New Calling

Today I got a new calling. I will now be serving in the Primary as the 2nd counselor. I am excited for a new calling and look forward to working with the young children in our ward. Kids have such a special spirit and I look forward to learning from them.

Now, while I'm excited it's also a bitter sweet time for me. I am really going to miss the kids in my Sunday School Class. I've really grown to love them. They are an amazing group of kids and I know they will do great things if they stay on the right path. I was scared to death when I first got called to be their teacher. Teenagers can be difficult. If they don't want to come to class, they won't. If they don't like you, they don't come to class. I was lucky and they did come to class. We had some good lessons, some good talks, and a lot of good times. I feel honored that I was able to teach them. I actually think that they may have taught me more than I taught them. I know the Lord knows where we are supposed to be. That he is aware of our needs. I feel blessed to have taught these kids and look forward to serving the younger kids in our ward.

If M had Brown Hair

My BIL Kevin brought this sick wig when they were here to visit. Everyone had lots of fun trying it on. If M had brown hair, her and T would almost look like twins. Too funny!

Provo Tabernacle

Just found out that the Provo Tabernacle caught fire early this morning. It's so sad.

This is such a part of Provo and the history of Utah. Many people are sad to lose this building. I sure hope the fire was not started on purpose. As of now they don't know the cause.

History :

(from KSL news)

~built in 1883; took 15 years to build for the cost of $100,000

~one of the oldest buildings in the state

~listed on the U.S. National Register of Historical Places

~used for Sunday stake conferences, sometimes 2 on the same day

~used for BYU college convocation sessions in May

~used for BYU graduation in August

~Community interfaith and patriotic servies held there

~Communicty concerts and performances held there

ER Trips

What a crazy few days we've had. Last night T got home from YM and complained of a
stomach ache. He hadn't had dinner yet so I asked him what he wanted. He wanted soup,
so I told him to go shower while I'm warmed some up. He ate and was still complaining.
I told him to go to bed and gave him a heating bag to put on his tummy. He fell asleep almost instantly so I thought we had things under control. Boy was I wrong. Maybe 45 minutes later I heard him calling me. I went into his room and he was curled up crying, telling me how much he hurt, and asking and asking for me to help him. I felt so helpless because I didn't know how to help him and he was pleading with me. He kind of rolled out of bed and army crawled into the living room. The pain at this point was not as bad. But after a few minutes it hit again.
I called a friend who is a paramedic and she came over to check things out. She said his vitals looked good, but he looked pale. Then he had another "attack" and she said if it were her kid she would take him in. So, off to the ER we went. During all the commotion and screaming, the other kids woke up startled by all the noise. They were scared and started crying. I told them T would be fine and that they could go lay in my bed if they wanted.
My SIL came over to be with the kids until my parents could get there.

The nurses in the ER were really nice. They got to us right away and treated T very well. They hooked him up to an IV, took some blood, had an x-ray (to make sure the magnets he swallowed a month ago weren't causing any problems), and got some morphine. The diagnosis: they weren't sure. His white blood cell count was slightly elevated, but everything else looked fine. So, they sent us home on a notice to be cautious. If the pain came back he would need to go back to a doctor or to the ER. Once we got home he went right to sleep, and we found 3 sleeping kiddos in our bed. It's frustrating to go to a doctor and not really know what the problem is. It could have been really bad gas. I kind of wonder if he was passing a kidney stone. Don't know. But, today he's feeling better and I'm grateful for that. Better to be safe than sorry. We kept all the kids home from school today because I knew they needed the sleep.

You would think the drama ends there, but oh no there's more. We got home from the hospital around 1:15 a.m. My parents were there and I remembered that I needed to go clean the dance studio. My Dad came with me to help. He's such a nice dad. We got done cleaning and got back to my house around 2:15 a.m., and found my Mom sick on the catch. Her stomach was hurting, she thought maybe she was having a heart attack. So, off to the ER they went. DH and I finally went to bed around 3:00 a.m. At 4:30 a.m. I got a call from my Mom telling me that they were going to admit her because she started throwing up blood. She finally was released this afternoon. Her diagnosis: severe case of acid reflux that masks as a heart attack and an ulcer. I'm kind of mad that they released her because she has to go back for an endoscopy, a colonoscopy, and something for her heart. I don't know why they didn't just keep her and do the tests while she was already there. She still isn't feeling very well. I hope everything come back fine and that she will recover quickly. No fun to have sickies especially during the holidays.

When my alarm went off this morning at 7:30, I was exhausted. I went to work and did all my regular daily things. Now I'm watching "Survivor" and I will be going to bed right after this.
I hope I sleep well, I need it. Whew, what a day.

Dirty Coils

This afternoon I was doing stuff around the house and noticed that I was a little cold,

but didn't think anything of it because I'm usually colder than most people. So, I went about cleaning, doing dishes, and switching the laundry. While I was in the laundry room (which is also where our furnace is), I could hear the furnace trying to kick on. It would light, but then would go out. It kept doing this over and over. I went down to check the thermostat and it was set at 68, but our house was only at 66 and working it's way down. I called the hubby and he said he would be home as soon as he could. When he got home he went right to work. About 5 hours later he was still trying to figure out what the heck was wrong. How can we have a broken furnace? It's 10 degrees outside we need heat. Luckily we were able to get a hold of a guy in our ward and he came over and helped us out at a much cheaper price.

Super nice of him. It's working for now and hopefully it stays that way.

