I'm so behind in the blog world...

I know we all are- but I am over the top busy- 

(and really tired of being so busy, but that is besides the point)

Last week was our sweet Laura's Birthday!!!

Oh how we ~LOVE LAURA~

She is the best- I mean it! The best daughter in law ever.

She is smart & cute & witty & sweet to all of us... she is driven, good to Brian, thoughtful, loyal. I love having her in our family.

So much- that I made these

Chocolate High Top Cupcakes

Chocolate cupcakes topped & filled with homemade marshmallow cream & dipped in ganache. 

Heaven help me - these were good!

At her combined family, surprise birthday party (hers & ours) we had a BBQ & I didn't take any pictures after the cupcake one. lame.

It was a busy week last week getting ready for the 4th year girl's camp hike. Even though Chloe is a 5th year (they didn't have a hike last year.) She had a 35lb. pack. She carried her own water & tent & food. She was so excited to go. She got her fishing licence & a new pole. Great times.

Camping girls

Father's day was a swing & a miss.. Chloe came home from camp- very sick.

She was miserable with a fever, body aches & plugged up ears.

I took her to instacare Sunday morning to find out~

She had a major ear & sinus infection. poor thing!

Hiking with all that going on?

-She is one tough cookie-

We did have a father's day BBQ- complete with Italian sodas, roasted peppers stuffed with pepper jack & wrapped in bacon, chicken & corn on the cob

and another DQ cake.

oh people

I feel like I could fall asleep & not wake up for a couple of days.

On goes life- it's a good one.

a blessing?

New years resolution #1-- it's over.
I had made the resolution to NOT eat cheap crappy hamburgers anymore...
just the good stuff- TONY BURGERS
then
on Friday
I met my girls there for lunch with two of their darling friends
(I forgot to take a photo-AARGH)
It was so much fun!!!
We had cheeseburgers & fries & girl talk
and
we decided that I would take them once a month on a Friday to eat somewhere.
It was just that fun to meet them in the middle of the day, and these girls are almost leaving the nest you know!?

then-

it happened.
I had loads of plans for productivity Friday afternoon...
but I didn't feel well.
it got worse
I started Friday night calling frantically for someone to take my Saturday morning work shift--
cause I could feel it coming.
ya
I got the stomach flu
oh man
so bad

Tony burgers- you are dead to me.
it's over between us.

flu shot... in photos

Last Saturday -- things didn't go as planned. We had an appointment at our pediatrician for a flu shot & flu mists. Well, even though I had called to make sure the clinic took our insurance, when we got there & after I filled out the paper work- they let me know they did not take our insurance. AAAH! (You have to understand-- I had been looking all over for a place that would take us.) I called the number on the back of our insurance card & the only place close that wouldn't charge us a co-pay was Super Target. Oh boy-- the girls (I had told them just to jump in the car without getting ready because I thought we would be quick in & out of the pediatricians office) were not happy. When we got to Target-- we found out they don't offer the mist, just the shot. Oh Hell. I was not about to go back to the office then pay $30 each for the mist. Everyone had to buck up & get the shot. It was fun. that was sarcasm.

We all got em' -- now let's hope we don't get the flu.

the best day of his life?

We've done a lot of fun things as a family over the years.

Disneyland, NYNY- just to name a few...

Last night Trent's coughing grew to a higher level.

He just didn't stop until the early hours of the morning.

I let him sleep in (7:45 AM for Trent) and made an appointment as soon as the pediatrician's office opened. I kept questioning myself- but thought at the very least we would come away with some decent cough medicine?

I'm glad we went because the doctor took an extra long time listening to his lungs & said- Trent has a bit of pneumonia on the left side. Mother of the year? NOT
We stopped at the store- and while waiting for his RX, I bought him lots of juice, frozen mac & cheese, & the ridiculously priced crayola crayon sharpener he has been begging me to buy him for over a year.

When we got home I insisted he lay on the couch. He ate lunch on the "sick tray" and watched T.V. for about half hour. Next he proceeded to talk incessantly & bug me to go play outside. I told him I needed to get my chores done & he was supposed to rest... He decided he wanted to help me & offered to clean the toilets- because he loves that job? After the morning I had had- not to mention NO sleep last night- Plus Brett has been out of town since Sunday- I just didn't have the patience for that. I told him he could wash mirrors.

Hailey got home from school & upon hearing the big, sick news- said:

"Oh Trent, I'm so sorry you're sick."

His reply?

"I'm not sick, I'm lucky. This is the best day of my life."

Well there you go!

Who knew.

