Grounded!!

Kenzie and Kaylee got grounded the other night. They were being ornery and yelling Sunday night so they were sent to bed and they couldn't watch TV the following day. Well I forgot to tell Tara who babysat Kenzie on Monday so when I picked her up at 3 she was watching TV. As we were getting in the car Kenzie asked if she could finish her show at home. I then told her no that she was grounded from TV that day and would have to wait until the next day to watch it. She was a little disappointed but was ok with this. But then later we were taking Kaylee to gymnastics and Kenzie loves that because she always comes home, takes a bath and gets to lay in my bed and watch a movie. So she asked what movie she should watch. So once again I explained the whole grounding issue.

Well this time she wasn't so content. She kept asking "What did I do?". When I explained that she was yelling and fighting with her sister last night she replied "Well what did I do today?" So I told her she didn't do anything today, it was last night that she got in trouble. So to this I got a reply "So I didn't do anything TODAY, but I have no TV TODAY- That doesn't even make any sense!" It was so funny that she just didn't get it that Kaylee and I just busted up laughing. So I learned from this that I've either grounded and not stuck to it or that this cute little child just gets away with everything because she still JUST DOESN'T GET IT! Oh I love her.

When life changes......

As I sit here trying to get through my homework I am overcome by emotions. I have been trying to think about how I will be able to return to the things that I need to continue but in the last week my priorities have changed tremendously. Some things that seemed to important to me suddenly don't seem that pressing at all. So I thought of my blog. I know I don't blog often but I guess when I am feeling disconnected and really feeling lost is when I blog the most. I know that in the past I have been able to look and read things that I know I needed to go through and it makes me realize how strong a person can be... more importantly how strong I can be. So although most of my post have a funny twist I don't know how funny this one will be.

So when life changes. For me it has been changing for awhile. Starting last April I started to wake up with pain and swelling in my hands and feet. It would go away after I got up and moving so I first thought maybe it was a virus in my synovial fluid. I was in school and didn't really have much time to think about it but it was happening everyday and I soon realized something wasn't right. I have taken care of, seen, and studied about Rheumatoid Arthritis for years and knew the s/s so I started to think about that but still in the back of my head thought I have too much to accomplish in life so that can't possibly be in my cards. So time went on. I finished school, got a job and about 2 months ago decided this was not only not going away but was getting worse. I now had take Ibuprofen and glucosamine and then lay back down for an hour before even getting out of bed. I couldn't walk stairs until late afternoon. I had been given cortisone shots in my shoulder to decrease inflammation. And was taking massive amounts of Ibuprofen a day just to move and function.

So last Thursday I met with a Rheumatologist who informed me that I had Rheumatoid Arthritis. I had figured this all along and had researched med, diet, exercise, and numerous things about the disease. I felt pretty good and was confident that I would gladly accept what I needed to and move on. I guess to say you are never prepared is an understatement. I am so onry, emotional and just play upset. Why? I don't really know because RA is now treatable and most of the time they can put it in remission. So I don't really know what is upsetting me so. Maybe it is that I have spent so much time on the non important things in life and not enough on what I should have. Or maybe because my medicine is going to make me sick for awhile that I feeling shafted for my husband and kids.. Maybe its because I think its unfair that bad things happen to good people. I don't know but my whole attitude about it sucks right now.

Don't get me wrong I had a couple good days but the side effects of my medicine are starting to happen and I want to shout " Wait, can I get a redo of the last 5 years of life? I am not ready for this!" I'm not ready to put my family on hold and deal with this. I did that last year. And really do not want to do it again.

Like I said- I'm emotional. But these are the thoughts I cannot seem to get out of my head. So with all of my feelings out maybe I can move on and get back to my normal life because really that is what I need.

6 months really???

Reasons you only blog every 6 months.....

1- Your life is just unbelievably boring

2- your time just goes by in the blink of an eye.

Or

You have really good intentions but everything else always gets in the way!!! That's my final answer. All though all of the above could apply. My life is good but has become unbelievably boring. A good thing though. Same things happen day in and out- school, work, kids, life. I guess that's just how it goes. But being boring it still goes by sooo fast. Can you believe my baby will be 5 this year! Really where did all THAT time go. She was just born I swear-I still have the weight to prove it! Growing so fast but healthy so I cannot complain about that. So due to the fact I haven't updated in awhile I will update so one day when I get around to printing books I will have memories or something like that!

