tagged by Misty

OK Misty, now I have to say is I have to think of 7 things about myself...sorry no pics

1 - I would love to live in the Avenues in Salt Lake City - it is such an eclectic area and I love watching all the people there. It's a more liberal area and people are more artsy there. I also love the houses there.

2 - I was anorexic in high school. It was never severe, but really scared me. No one really knew about it except one teacher, who helped me through it.

3 - I love watching the kids movies over and over again with Jenna. Now, I'm not saying like Dora, but the Disney ones. I say I buy them for her, but really - it's all for me.

4 - I love to watch the Game Show Network when I'm at my parent's house - we don't have satellite here

5 - I'll admit that I have too many clothes, but I still love to buy more

6 - I got left behind in Yellowstone at the hot pots when I was little. My parents and their friends were at the next stop when they noticed that I was missin.

7 - My lucky number is 13

I know, these are pretty lame, but right now I'm too tired.

I don't know who to tag, so if you read this, I'm tagging you

Happy Birthday Jenna

Yesterday we gave Jenna the presents from us, books and 2 movies. Then we took her to "applebeast" (applebees) because "they have Tarzan coloring books and they clap when it's your birthday". After Jason and I took her to Build-A-Bear as a surprise, she didn't know where she was going until we got there. She kept saying, "awesome!" It was really cute. She picked out a white and pink poodle and put her in ice skates. She also got a red wig for the poodle. Because as we all know, every poodle needs a wig.

Well, I sure am glad it's over, but it was a blast. We ended up with 19 kids coming (we had it in our church gym). They were invited to a Pajama Ball. I had gone to Walmart before and gotten a bag of 100 play gym balls (the plastic ones), 3 dodge balls, ping pong balls, buckets, and 2 hula hoops. We had ordered a 36" beach ball from Oriental Trading too. We played bounce the ping pong balls into the buckets, Keep the ball off the ground with the big ball, raced to see how fast the kids could get the play ground balls into the 3 buckets, and some other games. None of which Jenna would play, she cried saying they were too hard for her (the kids younger than her did fine with it). We then had a pinata that we filled with over 100 3/4" bouncy balls, some tattoos, and sticky hands. It was so cool to see all the bouncy balls go bouncing out of the pinata and the kids trying to get them.

We then had pink and purple pancakes (the purple looked gross, but tasted the same). I had got 4 types of drinks for the kids (and adults). After they ate, we opened presents...and Jenna got a ton.
4 Barbies, 1 Hannah Montana doll and surf shop, littlest pet shop, polly pocket with actual fabric clothes, a littlest pet shop scrapbook (yay! Jenna can SB her own stuff while I am doing mine), hop scotch game, princess rubbing plates (where you rub the black crayon over the plates and the princess shows up and you can change the top or bottom)...and a whole lot more.

5 years ago right now...

I was trying to go to sleep after a long day of going to the midwife and having a NST done to see how things were moving along. I wasn't due until April 19th, but was already having NST's 3-4 times a week due to complications. No contractions on the test and everything looked good (other than the complications we already knew about).
I had just gotten out of the tub and had some funky things going on so I called my midwife (thankfully she was the one on call) - she said since the NST showed no signs of anything happening to go to bed and come see her in the AM. So, off to bed I went. I think at this time I was getting to sleep.
1 hour from now 5 years ago my water broke. It wasn't even enough to get my sheets wet. Before waking up DH, I called my mom b/c she would know more about this than him. Of course she tells me to wake him up and off to the hospital we go. We check in around midnight and the nurse checks, sure enough, my water had broken - yet still no contractions.
They ask me if I want to have the c-section then or if I wanted to wait until the AM. I tell them I don't care either way to check with my midwife. She of course says let's do it now b/c she doesn't want me to have any contractions and cause problems since Jenna is breech and had not lowered.
We call our parents and by the time they get to the hospital they are wheeling me in for surgery. Thankfully, being a scrapbooker I reminded DH to run and get the camera out of the car before he gets all sanitized.
At 1:08 AM I hear the dr say, "where's her foot, I can't see her foot" which sent me into a fright, I know I saw 2 feet on the ultrasounds. At 1:10 the dr officially announces the birth of a 6lb 6oz little girl!
At 1:15 AM DH asks for a cot as he has seen too much blood and needs to lie down, thankfully we had pre-warned the dr about this and they had one ready for him in the hall while they cleaned up Jenna and stitched me up.
I am truly grateful to be her mom and want to say Happy 5th Birthday to my little girl, my angel, mommies best friend.

