Happy Birthday Porter

Porter's birthday is the day after Christmas. It is hard to make it special at this time of year. I feel guilty inviting other kids over because I am pretty sure they don't have money for a birthday gift the day after Christmas. But at the same time I feel like I need find a way to make his birthday fun and special.

We were just going to go out to dinner as a family. Porter wanted to go to Chuck-a-Rama as a family. When I told him we could invite some of his friends to go out to eat somewhere, then he decided we could do both. What he doesn't realize is that we will have to wait about a month to go out to dinner as a family for his birthday.

I told him we would take two friends to McDonald's. He invited Megan and Lexi. Don's brother gave us McDonald's gift certificates for Christmas. So we sprang for a cake and called it a party. We ordered Happy Meals for all the kids and had them play on the playland. I think he had a lot of fun. I told the kids not to bring presents and I made sure to take Porter shopping for a present afterwards.

I can't believe Porter is now just one year from turning eight.

Christmas

Santa was very good to us this year. We were blessed by many people who reached out to our family. A neighbor left presents on our porch for the whole family. Someone from Don's work did Sub-for Santa for our family. We are so thankful.

This year was the year that we would not have been able to give the children any presents. I started working full-time, but that money won't really start making a difference till February. So the fact that someone realized that we might need help and took care of my family makes me so grateful. It is embarrassing writing this on my blog, but I just wanted whoever it was to know that they made a difference.

Humble Pie

I had my third evaluation today while I taught Language Arts. Yesterday it was while I taught Science. Yesterday's was a little rough, but today was rougher than rough. I wrote the wrong sentence on the board. I made a few mistakes. In my eyes it was a complete disaster.

Yesterday they told me that I hadn't reviewed enough with the children for them to "get" what I was teaching. They wanted me to review more and make sure that the students understood. Then they came back to watch me teach it again to another class yesterday afternoon.

I spent the rest of today trying to figure out where I was going to apply next. It sure didn't look good for me at that school. I was pretty bummed.

During my planning time I tracked down the Vice-Principal to find out how I did in the evaluation. I wanted to know what things I needed to work on. I was nervous to say the least. I went in her office and said, "Okay, how bad was it? I know it was a complete disaster." She told me that it actually went well. I couldn't believe it. She saw that I was nervous and that I had just made nervous mistakes.

I can't tell you how hard this experience has been. The Principal is coming in tomorrow and then my last observation is on Thursday in math. I can't wait to get this week over with.

Walking on Air

I am flying higher than a kite and no it is not chemically induced (except for the Prozac and Wellbutrin). Do you remember the song "American Hero" or something like that? The words are playing over in my head..."Believe it or not, I'm walking on air. I never thought I could be so free..."

I have been shadowing a teacher at a charter school in hopes to take over her position by February. The school has particular teaching and discipline methods that I need to learn before I will be officially employed as a teacher. I have been observing a second grade teacher and have been teaching part of the lessons. It has been a little bit of a daunting task.

I think the most challenging part is that they will be coming to observe me teach all the subjects to see if I am "a good fit for the school." My anxiety gets progressively worse with the looming observations hanging over my head. Yesterday, I sat down with the Vice-Principal to schedule all four observations.

Today she came and observed me teach spelling and reading. The school uses ability grouping to place students in their specific level for each subject. I teach mostly third graders in spelling and reading. They are great kids, but there are a couple that are really challenging. Just yesterday I struggled to keep them all on task. I was worried that they were going to act up today.

To make a long story short, the class was wonderful. I mentioned before class that I was going to be observed and that I hoped they would be on their best behavior. They were angels. They were the perfect students. The Vice-Principal came up to me afterwards with nothing but praises. She even asked if another instructor could come in and observe on Monday. It was more than I had ever hoped for.

I am still nervous for the other three observations, but now I know that I am on the right track with my teaching methods. I have more of a feel of what the observations are going to be like. The other three are scheduled next week. By Friday of next week I will know if I passed or not.

Happy Birthday Dresden

Last Sunday was Dresden's 1st birthday. It is hard to believe that she is one already. I made her a chocolate cake with white frosting. We went to Debbie's house to open her presents and to celebrate. The beautiful red dress is from the Hadlock family. I of course took it off for her to eat the cake.



Sarah is in the picture with Dresden and the cake.

Dresden is a special baby. She is my favorite girl. I love her beyond words can tell. I hope we are always close.

Errand of Angels

I was so excited for Errand of Angels to come out on DVD. I wanted to see it when it was out in theaters, but I was never able to go. Well, I got a hold of the DVD before it was released and I LOVED IT.

It was written by two missionaries on my mission. I served a lot with Vuissa, but the President Johnson's daughter-in-law that helped write it served after I left. Vuissa was the only Elder that retaliated to my practice jokes and always found a way to get even.

My most memorable prank was putting a giant fish in his toilet while he was at Zone Conference. He was Assistant to the President at the time and the whole office staff said that the whole office smelled like dead fish by the time he came home. That was in retaliation to him putting a pig head in the box of stuff he transported for me to my next apartment.

Now before you start thinking that I was a terrible missionary or that I was mean, you have to watch Errand of Angels. It summed up my mission so well. The practical jokes were what kept me from going crazy.

I loved my mission. I am glad I went. But it was hard. We had awesome days like in the movie. We had really sucky days like in the movie. I had great companions and I had some not so great companions.

