So tonight for Family Home Evening Marc gave the lesson. He thought that with Easter coming up he would teach the lesson on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He was reading the scripture to go along with it, I can't remember what it was but, this is the part that I remember.
Marc was talking about how through the atonement Jesus Christ knows how we feel when we sin, when we are sick and when we are sad or in pain.
Brother piped up,"Like when Squirt died."
"Yes, Brother He understands how sad you are about losing Squirt."
Our Life
Monday, March 15, 2010
Go-to Girl or Goat Girl
Boy has this past week been a full one. Where do I begin? Hmm, ah, at the beginning.
Monday morning I called the vet for our goat, Squirt (the white goat). She had what we thought might be a broken leg. She kept falling forward and couldn't really place weight on her left front leg. It had started last Wednesday with a weird sound she was making, (yes, I know, goats make weird sounds anyway, but, this was weirder). She wasn't really acting herself that week so when she started limping on Saturday I didn't know what to think. She looked pretty bad off so we thought we should get her to the vet. My father-in-law, Gary, came with me so that I would have help with Baby and Sister. When we got there it turned out that the vet we were there to see was gone on an emergency call. That meant we had a long wait. Well, between trying to nurse Baby in a Vet's office surrounded by the smell of animal dung and animal hair, Sister trying to play with Larry, the not-so-friendly cat (she was told not to pet him because he will scratch her—why on earth do you keep a cat like that around when children are going to try to pet him, I have no idea) and Sister then smooshing her tiny fingers in the swinging metal entrance door, I was about to ball. One of the other vets there offered to look at Squirt since out vet was not yet back. In my exasperation, I agreed. Then, after 2 x-rays and some advice later, I went home with a goat that had no broken leg, no signs of any pain whatsoever and a diagnosis of a torn ligament or nerve damage that would eventually repair itself, oh, and a $142.50 vet bill—I drove home a bit angry!
I dropped Gary off, got home, brought in the kids, took Squirt out of the car, let her out to eat and drink, waited for Brother's bus to get home, grabbed everyone again and went across the street to my neighbor's house for a meeting about a roadshow we are doing for the Stake. No, it is not a "road" show, it is a road show we LDS people do for FUN! It is a little play or skit. We used to do them all the time when I was younger and then they stopped doing them. Maybe it was because it got so competative that people actually started getting directors and producers—just kidding. I don't know. I think they just got too competative. Anyway, I am not in charge of the road show, but I offered the idea for the skit. Therefore, I am on the roadshow committee! Yay!
I even took a little time to go play volleyball at our friend's house. Brother joined me for a bit. I was really proud of him, he actually tried!
After the meeting I get home and the same time Marc drives in, make dinner, eat dinner, help Brother with homework, and then we have a short family home evening. We had fun this time. I set up the little play tent and the kids sat in there while we said the prayer and sang the opening song. It worked like a charm. We reminisced through pictures and memories in the blog book from 2008. (I am still working on the one for 2009.) Then we got them in bed.
I stayed up till 2am working on the script that I based on the Snow White story with a little bit of the Wizard of Oz mixed in. (Trust me, it worked out well.)
Tuesday's hairdo — french braid with ribbons
Tuesday was so busy that I can't even remember what all kept me so busy, it was just busy! Crazy busy. I just remember that when Marc got home I handed him the kids, told him to take care of dinner and ran out to help with Enrichment Night for Relief Society. It was an Asian theme. I was in charge of announcing the fashion show participants and items. It was a fun night, and the food was great. I had fun dressing up as an asian woman. I wish I had a picture.
When I got home from the activity, Marc looked at me and wished me "Happy Anniversary!" Oh, my word, I forgot it was our anniversary! I felt so bad. I guess not too bad because we celebrated it over the weekend, but I felt stupid for forgetting... I felt like a guy!! (smile)
Well, because Tuesday was so busy I didn't get around to ever checking on Squirt to see how she was fairing. So when I went out on Wednesday late morning to gather eggs and fill the animals' water, I was shocked to see her leaning forward with her back legs puching her around. Now both her front legs were not working. Her eyes were dilated and she seemed distraught. I called the vet and told them the scinario and the secretary said that she would pass on the message and havethe vet call the next morning.
So began my attempts at aiding Squirt's recovery. She couldn't move her front legs at all so I would place her somewhere warm and safe and then place hay right in fron of her and encourage her to drink. I had to place the water right underneath her so she would drink. I could tell she was really sick. My heart was so sad for her.
Marc had been on call all week and that night he was called out till late so I was on my own with the kids and the goat.
Brother had a well-check/meds appointment and those are always a little on the long side. The doctor told me I have to feed him a lot more because he is so skinny. So instructions for Brother's meals: ice cream cone with every meal, hamburger, steak, chili or PBJ for every meal and extra buttery popcorn and an ice cream cone for a bedtime snack! He was pretty excited. The doctor just told me to take all his favorite foods and make them available ALL the time. I went out and bought 20 pounds of hamburger patties and fried 40 patties that day to place in the freezer so he can make his own anytime.
