My oldest brother and what it is all about

I love this picture taken on Thanksgiving Day. I love it because to me, it says exactly what Thanksgiving is about. Family.

This was taken when Mark was leaving. He is 14 years older than me, but as each year passes, we grow closer. I'm so glad that he and his family could come to visit us this year.

Student of the Month!

Greyson was chosen as Student of the Month from Mrs. Platt's Kindergarten class. Each teacher only gets to pick one Student of the Month each year so Greyson being chosen was really an honor.

The note that Mrs. Platt sent home to tell me about Greyson was precious. She told me about him receiving the honor and in the note, she said "he is amazing"!

I think so too...

Way to go Greyson!

Good Friends, Good Times

We had the Relief Society Christmas Progressive Dinner tonight and it was a great turnout. We went from Sister Ingalls home, to Sister Wagner, to Sister Rasband. The food was good, but the company was great!

However, after we were done, some of us needed to eat. Well, wanted, to eat more...

So, we headed to Chili's for some more food, but more importantly, laughs.

Lurlene, KC, Danette, Mary, Frances, Gail, Debbie Clayton and I all had a blast!

I feel blessed to have friends like them, that we can all go and enjoy each other's company.

B.A.G.

This year's b.a.g.

B - Blessing - Losing the weight that I carried around with me for 12 years after having all the kids. I have lost 42 pounds this year and I feel blessed by that, for sure!

A - Accomplishment - Can making it another year in my crazy life be an accomplishment? I think so. So, that is what it is. I made it another year! ;)

G - Goal - To continue on my fitness trip and to find stress relief and perseverance through it all.

Happy Birthday Holly!

Holly is Chris' sister, but she and I have been friends ever since I came into the picture. So, not only is she my sister in law, but a dear and precious friend. She turned 30 today and I was hoping to talk to her, but I didn't get to. :( I love ya Holly and I hope that your 30th was wonderful!

We also got to visit with Grandma, Aunt Karen and Krystal today after church and as always, the visit was fun. I'm so glad that they got to come.

I was called to be the Primary Pianist today. Hmm.. I'm not too sure about that. I guess I'm going to have to be doing A LOT of practicing! I'm not the best at the piano...

Power visit to Disney

We decided to take a quick trip to Disney this afternoon in honor of Kerstyn's Birthday! We had a great time and I am really glad that we went. The added bonus was that Grandma got to come too! Our dinner was dining with the Princesses in Norway at EPCOT which was just perfect for the girls, as you can see with their smiling faces!

Chris and Kerstyn with their Norwegian hats.

Over to Mom and Dad's

Logan, my nephew and Noelani, his girlfriend
David and Gail

We loaded up this morning and headed over to Mom and Dad's for some more family time. Logan even came up for some of the fun.

Thanksgiving

Dad, Mom, me and Mark
Mom, Dad, Chris, me Vicki and Mark

Gail and the children making mashed potatoes while Vicki worked on the sweet potato casserole, the broccoli casserole and the green bean casserole.

We had a wonderful time with family today. We ate great food and had even better company. The weather was perfect! The only hitch was that I thought the turkey was cooking for 2 hours and then I realized that the oven was off. So, that set dinner back for a few hours, but we all survived.

Happy 11th Birthday Kerstyn!

Kerstyn is an amazing young girl!

She has been a joy from the start!

We love you Kerstyn!

Some family pictures

Wow! I think we've all changed! We had a great time having the pictures taken and Katelyn did a great job! They make me smile and I know that they will continue to do that for years to come.

Busy Sabbath

Chris headed to Belleview early this morning.

The kids and I got up and ready for church and we even got to take an extra kid with us. Thomas, Brennan's friend came along and we were glad.

The choir sang the intermediate hymn, Because I Have Been Given Much. They did great! It is a beautiful hymn and the voices were angelic.

I got asked to sub in Relief Society for Tricia Desourdy and I taught the lesson on keeping focus on what is most important. I really enjoyed teaching and I hope and pray that them people there felt the spirit.

Thanksgiving with Chris' family

We enjoyed a wonderful day of food and family in Lakeland today. Ricky and Carolyn and Bay were there. We surely missed Holly and her family, but Germany is a LONG way away just to come for Thanksgiving! ;)

We ate, and ate, AND ATE!

It was all so good!

We hated to leave, but not before watching New Moon. Grandma watched our kids which was SUPER sweet and Chris and I enjoyed a mini date with Carolyn, Ricky and Bay.

Good movie, good popcorn and great company!

Going to Lakeland

The kids are SO excited!

Grandma's house, here we come. Though the visit is going to be short, it is better than nothing!

Crazy house

We are in the middle of having the inside of the house painted. It has been really crazy. I now realize that I wanted the end result without realizing what I had to go through to get it.

All of the furniture is moved.

All of the blinds come down then go back up.

The appliances are pulled away from the wall.

You get the idea.

It is certainly a hard thing for me, to have my house not in the order that I like, but I know that when it is all done, I will be really glad.

Let's just say, it is certainly not all brown anymore.

I'm taking pictures and will post them later. Our home computer crashed so I am left with only my work computer.

