Taken Over By...

Well if you have ever seen this you will know what I am talking about...My kids love it and sing their songs A LOT! If you are ever looking to have something stuck in your head for an entire day, Yo Gabba Gabba is it! They teach great things, but seriously does it take much to make a successful kids show these days?!

Chicago on a whim+Trip to ER for Gennovah...

So working for JetBlue has major benefits as we can take off to Chicago if we want, as long as flights look good. So on April Fool's Day Gennovah asked if we could go, and I figured why not. The flights would be free and the rental car cheap, so it wouldn't be that expensive. So we got packed as fast as we could to catch the red-eye to Yew Nork (as Gennovah would say) and then head over to Chicago. We had a ton of fun watching shows until about 2 am and then the kids finally konked out. We got donuts during our layover and jamba juice and made new friends. Our flight to Chicago had mechanical problems so we were delayed about 30 minutes, and JFK is down to one runway due to repairs so we were then 31st in line for take off. Besides being late we were happy to be hugged and kissed by our Omie and Grandpa, finally!

One of the highlights of our trip was Gennovah's trip to the ER!


Here is the brave little girl. She held her puppy the whole time, making sure it could see her face always to see how brave she was being.


So an explanation as to why we went to the ER. What you can sort of see in her back are cactus needles. Much to my dismay, I only thought this happened in movies. My little brother has three cactus growing in an aquarium near the sliding glass door to the back yard. My sister went outside to show her boyfriend the backyard and Gennovah and Boston were both standing there fighting over who was going to look out the window. I thought it was big enough for both of them, but apparently not! Then there was screaming...first thought...slammed finger in the door. Gennovah turned around to show me her back and sure enough, cactus needles were sticking out. My mom and I tried to get out as many as we could, but I talked with her pediatrician and they advised me to get to the ER as there could be potential infection. So off we went...



After 2 hours of waiting and having the doctor not be able to pull them out either, we went to get the medicine, went home, and ate dinner at 10:30 that night. All in all, she is okay and staying as far from cactus plants as she can. But this is definitely a story she can tell over and over and over!

We've Sprung Forward, But Where is Spring?

I was so hoping that with the time change there would be a change in weather. For the past couple of weeks we have had warmer temperatures and some days you could go out with just a long sleeve shirt on. Then we set our clocks ahead and what happened?

SNOW!

Yesterday we got hit hard. It was so cold and was super blizzardy--new word by me, outside. Last night was horrible and the road are super slick today. I don't know about anyone else, but March makes me think of Spring Break and Easter = warm weather. Maybe I just need a vacation to somewhere warm...Any ideas?

You never think it can happen to you...

As mothers I feel that we try so very hard to protect and shield our children from everything that we possible can, so they can feel happy all the time and not know the sorrows that parents might go through. But then what happens when you as a parent feel that you can't do everything to help your child...

Boston has been diagnosed with PCD, Primary Communication Disorder. The short version would be that this blog was written in Chinese and you wouldn't have the first clue in how to read it. Now just imagine that it was the language entering your ears and having no way to comprehend it. Time is the cure. This disorder does have autistic tendencies, however, those should go away as language slowly develops.If those characteristics are still around once he is talking, then we are dealing with an entirely new issue. I knew that everything wasn't right considering he is 3 1/2 years old and not talking.

I just feel like I can't do anything to help him. I cry throughout the day as different emotions take over inside me. I am jealous of the parents that have little boys this age or younger and can communicate that their child is hungry or wants a drink. I feel frustrated that there isn't a way to help him develop his speech quicker. I feel upset when he can't understand the simple instructions of "pick that up" or "put away". It is hard to face the fact that the language barrier prevents such simple actions from taking place and the only prescription for this is LOVE. I guess I wish there was more.

Upon our trials and tribulations comes great joy. I know that I have to sit back and realize that this test of Boston's language will benefit us all. I can't fathom every concept of how, but I know that I have gained more patience.

I just thought I would let everyone know where we are at in all of these doctors' visits and hearing tests. We will have another update in March...

Chaos...

This says very little about our life since Christmas...

Many of you may know that we never sold our first home, but have it as a rental. We look forward to the day we sell it or may actually make some headway on paying down the mortgage, but it has been wonderful for the most part. Our renter gave us the heads up that she and her family would be moving out right before Christmas. Of course we were already stressed with the holidays and getting everything done, but this was icing on the cake.

Christmas came and went, it was wonderful. The kids enjoyed every minute of helping with Christmas breakfast, opening presents, and the clean up afterwards.

New Years' wasn't anything special, I had to work and we got to bed early...I guess as you get older you wish that the days wouldn't pass by as fast as they do. So I guess I was sticking it to the start of 2009.

4 days later, Johnny got laid off from work. I am sure I developed some sort of ulcer from all the stress going on in my life. I am so very grateful for the Dave Ramsey financial program which we have been doing for the past almost year. We felt confident we could make it for a little while if Johnny wasn't able to find something quickly. Work didn't give any reason except that they were cutting back the work force...This statement is complete BS, because they called Johnny to come in for an interview 2 weeks later. What a joke, and even though it is terrible that he lost that job, he is now home every day.

That is why I have been absent from the blogging world. I have just not had the energy to blog about our life since there really isn't anything exciting going on. Just eating up our food storage and praying something really great comes along for Johnny.


Anyway, we are all healthy and happy...so that is my main focus...until I post again!

MeRrY ChRiStMaS!!!

Have a great holiday!

We LOVE you all and wish you the best!

Thankfulness...7

~Family~

Both family near and far. I am so very grateful for this amazing support system that we have. I am so very grateful to my family and the support they give to us despite how far we live from them. I am grateful that they care so very much about us and call when they are thinking of us. I love how much they love Gennovah and Boston. It makes me smile when the kids get excited about Chicago and everyone who lives there.

I am grateful for Johnny's family. With having them so close we get together often, but not as often as we should. I am grateful that the kids have so many cousins that live close by and older cousins that they can look up to as examples. I am grateful for how willing everyone is to help each other out. I am especially grateful for weekend getaways with family. We have had so much fun and plan to make it whenever we can. We really miss Johnny's parents who are diligently serving a mission in Hawaii, as well as Bruce and Natalie's family that live in Montana. We wish that we can see them more.

To all our family...Please know that we love you so very much and think of you often!

Thankfulness...6

~A Clean House~

Every time Johnny comes home from his business trips I try to have the house completely clean. Key word...TRY. It seems that every time I have most of it cleaned I have to turn around and sweep up crumbs or vacuum something else that has spilled. My vacuum has a permanent home, not in the closet, but in the corner of the family room, much like a piece of furniture.

Last night I finished cleaning around 9:30 and with the kids in bed, I was able to sit in this clean house for over an hour. I just watched a movie and caught up with reading blogs. It was so nice I didn't want to go to sleep. The kids kept the house clean before they went to school which was so nice, but then once they were home, the toys came out and the crumbs were spilled. So when the house is cleaned for even just 2 minutes, absorb as much as possible because it is rare that it happens!

Thankfulness...5

Thought I could not miss a day, but Monday came and went!

~Being out of Diapers!~

I think about how I did it all those years with Gennovah in diapers and then Boston in diapers at the same time. I was so grateful when Gennovah decided enough was enough and took potty training on her own. Boston has been a slower process and much later one at that. Finally we have got it down. We do have our occassional accident. Seriously, I wonder how much money I was spending on diapers alone. Where is all that money going now? You got me!

Sad Blue Day...

Just thought I would say sorry to all of those mourning the loss of BYU in last nights game against Utah. Just kidding!!! The game was so awesome and each team played well, but Utah played better! GO UTES!!!