A Puppy and the Loves of My Life

Lily at nine weeks

Well, as of three weeks ago we have a new addition to our family - a little black puppy. O.K., she's not so little. Actually, she's over thirty pounds! This is Lily and she's a Newfoundland. She's almost thirteen weeks old now and big enough to snatch food off the table - if I'm not watching close enough. We have so many people ask us what kind of dog she is, and only two of them knew what a Newf was. Jake was walking her one day, and a woman actually pulled over just to tell him she was cute. Can you believe that?!

This is a picture of Mercedes with one of her science experiments. She had a lot of fun playing with the food coloring and figuring out what colors make what colors. Mercedes is also loving ballet. Today she was helping me do some rolly polly warm-up things they do, and she told me she gets her strength from ballet. This girl will forever be a social butterfly who loves all things friends and the colors pink, purple, and blue. (O.k., her favorite colors will probably change, but I don't think the butterfly thing will). :)

I just get a kick out of this picture. Christina would start out with one finger on each side, then two, three, and finally four. They were all pretty silly! She also had an awesome show and tell the other day. Monday, I showed her a potato that had started sprouting leaves. She thought it was so cool, she waited three days and took it to preschool to show everyone. Can you believe that? She is so funny! She wasn't feeling good the other day, and all she would say was, "The Lady Bugs eat my bones!" I don't think I want to know what that feels like.

You've got to LOVE frosting! Especially chocolate frosting that your mom let's you lick out of the container when she's done with it. This is my snuggly buddy and he's quite the big helper! He loves setting the table at meal time; oh, and the other day at dance, he was dancing around where the moms all sit, and decided this wasn't good enough. He put on a tutu, walked onto the dance floor, and danced the last couple minutes with Mercedes and the other girls. Boy am I glad Miss Barbara didn't mind because it was really cute! (Even in a tutu).

I think of all the things we do, the thing I love the most is being together. I also love that my children play so well together. Yes, they still have their squabbles, but they love each other and look out for each other too. I couldn't have asked for better children and I have truly been blessed because of them.

The Road Home

Earlier this month we made a trip to The Road Home. It was awesome! We collected all of the children's clothes my kids couldn't wear any more - everything from when they were first born. We had so much that we filled my parent's Expedition and still had six boxes and two huge garbage bags to squeeze in. But, after a prayer and repacking the entire thing, it all fit! We took it to my mom's, sorted it, boxed it up, and delivered it. It was so neat to know that we were going to make a difference in the life of a family. Some where out there, some little child is going to have "new" clothes! I was so excited that my children helped with the whole process too. Mercedes was a big helper sorting and packing; and, they both had so much fun unloading all the boxes into the gentleman's cart who was helping us. I hope my children will have many opportunities to serve those around them. And, I hope they continue to feel joy in doing so.

Long Over Due

Well, it is way beyond time for a new post! What do you guys think? I tell you what, being in school really messes up blogging. I don't write. I don't read. I feel so out of the loop!!!

It has been a good holiday season. Mercedes is in Ballet and has had five recitals since Thanksgiving. It is so fun to watch her! Miss Barbara is a sweet heart too. She's let Christina and Alex join in on the last dance number a few times and they enjoy it so much! It's also been good because we've been out to some of the community events that we wouldn't have gone to, like Holly Days and Breakfast with Santa. Mercedes is also quite busy with school and really loves it. In fact, K12 just had their winter event for the students, their friends, and family. We went ice skating, ate lots of pizza, and the students had a gingerbread contest. All I can say is, "Thank goodness for pre-assembled gingerbread houses!" Otherwise we probably wouldn't have had one. Of the 25 houses entered, Mercedes actually won one of five special prizes. She won Best Use of Frosting; but sh, we wont tell them that was the only part I did. (Although, I didn't do it all). Everything else was the kids' work. K12 also had an extra medal, so they gave it to Christina. She and Mercedes were all grins from then on.

Christina is really enjoying school too. She went through a little phase where she would scream and cry if I tried to take her, and there were a couple times I took her home. But, her teacher said she would be fine and to leave her. Miss Dana is a really gifted person and a huge blessing for Christina. I'm also grateful for her Primary teachers who have been amazing this year!

