Gratitude

Tanner- Heavenly Father helped me find my CTR ring. He helped me with my journal page so I can make a artist picture.
Kara- Heavenly Father helped me do prayers and be good.
Barry- I've been pretty healthy except for being HLAB27 positive (more prone to autoimmune disorders). I see a lot of sick people and I have pretty good health. My echocardiogram was normal. I thought I had left ventricular hypertrophy, but I think it's just my height.
Jodie- I was able to read a conference talk this morning and really felt the spirit. I know that God live and Jesus is his Son. I know that we can have the Holy Ghost with us when we live worthily. I'm grateful for this knowledge.
Kendy- Is grateful for Mama Mooo's (it won't be too much longer that she will have the opportunity).

They come in three's

My mom called on Saturday and told me that my cousin Nathan Belcher has cancer and is supposed to live six more months. He has a wife that's pregnant and a little boy that is two. It is so sad to think of them without him. Barry told me that in the end everything will work out, but I said ya, they will be together in the end but she will have to go through the rest of this life without him.
Last night President Hinkley died. I am grateful for him and his great example and life. I told the kids about this and they were very interested and feel like they really know him.
My mom called today and told me that my Uncle Dan died today. I didn't really know him well...in fact I don't even know if I ever met him, but he is the first of my aunts and uncles to pass away.
Hopefully this is the last of the bad news for awhile. I'm grateful for the knowledge of the great plan of salvation that we know we can be together forever. It makes times like this even though hard, a little easier.


Now on to happy news. Today my mom bought our tickets to go to Long Beach. We are really excited to have our family reunion in California. We are all going on the same flight down there, so I think that will be fun. We can't wait to go to the beach too!

Working Hard

Kara came into my room this afternoon and said, "I've worked really hard all day." She was busy making all kinds of crafts in the white room, and she did stay busy with that all day. She made us books and pictures and cutouts.

We got a babysitter for tonight so we could go play volleyball. It was nice to be able to play without any distractions.

Kendra is so cute, she has been giving kisses a lot. If I give her a doll she wants me to kiss it and then she kisses it. The other day she found a pen on the ground, and then she went and found a piece of paper and she was actually trying to write on the paper. She seems so smart...although she sees the other kids using them all the time. She is 10 months old now. I can't believe she will be a year old soon. She is taking a bottle and is down to once a day nursing. She loves to walk behind the play shopping cart and she walked right out of her room and down the hall with the shopping cart. Kendy is getting so quick and is into everything. I had to rearrange our cupboards so it was safe for her (she already broke a few bowls). She also loves to climb the stairs to play upstairs.

We took the kids to Hardee's today for dinner. They have a ball pit that the kids love to play in. We put Kendra in and she cried. She was so glad to get out.

Sideout

I got called to be the Y.W. volleyball coach and tonight was the first practice....the team really stinks. We have one more practice before the game and I don't think they are going to get any better. Oh well, it's just for fun. I'll be in Utah on game day...too bad, so sad.

Tanner wanted to take cold lunch to school. I didn't really want him to because he qualifies for free hot lunch. He said that he and Josh are the only ones that always have hot lunch. I finally said that he could just once. He made his sandwich on the kitchen floor...I'm not sure why. After it was made he asked if we had any baggies and we didn't. Then he asked, "Can I wrap it in some falumalum foil?" I said, "wrap it in what?" He said, "falumalum foil, or how ever you say it." It was so cute. He really enjoyed his cold lunch.

Gratitude

Kara-I know that Heavenly Father blesses me because of prayer. He loves me a lot cause he likes me all the time. I love Him so much cause He likes me to be good all the time.

Tanner- I'm grateful that I got to leave early today from school, just because I was crying this morning because I didn't want to go to school.

Barry-I'm grateful for all the snow we got today and that Tanner sat down almost the whole time at dinner today. I'm grateful for the carrot cake that Jodie made for dessert. `

Jodie- I'm grateful that when I was picking Tanner up from school that no cars were around with the slick roads because I couldn't stop at the stop sign. I know that we were protected.

