The Charons

As we take down Christmas decorations and start getting back into everyday life I find myself with a strong desire to simplify. Our RS lesson today was on simplifying and it just sounded so nice. We recieved a gift from David's Grandma, it's a simple statment that I now find myself wanting to live by, and here it is:

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without"

With the economy the way it is, and with our financial situation I think that we could really benefit from those words. It seems like we live in such a disposable society and it drives me crazy. The fact that Target had a whole isle of junky toys for stockings tells me we are buying things that just don't need. So I am taking a stand, actually I am sitting, but really I plan on changing my thinking which in the end will really help out our check book and financies.

I can't believe that I went a whole 24 hours without turning on the computer, and to be completely honest it was GREAT! I know I missed posting a Merry Christmas blog, but just know that my Christmas was merry because I spent the whole day with my little family.

I hope your Christmas was also a merry one, and look for more pictures and posts coming soon.

and P.S. Thanks Celeste and Skye for making my Christmas WONDEFUL!

So... I finally sync'd our camera and found a lot of things that I haven't blogged about yet. So here it goes.

Keagan's dance recital:
At Keagan's school they have dance classes, and they had a recital on the 13th (which we obviously missed) but they performed again last week on the one and only day they were actually in school and not having a snow day. So we went with the 5 day old baby in tow. Keagan was so darling in her little dance costume.


Let it Snow:

So we got snow this week, and we are talking no measly amounts. 26 inches in 4 days to be exact, and yes we were sick of it by day 4, and YES it is snowing again today. So this picture was taken today, you wouldn't know it by looking but our front steps and walkways were completely clear and dry this morning. The weather man said 30 % chance today and tomorrow, but I am 100 % sure he was wrong! Crazy weather but just in time for a white Christmas.


Holiday Baking:
David accused me of NOT being in the holiday spirit this year, so to prove him that just because I am emotional about baby doesn't mean I am not in the mood for the holidays i started baking. So far the list contains: Carmel's, Chocolate dipped pretzels, Saltine toffee, fudge, Hershey kiss cookies and David's famous Christmas cookies. We are planning on taking plates around to people tonight (as long as the snow lets up a bit)

This is David making his Christmas Cookies. Yum-O!

Mom in town:
Bless my Mom's heart she came and visited and helped with baby and the other kids for the week. She was pretty much stuck here because it was snowing so hard those 4 days, but we were grateful to have her. She always takes great pics when she is here, and this trip was no exception. Here are some she took of our family.

Maddy, since we have been home has had a steady climbing bili-ruben level. What does that mean? Her liver has had a hard time breaking down dead red blood cells, and for whatever reason ALL my children have had this scenerio. So on Sunday when we leave the hospital she was at 11.2, on Monday she is a 16.8, Tuesday 18.7 and Wednesday 20.4. Each day that she has climbed we have had to have her under more Photo-lights, so now we can't touch her unless it's feeding time, and everyday we have to take her down and watch her go through the pain of getting her blood drawn. Well today (like everyday) I was just too emotional to handle the fact that they not only needed a small vile of blood for her bili test but also THREE tubes for other tests the Dr.'s were interested in.

Long story short for the first time in a week they were able to find the smallest vein in her arm instead of squeezing her little foot. I was praying and crying so hard that those levels would just even out, but we were blessed with better than that. Today she is back to a 16. Yippee! So that means our little girl will not have to be admitted and have an IV!


The other miracle. I still can't believe the outcome (and my emotions are still out of control) I have had a really hard time breathing these last two days, I haven't felt right and finally after consulting my Dr. he said get to the ER. So I listened, we got there and my blood pressure was 187 over 108 (SUPER high) and they took it again to make sure it wasn't a fluke and my heart rate was only 40 (Super low). So the first thing the Dr. did was order a chest X-ray and blood work. The x-ray came back ok, but the blood work didn't. He was worried I had a clot in my lungs and the blood work showed that something was there, "Extremely elevated levels" was how he described the test to hint him to the blood clot. So sure that this was the problem he talked to Maddy's pediatrician to have her be able to stay with me in the hospital amongst other arrangements. Well I did the CT scan where they inject die into your lungs to check for clots and NOTHING. Yep, NOTHING. He was blown away. I stil can see that look on his face. He could not believe the test results, but I could, I knew my prayers were answered. The last thing I wanted to be was away from my little family. They came to the conclusion it was a skelital matter and now I will be going to Physical Therapy to try to fix the damage this pregnancy has done on my body. All I can say is keep the Motrin coming!

