Snow Day!

The schools in Albuquerque are closed due to snow and ice on the roads. The family and friends in Buffalo would laugh at the little amount of snow we really have on the ground, but here in Albuquerque that will close most of the city down.

I hope that the hospital will stay open so Kellsie can have her doctors apt. Keep the good thoughts flowing!

WE STILL KNOW NOTHING!

WE went to the doctors this morning for Kellsie, we paid a 35.00 co pay and we still do not know anything. We have been refereed to ANOTHER specialist (who will take another 35.00 co pay) with whom we have an apt tomorrow at 1:50pm.

If there is anything to report at that time, we will call you. Don't hold your breath! I am not feeling too excited anymore. I think doctors SUCK! and that is all I have to say on the subject.

Are you smarter than a 5th grader

Do you know the game" Are you smarter than a 5th grader?". Well Kellsie and Logan were in bed tonight and Jakob and I were watching the above show. They asked the question, "Out of the below answers which is the largest cat? The answers were A. Tiger B. Puma C. Jaguar

Jakob yells out "TIGER MOM TIGER!" Of course I was very proud at my amazing, talented and smart child. Then Jakob says, "Yeah mom, it is either a Tiger or an Elephant"

After I stopped laughing I hugged him tight. I love having children in my home. Life would be so boring without them. And if you really need to know, Jakob was right, the Tiger is the largest cat from the list. He was very happy about that.

Kellsie's info

Tomorrow at 8:30 we have a Dr apt for Kellsie with a specialist from the Children's Hospital here. I hope to get all the answers to all the questions we have. Is she still going to have surgery? When? What kind? Can she wear regular shoes? Does she still need the inserts in her shoes? And many more questions that I have written down.

But after the Dr apt we have to take Kellsie back to school, take Jakob to preschool, and I have a meeting at Scholastic books and then after that I come home and I can call all the grandparents and friends who have been so involved with this long process. Thank you guys for caring so much. I just wanted to let you know that I might not start calling until after about 1pm.

Keep Kellsie in your thoughts.

LDS News

The Prophet of our Church died today. My father called a little while ago and told me the news, so I went on LDS.org for more information. Below is what I found. I am really sad. Mostly for my children. I have already lived through 4 prophets and I know that the Lord always raises another to be the Prophet, but my children have only know President Hinkley. They are already asleep, so I will tell them in the morning. It is a great blessing to know that we have the 12 Apostles to guide the church when a Prophet passes away until the new Prophet is able. President Thomas S. Monsen is our new Prophet.

The news report from LDS.ORG

Beloved Church President, Gordon B. Hinckley, dies at 97
SALT LAKE CITY 27 January 2008 President Gordon B. Hinckley, who led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through twelve years of global expansion, has died at the age of 97.
President Hinckley was the 15th president in the 177-year history of the Church and had served as its president since 12 March 1995.

The Church president died at his apartment in downtown Salt Lake City at 7:00 p.m. Sunday night from cause’s incident to age. Member of his family were at his bedside. A successor is not expected to be formally chosen by the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles until after President Hinckley’s funeral within the next few days.

Girl Scout Cookies

Just wanted to remind everyone it is girl scout cookie time. If kellsie has not already called you, she will be shortly. Thanks for everyone who supports us during cookie season. It really does go to help girls become leaders.

All better

The kids both went to school today and yesterday. I am so glad we are done with this yucky stuff! Sick kids suck!!! Jakob went to his second day of preschool today. He loved it! HE has a blast and he loves the kids that attend with him.

Kellsie and Logan are all caught up on their missed homework. I am amazed at all the busy work the school gives for homework. Kellsie's homework is OK because she is working on times tables, division and stuff like that, so repetition is the best. But I don't see what word searches bring to the table. Let's not get me started on this so late and night.

Friday is Girl Scout cookie day...don't forget to support your local Girl Scout!

Thursday Jakob and I are going to Humanitarian Aid and then taking the baby blankets to UNM hospital for their preemie unit. Then are going to a friends house for a bout 1 hour.

Friday we are selling cookies and watching Laurel and Jimmy's kids. Jimmy's grandfather died last night and they are having the viewing on Friday.

Saturday was going to be really busy with two girl scout event and one baby shower, but we are not going to the basketball game and the swim party was cancelled. So just one baby shower and then we are watching some friends kids while they go to a church meeting at night.

