Germany, a baby, a promotion, and a doctor's visit

How's that for an all-in-one post? I thought I would just blog about the random tidbits of info, and put it all on one big post!

So, here we go!

Tony has had to travel a few times recently for work, and his next trip (and the biggest one yet) will be from Dec.8-14. He will be going to Germany and the Netherlands.I will be left a single mother in the midst of holiday preparations for a week. I am excited for him that he gets to go, but he doesn't think he will have much time to enjoy anything other than meetings.I told him he better bring me home something good. Any suggestions? I don't know what something cool is to get from Germany other than German chocolate!

The next exciting thing is that Tony called me from work today to tell me he got a promotion! I am so excited and very proud of him. I know he has worked hard, and has made a great impression. I don't know what it entails, but it is exciting all the same.

Avery had her 9 month (almost 10 months really) check-up yesterday. Here are her stats.

Weight: 16 lb. 9 oz. (20%)
Length: 28 1/2 inches (80%)
Head: 18 1/2 cm (97%)

She was barely 14 pounds at her 6 month visit, so she has packed on 2 1/2 pounds since then.She likes to eat!

And last...my sister had her second baby, a boy this time, yesterday. She ended up with a c-section this time. She had a really rough delivery and recovery with her first baby, and a c-section with her second. I had to have both mine via c-section. My mom had all 5 of her kids c-section. I don't know what it is with us that doesn't allow us to give birth very well. Thank goodness we live in this modern day, or we would be toast! Anyway...I got a call this morning that they had found a tumor and were whisking the little guy all the way away to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake. My sister is in Rexburg, so that is like 4 hours away! Because I am so far away from everyone else, I have no idea what's going on. I don't even know what they named him. Last I knew they hadn't named him yet. I am so worried and sad for my sister and new nephew. I am really hoping that it isn't life threatening, and the little guy will be just fine. Our family doesn't need any more trials.

So, there you have it. A little bit of sad, happy, informative and interesting information all in one blog post.This is really how I feel lately. Nothing is cohesive in my life...everything is a bit scattered, and random, and unorganized and messy. Oh wait...that's my house! Maybe that's my problem! Ha! I better work on that.

Enrichment Craziness!

So, again I have not had much going oon worth bloggin about, in my opinion.I have been spending almost all day every day for the past 3 days working on last minute preparations for next week's Relief Society Christmas Enrichment night.

This is what I have planned.

We will be having a pasta buffet for dinner. We will have 2 or 3 types of pasta and sauces, meatballs, parmesan cheese, salad, rolls, dessert, and punch. I have figured out a way to be able to cook the pasta a little bit ahead of time,keep it warm, and prevent it from sticking together. I did a test run the other night, and was able to keep the spaghetti noodles somewhat warm, and they did not stick together for 6 hours! I even ended up putting them in the fridge overnight and had them for lunch the next day, and still they were not sticking together. I just hope I can pull it off after cooking enough pasta to feed 50 people!

After dinner, we will be having a nice little program featuring members of the RS who signed up to do something. Most of the numbers are musical, like singing, or playing instruments. A few people will be reading a Christmas story, and we will all sing some of the Christmas Hymns as well.I will have Christmas trees with white lights as decor, along with some other Christmasy things.

The grand finale of the evening will consist of a project I have been working on for months, and it is finally all coming together at the last minute, which is why I have been so busy lately!I thought it would b a neat idea to implement the "Compliment Can". Any Folk Dancers out there will know and think fondly of the "Comliment Can", and I am sure the lovely song that goes with it, with Shane singing, will go through your head like it does mine.

Anyway...I introduced the idea of the "Compliment Can" at an activity back in March. Since then, it has not been talked about until about October, when I finally got the RS Presidency on board to help me in promoting this plan. My intentions were to gather up the compliments and compile them and then present each woman with her comments as our Christmas Gift at our December Enrichment.I knew we would probably have to fill in and compensate for anyone who may not have received any, or as many as others, and we have been preparing for that. Up until about last Sunday, I was getting really worried that this plan would not work, since we were having a hard time getting people to write their compliments. We asked each person to specifically write some for the ladies they visit teach, and then whoever they wanted after that. This would hopefully ensure that all the women would be reached.Well...

