO surprised! It is fun!

* Emma Cookie Day

* Cody Cookie Day

* Cameron Cookie Day

* Caleb Cookie Day
(They get to pick what kind of cookies we make. I try to do the cookie days once a week the whole month to spread them out)

* Polar Express Night
Watch the DVD and make Hot Cocoa to drink - we also "must" get up and dance to the Hot Chocolate song LOL

* Temple Square/Traxx
We always have this one on our to-do's and never quite make it! Hopefully this year! - usually someone is sick that night! :( XXcrossing our fingersXX we make it this year... I think Caleb would be THRILLED to ride the train.

* Christmas Caroling Family Home Evening
We used to hit our own neighborhood, but now that they know so many people, we don't - the kids like not knowing who they sing to! LOL

* Neighbor Gifts Delivery

* Game Night with Friends
Last year we had dinner together on a Sunday night and my friend brought this dough (I have the recipe) to make cut out cinnamon scented ornaments - similar to sugar cookies, but non-edible, and baked them. They made my house smell terrific for days! LOL and you could smell them all season from the Christmas tree. Then we played our favorite games & ate treats.

* Home Alone Double Feature
With LOTS of laughs and Lots of popcorn!

* Dorius Family Party OR Ward Party
If his G'ma does theirs another night besides Christmas Eve, if not we don't count this one and often replace it with the Ward Christmas Party.

* Ewell Family Party OR Visit with Santa
G'pa Ewell always dresses as Santa at their party... so you could make a visit to a Santa for this night :) that's the highlight of this night anyway... LOL and it helps me know for sure we are on the right track for the kids gifts LOL

* Festival of Lights
We put the seats down and all load in the back of our car - usually with our old friends the Throckmorton's - yes it is very squishy - and sing Christmas Carols at the top of our lungs - you know...to annoy the dad's in the front seats *giggle*- and go see the Festival of lights. We open the back window once we are there and let the littlest ones peer out... it's way fun and cheap!

* Make your own Ornament and give it away
This year I got 2 kits at the Dollar Store that makes 3 ornaments for $1!

* Kids Shopping Trip
I take 2 children at a time and they buy each other a gift for Christmas from the Dollar Store and wrap it. I take them usually & then we hide out in my bedroom while they wrap. The ones who stay home watch Christmas cartoons with Dad.

* Temple Anniversary "Date"
We were sealed on the 6th... so we used to go drive around the temple and talk about our family's sealing and such. This year we want to take the 2 older kids to do some temple work the week of our Anniversary.

* Santa Cookies!! - Done on Christmas Eve Eve (LOL)
We have to make Santa cookies the day before we need them! LOL Usually I just use pre-made dough and they place them on the cookie sheet, but then we turn on Christmas music and dance in the kitchen while they cook.

* Read the Nativity - while they act it out - by "candle light" - (Christmas Eve)
(I bought the battery operated candles you can get at the Dollar Store. They loved to read the Scriptures about Jesus' birth by candle light right before bed and each use their own candles to go to bed with. Last year they also wanted to act it out and it was a hoot! I am sure they will want to again this year... puppy Sophie makes SUCH a good baby Jesus! LOL! It also nice because the candles all take 2 batteries each, so I am guaranteed to at least have 8-10 AA's for Christmas morning! LOL)

**************
I learned to NOT tell the kids which day was for what for most of these, or even that I was planning it, so if it did not work out they weren't disappointed. They just love the surprise of Mom saying "let's go/do..." And often it took less than 15-30 min. but they were THRILLED!

OTHER TRADITIONS:

* Yearly Christmas Ornament
Each year our kids are each given a new Christmas Ornament to put on the Christmas Tree. It usually has something to do with what has happened in their life that year. It is fun to keep a running list of who's ornament is who's and why in the ornament box and read it as we put up the Christmas tree.

* Read Christmas Stories Every Night by the Christmas Tree
One thing we have done since they were babies is read Christmas stories at bedtime every year. We have a couple of books that has a story for each night of December (Thank Aunt Becky & FLYSistah Allie!). We often miss one or two nights because, well, that is just how it is in December! LOL! But they love it! We usually turn off all the lights but the Christmas tree and just before family prayer we gather around the Christmas tree and read a quick story and say our prayers. It really makes for a great season!

* Preparing Jesus' Manger
We have a wooden manger that we keep under (or near) the Christmas tree. We have a bunch of yellow yarn cut into 2-3" lengths. Every time we see someone do something kind/they do something kind or an act of service that no one knows about, one that would make Jesus happy, we put a piece of "straw" in the manger for "baby Jesus Christmas morning". Anyone is allowed to do it, anytime of day. The first year we did it, it was hard for Caleb because he would fill it and empty it all day long, he just liked being able to play with it! LOL The kids would get SO annoyed at him! But last year they all did really well at it. We all laughed one day when I was at my wits end and I marched into the living room... and grabbed 5 strands of yarn and put them in the manger. The kids all wanted to know why... and I answered because I really wanted to yell at each one of you all and decided not to! They burst into giggles and it really lightened the mood. It is a fun tradition.

I hope you enjoy the ideas I try to use! If you have any others I would *LOVE* to hear them! :) Happy Traditions Planning!

Where am I... really?

2011-11-12T15:29:00.000-08:00

I know. I know. My posts have been few and far between. I have tried to post those with photos as often as I can, but really there is much to say.

First off... have you seen Pintrest ?? Oh. My. I would say I am addicted... but that is a strong word. What I am is tickled, pleased, happy, entertained, and taught. It is a wonderful website where you can link to pictures from your favorite things, projects you wanna do, recipes you wanna try etc. It is basically a glorified "Favorites" button... but your friends can see what you like and learn from you too!

It is super fun... to see and know what my friends are interested in in living color... and see new things.

But the thing I like the very best?
It's not the projects I am dying to try.
It's the not the cute quotes or yummy recipes.

It is the revelations I have found.

I only click on things *I* really like. I don't *have* to like what others like and put them on my boards. It is like a living/changing collage of Me. Heather Dorius. These are things I like, love and am interested in. It is Heather Dorius beyond Mom, Homemaker & Wife. And it is fun. So... I have been there a lot... learning more and more about this person I am.

But! A shpeel on Pintrest is not why you are here... and so...

By way of an us update....

Emmalee turned 14 on the 10th. FOURTEEN!?!?! Can you believe it?? She wanted to go to lunch together (aka - checked out of school) just she and I. So... I checked her out and we went to the Pizza Factory. That evening we had all Jes' family over for cake and icecream. It was a quiet and simple day.

The next day, Vetran's Day, 11/11/11, I let my honor roll student (a.k.a. Emma) play hookie and we went shopping. She had $90 from all the family for her birthday to spend, after paying her tithing. We went to 7Circles - this amazing shop in Orem full of brand new brand name clothing for CHEAP (usually from stores when they only have one or two left of something, or the clothing got a little dirty, or the box is munched ,etc.) - Em got a brand new pair of Sketchers Shape-Ups she has wanted so much for only $28!! (they are $100 shoes!) Then we went to Saver's Vetrans Day sale - all clothing etc was 50% off regular prices. She spent $1-3 dollars on each piece of clothing! She got 3 really nice pairs of jeans, 5-6 shirts, some socks, and another pair of shoes - New Balance! (they don't even look like they have been worn but once - maybe! for only $7!) all for about $35! Then we hit JC Penny's for a real bra. She has been wearing sports bras because she grew so fast! We got her measured and found her a really nice soft fabric bra for only $19 - then the sales lady showed us the same bra in blue and purple for only $6.77 each on clearance - and gave us a discount on the total purchase because they measured her. She only spent $30 for 3 REALLY NICE bras!! It was AMAZING!! She went with a specific list, said a prayer, and we were able to get EVERYTHING she needed from her list!! With a little to spare for a photo shoot of us in the malls camera booth - something she has always wanted to do! :D I just love this kid! She is so much fun!!

Cam's chicken pox are over - if he will quit picking the one pox left on his cheek and in his nose! They are bleeding almost daily! Little pill is going to have a scar! :{ Oh well. He has always been a picker... he just can't stand it! LOL I am not sure if I should take him to church tomorrow if he keeps making it bleed! Do you think he is still contagious from it even though it is past the "scabbed over" stage? Ugh. Anywho... glad that is over! I met with his teacher last week for PT Conferences... Cam is an honor roll student as well. He is leaps and bounds ahead of everyone in his class and LOVES his teacher and has tons of friends. :D So happy for him! He is such a good kid!

Jestin's job is not making ends meet. He has been taking every little side job he can. I feel so sorrowful for him... not because we aren't grateful for the work... but because it irritates that part of his heart that feels like he fails his family as a provider. I wish he could understand that it is NOT him... that there are literally THOUSANDS struggling to make ends meet right now in this depression (sorry... but I don't buy the recession theory LOL) and just because Emma had to ask for $ for her birthday and then use it for her own clothing that she desperately needed, does not reflect on him as a person! She is learning VALUABLE life lessons at an early age... all the kids are... and I am not sure I would trade it for the life of them getting every little thing they want exactly when they need it... know what I mean? Money is NOT all it's cracked up to be!
Cody has had some amazing learning lessons lately. He is maturing and become quite the young man. He just melts my heart. He is loving school, and his interest in photography grows more each day. He is a lady magnet too... we were giggling at the girls fawning over him the other night at the school... especially since he seemed completely oblivious to it! Cracks us up! He is the responsible one in the mornings and makes sure everyone gets up on time. We sure appreciate him! LOL

Caleb is loving school... but he is struggling - hard core. Math? He is a whiz and could do math all day long. Science? Loves it and absorbs it like a sponge. Reading? Nope. He forgets letter sounds, gets frustrated in nano seconds. It is really sorrowful, since last year in the weeks before my stroke he was completely starting to read and doing really well. After the stroke he shut it all down. And he can't seem to access it in his little mind. He's half way through first grade and not reading more than 20-30 words - IF he sounds them out. :( It is really discouraging. They want to get him some extra help and I am considering finding him a child counselor to speak with... wondering if maybe he processes the scary events of that period of our lives he would be able to remember the letters and sounds. ??? Otherwise that little man is perfect! He loves to hang out with friends and build/tear apart anything around him - even the food on his plate! LOL he is a miniature Jestin and it cracks me up!

