Week of July 22nd

Monday
My family left in the morning.  We took some pictures together before they left.  I was so sad to see them go and cried when I hugged my mom goodbye.  :o(  I was so happy that they came.  I hope Michael can come again sometime.  That kid is awesome.

After everyone was gone I started back with my normal routine.  Grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry etc. I took the boys to Karate in the afternoon.  I also went to hot yoga in the evening.  I must not have eaten enough in the day because I nearly fainted and had to lay down near the end of class.  I was super dizzy afterwards and was glad to have my friend Brindy there.  She drove me home and took care of me.  I ate a cinnamon roll and went to bed.  I felt funny all night and my fingers were tingly but I felt better in the morning.  I haven't fainted from low blood sugar since I was pregnant with Jacob.  I don't like it.

Tuesday
Normal stuff in the day time.  I went to help my friend Priscilla pack in the evening.  I am going to be so sad when she leaves.  Lydia hit 7 months old today.

Wednesday
Kids went to Karate.  I took the boys to Sky High in the evening as a going away party for the Burgon's.  They must've been tired from Karate and the heat because they both didn't jump much.  Daniel kept trying to climb a stair rail and get in trouble.  Jacob actually said he was bored!  I couldn't believe it.  I ended up leaving early and I put all three kids to bed by 7:30.  Brindy came over and we did a postnatal ab workout.  Good times.

Thursday
Jacob had a Sunday school class party in the afternoon and had a great time.  I spent some alone time with Daniel and we had lunch together.  Priscilla and Carter stayed the night.  I made fondant for the first time in preparation of making Daniel's Lightening McQueen birthday cake.

Friday
My "little D" turned four.  I made him pancakes for breakfast.  He chose quesadillas for lunch.  I had Kiara here while Priscilla finished cleaning her empty house.  She came back for Kiara and I just cried saying goodbye to them.  She has been my visiting teaching companion the entire time I've lived in this ward.  She's one of my best friends and I am so sad she's leaving.  It's bittersweet.  She is moving back to So. CA to be near family and her hubby got and awesome job so I'm happy for her too.

My dear friend Priscilla and her cutie-pie Kiara

 After Kiara was gone I finished making Daniel's cake.  It took me almost the entire day!  It turned out well though.  Once Brent was home we went to dinner.  Daniel wanted Hamburgers at the "place with baloons" so we went to Red Robin.  We come home and had his little party with presents and cake.  He got a bike, a racecar track, a book and Lightening pj's.  He was so excited to have his "Lightening birthday".  I love my Little D!

Dinner at Red Robin

Yum!

D with his cake

Saturday
We did stuff around the house.  Had a low-key day actually and it was really nice.  Daniel had fun riding around on his new bike.  I took Jacob's training wheels off his bike and attempted to teach him to ride.  It didn't work so I put his training wheels back on.  I picked up blueberries (10 pounds) and apricots (13 pounds) from my group order and processed the blueberries.  I ended up with 4 quarts of frozen berries, 2 batches of freezer jam, and 2 c. of fresh berries to make muffins with.  The apricots will hopefully last until Monday and I'll turn them into jam.

Sunday
I made yummy fresh blueberry muffins in the morning.  Then I made chocolate pudding for our home teacher (he just had surgery).  I like to take pudding to new moms or anybody that is in need of comfort.  Most people have never had homemade pudding so I love to give it to them.  We attending our church meetings and had a nice quiet evening at home afterwards.  We have a lot to do to prepare for the upcoming week.  We are going to California!

Week of July 15th

Monday
I went to another physical therapy visit in the morning.  I'm still slowly improving so I'm sticking with PT for now.  My mom, grandpa and grandma Nelson, and Michael arrived by dinner time.  I was so pleased that they made good time and could have some time here to settle in before bed.

Tuesday
We hung around the house a bit.  Grandpa needed his glasses repaired so we went to the mall to do that and let the kids play while we were there.  We played Five Crowns (my grandparent's favorite card game) in the afternoon and again in the evening after dinner.