Well, Alex had surgery last month and just had his follow-up. His hernia is healing nicely. It was kind of weird that he had a hernia just after Jake, which I don't know if I ever got around to writing about. But they both had one within a month of each other. I'm SO glad they're feeling better! Alex is also crazy about trains right now. He loves them and is so much fun to watch as he plays. I just enjoy watching the children's imaginations bloom. It is so fun!

As for Jake and I, we have one more semester finished. WOOHOOOO! It is so good to be going to school, (Jake just read this and said, "No, no it is not,)" but it is also a lot of work between everything else. We had finals last week and now we can do something else for half-a-month. Maybe we'll clean house. Maybe we'll just talk about cleaning house. Who knows. ;)

And dud...dun...dun...tis the season for cheery greetings and warmest wishes. Merry Christmas to you and your family! We hope you find much peace and happiness as you enter the new year!

Love you all!

While I Was Making Breakfast...

What do you do when your five-year-old exclaims, "We're 2/3's!" I had no idea what she was talking about until she continued. "Me and dad are 2/3's of me, daddy, and Christina." What the heck?! You're not supposed to be doing fractions. You're 5!

I have a few minutes...

Hello all! Just a short post to say surgery stinks and I hope we never have to go through this again! Poor Jake is miserable and wouldn't wish this on anyone!

On a happy note, Mercedes is still having fun with school! She went to one of the elementary schools out here and took a small reading comprehension test yesterday. She said it was fun, but I hope they assessed her correctly because she wasn't in there very long.

Anyway, we're all good, all surviving. We've been eating too much prepackaged food and not enough home cookin', and you can bet we're all feeling it. We'll that's not entirely true. Some of the ladies in the ward have brought a couple meals - which I am so grateful for! I'm just hoping I'll feel like cooking "normal" food again soon so we can all start feeling better.

Everyone's Got a Story to Tell

Today is a good day! Christina started preschool! I was really worried about her and how she would react to being left at a strange house, but she did o.k.. It's nice that Miss Dana let her keep her monkey with her, even though we were all told don't bring anything from home except a back pack. That monkey is her best friend in the whole world!!! And no, I didn't get a single picture because the camera has been dying for days now, and refused to summon any energy from it's lifeless batteries. Darn it.

Mercedes was so cute today! She was SO excited about Christina going to school, that she helped pick out Christina's clothes, collected her backpack, filled it with paper, colored pencils, and crayons, and rode her bike in front of us the whole way saying, "Christina, you're going to school!" There's nothing like big sis being excited.

Alex had an experience yesterday. We have a Playskool play house on our porch. I was on one side and Alex was on the other. All of the sudden I hear him scream and start crying. I was on the porch and stood up so fast I lost my balance and fell off of it. When I got up, Alex said, "Bug scare me." Now, usually I don't encourage fear of bugs, so I said, "your o.k., let's find it." When I looked at the house where Alex had been, do you know what I saw? It was a huge black widow! These aren't your average spider either! They're absolutely beautiful and amazing with their strips of brown and white, but just as dangerous as the more common black. I am SO glad that "bug" scared him and he left it alone. And, I'm glad no one was bit and that I was right there to take care of it! WOW!

Thank goodness for tender mercies! And thank goodness for bug spray!

More From Me

Good morning! School starts up again today. I feel like I need to take more credits; but, I'm really torn between actually doing it and everything we've got going this fall. Mercedes LOVES school! She is having so much fun. Even when I think, "Alright, that was good for the day. We'll be done for the evening." She still wants to have another lesson. I don't think this is going to be easy, but I look forward to all our time together and am excited about learning "new" things.

Mercedes has been on a bug kick. She goes out with her jars and catches bees, butterflies, moths, grasshoppers, and spider egg sacks. I have no problem with any of the bugs, and knowing what I know about bees, these are o.k. too. But when she starts bringing spider eggs into the house, it really freaks me out. The last thing I want is baby spiders crawling out of the jar!

Christina has discovered a new puzzle. This girl is so good at them! It's amazing! She could spend hours putting them together. And then, when she's done, she's completely content to carry them around with her. She's also having lots of fun building things with clay and painting.

