but don't
There's a new baby in our neeeeeighborhood!
Sharing a property line practically makes me a proud aunt.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm loving my potty breaks throughout the day. With my bathroom window open I am blessed with a serenade of bees humming through the raspberry patch. If more bees means an abundant crop and sweet flavor, it's going to be an amazing August! Potty break over.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On a hectic evening I quickly grabbed a meal from our food storage options. The picture on the package looked satisfying, even yummy, and we were all hungry. The final product was not at all the vision of gourmet goodness displayed on the package and the flavor was disgusting! I will admit that back in my farm days I once licked a salt block before giving it to the calves. This pale brown blob tasted similar but was worse!
The Ala King looked, tasted and smelled more like Ala Puking! Perhaps I should store salt blocks instead.
One bite and Justin choked out, I'd rather be eaten by zombies than eat that! Apparently, he believes our food storage is for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Soccer for seven year olds is basically glorified recess. I paid money to freeze through it every Saturday.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Potty training is going great!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm pretty open about my distaste for shopping. All that wandering among hundreds and hundreds of racks to pick several hopeful garments; the taking off and putting on clothes MULTIPLE TIMES; and then the reminder that I am in my 40's and everything I have in my dressing room was meant for my body of 20 years ago; followed by the static hair and clothing burns from taking off and putting on so much fabric. I can live without it. But, I won't live naked (you're welcome world) so I make myself do it.
Then there is bra shopping. I've put it off for weeks; suffering through the broken under wire that is beginning to leave it's mark on my under-boob and wishing I could stretch the band wide enough to fit my expanding body frame so that it will quit rubbing my mole raw. It's not as simple as taking measurements and picking up the right size. Again, it's taking off ALL my upper clothes (my skin hurts just thinking about it) and putting on an overpriced piece of fabric and fluff, dressing again, looking in the mirror to find torpedoes pointing at me and hoping when I said "where in the h&!! did those come from?" that I didn't say it out loud. Next bra . . . clothes off, lift saggers into cups, clothes on, mirror . . . arm pit fat. Each bra shocks me anew as I face the mirror: back fat; peaks reaching for my chin; lack of support sadly drooping to my belly.
Make. It. Stop!
I'm beginning to think fourteen year old me had it right. Just tape them down and pretend they don't exist.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Smitten, I am!
Monday, April 6, 2015
Makeover Month
Office
$75 (give or take)
It all started because my office had become the junk room and I had a hard time making myself "go" to work. I didn't take a before picture because I didn't intend to give the room a new look; just clean it. But, the more organized and decluttered it became the more I wanted it to be a real office. I started to imagine a comfortable room just for me not only to work but to relax, read and create (thought all the creative "stuff" would be left down in the
$10 Mirror on Facebook Rexburg Garage Sale
$15 Chair from Wayfair using online coupon
$20 Bookshelf from Toelle DI
$20 Lampshade and curtains from Walmart
$12 Pillow and flowers from Porters using Saturday Spring Sales and coupon
I feel such satisfaction doing a new room and feeling absolutely no guilt because I had patience in searching and thrift in spending; not paying full price for even one item.
The room atmosphere makes working much less stressful and the reading corner is the perfect break room.
Usually, my decorating go-to is anything in a deep red color but I want this to be a calm place and "they" say that means soft blues/greys. "They" might be right. Or maybe it's just that curling up in my comfy chair with a book and the soft light of the lamp calms me....right to sleep. Either way, I love it!
Bedroom
$200 or less
Hanging out in my comfy office surrounded by the calm colors became a problem when I wanted to sleep in my chair rather than go to bed. I decided to try a similar makeover on my room. I started with a collage of ideas; daydreaming of cozy comfort.
I had to research the items and see the possibility on paper before I took the financial plunge. I started collecting and ordering items (again using as many coupon codes and discounts as possible) and stashing them in hiding where LeRoy couldn't see them. I wanted to surprise him with the new room and having him gone for a weekend was the perfect time to do it.
He left on a Friday morning for Las Vegas and I started spray painting our existing picture frames shortly after that.
By Friday night I had the room nearly complete.
Saturday morning I finished sewing up pillows and put the finishing touches on my dreamy new bedroom. I spent the remainder of Saturday walking in and out of my bedroom just to take a look. It was better than I had imagined! I bored a few kids with the finer details but I was so happy with how everything turned out with so little expense; giving items I already had a slight makeover.
