Mam-Mom's 95th Birthday

The 4 youngest kids and I drove up to Kentucky to celebrate my grandmother's 95th birthday. We were really glad to be there with her to celebrate. It could have only been better for us if Chris and Brennan could have been there too.

We all went to eat at Cracker Barrel to celebrate. In the picture below is Mam-Mom, her sister Flossie who will be 98 next month, a nephew of Mam-Mom, then our cousin Randy and Mom.

There were 3 tables of us there to celebrate.

Below is my cousin Amy's family.

This was the table I sat at with my other cousin Lori and her family along with her mother, my cousin Becky.

It was a wonderful day!

Kerstyn's Elementary School Graduation

The school had a grand graduation ceremony for the 5th graders. Kerstyn beamed through the whole thing.

Chris and I are so proud of her!

Immediately following the ceremony, we took her to eat lunch then she and I headed off to pick up the boys from school and then get Aislinn and head to Kentucky.

We left the house for Kentucky at 1 p.m.

We arrived in Kentucky at 11:10 central time. I made record time!

Lauklan's Awards Day

Today wrapped up an amazing year for an amazing boy.

He was voted "Best Smile for a boy" by his classmates.

He received an award for turning in his homework every day this school year.

He also received an award for being on the A/B honor roll all year.

I'm proud of you Lauklan! You've worked so hard and Mrs. Gronlund is super proud of you too.

Melody and Elieen, All Grown Up!

All dressed up and ready for church!

I loved every minute of my visit with Eileen and I sure hope that we don't go another 16 years before we meet again.

Visit from Eileen

Eileen was an AMAZING clarinet player back in the day when I could play the bassoon. We met our freshman year at FSU, both of us were music majors.

I was in the dorm, she was in an apartment our freshman year, and we knew not long after meeting, that we would be great roommates.

In May 1993, we got an apartment.

We laughed. A LOT!

We ate.

We went to school. But Eileen didn't really want to do that, she just wanted to play that clarinet.

We practiced.

We sang.

We did whatever we wanted, but we had fun!

However, in September 1993, Chris and I had our first date. As you know, one month later, we were engaged. Three months after that, it was no longer Eileen and Melody, it was Chris and Melody...
But, it was great while it lasted!

Chris and I hadn't seen Eileen since a few months after we our wedding. She moved from Tallahassee to New York City to study up there.

But, thanks to email and Facebook, we kept up. She was in Florida for work and we were lucky enough for her to be able to come up here and spend the weekend with us.

Just like old times...

Friday fun

Since it is the end of the school year AND a Friday, the kids are relaxing to one of their favorite shows, Aaron Stone, with two of their friends from the neighborhood. Aislinn is messing with Shelby, taking her collar off and on.

I need to work with Shelby on posing for pictures, she just doesn't get it.

A little calmer picture of television watching.

I'm looking forward to 4:30 when Janie is arriving to babysit... Date night, take me away!

A special treat after some ground rules

I felt like I needed to spend some additional time with the kids today, so I skipped the gym and took them to dinner after we made some Family/House rules.

We went to Lampu and we haven't been there in quite a while. They were all really well behaved and had full tummies after our meal. It was nice.

Here are our rules, that we all talked about at length as we sat at the kitchen table:

1. Obey your parents and/or anyone else that is in charge of you. For example, your babysitters, gym workers and teachers. Always!

2. No yelling.

3. Help each other.

4. Stay out of each other's room without permission. No girls on the boys side and no boys on the girl side.

4. No locking inside doors!

I'll keep you posted on our quest to keep these rules. I am certainly hopeful.

A few numbers

131 - The amount of money that I spent today on pool chemicals!

322 - The amount of money that I spent at Target on a bunch of nothing.

0 - patience left at the end of the day.

Happy June! I can't believe it is already here.

We had our Relief Society meeting last night and had 4 mini classes. The best part for me was sitting in Chris' class watching and listening to him do his 'thing'.

