Yippee!

Tomorrow. We're getting a fence tomorrow! I can't believe it. I got a quote a few weeks ago, and they quoted me $1800 for 33 feet of fence. CRAZY! So, there is a guy in the neighborhood who does fences, I called him, he came within 1 hour, quoted me $800 and is setting the posts tomorrow! WOW! I can't wait! No more dog poop in our backyard! No more dirty talking neighbor kids in our backyard! YEA! YEA!

Flashback Sunday

My mom made this dress for me in 1983. I was probably 5 1/2 years old (Jake's age). Back then, dresses were shorter for little girls, you know, baby doll style. My mom had hand embroided this whole dress. She has kept it in her cedar chest for the past 25 years. (SHEESH! I'm old!) She pulled it out awhile ago, to try on Kristin. It is really see-through and short, so I will not make my child wear a 25 year old dress that is too short, but I did have her do a little photo shoot. The picture of me in 1983 with my brothers Michael and David is a picture of a color copy of the original picture. Kristin wasn't feeling good, and didn't even end up going to church today. It was all Troy and I could do to get her to smile. I knew she would never put on this dress again, so I really wanted to document it!

Engagement Shoots

I have done 2 engagment photo shoots in the past week. I LOVED them! I was totally worn out and exhausted by the time I was done, but it was so nice to get out of the studio and into nature! I really had so many favorites. I am just selecting my three favorites of each shoot for the blog. I have updated my website with an engagement gallery, if you would like to see more. AND, if you would like to see even more, send me a comment, and I can get you the password to their proofing galleries. Thanks Brooke and Cameron and Kelsie and Todd! You guys are awesome!

My docs...

The pediatrician's office contacted me to see if I would take their photos. They wanted a group shot for a new brochure. One of the doctors: Dr. Good was leaving (out of the country) sniff-sniff (loved him, will miss him) and they had hired 2 new docs. They were going to create a new brochure to send to all the patients letting them know of the change. So, they needed a photo. I didn't give them a special discount. I know, I'm mean, I figure I pay them so much in co-pays they don't need a discount. AND, they're doctors! So, I took my studio to them. It was the first time I had taken my studio somewhere. It was a HUGE pain. I fit it all in a little room. I had to stand on the exam table to take the photo. My light was behind the door. It was crazy. I got everything set up, and was about 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Well, I sat and waited for an hour for all the docs to be done with patients and come together. SO glad I brought a book! I took 6 pictures. They didn't want individual photos, just a group one. I only had to edit 3 photos. CRAZY. For the engagement photos I took last weekend, I took 250 and edited 50. Just an example in the differences...So, they were done, they gave me a check, and I was out of there. SWEET! How's that for irony? That's kind of what happens when I go pay for an office visit. I pay a big amount of money, sit and wait, they spend 5 minutes with me, and are gone. So, it was a nice change. :) I have to say, I love the docs here. They all talk together about the patients, so they all tend to know what's going on. Which is nice, when I'm there every week (literally) and I don't have to explain everything a million times. Oh, fyi: the name of the peds office is: Families First Pediatrics. They are on 106th and 1300 W. Dallen Ormond (a Nurse Practitioner) is our favorite (bottom right). I don't mind seeing any of them. They're all great, friendly, and willing to help. I even run into one of the ladies in the grocery store quite frequently (Kami, bottom center) and bombard her with questions. She knows my first name and calls me by it. Kinda cool...kinda pathetic.

Haley just woke up screaming. She never wakes up during the night. That's a sign she may have an ear infection...looks like I'll be back sooner than I thought. Won't make the goal this week...my goal is to make it through one week without paying a co-pay. Sigh...

How fast are you?

89 words

speed/'>http://speedtest.10-fast-fingers.com">Speed test

Disneyland

Here are our Disneyland photos...well, a few of them. I lugged my huge photography backpack around Disneyland. Pretty sure next time I'll take my old camera.

I love this picture. Jake was seriously SO excited to hug Buzz. He ran right up! He had on a Buzz lightyear shirt, and later that day my mom bought him a Buzz Lightyear hat. That he has worn every day since we got home.

Here are my two princesses! This was in the Fantasy Faire place, where they did 'princessy' things. You could decorate a crown with stickers. Kristin's hat got ripped later in the day, and a fit ensued. Grammy bought her a Minnie Mouse hat later. She still brought the pieces of the crown home, determined we would tape them. I think I secretly threw it away. I know, I'm a nice mom. Here's a picture of her new hat. Me and the girls sat out of a few rides, which is why there are more photos of them, than anyone else. I just started feeling bad, cause I don't have too many pictures of Kyle. Then, I realized he already has 3 scrapbooks full, and the other kids don't even have 1 full. It all evens out...