Oh, I forgot to mention that in order to get to the coils to clean them we had to cut a hole in our wall. Now we have a huge hole in the wall to fix, but at least we have heat!

Sickies

We've had a bunch of sickies here lately.

Seems like the sickness is making its rounds in our family.

Oh, the joy.

Christmas Decorations Are Up

I can't believe it's time to be putting up all the Christmas decorations.

But, that time is here. The kids were so excited to get everything out.

Now, our house is all decked out and we even have Josh Groban's Christmas CD playing.

'Tis the season!

My MIL got me this nativity this year. All the girls got one. We each had to paint it and then she took them all to get fired. I just wanted mine white and it turned out just the way I wanted. I've really been wanting a nice nativity for a long time, and now I have one!!

I made these cute Christmas trees this weekend with my in-laws. I love them. They are similar to the pumpkins we made during witches weekend. I love crafting with them, they always have such cute ideas. So, the pumpkins are put away and the trees are out!

Thanksgiving Weekend

We've been enjoying our Thanksgiving holiday!!!

Here are all the kids enjoying their Thanksgiving feast! That's a lot of kids.

The boys woke up early Thanksgiving morning to go play in the turkey bowl. They had a blast, and S even scored a touchdown! I'm glad they had fun because it was so freezing.

The girls and I enjoyed the warm house.

The girls watched the parade and I started cooking.

Not sure why, but there was a lot of talk that I wanted to eat the turkey leg.

So, I had to pose for a picture. Doesn't it look yummy?

My ever so handsome hubby in a nice mullet wig. SCARY:}

M had a turn in the wig. I think she looks a lot like T with it on.

Happy Turkey Day

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

We took the kiddos to go see Harry Potter today. We all really enjoyed it. I wasn't sure if it would be too scary for J, but she was fine. She said she jumped at a few parts but that was all. Also, the whole hype about the Harry/Hermione nude scene was blown way out of proportion. It was really no biggie. I haven't read the books in years, and I usually like the books better than the movies. But, I thought they did a really good job. Can't wait for the next one to come out in July!! Now I want to read the books again. When will I find time?

I'm Thankful

Since I've slacked on these posts,

Today I'm thankful for:

~a warm home

~the sound of T playing with his Dad

~warm apple cider

~a clean house

~fresh laundry

~the scent of dinner

~cousins

~no work today

~socks

~lotion

~family

~friends

November Birthday Party

We had a birthday party to celebrate Papa's, Yoho's, and JaNee's (Michael's girlfriend)

birthdays. Everyone had a blast! Gotta love parties!

Activity Days Recognition Night

The girls had a recognition night for activity days. They have great leaders who do a lot of fun things. M danced with her friend Shae and J did a little solo. All the girls did a really good job!

They each had to bring things that represented themselves and set it up on display.

It was interesting to see what the girls chose.

M had her picture, a favorite book, some dance stuff, nail polish,

earrings, something she made, a pillow,

her DARE medallion, and a few other things.

J chose to bring her picture, scriptures, a dance trophy,

her journal, a Fancy Nancy book (of course), a webkinz,

something she made at Color Me Mine, and a hair flower she made.

What a fun activity! The girls were so excited to share their talents.

Happenings

We've been having a lot of fun times around here! J and Tal being silly.

T with Tate, she really likes him.

S loves, loves, loves shoes. I found about 20 pictures similar to this one on my camera. He's done this many times before with different pairs of shoes. Crazy boy.

M reading to Corbin. I thought this picture was way too cute not to post.

S and his Toolbox

Our ward combined with two other wards for scouts. S has been loving it. One day he came home with this toolbox. I was very impressed. They did such a great job making them. He even came home with tools in his toolbox. They have gone on a bike hike, played baseball, and all sorts of fun scout things. Yeah for scouts!

School Parade

Gotta love the annual school parade. It was weird not to have T there.

I loved J's witch get-up this year. She was so excited about her costume and I thought she looked super cute!

Thing 1, Thing 2, and Sally

Love it!

Trunk or Treat

Our ward trunk or treat was a lot of fun.

Ange, Reggie, Em, Tal, Dani, Greg, and Tal came too!

My pirate friend April and I!

Dani looked so cute and so did the little zebra!

Indie and my sexy 70s hubby!

Thing 2

Watch out for the witch!

T wanted to be something scary.

I think he is the "Scream" guy.

S has such an imagination.

He came up with his own costume and was so excited about it.

He called himself Mr. Gutman. I love it!!

Em and Tal

Ange and Reg

Next year we'll have to match our years.

I was from the 80s and R was from the 70s.

R's costume was actually named disco sleezeball. Hilarious!

A few of us.

Mom and Dad

Too cute for words!!!!!

Pumpkin Carving

We had fun carving pumpkins!

T was excited to have such a huge pumpkin this year!

J wanted a cute little one.

M is always content with whatever.

S went for a scary look.

A Fun Halloween Dinner

We had a lot of Halloween celebrations this year.

One of them included a Halloween themed dinner on Sunday. Super fun!!

"Graveyard Surprise"

(oreo cookie, cream cheese, jello dessert)

"Witches Brew"

(pineapple and orange sherbet with lemon lime soda)

"Mummy Pillows"

(rolls)

"Pumpkin Brains with Vampire Eyeballs"

(pumpkin stew with olives)

"Monster Eyes"

(deviled eggs)

"Graveyard Greens with a Spidey Surprise"

(green salad with spider rings and worms, served with "slime" aka ranch dressing)