Thank you for all the prayers that were had in my behalf. I had no idea all my family knew and was praying for me, and my sweet husband said he called in a "solid" from the Big man upstairs. I love all of you and I am SO SO SO SO grateful to have such an amazing support system. And thank you to my Mom who had the kids all day.

Maddy has been a joy these past few days. Riley and Keagan have really taken a liking to her (which is a relief).






Here are some funny things Riley says about his baby sister:
1. "Baby's got back" Seriously I started busting out in 80's dance moves when I heard this one
2. "I hold it"
3. "Baby smiles at me, with two eyes"

December 12, 2008
6 lbs 10 oz
18.9 inches long

So I have made it, tomorrow at this time I will be (hopefully) well on my way to having little Maddy!! But as a the last blog before pics of the new one I thought I would post my house because A. it's never been so clean and B. I love all the Christmas decorations.

So.. Since the other night I have tackled my list at full speed and surprisingly have completed quite a few of my "to do's" Here is a recap

1. Wrap carmels, check! And even made a second batch and wrapped them as well
2. The bassinet bedding and clothes are washed and ready to go.
3. Do the laundry, Check! David actually did the laundry today, what a man!
4. Finish cleaning out toys.... got a good jump on it and my Mom said she would help when she comes up next week
5. Mail Packages, hmmm. HECK NO, it was only 25 degrees here today, so I feel like I am exempt from this one until the weather turns better.
6. Stay out of David's hair.... CHECK!
7. Go back to the grocery store, check! But will go again tomorrow, just to stock up one last time.
8.Put up outside lights, David and the kids handled this one yesterday while I was at the grocery store.
9. Clean, CHECK! Bathrooms, dusting and clutter have all been cleaned, just the floors left and those will be the very last thing done before we leave.
10. Old clothes have been packed! Ye-hah!
11. I bought the frosting for Keagan's class... Shhh. don't tell!
12. Eating a banana as we speak.
13. The mini-van is de-cluttered, but not yet vacuumed and baby seat still needs to be put in.
14. Haven't shed a tear! WAY TO GO BARB!
15. hmm.. Haven't done this one, so we will just skip it, 'cause I am on a roll.
16. Instead of making sugar cookies I dipped Pretzels in White chocolate and covered them with Andes Peppermint candy. YUM-O!
17. Ebay made this one possible, and yes... it's a check!
18. Maddy. David decided it should be Maddy this morning. Great!

Things I accomplished that WERE NOT on my list:

1. Caught Riley's cold, and so did David.
2. Baked cookies for Keagan's class next week
3. Took a nap
4. Scheduled my Pedicure for Thursday afternoon
5. Found time to Blog. :-)

So tomorrow I really plan on just hanging out. I am sure movies and PJ's will be among the top items of business. Tomorrow David takes his last three finals! Yipee! Then he is done until his next class begins on Monday.

Two days and a few hours left.....

This morning it's not insomnia that keeps me awake, it's the fact that now that there is only 4 days, that's right 4 days until I am being enduced I have lists running through my head of ALL that needs to be done. Let me share.

These are in no particular order:

1. Wrap the carmels I made last night
2. Wash crib bedding, basinett bedding, clothes for Madi
3. Do the laundry for the rest of the house, which is LOTS by the way
4. Finish cleaning out kids toys in preps for Santa to come
5. Mail Christmas packages to extended family
6. Stay out of David's hair because he has finals this week
7. Go back to the grocery store and buy everything that I forgot when I was there Saturday, love being forgetful
8. Put up outside lights so that the kids can enjoy some sparkling bushes
9. CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN... From the dusting of ceiling fans to scrubbing and vacuming my house needs the "one over" before I bring a baby home. I have help in this category THANK YOU CELESTE! My SUPER good friend is coming up from Kingman on Wedensday to help with this dreaded task.
10. Pack away old clothes, pull out nursing friendly tops.
11. Make frosting for Keagan's school class for decorating this week
12. EAT BANANAS! I spent Keagan's birthday in the hospital for what we all thought was Pre-clamsia (sp?) but turns out was just REALLY low potassium levels
and PS again, I only know how to spell bananas because of Gwen Stephani.
13. Clean out the Mini-van and get the Baby car seat in and adjusted
14. Try not to cry while doing all these things because really I just feel so overwhelmed at every given moment
15. Christmas cards and baby announcements need to be made and stamps need to be bought to send them out. I have help in this area, Another BF is coming in from Kingman on Wednesday to help with this.
16 Make sugar cookies and take them around to the ladies I visit teach so I can count them for this month
17 I am sure David wants something for Christmas, so that needs to be figured out and ordered ASAP
18. Figure out how to spell Madilyn's nickname. Should it be Madi or Maddy? Any input would be great

I have a lot of rants at wee hours of the morning, so thanks for listening.