I am doing well. My emotions have all come back and I feel more like ME than I have in almost a year! Very few residuals show up from my stroke and it is amazing to think where I have been and come from. I have learned how valuable emotions really are. And I also have realized that the thought process of "I have to be strong" or "Have it all together" and never just bursting into tears and FEELING the emotions around us is a ploy of Satans. He doesn't want us to feel the sorrow, frustration, hurt etc. because then we would turn to our Father in Heaven, as we are SUPPOSE to, and be given the light, comfort, love and support He intends for us.

So... here is a little piece of advice from me...

CRY.

Let it out.

FEEL.

It's ok!

You can't have the good without the bad! It's TRUE!!!

And God has SOOO much to offer you when you allow yourself to experience the rollercoaster of emotions that are ours to enjoy.

Now... if you're cryin' because the elastic is shot in your pantyhose... well then... maybe you are following my advice a little too closely (bwahahahahaha) but for heaven sakes! Life is HARD right now! Many of us are struggling harder than we ever have before.... it's ok to let a few tears go! It's ok to sob! It's even ok to Ugly-Cry!! Have you ever NOT felt better after a good long cry?

That's my 2 cents for today. Please stay tuned for further instructions...

*grin*

Cody's Order of the Arrow

2011-11-07T21:07:00.000-08:00

Here is my cute Boy Scout,

ready to go to the special event he has been invited to be a part of.

His mom thought he looked SO handsome!

He is wearing Dad's boots and the bolo Dad made when he was a Scout.

(sorry Mom didn't know the neckercheif was the weblows one... and un-cool! LOL I am still trying to keep all this boy/cub scout stuff straight you know!)

He still looks mighty handsome though!

(and tall!) don't you think??

A couple of weeks ago Cody was part of the Order of the Arrow ordeal.

He went to Camp Maple Dell.

He took a vow of silence for the 2 full days he was up there.

He camped all alone in a field... with no shelter.

He ate very little.

He worked really hard.

And he is exicted to continue on this journey of the Boy Scouts Order of the Arrow Brotherhood, honoring camping and serving others for over 80 years.

I forgot to get a picture of him with the Indian necklace he made himself.

UBER cool!

So proud of you Cody and your love of the scouting program!

Chicken Pox :(

2011-11-06T16:01:00.000-08:00

So... the day after Halloween Cam woke up not feeling so hot.

Mild fever, mild sore throat, headache.

We figured it was a cold of some sort.

He missed Tuesday and Wednesday of school.

Thursday he was feeling a little better, so he went for a couple of hours before calling me and asking to come home.

He slept the rest of that day.

That evening he had a few spots on his face.

I teased him he was getting zits already!

Friday morning he was feeling great!

I barely looked at his face.

(dang it)

He came home from school and I almost died!!

His "zits" had multiplied on his face, some broken open and gotten crusty, and he had two on his tooshie.

ACK!

POOR SCHOOL!!

We totally exposed them!

He has had the vaccine... so it is a mild case... but he has some great poultry grafiti.

Poor boy!

He stayed home from church today... but his last pox - on the inside of his nose - crusted over this morning.

We are praying for no more spots!

Carving Pumpkins!!

2011-11-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

Time to get slimy!

Ewwwww

Caleb drawing his idea for Daddy

Cam chose to just go for it!

Poor Cody's pumpkin was THE thickest topped pumpkin I have EVER seen! We all kept teasing him it was taking forever to cut open his lid! LOL Mom couldn't do it either! Dad had to... wowza!

YEA!! He can finally gut this baby!

Cam was done first... so cute!

Caleb second

Cody's still going...

Peace baby!

Ta-da! Cody's Finally done!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Dinner Success

2011-10-28T10:53:00.000-07:00

I really wasn't going to post this on all my other blogs, but it turned out fantastic, so I am sharing sharing sharing! LOL

Dinner at our house has become difficult lately.

Jes, who usually will eat anything, is starting to get picky in his old age (dang it!) and the kids are just... well... kids! They are suppose to be picky right?

So to find a recipe that EVERYONE likes... needs celebrated!! :)

I found this recipe in an old recipe-swap email and since all the the ingredients were on hand I gave it a whirl! SOO glad I did! YUM!

CHEEZIT CHICKEN

BLSL Chicken breasts

Sour Cream

Cheezit Crackers, crushed

1/4 c. melted butter

garlic powder

(yep...really...5 ingredients!)

"Frost" chicken with sour cream. Roll in crackers. Put in a 9x13 baking dishes that has been lightly sprayed with oil. Drizzle with melted butter. Sprinkle with garlic powder.

Bake at 350 for about 50-60 min. or until juice runs clear.

Moist, tender, flavorful... everyone loved it here! :D

Served with steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes... this mommy is reveling in the joy of a dinner appreciated by all... *grin*

Trick-or-Treat Planning

2011-10-26T08:02:00.000-07:00

In the car the other day I overheard my kiddos planning for Halloween. Since Jes wants to do scones for the neighbors and family again this year, Emma has offered to take Caleb out Trick or Treating. She and Caleb have been noticing the awesome Halloween decorations throughout the neighborhood and always mention they want to "for sure go to THAT house" when they see them. Cam asked Caleb why he wants to visit the decorated ones...?

Caleb replied: Cause da ones that decorate like Halloween love Halloween, so they will have lots of good candy.

Cam replied: I am going to go to the ones that HAVEN'T deocrated because THAT is where the good candy is! They haven't blown all their money on stupid decorations so they have more to spend on candy!

Bwahahahaha!!

Ok! There you have it... so how do YOU decided whether or not to Trick-or-Treat certain houses?

(and btw - stop on by if you live close for a hot scone... we live just one street to the west now ;) and a few houses south)

Donuts

2011-10-25T14:14:00.000-07:00

So... here is a confession.

Raised donuts are a favorite.

And I have never been brave enough to try to make them!

This week that all changed!

Thanks to this recipe here I braved it!

Even some donut holes!

My kids were thrilled!! The perfect Family Home Evening Treat for a cool October evening..

YUM!

Note to self:

Allow glaze to melt on stove long enough for the powdered sugar to melt - otherwise the glaze is "crispy" and also a little less vanilla is required than called for.

Otherwise... these compete with Krispie Kreme!!

Delish!

A little tired...?

2011-10-17T21:30:00.000-07:00

I came in the other day and found Jes sitting like this in the computer chair!

He was SOUND asleep! LOL

Even his littlest baby girl could jump up on him and pose for a photo and it didn't wake him!

My cute hubby needs somemore ZZZ's!

Kisses??

2011-10-13T19:22:00.000-07:00

All my boys got "kissed" by a girl!!!!

Good thing it was their Aunt Jenny!! LOL

IT'S BACON!!!

2011-10-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

My homeschool support group sent out information about a company that does bulk food orders similar to the Bountiful Baskets that I love so much.

Zaycon Foods

is the name of it... and they are nation wide!

I ordered 15 lbs of bacon a couple weeks ago and picked up my box at the designated drop off yesterday. It was AWESOME!

It was $2.47/lb

Nice thick slices of nice fresh deli bacon!!

I pulled out my freezer wrap and broke it into stacks with enough for everyone in our family to have 3 slices! YUM!

Now we have 12 beautiful packages of bacon in our freezer/food storage!!

YEA!!!

I ordered me some boneless skinless chicken breasts and will be able to pick up my 40 lbs in a week or so!

It was $ 1.49/lb!!

Sa-Weet!!

Trip to Roosevelt...

2011-10-10T19:28:00.000-07:00

I'nt he so cute???

It was my cousin Nikki's baby Kayden's Blessing today!

We drove out and attended the meeting with them and had a wonderful luncheon with my family.

I can't believe how much I miss them all!

We just don't get together often enough!

Nikki made these divine homemade pizza rolls!

And this slush drink that I cannot stop craving... I drank 3 glasses of it! LOL

What a huge blessing for Jes to have a job so that we can afford to attend special events like this! I was so very happy!! :) We really have come a long way....

Thanks for a wonderful afternoon Nikki and family!!

WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

'80's Day

2011-10-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

'80's Day - Spirit Week

Emma was the only one that dressed up for this day... mostly because we had nothing we could think of to use for the boys! :P Oh well... she looked cute anyway!

Although... looking back we should have pulled the tounges out of her shoes!

Bwahahaha

Rock N Roll Day

2011-10-06T19:41:00.000-07:00

Spirit Day - Rock & Roll Day

DUDE!!!

Duct Tape Day

2011-10-05T19:40:00.000-07:00

Spirit Day - Duct Tape Day!!

The kids had a BLAST making duct tape decor on their clothing!

Caleb decorated his jeans and wore a duct tape bracelet

Cam made his own T-shirt designs of duct tape

Cody didn't want to ruin any of his clothing, so he made jewlery!

Emma made decor pants, a bracelet and a headband

Purple pockets, "Peace" on one leg, "Emma" on the other!

She is so creative! :D

It made for a very sticky and full of fun Family Home Evening!

Conference Weekend Fall 2011

2011-10-04T15:45:00.000-07:00

This last weekend we had a wonderful time!

We had our first house guests since we "officially" moved in.

We had had our good friends Edison and Gwenna stay the night with us a week or two after we moved in, but they had to tip toe over boxes and since they had moved out of this house only weeks before, well, it didn't quite feel like house guests! LOL

The Sorensen Family came to stay with us.
We just love sharing good times, great food and our children's childhoods with each other!

They arrived on Thursday night, which was actually Friday morning! LOL Lots of hugs, some PJ's and un-loading the car later, everyone was tucked into bed, looking forward to the weekend ahead of us.

