I'm sorry to report

that at noon today we had Fez put to sleep. He was showing signs of permanent brain injury and we felt it was the best thing we could possibly do for him.

How much would you pay?

This is Fez. Fez has been our family pet for about 8 years, I think. After we got our house, but before Jenna was born.

I was walking through Petsmart one Saturday that many years ago and there was a male ShihTzu up for adoption. The dog was skin and bones, looked pretty worn for his age. Didn't look like he had been loved. I petted him for a minute and then went back to buy what I came for and left. I told my dad about this dog and he told me to go back and get it. I thought he wanted the dog for him, so I did. I got there and the dog was gone. So, I got the other thing my dad wanted me to get, a dog bed for his dog, and left again. Well, the dog bed I got was the wrong size and so back I went to the pet store. Guess what was back? The grey and white shihtzu. His name was Zack II. I called my dad and told him and he told me to get him. So I did. 

I brought "Zack II" home and found out my dad had got the dog for me. Jason wasn't home, he was out with some friends "jamming".  "Zack" didn't seem an appropriate name for this dog and we started to search our minds for names. For a few days he was called "Flanders", but this name didn't fit and it was hard to yell without laughing. We were watching "That 70s Show" and decided that the name Fez was perfect. So, Fez it was.

Fez had a lot going against him. Like I said, he wasn't much to look at. When we got him he needed a good haircut and actually ran into a chair or table leg and hurt his eye before we could get him to the groomers.  He was also recovering from surgery to remove a herniated umbilical something or other. Half his ear was missing and he had a large scar on his neck. But, he was so lovable.

So, fast forward to a few days ago. For some reason I was thinking about how much I would be willing to pay if something were to happen to Fez. I always thought it odd how people would pay to have an ACL fixed on their dog (yup, you Mindurs - but I still love ya). Or my sister who paid over $700 to find out her dog was really not pregnant, just getting fat.  It was a passing thought, didn't think much of it.

Then, Wednesday I got paged to call the school office. I called and told them I was in the middle of a 5th grade assembly and asked if I could call whoever it was back. They said no, it was an emergency and I needed to come to the office to get the call. As I'm walking up to the office everything horrible is going through my mind. My sister was going to the dr today to find out why she is so sick already (pregnancy), and of course there's always the fear of something going wrong with Alia, and then Jenna or anything else.  I pick up the phone and my dad is crying. I don't see my dad cry often. I think I can count the amount of times I've seen him cry on 1 hand. Each involved a death or extreme family emergency.

He tells me that Fez has been hit by a car and "it's all his fault". He said the vet is busy trying to make him comfortable and that he is breathing, but they are trying to find out more. My dad had taken Fez and his dog, Bear, out for a ride for a while earlier in the day and had just brought him home. He put Fez and Bear in his yard and ran to do a couple errands that would be easier without 2 hyper dogs. We know that Fez can get out of my parent's yard, but he usually doesn't and when he does he just sits in front of their house waiting for them to come home. Well, that day he must've wandered because he was found in front of my parents house. My dad thought he was dead.

Up until today Fez has been in an induced coma, trying to get the swelling in his brain to go down. He would move around weirdly and they were afraid he would damage his spine. Yesterday they started him on a high dose of cortizone and the finished it up last night. Today they turned the morphine drip down by 25% to see how he would react. We should know more by tomorrow. We hope and pray that we will have our Fezzy back, but it's hard to know. We're hoping to see some improvement tomorrow.  I've spent hours at the vet hospital sitting on a rolling stool petting and holding him. Today I even got peed on. (He has no control of his bladder b/c of the coma and he's getting lots of fluid). Fez spent Weds and Thurs night at a wonderful vet tech Christy's home. Tonight is the first night he will have spent alone and it's driving me nuts.

