So Thankful...

1st and foremost, this picture has nothing to do with the post, it just makes me smile. This Thanksgiving was quite different from every other Thanksgiving we have ever had. This year was the first time that we had a child that came home for the holiday. It definitely put a different spin on things. I know those we visited over the course of the week wanted to see all of us but mostly they wanted to see Eliza. This year has been one for the books. We have lost several close family members from both mine and Mike's families. It has helped our family to remember that there is much to be thankful for during this trying time we live in. So many of my friends have blogged a list of various things to be thankful for. As I sat around our dinner table on Sunday, with my sister in law and mother in law, eating the traditional end of thanksgiving turkey and home made noodles, I came to realize that there is much to be thankful for - the roof over our heads, the warmth of a good blanket, the love of your family, the belly laugh of your child, and the simple kindness that comes from a kind word or deed each day. So, things aren't exactly easy right now, and this is not a circumstance I ever thought I would find myself in again but I'm not going through it alone and there is a Christmas movie on each night for the next month and plenty of hot chocolate to be had. Sometimes you just have to look a little closer to find your joy. It's always there you just have to look a little closer.

The Love Of All Things Fall....

I truly think fall is my favorite time of year. I love the change in the weather. The anticipation of getting your warm, comfy sweaters out of storage. The excitement of the holidays just around the corner. I love going out to the mall and seeing the Christmas decorations and all of the new and fun things the stores are carrying in anticipation of the shoppers looking for that "just right" gift. There is the excitement of planning the holiday meal or in our case this year, receiving your meal assignment. We have the opportunity to have 2 dinners this year. Our assignments consist of 1 - 7 layer salad for one house and 1 dish of yams, something that I will try to make in a way that everyone enjoys without overloading the sugar level and deviled eggs. An assignment that we receive more often now thanks to Eliza. That is a story for another time. Just heed my warning, a dozen deviled eggs and a pound of fudge make for an extremely ill child. Oh the love of fall... There is the fun of planning your shopping. For some this is painful, and I must admit for me there is the struggle of the budget so you get the thrill of the great sale! Then there is the planning of the Christmas card. To do a photo or no photo, hand made or store bought. OK if you know me you know I don't do store bought. I've picked the color scheme, found the right rubber stamps, decided on the embellishments and am working on the mailing list. And why do we send cards to every person we can think of. I mean, do these people really need a card from me. Wait I''m spinning in the wrong directions. Sorry about that. So, Fall...there is the cooking and stashing of the dozens of cookies. I guess when I really think about it my love of fall has more to do with the planning and preparation for Christmas. Well, I do love Christmas. But, then I love any holiday. Just think this time next week we will once again all be under one roof. That is the best part of this fall.

Love to all, Jen

My Poor Blog...

Every day I get up, get ready for work, find something to call breakfast and do a quick check on the 'puter. This means email, others blog postings, facebook and a quick run through of Craigslist for our most recent quests, right now that means trundle beds for the girls rooms for nearly free. Well, this means that each morning I look at my poor blog posting and realize that it has literally been months since I updated it. Why? you ask. Well,1) I don't want to remove the picture of my child who has flown the nest. 2) When I started my blog I wanted it to be happy, fun updates of our goings on. 3) I'm tired. 4) Sometimes things SUCK!! 5) more of #4.

So, this is my sort of rebound post, like the rebound girl/boyfriend it doesn't have to be pretty. It need not be the ONE. It just needs to get me through a rough patch. So, here is my sorry little blog post. Now I need to realize I can move on and things won't always be rosy but at least they will BE. So, why no posts you wonder. It is alot of the same and I struggle sometimes to see through the fog. Things are tough, money is tight, I am having some health issues I am trying to work through quietly and my job is not always something I enjoy. Honestly, I work with an office full of women that really need some therapy. But, for the most part we are in decent health, we have a roof over our heads and food on the table. Hopefully (please, please, please) my husband will be once again employed by the end of the year. I hope.

So, that is why I have not been here. My blog I promise to be better. Love you all.