Wednesday
We went to Tillamook Cheese Factory.  I've been there several times now and I still enjoy the drive and the tour.  The food they serve there is amazing (especially their grilled cheese sandwich and freshly made tomato soup) and I can't get enough of their ice cream.  We arrived back in time to pick up 3 flats of raspberries and we processed all of them that afternoon and evening.  I went to a baby shower for about one hour after dinner and was up too late.  But I had a great day.

Jacob and Grandpa Nelson

Daniel

Daniel and Michael

Lydia showing her sweet smile

Daniel watching great grandma Nelson wash raspberries

Thursday
The grandparents and my mom went to the temple in the morning.  I stayed home and got lots of cleaning done.  Michael and the boys played outside in our backyard in our kiddie pool.  Michael was so good with the boys and played with them a lot.  He also helped me a lot with the chores.  I just loved hanging out with him.  The big news of the day/week is that Lydia started crawling!  6 months old and crawling.  I can't believe it.  In the afternoon I took Michael to the skate park we have in Tigard.  He was intimidated at first but it didn't take him long to "jump in" and he had a wonderful time.  I was blown away at the moves some of those skaters could pull off.  It was quite entertaining for me as well.

Michael in front of the Tigard skate park

Friday
Michael went to the skate park again in the morning.  I can't remember what the rest of us did during that time.  In the afternoon I went to a park with my friend Priscilla and her daughter Kiara.  We went to a park in Tualatin that had a skate park attached to it so Michael would have a good time there too.  There was this really tall spider web tower thing that the kids climbed up.  My fearless Daniel went up several time.  About gave me a heart attack but he was just fine.  I love that boy.  We went out to dinner at Izzy's Pizza Buffet that night.  Going to a buffet with kids is difficult but we survived.  I think we played Five Crowns again in the evening.

Jacob with his friend Kiara

The spider web tower.  Jacob is at the top and Daniel is climbing

The boys with their big cousin, Michael

Saturday
Our ward's primary activity was in the morning so Brent and I took the boys to that.  We dropped Michael off at the skate park again (he spent a lot of time there and got quite good with his "tricks").  I was able to leave Lydia here to nap.  Having my mom around was so helpful and great!  It was a pioneer themed activity with a hot dog lunch.  We had a nice time and the sun decided to come out just in time and it was toasty warm.  We prepared for our neighborhood bbq during the afternoon and spent the evening enjoying the company of our neighbors.  I made homemade vanilla ice cream and we served some of the fresh raspberry jam we made as a topping.  Michael went to the skate park during much of that time but responsibly returned home before dark.  I was proud of him for being able to find his way in a town he didn't know.

Sunday
We enjoyed a lovely sabbath morning.  We took a four generation picture with Lydia and then attended our meetings.  I thoroughly enjoyed attending Relief Society with my mom and grandma.  The lesson was excellent and I very much needed to hear it.  I've been in Primary for a long time now and I miss RS sometimes.  Our evening was spent enjoying each others company and playing more Five Crowns.  Our visitors also prepped to leave the next morning.  I absolutely loved having them here.  I miss my family so much and I didn't want them to leave.

4 Generations!

Week of July 8th

Monday
Brent wasn't feeling well so he stayed home from work.  I ran errands and then had a girl in my ward come over to practice doing a Cutco demonstration (she just started).  I love Cutco and was happy to support her.  I even purchased a new cheese knife and vegetable peeler and got a free pair of scissors.  I am so happy with the knives my mom is letting me borrow.  I don't know what I'll do when she wants them back.  Because of the oddness of the day and the fact they hadn't been for a week, I forgot to take the kids to Karate.  =(  We had a nice dinner and I did our FHE lesson.  The brownies I made for our treat were too thick and crumbly.  Kinda disappointing.