So, the question comes back to...how much would you pay? For the health of a non-human family member? Sure, the amount we've accrued in pet bills so far could pay for 3 new ShihTzu pure breds that are in perfect shape. But none have the half ear and scar on their neck. Each day the vet goes over where we're at on the bill and what we're looking at for care and each day I ask the vet what they think and what would they do if this were their dog. I ask if he's comfortable. Each day I get the somewhat same answer so I continue to accrue this bill. 

I miss hearing his collar (though sometimes I swear I hear it). I miss his sighs and I miss trying to push his body over when he's behind my legs while I'm laying down. I miss him going nuts when someone comes to the door. I even miss having to pick up the torn up tissues and toilet paper after he's gotten into the garbage can. I miss letting him out every morning and watching him shake when Jason goes to put him in bad at night.

If I fall off the blog-o-sphere...

know that I am alive. 

I am undergoing a huge amount of self-inflicted work. Yes, the outcome will be awesome and I am really excited about it...but man, I'm worn out and I still haven't completely started.

Starting next week I will be...

a. mommy to Jenna

b. loving wife to Jason

c. 5th grade school teacher

d. graduate student

e. ESL (English as a Second Language) student

f. and if I have time...myself.

I don't know if it's complete insanity, but I'm excited about my new undertaking of c, d, and e. I was assigned to also be in charge of our school enrichment committee - meaning I was in charge of assemblies, etc - but I talked to the principal and I'm now a member of the committee and not the chair. I didn't think I could give it even close to 100%.

So, starting Monday I will not only be teaching in my own classroom - how cool is it that I'm going to be a teacher? I'm thrilled to meet all my students and to get to know them next week. 

Thankfully Monday is an early out because it is also the first day of school for my university classes. I was only going to take 2 graduate classes, but then I found out I could get my ESL endorsement through the same university and get college credit instead of going through the school district. It'll take longer - an additional 18 credit hours, but it means that I'll get a huge raise and it fit better with my other schedule.

I also have awesome family who is going to help take care of Jenna when Jason and I are in school at night. Also, thankfully I have an awesome guard dog in Fez.

Did I mention that I'm exhausted? 

Disney totally rocks!!!

When Alia first got really sick she was on vacation in Florida - visiting Disney World and Sea World. In the past couple of months, she has fallen head over heels for Prince Phillip (from Sleeping Beauty). Now I don't know if you have ever searched for Prince Phillip merchandise, but it's pretty much non-existent. Alia smothers the case of the Sleeping Beauty DVD with kisses and hugs. Whenyou want her to give you a big hug, you ask for a Prince Phillip hug. When we went to Baskin Robbins, she wants Prince Phillip ice cream (it's the sherbet with blue, green, etc in it in case you're wondering).

So, I figured one night in my boredom, why not email Disney directly and see if they have something they could send me - a picture or anything. I didn't know if I'd hear back from them, but figured it was worth a try. I even asked for his autograph (we never ask for autographs when we go to Disney) A fewdays later I received an email stating they didn't have a picture of just Prince Phillip, but one with him and Aurora dancing. Of course I was ecstatic that they responded and were willing to send a picture. I emailed them back and said that would work.

That was a couple weeks ago...well, guess what arrived in the mail today? An 8x10 picture with 2 messages for Alia. The first says,
"To: Alia, Have we met before. Prince Phillip" in gold marker

the second says:
"once upon a dream! Princess Aurora" in silver marker

I forever will appreciate this kind gesture from them and will continue to spend a ton of money on anything Disney related (you should see our movie collection). I can't wait to take it up to her. I showed my dad and he volunteered to run up to the copy store and have a couple color copies made so that when Alia mauls (aka kisses and hugs) the picture we will have extra copies. I, of course, will have my camera with me when I give it to her to unwrap.

Here's a pic of it, it's kinda blurry, but oh well.

