Describe getting a Christmas Tree with your family as a child. How did you decorate it? When did you put it up?

We had a sixteen foot vaulted ceiling and naturally couldn't have any kind of small tree, we always had to have a twelve foot or more tree.  The first Saturday after Thanksgiving, dad would hook on the trailer to our Blazer and we would head into the little town of Tooele.  We had our favorite Christmas Tree lots that usually would have some decent sized trees.  Dad always brought his tape measure so we could measure and get the tallest tree we could find.  Now mind you, dad got into the whole hunting for the tallest tree just as much as us kids did.  We would spend half the morning going around to the lots and measuring the trees until we found the tallest one.  Us kids and dad would quickly go from tree to tree so excited to see if it was the one for us.  It was almost as fun as opening up the presents on Christmas Morning.  Once we found the perfect tree, dad would load it up in the trailer and we would head for home.  We lived way out in the country in a little Township called Pine Canyon and once we hit Erickson road, dad would pull over and let us kids hop out and go ride with the tree in the trailer.  Now days, that would be highly frowned upon, but oh it was so much fun to hang on the back of the trailer and feel the excitement of the wind blowing in our faces.  Funny enough, I didn't mind the cold as much back then as I do now.  When we got home, dad would prepare the tree to go in the stand and be brought in the house.  Meanwhile us kids would be in the house helping mom get out all of the decorations.  We had a hodge podge of home made decorations, and the ones I loved the most were the ones my mom had made in Relief Society back when her and my dad first got married.  They are made out of egg cartons, glued together, and brightly colored.  Mom, every year would tell us the story of how she made them and I would always notice the care she used with them, almost as if they were the most expensive and delicate ornaments of them all.  We had very little in the way of store bought ornaments as my mom is a very creative and crafty person.  I loved all of the homemade ornaments that she had made over the years. Once dad had brought the tree in, mom would put on the Christmas music and we would all sing and laugh as we put up the decorations and trimmed the tree.  Mom would always worry as me and my brothers would climb like monkeys on the railings and banisters just to be able to reach the top of the tree to decorate it.  Going to pick out the tree and decorate it was always and all day event, but it was so much fun and probably some of my favorite memories.

Now my parents have a twelve foot fake tree.  It's still a tradition to put up the tree on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving.  My parents have been married for some 45 years now and we still lovingly put the egg carton decorations on the tree and every year mom tells the story about them.  I love to see the look on her face as she talks about it.  Now there are the grandkids that get to help grandpa build the tree.  We use ladders and hooks to reach the top, but the kids all like to climb on the railing and banister to put the ornaments at the top, and grandma still gets nervous every time.  It's still an all day event to decorate grandma's house and it is always filled with Christmas music and laughter.  The ornaments are still all homemade and I love them.   As a matter of fact, I decorate my Christmas Tree all in the homemade ornaments that my mother has made.  And I love to tell the kids the stories.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

I've had plenty of embarrassing moments in my life.  I remember some and some I'm sure I've blocked out.  The one I'm thinking about happened when I was in high school.  I was at a church activity, for the activity several of us were chosen to write down our most embarrassing moments.  Then we went up on stage, the embarrassing moment was read off and the audience had to guess who's embarrassing moment it was.  Well I wrote down a moment from my child hood.

When I was about two years old, we lived in Colorado.  We also lived in a cul-de-sac and we had one of those small gutters that ran along side of the sidewalk.  I had this awesome friend that I played with every day.  One day we went out and played in the gutter and were caught.  Both of our parents told us that we were not allowed to play in the water with our clothes on.  A few days later, a neighbor saw my friend and I out in the gutter just in our diapers playing in the water.  We had set our clothes over on the grass where they wouldn't get wet.  We had been told that we couldn't play in the water with our clothes on.  We thought we were being very obedient by taking them off.  And our parents really couldn't argue with our two-year-old logic and we had things explained further to us.

Well, I chose this story to be my most embarrassing story to share.  However it didn't end up being my most embarrassing moment.  I neglected to add the ages my friend and I were at.  So it left the interpretation of our age wide open.  And when I realized that up on stage in front of this group of my peers and not only that, people that I go to church with, I wanted to curl up in a bawl and die.  Everyone thought it was hilarious and the best embarrassing moment.  Meanwhile I'm now trying to explain that this happened to me when I was two.