Tuesday
I took Daniel to his yearly check up with his Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon to check how his feet are doing.  I've been concerned about how his feet fall inward when he's sitting but he is well within the rang of normal for having had clubfoot correction and the doc said he looks great.  Phew!  Sigh of relief there.  Tuesday is our library day.  So we did that in the morning and then picked up Brent and we went out to lunch together at the new Tigard Burgerville, I love that restaurant and I'm glad we have one in Tigard now.  They use only local, and seasonal, foods and take great pains to be "green" have use compostable containers etc.  You pay extra for all of this but I think it's worth it.

I spent the afternoon researching nursing chairs and found one I liked.  I found one being sold on craigslist for a fantastic price.  I was weary of it though because the last two chairs I bought were craigslist ones and they weren't good.  But I went and checked it out and it was in great condition and she was the original owner.  So I got it.  Rocking Lydia to sleep that night was heavenly and I've been enjoying it since.  I should've invested in a good nursing chair years ago.  The main reason I wanted a new chair is because getting up out of my old one really bothered my hip.  I don't hurt at all getting out of my new chair.  I am so happy with it.

Wednesday

We joined friends in our ward's playgroup at the Wilsonville water fountains.  That park is fantastic and I was excited to take the kids for the first time this year.  We've been many times.  When family has come to visit I've taken them there because it is free and it's so fun.  Alex and Ian, the boys I used to watch and my boys' best buddies, were there and they played their little hearts out.  We ate a picnic lunch and came home and crashed for quiet time.  I AGAIN forgot about Karate.  Sheesh.  I am losing my marbles.  I joined up with some of my friends after the kids were in bed for an impromtu ladies night out.  I ate a lot of popcorn, held a cute new little fellow (4 week old Oliver) and fell in love with him, and had a great time.  I'm so grateful for my friends.

Alex and Jacob

Daniel with his bucket

 
Thursday
Found out my mom and grandparents are coming for a visit (yay!) and they are coming on Monday!  So I've started making my to-do lists and cleaning to preparing for that.  I love it when company comes because it gives you the extra motivation to deep clean and to finally get to those items that have been sitting around and waiting to get taken care of.  It feels good to accomplish a lot.  Brent went to a stake priesthood meeting in the evening.

Friday
I spent the day at home with the kids.  We played and didn't do much else.  When Brent got home we went in search of a curtain rod for our huge back window and found what we needed.  We went to the mall and I managed to pull into a parking space where someone had previously, and recently, got sick on the asphalt and I drove through it.  I didn't dare park in our garage because it stank so badly.  Looks like I'll be adding a car wash to my Saturday "to-do" list.

Week of July 1st

Monday July 2nd
I went to my third PT appointment.  I am now having some pain on the front of my hip in the ligament that connects to my thigh.  The doc said it is because the exercises I'm doing are overworking that area, so she overhauled my regimen.  I've continued to see slow improvement and I know that if I was more diligent with my twice daily exercises that improvement would be faster.  (I can't believe how hard it is to carve out two 10 minutes sessions for myself where I am not needed at all by somebody.)  So in all, a good report and I feel good about the progress I've made.  I can now weight bare enough on my left leg to be able to put my pants on without sitting or holding the wall.  Yay!

For FHE we tried lighting some fireworks.  Daniel literally freaked out!  We even put earphones on him to see if that would help and that wasn't even enough.  He is so sound-sensitive.  I made him stay out with me but didn't make him look at or hold a sparkler.  I've never seen a kid be so afraid of sparklers!!  But then this is the kid who was also scared of the candles on his birthday cake.  Poor kid.

Tuesday July 3rd
The morning was spent visiting teaching with my companion, Priscilla.  She is moving at the end of this month and I am so sad to see her go.  This will be our last month vt'ing together.  =(  We went out to lunch afterwards.  I am going to really miss her.  It is friend's like her that have made my life without family nearby bearable.  We've celebrated holiday's together and shared so many memories.  We've spent countless hours talking in my driveway.  I watched her daughter Kiara for the past few years and I just love her family.  She is so thoughtful and selfless and such a wonderful mother and example to me.  I've never had such a wonderful vt'ing companion and I know it sounds bad but I almost don't want another companion assigned to me.  She was the best.  ::sigh::  First Jenae, then Nicole and now Priscilla... God must be trying to shake things up by taking away my friends.  I wonder what He has in store.

