Day By Day By Day...

I haven't been any better at posting regularly, it has now been over a week since the last one. Knowing what my next week and a half has in store, I don't think I'll be posting regularly any time soon. So for now, I will try to do a quick update since the last post...

Friday, May 8th---We went to Salt Lake City to spend a last family day before Gary leaves for his mission. He got to pick where we went, what we did and where we ate for his "Missionary meal". (we take the whole family to a restaurant of the Missionary's' choosing. Something we don't do often because of the astronomical cost) We met my niece, Jessica, in a park by the Church Office Building and she took family pictures for us. She also took individuals of Morgan, Lexie and Tanner since I haven't had them done for this school year yet. Then we went to eat at Olive Garden. From there we toured the Conference Center and got to see an amazing display they had there of artistic talent from around the world. Then we went to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and saw the Joseph Smith movie. We all cried our eyes out at this. It doesn't matter how many times you've seen it, male or female, or age, you will be touched to tears watching what they went through. Then we went to Layton to stay with Wynn's parents to be ready for the next day...

Saturday, May 9th---This was the wedding day of Wynn's nephew Zach (Nolan and Trudy's son) and Sarah Asmundson (daughter of Blayne and Judith Asmundson of Vancouver British Columbia). It started with a wedding breakfast at 9:30am in Lehi. Yummy food of breakfast burritos and fruit. Then they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. We spent some time at Nolan and Trudy's with the family (we ate pizza) and then to the reception. Her colors were lime green and pink. Her dress was gorgeous. Morgan caught the bouquet. Since that makes 2 bouquet catches for her now, Drew figures Morgan will get married 2 times quicker than she will. I don't know that that's how it works, but Drew says it works for her!!!
--I was supposed to have my exit interview for AmeriCorps today, but since we had already scheduled this, I'm going to have to reschedule.

Monday, May 11th---back to school and work. I got an email for my AmeriCorps exit interview reschedule. It is for Wednesday at 2:45. Are you kidding me? I already have plans for that day too!!! (you'll see) I told Gary I'm not going to reschedule anything, we'll work it all in. At least I'll still be in town this time and can run over there to do it. I can't handle another reschedule!

Tuesday, May 12th---Lexie had a soccer game at 5:30. The sun was supposed to be out, but it was cloudy instead. The wind was blowing which made us grateful for the blankets we took to wrap up in, because it felt like it was coming off an iceberg! They played hard, but it ended up in a tie.

Wednesday, May 13th---I took the day off to spend with Gary. He loves the Lord of the Rings trilogy and I had only seen the first one back when it first came out on dvd. I had promised him ever since the 3rd one came out that we would spend a day, just the two of us, and watch all three. I figured we better get it done since he leaves 2 weeks from today!!! Unfortunately, it wasn't uninterrupted since this was my reschedule for the exit interview. The interview went well. I told her what I was doing at home so she hurried it up so I could get back to finish the movies. The kids were great when they got home. I gave them instructions (don't bother us unless there is blood coming out your eyeballs or bones sticking out of your skin), shut the family room door, and finished the movies, uninterrupted by them, until Andy came over and interrupted even after they told him not to. Seriously, it could have waited...no blood, no bones, seriously. But I LOVED the movies and had a much needed day with Gary.

Thursday, May 14th--back to work. I left as soon as we were done...sick!!! Tanner had a soccer game tonight. Needless to say I wasn't there. I was REALLY sick. They lost. The other kids were bigger and better, it happens.

Friday, May 15th--back to work. Felt Ok-ish. Last day of lessons for reading groups. Next week is Core testing, all week. But I will only be there Thursday and Friday. I have an AmeriCorps Conference in SLC Mon-Wed. Mixed emotions about that! The ward did an Aaronic Priesthood Commemoration at Brother and Sister Godfrey's house for the men as a father/son thing. Then Wynn, Andy, Gary and Tanner went camping up Green Canyon for a guys night while me, Morgan and Lexie had a girls night. Some girls night. Morgan went babysitting so Lexie and I went to get a Cranilla Craze at Sonic, YUM! We noticed they had a new drink called a Mango Limeade, so we got a small one to try it. MISTAKE!!! It deserved a Route 44 size. It is unbelievably good! Possibly my new fave. Morgan came home, we were watching NCIS and Lexie and I fell asleep, early. Oh well.