I have another embarrassing moment I could share and luckily I can laugh over it now.  My ex-husband has a previous ex-wife and they had a daughter together.  When it came time for the daughter to be baptized I was pregnant with our third child.  We made the trip up to Washington to attend the baptism.  Now I am really good friends with the first ex wife.  She is a fantastic woman, great person, and a dear friend, however, at that point in time, things were a bit on the awkward side.  I had been asked to give either the opening or closing prayer at the baptism service (I don't remember which one off the top of my head now).  I gave the prayer and was heading back to my seat when someone kindly lady told me that the entire back of my skirt had a huge rip down the seam showing off my lovely hind end.  Luckily I had a slip on at the time.  But oh, I just wanted to die of embarrassment.  Of all places to have something like that happen.  But all is well that ends well.  Mandi and I get along great now and we can both sit and laugh about the whole incident.  And I am very blessed to have Mandi as my friend.

Describe your first job

My first job was when I was in college down at what is now Utah Valley University.  Back then, it was called Utah Valley Community College.  But that was many moons ago.  I got my first job at the Wirthlin Group.  It was an interesting job to say the least.  We did telephone surveys.  I quickly realized I didn't like calling people and interrupting their day like that.  And I also realized I could never be a telemarketer, door to door sales person or anything of the sort.

My second job was at Arctic Circle.  I didn't stay there long as I had one co-worker who was rude and mean.  I later learned it was because she was jealous that one of the cooks had a crush on me and she had a crush on him.  And I had no clue that the cook even liked me as he never spoke to me.  Kind of funny to think back and laugh about it.

I went from Arctic Circle to working at Pizza Hut.  I loved that job.  I, with two of my friends, made the early morning school lunch pizza's.  It was a blast.  We would have to get to work by 4:30 a.m. to get started on the dough for the school lunch and also to get the place a head start on dough for the day.  Once we got the dough well in hand, one of us would stay back to continue the dough while the other two would go up front to start topping and cooking the pizza's.  We would have a lot of fun jamming out to music and just plain being goofy while we worked.  Our boss was awesome, he would show up about 6:00 a.m. to help us finish off making the pizza's.  He would joke and goof around with us.  When the school year came to an end, we were let go as there was no more need for the school lunch pizza's and our boss already had a full staff for the regular part of the business.  But we had been given the promise to be able to come back at the beginning of the school year to do the pizza's again if we wanted.  I also have to say one of the perks of the job was the free bread sticks and personal pan pizza every day.

From Pizza Hut, I went to work in Yellowstone National Park.  I also loved that job, well, not so much the job as I loved being up in Yellowstone.  Yellowstone is one of the most beautiful places on earth as far as I'm concerned.  I started out cleaning the cabins but found the work to be quite hard on my back.  My back wasn't as bad as it is now, but I did have the scoliosis back then.  They were able to transfer me over to cashiering in the cafeteria.  That was a lot of fun.  I loved being able to chat with all the visitors to the park and hearing about where they live and what brought them to visit Yellowstone.  I wore a name tag with my name and the state I was from.  I found it fun to tell visitors the fun and neat places to go see in Utah.  I loved my days off when my friends and I would go explore the wonders around us.  Watching Old Faithful shoot off under a full moon.  Going down to Hayden Valley to watch a meteor shower.  Watching nature scamper about.  It was an amazing experience.

I was given the opportunity to stay and work the winter in Yellowstone and almost did.  The big deciding factor for me...... TOO MUCH SNOW AND TOO COLD!!!!  So I left when the season was over and went back home to Utah.  I had enjoyed working with the public in Yellowstone and thought I might have the same fun working with the public in any setting, and so I got a job out at the airport working in the exit plaza's.  It was there I realized just how much I do not like working with the public.  I met good people who were pleasant and nice.  But for the most part I met people who had either had a horrible trip, a terrible flight, the airline lost their luggage, or were plain tired from their trip and wanted to get home.  I was the last person they saw as they left the airport and so I would catch the brunt of all of their frustrations.  Especially if it was busy and the lines were long.  And I wasn't the only one who would receive this kind of treatment from the public.  No one I knew there like the job at all.  I found that I didn't like the way I felt about the job.  I dreaded going into work and I would usually leave work in a pretty bad mood.  I didn't stay there very long and I had decided that never again would I ever work with the public.