Wednesday July 4th
Independence Day!  We had BE-U-T-FUL weather.  In the morning I had my friend Nicole's boys, Ethan and Henry, over to play.  This was the last little playdate for our boys and they had a grand time together.  Ethan and Jacob are only a month apart.  Daniel and Henry are only three days apart.  Lydia and Sam  (not pictured) are only 6 weeks apart.  Nicole and I have bonded over having such similarities and going through some of the same things at the same time.  We've spent many a Sunday in the mother's lounge, exhausted and completely overwhelmed and found comfort knowing we were both going through the same things.  Nicole is also one of my running partners and we will forever be bonded over running our first half marathon's together.  Her husband, Dave, has been a great friend to Brent and he is also my birthday buddy (we were both born on October 10, 1980).

We will miss you Hardman's!

I had a nice day at home and prepared for the evening festivities.  Lydia looked darling in her festive shorts with red white and blue stars.  She's trying so hard to crawl and it's just so cute so I had to take a picture.

 Priscilla invited us over to their block party and we had a nice time.  Daniel did better than I expected him too and fun was had by all.

Click here to see a slide show of our 4th of July pictures

Thursday July 5th
Summer has arrived in my part of the world so I put up our kiddie pool during the day an the boys had so much fun playing out on the deck.  We spent the evening packing the van for camping and preparing our talks.

Lydia also sat in her high chair for the first time.  Must she really grow up?!

Trying to grab a piece of cantaloupe

Friday July 6th
We left to go camping after the kids woke up from their afternoon naps.  We went to Mt. Hood National Forest.  We stopped for dinner on the way because traffic was terrible, it was getting late. and Lydia had been crying/screaming almost the whole way and our nerves were shot and we needed a break.  We stopped at and A&W.  Man do they have good root beer!  We went on our way again and Lydia continued her scream fest.  We scouted out campgrounds and we weren't finding anything open and started getting a little nervous.  But the clouds parted and heavenly angels chorused when we pulled into Fish Creek campground (the same one we stayed at with Brent's parents last September) and the only spot available was the exact same spot we stayed at with them.  So crazy!  We were happy to finally get out and set up camp.  The boys had fun climbing some big rocks in our campsite and Lydia was content in the pack-n-play staring at the new surroundings and playing with her toys.  We got the tent up and then went for a walk.  I put Lydia down for the night while Brent started a fire and we roasted some gigantic marshmallows.  We tried to enjoy the moment and sing songs but the boys weren't having it and just wanted to go to bed.  So put them to bed too.  Lydia had a hard time sleeping and by the time we came into the tent she wasn't going to sleep in the pack-n-play.  So I slept with her in my arms and nursed on and off all. night. long.

Saturday July 7th
Lydia was up with the sun and I entertained her as long as I could before everyone finally got up around 7 am.  Brent was not too happy to get up that early.  But, that's camping with kids.  We got a fire going and warmed some water for hot cocoa and had breakfast.  Then Lydia went down for her morning nap while Brent took the boys on another walk.  They came back and played cards while I tried to rest with Lydia.  After only a short 25 minutes a really loud diesel truck rumbled past and woke both of us up.  Then the ranger came by and yelled at us for being there.  The campsite sign said it was open but apparently on the other side of the card it was reserved.  No one had showed up but they told us to leave anyway.  So we started to break camp.  The boys were being difficult.  Then Daniel hurt himself and got a huge blood blister.  While I was tending him and all our stuff was scattered around the ranger came back to tell us the people had taken another site and ours was open after all.  She apologized and told us we could stay.  A little too late don't ya think?!  We finally got packed up and drove off just after 11 am.  We stopped at a day use area and walked down to the clackamas river to throw rocks in.   Brent and I were about had but we figured we'd come that far and wanted to make the most of it.  Lydia blessedly fell asleep as soon as we got back in the van and we drove home.  I made our sandwiches in the car and fed everybody while we were driving.

