stupid swine flu

Hi I decided to post for a min.

who knows when it'll happen again but here goes...

Our elem. school is offering free swine flu shots for the school kids.

my hubby is all for the stupid shot but I'm not sold.

he gets it free at work every year and figures why not so he gets the shot.

Of the friends that my kids play with, 2 families that I know for sure of, went and did the swine flu mist for their kids. A few days or so later, THEY HAD THE FLU! high fever and all for a week. then it passed around to each family member so they had to deal with it for a couple of weeks. We have been exposed numerous times. even just from these 2 families by taking the non sick (at the time) kids to school (who might carry it and could come down with it any time

not to mention the ones who still go to school even though they are contagious, and we are fine

I'm not saying it's not wise to get the shot-for some people- but we never get the flu. If there was a shot for the cold I would consider it... maybe

Anyway

tomorrow our stake is doing a road show! we have been busy with that for a few months and it's finally come. I even have a part. it's supposed to be just the youth in it but one girl is in the school play and it's the same night. so as of last week I am doing her part. nice that I had one practice to go to before the actual thing right? I'm the youngest leader so naturally I was chosen to be the understudy. the only thing about it that has me antsy is I don't know the song (it's a musical) in our scene and there are only 8 of us singing it and the youth are almost whispering it during practice and the audience won't hear a thing. we don't have a mic to use either.

I took a photography class. now I keep going to the library to check out books on photography and I've taken about a million pictures. one of my neighbors has a nikon D70 and she has let me borrow it. Only now I don't want to use my camera. Or give it back. EVER

I have a nice compact digital that had some manual features like a DSLR has but it's just not as much fun.

And there is SO much info to learn that now I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I wish I had time to just "study" and learn but with kids it does not happen much.

I need it to be quiet with no distraction for it to stick. I wonder how I used to do it when I was in school. Learning. I feel like my brain is mush and it takes so much more work to remember things. and not just with this photography stuff either.

But I'm excited that I'm doing something to "excercise my brain". it's been to long.

Here are some samples:

most are not edited at all. Ihave gimp( a free photo editing program) but have no idea how to use it. the ones htat have been were done on photoshop on my inlaws comp.

Tanner was Crazy Frog this year!

Brookie is a fairy

it's almost time!

AHHH!

YW Camp is in 3 days!!!
All the hard work will be soon put into use!
I can't believe how much WORK it is to put together 3 days of camping with 20 teens.!
Most everything is done and gathered and in my room. (I feel like I'm moving with all the boxes and crap lying around!)
It's going to be so much fun !!

Wish me luck!

My baby is 1 I'm not sure if that is ok

We had quite the weekend this past week! Preston had his 1st birthday!!! We had my family over and Nate's Family (but it was easier for at least most of them cuz they live here )

I think it's the 1st time they have been to my in-laws since we have been married. They came to "rescue me" one time when we were dating cuz my car died. The remodel is mostly done so they got to see first hand all the fun we have had the past few months.

Any way...

Preston had no idea what was going on but enjoyed tearing the wrapping paper anyways. And loves the new toys. He LOVES stuffed animals and got 2, a leapord he became attatched to while at the zoo the other day, and an elmo that blows kisses, which preston is getting good at. He always gives them a huge hug and kinda curls his body around them and his blankie when he has that also.

I stole it from him the other day and he got mad and took it back and said "My bankie!" I was kinda shocked and had a big laugh at that. He does not talk alot but is pretty clear when he does decide to. He is also making a lot of progress toward full time walking. He still prefers to crawl, he is much faster that way, but when it's on HIS terms, he can walk across the room. He has also taken to doing a bear crawl like Tanner used to do.

He LOVES anything chocolate. so of course he had a chocolate cake of his own.
At first he dug his hands into the frosting and was flinging it off his hands but after he got rid of most of it he dug in!! Surprisingly when he eats chocolate, most of it ends up IN his mouth and not all over him.

This is all he left behind...That is mostly the top with the frosting that is in the chair.