Jeff is leaving for DC in the AM. I am already sad. He is feeding the snakes right now, so I don't need to worry about them while he is gone. He is so funny. I don't worry about the snakes ever!!!

I'm so excited!!!

SO Kellsie did not cough at all last night. I had her right by the vaporizer and it really worked good. A couple coughs today here and there, but nothing major. I think we might be all better. Since the kids are out of school today I am taking them to the dollar movies. There is a movie about a magic shop that the kids have been wanting to see.

I am so excited to get out of the house!!!

The sun is out and it is slightly less cold than it was yesterday. I would prefer an 80 degree day, but I will take a high of 43 degrees.

I will let you know how the movie was latter on. I hope it keeps my attention, it didn't look all that exciting on the previews, but for 1.00 you can't go wrong.

Almost?

We kept the kids home from church today for 2 reasons. The first is that they are still sick. Logan and Jakob both have clean runny noses. Nothing Major. Kellsie still has that horrible cough. But mostly in the AM and the PM. She is started to eat, so I know she is feeling better.

The second reason is because I didn't want them to get RESICK at church. Everyone brings their kids sick and I needed mine to get better.

Jeff leaves for DC on Thursday and I do not and cannot do sick kids this week. Monday the kids are off school, so that will give me one more day of taking good care of them. I know Logan will go back to school and I think Kellsie will too. As long as she keeps eating.

I did go to church today and I loved it! Mostly because I love going to church, but the other is because I got out of the house. It was nice to sit and relax and listen to all the great things that were being said. The speakers talked about how to have a Happy Family. They gave ideas such as family prayer, family scripture study, and stuff like that. All things we know, but still good things to work harder on.

Jakob starts a new preschool on Wednesday with the next store neighbor. I am really excited and so is he. Stephanie (who will be teaching the preschool) has a 1 year old son and I will be watching him while she is teaching school. She is giving me a discount on the monthly fee and I get to hang out with a baby! At first the little boy did not like me too much, but then I started giving him suckers every time he saw me and now he LOVES ME! I have no shame!

Update

Since I have been home bound with the kids for almost two weeks ( I did get out one or two times) I was going a little crazy. Jeff called on the way home from work last night and said that we should go to Dion's Pizza for dinner to give me a brake. I loved the idea! Getting out of the house and not cooking sounded great.

But boy was it cold outside. And you know I am telling you the truth when Jeff says it is cold too. He was in Pants and a Jacket. That almost never happens.

Anyway, the boys did well. But Kellsie still sounds sick. Her cough is not getting any better. I was hopping she could go to church on Sunday, but I am not sure.

So we are home again today. We have watched the Saturday morning cartoons and the kids played a little on the wii. They are well enough to do their choirs, so I had them do those. Another not so fun day. I think I will do some computer scrap booking and have the help me pick layouts. That might keep them busy.

The boys are eating!!!

So I kept the kids home again today. Last night Logan and Kellsie did not eat dinner and Kellsie's kept asking if she could go to bed. Jakob did eat 2 hot dogs last night, so he is on the road to wellness. This morning Logan ate 2 bowls of shredded wheat, so he is getting better. He does still have a yucky cough, but not as bad and mine or Kellsie's.

So we are home again. The kids want to have a x-men movie day. I am tempted to go to blockbuster and get some movies that we have not watched a million times. We will see if I feel like getting out of my PJ's or not.

It is suppose to be another really cold day today. The heater has been on all night and all morning and the kids are still bundled up with blankets. I don't want to make it too warm in the house, because then they start coughing more.

pictures of sick kids

I went down stairs and Kellsie looked really sick, so I told her I was going to take her picture to show the Grandma's how sick she looks. Well, in the pictures she doesn't look very sick, so I kept taking them until I took one of her getting ready to cough and I thought it was pretty funny, so I included it.

I also put one in of Logan. He is feeling a little better every day. His cough is the worst thing right now, but his eyes are still a little glossy.

Jakob's picture was gross. Snot all over his shirt! So I made him take a bath. No picture of Jakob.