Friday Jes had to work half a day. Emma and Cody couldn't miss school, but Caleb and Cameron were in full play mode and we let them play Hooky! It was lovely outside and our "new" fully fenced backyard, complete with grass to play on, was a huge hit!! Amy and I went to SLC this day. Their friends from Ely were here for a mission reunion (same reason as Amy & Austin's visit) and wanted to attend the temple, but couldn't with no where to leave their kids. We met up with them and took their 3 darling children and wandered through IKEA while they went to the temple. It was fun to dream about all the fun things one can do their home, and eat some meatballs for lunch!! LOL

We made it home that evening just in time for Amy & Austin to leave for her mission reunion in Provo (whew! with I-15 construction traffic we were cutting it close!) Jes and I ordered pizza for us and all the kids and put in "The Santa Clause 2" to watch. It was a lot of fun! The kids were super good... all 9 of them in this little house! LOL What is it about a Christmas movie that holds *everyone's* attention, regardless of age, the entire time? Priceless.

Saturday morning Amy and I got up early and picked up our Bountiful Baskets at 7 am. We then went to a few yard sales and were pleased with our finds! Mine included the exact sheet set, pillow shams, etc. I have been secretely eyeing at IKEA for over 3 years! They were on clearance the day before, and deep down inside I was sad I had not started buying a piece at a time to get them! But they were $19 a sham and I could not ever justify it! The lady at the yard sale sold me the sheets, with the pillow cases, plus 4 shams for $15 total!!!!! SCORE! While we were at IKEA I saw the exact comforter that I want to pair them up with... and now I can hint at it for Jes for Christmas... LOL It will complete my set! *grin* It was awesome! I also found the CD copy of Harry Potter 7, in mint condition for $10 for Jes! He can now know how it ends without taking a year to read it! (he only reads a few pages a night as he falls asleep so quickly!) He was happy.

We also hit the farmers market here in town. We loaded up on green beans, cucumbers, peaches, apples, and other misc goodies for the weekend. We met the NICEST old farmer there! When he found out we were wanting to try bottling pickles for the first time he was FULL of fantastic advice! He told us to go get this:

No fail way to make pickles for your first time! LOL We ran with it! It was SUPER easy!

There was a bread and butter pickle variety and dill variety. We got both! (yum!) We also got brave and did some "Dilly Beans"... super excited to try them out! But we have to wait until Thanksgiving to open our bottles! LOL

We were so busy with all our projects I only snapped a photo or two and then couldn't find my camera again, so this is all I have! :( I even missed some cute photo op's with the kids - dern!

Here is a pic of our labors. Dill Pickles, Dilly Beans and Bread and Butter Pickles.

We also dried all the apples and pears from Jes' trees we left at our old house. They were awesome fruit! (dang it) It is sad to think of what next year's crop would have been for us! *pout*

We canned and labored while listening to General Conference. The kids continued to play and play, while dear Austin spent the afternoon in the garage with Jes building shelves

(whew! so grateful he had a helper!)

That evening Jes, along with Austin, took our Cody to his first Priesthood Session. It was a tender moment for this mommy! My boy is growing up SO fast! :') A rite of passage...

That night I made chili and scones and it really felt like the first kiss of fall this year...

SOOO excited for fall!!!!!!

It's my favorite! :D

Sunday was a very quiet morning. We listened to the Sunday sessions all together in the living room, the kids floating in and out from the bedroom full of toys. When the Prophet spoke, we all gathered. And each time he spoke we did not regret it!

The most exciting moment for us was the announcement of the Temple they will be building out of the burned down Provo Tabernacle!! Jes' grandparents were missionaries at the Tabernacle at the time of the tragedy, and we have all held our breath waiting to hear what they planned to do with the shell that remains.

SOOO EXCITING!!!

Won't it just be beautiful???

We were sad to have our weekend come to an end following the last session of Conference, and a quick early supper... but we are so glad they came to share this weekend with us!! It was perfect!

And I don't know what it is about having house guests...

but this little house finally feels a little more like home!

Fall Sing 2011

2011-09-28T07:25:00.000-07:00

Emma had her first choir concert last night...

She is in Concert Choir

They sang "Old Dan Tucker" with all the choirs in the school

As just their group they sang:

"Homeward Bound"

"See the Light"

(from Disney's Tangled)

She looked beautiful and sang even more so!

Emma with her friends Olivia & Kaitlyn, they did a personal rendition of the program in the foyer...

Gram had been detained and was so sad to have missed her songs!

It was really sweet to hear their clear & beautiful voices echoing in the foyer...

They did an amazing job!!

Congrat Em on a great performance!!

Oh no... I am in trouble!

2011-09-27T20:17:00.000-07:00

Aunt Becky just shared their family's new favorite recipe...

My little family was craving a treat, so I thought we would try it!

Oh! We are in t.r.o.u.b.l.e. now! LOL

Rice Krisie Treats for One

Take about 1/2 T. - 2 T. butter (depending on your desire for richness/greasiness) and plop it into the bottom of your favorite cocoa mug. Add 1 Jumbo Campfire marshmallow

(those super big happy ones ;) )

(Through the microwave door... sorry such a funny pic!)

Cook in microwave for about 25 seconds.

It will puff up and look like it is going to pop out of the mug... it's ok!

LOL

Immediately stir in 1/2 - 3/4 cup Rice Krispies

Vary the amount of cereal depending on your desire for more crunch or more s'mallow

Stir it up - it balls all together.

ENJOY!

I think we are going to need some more hot cocoa mugs!

YUM!!

Thanks for sharing Becky!!

They are DIVINE!!

And the kids can't wait to make them for afterschool treats!

Bountiful Baskets

2011-09-24T06:42:00.000-07:00

This post is for any of you (and you Aunt Becky and Uncle Kevin... my favorite people to talk "gonga deals" with) that have thought about being part of the Co-op called Bountiful Baskets

Today's Haul... because my bag was so big for the scale, it came in at anywhere from 26.3 to 24.8.

So for documentations sake:

Let's take what I have pictured...

25.4 lbs of fruits and veggies

Spent $15

GRAND TOTAL for all this lovely produce??

About $.59/ lb!!!

Red Peppers, Green Peppers, Tomatoes, 2 kinds of Apples, Cucumbers, bananas, Nectarines, Grapes, Plums (Holy cow! They are huge!), Onions, lettuce... and when was the last time you could get a pineapple for $.59/lb??)

You tell me...

Is it worth it??

Happy!

Goin' to go make my menu for the week now...

I looked out the window and what did I see..?

2011-09-23T18:27:00.000-07:00

My sweetheart and his bestest helper finishing up the chicken coop! :D

Flattening the chicken wire down...

Then to wrap it around the bottom of the coop...

Caleb is always SOO willing to work.

He enjoys it and loves seeing a job well done.

He is definately a "chip off the old block" - the Jestin Block!

LOL

Zzzzzz...

2011-09-23T18:16:00.000-07:00

Just found this photo on my camera.

How sweet!

One of my children thinks their parents taking a nap is cute!

Crack me up!

The teeth place

2011-09-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

The other day, while riding in the car, Caleb said:
"Mom... I t'ink I need ta go to da teeth place"
"The teeth place...? You mean the dentist?", I asked.
"Yeah", my cute 6 year old replied.
"Oh yeah? How come love?", I asked.
To which he replied, matter of factly, "Well... we need ta ask him how come my teeth are leavin' me!"

He lost his second tooth last week...
... appearantly this is a problem! LOL

A real update...

2011-09-16T10:15:00.000-07:00

Today in my morning prayers, I received the distinct impression that I need to write.

Write about it all.

I have been feeding you all fluff, in a vain effort to avoid feeling the realities of our life. Some realities are amazing and good. Some are down right dark and hard. And all make up this amazing quilt of our lives!

I also have been justifying not posting because I am out of order, and so far behind on putting up pictures... blah blah blah.

Well... my 10 years of FLYLady experience has taught a great principle that I have not been applying:

"Jump in where you are" and "You are not behind".

Meaning... quit waiting for xyz and LIVE your life.
Now.

So... without further ado... here's some real honest truth updates:

I've decided to go back to school. I was working through all the hoops, feeling quite happy with my choice. Full-time college while my kids are all in school all day seemed logical. It could help better our family's situation, our future, my mental capacity and much more. We would undoubtedly qualify for grants after the last couple of years we have had. I was READY.

I spent the day at the college, filling out last minute paperwork, and taking the dread assessment tests (who really wants to know how much info did not stay in their heads from school at age 35??). The English portion was not too hard for me. I loved English, in fact if I had applied myself I would have done really well in high school - I was in honors English for heavens sake! I just never applied myself. I denied myself that potential... but seriously... let's not open *that* can of worms! LOL!!

The math was TORTURE.

Literally. It hurt my mind. See... since my stroke... numbers do not stick. Tell me a phone number? it is gone within seconds. Tell me how long to cook something? I can't recall it from the time it took to turn around and push the buttons on the timer. Really. It's that bad. I can't even remember what channel I was just watching if it isn't a show I know belongs on a certain channel from before my stroke. Remembering what grade my kids are in is rough. Unless it's a number I knew before the stroke... it is like an opposite magnet to my brain's memory system. I am doing daily brain exercises to try and improve that. (and they literally hurt my head)

SOOO... here I am taking the math assessment test. I KNOW I know how to do the problem before me. I know the steps. Common... it's "elementary algebra" for heaven's sake! LOL Nope. I would get one or two steps into a problem and completely have no idea how I got there and where I was going with it. It would take me 10-15 min per problem!! Story problems like the ones our 2-3rd graders bring home?? Could not take all the steps. Even with writing them down! :P It was t.o.r.t.u.r.e!!! I admit though... some of the processing got better the more I did. (hence why I am now pushing daily practices) I bombed it. I will have to take a bunch of prep math classes. *sigh*

I left campus that day, glad the tests were behind me, ready to go online and select my classes.

And then I thought I should stop at the grocery store for some items for dinner. Not a good choice in my life....

A little 82-year old man ran the red light and hit me. I was turning left, and even though the light was REALLY red for him... the law says it is my fault because I should have yielded, that he had "control of the lane". Whatever. Jes claims he is going to run every red light from here on out because he "has control of the lane" (ha ha). Something about that law is flawed... you can't have it both ways! Either it is illegal to run a red light... or it isn't.

