Another Sick Day

Last week we had Zeke throw up Monday night,  Olivia go to the ER Tuesday night and then throw up Thursday morning and Maddi have asthma issues Wednesday and Thursday.  I was also sick on and off all week.  Today Dillon is home sick.  He threw up this morning.  Luckily it isn't a long lasting thing.  The kids have rebounded by the end of the day.  Mine lasted longer but I was also trying to pack, run errands and take care of sick kids all while being sick myself.  I am hoping we have seen the end of it but I still have 3 who haven't gotten it yet.  As long as they don't miss their Christmas parties at school all will be okay!

The First of the Lasts

Today was the first of many lasts. I taught for the last time at church today. I know there will be other opportunities, but not here. I have really enjoyed all my teaching exerpiences here, from Sunday School to Primary to Relief Society. I have learned so much from those I taught. There will be many more lasts to come, some harder than others. This week we will go to our last play group, our last preschool night with Zeke and Olivia, our last ward potluck ( do you hear Michael cheering?) and Maddi's last basketball game as a Tri-Valley Fireball. And sooner than we know, we will be turning out the lights and closing the door to our little green house for the last time. Am I sad? Yes. And no. We have been through alot here. We have made so many fun memories and had so many experiences that gave changed us in so many ways. Through it all though, will be the reminders of the blessings that we have been given and that await us. Our experiences and friendships here will remain a part of us as we move on to new experiences and as we build new friendships.

It's Friday!!

What a week!  Zeke and I were sick and then Olivia went to the hospital.  Then Olivia and I were sick and then Maddi got asthma.  Now we are all better in time for the weekend.  Maddi is still bothered with her asthma but seems to be improving.  Hopefully she will be able to play basketball tomorrow.  She has two games tomorrow morning.  In the meantime I have been packing when I could and resting when I couldn't.  We have eaten a lot of toast this week and drank a lot of 7Up.  I hope it doesn't spread to the rest of the kids.  I know they don't want to miss any school since their days are numbered here.  Three weeks from today we will be in Green River.  Olivia is hoping the house will get painted pink before we move in.  Wouldn't that be lovely?  She is also excited at the thought of finally getting another puppy.  That may not happen until the spring...  Things with the house are moving right along.  Everything is in to the bank.  They now get the chance to go over everything and accept or reject it all.  If all goes as planned we will be able to move in a lot earlier than we thought.  They think maybe the first of January instead of the middle of February.  Keep your fingers crossed!  Anyways, glad it's Friday, glad we are all better for at least a little while and glad we get to sleep in (a little) tomorrow!  Yay for the weekend!

Take Me To The Hospital

Last night around 11:30 Olivia woke up crying and she couldn't breathe very well. She kept saying it hurt - what I don't know, and seemed scared. I told her she needed to settle down so she could breathe or else she would have to go to the hospital. Then she asked me to take her to the hospital because she was sick. I took her outside to see if the frah air would help but it didn't. I had been up the night before cleaning up throw up from Zeke and had been sick myself all day. I asked Michael to take her to the ER because I wasn't feeling good enough to do it. I wa afraid I would end up vomiting while helping her! Michael took her in and came home a few hours later. Olivia went straight to bed. Michael said she had croup again. This is her 3rd time this year. She had to get a shot and two breathing treatments and x- rays. She came out this morning sporting two stickers on her jammies and she got a stuffed horse from the doctor for getting a shot. She was quite excited about it all! She put her hospital bracelets on her horse. The horse is, of course, named Okie! This morning I will go get her prescription and hopefully she will recover quickly. Nights are so scary with croup and asthma. Hopefully we won't have to do this again anytime soon.

Michael's Birthday

I never posted yet about Michael's birthday.  We celebrated early because he was in Wyoming interviewing on his birthday.  Monday night we opened presents and had cake.  Olivia was so excited for his birthday.  She knows he loves licorice and she happens to love it too.  When we were at Target one day we found this three foot long tube of licorice in the Christmas candy section.  Olivia knew it was the perfect gift for daddy (and her). She helped him open it up and helped him eat it too!  We are so blessed to have Michael in our lives.  He is so caring and kind.  He works hard for our family and still finds time to play and have fun.  He teaches our children about life and the gospel.  I am so lucky to have him in my life.  We love you Michael!  Happy Birthday!

