Christmas!!!!!

We had a lovely Christmas. Christmas Eve was pretty bad. I was so sick all day. I was determined to go to church, but after throwing up all of breakfast and lunch, I decided to stay home. The rest of the day consisted of me lying on the couch. The Wests(Justin's sister and brother in law) have a tradition. For Christmas Eve dinner, they eat things that Jesus might have eaten. So we had Lamb, and couscous, hummus, pita, olives, stuffed grape leaves, shrimp cocktail (because we all know how much they loved shrimp cocktail back then... haha) and my contribution was stuffed mushrooms, which is not at all what He might have eaten, but that's ok. It was good. I couldn't really eat any of it, but I am sure it would have tasted good, had I easten it. Then we read The Living Christ and talked about the meaning of Christmas. Then the kids got new jammies and went to bed. Then the adults finnished wrapping gifts. It is the first time I have ever had to wrap gifts on Christmas Eve! But it has been a rough season. I am not as on the ball as usual. Christmas morning we woke up at about 8:30... I do not know how we managed that! And opened presents. My kids didn't have much, just a couple of small things from Santa and the main Santa gift. But they didn't seem to mind. Because they knew that when we get home we are going to have a whole nother Christmas! Justin got me the most amazing gift in the world! I must say, he did very well, but spent way too much. He got me a really fancy digital camera. It takes pictures and film. And not just 3 seconds of film! It is way too fancy for me. But I have figured it out pretty quickly and it is going to be so great to be able to download pictures onto my blog whenever I want to. I really wanted one before the baby came... I just didn't expect it so soon! I felt so bad b/c he told me not to bring any of his presents so I just brought his stocking stuffers, socks, candy and a Barnes and Noble gift card... But oh well. I got him some great stuff at home. For dinner yesterday we had turkey, which was delicious. I tried to eat a little of everything, but it was difficult. No fear of me gaining weight over these holidays, I guess. Which is GREAT! Then in the afternoon we went to see Charlotte's Web. Caroline just finnished the book and absolutely loved it, and I must confess, I loved it too!!! It was so cute. Even Hilton sat still long enough to enjoy it. The bigger teenage boys were not as excited but I think we are going to see Night in the Museum later this week, so that will make them happy. It was a beautiful Holiday. It has been so nice to be here and spend time in this beautiful home. ANd in GORGEOUS Ohio!!! I LOVE it here! I would love to live here! Although it is quite rainy, which they say is quite unusual for this time of year, I guess. It is usually very snowy. (Which I prefer.) When Hilton woke up yesterday, I said, "Do you know what today is?" He said, "Nooo..." I said, "It's Christmas!!!" He looked outside and then looked at me and said, "Mom, it is not Christmas! There's no snow!" Poor kid. Poor me. I wanted snow for Christmas too. Instead we got cold rain. Oh well. I can't wait to go home. But we still have almost another week. We leave to Utah on Thursday, and then go to St George on Friday. For my Grandmother's memorial. Then it is back up to Ogden on Saturday and home on Sunday. It is going to be a very long weekend. I hope I can make it. Especially with the way this kid is making me feel. But I am sure it is going to be nice to see all my family. It is just going to be hard. Anyway, until my next rant....

yesterday

Yesterday we took the kids to Chuckie Cheese and they had a blast! We don't have one near us anywhere and they really had a great time. Hilton wants to go back today! They played games and got tickets and got little pictures taken. They ate pizza and drank soda and generally had a great time. Then in the evening Justin's sister and brother-in-law, Jennifer and Randy, took us to a very fancy resturaunt for dinner. It was just the adults which was so wonderful. The place requires reservations and a coat for the men. Fancy! I had King crab legs which were absolutely divine!!! Justin had Sea Scallops which were also amazing. It was our 10th anniversary yesterday and they treated us. Justin got me an anniversary present!!! The first in I don't know many years. We always forget our anniversary because it is so close to Christmas. He got me a beautiful sterling silver bracelet, and I really don't want to know how much it cost because I am positive we could not afford it. But I love it especially because I rarely get jewlery. It was a great anniversary. I cannot believe it has already been 10 years. These years have really flown by. Sometimes I still feel like newly weds. I think our marriage now, is happier than it was when we were newly weds and I of course, love hime way more than I ever did before. I think I appreciate him more too. I know how hard he works and I appreciate that hard work to take care of the family. Anyway, enough mushy stuff. We are doing well. The mornings are the worst for me, but I have been sleeping in everyday, so I am getting some great rest. And everyone is really babying me because I am pregnant. We all have been discussing baby names and so far I hate all of them... But we have plent of time to get to that point. So I will sign off until another day. Only 2 more days until Christmas Eve! I am so excited I can hardly contain myself!!! So if I do not blog again until then, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

we're here

Well, we are in Ohio. The plane ride went fine. We had a ton of turbulance, but Heavenly Father was on my side and after a blessing from Justin and his dad, I was fine the whole trip! Much to my surprise! I was sure I would be sick the whole way. But all is well and we have been just taking it easy all day. The kids are having a blast with their cousins and we are really enjoying the company of the in-laws. I will write more when something exciting happens.

Grandma

My Grandma passed away this morning. It was a long struggle and I know, intellectually and spiritually this is for the best. But that doesn't make it easy. Grandma and I have a special bond. She and I share the same birthday. We share the same love of books and reading. We have the same taste in clothes and the same sense of humor. I loved to talk to her on the phone because she would tell me stories about her and DaddyPop. (my grandfather.) She would tell me stories of my mom and my uncle being impossible when I was lementing about my own kids. I loved to hear about her being alone with them when DaddyPop was on some trip or another. Grandma has always been extremely generous with me. She never batted an eyelash when I needed to borrow money for a move. And she always made it so easy to ask. I looked forward to her visits at Christmas time. She loved Justin too. Even when she was not doing well when I went down there this fall, she asked about him and said she wished he were there. I love you Grandma and will miss your presence on this earth. But I am grateful for the full knowledge that I have that I will see you again. I know you will be with me until that time.

Recipe and Doc appt

Bob's Peppermint Pie 1 envelope plain gelatin 1/4 cup cold water 1/2 cup heavy cream, plus 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, whipped 8 ounces peppermint candies, soft type (recommended: Bob's) 1 prepared chocolate cookie crust Crushed hard peppermint candies, for garnishSoften gelatin in water and set aside. Put 1/2 cup heavy cream in a small saucepan with candies and cook over low heat until candy melts. Add gelatin mixture and mix well. Let cool and fold in whipped cream. Pour into crust, sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies, and chill thoroughly. Here is the peppermintt pie recipe. It is super simple, but takes FOREVER to melt the mints. I even crushed them first. I went to the doc today and heard the baby's heart beat. She was surprised to be able to hear it on the doppler device, but we did. Everything looks good! Now, I don't know if there are two heads or not, but I feel a little better about things since I heard the heartbeat. I have felt kinda yucky yesterday and today, but nothing I can't handle. Hilton's last day of preschool was today and Justin went in to tell a story to the kids. The teachers were very impressed at his story telling skills. Hilton will miss preschool, but most of all, I will miss preschool...

Pregnancy induced dreams

I have felt really great the last few days and then last night, it hit again. We were at our friends' house for FHE and I was sick. Sick! But we got through the evening. She is pregnant and about to pop any day and was very sympathetic. We made beautiful Ginger bread houses that I will post a picture of later. And today I am not feeling entirely better. But... it is snowing furiously out so I have no plans to go anywhere today anyway. I will try to get my peppermint pies made and deliver them tomorrow. I have a Dr appt tomorrow, so I will report on anything exciting. I am thinking my baby only has one head though... that would be a relief. You never know when you're going to have a two-headed baby. Can you tell I am having pregnancy induced dreams???

Hodge Podge

We went to Christmas Tree Lane last night. That is where Justin and I had our first date 14 years ago! We took the kids to see all of the decorated Christmas trees. On campus in the Manwaring center there are some Christmas trees decorated by the different clubs and organizations on campus. It seems like they were a little better when we were students. But the kids enjoyed going on campus and it was free. We bagged the ward Christmas party because Justin wasn't in the mood and I wanted to get the kids in bed early. (And me in bed early.) So we had dinner at Frontier Pies and came home for homemade hot chocolate. Caroline had a rehearsal for her Christmas performance in church next sunday. She is part of an orchestra. She is so small compared to everyone else. They are all adults and high school students, but she holds her own. Then I had a presidency meeting. Then we went to Me & Stans for brunch. Then we just stayed home the rest of the day. I made gingerbread for the house we are going to make tomorrow for FHE and the house smelled divine! It was a nice, relaxing day. It has been about 40 degrees out for the past couple of days so the snow is starting to melt. But it is nice that it hasn't been so bitterly cold. I have felt really good for the past 3 days. My mom and dad fasted for me on Sunday and it worked!!! I have started to get uncomfortable in my clothes. I can't wear my jeans, and I had to get out my fat clothes from last year. But I am excited because that means my baby is growing!!! Anyway, I know this has been a hodge podge of stuff, but I have too much to say about everything. Happy Sunday!!!

