February 29, 2008

Happy Leap Year! Did you know February 29th is also known as Sadie Hawkins Day? Rules of courtship were more strict in years past. Women who were hoping to marry their beaus had to wait for a proposal; they were not allowed to pop the question themselves... except on one day, every four years. You guessed it, on Feb 29! So girls, get out there and pop that question! (Shaylee, I do not mean you if you are reading this).

Anyway, can I just say what trooper Aspen is? She has been vomiting and had terrible (and when I say terrible, that is a dramatic understatement) diarrhea since last Friday. Yes, a full 8 days. The poor thing must be miserable, and yet she has not once complained or cried. She curls up in my lap and asks "Will you read Oakey to me?" or "Please help me with this puzzle." Yes, puzzles are her new "thing," and she's quite good at them. I guess I need to hunt down some new ones to challenge her because the ones for ages 3-7 are already a breeze.

Well, if you're wondering about the rest of us . . . we got it as well. Devin, Connor and I all woke up vomiting Wednesday morning, but luckily we only had it for a day or two. Connor's stomach is still bothering him a bit, but I'm hoping he will continue to recuperate. Devin missed one day of school (of course it was the nicest day of the year thus far and he was really disappointed he had to spend it inside), but he handled himself very well.

Can you believe Connor is 4 months old?!? It seems like I was pregnant only yesterday (literally). He is such a big boy I can hardly believe it. I think he's as big as Aspen was at about a year. Whoa! We go to the doctor on Tuesday for his "well check" and I'll update everyone on his height, weight, RSV, etc. (yes, his lungs still sound terrible).

Shaylee is relieved she hasn't gotten the flu yet. She is doing great in the 8th grade, but missing class makes it difficult to stay on top of things. She also has a Personal Progress Retreat tonight and they are going to a cabin with all the Young Women--she does not want to miss it!

For those of you who had heard about Dennis possibly becoming part-owner of a car dealership, we decided not to go through with it at this time. I was completely supportive (although I had my reservations, don't get me wrong, but the spirit whispered, "All will be well."). Dennis decided on his own that this was not the right time or opportunity. So he's sticking with Fireside. :-)

TTFN

February 26, 2008

It's been a little crazy this week (again). Come to think of it, when is it not? As Bob Dylan once said, "Chaos is a friend of mine." Anyway, I digress.

Last Wednesday, Shaylee had "New Beginnings" for Young Women. Two of the young women made it into a value project and had a fashion show. I wish I had my camera! If you read my previous post about Aspen in the peak of "terrible twoness" that day, I was just glad to get out of the house--forget the camera! When Dennis said he didn't care who stayed home and who went, I immediately volunteered him to stay home with the kids--it's parenting, not babysitting, I reminded him. Anyway, the Young Women borrowed old prom dresses from sisters in the ward (yes, I donated a couple of mine), and then the girls got to walk down the red carpet and receive awards like "Best Smile" or "Sweet Personality." Anyway, it was a fun night, and Shaylee looked smashing in a long black sparkly gown. Funny thing: she wore the dress I borrowed from my friend to wear when we went to Broadway when I was 7+ months pregnant. Talk about stretchy!!!

Thursday night Shaylee volunteered to babysit so Dennis and I could go out to dinner. We were actually hoping to go to the temple, but Cynthia (our sister-in-law) was sick, so they couldn't keep Connor for us, and Shaylee isn't comfortable keeping him yet. So we went out to dinner at Porter's Place instead (with Connor), and that was very nice.

Friday night my sister Breezy kept Devin, Aspen, and Connor so Dennis and I could go to the temple (whoa!!! two nights in one week!). Anyway, Shaylee went to a hip hop dance class with her friend Alex. When we got back to my parent's house, I decided to feed Connor before heading home. We were sitting in the living room visiting when Aspen threw up all over Dennis. YUCK! That started a lovely weekend of her throwing up every hour. Unfortunately, Breezy came down with the same thing the following day--sorry Breezy!!!

Saturday I got to spend the day at home with two very sick children while Dennis took Shaylee & Devin with him to Logan for our neice Jessica Ashton's marriage to Terry Trinkella. Dennis took some beautiful pictures, but I sure wish I could have been there! Of course, that same day, our toilet broke, so while Dennis was gone and I was rocking two sick children, I had to call a plumber and have him come fix (actually rebuild) the toilet in our master bathroom. It seems to be working much better now (hurrah for Roto Rooter!). Unfortunately, the plumber was a smoker, and I'm allergic to cigarette smoke, so I still couldn't use that bathroom for a couple days until the smell cleared out (no, he did not smoke in my house, but the smell sure permeated!). Thank heavens for two bathrooms! Not having a toilet when someone is throwing up is a very bad thing. Luckily, no one else seems to have gotten sick, yet.

