Last week was Aylee's first week in the city basketball program. She surprised Amber and I this winter by wanting to learn basketball. Amber enrolled her where she is the only girl on her team. That doesn't let it stop her...she mans her position well and enjoys navigating with the ball.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Basketball Star
Last week was Aylee's first week in the city basketball program. She surprised Amber and I this winter by wanting to learn basketball. Amber enrolled her where she is the only girl on her team. That doesn't let it stop her...she mans her position well and enjoys navigating with the ball.
Financial Woes - Just raise your credit limit
A very small (two paragraph article) in today's Provo newspaper got me all fired up. Ka-wow-wow-wow! (As Aliece would so eloquently put it)
The articles I have found on the internet are as follows:
The articles I have found on the internet are as follows:
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7002681164
Essentially, the US Treasury Secretary is asking Congress to raise the government's credit limit so that we can avoid the FIRST EVER default on the nation's debt obligations.
They claim that they have done everything legally in their power to avoid this, but the time has come to raise the credit limit before having to shut some of the government operations down. Not only this, but it is the FOURTH time the Bush Administration has requested (and received) a raising of the government credit limit.
This type of fiscal policy and habits of spending make me wonder if President Bush is truly a conservative Republican. In my book, Republicans believe in smaller government and fiscal responsibility. You would never know with our President.
Granted, I voted for Mr. Bush. I support the War on Terror. But from day one, I have never supported or agreed with his spending theories. In my mind we need to cut the overbloated government programs and (am I really saying this?) increase taxes until we can get control of our nation's debt.
Whew...Man, I am glad I got that off my chest. Anyway, I need to get back to work. I would like to do a little extra on the house and I hear that I can up my credit limit online by $10,000...That should just about do it.
They claim that they have done everything legally in their power to avoid this, but the time has come to raise the credit limit before having to shut some of the government operations down. Not only this, but it is the FOURTH time the Bush Administration has requested (and received) a raising of the government credit limit.
This type of fiscal policy and habits of spending make me wonder if President Bush is truly a conservative Republican. In my book, Republicans believe in smaller government and fiscal responsibility. You would never know with our President.
Granted, I voted for Mr. Bush. I support the War on Terror. But from day one, I have never supported or agreed with his spending theories. In my mind we need to cut the overbloated government programs and (am I really saying this?) increase taxes until we can get control of our nation's debt.
Whew...Man, I am glad I got that off my chest. Anyway, I need to get back to work. I would like to do a little extra on the house and I hear that I can up my credit limit online by $10,000...That should just about do it.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Clarification of the term: Uteris
Ok, so Dad caught me on this and replied to an inside joke. In my last post about Aliece coming up missing, I mentioned that Amber's Uteris kicked in. A year or so ago, Amber's brother, Reed, was jokingly responding to the question "Why can women find things in a home when a man has looked five times without success". His hypothesis was that it was the uteris that acts as a homing device (pun probably intended) and allows women to find things better than men. Of course, for women who have had a hysterectomy (I know I probably murdered that term with my spelling) one would modify the claim that ever having "had" a uteris provides that gift.
Anyway, I used the term with out reference to it's origin. I knew better, but wondered if I would get away with it. Anyhow...as dear ole Paul Harvey would say,
"And that's the rest of the story!"
Anyway, I used the term with out reference to it's origin. I knew better, but wondered if I would get away with it. Anyhow...as dear ole Paul Harvey would say,
"And that's the rest of the story!"
Sunday, March 05, 2006
When do you issue an Amber Alert?
It is amazing that Aliece doesn't get herself killed or in trouble of some kind.
Today, Laurel Sprouse came over and watched our kids in the morning while Amber went to some camp meetings for church. I still can't really do much with Alayna because of my back and I had some interviews I was going to take care of at home. So, Laurel came and stayed with the kids for over an hour today.
Soon Amber returned from her meeting just as I was finishing up my interviews and phone calls. We let Laurel return home to prepare for church and we thanked her greatly for her help.
When the kids were saying goodbye to Laurel, Aliece started to throw a fit saying that she didn't want Laurel to leave. I told her that she would see Laurel again soon.
