25 things about me

Okay for all you Facebookers, you know how everyone and their dog is being tagged to write 25 random things about themselves. I finally caved in after being tagged too many times. Besides I think they are fun to read on other people. I thought it would be a good idea to not only post it on my blog but to make one on each of the girls maybe even Elliott. So today it is me. I am mainly doing this because at the end of the year I am going to turn this blog into a book. This way many years down the road I can remember the little things about the girls.

25 random things about me:

2 years old holding David

1. I have never been stung by a bee but am terrified of them.

2. I make chocolate chip cookie dough, roll in balls, and stick in my freezer so I can live off them through the week. They make such a good snack or breakfast.

3. When I was born I was the only child in my family (of 5 kids) not to have a middle name and thought it was because I wasn’t loved as much…so at the age of 8 my parents legally added my middle name, Jean after my Grandma.

4. I am the 3rd of five kids and yes I suffered from middle child syndrome big time as a child (as if you couldn’t tell from above)

5. I like to dress up in silly outfits and go out (and am still waiting to go to lunch with a bunch of ladies all in wedding dresses…Erricka).

6. My favorite apples are honeycrisp and still buy them even though they are twice as much as any other apple. Yes, they are that good.

7. When I was 16 I got in a car accident with a police officer and totaled my car.

8. When I was pregnant with Kylee I would eat a whole pack of Oreos in 2 days, regularly, and still managed to only gain 24 pounds.

9. I HATE needles and gave birth without epidurals. Not high on my list of “fun things to do”

10. When I was a little girl I would cry if my Mom made me wear pants.

11. I find enjoyment in organizing just about anything and everything.

12. I can’t wait for the day to go away on an exotic trip with my husband and no kids.

13. I own the Carmen Electra Fit to Strip DVD…Strip your way to Fitness Baby (it is still in plastic)

14. One day I want to relearn how to play the piano but then not tell anyone at church that I can.

15. My dad bought a campground/store when I was 15 and we lived there (in the middle of nowhere) for 6 months.

16. I got lost in the mountains while living there looking for some caves…never trust a guy named Freedom.

17. I love McDonald’s salty French fries but hate and rarely go to McDonalds unless we are on a road trip and only because they always have a play-place for the kids (scabies aren’t that bad).

18. I am a beauty school dropout but later got a BS from U of Utah.

19. I LOVE going over the top with planning my girls’ birthday parties!!! Yes I can be an overzealous Mom. (Nothing like setting your child up for real disappointment when they become an adult because birthdays are never the same.)

20. I don’t like eating breakfast in the morning and often forget, but I am trying to improve.

21. I will always gag on the last bite I take of a banana, yogurt, or anything similar in texture.

22. My first job was at Hot Dog on a Stick.

23. I love to cook but dislike doing the dishes.

24. It is hard for me to let my kids win at games because I hate to lose and kid’s games can last FOREVER and they always want to play again as soon as you’re done anyways! (Chutes and Ladders and Candyland are the worst!)

25. I love wearing fuzzy socks because they do keep me warm but mainly because I love to run and slide on the woodfloors in my house.

7 Seconds...

This morning I was able to drop off Ryann and Addison at Elliott's parent's house so I could go and see him at the hospital. The hospital that he is staying at is huge and each section is divided up and posted on the outside of the hospital (Cancer, Newborn & Women, Heart and Lung, etc.) This is nice because you can go directly to where you need too. He is in the "Heart and Lung" section of the hospital. It is classic that you will find people outside the doors to this part of the hospital SMOKING! Granted it isn't as bad as seeing someone on oxygen and smoking but pretty close.

The first thing I thought when I walked in there, "There is no way he is coming home in a few days unless the Dr is on crack!" He just looks hummmm...not so good and I can tell he is in a lot of pain. It is hard when you see people you love in pain especially knowing their is nothing you can do to make it go away.