I had another roadshow meeting that night at the church and had to take my kids with me. Boy, was that an experience. Brother and Sister were running all over, disappearing here and there, knocking over signs, slamming doors and just generally not obeying. I know one of my friends could see my desperation and helped me out quite a bit, even helped me search a when Sister was missing for a few minutes.
Anyway, got home, and Marc was home. We got the kids bathed and in bed. Sister did not stay in bed though, it was a VERY long night! She was up most of the night screaming and crying. It was in the wee hours of the morning that Marc and I decided that Sister had to be back upstairs closer to us. She has been sharing with Brother so he wouldn't have to be alone after 13 moved out. So, that added to Thursday's chores...
Thursday morning I woke up late because of the long night so Brother missed his bus. He was so upset about that. Luckily, Grandpa Gary came and took him to school. After getting Brother off to school I went out to check on Squirt. She wasn't moving at all. I picked her up and her whole body was limp. She was only able to move her neck, head and mouth! I was devastated. I went right in and called the vet to tell him what was happening. He said what he thought it was and told me to pick up some meds for her. He thought that it would be reversable and that in a few days she would be well.
My mom, my hero lately, picked up the medicine for me at the vet's. I had to give Squirt a shot. Ick! I hate shots. But, I made it. I don't think Squirt could even feel it anyway. I had to pile up straw underneath Squirt's body so that she could kind of be in a upright position and then put objects on each side of her to prop her up. I piled hay leaves under her mouth so that she didn't have to reach to get them and then every hour I came out to give her water. My mom stayed and kept me company for a bit and even cleaned my kitchen. I was grateful to have her there. Other things having to do with my "other" kids were wearing me down and having to take care of our sick animal wasn't helping. Thanks mom!
That night I moved around all of Sister's furniture to the upstairs bedroom. Marc helped with the big stuff. I was just really anxious to get it done so that I didn't have to spend another long night with Sister. It worked out well. Brother and Sister were sad to not be sharing a room anymore but when I explained to them that they could still play in each other's rooms they were happy again. Brother said he was so excited to not have to listen to Sister cry all night. Tee hee!
That night I brought Squirt into the garage to keep her warm. I had her in a big box with her food and water and I went out to check on her when I was up with Baby or for the bathroom. No, change, even with the medicine my mom had picked up for her. The vet said there should be a change within a day or two but not even a sign of relief for her.
Friday morning I got Brother off to school. Went out to the garage and brought Squirt out into the sunshine under our hay barn and got her all set up for the day. She was worse that morning and could barely hold her head up at all.
I got Baby and Sister ready and took Baby to her well check 4 month appointment. Her doctor was VERY please with her development and said she is even advanced in some areas. That gave me a lot of hope. She is doing well. She weighs 11 pounds 10 ounces and is 23 inches long! Yahoo! She is doing well.
I went to my mom's afterwards and so did my sister and we hung out a bit. Jessie took Sister to her house after that too so that Sister could play. When Brother got home from school I took him and Baby with me to Jessie's and we watched a movie over there and hung out a bit. I fell asleep on Jessie's couch during the movie. Boy, was I tired.
When I got home, Marc was home. We both took care of Squirt together and tried to make her comfortable for the night, all along she is getting worse.
We hung out with our friends and had ice cream. It was so much fun to get together with them and just talk and watch "The Marriage Ref" which is so funny, by the way! Then we got our kids to bed and then our friends came to our house and we stayed up watching "Old Dogs" which was so funny that our friend fell on the floor from laughing so hard. I don't know if I was laughing harder at him or the movie. It was so good to hang out with friends and laugh and forget my troubles for a bit.
Saturday I got a call bright and early from Jessie, wondering if we were coming over for breakfast. Heck ya! We rounded up the kids pajamas on all of us and headed to Jessie and Joel's for the world's best waffles and great conversation. The best part of the morning for me, though, was the Uncle Joel making a horse-shaped pancake for Brother. I love that my siblings and my in-laws adore my kids so much. And frankly, I think Brother has a special place in everyone's heart who knows him...
When we got home Squirt was getting worse. She wouldn't really drink and she couldn't move her head to get to her food. It was awful. I started feeling really sick, I think, from lack of sleep and had to lay down for a good nap.
Sadly when I woke up, Squirt was no longer with us. She fought hard, and I tried to keep her going, but eventually the suffering was too much. When Marc left to take her to her resting place, Brother and Sister began to cry and wail, saying how much they were going to miss her. Brother had been out to check on her and talk to her while she had been so sick throughout the week. He really does care about his pets. It was so sad to hear them cry that I started to cry. I think mostly because I ached for Brother and Sister's loss, but also because I had tried so hard to get her well. Joel helped Marc with the task. It's not easy losing a special pet. You can read here about how we got her—surprising circumstances.