I found a job working at UPS on the graveyard shift.  I worked on what they called the "Brown" belt.  I was a loader.  I had the fun job of loading all of the boxes that went to Utah Valley.  It was a very hard job and physically demanding.  One would think I would have learned my lesson with trying to clean the cabins in Yellowstone.  But it was a job and I didn't have to work with the public.  It soon became clear to me that I couldn't take the heavy loads and quit.

I went to Super Target from there again working the graveyard shift stocking shelves.  It was an okay place to work.  Not my favorite job in the world.  I realized that I didn't like working retail as I would have to work on the holidays.

I found myself back out at the airport but this time working for the company that cleaned the airlines, specifically Delta.  Still on the graveyard shift, we would be the ones to go in and deep clean the airplanes over night and have them all spotless for the morning flights.  I enjoyed this job until we got a new supervisor who was a task master, people were quitting left and right because of her.  We soon found we didn't have enough people to get the airplanes done all in one night.  We were expected to work long hours and for little pay with a woman who was just horrible.

And that's when I found ACS.  I was able to get off the graveyard shift and have a normal job that gave me weekends and holidays.  I worked a regular Monday through Friday job.  I liked the people, I liked the hours, the pay was okay, and I liked the normalcy it gave me.  I started out as a scanner, sitting at a machine all day scanning bank loan applications.  I moved from that to doing data entry after the scanning had been completed.  From there I was given the responsibility of being a lead supervisor.  I really enjoyed what I did, I liked the people I worked with.  Several things happened all around the same time; I got married and was expecting my first child.  The nice thing about ACS is that they sent a lot of their work to be done "in home". I decided that I really wanted to be home with my children.  So I switched departments and did in home data entry for Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield.  I loved the freedom it gave me.  I was able to stay at home with the kids, but also still earn money.  I was able to make my own hours and as long as I had my work done by midnight, no one cared.  This job was a very nice thing to have when I had all of my surgeries.  I was able to stay and home and heal but at the same time work.  However, during the last surgery on my back, I was placed on the operating room table wrong and was left with a Brachial Plexus stretch injury to my arms and shoulders.  My left arm and hand have never healed properly.  I was not able to go back to my work doing data entry, something I enjoyed and was really good at.  I have been blessed with the ability to fight for and win my disability case and now I have a great husband who makes enough for me to be a full time mommy.

Journal Jar

I'm bad at keeping up on my journal.  I've realized that I need to do better.  I've found some fun "journal jar" questions.  I've decided that I'm going to do some of these on this blog.  I'm am going to be very picky and choosy with the things I share.  But I thought this could be a good way to share some fun memories.  So over the next little while, I will post a journal jar question and then answer it.

The Little Redheaded Feller April 28,1918 to April 18, 2012

I had planned to make this tribute to my grandfather and had wanted to wait until his birthday at the end of the month.  However, today marks the one year anniversary of his passing.  And so I felt that today would be the better day to make this tribute to my grandfather.  I didn't grow up calling him “grandpa”.  I grew up calling him “Deem”.  And in my opinion, every girl should have a “Deem”.  He was the best grandpa a girl could ask for.  It was such a bitter sweet day when he died.  His health had been going downhill for many years and he suffered from Dementia.  Dementia is such a cruel disease stealing from its victims their memories and their minds.  Deem had such a memory and was one of the smartest people I know.  He had so many songs memorized that he would sing to us all of the time.  And his “Little Redheaded Feller” stories were the best.  Deem could spin a tale that would have you begging for more.  So, it was so very bitter to watch him waste away from the Dementia.  My uncle said it quite well when he said that he felt that for Deem being trapped in the Dementia must have been like a prison for him.  He could see Deem almost like he was holding onto the bars of his cell wanting to be free.  I had felt for a long time that my Deem, my hero, had been gone for years.  Even still, it was so bitter and hard for me to let go and say goodbye.  But then it was also very sweet.  So sweet because I know that Deem is no longer trapped and is free.  I know that he has returned home to our Heavenly Father and he is free from the Dementia and physical ailments.  I know that he is the Deem he used to be.  And even though I miss him, it is so sweet to know I will see him again.  So sweet to know that he’s looking down on me and helping when I need it, and sweet to know that he’s there on the other side rooting for me to make it back home.   And so sweet to know that he’s already got a chair set up in Heaven with my name on it.

