Is there anybody out there?

I can't believe I even remembered the password to sign on to this thing...and since I'm here I'm wondering if anyone will know it? At any rate it was fun to read what was going on 2+ years ago and thought I should at least update, if only for myself.

SOOO, we now live in American Fork, just north of the temple and LOVE IT!! I am still working at the hospital in Provo two nights (I know, nights suck) per week. I am in Young Women's and currently have 12 beehives. Capn' is not only still a Capn but also does SWAT and JCAT and is now a U.S. Marshall (with the little star deputy badge and everything!). Special K went on a mission to Milan, Italy...and then promptly came home. Still don't know the whole story there but we love him and are glad to have him back :). Big J is 12 and just started 7th grade. My guys are at a charter school so thankfully we're doing junior high on a smaller scale. Little J is defiant and bitter but intelligent and creative so I'm keepin my fingers crossed ;). Ky just started 2nd grade and his teacher taught kindergarten last year so I'm sure he'll give her some education! Our little man will start kindergarten on Monday-I can't believe it. He's a smarty pants AND eager to please, the perfect combo!

My sister in law is getting married tomorrow. She's lived with the guy for 5 years and they bought a house together about 3yrs ago. I thought I was cool with it until I looked and thought about gifts for them...hey, eh, I want new stuff! I decided Corey and I should renew our vows...anyone want to volunteer to throw me a shower? I'll let ya'll know where we're registered :)

Been a long summer of funerals for me. First, Don Trendler, father to my BFF growing up. Then Diane Francom, mentor and inspiration from my old ward, then Monica Trendler-sister in law to BFF above and wife of my ex (Wayne). Crazy! and since I spent my vacation at girls camp with the YW and this weekend is father's and son's outing I'm running away! SHHHH! Don't tell anyone but I'll be at a nice quiet hotel in Park City doing whatever the H I feel like :)

Maybe I'll even further update my blog...

Okay I'm a bleh-blogger!

Sorry folks, fell of the blogging planet for awhile and my return is not guaranteed (no internet @work:). Though I haven't been blogging there's not much else I HAVEN'T been doing. Probl'y the biggest is our move. After almost 13 years we've bought a new home! Yeah! Many things to do with a brand new one ( A/C, blinds, fence, yard, window well covers, sprinklers, fence and of course--big screen tv). There's the decorating and all those boxes!

      I'm working and going to school and the boys are finishing the school year at the old school-except Ky of course who was kicked out of preschool-a posting in itself-that's okay, I don't think the teacher really liked him so why should I send him if it will just be negative? Any way, we're hanging in there-straight A's again last semester and if I survive the summer I'll be golden. 

     Capn has joined the SWAT team and has survived their 'hell week' (sigh). SWAT is not my fave, as a matter of fact there is not an activity I could detest more (except maybe NRA president, he's already a member--okay and maybe GOP leader-and that's fairly unlikely). At any rate the boys keep growing (and fighting). Our Special K will be 18 in Sept and I can hardly believe it-cuz I was JUST 18 (I swear) and he is so not ready for the adult world-I mean he's never even had a job. I'm sure he'll be great but he still has a senior year! I will post more (including pictures) later! (If anyone even checks this anymore...)

Spring break-gimme a break!

Sheesh what a crazy life! Quick update on what's happenin with us: Capn got back from accessorizing the new fire truck in Wisconsin in time for me to do laundry so he could turn around and go scuba diving in Catalina this week (it's all work-related ya see). In the meantime special K and his girlfriend are, well," friendly ". Which, once again was easier to deal with when she lived in North Carolina! He's starting soccer, so that should keep him busy-but he turns 18 in <6 short months! J&J are doing okay-fighting me on homework,whining about laundry, chores, wii etc. Ky is just funny and smarter than is good for a 5yr old in preschool. The little man has been doing soooo good with the potty training it's been a miracle! Of course that's not counting the incident in the sandbox yesterday (has he been watching a cat?) At any rate I am busy with work, clinincals, school, scouts and oh yeah-throw in showing the house regularly. We actually are waiting to hear back on an offer so who knows I could add finding a new place, packing and unpacking to my list. Be careful what you wish for....