Squirt's sister, Pepsi, will be a little lonely unless we find her a new home or a new companion.
I feel bad for my kids because there have been a lot of big changes within the last while: New baby, 13 and 18 move out, we sell Twister and then Squirt dies. They keep asking about things we get to keep, when is 13 and 18 coming home and if our other pets will die. In the last 2 years we have had 3 of our animals die. I am starting to think our back yard is cursed!
I know she's just a goat, but she was a sweetheart and loved my kids, even when Sister would carry her everywhere, try to ride her, shove grass up her nose and put her in time out Squirt still came back for more.
Here is Sister with her fancy Monday hairdo. Twists and Bows.
And of course I had to do Baby's hair. Tee hee! (Notice the side-swept bangs?)
Monday morning I called the vet for our goat, Squirt (the white goat). She had what we thought might be a broken leg. She kept falling forward and couldn't really place weight on her left front leg. It had started last Wednesday with a weird sound she was making, (yes, I know, goats make weird sounds anyway, but, this was weirder). She wasn't really acting herself that week so when she started limping on Saturday I didn't know what to think. She looked pretty bad off so we thought we should get her to the vet. My father-in-law, Gary, came with me so that I would have help with Baby and Sister. When we got there it turned out that the vet we were there to see was gone on an emergency call. That meant we had a long wait. Well, between trying to nurse Baby in a Vet's office surrounded by the smell of animal dung and animal hair, Sister trying to play with Larry, the not-so-friendly cat (she was told not to pet him because he will scratch her—why on earth do you keep a cat like that around when children are going to try to pet him, I have no idea) and Sister then smooshing her tiny fingers in the swinging metal entrance door, I was about to ball. One of the other vets there offered to look at Squirt since out vet was not yet back. In my exasperation, I agreed. Then, after 2 x-rays and some advice later, I went home with a goat that had no broken leg, no signs of any pain whatsoever and a diagnosis of a torn ligament or nerve damage that would eventually repair itself, oh, and a $142.50 vet bill—I drove home a bit angry!
I dropped Gary off, got home, brought in the kids, took Squirt out of the car, let her out to eat and drink, waited for Brother's bus to get home, grabbed everyone again and went across the street to my neighbor's house for a meeting about a roadshow we are doing for the Stake. No, it is not a "road" show, it is a road show we LDS people do for FUN! It is a little play or skit. We used to do them all the time when I was younger and then they stopped doing them. Maybe it was because it got so competative that people actually started getting directors and producers—just kidding. I don't know. I think they just got too competative. Anyway, I am not in charge of the road show, but I offered the idea for the skit. Therefore, I am on the roadshow committee! Yay!
I even took a little time to go play volleyball at our friend's house. Brother joined me for a bit. I was really proud of him, he actually tried!
Marc caught me while I was working with Brother on his homework and holding Baby...
After the meeting I get home and the same time Marc drives in, make dinner, eat dinner, help Brother with homework, and then we have a short family home evening. We had fun this time. I set up the little play tent and the kids sat in there while we said the prayer and sang the opening song. It worked like a charm. We reminisced through pictures and memories in the blog book from 2008. (I am still working on the one for 2009.) Then we got them in bed.
I stayed up till 2am working on the script that I based on the Snow White story with a little bit of the Wizard of Oz mixed in. (Trust me, it worked out well.)
Tuesday's hairdo — french braid with ribbons
Sister was so excited for the bus that she was dancing all over the driveway. It was hilarious! Noticed in the pictures her ribbons flying straight up because she is jumping/dancing with excitement. So funny!
Look at her feet off the ground...
Also, Tuesday was fix some legs of Brother's broken Breyer horses day. My sister got a kick out of where and how I lined them up....
Tuesday was so busy that I can't even remember what all kept me so busy, it was just busy! Crazy busy. I just remember that when Marc got home I handed him the kids, told him to take care of dinner and ran out to help with Enrichment Night for Relief Society. It was an Asian theme. I was in charge of announcing the fashion show participants and items. It was a fun night, and the food was great. I had fun dressing up as an asian woman. I wish I had a picture.
When I got home from the activity, Marc looked at me and wished me "Happy Anniversary!" Oh, my word, I forgot it was our anniversary! I felt so bad. I guess not too bad because we celebrated it over the weekend, but I felt stupid for forgetting... I felt like a guy!! (smile)
Well, because Tuesday was so busy I didn't get around to ever checking on Squirt to see how she was fairing. So when I went out on Wednesday late morning to gather eggs and fill the animals' water, I was shocked to see her leaning forward with her back legs puching her around. Now both her front legs were not working. Her eyes were dilated and she seemed distraught. I called the vet and told them the scinario and the secretary said that she would pass on the message and havethe vet call the next morning.
So began my attempts at aiding Squirt's recovery. She couldn't move her front legs at all so I would place her somewhere warm and safe and then place hay right in fron of her and encourage her to drink. I had to place the water right underneath her so she would drink. I could tell she was really sick. My heart was so sad for her.