Amber and started visiting about our morning and we worked on getting the kids ready for school. It was about then that Amber realized that
Aliece was not in the house. We started searching for her. As we went to the front of the house, we could see Aliece in the far distant end of the block walking toward Laurel's house. We don't know if she ever made it there or not, but we called to Aliece and she returned without much incident.
After church today, everyone came home and changed their clothes. Aliece inisted on wearing her slip and only her slip. She thinks thats her dancing outfit. She was dancing around in the living room and then she started nursing one of her dolls.
The next time I walked by the room, however, she was not there. I checked all of the rooms, yelling in each one, calling for Aliece to respond. I checked the back yard, and the Smart's backyard. No where. I then went and started around the block. I met some members of the ward that had come from the east end of the block. I asked them if they had seem our little girl in a silky white slip. They said that they had come from that direction and had not seen her.
I was a little more concerned now, and so I headed over to the other block where she has been known to travel on occasion. However, my searching was in vain. No Liecey.
I was starting to panic now. So I hurried home, wondering how to best get the word out to the neighborhood. I ran into our bedroom and alerted Amber to the situation. She started getting scared too and she rechecked all of the rooms, yelling Aliece's name. Good thing Amber was involved in the search, her uteris kicked in and she found our soon-to-be four year old. She was fast asleep in the guest bed, with all of the covers completely over her. I would not have been able to tell she was there. It was a good thing Amber checked the covers because I was ready to sound the alarm and alert the police!
Sometimes, even asleep, Aliece can make her parent's fret!
Today, Laurel Sprouse came over and watched our kids in the morning while Amber went to some camp meetings for church. I still can't really do much with Alayna because of my back and I had some interviews I was going to take care of at home. So, Laurel came and stayed with the kids for over an hour today.
Soon Amber returned from her meeting just as I was finishing up my interviews and phone calls. We let Laurel return home to prepare for church and we thanked her greatly for her help.
When the kids were saying goodbye to Laurel, Aliece started to throw a fit saying that she didn't want Laurel to leave. I told her that she would see Laurel again soon.
Amber and started visiting about our morning and we worked on getting the kids ready for school. It was about then that Amber realized that
Aliece was not in the house. We started searching for her. As we went to the front of the house, we could see Aliece in the far distant end of the block walking toward Laurel's house. We don't know if she ever made it there or not, but we called to Aliece and she returned without much incident.
After church today, everyone came home and changed their clothes. Aliece inisted on wearing her slip and only her slip. She thinks thats her dancing outfit. She was dancing around in the living room and then she started nursing one of her dolls.
The next time I walked by the room, however, she was not there. I checked all of the rooms, yelling in each one, calling for Aliece to respond. I checked the back yard, and the Smart's backyard. No where. I then went and started around the block. I met some members of the ward that had come from the east end of the block. I asked them if they had seem our little girl in a silky white slip. They said that they had come from that direction and had not seen her.
I was a little more concerned now, and so I headed over to the other block where she has been known to travel on occasion. However, my searching was in vain. No Liecey.
I was starting to panic now. So I hurried home, wondering how to best get the word out to the neighborhood. I ran into our bedroom and alerted Amber to the situation. She started getting scared too and she rechecked all of the rooms, yelling Aliece's name. Good thing Amber was involved in the search, her uteris kicked in and she found our soon-to-be four year old. She was fast asleep in the guest bed, with all of the covers completely over her. I would not have been able to tell she was there. It was a good thing Amber checked the covers because I was ready to sound the alarm and alert the police!
Sometimes, even asleep, Aliece can make her parent's fret!
Back Surgery
On Monday, February 27, I had my Lumbar laminectomy surgery. They went in and trimmed my L4/L5 disc that has been herniated for the past six months.
My notes from February 27...
Dr. Richey will be performing the surgery. I have met the man for only a few minutes a couple of weeks ago. And now I am trusting him to open my up around my spinal cord to do som mme trimming. That really is an amazing thing. However, I am not too worried. I have had a blessing by my brothers and Dad last weekend and I have had many prayers on my behalf. I feel comfortable with the surgery. I hope and pray that this surgery will help me get back to my regular routine
It has been a very humbling time for me. I have had to rely on a lot of people -- especialy my dear wife for these Months. Amber has surprised me with her support and patience and love during this long period of time of dealing with me in this state. I am a lucky man to have her. I know it has been hard on her, but she has borne this burden like a saint. It would have been so much harder for me to be hurting like this if Amber weren't so supportive.