Saturday, May 16th---Are you kidding me! Can someone put one more thing on today? The day was calm until 11:00. Here is the day---11:30 Lexie soccer game, 12:00 Tanner soccer game, 1:00 bridal shower in Freedom, 3:00 bridal shower in Layton (for my niece!), 4:00 Morgan needs to be in Richmond for the Black and White Days Parade for Colorguard, 5:00 Parade, 7:00 wedding reception in North Logan (at our church building) And it's my nephews birthday, Happy Birthday Rian. What did we make it to? Lexie's soccer game (I'll be in SLC for the last one Tuesday), the last 1/2 of Tanner's soccer game (Wynn and Gary went to all), neither bridal shower, Tanner got sick after we got home from the game, I think it's allergies but it has a fever (yes we get fevers with that sometimes), went and looked at a house, ya...NO!, Morgan got a ride to Richmond, Wynn and Gary went to the parade, Wynn, myself and Drew (she's home for the weekend) went to the reception. Stayed up late getting chores finished (somewhat).

Sunday, May 17th--The girls (Morgan and Lexie) went out to Clarkston to where they do the Martin Harris Pageant this morning. They left the house at 6:40am. The Stake does this every year and the speaker directs their talk toward the youth. This year they are listening to the General Young Mens President. My friends son (in our ward) came home from his mission to Poland Friday night. He speaks in church today. Tanner is still having a slight fever and hoarse cough (not horse cough, hahaha) so I think I will be staying home with him. We'll see. Church doesn't start for another 1 1/2 hours.


***I need to download some pictures from my camera then I will hopefully get some added on here. Like it isn't long enough already! So...pictures to come.

Has It Been a Week Already???

I can't believe it is Thursday already. My last post was last Friday!!! What happened to this week? I guess I have so much to do and so little time to do it in. I don't seem to get much exercising in lately, and I was doing sooooo good before. But life hits in spurts, and when it hits there is no room for anything else it seems. Here is my today....

Note to self--Used to get up at 4:30-5:00 to exercise...need to start doing that again
6:00 Got up, got Tanner up, made sure the girls were up, finish waking up Tanner
6:30-6:45-ish making sure everybody is getting ready
Tanner finish waking up
Make Tanner breakfast
Girls leave for school
7:00 Make sure Tanner is eating
Get on computer to check messages on email and facebook (give myself a
time limit so I don't run late)
Answer messages
Check on Tanner
Throw a batch of laundry in
7:30 Make sure Tanner is done
Tell him to get brushed and flossed and clothes ready before 8:00...do this for
the next 1/2 hour
Put laundry in dryer, new batch in washer
8:00 Get in shower
8:15-8:50 check on Tanner
Eat my breakfast while getting dressed, make-up, hair etc
Check on Tanner
Take care of laundry
Hurry Tanner along
8:50 Leave for the school, (Tanners school and my work), 15 minutes later than I
wanted to be
9:00 Get to the school
1:00 realize Morgan has an ortho appt to add to everything else that is this
afternoon
1:30 leave the school
1:40 make lunch
1:50 Get on computer
Check and answer messages
Write on blog

What I still have left for today:

Tanners turn to take treats for soccer game, I still need to buy them
Take Lexie shopping for new capris if we can find some inexpensive enough, need them tomorrow.
4:00 Morgan ortho appt in Smithfield
4:45 Lexie soccer pictures in Hyde Park
5:00 Lexie warm up for soccer game-Hyde Park
5:30 Lexie soccer game in Hyde Park
Tanner soccer game in North Logan
before 8:00 need to sign kids up for swimming lessons in Smithfield before all
the sessions I need are filled up

And did I mention I need to balance the checkbook, write out lunch checks (and other checks), get ready for a food drive for AmeriCorps week at the school next week (Thank you Colleen for doing the collection box by yourself!!!! I SOOOOOO owe you) and not to mention....
Get ready to leave for SLC tomorrow morning to spend 2 days
---moving Drew to Kaysville
taking family pictures
Gary's missionary family dinner and day
Saturday, nephews wedding---all day

Better get off the computer. Lexie is here 3 minutes early and remember, we need to go to the stores.