My homecoming was the day after I came home from my mission and I have to say that I was not ready to talk about it. I just wanted to talk about all the wonderful miracles, but I hadn't yet processed all that I had just experienced. My talk was five minutes. I literally spoke for five minutes and then sat down. I wish that I could do that day over, but that was 13 years ago. Even though I didn't have the same experiences as in this movie, it gives people a little bit of an understanding of what my mission was like, what the people were like, and how a mission really changed me.

Thanksgiving

My family (meaning my mom, dad and my siblings) have Thanksgiving together every other year. The off year we are supposed to have Thanksgiving with Don's family. Yeah, what do we do when it is the Don's family's turn? Well, since Don's is an orphan and his two brothers he grew up with live out of state, we improvise.

This year we had Thanksgiving with Dex and Robin's family. They brought a lot of the food and we cleaned our house. I thought it was a fair trade.

I really enjoyed spending the holiday with them. I am thankful for my brother Dex. He has such a gentle and loving demeanour. He is selfless in so many ways. He has wonderful children. It was a great day.

Can the tooth fairy help me?

I just want to complain about my teeth. There are some people that are blessed with good teeth no matter how they treat them and there are those that are blessed with bad teeth no matter how they treat them. You can guess which category I belong in.

I remember going to the dentist when I was little. The dentist found green something in my brother's teeth. He actually had to scrap it off. But did he have a single cavity? No. My brother didn't even start brushing his teeth until he was about sixteen. When he did finally get a cavity as an adult he almost had the family fast for him, he was so scared.

I always had my dentist appointment the same time as my brother and I was always the one with the cavities. I brushed, flossed, and even rinsed with fluoride. But I have always had bad teeth. Well all I can say is, "It sucks!" Don is amazed at how many root canals I have had and am yet to have.

In January I had yet another root canal, a cavity filled and another tooth pulled that had a root canal ten years ago and had since died. Then my $1600 dental limit set by my insurance had been used up. So that meant no dental work for the rest of the year. At the time I still needed another root canal, but decided I would just eat around the tooth that hurt.

Fast forward to today. I have managed to eat round my hurt tooth and my missing tooth (wow, I sound like trailer trash) since January. But today I just hurt the one tooth that was getting me through. It really bummed me out. Meanwhile, Don has had like two cavities since we have been married.

Yes Ma'am

I started teaching at a charter school in North Salt Lake last Monday. I am training to take over a classroom in a month. I can't wait. It has been a surreal experience. I have to be trained because this school has it's own way of teaching and its own discipline system. Once I have learned it all and they believe I am a good fit, I will take over teaching a second grade classroom. I am pretty excited.

They have all these attention getters to get the student's attention. The one that cracks me up the most is when the teacher says "attention", the children do a little elbow knock on the desk and then they fold their arms. They respond by saying, "Yes Ma'am". I tried it for the first time on Friday and I have to say it was kinda cool having all the children call me ma'am and instantly quiet.

It is going to be hard teaching full-time. But I have really come to see the truth of the scripture in the Book of Mormon when the Nephites were prisoners and the rulers were placing heavy burdens on all the Nephites. In the scripture the Lord promises to make their burdens light.

Don can be home with Zander and Dresden for all but three hours I am gone. Debbie is watching them the other three hours. The teacher that I am replacing is leaving most of all her stuff because she is moving out of state. Last but not least, I am finally feeling healthy enough to be able to work all day. So I am really feeling blessed.

Sticks and Stones...

Zander broke his arm a week ago today. Ky and Zander were stacking up cushions and falling down to the ground when they toppled over. On one of the trips down, Ky landed on Zander and broke his arm. It was one of those breaks that was obvious is was broken.

We went to the hospital to get a cast. Did you know that they don't put on the regular casts right away? They put on a temporary cast till the swelling goes down. A week later is when they put on the real cast. His bones were overlapping and the doctor kept pulling his arm trying to get the bones back in place. Finally they sedated him after several attempts to put it back in place after just numbing the area where it was broken.

Yesterday Don made an appointment to get a cast put on. I kept asking Don if the appointment was with an orthopedic surgeon. He assured me that I was going to the right doctor. Well, after one hour of waiting, the doctor came in and told us that she was a regular doctor and that we needed to go to an orthopedic surgeon. Yeah- thanks Don.

Debbie figured I would struggle with four kids at the doctors office and ended up coming to make sure we were okay and bring M&Ms. (She's taken, she is my only sister and I won't trade her.) It was a good thing because I almost lost it when I found out that I had waited for an hour with four busy children just to find out that I was at the wrong doctor.

Don took Zander in today and he is sporting a red cast. He hasn't figured out that it can be used as a weapon yet. I keep reminding the kids that it wouldn't be a good idea to show him.

Holiday Boutique

So about a month ago Lindsey and Lorinda came to my house to tell me about their next adventure. They talked about a Holiday Boutique with 7 different vendors. It sounded fun because most of the vendors are my neighbors. Then Lorinda told me it was going to be at my house. So I guess it is at my house. I am selling all my Creative Memories supplies for 30% off (Or for what I paid for it). I am also selling the Big Foot Calendars Don and I created. So if you want to hang out with the gals, eat, and get away from the kids, come. You can bring your kids, you'll just get away from them by having time play with my kids. I really hope you come. Let me know if you need my address.