Alex is such a funny boy! He's always making me laugh. It's interesting that during the summer, when I'd get so busy with homework, he was the only one who could successfully peal me away from it. He's such a blessing!

Jake is on his way to the surgeon today. Too bad he's not actually having surgery though. We thought he was coming down with a UTI but it turns out it was a hernia! He's put on a good face, but there are times when he's in a lot of pain. Oh, the other day, Jake found out that at the end of the school year, we're supposed to mail all the K12 stuff back to K12. He was like, "What?! We don't get to keep everything? What happens if we don't send it back?" I guess he was very attached to all the cool stuff; and, now he just asks random questions like, "What about the clay? Do they really want used clay back?" And, "What about the [inflatable] globes? Do they really think these will still work when they get them back?" He has finely decided they donate everything to third world countries and this has brought him peace. Although, we have no idea what they really do with everything.

Well, I hope you have a wonderful day! Do many good things.

So Much to Say, So Little Space!

Holy moly, is it time to make a post or what?! Where has summer gone? We finished our summer classes and it's already cooling off out side. In fact, it's too cold to leave the windows open at night - unless of course you like waking up with a sore throat! (I know I don't)! We're so excited class is over! I'm so excited class is over! I feel ten feet tall. I don't know if its from the weight of four classes being over or if it's the fact that I finished the four classes, but it feels great! Now, I need to quit deflating and get busy around the house.

Mercedes school supplies came yesterday! We are so excited! It was better than Christmas, seriously!!! Mercedes was ripping boxes open and Christina would grab the contents out, squeeze it tight, and say, "Oh, my paint! Oh, my book!" It was SO cute! I have tons of laminating to do and haven't had time to paint our class room, but that doesn't matter. We have picked out the paint colors and will get around to it, but probably not this year.

Speaking of paint! I started repainting a little dresser and still haven't finished. I am a glutten for unfinished projects! The project wouldn't be tied up, except the nobs had been glued on and I didn't want them. I had reconciled myself to using them, but NO! So, I beat them off with a hammer which pulled some of the wood off. You'd think I could just go buy the filler and finish my project, but no. It's just sitting in the garage.

Earlier this month, when we were visiting my parents it rained every day! While I sat in class, the kids had a blast! My parents snapped the pictures and "Uncle" Konrad played the guitar. What a beautiful day!!!

Well, I must away. I hope you are all enjoying your day! Hopefully, I'll be back soon...

Life's Experience

I am learning a lot from being in school, and it's not all curriculum based. What an exciting time! It's definitely not easy, but worth the struggle. The biggest lesson is: "it is not requisite that a man run faster than he has strength" (Mosiah 4:27).

Take my garden for instance. I don't know what I was thinking planting such a huge garden this year! O.K., that's not true. I was hoping to get a lot of canning done and try some dehydrating. My plot is 76" x 27", and you better believe it's full! And yes, my garden is becoming a lost cause - it's lost in all the weeds! Hahahaaa... We returned home from our recent trip, and still haven't found a whole hill of musk melon. I know I planted two, but one has vanished!

The other thing I'm really learning is the importance of me being at home. I know I've had times where I feel so swallowed up in the responsibility of it all, I loose sight of the value and purpose. Have you ever felt like you give give give and don't get any thing except more work in return? I've been able to study the psychology and development associated with mothers and their influence, and it is incredible. To turn this information around and study how it affects the population through education in general is AMAZING!!! Then, to top it off, I can see how my return to school affects my children. Don't ever feel like you're not of worth.

Repeat with me, "I am of infinite worth with my own divine mission which I will strive to fulfill."

Whether you stay at home, work, or don't have children, know that you are an influence in the lives of so many! Cherish your opportunities and "delight in your children," whoever they may be.

What Should I Call this Post? Hmm...

Good morning, good morning, good morning! How are all of you? I am so very happy this morning! My children are doing a little better. I'm doing a little better. Jake's doing better. Phew! Being in school has totally thrown everything out of whack! But, all's well.

School is so exciting! Elementary Education is something I never wanted to do until about two-and-a-half years ago. I'm so glad we have a Heavenly Father who knows us better then we know ourselves, because I'm doing this and I love it! My professor wrote and told me "[I] have an optimistic yet realistic view of teaching." He also said, "Buena seurte en tu estudio del Espanol." Do you know what that means? "Good luck on your study of Spanish." (I'm going to get an emphasis in Spanish, which I'm really excited about too)!