Barb

Yesterday was Keagan's birthday and she was SUPER excited from the moment she woke up to the time she went to bed. We celebrated by having her favorite meals and cake. We had Blueberry muffins for breakfast, Pizza for lunch (at school) and at her request we had a Mamwhich (bacon sandwich) for dinner. After dinner we opened presents and ate cake and Ice cream. I think this little one loved every minute of her special day, she is already asking for another paper chain to count down until her next birthday, but I told her we didn't have enough wall space, so then she suggested maybe one to count down Christmas. Done. Keagan thanks for being such a blessing in our lives. We love you dearly little one. and P.S. Sorry Riley drives you crazy and thank you for letting him open one of your "prizes" You are a trooper.

So... as most of you read yesterday was my anniversary, and let me tell you, alot has changed from the first anniversary to the 7th. For example, the first anniversary there are usually no little ones, so you get your nails done, hair done, find something fancy before and after dinner (if you know what I mean). Usually your out on the town to a fancy restaurant and life is pretty much good.

Now let me describe to you yesterdays blessed events. I didn't actually bother to get dressed, thou not a lot fits anyways when you are 10 days from having a baby. My hair was "day old" hair, but umphed a little with some hairspray. I did manage to get mascara on, but not much else, my toe nail polish is probably 2 months old, and I think my shirt was stained. David came home from school and had broken out in hives, or allergies (were not sure yet) so after picking up Keagan from school he headed to the Dr's office, and he was there until about 6:30. So romantic... It gets better. Being that it's FHE and in the Mormon world that translates to "you are never going to find a sitter" I MADE dinner for the kids and I and cleaned the house until the kids went to bed. David rolled in after the chaos was to a minimum then took 2 benadryl to help the itching and then I went to bed... and David passed out on the couch after the Benadryl kicked in.

While all of this was going on yesterday, and while David was at the Dr. I suddenly realized I AM CRAZY to be having a third when it's almost impossible to handle the two year old that I already have.... So add emotional breakdown to the days events. And I wonder why I am so tired lately. Then to top it all off Riley was up 80% of the night, to figure out THIS MORNING that Tylenol could have helped his fever, that I didn't realize he had. So anyhoo..... I guess the point of all of this is to realize A] I am not newly married and B] life doesn't stop and turn blissful because it's your anniversary.

Today, 7 years ago David and I were married in the San Diego Temple. It's hard to believe how time flies. So in honor of David I thought I would post 7 of my favorite memories.

1. Our wedding - of course!
2. welcoming our two, almost three children into the world
3. Buying our first home together. Gosh I miss that house.
4. Countless days and hours of laughter, especially the time he started rolling the truck forward, and right when I was about to get in he slammed on the brakes! I ate the door frame, and looking back I have never laughed harder
5. Bringing me home flowers. At least once a month, this wonderful man of mine will bring me home a dozen roses.
6. Hours and hours of playing with the kids, changing diapers and rocking babies to sleep. What a man!
7. The way he puts up with me through all the good and bad times. The irritability I would have after loosing a baby and him just loving me and letting me cry.

I love you beezer! Here is to another 7 years!

This year was a little different for us, usually the decorations are up the NIGHT of Thanksgiving, but since we were out of town we waited all the way until Sunday. I could hardly stand it! Here are some pics of the kids helping with the tree. Fun times.

David fixing the lights and putting on the bows

Keagan "fluffing" the branches, yes we have a fake tree. It should be a criminal act since we live around the "real" thing.

Riley putting on the star. He almost feel into the tree, we were laughing so hard.

David got on the floor to push the tree back towards the wall, but the kids thought he was playing, so they jumped on him. Never a dull moment at our house!

Happy Thanksgiving. Hope all of you are enjoying your day with family, and remember get a good nights rest 'cause tomorrow is the biggest shopping day of the year! Yippee! (and the day I make David put up our Christmas decorations. hee hee)

2 am seems like a perfect time to post, right? This "not sleeping" thing I really wont miss. I was laying in bed wondering the most random things, so I am up and finding answers to my very weird questions. I'll give you an idea of what I mean:

1. How did Twilight do at the box office this weekend and do I really want to see it?
Answer: 70.6 Million sold. and do I want to see it? Not sure yet.

2. Did I get the "Sale" price on Keagan's sweater that I bought at Old Navy for a Christmas present?
Answer: Why yes I did. It was 15.00, can't beat that for a darling little sweater.

