Great idea!

Wow! So my little family had a wonderful Family Home Evening tonight. Jess was in charge and he came up with a great idea! I am so tickled at the turn out!

We gathered together and made a list of all the dinners we like to eat. That was fun in and of itself! LOL! Then we picked only four complete meals (as Mac & Cheese doesn't count as a real dinner in Mom's book!*wink*) Then we listed all the ingredients that are needed to make that meal complete. (fun! :) ) After that we loaded in the car... the girls with one list of 2 meals ingredients and the boys with the other 2. And off to Macey's we went...

We wrote down what the price for each item was... 6 potatoes at $ .74/lb was fun to figure out as the produce man gave us funny looks when we put them back! LOL! We then met up at the Deli and over a soft serve iceream we ran the totals. Emma and I came up with $27.86 for a favorite steak dinner, and $27.85 for Ribs and Sweet potatoes (only a penny difference was kinda cool!). Jess and the boys got $15.66 for Homemade Pizza (5 Buck is not looking so expensive!LOL!!) and $14.52 for Tacos.

Wow. Feeding 6 is not so cheap. The adverage dinner costs us about $20. The adverage lunch is likely $15ish and breakfast if we only eat cereal is likely over $5. No wonder my shopping bills have been so painful lately! And that didn't include tons of good produce or snacks! Ugh.

Anyway... he then taught them about how much each of them "spends" at dinner time... and how much $ they end up throwing away when they wont eat all of their food and whatnot. They were all amazed. Even my 6 year old was rivoted by what he heard. They seemed to REALLY *get* it!

**GOLD STAR** Jestin! That was an highly effective FHE! I always dreamed of doing fun learning ones like this when they were little... so it was AWESOME to do it now that they can truly understand! I am keeping the papers they took their notes on too for our scrapbook! Someday it may be fun to go back and see what it cost to feed us when they were kids! *Giggle*

High School Memories

While waiting for some photos to burn to a CD at 3:30am I found this questionaire on a friend of mine's site and thought it would be fun...

1. Did you date someone from your High School? Well duh. I married him! *giggle*

2. What kind of car did you drive? Ahhh... I had access to the Ford Taurus Station Wagon...but my favorite was the '68 Rambler with 3 on the tree...that was FUN!

3. What was the most embarrassing moment of High School for you? When Jess asked me if I used vaseline to get my jeans on. I was a size 1. And it was his high school way of paying a compliment! LOL! I never wore that pair again. (I hear the skin tight all the way down look is coming back in again! tee hee)

4. Were you a party animal? Ummm... I plead the 5th

5. Were you considered a flirt?Yes. But my best friend was worse!

6. Were you in Band, Orchestra, or Choir? I loved choir! I even made Acapella my senior year...but didn't find out until I had already solidified my schedule so I didn't attend. (Besides I was too busy with Jess *grin*)

7. Were you a nerd? I wasn't.

8. Were you on any Varsity teams?Nope

9. Did you ever get suspended/expelled? Yes. I was suspended for checking out on my 17th B-day. It was not a good day and it became a not so good week! LOL

10. Can you still sing the fight song? "We are the fighting Bruins of Mountain View...something something and something else...."

11. Who were your favorite teachers?Mr. Ravelli. He was one of the only ones who truly saw what I could become. He was an Earth Science teacher and I was his Aide the last 2 years of high school. He was awesome!

12. Where did you sit during lunch? In someone's truck or car... which for most of high school was Jestin's. We never ate in the cafeteria much... we had wheels...we left!

13. What was your school's full name? Mountain View

14. School mascot? Bruins

15. Did you go to Homecoming? With whom? Not that I recall. I went to a bunch of dances...but I dont think we ever attended the Homecoming Dance...just the game and festivities

16. If you could go back and do it again, would you? Maybe... I loved dating Jess. We had good times... :)

17. What do you remember most about graduation? Hearing Jess yell my name as I walked across... he worked hard with me to help me graduate. (I was a sluffer...what can I say? I had much to make up Senior year...couldn't have done it without Jess!)

18. Where did you go Senior Skip Day? Diggin' with the gang. None of us wanted to attend Senior Day.

19. Were you in any clubs? Spirit Club Sophpmore year

20. Have you gained some weight since then?I weighed less than 100 lbs then... ummm...thanks for the salt in a wound sensation. LOL

21. Who was your Prom Date? Jestin - Senior year, A friend with the same B-day as me 10 days after we both turned 16 - Sophomoreyear ...talk about an ackward date. Prom should not be your 1st dating experience...that's for sure!

22. 10 year Reunion? Are you planning on going? Heh heh... Ummm I missed that one. Just had a baby then. 15 is on it's way up... *sniff*

23. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself? Don't be so hard on yourself. Don't let others influence your self esteem. Quit worrying and enjoy it! One day... you're gonna miss this!

(I tag YA'LL! *grin*)

I think it may be dying...

And I can't complain. It is almost 10 years old after all. It has served us well. We have enjoyed it's perks and blessings....

My computer is dying. We have revived it twice in its lifetime... but I am affraid we may be at the end of our lollipop. It shuts down randomly...as if it were just tired. No virus. No reason. It just gets tired... And rightfully so. LOL. It is a "dinosaur" after all... so as I am typing I am burning copies of everything! in duplicate.