Someone came to take him on a short walk. This was interesting considering he has a heart monitor, oxygen monitor, epidural that is hooked up to a pump, a chest tube hooked up to another machine, an IV, and a catheter. So much stuff and trying to get a gown to close completely around all that is not the easiest (I guess being in his condition in a hospital their is nothing wrong with a little cheek showing especially when it is his cute cheeks). Coming back from the walk he decided it was the best time to have his sheets changed while he was out of bed. The CNA came in and gave him some more pain medication in his IV and we moved him to a chair. While she was changing his sheets he says, "I am going to pass out." He has passed out several times and knows the feeling. The CNA looked at him and then kept making the bed. He then said, "It's coming!" At this time she pressed the pager around her neck. It is voice activated and she asked for his nurse. The computerized voice couldn't recognize the nurse she was trying to page. Three times she asked and it kept on saying, "I am sorry I could not recognize that name." I felt like I was in a bad dream, was this really happening? It was as bad as when you try calling a company with the computer you have to talk to and it can't understand your answers! At this point he passes out and I told her she need to get someone in here now! Seriously, I wanted to punch this girl in the face because I don't think she knew what to do. I was holding his head and shoulders to keep him from following over. Just then 4 RNs came in the room just as he opened his eyes back up. In the process of trying to figure out what had just happened they reviewed his heart monitor for the last few minutes. Normally his heart had been steady in the 60s but at this time it was in the 30s. Around the time that he passed out his heart had stop beating altogether for 7 SECONDS. Talk about an UNFUN moment! They were able to get him back in bed. Someone came in to preform an EKG and then it was time for me to leave. Like I said I can't believe he will be coming home in a couple of days. On the good side his xray from that morning looked better then the day before. I just hope he has a better second half of the day and can actually get some sleep tonight since it hasn't happened yet.

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Yesterday Elliott had his surgery. The procedure he had was a Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic(VATS). In video-assisted thoracic surgery, the surgical instruments and video camera are passed through the chest wall and the surgeon uses images on the video monitor to guide the instruments.

Compared to the conventional thoracotomy operation, VATS for spontaneous pneumothorax is known to have quicker access time, less access trauma, reduced post-operative pain, attenuated post-operative immunosuppression, and faster recovery with shorter post-operative hospital stay. If you want to know more about this and all the details please feel free to Google it. After this procedure, they inserted a large chest tube in one of the holes used for this procedure which will remain for a few days. To help manage the pain he was given an epidural and other meds. The epidural is in his back but higher up, not quite like it is for women in labor. Most of his pain is felt in his shoulder. It was sad to see my honey laying there with so many tubes and wires coming from his body and hooked to all kinds of machines but I know he is in good hands. The surgery went well and now he just has to recover. We are hoping he can come home on Saturday or Sunday.

Right before he went to his Doctor's appointment on Monday he got a phone call letting him know that he had been selected 1 of 20 people out of 8,000 + to start this new training program. It is 8 weeks long. 4 weeks home study and 4 weeks in TN. He is so excited because this is something he has always wanted to do and not only are they going to train him but they help place him with a JOB! This is such a huge opportunity and we feel truly blessed that he was chosen. This is a new training program that will train him in Medical Device Orthopedic Sales. He did Pharmaceutical Sales for 3 1/2 years and then took a job in the Medical Device field doing Cardiac Rhythm Management (pacemakers/defibrillators). He only had 6 months before losing his job and has had a hard time trying to get another job in the Medical Device field with such little experience. This training program is exactly what he needed to get his foot back in the door for a job that he loved so much.

So in the mist of crazy life and seeing Elliott lay in that hospital bed, I couldn't help but feel so blessed from our Father in Heaven that I have a wonderful husband, 4 beautiful HEALTHY children, and that I live in a great Country that we have access to receive medical attention that most people are without. Although our Country may be hurting right now it is still one of the best places to live. The most important things in life is surrounding ourselves with the people we love and giving thanks for each day we are granted to spend with them. We never know when our last day will come. All the "stuff" that we can get so caught up on having doesn't even get to come with us when that time comes but only what we have in our hearts and minds.

I guess after so much "rain" our rainbow may actually be in sight.

CREEPY LEFT LUNG!