November 15th
From 2:00PM-6:00PM
Everyone is invited

Halloween

I just had to show our pics from Halloween. Kyath was batman. Porter was a fireman. Zander was Spiderman. Dresden was a cow. Oh and Don was a gangster. I just kept telling myself that soon Ky was going to be too cool to dress-up and I just enjoyed watching him with his little Batman mask with floppy ears.

Potty Training in a day and other myths

I have been avoiding potty training Zander. He is three in a half and I could let him stay in diapers for another 6 months or so. But Don decided he wasn't going to change those diapers anymore and put Zander in underwear last Monday.

It has been a week and we are still changing him out of wet clothes all day and throwing more than out share of underwear away when they are nasty. He does go potty in the potty, but he is far from being trained. I am having a hard time keeping up on his laundry and I know we still have at least a week to go before he has this potty training thing under control.

Every time we start potty training I think of the book that I have and have read, "Potty Training in One Day." Yeah, nice. It seems to really work for me and my family.

Wait a minute

I took an old hard drive and pretty much got my computer going until I can afford to buy a new one. I am still on pentium 4. Now the 150 Gig hard drive has been replaced with a 9 Gig hard drive. Desperate times, desperate times. Anyways, so in the month that I was band from blogging and facebook I came to realize that I am addicted to blogging. I went absolutely crazy. I have a need to know that there are other mothers out there going through the exact same thing I am going through. I need to see that there are other people that understand. But I think more than that I just need to keep up on what all of you are doing.

Miss you

My hard drive crashed a couple of weeks ago. I still have my work computer but Blogs and Facebook are blocked. So I had to slip over to the library just to check on you and to say "hi". I hope to get my computer up and running so I can catch up on everyone.

Miss you

My hard drive died a couple of weeks ago. I still have my work computer and can read my e-mail. But Facebook and all blogs are blocked. I miss all of you and I miss reading your blogs. I came to the library just to check on everyone and say "hi". I hope to get my computer up and running soon.

Three Wishes

You know, it is funny how the three wishes you would make as a child changes to three completely different wishes when you are a parent. I bet they will even change completely when I am a grandparent.

Today I would chose these three wishes...

1. A laundry fairy- The cleanliness of my house all depends on if the laundry is caught up, folded and put away. The problem is that laundry is my biggest challenge. I hate doing it. I hate folding it and I hate putting it away. Sometimes I can trick myself into thinking that it isn't so bad. Notice I said sometimes.

2. A tutor fairy- I would love someone to sit with my children everyday and be the bad guy with the whole homework deal. They could nag the children to get it done and make sure that they have read at least 20 minutes a day.

3. An business fairy- I need someone that can take all my business ventures and make them successful. Don and I have some great ideas, but I have come to realize that I suck at promoting myself and my products.

4. Wait, you say I only have three wishes...Well, this is my blog and I can change it to four. I would wish for a thought fairy- I would like someone to filter my thoughts and only let positive thoughts enter in and out of my stream of consciousness. I am my own worst enemy.

That's it. That is all I ask for. I didn't ask for a new husband, a butt load of money or better looks. I just wish things were a little easier. I feel like I am to the point that I realize that I am tired of always struggling and wish that life wasn't so complicated. But fairies are only in fairy tales and this is real life.

Jekyll and Hyde

I went to the best play the other day at Rodgers Memorial Theatre. My brother-in-law, Ken, plays the part of Sir Poole in the Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday cast. I was a little leery when I found out that it was a musical. I don't do well with musicals. But I found myself totally into the play. I enjoyed it so much that I am thinking about going again.

I might even start stauking the star, Danny Lasko. He was simply amazing. He smoothly transformed from Jekyll to Hyde and back again. He was very convincing. Ken told me that Danny was so good, he even scared the cast during practices. In short, there are just not words to describe how much I enjoyed this play.

If you would like to go or find out more information about the play you can call 298-1302 or visit their website www.RodgersMemorial.com. I am in no way associated with Rodgers Memorial. I just think everyone should get a chance to see this play.

Oh yeah, this isn't a play for kids. There are a bunch of murders and other adult like material. So if you want to leave your kids at my house while you go, call me. My kids will get them nice and wound up just in time for you to take them home.

Bigfoot Sightings

Don and I produced this calendar. We had a blast doing it. Dex created this video to help us advertise it. We are selling the first 200 for $10. The price will raise to $14 thereafter. If we actually break even and profit from this "little" project, we hope to use the money to travel to California and let our children meet their Great-Grandmother while she is still alive. Anything you could do to get the word out would be awesome. The website is www.moorecalendars.com.

When's my freaking break?

So I was about to blog and tell everyone that we have gone since Monday without someone throwing up. Then Zander threw up once again. I had it twice, Dresden had it twice, Porter and Ky had it once and even Don got it. I am sick of cleaning it up and I am sick of sick kids. Please don't tell me Ky and Porter are going to get it a second time.

Dropping like flies

I woke up on Thursday feeling like I had been hit by a train. There was no possible way I could get the kids ready. Don took over and got the kiddos off to school. I had one call I absolutely had to make for work and then I just laid in bed.

While Don was off on a walk, Kyath called. He was sick at school. I waited about ten minutes hoping Don would get home before I dragged myself to the car. But with even as sick as I felt, I couldn't leave my sick baby at school. The school secretary said that everyone was "dropping like flies". I weakly smiled and took Ky home to get better. Don came home and had two sickies to take care of as well as Zander and Dresden. It didn't take long to realize we had the flu.