Unfortunately tonight- he doesn't feel so good.

it's sunday

1. I think I've missed more church this year, then all my other years combined.
2. I was supposed to teach R. S. today.... Brett called a sub for me yesterday.
3. I feel really bad about it.
4. I stayed home... and watched some conference, napped, did laundry, hand stitched a little, wrote a letter to the missionary.
5. I hate missing church, really.
6. One of Brian's best friends from school came home this week from the Birmingham, England mission. His homecoming was today- ya, I missed it too.
7. Can you tell I was feeling sorry for myself?
8. HOw is this possible after the very best guest post ever!!!!
9. thanks Chloe- Chloe is very easy to love.
10. Brian has a rash-- he has had it all week, we looked at it today- it's spreading! Brett immediately took him to instacare--- Poison Ivy.

and I thought today was gonna be dull?

when was the last time you played monopoly?

So- again- Trent & I missed church yesterday...

I don't think I have ever missed more church in my life than this past few months!? Trent came down with a low grade fever & sore throat Saturday night. I ran him into instacare right away (wondering if last month's strep was still hanging around?) No strep, but ya- everything is "going around." Including this latest virus. Have you ever seen a summer with so many illnesses going around, or is it just my town?

So T- bored out of his mind- decided to give his stuffed Zore a bath & wanted me to take a picture. All animals stuffed etc.. are or should be name Zore in Trent's mind. We have had a couple of "Zore" goldfish & stuffed animals now.

We played Sequence- he beat me.

Then, this version of MOnopoly- he beat me again.

This morning- bright & early- with a fever of 99.1- he has successfully beat me at monopoly again. He can't go to tennis & I am in for a long day....

Even with the fever- last night was a special night!

Jack's buddies came for dinner then our Bishop & High Council man- because Jack was ordained an Elder in our church. Marcus & Brittany (the newlyweds) were here too. Where is their picture... ? All the monopoly has taken it's toll.

Have I told you lately how much I adore this guy?

I think it's the hair..... ??

I Love this guy's hair. I love how it is all messy all the time- & red & fiery.
It has been great to have him around this summer & I dread him leaving- although-- ya, again I will say it again- I am THRILLED he is going to the "Y" -that is the only reason I will not be crying on moving day. I am planning on doing a post all about his bedroom before he moves- I could be arrested for poor parenting & he would be mortified, but I think for posterity's sake-

it has to be done.

That is, if I can shove the door open & don't catch some sort of disease before I can post the photos... it's scary place! He says, "why clean it now? I have to clean it when I move out in a month anyway." Such reasoning... it's easy to imagine how he got into such a prestigious college isn't it?

After all the excitement these guys had a rousing game of "executive monopoly" that's what they called it since they were all in white shirts & ties. Zach pretty much wiped everyone up with the board! Way to go Zach!
It's impossible for a mom not to love these boys!

So- really, when was the last time YOU played Monopoly?

weirdest summer

This has been the weirdest summer ever.

Rain for 3 weeks

Now 1/2 the people we know (exaggeration?) are sick...

including this dude.

He has had a low grade fever for a day & 1/2 and after getting seriously nervous about the swine flu, which seems to be taking over utah- I took him into the doctor this afternoon to find out he has strep.

Strep?
The neighbors have the stomach flu- kids are coming home from trek with the flu- but strep?

I guess all kinds of junk is out there?

This means more sponge bob.

The sick guy has been watching sponge bob for two days.

which means two days of the yellow guy for mom.

my brain is mushy

It's the only thing that keeps him entertained/mezmorized.

it's worth it- right...?

whatever you call it--- I hope it's over soon

Trent is home sick today experiencing the "green apple two step,"
if you know what I mean?
He was home sick on Monday too- a little bit of the pre-dawn hours, "hershey squirts" goin' on.
Followed by "upchucking" twice.
Brett thought for sure he was okay...
and let me go back to bed (it was a long night)
Then, took him into the office for a 5:30 AM emergency.
bad idea.
two vomitous moments later & a ride home on dad's sweatshirt to avoid "skid marks" on the seat of his truck...
said skid marks were unavoidable.
lesson learned.
He went to school yesterday,
Nothing of the "acid butt" since early morning the day before-
just to come home afterward with a return of the "scours."
I googled, "swine flu symptoms" just out of motherly worry.

It's all good.
I have dutifully wiped down every door knob- & light switch,
the keyboards & toilets.
All in the hope that he will be the only.
one.
OH Please.

today I am so thankful for my new washing machine & it's sanitation cycle.
Yes- there is reason to celebrate.

little outing

Between trent & I being sick...

we decided to get out of the house a little on Wednesday afternoon. Without a fever, but not ready to be back to school- cabin fever was setting in.

We ran down to the local Target & checked out the Transformer isleI was reminding him- we are "just looking" over & over, because the amount of Transformers in this house is obscene. I refuse to buy one more. Between Christmas, birthdays, & sticker charts I think we own them all.Just when I thought Transformers were the most obnoxious things around-

I see this-

Holy Hell-

what in the world?