Elliott's left LUNG is being VERY naughty! So today Elliott went back in for his follow up check-up. The lung was partially collapsed and the Dr wanted to perform surgery ASAP. When he called me to let me know what was going on I was making dinner. The same enchiladas that I was going to make the Saturday he was admitted to the hospital on the 10th. I didn't make them that night because he loves Mexican food and why go through the work when the girls would be happy with mac and cheese and I could take the night off from cooking. (I love cooking but a break every once in a while is quite nice.) I told him I will never make them ever again (which is not realistic considering we both love them). He was able to come home to eat dinner, get his stuff together, and then his parents took him to the hospital. At dinner I noticed that he was wearing the same shirt that he wore when he went to that first Dr appointment that sent him to the hospital the first time. He informed me that he was wearing the same pants and shoes as well (don't worry they had been washed since the last time). Seriously I think I will burn that shirt along with the Enchilada recipe! With a partially collapsed lung he still helped to do the dishes and take the garbage out. He is such a good man!

Because his lung collapsed again the Dr told him that he had a 50% chance that this would happen again without surgery. Having surgery it will reduce that chance down to 5%. He isn't bummed about surgery. Mr. Optimism is glad because this whole thing had him freaked out to begin with. He also wants to get back to exercising and cycling (when/if the snow melts). The Dr says he will be in the hospital for about 5 days. (Our luck double that) So tomorrow morning he will have his surgery. I told him not to follow the light. Another chest tube will also be put in. After tomorrow morning he will be back on the road to recovery. In the mean time his ladies will miss him and pray for him!

I Love to See the Temple

Mom missing as usual from pictures.

Wednesday morning we had the chance to take Kylee and Alyssa to the Draper Temple Open House. What a great opportunity for them to be able to see what it looks like inside of a Temple. Elliott's parents were kind enough to watch Ryann and Addison early that morning. On average 20,000 people will go through that temple each day. Luckily we had tickets that were early in the morning, during the week. They have you meet at certain churches, watch a quick video on the history of Draper and Temples. Then they load you on a bus to take you to the Temple. The Church really puts a lot into these open houses. We didn't have to wait in any long lines or have a bunch of people around us when we walked through. This gave us a great opportunity to talk to the girls about the different things they saw inside. How grateful I am to live during this time that Temples have been restored and more importantly that our families can be together forever. They were able to see the sealing room where marriages are performed and where they too one day can be sealed for time and all eternity to their future husband (that hopefully won't happen for a really long long time).

There is a chapel on the same property of the Temple site. At the end of the tour you ended up inside the cultural hall of this church. They did a nice job on setting this up. They had cookies and bottled water for everyone that just finished the tour. When we were entering the room a young family were in front of us with 3 little kids. The oldest was 4-5 years old. She said to her mom that it really wasn't that fun. I just laughed. It sounded like something cute one of David's girls would say. This is why we left the younger ones with Nana and Paca. Right outside of the cultural hall is were you would catch your bus back to the Church you came from. You just have to remember the color of bus so you don't end up in the wrong place. Like I said, the Church has it down. The only downside was that the smog was so bad in the Salt Lake Valley that you couldn't fully appreciate the view because you couldn't see anything. The Draper Temple is high up the mountain. The open houses runs until mid March. If you get a chance...GO with your kids. Our girls loved it. We followed up our morning with a bagel from Einstein's and then off to school they went.

Smoggy Valley you can't even see the Mountains!

On the Bus ride back

Don't Wake the Baby!

Nothing is more precious than a sleeping baby and nothing is more frustrating when someone wakes up your baby. Every night before Elliott and I go to bed we check on the sleeping babies. No matter what happened earlier that day it always closes with them quietly asleep. These little sweet glimpses is one of the things that keeps me going as a mom. Especially on those not so fun days. No matter how naughty, busy, or rambunctious a child can be, they are all sweet little angels when asleep. I love it when babies sleep on their tummies with their bums up in the air.

What I find funny are the places my babies have fallen asleep while not in the usual places (bed or car seat). I have been organizing old pictures and came across the ones that I have snapped over the years. Alyssa is our only one that hasn't fallen asleep in places other than her bed or car seat. One picture I can't find is of Kylee about 4 years old sitting upright on the couch with a coloring book open in her lap and a crayon in her hand, asleep. The worst part when you find them asleep out of the norm is the dilemma, do you wake them up or let them sleep? If you let them sleep you KNOW they won't go down at night on time but you can enjoy the unexpected quietness and get something done. If you wake them up they may go to bed on time BUT they are MONSTERS (you can't blame them, no one likes to get woken up from a nap)!!