Marc had been on call all week and that night he was called out till late so I was on my own with the kids and the goat.
Brother had a well-check/meds appointment and those are always a little on the long side. The doctor told me I have to feed him a lot more because he is so skinny. So instructions for Brother's meals: ice cream cone with every meal, hamburger, steak, chili or PBJ for every meal and extra buttery popcorn and an ice cream cone for a bedtime snack! He was pretty excited. The doctor just told me to take all his favorite foods and make them available ALL the time. I went out and bought 20 pounds of hamburger patties and fried 40 patties that day to place in the freezer so he can make his own anytime.
I had another roadshow meeting that night at the church and had to take my kids with me. Boy, was that an experience. Brother and Sister were running all over, disappearing here and there, knocking over signs, slamming doors and just generally not obeying. I know one of my friends could see my desperation and helped me out quite a bit, even helped me search a when Sister was missing for a few minutes.
Anyway, got home, and Marc was home. We got the kids bathed and in bed. Sister did not stay in bed though, it was a VERY long night! She was up most of the night screaming and crying. It was in the wee hours of the morning that Marc and I decided that Sister had to be back upstairs closer to us. She has been sharing with Brother so he wouldn't have to be alone after 13 moved out. So, that added to Thursday's chores...
Thursday morning I woke up late because of the long night so Brother missed his bus. He was so upset about that. Luckily, Grandpa Gary came and took him to school. After getting Brother off to school I went out to check on Squirt. She wasn't moving at all. I picked her up and her whole body was limp. She was only able to move her neck, head and mouth! I was devastated. I went right in and called the vet to tell him what was happening. He said what he thought it was and told me to pick up some meds for her. He thought that it would be reversable and that in a few days she would be well.
My mom, my hero lately, picked up the medicine for me at the vet's. I had to give Squirt a shot. Ick! I hate shots. But, I made it. I don't think Squirt could even feel it anyway. I had to pile up straw underneath Squirt's body so that she could kind of be in a upright position and then put objects on each side of her to prop her up. I piled hay leaves under her mouth so that she didn't have to reach to get them and then every hour I came out to give her water. My mom stayed and kept me company for a bit and even cleaned my kitchen. I was grateful to have her there. Other things having to do with my "other" kids were wearing me down and having to take care of our sick animal wasn't helping. Thanks mom!
Baby loves her cousins Tman and LittleB. She laughs at them and talks to them. They came for a quick visit and I caught a few pictures of her big smiles.
That night I moved around all of Sister's furniture to the upstairs bedroom. Marc helped with the big stuff. I was just really anxious to get it done so that I didn't have to spend another long night with Sister. It worked out well. Brother and Sister were sad to not be sharing a room anymore but when I explained to them that they could still play in each other's rooms they were happy again. Brother said he was so excited to not have to listen to Sister cry all night. Tee hee!
After I moved the furniture I was sitting and playing with Baby and Marc took a picture. Amazing how tiny she is and yet, seems so huge compared to the tiny preemie we initially brought home...
That night I brought Squirt into the garage to keep her warm. I had her in a big box with her food and water and I went out to check on her when I was up with Baby or for the bathroom. No, change, even with the medicine my mom had picked up for her. The vet said there should be a change within a day or two but not even a sign of relief for her.
Friday morning I got Brother off to school. Went out to the garage and brought Squirt out into the sunshine under our hay barn and got her all set up for the day. She was worse that morning and could barely hold her head up at all.
I got Baby and Sister ready and took Baby to her well check 4 month appointment. Her doctor was VERY please with her development and said she is even advanced in some areas. That gave me a lot of hope. She is doing well. She weighs 11 pounds 10 ounces and is 23 inches long! Yahoo! She is doing well.
I went to my mom's afterwards and so did my sister and we hung out a bit. Jessie took Sister to her house after that too so that Sister could play. When Brother got home from school I took him and Baby with me to Jessie's and we watched a movie over there and hung out a bit. I fell asleep on Jessie's couch during the movie. Boy, was I tired.
When I got home, Marc was home. We both took care of Squirt together and tried to make her comfortable for the night, all along she is getting worse.
We hung out with our friends and had ice cream. It was so much fun to get together with them and just talk and watch "The Marriage Ref" which is so funny, by the way! Then we got our kids to bed and then our friends came to our house and we stayed up watching "Old Dogs" which was so funny that our friend fell on the floor from laughing so hard. I don't know if I was laughing harder at him or the movie. It was so good to hang out with friends and laugh and forget my troubles for a bit.
Saturday I got a call bright and early from Jessie, wondering if we were coming over for breakfast. Heck ya! We rounded up the kids pajamas on all of us and headed to Jessie and Joel's for the world's best waffles and great conversation. The best part of the morning for me, though, was the Uncle Joel making a horse-shaped pancake for Brother. I love that my siblings and my in-laws adore my kids so much. And frankly, I think Brother has a special place in everyone's heart who knows him...