Yesterday during church, I had many prayers given in my behalf. I had tears in my eyes several times as I was prayed for in the early morning meetings before church. Sawn Miller touched my heart as in his closing prayer in Sacrament meeting he prayed for those who were suffering and going into surgery. It was a touching thought from him. Then in Deacon's quorum, Jeff Smith said the closing prayer and prayed for my surgery. I was very emotional contemplating the number of people who were concerned and praying for my health and success in the surgery. There is a calm that is felt with such support. I hope that after this is all said and done, and that I am healed, that I will remember these feelings while I have been hurt so that I may better know the needs of others and be able to empathize with them.
I now know what people mean when they say trials have been a learning experience for them. I have learned more by going through this problem than I ever could have without it.
---Present day... Nearly a week after the surgery...
I have been feeling a lot better these past couple of days since the surgery. I was so glad that Mom came over to stay with us. She stayed until Thursday. Amber and I were so blessed to have her there with us. Amber got a few outings on her own to run errands, and we were able to nap together while Mom watched the kids. I can't stress enough how helpful and thoughtful it was for Mom to be here with us.
Last Wednesday was probably my worst day - mostly emotionally. I had a lot of leg pain like I had before the surgery (but not nearly as bad as it was before) but I also had the surgical pains. I was pretty depressed about the surgery fearing that it may have done no good. However, that night as I prayed, the comfort of the spirit whispered to me to remember the prayers that were being given for me and my recovery. I felt a great deal of comfort from that moment. I have been pretty happy and positive since then. The gospel is such a blessed thing.
Now the leg pain is minimal - mostly comes after I have been laying down for a while. I think it is the pressure of my laying on the surgical site - it somehow must be touching the nerve. The more I am up and walk around the better I do.
I have decreased my Lortab to 1 tablet every 5 or 6 hours. I started out with 2 Lortab every four hours. I am hoping to work from home the first part of the week and then hopefully go to work near the end of the week.
Amber took a couple of pictures of my incision site. Can't really see much but a bloody mass, but if any of you are interested, I'll be happy to send you a picture!
My notes from February 27...
Dr. Richey will be performing the surgery. I have met the man for only a few minutes a couple of weeks ago. And now I am trusting him to open my up around my spinal cord to do som mme trimming. That really is an amazing thing. However, I am not too worried. I have had a blessing by my brothers and Dad last weekend and I have had many prayers on my behalf. I feel comfortable with the surgery. I hope and pray that this surgery will help me get back to my regular routine
It has been a very humbling time for me. I have had to rely on a lot of people -- especialy my dear wife for these Months. Amber has surprised me with her support and patience and love during this long period of time of dealing with me in this state. I am a lucky man to have her. I know it has been hard on her, but she has borne this burden like a saint. It would have been so much harder for me to be hurting like this if Amber weren't so supportive.
Yesterday during church, I had many prayers given in my behalf. I had tears in my eyes several times as I was prayed for in the early morning meetings before church. Sawn Miller touched my heart as in his closing prayer in Sacrament meeting he prayed for those who were suffering and going into surgery. It was a touching thought from him. Then in Deacon's quorum, Jeff Smith said the closing prayer and prayed for my surgery. I was very emotional contemplating the number of people who were concerned and praying for my health and success in the surgery. There is a calm that is felt with such support. I hope that after this is all said and done, and that I am healed, that I will remember these feelings while I have been hurt so that I may better know the needs of others and be able to empathize with them.
I now know what people mean when they say trials have been a learning experience for them. I have learned more by going through this problem than I ever could have without it.
---Present day... Nearly a week after the surgery...
I have been feeling a lot better these past couple of days since the surgery. I was so glad that Mom came over to stay with us. She stayed until Thursday. Amber and I were so blessed to have her there with us. Amber got a few outings on her own to run errands, and we were able to nap together while Mom watched the kids. I can't stress enough how helpful and thoughtful it was for Mom to be here with us.