After the meeting, Katie, Frances, Nashua, Nellie, Kristen and I headed to Chili's.

I was hungry and it was fun.

Memorial Day Festivities

This is what we do on Memorial Day...

We swam and grilled out. Half of the day, we got to spend with Chris' Dad, Kenney and Alyssa. It ended up being a fun, relaxing day.

Sabbath fun

Lauklan loves to snap pictures. Here is one from today.

I love my calling in primary. I love working with Debbie Carter. I hope by the end of this that I end up being able to play piano better. I am thankful that she is so patient with me.

Memorial Day activity

Chris took the boys with him to the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell early this morning to participate with the Belleview Ward in placing flags for Memorial Day. I was surprised when they all got up and left before 7 this morning so they could be there. But they did it, and they were glad to be a part of it. I was glad that they got to do it together.

After we all got back together, we headed to Hollywood Studios to get drenched in the severe thunderstorm. That is all I have to say about that.

Aislinn's Last Day of Pre-School

I'm going to miss our time together in the mornings. She and I had about 30 minutes a day just the two of us and I really enjoyed it.

When I was driving her home today after school, she began to cry. When I asked what was wrong, she said that she was going to miss her teachers and friends. I assured her that we would keep in touch.

Miss Shawnie and Miss Mary have been with all the kids from Kerstyn down to Aislinn. We have attended St. Edward's Pre-School for 7 years straight. I told Miss Shawnie this morning as I frowned at drop off that I would just have to drive through the drop off line a few times next year just because I wouldn't know how to not do it.

We have been blessed as a family by that school and we will all miss them.

Aislinn's Graduation

Aislinn and me on Graduation night
All the other kids waiting for the graduation ceremony.

Chris and I

Aislinn

Aislinn and her daddy

Up with the diploma!

Aislinn looked beautiful.

The ceremony was cute with all those little kids in their gowns and stuff.

She also received the fruit of the spirit award for faithfulness. I know that Miss Shawnie doesn't know the 'whole' story, but I knew that was the PERFECT award for Aislinn.

If there is one thing that she has, it is faith!

My kids are growing up.

What working hard looks like

Aren't you glad you know now?

Stress

I'm stressed.

It's the end of the year for the kids which means more stuff. More meetings, more performances, more STUFF!

The schedule is about to change, that in itself brings some stress.

We're in the process of trying to buy a building for the office and that is MAJOR stress for me and Chris too.

There is need for more employees, another attorney and another bankruptcy paralegal to be exact, but there is nowhere to sit them.

Stress. Period.

Kerstyn all done up!

Janie came over to babysit the other night and Kerstyn wanted to do makeup. After Janie called to make sure it was okay, she did her all up and took some pictures to let us see all the fun. Kerstyn loved every minute of it.

Watch out!

The kid shuffle

Greyson was out of school on Thursday and I took him to the doctor and found out that he did not have strep, ear or sinus infections. Therefore, it must have been a virus. All he complained of was his head and then throat hurting.

He went to school Friday and played all day Saturday. We did notice a rash on his torso on Saturday, but he was acting fine and playing, so we just watched it.

This morning, after Chris left for Belleview, I heard Greyson up in the bathroom vomiting. Great.

I sent a text to Chris who was in a meeting and told him about our fun events. We then tossed around a few ideas of how to deal with him being sick, getting him to the doctor, getting all of the others of us to church and stuff. We decided to leave Kerstyn with Greyson, I would take all the other kids to church and Chris would leave Belleview after Sacrament Meeting and get Greyson to After Hours Pediatrics.

I got a text while at church that Greyson threw up again and now Kerstyn wasn't feeling well.

When it rains, it pours.

Chris took both of them to the doctor. No strep for either, Greyson's rash was an allergic reaction. Virus for him, I think Kerstyn was sick by association...

I see fun beginning... who's next?