We ran into my mom's brother at Disneyland. He lives in Logan, UT. What are the odds?

Haley did so good all day. She's still not using walking as a means of transportation, so it was hard for her to be held, or in a stroller all day. Toward the end, we finally just picked the cleanest place possible (well, Troy didn't) and let her play. Her clothes were FILTHY by the end of the night!

Here's a picture of the crew on Jungle Cruise. (Minus my parents. We were sitting too close to get everyone). I apologize for Jake picking his nose.

Funny story: To ride Autopia, you had to be at least 12 months. Haley is almost 16 months now. Since she's not walking, we took her little crocs off her, so we wouldn't lose them in the park. Not a big deal when you don't walk. Well, we got up to the front of the ride, and the lady questioned me about her age. I assured her she was old enough. Then, she said she couldn't ride Autopia without socks or shoes. WHAT? Her feet don't even hang over the seat. So, since we were so far from the stroller, I took my tennis shoes off, removed my socks, put my socks on Haley's feet, and put my tennis shoes back on. I'm telling you, it made absolutely no difference, other than I was inconvenienced...so, for those of you traveling in the future...make sure you have socks and shoes!

The weather was so great. It was 80 degrees the day we were in the park. We seriously LOVED it! Other than Kristin throwing a few fits, it was great! I can't wait to go back! We'll see, maybe in the fall...

Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder

I saw this, and it seriously describes pretty much ever single day in my life...It totally irritates Troy that I do this too...an example at the end:

AAADD- KNOW THE SYMPTOMS.....PLEASE READ!

Thank goodness there's a name for this disorder - Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests:I decide to water my garden, as I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.

As I start toward the garage, I notice mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mail box earlier.I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, and notice that the can is full.So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage first.

But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.I take my check book off the table, and see that there is only one check left.

My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go to my desk where I find the can of Coke I'd been drinking.I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Coke aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over.

The Coke is getting warm, and I decide to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.As I head toward the kitchen with the Coke, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need water.

I put the Coke on the counter and discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning.I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers.I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote.

Someone left it on the kitchen table.I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I'll be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor and the flowers didn't get much.So, I set the remote back on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill.Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day:
The car isn't washed
The bills aren't paid
There is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter
The flowers don't have enough water
There is still only 1 check in my check book
I can't find the remote
I can't find my glasses
And I don't remember what I did with the car keys

Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today,I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all darn day,And I'm really tired.I realize this is a serious problem,And I'll try to get some help for it.But first, I'll check my e-mail...Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!!

A few months ago, I got in a HUGE shipment of boxes. Over 50. I had a photo shoot the next day, and had to get through all the boxes and organize them so I could have my 'studio' back. We decided to organize these wooden letters, and take them from 1 little box, and combine them into one large box. Then we searched for a place in the garage to store them. Well, Troy was looking for a place in the garage to put them, and I thought it would be great if I just cleaned the garage real quick. Naturally, garage's aren't a "quick clean up". Troy kept getting mad at me telling me to do one project at once. I couldn't do it. I just couldn't clutter up the garage any more. Alas, the new symptom...

The Beach

This is going to be an overload of photos. I can't decide which ones I like best. I like the vintage look best though, especially for the beach photos.

We went to Newport Beach on Sunday afternoon. I have been DYING to do a beach photo shoot, and thought this would be my perfect opportunity. It definitely didn't work according to plan. I bought all the kids new outfits (they will double as Easter outfits). I had the kids wear their bathing suits under their "picture clothes" so that when we were done, they could go play, and we wouldn't have to worry about where they would change. They of course, were complaining that I was taking pictures, and I assured them that I wanted candid shots, and that they could just play. Well, after literally 60 seconds of taking photos, I turned around, and Jake's clothes were off, he was on his way into the water. So much for that. So, the other kids followed suit, and I just ended up taking the majority of photos of Haley. I wanted them to have fun. It was hard, because we were there in the middle of the day, and the sun was glaring...next time I will plan better and we will go at sunset. So, these are the ones I got. I have to say, I definitely love a lot of them. I didn't think I would, but maybe it's just because it reminds me how much my kids LOVE the beach. The reason we went to CA in the first place, was because my mom was doing a conference in Anaheim. My dad (in a round-a-bout way) works for Chevron, and since they sponsor the Autopia attraction, we got free tickets into Disneyland. Jason was there helping at the conference to sell my mom's books. This was Haley's first time on the beach as a mobile person. She loved it! She didn't even care that when she went to suck her thumb, it had sand all over it! I am yearning for a week at the beach. No Disneyland, just a place right on the beach, to just hang out, read books, and play all day...any takers? We could split the cost of a beach house... Okay, let's be honest. It REALLY made me want to jump a plane to Hawaii. That is our (Troy and my) favorite vacation. Specifically, Kauai. Ahhhhh....to dream...I highly suggest vacationing on that island...it's literally heaven! I am hoping to go next January...get out of the snow...we'll see though...enough about Hawaii...here are more photos...