Nutcracker and Buses

I accomplished a lot yesterday, and I managed it without to many stops to the restroom. Hilton and I went to Idaho Falls and finnished up Christmas shopping. So we got everyone done even extended family. I bought wrapping paper. I got a couple more pretty tree ornaments. (They were so gorgeous I couldn't resist.) I went to Target to get one thing and ended up with way more than I needed. I neglected to buy tape, so there has been no wrapping of presents yet, but I will buy some this morning. Caroline is on a field trip to IF to see the Nutcracker ballet. The entire school is going. She wore her black dress with pink ballet slippers on it and she wore her hair in a bun. I told her that she needed to wear a dress because when we go to the theater we need to be respectful and dress up, even if noone else does. She was excited. Hilton is going on a field trip for preschool. He is going to the BYU-I transportation dept. I don't know what that is all about, but whatever. He gets to ride a bus, so he is very excited. I am feeling pretty good today. I am out of bed, and only a little dizzy. But it is the weekend and I am happy about that. I still have a ton of things to do for my calling. Too many lists to make, but I will get it done. Have a great one!!!

My so called life

It has been a rough week. I had a great Sunday and was able to get through my first day at my calling with not much incident. But Monday came and I was once again reduced to lay on the couch. Yesterday was the worst of the days, but my friend Sarah brought dinner, so I did not have to cook, nor smell any protien related product, ie meat. I seem to be a little better today, which is good since I have got to get some stuff done. I have managed to keep the house clean between trips to the bathroom, but I have yet to buy wrapping paper and the things I need for friend gifts... So today, if I can manage, that is the plan. I am hoping that my Great Grains cereal will hold off the urps for a while and I can get some things done. This is the first time I have ever had the Christmas tree up with absolutely no beautiful gifts underneath. All because I am so lazy. Well, that is not really the reason, but it feels like it. Justin has been super about the whole thing and so have the kids. I have so many things to do before we leave for Ohio that I think I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. As the Primary secretary I have so many lists to make and packets to type up for the beginning of the year, I am beginning to worry it will not get done! Not to mention the talk assignments and finding a new CTR 5 teacher before the beginning of the year! This is a huge calling... but the president it very supportive and tells me to take it easy until I feel a little better. But all this stuff has to be done before the first of the year, or else noone can teach their classes, and that means it has to be done before I leave which is in a week and a half! But today I will get done as much as I can and hopefully my good feelings will last all day long. Although I am starting to feel a little queezy so I better get off the computer now...

Christmas stuff

Justin got the Christmas decorations out, but I am too tired and too sick to put them out. I brought the train in for Hilton to play with until we get the tree up (hopefully tonight) and he is loving life. I think that is his favorite part of Christmas. The train for around the tree. Justin's parents got it for us a few years ago and the kids really enjoy it. Next year we will have a baby trying to pull it apart and Hilton will be old enough to get really bugged by it. We went to the mall and got pictures done yesterday and saw Santa. Hilton is not good at professional photography. At home I can get him to pose and smile just how I want it. When we get it done by a pro, he will not smile right and he makes all kinds of goofy faces. Not intentionally, just because he can't help it. But he was not afraid of Santa this year which was a huge deal, his first pic with the big guy. He wrote him a "message" too. He wants a T-Rex Mountain and a Bob The Builder toy. Caroline wrote her own, she asked for a Lee Middleton Doll. I am excited for Christmas, even though the thought of making cookies makes me want to hurl. And I have big plans about this peppermint pie that I am making for my friends. But even morning sickness can't get me down. Try as it might.

Rough Days

I had a rough few days there. I have discovered that I have to get up in the middle of the night and have some crackers if I want to function the next day. I was ill all day Tues and Wed. But am feeling much better as long as I am stuffing my face. We are going to the mall to get pictures taken today and possibly see Santa. Hilton is beyond excited. I am just hoping we are getting there early enough in the season that it won't be horribly busy!

Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving was great. We went to Justin's parents' house and had a wonderful dinner. We were there for 3 days and just vegged out. The Bates got a new puppy. An 8 week old Shitzou named Maggie J. She is a furball and so cute. She was a great distraction for the kids. They never complained of being bored the whole weekend! To tell the Bates that we were having a baby, I had some photos from Caroline's birthday party. I put the ultrasound picture in with the photos and when Donna was looking through them she said, "What's this?" And then Caroline and Hilton told her that we were having a baby. They were really excited and very understanding of my present comatose state. I slept almost the entire time. I cannot get enough sleep. I sleep more than I am awake! On Friday we went to Macy's (What were we thinking???) to get some luggage that was on serious sale. We needed some badly since we are going to Ohio for Christmas. Then we went to the movies and saw Santa Claus 3 which the kids absolutely loved. We had a really great time at the in-laws, as always. Now it is time to decorate. If Justin would just get the things out for me! He is in no hurry because it is not Dec 1st yet. But we had a Christmasy FHE last night and had egg nog shakes for the treat, so maybe that will move him along a little. Today I have to read my book group book, Life of Pi. I have book group tomorrow and I haven't even gotten half way!

Hilton

Hilton woke up at 4am. He was ready to play. He is on crack or something. The child will not stop. And I am so tired. Luckily I went to bed at 8:30 last night or else I would be in worse shape. But I find I am much more tired with this pregnancy than with the other 2. And I was working with those! So I guess it is good that I'm at home. I can take naps. And I do. A lot of naps. He is totally bouncing off the walls, so maybe I should take him to the park so he can just play until he drops. I will bring a book or something. The walk would be good for me. Right? Is anyone else's kids saying, "Mom, can I get that?" every five minutes? If there is a commercial on tv, Hilton wants it. It doesn't matter if it is a girl toy or a boy toy. He doesn't care. He just wants it all. And everyday he asks to go to WalMart to buy it! He wants me to buy him a toy everyday! Forget that Christmas is only a month away! Who cares? He wants it NOW! I am sure no one else's kids are like this. It is only mine. What have I done to create this sleep deprived, self-indulgent child?

BIG, BIG, BIG NEWS!

I told you I was going to announce something big today. So here it is! I went to the doctor today and had my first ultrasound for the new Baby Bates! He or she will be born July 1, 2007. I am 8 weeks along today. It is going to be a very high risk pregnancy with my diabetes, it will be my 3rd c-section, but I am so excited! Justin is still in shock and not a little annoyed, but he is coming around. This was not a planned pregnancy, we thought we were doing a great job at preventing it, and have been for 10 years, but I guess when Heavenly Father has a plan, you just go with the flow. Anyway, I am very excited but still nervous. Any number of things could go wrong, so all of your prayers and thoughts are welcome!

Halloween Pics

These are pics from Halloween. I hand made each costome... Okay, I am lying, But I really do wish I were as talented as my cousin to do that. Hilton is a Dragon (even though it is a dinosaur costume, he doesn't care. He still wears it almost everyday!) Caroline is a Barbie Fairytopia fairy. This is in our living room and behind the children on the mantle are our fish. Fin is on the left, Goldy (the dear departed) is in the middle and Chloe is on the right. I am a mean mom because I made Caroline wear a turtle neck under her costume. And she had a coat on over it. But it was FREEZING!

HILARIOUS!

Hilton did something so funny yesterday! But I will preface it with, we NEVER use the word "butt" in this house. We say "bum" or "bottom." Okay, Justin does this really crude thing sometimes with Hilton. When he has a bare bottom, he pretends to talk with it. (Ala Jim Carrey) Anyway, yesterday when I was on the phone with Justin, Hilton came into the livingroom with his pants down, talking with him bottom. He spoke in a robot voice saying, "Hello, I am RoButt!" I kid you not! I have NO idea where he got that. He totally came up with it all on his own. But I just lost it! It was so hilarious! At the same time that I am laughing hysterically, I am saying, "Hilton, that is not appropriate. You are not being modest!"

Nothing cool

For the past 2 days I have been trying to post more pics and blogger won't let me! I am so sorry. I have nothing to share at this time, but I promise I will post something cool and exciting by Monday... Blogger permitting!

Sick Caroline

I was up most the night with Caroline. She woke up at around midnight with a stomach bug. Poor thing. She was so concerned about making a mess. The sheets stayed clean, though! I was very happy about that. This morning she is doing ok. I just hope she is okay the rest of the day. I cannot have healthy kids at all during the winter months. If it is not one, it is the other!

Poor Goldy

I am afraid we had a death in the family. Goldy died of natural causes yesterday. She was a teeny tiny goldfish so I didn't expect her to live long. But Caroline is devastated. In the morning when she fed her she was fine, swimming happily. Then in the afternoon when she checked on her, she was gone. To a better place. The giant goldfish bowl in the sky. This does not in the least console Caroline. I told her we could get another one, but she said no way. She doesn't want another one to die on her again. So we might get another Beta. When the mourning period is over.

Photos

These are photos of Caroline's birthday at Gringos. That was her birthday dinner of choice. She loved it because they sang to her and gave her fried ice cream. And the other photos are of my pumpkin party. You see the pumpkin bread bowls in the middle of the table. And my gorgeous table cloth! In the other photo you can see my pumpkin soup tureen in the middle. And little cards telling what kind of soups were in the bowls.

Horrible Haircut

Yesterday we went to IF to get our hair cut. Hilton got a big boy haircut. He looks very cute. This means, he no longer has the bowl cut he has had for several years. As you may recall, last time he got his hair cut he wanted it to look like a bear... Well, it is a little closer to looking like a bear, now. I, on the other hand, look like a boy. I told the girl exactly what to do. I showed her how short I wanted it. She cut it about 3 inches shorter. And being the blind person I am, had no idea. She asked me to take my glasses off, and when I put them back on, my hair was GONE! I look awful and I am very disappointed. But it will grow back. In a couple of months it will be exactly how I wanted it. She gave me the haircut I wanted, just 3 inches too short! Well, it will be easy to take care of... Just think positive, right?