What Century Is This Again????

If it wasn't that I was watching a tv or listening to the radio, I would swear we were living in a lot earlier century....1700's or 1800's maybe? No money, armed bank robberies, pirates, pandemic, terrorists...

The economy is bad. Most people don't have to be told. All they have to do is look at their paycheck and checkbook. Believe me, they know, we know. But I guess it still has to be reported. Utah is always behind the rest of the country in the economy, and Cache valley is usually about a year behind Salt Lake. So according to that, we haven't seen the worst?

Bank Robbers? Really? I guess they are on the rise because of the aforementioned economic situation? And not only banks, but ARMED robberies at banks, stores, stealing whole ATM's. Seriously.

Pirates? PIRATES? Yep. Somalian pirates. Taking ships and hostages on the high seas. I saw their pictures on the news. Not one of them looked like Johnny Depp or Orlando Bloom. Darn, THAT would have been worth watching on the news!!! Not that I want anyone hurt or killed by Pirates, but at least they could be worth looking at! And Yeah for the American snipers that took them out and freed the American Captain that gave himself up for a hostage to free his crew. We got the Captain AND the ship back.

Epidemic? Pandemic? Didn't whole civilizations get wiped out by these things hundreds of years ago? Swine flu. Bird flu. Regular flu. Hmmmmm. Don't go to Mexico right now. Between murders and Swine flu, your chances of returning intact are slim. Drew went on a Mexican cruise for Spring Break, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas.....she doesn't have Swine Flu. Texas has reported Swine Flu there, Gary leaves for the MTC May 27th for 3 weeks then on to Texas. He'll be on a mission. He should be safe. I'll pray anyway.

Terrorists. They aren't going away people. We have been attacked on our own soil numerous times and on foreign soil numerous other times. They may lay low(er) for a while, but they are still there. Just biding their time. Laying in wait for Americans to get complacent, again.

Flooding in the midwest, tornados in Tornado Alley, earthquakes in Italy....

Have I not read about all this somewhere? Diverse places, wars and rumors of wars, secret combinations, strange weather.....I'm not predicting the end of the world, I'm not one of those people. I'm not seeking for signs, I'm not one of those people either. But I do know that I'm not as ready as I would like to be for something major to happen. I am more ready than I used to be, but still not comfortably so. I think I will just continue to try to be as ready as possible....

And keep reminding myself that this is 2009 and not an earlier century when I hear, watch or read the news.

A Boys Best Friend

Back when Tanner was just past 3, he was so ready to be out of diapers, but just wouldn't. I decided bribing was in order. I told him he could pick. He wanted a kitten, but not just ANY kitten, he wanted an orange kitten. I explained to him that we couldn't have a kitten because we lived in the city and so the kitty would have to be an inside part of the time (if not all the time) kitty and his daddy was allergic to cats. He insisted that that was all he wanted, an orange kitty. I told him he had to ask his dad. HIS DAD SAID YES!!!!! (I asked him if I had to remind him he was allergic?!) So it was agreed, he could get an orange kitty when he didn't wear diapers anymore.

So being a Sunday night, I said, "OK. You can wear a diaper to bed, but in the morning, you are going to the bathroom and then wearing big boy underwear all day. You aren't going to wear diapers during the day anymore. But you can wear one to bed if you want." He wore big boy underwear all day that whole week. He wore a diaper at night. The next Sunday night I told him, "You are done wearing diapers. This is the last night for a diaper. In the morning when you put on your underwear, you are wearing it all day AND wearing it to bed." That was the last diaper he ever wore. Now we had to find an orange kitty.

Now, normally there are orange kittens everywhere. I figured it would be no problem to find one for him. We looked for about 3-4 months, and not one orange kitten to be found. I thought, "Are you kidding me?" Every day Tanner asked when we were going to find his kitty. In July Gary saw an ad in the paper and called. No orange kittens. We went to look anyway since it was only a few blocks away. Tanner saw a white with gray patches one that he held and played with. We asked him if that was the one he wanted, and he said no, he wanted an orange one. So we left. About half way back to our house he started crying and said, "We need to go back and get my kitty." Me, "You said you wanted an orange one." "No! That one is my kitty! We have to go get him! " So we turned around and went back for his kitty. He named him Moose. I thought it was a strange name for such a tiny kitty, but it fits him.