On Sunday, I counted 171 comliments! Woo-Hoo! Since then, I have received several emails from people with pages of comliments. It has been fantastic! I am sooo excited! And there is really only a small handful of people who have not received any yet, and we will be sure to take care of that. I have been typing, and copying and pasting each comliment, as well as documenting them all in a spreadsheet to keep track of who has received them and how many. Like I said, I have been BUSY!!!!

I have also been working with my committee to decorate the envelopes that we will be giving them in. We are going to hang them from one of the Christmas Trees like ornaments. I am really excited about the response now, and I know the women are going to feel loved, and valued and special because of this. I have been brought to tears many times ffrom reading the comments, and I can truly feel the love that the women have for each other. I wish we could read them all out loud so that ALL the women could hear all the wonderful things said about each other.I have learned so much about people I didn't know, and have come to develop a respect and love for each of them as well, BECAUSE of the nice things said about them. If my RS presidency would go for it, I would love to make this an ongoing thing throughout the year. I think it would really create a sense of unity and sisterhood that the RS is all about. Anyway...that is that. Just thought I would share!

NOT the Thanksgiving I had hoped for

So, all my expectations for our Turkey day were crushed around 11 p.m. last night when Logan woke up and threw up everything he had eaten all day in his bed. Of course the bed was stripped, and Logan was cleaned up and transferred to our bed, and off I went to Wal-Mart for sprite and gatorade, and a few other disinfecting and odor eliminating products. Since my sleeping areas were now both compromised, I ended up on the couch. Logan woke up around 3 to throw up again, at the same time Avery was crying to be fed (little pill.) He then awoke again around 7, and then again around 8:30 or 9. He hasn't thrown up since then, but he has been crashed on the couch ALL day since then. I don't think he has gotten up at all. Needless to say, he wasn't going anywhere for Thanksgiving. Tony was feeling a bit queasy this afternoon too, so he offered to let me take Avery to our dinner, and he stayed home with Logan. I took plenty of containers with me so I could bring home leftovers for them.

It was a little weird being there by myself, but it was nice to get away from the sick house for a while. Avery enjoyed herself very much and LOVED her mashed potatoes, green beans and jello.She wouldn't eat her roll though. I would say she had a pretty good first Thanksgiving. I am taking her to get her 9 month pictures tomorrow...once again right before she turns 10 months old. I don't know how three months goes by so fast! I am not sure if I will be joining the Black Friday shopping crowd. It isn't something I have ever done before. I don't really know what I am missing, I guess. I only ever experienced the craziness of the day when I worked at the mall.I don't really mind staying home now. Anyway...let's just hope that we are all feeling well tomorrow, and no one else gets sick! Yuck!

It's snowing!!!!!

Oh my goodness. It is snowing, and I am sooooo NOT ready for cold weather. I don't have a warm coat. Logan needs a new warm coat. Avery needs a warm coat. I need warm clothes in general. I gave away a lot of my clothes last summer when we moved, anticipating being able to get new ones after the baby was born and I had slimmed down.Ha! Oops! I have no clothes. Last year I had a built in furnace, so I didn't really need to buy a lot of warm things. I was warm a lot! This year I am already freezing. Not good.

This past week has been extremely uneventful. I really can't think of a single interesting thing worth blogging about.Really. I am trying really, really hard to think of something. Let's see....

Well, I decided to start a new family "tradition" of sorts. Last week, our lesson for Family Home Evening was about gratitude. I pulled out a brand new composition book, and decided we are going to start a family gratitude journal. Every week during FHE, we will each say 5 things we are thankful for, and write it down.We have done this two weeks in a row now, and I would really like to be able to keep it up pretty regularly. I think it will be fun for the kids to look back and see what they said at their different ages. Already the difference between last week and this week for Logan is fun to see. This is what he has said each week.

Nov. 12, 2007.
1.Daddy
2.Mommy
3.Avery
4.Logan
5.Popcorn

Nov. 19, 2007.
1.Daddy
2.Avery
3.my Thomas puzzle
4.my magnet that sticks on the fridge
5.the punkin pillow

He also decided to tell us what Avery was thankful for this past week. This is what he said she said.