And guess what? I ran into one of my old friends from college yesterday - way out here - at Arby's of all places. I just happened to mow the lawn yesterday morning and he came in with some of his coworkers. I told Jake, "I think I know him." Turns out, I did! We never had a single class together, but ran into each other at Institute. Have I ever told you guys how much I loved Institute? It was a good place to be...

Well, other than that, the house had a bomb explode inside and we eat a lot of sandwiches lately. What about you?

Life Explained

Wow, it's been a while since I've come to visit! How are you? Things here are absolutely crazy!!!

We found a little kitten in the bushes between our church and the business next to it. The animal shelter was closed and now it's lost somewhere out side our house. I hope we find it before Chicken Nugget...

Alex has figured out how to ride Christina's "motorcycle!" WOOHOOO, Buddy!!! (It's really the tricycle, but she calls it a motorcycle). He is so fun to watch!

Christina's little brain is amazing! She can solve simple riddles, which really surprised me; but, she did awesome!!! Go, Stina Wina!

Mercedes has been playing with the next door neighbors a lot and having so much fun. I'm glad they get a long so well because they're really good kids. She also asked Mikki to curl her hair yesterday, and Mikki so graciously obliged. We'll see how it turns out today...

Jake had two finals this week. Yeah, two classes are finished! He just has three more to go this summer, and then on to the next ones... Hooray for finals!!!

Do you ever feel like you're spread so thin you're not making any progress? I'm telling ya', that is how I feel. It can be really discouraging at times, but keep plugging along and do the best you can.

Presiden't Monson said, "When you are on the Lord's errand, you are entitled to the Lord's help." Don't give up and you will see miracles happen!

Love to you all!!!

Life is Consuming

Here's a brief update on our family. I now know why Laura only made posts about once every three weeks. There just isn't time! Holy cow! Do you know the words to Count Your Blessings? They completely epitomizes my life right now. That reminds me! (It's one of the songs I'm playing in Sacrament meeting on Sunday). And, you should have seen our spectacle last Sunday! I'm playing the organ, and here comes Christina, running across the stand, completely upstaging the conductor in the middle of the opening song. All I can think is, "Where is Jake?!" Well, between him being in and out of the chapel, running Alex home to pee in the potty because he wouldn't go at church, and being totally mortified, he never came and got her! And what am I supposed to do? Stop playing while everyone sings and make her sit down? That would just compound the situation! To make it worse, this continued for the WHOLE meeting! Can I just say something here? THE CHURCH IS TRUE!!! It's a good thing we know this. It's also a good thing we have a couple young women in the ward who have agreed to help Jake this Sunday, so it doesn't happen again. THANK YOU!!!

Mercedes doesn't like green beans or pickles, but she likes pickled green beans. What's up with that? (I just had to say that for you, dad). She also has a new knick-name from our neighbor, which I think is super cute! He calls her Beamer*. I like it!

Alex is tired of his cast. Yesterday, I caught him trying to cut it off twice with two different pair of scissors! Can you believe that? He's starting to talk more in sentences too. We had been loading the washing machine, I left the laundry room, and he shut the door behind me. After a few minutes, he hadn't come out, so I opened the door to check on him. Quick as lightning, he whirls around, points at me, and says, "No mom, out, door!" What was he doing, you might wonder? Playing in the kitty litter with the cat. NASTY!!!!

Jake is doing well in school. He's almost half done with both of his seven week courses. Then he has three more classes to finish, and he'll be ready for fall. He's tired and really discouraged about the way USU offers their Accounting Degree here in the Basin, but knows somehow it will work out. You're doing good, Dear. Just hang in there and do the best you can. We love you and are very proud of you!

Oh, and Chicken Nugget is psycho. She likes to play fetch at three in the morning. Unfortunately, this means I get to play fetch at three in the morning. Good thing she only plays for about three minutes.

Well, I think that about sums it up. I hope all is well with you! Love you too!!!