Girl Scout Stuff

Last night we had a Girl Scout meeting and the Girls worked on their Cookie Badge. They get to start selling Girl Scout Cookies on January 25Th, so they had to start working on their goals. They set some high goals for the troop with each Girl selling at least 200 boxes (last year they all sold more than than, but their goal was only 75 boxes). And this year with some of the money they earn, they want to have a slumber party at a Hotel.

So if they all sell at least 200 boxes per girl, we will take them for a Hotel Slumber Party! I should be grateful, the other options were taking them camping in an RV (they didn't want to go regular camping because they were scared of bears). I don't feel the urged to take 8 girls and 2 leaders and be stuck in a small space overnight without room service.

Our Council changed bakers, so we have two new cookies this year. One of them is a lemon one and it is fantastic! I really like it. I know it is not chocolate, but it is still really good. The other one is a Cinnamon roll cookie that are packages in 100g servings. They are really good too. I think we are going to have a great cookie year. And I am excited to eat thin mints again!

How much longer?????

Yesterday Kellsie said she didn't feel very good, but she didn't have a fever and she didn't have any other symptoms, so we sent her to school. I told her I would come by school around lunch time to check on her. And I did go at lunch time and she said she just tried calling me, I guess she threw up a couple min before. Poor baby! I brought her home and she rested the rest of the day. She even had to miss Girl Scouts, which she loves!!!

Today I kept her home because she looks and sound horrible. And I also Keep Logan home because his cough is getting worse and it is suppose to be around 25 degrees today (last night on the news they said 8 degrees but the Internet says 25 degrees).

So during the weekend we watched all the star wars movies and today we are watching the Lion King Movies. I can't wait for Jeff to come home and save me from the world of sick kids. I need a brake and it is only noon.

The funny thing is that I had so much to do today. I had a meeting with a lady from Scholastic Books to order books for the book fair in a couple weeks. Then I was going to Humanitarian Aid at my church. I had to go to the School and pick up some book fair info that came in the mail and I had to run to Laurel's work and drop off Girl Scout Stuff. Looks like that will all wait for tomorrow or Monday (depending when the kids get better).

And as of now, it doesn't look like we will be going to Los Lunas for Kate's baptism (Sorry Gina).I told the kids of the possibility and Logan says that he not sick anymore, so when I walk into the Room he tries to hide the fact that he is coughing. Too cute! We will just have to find another time to go up and visit!

Good News/ Bad News

Good news is that Kellsie's foot Dr called and gave me the information I needed to get an appt with the Children's Hospital here. I called and they have an open appt for January 28Th in the AM. TERRIFIC! Before they had told me there were no openings until March/May. So we will go to a specialist who deals with children and see what he says about the whole thing.

The bad news is that Kellsie just came down with a fever. I had thought that is had passed her by. She is laying on the couch looking very sad.

On Friday we were leaving to go see our friends the Bradshaws (see pictures below). Kate Bradshaw is getting baptized and we wanted to be there for the big day. If Kellsie follows the same format , the fever will run about 3 days. AHHHHHH! We are praying that the fever is shorter and we are all better for the overnight trip to Los Alamos, NM.

Since I am still not up to pare and Jeff is working until 11pm. I am making Waffles for dinner. The kids think I am a great mom for doing that. So no one tell my little secret.

Getting better...

I kept Logan home from School today. He didn't have a fever, but he also didn't look very healthy. Kellsie did go to school. She has been fine this whole time. I hope that continues. Jakob still looks like a sickie, but his energy is up and he is eating again. Jeff goes in for a night shift today, so he slept in until 11am. Which was good because he looks like he is getting worse. Poor baby!

So I have been doing massive amounts of laundry. Washing all the blankets, sheet, pillow cases. I want all those germs gone. If I could open the windows and get fresh air in I would, but I am afraid we would all freeze in seconds...

Anyways, we are one the road to getting better...I hope!!!

mom is really sick now!

Fever, sore throat, headache, cough....yucky!

Jeff got up this morning and was feeling pretty good, so he woke up Kellise and they both went to church. Logan has a light fever, but it looks like he is on the up swing. Jakob looks like he has a really bad cold. I think he caught something else.

Yesterday we started watching all the Starwars movies. We started with Episode 1 and went to Episode 3. Since most of us are still sick. I think we will start with the next set of three today. We have nothing else to do. Logan and Jakob just want to be hugged, so I will be one the couch anyway. At least Jeff will be home in a while to help out.