The picture above the bed is actually an old kitchen cupboard door that I found in LeRoy's shed. He sent me out there one day to try and find some materials that were missing and that's what I came back with. The door was the perfect backdrop for my Lakeside Collection (aka cheap) metal flowers. The lamp was originally in the entry way. I spray painted it white and gave it a lampshade instead of the 90's bowl of glass it was used to. The lamp on my dresser got the same fancy coat of white spray paint and lampshade.
The pictures in the room were already there but in brown frames. Those cheapy, ordinary frames also got the classy spray coat. I then used a white frame and a simple canvas and some fabric from the new Walmart line (cheap in cost but surprisingly good quality and style) to create abstract fabric art for the walls. All of the daisies were purchased at Porters big spring sale and knocked down 40%. The yellow vases were old ones up in a cupboard from Mother's Day long gone. I just mixed some craft paint that I had with a bit of water and swished it around until they were coated.
I didn't ever intend to have a yellow shelf in the room but I did want a book shelf instead of the chunky mini-dresser that came with the bed set (those drawers were official junk piles!). However, when this was posted on the Facebook garage sale site for $8 I quickly snagged it. Hyrum asked me if my clock was a real old fashioned clock adding, "did you have that when you were a kid". I love my new alarm clock! I now put my phone in the office at night and use my old fashioned alarm to wake up. It has the most pleasant wake-up call and does not tempt me at all to check in with the electronic world.
Nathan and Hyrum begged to sleep under my new fluffy duvet and I completely gave in. I sat in my chair reading out loud to them while they snuggled between new sheets and slowly fell asleep. Moving them later was no small workout.
When LeRoy got home he gave the usual response I was prepared for. "It's nice". And he moved on. Daymia, Erika, Levi, Justin and the little boys were my cheering crowd as they flopped down on the bed, tickled their toes through my new furry rug and exclaimed their favorite parts of the room.
Boy's Room
Recycle + Paint + Comforters
After making her own new headboard and helping Erika to make one, Daymia wanted to make headboards for Nathan and Hyrum. As she was wondering and questioning what fabric to possibly use I remembered that we had Levi and Erika's old headboards just wasting away in the garage. When Daymia saw them her creative mind took off and within two days her headboard idea morphed into a whole new bedroom.
We forgot to take before pictures of the headboards so I searched through files until I found them. Ironically, both pictures have Nathan in them. Little did we know that seven years later those headboards would be in his room.
The throwback to earlier years brought back so many memories. Nathan loved waking them up on Saturday mornings and they were always so pleasant with him (not so if I was the one waking them).
Excuse me while I grab the Kleenex.....
Back to bedroom makeover.
Daymia let the boys pick their own colors and I stood back letting her run the project. I was however very surprised at the bold color choices! Once the headboards were done she took blank canvas and free-handed each of their initials, cutting them out of contact paper and using the same paint to match their individual headboards.
The boys have been in Erika's Skittle room for a little over a year. It seemed fine having them in the colorful chaos but Hyrum had started to ask a while back if we could paint the walls. The headboards, I suppose, would have fit nicely into the rainbow of colors but for Hyrum's sake we decided to change the walls as well. He needed a little more calm to his sleeping space (but with a bright headboard). I hesitated to paint over the Skittles because it was like having a part of Erika still here but it was time. When I called to warn her of the coming change she was completely supportive and even surprised that I had left the Skittles for so long.
With two gallons plus a pint of paint, Daymia and I got to work. The first coat of primer did not.a.thing! Those bold Skittles were begging to stay! The second coat of primer covered enough that we hoped the Behr primer paint combo would do the rest. It still took two coats of the grey and in one place, if the sun is shining just right, we can still see the outline of one Skittle calling behind the curtain of grey in hopes of being noticed.
We consulted with our professional, Kate, before attempting stripes. With Frog Tape and a level we meticulously taped them off; held our breath as we painted; didn't exchange a word while very carefully pulling the tape off; and cheered with silly glee as we stood back to admire. Thank you Frog Tape!
Levi took white paint to the dresser and end table that had originally matched the boys crib and I painted the knobs on their individual drawers to match their headboard. The desk that Derek and Hyrum built also looked quite nice as it was upgraded from scrap wood natural to spray paint white.