Ashton is in 8Th grade- two months from being in high school. He has grown so much and Marty and I are so impressed with the young man he has become. He is the young men president of his class- a responsibility that he takes so seriously. I cannot count how many people come up to me and tell me what a good, responsible young man we have. He is always at church and usually goes early to set up chairs and make sure the church looks good before people arrive. He passes the sacrament, makes sure the walks are shoveled, cleans the church every sat- at 9 AM and many other things to make sure everyone has a pleasant experience at church. He is always inviting the inactive members to mutual and just is every ones friend. I really know he is going to be a great person with this foundation he has laid for himself. He is a fun loving kid, can get a little wild but loves to tease his cousins and uncles. We are very lucky to have a son like Ashton.

Kaylee is in 6Th grade and is excelling in her first year of middle school. She has been on the honor role all year and has made many friends at school. She plays the flute and is doing well with that. She is a great big sister to Kenzie and when asked to do something does it with her whole heart. She is also still taking gymnastics in which she is also doing well. Kaylee is at a hard age which is the in between being independent and still being that little kid who need their mom and dad. I can see the frustration when she still has a bed time but I also see how the lack of sleep affects her when left to go to bed on her own. I have tried to be a little more lenient with her and even let her go to the mall the other day with friends. It has been a rewarding year and I am so proud of the young woman she is turning out to be.

Kenzie goes to preschool two times a week and LOVES it. She is very outgoing and is my kid that is not really scared of new people or situations. I have always wanted to be like this so its nice to get to see one of my kids just plunge ahead without a look back. She takes gymnastics and just moved up from little bounders to pre level 1. Her favorite things are her aunt shell which she is devastated when she doesn't see for a day, her little kitty she name Bella (a stuffed one), and church. She sits with Linda and grant every Sunday and just plays with them. She is very entertaining and is the sunshine in our home. Funny that I never imagined we would have had a third child and now I think what a boring life we would have without her. I named her middle name Raye after my dad but she really is our ray of sunshine always making us laugh and smile.

Marty and I are working away. Marty still does the wood floors and I am working as a pediatric nurse in home care. Honestly the job has me a little bored due to the fact that the kids I take care of are stable but it pays good and gives me plenty of time to do my homework. The company is awesome too and my superiors are so great to work with.

That's our life in a nut shell. More posts to follow.

Where has all the time gone!

Ashton and Karwin when he was about 3 months.
Dustin and Ashton when he was about 1.5 years
Ashton when he was about 1.5 years

Ashton when he was about 12 years. Not much changed!
Ashton around 7 years

Ashton at 8 years
Ashton 12 years
Ashton 13 years. Weird teenager!

I know that we always say where does the time go, but I realized this year, when Kaylee started MIDDLE school, that ashton will be in HIGH school next year. Really? High school? That's the last leg of the trek. It took me forever to get to high school and now for my son it really is just around the corner. He is definitely a teenager with the hormones and moodiness to prove it but he is still so fun to be around. I know the time has gone fast but these next five years are going to go even faster. In five years, he might be turning in papers for a mission! Unbelievable! Any clues on how to get time to slow down???

Preshool

(When I find my camera I will have pictures to post)

Kenzie started preschool this year. She is loving it. She goes to teacher Jill's in milleville and other than the drive, I love teacher Jill. I would have liked somewhere closer but Kenzie is my child that doesn't like new things and she has been to teacher Jill's with Tara and Ryan so I thought that was my best choice. Her little friend Brylee goes there too so it is working out great. She was a little nervous the first day but she went with no tears and no screams. Her and Brylee always ride together so I think that helps to always have a friend too.

She loves school but this was our conversation the other day:
Kenzie: How long do I have school for?
Me: For two hours.
Kenzie: NO, till how old am I?
Me: Oh you mean years... Until you are 18 at least
Kenzie: Well sometimes I just want to stay home and watch TV!
Me: Well don't count on that too much. You got a long way to go!

Hope this isn't a prelude to how school is going to go for her!

The Flu... Already?

Last week two of my kids that I took care of had a flu bug. Being the cautious person that I am, when I got home (it was 11pm) I stripped in my garage and came running in the house to shower. I didn't think Kenzie would still be up but she came running down the hall, saw me, and stepped back and said "did you go to work like that!" It was so funny. But despite my streaking and all I still brought home the flu. I came down with it Saturday morning and then Kenzie was throwing up Saturday night. It was a disaster. Kenzie was most unhappy and kept asking me why I got her sick. The worst was when her cousins were all next door and she couldn't go play with them. She just kept telling them "You can't come by me I'm sick" and then even started crying when she saw Maisey. I am happy to report we are feeling better and no one else has gotten sick... yet. I try to do my best to keep out the germs, but sometimes I guess I don't do good enough. I HATE the flu!!

Lagoon!