Jeff you are my hero!!!

Sick boys...

Are you kidding me? Last night Logan came into bed about 2am and said he wasn't feeling good. Yeah a 102 degree fever will do that to you. So I hugged a warm kid until he went back to sleep. So this morning Logan has a fever, cough and runny nose. Jakob has no fever but he now has a cough and runny nose. Kellsie has nothing for right now, so I put her on the emergency drink for the rest of the day to help right the germs.

Jeff was coughing when he left for work and now I am coughing and I have a headache. But I don't think a magic fairy will come out of the woodwork and take care of me, so I had better get down stairs and hang out with the kids. I think we have a sitting on the couch watching cartoons kind of day coming up.

Biggest Savings Yet!

Today I looked at the Albertson's add (our local grocery store) they had some cereal on sale. 10 boxes for 15.00. WOW! And even better if you bough 10 boxes, they gave you another 5.00 off. That makes the boxes 1.00 each. My kids love cereal and it is the fastest thing to get them in the morning before school, so I went down there tonight. I bought 40 boxes of cereal and 7.00 worth of other stuff. And do you want to know how much I saved? 130.00!!! That's right baby! Who's the woman? The cereal will take us about 3-4 month to eat, so I think that is a pretty cool deal. I should take that 130.00 and buy me something pretty. Like the worlds biggest chocolate bar or something. I will think about it and get back to you!

Surgery

So two informational things. One is that my Sister in law Kim had surgery today and she is GREAT! I called her a little while ago and she said she was feeling fine, but that she was still on pain medication. I hope they give her tons of that stuff so she feels good for days... She will be going home tomorrow to relax and heal.

Kellsie's Dr called yesterday (finally and don't get me started). He is now recommending that we go to the children's hospital here in Albuquerque. He is going to call there and give them his recommendation. Right now they only have appts in march, but if someone cancels, then we can get it. I really like this idea. There are 2 surgeons that specialize in feet and in children and I love that. I am excited and hopeful. we will keep you posted. Thanks for keeping her and us in your prayers and thoughts.

Funny Kid stories

Last night I was giving Jakob a bath and Logan was in the shower in the same bathroom. I don't think he remembered anyone was in with him. But I heard him start singing "I'm singing in the shower...Whoa Whoa!" He kept singing it over and over again. I was laughing so hard. When he stepped out of the shower and saw me, he turned a little red. Then we went down stairs and told Jeff and the rest of the night, Jeff and Logan were singing the new shower song.

Today Jakob is sick (fever, cold, aches and pains) so I am letting him watch a lot of TV. He was watching mickey mouse and they were taking about magic and the magic word. So Goofy tried to do a magic trip and they asked the questions," What magic word does Goofy need to say?" Jakob yells "HOKEY POKEY!" I almost peed my pants. Too funny!

Birthday pictures

For one of my birthday gifts Jeff was going to take pictures of the kids. He has indoor lighting so he was trying it out. I picked a couple pictures that I liked of each of the kids to show here. He has not put them in photo shop. He likes to change lighting and contrast and do stuff like that. I just like to look at my adorable kids. Kellsie just got this dress for Church and wanted to be sitting in a bean bag chair reading a book. Logan ran for his Buffalo Bills Jersey and Jakob wanted to dress in Logan's Judo Gee. The guy who runs Judo only let's 5 and up work out. But he said we can start working with Jakob and see how he does. Cross your fingers...

What a night last night

Jeff went into work early yesterday. The loss prevention guy was coming in for a visit, so Jeff wanted to get his office stuff done before he got there. Anyway, since Jeff went in early, he was also going to come home an hour earlier.

I was very excited about this because Logan's Judo has been moved to Tuesdays since the heater in the old place is broken. Also Kellsie's church class (Faith in God) has moved to Tuesday night also. The last thing is that Jeff usually works nights on Tuesday nights and there is no way I can be in two places at one time. So back to the excited part...Jeff was going to be home to take Logan to judo and I was going to take Kellsie to Faith in God.

Then my friend Laurel calls and said she would take Kellsie and Jessica (her daughter) to Faith in God. Great! That means that I could stay home with Jakob and get him to bed on time.