When we got home Squirt was getting worse. She wouldn't really drink and she couldn't move her head to get to her food. It was awful. I started feeling really sick, I think, from lack of sleep and had to lay down for a good nap.Sadly when I woke up, Squirt was no longer with us. She fought hard, and I tried to keep her going, but eventually the suffering was too much. When Marc left to take her to her resting place, Brother and Sister began to cry and wail, saying how much they were going to miss her. Brother had been out to check on her and talk to her while she had been so sick throughout the week. He really does care about his pets. It was so sad to hear them cry that I started to cry. I think mostly because I ached for Brother and Sister's loss, but also because I had tried so hard to get her well. Joel helped Marc with the task. It's not easy losing a special pet. You can read here about how we got her—surprising circumstances.
This is Hallie with Squirt when she was a couple of weeks old or so.
So tiny.
So tiny.
Squirt's sister, Pepsi, will be a little lonely unless we find her a new home or a new companion.
I feel bad for my kids because there have been a lot of big changes within the last while: New baby, 13 and 18 move out, we sell Twister and then Squirt dies. They keep asking about things we get to keep, when is 13 and 18 coming home and if our other pets will die. In the last 2 years we have had 3 of our animals die. I am starting to think our back yard is cursed!
This is a picture of the evening she died. A somber one.
Marc took it out our window after the big snow.
Marc took it out our window after the big snow.
I know she's just a goat, but she was a sweetheart and loved my kids, even when Sister would carry her everywhere, try to ride her, shove grass up her nose and put her in time out Squirt still came back for more.
We will miss you little Squirt.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
A "poopy" 14th Anniversary Celebration (it was a blast)
Our 14th anniversary is this week! Wow! Fourteen years!
Marc is on call the week of our anniversary, so we decided to celebrate it this past weekend. It ended up being quite and interesting day.
Late Thursday night we had put our horse, Mister Twister on KSL to sell. We thought that we would sell him in a few weeks or so. Boy, were we wrong. Apparently a horse at $400 is what everyone was looking for! Whoa! I hardly got anything done Friday because of all the calls and emails coming in for our horse! It was insane. I soon realized we probably didn't ask enough for him, but, well, what do you do. We bought him for $350 last September and were just hoping to at least get our money back...
The first buyer came to look at him about about 11am. She was impressed with his looks and demeanor. Then I had Marc come out to catch him. We could tell he was a bit sour from not being worked the last 3 months, but because he has been such a GREAT horse, Marc didn't hesitate to get on when she asked him to get on Twister bareback...
I posted a new ad on KSL, this is what it said:
Price drop, $350.
Well, today we had someone come to look at our horse and I am afraid that today he is not the same horse he was. I don't want to advertise falsely so I am just letting you know now. The description below is what he has been for us when we were riding him. My husband got on him today and he proved to us that horses needed to be ridden through the winter to keep up their disposition. I am sure after a little work he would be back to what he was. Sorry, for any inconvenience this may have caused anyone. I appreciate all the calls, and there were many, I hope I have been able to return all the calls to inform you of the change. We are only asking what we paid for. He is 14 hands.
ORIGINAL POST: AMAZING disposition!!!! Our 13 year-old son was helping to train him. Our 10 year-old has been on him while dad ponied him behind. He is a VERY calm and even tempered horse. Would make a GREAT 4-H horse!!! Easy going with the other horses -- doesn't mind being at the bottom of the pecking order. Good horse. Trims, trailers, brushes, saddles, bridles well. Still needs fine tuning, but he will do well.
So, I thought for sure after that (he was thrown off), no one would want him. Again, I was wrong. The calls kept flooding in. Some just to call and say how refreshing it was to see honesty on the classifieds. Nice.
Anyway, we had a for sure buyer by 2pm that afternoon—she was coming to pick him up at 7pm. So we had to hurry to get our kids taken care of so we could start our anniversary celebration.
Brother had a doctor appointment at 4:30. We all, as a family, went to the appointment... crazy. Don't know what I was thinking, oh ya, tryingto save time and gas. During his appointment I am informed that he is startingto fall off the curve and I need to feed him more. If any of you know Brother, you know he eats a lot when he wants to. Anyway, I have been advised to feed him his favorites all day, every day: steak, chicken, chile, hamburgers, spaghetti, pizza and cookies and cream icecream! as much as possible. Wow!
After the doctor we took Sister and Brother to my mom's. They were so excited because it was a sleepover. Marc and I were once again using our house as the free hotel! (smile again)
We left my mom's at 6pm and were contimplating whether we should grab a bit to eat quick before the buyer came at 7pm. I had a feeling to call and they were already in Santaquin. We hurried home. Sold the horse. I shed some silent tears to see him go and we all left the house.
Marc had been wanting to take me to Quizno's and so that is where we went. It was really good! I loved it. The sandwich I got was a little spicy but, I still ate it because it was so good!