Nate gave him a bath after but i'm not really sure why, he was not that messy but he loves taking a bath too so I'm sure he did not mind. Seriously that is all the mess he made on himself! Well his hands were a little dirtier but he is in the tub after all.

Ok so on friday, Brookie graduated from Kindergarten!

They had a program where all the kinder kids sang and one class did a dance and they recited a (long) cute poem about how they have grown up so much from being babies and now they are really smart almost 1st graders. it was really cute but long enough that the kids didn't remember half the words and it was a lot of mumbling. They tried and that is what counts. They all got an award and Brooklyn's was for being a Happy Helper. She was so excited about that. She is so big!! It's gone by so fast. I still have a hard time thinking about how I have kids at all let alone one who is now a first grader! She had to wear her church shoes with high heals and it made her seem even older to me. I don't look forward to high school and I'm afraid we will be there way to soon.!!

While waiting for Brooklyn to get her backpack from her classroom we were just standing outside waiting and I just happened to look at my hand and there was a strange tan-ish kinda furry, i think flying bug on it. I tried to blow it off but it was attatched so I blew harder and it flew off ,or something like that. A few min later my hand started to burn and I got a small bump that looked like a mosquito bite. within a few min it was about the size of a quarter and it was throbbing. I put some anti-itch cream on it when we got home and a little later put ice to see if it would stop the swelling.

Well it got worse.

and then stayed that way the rest of the day so I thought I was through the worst of it and tried to ignore the slight burning in my hand. That night Ikept waking up with pain in my hand and in the morn. my hand was so swollen I could not hardly bend it. I was supposed to work at the salon at nine am and no one was answering their phones so I could get out of going This is my LEFT hand btw. I'm a lefty. There was No way I could cut hair! But the last 3 weeks I have been the only one there for at least the first hour (one week the other girl was 3 hours late!!!!!). I could not just not go. Luckily the one who is always late called me back about 5 min. before I needed to leave so I told her there was no way I could work and that she needed to be to work on time. She said she was prob going to be a half hour late (she always has some reason). I did finally get a hold of another girl and luckily did not have to go to work only to be able to tell the clients- sorry I can't do anything but someone will be here prob at 10. I can just imagine how happy they would all be... They are already mad that there has been only one person on a sat. morning. I usually do 6 h/c that first hour by my self 10 min. h/c! if not faster when I'm alone and rushed.

Anyway,

So my hand kept growing. these pix were taken Sat morning. my hand was about twice that size by the end of the day. my fingers were huge, my wrist was huge. And it hurt so bad!!

I did go to the Dr. and since we don't know what bit me, he put me on an antibiotic and an anti inflamitory for 5 days, but said if the redness started going up my arm I'd have to come back and get some shots. (not a shot, SOME SHOTS)

Nate and my dad-in-law gave me a blessing last night (I hate shots and it was getting worse) and I am so happy to say that this morning the swelling was down a ton! it was still swollen and stiff and actually looked like a huge bruise. But SO much better. And right now I have almost full function back and almost no swelling. Ialmost have nuckles again!

I'm still going to take the meds to make sure the poison it out of my system but I am SOOO glad it's better today. I really hate shots. and it really hurt. My hand is itchy now and that is annoying but I'll lake that over what I had yesterday.

My fingers and wrist and palm were all puffy like the top of my hand. I wish I had taken a picture then too but it was not on my mind. Sorry.

Oh I Hate my camera, the pix are all ways fuzzy. If anyone has a recomendation so me...

I want a smaller one to keep with me like in my purse. We have a large one and I love it but our charger and battery are packed. Who knows where...

some pix

Here are some recent pix.

The kids came home on Sunday, each with a sucker for me. As as soon as they showed me them they asked if they could eat it. (kids) But Preston saw it and got very excited and wanted to eat my suckers too. I gave him the first one I could find which happened to be a huge lollipop from easter that we somehow still had. Grandma also found him one...

He was in Heaven.

I decided I Hated having long hair. Preston's favorite way of getting to a standing position was to grab my hair and pull himself up. Plus it gets tangled underneath with huge nots that hurt a ton to get out (my head is sensitive now, it did not used to be) so even if I spent the time doing it, I pulled my hair into a ponytail eventually.
I style it a little diff than in the picture and have not gotten a front view yet. sorry

Here is a new problem we are facing...