Makes a difference

Tonight is activity night for the kids 8 and older in the church.

Brennan had combined Young Men and Young Women.

Kerstyn had Activity Days for Girls.

Lauklan had Cub Scouts.

I saw Brother Rasband, the Young Men's President at the end of the meeting and shared something with him. I told him how thankful that I am for him and his service to my son and more distantly my family. I witnessed him the last several Sunday's talking to Brennan. I saw him smile at him and put his arm around him. I felt so good when I saw that because I felt like he was serving my son and showing him love and support. I worry about all my children and Brennan being the oldest, I'm new at this. I want nothing more than to have an eternal family and Brother Rasband fellow shipping my son, helps make that happen. I feel blessed and grateful for that. I wanted him to know.

Rough

Today and yesterday were 'one of those days'. You know the ones, when nothing is right. Where you feel like 'wo is me'.

Yep. That.

Yuck!

Up and down

I subbed for Debbie today in Primary leading the music. I LOVE that job, though it is still odd for me to be in there. I went in and out of Sunday School and Relief Society to do the music but I was glad to be able to enjoy primary and the adult stuff too.

Our lesson in Relief Society was really good. The teacher is wonderful and always brings the spirit with her. The lesson talked about feeling the spirit and it reminded me of many times in my life where I have felt the spirit. It is something that I can't deny. Some of the feelings have been soft and quiet while others have been loud and very strong. I KNOW that the spirit can and will guide us. I KNOW that I need to listen and not question it. I KNOW that I am glad to be blessed with the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

We had choir practice again. I'll just say that I didn't feel as good about it when it was over. However, I'll go again and try to press on. I left feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. We'll see how it goes on Sunday when we sing the intermediate hymn, Because I Have Been Given Much.

Old Friends

Chris and I went to meet up with Turin and his family today. Turin and I grew up next door to each other from 1983. He is like a brother to me. We met at Disney's Boardwalk and got to visit for a few hours. He has two children, one daughter that was turning 5, Vivian, and a son that is 2ish, Ashton. They are both as cute as can be. Turin and his wife Jen live in Atlanta so we don't get to see each other very much, but when we do, it is certainly nice.

I took some pictures that I will post later.

Results from the specialist

Aislinn had an appointment with Dr. Ajayi, her asthma doctor this morning. We actually saw one of his partners, whom I have never seen before, but I liked her.

She agrees that Aislinn sounds really bad. She has pneumonia in the right lung and possible pneumonia with much mucus in the left lung.

She increased her controller medication, ordered another chest x-ray in 6 weeks and ordered lab work. The lab work is to check and see if Aislinn has an immune deficiency. It can't be done until she is better, so we have to wait 2 weeks. She told us to continue with the antibiotics and to call if she doesn't start getting much better by tomorrow. The doctor agrees that we have reason for concern.

I guess for now, we have to try to get her over this last case, and hope that increasing her controller medication will curb future problems.

Sick again!

I got a call from the pre-school this morning saying that Aislinn was running a fever.

I called the pediatrician right away and went to pick her up. Come to find out, her right ear is infected again and Dr. Soto said that her lungs sounded bad, like she had pneumonia again.

She sent us to get a chest x-ray which showed that Aislinn does have pneumonia again in her right lung. We also were referred back to her pulmologist tomorrow morning for them to see what is going on.

Three cases of pneumonia since September 22 is not good! She is not feeling well and needs Tylenol and Motrin to get along. We've started Zithromax and hopefully will see improvement by tomorrow night.

Family Picture time

Chris' office was closed today and all the kids except Brennan were out of school. So, after we got Brennan from school, we headed over to meet Katelyn for her to take our family pictures. I can't wait to post them because they really turned out great!

Happy Veteran's Day to all the veterans. Especially Chris, Daddy, Ryck, Dane and Ryan!

Nice Sabbath

Mom came over for the Children's Sacrament Meeting and I was playing the bassoon for one of the pieces while Kerstyn sang a solo. Chris' mom came over too. It was wonderful to have them both there and have Chris there too to watch the children.

Lauklan really sang.

Greyson and Aislinn piped up pretty good on the pieces they knew.

It was a wonderful presentation however kind of bitter sweet for me since it was the first one in 5 years that I wasn't the Primary President for.

I did get a new calling today though. I am now the Choir Director and we had our first rehearsal this afternoon. We had a pretty good turn out and they sounded wonderful. I am really excited.

Stake Dance

Tonight was the Stake Adult Dance at our new Stake Center. To say that Chris wasn't excited about going would be a fact. However, after we got there, we both had a really good time. I'm so glad that we went and I am also glad that I had a reason to buy a new dress.
Fun, fun! I felt like we were going to prom. We laughed and danced like kids. It sure felt good.

Before the dance outside the front doors of our house.

Both of us
Full shot of the two of us.

Michelle and Mel

I have one friend that has been with me since 4th grade. I love her and treasure our friendship.

We get together as much as we can. This picture was taken in September.

One Friday night, we met Michelle and Will at The Bubba Gump Shrimp Company for dinner in Daytona Beach. Of course, it was fun.