Now, mind you during all of this, Baby still has RSV. It is getting better but, she is still really sick and has a horrendous cough. The antibiotic she is on gives her diarrhea—OK so there is the background to this part of the story—As I am finishing my fantastic Cranberry/Pink Grapefruit fountain drink and chit-chatting with my husband in the almost empty (therefore echoey) restaurant, Baby begins to rumble.... loudly. We both giggle. I am a little embarrassed knowing that the one other couple in there most likely heard it. Oh, well. Off to the restroom I go to find a place to change her. As I am gathering up the diaper bag and such, I realize this is a HUGE blowout!
I get in the bathroom and there is no changing table. There is a small portable cupboard underneath the hand towel dispenser and I realize that if I can finagle it, there is just enough room for me to change her there. I roll out the paper towels to lay on the top and begin to peel off the pooped-on clothing. As I am trying to get her outfit off with the least amount of poop streaking up her back and hoping it doesn't get on her head—she begins to cough violently! I can tell she is going to gag and throw up. I quickly pull the poopy outfit over her head with minimal poop to the hair and flip her forward to the sink so her puke can land there. It doesn't all make it to the sink, some on the floor, some on my boots and oh, poop on my jeans because it isn't off her yet. She is screaming now as I try to clean her up with the wipees (and why is it that when you are one-handed, in a hurry and in a dirty environment you can get the wipees out of the travel container without violently whipping it all around trying to get the darn wipe to separate from the other one, so eventually you end up with 8 wipes, you don't care and just use them all anyway). Then I get her dressed in the emergency outfit I have in the bag, which is never the cute one because you don't want to stow away the cute outfit in the bag and forget about it. I clean myself off, wipe the puke off the floor. Wash my hands furiously and then hers too. Then we go out to meet a contentedly sitting Marc wondering what took so long.
We went and rented a movie, came home, ate junk, watched the movie, listened to music and, again, danced the night away! We had so much fun!!! Really it was a very fun celebration--memorable too!
The next morning I went to my mom's to pick up the kids and hung out there for a bit. My mom had decided to have 3 more of her grandchildren, J-man, T-man and B-girl over for a sleepover too. My mom and Kirsten had me rolling telling me about Brother and Sister's antics while they were there! Too funny! My mom is a trooper! My sister and her hubby were there too. I copied some of her post about the experience because 1) she could give first account 2) she had pictures 3) it saved me some time:
Big Sleepover at Grandma Judy's
Mom did it! Jeremy and I slept over last night like we often do:) and the grandkids did, too. It was quite the adventure. Brother is just like flash. We would be playing a game and wham! there go the pieces. Mom would make them soup, and flash! he would have a full bowl trying not to burn himself. Then she made carmel apples and he was trying to wash off the carmel so he could get to the apple! He is so cute. Oh, and he always likes to try and pick me up, and he's usually successful... Sister got up at 12:30 a.m. and then at 5:30 a.m., but didn't go back to sleep. Needless to say, by the morning mom looked like this...
Love my mom here!!!!!!!!!
Ha ha ha.
And a part of the house looked like this:
B-girl wanted to lie down to watch cartoons but didn't want to share with Sister. Jessie said she is stubborn. Ha. I don't know how long she cried, but I finally just picked up Sister and told her I was the tickle monster and everything worked out from there.
Oh, and Jeremy sat down on the piano bench but couldn't get up cuz he was stuck. Part of his jeans stuck to the bench because the kids brought breakfast syrup in the living room:)
J-man the night before read Dr. Seuss books to all of the kids as bed time stories
Man, that was funny to hear!
And some random stuff:
We think our goat, Squirt, has a broken leg. Gotta get her into the vet tomorrow.
Sister loves to give Baby hugs, loves and kisses. Hugs are Sister placing the side of her face on the top of Baby's head. Loves are Sister placing her forehead on the top of Babys head. Kisses are a little kiss on the top of Baby's head.
Brother doesn't miss Twister because he just thinks we are getting a new horse now. We just keep telling him to keep dreaming and pretending. He now keeps telling me that "Starlight" will be our new horse. He asked me today if Starlight could be his horse. Aw. Sometimes I feel sorry for him that he doesn't understand things very well when it not a concrete thing.
Home from church today for a bit intill Marc switches Baby duty with me. At least I will get to go to Relief Society!!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Money Jar
So we are selling our horse, Twister.
We were telling Brother about it; he quickly mourned his loss and once he was done with that, he wanted to get on KSL Classifieds to look for our new horse...
I told him that we don't have money for a new horse and he said,
"Oh yes we do. Our money jar is full. We could buy two new horses! I want to name the buck skin Starlight!"
Hmmm... apparently our next horse is a buck skin... and it will cost us $5 :)
Oh how I LOVE my kids!!
Oh how I LOVE my kids!!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Living in the Hive State
I'm not talking about Utah.