*Just for clarification, Mercedes of Mercedes Benz is named after the Daimler Company's French Distributor's eleven-year-old daughter in 1907, and is a Spanish name once reserved for Spanish aristocracy which means "our lady of mercy." She wasn't named after the car, I just loved the name from all my Spanish classes in Middle School, High School, and College.

My Little Neighborhood Family

Do you know what I love? I love my children; and, I love all the little children that live on my street! I'm glad they come to play dress-up, cars, and puzzles, race their bikes, and slide on the slide. I love that they come get me when one of them falls off their bike and "needs" help getting up. I'm glad they ask me for help tying their shoes or zipping up their boots. I'm glad ALL the children play so well together, and that their little skiffs are quickly forgotten - for their are many many skiffs. I'm glad I have the opportunity to be their neighbor because they are teaching me much patience, which I so dearly need. I'm glad my home can be a refuge when they are sad. And, even though it does occasionally cause problems, I'm glad they like walking in just to be here. I hope they will always feel comfortable coming "home."

Are you kidding me?

Alex broke his arm again! Yep, that's right, he did. I was at our stake Relief Society service project, and had a realization. I thought, "Oh, I have baby blankets I can donate to the women's shelter." So, my plan was to hurry home, pick them up, and drive back as soon as the speaker was done. My mother said it was inspiration. "How can we get Krystal home really fast without making her worry? Baby blankets!" Well, it worked and Alex made it to the doctor. But, poor little thing, he had to wait all weekend with his funny little arm in a splint because we had to let the specialist set it again. Today is the day though, and he's getting it set right now. Well, I don't know about right now, 'cause I'm not there. I'm a WIMP!

Do you know what we learned about little kid bones? They have the ability to straighten themselves out while they grow! If we didn't set and cast Alex arm, it would take two to three years, but it would straighten out. If we set and cast it, the bow will take about six months to disappear. I think that's fascinating!!!

Garden, Garden, Who's gonna Garden?

This photo is from USU's Utah County Horticulture Page

My sister just sent me a photo of all the little plants they are going to plant in their garden! Hooray for the salsa garden! I'm going to try seeds this year. If they die, like last year, I'll just buy plants too. Here's a list of what I've got so far:

• Basil - Sweet
• Bell Pepper - California Wonder and Grand Bell
• Spinach - Giant Noble
• Mustard - Tendergreen
• Dill - Long Island Mammoth
• Cucumber - Marketmore and National Pickling
• Zucchini - Dark Green
• Tomato - Brandywine Pink, Beefsteak, Rutgers-Select, and Large Red Cherry
• Broccoli - Calabrese
• Cauliflower - Snowball X
• Squash - Straightneck Early Yellow
• Watermelon - Sugar Baby
• Cantaloupe - Imperianl 45
• Mystery Pumpkin (We just saved these seeds)
• Aster
• Larkspur
• Zennia - Dwarf Sprite and Liliput
• Forget-Me-Nots
• Alyssum

For great information on gardening in Utah, check out USU's extension: Uintah County, Salt Lake County, Utah County. (If you live in a different county, click on any of the three links, find the home button in the center of the page, click on it. Enter your county in the page URL in the address bar. And voila! It's a little confusing, but it will work).

Good luck and happy gardening!!!

What's Up?

I'm excited to plant our vegetable garden! I've been working in our plot for a few weeks now, just here and there, and I think it's going to be great! Yesterday, I started some seeds growing. I hope they don't die like last year. Of course, last year I started seeds in March, and it was way too long for them to be in their little pots - especially since we can't even plant until the end of May. I'm crossing my fingers on these seeds and hoping they grow well.

Alex's cast comes off tomorrow. HOORAY!!! I'm a little worried about him re-braking his arm. I suppose it's just paranoia. And luckily, he didn't hit a single person with it. Although, he did get it wet a few times, so I hope it's not molding inside. That would be way too GROSS!!!

Jake is completely psycho! He's taking 16 credits during the summer and already ready to register for fall. Way to go, Dear!

Christina is not feeling well today. I don't know what's up. She has no mucus, cough, fever, nothing. She's just looks pale and sickly and wants to lay in bed and not eat anything. I took her for a walk in the stroller, so that she could be out in the sun a little. I hope she begins feeling better soon.