Old, but still cute

Finally! Here are the first day of school pictures.

Greyson and me in his classroom the first day of kindergarten. Brennan - 7th grade

Kerstyn - 5th grade

Lauklan - 2nd grade

Greyson - Kindergarten

Aislinn - PreK 4

Paint!

I'm getting the inside of the house painted and I am really excited. I'm not excited for the mess that will be made during the process, but very excited for the end result.

Red, blue and green are some of the colors that will be used to paint my living room, family room, dining room, kitchen, utility room and bedroom.

I'll take pictures and maybe if I am lucky, I will be able to post them.

The project will hopefully be done by Thanksgiving.

I can't wait!

We're in!

We were so excited!
Going in!

We had our first meeting in the new Stake Center this morning. It was wonderful!

The building was beautiful.

The chapel was full.

The spirit was strong.

What a great Sabbath Day!

Grandma took some pictures of the kids and me outside the building.

Doctor to party

I went to urgent care this morning because I was running a fever and feeling lousy.

I have a sinus infection and the doctor gave me about 3 different medicines. I got them filled and hoped for the best.

We went as a family over to the bishop's house tonight. It was a lot of fun and the kids went down the street to get some MORE candy, which they did not need, but enjoy
I was really checking out that food!
Greyson really enjoyed holding the Bishop's bird.

Greyson in his Bumblee costume with Batman and Daddy grinning in the back!

Happy Halloween!

Fall Festival

We went to the Eustis Ward Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat tonight. We all had a lot of fun and the added bonus was that Grandma went with us. She took pictures too and is going to send them to me. I can't wait.

The kids played games and visited with their friends. I visited with friends and all was good.

The end was getting candy which of course the kids loved but never the less DID NOT NEED!

I'm sorry that these are sideways, but I don't know how to fix it.

Greyson

Lauklan

Kerstyn

Brennan

Aislinn

The family & Grandma!

We're feeling good!

I took Aislinn back to Dr. Soto this morning. She is sounding MUCH better! Her ear looks better too. So, we finish off the antibiotics and continue the nebulizer treatments. I am so glad!

Lauklan is feeling better too. He ended up being able to go to school yesterday and last night he was dancing around in true Lauklan style so I know he is feeling better now.

We are blessed!

We have our Ward Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat on Friday night. A party to go to Saturday night for Halloween and we get to go to church in the new building for the first time on Sunday!

The icing on the cake? Grandma is coming to spend the weekend with us. Life is good.

Re-Check

I took Aislinn back to Dr. Soto this morning. The doctor was not pleased with how Aislinn sounded, but was encouraged that her ear looked better and that she hadn't run a fever yet today.

So... she put her on oral antibiotics and told Aislinn that she had to do a really good job taking it or she would have to get the shots again. Aislinn promised to be a good medicine taker. Dr. Soto told me to call if she worsened but that she didn't want to put her in the hospital unless she was in respiratory distress or dehydrated which she was not. So, good news there.

Lauklan is home from school today. He hasn't been running a fever today and we hope that he can return to school tomorrow. His fevers have really spiked with this illness and it has been quite scary. Last night, he was at 104. I didn't like that at all. However, Dr. Soto said that he should definitely be feeling better by tomorrow, and if not, to call her about him. I think he is better today though, so I'll keep on praying for that.

I sure hope now that all 5 kids have gotten 'something' that we can be done for a while.

By the way, sickness giver, Chris and I decide to pass..

2 down

Lauklan and Aislinn who missed the Swine Flu bug a week or so ago are now sick.

I took them both to Dr. Soto this morning and apparently Lauklan has a viral thing. However, Aislinn I took on Friday, just because I was worried that she might be getting sick, but there was nothing to be found wrong with her except cold symptoms, now has an ear infection in her right ear and pneumonia in her left lung.

She just had pneumonia on the visit to the hospital we had just one month and 5 days ago!

Dr. Soto said that she needed the Rocefin (sp) shot which is antibiotics and we must come back tomorrow morning to see if she is any better. If she is, then she will put her on oral antibiotics. If not, back into the hospital.

I'm not really sure I can do this AGAIN! With another child sick in the house too just to 'spice things up'.

I know Heavenly Father saw this coming though because out of nowhere really Thursday night, I became very concerned about her and was VERY prayerful, on my knees and moved to tears. I prayed specifically that Chris and I would know how to take care of her.

Friday night, we went to the temple and I put her name on the prayer roll along with Chris and me. Now I know why.

Bassoon playin'

I was asked to play the bassoon for a piece in the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation. I will be playing Beautiful Savior with Lurlene accompanying and the older girls singing.

I always love to play. As soon as I get it in my hands, I remember how much it means to me. I believe it is a blessing that I can play and share my love of music with others.

I think that Lauklan and Aislinn are both fighting some ugly cold. We'll see, but both of them are under the weather. Let's pray they start feeling better real soon.

Belleview Ward Trunk or Treat

The whole family loaded up this afternoon and went to the Belleview Ward Trunk or Treat. Chris has been assigned to the Belleview Ward as part of his High Council responsibilities so we went as a family to participate in their activity.