This is disturbing on so many levels.

I think the sight of this in the kids "toy isle" is what put possible me over

the edge.

Thursday my cold was in full bloom.

Thankfully my dear friends still let me come to creative Thursday- knowing how badly I needed to get out of the house.

then, tonight Janae brought us dinner.

Oh my goodness- I didn't realize how much I needed this.

It was wonderful- thanks janae!

I think I've seen the worst of this cold... I hope.

uncle

that's it.
I give.
I'll do anything.
use the nettie pot,
take vitamins,
anything- just to...
breath,
stop the sneezing,
drippy nose,
droopy eyes,
face & headache-
stomach muscle pain from coughing so much.

I've had 4 fever blisters & now 3 whopper colds since Christmas.

uncle.
I give in.
flu bug, you win.
now please... move on-

home. sick.

-i have been home with trent now for two days. he is sick with a cough & fever 103.2 at 11:30.
-i have the cough now too.
-probably because I've ended up sleeping with him in his bed the last two nights.
-good thing it's a double bed with a new mattress & seriously more comfortable than my own bed. it's not right that a kid's bed is more comfortable than his parents.
-in between motrin doses he has been doing his homework packet.
-he hollers out what's 54 divided by 9? followed by more division questions... I have to get the calculator.
-i have been reading blogs between doing one load of laundry & the lunch crowd (jack's friends & pizza) all day.
-i have to get something done today!
-my community council meeting is canceled. thank goodness.
-brett brought trent home a happy meal for lunch :)
-it's a beautiful warm day & the windows are open.
-i hope it's not influenza?!

Is anyone sick at your house?
I hear this is going around.
How long did it last???
I'm tired thinking about it.

annual Valentine dinner-

It's tradition at our house to have a special Valentine's day dinner as a family.

I always try to make something really fancy & decorate.

It's a lot of fun.This year- with Valentine's day being on a Saturday- we had our dinner today after church.

It wasn't the same.

We didn't have balloons on each chair & the food was good, but not fancy. I made manicotti with asparagus & french bread. My kids LOve asparagus. We did have special drinks & a fancy dessert.

I guess it just wasn't the same because...

I AM SICK AGAIN!

-dang it-

I got a cold just after Christmas that lasted for weeks then turned into a sinus infection, went on antibiotics for that & they didn't work- long story shorter- I'm on a new dose of stronger antibiotics plus a decongestant. I've missed church two weeks in a row now.

I made the manicotti - then layed down for a second- next thing I knew everyone was coming home from church so they helped with the rest of dinner.

it feels like someone parked a truck on my face.
Brett said last night that my face is a little swollen just above my cheek bones. I have sneezed over 1000 times which is followed by a quick run to the bathroom before I pee my pants. Sometimes I don't make it.

I want to know-

if I pee my pants when I sneeze can I stop having zits now?

It just doesn't seem right to have both issues

I'm wondering if Sundays will ever be the same?

I'm sick about it!

What is this world coming to?

First-- my FAVORITE magazine shuts down &

Now this????

NO MORE PINK & WHITE CIRCUS COOKIES?

these are seriously one of my very favorite things of all time.

they've been closing since October & I am just finding out about it??

HOW CAN THIS BE?

See what happens when you try not to eat so much junk food? (I should've known that was a bad idea- )now the stores are probably all out.

I am devastated.

did anyone else know about this?

why wasn't something done?

so sad

the bug finally bit me

my body has been fighting off a cold for a week- and successfully-

until yesterday, when it finally gave in.

I. am. wiped. out.

missed church

when I sneeze my head feels like it is popping off my neck,

then landing down again. I'm a very loud sneezer-

keep blogging out there people

reading blogs, when you are sick= really the best thing you can do

that and taking ibuprofen cold & sinus...

really great stuff

Someone's Got a Fever

Yesterday I got a call from the school. Trent wasn't feeling well. I talked to him, he said he had a stomach ache, his arm hurt & he had fallen down so he also had a headache.? That sounded suspicious to me so I told him to go back to class I would check on him when I came to volunteer later that afternoon. A bit later his teacher called the house, I wasn't there. I guess she asked T for my cell # but he couldn't remember it.

(I filled out the emergency paper at the beginning of the year, I don't know why she didn't check that.)

Anyhow, to make a long story short- they finally got a hold of me, I went & picked him up- he had a fever. I felt so bad- I walked him home & on the way sang the telephone number learning song (bright music) that I used with all my kids to teach them our home number, no one was around- but he looked straight up at me & said- MOM, you're embarrassing me!
I just had to laugh. This is progress for our Asperger kid. Embarrassment is an emotion he just didn't get- that is until his mother started singing to him out loud & outside.