Whatever.

I was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

Yea.

The trauma of the accident removed all access to the new pathways in my brain. It was as if I had had a stoke all over again. I couldn't move my right side. I couldn't close my eye or swallow. They back braced me and hauled me off. By the time I got to the ER, with multiple pokes to the arm trying to get an IV in... I swear... they should not try to put IV's in while in a moving vehicle! LOL... things started to improve a little here and there. I could lightly squeeze the Dr.s hand, where at the crash site I could not even move my arm/hand. After about 2 hours I could get my body to move... it took a lot of brain power... but I could move. They let me come home.

They said it would just take time to regain access to those neuro-pathways.

When we got to my front steps I burst into tears. I could not do the stairs again. The reality hit me like a ton of bricks. My hard work all summer (Couch to 5k) was wasted. My handwriting was gone again. And I couldn't even pick up my foot to climb 2 lousy steps! Once I gained my composure, I looked up and there stood both my parents, Jes' parents, my sister Jenny and all my kids.

Nice.

Meltdown in front of all of them.

Go me!

LOL

It took about 2 weeks to regain everything.

In hind sight it was a gift. I was not "hurt" in the accident.

And I got to be reminded of exactly how far I really have come!

And it bought me some time.

I will wait and start school in January.

Right now I need to focus on getting our home in order from moving...

Ten days before my accident, we began moving out of our lovely home.

The bank won.

Without destroying our future accepting their terms, there was no way we could keep this house.

The bank wanted it too badly.

So we gave in.

It has been one of the hardest things we have ever done.

(I have used that phrase a lot lately haven't I?)

My mind/heart have been kind of funny about it.

Everyone keeps telling us we should strip it and take everything worth anything.

And we did take a lot of the expensive electrical that Jes installed, but we replaced it all with something similar.

And I am taking my glass-top/double oven stove.

And our ceiling fans because the ones at the new house are super loud.

But we replaced it all.

And I spent multiple days cleaning.

In my heart, I had to.

I was taught to leave things better than I found them, and to the best of my ability that is what they will get.

Even if it sits for a year or two.

I will know.

And it was healing...

The understanding of how the Saints in Nauvoo, or Far West, or Kirtland must have felt has penetrated my heart like no other.

True, we have no mob with torches and guns at our door, but the emotional torches and guns and threats and uncertainty has been there.

And we have lost all that we have worked so hard for.

Our livelihood, our belongings, our home.

Because of the self serving interests of another.

All we have left is our family, our lives and faith.

And our clothes.

(and a bunch of stuff that we had to pack to use to live...LOL)

Anyway... the *feelings* are very similar...

And there have been days when I was not sure I was strong enough.

Or faithful enough.

Or submissive enough.

It's been a tough haul at our house.

But we have been blessed as well!!

The kids got to start school, in their same school.

Jes still has a job, and little side jobs all over.

My body is back to normal and I can be the homemaker God wants me to be.

We have a place to call home, and we are working hard to make it such.

We had an "extra" car, that fit the whole family, while they repair my Expedition.

We have insurance to help repair my Expedition.

I was not hurt in the accident.

The little old man and his wife were not hurt.

We qualified for the program called "Cash for Keys",

and that will cover my deductible for the repair of our car.

My washing machine broke, and I was able to find one on KSL.com for $50, with a dryer, to replace it. I can sell the dryer for $50. Making total cost for new washer? $0.

Our chickens have started laying eggs.

Our "new" neighbors have welcomed us with open arms... and brownies and garden produce... LOL This "4 houses and around the corner" move has been good for us! *grin*

We have moved to a home that I can easily maintain... without stairs... which is lovely.

There is much joy to had.

There are tears to cry.

But I am taking Dr. Seuss' advice:

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

Cam's Map

2011-09-14T21:06:00.000-07:00

Cam has been learning about maps in school and had to help me make some salt dough to take to school.

He made his own map of Utah!

Good job Cam!!!

First Tooth... last kid

2011-08-24T22:37:00.000-07:00

My last baby... to loose his first tooth!

Those bottom two teeth have been wiggly for WEEKS!

He did not like how it felt to wiggle them, so he didn't.

Today he was trying to bite something open and one started to dangle.

He had melt down!!

(it was so dang funny!)

He could NOT go to bed with it dangling...

...and he could NOT pull it out!

Crockodile tears everywhere!

Drama like a little girl...

(and this from my boy who could be cut open and bleeding and not cry about it)

It took 45 minutes and a Daddy to finally get the tooth out...

WHEW!

Ok... Toothfairy...

Work your Magic!

First Day of School 2011

2011-08-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

Mr. Cameron

4th Grade this year!

Mr. Cubs

(a.k.a. Caleb)

1st grader this year!

(*gulp* gone ALL day??)

Ms. Lou

(a.k.a. Emmalee)

8th Grade this year

Mr. William

(a.k.a. Cody - going by his real first name this year)

7th Grade this year!

(*gulp* another one in Jr. High??)

My cute kiddos...

(anyone notice a height problem? Cody is officially...oh way past the tallest...)

Two in one building...

Two in the other!

I am so excited for them all this year!

Cam got his same teacher (THE best school teacher any of my kids have ever had!) and is thrilled!

Caleb got to have one of his best buddies in his class... and can't wait to eat lunch at school!

Emma is not excited to be back in school... but she still isn't a fan of the 10 classes she has to keep track of!

Cody seems unmoved by the changes in his school career... he is just glad to be back with his friends!

New Chicks... again?

2011-08-15T18:36:00.000-07:00

Our chicken brood has grown by 3!

We had to give away 1 of our chickens because, well, he was a rooster. LOL

Jes really wanted White Leg Horn's anyway, so when we found a last batch of the season at Cal-Ranch, we got three!

A little bold considering our housing crisis of late, but chickens are easy to give away if need be.

So we now have a grand total of 9 chickens.

The kids just L.O.V.E. them!! And the chicks seem to thrive on the love...

So sweet!!

And I have to admit... I adore the little quiet cheeping all day long. I may consider some indoor birds someday!! These were the quietest chicks we have ever had. They are good little babies!

Our $200 car

2011-08-12T17:49:00.000-07:00

Jes called me a few weeks ago... he wanted to know if he could spend $200.

He had been working a lot of side jobs... and so I said that I was ok with him being free to "blow" $200.

He was in a hurry and I didn't ask why.

He came home that evening with this.... a new (used) car!!

It belonged to a co-worker who was tired of all the repairs he had made of late, and he and his wife had gone out and bought a new car over the weekend. He planned on sending this car to the scrapyard. When Jes heard all that he had put into the car, plus what was wrong with it currently, he quickly asked how much the scrapyard would give him!

$200

So Jes offered him $200 - and the guy handed him the keys and the title!

Emmalee and I spent 2 full days cleaning and scrubbing this car. It was TRASHED. But some elbow grease and good microfiber cloths and it looked almost loved ;)

Jes joked he loved this trunk... for all the dead bodies he hauls around! (bwahahahaha) Ok... really... it is perfect for hauling all his tools.

Compared to the gas mileage he gets in his truck, this is going to be a perfect money saver at our house.

And the list of things the guy recently repaired?

* New brakes

* New water pump

* 1 year old transmission

* New heads

* New radiator

Sa-weet! The problem it is having right now? One of the head is dripping oil into the engine block, so it uses oil faster than normal. Jes thinks he can fix it easy, and if not, he can get a new engine for a couple hundred bucks. SO worth it to not have a car payment... and a car with "new" stuff on it! And it has seating for 6!!

*grin*

It does need a new windshield... and then we can register it.

What a blessing!!!!!!!!!

House Pics ~ Office/"Library"

2011-08-11T11:50:00.000-07:00

Welcome to JWD Electric's Office, my Realtor Office, our Homeschool Room, and the family Library/Office...

The kids loved to hang out in here with me while I worked reading books and coloring or making crafts.

This was my office space

This was Jestin's

My scrapbooking "nook"

The closet was also lined with bookshelves full of books

And this was our motto for homeschooling

(and all our business licensing etc)

This is my view from my office chair. Jes and I spent a lot of time together in this room making our businesses work, and eventually spending hours applying him for every job we could find available to apply for... for months and months. (*sigh*)

This is the view out my window. I loved the mountain view!

And my little "Robot" Caleb made me out of paper - it kept me safe and if you could really see it well, he colored a heart on it so my heart would be good and I would be healthy and strong. He is so sweet!

And I kept this photo near by to make me smile on really hard days. This was my birthday lunch with my dear friends Amy and Beth.

Amy and I were Beth's Visiting Teachers, and we made a strong friendship that will last forever.

Beth is also the owner of the home we are moving to...

House Pics ~ Boys Bedrom

2011-08-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

The boys room was nice and spacious too...

It easily held all three beds - but we liked the bunk bed up for more floor space best.

To keep the toys under control, we had multiple flat totes that fit under the bed

The view from their bedroom.

(dont tell my boys, but I always envisioned them climbing out on the roof part there - it was the extended front porch - and talking together late at night when they were older.)

Cam's bed was on top, Caleb's on bottom

Cody got his own bed.

Their little walk-in closet

Cam's favorite memory about his bedroom was that is was big. Cody loved to spend hours on his bed reading. Caleb loved all the space to build his race tracks, train tracks and all the boys (& Emma) spent HOURS building legos on the floor.

House Pics ~ The "Coat Cave"

2011-08-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

I guess this is another thing we will miss from our home...

It is the closet under the stairs. The kids nicknamed it

"The Coat Cave"

All the jackets, coats, and backpacks had a hook.

The trap door to our crawl space was in here... we kept all our holiday stuff down there, as well as our extra food storage... the kids loved to go down and get stuff for me!

We also lined the back walls with book cases and kept our movies in there. It was the best little closet ever!

House Pics ~ Kids Bathroom

2011-08-11T10:43:00.000-07:00

The kids bathroom was really roomy.

