Sick days

For the last few weeks there have been several people ask me if my kids have gotten sick yet. I thankfully said no. I guess its going around and around here. Well it hit us. Ginger has had a low grade fever since Monday. I think it was more like Sunday that she wasn't feeling very well because we had Stake conference and she was all over the place. Her checks were rosy and she seemed so tired. It was a long two hours to say the least!

Then Callie got sick Tuesday morning with a low grade fever too. She stayed out of school that day but was sad because that night was her Christmas concert. The 2nd and 3rd graders sang together so Carson had to be there also. I didn't know what to do. You know how they always feel better once they get some Tylenol in them. David was in Branson on business so I tried to get someone to watch the little ones. That didn't work so I decided to clean them all up and head out the door. I told Callie don't touch anyone. If Carson wasn't in it, we wouldn't have gone. The younger kids did really well for the first 3/4 of it. The last two songs we walked around the school. I met one of Callie's friends and her mom which was nice. It helps to at least meet them before they come over to play. After finding Carson we piled in the car to get an ice cream at McDonald's. The kids got their own sundae which they thought was cool. Remember that feeling of sitting down to a huge ice cream cone or banana split. It probably wasn't that huge it just looked that way to a little kid.

Lucy doesn't have a fever but threw up Wednesday night and has had diarrhea today. I just hope it avoids the rest of us and all of you out there. No fun!

A day trip

For awhile now David has had a dream of having a truck and trailer. He's looked at trucks and vans that could pull a good size trailer. We found a suburban that had the engine he wanted with a tow package. So now we have part of his dream. We will be making a trip out to Colorado, Utah, Oregon, and Idaho in the summer and this "truck" will make it much more roomy on the road.

Anyway, with this new "truck" we had to go for a drive. On Saturday we drove up to Adam-ondi-ahman and the areas around. We drove through Hamilton, MO(population 1,700) where the founder of JC Penney was born. There was Penney High School and a museum of JC(James Cash) Penney. I always wondered what the J and the C stood for.

After there we went onto Adam-ondi-ahman. It was really beautiful. A little gray and brown because of the season but the spirit there was awesome. I can't wait to go back in the spring or summer. We got out, ate lunch, and walked around a bit.Looking in opposite directions.


(above) Lucy enjoying a twizzler and the sunshine. (below) Carson, Callie, George, and Ginger on the valley floor.


From there we went up to Bethany(population 3,700). David had called a realtor in the Far West area and he asked if we were related to the Pettijohns in Bethany. I guess they own a Ford dealership up there. We didn't talk to anyone but we got some cool pictures of our name. After looking some around the town we took off towards home. Bethany is about an hour and a half from Independence. As always its nice to be home after being in a car.

Quote of the day #2

While pouring a glass of milk for a thirsty Ginger she says, "Mom, you're a good milk machine."

Left and Right according to Ginger

What would be something as opposite as left and right?

GIRLS and BOYS!

If you ask Ginger where her girl arm is she will point to her left arm. If you ask her which ear is her boy ear, she'll point to her right ear. It never changes. Anything on her left side is girl and anything on her right side is boy. Even her nostrils, Callie had to ask.

Left and right should be come pretty easy for her.

Quote of the Day #1

While the kids are playing in the bedroom I hear-
"There's no sword fighting in the celestial kingdom." -Carson

Firefox rocks!

When I started this blog I had some trouble uploading pictures. I mentioned it and Christy told me how she traded Internet explorer for Firefox. I didn't know much about it so I thought I'll just keep putting up with Internet explorer. For the last week I have tried to upload Thanksgiving pictures and have had no luck. So I thought I would try learning more about firefox. I don't understand a lot about computers so I get really nervous about downloading things. I just went for it and I didn't crash my computer. At least not yet. So I tried to upload a picture and every time I hit that picture button it WORKS. I love it. It really frustrated me before and now I feel so carefree. Thank you Christy for the suggestion.

Thanksgiving 2006

Thanksgiving was really nice for us. That morning we drove to Whiteman Air force Base to participate in the blessing of our new niece and cousin Megan Ruth. My brother Curtis, was stationed there in July. Its good to have family close by again. My sister-in-law had her family visiting from Wisconsin for the holiday so we let them enjoy the day together. We left shortly after the blessing to return home to get ready for our meal.