Just keeps a-goin'!

I don't know that I have much to post but I feel like it's been so long that I could update SOMETHING! I am liking work, both in the pulmonary lab (with the Dr.'s=free lunch) and regular rounds in the hospital. It's hard to remember all the little details but I'm sure in time it will become second nature to chart on the computer, remember which buttons to push etc... School for me is going well, I'm doing neonatal and more mechanical ventilation this semester. Clinicals are about to get crazy for a while on top of work and school oh yeah, and the rest of my life! (kids, husband, scouts, friends...) Speaking of kids, they're all doing well, Special K is doing well in school, getting geared up for soccer and has a sweet girlfriend. My two older guys are reading their eyeballs out for the Jazz reading contest at school and just getting bigger all of the time. Ky and I read some this afternoon-he is catching on really well, especially since he knows he doesn't get XBOX until he reads some. Our little guy is getting SO big! He turned three a few weeks ago and went to the dentist for the first time today-he did so good! Wish I could say the same about his potty training, but he'll get there!
Capn went to Vegas to learn how to shoot (maybe I'll just call him 'quick-draw'). He's headed to Wisconsin in March to check out the Dept's new rig and then scuba diving in Catalina. Then he'll move on to SWAT training. Nonstop fun,eh?
My mom has applied for disability and I'm really worried about her. I wish I could be more help but I'm not exactly the ideal health advocate. My brother is still living in her basement and I know his drama is draining for her too. Our house still hasn't sold but I'm thinking we may have to find something that will accomodate her, although Capn (always the realist) reminds me it would have to be wheelchair accesible too. I guess I just don't want to see that. She is a prisoner in her own body-how overwhelmingly depressing!
That's about the extent of the adventures here, hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend!

Getting crazier all the time!

Hey! For those who don't know, I got a job! I'm working one day a week in the pulmonary clinic at UVRMC and probably 2 days in the house (hospital). Oh and 20 hrs of clinicals a week and school still. I know, what was I thinking? Capn was complaining at the beginning of the month that I didn't have a job-now I think he didn't realize how busy that now makes him (he took the boys to their dentist appts this week etc.)!
Our baby turned three yesterday and it's like someone flipped a switch! He is a little jabbermouth now-talking about how grown up he is and chatting on his cell phone and otherwise acting like a big person (except the potty-training). J&J both got awards at scouts last night (Wolf & Bear) and are doing so well. They have been reading their eyeballs out for the Jazz reading contest at school-they really want to meet a Jazz player!
As for our special-K he has a girlfriend. She's a cute girl but you know I worry about being exclusive when there is no point (other than drama and trouble:). As I type this the Capn is interviewing for the SWAT team. Ugh. Wonder when he's gonna do that since he will probably be watching the kids for the next 6 months! Love you all and will update when I can!

The Girls 2nd annual St George Human Rights weekend!

So we're back! This has become an annual event for us! Such a good time and a great excuse to get out of the dreary cold and pollution. Gives me a little boost so I can make it through the rest of the winter. We missed Ang this year but I hope she'll join us next year. Perfect-relaxing, great company, great weather, great food, quiet, low-key fantastic weekend! We stayed with my favorite Aunt and Uncle-who I lived with in college and I realized how much I missed them! They were so much fun! My Aunt's adventurous spirit is contagious!

My awesome Aunt hiking in her beloved Snow Canyon.

The beautiful redrocks-and look--blue sky! No brown haze! Did I mention 60 degrees? Perfect!