I am not thrilled to have to get a new computer... and get to know Windows Vista and all that it may not run that I like using. I am not so hot for change like this... nor do I feel that I have the time and/or energy for setting E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G up...again. My internet...and printers...and camera...and favorite internet sites...instant messengers and email notifications...and Quicken...and Quickbooks... and the myriad of other little things I take for granted daily. *sniff* I like my set -up... I know how to work it, I dont wanna change it and I am getting to be an old fuddy duddy!!

It shall be a sad day (or weeks) when it finally bites the dust... And I shall weep at it's passing. It was a good little computer. Bless you my little Totally Awesome Dinosaur!

3 going on 17...

I am still quite shaken and need to "emotionally throw up". What a heart stopping experience we had today...although I guess it was technically yesterday as it is 1:30 am and I still can't sleep. Today I was affraid at one point my littlest man would be the source of an Amber Alert.

It has been a busy day today...and after going grocery shopping for the 1st time in as many weeks as I can remember... I settled into my pantry... cleaning, re-organizing and planning for the miriad of fresh fruits and veggies awaiting preservation in my garage as we speak. Jess has been home all day, and covering a large base of "honey-do"s for me. The kids were all home from school, flitting about playing with neighbors etc. Jess had gathered them together and they had all congregated at the kitchen table to do homework. I could hear them and was prompted to ask, "where's Caleb?" from the pantry. I got a mixture of answers... playing next door, in the sand box and upstairs playing. I requested that one of them go and see which was the case. And being that they are all responsible enough, then assumed that "someone" followed through. (I was after all burried behind boxes and bottles made into piles in re-arranging things)

About 15ish minutes later the prompting came again. This time with HUGE force. "where is Caleb?" I asked as I pondered that I had not heard his whine since my last request (yes...sadly we are at the terrible 3's whinner fest stage...*insert rolling eyes*)

"not sure." "I haven't seen him" and "I dont know..." abounded.

I leapt over the piles and as I did so one of the replies was "last I saw him he was playing with his buddy Sam." And I hate to admit it... but often that is that case as we both have open door policies most of the time with the older ones...and the littler ones follow suit. I grabbed the bowl that belonged to Sam's mom and headed over hoping to find him bellied up to a pile of toys at her house. She informed me she hadn't seen him recently...and she informed me that the other 2 neighbors he often congregated at were not at home...they had soccer games. I felt this horrid knot in the pit of my stomach. I could hear the prompting echoing in my ears once again... and I hadn't listened!

I ran home and looked for his big wheel bike. It was gone. I grabbed my keys and hopped in the car....as I yelled to Jess that Caleb was missing. The neighbor told me that some of the kids headed across the road that he is not suppose to cross to play and he might be that way. I drove off in that direction. Jess started walking quickly in the general direction as well.

I found his bike a block and a half away. I rang the doorbell of every neighbor close to his bike, only to find their children his age had come in long before and they hadn't seen him. I called Jess and told him I found his bike. He ran home and got his truck to follow suit and comb the neighborhood more fully. Emmalee called a few minutes later to say his "awesome bike" (his 2 wheeled one with training wheels) was missing as well. My heart sunk. He could be anywhere...

I knew how much he loves his very best friend Jesse. (we call them Kick and Sidekick they are so close) And I knew he had whined earlier that he wanted to go there. I drove there as fast as I could while still watching for him and screaming his name. A knock on the door found no sign of him...but Jesse's family loaded up and they began the search too.

I have to admit I lost it at this point. I had been looking for him for well over 10-15 minutes...and it had been almost 40+ minutes since my 1st impression...that I didn't follow through on myself. (grr. I hate it when I am so stubborn!) My little blonde angel could be anywhere with anyone. I wanted to scream. I wanted to barf. I wanted to cry until it became less of a reality. I have not been so scared in a long time. I called Jess to see if he had seen him yet... with a fruitless answer. I hung up in tears.

Does one call the police this soon? He is only 3! will they think me a horrible mother? he is only 3! where in the hell could he be?? I was running out of ideas! and my voice was cracking as I called his name over and over...

Now... I used to think growing up that my little sister was a spoiled brat. It's true. I did. It wasn't really that she got everything she wanted... but I think it was more that she was SO strong willed and stubborn and non compliant... that often they gave in to avoid the struggle. So not like me. Of course... grated she is now one of my very best friends... but as a child I was intimidated by her personality. You obey. That is how it was in my mind.... and she always wanted to know why...and if the reason was not good enough it held no water. And my Caleb is just like her...

And I knew he was somewhere... and being fiesty to boot! As I was fingering my phone...ready to call 911... it rang. Maria (Jesse's mom) was gulping for air through sobs on the other end. She found him!! He was 2 blocks from home... over half way to their house... playing with some kids he doesn't know in a backyard he's never been to. And he was mad. I drove straight there... I had driven by there at least 3-4 times screaming his name... and as I pulled up I could see his little body language upset with her because he was playing and he was not leaving.

I ran to him and picked him up....and the tears fell for a moment... and then I was mad too. I told him he was in BIG trouble....while trying not to raise my voice...and he looked up at me and said "I not in twouble! You in twouble Mommy!" He wanted to down and he wanted to go play. He had NO idea what had transpired! He was simply playing and we were interupting. He was THRILLED to have so much unawarded freedom and he had no intention of giving it up!