1999 Kylee

2000 Kylee

Kylee 2001

Ryann-2007-Garage Floor

Ryann-2008

Addison-2008

In the end I move them to their bed and let them sleep...

after all who can wake a sleeping baby?

Markers, Dog Food, Muddy Feet, and Toilet Bowls

Addison aka Addy aka Patty aka Pat aka Grosso (for the continuous loud release of gas from the mouth or bum) aka Miss Business!!! Addy will be 19 months on Thursday and is a VERY busy girl! Whenever you catch her being busy...she does this evil laugh which is the cutest thing and you can't help but laugh even though inside you want to scream.

Markers- Addison is in love with markers! Just as you think you have them all put up high in the container where they belong.....SURPRISE, Addy found one! Why is it the babies are the first to ALWAYS find the one thing they shouldn't? She likes to draw mainly on her hands and her face and suck on them. She has ventured to draw on some books and the wall. Thank goodness for washable! At least for the most part, they do stain the skin slightly. When you take them from her she cries, "Color, color, color!" It is almost cute enough to give it back to her. Like I said ALMOST.

Dog Food- She is obsessed with taking Coco's dog food and putting it in the water, throwing on the floor, and playing or dumping the water on the floor. This is a DAILY event if not once twice...three...four times. You may be thinking why not move the dog food. It is not that simple when 4 other people live in this house and the dog needs it to survive. I always put it up only to find it back on the floor in some form of a mess or I put it down for Coco while Addy is napping only to forget to put it back up when she wakes up. Not to mention the waste of money when the Dog food is dumped in the water. She has even pushed the chair over to the counter, climbed up on top of the counter and feed Coco all of her dog treats! (Another reason why you will most of the time find the chairs on TOP of the table, not because I mop the floors everyday). I blamed Ryann at first because I didn't think Addy could reach....OH NO she can reach, my little monkey.

Muddy Feet- Ryann likes to let the dog out in the back yard whenever she feels like it without asking. Addy's new thing has been to follow Coco. Right outside our back door is a little piece of cement surrounded by mud. We finally have had a break from all the snow and it has all melted leaving the MUD exposed. Monday I was cleaning the Master bathroom and turned around to see Addy standing on the carpet with clumpy mud completely covering her feet. You could say it looked like she was wearing brown boots. The backdoor is on the opposite end of the house from my bedroom. Mud was EVERYWHERE!!!!! Luckily I have two big girls that were such big helps to clean up the mud while I took care of cleaning the nasty thick mud off of Addy's feet.

Toilet Bowls- Like I said, "Addy is a climber." In attempts to reach her toothbrush , she will climb up on the toilet. She will also throw stuff in the toilet, ie-stuff animals, decorations, books, food, curlers, hair bows, towels, clothes,etc have all been pulled out of the toilet and yes sometimes the water is not ....clear (thanks to some weird fear of flushing the toilet that my girls must have). The bathroom door is to ALWAYS remain closed due to this annoyance. But like I said 4 other people live in this house that are big enough to not keep the door closed. The other day I heard Addison screaming and I went running to find her in the bathroom. She had both lids on the toilet up and managed to fall in. Her bum was sitting in the water and she was hanging on for dear life! It was seriously the funniest thing and couldn't help but laugh...the look on her face was priceless! I just hope this doesn't cause some fear that will keep her from potty training in the future.

Times like these I wish that I always kept my camera around my neck so I could instantly capture these moments that make you want to scream, cry, and most of all LAUGH!

But we all know if this was the case nothing would ever happen and you would get nothing done.

Pictures of MISS BUSINESS being busy.

UPDATES

Tucky Fairy--It has been one week since we had our visit from the Tucky Fairy. If you have no idea what I am talking about please read "BYE BYE Pacifier". It has worked beautifully! Not once have we seen any tears for the tucky. Ryann has asked twice for one. I told her we didn't have any and asked her where they went, why, and what she got in return. Every question she answered and that was that. I do feel a little bad for Addy because she had no clue what happened to those things and will ask for one occasionally but no tears. The big thing is that she doesn't she Ryann with one and she is fine.