my challenge for thursday

I am probably the laziest mom known to man-kind. I try not to be and I hope that Jenna knows that I love her - but some days she comes to me in bed to play.

So, anyway, I am trying harder to make the difference in Jenna's life. This week I got off my butt and danced with Jenna. We practiced to a song from High School Musical 2 and then after practicing for a while, we performed it for Jason and the family video camera. It's good exercise and we were laughing hysterically. Jenna will remember that.

So, this is my challenge for each of my readers, and really - myself. Do one thing today that your child will remember that you did with them. Or if you do not have children, do something that someone you love will remember doing with you.

(as for the video, I swear I would share it with all of you if only our camcorder would upload to our computer)

thoughts for thursday part 1

I had 2 thoughts this past week that I think are equally important - so here's #1

If you knew that the date and time that you were going to die, what would you do in your life today? I mean, if you knew that there was a high possibility that you would die tomorrow - what would you do today? You can't change the fact that you are going to die.

For me, I definitely would not be working. I would call the school and tell them I wanted to see my students and give them all hugs, but then I would go. I would want to take Jenna to lay out on the lawn and listen to the sounds going on around us. The lawnmowers, the dogs barking, the wind. I want her to appreciate the sounds, the music that nature makes. I would write letters to DH and Jenna and hide them in different places throughout the house. I would want my friends and family to be there for a huge party - not to say goodbye, but to say I'll see you soon.

Now, here's where I have the dilemma, I would want real time with Jason and Jenna. But, would I want someone to watch Jenna for a little bit while Jason and I have our time? I wouldn't want to leave Jenna's sight though KWIM?

I'm glad that I know that my family is eternal - it makes what happens in the next week and month a little less hard. If something were to happen to Alia, I know that I will see her again and I know that we are an eternal family. Families have no boundaries in heaven. What an amazing blessing to know that. It has given me comfort over the last couple of weeks. Sure, it still means that I need to do what I can today, but it makes sure that my family will be there for me after this life.

My pretty princess

I had the hardest time finding Jenna an Easter Dress - I finally found this one at Children's Place and then they didn't have her size. I went online and actually paid to have this 2 day aired to me. I'm so glad I did - it is so cute on her.
The flowers are from her cousin, Landon. He's 8 year's old and he picked these out for Jenna and then a different bunch out for Alia.

Life attacks hard

Probably anyone who reads this has probably received an email or seen this...but just in case here's the scoop

My 6 year old niece, Alia, and her family are in need of some major prayers. Alia is medically fragile and over the past few months her health has gotten worse. This coming Thursday she is going in to surgery to have her left lung removed. It is a very dangerous surgery, but there isn't another option really.

Please pray for her, send good thoughts, anything.

Jenna doesn't know much, but that Alia is sick. But, I know she can feel the sadness and heartache in the house. She's up in her room crying right now and she doesn't know why. I've tried to comfort her, but she just cries.

What's your accent?

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland   "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The West
Boston
North Central
The South
The Inland North
Philadelphia
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

I Was Tagged...My day in pictures

First, I will say I tried, but I know I left some stuff out - but well...here's what I got. If you put your mouse over the bottom of the picture the caption will come up.