Nov. 19, 2007.( Avery)
1.Mommy
2.leaves
3.pants
4.doorstops to play with
5.her diaper of wipes (whatever that means!)

It has been fun so far. I think it will be a fun thing to read through all the past entries each year at Thanksgiving too. Anyway...there's one thing to blog about.

Yesterday on a completely random whim, I rearranged Logan's entire bedroom. I like it better now. I think it feels better.And since I am the one sleeping in there these days, I better like it! If you are unclear about why I am sleeping in Logan's room, you can refer to this post. He has taken over my bed, and I just want to get some sleep, so I just let the boys cuddle up together with their snoring and blanket hogging, kicking off, turning in circles and whacking innocent sleeping victims in the face.I have actually slept much better by myself. Maybe I will redecorate the master bedroom to be the boys room, and I can have my own room. Hmmmm....sounds tempting, doesn't it? Anyway...I am hoping this is a short phase that will end soon. I actually do like my bed, and would really rather sleep there, but you know. Whatever works.

Tomorrow we are celebrating Thanksgiving at a ward members home, along with several other families. It will be crazy! But, there will be a lot of food that I don't have to make, or clean up after, and that is a bonus. I am making some pies to take, but that's it. The only bummer about this arrangement is that we won't have all the wonderful leftovers to enjoy.That's the best part about Thanksgiving.It will be nice though, and I am looking forward to it.

So I guess I did think of something to write about.Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

We are having artistic differences

So, I have mentioned that Logan really enjoys drawing lately. Tony's mom brought Logan some sidewalk chalk when they were here in September, and Logan has loved going outside to draw on the driveway. He is doing really well at it too. You all saw his most recent work...titled "Some Drawings on my Sister". Well, who thought much damage could be done with crayon? I came downstairs earlier this morning to find red and yellow scribbles all over the CARPET! What???? Crayon colors on carpet? Now this is beyond ridiculous. Logan is almost 3 1/2. He has not had issues with drawing on things before now. Why start now? I never had to worry about him when he was younger. You think they grow out of that phase, and once they reach a certain age, it just makes sense to NOT color on things other than paper. I am about to confiscate the crayons and not allow him alone with ANY writing utensil at all. Good grief! I don't even want to know what's next!

And on another note...he will be in Sunbeams in January. Is he ready? I am beginning to worry!

Little Picasso

I have my very own work of art. She is precious. Thanks to her brother for thinking she needed a little spiffing up. This is what happens when one is busy making and eating breakfast and the 3 year old feels a bit inspired and wants to exericise his creative genius on a medium other than paper.





I first looked over and saw Logan scribbling on the top of her head, so I jumped up immediately to go take the pen away and reprimand him for drawing on his sisters head. Well, when I got closer and my sweet angel turned to look up at me, I about died. I was laughing so hard, and that is NOT a good thing with a sore backside! Of course I immediately got the camera, but my sweet one wouldn't give me the clearest shot of the majority of the art. I couldn't get the top of her head either. The picture just didn't show up well with her little hair in the way.



This must be all the improvement my little picasso thought he needed. He insisted I take a picture.

Mommy..I will catch you with my net!

So, today was the best, most wonderful day ever! Ha! Let me explain.

Last night was a pretty horrible night for the kids. I don't know if it was the time change or what, but they would not stay asleep, and kept waking up. In fact, I ended up in Logan's bed for the second night in a row because he has decided he enjoys laying by daddy and wants mommy to leave. Gladly. At 1 a.m. I don't want to fight, I just want to sleep. So off to Logan's bed I go. So, around 5:30 (of course...it is always right after Tony leaves for seminary) Logan wakes up distraught that he is alone in mommy and daddy's bed. I manage to calm him down and bring him back in his bed with me where we both go back to sleep. I then wake up around 6:45 because Avery is awake and hungry, so I feed her and put her back to bed right before Tony gets back home. Then Logan wakes up again all grumpy and sad because he is again all alone, and daddy can't calm him down. He says, "But Mommy is my best friend, not you." Please tell me what changes in the night when last night he wanted daddy and wanted mmommy to go away, and in the morning, mommy is his best friend and not daddy. Good grief! I manage to convince Logan to let daddy take him downstairs to eat breakfast, so I can lay back down for a few more minutes. Then Avery wakes up again (or was never really asleep) about 7:15, so I take her down and beg Tony to feed her breakfast and then I will get up. I get up after Tony tells me good-bye, and I hear Logan open the door to the garage and go running down the driveway yelling for his daddy to come back. I have to go get him and bring him back inside before the neighbors wonder what's going on.