Deem and Bammer and all the grandkids

Since his passing one year ago, I have had several wonderful experiences with him.  I believe in life after death.  I believe that death is just another door way into the next part of our journey.  I believe that our loved ones on the other side are there for us and that they do come and help us in times of need or sorrow.  I've had a couple of wonderful dreams where Deem was there.  I know that Deem was at the temple on the day that Nathan and I were sealed.  And just recently, Space Man Spiff was having some difficulty with bad dreams.  On one particularly hard evening, I knew that Deem was there to comfort Space Man Spiff.  We sat and talked about Deem and then Space Man Spiff became teary eyed because he could then feel Deem with us.    It is such a comfort to know that families can be together forever and that it is a part of Heavenly Father’s plan.  There will come a day when I will see my grandpa again and I am and always will be a part of his eternal family.

Me being a vulture

Going on a wheelbarrow ride around the circle

The raising of the flag.  Part of the Fourth of July tradition.

I have so many memories of Deem that bring such joy to recall to my memory.  Deem was always gentle and kind.  I don’t think I ever heard a harsh word come out of his mouth.  He loved children and there were many children everywhere who “adopted” him as their grandpa too.  My grandparents went on a mission to the Philippines, the children there fell in love with him and crowds of children would follow him where ever he went.  He was the pied piper of the children.  I can remember sitting on his lap while he was eating his ice cream and begging for bites.  He always called me his little “vulture” but would give me bites anyway.  And boy did Deem have a sweet tooth, especially for his homemade ice cream.  Nobody could make ice cream the way Deem could.  Deem was never too busy to stop and play with us or get us involved in helping him do what he was working on.  My grandparents lived way up in the tops of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.  The one whole side of the mountain we had named “Scarface”.  I spent many summers hiking Scarface with Deem.  I explored every inch of their yard.  Deem made toys for us to play on and a little hut for the girls.  (The boys had built their own three story hut under the direction of my older brother).  Deem would load us all up in his wheel barrow and take us for walks around the circle.  The Fourth of July was always a treat with the BBQ outside in the rocks, the watermelon seed spitting contests, the raising of the flag and the reading of the Constitution.  But my favorite part was the parade we put on.  Deem in the front as our fearless leader with the flag, the rest of us trailing behind with a hodge podge of children’s musical instruments.  Oh we played loud and we played off tune, but we marched around the circle with our heads held high to celebrate our Independence Day.  Deem always made me feel like I was the most beautiful and special person alive.  He always made me feel like I was the most important person.  I knew that Deem loved me and I knew he saw what Heavenly Father see’s in me.  I think the thing I love most about Deem is how special, important, and loved I am.  When I turned 16 Deem took me out on my first date.  We went out to dinner and a movie and I will never forget that special time I was able to have with him.  I think in this world that there would be many girls who would be embarrassed by having their grandpa taking them out on their first date, but I wouldn't go back and change it for the world.  My first date was with my grandpa and it is a memory that I hold very dear and special to me.  Because in his eyes I am a princess of the Most High God and he treated me as such.  He treated every woman that way.  He loved my grandma with all of his heart and talked about her with such love and reverence and had an undying devotion to her.  

One of the last pictures of Deem and Bammer before he got sick.

Deem and Bammer wedding

I had always felt so bad that my kids would never know the Deem I knew.  But by keeping his “Little Redheaded Feller” stories alive, I feel like I can give them a taste of what it was like.  We talk about Deem all of the time and I find myself reminiscing about my childhood and passing those stories onto my kids.  There will come a day when they will have the chance to get to know the Deem I know. 