Pool Party

After a quick trip to get a pedicure and stocking up on groceries, I returned home to promptly kick the kids out of the house and into the pool.

I wouldn't let them stay inside all day. They had to be outside. Not necessarily in the pool, but out of the house.

It was that way all day. I'll admit that it wasn't easy to keep a few of them out, but we all survived and I think we had fun too.

We swam and ate and swam and ate. The Garrett's came over around 4 and we grilled out and swam some more. Kirstie even joined in on the swimming a little this afternoon.

I'll just say that after all that, the kids went to bed very easily.

A different date

Yesterday, today and tomorrow, Chris was in training in Orlando. So, tonight, I went to meet him down in the area for our date.

I decided that we would go to Downtown Disney and eat then go to Cirque du Soliel. We went there together for my 30th birthday, meaning over 6 years ago (wow, 6 years already?), and we had said to each other a few times lately that we would like to go again. Tonight was the night. We ate at House of Blues and then walked around a little before our show.

The dinner was good.

The show was great.

The company was perfect!

Book Club

I still don't read. I've missed the last two meetings, but I was still invited back tonight.

I'm glad that I went because we discuss the book very little, but lift each other a lot. I am thankful for that.

Teacher Training

I was invited to attend the Primary Teacher Training tonight. They fed us physically and spiritually.

Each member in the presidency gave a message about teaching. Each bore a powerful testimony of gospel truths. Each person told of the special spirit of each of the children.

What I really loved was that we all agree that these children are precious gifts with amazingly strong spirits and that we are blessed to be able to serve them.

I've know that for a long time. That was one of my 'blessings' from being Primary President. I get it. So do they. These children are going places!

Really?

Michelle took this when she came to visit during Spring Break.

Look at me, once again running my mouth!

Do I ever shut up?

I did notice however, that I have nice muscles in my forearm...

Mother's Day breakfast with Lauklan

Mary just sent me this picture from Lauklan's Mother's Day breakfast. We had it in his classroom on May 7.

He's quite a cutie.

Lauklan has really worked hard in school this year and his academic progress has been quite significant.

He LOVES to help his father around the house and is always quick to volunteer to help on projects.

He's going to be quite a 'catch' some day...

A Special Stake Conference

Elder Neil L. Andersen of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came to be with us today. He taught and shared a wonderful message of love and faith. I took notes which I will post another day.

Right now, it still seems kinda surreal. I don't even know where to begin.

The meeting was powerful.

The spirit was amazingly strong.

The choir was better than ever.

I am humbled and honored to have been able to participate in this day.

Mom came over and Elder Andersen even mentioned something in his message that was just for her. He gave us all words or encouragement.

Elder Andersen made it a point to shake my hand after the meeting. He told me how wonderful the music was and how talented I am. I couldn't believe, and I still can't believe, how kind he was to me.

Kerstyn and Grandma shook Elder Andersen's hand separately from the other 4 kids. Grandma told Elder Andersen that Kerstyn was 'the choir director's daughter' and Elder Andersen again complemented me to her. Wow!

I stood in line with Brennan, Lauklan, Greyson and Aislinn. The boys didn't want to get in line and shake his hand. That upset me, to be honest, but I told them that they were going to shake the hand of an Apostle of the Lord and that one day, they will be glad that I had them do it.

The line was long and they waited fairly patiently. When it was finally our turn, I said to Elder Andersen, "Elder Andersen, these are a few of my children and I wanted them to be able to shake your hand". He shook each one of their little hands and looked them in the eye. He spoke to each of them individually and told them how talented their mother was and how blessed they are to have me. Can you believe that? I could have fallen to the floor. Then, he turned to me again, took my hand, and thanked me for a wonderful job.

Wow.

This day, is one I will remember forever.

As if all that wasn't enough, President Carter called this afternoon to thank me for the music. He also called to thank Chris for all his efforts with the parking.

We are both happy to serve.