Well, Saturday Porter was sick. I was still not feeling 100%. But I was getting better. So I spent the day taking care of Porter and doing all the things that need to be done when your child has the flu.

It looked like we were in the home stretch with everyone on the road to recovery. Then, today as I was running to the bank, Zander threw up all over...wait for it, wait for it...Don's baby, the Galaxie. To see more about Don's baby- click hereI know this is terrible, but I laughed. I called Don to tell him his baby had been thrown up on and I just laughed.

So I guess the secretary was fore-shadowing or predicting my families future. We have been dropping like flies. I hope it skips Don and Dresden. I am done with all this.

Why I love Porter

On our way to Pick Kyath up, Porter, Eric and I had the funniest conversation. It started with Porter telling me he was going to buy me a convertible for my birthday. I said, "If not for my birthday, at least when you grow up. Because you are going to be rich."

Eric, Porter's friend, then asked why Porter was going to be rich. I explained that Porter is really smart and would probably be a scientist when he grows up.

Porter then piped in and said, "Yeah,I am going to be an 'oligist' or 'neiceologist'."

I clarified, "Do you mean a paleontologist?"

Porter said, "Yeah a paleontologist or a 'dinosaurologist'. I'm going to work with dinosaur bones." To which Eric sat in awe.

Mama Bear

Porter came home crying from school yesterday. He said that the lady down the street yelled at him and he never wants to walk that way to school again. After I calmed him down I tried to get the whole story from him. What I pieced together was that as they were walking past a duplex on the corner of our street, a lady came rushing out, yelling that they better not poke her dog with sticks or she was going to call the cops and they were going to give every child a ticket that walks by her house. Did I mention that he was walking home with Tori, Lexi, Kyath and Tori and Lexi's Grandma?

I tried to think rationally. So I called Susan (Tori and Lexi's Grandma) to hear her version of the story. She painted the picture of a crazy woman that came bursting out of her house yelling at her and the kids. This lady kept getting madder and madder the more she spoke. Susan reassured her that she walks with the children to and from school and has never seen the kids poke the dog. Susan said that she was terrified herself and could only imagine how upset Porter was.

I waited until Don came back from running an errand before I went down to her house to see what the crazy ladies side of the story was. I thought Don would want to come with me, but he was fine with me just going on my own. Kyath was scared and told Don that I shouldn't go alone. But he could see her house from where he was standing and he wasn't too worried. Porter decided he was going to go with me.

When I walked on her lawn she immediately said, "May I help you?" I explained that my child came home crying and told me that he was yelled at on his way home. Cindy, the crazy woman, immediately got on the defensive and said that someone has been poking her dog and that the police told her that when she saw someone do it, she should immediately walk the child home and tell the parents that they would be given a ticket by the police. She said she didn't appreciate anyone poking her dog. After she was done with her rant I asked her calmly if she had a description of who was poking her dog. She said it was a BLACK GIRL and two boys with blond hair that looked identical.

Let me just stop here to remind you that Porter is a WHITE BOY as well as Kyath. Kyath has dark brown hair and Porter has blond hair. They do not look identical.

At that Point I had Porter come out from behind the fence. He was too scared to come any closer until I called him. I said, "Is this the boy that was poking your dog?" She said, "No." Then she went on ranting about how the police told her this and that and that it was not okay for someone to poke her dog.

So I waited until she was done with all her ranting and raving and I said, "Does he look black to you? Does he look like the blond boys at all?" She replied, "No" and "No". I said, "It is not okay to yell at kids as they are walking home from school. It is not okay to make my son scared to even walk by your house."

Cindy told me that he could just cross the street and walk on the other side of the street and then cross again when he got to the corner. I said he shouldn't have to do that. I said that I understood she was mad that someone was poking her dog, but if they were, she should just put the dogs in the backyard behind the fence where they belong. She said that they had a trampoline and she couldn't put the dogs back there because they would jump on the trampoline and over the fence. I suggested that maybe it was time to take down the trampoline. She said she wasn't going to do that.

I have to say I was quite impressed at how calm and composed I had been up to this point. I had said all the right things in the right way. But notice I said "up to this point." That was when I lost it. I told her that no dog was worth the life of a child and that her dogs were worthless. I told her that it was against the law to threaten kids. Did I mention that I yelled it? Anyways she told me her dog was worth more than my child. At that I turned and walked away.

Don thought I was making a big to do over nothing. I told him that anyone can yell and threaten me all they want. But when someone threatens my children and makes them so scared that they won't walk past a house anymore, I draw the line.

Porter made us drive him to school today and cried when he got home again because he had to walk by her house. It's just hard to see.

Anyways, I need feedback. Am I being too much of a mother bear?

Swapping Threads

I was showing Jerri the pictures I took of Flea and then put on my blog. She came over to my house to look. Belle, her daughter (future Mrs. Zander Moore) brought Flea still dressed up. But she took the dress off Flea while they were here.

I couldn't pass up the opportunity...



She was so imbarrassed she wouldn't come out. By the way, this is how she takes walks.



Bibbing her out...

Flea

My neighbors Carl and Jerri are babysitting their sister's dog. This dog is an old, old miniature pinscher. Jerri's sister left Flea at their home two months ago to "babysit". Two months later the sister is yet to show up. Well today this is what Flea was sporting...