Preston has discovered the ladder. He Loves climbing it. It does not come off. And he is FAST!

At first he would get to the third from the top and stop cuz he did not know how to go further. Well, he finally figured it out. All by himself.

He is also (as of today) Walking! These pix are from last week it think. He would only stand for very long in the middle of the room if he had something in his hands. His favorite choice being a ball. Or rather Ba
Today he decided he no longer needed something in his hands though and has been trying to cruise around the house. He gets so excited and proud of himself. He usually chooses to walk to me from where ever he is and gives me a big smile and hug once he reaches me. And I'm cheering him on of coarse. He will be ONE next week!!! He is so big already. I'm kinda sad I don't have a baby anymore but a look forward to no more bottles and formula and some day diapers ( i know not for a long while but I can look forward to it any way)

And.. We just had anniv #8 we went golfing and I did really good the first 3 holes. I hit the stupid ball and it went far and straight and in the air like it was supposed to (I've only been maybe 4 times). But after that it all went down hill. I could no longer even hit the *%#@!! ball (Nate says it's ok to swear when playing golf) I did get one good ish shot but it went to the side and nearly hit Nate. He had to jump back to not get impaled by the flying ball.

It was funny as heck though.

Yes I'm still alive...
Things here in Brigham are busy as always but our computer is now upstairs and I have been actually using it! It's so cold downstairs and Di is usually watching some movie and the kids follow me down (of coarse) so they play, like any normal kids would, but g-ma can't hear her shows. And there is SOOO much crap for Preston to get into that I just avoid going down there.
However as I sit here typing this, Preston has noticed the wall size bookshelves behind me and is happily pulling off any he can reach!
I'm camp director in our ward and that is starting to get crazier... I have no idea what exactally goes into planning and preparing camp, and it's all up to Me. I spent just about the Entire day yesterday looking online for ideas and help yesterday (you know aside from getting the kids food, dressed, off to school and keeping Preston out of trouble-which he is god at) I'm very excited to go, I just thought someone would provide some helpful info, like what to expect, or something (like maybe the lady who was camp director last year) I'm l.eaving behind copies of the songbook, permission slips, lists of what to bring stuff like that that are easy to leave in a closet a church for the next director to use. why not make life easier for someone else.?

Any sorry for that...
I am alive though

ARG

so it's been forever since I posted...
First of all, I went to WICKED yesterday!!!!!!!!! Nate WON $25 tickets on row D an hour and a half before the show. We went to Arizona a couple of years ago to see it but we were on the second balcony. I could see their facial expressions and everything this time!!!
We Never have good luck like that! There were 700 people in the drawing and we were one of the 10 names drawn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
each night there is a drawing at the theatre that starts at 5:30 and they draw the names at 6:00 so be early if your try but the tickets are Awesome and only $25 each (you can only get 2) it was Nates 2nd time trying.


We purchased a car on fri. from Low Book Sales. They told us we had 7 days to think about it and bring it back for any reason. (We were not going to buy it and told them we were giong to go home to think about it first) so mistakingly we signed away our lives.
We took it back the next morning, told them we don't want it and they would only let us trade it for another car. THEY NEVER said TRADE! We were told we can bring it back. After trying to fight with them we went to Lindon to get the only car the dealership had that we were willing to trade for. However we still did not want to get it. Tues we got a loan rejection notice from one of the banks and we called them to see what we needed to do.
We were told it was rejected cuz the car is not worth the price (before taxes and all)
another bank did accept the loan but at a higher payment and interest that is on our contract that we signed so now Low Book wants us to come in to sign the new one.
However if there is any way out of it We Will Not Sign It!!!
We just need to know if we can get out of it now...
FUN HUH!!!

our "stay"cation

We decided to go on a staycation over the weekend. The tile was just laid down and we needed to keep the kids off and we didn't want to deal with the annoyance of going outside and back into the house to get downstairs. Plus Nate is always getting home right before the kids go to bed or when he is home earlier or on Sat. he is busy working on the kitchen. So we never get to do anything as a family. We Needed to get out and have some fun!!! On Sunday, We went to my parents house to visit which is in Riverton. About an hour and a half from where we live in Brigham.