Moose has never been allowed on the furniture or Wynn wouldn't be able to sit on it. (That doesn't mean he's never gotten on it!) He is allowed on Tanner's bed, we put a blanket on it that he can sleep on. When he was little he would crawl under the blankets and snuggle with Tanner. Sometimes I still find him doing that. He has a blanket on Morgans bed and occasionally on Gary's or Lexie's beds. He knows he can get on my ottoman in the family room to snuggle if there is a blanket on it, he leaves it alone if there isn't. He snuggles with the kids on their blankets on the floor...etc. He IS NOT allowed on our bed, period. And he doesn't get on there.

Moose downstairs with Tanner, on the blanket, on the couch.

(Notice him holding Mooses' tail so they are 'touching'?)

I swear this cat is 1/3 cat, 1/3 dog, and 1/3 human. He will come get you if there is something of yours that needs attention (he knows what belongs to who), everyone swears he says 'mom' instead of meow when he is wanting me, very human things of him to do. He can be very stand-offish and turn his back and ignore you if he is in cat mode and will let you know not to bother him.

Moose in cat mode...ignoring me.

He has become very attached to Tanner. If Tanner is crying, you can hear Moose start meowing and here he comes from where ever he was at a dead run to make sure Tanner is OK. It doesn't matter where Tanner or Moose are at the time, one inside, one outside, or both in or both out. He always asks Tanner for a head to head rub to show love. It is so cute.

In the living room for a love from Tanner

He can be very nurturing, loyal and attached like a dog. To show this, I took some pictures this morning. Tanner spent the night in my bed and bathroom last night because he was sick. Puking all night long. This is what Moose did about it this morning after I got up.....

On the bathroom floor

I walked in the room to check on Tanner. Since he wasn't there, I checked the bathroom. He was snuggled against Tanners tummy, but when I came back with the camera he had moved here. (Tanner put the pile of towels in front of the toilet so they would be soft to kneel on)

Then Tanner went back to my room and this what Moose did.

Yes. He is ON OUR BED!!! Remember, he is NOT allowed by Wynn. PERIOD!!!

(Wynn knew he was there and left him with Tanner! I put the blanket so it could be taken off and washed.)

Letting us know he isn't leaving Tanner.

Still on the bed when I got home from work. Where ever Tanner moved, Moose was right there....All day long!!!

(Wynn and Gary were both home with him)

So I don't think he cares now that his kitty isn't orange. I think he knew that day in the car that Moose is his kitty. You couldn't ask for a more loyal companion or best friend.

Gary's Temple Day

At 5:30 pm, Gary went through the Logan Temple today. It was a really nice day. In attendance were my parents, Gary and Inez Hulsey, my sister and her husband, Rick and Dawna Barnes, Wynn's parents, Dean and Elaine Jenkins, Wynn's sister and her husband Scott and Maridene Wiberg, Wynn's sister Sirena Higgs, Gary's brother and his wife (our oldest child) Andy and Leza Jenkins, and family friends, Bob and Debbe Balling and Craig and Konie Humphreys. The family went to Village Inn to eat afterwards. It had been kind of a nasty day all day, rainy, windy, snowy. But time to go to the Temple it became really nice, still overcast, but nice.

You can't describe what it's like to be in the Temple with your children. And to have more than one in attendance.....no words.

Spring storms

They tend to bring Spring colds. Gary and I went to SLC with Drew last week to tour the Esthitician school there. Drew and I got free facials...WOW!!! did I LOVE that! It was warm while we were there. I loved it. She was accepted to the school. She will be getting her Master Esthitician. It will only take her about 4 months since she already has her Cosmetoligist license. Since she will be there such a short time, she won't be able to rent an apartment for 4 months, so she is going to live with Wynn's sister in Kaysville. She'll go to school during the day and get a night job. Rent money will be able to go towards her car.

Thursday started our Spring Break from school. It stormed, snowed even. Then warmed up on Friday. We went to SLC on Saturday to the Living Planet Aquarium. It was cold that day. Glad the Aquarium is inside. It was smaller than I thought it would be, but still pretty neat. They have sharks, an octopus, a South American exhibit, and stingrays. You can actually pet the stingrays. They don't feel like I thought they would, not rubbery at all. They were kind of squishy and velvety.