I can't imagine Flea is too happy about this outfit...


because Flea is a he.

Bad things come in threes

Well, I pretty much gave it away with the title, but guess where we were last night? That's right, our friendly neighborhood E.R. The boys were playing on the swing set. Ky was making the glider go as high as it could go. They had discovered a new fun game called throw the doll into the glider. They would throw the doll toward the glider as Ky kept the glider going at full speed and it would spit the doll out into the air. Did I mention that all the neighbor boys love playing at our house? Anyways, Porter was walking around the swing set and managed to walk right in front of the glider. It hit him right in the head.

We of course were horrified. We took him to the E.R. immediately. As we were walking in I was trying to calculate the odds of the same people working the front desk as the other two times. I let out a sigh of relief as I looked at the registration desk and didn't recognize anyone.

I kept waiting for the social workers to come in and separate us to get our stories. One look at my children could send off DCFS sirens around the world. Ky was wearing a flithy white shirt. Zander was of course barefoot, again. All of my children were dirty from playing in the yard. Even my little Dresden had been crawling around the yard getting dirty right before the accident.

I was grateful to get a different nurse as last time. She was friendly, and great with kids. She made jokes and helped ease the panic that Don and I were feeling. We told her this was our third trip in two weeks. She just smiled and said, "You must have boys."

Porter's cut was worse than either of Zander's cuts. It was 1 1/2 inches long and bled the whole time he was being stitched up. They wanted to do staples, but neither Porter nor I could bear the thought of staples.

It was hard. None of us liked the experience. But we are glad that Porter is okay.

So any guesses on what we did today? Yeah, the swing set is gone and Porter stayed home from school because he woke up with a massive headache.

What do your children do while you blog?

Yesterday I wrote a very long blog. I did it after Ky's football practice and Porter's soccer game. They were exhausted and watched TV for a little bit. Dresden was sitting right next to me. Zander was in the kitchen "cleaning dishes". Our computer is in the dining room right off the kitchen. So I felt like I was keeping a pretty good eye on him.

When I got off the computer I saw that Zander had been cleaning my breast pump. This is how I found him.

Porter started soccer today. All I can say was that it was cute. He was so cute trying to get a kick at the soccer ball. I liked that there were no real stars on his team or the other team for that matter. All the parents were just happy when the kids were kicking the ball in the right direction. The whole thing would have been enjoyable if I didn't have Zander doing constant headbutts into my breasts (did I mention that I am still nursing?), headstands on my lap and karate kicks in my face.

We brought our dog Lexi to the game. I know, I know, what was I thinking? All the kids thought that she looked like a cute friendly dog and wanted to pet her. Little did they know that this little miniature pinscher is just friendly to my kids. So I spent a good part of the time protecting all the naive little children from being nipped.

Dresden is teething, so she has been a handful. Dresden is the dream child. She really is. But even a dream child can't help but be a handful when they are teething. I love holding her. But it would have been nice to be able to set her down.

So enough about the game. I have other experiences to share...

Zander went to he ER not once but twice last week. There is nothing like going up to the ER desk and have everyone remember you. It is pretty embarrassing.

The first time he ran into the fireplace and cut his forehead open near his eye. It comes close to matching the scar Porter has by his eye. Zander is a tough little boy and only cried when we were going to the hospital. He kept telling me that he didn't want to go. When we were there he was doing his usual somersaults and headstands. I tried really hard to get him to sit still when the doctor was in the room.

The second time Zander cut his forehead up by his hairline. The older boys were keeping Zander busy at Smiths while I was at the check out. I obviously wasn't watching as they started spinning out of control on some stools by the picture counter. Zander came running to me with blood running down his face. The entire Smith's management was there in a flash trying to be as helpful as possible to keep me from suing them. I told them not to worry. It was my fault that I was a neglectful mom and not theirs. I did let them carry my groceries out to the car.

As we drove to the ER Zander kept telling me that he was fine and to turn around. He used great vocabulary for a three year old. He said that he just wanted to go home.

When I went the first time to the ER I left Dresden and Kyath at the neighbors. But this time I had all four children. They were wearing dirty shirts, not so clean shorts and dirt smeared legs. I fit the part of neglectful mom. The triage nurse asked me how many children I had. When I told her four, she said, "That's enough." under her breath. And she wasn't trying to be funny. I can't explain the joy I felt (sarcasm intended) when she ended up being our nurse and was the one that held Zander down while the doctor stitched him up.

I thought I was shaken up after the first trip to the ER but two trips in a week really put me over the top. The breaking point was probably when Zander woke up the second day after stitches and glue on top (it was very deep) and I noticed he had picked all the glue off. The thought of going to the ER a third time was a little too much. Don and I decided to just keep it clean and let the top part heal on its own. It is close enough to the hairline that the scar won't be too noticeable.

The most ironic part of the last couple of weeks is that I started working again and I have never been happier. I have decided that I need something that takes my mind off my crazy life. I think I am going to have to tell my therapist that I am cured and no longer have a need for her.

I wish I would have known that!

Ky has been on a football team for a total of three weeks now and I have learned more about football in these three weeks than I ever knew. No wonder I have always hated football, I never understood it. All I knew is that there were tightends (both as a position and as something to look at), a quarterback, receiver and a bunch of other guys. I still don't know all the positions or how football is played. But I am starting to understand that every position has a job to do on each play. This whole time I thought it was all about the quarterback and whomever he threw the ball to. Today I learned that players are only allowed to tackle someone if they have the ball. That makes sense, I just didn't know that.