The kids donned their costumes and Chris and I figured we were scary enough 'as is'.

We ate chili and listened to talent. Following all that, the kids went out and got some candy. We all had a blast.

Millennial Day

Our stake participated with the Pompano Beach Stake in a Millennial Day at the temple. We were to fill all the sessions on this day. It doesn't sound like quite a big deal at first, but when you step back and really think, it was quite a big deal to get it organized and make sure that it ran smoothly.

It has been told that the Orlando Temple usually runs at about 35% capacity. Well, not today. It was buzzing with patrons going about the work of redeeming the dead.

Genealogy had been done so we would have names to do. Some people had been done a long time ago and some recently.

Baptisms and confirmations were performed.

Initiatories and endowments followed and sealings too.

I felt overwhelmed when I entered the temple. I saw familiar face after familiar face. I thought to myself that this was how it was going to be in eternity. I would see many familiar faces.

Chris, Debbie Clayton and I got there early and we were able to go into the 7:30 session instead of the 8 session that we were assigned.

The name I was given was a member of the Berge family. I knew without a doubt that she had been waiting for this day. I had been waiting for this day!

I can't express how much it meant to me to be a part of this day. All I can say, is that it is a day I will always remember.

No news is good news?

I don't really have anything to report or "blog about".

Things at the house have been running pretty smoothly. Get up, go to school, come home, do homework, go to the gym, do activities if planned, eat, shower, bed.

I have a conference today with 4 of Brennan's teachers. I am hoping that we can all find a way to help him not be overwhelmed and discouraged. Life is hard sometimes, you know?

Kerstyn took her money in today for the Sea World Trip that is in April. If you don't pay early, you don't go and that would be the end of the world, she says...

Lauklan is really seeming to do well. He LOVES Mrs. Gronlund, who is also Sister Gronlund. He says that she is really a good teacher. He loves to help me and I really appreciate it.

Greyson is getting into the 'kindergarten thing'. He is learning his letters and shapes and delights on how many days he has been on green in a row. I believe that he is having a little competition with himself. I like it. A LOT!

Aislinn still doesn't like to nap at school. She asks me every day if it is a napping day. She naps 3 days a week and you would think it about does her in. She is really looking forward to kindergarten. She also really cares what she wears. It is crazy! The other day, I told her to put on some jeans and while she slapped her leg with exasperation, she said, "I don't want to wear these pants, I am not pretty in these pants!" She was serious...

Chris is pressing onward. He is so dedicated to his work, I hope it doesn't become too much. It sure would be nice if the real estate market would come back. Then he wouldn't have to work so hard. His new calling is already a blessing and I can see the growth in him. It makes me smile.

Me? I deal with all the above, and do pretty well with it most of the time. However, you can hear me say, "You need to stop or Mommy is going to get grumpy". They know what that means...

Field Trip

Debbie Carter and I went on a little field trip to Nordstrom's today. It was kinda spur of the moment and it was wonderful!

We have been trying for a few weeks now to get a lunch date and Debbie has been trying for months to take me to Nordstrom's with her. So, today, it finally all came together.

She came and picked me up at the office around 11:25 and we headed down. We had a nice lunch at Nordstrom's then she 'made' me go get 'fitted'. Yes, 'fitted', think about it, you'll figure it out. I tried to convince her that there really isn't anything to 'fit', but she was insistent! Now that it is over, and I survived to tell about it, I am glad that I did it. I even think that it may have helped. We'll see...

While I was doing my shopping, Debbie did her own. I had a great time getting to visit with my friend and I look forward to many more field trips with her.

Concussion

After a busy, but good day visiting Mom (Nancy) in Lakeland, we came home and were relaxing. Kerstyn stayed here and went to her Stake Activity Day activity and we kept in touch through texting and phone calls after her activity was over.

After we got home, all of the kids were outside playing with their friends when in runs one of the kids saying that Kerstyn just fell off the RipStick. I ran to her fearing that she had really hurt herself.

Come to find out, she was riding the thing without a helmet and without permission, but it happened. She decided that she would go all the way down the driveway which can get you going pretty fast with the hill at the top.

When I got to her, she was lying on the driveway crying but I quickly found out that she did not have a broken bone. However, she had quite a bang to her head. The accident happened about 7:30.

I had her put ice on it and shower. She did not feel like eating. We made her sit up with Chris and I but at 9, she vomited. She did it again at 9:30 and we determined that she should go to the ER. Chris gave her a blessing and we headed off.

They did a cat scan and examined her. At 1:15, they sent us home saying that I did the right thing to bring her in given the vomiting and that I should bring her back if she does it again or gets worse.

Thankfully, she has been doing okay.

Too close for comfort though. I sure hope she has learned her lesson about the helmet.

My favorite place

Chris and I went to the temple tonight. It seemed like everything that could go wrong before did and for us just to walk through the doors was quite an accomplishment.

I love the temple. As I wrote that sentence, I thought to myself that it was such an understatement! It is 'my place'. My place of peace. My place of love. My place of direction. My place of anything and everything that I could ever righteously desire.

I feel so blessed to be so close and be able to go. I feel blessed to be considered worthy to enter. I feel so blessed to be able to enter with my eternal companion.