The boys final suggested input was the need for "fluffy new blankets". After looking into the cost of fabric, quilt bat, and time to make one for each of them vs. Wayfair.com and the points I had there, I let them each choose a comforter from the online selection. The comforters ended up costing less than the paint!
In the (now) four weeks since having their new room, they have made their beds each morning (without being asked!), put their clothes away and kept toys and books picked up. It still looks brand new . . . the lingering hint of paint helps. When the right mood hits, we'll get some curtains on the window but there's no hurry.
Swing
El Cheapo
The backyard porch swing has been in desperate need of proper covering for over a year now. As we pulled it out this spring I knew that we would have cotton blobs floating all over our yard if I didn't get it taken care of ASAP. I looked into purchasing a new cushion but there was no way I would spend $60 plus for that.
On a bright early morning after kids left for school I measured the cushion, ran to Walmart (again, impressed with their new inexpensive but quality fabric line), rushed home and started cutting and sewing.
Flashbacks of junior high math haunted me as I realized that I had only picked up enough fabric for the front of the cushion plus extra for a 2 inch strip around each side. Duh! I needed to double that to cover the back. I always did hate story problems.
Rather than make another run to Walmart or spend more money, I pulled out the scraps left over from the office and bedroom makeover.
The front looks great, the back looks like leftovers. Functional, useful leftovers.
We now enjoy hours of swing time without the annoying flecks of cotton stuck to our pants and/or legs when we walk away.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
March
Miss Erika Jo
When Cal-Ranch moved to a knew location here in town they had great sales and Erika also found a coupon to go with the sales. With her skillful spending logic she purchased a pump action BB gun. She was so excited to show it to the boys!
Erika also built herself a new headboard. Bring out the scrap wood and staple gun! Nothing seems to intimidate her. Daymia was equal to the task having built her own headboard a couple of weeks prior to this.
Once her headboard was all finished and set up the more girly side of Erika came through as she posed for a picture.
To bring even more balance to her life, Erika has become a Jamberry consultant. She was invited to a couple of parties, loved the product, loved the parties and is having so much fun meeting knew people, hosting online parties and earning free product to keep her new habit in check.
Her favorite set so far!
~~~~~~~~
During the washer/dryer switch off with her wet laundry Erika stood in front of me with her hands on her hips, a scowl on her face and whined, "how can my laundry smell like home when you do that?" She was not happy that the fabric softener sheets were a different brand (aka...what was on sale).
Derek ASKS to go to dentist! And more . . .
Email from Derek:
Woe is me! Okay, it is official. I need a dentist appointment, like ASAP. My teeth are absolutely killing me. I think it very well might be my wisdom teeth on the top and bottom of my left side. It's getting bad enough to give me sharp headaches and even ibuprofen isn't working anymore. Last night I woke up at 3 in more tooth pain than I've ever felt and couldn't sleep for 2 hours because of it. So if you could set me up an appointment that would be so awesome and I can make it work.
What we thought was painful wisdom teeth ended up being 2 root canals, 2 crowns, 4 cavities AND wisdom teeth. His last cleaning and dental work was done eight months ago! The poor kid has inherited the Edwards teeth. Being on constant antibiotics until he was age four didn't help and neither do Peach Rings and Gummy Worms!
During the three days that he was home he changed all the batteries in the smoke detectors, built the ramp for the duck race, helped me set up the "farm" for Hyrum's birthday party, hauled 24 bags of water softener salt down to the basement, and had a Nerf war with Nathan and Hyrum.
Building the ramp for duck races.
The 4-wheeler was only used once for moving snow this winter (I can handle winters like that!) so Derek make up for all the time is sat neglected in the garage by giving the boys rides around the neighborhood and down to the river.
As soon as Hyrum got home from school he walked confidently in the door and told Derek that he had some plans to build a desk but nobody in the house knew how to help him. Hyrum's enthusiasm bubbled over as the two of them walked back to the shed to build. With a little help from Nathan and Brock and an hour of focused cutting and drilling, they had a desk built.
Once it was moved into his room Hyrum sat down at the desk, "it's just my size!"