The medicine chest above the toilet was one I re-made - the doors never hung quite right after that! LOL But Em loved her own "space" for girl stuff.

House Pics ~ Master Bedroom & Bath

2011-08-11T10:30:00.000-07:00

I now take you into Jes and my little sanctuary. Our Master Bedroom.

(Sophie's favorite spot to watch the kids out our front window)

TV to watch movies with my sweetheart, Treadmill where I did a lot of my re-hab work. That floor space between the bed and the TV was also where many a sick kid curled up to sleep, or where the kids gathered to giggle and sleep together on sleeping bags on Christmas Eve or Easter Eve.

Jes installed those wall sconces so that we each would have a reading light, complete with our own switches.

The door to our bathroom...

Jes picked the color of the counter tops in our bathroom. It was perfect!

Our walk-in closet... we had one on each side of the bathroom, but the other one was used mostly for storage.

We always wanted a garden tub... so we were excited to have one in this house. We only used it a couple of times a year! Guess what we won't have in our next house? LOL

See... kinda messy LOL

This mirror I found on scratch and dent at IKEA. I wrote the words from a Stake Conference we attended while building this house. We still believe it... even if we didn't get exactly what we wanted...

(and the paper heart is a gift from Caleb *grin*)

House Pics - Kitchen

2011-08-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

This kitchen was perfect - except for my lifelong desire to have an island or bar.

My friend Suzie helped me decide to paint the milk chocolate brown on my walls. I *loved* it!

I bought my dream stove shortly after we moved in with cash I saved up. I loved the glass top, and the double ovens. It took a year to be able to buy the over-the-range microwave.

Our fridge we purchased with the little bit of money left from selling our home in American Fork. Our kids were SO excited to have ice and water in the door! LOL

Jes built my wonderful window sill for my birthday last year.

Emmalee learned to cook here. And she is really good at it!

The door to my pantry was here on the other side of the fridge.

Off to the side of the counter next to the fridge was a small hall that lead to the garage or the Guest/Sophie's bathroom. Jes hung a cork board of info for me, as well as key hooks and our dinner bell.

House Pics - Dinning Room

2011-08-11T09:45:00.000-07:00

Our dinning room has many great memories.

Jes' Grandma Ewell gave us this table that she got from a friend in her ward to sell at a yard sale, but we liked it so much she encouraged us to sell our old table and keep this one. We love it!

I painted the walls in the dinning area this rich red to make it feel like it's own room. It totally worked and I loved the color!

Our back door was a favorite! They came with blinds in the door and we loved it! I also saved up my pennies and we bought a sliding screen so I could leave the door open and enjoy a cool breeze.

I also loved this little nook next too our kitchen counters where my potato bin and spice rack fit... it was perfect!

Many a game night, family party and quiet meal was enjoyed here.

(Hi Sophia!!)

House Pics - Pantry

2011-08-11T09:30:00.000-07:00

Pictures just don't do it justice!

This is one of my favorite rooms in the house.

It is about 8 feet long and 5 feet wide.

It was lovely!

Jes hung hooks for me for my aprons, my broom, mop etc.

And behind the door was all my canning supplies and large appliances.

I think this is the room I am going to miss the most...

House Pics - Em's Room

2011-08-11T09:10:00.000-07:00

This is my Emma Lou's room.

Her darling pink girl paint - which she made me promise we would change if we kept the house because she is SO over pink! - was painted by her Mom, Aunt Jenny and Grandma Annie. Daddy helped with the straight lines for the stripes. My friend Jill and her mom helped me decorate it for her birthday as a surprise.

We did her room first after we moved in.

I wish I had fixed her curtains before I took the picture, but they were flowing and had butterflies pinned to it.

Sophies kennel is at the foot of her bed because this is "the girls room" LOL

The pictures along the window are original Strawberry Shortcake ones that I had when I was a little girl. Em made the poster above her closet - It says "Find Joy In The Journey"

*grin*

Her walls are covered with special notes, pictures, photos.

I wrote on her mirror last year for her birthday - she hasn't ever wanted it washed off.

I *love* this photo!

(Em on the bed and Sophie standing by her bed LOL)

Em's room also doubled as our guest room when we had visitors because she has the big bed. We have lots of great memories in her room. She and I have had lots of long talks at bedtime. She has had gigglefests with her many friends and lots of talks with her best friend... Cody. :)

Our Home

2011-08-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

We took pictures of all the rooms in our house before we started packing. Here is a glimpse into our home we are loosing in this DEPRESSION of 2010. We have many happy memories here. We also have many difficult, hard ones. We are grateful for the blessing of healing and health this home brought to our children's lives and will forever be thankful that Heavenly Father brought us here to grow, learn, find new people to love and cherish and become the family that we are. We will miss this house... but look forward to creating ourselves a new home. <3

8 Months

2011-08-04T23:21:00.000-07:00

Today I have been thinking about the experts. And I have been thinking about miracles. This day marks the 8 month anniversary of my stroke. The experts told me that after the 6 month mark, any improvement would be slim. Huh. I couldn't be happier to prove them wrong *grin*

As per a previous post, I all of a sudden blazed the brain path to my cursive writing. It has stayed. That was just a few weeks ago! I can't tell you the joy I have sitting down and just writing whenever I want to!! No brain strain. No hand weakness. Brilliant!!

Also... I resigned myself to walking with a limp when I go down hills. Not sure why that one stayed a struggle, but it was very disconcerting to be sauntering along and all of a sudden fight to keep your hip joint from giving out and dropping you to your knees! (LOL)

I haven't wanted to post about this, mostly because I didn't want to jinx it. But I am going to anyway...

I have conquered the hills... first in walking... which took a long time... and then in running!!!

Yep.

Running.

Emmalee and I are on our 4th week of doing our own version of Couch to 5K. *grin*

It seemed like a great plan... ease into running from being a couch potato. I mean really... after 6 months of mostly sitting on the couch... wasn't I considered a "couch potato"???

We set out, and on our first day, I was telling Emma that we needed to walk for 60 seconds and then run for 30 seconds; how many times did we need to do it for our 20 minutes of workout? She figured 10 times. So we did our 5 minutes brisk warm up walk, then started our 20 minutes of jogging/walking. This first week my body could only do 8 times. It was a stretch!! But it was AMAZING to realize that we DID IT!!

Our second week we made it up to 10 times easier. It still was a stretch... but we were doing it! It was this week that I checked my print out of the program and realized I had remembered the times wrong! We were suppose to run for 60 seconds!! And then walk for 90!! OOPS! (tee hee) Actually I know Heavenly Father had a hand in that mix up - I would have likely been SO discouraged at not being able to do these longer times, we would have quit looong before now!

Last week we increased to 45 seconds. It is still hard. I won't lie... but my energy levels have skyrocketed!! Literally! The days we run I get more accomplished then the days we don't!

We are good and stick to the 3 days a week. I dont want to overdo and set myself back. I watch my Emma... she is getting faster and stronger! She has her Daddy's speed. (Jes is amazingly fast when he runs! He just gets shin splints so bad he hates to do it!)

Em is a PERFECT running buddy! Her "love language" is quality time... and so this is sacred Mom & Me time for her. She LOVES it. I laugh to my self... I have told her the night before the time we want to go - she is at my bedside waking me up on the button, ready to go! *grin* It is AWESOME!

This week our program feel apart a bit. We had a "squeak by" week between paychecks, and I happen to run out of my meds at the same time. I didnt dare push my heart without it's medications. I was glad I didn't. But now I am medicated again and we are back at it! It is amazing!

So back to stroke recovery, and running down hills. The first time we hit a hill on the river trail we run on, it was comical! I was like "Oooo... Oooo... Ack Ack!!" as I tried to get my mind to keep putting one foot in front of the other, as well as focusing on my hip socket. LOL Talk about a brain strain!! I am really grateful it doesn't hurt... it's just like that part of me is missing. At the end of week two of our program, I was running down the hills with little thought process! It was FANTASTIC!!

Another thing that is kind of a residual of the stroke; I have lost my sense of stressing out. I have researched and found that it is a common side effect of a left side (right side affected) stroke. That part of my brain doesn't stimulate anymore. I like it! Everything seems do-able and not worth freaking out about. Talk about a HUGE blessing!! I pray with all my heart... that that part never heals!! Bwahahahahaha

Casting Enchantments

2011-08-02T18:46:00.000-07:00

This post has been swirling inside my head since late last night. Hopefully I can convey what is in my heart about it. ;) Before I get to the title of the post, I should probably tell you a story... you like stories don't you?
Ok. Well... here goes:
Once upon a time, in the not too far distant past there was a family. This family had 2 parents, who really tried to do all the things they were suppose to do. They loved God and wanted to keep His commandments. But it was hard. They pushed and battled to do all they knew the Lord asked of them. They had started patterns of habit for family scripture study, family prayer morning and night, couples prayers, as well as helping their children to have their own personal prayers, themselves included. They never ate a meal without asking the Lord to bless it. They were a little hit and miss with the event called Family Home Evening, but often squeaked in a quick story out of the Friend Magazine with a scoop of any ice cream left in the freezer for a treat afterwards. They also attended their meetings on Sunday and encouraged the children to participate in the activities offered to them each week. The Mom even strived to attend the temple at least every other week. And life seemed so happy.

Then came summer. All resemblance of a schedule went out the window. Their morning prayers went out the window. Temple attendance waned. Family Home evening shortly followed. Meal time was rarely together, if at all, as everyone just ate when they were hungry. Summer activities, reunions, packing to move or not to move, jobs and more took over the family's time, and somehow the TV ate up any other of their spare time because the fatigue was setting in. They were busy to say the least.

And just a short time ago, the mother realized something interesting. With the slipping away of their "Celestial Traditions" as she had begun to call the things they were doing to keep Heavenly Father's Spirit with them.... so came the filth. And some numbness. And more bickering. And a few bigger errors and sins to deal with. Something had changed in their home.

The mother had not been the "Lioness at the Gate" that she could have been for her family.