Go Packers!

This is Kara at Dick and Nancy's for the Packer's game. Tanner let Kara wear one of his jersey's for the game. She was so excited to wear it. She spent most of the game playing with blocks and dominoes.

Tanner was really excited for the game, although he probably only watched two minutes of it. The Packer's lost in overtime, but Tanner was ok with it.

Fridged

We went to Tan's basketball game today, Barry was on call so he didn't get to come. Tanner is funny to watch....kinda frustrating. He is still so young. At the begining of the game they match up with a player so they know who to defend. Well, Tanner usually plays defense on both ends of the court...we've gotta work on that. Tanner got really upset today when he ran through the middle of the court during the game and one of his coaches told him that he needed to walk around the court. I saw the whole thing and saw him start to cry about it. I didn't run over to him because he needs to realize that it isn't a big deal to have someone well you something. He finally came over to me and I told him that his coach wasn't trying to be mean he just didn't want him to get hurt. He finally calmed down just in time for the snack. He is so sensitive and doesn't like anyone getting after him...except me of course.

Last night we went and played volleyball at the church. It was a lot of fun and we are hoping that we can start playing every month. The kids just run wild and have a ball together.

I think today was the coldest day of my life. I'm not sure how cold it really was, but I know it was below zero. Tanner told me today that he doesn't want to live in WI forever because it is too cold here. He said that he thinks we should go south for the winter. I really couldn't agree more. I lost feeling in my ears it was so cold. While we were at Tan's game the windshield frosted over in the inside. It took forever to defrost it all.

Kendy Corner

Kendy has her own corner. It is full of all her toys and she is often sent there when she is in the way or getting into things. The kids even send her there. Last night Kendy got a bloody nose in Kendy corner because someone put up a blockade that she climbed over and bonked her face.

Kendra also has a new car seat that she really loves. It is cute to see her look out the windows to a new world that she has always been too short to see.

Last night at dinner Kara ate every last bit of food on her plate (I think she must be growing). I told her she licked her plate clean. She said, "No I didn't, I only licked this one little spot."

Pee in the gutter

Kendra was really into this puzzle today. She would be off doing something so I would try to put it away and she would hurry and crawl over to play with it. It was really cute to see her try to put the piece on the puzzle.

Kara really had to go to the bathroom when we were waiting for Tanner to get out of school. I was trying to get Kendy out of her car seat and lock the doors when I turned around Kara was just standing there by the car. I told her that she needed to start walking if she really had to go. She just stood there. I then realized that her pants were down to her ankles and that she had already gone to the bathroom in the gutter in front of all the parents waiting for their children to get out of school. She pulled up her pants and got back in the car. I guess it was nice that we didn't all have to get out in the freezing cold. She thinks like her brother.

Kara also has been working on her letters. She has a few down really well: A, K, R, J, T, O, P, B. She has enjoyed learning them.

Tanner didn't want to go to swimming for the second time this week, but came home happy and excited. He also has been thanking me for dinner every night. He heard us telling others that Kara always thanks me for making me dinner and he decided that he should start doing it. I really appreciate it...he is a very sweet boy. Tonight he wanted to make me crazy and was talking baby talk to be funny. When he realized I didn't think it was funny, he thought it was funny and wouldn't stop. He really likes to tease lately.

Spick and span

I think yesterday's swim workout was a good one, I'm feeling it today. Despite my soreness I still went to the track and because Barry didn't have to be to the office until 9:30 (Pediatrics is so easy compared to the others) I left Kendy behind. I have been walking with Tracy and I have really enjoyed the time to talk. She has become a good friend.

I'm on a roll with keeping the house clean. It has been clean from Sat until today Tuesday. I'm so on top of the laundry that we don't even have room in our drawers to keep all the clothes. I'm sure it won't last long, but it is really nice.