Pics Caroline's birthday

Caroline's class on her birthday. Hilton is standing next to her. The rest are all from her birthday party here at home. Remember the theme was PINK!

Another, another day

I got to talk to Justin last night. He went to see Tarzan yesterday and he said it was amazing! He loved it! I am really surprized because he was not looking forward to that one. He said in the very beginning there is a shipwreck and on stage there is a big giant tank and all the people are swimming trying to get to the top. He thought it was so neat! I just can't even imagine! They went to China Town and he bought a wok. I don't know, don't ask me what he was thinking! He bought the kids some things and he said he bought me a pasmina. I don't know how to spell that. Anyway, he is having a wonderful time and today should be a lot of fun too! I am getting tired of a dirty house. I have to clean. I will dust today because I just have to do it. I cannot stand it anymore. I will mop the floors tomorrow. I have been vacuuming. I will hold off on cleaning the bathrooms. I will do that on Saturday. I have just been kind of bored. It was great to go shopping yesterday, but today I realize I have nothing else to buy. So I am going to be so bored for the next several weeks. Oh well... it's good that I got that stuff done, right?

QUEEN OF SHOPPING!!!

I AM THE QUEEN OF SHOPPING!!! I have gotten all of the kids' and Justin's Christmas shopping done. I am DONE! I went to Toys R Us today and got some great deals on everything! I ordered a few things online, and I feel like I have gotten the best prices on everything that I got. I am so cool. Too cool for even myself. But I love to shop. I love to shop so much that I even do shopping for family members. But everyone knows that I am the QUEEN OF SHOPPING. Bow down to ME! Mere mortals. You can never profess to be the kind of shopper that I am. (Ok, if you are offended by this blog, you shouldn't read it. And secondly, I have an excuse for being so obnoxious... Justin is not here. I am usually just obnoxious to him... when he comes home. I do this in private. And since I have no outlet, with him in New York... I have to let it out somehow!)

Another day

Well, Hilton went to bed at 6pm last night. I knew he was exhausted. He woke at 3:30 wanted to watch tv. He was up for an hour bothering me. But fell asleep with me. Then woke at 6am and I got him to go back to sleep and slept until almost 8am. I hope he does well tonight. I talked to Justin last night. He was so tired so we didn't talk long. He said they went to Ground Zero and Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty yesterday. He loved the statue and Ellis Island. He had never been before. They sae Wicked last night and he said it was pretty spectacular. He told me someone famous who was in it, but of course, I can't remember who it was. Today he goes to see Company, and then tonight Tarzan. Tomorrow night they see Mary Poppins, Friday night they see Les Mis. On Saturday he is going to see a new play called Grey Gardens, and then on Saturday night he will see Martin Short's play, Fame Becomes Me. That is basically his week. Caroline is already counting the hours until he gets home. She really misses him. So do I, except that I know I am going to have to clean this house all day Saturday. And because Hilton is sick I am stuck at home all week. I have friends who offered to take the kids for a few hours so I could have some peace, but that isn't going to happen now. I have a friend who invited me for dinner tonight and she has 5 kids including a newborn baby, so that is definitely not happening, but she said she is going to bring dinner over anyway! I told her that was silly, I don't need that. It's not like I'm sick or anything. But she insisted because she had already planned on dinner anyway. It is very sweet of her. It is really nice to have good friends. So today will be a lot like yesterday. Doing nothing...

What a Night

I was in a complete dead sleep when Hilton comes up to the side of my bed barking like a seal and hardly breathing. I tried to calm him down but he was getting worse. He could not take a breath, so I got dressed, woke up Caroline and put the kids in the car. Off we went to the emergency room at 11:30 pm. Not too late, actually. Usually the night air helps the croup. but it is unusually warm this week. It was 55 degrees which did not help him at all. I know, you probably would think it would be better to have warmer weather, but in this case, not so. We got their and they made him top priority because he just was not breathing. He was starting to get lethargic because he wasn't getting oxygen. They listened to his lungs, gave him breathing treatments, then gave him a steroid, which he began vomiting, so they tried again. He started breathing better at about 2:30am. When we finally got home, Caroline and Hilton were not sleepy, but they eventually fell back asleep, only to awake just a couple hours later at 7am. What is WITH these kids?! So I am on the computer trying to stay awake. Caroline is at school, and Hilton is playing Dragon in his costume and terrorizing his airplane which is apparently going to Texas.

Justin's trip

Well, Justin is on a plane on his way to New York. He is going to have a great time. He gets to see 7 Broadway plays. He is going to all the touristy spots. He gets to have great food. And Caroline is most upset because he gets to ride in a taxi and sleep in a Hotel. WhooPee! But I am so happy for him that he was able to go. I am glad most of all that we don't have to pay for it! He is going with the Theatre Dept as a chaperone and to do some recruiting or something. But he gets to have a ton of fun along the way. He said to me that I shouldn't be jealous because last month I got to go to St George. Of course, I brought the kids, and I was housebound taking care of my Grandmother, but it is kind of the same. New York/St George, you can hardly tell the difference! But I do not begrudge him this wonderful opportunity. This is a totally once in a lifetime chance and I am so glad he was able to go. So, I am home alone with the kids. All alone. But that does mean one thing, I am not cooking or cleaning the WHOLE week. We will be having sandwiches and soup. And the kids won't even care! I will read all week, and not worry that the dust is accumulating on the furniture. I will have to vacuum everyday, because, ew, the floor gets yucky. But I am not going to mop the floor once until Saturday! Yea me!!!

Gettin' Ready

Today is a rainy and cold day. I don't plan on doing a whole lot except for mopping the kitchen floor. I am in the middle of a mystery novel, (total trash...) and I have GOT to finnish it. I have to go to Caroline's class this morning for the weekly duty, but other than that I am free. I am in the mood to shop. I don't really know why. But I would like to spend some money. ANd I am getting in that Holiday mood ready for Christmas decorations. I looked at some magazines yesterday and got all excited about what food I will prepare on Christmas eve, and what kind of gifts I will be making for friends etc. I love this time of year. And I am not the least bit upset that it starts so early, either. That just means more time for Holiday Cheer! So get ready to Deck the Halls people! It is time to Fa La La!!!

Still Losing!!!!!!!!

I have lost another 2 lbs! That is 26, ladies! I am so happy! I never thought I could lose over 20. And here I am. It is taking forever, but at least it is coming off. I am so grateful for that! I continue to lose, slowly but surely and am not gaining. That is the biggest triumph of all! I just need to keep it up. I would like to lose 7 more by Christmas, I will take what I can get... believe me!

Halloween

Halloween is fun... I love the whole deal. But getting Caroline ready was a real pain. She has become such a drama queen. Wanting everything the way she wants it. And she is so concerned about being embarrassed! But I finally got her hair and makeup done for her Fairy costume. She looked very cute and I took pics. Hilton absolutely loved the whole thing! We first went to a lame Trunk or Treat at the church. It was in the cultural hall and just a bunch of people sitting on chairs handing out candy. Then we went Trick or Treating in our own neighborhood. We were only out for about 20-30 minutes. Caroline was really complaining about being cold. Hilton could have stayed out an hour if I let him! But it was FREEZING!!! So I was ready to go in too. The kids got plenty of candy and were very satisfied with their haul. Justin and I haven't even invaded their candy buckets. We had several Trick or Treaters come to our house. More than at any other house we have been in. All in all it was a successful night. We were home by 6:30 and the kids were in bed at the usual time. That was my biggest concern. But poor Hilton doesn't understand why all the Halloween stuff is gone. He wants to have Halloween again tonight! We went to Broulim's today and he was so upset to see that the pumpkin maze was gone and the spooky decorations were all gone. But I am sure he will get over it soon enough since all the Christmas stuff is out!

New Additions

We would like you all to join us in welcoming our new additions: Goldy, Chloe, and Finn. No, I have not been hiding a triplet pregnancy. I wish it were that exciting. But this weekend a friend of Caroline's gave her a teeney, tiny gold fish. She named her Goldy. Then Hilton wanted a fish too. I have been meaning to get some for the kids for a few months now, but just have not gotten around to it. So today, Hilton and I picked out 2 more fish to add to the family. Chloe is Hilton's Beta. She is red and blue and gorgeous. He named her himself. And Finn is mine. he is a fiesty blue Beta who is taking the place of what should be another baby or at least a puppy. But I have to settle for a fish with personality. We have the Betas in 2 nice big vases and Goldy is in a small goldfish bowl. They look really pretty on our mantel, but I am sure once Justin gets home, he will put them somewhere else. Soooo, I have 3 more babies to tend.