Now, I am sure you have figured out who the family, and that mother, is. The truth of it all amazed me. All my life I have heard the promises that your families can receive from following the steps of these "Small and Simple Things". There really ARE amazing fortifications and hidden blessings from taking the steps... even if they aren't perfect ones! And it was painfully brought to our awareness that we had allowed those "guards" down.

At our last Stake Conference, I wrote down a profound thought that was offered: Here is these last days, when Satan is everywhere, and in everything, still waging the war that began in heaven, the battles will not be fought in large companies of Saints. It will not be 1000's marching together. The battles will be fought from our own homes. We were encouraged to "get in formation" and refuse to retreat! It pierced my soul as I contemplated the impact that *I* as the mother of this family unit can have in this eternal battle.

OK. So here is my neat thought process... and the reason for my post title. I happened to really enjoy the Harry Potter series. Jestin just took me on a date (finally - that is another one that we have let slide) to see the last Harry Potter movie. #7 part 2 was really good... and I really enjoyed it. It made me want to re-read the last book. As I laid in bed, knowing I could not start it right now in my life because we have WAY too much other stuff demanding attention, I let my mind wander over the storyline...

Do you remember when Harry and his friends were living in a tent and in hiding? Do you remember when Hogwarts was faced with a full attack of Voldemort? In both cases before they did anything else they cast spells and enchantments around the perimeter to keep those they cared about safe. It kept out sight, sound, and all around evil. There were very specific and sometimes complicated spells. It was magical and exciting.

We, in our day, HAVE special enchantments and spells we "cast" for the safety and peace of our families. They can be hard to do... but just like Hermoine, we must be VIGILANT and DO them! We are at war... with someone scarier the Voldemort! We must be the Lionesses at the Gates of our homes. See what a fun thought process my mind conjured?

Somehow, adding the term "enchantments" to the name of "Celestial Traditions" and making it an act of protecting my home and family, for the eternities, suddenly is is more exciting. I want to be so much better that I have been! I want my little "formation" to WIN the prize of being an eternal family! Let the "spells" begin! *GRIN*

Time is coming...

2011-08-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

and soon! We are just a couple weeks away of a new place to call home. An opportunity to get rid of all the boxes and find "places" for all our belongings. There will be some resemblance of stability once again in our lives. AND WE CAN'T WAIT!!

These last few weeks have been full of great blessings that I really want to blog about... but I must, once again, put it off. Updates are coming I promise! And even if I have to wait until we move in - I will be home all alone with our pup Sophie... as all my kids will be in all day school this year :O Can't believe it! Just know they are coming... I promise... :D

A song that describes our love...

2011-07-22T11:25:00.000-07:00

When Jes and I were first married, and life was throwing our first trials at us, Jes came home from work one day with a rose and a CD. He said he had loved this song when he was younger, and that he knew it applied to us. He played it for me. We sat and held each other and cried. And we have looked for rainbows and fought hard for our relationship ever since!

Here is the SONG.

Love is something that needs worked at every day. It is not just a feeling. It is a state of mind. We always try to put each others needs first... and amazingly our own are met at the same time. We feel so blessed to married to our very best friends and to be so close. We also know weathering the storms of life together and united has made all the difference in the world!! :) Hope you enjoy a glimpse into our love and my cute husbands rare romantic side *wink*

Missin' my Bubba!

2011-07-22T10:43:00.000-07:00

He has been gone for 5 days! I have kept myself super busy to not think about it. I am sure he is loving Scout camp... and I am sure he will not regret having gone... but my mommy heart is missing him like crazy. I have to live in a numb state to be able to function! LOL It's crazy!! Having Emma go to girls camp was easier for me than this has been! (of course Em is so independent and not affraid to speak up if she need something) It's been a long 5 days!

Today it is "Family Night" and we get to go up and spend a few hours with him at camp. He comes home tomorrow! I have butterflies! I am like a kid at Christmas! I wanna see my sweet boy!! SHEESH! I am a big baby!!!!!!

Friends...

2011-07-18T09:23:00.000-07:00

In this crazy-busy "connected" world we live in - I am blessed to have friends. I have thought a lot about this lately. I have been considering going private with our family blog, as well as leaving FACEBOOK. I know there is time I spend on there that could be better spent. I also know there is more I would like to document in our lives that maybe I don't want internet crazies to be able to know about us.

And then I think about my friends. I have friends from all over... friends that I really do love and miss, who with this busy world we live in, without some of these social medias, I would have lost contact with all together. I would not have known that a very special woman in my life had passed away, nor been able to offer her husband comfort in knowing she made a difference for a whole generation! I would not have known that a dear childhood friend lost his Dad and been able to be one of the only friends that really could show up to the funeral! I would have lost contact with a friend who had something to share in my life that helped me through some of my darkest times!

There are so many levels of friendship in this world. And I feel extremely blessed to live in a time when those relationships can be fostered and continued beyond immediate same space occupations.

My life is blessed with so many good people.
They make me laugh.
They make me cry.
They offer words of love.
They make me think.
They share their life experiences and enrich my life and the lives of my family.
They give me a chance to give back.

I am so very grateful for friends. In all aspects of my life! I know that I am not alone in this trial called life. I have poeple around me who love me, support me, want the best for me and my family, and whom I can count on if I ever need them. In turn they give me someone to love, someone to support, and someone to wish the best for, who I hope can count on me in a pinch as well. Heavenly Father really knew what He was doing when He sent us here to help each other!

Today I am grateful for friends!!!!!! I love you. I thank you for sharing this mortal journey with me! *GRIN*

Living in Boxes

2011-07-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

We are living in boxes... oh wait! LOL Maybe that should be "we are living out of boxes" Bwahahahaha!! I must say it has its advantages...

* There is little to clean up because most everything is packed.
* I do laundry more often because most of our clothes are packed.
* Our meals are simple because most of my kitchen is packed.
* We watch fewer movies because they are packed.

You get the idea! Hee hee

We are moving. Our mortgage company FINALLY responded and gave us a modification offer. It was awful! I won't go into details... but lets just say it would prevent ANY financial recovery, leave us trapped in this house for years and years, and was just plain dishonest and unfair. We have prayed long and hard and know that this is Heavenly Father sending us in another direction in our lives. It was hard to accept, because we wanted so badly to stay, but peace has come and now we are looking forward to the next step in life.

We are staying in the neighborhood/ward and actually will be less than half a block away. It is a cute smaller home than ours, but the backyard is finished and Jes will have a 3 car garage. So... we will make due. It is the right move for our family at this time... and we are thankful for some resolution!!! :)

We can't move for another 4 weeks... so we are just hanging out, living out of boxes (ha ha) until then.

Can't believe summer is just 6 weeks from over! It's been a crazy one that's for sure! Speaking of crazy... I better get busy getting Cody ready for Scout Camp. (gone for a week! *gulp* a whole week!!) We only have a few days left! :D

Promise of things to come...

2011-07-14T15:26:00.000-07:00

Things have been so crazy lately!!

And the other night, out our back door we enjoyed Heavenly Father's ray of hope...

Double-fold! *grin*

Talk about gorgeous!

God really does love us doesn't He??

CURSIVE!!!!!!

2011-07-14T14:41:00.000-07:00

My body beat the odds again!!!!! WAHOO!!!!!!! I was SOO SUPER excited!!!!!!!!
I have been working on my handwriting, cursive especially, for months. It has been 7 months since my stroke. The doctors/therapists told us that after 6 months there would be little/to no recovery. I have been secretly disappointed. My handwriting looks like a 3rd grader. And anyone who knows me, knows I did have really pretty good handwriting! And hence, I was disappointed to think this would be my norm forever. Handwritting seems to be a part of our identity to me... if that makes any sense! LOL
I try to write in my journal a couple of times a week. If I am not too tired, the print is easy to read and looks really good. If I am tired it is messy and wobbly. I have been signing my name for a couple of months, and doing *some* cursive on and off. It has been mentally taxing to write in cursive. The curves are hard to do! Straight lines... no problem! Curves.. aye aye aye!

Last Sunday, after Cody's Ordination Day and Family party, I was completely exhausted. I had been running a fever for over a week, and the 2 days before I started head cold type symptoms. I was miserable. BUT! It had been SUCH a wonderful day, I wanted to write down the happenings of the day and my feelings about it...
I picked up the pen and started writing. IN PERFECT CURSIVE!!!!!!!! It felt like a light bulb went on and suddenly it worked!!! There was NO effort needed mentally! I sat there crying at both WHAT and I was writing... and HOW I was writing!! Even 7 months after a stroke, my mind is still creating new pathways!! I couldn't believe it.
It is another nod to how we should not listen to the limitations placed upon us by "normal" outcomes in others! Ever! We are all individual, and we CAN beat the odds!! *GRIN*

I wonder if the fever got my body in healing mode and that didn't help a ton? Who knows!? But HAPPY DAY!!! It thrills me to have one more "part of who I am" returned to me!! :) :) :) HAPPY!

A new Deacon...

2011-07-11T14:55:00.000-07:00

(In Order - left to right - his Papa Dorius, Dad, Bishop Wilkey, Cody, Papa Stoddard and Uncle Kevin)

Cody was Ordained a Deacon this last Sunday, July 10th.

He wanted it to be quiet and simple, so we just had his Grandpa's and Uncle Kevin (who happily just happened to be passing through on their way back to Tucson) come down for it.

All the Priesthood Holders

Everyone who came:

Gr'Annie, Papa Stoddard, Cameron, Mom, Dad, Cody, Caleb, Papa Dorius, Gram, Cousin Jake, Uncle Kevin, Cousin Amanda, Aunt Becky & Emmalee

We are so HAPPY for him!!

Our Family

July 10th, 2011

3 Generations

And two of the Stoddard Grandson Deacons! :)

It was a beautiful day!!

All about Cody:

2011-07-09T15:41:00.000-07:00

Our tall and growing one turned 12 today!

He wanted homemade buttermilk pancakes for breakfast.

We went shopping for clothes for his first time really ever, and he got all new Sunday clothes.

He will be Ordained a Deacon this Sunday.