I am talking about living with hives! Ya! Have you ever heard of hives from stress?
Ya, well, I am one of those lucky candidates for hives during high stress.
Gee, I don't know why I am stressed...
They are going away and are not near as bad as they have been in the past. Just enought to make my skin crawl.
Anyway. Some funny things:
This morning Sister was looking at one of her favorite books. It is a Christmas book that her Sunbeam teachers made and gave to her last year. She loves it. In fact she carries around Brother's too because he had the same teachers and this must be a tradition they give their Sunbeam Class at Christmas. Anyway, she was pointing to a picture of Mary and Joseph and said, what I thought was, "Angel." Now Sister doesn't always speak clearly so sometimes it is hard to decipher what she says. She looked up at me and said it again but, this time I realized she was saying, "Jessie 'n Joel." Oh, she thought these cute little characters depicting Mary and Joseph looked like my sister and brother-in-law.
Brother last night really didn't want to read his homework book (as usual). I kept trying everything to get him to read. Well, finally I had to nurse Baby and asked him to come sit on the couch by me and read to me. He was NOT really happy about the reading but, he was excited to sit by Baby. He was trying very hard and getting very frustrated. He kept clenching his fists, scrunching his eyes and saying, "Oooh!" whenever he came to a word he didn't know. He would quickly move on as I helped him with it. When he finished the book he said,"See mom." And going by his body language what he was telling me was, "See mom, that wasn't so hard." Tee hee! Oh, give me patience.
Baby hates the elephant mask now and keeps trying to push it away. When I get up in the night to give her a breathing treatment she hears the motor go on and she startles with her arms flailing. Poor thing. She will probably be one of those that I have to check for monsters under the bed after all this.
Baby is improving, finally, today. We started her on an antibiotic for pneumonia because the doctor was concerned about her 101.5 temperature even after Tylenol and a breathing treatment—so I think that is helping. Her skin isn't sinking into her ribs today, she is eating more, and doesn't look so gray. Her eyes are still a little reddened and her demeanor is more melancholy. She is on the mend, though.
I try everyday to focus on my three kids here at home. But, my heart still aches for the two that are gone. I know it would be easier if I were still an integral part of their lives or even if they could play with Brother, Sister and Baby once in a while, but, well... I guess I'll just have to survive.
Sister is beginning, I think, to understand that 18 and 13 don't live here anymore. She was explaining to someone the other day that, "13 stays at Grandma's. He not here. He at Grandma's. Ya, 13's at Grandma's."
Brother gets so excited when 13 comes once in a while to use my computer for homework that he can't even be in the same room with him. He goes outside or downstairs. Then after 13 is gone, Brother comes in wondering where he went. I guess Brother just doesn't know how to deal with his absence and so he just runs from it...
I try not to complain on this blog, really, I do. I am trying to stay in good spirits. I pray often—sometimes fervently sometimes not. I try not to lose faith. I prayed so hard not to have to give up 18 and 13 but, in the end it was not my prayers that were answered. Instead I have been given something else to learn from.
I just wish that for a time, I could just have the pain be gone so that I could focus whole-heartedly on what I have here at home.
OK, my hives are acting up again... so onto a lighter note. Hmmm. Let's see. Ah yes... I just watched "Peter Pan" last night and was reminded to think happy thoughts to be able to fly. Isn't that truly great advice for life. If we think happy thoughts, make goals, be positive we can soar. But, not without pixie dust, or, in our case, Heavenly Father. We will fly to new heights with happy thoughts and His guidance. Ah, yes, that is how I wanted to end this post.
I am talking about living with hives! Ya! Have you ever heard of hives from stress?
Ya, well, I am one of those lucky candidates for hives during high stress.
Gee, I don't know why I am stressed...
They are going away and are not near as bad as they have been in the past. Just enought to make my skin crawl.
Anyway. Some funny things:
This morning Sister was looking at one of her favorite books. It is a Christmas book that her Sunbeam teachers made and gave to her last year. She loves it. In fact she carries around Brother's too because he had the same teachers and this must be a tradition they give their Sunbeam Class at Christmas. Anyway, she was pointing to a picture of Mary and Joseph and said, what I thought was, "Angel." Now Sister doesn't always speak clearly so sometimes it is hard to decipher what she says. She looked up at me and said it again but, this time I realized she was saying, "Jessie 'n Joel." Oh, she thought these cute little characters depicting Mary and Joseph looked like my sister and brother-in-law.
Brother last night really didn't want to read his homework book (as usual). I kept trying everything to get him to read. Well, finally I had to nurse Baby and asked him to come sit on the couch by me and read to me. He was NOT really happy about the reading but, he was excited to sit by Baby. He was trying very hard and getting very frustrated. He kept clenching his fists, scrunching his eyes and saying, "Oooh!" whenever he came to a word he didn't know. He would quickly move on as I helped him with it. When he finished the book he said,"See mom." And going by his body language what he was telling me was, "See mom, that wasn't so hard." Tee hee! Oh, give me patience.
