I'm a what?

You Are An Exclamation Point

You are a bundle of... well, something. You're often a bundle of joy, passion, or drama. You're loud, brash, and outgoing. If you think it, you say it. Definitely not the quiet type, you really don't keep a lot to yourself. You're lively and inspiring. People love to be around your energy. (But they do secretly worry that you'll spill their secrets without even realizing it.) You excel in: Public speaking You get along best with: the Dash

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Sick, Sick, Sick!

Lucky me, I'm sick again! For the last 6 or so months I've had a constant sore tonsil. I visited the doctor and discovered that I have Strep. I've been on antibiotics for the last 2 weeks, but yesterday I woke up with a fever, chills and lower back pain. I was refusing to believe that my kidney was giving me trouble, so I took some Advil and tried to ignore the rest. I know that sounds like a stupid thing to do, but you have to understand how horrible it's been to suffer from constant kidney troubles for the last 7 months (since October 31st when I had my first kidney stone).

I woke up this morning feeling awful once again, but decided that maybe I should have my new doctor take a look at the situation. I'm so glad I did. I have a swollen lymph node that's concerning him almost as much as my kidney. He gave me some different drugs and insisted that I keep him very well informed on all three problems I'm struggling with right now. I just love my new doctor! I am a person, not a record number. He's knowledgeable, kind and funny. It was a fluke that we chose him, and I'm so glad we did.

With the women's only organized ride The Little Red Riding Hood coming up next weekend, it's a critical time for me to get more riding time on my bike. It's frustrating to get ready for the ride while struggling with one health problem after another. I may be the slowest rider, and the only one who takes one of the shorter paths, but I'm going to do it this year!

6 Months Old

As of yesterday, Ian is now 6 months old. It seems like I just got home from the hospital with him. He's eating solid food, and loves to eat rice puffs and the freeze dried apples. He also took Anna's sippy cup from her to take a few swigs. It was quite funny to watch his expression as he drank from a sippy for the first time to discover it was filled with ice cold water. He is anxious to keep up with his big sister and rolls, inches and squirms his way quickly around the floor to keep up with her games and play.

Ian wakes up every morning with smiles, coos and giggles. It's a delight to hear his noises, even when I'm overly tired. He has recently decided that Atticus is the most interesting to watch, and I often have to remove him from view when it's meal time for Ian.

Oh, how I love my big boy Ian.

A New Game

I have been challenged to a new game. It happened several weeks ago, but I've been missing from the blog world for a while due to my health. I went to the doctor finally and it looks like I've had strep throat for quite a while. I had no idea! Anyway, on with the challenge!

4 Things I Did 10 Years Ago (1998)

1- My cousin and I backpacked through Europe for the first time. We left almost exactly at this time (first part of June). Four hours before flying out, the guy I was crazy about broke up with me. I was also still recovering from the worst sunburn I had ever had.

2- I was attending SLCC and my favorite class was Geology.

3- I had long permed hair and thought I looked fabulous!

4- I was working at Matrix Marketing in the credit department.

4 Things I Did 5 Years Ago (2003)

1- 2003 was a fabulous year for me. I had just purchased my own condo and was starting fresh in the area. I met Michelle (who challenged me to this game) and I went to Karate with her a couple times. I dated lots and lots of guys from my ward. Loved it!

2- I had my first roommate and discovered the ups and downs of living with other people not related. I honestly can say that I didn't enjoy this experience. We often fought over the same men.

3- I lost hearing in my left ear and suffered from horrible dizziness. I was finally diagnosed with Meniere's Syndrome early the following year.

4- I had two blind dates right around the same time and both were disasters. Liz set me up with a friend who was used to women flinging themselves over him. Blah! I think I'm the first person to be unimpressed by him. The second blind date Michelle set me up with her cousin. That was a disaster. A few weeks later I started to date Levi. We were with a group of friends on vacation when I realized my true feelings for this man. It took 2 blind date disasters for me to finally see what I had been looking for.

4 Things I Did Yesterday

1- I put flowers on Liz's grave. This is the first time I've been there since the funeral.

2- Made Orange Chicken and Pot Stickers.

3- Made curtains for the VW van.

4- Saved the lives of many earth worms who came to the cement to dry off. I also pulled Anna out of the mud where she had been having the time of her life playing.

4 Shows I Love to Watch

1- LOST

2- Moonlight

3- Farmer Wants a Wife

4- Stargate SG1

4 Things I Love to Do

1- Sleep

2- Craft, sew, scrapbook

3- Play on computer

4- Laugh and play with Levi and the kids.

I tag Abby, Wendi, Missy, Sarah, and Jaynie

Memorial Day

This year for the Memorial weekend, we got together with my family for a big dutch oven cook-off. My sister made some BBQ chicken, my mom made her dutch oven enchiladas, and I made some onion corn bread. Darrell brought some ice cream and Dave brought chips. Darren wasn't able to join us for this event. Not to sound so proud, but I think my corn bread was the best dish there. Although I'm not sure the other competing chefs would agree.
Linda was kind enough to host the event in her back yard, and the weather turned out to be perfect. At one point Linda took me for a ride on her new 4-wheeler. She can drive down the street a short distance and jump on trails that take her up into some very beautiful hills. Many wildflowers are out and added so much color to the area. Anna also took her first ride on a 4-wheeler, and enjoyed it for a very short time.

Today we did something I've been meaning to do for quite some time. We visited Liz's grave for the first time since her funeral. I knew it would be difficult to go see her, but didn't realize how emotional I would feel. As we approached the area, I kept remembering things about her that made her so unique. I loved the way that she would take a genuine interest in everyone around her. She was so quick to pick up on even the smallest things. For instance, if I lost even a few pounds, Liz would notice. Or if I bought something new, she was quick to ask about it. I remembered times when I would just sit and chat with her for hours. Many years ago when I was still single, Liz set me up with a guy who turned out to be awful. I remembered how we would laugh at those date stories.

It seems so cruel that we all have to move forward with our lives. We are expected to mourn for our loved ones and be back to normal life in less than a week. It seems like time should stand still, at least for a while. This week marks 5 months since we lost Liz. It's shocking to realize how quickly the time has passed.

I'm so grateful that I have my husband and two beautiful kids to help me move forward, even when I want time to stand still. It feels wonderful to be loved and needed!

Here are some pictures of Anna playing baseball with the neighbors over the weekend.

Ian's First Solids

I was being pressured by many to start feeding Ian solids to help him sleep better through the night. It didn't work, he still wakes up 3 times through the night. On the bright side, he's sure adorable eating his cereal and carrots.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

I should be more flattered that Anna wants to be just like me. She repeats far too many of the things I say, she likes to wear my big shoes on her tiny feet, she even likes to dance when she sees me moving to music. Lately she's been wanting to be a mom too. Her doll is her "Baby", and goes all over with her. If I place Ian in his car seat, Anna feels that her doll should also go into that car seat. Where ever Ian is, her doll should be there as well. This isn't a problem unless she feels that Ian is hogging a certain toy. For instance, if Ian is in the exersaucer and Anna feels her doll should be there, it's war. Here are some pictures of Anna treating her baby doll as well has her baby brother gets treated. Everywhere you see her doll is where Ian is usually sitting.

Here Anna is feeding (nursing) her doll. She's even using my nursing pillow and sitting in my favorite spot.




Here Anna is letting her doll play in Ian's tent.



To get the kids around, I use a double stroller. One day I hear Anna yelling for me and discovered that she placed her doll in the back seat (where Ian usually sits) and she climbed into the front seat. She was begging for a stroller ride.



This sweet girl keeps me young.