It is fun to watch Ky run through a bunch of guys to sack the quarterback. It is also fun to watch as people try to tackle him and he just keeps on running till there are five or six guys trying to take him down at the same time. He is still learning and is not the star of the football team by any means, but it sure is fun to see him playing so well.

My complaint is that when I do try to watch Ky at practice, Zander spends the whole time jumping all over me. All the parents watch as I hold him down as a punishment. What more can I do, spank him?

Outer Space

I just found this and had to share it. Don wrote this song. He probably doesn't think I have a copy.

Breaking Dawn

I just finished Breaking Dawn. I thought it was good. I wished I would have known that there was a key in the back of the book that explained who was with who and where they were from. Now I am going to have to read it again so the connections are more clear to me.

Have any of your had a chance to read it and what did you think?

Crazy or Funny?

Don and I have been working on a project. It is still in the beginning stages. But it has taken all my freetime as of late. I guess I can post one picture to give a little clue. What do you think?

Football Season

I have always told my boys that I would never let them play football. I can't stand the thought of them getting seriously injured. I had Ky so scared that he didn't dare play football with his friends during recess, for fear that I would find out.

I thought about all the sports Ky could play instead of football. I thought maybe he could play hockey instead, but I talked to one of the coaches and he just laughed when I asked if it was less rough than football. I got the point. We tried gymnastics, he was good, but I always worried that he would hit his neck and be paralyzed for life. We tried baseball a couple of months ago and nothing breaks a mothers heart more, then to see her son strike out every single time he is up to bat. We tried Soccer when Ky was younger. He kept coming out and telling me that there was too much running.

I think every father dreams of having their son play football. Don has seen my football restriction and has been afraid that his sons would never play football. Then a couple of weeks ago I showed some sign of weakness and before I knew it, Ky was signed up for football. Now I am the one that has to take him to practices and sit for two hours while all these boys are taught how to be men or manly or something like that.

The sickest thing is that I figure Ky will try football, hate it and never want to play again.

So today they wore their equipment for the first time during practice and I wasn't surprised that he got hurt. He came out crying. He said that a boy rammed him in the chest with his helmet. He couldn't believe that someone would ram into him hard he thought it would just be a gentle little tap. In my mind I was thinking, "and?" I thought for sure he would tell me how much he hated football and that he was ready to quit. Instead, I heard him telling a friend that he will probably play next year.

So is it because I have made the sport so forbidden, or is there really a reason boys love football so much? This is only the first week. So we will see what Ky thinks about it after a few weeks. I still have hope that he will try football and hate it.

Husbandisms

My cousin Katrina Husband tagged me.

1. What is your husband's name? Donald Kenneth Jerry Moore

2. How long have you guys been together? We met in 94. We started dating March 1996 We have been married 12 years.

3. How long did you date for? 3 months- What can I say, I was a return missionary. The Lord said "Marry him" and I did.

4. Who eats more? Don, although you can't tell. He weighs fifteen pounds more than me. Isn't that depressing?

5. Who said "I love you" first? I can't remember. I asked Don and he said he did. That's why I keep him around, he remembers things I don't. All I remember is that he wrote a note confessing his interest and my reaction was "Just don't get your hopes up."

6. Who is taller? Don

7. Who sings better? I don't know if you can call what Don does singing "http://photobydeann.blogspot.com/2008/05/tai-chi.html"

8. Who is smarter? I can't answer that. I might get in trouble with my parents.

9. Who does the laundry? me. Don pretends to fold it. I think he has done that 3 times so far.

10. Who does the dishes? Both of us.

11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I have my own bed and he has his own. That's what happens when you let your children sleep with you.

12. Who pays the bills? He brings home the bacon and I mail it away.

13. Who mows the lawn? Don, Kyath, and neighbors who get sick of us not edging.

14. Who cooks dinner? Me. Don if it is pinto beans and spanish rice.

15. Who is more stubborn? Me.

16. Who kissed who first? Don

17.Who asked who out first? Don asked me.

18. Who proposed? Don, he kept telling me he was serious and asked me to stop laughing.

19. Who is more sensitive? Me, just ask my therapist.

20. Who has more friends? Me.

21. Who has more siblings? Don. He has four half sisters and five half brothers. Of course he didn't know about seven of them until he was a teenager. Boy was he surprised.

22. Who wears the pants in the family? We prefer shorts.



I tag Tawnie, Lorinda and Dayna.

Just a couple of thoughts...

I have been thinking more than I have been writing. But I have a few thoughts to share.

My parents came over yesterday and we talked for a very long time about my their lives and the battles they have been through. My parents are amazing. Both of my parents had issues growing up. They had plenty of reasons to resent their step-moms and their fathers. Not once growing up did my parents ever paint a picture of a rough childhood. They also made sure to have my grandmas and grandpas over as much as possible. They showed them respect and love.

It wasn't until I had my first child that my parents' stories came out. Boy, was I blown away. Now, years later I am still amazed at what great people my parents are and what wonderful parents they have always been to me and my brothers and sister. I am glad that my children have such a good relationship with them.

The next thought I had was that Don is so good with people. He is the one that gets people talking and sharing stories. I don't think we would have had such a long and interesting visit without his questions.