Sunday was more of the same. Dennis and I traded off for church (I went to sacrament meeting since I haven't yet convinced him to learn to play the organ and the bishop has yet to call me an assistant organist) and Dennis went to Elder's Quorum (which was good, because they split the Elder's Quorum this Sunday). That evening we spent at home as a family. We had a nice steak dinner with potatoes and homemade rolls, then we played Monopoly (and I beat Dennis!!!). Happy days for a hotel on Boardwalk--he owed me $2,000 when he landed on it, and that was pretty much the end for him--he'd already forced Devin into bankruptcy (meany).

So I canceled piano lessons yesterday because I didn't want anyone else to catch whatever Aspen has. We thought she was better--she was feeling better, laughing, playing, etc., but then she sat down with Dennis at dinner and threw up all over. Ugh. This morning she threw up again so we skipped dance as well (although I didn't tell her that!). My sweet neighbor Bryn brought us dinner last night (non-dairy no less--taco soup with salad and brownies for dessert--yum!), which was wonderful because I was able to catch up on folding some of the 10 loads of laundry we've done in the last two days. Being only 2, Aspen isn't very good at catching herself and getting to the bucket or the toilet; hence, we washed a lot of sheets, towels, blankets, couch cushions, clothing, etc. Lovely. It also gave her diarrhea, and she was adamant she wear her panties. Disgusting! I think we're mostly caught up at this point, hurrah!

Okay, so that was our week. I'll post pics later. :-)

I am a Child of God

Another cute Aspen quip. Wednesday Aspen was in the peak of "Terrible Twoness." She colored on my carpet with crayon, then I put her down for a nap and was nursing Connor when she decided she did not want to nap and wanted my attention so she emptied an entire bottle of baby lotion down the carpet and wall in my hallway. Finally, she was mad that I asked if she needed to go to the bathroom, so she pulled off her panties and peed on the carpet at the end of my bed. ARGH! It took almost an entire thing of salt to get it out. Finally, exasperated, I asked, "Whose child are you?!?!" She smiled as she responded, "I am a child of God." 'nuf said. :-)

A Baby Elephant

I just had to relate the cutest thing. Aspen and I were reading the poem "A Night Before Christmas." Random, I know, but she loves it. Anway, we got started and I said, "It was the night before . . ." and Aspen filled in "Christmas." I continued, "When all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a . . ." and Aspen filled in "baby elephant." So much for rhyming sense, huh? But it was really cute. :-)

Blackout

When I posted my blog on Sunday, I forgot to mention our eventful Wednesday night . . . we had a huge snowstorm that knocked out our power around 4:30 p.m. It came on again about 12:30 a.m. Thursday morning. Dennis was working in North Salt Lake; he left around 4:30 p.m. and it took him 5 1/2 hours to get home (he got home at 10 p.m.). YIKES! The kids and I had a fun time drinking hot chocolate (cooked on our camp stove) and eating cookies while we read scary stories under blankets. Our house got quite chilly, so the older two slept in sleeping bags in the living room with lots of extra blankets, and I bundled up Aspen and Connor before putting them to bed. I was relieved when Dennis finally made it home--the storm and winds were so bad that it was completely white and you couldn't see anything, so I was very worried about him driving. I had to drive down to the condos to pick up one of my scouts, and I almost got hit by a truck that couldn't see my Suburban, then I got turned around trying to go around the truck and could not figure out where I was because I couldn't see anything. Talk about terrifying! Luckily, we survived the ordeal, and Devin was especially thrilled that school started 3 hours late (at 11 a.m.) on Thursday. It makes me grateful for electricity (and 72-hour kits!).

February 17, 2008

I've written a lot about our week in other posts, and I think some of these photos are from the previous week when Grandpa and Grandma Pearson came to Devin's basketball game. What fun!







Connor is getting so big, and we think he's teething, which explains why he drools all over and sucks/chews on anything/everything.


Our stake president challenged us to read the Book of Mormon before October conference. Whoa! As a family we have been working hard to meet this goal (we divided it out and we need to read approximately 4 pages/night). That's a page apiece for Devin, Shaylee, Dennis and I. We've done really well and are making marked progress in 1 Nephi. Here's a picture of us reading scriptures (obviously we're not always as serious as we perhaps ought to be, but we try!).