On a fairly warm, yet windy Saturday, Justin and a group of friends hiked R Mountain. With each of them receiving a driver's license and turning 16 they have started to venture into the world of dating. Bowling, hiking and gymnastics fall among their favorite activities. Justin and Kendall have set each Wednesday night as date night when they invite girls (and other couples) to open gym at Madison Gymnastics Center.
Levi and Team Falcon
Levi spent weeks, days and many late night hours coding and creating a website for the Business Professional of America competition in Boise. At times he was frustrated working with so many personalities but together they pulled it off and received 1st place.

"Every member of the team managed to place in a competition at the event. EITC students were competing against other post-secondary students from Boise State University, Idaho State University, College of Southern Idaho and the College of Western Idaho. All 12 EITC students won more than a dozen awards, including the state championship in team web design." eastidahonews.com
Our Missionary Jeweler
As I was tucking Nathan into bed one night he shared with me an experience from school. He had previously told me about Alan when his family moved to Rexburg from Texas. Shortly after Alan and Nathan became friends, Kim moved in. The three boys became recess friends. During recess one day Alan asked Nathan about his CTR ring. Nathan was surprised that he didn't know what it was so explained it to him. "I told him it stood for Choose The Right but that my primary teacher also told us that if you want to go backwards it can stand for Return To Christ." Alan asked questions about primary and as Nathan explained it, "we talk about church a lot now".
He continued the story by explaining that Alan would frequently point out Nathan's ring and told him how cool it was and a couple of days later Nathan felt like he should give the ring to Alan. So he did. I fought tears as I listened to my little missionary explain how he felt prompted and that he couldn't stop smiling after he followed the prompting. He finished by asking if he could buy another ring to give to Kim because he didn't have one either and he felt bad giving a ring to Alan but not Kim. Kim received a ring two days later.
On our date that weekend I surprised Nathan by taking him to Deseret Book to get him a silver CTR ring. Initially he wanted to get the style that looked just like Levi's first CTR ring (which sits in my jewelry box) but after considering it he decided he wanted to have the full shield with color.
He has since asked to buy 2 more rings for twin sisters McKay and Kennedy because they have lost theirs since receiving them in primary at the first of the year. I chuckled when he added with embarrassed eyes and cheeks blushing, "and because I like them."
Healthy Woman: A Sister Weekend
Our nights' entertainment consisted of a trip to DI, where we found treasures of books, wall hangings for Max's room and a bookshelf for my new office; a delicious home-made salad for dinner and the delightful movie, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel."
The next day we attended the Healthy Woman Expo. It was touching and inspiring to listen to Stephanie Nielson as our guest speaker. Her strength, struggles and faith were very uplifting. Kara surprised me with Stephanie's book "Heaven Is Here". At the Expo we were treated to lunch, given free items from the many booths (perfect souvenirs to take home to the Littles) and attended a scarf-tying class and a doTERRA class.
Later that day, Kate joined us to watch the equally delightful "Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." Afterwards we stood in the theater talking for an hour or so until reluctantly parting ways. I absolutely love spending time with my sisters!
When Cal-Ranch moved to a knew location here in town they had great sales and Erika also found a coupon to go with the sales. With her skillful spending logic she purchased a pump action BB gun. She was so excited to show it to the boys!
Erika also built herself a new headboard. Bring out the scrap wood and staple gun! Nothing seems to intimidate her. Daymia was equal to the task having built her own headboard a couple of weeks prior to this.
Once her headboard was all finished and set up the more girly side of Erika came through as she posed for a picture.
To bring even more balance to her life, Erika has become a Jamberry consultant. She was invited to a couple of parties, loved the product, loved the parties and is having so much fun meeting knew people, hosting online parties and earning free product to keep her new habit in check.
Her favorite set so far!
~~~~~~~~
During the washer/dryer switch off with her wet laundry Erika stood in front of me with her hands on her hips, a scowl on her face and whined, "how can my laundry smell like home when you do that?" She was not happy that the fabric softener sheets were a different brand (aka...what was on sale).
Derek ASKS to go to dentist! And more . . .
Email from Derek:
Woe is me! Okay, it is official. I need a dentist appointment, like ASAP. My teeth are absolutely killing me. I think it very well might be my wisdom teeth on the top and bottom of my left side. It's getting bad enough to give me sharp headaches and even ibuprofen isn't working anymore. Last night I woke up at 3 in more tooth pain than I've ever felt and couldn't sleep for 2 hours because of it. So if you could set me up an appointment that would be so awesome and I can make it work.