3. Did I ever put the pant load in the dryer?
Answer: Nope, and now it will even be requiring a second wash because they are dried stiff to the shape of the washer. Bummer.

4. Where is David?
Answer: Sleeping with Riley, who I am sure while I was actually getting some sleep He woke up, why else would David cram himself into a bottom bunk of a bunk bed. Bless his heart!

5. It said snow in the forcast this week, is that still the case? Where are snowboots on sale?
Answer: Wednesday - Sunday rain and snow showers! and Walmart is having a sale on snowboots, 14.99 for the pink ones, Keagan will be thrilled.

6. How do I get the John Mayer song, "Say" out of my head?
Answer: Not sure yet, any suggestions would be great.

I am telling you "Random" is the reason why I am up 1/2 the night, EVERY night. I will say this about not sleeping, I have never been more "up" on the CNN news as I am now. At 2 am I can watch Lou Dobbs, Larry King and Anderson Cooper 360. fabulous. at least it beats watching the infomericals on Colon cleansing.

good night!

Just in case I don't wake up tomorrow I thought I should explain why. I decided (against my better judgement I must say) to make Tamales today. It started with just thinking I would prep the ingredients then have friends help, but knowing me, which I am sure most of you do I decided I just wanted to get it done with.

So now I have 6.5 dozen Tamales in my freezer, absolutely NO energy and a back and headache that just wont quit. Way to go Barb! So here are the pictures:

Here they are, aren't they beauties!

First you cook the meat in a crock pot for HOURS, then add spices and sauce

Then you prepare the masa, by adding shortening, broth, salt, Baking powder and water, then you have to beat it until the Masa is fluffy enough to float in a glass, which by the way takes WAY MORE BEATING than what you would think.

After you soak the corn husks in hot water you are ready to assemble! After I make 6 I wrap them in tinfoil, then place to sets per bag, that way I can cook a little or a lot at any given time.

P.S HUGE thanks Tana for teaching me how to make your families tradition! I think I will do it every year.... wait, scratch that... I will do it every year if I am NOT 9 months pregnant.

These last few weeks I have been starting projects like crazy, David calls it my "Nesting" period, and I am pretty sure he would rather have the house cleaned, but nevertheless off sewing I went. With help from my friend "Miss Bliss" WE tied two quilts, one she binded for me (Bless her heart) and the other I binded. Did I stop there? Oh no, I decided it would be really cute to have two matching burp clothes and a hooter hider for each quilt that was made.

This is the first set. Butterflies. It lookes so fun!


This is the second set. Flowers. The quilt isn't in the picture, Kristy still has it at her house. The quilt backing is white Minx, just like the other one!

Then Keagan really wanted a new quilt, so Celeste and I cut up fabric last time I was in Kingman, and she took some to make a baby quilt for Madi, and I took the rest to make a matching and MUCH LARGER quilt for Keagan. Again, should of stopped there, but I thought it would be fun for Keagan to have a matching quilt for her baby doll. (These are Christmas presents so mums the word!) Then I also made matching burp cloths out of the left over fabric.

This is Keagan's quilt in the starting stages.

Keagan's quilt- finsihed, almost.. it still needs to be ragged!

WHEW!

Now all there is left to do is to make tamales, Christmas Cards and baby announcements!

I am tired just thinking about it!

David was inducted into the Golden Key Honor Society this weekend! It was nice to go to this little ceremony, even though they pronounced his name "Dav-vid Sheraton" at least they spelled it right on his certificate! Way to go Beez!

These are David's fellow Honor Society members (he is in the middle in the second row)


David getting his certificate from the Chapter President

Keeping the kids quiet was almost impossible, but in the end they were cute cheering on Daddy!

David's Grandma turned 90, that's right 90! They had a surprise party for her in the valley this past weekend (Why you would want to surprise a 90 year old is beyond me) but it turned out great! It was nice to see David's Aunt Kathy and her kids and his Uncle Robert. We don't see much of David's extended family, so really it was very nice!

All the great-grand kids sang her a song.

This is David's Dad with his Grandma

Mr. Curious himself had to help Grandma Bertie unwrap her gift. What a stinker!

It's all fun and games until someone almost knocks out their teeth. David and Keagan were wrestling around last night, and push came to shove (literally) and Keagan's teeth were the victims. Thanks to our friend OJ (the dentist) he thinks she won't loose them, but there was lots of bruising and bleeding. Yum!

This picture doesn't do it justice, I had just brushed away all the blood and junk. Bless her little heart, she is being a trooper and not complaining when all she can eat is milkshakes (smart kid).

Here are some more pics of the snow, the next morning! Crazy!