Here are some fun facts about Cody:

He loves to read. He spends a lot of his time buried in a book on his bed.
He loves to play on his Nintendo DS, he has requested Pokemon Black for his birthday.
Cody's best friend is Emmalee
He has a group of friends at school that includes girls and boys. He attended his 1st co-ed birthday party a couple weekends ago.
He loves to eat pancakes and waffles with peanut butter and syrup.
His favorite meal is my Homemade Winger's Chicken, celery sticks, ranch dressing and hot rolls.
He has an awesome sense of humor - if you can get him past his shyness. LOL
Cody is no respecter of shoes. If he needs to go outside he will grab the closest flip-flops around and wear them! LOL
He would be happy eating PB&J every day for lunch.
He hates to ride scooters or bikes, as he has no depth perception.
His favorite candy is Reeces Peanut butter cups... and so cookies of course are RPBC Cookies!
Cody's favorite cereal is Honey Nut Cherrios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch or Waffle Crisp
His favorite color is Aqua Blue.
He likes to watch Jimmy Neutron (a cartoon)
He loves to go camping, but is nervous for his first week long Scout camp.
He completed his Faith In God booklet this week! LOL Just in time! *wink*

Cody has an amazing testimony, and is constantly asking us questions to learn more and more and more. He is a smartie pants! LOL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CODY!!!!

We are so very very blessed to have you in our family!!!!!!!

We LOVE YOU!!

Temple Day w/Emmalee

2011-07-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

We have been trying to plan a date for Emmalee to go to the Temple with Jes and I since she got her recommend when she turned 12. The first year we kept trying to work it out that her Grandparents could come too, but there were surgeries, illnesses, trips, monthly "aunt" visits, etc. Always something. (ha ha isn't that *always* how it is when trying to go to "The Place that Must Not Be Named"?

She turned 13 last November. She had gone with a friend, and she went with her Young Women's group, but we had not made it there as a family. We planned to go on our Family's Sealing Date - December 6th. I had a stroke early that morning!

(what the?? LOL)

SO... she has been wonderfully patient and waited - but enough was enough! Emma and I secretly wrote a date on the calendar. We did not say it out loud. But we agreed on a date and time. Daddy couldn't make it - but we went anyway!

And just she and I went! It was a very sweet experience.

Thanks Em for being so patient...

and here is yet another reason why at our house attending the Temple is referred to as "Going to The-place-that-must-not-be-named." Satan seems to not understand that secret code name! LOL

Salem Pond Swimming Day

2011-06-28T18:16:00.000-07:00

It was finally in the 90's for a day or two.

We decided to go play in the water at Salem Pond.

Emma and Cody swam and swam...

Cub and Cam swam some, but loved the beach and the little stream that lead to the ponds even better.

Cam found some fishing line and tied it to a stick. He pulled it up and down the little water falls all along the stream.

Caleb and Cody watching their sticks float.

Then Em joined the fun...

I got to sit and enjoy the heat (ha ha... not!) and watch my babies play!

Caleb's giggle is awesome!

Oh he is a cutie!!

Cameron discovered if he blocked the water with his hiney... the sticks would have a faster race!

Bwahahahahaha!

He and Caleb did it for almost a hour before their Mommy was too hot and it was time to go home!

We love summer!!!!!!

Me Like a Klondike!

2011-06-28T15:53:00.000-07:00

No! No! No!

2011-06-27T21:20:00.000-07:00

Cody had some leg aches a couple of weeks ago...

Two days later TA DA!

Emma and Cody have been neck and neck for weeks... *sniff*

Cody is officially taller!!!!

Whew!! At Eleven years old Daddy is still taller than him... barely LOL

But (Waaaaa!) He is taller than his Mommy!!!

My first child to out grow me...

Cody turns 12 in just a few days...

HE IS TOO BIG!!!!!!!

BYU Women's Conference - April 2011

2011-06-14T21:34:00.000-07:00

I found this post in my drafts!

(Ooops!)

So to add to the pictures... here is a recap :D

I was SOO tickled to be invited to join my dearest friend Amy and her Mom and friends at BYU's Women's Conference this year!

Campus was BEAUTIFUL!

After tons of late snow fall... the sight of spring flowers was food for the soul all by itself!

Like my Ma's always says... "Look at his happy face!"

Love these little happy flowers!

BYU Women's Conference Theme was

"By Small and Simple Things Are Great Things Brought to Pass"

Conference started at 9 am Thursday morning at the Marriot Center with an amazing talk from Virginia Pierce (Pres. Hinckley's daughter).

AMAZING. My thoughts I wrote down were:

Keep it Small. Keep it Simple. Give it Time.
Prayer rests on the principle of faith - and it is an expression of our agency.
We need God.
We can find joy in adversity when we know it brings us to Christ.
Temple attendance can change us, and brings us peace.
If you don't get an answer to prayers, move forward! God trusts you! He won't let you go too far on the wrong path.
Tender mercies are gifts from God ~ messages of His love for you.
Prayer calls down the power of Heaven.
Find our will IN His... that is the key.

After that we could go to a dozen or so classes for the next 90 min blocks.

There were so many wonderful class sessions! It was hard to choose!

Amy and I headed out onto campus and ended up in a class called

"Courageous Parenting: "Be strong and of a Good Courage; Be Not Affraid" (Joshua 1:9)

A few of my favorite thoughts from that class were:

As parents, we need to love our children enough to allow them to make choices and endure the consequences, positive or neagtive!
We cannot excuse our children from experiencing hard things and expect them to develop character.
Establish the "fabulous five" in your home: (1) Family Prayer (2) Family Home Evening (3) Family Dinner (4) Regular 1on1 Interviews (5) Family Scripture Study. I loved it even more when she referred to the above as "Eternal Traditions" - that they are are important for children just as any other family/holiday traditions. And something about calling them "Eternal Traditions" makes them seem more easy to want to do! LOL

Our next class we found was
"Sisters Who Have Made Convenants with God... Are in for the Long Haul"
Here we learned about:

"Being brilliant in the basics" (Julie Beck's talk)
The scriptures are our sacred workbook.
We need to be believing - "We make things holy by giving them to God" (Brad Wilcox)
"Don't pace up and down in our cell of circumstance."
Walk uprightly - When we keep the commandments we are happy, when we don't we aren't.
Consider this when investing our time: Who's agenda does this support? God's or Satans. What will I give up to feel the Spirit?
Keep your covenants, for God keeps His!
The Holy Ghost comes without drama.
God will fight our battles if we let Him.
It is our responsibility to look for the sun in our lives!
Evidences of the past show assurances of the future - God WILL show His love.

After that class, we headed back to the Marriott Center for the next class and some lunch. We each got a sandwich from BYU Catering. Oh my! I got a Turkey Cranberry on Multi-grain bread that was like a little slice of heaven!! *grin*

Our next classes in the Marriott Center were great! It was taken from the talk by Pres. Ezra Taft Benson, "The Best Measure of Greatness Is How Christlike We Are" given by Kathy Clayton
She was followed by Sister Elaine Dalton. Some things I took from this session were:

There are NO ordinary people.
Charity is a spiritual gift.
It is a condition or state of the heart.
Don't give up, don't get discouraged!
SHARE THE LOVE inside you!

The Final session of the day was titled

The Legacy of Relief Society by John S. & Susan W. Tanner.

There were only a few things I wrote down during this session, as this was my first big outting since recovery and my handwritting was getting hard to do. So here are the nuggets from this one:

God knows us. There are things we need to do. People we need to help.
"Hold your tongues - a little tell will set the world on fire" (D&C 25)
"What comes next for willing hands to do?"
"Welcome the task that takes you beyond yourself!"
"If your labors are acceptable to God - you should never be discouraged"
Most of the most noblest spirits ever on earth were women - Eve, Mary, Eve's faithful daughters.
Testimony amid trial = our greatest treasure!

After the concluding session for the day, Amy and I went to the Service Stations they had available. We helped make newborn caps for the Humanitarian Services. It was HUGE! I have never seen so many women doing such great things all in one room - huge room. LOL It was really neat! They also had Sharing Stations - these amazing booths where other Sisters share their ideas for Relief Society meetings, Family Home Evening and even personal learning and growth! It was FANTASTIC!

We went to dinner at Brick Oven. OH YUM! Heaps A Pizza with their homemade rootbeer! *sigh* Just thinking about it makes me hungry! LOL

Then we met with Amy's mom and her friends at their hotel room and enjoyed some treats and visited for until almost 9:30 pm. It was SOO much fun! They were telling me that in the very room we were eating in (top floor snack/breakfast bar) they had seen Pres. Utchdorf that morning! They didn't say hello because he was getting his breakfast. I scolded them... hello? A quick handshake would have been really neat! The room was no bigger than my familyroom/dining/kitchen area! It's not like you would be "mobbing" him! *giggle* So... they got to "eat breakfast with Pres. Utchdorf" Bwahahaha!

I came home so spiritually fed I felt like I was glowing! What an experience!!!! I couldn't wait for the next day!

FRIDAY APRIL 29th

Our morning session was given by Julie B. Beck. She is amazing! I just wanted to go down and hug her! LOL My favorite thoughts were:

Sometimes the messages we are asked to give are gifts.
The word "relief" means "lifting up".
R.S History strengthens and supports our identity as a daughter of God.
Am I alligned with Heavenly Father's role for me? We cannot give our responsibility away!
Entitlement - Who owes who? Jesus gave ALL (Luke 10)
Through our difficulties we learn.
No longer "I can do hard things" - change to "I DO hard things!"
Faith is how the Lord heals us.
With faith our difficulties become our opportunities.
Go to the temple and pay attention!
It is ~~our~~ MY responsibility to make sure our home is blessed by Preisthood power every hour!
Dont just accept He has a plan - LIVE IT.
Until the R.S. History is in your heart, you won't be as strong as you can be.
Go forward when you are tired! Think of the Savior's life.

