Lord's Hand January 2009

1/31/09~ We went snowmobiling, surprise surprise. Lowell, Itchy, Brook and their families all came with us too. We had a great time and I don't think anyone got really hurt. Brook and Lowell broke the windshield on our snowmobile that took us seven years to fix after the last break.

We all went out on a big group date so my dad could officially meet Brook's girlfriend. We went to three different restaurants before we found one that didn't have an hour wait. We aren't a very patient family. We had great conversation, embarrassed Brook a little, then went to see "Mall Cop". It had funny parts but I'd wait till it gets to the dollar theaters.

1/30/08~ We went up to Lowell's house for movie night. We watched "Igor" which was cute. None of the kids had seen it and it's always fun to see a movie that everyone can watch. Brook's girlfriend came up with her boys, I think she is getting more and more comfortable with us. I worry that one day she might decided she doesn't like us, we can be loud and obnoxious, and then take Brook away from us. I've seen it happen in families before. That would devastate all of us, we are all so close.

1/29/09~ Kinnzi hasn't been feeling well the past couple days. First she was throwing up all over my carpet and now it's diareah. She's been trying so hard to get all her business done outside, but this morning she came back in from going potty and shook herself off and crap, that was stuck to her hair, went flying everywhere. Needless to say, I was on my way out the door to take the kids to school and couldn't do much about the mess. I picked up the poop and locked Kinnzi in the bathroom until I could get her a bath, because yes, the poop was all over her as well. By the time I had a minute to bath her the poop was well beyond dry and I ended up having to cut it off her. I figured why stop there, she got an entire shave down so we don't have to have a repeat performance.

1/28/09~ C found out I ran my first mile and asked me to run a 5k with her in May. At first I said 'No', because lets face it, 3.1m is a lot longer than 1m. Well, then I looked at C's blog and she told the real reason she's running the 5k, for a family whose parents were in a plane crash and they're recovering from burns all over their bodies. I am such a suck for a sad story, so I committed to run with C. So I guess I'm in training now and ran another mile today. Hey, have they ever thought about having a 5k where you run it 1m a day? It would stretch it into a three day extravaganza.

1/27/09~ I have this lady that I visiting teach, she's an older lady who lives with her son. She is slowly going blind and deaf. She is oh so lonely. Bud, Bear and I went over to visit her today. I was going to read the Ensign to her but her son was there stretched out on the couch like a Greek Goddess, awkward. He doesn't like to let anyone get a word in edgewise, he's probably just lonely too. We just talked for about an hour and then I thought I'd better not push my luck with my patient good boys. They were so quiet playing with their cars while we talked but the longer we were there the louder they got. I think it was their way of telling me they were ready to go. I would like to continue to visit Lorraine at once or twice a week.

1/26/09~ I met a big goal for myself, I ran one mile nonstop this morning at the gym. I love the sense of accomplishment I feel every time I get to pass of one of my goals, especially the big ones.

1/25/09~ We had a near death experience which consisted of twenty deer, slick roads, a dog with little wo'man' syndrome, a blizzard, and no cell service. But we came out the other side as victors over death and it's frigged ways. I laugh in the face of danger, Ha Ha.

1/24/09~ The snow won out, Big D and I couldn't handle sitting inside doing homework while it was snowing outside. We decided to invite Brook Jr., Brook, his new girlfriend and her two boys to go snowmobiling with us. We got to the top of the hill and it was so foggy. We couldn't see five feet in front of us. Needless to say, it added an element of danger and excitement to flying down the hill on a sled not knowing where we were going. It's a good thing there were only a couple trucks there when we first showed up. However, when the fog lifted there was more like a dozen. Hopefully they showed up after the fog lifted and we weren't being stupid enough to sled with that many machines on the hill to run us over.

1/23/09~ It was my turn to drive the kids to school today. It snowed a real wet slippery snow last night so the roads were a bit treacherous. I went to pick the little boy whose in our car pool and I couldn't get up his hill. I tried three times and each time I'd start to slide backwards. The last attempt a car came up behind me and I was stuck with no where to go. I finally backed down to the side of the road so the car could get past me. There was a cop at the bottom of the hill with two vehicles that had collided, he was probably laughing at me. I finally had to call the boys mom and ask her if she could bring her son to the bottom of the hill. Needless to say, the kids were ten minutes late for school.