Deem and Bammer on their mission to the Philippines

 I watch my kids with my dad now, and I see how he stops what he is doing to play with them.  I listen to the stories he tells them that keeps them begging for more.  I watch as he takes them on walks in the wheel barrow. I watch as he spoils them as all grandpas should.  I watch as he shares his Gatorade with them and gives them all marshmallows. I watch as he gets them involved in the things he’s doing.  I watch as my dad interacts with my kids in the same ways Deem interacted with me.  I see how excited the kids get when we tell them that Grandpa Deem is coming.  It makes my heart very happy to see the cycle continue. 

I love this picture of Grandpa Deem with Spider Monkey and Tiger Lily.  Grandpa Deem is Spider Monkey's hero just like Deem was mine.

Deem, I love you and I miss you.  You are my hero and the best grandpa a girl could ever wish for.  Until we meet again at Jesus Feet, may God be with you. 

Baby Deem

Deem in High School

A group of wild monkeys

We have a group of wild monkeys living at our house, six of them to be exact.  Six of the monkeys in this picture belong to us, the others are cousins.  And as usual, the kids are being.......well.....kids.  Raising six kids is fun, but can also be a challenge, especially when it's a mixed family.  But for all things considered our mixed family is mixing along pretty well.  But the one big question staring Nathan and I straight in the face is:  What can we do to raise these kids up to become healthy and productive members of society?

The "entitlement" age is upon us.  More and more we see and hear of children being raised to believe they are "entitled" to everything and shouldn't have to do an ounce of work to get it.  More and more kids are becoming addicted to video games, t.v., and cell phones and becoming very lazy.  We had a very wonderful General Conference this past weekend and there were several talks about the family and the very forces of evil working so hard to tear down the family and destroy it.  So, what can we as parents do to raise up these precious children of God to do good and serve their fellow mankind and not get trapped in "entitlement"?

There are many things we can do, and these are the things that we, as a family, are trying to do.  We pray as a family every morning and every night and we encourage private prayers any time, any place, and anywhere. We read scriptures every day as a family and encourage our children to read them on their own.  We work very hard to set aside time for the kids to go off and read their scriptures by themselves every evening.  We have Family Home Evening and activities.  We have dinner together as a family around the dinner table. At our house a good, home cooked, healthy meal is the norm.  Fast food is a reward and a treat and not indulged in very often.  The kids need good, healthy food.  It's a good start, but is it enough?  Is that enough to rid our family from the "entitlement" bug?

There are other things we do in our home.  We make sure the kids have daily chores they are responsible for.  They also have to do their homework before they can play.  We don't have cable in our home.  We limit the amount of time the kids play on the computer, we encourage them to go outside and soak up that good sunshine.  We don't allow violent video games into the home.  We do a lot of spontaneous family fun, but we also plan times when we will get out of the house and have adventures as a family.

I thought I would share with you all some of the things we do around our house.  We have chores, and I have this chore chart.  Each room is broken down into what needs to be done every day and what needs to be done once a week.  Each of us has a name tag and once a week we rotate through the rooms.  That way no one person get's stuck doing the same thing over and over again.  It gives the kids variety and then they also learn to do all of the tasks needed to run a home.  We have a Summer chore schedule and a School chore schedule.  During the summer, the kids can help with the vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, and scrubbing of the bathrooms, and they also get to help sort, wash, fold, and put away the laundry. Those are what I call "the bigger" chores that get done once a week on a specific day.  There are every day chores that are simple, and easy to do.  Quick cleaning to make that room look nice.  During the school year, I take care of the "bigger chores" and the kids take care of the quick every day cleaning to keep the rooms looking nice.  I do the big parts of the laundry but the kids have to collect all of the dirty clothes and they have to put it away when it's all clean.  The chores aren't hard and don't take that long, especially when everyone is involved and everyone helps and everyone does their part.

