Friday, February 29, 2008




things are so much better today. we finally picked up Gage's braces late yesterday afternoon. He is tolerating them. Here's a couple pictures of the day braces. Tonight, when we put the night time ones on, I will get pictures of them. They are a bit different. things are quiet and calm. I have a bit before Logan comes home from school, so I better get some cleaning done.
hope you all are well.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

one of those days (really long boring rant)

I am sorry for the need to vent. But it has been one of those days. This is how it panned out.
6 am -Austin wakes up. I turn on Chip and Dale and crawl back in bed. Turning off the alarm that was set to get me up to run. That option is out, since the kid was up. Don't want him running after me screaming.
6:45 - Gage is awake. I get out of bed, get him milk, find a sweater, and keys. I put my contacts in. Then its time to take Cori to school. I convince Austin to stay home with Syd by turning on Teletubbies. I get back, take a quick shower. Get ready, come out multiple times to make sure the kids are on track. I tell the kids they are riding their bikes, because I can't give them a ride to or from school. i get the chorus of whines, and pleads. I don't give them a ride. I leave right after them to take Gage to the ENT dr. to check that his tubes are placed correctly. The two boys are with me. They run from the car into the parking lot, then to the building and fight over who gets to push the open button. Then to the elevator. They were good for a whole 3 minutes until it was our turn to go into the room. They get up on the big chair, then on the other chairs and jump off. Screaming at each other, asking the dr. what this button and that button do, hitting, pushing and punching each other. We get done. Logan pushes Austin because he wants to push the handicap button. Austin screams, falls to the floor with his head hitting the ground.
off to the car, running through the parking lot again, pushing, yelling, and screaming again.
Off to walmart. Doesn't go well. We get 1/4 of the things on the list, again. with still more pushing, hitting, yelling. seeing a pattern?
I call my friend and ask her to please take my boys while I take Gage to get fitted for his leg braces. Yeah, she said yes. I take Gage. We are late due to a huge temper tantrum about a spoon-why does it have to be right when you are walking out the door that they have to have the right spoon, or toy, or whatever. So we get there. There isn't a place to park. I have to park a block away, Gage needs a diaper change, so I run. By the time I get into the office, I am completely winded. Luckily they are pretty easy going and it doesn't matter that I am 5 or 10 minutes late. But they weren't ready for us. So we sat there for 45 minutes while he did whatever when i could have been home doing dishes. Doesn't this man realize how valuable my time is these days. I can't just sit watching the fish swim in the tank. so I was all but thrilled to leave that office empty handed. Guess what I have to go back tomorrow to pick them up. Then I get home just in time for the ladies from the learning center to get here and our IFSP-it is a meeting to set goals for Gage for the next 6 months. I got some good info and we set some good goals. After they left, it was time for the 2nd of 3 Parent teacher conferences this week. That went well. I have good kids for the most part and they are excellent students. I get home, Jared is home, and says he has to go work on his bosses new house because they are getting ready for their final inspection. Who is going to do the dishes or pick up the 12 puzzles that are all over the floor or the marble madness game that is set up in the living room. not me, not the kids, Jared is not going to do it. anyone volunteer? I got dinner going and then Gage got up from his nap. He is screaming. Cori took him outside for a walk. That helped, but then Logan hit Austin on the head with a golf club that was supposed to be in the trash. So now Austin is screaming. seeing a pattern?
Cori then brings Gage back in, now mad that he isn't outside. So I ask the other girls if they will take him for a walk so I can finish dinner. They say no, so I said, okay dinner will wait. I started out the door and of course, Austin wants to come with me, and then Logan. So I wait for Logan to get his shoes on, and Kathryn comes out and says she will take them to the park. Thank You. That was a big help. I got dinner done and I ate before they got back. Syd ended up going down too. Its our neighbors birthday, so we took a cake and card and present over to her and sang Happy Birthday. I was glad to be able to bring a little bit of cheer to her day. When we got home it was almost time for Jared to leave for Basketball. He was trying to help me get the kids pj's on and prayers said. During family prayer the boys were fighting and blowing yuckies our their nose, so they got sent right to bed. The girls got to stay up and have cake. Everyone is now in bed. I feel much better after my rant. Maybe tomorrow the dishes will get done.

Monday, February 25, 2008



Last week we were out of town until Late Tuesday night, so I didn't plan a menu.
So I am back today in full force.