Our Weekend

On Saturday we inteded to go to the corn maze. I was all excited because we were going to be doing it as a family and we were doing something fall-y. But when we told the kids what we were going to do, Caroline said, "Well, what do you do?" I said it was a maze and we try to find our way out. She said, "So all we do is walk around?" Well, yes, but it is fun because you have to find your way out! Um, that doesn't sound fun. It sounds BORING! And then of course Hilton chipped in, Yeah, Mom, BORING! So we ended up going on go-carts, which they both absolutely loved. And I admit that Justin and I loved it too. Then the kids bounced on those inflatable bouncy things. So we had a good time,a nd the kids did too. Even though we did not go to the corn maze. That night we went to some peoples' house for dinner. The Ricks are in our ward and very nice to us. Justin cast their 9 year-old daughter as the rabbit in Charlie Brown this summer and they just think he hung the moon. There were 2 other couples there. We had smoked Chicken and baked beans and Italian sodas. I made a lovely green salad. I was a little disappointed that I had to do the salad because it is so boring... But I made a great green salad. If I do say so myself. It had lettuce and pears and blue cheese and walnuts and I used Balsamic Vinegrette for the dressing. It was absolutely a HUGE hit! And so simple. It was quite a dull time though because eveyone there was quite a bit older than us. Everyone has children that are married or in college and one couple has granchildren. The things they were talking about just did not interest me. And they were very gossipy. They all talked about people in the ward. Which, I am NOT being judgemental. I am just saying it was boring. None of it interested me. I was done after about an hour. And we were there for over 2 hours. Plus, I was sitting at a piano bench and my back was killing me after 2 hours. But the food was great! The woman is from Louisiana so she had a recipe and smoker from Louisiana. It was wonderful and made me a little homesick (or food-sick) for Louisiana! There is no food better than there! So that was our weekend in a nutshell. Church was church. I made a yummy apple pie and Ham for dinner yesterday. So it was a great sunday dinner. Of course, I did not have any of the apple pie, but judging by what is left today (maybe 2 pieces) I would say that Justin liked it!

I'm tired

I am tired. Hilton is jsut not sleeping through the night and I am exhausted. I need a nap. So I really have nothing to blog about... except that I want to sleep. Oh, we went and saw Spitfire Grill last night. It is a musical. The music is horrible. I hated it. But the actual performances were fine. And they all had decent voices. It was just the lack of material to work with. The story was great and touching. I loved that. But the music... yuck. So that is my professional critique. I am going to lay down while Hilton is watching a movie. I do not know how the child functions!

Snowy day

It is snowing! Yes, real snow! Stick on the ground, white, fluffy, snow. Our first snow of the year. Last year it didn't come until after Thanksgiving. I hope this doesn't mean that we are going to skip fall. I don't think so. I think it is just a fluke. But it is exciting. I was going to go to Idaho Falls today, but now I will have to stay home. But it is the perfect weather for finishing my book. I only have 20 more pages, and book club is tonight. Sooo, I will have a nice cozy day inside...

Pumpkin Party

Sorry I have not been able to post. Blogger was down and I didn't have the computer today. I tried to post on Sunday and it wouldn't work. Anyway, the party was a hit! It was a shower for my friend who had a little baby boy about 6 weeks ago. She insisted on not having a shower so I tricked her into having one by calling it a luncheon with a theme. Our theme was Pumpkins! And they happened to name the baby Peter, so on the invitation we put, "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater..." It was very cute. We had 3 kinds of soup, chicken corn soup, beef with barley soup and cheesy veggie soup. Then we had bread bowls that were made to look like pumpkins that we ordered from Broulims. (The local grocery store.) I had my pumpkin soup tureen, and I borrowed someone elses pumpkin soup tureen and we had a green bowl to put the other soup in. Then we had Pumpkin Roll and Pumpkin squares for dessert. YUM! For our drink, I made a peach slush which was orange in color, and looked perfect. Of course we had all kinds of fall decorations everywhere and I bought a gorgeous plaid table cloth to put on the table. It has all the fall colors. We ate and talked and then we played "Baby Bunko," a game another gal made up and we had prizes for everyone! We had little pumpkin mugs, pumpkin candles, pimpkin magnets and even pumpkin butter spreaders. And I won a big prize for the "Fuzzy Pillow prize." It was a warm, fuzzy fleece blanket. It is all mine and big enough for me to wrap up in on those cold Rexburg evenings. All in all the party was a HUGE hit. Everyone said how cute my house is and loved all the decor. I was very satisfied. And now that it is over, I am even happier!

day-dawn is breaking

It is 7 am on Saturday morning. The day of the pumpkin party. I thought I had a ton to do, but I really don't. I have the soup on the stove, and the dishes are washing, I am doing a load of laundry, the kitchen is clean, and I am on the computer. I went to a party last night. Actually the girl I am having the shower for had a pumpkin-carving contest, for adults. We had Chimichangas and I made my friend Ginny's pumkin cake. (Which was a HUGE hit!!! It all got eaten and people were raving about it!!! Thanks, Ginny!) We had fun carving pumkins and Justin and I came in 2nd place. We were happy with that since we seemed must less prepared than others. People took this very seriously. Justin was not very enthusiastic, until he saw how the other husbands were doing all the work. Then he dug right in and got his fingers dirty. I will try to post a picture of it later. But anyway, my hair still smells from the oil of the Chimichangas and I need a shower bad!!! So I will be doing that. My friend, Erin is coming over at 10 to help get set up, and then at 11:30 the guests will start to arrive! I am nervous. Everyone always talks about how clean my house always is. I have a lot to live up to! But I am going to let it go. It is clean and looks festive. It will be a very fun party and I will be soooo glad when it is over!

Dracula

I am currently reading Braham Stoker's Dracula. Can I just tell you how much I adore this book? I admit, I was skeptical because it is a classic and I have a slight aversion to the classics. I don't know why, because I always seem to like them when I get around to reading them. But this book is soooo good. I was also a little nervous because the other gals in my book group have been talking about how boring it is. I just don't understand that at all! It is thrilling. I can't put it down! I wish I had more hours or even minutes in the day to read so I could read more. Instead I have to help with homework, violin, make dinner, go to parent meetings, boring stuff. I would much rather be reading Dracula. The descriptions are so beautiful and the language makes me want to cry. I want to live in the late 1800's and to wear beautiful dresses and say things like, "I don't use slang." But this book is one of the best I have read in a while and I am so glad we are reading it this month. It is a little scary, but not too much so, but sooo entertaining. I had the same experience with East of Eden. I was convinced it was going to be totally boring and didn't want to read it because it was a classic. And I was so pleasantly surprised that it is now one of my favorite books of all time. So I guess I have learned a lesson. I should not be afraid of classics. They are classics for good reason. But I probably have not absolutely learned my lesson. Sometime, probably in the near future, I will not want to read another classic and hopefully I will once again, be surprised and pleased!!!

Space man

Last night Hilton was up about 7 hundred and seventy eight times. The first time he woke up, he said he felt sick. So I got the sick bowl and put it beside his bed. The other 777 times he just was doing it to annoy me. I am convinced of this. Anyway, he was totally fine this morning. Why am I posting about this? Because this is the conversation we just had: H: I'm a space man! M: cool. H: I'm a space man because I have the throw up bowl on my head. M: cool! H: Can you build me a space airplane? Can you build me a space airplane? MOM!!!!!! M: yes? H: Can you build me a space airplane? M: Ummmm, I don't know how. H: Okay. I'm a space man with a throw up bowl on my head!!! M: cool. I'm tired. Still, just give me a break, okay? If I were a good mom I would have said, sure, honey let's build a space ship together!!! But I am a bad mom. A bad, bad mom, who is now going to go read a book.

one more down

I lost another lb! That makes 24!!! Only 76 to go... anyway, I hope it keeps working!!!

Pink Party and Lucky #7

Thank goodness that is over! I am all partied out! The pink party has come and gone. It was just wonderful! We had 15 girls here and they all had a blast!!! First we played "pin the horn on the unicorn." Then we had a Hello Kitty pinata, which was a huge hit! The girls got a ton of candy. And then the girls each decorated their own cupcake with pink candy. And to drink, they had strawberry floats: strawberry ice cream with strawberry soda. Caroline opened her presents while the screamed and ooohed and aaaahed, and then they each got treat bags and balloons. All the girls were wearing pink and they were very cute. Caroline had "the best birthday ever!" And several girls said it was the best party they had ever gone to, which made me feel really good! The kids totally OD'd on sugar, but I didn't care since I got to send them all home! Caroline got more than enough gifts! She was very excited. Then we went out to Gringos for dinner and they put a hat on her head and sang to her and gave her fried ice cream. It was one exciting birthday. And earlier I went to her classroom at school and everyone sang happy birthday and we had cookies and I showed everyone cute baby pictures of her and she told everyone what her favorite things are. It was a pretty great day, even though it rained all day and even hailed at the end of the party! But at least it didn't snow! I am just happy that we did not plan an outside party! It was beautiful all last week and today it was freezing and wet. But I just cannot believe my baby is 7! next year she will be baptized! Her favorites are: color:pink place to eat: McDonalds food:chicken nuggets sport:soccer thing that is hers: American Girl Doll clothes: purple shopping dress subject at school:centers ice cream: vanilla with chocolate place to visit:Grandma and Grandpa's So that is Caroline in her 7 year old nutshell. She is so grown up. She is very well-behaved and well-mannered. She is very sensitive and loves her friends and family. She gets embarassed very easily and gets mad when I do anything to embarass her. That includes talking about boys. She really hates that. She helps me out all the time. She is very talented musically, she loves to make up songs on the piano and to play songs by ear on the piano and violin. She is constantly humming. Constantly!!! She never stops! And when we are listening to the radio or a cd she always knows the words! I don't know how. She has a love of reading that is like my own, which I love. She loves to read the "Box car Children" books and "Dick and Jane." I amazed more and more each day by how smart she is. And she is so cute and beautiful. She is missing her front top tooth right now and loves to have her hair in pony tails. Caroline is my most favorite girl in the world. I love her more than anything and am so glad she came to our family.