My authentic Italian uncle made us authentic Italian pizzas! It was so fun just to watch him cook-truly an experience in itself. Then we watched boxing. I remember in college he and my Aunt would argue over wether I wanted to watch boxing or the history of the pyramids. "Barbaric!" my Aunt would say, "Boring!" my Uncle would counter. The truth is it didn't matter what we were watching it was just nice to be with them-then and now. I realized how I want my kids to have the chance to know and love these amazing people (and they will)!

The best part of the race (did I mention the 1/2 marathon is our excuse for going down?)-getting a massage and stretch at the end ahhh...

Before the start-all smiles but I came up with my new mantra around mile 11-'it's okay to cry-but it's not okay to quit!' Finished a few minutes faster than last year-but who's counting! This weekend was exactly what I needed. I thought on Saturday night that I couldn't remember when I felt that comfortable. I mean I was tired and full and felt safe and secure and really felt no pressing responsibilities-no 'better start the laundry' or 'should really be studying' it was so good to truly relax and I can't wait to do it again next year!

It's about time!

Sweet friends and sweet treats are a great combination! This is one of the gingerbread houses we made with the Perry's at Christmas.

My littles looking 'sassy' in my new scarf (and not much else:)

It snowed...and snowed...and snowed! The boys made this hill to slide down-someone lost a boot!

Sorry it's been so long since I've updated-I'm just bearly getting back to reality. We had a fun Christmas break and are all back in school now. I passed my board exam a few weeks ago and have applied for my license in Respiratory Care! Now to find a job....with the economy as it is it may not happen as quickly as I'd like (or Capn would like). School is mostly clinicals now, which is good-I'm working on senior projects so I can be done in August.

Our Special K has a girlfriend. We knew this day would come and I was totally okay with it 'cause she lived in North Carolina (safe distance) but now she is moving back to Utah and I just don't know. He's also serious about wanting to join the military (yikes) He may have to wait til he's 18 though because his mom is not hip on the idea.

J&J are doing well in scouts and school and their world revovles around when they have a turn at the XBOX or Wii. We did get a Wii for Christmas (thanks grandma)! They also got BB guns-courtesy of Daddy!

The littles are getting bigger, the baby will turn 3 this month (he'll ALWAYS be the baby:). The other one (oh, will he always be 'the other one'?) does well in preschool and has learned to appreciate the XBOX-Lego Star Wars in particular.

Capn is talking about SWAT (I told him we can just buy the hat online). So who knows what'll happen with that! For some reason the city needs a 'SWAT-medic'?

I am still running (though not far or long) and will be in St George for a 1/2 marathon this weekend (any excuse to find some sunshine in the middle of Jan.)!

Our house is still for sale-just lowered the price if anyone is lookin!

Hopefully I've redeemed myself going so long without a post-you all probably stopped reading! I'll try (no promises)!

Now that that's done!

For those of you unfortunate enough to have read my recounting of Christmas evening you will understand why I decided to delete it (now if only I had a 'delete' button!). After unloading on some good friends and a beautiful lesson in RS today I have a renewed outlook. This is the season of HOPE, even if it is hope that we'll never have a repeat of this year. Even if the people who need it the most are unaware of it It (i.e. hope in Christ) is always there. I'll post pictures and an update on my Wii-tards later, love you all and hope you have a fantastic break!

Christmas time is here!

Yesterday we had the Fire Dept. Christmas get-together with the big man-Santa! It was so fun, last year was the first year and it's great because Santa brings a gift for each child. I don't have to drag my kids to the mall or anywhere else to check that off of my list!

Graduation was last week and I got straight A's again-yeah! I start again in a couple of weeks and I sit for my boards as soon as my degree posts. The kids are all getting bigger and soon the youngest will be out of diapers (real soon I hope!). The snow has been crazy but nice, especially cuz I'm not worrying about running to school or work. If it's going to be cold it might as well snow.

Capn is working Christmas and Christmas eve-bummer, but we've planned a sleepover at the firestation. I hope the kids have fun and that it's a Christmas to remember. I'm home with a sick little one today so hopefully that will be done before the big day!! Merry Chrismas to you all and may the New Year bring more happy memories with friends and family!