ELLIOTT'S Update-Yesterday afternoon a good friend up the street offered to watch all four girls for the night. So not wanting to pass up a good opportunity like that I sent the girls over. This gave me the chance to go be with Elliott for a few hours. We walked around the hospital and play a card game. I painfully lost! We found out his last xray looked great and I was hoping I was going to be able to take him home with me. We just had to wait for the Dr to come and remove his tube and hear the news. It was get pretty close to bedtime for the girls and left him there thinking he would be home in the morning. 8:00 pm he called and told me he was coming home!! I was so excited! It was very cute when he went in to check on Ryann and Addy. As he was fixing Ryann's blankets she opened up her eyes and they got all big and she said "Daddy, your home? Are you all better? Did my balloon make you better?" She brought Elliott a balloon when we went to visit one day. She was very concerned about this balloon and wanted it back. So he is home. He has to take it easy this next week (HA, Elliott take it easy? I don't think that is in his vocabulary) and go back in next week for another xray. He has a interview in Vegas on Monday and Dr says no flying, so he will be hitting the road. He is at a greater risk of this happening again and we pray that it doesn't. When he gets the go ahead he will slowly return to exercising omitting the weights till we get better insurance. Thanks again for all the love shown our way!

I was expecting a bigger grosser hole. It really isn't that bad. It just looks like a bad boil or knarly zit of some sort.

Spontaneous Pneumothorax...WHAT??

I can't believe that this February will be 2 years from when Elliott lost his job. At that time I would have called you crazy if you predicted my future that two years from then he still won't have a job. This has been a very hard journey with its ups and downs. He has had the worst luck with companies. You name it, it happened. The worst was either going through a 5 week interview process being told the whole way he was the top pick only coming down to an EMAIL, "thanks but we will be going with another candidate" or maybe it was another drawn out interview process of near daily calls with the hiring manager telling him he was really trying to push for Elliott's hire to come down to "If this guy doesn't work out for some reason consider the job your" and when it did come down to it the guy fell through the manager fumbled over his words and was one of those "nice guys" that had no intentions on ever hiring him and was not up front or direct. Basically someone that probably shouldn't be a manager. Elliott has become a professional interviewer. With its up and downs of emotions we have made it through and feel at peace and happy. What you learn in trials is not something you can learn in school, from a book, or even from church. It is a different type of education you receive. It can spiritually drain you if you are not careful but through patience, hope, and faith you can grow but on a whole new level. We are good. We are blessed. We are loved. Now all we need is for Elliott's career to pick up where it has left off. One thing that I have always done through this process is to count my blessings. Life could always be worse no matter your situation. I would tell myself "at least we are all healthy". In October Addy got the ROTA virus and ended up in the hospital for a week. But at least I knew she was being monitored and that she was going to be okay. This was our first time having any of the girls in the hospital. The only hospital overnights up to this point for us was when each of the girls were born without any complications.
THEN...

About six weeks ago Elliott started working out with a pretty intense program. He noticed about 2 weeks ago that he had this chest pain and it hurt to take deep breathes. He figured that it was a sore muscle. He noticed that running would hurt and decided to stick to bike rides till it started feeling better. He got to the point were walking up the stairs would make him winded. Knowing this was not normal and that something else had to be going on he went to a Care Clinic on Saturday the 10th. An xray showed that his left lung was completely collapsed and was sent to the Hospital. This brings us to the word Spontaneous Pneumothorax . (Who comes up with these names and why can't they just call this Collapsed Lung?) This is when a collection of air or gas is in the space between the lungs and the chest that "collapses" the lung and prevents it from inflating completely. Spontaneous meaning that their was no traumatic injury to the chest or lung. It is a freak thing that can happen and is more common in tall, thin, males, ages 20-40 years old. BAM! That would be Elliott! So he has been residing in the hospital since. They stuck a chest tube in his chest (while he was awake). This helps to clear out the air so the lung can inflate. Sunday everything was looking great and it is a two step process he has to pass before they will take the tube out. He passed the first step and failed the second. This means that the hole in his lung hadn't healed and that he had to start the process all over. But on Tuesday with the chest tube hooked up he had more air in his chest and his lung collapsed again. We knew this meant he was going to have to have a new chest tube and a larger one put in. The Drs where questioning if the tube was doing its job and this showed them that it wasn't. His experience with the first tube going in was no fun. He was doing great trying not to look. He got a glimpse and passed out (who wouldn't). Luckily, the second time they put him to sleep. This is the last try with the chest tube. If it doesn't work, surgery will be needed to seal the hole in his lung. Air had gotten up into his throat and was very painful and it also got in between his skin and puffed his chest area up. He has a huge man boob now (that will go away with time). I told him now he has a glimpse into what it is like to get your milk in. Today he is doing great and passed the first stage. Later this evening he will have another xray to see if he passes the final stage. This means he could actually come home tonight if not for sure tomorrow if all goes well.