I had taken Kenzie to the Ogden fair in Aug and she wanted to ride the rides so bad but they were expensive. So I let her ride one and came home to talk to Marty about taking the kids to Lagoon. I had realized that we hadn't been there since Kenzie was about 9 months or so. We decided that school didn't start for another week and a half so we would take all the kids before then. Well I got a call the next day from Heather inviting us to Ken Garf's Lagoon day. Divine intervention of what! So the next Wednesday off we headed to Lagoon. I took my friend's little girl so Kenzie would have someone to ride with and we had a blast. I got brave and let the kids go on their own so them and tarrin just had free run of the park. They loved the freedom and I loved not hearing them whine about staying at baby rides! Kenzie was in heaven. She didn't stop all day. Andy and Tiffany and their girls were there also so she had a bunch of cousins there. We missed Rob and Tara's family but it definitely was a favorite in my book. It was so nice to see my kids get along and be happy. Thanks Kevin and Heather for inviting us and we will definitely be doing that again!

Finally done!!!

So I was trying to post this from my Ipad but for some reason it would only let me put the title and I couldn't change it. So... now here's what I wanted to post. I am finally done with my first degree of school. I got my LPN in June and really can't believe that I am really finally done. It has taken me quite a while due to all my breaks with raising kids and Marty's job out of town and then with the last little surprise Kenzie but I am glad to say that I made it.

I had such wonderful girls that I went to school with and although I don't miss school one bit I can say I miss these five girls like crazy. We all had hopes that we would all get jobs together but that didn't happen so I have to settle for a one night a month date!



These are my girls from school. couldn't have made it without them!



I am working for a home care pediatric company that I love. I am surprised that I actually got a job doing pediatrics because it has always been my dream to work with long term disabled kids. This job has taught me to really appreciate my kids and how healthy they are. I know the teenagers are hard but I am grateful that they have the opportunity to be teenagers. Some of these little kids won't even live to be ten and if they do it will be trapped in a body that just doesn't work right. Why would I ever want to work around that you ask? I'll tell you. Some of the kids I have taken care of now and in the past have the sweetest spirits you will ever meet. You can actually feel them surrounded by angels and they all seem to have a very calm feeling within them. Despite all of their trials, they are happy. They smile, they laugh, and they take whatever comes to them and deal with it. Working with them makes me a better person. I don't take small things for granted, I cherish my kids more, and I am learning what is really important in life.

What's next? I am back to school in January. I have class to take before I get accepted for an RN program and I have to apply for that in February. Probably won't get accepted then but applying will put me in a great spot for October so that is my plan. As I well know, that can and will change. Nothing goes as planned but finishing school has taught me no matter what if you just keep at it, you can accomplish anything!

Updates on random things

Thought I would add some random things about the kids: Kenzie has turned from a scared little mama's girl to an absolutely hilarious younger version of her sister. When tara first started watching her I would drop her off crying every morning (and why? Don't ask me- who doesn't love tara's house!) Now if she finds out her dad is home or that I have an off day then she is so upset because she NEEDS to play with Ryan. She also informed me that Ryan is her boyfriend to which marty and I have tried explaining that dating your cousin is against the law! She says she doesn't care so hopefully she'll grow out of that one! She has also decided that she really doesn't need to tell people when she goes next door to grandma's- she says WE should know where she is. She has become quite independent. She has made a little best friend-Olivia and will now go to primary because Olivia comes to church with us every other week. Amoung other things Olivia has taught Kenzie that magic of makeup, bikinis and just how to shake it! Where do they learn these things! She hasn't seen Olivia for about 2 weeks and told me when she sees her she's gonna say "Livia! Where you been all my life!" The girl is too funny. Kaylee had a rough winter. She had some weird random illnesses that hit here all right in a row. She missed about three weeks of school and was totally wiped out for about a month. She ended up having the flu B, which they thought was strep and some major sinus problems and then I think she ended it all up with another form of the flu! I felt terrible for the girl but am so happy she is back to "normal" and doing well. She even got a couple of 100's on some of the test over material she missed while she was gone. She reminds us all the time that she really is THAT smart. She is back to gym also. She missed about a month of that too but with some make up lessons she is about to move up a level. Ashton has had an amazing year and proud to say that his grades are all A's and B's and we have overcome the not turning in work problem. Most of you know I about lost my mind last year due to him just not feeling like it was important to turn stuff in. He did it- just took too much out of him to turn it into the box- ugh!!! Thank goodness that has passed. Other than that he is active in church and is the deacons president that he takes very seriously. He has become such a responsible good kid and I am constantly getting compliments and how much he helps people in the ward. I have become a very proud mama! Thanks kids and my amazing husband for all they have done to help their crazy, cranky, mama!!

