Tires, Dreams and School

My microsoft office is going haywire on me!  It keeps closing randomly and then reopening, so this is the THIRD time I've have written an email!  GRRR. 

I just got back from dropping some serious cash on 2 new tires...we go through tires like candy, I swear.  Every year or 1.5 years we have to replace a couple of them!  Nowhere NEAR the 80-90K they say they should last.  Makes me crazy.  I did get talk them into giving me a credit for one of the tires which was a blessing.   Really, the blessing was the little, old, a little senile lady that I got to sit next to :)  She was hilarious and had SO many stories to tell me!  I sat there for almost 2 hours talking with her (mostly listening).   It really made my day!  A fellow came up to me after I helped her to the bathroom and "thanked" me for talking to her.  I guess she was unsuccessfully trying to strike up a convo with several other people before I got there.  Anyway, she says "Hi" to Mother and Cami she wondered how you liked living in Denver and that she lived past Main street on the left hand side  ;)   Hahaha, like I said a little senile.  I told her I would pass the word along!  Still giggling inside.

Other than that we are still going back and forth on whether to keep Audrie at this expensive school.  It's just not challenging enough.  It's very easy for her.  So we are not so sure.  I found out that if we put her back into our public school she won't have to go through testing in order to get back in...which is huge to me simply because I worry if we keep her at Briarwood then she will fall farther behind and the step into middle school will be way too hard.  I have openly talked to her about what she wants to do, which I feel is important.  One thing that she has said to me has stood out; I asked her what she was feeling on the matter one morning and she said, "I think I'm ready to go back to Stanley.  I've learned how to be confident.  Before I didn't know how and now I know."  Makes me teary writing it!  I'm not certain that's the answer, but ever since then I've been leaning towards public schools.  We will be going to the temple on Saturday with that on our minds.  Hopefully our answer will be clear, as that is what I have been praying for.

Kaylee is been so much fun with her missing teeth!  I just love this phase of childhood.  Audrie and her are going to start gymnastics soon.  They have  "trial" class tomorrow night to see if they like it.  Both of them are over the moon about it.

Tyler is going to start basketball at the end of March.  I keep hoping he will really like a sport, but he has yet to feel confident about one and has even said, "I don't want to be an athletic kid."  Which makes me worry because he has such vegging tendencies (video/computer games), but I also recognize that this is the age where kids kind of choose their path.  Focus on sports or focus on school...and he's a smarty pants.  Anyway, should be fun watching him play either way!

Sam is a hoot as always.  Her latest thing is talking about her dreams.  She must be having very vivid, memorable dreams because she is CONSTANTLY talking about them.  It's usually, "Mom...SHHH!  I think I hear my dreams coming!"  or "Mom, shut the door!  I think my dreams are in there!"   After assuring her that her dreams were not real and in her head she said, "No mom, my dreams are not in my head, they are in there (pointing at a fan on the floor of her room)."  I'm not sure what's going on, but it's pretty funny (although NOT funny to her at all).  

Cold & Wet

We had some real fun at mutual this past week playing some fun, slightly messy games.  The priests declared it the BEST activity EVER, so you know it was successful when they approved.

We also cleaned the church this week, and the night before we as Andy was putting Kaylee down for bed she confided in him and said, “Dad, I just have such a hard time sleeping when I know there is something so exciting in the morning!” (She was referring to cleaning the church!) Hahahaha, she is such a hoot.  So attached is the picture of her cleaning one of the toilets with a huge grin on her face J  If we were all so willing to serve wouldn’t this world be such a better place?  Way to teach Kaylee girl!!

I wanted to go to the gym today, I REALLY need to….the 30’s are kicking my butt so far in trying to maintain my ideal weight.  I have started noticing I have to be more careful about what I eat because it shows so much more now than it ever did!  But alas, something happened with Sam there and she does NOT want to go anymore.  She used to love it, and now it’s a fight and I hate taking her L  So I’m going to give it until the end of the week and we will try again.  Although I will get there before then one way or another.

I don’t have a lot to say.  I have been loving watching the Olympics!  I have been dealing with some major drama in YW’s (with girls AND adults)….I am telling you if I learned anything from being RS Pres for the year I was it was that women are just grown up YW…(Brilliant I know.)  But seriously, sometimes the maturity level is shockingly LOW in adults.  Why can’t we all just get along, please?  I am in the middle of it all and I am SO DONE. 