My last thought is that I hate cancer! I saw my neighbor go through Chemo and radiation. It was more than I could bear. Then my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He had his prostate removed and is still healing from the operation. So far he doesn't need chemo or radiation. But it has slowed him down and changed his life. Despite what my dad says, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Mother and Daughter

Dresden will be turning eight months on the 30th. I have enjoyed every last minute with her.

Ben's Return

My nephew Ben Devey came home from his mission last night.

Here is Heather, Amber, Brooklynn and Parker waiting to see Ben after he has been away for two years on a mission.



















Dave and Shelley picked Ben up from his mission.



Here is Parker, Heather and Ben chatting.

From left to right: Grandma, Grandpa, Amber, Porter, Kyath, Ben, Brooklynn, Shelley, Parker,Dave and Heather.


Ben, Parker, Heather, Brooklynn, and Amber.

Ben and Brooklynn

Ben and Parker


Ben and Heather

Ben and Amber

Ben and Grandpa

Ben and Grandma

Grandpa with Kyath and Porter

Grandpa and Grandma with Porter and Zander















I am glad that Ben is back. I am grateful for the example he set for my boys by serving a mission and being such a good missionary.

My Baby Is Back!

I can't hide my excitement. My camera is back from Canon repair. I have been without my camera way to long. I have had to turn down multiple photo shoots because my camera was broken. But today, MY BABY is back. I can shoot again. I can do those weddings, portraits and those candids.

I have been using just a point and shoot digital to catch Dresden growing up. I knew every day that I didn't have a camera, I was missing key moments in the lives of my family. It's an okay camera, but it is not like my baby. It frustrated me that I couldn't manipulate the camera like I wanted to.

I am just so thankful.

I'm Rich!

I had a sort of epiphany today thanks to my son, Kyath. I am rich! I am filthy rich, richer than some people would or could ever imagine. I can hear everyone that knows me, laughing and saying that I have really lost it. De Ann, rich? She can barely make her house payments. She can't even afford gas to drive from Bountiful to Salt Lake to visit her parents (But who can?). She can't even afford haircuts for her kids. I mean seriously, her husband works for the church and here she is saying that she is rich. Well, I am and I am!

Last night we were at a friend's house. My boys were playing with her kids and we were just chatting. My children have never been to her house before. Let me describe her house a little bit. She has beautiful furniture, nicely decorated rooms and a theater room to die for. There is a trampoline in back and a great flat screen TV in the family room. They drive nice cars and seem to be happy.

As I gathered up the children to leave Kyath looked at me with big eyes and whispered so only I could hear, "Are they rich?" I asked him what he meant. He went on to describe the variety of gaming systems they had, the theater room, and the trampoline in back. I can't remember what I said, but his question has been echoing in my head all day.

In Kyath's eyes, my friend IS rich. She has a lot that we don't have or ever will have. But my friend is like every other person that lived in our last neighborhood. Almost everyone had beautiful furniture, drove nice cars and had wonderful houses. (Which is why we moved so that we could fit in a little better.) Everyone enjoyed that kind of life.

My friend and all my previous neighbors probably look at the houses on the hill and thinks, "Wow, what would it be like to live that kind of life?" or "If only I had what they have."

My whole point is there is always someone that makes less than my family does and always someone that makes more than my family does. So in some one's eyes, I am rich. I have a home. I have a car. I even have a television. There is some one's child looking at us thinking "Are they rich?"

For Melanie and Katrina

Melanie's memory tag reminded me of this and I just had to post it!

Feeling Better

Things are starting to look up. The medication is kicking in and I am starting to feel like myself again.

Here is an update on all the kids-

Dresden has started crawling. It is cute to see her getting where ever she wants to go. It has made me think about what childproofing still needs to be done.

Zander is talking more. He has started playing with two neighbor girls his age and they both talk up a storm. Suddenly, Zander's vocabulary is growing and he is finally talking in sentences.

Porter stepped on a nail last night while playing at a neighbor's. He has been hopping around ever since. I feel so bad for him. I borrowed crutches from another neighbor and that has seemed to help him get around.

Kyath went to Fort Douglas with his scout troop yesterday. When I asked him what it was like, he just said that there were a lot of guns and army men. I am not sure he got all that much from it.

Sobering

I went to a therapist for the first time in my life today. I struggled whether I should write it in my blog. Who knows, maybe it will help someone someday. Maybe my thoughts will help someone that is struggling and they don't know it.

I decided that the postpartum was a little too much for me to handle. My regular doctor suggested that I see a therapist. I made the appointment and had to wait until today to see her.

The appointment began with me filling out a bunch of new patient paper work, paperwork for insurance, paperwork of the symptoms I am having, and of course the HIPA (spelling?) agreement. The rest of the appointment was Janine (my therapist) asking me different questions to narrow down exactly all the issues I am dealing with. Some questions were easier to answer than others.

But in the end the best way to describe the appointment is sombering. Sombering to actually hear my thoughts out loud. Sombering to look at my life and realize that maybe there are reasons for why I am having postpartum depression. Sombering to have Janine validate my feelings.

One of the most interesting things she said was that most of her clients that suffer from depression are women in their mid-thirties whose oldest child is nine. Hmmmmmmm. I just thought I would put it out there. So if you have an oldest child turning nine, is nine or could be nine in the future and you are in your thirties...beware.

For Sale- GMC K2500 Truck

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=&nid=443&tab=myads/view&ad=716775

It's a long story, but does anyone know someone that needs a truck? Spread the word!