Of course, I couldn't forget to wish everyone HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! Our week was crazy with birthday celebrations, but Dennis & I got takeout from Chili's and enjoyed a romantic evening (well, I was nursing for part of it) in the basement while the older three kids enjoyed a movie in our bedroom. We take what we can get at this point. :-)

Photography

Dennis got a new background/light set so he can take formal indoor photographs. He started by taking some formals of his parents, Garry & Patty Brown. Then, of course, the kids and I had to get in on the action. Check it out:

Shaylee Jean

My sweet Shaylee Jean turned 14 this week--can you believe it!?! Her birthday was Monday and we celebrated by having family home evening with Jeremy & Cynthia (and of course Madison and Ryan!). It was a fun evening.

This year was her year for a "friend party," so Friday night we had 12 teenagers running around the house for several hours. They enjoyed pizza, cupcakes and ice cream, Dance, Dance Revolution, and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." Best news of all: mom and dad survived! :-)

Then, last night, she got to attend her first stake dance (boy, does that make me feel old!). She had a great time, danced the night away (only one really cute boy, but the others were night), and made it home before midnight. Wahoo!

I thought I would write a short tribute to my darling daughter. She has become an amazing and beautiful young woman. I can hardly believe it was over three years ago when she first entered our home as an awkward ten-year-old. Now she bears the confidence that only a teenager can possess. I am so proud of the decisions she is making in her life. She is such a helpful person--around the house, with her younger siblings, etc. She is also very personable and a great friend--she truly cares for her friends and wants what is best for them. She is studying hard and dedicated to her school work, which has paid off with straight A's two semesters in a row. Most importantly, her testimony is growing. She is active in the Young Women program and served valiantly as the Beehive President for two years. She is now a Mia Maid and looking forward to further spiritual growth.

I love you Shay!

New First Presidency

On February 4, 2008, following President Gordon B. Hinckley's passing and subsequent funeral, Thomas S. Monson was announced as the sixteenth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with Henry B. Eyring as First Counselor and Dieter F. Uchtdorf as Second Counselor. As I listened to their voices during the press conference, I was overwhelmed with a conviction that this is the true church of God. It is so nice that there was no question who would be the new president of the church. There was no "lobbying," so to speak for the position. This is the Lord's way, and I know Thomas S. Monson was called of God. I am grateful for my testimony and for his dedicated and worthy service that has prepared him to accept and fulfill this calling. I stand with millions of members worldwide in affirming that Jesus is the Christ and a living prophet stands at the head of His church.

February 8, 2008

So it's been awhile since I've been online (okay, not true--since I've updated the blog), but I have a good excuse. Connor got bronchiolitis aka RSV aka viral pneumonia last week thanks to Aspen and nursery.

According to the Center for Disease Control, "Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia among infants and children under 1 year of age. Illness begins most frequently with fever, runny nose, cough, and sometimes wheezing. During their first RSV infection, between 25% and 40% of infants and young children have signs or symptoms of bronchiolitis or pneumonia, and 0.5% to 2% require hospitalization. Most children recover from illness in 8 to 15 days. The majority of children hospitalized for RSV infection are under 6 months of age. RSV also causes repeated infections throughout life, usually associated with moderate-to-severe cold-like symptoms; however, severe lower respiratory tract disease may occur at any age, especially among the elderly or among those with compromised cardiac, pulmonary, or immune systems."

Connor had the fever, runny nose, cough, and wheezing. Luckily, he did not get sick enough to have to be hospitalized, and he is now on the mend, thanks to the power of a lot of prayer and a priesthood blessing by Dennis and our neighbor Johny Dolan. My big concern now is the "repeated infections throughout life." My doctor says most kids "grow out of it," but that could still mean a rough few years in his young life.

So our schedule was wildly interrupted and we pretty much cancelled everything other than doctor appointments to keep Aspen and Connor inside. The night Connor got sick, he did stay with his Aunt Summer and Uncle Tyler while Dennis and I went to see "Don't Drink the Water," a Woody Allen play at the Hale Center Theater in Orem. We have really enjoyed our season tickets to the Hale over the last several years--Dennis calls it the gift that keeps on giving.

We of course watched President Hinckley's funeral on Saturday and had Summer and Tyler over for the Super Bowl on Sunday. It was actually an excuse to have them up for dinner, but it was a good game nonetheless--I cannot believe New York pulled off the win!

Grandma and Grandpa Pearson came for Devin's basketball game Monday night, and then we had them over for fondue for family night. What fun!

Thanks for all your prayers!