Maria called Jess and we all felt the utter horror and relief of what had happened and what could have happened. As I stood there holding him... arguing with him... and shaking like a leaf I looked over and sure enough there was his "awesome bike". How did I miss it so many times?! I had bailed out to run up to a house multiple times thinking this bike or that bike was his... ugh! And he had likely heard me screaming for him and ignored me because he was happy where he was, and playing what he was playing....

So... we took him home and I held him. And he squirmed. And I didn't care. I am still learning how to deal with such a willful little mite. I know he thinks he can do anything the other kids can, and I know, just like my baby sister, none of my explanations hold water for him... but I thank God for the Holy Ghost that prompts... even if it took me WAY too long to follow through. I thank God my free spirited little pickle is home safe in his bed.

And I am thankful to be his Mommy....my heart just breaks to think I almost lost him! Even if he "lost" himself!

A week later...

What fun! We all got sicker from there... and Emma ended up with pneumonia! Praises to the antibiotic and steriod inventors at our house! LOL! Cam did really well... *giggle* 'course he's only been off his steriods for a couple of weeks! It was a normal summer cold... it just really got to those of us here that have lower resistance to such things. But aside from a lingering cough or two we are all better! YIPEE!! And we are LOVING this fall air!!

BUT! The BESTEST news I have to share: Caleb is potty training himself. Yep. You read that right. All by himself! One day last week he discovered that he has Lighting McQueen undies in his drawer he can reach now(makes me wish I had rotated the kids drawers sooner! LOL). Then he was watching the news with me and they were talking about a little kangaroo that has been cheering up people in an old folks home... he asked me why it was wearing a diaper. I said, not really thinking about it "it must be because it is a baby kangaroo". He replied that *he* was not a baby and went right up and put on his new undies. (*gulp*) He has had at least one accident a day...but sometimes only one! And we ran out of Pull-ups...so we are *not* turning back!! WAHOODELEEHOO!!! For the 1st time in 11 years I have no kids in diapers!!!! ~~~heaven~~~

So...I have been waiting this morning for a lender to fax me some info for a client and "killing" time and I found this new fall background! Can I just say it is making me SOOO happy!!? I SO love fall!! I love the cooler air. I love the going back to school. I love the holidays and the smells. I love canning with my MIL, and lately my neighbor. I love harvesting and cleaning for winter. I love getting out warmer clothes and putting away summer things. I love starting to think about Christmas gift ideas and what I want to do. I love getting back into the swing of making warm meals for my family. All of it just brings me such joy!! HAPPY FALL!!!!

I have been a bit "clear" lately. Life has been busy. Today it has slowed down for us though...Emma, Cam, Caleb and I woke up with sore throats, runny noses and headaches. Could be allergies...could be our first fall cold. Anywho...we are medicating and taking it easy today. (I am a bit grateful for the slow down! *grin*)


School is grand! The kids love it. They love their teachers and are enjoying themselves! Aside from: Cody came home yesterday quite sad...some older boy pushed into him, almost knocking him down and said "Hey! the nerds belong over there!" :( Freakin' jerk! I held him and told him that we are all nerds if we have a brain in our heads and that that kid must not love himself very much if he has to be mean to other people. Grrr. I wish I could go kick his butt and get his parents involved! Makes me cranky. I know it would do no good...but for heaven's sakes Cody already struggles to feel like he fits in... and my mommy heart wants to tear into that kid! If only Cody knew who it was....


Jestin has been quite busy this last month...and it has been a HUGE blessing. We have still not completely recovered from turning down work to be available for big job for family in June, only to have them use someone else...it seems to have taken it's toll and taken this long to try & make up for. It's been a bummer as summer should have been our best time of year! Ah! Small business! so fun! Takes a lot of faith and following commandments to make it work that is FOR sure! Now if I could convince Jess it is time to hire someone. He is so terrified of being another family's means... and after our history with unemployment ourselves a few years back it still worries him like no other! It's just we are so busy he is turning work away! ack! I keep praying he will be brave. *grin*

I am doing better. (minus not so well today) My blood work came back that I am very low in iron. Huh. Wonder why. Not. And my new heart meds are working well. So I am on the way back up! I am thrilled! I also have some real estate stuff starting up and it is GREAT to get back in the saddle again. *grin*

P.S. - I Love you!

So I have this really good friend named Denice--seriously the most amazing girl in the world. How she manages to juggle everything in her life while still being one of the best mothers to ever BREATHE is just beyond me. She rocks!

Anyway, she and her cute husband started their own business--Personal Sentiments.

They sell scrapbooking and card-making supplies--everything MATCHES (SWEET!!) and they even have entire KITS you can buy that takes all of the guesswork out of picking paper and embellishments. She and her husband created a lot of the graphics etc!

If you like the hands-on aspect of scrapbooking but find it too overwhelming at the Scrapbook Store, check out her website and buy a card kit or scrapbook kit. They have tons of different themes to choose from and it's high-quality product without the high pricetag! So go to her website and buy something. Go right now! You will love it~ P. S. is awesome!

Scattergories...

It's harder than it looks! Erase my answers, enter yours, and send it on to 10 people including the one that sent this to you. Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following they have to be real places, names, things. Nothing made up! Try to use different answers if the person if front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.