We came home and everybody crashed.  We took it easy in the evening and finalized our talks.  I don't think Brent and I were prepared for how hard this camping trip would be.  Makes me wonder if we should even bother going to the ward campout.  I love being in nature and away from the city where you can actually see the stars.  Listening to the river all night was wonderful and staring into the glowing fire while Brent held me was so nice.  Getting a few moments like that almost make all the work worth it.

Sunday July 8th
The morning was nice.  The kids were all doing ok.  I was still not nervous about my talk but poor Brent could've been on the brink of death.  I think God was buoying me up so I could handle everything while he was out of sorts. Brent gets physically ill at times like this.  We arrived at church early, sat close to front and braced ourselves for the meeting.  My awesome friend Vikki took Lydia while I talked and even got her to sleep (I love you Vikki!).  I think our talks went well.  I pretty much read mine straight through so my nerves never had a chance to take over.  I loved that our topic was so broad.  It was Eternal Families.  I chose to focus on the sealing power because that's what makes an eternal family even possible.  Brent talked on parenting and relationships and did a great job.  I like hearing him teach/speak and I wish it wouldn't make him so sick so he'd be comfortable doing it more often.  I enjoyed preparing for my talk and finding all the neat quotes and scriptures that I used.  The spirit was with me and it felt nice.  I liked taking the time to study and prepare.  I wish I had the time/ability to study more often.

Week of June 24th

Sunday June 24th
Lydia is now six months old.  I find it amazing that one half of the year is already over.  She is trying to eat everything and is so anxious to eat more foods.  I'm not so anxious.  I'm content just nursing her.  I give her rice cereal and little bits of fruits and veggies but I haven't done more yet.  ::sigh:: I guess I'll have to let her grow up sooner or later.

Somebody loves to eat!

That spoon is sure fun to teeth on

Daniel was still sick so Brent stay home from church with him.  I teach Sharing time for one month every 3 months and June was my month so today was my last sharing time for awhile.  My wonderful friend, Vikki, takes Lydia for me almost every week while I take care of my primary responsibilities.  I'm so grateful to her and the other ladies that so generously tend her.  It makes my life easier. I made a super yummy pot roast for dinner and the rest of the evening was low-key. I enjoyed the quiet evening with Brent and the kiddos.  It was needed.


Monday 25th
Had another round of Physical Therapy this morning.  I didn't cry this time, even though I wanted to.  One of the workers there showed me some exercises to do, as we talked she told me she also had also had an SI joint injury.  She's the first person I've talked to that has had the same problem as I.  It was so nice to talk to somebody that completely understood how I feel and could suggest things that had helped her.  I have more exercises to do than I have time for, but I'm doing all I can.  I don't see any running in my near future but I do have hope for pain-reduced days soon.

Daniel was well enough today so after naptime we went to Karate.  He was so much better today!  He participated 30 of the 45 minutes.  I was so pleased.  I have hope for him after all.

Brindy and I went to our second class of hot yoga.  This time I sweat more and I was dizzier.  I followed the modifications my physical therapist suggested and I didn't hurt as much afterwards.  It felt great.  My lungs feel so open and clean.  It was an easier class and the 90 minutes felt faster to me.  Good times.

Tuesday 26th
The boys were climbing our maple tree in the backyard.  They do this often.  Jacob got higher then ever before and wanted me to see.  I snapped  a picture while I was at it.

Lydia got whatever Daniel had and today she was one unhappy girl.  She didn't sleep well, has a runny nose and is constantly sneezing.  On top of that she's teething.  Poor girl.