Our own little rodeo

we are so blessed to have awesome neighbors! We were invited over to visit them and ride their horse. Jenna, Alia, Landon, and then 2 other cousins came to ride the horse - a little shetland pony that they have been working with. All the kids were so excited and so were we. Alia was scared at first as she and the horse were scared of each others noises, etc - but after Alia watched the other kids ride she got on and enjoyed it.
Jenna and Landon got to take the reigns and guide the horse around (with the help of the owner who pretty much has the horse following him). Landon got really excited when the horse stopped to take a dump - he loved it! Silly boy. It was really cute b/c Jenna would pull her cowgirl hat down really tight and her ears would poke out. We got a kick out of that b/c that's what the bullriders do before they ride to try to keep their hat on.
Then, the kids saw the sheep and decided that they wanted to see the sheep. The neighbors were so great and were able to corral their sheep. Jenna has had this dream of mutton bustin' (aka riding sheep for those non-cowboy types). She was really scared, but she did it and fell off with grace and then went crying to mom and g-ma as any normal 5 year old girl would.
I swear, after today, I would so love to have a horse for Jenna - she loved it. But, alas, we will resort to the neighbors who have horses. One of the horses was actually used for queening (a rodeo pageant with horse and rider).

Are you tough enough to wear pink?

I love living in Utah - there are so many fun things to do and we love going to the Pioneer Days Rodeo. Every year they have a tough enough to wear pink night. We try to make it to that night because some of the $ raised goes to breast cancer patients in Utah. It's also fun to see all the tough cowboys dressed in pink shirts and the clown all decked out in pink.

Jenna looked so cute in her cowgirl hat and loved watching all the cowboys and cowgirls doing their thing. Here's some pics from the night we went.

My new home

I got a text on Thursday from my friend/co-worker saying that my new "home" had arrived. I don't think I've ever thought I would be so excited to see a portable in my life, but here I am. For those of you who don't know - I will be teaching 5th grade next year and I volunteered to be out in the portable...problem is, the portable hadn't arrived yet. Yes, the work order had been put in quite a long time ago, but as with all things school related - it takes forever for anything to be done. So, I summoned my online friends to do a chant for me saying that my portable would arrive before August...and darn they're good - that day I found out it arrived! So thank you friends who have the gift of chanting!

So now to catch you up on where I've been...

I have been working at my favorite clothing store, New York and Company and have been keeping very busy with that and other summer odds and ends. On June 30 I hurt my arm doing some stuff in the backroom. I tried to work for the next week, but it hurt so bad that I was put on leave. I found out I have loose ligaments that are causing my rotator cuff to be strained. So, back on the strong anti-inflammatories and back to my favorite physical therapist, Sheldon. (Great guy, I've known him for 6 years now - I see him about once a year). I went back to work yesterday and needless to say, I was ready for the percocet when I got home. I'm still recovering from it today.

I love the people I work with there and the store manager and I are pretty good friends, she and I are very much alike. We're both shopaholics that really shouldn't be working at a clothing store...but alas, there we are. At least I'm getting some awesome clothes, meeting great people, and getting some adult conversation. I'm still planning on fitting in working at NY&Co at least once a month or so and then working more during breaks.

I am also in the midst of applying for my masters. Insane...yup, pretty much, but I love education. I found out that my local University, where I got my bachelor's, is offering the masters in education program and I can earn my teaching license while I do it. (In Ut we have a teaching shortage and after a long grueling process I was authorized to teach while earning my license.) I have about 2 1/2 years of college ahead of me, but I'll finish with my masters, teaching license, and a good raise. I've always wanted to get my masters so this is a great opportunity for me. I'll also be getting home pretty early as my classes start at 4 and end by 7. So, I'll still get my Jenna and Jason time in.

So, that's what's been going on lately

What? I have a blog?

Sorry...life has been pretty boring lately.
I hurt my arm at work on June 30th and have been off work since July 7th trying to get it figured out so while I spend time doing nothing, piddling around on the internet, I haven't done much interesting.
I'm in the process of trying to get accepted in to the Masters of Education Program so that's been fun and stressful. And I'm starting to get nervous about teaching an actual classroom of kids and being responsible for their fifth grade experience. I also heard that the girls this year are complete drama queens...so I'm a little scared of that.