I talked to Erin and she said they are coming to visit for spring break, and that my parents might come at the same time. We are excited to see them all again.

Tanner is excited lately because the Packers might make it to the Superbowl. The funny thing is that Kara knew that the Packers won their game against Seattle and that the Cowboys lost so the Giants would be playing the Packers to determine who would go to the Superbowl. I was shocked that she knew all that.

Kendra is still just taking one step and falling. She wants to walk but isn't quite sturdy enough. She got a new car seat from Lily today and really loved being tall enough to look out the windows. She is a little sweetheart.

Stroke, Kick

The day began at the YMCA swimming with Tif. She is one of those crazy swimmers that can just go and go. I met her around 10am and she had already finished 12 laps. I got in and actually suprised myself swimming 42 laps. My arms were the most tired and when I got out of the water my legs were like jello. It was a nice change to just walking or running.

Night Out

Last night Kendra screamed a lot, so no one got much sleep. I got up when it was time to get Tanner ready for school. After he was off, Nancy called to see if Kendra and Kara could come over for a little while. Kendra was sleeping at the time, but I thought that she would be up soon, so I got Kara ready and then Kendy woke up with her right eye sealed shut with gunk....it was pink eye. I took Kara over and kept Kendy with me to try and get a prescription. Barry was still at home and we took the van in to get the breaks checked out. We dropped the van off and then took Barry to work, and he used his connections to get some sample medicine for the pink eye. Later Dick took me to the mechanic and we found out that nothing could be done with the car, at least by him because he usually works on domestic cars and this was a Toyota and he didn't really know. What is it with this town and their cars?

Tonight we had a fun evening out for a Christmas party, at the Milwaukee Grill. We went with Steven and Tracy and sat with Shana and Luther and then went to Cold Stone with them and Jon and Tif. It was a really nice evening to be out with good friends.

Idaho Here I Come

Last night I bought tickets to go to Idaho to see Lisa's new baby! I am leaving Feb. 1st and flying to Salt Lake City to see Dad for a minute and then the next day drive with Mom up to Idaho and stay there until Tuesday. I'm excited 'cause I'm just going with Kendra.

Today I went with to water aerobics with Shana. Afterwards we went to Culver's for a burger and fries....so much for the workout. It was nice to get out and do something different. After that Tiffany came over while Jon and Barry went to play basketball at the church.

Wiiiiiiiiii

I think Kendra might have a mild case of pink eye...so she didn't get to go to the YMCA with me today. I went walking with Tracy, and the time goes by lots faster when you have someone to talk with. Kara started swim lessons today again. She loves being in the water. I think I'll take her swimming tomorrow.

I had to take some gloves that I bought back to Goodwill, and while I was there I found a Wii remote with a protector for $7.00. I had to buy it because that is a savings of $40.00...even Barry was proud of that purchase. I also found brand new pants with tags from Target for $3.00 a pair for the girls. I bought some for next year...so I hope they fit them. When I got home we had to try the controller out to see if it really worked and it did!!! I got the kids ready for bed and then we had a bowling and golf tournament. We invited Dick our neighbor to come in when he was dropping off the newspaper (he brings us his newspaper every night after he reads it so we can take a turn). It was really fun, and of course Kara won the bowling. I don't know how she does it.

My favorite part of the day was when Kara said, "Mom" and I said, "What?" and she said, "I love you more." And I said, "I love you more " and it kept going on and on. Kendra also took a few steps today. She has also been talking a lot, saying "dadadad and mamamama" we love to watch her grow! Tanner read his book today without any fuss at all!!!!

I also found out that Linda Neilson passed away today. She lived by my grandma in Long Beach. She had seven kids and we would always go to their house to play when we would visit down there. Linda was a great lady who loved her family and was a lot of fun to be around. I really hope her family is coping well with this great loss. They are a wonderful family and members of the church.