Mercedes is so funny! Yesterday, it was almost dinner time, and all she could say was, "I'm starving. I can't wait any longer." She repeated this over and over. After about ten minutes of it, she went outside. I guess she wasn't that hungry right? Wrong! She went to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Every time she goes to Grandma Rae and Grandpa Rods, they feed her! Cookies, popsicles, pupu's, you name it, they share it!

Now, I know what you are all wondering. What in the world is a Pupu? (Pronounced poo-poo). It's the Hawaiian word for appetizer and it's probably spelled wrong. So there you have it...Hawaiian 101.

I hope all's well with you!

Playing Catch Up

We are all doing so good! Life isn't without challenge or disappointment, but it is good. Alex received his new cast yesterday. When he had his x-ray a week ago, the bones of his arm had healed so well, the Dr. couldn't find the break. But, being weak, it re-snapped in his sling some time between then and his appointment yesterday. When Alex returned, he was not happy, but Jake said he was very brave! His new cast is red and he loves banging it on the edge of the table when he eats. It must not hurt too bad.

We have our Chicken Nugget back AGAIN! Grrrr...that crazy cat. She decided to follow our neighbors on their early morning walk, and got lost. But, thanks to some help from the Lord, we found her again! After her two day adventure, she was a hungry mess, but unhurt. This picture is of when she was in the tree a couple weeks ago. Can you see her near the top? It was very high!

Christina is a bundle of imagination! I love watching her play. Two days ago, she climbed atop a bucket, raised her hands in the air, and proclaimed, "Ladies and Gentleman, I present to you," and directing our attention up to a corner of the living room, she continued, "Tinker Bell!" We clap and cheer and have so much fun watching her. Her circus includes: Tinker Bell, a monkey, a butterfly, horses, an elephant, a bouncing Tiger, Winnie the Poo, a puppy, Cruella De Vil, and the infamous Circus Rock! Dead serious. What would her circus be without the Rock - which quietly and invisibly sits on the kitchen floor.

Mercedes has quite an imagination too! She likes to play mom and take care of all her dolls. Mostly, she enjoys cooking, and is a budding entrepreneur who has set up shop in the toy room. She sold me a hot pad for $18.00 yesterday. I wish I could sell a hot pad for $18.00. Mercedes also saved her birthday and Christmas money, and finely decided what she wanted. She purchased a Disney Princes Wii game, which was mastered in about a day and a half. It is better than a piece of candy, though.

Jake is going crazy with school! Study, study, study, write, write, study, read, read some more, study again, I can't keep all his stuff straight. Good thing I don't really have too. It would make ME crazy!

I met with the Advisor at the school. I was hoping to get the last three classes I needed for my Associates done during the summer; but no, two of them aren't even offered until Fall. Because of this, it will be the end of Fall semester before I receive it. I don't think I've told you guys what I'm going to do. I've decided to pursue Elementary Education. Even though I'd never previously considered Eled, I feel like this is where I need to be. And, that's all the reason I need to go for it.

Life's opportunities are exciting!

Helpless

I mentioned Alex's broken arm; but, that wasn't the only event that happened in a very short weekend! Our poor cat had an adventure of her own.

Sunday, the birds were calling, the sun beckoned, and my little Chicken Nugget sat eager to venture out side. I don't let her out very often; but, it was so lovely, I couldn't say "no."

Later, after our family walk and dinner, I remembered Chicken Nugget was still outside. I called to her, but heard no response. No meow, no jingle from her little bell, nothing. So, I shut the door.

A few minutes later, I tried again. Still nothing. I was beginning to worry. After a few more tries, and a couple walks up and down the street yelling, "Chicken Nugget, here kitty, kitty, kitty," I still couldn't find her. As my mind wondered, I began to worry. Is she hurt? Is she lost? Where is my kitty?!

At about 10:30 p.m., Jake found her. For the most part, besides being anxious and a few other injuries, she was o.k.. Do you know where she was? In a tree. A very tall tree. She was about forty-feet UP in a Cotton Wood tree. Remember all those commercials and movies about firemen rescuing cats from trees? They don't because, "Eventually, they come down."