I spend the next hour or so online, eating breakfast, and then it is time for Avery's morning nap. I put her down around 9-ish, and head for the couch to doze while Logan watches t.v. I am shamefully admitting my laziness for all the world to see. Nice. Anyway...Tony calls about 9:30 to tell me that he has called the repair men for our furnace( it has been broken) and they were coming sometime after 12 and would call 30 minutes before. Ok. Back to the couch I go. Not 10 minutes later, the phone rings and they are on their way. I scramble to get dressed, and try to get things picked up before they arrive. They got here around 9:45. That was NOT 20 minutes, like they said on the phone. So, the guy was here for 2 hours and got the furnace fixed. Hooray! Anyway...I get both kids fed lunch, and it is time for Avery's nap again, so I get her down around 1-ish. About 1:45 Logan falls asleep on the couch, so I take my chance to also catch up on some lost z's. I had a nice nap until Avery woke up. I forgot to mention that before this I managed to make a nice batch of Caramel Apple Pie Cookies Quite tasty!

So, it is around 3 at this point, and I felt a bit chilly, so I thought I would test out the new working furnace. Well, it didn't work. I called the repair guys and they came back to fix it. As soon as I let the guy back in and he had headed down to the basement, I found Avery (she was behind the couch)and took her upstairs to change her diaper. And then it happened. The thing that I have been dreading and waiting to happen ever since I moved into my house a year ago. A tornado came and blew my house away!


Ha ha! Totally kidding. I do fear that too, though. Anyway, I was coming back down the stairs and fell. I fell down the stairs with Avery. My feet totally slipped out from under me, and after landing extremely hard on my back side, then slid/bounced all the way down the rest of the stairs (about 10) to a nice painful pile at the bottom. I was seriously stunned, Avery was screaming her head off, and Logan came running around the corner to find me laying on the floor, with a terrified look on my face I am sure. Logan says " Mommy, are you o.k? Did you jump down the stairs?" I didn't want to make a big deal with the furnace guy there, so I managed to suck it up and calm Avery down while calling Tony on the phone and tearfully choking out what happened and that he needed to come home right away. Afterwards, I almost passed out and was horrified to think of the furnace guy coming back upstairs to find me passed out on the floor. I had to lay down by Avery for a while on the floor just in case I did pass out, then I would already be there. Well, the furnace guy finished and before he left asked if everything was ok since he heard a big thud and lots of crying (from Avery). She was fine by this point, and I was being super brave and said we were fine. Tony got home shortly after to find me in tears finally. I let it all out after the guy left. Logan was so cute and so concerned. He would put his face right up as close as he could to mine and tell me he would make me better, and then give me a kiss.

He also told me "Mommy, next time you fall down the stairs I will catch you with my net." What a sweet, thoughtful boy!

So, after taking some ibuprofen, I decided the pain was too intense and I should go to urgent care. Thankfully my friends were able to watch the kids and off we went. Please tell me how considerate it is for someone with a potentially broken tailbone to be left to "sit" in the waiting room for over an hour, and then sit again once in the exam room, and then again waiting for the x-ray, and then again to hear what the verdict was. Nice...No offer of anything to ease the pain on that one. The good thing was sitting for that long kind of numbed things a bit I think. So, after 2 1/2 hours at urgent care, the verdict is nothing is broken. Go home and take ibuprofen (or a handy prescription for Lortab, which I may already have left from my c-section.) Well, at least nothing is broken! But it still hurts like the dickens.

So, there you have it. The best day ever. I really hope it gets better tomorrow!At least I can go to sleep knowing that Logan and his net will come to my rescue next time!(I really hope there is NOT a next time!)

BTW...Avery did bonk her head on the railing when I first fell, but I never saw a red mark, and I think the majority of her crying was due to being scared out of her little mind. She seems fine now. Thank goodness! I would much rather it be me than her!