I had a really hard afternoon and evening and fled to cooking group as soon as I got Lydia down for the night.  I stayed up too late talking with Brent about how we should be parenting (especially Jacob right now).  We are struggling with him right now and our normal discipline tactics aren't working.  I feel like I am warning him or disciplining him most of the day and that's exhausting!  What do you, my few readers, suggest for disciplining?  Specifically, he is experimenting with spitting and he has spit on several people but mostly Daniel.  He also uses inappropriate talk about his body, like pretending to pee or hold himself and wiggle.  It sounds innocent enough but when he did this in front of the mirrors at Karate yesterday I was so embarrassed by his poor behavior.  We currently use time outs, or he looses game/tv privileges, and with "potty talk" he gets hot sauce.  None of these methods are solving the problem nor do they seem to be enough incentive to keep him from doing these things.  I'm worried because I see him getting worse.

Wednesday 27th
Lydia slept the night through (though fitfully at times) and finally woke up to nurse just before 6 am.  She was so congested that nursing was difficult.  After 10 minutes she lifted her head up and threw up all over me.  It was like a waterfall flowing out of her!  I couldn't believe she could possibly have that much in her tiny stomach.  I called for Brent to come in and clean her up so I could shower, it was THAT bad!  She was up for another hour after that and then I spent the next hour holding her, walking with her and trying to get her to sleep.  She'd fall asleep and then wake up and whimper or look around to make sure I was there.  So I just held her.  After a long while of that my arms were tired, I was tired and so I put her down praying that she'd stay asleep.  She did and I was able to get another hour of sleep.

I declared a sick day and we didn't go anywhere.  I took care of only the minimum around the house and we just hung out together.  I made some delicious banana bread and the day went ok considering all.  It was such a beautiful day (after several days of rain) that it would've been nice to take the kids to a park.  I hope we get more days like that soon.

Thursday 28th
Lydia had her 6 month well-child visit and round of immunizations.  She did so well.  She is growing and developing perfectly.  She is now 2'2.5" and 18 lbs.  I was sad to hear they are closing our pediatricians office and I will need to find a new doctor unless I want to drive 20 minutes to follow our doc. to his new location.  Sad times.  Having the kids' doctor only 1.5 miles from our home has been so nice.

After lunch while the sun was still shining I packed up the kids and we went to, what we call, the "Dump truck Park."  It's a 10 min. drive but so fun.  The boys had a blast and Lydia enjoyed pulling all grass out she could reach.  It started getting cloudy when we got home so I'm glad we went when we did.

I went to hot yoga tonight and enjoyed it.  I can already see improvement (though small) in my flexibility.  The modifications I am making keep my joint pain to a minimum.

Friday 29th
I started feeling like I was coming down with what Daniel and Lydia had.  My throat is sore and I feel tired.  So I took it as easy as possible.  We had a going away party in the evening for some good friend's of ours and we had a great time.  Three of my good friends have either moved or will move all in this past spring and upcoming month.  I feel so bittersweet about it.  The moves were all great for each of them individually but I am so sad to not have them around any longer.  They have made my life here in Oregon, without family nearby, easier.  I know friends come and go but it is still hard.

The bishop called today to ask us to speak in Sacrament meeting on July 8th.  Topic is Eternal Families.  Oddly, I am not nervous about it.  However, Brent might be getting an ulcer.  Poor guy has a lot on his mind and this being added to it doesn't help.

Saturday 30th
We did a lot of errands and projects around the house.  I continued to take it easy.  We have been looking into finding a shed and it's proving to be a lot harder than I anticipated.  We purchased fireworks and the boys got to go down and gigantic (20' tall?) inflated slide shaped like a shark.  Jacob thought it was the coolest thing ever.  Daniel not so much.

Sunday July 1st
Today was a nice, laid-back day.  I made meatloaf for dinner.  It was awesome.   Another week gone.  This upcoming week is going to be another busy one and we hope to go camping at the end of it if the weather stays nice.

Readers: Do you mind this journal style of writing on my blog?  Would it be easier to break it up vs. having one week all in one chunk?  Thoughts?