THE PROBLEM:  This school year, the kids have really been slacking off on their chores.  I hate to say it, but the "entitlement" bug has bit us. They have been playing all morning before school when they should be doing their chores.  They come home from school and do their homework, but then they want to play video games.  And they haven't quite figured out why I just don't want to let them.  None of their chores are done, which makes it hard for me to do my part.  I end up having to do their chores for them just so I can vacuum.  What is that teaching the kids?  Not something I want them to learn certainly.  They need to be helpful.  I feel like I've been banging my head against a wall all year long.  What can we do to get the kids motivated to be helpful?  The other problem is that there are SIX of these monkeys running around the house and all SIX of them want to play video games.  If I gave each of them an hour every day, that's SIX hours every day.  Who has that kind of time to let their kids play SIX hours?!?  Because these kids are like any other kids, even if they aren't playing, they want to be watching.  I don't really want the kids in front of a computer or t.v. screen for SIX hours EVERY DAY!!   And then where's the time, they have school, and homework, ballet, piano, gymnastics, scouts, and activity days.  They don't get home from school until 3:40 in the afternoon.  I'd literally have to let all of them stay up until past 10:00 pm just to give them each an hour of video game playing.  And then they wouldn't get enough sleep to function properly at school.  What kind of parent wants to do that to their kids!?!?  Not this one for sure!!!  And lets be honest, I have to play fair too.  I can't let Space Man Spiff have an hour on the computer and then only let Lion Heart have 20 minutes. And I seriously don't think the kids need more than a half hour of video game playing per day.  Even still with six kids and letting them have a half hour every day, that's three hours of computer and t.v. time.  Not exactly ideal in my mind, but I can work with it.

THE SOLUTION:  The kids have to earn time on the computer.  The upstairs computer is only for 15 minute game play.  The downstairs is for 30 minute game play.  The kids can only play up to 30 minutes per day and they can earn the right to play longer on the weekend.  There is no game play on Sunday.  We bought these washers for different amounts of game play time. The small is five minutes, the medium is 10 minutes and the big one is 15 minutes. So, what is it the kids have to do to earn these "tokens"?  For starters, they get a 5 minute game token for getting up quickly, getting dressed quickly, and eating breakfast in a timely manner.  They can earn another 5 minutes for cleaning their rooms.  They can earn yet another 5 minutes for doing their assigned room chore.  The kids have to start getting ready to get out the door at 8:20 in the morning.  So, they have the potential to earn another 5 minutes for getting everything done by 8:20.  Just in one morning, they can earn 20 minutes of game time.  And we give them plenty of time as we get them up at 7:00 every morning.  When they get home from school they can earn another 5 minutes by doing their homework.  Giving them 25 minutes of game time.  They can also earn 5 minutes of game time every night by getting ready for bed quickly.  All in all, we have it set that the kids can earn 30 minutes of game time every day.  After homework is done, they are allowed to "buy" either 15 minutes of game play or 30 minutes of game play.  If you don't do your chores, no game playing and it doesn't matter if you have game "tokens" or not.  We've just started this and the kids are quite motivated.  Their chores are getting done and I'm a much happier mommy.  I think the kids will find that when they help around the house, that I will be more willing to let them do the fun things.  And I have a few fun things planned and up my sleeves.  I have a Pinterest board dedicated to fun activities for kids.  I think the kids will find that Saturdays are going to become a lot more exciting with a happy mommy.  This is something new and I'm sure there will be kinks and bugs to work out, but I'm hoping that it will teach the kids a few things and hopefully get the "entitlement" bug out of our house.  And like all kids, they whine about it all, but hey, it's my responsibility as a parent to raise them up not only in the ways of truth and righteousness but to also raise them up to be good, healthy adults and productive members of society.

What do you do to help motivate your kids?

We have a plan

So as you can see here, there's just something wrong with my spine.  I have severe scoliosis.  These massive curve(s) to my spine have led to many surgeries.  Being pregnant, that leaves me in a precarious spot.....what's the birth plan??  I had my two oldest children pre-surgeries and was able to have an epidural.  Now I know there are women out there who fully believe in a natural child birth, but I'm not one of them.  If I can have some pain control, I'm going to want it.  With my youngest child, there was a slight problem with having an epidural, I'd already had some surgeries and the metal rods were in place.  I was left with no choice but to deliver him naturally.  Ladies and gentlemen, not a thing I ever want to do again if I can help it.  So, when we found out I was pregnant with Indy I immediately started thinking ahead to the birth.