I'm almost done!

I can't believe that I only have 2 and a half months left until I will be graduated with my LPN. It has been a long, hard road but definetly worth it. I have been doing my clinicals in the hospitals twice a week and that has really helped me narrow down where I want to work. I have always loved and been interested in surgical but after working on the med/surg floor I am not sure that is my favorite. Now the wound clinic has been my absolute favorite. I know I am a blood and guts girl but can I just say how amazing I think our bodies are and how they are able to heal themselves. I saw some pretty nasty things and even learned that we treat wounds with maggot and leaches- yes real ones!! Awesome. I have also loved working in the mother/baby area and am even more aware that I am done with kids when I hold a baby and can only think I am glad it is going home with someone else! They are so sweet but definetly not my thing anymore! This opportunity has opened my mind up to so many things and now I am just hoping that I can limit what I want to do to a resonable number. This whole process has been more stressful, hard, and more rewarding that I could have ever imagined. Most nurses say if you can stick it out through your 1st semester of LPN year then you are in the runnings to succeed. I now know exactly what they mean. I am so grateful to my family and friends who have supported me. My kids literally didn't see me for the 1st three months and I didn't think it bothered me until I realized that they didn't call me for things anymore the had actually learned their dads number! That was probably my AHA moment when I realized that not only had school changed me but also my kids. I hope they don't feel abandoned and hope that one day they are proud of me. Thanks everyone!!!

Hello again!!!

I never thought I would say this but due to the amount of excess TIME on my hands I am very bored and thought it would be a good time to give an update.

• I have successfully completed my first semester of nursing school. I do not brag about myself but I am going to say that I am extremely proud of what I have done. The first semester of your LPN year I have heard is the hardest and I came through with flying colors. I was very worried about how I was going to handle things but when it came time for everything to happen things just worked out. My SIL tara has been wonderful to watch Kenzie with my other SIL Tiffany and tara's sister Tiffany helping when it was needed. My inlaws and SIL Michelle have been wonderful playing taxi for school, babysitting, and activities. My family has supported me so much even thought my calls to my dad, my sister, and my mom have been weeks apart at times. Even my phone life lines- Kelly and heather have understood when I just didn't have time to talk. It has been so wonderful to have so much help and I am so grateful for my husband and kids who literally lived without a wife and mom for close to two months. I start school again in a week and a half and I am so excited to complete this first chapter of my career. I am loving doing my clinicals as a nurse. This really has been my dream come true.
• I was also put up in the nursery. I know that everyone dreads this calling but I have done nursery two other times in my Mormon career and I love this calling. There is nothing better than getting to play and eat snacks for two hours!! I was able to be in there with Kenzie and loved being able to spend the much needed time with her. She had her world rocked when I went to school so this helped us both tremendously. I was a little worried about her not wanting to go to primary on her own but she has done great and even takes her scrippers (scriptures) every week.
• We added a new memeber to our family-nibbler the bird. I know that people think we are crazy for having two dogs and now a bird but I love how much my kids love animals. Even Kenzie asked for a dog for christmas. (we had to draw the line there!) I am always hesitant to get more animals but once they are here I just love them all the same. I do think that our animal quota is reached though.

I'm sure there are many more moments but this is a good stopping point until I get my pictures uplaoded. I hope everyone has been well and that everyones year has been great so far.

Dear Friends, It is time to say goodbye!

I know that sounds like a death notice but the real reason for goodbye is that after careful thought and consideration I have decided that i am shutting down my blog. I have not made the amount of time I have wanted to in making my blog a journal and have resorted to other means to "remember" our moments. I am also going to start school in a couple of months and I know I will not make the time to blog anymore. So thanks for all the fun and thanks for the friends I have made. I will return in the future so until then- So long my friends!!!

Wind caves.

Ashton and Michelle like to go hiking so they had decided that they were going to try the wind caves before it got cold. Kaylee has started joining them and this year Tara and I were going to do applesauce so Michelle said that McKayla and Nicole could join them. They all had a lot of fun and Michelle said the kids all did really good. I am so grateful for Michelle and her adventurous attitude. Thanks Aunt Shell.

Halloween 2009

This is the group we had this year in Ogden.

Kaylee and Kylee

This is bryan Boer. He was dressed as a hippie and looked hilarious.

Kenzie pooped out about halfway through the mall.

Here's the cousin group at the mall. They all looked too cute.