What we thought was painful wisdom teeth ended up being 2 root canals, 2 crowns, 4 cavities AND wisdom teeth. His last cleaning and dental work was done eight months ago! The poor kid has inherited the Edwards teeth. Being on constant antibiotics until he was age four didn't help and neither do Peach Rings and Gummy Worms!
During the three days that he was home he changed all the batteries in the smoke detectors, built the ramp for the duck race, helped me set up the "farm" for Hyrum's birthday party, hauled 24 bags of water softener salt down to the basement, and had a Nerf war with Nathan and Hyrum.
Building the ramp for duck races.
The 4-wheeler was only used once for moving snow this winter (I can handle winters like that!) so Derek make up for all the time is sat neglected in the garage by giving the boys rides around the neighborhood and down to the river.
As soon as Hyrum got home from school he walked confidently in the door and told Derek that he had some plans to build a desk but nobody in the house knew how to help him. Hyrum's enthusiasm bubbled over as the two of them walked back to the shed to build. With a little help from Nathan and Brock and an hour of focused cutting and drilling, they had a desk built.
Once it was moved into his room Hyrum sat down at the desk, "it's just my size!"
Justin and Co.
Levi and Team Falcon
Levi spent weeks, days and many late night hours coding and creating a website for the Business Professional of America competition in Boise. At times he was frustrated working with so many personalities but together they pulled it off and received 1st place.

"Every member of the team managed to place in a competition at the event. EITC students were competing against other post-secondary students from Boise State University, Idaho State University, College of Southern Idaho and the College of Western Idaho. All 12 EITC students won more than a dozen awards, including the state championship in team web design." eastidahonews.com
Our Missionary Jeweler
As I was tucking Nathan into bed one night he shared with me an experience from school. He had previously told me about Alan when his family moved to Rexburg from Texas. Shortly after Alan and Nathan became friends, Kim moved in. The three boys became recess friends. During recess one day Alan asked Nathan about his CTR ring. Nathan was surprised that he didn't know what it was so explained it to him. "I told him it stood for Choose The Right but that my primary teacher also told us that if you want to go backwards it can stand for Return To Christ." Alan asked questions about primary and as Nathan explained it, "we talk about church a lot now".
He continued the story by explaining that Alan would frequently point out Nathan's ring and told him how cool it was and a couple of days later Nathan felt like he should give the ring to Alan. So he did. I fought tears as I listened to my little missionary explain how he felt prompted and that he couldn't stop smiling after he followed the prompting. He finished by asking if he could buy another ring to give to Kim because he didn't have one either and he felt bad giving a ring to Alan but not Kim. Kim received a ring two days later.
On our date that weekend I surprised Nathan by taking him to Deseret Book to get him a silver CTR ring. Initially he wanted to get the style that looked just like Levi's first CTR ring (which sits in my jewelry box) but after considering it he decided he wanted to have the full shield with color.
He has since asked to buy 2 more rings for twin sisters McKay and Kennedy because they have lost theirs since receiving them in primary at the first of the year. I chuckled when he added with embarrassed eyes and cheeks blushing, "and because I like them."
Healthy Woman: A Sister Weekend
Our nights' entertainment consisted of a trip to DI, where we found treasures of books, wall hangings for Max's room and a bookshelf for my new office; a delicious home-made salad for dinner and the delightful movie, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel."
The next day we attended the Healthy Woman Expo. It was touching and inspiring to listen to Stephanie Nielson as our guest speaker. Her strength, struggles and faith were very uplifting. Kara surprised me with Stephanie's book "Heaven Is Here". At the Expo we were treated to lunch, given free items from the many booths (perfect souvenirs to take home to the Littles) and attended a scarf-tying class and a doTERRA class.
Later that day, Kate joined us to watch the equally delightful "Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel." Afterwards we stood in the theater talking for an hour or so until reluctantly parting ways. I absolutely love spending time with my sisters!
Monday, March 23, 2015
Old McHyrum Had a Birthday
E-I-E-I-seven years Old
Dinner was a good ole' country spread
No Bake Cow Pies
Rice Krispie Hay Bales
Rabbit Food
Pringles from the Potato Field
Pigs in their Blankets
Nuggets from the Chicken Coop
Garden and Orchard Pickings
After our bellies were filled we mooved outside for chores.
