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.