Oh, we got a call from our cousin Misti this week telling us she and her husband are moving to the Pensacola area at the end of Feb and will be driving through Houston!  Sarah and Ryan are going with them and so we are going to have dinner or something…maybe a game night if they are up to it.  So that was exciting.  We RARELY get visitors; although we seem to be slowly getting family to move down here!  

Sam's Tonsilectomy

Wow!  What a rough week it has been.  I am emotionally drained from the repercussions of this surgery Sam has had!  I wasn’t expecting to be so affected emotionally J  I just am way to sensitive to the pain of my kiddos, especially when they are so little!

Sam has slept through the last few days as those narcotics are SERIOUSLY knocking her out!  She has really struggled with pain, to the point that we have to distract, sing or talk super calmly to help her calm down so she doesn’t cause MORE pain while she’s crying.  SO HARD!  She just shivers when she hurts so bad and her eyes are wide open in terror…oh it breaks my heart.  Tyler was able to communicate with us and consequently we could control his pain better…Sam just struggles when she’s hurting so much!  Anyway, we finally put her on ibuprofen today so she could function instead of sleep and then maybe we can control her pain better with the alternation and overlapping of Tylenol and ibuprofen.  So far today she has had a few ounces of juice and eaten some jello (which is way better than yesterday at this point!).  I am trying to be patient, but I was hoping to see a pretty significant improvement by day 4…but the Doctor said day 5-7 can be even worse than the first few days…so we shall see.  Andy has been fantastic through it all.  I feel like life has been on hold since I am by Sam’s side 24-7 and Andy is just quietly picking up the slack.  He’s a great man!!  As soon as I saw the picture of the girls together with Sam I INSTANTLY recalled the way Sam looked after her first surgery at 3 months old.  Same look, same eyebrows, same helplessness…oh that baby face is so sweet! (Side note: she was having SO much fun before she went into surgery.  Laughing and being such a cute girl.  Attached is pic of her as we played right before hand…such a happy girl!!)

Other than that the kiddos got Friday off of school (and Andy worked from home) due to freezing rain!  I think we have had ONE other day I can remember in the 10.5 years we’ve lived here that school has been cancelled.  I feel like the Ford’s probably think I have completely led them astray as to the coldness of our winters!  But the high today is 72 (although Tuesdays high is 37 with a chance of snow again…LOL!) so maybe with these ups and downs it makes it better?  Hahaha, good times for sure!

I’ve been aching to get to the temple this week, but wasn’t able to.  I was also supposed to go see Sheri Dew speak locally, but wasn’t able to due to Sam.  BUT Cami was able to do both, so maybe in some vicarious way I can reap some satisfaction from her.  HA!  Can’t wait to hear about her talk Cami!

We are going to go to Sacrament meeting, but then Sam and I will head home so she doesn’t go to the germ fest nursery usually is.  She LOVES to socialize so hopefully going to the first hour will be fulfilling for her…any getting out of the house has been good.

Happy Birthday to Katie!!

This was the creation of Ali and Perris Kusilek but had contributions from all sisters.  Some of these ladies have moves I did not know existed. In fact, Cami has truly missed her calling in life!  Lynds is a natural and Jami....well Jami just has lushious lips...and I, well...seem to have very large nostrils *HA!*.  Anyway, we are all giggling and giggling over this, and have watched it more times that we can count.  I have been telling all that this must be played at each one of our funerals :)  I am so not joking.  LOVE it.  Recreational therapy at it's best Alison!  I think it has reenergized us all for a while!!

Christmas 2013 and Sam's 3rd Birthday 2014

We are still in vacation mode…dreading the reality of tomorrow. We had a wonderful week relaxing and then Saturday we celebrated Sam’s third birthday.  She requested that we go see Frozen (again) for the third time, but just to shake things up we saw it in 3D   That is the first time I have seen something in 3D for like 16 years (or the last time I went to Disneyland or Disney world possibly).  It was a totally different experience, and I loved it!  The kids really enjoyed it as well.  Before that we went downtown to visit Andy at work (he’s in the busiest time of the year right now and has to work Saturdays, ug!) and pick up lunch and then eat with him…all for Sam’s birthday! (below is a little snip it into the personality of Samantha Hart in the progression of our little photo shoot)

And later...a little birthday cake :)

We got some sad news that Lachlan fell yesterday and broke his hip.  We are worried about Him, but know the Lord is in charge.  We are praying for him and for Carole as he goes in for surgery today.  Hugs to the Hart’s, we love you and are praying for both of you! Please keep us up to date on everything.  Andy is going to try and get a ticket out to see you guys ASAP for a quick visit.