Milking cows was udderly fun!
The duck races had us quacking up.
(How fitting to have a dog "helping" and the field of horses in the background)
Horse roping had us hoopin' and hollering.
Once the farm animals were taken care of we wrangled up the crew for a little gift givin' which turned into an hour of
building with Hyrum's new Mag Formers.
To wrap up the day, Hyrum tackled Levi with the inflatable punching fists that Levi gave him.
"Picking a wedgie out is impossible with Hulk hands!"
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
St. Patrick's Day
The morning started with leprechaun kisses.
In the bathroom they found little leprechaun footprints on the toilet seat and discovered that leprechaun pee is green.
"I'm gettin' out of here!"
Hyrum was disgusted that they didn't flush the toilet.
After school the boys found a clue on the mailbox which led them on a chase for green treasure.
Their enthusiasm is what keeps this tradition alive.
Their baskets of food and fun entertained them for hours. Though Justin got home later and didn't do a treasure hunt
to find his green loot, he happily munched on his snack before heading off to work.
Brock is over at our house almost every day after school so I had a basket for him as well. The three boys spent the remainder of the afternoon building puzzles and filling in their travel Light Brites while snacking on their goodies. The pantry became their dark room where they crowded behind a closed door to see their pegged creations light up.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
February
Justin's Birthday
His only birthday request was to not have a party and he didn't want cake and absolutely no pictures.
He's not a birthday rebel, just sixteen.
We had to have something to put the candles on so I combined his two favorites and made fudge brownies with German chocolate frosting (he only likes the frosting, not the cake). As he prepared to blow out the candles he thought about and decided on a birthday wish, carefully aimed his air power to one candle and made sure that he still had one candle burning for the girlfriend test.
I was respectful of his non-party wish and instead took him to IJump.
Everyone attempts to be as technically tricky as Justin but our belly flops and face plants don't even land into the same
category as his well trained skill.
CSI Museum
You know those movie trailers that show all the best parts of the upcoming movie and when you go to see the movie you realize that the three minute trailer was better than the two hour movie. That pretty much sums up the museum display right now. The fliers looks so intriguing and the boys thought they would get to solve a mystery and the pictures looked so death filled and gruesome. Trust me, unless you want to have a full science textbook kind of day reading all about bugs, just look at the website and read the flier. It's free!
Though I did read a few interesting facts about decaying bodies and the part bugs play in the evidence, the boys looked at a couple of vials and called it good. The only saving grace of the display was the outline of dead bodies that the boys attempted to fill and the opportunity to be the bad guy.
Beyond putting wigs on and dressing up as perps getting a mug shot the only way we could get our moneys worth out of the trip was to go to the permanent, hands on kids section that we visit every time we go.
Daymia hadn't ever seen this section so the boys gave her a full tour of the eagle nest in the tree, the beaver homes under the water, the family sized teepee that they beg to take home every year, and the log cabin complete with dress up clothes and a frontier style kitchen set up to play with.
Schtuff
Justin still requests fruit snacks. "They're not just for little kids, everyone needs fruit."
***
Thanks a lot, Diary of a Wimpy Kid! Now Nathan thinks he knows all about puberty.
***
Hyrum had a week of "where do things come from" curiosity. After answering all of his questions he revealed to me his new view of nature: cows pee milk, hens poop eggs, bees spit honey, trees cry syrup.
***
Bret's nickname for Charlie is Crisis since he represents my mid-life crisis.
***
Sarah gifted me a onesie. This one to be exact:

Onesie, not body.
I've never stood that way in mine (though maybe now that I've realized that I'll try it) and I have yet to leave the zipper down in the valley.
Comfort level though is exactly as it appears. It is really hard to make myself wear pants after a day in waist band free bliss.
One night I tucked Hyrum into bed while wearing my onesie and the next morning he begged, "Mom, will you pleeeease get me a onesie? I've been dreaming about it!"
His only birthday request was to not have a party and he didn't want cake and absolutely no pictures.
He's not a birthday rebel, just sixteen.
We had to have something to put the candles on so I combined his two favorites and made fudge brownies with German chocolate frosting (he only likes the frosting, not the cake). As he prepared to blow out the candles he thought about and decided on a birthday wish, carefully aimed his air power to one candle and made sure that he still had one candle burning for the girlfriend test.