I can't wait for next Friday to do it again!

Standing strong!

Well, Brennan went back to school today.

Kerstyn and Greyson are home still, but I'm hoping they both might be able to return tomorrow.

Aislinn and Lauklan are still 'fighting the good fight', meaning they haven't gotten sick...yet. Please, please, please, pass them by!

I PRAY that nobody else gets sick.

Yesterday on Facebook, I put my status saying that I feel blessed. I do. I have been blessed greatly through my life. I have been healthy, blessed to be raised in a loving home, able to attend college and able to enjoy life.

I was blessed to meet Chris who loves me more than I deserve. He is someone who supports me in anything and everything that I want to do. (not kidding)

I am blessed to have 5 wonderful, healthy, smart, crazy children!

I could go on and on, but I'm sure my point has been made.

So, today, on top of feeling blessed, I am thankful.

Flu and all...

Swine Flu

2 down, how many more to go?

Can I make it through this? Serious question.

Brennan and Kerstyn both have it. Hopefully Brennan is at the end of it and he apparently has a sinus infection on top of it. Kerstyn is at the beginning, within the first 24 hours and is taking Tamiflu. I sure hope it helps.

Is it possible that the rest of us could be spared? It sure would be nice.

Still swimming!

As I type, I am watching Kerstyn, Lauklan, Greyson and Aislinn take turns going down the slide.

Yes, it is October 12!

I LOVE IT!

First time

We made it today!

It was Chris' first time to be out of the ward on assignment.

I set the alarm for him at 5:30 this morning and he left the house around 6:40 to head to Belleview.

The kids and I got up. Well, the kids got up and were running around, minus Brennan who is still sick. :( They allowed me to lay in the bed until 9 or so, it was so nice!

I made them waffles and we got ready for church. Brennan stayed home.

We made it through sacrament meeting without too many issues! Overall, I was pretty pleased.

I think that Brennan is getting better, but I am concerned. Fever, sore throat, cough. Doesn't sound good. However, the fever is getting better, and he says that some of the symptoms are getting better.

Saturday nothingness

We were going to head to Disney today, but Brennan is sick. He started feeling bad Friday and it continues today.

So, we just decided to kinda hang out.

I went and cycled this morning.

I took Aislinn to a birthday party while Chris messed around the house with the kids and got the propane tanks filled up.

We grilled out burgers, steaks, chicken and Italian sausage.

We relaxed.

I needed that.

Date night

Chris and I try to go on a date once a week. It is usually Friday night and this Friday night, we were lucky enough to be able to double date with the Lugo's.

Frances and Jose are in our ward and are only a few months different in age than me. That leaves Chris as the 'old' one in the group, but we love him anyway! ;)

Frances' birthday was Thursday, and their anniversary was Sunday, I believe, so I told Frances to pick out what they wanted to do.

I'm so glad that I did that because they picked to go Texas de Brazil in Orlando. It was DELICIOUS!

We had a great time and hope to be able to make it a yearly trip for all of us.

Fun, fun.

I get it!

I put that post about how I feel about my struggles with being a wife and mother and received several WONDERFUL comments. It did help that I just wrote the post because I ended up pondering the whole thing the whole day. Pondering and praying...

I came up with the same thing that you guys did. Satan is after the family. He will destroy it any and every way that he can. For me right now, he is working on my struggle with thinking that I have to be perfect.

I have things to work on. I am NOT perfect. Far, far, from it actually. But, where I struggle is that I forget to remind myself that Heavenly Father does not expect me to be perfect, He does however, expect me to try my best. Then, He gave Jesus Christ to make up the difference. I need to accept that in my daily life and realize that it was for me and allow it to work.

I am blessed with an amazing husband who loves me with a kind and generous heart.

I am blessed with 5 children that have AMAZING and strong spirits, saved for the latter days because of the ability to do what needs to be done.

I am blessed with friends and family that are there for me and are supportive of me in my journey.

I am blessed to be a member of the church where I have the restored gospel in my life and prophets, seers and revelators to lead me and guide me on this journey. I am also blessed with local leaders that are inspired, loving and compassionate.

So, today, I am thankful for my trials because when I make it through, I can look back and see why I had or have them and look forward with faith.

Faith that I can do this WITH help.

What I want and how to get it.

I want to be a good wife and mother.

But, I can't seem to figure out how.

I keep falling short and just when I'm feeling good, I fall.

Such is life.

Did you hear it?

Did you watch? If not, you really missed tons!

We left Tallahassee at 8:45 and arrived home around 12:45. The drive was uneventful and I was thankful for that.

Dad (Ryck) and Kenney followed and Mom (Nancy) met us at the house. We got to watch both sessions of conference together and Chris arrived home around 6:30.

President Carter arrived around 7:15.

Dad ordained Chris a High Priest as we all sat on the couch.

It was powerful.

Immediately following Chris becoming a High Priest, President Carter set Chris apart as a High Councilor of the Leesburg Stake.

Wow!

The spirit was so strong and I feel so blessed that we could all be there to feel it. I wish that I had the words to tell you how I feel. However, all I do is tear up thinking about it. I am so thankful for Chris, Dad and President Carter.