Chad is my youngest brother. His in-laws live in Liberty and they invited us to have Thanksgiving with them. We were at the stake center which was really nice. A large kitchen, plenty of room for tables, and a big gym for the kids to run around in. The tables were decorated very nicely and there was plenty of food.


There were about 30 people, 12 of them were children all under 9. Carson being the oldest. They made food assignments and I was asked to bring a green salad, a desert, and dinner rolls. Since we had gone to my brothers earlier that day I bought some brown and serve rolls. I made some pumpkins pies the day before and a chocolate eclair cake. The green salad I bought from Costco. There was another green salad there that was really good. After having that one, mine didn't taste very good. You could taste the bag salad flavor. When we got there my brother's mother-in-law said she was hoping I would have made my mom's sweet potato casserole. That is yummy. I will give that recipe if anybody wants it. Its like a desert. Anyway, I told her "I was going to but I decided to give the boys haircuts instead." I wanted to give the boys haircuts for sometime but just never did it. I wanted them to look nice at the meal so with the little time between my niece's blessing and going to Liberty I cut their hair. They didn't much care for it. We had lots of fun. We played volleyball with a beach ball, played electronic "CatchPhrase", and there was the movie "Curious George" playing for any wandering children. All of the food was delicious. We all had the feeling of to much stuffing.

The next morning Carson and Callie were up about 6:30 am. They gave us this note with a tray of food consisting of pumpkin pie, egg nog, toast, and butter. Like we didn't get enough the day before. Ugh! What wonderful children! Carson later told us that they did it hoping we would give them more game time. Again, what wonderful children! Look at those napkins!

100 things about me

I really enjoyed doing this. It helped me to look at my life. Who I was and who I am now. Enjoy!!!

1. I am the 4th of 8 children.



2. I was an Army brat growing up.



3. We have 5 children. (2 boys and 3 girls)



4. I've been to Germany, England, Japan, Korea, and Portugal.



5. I lived in three of those countries.(Germany, Korea, and Portugal)



6. I have been to the border of North and South Korea.



7. We were married in the Seoul Korea temple.



8. I have lived in 13 states.(Utah, Kentucky, Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina(twice), Texas, Colorado, Idaho, Tennessee, Oregon, Montana, Nebraska, and Missouri)



9. All of my transfers on my mission were by plane.



10. My time in England was a 7 hour layover at Heathrow Airport.



11. David was my first and only boy that I've kissed.



12. We were married a week after David's mission.



13. Carson, Callie, and Ginger were all delivered natural.



14. Callie was delivered in 2 hours.



15. All my babies are good, heavy sleepers.



16. Carson and Callie were Super Citizens at Glendale last quarter.



17. And I got one of those AWESOME cling stickers to put on my car window.



18. Out of my graduating class of over 600 I was given a medal from the Home Economics Department.



19. I never went to prom.



20. I was 17 when I went to Ricks(BYU Idaho).



21. I had a crush on a 27 year old at that time.



22. I love to watch movies and TV.



23. We are caught up in Lost.



24. I like (certain)mysteries and (certain) Sci-fi.



25. I like chick-flicks too.



26. I love musicals and classic movies



27. I love Doris Day movies



28. My favorite country singer is George Strait.



29. I dance and sing, not very well, in front of my children.



30. I love ice cream.



31. Beyer's vanilla and chocolate are my favorite flavors.



32. I used to beat my brothers and sisters in leg wrestling.



33. I was teased in middle school about being well-endowed.



34. I graduated in Colorado.



35. I lived in North Carolina while in middle school and again after Ricks. It is where I met and fell in love with David.