ME

A new love of facebook

Today we held the funeral for my father-in-law. He had been sick for several months. It was a very long and painful experience for him and difficult for those close to him to watch. Now, what does this have to do with facebook. Well, let me tell you. Mr. Illifornian used Twitter (something I haven't conquered yet) to update his facebook to keep our extended family informed of his father's condition. We weren't sure who was really keeping an eye on it but today we found out. We learned that several of his cousins used it to keep their parents up to date and I know while I was at work I would check it from time to time those last few days to know if I needed to leave work. You see he reached a point over the last few days that his condition literally changed hourly then the last day it changed within minutes. We've used it to share with friends and family regarding funeral arrangements and express thanks to those offering kind words. So, I have found that maybe there is something good about Facebook. Now, if I could just figure out how to Twitter.

The End Is Near...

The end of my first daughters high school education is ending. She graduated from Seminary (early morning bible study) tonight. She managed to get up every school day by 5:30 and go. She has worked hard, managed to adjust to being moved 2000 miles in the midst of her Junior year and land on her feet. She has sang in choir for 4 years, Editor of the school paper, Performed in various musicals at school and still has time for her 2 younger sisters. I am very proud of her and all of her efforts but what happened to the little red head with the braids? Eliza we are very proud of you. It has it's melancholy moments but I know she will do fine. She has managed to always find the positive in every situation. Oh, the tears will flow come Wednesday! Can she really be that old?

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day. As I was thinking about today and what it means I thought about the many different layers of moms I have known. My great grandmother whom my oldest daughter is named after. My husbands grandmother who we were able to visit with often this winter. I thought about my grandmothers and the memories I have of them. There were all the Christmas' that I wrapped presents and had a Kentucky Fried Chicken dinner with Grandma Dunbar. Or the ice cream cones my Grandma Palmer always had in her freezer for my kids. There are various aunts, and teachers that weren't necessarily my mom but had a huge impact on my life. But, really what about my mom.  She taught me that every holiday is a family event. She is someone who puts on makeup every morning no matter what. She makes sure that if the kids are asking for something I have said absolutely no to they have a good chance of getting it with her. She took care of me after my hysterectomy leaving dad for weeks. She doesn't care for cold weather but after moving to Illinois was there within the first 60 days in mid December to make sure we weren't freezing to death. She also makes the best butter cream icing I have ever had.  Love to all, Happy Mother's Day...

Prom

We have shopped, fluffed, curled, powdered and sparkled. This is the result. Oh and there was also that trip to look for a dress with dad. Mike was a good sport and took his daughter shopping for a prom dress. With my work schedule it just didn't allow much time for looking and then there was a store with a sale and between my work hours and life in general we were never going to make it. So, Mike went prom dress shopping. And well you can see the results. Liza loved her dress, and it looked like a million bucks on her. What do ya think? :) Looks good.

I Like Them...

I have a new found appreciation for my kids today. I have been following a case of 2 missing boys whose father didn't return them home from the area where we used to live. I kept hoping that they would be found in a neighboring state or the father would drop them somewhere and they would be found. Unfortunately sometimes things don't end well and this is one of those cases. I don't understand the mentality of someone who can hurt a child. To mean it is a sign of someone who is severely broken. This weekend I was able to spend time with my kids and I have decided that I really like them. I know that in the last 17 years or so there have been several days where I was at the end of my patience and felt overwhelmed. But, I would never thought in my worst nightmares of harming them. I just don't understand it. I hope you keep yours nearer to you this week. Have a good week. :)

The Surgery...

I've waited to post this because I thought I could do it and not get all mushy but never mind. 

Catie had her surgery, it went great. She is working hard with her physical therapy and now it's just a matter of time. Time to see how well she heals, time to wait til she walks on it, time for the incisions to heal, time for mom to get over watching her baby be wheeled into surgery and then wait 3 hours. It was rough but there was a giggle to be had that day. Around the 2 1/2 hour mark it was just Mike and I waiting for Catie to come out of surgery and we were way over the time that the dr thought it would take. So, I am pacing, trying to read, do a little embroidery, text, anything to keep me from loosing my mind. Mike, well Mike decided to try his hand at the circular loom for baby hats we were toting around. You see, we are trying as a family, to get several hats done. Mike had finally reached his breaking point and decided to try it. It was definitely a giggle. He couldn't figure out which way it was going and exactly what are we doing with the yarn. He did about 2 or 3 turn and that was enough. This hat may not make it to be donated. This one may be a keeper.....if we ever get it done. As for Catie, other than feeling way to good for her own good. She is recovering better than we could have hoped for but....time will tell. ;)

Ice Is Her New Best Friend...