So, since I'm supposed to tag someone....I'll tag Kerstin and Stacy (uber)

My thoughts for Thursday

I have so many blessing, but my most favorite blessings are my family. With Alia being so sick I've really looked at how I spend my time, how I show others I care for them, and how I take things for granted. We never know when it's time to go and I for one don't want to regret not doing something or spending time doing things that won't matter in the long run. This week I've cried for sadness, desperation, happiness, sheer joy, laughter, and so many other emotions...yet, there was one constance - my tears. I guess you can say I can always count on them. I don't cry a lot, but lately I have the water works going. So, here's my thoughts for Thursday...

simply - where are your priorities? I know mine weren't in the right place and I am in the works of putting them back to where they belong. My family and my faith should be my #1 priorities and I will get back there.



With that, here's what happened today that truly was amazing and I am so grateful for the people who worked behind the scenes to put this all together:

I've been so emotional this past week. So much going on and I haven't had a chance to breathe. Tonight, for Jenna's birthday, we went to Disney on Ice - Princess Wishes. My dad and g-ma had a HIGE surprise for us when we got there. There were 6 of us that went: my mom, dad, me, Jenna, my sister and her daughter, Alia (she's the one with the severe medical problems).
Anyway. we got there when the doors open and we go to our seats and my dad takes the girls to get a prize. When they got back our surprise began...a man from Disney on Ice came up to us and said that he needed 2 little princesses to participate in the program tonight and 1 mom to be there too. At first Jenna and Alia said no, they were too afraid, but we told him yes because we knew that they would love it. He took us down to the front row in the front of the ice and said those were our seats.
When Mickey and Minnie came out at the beginning, Minnie asked all the princes and princesses to stand up and wave - the camera guy put Jenna on the jumbo-tron showing her waving at them.
We kinda knew something was up and we had brought DH's SLR and my sister's camcorder - so we got it all on tape and got lots of pics (I think 133 to be exact)
Alia and Jenna were so cute on the boat - waving to everyone and when Flounder and Sebastian came to give them high fives Alia grabbed them and they gave her big hugs. You could truly tell they were having the time of their lives. I was almost in tears (ok I am now just thinking about it). To have these memories are more than I can ever say thank you enough for. Jenna and Alia fit each other so well - Jenna is the talker while Alia is so animated about everything.
When they got off the boat Alia sat there and kept signing "more". They were the big stars and people came up and told them what a great job they did.

My shopping adventure...

There is not much I can say I enjoyed about my old job...but I made an amazing friend in Misty. When she first met me she later told me she thought I was a priss. Little did she know I'm pretty close to the opposite. Even when I quit that job 1 1/2 years ago we continued to be friends and hang out. Her birthday is 5 days before me...making her OLDER than me! Hehehe
We mesh well together. And she makes me laugh whenever I drive because she sucks at giving directions. Both times she's told me how to get somewhere....we've gotten lost. But, we've laughed the whole time. She truly is a wonderful friend and I'm so thankful that I got that job for that reason alone.
We scrapbook together (she designs for a company and does an amazing job - I must say). So, for our birthdays we decided to take a short road trip to Archivers (a little over an hour away). We had a blast going through the store and finding lots of goodies and for once, I didn't spend more than her.
After, we went to find another mall to see if they had the Easter dress I wanted for Jenna - guess what? Yup, we got lost even though she swore she knew where it was. We called Jason and he looked up where it was at and we made it there right before it closed. The dress wasn't there. But, we decided to stop and eat at Romano's.
We got home around 11:00 that night and I can't say how much fun I had. I was laughing so hard I was crying.

So, anyway, here's the loot I got at Archivers - I can't wait to play with it all this weekend. Especially the felt cut-outs from Fancy Pants and the rub-on rollers from Daisy D's.

Wonderful present from an awesome friend!