After calling dispatch, animal control, and speaking to three different veterinary offices, all with the same conclusion - my seven-month-old house cat was stuck - there was nothing I could do. I was frantic. After all, it's not like I wasn't trying to get her down; I just couldn't do it on my own.

Finely, after twenty-five hours of worry, my hero stepped in and saved the day! Jake ascended the twenty-eight foot ladder, nearly to the top. He was hanging on to the tree! My neighbor, Keith, taped a bunch of poles together with a roller brush at the end. Standing on the ground, he began rubbing and poking Chicken Nugget. I thought she was going to fall! But, she climbed down to Jake, and now we have our kitty back!

I did see a parallel to this situation, though. We're all here, living life, doing what ever it is we do, with the goal to return to our Heavenly Father. The only catch is - we can't do it on our own. It's not like I wasn't trying to get my cat. I just couldn't do it by myself. I needed help. I needed someone else. It wasn't until Jake stepped in and rescued my cat, that I was able to have her back. When it comes to this life, all that I can do isn't enough to return to my Heavenly Father. But, because of the Atonement, and all the things it makes possible, I can live with Him again. I am grateful for the Atonement; and, I'm grateful that I have a loving Heavenly Father who helped me understand it a little better.

Alex's Great Fall

Oh what craziness has befallen us this last week! I'm not even going to get into the cat right now.

Last Friday, Alex missed a rung on the bunk bed ladder. After an amazing fall, and without landing on either arm, he managed to break both bones in his left forearm. WOW!!! The break was so bad, the pediatrician wouldn't set it. X-rays were taken and sent directly to the orthopedic surgeon; and, an appointment for surgery was scheduled six hours after Alex's last meal. Poor Alex still had to wait almost four hours.

While we were waiting, Jake, and a neighbor, gave Alex a blessing. I am so grateful! When we arrived back at the hospital, the woman we registered with was talking all about Alex's surgery, and how unusual it is for a Dr. to hand her a packet and say "we're having surgery today." But, as fate would have it, or rather it was a huge blessing, he ended up not having it. The surgeon set the bone and it was good! Hooray for Alex!

After Alex woke up, he was so mad at Jake! (Jake is the one who gave him to the Anesthetist). For the next hour, he'd either cry, bury his head, and try to get away from Jake, or ignore him completely! It was kind of funny. Jake even tried to entice him with a shake, but it did no good! Who would have thunk?

Friday, he has more x-rays and will get a new soft cast with a little color. Oh what joy! But in all seriousness, I am so grateful it wasn't worse! I just hope he doesn't figure out how to hit people with it. :)

St. Patrick's Day Celebration

First off, if I were to say, "I'm not excited about going to school," it would be a lie. I can't wait! I've been busy studying math, and Jake said I'm going to make him look bad. Whatever! Hopefully, we'll both be able to take Math 1050 together during the summer. Well, we can both take it, just not at the same time because that would require a baby sitter. And, Jake has already informed me that we can't study together, because our minds think differently. (Does his reasoning sound a little weird to anyone else)? I believe it all stems from the I'll-make-him-look-bad-syndrome, which he's suddenly beginning to develop. Jake makes me laugh! The only reason I'm studying math, is because I'm not comfortable with my math abilities. So there you have it. I can do this!

So, on to St. Patrick's day...

First thing that morning, I ran into the kids room to tell them a little Leprechaun left a prize! Well, what was it? Toys? Chocolate coins? No! A new package of construction paper and a full bottle of glue! He probably though it would be a sneaky trick not leaving toys or candy; but, my kids love construction paper and glue. So the Leprechaun's plan was foiled.

After dressing in a little green, we had a small Irish breakfast: Fried Eggs and Potato Farls. They were yummy. I was stuffed! Even the kids liked it. Mercedes loved the Potato Farls, which are like a mashed potato patty. Then, we watched "Darby O'Gill and the Little People*". The Leprechauns fascinated Mercedes! She was amazed at how small they were, and was so excited that one came to our house! We also tried Irish Soda Bread, colored pictures of Leprechauns, and almost played some Gaelic games. I guess we'll get to them later.

Did you do anything fun for St. Patrick's day?

*Just a word of warning. If you have sensitive children, skip the Banchi. When I was little, she was very scary; so, we skipped that part.