Last Wednesday was probably my worst day - mostly emotionally. I had a lot of leg pain like I had before the surgery (but not nearly as bad as it was before) but I also had the surgical pains. I was pretty depressed about the surgery fearing that it may have done no good. However, that night as I prayed, the comfort of the spirit whispered to me to remember the prayers that were being given for me and my recovery. I felt a great deal of comfort from that moment. I have been pretty happy and positive since then. The gospel is such a blessed thing.
Now the leg pain is minimal - mostly comes after I have been laying down for a while. I think it is the pressure of my laying on the surgical site - it somehow must be touching the nerve. The more I am up and walk around the better I do.
I have decreased my Lortab to 1 tablet every 5 or 6 hours. I started out with 2 Lortab every four hours. I am hoping to work from home the first part of the week and then hopefully go to work near the end of the week.
Amber took a couple of pictures of my incision site. Can't really see much but a bloody mass, but if any of you are interested, I'll be happy to send you a picture!
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Toyota Corolla Trouble
Whenever I thought of quality in relation to an automobile, the first names that came to my mind were Honda and Toyota. Not anymore. Shantell has a '96 Toyota Corolla (believed to be one of the most reliable cars in existence) with only 115k miles on it. Well, this last weekend we stared hearing a knock under the driver-side floor. A couple of days later the knock got pretty bad so I took it to a mechanic. I guess the differential oiler stopped working for some reason and so my differential was spinning with no lubricant. They say it will be $950 to fix.
The Corolla has also had transmission problems lately. Shantell said that when she is on the freeway, the car sometimes has trouble shifting into overdrive. We were also told previously that our clutches were burning. So, I am taking this opportunity to get the transmission overhauled as well. They said that they would do it all for $2200. I whined and told them that if they could do it for $1500 I'd have it done. They said that they couldn't so I told them to just repair the differential. About an hour later they called back and said they'd do it for $1650 and I said, "ok."
I just hope that this is the last repair I have to do to this car in a long time. The engine is strong. It had better last me another 100k miles.
The Corolla has also had transmission problems lately. Shantell said that when she is on the freeway, the car sometimes has trouble shifting into overdrive. We were also told previously that our clutches were burning. So, I am taking this opportunity to get the transmission overhauled as well. They said that they would do it all for $2200. I whined and told them that if they could do it for $1500 I'd have it done. They said that they couldn't so I told them to just repair the differential. About an hour later they called back and said they'd do it for $1650 and I said, "ok."
I just hope that this is the last repair I have to do to this car in a long time. The engine is strong. It had better last me another 100k miles.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Happy Birthday Dad!!
We had a great time this weekend celebrating Dad's birthday. Although Dad was able to enjoy most of it with us, there were a few key moments he missed out on.
I guess when you get to be over 55, you just can't make it through ALL of your birthday party. We had to split the party up into little bits here and there so the old man could take it all in strides.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Going under the knife
Yesterday I met with the back specialist for an assessment of the options ahead on my disc problems. After reviewing the MRI films and the prior treatments that I have had, we decided to go ahead with the surgery. I was somewhat relieved to hear that surgery would not be including the fusion of discs in my back. I have two herniated disks, but one is minimal and not causing any problems. The other one is still small, but it is the one that is pinching the nerve to my leg - causing all of the problems.
The doctor will be trimming a bit of the vertebrae and protruding disc to let the nerve return to it's proper place without obstruction. He said that it will require an overnight stay and some bedrest for about a week. After that, I will need to be really careful with what I do for about six weeks. Also, he mentioned that I could have some permanent nerve damage to my leg that I will have to live with for the rest of my life. But he believes it will be managable and that I should be able to participate in most activities that I enjoy as time goes by.
The surgery is scheduled for Feb 27. We are hoping to close on our house around that time two. So, it is going to put a lot of things a little tight, but it is well worth it.