I was respectful of his non-party wish and instead took him to IJump.
category as his well trained skill.
CSI Museum
You know those movie trailers that show all the best parts of the upcoming movie and when you go to see the movie you realize that the three minute trailer was better than the two hour movie. That pretty much sums up the museum display right now. The fliers looks so intriguing and the boys thought they would get to solve a mystery and the pictures looked so death filled and gruesome. Trust me, unless you want to have a full science textbook kind of day reading all about bugs, just look at the website and read the flier. It's free!
Though I did read a few interesting facts about decaying bodies and the part bugs play in the evidence, the boys looked at a couple of vials and called it good. The only saving grace of the display was the outline of dead bodies that the boys attempted to fill and the opportunity to be the bad guy.
Beyond putting wigs on and dressing up as perps getting a mug shot the only way we could get our moneys worth out of the trip was to go to the permanent, hands on kids section that we visit every time we go.
Daymia hadn't ever seen this section so the boys gave her a full tour of the eagle nest in the tree, the beaver homes under the water, the family sized teepee that they beg to take home every year, and the log cabin complete with dress up clothes and a frontier style kitchen set up to play with.
Schtuff
Justin still requests fruit snacks. "They're not just for little kids, everyone needs fruit."
***
Thanks a lot, Diary of a Wimpy Kid! Now Nathan thinks he knows all about puberty.
***
Hyrum had a week of "where do things come from" curiosity. After answering all of his questions he revealed to me his new view of nature: cows pee milk, hens poop eggs, bees spit honey, trees cry syrup.
***
Bret's nickname for Charlie is Crisis since he represents my mid-life crisis.
***
Sarah gifted me a onesie. This one to be exact:
Onesie, not body.
I've never stood that way in mine (though maybe now that I've realized that I'll try it) and I have yet to leave the zipper down in the valley.
Comfort level though is exactly as it appears. It is really hard to make myself wear pants after a day in waist band free bliss.
One night I tucked Hyrum into bed while wearing my onesie and the next morning he begged, "Mom, will you pleeeease get me a onesie? I've been dreaming about it!"
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Myringotomy
A big word meaning to cut a hole in the eardrum for the purpose of sucking fluid out of the eustachian tube.
It is not pleasant.
But the process has been good for me.
Spiritually strengthening, actually.

New Era April 2015 Mormonad
I sent an email to my mom and sisters sharing the details of that learning process and received even greater strength as they responded with their own personal experiences and insights.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I haven't shared this with anyone but LeRoy because well, I evidently love to suffer in silence, but for the last 4 weeks I have had fluid behind my ear. Doesn't sound too bad, and it wasn't for the first week but by the 2nd week (after trying every homeopathic trick I knew) I went to the doctor (PA actually) and he (of course!) prescribed antibiotics. I did the 10 day run of that and it wasn't any better. In fact, it was worse. I was losing my hearing and the echoing in my head was getting louder, not to mention annoying. The PA suggested I try another antibiotic and I just bypassed that and called a friend of ours who is an ENT specialist.
It is not pleasant.
But the process has been good for me.
Spiritually strengthening, actually.

New Era April 2015 Mormonad
I sent an email to my mom and sisters sharing the details of that learning process and received even greater strength as they responded with their own personal experiences and insights.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I haven't shared this with anyone but LeRoy because well, I evidently love to suffer in silence, but for the last 4 weeks I have had fluid behind my ear. Doesn't sound too bad, and it wasn't for the first week but by the 2nd week (after trying every homeopathic trick I knew) I went to the doctor (PA actually) and he (of course!) prescribed antibiotics. I did the 10 day run of that and it wasn't any better. In fact, it was worse. I was losing my hearing and the echoing in my head was getting louder, not to mention annoying. The PA suggested I try another antibiotic and I just bypassed that and called a friend of ours who is an ENT specialist.
He took one look at it and said I did not have an infection but rather, fluid behind the ear drum that was pushing the ear drum out and affecting my hearing. He gave me 2 shots (1 slow release steroid, 1 quick steroid) and nasal steroid spray to hopefully open up the eustachian tube enough to drain the fluid....but I had to wait another 7 days to see if that would work. It didn't.