Anyway, here's a fun tag I stole from Misty

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you have of me. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Jenna bowling

this is the one of Jenna bowling

Bowling

We went bowling today, well technically my dad and I didn't bowl, but we were the moral support of the bowlers. Jenna really loves to go bowling and we have gone twice now this summer. Hopefully we'll go a few more times before the summer is over. We met g-ma Mary and papa at the bowling alley and then Suzanne, Landon, and Alia came. Now, of course, you have to have funny bowling names and you'll never guess what my Dancing Queen chose as her name.... ABBA - no joking.
Alia was Prince Phillip (she's in love with him)
Landon was Donkey
My mom was Granny
and Suzanne was Mom Is Crazy

Anyway, here are some videos from my new camera. The first one is Alia. She's such a strong girl she had to hold the bowling ball herself. This first video at the end she is signing "aw shucks" because she didn't do very well.

I think the playdoh has it right

Jenna decided to get out her playdoh today and create a family. In this family there is a mom, brother, and sister. Jenna said that only the mom had ears so I asked her why. Her answer..."because the brother and sister don't want to have to hear their loud mom's singing, but it's not you mom."

Boy I love this girl - she cracks me up on a daily basis. In my opinion, true comedy comes from the most innocent of places.

tagged by Misty

so she says she doesn't think I'll do this...little does she know I'm at home with Jenna and I'm not in the mood to do the dishes.

Two names you go by:
Michelle
Shell (only my family can call me that though)

Two things I'm wearing right now:
PJ bottoms
a big t-shirt

2 longest car rides:
probably to Disneyland and Mexico

2 of my favorite things to do:
sleep
play with Jenna

2 things you want to do badly right now:
sleep
get rid of my headache

2 animals you have or have had
Fez - our Shihtzu
Bo - my family's Shihtzu who died last year

2 people who will fill this out:
dunno - Evonne and Kerstin

2 things you ate today:
Fruit loops
dark chocolate chex mix

2 people you last talked to:
my mom
Jenna

2 things you are doing tomorrow:
working
playing with Jenna

2 favorite holidays:
Christmas
4th of July

2 favorite beverages:
water
hot chocolate from Starbucks

now I tag: Evonne, Kerstin, Julie S, Mindurs

My amazing friend Misty

Many of you know my friend Misty, or at least know of her. She is awesome! She always cheers me up and makes me laugh. I consider her one of my best friends.

Anyway, I went on a short trip to Michigan and I went to a lot of scrapbook stores. I walked into a really cool store and was met by this...



this line was designed by Misty for BoBunny! She has amazing talent and I am so proud of her for doing so well and doing what she really loves. I went and grabbed a bunch of my scrapbooking friends and pointed out that my very own friend designed the line - they all think the line rocks too.

Knowing an awesome designer is just the icing on the cake for knowing such a great person.

picture tag

so, I thought I would take the challenge- since I've never done this before and I'm trying to keep myself occupied

my first job...

my favorite place...

my favorite food...

my favorite color...

nickname of mine...

a place I will visit...

what age I will be on my next b-day...

It's summer time!

Jenna is loving the warm temperatures and wakes up everyday and asks if it's going to be warm outside. She has been playing a lot with her cousin, Landon, and they are definitely a goofy duo. The two of them together can annoy any person with their never-ending silliness and jibberish. But, ah, what it would be like to be young and to enjoy summer like that again.

I also can't believe that in a few short months Jenna will be a kindergartener and I will be an actual teacher! Wow! Life really changes fast doesn't it? I have found out that I can take classes through WSU and get my masters in education at the same time I am getting my license! So, I'm pretty excited. Yes, I'll be crazy busy, but it'll be so worth it. Especially since Jason's work will pay for 6 credit hours each semester for my education and 50% after that. All of the classes are at night and I won't have to drive to Salt Lake 3 or 4 times a week for classes.