WHAT IS YOUR NAME? - Heather
4-LETTER WORD - Have
VEHICLE – Harley *grin*
TV SHOW – Hanah Montana (Your welcome Lou Bug)
CITY – Hartford, CT
BOY NAME - Harry
GIRL NAME - Hope
OCCUPATION – Handyman
SOMETHING YOU WEAR - Hats
FOOD - Ham
SOMETHING FOUND IN A BATHROOM – Hand Soap
SOMETHING YOU SHOUT - H-E-Double Hockey Sticks
ANIMAL- Hamster (shh don't tell Emma but we will own one in Nov)
COLOR - Hot Pink
MUSIC GROUP – HairSpray actors LOL
COUNTRY– Honduras
COLLEGE MAJOR– History

1st Day of School

Any advice or ideas?

The picture does not do it justice. I have apricot "stuff" all over my kitchen counter, down between the stove and counter, on the bottom of the upper cupboard, and all over the floor. Here's what happened:
Amy (& Austin *wink*) and I pitted and ran 2 boxes of free apricots from Ma's through the food mill thingy to make it into a paste like substance so we could make fruit leather. We were so excited! In our excitement we ran out of big bowls. I use my big pot to store the some of the goods. We added orange juice to the mixture to make it not turn brown (like the bottling book said to!). And then I had to go to work. I had no room in my fridge for a pot and a big bowl of apricot "stuff" so I left it on the counter with press and seal over it. Hmmm... questioning now whether I saved my fridge, or doomed myself. (??) It sat for about 6 hours.
I came home to a bubbled over mess. The "stuff" had bubbled up and popped open the press and seal on the pan. It ran down the cupboard and the drawers and was on the floor etc. I was shocked. I called Amy and we laughed about it. Dang. A mess. What else is new as a mom? no? She left and we decided to look into whether or not it is still usable. Hmmm. Should have had her stick around to bottle or bag it I say! I started to stir it in the pot getting ready to put it in bags to put in the fridge. (The "stuff" in the bowl had foamed and frothed but had not escaped...and while she was here we stirred the bowl and it was watery under the foam) SO...as I stir the pot it starts to bubble. Bubble like it is boiling over...but it's on my counter. *gasp* Before I know it... POP! It explodes. Now it wasn't a huge explosion. I didn't get covered. But under my cupboards now need wiped. There is twice as much "stuff" all over, and well. I am done. stinking stuff! Litterally. Stinkin' stuff! It REEKED like bad bread and beer. Oh my!
Needless to say... it got tossed. 2 hours of work, driving to PG to pick plus picking time, and I got nuttin'. *sniff* No fruit leather. No jam. No bottled fruit. Good thing I don't like apricots! LOL

Christmas in August

SO! We finally took Caleb to redeem his Build-A-Bear gift certificate that Santa gave him last year. It's August. I know. He's 3. LOL. He had SO much fun!

Standing on the fluff pedal... and getting it's heart ready...

All the kids got to put in a heart for him: and they each added a wish for Caleb on it...

Caleb loved rubbing it's heart on his head for it to be smart, his arm muscles so he can be strong, his own heart so he can be brave, etc...

And he LOVES his new toy. Loves like nothing else.

He needed a "bath" after being built (blow dryer and brushes to removed excess fluff)

And then he chose an outfit. He chose jean shorts and a T-shirt with a dinosaur driving a jeep!

Meet Rexie. Rexie goes EVERYWHERE with us now...

although my favorite is how Caleb talks to his "wexxie". *grin*

That was an AWESOME Christmas present...even if it was finally given in August! :)

Camping...

Here we are hanging out in camp while Dad took Cam fishing. I am kicking myself I didnt get picks of Cam doing his breathing treatments on the the front steps of the camper out in the wild blue yonder! Darn. Makes me all the more grateful for JWD's first official debt! *grin*

The pups kept being put in the camper. Our little Zoey is not good at camping yet. She barked at e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e. If they had a hat...she barked. If they stood up to go get a drink...she barked. If the wind caught the trees...well...yeah. She barked. LOL. Silly dog.

Caleb and his bestest buddy... ooo....so dirty!

Hey Gram...don't let Papa see these pics man! That face is a mess!

Emma and one of her bestest buddies too! It was a wonderful escape from reality...even if it was only a few hours worth of nothing. It was still some time with nothing in it. And our little hospital guest got to go fishing both that evening and the next morning. He was thrilled!

Award Winner!

Emmalee won ribbons at the Utah County Fair!! We joined 4-H this year & I even taught a ceramics class! LOL! It was a lot of fun!! Thanks Kathy for getting it going!!

She got a second place ribbon for her ceramic elephant bank!

And she won a purple ribbon for her pillow case! It will now be sent to the State Fair to be held in Sept! We hope she does well! She really did a great job on it! She must be related to her Grandma! LOL! (her mommy can't even thread a bobbin! *blush*)

Hospital Moments

Cam doin' a breathing treatment. The nurses kept commenting on how well he did them. Hmmm... 7-8 times hospitalized... plus on steriods *at least* once every six months your whole life for asthma...which means multiple daily treatments each time...and yeah. It's old hat for my little 6 year old. :) *giggle* I bet he could teach them a thing or two! LOL!

His bestest friend came to visit. She has a broken arm to match his IVed one! *grin*

And she brought him his favorite colored bear. She is such a sweetheart!

He was SO dang bored.

Free at last! Free at last! Thank the heavens! I'm free at last!

CAM'S HOME!!!