1/21/09~ The kids' school does a Skate Night at the local skating rink. All the families get in for free, it's really the only way to skate. The boys didn't skate much the last time we came to this but tonight they did awesome. Bear was getting the hang of it after awhile and didn't want to skate around the outside of the rink anymore. He wanted to go out in the middle with the big kids. Bud wouldn't let me hold his hand anymore there at the end. He was having fun holding hands with his little "girl" friend. Don't worry I kept my eye on them. Beaner just ran off with her friends, she fell down a lot but never cried until the very last time when she landed on her knee. Bug freaked me out, she said every year at skate night someone breaks an arm. I just didn't want it to be one of us, I know that sounds a bit cruel, do you blame me. She was skating circles around all of us. I tried to play tag with her once but as soon as I was tagged I couldn't ever catch her again. So I guess I'm still 'it'.

1/20/09~ Bear is loving his new pre-school. So much so that he's ready and hour before it's time to go and pestering me about leaving. I think he's worried I'll forget to take him to school. I was worried about transferring him but it has turned out to be great. He responds a lot better to the laid back personality to his new teacher. His former teacher was a bit militarian which works well for some kids, but not Bear. Bear tends to shut down and do the exact opposite if he's being "ordered" to do something. I'm glad he's happy and thriving, now I can relax and concentrate on my school. I wish my professor was laid back and served us snacks.

1/19/09~ This weekend has been a roller coaster with my birthday and then I received some really bad news. I tend to try and 'fix' things when I get bad news but this is not something I can fix. I wish the best to all those involved and I will be as supportive as possible. I love you all!!!

I think there is something seriously wrong with my scale. I know that's probably something every over weight person says, but I'm serious. I went to the gym this morning and it says I weigh 165# and my scale at home won't move below 173#. There is no way they are that far off from each other. Maybe the scale at the gym is suppose to be one of those make-you-feel-good-about-yourself scales. I don't know but I'm not giving up. I will get my scale at home to move in a different direction besides up.

1/18/09~ My first day in Primary and I am loving it. I've always been the personality that loves to be behind the scenes planning and putting together activities. I think I will really enjoy this calling. It was a bit funny because the last time I ever sat through a whole Primary session was when I was one of the pupils. We were a bit unorganized but I think we learned some stuff to do different for next week. I am excited.

1/17/09~ Today is my birthday, Happy Birthday to me! However, I am sick, not so happy. Big D is taking everyone snowmobiling, including the Chandler's, family friends, but I can't go. It's my birthday but I don't get to celebrate it, boo hoo I'm feeling sorry for myself.

1/16/09~ I am getting a little discouraged, I've been to the gym four days this week, eating right and the pounds just aren't coming off. I need to keep going, it will pay off. Beaner is feeling better today, I think it was just a twenty-four hour bug, thank goodness. Hopefully the rest of the kids don't come down with it, or if they do, they don't wait until I have to be at school.

1/15/09~ Today was my first day of class, and Beaner came down with a fever. I was a bit stressed as what to do. I couldn't very well miss my first day of class. The only other person I know that would be home is my pregnant sister-in-law, and she can't very well be around someone with a fever. So I called Big D and he took an early extra long lunch and came home, I love him. He's my knight in shining armor. Beaner is feeling better know, she will be returning to school tomorrow. Thank you for your concern.

1/14/09~ Bug's Birthday, Yeah! We teased her a lot with her presents. Grandma Ellen brought over her gift and I tried to talk her into waiting until we went to dinner to open her gift but she didn't listen. After Bug opened it she had to go to Achievement Days and as soon as she was out of the house I re wrapped her gift then didn't let her have it until dinner that night. It was too much fun. I told her I went through four hours of labor in the middle of the night to bring her into this world, now I get to torture her the rest of her life. Sounds fair to me.

1/13/09~ I didn't sleep really well last night so I had a terrible day. I barked at my kids, my brother's kids, probably perfect strangers kids, it was not a good day for anyone around me. I just don't do well with little sleep.

1/12/09~ I had my first presidency meeting today, if I wasn't overwhelmed before I sure am now. Not only did I find out all the stuff I'm suppose to do, but I found out that out of the four of us in the presidency two are not going to be to church this Sunday. I am not one of them that gets the privilege of being gone, crap. I don't have a clue as to what I am suppose to do, double crap.

1/11/09~ I got released today, what a happy day!! I enjoyed the Nursery, but I think as in all callings, I got burnt out. I am a little nervous because the last Primary presidency was left in their callings for six years. Hopefully it not that long this time, but I am looking forward to the new calling: Primary Secretary.

1/10/09~ This morning I got a wonderful surprise from the brown Santa, UPS. My sister, Marie, got me an Ipod Nano and it's even in my color, sage green. My kids jumped all over that with, "Can I have your old one?" Before I could answer them Big D staked his claim on my old one. It's one of the very first Ipods they came out with. I think it only holds like twenty songs, but it's been good to me at the gym. Now I am excited to take my Nano to the gym. I can tell we are going to be fast friends. Thank You So Much Marie!!!!