War is Heck

We had a weird day it's the begining of Jan and 60 degrees. We didn't even have to wear coats! We also had a tornado and flood warning. It was easy to pick Josh and Tan up from school today with good weather. I didn't have to leave too early or worry about going through the stop and drop. We just parked and walked.

Tanner had Basketball practice tonight and Barry and Steven are the coaches with another guy. Hopefully it all goes well. The other guy was drunk....which is not the best when working with kids.

We got home and of course we had to play the Wii. I knocked Barry out easily, and then beat him at golf. We both stunk up the tank game that we absolutely love to play. I'm not sure what that is saying about us. Are we violent if we like blowing up tanks?

Family Gratitude

We are going to start a family gratitude Journal that we will write in every Family Night.



Tanner-"I'm thankful for my dad because he takes me fishing. I like going on trips."



Kara-"I'm grateful for my mom to take me to the store. We buy things. I'm grateful for my primary."



Barry- "I'm grateful for my right eye. For my sight even though it is hindered."



Jodie- "I'm grateful for Dad's safety today on the road while home teaching, when the breaks on the van didn't work like I told him they didn't. I'm grateful that he wants to sell the van now so we can all be safe."

PJ Party

We had a primary pj party. I made 80 little cinnamon rolls that went pretty fast. I just got put in the Primary presidency and I volunteered to make the rolls. Kara got to come to the activity cause she's going to be a big Sunbeam this week. She was so excited and proud to be big.

Today Kara was mad at Barry because he, heaven forbid brushed her teeth. She was crying and said, "Mom...Dad is a mean green bean." I laughed and told Barry and Kara laughed through all her tears.

Run, run as fast as you can

I have been running all day, without literally running. Kara was up most of the night with an ear ache, and because I was plagued with ear problems my whole life, I had more compassion for her than I normally would have. I layed by her on the couch while we watched Care Bears until she told me I was squishing her. I really didn't get the best nights rest.

Barry called and made Dr. apts for Kara and Kendra (just to make sure she didn't have an infection) for their ears. We left the house at 11:00 and went to the Dr., then we had to take something back to Goodwill. Barry called while we were there and we met for lunch. From there I went to Jenn Wheeler's to finish Lisa's baby blanket (Lisa had her baby today at 1:05am, a little girl named Katelyn Marie. I really want to see the sweet little thing). After that I had to pick Josh and Tanner up from school and then because the kids haven't spent any time together since Christmas break we stayed to Tracy's until 4:30 and we left from there to go to the church to set up for the primary activity(Kendy had a blowout and was wearing no pants for most of the time). We got home from that at 7:00 and had dinner and put the kids to bed so I could make cinnamon rolls for the activity tomorrow. I just finished making 80 small ones and it is now 12:01am. I sure am tired. Barry is on call tonight at the hospital so hopefully he gets a little sleep.

Lately Tanner has been a bear. He throws a fit about crazy things. Just screaming at the top of his lungs at me. I'm pretty sure this is normal, but I really hate that he takes it out on me. His reading, teasing, going to bed. Yikes! It is hard not to get caught up in all of the craziness of it all.

Goodwill Obsession

I have found that Goodwill is a fun place to be right after Christmas. They get all the returned items from Target that are still new and in the boxes. I went to Goodwill twice today to check out what they had. I got two new skirts, a pair of shoes and some games. A brand new box of Pass the Pigs was only $.99. I couldn't pass it up.

Frost Bite and Reading Fight

Kara putting her make-up on for the tea party.

It was the first day back to work and school, so Barry got up early to get ready for Peds. I was up just after him to make sure all the car seats were out of the car and in the van. Just as I was going to the car I noticed that our thermometer said it was 5 degrees and that we got a dusting of snow. Barry followed me out to the garage, we moved the car seats and I thought I would shovel some snow. I got cold fast and went to go inside and dun dun dun...the door was locked. I was concerned because the kids were all asleep when we went outside. I knocked on the door in hopes that someone would hear. In the back of my mind I really wondered if the kids would answer the door because I have grilled in their brains not to answer the door without me there. Since no one was answering the door I thought I would shovel some more snow. I knocked on the front door and luckily Kara peaked out and saw me. I yelled for her to open the garage door. I was so glad to get in before I got frost bite.