I know I've been slacking!

It must seem like I'm a slacker, not updating my blog for weeks at a time but I have been really busy! Promise! I passed my test last week-hooray! That took up enough time but I also finished up my clinical rotations this week. I hadn't worked 2 12hr days in a row-I was exhausted! I do like critical care though.
Capn took J&J to the Jazz game last night. A sweet friend gave us tickets. The boys were so funny, they took notebook paper and some glue and pens and made these UTAH JAZZ ROCKS! posters. Very ummm homemade I thought they were funny!
I am nowhere near done with Christmas shopping. Mostly cuz I don't know what to get. No one really has that have to have gift this year and I think I may be avoiding a bit. We don't need anymore 'stuff' and so much of it becomes 'junk' so quickly. I don't really want to buy a $50 XBOX game when I hate the XBOX and don't let them play often as it is. I might sit for my board over Christmas break-I won't get my score til my grades post (6 weeks) but it'd be nice to get it over with.
Thanksgiving was nice. My brother and his family were here from AZ and it was so fun to see their boys! My guys had a great time with them, I wish they lived closer. Maybe I could just move to AZ? I do love the sunshine!

Out of the mouths of babes...

We rented Kung Fu Panda last weekend so the boys had to watch it over...and over...and act it out. Any way I was sitting in the kitchen eating lunch when the 5yr old came up to me and said "You eat when you're upset!"
"What a thoughtful, philosophical, deep, observant child", I thought. And what a transparent parent I must be! I was actually worried for a minute until he started reeling off other quotes and I realized it was a quote from the Kung Fu panda movie! Funny boy!
I take my big test on Dec 2nd and if I pass I get to graduate on the 12th and actually enjoy Christmas! (until I have to take my boards in Jan!). It's nice to see the light at the end of the tunnell but it's coming awfully fast now!

Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting!!!

So while I was at Costco at 6pm (with the rest of the county) my real estate agent calls. He says someone wants to see the house--in like an hour! Normally this wouldn't be a biggie but I was at costo, the kids hadn't eaten dinner and they NEEDED to bathe tonight. It took like 45 minutes to get home the lines to get your reciept checked were backed up to the registers at one point. It turned out fine in the end but weird. I try not to be around when the house is shown (besides, it's hard to see the house for the kids). You both kind of feel like you're interupting eachother.

After baths the boys still reeked of testoserone so wrestlemania broke out in my living room. One of those times when it's obvious we need more space (so they can get a running start at eachother). Ran my first long run in awhile. Got sunburned (sweet!) but realized that every public restroom between here and Highland is locked up for the season. I could post more but let's just say I'm glad they don't lock the port-a-johns on construction sites :).

I'm wiped out and Kell got a chocolate creme pie @costco--see ya!

Tagged

What were you doing 10 years ago?
1. Pregnant with my first
2. Court battles with Capn's Ex
3. Working at Morgan's
4. Helping in Special K's 1st grade class
5. Teaching 5-6yr old primary


What 5 things are on your "To DO" list today?
1. Laundry (always there)
2. Mom's Laundry
3. Go to school-Pharmocology test
4. Puncture someones artery (for school-not just for fun:)
5. Feed kids without using the stove (CO problem)


5 snacks that I enjoy
1. Peanut M&M's
2. Diet Coke counts right?
3. Left over halloween candy (snickers)
4. Swedish fish
5. Rosemary & Olive oil Triscuits


5 things I'll do when I become a multi-millionaire
1. Relax...
2. Travel
3. More school
4. Build a compound
5. Take care of my mom


5 places I have lived
1. Right here in downtown PG, UT
2. Orem, UT
3. Provo, UT
4. Munich, Germany
5. Midvale, UT


5 jobs I have had
1. Jewelry (asst mgr)
2. Shoe sales-2 different companies
3. Scooper at 31 flavors
4. Mom (taxi, maid, medic, kleenex, accountant, personal assistant.....)
5. Wife (won't list those :)


5 people to tag
1. Shauna
2. Her cute girl
3. Angi
4. Kris
5. I Dunno

Thank goodness for CO detectors!