23 lbs down

Has my plateau ended? After 2 months of not losing anything, I lost 2 lbs this week. Now, I am not going to get my hopes up, but boy was I excited! I was so worried about gaining weight since I couldn't exercise the whole time I was in St George. But I LOST!!! I just can't even believe it. For those of us keeping count, that is 23lbs altogether. I am very pleased. Maybe that little break kick started my metabolism. And after my water aerobics workouts, my body finally let go of some more weight. I just hope it lasts! I am going to be praying that I continue to lose. Especially at this time of year. It is going to start to be very difficult, very soon. Halloween candy, Thanksgiving, Christmas, my Pumpkin Party is coming up next week... but I have resisted before, I can totally do it. Right? I did not walk at all this week. I am catching up on sleep. I have been so sleepy! The night before last, I went to bed at 9 and woke up at 11 am!!! I slept 14 hours!!! I didn't know that was possible. Anyway, wish me luck! I have got to lose more weight!!! I would love to lose another 10 lbs by Christmas. That would make my year!!! So give me advice, give me encouragement, give me money... oh, wait, no you don't have to give me money! Unless, of course, you want to give me money. I won't argue...

invitations and H2O aerobics

My friend dropped off the invitations for my other friend's baby shower. I cannot even tell you how cute they are. I mean, soooo cute. I never in a million years could have thought of something like that. So now I have to deliver all 20 of them. Which is going to be difficult since I don't know where most of them live. But I will get it all done. This morning in water aerobics I got my foot floats. Ok we do deep water aerobics which means you need floats to hold you up. I have been using a float that goes around my waste. I finally got used to that. And I was getting good at all of the exercises! And then today I got the ones that go on my ankles. These things are powerful!!! I got in the pool and ended up with my feet in the air and my face in the pool! It was humiliating. But everyone assured me it happens to everyone when you first get them. It took me the entire class to get the basics again. Very frustrating. But, boy, what a workout!!

Lots to do

I am home. And very happy to be here. I have a beautiful new diningroom set, new end tables, a piano, numerous lamps and many other treasures from my grandmother. It has been so fun to go through all of the stuff and determine where to put it. Although, Justin had pretty much done all of that before I even got home. Yesterday Caroline and I went shopping for her stuff for her "Pink Party." Her birthday is on Monday and we have invited a ton of girls over for what will prove to be a fiasco, I am sure. But she is excited because we got lots of pink stuff. Her party bags will be filled with Hello Kitty Pez dispensers, pink "snowballs," and tons of pink candy. I thought it would be easier than it was to find pink stuff. There is pink stuff everywhere but you have to buy all the other colors too in order to get pink. They don't sell a lot of just pink. If I had thought ahead I could have found a ton of stuff online, but I didn't. We made the invitations yesterday. Caroline picked out the paper and stickers. I cut them all out, she glued them together and put the stickers on. She was very proud of her accomplishment. If I had a digital camera I could publish a picture of them... but I don't. But they were very cute and very cute. I just hope people will be able to come. I am always afraid that noone will come! Anyway, I am hoping we have given people enough notice. Today I have to clean the house because Justin's parents are coming up, I have to go to the store to pick up some things, and then sometime this week I have got to get Caroline's birthday presents!!! I haven't even thought about it! But it will get done before Monday... Maybe Justin's parents can watch the kids while I do a little shopping. Anyway, I have a busy weekend ahead of me. I have not had time to sit down since I got home on Sunday. I don't like being this busy. But it is good for me. Maybe I am burning calories...

Better Days

Ok. SO yesterday was so much better. And Mom and Dad are way ahead of schedule and expect to be home this evening! And Justin totally misses me and wants me to come home. Which feels great because he loves to be on his own. But maybe he just wants a clean house... No, he really misses me and it makes me so happy. And I watched LOST last night which is such a good show and keeps getting better and freakier every day! The kids went to bed on time last night so I had some time by myself that I felt unstressed. So it was much better. Today I have been cleaning so the house is perfect for Mom and Dad when they get home. They are always so busy that they don't have time to really clean. THe house is not dirty by any means, but I think it will just be nice for them to come home and not have to do anything. But I did get some frightening news! My sister called me last night and her ex-husband's mother died last night! She had diabetes and it was a heart attack related to that. Boy was that a wake up call for me! Just crazy that you can really die from this disease! Granted she did not take care of herself at all. No diet or exercise or anything, but I realize that I really need to get in gear and lose weight so I can totally be free of this thing. I don't want to die! So I will really make a better effort. I haven't falllen off the wagon but I know I can work harder and that is what I am going to do. I am totally going to get rid of diabetes. I don't want to just control it, I want to get rid of it all together! Anyway... I am hoping to be home by Saturday.

Locked out

OK. It could be worse. I recognize that. But at this point, I am so tired that I can't think how. But today will be a better day. I will tell you my story. Last night I was putting Hilton to bed in my parents' room. That is where we are sleeping. Hilton was not ready to go to bed. He kept screaming and crying and generally making me mad. Finally, he decided he had had enough and was NOT going back in that room and he locked the door. Usually no big deal on a bedroom door, right? Except this door needs a key. Like a key to the front door or something. I tried every single key in the house. Then I called my parents who are on the road from Michigan back to here. I said to my dad, "Please tell me you have a key to your bedroom." He said, "no, of course not, why would we?" He didn't even realize that his bedroom door had a key lock. He thought it would just be one of those locks that you just stick a paper clip into and pop it. So I tried everything to get this lock open. I used a hair pin, several paper clips, keys, key/paper clip combinations. Nothing worked. I tried the window but it was locked. I called some of Mom and Dad's friends and they came over and tried to get it open. NOTHING! There was nothing I could do. So I called a locksmith. He popped it right open with his handy dandy little burgulary tools. Then I asked him to PLEASE make me a key, and after a HUGE chunk of money late, I was in the bedroom again trying to get my son to go to bed. Now, I called the locksmith and he got there at about 10:30 at night. Hilton did not go to bed until after 11:00. I needed chocolate. Yes, I am an emotional eater, but it made me feel better and I did not go into a diabetic coma. But I also did not get to bed until after midnight. Then Hilton was up at 7am. I still want to beat the child, but I am controlling myself and blogging about it instead. Hoping and praying that today is a much better day... and night.

HIVES

My kids have hives. My parents have a dog and I think that has to be it. Caroline is worse off than Hilton, but they are both pretty miserable. Hilton has several sores on his tongue so he doesn't want to eat. Caroline has one in her mouth but is covered all over her body. Some places are worse than others. Her legs and arms have it the worst. Hilton only has them on his arms and legs, not on his trunk, but they are not as bad as Caroline's. I am going to give them an oatmeal bath and hopefully that will soothe them a little. I have some Benedryll too... Poor kids. They are never going to want to come back here again! And we still have several days to go. Justin's parents may have to come down and get them!

Sleeping positions

Sleeping with your children is so different from sleeping with your husband. The kids kick and cuddle and generally annoy me. I have gotten used to sleeping with my husband. We both have our boundries. A No-Cross zone, if you will. Children do not respect this zone and it is really irritating. But is only for another week or so. You would think with my parents' gigantic king size bed, there would be plently of room for all three of us... (Caroline, Hilton and me) but the bed is not big enough for the 3 of us. If the kids would just lay there without moving in your normal vertical position, everything would be great! But they are both constantly moving. And they cannot stay vertical. They end up horizontal with someone's foot in my face and someone else's foot in my back. The joys of vacation. I want my bed back, with my normal-sleeping husband.

Spud Harvest

I am eating my lunch in between doing things to get ready to go to St George. I will be going down for almost 2 weeks to stay with my Grandmother. THe kids are coming with me. Caroline has Spud Harvest Break. For those who don't know, it is potato harvest time in Idaho and some kids still live on farms and have to harvest potatoes, so the kids have a week and a half off from school. So we are going south to warmer weather. We will miss Justin, but it will be nice to get away and see my sister and sisters-in-law and grandma. And the kids are really excited to play with their cousins. So I am off! But I will ahve access to a computer down there so you can't get rid of me.

Reality TV and pushy bishops

Today I woke up very sleepy because I stayed up until midnight watching Project Runway. I just couldn't help it. Last night I went to Book Group and afterwards took the girls home that I drove and we all stayed in the driveways talking and talking forever. Then I got home at 11:00 and I was too awake to go to sleep. Usually Justin will stay up with me to watch but he hasn't been feeling well so he was gone... Out like a light. So I stayed up and watched one of the best reality tv shows on! Ok, I admit, I am a reality TV junky. It is horrible. I am the first one to say, STOP THE MADNESS! No more reality tv. But it is just so good. Soooo real... oh, yeah... But just funny and entertaining. Project Runway is about fashion designers competing to win money to start their own collections. It is awesome. I also love the Amazing Race. My friend Chelsi got me hooked in St George and I haven't missed an episode since. And this season is no exception! I just can't get enough. I like Dancing with the Stars but I don't HAVE to watch every week. As long as I know who gets kicked off, I am cool. I am the same about Rockstar. That is pretty much all I am into. I have enough other tv shows I have to keep up with. Oh, so we go in to see the bishop the other night. He was giving us callings. But first he wanted to get to know us a little so we told him. He said, "are these your only children?" We said yes. He said, "Huh... Do you plan on having more?" OK! How insolent can you be? That is the rudest thing ever!!! I was so mad. but Justin was calm and said, "Maybe." Then the bishop said that he had 9 and the other counselor in there has 5. He warned us there is something in the water here so we had better watch out. We said we would. Sometimes living in Mormonville is not all it's cracked up to be. Thank goodness the whole town isn't as ignorant as our bishop. But unfortunately, he is our bishop... Maybe he is a nice guy, but so far, I am not impressed.