Fly Lady

Keeping my house clean has always been a struggle. Laundry is the biggest factor. Now that Don is taking over laundry, I can focus on keeping the house clean. A couple of years ago I heard about Fly Lady. It is a website that teaches and encourages people to clean their house. I signed up for her e-mails a couple of years ago when we were in the other house. But I stopped the e-mails before we moved and never resigned up for the e-mails. I have been waiting till I knew I would actually do it.

What I like about Fly Lady is that she starts with the basics. She has me taking baby steps while building habits at the same time. The key, according to her, is to keep my sink clean. Every week there is a different part of the house that gets deep cleaned. Every morning and evening the house gets a once over. It is far easier than it sounds and it is perfect for people like me.

I jumped back on the wagon two weeks ago. So I am still getting the hang of everything. But I can say that my sink is clean. Even when I am exhaused, I try to clean up the kitchen before I go to bed. It is nice waking up to a clean kitchen.
I am what she calls a "flybaby". One day I hope to reach Jedi status and be able to "fly" on my own.

If you haven't heard of Fly Lady, you should really check out her site. It is www.flylady.net. It is free and can change your life.

Rejected by my own daughter

My little princess is breaking my heart. She decided that she is done breastfeeding, on my birthday no less. I have tried everything I could possibly think of to trick her back into breastfeeding again and she has determined that she is done. I am devastated.

I stopped breastfeeding Ky at one. I had heard that it was good to go a year if you could. But I missed my old body and thought that giving up breastfeeding would give it back to me. Boy was I wrong! My body will never be what it was before I had a baby. That is just mathematically impossible.

When Porter came along I had breast infection after breast infection. I could not wait to stop. But then he had RSV, high blood pressure and all those tests on his heart and kidneys and I realized that he needed to be breast fed as long as possible. I didn't stop till he was 22 months old. I went to Texas for a couple of days. I came home and fed him once in his sleep and that was it.

I didn't have half as many breast infections with Zander. I loved feeding him. He was never sick. But I still felt like I should feed him as long as I could. I don't remember when I stopped, but it was close to when he was two.

Now here is Dresden at 6 1/2 months saying she is done. She just up and stopped one day. I have absolutely no say in the matter. With Dresden being my last, I wanted to take my time feeding her. After all, she had RSV twice! I would have stopped around two.

Maybe I am learning what it is like to have a girl. Maybe this is just the beginning of her telling me how it is going to be and letting me know that she really is in charge. I am not sure if I am ready for this new pathway in life.

Bedtime Song

I love this!

Father's Day

Father's day was a little different from mother's day. I got up early. I fixed Don breakfast. I got all the kids ready for church. I even ended up keeping them out in the hall so Don could enjoy sacrament meeting. Of course, when we came home I took a three hour nap. So much for me being the good wife!
One of the things we gave Don for father's day was some car wax. Don was too busy on Monday, but you can guess exactly what he did on Tuesday...


The kids just had to help too. Don loves that car more than any of us will ever know.

Post Partum Depression

We have come a long way in the last nine years. I remember when I was pregnant with Kyath and I started to show signs of depression. I knew that I was suffering, but depression was a new thing for me. I remember asking for some medication while I was in my last trimester and it helped me through the last three months. After Ky was born, it hit even harder, I was still on the medication. I didn't, however, increase my dosage. Looking back, I think my dosage should have been increased.

I had a deep fear of hitting my baby's head on the doorway as I walked through doors. I believed that someone was going to kidnap my baby the minute I let go of the stroller when I went for walks. I had frequent suicidal thoughts. I remember asking new mothers if they were having the same experiences and feelings and everyone told me that I should probably get some professional help.

I knew I was crazy and that no one else understood. The last thing I wanted to tell anyone was that I was taking Prozac. Don knew and that was about it. I was embarrassed.

Nine years later (all nine on Prozac) I am going through post-partum again. This time I am happy to say that times have changed. I mentioned to a neighbor that I was struggling with post-partum depression and she didn't even flinch. She told me about the time she took Zoloft for a couple of months and urged me to call my doctor to see if I needed to change meds. I mentioned my struggle with my sister and she just comforted me and made me feel like everything would be okay. No one made me feel like the freaking monster I felt like nine years ago when I reached out for help.

I am glad to have girlfriends that love me and help me. I have the best support network and I love every one of them.

Olivia Tibbetts

Olivia was born Friday the 13th at 10:13. She was 6 lbs 4 oz and 19 inches long.
Both Jenny and the baby are good. Michael is a cute father. I am happy to be a part of Don's foster family.

Even Dresden was able to spend some quality time with Jenny.

Treat your mother right

I just went to see my mom for her birthday and my father for Father's day. I think Mr. T says it...

I saw this and I couldn't stop laughing

Porter-Man

My sweet neighbor brought over some flowers from her garden. I would tell you the name of them, but I always get it wrong. I even have one of these plants in my yard and love them. Anyways, she handed he a huge handful that she had just cut. I put them on the counter and went back out to talk to her for a little bit. When I came in, this is what Porter was doing...



He was arranging all the flowers in a vase. Then he took a few and put them on Lily's grave (Our pet Guinea pig). I thought it was so cute that he made sure that the flowers were in a vase with water. He is such a cute boy.



I am lucky to have such a creative, motivated child. He makes me smile everyday.