Initial here and here and here

Last night we got our contracts emailed to us to sign for the house we are trying to buy.  This is a first for us.  Kind of exciting and kind of scary.  First of all we have never seen the house, mom went and looked at it for us. It's not a pretty house but it has potential.  Potential is good and the price is right.  So last night we started initialing and signing on every page then sent it back to our real estate agent.  The process has begun.  Today I made a phone call to the bank and got everything in order for that.  So far, so good.  Of course, there are a lot of things that could go off course between now and closing.  The seller has agreed to the low price, but her mortgage person has to agree to it.  We think he will, but you never know.  The inspections have to pass and all sorts of other things.  Those of you who have bought a house before know what I am talking about.  Since this is a short sale the process can take longer, hopefully it won't.  In the meantime, I am packing and preparing!

We Have a Date!

Well, we finally got a start date for Michael's new job.  He will be starting on January 3rd.  Wow!  Nothing like waiting, waiting, waiting and then BOOM!  Now it's crunch time (and Christmas time).  We have about 3 1/2 weeks before we leave.  During that time we will have 6 basketball games, several practices, 4 class Christmas parties, one church Christmas party, a gingerbread house making party, Christmas, and lots of other things to go along with it.  Michael is super busy at work and I will be super busy at home.  It will be good though.  The kids are excited to have a date and time frame.  We actually let them choose the date.  Halliburton said we could start either the 3rd or the 10th.  The kids chose the 3rd so they could start school with the other kids after Christmas break.  We are also in the process of trying to buy our first home.  It isn't our dream home by any means but it is cheaper to buy a house (especially this one) than to rent.  Hopefully all goes well with it.  We will have to live in my parents basement for a month or so, but that will be fine.  Anyways, that's our news for the day!  Hopefully things will keep moving along!

First Basketball Game

Saturday morning I loaded up all the kids (except Makenna who was at a sleepover) and we headed to Brandon to watch Maddi play her first two basketball games.  Despite being early we had a fun time watching her team play.  They did a great job.  They lost the first game and won the second one.  The kids and I sat at the top of the bleachers and made quite the cheering section.  Dillon especially got into the game and did some major cheering.  The coach did an excellent job of making sure all the girls got to play.  I was really glad to see that.  The girls all seemed to have fun and all went home pretty tired.  Tonight they will have practice and prepare for this Saturday's two games.  I'm so glad she gets this opportunity.  She loves basketball!  Here are a few pictures.  They are not good quality, but you can still see what's going on.

In Case You Were Wondering...

On our way home from picking up Zeke from preschool we saw 89 cows, 28 hay bales, 13 horses, 3 guys and 1 dog.

Also, Olivia's name is not Olivia so we should not call her that.  Her name is Lollipop so please address her as such, preferably with a Princess in front of it!

Quote of the Day

I found this quote yesterday.  It is from one of the leaders in my church.  I think it is beautiful and so true.  I have certainly witnessed it in my life.  When we are doing our best to be our best, the spirit will guide us and we will know what to do.  It is a beautiful gift from our Father in Heaven.  It lets us know that we will never be left alone.  If we follow Him, He will send His spirit to lead us.  What strength and assurance that gives!  What comfort and peace it allows!  He loves us and will never forsake us!


“It is wondrously simple and so incomparably beautiful. As you continue to live righteously, you will always know what to do. Sometimes the discovery of that may require significant effort and trust on your part. Yet you will recognize what to do as you meet the conditions for such divine guidance in your life: obedience to the commandments of the Lord, trust in His plan, and the avoidance of anything that is contrary to it. The more closely you conform your life to the doctrine of the Lord, the more capacity you will have to do what the Spirit inspires you to do.”

Elder Richard G. Scott