33

I am 33. My birthday was yesterday and not a totally tragic event. I didnot lose 33 lbs like I had hoped. But my clothes are loose on me and people are noticing that I have lost weight. Even if my husband doesn't. He just sees me every day... But I am ok with being 33. I am not where I thought I would be at 33. But where I am is a good place. I am happy in this 33 place. I have a great family and a nice home and I love my town and I love being involved in things. I have good friends who care about me and what I am doing. I don't get to eat good food all of the time but I made an exception on my birthday. Justin got me a chocolatey chocolate ice cream cake. It was devil's food cake with chocolate ice cream with chocolate shavings in it, then covered in fudge ganache. It was decadent, and evil and something I should only do once a year. But I felt like I deserved it; being 33 and all. So am I in my mid-thirties now? Or am I still in my early 30's? I think I would like to stay in my early 30's for one more year, if that is ok. I am still trying hard to deal with the fact that I am no longer in my 20's. This is difficult. Although someone said to me just last week that I don't look old enough to have a 6 year old. Do you know how GREAT that felt!!!??? Conceivably I could have a child much older than 6. I could have a 13 year old! Because I am 33. But having a young oldest child keeps me young. Caroline turning 7 is going to be a hard day for me. Just a few more weeks away... But for now, I will have to be happy being 23. Oh, I mean 33, that's right, 33.

First Day of School

These are some pictures from Caroline's first day of school. Oops, Sorry, I don't know how to turn that one the right way, but if you turn your head sideways, you can see just fine. Notice Caroline's SuperGirl backpack. And she is wearing her new jean jacket, that she picked out herself. Her outfit is cute too, but I dodn't get the whole thing. Anyway, I cannot believe my little girl is in first grade. In just 3 short weeks she will be 7!!!

Splash Park

These pictures are from the new Splash Park this summer. The kids really loved it and still ask to go even though it is freezing cold!!! It is now closed for the season. It opened a little later than planned. It was supposed to be open for Memorial Day, then 4th of July, then 24th of July. It opened on the 21st of August. Not much time to enjoy it before the weather got chilly. But they still loved it. And it is free, so that is the best part. It is at Porter Park, right next to the Carousel. So it used to be right across the street from us. That was so great! Now we have to drive to get there, but that's okay. We don't have to deal with all of the traffic associated with it anymore being right across the street. People blocking and parking in our driveway... But it is a welcome addition to Rexburg!

Caroline's Soccer team

These pics are from Caroline's soccer team this summer. There were 2 kids missing from the picture. The one where she is walking is right after she got a goal. She is so awesome. Justin chickened out at the ward party. He didn't want to do the song in front of everyone so Caroline just played her violin. She played brilliantly and everyone cheered for the tiny girl playing the tiny violin. I met some people so I don't feel as bad about the ward now. But I do miss my friends from my old ward. Last night I went to play Bunko with all of them. It was a lot of fun and was nice to see them again and catche up on news. Everyone has had their babies by now. I am no longer the only one not pregnant. Noone is pregnant anymore. They all have cute little boys. Except one girl. 8 boys and one girl. Isn't that crazy?

Rigby Lake & We're the Bates

These are the kids at Rigby Lake this summer...It was a little over cast and cloudy and chilly. Then it got nice later... Tonight we have to do a family "skit" for the ward party to introduce ourselves. Caroline is going to play the violin and we made up words to the song to sing along to. It goes like this... We're the Bates And we want to tell you All about our little family This is Justin he teaches at the college This is Jenny she's always on a diet This is Caroline she is into soccer This is Hilton he gets in Everything. So, it is not as effective without the music, but you get the idea. Anyway, if you think the line about me is funny, it was Caroline's idea. At FHE last night we were trying to decide what to say about each of us. We thought of everyone except me and then Caroline came up with that. Funny? Yes. But disturbing. The problem is, I don't want my children to have a complex about their bodies because of me. But I have tried to make it very clear that the reason I am on a diet is for my health. Caroline knows I have diabetes and can't have sugar and she knows that I am trying to be healthy. She makes good food choices because of it. I hope I am teaching her properly and not making my child grow up with an eating disorder!

Update

I have been trying to post more oics for 3 days now and it is not working. I have no idea what is going on, but you are just going to have to wait. Sorry! Well, today was Hilton's first day of preschool and he had a great time. I did too! I got so much done. It was much too short. But I will take what I can get. I got the kitchen completely cleaned, swept, mopped, everything. I got both of the kids' rooms picked up and the house vacuumed and dusted. It was lovely to be able to do that all without any disruptions. I can't wait to see what I will do with my time tomorrow! It is beautiful today. 60 degrees and sunny. You can't ask for a better day. The kids and I went to get the car washed. Caroline had early out today. She has early out every Monday. Why do they do that? I don't remember having early outs when I was in school... Caroline started violin on Saturday. She is learning new techniques and a new Bach piece. She was really happy to be back and she loves having private lessons. Even if it is on a Saturday. Tomorrow night at the ward activity our family is supposed to do some kind of skit. Well, I think we are just going to have Caroline play the violin. She is excited about that. We will practice tonight for FHE. I am not very excited about this ward. I haven't met anyone I really like yet. People are just not very friendly. But it has been only 3 weeks. For Women's Conference on Saturday I am going to go to my old stake because all my friends are there. And there is going to be a dinner and I had planned on it before we even moved. So I will be able to see some people I know. I guess I just need to make more of an effort in the new ward. I will. I will do my best...

Pictures!!!

These are some picture from this summer at the zoo. The kids loved the petting zoo! And the other 2 kids are Bryn and Christian, my friend Erin's kids. Very convenient that our kids are the same ages!Can you see the tiger? The flamingos were their favorites... I have no clue why! The picture of me is with my hair when I got it chopped off. This was several months ago and I see how much weight I have lost! My body has changed! Thank goodness! And my hair has grown too! Today I went to my water aerobics class. Then I volunteered in Caroline's class. We then went to an Open House for Hilton's preschool which he LOVED! He met his teachers. There was one who I was worried about. She seemed very dull and quiet and non-personality at the orientation, but when she was with Hilt, she was great! She was so good with him and fun and exciting. He loved her. He can't wait to start on Monday! Then I went to Wal Mart to pick up these pics. I will post more later. Then I came home, cleaned the house and curled up with a good book. It is raining today and perfect for that. It is cold and I am making soup for dinner and we are just going to stay in tonight and I am going to read. Yea fall!!!

Fall

It is the most beautiful fall day today. It has still been warm up until today. In the mid to upper 80's. And all of a sudden, today it is fall! It is a little cloudy, a little windy and chilly. It smells fabulous outside. I put up some faux fall foliage on our front porch and it looks so cute! In Oct we are having a baby shower for a friend here and the theme is going to be pumpkins. The baby just happened to be named Peter! And my friend, Erin, thought that Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater was cute! It is sooo funny because we thought of the pumpkin theme way before the baby was born and we found out the name! Totally a hoot. Anyway, I am trying to get my house all harvesty. So I have pumpkins everywhere, if I find a cute fake pumpkin basket or candle or anything, I get it. And Porters had a huge sale on faux foliage, so I got that and some cool candles. I have a long way to go before it is decorated sufficiently but I am on my way. I cannot get enough of fall. I hope it lasts a few months. I want to have my share of fall before it snows!

Maybe not

Well, there was this huge penalty fee to get rid of the internet. And I need the internet for a class next semester. So we are keeping it. We totally can't afford it , but we have to do what we have to do. So it was a false alarm. Please continue to come back daily to see my daily log...or blog... haha. Yesterday I went to orientation for Hilton's preschool. He is having it at the University and it looks really great. There are 5 teachers and 16 kids. Noone under 3. The classroom is so cool! They have a tree house and a kitchen and tons of cool toys. And the potty and water fountain and sink are so short! It is the cutest thing ever! There is an open house tomorrow that we are going to. Hilton will get to meet his teachers and see his classroom. I know he is going to love it! I think I will love it more. It gives me 2 hours of child-free morning. I just don't know what I will do with my time! But you can bet I will not waste a minute.

No More Internet

Well, it has been great. But I am afraid we have to get rid of the internet. It is an extra that we just can't afford right now. So I am sorry, but my daily ramblings must come to an end. I will still try to get on once a week, but I cannot even promise that. I want to thank my mother, and my father, and the producer of this blog, oh, wait, this isn't an Oscar speech. Sorry! Just kidding! Anyway, I will continue to try to keep you posted! I love you all! Good NIGHT!