He made it home today! He is doing pretty good- no oxygen since 11 am this morning. Begging to go fishing with Dad...that was all he could talk about while at the hospital...so Jess is taking our trailer up to the neighborhood camping area and we will go up tommorow and let him get his fishing in. Good thing we have a generator for nebulizer power, and a stool for him to fish out of!!

HALLELUYAH!!! We are outta there!! What a story for another day. Showers here we come!

Words do not desribe...

the day I had today. It was full of wonderful people letting me know how much they care about Cam and our family. It was full of rollercoasters of how Cam is and how he is feeling. It was full of such utter frustration...and Murphy's Law of what can go wrong will go wrong...that I just can't believe I survived this day. And I thought yesterday was bad. I wanna go back and just skip this whole dang week! LOL!

I won't post about all of it...mostly because it is 1am and I am beat, and also being it that it would only become a huge whine fest...and well...I am out of cheese. That and I dont drink wine! *grin*

Thank you for all of you who thought of us, prayed for us, talked to us, emailed us, commented to us and served our family this day. There were miracles that I will treasure in my heart always that came to pass today. Not the ones I was hoping for...but they came nonetheless. :) Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. Thankyou.

Cam is about the same...if not worse. He had a bad reaction to one of the steriods they gave him. He also had not as much O2 as he needed through the day due to a faulty monitor reading giving him better stats than were real due to a bad connector. And that the Dr. that is caring for him finally believed me as the mom and is giving him the breathing treatments at the times he really needs them (every 3 hours vs. his planned every 6), but only since 6 pm tonight! *sigh* He will stay again tonight (obviously *wink*). And likely all day tommorow. We are praying for going home tommorow night...

There's not a cloud in the sky...

But when it rains it pours!

I am curled up in a room where I hear the bubble of oxygen going through distilled water. There is the occasional ping of an alarm, and I can smell the industrial laundry soap smell. My beautiful middle son is laying on a bending bed, covered in wires and tubes. His lips are the classic rosey red and his eyes are sunken and dusky colored. It is cold. The chair I sit it creaks and squeaks with every movement, the joy of a disinfectable vinyl lazy boy wanna be. There is little privacy. Here we are once more. It was two years (last month) since this has been the case. Cam was admitted to the hospital with a severe case of asthma. He can't keep his O2 levels high enough without oxygen. He is back on the big gun steriods. He has breathing treatments every 2-3 hours and he coughs until he throws up everything he eats. It breaks my heart like no other. I wish I could take his place so badly it hurts. It has been a rough day. They "blew" two veins trying to get an IV in...the poor babe had to be poked 3 times and it had to be fished everytime! He is so brave. I dont know where he gets it from! He cried, but it was such a brave cry. I love this kids so dang much!! We are for sure here for the night, and all day tommorow. We pray he can come home tommorow night. He has been on the steriods for 24 hours as of an hour ago...so the turning point is coming.... XXcrossing fingersXX

I myself am covered in wires. I went to the cardiologist yesterday. My regular cardiologist was not able to meet me, but his new partner still could, so I met with him and told him all about my frustrations and symptoms. Today before Cam was admitted I was hooked up on another Holter Monitor. What a sad day for this to happen... I have not been able to accurately document all my heart activity like I should and that is discouraging, as we are paying for this and it may be fruitless. *sigh* He will be changing my dosing for heart meds, and is also checking my thyroid again. I am looking forward to knowing how to grasp the energy and stamina I was enjoying. :)

Jestin's eye is doing marginally better. He actually had some clarity in that eye yesterday! He lost it again today, but I think it was stress related. Today Jess had his first ever deposition. He witnessed a horrible accident in Provo Canyon 2 years ago, a girl he knew as a child was run over in her car by a 6 wheeled dump truck. He struggled with it horribly. And it has been awful to re-live over again. He really could have used my support today... :(

The kids have been fending for themselves with the help of neighbors for 2 days now (with Dr. visits and cardologist visits etc both days) and do it again tommorow. I feel like Elasta Girl from the Incredibles when she is stretched thin flying the van and her hubby asks "How's it going Honey?" and she screams "do I have to answer??" LOL. Oh I know this is but a moment...but man! today I am not feeling so up to this moment....

Updates

Hello. Thought I would post an update. Jess is back to work. I am driving him as he still has very limited vision in the one eye and doesn't dare drive the freeway. He is a bit discouraged that it has not started to improve yet. It is quite painful still and he can tell he has lost a large portion of his side vision so far. I keep praying it will be better as it heals more. *gulp* Continued prayers would be appreciated. And, it goes without saying, I am not likely to get him to go back for his other eye in two weeks! We will have to reschedule for a couple of months I am guessing.

The kids are dying to get back to school! We start on the 20th. They all know who their teachers are except Cody...they may get a new 4th grade teacher so we have to wait to know his. We have gone and gotten shoes for all, but that it the extent of school shopping. And Emma is itching to go let me tell ya! LOL!

My health has not been good. I don't know if it's the heat, or overdoing it or what...but I feel much like I have in the past before my heart has gone into full A-fib. I am tired and shaky and weak, and my heart feels like it is vibrating on and off and I have had a few hard flip flop episodes. *sigh* It is very discouraging. I had high hopes that I was completely repaired from this surgery! Luckily my Heavenly Father loves me...and though I was stressed that even if I called my Cardiologist I wouldn't be able to see him for 6 weeks...I looked at the calendar and realized I have an appt with him on Monday for a surgery followup! Yea! I hope he can give me some insight as I am so discouraged to have been doing SO well...to now be back to wondering if "tonight it may happen" that I go into A-fib because of how I have been feeling. Ah well. This too shall pass...after all it came to pass...not to stay! LOL!