We are home from surgery. We arrived at 11:00 they pre-oped her, didn't take her into surgery 'til 2 pm and she was in surgery for 3 hours. Her labrium has been debreeded her tendon within her right thigh has been "cut" and the area was pumped full of cortisone. And, while in surgery she was in traction to allow access to the area. We are home. It's tender. The nice recovery room nurse offered ice. Catie - not too sure. Mom advised YES we would love some ice. Ice went on and Miss Catie was amazed at the comfort it brought her. She enjoyed a post surgical red popsicle, was given a dose of pain meds for the road and she decided she was ready to roll. With very little fan fare we were out of there with ice for the road. So, we are home, she has the remote control and dad has gone to rent a movie. All is well, we'll go back to the surgeon on Thursday and start physical therapy in the near future. Oh and she is non weight bearing for approximately 6 weeks.  Pictures to come later. Thank you all for your care and concern. I will do my best to keep you all posted. ;) Jen

Sugery Time

For all of you who have patiently listened to me go on and on regarding Catie and surgery, I thought I would explain the situation since here we are. Surgery Day. Several months ago I noticed she was avoiding climbing the stairs. Wouldn't put her stuff away, wouldn't clean the bathroom, not too shocking but when she avoided going up to get on the computer I knew we had a problem. So, after several tests, several dr and specialist appts. and a couple of months of PT. We determined that she had a hole/tear in the cartilage in her hip. So, try therapy, did and had little to no improvement. So, more tests and determined that they only way to fix it was to do surgery. So, we jumped through a few more hoops and now she will be having arthroscopic surgery on her hip tomorrow to repair the tear. There is also a possibility that they will get in there and have to do other things such as shave the front of the socket and also "clip" the tendon. So, that is where we are at. The bag is packed, activities to keep her busy as she spends the next week recovering have been gathered and set up. So, we are as ready as we will ever be. So, tomorrow morning we will get up and get ready and off we will go to children's hospital. I will keep you all posted. Wish us luck....

The Evils of Facebook

It has finally happened. Due to the badgering of others and the need to spy on my kids I finally broke down and I now have a facebook. Liza spent time this evening helping me get it set up so I don't look like a complete dork. So, as long as Liza's around it will be ok. I think I like my blog better. Facebook is a little too a.d.d. for me. It's abrupt and a little rude for my liking. I will give it a try for a month and see how it goes. 

On other fronts, we are 10 days til surgery. I know Catie is anxious to get it over. I am worried she thinks she will be instantly healed. I keep telling her there is therapy still to come but at this point I  think she is looking forward to being able to be off crutches for more than a few hours. Either way in the end she should be pain free and back to her old self. 

My birthday is in a few weeks. I am trying to come up with something to do that "I" want to do. I am not sure at this point what it will be but I do know that with my current work schedule I don't get much free time to myself so I am trying to come up with a plan that includes something I have been missing. At this point, I feel like I am missing just about everything so I'll let you know what I decide.  We went to the local outdoor mall tonight and I found the coolest purse. I want it, I mean I REALLY WANT IT. We will see. It costs more than I would usually spend on a purse. I guess time will tell. 

The weather has been nice the last couple of day. No rain just sun shine. It really stinks. I miss a true strong winter and spring. Oh well, maybe we can go to the beach.... 

So Much To Be Thankful For!

Well, don't get me wrong. But, there is much to be thankful for and right now I have made it my priority to hold that as my focus. First, our tummys are all full. Ok, so Liza wanted as salad after dinner but that's nothing new. Snacking is almost a sport in this house and a salad is healthy so have at it kid.