It seems like Halloween doesn't just last a night anymore for us it lasts the whole day. We started this year at noon. Ashton was sick so he stayed home with Marty but the girls and I met the cousins at the mall and trick or treated there. I bugged Michelle to go with us so we would have an extra adult to help out. We then ran out to Grandma Friedli's and Grandma D's house. I dropped Michelle off and headed down to Ogden were we went to two trunk or treats, an indoor hot chocolate warm up and house to house treating for a mile in between. My kids had so much candy and it was so much fun to hang with all of my girls from the neighborhood. Kenzie was supposed to be Winnie the pooh but she decided that she wanted to wear her skeleton pj's instead. She is such a funny girl and kept up so well now that she knows the end product was candy.

Cabin Pics

A few weeks ago Marty and I took the kids up to the cabin. My friend kelly and her family were able to come with us for a night. Here are some pics from our weekend.

It's Finally Done!!!

I am happy to say that Ashton's room is finally done. I know that he has been in the living room down stairs for 6 months now but I am happy to say that he is now in his newly repainted and refloored room. He was a little upset about us covering the tile with laminate wood but he has adjusted well. It looks so much better in his room and I am now not feeling so gulity about him being in a dark cave downstairs. Thanks to my sister in law Tara for all her help and her husband for being without her while she was helping me all those days!!! Here's some pics even though they don't do the room justice

.

Our scary night

On Wednesday Kenzie woke up from her nap feeling a little hot. I took her temp which only ended up being 99.3 so I just chalked it up to teething. She was acting fine, playing, she even ate three bowls of mac n cheese. I have young women's on Wednesday nights so she was staying with Kaylee and Ashton until Marty got home. I must have had a feeling that something wasn't right because I called from the church (which is down the street) to check on everyone. I talked to Kaylee and she said all was fine and I knew Marty was due home anytime so I turned my attention back to my church girls and continued cleaning the church. About 7:15 the bishop came and got me for the phone. It was Michelle who told me to get home that kenzie was having a seizure. I really don't know how I managed to drive home, pick her up and give her to Michelle and then drive carefully to the hospital. I should have been a wreck but I know that God was with us and was helping me to stay calm. Kenzie was unresponsive until we got out of the car at the hospital and at this time she just started crying but couldn't move for about another 45 minutes. It was terrible to see her so lifeless. Turns out she has the swine flu and her fever spiked to 103 fast and it caused her to have a fibril seizure. Scary! She is doing well but boy did she scare us. We are so grateful to Kaylee- who knew to call next door when something wasn't right, and Michelle- who knew what to do when someone is having a seizure. They saved her life. Thanks to everyone who prayed for us and called to make sure we were all taken care of.

Bathroom gummy worms

About two weeks ago I noticed that Kenzie was constantly wanting her diaper to be changed. I decided it was time to potty train. So off I go to the store and I bought her some cute little Dora underwear and decided because she loved gummy worms I would get those for her to help with the process. So I came home and showed her the stuff and off we went to sit on the potty and change into her Dora pants. She sat on her potty for about three minutes, got up, pulled up the underwear and said worm please. I explained to her that she didn't get a worm unless she peed in the potty. She wasn't "getting it" so I had Kaylee sit on the toilet, pee and she got a worm. She still didn't "get it" so I sat down, peed, and got a worm. After a little while and a big fit she finally " got it." So off she goes to play- in her underwear. Well she lasted about 5 minutes and peed through them on the back porch. We decided to try later.

Later...

Kenzie and Kaylee are in the bathtub. Kaylee gets out and goes to the bathroom and Kenzie gets all excited and claps and says "kay kay worm!" So I think wow she gets it. So after Kaylee gets her worm I ask Kenzie if she wants to try and go potty and she tells me no. So I tell her she can get a worm and she tells me "I no like mom" and that is the end of that! So now I have a big bag of gummy worms that sit in the window sill for all of our friends and family to ask " why do you have gummy worms in the bathroom?" Ugh kids!

Kenzie's 2nd 2nd Birthday!!

Kenzie had her other birthday party on Monday when we got home. My sister in law Tara made her an adorable Elmo cake and we had dinner and opened presents. She got some cute outfits, some shoes (which she swore didn't fit!), two puppy dogs, a Dora bed and a monkey riding toy. She loved all of her presents and we are so glad everyone could make it.

Kenzie's 1st 2nd birthday!!

On the weekend of the 5th my sister blessed and baptized her baby boy so we decided to have cake and ice cream for Kenzie's birthday in Pinedale. It was fun to be able to have my dad and step mom, grandma, and aunt and uncle there. They aren't always able to attend birthdays and such because they live so far away. Kenzie got some cute Dora Dolls and a big stuffed animal, clothes, a purse with all her necessities (phone, makeup and sunglasses) and she also got a bag of gummy worms (I'll post that story later). It was fun and I was glad to have so many family members there.