So in the mist of all that has gone on over the last two years the word "classic" comes to mind. Why wouldn't this happen to us? I allowed myself two minute of crying in the shower because I don't know if our insurance is going to cover any of this. Then it was time to look on the brighter side! (Note Dang New Years Resolution) I feel so blessed to still have Elliott around. The fact that he walked around for a little over a week and went on a bike ride with one lung is amazing. Like I said in the beginning... It could have been worse! It also happened in a good week. This is the 1st week he didn't have an interview lined up (like I said professional interviewer). I am also overwhelmed with all of the comments left one Facebook for us, all the phone calls, offers of help, the help, the cards, care package from my Mom, and most of all the prayers. Thank you so much for your support. The "Dancing" continues...

The girls visiting Dad! Ryann was a little scared of the oxygen tube in his nose but warmed up after a while. She asked Elliott if he was broken.

You can't appreciate how swollen his left chest is in this picture.

**Update-Elliott gets to come home tonight! We are so excited!

Déjà vu

This past Sunday I had a déjà vu moment. Ryann and Addison wore matching Sunday outfits that Kylee and Alyssa had worn in 2003. Kylee and Alyssa are 2 1/2 years apart then a little over 4 years later we had Ryann followed by two years with Addison. This has worked out to be a good thing. Each girl has a buddy to play with, go to school with, be mean or nice too, etc. I love being able to pass down their outfits that I loved and now it is even better when I have matching dresses that Kylee and Alyssa wore to now see Ryann and Addy wear. We call Ryann and Addy our "DO OVERS". We figure it all out with the older to leave perfection for the younger two. HA HA, if only it was that easy. I may not be a perfect mom or have perfect kids but at least I can dress them cute.

Kylee and Alyssa in Spring 2003

Ryann and Addison Jan 2009

I don't have 2 picture of Ryann and Addy because I favor them. I couldn't get one picture of them both looking at me. Addy was not at ALL interested in standing there for a picture. With the help of Kylee it was the best I could do. I think is funny because the older two look nothing like the younger two. I guess the older two are mine and younger two Elliott's.

First Time for Everything

This morning when we arrived at church the man greeting us told us we might want to keep our coats on because the heat was not working. Our building was built many many years ago 1940s or 50s. It is either 100 degrees inside or 50 degrees inside. They will be tearing it down in April to build a new building. Our Ward Conference was even held with no power. They did cut it short but had an adult meeting following Sacrament Meeting by using a generator for light before sending us home. Not the building lights but a cord with dangling lights. It felt like camping. So back to today. Our chorister had us stand for every song. It was actually nice because it made people stand up and pay attention and actually sing. The interesting thing was following the Sacrament the Bishopric Counselor ask for the Primary Chorister to come up and lead us in a few Primary songs that have actions. So as a Congregation we all sang "Once there was a Snowman" and yes with the actions...everyone. Then we sang "My Hands" and finally "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes". Again the whole congregation and with the actions. I tell you what, it was a lot of fun. I am sure it totally confused many children. My girls stopped what they were doing and for once payed attention and sang the songs. How lucky we are to live in a place that we normally get to worship in a building that has power, air conditioning, and heat. In some countries this isn't an option and I bet you anything they are not singing "Once there was a Snowman" to try and warm up during Sacrament Meeting. How blessed are we and how ironic that the speakers spoke on humility.

BYE BYE Pacifier!