Our Bishop stood up at the end of Sacrament Meeting today and announced that 4 very lucky families in our ward were going to spend the next 4 days with no gas, electricity or running water. Holy Cow. Honestly I was looking at everyone but him. I have to say there was a bolt of fear that went through most of us sitting in the congregation. But, now that I think about it we wouldn't starve, we have plenty of food, blankets, and I know that there are flashlights in this house that outnumber the residents. Water that is our failing point. We just don't have much stored. I will focus on changing this. Being completely honest, I wonder if anyone would mention if I started to smell bad at work. Luckily, I won't have to find out but this will be the beginning of a new effort to better our supplies. 

OK so here is my week in review by member of the household and since Liza and Grace are terrorizing me I am starting with those goofs. I believe I am being mocked or spells are being cast or something. So, 

Liza- what's new last week? Ok. Play practice - working on the final touches of Pirates of Penzance; no new guys; went to the Vday dance with Liza and had a good time; went to In N Out on the way home and had Animal Fries ( They truly Rock!!) 

Grace- What's new from last week? I didn't do anything. ( That is her most common answer in life, claiming innocence.   The girls are having a group slow dance - heaven help the boy who tries to come between them. Grace did have a Bishop's interview.

Catie - What's new from last week? Brenden. Holy Crap, there's a boy thing goin on with her. He gave her a bear for Vday. Went to her first dance with her sisters and a girl friend and (according to Grace) the cute guy serenaded her with the song Circus from Brittney Spears. 

Mike- What's New. I keep telling you there is nothing new. 

So, Me - Self What's new? Well, I took my last adventure until we find ourselves back on our financial feet. I had bought a ticket to go to the Scrapbook Expo and went with my sister and 2 cousins, Sandra and Marci. Ok, were a strange mix but it was fun. I got to make 5 new projects and saw some really cool products. Catie has a boyfriend and became a Miamaid at church ( 14 to 16 yr old girls). Mike made a really good Vday dinner, Scallops for appetizers, salmon, mushroom rice pilaf, asparagus, salad and chocolate malted crunch ice cream. He even got me a gift. A new journal and the bag from Time Our For Women. It's blue and brown and just the right size for hauling my stuff to and from church or work. Work is work, we did all pitch in and make strawberry shortcakes on Friday. So, overall some things are tougher than others but we look for the positive and stay focused on the goal. Stable employment and financial stability these are the goals for the day, week, month. Enjoy your week all and know that you are missed where ever you are, I am sure I haven't spent enough time enjoying your company.

Happy Birthday to my baby!!

Today my baby turns 14. She has completely entered the age of a teenager. But, funny thing. She is kind, thoughtful, sweet and has a warped sense of humor and a love of all things scary. I was trying to remember the day she was born. It's not like her sisters day, there were no life altering events for the rest of the world. But, funny thing, my third baby, she's the one that has managed to turn my world on it's ear. She is the one that brought about the need for a mini-van, bunk beds, the need to always have a little chocolate around and apples by the bushel.  She is the one that has the most non life threatening health issues. She has had her head put back together after an altercation with a door at a wedding. She has scraped and bruised every inch of her body and in a few weeks she will be my first to undergo surgery. I have been lucky that I have made it this far but I could go longer without this experience, really I could.  You see although her birthday is upon us, it is the impending surgery that keeps me awake at night. In a few weeks she will under go arthroscopic hip surgery to repair her damaged cartilage along with a couple of other things that, truthfully, I just don't know how to explain it without graphics. But, all of this considered she is also the one who when we went to the hospital last week to see my dying aunt, is the one child who with great diligence needed to say her goodbyes face to face. It was impressive and at the same time sad to see someone so young understand and grasp such a difficult situation. So today my baby turned 14. Happy Birthday Bug!

A Not Good, Not Fun Week...