The doctor will be trimming a bit of the vertebrae and protruding disc to let the nerve return to it's proper place without obstruction. He said that it will require an overnight stay and some bedrest for about a week. After that, I will need to be really careful with what I do for about six weeks. Also, he mentioned that I could have some permanent nerve damage to my leg that I will have to live with for the rest of my life. But he believes it will be managable and that I should be able to participate in most activities that I enjoy as time goes by.
The surgery is scheduled for Feb 27. We are hoping to close on our house around that time two. So, it is going to put a lot of things a little tight, but it is well worth it.
Piss and Valentine's day
Grandma Reed sent the kids some Pezz dispensers and Pezz candy for Valentine's day. The kids thought that was really cool. They had one packet of Pezz consumed within ten minutes. Alayna set the Pezz candy aside however, and stole a big sucker that one of the kids had given to me for Valentine's Day. She walked arouond the house with the big ball of sugar in her mouth. The sucker was so big, however, that she couldn't swallow the saliva in her mouth, and she got a huge 10cm diameter sugar-spit mark on my pants and on the couch before I knew what was happening.
Johnathan was exercising his reading skills by reading the Pezz package. After reading the package outloud he told us he wanted to thank Grandma Reed for the "Piss" that she sent to them. Obviously we need to work on his reading & phonetics a little bit more.
Johnathan was exercising his reading skills by reading the Pezz package. After reading the package outloud he told us he wanted to thank Grandma Reed for the "Piss" that she sent to them. Obviously we need to work on his reading & phonetics a little bit more.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Going, Going, Gone!
Well, our offer was accepted today - we just need to fill out the paperwork!!! I told Amber that this was her birthday present :-).
We're pretty excited about it. It is on an L shaped street that does not have any through traffic on it.
We won't be moving in until end of April most likely as the family is building a new home and wishes to wait until it is done before they move out.
We just need to fill out the paperwork and then we will be done. Wish us luck!
Monday, February 06, 2006
Get together in Provo
This last weekend, Mom, Janae, and Joe all came down to Provo for a weekend of fun. The three of them arrived in Provo around 11pm (I believe) and stayed the night at Jen and Dave's place. That happened to be the place where Dustin stayed the night as well. Shantell and I just stayed at our place by ourselves ;).
In the morning, everyone came to my place and we had pancakes and hashbrowns. Shantell and I really enjoyed having everyone over and hosting our little breakfast. We had 9 people there. It's the first time since we finished our house that we've had more than 4 people there. It was fun to chat with everyone and swap stories. There was a pushup contest. Janae won out of the girls and Jacob won between the boys :) ). We also did hand stands where Mom took the prize for standing on her hands the longest without falling. I had no idea she was so good at handstands.
After breakfast (which should probably be called lunch at this time) the girls went shopping and Joe and I worked on our computers. Then we went to The Work and Glory part II. It was really good. Shantell and I had been wanting to see it for awhile and it did not disappoint us.
It was so fun last Saturday. I invite the family (including Dad next time if he can) to come down more often. We had a blast hanging out. We really should do that more often.
I have no idea why I am the one blogging this. I have no idea how the reception went or anything that went on at Jen and Dave's place. Joe, Jen, Nae, Mom.....you guys may add to this blog if you wish.
In the morning, everyone came to my place and we had pancakes and hashbrowns. Shantell and I really enjoyed having everyone over and hosting our little breakfast. We had 9 people there. It's the first time since we finished our house that we've had more than 4 people there. It was fun to chat with everyone and swap stories. There was a pushup contest. Janae won out of the girls and Jacob won between the boys :) ). We also did hand stands where Mom took the prize for standing on her hands the longest without falling. I had no idea she was so good at handstands.
After breakfast (which should probably be called lunch at this time) the girls went shopping and Joe and I worked on our computers. Then we went to The Work and Glory part II. It was really good. Shantell and I had been wanting to see it for awhile and it did not disappoint us.
It was so fun last Saturday. I invite the family (including Dad next time if he can) to come down more often. We had a blast hanging out. We really should do that more often.
I have no idea why I am the one blogging this. I have no idea how the reception went or anything that went on at Jen and Dave's place. Joe, Jen, Nae, Mom.....you guys may add to this blog if you wish.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
It's time to start working out again!