The Tucky Fairy came to our house yesterday!! Many of you are wondering what is a Tucky Fairy?? For those of you that have been over to our house or around our girls a "tucky" is what they call their pacifier. I think it started back when Alyssa was a baby and she made up the name. I guess it just stuck. When Ryann was at the age that I should have taken it away, it was a very STRESSFUL time. It was up in the air if and when we would move and I was pregnant with Addison. I declined the opportunity to take it away because I wanted her to have her comfort items (she also loves her pink blanket)with the foreseen changes. Ryann's tucky is her crack!!! She can't (or doesn't think she can) cope without it or go to sleep without it. With Ryann always having one it was a given that Addy became an addict as well (a little less dependent compared to Ryann). They would steal them out of each others' mouth and fight over them and sometimes share them when the other one was sad. They would walk around with them and place them who knows where...then bedtime or a sad time would arise...ahhhhh! Where are the tuckies when you need them? You can NEVER EVER find one when you need one no matter how many you buy. (Even though they were suppose to stay in bed, didn't work). We got so sick of it and have been planning this day for months!!!

Yesterday Ryann and Addison received a letter from the "Tucky Fairy" she told them that they were big girls and it was her job to collect tuckies from the big girls/boys and give them to the babies that needed them. She left an envelope for them to collect them all from around the house and put them inside. Then they were to leave them in the mailbox for her to pickup and she would leave them a special surprise in return. Ryann was so excited! I wondered if she really knew what this meant. Alyssa helped her find all the tuckies and they put them in the mailbox.

A few hours right before bedtime the doorbell rang and she left them a special gift.

Ryann has found a new interest in Pet Shops and will sneak in to Alyssa's room and steal them away from Alyssa. Alyssa is very possessive of her 100+ pet shops. She has them all named and know where/when she got each one! What do you know the fairy left Ryann some of her very own Pet Shops! Addison got a little bear that plays music, she wasn't to interested had really had no idea what in the world was going on. We had to take them away from both. ALL or nothing baby! They went down for bed just fine. Ryann did wake up a few hours later and asked for her tuck but when we told her where they were she was fine. NO CRYING FOR TUCKIES!! YEAH! I know it has been only one day...I am optimistic it will be fine! They have no choice because they are gone. This idea took what could be a horrible situation and turned it into a special fun one. I mean how often are we visited by a fairy? I can't take credit for this idea. I saw it on the Supper Nanny. Thanks Supper Nanny! (It also helped having all the mailing envelopes on hand thanks to our ebay store.)

Common 2009

I can't believe it is 2009!! I am so glad 2008 is over and we made it through. It truly is amazing all you learn when thing are NOT going your way. Just when you think you can't take it anymore...you surprise yourself and you can. I was so naive to think that as long as I am doing A B and C then I will be free from trials in life. Without trials we can never grow and become better people. And what is the point of our earthly experience anyways. It is what you do with the trials and how you handle it that counts. You learn to be grateful for what you have and learn to live without. You begin to cherish what is most important. And it is funny because it is these things that matter most and it is what you get to take with you when your time is up on earth. And our Father in Heaven is the only one that knows when that will be. There is a plaque in our house that says, "It's not about waiting for the storm to pass but learning how to dance in the rain." Their has been so much negativity thrown our way these last two years and it ended with 2008!! We are DANCING baby! For the last few months we have really changed our attitude and outlook. Although our situation hasn't changed...we are happy. You almost feel guilty or wonder if it is okay to be happy even though so much may be wrong. I read in a magazine that negative thoughts are like hurricanes. The more you focus on them, the more they pickup speed and power. It is all about focusing on and living in the moment not your mistakes. SO this is my New Year's Resolution...to live in the moment. This may sound easy to some and even come naturally to others but not for me. I am always so caught up into my house being clean (I hate messes and kids are walking tornadoes), worrying about the little and big things, having everything "perfect" and always feeling I could be doing something more important than enjoying the moment or playing with the kids. What is more important then your kids? I know they grow fast and one day I will turn around and wonder where everyone went. I don't want to wonder...I WANT TO KNOW! So this year our blog is going to be mostly all about living in the moment (with only minimal complaining here and there like how BAD UT drivers can be!). Elliott and I also have been really focusing on the food we eat and making exercise apart of our daily life. It has been fun trying new recipes or changing old ones to make them more healthy. Just because someone is thin (what I like to call skinny-fat) doesn't mean they are healthy or that they don't have to exercise. We will no longer make excuses or be skinny-fat-people.

So here's to 2009!!