So I went to bed at about 11pm. One of the littles woke me about 12am. At 1230am my CO alarm started going off. I read it and it said like 43, I thought 'not too bad' and took it off the wall and tested it-255ppm! I know a guy at the fire station, but he had his phone turned off so I thought I should just call dispatch-yeah, they put me on hold. Luckily I could page the capn on his fancy phone and they were just going to a call. When I told him what was up he told me to start the car and shlepp the kiddos out to wait for him. Not my idea of a good time. I mean CO wouldn't be a bad way to go, right? (just kidding)-but really.
So I got the kids in the car (this couldn't happen when it's warm, of course) and of course J&J have already exchanged blows. I waited in the car with the kids while capn & crew went through the house-I have to say how glad I am that we showed the house today so everything was amazingly clean-except (of course) my brazziere lying on the end of the bed. The stove was the culprit and the capn turned it off and opened some windows and stuff and my detector reads 0. I brought the kids back and put them to bed but I have to stay up for a bit to recheck before I drift off to never-neverland....

I'm not ready!!

I guess it is November but I am SOO not ready for the snow to be falling like it is! Oh crud I just remembered it's garbage day. So now I have to actually put on shoes to drag the can to the curb! I got up to run this morning, when I was up with whiny boys at 4:30 it looked clear so I didn't even look out til I went to step out the door @6. When I saw the snow I knew my runnning buddy would not be going out so I decided to stay in too. Glad I did. So even though I was up and dressed (to run) nearly 2 hours ago I sit here back in my PJ's with my pinf fuzzy robe and haven't got a whole lot accomplished. Okay I did run the trash to the curb.
I'm sure all of the Republicans are surprised to see that the sun did come up this morning (teehee). Glad I didn't have to stand in line for long.
We've had a few showings of our house this week and the realtor has said they've gone well, but no offers yet. It's funny though on our listing it says "Motivated sellers! Bring all offers!" I would probably describe us more as wishy-washy, especially since we haven't actually looked inside a new house for us! Whatever, I just hope people don't try to lowball us.
School is still crazy and my brain is usually full by 10am. My big test is less than 4 weeks away and I feel like there's no way I will ever feel ready. I have to pass this test to be eligible for the boards in January. Graduation is December 10th, or maybe it's the 12th? At any rate I'll have a few weeks off in December. I'd better go make sure I can find the kids coats!

Boo!

Halloween is not my favorite 'holiday'.These days when I hear 'holiday' it just translates into work and extra responsibilities. Sounds selfish and cynical I know. At any rate it is done. Although the tummy aches were present there has been no vomiting as of yet (knock on wood). I am tempted to go confiscate or um just thin out the trick or treat bags to avoid high fructose overdose tomorrow. The punks have succumbed to the sugar comas.

Mr. Manning (Peyton) was the only one able to go door to door. The littles refused their costumes and I won't let them just ask for candy without being dressed up. Mr. Potter was being punished for forcing our sweet, kind ,great (and by great I mean cheap) piano teacher into retirement. Not kidding. I have learned that no matter how coordinated you are and how many bungee cords and duct tape that you cannot force an 8yr old to play the piano. He will just repeat the same few bars for 8 1/2 minutes without regard to your mental state. Capn's crew did give him a special treat of choco donuts. He was picked up by the crew a few weeks ago and when they got back in the truck they found part of a package. The boy had been sneaking to the gas station to feed his donut problem. I thought it was very funny-Mr. Potter was just glad for the donuts!

Trick or Treat

My cute boys and patient husband carved pumpkins tonight. Not my favorite thing-the smell alone is bad enough (then there's boys with knives and markers). In years past I have sorted washed and roasted the seeds. Not this year. There was a bit of whining about that but it was pack meeting so they were distracted. I wish I had picts from that, they did this Goldilocks story that was so fun!