36. When we lived in Florida I went to the same elementary school that my mother attend when she was my age.



37. I have 3 sisters.



38. I have 4 brothers.



39. My first name came from my maternal grandmother's middle name.



40. My middle name came from my paternal grandmother's middle name.



41. I have very thick hair.



42. I severed my Achilles tendon in the 8th grade.



43. I was in a show choir, that you had to tryout for, in the 8th grade.



44. I was in 6 different schools growing up.



45. I have been in 12 different temples.(Washington D.C., Denver, Provo, Mt. Timpanogos, Ogden, Logan, Boise, Idaho Falls, Seoul Korea, Portland, Bountiful, and Winter Quarters)



46. I have seen 20.(all the above plus Billings Montana, River Jordan, Salt Lake, Nauvoo, Atlanta Georgia, Medford Oregon, St. George, and Manti)



47. Most of my memories have food in them.



48. I went to gummy bear factory in Germany.



49. I went to the salt mines in Germany.



50. In Germany I was the star of a (German) McDonald's commercial. I never saw it though.



51. I was in a full leg cast for 2 months and a half leg cast for 2 more months after I severed my Achilles tendon.



52. Growing up I was the only one in my family with glasses.



53. I didn't meet my in-laws till after we were married.



54. I went to Japan to renew my visa in Korea.



55. My brother and I stayed on a park bench playing cards all night in Japan.



56. I got my ears pierced when I was 10.



57. I hit a car in a parking lot a few days after getting my license and in my parents new mini-van.



58. I used to work at Bolle' America in Denver, CO. I filed invoices.



59. I won two ski lift tickets to Vail, CO at the company Christmas party.



60. I have never skied before.( I sold the tickets to someone)



61. I am really learning a lot about myself.



62. While living in Dillon, MT we got stranded in Idaho while going to the temple. They closed the pass and we stayed over night in Rexburg. Our (4)children were with friends in MT.



63. I have been to the Sacred Grove.



64. I went to one year of girls camp.



65. I never got my Young Womanhood Recognition.



66. It was work to get David's attention in the beginning.



67. The date after we kissed I pulled out a list of things we should not do while dating and we talked about them.



68. He still wanted to dated me after that.



69. I developed an allergy to cats after high school.



70. I love snow.



71. I don't much care for driving in it.



72. I prefer contacts over glasses.



73. I love to watch other people. Its intriguing.



74. I love getting a great deal.



75. I'm not perfect. No, really.



76. I get migraines every now and then.



77. I have never broken a bone.



78. When I was 2 I got over 30 stitches in my scalp. My brother closed or open a door and I fell on the door hinge.



79. My mom said I would not nap well and stayed up late so I didn't miss anything. Somethings never change.



80. We have been married for 10 years.



81. We have moved 16 times in our 10 years of marriage. To get out of this apartment, I'm sure there will be at least one more.



82. David's old high school girlfriend worked as a server where we spent our honeymoon. David's mom didn't know that when she made the reservations. She served us dinner one night we were there. Weird!!!



83. I went to beauty school for one month. I quit because I was pregnant and not feeling well.



84. I'm inspired by good women.



85. I love the little hands of babies and toddlers. I think its the grasp and softness that they have. The dependency to survive and learn.



86. I get deep late at night.



87. I love to get mail.



88. My mom is my best friend and a wise woman.



89. I am not a big reader at all but I read all of the volumes of the Work and the Glory.



90. A lot of my emotions are shown by crying.



91. I love watching my children grow.



92. I understand my mother so much better since I've had children.



93. I love to see things grow that I have planted.



94. I want to learn how to garden.



95. I want to weigh around 130. I guess not bad enough yet!



96. I like shopping at Costco over Sam's.



97. I love going out to eat with my sweetheart.



98. I get along great with my mother-in-law. At least I think so, she might feel differently. ;)



99. I have a testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.



100. I love my children and husband.

Carson and the Dentist

Carson covering his ears while watching the 4 of July fireworks. He talks tough but is very sensitive.