Kara still was feeling under the weather, but I made her come with me to Target to get some Christmas decorations 75% off. Kara put on three pairs of underwear to keep her warm. I ended up buying us a nutcracker that the kids have wanted all Christmas season and some other things. We came home and had a tea party where Kara did our hair and makeup. Kendra had goldfish for the first time and loved them. Then we watched a couple movies and Kara fell asleep.

Tanner was home for about an hour and then all heck broke loose when I asked him to read me his homework. He was screaming about how he hates reading and didn't know why he had to read. There was no reasoning with him about any of it. The book the teacher sent home was "Fishing With Grandpa." After being sent to his room after a major rampage he finally calmed down enough to read his story. He finished the book with no problems and said that was easy, and I said, "You even liked." He smiled and laughed. I was glad to get that over with. I can't imagine what it will be like when he has lots of homework.

Happy New Year!

Last night was a fun New Year's Eve. Lindsey Anderson volunteered to watch all the kids (because Judd was on call) while the adults had a party at the Wheeler's. We played games and the Wii and had a white elephant gift exchange. I ended up with "Awesome Bible Stories" DVD and Barry got a chalkboard mug. After we welcomed in the New Year we headed to pick the kids up. Tanner and Kara were the only kids that stayed up until Midnight out of eleven kids. The little night owls. We were all exhausted and went straight to bed.

I woke up at about 9:00am (I don't know when the last time I slept in was)to Tanner and Barry taking the tree down. I was so glad that they had started without me. The girls slept for another half an hour, and Kara woke up saying that she didn't feel good. She sometimes just says this for fun, so I never really know if she is telling the truth. She didn't eat anything all day, so I guess she was telling the truth. All she wanted was Gatorade. Kara was in the bathroom and yelled for me because she had little poops in the toilet. I came in and she had diarrhea. She said that her bum hurt and Barry got her hooked on Vaseline for sore bums, so now he gets to deal with putting the Vaseline on. He put her in a bath because she was so stinky. Poor Kara. We were able to get lots accomplished today because she was very sleepy today. Kendra didn't scream quite as much without Kara there picking her up.

The Christmas decorations came down today and now the house looks really empty, clean but empty. It's going to take me a couple days to get used to it again. Our whole day consisted of cleaning. Barry cleaned out the garage so we can now both park our cars in it. The only problem was that both cars had loads of snow on top and when the snow melts in the garage water comes straight toward the house. Barry put a fan out there to try and help dry the melting snow, but I'm afraid some one is going to get electrocuted. I swept and moped the floors. No matter where I put the mop Kendra found it and the dustpan. She also got into all the cupboards and is so fast now. I also put the laundry through. I really hate the laundry...it is never done. I can empty the basket just to have something in it a minute later. Tanner cleaned the white room which is the catch all room with the computer desk, craft and drawing table, and shelves for kitchen gadgets. He has been so good about helping lately. Barry was a lot of help, and I'm so grateful that we accomplished so much before he starts back to work again.

Barry starts his Pediatric rotation tomorrow. He is so glad to be finished with surgery and on to something that he expects to enjoy. Barry also decide that he is going to take Step 2 on May 30th so he will have to start studying for that. I'm not excited for study mode again, but it will be nice to have the test out of the way before summer.

My mom called and wants to have a family reunion at Disneyland this summer. It would be a lot of fun to go with everyone. We still have to get all the plans straight. Tanner and Kara are all for it!

One more thing...we made a new rule for Tanner because his bedroom light is always on. I will give him a dollar a week and if I catch his light on he owes me 10 cents. He so far has earned $1.70 in two week and is down to $.80 this week, but he is getting better about keeping his lights off.