Then Jeff called and said he was running late, but he would still be there in time. Then 15 min before we had to leave for Judo, he was still 30 min away. WE SCRAMBLED!!! Jakob went to the neighbors house for 30 min until Jeff could get home and watch him. I took Logan and Kellsie. I dropped Kellsie at Laurel's house 1/2 hour early ( I OWE YOU ONE AGAIN LAUREL) and took Logan to Judo. I feel bad for Jeff having such a long day. He is such a good husband for working so hard. Thanks baby!!!

Then after we went to bed last night Jakob came in and said his Tummy was hurting. OF COURSE HIS TUMMY WAS HURTING! I took him to the bathroom 3 times. I don't mind getting up with the kids, but I would love it if I didn't have to hear Jeff snoring while I was up. I kept Jakob in bed with us and good thing, because he started a fever about 2am.

This morning I spent a couple hours on the couch hugging a warm sick child. I love hugging my kids, but you know I am going to be sick next. I better start on some vitamins.

Thanks for listening to me complain. Jakob is feeling better (with Motrin). Jeff is home all day, so he is down stairs hanging out with Jakob. I bet Jeff doesn't even get sick.

First Day back at School

So today it is final! Winter brake is over (we cannot call it Christmas brake anymore because we might offend someone). They kids went back to school today and I really miss them!!! But on the up side Kellsie moved out of the portable class room and into a new class room. They have been doing construction at the school for almost a year now and they are finally done with the 3rd grade building and the new administration buildings. The old admin buildings are being opened up and added to the cafeteria so that we can fit a whole grade in the room at the same time. The school was the first one over here on the west side and it is really small. Now we have over 900 kids and no room for them.

By the end of the school year they should have the kinder rooms done and they can get out of portables also. That just leaves the 4th and 5th grades in portables. Well, I need to stop talking about public schools now or I am going to get upset and start saying things that are not good.

Anyways, I miss my kids. Jakob is watching Go Diego Go right now, so I am all alone...

Happy Birthday to me!

My birthday was great. We went to church. Jeff made a great lunch and then I got to do whatever I wanted the rest of the day. The kids and I watched Turner and Hooch (the dog is too funny) and then I played some Mario Brothers on the Wii. I also just downloaded pac man for the wii too. I know I am showing my age, but now that I am maturing, I can admit stuff like that. Jeff also made me a stake dinner (the best ever!)!

Jeff and the kids made a coupon book for me. Inside was coupons for a free van cleaning ( I hate to clean out the van), free foot rubs, back rums, breakfast in bead, and a coupon for a bath without any kids bugging me. I already turned in a couple coupons for back and foot rubs. Jakob gives the best foot rubs.

Perfect Day!

The Bradshaw Visit

Last night our friends the Bradshaws came for a visit. They moved away in the summer to live in Los Alamos. Doug and Gina went last night to help clean the Temple and we got to supervise the major slumber party upstairs. They have 5 kids (4 girls and 1 boy). Timmy and Jakob are best friends so this was a major visit.

Today Gina and I went to the Cannery with our friend Laurel and had a blast, while the Jeff and Doug stayed home and entertained the kids.

Here are pictures of their kids and out kids together. WE MISS YOU BRADSHAWS!!!

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!

Last night we went over to our neighbors (the Hunts) for a New Years Eve party. Our boys had a blast playing with all the other boys. Kellsie stayed with me and Jeff the whole time.

We played some games and hung out until midnight. Then we brought the kids home and toasted with Martinelli's and put the kids to bed. They all stayed up to see the new year. Jakob was just excited to do "Cheers" again, that is his favorite part.

Today Jeff woke up early and went to a park to play football with some guys from church. Only 4 guys showed up, so they tossed the ball around and then came home. Rhett, the next door neighbor and his boys came over to watch the Buffalo Sabers (and whoever they played) play at the Bills stadium. And then they played some Wii. Just as a foot note, the Saber's did loose. Sorry to all those Buffalo fans out there...

I have been able to organize the computer room. Jeff thinks I am just cleaning his room, but what he doesn't know is that I am moving in. He has had his own room long enough...time to share. I am hoping I can convince him to sell some of the massive collection of JUNK that he has in this room. We will see. Maybe the new year will be a little lighter with the junk.

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Eve and a fun New Years Day!!!