About three weeks ago the whole family went to the dentist. It had been awhile! David has strong, cavity-free teeth but I on the other hand do not. Everyone, but Carson and I, came out with a good report. So, today Carson and I went back. I had to get an old filing fixed and a new one. Carson needed four filings. Now Carson is terrified of needles so he was extremely nervous about going. I told him the dentist would give him some nitrosoxcide to help him feel comfortable and calm. I didn't really notice any affect it had on him. When we got there he was taking big long breaths. There were a few moments, while in the chair, that a tear or two rolled down his temples. He did such a good job though. He wanted to hold my hand which is rare from Carson. It makes me smile. He's my oldest and some day he won't want to anymore. I'll take any chance I can get. Although it wasn't FUN at the dentist, it was neat to spend a little time alone with him. With five little ones I forget how important some one on one time is for the parent and the child. I need that time to be reminded of that sweet spirit Heavenly Father sent and overlook the boy who rolls his eyes every time I tell him to take out the garbage, practice piano, or brush his hair. That eternal look of things makes the trying times more bearable. Anyway, Carson only had one done today so we might have some more dental stories later on.

Ok, I didn't want to bring this up but I will. He really had two filled today because the dentist got confused about which tooth to drill. They were both baby teeth, one had a cavity and one didn't. Should I have been upset? She didn't charge for the second filing.
I am so ,"oh, its okay.", sometimes I feel lame.

Carson was breathing hard and nervous like I said. The dentist told him if it started to feel uncomfortable to raise his hand. Well, Carson raised his hand if he felt anything and she would stop. I had an appointment during his so I left to get my mouth numbed. While the "juice" was working on me I went back to check on Carson. The dentist came over and said that she had gotten the teeth jumbled with all the commotion and that she would need to fill the other tooth. She said there would be no charge for the other and that they would do it white. (I was having them do silver because the cavities were in baby teeth) I said, "oh that's fine, you can just do it silver". I mentioned the whole thing to others and they were shocked. I don't know. It didn't seem like a big deal then.

Soccer

GO Carson!
The FANS!

Carson has finished his first season of soccer. The team finished undefeated. He had a good team and coach. There is an activity center here that is run by the Community of Christ church(RLDS renamed) so they don't have any games on Sunday and they run it for the kids. They don't put up with loud, obnoxious parents on the sidelines either. http://www.bvacsports.org/
I really enjoyed going and watching the games. I'm not a huge sports fan but I guess its different when your child is out there. Next year we'll get Callie kickin'.

School pictures

Here is Lucy at one year.
Here is Ginger at 3 1/2 years.
Here is Carson entering the third grade(9)
Here is George the brand new Kindergartener(5)
Here is Miss Callie the mature 2nd grader(7)

Family Fun!

Okay, I seem to be struggling with the pictures. Sorry my blog looks so blah.

This weekend has been a busy one. Is there a weekend that isn't busy especially when you have five children, a husband, and half of our things are in a storage unit? I went there on Saturday, in between a soccer game and a church "Trunk or Treat", to find parts of costumes, shoes that will fit a growing George for church the next day, and warmer clothes for Lucy. I ended up scaring the kids and David with a pair of old glasses I used to wear. What I was thinking when I bought them I don't know.

The children all looked fabulous in their costumes. Carson was Zorro, Callie was a fairy, George a green Power Ranger, Ginger was the princess Cinderella, and Lucy was a clown. Now we just need to get all done up again on Tuesday. We always go to the nursing home on Halloween where David works to share with the residents there. They love to see all the children dressed up.

At the Trunk or Treat at the church they also had a chili cook-off for dinner before all the candy went flying. I had signed up to take some chili but didn't really have a recipe so I turned to the Internet. I found one that looked pretty good and made it. I didn't know it was a cook-off till later that day. Well, the Bishopric judged the chili and there were several categories like sweetest, noisiest(resulting later), spiciest, mildest, and so on. Then there was the best overall chili category that we won! They had a plaque with a "Golden Ladle" hanging from it. The kids kept saying in amazement, "We won the golden ladle!". They got a big kick out of it.

On Saturday I turned 33. Ginger being 3 said I was like her. What a sweetie! My birthday present was that we finally sold our home in Lincoln on Friday. What a blessing! We are so grateful for all in Lincoln that has helped us in anyway. We are grateful to be able to move on but hope that we can always stay in contact with our friends in Lincoln. This blog should help. We miss it there. When Callie gets upset, with me of course, she says she wants to go back to Lincoln. I tell you what, I will be positive and say that the teenage years will be memorable and priceless.

Here it goes!

I did it. I created my blog. I have moved a lot with my family and am hoping this will help my extended family and friends keep up with our family. Here it goes.