Without them, no telling where I would be.

I mean it.

General Conference and Nana's Birthday

I watched all but the first fifteen minutes of the first session today before we headed to Nana's Surprise Birthday party.

I watched Elder Bednar's talk twice!

I loaded up the kids and headed over to the party. It was wonderful to get to see so many of the extended family that I haven't seen in years! Nana seemed so surprised and happy. She is a wonderful lady and deserved a grand celebration for her 90th!

I sure do miss my hubby!

Tallahassee, Here we come!

I ran around like crazy this morning trying to get things ready so that I could go to Tallahassee with the kids this afternoon. Chris is on his second weekend of camping, so I am going it alone.

I dealt with the pool and dry cleaning, the dog, and my husband who forgot something 'imperative'.

I took a shower, picked up kids and headed off.

The drive wasn't that bad. I am really glad that we arrived safely.

We made it to Tallahassee just in time to have dinner with Nana, Drew, Ryan, Carolyn, Bay, Alyssa, Dad and Kenney. It is always nice to be with family.

I really look forward to General Conference this weekend and I have my question ready to be answered.

What a blessing to be a member of the church and receive guidance just for me!

Happy 6th Birthday Greyson!

My youngest son is six years old today!

He was my biggest at birth weighing in at 8 pounds 7 ounces at one week early.

He is still my 'solid' child.

His nickname is 'lover' because he has always been very sweet and affectionate. He would rub my elbow from the very beginning and still sometimes cuddles up to me and rubs my elbow. So cute!

He is no nonsense when it comes to eating. He sits down and eats and when he is done, he gets up. Everyone else is there talking and messing, not Greyson. Don't mess with him and his food!

We love you Greyson! You're a great little man!

Hitting us all

Remember that I posted that Aislinn vomited on Friday and that Dr. Soto thought it was a virus on top of everything else?

Well, on the way home from church on Sunday, Greyson, out of the blue, says he is sick to his stomach. He vomited right after we got home.

Kerstyn woke Chris and I up in the middle of the night saying that she had vomited.

Chris woke up a few hours later feeling awful.

A few hours after that, it was me.

All that is left is Lauklan and Brennan. I hope they somehow escape it.

The good of it is that it comes and goes pretty fast.

The bad of it is that while it is here, it is very, very yucky!

Been a long time

Lets see if I can sum it up...

Aislinn was in the hospital again last Sunday through Tuesday. She left with pneumonia, but I really believe that it is NOT what we went in with. She was running a fever that I could not get to break and at 104, I was scared.

So, her nephrologist hospitalized her given that she was diagnosed with a UTI the night before at the Emergency room at Waterman, but the urine sample she gave at Arnold Palmer was negative. They did a renal ultrasound, chest x-ray, VCUG and pelvic area cat scan.

We didn't really get any answers except to find out that she has pneumonia. I really don't think that is why we went there, but nothing else could be found. Many people listened to her breathe from Thursday on and nobody said anything until Monday afternoon. We'll see. After 2 and a half days on 2 IV antibiotics, we went home with oral antibiotics.

On Friday, she started vomiting and I took her to her pediatrician. Dr. Soto, put her on another antibiotic and said that she thought it could be a virus on top of the other issues. MY GOSH!

While all of this was happening, at least initially, Chris was unavailable camping doing his Boy Scout Leadership Training. He was dismissed Sunday around 6 and arrived at the hospital around 7. I was sure glad to see him, as was Aislinn.

Prayers, I know without a doubt, are sustaining Aislinn and our family.

Chris was sustained today to be on the High Council. We are really excited for him and I know that he will be great. He feels really overwhelmed, but I know, yes know, that he will rise to the call and that our family will be blessed because of his service.

I am here. Kinda, well not kinda, really rattled. I am making it day to day and am thankful for that. Just when you think that your plate is as full as it can be, you get something else added. I'm not referring to Chris' new calling, just all the issues with the kids and Aislinn's health.

Prayer and the priesthood keep me going.

Hollywood Studios

We went to Hollywood Studios for a few hours today to celebrate Greyson's Birthday. He will be 6 on Wednesday, September 30.

He told me about a week ago that he knew what he wanted for his birthday and when I asked him what it was, he rambled on and on about some robot. I was really scared and thought, "I am really going to have a hard time finding that since I have NO idea what that is".

Well, when we walked out of some ride, he excitingly exclaimed, "Here it is Mommy, this is what I told you I wanted for my birthday!"

I said, "show Daddy", and was so delighted that he found what he wanted and that I didn't have to worry about finding it anymore.

We left in time so that I could get home and shower to watch the General Relief Society Broadcast at 8. I went over to Gail's and watched with her and Debbie. We had a really nice time together and, of course, the meeting was wonderful!

When I got home, it was right to bed for me!

Happy Birthday to my oldest brother Mark. Next year buddy, you're 50 and I'm thinking that is kinda old for you... :) Just kidding, love ya!

FAME

Chris and I went to see Fame tonight at the movies. He did not want to see it of course, since it is 'artsy' but he "took one for the team" as he would say, and took me.