Hello everyone. It feels like I am slowly losing touch with what is happening to everyone as I am sure that others feel the same way about me. It has been quite a while since I have blogged an update on my family.
First of all, I just want to tell everyone that familyworkout has been updated and improved! It still has its little glitches but I hope to have them worked out before too long. It is better, however, than it was in the past. It's quite a fine site I might say :). I would like everyone to begin to log their workouts again on this site. I know that Mom, Jen, John, and Shantell have been working out, but only a few have been logging their exercise time. This site is a powerful too to see progress and regression over different periods of our life. The address for the workoutzone is http://workoutzone.net . You can also access it the usual way from the andersenranch website. It would be good for our health if we would exercise a little more and track our progress :).
Things have been good for Shantell and me. Our life has slowed considerably since the move and improvements to the house were complete. Things are getting busier, however, now that I'm full swing into a new semester at school. I am hoping to finish my prerequisite classes by August and start the Utah State MBA program in September. I have enjoyed doing these courses simultaneously with John. It makes it a lot more fun. It does feel like school will never end, though!
Oh, and for a funny story to tell. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night laughing or (very seldom :) ) crying. I tell Shantell every time that it happens and she thinks it's pretty funny. Well, last night I did it again. I woke myself up laughing.
................................................
A few minutes later, however, I heard Shantell laughing in her sleep :). I told her about it in the morning, but she doesn't believe me yet :).
First of all, I just want to tell everyone that familyworkout has been updated and improved! It still has its little glitches but I hope to have them worked out before too long. It is better, however, than it was in the past. It's quite a fine site I might say :). I would like everyone to begin to log their workouts again on this site. I know that Mom, Jen, John, and Shantell have been working out, but only a few have been logging their exercise time. This site is a powerful too to see progress and regression over different periods of our life. The address for the workoutzone is http://workoutzone.net . You can also access it the usual way from the andersenranch website. It would be good for our health if we would exercise a little more and track our progress :).
Things have been good for Shantell and me. Our life has slowed considerably since the move and improvements to the house were complete. Things are getting busier, however, now that I'm full swing into a new semester at school. I am hoping to finish my prerequisite classes by August and start the Utah State MBA program in September. I have enjoyed doing these courses simultaneously with John. It makes it a lot more fun. It does feel like school will never end, though!
Oh, and for a funny story to tell. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night laughing or (very seldom :) ) crying. I tell Shantell every time that it happens and she thinks it's pretty funny. Well, last night I did it again. I woke myself up laughing.
................................................
A few minutes later, however, I heard Shantell laughing in her sleep :). I told her about it in the morning, but she doesn't believe me yet :).
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Monday, January 23, 2006
Long Night
Aliece has been doing much better today - she has still been cranky, but she has been awake, eating, going to the bathroom, and playing. It was good to see her greet me when I came home from work this evening.
While we were eating dinner, however, Amber and I both noticed that Aliece's lips were very dark - nearly black. Amber pressed on her hands and arms and observed that the color was a little slow getting back.
Amber decided to call a nurse and see what she thought. There was no question in the nurses response, but that we were to bring her into the after-hours care center.
I stayed home with the rest of the crew while Amber hauled Aliece off to the hospital. After three hours, a pneumonia scare, and some x-rays, they decided that Aliece is just fine. I guess they were worried that sometimes when a child get's ill their body is weakened and they can catch pneumonia easily. According to the x-rays though, she didn't have pneumonia. They assume that it is just that Aliece's body is still not up to par as a healthy child, but she should get there in a day or two.
Amber says that Aliece did really well at the hospital. They got back home just after 10pm.
While we were eating dinner, however, Amber and I both noticed that Aliece's lips were very dark - nearly black. Amber pressed on her hands and arms and observed that the color was a little slow getting back.
Amber decided to call a nurse and see what she thought. There was no question in the nurses response, but that we were to bring her into the after-hours care center.
I stayed home with the rest of the crew while Amber hauled Aliece off to the hospital. After three hours, a pneumonia scare, and some x-rays, they decided that Aliece is just fine. I guess they were worried that sometimes when a child get's ill their body is weakened and they can catch pneumonia easily. According to the x-rays though, she didn't have pneumonia. They assume that it is just that Aliece's body is still not up to par as a healthy child, but she should get there in a day or two.