After our visit with my family we drove to Salt Lake and stayed at the Plaza Hotel (my sis-in-law works there and got us a super cheap room) Actually she paid for it. We were not expecting that but I've done her's and my Bro-in-laws hair a few times, including color so they decided it was a good way to trade. Works for me.

The kids got to stay up till 11:00 and we slept in till 7:00!! (darn babies-they just don't get sleeping in)

We went to Denny's for breakfast then took the train(trax) to Gateway. Our waiter at Denny's was really cool. He brought the kids food out while we were waiting for ours to cook so they would not have to wait. and made sure they had water and magic color for their water and showed them how to do it. And he had a mowhawk.

At gateway we went to Discovery Gayeway. there is so much for the kids to do there! We didn't see it all but luckily we bought a membership so we can go anytime.

Tanner driving, Preston Flying and Brookie playing house

After that we went to the zoo. most of the animals were sleeping, but the kids still had fun. the tiger was asleep but right by the fence so we were able to see him up close.

Look at those teeth!!

On our way home we stopped in Clearfield and went swimming at their Aquatic Center.

We wore the kids out, had fun and spent a day and a half of just us!

No working on the kitchen or staying late at work to take daddy away- for a little while- and we were able to recharge and go back to normal life again for a while.

I think we need to make this a habit while living with my in-laws. I am very thankful they are willing to have us but we need our own space. So while we are here it's gonna have to be in the form of mini vacations or as we called it "staycation"

Progress!!!

That would be a bookcase. It is blocking the hallway that leads to our rooms. On sat, Nate put the tile down. It has to cure or whatever for 3 days before you can walk on it. So we have to go around and through the office to get to our rooms but we don't trust the kids (actually Nate) to remember to stay off it.
To get down stairs where the temperary kitchen is we have to go through the back sliding doors, into the garage and back into the house and down the stairs.

I got to cut a bunch of the tiles. Of coarse we chose a cold windy day to do the tile though. It's a saw that has to constantly have water running on the blade while it's cutting and my fingers felt like they were going to fall off!!! It was SOOO cold. I hate cold. After a while-esp. once it was getting later and colder-I allowed my bro-in-law Mike do all the cutting. He was even out there bare foot and no coat!!! He says he was not cold so it was def. his turn if he is not bothered by the freezing cold.

The day defore we painted the walls. The kids helped-even Press.!! They missed spots and had huge drips and such but had so much fun. Daddy even ended up the color off the wall. (sorry the pic is blurry-I'm not liking my new camera)

So now we have to do the grout and wait for that to set. Luckily that is not as long. Hopefully monday the bookshelf will be moved and we can have a little bit of normality back. It's really annoying going in and out and back in the house to get anywhere. It was cured enough mon. night but the way things move around here...

I'm so cunfused! :{

(sigh) So yesterday after school Brookyln mentioned that school was at 11:30 today. Which is the time she goes for early day, So I said thank you for reminding me and woke up still thinking it's early day. So at 11:30 exactally I had her at school but the class room door was locked. (It's always locked from the outside and usually propped open unless your late, then you have to go in from the front doors.) So I told her to go the other way and was thinking the clock was somehow way off since there were no other cars around dropping off their kids. I watched her enter the school and tried to see when she entered the classroom since the windows are at the front of the school. She ran to the window and looked out and left the window. I thought I had missed her wave or something so I drove off.
I had the thought to drive by the school again but didn't think much of it, I've thought it before just to really make sure she was in class but I saw her in the classroom so I ignored it and went home.
At 1:30 I was heading out the door to pick her up and the phone rang. It was my in-laws phone and normally I would have ignored it, most people calling me call my cell, but I ansewered it and it was Brooklyn! She said she had a headache and wanted to go home.
I told her I would be there in a min. and she hung up. I was totally confused as to why she was calling 5 min before school was out but went to the school anyway. There were once again no cars lined up waiting. I got Tanner and Preston out and was about to walk to the office and Brooklyn was there by the car ready to get in.
We all climbed back into the car and headed home.
Brooklyn started talking about how her class was being noisy and her head was pounding and the noise was making it worse, I asked her if they were being noisy right now and what they were doing and finally realized that it was Not early day today.
I dropped her off 45 min early.
Her teacher was not even there yet. Prob on her lunch break. When she went to the window she was looking to see if I was still there. She saw that I was and ran back outside to tell me no one was there but by then I was gone. If I had turned one street earlier and driven by the school again I would have seen her and we could have gotten her to school at the right time.
So she went back inside and "did homework". I'm not sure what she is talking about. She did say when her teacher got there, another student was there and she sent them out to play on the playground till it was time for school.
It's hard getting info out of her though. I'm still trying to get the whole story. This much took a couple hours. She always tells me "I don't remember"
I totally thought all morning that wed. was early day here and had no idea I dropped her off early. We'll see if I remember on fri to take her early. That is actually early day.