I think I smiled all the way through.

I really enjoyed it and I remembered how much I loved watching it on TV when I was a kid.

I gonna live forever, FAME!

Day 3

Aislinn is improving and the results of the tests, which was horrible to go through, showed nothing.

So, since they say that she has pneumonia, they are discharging her with a diagnosis of that.

I'm not convinced.

I am glad to be home.

Day 2

Aislinn slept most of the time. Her fever spiked again last night and wouldn't come down again without being given Tylenol and Motrin on top of each other.

They did a chest x-ray in the afternoon.

Her appetite is diminished and she is not looking too hot.

However, the fever has not returned today, so the antibiotics must be working. But, you would surely hope that with 2 different kinds of IV antibiotics, something would be improving.

Dr. Rich, Aislinn's urologist, came in with Dr. Rodriguez and talked with Chris and I. They decided that they would do a VCUG and a pelvic area cat scan to see if there was anything they could find. However, they told us that the urine that the collected on Sunday night, was negative. So, we are not sure what is going on.

Day 1

Admitted Aislinn to the hospital.

I could not get her fever to come down from 104 before church so I called Dr. Montane and told her what was going on.

She said that she needed to be admitted and that she would call me back when she had her a room.

She did, and I left.

Gail and Mary said that they would take care of the other children and I am extremely grateful.

They did a renal ultrasound and got the IV in. Not pleasant. But, we survived it.

Chris arrived around 7 and we were all really glad.

ER

Aislinn seemed okay this morning so I took all the kids over to the Bishop's house, as planned, so that they could go to a birthday party and I could go to the work thing that I had to do.

However, after I got home, I noticed that she was not herself and around 5, her fever would not come down after Motrin and was still hanging around 103.6.

I was scared, so I took her to Waterman's ER and was there for 6 hours.

They gave her Tylenol on top of Motrin, and her fever came down to around 100 a few hours later.

They couldn't find anything wrong with her and after I told them her history of renal trouble, they suggested a urine test to be sure.

They said she did have a UTI with plus 2 leukocytes. I was bummed to say the least.

We got home around 11:30. Chris was pretty frustrated with being away and not here to help me with the situation, but I encouraged him to stay and try to not lose the time he had already put into the training.

Nordy's

Chris is off on his first weekend of Boy Scout Leadership Training so I got a babysitter and went by myself to shop.

I drove to Nordstrom's and had a blast shopping!

I missed Chris like crazy, but he does not like to shop at all, so I took advantage of the time that I had.

I came home with an outfit and knowledge of where Nordstrom is so that I can return there soon. :)

Pure craziness!

I guess you won't be surprised to hear that things have been VERY busy here at the Shipley house! I haven't even had time to really write on my blog which makes me sad.

The good out of that is that things are going along in a pretty usual manner. Which means that everyone is 'doing their thing'.

Let's see...

Chris is...working, working, working.

Melody is ...working, exercising, taxi driving, homework helping, etc.

Brennan is... (going to do me in!) no, going to school, keeping his room neat as he says, but I say messy. He is starting to get excited about the National Jamboree for Boy Scouts next summer, he thinks it is really cool that the President and the Secret Service will be there.

Kerstyn is... trying to get over a cold and doing well in school. She signed up for chorus and Orff group again and is going to do the art club too.

Lauklan is... entertaining! He really likes going to school and is doing pretty well. He seems to be quite athletic and would really like to play basketball but I just don't know how I can get him to all of that.

Greyson is... adjusting to 'big boy school'. I had a conference with Mrs. Platt yesterday, and she says he is doing fine. He needs to work on his letters and sounds, but it will come. He did, however, already ruin his tennis shoes. Boys! I had to run to the store yesterday to buy him another pair. Crazy!

Aislinn is... well, Aislinn! Gotta love her, I'll tell ya! She is doing pretty well, she is so much like me. She knows all the kids in her school, all the cars that their parents drive, etc. A little teacher. I'm afraid that she is getting Kerstyn's cold though. I sure hope not.

As you see, all is... normal. At least normal for us.

I feel blessed to know that my family can be forever. If I didn't know that, and yes, I mean 'know', I don't know if I could, or would, make it through some of our days. This parenting gig is NOT for weaklings. I just pray daily, and sometimes many times a day, that I can do it and that I will raise up good children.

Because, just like I tell the kids all the time, we're Shipleys!

Michelle and CJ

Michelle and CJ came over for a visit today.

It was so nice!

CJ and Greyson played really nicely together which was really cute. They are only three and one half months apart in age.

Michelle and I just picked up where we left off.

Perfect!

I of course have some pictures to post once we get my computer figured out. :(

Date night!

Chris and I had our date night Friday night. We decided to head to Orlando and ate at Cheesecake Factory. (I love that place!)

We went down there primarily because I found out today that my watch, the Gucci that Chris bought me in December of 1995 when I finished my Bachelor's Degree was broken. I thought that it just needed a new battery when it quit working on August 23. It took me that long to take it somewhere that would take the back off and replace the battery. Now, that is crazy!