I went back again after going nearly batty and losing every ounce of patience I had for my silly kids and their loud noises and had a myringotomy where the doctor numbed my ear drum, made an incision and sucked the thick fluid out. It has taken the pressure out of my head and it did take the echo away and I can hear again. Now I feel air going through my ear drum every time I breathe in and out....cold air in and body temp air out. I can breathe through my ear! Such an easy trade off and it should close up again in a couple of weeks.
*Update: my eardrum did not heal as quickly as expected and it took another round of hearing and tube tests to try to figure out why I was still hearing in echoes and mumbles. Ultimately, I just had to wait it out and after another 5 weeks everything has finally healed and my hearing is normal again.
So, what does this have to do with the March Ensign? Kudos for reading this far....it gets better.
Over the weekend I was really losing it. I had tried so hard for the last month to keep my patience when the world sounded like a mumbling, echoing mess of noise. As I explained to the ENT, I felt like I had a snot nosed kid sitting on my shoulder (because I could hear the fluid moving) and I had an relentless monster snoring in my forehead (my own breathing, which occasionally I would hold just so it I could have a moment of silence!). Sounds like doors shutting, kids jumping, balls bouncing, general noise of children all reverberated through my head in full pressure volume. LeRoy was frustrated because he could no longer holler from anywhere in the house and I would respond. I was frustrated because I couldn't hear phone calls well and public places were impossible to hear in (I guess I can relate to overstimulated kids in loud public places). I couldn't take it anymore. It was very reminiscent of that last week of a pregnancy when I would just pray for the pains of labor to come on so that it would be over. I was praying for the pain of a ruptured eardrum so that this part would be over.
Sunday afternoon I had to go to the guestroom and distance myself. I put my earphones in and turned up Mozart piano as loud as I could stand it so that I couldn't hear my own breathing, heartbeat and blood flow or the sounds of a house full of energetic kids. The only thing I took with me was my book, the new Ensign, and a water bottle.
Now, to the point :D There were a couple of articles that were very strengthening and helped me at that last moment when I felt I couldn't go on like this any longer. Have you ever wanted to stick a toothpick in your ear to relief the pressure? I have! Reading through the Ensign (followed up with prayer and a good cry) gave me that last little dose of comfort that I needed to get to Monday at 3:00.
I'll just leave the page and quotes:
pg 7 - Visiting Teaching message, President Uchtdorf.
Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well! Patience means accepting that which cannot be changed and face it with courage, grace, and faith.
pg 50 - The Savior's Respect For Women (the whole article is wonderful!)
Of Mary and turning the water to wine for the wedding:
"Woman," or, rather, "lady," is in Greek a title of respect, used even in addressing queens. It was as though He {Jesus} said to his mother, "My lady, whatsoever you ask of me in faith, I will grant it unto you." This account shows that the Savior was interested in the routine pressures that women faced.
I cried at this point! The thought of him saying that to me as I had requested a priesthood blessing and was pleading for relief was a little overwhelming. When it takes a week to get in with the ENT, they got me in that afternoon when I called Monday morning. Such a blessing!
What a beautiful lesson we learn from Mary: when in need, seek after and trust in Jesus Christ, who has all power. Like Mary, Latter-day Saint women today can rely on Jesus Christ in faith when they are feeling overwhelmed with their responsibilities. (pg 51)
Of the Woman from Samaria:
Because of her faith, the Samaritan woman received a witness from the Spirit and desired to testify that Jesus was the Christ. By featuring this experience, John shows that the Savior is aware of women and knows the details of their lives. This account shows that Jesus Christ knows each woman's challenges and can accept and lift her.
Pg 14 - David A. Bednar
Because of His infinite and eternal sacrifice, the Savior has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy. He can reach out, touch, succor, heal, and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do relying only upon our own power... The unique burdens in each of our lives help us to rely upon the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.
My "unique burden" has reminded me to rely on Christ. When medicine, doctors, strange yoga poses, weird breathing techniques, or any other thing on this earth could not lighten my burden, He did! I am so grateful!
I hope you too feel the love of our Savior!
Love You All
Kimber
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)




.jpg)
.jpg)




















.jpg)



