Our house is now officially for sale, sign and all. The right thing will come along right? The nice thing is that we don't really HAVE to sell so if we can't get what we want out of it we can just stay. If we do get what we want out of it just about anything bigger is a step up. I have enjoyed our little old house but it's little and it's old....

School is going well and all my clinicals for a while are in critical care, which I enjoy. For the record though-if for some reason I was hospitalized I would not want extreme measures to be taken-no vents-no feeding tubes etc. Now that we've got that out of the way, I would want drugs-lots of never remember a thing drugs. Just in case.

I started back running this morning-it's been a few weeks and even then it was 1/2 hearted. I am planning on the Painters 1/2 in January in St George though so I hope that motivates me (anything for sunshine in Jan). Not a whole lot of other stuff going on-Capn still loves his job and his job still seems to love him so that's a good combo. Our Primary sacrament meeting was Sunday and the boys did such a cute job and next year little C will be in too and I'll be sitting ALONE!

Bleeech! Micheale and the terrible, horrible no good very bad day!

I haven't updated in a while because I've been feeling yucky. I'm finally feeling better but had about a week of yucky. Last Tuesday we all stayed home from school and cleaned up puke. Of course after we took baths and I started puke laundry the water got backed up. I felt so crappy and the Capn was on duty but I called and he came to rescue me.Yeah!
I've been trying to catch up with school ever since. Oh yeah and painting my bedroom and building IKEA closets and...and...
One of the J's is having a '5 finger discount' problem, if anyone has suggestions I've tried grounding, locking things up, guilt-and more guilt, contracts and my bag o tricks is just about empty so suggestions would be welcome. Other than that Ky had a birthday-5yrs old, how did that happen?
Nigh, night!

Phrases I never thought would come out of my mouth

     Occasionally I say things to my children and when I listen to what I've said I am truly surprised. Some examples from today--"Don't lick my pillow", "Don't wipe your nose on the rug" and a classic from the past-"Don't put any part of that cat in your mouth".  These are things that you think intuitively they should know or would at least think twice before doing. I guess I could say the same thing about swallowing cinnamon though. My voice has returned and I haven't seen the crew from the station since--although Capn assured me they watched it over and over. 

     I do love conference weekend though. The 'together time' with the family is a little grating on the nerves at times, we were all within arms reach of each other which was way too tempting. Nit picking and annoying-ness ensued. We usually take a walk in between sessions and have a picnic to get the wiggles out but with the rain we couldn't. Now that the sun is out though we are watching "The Princess Bride". I've seen it a million times but it is still delightful--a classic. I must go fetch that pitchah!  

I am a dork! (I know-newsflash:)

Okay so after my shift in the PFT (pulmonary function test) lab I took the kids by the fire station to visit the Capn'. Well since the station is forever the junior high locker room they offered up a challenge: "The Cinnamon Challenge". Sounded simple enough, the rules simply are taking a full Tablespoon of cinnamon in your mouth and swallowing it-no time limit. I thought, why not!!
I should've known better, especially when they all pulled out their cameras. I dumped it in my mouth and was fine for a minute, my mouth immediately dried up so when I went to swallow it sucked down my throat and started to BURN! Of course the chorttling around me didn't help. Needless to say I failed. It was all caught on film--lucky for me because some were claiming they saw cinnamon coming out of my nose. The film proved otherwise but nonetheless my failure was humiliating. Capn' has a new phone with video if I ever feel like sharing. The worst part is that the burning continues and now I sound like I have laryngitis. I have only myself to blame.
That was the second test I failed today. After redoing several tests and taking a bronchodilator my breathing tests still showed me as obstructed. I hate failure, okay, if you know me I hate a B (or A-).
I'd better go pay attention to the VP debate but if Sarah Pahlin calls Mccain "Maverick"one more time I think I'll gag up more cinnamon!!