Now I'm a through and through, "bleed blue" BYU Cougar fan.  I root for Cougar football and the whole bit. But when it comes down to my health care, there is NO better place than the U of U.  They are the specialists and know what they are doing.  Since they were the ones who did all of my surgeries it made perfect sense to go there for mine and the babies health care.

I've been blessed by going to the U, since they are the specialists, they have been able to follow Indy's development closely and make sure he's doing good.  And as of today I can report that Indy is healthy and growing in just the way he should.  But, with 68 days until my due date, I wanted a pain management plan in place for the birth.  So, today I met with the anesthesiology team to discuss the possibility of an epidural and if not, what the plan will be for pain management.

I didn't really think they would be able to do an epidural but wanted to ask anyway, and no surprises when they said that an epidural isn't possible.  For one, I don't have much of an epidural space anymore.  And two, the little bit of space I do have is compromised by bone grafts and metal rods, screws and hardware.  With all of the complexities of my spine, even if they could get an epidural in, there is no assurance that the medication would even go to the right spot.  And there is the risk of them missing and then I would have the worst headache ever with no medication to help alleviate it.  The doctors don't want to risk it and neither do I.  So, the next question is what is our plan?

Guys, I'm not going to lie, I'm a bit scared.  But I think we have a good plan and I feel okay with it.  We will start out with I.V. pain medications and use an "ace in the hole" of a fast acting, and good pain medication for the end.  Completely safe for me and baby and will help to keep me less stressed.  I don't have the flexibility to my spine to push out a baby without a lot of help along the way.  I feel better having met with the anesthesiology team.  They know what to expect, they know my medical history, they know my physical capabilities we are prepared ahead of time.  I won't be walking into delivery and throw them for a loop when they see my medical history.  All in all, I have complete Faith that everything will go well and I know I am in good hands at the U.    I feel blessed and to live in this day and age with all of the medical knowledge and know-how at our fingertips

Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens......

One of my all time favorite songs is from the "Sound of Music".
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad

I can remember as a child when I would start feeling sad or scared that I would listen to this song and it would bring me comfort.  My parents had even found me this little basket of kittens that played that tune.  When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad.  And what, may you ask are my favorite things.

Jesus Christ

The gospel

My children

My husband

Whiskers on kittens

Chocolate

Costa Vida Sweet Pork Burrito

Cross stitching

Bright happy flowers

Warm sunshine

Family Parties

My cat

Hot summer days

All things bright, happy and sparkly (but not vampires)

Those are just a few, but when I simply remember my favorite things, then I don't feel so bad.  And now I really want to go watch the Sound of Music.

Adventures at the dinosaur park

We went on adventure to the Ogden Dinosaur Park today.   It was the perfect day to be outside.  The sunshine felt great and the kids have fun.  I think I may have got the first sunburn of the season.  Not an overly bad sunburn, but I can feel it on my face.  But hey, that's the price you pay when you love the sun like I do.

Hiding out in the "bat cave"

We were even massacred by dinosaurs.  

Very very dangerous......... dangerously CUTE!!!

BBQ children anyone?

We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo....

We took Lion Heart, Firecracker, and Tiger Lily to the zoo and a couple of their cousins came along as well.  We had grand adventures, saw all of the animals, and had a great time.

This cute little elephant was taking a nap but all the kids were all worried that it had died.  It does kind of look that way, but rest assured, it is asleep

We got this great shot of the polar bear eating his fishy meal

Black bear chowing down on his lunch

I love the big cats.  Can't wait for the day when the lamb shall lay down with the lion.  Then I can play with these kitties.

Had a great time at the zoo.  

I looked out the window and what did I see?

Springtime brings me so much joy.  And what, may you ask is my favorite Primary song??  Popcorn popping on the Apricot tree, of course.  

"I looked out the window and what did I see?
Popcorn popping on the Apricot tree.
Spring has brought me such a nice surprise.
Popcorn popping right before my eyes.

I can take an armful and make a treat,
A popcorn ball that smells so sweet.
It wasn't really so,
But it seemed to me......
Popcorn popping on the Apricot tree."

Yesterday was a wonderful 71 degrees around these parts.  I wore shorts and it felt great.