Our day

Today I went walking. I felt like I had every good excuse not to go since I am doing that water aerobics class and that is hard work. But I went for an hour this morning. Up hill, both ways! Okay, not both ways, but I was definitely winded when I got home. I haven't lost any more weight, but I haven't gained either. So that is good news. Today my goal is to get my "desk" straightened out. It is just a mess and all the bills are on top with everything else and I need to get them paid, so I better get on that! I think that is all I can aspire to do today. I am beat! I have been extremely tired lately and I need to chill for a while. Today Justin is going to have lunch with Elder Snow. He is Justin's former Mission President and he is coming to give the devotional today. Justin also gets to sit up on the stand with him for devotional. So I crisply ironed his white shirt, and I had to run to Walmart and buy him a new black belt. He was going to wear his ratty old brown belt with his black suit! And his old black belt is way too small. So I ran to Wal Mart fast and got him one so that he looks nice and spiffy for his big day! I think he is very excited. THough he would never admit it. I hope he has a good time. He hasn't seen Elder Snow since I was pregnant with Caroline! Caroline got in a fight at school yesterday. A boy named Cameron was teasing her and following her around and wouldn't leave her alone so she said she started a fight with him. She was devastated. She was sobbing. At first she lied to us and told us nothing happened. The teacher didn't know what happened. She just knew that Caroline came in from recess and one of the kids was about to tattle on her. So I asked Caroline and she told me nothing happened. I asked her what the little girl was going to tattle about. And she said, "I don't know. She couldn't have seen me fighting or anything." RED FLAG! I finally got it out of her. She decided on her own that she was going to apologize to Cameron. I didn't even hint that she should. So I hope today goes better for my little girl...

Blood tes results

I got the results from my blood test and it all came back normal. The doctor said that I need to eat better and exercise more. I am just going to have to keep doing what I am doing because if I exercise more, I won't have time to do anything at all, and I am eating pretty dang good as it is, so really I am up a creek. Oh well. I just have to be happy with my rate of weight loss... I went to Sam's Club with my friend today. It was just wonderful! I can save so much money shopping there! What a Mecca of huge products! Erin, my friend, saw this HUGE 52 oz. can of chicken. She said she wanted to buy it just because it was so huge and such a good buy! But I convinced her that unless she is catering a party and making a ton of chicken salad, she probably didn't need it. But I am convinced that you can get great bargains at Sam's Club...

After haircut

H: I don't want my hair cut like this anymore M: How do you want it? H: I want it like a bear. M: Huh? H: I want it brown, like a bear. M: Oh. Well, that's hard because you have blomd hair. H: But I want my hair like Christian's! (Christian is Hilton's friend. He has very short, brown hair.) M: Do you think Christian looks like a bear? H: NOOOO, Moooom, but his hair is just like a bear. That's what I want my hair to be.

Sunday and Birthdays

It is Sunday morning and I am sure I should be soing something spiritual, but instead I am blogging. We are in a new ward now and have church at 1:00. I hate it. The only good thing about it is that we get to change in January! I like going in the morning. THen I have plenty of time to fix dinner. When we get home at 4, everyone is starving, and it takes at least an hour to make dinner and by then everyone has snacked like crazy and doesn't want to eat what I have prepared. Just to let everyone know, I have lost those 5 lbs that I gained back. It is not all that encouraging because I am still stuck at 21 lbs lost. I was really hoping to have lost 33 lbs by my 33rd birthday and my birthday is coming in just 2 weeks. So it is not going to happen. But I am grateful I have lost the weight that I have lost. Caroline's birthday is coming up soon. 5 weeks. She told me she wants a pink party. This makes things very easy for me. We will decorate all in pink, she wants pink streamers and balloons and everything pink. She wants a great big tall pink cake, that the girls can all decorate with pink candy. She wants pink food and pink drinks, and pink party favors. THat sounds great to me! Very inexpensive too! Horray for PINIK!

Water Aerobics

My first water aerobics class was today. It was pretty good! It is quite a workout. Mostly because I am so short! But it really works all of your muscles. I was huffing and puffing at some parts. And I know I will be sore tomorrow. So I am glad I am taking it. The only problem is that I get home just in time to get Caroline off to school so Justin has to get up to get her ready. And when Hilton starts preschool, he will have to get him ready too. But it's character building. So I will let you know if I lose a hundred pounds! It is raining today, so I will stay inside and try to get the kids' rooms unpacked...

my morning

I walked this morning and I feel much better. It has been a week since I walked regularly and I was getting lazy. Where I live now, there are lots of hills so it is quite a workout. I loved walking through the neighborhood and seeing all the beautiful houses. We live on what is known as "The Hill." It is apparently where everyone aspires to live. The homes are outrageously priced. Which is typical in Rexburg now... but it is even worse on the hill. We do not live in one of those fancy houses, but it is in that neighborhood, so I guess we get the prestige that goes along with living here. I have a friend who is supremely jealous that I live here now, and she lives in a gorgeous, HUGE house. But it is not on "the hill" so she doesn't think it is a good. Whatever. I said I would trade with her in a second. If I owned this house, I would!!! I am not complaining about my house though. It is cool. Today I have to go grocery shopping in Idaho Falls. We have NO FOOD! And I have a few other things I would like to pick up... so it will be fun. Just me and the boy. I haven't been to IF in weeks. So I am going to go to the mall, and get Hilton's hair cut, and shop. Nothing good, but I like shopping.

My little Princess... um Prince...

Hilton (H): I want to be a girl. Mommy (M): You do? H: Yeah M: How come? H: Because I want princess everything. I want a princess game and a princess room and a princess car and princess stuff. M: Oh. Why? H: Because I like it. M: What else do you like? H: Pink. I like dresses. I like Buzz and Woody and RC and Mater. M: You can still have those things if you are a boy. H: Nu Uh.. M: Uh Huh. H: Oh. Can I have princess? M: We'll see. H: That means YES!!!

A productive day

Yesterday I had a massive migrane all day. It was one of those throw upy yucky, can't function kinds. But today I am all better. Thanks goodness. Yesterday I felt like I might never feel better again. I mostly layed in bed with curtains drawn. But at about 4 I felt bad that we had not done anything for Caroline's day off so I took the kids down to the park. We are 2 blocks from Smith Park, not bad! Not as close as Porter Park was to our old place, but not bad. I was miserable the whole time. We lasted maybe 45 minutes before we had to come home. But today, I am better! I have lots to do and I haven't even taken a shower. I wanted to watch The View because Rosie O'Donnel is on it now. (I just LOVE her!) So now I am avoiding doing anything productive. My main objective is to go get blood work done today. I am not excited about this. It always makes me feel woozy and like I will throw up. And I have the boy all day because it is Justin's first day back at school. So that will make it even more difficult. I have to organize the closets today. I just have to! But it is so easy not to because noone sees them... the doors are closed. For all anyone else knows, my closets are immaculate and perfect. But they are not... and if I don't get them done soon, I will lose it. So those are my goals today. And to fold another basket of laundry. Okay, here I go. I WILL do SOMETHING productive today.

New things

We are pretty much all done. I have to organize some closets and the kids need their toys unpacked, but that is it! Justin has been great about unpacking. I packed every single box, but he has been great about unpacking. He organized the garage and the basement. He just doesn't like living out of boxes. So we look like we are moved in! We still have to hang pictures, though. I do not look forward to that, because we can never agree on that. But for the most part I am very happy with the way things are in this house. It is so cool and old and there are so many neat little things about this house that you may never find in a newer house, that I am very happy to be here. Well, I have decided to not take classes this semester. My grandmother is in very poor health and I am afraid she could pass away at any time. I want to be available if she does, so I will not take classes this semester. I plan on going down to St George to take care of her the first week in Oct, so I would miss that week of class anyway. And in order to be competitive enough to get into the nursing program I have to get an A in the classes I take, and I just don't think that could happen if I missed classes. So I am going to start next semester. If she does hang on until next semester, I will just have to be satisfied with the time I got to spend with her this semester. I am a little disapointed, but to begin with I wasn't planning on taking classes this semester anyway. But it is more important to me that I spend some time with her, and let her know how much I love her... Caroline has been in school for a week and a half and she is ready to be done. On Friday she was already telling me she was sick and wanting to stay home! I just don't get it! I loved school! But she just thinks it is way too long. I hope she gets used to it and starts to love it too. I am going to be a classroom helper on fridays so maybe that will help a little bit. I am really making an effort to get involved with her school. That way maybe she will feel better about being at a new school. It is hard to make new friends. But at church yesterday she found out that a girl in her class at school and at church is our next door neighbor. She is very excited about that! So maybe things are looking up.

I just wanted to let everyone know that my friend did not get the baby. The birth mother changed her mind and decided to keep him. The Kroffs still need our prayers.

Moved

Well, here we are. In our new house. Totally unsettled. Boxes everywhere. The kids are eating breakfast on the cold kitchen floor because the table is not put up. The kitchen is over-run with boxes. Empty boxes, full boxes... just boxes! I finished cleaning the old place yesterday. It looked pretty immaculate to me! So now we never have to go there again. Now I have to walk Caroline to school and get the boxes unpacked. Fortunately the rooms are all set up, so all we have to do is unpack. But the dining room is FULL of odds and ends, a laundry basket full of clean clothes, pictures, you name it. So here I go!

Doctor visit

I went to the doctor yesterday and asked why I am not losing weight at a normal speed. Yes, I was pleased before, but I have gained 5 lbs back and I cannot get it off. So he is going to test my thyroid. He is not very hopeful that this is the culprit. Apparently thyroid is not a very common cause of obesity, but he wants to rule it out. He said if that is not it, then I will have to be patient and work harder. That means 17 hours of exercise a day and eating only grapes and celery, apparently. I just don't know what more I could do!!! But I will keep trying...

More Prayers

I know I ask for prayers a lot, but they have been really necessary lately! My friend, Chelsi and her family were chosen by a birth mom to adopt her son. He was born on Friday and the placement was supposed to happen Sunday, then it was moved to Monday, and I guess the birth mom is really struggling. So it is moved to Tuesday now. Please everyone, pray for the Kroff family. Pray that the girl's heart will be softened and she will give this baby to this loving family who already loves him and is ready for him to come to their family. This is not the first time this has happened. He will have a great life with the Kroffs. Please keep them in your prayers!