Baby hates the elephant mask now and keeps trying to push it away. When I get up in the night to give her a breathing treatment she hears the motor go on and she startles with her arms flailing. Poor thing. She will probably be one of those that I have to check for monsters under the bed after all this.
Baby is improving, finally, today. We started her on an antibiotic for pneumonia because the doctor was concerned about her 101.5 temperature even after Tylenol and a breathing treatment—so I think that is helping. Her skin isn't sinking into her ribs today, she is eating more, and doesn't look so gray. Her eyes are still a little reddened and her demeanor is more melancholy. She is on the mend, though.
I try everyday to focus on my three kids here at home. But, my heart still aches for the two that are gone. I know it would be easier if I were still an integral part of their lives or even if they could play with Brother, Sister and Baby once in a while, but, well... I guess I'll just have to survive.
Sister is beginning, I think, to understand that 18 and 13 don't live here anymore. She was explaining to someone the other day that, "13 stays at Grandma's. He not here. He at Grandma's. Ya, 13's at Grandma's."
Brother gets so excited when 13 comes once in a while to use my computer for homework that he can't even be in the same room with him. He goes outside or downstairs. Then after 13 is gone, Brother comes in wondering where he went. I guess Brother just doesn't know how to deal with his absence and so he just runs from it...
I try not to complain on this blog, really, I do. I am trying to stay in good spirits. I pray often—sometimes fervently sometimes not. I try not to lose faith. I prayed so hard not to have to give up 18 and 13 but, in the end it was not my prayers that were answered. Instead I have been given something else to learn from.
I just wish that for a time, I could just have the pain be gone so that I could focus whole-heartedly on what I have here at home.
OK, my hives are acting up again... so onto a lighter note. Hmmm. Let's see. Ah yes... I just watched "Peter Pan" last night and was reminded to think happy thoughts to be able to fly. Isn't that truly great advice for life. If we think happy thoughts, make goals, be positive we can soar. But, not without pixie dust, or, in our case, Heavenly Father. We will fly to new heights with happy thoughts and His guidance. Ah, yes, that is how I wanted to end this post.
I found this image at this site http://daymix.com/Peter-Pan/
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Baby's Elephant Face
No, it isn't for Halloween.
No, it wasn't on clearance at Walmart.
No, it isn't a trendy baby pacifier.
Yes, it is a mask in the shape of an elephant.
Yes, it is for a nebulizer.
Yes, it is for albuterol.
Yes, she has RSV.
'Tis the Season! And we are definitely in it! Oh, poor baby.
Thank goodness my mom came with me to the appointment. I had to take Sister with me and that is always tough. I hadn't had any sleep last night because I was up all night making sure Baby could breathe. It was an awful night for her. There was a point where I almost ran her to the Emergency Room but then I second guessed myself and she seemed to be OK. She was really congested and I was doing all the things the doctor had me do with her last cold—so I was just trying to be tough and doing my best. I was up till 3am rocking her, keeping her up on my shoulder so she could breathe better, had the humidifier going—then I thought of the swing. Ah. Sweet sleep. Sweet, sweet sleep....
"MOMMYYYYYYYYYYYY!" comes echoing through the baby monitor. It's Sister and she sounds frantic. As she is running up the stairs she is throwing up!
Now I have Sister with a cold and throwing up and Baby who I know will need to get to the doctor.
So, after telling my mom all this, I think she felt sorry for me and came to my rescue! Thank goodness. I was at the doctor's office for three hours while they did tests and breathing treatments. Luckily my mom took Sister home with her until I was done! Oh, what a great mom I have!
Oh, and to top it all off with what a good mom I have: I had brought a "throw up bucket" for Sister in the car. She was just holding it on her lap. My mom brought it into the doctor's office with her and while Sister was running around the building my mom would follow her with it, you know, just in case. It's not every mom who will carry around an ice cream bucket with a grocery bag liner in it tease people that it is her Easter Basket! Tee hee! Sister thought grandma was so funny.
Oh, and to top it all off with what a good mom I have: I had brought a "throw up bucket" for Sister in the car. She was just holding it on her lap. My mom brought it into the doctor's office with her and while Sister was running around the building my mom would follow her with it, you know, just in case. It's not every mom who will carry around an ice cream bucket with a grocery bag liner in it tease people that it is her Easter Basket! Tee hee! Sister thought grandma was so funny.
Anyway, Sister only vomited 3 times this morning and she has been fine since. Still a yucky, green monster nose, but at least she is not upchucking.
We will continue to watch Baby and hope that she does well here at home. I spent 5 days in the hospital with Brother when he was 3 months old with RSV. It was awful and I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy. So here is to praying that Baby fairs well.
Oh, and at the doctor today we weighed her and she is 11 pounds! Yay!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Update on Bryan in Chile
I got an email from Bryan this morning—his account of the earthquake in Rancagua.
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