Anyway, the watch guy told me that it didn't need a new battery, that it was broken. :( I almost bought a new Gucci when I was in NYC this summer but I didn't because my watch worked, and all that other stuff you tell yourself to talk yourself out of a big purchase.

Well, now that it is BROKEN, I guess I need a new one, right? :)

We went to look at watches. I showed Chris the watch that I picked out in NYC but for some reason, he was indifferent. As was I. It just didn't catch me the way it did up there. So, I kept looking.

I ended up buying a TAGHeuer and I LOVE it! I was glad that Chris was with me so he could buy it for me because I would NEVER of spent that much money on myself.

But, I'm happy. Very, very happy!

Thanks honey!

Crazy Day!

I dropped all of the kids off this morning except Aislinn. She and I headed to Lake Mary to Dr. Ingalls office for her 6 month cleaning. She loves going there. Well, all of the kids love going there so that is nice.

After driving back, I dropped Aislinn off late at school so I could at least get in an hour or so at the office.

I picked Aislinn back up at 12:30. Then Brennan at 2 and the other 3 at 2:20. We drove like crazy to Tavares to Dr. Soto's office for the older 4 to get their flu shots. Aislinn got hers the other week with her well visit so the others were up!

Following the flu shots, that you would have thought were going to kill Kerstyn, Lauklan and Greyson! But, wow, they survived! Anyway, we then drove as quickly as possible to Lake Mary for all of the others to get their 6 month cleanings.

Then, back to Mount Dora for a personal training appointment followed by a quick cardio workout.

Lauklan to the Valentich's for scouts.

Home to pick up Brennan's friend Thomas to take Brennan, Thomas and Kerstyn to their activities at church. Thank goodness Sister Smith said she would bring Kerstyn home and Bishop Saunders said he would get Brennan and Thomas home.

I got back just in time to pick Lauklan up and we headed home. WHEW!!!!

I am TIRED! (but I survived) :)

Typical Aislinn

We got a call early this morning from Grandma. I have to admit that I was a little scared initially because she doesn't usually call the house and certainly not in the morning.

But, the news was good.

She just wanted to say that she had a great time with us over the past weekend.

All of the kids played and played and did pretty well behaving, for the most part. Aislinn really drew a bunch of pictures and used about a roll of scotch tape to make some project for Grandma.

Well, the reason for the call was that Grandma was unloading the dishwasher this morning and one of the forks had scotch tape wrapped all around it. Undoubtedly one of Aislinn's 'projects'. Grandma said she laughed out loud.

Cute Aislinn, cute.

What it is about, again.

We got up this morning and headed to church with Grandma. Nice and early. Her ward starts at 9 and we aren't used to starting until 1, but we made it and early. Not 10 minutes early like President Carter suggests, but about 5 minutes early, so not too bad.

It was so nice, our Sabbath Day. We spent the day with family and were surrounded by what it is all about. I love that. I got to spend part of last Sunday with some of my family and then today with some of Chris'. Perfect!

Going to Grandma's!

We headed out this morning, well, more like early afternoon to Grandma's to spend the weekend.

Kerstyn had a sleepover last night and really wanted to go, so I went to the gym this morning and climbed stairs for 50 minutes then I headed over to pick her up. After we got home, I started getting things ready. Well, that takes a while, but I got it done and we finally headed out.

Not too long after we got there, we loaded back up and headed to get our Zaxby's fix. Tasty!

We just relaxed and visited the rest of the afternoon and evening. I left Chris with the kids around 7 and headed shopping. I got back to the house around 9:30 with some pajamas (since I forgot mine) and a new outfit. Not bad. :)

Just one question?

Do you think that there is a carpet cleaning company that can possibly remove all of the "present" remnants complimentary of Shelby?

Just wondering...

Wow!

Is that okay?

When Mom, Dad, Reed and Sherri came over on Sunday, Daddy, aka Papa told the kids that he and Yoo-Ma would come back in a few weeks and spend the night. They haven't spent the night with us since Aislinn was born so it is definitely time for it.

Every day, yes, I really mean EVERY DAY, one or more of the kids ask me if they are really going to come. One day, when I confirmed Lauklan's question he followed it up with this question. "Is that okay with you Mom?"

I thought that was really cute. :)

Hurry up Yoo-Ma and Papa, they are waiting. (And even trying to wait patiently.)

Enrichment Meeting

I went tonight to Enrichment meeting. They only have them once a quarter now instead of monthly so I really try to make sure I don't miss it.

I never used to care if I went or didn't until I received the calling in Tallahassee of Enrichment Leader, or something like that. We would plan and plan and then it wasn't well attended and that was always quite frustrating. So, here I went, off to my meeting.

I must be honest though and say that I wasn't very excited. The meeting was on canning foods. If you know me very well, you are really surprised right now that you even read that on my blog. Do I even know what that is? I don't do that kind of stuff, you know.

But I went.

And I sat by dear friends. (Even though 3 people moved away from me once they sat down until poor Sister Saunders sat down for the long haul). I wonder if I smelled? I did go straight there from the gym, but I changed...

I'm glad I went, and now I am even more thankful for my shelving systems.

Because...?

I don't can!