I have a lot more to say and a ton of pictures to attach, but I have to get Bella to her biannual exam before 9am and then I am off to the gym (blasted new years resolution! HA!).  It’s cold this morning, and I am not wanting to go outside!!!

I have some great pictures from our trip.  We were all able to go up in Papa dad’s airplane, Tyler even got to fly.  Andy got an “extra” trip to get the cadet version of piloting with Daddio.  They did an engine stall out, among other things and Dad showed Andy how they got out of it.  He didn’t eat any breakfast just in case he got nauseous, but ended up fairing really well!

...Ok I told you all I wasn’t finished :)   I have so much to report on. 

We had such a great time with the family!  Chaotic fun is what I like to call it.  Loud and unfiltered, crying, whining, fussing, all lined with laughter and good times :)  I bet someone could make a really great comic with that description!  The decibel level at meal time was substantially increased when the our Hart clan arrived…and then again increased with the Ford Families arrival.  Someday it will be really fun to “watch” that scene of our lives together…there would definitely be some giggling involved.

Above:  The CHEESE my nephew Porter would give me everytime I looked at him.  It usually involves a single, quick, spastic wave of the hand as well...He loves me because I look like his Mama, but he's old enough to tell the difference now.  Just a few months ago I could trick him without batting an eyelash!

I did go through some really blue moments about 24 hours after we returned home.  There really is something about having family to interact with all day….that are adults, that interact BACK with you.  Very fulfilling.

Below: Pictures from Dixie Bluff.  Gorgeous huh?  I could have spent all day there...LOVED it.

The handsome Colonel!

Addison Harward (left) and Kaylee (right)

Tyler and Audrie (posing of course!)

Everyone minus James Harward (who offered to take the pic, thanks James!)

We played nuts, hiked the bluffs, rode the bike for two, went to the Dinosaur museum and my children even got to play in some leftover SNOW (see that little bit behind Kaylee in the bike pic?  Haha, yes we got REALLY excited about that much snow.  Doesn't take much for us Texan's)!  Not sure how the neighbors felt, but they couldn’t resist!

Dad and Kaylee.

Above: our inevitable sister/mother game of Nuts, that is probably more entertaining to watch than play (and WE LOVE to play...shall we say we get bit dramatic and loud?)

We had several firsts.  It was the first time saw Katie with EARS!  Which was awesome.  We did a little shopping together, she took us to her “hair school” studio and we got manicures by her fellow students.  We lost her hearing aide together….and with some effort on both parts we found it ;0)  We saw Lyndsey for the first time in 18 months!  Which was great!!  She is seriously a light.  I just love her. 

Jami never left the kitchen while we were there and the picture of her and Lynds together is showing her dedication with the apron on…that girl can run circles around anyone!  Before I get up from the table she is almost done cleaning up, or on to the next meal, next task, no matter what she is on the move!  (no wonder she is so skinny, that’s the secret!)    
   

Lyndsey and Jami.

Starting from bottom left: 

Addison Harward, Audrie, Brinly Ford, Ella Harward, Adelle Ford, and the famous Katie Whicker.

I just booked Andy’s ticket for this weekend.  Praying that surgery goes smoothly for Lach and recovery will be bearable!  Prayers are being sent up all day long.

The Nutcracker

I just didn’t sleep well last night.  I think I may have a mild sinus infection that is causing some restless nights.  So I am a walking zombie this morning J  Lovely.  My children love me so much when I am in that mode…NOT!  Hahaha, not that I really say much.  It’s more grunting and huffing, which all my sisters can relate to am I right?  I just need a NAP! 

We have quite a bit going on this week.  Tyler has his first real concert with the entire band this Tuesday!  I am anxious to hear him play.  He is really becoming quite the musician.  In fact the other night (after realizing this myself) I asked him how many instruments he played…he started naming off all the percussion ones, and then the piano (soon he will have a guitar!) and he had an “ah-ha” moment!  He didn’t even realize he was a musician until I pointed it out!

Audrie has a choir concert early in the morning on Thursday which should be fun as well.  Kaylee has been singing Christmas songs for weeks, so I assumed they would have a Christmas concert as well…but no, our public school does not do a Christmas concert…LAME!  I am starting to really have some issues with our elementary school.  Too bad they have to be so politically correct.  It just makes me upset! (Or maybe I am just grouchy this morning…. Hahahaha).

Kaylee, Audrie and I are headed to the Nutcracker Ballet on Weds.  Which I am super excited about.  I honestly don’t love the “ballet” as much as I just like to spend time with the kiddos.  Hopefully they can sit still long enough!