We are suppose to go camping next weekend! (AUG 15) It's our everyone's invited neighborhood campout and we can't wait!! It is so so so lovely to just throw food in and go! This time will be extra fun because of the meteor showers...I am so looking forward to it! *grin*

Well...I better go lay down. I may have to drive Jess to Park City tonight for a job....and I need to "prepare" myself for it by being rested. Have a great day! ((hugs))
~~heather

I love my pups!

The cuddles I get are warm and comforting... and I am fought over which is fun too!! LOL
Here is their blog spot: http://ouryorkiegirls.blogspot.com/

He is doing ok...

Jestin is doing pretty good. The procedure was awful to watch...let alone go through. They dialated his eyes and he really hates that in and of it's self! LOL

Then they took him in and did an angiogram. They found that the damage was more severe than they originally thought, so their laser treatments were more extensive. They also gave him a steriod shot in his eyeball. The worst part Jess said, was the shot under his eye (the block) to deaden everything. And it was. I haven't told him how long the needle was and how deep they took it because he must go back a 2 weeks or so to have the other eye done. *gulp* He will loose some periferal vision and could loose a little bit of the brightness of colors. We are praying not.

We kept teasing him to keep the mood light...and he teased us right back. We joked that everyone should have seen the "other" guy! He was big and Jess kicked his butt! Bwahahaha!They told him to watch a little wire with a flashing dot at the end of it while they did the angiogram...and we were busting up! We kept saying "I'm gonna get ya!" "I'm gonna be your best friend!" (think Nemo) and then "Good feelings gone!" Tee hee!!

I told him the look of his eyes dialated was wiggin me out...so he kept playing "Puss in Boots" from Shrek. LOL!! It was fun. I married such a good hearted man. He knows how to keep others laughing...that's for sure!

He is now crashed out in bed. His eye has started to wake up...so he is hurting and the vision coming back is making him sick. Poor thing! I am going to run now! I'll keep you posted.

Jestin's Eye Surgery Tommorow

Would you all keep Jess in your thoughts and prayers tommorow? He will be having his eye surgery. He was really nervous until our hometeachers came and gave him the most beautiful priesthood blessing. He still is a little scared, but has found more peace. He was promised a speedy recovery and that all will go well as the faith of those around him unite together on his behalf. I thought maybe I ought to remind all those out there who love us that it is tommorow so that Heavenly Father may fullfill the blessing He provided. :) Thank you in advance. I will post his status tommorow when I can....

Utah's Pioneer Day 2008

SO much fun!! Our kids LOVE it!! We celebrated Pioneer Day in style! We went to the parade...Caleb LOVED all the trucks, tractors and horses! We went out for breakfast with Jess' family. Then we came home and napped, and cleaned up and got ready...we had a barbeque! (Ribs and Shikabobs! yum!!) We went to the carnival (see below) and then we went to the kids school to watch the fireworks! Caleb OOOed and AWWEed them all! We rounded the evening off with Jess' homemade icecream laced with cookie dough and fudge. We stayed up past 1am visiting...but it was AWESOME!! Enjoy the video... *grin*

Craziness!

Life has run away with me full swing! LOL!
* Zoey is almost completely trained
* Sophie has learned to potty outside for the most part
* They both have learned to take turns with treats, bark at the door and come when their own name is called. Hoorah!
* Jess' work is picking up and he is busy as ever with his calling, his company and all the neighbors/family that need him. He also has been doing some great honey-do's!
* EYE SURGERY RE-SCHEDULED! It will be on the 5th of Aug now. His Retinal Specialist had to go out of town.
* Model Home sitting is fun! *grin* If you want to see what Maria and I are selling: Take the Walmart exit in Springville, at the light by Walmart take a right; follow that road through the circle to the T and take a left on 1600 S. - Go to 950 West and we are in the model home in the back of the subdivison...you can't miss it! Call me if you are coming to see if it is my date and time! *wink*
* Real Estate is picking up... if you have good income and are in the market for a home... NOW is the time! Prices are dropping dramatically, Feds are working with 1st time homebuyers and well...investment in real estate always will bring a good return! :)
* Busy with Primary and my own kids.
* Teaching a 4H ceramics class. SO FUN! The kids LOVE it!
* Heading to Idaho this week to see my Bro from WA and my Grandpa. I CAN NOT WAIT!
* Itching to go camping! Any and all are invited to the neighborhood overnight campout on Aug 15th! Call me! There is a meteor shower that night and I think it will be awesome!
* Caleb's arm is in a wrap. Find out tommorow if it is broken. dang it.
* Finally got all the laundry on my floor folded. 3 weeks worth of digging in piles is over! yea!
* School starts in less than a month. Both Emma and Cody had a growth spurt and Cam has little to no underwear. They all need backpacks and well... yuck. I detest shopping. Anyone want to take my kids clothes shopping?? what about footing the bill? Bwahahaha
* My house looks like it got Smurf Chickenpox! I used a black light and painters tape to mark areas that need carpet cleaned...two weeks ago...thinking I would get to it...& thinking it would only show dog pee. Oh no! It shows chocolate milk spills, bottle drips and all sorts of yumminess! If you have a germ-a-phobia or are a neat freak....don't use a black light. De-pressing. My kids and pups are SLOBS! ugh.
* My desk is starting to look somewhat under control. Still have to pay the bills for this month. Sheesh! When did it get to be the end of the month already??
* Went to the eye Dr myself on Sat. We have THE best eye Dr. (Advanced Family Eye Care in Spanish Fork) He came in just for me. I was doing my nails the night before and a piece of acrylic flipped up when I was trimming edges and got me. I had an good abrasion and a couple of small pieces lodged in my eye. Yuck! Some numbing meds, some tylenol, an eye wash and wipe and some antibiotic drops and we are back to normal. Have I ever mentioned I dont do well with eye Dr.'s and Dentists? Yeah. fun.
* Ma had an emergency apendectomy a week + ago. And I suck as a daughter! I have barely had the time to call her...let alone go clean her house or make her a meal like she did me. Hoping the people that live with her are taking good care of her...XXcrossing fingersXX
* Car needs tires rotated and registered.
* Garden has squash bugs. They have killed 3 of our plants. Grrrr. Amy and her sweet MIL weeded it last week and it looks so pretty! It inspired Jess and he almost has all the weeds pulled in the back now! I need to sell a house or two and get some sprinklers and grass in soon! I am so done with mud and weeds.
* Need to go see my own Dr. Think I have some thyroid stuff creeping up again... dang it. Had some bad heart days too. I know I should not be running as mch as I have... but I just can't seem to slow down these days.