Jason called me Tuesday afternoon at work and said I had a present left for me - I asked him what it was and he said it was one of those Incredible Edibles fruit things. Of course I asked him to open the card and he read it to me - it's from one of the most wonderful friends Mary Lou - we've never met, but I still consider her one of the most kind and understanding people I know. She has really helped me through a lot. Along with the bouquet was a small balloon that said Happy Birthday on it - Jenna snatched that right up and took it as her own. She loves balloons.
Thank you so much Mary - you made my day! Tuesday was an extremely stressful and emotional day with me being in charge of my school's Tool Day (think Career Day where the whole school rotates every 15 minutes to listen to 4 different speakers). It worked out wonderfully and as I was winding down from it - that is when Jason called me with the wonderful news.

Where were you when...

your car turned 100,000 miles?
Does anyone else remember that commercial? I think it was for Chevy and I was amazed a car would "live through" that many miles. Well, last Thursday my 2002 Mitsubishi Galant did!!! I'd been watching the odometer since I saw it rolled to 99,000. I thought it would be a fun layout to do and I could write all the things that happened in that car.
-We drove to the hospital at 11pm one night and Jenna was born shortly after
-It was Jenna's first car ride
-We drove to Disneyland in it
-It has driven me to school and was there when I graduated college

Call me lame, but I actually remember when I first drove it. I was having major problems with the car I had bought about a year previous and the dealership had finally agreed to sell us another car at cost and return our lemon (we did lose some money there, but at that point I didn't care). Jason and I saw that this car was at the dealership so I asked the sales manager to bring it out to my work to try out. I liked the way it drove and it only had 12,000 miles on it - so I called Jason and said that I wanted the car...and well, the rest is history

So, here's to you my Mitsubishi Galant - thanks for everything and here's to another 100,000 miles!

My baby girl's first school picture!

Can you believe it? She is old enough to have her first school picture. I wanted everything to be perfect (of course, I'm a scrapbooker). I had my mom do Jenna's hair that morning just because I don't trust my hair doing skills.
So, here ya go...Jenna's first school picture!

Medical News

As many of you know I have a niece who is medically fragile. She was admitted to the children's hospital here for pneumonia that will not go away. She has been there since Tuesday and they have done biopsies to see what is going on in her lungs and why she can't breathe well enough.

My dad will also be going in for neck and back surgery in the next few months to fix something that happened over 20 years ago that has been made worse with time.

My little sister is going in for surgery next week to help with some problems - hopefully she'll heal quickly and they won't have to do it again.

As for me - I possibly have fibromyalgia and started taking medicine for that and I have an undiagnosed pain in my side that has made me miss some work.

You want drama? Welcome to my life and our medical problems.

Thoughts for Thursday

I've been thinking the last week - who am I? What do I stand for? Well, I've come to some conclusions and I'll be changing my life because of it.

I've been reminded that everything you say and do on the internet can be seen by all. I cannot remember ever doing anything bad on the world wide web - as I'm not that type of person, but I wonder...am I guilty by association? I wonder this because my family is trying to adopt a baby. Any tech-savy birthmom could find me on the web and what if she just sees where I claim to be my internet home? What if she doesn't go inside and see what I participate in? What if she just sees the whole and not the one (namely me). It would look horrible and I could lose a child over it. I'm not saying I'm giving a hair flip or deleting any accounts, I'm just saying - I don't want to lose something so important to me over people who I will most likely never meet (save a few). I want a prospective birth mom to see me for me, not by who I associate with - but in the real world it doesn't work that way and I'm afraid it will not work on the internet as well.

So, this is where I stand - I do not like dirty jokes (though unfortunately I have laughed at some), I do not swear, I do not drink or smoke or use drugs (other than prescription as prescribed). I like to say I wear my halo well and hope that I have not marred it in any way because when I die - I don't want to have to be reminded of some stupid stuff I pulled on the internet or in life. It's just not worth it.

I love my friends and my family and they truly know who I am and what I stand for. I'm tired of being told to turn off what I don't want to see or hear. Or don't look - I don't turn to HBO and wonder how come what I'm viewing isn't up to my standards, but I know I can turn to PBS and trust that I will be ok. I need to chose for myself and this is the choice I've made.