1/9/09~ I feel like such a good mom, I actually did the dishes today and made dinner (meatloaf). I've had a hard time being off of vacation. My poor house had been neglected. My dad stopped by to see me and I think that's what snapped me out of my laziness, I was horrified by my messiness. No worries I'm back on board now. Whom ever wants to visit now, I'll be ready.

1/8/09~ I am so tired! After working out for three days straight I think I'm going to collapse. No wonder people give up on working out so early into it. Brook told me to hang in there and soon I will be craving it. I don't see that happening anytime soon. What keeps me going to gabbing Big D. I made a huge banner that said, "I am going to Disneyland" and spread it on the wall where he'd see it every time he walked through the door. It also helps me to remember my goal, that and I think the kids will kill me in my sleep if I lose.

1/7/09~ Lowell and I set up a diabolical plan to meet Brook's new girlfriend. Brook's a little nervous to introduce us to her because we are very loud and crazy. If you ask me that just equals a lot of fun. Brook told Lowell that he would be the last of his family he'd introduce to her, so of course that just fueled the fire. We ended up all just happening to end up at the same restaurant. Wow, what are the odds? She seems very lovely. She has a cute personality that keeps up with Brooks so that's great. I only got to spend fifteen minutes with her because I had to wait for my kids to get out of school, darn it. I hope now Brook will not be so selfish with her and we can get to know her better.

1/6/09~ Bear started his new pre-school today. He was a little shy at first but then warmed right up when he saw Hannah, a friend from church, walk through the door. I was nervous he wouldn't let me leave he kept hugging my leg, but when I told him I was leaving and I'd be back to get him in a little bit he smiled and said, "Bye Mom". He is such a big boy now. It breaks my heart to see my baby getting so big. Next thing I know he's going to be graduating from high school =(

1/5/09~ We got home from our vacation today :( On one hand it is nice to be home but on the other I don't want to come back to reality just yet. I guess it's nice that I still have a week before I start school again. The kids all loved to know that all their friends were in school while they were enjoying one more day of vacation. Spoiled. The roads were a little treacherous coming home. Once we came out of the mountains every thing was fine. It didn't take us nearly as long to get home as I thought it would.

1/4/09~ Whoa! It is cold up here today. I love that my in-laws decided to extend our vacation by a day. It is so nice to be able to rest on the day of rest. It's really cold outside, I doubt we've crested 0 degrees. That's okay because we did all our playing the last two and a half days.

Last night Big D and I tried to go out on a date. We went down to the lodge cafe for dinner. Walking by the kitchen window we saw Chef Grizzly Adams taking off his shoe and playing with his foot, ew. It took us twenty minutes to be seated and I took one look at the menu and couldn't find anything that sounded good enough to pay those prices for. It didn't help that I kept smelling something funky, it detracted from my appetite. It smelled a little like feet, hum. We ended up taking a couple sips of our water and twenty minutes later with out any service we got up and left. I just couldn't force myself to eat something from a chef with no hair net on his beard, let alone his head, who'd been playing with his stinky feet moments before. I know I'm a germaphob, and it's getting worse with age, but I don't think anyone could eat at a place after that even without the bad service.

1/3/09~ Bear and I were wrestling on my bed this morning. When I got up to take a shower he got so ticked he locked himself in my room. It took us fifteen minutes to talk him through unlocking the door. He was starting to get panicky which was making me panicky. Big D was trying to unlock the door with a hanger, to no avail. My sister-in-law was saying we should call down to the front desk to have one of them come help. But just before I got to the point of calling for reinforcements Bear figured out how to unlock the door. I swear there is never a dull moment with him around.

1/2/09~ We snowmobiled all day today. My arms are killing me I can barely type. I've been so tired that I've been in bed since 7 p.m. and now it's almost 11 p.m. I'm so lazy, but I'm on vacation. I need to enjoy it as much as possible because when we get home Big D and I have some work to do because I'm going to Disneyland (read post to understand how funny that is). Bear went on one of the trips with us and he did great. He wanted to go on the next one with us so bad that when we stopped for lunch he wouldn't come in the cabin because he thought we'd make him stay. In the end he chose to stay and play with Papa Ray and Bud.

1/1/09~ Wow a new year. I think a lot of people are going to be excited to be done with 2008. Financially it kind of sucked. We left on our big snow mobile trip. We are enjoying three feet of snow, love it! It is truly picturesque up here.