The kitchen...

We moved in to my in-laws the end of Dec. Nate is helping them remodel the kitchen while we are living with them. He is only home on sat and sunday though so sat is the only day things get very far (if we are lucky). This project started about one week later. This is the progress so far...



The Wall was made of cinder blocks so a new wall had to go up. There were a few 2x4's but it was only on part of the wall and we needed to make new outlets and do new plumbing. Plus be able to install the new cabinets. Yes there was a window but it broke... (they are being replaced luckily( it was planned before that happened))

t

The floor had to be redone. So those are all new floor boards. We have to wear shoes or get slivers in our feet. I've been wearing socks and pulling the wood pieces out of them. I don't like wearing shoes. The other wall is all plaster and there will be more holes soon. It's interresting to see how they did things 50+ years ago. Today Nate and Chris tackled the wiring. They made more holes but they are in the laundry room which is on the other side of the "new wall"

This was an oven once upon a time. It has not worked in years, Nate does not remember it working and he grew up here. They turned it into a shelf thingy. I'm not sure what it's giong to be. Possibly a shelf again(or rather, crap collector).

Those are my father-in-laws feet. He had to climb in there and pull the wire through by taping it to the old wire so they would not have to make a huge hole in the ceiling. It's been so much fun. I get to keep the kids out of the way. The projected time of construction was one month. I'm not sure if it will be done by the end of this month.

they grow so fast

So Preston is 8 months old and he is trying to walk and crawl at the same time. He keeps pulling himself up anywhere he can. I'm constantly walking around the house with him holding my hands and he tries to chase after the kids. He is also rocking while on his hands and knees and yesterday he was able to move but it was backwards and it made him mad. He was trying to get to a toy but got farther away from it.
He gets on his hands and knees and starts yelling at me since he is not going anywhere. He is figuring out how to get back to sitting from that position and he balls his hands into fists and shakes while growling in frustration.
It'll be nice in a way when he finally gets it cuz then he won't be frustrated and crying all the time but then I will be even more frustrated or at least for a diff reason. He won't be one to stay out of things and ther eare plenty of things for him to get into here...

They should pay us

So I'm finally back! Our computer is set up and I have access to our pictures and everything!!!
It took one month to do it but it's up now. YAY!
So I went to the dentist today. I have a molar that is a baby tooth and it got infected last week. So Iwent to the dentist and he said it needed to be pulled.
Well I did that today. I had my tooth pulled and he drilled a hole in the bone and put a screw thingy in the hole for an implant that comes later (after about a month of healing)
Now I'm in lots of pain.
We go to the dentist because we are in pain & pay him way to much money for more pain!
He said that ibuprophin should be enough but I've taken 2 lortab and my whole face is throbbing and I'm dizzy from the meds...
The lortab was from when I had Preston and I did not need it. After having a baby, I was fine and Now I need the lortab. Crazy how my mouth can hurt more than having a baby.
On the plus side, I get to have milkshakes for meals and don't need to feel bad about it! At least for today and tomorrow. Don't want to go over board and have to work it all off later...