Today is also an anniversary of sorts - I have been at New York and Company for 2 months. What does that mean, you may ask? Well, I get my better discount starting today! And yes, I have some stuff on hold to buy - bad, I know - but when there's a 60% off sale and I get my discount on top of that...can't pass it up, right?

And, Misty - sorry, no pics of anything - I know how annoying a blog without pics can be, but, well...I haven't taken any. ;) - maybe I should take some of the hat we made.

One of my all-time favorite movies

I finally bought this movie. I remember watching it when I was younger and loving it. It has all the classic concepts: 80s clothes, cheesy ending song, a mad scientist who changes his heart, and of course a young Tom Hanks.

If you haven't seen it - go rent it, if you have - go rent it again!

A little information: Disney created Touchstone studios because of this movie - they didn't want to be putting a PG film on the Disney studio name - oh how things have changed.

my baby's got lungs

I'll miss you Greg

Greg A. Wynn
(December 22, 1964 - June 2, 2008)

Send Private Condolences

Morgan- Greg A. Wynn, age 43, passed away after a short and courageous battle with cancer surrounded by his loving family on June 2, 2008.
He was born on December 22, 1964 to Bob and Sue Wynn. He was raised in Morgan and graduated from Morgan High School.

Greg married Stacy Sessions on June 8, 1984 in Morgan. Greg had a very tender heart. He cared and loved his family and friends, and he is loved and cherished by them all. Greg did many things; he retired from Hill Air Force Base where he worked as a sheet metal mechanic. He then attended Salt Lake Community College and graduated from the Police Academy. He became a police officer for Morgan County where he was instrumental in starting the K-9 program. At the time of his death he was employed with Rhodes Excavation.

Greg enjoyed camping and riding ATV's with his family, watching NASCAR, Dallas Cowboys and the Utah Jazz.

Greg is survived by his wife, Stacy; three children: Trista (T.J. O'Leary), Kiley and Trevor of Morgan; Sisters: Doreen Wynn, Salt Lake City; and Noreen Wynn, Ogden. Brother: Robert (Kathy) Wynn, Honeyville. Mother-in-law, Pat Ericksen, West Point; Father-in-law, Gary Sessions, Peterson; Brother-in-laws: Kelly (Chris) Sessions and Dustin Sessions, Clearfield; Sister-in-Law: Sacha (Greg) Despain, Salt Lake City. He is also survived by many family and friends.

We would like to acknowledge Greg’s special friends, Kim Green and Brett Ertmann.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and mother-in-law Karen Sessions. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the Enterprise Ward, Dr. Carl Gray and his staff, Dr. Robert Harris and the staff at Ogden Regional Cancer Treatment Center; and the staff at Ogden Regional Medical Center for their kindness and loving care.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 6, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Enterprise Ward, 2755 W. Old Highway Road, Morgan, Utah. Friends may call on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Walker Mortuary in Morgan and Friday from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the church.

Interment, Peterson Cemetery.

Send condolences to the family at www.walker-mortuary.com

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Bank of Utah in Greg Wynn’s name.

Cancer sucks

Late last night my cousin, Greg, lost his fight with lung cancer. It wasn't that long ago that he was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer - by the time they found it, it was too late. Greg was like an uncle to me because he was a lot older than me. In high school he let me borrow is Eddie Bower edition Expedition to drive. I remember how cool that was because he trusted me, a teenager, with his really cool car.
Greg was always giving and willing to help out. When I had major knee surgery, I borrowed his CD collection so that I wouldn't be so bored. He had a love of country music, just like me.
I'm going to miss seeing him at our family parties - but I know that I will see him again. I am thankful for that knowledge. Families Can Be Together Forever!

Our adventures under the sea

Jenna's dance recital was last night...and as an unbiased parent - she was the best of them all. And the cutest too. She danced to Under the Sea, Much More Friendly With Pooh (Winnie the Pooh), and then a finale with everyone called Girls on Minnie Street.

Here are a couple pics from the night. Jenna is the 4th from the right