THE MOVE

Today we are starting to move. We took a look at the house yesterday. It is very clean, in move in condition! I am glad I will not have to clean that place. I will have enough to deal with, with this place. Today we are moving boxes and anything we can fit into the back of the van. Justin has a faculty temple trip today and then a staff meeting with the Theatre Dept so I will be doing it alone for the morning and early afternoon. Although, I have done everything by myself so far... But he will be here later to help out. Today I have to pack the kids' rooms. This is going to be a task. Packing toys is a tedious process. Not to mention that I still thing Hilton doesn't get what we are doing, so he will not be happy with me packing up his toys. He thinks we are giving everything away. But the house is even better than I remember. There is molding on the ceiling which is gorgeous and a chair rail in Caroline's room. The kitchen has a brand new stove and brand new flooring. The house is much bigger than I remember. And I can't wait to plant flowers in the beds out back! It is a really nice house, and I can't wait to move in!!! So, I better get off this dang computer and do it!!!

No more dishes...

I packed all of the dishes so I won't have to cook anymore... heh heh... I have lots more to do but I am so packed out. I drove by our new house today and there is no evidence of those people moving out. I called the new landlady today and she said as far as she knows it is still go for Monday. They are supposed to be all out by tonight. I sure hope so! And I really hope I don't have to clean when I get in there. That will be a super bummer if so. The more I pack, the more I need to pack. It looks like I haven't packed anything. Okay, I better get back to it! Oh! My friend who was chosen to be adoptive parents just emailed me and said that her birthmom is in labor right now!!! It is 2 weeks early, but she is so excited! They will have a little boy by tomorrow!!! YEA!!!!!! We are praying for you, Chelsi!!! I love you!!!!

Bump in the night.....

Last night a 1 am I heard a loud CRASH!!! Then, the bathroom light went on in the hallway. I thought that Justin must have fallen down, tripped on something. I peered into the night, my vision blurred because I had no glasses on. I didn't see anything. Then I heard, "What was that?" I jumped a mile high! Justin was next to me in bed. The fearless protector and husband said, "Go see what that was..." I got out of bed, walked to the bathroom... And what did I see??? My three year old son standing at the toilet going potty. I said, "Good boy, Hilton! You woke up to go potty!" He said, "Where's Mater?" But it came out as "Wuuu Mttrrdd." I helped him wash his hands, turned off the bathroom light, and steered him back to bed. Once again he said, "Wuuu Mttrrd?!" I had no idea what he was talking about. Yesterday I had got him a truck from the "Cars" movie and it's name is "Mater." Apparently he wanted to know where this was. I kept saying, in my sleeping stupor trying to be patient and supportive, "What sweety? I can't understand what you're saying." Hilton turned to face me and clearly said, "Where's Mater?" I found Mater deep in the depths of Hilton's covers. Then he was happy. I went back to bed until I heard "VROOM VROOM!!! That was FUUU-UUN!!!" It was Mater. My fearless protector once again, jumped in bed and said, "What was THAT!??" I said, "It's just Mater." I got up, turned off Mater, and settled back to sleep... No sooner did I fall asleep, when I felt something crawling at the foot of the bed, crawling and creeping closer and closer until it was between Justin and me! It was Hilton, again. This time, I got Hilton's pillow, his blanket and planted him on the floor next to our bed. He fell fast asleep and we all lived happily ever after...

Question

Does anyone know if there is a thingy you can get to hook your camera phone up to the computer so that you can download pic from the phone to the computer???

Jenny VS. The Oven

I tackeled the oven. I was going to clean it yesterday but after all of the horror stories I have heard about oven cleaning, I just couldn't do it. I was much too tired from packing 5 whole boxes yesterday. Don't judge. They were pretty big boxes. I did nothing yesterday. Justin was home most of the day and I spent the time just vegging out on the couch with him. And then when he went back to work for a while, I took a nap while the kids took a nap! But I did pack 5 boxes. Okay? So last night, I sprayed the oven with Easy Off. I just about hacked up a lung... but I thought that if it was that strong, it must work. So it did it's magic over night. And this morning I got on my grubby clothes and my brand new, big long gloves, armed with a scrubby sponge. I scrubbed. I rinsed. I scrubbed, scrubbed, scrubbed. I rinsed. Now I am done. The oven is clean. There are some spots that no amount of oven cleaner and elbow grease would get off. But it is sparkly. And I feel confident the landlord will accept my offering to the oven gods. I feel like I just ran a marathon. I need a nap. Oven cleaning is hard work! I will not be cooking in the oven again until we move. And if anyone even THINKS about using that oven, they will have to pay...

Prayers

I have a request for all you praying kind out there. My friend has a family member who just found out his son has cancer in his kidney. The little boy is 4 and undergoing tests today to see if it has spread. So please say a prayer for the Norwood family that their son can be healed and that the cancer has not spread. If not, they can remove the infected kidney and he should recover!! So please, remember this family when you are praying today. It makes us remember how precious life is, and how precious are our little children. Thanks!!!

Today

I have so much to do, and yet I am here, on the computer. I have so much packing. I can't believe we are moving in a week. It is not the actual moving that I hate, it is the cleaning... I will have to clean this apt from top to bottom all by myself. But I am going to do it in small doses. I think today I will clean the oven. While Caroline is home to entertain her brother. I am babysitting tomorrow and Thursday, so I won't be able to do it tomorrow. And Caroline starts school on Wednesday. I think I am still in denial about that. She is getting too big. It makes me a little sad and little happy! She is so excited that she can hardly stand it!!! She keeps asking when school starts. I wonder how she will do with all day school. We are very fortunate that we don't have school supply lists. We just have to pay a one-time $20 fee and the school buys all the supplies for the kids. That is much better than most of my friends have to deal with! Anyway, I should probably go take a shower and get going. I did make french toast for breakfast. I did walk this morning. I am just not very motivated to do much else. Ok, here I go. I am!!! I will get up now and go get ready and clean and pack and go to pick up my medication and go pay school fees and clean the oven. I am going.... right... now!

New Phone

So I got a new phone and it is cute!!! it is a cool silver camera phone! It was totally free! I guess I lucked out with when I signed up!!! So I have my cool new phone and I am so cool now. No more White Trash Girl who can't afford a new phone!!! Yea me! And we are paying LESS than we did for our phone from Louisiana. That is so awesome. I am pumped!

Phones

Well, we have to get a new cell phone. (Sorry, Vicki!) I guess we have been costing Cingular too much money by calling "off network." Which means they have no Cingular service in Idaho. We can call, but we can't get a local number. So tomorrow we have to go get a new phone. This will be our primary phone when we move. No more land line. We need to save a little money. So, if you want my new phone number, give me a call on my home phone before we move on the 28th! Or you can email me. This is such a pain, but it does mean I get a new phone!!! Yea! If you haven't seen my phone in the last year, it is broken. Not broken enough to not work, (darnit!) but broken enough to make me look like a white trash girl who can't afford a new phone. Ok, that is who I am! And it wasn't even my fault!!! Justin had the phone... he NEVER has the phone. He did not put it in his shirt pocket, or even his front pocket... He put it in his BACK, jeans pocket. He totally broke the screen. Anyway, it has been like this for almost a year, and even though I told him it was only like $20 for a replacement, he didn't think it necessary to replace it. It was purely my own vanity. Yes, I own that. I am vain. But NOW!!! I get a NEW PHONE! Yea!!!! I wish I could get a cute pink one or something. But I have to get the cheapest. That's ok. I will live. I don't need frivolous things like pink phones. I just WANT it!

School Days

Well, Justin's parents are coming this evening. The house is clean. Justin stacked the boxes for me. It looks better. I got Caroline registered yesterday. Her teacher is new so noone knows anything about her. I hope she will be good. But I bought Caroline a denim jacket today. She has wanted one for the first day of school. She is so excited, she has been wearing it all day! Less than a week until school starts! Then my baby will be going to school all day! It is a bitter-sweet time. I am so glad I will have all day without fighting children. I will have more time to get things done. But this is also the beginning of the rest of Caroline's life, at least for the next 12 years. I was talking to my cousin, Nicole, about it. I feel bad that she has that to look forward to. That she will be going to school, all day, everyday, forever! That she will never be able to be a little girl again and stay home with Mommy. But my wise, dear, Nicole said that we did it! We went to school all day, everyday, we had working mom's, and we LOVED school! School was the best! And by the end of the summer we were so ready to go back. We made all of our friends at school. We learned so much, not just school junk, but about life. This is all so true. It is just a part of life. Caroline will love school too. She will love learning, and she will love the social aspect of it. I just need to get over my own hang ups and remember how great school was! Speaking of school... I am signing up for a water aerobics class and a yoga class. Justin told me not to over do it. (I think he just said that b/c it is at 6:30 in the morning, and he will have to be with the kids...) But I gained 7 lbs almost literally over night! All of my hard work, foiled! I don't know how or why this happened. But it will not happen again. I am going to exercise my butt off... LITERALLY! I lost 2 of those 7 last night, but it is frustrating to get on that scale and see that I weigh 5 more than I did last week. So, I have not really lost 21 lbs anymore. I am back to 16. UGH!!! Will this EVER get easier???