Anyway... kind of a vent... and a to-do list all mixed in one! LOL! I knew you were all wondering where in the world I went! Bwahahaha! Off to bed! I have another long one ahead of me tommorow... LOVE to you all!! G'night!

Our New Baby

Here she is!! Our new baby!!

Isn't she just darling!!? Look at that smile! *grin*

We decided once she was here...she is a Zoey. Her full name is Mylee Zophia... but she is our little Zoey. She has done really well... and I am tickled! She is *my* dog. Sophie loves Jess the best...Zoey loves me the best! *giggle* She is my little shadow. I forgot how much you can love an animal! Not that I didn't love Sophie... but there is something so tender when you are loved so completely by something so sweet! Does that make any sense?? LOL AHH I am loving having 2! Sophie is too! She is in Heaven!

More pics of Bethani

Isn't she adorable!?!?!

Here are some better pics of my new niece! *grin*

Jestin's Eye Surgery/Diabetes

I was told I needed to post the latest:

Jestin saw the retinal specialist and he is scheduled to have mini-surgery on his left eye on July 28th. He has Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, however it has not started to effect his vision yet...we have caught it quick enough. Almost all of the damage has occurred in the last year, as he had this eyes thoroughly checked just a year ago. It has been a bummer to see the difference already! His right eye has some damage as well, but they are hoping with tighter blood sugar control we can scale that back and buy Jess more time with that side. They will do an angiogram the day of surgery just to make sure it is ok... and to see more in depth the extent of the damage.

They are going to try and correct some of the damage in his left eye with "L-A-S-E-Rs" (in Jestin's best Dr. Evil voice, adding the quotes with his fingers of course! *wink*) He is nervous, but it seems to be a simple and small operation...the biggest risk factor at present is bleeding which could lead to a more extensive surgery, but we both feel that he will be fine...especially after he gets a Priesthood blessing before hand. :) There will be multiple treatments needed...and he is NOT excited to have needles and lasers in his eyes...not that I blame him! They likely will be doing some steriod shots in his eyes as well the specialist was saying...

We went to a new Dr. today to get some guidance on his diabetes... and well... we wont be back. That place was about crazy as a nuthouse...and aside from the few minutes with the doctor... felt like we were not in the right place! They did test his A1C and it was a 8.1 - not so good... but I have to admit... it was in the 11's when we were dating and newly married...so hey! This also doesn't give credit for the tighter control he has been exercising since his 1st eye Dr appt. I bet once some time has past it will be much better! He really has been doing so well!! And he's lost 5 lbs to boot! (no fair! LOL) On a good note too... his blood pressure is great and his liver/kidney test came back awesome too! We were so relieved! Often when one area is being destroyed by diabetes you will likely have others...but he is doing well!

Anywho...there is the skinny. We are going on another fun health ride.... WAHOO!!! It's all good though! We are blessed to have a home or two sell here and there and eletrical work seems to keep comin' in...so we know we will be taken care of! Our Heavenly Father always does! :)

Tired...and excited!!

Sorry to be so AWOL! We have been working for our new baby! Naw...this is not what you think! LOL! We are getting another yorkie! We can't wait!! The kids are dying and can hardley stand the suspense! We are earning her with "slave labor" (bwahahaha) and we are tickled pink! She is the puppy of a neighbor who needs some help, and is moving and can't take her, so we are blessed to be able to fullfill my itch for one more "baby" and help a neighbor in need! I feel so lucky! The funnest part is that Sophie knows the new pup already and they are bestest friends!! Now who didn't wish for that as a kid?? For your best friend to become your sister?? L-U-C-K-Y! (in my best Napoleon voice) We may be changing the new pups name...as we call for Zoey (her name now) and Sophie comes. She thinks we want her. LOL!! Emma likes Miley. What do you all think??