We got to spend Sunday with my brother, Jason. He lives in San Diego and goes to SDSU. He lives on the beach, so it was no big deal for him. My kids love playing with Jason. Sometimes I'm not so sure Jason has as much fun, but the kids sure love him.

Haley's favorite thing lately is that she loves being thrown around. Well, you know thrown up in the air, Troy's dad does all these twirly tricks with her. A few weeks ago, Troy's dad was throwing her around, and then he would set her down, and she would crawl back to him and beg for more. I always get worried her brain is just being tossed around on the inside of her skull, so I don't like for that to happen too often. In this picture, you can see how happy she is to be thrown up in the air...funny girl...

All I know, is the California girl in me felt right at home, and misses the gorgeous weather!As we were packing up to leave, I turned around to see Haley crawling toward the water. She must be a California girl at heart.

Results

Haley's tests results came back: Normal. Of course. Just put the poor girl through a horrible test for nothing. Just thought you would want to know!

Haley's kidneys...

Haley went to Primary's this morning for some tests done to check her kidneys. I didn't put anything on the blog about it, cause I've been pretty worried, and I didn't want anybody commenting kidney horror stories. It was a rough morning for both of us. Troy had to work, and Heidi watched Jake and Kristin. I took her up there, and they did an ultrasound on her kidneys to check if they were normal. After this test, the radiologist told me all looked good. Then, she was sent to another testing room. This test consisted of putting a catheter in her, filling her bladder up with a liquid that acted as a dye, and then watching what the liquid in the bladder did - if it goes up into her kidneys (a kidney reflux) or is normal. (I don't know the results of the test yet, and won't for a few days - LOVE that they refuse to tell you anything while you're already there with questions in mind...)

Anyways, they put a catheter in her, then wrapped her legs up together, so she couldn't move. They had me hold her hands above her head, and then the xray machine took pictures of what the liquid was doing. It took awhile, for the liquid to enter her bladder, for them to take photos, and then more pictures while her bladder was emptying. She was laying there, and saw the huge xray machine coming down on her, and freaked out, thinking it was going to squish her. I felt so bad.

It was my job to hold her hands above her head. She was hysterical. It was hard to get the liquid to stay in her bladder, because she was screaming so hard, so they asked if I could do anything to console her. I put my mouth to her ear, and sang her "You Are My Sunshine". She immediately quieted down. As I was singing in her ear, I just started sobbing. That's the song that calmed her down when she was in the hospital at 4 weeks old, and during her tubes surgery, and all the other 'tests' and blood draws, and EVERYTHING that she's had to go through the past 15 months...all pretty much showing that she was fine. I just started to feel like I was this horrible mom who put her through all these tests for nothing. I hate that they make the mom hold their kids down. We both survived the test, and hopefully someone's kind enough to let us know of the results. If she does have kidney reflux, they will have her take low doses of antibiotics every day to ward off kidney infections and they say she would eventually grow out of it. Or, depending on the severity, there is a surgery to reattch a tube from the bladder to kidneys to put it in the correct place. I'm probably off on a few facts, but from what I've understood, that is the jist of it all.

So, I'll post something when I hear. After we got home, I caught Haley in her hiding place. It's under my desk in the kitchen. She gathers little treasures to play with. Her latest: a letter from Sister Melody Nelson, a pot holder, and a pen. SWEET! Maybe she'll write Melo back for me...I've been a slacker!Something cute Haley has been doing: When the other kids hop up into their chairs for a meal or a snack, Haley is usually the last to get put into her seat, because most of the time, I'm trying to get the meal on the table. Lately, Haley goes straight for the drawer with bibs in it, and tries to put a bib on, and then will crawl over to us. That's a sign that she's ready to eat! I love it that she figured that out!

Ah...the joy of girls...