OK, so I recently I have been working at finding the good and or positive in each of my weeks, if not days. But, this week, I struggled. I mean I really struggled. But, here is the positive for the week. Each day this week I got up and completed the tasks at hand. But, the week was bad. Bad Week. Saturday we celebrated my sisters birthday at a local Italian restaurant. Not a bad thing, but stopped by the hospital to see my aunt who was ill. Things weren't good. Sunday on the way to church I called to see how she was doing and things had taken a turn for the worst.  My suggestion to all, make the call before you get on the road to go to church to avoid wearing your church clothes all day at the hospital. Needless to say, we spent the day and into the evening there. She didn't make it. This is not how I expected to start the week. My aunt passed away late Sunday evening. We spent Monday with family preparing for a funeral. Went to work on Tuesday but began to realize that I was a little shaken by the experience. Wednesday, well, Wednesday is currently my least favorite day of the week now. Mike is officially part of the failing economy, he was laid off. Not fun, the good in this I will strive to find later. But, I do carry our benefits with my job so Catie's surgery is unaffected. I won't be nursing her back to health her dad will. I will learn to be ok with this. Thursday, well, Thursday had a couple of it's own challenges at work and also with family that I won't get into. Friday, well, we attended a funeral Friday in the midst of a downpour. Carol didn't like the cold or bad weather but we were all there in it for her. And that leads us to the end of our 7 day week. Not fun but we did make it through. I strive to find the positive in each day. Sometimes it is harder than I think it should be and sometimes I settle for I got us and functioned today. Today we are celebrating Catie's birthday, brownie sundaes. I figured we can start the next 7 days on a positive note. She's cute, easy to please and quite the crafter. I like her. I think I will keep her around for a while. 

Happy Birthday Baby #2

Tomorrow is the anniversary of the Northridge earthquake. It happened exactly 15 years ago early in the morning. We were sleeping soundly all 3 of us in our own beds, Mike and I in ours and Eliza in hers and then the earth shook. I jumped up on the bed and ran across and jumped down, Earth still shaking; grabbed Eliza from her bed; Earth still shaking; stood in doorway for what seemed like hours and finally the earth settled. The only problem, when you are 2 1/2 weeks overdue carrying a 10 lb. 2 oz baby jumping and running are rough on you. The earth may have stopped moving but my body decided that 5 in the morning was a good time to start labor. Mike on the other hand tried desperately to convince me that maybe it was heartburn and all I really needed was more sleep; Nope. Not gonna happen; and this is why tomorrow, January 17th Miss Grace will be turning 15!  Strange. There are parts of that day that I can remember like they were hours ago and yet I can hear her and her friend discussing boys and fashions and bad hair from the loft. Where did the time go.  Let's see.....She's been to Utah and Hogle Zoo, Went camping in Malibu and took a life altering tumble (sorry kiddo, I still have guilt from that one), she took an airplane trip to Mexico for a winter vacation with family, even had a cool boat ride. She only ate beans and rice on that trip but at least I know now that it won't hurt. She moved 2000 miles away. Made friends with Libby, became a brownie, was diagnosed with a little health issue, learned that m & m's give you special powers and can enable you to stay very still in MRI machines, went to Junior high; learned to play the clarinet, made countless trips back and forth from Illinois to California; moved back to California; took her first plane trip without her parents; started high school; took a trip without family to go to Championships; learned that maybe traveling with family isn't soo bad after all; and the boys, soo many boys, Dylan, Austin, Nick, Cort, Scott.......the list goes on. Well, I guess maybe lots has happened. There seems to be fewer skulls these days. Yeah. Happy Birthday Baby.

Miss Liza has been accepted to BYU Idaho!!!

New Year's Post

Ok, here is the deal. I have sat at several computers over the course of the last week with every intention of posting one of those glorious and insightful New Year's Posts. Well, it's official. It ain't gonna happen here. I've started a few times. I have even gotten about 1/2 way through but I just can't seem to tie it up in a pretty package and post it. So, here's the problem. There are a few things going on that I can't seem to steer my focus from. There's Mike's dad being, well, it's not really ill. He is starting his second round of chemo and I worry about the girls watching him go through this and how they are handling it. Then, there's Catie. She is seeing a surgeon at the Children's Hospital this week because she has a problem with the soft tissue in her hip. Then, there's the whole work thing. I enjoy what I do, it's just the hours, well, they suck!! So, the New Year has great potential. I have printed out 246 pictures to work on scrapbooking.  I have vowed to get myself in better condition, scrapbook 3 pages a week, read the Relief Society lesson for Sunday even if I am in Primary and GET MY HOUSE CLEAN. So, please know that I appreciate all of you that peek in here and all of you that think about us. I just am a little overwhelmed and poignant words escape me today. But, later this week when I begin scrapbooking and talking about the love of a Crock pot and working moms. Then we will talk. ;)