Monday

B-Cereal
L-sandwiches
D-Chicken Fajitas

Tuesday

B-waffles w/homemade syrup
L-salad mac & cheese
D-Meatloaf mashed potatoes

Wednesday

B-applesauce muffins & yogurt
L-baked potatoes
D-Pork Salad

Thursday

B-breakfast sandwiches
L-quesidillas
D-Buffet

Friday

B-cereal
L-beans & rice
D-Tuna Melts fries

Saturday

B-eggs, bacon, toast
L-pick your own
D-date night/homemade pizza for kids

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Joe's TV spot

My brother in law is an awesome chef. He is the executive chef at a new restaurant in the Gateway in Salt Lake City, called Baxter's American. We went to eat there this weekend. It is absolutely, positively a great place to eat. The food was superb. If you are headed to SLC or live in or near SLC go there to eat. Its a must. oh so good.
He also did a TV spot on Monday for Good things Utah. Check it out. Here's the link: dinner
The restaurant is wonderful, the food is excellent. Can you tell I loved it?

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

am I crazy



I signed up to run in this 5k. Am I crazy? anyone want to join me? I do not plan to get a good time, I just want to finish. I am starting a running plan called-
couch to 5k running plan today. The Learning Center for Families is an organization that helps children with special needs in health or development. We receive a lot of help from them for Gage, and I thought one way I could give back would be to run in this race. So who wants to join me? anyone? anyone? any takers at all? if you want to sign up go to Run 4 Kids and register. I'll see you there.

Friday, February 15, 2008

It's birthday time




I can't believe it, 11 already. You are beautiful, you are sweet, loving, and caring. I love you. Happy Birthday Kathryn. I hope it was a good one.

Monday, February 11, 2008



This weeks menu isn't anything exciting. We have had a lot of sickness at our house, and I am hoping to not get hit with it, but just in case.
Visit the Org Junkie for lots of yummy menu ideas.

Sunday-Lasagna
Monday-Chef Salad, homemade bread, and cream puffs for dessert
Tuesday-Sweet and Sour Meatballs, Rice, Veggie
Wednesday-Chicken Cresent Rolls, rice a roni,
Thursday-Top Ramen Stir-fry
Friday-Birthday dinner (not sure what she wants yet)
Saturday-Honorable BBq Chicken-Mashed Potatoes, broccoli, quick rolls

I wanted to and forgot to post how we thought last weeks meals were. (thanks for reminding me Tiff)
The best part of the whole week was the pull apart bread. The soup was good too. But the bread was the highlight. everything else we had before. These were the only new things. Definitely will have them again.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

in need of prayers


Ashley is need of prayers. She is very sick, and the doctors can't find a reason for all the major things that are going on with her right now. She is being supported by a lot of different machines, tubes, wires, and medicines.
I know you are going through the names of my kids, and thinking "They don't have a child named Ashley, do they?"
No, you are right, we don't. But there is a sweet family in Texas that I have come to love. Their youngest daughter is named Ashley. the blog is ashleysstory.org. (if you want to check it out)
I have asked you to pray for her before. If you can please keep her in your prayers again, that would be wonderful and much appreciated.
Thank You
p.s. please, pass this on.

Monday, February 4, 2008




I have been wanting to join up with Menu Plan Monday at Org Junkie's for awhile, so I am starting today and if you need some recipe inspiration visit Org Junkie for lots more yummy recipes

Sunday-Breakfast-Bisquits, Gravy, hard boiled eggs, bacon
Monday-Ham, Mashed Potatoes, gravy, veggies, jello
Tuesday-Fondue
Wednesday-Haystacks
Thursday-Potato Cheese Soup, Pull apart bread
Friday-Poppyseed Chicken
Saturday-Leftover Buffet
Sunday-Lasagna

A new President

Today, the church announced the 16th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be President Thomas S. Monson.

I know that President Monson has been called of God. He is a true prophet.

With his counselor Henry B. Eyring and Dieter F. Uchtdorf. These men are both called of God. I know this to be true. I have felt the spirit to testify of these things to me.










a challenge...

to honor President Hinckley.

a challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 97 days. Thats just about 5 1/2 pages a day. We can do it. You can sign up at http://www.hinckleychallenge.com/ or click on the link under Places we like to check out.

Who's in??


*If you don't have a Book of Mormon and would like to join in the challenge, just so you can check it out for yourself, let me know, I will get you one.*