I could have left after that session and been filled all day... but we had a full day's docket ahead of us! We walked over to the new Hinckley Alumni Center and attended:
"Preventing our Strengths from Becoming our Weaknesses" (taken from Dallin H. Oaks talk)
Here we learned that Satan can tempt us through our strengths as well as our weaknesses...

Heavenly Father leaves many of our choices to ourselves; If we don't receive guidance, use our best judgement.
Scriptures give us answers.
Our expereiences with personal revelation need recorded and reviewed, and cherished!
Excess of giving can be a weakness as well... "see that they are done in wisdom and order" with the proper TIME and MEANS. - Look to our husbands and Priesthood leaders for direction (D&C 104:14-16)
Learned can become prideful - listen to the counsels of the Lord.
Don't be like a gold fish in the bowl - unaware of changes of water and food - confess God's hands in all things!
Love and tolerance are good - but incomplete unless based on true principles. Use love AND truth. *Dont try to bend the commandments to "accept" - "my love for you is not based on behavior". Use humilty! There's a difference between "tolerate" and "tolerance" - real love doesn't support destructive behavior.
Pride is a universal sin - Ask God daily "Lord... is it in this that I am proud?" Repent as needed.
We can never have enough of what we don't need - it will never satisfy us.
How else can God get our attention without guilt and misery?
Become as a little child... humble, meek, submissive.
Satan means to destroy us - he will approach us through our greatest strengths. (D&C 84:43)
Our strengths are GIFTS from God!
Are you carrying it to extreme?
Callings come and go - Family is 1st priority!
The quality of humility is the greatest protector (D&C 112:10)

After this session, Amy and I headed back to the Marriott Center for the rest of the afternoon (I was starting to wane - so we wanted to conserve energy for fun later in the day)

We stopped at the little booth and got us some Cafe Rio Salads (oh yeah! YUM!) and headed into enjoy the last of the 12:30 session. We were able to listen to most of the first speaker - but I couldn't take notes - luckily they have it online "Visiting Teaching: Making a Difference by Small and Simple Means " It was delightful! Then I was so tickled! We caught one of my favorite speakers next!

Mary Ellen Edmunds

She spoke on Visiting Teaching as well. Here are the little nuggets I took from her talk:

The Lord expects us to increase our offering!
We will never be asked to do something "stupid" or unnecesary.
Why does He let us help? "As Sisters in Zion..."
PEOPLE are more important than programs!
Open your heart, and shut your mouth.
Why visit teach? "I know not... save the Lord commanded me."

After this session, we went out and got ourselves some candied almonds and kettle corn. What a fun treat! We came back in and enjoyed a session on "I Did Frankly Forgive Them" by the Osguthorpes. It was one of my favorites!

Anger is dangerous - It almost always leads us to do something we will regret.
"Frankly" means to be free, unburdened, unrestricted.
Cycle: Rebeled - Grieved - Corrected - Became Angry - Hearts Softened - Pled - Forgave - Rejoiced.
Cool down period... leads to softened hearts.
We need to develop a forgiving heart - frankly forgive!
They shared the amazing video of Chris Williams and his story of forgiveness (if you don't look at any of my other links - check this one out!)
Would I forgive so instantly?
Do I have to think it over?
Forgiving heart is a way of being!
*Make yourself a "To-Be" list instead of a "To-Do" list
See things through others eyes
Never shift blame
When angry - dont place reaction on the PERSON (ever) only on the situation.
You don't hate a person - you just don't understand them.
Listen - See - Love - Forgive
A forgiving heart requires perspective taking - see people how God sees them.
Forgiveness does not mean we ignore evil!
No excuses - Forgiveness is a CHOICE - a self-forgetful choice. Decide to follow God's path - Our desire will increase.
Forgive over and over and over again.
Act - don't be acted upon.
When we no longer can be offended we will find peace and a forgiving heart!

Good stuff huh??

The last session was a real treat!! We sang "I feel my Savior's Love" and then we got to hear Elder and Sister Bednar. LOVED IT! Sister Bednar spoke about the importance of taking care of ourselves to be able to be our best: Go to bed early - Arise early - we will be invigorated mentally. Exercise. Eat Well. Scriptures. Prayer. Small and Simple Things!

The place was packed!

I felt humbled to be surrounded by so many wonderful women, my sisters, seeking guidance and direction from our Heavenly Father.

It was a choice realization.

Elder Bednar taught us the following nuggets:

Patterns help us! Small and Simple Things are Patterns.
He told the story of Gustafus Perry - from Perry Utah: he had us guess in our minds how many decendants Bro. Perry had in 7-8 generations. (In my mind I guessed 300-400) He has 10,000 righteous decendents because he lived a gospel centered life! Enough for 3 church Stakes! (wow!) He lived by small and simple things!
He shared the story of how the organ on Temple Square came to be. By small and simple things.
Small and Simple things are like a drip irrigation vs. flooding... We all need a gospel "drip" in our lives. Steadiness is better - consistency.
He told the story of the 10 virgins.
Deliberate consistent performance fills our lamps!
We need to become deep intelligent drippers, not spiritual spurters.
He then gave us a blessing: According to our desires we are blessed with eyes to see and a capacity to press forward in small and simple things to bring great things to pass.

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

Here is "Mom" and her friends :)

And Amy and I after it was over! (I was so sad to have it be over!)

Our Jestin-mobile

2011-06-11T20:17:00.000-07:00

Hee Hee

Couldn't resist taking this picture!

We teased Jes that he is our car power now... you know... like the Flinstone's?

We are SOOO very blessed to have a Husband/Daddy that can fix our car so we can get around!

He is SOO smart and clever!

WE LOVE YOU JES!!

Thanks for fixin' our wheels!

2011-06-11T20:01:00.000-07:00

PaCkInG
pAcKiNg
TaPiNg
tApInG
BoXeS
bOxEs
TiReD
tIrEd
TIRED!

(hee hee)

2011-06-11T18:05:00.000-07:00

An answer.
It's not a resolution...
but it's an answer!
(Yea!)

The bank has taken our home off the docket for sale on Tuesday. We can stay a few more weeks!
WAHOO!!
I have wanted to cry all day. I keep tearing up.
Not crying for joy, nor crying for sad.
I wonder if it isn't for the sorrow of more uncertainty? And peace for not leaving our home this Tuesday with a long stretch of limbo housing? It is definately a mixed emotion.

So... we are glad for an answer... even though it is just one simple one. *wink*

Less than a week...

2011-06-08T08:47:00.000-07:00

The bank's sale date for our house is less than a week away. Still no news from them. We have all our paperwork in to them - like always - but "it could take up to 30 days to review" and we don't have that kind of time. So really it's sunshine up our back end so they can get what they want.

Our house is mostly packed just in case. The kids keep laughing that it will be like Christmas when they get to re-open their boxes and re-do their rooms! LOL If, by God's grace, we get to keep our home, the boys and Emma all want their rooms painted. I just smile. Makes packing your life into a box a little less painful I guess.... to dream.

Jes keeps dreaming about winning the lottery. I laugh and remind him we live in Utah where there is no lottery. He just smiles and says he still could win it. I laugh.

That is what we need. To laugh.

My body is beat. I have been running a low grade fever on and off since last friday night ( i know it's wed.) with no other symptoms. I just ache everywhere, chill and flush and am completely wiped out. Makes packing a house even LESS appealing lemme tell ya! Bwahahahaha

We have somewhere to go now... It's just not available until the end of July/first of August. Until then? We aren't sure yet. I sense God's hands in it ~ so I am striving really hard to just express my gratitude for what I understand so far of his plan in all this and hope for the best outcome like we are taught. This is but a small moment. Jes will have a job that makes enough to make our payments AND live again soon. I know it. We will have somewhere to live that will make us happy - because we are happy before we get there! :D And maybe someday we will have the house that we stay in for the rest of our lives. But if not... that is ok too. :D Hopefully our mansion in heaven is a thousand times better *GRIN*

Finding Joy In The Journey...

Physical Therapy #2 - One Week Later

First day back to class

Physical Therapy - Day 2 at Home

First Day Home

Hospital Stay - Part 6 - Monday

Hospital Stay - Part 5 - Super Bowl Sunday

Hospital Stay - Part 4 - Sat. Eve / Visitors

Hospital Trip - Part 3 - Admittted/ Day 1

Hospital Trip - Part Two - MRI/MRA

Hospital Trip - Part One - Hives

The Influenza Flu

Daddy Daughter Date

"Vanillika"

Cameron's Bear

College started only 2 weeks ago??

Wow! 3 posts in a row!

Lost my blogging touch?

A Year In Review - 2011

The 12 Days of Christmas

The Spirit of Christmas

A Perfect Christmas

Ward Christmas Party/Seeing Santa

Our Week in Review

Christmas Traditions

Where am I... really?

Cody's Order of the Arrow

Chicken Pox :(

Carving Pumpkins!!

Dinner Success

Trick-or-Treat Planning

Donuts

A little tired...?

Kisses??

IT'S BACON!!!

Trip to Roosevelt...

'80's Day

Rock N Roll Day

Duct Tape Day

Conference Weekend Fall 2011

Fall Sing 2011

Oh no... I am in trouble!

Bountiful Baskets

I looked out the window and what did I see..?

Zzzzzz...

The teeth place

A real update...

Cam's Map

First Tooth... last kid

First Day of School 2011

New Chicks... again?

Our $200 car

House Pics ~ Office/"Library"

House Pics ~ Boys Bedrom

House Pics ~ The "Coat Cave"

House Pics ~ Kids Bathroom

House Pics ~ Master Bedroom & Bath

House Pics - Kitchen

House Pics - Dinning Room

House Pics - Pantry

House Pics - Em's Room

Our Home

8 Months

*Casting Enchantments*

Time is coming...

A song that describes our love...

Missin' my Bubba!

Friends...

Living in Boxes

Promise of things to come...

CURSIVE!!!!!!

A new Deacon...

All about Cody:

Temple Day w/Emmalee

Salem Pond Swimming Day

Me Like a Klondike!

No! No! No!

BYU Women's Conference - April 2011

Our Jestin-mobile

Less than a week...

Casting Enchantments