Amber says that Aliece did really well at the hospital. They got back home just after 10pm.
Snow Angel
Alayna must have loved her little stint outside playing in the snow on Friday. Yesterday I stayed home from Church to watch Aliece since she was still sick. Alayna stayed home with me out of convenience.
I was doing something in the kitchen - probably making a sandwich, and Alayna kept coming over to me holding this stocking cap up to me and grunting. I would put it on her and then she would walk over to the patio doors and try to put the snow boots on. She never got them on, but soon she was back over to me with a large polar fleece type shirt. She did the same grunting noises and so I put the shirt over her head so that it fit around her neck and on her shoulders. After that she went to the patio doors and stood there for many minutes grunting and trying to open the patio doors. There was no doubt that little girl wanted to go outside and play in the snow. She was pretty bummed when I did not go over there to help her get out in the white stuff.
Friday, January 20, 2006
What is this stuff?
Yesterday morning we got our first real snowfall of the year. It was the first (and possibly only) time this winter that I had to shovel the sidewalk. It was really wet and heavy snow too.
After the kids got home and I got done with work, we headed outside to play in the white stuff. By then the snow had crystalized and we couldn't get the snow to pack at all for snowmen, but we had a great time doing snow ball fights instead.
Alayna made it out for the first time in a snow suit to play in the snow. She wasn't too adventurous in it as she mostly stayed in one place and watched us all play. After a while she decided that it looked good so she stuck her face in the snow - man she quickly repented of that!!
Aliece, sadly, was unable to come out and play with us. On Wednesday, Amber caught her filling up the toothbrush holder in the kids' bathroom and drinking the water out of it. She got on her case and told her that it would make her sick. A few hours later she was sick. We don't know if it really was from that, but we tell her that it was so that she doesn't do it again.
Anyway, we are getting kind of worried for her. She is unable to keep anything down, and thus has not been able to drink liquids since Wednesday afternoon. Amber will call the doctor's office today to see at what point we should worry about dehydration. Hopefully she gets better soon enough to play in what remains of our "winter".
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Mmmmm, Mmmmmm
On Monday we had a family day with the kids. Amber took Aylee shopping and I took the other kids to run some errands. Then we rented a movie and watched it with the kids. For dinner I cooked up some of that lamb Dad got for us. I barbequed the chops and ohhh...they were good. The kids all seemed to like the new kind of "chicken" (as they call all meat). Thanks Dad and Mom for the meat. It is good stuff!!
Friday, January 06, 2006
This would have never happened with our first child
I had to leave work early today because Aylee had a choir practice that I had agreed to take her to. The plan was that I would arrive at 4:30, pick Aylee up and take her to the practice.
It was all going well. I left work just in time and arrived at the house at 4:29. When I pulled into the drive way I saw Aylee playing with a bunch of friends in the neighbor's front yard. I thought Aylee knew the plan, so I just rolled down my window and told her to get in so that she would get to the practice on time. I kind of hurried her on her way into the van. She hopped in and away we went.
When we got to the church, it was locked and we walked around to find an open door. Finally, we found one on the other side of the church, so I left Aylee there and then returned home.
When I got home, Amber was visiting with Ellen Kosmicki, so I took an opportunity and visited with her also. It was not long after that Ellen had to leave. Amber and I visited about a couple of things and I opened the mail and read over some of the bills and such.
After 20 minutes had gone by, Amber suggested that I go to the Church and wait for it to end so that Aylee wouldn't have to walk home in the dark. I was shutting by bedroom door. I saw Aliece in her room and Johnathan in the living room playing on the computer. As I got my things together to go get Aylee, I asked Amber where Alayna was. Busily working, Amber just stated that Alayna was playing with Aylee. There was a big pause by the both of us after she said that...and then the panic ensued.
"You mean, you didn't see Alayna when you picked up Aylee", spurted out of Amber's mouth. Quickly following, "You mean Alayna was supposed to be with Aylee?!?", were the words out of my both while the two of us rushed out the front door.