Sister Andersen

We had a meeting with Sister Andersen this morning. I will admit that it was a little, lets just say, less formal, than I thought it would be. However, I really enjoyed the meeting.

Debbie Carter bore a wonderful, heart-felt testimony which I just loved. I also knew that she was most likely very uncomfortable up there but she did just great, of course.

Sister Anderson was a Florida girl, which I didn't know until that meeting and I found her ties to Florida quite neat.

There was a very nice luncheon planned immediately following the meeting and I was tickled, because I was really quite hungry.

Chris' mom was with me, which made the meeting even more special.

I can't wait for tomorrow... I sure hope we do well with the choir and I can't wait to hear and learn from Elder Andersen.

One for the team

Chris and I went on our date tonight. It was my turn to pick what we were going to see at the movies, if we went, since Chris picked last time.

I wanted to see Letters to Juliet, but Chris was really wanting to see Robin Hood. He said that if I would see Robin Hood, that I could pick the next two times. So, being the wonderful wife that I am, I said okay.

We saw Robin Hood. I actually liked it better than I thought I would because there was a neat little love story in it.

I think we had a win, win situation.

Next movie, Letters to Juliet.

Nightmare

I had a nightmare the other night about the special stake conference coming up this Sunday.

In my dream the choir started without me. How does the choir start without me? I mean, don't they have to watch me to know when to 'go'?

I my dream I couldn't see the members of the choir because it was dark and they were really far away. I have no idea where we were, but it was big and dark and scary.

I did NOT dream that I tripped. Apparently, I am past the tripping worry, but certainly worried about pulling this off.

We'll just say that I am praying. A lot! I am praying for the spirit to be there. With me, with the choir members and with the congregation. I take music very seriously and I know how much it can affect the spirit of the meeting.

I pray I do my part.

Kerstyn's performance

Kerstyn had her last elementary school music concert last night. I guess she takes after me in the fact that she really enjoys that stuff. Singing and playing instruments comes naturally for her. I can't wait to see what the future holds for her.

Chorus picture

Jamming out on the orff instrument.

Good job Kerstyn!

Another scary visit

I got a call from St. Edward's yesterday afternoon around 2:30 saying that Aislinn woke up from nap with a fever of 103. So, I hurried there, got her at 2:45 and gave her Motrin. She only wanted to sleep, because of the fever and I thought that it would start coming down soon.

However, it went up to 104 and was still up around 103 or 104 by 3:45 so I talked to Chris and we decided to take her to the Emergency Room at Arnold Palmer Hospital. Meanwhile, Chris called Dr. Montane, her nephrologist, and she said to do exactly that, take her to the ER at Arnold Palmer.

We got there at 4:40 and her fever was down to 101 when we got to the first triage nurse.

After we were taken back, they did their assessment and said that her lungs sounded clear, which surprised me because she had been coughing. But, they were clear. So then they were starting to be dismissive and saying that it was viral.

However, she needed to go to the bathroom, so they took a urine sample. The sample turned out to 'dirty' so they sent it to the lab for further testing. Dirty, meaning that it looked like, from their initial dipstick test, that something was wrong with it.

When it came back from the lab, the leukocytes were at 100, meaning there is an infection. So, they called Dr. Montane so she could tell them what medicine to give her. She prescribed a shot or Rocefin and Cipro to take at home.

Needless to say, Aislinn was not happy about the shot, but she made it through.

Dr. Montane called me this afternoon and said the the urine is not growing in the culture, so she is not sure it is a urinary infection. However, we only have had 1, yes 1 grow anything and that was the day she was admitted to the hospital in October of 2008 and was EXTREMELY sick. So, Chris and I are not too sure that she is okay in that aspect.

We both feel that something is not right. Something is going wrong, but it doesn't show itself yet. We'll just have to wait and see, I guess. We are to continue the Cipro and Dr. Montane said she would check the lab again today. I'm sure nothing will be there, but I am also sure that doesn't really mean anything.

So, take home message is, we're still on the roller coaster!