Any cute suggestions?? Sophie's full Pedigree name is:

Rylee Sophia

So we were thinking if we used what Emma wants, it could be:

Mylee Zophia

And then she could "keep" her original name...we would just call her something different so the dogs aren't confused for training etc. Ahhh...the dilemas huh? Any advice or name ideas would be appreciated! *grin* Friday we will be adopting our last "baby" officially....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BUBBA-SON!!!

Happy Birthday Cody!! He is 9 today!! I wish my scanner and computer were on speaking terms I have the cutest photos of my oldest little man!! (waaaa!)

We had a blast today! It's too late to post photos but I will... we went to Seven Peaks to celebrate! He had a grand time!

Quick fun facts about Cody:

* We laugh about labor with Cody...the epidural went up instead of down...and I talked like Jar Jar Binks trying to convey my displeasure! I think Jess laughed until he had tears!
* Cody's best friend is Emma.
* Cody scooted on his bum wherever he went and then walked...never crawled.
* And always had fat lip when he started walking because he never learned to catch himself from crawling! It was sad.
* He believed in prayer at a very young age. He would pray to get the lawnmower to start when Mom had spent 20 minutes and exhausted herself trying to pull start it. Of course it started right up after his prayer.
* Cody always prayed to be kept safe... he had a wheelbarrel fall over on him at age 5... it cut his neck open and when we got to the hospital... Mom lost it a bit when she learned the "tendon" that bulged from the cut was actually his carotid artery and it was realized how "lucky" her little man was! This boy's prayers are answered!
* Cody excelled in the Ohio State tests. He excells in everything learning wise... he is bored with scouts because he read the book and "knows all the stuff already". He has little patience for busy work as when he knows it he knows it and he sees no point in wasting time on something he already understands... ah... he reads a lot of books while his class mates keep working on their busy work he completed way before them! (He gets this trait from his G'pa Stoddard...he is a book worm and very smart!)
* He and his Dad are reading the Leven Thumps series at the same time... they love to discuss what is going on!
* Cody lost much of his depth perseption as a result of a slight lazy eye we missed when he was little. He now is under regimine to play video games with a patch to excersise that eye... and boy! was he disappointed with that prescription!
* Have I mentioned that he LOVES his Nintendo DS and the Xbox? We may as a family ask Santa for a WII...
* Cody loves animals. He is so gentle with both them and little ones. He is a tenderheart.
* When Cam was little he couldn't say "brother" so he called Cody "Bubba". It stuck. Cody is our Bubba Son.

* Cody had a sense of humor young. He was 2 or so when one day he brought me a shoe as we were getting ready to leave. I told him we needed the other one and to go find the shoe. He walked away saying "a shoe. a shoe a shoe." As he came around the corner oblivious to all around him he giggled to himself and said "Bless you!" I laughed and laughed! He is so clever!
* Cody loves to fish! On his trip to Lake Powell they gave him the nickname "Catfish Cody"...he has a knack for it!
* Cody is my cuddle bug. He loves to be cuddled, to have hugs, to have a back rub, any physical touch or expression of love. Even when I was pregnant with him...if you tickled my belly he would push into it. He loved it. He needs to be touched.... I often ask him for some "Cody Cuddles" 'cause he is just so snuggly!

* Cody is named after his Daddy (middle name) whom is named after G'pa Ewell. His full name William Cody never quite came into play...he never was a "Wild Bill Cody". *grin*
* When he was little he wanted to become a Bee Keeper after being stung by a bee and realizing they die from stinging. He wanted to "save" them.
* He wants to be a Massage Therapist like his aunt Jenny.

* Cody is left handed like his G'ma Annie.
* Cody is a shy one... but once you are his friend... he loves you deeply and forever.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY CODY!!

We are so thankful to have you in our family!!

The callings came...

We knew deep inside they were coming...
You know how it is...
It's like the calm before the storm...
There is a sense about it...
You are almost not surprised when that call comes in...
And then your appointed time comes...
And you meet with the leader...
And the bomb is dropped...
Your heart races...
Your knees shake...
Your mouth says "yes"...
but inside you are saying to yourself (quite loudly I might add!)
"Isn't there someone more qualified??"
"Are you sure you are asking the right person??"
"What if I screw up so badly they kick us out??"
(bwahahaha! Ok. Not really...)
But callings are a new stretch in all areas nonetheless!

Can I kindly introduce you to:

Jestin Dorius, Assist. Ward Clerk in the River Trail Ward

And Heather Dorius, 1st Counselor in the Primary Presidency of the River Trail Ward...

They also asked me to be a part of the Ward Activities Committee for the next little while... it will be a blast!

Lucky for us both we are blessed to serve with AWESOME people and our fears of failure are diminished somewhat... oh... and did I mention we have complete (like knot at the end of a rope grip) faith in "He qualifies whom He calls" Otherwise... well... WE ARE IN TROUBLE! :)

http://ldsrtwphoto.blogspot.com/

I found a few!!

I randomly found a few photos from the ones I lost! YEA!!

Here is Emma and Bethani... The oldest and youngest Stoddard Grandaughters...

Bubba LOVED to hold her... he is so good with babies!

Isn't she precious!! I think she will be clothed solid until she is 1! This aunt has gone crazy with yard saling and consignment sales! She is brand name dress man! *wink* and my new little niece deserves only the best! *GRIN*