Andy and I went to his annual Christmas party for Rowan.  It was fun, I actually enjoyed myself this time!  Normally I don’t enjoy much of those events because they are all business people that I really struggle talking to.  I simply don’t have anything in common with them, but this time it was so much better!!  It was very refreshing. (attached is our picture of us right before we walked out the door).

LYNDS!  We are bursting at the seams!  I am so excited for you J  You have done such a great work and I’m sure there are so many people just beaming because of meeting you.  You are such a light and always have been!!  Lots of love.  Just can’t wait to see your beautiful face!!

YW in Excellence

I am really tired this morning…struggling to wake up.  I have had a hard time turning my mind off lately at night!  That right there is one of the most frustrating things to me!!!  So  a nap may ensue right after this letter (that is if Sam lets me!)

I am still obsessing over my little incident this week with the wrong deliveries we received.  We had a very large box delivered to our from door with Christmas gifts I ordered from amazon inside of it.  The only problem was it was totally opened when we received it…like flapping cardboard opened.  I thought for sure things were missing (which they were, but nothing major, and they have been resent already), but after going through the box I realized there were two additional smaller boxes INSIDE my large Christmas present filled box.  So I pulled them out and realized they were boxes meant for someone else!  Call me crazy, there was a familiarity to the boxes and it made me wonder…so upon searching side of the boxes I noticed a couple of model/product numbers  on the bottom of each of them…so I looked them up.  Just as I suspected they were BOTH mini ipads!  I couldn’t believe it.  After searching I found tracking numbers and addresses, looked up their tracking and saw that they hadn’t been processed since entering the US.  I called FEDEX and within minutes they were at my door to pick both of them up (20 minutes to be exact).  I took a picture the tracking numbers and addresses to make sure they ended up in the hands of those who ordered them, but alas the tracking has yet to be updated L  It makes me sad, because I also googled these peoples addresses and one lives in a trailer home and the other in a small, dilapidated home.  I hope they simply changed the tracking or something.  It was the perfect opportunity for someone to be dishonest, and that is what I was worried about all along. 

Things are going well in YW’s.  We had our YW in excellence this past Tuesday and I felt it went really well.  We had a “pattern” theme, decorating with patterns and all things sewing.  I felt prompted during last conference to center the night around a dream I had 8 years ago right before I was called into YW’s the first time.  I’m sure I’ve shared it with you all, but just in case I will share it again.

I dreamt I was a young woman and I was trying to make a decision about my life.  I had two sewing patterns presented to me.  One had a beautiful ball gown on the front, gorgeous woman, with a seemingly happy woman modeling it, albeit her dress was strapless and just not up to standards.  The other pattern had a simple, plain, old fashioned dress on the front, but it covered her.  I had to make a decision.  Upon picking these patterns up I realized there were things inside of them, so I opened the first gorgeous, immodest dress pattern and I found dirty and decomposing fabric covered in spider webs inside.  I then picked up the other and pulled out the most brilliant white fabric I had ever seen, absolutely filled with light!

Next I found myself in a room sitting on the edge of a bed waiting for a boy and  I was wearing the beautiful, immodest ball gown.  Next to me appeared the two patterns.  I had to choose what I wanted and then go on my way to find the door.  I found myself looking inside each pattern finding the same things as I found before.  One filled with filth and one filled with light!  I immediately knew I had to choose the light...and find my way to the door.  Upon finding the door I heard knocking.  Frantic knocking coming from the other side.  I turned the knob and peeked through to see who was there, no one was at my door but I saw many workers dressed in white, shining with light scurrying back and forth knocking on other doors, any door they could find...they trying to help anyone they could.  I quickly closed the door and it was only then that I realized there was only a doorknob on my side of the door.  I had to open the door to receive the guidance they were offering.  I opened the door again to find a worker in white, she took my by the hand and led me down the hallway (and somehow I knew she was leading me to a return missionary).

Anyway, main point was to pattern our lives after Christ.  Basically we talked about how we have to choose what we are going to become by choosing the right pattern and by doing so we can become one the Lord’s finest creations!   It was a success simply because the spirit was there! I am really grateful it is over J

Attached is a pic of Sam in her pretty Christmas dress.  She was a princess yesterday “sparkling” every where she went with her glittery dress (that is until she had a minor pooping accident right before we left church!)…so sorry to those who used the bathroom after us….she really had a sick tummy HA!  So her dress is now being washed.