Blogworthy

Chris got this for me for Mother's Day. At first, I must admit, that I didn't fully appreciate them for what they are. I don't mean to say that I wasn't glad to get them, because I was. It made me smile.

But...

What made me smile even more was when he just casually said, "There is a rose there for each of the children"...

I thought, really? There are 5 roses? Yep, there were 5. I asked him, "How did you get that?" Come to find out, he picked out the stuff that he wanted and made me his own little bouquet.

I am touched. I love it!

Score for Chris!

Mother's Day 2010

Chris hustled out of the bedroom this morning and started the routine, I thought. Later, the kids brought me my breakfast. Chris and the kids made me a delicious omelet and some sliced strawberries along with toast with grape jelly and some orange juice! I was so pleased! They had never done that before, and I was very glad to get it!

After all that, we headed to church, and Mom met us there. It was so special to me to be able to spend some of Mother's Day with my mom.
I feel so blessed that I can also call her my friend! Isn't she beautiful?

After church, we just came home and relaxed. Well, kind of relaxed, it is hard to do that with all the kids, but we tried, at least.

Family fun at Grandma's

We headed over to Lakeland to visit with Grandma today. Of course, it is not really a trip to Grandma's if we don't eat at Zaxby's. We also went to see Iron Man 2. Chris and I went last night and previewed it. The kids seemed to enjoy it. Aislinn went to the bathroom about 5 times though and one time, as we were leaving, she said, 'those are really cool bathroom's Mommy'. Hmmm.

Anyway, we didn't get home until about 10:30 tonight, so I'm going be tired tomorrow.

Mother's Day celebrations

I was at Round Lake Elementary this morning for a Mother's Day Breakfast with Lauklan at 7:30. Then I headed home to the get the other kids off to school.

I dropped off Aislinn then ran to work for a few minutes and then back to the preschool for some fun with Aislinn.

Those were her thoughts on me this Mother's Day. I don't think I have EVER eaten Spaghetti O's, and I don't really have a favorite color, I think her favorite is purple. I asked her how she knew my age and she replied, "Remember when we had your birthday at Daddy's office and the numbers were on the cake, they said that and I remember it in my head." Love her!

I'm so sad that I have wings in this picture, but that is what happens when I'm having a bad hair day...

Mary, Lauklan's teacher took some pictures and I will post them when I get them.

Girl fun

Frances, Maria, Dannette, Debbie and I headed out tonight to Cheesecake Factory.

Good food and good company are always a great combination!

I believe that we all had a great time. I can't wait to do it again.

Time for haircuts!

It's almost summer and the girls were in desperate need of a trim. I think they look really cute. I was hoping that Kerstyn would look younger, but I'm afraid that backfired on me, she looks older. Oh my, my kids are growing up!

Kerstyn back and front.

Aislinn back and front.

Lauklan the Terrific Kid!

Congratulations Lauklan! You truly are a Terrific Kid!

Not so much fun.

We had our second stake choir rehearsal today. We'll just say that it goes right along with ward choir in that I have a very up and down relationship with it. What is my deal? Well, anyway, I'm going to do a lot of praying and studying before the 'big day' and hopefully it will all work out.

On another note, Fast and Testimony meeting was WONDERFUL! The spirit was there, it was strong and the meeting was powerful. Exactly what I needed!

Impromptu swimming fun!

Our family was assigned to clean the building this morning, but we had to go 2 children short. Brennan was off to the Scout Show while Kerstyn was not yet back from her overnight Sea World field trip.

After cleaning the building, I headed to cycle and Chris took the youngest 3 kids to Perkins and then to Lew's book signing.

Then, it was pool time! I had the Garrett's and Kirstie Berge come over and swim too. It made for one fun pool party!

To top it all off, Grandma got to stop by too and see all the fun and get hugs and kisses from all of us. Perfect!

The kids were out at the pool from around noon until bedtime. It was a great day!