We hurried on down the street, looking on both sides of the street and into backyards as we nervously hastened our search. Luckily it was only a few feet from our driveway that we noticed a conglomeration of five, six, and seven year old neighbor kids huddled around a green jogging stroller. I spotted her right away. Alayna was in the jogging stroller with her blanket and baby doll, and all of the neighbor kids were playing with her as if she were their own baby.
When I got there, they all said, "Aylee left Alayna here, so we were taking care of her". I thanked them all profusely and in relief, we both returned home.
I always knew that our parents got more lax with the younger siblings than they had been of us. I guess we are falling slowly into that same pattern.
It always helps to live in a neighborhood with good neighbors....and their seven year old kids!
It was all going well. I left work just in time and arrived at the house at 4:29. When I pulled into the drive way I saw Aylee playing with a bunch of friends in the neighbor's front yard. I thought Aylee knew the plan, so I just rolled down my window and told her to get in so that she would get to the practice on time. I kind of hurried her on her way into the van. She hopped in and away we went.
When we got to the church, it was locked and we walked around to find an open door. Finally, we found one on the other side of the church, so I left Aylee there and then returned home.
When I got home, Amber was visiting with Ellen Kosmicki, so I took an opportunity and visited with her also. It was not long after that Ellen had to leave. Amber and I visited about a couple of things and I opened the mail and read over some of the bills and such.
After 20 minutes had gone by, Amber suggested that I go to the Church and wait for it to end so that Aylee wouldn't have to walk home in the dark. I was shutting by bedroom door. I saw Aliece in her room and Johnathan in the living room playing on the computer. As I got my things together to go get Aylee, I asked Amber where Alayna was. Busily working, Amber just stated that Alayna was playing with Aylee. There was a big pause by the both of us after she said that...and then the panic ensued.
"You mean, you didn't see Alayna when you picked up Aylee", spurted out of Amber's mouth. Quickly following, "You mean Alayna was supposed to be with Aylee?!?", were the words out of my both while the two of us rushed out the front door.
We hurried on down the street, looking on both sides of the street and into backyards as we nervously hastened our search. Luckily it was only a few feet from our driveway that we noticed a conglomeration of five, six, and seven year old neighbor kids huddled around a green jogging stroller. I spotted her right away. Alayna was in the jogging stroller with her blanket and baby doll, and all of the neighbor kids were playing with her as if she were their own baby.
When I got there, they all said, "Aylee left Alayna here, so we were taking care of her". I thanked them all profusely and in relief, we both returned home.
I always knew that our parents got more lax with the younger siblings than they had been of us. I guess we are falling slowly into that same pattern.
It always helps to live in a neighborhood with good neighbors....and their seven year old kids!
Wow! All I can say is Wow!
This is what we got in the mail today. This is the back of the envelope. The Letter, it appears has been blessed. It came with a 10x16 paper prayer rug that you are supposed to kneel on. You say a prayer and when what you prayed for comes true, you mail the prayer rug to the original sender. Interesting... As for me, I'll continue my prayers on the carpet.
I do have to admit though, these people are not selling anything. They just want you to use it, mark on a piece of paper what blessings came to you for using it, and send it back (return postage is even paid).
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
For those of you who hate skiing...
Tonight I went to mutual to be with the youth of the ward for a little while. It was the joint activity, which means all the young men and young women meet together for the activity. Tonight we were making Ginger Bread houses and having contests between them all.
While I was observing the ginger bread houses, I noticed a cast on one of the young men. I asked him how he broke his arm. He told me he got it while skiing earlier this week. Apparantly, it was very foggy, which causes frost to accumulate everywhere - including the chair lifts. He was on the chairlift by himself, sitting on a frostly seat. A blast of wind came up and tipped the chair a bit. Because the chair was so slippery, off he went. He said he fell some 25 or 30 feet to a scary terrain below. He landing first on his feet and then fell to the ground on his stomach. His arm was between the ground and his stomach. The force was such that it broke the arm.
So, for those of us who aren't going skiing in this year, just be glad that you won't be taking that sort of risk. :-)
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