Last Sunday, everyone was sick. Jake caught the death cold, Troy and I were starting to come down with it, and Kristin and Haley still weren't quite over it. I got a sub for primary, and we hung out...all day...in our pj's! I sat in my bed and read a book most of the day. I looked up, to see Kristin playing in the sink in the bathroom. Instead of being irritated about wasting water, I just let her play for a bit. It only lasted for a bit though, eventually, she got kicked out of the bathroom for making too big of a mess! She woke up Sunday morning, wanting to wear her BYU shirt and a skirt, so she could 'twirl'. This ensemble (fancy word for outfit...sorry, too many Fancy Nancy books lately) was all her own!
Eventually, Haley came in, and Kristin was nice enough to put a bow in her hair. SO CUTE! I love this picture...
Yesterday, I took the girls shopping (Jake was in preschool) for Easter dresses. I told Kristin I was looking for some white dresses, so that I could take photos of the kids on the beach this weekend. Kristin informed me that she was a "GOOOOOOD Looker!" I laughed, thinking she was talking about how cute she was. Until, I realized, she was excited to help me find the perfect white dresses. She really loves shopping. She wanted to go to the mall. I'm just not a mall shopper. Too much energy to hit the mall, especially with kids. I told her maybe, hoping to ward off a fit, but it was inevitable. When we headed home, she threw a fit, cause she wanted to go to the mall, the place with the red star on it (Macy's). I promised her my mom would take her on a mall trip in the next few weeks. She still threw a good 30 minute fit. Which, I ignored, but she sure doesn't get the clue that throwing a fit doesn't work...what is it with girls?

Junior Engineer

Last week, they had a Junior Engineering day at Kyle's school. Parents were invited to come and see what their kids were doing. I went. I was the only parent from Kyle's class who did so (at that particular time, anyways.) The kids spent about an hour in different classrooms learning different things. I don't know that I would have called it an 'engineering' day, but it was a good 'Science Day'. In this segment, the kids were learning about light and prisms. The teacher had a drill, with a painted board, to show the kids what it looked like when it went fast. She explained how it was the light that made it look how it did. This was Kyle's teacher last year, Ms. Fullmer.

This is what Kyle thought about it.

I'm still amazed that he isn't completely horrified by the thought of his parents showing up at school. He even gave me a hug when I left. I guess instead of being amazed, I should just enjoy it! I think Kyle also needs to get in to see an orthodontist. Anyone out there know at what age is the best time to take him? He's only lost 4 of his baby teeth. I don't know whether I should wait until more permanent teeth come in, or not...

So proud...

I am so proud of Troy! He recently got a promotion at work! His title is now an "Engineer". Even though, he doesn't technically have the degree for it. His work is requiring him to take a Calculus and Chemistry class. I don't really understand why, but whatever it takes. They will let him take classes during the day, if he needs to leave work, and they will pay for the classes. The problem is, you can't just enroll in Calculus. You have to take a math placement test. So, he has gone to the library and is studying up before he takes his placement test. It's a good thing math is his 'thing'. It is definitely not mine. He just has to finish his classes within a year. So, in a few months, he will start working a normal M-F shift! I can't tell you how happy I am about that! I signed the boys up for baseball a few weeks ago, and dreaded the upcoming season. Now, I think I'll be able to handle it! Ever since we moved to Oregon, which was when Kyle was 4 months old, he has worked a compressed work week (working 12 hour shifts, and 3 or 4 days a week) and working every Saturday. I got used to it, and it just became how life was, but since the boys have been playing more and more sports, I want him back! I also am ready for him to be home by 5:30 every night instead of 7. (In Oregon, he wasn't ever home until 8!) OH, and NO MORE GRAVEYARD SHIFTS! It really is not even comprehendable to me right now. I really just can't imagine him being home every evening and off on Saturdays! Yea! I can't wait! So, I was looking for a picture of Troy to put on here. I found one I took of him when we made chocolate suckers at Christmas time. He made this sucker, that he thought was the most perfect one in the world...I love you Troy! I'm proud of you!

We REALLY hate dogs!

It has been a boring week. I figure you are all tired of me whining, so I haven't posted anything...just more sickness in our house. We had something exciting happen today. Well, for our boring life, it was exciting. It only figures it would happen to us! Troy went on a bike ride tonight. He got home, and told me how he was bit by a dog. Seriously! The people are in our ward. SO IRRITATING! I called them, just to let them know. I know from previously talking to Riverton City Animal Control, that there is $150 fine for dog bites. Not to mention, it was not provoked in any way. Troy was merely riding his bike. Gotta love dogs...and their owners...