Sunday was a nice beautiful Easter day. I love that Tanner got up, climbed in my bed, and said,"Mom, it's Easter. This is Jesus' birthday." I said,"No, not his birthday." "Oh ya, the day he was ressurected. That means he came back to life." His first thoughts weren't of Easter baskets, bunny, candy or hunting Easter eggs. That made me happy. Of course they did turn that direction.

Monday was a beautiful day. Gary and I went and picked up his 2 suits. We bought some more mission clothes, but they are out of his size on a few things and are expecting a shipment. They wrote down what we needed so we can get them when they come in. They supply about 99% of the missionaries in the valley and surrounding areas. I'm not surprised they run short. Gary is getting even more excited to go out, if that's possible. He is dejunking his room and putting his missionary stuff in the suitcases. He'll repack right before he leaves so it fits better. He's putting his horse up for sale and transferred his money to another account so he can contribute part for his mission.

Tuesday was a nasty weather day. Cold, rainy, windy, and first day back to school. Spring Break was way too short. I woke up with a head cold. I think it's the back and forth from warm and nice to cold and yucky. Lexie had her first soccer match. Drew took her so I didn't have to set out in the miserable weather already having a cold. They won!!!!

Tanner's first soccer match is today. It's supposed to rain, and even possible snow, today and tomorrow. I love the rain....when it's warm ones to play in. My parents are heading up this way today and tomorrow. Hope their drive is safe.

They are coming for Gary to go through the Logan Temple tomorrow and my neice Lacey to get married in SLC Temple on Saturday. Gary put the date for going through the Temple 2 days before Lacey's wedding specifically so my parents could be here with him. Also so he could be in the Temple with her on Saturday. He is sooooo excited about all of this. He also will get to be in the Temple with his cousin Zach in May when he gets married. He will miss his cousin Brookes marraige though, since she gets married the Wednesday after he enters the MTC.

Well, enough head cold rambling Wednesday. I better get ready for work and Tanner for school. I need to find a sub for tomorrow. I'm planning on taking the day off to spend with Gary.

Are you sure I'm still among the living?

Well, I guess I do feel kinda undead. I was feeling better-ish yesterday, so I went to work, even though it was April fools day and I wasn't sure what kind of pranks would be played. None were, thank goodness.

I started not feeling well about time to come home, but not too bad, so I went with Gary to buy him a new watch. While we were shopping my head started to hurt, but not too bad. I mean really, I've had throw up migraines for as far back as I can remember. I even remember having one on my 7th or 8th birthday. I remember having it, I just don't remember what birthday. I only remember being in Luna for it and getting my Dawn doll. Oh well, none of that really matters. What I was getting at was I know what a real headache feels like, so this was just more of an annoyance than what I call a headache. Since my surgery 15 months ago, I get very few migraines. When I do get one, I can not understand how I kept functioning with such pain, other than I didn't know any different. I would get 4-5 a week, for as long as I can remember.

Anyway, Gary and I came home and I really started not feeling well. We went downstairs and I again curled up in a blanket with a heating pad. We watched The Fast and the Furious (the first one) and I loved it. But by the time it was over, I was really sick. I was freezing and wanted to pound a nail in my head to let the pressure out. If you've ever had a migraine, you'll understand what I mean, if not...well, you're lucky! I fell asleep in the chair for a while. When I woke up I dragged myself upstairs to bed after taking pain med. I woke up this morning feeling quite well.

I took Morgan in for her minor surgery at the periodontist. It went well. She is downstairs heavily medicated for pain. We stopped and picked up her prescriptions. We got home and I got a couple of things done. Gary and I watched The Rock. (Loved this one too) And I am now not feeling so well, and am wondering why I told the kids I would take them to the rec center!? I felt I needed to get on the treadmill and eliptical and really felt like going. But now my head is starting to hurt. I'm starting to sweat even though I am cold.....repeat of the last 3 days. My sister, Sandra, knows how I'm feeling. She's feeling it too.

Maybe I'll just go lie down. I'll let you know.